Looking back at The Black Lens launch week

Feb. 2 was the official launch day of The Black Lens. The day began with a news conference hosted by state Sen. Maria Cantwell and City Council President Betsy Wilkerson. Members of The Black Lens team also appears on KREM-TV as part of a special for Black History Month. That evening was the official launch party for The Black Lens, which took place at the Steam Plant rooftop event center. The Williams family blessed the evening with their presence, in honor of our founder Sandy Williams. The event was emceed by Michael Bethely, and the event kicked off with editor Natasha Hill. Guest speakers include NAACP president Lisa Gardner, Wilkerson, mayor Lisa Brown and Cantwell. The Community Step Team, coached by Stephaine Courtney, made an appearance and brought the heat. The new Black Lens board of directors, in attendance, includes Rick Williams, Renika Williams, Luc Jasmin III, Alethea Duman, Robert Lloyd and Michael Bethely. The week was capped off with a Sound of (Black) Music performance Feb. 6 at Gonzaga’s Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center.

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A large crowd gathers Feb. 2 for the relaunch of The Black Lens at the Steam Plant rooftop event center.

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Betsy Wilkerson speaks Feb. 2 at the Black Lens launch event.

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Zipporah Ingram and Christina Kamkosi attend the Black Lens launch event.

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Sherry Merritt applauds during The Black Lens launch event Feb. 2 at the Steam Plant rooftop event center.

Ulysses Curry Inatai Foundation
Black Lens editor Natasha Hill speaks at the Black Lens launch event Feb. 2 at the Steam Plant rooftop event center.

Ulysses Curry Inatai Foundation
Jillisa Winkler, of the Carl Maxey Center, applauds during the Black Lens launch event.

Ulysses Curry Inatai Foundation
Black Lens launch attendees smile for the camera Feb. 2 at the Steam Plant rooftop event center.

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KREM anchor Sydney Charles before the Black Lens launch event

Ulysses Curry Inatai Foundation
State Sen. Maria Cantwell and Black Lens editor Natasha Hill pose with newspapers fresh off the press during a news conference on Feb. 1.

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Community members pose with a Sound of (Black) Music singer after a Feb. 6 performance at Gonzaga’s Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center.

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Renika Williams and Natasha Hill pose with news anchors at KREM-TV on Feb. 2.

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The Williams family, Black Lens board members and community member pose before The Black Lens launch party.

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