Last month we welcomed Jazmine Smith to the Futurewise team! Jazmine is the new Director of Local Advocacy and is working with community groups across the Puget Sound Region on their local comprehensive plans and smart growth strategies.  Read more to get to know more about her. Welcome to the team, Jazmine!

 

Tell us a little about yourself! How did you end up at Futurewise?

I took a fairly roundabout and unexpected path to Futurewise, but it was really borne out of pushing forward with my passions and with community. At my core, even as someone who loves to travel, I adore the Pacific Northwest above all else. From sparkle of the city, to the wonders on the water to the fantasy of the forests and our majestic mountains, I am in love and in awe of everything we have to offer. That’s why so many people want to be here and grow our wonderful community.

I’ve always had a dedication to our communities, from the local Teen Advisory Group to ending up at Western Washington University and studying Human Services, with an emphasis on how to recognize, break down and address the intersectional barriers we face. I then went on to serve in the Peace Corps in Timor-Leste working on Community Economic Development, and when I returned I dropped right into working as an educator in the public schools. Something that really hit home at the school and in my own community was the impact of housing inequity that shows up in all the little ways and the big ways. I started serving on the Queen Anne Community Council to ensure that we were ensuring space for everyone, especially in a neighborhood where that has not always been the case.

That started my foray into Land Use and through the next half a decade worked with not just the community council, but also with the Urbanist and at The Washington Bus on policy and civic education and engagement for a building towards a brighter.

Why do you believe in Futurewise’s work? Why do you think what we do is important?

Futurewise’s work is so important because we help lay the groundwork, blueprint, and vision for the communities and state that we want to see. The shared ground that we all live on recognizes not just one specific issue but the intersections of all that we’re building towards.

What do you do outside of work?

Outside, I love riding my e-bike around, hopping on ferries for a taste of island (or peninsula) life, and while I don’t like to hike,  I do love to wander. On the flip side, in terms of cozy hobbies I crochet, and have been trying my hand at blankets and garment sets. I also enjoy coffee as a hobby, and love trying new shops and roasters and going to coffee cuppings.

What’s your favorite thing about living in Washington?

What I love about Washington is probably what everyone loves about Washington, the limitless options, opportunity and beauty wrapped up. There’s a lot of work to do, but it’s a place where we can do the work fearlessly and boldly.

If you could snap your fingers and fix one issue facing our state, what would it be?

Every issue I want to snap my fingers and fix connects back to the core issue of economic injustice. Whether it’s rent stabilization, universal school meals, land use policy for 15 minute cities, transportation, child care and Pre-K to Postsecondary education, all these issues are tied into economic inequities that constrain us from livable, vibrant communities. Those economic inequities originate and are compounded by racial exclusion and if I could snap my fingers I would solve it all.