State-Of-Black-Oregon-2015

2009, we acknowledge that we have madesome progress. We have welcomed the steadyincrease in advocacy and activism by Oregon’semerging communities of color to raise voicesand awareness for advancing issues of socialjustice. There has been a shared commitmentto change by many policymakers. We havedemonstrated what can be achieved bypurposeful interventions and worked with manypartners to ensure that we all bring our voicesto issues and places where they must be heard.The first State of Black Oregon documentedthe need and responsibility for policymakers touse the data to eliminate the disparities theyrevealed. The challenge before policymakersand practitioners from the release of theState of Black Oregon 2015 is nothing shortof dismantling the remaining systems thatperpetuate inequity.The State of Black Oregon 2015 tells the storyof the many Black communities that are apart of Oregon across the state; one that isoften untold. We share the stories through thelens of childhood and adulthood and throughour community’s aspiration for health andwell-being. We celebrate the diversity of ourcommunity by lifting up the voices of our elders,Black LGBTQ people (lesbian, gay, bisexual,transgender and queer), Black immigrants andrefugees and rural Black Oregonians. The datain our report will already be familiar.Our intention is to convey the continuedurgency for social and racial justice requiredfor our community to thrive. Our purposeis to put forward a strategy for action forall policymakers, and a strategy for politicalempowerment for our community.The time for change was yesterday, but theopportunity before us today is to come forwardwith intentionality and purpose.MICHAEL ALEXANDERPresident and Chief Executive OfficerUrban League of Portland11