Editor’s note: This article contains descriptions of sexual, physical, and psychological abuse. Because of the sensitive nature of their experiences, some sources for this story have requested anonymity. With their permission, we’ve replaced several sources’ names with pseudonyms. All pseudonyms have been marked with an asterisk on first reference. Ray started shaking when he heard the news. It was early summer, and a close friend had just informed him that his longtime abuser was in.
Sharon Gary-Smith and Donovan Scribes joined Portland NAACP leadership at what they describe as a turning point in the chapter’s 108-year history. In October 2020, then-president of the Portland NAACP Elbert "E.D." Mondainé stepped down following a board vote for his immediate resignation. A week prior, the Portland Mercury had published a story detailing the stories of three men who alleged that Mondainé sexually and physically abused them when they attended his church, Celebration Tabernacle..
Elbert "E.D." Mondainé has resigned as the president of Portland's NAACP chapter, according to the national NAACP. The announcement comes less than a week after the Portland Mercury published a story detailing the stories of three men who allege Mondainé sexually and physically abused them when they attended his church, Celebration Tabernacle. In a media statement posted Tuesday, the NAACP writes that it has "received Rev. Elbert Mondainé’s immediate resignation." "The NAACP is firmly opposed.
Ray and others who attended Celebration Tabernacle say Mondainé believed he was directly speaking for God through his sermons, and would regularly make prophecies based on what God told him. Mondainé, who referred to himself as an “apostle,” would also preach about a looming Armageddon that would coincide with his own death. Ray had no reason to believe this wasn’t the truth.
After attending a number of weekend services, Ray said he was asked to meet with Mondainé in his office. Mondainé, who was 37 at the time, told Ray he wanted to help him succeed in his new community and pursue his interest in music and dance.
by Alex Zielinski • Dec 30, 2020 at 11:00 am Ebin Lee
[This year s news cycle was a vicious one, and left little time for reflection. As 2020 nears its end, we re taking the opportunity to look back on the most important Mercury stories written during the past year. This article was originally published on to help continue our work into next year and beyond. eds.]
Editor’s note: This article contains descriptions of sexual, physical, and psychological abuse.
Because of the sensitive nature of their experiences, some sources for this story have requested anonymity. With their permission, we’ve replaced several sources’ names with pseudonyms. All pseudonyms have been marked with an asterisk on first reference.