State-Of-Black-Oregon-2015

ESSAY 16LEADERSHIP FOR THE FUTUREKathleen D. SaadatCommunity ActivistMidge PurcellDirector of Advocacy and Public Policy, Urban League of PortlandIf our community is to thrive, we must bethe leaders we want to see. The legacy ofBlack leadership in Oregon is proud anddeep. The task now is to identify and developa new corps of courageous leaders who areknowledgeable about power, policymakingand the legislative and electoral process.Elected or appointed, young or old, activistsor faith leaders—all can work together tobuild structures that let us coordinate efforts,communicate effectively, exchange ideas anddevelop strategies for change.While we honor the past, new technologicaltools can help us organize to achieve a viable,prosperous and sustainable future for Blacks inOregon.ORGANIZING BLACKCOMMUNITIESGentrification and its related migration havemade it difficult to identify a specific geographicplace that is the location of the Blackcommunity. While the last census showed thatthe Black population had diminished in N/NEPortland, it had grown statewide by more than24 percent. It’s time for Black people in Oregonto look beyond historical geography. Whereverwe reside, we define the Black community byour shared culture, experience and common setof issues.For building a Black Oregonian movement,our greatest assets are the network of Blackorganizations, the faith community and ourdynamic youth. Many of these activists, leadersand students were motivated by the events inFerguson, Missouri, and elsewhere. In Oregon,we can overcome our dispersal by linking Blackindividuals and communities statewide with astrong, shared vision; expanding the groups thatexist already; and recruiting, training, mentoringand supporting new leaders.ACTIVATING BLACK VOTERSAs voting rights are being rolled back across thenation, Oregon continues to lead in expandingaccess to the vote. The push for automaticregistration means that our communitycan focus on mobilizing voters to fulfill anagenda for change. A new generation of BlackOregonians must raise awareness among allBlack voters that voting is a small but firm steptoward equality and justice.Let us begin with our youth—preparing allyoung people to participate in the politicalprocess. The next generation of Black leadersmust also understand that true leadershipmeans a life of service, a life of building bridgesand cultivating unity.WHAT DOES A POLITICALSTRATEGY FOR THE 21STCENTURY LOOK LIKE?• Develop specific actions to win policies andcampaigns on issues that affect the Blackcommunity in our cities, counties, region andstate.158