Press Release

For Immediate Release

Contact Information
Irene Stewart (Irene.Stewart@seattle.gov)

Grandparents Day: Rooted in Culture, Wisdom, and Love

Sunday, Sept. 11, is National Grandparents Day—a day earmarked by Congress to honor the roles that grandparents play in nurturing and stabilizing families. It is a day to recognize and celebrate the important contributions grandparents make in supporting culture, the wisdom they share, and the love they impart.

This year marks the fourth annual local Grandparents Day celebration hosted by the Mayor’s Council on African American Elders and Northwest African American Museum (NAAM). Co-sponsors include AARP Seattle, Age Friendly Seattle, Aging and Disability Services, Seattle Human Services Department (HSD), and Nu Black Arts West Theatre.

“Grandparents Day: Rooted in Culture, Wisdom, and Love” will be offered virtually (online) from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. and feature a short program and entertainment. Everyone is welcome, free of charge. To receive the event link, register at surveymonkey.com/r/GrandparentsDay2022.  

The main Grandparents Day presenter is Zelda Foxall, a professional storyteller, who performs in-character vignettes of historically significant African American women through a performing arts company she co-founded called “Cause It’s Art.”  Through Zelda, these women step forward to tell stories of how they overcame the tremendous odds of poverty, racism, and ignorance. At this event, Ms. Foxall will portray her grandmother, a civil rights activist named Alva Lee Wise Simmons.

The program will also feature the NAAM African American Cultural Ensemble and spoken word poetry by “Nana” Kibibi (Kibibi Monié), director of Nu Black Arts West Theatre, the oldest African American theater company in Washington state.

In addition, NAAM will induct a new cohort into its Elders Circle, honoring renowned local artist Al Doggett, local emeritus college professor Minnie Collins, and local historian and co-founder of the Black Heritage Society of Washington State Esther Mumford.

“In African American culture, we honor our elders; they play significant roles in our upbringing and provide everything—discipline, financial support, family history, and most importantly, love,” said HSD/Aging and Disability Services senior planner Karen Winston, who staffs the Mayor’s Council on African American Elders. “Our grandparents are a vital part of our families, providing important links to our cultural heritage and family history.”

Event flyer (PDF): https://bit.ly/3Da8e2K

Event flyer (JPG): https://bit.ly/3KUewoW

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