RtR Community,

My name is Troy Douglass and it is with great honor to introduce myself to you all as RtR's new Communications Consultant. Through this email newsletter, I will be helping to keep you informed of RtR events, relevant antiracist activities, news, and opportunities for advocacy within Lake Oswego and the region.

I am a River Grove, Waluga, and Lakeridge Class of '07 Alumni. In 2012 I graduated from the University of Hawaii-Hilo with a degree in Communications. During that time, I founded an apparel brand named Cultural Blends, which began my entrepreneurial career. The name derives from my mixed ethnic background. My father is Native American (Grand Ronde) and my mother is born and raised on Guam. I was always between worlds, particularly growing up in LO. The philosophy behind Cultural Blends is that learning about other cultures will lead to the strengthening of humanity. I believe there is power in uncovering the commonalities that exist across varying groups of people. It's within these commonalities, or common bonds, that truly bring people together. To make a long story short, this thinking has played a significant role in my entrepreneurship. 

Cultural Blends still exists to this day. However, it operates mainly as the parent company of Back to the Basket, my latest endeavor that bridges the gap between old school basketball and new school basketball. I opened a brick and mortar location on 34th & Hawthorne, and it's a truly a unique experience that is dream store for basketball fans. On Sundays, we host a pickup basketball session dubbed Hoops in the Park that aims at utilizing basketball to build a community and create business networks.

Basketball is one way that has cemented RtR Executive Director Bruce Poinsette and I's friendship over our lifetime. In elementary we were strictly competitors on opposite sides of the lake. You had to watch out for Bruce's quick spin move and sharp elbows. In Junior High we had the rare chance to become teammates on a Summer League team that merged players from both sides of the lake. He was a selfless teammate on the court, and off the court I've admired the work he's put in to become a sharp writer and community organizer. I'm happy to be a part of the team.

In solidarity, 

Troy