Black Faith Leaders in Portland Call for Unity as Voting Rights Concerns Grow

Black faith leaders in Portland, Oregon, gathered on May 16, 2026, for a Black Community Summit at Portland Community College's Cascade Campus.

The summit, themed "Where do we go from here: Chaos or Community?", brought together clergy, activists, and residents concerned about the current political climate and its impact on civil rights.

The Rev. Dr. LeRoy Haynes Jr., president of the Albina Ministerial Alliance, described what he called an "existential threat" against the Black community and pointed to what he saw as eroding civil and human rights.

Bishop C.T. Wells of Emmanuel Church noted that while Portland might not face the same voting restrictions as other regions, local residents should view the issue through a national lens. He said Portland residents can affect change nationwide.

Speakers emphasized peaceful organizing and civic engagement. They encouraged attendees to raise awareness and mobilize their communities ahead of the midterm elections.

The summit came on the same day as the "All Roads Lead to the South" voting rights rally in Selma, Alabama, reflecting a coordinated national response from Black faith communities.

Leaders pointed to the Supreme Court's April 29 ruling on Louisiana's congressional districts as a catalyst for the renewed organizing effort.