Staff
Ashley Alvarez | Program Manager
Ashley is Unangax̂ and Black and Filipina. Ashley grew up in Bellingham Washington with her grandparents and was involved in her local Unangax̂/Aleut community through a Unangan dance group, Sngagim Axasniikangin (Dream Dancers). As a first generation college student and Gates Millennium Scholar she attended Western Washington University and earned a Bachelor’s of Arts in Human Services. In 2015, she earned her Masters in Social Work from University of Washington with a concentration in Community-centered Integrative Practice and in 2020, she earned her Masters in Urban Environmental Education. Ashley is co-founder of Alagnax̂ Farm, a farm located in South Seattle serving BIPOC community members through access to culturally relevant foods, greenspace and educational workshops. |
Nat Mengist | Director of Learning + Change
A first-generation Ethiopian born in Moses Lake, WA, Nat graduated with a B.A. in the University of Washington’s eclectic Comparative History of Ideas program in 2015, and a Master’s in Education Policy in 2016. Then, as a children’s garden coordinator, he spearheaded the first racial equity team at Seattle Tilth. Nat worked with the NSF funded Learning in Places study from 2018 to 2021, started an independent consultancy for anti-racist coaching called FLOWERBOI FACILITATIONS, LLC in 2020, and was a Farm Coordinator at The Common Acre's 24th+Main site for two years. He is currently a Ph.D student in Human Centered Design and Engineering at the University of Washington.
A first-generation Ethiopian born in Moses Lake, WA, Nat graduated with a B.A. in the University of Washington’s eclectic Comparative History of Ideas program in 2015, and a Master’s in Education Policy in 2016. Then, as a children’s garden coordinator, he spearheaded the first racial equity team at Seattle Tilth. Nat worked with the NSF funded Learning in Places study from 2018 to 2021, started an independent consultancy for anti-racist coaching called FLOWERBOI FACILITATIONS, LLC in 2020, and was a Farm Coordinator at The Common Acre's 24th+Main site for two years. He is currently a Ph.D student in Human Centered Design and Engineering at the University of Washington.
Talia London| Executive Director
Talia (Unangax̂) grew up as a guest in the Lummi nation. Talia is excited to offer space through TCA to BIPOC community to work with Native plants and grow food. Talia has worked alongside multiple community organizing groups for most of her young adult and adult life. Most recently in the last 3 years, she has worked with young people in multiple settings throughout Seattle including the Renton Native American Education Program teaching young people about herbs and Native plants. Additionally, Talia has actively worked alongside other BIPOC organizer's to support mutual aid and food sovereignty efforts in King County. |