Giving Tuesday

Today is Giving Tuesday, a day rooted in the spirit of giving and being generous to others. For many of us, it is a reminder to be selfless in our actions and lead with kindness. 

Today you are receiving many asks, but ours is not for us. RACE TALKS is asking our supporters – You – to give generously and selflessly to someone in need. We are seeking financial support for a Black community leader, Ibrahim Mubarak, whose family is facing eviction. Below you can read more about Ibrahim and how he has dedicated his life’s purpose to eradicating homelessness in Portland, Oregon, which is experiencing an unprecedented rise in houselessness. To learn more about this crisis, please check out our November forum, Houseless in Portlandia:

This pandemic has been hard on all of us, but for Ibrahim and his family, it has been especially hard. In the past six months, Ibrahim found himself traveling to and from Chicago to help care for his ailing mother, who sadly succumbed to COVID. The cost of travel and other expenses caused him to fall behind on rent.  While their landlord has been patient, the rent is now five months past due and with the state’s rent moratorium being lifted, they are facing eviction. To worsen matters, Ibrahim was in an accident that totaled his car and he is recovering from a concussion and other related physical injuries. 

Our goal is simple: we are raising $10,000 to help Ibrahim’s family avoid eviction; this will pay the past due balance and provide them three additional months rent to get back on their feet. We have raised $600.00 so far.

We can hit this goal if we each ask 10 friends to match our individual donation. Here’s a script you can post on your social media or send to friends and family via text; or go old school: call and read the script!  Be sure to tag @racetalksofficial or use the hashtag #RACETALKSPDX on your posts.

SCRIPT:

For Giving Tuesday I am helping my favorite anti-racism organization, RACE TALKS: Uniting to Break the Chains of Racism raise money to help a Black community leader avoid eviction. I am pledging (enter your dollar amount) and am asking 10 people to match my donation. Please read my post for more information about this important direct action of service. Send your donation to RACE TALKS <https://www.racetalkspdx.com/contribute> or via PayPal <https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/racetalkspdx>. 

This is a tax-deductible donation. Please dig deep and give generously. RACE TALKS is collecting donations at our website racetalkspdx.com. Please ask 10 people to match your donation.

Ibrahim B Mubarak, is a renowned leader in the Activist Community for over 25 years. As a champion for Houseless Rights, he has dedicated himself to improving the many struggles of the disenfranchised and Houseless Community. Ibrahim, Co- founded Dignity Village in the late 1990’s and in 2010, on World Houseless Awareness Day, he Co- founded along with other members of Right 2 Survive, a rest area called Right 2 Dream Too.

In 2009, Ibrahim founded Right 2 Survive, a group made up of Houseless, formerly Houseless People and their allies and supporters, to educate the Houseless about the unjust laws established to criminalize the Houseless Communities for exercising their Civil, Constitutional and Human Rights. Since then he has held various board positions including: Chairperson, VP, and Outreach Coordinator for many powerful organizations.

Thank you,

Donna Maxey, Founder/ED of RACE TALKS

RACE TALKS in Review – November Live, Forum: Houseless In Portlandia

RACE TALKS in Review – November Live, Forum: Houseless In Portlandia

Thursday, November 18, 2021
Newcomer Welcome 6:46 pm, Program 7:00 pm
Suggested Donation $25
All Ages

Oregon has one of the largest houseless populations in the nation. In 2020 the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development presented its annual report on homelessness. Oregon ranks near the top of states in terms of the percentage of its homeless/houseless population that are living “unsheltered” on the streets, in vehicles, parks, or other places not designated for humans to sleep. According to the report, Black Americans continue to be disproportionately affected by houselessness. African Americans only account for 13% of the U.S. population, yet they represent 39% of all people experiencing houselessness; 51% of the houseless who have children. 

Join us as some of Oregon’s top advocates for the houseless share the story behind the statistics and their efforts to stop houselessness while giving its victims dignity.

October Forum: Engaging Democracy

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Have you wondered…How does our political process work? What do our officials and their staff do? How can I contact their offices? What are the best ways to impact their voting on an issue? How can I maximize my involvement and start my own referendum?

RACE TALKS in Review – October Live, Forum: Engaging Democracy

Thursday, October 21, 2021
Newcomer Welcome 6:46 pm, Program 7:00 pm
Suggested Donation $25
All Ages

Representation for all people—the privileged and oppressed—is crucial for our democracy to survive. We are calling on YOU to get involved and active. Join us for our fifth annual ENGAGING DEMOCRACY: Activating Government for YOU & your Community. Learn how to access:

  • Oregon’s government including the United States Congressional House and Senate offices; Oregon State Legislature; Multnomah County; Metro; and City of Portland.
  • Community Advocacy Groups and Coalitions who champion for policy changes and keep our elected officials accountable.
  • Meet BIPOC staffers from all offices, as well as APANO; Causa; Momentum Alliance; OPAL; NE Coalition of Neighborhoods; SE Uplift; Color PAC Action and more.
  • Engage with Featured Guests during breakout sessions.
  • Learn how you, too, can get involved and activated!

RACE TALKS in Review: Kin Killin’ Kin

RACE TALKS in Review – September Live, Virtual Forum: Kin Killin’ Kin: Resolving Gun Violence in America

Thursday, September 16, 2021

Newcomers Welcome 6:45 PM, Program 7:00 PM

Live Virtual, All Ages

$25 Suggested Donation

Get your tickets now

Please reserve the Free General Admission tickets for our BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) Community Members, Students, and Seniors.

Consider making an additional donation to fund our Free Community Tickets!

On March 14, 2017 we hosted the forum, Kin Killin’ Kin: Resolving Gun Violence in America, which was inspired by James Pate’s featured art exhibit, “Kin Killin’ Kin;” and Passin Art’s theater production, “The Gospel of Loving Kindness.” The forum explored gun violence in America through artistic expression, personal testimony, trauma recovery, policing, community advocacy, and race and racism.

Our panelists included: Kimberly Dixon (Enough is Enough) Dr. Cyn Cannais (Avel Gordly Center for Healing); Captain Andy Shearer (Portland Police Bureau Gang Task Force); and Luis Aguilar (STRYVE–Striving to Reduce Youth Violence Everywhere).

This month, we revisit this panel discussion of gun violence with a sense of urgency and new obstacles to address:

  • City of Portland’s gun violence has reached a national high and echos rising gun related violence seen throughout the country;
  • The rise of white nationalism challenges the narrative that gang violence is limited to Black and Brown communities;
  • Portland City Council eliminated the Police Gang Task Force in 2020; and
  • Portland’s Police Bureau is facing increased scrutiny from the community and the Department of Justice.

Your Privilege is Showing

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RACE TALKS: Uniting to Break the Chains of Racism Produced By Donna Maxey Presents

A special two-part series: RACE TALKS Forums Thursday, July 15th and August 19th: Summer Series: Your Privilege is Showing

Thursdays, July 15th and August 19th, Newcomers Welcome – 6:45 PM
Program Begins – 7:00 PM

Did you miss out on our July Forum? Here’s your chance to catch the pre-recorded self-guided video and host your very own RACE TALKS dialogue with your family and friends. Once you register, we will send out a link with the video and instructions. Thank you so much for contributing and helping to keep this work going.

Extended registration is open until August 18th.

Register Now

Register for the August Forum on August 19th.

Register For August 19th Now

For over a decade, RACE TALKS participants have asked us, ‘What can I do to be a better ally to the communities that I am not a part of?’ This is a question we’ve explored in many of our forums. We’ve come to understand that while white people are most often scrutinized for their Performative Activism, the reality is that anyone is capable of it.

The 2021 RACE TALKS Summer Series is a virtual workshop experience that will guide you through your own discussion group with friends and family. Registration is required for this event. After you register, at the date and time of our virtual forum, we will send out an email with instructions on how you can participate.

The 2021 RACE TALKS Summer Series revisits past forums focusing on: Allyship vs Performative Activism, insight on updated models of how to dismantle Performative Activism, and how to be an accomplice in eradicating white supremacy and racism.

How David Became Goliath: Israel’s 100 Year War With Palestine


RACE TALKS: Uniting to Break the Chains of Racism Produced By Donna Maxey Presents

How David Became Goliath: Israel’s 100 Year War With Palestine

Thursday, June 17, 2021, Newcomers Welcome – 6:45 PM
Program Begins – 7:00 PM

By the beginning of the 20th century, Jews had spread and melded into the world’s main stream, and were suffering the beginning strains of persecution in Europe during World War I that would eventually crescendo in World War II Auschwitz. The 1917 Belfour Agreement, created by England and France in support of establishing a national home for the Jewish Diaspora, is the root of the clash between Israel and Palestine. Encouraged by the Zionist movement, the much-maligned Jews, a.k.a. David, migrated to Palestine and have since become Goliath as Israelis continue to annex the remaining Palestinian homeland for their own.

Recent events involving Israeli airstrikes over Gaza and the widely documented expulsion of Palestinian families from their homes by Zionist have highlighted the hostility between Palestine and Israel. Join us as we hear the testimony of Palestinians and Jews and their thoughts about where we go from here to find peaceful coexistence.

class=”has-text-align-center”>If you attended or watched the event, please fill out the event evaluation feedback form to let us know what you enjoyed or what we could do better.

The Execution of George Floyd One Year Later

RACE TALKS: Uniting to Break the Chains of Racism
Presented by Donna Maxey

A Community Check-In:
The Execution of George Floyd One Year Later

Thursday, May 20, 2021
Newcomers Welcome – 6:45 PM
Program Begins – 7:00 PM

If you missed the event, watch the event video below.

If you attended or watched the event, please fill out the event evaluation feedback form to let us know what you enjoyed or what we could do better.

A Conversation With The Candidates: Educational Policy + Issues Impacting Black and Brown Students

**SPECIAL RACE TALKS EVENT**
RACE TALKS: Uniting to Break the Chains of Racism Produced By Donna Maxey & Equitable Giving Circle Presents

Portland Public Schools: School Board Election Zones 4, 5 & 6
A Conversation With The Candidates: Educational Policy + Issues Impacting Black and Brown Students

Wednesday, April 12, 2021, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Join RACE TALKS & Equitable Giving Circle as the host a non-partisan candidates forum for the Portland Public School Board Elections – Zones 4. 5 & 6. Through a moderated Q&A discussion the candidates will speak about education policy + issues impacting Black and Brown students.

Moderators: Chris Rise – PPS Teacher & Hobbs Waters – Youth Artivist

If you attended or watched the event, please fill out the event evaluation feedback form to let us know what you enjoyed or what we could do better.

A Step Towards Justice: Where Do We Go From Here?

RACE TALKS: Uniting to Break the Chains of Racism
Presented by Donna Maxey and the City of Portland Office of Equity and Human Rights

A Step Towards Justice: Where Do We Go From Here?

Thursday, April 29, 2021 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Derek Chauvin’s guilty verdict provided our nation and community some relief as we approach the first anniversary of the murder of George Floyd. Like the rest of the country, Portland was shaken by Floyd’s killing, and it prompted our city to reexamine policing and systemic racism. In the spirit of collective healing, RACE TALKS invites you to join us for a special edition forum on Thursday, April 29, 6-8:30 p.m., where we continue to explore the P’s & Q’s of 2021.

Community leaders with widely varying perspectives will discuss topics of lawful gatherings, protest and policing, and quarantine. After the panel discussion, participants will be invited to either join the Community Feedback Breakout Rooms or a moderated Q&A. Anyone who attended the panel may stay for the moderated Q&A. The Community Feedback Breakout Rooms will be available to 150 participants only (registration will be first-come, first-served) and will allow the opportunity to provide invaluable feedback to city leaders. Join us in open dialogue to discuss how the year affected us all, and what we can do to move forward together in healing and conciliation.

If you missed the event, watch the event video below.

If you attended or watched the event, please fill out the event evaluation feedback form to let us know what you enjoyed or what we could do better.

Yearning to Breathe Free

Led by the Black Lives Matter Movement, the world rose up in protest of amid a deadly global pandemic after we witnessed the merciless murder of George Floyd at the hands of the police in May 2020. Today, incited by our 45th President’s comments blaming the Chinese for the Coronavirus pandemic, the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community needs our support as they face heightened racially motivated attacks worldwide. Join us as we discuss immigration through the intersectionality of anti-Asian rhetoric and the Asian Diaspora; the Black Lives Matter Movement and Stop Asian Hate Movement; Anti-Immigrant sentiment faced by our communities and much more.