Steve Zakuani

Soccer Player

Democratic Republic of Congo born and London raised Portland Timbers star Steve Zakuani always dreamed of being a professional soccer star, and yes, that dream has come true. But not everybody can be an athlete. However, everybody can be an inspiration. For Steve, he always dreamed of playing soccer for a living, but it took some inspirational figures in his life to get him to where he his now, and as he looks back on his trials and tribulations, he is dedicated to being that inspirational figure for thousands of kids through his organization, Kingdom of Hope. Founded by Zakuani, Kingdom of Hope's mission is to inspire children into doing great things through the use of scholarships and programs that will allow success to manifest itself in all aspects of children's lives.

Photo Credit: MLSsoccer.com (image cropped) 

Shemia Fagan

Legislator

Growing up in rural Oregon taught Shemia a valuable lesson; hard work and a good education can lead one out of hard times. Shemia learned this first hand, and after performing well in high school and working her way through college, Fagan became a successful business lawyer and has now established herself as a State Representative in Oregon. Fagan represents District 51 where she serves the residents of North Clackamas and Mid-Multnomah Counties. 

Tres Shannon

Co-Founder of Voodoo Doughnuts

There is new cool. And then there is eternally cool. Tres Shannon falls in the latter category. The wild man of rock and roll and Portland’s foodie scene Tres is one of the co-owners of the tourist-friendly shop known as Voodoo Doughnuts (Bacon Maple bar, anyone?). Tres’s also one of the players in a band that has played every Monday night—for the last 14 years—at Dante’s called Karaoke From Hell.  Considered by many the “Mayor of Old Town” Shannon is one of the components that “Keeps Portland Weird.” Really weird!

What do you consider your role in the city is?

I’m not sure, a court Jester perhaps? 

And what do you think is your role in the music community?

Not as much defined as it was in the 1990’s…. I do sing/work in a band for the last 23 years. Playing Dantes for the last 14 years, EVERY F*CKING MONDAY for 4 hours. Enabling a group of musicians good work. We play many events around Oregon. It’s a TRIP!

And what inspires you?

All the old duffers that made this town what it is. My mentors, friends, and enemies. Portland was always weird, and now it’s kinda precious. Get back to being a bit sketchy, you know?

Photo Credit: Byron Beck (image cropped) 

Nichole June Maher

Chief Executive Officer, Northwest Health Foundation

Born in Ketchikan, Alaska, Nichole attended school on the Siletz Indian Reservation in Oregon and is a member of the Tlingit Tribe of Southeast Alaska. In 2012 Maher was named the president and CEO of Northwest Health Foundation.  Nichole is one of the youngest Presidents of a major foundation in the Northwest and under her leadership Northwest Health Foundation has worked to become a champion of advocacy, policy, and supporting vulnerable populations to be the leaders in creating healthy families and communities. Under Nichole’s leadership as a trustee and later as the President- NWHF has given over 70-percent of its resources to communities of color. 

Photo Credit: North West Health Website (image cropped) 

David Cress

Film/TV Producer

David Cress is a Portland film and television producer best known for  his work behind the scenes on the Gus Van Sant films Paranoid Park (2007) Restless (2011) as well as being one of the producers of Portlandia. David has been a big part of the show from the very beginning, back when the show was all about talking about how young people come here to “retire.”  Cress is anything but retiring and has his hands in all sorts of projects including just wrapping up filming of the next season of Portlandia. 

David Cress (left) with Eric Edwards (right). 

What kind of Portlander are you?

Average I think. Maybe a bit more enlightened to what makes it so great here, simply because I have traveled a lot for work and so I have compared and I'm always grateful to be home. I was not born here but I've been here most of my life now.

As someone who could do your work almost anywhere in the world, why did you choose Oregon and what do you get out of living here?

Initially it was the great music scene. In the late 80's and through the 90's Portland had one of the best live music scenes in the country…The bands who where home grown were great and very supportive of one another. You would often see the band members in the audience watching someone else play the night after their own show. The Internet and economics of the music industry have changed that now. Most bands need to tour so there is hardly a sizable town in the US that doesn't get some good live shows but the legacy lives on here. I may be imagining it but I feel like visiting acts try and play harder here because they know it’s a music town.

What do you think are the issues facing Portland and how would like to engage the city in making it a better place to live for all of its citizens? 

Growth is hard. Portland attracted musicians and artists because it was inexpensive to live here. We have had good visionary leaders and an informed community that has kept the city livable. Word is out and with so many new residents it’s going to be hard to maintain. We are victims of our own success. We need to keep the city affordable to keep attracting the artist and visionaries that will keep the town vibrant.

Is Portland a good place to do your kind of work?

It’s mixed. I realize I have been luckier than many of my peers who either had to leave or have not had as many breaks go their way in terms of the great projects I've been able to be part of.

And what inspires you?

Fear of unemployment.

Photo Credit: Byron Beck (image cropped)