Teaching Children to Courageously Navigate Equity

poster for equity event

Join us for a panel discussion August 2019:

Teaching Children to Courageously Navigate Equity

All children should have access to positive early learning experiences that will set them up for long-term success and wellness. Join us to learn how local educators prepare their students to courageously explore the intersectionality of race, “the system”, schooling and each other. This is done in an effort to help close opportunity gaps and ensure that all children—regardless of race, ethnicity language of origin, income or ability—are set up to reach their full potential.

SPEAKERS:

  • Tiffany Penson, Moderator, Portland Community College Board
  • Paula Dennis, Elementary Activist Teacher
  • Renee Mitchell, High School Activist Teacher

Below are links to two articles about Paula’s classroom/community activities:

  • Today’s OEA Summer 2019 magazine:  www.todaysoea.org
    Paula and her students:  http://todaysoea.org/articles/courageous-community-conversations

Below are links to Renee’s work:

  • The I Am M.O.R.E. booklethttp://bit.ly/IAmMOREbooklet
  • KOIN News report on scholarship winners and the I Am M.O.R.E. program   https://www.koin.com/news/education/roosevelt-high-students-help-others-beat-the-odds-too/

Tuesday, August 13, 2019

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:

September 10th, 2019
Do Black Lives Really Matter?

Contact us if you have questions or suggestions about the upcoming program or the series in general.

DACA, Licenses & the Wall

Join us for a panel discussion July 2019:

DACA, Licenses & the Wall

With Indigenous Americans now accounting for only two percent of the total population, the U.S. is truly a nation of immigrants. Since 1886, the iconic Statue of Liberty has stood as a symbol of mass immigration to our shores. A plaque at Lady Liberty’s base bears the following: “With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.”

Under the current U.S. administration, immigrants of Latin, Asian and African descent are being met with unprecedented legal action against their tired, poor, huddled masses yearning to breathe free. Join local Latin, Asian and African activists for a panel focusing on how DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), licenses and the wall are obstacles to their assimilation as Americans.

Panel moderated by:
Chanpone Sinlapasai-Okamura; Chair, OR Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs

Panel:

  • Linda Castillo; Chair, OR Commission on Hispanic Affairs
  • Djimet Dogo; Assistant Director, IRCO Africa House
  • Luis Garcia; Portland nurse, former ICE detainee
  • Representative from CAUSA, Oregon’s Immigrant Rights Org.

Tuesday, July 9, 2019

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:

August 13th: Implications of Race and Water

Contact us if you have questions or suggestions about the upcoming program or the series in general.

Save the Dates for these RACE TALKS forums

August 13th
Implications of RACE & WATER

September 10th
Do Black Lives Really Matter?

October 8th
Falling Through the Cracks: POC & Healthcare

November 12th
Respecting Indigenous treaties, Lands and Waters

The Effects of Racism on Mental Health

race talks racism mental health poster

Join us for a panel discussion June 2019:

The Effects of Racism on Mental Health

What effects do racist incidences have on the short-term and long-term mental and physical well-being of targeted groups? Join us as we screen the segment “Place Matters” from the 2008 PBS series Unnatural Causes followed by a discussion with Shea A. Lott, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, OHSU School of Medicine.

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

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

Contact us if you have questions or suggestions about the upcoming program or the series in general.

New RACE TALKS Videos

RACE TALKS videos now online

Videos are now available to watch and share from all RACE TALKS events in 2019 from January – May. Watch now.

Contact us if you have questions or suggestions about the upcoming program or the series in general.

Overt Racism During Black History Month

Join us for a panel discussion May 2019:

COINCIDENTAL or INTENTIONAL in 2019? Overt Racism During Black History Month

February 2019 was Black History Month. With it came a barrage of racially inflammatory incidences including:

  • Major fashion houses highlighting “Black face” caricatures on their fashions at runway shows; mail order “Black face” shoes from a pop recording idol; “Black face” dolls in window displays on 5th Avenue in New York City
  • A well known actor proclaiming wanting to exact justice against any random Black person in retaliation for a Black on White crime perpetrated against his friend
  • Uniformed Marine corps members in “Black face”video on social media
  • A high school wrestler forced to cut off dreadlocks or be responsible for his school being eliminated from the match
  • Shopping #WhileBlack; Selling lemonade/water #WhileBlack; Lawyering #WhileBlack
  • The list goes on and on…

Are these coincidental or intentionally triggering acts? What trends are surfacing in the public today as Black African Americans are being reported to the police for carrying out everyday activities “#WhileBlack”. Hear experts talk about the trend of overt action taking place in our society today toward People of Color and what are its implications and ramifications for the future. View examples of racism on the attached list, and decide for yourself whether these are COINCIDENTAL OR INTENTIONAL.

SPEAKERS:

Dr. James Mason, former Chief Diversity Officer, Providence Hospital

Jeff Selby, President, AIW Creative: Marketing, Communications & Consulting

Britton Taylor, Executive, Weiden & Kennedy Advertising Agency

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

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:

Higher rates of gun deaths, incarceration, educational disadvantages, poor health, healthcare disparaties,  unemployment, shorter term of employment are but a few of the many issues that effect People of Color, POC, in America. These issues coupled with the systemic racism in the United States cause POC to have higher rates of mental and physical health issues, but few studies are normed on POC that delineate these disparaties or provide support systems geared to support POC. Hear African American, Asian, Latinx and Native American mental health experts discuss the issues effecting their respective communities; what they all have in common; and solutions to this rising crisis in America.

We look forward to you joining us. Bring a friend!

Contact us if you have questions or suggestions about the upcoming program or the series in general.

Houseless in Portlandia

Event poster for RACE TALKS event Houseless in Portlandia

Join us for a panel discussion April 2019:

HOUSELESS IN PORTLANDIA

Late in 2018, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development presented its annual report on homelessness to Congress. Oregon ranks near the top of states in terms of the percentage of its homeless/houseless population that are living “unsheltered,” i.e. 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 40% of all people experiencing houselessness, and 51% of the houseless who have children. Join us as some of Oregon’ top advocates for the houseless share the story behind the statistics and their efforts to stop houselessness while giving its victims dignity.

SPEAKERS:

Ibrahim Mubarak, Executive Director, RIGHT 2 SURVIVE

LaQuida Landford, Community Housing Advocate

Adam Carpinelli, Board Member, RIGHT 2 SURVIVE

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

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:

COINCIDENTAL or INTENTIONAL? Overt Racism During Black History Month

February 2019 was Black History Month. With it came a barrage of racially inflammatory incidences including:

  • Major fashion houses highlighting “Black face” caricatures on their fashions at runway shows; mail order “Black face” shoes from a pop recording idol; “Black face” dolls in window displays on 5th Avenue in New York City
  • A well known actor proclaiming wanting to exact justice against any random Black person in retaliation for a Black on White crime perpetrated against his friend
  • Uniformed Marine corps members in “Black face”video on social media
  • A high school wrestler forced to cut off dreadlocks or be responsible for his school being eliminated from the match
  • Shopping #WhileBlack; Selling lemonade/water #WhileBlack; Lawyering #WhileBlack
  • The list goes on and on…

Are these  coincidental or intentionally triggering acts? What trends are surfacing in the public today as Black African Americans are being reported to the police for carrying out everyday activities “#WhileBlack”. Hear experts talk about the trend of overt action taking place in our society today toward People of Color and what are its implications and ramifications for the future.

SPEAKERS:

Dr. James Mason, former Chief Diversity Officer, Providence Hospital

Jeff Selby, Communications Manager, City of Portland Office of Equity and Human Rights  

We look forward to you joining us. Bring a friend!

Contact us if you have questions or suggestions about the upcoming program or the series in general.

Training the Next Generation of Leaders

RACE TALKS is working hard to train the next generation of leaders and facilitators. We’re making it a priority to empower youth with the skills and tools they’ll need to tackle discussions around race, social justice, and more whether they are in class, in their church, or in the broader community. That’s why for this training, the last in a series of four, preference will be given to youth applicants, 17-24 years old. 

The training is completely free (valued at $500) and the application process is open to all with focus on high school and college students. Prior experience is preferred, but not mandatory, so please encourage your friends to apply.

The application deadline is April 1st, 2019 at 11:59pm.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER

About the Training 

The training dates are April 12-14, 2019.

The facilitator training is a weekend intensive training beginning on Friday evening, April 12th, 6pm-9pm; continuing on Saturday, April 13th, 8:30am-5:30pm; and finishing on Sunday, April 14th, 8:30am-5:30pm. There is space for 15 participants. Ten spaces in this April cohort are reserved for Youth participants, ages 17-24.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER