Traveling While Black: Black History of Portland, OR
Overlooked Black History of Oregon
Most are familiar with the state of Oregon’s past in relation to Black People. It is because of that history it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that the state still has a rich Black history. Dating all the way back to its inception as a territory, Black people have always been apart of the state’s history. From pioneers to state representatives. Yet, of the state’s long standing Black history, perhaps it’s not surprising that it is the city of Portland that holds some of the most dynamic parts of that history. A history that today might be hard to see. But if you wanted to try and experience it, then you at least need to know where to look.
Where to Look for Portland’s Black History
In the Northeastern part of the city, is what is known as the Albina District. An area that encompasses several neighborhoods, including Eliot, King, Boise. The district is known as the historic center of Portland’s Black history. Ironically it was the city’s racist housing practices that led to Albina becoming the center of Black culture in Portland. As a result, the district has been host to some of the most prominent moments in Portland Black history. From vibrant colorful ones, to more darker pivotal ones.
Albina’s Black history jump started in the 1940’s during World War II. When a large influx of African American workers relocated to Portland for jobs in the booming industries being driven by the war. Around 150,000 Black laborers added to Black population of Portland that prior to the war was estimated to be less than 3,000. In order to accommodate the influx, a another city had to be created so to provide more housing.
That city was the city of Vanport. A housing development, that housed many of the Black workers. But the little relief provided by the manufactured city did not last long, when the Vanport Flood in 1948 destroyed the community; many African Americans relocated to the Albina area. By 1958, 73% of the Black population in Portland was located in Albina. And because of that, the Albina district became the center of Portland’s Black community. Still, this wasn’t all bad early on.
The wages provided by the booming war industry allowed for Black residents to buy nicer homes within the neighborhoods, and with that Black businesses began popping up. The famed Mississippi Avenue was a commercial hub for the Black community, featuring many of the African American-owned businesses.
Albina also became the hub for one of the city’s impactful cultural music movements. The Albina music movement. Beginning in the 1960s the Albina music movement was a period marked by a flourishing of Black music in the Albina district. Clubs and venues became significant cultural hubs, showcasing a variety of music genres including jazz, blues, soul, and funk. Throughout and until the end of the period in the 1980s, the movement played an important role in the cultural and social life of the neighborhood.
It was no coincidence that the end of the movement correlated with compounding of the negative impacts of the city’s discriminatory practices. Being that it was nearly impossible for Black homeowners in the community to secure home improvement loans, as well of a lack of other outside investments, the Albina district started to experience economic decline.
Although, increasing unemployment and poverty rates, weren’t the only contributing factors to the decline of the historic Black district. Urban renewal projects was also a huge contributor. Beginning in the 1960’s, federal legislation encouraged cities to redevelop so called “blighted areas”.
The problem was that these so called blighted areas were most always historically Black neighborhoods. And Portland was no different. For example, in Central Albina, hundreds of homes were razed to make way for the Memorial Coliseum, and then Interstate 5.
Just between 1960 and 1970, Albina’s Eliot neighborhood alone lost half of its residents to involuntary displacement. As the gentrification continued throughout the 80’s, 90’s, and into the 2000’s; so did the decline of Portlands Black population.
But just like during the high times, the Albina District was at the center of the fight against racism and discrimination during the lows. From being a hub of the civil rights movement including the Portland chapter of the Black Panther party, to being the location of the house that represents the last vestige against gentrification. In fact, it was a proposed commercial development planned within Albina in 2013 that made the city of Portland reconsider its historic approach to development. Thanks to Black residents push back, additional investments were made to account for affordable housing, but also include the community input in development decisions.
Even with the conscience considerations, the Albina district is a far cry from what it once looked like when the Portland Black community once thrived. But on our trip to Portland, we got to at least visualize what the area might have looked like thanks to the Albina self-guided walking tour. Presented by the Albina Music Trust, the tour is a local history and music-themed self-guided walking tour that takes listeners through a one-mile tour, making stops at nine locations that were once important locations of the scene. The tour is narrated by Portland icons of the movement’s golden years, Norman Sylvester and Calvin Walker. Their storytelling mixed in with the music that was produced from within, made it almost feel like you could see the old neighborhood in real life.
Even though the historic Black neighborhood doesn’t reflect the African American presence that once existed there, it doesn’t mean that there aren’t any Black residents and business owners thriving in Portland today. Because there is!
Of course you might already be familiar with the ones we checked out on our last visit to Portland (click here to watch that experience). But this time we got to drop into some new ones.
Like Desiree Noisette, who became the state of Florida’s first Black woman wine company owner, but now lives in Portland and runs a wine bar restaurant that shares the name of her wine brand; Mermosa PDX. Located at 1422 NW 23rd Ave, Desiree has created a popular location with a dope vibe, delicious food, and of course amazing drinks. This was definitely a dream place for Marlie, ha!
Black woman business owners breaking down barriers in the liquor industry continues with Chaunci King; the first Black woman to own a liquor company in the Pacific Northwest. With her brand Royalty Spirits. Chaunci was a single mother who decided to distill her own liquor in response to a what she thought was missing in the industry. Today, you can find Chaunci’s Royalty Spirits at retailers across the country, and even better at her distillery and tasting room located at 4532 SE 63rd. We absolutely loved everything Royalty had to offer and we definitely information.
Finally, stepping away from the liquor industry and into the food biz, enter in Brandon Stevens who opened up Grits N Gravy in homage to his Grandparents and Father who were also restaurant owners. Brandon takes pride in honoring his grandfather’s business principle of “great food and great service at a fair price”. All of which held true on our visit.
These are just a drop in the bucket of African American individuals that are running successful Black businesses in Portland today. This Black History month, and all year round, we recommend you supporting these and others.
And not only in the food and drink industry, but everywhere like in the arts. For instances checking out the exhibition Black Artists of Oregon Showing at the Portland Art Museum through March 17th.
Portland shows, that a city within a state with the history of Oregon, Black People can still have a full and vibrant history that continues to be made to this day.
