Blacks United In Diversity and Leadership supports the Latino Leadership Network (LLN) and the Latinx community, and honors Hispanic Heritage Month.

“Justice for Breonna Taylor” rally, “Worship Service”, Unknown Press Conference, “Climate Justice is Racial Justice” rally, “Fire At The Gates Revival” event, “The Return” event, and Unknown rally and concert.

The Reduced Cost Services Guide, published by DSHS, highlights a variety of products and services available in or near Washington state that are offered at reduced cost for people meeting certain income levels. 

Governor Inslee’s Poverty Reduction Work Group (PRWG) was created via Directive in November 2017. PRWG is co-led by the state departments of Commerce, Employment Security, and Social & Health Services, in partnership with tribal and urban Indians, state racial and ethnic commissions, employers, community-based organizations, legislators, advocates, and philanthropy. A steering committee made up of 22 people reflecting the demographic and geographic experience of poverty provides critical oversight to PRWG and contributed substantially to the development and prioritization of recommendations. The groups have met monthly since their inception. Full documentation of all PRWG meetings can be found on Governor Inslee’s PRWG issues page.

Read more on the Dismantling Poverty in Washington site.
Read the executive summary and the 10-year plan. 

Kelsey McGarry of the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs and Monique Brown of FOB Hope organized and co-led four Racial Caucus Affinity groups with King County providers within homeless and veteran services. The focus of the conversation was to discuss racial disparities, racial bias, the killing of Black people by police, White supremacy, and the actions steps we can take to make changes in King County. 

BUILD would like to highlight these especially relevant resources from Leanin.org:

Working at the intersection: What Black women are up against
The State of Black Women in Corporate America
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The above links, and many others, are also part of our Resources page.

​BUILD’s Professional Development & Leadership Support Subcommittee is over-joyed to release our first Leader Spotlight Interview with our own BUILD Chair Megan Matthews!

Edwina Martin- Arnold– Build Co-Chair,–office of  Chief Equity and Inclusion at DSHS. Under the secretary Author. Entrepreneur,  has worked with both County and State Gov. 
 
Interview Questions for Edwina Martin Arnold – BUILD Co—Chair
 
1. Where did you start in state government? ‘I’ve worked in state government for most of my life. I started just after receiving my law degree in 1991 and have worked at many different agencies over the years. Currently I am with DSHS as the Chief Officer of the Equity and Inclusion Department. ​

The purpose of this funding is to help address emergent victim service needs in the Black community.  

Eligible applicants are non-profit or governmental organizations that are by and for the Black community. This means that the organization must have a primary mission and history of serving the Black community and must be culturally based, directed, and substantially controlled (led) by the Black community. This could include faith-based non-profits such as churches or mosques.
For more information, visit the OCVA Grants and Funding website.

Washington State Commission on African American Affairs next public meeting:
Friday, September 25, 2020 - 3:00pm to 5:00pm

Join us from 2-3 PM on Thursday, October 15th, 2020,  for the virtual VR 100th Anniversary Program: Celebrating a Century of Transforming Lives! Hosted by Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Department of Services for the Blind, Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation, and other affiliated VR programs and educational institutions, this program will celebrate 100 years of the public Vocational Rehabilitation program in the U.S.