Byrd Barr Place Announces New Board Members

Byrd Barr Place recently announced the addition of two new board members, Telitha Floyd and Michaela Osborne, reinforcing its commitment to community-led governance and maintaining its all-Black Board of Directors. The appointments come as the organization continues its work advancing economic mobility, housing security, and social justice for communities of color in Seattle.

The organization’s board president, Tamara Howie, is an attorney at King County Superior Court and a longtime Central District resident. A former Byrd Barr Place client, Howie has said her lived experience shapes her approach to leadership and informs the board’s focus on equitable, community-centered strategies.

Other board officers include Vice President Heyward Watson, whose career spans more than 30 years in nonprofit and corporate leadership roles; Secretary Christian Bell, who works in grant writing and community engagement; and Treasurer Derrick Love, a Cyber Defense Solutions Architect at Microsoft and co-founder of Sync Seattle, an initiative that connects professionals to small businesses and local causes.

Godwin N. Gabriel, founder of Moovn Technologies, and Kwame Sarfo, a communications specialist at Amazon, also serve on the board. Both bring experience in technology, entrepreneurship, and racial equity advocacy.

Floyd and Osborne, who joined earlier this year, bring backgrounds in community development and nonprofit engagement. Their appointments, according to Byrd Barr Place, reflect an ongoing commitment to leadership that reflects and responds to the communities the organization serves.

“At Byrd Barr Place, we take immense pride in our organization’s deep roots in the Black community, especially with the leadership of our all-Black Board of Directors,” the organization said in a written statement. “As we reflect on our journey, we want to celebrate and highlight the diverse, visionary leaders who dedicate their time and expertise to advancing the mission of Byrd Barr Place. Their unwavering commitment drives the critical work we do to foster economic mobility, housing security, and social justice for communities of color in Seattle and beyond.”

The organization said that while the board’s makeup is rooted in representation, it is also a reflection of its values around accountability, lived experience, and leadership in service of community needs.

Byrd Barr Place was founded more than 60 years ago to serve the needs of Black residents in Seattle’s Central District. Today, its services include utility assistance, rental and housing support, food distribution through The Market, and broader policy advocacy focused on racial and economic equity.

According to the organization, board members regularly volunteer at events, participate in community outreach, and support the day-to-day work of Byrd Barr Place in addition to their governance roles.

“We believe in the power of community, and we are proud of the exceptional leadership that makes our work possible,” the organization said. “Thank you to our board, volunteers, and community members for their dedication to creating a brighter, more equitable future for all.”

The current board and broader community will be recognized at Byrd Barr Place’s Annual Block Party, scheduled for July 12 from noon to 5 p.m. at 18th and Cherry.