He documented
life in the Central Area for decades.
Al Smith’s photos are being shared as a tribute.
The Seattle Mariners encourage more kids of color
to partake in America's pastime.
If you're in need of medical, dental or vision care,
we'll tell you how you can receive services for free.
These stories and more next
on CityStream.
Hi, I'm Enrique Cerna.
Welcome to CityStream from Washington Hall.
A variety of ethnic groups
have held social and cultural gatherings here for 115 years.
It's also been a popular performance hall
hosting entertainers like Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday,
Jimi Hendrix, Elvis Costello, Macklemore and The Massive Monkees.
Built in 1908 by the Danish Brotherhood,
Washington Hall thrived for a century, but later fell into disrepair.
It was in danger of demolition before nonprofit
Historic Seattle stepped in to save it.
The hall is now home to three emerging arts organizations.
206 Zulu, Black Power Unlimited,
and Voices Rising.
One man who knew this neighborhood well was a noted photographer, Al Smith.
Smith spent 65 years documenting the people and events
in Seattle's Central Area.
His photos are acclaimed for the expressive, yet intimate way
he chronicled life.
Some of his work is on display right here inside Washington Hall.
And soon it will be seen in other places as well.
Connie Thompson looks back on Al Smith's impressive body of work.
He was always a photographer.
He was an artist.
It was like you were engaged in what was happening
at that particular moment, that he would take the photographs.
What he covered was happy.
You know, he showed people enjoying themselves.
And when you look at his pictures, for me, you feel that.
And so when I want to feel good, I look at some of his pictures
because it is it's a nice escape.
A great photographer always finds a way to be
in just the right spot at just the right moment.
And that was Al Smith Sr.
He knew when to snap that shot.
People are having a great time.
He was tuned in to capturing those moments that brought us joy.
Absolute joy.
I feel like,
wow, I wish I had been alive to be around that scene.
That would have been pretty cool.
You can just feel the audience.
That's, to me, a very energetic photograph.
If anyone has a greater appreciation
for Al Smith's work, it would be his son, Al Smith Jr.
Or Butch to those who know him.
Butch says his dad took so many pictures
because he truly cared about his Central Area community.
He never would refer to himself
as a historian, but that's what he was.
The nightclub ones are sort of the glamour
end of things, the concert shots and so on.
But his day to day work in the community,
those are much appreciated.
It's different when you have a photograph.
It gives a whole another dimension.
He took photographs of birthday parties,
weddings, or you name it.
He was capturing things he thought should be captured.
He didn't just photograph Black people, you know, he
photographed Chinese, Japanese, Filipino. - In the Central District.
In those days, it was just a melting pot and a mix of all kinds of people.
That was a very special time in Seattle history.
How lucky are we to have somebody who documents the history
of a community that otherwise may not have been documented at all?
It's an opportunity to time travel and see how
vital and interesting their lives were at that time.
If it were not for the Smith Collection,
there'd be a huge void for us in terms of documenting,
over the decades, the Central District.
Redlining limited
where Black people could own homes in Seattle.
That was the Central District.
But gentrification has now forced them out.
Also gone,
much of the rich culture and soul of that community,
it's just really important to have the history there so people don't
think, well, yeah, a lot of Black people used to live here and now they don't.
I realize the historical significance
and I don't want those pictures to just sit.
But this is old.
So Butch,
with the help of the Black
Heritage Society and the Museum of History and Industry
are making a concerted effort to get Al Smith Sr.’s images out there
as a way of connecting the present to the past.
Look at those dresses.
I know.
Yeah.
It helps to ground you.
And when you're grounded and feeling connected,
I think that that sense of community is more conducive
to building neighborhoods and the character of neighborhoods.
Recently we were having a discussion about how character matters in our community.
And when we see these images and these photographs
that that capture of that character, it just reinforces it.
It's a great
way to memorialize
what the Central District used to be.
Smith's photos are so captivating,
they were featured in a 2022 memory study called SHARP,
Sharing History through Active Reminiscence and Photo-Imagery.
It brought together the City's Aging and Disability Services
and the University of Washington.
Seniors with early
Alzheimer's or dementia walked the neighborhoods of their youth
using some of Smith's pictures to jog memories and discussions.
One particular photo consistently got a huge response.
That was the photo of the parade.
It was the big Cadillac with the Esquire on the side
and somebody waving in the crowd.
There was a lot of “I remember that!”
When people can see these images and these photographs, it's defining.
It gives you a sense of place about where you live or where you came from.
It allowed these Black elders to be seen in places
where they hadn't been seen in a long time.
You know, there are just a lot of great discussions and memories and a lot of laughter.
You know, he carried his camera everywhere. The Black Heritage Society
and the Smith family continue to push for Al Smith Sr.’s photos
to be prominently displayed in new Seattle buildings,
as well as long-standing community landmarks.
All this to honor one man's lifetime
hobby, and transform it into a lasting legacy.
He would
appreciate it, but it's not something he expected.
He said I wasn't doing anything special.
I was just taking pictures.
He meant that.
He was just surprised nobody else was. (laughs)
If you'd like to learn
more about Al Smith's extensive collection, the Museum of History
and Industry has a wonderful look at his life and work online.
Just go to Mohai.org/exhibits
and search for the photographs of Al Smith
- I love the energy of the game. - Next on CityStream,
as baseball shifts into high gear, see how the Mariners are encouraging
kids of color to step up to the plate.
The Seattle Mariners are reaching beyond T-Mobile Park
to help more kids of color get involved in baseball and softball.
Brian Callanan shows us how the M's and these young players
are part of a major league effort to create a more
inclusive game.
We got a really good, strong team.
- Meet the Kings from the Baseball Beyond Borders organization.
You’re catching.
Did I get everybody?
You could say they're just like a lot of teams full of kids with big dreams.
Well, I've always wanted to be a Major League Baseball player.
And they're ready to work.
I feel like the motivation is getting there.
So I feel like I can do it as long as I try hard.
But there's one thing that makes this group a little different.
I look at like teams in the MLB
and like, there’s, I don’t really see people that look like me.
Believe in yourself always.
The number of African American players in Major League Baseball
has declined steadily since 1981.
Just over 6% of all MLB players this season are Black.
- C’mon J.T., better throw.
- a statistic Coach Lenny Smith wants to change.
King's organization is offering every background, every nationality.
You want to play baseball, come to the Kings.
We will help you play.
- Almost got a hit. - With support from Baseball Beyond Borders
and the Seattle Mariners,
the Kings play against top level teams across the Northwest.
Making an impact in more ways than one.
We get some stares, but, like, I don't really mind.
I'm just here to play ball.
Coach Smith says his players are learning quickly and they're teaching others, too.
These kids are the next generation.
So, more these guys work hard.
The effort they put in .... this, they can help change the future.
But along with that look to the future.
This team is also reckoning with our past.
Why are we so divided in what it is about sports that can bring us together?
Last year, the Kings and Converge Media traveled south
on a reconciliation tour holding a baseball clinic at Jackson State,
a historically Black university, then continuing to Alabama
to visit the Equal Justice Initiative Legacy Museum and Memorial.
You know, 20 years from now, man, I hope that the community can see
Baseball Beyond Borders
as a program that really focused more than just baseball.
Right.
It was an opportunity for student athletes
to really understand and get a sense of purpose and identity.
- The tour inspired a renewed sense of purpose for the Seattle Mariners, too.
It's important for us to serve our community.
Nova Newcomer is a long time
baseball fan and director of community relations for the M’s.
She also heads the Mariners Care Foundation.
We can't do what we do on the field if we're not also succeeding off the field
and making an impact in our community.
This season,
the Mariners have made a big impact by opening five new Mariners
training centers across the state, like this one in Columbia City.
It's the official training facility of Baseball Beyond Borders
and its sister organization, Softball Beyond Borders.
I love the energy of the game.
I also like the teamwork.
It also taught me how to trust myself and my teammates.
I love the intensity of the game.
I love how fast paced it’s going and I love how much fun the girls bring to the field.
Michelle and Isabella are Seattle area players
who are also part of the “Hometown Nine,” a scholarship program
set up by the Mariners to help players from marginalized communities
with financial and academic support and mentorship from players
and the Mariners front office too. - It really taught me how to be a leader
on the field, on and off the field.
- It's a lesson that hits home for these players thankful to gain the access
to a game that can only be played when people come together.
No matter what color you are, no matter what age you are.
This is a game of fun.
It's a game of like love and friendship and like family, like
so everyone should be allowed to play.
The big payoff this summer for Baseball and Softball Beyond Borders,
they'll host the Major League sponsor, Reviving Baseball
in Inner Cities, or RBI tournament for young players,
right after the All-Star Game in Seattle.
And we just thought that that was such a great opportunity for our region
to see the game at the highest level
and then also see these kids that are coming up the next generation.
We know that those are things that that go beyond the sport,
that are really about tying back the fabric of our community.
Always go as hard as you can.
It's all part of an effort to add new energy to the game of baseball
with new faces, an effort that isn't without struggle.
- Don’t lay down. - Let’s go!
Get up and fight.
But these players say they're up for the challenge
and they're running full speed toward some major league dreams.
- I'm like, one day
I'm going to make a change and that's how I'm going to be in that lineup.
And there's going to be multiple African American kids following me.
Watch for a special announcement
about Baseball Beyond Borders and the tournament
they're hosting here in Seattle at the Mariners game July 14.
Just ahead on CityStream, if you need medical, dental or vision
care, a special clinic is just days away
and all the services are free.
In a few days,
thousands of people will converge on Seattle Center.
Many will be there to take advantage of free medical, dental
and vision care as part of the massive Seattle/King County Clinic.
Many others will be volunteers ready to help fellow community members in need.
Producer Randy Eng looks at the preparations underway.
Ready?
(speaking in Mandarin) Ni hao.
“Hello...”
(speaking in Spanish) Beinvenidos a la...
(speaking in Vietnamese) Clinic... Seattle King County Clinic.
Today we have had four folks
to do recordings
in the top four languages
English, Spanish, Vietnamese
and actually we do
Cantonese and Mandarin.
So I guess that would be five.
(speaking in Mandarin)
This is the very first part
where we can kind of
put them at ease
and give them some general instruction
and direction of what to expect.
(speaking in Vietnamese)
It's not always easy
for people to approach you
with a question
or to ask what they need to ask.
Please be back by 5:30 a.m.
when we distribute tickets.
(speaking in Mandarin)
This is one of those small details.
It really helps patients feel comfortable
to feel a little more at ease
in their surroundings.
(speaking in Spanish)
No, I'm not a pro,
but really I do enjoy doing it.
And really
I just want to use my skills,
my time, my hours, everything that I can
just to help this to be possible.
(speaking in Spanish)
Please remember to wear your mask.
(speaking in Vietnamese)
(speaking in Mandarin)
It is awesome listening to the languages
and we appreciate it so much.
Okay. Thank you.
The true scope of the clinic was revealed
in an eye-opening documentary, Stronger Than Medicine.
It affirmed what can be accomplished when the community comes together
for the common good.
Here is the story of all these people
and organizations coming together to help serve their community.
So we wanted to capture that.
You walk in the door,
you've got an abscess tooth and you're experiencing
pain and infection, and it's affecting your whole life.
And we can fix that for you today.
That's too good to be true.
To get free dental, free vision for medical, there's got to be a catch.
And they're skeptical about it.
Anybody is welcome to come in. You don't need I.D.
You don't need documentation of status.
I love the idea of providing health care with no barriers.
I love the idea that there'd be an army of interpreters.
The title of this documentary is Stronger Than Medicine
reflects a common thread discovered during its production.
Stronger than the health care piece was the fact
that the community was coming together, that people cared about one another.
And that was a really powerful message to experience.
And and beyond that, it was amazing to see, well, what are we capable of?
Imagine if we applied that energy to other things.
At the end of the day, we're all people and we're all here
just taking care of each other.
People coming together with a common theme, a common desire to help.
All of the people who are working there are there to serve.
They're there to do some good and some people's lives.
- And that good is intended to help everyone in need, including those
you might not suspect.
- Who is in need and what does “in need” look like?
It's not only people who are out of a job.
It's not only people who are experiencing homelessness.
The majority of the people come do have some form of health care,
but they can't afford to use it because the co-pay is too large.
They out of pocket is unavailable.
From ethnicity to ethnicity and young and old, it was the same story.
That was eye opening and humbling to me.
One of the things my husband said when he came to volunteer was, wow,
these people look just like me.
And as hundreds of people arrive in the middle of the night.
They wait their turn.
The stories they share revealed the troubling flaws in the system.
She needs glasses. Her glasses are broken.
We don't have Medicaid or anything.
So she's getting glasses. I am self-employed.
I have health insurance, but it's sort of the minimum
mandated health insurance and there's no dental on it.
I worked for 30 years.
I have Medicare, but I can't afford glasses.
Or I have to decide, do I get my medicine or do I get my teeth fixed?
I'm here today for my vision too, also check it out, you know.
Dental,
I just I just take the service for, for dental.
For documentarian Tony Grob,
a sense of respect and kindness prevailed among volunteers.
You're surrounded by people who are setting a great example of
respect,
treating people with dignity, listening,
giving people the time that they need to express themselves.
There might be some problems
with the system, but at least here there's not a problem with the people.
The people all want to help.
So I think that says a lot about our community.
No one exemplifies that compassion and helpful attitude
more than retiree Frankie Manning.
All of these people are volunteering their time to make a difference
and they care.
And so when people think that, you know, nobody cares.
Just look around.
It's here.
I am an old person.
It gets me out of bed in the morning
and I feel so grateful
because I know these people need this care
and they can’t get it no place else.
So I feel like
this is important work.
This documentary proves good will,
combined with the power of community, can work wonders.
I'm volunteering at the clinic this year.
I'm putting the camera down
and I'm just gonna roll up my sleeves and say, How can I help?
Once again, the Seattle/King County Clinic is a four-day
event offering free medical, dental and vision care to anyone in need.
It also begins this Thursday, April 27th, and runs through Sunday, April 30th.
If you'd like more information on how to receive services, go to
SeattleCenter.org/SKCClinic
we'll be right back.
CityStream returns from Washington Hall.
This place has seen it all in its 115 years.
Everything from music and theater performances
to weddings, lectures, even boxing matches.
But after all that time,
the hall began to show its age and was in danger of being demolished.
Then in 2009, nonprofit Historic Seattle stepped in to save it.
For Historic Seattle that's nothing new.
It also advocated for the preservation of a treasured apartment
building about a mile north of here.
Producer David Albright shows the effort to save the beloved
La Quinta Apartments.
(piano music)
I moved in for the architecture
because I thought it was the amazing place to live with lots of nice outdoor space.
What I didn't expect was the community.
It's so easy to just come out into the courtyard in the summer
and sit out here and have an impromptu barbecue to kind of share food.
You find details everywhere.
The the door handles, the crystal door handles,
the wood floors, the arches.
People would say this all the time.
It felt like a secret garden, like a total little oasis, in like vibrant Capitol Hill.
It's a challenging space too, right? Because,
it’s a challenge to have a front door that's entirely glass.
But then it also creates a little frame.
You see people coming and going.
You see the life being lived.
It's that kind of thing where the proof is in the pudding.
The building is designed to build community
and it just does that.
The La Quinta Apartments that was built in 1927
and it was built by a developer, Frederick Anhalt, who some may know.
He was very much known for his 1920s apartment buildings.
The La Quinta is more unique
because the style is what we call Spanish eclectic.
It started because we learned that the building was going up for sale
and because they owned the two houses next to this building,
we had nightmares of a giant apartment complex or something like that.
So none of us really knew how to do it.
So Samantha had started
on some links and connecting with people.
They put us in contact with Eugenia,
and so we could have a way to to know how to do this.
Once we saw the property and how special
it was, Historic Seattle decided that it was
something that was very much worth our efforts to help.
We were able to find the funding within our budget to have a nomination prepared.
It was kind of neat to see how people have come
out of the woodwork to to help save it.
I grew up on 17th and Denny,
my dad's building.
I learned to bike down this street here.
I remember crashing into a bush down down that way.
It was a very sort of integrated environment.
The fact that my dad owned it there was a couple, mixed couples.
It feels similar.
It still has like a Capitol Hill feel to it.
I mean, I think the gentrification has kicked in.
There definitely used to be, I think, more Black folks around here.
Yeah.
So I grew up in nine and that was my bedroom.
I left this building,
you know, when I was seven, had no connection to it,
but just from living in Capitol Hill, making friends
and came to find people that have lived here again.
And I think it's that kind of place where people kind of knit together
pretty quickly. So.
I just want to kind of go
over some of the process of the next steps and then what to expect.
So February 3rd is the hearing with the Seattle Landmarks Board.
Are you planning on
all doing verbal comments or some of you might do written or both or?
It's not always clear cut.
You know, so I'm, I'm a little nervous.
I would definitely work in,
what a benefit it is during
this pandemic too, right, to have this space.
- So much to say.
The residents were great because they, they were excited.
They wanted to participate and help somehow.
And so they all had different skill sets on their own.
One of the residents quickly created a really nice website,
which is awesome. Another resident is a graphic designer,
so she created a “Viva La Quinta” logo and the poster and
and so it all kind of came together really well.
Several times we've talked about trying to make this happen
as a community, but not really knowing how to go about it.
So I think this time
it seems like with all of the support we're getting that it's possible.
As an architect, it's really nice to hear
when it feels like architecture actually has an effect on community.
And I think in this place
it obviously does with the community support.
-I move that the board approved the nomination.
- I second the motion.
- Approved. - Approved.
- I approve. - I approve.
- And I also approve.
We did it.
(joyful music)
Cheers, congratulations. Yay!
I've been here 17 years.
And it's not just
a certain group of people.
It's whoever lives here.
So that's pretty amazing that it keeps kind of fostering
the same sort of community and interaction.
The space creates community.
So, I mean, I don't know a single person in the city that has that in the way
that La Quinta has that.
- Moving here showed me how important architecture is.
Now I really appreciate how buildings actually
move people through
space, how they bring people together or keep people apart,
how negligent design can just for no fault of its own,
you know, squash community and something really intentionally designed
like this can build it.
(joyful music)
That wraps up
this episode of CityStream from Washington Hall.
If you'd like to learn more about its history
or if you have a rental inquiries, just go to WashingtonHall.org
I’m Enrique Cerna, Thanks for watching.