Panel Discussion: Taking Ownership
Musician/Activist and Taking Ownership Executive Director Randal Wyatt leads a discussion about rebuilding and preserving community for Portland's Black residents and homeowners.
Taking Ownership is a community-driven, reparations-based organization in Portland, Oregon, founded to mobilize people and resources for equitable change. Together, we renovate and restore Black-owned homes and support small businesses that have requested our help, with a focus on helping Black homeowners age in place, build wealth, and protect their communities from predatory real estate practices and the pressures of gentrification.
Randal Wyatt (He/Him) is a Portland native who has dedicated his adult life to community activism, initially through Hip Hop and youth advocacy. Wyatt attended Portland State University where he earned my Bachelor’s in Social Science with a double minor in Black Studies and Sociology.
Wyatt founded Taking Ownership to preserve the Black community of Portland through addressing wealth disparity, deferred and seasonal maintenance issues, inequitable government practices, and activate allies who expressed desire to create tangible results.
JAW New Play Festival FREE! July 24-26, 2026
A week-long assembling of artists and audiences to create new plays! Artistic teams, including playwrights, directors and actors, come together to rehearse — and a lot of times rewrite! — a play. The final piece of the process happens during the weekend, when we share “music stands readings” with audiences so the playwrights can hear their work, often for the very first time!
Current & Upcoming
Working Thru It #4
Make sure to RSVP to the 4th edition of Working Thru It, a Workshop + Social presented by PCS + Thru & Thru. For July's edition, we have a panel discussion hosted by Ameer Safadi of 7Degrees. This conversation will center on creative networking, featuring some of Portland's greatest music minds.
Street Dance Showcase: Breakin Portland with Rejoice! Diaspora Theater
Directed by Michael Galen, Breakin Portland leads a powerful exploration of masculinity, resilience, and belonging through dance.
JAW Play Reading: Cessair: The Birth of Ireland
A new musical with music and lyrics by Holly Harmon, and book and lyrics by Lolly Ward.
From Myth to Musical: Crafting Stories that Sing
Are you writing a musical or interested in trying your hand at one? Join Holly Harmon and Lolly Ward for this creative workshop.
Live Music from Lola Bones
Singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and groove-maker Lola Bones offers up a dazzling array of genre bending bops for the evening.
Portland Center Stage is committed to identifying & interrupting instances of racism & all forms of oppression, through the principles of inclusion, diversity, equity, & accessibility (IDEA).
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