In partnership with CD Forum and LANGSTON, NAAM invites you to join us for It Takes a Village: From Pandemic to Protest, a community conversation on collective well-being.
Our organizations aim to bring awareness around wellness, community care, and support for the most vulnerable among us. We’ve invited local community leaders, organizations, direct service and arts institutions to join in a collective conversation to discuss COVID-19, examining the disease in the midst of the broader disease of racism. We enter this conversation intentionally to be as inclusive as possible with varying perspectives as a space to cultivate transparency, resources, collaboration and thoughtfulness from a Black-led perspective.
The conversation will be moderated by Sharon Williams of Central District Forum for Arts and Ideas, and will include the voices of Jazmyn Scott, Dr. Benjamin Danielson, and more.
Sharon Nyree Williams is a storyteller and arts administrator. Originally from Fayetteville, North Carolina, Sharon has been writing and developing her stories in Seattle for 16 years. She is the Executive Director for the Central District Forum for Arts and Ideas.
Sharon is purposeful in sharing stories about her imperfections in hopes that she can change the world one story at a time. She’s passionate about sharing her truth as it relates to family, religion, depression, being Black in America to name a few of her storylines. She hopes her stories will act as a bridge in bringing communities closer together.
Sharon has had the privilege to perform throughout the United States and in Rwanda. Dare to Claim the Sky is her third solo performance, she has a book of the same name, and three poetry plus storytelling albums Humanity, Consciousness of Love, and newly released SHOOK. For more info about Sharon, www.sharonnwilliams.com.
A lifelong supporter and advocate of the arts, rooted in the Central District, Jazmyn Scott is the current and first Program Manager of LANGSTON; Seattle’s hub for Black arts and culture. In 2009 Jazmyn founded The Town Entertainment, a company that presented, produced & promoted unique live music and unique events in Seattle, as well as the marketing & development of up and coming artists; primarily in the R&B/Soul and Hip-Hop genres.
In 2012, Jazmyn co-founded 50 Next: Seattle Hip-Hop Worldwide, a digital “time capsule” highlighting Seattle and Northwest Hip-Hop, and later partnered with the Black Heritage Society of WA to plan the Black History Month Celebration at the Museum of History & Industry in 2014. The success of that event led to the opportunity to curate a community exhibit on Seattle Hip-Hop. The Legacy of Seattle Hip-Hop exhibit had a highly successful run at MOHAI from September 19, 2015 until May 1, 2016 and won the 2016 American Association for State & Local History (AASLH) Leadership in History award.
Jazmyn can often be found hosting, emceeing and moderating arts and culture related events and programs, and recently interviewed Gabrielle Union during her Seattle stop on her Real Life Book Club Tour in 2017.
Dr. Benjamin Danielson is the Senior Medical Director for the Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic (OBCC). He has worked there for 20 years, combining patient care, clinic leadership and community advocacy. Dr. Danielson is a clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington, where he received his medical degree in 1992, after completing undergraduate studies at Harvard University. He did his pediatric residency at Seattle Children’s Hospital and continues to see patients there. In early life he was rescued from the foster care system by a single mom who instilled in him and his sisters the value of education and community service.
Dr. Danielson also serves on various boards of health related organizations, philanthropic organizations, and community groups dedicated to health issues. The unifying thread in Dr. Danielson’s activities relates to promoting well-being and dignity, especially for communities who have been pushed aside. He has found opportunities within and outside of systems to advocate in partnership with groups and individuals who are dedicated and passionate about creating a better world. He realizes he is the least useful member of the circles he joins and he is inspired - every day - by the children, families, communities and organizations with whom he interacts.
Antonesha Jackson is a Central District, Seattle native and owner of Exclusive boutique and Ladies who hustle llc. A Garfield high school, Howard university and American university alumni. A world traveler who loves embracing life’s challenges and learning from new experiences. It is Antonesha’s goal to bring opportunities like travel, education and financial knowledge to her community of black and brown brothers and sisters.
Marcus Harrison Green is the publisher of the South Seattle Emerald, and a columnist with Crosscut. Growing up in South Seattle, he experienced first-hand the neglect of news coverage in the area by local media, which taught him the value of narratives. After an unfulfilling stint working for a Los Angeles based hedge-fund in his twenties, Marcus returned to his community determined to tell its true story, which led him to found the South Seattle Emerald. He was named one of Seattle's most influential people by Seattle Magazine in 2016.
Kirk Mead is the Director of Stakeholder Engagement with Seattle Public Schools. He has an extensive background in community engagement, organizational development and strategy, economic development, and local area activism. Kirk worked most recently as the Principal of Carrington Group, an organizational development consultancy. He is a graduate of University of Washington.
Pastor Lawrence Willis was born January 30, 1961 in San Diego, CA and is married to Lady Carole Stephanie Willis. Together they have 5 children. Mr. Willis has been the Pastor of True Vine of Holiness MBC since 2001-Present. Pastor Willis received his Bachelor’s Degree in 2004 from United Theological Seminary in Bible College in Christian Education.
Pastor Willis received his Associates of Arts Degree in Adult in Marriage Education in 2005 from the University of Bridgeport. In 2015 Pastor Willis became a recipient of the Washington State African American Achievement Award. Also in 2015, he received an Exceptional Community Service award for Community Partnership for Transition Service (CPTS). From 2009-2016, Pastor Willis was the President of the United Black Christians Clergy. Pastor Willis is currently a Board Member with the following organizations: The City of Seattle– Women and Minority Owned Business Enterprise (WMBE) and the Low-Income Housing Institute (LIHI) – Building Tiny House for the Homeless.
Pastor Willis is the Facilitator / Sponsor of My Brother’s Keeper and for the Cities United National Organization. Lawrence received an award for Racial, Social, and Economic Justice Award from Washington Community Action Network (CAN). Mr. Willis is the Program Administrator of the Pre-Apprenticeship Construction Training (PACT) Program at Seattle Vocational Institute (SVI). Program Manager Priority Hire Urban League of Seattle 2018 to Present. Pastor Willis was a Journeyman Carpenter from 1992-2003 .