The Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) recently announced awards totaling $1.5 million to support the leadership and cultural education of more than 1,500 Black, Indigenous, immigrant, refugee, and youth of color in Seattle. Building on recommendations from the Equitable Communities Initiative, DEEL’s Youth Leadership & Cultural Education investment expands access to educational settings that celebrate culture, inspire authentic personal development, and build leadership skills. Eleven organizations were approved for grants of up to $150,000; seven are first-time DEEL grant recipients.
“Every young person deserves the opportunity to learn and grow in safe spaces that nurture their sense of self and celebrate their identity and lived experiences. By expanding access to supportive learning environments with meaningful programs and enrichment activities, we take another step towards ensuring our city is for everyone,” said Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell. “Congratulations to the organizations awarded today. They join an esteemed group of leaders elevating community-led strategies that result in healthy and confident students and a thriving One Seattle.”
The eleven community-based organizations (CBOs) awarded funding will offer a range of programs, including world languages, mentorship, study abroad, entrepreneurship, science, and art. The programs are rooted in activities that build on individual strengths and promote wellness, inclusivity, and cultural pride. Programs will serve Black, Indigenous, immigrant, refugee, LGBTQ+, and foster youth of color ages 5-24, whose inherent strengths are historically overlooked within the education system. Programming will begin as soon as September 2022 with potential to run through December 2023.
“As chair of the Education Committee and the representative for District 2, I am happy to see this investment into our youth and community organizations at this critical time” said Councilmember Tammy Morales. “This funding will go towards ensuring our young people are given the opportunities for community building and mentorship. We as a City must do what we can to bolster youth mental health and wellbeing; I look forward to future partnerships with DEEL to expand the pool of resources we are able to provide to community-based organizations that are doing this work.”
“To build a better future for all Seattle students, we must center the voice of our communities and young people in how we invest in their education and future. This grant included youth and community input from the initial planning stage through the evaluation process,” said Dr. Dwane Chappelle, Director of DEEL. “DEEL is proud to invest in community-driven solutions that we know will have a positive impact on student success.”
In response to community requests to engage in the design and development of the RFI process, DEEL held focus groups and listening sessions with impacted youth who also helped conduct outreach to CBOs ensuring a broad applicant pool. Proposal evaluations were led by a 30-member panel including 29 Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian and other people of color—21 youth and eight adults—and one DEEL staff member.
First-time grant recipient, Hip Hop is Green, will provide paid internships focusing on social justice, health equity, food security and climate change curriculum by engaging youth in an urban farm community hub, documentary film screenings, field trips and STEM learning.
“Our Youth Excellence Program creates opportunities for young people to become impactful leaders through fun, project-based learning grounded in hip hop,” said Hip Hop is Green Executive Director Keith Tucker. “Through caring mentorship and a safe culturally relevant healing space, our program provides youth with positive social-emotional development, new friendships, and personal growth.”
In the coming weeks, DEEL will announce additional awards supporting professional development for aspiring educators of color developing pathways and strategies that assist youth in overcoming the impact of systemic inequities and building on and strengthening their innate skills.
The full list of Youth Leadership and Cultural Education funds recipients are listed below:
• Celebrating Roots*- $150,000
• City Year Seattle/King County*- $150,000
• Creative Justice – $150,000
• Friends of the Children – $150,000
• Hip Hop is Green*- $150,000
• Khmer Community of Seattle King County*- $149,091
• The Good Foot Arts Collective – $150,000
• Movimiento Afrolatino Seattle (MÁS)*- $120,000
• OneWorld Now!*- $150,000
• South End Stories – $149,990
• Tasveer* – $30,000
*First time award recipient of DEEL funding.
