Northwest Washington community leaders are shaping policies and leading change that will transform their region and beyond. One such leader is Edgar Franks, Political Director of Familias Unidas Economy and Ecology Project, an independent farmworker union in Mount Vernon, who is taking bold steps to grow its political strategies to build farmworker power.
“Going into an arena that’s really unfamiliar in politics is a bit intimidating and wasn’t built for regular everyday people, especially not farmworkers,” says Edgar. “I think we’ve had experience over the years that have happened here in Mount Vernon that could offer a different perspective or tactic to other communities.”
Edgar was joined by more than 65 leaders from 40 organizations based in Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties for Inatai’s fifth regional convening. Shaping the Future: Northwest Washington was the latest in a series of events to bring people together working across issues toward equity and racial justice in Washington. Participants got a chance to build and strengthen relationships, align on language and frameworks, and share knowledge with peers.
Check out the video to hear about the ways leaders and organizations are fostering connections and wielding community power building to turn their vision of the future into a reality.
In addition to Edgar, also hear from the following leaders:
- Tony Hillaire, Lummi Nation
- Steven Cole-Schwartz, Inatai Foundation
- Keron Blair, New Georgia Project
- Rosalinda Guillen, Community to Community Development
- Jace Cotton, Community First Whatcom
- Dr. Janice R. Greene, NAACP Snohomish County
- Kristina Michele, Racial Equity Commission
- Dr. Gloria Ngezaho, Black Healing Fund
Learn about more leaders from every corner of our state by revisiting Shaping the Future gatherings throughout Washington:
Thank you to our video team, Humxn Media, for their partnership on this project.
