The last election held some disappointing moments and some reasons to be more hopeful for minority busineses.
While the verdict is out regarding many priorities important to communities of color and business owners in general, we should note that Nick Brown, a 47-year old African American, was elected Washington state’s 19th Attorney General.
Brown, who has attended numerous Tabor 100 meetings throughout the years and supported our efforts in many different ways, is a unique AG. He previously served as the US Attorney for Western Washington, was Governor Inslee’s top lawyer and spent many years in the US Army, including a tour of Iraq. He was notably a Bronze Star recipient, one of the highest military honors any soldier can receive. He also did a stint on ABC TV’s “Survivor,” a show that has garnered him national attention as he ascends to the AG role.
Born in Steilacoom WA to a military family, Brown has vowed as AG to lead with “compassion and integrity,” protecting the rights of Washington residents. Brown recognizes the challenges he will face over the next 4 years of the Trump Administration and has vowed to enforce Washington State laws in the midst of attempts to undermine them coming from the federal administration. It is important to note that the previous Attorney General, Bob Ferguson, now Governor Ferguson, sued the first Trump Administration repeatedly.
“My goal in this office is not to sue the Trump Administration or anyone, for that matter, but I will uphold the rights of Washington citizens, and, in order to carry out our laws and protect our residents, I will use whatever tools are available for the AG, including litigation” Brown stated.
“Tabor 100 is pleased to welcome Nick as the state’s Attorney General, said Ollie Garrett, President and CEO of Tabor 100. “His commitment to civil rights, especially in his role working for Governor Inslee and as the US Attorney for Western Washington has been outstanding and his actions have reflected the mission of this organization”
Brown has vowed to focus on a number of key issues, many of which are especially important for Black communities as well as society as a whole. Preventing gun violence, preserving and expanding voting rights, combating violent extremism, building bridges between police and communities and reforming the criminal justice system, are top priorities for Brown.
“I know there are solutions that can make our communities safer without sacrificing equity and racial justice,” Brown stated. “I appreciate Tabor 100’s commitment to economic opportunity and see clearly the overlap between housing, economic justice, civil rights and dignity.”
Brown’s track record in the military, Governor’s Office and as US Attorney for Western Washington, has been stellar. As a young lawyer in the Army JAG Corps, Brown served as a prosecutor and defense lawyer. He took on unscrupulous and predatory lenders that were taking advantage of soldiers and their families and defended the rights of young soldiers.
In the Governor’s office, Nick implemented the Governor’s moratorium on the death penalty and during the first Trump administration worked with then Attorney General Bob Ferguson in taking on Trump’s early unlawful actions, including his Muslim Ban.
As the US Attorney for Western Washington, appointed by President Biden, Brown chaired the Attorney General’s Advisory Subcommittee on Civil Rights and brought a focus to keeping Washingtonians safe by preventing and prosecuting hate crimes and protecting the most vulnerable and members of marginalized communities. He was also very much engaged in the fight against drug cartels and sex trafficking, issues of special note for Washington state.
“More than anything, people want to be safe ,” Brown said. They want to live in an economic environment where they have opportunities, and they want to live in a place that defends and echoes their values. Tabor 100 has worked to open up economic opportunities, especially for Black businesses. I want you to know that Tabor 100 and the minority business community will continue to have a friend in the AG’s office.”
