Take our quiz to find out!

Answer the eight question quiz below and count your “yes” answers to find out your RACE TALKS IQ.

1. Are you a BIPOC ?

2. Do you actively live or socialize with BIPOC Communities?

3. Have you experienced being the only person of your ethnicity in the room on a dozen or more occasions?

4. Have you read more than 10 African American authors?

5. Have your read more than 10 authors from the African diaspora?

6. Can you discuss the relationship between Affirmative Action, BIPOC, non-binary, progressive stacking order, and White centering?

7. Do you understand the intersectionality between BIPOC and LGBTQIA2S?

8. Have you joined a social justice organization for Black people or advocated openly for Black people at work, socially or with a governmental agency?

QUIZ RESULTS:

If you answered “yes” to 1-3 of the questions, you are at an introductory level.

If you answered “yes” to 4-6 of the questions, you are at an intermediate level.

If you answered “yes” to 7-8 of the questions, you are at an advanced level.

RACE TALKS is hosting its 110th forum and 6th month of virtual programming.
January’s program is:

Thursday, January 21, 2021

Leading the Nation in Protest, Defunding, and Activism: Portland’s Community Update on Police Reform

This forum is a continuation of RACE TALKS’ November 2020 discussion about the next steps in politics and quarantine in 2021. Local activist leaders in Portland, Oregon will discuss: the recent transition of the federal administration • the future of policing • safety and supporting families and businesses • BIPOC upliftment • white supremacy • protesting police brutality, martial law, and coordinated COVID-19 shutdowns. Learn how you can get involved and connect with resources in your community.

Guest Speakers Include:
Teressa Raiford – Don’t Shoot PDX
Candace Avalos – Black Millennial Movement
Lakayana Drury – Word is Bond
Taji Chesimet – Raising Justice

Date: Thursday, January 21, 2021
Time: 6:45p-9:00p

(Updated to include event video)

Event poster

RACE TALKS is hosting its 109th forum and 5th month of virtual programming.
November’s program is:

P’s & Q’s of 2021: What are the next steps for politics and quarantine?

Our forum has changed to reflect the current events surrounding the Coronavirus pandemic and racial uprisings happening globally. Through facilitated breakout groups, attendees will have an opportunity to share how they have been impacted personally and professionally by the pandemic and what role politics is played in our daily life. This session will be both informative and a bit like group therapy.

And be sure to take the RACE TALKS IQ Quiz (above) to find out YOUR racial IQ.

Date: November 19th
Time: 7p-9:15p

If you participated in the live event or just watched the Facebook Live video, we invite you to fill out the event evaluation form.

(Updated to include event video)

RACE TALKS is hosting its 108th forum and 4th month of virtual programming.
October’s program is:

Engaging Democracy

This is our third time hosting this particular forum, which highlights BIPOC staffers in government and BIPOC community advocacy organizations. No elected officials on the panel. Staffers will be highlighted on the panel because over 50% of an elected official’s work is carried out by their staff.

This is a great opportunity to learn more about the various arms of federal, state, county and city government, especially during voting season

And be sure to take the RACE TALKS IQ Quiz (above) to find out YOUR racial IQ.

Date: October 15th
Time: 7p-9:15p

If you participated in the live event or just watched the Facebook Live video, we invite you to fill out the event evaluation form.

Special Event: Know Your Rights Workshop

Thursday, October 15th, Representative Lawrence Spence is partnering with Labor Commissioner Val Hoyle, Portland Jobs with Justice, and RACE TALKS for a conversation about worker rights and protections.

Date: Thursday October 15th
Time: 5:00 – 6:30 PM

We have heard from Oregonians that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about new concerns in the workplace. This is in addition to existing challenges, such as workplace discrimination, that marginalized communities already face in their place of employment.

This workshop will cover worker protections regarding wages and civil rights. The Bureau of Labor and Industries will share resources available to you online and demonstrate how you can file a claim through their website.

We will have ASL interpretation. For language and ADA accommodations, please contact the office of Representative Lawrence Spence.

(Updated to include event video)

RACE TALKS is hosting its 107th forum and 3rd month of virtual programming

August’s program is:

“Back to School During COVID-19”

Guest Speakers:

DR. LISA MCCALL — Asst. Superintendent, Tigard-Tualatin SD

JORGE MEZA — K-6 Principal, Centennial School District

KATHERINE WATKINS — Jr. and Sr. High Teacher, Beaverton School District

PAULA DE PASSE — 5th Grade Teacher, Portland Public SD

As COVID-19 continues to rage across the United States, BIPOC communities are disproportionately impacted by high numbers of unemployment, under-funded schooling, inadequate health care, a limited number of housing resources, and deaths. We will discuss the controversy and concerns of sending students and teachers back to school under perilous conditions. Four BIPOC Educators from the Portland-Metro area will weigh in on how they are preparing themselves and their communities to go back to school this fall.

If you participated in the live event or just watched the Facebook Live video, we invite you to fill out the event evaluation form.

Main Breakout Room with DR. LISA MCCALL — Asst. Superintendent, Tigard-Tualatin SD

PreK-3rd Grade Breakout Room with JORGE MEZA — K-6 Principal, Centennial School District

4th-6th Grade Breakout Room with PAULA DE PASSE — 5th Grade Teacher, Portland Public SD

High School Breakout Room with KATHERINE WATKINS — Jr. and Sr. High Teacher, Beaverton School District

SUPPORT RACE TALKS WITH A CONTRIBUTION

(Updated to include event video)

Join us for our first virtual discussion June 2020:

COMING TOGETHER IN A TIME OF CRISIS

We discussed the current race crisis, facilitate affinity group breakouts, and offer resources and provided a safe space to openly discuss the current racial crisis in breakout groups.

June 4, 2020

(Updated to include event video)

Join us for a panel discussion March 2020:

The Census:

What It Is and Isn’t

The U.S. census dates back to 1790 and has been taken at the end of every decade since. Join us to learn the history of census taking, including the ramifications for going uncounted and get answers to the political concerns of people of color and immigrants. Q & A prior to discussion groups.

Spanish and Somali translators will be available.

Presented by:

Charles Rynerson, Interim Director, Population Research Center, Portland State University
Precious Edmonds, Coordinator, Community Engagement & Partnerships, We Count Oregon

March 10, 2020

(Updated to include event video)

Join us for a panel discussion February 2020:

An Open Dialogue:

Portland Parent Union and Portland Public Schools Board of Education

Join us for an open forum in which board and union members will participate in facilitated discussion groups to hear the concerns of parents, students, and citizens regarding equitable opportunities and outcomes for our youth.

With an introduction by Sheila Washington Warren, Founder and Director of PPU, and Susan Anglada, PPS Educator.

February 11, 2020

Join us for a panel discussion January 2020:

the color of fear

part 4 of a four part series

race through eight men’s eyes

Summary: The Color of Fear (Part 2 of the film) is an insightful, groundbreaking film about the state of race relations in America as seen through the eyes of eight North American men of Asian, European, Latino and African descent. Eight North American men, two African American, two Latinos, two Asian American and two Caucasian were gathered by director Lee Mun Wah, for a dialogue about the state of race relations in America as seen through their lived experience.

January 14, 2020

McMenamins Kennedy School Gym

5736 NE 33rd Ave., Portland | Phone: 503-249-3983

Doors open at 6pm
Newcomers Welcome: 6:45pm
Program: 6:45pm – 9:15pm

Free | Minor with parent or guardian

RACE TALKS is a free series co-sponsored by Donna Maxey (Founder/Director of RACE TALKS), World Arts Foundation, Resolutions Northwest, and McMenamins.

Spread the word. Please forward this information to any group, business, school, class, and individual you feel might be interested. Contact us if you have questions or suggestions about the upcoming program or the series in general.

NEXT MONTH’S RACE TALKS:

TBA

P’s & Q’s of 2021

P’s & Q’s of 2021: What are the next steps for politics and quarantine?