We see you: Black Heritage Society of Washington

As part of the Fund’s commitment to elevating truthful Black narratives, connecting communities for collective power, and supporting our grantees, we are excited to share brief highlights of our We See You grantees.

Learn more about their work, their vision for a free Black future, and the ways the community can support moving forward.

1.   Who are you as an organization?

Founded in 1977, the Black Heritage Society of Washington State (BHS) is collector and keeper of history and legacies of Black people across Washington State. BHS manages a large collection of memorabilia, photographs, oral history, and more that is maintained and held in trust as a public asset. In addition to the archive, BHS is an advocate for saving heritage sites and believes strongly that Black History is everyone's history.

2.   What is your vision for a free Black future, and how is your organization contributing to that vision?

BHS imagines a future that is propelled and influenced by our past but does not sit still in our achievement, contributions, and intentional actions that make history every day. Knowledge is power. At BHS, we are grounded in this power which instills a sense of place, pride, and significance. Rather than ignore and erase, BHS upholds the legacy of Black people who were, and are instrumental in living their lives to create vibrant communities and more broadly a vital nation that should always strive for just and equal opportunity. We are the History Keepers.

3.   How has the Black Future Co-op Fund helped support your work? In what other ways would you like more support?

A goal at BHS is to make our priceless archive of history a more visible and accessible library. One way is to prioritize legacy collections based on their fragility and/or frequency of inquiry with the end goal to digitize them for an online gallery. The Black Future Co-Op Fund has given us the opportunity to begin this process. In addition to the award, BFCF invited and selected us to be a partnering nonprofit with the UW Board Fellows Program that allows for a Foster School MBA student to become a non-voting member on our board for one year. The Fellow will work together with BHS to strategize and create actions to bring our vision to life.

BFCF lifts our mission and helps to create a public benefit that serves everyone. When you raise our profile as a member of the BFCF family, you do us service. Thank you.