NORTHWEST AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM WELCOMES KIRO 7 NEWS ANCHORS MONIQUE MING LAVEN AND AARON WRIGHT

SEATTLE, WA – The Northwest African American Museum (NAAM) is honored to welcome KIRO 7 Cares as a partner for the 2022 Unity Benefit. KIRO 7 Cares is an initiative that supports local non-profits and events by connecting local organizations to the community, inspiring meaningful outcomes, and empowering local people to take action.

NAAM’s annual Unity Benefit will take place o

n Friday, October 7 at 5:30pm at the Four Seasons Hotel and will be emceed by KIRO 7 anchors Monique Ming Laven and Aaron Wright. NAAM aims to raise $900,000 during the benefit to support its robust educational, artistic, and cultural work in the Northwest region. Tickets are $500 each and sponsorships start at $2,500. Those interested in learning more or attending can contact Betsey Archambault at betseya@naamnw.org.

Pat Nevin, VP/General Manager, KIRO 7 noted, “KIRO 7 is committed to celebrating all the diverse races and cultures that make up Western Washington. KIRO 7 demonstrates our commitment through focused local news coverage, resource pages on KIRO7.com, locally produced public service announcements and community partnerships with organizations like NAAM.” Nevin further stated, “We are so proud to serve as a media partner for the NAAM Unity Benefit and look forward to seeing Monique and Aaron take the stage on October 7th to support NAAM’s work to educate, celebrate, and build community connections across the Pacific Northwest.”

KIRO 7 News anchor Aaron Wright co-anchors the 5, 6 & 11pm Newscasts at KIRO 7. Aaron is an Emmy Award-winning journalist hailing from Spartanburg, South Carolina and is a Hampton University graduate. Aaron believes journalism is service and at its best uplifts the community, exposes corruption and helps people in need.

Monique Ming Laven co-anchors KIRO 7 News at 4, 5, 6 & 7pm. She joined KIRO 7 News in 2006 and has covered a wide range of stories during her tenure, from the 2009 and 2011 trials of Amanda Knox in Italy to the Oso landslide to the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl celebrations.

LaNesha DeBardelaben, NAAM’s President & CEO noted the museum, “is honored to partner with KIRO 7 Cares. We look forward to the energy and enthusiasm that we’ll experience with KIRO 7 helping to tell NAAM’s story of community impact.”

At this year’s event, NAAM will honor two exemplary public servants, Former Seattle Mayor Norman Rice and Dr. Constance Rice, with its inaugural Champions of Unity Award. Event registration & sponsorship information is on NAAM’s website at www.naamnw.org/unity-benefit2022.

NAAM is committed to celebrating and uplifting Black voices and culture. Its mission is to spread knowledge, understanding, and enjoyment of the histories, arts, and cultures of people of African descent for the enrichment of all.

For more information about NAAM’s upcoming events, programs and initiatives, visit: https://www.naamnw.org/