Best Of The Best NW 26

Keisha Credit has been recognized as Best Emerging Community Leader and Best Social Media Influencer at The Seattle Medium's inaugural Best of the Best Northwest Readers' Choice Awards. This acknowledgment highlights her significant contributions to celebrating Black culture and fostering community connections through digital platforms.

Dr. Dwane Chappelle, director of the Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning, was named the winner of the Best Educational Support Specialist category in the inaugural Best of the Best Northwest Readers' Choice Awards.

Deaunte Damper, a prominent community advocate, has been recognized as Best Community Advocate (Health) by The Seattle Medium for his impactful contributions. Damper leverages his lived experience to champion initiatives in gun violence prevention, overdose awareness, and LGBTQ+ representation, notably through his 'Living Color' project, which centers Black queer narratives.

Efrem Fesaha, founder and CEO of Boon Boona Coffee, has spent 14 years cultivating an enterprise focused on celebrating Africa's rich coffee heritage and fostering community. The business achieves this through direct partnerships with producers and the creation of social spaces designed for connection and cultural engagement.

The Double Dutch Divas earned multiple honors in the inaugural Best of the Best Northwest Readers' Choice Awards, recognizing the organization's success in promoting mental health and community connection through jump rope programs across the Pacific Northwest.

Empowering Youth & Families Outreach celebrated 25 years of service in South Seattle after expanding into a permanent 11,000-square-foot facility following its recent recognition as a top local youth organization.

Lewis Rudd, co-founder and CEO of Ezell's Famous Chicken, has been named the recipient of the Best For-Profit Business Owner/CEO award in The Seattle Medium's inaugural Best of the Best Northwest Readers' Choice Awards. This recognition highlights his 42 years of leadership and unwavering commitment to community empowerment, reflecting Ezell's role as a cornerstone of the region's culinary scene and a dedicated advocate for local businesses and social equity.

Nicole Camp, founder and winemaker of LaShellé Wines, has been named Best Black Winemaker in The Seattle Medium’s inaugural Best of the Best Northwest Readers' Choice Awards. The recognition highlights her journey from a backyard pear wine experiment to establishing a respected Black-owned boutique winery in Woodinville, positioning her as a notable figure among Washington state's limited number of Black female winemakers.

ShaVon Robinson has been honored as Best Female Youth Coach in The Seattle Medium's inaugural Best of the Best Northwest Readers' Choice Awards, recognizing her profound dedication to mentoring young athletes. This accolade coincides with the CD Panthers, the program she coaches, also being named Best Youth Cheer Squad, underscoring the organization's culture of excellence and community impact.

The Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, a long-standing advocate for Black families, has been named the Best Nonprofit Organization in the inaugural Best of the Best Northwest Readers' Choice Awards. This recognition coincides with the institution's 95th anniversary, underscoring its nearly century of commitment to expanding access to education, employment, housing, and economic opportunity while addressing systemic inequities.