Taste for equity 2023 GALA
Honorees
Each year we honor stand-out leaders for equity and justice in our community. We hope you find inspiration in them to fuel your imagination for what’s possible and your efforts to make change happen.
These honorees were selected through a public nominations process with final selections made by: Tony DeFalco, Se-ah-dom Edmo, Paul Lumley, Juan Martinez, Sharon Gary Smith, Marsha Williams, and Winta Yohannes
Joy Alise Davis
INSPIRE
Honors a person or business / organization whose bold and joyful equity work inspires others.
Joy Alise Davis is the founder of the award-winning Design + Culture Lab, a research-driven, urban-social enterprise that works at the intersection of identity and place. Currently, Joy Alise serves as the President and Executive Director of Imagine Black and Imagine Black Futures, where she works to help our Black community imagine the alternatives they deserve and build political participation to achieve those alternatives. When Joy Alise gets a seat at the table, she swiftly dismantles the old furniture and makes room for a more inclusive space led by Black and Indigenous folks.
She is a speculative design strategist who has held support and leadership roles at various social justice organizations and has consulted on urban planning, urban design, and racial equity projects with government bureaus. Joy Alise is also an Assistant Professor at Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA).
Jenny Nguyen
innovate
Honors a person or business / organization whose equity work is newly at the forefront and driving new changes.
Jenny Nguyen was born and raised in Portland as a first generation Vietnamese-American and in 2022 founded The Sports Bra–believed to be the first sports bar dedicated to women’s sports in the world. Since then, The Sports Bra has been featured in hundreds of publications such as the NYT, Sports Illustrated and Vogue to television shows like CBS Sunday Morning and The Kelly Clarkson Show. Jenny has also taken part in panels and conferences across the country reaching audiences in diverse subjects–from women in leadership to the innovation technology landscape in sports.
In nominating Jenny, Josephine Davis and Kaysha Duffy of OnPoint Community Credit Union said, “Jenny’s dedication to launching The Sports Bra is helping to make strides in promoting greater justice and equity through the lens of women’s sports. We’re continuously inspired by her vision, commitment and the positive impact she continues to make around the world.”
INnovation
Joyce Harris, Ronnie Herndon, and the legacy of the Black Education Center
Honors a person or business / organization whose equity work has been underway for many years and whose commitment has long been embedded as a core purpose.
As students at Reed College in 1970, Joyce Harris, Ron Herndon, and Frank Wilson founded the Black Education Center, which began as a summer program for local Black youth, became a full-time private elementary school, and over decades, generated untold innovation, opportunities and progress for Black children and youth in our community.
Over the 50+ years since co-founding the BEC, Joyce became a leading civil rights leader and innovator in Portland that has devoted her life to elevating those historically denied access to equal and high-quality educational opportunities and outcomes.
Ron continued his legacy as a life-long community leader and activist. He has served as the Director of Portland’s Albina Head Start since 1975 and led the National Head Start Association as President and Board Chair, advocating for over 17 million low-income children and families from 1991-2013.
Of one another they said:
Ron: “Joyce’s courage and determination were largely responsible for the creation and continuation of this groundbreaking Black Community effort.”
Joyce: “As a 19 year old student I was excited to join you and share your vision to create a community based organization to improve the education of African American children and the community. As I reflect on all that we have accomplished over the years, I am glad to have shared it with you. Your guidance, mentorship and commitment to our children and community have been exemplary.”