Some events mark a date on the calendar. Others mark a shift in the heart.
For me, TASTE for Equity is the latter.
In 2023, I arrived at the Portland Art Museum with stacks of Dtocs palm leaf plates, thinking about logistics and setup. But as the evening unfolded, I realized these plates weren’t just carrying food — they were carrying stories. Food crafted by BIPOC and LGBTQ+ chefs. Wine poured by makers whose roots run deep in community. Conversations that didn’t just happen at the table, but because of the table.
By the time I returned in 2024, something had changed. The room felt bigger — not in size, but in spirit. The seeds of equity planted the year before had grown into collaborations, friendships, and movements that stretched far beyond one evening. TASTE for Equity is no longer just an event — it’s a living, breathing reminder of what can happen when intention meets action.
For me, being part of the production team two years in a row has been both an honor and a lesson. I’ve seen firsthand how the simplest details — a plate, a glass, a shared meal — can hold the power to create connection and spark change.
To anyone who hasn’t yet experienced it: come. Come see how food and storytelling can become activism. Come witness equity not as an idea, but as a practice. Come find your place at the table — because there is one waiting for you.
Learn more about TASTE for Equity →
It’s more than a gathering. It’s a movement. And I’m proud Dtocs has been able to help set that table.
