We got some real challenges ahead of us in 2020 but at the NAMC-Oregon holiday event December 5th I was encouraged to be in the company of two of the smartest dedicated young people on the planet, Kelly McNutt formerly with Kiewit Construction and Alex Colas part owner of Colas Construction. Out of the spotlight, these are two people are grinding every day to make things better.
https://vimeo.com/mvmvideo/review/339000119/f1176dcf4
This is one of the most exciting videos I’ve seen in my life. It’s a dream come true. If you spend most of your life fighting for economic inclusion in an industry dominated by white male workers, owners and developers, this video establishes a successful turning point.
This achievement speaks to the best example of Oregon’s commitment to equity and inclusion. This is a historic benchmark that all of Oregonians can be proud of.
Thanks to Metro, Colas Construction, Raimore Construction, and NAMC-Oregon.
Please share
I could not let this Saturday go by without reminding black people that this woman (Susheela Jayapal) who replaced Loretta Smith on the Multnomah Commission is now your representative. It is clear that she does not have the same degree of concern about black people’s issues as Loretta. So, it is extremely important that black people hold her accountable and make sure she hears for from us. Last week on Saturday I attended her town hall meeting in North Portland and there were a number of special interest groups present but only a few black voices. Warning, she is directly impacting your lives.
When I read Kathleen Saadat’s “Letter to the Editor”/chastisement of the Portland Tribune about their article published on November 14, 2019 entitled “Misconduct Charges Throw the Local Chapter of the NAACP into Turmoil,” I was not surprised. But I thought, how ironic that this person would have the audacity to criticize legitimate concerns of members who have done real work to make the organization successful. Outside of the specific meeting she cites in her letter, I will eat my hat if anyone can show where Ms. Sadaat has attended more than three meetings over the past year. I will eat two hats if they can show me where she has volunteered to do any work, to sit on any committee, or to perform any substantial work for the organization. Saadat has no skin in this matter other than to run her damn mouth. Most folks who agree with her assessment are truly uninformed or are among Mondaine’s minions, and don’t have a clue as to what happens in the monthly membership meetings of NAACP Portland Chapter 1120. Even worse, they have no idea of the flagrant lack of transparency as to what happens with the finances of 1120. A chapter member or concerned community person need only raise a single question, specifically about finances, to be bullied and maligned as a troublemaker or meeting disrupter. If anyone really wants to know about what goes on behind the scenes at 1120, FOLLOW THE MONEY.
I am truly puzzled by Saadat’s reference to researching/vetting any complaints against the organization. She needs to do a little research herself because if she did, she would know that formal complaints have been lodged against the local leadership and the regional leadership and that both have had to respond to a number of legitimate issues. Sadaat needs to do her homework before calling out the Tribune for not doing theirs.
And while Ms. Sadaat cuts and paste phrases from the NAACP bylaws regarding suspension and expulsion, she needs to apply those provisions first and foremost to the current leadership, starting with the local President. These are the persons clearly not following their moral oaths of office, let alone bylaws and organizational norms. Maybe then Sadaat would not really know that because she is, herself, just a casual disruptive observer, rather than a real functional, working volunteer member of the NAACP.
Regarding the boycott of the NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner, no one really knows the financial facts, or will likely ever be given access to legitimate financial statements, actual banking records. But for five consecutive monthly membership meetings, May through September 2019, Mondaine stated in his president’s oral and written reports to the membership, “Our goal for our Freedom Fund Dinner is $200,000.00.” Yet on October 26, 2019, he reported at the monthly membership meeting that the Dinner had raised $23,184.81, before accounting for expenditures. Simple math says these funds came in at $176,815.19 less than the projected goal. What Mondaine failed to tell to the membership was whether or not the $5,000.00, supposedly donated by the DoubleTree Hilton was written off as a business expense or a tax deduction to a 501c4. If Ms. Sadaat has access to financial records, “please share them” so that the 1120 membership and the community-at-large can all know the full extent of the success/failure of this major annual fundraiser.
I really do find it fascinating that in her Letter to the Editor, Sadaat expresses concerns about everything except the merits of the complaints in the news article. Accusations about misogyny from reputable, professional female members, to a threat of physical violence by a congressional candidate, all willing to swear to the same under oath, are serious matters. They are not trivial complaints to be dismissed as coming from “meeting disrupters.” Furthermore, I would like for Ms. Sadaat to cite specific incidents of the person in the article known to have a history of launching ugly public, vitriolic, unsubstantiated and unwarranted attacks upon African American leaders in Portland. Who could she be talking about, and how in the hell would the Tribune know this person unless she is willing to call him or her out with substantiated evidence?
Finally, the reason why this story is newsworthy is because the community at large cannot afford to host and tolerate nefarious, unscrupulous behavior on the part of any organization, but especially not one with the mission of eliminating discrimination, fostering equity, building community and demanding transparency. It diminishes us all to have this valued institution misrepresented. Some want to hide this dirt and maleficent behavior. I guess they think if they can keep it contained to the black community, they can get away with it. But not if I have anything to do with it.
The Tribune did not create the serious chaos and turmoil at the local NAACP. The leadership did and continues to do so. Sadly, Ms. Sadaat would not know because she is not consistently in attendance. I would possibly have respect for her opinion if she would show her ass up.
Sincerely,
James Posey
Portland Resident
503-936-0277
We have met the enemy and it is us. Anytime we accept and enable unscrupulous, self-promoting, grinning Negros in our community, we have no one to blame for our problems but us.
We are sleeping while this game changing deal is going down. I got to figure out a way to get rid of my Comcast account because these guys are providing nails for black people’s coffins. Take a look at this:
https://www.facebook.com/tbolger2/videos/10218138756734044/?t=0
Guest what, look at what was happening in Portland in the late 60s and early 70s how the government programs have been designed to kill us. Wow, things have not changed:
Look at the entire 16 MM Koin 6 Youtube video. It’s really eye opening.
Jesse Jackson, not the preacher national civil rights leader, but our own local homeboy, sent me this article about C D Moody Construction in Atlanta. https://shoppeblack.us/2019/10/black-owned-construction-company/. But I found out that word on the street is that this company is not what it pretends to be. Folks in Atlanta tell me this company’s main purpose is to collaborate with big white companies to make money and really leave struggling black community subcontractors behind. They are not exactly “Front Companies” but close. We have a few of these highly publicized black construction companies operating right here in Portland Oregon and we should be aware that all that glitters black is not gold.
By contrast, we do have two black, and I mean black major construction companies in the Portland area living up to the original intent of creating wealth for the black community through the construction industry. With the support of NAMC-Oregon, Colas and Raimore Construction just completed a successful joint venture partnership on the 40 million re-model of the Oregon Convention center.
This is a big deal because in 1997 we protested the exclusion of black people on the original construction of the Oregon Convention Center and other construction projects on Union Ave, now Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd. Dr. King is smiling on high about this progress and so am I. 
https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2019/10/black-guest-ousted-from-portlands-doubletree-hotel-sues-for-10-million-points-to-more-reports-of-alleged-racial-profiling-in-hilton-chain.html?fbclid=IwAR3sLhkQO2Q9E0UWzD-zmS9Xv_WcBapkEqosnocKUKGW7FBso9mxS8YaKik
I say to the bruh “Sue Baby Sue”. But we have to ask what’s wrong with our local NAACP branch and the regional state conference leadership holding a Gala at the scene of the Grime?
My daughters want be to be Mr. Nice Guy on Facebook. I’m working on it NOT. One only has to view these pictures of the local branch of the NAACP hobnobbing and hamming it up at the scene of the grime (DoubleTree Freedom Fundraiser). It makes me want to puke. If you are spotted in this gallery of pictures, I just pray that you just didn’t know.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10217587975425904&set=a.10217588401036544&type=3&theater
What do you think Facebook, what would you do?
I got word this morning that the President of the local NAACP branch was on JoAnn Hardesty’s KBOO radio program this morning. It was a propaganda love fest about this Thorns BS fundraising dinner on Saturday and series of lies about what the NAACP is currently doing. So I listened in for minute and when JoAnn asked listeners to call in, I did. She took my call and after I identified myself, I expressed a need to give a counter view of the NAACP and its leadership, she refused and cut me off. Near the end of the program, another person called in and wanted to express a counter view but was also denied access.
I ain’t going to lie. It was a shocker to me and most of you know what I’ve attempted to do to support JoAnn. But she dissed me for the crooked shady dude she was interviewing.
So what would you do Facebook?
They even said in the next few days they’re going to do a series of pod cast. I think they are just to spread more lies about what the NAACP is doing.
I don’t have a pod cast. Is there anybody out there with a pod cast who would like to host and interview me so I can tell the otherside of this story?
What do you think Facebook?
My name is Rosa Colquitt. I am a member of NAACP Portland Branch 1120. After looking forward to the Freedom Fund Dinner for a number of months, I have concluded that I cannot, in good conscience, and a commitment to my personal values and ethics, support this Branch 1120 fundraising activity. I will clarify my reasons as honestly, objectively and as succinctly as I can. They are specifically: (1) the overt continuation of bylaw violations by the branch president, and (2) the lack of transparency with branch unit finances, even to a member of the finance committee, leading to a climate of hostility and suppression of voices that are not in lock-step agreement with President Mondaine.
(1) On May 14, 2019, the Executive Committee held its May monthly exec meeting during the absence of Chapter President E.D. Mondaine. In direct violation of the Constitution of the NAACP and Bylaws for Units, Article VII, 2, Vice Chair, “The Vice-Chair . . . shall assume and perform all of the duties and functions of the Chair in the latter’s absence, disability or unavailability as defined by the Board of Directors,” the president designated the treasurer, coincidentally a male, to preside over the executive meeting. At that time, neither the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd vice chair, all Black females, were given the opportunity to preside over the executive meeting. The issue was openly raised at the opening of the meeting on May 14, 2019, as to why the vice chairs were overlooked and the treasurer determined he would turn the gavel over to the 2nd vice chair in the absence of the 1st vice chair.
(2) On June 11, 2019, the Executive Committee held its June monthly exec meeting during the absence of President Mondaine. Again, in direct violation of the Constitution of the NAACP and Bylaws for Units, Article VII, 2, Vice Chair, the president designated the secretary, coincidentally a male, to preside over the executive meeting. At that time, neither the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd vice chair, all Black females, were not given the opportunity to preside over the executive meeting. Their duly described duties were again openly disrespected by the president flaunting his perceived authority to dismiss the bylaws.
(3) On July 8, 2019, the duly elected 1st vice chair officially tendered her resignation, by email, to the members of the Executive Committee.
(4) On July 9, 2019, the Executive Committee held its May monthly exec meeting with President Mondaine presiding over the same. The atmosphere was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Not only were there hard feelings over the open disrespect I felt as a 3rd vice chair of the Exec Board, but E.D. once again appointed a new male committee chair, whom other board members did not know, and had not been given an opportunity as agreed upon to review his resume before giving board approval. After sitting through a bruising 10-minute rant by E.D. concerning uncooperative Board members, folks not volunteering to do this and that, all the great work he’s doing as president and related accolades, and more, I exited the meeting at 6:10 p.m., ten minutes after the scheduled adjournment time. I verbally stated “I did not appreciate being talked down to like a 10-year old, and that I found his behavior hostile and oppressive.” The president’s response: “Bye Rosa Colquitt.”
(5) On July 16, 2019, I tendered my official resignation as appointed 3rd Vice Chair, via email to President Mondaine, copied to the State Area Conference President Gerald Hankerson and Secretary Darlene Andrus.
(6) On many stressful occasions, more than I can enumerate, I have raised considerable questions as both a branch member and finance committee member about the following concerns only to be met with open hostility: (a) the lack of a full and open discussion, with both the 1120 membership and Portland’s Black community at large, concerning the decision to hold the Freedom Fund Gala at the DoubleTree Hilton — particularly in the face of the December 2018 racial profiling of Jermaine Massey; Branch 1120 belongs to the community, NOT the president and executive committee; (b) the lack of a review of the contract with the Double Tree Hilton for the Freedom Fund Gala; (c) the lack of a review of the contract with the Lloyd Center Mall for the office space; and (d) the EGREGIOUS spending of Chapter funds for the purchase of first class airline tickets for travel to the National NAACP Convention in Detroit by the president and secretary. There is little or no TRANSPARENCY in Branch 1120 financial expenditures. Although the bylaws may not require dissemination of this financial info, there should be no reason that interested members cannot make reasonable inquiry. (If anyone is interested in a lengthy series of emails pertaining to item (d) and concerns about 11 unconfirmed July credit card debits, feel free to contact me.)
(7) On August 24, 2019, the seeming need by the president, and possibly others on the executive committee to suppress “perceived” dissenting voices, took a new low. In direct violation of the Constitution of the NAACP and Bylaws for Units, Article V, 6., Meetings, says special meetings of the Exec. Comm. “may be called by the President, Secretary or by two members of the Committee on two days written notice.” An August 24 meeting was called on just a few minutes’ notice to remove me, in my absence with no knowledge, from the Finance Committee.
For these reasons and more than discussed herein, I cannot support a financial fundraiser by Branch 1120. It is highly doubtful that the disclosure of expenditures and receipts will be fully disclosed to the membership at any time. Moreover, those members who raise questions will be faced with hostility and dismissal. May I remind ALL who are reading this email that I am actually talking about the NAACP, the oldest civil rights organization in the history of the United States. Please remember the mission of the NAACP.
~Dr. Rosa Colquitt
On Tue, Sep 10, 2019 at 9:33 AM PDX NAACP <portlandnaacp@gmail.com> wrote:
Dear NAACP Member/Supporter
We are pleased and honored to invite you and a guest to our 2019 Freedom Fund Gala, taking place at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland on Saturday, October 5, 2019. The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with a private cocktail hour for our VIP guests, immediately followed by the Gala. Other elements include mingling with legendary Gospel great Zella Jackson Price, of Say Amen Somebody, live entertainment, and, of course, a delicious dinner. The dress for the evening is semi-formal.
It’s no secret that Portland has blazed many amazing trails, but the racism in Oregon’s history remains a thorn in the stem of the diverse city we have become. The only way to accomplish the call to action stated in our event’s theme, “Removing the Thorns of Racism in the City of Roses,” is by making a commitment to understand our communities, and to aggressively challenge racist ideologies, both covert and overt.
When we actively work together to face racism, acknowledge it, and abolish such instances, we will be laying a formidable foundation for future generations of Portlanders.
With that, we genuinely hope that you would honor us with your presence. Should you accept our invitation, we kindly ask you to visit www.pdxnaacp.org/freedom-fund to purchase your Sponsorship and or VIP seat at the Table. For any queries or questions, please contact Antjuan Tolbert, secretary@pdxnaacp.org
Looking forward to your acceptance and to enjoying an impactful gala with you.
Sincerely,
Antjuan Tolbert
Secretary, Branch 1120
