Our hearts are full! Thank you to all who joined us for Solid Ground’s Gala, Building pathways beyond poverty. We’re especially grateful for the contributions of poet Lyssa Bastet, photographer Florene Jimerson, Broadview DV Children’s Program Supervisor Amy Hale, and educator and equity leader Erin Jones for sharing your gifts with our guests.
QUESTIONS? CONTACT: events@solid-ground.org
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Event Speakers, Artists & Emcee
Shalimar Gonzales
Shalimar Gonzales, Shalimar is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Solid Ground, joining in 2021. She previously served as District Executive for the YMCA of Greater Seattle, overseeing 500 staff and operations across multiple locations. During her 17-year career with the Y, she led initiatives including diversity and inclusion, global capacity building, and international partnerships. She’s currently Washington State Community Action Partnership board President and serves on the Community Roots Housing board.
Amy Hale
Amy Hale is Broadview’s Domestic Violence (DV) Children’s Program Supervisor. Her work is deeply rooted in youth development and the intersectional spaces that provide empowering experiential education and creative opportunities for all humans as they grow into their best selves, engage as lifelong learners, and heal from trauma. A Pacific NW native, she’s a former 2nd grade teacher, STEM education program manager, coach, and Director of Education at Seattle Children’s Museum.
Erin Jones
Erin Jones has worked in and around schools for 30+ years and has been recognized for her work in education and equity. Since 2017, she’s spoken to over 500,000 students and provided trainings and keynotes. She has three TEDx Talks and recently published a book, Bridges to Heal US: Stories and Strategies for Racial Healing. She’s also an accomplished athlete who was invited to try out for two WNBA teams. Learn more about her work at erinjonesdreams.com.
Lyssa Bastet
Lyssa Bastet is a writer, poet, performer, and spiritualist who lives in Solid Ground’s Sand Point Housing with her son, Mysun. As she writes on her Patreon page, A Void with a Voice: “I make noise about my own neurodivergence, poverty, racism, mental illness, conjure, and a mess of other things all through that.” Lyssa performs her poetry at venues across Seattle – most recently at Northwest Folklife – and organizes open mic nights for the community at Sand Point.
Florene Jimerson
Florene Jimerson is a Seattle native who uses photography to build community and document the world she experiences as a young Black woman. Growing up in the Central District in a time of rapid gentrification, Florene has witnessed firsthand the community displacement and cycles of poverty that characterize Seattle’s evolution as a city. View her work at flodid.com.
Sasha Summer Cousineau
Sasha Summer Cousineau, Emcee, is owner of Revel Rouser Events and a fundraising auctioneer, gala emcee, and event planning consultant. A lifelong performer passionate about social justice, racial equity, and feminism, Sasha believes her clients make up the heart and moral compass of our communities. Learn more about her work on her website at sashasummercousineau.com.
Leif Totusek Trio
Left to right: Bassist Lamar Lofton, Leif Totusek, and percussionist Greg Campbell.
The Leif Totusek Trio performs a variety of jazz, world rumba, and New Orleans dance music. Leif Totusek is a Seattle-based, world-renowned composer/guitarist, known for his stunning mastery of wide-ranging world-music genres, particularly Pan-African. He’s played, collaborated, and been special guest with African artists, including Mose Fan Fan, Ali Birra, Geoffrey Oryema, Diblo Dibala, Orchestra Virunga, and Tabu Ley Rochereau, and has been reviewed by NPR, The Boston Globe, The Boston Phoenix, The Seattle Times, Seattle Weekly, and London’s City Limits. Learn more at Leif Totusek – Official Site.
Thanks to Our Sponsors!
VISIONARY SPONSOR
MEDIA SPONSOR
Event planning and production supported by Synchronicity.
Leif Totusek Trio appearance made possible thanks to Rory Link.
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See Our 50th Anniversary Gala Recap
Left: Members of Converge Media, including 50th Gala keynote speaker Omari Salisbury (with flowers) and his mother, the Reverend Harriet Walden (foreground). Right: Solid Ground’s CEO Shalimar Gonzales.