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

Elevating Justice in Portland
New DA defends policies; says Black lives matter
Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmid defends new policies promoting fairness and equity.

Black Voices Grow Power in Salem
Frederick leads most diverse group of lawmakers
The Legislative session in Salem is historically important this year with its growing number of elected lawmakers of color giving focus to issues long supported by the Black community, says Sen. Lew Frederick, the Legislature’s most senior Black lawmaker.

Mapps Calls on End to Violence
Promotes a peaceful fight for racial progress
New Portland City Commissioner Mingus Mapps wants the ongoing fight for racial progress in Portland to follow Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s lead by being non-violent.

Stepping Up and Standing Up
New NAACP president learned about civil rights early
It wasn’t the leadership she sought, but Sharon Gary-Smith’s entire life has prepared her to be the new president of the Portland NAACP.

Rep. Janelle Bynum on fight for Racial Progress
Says much needs to be done to fulfill Dr. King’s legacy
Lawmaker says progress has been made for Black citizens over time, but more remains to be done, and with a greater focus on direction and purpose.

Dynamic Justice Activist Joins PSU
Walidah Imarisha to lead Center for Black Studies
Portland author, teacher and criminal justice activist Walidah Imarisha named Portland State University's new director of Center for Black Studies.

Portland Observer’s 50 Years
Anniversary renews focus on Black, diverse communities
Celebrating the past with a pledge to continue delivering solid news to our readers and viewers in the future.

Don’t Shoot Founder Runs for Mayor
Activist stands out in field of 19 candidates
Activist candidate Teressa Raiford wants to bring change to Portland government, “We’re criminalizing poverty, we’re criminalizing brown people, we’re criminalizing mentally ill and disabled people and not doing anything about it,” she said.

Ernie Warren Runs for Open Judge Seat
Portland lawyer has deep experience, community ties
Portland Attorney Ernie Warren puts his 31 years as lawyer heading up his own law firm and a lifetime of pursing justice issues as qualifications in a campaign for election as an Oregon Circuit Court Judge for Multnomah County.

Young Activist Runs for Metro Council
Position has no incumbent in crowded field
When Cameron Whitten moved to Portland at age 18, he had no place to live and no resources, but a local nonprofit with a long history of helping homeless youth took him in. Now he wants to give back and is running for the District 5 seat on the Portland Metro Council, a regional government serving Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties.