CELEBRATING ENTREPRENEURS OF COLOR | VOLUME 2: SUSTAINING GREATNESS
CULTIVATING STRENGTH FROM
TRADITION p.42
EVERYDAY LEADERS p.8 STORYTELLING EXPRESSIONS p.21 OWN YOUR OWN p.52 PORTLAND’S ENTREPRENEURS OF COLOR DIRECTORY p.62
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Mercatus ELEVATES the unique and universal narratives of entrepreneurs of color in Portland and CONNECTS the city and region with local talents, businesses, services and products that come from diverse entrepreneurs.
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VOL 2. // SUSTAINING GREATNESS
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR While thinking of this issue’s theme of “Sustaining Greatness,” I was pulled to the inherent way entrepreneurs of color give back to the community, and the fact that so many BIPoC-owned businesses choose to share the resources and abundance they work for to support and uplift others on a daily basis. This legacy of care is fundamental to Brown and Black communities in business and in life, and it’s what sets us apart from dominant culture economics. Through the development of these pages, I was reminded how important it is to sustain ourselves as much as our causes, and how cyclical these personal investments are. By doing what we love and following the passions that call us, we push against oppressive systems and help our communities thrive. While reading Mercatus, I hope you are able to see yourself in Leadership; that you get a sense of pride in Community & Culture; are reminded of your right to Well Being; feel joy and passion around Food, and step into your power in Business. With grace and gratitude,
Emmeline Eao Volume 2 Editor
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
21 23
08 10 On the cover: Jennifer Rose Marie Rose Serna looks over the sleeping winter crops on Wapato Island Farm.
18
Leadership
Community & Culture
8
18 Portraits of Portland
The Doctor: An Interview with Dr. Moreland-Capuia
10 Everyday Leaders 14 Society Nine 16 Cliqa
23 Storytelling Expressions 26 The Wisdom Within Us: Holding the Power our Ancestors Possessed 28 Creations for Continuity 30 Champions
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VOL 2. // SUSTAINING GREATNESS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
36 26
54
44
64
Well Being
Food
Business
32 Flip the Money $cript
44
Cultivating Strength from Tradition
52
Own Your Own
48
Black Food Sovereignty Coalition’s Movements
57
Level Up Your Business
58
Steady Your Shoulders
40 Atlas Dental
49
Recipes from the Collective
Inclusive Business Network
42 11:11 Supply
60
50
Sacred Waters Fish Company
64
Mercatus Directory
52
Meals 4 Heels
36 Roots of Healing 38 Sustain Yourself
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CONTRIBUTORS
CONTRIBUTORS
Amanda Park Publisher, Mercatus Manager Project Manager, Prosper Portland
Savina Monet Creative Director
Emmeline Eao Editor
Intisar Abioto Photographer
Lorenzo Alicante Illustrator
Tojo Andrianarivo Photographer
Olivia Daniels Photographer
@savinamonet
@ emmelineeao
intisarabioto.com
@xicanocosmico
tojofotos.com
@oliviaadaniels_
Tiara Darnell Writer
Diego Diaz Photographer
Elizabeth Donald Hair & Makeup
Christine Dong Photographer
Edward Hill Writer
@theartspj
diegogdiaz.com
Jamaal Hale Graphic Designer and Printer
christinedong.com
goodgreenpdx.com
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Tory Campbell Writer, Mercatus Founder Director of Economic Development, Prosper Portland
VOL 2. // SUSTAINING GREATNESS
CONTRIBUTORS
Malcolm Hoover Writer
Kim Oanh Nguyen Photographer
Diona Jackson Stylist
Joshua James Huff Photographer
Justin Katigbak Photographer
@switchbladesistasvintage
joshuajosue.com
justinkatigbak.com
Lisa Norwood Graphic Designer
Bruce Poinsette Writer
Emilly Prado Writer
Dez Ramirez Writer
Phillyrocket Photographer
poinsette.bruce@gmail.com
emillyprado.com
dezramirez.com
@phillyrocket
photosbykim.com
Kari Rowe Photographer karirowe.com
Monica Salazar Writer
Yaara Valey Photographer
monicasalazar747@gmail.com tenderheartsproductions.com
Anne Mangan Copy Editor II
Jennifer Moore Copy Editor II jenniferkaymo.com
Cookie Zvovushe Writer jaggerblaec.com
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Q
LEADERSHIP
THE DOCTOR AN INTERVIEW WITH DR. MORELAND-CAPUIA BY COOKIE ZVOVUSHE
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VOL 2. // SUSTAINING GREATNESS
PHOTOS JOSHUA JAMES HUFF
Q
The journey into medicine began for Dr. Alisha Moreland-Capuia as an 8-year-old, when she fell off rollerblades and broke her right leg. She spent a month recovering from surgery. Even as a kid she recognized the lack of physicians who looked like her and could offer a level of safety and familiarity. She decided then to become a physician. Her weekday routine today is devoted to her mission of medicine. She wakes up at 4:30 AM to work out, returns home to provide a nourishing breakfast for her family, and then immerses herself with backto-back patients. Despite the daunting schedule, Moreland-Capuia cherishes every moment in her life as a leader and successful Black female physician. Mercatus was lucky to sit down with her to talk about her experience interacting with the community.
As someone in leadership, how did you impact the change you wanted to see through programming? DR. MORELAND-CAPUIA:
If we are doing true inclusion and equity we create safety for folks and we let folks be seen. We appreciate, respect and value people and we create opportunities for promotion. Those things create a space that attracts people who want to stay and contribute and lead and grow with you. I make the argument that every good leader in the space of cultural work must be both learner and teacher and know when to be one or the other.
LEADERSHIP
With the disproportionate levels of care Black women receive in Western medicine, what do you do differently to care for Black patients? First, I never assume what the course should be. My goal is to always make sure that I’m fully educating on what the options are and the standard of care. I may say to folks honestly there’s not a lot of research done in this area or demographic. So, when recommendations are made for treatment I often say we’re going to start at only a quarter of the dose. I go very low, very slow and I do that with intention and I always educate along the way. I also frame it in terms of support everybody deserves - to be well, to feel well, to be on a journey to wellness. It’s really about partnership and education. I want to make sure that each of the patients that I have the privilege to serve knows what I know. They always can ask questions and push back.
&
Moreland-Capuia spends much of her time with patients in the Avel Gordy clinic along with teaching and participating in community engagement. When she is not engaged in medicine or with family she volunteers as a Prosper Portland commissioner. She describes her role with the city as important work where she has the opportunity to build health equity by using trauma-informed care.
“I have not aimed in my life to be powerful. I have aimed to be effective,” she says. “Being effective means my core question and my core existence have been around reducing human suffering.” And she has done just that.
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LEADERSHIP
EVERYDAY LEADERS BY BRUCE POINSETTE
PHOTOS JUSTIN KATIGBAK & INTISAR ABIOTO
Leaders of color are changing the landscape of both activism and entrepreneurship in Oregon by creating and cultivating spaces that directly tap into community needs.
TYRONE POOLE
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TALILO MARFIL, CANDACE KITA, JAMES
Parker, Mya Gordon, and Tyrone Poole are just a few examples of the leaders doing this work in their everyday lives. While they represent different communities, interests, and life experiences, they all share a passion for problem-solving and empowering their communities in innovative ways. “If you want to solve big problems, get some fresh eyes,” says Tyrone Poole, founder of OneApp, an online service that eliminates multiple housing application fees by showing renters what they qualify for beforehand. Poole’s game-changing housing app was the result of a long process that started when he became homeless. While volunteering at the Young Women’s Christian Association, Poole began developing the idea of a book to make the housing search easier. He then reached out to local homeless advocates and nonprofits, only to find that the book became outdated within months because of constantly changing housing information. Motivated by the feedback, Poole retooled the book into OneApp, which has since seen tens of millions of downloads. His entrepreneurial success—which was spearheaded predominantly by initial investments from Portland’s Black community as well as support through Prosper Portland’s Startup PDX Challenge program—grants him a different level of influence in places like Portland City Hall. For example, recently proposed fair housing rec-
LEADERS
ommendations from the City Council were based largely on information extrapolated from OneApp data. In addition to the City, Poole works with organizations like the Community Alliance of Tenants and Multifamily NW to continue advocating on behalf of those in need of housing. He also offers up his time to mentor emerging entrepreneurs and readily shares his wisdom at speaking engagements such as TEDxPortland. Poole’s leadership requires working with a variety of stakeholders and an understanding that people with lived experience and innovative solutions don’t need to wait for permission from traditional powers to put those ideas into action. Talilo Marfil, a youth mentor and artist, has created and contributed to numerous outreach projects both in Portland and Klamath Falls, including teaching homeless youth videography and helping them produce films through Outside the Frame; teaching music at the MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility; teaching boxing at Knotts Street; organizing and hosting various fundraisers for causes like homeless youth support; and running multiple youth centers. Behind the scenes, Marfil advocates to make sure different perspectives are represented in City Council and advisory board policy discussions. “You have to tap into the people who actually live it,” says Marfil. “I’m a voice for Filipino people, low-income CANDACE KITA
TALILO MARFIL
people, homeless youth, gang culture, and incarceration. Just being somebody that can represent at these tables and have tattoos on my face.... translate[s] realities to people in a way they can understand.” Marfil feels rewarded by being able to both give back to young people who came up like him and develop the next generation of leaders who will go on to represent the voices currently going unheard. Originally from California, he spent much of his early years in Oregon—first in Klamath Falls and later in Portland—in and out of trouble. Hanging out with gang members and acting out eventually landed him a felony conviction and prison time. Upon release, the conviction prevented him from attaining housing and pursuing a career. However, it also ignited a fire in Marfil to help others avoid the same struggles, both by enhancing the programs that supported him and creating new spaces to deepen the work. “It feels good to be in a position to hire people and get people jobs,” says Marfil. “And not just any job, but a job where you’re making a difference. If you’ve got scars or trauma, the best way to deal with that is by sharing it with other people. It validates your pain. It shows that you didn’t go through that for nothing.” Candace Kita is a cultural worker with the Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO) and co-founder of Arts Workers for Equity (AWE). Through her work with APANO, Kita has centered the
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VERYDAY ADERS culturally specific needs of the various communities represented under the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) umbrella and used the arts to amplify these needs to the rest of the city. This includes activities like pedestrian bridge mural projects with the Portland Bureau of Transportation and hosting workshops on topics like mental health in the AAPI community. Her work with AWE seeks to further these discussions by specifically focusing on the politics of Portland’s arts sector and intentionally challenging white dominant culture. “I’ve seen and felt the kind of repercussions that not being represented has,” says Kita. “That’s a personally impactful motivation for wanting to create a different kind of arts world. If we want to create a better and more just future, we need to be able to dream and think and imagine at a very big scale and be very creative about it.” Kita also advocates for fair pay for artists at every opportunity. For her, the art and social issues faced by marginalized communities are intertwined. That means directly and unapologetically addressing funding. “How does our community participate in the artmaking process and how does that allow us to envision a different reality for the social issues we face?” asks Kita. “Who gets
JAMES ALAN PARKER
funded? Who gets represented?” James Alan Parker (Chippewa-Cree), Executive Director of the Oregon Native American Chamber (ONAC), has led an organizational shift towards centering the needs of entrepreneurs. ONAC has moved from an emphasis on networking events and reliance on membership dues to an approach that also leverages financial support from partners and stakeholders who’re committed to ONAC’s newly restated core tenets: education, building relationships, economic justice, growth and transformation. Parker travels throughout the state to reframe ecosystem building for American Indians and Alaskan Natives, as well as the role of other stakeholders to reach the underserved and underrepresented. “I understand that government agencies, foundations and philanthropy have a role to play in supporting different approaches and more equitable solutions for helping native entrepreneurs and small businesses,”says Parker. “We want to bring that to the forefront.”
MYA GORDON
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EVE
LEADERS Utilizing his background in IT problem-solving and emphasizing community building, Parker has steadily worked to shift the organization’s business model to put the entrepreneur first and be more responsive to community needs. His influence can be seen with Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians and the National American Indian Housing Council. Parker credits much to his parents, who were strong community leaders,helped him understand the sacrifices that were made, and instilled a sense of duty to advocate for people who are woefully underrepresented, under-resourced, and facing the weight of decades of disenfranchisement. Parker keeps a steady focus on how his work will positively impact future generations and continues to step back and listen to his community. Mya Gordon lives and organizes in Lake Oswego, a town infamously known as “Lake No Negro” where the conversation around funding and equity is effectively brand new. Gordon is co-chair of the Lake Oswego School District’s Di-
versity Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee; founder and president of Lakeridge High School (LHS) Equity Council; and member of the first LHS Black Student Union. Gordon’s advocacy is persistent and effective. Working with classmates, Gordon successfully lobbied LHS administrators to provide funding specifically for equity efforts, which the LHS Equity Council has used to hire speakers and host programming for students. As a student of color, Gordon has experienced discrimination and otherwise suffered because of lack of representation. “My experiences in Lake Oswego have shaped my identity…. I do what I do so I can help other people, so they don’t have to go through what I went through. “Living here and doing all this work with equity taught me that feeling empathetic and emotional toward other people doesn’t make you weak, it makes you strong,” says Gordon. “It forces you to build a community and feel connected with other people in a way you wouldn’t have before.”
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES Here’s a list of organizations you can follow to get started: ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN NETWORK OF OREGON This program is application-based and admits 15-20 participants per year. “Through an organization-wide leadership development model, APANO aims to grow the analysis, skills and confidence of Asian and Pacific Islanders to take action to improve their lives and achieve social justice for future generations. apano.org
CIVIC LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY LATINO NETWORK MULTIFAMILY NW All of our programs integrate civic engagement principles and empower Latinos to be advocates on issues that matter to Latinos—poverty, youth violence, and the academic achievement gap.” latnet.org
OREGON LEAD PROGRAM - NAYA FAMILY CENTER This transformative program builds leadership capacity across Native communities throughout Oregon. In this program we are guided by the Relational Worldview Model, and nurture leadership by affirming cultural identity through supportive peer-to-peer relationships. nayapdx.org
BLACK LEADERSHIP ACADEMY PORTLAND AFRICAN AMERICAN LEADERSHIP FORUM The Leadership Academy centers on fellowship, mentorship, and project-based learning. Participants explore what it means to be a transformative Black leader through the historical context of the African Diaspora. paalf.org
BRIDGES A LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE FOR OREGON’S COMMUNITIES OF COLOR COALITION OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR The CCC envisions an Oregon where our communities of color self-organize, build our collective power, and our leaders are implementing community-driven strategies to obtain self-determination, wellness, justice, and prosperity.” coalitioncommunitiescolor.org
ERYDAY
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LEADERSHIP
SOCIETY NINE BY EMMELINE EAO
PHOTO (RIGHT) KIM OANH NGUYEN
“Whether you have championship belts to your name, or are throwing a punch for the first time, we are here to welcome you, and to have your back in the journey, wherever it takes you. What matters to us is that you walk into the world, knowing that you are capable of anything.” LYNN LE
PHOTO (BELOW) ZACH ANCELL
LYNN LE, THE CEO OF BOXING BRAND SOCIETY NINE,
believes every woman is a fighter. As a Vietnamese American, Le grew up internalizing dominant expectations of being taken care of and protected by a male counterpart. All this changed when she discovered Krav Maga during a college trip to Israel. What started as an exciting new hobby became a spiritual awakening–a turning point for Le’s view of herself and her life. “You realize that physical power is tied to mental and spiritual power as well. It’s so much more than just fitness, so much more than a cool factor… It’s acknowledging: ‘I am good within myself.’ While teaching kickboxing in 2013, many of Le’s female students asked her for advice on where to obtain gloves that would fit properly. Sadly, the only boxing gloves on the market at that time were big and bubble gum pink, more about kitsch than performance. Seeing the opportunity to merge her personal epiphany with market need, Le sold everything she owned, started a Kickstarter campaign, and
invested in prototype development for the first Society Nine boxing gloves. After winning a $15,000 grant from Prosper Portland’s Startup PDX program, she quit her job and dedicated her life to the company. Society Nine—named after the women’s socialite clubs of the 1920s and the federal Title IX civil rights law—is one of only a handful of brands that make gear specifically for women. In 2018 Le made the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, and the next year her Bia boxing glove (named after the Greek goddess of force and strength) was recognized as the best-fitting glove for women by athletes and gyms nationwide. Looking ahead, Le is hopeful and focused, viewing Society Nine as a bridge to create meaningful change and expand feminist ideas across political REACH OUT: lines. “[Society Nine] create[s] a space in which no matter where on the spectrum you @societynine societynine.com sit politically you can still identify with the notion of self-empowerment—but especially womens’ empowerment—in your own way.”
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LEADERSHIP
CLIQA BY DIEGO DIAZ
ARTWORK SAVINA MONET
EDGAR NAVAS IS THE FOUNDER AND CEO OF CLIQA DIGITAL
Inc., a technology company based in Portland, Oregon, that aims to serve immigrant communities by keeping them connected both financially and emotionally with their often-distant families, and to inspire them during a time when anti-immigrant rhetoric is at an all-time high. Navas has a degree in economics and finance from Texas State University and also holds an MBA in international economics; his corporate background includes extensive work in the telecom industry. Navas started Cliqa Inc. in 2014, after he observed with alarm the inner workings of the long-distance calling card business, with its countless fees and dodgy rules that allowed card balances to expire quickly. Knowing the telecom business inside out, he decided to step in and change it. The company began as a technology tool to help immigrants access services that usually were available only at physical shops, with many layers of overhead and costs that were passed down to the customers. Cliqa brought those same services to the users with a digital platform that effectively and substantially reduced the cost. Cliqa’s services ranged from financial solutions to rechargeable digital phone cards for international calling. For example, with Cliqa’s tools, an immigrant could help a loved one back home, by covering the equivalent of a US $15 mobile phone bill without using expensive international money transfer services better suited for much higher sums. Edgar broadened his efforts by applying the company’s technology expertise to the growing social media space and monetizing existing networks. The result is a digital platform to inspire and inform the Latinx community: Cliqa Digital Media. Partnering with social media influencers, the
platform promotes events, new products and services, entertainment, news, and even get-out-the-vote campaigns. Cliqa Digital Media campaigns have helped clients dramatically increase their reach to the Latinx market. Using its capacity for digital analysis and communication strategies, the platform’s accounts have grown to 30 million followers, with one channel drawing up to four million “I STARTED CLIQA WITH MY impressions per month. The wealth of data makes Cliqa Digital Media CO-FOUNDERS TO SOLVE a massive digital asset and a A BASIC NEED FOR US formidable vehicle to link up with IMMIGRANTS IN THE U.S.” a diverse Latinx audience. EDGAR NAVAS
DOWNLOAD NOW:
(888) 531-1132 micliqa.com
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“Walk-dancing…is that a thing? Meet Wilson Kubwayo, Inspirational Speaker and co-founder of Simple X. Wilson is a business Adjunct Instructor at Portland Community College. His daily routine is walking to his favorite coffee shop See See on NE Sandy to do his work. KIM OANH NGUYEN
Emi Joyce loves visiting the Japanese Garden with her husband Greg and son WIlliam. It makes her happy to share with them her Japanese heritage in celebrating New Year’s at the garden. They enjoy watching the traditional lion dance and participate in the activities. KIM OANH NGUYEN
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COMMUNITY & CULTURE Jayy Dodd is a brilliant blxk trans femme literary and performance artist, a volunteer gender-terrorist and artificial intellectual. YAARA VALEY
PORTRAITS OF PORTLAND
Four photographers celebrate day-to-day moments around the city. PHOTOS OLIVIA DAN, DIEGO DIAZ, KIM OANH NGUYEN, YAARA VALEY
Quaz Amir, aka @woolbeanie, instructs intern photographers Sol Cejas Lund and Dapne Itzel Hernรกndez on how to create proper content for business social media platforms at The CollabPDX in Old Town. OLIVIA DANIELS
Local members of the Haiku club, Shizue Funaki, Mitchiko Senaga, and Miho Weinstein play a traditional poetry card game during New Year Celebration at the Japanese Garden. KIM OANH NGUYEN
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COMMUNITY & CULTURE
Professional singer, Annette Lowman spent over 15 years in Europe performing R&B and pop. Here she is performing jazz with her band, The Annette Lowman Trio. Dan Hayley, guitarist and Tim Acott, bass. KIM OANH NGUYEN
Sam is a photographer, jewelry maker and plant lover navigating each day drawing inspiration from colors and patterns she encounters. YAARA VALEY
Director and producer Dru Holley on set of the upcoming documentary Buffalo Soldiers in the Pacific Northwest. Buffalo Soldiers is co-directed and produced by Jerry Bell Jr. and is set to release in the summer of 2020. DIEGO DIAZ
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Congolese friends Jean Muejura Buhoro, Kamali Kabayiza, Elisabeth Nyiroinkumizi Mukarugwiza Nyiramanana, walked together to go shopping for bananas at Saigon Market on NE 82nd Avenue. KIM OANH NGUYEN
Cha’ska is a Peruvian-American vocalist and instrumentalist. Her music explores the crossroads between heritage and destiny. YAARA VALEY
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COMING JUNE & NOVEMBER 2020
COMING JUNE & NOVEMBER 2020
A DIFFERENT MARKET EXPERIENCE My People’s Market is the marketplace re-imagined—a gathering of Portland’s diverse and vibrant entrepreneurs, makers, artists, culinary wizards, and beverage crafters. Founded in 2017 in partnership by Travel Portland and Prosper Portland, the market grew from the desire to create pathways for entrepreneurs of color to connect with the travel industry and new market opportunities.
For more information visit: mypeoplesmarket.com My People’s Maket is brought to you by:
@mypeoplesmarket
@mypeoplesmarket
STORYTELLING
PICTURED COOKIE ZVOVUSHE PHOTO SAMANTHA REYNOLDS
EXPRESSIONS
COMMUNITY & CULTURE
PICTURED ELINA LIM
BY COOKIE ZVOVUSHE
PHOTO PETER CHEE
When I was a little girl I couldn’t get enough attention. GROWING UP IN A HOUSEHOLD OF SIX KIDS, IT WAS A
constant competition to see who could outshine the other to get noticed by either one of my parents. I figured out pretty quickly that I could stand out from my other siblings by making my mom or dad laugh, and the easiest way to get laughs was by telling an animated story. As an adult, not much has changed; storytelling has given me a way to assert my voice. I still use laughter and anecdotes from my life to connect to my communities. In the battle to be seen in a town where it’s easy to feel invisible as a person of color, Che Che Luna, Elina Lim, Carlos Kareem Windham, and Raj Patra have developed their ability to connect with themselves and others through the magic of creativity. I had the honor of speaking with each of them and learning about how storytelling has impacted their lives. The people in this story have made it their mission to infuse culture into storytelling in order to foster a true sense of connection between individuals.
CHE CHE LUNA Che Che Luna was born with an energy that was never meant to be contained. After escaping their crib and endlessly climbing on furniture at the age of three, their parents decided that Luna should be enrolled in gymnastics. This decision led to many years of competitive gymnastics, but after a fateful accident where their back was broken, Luna could no longer do gymnasts, which led them to discover the healing power of dance. Luna describes their early experiences with dance as “medicine,” and “ really
really healing in times when I felt isolated or alienated because of my home life.” Using their body to express emotion, Luna realized that this ability and artform is its own language. They are now a trauma-informed sex-positive educator. Luna began to explore the sensuality of dance and how that could be used to tap into one’s higher self. Luna identifies as a nonbinary Mexican American and all of their language, curriculum, and presentation prioritizes inclusivity. “I’m learning that I give myself permission to tell my really raw, uninhibited story, to show my vulnerability, to be my most unapologetic, sensual, sexy self. This is the single most impactful way that I’m giving others the agency to do the same,” says Luna whose dancing, sex-positive lessons, and motivational content can be found on Instagram. Luna’s storytelling is unique in the sense that it’s unapologetically inclusive, using identity representation and language to connect with their audience. “It feels integral that I’m using language that’s encompassing and welcoming in all different genders… all different identities… all different races and abilities and sexualities.”
ELINA LIM PICTURED CHE CHE LUNA PHOTO YVANNA RAMOS 24 VOL 2. // SUSTAINING GREATNESS
Elina Lim is a theater kid-turned-storyteller. After listening to American stories from The Moth Lim realized that an on stage storytelling platform was missing in Singapore, where she lived at the time. “I’ve listened to thousands of stories [on The Moth] and I wish there was something like this in my home country,” she says. “So I started it… and people started doing it.” Lim was determined to recreate the gravity and emotions experienced by creating a space for regular people to share an extraordinary tale. “When I came here I felt like every event I went to I was the only storyteller of color or one of the few,” Lim explains, “and I didn’t want to hear only white narratives because of the daily life I was navigating in Portland. I wanted to hear different stories.” To solve that problem, Lim founded Invisible Spectrum, a POC-centric storytelling production in Portland. Her event pro-
COMMUNITY & CULTURE
PICTURED CARLOS KAREEM WINDHAM
RAJ PATRA
PHOTO GREGORY SULLIVAN
vides a space for people of color to feel safe and seen, curating a show for storytellers to come forth and have their truth witnessed. Over time Lim has fine-tuned her storytelling skills and cultivated an authentic and creative voice. “I think that I now try to use words, phrases, and pauses to hit powerful emotional accents,” she says. “ I think if stories are on the heavier side, the words that I’m using are pieces of a puzzle I’m trying to build for my own personal emotional release. I speak the way it sounds in my brain and it’s very conversational.” Storytelling has been a healing modality not only for Lim but for the people she works with. “I feel like my connection to the community is stronger,” she says “Storytelling can be really healing. When people tell stories they have been processing for a long time and really want a safe enough space [for the storyteller] to be witnessed in their totality for whatever it is that they are processing,it ends up being really healing for the storyteller.”
Raj Patra owns Yoga for Life, one of the very few yoga studios in Portland owned by a person of color. Patra immigrated to the United States from Kulcutta, India in the ’90s. He describes himself as a fish to water when it comes to combining storytelling and yoga, blending yoga and Dharma as a means to connect with his students and tell the stories of how to enhance life with yoga philosophy. Although Patra has hours of yoga training and certificates, his storytelling skills were birthed in a more organic way. “I have extensive training in yoga,” he says. “I don’t have formal training in storytelling. My mom is a good storyteller. I remember on occasions when extended family or her sisters would visit in the wee hours and they would just chat. My mom would tell simple things in amazing ways and I would always be caught in that, and how the flow and interest is drawn and kept.” Patra understands the importance of words and is careful about how he uses them. “I think that in this day and age when there is so much information that is readily available yet impersonalized, the thing that people have any attention, memory or mindset for is human connection and personalized storytelling,” he explains. “Humanness transcends as a result of stories that are meaningful, stories that are life-changing, and people will not only relate to those but they will want to carry forward.” We all tell stories for different reasons but the universal thread to share one’s personal narrative is the desire to connect. Che Che Luna, Elina Lim, Carlos Kareem Windham and Raj Patra are four pillars in the community who help us get in touch with our humanity. Our stories not only help us find our own humanity, but also teach us to approach each other with love and compassion.
CARLOS KAREEM WINDHAM PICTURED RAJ PATRA PHOTO DIANNE KORNBERG
Activism and community are ingrained in Carlos Kareem Windham. He has worked with the Multnomah Youth Commission as a Youth Development Specialist and Portland Housing Bureau in community outreach. Windham formally studied theatre and ethnic studies at the University of Colorado. During his time as a performer, he has developed his ability to move others authentically and with vulnerability. His formal education and lived experience are ever present when he’s on stage. “I’m helping people find the commonality of the human condition,” Windham explains. He does this in a way that’s rooted in representation for Black people. Growing up Afro-Latinx, Windham says he works against respectability politics to get his message across, and “by never censoring myself and working hard not to code-switch. I carry visibly what we consider masculine. I speak in tones any middle-class Black kid will recognize; I am one of them.” Windham has now begun producing live comedy shows that are infused with anecdotes and experiences from his own life.
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COMMUNITY & CULTURE
THE WISDOM WITHIN US HOLDING THE POWER OUR ANCESTORS POSSESSED STYLIST DIONA JACKSON
PHOTOS PHILLYROCKET
MODELS LEFT TO RIGHT: BREUNA COBB, BRYCE FRAZIER, STANLY WATERS, CIMONE SCHWOEFFERMANN, KEAUNA COBB
Grace, Strength, Beauty, Wisdom. The ways of these words are lessons that have been given to us by our ancestors, molding us into the humans they would have wanted us to become. Their radiant messages pulsate through our veins, and when we all come together and let our greatness shine, oh what a sight to see. 26 VOL 2. // SUSTAINING GREATNESS
MODELS CLOCKWISE FROM STANDING: ANDRE HAMILTON, DREA JOHNSON, SHALAMAR CLARK
MODELS LEFT TO RIGHT: KEISHA MCHENRY, VICTOR JACKSON
COMMUNITY & CULTURE
AN ALL BLACK PRODUCTION MUA: ELIZABETH DONALD WARDROBE: N’KOSSI, SWITCHBLADE SISTAS VINTAGE, GREENHAUS GALLERY AND BOUTIQUE, Q&M COLLECTIVE, AFRODESIAC WORLDWIDE LOCATION: GREENHAUS GALLERY AND BOUTIQUE 376 NE SUMNER ST, PORTLAND, OR 97211
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WELL BEING
COMMUNITY & CULTURE
CREATIONS FOR CONTINUITY BY DEZ RAMIREZ
CAROLINE
BLECHERT
PHOTOS KARI ROWE
GIVES
HERSELF
AND
HER
ancestors a voice with her jewelry designs. Sitting down with Inuvialuit/Iñupiaq artist Caroline Blechert, you immediately feel the peace of someone who has found her way within her craft, using patience and persistence. Beading at the age of nine and selling her work at 16, Blechert learned traditional Native-style beadwork from an elder in her homeland of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories, Canada. She was living in Vancouver, BC, when she realized a longing to become more connected to her Inuvialuit/ Iñupiat roots, family, and traditions. “I knew I wanted to be an artist; beading was something that always came really easily to me, and that was my way of giving myself a voice,” she says. Blechert decided to start a jewelry business and launched Creations for Continuity. “I decided to create a business with the intent to rediscover my roots and combine that in a more contemporary way,” she says. Inspired by her northern Native culture and Alaskan ancestry, yet living in an urban setting, Blechert began working on something that could tell both stories. Blechert refined her practice over the years, studying textile design, art, and Native jewelry making at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design and the Institute of American Indian Arts, but she always came back to her own vision of how she wanted to be an artist. “I’ve always wanted to carve my own path and do things that fit for me,” says Blechert. Creations for Continuity, an online shop and digital portfolio for Blechert’s one-of-a-kind beadwork and jewelry collections, is also a growing collective she calls a “sisterhood” of other Native jewelry makers who Blechert wants to collaborate with and provide a platform for. Using dyed porcupine quills, caribou hair and hide,
antlers, and delica beads, Blechert’s pieces are inspired by traditional methods, as well as her travels (she’s on the road quite a bit), and even her dreams (see the “Rainbow Spirit” series on her website). The name of her business represents both her desire to continue the legacy of her ancestors and the cultivation of a new space where Native artists find community. Blechert says, “Being in touch with my identity is so important for my livelihood. That’s what defines me.”
“I DECIDED TO CREATE A BUSINESS WITH THE INTENT TO REDISCOVER MY ROOTS AND COMBINE THAT IN A MORE CONTEMPORARY WAY.” CAROLINE BLECHERT
REACH OUT: @creationsforcontinuity creationsforcontinuity.com
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COMMUNITY & CULTURE
CHAMPIONS BARBER SHOP & INSTITUTE BY BRUCE POINSETTE
JAMAAL
AND
PHOTOS INTISAR ABIOTO
CHRISTINA
LANE
DIDN’T
always see themselves in the hair industry, much less as pioneers. Yet, as the founders of the Champions Barbershop franchise and the Champions Barbering Institute (CBI), the first-ever Blackowned barbering school in Oregon, they have made an undeniable contribution to their community and the growth of the barbering craft. “Barbers have always been leaders in their communities,” says Christina. “So how can a barber take that to another level to preserve the craft and to create opportunities for those who desire to grow?” A self-taught barber, Jamaal opened the first Champions barbershop in Northeast Portland in 2008, the realization of a vision he developed after a car accident in 2001 changed his life. It was the Great Recession, and the barbershop served as a symbol of hope. His vision continued to grow after Christina joined the business. Christina faced a major career transition when she was laid off at the clinic where she worked as a medical assistant. Recognizing the opportunity to bolster her husband’s natural talents with her administrative expertise, she joined Jamaal and
turned Champions into a family-run operation. Before long, the couple opened another location in Beaverton due to the high demand. Despite their success, a recurring frustration for the Lanes was the lack of preparedness of young
“BARBERS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN LEADERS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.” CHRISTINA LANE
barbers. “If they never look at it as a business, they’re steadily running in circles,” says Jamaal. “People start to hide stuff. People don’t want to tell you that they’re 10 years into the barber industry and don’t have a bank account.” In response, the Lanes created the CBI. The school, located in NE Portland, provides extensive training on hands-on barbering techniques, as well as customer service, money management, and personal development. In addition to NE Portland residents, the school serves students from Gresham, Scappoose, Woodburn, Silverton, and other areas throughout the state, as well as Washington. To date, the CBI has served 50 students, including
29 graduates. Nearly all of those graduates have gone on to work in the hair industry, and two have even opened their own shops. The Lanes pride themselves on requiring 1,140 hours of education, compared to the 746 required by the Oregon Board of Cosmetology. For them, it’s about preparing their students to own their own businesses. Going forward, they hope to continue expanding the Champions brand, and also propel CBI graduates to start their own shops. One such location is set to open at the Portland State University Park Blocks in November. “We love to see the win-wins and that people are soaking up all we were offering them and applying it,” says Christina. “We both understand the value in taking ownership of where you want your life to go and just stepping up to get things done that need to be done. That’s who we’re charged to be.” REACH OUT: (503) 477-5616 cbi.life
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WELL BEING
FLIP YOUR MONEY $CRIPT BY EMILLY PRADO
PHOTOS JOSHUA JAMES HUFF
AT THE BEGINNING OF 2019, INSPIRED BY
Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness Project, I set out to spend the next year doing monthly deep dives into different aspects of my life I wanted to work on— from decluttering to reading and wellness. As a self-employed creative since 2016, I kicked off the year tackling my first area of choice: finance. I had some solid foundational systems in place, including tracking all income via Google Sheets, automatically saving 30 percent of every check for taxes (paid quarterly with estimated taxes), separate business and personal bank accounts, and several checking accounts within those accounts for further organization. Still, I knew I had more work to do: I read books and zines on financial literacy, took online personal finance classes through Skillshare, followed dozens of financially focused Instagram accounts, and subscribed to twice as many podcasts. THE WHY
When embarking on any journey—financial, entrepreneurial, spiritual, or other—it’s important to know your why. Your ‘why’ is what keeps you going when things get tough, and it directly shapes your path. My ‘why’ was the goal of reducing financial stress. I grew up middle class with family members who owned their own businesses or ran side hustles like Christmastime tamale vending and year-round Avon cosmetic solicitations. I learned that money was important for survival, and that more money could be
made in creative ways, but our bases would always be covered. In college—living with five housemates in Portland, Oregon, miles away from family in California—I worked 30 hours a week at two to three minimum-wage jobs and used food stamps to make ends meet. A decade after moving to Portland, I’ve built up enough savings to absorb once-devastating emergencies, and I don’t have to count pennies at the grocery store. But I’m vulnerable to burnout, afraid that if I don’t say ‘yes’ to every gig, I’ll fall back into the cycle of debt that comes from lacking any financial cushion. My ‘why’ at the beginning of 2019 was also to establish a healthier, more sustainable work/life balance; to learn how to adapt to the wild ebbs and flows of the freelance lifestyle; and to prepare to take care of future retirement-age me. Consider these guiding questions to help you find your why: How do you feel about money? What are some thoughts about money your family taught you? Do you agree or disagree with these statements? Why are you interested in developing your financial literacy? What do you hope to gain from this increased knowledge? What challenges might you face? What outcomes do you envision as a result of this new information? How might your life change? In the short term? In the long term? THE HOW
“FINANCIAL LITERACY IS ABOUT GETTING TO KNOW YOURSELF BETTER AND STAYING ROOTED IN WHAT YOU CARE ABOUT.” EMILLY PRADO
CONSIDER THESE QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU FIND YOUR WHY:
7 How do you feel about money? 7 What are some thoughts about money your family taught you?
7 Do you agree or disagree with these statements?
7 Why are you interested in developing your financial literacy?
7 What do you hope to gain from this increased knowledge?
7 What challenges might you face?
7 What outcomes do you envision as a result of this new information?
7 How might your life change? 7 In the short term? In the long term?
There are many ways to embark on a financial literacy journey, but many begin with a pulse-
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WELL BEING
check, time for reflection and analysis, and a specific course of action. she says. “If [families] are in a situation where they barely have money “We need to start with baby steps,” explains Itzel Hernández-Speto pay their expenses, we just tell people to continue doing what they har, director of economic opportunity at Hacienda Community Develare doing. Most of the families I see can save, but they just don’t pay opment Corp. “When people come to Hacienda, we [create] an action themselves first.” plan. We need to give people, at most, three items to follow-up with. If Savings habits help people achieve stability and resilience against we give people a lot of things to do, it becomes overwhelming and they emergencies as well as invest in more costly items and/or experiences won’t be able to follow. But it is possible if we take baby steps and have down the line. achievable goals in mind.” When it comes to money management, “Everything should fall in Hernández-Spehar says having an accountability partner—someplace at the right time,” adds Nita Shah, executive director at Micro Enone to check in with during scheduled times—can greatly increase the terprise Services of Oregon (MESO). By rethinking everyday purchases likelihood of success. Planning that time ahead makes it less easy to and dollars saved as conscious financial decisions, individuals can make overlook when our lives inevitably get busy. informed choices daily to help them achieve what they want in their lives. For financial literacy newcomers, Hernández-Spehar recommends three items: creating a budget, establishing a CREDIT, MINDSET, AND MORE savings goal, and checking your credit score. “THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS Credit scores, like savings, can have a ripple effect on other areas of your life. This number TO ESTABLISH A SAVINGS GOAL, communicates the likelihood that you’ll pay HOW TO BUDGET Create a budget by reviewing pay stubs and/or EVEN IF IT IS $25 PER MONTH.” back what you borrow. Good credit takes time profit and loss statements to determine your to build but can determine where you live, your IZTEL HERNÁNDEZ-SPEHAR income. Once you know how much you bring in rate of interest on auto loans and credit cards, each month, you’ll know how much you can save and spend. and your approval for business loans. Knowing your standing is a great Write down all monthly expenses. For intermittent expenses (like a first step toward learning more about credit. “It can also be repaired,” car repair), or costs that fluctuate month-to-month (like your electricadds Hernández-Spehar, so don’t get discouraged if it’s not as high yet ity bill), use averages to determine the monthly cost. For example, if as you’d like. you know you’ll spend $300 on seasonal yard work twice per year, the The federal government provides free credit reports that don’t lower monthly average is $50. your score at www.annualcreditreport.com, and companies like CreditAfter you’ve calculated your monthly expenses, subtract this amount Karma and certain banks offer credit score monitoring as free services. from your income. If the sum is positive (above $0), you have an overUltimately, financial literacy advocates for what may feel like a shift age. If the sum is negative (less than $0), you’re spending more than in perspective, beyond just numbers. These outlooks are referred to as you’re making. If you find yourself in the latter scenario, you can either money scripts or beliefs about money stemming from childhood and the make more money or spend less in order to accommodate savings. If culture around us. They can be neutral, hold us back, or propel us toward you’re not sure where to cut spending, try tracking every purchase for action. one month, then considering whether your spending reflects your valAt the end of the day, financial literacy is about getting to know yourues or if there are any surprises you’d like to correct. self better and staying rooted in what you care about. “We are fighting against giants,” says Hernández-Spehar. “We live in DEVELOPING A SAVINGS MINDSET a culture of consumerism, and every day we are bombarded with adverDetermining the amount to save is unique to every household, their tisements from multi-million-dollar companies. We can easily get lost financial circumstances, and their goals. Hernández-Spehar likes to if we don’t have a goal. So, we need to go back to who we are and what reframe savings as compensation rather than restriction. “The most imwe value.” portant thing is to establish a savings goal, even if it is $25 per month,”
THREE STEPS TO CREATING A BUDGET THAT WORKS 1. COLLECT PAYSTUBS AND/OR PROFIT
2. WRITE DOWN MONTHLY EXPENSES.
3. SUBTRACT MONTHLY EXPENSES FROM
LOSS STATEMENTS FOR THE MONTH.
For once-in-a-while expenses, or costs that fluctuate month-to-month, use averages to get a better idea of what you spend.
YOUR MONTHLY INCOME.
Once you know how much you bring in, you’ll know how much you can save and spend.
34 VOL 2. // SUSTAINING GREATNESS
If the sum is positive, you’re ready to start saving. If the sum is negative, you’re spending more than you’re making.
WELL BEING
APPS
Qapital App: A wonderful app that allows you to have savings accounts outside of your regular bank. Set up automatic savings rules like: Every time I use #Qapitalize on IG, save $1, or round up to the nearest $2, etc. WEBSITES
The Core Four of Personal Finance: This online Skillshare class was super detailed and broken down into steps. My biggest takeaways: Automatic savings = the most effective tool for actually saving; start with paying down credit card debt; get a small emergency fund, then you can do more later; and it’s a slow diligent process. For Investing: investor.gov Budgeting and Saving: thebalance.com Consumer Protection: consumerfinance.gov Homeownership: hownw.com
FINANCIAL INFLUENCERS
@clevergirlfinance @thebudgetnista @webravelygo @winniesundotcom PODCASTS
Bad with Money How to Money NPR: Life Kit You Need a Budget READING LIST
Bad with Money by Gaby Dunn: A nice, broad, intro-level overview of personal finance with suggestions sprinkled into each chapter. The book is a good starting place to jump into research on your own. // VOL . 2 35
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ROOTS OF HEALING Montserrat Andreys - HEART Healthcare for Artists When you come to see me at the clinic, the first thing we do is talk about what has been happening to you, how it affects you and what your goals are.
In my life and counseling practice, anger, sadness, misunderstandings, impatience, judgements, and burn-out tend to be at an all-time high. Most of us, whether we realize it or not, rhythmically slow down as the earth does and we naturally begin to reflect and notice the kinks in our lives. Meanwhile, outwardly, we are maintaining high levels of productivity and expecting life to run as smoothly as a quaint summer day. In effect we rush past untended emotions, memories, and pain, as well as triumphs, that are ripe and ready to be examined. There is no one size fits all answer, and we can all start by asking what the pace is that we really want to inhabit. We can regenerate by placing primacy on care for our bodies. When we do this, our triggers, sadness and pain start to become pathways. So what’s your rhythm saying to you? What’s one thing you can do to ease off the productivity pedal to regenerate? Kirin Bhatti is transforming change-makers and mission driven organizations into Seasoned Leaders. She offers earth based healing and strategy that let’s our true nature and resilience lead the way so we can be potent no matter what comes our way. She is launching a seasonally informed series on how to Tend to our Triggers this Spring.
36 VOL 2. // SUSTAINING GREATNESS
I’m a sports medicine chiropractor, dancer and lover of all things art. My great grandmother was a midwife and herbalist in Honduras. She passed on her massage knowledge to my grandmother, who I used to watch treat people in our living room after I moved to Chicago from Mexico. I was in awe of her skill, and I will always remember how grateful people were for her work. My grandmother told me that helping people heal was a gift, and we were responsible for sharing that gift with our community. I can use any number of techniques, home exercises, massage, adjusting and educating you so you can understand what is happening to your body as you heal, and how to prevent it from recurring. During our work together, I strive to be a guide, to help you feel at ease and at home in your body. I believe that general health and wellness knowledge should be accessible and free of gait keeping. I have a Portland BIPOC Health and Wellness list on my website to help people find health providers that treat them with respect and care.
Kirin Bhatti - Brownswell Healing Together, we can bring the slow reflective repair that our bodies and psyches need into alignment.
WELL BEING
Sita Symonette - Black Pearl Acupuncture Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine date back at least 2,000 years ago. While this traditional medicine has evolved over time, it simultaneously stands out for surviving and thriving over time. My name is Sita Symonette, I am the acupuncturist and owner of Black Pearl Acupuncture. I was drawn to becoming a practitioner of Chinese medicine because of its indigenous roots, which includes herbs, teas and liniments used to encourage and help the body transform and heal. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine is rooted in understanding and redirecting energy or qi (pronounced “chi”) in the body through the use of fine acupuncture needles in order to help the body repair and heal itself. This medicine centers the relationship between practitioner and patient as sacred and through cultivating this relationship, the practitioner helps the patient have an active role in their own healing. After 10 years of practice I am still amazed and humbled by all the different ways I’ am able to help people heal with acupuncture and Chinese medicine, on a physical, emotional and spiritual level. It is my passion to continue to make acupuncture and Chinese medicine more accessible to my communities: people of color and the LGBTQIA folks. Black Pearl Acupuncture is a place where our communities come to receive high-quality healthcare in a safe and healing space.
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WELL BEING
Rachel Larsen
Everglow Handmade “Take lots of little walks and eat fruit, even when you don’t feel like it.”
Emilly Prado
Writer “A good night’s sleep and morning rituals: writing, reading, tea.”
Jennifer Rose Marie Serna
Wapato Farms “Fire and Water. I really enjoy a hot bath.”
Troy Douglass
Cultural Blends LLC “I spend time with my significant other. We both casually thrift shop and like trying new restaurants’ happy hour menu.”
Leo Ochoa
Dorsum “Always family...being able to see them and talk to them about problems has helped.”
Yvonne Perez Emerson
Make & Mary “I make sure I take the time to create for myself and to learn new things.”
SUSTAIN YOURSELF The Mercatus Community shares their favorite ways to recharge. ILLUSTRATIONS LORENZO DE ALICANTE
Carlos Kareem Windham
Activist/Comedian “I center my life by choosing pleasure over pressure. Pleasure is my medicine. [I ask myself:] What is going to make me feel most alive and what will make me feel most free? What is going to bring me into my body?”
38 VOL 2. // SUSTAINING GREATNESS
Anthony Devine
Arubah Juice “Daily workouts, wellness coaching.”
WELL BEING
Becky Jarvis
Curvy Chic Closet Foundation “Self-care is forgetting about everyone else and all your chores, and being nice to yourself. It could mean Netflix binge watching, going outside to enjoy the fall sunny weather. You will function better as an individual if you are able to get some self-care time when it is needed.”
Itzel Hernández
Hieu Pham
Atlas Dental “I dance because during that moment, it’s just me and the music and nothing else matters.”
Kamelah Adams
Mimi’s Fresh Tees “I love traveling to the Oregon Coast with my family.”
Hacienda “Morning walks: daily thanks to Mother Earth and the angels.”
Andrea Wade
Honeybee Syrups “I do yoga because you’ve got 90 minutes of silence where you can just meditate and focus on yourself.”
Elina Lim
Invisible Spectrum Stories “Seeing my therapist and talking about my experience helps me a lot.”
April Etuk
Nancy Le
Professional Auto Body & Paint Inc “Always drink water and do not skip meals.”
Lovely Coils “I read, and go to Barre Class. My quote that I’ve come up with is “Grow at your own pace.” It eliminates the idea that I’m in competition with anyone other than the lazy version of myself. That’s who I want to beat every day!”
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WELL BEING
ATLAS DENTAL BY EMMELINE EAO
PHOTOS KIM OANH NGYUEN
DR. HIEU PHAM KNEW EARLY ON HE WANTED A CAREER THAT BLENDED
“I WANTED TO BUILD ATLAS DENTAL WHERE I FELT A DENTIST WAS NEEDED. I WANTED TO TREAT PEOPLE WHO RESEMBLED MY PARENTS, AND MY PARENTS ARE IMMIGRANTS FROM VIETNAM. I WANTED TO TREAT THE WORKING CLASS FAMILY.” DR. HIEU PHAM
art, science, and community. Since childhood, he‘s used breakdancing as a creative outlet, and in college, was fascinated by science’s aim to understand the world at the molecular level. Growing up, Dr. Pham’s father juggled multiple responsibilities while maintaining his own interests as a musician. “One thing from a business perspective that has really helped me is the fact that my parents are immigrants,” he says. “There’s something about having that background that makes you want to work harder.” Dr. Pham fulfilled both his strong work ethic and understanding of work-life balance in October 2018, when he opened Atlas Dental in Lents Town Center. He and his wife Sereyneth did everything from the floorplan to the marketing themselves,and Pham even found time to film a dance video in the space’s unfinished buildout. When considering where to make a home for Atlas Dental, Dr. Pham knew he needed to find a growing area that was anchored by long-time residents, and more importantly, he recognized the strength of the insights he gained from his upbringing. “I wanted to build Atlas Dental where I felt a dentist was needed. I wanted to treat people who resembled my parents, and my parents are immigrants from Vietnam. I wanted to treat the working-class family,” he says. The Lents neighborhood was a perfect choice. Atlas Dental is surrounded by subsidized housing and shares a zip code with the largest Asian American population in Oregon. The Asian Health & Service Center is right across the street. The neighborhood attracts young families, many low-income, so keeping treatment accessible is central to Dr. Pham’s practice. At Atlas Dental, they are always thinking about how to accommodate peoples’ lives. They offer extended and weekend hours for patients who can’t afford to take time off work for appointments, as well as programs like #SmileBig Free Dental Day, where each patient gets one chief complaint taken care of. Those without insurance may opt for affordable monthly repayments and memberships. “Creating a different patient experience… has been really important to us. Everything goes from the patient first,” he says. That experience begins in Atlas Dental’s bright and modern front office, managed by Dr. Pham’s wife Sereyneth. In the exam room, dental tools are situated behind the chair out of patients’ view. Instead of harsh light, a small TV—and massage chairs—offer comfortable distraction. “I want Atlas Dental to be known for being awesome, doing things differently [and] setting a precedent for patient care,” he says. In the meantime, you can also catch him and his impressive moves at occasional dance competitions and with his dance crew, Moon Patrol.
REACH OUT: (503) 433-2414 atlasdentalpdx.com
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WELL BEING
11:11 SUPPLY BY EMILLY PRADO
PHOTOS KIM OANH NGUYEN
“Customer service is where you’re really supporting strangers, [...] If you do it right, it’s one of the most inclusive things ever. Anyone can walk in from the street. It costs you nothing to treat them like a magical human being, no matter who they are.” PALOMA MEDINA
PALOMA MEDINA WANTS EVERYONE TO LIVE THEIR BEST LIVES.
That’s the model behind 11:11, a retail and workshop space she founded in 2018 to meld science-backed methodology with sleek modernist style. While enrolled at NYU, Medina fell in love with her neuroscience courses and, around the same time, landed a performance coaching position in healthcare. She was hired to assess work environments and find ways to improve systems. In the process, she found herself applying out-of-the-box techniques from her psychology toolbelt to reframe her own work style. The dream of opening a retail space sat patiently in her back pocket. Before she moved to New York, Medina had lived up and down the West Coast, beginning in Guadalajara, Mexico, where she was born, immigrating to Southern California with her family at age eight, and later moving to Portland, Oregon. Medina spent half a decade on the East Coast, but the 2016 presidential election left her shaken. “It didn’t feel safe, so I moved back to Portland because it’s where I had community,” she says. Back in the Pacific Northwest, Medina developed a methodi-
cal plan for her 11:11 dream. After about a year, Medina found the perfect place on the ground level of the whimsical Fair-Haired Dumbbell building. The result is a highly curated treasure trove of functional products designed with various planning and accomplishment concepts—like time management and motivation—at their core. Inside, each station bubbles with promise: to-do lists and planners waiting to be filled; the perfect sand timer to master your Pomodoro technique; a pyramid of cascading Pothos and succulents. In addition to hosting workshops at 11:11 on topics like conflict, negotiation, and productivity in open floor plans, Medina offers independent trainings to institutions on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). “How can I say that 11:11 and I are about living your best life while ignoring one of the most important core needs that humans have: fairness and justice? [By] talking about these issues around an anatomical perREACH OUT: spective, maybe people who are scared to dive (503) 236 - 7571 into these conversations will feel a little safer 1111supply.com because they can see what’s happening in their brain, see what’s happening in other peoples’ brains, and how much this all matters.”
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FOOD
CULTIVATING STRENGTH FROM TRADITION BY MALCOLM HOOVER
44 VOL 2. // SUSTAINING GREATNESS
PHOTOS KARI ROWE
FOOD
THE TRADITION OF PARTNERING WITH THE LAND AND
the practice of venerating our grandmothers is common in many communities of color. My grandmother, Lena Mae DeBow from Obion County, Tennessee, was my first teacher. She grew up on her father’s farm where they had cows, pigs, horses, chickens, ducks and a catfish pond. In the fields, they grew vegetables and staple crops. My great-grandfather Ben Bass, who I knew as Poppa, held more than 80 acres that he farmed for most of his life. Jennifer Marie Rose Serna is a Latina folk herbalist who works the land of Wapato Island Farm on the southern side of Sauvie Island. Wapato Island Farm is named in remembrance of the Multnomah band of the Chinook tribe, who cultivated a distinctly beautiful tuber called wapato, or duck potato, for food and spiritual sustenance. It was a staple food of many natives across the Americas. The Multnomah people cultivated it in ponds on Wapato Island, later named Sauvié Island
after a French dairy farmer who contracted to provide butter and dairy goods for local traders. Serna came to the island as a young woman 14 years ago. She was enchanted by plants, herbs, and the medicines made by her granny, Mary Encicio Barrios nee Bombry. Mary, a Mexican yerbatera and Serna’s foundational teacher and elder, taught her to listen to the land, to partner with the plants, and to make medicine for healing. Serna is training to be a curandera, a traditional healing modality practiced in many Latin American traditions. “I have two curandera that I work with currently, and they both live close to the earth,” she says. “[They] teach me about ancestral connection.. becoming human again, and peeling away the amnesia this lack of culture holds. I’ve also been guided on how to learn from other intact cultures, with honor and respect, and to always make beauty for the unseen.” The tradition
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FOOD
of curanderismo is not taught to all who seek to learn it. It requires commitment and integrity, two qualities that can be seen, felt, and tasted in her products and on her farm. Serna cultivates almost 100 percent of what she uses in her products and generously shares her space with other farmers. Collectively the 32-acre farm produces mushrooms, hemp, and medicinal plants. The motivation for people like Serna and myself to sustain BIPoC food systems isn’t to create monetary wealth. Arthur Shavers and Shantae Johnson, the proprietors of Mudbone Grown, LLC, introduced me and countless others to the power of growing our own food. Mudbone is a Corbett-based farm with operations in several locations in Portland. Art and Shantae have established themselves as leaders in the BIPoC Regenerative Agriculture movement. Art says, “Our grandmothers are our creative muses. So much of what we do and what we know we learned from them. It’s in our bones. Sometimes you do something out in the field, and you don’t even know why you do it, and it works! All of this stuff [our elders] do has been relabeled as regenerative ag, soil-building, composting, etc. This is just stuff we have been doing forever; it’s what we learned to do culturally.” I work on the land now as a community farmer in honor of my Poppa’s memory and as a service to my community. We work with the earth in these ways, growing food and medicine because we feel so deeply that this is a better way to live. It is better for us to grow food for ourselves and others that we know is healthy. This is how our ancestors have farmed for thousands of years, living on and with the land. The goal is to be healthy and whole and to share that with our community, our wholeness is our wealth.
“I’M A CURANDERA IN TRAINING. MY GREAT GRANNY PASSED DOWN HEALING AND MEDICINE MAKING TO ME. SHE WAS MY FOUNDATIONAL TEACHER. I HAVE 2 CURANDERA THAT I WORK WITH CURRENTLY, AND THEY BOTH LIVE CLOSE TO THE EARTH AND SEE THE UNSEEN.” JENNIFER ROSE MARIE SERNA
46 VOL 2. // SUSTAINING GREATNESS
FOOD
OUR FAVORITE WAPATO ISLAND FARM PRODUCTS
LIGHTNING CIDER AKA FIRE CIDER
A 2-part vinegar we make with Sauvie Island Native berries and apples herbs, peppers, and produce all that we grow, along with 4 mushrooms that we cultivate! Other than the oranges and lemons, we grow it all! HOW TO USE:
We recommend 1-2 tablespoons at the first sign of a cold or when you need to jumpstart your immune system!
VERDE “GREEN” SALVE FOR PAIN
AGUA DE FLORIDA
A 4-part oil infusion collected from each season winter-cottonwood buds/ Spring-Western Red Cedar/ Summer-St John’s Wort Flowers/ Autumn- Hemp flower and leaf. This infuses for a full 12-moon cycle.
Homemade alcohol base soaked in a copal for 3 moon cycles. Then, traditional and Native plants from the garden are added to make a place-based blend. Finally, a hydrosol with flowers and mushrooms is added to the blend where it sits for another 3-moon cycle, on the altar.
HOW TO USE:
Rub thoroughly on unbroken skin to provide immediate relief to bumps and bruises.
HOW TO USE:
Dab this aromatic on your chakra points to instantly cleanse and provide protection.
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FOOD
BLACK FOOD SOVEREIGNTY COALITION’S MOVEMENTS BY EDWARD HILL
SAAFON The first and only regional network for Black farmers committed to using ecologically sustainable practices to manage their land and the natural systems on it to grow food and raise livestock. saafon.org
INTERLOCKING ROOTS Through gatherings, we co-create physical spaces for fellow QT*BIPoC to connect, play, and affirm queer and trans identities through our own, share our plant ancestor stories, talk about queer ecology, strategize, and eat together. interlockingroots.wordpress.com
NORTHEAST FARMERS OF COLOR An informal alliance of Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and Asian farmers. Soul Fire Farm serves as an incubator and fiscal sponsor for NEFOC’s first major project—a regional land trust for BIPoC farmers and earthkeepers. northeastfarmersofcolor.com | soulfirefarm.org
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE FOOD Professor Devon Peña, at the University of Washington, leads and instigates forward-thinking regenerative indigenous practices on rangelands, pastures, and farmlands. ejfood.blogspot.com
ONEIDA NATION INTEGRATED FOOD SYSTEMS The Oneida Community Integrated Food Systems (OCIFS) group helps families by housing a community food system, creating a local economy that’ll provide jobs, and encourage long-term solutions to farm and nutrition issues on the Oneida Reservation. oneida-nsn.gov/resources/oneida-community-integrated-food-systems/
NURTURING ROOTS Nurturing Roots is a community farming program focused on educating youth and community members on healthy food choices, and creating community through gardening. facebook.com/NurturingRoots206
LEARN MORE ABOUT BLACK FOOD SOVEREIGNTY COALITION AT BLACKFOODPDX.ORG
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FOOD
RECIPES FROM THE COLLECTIVE TORSHI - IRANIAN PICKLED VEGETABLES INGREDIENTS 1 LARGE EGGPLANT 2-3 CARROTS 2 TBSP HOT MAMA SALSA SMOKY COFFEE CHILI OIL 3 C. APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
1 C. WATER 2 TBSP SEA SALT 2 TBSP SUGAR 1 TSP TUMERIC 2 BAY LEAVES 10 PEPPERCORNS
DIRECTIONS Start by chopping your vegetables into bite-size pieces. Blanch each vegetable separately starting with the eggplant. Place the eggplant into boiling water for about 3 minutes until just soft. Strain and immediately place into an ice bath. EMPANADAS CRIOLLAS URUGUAYAS INGREDIENTS DOUGH: 2 POUNDS OF FLOUR 1 TBSP SALT 2 TSP BAKING POWDER 3 OUNCES OF BUTTER ROOM TEMP 200 ML WATER FILLING: 2 POUNDS OF GROUND BEEF 2 MINCED ONIONS
2 SPOONS OF PARSLEY 1MINCED RED PEPPER 1 TBSP PAPRIKA SALT AND PEPPER 2 SLICED HARDBOILED EGGS 1/3 CUP BLONDE RAISINS OLIVES
DIRECTIONS DOUGH
Mix dry ingredients and add butter, mix and add slowly necessary water mixing and kneading until soft. Leave covered to rest for around half an hour. Make balls and stretch, cut 5-inch rounds.
Blanch the cauliflower for about 4 minutes and the carrots for about 3 minutes; you want the vegetables to remain toothsome. Squeeze out any excess moisture from the eggplant. Place the chili oil into the bottom of a ½ gallon jar or 2 smaller quart jars. Layer your vegetables on top of the chili oil. Meanwhile bring the vinegar, water, salt, sugar, and spices to a slow simmer until the salt and sugar are dissolved. Remove your brine from the heat and pour over the vegetables. Cap and shake to combine. Let pickle in the fridge for at least three days before enjoying. Shake the jars each day to combine the flavors and vegetables. The eggplant will mix in and become a similar consistency to a chutney. Enjoy. Pickles will be great for up to 6 months in the refrigerator. SUBMITTED BY Nikki Guerrero of Hot Mama Salsa hotmamasalsa.com
This is a regular recipe commonly used in Uruguay. There are individual preferences regarding the dough, more or less thick. I grew up making it pretty thick but then they were industrialized and people buy it already done, as thin as they could. I don’t use 1 tbsp of salt; I think it is too much but it is up to the personal taste and health self-care. I should add that you can egg wash the empanadas before baking. They come out golden and are delicious. FILLING
Cook ground meat thoroughly, add minced onions and pepper, paprika, salt and pepper stirring very well and at last add the parsley and raisins. Let it cool and fill the empanadas, adding a slice of egg and a couple of olives to each one. Seal the borders with a fork and bake them in a 425 F oven. SUBMITTED BY Inés Berón of PDX Empanadas LLC pdxempanadas.com
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FOOD
SACRED WATERS FISH COMPANY BY DEZ RAMIREZ
PHOTOS KARI ROWE
IN 2016, FIRES RIPPED THROUGH THE COLVILLE INDIAN RESERVATION IN
“WHEN WE LOSE A CULTURE, WE LOSE OUR SELF-IDENTITY, [...] WE WANT TO KEEP THAT INTACT AND GIVE HOPE TO PEOPLE THROUGH WHAT WE DO WITH OUR BUSINESS.” HUGH AMAGUQ AHNATOOK
Washington, and Ahnatook decided to volunteer for two months to help fight the fires. As a thank you for his time and act of service, he received 600 pounds of Northwestern sockeye salmon from the Colville. In a time where Northwestern waters and salmon are constantly in danger from impending climate changes and habitat loss, 600 pounds of salmon is nothing short of sacred. “The salmon is a gift to the indigenous people; it has meaning, honor and respect,” said Ahnatook. He did what made sense: built a homemade wood smoker in his backyard, smoked the fish, packaged it up, and began gifting and selling it to people. Located on 20 acres in Bay Center, Washington, Sacred Waters Fish Company is now putting down roots in a Northwestern home. The business, run by Ahnatook and his wife Paige Sutherland Coleman, is a small but mighty operation. Sacred Waters sources and buys its fish from Natives who fish for a living on the Columbia River, harvesting a first food from their native region. The fish is then processed and smoked for 10-12 hours in an alder wood fire in a traditional smudge pot-style smoking method. “Some people would describe us as a social impact company,” said Coleman. “Our transactions are Native-to-Native, and we’ve begun introducing fair trade practices on the Columbia.” While building Sacred Waters, the couple also saw a need for more opportunity for Native people to sell goods to the public. They created Native Vendors United, a Facebook group and online community, and began organizing Native pop-up markets around Portland and Vancouver. “It’s fostered the idea to create marketplaces for other Native vendors,” said Coleman, who runs the business and operations side of Sacred Waters. While Sacred Waters gets its commercial kitchen underway, the product is available online, at local pop-up markets, and at pow wows, and the couple hopes to get small batches into local small chain grocery stores around Portland and Washington. With roots in Alaska, and a fisherman at heart, Ahnatook keeps integrity at the core of what he’s doing with his business. “When we lose a culture, we lose our self-identity,” he said. “We want to keep that intact and give hope to people through what we do with our business.”
REACH OUT: (503) 913-1625 sacredwatersfishcompany.com // VOL . 2 51
FOOD
MEALS 4 HEELS BY TIARA DARNELL
PHOTOS CHRISTINE DONG
FOR PORTLAND’S 9-5 WORKING CROWD,
when quittin’ time rolls around and you’re ready for dinner, evening and late-night dining options abound, from food carts to restaurants to take-out delivery services. But for Portland’s community of sex and sex-positive workers in Portland’s infamous and vibrant nightlife/ strip club scene, finding affordable, delicious, nutritious food that’s easy to eat on-the-go for “fourth meal” ain’t easy—particularly in low-income neighborhoods. Chef/entrepreneur Nikeisah Newton has the remedy: Meals 4 Heels, an Instagram-based late-night meal delivery service that caters to sex workers in Portland. As described on the company website, the M4H menu is the best late-night alternative to bar food for the sex worker community. Newton, a chef with more than 15fifteen years of restaurant and catering experience, sources ingredients from local farmers markets and prepares dishes daily from a shared commercial kitchen in inner Southeast Portland. Each dish is thoughtfully focused with an emphasis on providing vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free offerings that are often low in sugar, sodium, and non-essential fats. Fan favorites include the G.T.P. or Get That Paper, a Thai-inspired tom kha roasted cauliflower dish with sweet potato noodles, coconut
milk, tamarind, pickled cucumbers, togarashi, and truffle oil tomatoes; and the Cha Cha Cha: greens and brown rice with citrus slaw, avocado, cheddar and cotija, homemade salsa, and pickled onions with a side of tortilla chips. To order, customers place requests primarily via
“THIS IS BIGGER THAN PORTLAND. IT’S BIGGER THAN ME [AND] IT’S BIGGER THAN SEX WORK.” NIKEISAH NEWTON
Instagram direct message. Westside or Eastside, Newton personally delivers each meal. Her delivery service covers all of Portland, including “the Numbers.” and even Beaverton. “[If] it’s a long distance I’ll charge a bit extra, but I feel like it means so much to the [customer]. They’re working hard for their money and there is so much more they have to put up with from [their] customers and just from the industry in general,” says Newton. Initially, Newton made dinners to-go for a friend and former roommate, a sex worker at the time. “[My friend] would bring the food to the job, and colleagues were ‘ooh’ing and ‘ahh’ing over [it]... Portland has a bustling food
scene with lots of food carts. [Portland also being]known as strip city, having the most strip clubs per capita, it was obvious to put two and two together,” she says of creating Meals 4 Heels. With proper funding, Newton hopes to grow Meals 4 Heels on a large scale. For now, she’s focused on securing investments to grow the business locally, including hiring a few employees to delegate some of the day-to-day tasks and help spread the word about the M4H meal gifting program (which allows individuals to buy a meal for someone in need). “Sex workers are everywhere,” Newton says. “We all know someone who is a sex worker, [but we may not] know they’re a sex worker… This is bigger than Portland. It’s bigger than me [and] it’s bigger than sex work. It’s caring for sex workers. It’s caring for trans rights. It’s abolishing prison systems, unjust food systems and more all tied into one. I’m just doing what I know, and it feels incredible.” REACH OUT: (971) 231-4248 meals4heels.com // VOL . 2 53
OWN YOUR OWN People of color can build wealth by building our own businesses. BY TIARA DARNELL
ARTWORK SAVINA MONET
BUSINESS
When I was in high school, my dad, a veteran and long-time federal government employee, made clear my post-graduation options: Pay rent to continue to live at home. Move out. Start a business. Or go to college. He was probably serious, but daddy’s girl that I am, I always took the first two options in jest. I didn’t see entrepreneurship as a realistic option either. I wasn’t aware of anyone who owned a business— person of color or otherwise. I didn’t have a business idea or the slightest idea of what goes into a business plan. I didn’t know the steps required for taking a concept to an
of building wealth,” said Cunningham. “30 percent of Americans are asset poor… meaning ‘Do you own a home? Do you have investments? In emergency… do you have enough savings that you could make it for a three-month period?’ So many Americans don’t, and if you’re a person of color that number goes up [north of] 70 percent... [But] if you’re a successful Black entrepreneur, your assets have the potential to increase by over 400 percent versus a nonentrepreneur.” Digest that. And for the uninitiated, chew on this, too: For its 2018 Millennial Survey, UK-based Deloitte, the largest professional services network in the world, surveyed
“YOU CAN START WHERE YOU ARE WITH WHAT YOU HAVE; YOUR MINDSET, ABILITY TO PERSIST AND TO LEARN AS YOU PROGRESS IN YOUR ENTREPRENEURIAL JOURNEY WILL BE THE KEY— PERHAPS EVEN MORE THAN MONEY—TO UNLOCKING YOUR PROFESSIONAL AND FINANCIAL FREEDOM. “ actual, fully realized and successful business. Although I figured I needed money to get going. Back then, the overwhelming message I received at home, at school and in the world around me was that college, grad school, and a stable, well-paying job were the keys to attaining financial comfort and stability approximating the “American Dream.” I hadn’t developed the entrepreneurial maturity, growth mindset or confidence to start my own business, so I decided to go to college. It was a safe and conventional choice I don’t regret. But what I know now that I wish I had understood back then is this: If you’re Black or any other person of color and you’re working toward someone else’s dream instead of your own, you’re building their wealth at the expense of yours. Seasoned entrepreneurs and small business development wonks likely already know what I just learned a few months ago, as described by Gary Cunningham, president and CEO of Prosperity Now, a Washington, D.C..-based national organization that helps low-income people build wealth and assets: “Small business ownership equalizes the playing field between people of color and white people in terms
10,455 millennials and 1,844 members of Generation Z across 36 countries and determined 43 percent of us plan to quit our current jobs in the next two years. Why? The flexibility and viability of a gig economy-based job (or jobs) is far more attractive than traditional full-time employment. This isn’t surprising considering feelings of disillusionment and lack of fulfillment in nine-to-five jobs are a hallmark of both the millennial and Z generations. So often in our society and professional culture, the amount of “grit” a person has and the amount of “hustle” they perform for others are held up as indicators of their future professional success and therefore how far they’ll go in life. However, Portlander Stephanie Dunker, owner and founder of Myal Medicinals, a medicinal (“and magical”) apothecary specializing in tinctures and other healing products, is a perfect example of what can happen when someone with grit, hustle and a come-up mindset redirects her energy to serve her own vision. “I was vending… next to an older, African woman selling essential oil, and she mentioned my prices being too low. I said it was just a hobby business, and she responded, ‘You mean to tell me if you could do this full-time and make // VOL . 2 55
BUSINESS
enough to live comfortably, you wouldn’t?’” Stephanie recalls. “It got me thinking about my long-term goals; I’m not the kind of person who can work for someone else indefinitely. I need my freedom.” What’s the cost of that freedom? Although the overwhelming consensus is that funding or capital is vital to starting up a business, it wasn’t for Stephanie. While she still maintains several part-time jobs to supplement her income as she works to take Myal to the next level, she says her start-up costs were pretty low.
“IF YOU’RE BLACK OR ANY OTHER PERSON OF COLOR AND YOU’RE WORKING TOWARD SOMEONE ELSE’S DREAM INSTEAD OF YOUR OWN, YOU’RE BUILDING THEIR WEALTH AT THE EXPENSE OF YOURS.” While startup money is never a bad thing, a study published in January 2019 by Kabbage, an Atlanta-based global online financial and tech company, revealed that among 600 “thriving” small business owners surveyed, 58 percent started with less than $25,000 and one third started with less than $5,000. The report noted that of the respondents surveyed, 65 percent admitted they were not fully confident they had enough money to start their business. The overwhelming majority—93 percent—calculated a run rate or financial performance forecast shorter than 18 months; 25 percent calculated a run rate of less than six months, and 36 percent didn’t create an outlook at all. Most fascinating, Kabbage reports that 82 percent of those surveyed had no doubt “they had the right qualifications and proper experience to run a company, and all are successfully in operation today.” So, would-be entrepreneurs of color, this is your call to action. Millennial, Gen Z or otherwise, start at any age. Look no further than the pages of this magazine and the businesses in the Mercatus Directory for inspiration. You can start where you are with what you have; your mindset, ability to persist and to learn as you progress in your entrepreneurial journey will be the key—perhaps even more than money—to unlocking your professional and financial freedom. Let go of the idea that you must work for someone else until you can afford to retire. Deviate. Those who are able and have the power 56 VOL 2. // SUSTAINING GREATNESS
to do so should not only fund us, but come with their contacts, guidance and wisdom too, And the numbers are on your side; your return on investment in yourself and your vision will pay dividends. Provide goods and services that solve a problem. Stick with it and watch over time as your business grows and you begin to solve the problem of your individual relationship to the wealth disparity. Own your own, and you’ll own your freedom.
BUSINESS
LEVEL UP YOUR BUSINESS BY AMANDA PARK
HERE ARE SEVERAL UNIQUE PITCH EVENTS THAT LET THE FOUNDER SHINE JUST AS THEY ARE.
Pitch Black Supporting Black and Brown founders. blackandbrownfounders.com/pitchblack Elevating Impact Social innovation and sustainability-focused companies. www.pdx.edu/impactentrepreneurs/elevatingimpact-summit-2020 Pitch Latino inspired by Pitch Black A Latino/a/x centered pitch event. Angel Food Conference It’s in the name but, just in case, this is for food and beverage companies. oen.org
Wait, what’s a pitch event?
Startups are given a limited amount of time in front of investors and community audiences to “sell” their business. There is often a prize associated with the pitch, plus the opportunity to connect with investors.
BUSINESS NETWORKING THAT FOCUSES ON BLACK, INDIGENOUS, PEOPLE OF COLOR (YES, IT EXISTS)!
Momentous Held once a year and hosted by yours truly, Momentous combines a chill atmosphere with great music, and a group of organizations committed to supporting diverse businesses. mercatuspdx.com/biz-resources/ mercatus-momentous Multi-Chamber Mixer hosted by Oregon Native American Chamber Uniting the Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber, Black American Chamber, Phillipino Chamber, and the Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce. onacc.org Say Hey! by Partners in Diversity This free quarterly event draws hundreds of attendees and is a great place to meet fellow professionals of color. And for those new to Portland, it’s an ideal place to get the lay of the land. partnersindiversity.org/programs/sayhey.html
Entrepreneurship can be lonely and can feel even more so if you are the only POC in the building. These co-working spaces and business incubators offer a different vibe and more color: OPENhaus, founded by Cole and Dayna Reed, has worked tirelessly to cultivate an inclusive coworking community. They host a variety of community events as well as Black Fridays, a donation-based co-working day every Friday. openhauspdx.com
PIE, AKA the Portland Incubator Experiment, has been providing a supportive space for startup entrepreneurs to accelerate their progress or fail fast so they can move on to their next big idea. Founders must apply to participate in the accelerator. piepdx.com
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F IS FOR FAMILY
Photo sourced from the Black ABC’s deck created by Chicago’s Society for Visual Education.
BUSINESS
STEADY YOUR SHOULDERS BY TORY CAMPBELL, FOUNDER OF MERCATUS COLLECTIVE
ARTWORK SAVINA MONET
The venerable saying, “Standing on the shoulders of giants” expresses the discovery of truth and knowledge that builds on the contributions of those who’ve gone before us. The journey of the entrepreneur embodies that discovery, while also filled with lonely moments, isolation, and daunting challenges to the realization of our dreams: Bills pile up. The cost-of-goods calculations don’t make sense. Employees get sick. We lose sleep. We struggle to remain present in conversation with loved ones or friends. The pressure to present a positive outlook in public is enormous. And entrepreneurs of color face the particular challenge of discriminatory systems rooted in racism. In the push to get our business off the ground and hit our projected goals, we keep our heads down. Overwhelmed by the fierce urgency to make the dream work, it’s easy to lose sight of the impact that the effort has on the next generation. And yet those who come after us will stand on our shoulders. They’ll draw inspiration from the courage we showed to act on an enterprise dream. They are watching our daily moves, following on social-media, taking notes, and listening attentively as we churn through the daily grind. What we model today is what they’ll understand as possible in their own futures. Our struggles and heartbreaking failures–and our successes—offer the lessons that will fuel the passions of those following after us. As an entrepreneur of color, your work reaches beyond a “side hustle” or small business. It will stand as a reference point and motivation for a brown or Black kid growing up today with similar entrepreneurial impulses. Eventually, they’ll stand on the sturdy shoulders your effort is building–that entrepreneurial muscle that grows stronger day by day as it bears the weight of your business dream. We are blessed if we can create a trusted foundation for the aspirations of those who follow us. As we keep our eyes on the goal, bolstered by the giants who inspired us, let’s also steady our own shoulders and press forward on behalf of those who come next.
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THE POWER OF
PARTNERSHIP
The Inclusive Business Resource Network (IBRN) approaches business support differently. The Prosper Portland program works with 16+ organizations toward a unified goal of helping business owners become strong and stable, grow and scale, or launch a startup. Businesses working with a network provider have access to free or discounted business advising as well as a suite of professional services and workshops. The network developed around three core principles: 1.
Having diverse experiences and perspectives represented on business advising teams.
Mercatus writer Monica Salazar interviews IBRN business owners and business advisors to better understand what the network is all about.
2.
Connecting and collaborating with network providers so business owners have access to the best and relevant resources
BY MONICA SALAZAR
3.
Meeting the business owner where they are in their business and in their life
Having diverse experiences & perspectives represented on business advising teams.
GIGI OLGUIN, BUSINESS ADVISOR
Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce hmccoregon.com
While in college, Gimena “Gigi” Olguin spent her weekends helping her parents run their small business. Seeing that lack of business support was a prevalent issue in the Latinx community, Olguin decided to find ways to bridge that gap through her work. Today, Olguin works as a business development coordinator for the Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber (HMC) offering technical business support to members of the Latinx community like her parents. The HMC is a partner in the Inclusive Business Resource Network. “Part of my work as a business
60 VOL 2. // SUSTAINING GREATNESS
advisor is also being really invested in their personal life. The coaching is more authentic because, in our culture, a lot of it is relationship building. I can advise them and have a full hour business meeting, but it’s going to be successful in the long run because I connect with them and understand the whole family dynamic— the husband, the wife, and the children and how they interact. I like to explain it as 30 minutes of social work family therapy and the last 30 minutes is get down to business.”
BUSINESS
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BUSINESS
FOOD & BEVERAGE 808 GRINDS
Authentic Hawaiian cuisine. (503) 713-8008 / 808grinds.com A YEN FOR CHOCOLATE
Handmade chocolates.
BISHOP AND SONS
CHURROS LOCOS
(503) 974-6455 / bishopandsonspdx.com
(503) 318-3037 / churroslocos.com
Sharing family recipes that have been with us for generations.
BISON COFFEE HOUSE
Portland’s Only Native-owned Coffee Shop. (503) 288-3941 / bisoncoffeehouse.com
(971) 678-3615 / ayenforchocolate.com
BLACK STAR GRILL
ABBEY CREEK VINEYARDS
(503) 930-8964 / blackstargrill.com
(503) 389-0619 / abbeycreekvineyard.com
BLACKSTREET BAKERY
AESTHETE TEA
(503) 890-5716 / blackstreetbakery.org
An Oregon Earth-to-Glass Winery.
Farm direct, hand blended loose leaf tea. (732) 245-2404 / aesthetetea.com
West African flavors with local ingredients.
Socially-conscious weekly vegan pop-up bakery. BLOOM CARAMEL
Handcrafted Coconut Milk Caramel Sauce.
Locally sourced ingredients, close to 0% food waste.
DB DESSERT COMPANY
Your dessert dreams custom made for any occassion. (503) 750-2458 / dbdessertcompany.com DEADSTOCK COFFEE
Sneaker-themed coffee.
(971) 506-5903 / deadstockcoffee.com DIASPORA COFFEE & CHAI CO. LLC
Gathering the worlds people and coffee under one roof. (503) 560-7244 / diasporacoffeeroasters.com
(503) 610-0743 / bloomcaramel.com
DIP STIX
(503) 477-7138 / akadipdx.com
BORIKEN RESTAURANT
503-443-8675
ALLEAMIN PRODUCTS LLC
(503) 596-3571 / borikenrestaurant.com
DON CHURRO
(503) 484-7053 / somaliansauce.com
BUN BO HUE RESTAURANT
(480) 278-2087 / donchurropdx.com
AQUINO TAQUERIA, LLC
(503) 771-1141 / bunbohuerestaurant.business.site
DON FELIPE PRODUCTS, LLC
AKADI
West African Cuisine.
Puerto Rican Restaurant Serving Caribbean Cuisine. Mexican food cart specializing in churros.
Fresh Somalian sauces, food, and culture.
Food cart and catering for Oaxacan and Italian. (503) 860-3029 / 14410 Se Division St. ARUBAH JUICE
The only wellness drink with gold. (971) 718-0561 / arubahjuice.com AZN STREET FOOD LLC
Asian street food for events and catering. (503) 997-3158 BAMBUZA VIETNAM KITCHEN
Vietnamese kitchen with 5 locations. (503) 256-2222 / bambuza.com
Vietnamese Restaurant specializing in Bún bò Huế. Artisan Mexican Chorizo. CAFE ELEVEN PDX, LLC
Coffee, food and good company. (503) 954-1375 / cafeelevenpdx.com CAKE NOUVEAU
Bakery specializing in Asian/Hawaiian fusion pastries. CANBY ASPARAGUS FARM / CASA DE TAMALES
40 varieties of gourmet tamales.
(503) 653-3192 / canbyasparagusfarm.com CASON’S FINE MEATS
(971) 865-2176 / instagram.com/thebeardedchefpdx
(503) 285-4533 / casonsfinemeats.com
BESTEA
CHILANGO
besteapdx.com
(971) 236-7008 / chilangopdx.com
Spreading the Thai tea love to Portland!
(503) 348-7177 / donfelipeproducts.com DONNA’S MACARONS, LLC
Delicate macarons made-to-order from scratch. (503) 757-1580 / donnasmacarons.com
cakenouveaupdx.com
BEARDED CHEF PDX
Made-to-Order meals for families & individuals.
Original, handcrafted, gourmet pretzel sticks.
Butcher Shop.
100% vegan Mexico City street food.
CHOI’S KIMCHI CO.
Hand-crafted kimchi using a multi-generational recipe. (971) 319-2640 / choiskimchi.com
EITHER/OR CAFE
Cafe/Bar with two locations. (503) 954-0259/ eitherorpdx.com EL COQUI PUERTO RICAN CUISINE
Portland Mercado food cart bringing a taste of the Carribean. (503) 915-8913 / coquipdx.wixsite.com/coquipdx ELEVATED COFFEE CO.
Black- and woman-owned cafe. (971) 255-1296 / elevatedcoffeemlk.com EPILOGUE KITCHEN & COCKTAILS
Create experience through food, beverage, & community. (503) 581-1880 / epiloguekitchen.com
BHUNA RESTAURANT
EVERYBODY EATS PDX
(971) 865-2176 / bhunarestaurant.com
(503) 318-1619
Indian soul food.
Catering and private chef.
BIG JUE LIBERIAN CUISINE
CHUPARROSA
FEED THE MASS
(503) 381-3410 / liberianjuecuisinepdx.com
(843) 534-8553 / chuparrosa.com
(503) 839-4023 / feedthemass.org
Homemade authentic African American dishes.
Creating community with food + travel.
Nonprofit cooking school.
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FIMI KINGSTON LLC
Natural ingredients with worldly flavors. (503) 878-5967 / fimikingston.com FOSTER LOVE BAKERY
Specialty baked products, including gluten-free cakes. (971) 386-9193 GIFTO SWEETS
Halal gummies.
(503) 997-2014 / gifto-sweets.com GOLDEN ELIXIR GHEE
Grass-fed organic unsalted butter cooked using traditional Ayurvedic methods. (971) 470-2352 / goldenelixirghee.com GOLDEN SAFFRON CO., LLC
Sustainable and organically with grown saffron. (503) 381-9005 / goldensaffronco.com GOURMET COFFEE BREW MASTER
Coffee catering/delivery services.
HONEYBEE SPARKLING LEMONADES AND SYRUPS, LLC Exotic, all natural lemonade syrups. (971) 341-5901 / honeybeelemonades.com
HOT MAMA SALSA Small batch hand made hot sauces, salsas, and chili oils. (503) 816-0800 / hotmamasalsapdx.com
ICE CREAM FEENS PDX A donut and ice cream, rotating flavors. (503) 853-2781 / icecreamfeenspdx.com
IMENE’S HOMEY BITES Authentic Baklawa and Mediterranean sweets. (971) 217-6716 / imeneshomeybites.com
JAMAICAN HOMESTYLE CUISINE The heart of Jamaica served in Portland. (503) 289-1423 / jamaicanhomestylepdx.com
JAPANESE GREEN TEA COMPANY Harvested with love in Japan.
KAAH MARKET Family-owned Latino market with fresh-made salsa.
HAB SAUCE LLC
The sauce you gotta HAB. (503) 317-0257 / habsauces.com HAIL SNAIL
Vegan handcrafted cinnamon rolls. (650) 201-0242 / hailsnailpdx.com
(503) 523-9747 / kaahmarket.com
KEE’S #LOADED KITCHEN Comfort foods we know and love. facebook.com/KeesLoadedKitchen
KIOSKO Latino-owned and -operated coffee shop.
(971) 409-7097
(801) 300-7331 / hibisbloom.com
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MEALS 4 HEELS Late-night meal delivery service tailored for sex workers. MEXIRICAN PDX Mobile Caribbean bar for events and more! 503-975-4742 / mexirican.business.site
MILDRED’S SWEET TREATS Home-baked goodness. (503) 388-0585 / mildredssweettreats.com
MISS’IPI CHEF A catering company that offers diverse cuisines. (971) 258-2433 / missipichef.com
MOELICIOUS DISHES Tasty smoked ribs from the grill to your mouth.
LA COMELONA FOODS Chile habanero, chile de arbol and chile negro salsas.
MUDBONE GROWN A Black-owned farm enterprise that promotes intergenerational community-based farming.
LA FAMILIA HARD CIDER Mexican agua frescas just got hard!
LA PORTEÑA The Argentine everything sauce. (503) -267-7291 / laportenapdx.com
HIMALAYAN DUMPLINGS & MORE Iconic street foods of the region made from scratch.
MATTA PDX LLC Good ol’ Vietnamese soul food.
(503) 913-3013
(503) 770-0113 / lafamiliacider.com
HIBISBLOOM West African hibiscus flower brew.
(503) 268-3911 / mamancytea.com
altfiroasters.com
(503) 239-9675 / lacomelonafoods.com
HANAS PDX Bringing a down South experience to the great Northwest.
MAMANCY TEA CO. Quality loose leaf tea and European handcrafted gourmet chocolates.
(971) 231-4248 / meals4heels.com
(971) 533-2240 / kingofthecajun.com
(503) 560-0022 / guillenfamily.com
(503) 764-6742
2314 NE Alberta St. / mattapdx.com
(800) 380-7030 / japanesegreenteain.com
A small production label of Oregon wine.
LUXURY AGAVE Tequila + Mescal event & promotion company.
(503) 420-5250 / howsweetitispdx.com
Gourmet Louisiana Creole seasonings & southern barbecue sauces.
GUILLÉN FAMILY WINES
(503) 484-4200 / littlesunfarm.com
HOW SWEET IT IS Candies and confections that spark memories.
(503) 234-4811 / gcbrewmaster.com GROVES ENTERPRISES LLC
LITTLE SUN FARM Respectfully grown vegetables for farmers markets in the Portland metro area.
mudbonegrown.com
MY DADDY’S SAUCES LLC Assortment of slow-cooked sauces. (503) 252-2400
NANI’S SAMOSAS Always fresh handmade samosas. facebook.com/nanissamosa
LA VANG FOODS, LLC Chief Hmong food innovator.
NE CREPERIE The heartiest sweet-and-savory crepes you’ve ever had.
(971) 330-5989 / lavangfoods.com
(503) 793-7837 / necreperie.com
NONG’S KHAO MAN GAI Thai restaurant.
PINAYPDX A homage to the flavors of the Philippines.
(503) 740-2907 / khaomangai.com
(503) 893-4173
OBON PDX Bringing a modern twist to traditional Japanese recipes. obonpdx.com
ONE STRIPE CHAI CO. Small batch chai concentrate. (404) 543-3435 / onestripechai.com
OPEN TANDOOR Fine-casual Indian kitchen. (330) 998-2203 / opentandoor.com
PAITONG THAI CUISINE Specializing in northern Thailand and Laos cuisine.
PINTO THAI KITCHEN Thai food cart. (503) 360-8647 / pintothaipdx.com
(503) 477-8178 / pizzayaki.net
PLANT BASED PAPI TACOS Plant-based taco & vegan comfort food. (310) 621-2025 / facebook.com/papistacossg
PO’ SHINES A contemporary soul food restaurant.
PALETAZ PDX All-natural frozen fruit pops in traditional Mexican flavors.
(503) 978-9000 / poshines.com
(707) 999-7206 / paletazpdx.com
POPI’S PASTRIES We bring traditional Brazilian appetizers. Handmade. With love.
(224) 627-3355 / mushroomjerky.com
(503) 432-0269 / popispastries.com
RANGOON BISTRO Burmese cusiune. (503) 847-1167 / @rangoonbistro PARLAÉ SPIRITS LLC
Crafted with organic wheat and cane and distilled 11 times for supreme quality.
REVOLUCIÓN COFFEE HOUSE The first Mexican coffee house in Portland. (503) 224-3174 / revolucioncoffeehouse.com
(360) 909-0248 / parlaevodka.com
PDX EMPANADAS Food truck serving several flavors of Uruguayan snacks. (508) 840-0044 / pdxempanadas.com
PDX MEAL PREP Healthy eating made easier.
RIP CITY PREMIUM TACOS Home of the “Crisp Meat Burrito”. (503) 519-7843
ROYALTY SPIRITS Luxury vodka made right here in the Pacific Northwest. miruvodka.com
(971) 371-0563 / pdxmealprep.com
PDX MUNCH TIME LLC Catering, personal chefs, and cooking lessons. (360) 524-2413 / pdxmunchtime.com
SANDINO BROTHERS COFFEE Coffee grown in Nicaragua, roasted in Portland. (503) 502-5438 / sandinobrotherscoffee.com
SAO NOI Savory sauces inspired by the flavors of Southeast Asia. PEPE CHILE TAQUERIA
The authentic Mexican Oaxacan cuisine of Portland. (503) 281-3340 / pepechiletaqueria.com
PICASSO’S PORTLAND PICANTE Handcrafted salsa & hummus. facebook.com/picassospdx
(503) 619-5541 / spiceofafrica.com
SWEET DAY COTTON CANDY Gourmet organic cotton candy. (503) 964-7503s / sweetdaycc.com
PIZZA YAKI Pizza and teriyaki under one roof.
(503) 256-6766 / paitongthai.com
PANCO FOODS Mushroom jerky.
SPICE OF AFRICA Specializing in East African cuisines, catering, cooking classes & dinner events.
SWEET TEMPTATIONS Delectable desserts and catering. facebook.com/Sweet-Temptations-Delectable-Desserts-and-Catering-Company-654038247981488/
TAMALE BOY A healthy alternative to the usual Mexican fare. (503) 206-8022 / tamaleboy.com
TAN TAN FOODS Family-owned Vietnamese restaurant. (503) 740-5902 / tantancafedeli.com
TANGLEWOOD BEVERAGE COMPANY Whole ingredient tea-based beverages. (503) 954-0259 / tanglewoodbevco.com
THE ARROW COFFEEHOUSE Making tasty things and serving people well. (503) 764-9727 / arrowcoffeehouse.com
THE BARRELED BEE, LLC Honey with amazing layered flavor. (971) 276-5415 / thebarreledbee.com
THE FATTY CHEF Catering & Events (503) 756-1774
THE ICHIGO TRADING AND TRAVEL COMPANY Specialty green teas from Kyushu, Japan. (573) 268-3558 / ichigotradingcompany.com
THE SHOW LLC Simple and delicious, everyday hot sauce.
(503) 489-9898 / sao-noi.com
(503) 758-0437 / theshowsauce.com
SASQUATCH BBQ SAUCE CO Vegan and gluten-free BBQ sauce.
THE SPICY SPOON LLC Innovative, fresh, catering and restaurant service.
(503) 358-6393 / sasquatchbbqsauceco.com
(503) 477-7715
SHARETEA BEAVERTON Taiwanese bubble tea.
TIERRA DEL SOL Mexican food cart.
(503) 626-2226 / 1992sharetea.com
(503) 975-4805 / tierradelsolpdx.com // VOL . 2 67
ALL WITHIN YOU, LLC Experiential therapy with soul. (503) 208-6390 / allwithinyou.com TIN CANTINA
Traveling vintage bar service for private events. (503) 481-0383 / tincantina.com
AMBIT LLC Cannabis diversity advocate. (360) 771-3336 / diversifyportland.com
CHAMPIONS BARBERING INSTITUTE, INC. We work to groom confident and successful barbers. (503) 477-5616 / cbi.life
CHIEF BATTLE FITNESS I help people fall in love with themselves. (678) 357-9367 / chiefbattlefitness.com
(503) 739-8008 / tinidorfoods.com
ASCENSION WELL BODY & FITNESS Holistic health and well being.
TOSTADO COFFEE ROASTERS Small batch coffee from the highlands of Chiapas.
ASHÉ WELLNESS & LIFESTYLE Womb care health and wellness.
TINIDOR FOODS A taste of Pinas in PDX.
(503) 446-7755 / tostadocoffeeroasters.com
(971) 340-0794 / ascendwellfit.com
CHOCOLATE DOPE APPAREL Clothing and merchandise company promoting the use of cannabis. (303) 815-8394 / chocolatedopeapparel.com
(971) 333- 8970 / ashelifestyle.com
CLAUDELLE R GLASGOW, PSYD, LLC Creating space to be. (312) 804-3079/ claudelleglasgow.com
UNCLE TROY’S BBQ Slow smoked barbecue. (503) 505-8504 / facebook.com/UncleTroysBBQ
UNIVERSAL COFFEE Single origin espresso and pre-hispanic drinks. (541) 981-2126 / universalcoffeemobilebar.com
VEGAN VILLAIN So delicious it should be against the law.
AUTUMN HERBS SKINCARE Natural herbal skincare products. (516) 805-7643
(503) 447-3176 / clubsevenfitness.com
BARE BEAUTY LLC Full-body waxing, lash lifts and tints, and more. barebeautypdx.squarespace.com
(360) 216-9347 / vidaflare.com
WAPATO ISLAND FARM Woman-owned herbal and mushroom farm on Sauvie island. (503) 995-6820 / wapatoislandfarm.com
WE GRUB Food truck offering chicken wings and catering. (503) 960-1179 / facebook.com/wegrub
BEAUTY & HEALING ACULINKS ACUPUNCTURE Acupuncture clinic.
COLIBRI CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC We focus treatment on the deep connection between self, community, and earth.
BEMNIA Beauty with good purpose.
(503) 964-4212 / colibrichiropractic.com
instagram.com/bemnia
COSMIC LIFE An app to re-educate us on our ancient relationship to the stars.
(503) 726-8875 / theveganvillain.com
VIDA FLARE Bringing the Southwest Latin cuisine to the NW.
CLUB SEVEN FITNESS Fitness bootcamp for busy professionals.
BEST BROWS IN PORTLAND Make today your best day.
(808) 398-3339 / cosmiclifeapp.com
(971) 220-1564 / bestbrowsinportland.com
BLACK PEARL ACUPUNCTURE A culturally responsive acupuncture practice. (503) 308-9363 / blackpearlacupuncture.com
BLENDILY All-natural skincare kitchen. (503) 438-5677 / blendily.com
BODY BY ME, LLC It’s up to you to create the body you desire! (503) 255-1159 / bodybyme.biz
BROWNSWELL Earth-Based Healing + Strategy Guided by the Rhythms Of the Seasons and Our Bodies. (559) 283-0104 / brownswell.com
CROWNEDBYMIKS I specialize in natural hair care, custom wigs, and weavers. (971) 533-0533 / crownedbymiks.com
DEAN’S BEAUTY SALON AND BARBER SHOP
Oregon’s oldest African American salon, in business since 1956. (503) 282-3379 / deansbeautysalon.com
DESIRED WELLNESS & BEAUTY, LLC Welcome to your place of peace and self-care. (503) 247-8433 / desiredpdx.com
DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH HAIR SPA Natural hair care spa. (503) 913-8107 / diamondintheroughhairspa.com
DONNA LISA’S BEAUTY FACIAL CREAMS, LLC Microdermabrasion creams for all skin types.
(503) 473-3613 / aculinks.com
CADENCE COLLABORATIVE CARE Collaborative care. (253) 370-6562 / healthycadence.com
(503) 352-5429 / microdermabrasioncreams.com
ALL MY RELATIONS COUNSELING Marriage, couple, and family therapy.
CHADOWBOXX SALON We meet the needs of clients with all hair textures.
EBER HEALTH
(503) 957-5369 / chadowboxx.com
(503) 568-1341 / eberhealth.com
(503) 713-8008 / allmyrelationscounseling.com 68 VOL 2. // SUSTAINING GREATNESS
A wellness provider to your doorstep with a click of a button.
ECDYSIAST Celebrating and teaching all things pole in our inclusive, safe space. (503) 231-2542 / ecdysiaststudio.com
GREEN HOP World’s first Hip-Hop dispensary.
LUMINANCE Yoga & Naturopathy with Laura Washington ND.
(971) 301-5859/ gogreenhop.com
(503) 349-8188 / luminanceportland.com
HEART HEALTHCARE FOR ARTISTS
MAKE & MARY For the Highly Inspired.
ECLECTIC HEALING GUIDE, INC
Where science embraces intuition to find the inner healer. (503) 451-66086 / colette-eclectichealingguide.com
ESSANCE SKINCARE Small-batch skincare handmade with love in PDX.
Sports medicine applied to the arts community through social media, workshops, and panels.
(971) 219-9482 / essanceskincare.com
ESTHIBAR Like hangin’ with your esthi BFF. (503) 998-5828 / esthibar.com
EYE DEPARTMENT; EYE CARE & EYEWEAR We practice with purpose; locally & globally. (503) 227-0573 / eyedepartment.com
HOUSECALL MD
Your doctor. Your home. Because your health matters. (971) 322-9292 / housecallmd-nw.com
HUE NOIR Color cosmetics and makeup designed with multicultural women in mind. (503) 526-1650 / huenoir.com
I AM IMAGE Hair salon providing a full range of services. (503) 224-0399 / Iamimagepdx.com EYE DO LASH & BROW BAR, LLC
Beauty ethicists specializing in lashes, brows, microblading, waxing, facials, and more. (503) 889-6745 / eyedolashbar.com
FEEDINGSMILES SKINCARE Vegan skincare crafted with active botanical ingredients. (503) 447-5422 / feedingsmiles.net
FRIENDS OF NOISE All ages music and event production services. (971) 808-2342 / friendsofnoise.org
GENEVA’S SHEAR PERFECTION BARBER & BEAUTY
Full-service beauty salon and barbershop in NE Portland. (503) 309-6205
GLOBAL ART OF DANCE Full-service dance and movement for all ages. (503) 502-2827 / globalartofdance.com
GLORY FACIAL INC. Personalized skincare regimens for women of color. (949) 287-1509 / gloryfacial.com
(503) 703-6408 / makeandmary.com
(312) 315-7005 / hearthealthcareforartists.com
IMPRESSIONS HAIR COMPANY High-end hair extensions. (503) 984-4746 / impressionshaircompany.com
ISHQ SKINCARE Ethical. Organic. Skincare. (408) 829-5831 / ishqskincare.com
JUST V NATURAL All natural shea butter skincare and hair care. justvnatural.com
KRISTA ARIAS Earth-medicine for intuitive and visionary earth-mamas . kristaarias.com
LONGHOUSE NW LLC Natural bath and wellness products. (503) 739-1666
LOVE LEE HAIR & EYE DO LASH BAR
Custom wigs, extensions, permanent makeup, and more.
MANATEE MEDICINALS Put herbs in your body ya dummy. (513) 371-2667 / manateemedicinals.com
MARIE ERNST All-natural body care and sleep wellness. (503) 954-1681 / marieernst.com
MERAE’S ON 42ND HAIR DESIGNS We provide hair restoration solutions for various types of hair loss. (503) 287-5258 / meraes.com
MONTAVILLA DENTAL ARTS Maintain, restore, or enhance your teeth and oral health. (503) 254-7385 / montavilladentalarts.com
MOON TIME KIT An educational kit about menstrual wellness. (323) 204-7803/ mymoontimekit.com
MORPHEUS YOUTH PROJECT
Building healthy communities through arts and education. (503) 998-4205 / morpheusyouth.org
NATURAL HAIR AND EXTENSIONS Licensed natural hair care professional. (503) 752-9725 / naturalhairandextensions.com
ORACLE INFUSED WELLNESS CO. Vegan. Organic. Cruelty-Free. Wellness Product. (971) 220-6656 / oracleinfused.com
OREGON INTER-TRIBAL BREASTFEEDING COALITION
Redefine unity to promote, educate, support & respect our diverse Native American community in Oregon.
(503) 889-6745 / facebook.com/pdxhair
(503) 734-4346 / oitbc.com
LOVELY COILS LLC Natural hair care products.
PAZ HAIR LOUNGE Hair salon in the Beaumont-Wilshire district.
(971) 319-1080 / lovelycoils.com
(503) 853-0588 / pazhairlounge.com
GREEN BOX Curated cannabis subscription club.
LOWD Award-winning craft cannabis producer.
PLENTY BEAUTY AND BARBER SUPPLY Quality beauty and barber supplies.
(971) 263-1975 / pdxgreenbox.com
(503) 789-6654 / lowd.com
(360) 932-8752 / plentybb.com // VOL . 2 69
POSHON High-quality handmade body care products + art.
SESS CANNAGARS Premium hand-rolled Thai stick blunts.
TWERK N FAB Keep calm & twerk it out.
(562) 219-0740 / sesscannabis.com
(971) 221-4551 / twerknfab.com
SHERYL MOREN, PMHNP-BC, LLC
Supportive therapy and psychiatric medication management.
TWO SPIRIT MEDICINALS Spiritually crafted formulas to restore the connection between body and spirit.
(315)436-4837/ pitav.org
(503) 714-6481 / sherylmorenpmhnp.com
(503) 734-8454 / twospiritmedicinals.com
PROJECT SWASTHYA Functional nutrition educator and detective.
SLOWSUDS All natural, slathers and lathers.
VEEVEE VICTORIA SKIN CARE Health-conscious skin care products.
projectswasthya.com
(503) 956-8783 / etsy.com/shop/SlowSuds
(503) 309-7866 / veeveevictoria.com
QUEEN NUNNIE HAIR High-quality hair extensions, wigs, and hair products.
SOMAFLOW HEALTH AND MASSAGE LLC Mobile, events, in-studio massage therapy.
VIVA LA FREE Arts open Hearts.
PROJECT IT TAKES A VILLAGE, INC. (PITAV, INC.) We serve as added support for the children who have lost their parents, but are with relatives.
(503) 964-8373 / queennunniehair.com
R. LEE’S SKIN BY NATURE / AROMAROCKS!
100% natural, aromatherapy and home spa products. (503) 891-0476 / myaromarocks.com
R&ARIE Skincare Products Infused with Essential Oils and CBD. (503) 442-2176 / r-arie.com
RADICAL WELL BEING BODYWORK Live from the root. (503) 662-2490 / radwellbeing.com
RECREATING SOCIETY The Essential Lifestyle. (971) 940-0115 / recreatingsociety.com
(503) 929-3525 / somaflow.health
SOUL LIGHT ARTS & WELLNESS Certified soul mind body alignment practitioner. (971) 224-9932
STAY ROYAL QUEEN Cultivating inner and outer beauty to reflect the royalty you are! (971) 270-7257 / jafra.com/hannahmarie
SUBLIME DESIGNERS LLC Body butter, skin care, lotion. (503) 828-3071 / sublimedesigners.com
TEADORA Plant-based skin and hair care collection. (425) 633-4702 / teadorabeauty.com
THE ALPINE GLOW Small batch, natural skin and haircare. (520) 991-5851 / thealpineglow.com
RELEAF HEALTH
We are a geek collective that enjoys the cannabis plant. (971) 255-1447 / releafhealth.green
ROSE ALCHEMISTA Herbal alchemy for your skin. (805) 769-6711 / etsy.com/shop/rosealchemista
SAFETY SIDE UP
Authorized provider of AHA-certified CPR and First Aid courses. (971) 808-2842 / safetysideup.com
THE JOURNEY OF COMPASSION We hope to educate people on their higher self. (503) 890-2089 / thejourneyofcompassion.com
TOKYO BEAUTY A full-service salon.
70 VOL 2. // SUSTAINING GREATNESS
WRAP KNOWLEDGE & SOCIAL ENTERPRISE Head wrap concierge. (206) 512-6593/ wrapknowledge.weebly.com
YOGA FOR LIFE We help people realize how to live with joy. (503) 287-9642 / yogaforlifepdx.com
YOURS ESSENTIALLY BATH AND BODY PRODUCTS All natural bath and body products. (503) 984-1965 / yoursessentiallyproducts.com
Z’ASEELAH NATURAL SKINCARE Illuminate your skin’s true heritage! (503) 750-7225 / znaturalskincare.wixsite.com/zaseelah
ZOCALO WELLNESS Where doers and do-gooders get unstuck. (503) 724-4321 / zocalowellness.com
ZOEAPOTHIC
Handcrafted candles, soaps, balms & more. (503) 686-3348 / zoeapothic.com
(503) 643-5907
(951) 315-1819 / trainertyra.wixsite.com
(503) 444-8214 / sankofacounseling.org
(503) 734-4346 / wombynswellnessgarden.com
(503) 547-4949 / thinkunbroken.com
Removing all barriers to wellness for underestimated communities. SANKOFA COUNSELING LLC
WOMBYN’S WELLNESS GARDEN, LLC Community garden.
THINK UNBROKEN LLC / MICHAEL ANTHONY Helping adults understand their past and become a hero in their own story.
TRAINER TYRA
A center of educators and therapists of color.
(206) 850-8321
TRAVELING PILLAR Natural hygiene, skin and hair re-seller company. (503) 662-2558 / travelingpillar.com
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES 3 DIAMOND CONSTRUCTION, LLC Serving Portland since the early 90’s. (503) 734-6323 / 3diamondcontractors.com
(608) 469-8490 /abeathappening.com
AVISA MULTICULTURAL MARKETING LLC Full-service marketing agency.
AARON THOMAS PHOTOGRAPHY
BABY SPACESHIPS
A BEAT HAPPENING An all-ages Electronic/hip-Hop event.
Local photographer with roots in Diné Bikéyah (Navajo land). (520) 334-7500 / aaronthomasfoto.com
AB CULTURAL DRIVERS
Cultural and educational projects involving Latino communities. (503) 730-8111 / abculturaldrivers.com
(503) 984-4194 / avisam.com
A digital agency focused on the launch of web and mobile applications. babyspaceships.com
BETTER. Creating equitable platforms for the community. (347) 633-2488/ bettermktg.co
ABBI WOOD
BLIND INSECT Multicultural art gallery and shop.
(503) 308-8740 / abbiwood.com
(971) 269-6302 / blindinsect.com
ADDITIVE CARE
BLOOM BEAUTY COLLECTIVE A fashion and beauty production agency.
Bringing strategy and cohesion to business communications.
Clinical 3D printing service powered by Machine Learning. (971) 712-3403 / additivecare.com
ADVANCED TRIBAL, LLC General contractor. (503) 990-2722 / advancedtribal.com
AIRSHIP TECHNOLOGIES GROUP Don’t tell us we can’t change the world! (503) 320-1175 / airshiptg.com
ALLYBEE CONSULTING Experienced enough to deliver and small enough to care. (623) 217-5554 / allybee.me
ALSHIREF DESIGN AND PRINT LLC Graphic design services and eco-friendly apparel printing. (503) 954-3705 / alshirefdesign.com
AMERICA’S HUB WORLD TOURS We offer tours throughout Oregon and the US. (503) 896-2464 / americashubworldtours.com
ANC MOVERS INC We offer residential and commercial services for all your moving needs. (360) 992-8702 / ancmovers.com
(571) 882-2422 / bloombeautycollective.com
BLUE VOICE ENTERPRISES A multimedia design organization. bluevoiceenterprises.com
BOLLYWOOD MOVEZ Portland’s First Bollywood & Indian Folk Dance School. bollywoodmovez.weebly.com
BONNIE GEE YOSICK, LLC Economic and policy analysis. (503) 288-3336 / geeyosick.webs.com
BROWN GIRL RISE A radical sisterhood of girls of color. @browngirlrise
CARLOS THE ROLLERBLADER Queer Nonbinary Event Producer, Host/MC, DJ & Comedian. (301) 751-1059
CASCADE DIRECT Cost-effective direct marketing for today’s business. (503) 305-6292 / cascadedirect.org
CERVANTE POPE Reporter, photographer and web editor. (951) 436-8796
ANNIE WELLER CONSULTING Indigenous women-owned strategic business coaching & consulting. (503) 724-1124 / annieweller.com
CITY OF ROSES DISPOSAL & RECYCLING Local recycling and disposal company. (503) 285-9940 / cityofrosesdisposal.com
CLIENTJOY We make gratitude easy by curating and managing business gifting. (971) 220-2136 / clientjoy.com
CLOCKN AUTO & TRUCK REPAIR Automobile repair service. (503) 995-3472 / clocknauto.com
CONFRONTATION THEATRE By and about the people of the African Diaspora. (850) 843-6113 / confrontationtheatre.org
CONNECTING COMMUNITY My promise is to create transformative opportunities to connect. (510) 828-6553 / connectingcommunitybellingham.com
CONSTRUCT THE PRESENT
Social justice educators providing DEI consulting. (971) 207-5664 / constructthepresent.com
CULTIVATED SENSE LLC Business coach and consultant. (414) 313-8640 / stephanieghoston.com
DALLY’S NEWTON CIRCUS PERFORMANCE Circus entertainment for any occasion. (503) 756-4154 / dallyscircus.com
DESIGN THEORY, LLC Residential design and remodel construction. (503) 481-3638
DESIGN+CULTURE LAB A research-driven social enterprise addressing complex spatial issues. (971) 337-0638 / designculturelab.com
DEVOTIONAL CARE STAFFING AGENCY Providing quality care for your loved ones! (866) 429-8880 / devotionalcarestaffingagency.com
DIEGO G DIAZ PHOTOGRAPHY Freelance photographer. diegogdiaz.com
DR AYEESHA HANKINS LLC I help Black women achieve more. (503) 208-5466 / ayeeshahankins.com
DJ KLYPH PRODUCTIONS Producing content to support the Portland hiphop scene. (971) 303-9886 / djklyph.com
AUTENTICA CONSULTING LLC Equity, Diversity and Inclusion consultant.
CLAIMA
(503) 484-5265
Interviewing the sneaker and tech’s underrepresented.
DJ NO.BI.ES. DJ services for anything from park parties to nightclub events.
(971) 258-2473 / claimapdx.com
(504) 503-8777 / mixcloud.com/dj_nobies
AVENUE
Digital marketing agency for growth-minded companies.
CLEAN ARRIVAL LLC Home cleaning company.
DWELL REALTY A boutique-style real estate brokerage in Portland.
(206) 919-4871 / avenueagency.com
(503) 567-5404 / cleanarrivalhomeservices.com
(503) 208-3797 / dwellrealtypdx.com // VOL . 2 71
EAGLES NEST REMODELING LLC Family owned and operated from Gresham.
FŸD MÍ INK | TATTOO BOUTIQUE Freehand tattooing, illustration, concept design.
ILTOPIA STUDIOS Create content to conquer adversity.
(971) 998-8998
(424) 236-2382 / fydmi.ink
(916) 548-6874 / iltopia.com
EDUCATION EXPLORERS MULTICULTURAL PRESCHOOL AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Providing high quality child care, organic meals, and individualize lesson plans.
GB HOME IMPROVEMENT LLC Residential and commercial construction and remodeling.
IN-IT Changing the world, one story at a time.
(513)760-3869 / educationexplorershcc.com
EJP EVENTS LLC Meetings and events with style and substance. (503) 284-6756 / ejpevents.com
(971) 238-4010 / gbhomeimprovementsllc.com
GHOST TRANCE DESIGNS Sublimation printing and large format heat press services. (971) 813-3067 / ghosttrancedesigns.weebly.com
GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS & SERVICES We provide options to Prepaid Cellular consumers.
EMILLY PRADO LLC An award-winning multimedia journalist, DJ, and educator.
(503) 262-8624 / globalcsweb.com
emillyprado.com
GLORY TAROT Nonbinary Caribbean bruja sharing clairvoyant and healing services.
ENGINETHUSIAST Independent creative company.
glorytarot.setmore.com
(314) 709-6914 / enginethusiast.com
EQUITY IN MOTION, LLC We shift the balance of equity through education, exposure, and empathy.
GOLDEN FLOWER BEHAVIORAL SERVICES LLC Individually and culturally relevant ABA therapy. (503) 860-2804 / goldenflowernw.com
(503) 413-0996 / eqtmo.com
EREP, INC. The new way to hire and be hired.
GOOD GREEN Graphic design, custom printing, specialty packaging, and promotion.
(503) 479-8372 / erep.com
(503) 488-0197 / goodgreenpdx.com
ESPER HOUSE
HEARTS+SPARKS PRODUCTIONS Video strategy and production company.
Helping small businesses and nonprofits with creativity and strategic thinking. (503) 896-1318 / esperhouse.com
FAINT MEDIA Full-service digital agency built for the future. faintmedia.co
FAMA SCREEN PRINTING We print banners, business cards, t-shirts and more. (503) 752-4882 / famascreenprinting.com
FC HURDLE CONSULTING, LLC Supporting organizations to build equitable outcomes.
(503) 317-2611 / heartsandsparksproductions.com
HIGH SPADES CONSULTING Human resources and technology consulting. (503) 422-8603 / highspades.consulting
HORIZING UP PRINTING
Screen Printer, Custom Artwork, T-Shirts, Business Cards, Logos. (503) 521-7606 / horizingup.com
HULA HALAU ‘OHANA HOLO’OKO’A Hula and Tahitian dance instruction and entertainment.
INKWELLJAR Get the word out—creatively! (971) 221-3600 / inkwelljar.com
INSIDE SOURCE MEDIA Creative agency specializing in digital marketing & design. (971) 221-3600 / insidesourcemedia.com
J.MICHAEL LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE Servicing for residential and commercial properties. (503) 710-8062
JBJR PRODUCTIONS Creating high quality video production for all needs. (503) 250-3650 / jbjrproductions.com
JOSHUA JAMES HUFF PHOTOGRAPHY LLC Destination photographer. (503) 752-2028 / joshuajameshuff.com
JUNK IT JUNK REMOVAL We remove the stress of moving the mess. (503) 256-6276 / junkitportland.com
KARVEL DIGITAL WordPress consulting and development. (503) 583-2489 / karveldigital.com
KÚKÁTÓNÓN CHILDREN’S AFRICAN DANCE TROUPE
A community education center bridging the African diaspora. (503) 756-5312 / kukatonon.org
LA SIRENA DESIGN A just-the-right-size creative agency.
(971) 227-8354 / hulaaloha.org
(206) 409-2124 / lasirenadesign.com
HYMN SPACE An after-hours coffee shop experience.
LARA MEDIA SERVICES LLC Full-service communication and outreach firm.
hymnspace.com
(503) 210-5427 / laramedia.com
(503) 806-1265 / fchurdleconsulting.com
FLORES FLOWERS Custom flower arrangements for any event.
in-it.com
(503) 621-2670 / floresflowerspdx.com
LASALA MEDIA Filmmaking and audio production studio.
FLOSSIN MEDIA Integrated marketing and communications.
(971) 801-0557 / gabylasala.com
(971) 388-3117 / flossinmedia.com
FORZA DIGITAL MARKETING SEO company making businesses visible online. (503) 997-6758 / forzadigital.net 72 VOL 2. // SUSTAINING GREATNESS
ICON TATTOO STUDIO
Fine tattoo work rooted in time-honored traditions. (503) 477-7157 / icontattoostudio.com
LAUGH CRY LOVE ENTERTAINMENT Connecting humans through the power of story. (971) 266-1975 / lclentertainment.com
LAZENBY & ASSOCIATES Practical legal and strategic business advice.
PREGAME It’s like a gym for your business goals!
(503) 281-8804 / lazenbyassociates.org
(503) 206-7325 / pregamehq.com
LEFT OF SUNSET BRANDING Creative ingredients for craft brands to set + rise.
NAIM HASAN PHOTOGRAPHY LLC
(503) 319-9954 / leftofsunset.com
PROD 5 FILMS Award-winning freelance filmmaker and video editor.
(503) 421-7493 / naimhasanphotography.com
(206) 457-6967 / prod5films.com
NEMARIAM ENGINEERS & ASSOC. The transportation solution experts.
PROFESSIONAL AUTO BODY & PAINT INC Family-run and -operated since 1997.
(503) 746-4386 / nemariam-engineers.com
(503) 281-1103 / propdx.net
NEWS BLING Mobile app to deliver all your news headlines.
PROFESSIONAL LATH & PLASTER LLC
LEVEL HEADED PRESS Custom screen-printed and embroidered apparel. levelheadedpress.com
ŁUSH KUMTUX TUMTUM CONSULTING, LLC DEI consulting, training, and more for business.
Photography services for regional and national clients.
(503) 290-4726 / shilogeorge.com
(863) 660-7767 / newsbling.co
M. ALEXANDRIA Bridal design.
NGUYET BUI Designer + Illustrator.
(503) 778-0873
MARIJUANA SOFTWARE, LLC MERC-certified POS, farm tools, tax reporting, and social. (971) 276-3371 / marijuanasoftwarellc.com
MAXXIMO INSURANCE SERVICES Commercial insurance & surety bonds. (866) 337-4359 / mymaxximo.com
MENTORS¢HIP We bring scholarship awareness to underrepresented communities through our augmented reality mobile app. (971) 238-3549 / mentorschip.com
MERCHANT CONCEPTS, INC Payment and business consulting services. (503) 281-1460 / merchantconcepts.com
MISS LOPEZ MEDIA Freelance photographer. misslopezmedia.org
MIXTO COMMUNICATIONS Marketing and communications consulting. (503) 683-2607 / mixtocommunications.com
MOPHEADZ LLC Family-owned, eco-friendly cleaning business. (503) 935-1698
MULTICULTURAL COLLABORATIVE, LLC Building places for community by the community. (503) 310-2628 / multiculturalcollaborative.com
MUSIKHAUS Music instruction that’s enjoyable. musikhauspdx.com
nguyetbui.com
NORTHWEST ADVISORY GROUP Payment solutions provider. (503) 501-8461/ northwestadvisorygroup.com
NUCLEUS PORTLAND We are artists that aspire to connect the art community. (503) 231-2702 / nucleusportland.com
ONEAPP OREGON Free & simple rental finder. (503) 946-3570 / oneapporegon.com
OREGON WEB SOLUTIONS Higher Google rankings. More website leads. (503 436-6631 / oregonwebsolutions.com
OSORIO MEDIA ARTS Immersive audiovisual production, design and education.
Commercial contractor specializing in plaster and drywall work. (925) 207-2899 / prolathandplaster.com
PROPER Business + brand strategy. (503) 449-4204 / properstgy.com
PROTEA LEGAL CO. Intellectual property and business law firm. (971) 808-2448 / protealegal.com
QUINTANA GALLERIES Native American-owned art gallery. (503) 810-7525 / quintanagalleries.com
R&H TREE SERVICE Honest tree service. (971) 282-8168 / rhtreeservice.com
REAL ESTATE BY JURY Sustainable retail and property development.
(971) 270-0020
(503) 762-0602
PDX CAREER COACH Get the stuff you need to land the job you want.
REAL ESTATE BY WESLEY / PREMIERE PROPERTY GROUP, LLC Buy, sell or invest in real estate.
pdxcareercoach.com
PDX COORDINATOR, LLC International project consultant & coordination. (503) 297-9057 / pdxcoordinator.com
PDX EZ BIZ, LLC A small business focused on small businesses. (503) 868-6437 / pdxezbiz.com
PDX WOMEN OF COLOR Connect, inspire, women supporting women. pdxwomenofcolor.com
PDX YELLOW CAB Taxi service. (503) 841-6328 / pdxyellowcab.com
PHOTOSBYKIM LLC Culture photographer. (503) 830-0773 / photosbykim.com
(971) 703-3310 / realestatebywes.com
REBECCA RODELA Chicana tattoo artist and fine artist. saintandsinners.com/rebecca
RECREATION DEPARTMENT LLC Party game rentals. (503) 683-2499 / rec-dept.com
RED MAPLE CONSTRUCTION INC. Construction and remodeling. (503) 568-5099
REDE PRINT Customized printing projects with budget in mind. (503) 227-6137 / redeprintnshop.com
MYSTIQUE’S FANCY FACES Turned my love for art into a face painting business.
PRECIOUS BUGARIN DESIGN Creative director, designer and educator.
REGAL REDEFINED LLC Providing honest tree service.
(503) 660-8223 / mystiquesfancyfaces.com
(503) 804-6423 / preciousbugarin.com
(503) 405-0800 / regalredefined.com // VOL . 2 73
RESILIENCE PAINTING One-stop shop for interior and exterior paint and stain services. (503) 887-3207 / resiliencepainting.com
STEWART MARKETING GROUP A promotional products company. (503) 270-7857 / stewartmarketinggroup.com
REYES ENGINEERING, INC. Passion | Creativity | Sustainability. (503) 771-1986 / reyeseng.com
RHONE MEDIA Digital marketing strategist, music producer, engineer and DJ.
STYLE GUIDE INTERIOR DESIGN
Award-winning commercial & residential interior design firm.
(503) 956-0527 / roxyspreschool.com
RUANDY ALBISUREZ PHOTOGRAPHY Photography contributing to the Latino community experience! (310) 531-6191 / ruandyalbisurez.zenfolio.com
SAEEDA WRIGHT MUSIC LLC Vocal coach to extract the essence of greatness already inside of you!
(503) 473-1035 / twirladvdesign.com
(503) 285-1600 / summitgolf.org
SUYA.SYNERGY Creating audiovisual content. (805) 707-3088 /suyasynergy.wixsite.com/suya
SYNERGY CONSULTING, INC. Comprehensive IT software solutions. (503) 234-1095 / synergyhq.com
SAF Mobile app to hire a line concierge. Skip long lines, we’ll wait for you.
TAYLORED TEES Local screenprinter and designers.
(503) 890-7080 / safiva.com
SAVINA MONET A rad graphic designer and artist who partners with brands that have passion and purpose. (971) 231-9271 / hellomonet.com
SEIZURE PALACE SCREEN PRINTING Custom screen-printed posters since 2007.
(971) 333-8627 / triceocs.com
SUMMIT GOLF FOUNDATION A junior golf program.
TATTOO 34 Clean. Creative. Professional.
SAFIVA CLEANING Quality results are built into everything we do.
TRICE OCCUPATIONAL CONSULTING SOLUTIONS, LLC Employment consulting services, career planning, employment document development. TWIRL ADVERTISING & DESIGN, LLC Strategically creative.
(971) 344-6178 / saeedawrightmusic.com
(503) 567-6554 / thesafapp.com
(503) 498-0239 / tothemthatlove.com
(503) 830-2578 / styleguideid.com
rhone.media
ROXY’S PRESCHOOL AND DAYCARE A safe place where children can learn with love.
TRANSFORMATIVE LIVING COMMUNITY, INTERNATIONAL Adult retreats and youth programming.
(503) 235-3606 / tattoo34pdx.com
(503) 380-9493 / tayloredtees.co
TCC & ASSOCIATES, INC Civil engineering, project management, land surveying. (503) 277-8143 / tccengr.com
THE ENCOREPRENEUR CAFE We provide space and support for people to start an encore career. encorepreneurcafe.com
THE LEADERSHIP LAB We open the door to those clients that need us the most.
UNCORKED STUDIOS Thinkers, builders, writers, developers, and designers. (503) 610-8052 / uncorkedstudios.com
VARCITY The global resource for the student athlete community and their supporters. (541) 580-9687 / varcitynetwork.com
VERDE LANDSCAPE A landscape contracting business and commercial pesticide operator. (503) 998-1736 / verdelandscape.squarespace.com
VERONICA BAÑUELOS CONSULTING LLC Chicana organizational development consultant. (503) 442-3920 / veronicabanuelos.com
VIVA EVENT PLANNING Event design and production firm. (360) 910-4744 / vivaeventplanning.com
WATERBEAR RESTORATION SERVICES Community-involved water damage restoration. (503) 554-0417 / waterbearinc.com
WINUBA PRODUCTIONS LLC Great projects start with you.
(503) 232-7768 / seizurepalace.com
(503) 724-1124 / leadershiplabllc.com
(202) 716-7862 / winuba.com
SERVER PLACE Web hosting, design, SEO, site and social media management.
THE PRINTORY Screen printing + embroidery.
WOMENFIRST TRANSITION & REFERRAL CENTER Rebuild lives by loving yourself!
(888) 774-6784 / serverplace.net
SISTAS LLC Organization designed to bring Black woman together to build sisterhood. (503) 267-8713 / empoweredsistas.com
SIX10 VISUALS Creating great memories. (503) 995-4572 / six10visuals.com
SOMOS MEDIA Bilingual digital network. somosmedia.org 74 VOL 2. // SUSTAINING GREATNESS
(971) 238-1506 / theprintory.com
THE RADICAL BRAND LAB A single sentence can change your life. (503) 890-0197 / theradicalbrandlab.com
THEA’S ESTATE SALE SERVICES Estate sale services. (503) 539-0770 / theasvintageliving.com
TOYOUINSPIRE FLOWERS + BOTANICALS Full-service floral and plant design florist. (503) 490-3536 / toyouinspireflowers.com
(503) 875-1725 / rebuildwomenfirst.org
WORKFROM Find the best places to work around the world. (971) 285-4111 / workfrom.co
WORLD STAGE THEATRE Imagine. Explore. Create. Grow. (971) 808-2091 / worldstagetheatre.org
XOPDX Commercial cleaning service. (360)932-8752 / xopdx.com
HOME, FASHION & ACCESSORIES 11:11 SUPPLY Beautiful stationery, office supplies and psychology tips to build a more badass you. (503) 236-7571 / 1111supply.com
178THNMADISON Jewelry that loves you back. (206) 354-8472 / 178thnmadison.com
2DYE4CLOTHING A customization jean brand for all people. (503) 442-7181
972ELEVEN Quality ready-to-wear apparel. shop972eleven.com
ABSTRACT FIBER Hand-painted yarn and fiber. (971) 772-1165 / abstractfiber.com
AFROCENTRIC ESSENTIALS One-of-a-kind Black culture gifts. (971) 533-9524 / squareup.com/store/afrocentric-essentials-2
BELLE HAIR BOBBLES Comfortable hair ties with whimsical beads.
DREAMERS & REBELS Creative experiment trying to unf*ck the world.
(503) 964-7503 / etsy.com/shop/bellehairbobbles
drebels.com
BIBA’S GIFT African inspired dolls.
EMAGINATION CREATION DEZIGNS, LLC Young black cartoon characters that look like me!
(208) 863-2372 / bibasgift.com
BLACK MANNEQUIN CLOTHING Streetwear and women’s fashion clothes. (360) 601-6541 / theblackmannequin.com
BLACKSHEEPMADE Small batch, handmade fiber goods. (408) 726-5308 / blacksheepmade.com
BOLDBEAT TEXTILES Handcrafted vibrant, limited-edition throw pillows. boldbeat-textiles.com
CITY TROLL LLC Artist. Dancer. Dope Kid. (971) 517-5017 / citytroll.com
CORIGINAL ART Feminine forms in many different fantastic settings. (971) 386-6907 / facebook.com/coriginalartbycorinthiabethune
CREATIONS FOR CONTINUITY Handmade jewlery that combines traditional indigenous elements with a contemporary twists. (928) 699-6818 / creationsforcontinuity.com
AMAREE & REESE JEWELRY
CREATIVE CREATIONS CROCHET BY MISS.ILL Handmade items made with love & positive inner G.
(503) 201-0478 / etsy.com/shop/amareeandreese
creativecreationscrochet@gmail.com
AMAZING MILANIAN Eco-friendly reusable food storage bag.
CULTURAL BLENDS CLOTHING Create Peace.
Handcrafted metal & semi-precious stone boho-chic jewelry.
(503) 804-5971 / ecdcomics-dezigns.com
ES SUPER FUN Paper goods & more! essuperfun.com
EVERGLOW HANDMADE Creative studio specializing in calligraphy & design. (503) 314-2075 / everglowhandmade.com
EXQUISITELY DIVINE FASHIONS Designed for a more upscale, exquisite you. (800) 288-2319 / exquisitelydivinefashions.com
FARO FABRICS Anti-colonialist apparel design and styling studio. (314) 971-9881 / farofabrics.com
FEI GOODS Modern lifestyle goods created by two sisters. (503) 881-7911 / feigoods.com
FINE LINES Tattoos, illustrations, prints. (503) 719-2479 / virginiamarting.com
FOREVER HUMBLE Streetwear with a positive message. (971) 732-0415 / foreverhumbleportland.com
GINEW Appearl heavily influenced by American workwear. (218) 310-8784 / ginewusa.com
(971) 336-9121
(808) 987-5380 / culturalblends.net
AMRAPALI, LLC Portland’s only designer boutique for Indian apparel, jewelry & handicrafts.
CURVY CHIC CLOSET North America’s largest plus-size consignment event. (503) 848-9191 / curvychiccloset.com
(888) 946-4828 / goumikids.com
(503) 946-6571/ shopamrapali.com
DEAR FASHION MOBILE BOUTIQUE A boutique on wheels carrying women’s clothes & more.
GRAPHIC ANTHOLOGY Joyful greeting cards and gifts.
APRIL BLACK Illustrated art prints, stationery, totes, T-shirts & gifts. (419) 602-1236 / aprilblack.com
ATTIC JOURNALS Journals and more upcycled from vintage school books. (503) 781-7033 / atticjournals.com
BABY WIT You might not be cool, but your baby can be. (503) 836-7829 / babywit.com
BELLA AGNES BOOKS STEM picture books with diverse characters (971) 319-1351 / arlynesimon.com
(503) 329-3366
DEL FINE ARTIST, LLC Blind + Black + British Woodcarver.
GOUMIKIDS Natural babywear for your little one.
(971) 244-8667 / graphicanthology.com
GREENHAUS GALLERY + BOUTIQUE Vintage and artisan art, gifts, and home goods.
(503) 268-7652 / delfineartist.com
(503) 347-7250 / greenhausgallery.com
DESIGNS BY LE’YON Creative designs to capture the King/Queen in you!
HABIBA ABDUL RAHIM ART Original art celebrating women of color.
(312) 983-2060 / designsbyleyon.com
facebook.com/habibaabdulrahimart
DORSUM We make flexible back support integrated into apparel to enhance posture.
HAILMARY
(503) 701-7636 / dorsumtech.com
(701) 891-2001 / hailmaryusa.com
Long-lasting and uniquely beautiful leather handbags and accessories.
// VOL . 2 75
HANDMADE BY SENG Inspire play, embrace diversity, teach inclusion. handmadebyseng.com
HEARTY HIPPO LLC Spread love with delightfully unique designs added to the often overlooked. (503) 201-1915 / etsy.com/shop/HeartyHippo
HESTMARK DESIGNS
Reclaimed upholstery bags in fashion-forward patterns. (503) 935-4442 / squareup.com/store/hestmark-designs
HIDDEN OPULENCE DESIGN HOUSE Apparel sustainability and up-cycling. (503) 451-3779 / hiddenopulence.com
HIGH SPARROW Boho-luxe clothing created from artisanal fabrics.
KOLLODIWORKS Reusable alternatives to throwaway culture.
MOUTHIMALS, INC. Organic, cuddly cold packs for teething babies.
(503) 267-6935 / etsy.com/shop/kollodiworks
(800) 713-4056 / mouthimals.com
KURUMI CONLEY GLASS Glass artist and teacher.
MULUK, LLC Clothing and accessories to enrich lives.
(503) 544-1495 / kurumiconley.com
LA TIENDA DEL SOL Discover the art and culture of Mexico. (971) 373-2797 / latiendadelsol.com
LATINA’S STYLE OF ELEGANCE It’s not what you wear, it’s how you accessorize it. latinasstyleofelegance.com
LETRA CHUECA PRESS Decolonizing print media through collaboration, education + activism.
(971) 258-7617 / mulukpdx.com
NATIONAL BEARD LEAGUE Mens athletic apparel. (503) 490-1295 / nationalbeardleague.com
NATURE’S KINDLE Hand crafted, hand-poured small batch home fragrance. (503) 744-4931 / natureskindle.com
(818) 284-1100 / high-sparrow.com
(503) 893-5668 / letrachuecapress.com
NEO Defy all odds.
HLETTY DESIGNS Mixed media, upcycled artwork.
LETS PLAY AGAIN WITH BRICKS, TOYS AND MORE Find that special toy that you’ve been looking for.
NESTED YELLOW JEWELRY CO. A romantic line of custom fine jewelry.
(503) 442-9478 / hamptonrodriguez.com
HOUSE OF JOHNSON High-fashion for women sizes small to 3x. (678) 463-5975 / houseofjohnson.net
IGNORANT/REFLECTIONS Socially-conscious clothing brand. ignorantreflections.bigcartel.com
INDIGENOUS COME UP Live, Love, Give Indigenous. (503) 442-5397 / giftingartsandcrafts.com
JASMINE GIFT SHOP
Introducing Chinese culture through imported products. jasminegiftshop1@gmail.com
JESSICA NECOR STUDIO Original hand-printed textiles and leather bags. (925) 305-7070 / jessicanecor.studio
JOUJOUX JEWELRY STUDIO Elegant, unfussy jewelry made by hand. (503) 568-6484 / goodjoujoux.com
JOY CHA STUDIO Art, illustration and jewelry design. (626) 375-8795 / joycha.com
(503) 960-6767 / letsplayagainpdx.com
LO HANDBAGS, INC. Artisan leather handbags. (971) 249-8121 / lohandbags.com
LUNASOL Globally inspired handmade jewelry. (785) 312-4726 / lunasoldesigns.net
MADE WITH CARE Cards for undercelebrated occasions, watercolor hand lettering, and accessibility consulting. (503) 974-4178 / madewithcare.co
MAGGY HONG DESIGN Turning your ideas into designs. (503) 984-5090 / maggyhong.com
MAGIC SHAPES Handmade educational toys for little ones. (503) 528-6875
MILIEU & THE CHOCOLATE LABORATORY Group of artisans bringing arts, crafts, beauty and goodness.
(727) 424-9992 / nested-yellow.com
NIMBLE FERN A clothing brand inspired by the Pacific Northwest. (503) 820-8303 / nimblefernco.com
NOMADIC VINTAGE PDX Authentic handmade rugs from Kurdish nomadic people. (503) 880-0499 / instagram.com/nomadicvintagepdx
NOR HEX Backpacks and gear for climbing and canyoning. (503) 707-5467 / norhex.net
ONLI PACKS Functional backpacks with prints designed by local artists. (443) 812-3287 / onlipacks.com
OROX LEATHER CO. Four generations of leather-makers from Oaxaca, hand-crafting beautiful leather bags and accessories. (503) 954-2593 / oroxleather.com
milieupdx.com
KATIE M MUDD CERAMICS
MIMI’S FRESH TEES Wear your Truth.
katiemmudd.com
(503) 709-8101 / mimisfreshteespdx.com
KAY SOSO: A HAITIAN MARKETPLACE
MOONCAKE AND CIDER Northwest Asian inspired clothing and accessories.
Celebrating the subtle elegance of simplicity through ceramics.
(208) 413-0992 / noendofclothing.com
PAKHYE GOODS Nature and the gorgeous Pacific Northwest provide a muse for our unique jewelry. (503) 459-6804 / pakhyegoods.com
mooncakeandcider.com
PALETTE AT PIONEER PLACE Quality made Locally.
KIRIKO MADE
MORAL SUPPLY CO A lifestyle brand that embraces everything about our beloved Rose City.
(503) 222-0335 / kirikomade.com
moralsupplyco.com
PARKER SIMONNE DESIGNS INC Tops, tunic dresses, the Portland Kimono collection.
Ethically sourced gourmet & artisanal Haitian products. (503) 212-4480 / kaysoso.com
Apparel and accessories made with traditional Japanese textiles.
76 VOL 2. // SUSTAINING GREATNESS
(503) 888-4279 / palettestores.com
(503) 515-5905 / parkersimonnedesigns.com
PIECES BY SHERRELL One-of-a-kind fashion pieces. (800) 942-9651
PINKY Jewelry, apparel, accessories & stationary goods featuring local artists. (541) 840-7454 / pinkypdx.com
PRODUCE ORGANICS We produce gourmet goods & experiences for the creative community. produceportland.com
QUEENDOM DESIGN LLC Black-owned representation of Black culture. (503) 998-6651 / etsy.com/queendomdesignllc
RARE VIBE Shop exclusive products from the official Rare Vibe Records store. rarevibe.com
RECKLESS HEART, LLC An art house/multi-media production studio. (503) 927-1977
RESISTA KAT The time is MEOW! (503) 805-5278 / resistakat.com
ROAD TO TIBET IMPORTS Unique and exotic gifts from Nepal, India and Tibet. (503) 206-6840 / roadtotibet-imports.com
ROOTED IN NATURE HEALTHCARE FACILITY LLC We have programming that helps all the community from birth to elders with our primary focus on the Black community. (503) 660-6305
RYTHMATIX We create apparel that infuse rhythm into your everyday.
(206) 799-2491 / etsy.com/shop/sirenssongstitchery
THIRD EYE BOOKS ACCESSORIES & GIFTS LLC “Natural Girls Rock” t-shirts, african medallions, necklaces, earrings, books and more!
SLEEP LATE High quality clothing cut and sewn by our own hands.
THIRTY27 BOUTIQUE Be bold. Be trendy. Be YOU!!
SIREN’S SONG STITCHERY Modern hand-sewn embroidery art with a unique point of view.
(503) 548-3391 / sleeplate.co
(971) 888-3670 / thirty27boutique.com
SOAPBOX THEORY Quality designs featuring striking and positive images of Black culture.
TIBET SPIRIT Original handmade products that represent Tibetan Culture and traditions.
(971) 303-9056 / soapboxtheory.com
(503) 957-5318 / tibetspirit.com
SOOJ AND JEF Sustainable fashion with a positive message. (917) 880-1130 / soojandjef.com
TIGHTY WHITEY SOAP & CANDLE CO. No-fuss, all-natural soaps and body products and eco-friendly soy wax candles.
SOPHIE’S DESIGN Crochet hats, kids dresses, earrings, wallets, and accessories.
UNIFELT Hand-made original fiber art designs.
(503) 593-6039
SPOILED SOLE SHOETIQUE Affordable foot care and fashionable footwear for HER everywhere. (503) 496-8036 / spoiledsole.com
STACKIN KICKZ Retail streetwear clothing and accessories. (503) 528-4929 / stackinkickz.com
SUMMIT WOOD CREATIONS Custom heirloom furniture. (503) 230-7018 / summitwoodcreations.com
SWARM PORTLAND Give bees a chance! swarmportland.org
SWITCHBLADE SISTAS LLC Super fly vintage goods.
(541) 788-7100 / rythmatix.com
(503) 875-0216 / instagram.com/switchbladesistasvintage
SEEDS OF CLAY Floral design and calligraphy for weddings and events.
TEMBA SPIRIT Love wins hoodies and more.
(503) 482-9023 /seedsofclaycreative.com
SEEWHYZHANG LLC Modern and playful art that awakens your inner child. (626) 274-5759 / seewhyzhang.com
SHOEBOX BY KI Be your own label. (813) 563-1766 / shoeboxbyki.com
(503) 893-4504 / thirdeyebag.com
(503) 334-8712 / tembaspirit.love
THE JAMES JEWELRY Wirewrap jewelry and essential oil blending and home and body care. (971) 401-4319
THE SOCK PORTER Love your feet! (917) 864-7242 / thesockporter.com
SHOP HALO HALO A “mix mix” of unique handmade goods and Filipino accessories!
THE VENDERIA Behind-the-scenes network of artists creating and wholesaling original products exclusively for vending machines.
shophalohalo.com
vendingmagic.com
(808) 443-4990 / tightywhiteysoaps.com
(971) 998-2361 / unifelt.com
UPPER METAL CLASS Handcrafted jewelry. uppermetalclass.com
URBAN EDEN Handcrafted products for beautiful moments. (415) 298-6777 / urbaneden.co
VANIA VANANINA Ceramics, creativity workshops and more! vaniavananina.com
VÍA RAÍZ The new era of Mexican craft. (503) 303-3450 / viaraiz.com
VINTALIER New and vintage apparel and home decor. (503) 222-0148 /vintalier.com
WILD SHAMAN Vintage kilims & rugs. (206) 300-8201 / wild-shaman.com
WINDFEATHERS CREATIONS Homemade designs items and music. (503) 750-2700
WITH LOVE, FROM PDX Elegantly curated, locally made gift boxes for all occasions. (503) 267-1472 / withlovefrompdx.com
WIWINU ENTERPRISES Transforming beads into beauty. (503) 754-0466 / wiwinu.com
XICANO COSMICO Chicano artist and graphic designer based in PDX. (503) 896-9234 / xicanocosmico.bigcartel.com // VOL . 2 77
INDEX
Ascension Well Body & Fitness....................66
Find your favorites, fast.
Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon....9, 11, 60
Cafe Eleven PDX, LLC................................63
Atlas Dental........................................37, 38
Cadence Collaborative Care......................66
123
Attic Journals.............................................73
Cake Nouveau..........................................63
Autentica Consulting LLC...........................69
Canby Asparagus Farm/Casa de Tamales..63
11:11 Supply......................................40, 73
Avenue......................................................69
Ashé Wellness & Lifestyle............................66
178thNMadison........................................73 2dye4clothing............................................73 3 Diamond Construction, LLC....................68 808 Grinds................................................63 972Eleven.................................................73
A
Autumn Herbs Skincare..............................68 Avisa Multicultural Marketing LLC...............69 AZN Street Food LLC.................................63
Champions Barbering Institute, Inc.......30, 68
Baby Wit...................................................73 Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen..........................63 Bare Beauty LLC........................................68 Bella Agnes Books.....................................73
Aaron Thomas Photography.......................69
Belle Hair Bobbles.....................................73
AB Cultural Drivers....................................69
Bemnia.....................................................66
Aculinks Acupuncture.................................66 Additive Care............................................69 Advanced Tribal, LLC.................................69 Aesthete Tea..............................................63 Afrocentric Essentials..................................73 AirShip Technologies Group.......................69 Akadi........................................................63 All My Relations Counseling.......................66 All Within You, LLC....................................66 Alleamin Products LLC...............................63 AllyBee Consulting.....................................69 Alshiref Design and Print LLC.....................69 Amanda Park........................................4, 55
Cason’s Fine Meats....................................63
Baby Spaceships........................................69
A Beat Happening.....................................69
Abstract Fiber.............................................73
Cascade Direct..........................................69
B
Bearded Chef PDX.....................................63
Abbi Wood................................................69
Carlos the Rollerblader...............................69
Cellar Door Coffee Roasters.......................63
A Yen for Chocolate...................................63
Abbey Creek Vineyards..............................63
C
Best Brows In Portland................................66
Cervante Pope...........................................69 Chadowboxx Salon....................................68 Chief Battle Fitness.....................................68 Chilango...................................................63 Chocolate Dope Apparel...........................68 Choi’s Kimchi Co......................................63 Christine Dong......................................6, 53 Chuparrosa........................................48, 63 Churros Locos...........................................63
BesTea.......................................................63
City of Roses Disposal & Recycling..............69
Better.........................................................69
City Troll LLC.............................................73
Bhuna Restaurant......................................63
Claima......................................................69
Biba’s Gift.................................................73
Claudelle R Glasgow, PsyD, LLC.................68
Big Jue Liberian Cuisine.............................63
Clean Arrival LLC......................................69
Bishop and Sons........................................63
ClientJoy....................................................69
Bison Coffee House LLC............................63
Cliqa.........................................................16
Black Leadership Academy.........................13
Clockn Auto & Truck Repair........................69
Black Mannequin Clothing.........................73
Club Seven Fitness.....................................68
Black Pearl Acupuncture.......................35, 66
Coalition of Communities of Color.............13
Black Star Grill..........................................63 BlackSheepMade.......................................73 Blackstreet Bakery......................................63 Blendily.....................................................66 Blind Insect................................................69 Bloom Beauty Collective.............................69
Colibri Chiropractic Clinic..........................68 Confrontation Theatre................................69 Connecting Community..............................69 Construct the Present.................................69 Cookie Zvovushe...................................7, 23 Coriginal Art.............................................73
Amaree & Reese Jewelry.............................73
Bloom Caramel.........................................63
Amazing Milanian.....................................73
Blue Voice Enterprises................................69
Ambit LLC.................................................66
Body by ME, LLC.......................................66
Creations for Continuity.......................28, 73
America’s Hub World Tours........................69
Boldbeat Textiles........................................73
Creative Creations Crochet By Miss.ill.........73
Amrapali, LLC...........................................73
Bollywood Movez.......................................69
CrownedByMiks.........................................66
ANC Movers INC......................................69
Bonnie Gee Yosick, LLC.............................69
Cultivated Sense LLC.................................69
Annie Weller Consulting.............................69
Boriken Restaurant.....................................63
Cultural Blends. Clothing.....................38, 73
April Black - Designer & Illustrator..............73
Brown Girl Rise.........................................69
Curvy Chic Closet................................39, 73
Aquino Taqueria, LLC................................63
Brownswell..........................................34, 66
Arts Workers for Equity.................................9
Bruce Poinsette..................................5, 8, 29
D
Arubah Juice.......................................36, 63
Bun Bo Hue Restaurant..............................63
Dallys Newton Circus Performance.............69
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Cosmic Life...............................................66
DB Dessert Company.................................63
Equity In Motion, LLC.................................72
goumikids.................................................73
Deadstock Coffee......................................63
eRep, Inc...................................................72
Gourmet Coffee Brew Master.....................66
Dean’s Beauty Salon and Barber Shop........66
Es Super Fun.............................................73
Graphic Anthology.....................................73
Dear Fashion Mobile Boutique...................73
Esper House..............................................72
Del Fine Artist, LLC....................................73
Essance Skincare.......................................69
Design Theory, LLC....................................69
Esthibar.....................................................69
Design+Culture Lab..................................69
everglow handmade............................38, 73
Designs by Le’yon......................................73
Everybody Eats PDX...................................63
Desired Wellness & Beauty, LLC..................66
Exquisitely Divine Fashions.........................73
Devotional Care Staffing Agency................69
Eye Department; Eye Care & Eyewear.........69
Dez Ramirez..........................................7, 29
Eye Do Lash & Brow Bar, LLC....................69
Diamond in the Rough Hair Spa.................68 Diaspora Coffee & Chai Co. LLC.........62, 63 Diego G Diaz Photography.....6,17, 20, 61, 63, 69 Diona Jackson......................................7, 26 Dip Stix.....................................................63 DJ Klyph Productions.................................69 DJ NO.Bi.Es..............................................69
F Faint Media...............................................72 Fama Screen Printing.................................72 Faro Fabrics..............................................73 FC Hurdle Consulting, LLC.........................72 Feed the Mass...........................................63
Don Churro...............................................63
Feedingsmiles Skincare..............................69
Don Felipe Products, LLC...........................63
fei goods...................................................73
Donna Lisa’s Beauty Facial Creams, LLC....68
FiMi Kingston LLC......................................66
Donna’s Macarons, LLC.............................63
Fine Lines..................................................73
Dorsum........................................38, 61, 73
Flores Flowers............................................72
Dr Ayeesha Hankins LLC............................69
Flossin Media............................................72
Dreamers & Rebels....................................73
Forever Humble.........................................73
Dwell Realty...............................................69
Forza Digital Marketing..............................72
E
Foster Love Bakery.....................................66
Eagles Nest Remodeling LLC......................72 Eber Health...............................................69 Ecdysiast...................................................69
Friends of Noise........................................69 fÿd mí ink | tattoo boutique........................72
G
Eclectic Healing Guide, INC.......................69
GB Home Improvement LLC.......................72
Education Explorers Multicultural Preschool and Child Development Center..................72
Geneva’s Shear Perfection Barber & Beauty....69
Edward Hill...........................................6, 48 Either/Or Cafe..........................................63 EJP Events LLC...........................................72
Ghost Trance Designs................................72 Gifto Sweets..............................................66 Ginew.......................................................73
Green Box................................................69 Green Hop...............................................69 greenHAUS gallery + boutiq......................73 Groves Enterprises LLC..............................66 Guillén Family Wines.................................66
H HAB Sauce LLC.........................................66 Habiba Abdul Rahim Art............................73 Hacienda Community Development Corp...34, 39 Hail Snail..................................................66 Hailmary...................................................73 Hanas PDX...............................................66 Handmade by Seng...................................76 HEART Healthcare for Artists................36, 69 Hearts+Sparks Productions........................72 Hearty Hippo LLC......................................76 Hestmark Designs......................................76 HIBISBLOOM.............................................66 Hidden Opulence Design House................76 High Spades Consulting.............................72 high sparrow.............................................76 HLetty Designs...........................................76 Himalayan Dumplings & More...................66 Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce....57, 60 Honeybee Sparkling Lemonades and Syrups, LLC.................................................................63, 66 Horizing Up Printing..................................72 House Of Johnson.....................................76 HouseCall MD...........................................69 How Sweet It Is..........................................66 Hue Noir...................................................69 Hula Halau ‘Ohana Holo’oko’a.................72 HYMN Space.............................................72
Elevated Coffee Co....................................63
Global Communications & Services............72
I
Elizabeth Donald...................................6, 27
Glory Facial Inc.........................................69
I Am Image...............................................69
Emagination Creation Dezigns, LLC...........73
Glory Tarot................................................72
Ice Cream Feens PDX................................66
Emilly Prado LLC.................7, 33, 38, 42, 72
Golden Elixir Ghee....................................66
Icon Tattoo Studio......................................72
Enginethusiast...........................................72
Golden Flower Behavioral Services LLC......72
Ignorant/Reflections...................................76
Enviromental Justice Food..........................48
Golden Saffron Co., LLC...........................66
iltopia studios............................................72
Epilogue Kitchen & Cocktails......................63
Good Green..............................................72
Imene’s Homey Bites..................................66
El Coqui Puerto Rican Cuisine....................63
Global Art of Dance...................................69
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Impressions Hair Company........................69
La Maria LLC dba Hot Mama Salsa......49, 66
Meals 4 Heels............................................66
In-It...........................................................72
La Porteña.................................................66
MentorS¢hip..............................................73
Indigenous Come Up................................76
La Sirena Design.......................................72
MeRae’s on 42nd Hair Designs..................69
La Tienda del Sol.......................................76
Merchant Concepts, Inc.............................73
La Vang Foods, LLC...................................66
MexiRican PDX..........................................66
Lara Media Services LLC............................72
Mildred’s Sweet Treats................................66
Lasala Media.............................................72
Milieu & The Chocolate Laboratory.............76
LaTina’s Style of Elegance..........................76
Mimi’s Fresh Tees......................................76
Latino Network Multifamily NW..................13
Miss Lopez Media......................................73
Laugh Cry Love Entertainment....................72
Miss’ipi Chef.............................................66
Lazenby & Associates.................................73
Mixto Communications..............................73
Left of Sunset Branding .............................73
Moelicious Dishess.....................................66
Letra Chueca Press....................................76
Monica Salazar............................................7
Lets Play Again with Bricks, Toys and More....76
Montavilla Dental Arts...............................69
Level Headed Press....................................73
Moon Time Kit...........................................69
Little Sun Farm..........................................66
Mooncake and Cider.................................76
LO Handbags, Inc.....................................76
MopHeadz LLC.........................................73
Longhouse NW LLC...................................69
Moral Supply Co.......................................76
Lorenzo Alicante..........................................6
Morpheus Youth Project..............................69
Love Lee Hair & Eye Do Lash Bar................69
Mouthimals, Inc.........................................76
Lovely Coils LLC........................................69
Mudbone Grown.................................46, 66
LOWD......................................................69
MultiCultural Collaborative, LLC.................73
Luminance.................................................69
Muluk, LLC...............................................76
LUNASOL..................................................76
Musikhaus.................................................73
Łush Kumtux Tumtum Consulting, LLC.........73
My Daddy’s Sauces LLC ............................66
InkwellJar..................................................72 Inside Source Media..................................72 Interlocking Roots......................................48 Intisar Abioto......................6, 10, 24, 31, 62 Ishq Skincare.............................................69
J J.Michael Landscape Maintenance..............72 Jamaican Homestyle Cuisine......................66 Japanese Green Tea Company...................66 Jasmine Gift Shop.....................................76 JBJR Productions........................................72 Jessica Necor Studio..................................76 Joshua James Huff Photography LLC..7, 8, 33, 72 Joujoux Jewelry Studio...............................76 Joy Cha Studio..........................................76 Junk It Junk Removal..................................72 Just V Natural............................................69 Justin Katigbak......................................7, 10
K Kaah Market..............................................66 Kari Rowe.................................7, 29, 44, 51 Karvel Digital.............................................72
Luxury Agave.............................................66
Katie M Mudd Ceramics.............................76
M
Kay Soso: A Haitian Marketplace................76
Mystique’s Fancy Faces..............................73
N
Kee’s #Loaded Kitchen..............................66
m.alexandria bridal designs.......................73
Kim Oanh Nguyen....................7, 14, 18, 42
Made With Care........................................76
Naim Hasan Photography LLC...................73
Kiosko.......................................................66
Maggy Hong Design..................................76
Nani’s Samosas.........................................66
Kiriko Made..............................................76
Magic Shapes............................................76
NATIONAL BEARD LEAGUE.......................76
Kollodiworks..............................................76
Make & Mary......................................36, 69
Natural Hair and Extensions.......................69
Krista Arias................................................69
Malcolm Hoover....................................7, 44
Nature’s Kindle..........................................76
Kúkátónón Children’s African Dance Troupe.....72
Mamancy Tea Co......................................66
NAYA Family Center...................................13
Kurumi Conley Glass.................................76
Manatee Medicinals...................................69
NE Creperie..............................................66
L
Marie Ernst................................................69
Nemariam Engineers & Assoc....................73
Marijuana Software, LLC............................73
NEO.........................................................76
La Comelona Foods...................................66
Matta PDX LLC..........................................66
Nested Yellow Jewelry Co...........................76
La Familia Hard Cider................................66
MAXXIMO Insurance Services.....................73
News Bling................................................73
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Nguyet Bui................................................73
PDX Women of Color.................................73
Reckless Heart, LLC...................................77
Nimble Fern..............................................76
PDX Yellow Cab.........................................73
Recreating Society......................................68
Nomadic Vintage PDX...............................76
Pepe Chile Taqueria...................................67
Recreation Department LLC........................73
Nong’s Khao Man Gai..............................67 NOR HEX..................................................76 Northeast Farmers of Color........................48 Northwest Advisory Group.........................73
Perican Bing..............................................76 Phillyrocket............................................7, 26 PhotosbyKim LLC.......................................73 Picasso’s Portland Picante...........................67 Pieces by Sherrell........................12, 26, 95
Red Maple Construction Inc........................73 REDe Print.................................................73 Regal Redefined LLC..................................73 ReLeaf Health............................................68 Resilience Painting.....................................73
Nucleus Portland........................................73
PinayPDX...................................................67
Nurturing Roots.........................................48
Pinky.........................................................77
ReSISTA Kat...............................................77
Pinto Thai Kitchen......................................67
Revolución Coffee House...........................67
Pizza Yaki..................................................67
Reyes Engineering, Inc...............................73
Obon PDX................................................67
Plant Based Papi Tacos...............................67
Rhone Media.............................................73
Olivia Daniels.......................................6, 19
Plenty Beauty and Barber Supply.................69
Rip City Premium Tacos..............................67
O One Stripe Chai Co...................................67 OneApp Oregon.......................................73 Oneida Nation Integrated Food Systems..12 ONLi Packs................................................76
Po’ Shines..................................................67 Popi’s Pastries............................................67 Portland Incubator Experiment..............57, 63 Poshon......................................................68 Precious Bugarin Design............................73
Road to Tibet Imports.................................77 Rooted In Nature Healthcare Facility LLC....77 Rose Alchemista .......................................68 Roxy’s Preschool and Daycare....................73 Royalty Spirits............................................67
Open Tandoor...........................................67
Pregame....................................................73
OPENhaus................................................57
Prod 5 Films..............................................73
Ruandy Albisurez Photography....................73
Oracle Infused Wellness Co.......................69
Produce Organics......................................77
Rythmatix..................................................77
Oregon Inter-Tribal Breastfeeding Coalition..69
Professional Auto Body & Paint Inc..............73
Oregon Native American Chamber......12, 57
Professional Lath & Plaster LLC...................73
S
Oregon Web Solutions...............................73 Orox Leather Co.......................................76 Osorio Media Arts.....................................73 Outside the Frame.....................................11
Project It Takes a Village, Inc......................68 Project Swasthya........................................68 Proper.......................................................73 Protea Legal Co........................................73
SAAFON...................................................48 Sacred Waters Fish Company.....................50 Saeeda Wright Music LLC..........................74
Q
SaF...........................................................74
Queen Nunnie Hair...................................68
Safiva Cleaning.........................................74
PakHye Goods...........................................76
QueenDom Design LLC.............................77
Sandino Brothers Coffee............................67
Paletaz PDX...............................................67
Quintana Galleries....................................73
Sankofa Counseling LLC............................68
P
Paitong Thai Cuisine..................................67
Safety Side Up...........................................68
R
Sao Noi....................................................67
Parker Simonne Designs Inc.......................76
R. Lee’s Skin By Nature / AromaRocks!.......68
Savina Monet......................6, 17, 54, 59, 74
Parlaé Spirits LLC.......................................67
R&ARIE......................................................68
Seeds of Clay............................................77
Partners in Diversity....................................57
R&H Tree Service........................................73
SeeWhyZhang LLC....................................77
Radical Well Being Bodywork......................68
Seizure Palace Screen Printing....................74
Rangoon Bistro..........................................67
Server Place...............................................74
Rare Vibe..................................................77
Sess Cannagars.........................................68
PDX EZ BIZ, LLC........................................73
Real Estate By Jury.....................................73
Sharetea Beaverton....................................67
PDX MEAL PREP..........................................67
Real Estate by Wesley / Premiere Property Group, LLC..73
Sheryl Moren, PMHNP-BC, LLC...................68
PDX Munch Time LLC................................67
Rebecca Rodela.........................................73
Shoebox by Ki...........................................77
Palette at Pioneer Place..............................76 Panco Foods..............................................67
PAZ Hair Lounge........................................69 PDX Career Coach....................................73 PDX COORDINATOR, LLC.........................73 PDX Empanadas..................................49, 67
Sasquatch BBQ Sauce Co..........................67
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Shop Halo Halo........................................77
The Encorepreneur Cafe............................74
Universal Coffee........................................68
Siren’s Song Stitchery.................................77
The Fatty Chef...........................................67
Upper Metal Class.....................................77
SISTAS LLC................................................74
The Ichigo Trading and Travel Company.....67
Urban Eden..............................................77
The James Jewelry.....................................77 The Journey of Compassion.......................68
V
The Leadership Lab...................................74
Vania Vananina.........................................77
The Printory...............................................74
VarCity......................................................74
The Radical Brand Lab...............................74
Veevee Victoria Skin care...........................68
The Show LLC...........................................67
Vegan Villain.............................................68
The SOCK Porter.......................................77
VerdeLandscape........................................74
The Spicy Spoon LLC.................................67
Veronica Bañuelos Consulting LLC..............74
The Venderia.............................................77
Vía Raíz....................................................77
Six10 Visuals.............................................74 Sleep Late.................................................77 SlowSuds...................................................68
Soapbox Theory.........................................77 Somaflow Health and Massage LLC...........68 Society Nine..............................................14 Somos Media............................................74 SooJ and Jef.............................................77 Sophie’s Design.........................................77 Soul Light Arts & Wellness..........................68 Spice of Africa...........................................67
Thea’s Estate Sale Services.........................74
Spoiled Sole Shoetique...............................77
Think Unbroken LLC..................................68
Stackin Kickz.............................................77
Third Eye Books Accessories & Gifts LLC.....77
Stay Royal Queen......................................68
Thirty27 Boutique......................................77
Stewart Marketing Group...........................74
Tiara Darnell...................................6, 52, 54
Style Guide Interior Design.........................74
Tibet Spirit.................................................77
Sublime Designers LLC..............................68
Tierra Del Sol............................................67
Summit Golf Foundation............................74
Tighty Whitey Soap & Candle Co................77
Summit Wood Creations............................77
Tin Cantina...............................................68
Suya.Synergy.............................................74 Swarm Portland.........................................77 Sweet Day Cotton Candy............................67
Tinidor Foods............................................68 Tojo Andrianarivo........................................6
Vida Flare.................................................68 Vintalier.....................................................77 Viva Event Planning....................................74 Viva La Free..............................................68
WXYZ Wapato Island Farm..................................68 WaterBear Restoration Services...................74 We Grub...................................................68 Wild Shaman............................................77 WindFeathers Creations.............................77 Winuba Productions LLC............................74
Tokyo Beauty..............................................68
Sweet Temptations Delectable Desserts and Catering................................................................67
With Love, From PDX......................................77
Tory Campbell.......................................6, 59
Wiwinu Enterprises.....................................77
Switchblade Sistas LLC...............................77
Tostado Coffee Roasters.............................68
Wombyn’s Wellness Garden, LLC...............68
Synergy Consulting, Inc. (Synergy)..............74
Toyouinspire Flowers + Botanicals..............74
WomenFirst Transition & Referral Center.........74
T
Trainer Tyra...............................................68
Workfrom..................................................74
Transformative Living Community, International.............................................74
World Stage Theatre..................................74
Traveling Pillar...........................................68
Wyld Bread...............................................68
TRICE Occupational Consulting Solutions, LLC...74
Xicano Cosmico.........................................77
Twerk N Fab..............................................68
XOPDX......................................................74
Taylored Tees.............................................74
Twirl Advertising & Design, LLC..................74
Yaara Valey...........................................7, 19
TCC & Associates, Inc................................74
Two Spirit Medicinals..................................68
Yoga for Life..............................................68
Temba Spirit..............................................77
U
Yours Essentially Bath and Body Products.......68
The Alpine Glow........................................68
Uncle Troy’s BBQ......................................68
The Arrow Coffeehouse..............................67
Uncorked Studios.......................................74
The Barreled Bee, LLC...............................67
Unifelt.......................................................77
Tamale Boy...............................................67 Tan Tan Foods...........................................67 Tanglewood Beverage Comapany...............67 Tattoo 34..................................................74
TEADORA.................................................68
Wrap Knowledge & Social Enterprise..........68
Z’Aseelah Natural Skincare........................68 Zocalo Wellness.........................................68 ZoeApothic................................................68
POWERED BY
Original art by Lorenzo De Alicante inspired by the Tepantitla mural of Tlaloc’s Paradise, depicting the Aztec god of water and wind. Circles represent Native Mexican numerical symbols.
