Mayor’s Council on African American Elders Seeks New Members

Do you care about the current and future state of older Black adults in our communities? If your answer is yes, what about using your voice on the Mayor’s Council on African American Elders (MCAAE)?

The MCAAE was established because of a community-driven effort to address the needs of Seattle’s older African American adults. The initiative began in 1994 when then-Mayor Norman B. Rice sponsored roundtable discussions with community members. In 1995, the roundtable commissioned a report that included recommendations and a mission “to develop a comprehensive continuum of services that will improve quality of life while strengthening the community’s capacity to support the basic needs of its elders.”

Thanks to the roundtable’s vision and insight, the African American Elders Program (AAEP) was birthed in the late 1990’s in partnership with the Seattle Human Services Department’s Aging and Disability Services division; Public Health—Seattle & King County and Senior Services of Seattle/King County (now known as Sound Generations). As a result of a successful funding process, Catholic Community Services has served as the program’s sponsor since 2004.

Rita, MCAAE chair

Mayor Rice simultaneously created the Mayor’s Council on African American Elders, a 12-member commission, that included several roundtable members to review and evaluate the 1995 final report and act as his advisors. Currently, the commission is seeking candidates to fill vacant positions, beginning in January 2025. Members are appointed by the mayor to serve renewable two-year terms. MCAAE members must reside in Seattle or elsewhere in King County and be willing to serve without compensation.

The MCAAE advocates and makes recommendations to City officials regarding programs and services of benefit to older African Americans. The group sponsors an annual Grandparents Day event, periodically conducts public forums on a range of issues impacting older adults, solicits public input, and provides formal and informal comment and recommendations to the mayor.

Since 1995, the MCAAE has continued its commitment to advocate for accessible, culturally appropriate, comprehensive services with a focus on people of African descent who are isolated, frail, and low-income. Most recently, the commission successfully advocated to increase funding to support a nursing position for the AAEP.

In recent years, the MCAAE also:

• Hosted a community meeting with Mayor Bruce Harrell.
• Sent a letter to the Office of Planning & Community Development expressing concerns about the draft One Seattle plan.
• Hosted panel discussion during Black History Month that featured organizations that serve Black elders.
• Co-sponsored an annual Grandparents Day celebration (initiated in 2010).
• Co-sponsored numerous state legislative and local candidate forums.

Participation on the Council requires a significant commitment, including attendance at monthly meetings (currently the third Friday of each month) and participation on at least one sub-committee that may meet monthly. Council members also attend and participate in relevant public meetings and events.

MCAAE members reflect a broad range of professional and community experience and perspectives and seek to maintain the diversity and strength of the commission. More specifically, the mayor seeks candidates who are active in age-friendly community affairs, have knowledge and/or experience with caregiving, health care, senior housing, legal, public relations, and have contacts with African American churches in King County.

Your voice is needed and welcomed! To learn more about MCAAE, visit our updated webpage. Interested in being appointed to the MCAAE? Visit the City of Seattle Boards and Commissions website to apply online.

Mayor Bruce Harrell’s administration is committed to promoting diversity in the City’s boards and commissions. Women, persons with disabilities, sexual minorities and persons of color are encouraged to apply.

Contributor Karen Winston is a senior planner at Aging and Disability Services, the Area Agency on Aging for King County, a division of Seattle Human Services. Karen staffs the mayor’s Council on African American Elders. She can be reached at karen.winston@seattle.gov.