Serving six terms as a King County Councilman, Larry Gossett was born in Seattle: his parents were sharecroppers who emigrated from Nigton, Texas to the Central District. He graduated Franklin High School in 1963 and later, the University of Washington. During his junior year, he joined AmeriCorps through VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) and assigned to Harlem, New York to what the government was then describing as a “pocket of poverty." The experience helped Gossett understand race and economic-based injustice in a new way.
Returning to the UW, he and a small group of fellow students advocated the administration to expand its curriculum, recruit and support first-generation students and students of color and hire more faculty of color. The results of their activism enriched the college experience for everyone, not just underrepresented and economically challenged students.
Gossett also organized nearly a dozen high school and middle school Black Student Unions throughout Seattle, but he and other classmates were arrested after supporting Franklin High School students in a sit-in to draw attention to racism from teachers and the principal. On trial for unlawful assembly, a seven-minute jury deliberation delivered a guilty verdict and of one the harshest sentences ever given to peaceful demonstrators—six months in the county jail. The verdict sparked several riots. Fortunately, they were quickly released on appeal and new charges were not filed.
As a student activist, he was instrumental in bringing about the UW's Educational Opportunity Minority Recruitment program. Graduating from the UW in 1970, he received the university's first-ever degree in African American studies. Before he had even formally received his degree, he became the first supervisor of the Black Student Division in the university's Office of Minority Affairs.
In the 80's, Gossett founded the Minority Executive Directors Coalition (MEDC), served as the Executive Director for the Central Area Motivation Program (CAMP) providing job assistance, and managed food bank and at-risk youth programs. He was also involved in the presidential campaign of Reverend Jesse Jackson and organizer for the Rainbow Coalition.
First elected to the Council in 1991, representing nearly 200,000 Seattle-area residents, Gossett was ahead of his time in calling out systemic inequities, pushing to change racist iconography and opposing the racial discrepancies in the justice system—the very things our nation is grappling with today.
While the effort to remove public art and symbols of racism are has spread to nearly every state and campus today, Gossett was ahead of his time in pushing for this change in King County. The original King County logo was a crown that honored Vice President William Rufus DeVane King, a 19th-century proponent of the Fugitive Slave Act who enslaved people at his own plantation in Alabama. In 1986, the county council voted to instead honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose public service achievements were more in line with the county’s own priorities. But the crown lingered as the county’s symbol well after Gossett took office. In 1999, Gossett proposed dropping the imperial crown in favor of a likeness of MLK. He eventually won the support of enough fellow council members: 20 years after the namesake was changed, the logo followed suit.
Ironically, his office at the King County Courthouse is located exactly where he was jailed for unlawful assembly after the 1968 sit-in. Although no longer on the Council, Gossett still turns out for marches and protests.
Sources: TheHistoryMakers.org; UW.edu; Wikipedia.org
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The Vancouver NAACP will hold its February General meeting on Wednesday the 28th at 6:00 PM. Come and hear about organization updates, upcoming events, committee updates, and other opportunities to get involved with the organization. Location: Community AME Zion Church (3605 E 13th St, Vancouver, WA 98661 or virtually! Together, we can eliminate discrimination, and accelerate the well-being, education, and economic security of Black people and all persons of color.
   Accompanying the dance/theater performance of “Grief” is a contextual talk presented by community arts leader Vivian Phillips. Following the performance, join us for a Talk Back moderated by Phillips, featuring Donald Byrd and the cast.
Don’t miss this transformative experience – reserve your tickets now!
Byrd’s poignant message reminds us: “If you love, you will grieve.” Let us lean into this challenging history together, connecting with vulnerability and shared humanity.
South Sound Circles and Professor David Scott of the University of Puget Sound Mathematics Department invites community members to a one-day workshop in mathematical problem solving Saturday, March 9 at the University of Puget Sound. This workshop will be valuable to anyone in the community who seeks to close the achievement gap in mathematics.
Mathematical problem solving does not require a particular background in mathematics but just a willingness to explore quantitative and geometric problems through reasoning.
Participants will explore a variety of questions that will connect them to the joy of mathematics and will expose them to a variety of problems and problem solving methods that can be used in classes and in enrichment programs in mathematics.
The workshop is aimed at the middle school level, but individuals working with youth of all ages can benefit. The workshop will run from 9:00 to 3:30 with refreshments available starting at 8:30 a.m. South Sound Circles will host lunch. With questions and to register, contact Professor David Scott at scott@pugetsound.edu or call 253.879.3565 and leave a voice message with your phone number and he will return your call. Please respond by Monday, March 4.
The Covid-19 pandemic changed the world in many ways and we are still experiencing its effects. The Washington State Library is recording personal stories about how you were affected. Use your creativity to share your experiences. By preserving these stories, we can help those who will come after us. Find all the details here http://www.washingtoncenterforthebook.org/covid-19zine/
 
 
 The Department of Social and Health Services is looking to spread the word about our Summer Internship Program. The application process is open NOW but closes March 3, 2023.
Summer opportunities are available to qualified applicants currently enrolled at an accredited postsecondary college, university, or specialized technical or trade school.
This video showcases the diverse range of social service areas students encounter through these internships. Learn more and apply if interested: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/4329718/dshs-college-student-paid-internship-program-summer-2024
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