Each year, the Crosscut Courage Awards Fundraising Breakfast recognizes those among us who have shown bold leadership and enduring courage, despite personal or organization risk. For the 2019 awards, we will be honoring leaders who have reached across social, cultural, political or ideological lines for the greater good. We are honoring individuals in the categories of:
- Lifetime Achievement
- Public Service
- Elected Office
- Culture
- Business
- Technology
In addition to celebrating courage, this annual event raises essential funds that support Crosscut’s quality coverage of critically underreported local and regional issues.
2019 Honorees
David Brewster Lifetime Achievement Honoree
Justice Bobbe Bridge (ret.) has dedicated her career in and out of the courtroom advocating for children and youth. Before she built Center for Children & Youth Justice (CCYJ), Justice Bridge served as King County Juvenile Court’s Chief Judge from 1994 to 1997 and eventually was appointed to the Washington State Supreme Court in 1999 where she served before resigning her judgeship in 2007.
Courage in Public Service
Rex Holhbein, a Seattle native, ran a successful residential architectural firm for 30 years. After befriending several men experiencing homelessness along the Fremont canal, Rex started a Facebook page to raise awareness for those living unsheltered through the sharing of photos and personal stories. His passion project turned into a thriving and inspirational non-profit, Facing Homelessness, and drove the creation of BLOCK Architects, a social justice architecture firm.
Courage in Business
Louise Chernin is the CEO of the Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA), Washington State’s LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce. In her 17 years at GSBA, the organization moved from a networking group of two employees into a well-known business organization, with 14 employees engaged in economic development. Louise is also known for her activism on issues such as economic justice, violence against women and LGBTQ equality.
Courage in Technology
Kieran Snyder is the CEO and Co-Founder of Textio, an augmented writing platform. For anything you write, Textio tells you ahead of time who’s going to respond based on the language you’ve used. Prior to founding Textio, Kieran held product leadership roles at Microsoft and Amazon. Her work has appeared in Fortune, Re/code, Slate, and the Washington Post.
Courage in Culture
Delbert Richardson is the founder of the "Unspoken" Truths American History Traveling Museum which chronicles the rich history of Africans prior to American Chattel Slavery to the experiences and impact of the Jim Crow Era, and the many contributions African Americans have had on scientific, cultural, and technological innovations in the U.S. and the world. His mission is to reeducate learners of all ages and lead the community to self-restoration and healing.
Courage in Elected Office
Justice Mary Yu was appointed to the Washington Supreme Court in May 2014 and is the first Asian, the first Latina, and the first member of the LGBTQ community to serve on the Washington State Supreme Court. Prior to her appointment she served more than 14 years as an accomplished trial court judge in King County Superior Court. Justice Yu has an extensive record of service both on and off the bench and serves on a variety of boards and commissions.
Previous Year Honorees
- Gov. Daniel J. Evans Lifetime Achievement Honoree
- Tim Burgess Courage in Elected Office
- Beto Yarce Courage in Business
- Trish Millines-Dziko Courage in Tech
- Lauren Davis Courage in Public Service
- Creative Justice Courage in Arts & Culture
- Bill Ruckelshaus Lifetime Achievement Honoree
- Bob Ferguson Courage in Elected Office
- Doris Koo Courage in Business
- David Harris Courage in Tech
- Gang of Four Courage in Public Service
- Pat Graney Courage in Arts & Culture
- Martha Choe Lifetime Achievement Honoree
- Richard Romero Courage in Business
- Friends of 88.5 Courage in Culture
- Colleen Echohawk Courage in Public Service
- Joni Earl Lifetime Achievement Honoree
- Taylor Hoang Courage in Business
- Marcus Green Courage in Culture
- Kaaren Andrews Courage in Public Service
- Billy Frank Jr. Lifetime Achievement Honoree
- Community Sourced Capital Courage in Business
- Valerie Curtis-Newton Courage in Culture
- Eastside Catholic High School Student Protestors Courage in Public Service
- Bob Donegan Courage in Business
- Andrew Russell Courage in Culture
- Starcia Ague Courage in Public Service
2018 Highlights
Sponsorship
Crosscut invites all who share a dedicated passion for bold leadership, enduring courage, and an informed and engaged public to come interact with our growing community of business leaders, philanthropists, elected officials and influencers at the annual Crosscut Courage Awards Fundraising Breakfast.
To learn more about sponsorship opportunities for the 2019 Crosscut Courage Awards Fundraising Breakfast, please contact Joe Heslet.
FAQ
This annual event raises essential funds that support Crosscut’s quality coverage of critically underreported local and regional issues.
Tickets are available for purchase now at Eventbrite
As this is a fundraising event, tickets are not refundable.
Crosscut is always looking for volunteers. For additional information, please contact Cathryn Burby at cburby@KCTS9.org or 206.443.5476.
Business attire is recommended.
Yes, a coat check will be available.
We recommend purchasing your tickets in advance. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door.
You do not need to bring your ticket confirmation with you to check-in.
Paid parking will be available at the venue and in nearby parking garages.
Contact
For programming and logistics inquiries, please contact Kaila Trout at ktrout@KCTS9.org or 206.443.4851.
For sponsorship inquiries, please contact Joe Heslet at jheslet@KCTS9.org or 206.443.6751.
For media inquiries, please contact Kelsey Tomascheski at ktomascheski@KCTS9.org or 206.443.4835.