After Trump’s election, Fran Bittakis decided to host a monthly conversation to help alleviate some of the stress.
“I wanted to have a way for ladies to come together and talk about our feelings,” she says.
These gatherings evolved into NXT LVL, the Portland-based nonprofit collective that’s partying for social justice. Since forming at the end of 2016, the group has hosted four events, with the proceeds from each going to local organizations benefiting marginalized communities. In a city that often fails to represent these communities, NXT LVL’s parties center on POC, queer, and trans performers and staff.
For their fifth event, NXT LVL is joining forces with She Shreds for an all-day celebration of women of color. Proceeds will benefit Brown Girl Rise, an organization dedicated to creating radical sisterhood among young, brown femmes by teaching them how to reclaim their connection to their bodies, communities, land, health, and creativity, and Queer Rock Camp, an annual summer camp empowering LGBTQ youth through musical performance. Attendees are encouraged to bring tampons for Portland Menstrual Society, with donations going to PSU’s Pan-African Commons and La Casa Latina Student Center.