EVERETT—The Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee held its first ever breakfast event entitled Black men in Action at the Washington State University Everett Campus on Wednesday, February 26.
The purpose of the event was to bring men together to explore ways how Black men can mentor Black youth, while recognizing Black men who have spent decades giving back to others in Snohomish County.
“In honoring of Black History Month, I started thinking about how we can bring Black men together and recognizing people who have been doing things in this county for decades and create a space where we can lift each other up and appreciate each other,” said JJ Frank, Community Advocate. “I believe that when Black men come together and start creating, and exploring, some powerful things can happen.”
The mission for Black Men in Action “strives to enhance the quality of life for Black Men in
Snohomish County by advancing their social, educational, mental, and physical well-being. Our mission fosters sustainable growth, empowerment, and long-term development.”
Wednesday’s event began with a free breakfast sponsored by the Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee from 7:30 a.m. until 8:00 a.m. followed by a ceremony beginning with a prayer conducted by Pastor A.C. Darby Jr., with the Bibleway Victory Community Church of God in Christ.
Frederick T. Bletson Jr., with the Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee, then took the stage to share a few words before JJ Frank, Community Advocate, highlighted the Committee’s mission and goals. Frank later returned to the stage to gather feedback from the audience and discuss the next steps moving forward.
The Black men recognized Wednesday morning included: Mr. Frederick Thomas, Founder and President of the Pletson Group – a self-worth development organization, Dr. Raymond Miller, U.S. Air Force and Vietnam Veteran and Founder/President of Vets Place Northwest-Welcome Home, Dr. Paul A. Stoot Sr, Founder of Rise Up Academy, Wally Webster II, Vietnam Veteran and community servant, Bishop Alvin C. Moore, Bill Reid, CFO/Workplace and Fraud Investigator for MFR Associates, and David Simpson, Port of Everett Commissioner.
If you are a Black man or Black young man and would like to join or learn more about Black men in Action, contact JJ Frank 425-923-5606.
Frederick Thomas Bletson, Jr.
Bletson has more than 40 years’ experience working with individuals with multiple barriers to life, through organizations including: Legal Aid Services, the Central Area Motivation Program, the Operation Improvement Foundation, Washington State Employment Security, Highline Community College, South Seattle Community College, Renton Technical College, Seattle Vocational Institute, Everett Community College and the Opportunities Industrialization Center Yakima and Seattle and Snohomish County as the Delinquency and Youth Violence Prevention Coordinator and Inclusion Program Manager.
Bletson has also developed and conducted seminars and training workshops for organizations such as the University of Washington, Seattle University, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Department of Vocational Rehabilitation and Department of Employment Security, Seattle/King County Private Industry Council, Washington State Department of Corrections, King County Adult Corrections, Washington State Reformatory, Seattle Police Department, as well as various religious organizations throughout Oregon and Washington.
Additionally, Bletson has served or is presently involved, on various boards and community groups including: the Washington State Employment and Training Coordinating Council, Leadership Snohomish, Healthy Communities of Snohomish County, People Against Substance Abuse, The Greater Everett Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee, Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee, Seattle Human Services Coalition, Snohomish County African American Action Coalition, Center for Battered Women, Black Men Against Domestic Violence, Youth Entrepreneur Training Program, and Volunteer Sponsor at the Washington State Reformatory
Dr. Raymond Miller
Dr. Raymond Miller is a United States Air Force and Vietnam veteran. He is the President and Founder of Vets Place Northwest-Welcome Home. Vice Chair of the Washington State Independent Living Council (WASILC , Past National Board Member, Western States Representative and Past President of the Sam Bruce Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen, Incorporated, Past Chair of the Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committee of the Alaska, Oregon, and Washington State Area Conference (AOWSAC), National Association for The Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Founding member and Past National Director, National Association for Black Veterans, Inc. (NABVETS) and the Founder and First Commander of the Washington State Command Council NABVETS.
Dr. Miller is a nationally certified veteran service officer and veteran advocate authorized by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to represent veterans for the purpose of filing claims for benefits and discharge upgrade services. Mr. Miller has helped thousands of Veterans, and their families go from homelessness to either owning their own homes or have secured long-term stable housing. As a National Veteran Service Officer, he has helped veterans, and their families receive more than 2.5 billion dollars in benefits and services from the United States Department of Veteran Affairs. This number grows each month as more than 1200 veterans receive approximately $3,500,000.00 monthly from the VA because of the help and support Mr. Miller has provided.
Dr. Paul A. Stoot, Sr.
Paul A. Stoot, Sr., a native of Houston, relocated to Seattle in 1990 after being recruited by The Boeing Company as a Manufacturing Engineer in Everett, WA.
Dr. Stoot founded the Greater Trinity Church (GTC) in Everett. He founded the Rise Up Academy (formerly the Greater Trinity Academy) in 1999 with his friend Mr. Kenny Easley former NFL Seattle Seahawk player now Hall of Famer 2017.
Under his leadership, the Rise Up Academy has raised over $7 million dollars through successful grants and fundraisers. In January of 2024, Governor Inslee of Washington State toured the school and gave strong accolades of the amazing work that is taking place in the classroom.
In January of 2025, he was named Lynnwood Times Person of the Year for 2024.
Wally Webster II
Wally Webster is a retired Vice President at Bank of America and Vietnam veteran.
Webster is a staunch community servant, founding the Association for Collective Community Engagement on Safety and Security nonprofit, served on the Edmonds College Board of Trustees, is a Board of Director for My Neighborhood News Network, previously served as a Board of Director for the Lynnwood Public Facilities District, a member of the Lynnwood Chief of Police Advisory Committee, and investigated all cases involving police use of force for Snohomish County Multiple Agency Response Team (SMART), was a member of the Steering Committee for Volunteers of America, and is a Diamond Life Member for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
Webster was awarded the Lynnwood Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Philanthropist of the Year for 2024 , the Companis Janet G. Newell Award for 2023, the NAACP of Snohomish County Carl Gibson Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023, the Marquid Who’s Who in America Award for 2022-2023, and the City of Lynnwood Honoring Excellence – Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award in 2016.
Bishop Alvin C. Moore
Bishop Alvin C. Moore joined the United States Air Force where he served for 20 years. After Moore’s honorable discharge he became a public school teacher.
In 1992, Bishop Moore received his Minister’s License in the Church Of God In Christ by the late Bishop Archie Buchanan on the island of Okinawa, Japan.
In 1994, he was Ordained an Elder by the late Bishop Carruth Hall, Sr. in Las Vegas, Nevada and in 2003 he founded the Jubilee Church Of God In Christ, Everett, WA, and received his Pastoral Appointment from the late Bishop T. L. Westbrook.
In 2018, Bishop Moore was sanctioned by the late Bishop Leo C. Brown, Jr. to launch the Northern Fellowship District, covering the territory from the northern tip of Seattle to the Canadian Border and appointed him as the Superintendent.
Bishop Moore has also served in numerous leadership positions on various levels throughout this Church including: Assistant Jurisdictional Sunday School Superintendent / Jurisdictional Evangelism President (Nevada 1st Jurisdiction), Jurisdictional Missions Department President (Washington State Jurisdiction), and Regional Missions Department President.
In 2022 Bishop Moore was named by the National Church to serve as the Northwest Regional Bishop, spanning Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming helping to provide directives for 100 churches.
Bill Reid
Bill Reed has been a Snohomish County resident for over thirty years. During this period, Bill has advocated for and mentored hundreds of Black and Brown students. Throughout this entire period and currently, Bill has been a champion for equity in schools, particularly as it relates to access and discipline.
Reed considers himself an educator and a lifelong learner. He earned an MBA from Western Washington University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Accounting concentration from Union University. He is a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Fraud Examiner, and Chartered Global Management Accountant. Bill is certified in Financial Forensics and is a certificate holder in workplace investigations. He is also a Level II Trainer in Restorative Justice.
Reed has received several awards, most recently a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants (WSCPA), Lifetime Achievement Award from Everett Community College, and President and CEO Award from the WSCPA.
He has also been actively involved in several civic endeavors, including Board of Directors Member and Finance/Audit Committee Chair at Volunteers of America, Western Washington; and Co-founder of the Snohomish County Students of Color Career Conference.
David Simpson
David Simpson has resided in the City of Everett for more than 48 years. During his residency he has continually contributed to his local community and economy.
Simpson is a former Navy Veteran and currently serves as a Port of Everett Commissioner, becoming the first African American Commissioner in the 100-year history of the Port of Everett when he was elected in 2019.
Prior to being elected to that position, Simpson served as a member of the Everett City Council, and the Washington State Legislature as a member of the House of Representatives.
Simpson has also served on numerous Boards and Commissions including: Mayoral Citizens Advisory Committees and as a Commissioner for the Snohomish County Charter Review.
Simpson retired from the Boeing Aircraft Company 25 years ago. He is a graduate of Everett Community College and the University of Washington.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
