Community rally backs birthright citizenship as Supreme Court hears Trump's case to end it

As the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday over the future of birthright citizenship, Portlanders gathered at Augustana Lutheran Church to rally in support of immigrants in Oregon. The event, organized by Cameron Whitten, founder of Brown Hope, drew attendees who celebrated immigrant communities while advocates watched developments from Washington, D.C.

Solidarity rally held at Northeast Portland church in support of African immigrants

A solidarity rally was held Wednesday night at a Northeast Portland church for an often-overlooked group. Organizers aimed to raise awareness and show support for immigrants from Africa amid the immigration crackdown. Oregonians came together in solidarity and song at a rally at Augustana Lutheran Church. “We’re living in dire times, there is a lot of chaos, there is a lot of uncertainty, I want to turn to my neighbors,” said Cameron Whitten, organizer and founder of Brown Hope.

‘Sparked a global movement’: Portland resolution commemorates 2020 death of George Floyd

As part of a renewed “commitment to racial justice,” Portland leaders are commemorating George Floyd. Portland City Council approved a resolution to honor Floyd’s life on Thursday. It comes nearly six years after a Minnesota police officer knelt on his neck for more than 9 minutes, killing him on May 25, 2020.

20 Ways to Make a Difference in Portland

Daylight is dwindling, Portland’s cold, gloomy days are setting in, and the desire to hunker down indoors is becoming harder to resist. But in many cases, the winter also comes with isolation and loneliness. Instead of succumbing to the pull of your couch, consider getting out of the house to serve the people around you: Our city is home to tens of thousands of local nonprofits that serve a broad spectrum of causes and communities, and volunteers are often the heartbeat of their work. Whether you’re stocking shelves at the local food pantry, serving hot meals to those in need, harvesting vegetables at a community garden, or removing litter from the Willamette River, you are transforming the lives of those around you, including your own. Overwhelming research has proven that volunteering is not only important for the well-being of our communities, but ours too. And it’s not selfish to want both. Here’s how to lend a hand at organizations across Portland, and not just this winter, either.

Portlanders fill pews of The Old Church for political civility forum

Around 100 Portlanders, including the Portland protest frogs, filled The Old Church’s sanctuary Tuesday night for a forum on political civility. The event, titled Restoring Civility in Chaotic Times, was organized by a coalition of Oregon civic groups, including The Art of Living, Oregon Peace Builders, and Senior Advocates for Generational Equity (SAGE). Cameron Whitten, founder and CEO of the racial justice nonprofit Brown Hope, led the organizing effort. Whitten said the goal of the event was to ease political anxiety and promote solutions to polarization.

Brown Hope Celebrates the International Day of Peace

Happy International Day of Peace! This holiday is celebrated September 21 every year as an effort to promote nonviolence, ceasefire, and human rights. The United Nations declared the Theme for 2025’s International Day of Peace is Act Now For a Peaceful World. Brown Hope is taking action on this important day by making our Code of Peace publically available, a document we first created for the We Are The Bridge week of action in memory of George Floyd.

'Black lives matter': Demonstrators march in Southeast Portland, paying tribute to George Floyd, 5 years after his murder

Demonstrators marched peacefully through Southeast Portland on Saturday to remember George Floyd. This weekend marks five years since he was murdered by former police officer Derek Chauvin in Minneapolis, triggering racial justice rallies across the country — including more than 100 consecutive nights of protests in Portland. “This is the time. There is too much chaos and division and violence happening in our country right now. And it is time for more bridges,” said event organizer Cameron Whitten, founder and CEO of the nonprofit Brown Hope.

We Are The Bridge: Rise For Racial Justice Coalition Demands Action From Local Leaders

Dozens of local businesses support pilot program during Juneteenth weekend

A local organization is rallying support for their Black Resilience Fund in honor of Juneteenth. Dozens of businesses have committed to supporting a unique pilot program this holiday weekend - to help transform lives right here in the Portland metro area. “Our mission is to inspire racial healing,” Cameron Whitten, Founder and CEO of Brown Hope, said.

Portland Businesses Rally to Support Black Resilience Fund’s 2023 Juneteenth Campaign

The Black Resilience Fund, dedicated to the healing and resilience of Black Portlanders, presents Juneteenth 2023, a campaign supported by Portland’s small business community to raise awareness and funds for BRF’s new income guarantee initiative.

Portland's Black Resilience Fund launches guaranteed-income program for 25 families

Participants gathered together for the first time on Tuesday night at Brown Hope, a local nonprofit in Northeast Portland that runs the program.