Events & Opportunities

May 31, 2025
Rhythm, Rhyme, and Revolution: Crafting Transformative Messages
Join cultural activist, emcee, poet, and writer Mic Crenshaw for an interactive workshop exploring the power of rhythm, rhyme, and storytelling as tools for self-expression and social change. Through rap, poetry, spoken word, and call-and-response, participants will discover how to craft meaningful, original, and transformative messages that reflect their perspectives and purpose.
Optional community-building and snacks: 12:00–12:30 p.m. & 3:30-4:00 p.m. | Workshop: 12:30-3:30 p.m., Leaven Community Center, Portland

June 7, 2025
POSTPONED Peace, Dreams, and Love Supreme: Embodying Turtle Wisdom with Betty LaDuke
Due to the Trump administration’s abrupt termination of funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities, this event is postponed indefinitely. Read about what these cuts mean for Oregon Humanities—and how you can help.
Join Betty LaDuke for a So Much Together workshop that will expand possibilities for how we experience and imagine the personal, playful, and political in our own lives and communities.
Optional community-building and snacks: 12:00–12:30 p.m. & 3:30-4:00 p.m. | Workshop: 12:30-3:30 p.m., Leaven Community Center, Portland
June 26, 2025
Reflective Conversation Training (in-person)
During this in-person facilitation training, participants will:
- learn about facilitation and reflective conversation
- have an opportunity to practice new skills and techniques
- reflect on and share your own beliefs and assumptions and listen to beliefs, backgrounds, and experiences different than your own
- design and participate in reflective conversations and debriefs that analyze facilitation tools and choices.
This training will take place in the Oregon Humanities office in Portland (610 SW Alder St., Suite 1111) over the following days:
- Day 1: Thursday, June 26, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Day 2: Friday, June 27, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
To register for the June in-person training, click here.
In-person trainings are limited to the first twelve to sixteen people to sign up. Over the course of two days, we’ll spend our time together talking in large and small groups, in small to mid-sized rooms. We’ll provide coffee and tea and a light lunch on both days.
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Oregon Humanities, Portland
July 13, 2025
Studio Series Poetry Reading and Open Mic with Ellen Waterston
Oregon Poet Laureate Ellen Waterston will be featured at the July 13, 2025 Studio Series Poetry Reading and Open Mic hosted by Leah Stenson at the Ross Island Grocery & Cafe. The event is free and open to the public, and attendees are welcome to read at the open mic after Ellen Waterston's reading.
7:00 p.m., Ross Island Grocery and Cafe, Portland