Southend Connect

After an outbreak of violence in the community, Larry Wilmore, realized it was time to go deeper. "Instead of talking about it, I wanted to do something about it," Wilmore says. He founded FAST, Fathers and Sons Together, a preventative outreach program connecting fathers/mentors and their sons to nurture a positive vision of themselves and their future. #SoutheastSeattle #Seattle #mentorship, #malerolemodel #fatherandson #LarryWilmore Southend Connect is an innovative project in Southeast Seattle that connects small, local businesses with residents through storytelling. A project of the Rainier Chamber of Commerce, connecting residents and local businesses through story fosters economic opportunity and builds strong and diverse neighborhoods. #communitybuilding #storytelling #localbusiness

Journalist Marcus Green, who grew up in Rainier Beach in Seattle, shares his journey of storytelling and a new diagnosis of bi-polar disorder. "The largest lesson I've learned is that the search and pursuit of purpose is more worthwhile than the pursuit of happiness, meaning a fleeting moment." #journalism #bi-polar #purpose #MarcusGreen #SoutheastSeattle #Seattle

Georgia McDade, a retired English teacher, author of seven books and organizer with African American Writers' Alliance on storytelling, learning, and the power of love. "So much is lost because we don't know," she says. #author #writers #Southeast Seattle #Seattle

It was rare to see women enter the real estate business nearly 60 years ago when Jean Veldwyk opened the family business on Rainier Avenue. A graduate of Franklin High School, Jean tells her amazing story as a businesswoman and shares what fueled her success through the decades. #pioneer #glassceiling #realestate #seattle #southeastseattle

The gym is packed with teenage girls yelling, volleyballs flying through the air, words of encouragement bouncing off the wall. At Seatown Volleyball Beyond Borders, though, something more than a game is being played and coached. The reality for many Southeast families is that the high cost of off-season volleyball meant that many girls could not get training or practice to compete in high school. Southeast Seattle moms Lori Brown and Lori Chisholm (Mama Lori and Coach Lori, respectively) started a volleyball league to provide an affordable program for girls. Through volunteer coaches and donated gym time, Seatown Volleyball has become a place not only to play and have fun, but a diverse group of high school girls who also learn lessons in community, leadership, and equity. "Seatown Volleyball is a microcosm of what the world can look like if you invest well,” says Mama Lori. #volleyball, #girlpower, #mentorship, #Southeast Seattle, #Seattle, #RainierValley Southend Connect is an innovative project in Southeast Seattle that connects small, local businesses with residents through storytelling. A project of the Rainier Chamber of Commerce, connecting residents and local businesses through story fosters economic opportunity and builds strong and diverse neighborhoods. #communitybuilding #storytelling #localbusiness