Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County (BLM Seattle) has named Deaunte Damper as the chapter’s incoming board chair.
A native Seattleite, Damper has made a career of bringing HIV awareness and LGBTQIA+ affirming education to communities throughout the city. In 2019, he became the NAACP’s first LGBTQIA Chair in the country.
Over the years, Damper has worked as a transition specialist with the state Department of Corrections, and as the Black Student Union advisor for Rainier Beach High School. He is the founder of the support group, B.R.O.T.H.A. (Blacks Recovering Overcoming Trauma Health and Awareness).
“Deaunte’s breadth of experience and leadership skills are an excellent match for our active and growing chapter,” said Ebony Miranda, the outgoing chair who will now become chair emeritus. “His deep roots in the community are a huge asset for the continued fight for Black liberation.”
Damper also serves on the steering committee for the Washington Black Lives Matter Alliance.
Miranda has guided the chapter during an historic time. Under Miranda’s leadership, BLM Seattle led 85,000 people in the June 2020 March of Silence; partnered on successful efforts to have racism declared a public health crisis in King County; and began an unprecedented effort by Black-led organizations across the state to pass legislation for Black Lives in Olympia.
“We have a lot to do, from policy advocacy to direct action,” said Damper. “I’m grateful for and humbled by the community trust to lead this work forward.”
