African American Portland: Things to See & Do

The Albina District: The Heart of the African American Community

The historic heart of Portland's African American community is the Albina district of Northeast Portland. This is where you will find civic institutions such as the Urban League of Portland and the Portland Trail Blazers Boys and Girls Club, as well as beauty stores, barbers, African groceries, music and dance clubs. Come on over and see us for a real Portland welcome.

Heading Out

Reflections Café and Talking Drum Books (446 N.E. Killingsworth St., 503.288.4106) is a great place to find out what’s going on in Portland. Reflections hosts community events every week.

Take a tour of our “Walls of Pride,” a collection of murals and public art in North and Northeast Portland, created by local painters and sculptors. A book and map are available from The Dill Pickle Club.

View multicultural art exhibits, dance and performance at the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center (5340 N. Interstate Ave., 503.283.8467).

Visit the Alberta Arts District to explore local music, food and art. Alberta Street is home to a popular gallery walk and street fair on the last Thursday of every month.

Find unique style at fashion designer Kenneth Doswell’s Betty Jean Couture (3537 N.E. Williams Ave.).

Update your do at Geneva’s Shear Perfection (5601 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., 503.285.1159) or visit Pearl Hall at Dean’s Barber Shop (213 N.E. Hancock St., 503.282.3388).

Our barbers are second to none. Check out Champions (3827 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., 971.255.1288) or Reggie’s (3213 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., 503.280.0222), both in the heart of the historic African American neighborhood. Or visit former NBA star Terrell Brandon’s Barber Shop (1330 N.E. Alberta St., 503.460.0348).

Check out the Black Resource Collection at the North Portland Library (512 N. Killingsworth St., 503.988.5394).

Leisure Hour Golf, a multicultural organization with a focus on involving the African American community, hosts events for golfers of all backgrounds and skill levels at Portland’s many excellent golf courses.

Food and Drink

Located atop a hill in northeast Portland’s Hollywood district, Clyde’s Prime Rib Restaurant & Bar (5474 N.E. Sandy Blvd., 503.281.9200) features an elegant dining room and live jazz, R&B and blues in the bar.

Podnah’s Pit (1625 N.E. Killingsworth St., 503.281.3700) has been a Portland favorite for its hardwood-smoked Texas-style barbecue since 2006.

Northeast Portland’s Seeznin's Sports Bar and Grill (2218 N.E. 82nd Ave., 503.477.7308) offers lady’s night on Thursdays, karaoke on Fridays, “Old Skool” on Saturday nights and a live dinner show on Sundays.

Afrique Bistro (102 N.E. Russell St., 503.943.6616) is an all-African restaurant with a menu that represents the entire continent, not just one country or region.

Clubs

The Conga Club (4923 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Suite 102; 503.314.2639) features R&B, old school and slow jams every Sunday night.

Since 1921, Billy Webb’s Elks Lodge (6 N. Tillamook St., 503.284.4853) has served the African American community as a YWCA, a USO club and a safe haven for those fleeing the Vanport floods in the 1940s.

The independent Someday Lounge (125 N.W. Fifth Ave., 503.248.1030) showcases a variety of genres and talents in an accessible, performer-friendly atmosphere.

Jimmy Mak’s (221 NW 10th Ave., 503.295.6542), called "one of the world's top 100 places to hear jazz" by Down Beat magazine, features noted national and local performers, including legendary jazz drummer Mel Brown, who is in residence three nights a week.

Transportation

Black-owned Green Cab and Green Shuttle (toll-free 877.853.3577 or 503.234.1414) provides taxicabs, airport shuttles, group tours, senior transportation and delivery services.

Radio Stations

KBOO 90.7 – An eclectic mix of hip-hop, politics, Afrobeat and more
Wild 107.5 – Party hits
KMHD 89.1 – Jazz
KOPB 91.5 – Oregon Public Broadcasting