Who We Are
The Mayor's Council on African American Elders (MCAAE) is an advisory council that provides recommendations to the City of Seattle Mayor, City Council, and city departments on issues impacting African American elders, ensuring their needs and experiences inform decision-making.
Mayor's Council on African American Elders Board Members
Serving on the Council requires a meaningful commitment, including regular attendance at monthly meetings and a willingness to serve without compensation.
Council members actively engage in advancing the Council’s mission by participating in community forums, where they gather public input, share information, and help shape recommendations to the Mayor. Members also represent the Council at events and gatherings hosted by community partners, strengthening connections and elevating the voices of African American elders across Seattle.
Chair: Pamela Williams
With more than four decades of experience in eldercare, case management, client advocacy, and connecting people to vital community resources, Pamela Williams is a driving force for positive change. Since 2018, Pamela has served as King County Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman. Recently promoted to the Assistant State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, she champions the rights of older adults. Pamela serves as MCAAE chair and is a recent board member of the Hearing Loss Association of Washington. She finds deep fulfillment in advocating for these organizations and uplifting her community.
Before joining the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, Pamela made her mark in Chicago, managing Home Community-Based Programs, working as a Long-Term Service Support field manager for managed care organizations, and providing consultation to long-term care communities. She focused on building strong community support systems, empowering older adults to live independently and thrive, and guiding caregivers through the complexities of the healthcare system. Pamela holds a master’s degree from Louis University and a bachelor’s degree from Chicago State University. In her role as Assistant State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, she is a steadfast advocate for older adults and individuals with disabilities in long-term care facilities and the community.
Vice Chair: Tiffanie Toms
Tiffanie Toms brings over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, having served in a variety of roles including grant writer, property manager, Executive Director, Administrative Assistant, and Director. Her work is grounded in a deep commitment to service, ensuring individuals and communities have access to the resources and support they need to thrive. As a dedicated educator, Tiffanie is passionate about uplifting and guiding youth, taking pride in both educating and empowering the next generation. Currently, Tiffanie serves as the Vice-Chair for the MCAAE.
Cindy Herndon
Cindy Thompson-Herndon is the Resource Development Coordinator at the Atlantic Street Center, a historic organization serving the Seattle area. With 20-plus years of banking experience and 15-plus years in nonprofit leadership, Cindy blends financial acumen with a deep passion for community service. Over the last decade at the Atlantic Street Center, she has focused on translating strategic financial insights into tangible resources that support local youth and families. She specializes in donor stewardship, resource allocation, and program support, all driven by a foundational commitment to community service. Her core value is to uplift individuals and advocate for equitable resources, ensuring a stronger, more supportive tomorrow for local families.
Deborah Hughes
Raised in South Seattle, Deborah Hughes developed a deep appreciation for the strength and resilience of older adults through her mother, a U.S. Air Force veteran who lived to the age of 90. As one of her caregivers, she witnessed firsthand both the rewards and challenges of aging, particularly the unique experiences of Black elders in Seattle.
She attended Franklin High School, Seattle Central College, and the University of Washington. Since 2022, she has worked at the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle as a HUD-Certified Housing Counselor, specializing in reverse mortgage counseling, foreclosure intervention, and connecting older adults with housing resources and support services.
Her passion for serving older adults is also deeply personal. Having helped care for her mother during her later years as she experienced memory loss and declining abilities, she gained firsthand insight into the physical, emotional, social, and financial challenges that many elders and their families face. These experiences strengthened her commitment to ensuring that African American elders receive the respect, support, and resources they need to age with dignity.
As a member of the Mayor’s Council on African American Elders, she is dedicated to advocating for policies and programs that improve the quality of life for older adults and amplify the voices of African American elders throughout Seattle.
Cole Kiser
Cole Kiser, PhD (she/her), is an organizational leader, facilitator, and community advocate with experience spanning public service, equity strategy, systems change, and leadership development. Through her work in local government and as founder of Aziza Clarity, she supports individuals and organizations in creating equitable, people-centered environments. Cole is passionate about community engagement, relationship-building, and translating lived experiences into meaningful action. She is honored to serve on the MCAAE and contribute to efforts that advance the well-being of African American elders across Seattle.
Calvin Lassiter
Calvin Lassiter is a Seattle-based civic steward, human rights advocate, and entrepreneur. Originally from Murfreesboro, North Carolina, Calvin brings a Southern perspective shaped by community, hospitality, faith, and a deep respect for elders.
Before joining the MCAAE, Calvin served on the Seattle Human Rights Commission, where he worked on issues connected to dignity, equity, civil rights, and community visibility. He also brings experience from back home as a former member of the Hertford County Economic Development Board, where he gained firsthand exposure to civic planning, community development, and local economic growth.
Calvin’s lived experience with homelessness gives him a personal understanding of how housing instability can affect a person’s dignity, health, and sense of belonging. That experience helps shape the way he approaches elder advocacy, especially for African American elders who have spent their lives contributing to families, neighborhoods, churches, workplaces, and community life.
Through his work with the Council, Calvin hopes to support efforts that help African American elders age with stability, respect, and access to the resources they need. He believes institutions become stronger when they listen closely to the people most affected by their decisions.
Calvin is still learning, still growing, and still committed to service. His goal is to help shape a more just, compassionate, and united Seattle, one act of humanity at a time.
Claudette K. Thomas
Claudette K. Thomas, a community-minded leader from Chicago, better known as “Chi-Town,” has a deep commitment to bringing diverse people together through meaningful conversation, shared experiences, and cultural connection. She marched alongside Martin Luther King Jr. in Chicago’s Gage Park during the 1960s, standing up for fair housing and the right for people to live where they choose.
Founder of Because We Care, she lead a group focused on connection, compassion, and civic engagement through conversation, postcard writing, and voter outreach. Over the years, I have served on the NAACP board, participated in the October 22nd Movement To Stop Police Brutality, Repression, And The Criminalization of a Generation, and been part of the 4C Coalition working in support of youth and community. Claudette has also served as an Ombudsman, helping individuals navigate systems and advocate for fair treatment. She also led Girl Scouts of America Troop 3712 and earned first prize for cookie sales, an experience she's still proud of. She is a proud member of the MCAAE and organized the Social Change Caravan, bringing together community members and students from Shoreline Community College to support recovery efforts in New Orleans and help survivors return home after displacement. She earned her bachelor’s degree from The Evergreen State College, and remains committed to justice, community empowerment, and ensuring every voice is heard and valued.