the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County hosted the Economic Security for All & Community Reinvestment Program Provider Summit. It was a morning that brought together the Washington State Department of Commerce, Employment Security Department, and dozens of community partners from across King County to do something we don't do often enough: pause and celebrate.

This Summit gave space to those who make community work happen — the intermediaries, training providers, small business owners, and community organizations — to share their lived experiences and those of the people they serve.

"We have seen great wealth generation in this city. But we have been gutting middle-class jobs and excluding people of color," says Marie Kurose, executive director of the Seattle- King County Workforce Development Council (WDC), the backbone of the many programs that train and place people in jobs. She adds, "Marginalized people have not been reaping the benefits of this economic growth."