Inspiring Beloved Community

 

Commissioners Donnie Griffin and Diana White representing the Edmonds Diversity Commission presents Policy Change Recommendations for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (October 16, 2018)

Our Speakers

  • Misha Carter

    SPEAKER

    Jeanne Misha Martinez Carter (Jemimaca) is a visionary of peace who has dedicated her life to addressing human injustice through her gifts for writing, photography, martial arts, and theater. Her plays, Damn Victims and Whiskey Lane, and her books, The Criminal Color, with a companion workbook currently in development, is being used to promote literacy and critical thinking in classrooms, churches and community spaces nationally along with Blood White and Wisdom of the Tiger reflect her principles of finding peace through pain.

    Ms. Carter is of African-American, Hispanic, and Native-American heritage, and embraces her background with a loving heart and joyful spirit. 

  • Wally Webster

    Wally Webster

    STORY TELLER

    The 2023 recipient of the Snohomish County NAACP Carl Gipson Lifetime Achievement Award, Wally currently serves on the Edmonds College Board of Trustees; the Lynnwood Public Facility District Board of Directors and is a member of the Snohomish County Multiple Agency Response Team (SMART). He is also a founding voice of ACCESS (Association of Collective Community Engagement for Safety and Security), a nonprofit recently created to address some of the root causes of youth violence, as well as fill gaps in how it is handled.

  • Diana White

    SPEAKER

    Diana is a community leader serving in a variety of roles with an emphasis in Education, Equity and Social Justice.

    As an enrolled member of Prairie Band Potawatomi Tribe, Diana is passionate about policy and issues affecting the Native American community and is working to bring Coast Salish art, food and culture to South Snohomish County. As a member of the Blue Heron Canoe Family, Diana is involved in education and advocacy for youth involvement in Tribal Canoe Journey in the Puget Sound region.

    Diana received her Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Washington State University.

  • William Luckett

    SPEAKER

    William is a dynamic professional with a rich background in radio/podcast production, voiceovers & narration, video editing, social media management, and public speaking/event hosting. As a strategic and creative thinker, he possesses exceptional verbal communication and writing skills.

  • Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil

    SPEAKER

    Rev. Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil is a dynamic speaker, author, professor and reconciliation thought leader. Her mission is to inspire, equip and empower the next generation of Christian leaders to be practitioners of reconciliation.

  • Cirila Potter

    STORY TELLER

    Local Edmonds resident of 5 decades who has spent her years in service to the community. She shares her story on becoming brave and getting involved in creating important change as well as her experience as a Black woman in Edmonds.

  • Mikayla Weary

    ACTIVIST

    Activist, advocate, and Northside Step Team member, Mikayla is leading youth in voicing the need for equality through her work with Black Lives Matter Shoreline. President of Black Coffee Northwest.

  • Richard Taylor

    SPEAKER


    Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Richard Taylor has created an impact over the past decade as a powerful leader and voice of impact for men, women, and children around the world. Richard Taylor is a graduate of Northern Illinois University and obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Corporate and Organizational Communication.

  • Sean Goode

    SPEAKER

    Sean Goode is a cause-driven leader who works through the non-profit CHOOSE 180 to transform systems of injustice while providing restorative alternatives for youth and young adults at risk of being lost to the criminal legal system.

  • Leilani Miller

    STORY TELLER

    Nineteen years ago, Leilani Miller, Founder and Executive Director at Millenia Ministries, followed a “Voice from God” that said Snohomish County, Washington, needed her services. At the time, she was helping homeless pregnant women find housing in California. On a whim, she packed up her life and left her sunny, hometown state for the Pacific Northwest where she founded Millenia Ministries serving nearly 3,000 clients since.

Our Performers

  • Shorecrest Hip Hop

    The Shorecrest Hip Hop Dance Team's purpose is to foster expression and inspiration by utilizing dance as their medium. Building camaraderie and community through teamwork, responsibility and dance.

  • Northwest Girlchoir

    Northwest Girlchoir revolutionizes choral education by rejoicing in students’ voices and creativity through embodied music-making. Guided by our commitment to anti-racism, we inspire joy, belonging, and confidence, and cultivate community through shared experience. Our treble choirs welcome and affirm girls and all youth marginalized by gender.

  • The Sound Of The Northwest Choir

    ​The Sound of the Northwest is an American choir that preserves and presents the culture and heritage of the Negro Spiritual art form through musical and artistic productions - educating and inspiring multi-cultural and multi-generational audiences with signature sound and style – marked by acapella vocals, complex harmonies and layered storytelling.

    ​

  • Subhash Ram Prajapati

    Subhash is a PhD, Ethnomusicologist, and Researcher. He focuses on Newar music from Nepal. 

  • Mount Vernon High School (MVHS) Mariachi & Folklorico

    Mount Vernon High School (MVHS) Mariachi & Folklorico, directed by Ramon Rivera, is an award-winning Washington-based program preserving Mexican musical and dance traditions. The group performs regionally, including at T-Mobile Park and the Washington Music Educators Association Conference, and features both beginner and advanced ensembles

  • Josephine Howell & Band

    Josie is always exploring new avenues of expression. Her range of talent extends from singing, dancing and acting to the very production and direction of the arts. The experiences of her performances reflect the spirituality, love, struggles and victories of one who tells a story of triumph where there was no hope.

    Josephine Howell Productions

  • Al Price

    Seattle area bluegrass and folk banjo player, songwriter, teacher and performer

  • Northside Step Team

    Since 2000, the award-winning Northside Drill Team and Step Team has been teaching youth the principles of harmony, leadership, and discipline through performing arts and community service. In addition to performing at a wide variety of community events and competing at the local and state level, the team is proud to represent Washington in national competitions. The team has recently been featured on television and in a video with Lizzo that emphasizes Northside's focus on sisterhood.

    Northside Step Team

  • Barclay Shelton Dance Team

    The Barclay-Shelton Dance Centre opened its doors in September 1978. Since that time, it has grown steadily and many students have gone on to professional careers, most notably Kiki Bennett who was a Radio City Music Hall Rockette from 1988-2002. George and Florence Barclay touched the lives of thousands of young people over the years. Their legacy lives on through Director Emeritus Leanne Shelton, Co-Directors Nicole Cox and Stacie Brown, and their talented staff who continue the Barclay Tradition of providing dancers of all ages and abilities with the best quality instruction, staying current in dance trends while respecting timeless traditions in a family friendly atmosphere.

  • Greater Everett MLK Celebration Ensemble

    Coming together each year from the Greater Everett area, this Ensemble brings a variety of faith-based musical performances provided by members of our local communities.

  • Theresita Richard

    A visionary and purpose-driven leader committed to expansive liberation, humanity, and possibility. Over the past twenty years, Theresita hase propelled organizations forward with a deep focus on talent, culture, and innovation. And she has a PASSION for dance.