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.

April’s program is:

Yearning to Breathe Free: Immigration, Hate crimes, and the REAL American Dream

Thursday, April 15, 2021

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.

March’s program is:

Women in Cannabis: An Untapped Market

Thursday, March 18, 2021

In 2018, RACE TALKS hosted, “Overturning Marijuana Convictions: Equitizing Marijuana Convictions for the Poor and People of Color.” This month, we discuss the new “Green Rush,” and explore the disproportional access that BIPOC have to the cannabis industry, especially Black people who remain incarcerated. The legalization of cannabis in 30+ states, and the impending federal legalization have given way to innovative and lucrative business opportunities derived wholly from cannabis. At the forefront of this new wealth creation are CIS white men, so we shift the focus for WOmen’s History Month to four Black women who are boldly pioneering their own path to level the cannabis playing field.

ZOOM LINK

If you attended the event or watched the event on FB Live, please fill out the Evaluation Form so we can continue to improve our events.

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February’s program is:

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

Thursday, Feb 18, 2021

As a group, LGBTQIP2SAA+, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Queer, Intersex, Pansexual, Two-Spirit (2S), Androgynous and Asexual+, AKA the Rainbow Community, have traditionally been the least understood kinship in the US. However, their activism has led to changes that we are continuing to see with this newly elected administration. The 2020 Presidential debates, November elections, and 2021 installation of the President’s Cabinet bear witness to the decades of activism of the Rainbow Community.

In 2018, RACE TALKS hosted “CROSSING OVER: Transgender People of Color” where our speakers shared their transition journey. Today, we are re-visited by our former speakers who will share how the Rainbow Community’s activism has evolved; and how they, as BIPOC, Black, Indigenous, People of Color, are leading that (r)evolution.

If you attended the event or watched the event on FB Live, please fill out the February Evaluation Form so we can continue improving our events.

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RACE TALKS hosted 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

BREAKOUT SESSIONS:

Candace Avalos:

Taji Chesimet

Lakayana Drury:

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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.

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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

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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.

Take our quiz to find out!

QUIZ RESULTS:

Yearning to Breathe Free: Immigration, Hate crimes, and the REAL American Dream

Women in Cannabis: An Untapped Market

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

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

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

Engaging Democracy

Special Event: Know Your Rights Workshop

“Back to School During COVID-19”

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

“PROTECTING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH IN THE TIME OF COVID & RACIAL UPLIFTMENT”

July 9, 2020: Introductory Level

July 16, 2020: Intermediate Level

July 23, 2020: Advanced Level

COMING TOGETHER IN A TIME OF CRISIS

June 4, 2020