Twenty-four years ago when Tabor 100 was created, our goal was to recognize and celebrate persons in the African American community who are doing what needed to be done
to advance the cause of the Black community and community at large. In keeping with that theme, Tabor 100 dedicates this tribute to State Senator T’wina Nobles.

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned in life, it’s the power of using your voice – Michelle Obama, Becoming”

When Michelle Obama wrote these words in her bestselling biography, she was speaking directly to the life and work of State Senator T’wina Nobles. Nobles’ “voice” has influenced many in her legislative district in South Pierce County and beyond because she has used it effectively throughout a life of foster care, homeless shelters, wife, mother, executive, philanthropist and elected official.

At the same time she was raising four successful children, Senator Nobles earned both an undergraduate and Masters Degree at the University of Puget Sound. She began full-time work in local Tacoma high schools and finally became President and CEO of Pierce County’s legendary Urban League, the premier civil rights organization in all of South Puget Sound.

Nobles used her passion for education and ensuring “the least” among us “succeed,” to lend her voice to the University Place School Board. After being elected, she vowed to not just be a Board member, but to create opportunity for her community. Prior to serving on the School Board, she founded Ladies First, an in-school and after-school program to empower young women to use their voices and carried her desire to improve lives at the grassroots level. She worked diligently to ensure that every voice was heard and every child succeeds, by focusing on equality, inclusion and transparency.

The UP School District positioned Senator Nobles to hone her skills in the political arena, a place sorely lacking in the presence of Black women. Finally, in 2020 she made a decision to lend her voice to a larger venue and declared her candidacy for the state Senate, against a long-time incumbent Senator. Her race became one of the most publicized in the state that year, but resulted in her being the second African American woman to ever be elected to the Washington State Senate. Senator Nobles succeeded in having her voice heard in her South Tacoma legislative district and was now stepping onto a statewide stage that often did not pay much attention to people of color.

The Senator, in keeping with her commitment to the Black community, co-founded the Black Futures Coop Fund, a nationally recognized philanthropic organization dedicated to community-led philanthropy investing in Black wellbeing, celebrating Black culture, and connecting Black communities across Washington in order to generate sustainable progress that propels Black prosperity for generations to come.

“The Black community has always been entrepreneurial. We have always found ways to use our skills, talents, and trade knowledge to meet the needs of our community. We have transformed the ways in which we do business in this nation. Black businesses are key to jobs and wealth creation all across this country. Our community is among some of the fastest growing number of small businesses and our entrepreneurial endeavors are vast. However, we continue to be significantly underfunded. As a state Senator and community member, I deeply value the partnerships of organizations like Tabor 100 in building up our communities. It takes partnership across many fields to ensure that the success of our community is amplified to its maximum potential.”

Today, Senator Nobles is using her voice in the halls of Olympia, advocating to improve the education experience for children in foster care, a place where, from personal experience, she understands needs work. She is also engaged in mental health sentencing alternatives and expanded access to college scholarships, not to mention her work on the Higher Education and Workforce Development and Transportation Committees and the Behavioral Health Subcommittee.

Tabor 100 applauds the life and work of Senator T’wina Nobles. Her dedication to ensuring members of our community do not get left behind
is an inspiration to all of us. She is truly using the “power of her voice” to make life better for the Black community and the community at large for now and into the future.