RACE TALKS: Uniting to Break the Chains of Racism

The 4th Annual History of Black Drag in Portland - A Juneteenth and Pride Celebration An Evening of Conversation & Performance
2025-06-19 18:30 - 22:00 (America/Vancouver) | McMenamins Kennedy School Theater, 5736 NE 33rd Ave, Portland, OR, 97211, United States
Doors: 6:30p / Showtime: 7p
All ages welcome – children 12 and under are free
BIPOC & QTBIPOC eligible for community supported ticket – includes admission and meal voucher
email info@racetalkspdx.com to RSVP for community supported ticket.

RACE TALKS: Uniting to Break the Chains of Racism, McMenamins History Department, Poison Waters and local Black drag queens, and sponsoring community partners are teaming up for a third year to present The History of Black Drag in Portland, an intersectional Pride and Juneteenth event that explores the history and contemporary experience of Black drag in Portland, Oregon.
This one-night event features an all-star panel of local drag queens followed by fabulous drag performances. We began this special forum in an effort to hold space for BIPOC folx in Portland during Pride; and close the gap of miseducation and intolerance between our BIPOC and QTBIPOC communities. In our first year, we emphasized QTBIPOC and BIPOC in-person attendance because there are few Pride events that are centered around Black and brown queer folx in Portland. Given the positive feedback we received from the past two years, and the heightened ignorance and attacks on the Black, Trans, and Drag communities throughout our country, we are continuing this annual celebratory event. Join us!

Event Consultants & Co-Hosts:
Lawanda Jackson
Isaiah Esquire
Panelists:
Krystal Lynn Benoit
Bruce the Drag King
Cruz Daniels
Flawless Shade
Aqua Flora
Performers:
Lawanda Jackson
Isaiah Esquire
Krystal Lynn Benoit
Cruz Daniels
Flawless Shade
Aqua Flora
Mona Chrome
More information about Event Consultants & Co-Hosts, Panelists, and Performers here.

The 5th Annual History of Black Drag in Portland - A Juneteenth and Pride Celebration An Evening of Conversation & Performance
2026-06-18 18:30 - 23:00
On the evening of Thursday, June 18, 2026, we kickoff Juneteenth by igniting a city-wide Weekend of Black Cultural Joy. Join us for an evening of historical recovery and high-fidelity performance as we celebrate the resilience, truth, and talent that have shaped our community from Emancipation to the present.

Doors: 6:30p / Showtime: 7p
All ages welcome – children 12 and under are free
BIPOC & QTBIPOC eligible for community supported ticket – includes admission and meal voucher
email info@racetalkspdx.com to RSVP for community supported ticket.

RACE TALKS: Uniting to Break the Chains of Racism – Portland, Ore.
This one-night event features an all-star panel of local drag queens including fabulous drag performances, candid discussion, pre-and post show dancing with local DJs. We began this special forum in an effort to hold space for BIPOC folx in Portland during Pride; and close the gap of miseducation and intolerance between our BIPOC and QTBIPOC communities. In our first year, we emphasized QTBIPOC and BIPOC in-person attendance because there are few Pride events that are centered around Black and brown queer folx in Portland. Given the positive feedback we received from the past four years, and the heightened ignorance and attacks on the Black, Trans, and Drag communities throughout our country, we are continuing this annual celebratory event. Please join us!
