People

Meet the “Granddad of KingPins”

It’s been said that the collapse of community begins with people bowling alone. So we’re glad to report there are still people bowling together in Lents. The KingPins alley on SE 92nd hosts bowling leagues every day of the week, including for kids, adults, and seniors. And if you go often enough, you’re just about […]

/ January 3, 2020

Meet the Man Behind Earl’s Barbershop

Earl Clark is a Louisiana-born Army veteran and long-time Northeast Portlander, and for nearly three decades, he’s been cutting hair at Earl’s Barbershop, one of the last black-owned storefronts in the Alberta Arts District. The shop has survived decades of change in the neighborhood, and it’s given fresh cuts to local legends like Terry Porter […]

/ September 19, 2019

Fostering Her Own Future

She didn’t start school until the eighth grade. She slept in youth shelters and at the DHS office for weeks on end. She was told college “wasn’t for her.” But Aleathea St. Hilaire is now a full-time student studying criminal justice at Warner Pacific University, and she’s mentoring kids at the same camp where she […]

/ September 9, 2019

Meet a Member: Ashley Henry

We’re profiling the people who make Bridgeliner possible — our supporting members — and next up is Southeast Portlander and Business for a Better Portland executive director Ashley Henry! Where in town might people run into you? Hmmmm. A few places: BBPDX HQ. We sublet space from a renewable energy developer called OneEnergy Renewables. I […]

/ September 1, 2019

Adam Sweet Eases the Pain of Moving

You might already know Adam Sweet as the local entrepreneur who disrupted the home-moving business (in a good way). But after keeping his personal story private for years, Adam says he’s ready to share another part of his background — his experience in Oregon’s foster system. “I was kind of embarrassed to be a foster […]

/ August 23, 2019

How Girls Build Makes Camp Accessible for Foster Kids

We’re investigating your questions about the foster care system this month, and we’re also meeting some amazing people who make a difference in the lives of foster children. Katie Hughes founded Girls Build in 2016, the same year she became a foster parent. Her goal is to put literal tools—drills, hammers, and paintbrushes, to name […]

/ August 20, 2019

Meet a Bridgeliner Member: Sandy Keiter

We’re rolling along with our member spotlight series, and this week we’re profiling downtown dweller Sandy Keiter! Where in town might people run into you? I hang out around Portland State and Lair Hill neighborhood, but I have roots and friends in Hillsdale. I also ride Portland buses, streetcars and light rail regularly. What’s something […]

/ August 3, 2019

How Hip Hop Soulsation Academy Advanced to the World Dance Championship

The competition dance team from Hip Houl Soulsation Academy has won a “golden ticket” this summer — but they might need a little help to redeem it. At their last competition, the local teens earned a chance to represent Oregon at the World Dance Championships in New Jersey. Now the challenge is getting there. The […]

/ July 25, 2019

Little Red Press Wears Kenton Pride

Is Kenton the proudest neighborhood in Portland? It’s hard to say no after meeting sisters Lisa and Kerry McPherson. Lisa and Kerry started the screen-printing company Little Red Press in Lisa’s garage 12 years ago, and their Kenton-themed merch now seems to pop up everywhere around town. “There’s something special about Kenton,” Lisa says. “We […]

/ July 17, 2019

Meet a Member: Julie Mancini

“Shameless plug: We just got a new mural done on our building on SE Grand Ave!” —Julie Next up in our member profile series is a Northwest Portlander and proud grandma: Julie Mancini! What local business do you think deserves a shoutout? Powell’s. Of course. What it provides is so incredibly valuable, and it’s become […]

/ June 1, 2019