The State of Black Oregon is here!

The State of Black Oregon is finally here and we are so proud. We had a wonderful Press Launch today at the outdoor plaza at the World Trade Center downtown. The event was well attended by the community, press, and a number of local and statewide representatives including: Mayor Sam Adams, Sen. Margaret Carter, Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian, State Treasurer Ben Westlund, Rep. Tina Kotek, Affirmative Action Director Peggy Ross, Former Sen. Avel Gordly. We're grateful that everyone took the time to join us on a warm Monday morning


Click on the title link or the photo above to visit The State of Black Oregon website and download a copy of the report.


Read The Oregonian's article on The State of Black Oregon


Check out Nikole Hannah-Jones' editorial

State of Black Oregon Launch

Join the Urban League for The State of Black Oregon Launch

Monday, July 27th 2009 - 10:00 am
Two World Trade Center, Outdoor Plaza
121 SW Salmon
Portland, OR 97204

The Urban League of Portland is proud to announce the release of The State of Black Oregon at a press launch on Monday July 27, 2009 10:00 am.

The State of Black Oregon, published by the Urban League of Portland for the first time in 17 years, is a statewide report on the social and economic condition of African Americans in Oregon. It reviews the status of Black Oregonians in areas such as education, employment, housing, health, criminal justice and child welfare. The report reveals a persistent gap in the living standards between black and white Oregonians, which is growing wider as a result of the economic downturn.

The State of Black Oregon is offered as a road-map for action to address disparities, through proposals aimed at policymakers in the public and private sectors.

Please join us as we launch this important document and begin the dialogue we need to forge change for African Americans in Oregon.

Click here to view the evite

For more information or to RSVP, contact Midge Purcell at 503-280-2626 or by emailing mpurcell@ulpdx.org

Photo from the Annual Meeting 2009

Look at the great photo we captured of Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian presenting a historic photograph to the Urban League of Portland during our Annual Meeting in June. The framed photo depicts the signing of the 1953 Oregon Civil Rights Bill at the desk of Mark O. Hatfield. The photo now hangs in the Urban League Lobby.

Don't forget to check out other Urban League photos at our Flickr photostream: www.flickr.com/ulpdx Most of the photos are by one of our fantastic volunteers, Kyle Weismann-Yee.

Welcome to our Blog!

Welcome to the new Urban League of Portland Blog! We hope to use this forum as a place to keep the community up to date on our activities and news. Please join in the discussion.