THE TEAM

The Heart Behind the Restoration

We bring decades of professional expertise in law, finance, development, communications, and community organizing. But more than credentials, we bring personal legacy. Many of us have family stories intertwined with the very blocks we're restoring. This isn't just a job—it's our responsibility to the ancestors who came before and the generations who will inherit what we build today.

Nicole Early

Chief Communications Officer

Nicole Early is the Chief Communications Officer for Williams & Russell CDC, where she leads communications, branding, and public engagement. Since joining the project in 2021, she has been instrumental in shaping how the story of reparative development is shared with local, national, and international audiences—positioning the effort as a model for restorative land return and Black wealth building. 

As the founder of EARLY PR, a values-driven agency rooted in a Black Queer Feminist (BQF) lens, Nicole brings more than a decade of expertise in strategic communications, public relations, and social impact campaigns. She has guided messaging for government agencies, nonprofits, and purpose-driven businesses while building a team of BIPOC creatives dedicated to equity and inclusion in the PR industry.

Nicole’s work has earned significant recognition, including being named New PR Professional of the Year (Oregon PRSA, 2017), receiving the PR News Impact Award for a Social Justice Campaign (2024), and leading EARLY PR to be honored with an Honorable Mention for Diverse Agency of the Year (2024). She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Nonprofit Association of Oregon.

A graduate of the University of Florida (B.S. Public Relations), Nicole is committed to developing the next generation of communicators through initiatives like the EARLY Rise Apprentice Program, which trains BIPOC creatives to thrive in the evolving media landscape. Beyond her professional work, she is passionate about wellness, travel, and community—often found exploring new destinations, practicing yoga, or cultivating spaces for collective growth.

Nicole’s leadership has elevated the Williams & Russell project into the international spotlight, earning media coverage, award recognition, and opportunities to present the reparative development framework at global housing conferences and cross-sector policy forums. She is dedicated to ensuring the project not only restores what was taken from Portland’s Black community but also sets a precedent for racial repair worldwide.

Every decision we make is guided by Black vision, Black values, and Black community voice. This is what it looks like when we control our own healing.