On February 21, 2026, the energy at the Inatai Foundation was nothing short of electric. As we gathered during Black History Month, it wasn't just about looking back at where we’ve been; it was about locking arms to decide where we are going.
The Washington State Coalition of African Community Leaders (WSCACL) held its Annual Membership Summit, bringing together local leaders, families, and organizers from across the African Diaspora. If you were there, you felt the power in the room. If you missed it, don't worry, we’ve got the full recap on how we’re building a stronger, more unified Afro diaspora community in Washington.
Unveiling Our New Symbol of Unity
https://youtu.be/mossFGMdg4Q?si=5wOW6SeId5GZCSVM
The summit reached a crescendo with the unveiling of our new WSCACL banner. The design was originally created by local Washington artist, Monyee Chau. The new WSCACL banner is a beautiful visual representation of our African diaspora coalition: three distinct accessorized arms: representing our Caribbean, African, and African-American roots: lifting a map of Washington state together.
A Growing Force for the Diaspora
Under the visionary leadership team, WSCACL has transformed from a handful of community member organizations and individuals into over 180 free members representing African, African-American, and Caribbean communities.
Numbers tell a story, and ours is one of incredible growth. We have successfully secured $3.35M+ in resources to date. These funds aren't just digits on a spreadsheet; they represent real investments into nonprofit support in Washington, helping organizations grow, sustain their programs, and better serve families.
4 Tiers of WSCACL New Membership Program
Are you a new or emerging non-profit or business looking for funding, growing, or networking, or partnering with similar minded community organizations/leaders.
Why Join WSCACL as a Paid Member?
In Washington state there are over 42,000 to 43,000 registered non profits. The statistics are bleak, 90% of non profits fail and the reasons for their failure are the same- lack of mentorship and lack of sustainable funding. New non profit leaders often focus only on their lack of funding thinking that once you receive funding all your problems will disappear, because you will have the funds to hire people. Unfortunately that is not the case. Money is an essential tool just like a knife, but just like you know that you never give a knife to a toddler as that same essential tool would be a dangerous weapon without any experience or advanced motor skills to be able to handle the knife safely; money can easily be mishandled leading to disastrously organized and attended community event.
After writing & securing $3.35 M in funding from private and public agencies, co-writing and connecting non profits/WSCACL members/youth and families to hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant opportunities, successfully partnering and executing projects with diverse non-profit organizations, and having a multi-year track record of attracting and retaining Board/Staff/Volunteer talent; WSCACL offers a unique and culturally appropriate way to support your own non profit journey and help you build a sustainable non profit. Non profit leadership and ownership requires an investment in your time and your money. Choose your investments wisely and join the elite 10% of non-profits that continue to grow and thrive to new exciting levels. Check out our membership page to see which tier fits your journey.
The Road Ahead: Strategic Goals for 2026-2028
We aren't just reacting to the news; we are setting the agenda. Organizational consultant, Dr. Keisha Scarlett, facilitated the development of WSCACL's committees' three primary strategic priorities for the next two years. These priorities will drive our programming we pursue and partnerships we build:
- By June 2028, support 150 households toward sustained housing stability.
- By June 2028, expand civic participation among 500 members.
- By June 2028, support 100 community members through financial education and business development.
To make these goals a reality, we have organized a Civic Engagement Taskforce full of our major stakeholders and led by 2026 WSCACL Membership Summit Election Panel Moderator & Civic Engagement Consultant, Andrew Ashiofu..
Board of Director Elections and Current Board vacancies
WSCACL announced three key professional vacancies on the Board of Directors- Development Director, Legal Advisor, and Board Member at Large-Finance/Chief of Government Affairs. The key to a successful and sustainable non-profit organization are having talented and skilled Board members that are committed to providing technical, organizational, financial, strategic connections and resources to achieve its mission and vision. In line with the timing of previous Board Elections, WSCACL announced the next Board of Directors elections will be in Spring 2027. As per our visionary co-founders requirement, only paid WSCACL members will be eligible to vote, self-elect/nominate a WSCACL Board member in the Spring 2027 elections. 👉 Become a WSCACL Member Today! We need diverse professional voices from all corners of the Diaspora to guide our mission, build community wealth, and move us to the next level.
UPDATE!
All three Board vacancies have been filled. Please join us in welcoming our newest Board of Directors:
Chief Education Officer/Development Director- Dr. Keisha Scarlett, Rubescent, LLC, Founder & CEO, Seattle Native
Board Member at Large-Finance/Chief Government Affairs Officer, Ibrahim "Ba" Dembele, Executive Director of Women's Dignity School, Mali
Chief Legal Officer, Charlton Omondi, Kenya
Non Profit Funding Opportunities:
Part of our mission is getting resources directly into your hands and we have successfully supported several WSCACL members secure funding. Below are the grant opportunities mentioned during the summit. Please pay close attention to the deadlines and grant requirements.
Current Department of Health (DOH) HEAL Funding Opportunities for Non Profits
The Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act is a major win for environmental justice.
- Total HEAL Funds CURRENTLY Available: $316,000
- Impact: In six months last year, 25 WSCACL HEAL subgrantees outreached to 30,984 overburdened community members across 11 WA counties and 28 communities in 13 languages; which provided a direct impact to 2,865 overburdened community members.
- Status: In our 3rd Round of DOH funding, WSCACL has recently awarded 15 Subgrantees $199,000 conducting projects reaching 18 Washington state counties.
- Next Steps: Keep an eye on Front & Centered and our blog for future HEAL funding rounds WSCACL HEAL applications open on October 10th, 2026 and close on December 13th, 2026. Front & Centered HEAL funding opportunity opens on September 10th, 2026 and closes on November 13th, 2026.
Elected Panel: Engage locally be an Influential Powerhouse
https://www.instagram.com/p/DVOZof7FJW-/?igsh=MW16NTlzYWFrZHdiZw==
- Too often, the focus on civic engagement has been at the national level with Presidential elections and federal races. Yet, most recently with the pandemic crisis we all learned in real time that not actively engaging in local elections have real consequences that affect everything from construction of affordable housing, access to local roads, small business resources, and primary to secondary support. Whether you are U.S. Citizen or a non U.S. Citizen, everyone has a place in engaging with their government.
- Shoutout to our Local Elected Panel Moderator, Andrew Ashiofu, Civic Engagement Consultant & Panelists sharing their insights about the importance of local government, Afro diaspora unity, and impact of youth in non profit decision-making:
- City of Mountlake Terrace Mayor, Steve Woodard, Ph.D
- City of Shoreline Deputy Mayor, Eben Pobee
- City of SeaTac Deputy Mayor, Senayet Negusse
- City of Seattle Councilmember Position 9, Dionne Foster
Afro Diaspora Youth Panel: Building Sustainable Non Profits
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVOXOd5iEex/
One of the most powerful moments of the day was our Youth Panel. These young leaders didn't hold back. They spoke openly about holding multiple cultural identities and not fitting in one identity box, the daily sting of microaggressions, and the urgent need for youth to have a permanent seat at the non-profit leadership table to not only fulfill youth program funders requests; but for non-profit succession and legacy planning. Non-profits focused on serving the community require multi-generational decisionmakers. The Elected Panel of Local City officials from the Diaspora all emphasized the trend in funders requiring youth in organizational decision making and the importance of youth/young adults voices shaping organizational decisions for sustainability. WSCACL Board of Directors has voted to include 1-2 seats on the board for WSCACL young adults (18 years older) beginning in 2026.
They reminded us that "youth are the future" is a cliché, but "youth are our present" is a mandate. Their insights are directly informing how we build our 2026-2028 Civic Engagement Taskforce.
Leadership & Volunteer Awards
We couldn't end the day without saying "thank you." The summit featured a special awards ceremony recognizing the incredible community leaders who have gone above and beyond in their commitment to community service and building community power.
Current & Past Board Members
- Mo Chatta, Chair/President Tseguy Abraha, Chief Medical Officer
- Emile Blanc, Treasurer Nansare Consolata, Board Secretary
- Sam G Harrell, Chief Information Officer
- Dr. Ella McRae, 2022-2024 Member-At-Large
Past Leadership Team
- Dr. Ella McRae, 2022-2024 Board Member-At-Large
- Chris Lovings, Civic Engagement Chair
- Sibongile (Sibo) Chadyiwa, Joint Committee Chair
- Adam Powers, Economic Empowerment Chair
- Soila Sian Simintei, Co-Lead Event Planning
Event Planning Team
- Zafu Aragai, Wodenesh Ayele, Sibongile Chadyiwa, Nansare Consolata
- Awa Drammeh, Moses Fatorma, Salenna Green, Nigisti Hailemariam
- Binta Manneh, Victor Mhoni, Jufus Paye, Sona Porter, Soila Sian Simintei
- Robbie Sinyangwe, Malick Sonko, Daniel Vingo, Mo Chatta, Mwenda Chatta
Big Thanks to our Sponsors!!!
- We are grateful to all our sponsors, partners, vendors, volunteers that funded, fed, donated services & food, entertained, organized, facilitated, tabled, set up/shut down, and resourced the Summit:
- Are you ready to take the next step?
If you aren't a member yet, now is the time. Let’s continue to build generational wealth and a unified voice for the African Diaspora in Washington.
