Oregon Black Pioneers
@oregonblackpioneers.org
Oregon Black Pioneers is Oregon’s only historical society dedicated to preserving and presenting the experiences of African Americans statewide. www.oregonblackpioneers.org
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Wherever you find Black history in Oregon, you'll find Oregon Black Pioneers.
Reposted by Oregon Black Pioneers
Shout out to the Astoria Heritage Museum in Oregon. "Blocked Out: Race and Place in the Making of Modern Astoria" documents some of Astoria's lesser known history.
Thanks to @oregonblackpioneers.org and James and Janet Aalberg for making this exhibition possible and asking the important questions.
Thanks to @oregonblackpioneers.org and James and Janet Aalberg for making this exhibition possible and asking the important questions.
February 8, 2026 at 11:05 AM
Shout out to the Astoria Heritage Museum in Oregon. "Blocked Out: Race and Place in the Making of Modern Astoria" documents some of Astoria's lesser known history.
Thanks to @oregonblackpioneers.org and James and Janet Aalberg for making this exhibition possible and asking the important questions.
Thanks to @oregonblackpioneers.org and James and Janet Aalberg for making this exhibition possible and asking the important questions.
Oregon's Black History Keepers: 1950s
Verdell Burdine Rutherford moved with her family to Portland in the 1920s. She married Otto Rutherford, and for decades they fought for civil rights as leaders with the NAACP, Urban League, and other groups.
Verdell Burdine Rutherford moved with her family to Portland in the 1920s. She married Otto Rutherford, and for decades they fought for civil rights as leaders with the NAACP, Urban League, and other groups.
February 9, 2026 at 7:28 PM
Oregon's Black History Keepers: 1950s
Verdell Burdine Rutherford moved with her family to Portland in the 1920s. She married Otto Rutherford, and for decades they fought for civil rights as leaders with the NAACP, Urban League, and other groups.
Verdell Burdine Rutherford moved with her family to Portland in the 1920s. She married Otto Rutherford, and for decades they fought for civil rights as leaders with the NAACP, Urban League, and other groups.
Oregon's Black History Keepers: 1940s
During WWII, African Americans from across the country made their way to Vanport to work in the shipyards. One of them was Clara Mae Peoples of Muskogee, Oklahoma.
During WWII, African Americans from across the country made their way to Vanport to work in the shipyards. One of them was Clara Mae Peoples of Muskogee, Oklahoma.
February 5, 2026 at 6:13 PM
Oregon's Black History Keepers: 1940s
During WWII, African Americans from across the country made their way to Vanport to work in the shipyards. One of them was Clara Mae Peoples of Muskogee, Oklahoma.
During WWII, African Americans from across the country made their way to Vanport to work in the shipyards. One of them was Clara Mae Peoples of Muskogee, Oklahoma.
Oregon's Black History Keepers: 1930s
Reverend Daniel G. Hill, Jr. was born in Annapolis, Maryland, in 1896. After studying divinity in Pennsylvania and Colorado, Daniel became minister of Portland’s Bethel AME Church in 1928.
Reverend Daniel G. Hill, Jr. was born in Annapolis, Maryland, in 1896. After studying divinity in Pennsylvania and Colorado, Daniel became minister of Portland’s Bethel AME Church in 1928.
February 3, 2026 at 9:04 PM
Oregon's Black History Keepers: 1930s
Reverend Daniel G. Hill, Jr. was born in Annapolis, Maryland, in 1896. After studying divinity in Pennsylvania and Colorado, Daniel became minister of Portland’s Bethel AME Church in 1928.
Reverend Daniel G. Hill, Jr. was born in Annapolis, Maryland, in 1896. After studying divinity in Pennsylvania and Colorado, Daniel became minister of Portland’s Bethel AME Church in 1928.
Oregon's Black history, present, and future in Eugene. Don't miss this exhibit!
Our opening night was incredible! Thank you to everyone that came out. 🎉 ReEnvisioned is now open! Come see the stories that are often left out of Oregon's history. These ten portraits will reshape how we remember Oregon's past.🖤✨
#universityoforegon #art #museum #oregonhistory #blackhistory
#universityoforegon #art #museum #oregonhistory #blackhistory
February 3, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Oregon's Black history, present, and future in Eugene. Don't miss this exhibit!
Reposted by Oregon Black Pioneers
Oregon’s coast has more stories than you think 🌊
This Black History Month (and beyond), take the road trip, learn the stories, and see the coast through a deeper lens.
visittheoregoncoast.com/travel-guide...
This Black History Month (and beyond), take the road trip, learn the stories, and see the coast through a deeper lens.
visittheoregoncoast.com/travel-guide...
February 2, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Oregon’s coast has more stories than you think 🌊
This Black History Month (and beyond), take the road trip, learn the stories, and see the coast through a deeper lens.
visittheoregoncoast.com/travel-guide...
This Black History Month (and beyond), take the road trip, learn the stories, and see the coast through a deeper lens.
visittheoregoncoast.com/travel-guide...
Looking for Oregon Black Pioneers’ Black History Month events?
Find them at the link!
oregonblackpioneers.org/where-is-oregon-black-pioneers-2026
Find them at the link!
oregonblackpioneers.org/where-is-oregon-black-pioneers-2026
February 2, 2026 at 10:05 PM
Looking for Oregon Black Pioneers’ Black History Month events?
Find them at the link!
oregonblackpioneers.org/where-is-oregon-black-pioneers-2026
Find them at the link!
oregonblackpioneers.org/where-is-oregon-black-pioneers-2026
Oregon's Black History Keepers: 1920s
In honor of the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, we're highlighting a century of Black history keepers here in Oregon. Without them, so many stories would be lost. We honor and appreciate their essential work this month, and all year round.
In honor of the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, we're highlighting a century of Black history keepers here in Oregon. Without them, so many stories would be lost. We honor and appreciate their essential work this month, and all year round.
February 1, 2026 at 8:54 PM
Oregon's Black History Keepers: 1920s
In honor of the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, we're highlighting a century of Black history keepers here in Oregon. Without them, so many stories would be lost. We honor and appreciate their essential work this month, and all year round.
In honor of the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, we're highlighting a century of Black history keepers here in Oregon. Without them, so many stories would be lost. We honor and appreciate their essential work this month, and all year round.
Oregon Black Pioneers’ revised educational curriculum and a new Education newsletter are here! Guided by feedback, ideas, and passion from educators, we’ve refreshed our materials to better support classrooms around the state. OBP brings Oregon’s Black history to life—lesson by lesson.
Link below
Link below
January 22, 2026 at 11:27 PM
Oregon Black Pioneers’ revised educational curriculum and a new Education newsletter are here! Guided by feedback, ideas, and passion from educators, we’ve refreshed our materials to better support classrooms around the state. OBP brings Oregon’s Black history to life—lesson by lesson.
Link below
Link below
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year.
December 24, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year.
This is what we do. Showing up for families at events like OMSI’s Black Community Science Night.
If this work matters to you, like it does to us, we hope we can count on your support!
oregonblackpioneers.org/donate/
If this work matters to you, like it does to us, we hope we can count on your support!
oregonblackpioneers.org/donate/
December 10, 2025 at 8:52 PM
This is what we do. Showing up for families at events like OMSI’s Black Community Science Night.
If this work matters to you, like it does to us, we hope we can count on your support!
oregonblackpioneers.org/donate/
If this work matters to you, like it does to us, we hope we can count on your support!
oregonblackpioneers.org/donate/
Things are difficult for people everywhere, and the last thing you need right now is to worry about whether or not our organization is going to survive.
I have good news for you: Oregon Black Pioneers is gonna be alright.
oregonblackpioneers.org/donate
I have good news for you: Oregon Black Pioneers is gonna be alright.
oregonblackpioneers.org/donate
December 1, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Things are difficult for people everywhere, and the last thing you need right now is to worry about whether or not our organization is going to survive.
I have good news for you: Oregon Black Pioneers is gonna be alright.
oregonblackpioneers.org/donate
I have good news for you: Oregon Black Pioneers is gonna be alright.
oregonblackpioneers.org/donate
"We're here and we're making our marks, we're telling our story.
We're a constant thread in Oregon's fabric, that's who we are. And this organization strives every day to make sure of that.
~ Willie B. Richardson, Oregon Black Pioneers
We're a constant thread in Oregon's fabric, that's who we are. And this organization strives every day to make sure of that.
~ Willie B. Richardson, Oregon Black Pioneers
November 18, 2025 at 7:41 PM
"We're here and we're making our marks, we're telling our story.
We're a constant thread in Oregon's fabric, that's who we are. And this organization strives every day to make sure of that.
~ Willie B. Richardson, Oregon Black Pioneers
We're a constant thread in Oregon's fabric, that's who we are. And this organization strives every day to make sure of that.
~ Willie B. Richardson, Oregon Black Pioneers
You can't know the U.S.'s history without knowing the U.S.'s Black history.
“America does not have a full accounting of itself without the historic Black press,” says Nicole Carr, author, investigative journalist, and professor at Morehouse College in Atlanta.
“America does not have a full accounting of itself without the historic Black press,” says Nicole Carr, author, investigative journalist, and professor at Morehouse College in Atlanta.
‘We don’t even know all of what we have.’ Howard University fights to preserve Black newspapers. www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/... Last year, during a move, workers found two whole boxes of Frederick Douglass’s’ The North Star’s first year of publication.
‘We don’t even know all of what we have.’ Howard fights to preserve Black newspapers.
Across the United States, scholars are working to preserve the history of the Black press before the brittle pages are lost forever. In a basement at Howard University, uncovered treasures have includ...
www.csmonitor.com
November 15, 2025 at 7:15 PM
You can't know the U.S.'s history without knowing the U.S.'s Black history.
“America does not have a full accounting of itself without the historic Black press,” says Nicole Carr, author, investigative journalist, and professor at Morehouse College in Atlanta.
“America does not have a full accounting of itself without the historic Black press,” says Nicole Carr, author, investigative journalist, and professor at Morehouse College in Atlanta.
Explore the stories of six Black Oregon pioneers with colorful NEW Black Oregon Pioneer posters and fun, fact-filled digital storybooks for K-5 classrooms, plus a map activity for 4th grade learners. Free to download, these materials bring Oregon history to life oregonblackpioneers.org/educators
November 5, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Explore the stories of six Black Oregon pioneers with colorful NEW Black Oregon Pioneer posters and fun, fact-filled digital storybooks for K-5 classrooms, plus a map activity for 4th grade learners. Free to download, these materials bring Oregon history to life oregonblackpioneers.org/educators
Abner Hunt Francis was an abolitionist, social activist, and business owner in early Portland. He and his brother Isaac opened a mercantile along the Portland waterfront. They were targeted for expulsion under Oregon's Black exclusion law. But something unique happened...
October 23, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Abner Hunt Francis was an abolitionist, social activist, and business owner in early Portland. He and his brother Isaac opened a mercantile along the Portland waterfront. They were targeted for expulsion under Oregon's Black exclusion law. But something unique happened...
Welcome to the former Henry H. Hawkins homestead. The house was built over a century ago and still stands today, a rare structure connected to the legacy of a Black Oregon homesteader. Let Mariah tell you more in this Oregon Black History Snap Shot!
#oregonblackhistory
#oregonblackhistory
October 7, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Welcome to the former Henry H. Hawkins homestead. The house was built over a century ago and still stands today, a rare structure connected to the legacy of a Black Oregon homesteader. Let Mariah tell you more in this Oregon Black History Snap Shot!
#oregonblackhistory
#oregonblackhistory
Allen & Louisa Flowers had a prominent Black family in early Portland. They raised four sons, owned property, raised horses, and were active in local social & civic affairs. Read more in this Oregon Black History Spotlight!
oregonblackpioneers.org/black-history-spotlight-allen-and-louisa-flowers
oregonblackpioneers.org/black-history-spotlight-allen-and-louisa-flowers
September 9, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Allen & Louisa Flowers had a prominent Black family in early Portland. They raised four sons, owned property, raised horses, and were active in local social & civic affairs. Read more in this Oregon Black History Spotlight!
oregonblackpioneers.org/black-history-spotlight-allen-and-louisa-flowers
oregonblackpioneers.org/black-history-spotlight-allen-and-louisa-flowers
Oregon's Black history, and future.
Called Albina One, the 94-unit development sits on North Flint Avenue just north of the Moda Center. For decades, many families here were displaced and disenfranchised by city policies and development that leaders say prioritized growth over the lives of those who lived and worked there.
Portland Black leaders celebrate ‘homecoming’ with Albina’s new housing
The Albina One housing development is the first step in the effort to repair the harm done to Black Portlanders displaced by urban renewal and the construction of Interstate 5 decades ago.
www.opb.org
September 9, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Oregon's Black history, and future.
Have you ever driven through this beautiful canyon, traveling between Mount Hood and Central Oregon? Then you’ve seen the location of Central Oregon’s first Black homestead, which is now known as John Brown Canyon. Mariah has more in this Oregon Black History Snap Shot!
#oregonhistory
#oregonhistory
August 28, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Have you ever driven through this beautiful canyon, traveling between Mount Hood and Central Oregon? Then you’ve seen the location of Central Oregon’s first Black homestead, which is now known as John Brown Canyon. Mariah has more in this Oregon Black History Snap Shot!
#oregonhistory
#oregonhistory
This October, Oregon Black Pioneers will bring together York scholars, thought-leaders, artists, and community visionaries to finally give Portland's first Black ancestor his due. Find details at yorkfest.com
August 21, 2025 at 4:20 PM
This October, Oregon Black Pioneers will bring together York scholars, thought-leaders, artists, and community visionaries to finally give Portland's first Black ancestor his due. Find details at yorkfest.com
Wherever you find Black history in Oregon, you'll find Oregon Black Pioneers.
August 13, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Wherever you find Black history in Oregon, you'll find Oregon Black Pioneers.
Oregon educators, help shape our new lesson plans!
If you’re a K–12 educator, please take 5–10 minutes to complete our quick needs assessment survey. Your feedback will help ensure these new lessons and materials truly support your classroom. Thank you!
bit.ly/OBPEducatorS...
If you’re a K–12 educator, please take 5–10 minutes to complete our quick needs assessment survey. Your feedback will help ensure these new lessons and materials truly support your classroom. Thank you!
bit.ly/OBPEducatorS...
August 11, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Oregon educators, help shape our new lesson plans!
If you’re a K–12 educator, please take 5–10 minutes to complete our quick needs assessment survey. Your feedback will help ensure these new lessons and materials truly support your classroom. Thank you!
bit.ly/OBPEducatorS...
If you’re a K–12 educator, please take 5–10 minutes to complete our quick needs assessment survey. Your feedback will help ensure these new lessons and materials truly support your classroom. Thank you!
bit.ly/OBPEducatorS...
Elena Carter Richardson was a ballet dancer and instructor who was one of the most recognizable figures in the Pacific Northwest dance community for a quarter century. Read all about her in this Oregon Black History Spotlight!
Photo: Oregon Ballet Theatre
Photo: Oregon Ballet Theatre
Black History Spotlight - Elena Carter Richardson - Oregon Black Pioneers
This Oregon Black History Spotlight is on Elena Carter Richardson, a ballet dancer and instructor who was one of the most recognizable figures in the Pacific Northwest dance community.
oregonblackpioneers.org
August 6, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Elena Carter Richardson was a ballet dancer and instructor who was one of the most recognizable figures in the Pacific Northwest dance community for a quarter century. Read all about her in this Oregon Black History Spotlight!
Photo: Oregon Ballet Theatre
Photo: Oregon Ballet Theatre
Canning! Fishing! Timber! Nature! Culture! Arts! How much do YOU know about Clatsop County? Bring a team and join us for Trivia Night, Wednesday, July 23, 6:30 PM in Astoria at Breakside Brewery. There will be history nerds, there will be beer, there will be prizes!
July 18, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Canning! Fishing! Timber! Nature! Culture! Arts! How much do YOU know about Clatsop County? Bring a team and join us for Trivia Night, Wednesday, July 23, 6:30 PM in Astoria at Breakside Brewery. There will be history nerds, there will be beer, there will be prizes!