ABOUT

I’ve been a resident for 7.5 years and have lived and worked in downtown Bend or within a mile of it during my entire time here. I’ve experienced Bend, and specifically downtown as a newcomer, a non-driver (by necessity not choice), as a person of color, and have come to find a welcoming community among the businesses, their owners, and many of those who frequent downtown establishments after much intentional effort. I would like to collaborate with the downtown business community in creating programming and opportunities for connection for folks like me who come to Bend, as either visitors or to live here, and don’t know where to start or can’t immediately see themselves within the wide breadth of folks who enjoy downtown. How can we work together to communicate and show the greater Bend community that downtown Bend is a place for everyone? During my time in Bend, I’ve worked as a civil engineer at the City, primarily on sewer and water projects, and currently as a Community Relations Manager with a focus on supporting and nurturing relationships with immigrants, communities of color and 2SLGBTQ+ folks. I also served on the board of The Father’s Group for 2.5 years, specifically as the community organization and vendor coordinator for Juneteenth at Drake Park. Past board experience also includes The High Desert Food & Farm Alliance and City of Bend Planning Commission. I collaborate extensively with the Latino Community Association and other cultural groups and continue to support local BIPOC small business networking and gathering efforts with local collaborators. I love Bend and downtown – I’d like to work with and on the DBBA board to expand how we communicate what I've come to love about downtown to more diverse stakeholders in our community..

WHAT ARE DOWNTOWN’S THREE GREATEST ASSETS?

You can bike, drive, or bus to downtown (accessibility); vibrant music and creative scene in venues or on the street any day of the week (culture); food and retail establishments for a wide range of price points (consideration for a community that is very diverse socioeconomically).

WHAT ARE DOWNTOWN’S THREE GREATEST OPPORTUNITIES?

Healthy historical programming like First Fridays that can be themed to highlight not often acknowledged cultural celebrations in our community; the opportunity to incorporate innovative marketing in downtown Bend itself (more dancing flash mobs, art, etc.); downtown as a leader in community connectivity (how can downtown help bridge how people experience the Central District and Old Mill via downtown?).

WHAT ARE DOWNTOWN’S THREE GREATEST CHALLENGES?

Adapting to a growing and changing demographic of visitors; widening of Bend’s socioeconomic gap; understanding the many, perhaps unidentified ways, that downtown can feel inaccessible to some folks in our community.

WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE ON THE DBBA BOARD OF DIRECTORS?

Downtown today feels like a place I can go and enjoy music, shopping, and a dining experience. And I also realize that at first it was not that place for me and for many people, comfortability and enjoyment are still a ways off. I see the ways in which DBBA and all downtown businesses already do a lot of work to welcome anyone who comes through their doors. I believe I can support in expanding and collaborating on efforts that would expand the visitor pool to downtown (both residents and visitors) and facilitate meaningful changes that would improve the comfortability and enjoyment factors for these broader audiences.