A professional development experience curated as a supportive space for anyone seeking to “skill up” their Anti-Racist Leadership acumen and practice. Participants engage in facilitated unapologetic dialogue and problem solving around race, racism and racial disparities.
Event Cancellation Notice
Dear Valued TPG Participants, Partners, Facilitators, and Friends,
After deep reflection and consideration of various factors, we are writing to bring you news that The People’s Gathering Spring Convening, including the Revolution of Consciousness Conference and the Lunch and Learn events, currently scheduled for April 11-12, 2024, at PLU are canceled. We understand the inconvenience and disappointment this may cause and offer our sincerest apologies. If you have already paid for your registration by credit card, you will receive a refund directly to the account from which it was paid within the week.
Thank you sincerely for your steadfast commitment and passion in supporting the Anti-Racist Leadership Continuing Education programs at PLU. We are taking this time to assess our impact and to further our efforts in creating comprehensive and transformative courses and experiences. Please look forward to updates, and we are excited to welcome you back to campus for engaging activities in Fall 2024.
In Peace and Solidarity,
PLU Anti-Racist Leadership Education Collective
Melannie Denise Cunningham, MBA, MA, PhD(c), Director
PLU Continuing Education
A Special Thank You to Our Sponsors
April 11, 2024
A Revolution of Consciousness Conference
8:30a-4:30p
Virtual Convening
$150.00
Theme: Yes, We Can, Can!
The theme for this virtual convening, “Yes, We Can Can,” draws inspiration from the 1973 hit by the R&B group The Pointer Sisters. The song’s empowering message, “I know we can make it – I know darn well we can work it out – Yes, we can, can,” serves as a rallying cry for resilience and unity.
In a world overshadowed by global conflict, the divisive nature of the upcoming U.S. national elections, incidents of police brutality and the killing of Black people, an increase in hate crimes, attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in education and workplaces, and attempts to obliterate the history of U.S. civil rights, there remains a beacon of hope. This hope is for a future characterized by a more compassionate society, stronger communities, and kinder humans across all races, ethnicities and cultures.
We invite you to the Spring Gathering of the Revolution of Consciousness Conference, a transformative experience designed to empower attendees on their journey towards self-realization and collective enlightenment. This event offers a unique opportunity for participants to delve into their innermost capabilities, supported by the conviction that each person is capable of emerging as a courageous, enlightened, and unwavering advocate in the ongoing battle against racism.
SESSION I: OPENING/WELCOME
8:30a – 9:10a
Moment of Silence
PLU Welcome – Geoff Foy, Associate Provost, Continuing Education
Facilitator Welcome – Melannie Denise Cunningham, Director of Anti-Racist Leadership Education
Land Acknowledgement – Bree Black Horse
SESSION II: KEY DIALOGUE
9:10a – 11:10a
Unleashing Your Potential for Anti-Racist Leadership
Jahmad Canley, CEO, Potential Unleashed
TAKE A BREATH
11:10a – 11:15a
Facilitated by: Faraji Bahkti, Yoga Behind Bars
SESSION III: REFLECTION
11:15a – 11:45a
Summary of key takeaways from presentation
Presented by: Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr. CEO, The Privilege Institute AND Melannie Denise Cunningham
BREAK
11:45a – 12:15p
SESSION IV: RACE DIALOGUES
12:15p – 2:15p
Participants are assigned to dialogue rooms based on how they identify racially in response to a question asked during registration, which mirrors the racial categories on the U.S. Census form. These discussions are led by DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) experts who share the same racial identity as the participants in their room, ensuring a facilitated conversation that resonates with shared experiences and perspectives.
BREAK
2:15p – 2:30p
SESSION V: COLLECTIVE DIALOGUE
2:30p – 3:45p
Facilitated by: Melannie Denise Cunningham
Participants reconvene with the larger group after attending the Race Dialogues. Each group shares the main insights and any action points from their discussions, informing the whole group of their session’s outcomes.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & CLOSING REMARKS
3:45p – 4:30p
SESSION VI: AFTER CONVERSATION (OPTIONAL)
4:30p – 5:00p
A time to “process” what was said and heard.
April 12, 2024
Lunch and Learn
10a – 2p
In Person at PLU
$250.00
This event features a close interaction, lecture, Q&A and book signing with author Dr. Jonathan Metzel around his newly released book: What We’ve Become: Living and Dying in a Country of Arms
Book Description: A searing reflection on the broken promise of safety in America.
When a naked, mentally ill white man with an AR-15 killed four young adults of color at a Waffle House, Nashville-based physician and gun policy scholar Dr. Jonathan M. Metzl once again advocated for commonsense gun reform. But as he peeled back evidence surrounding the racially charged mass shooting, a shocking question emerged: Did the public health approach he had championed for years have it all wrong?
Long at the forefront of a movement advocating for gun reform as a matter of public health, Metzl has been on constant media call in the aftermath of fatal shootings. But the 2018 Nashville killings led him on a path toward recognizing the limitations of biomedical frameworks for fully diagnosing or treating the impassioned complexities of American gun politics. As he came to understand it, public health is a harder sell in a nation that fundamentally disagrees about what it means to be safe, healthy, or free.
In What We’ve Become, Metzl reckons both with the long history of distrust of public health and the larger forces—social, ideological, historical, racial, and political—that allow mass shootings to occur on a near daily basis in America. Looking closely at the cycle in which mass shootings lead to shock, horror, calls for action, and, ultimately, political gridlock, he explores what happens to the soul of a nation—and the meanings of safety and community—when we normalize violence as an acceptable trade-off for freedom. Mass shootings and our inability to stop them have become more than horrific crimes: they are an American national autobiography.
This brilliant, piercing analysis points to mass shootings as a symptom of our most unresolved national conflicts. What We’ve Become ultimately sets us on the path of alliance forging, racial reckoning, and political power brokering we must take to put things right.
April 12, 2024 – 10:00a -2:00P
Chris Knutsen Hall
Pacific Lutheran University
12180 Park Avenue South
Tacoma, WA 98447
10:00A
PLU Welcome – Geoff Foy, Associate Provost, Continuing Education
Facilitator Welcome – Melannie Denise Cunningham, Director of Anti-Racist Leadership Education
Land Acknowledgement – Bree Black Horse
10:30A – 11:45A
Presentation: Dr. Jonathan Metzl, Author
What We’ve Become: Living and Dying in a Country of Arms
11:45A – NOON
Break
NOON – 1:15P
Lunch/Networking
Q&A with Dr. Metzl
1:15P – 2:00P
Closing Reflections
Book Signing and Photos with Dr. Metzl
Featured Speakers
THE PEOPLE'S GATHERING PRESENTERS:
Melannie Denise Cunningham, MBA, MA, PhD (candidate)
Melannie Denise Cunningham currently serves as the Director of Anti-Racist Leadership Programs in Continuing Education at PLU. She spearheads the ecosystem development efforts to assist clients in cultivating an anti-racist workforce. She is the visionary and producer of The People’s Gathering: A Revolution of Consciousness Conference and also The People’s Golf Gathering: Out of Bounds Conversations About Race.
In 2018, Melannie was honored by the Greater Tacoma Peace Prize Committee for her lifetime body of work in racial reconciliation. As part of this recognition, she was awarded a trip to Oslo, Norway, to attend the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony. Melannie documented this unique experience in a 30-minute documentary titled “Peace Queen.” In 2021 she was awarded a Northwest Regional Emmy® Award for the work.
In service, Melannie is on the Board of Directors for Northwest Harvest, the largest food justice organization and food distributor in Washington State. She is also on the Board of Directors of the newly formed South Sound Leadership Foundation in Tacoma, WA and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Melannie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington State University, an MBA from Pacific Lutheran University, an MA in Organizational Leadership and Change from Fielding Graduate University, and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Organizational Development and Change as a doctoral student at Fielding.
Geoff Foy, Associate Provost for Graduate Programs and Continuing Education
Geoff Foy currently holds the position of Associate Provost for Graduate Programs and Continuing Education at Pacific Lutheran University (PLU). Before joining PLU, Geoff worked at Central Washington University, where he served as the Director of Global Services and Initiatives and as the Assistant Director of the Office of Continuing Education. Additionally, he has a background as a Senior Faculty member and Academic Liaison at City University. Geoff earned his B.A. from Gonzaga University in 1988, followed by an M.A. in 1992. He further pursued his academic journey, culminating in the attainment of a PhD from the Graduate Theological Union in 2002.
Bree Black Horse
Bree is an enrolled member of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, and a senior associate at the law firm of Kilpatrick, Townsend & Stockton in the Native American practice group. Bree advises Tribal governments and enterprises on all aspects of federal, state and tribal law, including tribal sovereignty, economic development, treaty rights, and complex Indian country litigation.
Bree is a 2013 graduate of Seattle University School of Law, where she was a Douglas R. Nash Native American Scholar, President of the Native American Law Student Association, and co-founder and editor in chief of the American Indian Law Journal. Bree is a former law clerk to Chief U.S. District Court Judge Brian M. Morris in the District of Montana.
Bree is Chair of the Washington State Bar Association Indian Law Section, President of the Washington Women Lawyer’s Yakima Chapter, and Co-Founder and Administrator of the Women of Color Legal Education Fund. She is also the Program Director for the 2023 LSAC Pre-Law Undergraduate Scholars Program at Heritage University, which aims to make a law degree more accessible for Latinx and Indigenous people from Central Washington. Bree also serves on the Northwest Harvest Board, the ACLU-WA Board of Directors, and is Chair of the ACLU-WA Legal Committee.
Kilpatrick Townsend awarded Bree the Pro Bono Associate of the Year in 2022. Washington Women Lawyers awarded Bree the Chapter Member of the Year in 2022. Bree is a 2019 recipient of the Public Service and Leadership Award from the WSBA Washington Young Lawyers Committee. The National Center for American Indian Economic Development recognized Bree with its “40 Under 40” Award in 2016.
The Puget Sound Business Journal recognized Bree as the “Next Gen in Law” in 2023. She was recognized in 2023 and will be again in 2024 as one of the “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch” for Native American Law by The Best Lawyers in America®. Bree was deemed a Washington “Rising Star” in 2023 and the four years immediately preceding for Native American Law by Super Lawyers magazine. The Yakima Herald featured Bree as one of its “39 Under 39” in 2022.
Bree lives and works in Yakima, Washington.
Philip “Sharp Skills” Jacobs, PMP
Philip “Sharp Skills” Jacobs inspires and motivates organizations, large and small, to push past their comfort zones in conversations about race, and gives them effective strategies and tools to advance racial equity in their workplaces. He was instrumental in getting people and organizations to “talk about race” before that concept became popular (after the murder of George Floyd). Philip is the author of Elephant in the Room: A business parable about race and equity conversations in the workplace. He is an Inglewood, CA native who now lives in Tacoma, WA.
Faraji Bhakti
Faraji Bhakti is a Certified Trauma Informed Yoga Instructor and soundbowl practitioner. He uses the multiple yogic practices and poetry to bring people into deeper states of nervous system regulation. His guided meditations invite others to dive into the core of their being and find light.
Jonathan Metzl, PhD, MD, MA
Jonathan Metzl is the Frederick B. Rentschler II Professor of Sociology and Psychiatry, and the director of the Department of Medicine, Health, and Society, at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. He received his MD from the University of Missouri, MA in humanities/poetics and psychiatric internship/residency from Stanford University, and PhD in American culture from University of Michigan. Winner of the 2020 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Book Award, the 2020 APA Benjamin Rush Award for Scholarship, and a 2008 Guggenheim fellowship, Dr. Metzl has written extensively for medical, psychiatric, and popular publications about some of the most urgent hot-button issues facing America and the world. His books include The Protest Psychosis, Prozac on the Couch, Against Health: How Health Became the New Morality, and Dying of Whiteness: How the Politics of Racial Resentment is Killing America’s Heartland.
RACE DIALOGUE FACILITATORS:
Race Dialogues offer a safe and respectful environment where individuals who share a cultural identity with a particular race, often referred to as those with “lived experience,” can come together to find solace from the impacts of systemic racism. This space serves as a platform for sharing collective wisdom, as well as a source of inspiration and motivation to persist in the ongoing effort to dismantle systemic racism.
A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America) and who maintains tribal affiliation or community attachment. This category includes people who indicate their race as “American Indian or Alaska Native” or report entries such as Navajo Nation, Blackfeet Tribe, Mayan, Aztec, Native Village of Barrow Inupiat Traditional Government, or Nome Eskimo Community.
Shana Greenberg Barehand, originally from Los Angeles, is Mono Indian from the Cold Springs Rancheria in California. Shana has a law degree from Arizona State University and a Bachelor’s in psychology from Cal State Long Beach. Shana entirely supported herself through college and law school. Her previous jobs include working at the Southern California Indian Center, Indian education program counselor, waitressing, and bar tending. As an attorney she has worked at the U.S Environmental Protection Agency as an environmental enforcement attorney, the Federal Communications Commission as the senior tribal advisor to the Commissioner, and the Tribal Liaison for the Washington State Department of Revenue. Her expertise in establishing and leading innovative new programs led her to the Department of Enterprise Services where she established the Procurement, Inclusion and Equity Program, which helps lead the state’s effort to procure more goods and services from small, diverse, veteran owned businesses.
In a volunteer capacity, she coaches soccer, serves on the Tumwater School Districts Equity Committee and is the co-founder of the Wa-Ya Outdoor Institute, the State’s only outdoor camp that teaches outdoor adventure, STEM, and intertwines indigenous culture and knowledge. In the past she has served as the Treasurer of the National Native American Bar Association, Chair of the advisory board for the Washington Internships for Native Students (WINS), Washington DC, and is a founding board member and past Treasurer for the Society of American Indian Government Employees.
Shana is married to actor/filmmaker Jeffrey Barehand and has five children. As a family they participate in a diverse array of experiences such as volunteering for important causes, going to Pow Wows, and snowboarding.
Renée Roman Nose, MAIS, is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma. She is an activist, artist, actor, poet, painter, photographer, and cultural anthropologist. Her book, Sweet Grass Talking (2017), was published by Uttered Chaos Press and nominated for the Oregon Book of the Year Award for 2017. Her paintings and photography have been most recently featured at the Kallet Theater in Oneida, NY, as well as having had showings in Tacoma and Everett, Washington. Her second book, Have War Paint, Will Travel, is currently with the publisher, and her third book, as yet untitled, is a collaborative book of poetry with Suzan Harjo.
A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent including, for example, India, China, the Philippine Islands, Japan, Korea, or Vietnam. It includes people who indicate their race as “Asian Indian,” “Chinese,” “Filipino,” “Korean,” “Japanese,” “Vietnamese,” and “Other Asian” or provide other detailed Asian responses such as Pakistani, Cambodian, Hmong, Thai, Bengali, Mien, etc.
Suzanne Pak is the Director of Community Health at Answers Counseling, which provides Maternity Support Services and mental health counseling in 8 counties across Washington State. Suzanne partners with state and local health agencies to lead the Culturally Responsive Integrated & Strength-Based Parenting (CRISP) education, Potentially Preventable Hospitalization Learning Collaborative, and digital navigation services. Suzanne serves as the co-chair of the Pierce County Opioid Task Force prevention & education committee and on the WA State Digital Equity Forum – and is a certified trainer for Screening Brief Intervention & Referral to Treatment and Motivational Interviewing. Previously, Suzanne worked for Microsoft as the group training manager in global marketing and KWA as the community & behavioral health director.
Gregory M. Tanbara has spent all his life as a third generation (Sansei) Japanese American in Tacoma/Pierce County. He is the son of Kimiko (Fujimoto) Tanbara and Dr. George Tanbara. His parents were Nisei (second generation Japanese Americans) who met in the Heart Mount Relocation Center. They were among the 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry imprisoned during WWII in centers across the West. Mother Kimiko was born in Tacoma and spent her childhood in what was the Tacoma Japan town. His father was born in Portland OR, was drafted into the US Army in WWII, and eventually got into medical school and finished in 1955 specializing in pediatrics. Dr. Tanbara provided health care to families in Tacoma’s Hilltop for 53 years. Kimi and George were married 65 years. Tacoma was their home. They were active in their community. They both passed in 2017. Mom was 92 and Dad was 95.
Greg has always lived and worked in Tacoma. His 40-year career in human services included state and local government, higher education, and public health. He retired in 2023 from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. His final efforts there focused on ensuring Asian and Pacific Islanders communities got the information, resources, and services they needed regarding COVID-19.
He currently volunteers with Community Health Care, Greater Tacoma Community Foundation, University of Washington Tacoma School of Urban Studies, and Parkland Youth Wellness Hub. Recently, he joined the effort to form the Washington State Chapter of the International Network of Asian Pacific Public Administrators. He is also a new volunteer with Symphony Tacoma in their effort to be a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive organization.
Greg is looking forward to seeing you at “BELIEVE YOUR EYES!”, The People’s Gathering, on November 9, 2023.
A person having origins in any of the Black racial groups of Africa. It includes people who indicate their race as “Black or African American,” or report responses such as African American, Jamaican, Haitian, Nigerian, Ethiopian, or Somali. The category also includes groups such as Ghanaian, South African, Barbadian, Kenyan, Liberian, Bahamian, etc.
Pamela Duncan
Department of Enterprise Services (DES)
Deputy Director – Chief Transformation Officer
She/Her/Hers
Pamela (Pam) Duncan (she/her) joined DES in March 2023 with almost 40 years of professional experience ranging across both public and private sectors. She is a change agent. Her career has focused on identifying critical institutional, community, and social issues to create opportunities for collaborating on sustainable systems redesign.
Pam is passionate about helping others understand the foundations of systemic racism and raising awareness on the journey to undo institutionalized and systemic oppression. Her signature work is with systems development, particularly using the collective impact model. She approaches every situation as “what could be” based on examining how things evolved to their present state; challenging the existing status quo, people’s beliefs and habits; and identifying alternative models that shift power paradigms.
Pam has served as CEO of the Metropolitan Development Council, Human Services Manager for the City of Tacoma, Director of Community Investment and Assessment with United Way of Pierce County, and adjunct instructor with the Evergreen State College. Internationally, Pam is cofounder of the Ivory Coast Agricultural Network, which includes an NGO in West Africa and a U.S.-based nonprofit organization.
Pam’s academic background and professional development includes a master’s degree in urban studies–economic development from Cleveland State University and a bachelor’s degree in organizational communication from Ohio University. She is a certified facilitator with the Pacific Institute and a Senior Fellow with the American Leadership Forum. She has studied with the National Development Council and is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She serves on the Board of Washington Low-Income Housing Alliance and is a Trustee of the Pierce County Library System. She is also an ordained minister with a focus on social justice.
She loves gardening, books, learning, plants, dancing, pets, is an avid fisherwoman, and believes in having a good laugh on a regular basis.
Michael A. Jordan holds the role of Business Operation Specialist at the Tacoma Pierce County Black Collective and has partnered with Sound Outreach in Pierce County’s Business Navigator program. He is also the visionary owner of Clarity Consulting, known for its motto, “Bring Clarity to your Situation.” At Clarity Consulting, they employ a unique combination of human-focused design and agile project management. Michael’s expertise lies in crafting comprehensive work environments, serving a diverse clientele, including small businesses and corporate and state-led initiatives.
Proudly rooted in Tacoma, Michael graduated from the University of Washington Tacoma with a Bachelor’s Degree in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics, with a focus on economics. His mission centers around narrowing the wealth gap in the Black community by empowering Black entrepreneurs in Pierce County, Washington. He offers valuable guidance on capital infusion, relationship-building, and the adoption of agile project management techniques to facilitate business expansion into global brands.
With four years of experience in the Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI) field, Michael goes beyond being a consultant; he’s an advocate for impactful policy change. His dedicated efforts assist companies and organizations in recognizing and addressing their DEAI blind spots, fostering more inclusive environments.
In a world where the realms of business and social justice converge, Michael A. Jordan positions himself at the intersection, providing clarity and actionable solutions. His work transcends business development; it’s a commitment to uplifting communities and effecting enduring change.
Carol Mitchell joined the Washington State Bar in 1997. She has spent most of her legal career in public service, having applied her legal training to executive roles at Pierce County, Metro Parks, Pierce Transit, and the Port of Tacoma. Mitchell believes that pro bono legal services are essential to true justice, and that serving the most marginalized communities “can be eye- opening to people who lead well-insulated lives.”
In addition to serving as Director of Advocacy for the Institute for Black Justice, Mitchell is starting her third year as a member of the Board of Trustees for Clover Park Technical College. She previously served on the board of the Fair Housing Center of Washington and Palmer Scholars. She has been an active member of the Tacoma City Association of Colored Women’s Clubs, Inc. (Tacoma CWC) since 2001. Along with a phenomenal Planning Committee of historic preservationists, architects, and land use professionals, Mitchell is leading the Tacoma CWC’s recent efforts to reclaim historic assets that once belonged to Tacoma’s thriving Black community.
Always holding education as a high priority, Mitchell earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Washington, a Master of Arts in Organizational Systems Renewal from Seattle University, and a Juris Doctor from Seattle University School of Law with her three daughters in tow.
A lover of international cultural travel, Mitchell’s most memorable adventures included visiting the Elmina and Cape Coast transatlantic slave sites in Ghana; hiking through the Daintree Rainforest of Queensland, Australia; and celebrating the Autumn Moon Festival in Singapore.
People who identify with the terms “Hispanic,” “Latino,” or “Spanish” are those who classify themselves in one of the specific Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish categories listed on the questionnaire (“Mexican, Mexican Am., or Chicano,” “Puerto Rican,” or “Cuban”) as well as those who indicate that they are “another Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin.” People who do not identify with one of the specific origins listed on the questionnaire but indicate that they are “another Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin” are those whose origins are from Spain, Mexico, the Spanish-speaking countries of Central or South America, or another Spanish culture or origin. Origin can be viewed as the heritage, nationality group, lineage, or country of birth of the person or the person’s parents or ancestors before their arrival in the United States. People who identify their origin as Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish may be of any race.
Monica Andrade-Hupp is a Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Project Manager with a history of managing large hospital projects and events in healthcare and community settings. She is a graduate of California State University Fullerton with a Bachelor’s in Sociology. She is passionate about project management and the profound social impact projects can have on communities, policies, and systemic change. An advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, Monica hopes to inspire others to do the same, beginning within her own family and in her work as the Latino Leadership Network’s Co-Chair.
Guillermo Medrano was born in Arlington, Virginia but spent his formative years in San Miguel, El Salvador with his grandmother and extended family. These short but impactful years would have a lasting impression to this day on him, as he always strives for justice and equality for all after coming to terms with the reasons that caused his family to immigrate to the US in the 70’s and 80’s.
He currently works as a Project Manager at the National Institute of Health but spends the majority of his free time volunteering and championing impactful work done for the working class within the DC community as well as his family’s motherland of El Salvador.
As a young child, María immigrated to the beautiful Skagit Valley from Mexico with her mother. A graduate of Western Washington University, María has expertise in management, policy development, and language access refined through her work in various non-profit and public service agencies. She was appointed by Governor Inslee as executive director for the Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs in August of 2018.
María lives in Olympia with her partner and Stinky Dingo; is a serial-restorer of craftsman homes; and almost always falls asleep during movies.
A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands. It includes people who indicate their race as “Native Hawaiian,” “Chamorro,” “Samoan,” and “Other Pacific Islander” or provide other detailed Pacific Islander responses such as Palauan, Tahitian, Chuukese, Pohnpeian, Saipanese, Yapese, etc.
Proudly first generation immigrant from the Republic of Palau. Ten years ago, Yvonne immigrated to the U.S. and attended high school and college. She graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in 2023 with her social work degree and is currently working with homeless youth at the Hilltop community in Tacoma. Yvonne plans to pursue her MSW and social work license in the future and return to her home country to start her private practice for Palau’s first ever family social services.
Filipino-American born and raised in Ewa Beach, Hawai’i. Graduated PLU in 2021 with Bachelors in Social Work and received Masters in Social Work from UW Seattle in 2022. Currently a school social worker for Highline Public Schools specifically at a middle and elementary school. Since moving from Hawai’i, Tacoma has become her second home!
Sili Savusa serves as the Executive Director of the Pacific Islander Community Association of Washington and is one of the most prominent Samoan community leaders in the Northwest. In her leadership role, she proudly represents and advocates for underrepresented voices in her community, a commitment she continues to uphold. Before her current position, she held the role of Executive Director at the White Center CDA and previously worked as the Family Services Coordinator at Southwest Youth and Family Services. Some of her notable accomplishments include establishing the first Samoan Pacific Islander Parent Teacher Student Association in the nation, becoming the first woman of color elected to the Highline School Board, and successfully managing a multi-million dollar Making Connections comprehensive community change initiative supported by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
Refers to combinations of two or more of the following race categories: White, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, or Some Other Race.
Roxane Maiko Byrne is the Coordinator of Equity, Diversity and Cultural Competency at Santa Barbara City College in Santa Barbara, California. Roxane holds an M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, Santa Barbara and a Ph.D. in Human Development from Fielding Graduate University. Her research centers on the experiences of multiracial students in higher education with an emphasis on exploring identity and sense of belonging in racial affinity spaces. Dr. Byrne has served the SBCC community for over 16 years as an educational administrator, adjunct faculty member, classified staff member, and a personal counselor. She currently oversees multiple programs and centers within the Office of Equity, Diversity and Cultural Competency including the Center for Equity and Social Justice, the Umoja Center for Black Student Success, The Dream Center for Undocumented Student Success, and the Basic Needs Centers. Dr. Byrne also served as an adjunct professor of psychology and education at Antioch University, Santa Barbara for 4 years.
Isis Castañeda has been working with teens, young adults, and their families in the Santa Barbara area since 1997. She established her business, Creating Connections in 2016 with a solid history of facilitating teen and parent groups, community outreach, trainings, public speaking, and organizing events. Isis immigrated to the United States as a young child from Central America and lived in Virginia until her early teens. She returned to live in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Belize throughout her teen years and eventually landed in Santa Barbara. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies at Antioch University of Santa Barbara and is certified in Emotional Intelligence, Restorative Justice, Team Building Experiential Education, and as an Instructor for Youth Mental Health First Aid and teen Mental Health First Aid.
Isis’ global perspective and multicultural and multiracial heritage, her background in youth development, and life-coaching practice allows her to connect easily with teens, young adults, parents, and community service providers.
A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa. It includes people who indicate their race as “White” or report responses such as German, Irish, English, Italian, Lebanese, and Egyptian. The category also includes groups such as Polish, French, Iranian, Slavic, Cajun, Chaldean, etc.
Laurie Arnold, M.Ed.
I’m a teachable white lady who was raised radical in Hilltop, Tacoma. I am an intercultural traveler who is still learning, unlearning and relearning. I am an antiracist co-conspirator and my karaoke name is Madame Potato Fly.
Thomas has over 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership focused on addressingpoverty, hunger and other forms of global injustice all over the world. After working in Eastern Europe, Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, he served as Vice President of Program Partnerships and Learning at CARE, responsible for anti-poverty programs in 95 countries. Since 2017, Thomas has been the CEO of Northwest Harvest where he is focused on advancing equity-oriented policy outcomes; developing a network of human service providers; and distributing nutritious and culturally appropriate food throughout Washington.
This is the sixth The People’s Gathering for Ken Sauby who brings 30 years of WA Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) experience. Ken started as a Financial Service Specialist (now called Public Benefits Specialist) and worked as a Leadworker, Supervisor, Region Financial Trainer, Deputy Administrator (Yakima CSO, two years), Administrator (Sunnyside CSO, six years), Strategic Initiatives Program Manager (four years under Dr. Karen A. Johnson), and now five years as Employee Engagement Program Manager under Nichole Ossa in the Pro Equity Anti-Racism (PEAR) Unit consulting primarily for the 2,300 staff of the Community Services Division and assisting the 17,000 staff of DSHS. Ken has attended many EDI training sessions over the years.
Ken is a certified trainer in Crucial Conversations and Crucial Accountability. He is also a certified trainer and Coder/Coach for Motivational Interviewing. In addition to his regular duties he started delivering Shared Strengths Workshops to staff in 2007 based upon the 34 Clifton Strengths from Gallup. With 130 workshops provided to over 2,000 staff, this one day experience is always in popular demand and now is a major part of his regular duties. He manages the Strengths Community of Practice that has over 1,500 members statewide. Strengths, Self-Care, Well-Being, and Trauma Informed are regular topics that Ken presents or facilitates activities around. In 2022 he became a Work + Love Leader and will be a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach within a few months.
Ken is married to Deb (33 years) and they have five sons and seven grandchildren. They share their Moxee home with two Siamese cats, Haven and Lexi, and one dog, Remy, who is a ShihTzu/Bichon Frise mix and provides constant companionship.
Patricia Vogel (she/her) leads philanthropic engagement and strategic planning for donor communities at Northwest Harvest using a community centric model that is grounded in equity and social justice. With a broad range of experience in non-profit leadership, she was previously development director, and yoga instructor, for Yoga Behind Bars – an organization that focuses on trauma-informed yoga and meditation for rehabilitation. Working behind bars and listening to incarcerated people tell their stories was life-changing and led her on a personal journey to become an anti-racist. Patricia believes deeply in the healing power of breathwork, community and connection, and is honored to participate in the People’s Gathering for the fourth time.
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