In celebration of Black History Month and the Civil Right Movement

This year’s Black History Month theme is Black Resistance. REACH wants to take this moment to share and learn more about those who have paved the way to create equitable access to housing and how you can get involved in the community to celebrate Black History Month.

Black and African Americans across the country have historically faced barriers to affordable housing, including discrimination in the housing market, redlining, and lack of investment in communities of color. These barriers have led to concentrated areas of poverty and limited access to resources and opportunities for Black and African Americans. This has resulted in Black and African American households being more likely to pay a larger portion of their income towards housing and less likely to own their homes compared to white households.

Over 50 years, some efforts have been made to address these issues and increase access to affordable housing for Black and African Americans. This includes policies such as the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in housing, and the Community Reinvestment Act, which encourages investment in low-income communities. Additionally, non-profit organizations, like REACH, and various government programs have been established to provide financial assistance and resources for low-income households to help them access and maintain affordable housing. There is still more work to be done.

Special thank you to Fannie Lou Hamer (photo above), an African American civil rights activist and leader from Mississippi. She is best known for her work to end racial discrimination and poverty, particularly in advocating for fair housing, economic justice and voting rights.

Hamer was born in 1917 in Mississippi and grew up in poverty. She worked as a sharecropper and was a victim of racial discrimination. In the early 1960s, she became involved in the Civil Rights Movement and joined the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).
Hamer also helped to establish the Freedom Farm Cooperative, which aimed to provide land and resources for poor African American farmers in Mississippi.

Hamer’s work significantly impacted the Civil Rights Movement, and her speeches and activism helped bring national attention to the issues of voting rights and economic justice for African Americans. Even after she died in 1977, her legacy continues to inspire others to work for civil rights and social justice.

Community Outreach

If you haven’t already, check out these two organizations that are doing great work in the community.

Kairos

Kairos is a Black women-led public charter school in Multnomah County focused on early childhood education. Kairos focuses on closing achievement and opportunity gaps for children of color. Their approach is dismantling structural racism to create lasting change, including policy advocacy, non-discriminatory training, and professional development services. Kairos provides hands-on learning through its flagship school and serves the community via partnerships and family engagement programs.

Through culturally-competent teaching, intentional interaction, and exposure to diverse role models, Kairos helps break down fear and build empathy. Kairos teaches children through actions and voices to reject stereotypes and, above all, to see the humanity in one another.

Visit their site here to learn more about how you can support Kairos.

kairospdx.org

African Youth & Community Organization

Special congratulations to our partners, AYCO! REACH partnered with AYCO in 2022 on a proposed project, and in that time, they were able to secure an amazing new space!

AYCO is a culturally specific, community-based organization led and in service to the East African immigrant and refugee community. They have programming for all family members: youth & education, community health & development, and community economic development.
Learn more about AYCO and how to get involved in their Black History Month activities.

aycoworld.org

Ways to Celebrate

Several culturally specific organizations throughout the Portland Metro and Southwest Washington area focused on serving the Black and African American community. REACH encourages all to take the time to learn more about each organization and find ways to give your time and resources, and some may be right in your neighborhood community.

Learn more about parades, art lessons and things to do during Black History Month throughout Portland: https://allevents.in/portland/black-history-month

Visit Oregon Live to learn about local Black History Month Celebrations: https://www.oregonlive.com/entertainment/2023/02/celebrate-black-history-month-2023-with-these-oregon-sw-washington-events.html

City of Portland’s Albina Black History Month Tree Talk: https://www.portland.gov/trees/get-involved/events/2023/2/11/albina-black-history-month-tree-talk

Travel Portland showcases different ways to celebrate Black History Month throughout Portland Metro area. Take a peek at the link below to learn more: https://www.travelportland.com/events/black-history-month/