It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Alfred Poole, who died Saturday, Jan. 8, at home with his son by his side. Poole was an inspiring and principled advocate and policymaker for those who did not have access to power or resources. He saw the humanity in everyone, whatever their circumstance or the political positions they took. Poole left a profound impact in our community, in its policies towards the most vulnerable, its safety net systems, its partnerships and on the many people — from all walks of life — who had the pleasure of knowing him.
First, as the city of Seattle’s director of Homelessness Intervention, and subsequently as the division director, Poole brokered more equitable relationships between homelessness service providers, government officials and other funders. He changed administrative rules governing encampment cleanups by including recommendations from providers and advocates. These made an immediate difference and are now considered standard practice: providing outreach, posting 72-hour notification and better coordination across city departments.
Poole provided pivotal support for Operation Sack Lunch and helped fund Seattle’s outdoor meal site, which operated at 6th and Columbia for many years. He was a tireless supporter of meal programs, food banks and shelters. He was passionate about ending hunger and helping people to change their life circumstance throughout the many decades of his working life.
Prior to working for the city of Seattle, Poole was executive director of a food bank in Skyway and ran the Yesler Terrace programs for Neighborhood House. At Neighborhood House, Poole started Juneteenth celebrations at Yesler Terrace and ran them for many years in the 1980s when few were aware of this celebration that has become so important for the Black community.
He had a core inner compass, treating everyone with dignity and respect and having equitable and honest relationships. He was passionate about support for young people of color and felt great joy in seeing them succeed. He was an authentic leader, known for mentoring and elevating his staff. He had the innate intelligence to understand the perspectives of others, which he used compassionately to strategize for policy change. He had a gentle nature, was full of laughter and prone to storytelling.
What most do not know about Alfred Poole is the life experiences that forged his inner compass. Poole was born in 1940 in Norfolk, Virginia. Although he had a family, he grew up unsure of the identity of his parents or knowledge of his own birthdate. He experienced the invisibility of a young kid not belonging anywhere or to anyone. Poole spent time in juvenile detention, was sent to “reform school” and made his way alone in the formative years of his youth. And yet, he was greatly influenced and inspired by the vibrant and thriving Black community surrounding him. This shaped the remarkable, brilliant, compassionate and caring person that we all knew and loved.
Poole gave generously to the community, giving his time, advice, mentorship and strategic insights. He served on the Advisory Committee of Real Change for several years. For the past 10 years, Poole lived in the International District and was a board member for the Chinatown/International District Community Improvement Association. Even the weekend of his stroke in late November 2021, he had a stack of funding proposals to rate for a city of Seattle division as a community volunteer.
A remembrance for those close to Poole will take place next weekend. In lieu of flowers, and for those who would like to make a donation in his name, the family offers the suggestion of Community Passageways (CP), which is so congruent with Al’s passions. CP seeks to create alternatives to incarceration for youth and young adults by rebuilding our communities through committed relationships centered on love, compassion and consistency. They support youth and young adults at every stage of the criminal legal process — from prevention to detention — aimed to eliminate the school to prison pipeline. You can donate directly on their page: https://www.communitypassageways.org/
Alfred Poole’s passing leaves a huge void for his family, friends and colleagues. Al is survived by his former wife, Karuna Poole, son Sreejit Poole and daughter Chaitanya (Kristina) Poole.
Submitted in collaboration, by Bonnie Olson
Read more of the Jan. 19-25, 2022 issue.