Count us in

CareOregon is working to build better Black health, well-being and trust

Last year we invested $455,000 in nonprofits to support traditional health workers in communities of color. They’re among the dozens of Black-led, culturally specific partners we’re honored to work with, including Black Parent Initiative, Urban League, North by Northeast Community Health Center and Mudbone Grown farm.

As the state’s largest Medicaid provider, the CareOregon family has stood up for equitable, whole-person care since our founding in 1994. More than ever, we’re committed to offering culturally appropriate care, dismantling health inequities and listening to communities.

Making health care work for everyone. That’s the CareOregon Effect.

111 MILES FROM PORTLAND SITS

A 295-ACRE ARBORETUM WITH 4,000 TREES AND 22,200 STUDENTS FROM 50 STATES AND 88 COUNTRIES.

IT’S HOME TO A TIER ONE RESEARCH UNIVERSITY WITH A 19:1 STUDENT-TO-TEACHER RATIO.

6 Letter from Governor Tina Kotek

Oregon has a long history of structural and institutional racism – from exclusion laws and redlining to discrimination and displacement. Oregon’s new Governor, Tina Kotek, is breaking down these historical barriers and helping to build a better future for all Oregonians.

10 Letter from the Editor

John Washington, takes a hard look at the unprecedented money and resources flowing into Black coffers in Oregon and how the impact of new money…..and new leadership…..stands to affect the State of Black Portland.

Health And Wellness

16 Eating the Odds

Nutritionist Karen Nickerson believes that with the right kind of education and support, anyone can begin their journey to optimal health and wellbeing.

17 Healing from the Roots

Owner and operator of Healing from the Heart, Javelin Hardy is a mother, grandmother, healer, educator and writer who shares her journey to the light and what it takes to break through generational trauma, behaviors and addictions.

18 Care Oregon: Building Black Health Better

President and Chief Executive Officer, Eric C. Hunter shares the work of Care Oregon, a significant catalyst for health care change and the largest health plan serving Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members.

19 MLK Dream Run 2023

On your mark, get set, GO get your Run on!! Mark your calendars for the 12th Annual MLK Dream Run weekend celebration of health, wellness and community taking place on September 16th and 17th, 2023.

20

The Magic of Mushrooms: Healing with Psilocybin

“Magic Mushrooms” have been used to treat mental health disorders for centuries. Now legal in Oregon, Doctor Rachel Knox is on the frontline to ensure equal access to its therapeutic benefits.

Travel And Leisure

23

Eat. Play. Stay.

Eat. Play. Stay- Detroit, Michigan is one of seven of the top 50 cities in the U.S whose population is predominantly Black. With that in mind, we explore Detroit for some Black-focused travel experiences.

Hot Topics

26 State of Emergency

Forced migration due to climate change is an alarming trend that is expected to displace 117.2 million people by the end of the year. To avoid disaster, action must be taken imminently.

27 Senator Ron Wyden Op-ed

U.S. Senator, Ron Wyden, shares the details of legislation he introduced to encourage and support the economic growth of small businesses throughout Oregon.

28 Build Black Better

Flossin Media’s List of the Top 5 Organizations in Oregon who are Building Black Better.

34 Tale of Two Cities: Houseless in Portland

Despite declaring a ‘state of emergency’ with regards to the houseless crisis, Portland still struggles to implement long term solutions. How did we get here and how do we effectively help those falling through the cracks and onto the streets?

36 Buckle Up

The Electric Vehicle Revolution is about to Explode into Mainstream Transportation.

Economic Development

38

Changing Lanes: I-5 Rose Quarter Project

DeAngelo Moaning of Raimore Construction and Dr. Steven Holt take on the I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement and expansion project.

40 Name, Image, Likeness

College athletes have generated billions of dollars for the NCAA and now, thanks to NIL(Name, Image, Likeness), they are finally cashing in.

41 The Basics to Forming Your Own Company

Portland Attorney, Bryson Davis offers expert advice on starting a liberating and profitable business with a legal structure tailored to your business type.

42 Roadmap to Success

Starting a small business can be an exciting journey filled with challenges and opportunities. Soul District Business Association Small Business Navigator, Alex Gebreab, charts the course to success for aspiring entrepreneurs.

43 The Oregon Equity Investment Act

On March 3rd, 2023, Oregon State Legislature passed the Equity Investment Act, SB 1579. Despite being a long-overdue effort to help BIPOC communities in Oregon recover economically from the ‘war on drugs’, equity and justice still face a firing squad

The More We Know

44 How Tech is Leaving Us Lonely

As people have become more accustomed to technology, we are losing an important part of the human experience…. human contact.

45 The Tennessee Three

The shock of seeing two young Black lawmakers undemocratically ousted from the Tennessee House allegedly for a violation of the House’s rules of decorum, prompted this fiery rebuttal from Rosa Colquitt, the State Party Chair of the Democratic Party of Oregon.

46 Preserving Black Places

A collaborative and robust coalition of new and diverse, interdisciplinary stakeholders is stepping up to the equity plate to affirm Black historic preservation efforts in Oregon.

47 Off the Grid with Afrovivalist

Afrovivalist, Sharon Ross, is back to share her journey and her passion for preparedness in the aftermath of big shifts since 2020. She encourages others to be prepared for any emergency by having emergency kits, a food pantry, Bug Out Bags (BOB) and Bug Out Locations (BOL) for unexpected situations.

48 Boots on the Ground: James Posey Holds the Line at Portland NAACP

As the newest chapter president of the Portland branch of the NAACP, James Posey steps up for racial justice and the elevation of presence and purpose of people of color in Portland, Oregon.

Simple Pleasures

51 Good in the Hood: Keeping the Soul in the District

Put on your dancing shoes and come hungry! Good in the Hood’s 33rd Annual Multicultural Music, Arts & Food Festival is right around the corner.

52 Vanport’s Got Jazz

On Friday, August 4th and Saturday, August 5th, 2023, the 6th annual Vanport Jazz Festival(VJF) regales audiences with a full spectrum experience headlined by luminaries and giants of Jazz.

53 The Portland Rose Festival Black Entertainment Experience

Flossin Media TV Shines the spotlight on the City of Rose’s oldest celebration from the perspective of the Black Rose.

54 Book Remarks

This issue’s pick of authors who have taken the time to write books that improve our perspectives, our conditions, and our ability to better connect with one another.

55 Of Champions and Contenders

A vaunted legacy and tradition of champions and contenders, the Knott Street Community Center has left an indelible impression on the boxing world and the youth that come through it’s programs.

56 Hip Hop Turns 50

The Sons of Hip Hop are DJs Too. Flossin’s nod to Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary. We host a conversation with three of Portland’s hardest working DJs interviewed on Black Beat Podcast.

58 Outdoor School: From Tragedy to Triumph

Told from the perspective of a 12-year old Black boy who slept under a tree with his Mother and little Sister, “Outdoor School” is a groundbreaking film based on a true story of houselessness, resilience and the transformative power of nature and community.

60 Edmund Mundo

As the artist and designer behind the Soul District Brand Identity Campaign banners, Edmund Mundo Holmes shares his passion for bringing to life the Black experience in the Soul of Portland.

61 Invest in the Soul Identity Branding

Take a peek behind the curtain of the Soul District Business Association’s branding campaign.

Higher Conciousness

62 Heritage

“Heritage” is a powerful spoken word poem written for Black History Month by Poet and Pastor, Alexander James.