Our stories.
Our culture.
Our future.
Rooted in Albina. Reaching forward.
Black arts, education, and community.
Connecting generations since 1976.
Arts, education, and community.
Discover the work that connects Black cultural expression, learning, and community life.
Keep Alive the Dream
Music, storytelling, and community voices honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Explore the tribute ↗
Learning through the arts
Youth music, creative expression, and hands-on learning across generations.
Discover arts education ↗
Performance & community dialogue
Performances that open conversations about mentorship, wellbeing, and community support.
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A living legacy.
Rooted in Albina since 1976.
Founded by African American educators, WAFI brings generations together through Black arts, education, and community life.
Explore five decades of creative expression, cultural preservation, and community connections.
WAFI by the numbers.
50 years · 1976–2026
Connecting Black arts, education, and community across generations.
40 consecutive years · Through 2025
Celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through the annual Keep Alive the Dream tribute.
24 musicians
In the Creative Jazz Orchestra, part of WAFI’s musical legacy.
2 neighborhood surveys · 23 years apart
The Alberta Street Project documented neighborhood perspectives in 1992 and 2015.
Meet our board and team →
Explore nonprofit information and public financial records →
The Emeralds and Imperials youth groups, Albina, 1968. Portland City Archives, AP/67369.
Guitar portrait. Photograph by Joecalih.
Albina Music Trust.
Cultural Recreation Band and American Music Program.
Community stage performance honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
DuBois, An Oral History Program.
Black Men in Training gathering.
Urban Wings and Aerospace Leadership Club.