Oregon has a blatant history of racism including orchestrating the violent oppression of communities of color in the state constitution, policies and actions. This history challenges Oregon to this very day.

Regional Participants in all Dialogues shared their personal experiences or of witnessing discrimination,  persistent oppression, bullying, and/or violence against People of Color and gay men and women. Some non-White and gay Participants specifically called out the fear and worry showing up more in rural areas, contributing to their experience and definition of the urban rural divide. 

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In rural areas, women of color shared that they would never go jogging alone on a rural road. A Black woman who travels the state frequently always shares her travel plans with friends and family and checks in when she arrives at her destination. She referred it this as her safety  plan While the fear persists more deeply in rural areas, Participants of Color also expressed that they can worry when going across town in Portland. This fear is a part of their lives. 

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Such fears and experiences have deep and broad impacts on individuals and communities.  The lack of diversity, equity and inclusivity in leadership, policymaking, and business can limit Oregonians from reaching their potential and goals or worse, cause emotional or physical harm. 

The growing understanding of the prevalence of painful experiences directed at non-white populations soley because they are non-white people implore a sense of urgency.

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The Cohort selected Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as a Priority Issue because they felt that this would be a chance for ALF Oregon to tap into its strengths of convening and training diverse leaders to contribute to advancing our state to one of diverse leadership, inclusive networks, and decisions rooted in equitable processes and outcomes. 

 

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The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee brainstormed almost 40 ideas before settling on offering capacity building workshops or trainings in three of Oregon’s more rural regions. They focused on rural communities because they  tend to have fewer such events and opportunities. 

 

The committee selected the following communities also because some of the committee members lived in or near these areas: Ontario, Woodburn, and Klamath Falls. 

 

The committee identified criteria for deciding how to proceed with the events in each area: 

• Partner with a local group to create a program or event(s) that build off of or add to existing efforts. 

• Support existing work led by local leaders of color.   

• Listen to local needs and goals. 

 

Below is a summary of each of the projects. 

 

Ontario Project 

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The committee found a partnership with Treasure Valley Community College (TVCC), who was beginning to plan for turning their equity statement into a plan for their campus.  Because this was an effort early in progress and supporting an organization already having an equity and civility statement on their website, the sub-committee agreed that supporting this effort matched their goals. 

 

The committee engaged facilitator Frances Portillo, a consultant and expert in diversity, equity, inclusion, facilitation, and moderating. Her goal was to advance the relationships and trust building on the committee of TVCC staff and supporters working on this effort. The committee met three times including a visioning conversation about what these committee members wanted to see on campus. 

 

Survey replies indicate that the conversations were beneficial and meaningful to all. Some of their replies: 

 

• I felt very comfortable speaking with the team and appreciated everyone's openness.

• I appreciated the flow of the conversations. It felt like we had time and space to follow where the group led and all the time. Frances had us going toward our goals! It was gracefully orchestrated!

• I think the group came together with a positive and open mindset which created a comfortable and trusting space for us to begin these difficult conversations.  When you feel that mutual respect and trust it does allow you to be open and honest knowing that you will not be judged for your remarks or feelings.   

 

Woodburn Project 

 

In Woodburn, the team partnered with the Capaces Leadership Institute (CLI) based in Woodburn. CLI has been doing great work around training and supporting Latinos and Latinas in civic leadership, participation, and representation. Plus, a few committee members already had relationships with CLI staff and leadership and could talk easily about what kinds of efforts would be the most complementary to CLI’s existing work. 

 

The committee saw this CLI  collaboration as a way to support Latinx individuals already leading or taking steps towards leading in their communities by building connections with the ALF Oregon Senior Fellow network.

 

The partnership yielded two events: 

 

1. A training and discussion on building your personal brand led by Cinthia Manuel, a Latina mentoring and marketing consultant and CEO/founder of Autentica Consulting. The Evengers committee helped to plan the event and cover the costs.

2. ¡Conectate! Growing Our Networks for Change, a networking event where the leaders making up the ALF Oregon and CLI networks could meet, connect and build relationships.  The virtual nature of the event allowed people from different regions to participate. 

 

Approximately 50 individuals attended, about half from CLI and half from ALF Oregon. CLI and ALF Oregon staff provided short welcomes and a few stories in between three break-out groups. In addition to general networking, the attendees also practiced their “elevator wraps” about themselves. 

 

Here are survey responses to the question of what worked at the event:

• I was blown away by the participants and how engaged they were in the breakout sessions - everyone engaged! I also felt the guiding questions were well thought through.

• Connecting with folks across the state and hearing about the amazing work happening. Appreciated the historical context at the beginning. 

 

A few responses to what people want more of in a future event: 

• Speed dating style time to have 1:1 connections with multiple people. 

• Intentionally exchange contact information 

• Better understanding of the multiple advocacy networks in the Latinx community, and who they represent. My sense is that Portland-area and Salem-area and beyond do not always have the same agendas, or have different takes, and I want to understand the subtleties.

 

The event was such a success that ALF Oregn and CLI are looking to plan another networking event - hopefully in person! - in the fall of 2021. 

 

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