The Oregon League of Minority Voters is holding its annual State of Civil Rights Forum and Dinner on Friday, October 26 at Self Enhancement Inc., 3920 N. Kirby.
The Oregon League of Minority Voters was founded in 2007 to advocate for public policies that uniquely impact all people of color throughout Oregon. OLMV brings people of all colors together to advocate for public policies. The State of Civil Rights Forum will bring together minority leaders, key public and private sector leaders, and community members to meet and discuss issues relative to public policies and Oregon’s minority communities.
I caught up with OLMV founder and Director Promise King, who gave the low-down on this year's honorees, and his aspirations for the event.
What is the significance of the Oregon League of Minority Voters’ State of Civil Rights Forum?
This event is critical because it offer us an unfettered forum to celebrate civil rights victories, discuss best equity plans, plan for strategic actions, and push for real inclusive public policies. I want to extend my deep gratitude for the co-chair of the Dinner Brain Owendoff and Denny Doyle for their commitment and contribution.
Why is the event important for people of color?
This forum is important to all Oregonians, but very crucial to people of color. We as people of color who benefited most must accept the full weight of a legacy of civil rights bought in pain by our forebearers. And as heirs to that tradition, communities of color and all Oregonians with hearts for social justice must hasten to take their places wherever a forum focused on civil rights is convened.
Why should people from the mainstream community care about an event focusing civil rights?
The legacy of civil rights is not a history the new generation of communities of color inherited to keep. It is an inheritance we must share with everyone, especially with people in the majority. It’s only in sharing this history that we make progress. It serves the interest of the majority to share in the celebration of the progress we have collectively made and to be part of the solution that we still need to put forward. Civil rights issues more broadly is not just a black or brown issue: it’s all of our stories, our histories of pain that we will need to make better at every crossroad. It is imperative we live a better history to our next generation than the one we inherited.
This year's event is honoring the contributions of Portland Mayor Sam Adams, Portland Community College President Preston Pulliams, and past Northwest Health Foundation President Thomas Aschenbrener. Why were these individuals selected?
The OLMV board of directors selected the honorees because of their extraordinary commitment to
civil rights, going above and beyond their call of duties. Mayor Sam Adams was the first to hire a Mayoral Chief of Staff in Warren Jimenez, the first minority in the city’s history to serve in that position. The mayor also was instrumental in the creation of the Office of Civil Rights and the City Sheltered Market Program. He has been consistent in extending liberty and freedom to LGBT communities and people with disabilities.
Portland Community College President Preston Pulliams has been a civil rights leader with a fiery insistence that PCC must serve all students and create access to students of all colors, this is demonstrated in many of the community agreements and in his personal struggle to elevate PCC’s Cascade Campus, which serves as a sign of rebirth in the heart of Northeast Portland. He has been a strong supporter of the mission and vision of the Oregon League of Minority Voters. Because of his leadership, PCC’s financial support for OLMV programs has been consistent and sustaining.
Thomas Aschenbrener’s record stands as a tower and monument to innovation and health equity developments. When the Oregon League of Minority Voters launched the Regional Equity Initiative, other community organizations took health equity as a vital piece of that initiative. Under Thomas’ leadership, the Northwest Health Foundation supported major grants to fund this organization. And as he retired, he passed the torch of NWHF leadership to our own Nichole Maher. That’s a legacy the world needs to know. It’s a testament to Thomas' values and commitment to fairness and respect for human dignity and excellence.
Who should attend?
This forum is open to the public and to all community members. We had overflow participants last year when Lewis and Clark College hosted the forum. Sign up today.
The Oregon League of Minority Voters was founded in 2007 to advocate for public policies that uniquely impact all people of color throughout Oregon. OLMV brings people of all colors together to advocate for public policies. The State of Civil Rights Forum will bring together minority leaders, key public and private sector leaders, and community members to meet and discuss issues relative to public policies and Oregon’s minority communities.
I caught up with OLMV founder and Director Promise King, who gave the low-down on this year's honorees, and his aspirations for the event.
What is the significance of the Oregon League of Minority Voters’ State of Civil Rights Forum?
This event is critical because it offer us an unfettered forum to celebrate civil rights victories, discuss best equity plans, plan for strategic actions, and push for real inclusive public policies. I want to extend my deep gratitude for the co-chair of the Dinner Brain Owendoff and Denny Doyle for their commitment and contribution.
Why is the event important for people of color?
This forum is important to all Oregonians, but very crucial to people of color. We as people of color who benefited most must accept the full weight of a legacy of civil rights bought in pain by our forebearers. And as heirs to that tradition, communities of color and all Oregonians with hearts for social justice must hasten to take their places wherever a forum focused on civil rights is convened.
In 2008, OLMV honored former Governors Barbara Roberts and Victor Atiyeh for their lasting
and impactful contributions to advancing civil rights and social equity for all Oregonians
Why should people from the mainstream community care about an event focusing civil rights?
The legacy of civil rights is not a history the new generation of communities of color inherited to keep. It is an inheritance we must share with everyone, especially with people in the majority. It’s only in sharing this history that we make progress. It serves the interest of the majority to share in the celebration of the progress we have collectively made and to be part of the solution that we still need to put forward. Civil rights issues more broadly is not just a black or brown issue: it’s all of our stories, our histories of pain that we will need to make better at every crossroad. It is imperative we live a better history to our next generation than the one we inherited.
This year's event is honoring the contributions of Portland Mayor Sam Adams, Portland Community College President Preston Pulliams, and past Northwest Health Foundation President Thomas Aschenbrener. Why were these individuals selected?
The OLMV board of directors selected the honorees because of their extraordinary commitment to
civil rights, going above and beyond their call of duties. Mayor Sam Adams was the first to hire a Mayoral Chief of Staff in Warren Jimenez, the first minority in the city’s history to serve in that position. The mayor also was instrumental in the creation of the Office of Civil Rights and the City Sheltered Market Program. He has been consistent in extending liberty and freedom to LGBT communities and people with disabilities.
Portland Community College President Preston Pulliams has been a civil rights leader with a fiery insistence that PCC must serve all students and create access to students of all colors, this is demonstrated in many of the community agreements and in his personal struggle to elevate PCC’s Cascade Campus, which serves as a sign of rebirth in the heart of Northeast Portland. He has been a strong supporter of the mission and vision of the Oregon League of Minority Voters. Because of his leadership, PCC’s financial support for OLMV programs has been consistent and sustaining.
Thomas Aschenbrener’s record stands as a tower and monument to innovation and health equity developments. When the Oregon League of Minority Voters launched the Regional Equity Initiative, other community organizations took health equity as a vital piece of that initiative. Under Thomas’ leadership, the Northwest Health Foundation supported major grants to fund this organization. And as he retired, he passed the torch of NWHF leadership to our own Nichole Maher. That’s a legacy the world needs to know. It’s a testament to Thomas' values and commitment to fairness and respect for human dignity and excellence.
Who should attend?
This forum is open to the public and to all community members. We had overflow participants last year when Lewis and Clark College hosted the forum. Sign up today.