Who were the Black Oregonians who participated in WWII as Tuskegee Airmen? Join host Mariah Rocker and guest History Investigator Dave Hedberg to find out! Weds, 9/30 at 7:00PM, streaming live on Facebook and YouTube! www.facebook.com/share/18yUCY...

Were here and we're making our marks, we're telling our story. We're a constant thread in Oregon's fabric, that's who we are. And this organization strives every day to make sure of that. ~ Willie B. Richardson, Oregon Black Pioneers

The Quest Continues again! Click the link for a Black History Quest update from your host and fellow Oregon Black Pionerd, Mariah Rocker, a recap of the most recent episode, and a peek at what’s to come! oregonblackpioneers.org/the-quest-continues-episode-13

Zachary found some Oregon Black history in Philly! He's attending the Association of African American Museums conference in Philadelphia and stumbled on a location that connects east and west coasts via one intrepid Black pioneer.

Salem, you're up! Last chance tickets! Oregon Black Pioneers' walking tour season is winding down, don't miss our tours that explore locations connected to each area’s African American history. 👟 Portland 8/22, 9/12, 9/26 👟 Salem 8/22 👟 Astoria 9/12 Get tickets here: oregonblackpioneers.org/tours/

Have you ever wondered about the people on our website? These are not random photos; many of the folks featured on each page have made meaningful contributions to Oregon’s Black history. Click through for some of their stories! oregonblackpioneers.org/faces-of-the-oregon-black-pioneers-website

Hiram “Hi” Gorman was a formerly enslaved Oregon settler who became a prominent figure in Salem in the late 19th century. How did he end up reuniting with his mother, owning two homes, and having one of the finest gardens in Salem? Read more in this Black History Spotlight!

Black History Spotlight - Hiram “Hi” Gorman - Oregon Black Pioneers

Hiram “Hi” Gorman was a formerly enslaved Oregon settler who became a prominent figure in Salem. Read more in this Black History Spotlight!

oregonblackpioneers.org

New merch drop! New store! Help spread the word about Oregon's Black history! Use code LAUNCH for 20% off through August 8. If you like your swag with a Black history backstory and want to show your support in style, check out our new store now! oregonblackpioneers.org/store

Welcome to Lowell –a small town in Lane County, about 18 miles southeast of Springfield. Many people come here to visit this historic coverage bridge, or to fish in Dexter Reservoir, but Zachary’s here to learn about the town’s Black history! Find out more in this Oregon Black History Snap Shot.

Bucket list moment! Mariah Rocker had her name in lights for the Lake Oswego Library's Pints from the Past program at Lake Theater! Did you know we travel the state (and country!) speaking on Oregon's Black history? We can bring our presentations to you, connect with us to find out more!

Black history isn’t limited to the distant past. It’s made everyday! Oregon Black Pioneers created a space for the community to honor neighbors, elders, businesses, friends, & family for the contributions they’ve made to the state within our lifetimes. oregonblackpioneers.org/black-icons-of-oregon

Thanks so much to the student athletes and staff from across the Big Ten Conference for inviting us to share some of our state's Black history during the 2026 B1G Life Series: PNW. 200 athletes from across the country converged on Portland for a weekend of learning and cultural enrichment.

Hello Pionerds, the Quest is back! What impact did the Soul/Rhythm and Blues Funk Fest Dance Against Ballot Measure 13 have? Host Mariah Rocker and history investigator Cayla McGrail, Board Pres of Oregon Queer History Collective, will explore. Wednesday, July 29 at 7:00PM on Facebook and YouTube.

What do you know about Juneteenth in Oregon? Take our quiz and find out! And if you appreciate the work we do at Oregon Black Pioneers, please consider a $19 donation in honor of the Juneteenth holiday. oregonblackpioneers.org/donate/

Where in Oregon is Oregon Black Pioneers this month? From exhibits, to presentations to tabling events, you'll find us at the link! oregonblackpioneers.org/where-is-oregon-black-pioneers-2026

Walk where Oregon’s Black history happened! Oregon Black Pioneers' walking tours explore locations around Oregon, including Portland’s historically Black Albina neighborhood, connected to Black-owned businesses, community change, and civil rights. Join us! oregonblackpioneers.org/tours

Joe Lillard was a multi-sport athlete recruited to play football at the University of Oregon. He led the Ducks to a 7-2 record in 1930. He went pro and was the leading scorer for the Cardinals in 1933, but in 1934 the NFL prohibited Black players. He was the last Black player in the NFL until 1946.

Richard Lee Washington led Portland’s Benson HS to state champs in 1971 and 73. At UCLA he reached the Final Four, won the 75 NCAA Tournament, and was named most outstanding player. Drafted by the Kings in 76, he played 6 seasons in the NBA. oregonblackpioneers.org/oregon-black-all-stars-cards

“Lightning Ray” Lampkin began training at Portland’s Knott Street Gym at 10, won five Golden Gloves before turning pro in 1968. He won 21 fights and earned the NABF lightweight title in '74. In '75, he fought lightweight champion Roberto Duran for the WBA title; Lampkin lost via 14th-round KO.

Jimmy Claxton was a pitcher for independent Black baseball ca 1910s-20s. He was the first Black player to appear on a baseball card, and the last Black player to play in integrated professional baseball until Jackie Robinson in 1947. Join us at @hillsborohops.bsky.social Robinson night, Tue 4/21!

Katherine Hall Bogle was a journalist and a civil rights advocate for Black Oregonians. She spent much of her youth in Marshfield, Oregon (today the city of Coos Bay). Read more in this Black History Spotlight! oregonblackpioneers.org/black-history-spotlight-katherine-hall-bogle/

Walk where Oregon’s Black history happened! Oregon Black Pioneers' walking tours explore locations around Oregon, including Portland’s historically Black Albina neighborhood, connected to Black-owned businesses, community change, and civil rights. Join us! oregonblackpioneers.org/tours

Who is Amanda Gardner Johnson? Read this remarkable firsthand account told to Fred Lockley, a very rare opportunity to hear a formerly enslaved woman's Oregon Trail story in her own words. Read it here! oregonblackpioneers.org/conversations-with-pioneer-women-amanda-gardner-johnson

See OBP's newest exhibit, A Man Called York, on view at Prineville’s Bowman Museum 4/1 – 5/31. York was the only African American member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. For two centuries, his story was rarely told. Want to showcase this or any of OBP's exhibits in your community? Get in touch!

Third Eye Books has what you need if you need to know your Oregon Black history.

Street Roots@streetroots.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Third Eye Books is one of Portland's only Black-owned bookstores. Co-founder Charles Hannah says he curates the book selection keeping in mind what Portlanders may want to read, but also what they need to read.

You’re probably familiar with the iconic Go By Train sign at the top of Union Station, in Portland. But did you know that this railroad station is deeply connected to Oregon’s Black history? Mariah has more in this Oregon Black History Snap Shot!

Black History Spotlight: Grafton Tyler Brown, the first Black professional painter in the Pacific Northwest. Born in Harrisburg, PA in 1841 to free Black parents, he moved to Portland, Oregon around 1884. Read more at the link! oregonblackpioneers.org/black-history-spotlight-grafton-tyler-brown/

BOLT is one of our esteemed partners in the Letitia Carson Legacy Project!

KOIN 6 News@koin6.bsky.social · 7mo ago

“One of the things we got to do is educate youth and bring children out to our farms."

Oregon has Black history everywhere!

Museum of Natural and Cultural History@uomnch.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Meet Rose Jackson, one of the Black pioneers featured in ReEnvisioned: Contemporary Portraits of our Black Ancestors. Rose came across the Oregon Trail in 1849 with her enslavers. She was freed upon arrival and supported the family through the first winter by working as a laundress.🏛️🧵 #blackhistory

Who was Cleo Kelly and what do these bootleggers' stills have to do with her? Join Black History Quest host Mariah Rocker as she welcomes LeeAnn O'Neill on Wednesday, March 25 at 7:00PM, to discover more! Stream BHQ on Facebook, or live/archived on YouTube. www.facebook.com/share/1DwefziGAx/