About Affect (pronounced "effect")

Affect

Pronounced ”effect“

Affect is a queer and BIPOC-led project with two programs: Disabled And Here, an interview and stock image series celebrating disabled BIPOC; and the Community Care Awards, small award grants given to multiply marginalized BIPOC through community nominations.

Affect’s work has been widely adopted and used by various orgs and publications, including ADA.gov, Psychology Today, Disability Rights Oregon, and BBC News. We are based in Portland, Oregon.

Historical highlights

Oct 2016 First annual Affect Conf
- Initially started as a BIPOC-centered community conference
Sept 2018 Last Affect Conf
- Over the years: 34 speakers paid, 61 scholarships gifted, 10 group volunteer projects
Apr 2019 First Disabled And Here photo shoot
- Our Kickstarter campaign failed to reach the goal, but we managed to get microgrants
June 2019 Disabled And Here’s stock collection went live
Apr 2020 Opened a COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund
- $950 distributed to disabled BIPOC Oregonians
Nov 2020 Moved fiscal sponsor: Open Collective Foundation
- Previously with Allied Media Projects
Mar 2021 Added illustrations to Disabled And Here’s stock collection
Nov 2021 Started the Community Care Awards
- $3000 distributed to Black and Indigenous community carers
Dec 2021 Disabled And Here hits 100
- With new illustrations, our stock collection grew to 100 images
July 2022 Restarted Disabled And Here photo shoots
- First shoots since 2019, with COVID-safe practices in place
Jan 2025 Fiscal sponsor update: now with Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network
- Open Collective Foundation announced its closure in March 2024; SPM Disability Justice Fund served as our fiscal host for the rest of 2024

Team Affect

Elea Chang, creator
Melissa Chavez, Advisory Council
Roux Haile, Advisory Council