Service + Advocacy

Ciara believes in giving back to the community in tangible ways: meeting urgent needs through volunteering and giving, and advocating for those whose voices are often unrepresented at the decision-making level.

She is a Governor Appointee on the Oregon Racial Justice Council, Racial Justice Economic Subcommittee, and the board of Oregon Humanities. She’s also the Board Chair for Better Portland.

Favorite areas of service include racial justice, economic justice in entrepreneurship and small business, housing and dignity for the homeless, and encouraging everyone to participate in local elections, especially primaries.

 
 
 

Advocacy

Besties!

  • Racial Justice Economic Committee, Governors Tina Kotek + Kate Brown, State of Oregon

  • Racial Justice Council, State of Oregon

  • Emcee, Pitch Black

  • Creator, Portland Tea Party (your favorite show about Portland, the tea, and where the party’s at)

  • Small Business Advisory Committee, Commissioner Joanne Hardesty, City of Portland

  • Editorial: The Cost of Hate Hits More than Bottom Line, Portland Business Journal

  • Event: Making Portland Affordable & Accessible for Creatives & Entrepreneurs

  • Minority-Owned Business Forum with Senator Ron Wyden

  • Black-Owned Business Forum with Governor Kate Brown

 

Public Service

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  • ALF Oregon, Class 44

  • Board Member, Better Portland

  • Public Service Training Cohort, Portland Business Alliance

  • Young Democrats of America Conference, Chicago

  • Guest of the New York Delegation, National Democratic Convention, Denver (Obama 2008!!)

  • Volunteer, Obama for President

  • Volunteer, Multiple City Council and Mayoral Campaigns, New York City

  • Communications Intern, Congressmember Carolyn B. Maloney, New York 14th District

 

Nonprofit / Public Sector Clients

  • Portland Clean Energy Fund

  • Hacienda CDC

  • Council for the Homeless

  • City of Portland, Office of Community & Civic Life

  • Portland Fire & Rescue

  • Portland Street Response

  • Portland Bureau of Fire & Police Disability and Retirement

  • Sport Oregon

  • The Street Trust

  • Verde

  • Home Forward

  • Fractured Atlas

  • Oregon Association of Area Agencies for Aging & Disabilities

 

Boards + Volunteering

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  • Board Chair, Better Portland

  • Board Member, Sport Oregon

  • Board Member, Oregon Entrepreneurs’ Network

  • Pro Bono Marketing Project, Mental Health Initiative, New York City

  • Pro Bono Marketing Project, Mental Health Organization, National

  • Hospitality Volunteer, Operation Nightwatch

  • Board Member, Operation Nightwatch, Portland

  • Professional Development Training (Pro Bono), Alzheimer’s Association, Portland

  • Hurricane Sandy Cleanup, Brooklyn

  • Executive Producer, V-Day Brooklyn