Black History inspiration to BUILD member, Kevin Allen

Thank you our members who submitted photos highlighting the milestones and influential people in your life during Black History Month! Claude Burfect (pictured below) has been steadfast, unmovable, and always abounding in the work for a long, long time. That’s why he is a Black History inspiration to member Kevin Allen!

Claude grew up in New Orleans and as a teen he helped tutor seniors to pass literacy tests. He attended the March on Washington in 1963. He came to Seattle after serving in Vietnam and received a Bachelors and Masters from the University of Washington. He worked at the Seattle Times and as a State employee at the Fircrest School. He was a union activist and long-time local president and WFSE leader. In retirement he is still a political activist.

​He currently serves as the first VP of Seattle King County NAACP, represents the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists on the MLK Labor Council Executive Board, and he serves on the King County Pre-Apprenticeship Collaborative, and Black Educational Strategy Roundtable.