Community Involvement
Beyond her professional engineering work, J’reyesha dedicates significant time to community leadership and civic engagement. As a lifelong Portlander, her work is grounded in a deep commitment to the city and its people. She serves in leadership roles with multiple community organizations, centering efforts on STEM equity, environmental justice, and Black community advocacy.
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
City of Portland Planning Commission - Commissioner (2025 - Present)
"The Planning Commission is charged with guiding the City of Portland’s land use planning through stewardship, development, and maintenance and of the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code. In their advisory capacity, and through public hearings and discussions, commissioners will review and propose urban design and land use regulations to City Council to achieve City-adopted goals for equitable growth and development with a climate justice lens."
Learn more about the Planning Commission and this year's projects here.
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State Environmental Justice Council - OCBA Appointee (2024 - Present)
"In 2022, the Oregon Legislature passed HB 4077 that renamed and codified the then existing Environmental Justice Task Force (EJTF) as the Environmental Justice Council (EJC). The EJC, established within the Office of the Governor, is a 13-member statewide council responsible to advise the Governor and state natural resource agencies on environmental justice (EJ) issues. The statute directs the council, with staff support from the Department of Environment Quality and Oregon Health Authority, to develop an environmental justice mapping tool."
Learn more about the Committee's work here.
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Metro Parks and Nature Equity Advisory Committee (2021 - 2025)
"The Metro Parks and Nature Equity Advisory Committee helps to shape the department’s planning processes, policy formation and outcomes on projects and system-wide efforts. The committee's role is to provide program oversight to ensure that funding for new projects provided through the voter-approved bond measure is applied in ways that improve access to nature for communities of color."
Learn more about the Committee's work here.
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2021 Multnomah County Charter Review Committee
"The Multnomah County Home Rule Charter provides that every six years, a Charter Review Committee will be convened for the purpose of making a comprehensive study of the Charter and, if it chooses, to submit Charter amendments to the voters of Multnomah County. The charter is the local version of a constitution, essentially creating the structure of Multnomah County government." In 2022, all but one of the MCRRC's proposed ballot initiatives passed.
Learn more about the MCCRC and our annual report here.
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BOARDS / NON-PROFIT COMMITMENTS
National Society of Black Engineers Portland Professionals (NSBE PRO-PDX)
Treasurer (2024 - Present)
President (2021 - 2023)
Vice President (2019 - 2021)
The National Society of Black Engineers Portland Professionals (NSBE Pro-PDX) is the Portland Professionals Chapter of the national organization, and a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization in Portland, OR.​ The mission of the National Society of Black Engineers is "to increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community."
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NSBE Portland Professional aims to support Black engineers and increase the pipeline of future engineers / STEM leaders in the Portland Metro area. Our events are focused on the holistic enrichment of the Black professional, with topics such as financial wellness, stress management, careers in green technology, and professional development.
Board of Regents - University of Portland
Young Alumni Regent (2024 - Present)
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Verde Action - Board Member
Board Treasurer (2022 - Present)
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Verde Action serves communities by building environmental wealth through social enterprise, outreach, and advocacy. Verde Action is the 501c4 section of Verde and will focus on advocacy. More news and updates to follow in 2025!​
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Black Economic Collective (BEC)
Board Secretary (2023 - 2025)
BEC is a grassroots, community-based organization with a mission of community development through financial education, resource allocation, and a collaborative effort.
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University of Portland Engineering Alumni Chapter Leader
(2020 - Present)
The Engineering Alumni Chapter works closely with the Shiley School of Engineering to support the personal and professional growth of local engineering alumni. Visit our website for more info about the chapter or get involved.
OTHER VOLUNTEERING
Holla Mentors
Community Mentor (2023 - Present)
Oregon MESA
On-Call STEAM Coach Directory (2023 - 2025)
STEM Coach - Alder Creek Middle School (2021)
Volunteers of America Oregon
Annual Al Forthan Memorial Scholarship Reviewer (2014 - Present)
PAST POSITIONS
Good in the Hood, Planning Committee
(2019 - 2024)
The mission of the Good in the Hood Multicultural Music and Food Festival is to host a family friendly event for community members, businesses, and organizations where they can share their resources, enjoy music, food, and merchandise from small businesses. For nearly 30 years, the Festival has provided a vibrant community space for Portlanders. The goal of the festival is to provide scholarships and ‘strengthen unity in the community'.
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My roles included:
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Parade Co-Chair (2019 - 2022)
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Social Media Coordinator (2022 - 2024)
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Scholarship Co-Chair (2020 - 2024)
​Building Blocks 2 Success Board of Directors
Board Chair (2023 - 2024)
Board Member (2022 - 2022)​
Building Blocks 2 Success (BB2S) aims to get ethnically and gender diverse underrepresented youth from the Portland Metropolitan area excited about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) through exposure and participation in STEM-related programs and activities.
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Portland NAACP Branch 1120B, Environmental Justice Chair
(2020 - 2022)
The Portland Branch 1120B's NAACP's Environmental Justice Committee is working to provide environmental justice awareness, programming in the community, educational outreach, and legislative change with partnered environmental justice organizations.
My work with the NAACP included:
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Metro Nature Youth Leadership Program
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Grant Writing Support and Management
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Legislative Action
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Learn more about the EJ Committee's work in our 2021 Annual Report! Join an active and influential committee. Learn more by emailing: environmentaljustice@pdxnaacp.org.