Common(s) Questions with Frank Nam
No stranger to the work here at Civic Commons, we’re proud to spotlight another valued team member of the Civic Commons’ staff, Frank Nam.
Frank leads the Belonging effort of Civic Commons through his role as the Project Director of We Belong Here. In addition to his leadership, Frank also hosts our We Belong Here podcast discussing Seattle’s biggest opportunities and challenges with our region’s most inspiring community members.
With over 20+ years of experience in multiple sectors, he has worked for large and start-up technology companies, for-profit and nonprofit educational organizations, and local government.
Take a read below and get to know more about Frank!
Q: Who influenced the decisions that got you to where you are today?
A: Although I haven't attended church regularly in decades, my old youth pastor Gary was a big influence in demonstrating what it looks like to be a man of service. Humble, kind, wise, and always setting an example of what love of service to others looked like.
Another influence is my mentor Jen Benn when I worked at Kaplan Test Prep after the IPO dotcom plunge in the early 2000s. She was the one that pushed me towards working in the non-profit sector. If not for her, I may have never enjoyed the life I lead now in terms of serving others and helping to create a better future for all.
Q: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT YOUR JOB? WHAT GETS YOU OUT OF BED EACH MORNING?
A: My favorite part is probably preparing for and hosting the We Belong Here podcast. It's a microcosm of our Belonging work to be able to hold small conversations around different themes with folks from different backgrounds.
Thinking of the ideas for the show helps me scratch my creative itch. Figuring out who the guests will be feels like hosting a dinner party with amazing people. Holding the conversation is rich and grounding for me and others!
Q: Who or what sparked you to take action and get involved?
A: I think my mentors influenced me as people but in terms of "what" - I think my immigration experience and Asian-American identity also shaped me because there were many times that I felt I didn't belong here. That I wasn't a part of the story here. Then I realized that other people felt this way for similar and different reasons. That also helped spark me to take action and get involved.
Q: WHAT GIVES YOU HOPE ABOUT THE REGION? WHAT DO YOU FEEL ARE SOME OF OUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES HERE?
A: Hope: Our youth.
Easy. Hands down. When I was at Franklin HS coaching ultimate frisbee I saw students from different countries, religions, ethnicities, and languages working together. It wasn't a utopia by any means and there were definitely differences but I have never seen a group of young people from so many different backgrounds who just see each other as human. No matter if they were Catholic and their friend was Muslim. If they were gay and their friend was straight or if they were an immigrant and the friend wasn’t.
Challenge: Scarcity mindset.
When we think that everything is zero-sum, we all lose. When we can't imagine a greater future where we all do better when we all do better, we will constantly sabotage Belonging if it only favors our own identity and future. We have to be able to see the forest from the trees. See the longer, bigger and, I believe, a better future.
Q: IF YOU COULD GRAB COFFEE WITH ANY SEATTLEITE, PAST OR PRESENT, WHO WOULD IT BE? WHY?
A: I'm going to go in a fun direction with this one. If I could speak Japanese, I would grab coffee with Ichiro Suzuki of the Mariners. I'd ask him what it felt like to come here with so much fame and accomplishment back home, what his biggest hurdles were, If he knows how much the city loves him, and which pitcher on the Yankees gave him the most trouble.
(Sorry Seattle, I am a Yankees fan first and foremost - before you boo me, remember, We all Belong Here haha)
Q: What would a Seattle that works for everyone look like?
A: It would be where people felt safe and that they belonged. It would be where the different sectors worked together to create a better future for us all, especially our kids. It would be a place where difference is celebrated, not ignored, and definitely not attacked. It would be someplace where people stayed, where people weren't displaced, and where all the indicators of the Scorecard were trending upwards.
Q: What would it take for everyone to belong in Seattle?
A: A massive narrative shift. A willingness to believe that we all truly do belong here. Time set aside to connect with others. The curiosity to listen to other people's stories. The courage to tell our own stories. The ability to see humanity in other people - both the similarities and differences. Funding movements that work together, not alone. A vivid imagination of what the world could be like. Leaders who aren't afraid of radically changing the way they lead. The ability to see that we can grow the pie, not fight over the slices.
Q: What’s one thing each of us can do to make our community a better place?
A: Be curious about each other. Ask questions. Share a meal. Go for a walk. Listen.
Q: What’s something you’re involved in that other people should know about?
A: #CivicCrush and The Greater Seattle Compact for Belonging - please sign the compact and, more importantly, share the practices. One of the practices is storytelling and advocacy. #CivicCrush is a chance to do both. Nominate your #CivicCrush online!
Q: What’s one of your proudest moments as a Seattleite?
A: When we passed marriage equality here. I believe we were one of the very first states to do so.
Q: WHERE'S THE 1ST PLACE YOU WOULD TAKE SOMEONE THAT'S OUT OF TOWN?
A: Any place with a view of the city. Gasworks Park. Kerry Park. Any of the downtown ferries or the Water Taxi.
Q: HOW DO YOU LIKE TO UNWIND AND UNPLUG?
A: I like to binge-watch shows. I've been loving, LOVING, season 3 of Ted Lasso. It's the show we need and may have the most lessons around Belonging of any show I've watched!
Q: Tell me you live in Seattle without telling me you live in Seattle
A: I've played ultimate with KEXP's John Richards a few times.