The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners on Thursday adopted a proclamation recognizing February as “Black History and Future Month” in Multnomah County.
This year’s proclamation — brought forward by Kimberly Melton, Chair Deborah Kafoury’s chief of staff — recognized the concept of health and healing in Black and African American communities in Multnomah County.
“This year, we have the opportunity to lift up the concept of Black healing,” said Melton, who opened Thursday’s proclamation. “In some ways it sounds really simple, but like an iceberg there’s so much more underneath it.”
Traditionally, Black History Month has recognized Black Americans’ accomplishments and contributions to the history and progress of this country, which are otherwise overlooked and sometimes forgotten, said Melton.
“This is important because it shows that we as a people can and do overcome,” she said. “In honoring Black History and Future Month, we inspire younger generations and we acknowledge our value as a people and community and we look forward to what we can and will achieve and it often is and should be a time of joy and celebration.”
And that’s where the concept of healing becomes so important, she said.
“Black History Month is indeed about progress and triumph but it’s also about grief and remembrance,'' said Melton. “Most importantly, it is about truth. And from that place of truth, healing can spring forth, and it can flourish.”
Melton introduced Lisa Saunders, executive director of FaithBridge, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping women — particularly Black women and women of color — emerge from trauma to reconnect in a life-transforming and faith-affirming way.
Saunders founded FaithBridge in 2019. Today, FaithBridge’s offices on North Killingsworth Street offer a space for women to heal in ways that are culturally and faith affirming.
Saunders’ work has grown over the past year thanks to the Board of Commissioners’ unprecedented investments in public and behavioral health programs that support resilience and healing and work to curtail community violence.
Saunders said she grew up with parents who had experienced trauma and that she later found herself in an abusive relationship. She said faith helped her heal.
“I designed the program that I needed,” said Saunders. “When we talk about faith in the Black community, it is often said that we got faith at the edge of a whip. I am very proud to say I have the faith of my ancestors.”
Her work reaches career women who seem like they have it all together. FaithBridge also reaches women leaving incarceration, who may also struggle with substance use.
Saunders asked, “What happens when a community is allowed to heal?”
“It looks like Tia,” she said, while introducing the next speaker.
Tia Jones, a community member and FaithBridge client, said she came from a place of trauma and addiction. While participating at FaithBridge, Jones said, she was able to break down her traumas, and then sort through and understand them.
“I just wasn’t sure how much it meant to face your traumas; and work through them so you can get to the other side,” said Jones. “And Mrs. Lisa’s program is teaching me how to break those down.”
Jones said FaithBridge taught her that “I don’t have to be the trauma that I have been exposed to.”
“If our crowns are a little crooked, we help straighten them out,” said Jones. “We don’t knock them off.”
“I know Tia is just one of the many women who have benefited from your teachings and your learnings,” Chair Kafoury said to Saunders.
Saunders said Jones would join her in guiding FaithBridge’s next cohort of participants as a mentor.
“I know you’re going to let that light shine on all of the other women,” said Commissioner Jessica Vega Pederson.
“And you're going to help them heal,” said Commissioner Susheela Jayapal.
“I can’t even express how grateful I am for you being here today,” said Commissioner Sharon Meieran.
“It is such an honor to hear your story and to hear the great work that Faithbridge is doing,” said Commissioner Lori Stegmann.
Watch the full board presentation here.
Melton ended Thursday’s presentation by reading the proclamation, noting that this year’s proclamation would be her last as chief of staff. Chair Kafoury must step down in January 2023 because of term limits.
Melton took over as chief of staff a little more than four years ago.
And at that time, she said, “I became only the second Black person and the first Black female to ever serve in that role in Multnomah County’s more than a century of legacy,” she noted.
“I take that very seriously,” she said. “And I also think it’s really a great honor to be here today in what will be the last time I will be part of this with you all.”