Bellevue 膚色平等社區倡議支援以社區為主導的努力，透過在全市不同人口之間的對話建立信任和意識，從而推進本市的價值觀以及對種族平等的承諾，確保所有 Bellevue 社區都有機會發展壯大。
這些對話透過教育和訓練培養種族素養和技能，同時，與社區組織建立的夥伴關係有助於共同提出建議和採取行動。領導這項工作的是 CCC 凝聚小組，這是一個由在 Bellevue 生活和工作的不同人士組成的團隊，他們致力於改善整個 Bellevue 社區的機會和種族平等。
背景
2021 年 1 月 19 日，市議會核准了 Bellevue 膚色平等社區倡議，該倡議由社區主導，目的在促進本市的種族平等，並在全市多元人口中建立信任與意識。
這項為期三年的倡議包括三個層面：
- 透過對話建立信任：在 Bellevue 市工作人員的協助下，由不同社區成員組成的膚色平等社區凝聚小組在第一年就公平問題開展了一系列社區討論。
- 透過教育和培訓來培養種族素養與技能：Bellevue 市將不遺餘力地就種族平等問題教育社區成員，並可能與當地企業、非營利組織和政府組織建立合作。
- 共同制定建議並促成行動：透過與 CCC 成員、市工作人員、領導者及其他利益相關者協作，Bellevue 市將探索促進本市種族平等的活動和建議。
Communities of Color Coordinating Team
Amirah Haque
Amirah is a student in the Bellevue School District, and has lived in Bellevue for 12 years. Although her passion began in middle school, it has transitioned to a hands-on approach in community-led events. Amirah has championed minority groups' causes and rallied for equity across race and gender.
As a youth in her community, Amirah helped draw attention to the effects of toxic masculinity and, with her peers, led and supported projects that promoted awareness and facilitated long-lasting change. Amirah wants to continue to promote positive change in the community, serving on the CCC Team.
Joel Leiva-Rodriguez
Joel is a freshman at Seattle Pacific University, planning to major in international business. Joel’s family is Guatemalan, and has been living in Bellevue for 25+ years. When Joel is not at school, he’s the co-owner of Home for the Poor, a nonprofit organization that builds shelters for rural Guatemalans and provides them with food and clothes.
Joel’s goal for Communities of Color Coordinating Team is to create space for people of color in the community to be heard.
Monik Martinez
Monik is originally from a small farming community in Central Washington and has lived in Bellevue for the last five years. As executive director of 4 Tomorrow, a local nonprofit, Monik has focused her efforts on supporting youth and the Latinx community in King County.
Before 4 Tomorrow, Monik was a family engagement specialist in the Bellevue School District – a role that allowed her to deepen her interest in racial equity and build her understanding of the link between institutional change and ensuring that families in the community were served with fidelity. Monik is excited to join the CCC Team to learn from the wider community and work with other passionate community members in making our home the best place it can be.
Kananu Mason
Kananu has lived and worked in Bellevue since 2006. She has worked in healthcare for about 20 years, specializing over the last five years on neurology. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking/walking and vegetable gardening.
Kananu draws inspiration from interacting with people who make it a purpose to better themselves and/or their communities.
Randy Nuñez
Randy works, lives and has children that go to school in the city his wife was born and raised in – Bellevue. He feels most at home when he has an opportunity to get involved in the community, support efforts to build a sense of belonging for everyone and have moments of celebration.
Randy, who has a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from the University of Washington, joined the CCC Team because he believes the city plays an important role in the well-being of families and communities. He knows his life experiences reflect those of a large segment of our population, which he will do his best to represent honorably.
Ricardo Perezchica
Ricardo is an investor/broker with Compass in Bellevue, helping people make real estate investments. A Latino and the youngest of 10 siblings, Ricardo has been empowered by feeling included.
As a long-time real estate professional, he wants to promote opportunities for minority business owners in Bellevue. Ricardo wants to make sure information and resources are easy to find for all populations here.
Ryan Qualls
Ryan moved to Bellevue in 2010, finding work as a laborer, driver and hospitality worker. Of Tlingit and Mexican descent, Ryan was raised with Coast Salish, Makah and Klallam people on the Olympic Peninsula; Bellevue game him his first experience living in a city with diversity. He became familiar with the local Baha'i community and participated in a dance group that performed around Seattle for some years and started to learn about advocacy.
Ryan has volunteered for Alaskan Natives Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and the Black Action Coalition for Black and Indigenous Solidarity. He has received training for leadership from the El Pomar Foundation and advocated for environmental causes through Protectors of the Salish Sea.
Jeri Tiernan
Jeri is a queer, black, intersectional feminist, pronouns she/her. A nurse in the greater Seattle area, she has worked inside and out of clinical spaces, promoting health and racial equity, along with diverse inclusion.
Jeri's biggest concerns are for health equity and housing and economic equality for communities of color.
Lalita Uppala
Lalita and her husband, with their two children, have made Bellevue their home for the past 28 years. Following a short stint in toxicology consulting, Lalita stayed home to raise her children and volunteered in school PTSAs. Since 2007, she has been on the board of the India Association of Western Washington, and has also volunteered for the organization in various capacities, including as youth program director, president and, currently, community program director and vice president.
Lalita identifies and advocates for the needs of the Asian Indian community of Western Washington. Additionally, she is a trustee with the King County Library System board, and is an ardent advocate of libraries becoming the hub of a community, providing knowledge, education, awareness and connections. Lalita also sits on the board of South Asian Americans Together for Washington.
Royce Yuen
Royce has worked in Bellevue for the past 12 years, and is pastor and community catalyst for the Common Good Church, a faith community that seeks to benefit all people, no matter their race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, mental or physical ability, education, socioeconomic status, or spiritual background.
Royce ministers in predominantly multicultural and multiethnic spaces and has advocated for racial diversity, equity and inclusion in a variety of industries and organizations throughout his career. He is excited about joining the CCC Team to come alongside city staff, leaders and stakeholders in their efforts to advance racial equity and build trust and awareness across the city’s diverse population.