PROGRAMS
Create and Thrive (CAT) w/ Langston Seattle
Create and Thrive is an initiative dedicated to supporting and uplifting Black artists of all disciplines, ages, and levels. LANGSTON and Central District Forum For Arts & Ideas have partnered to deliver resources and opportunities for Black artists in Washington State.
Whether you are a singer, actor, dancer, chef, make-up artist, curriculum developer, designer, videographer, we want to invest in YOU! We seek to enhance Black cross-disciplinary artistic and cultural activity in King County and Washington State. With two exciting opportunities: Create and Thrive Micro Grant and the Creative Empowerment Program.
Community Feed
The Community Feeds Program is a cornerstone of our year-round community initiatives. Led by Anthony Tibbs, our curator and program lead, this program brings together local chefs, restaurants, and food trucks on the first Sunday of every month to provide free meals to members of our CD Forum community.
Our mission is to nourish and support all members of our community, including multi-generational families, houseless individuals, LGBTQIA+ individuals, those with low incomes, and individuals recovering from drug addiction. Beyond addressing immediate hunger, our program creates a supportive environment where attendees can access essential services such as free haircuts, hygiene products, and connections to partner non-profits in the greater Seattle area.
Each first Sunday, we enhance the event with music, dancing, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. While the free meals attract people initially, it's the community engagement and connections that keep them coming back.
The Community Feeds Program aims to uplift our community by providing not just meals, but also a sense of belonging and support. By fostering a joyful and inclusive environment, we strive to strengthen community bonds and empower individuals to thrive.
Join Us: We invite all community members to join us on the first Sunday of each month to enjoy a meal, connect with others, and access the resources that support our shared community well-being. Together, we can make a positive difference in the lives of those we serve.
West African Dance
Our weekly 90-minute West African dance class, led by Papa Kawusi, is a vibrant journey through movement, rhythm, and cultural connection to the West African diaspora rooted in Mali, Guinea, Ghana, and Ivory Coast.
The class this Summer/Fall will continue to expand into the west African region with choreography and techniques. Moving between Mali, Guinea, Ghana, and Ivory Coast. Each class will consist of a full body warm up, some center floor learning and clarifying paired with understanding about the rhythm. Finally we will take moves across the floor in celebration! It is important to use this class to cultivate your own experiential expansion, this is more than an aerobics class. We are so excited to keep the energy of community and unity alive through Dance!
Intimate Conversations
Intimate Conversations is a must-listen podcast created by dani tirrell, the Artistic Director of Central District Forum for Arts and Ideas, in collaboration with the CD Forum production team. It follows the trend of many popular live-streamed interviews available today but with a unique focus on discussing topics crucial to the Black community in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
Through engaging discussions with artists, educators, historians, and community leaders, Intimate Conversations delves into pressing issues such as politics, health, pop culture, and daily life in the PNW. This podcast promises to be thought-provoking, insightful, and informative.
To make the experience even more enriching, Intimate Conversations encourages audience interaction through Facebook and YouTube. This is your chance to participate in the conversation and contribute to the discourse.
Don't miss this unique and important opportunity to gain valuable insights and perspectives from the voices that matter. Tune in to Intimate Conversations today!
Happy Hour
A CD Forum Happy Hour is a laid-back social event where supporters, artists, community members, and those curious can mingle with CD Forum and our team. Our Happy Hours have covered various topics, from fashion and healing to community and laughter.
The Happy Hour series was launched in 2023 and will continue to be a part of our current programming, focusing on the Ideas section of CD Forum. During our time together, we provide food, drinks, and great conversation with the guests in attendance. It is important for CD Forum to create programming that brings together social issues and community joy.
As we move forward with new leadership and renewed purpose, we are eager to expand our Happy Hours beyond the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute and explore other venues in and around the Central District. We are particularly interested in hosting a Happy Hour at businesses created and run by Black individuals with a focus on women, femmes, and those in the LGBTQIA+ Community.
These Happy Hours take place 4 times a year and focus on a singular topic with invited guests sharing their experiences and expertise on the selected topic.
Hold That Pose for Me
In partnership with SWACE Health, Hold That Pose for Me is a mini ballroom competition and health education series to educate QTBIPOC youth and young adults about ballroom history, culture, and health resources. the series will allow community members ages 13-24 to compete in mini balls that will present a variety of categories to promote inclusivity and build confidence.
Community members will compete in various categories and learn the history of these categories in educational sessions before the competition, facilitated by SeaTac Ballroom Alliance members who are experts within those respected categories. They will also be educated on HIV prevention and treatment options local community-based organizations offer.
This project will feature the arts and culture of the ballroom community, introducing many millennials to ballroom history that reflects and impacts the Kiki Ballroom Scene of the present. The art of dance, fashion design, creative direction, music composition, and sound engineering will allow many community members to become well-versed in putting on a ballroom event, capacity building, and healthcare messaging.