Beverly Corbell is a writing and editing professional. She works as a free lance reporter and photographer for the Portland Observer.
Recent Stories

Portland Police Hires New Recruits
PPB swears in the larges class of recruits in decades
Portland Police Hires New Recruits

Dean’s Salon and Barber Shop Gets Historic Recognition
Black Landmark Recognized
Dean’s Salon and Barber Shop gets historic recognition

Cautious Support for Body Cams
Clark County sends measure to voters
Primarily, the cameras would make the sheriff’s office more accountable to the public, Clark County Sheriff Chuck Atkins said.

Creating Pathways for Success
Annual UNCF drive propels Black students
A dedicated group from the Black community is once again raising scholarships this summer to help local high school students of color get the financial assistance they need to go on to higher education, while also providing them valued mentorships.

‘Put Gun Control on the Ballot’
Leaders urge people to sign petition
Gun control activists rooted in the black community have joined Lift Every Voice Oregon, a statewide group of interfaith leaders, to encourage others to join them by adding their name to a petition to put gun control on the November ballot.

New Leader in Housing Crisis
Ivory Mathews takes helm at Home Forward
For Ivory Mathews, the first Black woman to lead public housing authority Home Forward, the job is a continuation of a lifelong journey from poverty to activism.

Hardesty Campaigns on Street Response Success
Other black candidates run in crowded fields
Portland City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty and Multnomah County Deputy Sheriff Derrick Peterson are two members of the Black community asking for support of voters in the May 17 Primary vote-by-mail election.

Audit Critical of Police during Protests
Activists call for changes in tactics and procedures
Activists for police reform are calling on changes in police tactics following an audit finding that Portland Police violated the civil rights of protesters during the Black Lives Matter marches of 2020, demonstrations sparked by the murder of George Floyd by a white Minneapolis police officer.

Racing Sanctioned
Champion driver puts emphasis on safety
Doug Lyons is champion drag racer who is promoting safe alternatives to illegal street racing.

Eviction Fears Grow
As housing relief dries up, crisis moves to a new stage
There are still some options to help renters trying to avoid eviction during the current housing crisis even though the state agency managing an emergency rental assistance fund shut down all applications on Monday.