About
Like many Black families, we moved here from Mississippi in the 1970s. My dad was in the Army, and my mom worked at the VA Hospital, and later for the City of Seattle. Tragically, my dad slipped into substance abuse disorder after his time in the service and died from alcoholism. I am grateful to my mom, who raised me by herself in a triplex on Beacon Hill– all the while working extra jobs on the weekends to make ends meet. Her strength inspires me today to work hard for my family, and why we must support other hard working people in our city with strong wages and opportunities.
About
Like many Black families, we moved here from Mississippi in the 1970s. My dad was in the Army, and my mom worked at the VA Hospital, and later for the City of Seattle. Tragically, my dad slipped into substance abuse disorder after his time in the service and died from alcoholism. I am grateful to my mom, who raised me by herself in a triplex on Beacon Hill– all the while working extra jobs on the weekends to make ends meet. Her strength inspires me today to work hard for my family, and why we must support other hard working people in our city with strong wages and opportunities.
My dad’s experience with substance abuse informs my commitment to our veterans and the recovery community– and investing in solutions that help people recover and reconnect with their loved ones. For the last 10 years I’ve been volunteering my time in the recovery community – connecting men to people, groups, and resources that help them recover from addiction.
FAMILY AND UNION VALUES
I met my wife Alena when we were students at Mercer Middle School on Beacon Hill! She spent most of her legal career as a King County Public Defender and representative for the Teamsters Union. She was a key member of the team that negotiated their contract with King County. Now she works in private practice still defending people, and is incredibly active in the community, dedicated to supporting Southeast Seattle youth and volunteers with the Southeast Seattle Fundraising Alliance (SESSFA).
I have been a proud Protec17 member since joining the City of Seattle in 2016. Although I was in the Mayor’s Office for two years in a temporary position, I continued to pay my dues and maintain my status as a Union member. Working at the City and being a Union member has enabled me to do meaningful work and take care of my family.
Today, we live one block off Rainier Ave in Rainier Beach and have two wonderful daughters, who share my love of skateboarding.
SKATEBOARDING
I started skating in the streets in the late 80s and still skate today! It offers young and old people alike the opportunity to experience and see the world in a different way and introduces them to an inclusive community of active, positive, and accepting people. I’m actively involved in the Seattle skateboard community, volunteering my time to help kids and adults learn to skate. I’m also involved with the development and promotion of the Rainier Beach Skatepark.
“I have known Adonis since the late 80’s and as far back as I can remember he's always been a genuine and positive person. He's heavily involved with the Seattle skate community volunteering his time to help kids and adults learn to skate. It's really exciting to see him take this next step on his journey and run for the District 2 city council seat. He will no doubt bring the same character and energy to the race and City Hall once he's elected in November. I'm hyped to see this!"
CULTURE AND COMMUNITY
When I was 13 years old, in addition to skateboarding, Fir State Golf Club – an organization of African-American leaders based out of Jefferson Park Golf Course – took me in to keep me out of trouble. They kept me in school, taught me how to play golf, and got me a job at the golf course.
My senior year of high school I won the Metro League Golf title and had several scholarship offers to HBCUs.
I worked hard in high school to achieve my goals. I took golf lessons before school started, and after school I worked as a ballboy for the Seattle SuperSonics!
After graduating from O’Dea High School, l spent a couple of years at Western Washington University before I moved back to Seattle in 1996. I worked in restaurants and DJ’d events. In the late 90s and early 2000s I was a part of some of Seattle’s biggest and most influential music events that are still remembered today!
EDUCATION AND PUBLIC SERVICE
I went back to school in my early 30s through a worker retraining program. I attended Seattle Central College where I earned an Associates of Arts degree. Recognizing a passion for service to the communities that shaped my life and outlook– and wanting to give back in a more meaningful way– I continued my studies at the University of Washington Tacoma where I received my Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies.
I was inspired to go into public service by President Obama’s 2008 run for office. He inspired me to think not just about community building, but representation within the communities we are building. I realized that my own voice– and those of all marginalized communities– needed to be heard and at the table making decisions.
I earned my Master of Public Administration degree from the Evans School of Public Policy and Governance at the University of Washington in 2012. After graduate school, and again, inspired by then-President Barack Obama, I dedicated my professional career to community outreach and engagement– working in the private sector, and since 2016, at the City– to ensure that all voices are heard, and we create inclusive policy-making opportunities that get results for people throughout Seattle.
At the City of Seattle, I have brought people, businesses, and organizations together to get some of the City’s most complex projects done- 23rd Ave Safety Project, the West Seattle Bridge project, and Madison BRT. I have also played a key role in getting policy and legislation adopted like the Seattle Transportation Plan and the 2024 Transportation Levy.