Ayan Musse is an elder in training , who is a daughter, sister, mother, and auntMs. Musse is an anti racist community organizer. She has worked on different issues from housing, immigration, criminal justice and education. She is a member of village of hope and sponsor for Black Prisoner Caucus. Most importantly she is a proud mother of two black sons.

Meet Justin Emeka, a nationally and internationally renowned professional director in theater and film. He is a full member of SDC (Society of Stage Directors & Choreographers) and also serves on SDC's Executive Board as a Regional Rep. Justin is the Resident Director at Pittsburgh Public Theater where he has directed productions such as Lynn Nottage's Sweat, Christopher Demus-Scott's American Son, and August Wilson's Two Trains Running.

Justin's impressive resume also includes Off-Broadway credits, such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo and Juliet at Classical Theatre of Harlem, as well as directing productions at various regional theaters across the country. Recently, Justin received a Drama League Fellowship in Television/Film Directing, and served as the "Shadow Director" for two episodes of the Disney+ Limited (8-part) series, A Small Light, while on location in Prague.

In addition to his theater work, Justin has also directed two award-winning short films, "Six Winters Gone Still" and "Biological." We were thrilled to have Justin on The Day With Trae to discuss his impressive career in theater and film.

Learn more about Justin by visiting: http://www.justinemeka.com/

Photos: Susan Fried

#TheDayWithTrae #Theater #Film #BlackDirectors

Meet Aishé Keita, an actor, holistic storyteller, and intuitive educator. She is the Assistant Creative Director of Asé Theatre and co-founder of Niles Edge Collective in Seattle. Aishé creates art that is rooted in her ancestral ways, intentionally connecting healing and storytelling. Her credits include Familiar (Guthrie Theater), School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play (Arkansas Rep, Jungle Theater), and The Boy Who Kissed the Sky (Seattle Children’s Theatre, Alliance Theatre). Upcoming: The Uterine Files (LANGSTON).

Aishé stopped by The Day With Trae to discuss Seattle Rep's "Fat Ham" by James Ijames, playing now at Seattle Rep through May 12. Watch the interview on the link below:

Catch Aishé and the rest of the talented cast in this captivating production.

https://www.seattlerep.org/plays/202324-season/fat-ham/

Photos: Susan Fried

#SeattleRep #TheDayWithTrae #SeattleTheatre #FatHam

Seattle Rep's "Fat Ham" is currently playing, and we can't help but be excited about the director behind the production. Timothy McCuen Piggee, an accomplished director, actor, and educator, is at the helm of this latest show.

Piggee's talent and dedication to his craft are undeniable. He has directed numerous productions in Seattle, including "A Raisin in the Sun" and "As You Like It" at Seattle Rep, and "Hello, Dolly!" and "Hairspray" at Village Theatre. His hard work and commitment have led him to receive numerous awards, including the Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship and three Gregory Awards. Currently a professor of theatre at Cornish College of the Arts, Piggee's passion for his craft is contagious.

Piggee stopped by The Day With Trae to discuss his theater journey and his latest role as director in Fat Ham now playing at the Seattle Rep until May 12th.

Tickets & Info: https://www.seattlerep.org/plays/202324-season/fat-ham/

Photos: Susan Fried

Meet Taylor Raven, a rising star in the opera world who has been hailed as a "vocal sensation" by the Washington Classical Review. Taylor's 23/24 season is packed with exciting performances, including a role debut as Fatima in Rhiannon Giddens and Michael Abels' Omar at the San Francisco Opera, a return to Seattle Opera as Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia, and a fully staged production of Das Rheingold with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Taylor's impressive resume includes debuts with Houston Grand Opera, Washington Concert Opera, and North Carolina Opera, as well as returns to the San Francisco Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, and Lyric Opera of Chicago. She has also performed with renowned orchestras such as The Cleveland Orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Taylor stopped by the Day With Trae to discuss her upcoming role as Rosina in Seattle Opera's production of The Barber of Seville, one of the most beloved operas of all time.

Taylor Raven is a force to be reckoned with in the world of opera. Keep an eye out for her upcoming performances by visiting https://www.seattleopera.org/barber

Photos: Susan Fried

#TheDayWithTrae #Opera #BlackOpera #SeattleOpera #BarberOfSeville

Meet Quiana Daniels, a first-generation college graduate who overcame homelessness and poverty to achieve academic excellence. Quiana's challenges inspired her to become a serial social entrepreneur, founding companies that help marginalized communities.

Her private nursing company, Childress Nursing Services, is poised for growth after being selected as a 2023 Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Scholar. Quiana's dedication to telling people's stories led her to establish the HTTPS Company, which shares untold stories through various media outlets.

Quiana recently stopped by The Day With Trae to discuss infertility in the Black community. Her journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and determination in the face of adversity.

Learn more about CNS: https://www.childressnursing.com/

Photos: Susan Fried

#TheDayWithTrae #BlackInfertility #ChildressNursingServices

#TheDayWithTrae - Meet Washington State Senator Manka Dhingra, she is the Deputy Majority Leader of the Washington State Senate and Chair of the Senate Law & Justice Committee. With over two decades of experience as a King County Senior Deputy Prosecutor, Manka has dedicated her career to fighting for justice and advocating for behavioral health interventions.

As a Crisis Intervention Trainer, Manka has been at the forefront of pushing for change in police culture and helped create the 40-hour crisis intervention training for law enforcement. She has also played a key role in revamping our state's crisis response system through the implementation of the 988 crisis system, including the first-in-the-nation Native and Strong Lifeline which emphasizes culturally appropriate and traditional healing for Indigenous community members.

Manka stopped by The Day With Trae with TraeAnna Holiday to discuss her run as a candidate for Washington State Attorney General.

Photos: Susan Fried

#MankaDhingra #WAOAG #WAELEX #TheDayWithTrae

Meet Boyah J. Farah, an accomplished writer whose works have been featured in The Guardian, Harvard Transition, Scheer Intelligence at KCRW, Grub Daily, and Truthdig. He has also won Salon's best essay of 2017 and has been published in Harvard's Kennedy School Review, Pangyrus magazine, and The Huffington Post.

Boyah made an appearance on The Day With Trae with TraeAnna Holiday to discuss his new book, "America Made Me A Black Man." Check out the interview to gain insight into the mind of this talented writer.

#BoyahJFarah #AmericaMadeMeBlack #WritingCommunity

Meet Chelsea Riddick-Most, the Director of Programs and Events at Seattle Center! With an impressive background that includes working with Nelson Mandela on a project with the African National Congress, producing award-winning content, and overseeing production at Nickelodeon Networks, she brings a wealth of experience to her new role.

At Seattle Center, Chelsea oversees six working groups, including arts and community programming, cultural programming, and emergency services.

Chelsea stopped by The Day With Trae with TraeAnna Holiday to discuss upcoming Events at the Seattle Center. You can view the interview below.

Photos: Susan Fried

#SeattleCenter #ProgramDirector #EventsCoordinator #ArtsandCulture

Meet Khai Bhagwandin, the athlete, activist, and healer on a mission to create an inclusive space in outdoor sports, specifically skiing and snowboarding. As an Acupuncturist and community-based project enthusiast, Khai brings a unique perspective to the world of outdoor sports.

Despite the sport being predominantly white and catering to the privileged, Khai is determined to bring people together and create a more inclusive community. She recently stopped by The Day With Trae to discuss The Change Collective, a project aimed at building community and inclusivity within snow sports.

Join Khai in her vision to make skiing and snowboarding a more diverse and inclusive space by clicking the link below:

https://linktr.ee/the.change.collective

Photos: Susan Fried

#TheChangeCollective #InclusiveSnowSports #CommunityBuilding

Meet Arlene Hampton, she is a Seattle native, is a member of the NAACP State Area Executive Committee, which covers Washington, Alaska and Oregon. She holds the position of Project Coordinator and serves as a trainer, facilitator and event planner for the NAACP, one the oldest and largest civil rights organizations in the world.

Arlene stopped by The Day With Trae to give an update as to what the NAACP has been up to in the community.

Photos: Cydney Stephens

Seattle-based musical theatre artist and director Brodrick Ryans is a true multi-hyphenate. Not only is he a talented performer, but he also serves as a Casting Director and Artistic Liaison for The 5th Avenue Theatre.

Brodrick's passion for education is evident in his work as a teaching artist for several local companies, as well as his former role as the Education Coordinator for Seattle Children's Theatre.

As part of the circle of Emerging Leaders in TYA for TYA/USA, he helped develop national curricula, including the one for A Kids Play About Racism. Brodrick's latest project, Brown Bodies on a Blue Earth, which he directed, promises to be a must-see.

#musicaltheatre #theatreartist #directing #teachingartist #castingdirector #emergingleaders #TYA #diversityandinclusion

Meet Ermias (Erm) Haile, a first-generation immigrant of Eritrean descent, born and raised in Seattle, Washington. With a passion for media and storytelling, Ermias co-founded The UpNUp, a media company focused on amplifying diverse voices and stories. Since its launch in 2018, The UpNUp has become a beacon of innovation and inclusivity in the media landscape.

Ermias sat down with Trae of The Day With Trae to reflect on his six-year journey as co-host of the UpNUp Podcast. Through the podcast and all their endeavors, Ermias champions authenticity, integrity, and the power of storytelling to drive change and empower underrepresented communities.

Click below to see the full interview.

Learn more about the UpNUp: https://www.upnup.com/

Photos: Cydney Stephens

#diversity #inclusion #storytelling #media #underrepresentedcommunitie

Meet Robel Andmicael, a 32-year-old Eritrean-American, Community-Builder/Media Professional representing the Pacific Northwest and Greater-Seattle area and co-host of the Up N Up Podcast. His deep-rooted desire to uplift and inspire has driven him to create meaningful change and opportunities for those who come after him. Robel firmly believes in harnessing the strength of our diverse voices and experiences to build a brighter and more inclusive future for all.

As a media professional and community builder, Robel has seen firsthand the transformative power of community-driven initiatives. He has earned community impact awards for media programming initiatives from organizations such as ‘Seattle Office of Arts & Culture’, ‘ArtsFund Program’, ‘Seattle Foundation’ and many more within the Pacific Northwest region. Robel’s journey and work have only just begun, with next-generation impact as the destination.

Robel stopped by The Day With Trae to discuss the Up N Up's 6-year anniversary and their impact on the Seattle media market and community. Congratulations to Robel and the Up N Up Podcast team on this milestone.

Learn more about the UpNUp: https://www.upnup.com/

Photos: Sydney Stephens

#TheUpNUpPodcast #BlackMediaMatters

Meet Nourisha Wells, the 2nd Vice President and Chair of the Physical and Mental Health Committee for the Seattle Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Her leadership has helped the Chapter align their program development with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.’s 5 programmatic thrusts, including physical and mental health. With a life purpose of nourishing those around her, Nourisha is dedicated to uplifting her community. Originally from Kansas City, Mo., she has called Seattle home for the past 16 years.

Nourisha stopped by The Day With Trae to discuss the Inaugural Black Health and Wellness Fair co hosted by Seattle Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Seattle Parks and Recreation this Saturday.

Event Info: https://www.seattledeltas.org/events

Photos: Cydney Stephens

#DeltaSigmaTheta #CommunityHealth #SeattleParksAndRecreation

Meet Bishop Gwendolyn Phillips Coates, also known as "Mama Gwen." She is a multifaceted entrepreneur, author, recording artist, and conference host. Dr. Gwendolyn is a respected leader in the Lord's church, serving as Diocesan Prelate of the 4th District (West Coast) and 2nd Vice Prelate - Greater Church of Deliverance, Inc.

With her extensive experience, Dr. Gwendolyn manages the WOW Gallery, serves as HR Manager, and Executive Administrator for Progress House Assoc. in Tacoma, WA. She facilitates Healing Circles and organizes Women’s Conferences/Retreats through Another Chance For Life. Her ministries encompass preaching, music, prayer, teaching, and publishing, reaching audiences worldwide.

Dr. Coates holds degrees in Business Management, Church Administration, Christian Ministry/Pastoral Counseling, and a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership.

Dr. Coates stopped by The Day With Trae to discuss the upcoming WOW Retreat Revival May 9 - May 12. We are excited to see what she has in store for this year's event.

Learn more about WOW: www.wowgallery.org

Photos: Cydney Stephens

#WOWGallery #BlackArt #BlackRetreat #BlackSeattle #BlackInSeattle

Meet Kweli Vuur, the owner of Deep Poetic Soul, a healing arts platform that utilizes poetry and creative arts to inspire and facilitate healing and spiritual development. Their services include youth poetry sessions, poetic performances, custom and seasonal poetic gift frames, small healing events, and fine art poetry frames.

Their interactive youth poetry sessions provide middle and high school students an opportunity to express themselves through group activities. Kweli's poetic performances enhance school, community, or private events with meaningful performances, partnering with organizations that wish to increase the health and wellbeing of historically marginalized communities through the use of healing arts.

If you're looking for a unique and thoughtful gift, Deep Poetic Soul offers custom and seasonal poetic gift frames. They also host small healing events and offer fine art poetry frames.

Kweli joined TraeAnna Holiday to discuss the upcoming A Mother Is Healing Event on May 5th which is dedicated to celebrating the healing power of mothers.

Tickets and Info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-mother-is-healing-tickets-883060857797

Photos: Cydney Stephens

#MothersHealing #AfricanMothers #BlackMothers #BlackSeattle #BlackInSeattle #TheDayWithTrae #BlackMediaMatters

Meet Anthony-Paul (AP) Diaz, Esq., the Superintendent/Director of Seattle Parks and Recreation, managing 500 parks & special facilities with a $1B budget. With over 25 years of professional experience and service, AP has an impressive track record. Prior to his current role, AP served as the Executive Officer of LA City Parks and was a City Attorney in the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office where he litigated hundreds of matters in the Criminal Branch and as a specially assigned prosecutor in the City's Neighborhood Prosecutor Program.

AP is a member of the National Recreation and Parks Association Board of Directors & an Executive Board Member for World Urban Parks. He serves as an instructor at the NRPA Director’s School and on staff at various leadership academies teaching Adult Development Theory, Diversity & Cultural Awareness, Communication & Marketing, and Transformational Leadership. AP is also Judge Pro Tem for the Los Angeles Superior Court, a member of the California State Bar, and a member of the Seattle Sports Commission.

AP stopped by The Day With Trae to discuss the Swim Seattle program which is aimed to increase overall safety around water across our city by teaching drowning prevention and youth aquatics amongst other things.

Learn more about Swim Seattle: https://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/plans-and-reports/swim-seattle-initiative

Photos: Cydney Stephens

#SeattleSwim #DrowningPrevention #Aquatics #SwimmingLessons

Meet Georgia Stewart McDade, Ph.D., an English major turned poet, author, and playwright who spent more than 30 years teaching in the Seattle-Tacoma area. As a charter member of the African-American Writers' Alliance (AAWA), her poetry is often inspired by the art at Gallery 110, Onyx Fine Arts Collective, and Columbia City Art Gallery. McDade has written opinion columns for Pacific Newspapers and currently writes for Leschinews. Her impressive list of publications includes Travel Tips for Dream Trips, Outside the Cave (four volumes), Observations and Revelations, and The Unlevel Field. In 2020, McDade's play Changing Oil was produced, showcasing her talent as a playwright.

Georgia appeared on The Day With Trae with host TraeAnna Holiday to discuss The Genius Conference presented by The African-American Writers' Alliance in partnership with Langston Seattle.

At the top of McDade's wish list is peace in the world and long, healthy lives for all of us.

To learn more about Georgia and her work, visit her website at www.georgiasmcdade.org

Photos: Cydney Stephens

#BlackWriters #AfricanAmericanWriters #BlackSeattle #BlackInSeattle #TheDayWithTrae #BlackMediaMatters

Meet Isabella Price, LANGSTON Seattle's Film Program Manager, local artist, and activist who has been an integral part of Seattle's film community since 2015. Isabella has curated for renowned organizations like Northwest Film Forum, Seattle International Film Festival, and Blanket Fort Films. She has also served on the board of Women in Film Seattle and the Executive Film Advisory Board for Harbor Island Studios.

Isabella's contributions to the Seattle Black Film Festival as a community programmer have been invaluable, and she has now officially joined the LANGSTON staff team in 2021. As the festival's operations and management lead, Isabella will be spearheading the success of the 21st Annual Seattle Black Film Festival.

Recently, Isabella stopped by The Day With Trae with TraeAnna Holiday to discuss the upcoming festival and its importance to the Seattle community. We can't wait to see the incredible work Isabella and the LANGSTON team will bring to this year's festival.

Meet Delbert Richardson, a Community Scholar, Ethnomuseumologist, and Second Generation Storyteller of the award-winning American History Traveling Museum: The "Unspoken" Truths. Delbert presents "American History" through an Afrocentric lens, utilizing authentic artifacts, storyboards, and the ancient art of "storytelling".

His work is divided into four sections: Mother Africa, American Chattel Slavery, The Jim Crow era, and Still We Rise. Delbert's work primarily targets K-12th grade students and offers professional development training for white female teachers, who make up over 79% of the national teaching force. He also provides DEI training.

Delbert's services are in increasing demand by corporations, faith-based organizations, and municipal government agencies across the state of Washington, specifically in Seattle and King County. His offerings include professional development, community and student exhibits, extended workshop training for junior storytellers, and corporate DEI training.

Delbert stopped by The Day With Trae with TraeAnna Holiday to discuss the creation of his museum and it's outreach, Black History, and the upcoming production of THE LION TELLS HIS TALE at the Intiman Theatre based on his life's work.

Meet Vida Sneed. Seattle-based writer and educator, Vida has a strong history with Intiman Theatre that dates back to her experiences with the Family Theater Series. The Lion Tells His Tale launches Vida’s debut as a professional playwright playing May 1 - May 5.

Despite raising and homeschooling six children, Vida has been perfecting her skills behind the scenes in church-based productions. Her hard work and dedication have paid off with the debut of her play at Initman Theatre.

Vida expresses gratitude to her loved ones and reviewers for their support, and remembers her mother’s wise words, “It’s not what you are, or who you are, but who you are to become."

Check out Vida's interview with TraeAnna Holiday to learn more about her story and writing process, and don't miss the upcoming production of THE LION TELLS HIS TALE at Initman Theatre. https://www.intiman.org/lion/

#TheDayWithTrae - Meet Nick Brown, a U.S. Army veteran and former JAG Officer. Raised in Pierce County, Nick learned the importance of being involved and making a difference from his parents, an Army veteran and a nurse and healthcare administrator.

After graduating from Morehouse College and Harvard Law School, Nick began his service in the Army. He fought to protect soldiers from fraud, worked to stop corporations from ripping off military families, and earned the Bronze Star Medal in 2005 for his work defending our troops and our freedom.

Since leaving the Army, Nick has continued his fight for justice as a prosecutor, general counsel for Governor Jay Inslee, and partner at a premier law firm. In 2021, President Joe Biden nominated Nick to become the U.S. Attorney for Western Washington, where he was praised for his work fighting drug cartels and sex trafficking, reducing violent crime, and addressing the fentanyl crisis.

Nick recently stopped by The Day With Trae Show to discuss his leadership journey and his run for Washington State Attorney General.

Meet Shalimar Gonzales, she joined Solid Ground as Chief Executive Officer in January 2021. Her down-to-earth charisma belies a foundation of rigorous leadership development. Prior to joining Solid Ground, she served as District Executive for the YMCA of Greater Seattle, overseeing operations across five locations and 500 staff. During her 17-year career with the Y, she led diversity, inclusion, global capacity building, international partnerships, and more.

She started her career in arts-based programming in Seattle and later served at the YMCA of Los Angeles. Shalimar is the current Board Chair of the Washington State Community Action Partnership and Immediate Past Chair of the Community Roots Housing board.

Shalimar stopped by The Day With Trae with TraeAnna Holiday to discuss the upcoming Solid Ground 50th Anniversary Gala. Click the link below to watch the interview.

Get your tickets for the May 8th Gala here: https://www.solid-ground.org/50gala/

Photos: Susan Fried

#SolidGround #SolidGroundGala #FightingPoverty #TheDayWithTrae

Meet Mary Ruffin, Solid Ground's Board Chair since 2023. Mary's journey with Solid Ground began when she lived at the Sand Point Housing campus in Magnuson Park for seven years with her family. During that time, Mary graduated from the University of Washington and UW School of Law.

Mary's passion for community involvement led her to join Solid Ground's Community Accountability Council (CAC) to provide a resident perspective on agency operations and programs. Her dedication and hard work earned her a spot on the Board of Directors in 2021 as a CAC representative, where she helped formalize the CAC's role in selecting Board members.

Mary stopped by The Day With Trae with TraeAnna Holiday to discuss the upcoming Solid Ground's 50th Anniversary Gala. Click the link below to view the full interview:

Get your tickets for the May 8th Gala here: https://www.solid-ground.org/50gala/

Photos: Susan Fried

#SolidGround #SolidGroundGala #TheDayWithTrae #FightingPoverty

#TheDayWithTrae - Meet dani tirrell, Seattle’s Mayor Arts Award recipient 2019. dani is a Black, Trans Spectrum, Queer choreographer, dancer, and movement guide. With a passion for guiding people through movement practices, dani has shared their expertise in Detroit, Seattle, and other cities across the United States. Currently serving as the curator for Central District Forum for Arts and Ideas in Seattle, dani is also the host and co-creator of several online talk programs, including Sunday Dinner, The Living Room, and Intimate Conversations.

dani is a true artistic force, having founded and currently serving as the artistic director of The Congregation, a movement/art group. dani's work has been featured in numerous productions and events, including Dance This (Northwest Tap Connection), Strictly Seattle (advance/professional track), Seattle Repertory Theater, and Nina Simone Four Women (Directed by Valerie Curtis-Newton).

dani's contributions to the arts community have not gone unnoticed. They have been recognized as an Arts Matter Fellow, Artists Trust Fellow (Seattle), and 4Culture Arc Fellow (Seattle). Dani is also an Artist in Residence at Velocity Dance Center (2020/2021) and one of 6 Artists in Residence at On the Boards (Seattle, WA). Currently, dani works at Dance Place (Washington, DC) as Dance Place’s Artistic Director.

Dani stopped by The Day With Trae with TraeAnna Holiday to discuss the upcoming world premiere of "Leviticus or Love and to walk amongst HUMANS (Book I)," a new work by dani tirell and The Congregation commissioned by Seattle Theatre Group (STG), will play for two performances only at the Moore Theatre on April 20 and 21.

Purchase tickets: www.STGPresents.org

Photos: Susan Fried

#SeattleArts #DanceCommunity #ArtisticDirector #MovementGuide #TransSpectrum #QueerArtist

Meet Romell Witherspoon, a multifaceted professional with a rich tapestry of experiences ranging from sports to coaching to inspirational speaking to performing arts. Romell has a deep commitment to enriching the community and fostering growth in young individuals. As the Director of Mentorship for Seattle Parks and Recreation, he is making significant contributions to the community.

Romell is a proud graduate and alum of Rainier Beach High School, and his roots are deeply embedded in Seattle's culture and education system. Before embarking on his journey in mentorship, Romell made significant contributions to the sports world as part of the Los Angeles Lakers organization. Over a span of four years, he excelled in roles focusing on player engagement and served as the team chaplain, where he played a pivotal role in the personal and spiritual development of the athletes.

Parallel to his career in sports and mentorship, Romell is also an accomplished actor. His passion for the performing arts has seen him appear in over 10 television shows, showcasing his versatility and talent in engaging with diverse audiences across the world on national TV.

Romell's commitment to family and community is also reflected in his role as the basketball head coach at Bellevue High School. He continues to inspire and mentor young athletes, nurturing their talents both on and off the court.

Romell's life and career are a testament to his dedication to mentorship, the arts, and sports, making him a valued leader and influencer in his community. Romell joined The Day With Trae with TraeAnna Holiday to discuss mentorship and inspiration.

#Mentorship #BlackLeaders #Inspiration

#TheDayWithTrae - Meet Seattle City Councilmember Rob Saka who represents District 1. He is a public school dad of three, attorney, community safety advocate, Air Force Veteran, and West Seattle resident.

His father, a Nigerian immigrant and former frontline warehouse worker, taught him the importance of hard work and selfless service – guiding principles that are pillars in his everyday life.

Rob graduated from Kent-Meridian High School. Like many young Americans, Rob felt called to service after the 9/11 attacks, enlisting in the U.S. Air Force with the intention of protecting his country. Under the G.I. Bill, Rob was able to attend the University of Washington, where he met his wife, Alicia. He would go on to earn a commission to become an Officer through the Deserving Airman Commissioning program. Rob is a Veteran of the Iraq War, having served during the height of the “troop surge” in 2007.

After 10 years in the military, he resigned his commission to focus on serving others as a civilian attorney, intending to help his community overcome some of the systemic barriers that Rob navigated growing up with stints in the foster care system. He attended law school at the University of California, Hastings Law, before moving back to Seattle to continue his work in legal and policy advocacy.

In the community, Rob has previously served on nonprofit boards, represented fellow veterans in need pro bono, helped underserved microentrepreneurs start and grow their businesses, and more. In his spare time, Rob enjoys running. He is a qualifier-finisher-survivor of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.

Rob stopped by The Day With Trae Show with host TraeAnna Holiday to discuss his leadership journey and his vision for the City of Seattle.

Photos: Susan Fried

#RobSaka #SeattleCityCouncil #Leadership

#TheDayWithTrae - Meet Kolawole Akinlosotu, a Sr. Program Manager at Common Power, a civic action organization that moves people from education to action. Growing up in an immigrant household in one of the most diverse school systems in Washington, Kolawole developed a passion for history and culture. Fuelled by his desire to create new systems that prioritize sustainable development, he consistently incorporates storytelling and bridging cultural, education, and talent gaps in his work.

Kolawole is also the founder of Africa Now, a non-profit that educates and connects the African Diaspora, and Represent Solutions, an agency connecting resources to the community. Kolawole stopped by The Day With Trae Show with host TraeAnna Holiday to discuss the history of Africa Now as well as upcoming events and programs. You can view the full interview on the link below.

Photos: Susan Fried

#CommonPower #AfricaNow #RepresentSolutions #sustainability #culturalbridges #talentgaps #diverseeducation #civicaction

#TheDayWithTrae - Meet Leoma James-Sarr, an inspiring educator, writer, and community member from Seattle, Washington. Her passion for connecting with people through studying culture, history, and language has led her to found Harambee House Global, a local non-profit that supports education, youth empowerment, community engagement, and social justice advocacy. https://harambeehouseglobal.org/

Leoma's dedication to supporting those who are furthest from educational justice and those who are disadvantaged socially due to race, income, immigration status, language barriers, and/or disabilities is admirable. Her accomplishments include being a 2023 Boren Fellow Recipient in Arusha, Tanzania, and a United States Peace Corps Volunteer in Namibia from 2017-2019. She has a master’s in education from the University of Washington and currently works as an occupational and training coordinator at King County.

Leoma stopped by The Day With Trae with host TraeAnna Holiday to discuss the upcoming Pan-African Perspectives event this weekend on April 14th at Langston Hughes.

Let's support Leoma's efforts in promoting education, youth empowerment, community engagement, and social justice advocacy by attending the Pan-African Perspectives event this weekend. We can all learn from her inspiring work and dedication towards making the world a better place for everyone. You can view this uplifting interview by clicking the link below.

Photos: Susan Fried

#PanAfrican #AfricanCommunity