Black History Month–Day 3

In honor of Black History Month, here are few profiles of contributors to history of African descent:

Alexandre Dumas

(1802-1870), was a novelist; dramatist of French and Afro-Carribean descent who lived in France.  He was the author of The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo, he also wrote 20 volumes of memoirs. 


Otis Boykin

Invented an improved electrical resistor

Few inventors have had the lasting impact of Otis Boykin. Look around the house today and you’ll see a variety of devices that utilize components made by Boykin – including computers, radios and TV sets. Boykin’s inventions are all the more impressive when one considers he was an African American in a time of segregation and the field of electronics was not as well-established as it is today. Continue reading

N/NE Economic History–How Did We Get Here?

Historical Perspective for Today’s Understanding: Economic Development in N/NE Portland
Economic Development Speaker Series Kick-Off Event

Tuesday, November 1, 2011 6:00pm to 8:00pm
The NECN Community Economic Development Council’s Inaugural Speaker Series Event
Curious Comedy, 5225 NE MLK Blvd, Portland, OR 97211

*FREE*

The Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods (NECN) invites the community to a panel discussion and Q & A about the history of economic development in inner N/NE Portland with an eye cast toward discovering future economic development opportunities. The panel will feature:

  • Carl Talton – Past Co-Chair of the N/NE Economic Development Alliance
  • Dr. Karen Gibson – PSU Associate Professor, Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning
  • Paul Knauls Sr – Owner, Geneva’s Shear Perfection Barber and Beauty Salon

Join us to hear three different perspectives on past economic development activities, their impacts and key learnings for our future. Carl Talton, a community leader with years of experience, will share his perspectives from work with city agencies such as the Portland Development Commission and leadership at the North/Northeast Economic Development Alliance with Sheila Holden. Author of Bleeding Albina, Dr. Karen Gibson will share an academic perspective as a researcher of the political economy of neighborhood change in Portland’s historic black community, the Albina District. A community leader, Paul Knauls Sr., will bring his first person account as a business owner experiencing the impacts of various business and economic development programs throughout the years.

Each speaker brings a unique perspective on community economic development and has strong connections with Portland’s historic inner N/NE neighborhoods and communities including the African-American community. This first event of a series is a must for newcomers and longtime community members alike.

Refreshments donated by Bridges Café & Catering, Horn of Africa and Elevated Coffee

RSVP requested, 503.823.4575 or info@necoalition.org The Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods’ (NECN) newest permanent committee, the Community Economic Development Council (CEDC), is proud to present this inaugural event. The CEDC looks at a range of local needs for jobs, asset creation, economic generators, small business supports and place and community-based investments. The committee works to gather information, provide education, advocate for solutions and incubate projects. For anyone who cannot attend this event but would like to participate in the Community Economic Development Council, please join us for meetings on the third Thursdays of the month at 8am at NECN offices. The public is welcome.

NECN – Founded in 1975, the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods is a dynamic 501c3 nonprofit organization comprised of 12 culturally diverse and vibrant inner North and Northeast Portland Neighborhoods and their Associations. Dedicated to highly inclusive civic engagement, we operate community programs and fulfill numerous functions: gathering place, information and referral, idea and project incubator, training and technical assistance, forums and issue advocacy, and outreach service provider connecting community members to resources from agencies and organizations. Our 12 neighborhoods are: Alameda, Boise, Concordia, Eliot, Grant Park, Humbolt, Irvington, King, Sabin, Sullivan’s Gulch, Vernon and Woodlawn.

Donations to support our Council and our work in the community are always appreciated. Online donations may be made at necoalition.org. Checks may be made out to NECN and sent to NECN 4815 NE 7th Ave. Portland, OR 97211.

For further information about our community committees and programs, please contact Shoshana Cohen at 503-823-4570 and shoshana@necoalition.org. For the latest information on all Northeast Coalition activities, please visit www.necoalition.org.

King NA Supports Juneteenth Forward at MLK/Alberta

At the May meeting of the association, Woody Broadnax, the organizer of one of the two Juneteenth events in Portland this year, asked for KNA support. This will be the first year for the Juneteenth Forward event and it will be held where the longstanding Juneteenth event was last year. That older event will take place at Jefferson High School this year. Mr. Broadnax asked for KNA support for his use of the PDC owned lot for the event and sought an unspecified financial contribution.

At its special board meeting at Reflections Coffee on May 21st, the KNA board voted to write a letter of support to the Portland Development Commission for the use of the location. KNA, which has yet to develop an income stream other than a $1000/year outreach stipend, declined to provide any financing to the event.

Click here for the letter.

King History Comics

Artist Joe Sneed, working on a partnership between da Vinci School and King School students, connected with the Dill Pickle Club as a way to orient students to the history of the neighborhood. The Dill Pickle Club led a tour and workshop based on the Oregon History Comics series. The tour was a way for the kids to experience the neighborhood, while comics were a medium for class to create art documenting what they had learned.
Check out the story on the Dill Pickle Club’s website.

Oregon’s Racial History Workshop

From the American Civil Liberties Union:

Oregon’s Racial History
Sat, May 21, 1pm – 4pm
PCC Cascade Campus Student Center Cafeteria

Join the ACLU of Oregon and discover the history of race in Oregon through this interactive workshop at the ACLU of Oregon Annual Meeting. PCC Cascade Campus Student Center Cafeteria is at 705 N. Killingsworth, Portland. Over the years, Oregon’s laws and policies have influenced how families and communities of color are engaged in Oregon’s civic life. Come take an interactive walk with us through the timeline of Oregon’s racial history and learn more about how this history impacts the decisions each of us makes today. Learn things about Oregon that you never knew, be reminded of others that you may have forgotten, and connect the many dots during this exploration of our state’s racial history. Facilitated by Kim Feicke of the Center for Equitable and Effective Leadership, Lewis & Clark College