Seattle, WA — Today, the Tubman Center for Health & Freedom is honored to announce that, beginning Summer 2026, it will assume responsibility for delivering the Seattle-King County Aging and Disability Services’ (ADS) services for Black elders through the launch of the Black Elders Wellness (BE Well) Program (formerly the African American Elders Program). 

Tubman Health extends its deep appreciation to Ms. Margaret Boddie and Catholic Community Services for its years of stewardship of this program. Their work has provided meaningful support to African American elders across Seattle for generations, and we recognize the strong foundation they have built and the care they have delivered over time.

As this transition moves forward, Tubman Health is committed to ensuring continuity of existing services while introducing its expanded, holistic model of care, developed through community design. The Black Elders Wellness Program integrates services funded by ADS, a division of the Seattle Human Services Department, within a broader framework that includes healthcare services and navigation, social support, and opportunities for connection that reflect the evolving needs of Black elders in Seattle and King County.

“As we carry forward this program, our focus is on continuity, trust, and meaningful relationships with elders and families,” said Dr. Peter Asante, Director of Health Services. “We are proud to offer a model of care where Black elders are supported not just to access services, but to stay connected and to live with dignity, joy, and a strong sense of community.”

The Black Elders Wellness Program at the Tubman Center for Health & Freedom will maintain access to the current services funded by ADS and be augmented to include: 

• Culturally-responsive services addressing physical, mental, social, and emotional health—including primary care services, visiting nursing services, mental health therapy, acupuncture, and massage therapy

• Tubman Guides who provide systems navigation and accompaniment on the care journey

• Social connection and community-building programming designed to strengthen belonging, combat isolation, and include meaningful social events that remind our elders how special they are to our community

• Wraparound resource coordination to address health-related social needs, including access to prepared meals, food boxes, and other essential supports 

• Wellness and enrichment offerings such as intergenerational cooking classes and personal training to support mobility, coordination, and overall well-being

“This program is designed with elders at the center of every decision,” said Felicia Ishino, Program Manager for the Black Elders Wellness Program at Tubman Health. “Aging in Seattle and in this country is not a race-neutral experience for Black elders. It is our responsibility to respond to systemic barriers with responsive support, advocacy, love, and care.”

The Black Elders Wellness Program reflects Tubman Health’s broader commitment to advancing community solutions for Black health. In the coming months, Tubman Health will share additional information about program services, timelines, and opportunities for community engagement. The organization remains committed to ensuring a thoughtful transition that prioritizes strong relationships with elders, families, and stakeholders. 

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About Tubman Health: The Tubman Center for Health & Freedom addresses health and wellness from both systemic and clinical approaches. By practicing medicine from the intersection of health and freedom, we address both the health of our patients as well as the factors that determine their health. Tubman Health provides primary and preventative care, community resources, social services, political education and advocacy. Learn more about Tubman Health at www.tubmanhealth.org.

About the Human Services Department: The City of Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is a major contributor to Seattle's safety net, investing over $300 million in grants and contracts with a diverse network of community-based human service providers. The department works closely with the community to develop policies, plan, and deliver services that support and empower the city's most vulnerable individuals and families.  

About Aging and Disability Services: Seattle-King County Aging and Disability Services (ADS), a division of Seattle’s Human Services Department, is one of 13 federally designated Area Agencies on Aging throughout Washington State. ADS plans, coordinates, and advocates for a comprehensive service delivery system for older people, adults with disabilities, and family caregivers in Seattle and King County, providing services to approximately 50,000 people annually.