Dedicated experts with a proven record of success.
Founded in 2012 by three lifelong educators and social service leaders, Clarence Dancer Jr., Marcus Harden and Willie Seals III. ACE was created to fill the gap in the traditional academic and social/emotional educational landscape, specifically African American, African Diaspora, Latino, Pacific Islander and Native American males.
The Founders
Willie Seals III
Sr. Director of Programs
Willie has served in social services for 15 years, has a Masters in Public Administration from Seattle University:formerly as Project Director for Seattle Public Schools; Career & College Readiness Manager for Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD).
Clarence Dancer Jr.
Executive Director
Clarence has served in social services for 15 years, has a Masters in Education from the University of Washington. Clarence previously served as Executive Director of Seattle Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA); STEM Program Supervisor for Office of Superintendent and Public Instruction (OSPI), and Postsecondary Policy Advisor for the City of Seattle’s Department of Education and Early Learning.
Marcus Harden
Co-Founder
Marcus has served in school based and social services for 15 years, has a Masters in Education, Principal and Program Manager Certification from the University of Washington. Marcus has previously served as Executive Director of The Accounting Career Awareness Program (ACAP); Race to the Top Grant Program Manager for Rainier Beach High school; Director of Community Engagement for the Washington State Charter School Association, and as Principal Intern at Summit Sierra High school & Southshore K-8.
Recipients of the 2025 Mountaintop Award in Education at The MLK Prayer Breakfast.
Our Family
Team Members
Janelle Washington - Director of Operations
Chris Rossman - Program Manager
Kim Thomas - Grants Coordinator
Chelsea Oguike - Black Educator Coordinator
Leila Adams - Office Manager
2024 ACE Staff
(Left to Right) Willie Seals III, Marcus Harden, Janelle Washington, Chelsea Oguike, Leila Adams, Kim Thomas, Chris Rossman, Clarence Dancer Jr.
Board Members
Brett Sims, Chair - Starbucks, Sr. Core HR Operations Manager
Jason Lombard, Chair-Elect - Lombard Circle, CEO
Roxanne Christian, Secretary - Alliance for Education, Vice President for Advancement
Jesse Weissman, Treasurer - Microsoft, Security Program Manager II, Customer Security Policy & Assurance
James Bush - City of Seattle, Community Grants Manager
Josh Cheatham - Furtado & Associates, Owner/President/CEO
Deshawnte Dancer - Refugee Women's Alliance (ReWA), Family Law Attorney
Marcus Harden - Washington State Charter School Commission, Executive Director
Natalie Hester - Hester Consulting, CEO
Minu Rana-Steward - Puget Sound ESD, Director, Student Support Services
