2020-2021 CLI Fellows – Puget Sound Sage

Arista Burwell-Chen is the mixed-race daughter of a Chinese refugee and a small-town Midwesterner, born and raised in Seattle’s Central District. Her experiences growing up in the Central District drive her desire to organize with communities of color for systemic change, particularly around food justice, health equity, and gentrification.

Arista is passionate about organizing sustainably, and strives to bring a strong ethic of social generosity and community care to organizing spaces. As the Organizing Director for FEEST Seattle, she deeply believes in youth power and decision making, and feels lucky to get to support FEEST fellows’ creative brilliance and joyful movement building.

Outside of her work with FEEST, you can find Arista learning new songs on the ukulele, listening to adrienne maree brown and Autumn Brown’s podcast, How to Survive the End of the World, and dreaming up recipes for whatever fruits and veggies are in season at Lee’s Produce.

Barbara Tisi is a public health professional with several years of clinical experience in the health care industry. Her core competencies include; applying evidence-based decision making and critical thinking to public health problems. She is passionate about accessibility of healthcare to all, and it is her lifelong mission to make a difference in the healthcare field. Some of her areas of interest include but are not limited to Information governance and cybersecurity to project management and data analytics.

With a better understanding of how different health care entities can collaborate to achieve a common goal, she feels that CLI will give her more leverage on how to navigate the system in order to make a big impact on the health care system with the goal being accessibility for all. In the future, she hopes to acquire a leadership role designing and implementing enterprise data resources. In her free time, Barb enjoys reading, yoga, cooking and meeting new people during her free time.

Daniel Shinwoo Kim is a first - generation Korean American born in Los Angeles, raised in Georgia, and has lived in Washington for 13 years. An avid hiker and mountaineer, Daniel aims to increase inclusivity and diversity in the outdoor recreation sphere by inspiring others to go out into nature by sharing his adventures while carrying his Korean - American flag.

Currently involved in Outdoor Asian as a Project Coordinator and a media writer for Climbers of Color Mountaineering, Daniel has been involved with non-profits since the age of 15, starting at the Seattle Aquarium, to instill stewardship of the environment within his communities.

During his undergraduate years at the University of Washington, majoring in Environmental Science and Resource Management: Wildlife Conservation and minoring in Quantitative Sciences and Ecological Restoration, he went to the African Island of Mauritius to work with locals as a lead project coordinator to teach stray dog management and studied abroad in Australia focusing in Aboriginal Peoples Land Management strategy and wildlife conservation.

In his free time, Daniel enjoys cultivating dragon fruit and feeding his baby musk turtle, Ch’ayah.

Fathiya Abdi - "As a public health professional, the fight for racial justice and health equity is my priority. Driven by my experience as the oldest daughter of Somali refugees, I understand how complex the healthcare system is. Much of my life, I helped her parents navigate America’s complex structures and essentially translate this country and the system. It was very easy to see the disconnect between doctor and patient in the form of language barriers and cultural insensitivity and that very much translated into their health. I am passionate in the fundamental belief that health is a human right and that every individual deserves the opportunity to live a healthy life. This has led me to pursue work towards increasing health equity and health access for communities specifically immigrant and refugee populations. I currently work as a health policy analyst advocating for health care access and maintaining critical safety nets that keep communities healthy."

"Although I feel my work is impactful, I also very often feel issues that impact our Black and Brown communities are on the menu but yet Black and Brown individuals are rarely at the leadership table to discuss and shape those policies. CLI's mission to place emerging leaders who have been historically shut out of the decision making process and equip them with the tools and resources they need is why I gravitated towards the program. I am excited for the learning opportunity and to build meaningful relationships with change makers. In my free time, I enjoy the work I do as a board member for a local Somali community based organization, raising my plant children and exploring the great PNW."

Grace Chai (she/her) was born and raised in Renton, Washington on the occupied lands of the Duwamish Tribe and Coast Salish people. As such, she's seen firsthand the way systemic inequities shape her communities, despite them being viewed as "liberal safe havens". Grace obtained a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Washington, she was involved in racial and gender equity organizing on campus. After completing an Economic Justice Giving Project with Social Justice Fund NW in 2017, Grace became enraptured by the power of grassroots community fundraising and social justice grantmaking. Continuing this work at the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, she helped coordinate programs that provide equitable access to grant funding, public art, and professional development.

Prior to this work, Grace was a Diversity Recruiting Associate at Microsoft, where she coordinated recruitment, internship, and scholarship programs designed to increase early career hiring in business and STEM from underrepresented populations. She is passionate about creating conditions that encourage healing from systems of oppression and foster accountable relationships and solidarity across diverse communities. As a lifelong student of movements for social and environmental justice, she can often be found working through her never-ending lists of books, blogs, podcasts, music, and films. Outside of this, Grace's hobbies include experimenting with new recipes, bouldering with Climbers of Color, and tending to her houseplants.

Hannah Wilson is a biracial Black queer deaf disabled environmental justice organizer. She is currently the farm manager at Yes Farm, a project under the Black Farmers Collective which is a mutual aid network dedicated to making our BIPOC communities healthier by growing food and achieving food sovereignty.

Her work at the farm is centered around community building, educational programming, and growing food. She grew up on Ohlone land (Bay Area) and moved to Coast Salish land here in Seattle to study Environmental Science and Geography at the University of Washington, where she found her home in environmental justice organizing. Disability justice is also a crucial part of her work, as she sits on the Seattle Disabilities Commission and is committed to making healthy food more accessible to the disabled community.

Hannah finds joy and rest by being outside hiking or skating or playing sports, cooking with friends and family, and reading. She is dedicated to healing within herself and the community, so she can sustainably continue her life's work. In the future, she hopes to pursue urban planning and public policy in graduate school, and apply environmental, disability, and racial justice lens' in her work towards achieving food sovereignty.

Hawa Elias is born and raised in the greater Seattle area. She graduated from Gonzaga University with a double major in Economics and International Relations, with a minor in Entrepreneurial Leadership. Although seemingly separate degrees, they all tie together to give her a specific lens on how our underserved communities can achieve economic justice. Her opportunity to attend Gonzaga was granted by the Act Six leadership program. She is energized to use her training and experiences towards grassroots organizing in her hometown and to uplift BIPOC students and families. Hawa currently works for a congresswoman, where she listens to constituents' concerns everyday. This job has strengthened her passion for community engagement and has prompted her to gain the tools needed to bring those unheard voices to the table.

In her free time, you can find Hawa at one of the many parks and beaches around the PNW, journaling or enjoying a great meal with friends!

Hibo Sahal was born in Somalia. She moved to Seattle in 2005, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from the University of Washington.

Now, she is currently an MBA candidate at Western Governor University. For the last seven years, she has offered high-level administrative support, client services management and financial analysis, bookkeeping, and operations support at local non-profit organizations.

Hibo prides herself on being a resourceful leader, detail-oriented, and committed to overall excellence. Hibo recently joined Washing State Coalition of African Community Leaders as a treasurer. Hibo is a community leader that would like to see her community thrive. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, kickboxing, and watching Netflix.

Jessica Hernandez (she/her) (Zapotec & Maya Ch’orti) is an Indigenous environmental and climate justice advocate. She recently completed her doctoral degree (Ph.D.) from the University of Washington’s College of Environment. She is the founder of Piña Soul, SPC, an environmental consulting & artesanias social purpose corporation that promotes and supports environmental sustainability & conservation among Black & Indigenous communities.

Jessica is currently supporting and collaborating with Consejo de Comunidades Indigenas (COCISS), an Indigenous-led organization located in Sierra Sur, Oaxaca, Mexico. Through this collaboration, 12 tons of food were distributed to the Indigenous families that were impacted by the 7.5 magnitude earthquake they experienced on June 23rd, 2020. Currently, they are working together to fundraise—through mutual aid—to rebuild 1,000 homes that were destroyed during this earthquake.

Jessica's goals are to continue working at the intersection of environmental, climate, and food justice, especially in a changing climate. Climate change impacts Indigenous communities first, and these impacts are currently exacerbated during this pandemic and natural disasters. For more information about her visit: https://www.jessicabhernandez.com/

Laurenne Sayles, a native New Yorker; is a lover of words, grammar and one who delivers human interest storytelling in the fields of education, youth, diversity/inclusion, workforce development, and social justice. She joined her love of writing with her newfound niche for nonprofit management during her graduate work. She crafts successful funding proposals and corporate sponsorships garnering resources over $1.5M per year for nonprofit organizations.

Laurenne is a graduate of UNC Charlotte holding a master’s degree in public administration with concentrations in nonprofit management and grant administration. When she is not telling the stories of the disenfranchised, she is crafting old items into repurposed goods for modern household decor. Laurenne is also the proud mother of one adult son.

Nura Ahmed is a Somali-American poet, writer, and organizer raised in South King County and is a 2020 UW alum, and was born in a refugee camp in Eastern Kampala, Uganda.

Nura’s commitment to fighting for immigrant and criminal justice for the thousands of young Black and Brown people who are subjected to the systemic and institutionalized racism that is ingrained in our broken immigration and criminal justice systems is rooted in her experience growing up as a Black refugee here in the U.S. and being able to see the intersections of her blackness and her immigration status as well as knowing that there needs to be more people like her at the table, fighting, advocating for their voices and stories to be heard. Nura is working to bring real actionable change to her community through an anti-racist, anti-capitalist lens and a community centered approach to her organizing and the work she is doing. She believes that through community based policy making and anti-racist, community centered organizing can we see the changes we wish to see in our communities.

Nura has done work with OneAmerica, CAIR-WA, and now organizes with King County Equity Now, Africatown and is now managing the field campaign for Kirsten Harris-Talley, who is running for the 37th LD legislative race.

Regina Dove (she/they) was born in Los Angeles, raised in Kent and now located in the historically black Central District of Seattle. As a queer black pin@y she honors the multiplicities of her identities to embrace and work with an intersectional lens. The child of both immigrants and the black diaspora, she seeks to bring healing and justice to those with similar experiences.

Regina received their BA with honors at Seattle University, double majoring in Cultural Anthropology and Spanish Language. Their love for community work stems from a decade and a half of service as an educator and mentor for youth across Seattle and South King County. Currently, they work as a Capacity Building Coach at RVC supporting grassroots, POC-led orgs in reaching their goals. Regina also sits on the board for FEEST, is co-chair of the Healthy King County Coalition-Built Environment Workgroup and is a member of King County Metro's Mobility Equity Cabinet.

In their spare time, Regina can be found working on their doula certification, playing with their cats (Marceline & Momo), eating with family or strolling through one of Seattle's beautiful parks.

Saba Rahman (she/her) is committed to creating and advocating for equitable and just policies that support and empower BIPOC communities. She is currently working on King County’s Climate Action Team and has helped develop a community-driven framework for climate justice over the last year and a half. Saba is passionate about bringing BIPOC community voices and influence into decision-making spaces.

Saba is a proud Indian American that grew up in an Muslim-Hindu household in Maryland. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science & Policy from the University of Maryland and recently completed her Masters in Public Administration at the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Policy & Governance. Saba hopes to continue to grow her ability to advocate for policies that benefit BIPOC communities through CLI.

Sara Bekele grew up in Vienna, Austria with her Oromo-Ethiopian family. In 2015, Sara moved to Seattle to attend the University of Washington, where she graduated with a BA in Economics and Political Science. Since graduating from UW, Sara has joined the Economic Opportunity Institute, where she is learning about the legislative process and advocating for equitable access to higher education and racial equity in the state of Washington. In addition, Sara organizes with her peers across the state around a Pan-Afrikan vision of the world that disrupts capitalist, racist, and western systems and builds an equitable future for the Afrikan diaspora in Seattle, Washington State, and across the world.

For more than 20 years, ShaQúina Davis has worked in public service using her platform to advance racial equity and social justice initiatives. A native of Seattle’s “Central District” neighborhood, she observed her close-knit, family-oriented community seized through gentrification, recognizable only by its geographical coordinates. Witnessing the community impacts of underinvestment, food scarcity, disparate education, and inequitable housing practices has increased her motivation to help others and advocate for racial equity and social justice.

ShaQúina earned a Bachelor’s in Administration of Justice Studies and a Master of Education, with distinction, concentrated in Human Relations from Northern Arizona University. Her experience includes leading efforts to ensure the principles and practices of Seattle’s Race & Social Justice Initiative (RSJI) are embedded into policy, programs, and community projects. She currently serves as co-chair of the Hiring Advisory Committee and a member of the Federal Way Diversity Commission.

In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with family, reading, listening to music, and working in her yard.

ShaQúina is looking forward to collaborating with CLI participants and leaders to generate innovative, sustainable solutions to regional issues that have continued to plague our communities.

As a Black woman, Tara Newton is proud to be a first generation graduate, holding a degree from The Evergreen State College, Tacoma Campus. She has served many terms as a Board Member and Chairperson for the Services and Activities Fee Allocation Board of The Evergreen State College, and member at large for City of Tacoma Citizen Police Advisory Committee. Tara currently sits on the Continuum of Care Committee for Pierce County and is a Tacoma Pierce County Health Department Family Support Partnership member. In 2019 she received her international accreditation for facilitation of The Triple P – Positive Parenting Program as well as trained as a Restorative Health Circle Keeper. Tara has spent numerous years strongly cultivating her passion for community; organizing, activism, leadership and development. Tara is dedicated to advocating for her community around anti-blackness, social justice, socio-economic racism, LGBTQIA+ rights, and Police brutality. She passionately brings her lived and learned experiences to her role as the Advocacy Manager for the Rainbow Center in Tacoma, WA. Tara is eager to join the Community Leadership Institute’s 2020/2021 cohort.

For Tara, cultural inclusion is important, because it highlights shared experiences--all of which should be celebrated.

Tye Reed is a radical Black femme from Kansas City, Missouri in search of barbecue in the PNW that can stand up to her home town's famous grub. After an overpriced and brief enrollment at a private university in Iowa, she moved to Seattle to finish her BA. Tye graduated from the University of Washington Bothell with a Bachelor's Degree in Society, Ethics, and Human Behavior with a minor in Human Rights.

Since graduating, Tye has been working as a housing stability specialist serving families facing eviction in King County. She works closely with mostly Black women-led households to support their journey back to stable housing, acting as a partner in repairing the trauma inflicted by our grossly inadequate homeless sustenance system. Additionally, Tye is a member of the Transit Riders Union and acted as field organizer during their ORCA For All campaign which aims to get a free transit pass in the hands of every King County resident.

Tye's greatest passion is direct service. When she is not working or organizing, she is collecting and distributing donations and funds to support the increasingly large tent encampment population that has grown as a result of the region's failure to respond to the housing crisis. Her goal upon completing the CLI Fellowship is to have developed the skills and abilities necessary for her to advocate for policy changes that will fully eradicate homelessness in our state.

2020-2021 Community Leadership Institute