About the Soul District Business Association

Rooted in Legacy. Building Opportunity.

The Soul District Business Association (SDBA) has been strengthening businesses and community vitality in inner North and Northeast Portland since 1977. As one of the city’s longest-standing business districts, SDBA supports a vibrant network of more than 5,000 businesses and 64,000 residents rooted in culture, resilience, and entrepreneurship.

SDBA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing economic opportunity, supporting small businesses, and advocating for the long-term prosperity of Portland’s Soul District.

Rooted in the cultural legacy of Portland’s historic Black community, SDBA works to ensure that the district continues to be a place where entrepreneurs, families, and community leaders can thrive for generations to come.

A District with Deep Roots

The Soul District represents an important cultural and economic corridor within Portland’s inner North and Northeast neighborhoods. For generations, this area has been home to entrepreneurs, community leaders, artists, and cultural institutions that helped shape Portland’s identity.

Originally known as the North/Northeast Business Association (NNEBA), the organization evolved into the Soul District Business Association as the community and business landscape expanded.

Today, the Soul District stretches from NE 33rd Avenue to NE Interstate Avenue, and from NE Broadway to NE Columbia Boulevard, encompassing a dynamic mix of small businesses, neighborhood institutions, and emerging entrepreneurs.

Together, they form one of Portland’s most vibrant and resilient business communities.

Where Culture, Community, and Commerce Meet

The Soul District is more than a collection of businesses—it is a place where culture, community pride, and entrepreneurship intersect.

Generations of small business owners have helped shape the character of the corridor, creating spaces where neighbors gather, ideas grow, and culture thrives. Today, that legacy continues as new entrepreneurs join long-standing businesses in building the district’s economic future.

SDBA works to ensure that the Soul District remains a place where opportunity, creativity, and community leadership continue to flourish.

Investing in the Next Generation

A core part of SDBA’s work is supporting future entrepreneurs and community leaders.

Through youth internships, fellowships, and educational programs, we connect young people with opportunities to learn about business, leadership, and community development. These programs help build confidence, skills, and pathways for the next generation to contribute to the continued vitality of the Soul District.

The MLK Dream Run

Each year, the Soul District Business Association hosts the MLK Dream Run, our signature community event celebrating health, entrepreneurship, and community connection.

The Dream Run brings together runners, families, small businesses, and community partners from across the region to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. while supporting local economic development.

Proceeds from the event help fund youth internships and educational programs that expand opportunity for entrepreneurs and emerging leaders within the Soul District.

Our Commitment

The Soul District Business Association supports the growth, sustainability, and success of small businesses in Portland’s Soul District, with a strong commitment to entrepreneurs and communities that have historically faced barriers to economic opportunity.

Through culturally responsive technical assistance, community-rooted economic development, and intergenerational leadership, we work to:

  • Strengthen small businesses

  • Preserve the cultural legacy of the district

  • Expand access to economic opportunity

  • Build lasting community health and wealth

Together with our partners, businesses, and community members, we continue to shape a Soul District that honors its past while building a strong and inclusive future.

Be Part of the Soul District

Whether you're a small business owner, community member, or partner organization, there are many ways to connect with the Soul District Business Association and support the vitality of this historic corridor.

Explore our programs, attend an event, or get involved in strengthening Portland’s Soul District.