State-Of-Black-Oregon-2015

What’s the alternative? How can Blacksparticipate in neighborhood revitalization thatincludes them, rather than displacing them?We need an entirely new approach, wherecommunity development empowers peopleliving in neighborhoods to plan for and benefitfrom change.Black-centered community development isfounded on community history and values.It prioritizes the work of Black-servingorganizations and demands that the publicsector align its practices with community values.Gentrification and displacement aren’tinevitable. Black Oregonians have voiceda vision for thriving neighborhoods. Thatvision for community development can bemade real with a clear focus on racial justiceand empowerment.A MULTI-LEVEL APPROACH TO FIGHTING GENTRIFICATIONCOMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT& THE RIGHT TOSTAY IN PLACE• Housing is the most basic elementof security, and too many Blacks areprecarious in their homes. Safe, decent andaffordable housing has been at the coreof community development programs. Astable housing priority needs a strong antidisplacementcomponent, including a rightto return for those involuntarily relocatedthrough public policy and its marketconsequences.• Presence and visibility are critical forcommunity. Urban design, art, publicspaces and community events shouldhonor history and culture in meaningful,not superficial or stereotypical, ways. Thetalents of Black designers make publicplaces welcoming. Public social spaces alsoneed to be safe. A Black “right to the city”includes the ability to walk, bike, shop andsocialize in our neighborhoods, free fromsuspicion, police profiling and violence.MEANINGFUL & INCLUSIVESOCIAL AND ECONOMICSTRUCTURES• Lifting up people requires resources foreducation, workforce development and jobplacement in growth industries to ensureBlack participation in emerging areas.• Oregon’s entrepreneurial values ofcreativity, innovation and sustainability areall embodied within the Black community.Given appropriate capital support andtechnical assistance, these potentials couldbe realized in revitalized neighborhoods.• Neighborhood organizations needauthentic participation by communitymembers who are vulnerableto displacement and economicprecariousness. Black civic engagementis not only important for social ties, butalso for decision-making and resourceallocation.136