Identity Unboxed

Tiana Cole: With a passion for storytelling and furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion, Tiana strives to uplift marginalized communities through sharing authentic narratives. As a first-generation college graduate, Tiana earned a B.A. in Journalism and Public Interest Communications from the University of Washington in Seattle. At the UW, she dedicated her free time to advocacy work to create a more inclusive campus environment in collaboration with campus leadership. She has covered sports, the arts, nonprofits, and culture throughout her journalism work and honed her skills for fast-paced reporting as an intern at Sports Illustrated. She enjoys giving back to the community when possible and advancing racial and social justice efforts. She hopes to inspire others to chase after their aspirations with fortitude. She believes that every day is an opportunity to be the change that you want to see.

Brad Blackburn: Throughout Brad’s professional trajectory, he has committed himself to public service, concentrating on underserved communities. By harnessing the power of collective action, demonstrating compassion, and upholding the highest levels of integrity, Brad continuously seeks to incite change and revamp environments to better cater to the needs of those historically overlooked. Holding a Master of Public Administration degree from the esteemed University of Washington’s Daniel J. Evans School of Public Policy & Governance, Brad seeks to utilize his skills and acquired knowledge to uplift the voices of those born into socio-economic disadvantage through advocacy and tangible policy solutions. As the youngest member of the 2021 Evans Cohort, Brad’s goal is to encourage individuals and communities to shatter societal barriers, surpassing even the most ambitious expectations.

Megan Matthews is the Assistant Director of Shared Power Design with the Office of Equity, pursuing equity and justice for all Washingtonians. She is committed to a lifelong journey of pursuing and living the values of equity and justice. Megan earned her master’s degree in Public Administration from The Evergreen State College. She is certified as a Prosci® Change Management Practitioner, a Diversity Professional (CDP) and a Diversity Executive (CDE). Megan co-taught a Masters’ Program at The Evergreen State College, emphasizing democratic governance and social change for current and future public administrators She is passionate about social justice and ensuring fairness for everyone, especially the next generation that includes her daughters, nieces, and nephews.

Presented by Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. For questions about this event, please contact Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce at isabellet@seattlechamber.com.