The Washington State Commission on African American Affairs will meet in-person in Everett, Washington Friday, March 21, 2025 - 1 PM to 4 PM
Hear about our work, meet our commissioners and share your issues of concern.
Location: William E Moore Historic City Hall 3002 Wetmore Ave. Everett, Washington 98201
Questions? Please call 360-725-5664
Scientist Dr. William Conan Davis was the first African American to receive a Ph.D. from the University of Idaho. He is best known for his research in food chemistry and most recently, his co-developed of the formula for Dasani water.
In addition to his scientific work, he was a Lutheran lay minister, served during the Korean War, and a commissioned Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He was awarded a Purple Heart in 1953.
Among his siblings is legendary actor and civil rights activist Ossie Davis.
It was extremely difficult for a Black student to find support for a Ph.D. program in research. The University of Idaho was the only university willing to accept him as a research-track graduate student. At nearby Washington State University, the Industrial Research department advertised for summer researchers to study the buildup of particles on saw blades in lumber mills. Davis applied and was able to identify the source of the problem. He isolated and extracted the dry, crystal-like powder, Arabinogalactan. It's used as a thickener in foods, in cosmetics, and studied for possible medical uses.
Davis added Arabinogalactans to potato mixtures and created instant mashed potatoes with a more desirable texture and consistency.
Clinical research with other WSU scientists, Davis identified a sugar that improved potato chips and soft serve ice cream. He also developed an organic glue for use in compressed wood, aka particle board.
After receiving his Ph.D. in 1965, Dr. Davis began to explore human health, focusing on hay fever antigens and radioimmunoassay techniques, which eventually saw him becoming the director of the United Medical Laboratories in Portland, Oregon for almost 15 years. He helped to establish a free medical clinic in Portland's Albina neighborhood.
In 1996, he began serving as the department chair of Natural Sciences at St. Philip’s College in San Antonio, Texas until 2007. Upon his 2009 retirement, the college named him professor emeritus and he awarded the college a $20,000 endowment for scholarships focused on (STEM) science, technology, engineering, and mathematics students. He passed away in March 2022.
Sources: Blackpast.org; University of Idaho.edu; Wikipedia.org
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Child health is important - it impacts the health of families and future generations. We strive to increase development, safety and well-being for our youngest individuals.
Is your child between 6 months and 11 years old? Take the Washington State Child Wellness Survey and help in the effort to best support families in this era. The survey only takes 15-20 minutes and is confidential. Survey deadline March 31st. Take the survey online at: https://us1se.voxco.com/S2/8/CWS2024ALLAGES/
Public Comment on Student Discipline Rules Needed. In Washington State, Black students face a crisis of disproportionate discipline that cannot be ignored. In 2023, 6.4% of Black students were excluded from class, nearly double the statewide average of 3.5%.
A proposed permanent discipline rule change for the 2025–26 school year could lead to:
• Disconnection from school communities.
• Declines in academic performance.
• Entrenchment of the school-to-prison pipeline.
Written Comment Please submit written comment on the proposed rules to StudentDiscipline@k12.wa.us. All written comments must be submitted no later than 11:59 pm on March 19, 2025. This email is for public comment only.
The purpose of the public hearings and comment period is to provide interested community members with an opportunity to comment on the proposed changes to the WAC language. Links to the proposed changes:
Proposed Permanent Rules for Student Discipline. 392-190, 392-400, 392-401
2-Column Proposed WAC Side-by-Side (changes between emergency rules and proposed permanent rules)
3-Column Revised WAC Side-by-Side (changes between pre-existing discipline rules, emergency rules, and proposed permanent rules)
Addendum to Bulletin 055-24 (notice of emergency discipline rules currently in effect)
OSPI Student Discipline Webpage | Subscribe to Student Discipline Email Alerts
In-person public hearings:
• March 18, 2025 @ 4:00pm at Columbia River Elementary School (9011 Burns Road, Pasco, WA 99301)
• March 19, 2025 @ 4:00pm at Shadle Park High School (4327 N. Ash St, Spokane, WA 99205)
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All services are provided at no cost to minorities, females, and other socially and economically disadvantaged firms seeking work on WSDOT and Local Agency highway-related projects. For more information email DBESS@wsdot.wa.gov, call 360-705-7090 or (888) 259-9143
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It is that time of year. Beware of tax and financial schemes! Some suggest using IRS tax forms to fraudulently avoid a tax bill or claim an inflated refund. Protect yourself by learning about the Dirty Dozen list of scams: www.irs.gov/dirtydozen.
Additional events listed at CAAA.WA.Gov/events
 The Pierce County Miss Juneteenth Scholarship/Pageant program is a celebration of Black girls, sisterhood, scholarship, community and history! This pageant was designed to celebrate Pierce County girls of African descent. Miss Juneteenth is more than a beauty pageant, it is a scholarship program and "pageant with a purpose" that provides girls an opportunity to learn Black History, gain new skills, make new sisterfriends, earn scholarship money and represent their community and their unique, Black brilliance.
Winner- 1st Place $1,000 Scholarship
1st Place Runner-Up $500 Scholarship
2nd Place Winner $300 Scholarship
The application ( https://forms.gle/pwdEnq5ARRGD2Yp96) is open to 8th- 11th grade girls residing in Pierce County. Apply today!
Looking for a job or want to build your professional skills? Join us for a resource and hiring event targeting young adults ages 16 to 24.
Explore local, in-demand job opportunities and connect with employers who are hiring now. Network with community partners to discover valuable resources and services available in Pierce County, all while building your professional skills and connections in a supportive environment. Don’t miss out on this chance to jumpstart your career! Learn more and register!
Attendees will receive:
- 40+ resources and employers from a variety of industries in Pierce County
- Chance to win a $25 gift card
- Free haircuts/line ups for attendees
Are you among the newly unemployed? WorkSource offices across the state can help anyone find a new job, get training, and more for FREE. Veterans get priority access to services. Use the WorkSource locator to find an office near you: https://www.worksourcewa.com/microsite/content.aspx
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