PHOTOS: Portland’s Black History Month Market Fosters Unity, Culture, and Commerce
Photos: Dean Bechard
Unapologetic Black excellence defined the energy of the 2nd Annual Black History Month Market & Celebration in Tigard, Oregon, centering unity, culture, and commerce in the greater Portland area. Hosted at the Black-owned venue, The Practice Facility, the market was driven by the sentiment that Black history is not a relic of the past, but a living, breathing movement happening right now.
Organized by dedicated visionary and Converge Media producer Juma Blaq, the celebration served as a "home base" for the community, emphasizing the importance of community stewardship in a region where Black representation is often overlooked.
The celebration featured a historic milestone for Northwest media: the "Dream Team" of hosts—Tra’Renee Chambers, Cool Nutz, and DJ OG ONE—appeared together on the same bill for the first time in their legendary careers. This groundbreaking lineup provided a strong bridge between generations and a showcase of unity in Black leadership in the Pacific Northwest.
The afternoon was an electric mix of culture and resources, featuring a moving performance of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" by Elaine Victoria, alongside DJ from Juma Blaq, Wavy Josef, and Speaker Minds. The marketplace showcased an array of Black entrepreneurship, with vendors like Stackin Kickz, and organizations like Black Future Farms and Day One Tech STE(A)M bridging the gap between traditional and future innovation.
Converge Media was on the ground to document this living history, expertly preserved by photographer Dean Bechard. The event showcased a thriving, professional, and unified Black community putting its stamp on the Pacific Northwest.
Watch the full story on Back2Besa on FOX13 Seattle this Saturday at 10:30 p.m., with replays on FOX13+ on Sunday at 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Did you enjoy this blog post? Then consider donating to Converge and supporting our mission here.
