When Built Oregon Board Chair Stephen Green and I met in early February to talk about ways we could collaborate to commemorate Black History Month, we landed on an idea pretty quickly.
Green, Built Oregon and the blog Silicon Florist were already spotlighting one Black-owned business a day on social media. We decided a perfect complement would be to celebrate Black leaders — in business, government, advocacy, arts and entertainment — over at the Business Journal.
Built Oregon supports consumer product retailers, including those that are Black-owned, through an online marketplace, a business accelerator and more. The PBJ regularly interviews Black executives and founders.
We figured between us we could easily come up with 50 Black professionals making meaningful contributions to the regional economy. Well, we left that in the dust pretty quickly. In the end, we cut ourselves off at 100.
There is so much talent in this region worth spotlighting. It's a good problem to have.
To follow are the first 50 in our list of 100. We'll release the second installment at the end of February. We'll also feature as many as we can in our Feb. 25 print edition.
See the second installment here
In addition to introducing you to these Black professionals, we asked them to share their favorite Black-owned restaurants and businesses and Black authors. You'll find answers from most folks below.
I'm certain you'll walk away with a long list of restaurants and businesses to try, books to read and, I hope, professional connections to make.
Read on the for the first 50!
— Suzanne Stevens
Mayor Travis Stovall
City of Gresham
What it does: City government
Title: Mayor
Favorite Black-owned restaurant: Try Me Ethiopian in Gresham. "There are many great places in the region but have to give some love to a great Gresham establishment on this one."
Favorite Black author: Malcolm Gladwell
Black-owned business you should know: A Kids Company About. "Jelani (Memory) and team have accomplished some amazing things in their short time in existence."
Millicent Williams
OTAK
What it does: Provides a range of architecture, design and engineering services
Title: Regional Dir. Oregon and SW Washington
Favorite Black-owned restaurant: Po'Shines. “It was one of the first restaurants that I went to for breakfast upon relocating to the area. The food tastes like 'home.' I’m an East Coast girl with southern roots and my meal was the warm hug that I needed.”
Favorite Black author: “There are so many Black authors that I can choose from … My favorite however, is Sojourner Truth. Her story of gaining her freedom from the clutches of slavery to becoming one of the nation’s most prolific abolitionists and suffragists is inspiring. … She chose bravery when doing so was hard and when the consequences could have been dire.”
Black-owned business you should know: “Given that much of my work here in Portland has been focused on construction, I’d like to acknowledge and celebrate Raimore Construction and Faison Construction. Jeff Moreland and the Raimore Construction team have demonstrated that doing things both ‘right’ and ‘well’ make a difference and that investing in the future of the trade by investing in people and the local community makes a tangible difference. James Faison’s origin story and the growth and development of Faison Construction over the past 20+ years reminds us that anything is possible if you’re willing to work hard, to develop strategic alliances and to take calculated risks.”
Rukaiyah Adams
Meyer Memorial Trust
What it does: Private trust
Title: Chief Investment Officer
Favorite Black authors: Octavia Butler, Sci-Fi: "Parable the Sower;" Renee Watson, YA: "Born on the Water"
Favorite Black-owned restaurant: Enat Kitchen Restaurant
Black-owned businesses you should know: Clarity Content; Black Pearl Acupuncture
Alline Akintore
Oregon Venture Fund
What it does: Venture investing
Title: Principal
Michael Alexander
Urban League
What it does: Advocacy organization
Title: Former CEO
Favorite Black-owned restaurant: Jamaican Homestyle Cuisine
Favorite Black author: Howard Thurman
Black-owned business you should know: "I want to send some support to a sister with a new business in Sellwood, Ava Bella Boutique.
Charlie Gilkey
Productive Flourising
What it does: Productivity and leadership consulting
Title: Founder
Favorite Black-owned restaurant: Assembly Brewing
Favorite Black author: "It's About Damn Time" by Arlan Hamilton and "Upper Hand" by Sherrell Dorsey. "Note: my book, Start Finishing: How to Go From Idea to Done is an award-winning and best-selling business book."
Black-owned business you should know: A Kids Company About. "I love their mission, their authors, and their titles. Who writes books -- and who they're written for -- is incredibly important and I wish A Kids Company About existed when I was young."
Julie Andrews
R/GA Portland
What it does: Digital product and marketing
Title: VP, Managing Director
Favorite Black-owned restaurant: "I’m Caribbean so I’ve been pretty satisfied by the curry goat from Jamaican Homestyle Cuisine."
Favorite Black author: "Went back to 'All About Love' by bell hooks and remembered what a great writer she was. I’m also a fan of the classics – Toni Morrison, Zora Neale Hurston and Sonia Sanchez."
Black-owned businesses you should know: "Due to the pandemic, I haven’t ventured out very much, but I’m following my friend Ellery Esajas who created a resource – The Green Book Directory (Beta), for finding all the Black businesses in Portland. My mission is to use this as my source as I look for services, resources and activities throughout the city."
Candace Avalos
Verde
What it does: Nonprofit focused on equitable development
Title: Executive director
Rep. Travis Nelson
State of Oregon, health care advocate
What it does: State government
Title: State representative; VP, Oregon Nurses Association; Founding member, Alliance of Black Nurses of Oregon; Delegate, Democratic National Committee
Favorite Black-owned restaurant: Kee's Loaded Kitchen
Favorite Black authors: Maya Angelou, "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings"; "I loved E. Lynn Harris, 'Invisibile Life.' It was life changing."
Black-owned business you should know: The Oregon Public House
Sharon Gary-Smith
Semi-retired
Title: Social justice advocate, philanthropist
Favorite Black-owned restaurant: FUEL. “It is unpretentious, comfy, cozy, has delicious breakfasts with inventive menu items, great vibes, far fewer customers and no competition with folks' dogs, at least not seen when I go there, which is often.”
Favorite Black author: "bell hooks, for her audacious unapologetic academically-incisive but readable and community-reachable reflections and scholarship on the intersections of our lives. My favorite quote of many of hers: "'We can't combat white supremacy unless we can teach people to love justice. You have to love justice more than your allegiance to your race, sexuality and gender. It is all about justice.'"
Black-owned business you should know: Abbey Creek Winery and owner Bertony, “An entrepreneurial winemaker, and a smart and saavy entrepreneur, he has increased Black entry and presence as consumers, and introduced new concepts in community engagement to a historically white status quo industry. He sets a table that makes wine experiences fun for all.”
Justice Adrienne Nelson
Oregon Supreme Court
What it does: State's highest court
Title: Supreme Court Justice
Tejan Conteh
Beneficial State Bank
What it does: Financial services
Title: VP, Commercial Banking Relationship Management
Favorite Black-owned restaurant: Kabba’s Kitchen, 4631 N Albina Ave. "They are my plug for authentic West African (mostly SeneGambian) food."
Favorite Black author: Wole Soyinka
Black-owned business you should know: PDX Elite Care Inc, an in-home care business
Marcy Bradley
Oregon Community Foundation
What it does: Community investing
Title: VP, Equity and Culture
Favorite Black-owned restaurant: Miss’ipi Chef, does catering and provides personal chef services
Favorite Black author: Walidah Imarisha. "Walidah is a must-read for those concerned with justice and liberation. A Portlander who is uniquely positioned to inspire Oregonians to reimagine our social constructs."
Black-owned business you should know: Bodi Brand, owned by Malia Thomas, a graduate of Jefferson High School and University of Oregon. "A homegrown talent who is a multidisciplinary designer and storyteller. This woman is gifted!"
Alexis Braly James
Construct the Present
What it does: Business consultancy
Title: Founder
Favorite Black-owned restaurant: Jada's Soulfood
Favorite Black author: Adrienne Marie Brown author of "Emergent Strategy & Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good"
Sharon Maxwell
Bratton Construction
Title: Founder
Favorite Black author: Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson. Her books include CASTE and Warmth of Other Suns. "Her depth, consciousness to American History and Black history is so enthusiastic and exciting."
Tiquette Bramlett
Vidon Vineyard
What it does: Winemaking
Title: President
Lakayana Drury
Word is Bond
What it does: Nonprofit focused on empowering young Black men to leadership positions
Title: Founder / Executive Director
Favorite Black-owned restaurant: The food truck, Fish on a Stick
Favorite Black author: Ta-Nehisi Coates, and favorite book by him is "Water Dancer"
Black-owned business you should know: Abbey Creek Winery
Dr. Bukhosi Dube
Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare
What it does: Mental and behavioral health
Title: Chief Medical Officer
Favorite Black-owned restaurant: Spice of Africa
Favorite Black author: Isabel Wilkerson and Langston Hughes
Black-owned business you should know: Champions Barbershop and Barbering Institute
Marcilynn Burke
University of Oregon law school
What it does: Higher education
Title: Dean
Tra'Renee Chambers
BumJuice Entertainment
What it does: Broadcasts news and entertainment
Title: Creator, producer, and host of “Situations & Conversations w/ Tra’Renee," which airs on Saturdays on KPDX from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Favorite Black-owned restaurants: "Amalfi’s Italian Restaurant and Nacheaux (both on NE Fremont), but my favorite Black chef in Portland is Chef Kiara 'Kitchen Killa' Hardy."
Favorite Black authors: Portland authors Renée Watson and Dr. Joy DeGruy
Black-owned businesses you should know: Aster Raine Skincare, Bloom Beauty Collective and Press Release Marketing
Corey Frazier
Intel
What it does: Semiconductor manufacturer
Title: Strategic Programs Manager – Community-Focused Technology Applications, Client Computing Group
Favorite Black-owned restaurant: Olive or Twist
Favorite Black author: "As a comic book aficionado, someone whose writing and editorial work had a lot of influence on my younger life was Dwayne McDuffie. His work in forming and writing for Milestone Media, countless DC and Marvel titles, and ultimately writing for animated series like Justice League gave me a lot of joy and inspiration as a creator!"
Black-owned business you should know: "Cardcraft! Reaching out to people to let them know you care, or that you are thinking of them, is vitally important. I appreciate Cardcraft’s positioning as a technology company providing an authentic connection and building a sense of community through its greeting cards."
Monique Claiborne
Greater Portland Inc.
What it does: Economic development agency
Title: CEO
Favorite Black-owned restaurant: Fuel Cafe on NE Alberta St
Favorite Black author: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, "Americanah"
Black-owned businesses you should know: Siebert Williams Shank & Co, largest minority-owned investment bank, and Abbey Creek Winery
Val Cleary
Multnomah Athletic Club
What it does: Athletic club, event space
Title: Athletic Director
Ashley Clinkscale
Portland Trail Blazers
What it does: Professional basketball team
Title: Chief Communications and Impact Officer
Orlando Williams
Motus Recruiting
What it does: Staffing solutions
Title: President
Favorite Black-owned restaurants: Po’Shines Café, De La Soul
Favorite Black author: W.E.B Du Bois
Black-owned business you should know: Self Enhancement Inc.
Dasheeda Dawson
City of Portland
What it does: Manages the city's cannabis program
Title: Cannabis Program Manager
Favorite Black-owned restaurant: Amalfi's
Favorite Black authors: Myself! "How to Succeed in the Cannabis Industry)"; Octavia Butler, "Parable of the Sower"
Black-owned businesses you should know: "Celebrating a few Black-owned cannabis businesses in Oregon! LOWD™; Green Muse; Magic Hour Cannabis:
Kali Ladd
Children's Institute
What it does: Early childhood development advocacy and policy
Title: CEO
Favorite Black-owned restaurant: Meals for Heals, "Chef Nikeisah Newton is amazing."
Favorite Black author: "Chimamanda Adiche – hands down. Two books I love that she wrote: 'Americanah' and 'We Should All be Feminists.'"
Black-owned businesses you should know: "I’d love to celebrate Black Pearl, a Black-owned acupuncture and wellness spa that prioritizes holistic health. There is no space in town like it, to my knowledge, and it’s a beautiful thing to treat oneself after these last couple of years of turmoil. I also love to celebrate A Kids Company About. Founded by a local Black Portlander who has revolutionized children’s books for the better and has shined a light on topics many parents shy away from all while partnering with a diverse set of folks to write the books so we all collectively grow and 'be better.'"
Shari Dunn
ITBOM
What it does: Business consultancy
Title: CEO / Principal
Favorite Black-owned restaurant: "It's not a restaurant but I love Cason’s Fine Meats. It has hot food, it reminds me of home cooking."
Favorite Black author: "The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration" by Isabel Wilkerson, "A Piece of Mine" by J. California Cooper, "Their Eyes Were Watching God: A Novel Reissue Edition" by Zora Neale Hurston
Black-owned business you should know: Hue Noir
D'Wayne Edwards
Pensole Design Academy
What it does: Footwear design
Title: Founder
Bertony Faustin
Abbey Creek Vineyards
What it does: Winery
Title: Owner / winemaker
Biko Taylor
City of Portland
What it does: City government
Title: Chief Procurement Officer
Favorite Black-owned restaurant: www.dbdessertcompany.com
Favorite Black author: James Baldwin
Black-owned business you should know: Kiara Hardy, executive director at the POIC and independent chef entrepreneur at Kitchen Killa | A Culinary Experience
Kimberly Howard Wade
Caldera Arts
What it does: Arts and culture program founded by Dan Wieden
Title: Executive Director
Favorite Black-owned restaurant: Po'Shines
Favorite Black author: Tayari Jones
Black-owned business you should know: Lovely Coils
LM Alaiyo Foster
Black United Fund
What it does: Invests to support social and economic development of underserved communities
Title: President
Favorite Black-owned restaurant: "Amalfi's is a Black & Woman-Owned Business established in 1959 and is a cornerstone of the NE Portland community. One of the first restaurants to bring pizza to the city of Portland. In addition to great pizza, Amalfi's is a destination for classic Italian comfort food, fresh craft cocktails, rotating brews, and ample wine. You'll find live soulful music performances Thursdays-Saturdays."
Favorite Black author: Zora Neale Hurston. "I respect her for not only her art and science (author, anthropologist and filmmaker) but her Black Excellence."
Black-owned business you should know: Diamond in the Rough Hair Spa. "A small, local, Black- and female-owned, business with 100% handcrafted, organic and natural products made and sourced locally."
Gregory Gourdet
Kann
What it does: Restaurant
Title: Chef / Owner
Evan T. Green
Portland State University
What it does: Higher education
Title: ED, Justice, equity, diversity and inclusion
Favorite Black-owned restaurant: Ja'das Soulful Eatz on MLK, Bole Restaurant on NE Alberta St.
Favorite Black author: Assata Shakur, "Assata: An Autobiography," Micheal Erik Dyson, "Tears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon to White America"
Black-owned businesses you should know: Nationally, Philadelphia Printworks and Free Breakfast Apparel
Dr. Gina Guillaume
North by Northeast Community Health Center
What it does: Health care
Title: Medical Director
Favorite Black-owned restaurant: Dirty Lettuce vegan restaurant
Favorite Black author: Ta-Nehisi Coates
Mac Smiff
The Thesis, a hip hop showcase
What it does: Entertainment production
Title: Co-founder
Favorite Black-owned restaurant: "Hard to call out a definite favorite but there's a Moroccan eatery downtown called Tangier that I absolutely love. Fresh baked pita, shwarma options, and a lamb shank that literally melts off the bone."
Favorite Black author: Pulitzer Prize winner Mitchell S. Jackson, author of "The Residue Years"
Black-owned business you should know: "One Black-owned business I'd like to celebrate is Produce Organics. Donte, Jordan and the team over there make it look effortless running a label/clothing brand/store but I know how hard they work to create not only opportunities for themselves, but for also for the go-getters around them."
Paula Hayes
Hue Noir
What it does: Develops and manufacturers beauty products for people of color
Title: Founder / President and CEO
Favorite Black-owned restaurant: Po’Shines Café De La Soul
Favorite Black author: Zora Neale Hurston
Black-owned business you should know: Soapbox Theory
Ron Herndon
Albina Head Start / Community Activist
What it does: Early childhood education
Title: CEO
Ciara Pressler
Pregame
What it does: Business consultancy
Title: Founder
Favorite Black authors: "Woke Racism" by John McWhorter, "How to Be Black" by Baratunde Thurston, "Caucasia" by Danzy Senna
Black-owned business you should know: Plush Armour by Chasten Harmon. "Chasten is giving Black women space for self healing, growth, and expansion of how we define ourselves."
Robin Holmes-Sullivan
Lewis & Clark College
What it does: Higher education
Title: In-coming president; Currently vice president for student life and dean of students
What it does: Higher education
Robin Beavers
Trillium Family Services
What it does: Mental health services
Title: Vice President of Philanthropy and DEI Initiatives
Favorite Black-owned restaurant: Amalfi’s. "#onelove"
Favorite Black authors: "Both Portland natives: 2021 Pulitzer Prize winner, Mitchell S. Jackson and #1 NY Times Best Seller and young adult author Renee Watson."
Black-owned business you should know: "The Influential Grooming Lounge is a social barber lounge that connects culture and community while providing superior haircuts and hairstyling services to Portland’s growing metro area."
Devon Horace
Horace Consulting / Bd. Chair Alberta Main Street
What it does: Consulting and investing
Title: Founder
Favorite Black-owned restaurant: "Fuel Cafe: 1452 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211 - I love breakfast in the middle of the day and they have an amazing waffle with vegan sausage on the side!"
Favorite Black author: bell hooks, "The Will to Change" and "All About Love"
Black-owned business you should know: "I would like to celebrate Mister OK's Essentials - Soy candle paired with essential oil. No additives. Chemical-free. Smell heavenly."
Jesce Horton
LOWD cannabis
What it does: Cannabis retailer
Title: Founder, Owner; board member, Resource Innovation Institute and Marijuana Business Daily
Eric Hunter
CareOregon
What it does: Health care management
Title: CEO
Favorite Black-owned restaurant: "Hands down, my favorite restaurant is Kee’s Loaded Kitchen off of NE MLK and NE Alberta. That food cart is amazing. And, it’s about more than just the food. Kee is a single mother who has worked to create her business and not only hire people to work with her, but also have a regular event of 'Feeding Black Portland' where she provides meals to people for free."
Dr. Danny Jacobs
OHSU
What it does: Hospital, medical school and research
Title: President
Dr. William Johnson
Moda
What it does: Health and dental insurance
Title: President
Brian L. Johnson
Warner Pacific University
What it does: Higher education
Title: President
D'Artagnan Caliman
Meyer Memorial Trust
What it does: Community foundation
Title: Director
Favorite Black-owned restaurant: Po'Shines in the Kenton neighborhood. "I love the food and ambience reminds me of a 1960's restaurant. I love the artwork and history!"
Favorite Black author: Amiri Baraka. "I love his plays, prose and poetry."
Black-owned business you should know: Deadstock Coffee. "Although I prefer a good chai tea, I absolutely love their Arnold Palmer's and their new location, Concourse Coffee."
