Okay family, pull up a chair because we need to talk. Washington State recently became the third state in America to fund a reparations study for African Americans, and it should be a moment to celebrate. The Legislature allocated $300,000 in seed funding, and the Washington Equity Now Alliance — a community-based organization doing the real work — raised another $450,000 to ensure this sacred study is done right. Governor Ferguson signed the law that spells out who’s qualified to lead the study: a PhD focused on reparations, peer-reviewed publications, expertise in calculating uncompensated slave labor, and lived experience. So far, so good, right?

But here’s where it gets messy. The Department of Commerce is creating its own procurement rules, and its decisions are now preventing the community from securing qualified consultants for this work. Somehow, an “apparent successful bidder” has been named – a company called Truclusion that doesn’t appear to meet ANY of the legal requirements got through the procurement process — while the nation’s leading reparations scholar, an UCLA endowed chair and Howard University department head who literally wrote a BOOK on Reparations, was denied due process on a technicality when he asked for his legal right to a debriefing. How is the state this incompetent with something this important?

Sisters Audrey and Melannie sit down with Attorney Jesse Wineberry Sr. — former five-term state legislator, first Black House Majority Whip in Washington’s history, and Chair of WENA — to break it down, shed light on the matter, and invite the community to take action. Somethin’ ought to be said. What say YOU?

Department of Commerce

Reparative Study for Washington Descendants – Washington State Department of Commerce

Dr. Marcus Anthony Hunter

Achievements — Dr. Marcus Hunter | Leading Voice on Reparations & Racial Justice

CALL TO ACTION

Department of Commerce – Public Records Request

CUT & PASTE INTO YOUR EMAIL

Pursuant to RCW 42.56, I request all records in any/all format (including emails, texts, memos, notes, scores, evaluations, meeting minutes, communications, and any other documents) related to:

(1) The scoring, evaluation, and selection of Truclusion as the apparent successful bidder for COMMERCE RFP 26-33740-001 (Reparations Study) managed by the Department of Commerce by Michelle Griffin), including all proposals submitted in response to the RFP – all individual and composite scores, scorer identities, evaluation criteria, deliberations, and comparative analyses of all bidders; and

(2) The decision announced on November 10, 2025, to extend the contractor announcement deadline from November 5-10 to November 18, 2025, including all communications and justifications regarding the need for “additional time for scoring.”

(3) Any documents authorizing Commerce to delegate authority to the Commission on African American Affairs to carry out the duties of reviewing and selecting a successful bidder for RFP 26-33740-001 (Reparations Study)

CONTACT:

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE

Are you retired, laid off, or simply in transition? This episode is for YOU. The sisters dive into a dynamic and heartfelt conversation about creating a fulfilling life after work—on your terms.

Discover how to embrace this new chapter with purpose, passion, and joy. From volunteering to lifelong learning, we explore ways to stay engaged, connected, and inspired.

Highlights in this episode:

Opportunities for Seniors to Explore:

Suggestions for things to try:

Guest: Marguerite Martin, Entrepreneur, Social Influencer, and alumna of the American Leadership Forum Tacoma/Pierce County Senior Fellows Program with Melannie

In this honest and brave conversation, Melannie, Audrey, and Marguerite explore a moment from a leadership workshop where Marguerite unintentionally made racially hurtful comments toward Black men in the group—and Melannie checked her. Together they unpack:

This episode is less about blame and more about seeing, learning, and staying the course.

After some time away from the mic, sisters Audrey and Melannie return with a powerful episode that’s part personal journey, part revolutionary challenge.

Personal Updates & Testimony The sisters catch up on their life journeys since the last recording one year ago, with Audrey sharing a moving testimony about her sobriety journey.

The sisters explore how words carry power and trigger automatic emotional responses. They propose flipping the script on the word TRUMP – a word that dominates our cultural conversation – by returning to its original meaning – to surpass or overcome – what if every time you heard the word “TRUMP,” instead of triggering political division or anxiety, it became your cue to choose kindness? The concept: Let kindness trump hate. Let compassion trump cruelty.

The sisters draw from their own comeback journeys to demonstrate that kindness isn’t weakness – it’s revolutionary.

Channel 253 membership

This is a very special episode as sisters Audrey and Melannie celebrate their mother Alean’s 85th solar return. In the heartwarming and insightful conversation, Mom Alean joins her daughters in the studio to discuss her favorite topic: politics among many things. The discussion is candid, fun and touches on various aspects of life, as Mom Alean shares the wisdom she’s gathered over the years and her hopes for the future.

Sisters Audrey and Melannie reunite on the mic after being away for some time. They catch up on current events, specifically digging deep into the polarizing vibe around the national elections and impact on the minds of the people. They welcome special guest Carol Coleman Mitchell, founder and CEO of the Institute for Black Justice. The conversation elevates further when they speak on the murder of Sonya Massey by police in her home, the imperative for every citizen to vote and offer shout-outs to local candidates running for political office. The discussion is unfiltered, insightful, and real.

Notes

Sister Melannie, also known as Peace Queen, is solo on the mic as Sister Audrey continues her radical healing journey! Please send your prayers and good vibes!

In this episode, Peace Queen delves into what it truly means to lead, advocate, and thrive as a Black woman in political leadership. She engages in “truth-tellin'” dialogue with two distinguished members of the Washington State House of Representatives: the Honorable Melanie Morgan of District 29 and the Honorable Kristine Reeves of District 30, who is also chair of the Legislative Black Caucus.

Listen in as Peace Queen and the Sister Queens in the House candidly share their stories about the uniqueness of navigating leadership as Black women and confronting the pervasive impact of systemic racism. This discussion offers a rare glimpse into their journeys, challenges, and triumphs in the realm of public service and advocacy.

Resources:

Tema Okun. 1999. White supremacy culture. Dismantling Racism: A Workbook for Social Change Groups, Durham, NC: Change Work.

https://www.whitesupremacyculture.info/about.html

Washington State Primary Election – August 6, 2024 – Cast Your Ballot!

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=2243&Year=2024&Initiative=false

(https://www.commerce.wa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/CRP_Factsheet_FullVersion_final-10-17-23.pdf)

https://lcb.wa.gov/se/social-equity-plan