Talk A Mile

02/13/2026

“Lived experience, even as a teen, is worth more than theoretical knowledge.” – Deputy District Attorney

On February 5th, Jefferson High School hosted a Talk A Mile program that paired students for 1:1 conversations with local law enforcement, first responders and civic leaders.

A few participant reflections on the experience, learnings and takeaways:

“A beautiful experience that I recommend to literally everyone.” – Student
“I can be anything in life and have so many opportunities.” – Student
“Being able to walk and talk with the youth of the community and get to understand people and see their views was eye opening.” – Police trainee

The 76 participants included students from Jefferson High School, and , as well as Portland Police Bureau trainees, , .da, Office of Violence Prevention, , , and Bureau of Emergency Communications.

Talk A Mile 2/5/26 by the numbers:

76 Participants
9.3 Likelihood to recommend to a peer (1 to 10)
100% report feeling “seen and heard” through the experience

Walk. Talk. Listen. Learn.

Pics by .photography
Lunch by .hawaiian.cafe

01/23/2026

“We cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

We had a memorable day of conversation, connection and community at the game on MLK Day. Students from across the Portland-metro were paired for 1:1 conversations with elected officials, civic leaders and a Portland Trail Blazer. After walking and talking, we cheered the Remix together!

We appreciate everyone who volunteered their time and curiosity in service to the community –
Students, young leaders, , , and Chief Day, and Chief Johnson, , .da Nathan Vasquez, , , , , and everyone else who helped make Portland a better place one mile and one conversation at a time!

As Dr. King said, “Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve.”

Walk. Talk. Listen. Learn.

civicengagement RipCity walktalklistenlearn

07/30/2025

“It was very meaningful and impactful to me.”
“It helped me and my peers gather a lot of information and make new connections.”
“It was fun and I got to get out of my comfort zone.”

These were a few of the reflections (PPS) students shared after participating in Talk A Mile as part of the PPS Youth Empowerment Summit on a sunny May morning at the Marshall HS campus.

That day, 26 students from across the district were paired with local police, civic leaders and elected officials for 1:1 conversations. Along with the students and educators, Chief Bob Day, Oregon Secretary of State , Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez, , leaders from Portland Fire & Rescue and Mitra Anoushirivani (field rep for ) joined the program in order to walk, talk, listen and learn together.

As one community leader who participated said, “This activity spurns you to be more engaged in the community because now you’re talking and seeing more people that care about how our young adults are thriving or in need of support.”

We appreciate everyone approaching these conversations with curiosity, kindness and a willingness to share their perspectives. Once again, the youth in our community showed that they are engaged and eager to have a positive impact in Portland. They simply need the opportunity to be seen and heard.

Thanks to for the delicious ice cream sandwiches.

Photos by .photography

07/15/2025

“It was a good reminder how similar we all are and that our mission to make a positive impact is shared.” – Portland Police Bureau trainee and 6/3/25 Talk A Mile participant

We had the opportunity to bring some new voices into the conversation last month. Students were busy with finals and graduations, so we invited community leaders and nonprofit partners to walk, talk, listen and learn with the latest class of Portland Police Bureau advanced academy trainees.

Asked how they would describe the day, a community leader said, “The experience was really simply powerful, and I’m glad that I took the day to talk and connect with other community members.”

Talk A Mile 6/3/25 by the numbers:

38 Participants
9.5 Likelihood to recommend to a peer (1 to 10)
100% report feeling “seen and heard” through the experience

Thanks to the PPB trainees and community partners – including , Rashan Williams Jr. from , , International Association For Human Values, from , .gresham, , Talk A Mile board member Blaire Hervey and .da – for participating.

We appreciate for helping us keep cool while continuing the conversations!

📸: .photography

05/29/2025

“I learned their life is as complex as mine.” – Student and 4/1/25 Talk A Mile participant

Last month, students from McDaniel, Cleveland, Lincoln and Central Catholic high schools were paired with Portland Police Bureau trainees and community leaders to walk, talk, listen and learn together over the course of a mile at McDaniel High School.

Asked about what they would take away from the experience, one trainee said, “There is hope for the future of this city with the younger generation.”

Talk A Mile 4/1/25 by the numbers:

67 Participants (our largest ever!)
9.4 Likelihood to recommend to a peer (1 to 10)
100% report feeling “seen and heard” through the experience

Thanks to McDaniel students and staff for being gracious hosts. Thanks to the PPB trainees and community partners – including , , , , , Amani Kelekele, president Aaron Schmautz and the Office of Civic Life – for participating.

And most of all the McDaniel, Lincoln, Cleveland and Central Catholic students for being a part of these important conversations. Talk A Mile would cease to exist if you weren’t willing to be here – ready to walk, talk, listen and learn.

We appreciate the delicious ice cream sandwiches courtesy of !

📸 by .photography

05/14/2025

Huge thanks to the Black United Fund of Oregon for your support!

Introducing BUF-OR's 2025 Community Impact Grantees! ⭐️

We’re thrilled to share and celebrate this year’s incredible awardees! These organizations all stem from unique and meaningful initiatives, prioritizing community empowerment through education, arts, equity, and much more.

Let’s give a big shout-out to our wonderful recipients:
- Albina Music Trust | facebook.com/groups/albinamusictrust/
- Alliance of Black Nurses Association of Oregon
- Better Chances Inc. | betterchances.net
- Black Men In Training
- BEAM Village
- Plaza de Nuestra Comunidad | plazacomunidad.org
- Sistas Empowerment Corp
- Taking Ownership PDX
- Talk A Mile
- KinCultivate
- Elate Youth Mentoring
- Boom Arts
- My Hair My Health PDX Village News

We’re honored to support these organizations as they promote equity and opportunity for BIPOC and underrepresented communities across Oregon.

🔗Learn more at: bufor.org/current-grantees

04/21/2025

Today marks the 3 year anniversary of our first Talk A Mile. That day, the program made the leap from an idea hatched around the kitchen table during the pandemic to reality when 15 students from and 15 trainees from Portland Police Bureau (PPB) advanced academy joined us in Laurelhurst Park on a clear spring day.

From the first lap, it was pretty clear that everyone was deeply engaged in conversations, which were flowing quite naturally. And although it’s not really “data”, we noticed that no one was reaching into their pockets to check their phones. Rather, they were sharing their curiosity, experiences, perspectives and hopes for the future of this city.

Feedback in the moment was very positive but it was later in the day when survey responses started coming in that we got a better sense of the impact. Two responses to the question “How would you describe your experience today?” caught our attention and gave an early indicator that perhaps we really were onto something.

“My experience was surprising, but very good. I was able to learn a lot and share a lot. I felt like my opinions and feelings were heard and valued.” – Student

“This should be mandatory for officers across the nation.” – PPB officer

Since that day, every new officer in the Portland Police Bureau has participated in Talk A Mile as part of their training. And students – whose participation is entirely voluntary – continue to step up. In fact, we’ve brought more young leaders into these conversations as Latino Student Unions, mentoring programs and civic groups like the have eagerly volunteered. has embraced Talk A Mile, hosting our program and partnering to provide additional opportunities to elevate student voices in conversations around policing, public safety and community. And we’re proud to say we have never turned away a student who wanted to be part of these conversations.

Talk A Mile participants: 483
Likelihood to recommend (1-10): 9.6
Feel seen & heard: 99%

03/05/2025

Celebrating Small Wins with ACT NOW🎉

Every milestone, no matter how small, is a reason to celebrate! ACT NOW emphasizes the importance of a clear theory of change to guide nonprofits towards impactful, sustainable progress. James Copple, Talk A Mile

Let's celebrate our small wins together! How do you celebrate victories in your work? Share with us below! 👇

02/21/2025

“I feel like I can help the community and people who are like me.” – Student and 1/23/25 Talk A Mile participant

Last month, hosted the first Talk A Mile in Gresham, OR. A dozen students were paired up for conversations with Chief Gullberg, officers, commissioner , Marcell Frazier and Emon Ghassemi from the , and Kenny Lowe from the Oregon State Police.

Talk A Mile 1/23/25 by the numbers:

26 Participants
9.4 Likelihood to recommend to a peer (1 to 10)
100% report feeling “seen and heard” through the experience

A few reflections from participants:

“I would describe my experience today as amazing. The conversations inspired me a lot.” – Student

“Eye opening, humbling, inspiring. I am very humbled.” – City leader

“Gresham is big and small at the same time. Taking the extra time to get to know someone can foster a positive long term relationship.” – Gresham PD officer

“I was a little nervous at the start but I started to feel more comfortable as we were talking.” – Student

“We have some similarities with school, racism and we both like basketball.” – Student

“While we are different in some ways, we are the same in many more ways!” – Gresham PD leader

We appreciate everyone coming into these conversations with curiosity and an open mind – ready to walk, talk, listen and learn.

Thanks to for the delicious ice cream sandwiches we enjoyed while continuing the conversations!

Pics by .photography (a Centennial High School alumni!)

02/04/2025

As part of our Next Steps program, we invited 30 students, educators, civic leaders and police to connect, converse and cheer on the together!

One of the most common things we hear from Talk A Mile participants is a desire to continue the conversation. Next Steps provide those opportunities while investing in young leaders’ skills, networks and futures.

Thanks to students from and , Zion from , , , The Collins Foundation and PPA president Aaron Schmautz for making Portland a better place one conversation at a time.

Thanks to Joshua Peters and the team for a great experience in the Lounge at the ! And thanks to and the Blazers for overcoming 46 points from to get the W!

📸 .photography

12/30/2024

“I think this made me more likely to engage in the community cause it made me feel so connected and I could feel the change.” – Student and 12/5/24 Talk A Mile participant

Earlier this month, students from Lincoln HS and Central Catholic HS were paired with Portland Police Bureau trainees to walk, talk, listen and learn together over the course of a mile on a sunny afternoon at Lincoln High School.

Asked about what they would take away from the experience, one trainee said, “It was an excellent experience and gives me a stronger connection to the community.”

Talk A Mile 12/5/24 by the numbers:

44 Participants
9.9 Likelihood to recommend to a peer (1 to 10)
100% report feeling “seen and heard” through the experience

Thanks to Lincoln High School, Central Catholic High School, Word Is Bond, Multnomah Youth Commission, , and Portland Police Bureau for coming with curiosity and an open mind – ready to walk, talk, listen and learn.

We appreciate the delicious ice cream sandwiches courtesy of !

Pics by .photography

10/15/2024

“People want to have these conversations and we need more spaces to safely have them.” – Community leader and Talk A Mile participant

This summer, student leaders from and were paired with Portland Police Bureau trainees to walk, talk, listen and learn together over the course of a mile on a sunny afternoon in Laurelhurst Park.

Asked about what they would take away from the experience, one trainee said, “The experience was meaningful and was way better than I expected. I enjoyed hearing the other perspectives and opinions on how to reach the same goal of improving police/community relationships.”

Talk A Mile 7/23/24 by the numbers:

38 Participants
9.9 Likelihood to recommend to a peer (1 to 10)
100% report feeling “seen and heard” through the experience

Thanks to participants from Word Is Bond, Multnomah Youth Commission, , Rose City Vanguards, Portland Police Bureau and for coming with curiosity and an open mind – ready to walk, talk, listen and learn.

We appreciate the delicious lunch prepared by and the ice cream sandwiches courtesy of our friends at !

📸: .photography