Dear friend,

Advancing racial justice is a top priority for Lift UP and Executive Director Stephanie Barr. We sat down to discuss this important topic. Let’s start with a quote from one of Stephanie’s mentors on her racial justice journey…

“I've received so many requests and asks of ways to celebrate Black History Month, and it's made me come to a provocative conclusion. If you are new on your journey to racial equity, use this month to plan and create your path to elevating and empowering Black voices for the next year, so you have important things to highlight next year. If you feel you are not new, take this opportunity to highlight all the things you've learned by connecting and being a part of amplifying Black voices and initiatives. The shortest month of the year should not be when you decide to check the Black initiatives box, you should be celebrating and contributing to Black history all year long.”
- Jasmine Rucker-Tolbert, President, NAACP Vancouver Chapter

How does racial injustice equal food injustice?
Portland has a deeply racist history that has created entrenched disparities based on race. This is clearly evident in statistics about who experiences food insecurity in our community.  Even now, almost 80% of the people living in Portland are white, whereas we serve 40% people of color. Because of these inequities, race and income often correlate with health and nutrition. This is not normal or inevitable. These historical inequities are deeply engrained, and we need to take action before we can achieve food justice.

Who have been your biggest influencer in your racial justice journey?
I have had the privilege to work with inspiring community leaders over the years and I have learned the most from those relationships. Engaging in racial justice work has allowed me to experience the full humanity of others and myself in deeper, more authentic ways. I am grateful for the grace, honesty, patience, trust, and forgiveness of those leaders. Now it is about showing up, doing the work, and being accountable. We need to be tireless about it.

Some key things I have learned on my equity journey thus far are:
- Listen to and believe the experiences that BIPOC people share
with you.
- There are opportunities to make an impact of equity in everything
we do. Always seek them out.
- Try, even if you make mistakes. Learn from those mistakes and
keep moving forward.
- Seek out expressions of Black joy and success. There is a lot of
strength, resilience, and power to celebrate!

I still have a lot of learning to do about the intersection of food justice and racial justice, and I’m excited to partner and learn from our Lift UP community, from clients to leaders from organizations and partners like the NAACP, Urban League and Mudbone Grown.

As Executive Director, what steps are you taking to ensure Lift UP is more equitable?
At Lift UP, we are moving forward deliberately, but authentic work takes time. Foremost, we are devoted to our clients, to being respectful and inclusive. We have to continually ask “what impact does this have on race and equity?” with every decision we make. We are still in a learning place, so education is our first focus, but we are also setting concrete goals for change. This is a marathon, not a sprint—we need to balance the urgency of injustice with the time and commitment it takes to make lasting change.  What is imperative is that we remain steadfast and keep driving the work forward. We know that creating a just, equitable society will result in better outcomes for all of us. We are united in our commitment and to being held accountable by our clients, team, leadership, volunteers, donors and community.

Like Jasmine suggests, Stephanie and Lift UP will be listening, learning, taking action, celebrating Black History and slowly but deliberately advancing racial justice, every day. We invite you to join us in celebrating Black History Month by supporting local Black-led organizations like Mudbone Grown and Grandma’s Hands, and by asking “What impact does this have on race and equity?” every day.

Resources to Learn More
Alliance to End Hunger: Hunger is a Racial Equity Issue
Oregon Hunger Task Force
Ijeoma Oluo, So You Want to Talk about Race 

Gratefully,

The Lift UP Team

With spring right around the corner, the Lift UP Annual Spring Food and Fund Drive will be here before you know it! Consider partnering with Lift UP to support our neighbors who face obstacles in obtaining the food they need to maintain healthy, happy lives.

For more information, contact Community Engagement Manager Brett at brett@lifturbanportland.org or 503-221-1224 ext. 106

Food brings us together.