The Fig Tree 2026 Spring Benefit Speakers

Luc Jasmin III knows power of seeing a face

 

Luc Jasmin III, Eastern Washington Governor's representative, opened his speech: I'm not supposed to be here.

I remember sitting in a high school class when a teacher told us that most Black men do not make it past 26 without being dead or incarcerated.

Remember, I was an adolescent hearing this.

That comment felt like the heaviest weight ever, laying on top of me.

It felt that way until I got home. I remember asking my parents, "we are black, immigrants and everything is so hard, even though we're good people.

The statistics show that we will not make it, so why do you keep going? Why don't we give up?

My mom without hesitation in Creole said, "Bondye ak kominote" (God and community). Then she walked off.

Fast forward to today, I fully understand what she meant. There is so much to fear right now. There is so much to be exhausted by. There are so many moments when giving up feels like the only logical choice. I look around rooms like this and see people like you showing up, supporting organizations like The Fig Tree.

It energizes me and brings me back to that persistence my parents have modeled.

Persistent in work, persistent in faith and persistent in love.

Somewhere today, a kid will walk into a church, a clinic, or a food bank. They will pick up a copy of The Fig Tree. They will see my face, someone who looks like them, someone who keeps going. That kid will know they can keep going too. That moment will happen because of you.

To watch the 2026 Benefit Videos click here.