Wishing someone "Happy Black History Month" in February might have once been as offbeat as dropping a badly timed meme. Today, it’s a rallying call to celebrate a legacy too monumental to ignore. This month, Bellevue honors Black History Month with events that pack impact and insight as we sharpen our focus on this year's theme: Black labor—a subject with as much gravity as it has nuance. 

Header photo from City of Bellevue

1. 'Voices Unbounded' exhibit features Black Northwest artists

Location: Bellevue City Hall; 450 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004

Step into Bellevue City Hall—a modern architectural marvel with sleek design and panoramic views that are pure Instagram gold. In the months of February and March, the Voices Unbound exhibit showcases the work of 21 Black artists from across the Pacific Northwest. MG2 architect Jay Taylor curated the exhibit, which will include paintings, photography, sculptures, textiles and fashion. Don’t miss the opening reception on February 19 from 6–8 p.m.—a perfect excuse to trade your usual scroll for some real-life art and dialogue. 

2. The Bellevue Collection: Celebrating Black Excellence Through The Lens of Fashion

Location: The Bellevue Collection

From February 20 - March 9, The Bellevue Collection is partnering with the Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP) and local independent designer Olayinka Ola of Ayo Collections to honor Black History Month "Through the Lens of Fashion." 

Guests can explore Ola’s Essence of the Peacock collection in Bellevue Square’s Center Court, showcasing garments that blend vibrant African patterns with peacock-inspired elegance. Ola, originally from Nigeria, has been featured at events like New York Fashion Week and Couture and Cars 2023.

Also on display is MOPOP's Icons of Style, an interactive experience celebrating the influence of Black music artists like Jimi Hendrix, Cardi B, Beyoncé, Doja Cat, and Lizzo on fashion.

The Significance of Black Labor

As we mark Black History Month with a focus on Black labor, it’s important to recognize the historical contributions that helped build our community and open doors for people of color today. Black workers played key roles in developing essential infrastructure and advancing labor rights. The formation of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters in 1925 under A. Philip Randolph set important precedents in the fight for fair wages and dignified working conditions. During World War II, Black laborers in the Pacific Northwest worked in shipyards and factories, meeting critical production needs despite facing systemic discrimination. These contributions laid the groundwork for the diverse and vibrant community Bellevue is today - an environment where inclusivity and innovation can thrive together.

Here, diversity isn’t a buzzword—it’s our everyday soundtrack. Over half of our residents identify as minority populations, and over 100 languages echo through our streets like a never-ending remix. Our vibrant economy, which powers more than 150,000 jobs across industries from tech to healthcare, makes our city a living mosaic of cultures, ideas, and dreams. Look around, and you’ll see that so much of today’s progress rests on the shoulders of Black labor—the unsung pioneers who built railroads, shipyards, and factories that opened doors to the opportunities we enjoy now.