Seattle Culture
Most Influential: Faraji Blakeney
Co-Executive Director, Yoga Behind Bars
In a system where rehabilitation often takes a back seat to punishment, Faraji Blakeney has carved out a space for healing. As co-executive director of Yoga Behind Bars (YBB), he’s working to disrupt the cycle of trauma and stress that many incarcerated individuals face daily. In 2007, Blakeney was sentenced to 20 years for drug-related…
The Pulse: Shaking Off the Frost
Big ideas, jazzy teens, burger farewells, and dancing aluminum
Seattle’s about to get a blast of icy air — and while I love the sharp clarity of a cold morning, it’s easy to romanticize when I’m indoors with a cup of coffee and my coziest socks. What’s your go-to for staying warm? Fleece-lined everything? A massive stack of library books? Let’s ride this cold…
As Homelessness Persists, Every Step Counts
Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission will build a new shelter for unhoused women and children
A 21-unit shelter for unhoused women and children may seem insignificant, but it represents another step toward eradicating homelessness in King County. Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission has received a $3 million award from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines to fund the construction of the emergency shelter in South King County for homeless…
Must List: Six Things to Do in Seattle This Week
Jan 16 - Jan 22
Lunar New Year, soulful grooves, and epic opera
How’s everyone holding up? Watching the L.A. fires is heartbreaking. It has me thinking about growing up in California when we had to evacuate during the 49er Fire. It came close to our house, but we were lucky — some of our friends weren’t. Fires like this are more common now, and even here, summer…
‘Winter ’25’ Explores What Connects Us
Three choreographers premiere powerful new works for Whim W’Him Contemporary Dance Studio
Choreographer Olivier Wevers has always been open about his collaborative process, especially when it comes to working with the members of his contemporary dance company Whim W’Him. From allowing them to help choose the artists they want to work with in the annual Choreographic Shindig to asking for input and feedback during rehearsals, Wevers draws…
Most Influential: Matika Wilbur
Photographer, Activist
When Tidelands Gallery opened last September along Seattle’s rapidly evolving waterfront, it was, in a sense, a full-circle moment for photographer Matika Wilbur. The 6,000-square foot Indigenous-owned creative space, comprising an art gallery, production studio, rental space, and boutique, is just steps away from the Pike Place Hill Climb, where Wilbur had her first studio….
Most Influential: David Baker
Scientist
David Baker grew up on Capitol Hill with scientist parents. His father, Marshall Baker, was a physicist. His mother, Marcia Bourgin Baker, was a geophysicist. Both were faculty at the University of Washington. But as an undergraduate at Harvard, the younger Baker initially eschewed his famous parents’ paths and focused on the humanities, majoring in…
The Pulse: January in Motion
Scholarships, piano recycling, and Seattle’s shifting tech scene
January feels like a recovery month. After December’s frenzy, things have finally settled. The days are lengthening, but just barely. I’m re-reading this book to remind myself how to tackle 4:30 p.m. sunsets without turning into a candle-obsessed recluse — or at least to feel better about if I do. Our new magazine is out!…
Most Influential: Nia-Amina Minor
Dance
For dancer and choreographer Nia-Amina Minor — a cofounder of Black Collectivity with David Rue, marco farroni leonardo, and Akoiya Harris — collaboration is at the core of her practice. A longtime dancer (Minor moved to Seattle to join Spectrum Dance Theater), it wasn’t until attending grad school at UC Irvine that she seriously dove…
Must List: 5 Things to Do in Seattle This Week
Jan 09 - Jan 15
Haunting photos, Black brilliance, and a gripping new drama
Hey, how are you doing? It’s such a nice day for January — cold but bright, which feels like a win. I’ve been thinking about trying new things this year. I just signed up for a pretzel-making class at PCC (imagine the possibilities!) And this low-stakes dance studio is calling my name. What about you? We’re…
Most Influential: Nick Ferderer
Entrepreneur, Activist
With a background in government relations, legislative advocacy, and business strategy — including stints at the U.S. Department of Commerce and Microsoft — Nick Ferderer admits that he isn’t the first person to come to mind as an art gallery owner. And yet, in just three short years, Ferderer has opened two of the city’s…
Most Influential: Luther Hughes
Poet
Luther Hughes was 12 years old when poetry made its first impact on them. “I was in church, and the choir director read a poem about birds,” recalls Hughes, whose work has appeared in major publications including American Poetry Review, Paris Review, and Poetry Northwest. “It was likening birds to human behavior, and it blew…
Publisher’s Note: When Purpose and Talent Come Together
Seattle’s Most Influential people put community first
Each year, we take the time to highlight some truly remarkable individuals in our “Seattle’s Most Influential” people issue, and it remain one of the most important and rewarding projects we undertake. Frankly, it’s a real privilege for all of us here at Seattle magazine. This issue is about more than just recognition — it’s…
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