Toni Braxton’s “Unbreak My Heart” echoed through the LHS cafeteria Saturday Feb. 22 as community members and leaders from both Lake Oswego and Tualatin came together to join in a culture festival sponsored by LHS and Tualatin High School’s Black Student Unions.
The event featured a range of local Black businesses and organizations like the Youth Empowerment Coalition, Respond to Racism and catering provided by Cokiea’s Kitchen. Attendees walked the tables shopping and listening to a variety of presenters.
The event was created by Campbell Brintnall and Chase Merrill, presidents of the Tualatin High School and LHS BSUs respectively.
“I’ve known Campbell for a really long time and we both really wanted to have a legacy and create something super special,” said Merrill. “We wanted something that would last after we both graduate.”
Merrill says the event’s goal was to celebrate Black History Month in a way that wasn’t performative.
“That’s why I wanted to make sure people spent money with the Black vendors, or they listen to the panel, or they follow it up with performers to see where other performances they have,” she said.
Presenters at the event included the McDaniel High School Cheer team, The Poet Lady Rose and Respond to Racism director, Bruce Poinsette.
In his presentation, Poinsette detailed the unique challenges that Black students in Lake Oswego experience.
“We are fighting against an atmosphere, not just individual actions,” said Poinsette.
A panel of local leaders answered questions posed by Merrill about their experiences in Oregon.
“I tried to get a wide range of people and find questions that would bring out, like that, vulnerability, and to allow them to connect to the audience the best they can,” she said.
Panelists focused on the importance of collaborative action throughout the Portland metro community.
“First we need to come together,” said panelist Nikiea Pankey, owner of Cokiea’s Kitchen who catered the event. “So we can have the means to celebrate.”
Merrill hopes the event helped build community among all ages.
“I feel like growing up in Lake Oswego I didn’t really start going to these events until I was older. I didn’t know they existed,” she said. “I wanted to make sure that these younger kids have role models. Look at the performers, look at me on the stage, look at all the other BSU members around us, and be able to say, ‘I want to be like them.’”
