City Club Friday Forums

Presented by City Club of Portland, with support from AARP Oregon, Fight Against Sex Trafficking, Miller Nash and Tonkon Torp.City Club is a member-led and member-supported 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Join or donate at pdxcityclub.org to support the spaces where community and leadership meet.On July 25, 2025, City Club of Portland hosted Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield for a conversation with retired Chief Justice Thomas Balmer, reflecting on his first months in office and his role leading Oregon’s lawsuits against federal actions. The discussion covered cases involving tariffs, birthright citizenship, and cuts to federally funded programs, as well as how the state decides when to act and what tools are in place to hold the federal government accountable. They addressed some technical legal questions, but also covered fundamentals like the role of each branch of government and how democracy is supposed to work.

May 25, 2025 marked the fifth anniversary of George Floyd’s murder, a tragedy that sparked a nationwide movement for racial justice and police accountability. City Club hosted a conversation with contributors to BlackOut, a special Portland Mercury magazine that featured a dozen essays by Black Portlanders on the 2020 protests, how the city has (or hasn't) made progress since then, and what can be done to bring about a more just future.The program included a panel discussion facilitated by Donovan Scribes, curator of BlackOut, and a screening of Dear Young Black Portland, a short film written by Scribes, narrated by Gary-Smith, and directed by award-winning filmmaker Devin Boss. About the SpeakersSharon Gary-SmithFormer president of the Portland NAACP, long-time racial and social justice freedom fighter, and women’s rights activist.Justice RajeeDirector of Reimagine Oregon, Beaverton School Board member, and longtime organizer and activist.Mac SmiffJournalist, community-builder, and activist around Black

Presented by City Club of Portland, with support from AARP Oregon and Fight Against Sex Trafficking.City Club is a member-led and member-supported 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Join or donate to City Club and support the spaces where community and leadership meet.Mayor Keith Wilson delivered his first State of the City address on May 2 to an audience of several hundred Portlanders at Franklin High School. He struck an optimistic tone while outlining his administration’s approach to major challenges, including a $93 million budget shortfall, the city’s housing and homelessness crises, and federal policies at odds with local values. Wilson previewed decisions on public safety, climate investment, and city staffing, and emphasized collaboration across government and community. After his remarks, he joined JT Flowers of Albina Vision Trust for a one-on-one conversation. Program speakers included:Dr. Kimberlee Armstrong, Portland Public Schools Superintendent Ted Kaye, City Club of Portland Treasurer Mayor Keith

Presented by City Club of Portland, with support from AARP Oregon, Fight Against Sex Trafficking, Neil Kelly, and City Cast Portland.City Club is a member-led and member-supported 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Join or donate to City Club and support the spaces where community and leadership meet.On May 2, 2025, City Club of Portland’s Built Environment Issue Committee hosted Rx for Central City Livability: Applying Past Successes at the University Place Hotel and Conference Center. The program explored how Portland’s history of visionary public infrastructure—from the Transit Mall to the Pearl District—can inform the city’s next chapter of growth and revitalization.The conversation brought together leaders who have helped shape some of Portland’s most transformative projects. Together, they reflected on the role of catalytic investments, cross-sector collaboration, and community vision in creating a more livable Central City.Program speakers included: Earl Blumenauer, former U.S. Congressman and Presidential Fello

The gubernatorial debate between Republican candidates Bridget Barton, Christine Drazan, Jessica Gomez, Bud Pierce, and Stan Pulliam.

State of the City featuring Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler.

State of the County featuring Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury and Barbara Roberts, 34th Governor of Oregon.