In Washington state, White Americans account for more than 50% of the state's population, which stands to reason why there aren't many Black families in the predominantly white state.
There aren't many Black-owned businesses in the state, as well as the state's biggest city - Seattle - either.
Since the onset of the pandemic, the United States has seen an increase in hate crimes due to unconfirmed news that the virus originated in Wuhan, China.
Last year, amid the pandemic, Darnesha Weary and her husband opened a coffee store called "Black Coffee Northwest".
To most people, it may just be an ordinary coffee shop. But to the owner, Darnesha Weary, it is a place that serves great coffee and more.
Having spent most of her childhood in North Seattle, where White Americans predominate, she truly understands what it feels to be the only brown person in every space.
"I came out here and suddenly became the only brown person in every space. It was really hard for me in school, it was hard for me in the community. I could never find something for me." Said Weary.
Hoping to ensure her children were always around people that look like them, Weary's mom, would always take her, along with her siblings, to South Seattle, where she was born.
Shoreline's demographic has changed over the years. Today, Black Americans account for more than 6% of the city's population, well more than just under 3% back in 2000.
Weary said she truly empathizes with Black teenagers who were ostracized by their white classmates in class all because of their skin color, and Black Americans who were attacked by racists on the streets, again due to their skin color.
Weary's journey to create that safe space was traumatic and hard. She recalled, at first, the pandemic prompted authorities to ban all indoor gatherings. Then arsonists attempted to destroy the cafe a month before its opening day. And earlier this year, the coffee shop was forced to close for a couple of days after vandals defaced the building with swastikas (the symbol of Nazism). Also, emails threatening more attacks were sent to Weary, which literally rendered her dumbfounded.
But despite all that, Weary believed opening that cafe to mainly serve the Black community was worth it.
Sure enough, members of the city's black community appreciate the opening of the restaurant.
"We're just happy things are opening back up and we're just happy to be re-engaging with community." Said Pavielle Montes, whose daughter partakes in activities at Black Coffee Northwest. "This is a way for her to connect with other people, other young Black women that are empowering her."
Here's one noteworthy thing: In addition to providing great coffee and a safe space for members of the city's Black community, the cafe also provides them with barista training and internships.
In the coming fall, Weary is also considering providing Americans with yoga classes and many other programs which aims to nurture our future pillars.
And rest assured, Black Americans living in the city will find the cafe a safe haven, in the midst of a catastrophic COVID crisis and a rise in hate crimes.
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