Black History Today, an annual series created by Marcus Harden in honor of Black History Month, pays tribute to the living legacy of Black history in our community and beyond. Check back every day in February as we recognize the people actively shaping the future.

By Lindsay Hil

We can't think about Black History Today in our region without acknowledging Ashley Burns Nascimento.

As the founding director of Seattle Rally — a national issue-driven communications firm — Ashley develops communications campaigns for organizations seeking to advance justice and equity across the nation. Her work focuses on the intersection of race and gender in sectors such as education, housing, healthcare, and economic development.

Ashley was born in Portland (woot woot to the 503) and raised in Everett, Wash. A graduate of Seattle University, Ashley has lent her brilliance to organizations such as WE Communications, Microsoft, Minecraft Education, Skype, NASA, and the Seattle Seahawks. Her genius extends well beyond traditional communications. Ashley is a riveting storyteller, community convenor, researcher, and media guru for organizations committed to social change. As a leader capable of compelling both the head and the heart, she bridges divides, and she has deep experience shaping perceptions within ambivalent or disconnected audiences. If you are looking for a badass communications and campaign leader, with a refined social justice lens, Ashley is your person.

Ashley Burns is one of the most powerful, passionate sistas I know. She's a dedicated wife, daughter, sister, auntie, cousin, and friend. She is a mentor at her alma mater and a HI-USA Explore the World Scholarship committee member. She is known for sending on-point GIFs, relevant news articles, and awesome music recommendations. She shows up for the people in her life in an authentic and loving way, and in so truly living her values, she makes everyone around her better — including me.

For all she does as a fiercely strategic communicator, and for all she does to nourish her loved ones and her broader community, Ashley Burns Nascimento is Black History today.

Lindsay Hill is the director of diversity, equity and inclusion for the Raikes Foundation, supporting the foundation’s internal and external-facing equity development. She is also the founder of Sojourner Advising, a consulting organization focused on supporting individuals and organizations to advance liberation. She lives in Seattle with her partner and four kids and can be reached at lindsay@sojourneradvising.com.