Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Washington Ethnic Studies Now Consulting
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: Washington Ethnic Studies Now or WAESN
Mailing Address: 2420 S 116th Way
City: Burien
State: WA
Postal Code: 98168
Main Phone: 2063279164
Main Fax:
Organization Website: https://waethnicstudies.com
Employer ID Number: 85-2390221
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 03/12/2026
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: Youth Power Lab
Project Description:

The Youth Power Lab (YPL) is Washington Ethnic Studies Now’s (WAESN) newest statewide initiative, designed to build a coordinated network of youth leaders (ages 12–21) advancing Ethnic Studies in K–12 education. While Washington’s youth are already testifying before legislators and shaping policy, they often lack the sustained infrastructure to maintain this leadership across policy cycles. The YPL addresses this gap by transforming volunteer advocacy into a community-rooted leadership pipeline.
Rooted in WAESN’s multigenerational, majority POC-led mission, the Lab positions young people—particularly those most impacted by educational inequities—as strategists and educators. Through a dedicated Youth Coordinator and near-peer mentorship from recent graduates, participants receive structured training in civic and technology literacy, advocacy, and curriculum development.
Throughout the program, youth leaders will:
Design and facilitate community education sessions.
Lead intergenerational forums and statewide campaigns to counter misinformation.
Directly influence local and state policy through testimony and district-level organizing.
The Lab’s structure is intentionally intergenerational; youth leaders hold equal decision-making power in WAESN’s governance, ensuring they are not just participants, but co-architects of systemic change. By resourcing the leadership of young people, the YPL moves Ethnic Studies from the classroom into collective action, creating a sustainable model for youth civic engagement across Washington State.

Total Project Budget: $92,260

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): College Spark Washington, $60,000 Sparkplug Foundation, $20,000

Project Duration: 1 year
Geographical Area Served: King County, WA
Age Group To Be Served: 12-21

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Dr.
Contact First Name: Tracy
Contact Last Name: Castro-Gill
Contact Title: Executive Director
Contact Phone: 206-327-9164
Contact Email: tracy@waethnicstudies.com