Central district

PHOTO ESSAY: Central District’s ‘Liink Project’ features local black businesses and artists

By Janean A. Forbes

by Ronnie Estoque

Saturday September 18, The Liink project, a co-op retail space in the Central District, hosted a pop-up market featuring local black entrepreneurs and artists. The event featured upbeat music, noir art, and merchandise to buy.

The venue, on Union Street and 20th Avenue, opened last summer and offers retail space Monday through Thursday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. The space will continue to be used for markets, gallery exhibitions and other events at other times. Stephanie Morales, one of the co-founders of Project Liink, hopes the space will be a place where local black businesses can grow and find community in a neighborhood that has quickly become gentrified. Formed by grassroots community efforts, the Liink project continues accept donations.

Stephanie Morales, co-founder of The Liink Project, chats with attendees at the space event. (Photo: Ronnie Estoque)
Photo showing various indoor potted plants for sale at the Liink project.
Seeds & Steeze sold a wide variety of potted plants during the event. (Photo: Ronnie Estoque)
Photo of Eva Hutchins wearing a blue surgical mask sitting behind her booth with home products from In Her Threads speaking with attendees of the event
Eva Hutchins, Founder of In Her Threads, talks to event attendees about her products from Thailand. (Photo: Ronnie Estoque)
Photo of three houseplants with hanging leaves resting on a wooden chair at the Liink project
Several Seeds & Steeze plants placed on a wooden chair. (Photo: Ronnie Estoque)
Photo of Dyesha standing behind their vendor table.
Undefined Clothing founder Dyesha stands beside their vendor table showcasing the latest drops from their brand. (Photo: Ronnie Estoque)
Photo showing two people featuring black people browsing clothes at a Liink Project booth
Participants in the event discover the shirts of Undefined Clothing. (Photo: Ronnie Estoque)
Photo of two people featuring black people looking at crystals and jewelry from the Nefertiti Holistic booth at the Liink Project.
Event attendees were able to purchase crystals and gemstones from Nefertiti Holistic’s. (Photo: Ronnie Estoque)
Photo of Stephanie Morales standing at the entrance to Project Liink, wearing a mustard yellow cloth face mask and matching yellow plaid shirt.
Stephanie Morales, co-founder of The Liink Project, stands outside her building at 2002 E Union St. (Photo: Ronnie Estoque)
Photo illustrating colorful artwork by Stephanie Morales for sale at The Liink Project
Stephanie Morales also sold some of her artwork at the event. (Photo: Ronnie Estoque)

Ronnie estoque is a South Seattle-based freelance photographer and videographer. You can follow his work by consulting his website.

?? Featured Image: Stephanie Morales, co-founder of The Liink Project, stands outside her building at 2002 E Union St. (Photo: Ronnie Estoque)

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Janean A. Forbes
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