Anthony Jackson is RACE TALKS Master Facilitator Extraordinaire, who works professionally as a mediator and facilitator for over 20 years. He currently manages workplace (non-EEO) Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) activities for a federal government agency for staff in the states of Oregon, Washington, Alaska, California, Utah, Montana, New Mexico, New Hampshire, Virginia, Washington DC, and other states across the country. Mr. Jackson assists employees and supervisors through the delivery of mediation, facilitation, training, consultations, team building, and one-on-one conflict coaching services upon request. He summarizes his work philosophy as "empowering people in conflict to get their needs met and generate hope for their future by helping them improve communication, increase understanding, and develop better relationships". He has much experience collaborating with Employee Relations, HR, Labor Relations, Unions, and high-level management officials to address workplace conflict, deliver training, and other ADR services. Mr. Jackson has been married to his lovely wife, Sandra, for over 38 years and is blessed with an accomplished, beautiful daughter named Sophia.

Anthony did a fabulous job, engaged all, kept conversations directed. Anthony was great as well. He nicely urges people to speak and offers more ways to help people further their anti-racism goals.

Request Anthony Jackson to facilitate.

Stephen (he/they) is a Black activist, justice advocate, community educator, and performing artist from Portland, Oregon. Convicted as a teenager, sentenced to 7.5 years in the Oregon Youth Authority, Stephen used his time to educate and expand his understanding of self-worth, potential, and purpose using art forms. Stephen is now committed to educating organizations, school districts, community members, teachers, parents, and students about the radical practice of restorative justice for collective liberation. Stephen is a Consultant, Mediator, Race Talks Facilitator, Owner of Be The Solution LLC, and Director of Restorative Justice for The Insight Alliance.

Stephen Fowler did a great job of facilitating. His openness as he took the initial steps to invite and lay ground rules for the breakout room invited participants to likewise be authentic. When people were slow to start asking questions, he brought in questions previously asked in the chat. Then when participants were asking questions both live and via chat, he synthesized the channels and honored stacking order, reminding the group of that each time. His steadiness facilitating gave me the feeling of a well-grounded space.

Request Stephen Fowler to facilitate.

Hobbs is credited as RACE TALKS’ youngest facilitator and joined the team when he was 12 years old. He channels his activism work through everything he does. He uses his art to amplify others’ stories and to incite and hopefully change the views of the people he touches and the world. As a dancer, he represents the Black community in very white institutions and is paving the way for a new generation of young Black dancers, as well as channeling the legacy of his ancestors through his movement. Hobbs co-founded Collective Youth Elevation, where he and his team are empowering their peers with the tools they need to become active participants in democracy by holding our leaders accountable to represent their interests. Hobbs is an accomplished painter and muralist, whose works are on display on walls throughout Portland and in curated spaces.

I always forget that Hobbs is only 14, he is a stellar facilitator! He is doing the work to research and facilitate hard conversations about race. He offers new insights and ideas. Anthony was great as well. He nicely urges people to speak and offers more ways to help people further their anti-racism goals.

Request Hobbs Waters to facilitate.

Jackie Lam is a first generation Asian American student who studied at California State university of Long Beach where she received her Bachelor's in Sociology in Spring of ‘21. She was born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley where she started lion dancing (cultural Chinese performance) and began her journey to deanglicize and reclaim her Chinese Culture. Jackie Lam is a young activist in Los Angeles working closely with the Chinatown Community for Equitable Development, advocating for habitable living conditions for tenants. She is currently employed as a housing coordinator at Brilliant Corners, where she works closely with unhoused folx transitioning into permanent housing and housing retention. Jackie was introduced to RACE TALKS through her sister, Stephanie; and by association was immediately adopted and put to work. She facilitates virtually from Los Angeles.

Jackie was both great and enthusiastic. We had an interesting encounter in our breakout room that they managed very well. They made sure that the progressive stacking order was being followed and gently prompted non-respondents to speak. They connected one speaker's point to the next regularly.

Request Jackie Lam to facilitate.

Sofia Vidalis, a native Portlander, working and teaching in healthcare for 20+ years. She has deep compassion and wisdom that is the basis of her ability to advocate for and provide a safe place for a wide range of voices. She joined RACE TALKS seven years ago after receiving her initial facilitator training through Resolutions Northwest. She is an active RACE TALKS facilitator and volunteer, assisting with set up of the in-person forums and greeting newcomers.

Request Sofia Vidalis to facilitate.

Shannon joined Race Talks in 2018. With 25+ years licensed as a counselor, she brings her relationship savvy to couples and especially those experiencing transgender coming out mid marriage. Shannon's earlier life involved many creative hats, poet, artist, and actor. Married over 26 years to hubby Nick, Shannon homeschooled their daughter in Portland, Oregon till she launched to college in 2020. Shannon created a three-circuit labyrinth garden in her yard, and launched Dinner Together, gathering neighbors on a block to share a meal, build community, and spread joy.

Race Talks inspired Shannon to go deeper which led to creating Accountability Friends, groups of white people who seek to grow better allyship through examining their own white supremacy while stepping up action.

Shannon Batts was an amazing facilitator and I genuinely enjoyed the breakout session she led.

Request Shannon Batts to facilitate.

Marcie Benne has been a RACE TALKS facilitator since 2018. She is the Director of Engagement Research & Advancement at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. She is deeply involved with movements to broaden participation in endeavors involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). She works with community partnerships, projects, and education networks that are changing structures and values among STEM-related systems and also supporting people to pursue their curiosities, develop their understandings, and contribute their talents in contexts they consider to be authentic and valuable for healthy societies.

Marcie is welcoming and created space for folks to share honestly and vulnerably. She was great at posing an idea or topic and then stepping back and letting us discuss. She does a great job keeping the conversation going and involving all participants.

Request Marcie Benne to facilitate.

Jim is a full time mediator and recovering attorney, has been facilitating with RACE TALKS since 2018. “Since George Floyd's murder, I've realized again how much I have to learn about white supremacy and racism in our country. I feel so blessed to have already started my long-overdue education through RACE TALKS and the amazing Donna Maxey.”

Jim did a great job using the stacking order and making sure everyone had an opportunity to speak. He was open to questions/feedback about how the group should operate, and very open with their own thoughts and questions as well.

Request Jim O'Connor to facilitate.

Coming soon.

Request Richard Flannigan to facilitate.

Ken left a lot of space for others to talk.

Request Ken Hanson to facilitate.