I hope you are free on Thursday evening, October 1st, so you can learn with us about a topic we are passionate about at Human Solutions: becoming antiracist. And why not deepen your understanding of this critical concept with the brilliant Dr. Ibram X. Kendi and local superpower and Portland City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty?
When we first approached Dr. Kendi to speak at our now annual Think Big event, we thought he would be here with us in person in East Multnomah County, where we focus our work. Not only were we wrong about that, we also did not predict that the Black Lives Matter movement would experience renewed urgency this spring and summer, catapulting Dr. Kendi’s brilliant and inspiring book, How to Be an Antiracist, to the tippy top of the New York Times Best Seller list.
For the Human Solutions team, this moment is both tragic and hopeful. Tragic because COVID is inequitably harming the people we work with in East Multnomah County, who were already working hard to survive poverty and structural racism. Hopeful because more people are seeing and actively working to dismantle the inequitable and racist systems that make and keep people poor. It feels like there is 
light in the darkness.
This free event is an invitation to understand and embrace antiracism. Here are the details:
- WHO: Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, Portland City Commissioner and Human Solutions Board VP Jo Ann Hardesty, and performing artists curated by Boom Arts.
- WHAT: An inspiring evening featuring local artists and powerful speakers (local and national), all focused on the urgent need to become antiracists – for the sake of our nation and every one of us who calls it home. Guests will see relevant performances by local artists, hear a 20-minute presentation by Dr. Kendi and a 20-minute conversation with Dr. Kendi and Commissioner Hardesty, followed by 15 minutes of audience Q&A. Download a flyer.
- WHEN: Thursday, October 1st, 6:30 – 8 PM
- 6:30 – 7 | Art Performances presented by Boom Arts
- 7 – 8 | How to be an Antiracist presentation, conversation and audience Q+A
- WHERE: Wherever you enjoy virtual events these days! You’ll watch on our website; we’ll email a link to registered guests a few hours before the event.
- WHY: Building a racially just society is a moral imperative that happens to also be at the forefront of Human Solutions’ work in the community.
- REGISTER HERE – IT’S FREE: Act today to reserve a space; we have 1,000 spots and you want to be in one of them. Share our Facebook event, too!
- READ THE BOOK: You likely know how to order a book, but we have a list of Black-owned booksellers to support, including the local small business Third Eye Books where you can order online.
- HUNGRY? Order dinner from one these Black-owned restaurants.
What a night with these impressive leaders at the forefront of social change in our region and nation. I hope you can join us for this important conversation.
In solidarity,
Andy Miller, Executive Director
PS – Help defray the costs by sponsoring the event, or by making a donation to support Human Solutions – details here. We’re splitting tonight’s proceeds with a local grassroots partner in East Multnomah County, Beyond Black.
We would like to thank our sponsors so far for helping us make this crucial event possible.
