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January 10,2007
a r t in
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uther
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Page B 2 I
2007 s p e c ia l edition
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M ark W ashington A ' he P ortland O bserver
Joice Taylor operates her own business in the commercial property at 3808 N. Williams Ave. 4s chair of the North-Northeast Business Association, she is dedicated to
providing economic access to all people in her community.
Building Her Community's Economic Foundation
Taylor leads Nortli/Nortlieast business group
LS5J
by L ee P erlman
T he P ortland O bserver
Joice Taylor's family moved away from Vir­
ginia when she was five, first to San Diego and
then, when she was 12, to Portland.
Thus, she did not experience first-hand the
horrors of Southern segregation prior to the Ci v i I
Rights Movement. However, she never lacked
understanding that people were being discrimi­
nated against and denied equal access to the
benefits of American life.
She remembers the struggles of civil rights
volunteers, and especially the eloquence of Dr,
Martin Luther King Jr., as people sought to bring
about change. "To not acknowledge that cour­
age and dedication would have been disrespect­
ful," she says.
Today, Taylor is among a new generation of
leaders dedicated to providing economic access
and equal opportunity to people in her commu­
nity.
As chair of the North-Northeast Business
Association, she is working to promote com­
merce for the area bounded by the 1-5 Freeway
of north Portland, Northeast Broadway, Colum­
bia Boulevard, and Northeast 33rd Avenue.
Last year the group held a Juneteenth cel­
ebration for non-profit corporations. It also col­
laborated on an Excellence in Business awards
program with the Albina Rotary club.
Taylor points out that she is aided by an able
and diverse board. It includes Aramark Catering's
Roy Jay, Reflections' Gloria McMurtry, thrift
shop owner Regina Williams, Bardy Trophy's
Greg Gruyszinsky, Hannah Bee's Anita Smith,
and political leader Lucinda Tate.
In addition to their board meetings they hold a
monthly networking session on the last Wednes­
day of the month.
"If we're to represent businesses here, we
have to hear their voices," Taylor says. "We're
becoming increasingly diverse, and our differ­
ences give us strength," Taylor says.
She is also networking with political groups
such as the Portland Development Commission.
Last year, the two organizations cosponsored a
tour of MLK businesses by the Small Business
Administration, and they are planning a similar
tour for City Commissioner Sam Adams.
PDC also used the local business group to do
outreach for a study of transportation issues in
the Williams-Vancouver corridor.
"I believe in being a participatory citizen, not
just sitting back and complaining." she says.
continued
on page H23
Vancouver Avenue 1st Baptist Church
3138 No. Vancouver Ave.. Portland. OR 97227
J. W Matt Hennessee, Senior Pastor
Avww Vancouver a vechurch. ory)
INVITES YOU TO JOIN US
Sunday, January 21, 2007 at 4:00 PM
"The First Annual ‘Drum Major’ Ecumenical Service”
Honoring: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; Mrs. Coretta Scott King; and Mrs. Rosa Parks
Featuring:
The Martin Luther King Elementary School Choir, Grant High School Choir, and
the Vancouver Ave 1st Baptist Church Mass Choir
Kaiser Permanente honors
Dr. King's life work with a
"day on, not a day off."
Sc
Keynote Speaker:
State Senator and President Pro-Tem of the Oregon State Senate,
The Honorable Margaret Carter
Special Recognition:
Former Senator Mark Hatfield
Advocate for Civil Rights
■ More than 600 Kaiser
Permanente staff volunteers.
■ Serving 22 community
nonprofit organizations.
Faith Leaders, Elected Officials, and Community Leaders will also participate
■ W orking more than 4,000
volunteer hours.
For more details:
503-282-9496
We make a difference.
KAISER PERMANENTE
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