Breakout Sessions - Descriptions
Morning Breakout Sessions
1. Equity in the Face of Gentrification & Displacement
Lisa Bates, Portland State University
Steven Gilliam Jr., Portland African American Leadership Forum (PAALF)
Brendon Haggerty, Oregon Health Authority
The City of Portland recently released a report authored by PSU Professor Lisa Bates in an effort to better understand and minimize the effects of gentrification, to assess the risk of gentrification for different neighborhoods, and to identify best practices for addressing gentrification and displacement that may be appropriate for Portland. Professor Bates and representatives from the Oregon Health Authority and the Portland African American Leadership Forum will discuss the patterns of gentrification and displacement throughout the region, the effects they have on the character of our urban neighborhoods and the well-being of our communities, and what the region can do to address gentrification and displacement.
2. Regional Equity Atlas 2.0: Introductory Workshop
Kris Smock, Regional Equity Atlas Project Manager
Using maps, policy analysis, community based research, and other tools, the Regional Equity Atlas project assesses how well different populations across the four-county Portland-Vancouver metro region can access key resources necessary for meeting their basic needs and advancing their health and well-being. This presentation will provide an overview of the Equity Atlas project, a summary of key maps and findings, and a demonstration of the web-based mapping tool. Attendees will leave the presentation with basic knowledge of the capabilities of the Regional Equity Atlas online mapping tool and an understanding of how the tool can be utilized to support their everyday work.
3. Health Care Transformation: How Providers are Incorporating Knowledge of Regional Inequities into Care Services
Summer Boslaugh, Oregon Health Care Quality Corporation
Mary Anne Harmer, Oregon’s Health CO-OP
Ann Kirby, Health Share of Oregon
The recent roll out of the Affordable Care Act has underlined how discussions related to population health are transforming in the United States. This transformation is not only seen in the provision of health care. It is also evident in the ways that health care providers are adjusting their service in order to help different populations overcome the health and access inequities that they face. During this session, health care representatives will discuss how their organizations are incorporating knowledge related to regional health and access inequities into the services they provide. Attendees will leave this session with a better understanding of health care transformation in Oregon, how local service providers are adjusting to better meet the needs of their local communities, and what else must be done in order to have a more accessible health care system.
4. Coal Export Terminals: Uniting Diverse Communities to Power Past Coal
Cesia Kearns, Sierra Club
Jasmine Zimmer-Stucky, Columbia Riverkeeper
This session focuses on a prominent issue facing our region: coal export terminals. Presented by organizations involved in the Power Past Coal coalition, representatives will provide diverse perspectives of how potential coal export facilities would impact local communities. Additionally, the presenters will talk about the development and evolution of the Power Past Coal campaign. They will discuss their experiences, hurdles, and key items that they have learned in creating a campaign coalition. Audience members will gain a deeper understanding of the coal export issue and learn from this case study of creating a successful campaign involving a geographically diverse set of community groups.
5. A Change of View: Developing an Equity Lens to Institutionalize Organizational Change
Benjamin Duncan, Multnomah County Health Department
Desirée Williams-Rajee, Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability
To institutionalize equity and racial justice within state and organizational policy requires that the institution recognize how their policies, programs, and practices can perpetuate differential outcomes for populations. Representatives in this session will discuss how their government agencies are working to understand and address differential outcomes in order to institutionalize equity and racial justice. They will highlight strategies and tools that are being utilized to initiate internal organizational change as well as present case studies.
6. Produce Power: Using Food Programs to Strengthen Economic Opportunities, Culture, & Skills
Kris Soebroto, Sisters of the Road
Mikael Brust, Village Gardens
Jamie Melton, Hacienda CDC
Kaely Summers, Adelante Mujeres
Jaime Lefcovich, Port City Development Center
This session will discuss sustainable food production as a path to increased food security and economic vitality for historically underserved communities. This session will present an overview of several programs and how they are assisting communities in overcoming hurdles related to economic development. The presenters will provide insight into what they have learned as well as describe what still needs to be accomplished in order to further their missions.
Afternoon Breakout Session
1. Our Future is Now: Institutionalizing Change through Leadership Development
Anita Yap, Office of Equity and Inclusion – Oregon Health Authority
Demi Espinoza, Coalition of Communities of Color
Jason Miner, 1000 Friends of Oregon
Leslie Wright, The Bus Project
In order to create system change that will ultimately contribute to the elimination of racial inequities and the advancement of social justice in Oregon, we need to invest in our young leaders of color. This session will highlight the importance of leadership development here in the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan region and focus in on a diverse set of organizations that are leading the way. Along with providing a description of leadership development, their programs, and the communities that they serve, the representatives will discuss the next steps that they are taking in order to connect those who have participated in their programs with leadership positions.
2. Transforming the Workplace for a Healthier Workforce and Economy
Dawn Robbins, Oregon Public Health Institute
Andrea Paluso, Family Forward Oregon
Most employees spend a majority of their working hours at their place of work. Consequently, the conditions that a workplace provides are major factors in the overall health and well-being for an employee. This session will address the outcomes that a healthy workplace has on employees, our communities, and our economy. The presentation will also showcase regional best practices and highlight statewide policies that will support the health of our workforce. Attendees will leave this presentation with a better understanding of work related health outcomes, strategies that local businesses are taking to improve their working conditions, and policies that will assist in addressing workplace related health issues.
3. Wage Equity: A Regional Look at the Shrinking of our Middle Class
Christian Kaylor, Oregon Employment Department
Chris Ferlazzo, Jobs with Justice
Felisa Hagins, SEIU Local 49
Scott Bailey, Washington Employment Security Department
The increase in income inequality in the United States has had severe consequences for families and our economy. Christian Kaylor, an economist for the State of Oregon, will present a regional look at these changes as well as touch on childhood poverty trends. Mr. Kaylor will then moderate a panel discussion with experts on labor, worker’s rights, and economic analysis. The discussion will provide a deep and diverse look at contributing factors that are reshaping our region and steps that we can take to counter the erosion of the middle class.
4. Cultivating Small Business in Historically Underserved Communities
Marcus Mundy, Mundy Consulting
Representative Lew Frederick, Oregon State Legislature
Cheryl Myers, Oregon Governor’s Office of Economic & Business Equity
Felicia Wells-Thomas, Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon
Maggie Reilly, Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon
In this session, panelists will discuss the ways that economic opportunities are being promoted in the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan region for disadvantaged, minority-owned, woman-owned, and emerging small businesses. In additional to current promotion strategies, the moderator will provide opportunities for the panelists to discuss shortfalls and their opinions regarding what still needs to be done in order to support small business development for our historically underserved communities.
5. Regional Equity Atlas 2.0: Advanced Technical Training
Meg Merrick, Portland State University – Institute for Metropolitan Studies
This training is designed for people who are interested in an in-depth, hands-on introduction to the Equity Atlas 2.0 online mapping tool. Each person will be provided with a computer where they will be guided through the tool’s advanced features and capabilities. Attendees will leave with knowledge on the functionality, data, and capabilities of the Regional Equity Atlas online mapping tool.