Seattle Education Forum

The Seattle Education Forum 2025 was a free, community-led gathering designed to bring families, students, and neighbors into authentic conversation face-to-face with candidates for Seattle School Board, Seattle City Council, and King County offices. Over 100 people attended the event, and food was provided by Salima Specialties and Cleveland High School’s Boba Club.

The forum centered the voices of those most impacted by education policy but too often left out of decision-making. Over a shared meal in a welcoming and accessible space, community members had the chance to ask their own questions, raise issues that matter most to their (children’s) futures, and engage directly with candidates. More than a political event, this forum was a space to uplift underrepresented voices, foster civic dialogue, and strengthen connections between community and leadership.

Candidates in Attendance:

  • Seattle Mayor: Katie Wilson, Bruce Harrell
  • King County Executive: Claudia Balducci, campaign representative of Girmay Zahilay
  • City Council District 2: Adonis Ducksworth, Eddie Lin
  • City Council Position 8: Alexis Mercedes Rinck
  • City Council Position 9: Dionne Foster, Sara Nelson
  • School Board District 2: Kathleen Smith
  • School Board District 4: Laura Marie Rivera, Joe Mizrahi
  • School Board District 5: Vivian Song, Janis White
  • School Board District 7: Carol Rava, Jen LaVallee

Press:

  1. Seattle Times: At a unique Seattle town hall, the candidates come to you
  2. Seattle’s Child: Centering Community Voices in Education: A forum that listened
  3. Seattle Gay News: Harrell, Wilson, and others discuss the future of our public schools at the Seattle Education Forum
  4. Parent Map: Seattle Education Forum: Meet the Candidates Shaping Seattle Schools and Families’ Futures
  5. The Facts Newspaper: Seattle Education Forum Gathers City, Mayoral, County and School Board Candidates in the Southend

Photo Gallery

Thank you to our community partners: Ace Academy, Alianza Leadership Program, Denise Louie Education Center, East African Community Services, El Centro de la Raza, Kandelia, Latino Community Fund, Seattle Council PTSA, Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle and Washington Youth Alliance.

Thank you to our planning partners: Alliance for Education, Black Education Strategy, and League of Education Voters.

Questions? Contact Hong Ta, our Marketing and Communications Coordinator at [email protected].