ALBINA QUEENS
Albina Queens is an award-winning community based photo project that celebrates those who claim, reclaim, embrace, and disrupt Black femininity in its many forms. The project captures and marks an occasion where Black women and femme-people are seen, counted, valued, and loved. At its core, Albina Queens is a love letter to the historically Black neighborhoods in North/Northeast Portland and the Black femmes who make those spaces what they are.
With this project, we seek representation across difference because we know that Black femininity exists as a continuum and must include trans women, non-binary femmes, youth, elders, diasbled folks, sex workers, and non-English speaking Black folks. Imagine Black sees the beauty and power of Black people in this spectrum. Making images of our community acts as a record and an archive of our existence-- past, present, and future.
Imagine Black is bringing back Albina Queens as a pop-up event to celebrate you and your crown. At the timed-entry and socially distanced event, you will work your way through a series of booths where we will capture your image through digital and analog means. To honor the roots of Albina Queens, where all Black femmes were adorned with a headwrap or a crown, will digitally place a crown (of your choosing) created by a Black femme artist on your portrait. This image will be included in our Spring 2022 Albina Queens Exhibition.
Black women and femmes working, living, or from North/Northeast Portland: We want to celebrate you!
For any additional questions, please contact albinaqueens@imagineblack.org and see our FAQ section below.
2023 Albina Queens
Due to a surge in Covid-19 infections and the growing presence of the Delta Variant, we will be postponing this project until further notice.
The 2023 Albina Queens Project is sponsored by James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation, Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC), The Oregonian, and Information Research Studio.
Got Questions? Contact us at albinaqueens@imagineblack.org.
2019 Albina Queens
In 2019 Albina Queens, we honored 100 Queens. The photographs focus on bringing out the natural vibrancy and radiance of black skin and the rich traditions of head wraps. Head wraps have a deep and complex history from their use as tools of oppression to literal crowns. This piece of fabric represents the resilience, resourcefulness and creativity that black women/femmes have employed as a method of survival and self-empowerment for centuries.
The 2019 Albina Queens Project was sponsored by Kamp Grizzly, Wieden and Kennedy, We+Black, Design + Culture Lab, Travel Portland, Design Week Portland, and Information Research Studio.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the Albina Queens Pop-Up?
Due to a surge in Covid-19 infections and the growing presence of the Delta Variant, we will be postponing this project until further notice. While we have no exact date, location, or time for the future Albina Queens Pop-Up, all registered participants, partners, artists, and community members will be notified when we have more information (in compliance and in accordance with the latest county and state guidelines) on how to safely move forward!
Will my registration be honored at the rescheduled Albina Queens Pop-Up?
Yes! All participants who received confirmation of their registration will be honored at the future Albina Queens pop-up. Based on capacity, registration may also reopen to invite more folks to participate.
How do I stay up to date on Albina Queens?
We will be sending email updates to our community and registered participants. Additionally, we will update our social media channels and website as more information becomes available. Follow our instagram and facebook.
How do I register?
Thank you for your interest! We can accommodate 100 participants and all who complete the registration paperwork by July 22, 2021 will be invited to participate. If you want to volunteer, email us at albinaqueens@imagineblack.org.
Additionally, if you have any access needs or accommodations, please email us at albinaqueens@imagineblack.org.
How will we be doing a photoshoot during Covid-19? What does that look like?
Imagine Black has been following executive orders to shelter in place and practice social distancing to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Our organization is committed to flattening the curve of the virus and we are prepared to adjust our photoshoot dates if needed. While more people are vaccinating and the world is opening back up, during the pop-up event we will require participants to continue social distancing and wearing masks.
The photoshoot will happen over the course of 1 day and each participant will have an assigned time slot. These times will be staggered to allow for distance between participants, volunteers, and staff, as well as accommodate for disinfecting surfaces and equipment. We will maintain strict social distancing, check temperatures, and ask that participants come alone and at their assigned time. In your confirmation email, we will detail the latest precautions, in alignment with the Multnomah County guidelines, that we will be taking.
Can I be an Albina Queen again even if I participated in 2019?
Thank you for your continued interest in and support of Albina Queens! Because our mission is to uplift and showcase the full spectrum Black women and femmes in North Portland, we ask that you not register for the upcoing project in order to help us make space for new community members to participate and have their chance to shine. Imagine Black is currently working on a future opportunity for past Albina Queens, so please keep a lookout for this in your inbox. If you are interested in volunteering for this event, contact email us at albinaqueens@imagineblack.org
Why not “Albina Kings?”
Everyone benefits when we uplift Black women and femmes. So rarely are we offered the opportunity to focus solely on these people within our community. This project seeks to change that by dedicating time, energy, creativity, and physical space to Black femmes.The Albina Queens project marks an occasion where Black women and femmes were seen, counted, valued, and loved. We are seeking representation across difference because we know that Black femininity exists as a continuum and must include trans women, non-binary femmes, youth, elderly, diasbled folks, sex workers, and non-English speaking folks. Imagine Black sees the beauty and power of Black people in this spectrum.
How can non-Black folks support this project?
Thanks for your interest in supporting this work! We are seeking volunteers to nominate businesses and homeowners in Portland’s Albina neighborhood to advertise Albina Queens through their windows and wall-space via posters, murals, and more. Volunteers may also be recruited to support our Albina Queens exhibition in Spring 2022. Please email at albinaqueens@imagineblack.org if you are interested.
How can I donate to Albina Queens?
We appreciate your support. Donations help us continue to build a world where people of African descent enjoy the rights, resources and recognition to be a thriving, resilient, and connected community. You can donate at www.imagineblack.org/donate.