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Fighting The Power -The legacy of Avel L. Gordly

Fighting The Power is a radio/Podcast featuring independent journalists resisting Trump's authoritarian rule. We highlight efforts to restore democracy and confront Project 2025, which aims to reduce civil liberties.

Our panelists include:

· LaNita Duke: Award-winning multimedia producer for Grassroots News Northwest.

· Dianne Johnson: Professor and journalist specializing in political journalism and the Arts.

· Althea Billings: Journalist and radio producer covering Politics and National News.

· Rev. Cecil Prescod: Talk show host focusing on social and political issues.

· Nia Gray: Civil rights advocate from Pittsburgh and Faith Reporter

Stay strong, hopeful, and empowered. Stand together and support independent journalism. Tune in to Fighting The Power and make a difference.

This edition of Fighting the Power, we honor the life and legacy of Avel L. Gordly- February 13, 1947 - February 16, 2026

She was a mentor, a friend, an author, an associate professor, and an early supporter of Grassroot News, NW

Avel was elected to the Oregon State Senate and became the first Black Woman to serve in the State Senate. As an elected official, she focused on building relationships with her colleagues on both sides of the aisle and statewide. As she gained confidence and realized the power of her voice, she modeled both courage and vulnerability in her leadership. These qualities made her a trustworthy and valued colleague in the Legislature and in the Black Community.

Additionally, she was a community organizer with the Oregon Chapter of the Black United Front (BUF), and she coordinated the BUF’s Saturday School. Working with the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), Avel helped secure key anti-apartheid victories in Oregon and during the 1980s and ran programs for the Urban League and the House of Umoja to provide opportunities for youth in North and Northeast Portland.

After retiring from the legislature, Avel began teaching as an associate professor in the Black Studies Department at Portland State University

She was fighting the Power and encouraged others to pick up and keep the fight.

Avel grew up in Northeast Portland, where the seeds of her activism were sown early by her mother and father, her grandmothers Alberta Randolph and Lessie Gordly, and by the women in her community.

She lives forever in our hearts, and her legacy joins us in the fight for democracy

We are joined by Nia Gray, Rev. Cecil Prescod and a special guest Alexis Ashby

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Let’s Talk About Race (LTAR), is a new intergenerational, roundtable discussion of independent national journalists featuring rigorous conversations and analysis of news coverage and the role race plays in politics, government, economy, education, and health. LTAR currently airs on KBOO Community Radio in Portland, OR, and on Pacifica Radio Network
LTAR brings independent journalists from all over the country from New Jersey to Texas and Pennsylvania with a home base in Portland, Oregon. The hosts bring their own flavor, journalistic perspectives, and integrity.
The roundtable line-up features: LaNita Duke, an award-winning audio and video producer who has written, directed, and produced political news and commentary for Grassroots NW and KBOO Radio for over 45 years. Dianne Johnson, a journalist from Texas co-host/musicologist on From the Grassroots, a political news magazine. Althea Billings, current News Director at KBOO Community Radio. Cecil Prescod, is a talk-show host focusing on local, national, and international issues ranging from poverty in Portland to politics in Africa. Nia Gray, host, and blogger of The Faith Report in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. And Mary Li is the Director of the Multnomah Idea Lab (MIL) at the Multnomah County Department of County Human Services in Portland Oregon
On this edition of LTAR:=, You are listening to LTAR: No Black History Month-updating Reading, Writing, and Book burning.

Welcome to another edition of LTAR::let’s Talk About Race-No Black History Month-Revisiting Reading, Writing, and Book Burning. I’m the New Director Althea Billings.
Florida Gov Ron DeSantis decision to dilute America History by placing conservatives in educational decision-making powers and challenging any information that promotes intersectionality-the bridge where all ages, and nationalities can see we can build toward a common purpose -while addressing historical wrongs.
DeSantis’ crusade on diversity and race comes in a state, colonized by the Spanish, where there is an intersection of Black, Latino, and Indigenous culture and history. But DeSantis claims AA AP history is indoctrination -this claim is part of the big backlash towards racial understanding.
Outtro: DeSantis' criticism and rejection of the AP course provides a template on how other class standards can be “pushed down," creating a chilling effect on other race studies classes.
The revised curriculum for a new Advanced Placement course on African American studies can no longer focus on Black Lives Matter, slavery reparations, and queer theory. The lives, contributions, and stories of Black trans, queer, and non-binary/non-conforming people are being erased, and we should do everything in our power to keep penciling them in.

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The relationship between the Asian & African American communities has often been tenuous and seemingly at odds. However, the relationship between Yuri Kochiyama and Malcolm X came at a time when the fight for Civil Rights was at its peak for many minority communities. In this special episode of Fighting The Power, Lanita Duke is joined by Radio Producer and Artist Jenna Yokoyama, as we celebrate the shared birthday and unlikely friendship of the pair.
Having endured both the death of her father and internment during WWII, she and her husband made a new life for themselves in Harlem's housing projects. During their time, she became involved in grassroots activism through the Harlem Parent's Committee, advocating for equal access to resources for inner-city children. Her chance meeting with Malcolm came in October 1963, while he spoke in support of Black workers protesting against unfair hiring practices in Brooklyn.
Shortly after, in June 1964, she invited Malcolm to her home to speak with atomic bomb survivors and other activists and journalists. Their friendship continued to flourish through a tumultuous time in both of their lives. As she continued to advocate stateside and Malcolm traveled to Mecca and other Islamic countries, their friendship never faltered. He continued to communicate with her, sending her postcards throughout his journey. They continued their friendship until his death on February 21, 1965. She was one of the few people seen at his side after his assassination at the Audubon Ballroom, cradling him as he died. Devastated but undeterred, she continued to advocate for equality until she died in 2014