Sub Committees
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.
You must be a current Washington State Employee to join a subcommittee.
For more information and/or to join a subcommittee, contact the leaders listed or email BUILD at BUILD@ofm.wa.gov
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.
You must be a current Washington State Employee to join a subcommittee.
For more information and/or to join a subcommittee, contact the leaders listed or email BUILD at BUILD@ofm.wa.gov
Annual reports
To support and justify its presence, the Office of Financial Management asked BUILD to compile and present an annual report charting accomplishments over the previous year. Our report introduces our subcommittees, summarizes our activities from 2019 and 2020, and provides a look ahead at goals for the coming year.
2019 to 2020
BUILD is proud to present its first annual report
All subcommittees can be contacted at BUILD@ofm.wa.gov
To support and justify its presence, the Office of Financial Management asked BUILD to compile and present an annual report charting accomplishments over the previous year. Our report introduces our subcommittees, summarizes our activities from 2019 and 2020, and provides a look ahead at goals for the coming year.
2019 to 2020
BUILD is proud to present its first annual report
All subcommittees can be contacted at BUILD@ofm.wa.gov
Communications
Contact
Co-lead: Devon Brim devon.brim@dcyf.wa.gov
Co-lead: Daisha Gomillion daisha.gomillion@dshs.wa.gov
Purpose statement
Like BUILD as a whole, the Communications 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
We aspire to send newsletters based on the following schedule:
Newsletters include subcommittee updates highlighting successes and upcoming activities.
Communications manages BUILD's website, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn presence.
Contact
Co-lead: Devon Brim devon.brim@dcyf.wa.gov
Co-lead: Daisha Gomillion daisha.gomillion@dshs.wa.gov
Purpose statement
Like BUILD as a whole, the Communications 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.
We aspire to send newsletters based on the following schedule:
- May, covering January through April
- September, covering May through August
- January, covering September through December
Newsletters include subcommittee updates highlighting successes and upcoming activities.
Communications manages BUILD's website, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn presence.
History and Activities
Contact
Co- Lead: Truth Allah truth.allah@dshs.wa.gov
Co- Lead: Undra Simpson undra.simpson@dshs.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
History and Activities manage many of BUILD's events including the annual Black History Month Celebration.
Meeting schedule
Contact
Co- Lead: Truth Allah truth.allah@dshs.wa.gov
Co- Lead: Undra Simpson undra.simpson@dshs.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.
History and Activities manage many of BUILD's events including the annual Black History Month Celebration.
Meeting schedule
- History and Activities meets the 4th Tuesday of the month. November and December of 2022 they will meet a week earlier.
- Join BUILD's mailing list to get regular updates.
Membership Engagement and Support
Contact
Lenora Sneva Lenora.Sneva@ofm.wa.gov
Sherina James sherina.james@commerce.wa.gov
Purpose Statement
Our purpose is to greet and welcome new and/or existing BUILD members and allies, to connect members with relevant resources and information, to provide a space to build relationships and promote equity an inclusion within our communities and opportunities to being more involved with BUILD.
Goals
Membership, Engagement, and Support also organizes Membership Mingles.
Meeting schedule
Contact
Lenora Sneva Lenora.Sneva@ofm.wa.gov
Sherina James sherina.james@commerce.wa.gov
Purpose Statement
Our purpose is to greet and welcome new and/or existing BUILD members and allies, to connect members with relevant resources and information, to provide a space to build relationships and promote equity an inclusion within our communities and opportunities to being more involved with BUILD.
Goals
- Welcome new members and engage and connect existing members
- Assist in developing information for Black state employees.
- Provide ally resources and support.
- Solicit feedback from new members.
- Develop and deploy BUILD’s annual survey to gather feedback and ideas on future priorities and activities
Membership, Engagement, and Support also organizes Membership Mingles.
Meeting schedule
- Membership, Engagement, and Support meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month from 2:30 to 3:00 pm.
- Join BUILD's mailing list to get regular updates.
Policy and Data
Contact
Terrence McCall Terrence.McCall@dshs.wa.gov
Mikia Guy Mikia.Guy@dcyf.wa.gov
Purpose statement
The BUILD Policy, Legislative, and Data 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
This subcommittee follows legislation for BUILD.
Find reports of legislation tracked on our Resource page.
Contact
Terrence McCall Terrence.McCall@dshs.wa.gov
Mikia Guy Mikia.Guy@dcyf.wa.gov
Purpose statement
The BUILD Policy, Legislative, and Data 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.
This subcommittee follows legislation for BUILD.
Find reports of legislation tracked on our Resource page.
Professional Development and Leadership Support
Contact
Donald Paul donald.paul@dshs.wa.gov
Shannon Williams Shannon.Williams@dshs.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
Professional Development and Leadership Support promotes
Meeting schedule
Contact
Donald Paul donald.paul@dshs.wa.gov
Shannon Williams Shannon.Williams@dshs.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.
Professional Development and Leadership Support promotes
- Black Leaders, jobs, leadership support in general, and professional development topics.
- Find employment resources on our jobs page.
Meeting schedule
- The Professional Development and Leadership Support subcommittee meets on the second and fourth Thursday of every month at 10am for 1 hour.
- Join BUILD's mailing list to get regular updates.
Outreach and Resources
Contact
Mikia Guy Mikia.Guy@ofm.wa.gov
Gregory McKnight GMcKnight@DOL.WA.GOV
Purpose statement
The Outreach Subcommittee promotes BUILD and BUILD’s mission, vision, and goals through participation in events, networking, and developing resources for distribution. This subcommittee advances BUILD’s vision by increasing awareness of Black history, culture, perspectives, and intersectionality towards a robust and comprehensive understanding of the diversity and beauty within the Black Community.
Goals
Contact
Mikia Guy Mikia.Guy@ofm.wa.gov
Gregory McKnight GMcKnight@DOL.WA.GOV
Purpose statement
The Outreach Subcommittee promotes BUILD and BUILD’s mission, vision, and goals through participation in events, networking, and developing resources for distribution. This subcommittee advances BUILD’s vision by increasing awareness of Black history, culture, perspectives, and intersectionality towards a robust and comprehensive understanding of the diversity and beauty within the Black Community.
Goals
- Grow BUILD’s network by building relationships with other Business Resource Groups, Washington State agencies, and other communities.
- Develop presentation materials.
- Develop resources for distribution.
- Highlight diverse perspectives and experiences to provide nuance to the examination of issues facing Black Washingtonians.
- Collaborate with other BRGs on events.