Silas
washington
Founder & Executive Director of Pickle Pals
bio
Silas Washington, a life long Texas resident and a student at Lubbock High school, is the driving force behind Pickle Pals, an afterschool program focused on community and fun. Silas's journey with pickleball began in the summer of 2023 when he picked up a paddle with his friend, Matthew Herrera, and played for the first time. This initial experience sparked a fondness for the sport, leading him to establish a pickleball club at his school.
Silas's vision for Pickle Pals extends beyond the pickleball court. The creation of Pickle Pals was cemented by the arrest of one of his little brother's friends. The context that surrounded the arrest illustrated the story of a young man who was surrounded by negative influences in his community, leading to his involvement in illegal activities. Motivated by the desire to protect youth from the same fate, Silas envisioned a program that would promote positive values and create a safe space for socializing and learning. Pickle Pals was born from this goal.
Outside of pickle pals
Despite his array of pickleball-related activities, Silas maintains an emphasis climate related activism. “In West Texas the concern placed on the climate crisis is minimal, so getting new people to take action is something I believe is of great importance.”
Silas serves as a congressional liaison for the nonpartisan organization: Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL). As a congressional liaison, Silas maintains relationships with state and nationale level representatives. In this role, he strategizes to seek support for legislation that best benefits his community and environment, such as the PROVE IT Act (S.1863/H.R.8957). Additionally, he leads the Climate and Culture Action Team, a subdivision of CCL that aims to maximize the participation of black and African American volunteers in the organization.
“I believe in the power of leading by example, which is why I dedicate so much time to climate advocacy. As a member of one of the planet's youngest generations, I feel a responsibility to ensure a livable future for all. This isn't just about me or my community; it's about the incredible diversity of life we share this planet with.”
Socials
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Socials 〰️
Contact
Phone
(806) 853-3749
Email
swashington@thepicklepals.org