Remembering Kimberly Walker: May 4, 2024 is Kimberly Walker Day

The Best Starts team was heartbroken by the passing of our colleague and friend, Kimberly Walker.

In honor of her powerful work in the community in King County and beyond, King County Executive Dow Constantine issued a proclamation designating May 4 as Kimberly Walker Day. Read the full proclamation here and below.

We are so grateful that we were able to know her, so this blog is a space where we can capture our memories, and community members’ memories of her. We will continually update this blog with photos and memories so please share what you’d like us to include in an email to: Best.Starts@kingcounty.gov.

Kimberly, right, dancing with Best Starts Co-Lead Jamalia Jones, left, at an all-staff gathering.

Nancy Vu, Best Starts Positive Family Connections Program Manager:

Kimberly’s friendship has forever impacted my life with her grace, wisdom and heart work. She is missed more than words can say. I thank her for always being there for me and bringing her light in the most beautiful ways.

It was a freezing November day outside of the Tukwila office in the parking lot in 2021, Kimberly and I distributed cash value cards to Positive Family Connections partners to be able to distribute directly to families in their programs during the holiday season when many families are struggling. She was always thinking about the community.

Kimberly and I at the 2023 National Community Schools and Family Engagement Conference together in Philadelphia learning about how others are engaging families around the country and bringing back that learning to our Positive Family Connections strategy.

Ten years ago, Kimberly and I worked together at the YMCA and she graced us at a Martin Luther King Jr March in South Seattle along with my kids. She was always involved in the community bringing joy to people.

Hannelore Makhani, PSTAA Lead

I had the fortune to call Kimberly my friend and colleague for over 10 years. Throughout that time, she supported, encouraged and pushed me. She was a gifted community builder. She brought so much joy to others. You’d be hard-pressed to find a kinder soul. I will miss her dearly!

Hana Mohamed, Best Starts Community-Based Parenting Supports Manager

Kimberly was joyful, humble, and radiated Black Excellence. She was one of our biggest champions and breathed this work in and out daily. During my first few days, I felt some imposter syndrome. That was when I met Kimberly. She offered encouraging words and reminded me I had a purpose here. She helped ground and center me. I strive to follow in Kimberly’s footsteps. She is irreplaceable and will be missed dearly. Rest In Peace, Queen ❤️!

Jorji Knickrehm, Best Starts Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Program Manager

Kimberly, Vitoria and Megan started the Best Starts Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Program, which has been replicated now by multiple parts of King County (and possibly influencing Technical Assistance and Capacity Building provision beyond King County). I talked about Kimberly in my quarterly Capacity Builder Convening, as some of the Capacity Building consultants worked with Kimberly during the first levy and a couple of them even worked with her in nonprofits before she came to King County. [See the Capacity Builders’ message below.]

Kimberly and Vitoria and Megan provided an amazing, strong foundation to me as I entered my position in December 2020, and Kimberly continued to support me throughout my time as a program manager. She provided graceful, firm wisdom at points when I most needed it, and she is truly irreplaceable.

The Best Starts Capacity Builders shared this message:

The fact that Kimberly helped to start the Best Starts for Kids Technical Assistance and Capacity Building program is a big deal. Her memory is living on in the community. She breathed life into the early Best Starts Technical Assistance and Capacity Building program and her spirit will live on. We have to carry on the work and honor her in that way. Capacity Builders who’d worked with Kimberly in the community, even before she came to the County, were devastated when they heard the news of her passing and said, “Kimberly was a multi-dimensional talent. I don’t know many people who are so vibrant. She did everything, and she will be very missed.” Other capacity builders who hadn’t known her as well said they were holding us all in their hearts.

Kimberly at the Best Starts 2023 Summit

Ann Pulkkinen

I am so very sorry to learn that our world has lost sweet, dazzling Kimberly. She was my practicum student, MSW grad student, coworker and friend. Kim’s ability to read and shift group dynamics was unmatched. She moved through mighty challenges with infinite grace. Your memory will always be a blessing to me, dear friend.

Emily Mirra, Special Projects Community Investment Lead, Adult Services Division in King County

I work in the Adult Services Division, and several years ago Kimberly graciously served on one of my review panels for an (funding opportunity) that funded mental health supports for youth and families coming out of COVID. Her deep expertise and perspective were so valuable to the process. I also really enjoyed getting to know her. Later, I was able to serve on one of the (funding opportunity) panels that she was managing for Best Starts for Kids. She brought so much warmth, wisdom, and humanity to the work. Her passing is a huge loss for all of us.