Smart Minds. Big Ideas.
Bold Solutions
for Seattle’s Future.
Seattle’s potential is limitless. We have the talent, innovation, natural beauty, and economic strength to thrive. Yet, our challenges remain complex and urgent.
But our opportunities are even greater.
When sharp minds come together, focused on real solutions, nothing is out of reach.
That’s The Block Table.
Join us.
Upcoming Events
AUGUST 19TH!
What Just Happened? A Post-Primary Debrief
The votes are in and official - now let’s talk about what they really mean. Join moderator Alex Hudson, a former Seattle City Council candidate and Executive Director of Commute Seattle, with the following lineup of panelists offering a post-primary breakdown: political/public affairs consultant Sandeep Kaushik, House Our Neighbor's Tiffani McCoy, and KUOW's Scott Greenstone.
Are Seattle voters still in backlash mode, or is the appetite for big progressive change back on the menu? From local shakeups to the Trump effect, we’ll unpack the narratives, surprises, and signal through the noise. We promise it'll be a lively and insightful discussion.
Sandeep Kaushik
Tiffani McCoy
Scott Greenstone
Alex Hudson, Moderator
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
5:00PM – 7:00PM PDT
The Rabbit Box
94 Pike St
SEPTEMBER 16TH!
Trump vs. Seattle: A panel discussion with local experts on federal policy changes and implications for the Emerald City
How devastating is it? Let’s dig into what’s happening on the ground in Seattle as Trump’s budget cuts, tariffs, and immigration enforcement hit home.
Panel participants coming soon.
Moderated by Steve Page, UW Evans School of Public Policy & Governance.
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
5:00PM – 7:00PM PDT
The Rabbit Box
94 Pike St
COMING SOON!
More Block Table dates in 2025!
Save these dates:
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Tuesday, August 19th
Tuesday, September 16th
Tuesday, October 21st
Tuesday, November 18th
Tuesday, December 16th
All events are from 5:00PM to 7:00PM PDT.
The Rabbit Box, our venue, is located in the historic Pike Place Market.
Recent Events
WTH is up with the Seattle School District?
Declining enrollments. Unsustainable contracts. Big budget deficits. Academic stagnation. The elimination of the district’s gifted and talented program. Accusations of a lack of transparency. All topped off by a proposal to close up to 21 schools has sparked growing backlash. What is going on with the Seattle school system, and how did we get into this mess?
Join three former Seattle school board members who will share their insights into the current troubles and how we get on a better path.
Michael DeBell
Dr. Stephan Blanford
Vivian Song
Sandeep Kaushik, Moderator
Thursday, October 24, 2024
5:30PM – 7:00PM PDT
Folio: The Seattle Athenaeum
93 Pike St
A Ballot Full of Conservative Initiatives
This November, four major statewide ballot measures—backed by wealthy conservative activists and GOP power players—aim to roll back key victories of the Democratic-controlled legislature: repealing the capital gains tax, scrapping the cap-and-invest carbon system, gutting the public long-term care plan, and halting the push to clean energy. Join top journalists to dissect the high-stakes campaigns and explore whether these costly battles signal a new era of ballot measure warfare.
Claire Withycombe, The Seattle Times
Jerry Cornfield, Washington State Standard
Paul Queary, Washington Observer
Stephen Paolini, Moderator
Thursday, September 5, 2024
5:30PM – 7:00PM PDT
Folio: The Seattle Athenaeum
93 Pike St
Urbanism: A not-so-hidden force shaping life
Urban policy decisions shape our daily lives in visible ways - our housing and commutes for example - and not-so-obvious ways as well - our social and physical well-being, our children's educational attainment, and our city's economic potential. So what is urbanism? How have decisions in the past shaped our lives today and what's possible in the future?
Join experts across disciplines to dive into the economics, policy, and politics of cities and ourselves.
Patience Malaba
Rian Watt
Sarah Clark
Alex Hudson, Moderator
Thursday, July 18, 2024
5:30PM – 7:00PM PDT
Folio: The Seattle Athenaeum
93 Pike St
Our Vision
The Block Table is where Seattle’s sharpest minds cut through the noise—salon-style panels, real debate, no fluff, just fierce conversation tackling the city’s biggest challenges head-on.
Walk away with fresh insights, real connections, and the momentum to drive change—pull up a chair and be part of the conversation Seattle needs.
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