$Nine photographs of people in different settings are combined around a central graphic reading \"Portlanders\"$ $Nine photographs of people in different settings are combined around a central graphic reading \"Portlanders\"$

Credit: Logo by MKTBox

Portlanders: A Community-Based Video Series

Meet some of the people who make the city what it is.

Updated May 28, 2025 9 min read

Portlanders is a micro-video series showcasing the real people who make this city’s heartbeat. Our creativity and uniqueness make Portland an amazing place to visit because of the connections found and made here. Each of these Portlanders has found meaning here and cultivated ways of creative expression with and for the city. Get to know them and then plan your next trip to visit their Portland.

Portland musician Jonny Cool created the Portlanders theme song — listen now. The Portlanders logo was designed by MKTBox.

Portlanders: Residents of Portland, Oregon, who embody the spirit of the city and the heart of their community.

Alex Chiu

Artist and muralist Alex Chiu splashes his artwork all over the city, from the Portland International Airport to locally owned restaurants. His love of community drives his passion: “Portland is based in neighborhoods, and we always ended up gravitating towards 82nd Avenue…I felt like I was finding more connections with food and culture in East Portland, like the Jade District.” Seek out Alex’s people-centric murals and installations in SE Portland, one of the city’s most culturally rich quadrants, then sample the bounty of delicious eats in the area, from crawfish boils to milk tea.

Taylor Valdés

While exploring Portland, you’ll definitely want to hunt down one of Taylor Valdés’ eye-catching Venderias—colorful, hand-painted vending machines showcasing local artists scattered throughout the city. “In our machines right now, you’ll find everything from VHS tapes and locally made zines to vibrators, vampire teeth, and fake mustaches,” says Taylor. “We’ve got lucky charm keychains, mood lipstick, D&D dice sets, pins, and patches by Wokeface. And our mystery bags? Absolutely our most popular item!” Spot these delightful treasure boxes at hotspots like Cargo, Bar Cala, and The Coffin Club. Feeling inspired to start your own unconventional vending business? Taylor offers a 6-week course to get you started.

BLCKSMTH

“When people walk by a street they always walk down, or they turn a corner in Forest Park and they see these LEDs blazing with a message that they needed to hear at that time, it’s that sense of discovery — that’s why I do what I do.” Michael James Schneider is a typographic artist known for his balloon art, but not the latex party animals kind. What started as tongue-in-cheek commentary about life on the internet evolved into inspirational and occasionally silly typographic murals spelled out with Mylar balloons. Eventually including vivid LED signs, Michael’s art quickly spread all over the city and mainstream media, from Forest Park to colorful walls throughout Portland’s neighborhoods. Where have you seen his famous balloon art?

Taquería Los Puñales

“When I came to Portland, I started seeing the city, you know, taking the buses….I was just very excited to be in a different town and be happy,” says Los Puñales co-owner and chef, Davíd Madrigal. After struggling to feel safe and accepted in his hometown, David moved to Portland from Mexico as a teen. He cooks at his taqueria in SE Portland on Belmont St. with his husband and co-owner, Brian Aster. Prepare to relax and dine-in — while the restaurant offers takeout, you’ll want to sit back and admire the myriad gay and queer art displayed on the walls, pictures of Latine artists like Ricky Martin and Selena, and family mementos. Slinging fresh tacos in homemade tortillas, aguas frescas, and, if you’re lucky, their popular pozole rojo, the duo runs a slick show whose efforts stretch far beyond their doors.

Frontrunners

“When you’re involved in a group like Frontrunners, for the LGBTQ+ community, it’s amazing how you’re not having to explain things to people, you’re not having to be shy, it’s just this community — another family that supports you.” says Don Robinson. A running and walking group for LGBTQIA+ folks and their friends, Portland Frontrunners date back to 1982, host the annual Portland Pride Run & Walk and are members of the International Front Runners.

Delicious Donuts

Nothing beats a local donut shop where the owners know you by name. “I just love the people here. Everybody here is like family to me — they come in and they tell me their stories and what they’re going through,” says Penny of Delicious Donuts, a family-owned donut spot in central Southeast Portland. Well-loved by its customers and ranked the number one donut shop in Oregon by The Oregonian, Delicious Donuts fries up classics like perfectly caramelized apple fritters, and flavors inspired by the owners’ heritage, like pandan with coconut.

Samantha Montanaro

“Portland isn’t going to tell me that I can’t have what I need for my body, and I think that feels revolutionary in itself,” says Sam Montanaro, co-founder of Tokeativity, an online global community of active cannabis consumers and business owners rooted in feminism. But that is simply one of many things Sam does. She also heads the local band Mama Sam and the Jam and serves on the Executive Board of Directors of Historic Park Rose.

Françoise Weeks

“I basically garden the way I design and I design the way I garden,” says Françoise. Her work evolved from floral arrangements at weddings to couture garments inspired by Portland’s flower markets, the city’s parks and Pacific Northwest natural textures. Portland’s environment attracts gardeners and florists alike, boasting a long growing season and an exceptional variety of plants and organic elements. Link up with Françoise during one of her frequent botanical or woodland design workshops, then explore the Rose City’s bloom season in Portland’s numerous floral gardens.

Albina Music Trust

Cofounded by Calvin Walker and Bobby Smith, Albina Music Trust preserves the historic music culture of Portland’s Albina District with programs that amplify the Black community’s archival media, oral histories and special events. In a few short years, Albina Music Trust has grown to include a record label, a weekly radio show debuting on KMHD and an online archive. Get to know the stars of Portland’s rich Black music scene, including acclaimed drummer Mel Brown, Paul Knauls Sr., founder of the legendary Cotton Club and “mayor of Albina,” guitarist Norman Sylvester and vocalist Renn Woods.

Jayla Rose

“My perspective of drag is being completely uninhibited by what society puts on you,” says Jayla Rose Sullivan, burlesque dancer, trans-rights advocate and Portlander. Jayla’s work takes her from acrobatic dance moves to social justice activism, all the while promoting body celebration, embracing your identity and investing in community. “It takes a special kind of person to break down that wall and push what society thinks you should do or what you should express, and make it a celebration of yourself,” says Jayla.

Amir Morgan

Visitors in need of a hand-crafted look can find sleek threads at Old Town Chinatown’s Barnes & Morgan, along with a curated selection of teas and tea-based tools to honor Morgan’s herbal remedy family traditions.

Palani Bearghost

CEO of indigenous-owned No End Of Designs, Palani Bearghost, chose Portland as the heart of the athleisure and couture designs she’s been dreaming up since childhood. Watch her work take center stage both in fashion and community activism.

NOMADNESS Travel Tribe

The core brains behind NOMADNESS Travel Tribe, a travel lifestyle brand of over 30,000 members, explore the beauty of Portland and plan the future of their company and community. NOMADNESS highlights the experiences of travelers of color, holding the travel industry accountable to equitable standards.

Michelle Lewis and Charles Hannah

What started as a meet-cute at Portland’s MAX Light Rail became a Black-centered, community-focused literary haven at Third Eye Books. Michelle Lewis and Charles Hannah invite viewers to explore their curated yet extensive collection of classic authors like Toni Morrison and Maya Angelou, along with their favorite Black, Indigenous and POC authors.

Jill Kuehler

Jill Kuehler, the founder of Oregon’s first woman-owned distillery (Freeland Spirits), explains how her teetotaling grandmother inspired Freeland’s garden-fresh gin and why Portland is the only place she can imagine chasing her dreams.

Chef Arthur Dulin

Chef Arthur Dulin has cooked at several of Portland’s acclaimed international restaurants and believes that food is the best way to connect with other cultures. Find out where he loves to eat in Portland and how his culinary experiences here led him to victory on “Chopped.”

A man eats noodle soup with chopsticks and a spoon in a restaurant — Vietnamese noodle soup is the star at Southeast Portland's Rose VL Deli.

A man in a yellow t-shirt and blue apron stands in front of tables in a restaurant — Chef Arthur Dulin at Gado Gado in Northeast Portland.

Aaron Robinson

Portlander Aaron Robinson is a meditation coach and podcaster who finds connection and self-discovery in the city’s restaurants, outdoors and community. His podcast, Opening Presence, creates space for artists and creators in Portland to gain exposure and be their most authentic selves.

A man with hands in pockets standing in front of street murals — Portland podcaster and wellness coach Aaron Robinson stands outside Gallery 3903 in North Portland.

A man with long hair, sitting on the floor cross-legged and eyes closed — Wellness coach and podcaster Aaron Robinson meditates in his home studio in Portand.

Two people sitting at a living room coffee table speaking into microphones — Aaron Robinson (right) and a guest record for his podcast "Opening Presence" in his living room.

3 seated men in outerwear in animated conversation — Podcaster and wellness coach Aaron Robinson (center) visits Washington Park with friends.

A man walking through a chain-link pedestrian overpass bridge, looking into the distance — Portland podcaster and wellness coach Aaron Robinson crosses the Failing Street Bridge in North Portland.

A man pulling noodles out of a bowl with chopsticks in a restaurant — Jonathan Riley eats at Sunshine Noodles in Northwest Portland.

Karina Rivas

Thanks to folks like Karina Rivas, the running culture is thriving in Portland. Whether trail running in Forest Park, organizing runs with Foot Traffic, or participating in one of Portland’s many marathons, Karina shares great insights along with some of her favorite stops along the way.

a woman running — Karina Rivas runs a trail in Forest Park with the St. Johns Bridge in the background.

a woman and a bridge in the backdrop — Karina Rivas overlooks the St. Johns Bridge from a trail in Forest Park.

two people smile at each other while walking in the woods — One of the United States’ largest urban parks, Forest Park offers many miles of trails to walk, hike or bike.

a blue kangaroo mural — Karina Rivas approaches Blue Kangaroo Coffee Roasters in Sellwood.

a coffee/tea shop lobby — Karina Rivas at Blue Kangaroo Coffee Roasters in Sellwood.

a shared drink with friends — Karina Rivas at Stormbreaker Brewing in North Portland.

a table of food — A meal at Stormbreaker Brewing in St. Johns.

a woman stands at the finish line of a race — The Daimler Holiday Half — which features festive half-marathon, 10K and 5K runs — draws thousands of visitors and locals, like Portlander Karina Rivas.

a woman holding finish line tape — The Daimler Holiday Half — which features festive half-marathon, 10K and 5K runs — draws thousands of visitors and locals, like Portlander Karina Rivas.

runners by the waterfront — The Daimler Holiday Half — which features festive half-marathon, 10K and 5K runs — draws thousands of runners from near and far.

a long distance runner — The Daimler Holiday Half — which features festive half-marathon, 10K and 5K runs — draws thousands of runners from near and far.

a woman sits in front of a wall of shoes — Karina Rivas at Foot Traffic running store in Sellwood.

a woman in front of a statue — Karina Rivas poses with the statue outside of Foot Traffic in SE Portland's Sellwood neighborhood.

Sarah Sabino

Sarah Sabino’s art in the AUX/MUTE gallery at Portland Art Museum showcased those whose stories have been muted throughout history. Through a multicultural lens, Sarah, who works as a sneaker designer by day, tells the stories of her life, work and identity with a visual medium and makes her worlds come alive.

a woman stands in front of an art exhibit — Sarah Sabino in front of her art installation, “AWAY | HOME,” at Portland Art Museum in the AUX/MUTE Gallery.

a woman stands in an art museum — Sarah Sabino viewing her art installation in the AUX/MUTE Gallery in Portland Art Museum.

three woman in front of an art mural — Sarah Sabino and guests viewing her exhibit, "AWAY | HOME,"; in the AUX/MUTE Gallery at Portland Art Museum

a woman stands next to an art decal, "Coffee Should Be Dope" — Sarah Sabino stands outside of Deadstock Coffee cooling a drink

a woman holds a coffee cup in a doorway — Sarah Sabino at Deadstock Coffee

three people standing on sidewalk — Sarah Sabino, Herbert Beauclere and Jason Hill stand outside of Kat and Maouche in NW Portland.

scenery image of a street with trees — Herbert Beauclere standing under Kat and Maouche’s street sign on NW 4th Ave.

a man sits on a stack of rugs — Kat and Maouche

a woman stands in a rug store — Sarah Sabino inside of Kat and Maouche in NW Portland.

rugs — Rugs and tapestries from Kat and Maouche in NW Portland.

woman holding umbrella — Sarah Sabino holding a coffee and umbrella outside of Kat and Maouch’s Black Lives Matter window tapestry

Elsewhere Online

Oregon Public Broadcasting

Sa’rah Melinda Sabino is healing through making art in Portland

Portland Monthly

Inside the Portland Art Museum’s Aux/Mute Gallery

DJ Ambush

The first series turns the lens on DJ Ambush, founder and executive director of Portland’s first and only Black-led radio station, The Numberz FM. A musical leader and media pioneer, DJ Ambush and The Numberz have collaborated and spotlighted many local artists and creatives that add to Portland’s community and Pacific Northwest influence. With soundwaves coming from the fourth floor of the Portland Art Museum, DJ Ambush continues to draw inspiration from Portland’s rich arts community and share Black experiences with sounds from all over the city.

Makers

A Black man with glasses and a black and grey beard sits in front of an image of a black number sign surrounded by red roses — DJ Ambush, Executive Director of The Numberz FM, outside the AUX/MUTE Gallery at the Portland Art Museum.

A Black man stands behind a set of two turntables and in front of a black wall displaying dozens of small artworks. — DJ Ambush stands behind the turntables in The Numberz FM space at the Portland Art Museum.

A Black man with glasses and a black and grey beard sits in front of a collection of records, figurines and plants — DJ Ambush, Executive Director of The Numberz FM, in his workspace at the Portland Art Museum.

Two Black men with beards, one wearing glasses, clutch hands in greeting in front of an Incredible Hulk poster — DJ Ambush, Executive Director of The Numberz FM, greets a coworker at the Portland Art Museum.

Five men stand in front of a set of marble steps leading up to a brick building — From left to right: Brad, justblp, DJ Ambush, Mike and am.1r of The Numberz FM stand in front of the Portland Art Museum.

A Black man with dreadlocks stands in front of a brick building. His back is to the camera and there's a neon sign reading — DJ Ambush, Executive Director of The Numberz FM, stands in front of the Portland Art Museum.

Four men eat Vietnamese food at a wooden table — From left to right, Jonathan Riley, Sergio Coral Acosta, Jonny Cool and DJ Ambush dine at Pho Gia in NE Portland.

Two men eat Vietnamese food at a wooden table — DJ Ambush and musician Jonny Cool dine at Pho Gia in NE Portland.

A Black man with glasses and a black and grey beard stands in front of a restaurant with a neon open sign and wooden picnic tables — DJ Ambush outside Pho Gia on Northeast Sandy Boulevard.

A man browses through racks of vinyl records — DJ Ambush shops for records at Everyday Music.

A closeup of a Black man's hands flipping through records with the labels — DJ Ambush shops for records at Everyday Music.

A Black man with glasses and a black and grey beard stands in front of a display of comic books bearing a sign reading "Comics for the People" — DJ Ambush at Bridge City Comics on North Mississippi Ave.

A Black man with a beard, wearing glasses and a facemask, looks at shelves of comic books — DJ Ambush at Bridge City Comics on North Mississippi Ave.

A Black man with glasses and a black and grey beard stands in front of a storefront holding a brown paper shopping bag — DJ Ambush at Bridge City Comics on North Mississippi Ave.

Portland Coffee

Explore our comprehensive guide to coffee in Portland, including our rich coffee history, Portland’s impact on the third-wave coffee movement, and coffee shop suggestions by quadrants.

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