Families, students and community members are invited to a celebratory ‘progress and promises check-in’ event with Seattle Mayor, City Council and School Board and King County Executive leaders.
The media and public are invited to the 2026 Seattle Education Forum: Block Party that will connect elected and appointed leaders from King County, Seattle Mayor’s Office, Seattle City Council, Seattle School Board and the State Legislature with students, families and educational advocates. The event is set for Tuesday, June 23, 2026, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Byrd Barr Place (722 18th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122).
This forum is an opportunity for community members to check in and connect with their public officials on the progress and promises made around education during last year’s campaign trail. Timed with the end of the school year, the block party will also be a celebratory event with kids’ activities, congratulating recent graduates and kicking off summer break for students.
Attendees will learn who makes key decisions affecting schools, inform leaders where to go next, and understand how they can advocate and hold leaders accountable to the promises made to students and families.
Confirmed Public Official Participants
Among the public officials confirmed to attend are:
- Seattle Deputy Mayor Brian Surratt
- Seattle Department of Education & Early Learning
- Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors: Joe Mizrahi, Liza Rankin, Kathleen Smith
- Seattle Public Schools Senior Leaders
- Seattle City Council Members: Dionne Foster, Joy Hollingsworth, Eddie Lin, Alexis Mercedes Rinck, Rob Saka
- King County Executive Office Senior Leaders
- State Legislative Office of Rebecca Saldaña
A full school year after the election, families and neighbors can gather face-to-face with leaders shaping education policy and investment in our city and state to ask questions like:
- What have our leaders learned from community feedback?
- What progress has been made?
- What challenges remain?
This free, family-friendly gathering is designed to share power, strengthen partnerships and move forward the progress our students and schools deserve.
Both the media and public are invited to attend and should RSVP ahead of time.
Hosting Organizations
The event is planned by nonprofit organizations Alliance for Education, Black Education Strategy Roundtable, League of Education Voters and Southeast Seattle Education Coalition. The event is co-hosted alongside community-based nonprofit organizations Ace Academy, Atlantic Street Center, Byrd Barr Place, OneWorld Now!, Rainier Scholars, Seattle Council PTSA, Space Between and Washington Ethnic Studies Now.
Notes for Editors / Media
- High-resolution photos, backgrounders on education issues, bios and event materials are available upon request.
- Media are welcome to attend.
- Please contact Ian Coon, ian@alliance4ed.org, for interview coordination or advance briefings.