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.