Irene Auma, at center, helps conduct a yoga class at Thursdayin Seattle. Auma plans to start the first yoga-in-prisons program in Kenya. (Photo by Ken Lambert / The Seattle Times)

On a mission to bring yoga, compassion to Kenyan prisons

Irene Auma is in Seattle this week taking special yoga-training classes in hopes of bringing her skills back home to vulnerable people in Kenyan prisons.
Apr 1, 2016

F.I.G.H.T. helps Asian, Pacific Islanders readjust after prison

F.I.G.H.T., or Formerly Incarcerated Group Healing Together, provides mentoring and support to men of Asian or Pacific Islander descent in state prisons.
Mar 25, 2016

New city planning chief Sam Assefa brings international insights to Seattle

Meet Sam Assefa, a native of Ethiopia and incoming director of Seattle’s Office of Planning and Community Development.
Mar 18, 2016
Berhane Amanuel, owner of East Africa Imports (and restaurant) stands inside his Seattle restaurant. His store can be seen through the arches at top. East Africa Imports is a tiny little story and eatery in The Promenade, a shopping center in the Central District. It was opened in 2002 by Amanuel and his Central District native wife and they put 100k+ into adding a restaurant about 5/6 yrs ago. They recently found out that Vulcan plans to demolish/develop the shopping center meaning they'll have to move and may not be able to afford to open a restaurant again.

Ethiopian entrepreneur says he’ll lose big in Central District redevelopment

The owner of East African Imports and Restaurant at 23rd and Jackson says he stands to lose big when Vulcan Real Estate redevelops the property.
Mar 11, 2016
Midwife Faisa Farole examines Malcolm Stonehill (the author's son) at the new Rainier Valley Community Clinic, which offers culturally competent pre- and postnatal health care. (Photo by Sarah Stuteville)

Rainier Valley midwives offer “culturally competent” care for diverse moms

In a zip code where 59 languages are spoken, pre- and postnatal care can't be cookie-cutter.
Mar 4, 2016
Pastor George Everett, at an Ebola Relief concert in 2014 (Photo courtesy Tino Tran)

Kent congregation raising money to build Ebola orphanage in Liberia

A local Liberian American congregation is raising money to build an orphanage for children left parentless because of Ebola.
Nov 27, 2015
Safiyah Ismail, second from left, a nurse at Seattle Children's, answers questions during a gathering of members of the Somali Health Board. (Photo by Alex Stonehill)

Somali health fair confronts cultural barriers to care

The third annual Somali health fair will provide culturally sensitive advice and services for a community with unique needs.
Nov 13, 2015

Turkish Film Festival offers immersion into a country in turmoil

Seattle Turkish Film Festival, now in its third year, runs through the weekend at Pacific Place in Seattle.
Nov 6, 2015
Frank Jones and Eileen Hershberg form a shape of a heart with their hands Sunday near the Amor Spiritual Center on Beacon Hill. They joined city council candidates and others in a love circle in response to hateful graffiti sprayed on the building’s front window area. (Photo by John Lok / The Seattle Times)

Our response to hate crimes defines us as a city

In response to venomous graffiti sprayed on Amor Spiritual Center in Beacon Hill, dozens gathered to demonstrate that love wins over hate.
Oct 31, 2015

‘The Big Read’ a chance to examine challenges for King County immigrants

A King County Library program called The Big Read encourages communities to come together around a book about the Ethiopian immigrant experience.
Oct 26, 2015
At the Wing Luke Museum last month, Densho Executive Director Tom Ikeda’s reflection is seen in a display of historical images from the region. Ikeda talked about the Japanese American legacy project. (Erika Schultz / The Seattle Times)

Histories of Japanese Americans imprisoned in WWII go digital

Densho, a Seattle nonprofit, is sharing hundreds of oral histories and other information about Japanese Americans imprisoned during WWII in a searchable database.
Oct 19, 2015
A classroom in the Gohar Khatoon Girls’ School in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan, designed for natural daylight and ventilation. (Photo by Nic Lehoux)

Architect’s life’s work culminates in school for girls in Afghanistan

The spirit of local architect Bob Hull lives on in Gohar Khatoon school for girls inAfghanistan, which opened this summer.
Oct 12, 2015
Jacque Larrainzar is LGBTQ refugee immigrant outreach specialist for Seattle Counseling Service, was granted political asylum in the U.S. based on her sexual orientation. (Photo by Ken Lambert / The Seattle Times)

Helping LGBTQ asylum-seekers and immigrants destined for Seattle

Many LGBTQ people escaping persecution abroad are dreaming of coming to Seattle — a new project aims to help them get settled in our city.
Sep 28, 2015
(Photo from Flickr by Eric Hersman)

Should Seattle give noncitizens the vote?

Politically active Seattleites who aren't citizens say they're frustrated to be excluded from local elections.
Sep 18, 2015
Jama Abdirahman, a photographer, filmmaker and journalist has covered Black Lives Matter and the Somali community for the Seattle Globalist. (Photo by Ken Lambert / The Seattle Times)

Why did the FBI show up at this Globalist youth reporter’s house?

An unannounced visit by FBI agents to a young journalist's Seattle home exposed the agency's problems building trust in Muslim communities.
Sep 3, 2015
Photographer Carlos Barria holds up a print of a photograph he took after Hurricane Katrina in the same location 10 years later. The storm was early evidence of how climate change disproportionately impacts the poor and people of color. (Photo from REUTERS/Carlos Barria)

Climate Justice coalition links poverty with environment woes

Members of “Communities of Color for Climate Justice” are flipping the stereotype of the Seattle environmentalist on its head.
Aug 28, 2015
After spending weeks or even months in detention, asylum seeker often need help making phone calls and arranging transportation, or even just a fresh set of clothes or toiletries. (Photo by Alex Stonehill)

RV offers warm welcome for asylum seekers released in Tacoma

AID NW now has a 36-foot trailer parked outside of the Northwest Detention Center every day to help newly released asylum seekers and immigrants get on their feet.
Aug 13, 2015

El Centro building an answer for affordable housing in Seattle

Community organization El Centro de la Raza is building Plaza Roberto Maestas, a low-income housing development on Seattle’s Beacon Hill.
Aug 7, 2015

Anchorage population more diverse than you might think

Modern Anchorage enjoys a surprising amount of ethnic diversity, posing a challenge to the city’s culture, identity and services.
Jul 31, 2015
Students Embet Amerdtison (left) and her daughter Elshadaie Zeleke, both from Ethiopia and Netsereab Lewokie from Eritrea in their Ready to Work class, offered by the City Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs. (Photo by Ellen Banner / The Seattle Times)

Immigrants boost job prospects at city’s Ready to Work program

Seattle’s first Ready to Work program for English Language Learners aims to help immigrants navigate a complex employment system.
Jul 17, 2015