1

Message from the President Another report on economic activity in Seattle. We again exceed (by more than double) the nation in numbers of cranes constructing tall buildings. We again exceed the nation in escalating real estate prices and now we count ourselves as the sixth most expensive real estate market in the country. Prosperity is just about everywhere, but not always in our communities. Some of us are doing well, while others are stagnating. For communities of African-Americans and Hispanics, the King County prosperity is fleeting, especially in Seattle. Interestingly, Seattle is leading the boon, but that City, among all the cities in the State, is the only one becoming less diverse. A recent census found that Seattle has experienced a decrease in its diverse population. Regardless, the prosperity that is rapidly saturating the City, and King County in general, is not reaching us fast enough. The ingrained systems that have been in place for many years are an impediment to our partaking of the social and monetary benefits that come from a prosperous region. We have had numerous public officials at Tabor 100 General Membership meetings over the past year and they have been increasingly asked about how they intend to assist minorities in this

City to more fully reap the benefits of the prosperity that surrounds us. The questions to these individuals have not been about how to bolster public contracting for minority communities. The questions revolve around private contracting and how to more fully engage our communities in it. The reality is that the cranes we see in Downtown Seattle

generally do not have our businesses or even our individuals working anywhere near them. The contracts are lucrative and the pay for the many skilled workers is significant. This part of the Northwest Economy is where most of the money is spent and we are not provided much access to it. I urge our elected leaders to work with us on this endeavor. I welcome the questioning of elected officials about ways to inject us into Seattle’s growing private sector construction activity. As President of Tabor 100, I encourage our members to continue to seek ways our community can benefit more from the private sector prosperity we see around us. After all, the City has approved each of the 58 cranes we see overhead and countless other major construction activity that much of the time does not include us. Take action, ask questions and get involved—it is truly a time for “Shaping Our Destiny.” Ollie Garrett

July 2017

Solynn McCurdy 3

Umbrella Project 4

Legislative Update 5

Tabor 100 is an association of entrepreneurs and business advocates who are committed to economic power, educational excellence and social equity for African-Americans and the community at large.

“SHAPING OUR DESTINY”

Get the newsletter online and stay connected through social media!

2

June Meeting Photos

2

3

Longtime Community Leader Solynn McCurdy Selected as CEO of SVP By Henry Yates

Seattle Venture Partners (SVP), a

non-profit community focused

venture capital fund and Tabor

100 support organization, has

chosen Solynn McCurdy as its

new CEO. McCurdy, a lifelong

Washington resident, assumes

the mantle of SVP CEO after stints at Premera

Health, Seattle University, Washington STEM and

the Alliance for Education.

“I’m honored and privileged to lead a great team

and network of individuals that are committed to

social change,” said McCurdy. “SVP and all of its

partners have made significant inroads in helping

to better lives, experiences and opportunities in

our region. The fact that we’re evolving and

adopting new ways of engagement is not just

exciting, but essential in building the stability we

need in every aspect of our community.”

SVP has been a strong community partner in

many endeavors, but especially in the education

arena. SVP has provided funding to several

Seattle-area non-profits and other entities

committed to improving the lives of the young and

old. Tabor 100 has benefitted from SVP funds and

looks forward to working with McCurdy and his

staff in the future. “I could not be more pleased to

see Solynn rise to this level of leadership,” said

Ollie Garrett, Tabor 100 President. “I have known

Solynn for some time and see this opportunity as a

way for him to further his quest to address issues

of social inequality based on where you live and

your ethnicity.”

McCurdy is taking the helm at SVP during a time

when the Seattle area is undergoing significant

changes and SVP will have the opportunity to

inspire and help shape a new generation of

philanthropists. McCurdy has committed himself

throughout his career, and now at SVP, to work on

issues of inequity that are pervasive in the United

States.

“I’m local and have lived experiences as a young

person similar to those that SVP wants to serve. I

need to do my part to create a more vibrant

community, particularly for our most vulnerable

youth and families. Joining the team at SVP gives

me the opportunity to bring my authentic self and

passions to my career,” said McCurdy.

On behalf of Tabor 100, we wish Solynn the best

in his new endeavor and offer our assistance in

any way we can.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Kennedy Akinlosotu, Nations Realty LLC

Paul Foster, Foster CM Group, INC

JoAnna Harris, Life Development Support Center, INC Angela Troy, Troy Consulting, LLC

4

Tabor 100’s Business and Youth Partnership By Linda Kennedy

Tabor 100’s Education Committee is taking the

first steps forward on our “Umbrella Project-” a

youth and business partnership which will include

after school programs, mentoring, and internships

to develop social and work skills

in middle and high school stu-

dents.

To kick off the project, Tabor 100

is sponsoring a booth at the

August 12th Rainier Valley

Heritage Festival. We will

endorse Tabor 100 membership

and have membership materials.

A student focused enterprise will

support education and the

Umbrella Project. We will “sell”

school supplies as an activity for

students. They will be given play

money with which to “buy” the

supplies and their challenge is to

make the correct change for their

purchase.

The Umbrella Project began, in part, because of

Tabor’s planned Business Development Center

designed to grow and develop minority owned

businesses. Our charge for the continuing Tabor

100 / Excellent Schools Now grant is to encourage

small and minority business organizations to get

involved in education advocacy. The two seemed

to dovetail perfectly since more and more Seattle

area small business owners say they have trouble

finding qualified people willing and able to work for

them.

When 9th graders need help making change and

telling time, it is clear we must act. Yet, earlier this

week, Seattle received a major recognition. A

national survey company, Wallethub, looked at the

best big cities to live in the United States. Out of

62 cities with populations greater than 300,000 -

Seattle came in first in Education. What, whom,

and how did the researchers measure?

The achievement gap continues to

widen in Washington State. It is

students of color who are most

victimized by this seemingly

endless inequity. The wider the

gap gets, the fewer opportunities

available. Too many of the young

people looking for work lack the

academic, life, and the social skills

necessary to get and keep a job. In

another “disconnect” – WA has

more than 50,000 unfilled

knowledge and tech worker

positions. Why can’t kids of color

be part of the solution to that

deficit, as well?

These skills were once taught at

home or in school. That is no longer the norm.

Young people are often handicapped before they

walk through a prospective employer’s door. If

they are hired, they are sometimes a liability to the

business. Unless you, as small business owners,

can compete with Microsoft or Amazon for highly

qualified young employees, it is incumbent upon

you to help create a stronger workforce for the

future. Our goal is for small and diverse business

owners to thrive and have a talented workforce

from which to choose.

If you can donate school supplies and /or time to

the Tabor 100 booth at the Rainier Valley Heritage

Festival, on August 12th from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30

p.m., please contact me at 206-799-4321 or Henry

Yates at 206-669-2084.

5

As we move forward to reform I-200, it is vital that Tabor 100 Members establish relationships with their legislators. Here is a suggested outline on how to participate in the legislative process.

Legislators rely heavily on input from many different sources. They receive a great deal of technical information from their staff, state agency personnel and professional lobbyists. Yet, much of what they actually decide depends on the views, interests and preferences of the citizens who elect them. This is precisely how the legislative process was designed to work. It is based on a close, open and positive relationship between elected officials and the citizens whom they represent. You can actively participate in the legislative process in a variety of ways and here are some tools to help you further understand how you can participate. Know How the Process Works A basic understanding of the whole legislative picture is essential. If there is something you do not understand about the process, ask someone who can provide an answer. Take a few minutes and visit the Legislative Information Center home page at http://leg.wa.gov/lic . Here you will find a lot of very helpful recourses further detailing how everything works. Make Yourself the Expert Before you address an issue, do some homework. Know the whole issue: who it affects, what others feel about it, how it will influence future trends, and any other information you are able to gather. Thorough research allows you to present your viewpoint with confidence and credibility; and, combined with your personal experience, it’s the most effective information you can provide. Get to Know Your Legislators To make a difference in the legislative process, you must develop a relationship with your legislators. Keep in mind that you can work effectively with someone, regardless of the personal opinions either of you may hold. Although you are unlikely

to agree on every issue, you can still build a positive relationship in the long run. They are your neighbors, take the time to find out who they are as people. You can contact your legislators in a number of ways: •Personal Visit: Call the office, introduce yourself, tell the legislator or the legislative assistant what you would like to discuss and make an appointment for a visit. All contact information can be found on www.leg.wa.gov. If you plan a visit, be prepared for your discussion. •Attend a Town Hall Meeting: Most legislators conduct periodic town hall meetings at various locations in their district. •Write a Letter: Express your views and request the member's attention through the mail. Make your letters brief, to the point, clear, and formal. Include your mailing address and phone number so the legislator knows where to respond. •Send an E-mail Message. E-mails should be brief, to the point, clear, and formal. Include your name and mailing address, as well as your e-mail address, and let the legislator know how you'd prefer to be contacted. Key Points to Remember Regardless of how frequently you contact your legislators, you will be far more effective if you follow these points: 1. Be well prepared for your discussions. 2. Provide a written statement with all verbal presentations. 3. Make letters and e-mail formal, specific, and concise. 4. Don't berate or argue with your legislator when you disagree. Simply thank the member for the time spent with you and express a desire for further discussion. Whatever position you represent, remember your participation makes a difference. Our legislative process is one way each of us may contribute to the quality of life we experience in our State. Your willingness to be a responsible, involved participant is crucial to the decision-making process.

Legislative Update By Sarah Stewart, Tabor 100 Lobbyist

5

6

6

7

2017 Annual City of Seattle Reverse Trade Show July 11, 2017

INTERESTED IN HAVING YOUR

BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTED IN THE

NEWSLETTER?

DROP AN EMAIL TO

Staff@Tabor100.org or

PublicAffairs@Tabor100.org

OR CALL

(425) 882-4800 Ext. 107.

7

8

THE TABOR 100 BOARD

President: Ollie Garrett President@Tabor100.org Vice President: Brian Sims VP@Tabor100.org Treasurer: Aundrea Jackson Treasurer@Tabor100.org Secretary: Sherlita Kennedy Secretary@Tabor100.org Membership: Dee Riley Membership@Tabor100.org Education: Kevin C. Washington Education@Tabor100.org Public Affairs: Henry Yates PublicAffairs@Tabor100.org Economic Development: Edson Zavala EconomicDevelopment@Tabor100.org Government Affairs: Vacant GovernmentAffairs@Tabor100.org Fund Development: Abdul Yusuf FundDevelopment@Tabor100.org Business Development: Anthony Burnett BusinessDev@Tabor100.org TABOR OFFICE 2330 130th Ave. NE #101 Bellevue, WA 98005 425-882-4800 Staff@Tabor100.org Newsletter Editor: Kalea Perry KaleaPerry@Hotmail.com General Meeting and Reverse Vendor Trade Show Photos Courtesy of Flyright Productions

WE ENCOURAGE YOU

TO REACH OUT!

UPCOMING EVENTS

July 29: Tabor 100 General Meeting, 10-12pm, Central Area Senior Center July 29: Centerstone The Power Summit, 10-5pm, Seattle Art Museum August 8: ACCPNW August Business Promotional Networking Breakfast, 7:30-9am, 13 Coins Restaurant August 9: Sound Transit N830/E750 Systems Construction Project DBE/SBE Outreach Event, 1-3:30pm, Sound Transit– Union Station– Santé Fe Room August 9: The Chamber Business After Hours, 5:30-7:30pm, The Triple Door August 10: SIFF Business in the Black – The Rise of Black Business America, 7pm Pre-Reception, 7:30 Film Starts, SIFF Film Cinema August 17: Sound Transit DBE Training: Financial Planning Management, 8-1pm, Sound Transit’s Ruth Fisher Room August 18: The Chamber MEGA Toast of Seattle, 7:30-9:30am, Impact Hub August 24: 8th Annual ALL YPN, 6-8pm, ATLAS Workbase

COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Education Committee meets after the Tabor General Meeting, 12-2pm at the Central Area Senior Center

9

10

11