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Introducing
James O.ll. Ekeji
Member of the Communtiy
Development’s Housing
and Community. Mr. Ekeji
is a native of Nigeria, Africa.
“Elmore Willis: A
Community Stalwart
The Future Of African-Americans
(Excerpts from the Congressional Task Force Summary Report
“ The Future of African-Americans to the Year 2000”
African-Americans and the
American Technological Future
Marcus White,
Jorunalist,
Formerly of Portland,
Now living In
Atlanta, Georgia
Septem ber 29,1988
"T h e Eyes and Ears of th e C om m unity"
Volume XVIII, Number 44
At the most general level, If
the future of America is Its ch ild ­
ren, the future of Its economy Is
tied to Its future in evolving glo­
bal technological leadership.
And the future of African-Ameri­
cans may be significantly deter­
mined by the extent to which we
participate In science, engineer­
ing, and technology in the years
to come. The National Science
Board C om m ission on Pre­
college Education in Mathe­
matics, Science and Technology
has Indicated that
Already the quality of our
manufactured products, the
viability of our trade, our lea­
dership in research and de­
velopment, and our stand­
ards of living are strongly
challenged. Our children
could be stragglers in a
world of technology.
Science, engineering, and
technology represent the leading
edge of American Industry and
employment, and they are not
functioning the way that they
should to assure the future of this
country as a world industrial
leade
The Hudson Institute has re­
ported that the population group
from which most scientists and
engineers have been traditionally
drawn, namely white males, will
be a declining element of the total
U.S, population and of the work­
force that is derived from it.4' To
maintain the current U.S. posi­
tion In science, engineering, and
technology, It is necessary to in­
volve more African-Americans,
H ls p a n lc - A m e r ic a n s ,
and
women of all ethnicities In these
occupations. It is no longer a
matter of justice or marality for
African-Americans to be fully
educated for participation in the
emerging American economy, but
a matter of national security.
At the present time, black par­
ticipation In these fields is sub­
stantially below that of Euro-
pean-Amerlcans. According the
National Science Foundation.42
by Mattie Ann Callier-Spears
■ African-Americans, who are
about 12 percent of the pop­
ulation, were only about 2 per­
cent of the employed scien­
tists and engineers.
■ About 40 percent of blacx
scientists and engineers have
fewer than 10 years’ experi­
ence, compared to 31 percent
of European-Americans.
And also as reported by the
National Science Foundation4’,
the numbers of new black scien­
tists and engineers In the pipe­
line are not that encouraging ...
■ Though black high school
seniors are slightly more like­
ly to claim science or engi­
neering as their probable col­
lege m ajors, b lack high
school students are generally
far less likely to take science
and m athem atics courses
than European-Americans.
■ Black college and graduate
school students are not in
fact com pleting degrees In
these fields in the same pro­
portions as European-Ameri­
cans. though about 10 per­
cent of all college students
are African-Americans, they
are earning less than 6 per­
cent of the college degrees in
science and engineering. At
the graduate level, African-
Americans are 5 percent of all
enrolled students, but level,
African-Americans are 5 per­
cent of all enrolled studenis7
but earn only about 4 percent
of the master’s degrees and
slightly more than 2 percent
of the doctoral degrees In
science and engineering.
In
b u sin ess
d e v e lo p m e n t,
though there are no comprehen­
sive studies of African-American
o w n e rs h ip p a rtic ip a tio n In
Industries emphasizing science
and technology, it seems appar­
ent that there is very little of this
kind of activity.
There Is a national need to
encourage more participation In
science and technology by
everyone, but especially by A fri­
can-Americans. The Hudson In­
Portland Observer’s
Special Commentary
stitute report, Workforce 2000,
anticipates that there w ill be
substantial employment oppor­
tunities for African-Americans in
these im portant fields which are
on the leading edge of the new
industrial development. How­
ever, unless a far greater propor­
tion of black youth becomes
seriously interested in science
and technology to the point of
successfully pursuing studies in
these areas, these opportunities
w ill be taken by other new en­
trants in the labor force (such as
white women).
Racism Continues
It has long been alleged that
the United States is a racist soci­
ety. One of the most memorable
instances of this was in the Ker-
ner Commission Report publish­
ed 20 years ago in the wake of a
wave o f u rb a n r io ts and
rebellions.44
Racism persists in the United
States. Though there have been
important changes in widely held
beliefs and feelings about how
African-Am ericans should be
treated and discriminatory prac­
tices have been largely discred­
ited, racist attitudes and prac­
tices persist, and reinforce the
overwhelming subordination of
African-Americans in almost all
areas of social life.
■ Poverty is worse now that it
was twenty years ago. More
people are poor — both white
and non-white. Those who are
poor are poorer. Escape from
poverty is harder. Overall un­
employment in America is
twice what it was twenty
years ago. And unemploy­
ment for blacks is now twice
what it was twenty years ago.
And unemployment for blacks
is now twice what it is for
whites.
■ The Kerner Report is coming
true: America is again becom­
ing two societies, one black
(and, today, we can add Hi­
spanic), one white — separate
and unequal.
ortheast Portland residents brace this philosophy would
may have been surprised serve no useful purpose.
recently to notice the introduc­
The Publisher of this third
tion of yet a third Black-owned
newspaper
that is being introduc­
newspaper to the community.
ed
to
Portland,
has demonstrated
Competition among businesses,
through
the
operation
of his exist­
when well spirited, can be pro­
fitable for all but only if those pro­ ing downtown business, what lit­
fits are shared in some fasion tle regard he has for local talent or
businesses in North, Northeast
with the community.
The two senior media outlets in Portland. His termination of Port­
the community the (Skanner and land area residents and trans­
The Observer) have demonstrated planting Seattleites to replace
a firm and heavy committment to them, coupled with his no-credit
Northeast Portland through prop­ and Cash only policy for adver­
erty acquistion, and employment tisers in North and Northeast
Portland sends mixed signals to
of area residents.
this community.
Factually speaking, the two
businesses proudly boast a work
Neil Goldschmidt was elected
force comprised of 98% N.E. Governor of Oregon due largely to
Portland residents. The third and his Oregon comeback plan. In it,
newest Publication has No invest­ he strongly emphasized investing
ment in the community, can boast in Oregon and buying from Ore­
of no employee from the commu­ gonians. This is an economic
nity, and in fact, is Headquartered strategy that has proven success­
in Seattle, Washington.
ful and to distract from it now
This means profits reaped in would render the plan ineffective.
Oregon are earmarked for deposit This community would be ill ad­
and Investments out of state.
vised to endorse and support a
The economic plight of North new out-of-state venture, when
and Northeast Portland mandates the Parent organizations has
every available dollar be earmark­ responded to area economic con­
ed for the resurrection of eco­ cern with almost utter disdain.
The Observer says NO to this
nomic development in the area,
new
business and any other that
and employment of area resi­
shows
a lack of faith in the areas
dents. To accommodate or sup-
nort businesses ’ hat do not em- of Fconomic Development efforts.
FEATURES
Page 1
EDITORIAL STORIES
Page 2
COMMUNITY FORUM
Page 3
RELIGION
Page 4
ENTERTAINMENT
Page 5
ENTAINMENT
SPECIAL
Pages 6-9
CLASSIFIEDS
Page 12-14
z
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A
Creed Of The Black Press
The Black Press believes that America can best lead the world away from
social and national antagonisms when it accords to every person, regardless of
race, color, or creed, full human and legal rights. Hating no person, fearing
no person, the Black Press strives to help every person in the firm belief that
all are hurt as long as anyone is held back.
r. Samuel Brooks, President of S. Brooks &
. > . Associates Inc., has been elected Chair of the
National Advisory Board of Small Business Develop­
ment Centers, effective October 1,1988.
Mr. Brooks is the first African-American in the
country to be elected to the position.
The National Advisory Board is comprised of
private sector business leaders, and advises the
Small Business Development Center (SBDC) pro­
gram. The SBDC program, which operates over 600
centers in 45 states, provides business counseling,(
information and training to America’s small
business operators. Oregon's SBDC network of 22
small business centers is managed through the
Oregon Economic Development Department.
“ I am very excited about what has happened Mr.
Brooks said. “ My election of Chair is not only good
for th African-American community in Portland ... it
is good for the State of Oregon. That I am the first
African-American to be elected as Chair of the Na­
tional Advisory Board is a a reflection of the tremen­
dous talent that exist in Portland's African-American
community."
“ My job as Chair is to make the best use of the
unique talents of the people on the board in the in­
terest of Small Businesses," Mr. Brooks continued.
“ We hold meetings all over the country and it really
draws attention when people learn I’m from Oregon.
It gives me an excellent opportunity to talk about
N
IN D EX
kind word, an outstretched
hand, and a content heart
are all expressions that would
only scratch the surface in de­
scribing this giant of a man.
He had humble beqinninqs. He
was born in Arcadia, Louisiana to
Molly Grimes W illis and Richard
Willis. He grew up with his two
sisters and four brothers, attend­
ed Arcadia High School and then
worked after he graduated from
high school
He decided to venture out on
his own — so, he went to the
United States Navy. He served
four years in the Navy and receiv­
ed an honorable discharge. After
he was discharged, he moved to
Washington state where he met
and married Jewel Williams. They
were united in 1959.
April 1, 1910 - S ep t 19, 1988
He worked hard to support his
family. He worked with construc­
E. Martin, pastor of the Mount
tion companies in Idaho, Wash­ Olivet Baptist Church.
ington and Oregon. Upon his
He is survived by his wife,
retirement from the construction
Jewel; two children, Travis Bailey
work, he and Jewel moved to
W illis of Sierra Vista, Arizona and
Portland where they made their
Yolanda Ann W illis of Portland,
Oregon; two sisters, Mrs. Irene
home.
"E l” or “ W illie,” as he was af­ Foster of Arcadia, Louisiana and
fectionately called by most who Mrs. Pella Foster of Ruston, Loui­
siana; four brothers, Earl W illis of
knew him, was a man who would
never turn any one away when Arcadia, Louisiana, Clinten W illis
they were in need. Even during of Grambling, Louisiana, Gladney
his illness he was more concern­ W illis of Dayton, Ohio and Joe
ed with his family's welfare and Cephus W illis of Beaumont,
the welfare of others more than Texas; in-laws Willa B. Micna,
Marguerite, Effie, Bessie, Sammie
he was with himself.
For many years, he would go to Lee Buckhanan, Mildred Cham­
Fred Meyer, Safeway and Albert­ pion, A.B. and Herman Williams;
son’s stores and take people many, many cousins, nephews
home who couldn’t afford taxi and nieces, a host of many, many
fare or had too many packages to dear friends.
He will be remembered by
ride the bus.
He had no misgivings about many, many people in the com­
helping people. If a person need­ munity. His willingness to help
others and the unselfish love that
ed a helping hand, he was there.
On September 19, 1988, the was so characteristic of him, shall
Lord called Elmore W illis home, never be forgotten.
for a well needed rest. The funeral
A man of very few words, he
services were held at the Kill- went about doing good as one of
ingsworth Little Chapel of the God’s chosen, should. He lived to
Chimes at 11:00 a.m. The of­ serve.
ficiating minister was Dr. James
NEWSMAKER OF THE WEEK
M
by Leon Harris, General Manager
Gaylene Bickham
Student, Jefferson High
Watch for her column
“ School Beat”
Coming Soon In The
Portland Observer
25$
Samuel Brooks
what Oregon has to offer business and to promote
V n ? ^ . M rB rooks became the first westerner to be appointed to the National Advisory Board and will
»rve the final year of his three year term as its elected chair. Brooks have long been active in the Oregon
nail business community. Besides managing his own small business — a consulting firm — he acts as
le executive director of the Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs. He has served for five years
n the Oreqon SBDC Network Advisory Committee, stepping down as state chair in June of this year. Mr.
rooks currently serves on the Portland Chamber of Commerce board of directors and is a commissioner
’Vhe P o X n ^ O b s ^ w salutes Mr. Brooks as its’ Newsmaker of the Week and as its Citizens of the
/eek. We are proud of his latest accomplishment and his continuing contributions to Portland s African-
m A v is x t n
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