In 2011 after the City of Astoria was challenged by multiple reports of overtly racist incidents, the Lower Columbia Diversity Project was convened by the mayor to enhance the visibility and prominence issues affecting communities of color. The Lower Columbia Diversity Project is building a large base of activists committed to developing progressive strategies for social change in Clatsop County by expanding understanding of how all oppressions are connected, anticipating backlash from dominant culture, and engaging the community in education forums and powerful conversations.