Oregon Black History

Thelma Johnson Streat, a groundbreaking artist and dancer, used her work to promote racial equity and cultural education. Known for Rabbit Man, the first painting by a Black woman in MoMA’s collection, she collaborated with Diego Rivera and performed globally. Streat’s legacy as a West Coast trailblazer is now gaining overdue recognition.

Daniel Drew: Ex-slave became Union soldier and minister. Survived cholera, raised funds for war veterans’ memorial as Oregon’s 1st Black Quaker minister.

Born into slavery in Tennessee, Lou Southworth was brought to Oregon by his enslaver in 1853 to search for gold.