KL Shannon (she/her), Community Organizer., is a longtime organizer who grew up in Seattle’s Central District and started her organizing career with Jobs with Justice and Mothers for Police Accountability. KL’s body of organizing work includes issues that impact communities of color: Economic Justice, Housing, Immigration, Police Accountability, and Transportation. KL is helping to raise her fourteen-year-old nephew and actively support him by disrupting the school yard-to-prison pipeline that snags our black and brown boys.

Ayan Musse (she/her) is an elder in training, who is daughter, sister, mother, and aunt. Mrs. Musse is an anti-racism Community Organizer. She has worked on different issues from housing, immigration, criminal justice and education. She is member of Village of Hope and sponsor for Black Prisoner Caucus at Stanford Creek. Most importantly Mrs. Musse is proud mother of two black males.

David Heppard (he/him) is a Community Organizer who works to develop community partnerships focused on dismantling systems of oppression. As the former Executive Director of Freedom Project, he helped grow the organization significantly, expanding staff and increasing its budget while ensuring over 90% of the team were people of color impacted by incarceration. Under his leadership, Freedom Project expanded its reentry support, housing services, and legislative advocacy. David frequently consults with other organizations and advocates for anti-oppressive policies, sharing his expertise on mass incarceration, juvenile justice, and systemic racism.

Anab Nur (she/her) is an Educator who works at WA-BLOC, an organization based in South Seattle doing Restorative Justice work in schools. She is passionate about creating anti-racist and liberatory educational spaces for youth in South Seattle and has been working in schools for almost 10 years. Anab enjoys picnics with friends by the water, watching reality TV, and finding new ways to be active. 

Hayate Lencha (she/her) is a first-generation Oromo-Ethiopian Community Organizer working at East African Community Services, where she supports at-risk youth through restorative justice processes that emphasize healing and community connection. Outside of her work in the community, Hayate enjoys researching various topics that spark her interests, learning from her elders, curating art through poetry, dance, fashion, and digital media, and being actively involved in her Oromo community. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor's in Law and Policy with a minor in Global Engagement, with the goal of serving all people in Ethiopia, Africa, and throughout the diaspora.

Ahmed Shirwa (he/him) is a Community Organizer who has been organizing since he was 13 years old. He is 14 and has just started 9th grade. His favorite hobby is soccer, with basketball as a close second. His vision in life is to serve his community by practicing law.

Shay Brown (she/her) has been organizing for 7 years. She is a mother, and her son is 6 years old. She enjoys music, cooking, eating, and spending quality time with friends and family. As a business owner at her company, Lovelee LLC, she helps families build credit, protect their assets, and improve their finances. Looking ahead, she is excited to continue serving the community and building relationships.

Carly Pena (she/her) works for King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay and has previously worked with members of Washington’s congressional delegation. She has been proud to call South Seattle home for nearly ten years. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and attending as many Mariners and Reign games as possible.

Dawit Ayana (he/him) is a self motivated and super creative Community Organizer. Challenging and addressing the systemic racism of the institutions of transportation and policing and to improve the circumstances of those most impacted by those systems are what motivates Dawit. Witnessing the negative impacts and harmful practices of parking and traffic light fines, excessive policing, gentrification, rental increases and homelessness and to be a youth and family navigator with East African Community Services.

Phillippia Goldsmith (she/her) is a Community Builder at NewHolly, drawing on her experiences with AmeriCorps and the Delridge Neighborhood Development Association, where she first developed a passion for connecting people to resources. Phillippia’s commitment to community building stems from her belief in the power of relationships and sharing opportunities, as seen in her impactful work helping residents grow and succeed.

Shantala (Shanti) Martin (she/her) is proud to live up to the meanings of her names, which signify "Peace" and "Woman of Peace." With a background in Psychology and Sociology, she currently serves as an Asset-Based Community Builder for the Rainier Vista Community at the Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) in Seattle, Washington. Before taking on her role in Rainier Vista, Shanti worked as a Community Builder in SHA’s Low Income Public Housing (LIPH) South Portfolio. She also supports SHA’s Emergency Response efforts, serves as a thought partner on steering committees for pilot programs and projects, and provides oversight for the Resident Action Council (RAC), an independent, resident-led group. A Seattle native, Shanti loves being outdoors, with water being her happy place—whether it’s lakeside, poolside, or at the beach. As a proud mother of two boys, she places great importance on modeling how to engage and use their voices to uplift the community.

Yin英 (she/her) is an Organizer with CID Coalition aka #HumbowsNotHotels and also volunteers with Eggrolls Mutual Aid serving hot food and offering survival supplies in Little Saigon. she was activated during #ShellNo climate justice campaign and #BlackLivesMatters in 2016. she was an organizer for #BlockTheBunker, #NoNewYouthJail, and #Nikkita4Mayor. she was born in Taipei, Taiwan and grew up where Treaty of Point Elliott was signed at bəqɬtiyu/Buk-wil-tee-whu (Mukilteo) of Snohomish people. Yin is apart of the MLK Transportation Justice Advisory Team.

Deka Osman (she/her) is an Anti-Racist Organizer with WSOS and MLK Transportation justice. Deqa is also a sister, friend, wife & most importantly a mother. When she is not organizing, she is an Early Learning Provider. Deqa is apart of the MLK Transportation Justice Advisory Team.

Johanna is a dedicated professional with over three years of experience in restorative work with youth. As a first-generation Eritrean raised in Seattle, they bring a unique cultural perspective to their role, focusing on empathy, conflict resolution, and personal growth. Johanna is committed to creating supportive environments that foster positive change and inclusivity. Their lifelong dedication to community service informs their work, making a lasting impact on the lives of young people. Johanna is apart of the MLK Transportation Justice Advisory Team.

Fatuma Ali (she/her) She is a mother of nine children, works in daycare, and is an organizer with MLK Transportation. She is also a wife.

Zeytuna Edo (she/her) is a Community Organizer that the organizes with MLK. In her spare time, she loves to draw and enjoy reading, especially when it’s raining.