Tanishia

She/Her, African American

Development Director
Tanishia@kcplayequity.org

Bio

Hi, I’m Tanishia (she/her), originally from Memphis, TN, and I’ve been living in Seattle since 2021. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand how access to, or lack of access to, opportunity can shape the trajectory of young people’s lives. Those experiences continue to fuel my commitment to equity, access, and community-centered work.

I served as the captain of the Seattle Majestics, a professional tackle football team. This experience has strengthened my leadership, resilience, and passion for representation in spaces where it hasn’t always existed. Alongside athletics, I’ve had the unique opportunity to perform with the Murfreesboro Symphony, which reflects my appreciation for discipline, creativity, and the power of collective expression.

My professional background includes supporting adults with disabilities and helping create pathways for students through community colleges. Across these roles, I’ve focused on breaking down barriers and building systems that make education and opportunity more accessible, inclusive, and empowering. I believe deeply that equity matters, especially for youth and communities of color, because access opens doors that many don’t even know exist. I am living proof of what’s possible when those doors are opened.

To me, representation is powerful. My mission is simple: if kids can see it, they can believe it.

Leoma

She/Her, Black

Youth Engagement Coordinator
Leoma@kcplayequity.org

Bio

Hi, i’m Leoma (she/her) and I was born and raised in Seattle in both the Central District and Rainier Beach neighborhood’s . I’ve seen how unequal access to play shapes the health and confidence of young people. With a Master’s in Education, my work has always focused on creating spaces where youth can grow, lead, and find joy through movement and community. Over the years, I’ve worked across classrooms, nonprofits, and international programs that connect education, wellness, and belonging.

Play is more than recreation it’s a path to healing and belonging. At the King County Play Equity Coalition, I’m grateful to work alongside youth and partners who are reimagining what play can look like when everyone has the chance to participate fully!

Monika

She/Her, Indian (South Asian) & White

Director of Operations
Monika@kcplayequity.org

Bio

नमस्ते! I’m Monika (she/her), I am an energetic advocate for Play Equity. I was born and raised in Massachusetts. Though my family is on the East Coast and in India, I am grateful to have home wherever they may be. My passion for community care has taken many shapes over the years, from home-building and home repair, to teaching bicycle mechanics and mountain biking, to research in urban planning and disinvestment in legacy cities. I completed an undergraduate degree in Critical Studies in Housing, and a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning back in Massachusetts. For the past five years I have been living in Seattle, learning, listening, and working to understand how to build Play Equity through intersectional racial justice.

I love to run, ride my bike, read, practice yoga, make art and spend time with my beautiful community, wonderful friends and husband when I am not working.

Cha Cha

She/Her, Chinese American

Community Engagement Director
Chacha@kcplayequity.org

Bio

Hi, I’m Cha Cha (she/her), a Chinese American Social Worker, born in China, adopted by two women, and raised in Seattle. While living in Seattle, I’ve gotten the opportunity to explore our great parks and local forests. I love to be active, whether that’s going on walks with my dog Roscoe and my cat Doja, playing drop-in pickleball and pick-up volleyball, or doing group workout classes, like pilates!

I also enjoy building lego sets, coloring, playing video games, and cooking for people I care about.

I went to undergrad and graduate school at the University of Washington, obtaining my Masters of Social Work in Administration and Policy. What I like in my profession is serving the community and advocating for social justice, racial justice, and environmental justice.

Tracy

She/Her, Multi-racial, Filipina/Native/White

Executive Director
Tracy@kcplayequity.org

Bio

Aloha! I am a mother, sister, friend, and story seeker. My whole life I have been asked, “What are you?” This is not what people are asking me. They want to place me in a “box,” identifying my race. Through years of exploring the impacts of racism on my life, I reclaim my identity through knowing my Indigenous, Filipina, & White ancestry and continuously raising my racial consciousness. I am an Osage Nation Tribal Member living in Washington, born and raised in Hawaii. I am someone who enjoys good macaroni and cheese, long talks with friends at a coffee shop, and discovering new places with my family.

My career began in the world of social work. Through non-profit, government, and education, I have worked to address the social ills of America through serving communities experiencing homelessness, poverty, abuse, mental illness, and chemical dependency for over 18 years. As I realized more efforts were needed to prevent these social injustices, I turned to the educational system to work with our emerging young leaders. I continued my mission to build a collective of brave, transformative antiracist leaders, through a coaching and consulting business to facilitate workshops promoting healing for people of color, coach on anti-racist leadership, and consult with organizations on systemically being anti-racist.

I look forward to carrying the shared mission, vision, and values alongside the collective of KCPEC to ensure youth furthest from play justice thrive through play equity. I have witnessed, through my children and myself, the huge benefits of participating in play, sports, and outdoor activities. Together we have the power to influence a movement across the region that will touch the lives of many.