Word is Bond PDX

Word is Bond is putting books into the hands of young Black men and empowering them through literacy! A big thank you to our partners at Literary Arts for the tickets to see Ta-Nehisi Coates live at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Ta Nehisi discussed his new book, The Message, which looks at how certain stories are told shaped people’s world view. He says that “The task for young writers is saving the world.” This aligns with Word is Bond strategic goal to amplify Black stories and help young Black men reclaim their narratives. All of our ambassadors received a copy of his book. Thank you to Lincoln High School for letting us use space on your campus before the event to discuss media literacy and the messages that we consume. A big thank you to Kristin Warlord at the Yarg Foundation and Jyoti Roy at Literary Arts for making this event possible. Ta-Nehisi Coates, thank you for encouraging young people to read and write and challenge. What stories are being told! 📚🚀👑 #WordisBondPDX #Literacy #Read

Your VOTE matters! 🗳️ Black youth have a chance to influence national and local elections. Grab your ballot, and use your right to vote to elect leaders and shape policy for the issues that are important to your community. 🗓️ All voter ballots are due Tuesday, November 5. ✊🏾 Our ancestors fought for our rights. It’s time to stand up. 👑 A public service message from Word is Bond and our brother and friend Bakari Sellers #WordisBondPDX #YourVoteMatters

Today, we honor and celebrate the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous peoples. Let’s continue to listen, learn, and support Indigenous voices today and every day. #IndigenousPeoplesDay 🌎✨#WordIsBondPDX

Please join us in welcoming Zion Ward, our new program coordinator, to the Word is Bond family! Zion Ward (He/Him/His) is a proud native of Northeast Portland, deeply connected to the community where he was raised. He attended Woodlawn Elementary and later graduated from City Christian High School (now Manna House Christian Academy) in 2018. Zion went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Portland State University, where he cultivated his passion for understanding human behavior and supporting others. As the son of a pastor and a community leader recognized for her contributions to social justice, Zion was instilled with a strong commitment to service and advocacy from a young age. This upbringing shaped his desire to give back, and today, he continues that legacy as the full-time Program Coordinator for Word Is Bond. Zion is also a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African Americans, where he deepens his commitment to leadership, brotherhood, and community service. In his free time, Zion enjoys staying active, cooking, exploring music, immersing himself in nature, and appreciating art. #WordIsBondPDX 🚀👑✊🏿

Word is Bond community ambassadors enjoying a beautiful fall day in the historic Albina neighborhood! Working on our upcoming walking tour schedule. Want to go on a walking tour led by our ambassadors? Send us a message. 👟🍁👑 #WordisBond #InMyShoes

“We are the movement!” The words of Tennessee Representative Justin J Pearson could not be more appropriate. Last night’s NAACP Portland Freedom Fund Dinner was a celebration of Black Excellence and a reminder of the fierce urgency of now. Black Portland, for the sake of our children, must unite. And above all else, I am committed to that objective. We have tremendous Black leadership in the State right now. Take education for example. The Director of the Oregon Department of Education is a Black woman. The superintendent of Portland Public Schools, where 30% of Oregon’s Black students attend school, is a Black woman. The Chair of the PPS Board of Education is a Black man and the President of the Portland Association of Teachers is also a Black woman. This is an addition to an array of fantastic Black nonprofits. If we can’t find a way for Black students to achieve with this leadership, if we can’t marshal our resources for the sake of progress, not only has the system failed us, but be we as a community, will fail our children. Representative Pearson reminded us with a powerful keynote, that we are the movement and we must act expeditiously, and with humanity, to alleviate the social conditions facing our youth, houseless individuals, and save our environment for future generations among other challenges. To our white allies, a reminder you cannot afford to sit on the sidelines of comfortability. Open your checkbooks and make a donation to one of the local Black nonprofits doing the work. Educate your children to be anti-racist. Tear down the systems that only benefit yourselves, and join us in a brother and sisterhood of humanity. This is our moment. We are the movement. And we were reminded last night that “You can’t expel a movement.” Thank you Representative Justin J Pearson for your message, your courage, and your leadership. Hats off to the NAACP Portland Branch 1120 under the leadership of James Posey for organizing last night’s dinner. A big thank you to all of our Word is Bond PDX Board members, staff, and community ambassadors who joined us for the event. Let’s fight the good fight. ✊🏾🤎👑 #WordisBondPDX

Shoutout to our partners at African Youth & Community Organization 💭👑 Word is Bond Board, staff and community ambassadors, Yoseph Ukbazghi, Lakayana Yotoma Drury, joined African Youth Community Organization for their Resilience and Renaissance Dinner at their amazing facility, the Dream Center. AYCO is doing fantastic work to serve African youth and families across the greater Portland metro area. We share their vision to empower African youth and create opportunities for youth and families to learn, grow and thrive. As community organizations that serve some of the same youth and families, we know the importance of nonprofits, especially Black nonprofits, working together rather than competing over resources. Stay tuned for future partnerships between our organizations. A big thanks to their founder and executive director Jamal Dar for his support of Word is Bond. Together, we rise. 🌍🤎👑 #WordisBondPDX

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Word is Bond took Black Excellence to the Oregon State Capitol for Legislative Days! ✊🏾 Founder and Executive Director Lakayana Yotoma Drury was joined by two Word is Bond ambassadors, Chris and Ayman, both 16-year-old students in Portland Public Schools, for a day of public policy, civic engagement, and leadership development. As Vice-Chair of the Oregon Commission on Black Affairs, Drury and the Commission sat in on senate hearings and met with State lawmakers to push policy initiatives which include increased affordable housing options, elevating academic achievement and closing the opportunity gap for African-American students, and enhancing accessibility of quality healthcare. Having our community ambassadors attend legislative day was an invaluable experience where they learned about the legislative process at a young age and how they can help shape public policy and advocate for other youth. A big thank you to our Board Member Nakeia Daniels, the Director of the Oregon Dept. Of Veteran Affairs, for supporting us on the big day and for her testimony in several session. Our youth leaders met with many leaders including: Dr. Charlene Williams, Director of the Oregon Dept. Of Education. Senator Aaron Woods David Booth, CEO Tillamook Cheese Oregon Commission on Black Affairs Commissioners Senator Ricki Ruiz Justice Rajee, ED of Reimagine Oregon Urban League of Portland staff team Stay tuned for more updates on what we’re up to next. Consider making a tax-deductible donation to support leadership trips like this and other programs of ours that support civic engagement of Black youth. Visit mywordisbond.org today to make your donation. Thank you. Election Day is November 5, 2024, make sure you vote! 🗳️🌟👑 #WordisBondPDX

Word is Bond PDX just released our first music video, The Black Stars on YouTube! 🌟 More than just a music video, The Black Stars is an anthem for Portland youth that tells a story of inspiration featuring iconic places across our city. Check it out!👇🏾 https://lnkd.in/gPfQjWSY