Independent Historian

Kayomi Wada is a M.A. student at the University of Washington Tacoma. She earned a B.A. from the University of Washington in Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences concentrating in Arts, Media, and Culture. She is currently researching Japanese American and African American communities in the Pacific Northwest.

Barack Obama’s Call to Service: One Woman Responds

In the following article University of Washington, Tacoma student Kayomi Wada describes how she and other Tacoma residents banded together to create a local project that reflects President Barack Obama’s Call to Service. As a fourth-generation Japanese American, whose family made their living in the New … Read MoreBarack Obama’s Call to Service: One Woman Responds

United Construction Workers Association

The United Construction Workers Association (UCWA) was founded in 1970 by Tyree Scott, an electrician who had become a Seattle civil rights activist.  At the request of the American Friends Service Committee, Tyree Scott left the Central Contractors Association which he had created in 1968, … Read MoreUnited Construction Workers Association

1967 National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders (Kerner Commission)

The National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders was organized by President Lyndon B. Johnson on July 28, 1967 to investigate the urban rebellions erupting in cities across the nation between 1964 and 1967. The findings of the seven-month study were published in March of 1968.  … Read More1967 National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders (Kerner Commission)

National Society of Black Engineers (1975- )

Established in 1975 at a national conference held at Purdue University, the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) was created to increase the number of African American engineers. Their mission is to train black engineers who “excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.” … Read MoreNational Society of Black Engineers (1975- )

President’s Committee on Fair Employment Practice (FEPC)

On June 25, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 8802, creating a Committee on Fair Employment Practices (FEPC) to investigate complaints of discrimination and take action against valid complaints in any defense industry receiving government contracts. President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 8802 only … Read MorePresident’s Committee on Fair Employment Practice (FEPC)

Black Studies Association (Kokujin Kenkyu no Kai) of Japan

Nukina Yoshitaka, a scholar in American literature, wrote that he was motivated to found the Black Studies Association in Tokyo, Japan in October of 1954 because he believed Japanese under United States military control had a commonality with African Americans, as both groups had their … Read MoreBlack Studies Association (Kokujin Kenkyu no Kai) of Japan

National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs (1896)

The National Association of Colored Women‘s Clubs, Inc. (NACWC), was established in July 1896 as a merger between the National League of Colored Women and the National Federation of Afro-American Women.  The merger enabled the NACWC to function as a national umbrella group for local … Read MoreNational Association of Colored Women’s Clubs (1896)

National Black Feminist Organization (1973-1976)

Founded in May 1973, the National Black Feminist Organization (NBFO) addresses the double burden of sexism and racism faced by black women. The first meeting took place in New York City, New York and included prominent activists Michele Wallace, Margaret Sloan, Flo Kennedy, Faith Ringgold, … Read MoreNational Black Feminist Organization (1973-1976)

Central Contractors Association

In 1969, Walter Hundley, director of the Seattle Model Cities Program, encouraged local black independent contractors to organize in an effort to gain lucrative building construction contracts that required minority participation.  When the contractors responded, they selected Tyree Scott, an electrician, as their leader.  They … Read MoreCentral Contractors Association