Changemaker Story: Yobachinia Frazier
Over the years, we've heard some incredible stories about the impact that our work at WA-BLOC has had on individuals, schools, and our community. While we get to hear and feel the impact that our work is having, we thought we'd share some of these stories with our network (you!). Your support through financial contributions, spreading the word about WA-BLOC to your communities, and cheering us on helps keep us going! We hope to provide insight into how our work is making an impact - one person at a time.
Meet Yobachinia Frazier (left). Yobach first participated in WA-BLOC programming as a freshman at Rainier Beach High School in 2015 through our Freedom Schools Summer Program and has continued to be involved ever since, from a youth participant to a young adult leader within WA-BLOC.
She has been an impactful leader in advancing equity in her southend school community, including transportation justice, the No New Youth Jail movement, addressing gun violence, and more. Yobach has served in various roles within our organization and most recently serves as an Assistant Site Coordinator for Freedom Schools, helping nurture and support students through joy, literacy, and connection.
Continue reading our interview with Yobach.
Who are you?
This is the most difficult question in this whole list. I'm learning to not describe myself by saying what I do. I'm Yobach from Seattle! Daughter, granddaughter, big sister, soon-to-be healer, educator. I'm a person who likes to laugh a lot. I am my ancestors' living prayer.
Who are your people?
My community, my family, and my friends. The great Seattle area. Black people, of course.
What's going on in your community?
There's a lot, a lot of change. I stepped away from my community when I went to college, but now I'm getting acclimated again. I'm seeing a lot of good things and a lot of sad things. Working with my nana's nonprofit right now–I'm part of her board of directors–I get updates through that.
What makes you powerful?
Being my authentic self. I feel like each of us has a reason why we're here. We all bring something to the collective. It's like a puzzle, and we're each a unique piece, and when we come together, it makes this big picture.
What is your Freedom Dream?
Singing kumbaya, holding hands. *laughs* I can't explain it any other way! A world full of unconditional love. Just a world full of compassion.
How did you first become connected to WA-BLOC and to Freedom Schools? What keeps you coming back?
In 2015, I started as a Freedom Schools scholar–as an incoming freshman–which is so crazy to me. Almost nine years with Freedom Schools! I was a scholar freshman year and sophomore year, and after that, I was a student leader for two years, and then COVID happened. When we had the virtual summer program, I was an assistant site coordinator, and for the last two years, I've been a site assistant.
I was one of those kids who had to be forced to do stuff, but when I started attending Freedom Schools, I was like, wait a minute, this is actually fun! Harambee was always my favorite part. [Harambee - Kiswahili word for “let’s pull together” - is our morning assembly that includes cheers and chants, affirmations, read aloud guests, and mindfulness.]
Over the summers, I started learning about what was happening in my community and was more intrigued. It was this really, really safe space to talk about things that we can't talk about at school. WA-BLOC, in general, creates safe spaces. It's a big old family! It's a great, healthy family, and it's very supportive. I'm constantly learning, whether from the staff or scholars, and it's helping me grow. Freedom Schools helps me heal my inner child. I like it here. :)
What do you think makes Freedom Schools/WA-BLOC special?
The scholars or whoever WA-BLOC serves are always at the forefront of the discussions or planning. That's important. Sometimes, people have bad intentions or want to do things for something in return, but with WA-BLOC, there's always unconditional support and love.
If you were talking to someone who had never experienced Freedom Schools before, how would you describe it to them?
The best thing ever! This is what I always tell people: it started somewhere down south, and we turned it, twisted it, and made it ours. We allow kids to be themselves and act their age. Some of our kids have to grow up faster with social media, access to information, and taking care of younger siblings. We give them the opportunity to be kids, have fun, and talk about difficult things. You just have to be there and get with the vibes! It's super fun, and it's literally freedom in the best way.
Why do you think Freedom Schools is important?
I don't know anywhere else that is doing what WA-BLOC Freedom Schools is doing. It's a very difficult job. It's not always easy, especially when you're in spaces that have been literally built against you. Freedom Schools and WA-BLOC found a way to get in there and build community. Everybody needs a safe space where they can be themselves.
What is one thing that you've learned about yourself and one thing you've learned about the world through Freedom Schools/WA-BLOC?
Well, I've learned how to advocate for myself, to lean on other people when necessary, and to better express myself (I used to not use my words). I've learned it's okay to be yourself and try new things.
Everything I know about the world stemmed from Freedom Schools. It made me want to dig deeper and learn more about issues in our education system. At Freedom Schools we discussed the school-to-prison pipeline and equity issues like transportation justice and how it impacted us.
Sometimes, when you get hit with so many negative issues, you wonder what good is there. But Freedom Schools does it in such a cool way, telling you, "This is what's going on. This doesn't have to be your story, and now that you're aware of it, what are we going to do about it?".
How has Freedom Schools/WA-BLOC supported your growth as a leader?
Not only did I get the mentality of "I can do anything", that's a factor, but it's also just that y'all always support me. Challenging me in the greatest way.
I used to think about leadership like a tyrant. "I'm the boss of everybody, and they all have to listen to me, my way or no way." Now it's "more brains are better than one," allowing others to lead; we're all on the same playing field and bring something different. Leading with love and being open is how we can all do this together, finding out what are you good at and what I am good at.
How does Freedom Schools/WA-BLOC center joy and healing?
Putting people first (children, families, etc.) and hearing from them. Knowing everyone's voice matters. Being a safe space, nonjudgmental, come as you are. Always looking at the full picture when it comes to healing. One thing WA-BLOC taught me about children is that they're constantly communicating with us. It's always joyful when we get a student to show us their authentic self, the "aha" moment when someone says I feel safe enough to fully open up and be myself.
Why should Freedom Schools continue to be funded?
First of all, they need to give Freedom Schools its own school. With the amount of great things that go on in the summer, imagine that for a whole year!
We give kids a lot of helpful tools in and out of school. We provide them with the much needed safe space and opportunity to talk about things that some may not feel comfortable with talking about at home or in school. In public schools, kids can get lost. In Freedom Schools, kids don't get lost; they're seen.
