The Washington Coalition for Police Accountability (WCPA) is a coalition of families who have lost loved ones to police violence, advocates, experts, and organizations, working together on state-wide policies to reduce police violence and increase accountability.
Our policy formation centers on the lived experiences of impacted persons. Family members who have lost loved ones to police violence have key policy-setting roles, with other coalition members supporting in various ways. Impacted families are the experts of their experience and their voices, presence, and insight transform and enrich policy development.
In addition to the lived experiences of families, the history of race and policing, and the effects of discriminatory as well as violent policing on Black Americans, Native Americans, Latinos, Pacific Islanders, Native Hawaiians, Asian Americans, and others, underlies all of WCPA’s work.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Sonia Joseph
WCPA Board President, Impacted Family Member Mother of Giovonn Joseph-Mcdade, Founder of MyAdvocate, Board member of the WA Criminal Justice Training Commission
Nickeia Hunter
WCPA Board Treasurer, Impacted Family Member sister of Carlos Hunter, Board member of the WA Criminal Justice Training Commission
Darya Farivar
Washington State Representative from Legislative District 46. Advocate at Disability Rights Washington
Dr. Gary Damon, Jr., Interim Executive Director
Dr. Gary Damon, Jr. is the President and CEO of Pressure Point Consulting, Third Sector Company’s Interim Executives Academy graduate, and current Interim Executive Director with the Washington Coalition for Police Accountability. He brings over 22 years of experience in senior and executive leadership roles across multiple industries: health and human services, criminal justice, re-entry, public, private, international, higher education, and government. Dr. Gary has earned a reputation for his keen ability with people and performance management skills and for his integrity, character, openness, and bravery to lead a team toward high performance and success. He has provided onsite technical support and assistance, program leadership coaching and support, and workforce development and training to current clients across multiple states, including Connecticut, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Oklahoma, and California. Dr. Gary also published “Everyday Experiences to Improve Work and Life: Reflection Strategies from a Motivational Leader” and “Everyday Experiences Workforce Essentials Guide.”
Board Advisory Committees
Impacted Family Member Advisory Committee
Danielle Bargala Sanchez, Family of Renee Davis
Marilyn Covarrubias, Family of Daniel Covarrubias
Carena Covarrubias, Family of Daniel Covarrubias
Nickeia Hunter, Family of Carlos Hunter
Tonya Isabell, Family of Charleena Lyles
Sonia Joseph, Family of Giovonn Joseph McDade
Jim Leighty, Friend of Craig Johnson
Debbie Novak, Family of David Novak
Trishandra Pickup, Family of Stonechild Chiefstick
Fred Thomas, Family of Leonard Thomas
Annalesa Thomas, Family of Leonard Thomas
Shelly Washington, Family of Kevin Peterson Jr.
Coalition Advisory Committee
Jude Ahmed - ACLU WA
Kristin Ang, Faith Action Network
Jac Archer, Spokane advocate
Amanda Azad, CAIR WA
Paul Benz, Partners for Social Change
Joyce Brekke, Clark County advocate
Union Carter, Peace Justice League Spokane
Sunshine Cheng, Disability Rights Washington
Leslie Cushman, Citizen Sponsor I-940
Aaron Czyzewski, Food Lifeline
Livio De La Cruz, Seattle advocate
Lindsey Grad, SEIU 1199 NW
Enoka Herat, ACLU WA
Deborah Jacobs, Civilian Oversight expert, Seattle
Jesse Johnson, Former Legislator
Phoenix Moreno, SEIU 775
Martina Morris, Next Steps WA
Kim Mosolf, Disability Rights WA
Ariel Novick, Anti-Defamation League NW
Najma Osman, CAIR WA
Stephen Paolini, Seattle advocate
Anwar Peace, Spokane advocate
Kurtis Robinson, Spokane advocate
Rheta Rubenstein, Clark County advocate
Sheri Shuster, Disability Rights WA
Kathy Strauss, Administrative Support
Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle
Katie Walker, CAIR WA
