Advancing economic and racial equity in Seattle is the primary aim of the first Seattle Equity Summit, convened by Seattle’s Satterberg Foundation and Technology Access Foundation [TAF]. The summit, to take place from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on April 26, will focus on three of the greatest challenges for Seattle, all of which have a disproportionate impact on communities of color: housing, education, and economic mobility.
Civic, business, and philanthropy leaders are invited to join community advocates and practitioners, to better understand systemic inequity and act on ways to change it.
“This summit is for the community to hold a cross-sector dialogue on how we can move the city toward equity and prosperity for all. Our hope is that the summit will lead to collaboration and support for action to improve the lives of Seattle’s communities of color and other underserved folks,” said C’Ardiss Gardner Gleser, summit co-chair and program officer of the Satterberg Foundation.
Washington State youth poet-laureate Azura Mizan Tybaji will welcome guests at the start of the summit. Kiran Ahuja, CEO of Philanthropy Northwest, will present the morning keynote.
The afternoon session will feature an interview by Rochelle Riley of John A. Powell, author of Racing to Justiceand Executive Director of the Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society. Riley is a columnist for the Detroit Free Press and author of The Burden.
Experts and community leaders from Seattle and across the United States will highlight the summit’s timely theme, “A Community Collaboration for Justice.” Among the 30 speakers and panelists are Shay Stewart-Bouley, of Black Girl in Maine, Debby Irving, author of Waking Up White, Phyllis Turner Brim of Starbucks, Rahim Rajan of the Gates Foundation, Edgar Villanueva, author of Decolonizing Wealth, Michelle Merriweather of the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, and Keisha Sopher Scarlett, Ph.D., of Seattle Public Schools.
“We will showcase community leaders from Seattle and beyond who are implementing change strategies that are working, and engage those who are in a position to support and leverage their work,” saidTrish Millines Dziko, summit co-chair and executive director of TAF.
In panel discussions, breakouts and a culminating roundtable discussion, participants will focus on topics such as Cultivating Inclusive Leadership, Deepening Cross-Racial Skills and Conversations, Overcoming Regional Challenges, and Working Together to Change Systems.
“Unlike other summits, the Seattle Equity Summit will turn what we learn from each other over the course of the day into actions by the end of the day,” said Aiko Bethea, summit co-chair and head of diversity and inclusion of Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center.
The summit will also feature a book fair by Estelita’s Library and movement exercises by the SIX Wellness Studio.
Space is limited. For the full program of events, speakers, and panels or to register for the summit, visit http://satterberg.org/seattle-equity-summit-2019. For questions about the event, contact Vivien Hoexter, at (212) 861-9887.
