Presented by Nike, Alaska Airlines & Raimore Construction
September 20–21, 2025
Portland Community College – Cascade Campus
Register now: www.MLKDreamRun.org

The Soul District Business Association (SDBA) proudly announces the return of the MLK Dream Run Weekend Celebration, happening September 20–21, 2025, at PCC Cascade Campus in Portland’s historic Soul District.

This year marks the 14th anniversary of this powerful tradition—where running meets purpose, and movement becomes momentum.

Run, Donate, or Volunteer 

• MLK Dream Run September 20 and 21st 2025 –  Our Goal 1500 Participants 
• The countdown begins, Don’t Miss Out – Prices Go Up!
• Register Early and Save.
• Race fees increases as the event gets closer.
• 5k, 10k, 15k September 21st – Sign up (Run with: Family or Friends)
• Free Kids Race September 20th 

This Year’s Theme: “Strengthening Our Communities”

Inspired by Dr. King’s words—

“We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality…”
—this year’s theme reminds us that what we build together, we strengthen together. The MLK Dream Run does more than honor history—it fuels local economic empowerment, amplifies BIPOC-owned businesses, and invests in the next generation of leaders.

Why We Run?

“Strengthening our communities isn’t just a theme—it’s a mandate,” says John Washington, Executive Director of the Soul District Business Association.
“We’re not running for medals. We’re running to reclaim what was taken. To invest where others divested. To remind Portland, and ourselves, that our neighborhoods still matter, our businesses still matter, and our people still matter. This is about legacy, justice, and the power of showing up for each other.”

For over a decade, the MLK Dream Run has helped fuel economic equity through programs that provide technical assistance, financing, and mentorship to BIPOC-owned small businesses and youth entrepreneurs.

 Why Sign Up?

• USATF-sanctioned 5K, 10K, and 15K races
• Prizes including round-trip airfare from Alaska Airlines for the overall fastest winner and random participants Male/ Female each from 5k, 10k,15k 
• Live Music & Entertainment – Games, Give aways, and family fun throughout the day.
• Nike Swag bags, Win a number of raffle prizes donated by local business owners, T-shirts, music, food, kids’ activities, health screenings, and more
• A weekend of unity, celebration, and impact you’ll never forget

Reminder Once Again: “We’re not just running for medals—we’re running for justice, for equity, for legacy,” says John Washington, Executive Director of SDBA.

Whether you run, walk, cheer, or sponsor, your presence strengthens the community.

Miracles Club invites you to join this year’s Soul Stroll! This year’s theme is “Building Bridges”, which focuses on raising awareness about type 2 diabetes and promoting community health through connection and physical activity.

The walk will begin at 8:30am in Dawson Park. The event will have a 2.4k loop and a 5k loop.

For more information and to register, click here. Hope to see you there!

The third edition of this POPA event will have food and community vendors, music, dancing, food boxes, school supplies, speakers, and raffles:

You are invited to join in a community event happening this Saturday, June 14 — the Beautifying MLK: C3 Community Clean-Up Day of Service, a Black-led effort to revitalize NE MLK Jr. Blvd ahead of Juneteenth and Good in the Hood.

The Coalition of Black Men & Soul District Business Association are looking for volunteers of all ages to join them for graffiti removal, trash pickup, and neighborhood beautification. This is a powerful opportunity to come together in service, pride, and celebration of Portland’s historic Soul District.

For questions, please contact:

Tony Jones – ajones@cobmportland.org | 503-954-4027
Fawn Aberson – fawnaberson@flossinmedia.com | 971-388-3117

Please join us for a housing and info fair from 10am to 1pm on Tuesday, March 4.

This will be in a new location: look for us at the Prism Health parking lot: 15 N Morris Street.

Food, vaccines, shelter and housing referrals, and other free resources will be available!

Ahead of this November’s election, OPB is arranging candidate forums for Portland’s new city council district. District 2 is Eliot’s district, and their forum will be held on Thursday, October 17, at the Oakshire Beer Hall in Cully.

No registration is required, but if you would like to submit questions to pose to the candidates, then please fill out this survey.

Let’s show up for Eliot and learn more about the candidates we will be voting for in November!

Join us on Stanton Street for family-friendly snacks and crafting on Saturday, October 19 from 10am-2pm!

Meet your neighbors and make spooky or cute things to take home. We’ll have mini pumpkins available, and if you’d like to decorate a big one please bring one with you! We plan to keep it simple with a focus on surface decorations rather than cutting through the pumpkins. Hope to see you there!

Cirque Du Soleil – Kooza is performing at the Portland Expo Center through October 6. Neighbors are invited to see the show with discounted rates.

“KOOZA combines acrobatic performance and the art of clowning, while exploring fear, identity, recognition, and power. The Innocent’s journey brings him into contact with comic characters from an electrifying world full of surprises.”

Please use this link to purchase tickets for 20% off:

https://tickets.cirquedusoleil.com/shop/#/e426ddaa-0ab6-489f-8447-9908f90ea402/shop/select?locale=en&skin=kooza_v2

Join us from 10am-2pm on September 21 for a community yard sale on Stanton Street between N Williams and NE Rodney! Let your unused things find a good home, and check out gently used goods at this gathering of neighbors!

You can bring things you want to sell and set up a little table/chair/etc, or you can donate items to the neighborhood association for us to sell! We welcome housewares, toys, furniture, clothes, and other usable yard sale classics in good condition.

We look forward to seeing you there!

The Portland Consortium includes the City of Gresham, the City of Portland, and Multnomah County. An approved five-year Consolidated Plan and annual Action Plans are requirements to receive federal entitlement funding from HUD for the four affordable housing and community development programs: CDBG, HOME, HOPWA, and ESG. In Fall 2021, HUD approved the Consortium’s five-year Consolidated Plan (FY 2021-25) and the first Action Plan of the cycle. The third annual Action Plan FY 2024-25 for the City of Portland details the levels of funding available for the aforementioned programs for the upcoming fiscal year with project-specific allocations and goals.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sets income limits that determine eligibility for assisted housing programs. HUD develops income limits based on Median Family Income estimates and Fair Market Rent area definitions for each metropolitan area, parts of some metropolitan areas, and each nonmetropolitan county. Portland-specific income and rent limits applicable to area affordable housing programs are based on HUD calculations for the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA MSA.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sets income limits that determine eligibility for assisted housing programs. HUD develops income limits based on Median Family Income estimates and Fair Market Rent area definitions for each metropolitan area, parts of some metropolitan areas, and each nonmetropolitan county. Portland-specific income and rent limits applicable to area affordable housing programs are based on HUD calculations for the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA MSA.

City of Portland Action Plan FY 2024-25 & 2024 Income & Rent Limits Community Hearing

Tuesday, July 9, 2024, 4:00 P.M.– 5:00 P.M.

Attendance Option: In-person or via Zoom

Register in advance for this meeting @ 
portland.gov/phb/annual-action-plan-hearing

The hearing will be held at Portland Housing Bureau (PHB) located at 1900 SW 4th Avenue, Suite 7007, Portland, OR 97201.

Portland’s Action Plan FY 2024-25 will be available on our website Consolidated Plan/Action Plan Portland Consortium for public review and comments starting Wednesday, June 26, 2024. Public comments will be taken over a 30-day comment period ending on Friday, July 26, 2024. Physical copies will be made available upon request. Details on 2023 Income and Rent Limits can be found at 2024 Income and Rent Limits.

For more information on the Action Plan or to submit written comments please contact Uma Krishnan, via e-mail: Uma.Krishnan@portlandoregon.gov; for information or comments on income and rent limits please contact Antoinette Pietka, via e-mail: Antoinette.Pietka@portlandoregon.gov

Join us from 10am-3pm on July 14 for a community yard sale on Stanton Street between N Williams and NE Rodney! Let your unused things find a good home, and check out gently used goods at this gathering of neighbors!

You can bring things you want to sell and set up a little table/chair/etc, or you can donate items to the neighborhood association for us to sell! We welcome housewares, toys, furniture, clothes, and other usable yard sale classics in good condition.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Join us for Soul Stroll, an annual event dedicated to promoting health awareness within the African American community.

For 22 years, this event has provided accessible physical activity programs, evidence-based health education, and advocacy, with a focus on on preventing and delaying the onset of Type 2 Diabetes and addressing chronic diseases.

Sign up as an individual or team to stroll the 3k starting at 8:30am, or volunteer for the event!

For more information, see:
https://www.miraclesclub.org/soul-stroll

Join us on August 30th, 2024 from noon to 4 PM at Dawson Park for a vibrant celebration of Black and African culture, resilience, and joy. Enjoy delicious food and connect with our amazing community. Don’t miss this exciting event!