Community Leaders Urge King County to Support Yolanda in Anti-Blackness Fight

King County officials are facing mounting pressure to address concerns regarding equity and transparency in funding practices, particularly affecting Black-led grassroots organizations. During a recent Committee of the Whole meeting, community members voiced strong criticism over the treatment of Yolanda, a lead program manager, who has been placed on administrative leave without cause. Advocates argue that this decision reflects a broader pattern of anti-Blackness within the county's funding processes.

The public comments highlighted frustrations over delayed payments and excessive documentation requests that disproportionately impact Black organizations compared to their white-led counterparts. One speaker emphasized that while Black-led initiatives face scrutiny, similar organizations funded outside of Washington are not subjected to the same level of oversight. This disparity has raised alarms about systemic inequities in how King County allocates resources.

In response to these concerns, the county auditor's office provided a briefing on the Department of Community and Human Services' contract audit, which oversees a significant portion of public funds. The audit aims to ensure that the county's funding practices are fair and effective, particularly as they relate to community needs.

The meeting concluded with a call for King County to close its "value gaps" and to reinstate Yolanda, urging officials to support her leadership and the innovative systems being developed in collaboration with the community. Advocates stressed that the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., after whom the county is named, is at stake, emphasizing the need for a commitment to equity and justice in all county operations.