2023 Imagine Black Candidate Endorsements

After a thorough endorsement process, Imagine Black is proud to announce our endorsement of the following candidates. Each candidate received enthusiastic support from Imagine Black Kinfolk members, staff, and the board of directors. 

All candidates have:

  • Pledged to reject donations from police unions and private prisons.  Learn more about Oregon's No Police Money Pledge. here: https://www.nopolicemoney.org

  • Believes that Black people and families are experts in their lives and the solutions needed to build a better future for themselves and each other.

  • Believes that Black leadership belongs in meaningful decision-making roles, including voters and appointed and elected leaders;

  • Believes that Black Lives Matter;

  • commits to creating policies with a Black Queer Feminist lens and supporting legislation protecting LGBTQIA2+ Oregonians from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity;

  • support legislation protecting LGBTQIA2+ Oregonians from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity;

  • supports decriminalizing sex work;

  • supports a just transition, shifting from an extractive to a regenerative economy;

  • believe in environmental racism and that Black and Indigenous people have been disproportionately affected by years of decisions that have negatively impacted our living and working environments;

  • supports the call to reimagine public safety and create democratic community control over safety and justice systems rooted in restoration and healing;

  • Believes that violations of property should never be equated with the violation of human life;

  • Believes that the rights of protestors should be respected and protected;

  • Supports laws banning the sale or transfer of military-style assault weapons and large capacity magazines;

  • Believes in reparations for Black Oregonians;

  • Commit to defending the rights of all working peoples, including those who are unable to form unions at this time - domestic workers, migrant workers, and sex workers;

  • Believes in the right for workers to organize in public and private sectors;

  • Believes that housing and shelter are human rights;

  • Believes that immigration is a human right;

  • Believes in the land back movement and Indigenous sovereignty;

  • Believes that systematic anti-Black racism exists in Oregon and needs to be dismantled;

  • Believes that everyone should have access to the full range of reproductive health care services, including access to safe abortion;

  • Believes that federal, state, regional and local government share the responsibility to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline in Oregon; and

  • Believe that critical race and ethnic studies are essential to Oregon K-12 education and require state budget investment to ensure implementation.

Imagine Black is one of few Black-led and Black-servicing 501c4 organizations endorsing candidates in Oregon elections. We are proud to be building Black political power with all of you.

ANA DEL ROCÍO MULTNOMAH COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 3

Ana takes collective stewardship of our democracy seriously — she knows what’s at stake when government fails to protect its people. Learn more about Ana’s campaign here.

JUSTICE RAJEE BEAVERTON SCHOOL BOARD ZONE 6

Justice believes our neighborhood public schools are our community's most important investment in the growth, enrichment, and future success of youth.

Learn more about Justice’s campaign here.

DANNY CAGE MULTNOMAH EDUCATION SERVICE DISTRICT BOARD POSITION 6

Danny will bring his well-rounded community and government experiences to the Multnomah Education Service District to work to ensure a quality education for every student.

Learn more about Danny’s campaign here.

DANA STROUD MOUNT HOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD POSITION 5

Dana believes that education is not a privilege, it is a right. Equity in education is not only necessary, it is essential for a just and thriving society. Without it, we perpetuate a system of inequality that benefits the few at the expense of the many. Learn more about Dana’s campaign here.

EndorsementsImagine Black