By Aneesa Grant, The Seattle Medium
The McKinney Center for Community and Economic Development has announced the appointment of Shaudé Moore as its first CEO, according to an announcement made on Monday by Gerald Bradford, President of the Central District Community Preservation and Development Authority (CDCPDA).
Moore’s appointment marks a historic milestone, as she becomes the youngest Black woman to hold a position on the CDCPDA board and one of the few young Black women holding an executive leadership role in the community.
Having been an integral part of the CDCPDA board as vice president and secretary since its inception in 2020, Moore has proven her unwavering commitment to the community’s revival.
In his announcement, Bradford expressed his confidence in Moore’s ability to lead the center.
“No one has more passion and dedication for seeing McKinney Center returned to its full value in serving and revitalizing our community,” said Bradford. “Shaudé brings the right skills, expert experience, and effective leadership that McKinney Center needs at this pivotal moment. The board has a strong vision for this building, and we are confident Ms. Moore is the right person to help execute it.”
Moore, a seasoned professional at Amazon Web Services with the title of Sr. Global Program Manager, is deeply involved in diversity hiring and leadership initiatives. Her commitment to community empowerment goes beyond her corporate role, as she also serves as the executive chair of the Seattle/King County MLK Jr. Organizing Coalition, a grassroots organization responsible for planning the community’s largest tribute to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
One of Moore’s key responsibilities as CEO will be to work closely with the CDCPDA board in raising approximately $30 million to renovate the center. By welcoming business and community resources into the space, her efforts will turn the board’s vision for the center into reality.
“The McKinney Center is close to my heart,” says Moore. “I will bring every bit of my skill, experience, and energy to raising up the McKinney Center to once again be a beacon and a resource for the community. We have been given a gift in this building, and it is my mission and the mission of the board to see that it is fully restored to its highest use for the community.”
Notably, Moore’s accomplishments extend beyond her role at Amazon. She is the president of Amazon’s Black Employee Network (BEN) at their headquarters in Seattle and serves as the vice president of Women at Amazon (Seattle Chapter) and the Global Vice President of Amazon Women in Security (AWIS).
Named after Rev. Samuel B. McKinney, who served as the pastor of Seattle’s Mount Zion Baptist Church from 1958 until his retirement in 1998, the McKinney Center, located at 2120 S. Jackson St. in Seattle’s Central area, is viewed as an important component to help restore the sense of community and heritage in the area that has been lost due to gentrification. Previously known as the Seattle Opportunity Industrialization Center and Seattle Vocational Institute, the six-story building and property are owned outright by the CDCPDA.
With Moore at the helm, the CDCPDA board of directors believes that the McKinney Center is set to embark on a transformative journey that promises to uplift the community and foster economic development, solidifying its place as a beacon of hope and opportunity for generations to come.
Moore — who will assume the day-to-day leadership of the McKinney Center on Aug. 1 — holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services, earned her Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 2016, and is on the cusp of completing her postgraduate studies at City University of Seattle, where she pursues her Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership.
