The State of Black Oregon
Published for the first time in 17 years, the State of Black Oregon report starkly exposes a persistent gap in living standards between black and white Oregonians - one which is growing wider as a result of the economic downturn. Published by the Urban League of Portland, this report reveals that African Americans in Oregon have significantly higher infant mortality rates, are more likely to live in poverty, have higher levels of unemployment and are far more likely to die of diseases such as diabetes than their white counterparts.
On October 30, City Club welcomes Marcus Mundy, President and CEO, Urban League of Portland, Charles Hopson, Deputy Superintendent of District-Wide Programs in Portland Public Schools and Karen Gibson, Associate Professor at PSU’s Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning. They will discuss how the cumulative effect of social and economic inequalities between Caucasian and African Americans is a product of deeply rooted, systemic disadvantage and how Oregon can address these disparities through policy proposals aimed at the public and private sectors.
