Quincy Brown, Seiji's Bridge
Pronouns: he/him/his
Why does racial equity matter to you?
Racial Equity matters to me because although I hold trauma and generational pain in my body, the strength and passion my community holds fills me with light. I know that my ancestors, my community, and my city deserve a world where our culture and every culture is celebrated, cultivated, and freely expressed. I love my hometown and believe that working together we can find pathways to better support each other regardless. I hope that the CORE will lead Portland to further correct a generational pattern of displacement onto its indigenous, black and brown folk.
Related experience
I grew up in Northeast always learning about structural and historical inequalities deeply nested within Portland’s History. From an early age I wanted to challenge perspectives around school access, housing security, and environmental justice. My academic research focuses on the effects of gentrification and displacement on communities of color. I left Portland to attend Claremont McKenna College ‘19 where I studied urban planning focusing on race and public space. I am the Co-Founder and COO of Seiji’s Bridge, an educational technology company that develops devices and curriculum for children in special education. I am excited to continue the fight for racial justice in my hometown!
Martine Coblentz, Clackamas County Resolution Services
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Equity hashtag: #StayWoke
Why does racial equity matter to you?
I come from a nuclear family where my mother is Afro-Caribbean and Father is Jewish American. I was born in Haiti and also lived in Guatemala as a young child. We moved to the USA when I turned 10. I have from a very young age been taught about race and ethnicity with strangers pointing out how different I was from my mother or my siblings. Race has always been a reality. I’ve experienced the toxic effects of race and racism. I believe it is like a disease, and people need to work at ways of curing and healing from it. I’ve been on both sides of racial equity as the lightest child among me and my siblings, I was treated with deference over them and on the opposite end I have been treated with discrimination as a POC and clearly not a White person. So, I know on both ends what it is like to be of privilege and to have committed micro aggressions toward my own sibling, processing that, humbling myself and working on my own implicit biases AND, I have had to process the discrimination I face in the outside world and micro aggressions toward me. Race issues are literally killing people in this country, and raising children of color gives me a stronger sense of duty to work toward racial justice for all. With the hope that my children and the youth of today will live in a more just world for all people.
Related experience
I have been serving on Clackamas County Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Council. I served as chair, co-chair and member over the past 4 years. I have given training on working with interpreters, training on equity issues in mediation/facilitation, working with immigrants and refugees, etc. I have given these equity training as a private contractor throughout the State.
I believe my work is an asset to the CORE as well since I work in conflict resolution. Much of the processes used in my work is very much in line with Equity and Diversity work.
Nura Elmagbari, Washington County
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Why does racial equity matter to you?
Without racial equity we will never truly be a civilized society that works together for a common good. Racial equity matters because until it is reached, we will always have a population of the human race that will feel subservient to another and I do not want to live in a world like that.
Related experience
I have worked for years with the Muslim community, particularly girls and advocated for them to share their voices for change. The more engaged we all become the faster change will happen.
Karla Hernandez, Adelante Mujeres
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Equity superpower: building leadership and empowering others to advocate for themselves
Why does racial equity matter to you?
Racial equity matters to me because I believe it is an essential component in creating successful and thriving communities. When everyone in a community feels like their voices and needs are being met, we all can move forward. However, if racial inequities are not getting addressed it will be difficult to move forward and have a community where we all thrive.
Related experience
I have been a community organizer and community leader, through my different roles I have been able to create safe and welcoming spaces for communities to come together, share experiences, and leadership training. Through both professional and volunteer work, I have worked with communities of all backgrounds. I am also someone that identifies as an immigrant, and I understand many of the challenges and barriers that come with the label.
Saari Hirsi, Advocacy Consulting Refugee Community
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Why does racial equity matter to you?
Racial equity is matter to me because I believe that it is a process beginning of inclusive. I am disabled immigrant/refugee community and person of color. Disabled Refugee community will like to get access, opportunity, and to achieve their dreams. Racial Equity recognizes and acknowledge that advantage and barriers exist that we all don’t all start from the same place.
Related experience
I am a community organizer, mentor, and working as advocacy consulting for disabled refugee community. I was addressing racial equity barrier impact disabled refugee community during the course of my education, trainings, and volunteers. I had ability to create program and did awareness events support for disabled refugee community. I served Oregon Commission for the Blind and Portland Commission on Disability.
Duncan Hwang, Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon
Pronouns: he/him/his
Equity hashtag: #resultsnow
Why does racial equity matter to you?
My focus on equitable community and economic development are informed by many of my lived experiences. I grew up in an immigrant family in rural upper Michigan and vividly remember my first day of preschool when I did not yet speak any English. My mother later opened one of the first Chinese restaurants in the area and I grew up watching her work so hard making her business a success. This upbringing helped ground me in the struggles of new immigrants and how important small businesses are to the success of our communities.
I was politicized while studying at the University of Michigan and on paper I received degrees in Political Science and Asian Studies. In reality though, I spent most of my time as a campus activist leader and after graduation I worked as a state program manager for a mainstream civic engagement organization. As many organizers do, I then went to law school at Lewis & Clark Law School and ended up working in corporate law for a major international law firm based in Beijing, China. This corporate experience provided unique perspectives on what wasn’t working in the global economy as well as practical experience in real estate, contracting, and working cross culturally.
In seeking more socially conscious work, I moved back to Portland and began working for the Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon where I learned how to bring a racial equity lens to my work. I now have the privilege of empowering and advocating with AA and NHPI communities through a multidisciplinary approach to community development. My policy advocacy focuses on bringing the community voice to real estate development, transportation planning, land use, and the development of affordable housing.
Related experience
I’ve been proud to partner with Metro in advancing racial equity through my work at APANO in a number of ways:
- As an equity thought partner, I was engaged with Metro on the Racial Equity strategy through creation of the Equity Framework Report and in community engagement for the Racial Equity Strategy.
- As a community stakeholder, I have participated in bringing new voices to the decision-making process through planning processes such as Metro’s Powell Division High Capacity Transit process or in planning out the Metro owned Jade District development as part of its transit oriented development program.
- As a grantee, our organization receives funding to support programmatic work such as connecting API youth with nature through Metro’s Nature in Neighborhoods program.
These experiences provided insight on the impact Metro can have on our communities and will help inform my work at the CORE.
Mahmood Jawad
Pronouns: he/him/his
Why does racial equity matter to you?
Racial equity is a continuous system of self-improvement for society. It engrains our social fabric with diverse racial, cultural, and religious backgrounds and does so to create holistically inclusive communities where understanding is not only a broad vision but also a visceral reality. We work to unite people, so let us work to improve on the systems of racial equity in society, for racial equity holds a paramount place in our earnest fight for humanity. Through racial equity my marginalized community has found a voice and I’ve been taught to amplify that voice of hope.
Related experience
As a refugee from Iraq and junior at Oregon Islamic Academy, my ambitions and skills motivate me to empower and transform the marginalized and underrepresented community I come from. Beginning my journey at the Muslim Educational Trust, I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by community and avid leadership amid the 2016 Presidential Election where our social and political order was tested. Furthering my deep dive into social reform and enforcement of public accountability I decided to join the Urban League of Portland where I achieved political and community change that advances equity, social and economic justice and civil rights for minority communities in Oregon.
Laura John, Education Northwest
Pronouns: she/her
Equity hashtag: #IndianCountryMatters
Why does racial equity matter to you?
Addressing racial equity in our communities will ensure that all people have access, opportunity, and support to realize their potential and actualize the goals that they set to achieve. Each and every one of us has the right to live in an equitable society where we can thrive and be successful in the endeavors that we set out to accomplish.
Related experience
Throughout the course of my career I have worked to address racial equity issues that impact Indian Country in the areas of education, public policy, access to healthcare, federal and state budgets, and family well-being. I grab every opportunity to educate others about the importance and value of including American Indian/Alaska Native people in equity discussions.
Patricia Kepler, Portland Community College
Pronouns: she/her
Equity hashtag: #AccessForAll
Equity superpower: My super power would have to be my Advocate shield. I really don’t know how to take no for an answer. When I see an injustice, I tend to stick with it until the opposition gives up.
Why does racial equity matter to you?
Equity is essential if we are going to create a truly inclusive community that welcomes everybody to the table. On a personal level I have been forced to sit on the sidelines or be excluded from participation because of barriers created by external sources. Equitable policy makes sure that everyone has the opportunity to participate.
Related experience
I have served as a volunteer with Metro for many years, helping with park clean-up and community events. I also work as an accessibility specialist with Portland Community College.
Maria Magallon, Clackamas County
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Why does racial equity matter to you?
I come from a migrant farmworker family; my parents are from small countryside villages in Mexico. I was born in Texas; my parents moved with the seasonal crops so I consider Mt. Angel Oregon my home town. Racism and discrimination were evident to me at a very young age. We were one of a few Mexican families in a predominantly white German town. I have experienced firsthand the effects of racism from being referred to as intruders to being placed in a special needs classroom because I was not fluent in English. My childhood experiences shaped me in to the social justice advocate I am today. I am very passionate about doing what I can to dismantle systems of oppression and lifting up underrepresented communities. It is important to engage diverse communities in planning conversations and utilize their strengths and experiences to determine how to best meet their needs.
Related experience
I have been employed with Clackamas County for almost 25 years; for twenty years I worked in public health and social services providing direct case management to farmworker families and families who were houseless. For the past five years my focus has been on evaluating services, policies and procedures to assure they are equitable and there is meaningful community involvement for underrepresented populations.
Daniela Ortiz, Adelante Mujeres
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Why does racial equity matter to you?
I believe that in order for historically underserved communities to be able to thrive, their voices need to be heard. We need to ask the community members what they need, as opposed to taking action from what others think they need. There’s no better way of getting an answer to a question than to just ask it, listen, and take action from there. Racial equity is important to me because it’s about listening to the people that haven’t been heard, and getting each person what they need to not just survive, but thrive. A happy and healthy community requires everyone to come together. I believe it takes the whole village to move forward, but the pueblos need to have outlets to speak and be heard.
Related experience
I grew up in a low-income community, first generation immigrant along with my parents. I had the wonderful opportunity of volunteering in different parts of our barrio, thanks to my mother who was always an active leader in the community. My brothers and I would volunteer at schools, churches, cultural centers, and even attend marches alongside my parents. I have seen what collaborative action from the people can do, and I’m excited to see what we will accomplish working together.
Dele Oyemaja, WorkSource Portland Metro – SE Works, Inc.
Pronouns: he/him/his
Equity superpower: equity dialogues
Why does racial equity matter to you?
As a person of color, racial equity matters to me because I believe it is an obligation of every organization to incorporate its practices within the workforce. Morally, I also believe it is the right thing to do. I intend to use my membership on the CORE as a platform to lend my voice and address some of the inequities within our society.
Related experience
I currently work for WorkSource Portland Metro, SE Works Inc. As an Employment Specialist. I manage a Federal Department of Labor grant that assists ex-offenders find and retain employment. In my work, I see a lot of injustice in the criminal justice system pertaining to numbers of offenders who are people of color being released back to society. In addition to my day job, I also volunteer as Chairman of Africa House Advocacy Council. My work pertains to crafting various policies that address inequities and various form of challenges that immigrants, newly arrived and people of color face in their daily undertakings.
Tristan Penn, NTEN
Pronouns: he/him/his
Equity hashtag: #HowDoesRaceAffectThis
Why does racial equity matter to you?
My lived experience as a Diné (Navajo) Man, as well as a Black Man growing up in Central Kansas profoundly shaped my deep and unshakable relationship with racial equity. Indeed, my family, felt the impact of structural, systemic, and institutionalized racism throughout our lives. These early experiences shaped and molded who I am and how I now navigate through the world as a Black Man and a Navajo Man. Although these iterations of racism were always covertly or overtly at play as a child and adolescent, my parents endeavored to instill a strong sense of our family's unique racial identity in my siblings and I. My mom worked hard to enforce and instill Diné culture and identity into my upbringing while my dad taught me about the dignity and pride of being black. Conversely, they also were acutely aware of how important it was to understand and recognize the systems working against us; the racial inequity. They were my first teachers about the systems of racial inequity. Racial Equity matters to me because members of our community deserve to live, work, play, grow, and THRIVE in an equitable society. If I have the opportunity to work towards racial equity and be a part of dismantling the systems that have long marginalized Black, Indigenous, and people of color, I will always choose "yes".
Related experience
I began my professional DEI work with Pacific Educational Group's three-year cohort/professional development initiative "Beyond Diversity: Courageous Conversations I & II" while working for Boys & Girls Club and Lawrence Public School and recently completed Beyond Diversity III at the National Summit for Courageous Conversations in New Orleans. Additionally, I've served on previous organizations' Equity Teams and was a facilitator for DEI in the workplace. Additionally, the work that I have most recently worked on in my current role at NTEN has been the implementation of Racial Affinity Spaces at the annual national conference my organization puts on, The Nonprofit Technology Conference; as well as the formation of a DEI committee on our organization's board. We've implemented so many more changes and I'm so excited about all of the upcoming impact that our organization will make because of this important work.
Katie Sawicki, Equity in Action Consulting
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Equity hashtag: #racialjusticetakesdailypractice
Why does racial equity matter to you?
In my professional, personal, and activist experience, racial equity is the most effective way to ensure policy, program, practice works on behalf of all people. It an approach that centers race and allows dominant culture organizations to make the culture shift they need to “walk” the talk. It matters to me because inheriting a legacy privilege, also means we inherit a responsibility to address historic inequities created by systems of oppression.
Related experience
I provide support to organizations, coalitions, community groups seeking to advance racial justice work. Most often, I do so through policy and campaign development, policy and education materials, building organizing capacity, or organizational development that centers on communities most impacted by economic and health inequities. I believe there are so many inspiring racial justice leaders and organizations in town with great ideas in the works; I try to provide whatever support is needed to help that work cross the finish line into movement building and social change.
Effie Bustamante, Mercy Corps Northwest
Pronouns: they/them
Equity superpower: listening
Why does racial equity matter to you?
I see racial equity as a fundamental necessity. As a trans white person, I understand that racial equity impacts everyone. Without fair treatment, access, advancement and opportunity for all people- no one thrives. Racial equity matters because people of color have been historically mistreated and continue to experience mistreatment daily and I believe this is unacceptable. I come at this work with an intersectional lens, keeping in mind that each type of liberation is inherently bound and working towards the freedom of all oppressed peoples- using the famous quote from Aboriginal activists in Australia, “If you have come to help me you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.”
Related experience
My experiences have been varied – from Cleveland to North Carolina to New Mexico to the beautiful Pacific NW. I have lived and spent time in most major regions of the United States- each bringing a different perspective to the conversation on racial equity. In addition, I have spent my entire short career working with people to achieve their goals in a social work setting.
Metro and MERC liaisons
Shirley Craddick, Metro Council liaison
Christine Lewis, Metro Council liaison
Juan Carlos González, Metro Council liaison (alternate)
Karis Stoudamire-Phillips, Metropolitan Exposition and Recreation Commission liaison