In this episode of the Willamette Block Party, hosts Ray and Allie discuss various themes surrounding community engagement, personal growth, and reflections on the holiday season.

They share personal anecdotes, explore the importance of setting boundaries, and reflect on the changes happening in Salem. The conversation emphasizes the need for community connections and the potential for future events, such as a block party, to foster engagement and inclusivity.

Keywords: Willamette Valley, community engagement, personal growth, holiday reflections, setting boundaries, Salem changes, future aspirations, local businesses, block party, connections

Connect with Us:

Follow our show page and our hosts on Instagram for more content, and shout us out using the hashtag #WeOutHereWBP! | @WillametteBlockParty | @allie.havenrose | @raydevante | @xinyafacedotcom

We are here to highlight All Things Black in the Willamette Valley. ⁠Sign up to be a guest on the show! ⁠

Send all topics, community resources, event invites, suggestions, and inquiries to [email protected].

Allie, Ray, and Xavier each have additional projects that they would love for you to engage with. You can find more information by visiting the links below.

• Allie Saunders - https://havenroserealestate.com/
• Ray White - https://raymondwhite.net/
• Xavier Hudson - https://www.wholelottaenterprises.com/

Sponsorship

If you’re interested in providing sponsorship or underwriting for this project please reach out to us at [email protected].

In this episode, Arjay shares his journey and insights into helping first-time homebuyers through his initiative, Keys & Clarity. He discusses the challenges and misconceptions faced by new buyers, the importance of building a supportive community, and his personal experiences that shaped his approach. Arjay also touches on his marketing ventures and the significance of creating safe spaces for community engagement.

Arjay's Business: Real Estate and Keys & Clarity - Located in Salem Oregon ([email protected])

Keywords:

first-time homebuyers, Keys to Clarity, community support, real estate education, marketing, safe spaces, generational wealth, home buying process, financial literacy, community engagement

Connect with Us:

Follow our show page and our hosts on Instagram for more content, and shout us out using the hashtag #WeOutHereWBP!@WillametteBlockParty @allie.havenrose @raydevante @xinyafacedotcom

We are here to highlight All Things Black in the Willamette Valley. Please let us know if you’re interested in being a guest on the show. Send all topics, community resources, event invites, suggestions, and inquiries to [email protected].

Allie, Ray, and Xavier each have additional projects that they would love for you to engage with. You can find more information by visiting the links below.

• Allie Saunders - https://havenroserealestate.com/
• Ray White - https://raymondwhite.net/
• Xavier Hudson - https://www.wholelottaenterprises.com/

Sponsorship

If you’re interested in providing sponsorship or underwriting for this project please reach out to us at [email protected].

In this conversation, Jasmine Kelly-Field shares her journey of embracing diversity, creativity, and financial literacy while navigating her roles as a community member, entrepreneur, and parent. She discusses the importance of understanding the psychology of money, the need for economic empowerment within the community, and the significance of cultural identity, particularly in relation to hair. Jasmine emphasizes the necessity of creating supportive community spaces and encourages others to pursue their passions without fear.

Jasmine's Business: Kelly-Field Lawn Care & More LLC  - Located in Independence OR

Keywords:

diversity, financial literacy, community engagement, entrepreneurship, cultural identity, parenting, economic empowerment, local business, hair journey, psychology of money

Connect with Us:

Follow our show page and our hosts on Instagram for more content, and shout us out using the hashtag #WeOutHereWBP!@WillametteBlockParty @allie.havenrose @raydevante @xinyafacedotcom

We are here to highlight All Things Black in the Willamette Valley. Please let us know if you’re interested in being a guest on the show. Send all topics, community resources, event invites, suggestions, and inquiries to [email protected].

Allie, Ray, and Xavier each have additional projects that they would love for you to engage with. You can find more information by visiting the links below.

• Allie Saunders - https://havenroserealestate.com/

• Ray White - https://raymondwhite.net/
• Xavier Hudson - https://www.wholelottaenterprises.com/

Sponsorship

If you’re interested in providing sponsorship or underwriting for this project please reach out to us at [email protected].

Join hosts Xavier “xInYaFaceDotCom” and Allie Saunders as they welcome their first and best guest (thus far) Sarah Arbuckle, the Chief of Staff to Oregon State Representative, Hòa Nguyễn, serving House District 48. Sarah has been building, sustaining, serving, and advocating for the people of the Willamette Valley since relocating to the area in 2019. In addition to a multitude of experience within state service, Sarah also volunteers with the Salem-Keizer School District, Black Joy Oregon, and Brown Girl Rise. Prepare yourself to laugh, to reflect, and to feel your “feels” while tuning into excerpts from this wide-ranging conversation between Sarah, Allie, and Xavier [with a special appearance from Ray]. Key Discussion Points & Timestamps:

• [00:00:23]: [Welcome, Shenanigans & Introductions
• [00:01:29]: [About Sarah: Introduction & Career Path
• [00:11:28]: [About Sarah: Identity, Culture, & Community]
• [00:28:33]: [Black Community: Challenges & Opportunities]
• [00:39:52]: [Willamette Valley: Future Outlook]
• [00:48:29]: [Hair Stories & Journeys]
• [00:54:43]: [Community Building: Accountability, Culture, History & Action]
• [01:10:36]: [Growing Up & Raising Children]
• [01:21:14]: [Government: Leadership, Wisdom, & Engaging the Youth]
• [01:28:38]: [Final Words & Sign-off]

Shout-outs:

• Cat Amos - PaintedCurly Salon
• Lew Frederick, Oregon State Senator
• Juli Ray Joy - Partnership for Safety and Justice; Black Joy Oregon
• Jasmine Kelly-Field - Loc Queen, Kelly-Field Lawncare & More
• Jevon Deese - ISupportIt! Clothing Brand
• Kasha Marya - Sovereignty Bites Catering
• Mama Gloria
• Nikita Vincent - Twig & Bloom Flower Farm, Cultural Harvest Collective, Oregon Agricultural Trust
• Adrian & Ronnie Wright - XB Community Platform

Local Resources:

• Black Joy Oregon - https://www.instagram.com/blackjoyoregon/
• Black Salem Oregon (Facebook Group) - https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1AwDuJuSKw/
• Brown Girl Rise - https://www.browngirlrise.org/
• Cultural Harvest Collective - https://www.instagram.com/cultural.harvest.collective/
• Kelly-Field Lawncare & More - https://kflawncare.my.canva.site/
• KinCultivate - https://www.kincultivate.org/
• ISupportIt! Clothing Brand - https://www.isithebrand.com/
• Oregon Black Pioneers - https://oregonblackpioneers.org/
• Sovereignty Bites Catering - https://www.instagram.com/the_tasteofsovereignty/
• XB Community - https://www.xbcommunity.com/

Additional Resources:

• “A More Beautiful and Terrible History” - Jeanne Theoharis
• “My Grandmother’s Hands” - Resmaa Menakem

Connect with Us: Follow our show page and our hosts on Instagram for more content, and shout us out using the hashtag #WeOutHereWBP!

• @WillametteBlockParty
• @allie.havenrose
• @raydevante
• @xinyafacedotcom

We are here to highlight All Things Black in the Willamette Valley. Please let us know if you’re interested in being a guest on the show.

Send all topics, community resources, event invites, suggestions, and inquiries to [email protected].

Allie, Ray, and Xavier each have additional projects that they would love for you to engage with. You can find more information by visiting the links below.

• Allie Saunders - https://havenroserealestate.com/
• Ray White - https://raymondwhite.net/
• Xavier Hudson - https://www.wholelottaenterprises.com/

SponsorshipIf you’re interested in providing sponsorship or underwriting for this project please reach out to us at [email protected].

Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Willamette Block Party! Join your hosts Ray White, Allie Saunders, and Xavier “xInYaFaceDotCom” Hudson as they kick off their new podcast dedicated to highlighting "ALL THINGS BLACK within the Willamette Valley." From first impressions of Oregon to deep reflections on cultural connection, belonging, and goals for the future, this conversation sets the tone for what the Block Party is all about: joy, honesty, and community-building in the place we call home.Key Discussion Points &

Timestamps:

● [00:00]: [Welcome, Shenanigans & Introductions]

● [02:07]: [Came From Other Locales to Become Locals]

● [13:27]: [Creating Black Space in the Valley]

● [22:42]: [“Big Acre Energy” – Black Land Ownership Goals]

● [26:59]: [Final Words & Sign-off]

Connect with Us:

● Follow our show page and our hosts on Instagram for more content, and shout us out using the hashtag #WeOutHereWBP!

○ @WillametteBlockParty @allie.havenrose @raydevante @xinyafacedotcom

● We are here to highlight All Things Black in the Willamette Valley. Please let us know if you’re interested in being a guest on the show.

Send all topics, community resources, event invites, suggestions, and inquiries to [email protected].

● Allie, Ray, and Xavier each have additional projects that they would love for you to engage with. You can find more information by visiting the links below.○ Allie Saunders - https://havenroserealestate.com/

○ Ray White - https://raymondwhite.net/

○ Xavier Hudson - https://www.wholelottaenterprises.com/

Additional Resources:

● Episode Transcript - bit.ly/4gdjsVW

● For the Locals:

○ BIPOCs Living in Salem (BLIS) – https://www.instagram.com/blisalem/

○ The Sanctuary | Christian Community – https://www.instagram.com/thesanctuarypnw/

○ Becka Makes Buttons – https://beckamakesbuttons.com/

○ Radness Ensues – https://www.radnessensues.org/

○ Janique Crenshaw – https://www.janiquecrenshaw.com/

○ Hunters of Color – https://huntersofcolor-community.org/

Sponsorship:If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor for this project please reach out to us at [email protected].

Original Music:

● Created by Raymond D. White | All Rights Reserved

Production:

● Whole Lotta Enterprises, LLC© 2025 | Willamette Block Party | All Rights Reserved