Penny Lane Celebrates Black History Month

February 4, 2025

It's Black History Month at Penny Lane Centers

Penny Lane Centers is proud to celebrate Black History Month.  While we recognize the accomplishments of Black and African Americans all year long, February allows us to dig a little deeper and celebrate all that this community has done to enrich the vibrancy of our American society  

Black History Month began as Negro History Week in 1926, created by historian Carter G. Woodson. His goal was simple: to elevate the stories of Black people who had been erased or ignored in mainstream historical narratives. Woodson chose the second week of February for the observance, aligning it with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, two figures pivotal in the fight against slavery and in the struggle for freedom.

Over time, Negro History Week evolved into Black History Month in 1976, when it was officially recognized by the U.S. government during the nation’s bicentennial celebrations. Since then, each February has been a time to reflect on the extraordinary contributions of Black Americans across all sectors of society—from politics and the arts to education, science, and social justice.  The same is true for our Black and African American staff here at PLC.  Across departments and programs and of all job titles, our staff is committed to serving our clients and communities.  They bring warmth and empathy to all they serve and do it with integrity and grace.

Black History Month provides an opportunity not only to reflect on the past but to celebrate the ongoing impact of African Americans. We are very familiar with figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Maya Angelou, whose works and activism shaped the course of history, are remembered for their courage and resilience, but I urge you to think of those who go about their business quietly and without headlines, who are also making a difference in our society . . . the unsung heroes, whose stories are equally vital to understanding the richness of Black culture.

Penny Lane is proud to honor our therapists, social workers, project managers, IT support, case managers and housing staff managers, Black Americans have consistently broken barriers and contributed to every aspect of American society.

Celebrating Black History Month: Honoring Excellence Within Our Own

As we celebrate Black History Month, we take this opportunity to recognize and honor the incredible contributions of Black individuals throughout history. Their resilience, innovation, and leadership have shaped our world in profound ways. However, in celebrating these contributions, we must also recognize the outstanding individuals within our own organization who continue to inspire and lead by example.

This February, Penny Lane Centers is proud to highlight seven exceptional staff members from across the agency. These individuals, nominated by their colleagues and coaches, embody dedication, perseverance, and excellence in their roles. Their commitment to our mission and to the communities we serve helps to foster a culture of inclusivity, support, and progress.

Black History Month is a time for reflection, education, and appreciation of the rich cultural heritage that continues to shape not only our broader society but also the very fabric of Penny Lane. It is through the contributions of passionate and driven individuals—like those we are recognizing this month—that we continue to make a meaningful impact.

While we would love to announce all seven honorees now, we’re keeping it a surprise! Stay tuned for next month’s announcement, where we will reveal the names of those recognized and share the inspiring reasons why they were selected.

To each of you who contributes to our shared success—thank you. Your dedication, hard work, and passion do not go unnoticed, and we are honored to celebrate this month with you.

Happy Black History Month!

-Judy Grant, Penny Lane Centers


It's a Human Family Affair: Trails & Triumphs

Every ethnic group faces insurmountable odds, pain and suffering at some point. Some in each group emerge too wounded to effectively offer the internal gifts that can also spring from these crucible-like experiences. Others transmute the same life challenges into positive change affecting many people groups-no room for victimization here.

This February, we celebrate the resilience of African Americans who were able to honestly address unjust practices and triumphantly persevere. I honor all the remarkable world changers. However, in this article, I reflect on personal influences, my paternal Smith family members. They are evidence that no matter who we are or what life brings, we too can all overcome. Because I work in housing (Sun Commons), I focus on Councilman and President Sam Jones Smith for his unwavering fight against unfair housing practices in the 1960’s. Samuel J. Smith - Legacy Washington - WA Secretary of State

Uncle Sam’s twenty-four years of public service and accolades are too numerous for this article. I have provided links for enthusiastic readers. However, his most enduring legacy as Seattle’s first Black Councilman was the Open Housing Washington State Law in 1967. This law halted redlining in Seattle and Washington state (redlining definition - Search).  It ensured that people, regardless of race or religion, could live wherever they pleased. This success as Council President was after four attempts to pass the law on a state level-Commitment. He became known nationwide for his Southern hospitality and his common phrase to all was “Hi Neighbor.”  

Uncle Sam’s service did not come without threats to his life as a Black man fighting for Civil Rights in the late 50’s and then 60’s, assassination threats were real. Within months of his fair housing successes, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Robert F. Kennedy’s were assassinated. Even so, Sam came from a Southern Baptist family full of faith and fight (nonviolent).

In a Q&A with his only living child- Carl Smith, offers a more intimate, behind the scenes share of Sam’s struggles and triumphs. The intent of which is to share real battles and victories. We all have them, independent of ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation. I hope you leave as inspired as I am, to continue the good fight here at PLC as we transform lives into independent and collective levels.

Community

Cynthia:

Carl, thank you cousin for taking time for this.  I knew your dad mostly from his big sister, Aunt Mattie’s eyes and the State book she provided, my six brothers and me. As quiet as it was kept, Mattie was as powerhouse herself in California. She challenged Los Angeles County DWP’s unfair employment practices and became its first Black stenographer.  Her community impact and Spiritual influence were global. Her money smarts created a financial inheritance for the NAACP and organizations helping the poor. She was the family banker for sure, especially for my six brothers, me and our divorced mom living in a South-Central housing project.  What was community for your dad, and what took him to Seattle and from Gibsland Louisiana?

Carl:

I rarely made it home to Louisiana because dad was so busy and had a big family. I’ve always been proud that the Smiths owned 300 acres in Gibsland, and that family still settle the land today. Community for us started in Seattle also in the projects.  Military service brought my dad to Washington to a housing project that was built for Jewish families (Ghettos). The intent was to separate them from the dominant culture. As retired military personnel moved in, mostly Black, Jewish families moved out. Everyone was family in the project.

Relying on community resources was key.  But you have no community if you have no housing. My dad’s legacy was honored last year when the SouthEast Effective Development (SEED) named their latest project after him. Honoring the legacy of Sam Smith - SouthEast Effective Development

My dad was equally passionate about homeownership and was disturbed by the reality of redlining in Seattle. So, he did something about it.  He believed that a person’s financial status should determine where he/she lived.  This notion was unacceptable in Seattle at the time in earlier days of service for my dad (1950’s 1960’s).  Seattle City Councilmember Sam Smith - CityArchives | seattle.gov

Ironically, my dad’s legislative competence and achievements dismantled the successes in the Black community.  Blacks could now buy homes in other communities.  This diffused the economic power of the collective Black community.

Cynthia:

Yes, I see the impact on our family in Louisiana.  During summers I spent there as a young girl, the community was indeed family- I knew your dad’s siblings (my great aunts and uncles) as the community workers.  My grandfather Moses Washington Smith (Pop Moses) ran produce from his farm, Uncle AD was the main insurance broker in Grambling, other preachers, and the aunts were college educators.  Most are gone and it seems the sense of community also left. I never thought about the negative impact that fighting for fairness could have.

Carl:

My grandmother, so your great grandmother, Berniece, was a schoolteacher.  My grandfather, her husband, was a preacher and master negotiator for the community. I imagine my dad took traits after both. It’s good that the land is still in the Smith family.

Cynthia:

Yes, I go home every year for the reunion and family gravesite clearing.  It’s nice to know Mother Eliza, who was taken from Africa as a young girl has her resting place there. Aunt Mattie and Uncle AD incorporated the Eliza Smith Estate in 1974 to protect it. Previously, the white neighbors moved the property line taking some 20 acres. Law enforcement did nothing.  My grandmother, Mama Suzie, shared this with me after an overt racist experience I had there one summer.

At age eight-ish, my dad and I went to the local store owned by the same neighbor I mentioned. I wanted to buy “penny candy…lol.” As I handed my coin to the attendant, she instructed me to place it on the counter so as not to touch her hand.  My dad, a tall dark chocolate man who was well known for his brilliant mind, did or said nothing. The look on his face told me not to ask questions. I would later learn to fight hate with education. Reacting with more hatred doesn’t work, and it literally dumbs the brain. We were always expected to be neighborly and kind. We dared not walk pass anyone without a greeting, even neighbors with malintent.

Commitment

Cynthia:  

I imagine as a Black man fighting for Social Justice during the late 50’s and 60’s things were scary at times. How did your dad stay committed to the cause? Did he require security?

Carl:

Many in Washington state were not happy with Open Housing. Additionally, ‘when he ran for City Council, my dad was called an “Uncle Tom” by Black panther members and others who wanted a “by any means necessary” approach. This was not my dad. As a deeply religious man, and 33rd degree Mason, he followed Martin Luther King Jr. nonviolence philosophy.  I recently spoke with a former panther who admitted that my dad’s approach was right and effective.

Yes, regarding security.  The police came to our home and advised my dad to have security in the house.  My dad said, “No” you take care of the neighborhood, and I’ll take care of my family- spoken like a true Southerner.  We protected our home by rotating as night watchers.  Someone was aways up monitoring things, including my mom.  We daily checked our car for bombs, especially after Dr. King’s assassination. We really believed my dad would have the same fate.

Collaboration

Cynthia:

Carl, what did Collaboration mean to your dad?

Carl:

Understanding the nuances of the political arena with compromise and collaboration were my dad’s strengths. His speaking and negotiation skills lent to nonpartisan support for causes he championed. Dad felt that all diverse views needed a place in collaboration for positive change. The business community supported my dad’s elections because they did want what happened in Watt’s to happen in Seattle.  My dad was a persuasive negotiator.

The HomesSight organization in Washington state honor his name in creating homeownership equality. Sam Smith “Hi Neighbor” Homeownership Fund - HomeSight

Cynthia:

I think we’ll stop here for time’s sake.  What a pleasure to meet you, shame it wasn’t sooner.  I hope to see you in Seattle next month, and hopefully in May at the annual reunion on the farm.

Carl:

My pleasure cousin.

-Cynthia Shackelford, Penny Lane Centers

Check out some more photos below!