Sen. Lawrence Spence and Rep. Bynum Join Black Women Leaders Across Oregon to Stand in Solidarity with Nataki Garrett

SALEM – Today, Senator Akasha Lawrence Spence (D-Portland) and Representative Janelle Bynum (D-Clackamas) join Black women leaders across Oregon in releasing a statement celebrating Nataki Garrett, who has served as the Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s (OSF) Artistic Director since 2019. The leaders join in denouncing the racist death threats made against Ms. Garrett.

“Nataki Garrett is a visionary leader who has led the Oregon Shakespeare Festival through one of the most tumultuous periods in recent history. She is innovative and cutting-edge, having earned the first-ever Ammerman Prize for Directing awarded by Arena Stage, the National Endowment for the Arts and Theatre, and the Communications Group Career Development Fellowship for Theatre Directors.

“Theater brings communities together across differences and divides to imagine worlds beyond our wildest dreams and to tell our communities’ histories authentically, providing healing and support. As Black, Indigenous, and people of color continue to be undercapitalized and underrepresented in the creative industry, her initiatives have broken down barriers, prioritized equity, advanced fair labor practices, and shone a light on Black history through performance and art.

“Garrett has also been a trailblazer in bolstering OSF’s financial future through fundraising and securing $8 million in American Rescue Plan dollars.

"Her work has mobilized theater organizations across the nation to ensure the industry can thrive.

“Travel and tourism in Oregon is a $10.9 billion industry that directly employs 100,000 Oregonians. The pandemic and wildfires have brought unprecedented challenges for live performance venues, small businesses, and Oregon’s tourism industry. This is a critical time to support the innovative work of OSF as they bring new audiences to the theater, along with visitors and spending that boosts tourism revenue for local economies.

“Garrett’s ability to fortify inclusion and belonging, as well as her visionary leadership have made prolific impacts at OSF and the Ashland community. We stand shoulder to shoulder in commending her fortitude and professionalism in the arts industry in Oregon and beyond.”

Senator Akasha Lawrence Spence
Representative Janelle Bynum
Former State Senator Margaret Carter
Former State Senator Avel Gordly
Former Commissioner Loretta Smith, Multnomah County
Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty, Portland City Council
Mayor Denyse McGriff, Oregon City
Nkenge Harmon Johnson, President & CEO of the Urban League of Portland
Sharon Gary Smith, President of the NAACP Portland 1120 Branch
Dr. Rosa Colquitt, Vice-Chair of the Democratic Party of Oregon
Winta Yohannes, Executive Director of Albina Vision Trust
Constance Tucker, President of the Portland Willamette Valley Chapter, Jack & Jill of America Inc.
Cyreena Boston Ashby, CEO of Girls Inc. of the Pacific Northwest
Dr. Nakeia Daniels, Equity and Racial Justice Executive
Katrina Holland, Executive Director of JOIN
Libra Forde, Executive Director
Donna Maxey, Founder of Race Talks: Uniting to Break the Chains of Racism
Desiree Williams-Rajee, Beaverton Black Parent Union
Toya Fick, President & CEO- Meyer Memorial Trust
Shari Dunn, CEO & Principal of Itbom LLC
Carolyn Walker, Attorney
Mariotta Gary-Smith, Community Member
Marcy Bradley, Vice President of Equity and Culture, Oregon Community Foundation
Lakeitha Elliott, Executive Director of the Gordly Burch Center for Black Leadership and Civic Engagement 
Kari Herinckx, Chief of Staff
Traci Rossi, Executive Director
Adrienne Livingston, Business Owner
Carla D. Gary, Consultant
Rukaiyah Adams, Investor
Gloria Jean Fluker, Educational Consultant