UPCOMING EVENTS
Celebration of Life for Michael "Chappie" Grice - September 27, 2025
There will be a celebration of life service honoring Michael “Chappie” Grice on Saturday, September 27, 2025, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Grant High School. We ask that you please help share this announcement with the membership and broader community.
The service is being organized in part by the World Arts Foundation, Renee Anderson, and Mrs. Grice. We have been informed by Larry Anderson that COBM is included on the program. We have asked Lolenzo Poe to share remarks on behalf of COBM. As a founding member, catalyst for our PPS mentoring program, and longtime friend of Chappie,
Additionally, many of us will remember Chappie’s tradition of leading young people in the “I Stand Tall” pledge. In his honor, we will lead attendees in reciting the pledge during the service. Kevin Berry, who is helping coordinate the memorial, has confirmed it is included on the agenda. I will lead the pledge on behalf of COBM.
Let us come together to honor and celebrate the legacy of our brother, mentor, and leader, Michael “Chappie” Grice.
COBM Fall Town Hall
Join Senator Lew Frederick, Representative Tawna Sanchez, and Representative Travis Nelson for a community-focused Fall Town Hall hosted by the Coalition of Black Men (COBM). Come engage in vital discussions, share your concerns, and learn about key legislative updates that impact our community. Let your voice be heard — we look forward to seeing you there!
General Body Meeting: Guest Speaker Series
GUEST SPEAKER: Cameron Whitten, Brown Hope
Presentation Subject: We Heal With Hope: Brown Hope and our Dream for Racial Healing
When: Saturday, August 2nd | From 10:00am to 11:30am
Where:
In person: Rose City Park United Methodist Church, 5830 NE Alameda St., Portland, OR 97213
Online: Clink link below
This presentation will cover Brown Hope's mission, origin story, its theory of change, recent impacts and positive contributions to the community, and upcoming calls to action -- facilitated by Brown Hope Founder and CEO Cameron Whitten. Cameron founded Brown Hope in Portland in March 2018. The organization emerged from a deep sense of urgency to overcome the cycle of wounding that Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities experience because of historical and ongoing racial trauma. Our dream is to inspire a world free of racism through people centered spaces and opportunities for collective racial healing.
BIO:
At the age of eighteen, Cameron Whitten (all pronouns are extremely welcomed!) worked themselves out of youth homelessness in Portland and has spent over a decade giving back to the same community that was here when they needed it most. Cameron has been a leader in several movements for positive social change, and has served as the Executive Director for nonprofits such as Know Your City and Q Center. Cameron is currently the Founder and CEO of healing justice nonprofit Brown Hope and Co-Founder of the Black Resilience Fund. Cameron is excited to be launching a new healing and social justice inspired podcast, Heal Yeah! anticipated to begin Fall 2025.
Cameron Whitten
Founder, Chief Executive Officer,
Chief Healing Officer
Brown Hope
COBM Business Meeting
COBM Business Meetings are held online on the 2nd Saturday of each month.
Black Youth Suicide Prevention Townhall - May 10th
Hello Good People,
My name is Samuel Carrasco and I am the Black Youth Suicide Prevention Coalition at REAP partnered with Oregon Health Authority and Multnomah County. My students and I are leading a Townhall on Black Youth Suicide Prevention on May 10th 11am - 2:30pm at The Evergreen in Portland, Oregon. Food and parking provided!
This event will feature a keynote from Dr. Ebony Clarke, student panel discussion, interactive workshops for adults and students (student workshop will be led by students!), lunch, & community resource spotlight.
We’d love for the community to show up and show out (this is open to students, professionals, parents, and whoever else may be interested in the conversation).
Please register through the QR code on the flyer attached to the email!
Don’t hesitate to reach out to me at either samuelc@reapusa.org or 6163379217.
Thank you!
COBM Business Meeting
COBM Business Meetings are held online on the 2nd Saturday of each month.
Black Men and Boys Townhall II Rescheduled
Join us for a special gathering of Black boys and men to address the fierce urgency of now. This is the second meeting of our coalition-building series to establish a framework for our collective.
Sharon Seventh-day Adventist Church
5209 NE 22nd Ave
Portland, OR, 97211
COBM Business Meeting
COBM Business Meetings are held online on the 2nd Saturday of each month.
COBM Community Clean Up Collaborative - Planning Meeting
Located at Louisa’s Event Space
Hello Black Leaders and Stakeholders located on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard,
The COBM wants to discuss our strategy to clean up debris and graffitti on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.with you or someone from your business or organization.. Please review the following information and let me know if you can attend. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 8th from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm. The meeting will be held at Louiza's Event Space at 2808 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Appetizers and beverages will be served.
The Coalition of Black Men is starting a weekly clean up of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard during the months of April and May 2025. We will be cleaning up trash, debris and removing graffiti. We plan to begin work Friday, April 4. This initiative is funded by Reimagine Oregon. The COBM is inviting each of you because you are a Black owned business, or Black leader in a non profit that is located on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.. The COBM wants to inform you more about our strategy, and get support from your organization. The COBM wants to run this initiative on MLK twice a year.
Thank you,
Tony Jones
Chair of Economic Development
Coalition of Black Men
General Body Meeting - Guest Speaker Series
Guest Speaker:
Lakayana Drury
Executive Director, Word is Bond
COBM Business Meeting
COBM Business Meetings are held online on the 2nd Saturday of each month.
COBM Business Meeting
General Body Meetings are held in person the 1st Saturday of every month. Members are welcome to join virtually as well.
COBM General Body Meeting
General Body Meetings are held in person the 1st Saturday of every month. Members are welcome to join virtually as well.
COBM Business Meeting
General Body Meetings are held in person the 1st Saturday of every month. Members are welcome to join virtually as well.
COBM General Body Meeting
General Body Meetings are held in person the 1st Saturday of every month. Members are welcome to join virtually as well.
NAACP Registration & Voting Rights
To vote for NAACP elected positions, you must register to be a member by today.
Urban League of Portland Meet the Candidate Forums Calendar
COUNCIL DISTRICT 3
Virtual/In-person