Pastor Patrinell "Pat" Wright, widely recognized as Seattle's "First Lady of Gospel," established a profound legacy through her music, ministry, and dedicated mentorship of young people. As the founder and leader of the Total Experience Gospel Choir for decades, Wright significantly impacted the community by fostering musical talent and providing structure and guidance to generations of youth.

Hundreds of thousands of young people annually navigate the U.S. foster care system, where they face significant barriers to basic needs, exacerbated by recent federal policy changes affecting food and medical assistance. The system also exhibits a disproportionate representation of Black and LGBTQ+ youth, underscoring the imperative to integrate their experiences into policy development to ensure their priorities are addressed and their value affirmed.