Seattle is setting the trend for inspiration and innovative summer fun. MoPOP recently hosted an event featuring Michele Y. Smith and Deesha Dyer, celebrating education and community. This was followed by the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, showcasing the best in women’s golf. Attention then turned to Krist Novoselic’s new project, the Bonafide Band, which evoked nostalgia for the iconic Nirvana era while supporting the new Cascade political party of Washington. These events highlight Seattle’s dynamic cultural scene and its commitment to blending entertainment with meaningful civic engagement.

Seattle’s MoPOP hosted an event featuring Michele Smith, CEO of the Museum of Pop Culture, and Deesha Dyer, former White House social secretary. The Juneteenth event, with its emphasis on education and community, left a lasting impact on the audience, highlighting the importance of unity and knowledge in shaping a better future for all. Dyer’s latest book, Undiplomatic: How My Attitude Created the Best Kind of Trouble, was the focal point of the event. Her personal journey of overcoming imposter syndrome as a distinguished strategist, community leader, and former White House social secretary deeply resonated with the audience, leaving everyone genuinely inspired and ready to take on new challenges.

Dyer shared her insights on the urgent need for new movements in light of the upcoming presidential election. Reflecting on her time at the White House, Dyer shared how President Obama encouraged her to continue her leadership in the community after her departure. Dyer emphasized that past movements like “Me Too” and “Black Lives Matter” have laid the groundwork but believes a new movement focused on revolution and rebellion is necessary to challenge and redefine societal norms. She highlighted the persistent issues rooted in the country’s foundation and called for a reevaluation of power structures, particularly in corporate and government settings.

Despite the rollback of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives in many corporations, Dyer stressed the importance of maintaining momentum by supporting local organizations and community efforts. She urged individuals to contribute their skills, funds, and resources to grassroots movements rather than solely focusing on national organizations. Dyer also discussed the value of community care and the importance of sticking to core principles in organizing efforts. Her personal experience as a newly trained doula, advocating for maternal health in Black communities, underscored the risks and sacrifices involved in standing up for one’s rights.

For those looking to stay connected with Dyer and her work, she recommended visiting her website, deishadyer.com, and following her on Instagram (@deedyer267). She encourages readers to implement the lessons from her book and talk about their own lives and communities. Dyer’s insights provide a powerful call to action for continued activism and support for local efforts to drive meaningful change.

Smith shared inspiring plans for expanding MoPOP’s educational programs and community outreach, emphasizing the importance of bridging educational gaps and transforming MoPOP into a vital educational hub. Smith highlighted the museum’s outreach program, which brings educational kits to schools, allowing teachers to teach pop culture and STEM subjects. However, she noted the need for additional funding to cover operational expenses and transportation for educators. In the tech-savvy city of Seattle, Smith sees opportunities to integrate augmented reality and gaming into MoPOP’s educational initiatives. She envisions partnering with tech giants like Google, Apple, or Meta to create virtual museum experiences that can be accessed by students nationwide. MoPOP’s global influence was also highlighted in Smith’s recent trip to Singapore, where she shared MoPOP’s youth engagement strategies, demonstrating the museum’s potential to lead educational innovations worldwide.

Looking ahead, Smith revealed a significant milestone for MoPOP: the introduction of a bill by U.S. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal to designate MoPOP as the National Museum of Pop Culture. “This designation would be a huge honor for Seattle and a testament to the cultural impact MoPOP has had over the past 25 years,” Smith said. Smith invited the community to support these initiatives, and help MoPOP continue to inspire and educate future generations.

Following the Juneteenth celebrations at MoPOP, attention turned to the thrilling KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Sahalee Golf and Country Club. It was an unforgettable week, showcasing the best in women’s golf. The energy and enthusiasm for these exceptional women athletes were truly inspiring. From the stunning shots to the emotional moments on the green, Sahalee offered the perfect setting for this prestigious event. Golf spectators included KPMG Principal/Partner Michelle Quisenberry, T-Mobile Head of Sponsorship and Hospitality Amy Azzi, Seattle Sports Commission CEO Beth Knox, friendship coach and author Shari Leid, MoPOP CEO Smith, Seattle Mariners Senior Director of Partnerships Ingrid Russell-Narcisse, Starbucks team members Kate Blevens and Lori Neubauer, and Seattle Storm CCO Nate Silverman, to name a few.

KPMG, T-Mobile, and the PGA of America have collaborated to introduce an innovative technological advancement to women’s golf, known as the KPMG CHAMPCAST, presented by T-Mobile. This cutting-edge digital coverage, a first for a PGA of America Championship, provides fans with a comprehensive experience. It includes real-time leaderboards, interactive features, 3D imagery, radar data, shot trails, green views, and individual highlights, allowing fans to track every shot at Sahalee Country Club.

Amy Yang’s triumph at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship stands as a testament to perseverance and a source of inspiration for all women in sports. This victory marked her 75th major appearance and her first major title win. Her peers celebrated her with champagne on the 18th green, where she took a moment to reflect on her journey’s significance and victory. Yang won by three shots, defeating Jin Young Ko from Korea, Miyu Yamashita from Japan, and American Lilia Vu. Americans Ally Ewing and Lauren Hartlage tied for fifth place, finishing four shots behind Yang. Japan’s Hinako Shibuno and Mao Saigo, who finished five shots back, tied for seventh. Here’s to celebrating excellence in women’s golf and the community spirit that made it all possible.

Guess who is not running for president? As the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship came to an end, Seattle transitioned from the golf course to the raw sounds of grunge rock with Novoselic, best known as the bassist and co-founder of Nirvana. Novoselic’s new project, the Bonafide Band, evoked memories of the iconic Nirvana era. This new musical endeavor featured his longtime collaborator Mark Pickerel (Screaming Trees, Truly, Brandi Carlile), versatile guitarist Kathy Moore (Brad, Star Anna), and 3rd Secret vocalists Jillian Weiss and Jennifer Johnson. The Bonafide Band’s goal was not just to create amazing music, but also to support the Cascade Party of Washington (CPW), of which Novoselić is the chairperson. The new political party needs 1,000 signatures by July 27 to nominate Novoselic as a presidential candidate on the November ballot. Even though he doesn’t plan to run, he’s just adhering to the longstanding guidelines to officially establish his new political party.

In April 2024, Novoselic and Pickerel formed the Bonafide Band to keep Weiss and Johnson engaged while their drummer, Matt Cameron, was on tour with Pearl Jam. Moore, a respected figure in the Seattle music scene, completed the lineup. The band’s dedication to its musical roots was evident in its fresh interpretations of iconic tracks from Nirvana and Screaming Trees, sparking immense creativity and excitement during initial rehearsals. “We explored new territory while honoring the sounds that defined us,” Novoselic says. “This collaboration was about pushing boundaries and celebrating our shared history.” Fans enjoyed a unique blend of grunge, rock, and heartfelt vocals.

The Bonafide Band performed exclusively during the Cascade Party Convention, with shows at Easy Street Records in West Seattle, Make Music Day in Aberdeen, the Spanish Ballroom at Elks Temple, The Seasons in Yakima, and The Motor Co. in Walla Walla, among other concert venues. These performances supported the Cascade Party of Washington’s effort to gather signatures needed to qualify as a minor party in Washington. While primarily entertainment events, they also served as part of a political convention requirement. There were no political speeches. The Bonafide Band’s performances are not just about music. They represent a unique blend of artistry and civic engagement, as Novoselic and his bandmates aim to inspire both fans and voters alike.

These events highlight Seattle’s lively cultural scene and its commitment to blending entertainment with meaningful civic engagement. Once again, Seattleites demonstrate that this city can inspire and have fun all summer long. We understand the assignment!