Oregon Black Pioneers share the stories of the earliest Black settlers.

This is an in-person program.

People of African descent have walked Oregon's beaches since the arrival of the very first non-Native people. Beginning before the first American settlement in the West, Black labor was crucial to the development of Oregon's coastal communities. For this presentation, Oregon Black Pioneers will shine a light on key individuals and events that characterize the Oregon coast's unique and centuries-old Black history.

Mariah Rocker is the Public Programs and Exhibits Manager at Oregon Black Pioneers. With a bachelor's in Public Relations and a bachelor's in Sociology, Mariah’s passion for uncovering and sharing the stories of marginalized communities is evident in both her professional and personal pursuits. In her free time, Mariah channels the strength and resilience of historical icons by dressing up as them, and also enjoys crafting handmade miniatures.

Oregon Black Pioneers is Oregon’s only historical society dedicated to preserving and presenting the experiences of African Americans statewide. For more than 30 years, we’ve illuminated the seldom-told stories of people of African descent in Oregon through our engaging exhibits, public programs, publications, and historical research.


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