"Westsider of the Year" Cleveland King II on Building Relationships and Community at the YMCA
Trae Holiday welcomed Cleveland King II to discuss his impactful work as a branch executive at the YMCA, overseeing the West Seattle and Fauntleroy branches. King's journey to this role is deeply personal, rooted in his extensive experience in public service and a yearning for direct community connection.
King shared his background working for the Department of Youth Services and Children's Administration for 23 years. While these roles offered influence, he felt a disconnect from the hands-on community work he cherished. He recounted feeling most effective as an investigator in the field, directly assisting individuals. A pivotal moment came when a friend, Greg Lewis, suggested he join the YMCA. This opportunity, coming right before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, led him to the Meredith Matthews YMCA—a place dear to him as he grew up in the Central District, and it was the first YMCA he ever visited. He described the "eerie feeling" of returning to the gym where he learned basketball and swim lessons, feeling as though things were coming "full circle."
Trae Holiday resonated with King's desire for direct community engagement, noting that institutions like the YMCA often serve as crucial hubs, particularly in areas lacking other fitness and community centers. King emphasized that YMCA Greater Seattle focuses on smaller communities, ensuring inclusivity and opportunity for everyone. He highlighted the YMCA's holistic approach to health, which extends beyond physical fitness to encompass overall well-being, including discussions about chronic diseases, blood pressure monitoring, and even vaccine clinics during the pandemic. This comprehensive care, he noted, aims to extend and improve lives.
King acknowledged that when he first took over the West Seattle and Fauntleroy branches, a disconnection had occurred due to the pandemic. His primary goal was to re-establish the YMCA as the focal point of the community. He expressed gratitude for his supportive board, who shared his vision for re-engagement. King's ultimate aim is for the YMCA to be a place where anyone can come, regardless of their need. If the YMCA cannot directly fulfill an immediate need, they act as a "bridge" to connect individuals with trusted resources and services that align with their values. He illustrated this with a poignant anecdote about encountering a homeless man who simply wanted to talk, demonstrating how genuine human connection can lead to trust and open doors for future assistance.
Trae praised King for upholding the YMCA's values and ensuring that care emanates from leadership, preventing the disconnection that can occur when the wrong people are in charge. He commended King for bringing his empathetic approach to multiple locations. The interview also celebrated King's recent recognition as "Westsider of the Year" by the Chamber of Commerce, an award that acknowledged his tireless efforts to reconnect and build relationships within the community. King emphasized that relationships are paramount, stressing the importance of being genuine, vulnerable, and listening to people's needs before implementing policies. He shared an example of a young man denied gym access for not having shoes, highlighting that without asking "why" and seeking to understand, organizations risk turning away those most in need. King believes in fostering an environment where community members feel comfortable asking for help, and where solutions are found through compassion and understanding, not just rigid rules. He concluded by inviting everyone to connect with the West Seattle YMCA through their website and Instagram, or simply by stopping by to say hello and explore ways to partner in serving the community. Learn More: https://www.seattleymca.org/locations/west-seattle-fauntleroy-ymca
