Social Justice Salon Series: Women of Color Leading Change

Join the leaders of five of Seattle’s Community Action Agencies as they share their experience and vision for working to overcome poverty in King County. Through the pandemic and economic challenges of the past few years, these BIPOC women are leading their organizations to respond to community needs, create positive change in turbulent times, and dismantle the racism and other oppressions that are root causes of poverty.

Panelists include:

Andrea Caupain Sanderson, CEO, Byrd Barr Place

Andrea has worked to promote economic mobility and Black liberation across Washington state for more than two decades. As Byrd Barr Place’s CEO since 2008, she leads the organization in its efforts to build an equitable Washington through innovative programs and services that nurture people’s health and wellbeing.

Janice Deguchi, Executive Director, Neighborhood House

Janice has served as Executive Director of Neighborhood House since September 2019. She’s a Seattle native with over 25 years helping people access vocational training, early learning, senior care, and youth mentorship. Janice is on the boards of 501 Commons and the Washington State Community Action Partnership, and she co-chairs the Seattle Human Services Coalition Wage Equity Leadership Committee.

Shalimar Gonzales, CEO, Solid Ground

Shalimar started with Solid Ground in January 2021. Previously she served as District Executive for the YMCA of Greater Seattle, where she led efforts toward diversity, inclusion, and global capacity building. Shalimar is the Immediate Past Board Chair of Community Roots Housing and is 2nd Board Vice President of the Washington State Community Action Partnership.

 

Estela Ortega, Executive Director, El Centro de la Raza

Estela is one of the founders of El Centro de la Raza and its Executive Director since 2009. She’s spent over 50 years building El Centro into a hub for all people who want to engage in civic action through community empowerment. Estela’s unwavering commitment to this work has earned recognition from The National Education Association and the Northwest Progressive Institute, and in 2020 she was named one of The Seattle Times’ 13 Most Influential People of the Decade.

Moderator, TraeAnna Holiday of Converge Media

TraeAnna, a true Seattleite, has watched her city change in many ways. After earning her degrees in Communications and Urban Studies – and being displaced by gentrification – she now specializes in telling her neighborhood’s stories through film and media. She found a home for this work at Converge Media as an Emmy award-winning Media Personality, TV Show Host, and Producer.