Building the beloved Community Gala Program

Mil gracias for joining us at the gala this evening!

PROGRAM:

5:00 PM – Reception
Silent Auction
Live Performances by Bailadores de Bronce
Bars & Appetizers

7:00 PM – Program
Welcome by Enrique Cerna, Master of Ceremonies
Welcoming by John Daniels Jr., Vice Chair, Muckleshoot Tribal Council
Performance by Lucia Flores-Wiseman
Remarks by Estela Ortega, Executive Director
Remarks by Marianne Bichsel, Vice President of External Affairs, Comcast PNW Region
Dinner & Live Auction – Fred Northup Jr. & Veronica Gallardo, Auction Hosts
Roberto Felipe Maestas Legacy Scholarship Presentations by Mimi Santos & Maria Casarez, Youth Service Co-Directors
Special Presentation by Sarah Perry, Vice Chair, King County Council
Video by Enrique Cerna & Randy Eng
Scholar Speaker Lesly Mendoza Osorio
Raise-the-Paddle
Performance by Lucia Flores-Wiseman
Safeguarding Democracy Award Presenation by Estela Ortega, Executive Director
Keynote Address by michele storms, Executive Director, ACLU of WA
Roberto Felipe Maestas Legacy Award Presentation – Malou Chavez, Executive Director, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project
Roberto Felipe Maestas Legacy Award Presentation – Chach Duarte-White, Director of Legal Services, Legal Counsel for Youth & Children
Raffle Drawing
Closing

SPONSORS:

TABLE AMBASSADORS:

2025 KEYNOTE SPEAKER:

Meet Our Keynote Speaker: michele storms

Serving as the Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington (ACLU of Washington), michele storms brings extensive experience in leadership and public service. She has previously held roles as Deputy Director of the ACLU of Washington, Assistant Dean for Public Service, and Executive Director of the William H. Gates Public Service Law Program at the University of Washington School of Law.

Before joining the ACLU, michele worked as a statewide advocacy coordinator at both Columbia Legal Services and the Northwest Justice Project, where she coordinated civil legal aid advocacy in areas including family law, youth and education, housing, elder law, Native American rights, and right-to-counsel issues. Earlier in her career, she served on the faculty at the University of Washington School of Law, where she founded what is now the Child and Youth Advocacy Clinic and taught several other courses.

In addition to her professional roles, michele has served on numerous boards and guilds locally and nationally, including six years on the Washington State Access to Justice Board and as a member of the OneAmerica board. Deeply committed to equity and justice for all, michele has dedicated her life’s work to advancing access to justice, preserving freedom and democracy, and ensuring that all humxns safely reside within the circle of human concern.

MEET OUR ENTERTAINMENT:

Lucia Flores-Wiseman is a Mexican-American singer-songwriter from Seattle, Washington, whose music glows with emotional depth and quiet power. Since 2018, she has captivated audiences with a sound that blends Indie, Folk, Soul, Jazz, and subtle Rock influences—offering soulful vocals, poetic storytelling, and a rare ability to make every note feel like a conversation with the heart. Lucia gained national attention as the fourth-place finalist on Season 27 of NBC’s The Voice, where she earned a coveted four-chair turn in her blind audition and joined Team Adam. Throughout the season, she impressed both viewers and coaches with her versatility, soulful interpretations, and original artistry—often transforming classic songs into emotionally resonant experiences. Her standout performances sparked widespread praise, and her collaboration with Adam Levine in the finale highlighted the unique connection she builds with both songs and audiences. Lucia is currently working on her debut EP, a project that promises to further reveal her voice, vision, and vulnerability as an artist.

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Bailadores de Bronce was founded in 1972 at the University of Washington by Josefina Jaramillo Alvarez and a group of students. Emerging from the Civil Rights and Chicano movements, the ensemble was created to celebrate and share Mexican heritage through music and dance. For more than 50 years, Bailadores de Bronce has promoted the beauty and richness of Mexican traditions in the Pacific Northwest, inspiring audiences while instilling pride in youth. Through vibrant performances and cultural exchange, the group continues to build bridges of understanding across communities and generations.

ROBERTO FELIPE MAESTAS 2025 LEGACY AWARD HONOREES:
MALOU CHÁVEZ & CHACH DUARTE WHITE

Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) is a nationally recognized legal services organization in Washington State dedicated to advancing and defending the rights of immigrants with low or no income. Through direct legal services, community education, and systemic advocacy, NWIRP challenges unjust laws and policies, promotes justice, and works toward equity for all—regardless of birthplace. Its impact litigation has set critical precedents in areas such as racial profiling, access to legal representation, and fair parole consideration. At the helm of this mission is Malou Chávez, the first immigrant woman of color to serve as Executive Director of NWIRP. She leads with a steadfast commitment to defending and uplifting immigrant communities, carrying forward NWIRP’s decades-long legacy as a national leader in immigrant justice.Under Malou’s guidance, the organization continues to expand its reach through legal advocacy, education, and systemic reform, ensuring that Washington remains a state where immigrants are protected, valued, and empowered.

Legal Counsel for Youth and Children (LCYC) protects the rights and safety of young people in Washington through direct representation, community partnerships, and systemic advocacy, ensuring they remain safe, connected, and housed.In 2024, LCYC served over 800 youth statewide, including 232 supported through Washington’s Office of Public Defense Youth Access to Counsel program, as well as many others reached through its Youth Homelessness and Immigrant Youth programs. Guiding this vital work is Chach Duarte White, Director of Legal Services, who helps expand LCYC’s statewide impact. With a background as both an engineer and an attorney, Chach brings unique expertise and a lifelong commitment to equity in the legal field.A former President of the Latina/o Bar Association of Washington and the Judicial Institute, she has dedicated her career to serving low-income communities and diversifying the legal profession—ensuring that every young person in Washington has access to justice and opportunity.

ROBERTO FELIPE MAESTAS LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS:   

Congratulations to our 2025 Roberto Felipe Maestas Legacy Scholarship Recipients: Alex Mota-Romero, Alex Quiroz Garcia, Ana Cortes Valdovinos, Ana Lizbeth Hernandez, Areana Armenta, Bryan Oliva-Cervantes, Elena Cira-Cornelio, Emili Flores Rodriguez, Erick Ossiel Hernandez Giles, Estefany Vidrio, Giselle Galvez-Peralta, Hashis Alejandra Mejorada Soberanis, Hector Jaimes Lopez, Jaziel Godinez De La Cruz, Judith Trujillo-Jasso, Julian Amador Rico, Kelly Duran, Lesly Mendoza Osorio, Linda Carolina Caro Herrera, Maritza Flores Romero, Mauricio Escorcia Heredia, Melany Villanueva Ramos, Miguel Angel Garcia, Nahom Hailemariam, Victoria Lizbeth Espino, Xavier Arias Isaac Roque, Xitlaly Zulley Palacios Peralta, Yahir Castaneda, Yocelin Esmeralda Barajas de Luna, and Yoseline Perez Dolores.

VIEW OUR LIVE AUCTION ITEMS:  

VIEW OUR AUCTION RULES:

Mil gracias for coming!