Seattle City Council President Advocates for “Black Budget”

Seattle City Council President Joy Hollingsworth recently shared her thoughts on the city’s budgeting process, stating she is working on two different budgets: one for her district and a so-called “black budget.” In a call for unity among Black residents, she labeled them as the “most powerful political party” in Seattle.

This announcement came during the 2026 Africatown State Conference, where she highlighted the push for the city’s budget to align more closely with the needs of the Black community. Her comments were made at a town hall held in late February, aimed at developing resources for Seattle’s Black residents.

Hollingsworth explained, “Every year, I go to Councilman Dan Strauss with two budgets. One is the District 3 budget, and then there’s the black budget.” This statement was made just days prior to Mayor Katie Wilson announcing a 5% to 10% budget cut for the city, amid a projected $140 million deficit for the fiscal year 2026.

Reflecting on the previous year’s events, Hollingsworth mentioned that she designated a particular day as “Black Budget Day,” drawing around 70 Black residents to provide input on the city’s fiscal allocations. “It’s crucial for us to be seen and heard,” she conveyed, stressing the importance of advocacy for community issues.

“We have a political identity in Seattle. When Black individuals unite, we can significantly impact the political landscape of the city,” Hollingsworth asserted.

Seattle talk show host Jason Luntz brought Hollingsworth onto his program to discuss what she referred to as the “black budget.” He raised questions about whether the term was meant literally or as a political catchphrase, suggesting it presented challenges. “If we had to label it, would we not call it a ‘white budget’?” he asked, highlighting potential inconsistencies in pitching policies to diverse groups.

While Luntz indicated that Hollingsworth had canceled an interview, she responded to media inquiries by clarifying that the Black Budget signified “targeted investments and resources aimed at communities historically impacted in Seattle.” She emphasized that the focus was on addressing ongoing issues such as public safety, infrastructure, and small business support.

“Seattle has to prioritize the essentials,” Hollingsworth added. “Our communities are looking for standard services: safe streets, dependable infrastructure, and clean public spaces.” When asked how much of Seattle’s overall $8.9 billion budget should be allocated for the “black budget,” her reply was straightforward: “The entire $8.9 billion. That’s the city’s budget.”