community calendar

Oregon Black Pioneers, Oregon’s only statewide African American historical
society, will host York Fest, October 17-25, 2025.
York is Portland’s first Black ancestor, and Oregon Black Pioneers has long been interested in
sharing his remarkable, and largely unknown, story. As Oregon Black Pioneers began
brainstorming how to bring this history to a wider audience, they found other local
organizations inspired by York, who were developing their own York-related programs. OBP
invited these groups to collaborate on a multi-day festival to be called York Fest. The festival will
commemorate the 1805 anniversary of York’s first arrival in Portland to raise awareness of York
and his legacy.
York was the only African American member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Although
enslaved by William Clark, York experienced an uncommon amount of freedom in the Oregon
country. He hunted, traded with Native Americans, and even cast a vote for where to set up
camp. Despite being crucial to the expedition, York received no compensation, and Clark would
not grant him freedom.
For two centuries, York’s story was rarely told, but his courage and achievements are inspiring
people today. “York was an essential member of the Corps of Discovery,” says Zachary Stocks,
Oregon Black Pioneers’ Executive Director. “We’re happy that people around the country–and
especially here in Oregon–are finally recognizing York’s important contributions to our nation’s
history.”
Presented by Oregon Black Pioneers, York Fest brings together York scholars, thought-leaders,
artists, and community visionaries to finally give this pioneer his due. Find details at
yorkfest.com
● Friday, Oct 17 – The Unraveling of York (Vin Shambry)
● Saturday, Oct 18 – Our Rooted Futures Festival (The York Collective)
● Sunday, Oct 19 – Boating with Bubba (Flossin Media & Soul District Business Association)
● Wednesday, Oct 22 – Big Medicine: York Outdoors (Oregon Black Pioneers, Lewis and Clark
National Historic Trail, and NEW Multimedia)
● Thursday, Oct 23 – The Journey of York (Hasan Davis)
● Friday & Saturday, Oct. 24 & 25 – York the Explorer World Premiere (Aaron Nigel Smith &
Dr. Renee Mitchell)
Links
York Fest website: yorkfest.com
Oregon Black Pioneers’s York Fest page: oregonblackpioneers.org/yorkfest