Executive to lead group focused on equity
The Black Business Association, a new group advocating for the success of Black-owned businesses and improving economic equity across Oregon, has hired Lance Randall as its first executive director.
Randall has more than 30 years of experience in the fields of economic development , community development, workforce development, housing and tourism. His career nationally across various government capacities is credited with generating over $47 million in local business investments, while creating and reserving almost 1,300 jobs.
Lance Randall
As a part of the new position, created in partnership with the Portland Business Alliance and the Portland chapter of the National Association of Minority Contractors, Randall will help to advance a regional Black economic prosperity agenda and create the necessary resources for Black Portlanders to grow and maintain intergenerational wealth, making the city an example to the world on how to change for the better.
The goals include supporting Black-serving organizations and the work they do across the region and implementing economic development activities to help Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) businesses grow and prosper.
“It is indeed an honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to lead and advance a regional black economic prosperity agenda for Black Portlanders,” Randall said in prepared comments.
“My priorities are to support Black-serving organizations and the work they do across the region.”
Rep. Janelle Bynum, a Black lawmaker representing Portland and Happy Valley thanked Randall for taking the job.
“This is an exciting step forward in the Portland Business Alliance’s effort to partner with Oregon business leaders and grow the number of successful, stable, and well-capitalized Black businesses,” Bynum said “Access to education, well-paying jobs and opportunities for entrepreneurship is key to closing the wealth gap in our community. Kudos to Lance for stepping up to serve in this important role.”