About Taking Ownership

Welcome to Taking Ownership, a small-but-mighty community collective of contractors, realtors, neighbors, and businesses brought together by Portland musician, activist Randal Wyatt. Together we renovate and revive Black-owned homes that have requested our help, with an emphasis on enabling Black homeowners to age in place, generate wealth and simultaneously deter predatory investors and realtors to deflect the gentrification process. While nothing can undo the decades of harm imposed upon Portland's Black community via deliberate historical redlining, gentrification and systemic racism, Taking Ownership is turning the tide with a commitment to impactful grassroots change in support of the Black residents of our city. Taking Ownership is dedicated to raising funds and awareness with a team of passionate activists aided by volunteers hitting the streets and making a significant difference in the lives of our Black neighbors. We are always looking for volunteers, and we will put your skills to work, whether it be by fixing a toilet, fundraising, repairing a roof, or putting out the call for resources - Taking Ownership has a need for your time and talent. Together, we are a strong and powerful presence offering support to the Black community that helped shape Portland, this wonderful city we call home. 

Where to Donate

Go to the “How to Help” tab and click “Financial Donation” or “Merch” to donate online.

Check Donations:

Make out all check donations to Taking Ownership.    
Please send all checks to 3820 N Gantenbein Ave, Portland, OR 97227. 
 
You will be sent a donation confirmation for tax purposes. 

Randal Wyatt's Bio

A Portland native who grew up in both southeast and northeast where he witnessed gentrification transpire firsthand and was directly impacted by it. As a biracial Black man he struggled with identity until he discovered a love for hip hop and a talent for emceeing and songwriting. He continues to use hip hop as a platform to voice his experiences and world views, and has gained quite a following in the Pacific Northwest over the last 16 years. He performs consistently around the Northwest and West coast with his band Speaker Minds and as a solo artist with various DJs.

He learned early that it is not enough to talk about injustices and that one must be active in their community to try and combat these issues. He has organized several programs over the course of 16 years ranging from workshops that teach youth about hip hop culture while giving them access to studios and venues, to coordinating a measure 11 education curriculum and reform/repeal effort. His philanthropic efforts through hip hop also landed him a 10 year career as a counselor, mentor, advocate, and community engagement specialist for youth from marginalized communities.

Taking Ownership PDX is his latest project to aid the Black community in a city that has historically and continually displaced and ignored their needs. He recently finished his Bachelor’s degree in Social Science with a double minor in Black Studies and Sociology, the knowledge he’s gained in those studies have helped him create the reparation and community based platform that serves the Black community he loves in Portland.