By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
The People of Color Against AIDS Network has appointed Seattle native Ernest Walker as executive director, positioning the nearly 40 year old health equity organization for expansion, long term sustainability and deeper community impact. Walker assumes leadership at a pivotal moment as POCAAN approaches its 40th anniversary and looks to strengthen its clinical model while adapting to the evolving needs of Black and Brown communities across the region.
A graduate of Garfield High School and the University of Washington, Walker brings both deep community roots and national nonprofit leadership experience to the role. Walker earned a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the University of Washington and a master’s degree from Trinity University. As the youngest of 11 children, Walker credits upbringing in a large family for shaping a leadership philosophy centered on access, shared responsibility and service.
Walker described childhood home life as a “community household,” where neighbors were welcome and resources were shared. Walker said those early lessons continue to guide leadership and inform a vision for POCAAN grounded in collective care and opportunity.
“I’ve always wanted people to have what I’ve had,” said Walker, speaking on family dynamics. “I’ve always wanted to continue to build around that. And so POCAAN has always been a giving agency, right? And it’s always been one of those things that really was dear to my heart. Creating services and programs that gave back to the community.”
Founded in 1987 in response to the AIDS epidemic, POCAAN began as an organization focused on services and information addressing HIV and AIDS. Over the decades, the agency evolved into a multiservice, multicultural health equity organization serving underserved and marginalized communities across Seattle, King County and Pierce County, including Latino, Black, Asian Pacific Islander and Native American populations.
Walker said that evolution reflects a broader understanding of how systemic barriers shape health outcomes. While HIV and AIDS prevention remains central, the organization has expanded its work to address sexually transmitted diseases, homelessness, substance abuse, incarceration, racism, sexism and homophobia. Walker said those intersecting issues contribute to persistent health disparities and require comprehensive responses.
As POCAAN approaches its 40th year, Walker said the mission remains constant, but the strategy must grow with the times. Strengthening clinical services, integrating technology, engaging younger generations and expanding geographic access are central to the next chapter.
“One of the things that I really like about POCAAN is that we have branched out. So now not only do we provide social services, but we’re also a full medical facility,” said Walker. “We provide medical services. We have a Black provider, we have a Black nurse and we have a full Black prevention team that goes out and does extensive community work.”
Walker said representation in health care remains essential to building trust. In a region where culturally competent providers are limited, Walker said POCAAN offers patients an option to receive care from professionals who understand community specific realities.
Interim Board Chair Dwayne King said the board selected Walker because of local credibility, nonprofit management experience and a vision aligned with POCAAN’s legacy. King credited Bishop Steven Sawyer with laying groundwork that transformed POCAAN into a resilient, community anchored health equity organization and said the next phase should build on that foundation.
“From a very high level, the future is very inspiring because based off of what Bishop Steven Sawyer has done, laying a lot of the groundwork, transforming POCAAN into a resilient, community anchored health equity organization, for the future what I would like to see is that it strengthens its clinical model,” said King. “Maintaining what it was founded upon, supporting people of color, and also expanding, serving communities of need.”
King said the organization must also respond to generational shifts and technological change.
“Knowing that we’re approaching the 40th anniversary, the future looks promising in ways of like, how do we expand our reach? How do we do more with technology? How do we do more reaching out to the generations that sometimes are forgotten about? And then also leveraging the younger generation to be more champions for the future, champions for the equity work, champions for outreach.”
As a social service agency, POCAAN relies primarily on grant funding to support programs that include education, outreach, HIV prevention and awareness, criminal justice services and health advocacy. Walker said stewardship of public dollars remains a core responsibility.
“These are taxpayers’ dollars we’re getting, whether from the federal government or the state or the city, they’re all initially coming from taxpayers, and so I’m really trying to utilize the money to build and help our community,” said Walker.
At the same time, Walker said long term sustainability requires reducing reliance on federal subsidies and building a model that allows the organization to remain flexible and community driven. Walker outlined plans to expand POCAAN’s footprint. Although the clinic is currently located in Federal Way, Walker said future goals include reestablishing a presence in Seattle and opening a location in Tacoma to increase access across the region.
Walker said strengthening financial independence will position POCAAN to continue serving communities without interruption and to grow responsibly.
“I want our organization to really be a self sustaining organization and not relying on federal dollars,” said Walker. “Being able to have the community invest, but not only the community investing, but having the program grow where it is self sustaining itself.”
King said Walker’s combination of community rooted leadership and operational experience positions POCAAN for its next era.
“I think many know already, Mr. Walker is a Seattle native, so what better person to take on this role than someone who is from the community, who understands the community, and who has done community work, not just here within the city, but also nationwide,” said King. “His experience brings knowledge of the difficulties with maintaining and running a nonprofit organization. He understands the nuances when it comes to funding. He understands the nuances when it comes to fundraising, and his vision of being transparent and deeply rooted with community involvement, I think that in itself is really, really powerful.”
