Africatown Announces $107M Plan For Seattle’s Black Community

Africatown Community Land Trust announced a $107 million investment plan to expand Black homeownership, strengthen Black-owned businesses and prevent displacement in Seattle’s Central District.

The initiative was unveiled during the organization’s annual State of Africatown conference, where leaders outlined a long-term strategy focused on housing stability, economic development and youth violence prevention.

The Central District has historically been Seattle’s largest Black neighborhood but has seen significant displacement in recent decades as housing costs increased and redevelopment accelerated.

Wyking Garrett, co-founder of Africatown Community Land Trust, said the investment strategy is designed to transform the concept of repair into measurable progress for the community.

“Today’s theme is how to repair, and the focus is on what needs to happen in order to maintain and develop a thriving Black community in the Central District and not continue to pushed out,” said Garrett.

Garrett said the plan connects housing development, economic mobility and violence prevention as part of a broader effort to stabilize the community and expand opportunities for residents.

The conference brought together community members and elected officials, including Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay and Seattle City Council President Joy Hollingsworth.

Hollingsworth said improving economic mobility for Black residents remains a key priority.

“We had a lot of the Black community in the building who want to see economic mobility,” said Hollingsworth. “And I am dedicated to that to make sure that we can get the average household income of Black families from $55,000 to meet our white counterparts at $130,000 per year. So, my goal is to help bring economic stability and growth within our community.”

Wilson said the city is committed to working with community organizations to strengthen the Central District and support Black residents across Seattle.

“I’m really, really glad to be here today at the State of Africatown to listen, and to learn,” said Wilson. “Also, to share some of what the city’s committed to doing moving forward, to better anchor the Black community, the Central District and throughout Seattle.”

Organizers said the $107 million investment includes $11 million from the state, about $50 million from the city, $10 million from King County and $36 million from philanthropic sources.

Jacqueline Smith-Armstrong, chair of the Africatown Community Land Trust board, said the plan outlines a long-term strategy to preserve the Central District’s cultural and economic legacy.

“Today, I am so fulfilled with what we’ve heard today,” said Smith-Armstrong. “I’m excited about this intentional, strategic plan for Seattle’s historic Central District and as a daughter of the CD, I am going to continue to move forward to preserve the rich legacy of our community.”

Smith-Armstrong said additional fundraising will be needed to support long-term infrastructure investment.

“I would specifically like to see us obtain the $250 million necessary for the infrastructure to continue to be a thriving Black community,” said Smith-Armstrong. “So, I am looking for partnerships, donors, people that are able to help us with that money.”