October is here and we’re gearing up for Peripheries: a series of three bus tours aimed at educating participants about the African American, new immigrant and homeless communities. The tours are coming together great! Ticketing is now live…check out our calendar page for the details.
These tours grew out of our previous programs, many focused on multicultural histories. In approaching this series we wanted to figure out a way to organize these programs that truly benefited all parties involved. We reached out to two qualified program partners – Colored Pencils Art and Culture Council and Hazina Management, and soon the tours took shape.
We wanted to introduce our readership to these two great program partners, and asked them for a few quotes as to the importance of our partnerships and the programs…
Polo Catalani from the Office of Equity, a speaker on the East Portland Tour
“The Peripheries Tours are an effort to bring together folks from different communities to meet and to aware of issues we all facing as one community.” says Nim Xuto, Executive Director of Colored Pencils. “By taking a tour through neighborhoods that are facing critical problems and meeting with the local communities through lecture, music and art, we will learn to care for one another.”
“For the first time in Portland, three diverse organizations are joining hands to pave the way for others to experience the true sights and sounds of North and East Portland. This partnership makes a big step to Portland’s equity effort. Working together cross-culture is not easy but there is no better time.”
Teressa Raiford, organizer of the North Portland Gentrification Tour
“The reason Hazina Management, LLC found value in partnering with DPC on the Peripheries project is because we saw an opportunity to tell the story of Black Portland from a perspective not diluted by the status quo.” says Teressa Raiford of Hazina Management. “We feel the gentrification of the Black community has not been clearly defined without being exploitative in the attempts.”
“In our opinion most tours, and documentation projects, have not managed to define the loss of communities and the true and direct effect it has on our youth and families. The rise, fall and attempt to reunite Black Portland is an intrinsic undertaking for our community, and the educational perspective of this grassroots partnering will enlighten our Black youth as well as future generations of Portlanders.”
We are still raising funds to make the programs possible. Please visit this page to find out how you can help. Tickets for all tours are also available. Tickets are $15 members / $20 general and must be purchased online. Head here for details…
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Keep hope alive in North and East Portland. Unity, understanding, trust and empowerment. Praise God for your efforts.