UMOJA PEACE CENTER
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Mission Statement
Our mission is to inspire and empower youth through Positive Education, Art, Culture & Enterprise (P.E.A.C.E.).
About This Cause
The Umoja P.E.A.C.E (Positive Education, Art, and Culture & Enterprise) Center or (UPC) is a youth focused, community based cultural center founded in 2008. Our mission is to inspire and empower youth through Positive Education, Art, Culture & Enterprise (P.E.A.C.E.). The center provides culturally relevant out of school enrichment activities in the areas of technology, music, digital media production, leadership development and social entrepreneurship for youth and young adults. UPC was founded by a group of community members who joined forces in response to growing economic and social issues that disproportionately affected disenfranchised African-American youth. The group created a community-based youth center that is now located in Rainier Valley to provide programs to reduce anti-social behavior, juvenile delinquency, crime and violence. The Center has now developed into a meeting point for young people engaged in creating a better future for the community. Today, an audio recording studio, video production studio, learning room, computer lab and reading room serve youth and young adults with a variety of classes, workshops and a place to gather. In addition to youth programs UPC also serves as a convener of numerous events to gather the perspectives of diverse constituents on how to solve problems disproportionately impacting African Americans. UPC brings people together to develop solutions for gentrification, gun violence, poverty, crime and other issues. UPC’s Executive Director Wyking Garrett is recognized by the City leaders as a key player in decision making on urban issues. UPC is also known as the conveners of Umoja Fest, an annual black community festival and parade in Seattle. A Seafair sanctioned event, the Umoja Festival and Parade has been a Seattle tradition for over six decades. Coined the “Soul of Seafair “the Umoja Festival is the largest outdoor celebration of black pride and culture in the Pacific Northwest. The word Umoja is a Swahili word which means "unity" which is the main theme of the festival. Umoja Fest is an artistic and cultural extravaganza that uniquely touches the spirit of the community.