Oregon Futures Lab Is Shaking Up the Stateâs Elected Leadership at Every Level
âWe realized getting people into public office isnât enough,â says OFL executive director Ana del RocÃo. âWe need to follow through with the support during their years of governance, especially for new leaders.â
By
Gosia Wozniacka
3/8/2021 at 9:00am
Published in the March 2021 issue of
Portland Monthly
Portland-based nonprofit Oregon Futures Lab, and its associated Color PAC, has been working since 2014 to seed and support progressive leaders of color at all levels of government around the state.
People of color may make up a quarter of Oregonâs population, but they represent a far lower percentage of elected officials across the state. BIPOC candidates face multiple hurdles: lack of access to donors and gatekeepers, low pay once in office (or no payâschool board members are volunteers), and the psychological toll of public service.