This content was published: November 19, 1998. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
Fundraising Gala for Cascade Community History Center Features Film Montage of African Americans in
Photos and story by Mark Evertz
The Portland Community College-affiliated history project charged with keeping local African American history alive and accessible is reaching out to the community it serves with a fundraising event Wednesday, Dec. 2 at the McMennamins Kennedy School theater.
"The Cascade Campus Community History Center is seeking donations from the general public so it can continue preserving and sharing the history of the African American community in Portland," said Mildred Ollee, Cascade Campus executive dean. The center is located in the library at the Cascade Campus, 705 N. Killingsworth.
The gala kicks off at 7 p.m. with refreshments and the awarding of the first Community Center History Service Award. That award will be given to a community leader who has shown a strong commitment to the center and its mission.
At 8 p.m., there will be a screening of "Midnight Ramble," the 1994 film by Pam Thomas. The hour-long film features a series of clips illuminating how African American men and women have been portrayed in feature films throughout their history.
Through the generous support of the Oregon Community Foundation, McMennamins and individual donors, the history center hopes to continue providing such mind-expanding presentations as an annual symposium in March, elementary and middle school history presentations in Portland, the preservation of historical artifacts of the African American community and other events as they arise.
"This is a wonderful project," said Linda Elegant, history center coordinator. "The college has been extremely generous in providing us with a home, but without money we cannot continue to provide these presentations. We need the community’s help to keep the project going."
For more information on the Cascade Campus Community History Center, or the fundraiser and community event, contact Linda Elegant at 978-5070.
The McMennamins Kennedy School is located at 5736 N.E. 33rd Ave.