BikePOC PNW Co-Founder Will Cortez

In this episode we welcomed BikePOC PNW Co-Founder Will Cortez into the Shed. Host Jonathan Maus wanted to check in with Will about Portland's progress on welcoming more Black, Indigenous and people of color into the local cycling and transportation advocacy scene — nearly three years after the George Floyd protests.

Will and Jonathan touch on a number of topics including: Will's concerns on how BikeLoud PDX tokenizes "equity" in the framing of their new lawsuit against the City of Portland, why progress to diversify government advisory committees is slow/nonexistent, his disappointments with the Oregon Bicycle Racing Association's attempt to attract more Black racers, and more.

He also shares about his beloved cat (named after a Japanese fruit) and why he thinks the PDX Trophy Cup cyclocross series is the best local example of progress toward a more welcoming and inclusive community.

***

LINKS:

Making Nature Accessible (Story on Will's work at Metro)Bob Stacey, Khanh Pham, BikePOC PNW named 2021 ‘Alice Award’ winners (BikePortland)
• 
  HiFi Sound Cycling Components wins $10,000 Inspiring Diversity grant (BikePortland)

Our theme music was provided by The Podcast Host and Alitu: The Podcast Maker app.