Our Vision

Portland has a history of racist and predatory real estate and banking practices that have targeted, excluded, and displaced thousands of Black home and business owners since Black people were permitted to live in the state of Oregon. Due to a lack of efficient and impactful equitable change from our policymakers and enforcers, we decided to take grassroots action to provide equity and justice to the Black community of Portland through reparations in the form of home and small business repairs, renovations, financial assistance, and advocacy. Taking Ownership also provides a clear path of reconciliation and justice for our allies who want to provide resources and physical labor to create quick tangible results that help combat the consequences of economic exclusion and various forms of oppression the Black community has suffered for hundreds of years.