Building Beloved Community
Leadership
Bishop Garry L. Tyson - Chairman
Bishop Garry L. Tyson is the founder of The Nehemiah Initiative Seattle and Senior Pastor of the Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church in Seattle. For over 3 decades, he has made it his mission to empower people be change agents to positively impact the world. Bishop Tyson is a gifted and well-respected pastor, teacher, and preacher. He has ministered all over the country to thousands. Bishop Tyson feels in this last quarter of his pastoral ministry, that he has been called by God to “Save Souls and Soils” of Black Churches. On August 13, 2019, Bishop Garry L. Tyson became the 6th President of the General Baptist Convention of the Northwest (GBCNW). Making and marking history as the first elected President to serve this convention from Seattle, WA.
Donald I. King - CEO
Donald King is a founding member of the Nehemiah Initiative. He is an architect, planner and educator with over 50 years of professional experience in the planning and design of community projects. Donald King has a Master of Architecture degree from UCLA and is licensed to practice architecture in California, Hawaii and Washington. He has been a member of the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects since 2000 and is currently an Affiliate Professor of Architecture in the College of Built Environments at the University of Washington.
Aaron Fairchild - Secretary
Aaron has over 30 years in real estate construction, development and real estate finance. He is an experienced fund manager, real estate developer and curator of corporate culture and mindfulness development. Aaron is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer from Gabon, Africa where he built schools and homes for teachers, and holds an Executive MBA from the University of Washington. He was a two-term board member of Washington Environmental Council and the Master Builders Association and currently serves as a board member of Enhabit.
Renée Cheng
Board Director
Renée Cheng, FAIA, DPACSA, is a nationally renowned professor in the Department of Architecture and Dean of the College of Built Environments at the University of Washington, in Seattle. Educated at Harvard College and Harvard Graduate School of Design, Cheng has been recognized for education excellence with numerous awards from the AIA and others. She is leading the research team developing the AIA Guides for Equitable Practice. Elevated to the AIA College of Fellows in 2016, Cheng has served as AIA Minnesota President in 2009 as well as on several AIA committees on topics related to knowledge, innovation, culture, and equity.
Njuguna Gishuru
Board Director
Njuguna Gishuru is a Seattle based community development consultant who specializes in developing restorative economic strategies for oppressed communities, building capacity and enhancing access to capital for entrepreneurs of color and cultivating new economies that advance empowerment and social justice for all. Njuguna’s personal background and extensive experience in banking, consumer protection and community development make him uniquely suited to serve the needs of Black, Indigenous and People of Color for greater economic empowerment. Njuguna currently serves as a Director on the Boards of the African Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest, Urban Family, the Multicultural Community Coalition (MCC) and One Vibe Africa.
Reverend James P. Broughton, III
Board Director
Reverend James Broughton has been the Senior Pastor of Damascus International Fellowship for fifteen years. Reverend Broughton received his theological training from Jessup College (San Jose, CA.) where he received a B.S. degree in Christian Leadership and Theology in 2002. He received a Th.M. in Biblical Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary Northwest in 2005. In addition to the training he receives in service, Reverend Broughton is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry Degree at Bakke Graduate University in Seattle, WA. Reverend Broughton served as Vice President of the North Pacific Baptist Convention, United Black Christian Clergy of Washington (UBCCW) President, and President of the Damascus Family Resource Center (DFRC).
Derek Lane - Treasurer
Derek Lane is a New York native and completed undergraduate studies at Oakwood University, graduate work at MS State University in Leadership, and certification with NELI - the Nonprofit Executive Leadership Institute at Sanford University. He serves as Outreach Ministries Director for the Washington Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, pastor of the Maranatha church in Seattle and President of the Lane Consulting Group. Lane Consulting has generated over $20 million in grants and funding and provides start-up, capacity-building, and training workshops for clients throughout the U.S. He has served as a pastor, community engagement specialist and fundraiser for the past 30 yrs. and is a contributing author to the 2022 devotional book, Let Justice Roll. He is married to Mae Aldridge-Lane and they have four adult children and one granddaughter, Zoe Abigail.
Nicole L. Whitehead Tyson
Guest of the Board
Nicole L. Whitehead Tyson was born in Sacramento, California and reared in Trenton, New Jersey. She is the wife of Bishop Garry L. Tyson Senior Pastor of the Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church and Founder of The Nehemiah Initiative Seattle. Nicole received her Bachelor of Arts Degree, Master’s and Doctorate Degree in Christian Counseling from Brevard Christian University, Cocoa Beach, Florida. She was licensed to preach the Gospel in January of 1996 and ordained into Ministry in 2000, both at Greater Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in Deland, Florida. Lady Nicole services as an Elder at the Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church. Lady Nicole’s hobbies are cooking, coloring and reading. She believes that her first Ministry is to serve her husband, Bishop Gary L. Tyson.
Our Funders and Donors
Bet Alef Meditative Synagogue
Clean Energy Works dba Enhabit
David & Cathy Habib Foundation
Enterprise Community Partners
Equitable Development Initiative of the City of Seattle
Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church
Housing Development Consortium
Impact Assets
Jim & Patty Rouse Foundation
Peace Chorus of Seattle
Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church Love Through Justice Project
Seattle Foundation
The countless hours of our volunteers