Get to Know Us: Q&A with Falisha Kurji-Janmohamed

You’ve been on the SPF team for almost three years. How has your job evolved or changed over time?
When I joined the team, I had just a handful of partners and a handful of grants in my portfolio, and I chipped in with other efforts within the organization. I helped with grant writing before Leah joined the team as our Grants Manager, which was a relief because she has much more experience in that realm. I served on our DEIJ staff committee before we hired DEIJ consultants in early 2023. Now, I manage over 30 grants with 15 partners, I upload monthly financial reports to our Partner Portal, and I do a bit of event planning for our annual Partner Celebration and other in-person events.

Are there any partners you’ve been working with since you first started? What has it been like seeing their projects evolve?
I’ve been working with Duwamish Valley Sustainability Association since I started, and it has been wonderful to see their growth in these three years. They are a small team, but they are so ambitious and passionate about investing in the future of POC youth. When I started working with them, they had a handful of grants, and now they have over ten grants with a variety of private and public funders. It has been inspiring to hear about Edwin’s plans for DVSA, and to be part of their work on the administrative side. I love that I get to contribute to bringing some amazing youth programming into fruition.

How did your experience in holding Position #3 on the City of Seattle’s Urban Forestry Commission inform or expand your understanding of our region’s parks and public spaces?
Serving on the Urban Forestry Commission provided me with increased knowledge about the state of Seattle’s Tree Canopy. I learned that there is a massive disparity in urban tree canopy cover between North and South Seattle. Folks in South Seattle are more affected by heat islands, heat-related health issues, and pollution. This disparity also correlates with income and race – The South side has been historically disinvested in, and it is home to many people of color, while the North side has a lot of wealthy white folks who have historically held power and access to resources. This was disheartening to learn, but it was not surprising to me as someone with a background in environmental justice work. I’m excited for SPF’s Tree Equity Network to kick-off – I think folks in King County have a lot of energy to offer to this effort, and I can’t wait to see how the movement progresses.

The UFC also taught me about the inner workings of tree ordinances and bureaucracy. I learned what hardscapes were, and the different characteristics that could be considered when examining the importance or of a tree – its size, thickness, history, rarity, age, how much shade it provides, and the habitat it provides.

Being on the UFC kind of made me feel like the Lorax. My friends joked that I was the Lorax, too. I love being a tree-hugger. The world needs more of us.

You’ve worked with some partners and projects that include youth. How do you see the next generation taking a leadership role in terms of environmental and social justice?
Youth are largely ignored as a resource and that needs to change. They have so much energy, creativity, and passion. They will be among those most affected by the climate crisis. Building intergenerational movements for environmental and social justice is critical at this moment. Solving massively complex, systemic issues like climate change, will require all hands-on deck. I’m glad to see Gen Z and younger generations becoming increasingly involved in justice movements and doing so in creative ways through social media. They give me hope.

You’re originally from Florida! What do you miss most about it, and on the flip side, what do you love about the West Coast?
Oh my…this question! My homesickness didn’t hit me until the past year and a half. Florida is where I first fell in love with nature, and I never thought I would start to feel so attached to that peninsula. I miss feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin regularly, the blue water beaches on the Gulf, the alligators, the booming sounds of thunderstorms and lightning strikes, visiting crystal clear natural springs, and finding rogue lizards in my house. Gosh, I might write a song about Florida. It’s such a magical place. I also have so much grief for Florida – my home is being destroyed by people in power who do not believe in climate change, and who are racist and transphobic.

I love the Pacific Northwest in a different way. The massive evergreens bring me peace. I love that it doesn’t get humid out here and that it’s not too hard to reach some fantastic National Parks from the city. I appreciate Seattle’s parks and green spaces, and that I live in a super walkable neighborhood. Public transit is way more efficient out here, while it’s almost non-existent in Florida. It’s also been lovely to experience seasons for the first time in my life – seeing the colors change and noticing how I change with every season has been a gift. I love Seattle’s vibrant lindy hop scene, my neighborhood boxing gym (Arcaro Boxing!), and the local venues with live music. I’ve built community and become a regular at these spots, and it has made me feel more rooted here.

You’re such a curious and thoughtful appreciator of so many aspects of Seattle’s cultural scene, from live music to dance, art, and beyond. Would you like to share one recent experience in case others might be interested in checking it out?
I love finding free and low-cost things to do in the city. My favorite event happens late at night on Wednesdays at A Stir (formerly known as Capitol Cider). Every Wednesday night, they host a different live jazz band in their downstairs bar, and there’s no cover. After the band plays, there’s an open jam for local musicians. Lindy hop and salsa dancers also frequent this spot to dance. The drinks are good, people are super friendly, and I’ve even ventured there alone and made new friends. It’s become my tradition to celebrate my birthday at the Wednesday jazz jam.

Thank you, Falisha, for sharing more about yourself with us!