Lamarr Thompson Talks Participatory Budgeting and Empowering the South End on The Mother’s Justice Show
Lamarr Thompson (left) sits with Omari Salisbury (right) at the Hubbard Radio Seattle studio in Bellevue, Washington. (Photo: Converge Media)
The Mother’s Justice Show guest host Omari Salisbury sat down on Monday with Lamarr Thompson, founder of Aisle 4our, for a deep dive into how community-led initiatives and democratic funding are reshaping the future of Skyway, Washington.
If you missed the live broadcast on 1150 AM KKNW, you missed a masterclass in grassroots leadership, but we’ve got you covered with the highlights and the full interview link below.
What Is Aisle 4our?
Located in a conglomerate space in Skyway, Aisle 4our is, at its core, a youth incubator looking to forge high-tech career paths. Lamarr has transformed the traditional arcade into a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) launchpad.
The Safe-Space Arcade: An open-door sanctuary where youth can hang out for free from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
From Consumer to Creator: Kids are learning to code, build programs, and navigate professional-grade streaming and audio gear.
Creative Content Hub: With a full photography and videography studio, young residents are gaining the skills to monetize their own content and tell their own stories.
Lamarr Thompson sits in the 1150 AM KKNW studio in Bellevue, Washington. (Photo: Converge Media)
The ‘Landslide’ Victory: Participatory Budgeting in Skyway
Aisle 4our exists today because the community demanded it. During the interview, Lamarr discussed the King County Participatory Budgeting (PB) program, where residents of unincorporated areas like Skyway directly decide how to reinvest public funds—including millions in marijuana tax revenue.
Thompson’s project won its $100,000 grant through what he called a “landslide" community vote. Because Skyway is an unincorporated area, it lacks a traditional city council, making PB the most direct form of democratic power available to residents to address historical disinvestment.
A Growing Ecosystem of Community Wealth
Aisle 4our is just one piece of a massive $9.5 million investment recently celebrated in Skyway. The community has voted for a suite of projects that work in tandem to support local families:
The Task House ($1.6 Million): A permanent hub for digital labs and food distribution.
Skyway Resource Center: A "one-stop shop" for health, wellness, and county services that recently opened its doors.
Skyway Community Land Trust ($840,000): Funding to secure property for permanent affordable housing, ensuring residents aren't priced out of the neighborhood they are helping to build.
Speak With Purpose ($146,000): Speak With Purpose’s In-School Youth Public Speaking Program that has expanded to four title I schools in Skyway.
Real Talk: Violence, Social Media, and the System
The conversation turned to the heavier realities facing the South End today. Omari and Lamarr discussed eye-opening data shared by Chief Barnes regarding youth violence.
Group Violence & Social Media: Conflicts that once played out between geographic gangs are now often "group violence" sparked and amplified by social media interactions on platforms like Instagram and Snapchat.
Systemic Gaps: They discussed the hurdles of the legal system, where current rules often require a pattern of five convictions for a juvenile before serious confinement or intervention is considered—leaving communities feeling victimized in the interim.
Heritage as Inspiration: The Seattle Steelheads
The duo also connected modern entrepreneurship to the legacy of the Negro Leagues. Lamarr shared his excitement about the Mariners wearing Seattle Steelheads jerseys this season, sparking a discussion on how Black Americans once owned every aspect of their baseball ecosystem—from the buses to the concessions. This history of self-reliance is the exact spirit Lamarr is reviving at Aisle 4our.
This interview shows what happens when we stop asking for permission and start voting for our own future. As Omari put it, it’s about shifting from pointing out what’s wrong to actively working on what’s right.
Listen to the full interview here, and tune into The Mother’s Justice Show every Monday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on 1150 AM KKNW.
A Note of Gratitude:
We are thrilled to share that Rev. Harriett Walden is continuing her strong recovery! She is getting stronger every day, and we are so grateful for the community’s continued prayers and support.
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