Portland now hosts a digital path through history with its latest exhibit, "Hidden Landmarks of Albina’s Black Community", shining a light on the overlooked Black heritage within the city's landscape. The Oregon Black Pioneers and Moreland Resource Consulting firm have partnered with Restore Oregon's Albina Preservation Initiative to map out thirty pivotal locations in the Albina neighborhood, revealing decades of African American struggle and success. Their joint effort aims to educate and preserve the stories embedded in the brick and mortar that remain––or once stood––in this historically Black enclave.
The online Storymap guides visitors through a series of sites that have borne witness to the social, political, and entrepreneurial spirit of the 20th century's Black Portlanders. Important landmarks like the former NAACP Credit Union, now the office of Microcosm Publishing, are highlighted for their roles in supporting the Black community when mainstream financial institutions turned their backs. "We love seeing our home base included in this project, and we take seriously the responsibility of our presence in this culturally and historically significant place," Microcosm shared in a statement. The exhibit presents physical landmarks and the stories they house, many of which had fallen into the shadow of urban progress and gentrification.
Community historian Kimberly S. Moreland, also the founder of Moreland Consulting, has played a crucial role in bringing this exhibit to life. Moreland, who recently snagged an Oregon Heritage Excellence Award for her community leadership, described the project to KOIN, emphasizing its significance in maintaining the legacy of Portland's Black residents through interactive and narrative-rich experiences. The landmarks bear testament to the architectural heritage of Albina and the undying spirit of its inhabitants, who have long fought for social equality and recognition.
The initiative is more than a stroll down memory lane; it's part of a larger dialogue on how preservation can be reimagined to honor the full spectrum of an area's cultural and historical narratives. As Moreland Resource Consulting and Oregon Black Pioneers lead the charge, their work amplifies the voices that have too often been muted beneath the din of redevelopment. It's an essential effort that restores the dignity of place to those buildings and stories integral to understanding the American city in its fullness. "By celebrating the radical histories of the cities, landscapes, and communities we inhabit, we keep their liberatory spark alive, strengthening our coalitions across generations," declared Microcosm in a reflection published by Microcosm Publishing.
