A Summer of Black Joy
Every summer, Multnomah County REACH and Multnomah County Community Adolescent Health (CAH) work with the ACHIEVE Coalition, community organizations, local vendors and volunteers to host a series of gatherings celebrating Black and African culture, resilience and joy.
This "creative place-making initiative" draws hundreds to thousands of participants every year for food, music, culture and family-friendly fun to promote anti-violence and community rebuilding in Portland's historic Black neighborhoods. These gatherings are an exercise in kinship and and redevelopment after years of divestment, gentrification and marginalization. (Read more about these events here.)
Reclaiming Black Joy events offer a range of free activities including food, music, poetry readings, hair braiding and haircuts, raffles, information on services, face painting, photo booths, vaccinations and more. These events take place at various parks and community hubs and revitalize businesses and neighborhoods while connecting people to community health resources and other initiatives.
Learn more: 2022 Reclaiming Black Joy Report (6.02 MB)
RBJ Events 2024 Flyer (743.62 KB)
2024 Reclaiming Black Joy Schedule
These events have passed.
June 19 | 1-6pm at Vance Park, 1400 SE 182nd Ave, Portland, OR 97233
July 27 | 12-4pm at Kʰunamokwst Park, 5200 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97218
August 30 | 12-4pm at Dawson Park,1 N Stanton St, Portland, OR 97227
Photos
You can find photos from our past events in our albums on Facebook.
Get Involved
For those interested in volunteering, email Cindy at cindy.shepard8@mutlco.us. For those interested in tabling at this event, see this guide: Tabling at Reclaiming Black Joy