Local Politics with Councilmember Zahilay

Recently, our young Community Experts from the Youth and Young Adult Advocacy Program shared space with elected King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay. In this meeting, young people showed extreme interest in understanding how the councilmember achieved his success while navigating systemic setbacks. In addition, our young people spoke to Councilmember Zahilay about mental health during these times and how to create spaces in communities where we are engaged with more BIPOC mental health professionals. 

“In communities like mine, talking about mental health was taboo… Instead of talking about it for what it actually is; it could be a medical condition, it could be something you can’t control, it could be things that are societal and systemic that are way out of your reach, and so one thing I’ve tried to do is partner with trusted organizations and trusted leaders in communities to try to hold those conversations alongside them. We hold town halls, hold events, and share resources through trusted people and organizations to meet people where they are,” explained Councilmember Zahilay.

He also talked about his Build the Bench initiative to teach young people how to run for office and get involved in local politics. 

When asked about their experience in the session, our young Community Experts said:

Kayla:  “Councilmember Girmay was very helpful. I feel like he heard us.” 

Faduma: “Asked questions about his position and asked about how he got to where he was. The biggest takeaway was an open discussion about mental health and providing support to community members since COVID.”

For more info on Councilmember Girmay Zahilay, you can visit his website.