I’m a community organizer, small business owner, university educator, and education policy expert working every day to help marginalized people and communities.
I am passionate about creating equitable change. As State Representative I will put my passion, lived experience, and professional background to work to advocate tirelessly for you.”
– Nimco Bulale
Support for Nimco
I know that Nimco will work hard to represent the diverse communities of the 37th legislative district. Most importantly, she understands that solutions to the issues facing our communities must be informed by the voices of those most impacted, and that successfully shaping public policy requires coalitions of people and communities willing to take action together.
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About
Nimco was born in Somalia. One of nine children raised by a single mother, her family came to Washington as refugees, settling in Seattle’s Central Area when she was eight years old. Unable to remain in Seattle due to housing prices, Nimco’s family relocated to Burien, where she attended Highline Schools.
Following high school, Nimco attended the University of Washington, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and went on to earn a Masters of Public Administration from Seattle University in 2013.
Nimco began her professional career as a Youth Program Director at the East African Community Services in 2014, where she led development and expansion of youth programs through coordinated services. Following her time at the East African Community Services, she began consulting for the City of Seattle’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs.
Nimco went on to OneAmerica, first as an Education Organizer and later as Education Program Manager. During her tenure, Nimco led policy and advocacy efforts – partnering with parents and education leaders to pass statewide legislation expanding dual language programs and culturally competent early learning services. She was nationally recognized for her work to expand the Speak Your Language campaign.
Last year, Nimco founded South Sound Strategies, a consultancy that expands upon her commitment to create and implement a bold vision for equity in the region, advancing racial equity by learning with community, examining power and inclusive DEI, policy and advocacy practices.
Nimco also serves as an adjunct professor at Western Washington University, teaching in the Woodring School of Education’s Future Bilingual Teacher Fellows (FBTF) Alternative Routes to Certification program. Nimco is fluent in Somali and English.
As part of her deep commitment to giving back to the community, Nimco is on the Executive Board of the Southeast Seattle Education Coalition and the Council on American-Islamic Relations. She also serves as a Commissioner on the King County Immigrant and Refugee Commission, as well as the City of Seattle’s Our Best Advisory Council focused on bridging opportunities for Black boys.
Nimco lives in South Seattle with her mom, where she spends time with her five nieces and nephews. In her free time she enjoys reading, traveling, and enjoying Seattle’s impressive selection of coffee shops and restaurants.
My Why
As a refugee from Somalia and a child of a single mother of nine, I know the importance of education, opportunity, and being supported by a strong, safe, and nurturing community.
Throughout my career, I have worked tirelessly to help marginalized communities and families find their footing in our region– a place where many succeed, but a place rooted in both structural and economic inequities. I truly believe that education is the way to break generational poverty, but that is only the beginning. We have to provide opportunities that are accessible, equitable, and sustainable.
As a community leader and educator, I see the challenges so many face, and as an advocate, I have to act. As your State Representative, I will build on my lived and professional experience to increase the quality, equity, and accessibility of education, workforce and career training, and work to build partnerships that unite our diverse communities for positive, lasting change.
I am running for State Representative because I care so deeply about the neighborhoods and people of SE Seattle– the same community that embraced my family years ago when we needed it the most. I am running to continue making a difference back in the only way I know how, through learning, organizing, and advocating for change.
