YWCA's 13th Annual Stand Against Racism

Join YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish and Town Hall Seattle for an afternoon discussion about the past, present, and future of social justice activism on a local, national and international scale. This virtual event is FREE, but registration is required.

This year’s theme is Sankofa: Looking to Our Past as We Build Our Future, and features keynote speaker Elmer Dixon (Activist and Co-Founder of the Seattle Chapter of the Black Panther Party).

Along with our panel of community leaders, we will be discussing the past, present, and future of social justice activism on a local, national, and international scale. Register today!

This year marks the 13th anniversary of the Stand Against Racism event in Seattle, hosted by the People of Color Executive Council (POCEC) of YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish.

About Our Speakers:

Elmer Dixon was born in Chicago and moved to Seattle at age 7 when his father took a job at Boeing. Dixon grew up in Seattle’s Central District, attending Garfield High School. While at Garfield High, Dixon helped organize the school’s Black Student Union in 1968. That same year, with his older brother Aaron Dixon, he co-founded the Seattle Chapter of the Black Panther Party. He served the Chapter as its Field Marshall as well as the Breakfast Program Coordinator. When the Seattle Chapter closed its office and some of its core members moved to Oakland in 1972, Elmer, under parole and unable to move to Oakland, stayed in Seattle and reorganized the Chapter. He worked to sustain the Party’s breakfast program and health clinic, maintaining the Panther organization until 1976 and some programs into the 1980s. Elmer Dixon now works as a diversity consultant.

Thy Nguyễn (she/her/they/them) is a Viet refugee descendant, queer, and chronically-ill person who sings, writes, and resides in Tacoma (the stolen lands of the Puyallup nation). For over eight years, Thy has served at the YWCA-Seattle-King-Snohomish where she is Associate Director of Grants/Data/Operations. Outside of work, Thy manages their independent consulting business, offering coaching and facilitation to individuals/groups across Puget Sound. During the evening, she holds spaces for creative resistance, healing, and expression as a community organizer with The People's Assembly. During the night, they write songs and dream of ways to build towards a free and just world.

LueRachelle Brim-Atkins has been an innovative consultant, executive coach, facilitator, educator, and trainer for over three decades. She is a sought-after speaker at local, national and international conferences including a recent international conference in Cape Town, South Africa in 2023. LueRachelle has taught in public K-12 education and at universities, served as the lead equity and social justice consultant and facilitator for public, private & non-profit organizations including Fortune 500 corporations, Education Service Districts, school systems, governmental agencies, law firms, health care organizations, colleges and universities, professional associations and boards. She is masterful in presenting interactive, inspirational keynotes and workshops for adult as well as younger audiences.

Dr. Danielson is a clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington, where he received his medical degree in 1992, after completing undergraduate studies at Harvard University. In his early life, he was rescued from the foster care system by a single mom who instilled in him and his sisters the value of education and community service. Dr. Danielson serves on various boards of health related organizations, philanthropic organizations, and community groups dedicated to health issues. He also  chairs the Governor’s Interagency Council on Health Disparities, co-chaired the Governor’s Task Force on creating an Office of Equity, chairs the Group Health Foundation Board, is a board member on King County’s Children and Youth Advisory Board, and has been on King County’s Board of Health.

Tamiko Miyano (she/her) is shaped by her upbringing in the Movement. She grew up with a picket sign in her hand and a freedom song in her heart. She graduated from the University of Washington in 1994 with degrees in Business Administration and America Ethnic Studies. She dedicated over 25 years to Healthcare Administration. She was a longtime board member and is a past-president of the WA State Medical Group Manager Association. During her healthcare career she also served on the NeighborCare Health board. She is currently on the YWCA POCEC and on the Franklin Alumni Association and Foundation Board. Her goal is to live a life of service including community building, growing leadership, and business development.

Hyeeun Park (박혜은) has nearly 15 years of experience in community organizing, political campaigns, and government relations. She has a background in shaping legislative agendas, particularly advocating for anti-poverty policies. Hyeeun is committed to anti-racist policy and empowering communities furthered furthest from liberation. She was a National Urban Fellow at the City University of New York (CUNY), where she earned her MPA. Hyeeun lives in Seattle with her partner and cat.

About the Stand Against Racism:

YWCA's mission is to eliminate racism and empower women.

Annually, the Stand Against Racism brings together YWCA and our partners across the country to raise awareness of institutional and structural racism, and build community among people working for racial justice.

Stand Against Racism is a signature campaign of YWCA USA, and part of our larger strategy to fulfill YWCA’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. To learn more, please visit standagainstracism.org