July News from Portland in Color
Expanding our board of directors, an opportunity to collab with PDX, and reflections on community
Happy July, friends!
I'm writing this having just popped by our neighborhood Parks and Recreation Free Swim— have you seen all the cool fun and ~free~ things PP&R is hosting this summer all over the city? To be honest I was feeling hot and sluggish from the heat and didn't feel like going, which feels wild because common logic might suggest that'd be the perfect time to visit the pool. But all I could think about was laying as still as possible in my dark room with the AC window unit regulating my body temperature.
But I still went! And much like many of the things we rally ourselves to do even when we're so tempted to cancel or tell ourselves, "I'll make the next one," I felt better for it.
You guys... Free Swim is chaos and delight and pure summer magic. I'm hoping this might be true everywhere in the city during free swim nights, but at Montavilla on 82nd in East Portland, it was poppin’ with life and so many families from all different backgrounds.
I loved seeing an Eritrean family with seven kids walk right up to the pool's edge and leave their sandals in a heap before slipping in— like the pool was their own personal living room. Kids with life jackets borrowed from the front desk and lifeguards reminding them for the MILLIONTH time "Walk! No running." More kids dripping with pool water, speed-walking with nachos and big smiles to show their grandparents their snack counter spoils. And I was so happy to see my own kid meet up with his bestie, bopping around and learning to feel comfortable in the water surrounded by so much joy and laughter and yes, a lot of splashing.
And I guess what I want to say is that our community spaces are sacred. It's really special that we live in a city that actively works to make these resources and spaces available to as many people as possible, even while facing bureaucracy and budget cuts. It also makes me think of when I hear discourse about Portland's whiteness, or the fact that it's "the whitest city in America," and how I want to bring those people here. Remind them that while you may have to seek out these spaces and leave the dark comfort of your air conditioned room, we're here.
Join our Board of Directors
We're expanding our Board of Directors!
Portland in Color is seeking board members with diverse skills and expertise in areas such as grassroots fundraising, community building, nonprofit organizational development and governance, and activism in the arts, with a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and interest in championing and furthering the reach of our work. Our board should be reflective of the many constituencies we serve including Black, Indigenous, and/or people of color, LGBTQIA+, youth through elders, and other marginalized communities.
Please note this is an unpaid volunteer position that meets quarterly. To nominate yourself or someone in the community, please fill out this form by July 18th.
Help PDX Look Its Best – Join a Focus Group
Do you travel through PDX regularly?
Portland International Airport (PDX) and the Port of Portland are refreshing their visual brand identity, and they want YOUR input! Join a one-hour focus group on Thursday, July 24th (slots throughout the day) to share how the new designs feel to you. We’re prioritizing people with diverse backgrounds and people with visual impairments.
Why participate?
Receive a $50 honorarium
Free parking and snacks
A chance to inform how PDX shows up in the world
Spots are limited, so sign up today! Note: completing the application form does not guarantee participation. You’ll get a detailed email once confirmed.
Questions? Send an email to rhonda@afterbruce.com
More Upcoming Events and Opportunities
Cut Paper with Nia Musiba - The focus of this workshop will be to collaboratively create cut-paper illustrations that will find a permanent home on the walls of Friends Share Community Space on July 20, 2025. Two sessions, $15-25 sliding scale.
Black Rose Wellness is hosting Sacred Love, a retreat for Black women and femmes on July 19. 2025 12-4pm.
Súper Ultra Tropi-Tóxic Summer: A Noche Libre x Let’s Be Friends Day Party ft a free BIPOC vendor market and mutual aid fundraising for UndocuPDX on July 27, 2025 from 2-6 pm, all Latina DJs from 4-10 pm ($18 adv, $20-25 day-of)
Caldera Artists in Residence 2026 Open Call - Apply by August 4, 2025.
Respond to Racism is looking for volunteers!
Street Roots is hiring an Executive Director - In partnership with the board of directors the Executive Director (ED) of Street Roots will oversee organizational management, financial sustainability, fundraising, and advocacy efforts while fostering an inclusive and high-functioning team culture.
Evergreen Reminders
Want to support our work and don’t know where to start? Here are three ways:
Join or refer folks to join our free public directory
If you are or know an Oregon-based BIPOC artist that you’d like to see featured in an upcoming newsletter, please nominate them (or yourself!) here.
Donate - we are a team of volunteers committed to continuing this work because we believe BIPOC artists deserve to thrive, not just survive, in their creative livelihoods. Your tax deductible donation keeps our programming going.
That’s all for this month! As always, if you have an event or opportunity you would like us to include in the newsletter, please email us at portlandincolor@gmail.com
In solidarity and community,
Celeste and the PIC Team