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Kaia Sand

Executive Director

Kaia Sand
Motoya Nakamura

she/her

Kaia Sand became executive director of Street Roots in late 2017, two decades after she worked as a staff reporter for the Burnside Cadillac, the predecessor to Street Roots. In those subsequent 20 years, Sand worked as a poet, artist, community organizer, and university professor, focusing particularly on economic injustice and homelessness — from a magic show she created about the financial collapse to the Right 2 Survive Ambassador Program she co-founded for housed people to learn from people experiencing homelessness. She taught at Portland State University, Pacific University, Willamette University and St. Mary’s College of Maryland; co-founded Vignettes & Verses, a writing and personal history institute; and performed and taught internationally, including in England, Ireland and Brazil. She has widely exhibited her artwork and served in residencies, from a public art commision at the City of Portland Archives and Records Center to the Despina International Artist Residency in Rio de Janeiro. A  member of PEN America, she is author of three books of poetry — interval (a Small Press Traffic Book of the Year in 2004), Remember to Wave and A Tale of Magicians Who Puffed Up Money that Lost its Puff — and the co-author of Landscapes of Dissent: Guerrilla Poetry & Public Space. Two books in Jim Dine's Hot Dreams series are comprised of her text. In 2019 she was awarded a Spirit of Portland award by Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty; and in 2019, the regional Society of Professional Journalists small newsroom first prize for Best Column.

Articles by Kaia Sand

  • Street Roots
    A photo of Street Roots vendor Dan Newth and one of his young customers and their dog, Dendi.

    Kaia Sand | The Making of the Street Roots Holiday Zine

    By
    Kaia Sand
    December 1, 2021
  • Street Roots
    Photo of street roots vendor coach holding her dog next to a sign that says "I support vendors."

    OPINION | Street Roots vendors coached by Nettie Johnson

    Kaia Sand | In Nettie's new role she provides sales tips and support to other vendors
    By
    Kaia Sand
    November 24, 2021
  • Street Roots

    OPINION | Solutions journalism digs deeper

    Kaia Sand | Foster care shuffle series investigates issues, looks to solutions
    By
    Kaia Sand
    November 10, 2021
  • Street Roots
    A photo of many keys on on top of each other.

    OPINION | City, county should use surplus revenue to purchase motels, other housing

    Kaia Sand | ‘The stability and security of housing can do wonders for people’s well-being’
    By
    Kaia Sand
    November 3, 2021
  • Street Roots
    Photo of the United States Capitol building

    OPINION | ‘Build Back Better’ is a big deal for housing

    Kaia Sand | A key piece of legislation could create inroads to addressing the housing crisis with a massive infusion of funding — if it’s passed
    By
    Kaia Sand
    October 27, 2021
  • Street Roots
    Photo of the intersection at NW Couch and NW 2nd street in Old Town neighborhood of Portland.

    OPINION | Among narratives of fear, an ode to Old Town

    Kaia Sand | ‘This neighborhood beats as one of Portland’s strong hearts, and its people who live their lives in public are people to love’
    By
    Kaia Sand
    October 20, 2021
  • Street Roots
    A photo of a tent with the on the eastside esplanade of Portland's waterfront with tall city buildings in the background

    Kaia Sand | Creating additive solutions to homelessness

    OPINION | Looking at solutions to the homelessness crisis, which solutions go beyond spectacle and prove effective?
    By
    Kaia Sand
    October 13, 2021
  • Street Roots
    Community health worker Haika Mushi distributes bottled water.

    Kaia Sand | Portland Street Response is on the right track, 6-month evaluation shows

    Opinion | Expand the pilot city-wide, 24/7, under Portland Fire and Rescue
    By
    Kaia Sand
    October 6, 2021
  • Street Roots
    Photo of Gary Barker sitting outside the Street Roots office with a cup of coffee in his hand

    Kaia Sand | MoJo program provides new opportunities

    OPINION | Led by Gary Barker, the mobile journalism program forges new paths to education and income
    By
    Kaia Sand
    September 22, 2021
  • Street Roots
    A photo of a park bench on grass

    Kaia Sand | Reduce police encounters for people in crisis

    OPINION | Portland Street Response can meet people where they are
    By
    Kaia Sand
    September 15, 2021

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