‘Education
Has Value’
‘City
of
Roses’
Volume XLVI • Number 31
Retiring leader
on increased
access to early
learning
All Thumbs Up
on 42nd Ave
New location
brings growth,
good food reviews
See Metro, page 9
See Local News, page 3
www.portlandobserver.com
Wednesday • August 2, 2017
Established in 1970
Committed to Cultural Diversity
Photo by C hrista M C i ntyre /t he P ortland o bserver
Pastor April Murchinson of Emmanuel Temple Church introduces Good in the Hood President Shawn Penney during a special ceremony at the north Portland church on
Sunday to honor him for his bravery and leadership in response to the death threats made against the multicultural celebration last June.
Festival organizer
honored for
brave defiance
C hrista M C i ntyre
t he P ortland o bserver
Shawn Penney did not let racial and
violent threats stop him or his commu-
nity when the multicultural Good in the
Hood Festival received death threats last
June. On Sunday, Penney, the president of
the festival, was honored for his bravery
and leadership in response to the hatred
spewed.
His church community in north Portland
wanted him to know that his dignified ef-
forts to turn back the attacks and continue
with the festival drew their respect and ap-
preciation.
In spite of a terrible situation, his love
by
Courageous
Stand
for people and desire for unity overcame
the threats, said Pastor April Murchinson
of Emmanuel Temple Church.
Penney has led Good in the Hood, the
Pacific Northwest’s largest annual multi-
cultural festival, for the last 12 years.
On June 5, a letter with Ku Klux Klan
images and violent racist threats was
mailed to Good in the Hood via way of
the non-profit organization’s offices next
door to King Elementary School, demand-
ing a shutdown of the celebration. The
letter threatened Penney personally and
promised “a bloodbath,” should the festi-
val go on. He and his family were given
an FBI security detail because the agency
believed the letter to be credible and had
seen similar racist threats in other parts of
the country. An investigation into the letter
is ongoing.
On Sunday, Emmanuel Temple honored
Penney with a community recognition
award. Pastor Murchinson introduced him,
describing Penney as an outstanding role
model, an activist and a black leader in the
community.
He was also honored for his past work
in the community, helping disadvantaged
children and people of all colors and races
to further their education and get ahead in
life.
“Mr. Penney will always fight for bring-
ing communities and family together,”
Murchinson said.
Penny said the threats against Good in
the Hood, were “so senseless.”
“It brought tears to my eyes,” he recalled.
“But, I know how strong I am as a man and
I’m not going to run or hide from anything.
C ontinued on P age 4