Besa Gordon Sits Down with Black Leaders that Are Redefining Seattle’s Future
Besa Gordon, host of Back2Besa on FOX13 Seattle and FOX SOUL, recently hosted a powerful and insightful discussion for her upcoming Profiles in Black Leadership series filmed at Marjorie Restaurant in Seattle’s Central District that will premiere this weekend on FOX 13 Seattle. This inaugural segment features Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and several key cabinet members, offering a rare glimpse into the inner workings of Seattle's leadership and the personal motivations driving their public service. The conversation explored complex issues facing Seattle, personal stories, and the city’s vision for a more equitable and thriving Seattle.
Mayor Harrell set the stage by emphasizing the importance of selecting the "best of the best" for his team. He clarified, "What I think is missing from the diversity, equity, inclusion discussion right now nationally is that it was always intended still to get the best of the best." For Harrell, "the best" encompasses a wide spectrum of experiences: educational, professional, and, perhaps most importantly, life experiences. These diverse backgrounds, he believes, contribute to a team's overall competency, whether they're tackling transportation, public safety, or human resources.
Derrick Wheeler-Smith - Director, Seattle Office for Civil Rights. (Photo: Susan Fried)
Office for Civil Rights Director Derrick Wheeler-Smith, reflecting on the national socio-political climate, passionately stressed the critical need to continue fighting for civil rights and actively redefine who "We the People" truly includes. "How do we build systems and structures of belonging?" he asked, urging a renewed commitment to a just democracy.
Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Director Hamdi Mohamed brought a vital perspective on behalf of immigrant and refugee communities. She highlighted the often-overlooked contributions of these communities, stating, "Often, their stories, their narratives are seen through this lens of crisis and not through the lens of contribution." She also addressed the chilling effect of federal rhetoric on these communities, saying, "We want to make sure that people feel like they can continue to show up to their workplace, that they can continue to attend school, and that they can be part of this thriving community in the city of Seattle."
Hamdi Mohamed - Director of Seattle Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (Photo: Susan Fried)
The conversation took a deeply personal turn when the cabinet members shared their "whys"—the personal motivations driving their work. Deputy Mayor Tiffany Washington spoke candidly about her journey, stating, "If you looked up the word Deputy Mayor in the dictionary…, with my history, you would not see my face." Her path, marked by significant hardships, fuels her passion to "be at the table where people are making decisions and policy choices about us."
City of Seattle Deputy Mayor Tiffany Washington
Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) Director Dwane Chappelle connected his work to his mother's legacy of service, recalling her dedication to helping others. He shared a personal anecdote about Mayor Harrell's early encouragement and expressed his commitment to creating opportunities for all young people.
Dr. Dwane Chappelle - Director of Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL)
With 28 years of human resources experience in the private and public sectors, Aisha Foster, Executive Director of Human Resources for the Mayor’s Office, spoke about her passion for infusing diversity and lived experiences into hiring practices. "It's more than a job for me," she stated, emphasizing her connection to Seattle and her desire to create a workplace where everyone feels seen and valued.
Aisha Foster - Chief People Officer
Former Deputy Mayor and SDOT Interim Director Adiam Emery, the first Black woman to serve as a director at SDOT, shared her inspiring journey from intern to deputy mayor and now director, driven by a personal tragedy and a desire to create a more supportive environment within her department. Emery said, "We all learn the technical piece; the value we bring to this is our lived experiences."
City of Seattle Deputy Mayor and SDOT Interim Director Adiam Emery (Photo: Susan Fried)
Chief Shon Barnes, the newly appointed police chief, addressed the challenges of building trust and legitimacy. "Police are the most visible form of government," he noted, highlighting the responsibility to ensure that people trust law enforcement. He stressed the importance of proximity, accountability, and leadership development, aiming to build a police department that is seen as a partner, not an occupying force. Barnes stated, "If they don't trust you, they're not even going to have the conversation."
Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes (Photo: Susan Fried)
Natalie Walton Anderson, the Director of Public Safety, expressed her concern about the surge of firearms in the community and its impact on gun violence. She noted that this is a pressing issue for the city, region, and nation. "It's killing our community," she emphasizes, highlighting the urgency of finding solutions to reduce gun violence and the influx of guns, especially among youth.
Natalie Walton Anderson - Chief Public Safety Officer. (Photo: Susan Fried)
The discussion then turned to the significant challenges facing Seattle, including gun violence, the Fentanyl crisis, and homelessness. Cabinet members shared their concerns and outlined the progress being made. Deputy Mayor Washington stressed the importance of leadership continuity to tackle these complex issues effectively. "The issues that we're talking about weren't built overnight, and they aren't going to be fixed overnight," she cautioned.
Mayor Harrell concluded the discussion by expressing his pride in his team and his belief that "the answers in this country right now could be found right here at this table." He praised his cabinet members for their "unprecedented leadership" and their "unharnessed passion" for their work He emphasized the importance of trust, accountability, and hard work, asserting that "we don't have to talk tough because we are the best at what we do."
The cabinet members then shared what they were most proud of, highlighting initiatives such as youth mental health programs, civic engagement projects, and efforts to improve workforce development and public safety. Their responses underscored their commitment to serving the community and positively impacting it.
The hour-long conversation provided valuable insights into the vision of Seattle's Black leaders. It highlighted their personal motivations and the challenges they face in their efforts to build a better Seattle.
Catch the first installment from this insightful conversation on Back2Besa this Saturday at 10:30 pm on FOX13 Seattle and the replay on Sunday at 10 am on FOX13+ and free nationwide on the FOX Local App.
