Dr. Angela Griffin, CEO of Byrd Barr Place, recently stopped by "The Day With Trae" to discuss her impactful work and the organization's commitment to preserving community and providing Seattleites with basic human needs. With over three decades of leadership experience in nonprofit and education-based organizations, Dr. Griffin describes her role as the "most rewarding work" of her career, feeling at home in an organization deeply connected to the Black community.

Founded in 1964, Byrd Barr Place has evolved its services while maintaining a core mission of preserving the dignity of those they serve. Dr. Griffin highlighted the organization's innovative market, which offers fresh, culturally relevant produce, a stark contrast to traditional food banks where "the dignity wasn't there." While sharing touching stories with love and admiration, Dr. Griffin explained how her organization actively listens to and meets community needs through its food bank, energy assistance, and home-buying programs.

The organization is currently undertaking a "For the Record" campaign, a statewide assessment collecting both quantitative and qualitative data on displacement and gentrification. Dr. Griffin, a self-proclaimed data researcher at heart, emphasized the need for this knowledge to inform reparations efforts and ensure services truly meet the Black community's needs. The data will be shared broadly with other agencies and government entities, holding them accountable to the community's voice. Byrd Barr Place also partners with other organizations, including those focused on youth, to ensure a comprehensive understanding of displacement's impact across generations.

To fill out Byrd Barr’s “For the Record” survey at byrdbarrplace.org. Byrd Barr is holding a gala on Saturday, September 27 at the Hyatt Regency Seattle at 6PM.