Historic Accomplishments

Central District Forum for Arts and Ideas 2015 Annual Honoree as Community Based Organization of the year.

The Seattle Public School District nominated the Breakfast Group for The Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) Regional Community Leadership Award in 2014 for our work with Project M.I.S.T.E.R.™ and our efforts to improve education opportunities in the district. The organization received The Award and was also judged to be the top group winner at the regional level. A nomination will be placed in the competition for an additional award at the state level.

The Seattle Chamber of Commerce established The Herman McKinney Economic Empowerment Forum in honor of our co-founder in May of 2014 in order to: address various issues that impact the multi-cultural workforce and business community, make connections with top business leaders from many growing multicultural businesses in Seattle and the metro area, and to discuss new trends/strategies and emerging markets.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (Washington Chapter) in partnership with Philanthropy Northwest recognized The Breakfast Group as its 2007 Outstanding Philanthropic Organization. The group was cited for its excellent work with at risk youth in inner city Seattle through Project M.I.S.T.E.R.™.

The Youth Service Award was presented to The Breakfast Group by Medina Children's Services for continued mentorship and intervention with at risk youth enrolled in Project M.I.S.T.E.R.™.

The Distinguished Alumni Award for Community Service in 2002. Awarded by the University of Washington Multicultural Alumni Partnership (MAP) for the formation and implementation of the Educational Task Force.

The SAFECO Diversity Initiative. Through this initiative the Breakfast Group was able to expand its scholarship program to include students currently enrolled in college who maintain a certain GPA (Grade Point Average). It also provides two summer inter positions with the company.

The Breakfast Group was instrumental in establishing the Urban Enterprise Center, a division of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce that is designed to focus on economic development in the Central and Southeast sectors of the City. The Breakfast Group/Urban Enterprise partnership is a critical link in securing the economic viability of the Seattle African American community.

In 2001, the Breakfast Group revived a community tradition that had existed for over twenty-five years: The Roots Family Picnic. This event has been instrumental in bringing together large numbers of Seattle residents of varying ages and backgrounds in a social setting and providing an opportunity for cross generation bonding and community building. This annual event is sponsored in partnership with Northwest Black Pioneers.

In 1995 The Breakfast Group conceived and designed Seattle's first Science, Engineering, and Mathematics (SEM) program focused on bringing minority students into the SEM fields. The Organization partnered with Seattle Central Community College and obtained a 3 year National Science Foundation (NSF) Grant implement the program called Biosphere of Tomorrow. It lasted for 3-years, and accepted "75 minority students each year for an intensive course in mathematics and computer science, environmental studies, and biology and chemistry." A week was devoted to each subject, and students spent the fourth week completing final projects. The program was cited in this report, and this publication.

Historically, scholarships and mentoring activities have been funded by contributions from various corporate donors. This list includes Corporate Connection Partners: Casey Family Programs, Costco, Eli Lilly, Fairmont Olympic Hotel, King County Sheriffs, Macys, Mallory and Church, Microsoft, Nordstrom, Safeco, Seattle Seahawks and Turner Construction Company.