Oregon Black Pioneers

After a multi-year effort and several proposals by the Oregon Geographic Names Board , the U.S. Forest Service, and Oregon Black Pioneers, two geographic places in Oregon with a history of racially insensitive names have been renamed to honor Black Oregonians. “One of the most gratifying parts of our work at Oregon Black Pioneers is to participate in renaming projects. Removing antiquated racial terms allows us to right past wrongs, and honor historic Black men and women in the process,”says OBP Executive Director Zachary Stocks. “We are so grateful for the effort and leadership of the Oregon Geographic Names Board and its members in advancing these two proposals, particularly our Emeritus Board member Gwen Carr and our friend Dr. Bob Zybach.”

Oregon Black History Spotlight! Daniel Drew was a Civil War soldier who became a minister and Chaplain of the Oregon chapter of the Grand Army of the Republic. Drew was born into slavery in Virginia around 1843. When he was about 18 years old, his enslavers moved to Missouri, taking their slaves with them. Daniel attempted to run away but was caught and beaten as punishment. Freedom came in 1863, when the Union Army took control of the town and liberated all the enslaved people there. How did Drew end up in Oregon? Read on! https://lnkd.in/gTfVfKJ4

🌍 #WillametteWednesday Spotlight: Oregon Black Pioneers 🌍 Tourism Cares is proud to highlight our incredible Impact Partner, Oregon Black Pioneers–Oregon's only historical society dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich and often overlooked history of African Americans in the state. By safeguarding these narratives, Oregon Black Pioneers ensures that the history of Black communities in Oregon is preserved for future generations, contributing to a more inclusive understanding of our shared past. Attendees at our Meaningful Travel Summit in the Willamette Valley will also have the opportunity to experience an immersive and enlightening walking tour with Oregon Black Pioneers. Learn more about them by checking out our Meaningful Travel Map: https://hubs.ly/Q02NCs0z0 #WhenTourismCares #MeaningfulTravel #OregonBlackPioneers #MeaningfulWillametteValley

This will be an enlightening event.

Oregon Black Pioneers’ 2024 walking tour series concludes with a tour of historic Oregon City! Led by OBP Public Programs & Exhibits Manager Mariah Rocker, this two-hour, 2-mile walking loop will make stops at locations connected to the area’s Black history. The tour will highlight significant local Black individuals, businesses, and historic moments. Saturday, September 21 · 10am – 12pm Friendly warning, our walking tours sell out quickly! Are you curious to see the places in Oregon where Black history happened? Oregon has Black history everywhere! Oregon Black Pioneers, Oregon’s only statewide African American historical society, is excited to bring walking tours to communities all over Oregon. Each tour is unique, and led by one of our expert staff. Tours are limited to 35 people. We suggest attendees wear comfortable walking shoes, be prepared for the weather, and bring enough water to stay hydrated. We will be walking on public streets where ADA accessibility can vary.

Join us for the Albina Preservation Initiative’s symposium, Expanding the Black Preservation Movement in Oregon. Our keynote speaker is Brent Leggs, executive director of the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund and senior vice president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Celebrating Black historic preservation in Oregon, the symposium seeks to discover and preserve Black stories and places, build relationships, recognize culturally-defined preservation efforts, and deepen partnerships. API is a collaboration of Oregon Black Pioneers, Moreland Resource Consulting, LLC, and Restore Oregon. Saturday, September 14 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM (registration starts 8:30 am) PCC Cascade Moriarty Auditorium Tickets are free, registration is required. https://lnkd.in/gcGi6vwM

We’re back, Pionerds! Why did Portland nurse, author, and hotel owner Martha Anderson file a lawsuit against Radio Corporation of America in the 1970s? Our guest History Investigator, Dr. Ramycia McGhee, will delve into this question, and highlight Martha’s unique life story. Dr. McGhee is a city councilor, scholar, and professor at Linn-Benton Community College . Join host Mariah Rocker and Dr. McGhee on Wednesday, July 31 at 7:00 PM on YouTube and Facebook as they tackle the Big Question on Black History Quest! https://lnkd.in/greJVUpf

If you’re looking for a way to honor Juneteenth this year, you can find events scheduled all across the state. Join us! https://lnkd.in/gui6NGWi

You can find Oregon Black Pioneers at events all across the state! Check this list of our Public Programs to find one near you. https://lnkd.in/gG8neJAh

Oregon Black Pioneers’ Public Programs & Exhibits Manager Mariah Rocker was invited to speak at the Ashland Sunrise Project speaker series, where she presented Uncovering Oregon’s Black History, 450 Years in 45 Minutes. “The Sunrise Project aims to help former sundown towns develop new identities as “sunrise communities,” the opposite to a sundown town. Sunrise communities are places in which everyone can feel safe, respected, and like they can call this space their home.” – Ashland Together Making the most of her trip, she met with many Southern Oregon leaders and OBP collaborators, including Ashland Together, the Oregon Remembrance Project, BASE, and Southern Oregon Historical Society. This event was supported by the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. https://lnkd.in/g3T7267y