Creating an equitable, culturally responsive leadership structure for the Eastside Pathways Partnership
The Journey
In 2018, Eastside Pathways (EP) Partners co-developed the 2020-2023 Strategic Plan for the Partnership, outlining their collective accountability and priorities for children and youth in E King County. In response to the increased awareness and commitment to racial equity the partners adopted the Eastside Pathways Racial Equity Pathway and new outcomes area for “race no longer determines outcomes for children and youth”.
Mobilizing this commitment the POC Only group drafted the Eastside Pathways Equity Pledge in 2019, which was formally adopted by the Board in 2020. Shortly after the Eastside Pathways Board engaged Black and Latinx community members to get feedback about the Board and the work of the Partnership. The outcome was a realization that the Partnership needed an equitable and diverse leadership team to be authentic.
In January 2021, an EP Board Development Committee (Sue Baugh, Josephine Young, and Cathy Habib) revised the goal from “diversifying” the Board to a broader goal of reimagining the entire Partnership leadership structure; the Board approved it in May 2021.
Since September 2021, the Reimaging Leadership task force has been working collectively to create a Leadership Table for the Partnership that embodies anti-racist and culturally affirming values, whose collective voice will support and amplify our systemic changes efforts to drive equitable outcomes for children, youth, and young adults in E King County.
Where Are We Now
At the end of 2022, the Eastside Pathways Board shifted its formal authority on behalf of the Partnership to the new Leadership Table. Guided by the WHO, WHAT, and HOW documents co-developed by the task force, The Leadership Table comprised of 15 partners, will work together guided by these documents to:
- coordinate the voices of the partners,
- center those most impacted,
- deepen our commitment and accountability move the needle on the goals outlined in the strategic plan and Equity Pledge,
- as well as other priorities they deem within the scope of the Partnership.
The Leadership Table members are nominated based upon the characteristic matrix, their relationships within the community, lived experience, and willingness to lead change in E King County affirmed by their signature on the Partner Agreement and Eastside Pathways Equity Pledge. Supports, such as translations services, accommodations for folks with disabilities, and professional development are made available to ensure all Leadership Table members are welcomed and supported.
The Reimagining Leadership Group
The new Leadership Table model has been co-developed by a task force of Eastside Pathways Partners representing different lived experience, dimensions of diversity and a history of engagement with Eastside Pathways.
Facilitated over three phases by Fernell Miller & Fran Davidson, The Root of Us (Phase 1), Sarah Cotton-Rajski (Phase 2), and Backbone staff (Phase 3), this task force led through their anti-racist and culturally affirming vision for leadership.
- Sue Baugh, Community Partner
- Tom Brewer, Bellevue Presbyterian Church
- Jackie Bui, Youth Eastside Services
- Megan Bui, Youth
- Stephanie Cherrington, EP Executive Director (former)
- Nkumbu Chisebuka, Youth
- Catherine Cruz, Lake Washington School District
- Kalika Curry, EP Community Impact Manager
- Adam Dibba, Africans on the Eastside
- David Downing, Youth Eastside Services
- Jesse Franklin, Rainier Athletes
- Alma Gonzales, NISO Programs
- Cathy Habib, EP Board Chair
- Shomari Jones, Bellevue School District
- Haruka Kojima, Community Partner
- Paul Lwali, Friends of Youth
- Unica Le, Youth
- Liliana Medina, Sistema Escolar USA
- Miguel Messina, Youth Eastside Services (former staff)
- Sandy Nathan, EP Community Impact Manager
- Sapan Parekh, Bellevue College
- Alondra Rodriguez, affiliation
- Helena Stephens, City of Bellevue
- Amy Wasser, EP Interim Executive Director
- Michelle Williams-Clark, Eastside Youth Coalition
- Helen Wong, Chinese Information and Service Center
March 31, 2023: A Celebration!
We are thrilled to announce the culmination of our 18-month investment to “Reimagine Leadership” for the Eastside Pathways Partnership. Thanks to the hard work of 26 diverse individuals, this task force examined the ways in which Whiteness is embedded in systems and developed new practices to affirm and foster diverse leadership. Please join us in celebrating this monumental achievement.
The Leadership Table nominees will begin their journey to step into their roles and fill the remaining five seats soon!
For more information about the Reimagining Leadership process, view the presentation from our Reimagining Leadership Celebration hosted by Eastside Pathways Partner, City of Bellevue, on March 31, 2023.