I’m excited to share the many updates from my relaunch. I reopened on August 1st 2020 and things have gone swimmingly! I'm blessed and thankful to have secured work during these unprecedented times.
Just after reopening, Toybox was featured on Black Owned In Seattle and it was full steam ahead from there. Shaun, principle at Inclusive Data Solutions, Chief Consulting Officer, & Research lead at King County Equity Now recognized my services offering as beneficial to their team. After several weeks of negotiation, ToyBox was retained! Not to worry – I still have more capacity to serve you.
This project is super exciting – I’ve always been enthralled with research and data analytics and finally get to stretch my skillset. I’m working on Black Brilliance Research Project as a Systems/Research/Deputy Project Manager. In this workflow, also known a Agile project management, things move and change very quickly (including titles) and I am loving it. What is most exciting about this project is its affiliation to Social Justice. Our BBP team is responsible for the community led research process that will inform the City of Seattle's budget process. The Seattle City Council overrode Mayor Durkin’s veto and in turn defunded Seattle Police Department. This divestment has provided direct resources to my project team with the sponsorship AfricaTown Community Land Trust. Our work will collect the data to inform the community on several initiatives. As a result, hundreds of thousands of dollars are allocated to the direct support of building Black business capacity in Seattle. “We are building a national leading Black -led and -centered research institute that uses culturally fluid processes, methodologies, and practices to center and uplift Black voices and perspectives. With our vast and deep ecosystem, we facilitate and conduct Black-led research at an unparalleled size, scale, and depth. We leverage our communities brilliance and a volunteer base of over 700 to drive and implement our Black equity solutions.” KCEN Website. I invite all of you to make history with us and take our community needs survey.
Since reopening, I’ve excitedly been featured by local media more than once. First, I was able to share on one of our first Black Brilliance Project Press Conferences Feel free to catchup on our YouTube Podcast for regular updates.
I was also invited to meet with Deborah Horne of Kiro 7 to share my peace on the Digital Divides paralyzing effects on Black, Latino, and Native Americans. This was a special feature on Western Washington Gets Real Segment. It meant so much to me to represent BIPOC with WGU Chancellor, Dr. Tonya Drake. I serve on the WGU Alumni Advisory Board and was humbled by the opportunity to let the world know TOYBOX IS BACK in this collaboration.
August, September, and October have brought amazing success to my organization with much more to strive for. Up next, MORE CLIENTS, funding campaigns, and scale out plans.
More to come.
Don't forget to
VOTE!VOTE!VOTE
KP
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