Each year, our dinner draws supporters, activists, legislators, and friends to celebrate progressive policy victories and re-focus our shared vision for the future.

Will you join us this year and be a Changemaker? Reserve your seat today!

Event Details:

Date: September 19, 2019
Time: 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Location: Fisher Pavilion, Seattle Center
305 Harrison St. Seattle, 98109

We’ll begin the evening with a cocktail hour from 5:30-6:20 and will enjoy passed hors d’oeuvres, drinks, music, a photo booth, and policy-themed games. At 6:20, we’ll share a delicious meal and take in an engaging, educational, and inspirational program featuring Governor Jay Inslee, Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, Activist and Organizer Monserrat Padilla, former Washington State Labor Council President Jeff Johnson, Spoken Word Poet Jasmyne Sims, and more!

Governor Jay Inslee – Opening Remarks

Jay Inslee is a fifth-generation Washingtonian who has lived and worked in urban and rural communities on both sides of the state. Jay represented the 14th Legislative District in the state House of Representatives, and continued serving communities in the Yakima Valley when he was elected to Congress in 1992. The Inslees later moved back to the Puget Sound Area where Jay was elected to Congress in 1998, serving until 2012 when he was elected governor.

During his time as governor, some of Jay’s top accomplishments include combating climate change, promoting clean air and water, supporting clean energy, protecting Washington’s orca and salmon populations through numerous efforts to prevent oil spills and reduce toxic substances, investing in an education system that sets up all students for success, promoting a strong economy and valued workforce, and strengthening civil rights and justice reform.

Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda – MC

Seattle City Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda was elected in November 2017 to serve  as the citywide Councilmember in Position 8. Mosqueda’s top priority on City Council is promoting healthy communities, lifting-up working families, and creating more affordable housing for all residents through the city. She was named one of Seattle’s Most Influential People 2018 for her work on critical legislation in her first year in office. She previously served as the Political Director for the Washington State Labor Council, AFLCIO, ran for office as a Labor Democrat, and continues to prioritize workers every day by building economy that works for all, passing additional labor protections, and building affordable housing and healthy communities for all.

Monserrat Padilla – Aubrey Davis Changemaker Award Recipient

Monserrat Padilla has been organizing LGBTQ, immigrant and communities of color on the ground for over 10 years to build collective movement power. She was a co-founder of the Washington Dream Coalition and has led national & statewide campaigns, including the victory on the Washington State Dream Act to expand eligibility for state aid in higher education. Monserrat worked as a the National Program Coordinator for the Queer Undocumented Immigrant Project, a program of United We Dream, where she worked across the country building a national network of LGBTQ immigrant community leaders,  advocates and organizers to develop policies and advocate addressing the needs of LGBTQ immigrant communities.

Jeff Johnson- Aubrey Davis Changemaker Award Recipient

Jeff Johnson served as staff at the Washington State Labor Council 25 years before being elected and serving as President from 2011 to 2019. Jeff began his union life in New York City with Local 2190 of the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO in 1979 and taught Labor Economics and Labor Studies at several colleges, universities, and other labor and community sponsored education programs in the New York area. Jeff’s work at the WSLC focused on organizing, policy, and legislation that improves the lives of working people through increasing collective bargaining and organizing rights; economic justice and anti-poverty measures; strengthening workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and employment standards; improving health care and advocating for “Medicare for All”; and protecting the rights of farm workers and immigrant workers.

Jasmyne Sims – Artist Spotlight

A native of Tacoma, Jasmyne attends Tacoma Community College and is majoring in Criminal Justice. She has competed in numerous poetry competitions in the greater Seattle area, including the 2017 Rain City Slam finals. Jasmyne started writing seriously at the age of 15 and since then uses poetry as a way to “comfort the disturbed, and disturb the comfortable”.

Sponsorships Available

Can you or your organization join us as a sponsor this year? Sponsors power our movement for equity and benefit from high-profile event marketing, free event tickets, and take-home gifts. There is a sponsorship level for any budget- please take a moment to review our sponsorship form and let us know which level will work best!

To confirm your sponsorship, contact Sam Hatzenbeler, Development Director at sam@opportunityinstitute.org or at (206) 529-6375.

With thanks to our sponsors!

Organizer Sponsors

Advocate Sponsors