This year marks the 52nd and final ROOTS Family Picnic, an annual celebration that has brought together Seattle’s Black community for more than half a century. Set for this Sunday, September 4, this beloved tradition invites friends, family, and community members to gather one last time to honor the legacy and heritage of Seattle’s Black community.
Founded in 1972 by Arline and Letcher Yarbrough, the ROOTS Family Picnic was originally envisioned as a small gathering to reconnect with friends and family who were among the descendants of Seattle’s urban Black pioneers. What began as a modest barbecue has grown into a vibrant annual event, rich with memories, entertainment, food, and celebration of Black history and heritage. Over the years, ROOTS has become more than just a picnic—it is a powerful symbol of community and cultural pride.
The final ROOTS Family Picnic will be filled with food, entertainment, and children’s activities, along with a special ceremony honoring local Black leaders. Attendees are encouraged to bring their picnic lunch, canopies, and a spirit of joy. Elders without a picnic lunch will receive a complimentary meal, ensuring that everyone can partake in the celebration.
“ROOTS is a Seattle tradition of Black families and their descendants coming together to break bread, rekindle friendships, and build a true sense of community,” says William Lowe, a Seattle native and member of The Breakfast Group. “In the early 1970s, a dinner invitation went out from Arline and Letcher Yarbrough to eight couples who had been close friends thirty and forty years before, seeing each other frequently and sharing many interests. Over the years, they had grown apart, but the response to that invitation was overwhelming. Everyone still living in the Seattle area came, eager to see old friends again. That gathering laid the foundation for what we now know as the ROOTS Family Picnic.”
The ROOTS Family Picnic has always been more than a social event; it is a celebration of Black heritage, resilience, and unity. For the African American community, family traditions are cherished, especially given the historical impact of slavery, which often separated families. The ROOTS Family Picnic has helped maintain these bonds, allowing generations to come together, share stories, and celebrate their shared heritage.
“Being a part of this community all my life, we’ve seen it go from predominantly Black to what exists today,” says Paul Mitchell, a Seattle native and current leader of the ROOTS Planning Committee. “The Central District used to be upwards of 90 percent Black, and now it’s what? Maybe 20 percent, 10 percent, if that. It’s important that we keep this going so we can all get together, reminisce, exchange stories, and get young people involved.”
The ROOTS Family Picnic represents a unique blend of tradition, family values, cultural pride, achievement, and togetherness. As this chapter closes, the final event will be a poignant reminder of the power of community and the enduring strength of Black heritage in Seattle.
The Roots planning committee is encouraging everyone to show up and bring your picnic lunch, canopy, and joy one last time to honor this rich legacy.