14th Annual Urban Poverty Forum: An Examination of Seattle’s Homelessness Policies

About

How do we respond to encampments in our city, and how can we better show up for our neighbors experiencing homelessness? The Urban Poverty Forum is an effort to open a dialogue around the systemic issues surrounding urban poverty and to unite a diverse community of care. For this year’s 14th annual Urban Poverty Forum—presented by The Mahogany Project and Real Change—sit in for an in-depth discussion hosted by award-winning former broadcast news anchor Angela Rae. Hear from panelists Dae Shik Kim Hawkins Jr, freelance writer who has covered race, homelessness and religion; ACLU staff attorney Breanne Schuster; and Joe Martin, Social Worker at Pike Place Clinic. Watch a showcase by the Mahogany Project as they perform an artistic interpretation of the issue that impacts our housed and unhoused neighbors in Seattle. Join us for an event that reflects on the past and present state of homelessness in Seattle—connecting with new perspectives and empowering us to take action.

Dae Shik Kim Hawkins Jr. is a freelance writer that covers topics around race, homelessness and religion. His work has been published in the Atlantic, Sojourners, and the Establishment. Dae Shik currently works as the Director of Development at the viral video company Cut.com.

Joe Martin has been a Social Worker at Pike Place Clinic for over 40 years. He is the cofounder of the Downtown Emergency Service Center and the Pike Market Medical Clinic. He is also a contributing writer for Real Change, and is reputed to have come up with their name.

Breanne Schuster is a Staff Attorney with the ACLU. She has worked with the Washington Defender Association and Disability Rights Washington on issues such as homelessness, criminal justice, and reproductive freedom.

Moderator Angela Rae joined the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods team as Outreach and Engagement Advisor in May, 2019. She is a published author and Associated Press winning television news journalist, host, writer, producer and creator of original content, who worked primarily for CBS in Miami and New York City.