Bianca Dang
Assistant Professor, Donald W. Logan Family Endowed Chair of American History – University of Washington
Ph.D., History and African American Studies, Yale University, 2021 My research and teaching focus on the histories of Black freedom movements and state coercion in the Americas during the nineteenth century. Currently, I am working on my first manuscript, tentatively titled: Making Meaningful Freedom: Land, Labor, and Migration in Struggles for Autonomy in Haiti and the United States after Emancipation. This project traces how Haitians and African Americans emphasized autonomy, at times individual and at other times community-based, as they worked toward making freedom more than a legal status across the nineteenth century. It focuses especially on how Black women, both Haitian and American, enacted legal, diplomatic, and religious strategies to combat racism and misogyny in such pursuits.
DeLon Lewis
Program Specialist, Everett Community College – Diversity & Equity Center
DeLon currently works as a. He is also a STEM 101 Instructor. Grew up between Seattle, Kent and Federal Way areas of Washington state. Graduated from Portland State University with a Bachelor of Science in Communication and is currently working on a Master in Information Technology Management with Western Governors University.
The son of Albert and Trina Lewis. DeLon has 3 children and 3 sisters, loves listening to music and songwriting. Aware of the burdens carried by black men, women and their diaspora of identities, he gets excited when it comes to advancing his community and eliminating the digital divide with IT solutions and social justice.
Many people also know DeLon as a Seattle-based songwriter/producer, and the owner of a recording and digital software production companies All Day Originals, Co. and All Day Software, Co. Through committee work, he has found ways to combine elements of hip hop and R&B with designing open mics, interactive workshops, and academic lectures. DeLon is also a well versed Master of Ceremonies (MC). Notable involvement with organizations and institutions including: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Apple, Inc., Nike, Inc., Highline College, Green River College, University of Washington, Oregon State University, Intuit QuickBooks, The Bellevue Collection, and Ascend Hospitality Group.”
Steve Nelson
Senior Diversity Equity & Inclusion Specialist for Alaska Air Group
Steve is a dedicated Diversity Equity and Inclusion professional who, in addition to advocacy work through Business Resource Group leadership and involvement, helped to manage the disability inclusion strategy at the Walt Disney World resort for the past several years. Steve is currently the Senior Diversity Equity & Inclusion Specialist for Alaska Air Group, which includes Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and Project Management, as well as graduate certificates in Diversity Equity & Inclusion in the Workplace, and Inclusive and Ethical Leadership.
Michelle Osborne, J.D.
I have focused my years of experience in non-profit work on racial equity and social justice practice, non-profit systems, policies and culture; the prevention of violence against women and children; and leadership development for women and girls. As a former prosecutor and civil trial attorney, I have focused my non-legal work on social services and community work. I was director of the rape crisis center at a YWCA in California’s Silicon Valley, managed a multi-community outreach and research project for a large domestic violence prevention organization in the San Francisco Bay area, and coordinated a healthy sexuality program for homeless and street youth at a San Jose-area family services center. I have been an appointed commissioner to the Santa Clara County (California) Commission on the Status of Women, and an appointed member of the State Bar of California’s Committee on Women in the Law. Most recently, I served for 3 years as the Race and Social Justice Manager for YWCA Seattle| King| Snohomish, one of the largest YWCAs in the nation. My responsibilities included providing over 400 staff in 25-plus locations across two counties with accessible and practical trainings, participatory workshops, resources, and individualized support in racial equity and social justice practice, consistent with YWCA’s mission to Eliminate Racism and Empower Women. I am presently a board member of the Seattle-based Sexual Violence Law Center, and have also chaired the boards of WILD, a women’s human rights leadership institute based in San Francisco, and La Casade las Madres, San Francisco’s first and oldest domestic violence shelter. I received my law degree from UCLA, and am a graduate of Princeton University. I am a member of the State Bar of California. I live in Seattle with my husband, college-bound daughter, and a very curious cat.
Paul E. Pitre, Ph.D.
Chancellor, Washington State University Everett
Paul Pitre is Chancellor for Washington State University’s Everett campus. Dr. Pitre became Chancellor in September 2016, after serving as Academic Dean of the campus from 2011- 2016.
Dr. Pitre is an associate professor of Educational Leadership and Counseling Psychology at WSU. Prior to accepting a faculty position at WSU, he was a member of the Auburn University faculty. Pitre has worked in Public Affairs for the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce and as a Program Management Analyst at the U.S. Department of Education. He has also held several administrative posts in higher education.
His research interests center on P-20 education policy, leadership and governance in higher education, and college access and choice. Pitre received his doctorate in Education Policy and Leadership from the University of Maryland. He also received his master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from New York University and his bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from Western Washington University.
Alicia Crank (Co-Moderator)
Chief Development and Equity Officer for AtWork!
Alicia Crank is the Chief Development and Equity Officer for AtWork!, a highly supportive and innovative conduit between people with disabilities and employers in the community. Prior to this role, she was a leader in major fundraising and partnership roles at YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish, CityYear Seattle and Washington Business Week.
A Detroit native, Alicia held several leadership positions in corporate banking, education, business and the nonprofit sector in Silicon Valley. She began her career in Investment Banking and Cash Management, moved into the high tech industry then eventually in to nonprofit sector as an executive director of a community leadership program as well as nonprofit philanthropy.
In her community volunteerism, Alicia has worked with organizations that serve special needs children, the homeless, workforce and career development and helped organize a city-wide renters/tenants association.
Having moved to Greater Seattle in 2014, she is now one of only a few women of color in corporate philanthropy. Alicia has served on several boards and commissions centered around zoning, land use, environment, community media, ethical community fundraising, equity and inclusion. She currently serves as Chair of the City of Edmonds Planning Board as well as Chair of the Snohomish County / Paine Field Airport Commission.
Alicia is recognized as am impactful community leader and speaker. In 2019, she founded Edmonds International Women’s Day, where there 2021 Keynote Speaker was Sue Bird. She moderated the popular Black In Edmonds discussions during the height of the pandemic, as has been a lead presenter at several conferences including the AFP Advancement Northwest Annual Conference and Forum for Strategic Fundraising, University of Washington’s Fundraising Management Program and Leadership Snohomish County’s Step Up Conference. Earlier this year, Alicia was honored as a Community Leader Finalist at the GSBA Business and Humanitarian Awards.
Alicia resides in Edmonds and is an avid road tripper.
Jon Bauer (Co-Moderator)
Editorial Editor, The Daily Herald
Jon Bauer is the Opinion page editor for The Daily Herald in Everett and has worked there since 2001. Bauer grew up in Everett and studied journalism at Everett Community College and Western Washington University. He and his wife, Gale, a former reporter for The Herald, live in Mount Vernon.
Crank'd Up Consulting 