Seattle City Council President Refers to 'Black Budget' Alongside District Funds

Seattle City Council President Joy Hollingsworth said she works with two budgets, her District 3 budget and "the Black budget," and urged Black residents to unite as "the most powerful political party" in Seattle.

Hollingsworth, who represents District 3, made the comments at the State of Africatown 2026 conference, a public town hall on advancing Seattle's Black community held in late February. Talk show host Jason Rantz highlighted her remarks.

"So, I got two budgets every time I go to council member Dan Strauss every year. I have a District 3 budget and then a black budget," Hollingsworth told the audience.

Her statements came days before Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson ordered city agencies to cut budgets for next year by 5% to 10%. The city faces a projected $140 million deficit for the 2026 fiscal year.

Hollingsworth described assembling about 70 Black residents last year to testify on the city budget, an event she called "Black Budget Day."

"It is important that they see us, that they hear us, that we just don't show up for certain things that we are down here advocating for us," she said.

"There are political parties in Seattle, and I believe that if Black people come together, we can be the most powerful political party in the city of Seattle. We have to coalesce our power."

Rantz invited Hollingsworth to his radio show to explain the "Black budget" term. He called it a problem whether she meant it literally or as political branding and noted that a "white budget" would draw criticism. He questioned why she did not push budgets for Asians or Latinos.

Hollingsworth canceled the interview. In a statement, she said the Black budget means "targeted investments and resources directed toward historically impacted communities in Seattle."

"This is about addressing long-standing challenges in public safety, infrastructure, small business support, clean and safe parks, roads and sidewalks and workforce development," she said.

"In Seattle, we need to stay focused on delivering the city basics," Hollingsworth added. "That’s what communities across our city are asking for and what they want to see government deliver on every day. We are focused on the fundamentals of local government, safe streets, reliable infrastructure, responsive city services and clean public spaces."

When asked what percentage of Seattle's $8.9 billion budget should go to the Black budget, Hollingsworth replied in an email, "8.9 billion dollars. The city's budget."