Top 5 Places to Learn about Black History in Portland

This Black History Month — and every month — celebrate and uplift Black history in our community at these five places and resources in the Portland area.

*Courtesy of the Oregon Convention Center*

1. Stop by “The Dream’’ statue outside of the Oregon Convention Center. This 8-foot-tall bronze statue, made by Michael Florin Dente, depicts Martin Luther King, Jr. and three additional allegorical figures.

2. Tune into The Numberz FM. Co-founded by DJ Ambush and housed in the Portland Art Museum, the digital station is Portland’s first and only Black-led radio station. The Numberz spotlights Black stories, voices, music and more. Pro tip: Visit PAM for its exhibition on Black Artists of Oregon, featuring the works of 69 Black artists.

*Courtesy of Portland Parks & Recreation*

3. Verdell Burdine Rutherford Park — featuring a colorful and accessible play space — in the Centennial neighborhood, was renovated and renamed in 2020. It’s the first Portland park named after a local Black leader. Notably, Rutherford helped pass the Public Accommodations Act of 1953, which outlawed discrimination in public places on the basis of race, religion or national origin.

4. Walk along Alberta Street and discover five Black heritage neighborhood markers — which run along 11th to 24th Avenues — that spotlight stories, places, and events in this historic Black neighborhood. Pro tip: Embark a self-guided walking tour of additional Black-centered spaces throughout the Portland-area, as part of the city’s African American Historic Sites Initiative.

5. Oregon Black Pioneers’ — a statewide Black historical society — digital exhibit, “Racing to Change: Oregon’s Civil Rights Years” details the Civil Rights movement in the state. The online exhibit is easy to follow and features detailed historical photos and media.

Author
Recent Posts

Tiffany Hill

Tiffany Hill is our Managing Editor. She is from Honolulu, Hawaii, but loves calling Oregon home. She lives in Northeast Portland with her husband, son and their scrappy, adopted dog. When she’s not on assignment, you can find her playing roller derby or exploring the outdoors with a scenic hike.