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Federal Way proclaims April 13—17 Black Wellness Week to spotlight racial health disparities
Summary
The Federal Way City Council proclaimed April 13—17, 2026 as Black Wellness Week, highlighting long-standing inequities in screenings, infant mortality and mental-health access and promoting community-driven wellness partnerships.
The Federal Way City Council on April 7 proclaimed April 13—17 as Black Wellness Week, calling attention to racial disparities in access to prevention and treatment and urging community action.
The proclamation, presented by Council Member Cessums and read by a city official, traced the tradition to Booker T. Washington's Negro Health Week and emphasized the need for community-driven efforts to address unequal screening rates, higher infant mortality among Black families in King County and gaps in mental-health care. "Black Americans continue to experience inequality, inequity, and disproportionate barriers to preventative supports in health care," the proclamation said.
Janetta White, a Federal Way resident who described herself as a member of the Elevate Black Wellness committee and St. Francis Hospital, told the council the week aims not only to confront disparities but to celebrate community healing and ancestral wisdom. She cited local examples including lower rates of having a usual source of care and higher hospital readmission rates among Black Medicare beneficiaries. "This week brings together systems across health care, foundations, elected officials and community organizations in a unified commitment to Black wellness," White said.
Mayor Jim Frell and other councilmembers praised the civic and nonprofit partners leading the effort and accepted the proclamation on behalf of organizers, including Christina Blocker (not present) and Cynthia Ricks Makatan.
The proclamation asks residents, providers and elected officials to advocate for improved screening, culturally responsive outreach and sustained cross-sector partnerships to improve outcomes. Council members noted that the declaration is intended as a first step toward programmatic collaboration rather than an adoption of a specific policy or new budget commitment.
The city encouraged residents to watch for local Black Wellness Week events and said staff would share contact information for the Elevate Black Wellness committee and partner organizations.
