Press
February 17th, 2024
“Documentary Showcases 8 Young Portlanders in Ghana”
“I’ve always been very passionate about connecting African-American and African identities together,” said Word Is Bond Executive Director Lakayana Drury. “So when we started ‘Word Is Bond’ back in 2017, it was always in the back of my mind that somehow, some way, going to Africa had to be part of the experience in our 3 year leadership program.”
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The “Black Stars Documentary” by 21-year-old filmmaker Twixx Williams takes us on the trip with the young ambassadors, from the food and culture of Ghana to meeting with Ghana’s education minister and students in the schools.
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The documentary premiered to a sold-out audience at Portland’s historic Hollywood Theatre.
Read more here.
February 8th, 2024
“In Word Is Bond’s Documentary ‘The Black Stars,’ Eight Young Black Men Embark on a Life-Changing Journey to Ghana”
When executive producer Lakayana Yotoma Drury started working on the documentary The Black Stars, he was driven by one goal: “This is not going to be a film of Black death or Black pain. This is going to be a journey of hope. We’re not going to make a spectacle about it.”
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The trip to Ghana took place last summer. Documenting the journey was Twixx Williams, a Jefferson High School graduate who was 21 years old when Drury picked him to direct the film.
Read more here.
February 23, 2023
“Walking tours to highlight experiences of Black men in Portland”
Each weekend in February, young Black men will share their perspectives while leading others on a walking tour through their neighborhoods.
Read more here.
February 15, 2022
“Word is Bond Awarded NIKE, Inc. Black Community Commitment Grant to Advance Equality in Portland”
Word is Bond is excited to announce Nike Inc. has Committed $100,000 as its renewal as a 2022 Black Community Commitment grantee. Read the full press release here.
February 12, 2022
“Want to really understand Portland’s neighborhoods? Give Black youth the megaphone”
Oregon Public Broadcasting John Notarianni says, “With “In My Shoes,” Black youth are sharing their voices, dreams, and experiences — along with sharp insights about their communities” Listen to the broadcast or read the article here.
February 9, 2022
“Celebrating Black History Month? These 5 Cities are Going All Out”
The New York Times highlighted Word is Bond In My Shoes walking tours as a way to celebrate Black History Month in Portland this February. Read the full article here.
February 5, 2022
“In My Shoes Walking Tour”
Travel Oregon highlighted the In My Shoes walking tours as an opportunity to learn from the community during Black History Month. Read the full article here.
February 3, 2022
“Life Inspired, Word is Bond Presents In My Shoes”
Crystal Thornton whose the mother of our Community Ambassador Rock, from 104.1 The Fish interviewed Word is Bond executive director Lakayana Drury about In My Shoes, youth-led walking tours in celebration of Black History Month. Listen to the full podcast here.
February 1, 2022
“Take a stroll around Portland to celebrate Black History Month”
Emily Burris and Ken Boddie interviewed Word is Bond executive director Lakayana Drury on In My Shoes, walking tours in neighborhoods across Portland. Watch the full video here.
February 1, 2022
“In My Shoes” walking tours offer street-level perspectives from young Black men.
Jonathan Maus from BikePortland interviewed Word is Bond Community Ambassador Mohamed about In My Shoes, youth-led walking tours happening every weekend in February. Read the full article here.
January 31, 2022
Celebrate Black History Month and support Black youth with an “In My Shoes” walking tour.
Suzanne Stevens editor from the Portland Business Journal wrote about our In My Shoes walking tours after speaking with Word is Bond executive director Lakayana Drury. Read more here.
September 3, 2021
Life Inspired with Crystal Thornton "Word is Bond" (Podcast)
In this podcast episode of "Life Inspired" Crystal Thornton interviews Word is Bond founder and executive director Lakayana Drury, community ambassador M'munga Songolo and Oregon City Police Officer and Word is Bond participant Spencer Rhodes. Listen to the podcast here.
February 24, 2021
Word is Bond announces $50,000.00 grant from Nike
Word is Bond is proud to announce it is one of eight local non-profits selected for a grant from Nike's Black Community Commitment. Read the full announcement here.
February 20, 2021
Trail Blazers join Word is Bond in powerful "A Letter To The Black Boys
On Black History Night, the Trail Blazers, in conjunction with Word is Bond, released a powerful video entitled "A Letter To The Black Boys.” Read the article here.
February 18, 2021
Multimedia project examines the experiences of young Black men
A new multimedia project tells the stories of young Black men in the Pacific Northwest from their perspectives. Listen to the podcast here.
February 10, 2021
Bonding through stories in Gresham.
Young Black men across the region have a story to tell, and in the Gresham Police Department, officers are stopping to listen. Read the article here.
September 22, 2020
Trail Blazers advocate for racial injustice & police reform with Racial Injustice Fund; Encourage fans to practice civil duties & vote.
Read press release here.
September 14, 2020
Rewrite the narrative with Lakayana Drury
A conversation with the founder of Word is Bond, an organization dedicated to rewriting the narrative between young black men and law enforcement, about storytelling, listening, and expansion.
The Activeist Podcast by Flex and Flex. Listen here.
September 9, 2020
Lake Oswego police officers participate in summer Word is Bond program.
Program aims to build positive relationships between young Black men and law enforcement. Read here.
August 27, 2020
Word is Bond works to create better relationships between Black men and police.
Over the last few weeks, sessions included officers from different departments having challenging conversations with members of the community. Read here.
August 20, 2020
Youth share powerful presentations, offer solutions to virtual room of criminal justice policymakers.
July 16, 2020
Non-profit works to transform fear of police into empowerment for young men of color.
Like many other Black children and children of color, Iman Abdi did not grow up with a good perception of police. Read here.
June 4, 2020
Local nonprofit builds positive relationships between young black men and law enforcement.
Word is Bond connects young black men with law enforcement officers through leadership development program. Read here.
August 31, 2019
Word Is Bond with Lakayana Drury
On this episode I am joined by Lakayana Drury. Executive director of Word Is Bond Portland, educator, and community servant. This interview was recorded back in the spring shortly after the murder of Nipsey Huslte. Our conversation covers community, serving young black men, service, art and more.
Ask Your Old Head Podcast hosted by Justice RaJee. Listen here.
August 14, 2019
Q&A: Word is Bond youth talk about their final year in the leadership program
Lakayana Drury, Sema’J Wade and Amarien Simmons talk about their third year in the Word is Bond program. Read here.
August 2, 2019
Group ‘breaks down walls’ between black men, police
Word is Bond is a Portland-based organization set on challenging stereotypes. Read here.
February 5, 2019
Lakayana Drury: Building better futures
Leaders in Learning series with Word is Bond Executive Director. Read here.
November 28, 2018
‘The Hate U Give’ screening spurs difficult talk between Portland teens, police
Portland police, teens join together to watch ‘The Hate U Give’ movie. Read here.
