Cutting-Edge Candidates

Young, minority voices represent change

Printed in the Portland Observer
January 23, 2007

Portland is lucky to see even one emerging black voice in many election cycles. But this May will bring at least three young African-Americans to contend for three seats opening in state and local politics.

The candidates share a progressive passion for social advancement and equal access, and a firsthand understanding of what it's like to be disenfranchised.

"To give a voice to the voiceless is one of those things that to me, is just common sense," says Harold C. Williams Two, who filed last week for a seat on the Portland City Council, to be decided in the May 20 primary. "If we don't do it, who will?"

In another Portland City Commissioner race, John Branam, 33, sees a political role for his bi-ethnicity and points to his professional experience as development director for Portland Public Schools.

"That's useful when you're talking about providing leadership for a diverse community," he says.

Cyreena Boston finds herself in the state's political arena as she seeks election to Oregon House District 45 in outer northeast Portland and Parkrose. She too doesn't shy away from forefronting her cultural background when relevant to advancing a cause.

"I'm confronted three ways, because I'm young and I'm a woman and I'm an African American, and what it does, is it creates a phenomenal opportunity to have conversations that ordinarily may not happen," Boston says. "It's time for that next crop of leaders to come forward (because) we have systems of government that can enact policies of discrimination and hatred just as quickly as policies that help people."

Boston, 27, shows that her youth doesn't signal any inability to affect change by packing her hours with social causes. She works for the county analyzing health policy and on Central City Concern's business advisory council to increase opportunities for lifting people out of poverty.

All three candidates promote better schools, health care and jobs.

Boston speaks of the need for diversity in the Oregon Legislature, citing the situation becoming increasingly dire as African-American Sen. Avel Gordly will step down from office at the end of her term.

"If a candidate like me is not given a voice in the law-making process, many people that are young, many people that are of color and many people that are different will not have a voice," she says.

Boston sums up her work ethnic by saying, "I may not always be right or perfect, but you cannot question the love that I have for where I've lived my life."

In his City Council race, Branam says political leaders today need to understand the perspective of trying to make it as a young person, saying, "Our creative-class sector represents a tremendous opportunity for Portland to grow and prosper, and I think that it's that much more valuable to have someone on council who understands what that means."

He sees significant challenges ahead with respect to the equitable distribution of educational resources and services to the 95 neighborhoods that make up the city of Portland.

Branam credits Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's rapid rise to national prominence for giving him the optimism he needed to collect the names of 1,000 people donating $5 to qualify for public campaign financing.

A children's social worker for the past 10 years, Williams, 31, says he rediscovers the importance of a youthful perspective on a daily basis.

"Over time, we tend to forget the trials, tribulations and stresses of young people," he says. "With me being not that far removed, it would be an easier translation."

"We cannot afford to let things like accessibility, communication, education or accountability to fall to the wayside," Williams says. "I will do all I can to provide access to those who don't know their way around."

A 1995 graduate of Jefferson High School and subsequent professional football player, Williams speaks to being the best he can be.

"I'm not saying I can be everything to all people, but I can be me," he says.