Seattle Culture
Most Influential, Arts: Anthony White
Artist, curator
White helped in the development and creation of the Lillian Miller Foundation Fellowship for Trans* and Indigiqueer Artists — a $10,000 unrestricted cash award offered for Washington state artists of all disciplines who self-identify as trans. “There was a lack of grants focused on trans and Indigiqueer artists,” White notes. “Offering this grant welcomes in more people.”
Photo by James Harnois
Most Influential, Health Care: Joel Bervell
The medical mythbuster
“When (patients of color) go to the doctor’s office they are interacting with institutionalized issues, especially issues of race, ethnicity, and gender that impact their health care,” Bervell says. “A lot of the problems that are perpetuating bias are systems based. For me, empowering patients comes from education and awareness. That’s why I took to social media in the first place.”
Photo by Taylor Nicole
Turn up the Music
Totem Star's new home expands its footprint by tenfold
“The studio was usually full,” says Totem cofounder, star singer, songwriter, and producer Daniel Pak. “And then we’d have a duo playing guitar out on the stairs, folks rapping in the hallway or practicing in the dance studios. It was a beautiful thing, but we needed more room.”
Seattle’s Guide to Black History Month
Celebrate Black culture, history, and community through February and beyond
Our Black community is a vital part of the city, contributing year-round. It’s on us to champion Black-owned businesses, and make the most of our Black Black Friday cards — this month and every month. They’re good for seven years.
Most Influential, Equity: Vivian Phillips
Founder and Board President, Arte Noir
“It is very personal,” Phillips says of living and advocating for diversity in the Central District. “My parents migrated to Seattle from the South, like the story of so many Black people in Seattle. They came here in the early ‘50s. They lived in the Central District, which was the only place where they could live. Family and friends, we all lived within blocks of each other; 23rd and Union was my stomping ground. It is literally where I grew up.”
Most Influential, Fashion: Dan McLean
Fashion designer
“I have such a connection to this city,” McLean says. “There’s so much happening and so many people doing cool things. I feel like once people get famous here, they move away to New York or LA, and they say, ‘Oh, there’s not enough here.’ I disagree. I don’t need to take my shows to New York. I want Seattle to be a stop during Fashion Week.”
‘The Buddhist Bug’ and ‘The Red Chador’
Artist Anida Yoeu Ali’s work looks to absurdity and humor for deeper understanding
Anida Yoeu Ali draws inspiration from her personal experience as a first-generation American of mixed Malay, Cham, Khmer, and Thai ancestries. Born in 1974 in Battambang, Cambodia, she fled with her family to the U.S. and was raised in Chicago. Now, she serves as a senior artist-in-residence at University of Washington Bothell and is the co-founder of Studio Revolt, an independent media lab. Her show, on view through June at Seattle Asian Art Museum, is the first solo exhibition for an artist since the museum reopened in 2020.
Most Influential, Hospitality: Brady Williams
Chef, entrepreneur
For all of its culinary reputation, no Seattle restaurant has ever earned a Michelin star, regarded as the highest praise in the culinary world.
Brady Williams is changing that. In the last year he has brought notable and accomplished chefs and restaurateurs from out of town that have earned Michelin stars.
Join The Must List
Don't miss a thing.
Get Seattle's best events,handpicked
and delivered to your inbox weekly.