Stephen is truly passionate about history. In 2013 he published the Akee Tree about his family’s history and genealogy. A few years ago, he started researching the local stories of early Portland African American pioneers, and created walking tours to share with the public his incredible findings about Portland’s early racial dynamics. For years now, he has also heard stories from his 86 year old father about his memories of several historic Jazz clubs that were around in Portland during the 1940's, 50s and 60's in a neighborhood called "Albina". The city has since bulldozed the Jazz clubs down to build the freeway I 5 and the sports coliseum. Many residents were forced to move and many lost their homes. Stephen's dream is to hold a Jazz Festival to pay tribute to the Albina neighborhood and preserve its Jazz music history. He is offering a walking historical tour of the neighborhood, but him and his wife Lisa Daskalos- Hanks are now also organizing the First Albina Jazz Festival coming up, this summer, AUGUST 12-13, 2017 at Lillis-Albina Park.
Stephen Hanks joins us to discuss the upcoming jazz festival but also to share his passion for history and discuss pioneers of color in Portland.
Find out more about the walking tour on Facebook at Portland Pioneers of Color Walking Tour and for more info about the Albina Jazz Festival visit https://albinajazzfestival.com/
- KBOO