Hi! My name is KJ (Kiki) January, and I’m incredibly honored to introduce myself as one of the newest board members of The Black Lens.
I was born and raised on the east side of Spokane, the youngest of three children, to two remarkable military parents. My mother was a dedicated teacher for 30 years, 22 of which were in District 81, while my father has run and operated a local karate school for 37 years.
I grew up watching my older siblings carve their own paths – my sister playing 14 years professionally overseas and in the WNBA and now coaching for the Connecticut Sun, and my brother following my father’s entrepreneurial footsteps.
As for me, I found my calling in community work.
Growing up in the East Side during the ‘90s, I was fortunate to experience the embrace of a true village. I remember attending Bethel AME on Sundays, hanging out at East Central Community Center and Libby Teen Center after school, and going to Liberty Park for Juneteenth and Unity in the Community celebrations. All of which played an integral role in shaping who I am today.
As a Black, queer woman in a predominantly white, heteronormative region, the support of my family and community not only gave me the confidence to stand tall but empowered me to create a better Spokane for others like me. My community has always been there – guiding me through life’s challenges and celebrating my victories.
Watching my parents lead, my sister dominate in sports, and my brother build his business gave me the tools to forge my own path, to know what it means to show up for others and for myself. I took that mindset with me as I worked at the MLK Center, Spokane Falls Community College, as a caretaker, for the Washington State Democrats and now as the director of advocacy at Spectrum Center Spokane. Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand the complexities and challenges that our community faces. But, nothing changes overnight, lasting progress requires sustained effort, both from leadership and from the collective voice of the people.
And that’s where voting comes in.
In the words of the great Thurgood Marshall, “Where you see wrong or inequality or injustice, speak out, because this is your country. This is your democracy. Make it. Protect it. Pass it on.” Our vote is one of the most powerful ways we can speak out. Our vote matters – our lives matter, and our future depends on how we use our voice at the polls.
As Black people, we’ve always been creators. When systems fail us, we build new ones. I saw this spirit firsthand growing up on the east side of Spokane, watching my community fill the gaps, meet needs, and lift each other up. That mentality, “see a need, fill a need,” has shaped how I advocate today. To make real change, we can’t do it alone. We need leaders who will champion our community, and voting allows us to put those leaders in place. The power is in our hands.
Anti-Blackness is a global issue, therefore it’s important that we reject divisive narratives. We cannot afford to be divided by color, gender, sexual orientation/who we love, or any other difference. When we all face the same oppressive systems, we should be focused on who will truly advocate for our community and who has proven they will stand with us.
Research the candidates. Look beyond the surface. Look at their record and future policies as it pertains to the Black/Youth/ Disabled/Queer/POC/Military/Poor/Justice involved communities. Compare several sources, and reach out to trusted community leaders.
Ultimately, this election is about the future – our future. We need leaders who understand the weight of our challenges and who are committed to confronting them head-on. Every vote is a step toward building that future. As a community, we have the power to create a more inclusive, accessible, and just society. Voting alone won’t “save” us, but it’s a critical step toward empowering ourselves to keep fighting injustice and creating the change we need for all. Voting is but one way to make a difference.
Former President Barack Obama said, “We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”
Let’s be that change. Let’s vote!