Dr. Kristin McCowan, CACE 21 Survey Development Lead / Data Analysis Co-Lead
Dr. Kristin McCowan is a professor of social work, community researcher and facilitator. Kristin studies adolescent well-being and sociopolitical development (eg. critical consciousness). As a community research consultant, Kristin has worked with many local organizations on program design & evaluation, survey development & implementation and community engagement strategies.
Inye Wokoma, Wa Na Wari Co-Founder / CACE 21 Project Lead
Inye Wokoma is a fifth generation Central District resident, community organizer and an award-winning visual artist, filmmaker, and photographer. As one of four co-founders of Wa Na Wari, he started CACE 21 to further advance the organization's mission of anchoring Black homeownership and fighting Black Displacement in Seattle.
Maria Kang, CACE 21 Project Coordinator
Maria is a community member of ethnic Korean descent who is dedicated to advocating for system change and addressing the disparities in access to resources. In her professional and community capacity, Maria has worked to bridge the digital divide amongst youth of color, develops information and digital literacy programs for seasoned community members, and provides support in navigating access to education and other resources to folks returning to community after incarceration. Maria moved to Seattle from Los Angeles, CA as a young adult and set roots in the Central District in the last thirty years. Throughout this time, she has found family and connection with the Wa Na Wari community.
Francesca Eluhu, CACE 21 Program Coordinator
Francesca is a musician and freelance business consultant. She has a B.A. in Mathematics and Economics from Williams College, and has lived in Seattle's Central District going on 4 years. In 2021, she started her own record label, La fem records (to learn more go to lafemrecords.com), and signed herself as a solo artist and their neo-soul band, Day Soul Exquisite. Francesca learned of Wa Na Wari's black advocacy work through the artist community. She joined the CACE21 team in the fall of 2021 as a Survey Administrator, and now assists in program organizing and outreach.
Theryn Kigvamasudvashti, CACE 21 Community Facilitator
is a social justice activist, organizer, educator and professional facilitator residing in Seattle, WA. Theryn made her move to Seattle a year after completing her Bachelor’s of Art in English Literature at The Colorado College. As a transplant from the Rocky Mountains, Theryn has lived and worked in the Central District, on and off, since September, 1995. She has worked in the anti-violence and reproductive justice movements with a focus on African/African American centered experiences for over 25 years. Formally an organizer then Co-executive Director at CARA, Theryn chaired the Reproductive Justice sub-committee for The Committee on Women, Population, and the Environment. Theryn served 3 years as an appointed member of the Marijuana Policy Panel looking at the effectiveness of I-75, a initiative passed by the voters of Seattle that required the Seattle Police Department and the City Attorney’ s Office to deprioritize marijuana investigations, arrest, and prosecution of marijuana offenses. Currently, Theryn continues to support marginalized survivors of state and interpersonal violence recognizing that state/institutional violence also manifests as gentrification. Theryn facilitates the Central District Cultural Ecosystem (CACE 21). She is also a mom and a poet.
Lucia Kahsai
Lucia is a multidisciplinary contractor and art enthusiast who holds a BA in International Affairs, from Seattle University. Lucia immigrated to Seattle with her family where she lived through her most formative years. She attributes much of her success in navigating the PNW to the support she received from her community of artists, entrepreneurs, educators, and fellow students alike and the local culture therein. These invaluable relationships have been one of the primary and intentional means that Lucia has kept tethered to the city (where much of her family also resides) despite having lived in two other states since 2011. Lucia is currently supporting the CACE 21 team at wa Na Wari with the project’s knowledge management system; store, manage, capture, share, and ensure efficient, pointed, stakeholder accessibility of knowledge assets. She works remotely from her home in New York City and travels to Seattle often. Lucia feels very honored to be part of this inspiring and truly of one of a kind community,
Chris Webb, CACE21 Project Coordinator
Chris is a consultant, educator and business owner. His management and entrepreneurial experience includes work in: International Business , Joint Venture Supervision, Digital Strategy, and Strategic Planning. In his international business work he has traveled extensively to Europe, Africa, and Latin America.
Chris has been a co-founder and worked for a range of small and medium sized firms throughout his career. His international experience spans more than two decades and includes work with companies such as SIRIUS Export Management Group, Inc., Steelcase Strafor (Strasbourg, France), and DocFuture GmbH (Berlin, Germany). He currently consults in a wide variety of operational and specialized areas including: Data Analysis, Systems Analysis and Management, Digital Strategy and intellectual Property (IP) Management. Chris leads the Internet Access and Digital Equity research team for the Black Brilliance Research Project and is Co-PI and Senior Personnel on several National Science Foundation research grants. He is also a faculty member at Seattle Central College in the STEM +B Department and teaches Software Development and Tech Industry courses.
He holds a Master’s degree in Information Science with a specialization in Information Economics, Management and Policy (IEMP) from the University of Michigan, along with a Bachelors degree in International Economic Development with a concentration in Latin American Political Economy.
KL Shannon, CACE 21 Community Organizing Lead
KL Shannon grew up in the Central District. She has been a committed community organizer addressing issues that impact the BIPOC community.
Ruby Holland, Founder of Keep Your Habitat / CACE 21 Outreach Specialist
Ruby Holland is a Central District native and founder of Keep Your Habitat, an anti-displacement project. She is focused on maintaining Black Homeownership in Seattle.
Kristyn Joy, Project Volunteer
Kristyn Joy is an adult educator, community organizer and grassroots fundraiser who has lived on north Beacon Hill for 25 years. She hopes CACE 21 will become a model for other neighborhoods to stem the tide of displacement.
Dr Lynne Manzo, CACE 21 Data Analysis Co-Lead
Dr. Lynne Manzo is a Professor in the College of Built Environments and an Adjunct Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Washington in Seattle. As an Environmental Psychologist, her work focuses on place attachments, the experience of displacement, and the politics of place. She believes in the power of community-driven design to achieve positive change and move us toward socio-spatial justice.