Community leader Andrea Caupain announced today that she is suspending her campaign for state representative of the 37th legislative district to focus on serving the growing needs of the community through her work at Byrd Barr Place and initiatives with Black communities, Indigenous communities and communities of color.

“As we’ve seen rising cases of COVID-19 and the disproportionate impacts on Black people, Indigenous people, people of color, immigrants and refugees, I cannot justify running a social service organization and running for office at the same time,” Caupain said.

She believes she can be most effective in leading meaningful change through two major initiatives she recently helped launch:

Black Future Co-op Fund: Created by Caupain and three other prominent Black women leaders, the Fund will address the harmful impacts of systemic racism through intentional investment in the Black community’s health and well-being, education, building generational wealth, art and civic engagement.

Black, Indigenous, People of Color Executive Director Network: Connecting more than 250 nonprofit executives from across the state, the network will provide support for Black leaders, Indigenous leaders and leaders of color, and unite them around shared messaging and strategies to advocate for equitable policies.

“I will be applying all that I’ve learned from meeting so many incredible people and listening to their stories, their dreams and struggles and their solutions into my work with Byrd Barr Place and with Black communities, Indigenous communities and communities of color across Washington.”