Brianna Klein: Public Programs Manager, Seward Park Audubon Center, explains her role as the public programs manager at Seward Park Audubon Center. By promoting a lecture series, guided nature walks, and ecological restoration, she showcases how to become ecologically literate. By encouraging others to see birding as a part of ecological literacy, Brianna helps build thriving communities, especially for those who have historically been left out of the conversation.
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Bob Davidson: Former Director, Seattle Aquarium, explains how centering institutions around a clear mission though a process of listening and discovering can offer immense value to the community. At the Seattle Aquarium, the mission of “inspiring marine conservation” became the lens in which the institution developed and impacted our region, and sparked the campaign to develop the new Ocean Pavillion at the center of the Seattle Waterfront.
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Marshall Davidson: History Teacher, Charles Wright Academy, showcases how planting a garden empowers people to be observant of the world around them. He explains how planting a garden increases community pride and connection between oneself and the environment. When involved in gardening, one has to be curious which is a skill that can be transferred into all aspects of life.
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Katie Watkins: Florist, Blooms and Twine Floral Design, explains how her small floral business supports the local economy and community. By focusing on inclusion, Watkins showcases the experiences and products of her environment, improving the local community for all. As a community business owner, she shows how her experiences allowed her to create the world that she wants to see on a small scale.
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Rena Priest: Former Washington State Poet Laureate (2021-2023), member of the Lummi Nation, explores how poetry gives us access to another person’s point of view and why this awareness is so important to community life. As she explains, “the more access you have to different points of view, the greater your vision—the broader your vision.” Speaking directly to how this function of poetry translates into action, she explains the importance of being able to see into the hearts of others to best understand what they want and why while simultaneously knowing what you want and why.
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David B. Williams: Naturalist and Writer, discusses the connections between people and place, exploring how the landscape influences people and how people influence the landscape. Through his writings about the natural history of the Puget Sound, he inspires his readers to protect the places in which they live. He encourages people to be observant of the natural world, allowing the realization that everyone’s actions matter in our civil society.
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Christopher Williams: Former Acting Superintendent, Seattle Parks, explains how his experience with the public parks system taught him about the power of authenticity and being an engaged and interested listener. These skills allow for disagreements without villainization when communicating with others. Williams showcases how he listened to and empathized with a community’s concern while continuing to amplify the park system’s mission of equity, inclusion, and access.
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Chirag Vedullapalli: Campaign Manager for Representative Adam Smith, explains what a political campaign is and why it is important. By being involved in a campaign, Vedullapalli helps someone who has a candidate deliver on their promises to the community. He explains that through hard work, an individual can have their ideas heard and learn how to work together with people we disagree with.
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Purcell Parker: A lifelong football and baseball coach, Central Area Youth Association (CAYA), speaks to how sports are more than just sports. Parker reflects on life lessons learned and taught in his time working with young people in Seattle’s Central District. In particular, he discusses the role of development, the journey of life, and taking the long view as young people grow into adults and as we affect the communities around us.
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Nico Montanero: UFCW 3000 Union Bargainer and Researcher, explains what a union contractor and negotiator is and what skills are necessary to be effective in that role. Building relationships in the present, creating protections for the future, and recognizing the commonalities of workers are what Montanero considers as imperative for making effective change in their work. Montanero speaks to the importance of empowerment and mobilization together in today’s world.
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