The African American community will be front and center for Portland’s first debate with candidates running for mayor. The debate will take place Friday March 14 from 6 to 7:30pm at Portland Community College’s Cascade Campus, in the auditorium of the Moriarty Building. KBOO will broadcast live from the public forum, which will feature six of the mayoral candidates.
In an announcement from PCC, Cascade Campus President Algie Gatewood noted, “By placing issues of importance to African Americans and other communities of color before the candidates and the voters right out of the gate, we hope to help set the tone that matters of diversity and inclusiveness are critical to the health of our city."
KBOO’s Evening News and Public Affairs Director recognized that it was an important opportunity to bring attention to the debate and bring minority issues to the forefront. “As Portland's only community radio station, we are committed to airing relevant local political discourse. With racism and classism still very much alive, it is extremely important that the political leadership of the city be responsive and accountable to the African American and other minority communities in Portland."
The six participating candidates include Sam Adams, Sho Dozono, Craig Gier, James B. Lee, Beryl S. McNair and Chris Rich. KOIN_TV reporter and anchor Ken Boddie will moderate the evening's proceedings.
The forum is presented by PCC Cascade Campus and the Urban League of Portland, and sponsored by the African American Alliance, the African American Chamber of Commerce and the Portland branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Admission is free, and light refreshments will be served at a reception following the event.
Tune in to KBOO live at 7:30pm on March 14th to hear the debate. 90.7 FM Portland, 91.9 Hood River, 100.7 Corvallis and online at kboo.fm.
For more information about KBOO or the mayoral debate live broadcast, please contact me here.
For more information about the debate, contact Midge Purcell with the Urban League of Portland, (503) 280-2626; e-mail mpurcell [at] ulpdx.org; or visit www.ulpdx.org