The Seattle Education Forum is an event series that aims to connect policymakers directly to community members on educational justice issues. It is organized by Southeast Seattle Education Coalition members, including the Alliance for Education, Black Education Strategy Roundtable, and the League of Education. The first iteration was held in October 2025 at Rainier Beach High School. This page documents all SESEC-led engagement events done as a part of the Seattle Education Forum initiative.
Seattle Education Forum: Block Party on June 23, 2026
Policymakers in Attendance:
- Seattle Deputy Mayor Brian Surratt
- Seattle Department of Education & Early Learning
- Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors: Joe Mizrahi, Liza Rankin, Kathleen Smith
- Seattle Public Schools Senior Leaders
- Seattle City Council Members: Dionne Foster, Joy Hollingsworth, Eddie Lin, Alexis Mercedes Rinck, Rob Saka
- King County Executive Office Senior Leaders
- State Legislative Office of Rebecca Saldaña
Press:
- Seattle’s Child: Bubbles, popsicles and the future of Seattle Public Schools
- Seattle’s Child: Questions for your school decision makers? Here’s your chance
- Seattle Times’ Education Lab Weekly Newsletter
Photo Gallery
Thank you to our community partners: Ace Academy, Atlantic Street Center, Byrd Barr Place, OneWorld Now!, Rainier Scholars, Seattle Council PTSA, Speak with Purpose, Space Between and Washington Ethnic Studies Now!, CarolineFacePaints, Pupuseria Express, and Feathered Pages Bookstore
Thank you to our planning partners: Alliance for Education, Black Education Strategy, and League of Education Voters.
Seattle Education Forum on October 15, 2025
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:
- Seattle Times: At a unique Seattle town hall, the candidates come to you
- Seattle’s Child: Centering Community Voices in Education: A forum that listened
- Seattle Gay News: Harrell, Wilson, and others discuss the future of our public schools at the Seattle Education Forum
- Parent Map: Seattle Education Forum: Meet the Candidates Shaping Seattle Schools and Families’ Futures
- The Facts Newspaper: Seattle Education Forum Gathers City, Mayoral, County and School Board Candidates in the Southend
- Seattle Metro News: Seattle Education Forum Brings Candidates To South End For Community Dialogue
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 or want to get involved with the Seattle Education Forum? Contact Liz Huizar, our Executive Director at [email protected].