Eva Walker (KEXP DJ and frontwoman of The Black Tones) will host our 22nd Annual Building Community Event: Opening Doors to Opportunity, on March 31, 2022.

Born and raised in Seattle, Eva (she/her) is from a Southern family of educators and music lovers. This dual regional influence gives The Black Tones a perfect balance of simple and soulful with just enough grunge. As the host of KEXP’s Audioasis music show, Eva is closer to the Northwest music scene than most, which gives her an interesting perspective on the heart and soul of our community.

Eva Walker, KEXP DJ and frontwoman of The Black Tones

In addition to hosting this year’s event, Eva will also treat us to a live performance during the event Afterparty.

“I am so excited to work with Solid Ground because of the ongoing work they so graciously continue to do to end poverty,” Eva says. “Seattle has always been my home. With so many people struggling, it’s important to support organizations like Solid Ground, whose work is dedicated to helping our neighbors here at home.”

Opening Doors to Opportunity is a celebration of the work our community is doing to solve poverty. Come join us, either virtually or in person, and explore Solid Ground’s holistic approach to connecting people to resources and opening doors to opportunities for disenfranchised communities across Puget Sound. You’ll hear from Solid Ground staff panelists Oliver Alexander-Adams, Barb Hart, and Lianna Kressin about the impact of our work – and you’ll learn more about our vision for co-creating community.

Meet your panelists

• Co-host Neo Mazur (she/they) is the Community Food Education Program Manager at Solid Ground, overseeing cooking, nutrition, and gardening education for youth and adults. Before coming to Solid Ground, she managed farms in urban, rural, and tribal communities, and taught farming, gardening, and cooking primarily with communities of color and low-income communities. They have a Masters in Urban Environmental Education from Antioch University Seattle.
• Oliver Alexander-Adams (he/him) is ecstatic about being involved in the Building Community Event this year. At Solid Ground, Oliver is the Family and Children’s Program Manager at our Sand Point Housing campus. It’s an especially important year to talk about our communities, because COVID-19 has been, and continues to be, a consistent and persistent hardship for families onsite.
• Barb Hart (she/her) is a Case Manager in Solid Ground’s Homelessness Prevention Program. She has worked with Solid Ground since 2013, focused on helping families and individuals identify and work toward realistic goals to help them maintain stable housing and possible ongoing income streams.
• Lianna Kressin (she/her) is the Basic Needs Campaign Lead at Statewide Poverty Action Network. In this role, she develops policy and advocates for solutions to community-identified concerns around public assistance programs. Lianna has a strong background in case management and is passionate about systematic transformation rooted in equity.

You can be a part of Opening Doors to Opportunity by tuning in to the event livestream or hanging out with us in person at Town Hall Seattle. Either way, register today to join us on March 31, 2022 at 4:30pm! (In-person seating is limited and subject to COVID-19 safety protocols.)

Register Now!

Graphics at top by Brenda Ho