Welcoming Kirkland Initiative

Download Welcoming Kirkland Initiative - Reflections and Lessons Learned(PDF, 1MB)

Welcoming Kirkland is a community engagement partnership between the City of Kirkland and Leadership Eastside developed in response to expressed concerns that People of Color in general, and Black people, in particular, have lived experiences of an unwelcoming and inequitable community in contrast to the City’s stated goal to be safe, inclusive and welcoming for all.  Developed to address concerns that were identified in a 2018 incident at a Menchie's in Totem Lake, Welcoming Kirkland seeks to engage Kirkland residents, businesses, nonprofits, and the City on how we function together for the health of the overall community. The process will include a review and recommendations for business and police protocols, plus town hall events and a community learning series envisioned and supported by Eastside for All, entitled "Kirkland Talks About Racism."

For more information, please contact Jen Mayo, Leadership Eastside Project Coordinator, at 425.445.0416 or Kirkland@leadershipeastside.com.

 

Event Calendar

Kirkland Talks About Racism - community learning series

Topic #1: Preparing to Be Color Conscious and Color Brave

  • Presentation: Tuesday, Jan 21 @ LWTech W404 - 6:30-8:00pm (watch the presentation)
  • Community Dialogue options:
    • Saturday, Feb 1 @ Kirkland Teen Union Building (KTUB) - 9:00-11:30am
    • Monday, Feb 3 @ Peter Kirk Community Center - 6:00-8:30pm

Topic #2: Driving While Black

  • Presentation: Wednesday, February 19 @ LWTech W404 - 6:30-8:00 (watch the presentatio)
  • Community Dialogue options:
    • Saturday, Feb 22 @ Kirkland Teen Union Building (KTUB) - 9:00-11:30am
    • Thursday, Feb 27 @ Kirkland City Hall (Peter Kirk Room) - 6:00-8:30pm

Topic #3: Shopping While Black

  • Presentation: Wednesday, March 18 @ LWTech W404 - 6:30-8:00pm (event cancelled due to COVID-19)
  • Community Dialogue options:
    • Saturday, March 21 @ Kirkland Teen Union Building (KTUB) - 9:00-11:30am (event cancelled due to COVID-19)
    • Monday, March 23 @ Peter Kirk Community Center - 6:00-8:30pm (event cancelled due to COVID-19)


Town Hall Meetings - Subject: Business and Police Protocols

  • Saturday, February 15 @ Holy Spirit Lutheran Church - 9:00-10:30am (free registration here)
  • Thursday, February 20 @ Kirkland Justice Center - 6:00-7:30pm (free registration here)
  • Tuesday, April 14 @ City Hall, Peter Kirk Room - 6:00-8:00pm (event cancelled due to COVID-19)