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Meet Marcus Ford: Community Engagement Manager

Post Date:07/27/2023

Marcus Ford's experience in public service and passion for advocacy helps to address disparities and enhance community involvement for all Hillsboro residents. We asked Marcus to share what makes his work so meaningful and impactful.

Marcus, tell us more about yourself.

I recently found out that I live in the Cultural Arts District of Hillsboro. I am a big fan of the arts in general so, it is awesome knowing this is something I get to be a part of.

I love going to events in the community, whether it is a show at Bag & Baggage Theatre, a cultural celebration at Shute Park, or shopping at the amazing shops at M&M Marketplace. I enjoy being a part of the community I live in.

Marcus Ford outdoors

What experiences in your life led you to work in Community Engagement?

Prior to transitioning into Community Engagement, I was a Probation and Parole Officer at Washington County. One of the more memorable experiences in my role as the Transition Officer was working with individuals leaving prison and returning to the community.

I was able to help coordinate, advocate for, and participate in bringing members of the community into the prison (Oregon State Penitentiary) for CrossFit competitions. It was extremely rewarding and incredibly fun, and sparked a passion in me to continue to lift the voice of those whose voices have been silenced.

How does your job directly benefit Hillsboro community members?

As the Community Engagement Manager for the City of Hillsboro, a significant portion of my role is to uplift the voices of historically and currently excluded communities. While there are numerous groups that fit this description, I am intentionally starting with our Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities here in Hillsboro.

What is it like to spend a day doing your job?

Exhilarating and exhausting – can I invent a word? Exhilarausting. I am constantly inspired by the people I connect with, the stories I hear, and the changes I see. At the same time, I am regularly challenged with the inequities within our systems.

I love what I do — and I’m not the only one doing it — but we need help. Whether it is ongoing meetings, community events, or all the planning and logistics that goes into that, I am always running from one thing to the next — and I love that.

What goals are you focusing on?

I want to help make local government more accessible to everyone. There are a lot of people in our community who are already connected and know how their government can support them. There are a lot MORE people who don’t have this level of access — I want to change that.

There are a lot of goals within that statement I could expand on, but ultimately it all comes back to that. We have a responsibility to build trust of local government within our historically and currently excluded communities.

As you reach out to community members for input and feedback, what are you hoping to hear?

The truth. The raw, uncomfortable, unfiltered truth. Dominant culture — White Supremacy culture — has conditioned us to believe our individual voice doesn’t matter. We all have a story and a truth to tell — my hope is that we here at the City of Hillsboro can create an environment that is welcoming for all our diverse communities to speak their truth without fear of negative repercussions.

What are the top questions community members ask you?

I am asked frequently about how community members can have a bigger impact in local government. My response varies from person to person, but the overarching theme is reminding folks that government is here to work for them. If people don’t feel secure enough to raise up an issue, I will let them know that I will do my best to present their voice in spaces where it will be heard.

What projects have you worked on that have been particularly interesting?

The Hillsboro Camping Ordinance update has been fascinating. It has been amazing watching a diverse group of passionate individuals representing different ideologies converse and learn from each other. This is the kind of thing that creates progress and change in our community.

Who inspires you?

Prince. Not only is he my favorite artist of all time, but he also taught me a lot about myself at a very young age. Prince was comfortable and confident being himself, even when being himself wasn’t “acceptable.” He embraced who he was and stood up in the face of executives and authorities that told him he couldn’t. He empowered others to do the same up until the day he died.

Tell us something people wouldn’t guess about you?

I’m a gamer! All kinds of games! Board games, video games, tabletop games, role playing games, sports — any and all. I’m in an active Dungeons and Dragons type game that we have been playing since February 2021. I also go to GenCon every year, which is a gaming convention in Indianapolis with a couple friends that I met in the early 2000s playing World of Warcraft.

What do you like most about Hillsboro?

I am a big fan of both the Pride Party and the Juneteenth events in June. Those community gatherings where we are celebrating people bring me a lot of joy.

What’s the best way to ask you a question?

Email me! — Marcus.Ford@Hillsboro-Oregon.gov — if email isn’t your cup of tea, call me and let’s grab tea or coffee and chat 971-424-8818. I’m nothing if not accessible.

I have a very busy schedule, but I will always make time for community! While you’re at it, check out the Engage Hillsboro webpage to find out ways for your voice to be heard!