Rodney

Outlaw

Walla Walla City Council
Position 2, Central Ward

What if we did things differently?

• What if we did things differently? •

What if leadership looked like us?

• What if leadership looked like us? •

What if we focused on community first?

• What if we focused on community first? •

Black and white photo of Rodney speaking at a microphone outdoors, with two individuals standing nearby, one clapping. A sign in the background reads, 'Rodney for City Council.'

“This moment demands more than conversation.

It demands commitment.”

Rodney Outlaw is a passionate community leader and educator who has called Walla Walla home for a decade. He is all about community, connection, and the next generation—values he learned from his Grandma while growing up in North Carolina. Whether he’s leading a youth workshop, building a new program, or just showing up for the people around him, Rodney puts relationships and the well-being of young people at the center of everything he does.

He believes that real change starts with trust, mutual respect, and a willingness to invest in one another for the long haul—not just doing business as usual. Rodney’s approach is rooted in listening, learning, and lifting up the voices of youth, knowing they are the heart and future of the Walla Walla community. At a recent peace rally and March Rodney urged us:

“Let every step you take remind the people around you: This is OUR community, and we will fight for each other. Let every step you take say: We are not done. Because we’re just getting started.”

Rodney, smiling, wearing glasses and a floral shirt sitting on a couch with green plants in the background.

Rodney's family of four standing in front of a green house with a porch and garden, posing for a photo. The image features a rainbow lens flare across the bottom. The family consists of two adults and two children.

Rodney and his wife smiling, standing in front of colorful hot air balloons at a festival, with grass and trees in the background.

Not just running for office.
Stepping up for community.

Rodney is the founder and Executive Director of the Running Waters Equity Fund, a grant-making and support fund dedicated to disrupting and addressing systemic inequities in the Walla Walla Valley. Through Running Waters, he works to create opportunities and resources for local communities to thrive. He is also proud to serve as the President for The Health Center Board of Directors ensuring that all local youth have access to health care.

Passionate about empowering youth, Rodney also founded the Walla Walla Music Organization, which gives young people in the valley hands-on opportunities to explore music production and audio engineering. His classes and workshops are designed to be accessible, removing financial barriers and welcoming students of all backgrounds to discover their creative voices. He is also a founding member of 5th Element, a community hip hop project that provides music and dance education and celebrates culture.

Currently, Rodney serves as the founding faculty member of the Audio Engineering program at Walla Walla Community College. There, he helps students build practical skills for careers in the ever-expanding world of audio and supports them in finding scholarships and financial aid to pursue their dreams.