Possibility Day Reflections: Neighborhoods and Communities

To keep our 2,780 alumni connected to LT and the topics explored in the Flagship Program, we share class member reflections and resources from our Possibility Days (formerly called Challenge Days). You can review the agenda to access these resources and get a sense of the day's activities.

Our Neighborhoods and Communities Possibility Day, held on October 10 at Tacoma Goodwill, was designed to help participants:

Learn about a framework for healthy communities and neighborhoods.
Build knowledge of the structures and policies that shape neighborhoods and the outcomes residents experience.
Practice the collective leadership skill of inquiry and consultation.

Jameelah's Reflections

Jameelah Cage, PhD, LT'25, Seattle Police Department

The first Possibility Day was eye-opening as we explored neighborhoods and communities and introduced the first pivot, from lens to mirror. We discussed zones, districts, redlining, and the impact of gentrification.

For my prework, I studied the neighborhood where I grew up, on 28th and Yesler in Seattle's Central District. My family lived in our home for 20 years until my mom was forced to move south due to gentrification. As I revisited my old neighborhood, I noticed many significant changes, including the loss of its strong community feel.

Touring the Tacoma Goodwill was especially meaningful and one of the day's highlights. Eu-wanda Eagans, LT’18, Senior Vice President of Workforce Development at Tacoma Goodwill, started the morning with an overview of the facility's services and shared a video featuring testimonies from individuals who have benefited from their programs. I was amazed by Goodwill’s extensive offerings, which help people develop life and career skills, remove barriers, and provide the tools for participants to succeed.

We ended the day with a community leadership panel that included Andrew Parks from the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce; Joy Muhammad, Author; and Scott O’Halloran, LT’09 from FAVROS Law Firm. In our breakout discussions, my group focused on the challenges leaders face with delegation. We noted that it can be difficult to delegate because we often want the work to reflect how we as leaders would complete it. My main takeaway was the importance of trusting your team and delegating tasks so others have the chance to develop their own skills.