On July 25, 2025, City Club of Portland hosted Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield for a conversation with retired Chief Justice Thomas Balmer, reflecting on his first months in office and his role leading Oregon’s lawsuits against federal actions. The discussion covered cases involving tariffs, birthright citizenship, and cuts to federally funded programs, as well as how the state decides when to act and what tools are in place to hold the federal government accountable. They addressed some technical legal questions, but also covered fundamentals like the role of each branch of government and how democracy is supposed to work.

The program included a panel discussion facilitated by Donovan Scribes, curator of BlackOut, and a screening of Dear Young Black Portland, a short film written by Scribes, narrated by Gary-Smith, and directed by award-winning filmmaker Devin Boss.

About the Speakers

Sharon Gary-Smith
Former president of the Portland NAACP, long-time racial and social justice freedom fighter, and women’s rights activist.

Justice Rajee
Director of Reimagine Oregon, Beaverton School Board member, and longtime organizer and activist.

Mac Smiff
Journalist, community-builder, and activist around Black culture and housing.

Donovan Scribes (Moderator)
Award-winning writer and producer, former vice president of the Portland NAACP, and the creative visionary behind BlackOut.

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Mayor Keith Wilson delivered his first State of the City address on May 2, 2025 to an audience of several hundred Portlanders at Franklin High School. He struck an optimistic tone while outlining his administration’s approach to major challenges, including a $93 million budget shortfall, the city’s housing and homelessness crises, and federal policies at odds with local values. Wilson previewed decisions on public safety, climate investment, and city staffing, and emphasized collaboration across government and community. After his remarks, he joined JT Flowers of Albina Vision Trust for a one-on-one conversation.

Program speakers included:

• Dr. Kimberlee Armstrong, Portland Public Schools Superintendent
• Mayor Keith Wilson 
• JT Flowers, Albina Vision Trust 
• JJ Kunsevi, PPS Student Board Representative

On May 2, 2025, City Club of Portland’s Built Environment Issue Committee hosted Rx for Central City Livability: Applying Past Successes at the University Place Hotel and Conference Center. The program explored how Portland’s history of visionary public infrastructure—from the Transit Mall to the Pearl District—can inform the city’s next chapter of growth and revitalization.

The conversation brought together leaders who have helped shape some of Portland’s most transformative projects. Together, they reflected on the role of catalytic investments, cross-sector collaboration, and community vision in creating a more livable Central City.

Program speakers included:

• Earl Blumenauer, former U.S. Congressman and Presidential Fellow at the Institute for Portland Metropolitan Studies at Portland State University

• Michael Alexander, Board Chair for Albina Vision Trust

• Tiffany Sweitzer, President of Hoyt Street Properties

• Art Pearce, Deputy Director of Planning, Projects and Program for Portland Bureau of Transportation