Welcome to BAWA — a space created with purpose, pride, and passion. We are here to celebrate and elevate the rich legacy of Black excellence in Washington State. From the earliest recorded Black resident, George Washington Bush in 1845, to today’s community leaders, educators, entrepreneurs, artists, and advocates — Black individuals have helped shape the fabric of this great state in profound and powerful ways.
Each year, we will gather to honor the trailblazers, the quiet heroes, and the powerful voices that define what it means to be Black and excellent in Washington. We will do this through an Annual Awards Gala timed around Juneteenth and Black History Month, supported by a coalition of community members, organizations, and sponsors who believe in the mission of authentic recognition. This is more than an event — it’s a movement. It’s a call to our community and our allies to help us build a living archive of Black brilliance, to ensure that our youth know the greatness they come from, and to inspire them to carry that torch forward.