June Newsletter
Dear Community,
Happy June and Happy Pride! This month I’ve been reflecting on the ways we come together in moments of collective joy. Around the city you may have taken part in or seen gatherings for Juneteenth, Pride, and/or the World Cup. In a world with so much suffering and injustice it feels holy and necessary to take part in celebrations much more vast than ourselves, especially in ways that subvert the systems that might seek to undermine the purity of these events (read: corporations, all of the isms, etc.). And I don’t know if it’s summer or all this collective energy I’ve been witnessing, but I’ve also been dancing more lately, and I’m especially fascinated by group movement and how that can bring us together.
One of my favorite writers, Ross Gay, reflects on the power of collective movement, often dancing, as an incitement of joy. Gay shares about a time where his friend used the phrase “we went free” to describe the feeling of losing yourself in a crowd when a particularly electric song comes on. It’s the way we can come upon liberation through movement and connection with one another. He emphasizes the way true freedom is found in the we, in belonging to one another. I’ll leave you with an excerpt from the end of the chapter, and I hope y’all are able to find ways to get free with each other.
“Cracking the shackles of anything that keeps us from dancing hard together–police of every stripe, inside and out, whose job is mainly to quell precisely this– WE WENT implies that the getting there, the escape or flight, is always together. There is no freedom– despite all that pervasive, ubiquitous, bogus me against the world self-made bootstrap baloney–absent WE.” (Inciting Joy, Ross Gay)
In this newsletter you will find:
School Partnership Spotlight
Meet the Freedom Schools 2026 Team <3
Give Big Final Numbers
ICYMI - 2025 Annual Report & Stats
Community Events & Resources
School Partnership Spotlight
Before the school year ended, John Muir welcomed a special visit from Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay, and Doug Baldwin during the school's annual Explorations Day - a tradition that engages students in enrichment opportunities centered on movement, culture, art, activism, higher education, and literacy. WA-BLOC RJ Coordinator Beth Girma supported the day through circle keeping and shared this reflection:
"There was a sweet moment with Nathan, a student from my Amharic circle group and Junior Circle Keeper Academy. He shared the Black History Month essay he wrote about Zahilay and gifted it to him afterward.
When Wilson spoke about her transit justice organizing, she mentioned Rainier Beach High School’s role in the fight for free youth transit fare. I was then able to share with students about WA-BLOC’s efforts to get free ORCA cards into the hands of young people!"
Now Introducing…
Time is flying by and FREEDOM SCHOOLS is HERE. While things look a little different this summer, our team is as mighty as ever! It is our pleasure to introduce the star studded team bringing the joy of learning to Rainier Beach students & families.
Beth Girma (she/they/he) - Freedom Schools Program Manager
Beth is an artist, activist, and growing educator. She loves reading, making crafts, playing music, and spending time outside with friends! She studied history, pre-law, and education, and loves bringing all her experiences to connect with kids in the classroom. Having taught at Freedom Schools last year, she's so excited to come back and work with students again!
Fatima Kabba (she/her) - Site Assistant & Educator
Fatima Kabba is a strong advocate for youth, focused on creating spaces where young people feel seen and empowered to overcome challenges. With years of experience in diverse communities, she helps guide youth to grow, build resilience, and lead. As a mentor, Fatima believes in the power of critical thinking and self-awareness to help young people unlock their potential. Driven by a passion for change, she works hard to make a lasting impact and lift up her community.
In Case You Missed It!
We are so excited to share our 2025 Annual Report with you all!
In 2025, we deepened our school partnerships, expanded youth leadership through programs like Junior Circle Keeper Academy, strengthened restorative practices across school communities, and continued creating spaces where Black and brown youth can thrive.
We hope the milestones and stories in this report offer a vision of what becomes possible when young people, families, educators, and community come together to build spaces of belonging, healing, joy, and action across Seattle schools and neighborhoods.
We invite you to read, reflect, and celebrate with us. Thank you for continuing to walk alongside our community and our young people.
Give BIG Final Numbers
Our 11th summer of WA-BLOC Freedom Schools is now in full effect!
We received a total of 45 gifts. Your generosity has helped raise $5,142 for Freedom Schools 2026!
33 of you donated for the FIRST time!
9 of you are returning donors.
And 3 of you increased your giving amount!
Huge shoutout to all of you who shared our campaign with your friends, family and community. To those of you giving for the first time, welcome to our WA-BLOC community. Thank you again to each of you for helping us make this summer special for our scholars and their families.
Warmly,
The WA-BLOC team
Community Events & Resources
Tilth Alliance | July Class Schedule
It's time to harvest all that fresh summer produce - and learn creative ways to use it! Check out our classes this July to learn all about fermenting, preserving, and more! You can also get started on your fall and winter garden or take one of our Garden Educator Workshops for teachers! See all upcoming classes at tilthalliance.org/classes
Island Soul Live Music Series | Island Soul Restaurant
Monday, July 6th | 6:00 PM | 4869 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118
You’re invited to experience an evening where music, culture, community, and incredible food come together.Featuring @cedric_paul & Friends. Expect an unforgettable night of: Hip-Hop, R&B, Afrobeats, Jazz, Open Mic Vibes @islandsoulseattle . FREE ADMISSION, 21+.
Boxing Conditioning with B.A.S.E. | Queer the Land
July 11th, 18th, 25th | 10-11 am | 5623 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118
Join us for our summer boxing conditioning series with BASE. Let's get ready to "put the bigots in their place" and defend our communities together. All bodies & experiences welcome. Register HERE
Candidate Forum | Washington BUS + Converge Media
July 16th | 6:30 PM | Neumos 925 E Pike St | Free + 18+
Join the Washington Bus Education Fund, CHUM News and Converge Media for Candidate Survivor Seattle, the most HEATED candidate forum in the city. Hop on an 18+, sporty, sweaty, extracurricular adventure into the raunchy arena of local politics, hosted by local drag queen icon, Harper Bizarre.
Register HERE
Sabor y Tacón | SESEC’s first-ever Drag Brunch Fundraiser
Saturday, July 18, 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM | Yõli Mexican Restaurant, 10218 SE 240th St, Kent
A summer drag brunch series in partnership with local nonprofits, Yoli Mexican Restaurant, La Roxay Productions, and hosted and produced by Queen Andrew Scott. Performance Lineup: Queen Andrew Scott, Lady Gugu, Baby, Isabella Richards.
Southeast Seattle Education Coalition’s [SESEC] mission is to convene and resource communities of color to advocate for an equitable education system. Table and bar (21+) tickets are $20-25 per seat. 20% of ticket sales will be donated to SESEC! Get tickets TODAY!
Black Mermaids | Oshun Swim School + Young Women Empowered
July 20-24 | Meredith Mathews YMCA | Free to attend
Open to Black-identifying cis and trans girls and non-binary youth ages 13-19
Join us for a five-day exploration of Blackness and water led by Chandrika Frances of Oshun Swim School (@oshunswimschool). Together, we’ll dive into the rich history of Black people and swimming, build water confidence, learn new skills, and celebrate with a pool party at the end of the week. This program is for all levels of experience. Register HERE
Nurturing Roots Farm Tour 2026 | @nurturingrootsfarm | Saturday July 25th
Through this PNW BiPOC Farm tour you will explore six {6} Farms -- as far north as Carnation and south as Pierce County! *Tour Duration expectation 8hours round trip . A unique moment to celebrate, learn and honor Global Majority Land Stewards moving culturally relevant foods to our communities. RSVP HERE
Now Hiring: Program & Advocacy Manager (Seattle/Hybrid) | Queer Power Alliance
Queer Power Alliance is seeking a passionate leader to help advance LGBTQIA+ liberation through housing justice, economic justice, civic engagement, leadership development, and advocacy programs. This role focuses on strengthening community power through organizing, education, policy advocacy, leadership development, and resource support for LGBTQIA+ communities.
Seattle/Hybrid
Full-time
$74,000–$79,000 + benefits
If you're an experienced organizer, advocate, and relationship-builder committed to racial, gender, housing, and economic justice, this could be a great opportunity to make a meaningful impact. Apply today queerpoweralliance.org/careers.
