Solid Ground’s mission to end poverty is bold. And at this critical time in our nation’s history, it requires us to stand more firmly than ever in community with those who share our values and believe that every person is important and deserves the opportunity to thrive.
At the Gala, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about our programs directly from amazing staff members who bring Solid Ground’s mission to life, hear firsthand from participants who’ve navigated their own journeys to stability, and support our work to build pathways beyond poverty – all over a three-course dinner and drinks.
Special Guest Erin Jones will share a message of hope and inspiration and give us action items we can do right now to make a difference in our community. After we wrap up the program, we’ll retreat to the lounge for live music, snacks, and beverages.
WHEN: Wednesday, May 28, 2025 | 5:30pm Doors
WHERE: SUMMIT @ 900 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101 (a venue of the Seattle Convention Center)
WHAT: Annual Gala: Building pathways beyond poverty
TICKETS: $200 – person | $1,750 – Table of 10
REGISTRATION: events@solid-ground.org | 206.694.6862
TABLE HOSTS & SPONSORSHIPS: brianas@solid-ground.org | 206.694.6724
QUESTIONS? CONTACT: events@solid-ground.org
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Event Speakers, Artists & Emcee
Shalimar Gonzales
Shalimar Gonzales, CEO, joined Solid Ground in 2021. She previously served as District Executive for the YMCA of Greater Seattle, overseeing 500 staff and operations across multiple locations. During her 17-year career with the Y, she led initiatives including diversity and inclusion, global capacity building, and international partnerships. She currently serves on the boards of the Washington State Community Action Partnership and Community Roots Housing.
Amy Hale
Amy Hale is Children’s Services Supervisor at Solid Ground’s Broadview Shelter and Transitional Housing, a safe haven at a secure location for parents and their kids experiencing domestic violence (DV) and homelessness.
Erin Jones
Erin Jones has worked in and around schools for 30+ years and has been recognized for her work in education and equity. Since 2017, she’s spoken to over 500,000 students and provided trainings and keynotes. She has three TEDx Talks and recently published a book, Bridges to Heal US: Stories and Strategies for Racial Healing. She’s also an accomplished athlete who was invited to try out for two WNBA teams. Learn more about her work at erinjonesdreams.com.
Lyssa Bastet
Lyssa Bastet is a writer, poet, performer, and spiritualist who lives in Solid Ground’s Sand Point Housing with her son, Mysun. As she writes on her Patreon page, A Void with a Voice: “I make noise about my own neurodivergence, poverty, racism, mental illness, conjure, and a mess of other things all through that.” Lyssa performs her poetry at venues across Seattle – most recently at Northwest Folklife – and organizes open mic nights for the community at Sand Point.
Florene Jimerson
Florene Jimerson is a Seattle native who uses photography to build community and document the world she experiences as a young Black woman. Growing up in the Central District in a time of rapid gentrification, Florene has witnessed firsthand the community displacement and cycles of poverty that characterize Seattle’s evolution as a city. View her work at flodid.com.
Sasha Summer Cousineau
Sasha Summer Cousineau, Emcee, is owner of Revel Rouser Events and a fundraising auctioneer, gala emcee, and event planning consultant. A lifelong performer passionate about social justice, racial equity, and feminism, Sasha believes her clients make up the heart and moral compass of our communities. Learn more about her work on her website at sashasummercousineau.com.
Leif Totusek Trio
Left to right: Bassist Lamar Lofton, Leif Totusek, and percussionist Greg Campbell.
The Leif Totusek Trio performs a variety of jazz, world rumba, and New Orleans dance music. Leif Totusek is a Seattle-based, world-renowned composer/guitarist, known for his stunning mastery of wide-ranging world-music genres, particularly Pan-African. He has played, collaborated, and been special guest with African artists Mose Fan Fan, Ali Birra, Geoffrey Oryema, Diblo Dibala, Orchestra Virunga, and Tabu Ley Rochereau, among others, and has been reviewed by NPR, Boston Globe, Boston Phoenix, Seattle Times, Seattle Weekly, and City Limits (London, England). Learn more at Leif Totusek – Official Site.
Thanks to Our Sponsors!
VISIONARY SPONSOR
See Our 50th Anniversary Gala Recap
Left: Members of Converge Media, including 50th Gala keynote speaker Omari Salisbury (with flowers) and his mother, the Reverend Harriet Walden (foreground). Right: Solid Ground’s CEO Shalimar Gonzales.