James Donaldson – The Most Inspiring Candidate with the Biggest Vision for Seattle City Council – Enters District 7 Race
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 15, 2019
Contact: James Donaldson (206) 487-3566 Cindi Laws, Campaign Director (206) 790-4232
SEATTLE, WA. Pledging to build bridges and tear down walls, small businessman, 20-year pro-basketball player, humanitarian and inspirational speaker James Donaldson today enters the race for Seattle City Council, District 7. Donaldson, an Air Force brat whose father was a tech sergeant, was born in England and raised in Sacramento California. Donaldson has lived in six countries[1] across three continents[2], and speaks five languages[3].
Donaldson is frank about Seattle’s challenges. “How can a city, a region, which birthed so many of the greatest innovations, the most ground-breaking discoveries, and some of the globes largest companies, have so many problems with basic issues?” he asks. “We have the nation’s third-largest population of people experiencing homelessness; about 1% of Seattle residents. We continue to second- and third-guess transit investments, killing projects, slowing projects, and being afraid of new projects, because of costs, without looking at the long term economic, climatic and health benefits of reducing cars. We have growing inequity and unaffordability for those with low and moderate income, living under the most unfair tax system in America, and our City Council leadership keeps making it worse. I want to change all that and more.”
“I have lived around the world, in cities millennia old that have found solutions that seem to put Seattle leaders in the fetal position. I’ve learned a few things, and I’m not afraid to use my personal, deeply painful experiences and apply my life lessons,” Donaldson says. “I have been open, honest and completely transparent throughout my life; our civic government has not. I want to change that and more.”
“One of my top goals is to upend the way we approach homelessness. We must face the fact that half of those experiencing homelessness self-identify as having a disability. 66% of those have two or more disabilities. And yet we are not adequately addressing these many varying disabilities,” Donaldson notes. “Far too many people on our streets suffer mental illness, or other disabling conditions brought on by trauma. Homelessness itself is traumatic, and people have turned to drugs to self-medicate and become addicted. But Seattle doesn’t just enable drug addiction, it facilitates it. We need triage, more Mobile Crisis Response Services, and more supported living residences. We cannot criminalize mental illness.”
Donaldson has taken on mental illness and suicide prevention as his career in recent years. “Many people might look at me and say, ‘James Donaldson has it all.’ Well, the truth is that I almost ended it all,” confesses Donaldson. “I nearly lost it all. I was in a coma and in the ICU for months following emergency surgery for an aortic dissection (less than 5% survivor rate). I had to close my business, my family left me, and, despite the NBA Players’ Union Cadillac-level health plan, have several hundred thousand dollars in out-of-pocket medical costs. For a long time, suicide was not far from my mind.
“Despite my history, my education, my life, I was willing to give up on life,” James says. “I’ve been there, and I know the level of support it takes to make one willing to not give up. I know it takes work, patience, and prodding. Because when you are sick, you cannot always make the best decisions on your own. Life doesn’t have to fade to black. We can turn the page on our policies. We must.”
Donaldson is calling for an Aging and Disability Justice Initiative, based upon Seattle’s successful Race and Social Justice Initiative, to change the way the City works with these constituencies.
Donaldson believes that if we are going to build bridges, we should invest in bridge design that protects pedestrians and bicyclists, and provides the structure to absorb the requirements of future rail lines. “Super-size cruise ships are coming to District 7 this year, currently generating more than $16 million in tax revenue. And yet the cruise ship terminals have very limited transit,” Donaldson points out. “If we can get tourists downtown and to other attractions, those tourists’ spending will help fund better transit investments, transit that directly benefits our residents. This is just one simple idea; one of many, that shift the infrastructure investment from the backs of low and moderate income residents.”
About James Donaldson
40 years ago next month, Washington State University star Center James Donaldson was drafted by the NBA Champion Seattle Supersonics. Using his first paycheck, Donaldson purchased a home in Magnolia, a neighborhood that had covenants against African American residents[4]. James lives in the same house he purchased in 1981[5].
James started Donaldson Fitness and Physical Therapy midway through his NBA career (1989) after a career-threatening knee injury and operated three clinics for more than 20 years.
He has been involved in community work since his earliest days as a Seattle Sonic. He has been especially engaged in underserved and neglected communities, such as Seattle’s Central Area and the Hill Top area in Tacoma. He volunteers in education programs, regularly tutors young children is a strong advocate for Women and Minority-owned business development and is active in the Chamber of Commerce promoting programs that help small businesses survive and thrive. He is also a motivational speaker, often being asked to speak to younger audiences in disadvantaged communities. Among his many roles, James is active in Mount Zion Church, is a Board member of the Greater Seattle, South Snohomish and the Tacoma Chambers of Commerce, is an Executive member of the Washington State Mentors, is a loyal WSU Cougar and as a dog owner is active in the Humane Society.
A business consultant and partner with several entities in China including Tsinghua University, the China Service Centre for Friendship and Cooperation and several others, where Donaldson focused on preparing students for educational, sports, cultural exchange and study abroad experiences in the USA.
He also is CEO of a startup business called Athletes Playbook, a mentorship program made up of veteran athletes helping younger ones. His other passion project, Your Gift of Life Foundation, addresses mental illness and suicide prevention. He is also a Board Member of National Basketball Retired Players Association.
Donaldson, a high school scholar who did not begin playing basketball until his senior year, has long worked with organizations promoting higher education, including the College Success Foundation.
About the District
District 7 includes Magnolia, Queen Anne, Belltown, Downtown, Pioneer Square, and parts of South Lake Union and Chinatown/International District. The District has extensive shorelines, including several salmon recovery areas and tide flats, the fishing fleet, and also includes numerous industrial areas and Seattle’s largest sewage treatment plant. District 7 includes Seattle’s largest park, many of its most iconic corporations, and many thousands of small businesses.
Featuring many of Seattle’s most popular tourist venues, District 7 includes the Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Aquarium and the Waterfront attractions, Seattle Center, Pike Place Market, the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, Victoria Clipper, music, historic and architecture tours, and exterior sites of major TV shows and movies. The District also hosts 1.2 million visitors through six cruise ship berths.
Rarely thought of for its diversity, District 7 nonetheless reflects the true face and history of Seattle. Seattle’s oldest neighborhood in Pioneer Square was home to two Indian villages; United Indians of All Tribes gather at Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center. Chinatown and the International District reflect more than 150 years of immigration and segregation of dozens of ethnicities into compact neighborhoods. The Great Migration drew African Americans to Jackson Street, the birthplace of a multiracial musical community. Home to the some of the wealthiest and the poorest residents of Seattle, its denizens reside in spectacular view homes, glittering high-rises, and thousands seeking protection in tents, doorways, shelters and supported living communities.
District 7 also brings together all major forms of transit and transportation: the Highway 99 tunnel, Interstate 5, four major bridges, three ferry systems, the monorail, hundreds of bus routes, four Link light rail stations, two streetcar lines with a third line in final planning. Amtrak, Bolt, and Greyhound are just a few blocks south of the District.
Early Endorsements
“I have worked with James Donaldson on issues for inner city youth and endorse him for City Council District 7. He will bring a needed diversity perspective to the Council.” – Justice Faith Ireland, Washington State Supreme Court (Ret.)
“ Now more than ever Seattle needs its brightest minds, its biggest hearts, and its bravest leaders. That’s a tall order. James Donaldson more than fills it. He has stood with Seattle in its proudest moments. He knows how to win. And he knows how to work as a team so that all of us can reach our goals.” – George Toles, Executive Director, His Deal; former PA announcer for the Sonics
“I endorse James Donaldson for Position 7 based on more than 10 years of knowing him and following his work. James and I have worked on several projects related to education and athletics. I know him to be wise, compassionate and committed to excellence. His experiences locally and abroad have prepared him uniquely to serve the people of Seattle.” – Erin Jones, Education and Systems Consultant, Obama White House Champion of Change, 2013; WA PTA Outstanding Educator, 2015
“I have known James for the past 45 years. He is one of the most sincere and honest human beings I have known. His leadership and influence have extended from the NBA to the local community. He is a true ‘winner’.” – Mark Edwards 46 years as a College Basketball Coach at Washington State University (Assistant Coach 9 years) and Washington University in St. Louis (Head Coach 37 years)
“We need a leader like James Donaldson. His team building and business skills, and respect for people is exactly the kind of leader we need on Seattle City Council at this time.” – Gayle A. Johnson, Business Owner, EVOLVE Life Coaching
“I’ve known James since he was a student-athlete at Washington State University. James is a very self- disciplined individual. If elected he will work very hard to solve the problems that have created the perspective “Seattle is dying” atmosphere that exists today. James has taken the time to go out into the neighborhoods and study the problems first hand.” – Stan Coe, DVM, Past President of Washington State Veterinary Medical Association; Past President of Washington State University Alumni Association
“The most dangerous challenge we have is to do nothing and assume that nothing will change. When we assume that nothing will change, we doom ourselves to that fate. We must carefully select our representative for a seat on the Seattle City Council District 7. James Donaldson is a person who is aware of certain concerns the district has, not just general concerns, but specific concerns. I firmly endorse James Donaldson for Seattle City Council.” – Arif Khatib, Founder, and President Emeritus, Multi-Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame
“James Donaldson is a good draft pick for Seattle City Council this year. Donaldson will bring to the Council Chambers experience with basketball, business, and resilience making him as well rounded as a properly inflated NBA regulation basketball. I am also confident Donaldson will also help his colleagues restore a sense of team in this region in tackling transit and transportation, homelessness, addiction, and congestion to restore a sense of community.” – Joe A. Kunzler, Regional Transit Advocate
I would like to offer my endorsement for James Donaldson’s candidacy for Seattle City Council’s District 7 Position. James offers a profound breadth of expertise and wisdom including decades of leadership within the retired NBA players association, extensive experience as an entrepreneur in the Seattle area and internationally, and a terrific track record of collaborating and building alliances across the Seattle community. James is a dedicated advocate for many underrepresented populations and people dealing with severe challenges and inspires other leaders as well with his unique leadership qualities and communication abilities. It is my pleasure to support James in his candidacy for Position 7. – David B. Woodward Principal, David Woodward & Associates and
Chairman of the Board, Rotary Club of Seattle
James Donaldson would be a great Seattle City Council member as James has represented the NBA Retired Players to the fullest of his abilities and with tremendous results. I believe James would do the same for the City of Seattle and the Seattle City Council. James Donaldson has always represented the NBA Retired Players with the utmost of respect and dedication to get the job done. – Lafayette “Fat” Lever, AZ Chapter of the NBRPA, Board Member and Founding President
James Donaldson’s refreshing positions on housing and small business issues would bring a necessary and underrepresented voice to the Seattle City Council – Randy Aliment, Partner, Lewis Brisbois
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[1] England, United States, Italy, Greece, Spain and China
[2] Europe, North America and Asia
[3] English, Italian, Greek, Spanish and Mandarin
[4] http://www.seattle.gov/Documents/Departments/UrbanForestryCommission/2014/2014docs/covenants_print.pdf
[5] Complete with the original kitchen, although the shag carpet was recently removed
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
[email protected]
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at [email protected] and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
