Kim Cortes-Martinez

Kim identifies as a first-generation Mexican American queer woman whose passion is to elevate underrepresented voices. The Portland metro area where she lives is beginning to amplify the diverse communities it houses and is rich with Latinx culture and excellence. Kim's family is constantly looking for the best food spots, but nothing beats her mom’s cooking. Kim enjoys spending time outdoors as a camp counselor and is an avid hiker, as connecting with nature reminds her of her home country of Mexico.

Kim is passionate about using restorative justice, community dialogue and prevention methods to decrease the number of young people in juvenile detention centers across the nation. Kim’s passion is demonstrated in the extensive community work she does and the connections she forms. At school, Kim is the director of a leadership program called Renaissance, which aims to celebrate students and appreciate the various identities of the student body. In addition, Kim is a co-chair for the Multnomah Youth Commission and a member of Youth Against Violence, a sub-committee of the commission that works closely with local law enforcement and the juvenile justice system in her county. As a Scholar she is, “excited to expand on the work I've been doing in my community. I always strive to make a place better than how I found it, and this will help me accomplish that!”