You can find Oregon Black Pioneers at events all over Oregon for Black History Month. Join us!
Monday, Feb 3
Bridging The Past: A Conversation on History, Healing, and Hope
Olin Hall, Whitman College, Walla Walla, WA MORE HERE
7:00 – 8:30pm
For this conversation, Mariah Rocker, Taylor Stewart, Dr. Robert Franklin, leaders from Oregon Black Pioneers and Oregon Remembrance Project, will discuss the importance of Oregon Black History, their joint efforts to create more Black space in Oregon, and the contemporary challenges facing Black advancement in the Pacific Northwest.
Tuesday, February 4
York of the Lewis & Clark Expedition
Coos History Museum, Coos Bay MORE HERE
6:00 – 7:00pm
York was an enslaved man who took part in the Lewis and Clark Expedition. But what is known about York besides his participation in this journey? Zachary Stocks presents a detailed biography on York’s experiences during the Expedition, his life before and after, and his place within African American history.
Thursday, February 6
Oregon’s Black History: 450 Years in 45 Minutes
PCC – Cascade Campus, Terrell Hall MORE HERE
5:30 – 7:30pm
Hosted by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, presented by Mariah Rocker, come learn about the 450-year history of Black pioneers in Oregon in just 45 minutes – it’s a fast-paced journey you won’t want to miss!
Black Journeys Film Screening and Conversation
OMSI Empirical Theater, Portland MORE HERE
6:30 – 8:30pm
Zachary Stocks joins Taylor Stewart of Oregon Remembrance Project for the Oregon Public Broadcasting presentation, Black Journeys: Exploring Oregon’s Black History, the legacy of racial injustice and paths forward, a screening event that will showcase two films from OPB’s “Oregon Experience” history series: “Oregon’s Black Pioneers” and “The Road to Sunrise.” Following the screenings, we will have an audience Q&A and panel discussion.
Saturday, February 8
Oregon’s Black History: 450 Years in 45 Minutes
Nehalem Valley Historical Society, Manzanita MORE HERE
3:30- 5:00pm
People of African descent have lived and worked in Oregon since before the founding of the earliest English-speaking settlements in the Americas. Despite this, the popular narrative of our state’s history excludes the experiences of African Americans before the mid-20th century. This erasure is the result of historic legal and social marginalization that contributes to the ignorance of Oregon’s Black heritage, as well as influences contemporary disparities in housing access, community investment, and policing. For this presentation, Zachary Stocks of Oregon Black Pioneers will attempt to correct the record by highlighting key individuals and events that characterize Oregon’s unique and centuries-old Black history.
Tuesday, February 11
Oregon’s Black History: 450 Years in 45 Minutes
The Dalles Public Library MORE HERE
6:00 – 7:00pm
In this fast-paced overview, Mariah Rocker will highlight the key individuals and events that characterize Oregon’s unique and centuries-old Black history.
Wednesday, February 12
Black Women of the Willamette Valley
Philomath Museum MORE HERE
6:00 – 8:00pm
Join us for a meaningful event hosted by the Philomath City Council and the Inclusivity Ad-Hoc Committee as we come together to celebrate and honor Black History Month. With a keynote presentation by Zachary Stocks, Executive Director of Oregon Black Pioneers.
Thursday, February 13
Letitia Carson Exhibit Opening
Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts, Corvallis MORE HERE
4:00 – 6:00pm
Join us in Toomey Lobby to see the Letitia Carson: An Enduring Spirit of Hope and Freedom exhibit, meet its curators, and learn more about Letitia Carson and the Letitia Carson Legacy Project. The LCLP is a partnership of OSU, Oregon Black Pioneers, Mudbone Grown, Black Oregon Land Trust, and Linn-Benton NAACP. Speakers will include:
Zachary Stocks, Oregon Black Pioneers Executive Director
Lauren Gwin, Director of the Center for Resilient Agriculture and Food Systems in OSU’s College of Agricultural Science
Charlotte Epps, Letitia Carson Legacy Project Community Engagement Consultant
This event is co-sponsored by OSU’S Center for the Humanities and the Center for Resilient Agriculture and Food Systems.
Saturday, February 15
Oregon’s Black History: 450 Years in 45 Minutes
Multnomah County Central Library, Portland MORE HERE
2:00 – 3:00pm
In this fast-paced overview, Mariah Rocker will highlight the key individuals and events that characterize Oregon’s unique and centuries-old Black history.
Thursday, February 20
Oregon’s Black History: 450 Years in 45 Minutes
Aloha Community Library MORE HERE
6:30 – 7:30pm
In this fast-paced overview, Mariah Rocker will highlight the key individuals and events that characterize Oregon’s unique and centuries-old Black history.
Saturday, February 22
York of the Lewis and Clark Expedition
Monmouth Public Library VIRTUAL
11:00 – 12:00pm
York was an enslaved man who took part in the Lewis & Clark Expedition from 1803-1806. Find out more about York’s life and his place within national African American History from Zachary Stocks of the Oregon Black Pioneers.
Untold Stories of Albany: Contributions and Challenges in Black History
Sponsored by Kin Cultivate
Albany Public Library MORE HERE
10:30 – 12:30pm
Join Oregon Black Pioneers and KinCultivate for a groundbreaking presentation highlighting Albany, Oregon’s Black history. Crafted specifically for Albany, this program will explore untold stories of Black pioneers, business owners, and community leaders, shedding light on their contributions and resilience. Led by Oregon Black Pioneers’ Mariah Rocker, this presentation will also include snacks, an interactive trivia session with prizes, and opportunities to connect with local organizations.
Oregon’s Black History: 450 Years in 45 Minutes
Multnomah County North Library, Portland MORE HERE
3:00 – 4:00pm
In this fast-paced overview, Mariah Rocker will highlight the key individuals and events that characterize Oregon’s unique and centuries-old Black history.
Monday, February 24
Oregon’s Black History: 450 Years in 45 Minutes
McMenamins Kennedy School, Portland MORE HERE
6:00 – 8:00pm
In this fast-paced overview, Mariah Rocker will highlight the key individuals and events that characterize Oregon’s unique and centuries-old Black history.
Tuesday, February 25
Black Exclusion in Oregon
Wilsonville Public Library MORE HERE
6:00 – 7:30pm
In recognition of Black History Month, Mariah Rocker presents Black Exclusion in Oregon. Amidst the historical backdrop of Oregon’s formation, the state grappled with Black exclusion laws, pro-slavery influence, and the free state versus slave state debate. This presentation explores these dynamics and their profound impact on Oregon’s Black community.
Thursday, February 27
Black Exclusion in Oregon
Lake Oswego Public Library MORE HERE
5:30 – 7:30pm
Amidst the historical backdrop of Oregon’s formation, the state grappled with Black exclusion laws, pro-slavery influence, and the free state versus slave state debate. Join Mariah Rocker from Oregon Black Pioneers as she explores these dynamics and their profound impact on Oregon’s Black community.
Oregon Black Pioneers’ Exhibits
The Black Pioneers
Four Rivers Cultural Center Ontario, OR
January 15, 2025 – February 28
MORE HERE
Letitia Carson: An Enduring Spirit of Hope and Freedom
Tillamook County Pioneer Museum
February 1 – February 28, 2025
MORE HERE
Racing to Change: Oregon’s Civil Rights Years
Wilsonville Public Library
February 1 – February 28, 2025
MORE HERE
1803 Fund Pop Up Black History Museum
Feat. OBP Exhibits
Old Town, Portland MORE HERE
February 1 – February 28, 2025
MORE HERE
Community Events
February 1 – February 28
1803 Fund Pop Up Black History Museum
Old Town, Portland MORE HERE
Black-serving organizations across Portland are celebrating a “Black, Black History Month” this year by hosting a pop-up museum with Creative Homies at the Horizon Enterprise Building in Old Town. Though our work often centers Albina as the historic heart of Black life in Portland, Old Town is one of the first neighborhoods where Black folks settled in the city–the railroad brought families from out east in the late 1800s. Join us!
Multiple Dates
T3C Black History Month
Portland area
Join Through The Trees Collective and various Community Partners for a month full of events celebrating Black History! MORE HERE
Saturday, February 8 – Buffalo Soldiers Documentary Film Screening
Saturday, February 8 – BIPOC Nature & History Immersion Workshop
Saturday, February 15 – BIPOC Youth Game Day
Saturday, February 22 – Get Grounded – A BIPOC Tree Planting Workshop
Saturday, February 1
Discovery Day – Letitia Carson, Black pioneer
Philomath Museum MORE HERE
10:00 – 12:00pm
Letitia Carson was a Black homesteader in Benton County in 1845. At this interactive discovery day, try your hand at making butter from cow’s milk! Learn about the scientific process of emulsion and how liquid turns into solid. Discovery Days are recurring free family events at the Benton County museums.
Sunday, February 2
ALL POWER TO THE PEOPLE: the Legacy of the Black Panthers’ Ten-Point Program
The Historic Alberta House, Portland MORE HERE
Join Mr. Kent Ford, founding member of the Portland’s chapter of the Black Panthers, and guests for the annual event celebrating The Black Panther Party’s Legacy of grassroots coalition building and survival programs. Presented by The Vanport Mosaic.
Help preserve Oregon’s Black history by supporting OBP this Black History Month! Our goal is $100 a day for February, please consider making a donation today!