Soul Walk North

Narrator Arietta Ward recalls wondering about the empty lot while waiting for the bus after school in the ‘90s. Entrepreneur Paul Knauls, Sr. describes a once-thriving epicenter for Portland’s Black-owned businesses, later dismantled, now being rebuilt. Williams & Russell CDC representatives highlight the new redevelopment, meant to welcome home Albina residents and their descendants.

Speakers: Paul Knauls, Sr., Sharon Gary-Smith, Azalea Renfield, Ta’Neshia Renae

Playlist:
Hot16 - “Secret Staircase”
Shades of Brown - “Searchin’ For Love”
The Stereos - “You Left Me Forsaken”
TROX - “Things Just Changed”

Transition Music: The Harlequins - “You Spec”

Host: J.W. Friday

Playlist:
Shock - “Let’s Get Crackin’”
Sliver - “What’s Going On”
Rev. L Overstreet & The Overstreets - "There's No Future In Gaining (The World And Losing Your Soul)"

A vital gathering space in Portland’s Black community and the site of many intergenerational barbecues, park jams and live concerts. The home of an iconic gazebo featuring the dome from Matthew’s Drug Store, formerly located on the corner of N. Williams and N. Russell.

Speakers: Ken Berry, Sharon Gary-Smith, J.W. Friday, Norman Sylvester

Music:
Slickaphonic - “Bubba”
Linda Hornbuckle & Janice Scroggins - “Sista”
Ural Thomas - “Can You Dig It” (Live)
Hamiltones - “Bill Jackson Blues”

Transition Music: The Harlequins - “You Spec”

Host: J.W. Friday

Playlist:
The Legendary Beyons featuring Pleasure - "Let's Talk About Love”
Creative Jazz Orchestra - "Meeting Place" (Live at Bourbon Street)
The Delegates featuring Billy Larkin - "Pygmy Pt. 1"

A pillar in Portland’s Black community, rich with gospel music and a historic legacy. Marilyn Keller and Ken Berry reflect on the importance of choirs and worship.

Speakers: Ken Berry, Norman Sylvester, Paul Knauls, Sr., Marilyn Keller, J.W. Friday, Sharon Gary-Smith

Music:
The Sensational Portlandaires - "Traveling"
Rev. Wendel H. Wallace - "Who is My Soul Brother"
Linda Hornbuckle & Janice Scroggins - "Thirties Interlude"
Rev. Richard Probasco & The New Creation - "Let It Shine"
The Faith Tabernacle Church Choir - "Why Call Him Now"

Transition Music: The Harlequins - “You Spec"

Host: J.W. Friday

Playlist:
High and Mighty - “No Segregation in Heaven”
Norman Sylvester - “Bop City radio ad”
Willa Dorsey - “Wasn’t That A Mighty Day?”
Youthsound featuring Wanda Thompson - “When All God’s Children”

Oregon’s first Black-owned record store. Wilson Smith III recalls growing up immersed in the world of Bop City, co-owned by his father Wilson Smith Jr.. Former employee Hurtis Hadley remembers working at the shop during his high school years.

Speakers: Paul Knauls, Sr., Wilson Smith III, Hurtis Hadley

Music:
The Hi-Liters - “Bobby Sox Baby”
Judy Proctor - “Storm in My Heart”
Donnie Wells & The Tabs - “A Real Love”

Transition Music: The Harlequins - “You Spec”

Host: J.W. Friday

Playlist:
The Fabulous Majestics with Lanny Hunt - “Dream On”
“Fabulous Majestics radio ad” - Marilyn Keller
The Mighty El Dukes - “Walking Beside You”

A genre-fluid incubator for Black music and beloved community space throughout multiple eras. Solomon “Jumbo” David, J.W. Friday and Tony Sibley speak about the joys of crate digging for records and radio DJing.

Speakers: Sharon Gary-Smith, J.W. Friday, Solomon “Jumbo” David, Tony Sibley

Playlist:
Transport - “Always There”
Jumbo - “Resonate”
Mike B & Crew - “Crack Ain’t Where It’s At”

Transition Music: The Harlequins - “You Spec”

Host: J.W. Friday

Playlist:
Jefferson High School Gospel Choir - “Hold Out”
The Gangsters - “Suite for Funk Band”
“Velvet Live at Geneva’s radio ad” - Marilyn Keller
The Cavaliers Unlimited - “Soul Vein”
U-Krew With The Blazer Mercy Mercy Choir - "Rip City Rhapsody"

“A place where friends meet” owned by Paul and Geneva Knauls. A hotspot for dancing, live jazz, and the site of an unforgettable block party to celebrate the Portland Trail Blazers' NBA Championship win in 1977.

Speakers: Paul Knauls, Sr., Sharon Gary-Smith, Tony Sibley, Mel Brown, Lloyd Neal

Playlist:
Slickaphonic - “Doin’ It”
Milton Davis - “Headed for the Disco”
Lights Out - “Tonight”
Milton Davis - “Blazermania”
The Faith Tabernacle Church Choir - “Where Do You Plan To Spend Eternity?”

Transition Music: The Harlequins - “You Spec”

Host: J.W. Friday

Playlist:
Johnny Cool - “The Mayor”
Ural Thomas - “America”

Donna Maxey reflects on her father Charles Maxey’s foundational barber shop and the ethos and community which surrounded it. Geneva’s Lounge namesake and master barber Geneva Knauls refined her skills at Maxey’s before opening Geneva’s Shear Perfection.

Speakers: Donna Maxey, Wilson Smith III, J.W. Friday, Solomon “Jumbo” David

Playlist:
Frank Martin and his Orchestra - “Come Back Baby”
The Seven Souls - “Got To Find A Way”
Sunday’s Child - “Maybe I’m Amazed”
Jumbo - “Searchin’”
The Stereos - “Green Green Grass of Home”

Transition Music: The Harlequins - “You Spec”

Representatives from Albina Vision Trust and 1803 Fund discuss their respective organizations’ missions and current projects. Elders recall childhood memories of Albina and the importance of honoring our history when looking to the future. Finally, Marilyn Keller reflects on the transmissibility of music and sound.

Speakers: Kayin Talton Davis, Juma Sei, Norman Sylvester, Ta’Neshia Renae, Sharon Gary-Smith, Marilyn Keller

Playlist:
Tony Ozier - “North Albina Avenue”
Jumbo - “Something’s Happening”
The Ever-Popular Staple Brothers - “Trying To Do Your Best”
Lovin' From the Oven - "2001 / Star Trek" (live)