We Out Here Magazine

17/06/2023

THE BLACKOUT

A Juneteenth celebration hosted by Mac Smiff

w/ DJs A'Spen DaBeat & Sxlxmxn

+ Performances by Mat Randol, Majik9, Laine, and Xeno Gee.

Monday, June 19th @ Kelly's Olympian.

17/02/2023

Photo of Larry Turner (Fresh Out, Community Based Reentry) by Mac Smiff WOHM sat down with service providers from the Oregon Black Brown Indigenous Advocacy Coalition to discuss the law’s impact so…

15/02/2023

Oregon’s Historic Drug Decriminalization Measure 110 is Working – Now It’s Under Attack

By Simon Davis-Cohen

Photo of Larry Turner (Fresh Out, Community Based Reentry) by Mac Smiff WOHM sat down with service providers from the Oregon Black Brown Indigenous Advocacy Coalition to discuss the law’s impact so…

12/02/2023

#11 on our list of history making Black individuals is Fresh Out Community Based Re-entry program executive director, Larry Turner.

Once convicted of a 1st Degree Robbery charge in 1981, Larry has made the most of his life since completing his prison sentence in 1996.

After working extensively with formerly incarcerated people in Oregon as a drug and alcohol counselor, as well as with numerous social service agencies, in 2007 Turner co-founded Fresh Out to help formerly incarcerated African American Oregonians avoid recidivism-- that is, returning to jail or prison.

Still, after all his rehabilitation, his status as a felon continued to haunt him into the 2010s, impacting his ability to secure loans, housing, and work.

In 2019, Turner became one of the first people pardoned by fmr Governor Kate Brown under SB388 and became an ambassador to the Black Oregonian Pardon Project.

He also helps his wife run her NE Portland eatery, Ja'Das Soulful Eatz.

📸: Fahiym B. Acuay

12/02/2023

The tenth person We Out Here Magazine honors for Black History Month is Albina Vision Trust (AVT) executive director, Winta Yohannes.

Born in Eritrea and raised in Portland, Winta graduated from Reed College before traveling to Uganda to document the plight of refugees from her home country. As senior policy advisor to Chloe Eudaly, Winta took on Portland’s landlords as well as the powerful neighborhood associations in her efforts to cap rent increases and redistribute political power.

As ED of Albina Vision Trust, Winta has been careful not to let the logistics of the controlling class take priority over the imagination and desires of the communities harmed.

In 2020 she exercised the power of grassroots organizing, putting a halt on the I-5 Expansion Project with 7 words, "We can no longer support the project," when promises made to the community fell through. As corporations like Raimore Construction came after her and AVT, Winta stood tall and remained steady in expressing the goal of creating lasting equity for Black community.

A hero.

📸: Fahiym B. Acuay

10/02/2023

For day 9 of Black History Month, We Out Here Magazine honors the sneakerhead who makes things happen for Black and brown businesses, Stephen Green (Built Oregon).

A Detroit native who moved to the Portland area as a baby, Stephen has his busy hands in everything entrepreneurial. The enigmatic vocal proponent of Black and POC business success left the world of banking in the 2010s to pursue his goal of supporting "underestimated" founders. His company, PitchBlack (at which WOHM recently competed), helps to fund Black-owned startups by infusing cash into their businesses without taking any equity.

A voice that matters, Stephen also serves on the Oregon Growth Board, mentors for Backstage Capital, and recently joined Business for a Better Portland to help the group search for a new executive director. His prior experience in banking and business development makes him especially dangerous in the startup world, and he uses that skill to identify and support Black and brown entrepreneurs.

📸: Fahiym B. Acuay

09/02/2023

For the 8th day of Black History Month, We Out Here Magazine is proud to honor father, educator, and overnight philanthropist, Randal Wyatt.

A father of twins who worked hard to finish his degree while continuing to chase his rap dreams, Randal founded Portland rap band, Speaker Minds, which became popular for their easygoing and heartfelt performances.

During the pandemic, Randal came up with the idea of battling gentrification by helping older Black families with the often unaffordable home repairs that typically drive them their family homes. He started Taking Ownership PDX, and as the civil rights protests of 2020 took off, so did the support of his business.

With over half a million in funding, Taking Ownership PDX has taken on over 60 projects for impacted community. Tonight, Randal is being honored at the Portland Trail Blazers game for his commitment to community, and we thought it would be great to pile on.

08/02/2023

For the 7th day of , We Out Here Magazine honors renaissance man Madgesdiq, a Portland native who redefined his existence and stayed true to self.

A bonafide high school superstar who averaged 23 points and 14 rebounds per game at Jesuit High in the late 80s, Antoine Stoudamire made a name for his family through basketball, playing at Georgetown and Oregon before playing professionally in Europe.

While his cousins Damon and Salim went on to NBA success, Antoine decided to hang up his sneakers in '98 and focus on his artistic talents as a poet and MC, rebranding himself as Madgesdiq.

These days, Madgesdiq can be found rapping, speaking, consulting and leading meditations, often with his partner, CEG. He reminds us all that life can have many phases, and that going against the grain to follow your passions is one of the best ways to live a full human existence.

📸: Fahiym B. Acuay

07/02/2023

Day 6 of Black History Month brings us to Portland native Sarah Clarke, an otherworldly singing talent and community leader in her hometown and beyond.

Besides being one of the most talented vocalists you'll ever hear, Sarah also founded a non-profit, Musicians In Solidarity, helped to build an artist-run label in People Music, and serves as director for MusicOregon's LEAP (Leadership, Equity, and Advocacy Project) program.

In addition to her fantastic solo career (how many people get to perform with George Clinton?), Sarah currently sings in funk/soul band Outer Orbit, though many know her for her years in famed Portland band, Dirty Revival.

Last August, Sarah headlined The Thesis, a memory we'll never forget, and WOHM is honored to share history with her.

📸: Fahiym B. Acuay

06/02/2023

The 5th person WOHM honors for is Ms. Joy Alise Davis, M.A., the interdisciplinary design strategist leading Imagine Black (formerly known as PAALF) into the future.

In addition to leading one of the most successful radically progressive non-profits in the area, Joy also serves as a professor at The Pacific Northwest College of Art and serves as CEO of Design+CultureLab, LLC, which she co-founded.

The Cincinnati native and Zeta Phi Beta sister has made huge impacts everywhere she's landed, perhaps none bigger than here in Portland where, under her direction, PAALF leveled reasoned and responsible demands of the mayor, establishing the very public demand to pull $50,000,000 from the Portland Police Bureau budget following a series of public failures.

Never afraid and always one step ahead, Ms. Joy Alise is a treasure to the community.

📸: Fahiym B. Acuay

05/02/2023

For the 4th day of Black History Month, We Out Here Magazine honors the founder of Mimi’s Fresh Tees, Kamelah Adams.

A caring mother, Kamelah turned her Love Over Hate yard sign campaign against violence into a full blown clothing line, all while suffering violent threats from white supremacists.

An educator and advocate for equity and justice in all spaces--from PPS to the Black business community--she's proven herself time and again as a powerful voice furthering foundational and structural change.

WOHM is honored to have her as a neighbor (and friend) in Old Town's Merchant Hotel.

📸: Fahiym B. Acuay

04/02/2023

For the third day of Black History Month, WOHM shouts out burgeoning music star Karma Rivera.

Originally hailing from Chicago, Karma built a name for herself in the Portland area as a dynamic performer with a mind for business and endless charisma. Opinionated and self-confident, Karma excels at building community, and quickly recognized and moved to correct longstanding failures in the local hip-hop music scene to really invest in women and LGBTQ artists. For example, in 2018, at Portland Hip-Hop Day, Karma famously gave stage time to MAARQUII, who she felt had been shut out of the occasion.

It's this sort of passion for her communities--and a lot of great music--that make Karma Rivera someone we highly respect.

📸: Fahiym B. Acuay

03/02/2023

For the second day of Black History Month, WOHM honors comedian Shrista Tyree.

When she's not going viral on TikTok with train conductors, the creator of popular comedy event Clownin' and hip hop event Bossin' Up can be found organizing and MCing events, rapping, joking, and otherwise entertaining anyone within earshot.

In addition to being a mentor and manager to many, Shrista also strongly advocates for women and le***an entertainers, while making space for all.

One of the funniest people in Portland (and she has the awards to prove it), Shrista has partnered with WOHM on countless occasions, and we always have a great time.

📸: Fahiym B. Acuay

02/02/2023

For Black History Month, We Out Here Magazine will be highlighting Black people in our network who make history through their actions.

Few embody this concept better than Portland native Sharon Gary-Smith. The fiery activist/philanthropist has decades of history fighting against racism, classism, homophobia, and sexism. As a leader, Sharon has served as executive director of MRG Foundation, as a director of Consumer Advocacy at Cascadia Behavioral Health, co-chaired the People of Color Caucus of The National Network of Grantmakers, sat on the National Cultural Competence Advisory Group of The Alliance for Nonprofit Management and the Oregon Social Justice Funders Group. She has served as board chair of The Western States Center, as co-chair of The Social Fund Northwest, and was one of the Fifty Voices for Equality for Basic Rights Oregon.

More recently, Sharon served as volunteer president of the Portland NAACP, where she recruited WOHM editor Mac Smiff to help restore the branch as a safe space for Black people of all backgrounds.

03/01/2023

KhalilKhalil – The One (feat. King Thayo)
Produced by Maroon Riddimz

Cover art by Piggybank Studio New year, new music! First out the gate for 2023 comes a playful reggae medley from veteran genre-benders Khalil Khalil and King Thayo, two artists who’ve sharpe…

20/12/2022

NW Artist Profiles: Scooter Rogers
by Quinn Foster

Scooter Rogers is a diverse rapper who oozes out self-confidence and vulnerability that cannot be bought or manufactured. Coming from the East side of Portland, Scooter’s delivery and artistry refl…

09/11/2022

A Procrastinator's Voting Guide

Ballots due by 8pm TONIGHT!

Just get off work and realize that ballot you never opened needs to be dropped off by 8pm tonight? Well never fear, WOHM is here to help you complete your ballot in under 10 minutes so that you can…

08/11/2022

With everything going on in the world, don't forget that the Portland NAACP has elections coming up!

We Out Here Magazine with the local scoop.

Portland NAACP Portland 1120b Branch will hold its bienniel election on Thursday, November 17 from 3pm-7pm. This year, there will be no lines or paper ballots since the national NAACP is conducting…

22/10/2022

Portland’s hip-hop scene is a community loaded with diverse, hard-working, and multi-talented artists telling their raw stories from various perspectives.

Artist and writer Quinn94 has been seeking out and profiling these artists for you, starting with Rockwood rapper/singer Tha Day.

Tha Day is a smooth lyricist and slick talker from the Rockwood community, which sits between Portland and Gresham. According to Rockwood CDC, the community is Oregon’s most under-resourced and cha…

09/07/2022

Four Fabulous LGBTQIA+ Music Artists Based in Portland

Quinn94 highlights 4 exciting artists in the area, including WOHM favorite Karma Rivera who opens for Mozzy at the Roseland Theater tonight!

Cover Photo by Mac Smiff Q***r music artists have been around for decades. In fact, legendary greats such as Little Richard and Ma Rainey pushed the envelope by expressing their queerness through s…

02/07/2022

New Hit Alert!

Zyah Belle - DND

Written by Fahiym B. Acuay

Cover photo by Nailah Howze Portland-based Cali native and R&B sensation Zyah Belle aka “Yam Grier” has another slap on her hands with DND. The extra dancy pop single co-written by …

22/06/2022

Ear to the Ground Newsletter: Issue 3
Washington Legislative Watch – Pt. 2

Welcome to the Ear to the Ground newsletter, hosted by We Out Here Magazine! This issue features the second half of our 2022 Washington legislative summary — featuring more proposed and passed legi…

14/06/2022

The Portland Police Association Building Up For Sale

Photos by Mac Smiff During a tumultuous 2020, the police union headquarters on North Lombard became a hot spot for protesters of police to congregate and engage in civil disobedience. The Portland …

12/06/2022

BREAKING: The 31 Patriot Front Members Arrested in Coeur D’Alene Identified

Photo by Mac Smiff White supremacist gang members were arrested today on conspiracy charges in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho as they made their way downtown, shields and smoke grenades in tow, to turn…

09/06/2022

The Web3 scene can be tricky to navigate, so Quinn94 tapped in with a few doers here in Portland, OR.

Creators and Builders in the PDX Web3 Scene:

Featuring Sea Will, Martin Van Londen, Daren Todd & Farnell Newton

Cover image by Mac Smiff Since late 2020, Web3 and NFTs have become global buzzwords for people from various walks of life. In Portland, there have been a few local events and articles surrounding …

06/06/2022

"Most of us–self-included–had never heard of George Rogers Park before that day. An almost magically beautiful place, it’s hard to wonder if our ignorance wasn’t by design." ~ Mac Smiff

Built Oregon x Camp Yoshi: The Cookout in LO

Photos by Mac Smiff The Pacific Northwest is home to some of the world’s most breathtaking natural scenery and wildlife. In Oregon, the complex system of rivers and creeks flowing from gorgeo…

26/05/2022

Students at Portland's Grant High School have walked out in protest of high school violence and are demanding background checks, permit fees and mandatory safety training for all fi****ms and a ban on all assault rifles.

The demonstration (speeches) lasted about 30 minutes.