For years, Oregon Black Pioneers has dreamed of creating a professional learning experience dedicated entirely to Oregon’s Black history. That vision came to life, as 29 educators from across Oregon and Southwest Washington chose to spend part of their summer break—and for many, one of the first days after the school year ended—learning, reflecting, and preparing to bring these stories into their classrooms.
The educators who joined us represented kindergarten to 12th grade classrooms across six counties in Oregon and Southwest Washington. Some folks traveled from as far away as Eugene to attend our Portland workshop! Together, they explored Oregon’s exclusion laws, uncovered the stories of Black Oregonians whose contributions have too often been overlooked, and experienced history through interactive lessons and a walking tour of Portland’s historic Albina neighborhood. As one participant shared, “I didn’t realize how little I knew about Oregon’s Black history before today.” Another captured the experience simply: “I loved the combination of history and practical classroom application.”
The workshop’s impact extended far beyond a single day. 100% of participants said they intend to use Oregon Black Pioneers resources in their classrooms. 96% plan to share what they learned with colleagues, and 92% expressed interest in continuing to partner with Oregon Black Pioneers through future professional learning and classroom experiences. Those numbers represent thousands of students who will encounter a more complete, more honest telling of Oregon’s history.
This workshop was a celebration of what’s possible when Black history is placed at the center of focus. We are incredibly grateful to every teacher who invested their time in this work and can’t wait to see the ripple effect their learning creates in classrooms across our region.
Read about the Educator Workshop here.
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