The Role of Black Women in Democracy Today: An Antioch Works for Democracy panel organized by the Anti-Racism Task Force

Tuesday, September 17, 2024, 4–5 PM PT / 7–8 PM ET

Nobody is free until everyone is free.” – Fannie Lou Hamer

Black women have long stood at the crossroads of democracy and liberation. Their voices, advocacy, and resilience have driven progress toward equity and justice, yet the full acknowledgment of their contributions remains elusive. Join us for this one-hour panel featuring three formidable Black women leaders who are advancing democracy despite facing stereotypes, patriarchy, misogyny, and misogynoir, and moderated by a well-known broadcast host.

Panelists:

Judge Ashleigh Parker (formerly Dunston) is a distinguished legal professional known for her unwavering commitment to justice and fairness. Raised in a family dedicated to law and public service, Ashleigh’s integrity and sense of duty were evident from a young age. After graduating with honors from law school, she quickly gained recognition for her legal expertise and empathy. Her impressive track record and impartiality led to her appointment as a district court judge.

Judge Faye R. Chess is the current Presiding Judge and was appointed to the Seattle Municipal Court bench in April 2018 after serving as Magistrate. She was first elected to the position in November 2018. Judge Chess served as a Judge Pro Tempore in King County District Court for over 22 years. She was previously the Director of Labor Relations for Group Health Cooperative and Senior HR Consultant for Providence Health and Services and Swedish Medical Center. For many years, she worked in the public education sector, first as Deputy General Counsel and Interim Executive Director of Human Resources for Seattle Public Schools specializing in employment and labor, special education, and student disability plans and later as the Executive Director of Human Resources and General Counsel for Tukwila School District. After receiving her B.A. from Purdue University and her law degree from University of Cincinnati College of Law, she worked as a staff attorney for The Public Defender Association in Seattle, Washington. She also served as Deputy General Counsel and Interim General Counsel for Seattle Housing Authority. She is a member of the Washington State Bar Association, Federal Bar of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, and Loren Miller Bar Association.

Senator Paula S. Hicks-Hudson has served as a member of the Ohio Senate from the 11th District since 2023. Senator Hicks-Hudson has dedicated her career to empowering and improving the lives of her constituents. She has a rich background in both the public and private sectors. Her roles have included assistant prosecutor, assistant public defender, and assistant state attorney general, as well as serving as legislative director of the Toledo City Council, director of the Lucas County Board of Elections, and chief legal counsel to the Ohio Office of Budget and Management under Governor Ted Strickland. Before her Senate position, she was a state Representative for Ohio House District 44. She is the former Mayor of Toledo Ohio, the first Black woman to serve in that position.

Cassandra Stokes is the Democracy and Economy Coordinator for North Carolina Black Alliance, she focuses on redistricting, democracy, election law, and voter protection in North Carolina. She also serves as the vice chair for the Durham Mayor's Council for Women, first vice chair of the Durham Democratic Party, and political chair for the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People. Cassandra has devoted her career to public service, benefiting numerous organizations with her leadership and guidance. Known for her passion for political equity and community advocacy, she has led successful campaigns at municipal, county, and statewide levels.

Moderator:

Danielle Nottingham is the cohost of the Emmy Award-winning NBC show, "California Live." As an award-winning journalist, she has covered global and national events, including breaking news, entertainment, and politics. Her previous roles include correspondent with CBS News and anchor/reporter at WABG-TV. Danielle has been recognized for her impactful reporting on refugees. She  holds degrees from Syracuse University and UNC-Chapel Hill. She is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

This program is offered with support from Antioch Works for Democracy