The Black United Fund (BUF) stands as a beacon of hope and empowerment for the Black community. Their ambitious project, the Building United Future Complex on North Alberta Street in Portland, will expand support for local Black, Indigenous, and other artists of color; Black-led and -serving nonprofits and small businesses; and other mission-aligned organizations. The Oregon Legislature’s decision not to fund the $900,000 project has left a void in the organization’s pursuit of positive change.

Founded in 1983, BUF assists in the social and economic development of Oregon’s underserved communities and contributes to a broader understanding of ethnic and culturally diverse groups. As one of the only Black-led foundations in Oregon, BUF is also one of the few remaining Black-led organizations in historically Black Northeast Portland…remaining a powerful presence right in the heart of Portland’s gentrification.

The new headquarters, Building United Future Complex, will expand opportunities for economic development, education, and community well-being in the Black community. The comprehensive plan includes a razing and rebuild of their physical space, along with an expansion to provide more accessible co-location options for small and emerging nonprofits and businesses. With the new building, BUF will be able to showcase and shelter more local artists and nonprofit organizations and continue to offer a place for the Black community to come together and thrive.

The project will increase BUF’s capacity by 200%, allowing the organization to serve 4,000 people directly and nearly 40,000 indirectly each year. Already, BUF has touched the lives of over 75,000 Oregonians. They have awarded more than $10 million in scholarships; supported 1,000 marginalized Portland-area youth and dozens of Black artists and entrepreneurs each year; and allocated $49.5 million in federal relief funding to Black individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits.

The heart of BUF’s strength lies in its collaborative approach to community service. Their commitment extends beyond providing support. They offer physical space for smaller mission-aligned partner nonprofits at accessible or below-market rates. BUF staff act as mentors, providing technical and financial assistance. The Building United Future Complex will broaden this support further. The larger and more dynamic space will offer a nurturing environment for even more emerging organizations.

The project carries the hopes and aspirations of the entire community. The complex aims to be an “unapologetically Black space,” and defined by many as “a homecoming” for the Black community on Alberta Street. With over 30,000 square feet of space, the complex will become a hub for youth programs, arts organizations, economic development, and small business support, and a vibrant showcase of local art. The building will give them better visibility and new partners who will be co-located there, including Black-led, women-led, and -serving nonprofits and social service agencies.

The denied funding poses a significant setback for BUF and the broader community it serves, who have been planning this project as a community for several years. They have gained significant support and momentum, yet are in need of “close the gap” support for this shovel-ready project. Without crucial financial support, the project is delayed until the organization can raise additional funds to bridge the gap. In addition, other sources of funding hinge on BUF’s ability to secure this legislative support.

The Building United Future Complex is a symbol of resilience, strength, and community empowerment. As BUF regroups and continues to create positive change, the community eagerly awaits the day when the doors of the complex will swing open, welcoming a new era of support, collaboration, and empowerment for Black, Indigenous, and other people of color.

The post Unveiling the unfulfilled dream: the Black United Fund’s Building United Future Complex appeared first on Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon.

The author, Lizzy Acker, interviewed many of our board members and arts leaders: Tyler Hokama from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Ginger Savage from the Crossroads Carnegie Arts Center in Baker City, Josh Neckels from the Eugene Ballet,  and Dana Whitelaw from the High Desert Museum in Bend.

“Arts and culture are a significant part of the Oregon economy, representing a sector that is 3.4% of the state’s gross domestic product. Our sector not only provides over 60,000 jobs in the state, but is also often a cornerstone for other industries like tourism. Prior to the pandemic, it was common for OSF to draw 380,000 to 400,000 tickets per season. In 2023, we recovered just under 40% of these numbers, though we saw double-digit growth compared to 2022. OSF has a robust 10-production lineup prepared for next year, and we are hopeful about seeing audiences return again to our destination theater.” – Tyler Hokama, interim executive director at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

“Those big bedrock cultural attractions are the center of our arts ecology. If they begin to weaken or crumble, the rippling effect is just ridiculous. Take the Shakespeare Festival, which employs many people who do lights, sound, costumes, and makeup. They also end up working for other, smaller arts organizations in the area, too. If the Shakespeare Festival fails and those people leave town, the shock wave would reverberate through all of Southern Oregon.” -Ginger Savage, CACO board member and executive director of Crossroads Carnegie Arts Center in Baker City

Just a few Oregon arts organizations have grown their audiences substantially since 2019, such as the Eugene Ballet.

“The increase in productions has also opened the opportunity for world premiere collaborations. In 2024, we will put on Artistic Director Toni Pimble’s full-length ‘Peter Pan’ featuring a world premiere commissioned score by Oregon composer Kenji Bunch.” –Josh Neckels, executive director of Eugene Ballet

Several organizations were left out in the cold when the Oregon Legislature failed to fund the 16 capital projects the Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon had recommended in 2023. This year marks the first time in 2023 the legislature did not fund our recommended list of capital projects. The High Desert Museum was hoping to receive $2 million to construct a new wing.

“It felt extreme.”- Dana Whitelaw, executive director of the High Desert Museum

How did we get here?

“The bottom line is that at some point in the legislative process, legislators who are more powerful than me have to make decisions about what gets paid for. Candidly, I think some of them, looking at this are like, ‘Hey, given all the things that are challenging in this state, this feels a little extra, and not as important.’ Arts don’t have the sort of moral and political cachet that school funding, university funding, roads, bridges and forestry has. Part of life is being able to experience the arts. It’s part of what’s wonderful about humanity.” -Representative Rob Nosse

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