Soul Conversation: Living History in Albina

The streets of Albina reveal little trace of the thriving Black community that once occupied that part of Portland. Much of what we can discover today rests in the collective memory of the elders who lived it. SOUL CONVERSATION is a gathering of Albina’s elder musicians, activating memory through storytelling. The event features Norman Sylvester, Ural Thomas, Paul Knauls, J.W. Friday, Mel Brown and Calvin Walker. Archival photography showcasing Abina’s historic music culture will be presented in conjunction with the conversation. In addition, kiosks displaying Albina Music Trust's digital archive will be live throughout the venue. Arrive early and learn more about this important preservation effort, experience the user interface, and share feedback in advance of the archive's 2024 public release. Albina Music Trust is preserving North Portland’s music culture with programming that documents the Black community’s oral history, archival media, and special events. In collaboration with Albina musicians, founders Bobby Smith and Calvin Walker have brought to light a definitive catalog of historic regional music and the memories of its creators. This preservation initiative is a program of the World Arts Foundation, serving Oregonians at the intersection of arts and education since 1976.