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“Voices from Inside”shines light on art by the Black Prisoners’Caucus

91.3 KBCS · Voices from Inside-Story and photos by Jennie Cecil Moore

On a leafy street in Seattle’s Central District, a two-story family home has welcomed visitors as a gallery space since 2019. Wa Na Wari, which means “our home” in the Nigerian language of Kalabari, is featuring art from the Black Prisoners’ Caucus from June 6th – July 13th, 2025. The center for Black art and belonging is showcasing beadwork, poetry, sketches, paintings, and video work centered on incarceration.

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Building Stronger Communities: Bellevue College & KBCS Collaborate for Mental Health Awareness

At Bellevue College, students and the community benefit from the collaboration between dedicated faculty and staff members like Steve Martel and Tamara Boynton Howard. Both of whom play a vital role in promoting mental health and wellness on campus. 91.3 KBCS Mental Health awareness reports.

The image features two speech bubbles: one in purple saying “LET’S TALK” and another in yellow with the words “MENTAL HEALTH.” The 91.3 KBCS logo appears prominently in the bottom left corner, alongside the Bellevue College logo. Beneath the logos, a short text reads: “National Suicide Prevention Month Here are a few ways to combat depression From your neighbors here at KBCS & Bellevue College.” The message encourages mental health discussions and highlights National Suicide Prevention Month. It invites the audience to engage in dialogue and emphasizes community support.

Bellevue College’s Student Counseling Center

Steve Martel, Bellevue College’s Student Counselor & Professor, is an advocate for mental health support through student-centered initiatives. He works closely with the college’s Counseling Center, offering programs like the Quarterly Destress Events. Quarterly Destress Events are where students can engage in healing activities designed to reduce stress and promote emotional well-being.

The image is a poster for September Suicide Prevention Month. The poster informs viewers about warning signs of suicide, emphasizing the importance of recognizing changes in behavior, feelings of hopelessness, or expressions of wanting to die. It also highlights protective factors against suicide, such as support from friends, family, and community, and the availability of quality healthcare. The poster offers 24/7 crisis support information, including: • Crisis Connections (24-hour crisis support via phone at 988) • Crisis Text Line (Text “HEAL” to 741741 for support) Additionally, it promotes Bellevue College Resources, mentioning free and confidential mental health services, drop-in crisis counseling, and the availability of support for students in emotional distress. This resource encourages individuals to be proactive in recognizing signs of crisis and seeking support through the resources provided.

Bellevue College’s Health Promotion Management (HPM) HUB

Tamara Boynton Howard is Bellevue College’s Health Promotion & Education Associate Professor and Program Chair. Similarly as Steve, she is deeply committed to raising awareness about mental health and community wellness. She has spearheaded impactful projects to promote health education and mental wellness on campus. One of her recent initiatives, Crafting for a Cause, is a part of October’s Suicide Prevention Month efforts. This event, held in the Health Promotion Management (HPM) HUB, provides a space for students and the Bellevue Community to create health awareness ribbons and buttons to support various causes. Crafting for a Cause will take place on October 15, 2024, and will offer free snacks and drinks. 

The image titled “Crafting for a Cause” features an invitation to join Bellevue College’s October Health Awareness Ribbons and Button Making Party. The event offers free entry along with snacks and drinks. The visuals show ribbons in various colors, including orange and teal, symbolizing different health causes, and buttons with motivational words like “warrior” and “your life matters.” The event details include the date: October 15, 2024, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, at the T Building, 2nd Floor, in the HPM Hub at Bellevue College. The poster also emphasizes Bellevue College’s commitment to non-discrimination.

At 91.3 KBCS Mental Health awareness is important and we are proud to collaborate with Bellevue College faculty members like Steve and Tamara who share a commitment to planting the seeds for a better future. Their efforts align with KBCS’s mission to foster a connected and informed community. As we continue to support important mental health initiatives, we invite you to join us in supporting KBCS by donating to keep these collaborations thriving and helping us continue to bring relevant programming to the airwaves.

Donate today to KBCS 91.3 and help us amplify the voices and stories that matter most to our community!

The image shows a red keyboard key labeled “Donate” with a heart symbol next to it. A finger is poised to press the key. This image serves as a button; clicking it will take you to the KBCS Donate page at https://www.kbcs.fm/donate/.

 

Two Things Bellevue College & Japan Have In Common

Mountain Views & Golden Week…

The image features a scenic view with the KBCS 91.3 FM logo overlaid. In the background, Mount Fuji stands tall with snow-capped peaks, set against a clear blue sky. Below the mountain, colorful koinobori (carp-shaped windsocks) are flying in the wind. These are traditional Japanese decorations typically flown to celebrate Children’s Day during Golden Week. The foreground showcases a city landscape with a mixture of buildings and natural greenery. This visual highlights both Japanese culture and the iconic nature of Mount Fuji, suggesting a celebration or event connected to Japanese traditions. Clicking the image takes the viewer to the Bellevue College Japan Week Flyer for more information.

Well, perhaps I’m reaching by calling Bellevue College’s Japan Week “Golden Week”, but the celebration of Japanese culture and spirit is just as impressive. While Golden Week in Japan is one of the most anticipated holiday seasons, filled with national holidays like Constitution Memorial Day and Children’s Day, Bellevue College’s Japan Week offers a similar vibrancy right here in the heart of Bellevue.

Golden Week is a special time in Japan. Families take vacations, businesses close, and cities fill with festivals and travel. It’s a time for the country to pause and celebrate its rich history and traditions. Similarly, Bellevue College’s Japan Week creates a lively and immersive experience for the community, allowing everyone to appreciate Japanese culture.

October 5, Bellevue College will transform into a hub of authentic Japanese experiences. You can enjoy Japanese musical performances, Manga Swap, Flea Market, and Origami Contest performances. Japan Week brings a piece of Japan right to the Pacific Northwest.

Just as Golden Week inspires pride in Japan, Bellevue College’s Japan Week fosters an appreciation for Japanese culture that goes beyond the classroom. Whether you love Japanese food, art, or entertainment, this celebration offers a unique chance to explore Japan’s rich heritage at Bellevue College.

Join the celebration! Whether you’re a longtime fan or a curious newcomer, Japan Week has something for everyone.

Sincerely,

Jalisa Bass

Student Operations Assistant

At KBCS 91.3 FM, we provide programs that inform, inspire, and connect our community. But we need your support. Your donation keeps cultural features and global voices on the air.

💪 Be part of something bigger. Your contribution fuels independent media, amplifies underrepresented stories, and keeps our airwaves vibrant with fresh perspectives.

The image shows a red keyboard key labeled “Donate” with a heart symbol next to it. A finger is poised to press the key. This image serves as a button; clicking it will take you to the KBCS Donate page at https://www.kbcs.fm/donate/.

 

Flotation Device Interview with Mat Maneri

Mat Maneri by Antonio Porcar Cano

Mat Maneri is one of the few prominent jazz musicians to make the viola his primary instrument. He joined Flotation Device host Michael Schell to talk about his music, including his Ash Quartet’s upcoming Earshot Jazz performance at Cornish Raisbeck Auditorium on Monday, October 30 (tickets and info at Earshot.org).

Hear more of Mat Maneri’s music Sunday night at 10:00 PM on Flotation Device.

Flotation Device Interview with Melvin Gibbs of Harriet Tubman

Flotation Device host Michael Schell recently interviewed Melvin Gibbs of music collective Harriet Tubman. Harriet Tubman performs Friday, October 27 at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute during this years Earshot Jazz Festival!

 

“Founded in 1998, the New York-based power trio Harriet Tubman embraces freedom as its governing principle, as evinced by its name and its seamless interweaving of soul, rock, jazz and avant-garde elements. Bassist Melvin Gibbs joined Flotation Device host Michael Schell to talk about the band’s upcoming Earshot Jazz performance at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute on Friday, October 27 (tickets and info at Earshot.org).”

Bridging the Divide Through Music

Miriam Oomen is a musician (fiddle player), teaches music and plays in old-time bands.  She hails from Eugene, Oregon and was at Bellevue College as a speaker at a Bellevue College event, Voices United: A Week of Campus-Wide and Civic Conversation.  It provides the opportunity to discuss why and how to have conversations about difficult or complex topics.  Oomen describes how music has bridged the divide for her.

KBCS In-Studio with Tuck & Patti

Genre crushing duo Tuck & Patti stopped by the KBCS studio before their show at Jazz Alley for a wide ranging conversation about musical partnerships, early influences, covering Cyndi Lauper, and how music is community; it was all really quite lovely.

Oh! They also played 3 songs live, plus Tuck showed Iaan Hughes what a 13#11th chord, and Patti stunned with a few a cappella bars of “High Heel Blues!”

KBCS In-studio with Willy Tea Taylor

We spent a nice Friday afternoon hanging out with Willy Tea Taylor this past Friday listening to his tough but tender songs, talking about the lost art of the knuckleball, why he plays tenor guitar, and a shared love for Jim Harrison books.

KBCS In-Studio with Mama’s Broke

Amy Lou Keeler and Lisa Maria, the wonderful Eastern Canadian duo that is Mama’s Broke stopped by the KBCS studio on Monday, April 3rd to chat with music director Iaan Hughes. They talked about love as both briar and rose, song cycles, and going beyond traditional covers when working with old ballads like “Barbara Allen.” They also performed 3 songs! You can hear it here!

Catch them live tonight, Friday, April 7, when they perform at Conor Byrne Pub in downtown Ballard!

KBCS In-Studio with Stephanie Anne Johnson

We were thrilled that Stephanie Anne Johnson stopped by the KBCS studio this week to chat about their new album Jewels with Mike Biggins, our host of Monday night’s Soul Folks and Sunday morning’s Sunday Folks. Stephanie, accompanied by Jeff Fielder (Amy Ray, Mark Lanegan), also performs a few new songs for us. 

You can listen to the conversation here or catch it on air Friday afternoon at 1:00 PM and then also on Soul Folks!

Stephanie Anne Johnson’s upcoming shows:

Saturday, April 8th at Open Space for Arts & Community

Saturday, April 15th at Kilworth Memorial Chapel at University of Puget Sound

Friday, April 28th at The Triple Door