Pacific County Voices Uniting is a 100% BIPOC-led organization located along the edges of Willapa Bay in Southwest Washington. Our mission is to shift, balance, and cultivate a culture of healthy civic engagement. In a county marked by significant disparities, we bring together cross-cultural and multi-generational communities to participate in collaborative social movements that increase civic engagement. Our work is rooted in education, reflective representation, and building political power.

By lifting and supporting BIPOC leadership, we advocate for systems and policies that ensure equitable access to resources, particularly for those who have historically been silenced or overlooked. Specifically, we are committed to advancing racial, political, social, and economic justice for communities including Black, Indigenous, Hispanic/Latinx, Asian, and Pacific Islander peoples of color, the LGBTQIA2S+ community, and individuals living with both visible and invisible disabilities.

Pacific County is home to diverse communities with deep roots in the region. However, people of color, the LGBTQIA2S+ community, and individuals living with disabilities remain underrepresented and often excluded from governance systems and the distribution of resources. In the current divisive political climate, many community members have lost hope that meaningful change is possible. As a result, community disinterest and disengagement are widespread. PCVU is committed to fostering trust and uniting our communities, creating the foundation for real, lasting change.

Through education and various forms of engagement, we create opportunities for community members to actively participate in the civic process and harness collective power. We focus on building authentic relationships and strengthening the capacity of both current and future leaders to understand key issues and foster more reflective representation of our diverse communities. As our organization grows and our resources expand, we continue to build community, regional, statewide, and national partnerships to connect with broader political movements.

PCVU was founded in 2019 by Mechele Johnson and Bethany Barnard. Our current team spans the North and South ends of Pacific County, bringing strong community connections and extensive experience in political organizing, community engagement and development, and collaboration with both tribal and non-tribal governments.

Through our ongoing work, we’ve made meaningful progress in advocating for equity, building civic engagement, and supporting local leadership. As we continue to grow, we’re excited to advance this important work throughout Pacific County in 2025 and beyond.