Thread by @MacSmiff

Portland has many great Black leaders.

It's OK to like more than one of them.

Can I thread about some people I personally admire?

I think we need that right now.

Naturally I'll start with @Teressa_Raiford / @TeressaLRaiford of @DontShootPdx. She is the one who first motivated me to pick up a loud speaker YEARS ago.

Her vision is perfectly clear. Love this woman to death.

This list is by no means in any sort of order, but @GregoryMcKelvey is one of my favorite political operatives. Met him in the wake of Ferguson & the Trump protests & I've watched him grow tall despite vicious attacks.

A tempered radical who navigates the game better than most.

Sam Thompson (@seeznin503) aka Big Seez aka The Mayor is a huge leader in the PDX Black community. No one here can bring Black people together like Sam. No one can motivate Black people like Sam.

Been knowing Sam since summer league of '98.

The oldest youngin @CameronWhitten first got my attention by running for mayor against Charlie Hales when he was like 21.

Haven't always agreed with all of his moves, but he's been doing The Work daily, raising and distributing money through various projects.

The money man @PDXStephenG has been INSTRUMENTAL in the success of Black businesses here in Portland. Do your Googles, this guy is the real deal.

Shit... we still need to get a coffee.

There are few people I trust more than @MicCrenshaw. Been a fan of this man since the late 90s and I'm proud now to call him a comrade.

Someone who understands the revolution on multiple levels.

Someone who takes care of people.

Can we talk about 4th generation Portlander, Donovan Smith (@ignorantreflect)?

The prolific writer/artist/organizer has studied this city's history like few others, and is running for VP of the local NAACP in order to bring that organization back to doing work for Black people.

Anytime people ask me to suggest a speaker, I suggest @ogdestiny74.

This woman has a passion that sizzles off of her tongue whenever she speaks.

She once said that the protests would go on until "there is change we can feel in our Black bodies" and I fucking love that.

Andre Middleton of @friendsofnoise has been doing the work for equity in the Arts, specifically focused on music and youth.

This summer he's been using his talents to provide sound at rallies and has continued to push the city to INVEST more heavily in the youth who need it.

I learned about @candaceforpdx when she ran a righteous campaign for city council. She introduced me at the Hip-Hop Stands Up / Hardesty Rally at the JC where I challenged JoAnn to move left & she declined.

I love most everything I hear from Candace even though I don't KNOW her.

When I need the perspective of a young Black woman, I often look to @RageRagina. A front line activist who's put her body on the line REPEATEDLY at protest across the State. When she was arrested at East Precinct I realized how much I cared about her also how important she is.

LET ME TALK ABOUT MY YOUNGIN @My4Tay!!!!!

This man shows up! Doing the work doesn't always mean fighting the cops. Sometimes it means taking care of the people and the city and holding those around you close.

A leader by default and the child of leaders.

Speaking of leaders outside of the protest BIG UPS to @RandalWyatt who started TakingOwnershipPDX.com this year which has already begun prioritizing free repairs for elder Black homeowners, helping them to hold onto prime properties, thus directly fighting gentrification.

David of @StackinKickz has been a positive force in the Black community from fostering Black business, to spreading positivity, to travelling to jails to mentor prisoners.

Doing the work in style.

I don't know that I can go a week without my favorite Trini @thatsBlawesome checking in on me, and honestly, and I've admired her for YEARS.

Her mutual aid work has been LEGENDARY. Only a good soul can receive a good soul and hers is the purest.

Also adding her to #PlantBloc.

My man @djogone has been doing the work for years (ask him why they call him OG!) and he's been a blessing all summer, connecting dots and filling the gaps wherever necessary.

This man could sit back and call it good, but he's just a real one. LEGEND.

Anytime @farnellnewton speaks, I listen. A North Portland super OG, musical genius and one who understands the greater peril we face in our communities, Farnell speaks from an amazing perspective that money can't buy.

The man is simply brilliant.

This is but a FEW of the Black LEADERS I admire locally.

Don't get me started on @blackportlander, @FliBoiMV, @CoolNutz, @MasynWade, @Dame_Lillard or the people who AREN'T on Twitter.

The point is, don't pick just one to follow. Listen to ALL of us.

We Out Here.