By: Mireaya Medina, Communications Manager
Black History Month is an opportunity to explore, elevate and celebrate the accomplishments and culture of African Americans in both the city of Portland and across the United States.
Urban League Free Zumba Classes
This program is put on by the Urban Leagues of Portland Wellness team. Please join Urban League as we dance into fitness! Classes will be held every Tuesday in the month of February. Register here
29th Annual Festival of African Films Hosted by Cascade Festival of African Films
The 29th annual festival running from Feb 1-March 2nd! Thursdays-Saturdays FREE! Five weeks of more than 30 feature, documentary, and short films by established and emerging African directors from 18 countries. At PCC Cascade and the Hollywood Theatre. www.africanfilmfestival.org
Celebrate Black Excellence Hosted by Youth Organized and United to Help YOUth
The annual Youth Summit provides a unique opportunity to showcase youth in a way that had not been traditionally exhibited. The 2019 event will recognize 13 award winners who have been affected by gentrification, racism, and disparities in education, health, and economics. We want to honor the ways in which youth rise with resiliency-in spite of.
Saturday, February 16, 2019, from 11 AM – 4:30 PM at Roosevelt High School, 941 N Central St, Portland, Oregon 97203.
Black lit is LIT!
Black Parent Initiative takes over Barnes & Noble!!! Join Black Parent Initiative (BPI) in celebrating Black History Month through literacy and Science Technology Engineering & Math (STEM). This is a FREE event the whole family will love. Saturday, Feb. 23, 10 AM-3 PM at Barnes & Noble Clackamas Town Center 12000 SE 82nd. Click here for more info
Black Arts Festival
Come celebrate festival-style during Reed College’s 2nd annual Black Arts Festival presented by the Reed College Multicultural Resource Center. Reed College 3203 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland, Oregon 97202 on Saturday, February 23, 2019 from 2 – 6 PM.
Hidden History of Albina: Portland’s Black History Walking Tour
Over the past few decades, dramatic changes have altered the face of the region, something which can go easily unnoticed. This tour provides a great opportunity for visitors, and residents alike to reconnect with the roots of this community and commemorates pieces of Portland’s Black history with stops at one of the few remaining black-owned businesses, the church where MLK Jr spoke, the remnants of Albina’s City Hall building, and more. Click here for more info
Portland Screening Event: Oregon’s Black Pioneers
Hosted by OPB and Oregon Historical Society. The film explores the largely unknown history of African-Americans who have helped shape the state. From fur trappers and explorers, to farmers and merchants, the earliest black Oregonians lived, worked and created communities despite the racist laws of white settlers who tried to force them out. Wednesday, February 20, 2019, from 7 – 8 PM at Oregon Historical Society 1200 SW Park Ave, Portland, Oregon 97205. Click here for more info
Black Family Festival + City Resource Fair
The City African American Network (CAAN) is an employee affinity group of Diverse and Empowered Employees of Portland (DEEP). CAAN seeks to build a common bond of fellowship among Black employees who honorably serve the City of Portland and advocates for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in support of the recruitment, retention and promotion of Black City employees. Join them for the city resource & employee fair! Click here for more info