Keith Blocker ’12
Professional Achievement (Mid-Career)
Fate has shown its sunny and harsh sides to Keith Blocker ’12 since his days at the University of Puget Sound. Blocker was into a promising political career when he and his wife realized the turbulence following the murder of George Floyd created the opportunity to push for real institutional change. With his wife, Christina, he started Momentum Professional Strategy Partners, a Tacoma-based company helping businesses integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into a winning strategy. It also provides marketing services so those businesses can reach their target audiences. Political campaigning is, in large part, marketing and branding, so Blocker says he saw a good fit for his skill set. His advocacy resulted in the inaugural statewide proclamation of Black Wellness Week in 2024, recognized by Governor Jay Inslee, amplifying the impact of his work across Washington. Just as their efforts started picking up momentum, however, the national backlash against DEI reached Tacoma, and business has slowed. “There’s definitely been a rollback,” Blocker said, adding that the workload is now more marketing-based. “Companies decided to shift to a different direction.” But he’s used to overcoming hurdles. After moving to Tacoma before college, Blocker developed a form of macular degeneration that has left him legally blind. Undaunted, he went on after school to serve two terms on Tacoma City Council, including serving as deputy mayor during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. While serving, Blocker worked on issues like affordable housing, supporting small and BIPOC businesses and creating more employment options for people with disabilities. He also spearheaded legislation to preserve the city’s Office of Equity and Human Rights. Blocker left office in 2023, coming face-to-face with his next career challenge. Without the daily demand of city business, he says he’s enjoying more time with his two children — but he’s also considering a return to public service. It would seem wise not to count him out.