"Cultivate patience, but act with a sense of urgency."

Portland State University's annual MLK Tribute just keeps getting better every year. The annual event celebrates and honors the legacy of the late civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr.

This year's keynote speaker at the sold-out event was scholar-activist Dr. Angela Davis, Professor Emerita at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Dr. Davis spoke about the importance of developing a complex analyses of shared social struggles among marginalized communities throughout the globe. Known for his advocacy on prison abolition and speaking out about police violence, she encouraged the crowd to cultivate a deep awareness of the intersections of race, class, and gender. She applauded the activism and engagement of young people across the United States and worldwide to dismantle systemic and institutional racism.

More quips via live-tweets at the event on the Colors of Influence twitter: @ColorsInfluence

Minding the Wealth Gap

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Wash

Ebony Stewart’s "Wash" is a powerful, unflinching poetry collection that draws the reader into a world of raw emotion, deep introspection, and lyrical brilliance. As I read through the poems, I found myself captivated by Stewart’s honest reflections on identity, love, loss, and healing. Her voice is unapologetically bold, revealing the complexities of being a Black womxn navigating relationships, societal expectations, and hard-fought victories toward self-worth. Yet, her themes are universal, resonating with anyone who has grappled with their own identity and relationships. What struck me most was Stewart’s emotional transparency: each poem feels like a cleansing, a shedding of shame, doubt, and grief, revealing the triumph of knowing one’s value in a world that often seeks to diminish it. Stewart doesn’t shy away from exploring the pain of extractive love or the vulnerability of desire, but she also leaves room for empowerment and resilience. As a celebrated spoken word ...

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