KBTC’s on-air and online short-form series of stories about the people, places and events in and around the Western Washington community.
Emilie Firn: Producer & Director
Carving is Medicine
Commissioned by the Tacoma Indian Center in East Tacoma, this effort is being led by Native Elder and Master Carver Rick Williams, who invites community members from all walks of life to participate in the project by carving into the totem the names of loved ones who have passed away.
Barbershop Talk
“Barber Shop Talk” explores the efforts of several Puget Sound area barbers who have begun to listen – purposefully and empathetically – to clients experiencing anxiety, depression, or possibly having thoughts about harming themselves or others.
Reconciling Race
A discussion with a local pastor who is working with religious faiths to unite all races in our community.
Trains In Paint: The Past, The Present, The Possible
Bellevue-based artist J. Craig Thorpe has spent the past 30 years creating railroad and landscape artwork viewed by millions. Thorpe’s work has been featured nationwide in AMTRAK marketing materials, National Park Service brochures, and in museums across the country. He shares his insights on the connections between transportation, community and culture.
The Road to Peace
Kwabi Amoah-Forson drives “the greatest vehicle in the entire world,” The Peace Bus. With it, Kwabi reaches people in need of a hand in life, supplying them with food and clothes, like “good, thick Kirkland socks.” It’s hard not to be infected by this 2022 Tacoma Peace Laureate’s confidence in helping human beings in need.
Kwabi Amoah-Forson is a humanitarian, speaker, and educator for peace. With the help of notable guests from his past, Kwabi shares insights into his upbringing, motivation, and philosophy.
Khmer – A Connection To Culture
Savong Lam is a 2nd-generation Cambodian American and Tacoma resident. Savon and about a dozen other Cambodian American families living in Pierce County founded Khmer Language Arts and Culture Academy, or “KLACA.” The academy annually provides language and cultural training for 40 to 50 Cambodian-American children, ranging from pre-teens to seniors in high school.
At Home, At Peace
Pets are revered family members in many households. In the Puget Sound Region, some veterinarians go above and beyond the call of duty to help furry patients and their families navigate health crises and difficult times.
A Construction of Sound
John Thayer knew by his early teens that working with his hands would shape his future. After attending a prestigious luthiery school in Arizona and apprenticing for a world-renowned guitar maker in California, Thayer returned to his hometown Bremerton in 2004 to build a business based on quality, value, and craftsmanship.
Urban Alchemy
Established in 2011, Alchemy Skateboarding, a non-profit located in downtown Tacoma, has evolved to become a community-oriented destination point committed to building brighter futures for young adults.
The 2nd Language – Language Arts
In the early 2000s, three East Tacoma cousins formed the Asian American hip-hop group, The 2nd Language. More than 20 years later, two surviving members reflect on the group’s improbable success and enduring legacy as musical trailblazers.
Untold Stories of the Rails – Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad
Offering insightful glimpses into the region’s rich industrial history, the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad operates more than 400 themed excursion trains each year for visitors who ride between the historic former logging and mining communities of Elbe and Mineral, Wash.
From Our Roots: Wakulima USA
Based in South King County with a satellite office in Tacoma, Wakulima USA is a community-driven organization that provides job opportunities, social services, and culturally familiar food for East African immigrants and others living in the Puget Sound region.
Tacoma’s Chapter of Sterling Worth – Daughters of the American Revolution
Described as a genealogically-rooted community service organization, Tacoma’s Mary Ball Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) has been contributing to the history and culture of Washington State for more than 130 years and counting.
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