Jackie Vaughn (she/her) is an anti-racist organizer who organizes with Queer and Trans Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities for reproductive justice and bodily autonomy. She is the Executive Director of SRJ (Surge Reproductive Justice) where she has built and implemented a community directed policy model. Before coming to SRJ, she was the Organizing Director for All In For Washington, a campaign focused on reforming Washington State’s upside-down tax code. Her organizing work has covered immigration justice, prison abolition, and transit equity. She is a mother and is deeply invested in birth justice for Black birthing people and building a strong community for her daughter that is safe, thriving, and affirms Black joy.

Senait Brown is an anti-racist organizer, educator and curator of Black power and pleasure spaces who is active in the movement for Black liberation. She has served as director and co-chair of multiple organizations/collectives including, BlackOut Washington, (the group formerly known as) Youth Undoing Institutional Racism, Ending the Prison Industrial Complex and the No New Youth Jail Campaign.  

Senait organizes nationally as a Core Trainer with the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond and works as a consultant with a focus on Black power movement building, transformative organizational development and combating systemic anti-Black racism.

Asha Abena Heru is an anti racist educator, strategist, organizer, creative and artist born and raised Seattle WA. Her work centers team building, leadership and character development, with a background in prison abolition, popular education, socratic facilitation, somatic processing, and mindfulness.

She is a longterm national organizer with YUIR-PIYA (youth undoing racism Seattle/Peoples Institute youth agenda), the Tyree Scott Freedom School, No New Youth Jail Seattle, The Peoples Institute for Survival and Beyond, the Black Power Epicenter, Black StarLine Educational Collective, Inside Out, amongst other community spaces committed to interrupting the violence imposed on us by our systems and institutions with a particular focus on the pathologies created from said violence. 

She stands on three generations of organizers in Seattle WA and pays special homage to her Grandparents John Eichelberger, Marlene Rowlette Eichelberger, and Elanor Johnson, Marjon Waybonkaana, Mayet Dalila, Martha Richards and her daughter Kimberley Richards, among many many more.

Débora comes to Surge Reproductive Justice via the RVC Fellowship. As the inaugural Resource Organizer she will be maintaining, building, and cultivating donor relationships, assisting in grant applications using Wealth Reclamation Academy of Practioners (WRAP) principles. 

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In their daily liberation practice, their commitment is to be a weaver of resources and networks, learning along the way and in reciprocity with the abundance that is present within our communities.

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Débora  is originally from Brasil, but now Tacoma  home. They are an anti-racist educator, artist, activist and capoerista, and friend to many!

Elle is an active members of the PNW BIPOC community and serves as several organizations, including SRJ, Lavender Rights Project, and is a member of The Royal House of Noir (one of Seattle's premiere ballroom houses). A born and raised Texan, she moved to Washington after graduation from the University of North Texas. Upon landing in Seattle, Elle fell in love with the Black queer community, and its rich cultural solidarity. It's this solidarity that has aided shaping her into the Black trans woman she is today. 

Elle is our Decriminalize WA Organizer. She will be working with our policy table partners on building a powerful campaign to decriminalize sex work statewide. 

Elle thinks of herself as spontaneous, fun, and bright in social spaces. In her free time she can be found hunting for the next spectacular place to eat, or out supporting queer nightlife. 

Mo Pannier is excited to bring her commitment to working in abundance and joy to the Operations Lead role at Surge. With years of reproductive rights and youth-led organizing work behind her, it has been her dream to bring a human centered and anti-racist perspective to how teams are able to use and understand operations and HR systems.

Mo is honored to be joining an organization that commits not only to working toward justice and Black liberation, but also to centering the joy and relationships that are so vital to the process of true change.

Outside of work, you can find her seeking out a new favorite restaurant, cuddling with her cat Moss, and nerding out about cozy video games!

Vai Palesoo, also known as Sefina Essence, Founder and Mother to The House of Essence in the Kiki Ballroom Scene. She is a Visual Artist and Mentor who has 3 years of brand development, photography, and editing. Vai has over 5 years in personal development and empowerment, centering her work for Trans Women of Color as a House Mother. Vai made her name by organizing community events for QTBIPOC folks, creating spaces for the free expression of art. She's known for her unique visual style and has maintained community by promoting resources, hosting events, mentoring up-and-coming community members and artists, and sharing her own lived experience.

Whether she’s organizing and hosting 300+ person events, winning 

awards like the Angels in Seattles Arts Advocacy Award in 2021, or working on House of Essence LLC, the business she founded in 2022, Sefina is always pushing herself to grow and achieve more, keeping her community at the forefront of her work. She is excited to offer support in her role to uplift the mission and message where all people can make powerful choices for their bodies, families, and communities.

Outside of work you can find her at a Kiki Ball, spending time with her chosen family, or refining her skills in Visual Arts.