Take Our Charter Review Survey by Jan. 24

The Coalition of Communities of Color’s Charter Review Community Priorities Survey is now live! Make your voice heard by taking the survey by Monday, January 24.

The Portland Charter Commission is considering recommending changes to Portland’s form of government and voting system. Changes approved by the Charter Commission will be referred to the ballot for Portland voters to decide on.

Take our survey about Community Priorities for the Portland Charter Review Process to make your voice heard in this important process and help shape the future of our city. The survey is available in English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, and Vietnamese.

The purpose of this survey is to help us understand how community members would like to be served by our city government and how they would like to be represented by our city’s elected leaders. Your perspective will help inform the Charter Commission about your priorities on the topics they are reviewing.

If you would like more information, the CCC has created a webpage to educate and engage Portlanders in the Charter Review process. Check it out to learn more about why this process matters and ways you can take action.

Visit bit.ly/charter-survey by Monday, January 24, 2022. One lucky participant will win a $250 gift card! Thank you for engaging with this important process.

Farewell & Congratulations to Elona Wilson

Last week, we shared our gratitude and best wishes to our Advocacy Director, Elona J Wilson, as she left the Coalition of Communities of Color to become the Executive Director of Next Up, an organization working to amplify the voice and leadership of diverse young people to achieve a more just and equitable Oregon.

Elona joined CCC in late 2020 and immediately brought her energy and vision, launching right into preparations for the 2021 legislative session. During her time at CCC, she led our lobbying efforts at the Oregon Capitol and played an integral role in deepening CCC’s engagement in a number of areas, particularly criminal legal reform and education.

Reflecting on her achievements at CCC, Elona shared, “Some of my proudest work is within the criminal justice sphere working to make Oregon the second state in the nation to eliminate fees for post-prison supervision, probation, and parole, helping tens of thousands of folks impacted by the criminal legal system achieve financial stability so they can care for their families. The steps made this legislative session were nowhere near enough for our communities, but I am going to continue to be in this fight until we finally achieve justice.”

“My time at the Coalition of Communities of Color has been incredible,” Elona continued. “The work that we did, uniting communities of color to fight for a more just and equitable Oregon, was impactful and intentional. I am excited to see what the future holds for this outstanding organization and folks served.”

Marcus Mundy, CCC’s Executive Director, said, “While Elona will be missed, as she brought a passion and enthusiasm to the powerful advocacy work CCC leads, and her own contributions to that work, we are pleased that she will continue to fight for the things that matter to all Oregonians at Next Up. We are doubly pleased that we will continue to be able to collaborate with her and tap into her expertise and innovative thinking. Her CCC colleagues will universally feel her absence, but are assured she will continue to lead.”

Next Up has been a strong partner of CCC, in particular on work around democracy reform and potential changes to the City of Portland’s charter. Read about Elona’s new role as Next Up’s Executive Director on their website here. Elona, thank you, congratulations, and we look forward to our continued work together!