Mar 10, 2021
AJ Gearheart (they, them)
AJ moved with their son to Snohomish County from Spokane in 2010 to take a job at Boeing after years of working in pizza places, sandwich shops, and retail stores. As an asexual transgender parent in Snohomish County, and while running the local PFLAG chapter for 3 years, they have felt firsthand how isolated members of the LGBTQ+ community can feel here.
Their business has not opened yet, however, the goal is to open a healthy café in Snohomish County (preferably Everett) that sources ingredients from minority-owned suppliers and provides space for the local LGBTQ+ community to meaningfully connect with other members of their community and enjoy a meal with their families without the pressure of alcohol.
CJ Linder (she/her/they)
Y.O.L.O. West Coast
CJ is a woman of color, a proud lesbian, and a dedicated single mother of twins. Her non-profit will be a big asset to the community. The biggest part of her struggle through poverty is trying to overcome it. But the journey doesn’t just end with her: she has to and wants to save her people. So many troubled youth of color could benefit from the opportunities she plans to provide through her catering service.
Y.O.L.O West Coast is a community merchandise franchiser, catering service, and seasonal event service. Y.O.L.O. West Coast is a family-run business dedicated to providing well-rounded entertainment, clothing and accessories, exquisite food products, and other products made by community members. They cater food to local businesses and their own events. Y.O.L.O. West Coast was created to help raise money for the start-up of the Amazing Grace Center (a young adult housing shelter and performing arts center), providing jobs to the community, and employment training services.
