My apologies for not getting this out sooner. Below is a list of the January events that I am aware of that are still remaining. There are speakers, movie screenings, marches, and community discussions. Something for everyone. It’s a fairly long list, so please take the time to read to the bottom. Happy New Year.

Sandy Williams

JANUARY 12

JAMAL JOSEPH – MLK SPEAKER

“Growing Up in America as a Black Panther, Poet, Professor, and Prisoner”: The youngest spokesman and leader of the Black Panthers New York Chapter. Author of the book, “Panther Baby- A Life of Rebellion and Reinvention.” Featured on Def Poetry Jam and BETs American Gangster.

10am – 11am – Coffee and Book Signing  (Hagan Center, Bldg 16, 2nd Floor)

11:30am – 12:30pm – Presentation (Lair Auditorium, Bldg 6) 

Spokane Community College1810 N Greene St, Spokane, WA 

 Free and open to the public. For more information call (509) 533-7032

JANUARY 12

CRITICAL CONVERSATIONS – RACE AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

Hosted by University High School Students. A community member forum about real issues pressing Spokane.

5 – 8pm University High, Commons Area 12420 E 32nd Ave, Spokane Valley WA

Food provided – Questions and conversation encouraged!

JANUARY 14

13TH – DOCUMENTARY VIEWING AND COMMUNITY DISCUSSION

The Black Lens and the Spokane Minister’s Fellowship are teaming up to host a viewing and discussion of the documentary 13th. The thought provoking film, directed by Ava DuVernay (Selma), features scholars, activists and politicians analyzing the criminalization of African Americans, mass incarceration and the U.S. prison boom. Join us for this important conversation!!!

10am – 1pm Bethel A.M.E. Church 645 S Richard Allen Court, Spokane, WA

Free and open to the public.

JANUARY 14

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. GALA

Presented by the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations

5:00 pm – 8:00 pm H.R.E.I. Center 414 Millan Rd, Coeur d’Alene, ID

For more information and cost call 208.765.3932 or visit http://www.idahohumanrights.org.

JANUARY 16

MARTIN LUTHER KING ANNUAL MARCH AND RESOURCE FAIR

10am – 2pm Spokane Convention Center 334 W Spokane Falls Blvd, Spokane

For more information contact the MLK Center at (509) 455-8722 or visit www.mlkspokane.org

JANUARY 16

NAACP MONTHLY MEETING

Join the NAACP for our monthly general membership meeting

7:00pm Community Building – Lobby 35 W. Main Street, Spokane WA

For more information contact the NAACP at 509-209-2425 (ext 1141) or visit the website at http://spokaneNAACP.com

JANUARY 16 & 17

BLACK HISTORY 101 MOBILE MUSEUM

An innovative traveling table top exhibit depicting Black memorabilia spanning slavery to Hip Hop. Artifacts in this unparalleled mobile collection represent items from the categories of slavery, Jim Crow era, music, sports, the Civil Rights and Black Power era, and popular culture.

1/16/17 – can van be viewed before, during, and after the MLK March and Resource Fair, at the Spokane Convention Center, Downtown Spokane

1/17/17 – 10:00 am-3:00, lecture at 4:00 pm, be in the HUB MPR on the Whitworth University campus

Cost: Free, open to everyone

For more information contact David Garcia at 509.777.4572 or visit their website at ww.whitworth.edu. The exhibit on the 16th is in partnership with the MLK Center.

JANUARY 16

POETRY RISING – PRODUCED BY STEPHEN PITTERS

Poetry by Randy Harnasch & Kathleen Schrum and Music by Brown’s Mountain Boys

6:30-7:30pm Barnes & Noble Bookstore – Northtown Mall 4750 N Division, Spokane WA

JANUARY 18

DONISHA RITA-CLAIRE PRENDERGAST – 1 DREAM 1 LOVE

The SFCC Black Student Union presents their MLK Celebration speaker Donisha Rita-Claire Prendergast, a filmmaker, poet, and granddaughter of Bob and Rita Marley.

11:30am – 1pm

Spokane Falls Community College (SUB – Lounges A,B &C) 3410 W Ft George Wright Dr, Spokane, WA 99224

For more information contact The Mosaic Center at (509) 533-4331.

JANUARY 20

THIRD ANNUAL INLAND NORTHWEST FEMALE SUMMIT : UNBREAKABLE

The 3rd Annual Inland Northwest Female Summit (INWFS) is a free leadership program serving all young women, specifically first-generation, low-income, and multicultural women populations in the greater Inland Northwest.

9AM – 3PM Eastern Washington University, Hargreaves Hall 526 5th Street, Cheney, WA 

For more information contact Randy Corradine at rcorradine@ewu.edu or 509.359.4879.

JANUARY 21

WOMEN’S MARCH ON SPOKANE

Over 2,000 people are expected to march through the streets of Spokane, joining communities nation-wide as part of a day long coordinated Women’s March, which will begin in Washington DC.  Citizens of Central and Eastern Washington, North Idaho, Western Montana, and British Columbia are invited to gather in Spokane, Washington. We are reaching out to all defenders of human rights to mobilize with us.  This march is the first step towards unifying our communities, grounded in new relationships, to create change from the grassroots level up. This is a 100% inclusive event, welcoming all genders, races, ages, religions, and sexual orientations. March participants will be inspired and supported, and will leave with a new or renewed sense that “We Are America” and will not be silenced.

Spokane activities start at 11:00 a.m. with a rally at the Spokane Convention Center, where guests will hear inspirational speakers from national and local human rights, justice, and women’s advocacy groups, as well as musical entertainment. Beginning at 1:00 p.m., there will be a peaceful but powerful march through downtown Spokane, followed by a volunteer fair after our return to the Convention Center.  The Volunteer Fair will provide guests the opportunity to learn about, support, and volunteer for a constellation of agencies and organizations.  

11am – 3pm Spokane Convention Center 334 W Spokane Falls Blvd, Spokane, WA

For information contact walkwithme2017@outlook.com or visit WomensMarchOnSpokane.org  or Facebook at “Women’s March on Spokane”

JANUARY 21

PEOPLE RISE UP! A COMMUNITY INVITATION TO ACTION

Peace & Justice Action League of Spokane (PJALS) and our partners are organizing a grassroots power action festival to say from day 1: We are paying attention, we are reaching out, we are mobilizing, we are turning up the heat! This is a family-friendly, kid-welcoming event. 

2-5 pm Peace & Justice Action League of Spokane (PJALS) 35 W Main Ave, Spokane 

For more information contact PJALS at (509) 838-7870.

JANUARY 22

BLACK LENS SECOND ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

We made it to our second year.!!! Join The Black Lens for cake, punch and some yummy appetizers as we celebrate our 2nd year of publishing and look forward to year number three.

3-5pm CHKN-N-MO 414 1/2 W Sprague Ave, Spokane, WA 99201

Cost: No charge

For more information call The Black Lens at (509) 795-1964 or sandy@blacklensnews.com

JANUARY 24

SPOKANE PUBLIC SCHOOLS: SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY JOB FAIR

Join us for this public event All are welcome. Representatives will be available from various departments. On site interviews available for current job openings. Job seeking

seminars will be provided.

5 – 7pm Ready to Serve Ministries 404 N. Argonne Road, Spokane Valley, WA

Cost: No charge

For more information call (509) 354-7265 or visit www.spokanschools.org

JANUARY 24

LINKS ANNUAL MAMMOGRAM PARTY

Hosted by Inland Imaging and the Links, Inc.

For women over 40 who are due for their routine exam or those aged 35-40 who wish to be screened. While you wait for your mammogram, enjoy refreshments, a relaxing massage, and assorted gifts.

5:30 – 7:30pm Inland Imaging (Located inside Holy Family Hospital)

5715 N Lidgerwood St, Spokane, WA 99208

**IMPORTANT: Space is limited! Please contact your insurance company ahead of time and ask if they will cover the 3D imaging. You will need to know and bring with you the following information: Physician’s Name, Personal ID, Insurance Card.

It is highly recommended that participants send in the following information prior to coming (to help things run smoother) : Date of Birth; Full Name of your Primary Care Physician / Practitioner; Name of your insurance carrier. Information should be sent to Faith Washington prior to arrival at the party at fwashington@inland-imaging.com. This information will be

confidential and HIPAA protected.

JANUARY 28

2017 EASTERN WASHINGTON LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE

Taking Responsibility: Acting Together in Faith – Featuring a panel on Poverty.

9 a.m.-3 p.m. St Mark’s Lutheran Church 316 E. 24th Avenue, Spokane WA

Organizers include The Fig Tree, Catholic Charities Spokane, the Faith Action Network and the Inland United Methodist District.

To RSVP: Send suggested donation of $20 To The Fig Tree • 1323 S. Perry St. • Spokane WA 99202 call (509) 535-4112 or email info@thefigtree.org For information, call 535-1813 or email mary@thefigtree.org. Fliers are available at thefigtree.org/FigTreeEvent.pdf.

—

Sandy Williams

Eastern Washington Representative

Washington State Commission on African American Affairs

http://www.caa.wa.gov

509-795-1964

Mission: To improve the well-being of African Americans by ensuring their access to participation in the fields of government, business, education, health care, and other areas. 

Sandy Williams

Commissioner – Eastern Washington Representative

Washington State Commission on African American Affairs

http://www.caa.wa.gov

sw9876@aol.com