Staff
Randal Wyatt - Founder/Executive Director
Randal was born and raised in Northeast Portland. He has witnessed the effects of gentrification first hand, and felt the urgent need to intervene. In the wake of the George Flloyd murder, Randal left his career as an at-risk youth advocate and unknowingly began his journey as the Executive Director of Taking Ownership.
Randal has a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science with a double minor in Black Studies and Sociology which he received from Portland State University in 2021.
Social Science with a double minor in Black Studies and Sociology.
In his spare time, Randal enjoys spending time with his two sons, making music and traveling.
Jed Overly - Community Impact Director
Jed originally met Randal in 2014 through the Portland music scene. When Jed heard Randal was starting an activist group to repair Black-owned homes, he immediately asked if he could assist with coordinating and organizing volunteers.
Since then, Jed has developed the Volunteer Coordinator role, into the current Community Impact Program. He assists with community resilience plans, partnerships, urgent response, and prevention programs, in addition to general systems and operations.
Jed has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Business and an Associates in Audio Recording from Full Sail University in Orlando, Florida.
In his spare time, Jed enjoys writing and performing music, going to shows,having a few cold ones with friends, and spending time with his dog Combo.