> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.cascadepbs.org/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Northwest Reports Live: Kiesha B. Free
- URL: https://www.cascadepbs.org/podcasts/northwest-reports/2025/06/northwest-reports-live-kiesha-b-free/
- Published: 2025-06-25T07:57:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-01-15T18:52:17.000Z
- Description: The founder of Hey, Black Seattle! talks about the good — and complicated — realities of building community in the PNW as a person of color.
- Author: Sara Bernard
- Tags: Northwest Reports, #podcast, #ignore_this_tag, #dovetail_7a843c29-cc80-4bdc-a8fb-969c21b10320

The founder of Hey, Black Seattle! talks about the good — and complicated — realities of building community in the PNW as a person of color. 

It can be tough to find a sense of community in Seattle, where it’s rainy most of the year and there’s a notorious social freeze to break through. It can be even harder navigating those barriers if you’re not white. 

In the third episode of Northwest Reports Live, which showcases conversations with Seattle changemakers at the Cascade PBS Ideas Festival, Kiesha B. Free talked about the good — and complicated — realities of living here. 

Free is a speaker, facilitator, emcee, stand-up comedian and former business leader at Time and Microsoft. She also founded [Hey, Black Seattle!](https://www.heyblackseattle.com/?ref=cascadepbs.org), an online resource and movement that she created to connect and nurture Seattle’s Black community. 

Free shares why she started Hey, Black Seattle!; addresses the myth that there are no Black people here; and weighs in on whether the city’s progressive reputation is well-earned. 

\---  
Credits

Producers: [Maleeha Syed](https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/maleeha-syed), [Sara Bernard](https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/sara-bernard)  

Story editor: [Ryan Famuliner](https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/ryan-famuliner)  

Executive producer: [Sarah Menzies](https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/sarah-menzies)

Production Manager: [Adam Brown](https://www.cascadepbs.org/author/adam/)

Production Engineer: Resti Bagcal

\---

*Northwest Reports is made possible by listeners like you. If you would like to join the members who help us create this series, go to* *[cascadepbs.org/nwreports](http://cascadepbs.org/nwreports?ref=cascadepbs.org)* *. In addition to supporting our journalism, members receive great member benefits, including Cascade PBS Passport, with extended access to an on-demand library of local and PBS favorites.*