Over 250 advocates, practitioners, and community members gathered in Salem on October 15-16 for RE:Conference 2024, exploring how renewal through reclamation can transform Oregon’s housing and economic landscape.
The conference opened with a powerful combination of audio and spoken word from randy c. corradine and DJ Jelani Greenidge, setting a tone that centered racial equity at the level of human experience.
“We are NOT talking about dusting off something crusty or using the same-old formulas in a different way,” emphasized Organizational Director Roberta Phillip-Robbins in her opening remarks. “What WE are talking about demands that everyone acknowledge our shared history of erasure and oppression, whatever the role we and our ancestors played in it.”
Keynote speaker Jillene Joseph followed Roberta’s remarks with personal stories from the struggle to create Barbie’s Village, a tiny-home village for Indigenous people experiencing housing insecurity, on land given back to the Indigenous community previously owned by a local church.
Throughout the two days, several key themes emerged:
IDAs and Asset Building: The IDA Marketplace showcased seven entrepreneurs who have leveraged matched savings accounts to build wealth in their communities. Rep. Ruiz was honored by the Oregon IDA Initiative as an Economic Justice Champion for his tireless advocacy for the program. On Wednesday, Devin Stubblefield held a full-day workshop on the Family-Centered Coaching model, a powerful method that integrates trauma-informed care, behavioral economics, and executive skill-building.
Housing Justice and Resident Power: Workshops explored innovative models like community land trusts while emphasizing the crucial role of resident organizing in shaping housing policy. Sen. Campos and Sen. Jama were honored by Residents Organizing for Change and the Oregon Housing Alliance, respectively, for their roles as champions of access to affordable housing.
Narrative Change and Economic Justice: Sessions examined how shifting public discourse can advance economic and racial justice, with a particular focus on tax reform and direct cash assistance programs.
Here’s what our program staff took away from the conference:
Luke Bonham, IDA Program Manager:
“NP was excited to feel the energy that came from having so many of the IDA Initiative partners, savers, and vendors at RE:Conference 2024, making it a time of meaningful connections, new learnings, and appreciation for those that are doing the work of economic justice in communities across Oregon. Our own randy c. corradine started things off with a powerful spoken word, centering narrative change through storytelling and art as we set out toward a bold vision.
We were excited to welcome IDA staff from NeighborWorks Umpqua to lead a session about the Resilience Matched Savings and the importance of increasing equitable opportunities, and many IDA staff engaged in the Family-Centered Coaching model, a powerful coaching method that integrates trauma-informed care, behavioral economics, and executive skill-building.
Day one ended with the IDA marketplace, where 7 IDA Savers highlighted the creative ways that Oregonians are leveraging the IDA to share their work and generate income. Finally, the IDA Initiative was proud to have Cecelia Lente present the Economic Justice Champion award to Representative Ricki Ruiz, and hear from him about his personal story and his motivation to dedicate himself to the success of the IDA Initiative in Oregon.”
Reyna Gillet, Housing Justice Lead Organizer:
“The attendees who came to learn more about organizing were engaged and worked together through scenarios on how to get their communities involved in making change. The conversations and relationships that bloom out of RE:Conference make the hard work behind the scenes a good trade for the toil.”
Rebekah Markillie, Housing Alliance Coalition Organizer:
“The Housing Alliance hosted a day-long workshop learning, examining, and discussing the affordable housing system Oregonians deserve. It featured presentations about community land trusts, a visionary homeownership model, the strengths of our current affordable housing system and other ways to deliver affordable housing.
In the afternoon the Housing Alliance was joined by Residents Organizing for Change to talk about the benefits that come from tenant organizing and the ways we can center the people who live in our communities. Oregon has the foundational mechanisms to house the people and house them with dignity, let’s get it done.”
Ethan Livermore, Economic Justice Organizer:
“During this year’s RE: Conference, we dedicated time to engage in thoughtful discussions surrounding economic and racial justice within the state of Oregon.
The Oregon Economic Justice Roundtable’s sessions focused on exploring potential reforms to the state’s tax code, aiming to change its structure to better serve hardworking Oregonians, promote equity across the state, and ensure a more just and equitable tax system.
We delved into the benefits and future prospects of Direct Cash within our state, gaining valuable insights into the potential design and implementation of such programs across Oregon.
Lastly, the OEJR’s Economically Just Narratives Project shared its methodology and narrative findings, envisioning a more just and equitable Oregon where all communities can flourish. We emphasized and discussed the importance of critically examining prevailing narratives and constructing new ones to align with our aspirations for economic and racial justice in the state.”
The conference’s impact went beyond policy discussions. As one returning attendee shared: “While many events offer valuable knowledge, what makes this one truly unique is the heartfelt connections it fosters. The speakers not only share information but also remind us of our shared humanity. This event emphasizes that we are all part of a big family, striving to help one another. It’s not just about learning; it’s about connecting with each other on a deeper level.”
The gathering closed with the recognition of three state legislators for their leadership in advancing housing and economic justice: Rep. Ruiz, Sen. Jama, and Sen. Campos.
In these polarized times, with a consequential election approaching, RE:Conference reminded us that our voices are strongest in harmony. Together, we can imagine and create solutions that work for all Oregonians. Through reclamation and renewal, we continue working toward our vision of an Oregon where everyone truly thrives.