BUILD’s established subcommittees and the goals of each are below. Subcommittees can be adjusted or set up at any time to fit the needs of the group and the community. Joining a subcommittee is the best way to get involved in doing this important and meaningful work! There is no specific amount of time required to participate – every contribution adds value. Subcommittees meet monthly to discuss issues, develop ideas, provide input, and create outcomes that support BUILD’s vision, mission, and values.
1. History and Activities
2. Marketing, Communications, and Data
3. Membership, Engagement, and Support
4. Policy and Legislation
5. Professional Development and Leadership Support
For more information and/or to join a subcommittee, contact the leaders listed or email BUILD at BUILD@ofm.wa.gov
1. History and Activities
2. Marketing, Communications, and Data
3. Membership, Engagement, and Support
4. Policy and Legislation
5. Professional Development and Leadership Support
For more information and/or to join a subcommittee, contact the leaders listed or email BUILD at BUILD@ofm.wa.gov
History and Activities
Contact: Tommy Simpson III Tommy.Simpson@doh.wa.gov and/or Lonnie Spikes Jr. Lonnie.Spikes@dfw.wa.gov
Purpose statement
The History and Activities subcommittee recognizes the historical mental and physical impacts on Black people who have been traditionally excluded from a positive, well-deserved narrative of our collective accomplishments and achievements. We are dedicated to correcting the record and affirming an inspirational narrative of historical Black excellence by uncovering, sharing and celebrating the stories, achievements, valor, strength and genius of the African diaspora from the Motherland, to the homeland.
Goals
Contact: Tommy Simpson III Tommy.Simpson@doh.wa.gov and/or Lonnie Spikes Jr. Lonnie.Spikes@dfw.wa.gov
Purpose statement
The History and Activities subcommittee recognizes the historical mental and physical impacts on Black people who have been traditionally excluded from a positive, well-deserved narrative of our collective accomplishments and achievements. We are dedicated to correcting the record and affirming an inspirational narrative of historical Black excellence by uncovering, sharing and celebrating the stories, achievements, valor, strength and genius of the African diaspora from the Motherland, to the homeland.
Goals
- Act as a focal point for state agencies to recognize, value the contributions, and honor Black people within state service.
- Support the planning and hosting of state agency-funded recognition and family events for Black people.
- Plan Black History activities.
- Develop Black History Month activities and events.
- Network with community organizations.
- Develop volunteer opportunities.
- In coordination with leadership, perform outreach.
- Highlight NW Black History.
- Assist with suggesting speakers for general membership meetings.
Marketing, Communications, and Data
Contact: Lesa Gomez LGomez@dol.wa.gov and/or Dennis Worrell Dennis.Worrell@hca.wa.gov
Purpose statement
Like BUILD as a whole, the Marketing, Communications, and Data subcommittee recognizes the disparities in our society and seeks to promote BUILD’s message of support and empowerment of the Black Community to all Washingtonians. Greater representation of the Black Community within state employment at all levels from executive leadership to front-line staff is not simply overdue, it is also a business imperative. We’re going to undo years of disenfranchisement by highlighting BUILD’s value through face-to-face interactions, expert use of social media, and capitalizing on the impact of email.
Goals
Contact: Lesa Gomez LGomez@dol.wa.gov and/or Dennis Worrell Dennis.Worrell@hca.wa.gov
Purpose statement
Like BUILD as a whole, the Marketing, Communications, and Data subcommittee recognizes the disparities in our society and seeks to promote BUILD’s message of support and empowerment of the Black Community to all Washingtonians. Greater representation of the Black Community within state employment at all levels from executive leadership to front-line staff is not simply overdue, it is also a business imperative. We’re going to undo years of disenfranchisement by highlighting BUILD’s value through face-to-face interactions, expert use of social media, and capitalizing on the impact of email.
Goals
- Work closely with the communications community to produce press releases for events (to announce in advance or after an event).
- Maintain a list of media contacts and proactively reach out to various media entities for upcoming events.
- Compile data regarding activity outcomes, impact, and success and works with staff to determine where to best disseminate this information.
- Develop news stories for monthly newsletter, and writes and submits articles on a timely basis.
- Obtain photos from external media entities to be integrated into the newsletter.
- Continuously update social media channels to reach a broad audience of potential volunteers, employees and the Black community at large.
- Post news, event reminders and success stories and upload pictures, photos, and compelling stories to spike user interest, feedback, and participation.
- Act as a conduit for inquiries and questions about Black issues to organizations that support Black Americans.
- Work with leadership and members to prepare an annual report on activities to be presented during the September Annual Meeting.
- Develop and deploys mini and regular surveys and analyzes, interprets and presents data to provide active member perspective regarding policies and procedures of Washington State as an employer.
Membership, Engagement, and Support
Contact: Lashonda Cole Lashonda.Cole@gov.wa.gov and/or Lenora Sneva Lenora.Sneva@ofm.wa.gov
Purpose Statement
Our purpose is to greet and welcome new and/or existing BUILD members and allies. To connect members with resources and information for personal and professional use.
To provide a space to build relationships and promote equality an inclusion amongst our communities. To amplify the importance of becoming more involved with BUILD.
Goals
Contact: Lashonda Cole Lashonda.Cole@gov.wa.gov and/or Lenora Sneva Lenora.Sneva@ofm.wa.gov
Purpose Statement
Our purpose is to greet and welcome new and/or existing BUILD members and allies. To connect members with resources and information for personal and professional use.
To provide a space to build relationships and promote equality an inclusion amongst our communities. To amplify the importance of becoming more involved with BUILD.
Goals
- Welcome new members to and engages existing members in the community.
- Assist in developing information for Black state employees.
- Provide ally resources and support.
- Assist leadership with suggesting and confirming speakers for general membership meetings.
Policy and Legislation
Contact: Mikia Guy Mikia.Guy@tre.wa.gov and/or Valeria Veasley Valeria.Veasley@parks.wa.gov
Purpose statement
The BUILD Policy & Legislative Subcommittee seeks to improve the lives of state-employed BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color) by addressing the disparities in the Black Community by way of making policy recommendations to the Governor and state agencies with respect to desirable changes in state programs and law, especially in the areas of career development, training, and other conditions of employment. We will train our subcommittee members to track and report on legislation to the general membership, and engage in supporting and providing feedback to appropriate state agencies on the potential impacts to the black community on both existing and proposed laws and rules.
Goals
Contact: Mikia Guy Mikia.Guy@tre.wa.gov and/or Valeria Veasley Valeria.Veasley@parks.wa.gov
Purpose statement
The BUILD Policy & Legislative Subcommittee seeks to improve the lives of state-employed BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color) by addressing the disparities in the Black Community by way of making policy recommendations to the Governor and state agencies with respect to desirable changes in state programs and law, especially in the areas of career development, training, and other conditions of employment. We will train our subcommittee members to track and report on legislation to the general membership, and engage in supporting and providing feedback to appropriate state agencies on the potential impacts to the black community on both existing and proposed laws and rules.
Goals
- Track, analyze and report on bills of interest to the Black community.
- Review policies, procedures and news that may impact the Black community.
Professional Development and Leadership Support
Contact: Ty Hendricks THendricks@dol.wa.gov and/or Denise Ross Denise.Ross@psp.wa.gov
Purpose statement
The Professional Development and Leadership Support Subcommittee (PDLS) is committed to promoting equity and excellence through processes, networking, career planning and practices, mentorship, and leadership development. We are devoted to the empowerment of the black community, and our allies, dedicated to justice and equity within all levels of state government. BUILD provides a platform for PDLS to remove barriers, increase opportunities and increase the number of black state employees.
Goals
Contact: Ty Hendricks THendricks@dol.wa.gov and/or Denise Ross Denise.Ross@psp.wa.gov
Purpose statement
The Professional Development and Leadership Support Subcommittee (PDLS) is committed to promoting equity and excellence through processes, networking, career planning and practices, mentorship, and leadership development. We are devoted to the empowerment of the black community, and our allies, dedicated to justice and equity within all levels of state government. BUILD provides a platform for PDLS to remove barriers, increase opportunities and increase the number of black state employees.
Goals
- Mobilize members and initiatives to assist state agencies in their efforts to recruit, mentor, and promote Black people within state service.
- Develop and maintains mentorship program.
- Partner with diverse organizations that refer Black people to State employment.
All subcommittees can be contacted at BUILD@ofm.wa.gov