“Black News Future” is a 3-part panel series exploring the current state of Black news media in Portland and the future of the landscape going forward. The panels each have themes, which are Black media and politics, Black print media and Black-owned radio. Each panel features 2-3 guests from Portland’s Black media community, ranging from columnists to podcasters to editors and more. This series is sponsored by the University of Oregon Agora Journalism Center.

This panel focuses on the interface between local politics and media. It explores the role of traditional journalism and editorials in influencing campaigns around Black issues, as well as looks at examples such as the Rose Quarter development project and recent non-general elections.

Panelists- Candace Avalos, Winta Yohannes and State Sen. Akasha Lawrence Spence

Candace Avalos is a first generation American “Blacktina”, daughter of Black Americans from the south and Guatemalan immigrants. She currently serves as the Executive Director at Verde. Prior to her venture into the nonprofit world, she worked at Portland State University for 8 years providing civic engagement education and advising support for student leaders. Originally from Virginia, she lives in NE Portland and is an active member of her community, such as a co-founder of the Black Millennial Movement, serving on the Citizen Review Committee and Charter Review Commission for the City of Portland, as well as on the boards of Portland: Neighbors Welcome, Street Roots, and the Oregon Kickball Club.

Sen. Akasha Lawrence Spence is an innovator, change agent, and intuitive strategist who puts community first. She proudly serves NW and SW Portland and The City of Tigard as Oregon State Senator for District 18. She is also the Founder & Principal Designer of Fifth Element—a conscientious community development firm fortifying historically undercapitalized communities through decision making power and real property ownership.

Winta Yohannes serves as the executive director of the Albina Vision Trust - a nonprofit organization stewarding the thoughtful reinvention and transformation of lower Albina, from which thousands of primarily African Americans residents were forcibly displaced. Previously, she served as a senior policy advisor in Portland City Hall and is passionate about connecting community power to the political process. Winta grew up in Northeast Portland and graduated from Reed College.