February 17, 2010
The
Portland Observer Black History Month
Page 17
Get Counted in the 2010 Census
We can’t afford
to be indifferent
by
W ade H enderson
On April 1, the 2010
Census - the nationwide
head count - begins. It is
critical for African Ameri­
cans, the second largest
minority in the nation -
and one that has been
historically undercounted -to be
counted.
The once-in-a-decade census is
vital to the health and well-being o f
African-American communities.
W hy?
Because the census takes a snap­
shot o f the nation’s population and
with that count, determines how
many seats each state gets in the
House ofRepresentatives and where
district lines are drawn within each
state - not to mention the distribu­
tion o f more than $400 billion in
federal funds to states and localities
annually.
These federal funds pro­
vide money for schools and
roads, for health care for
low-income children, for
veterans and senior citi­
zens, and for public ser­
vices that benefit our com­
munities.
At a time when unemployment is
at its highest since the 1980s and
when the mortgage crisis has un­
dermined African-American wealth
through hundreds o f thousands o f
home foreclosures, the flow o f fed­
eral funds coming into our commu­
nities is crucial.
You only have to look at the
difference in the unemployment rates
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to see how distressed the African- mation is also used to monitor and tion would be used by credit agen­
American community is from the enforce civil rights and anti-discrimi­ cies or landlords.
rise in joblessness - overall, na­ nation laws.
This fear and concern is natural,
tional unemployment is 10 percent
That’s why African Americans but by law, all census data is confi­
but for African Americans, it’s a can’t afford to be indifferent to the
dential. N oone— not landlords, not
staggering 15.6 percent.
census. In 2000, African Americans employers, not credit agencies, not
law enforcement, not even the presi­
dent o f the United States — has
access to your personal census data.
The Census Bureau has already
begun working with organizations
in the African-American community
to help ensure that everyone in our
The situation for African-Ameri­ were undercounted at the highest community understands and par­
can communities is made worse rate o f any group except Latinos, ticipates in the 2010 census.
because state and local govern­ costing communities hundreds o f
African Americans need to an
ments faced with huge budget defi­ millions ofdollars in federal funding. accurate count. Too much is at stake.
cits are likely to cut funds for pro­
Many in the African-American Taking 10 minutes on April 1 to fill
grams such as after-school pro­ community didn’t participate in the out a census form and mail it back is
grams, health services and other census in the past because they worth it.
programs vital to our communities, didn’t understand why the govern­
Wade Henderson is president o f
families, and children.
ment was asking for information or the Leadership Conference on Civil
Equally important, census infor­ they were afraid that the informa­ Rights.
The once-in-a-decade census is
vital to the health and well-being o f
African-American communities.
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^Letter to
Blazers Deliver on Minority Contracts
As leaders in the north and north
operations contracts by total ex commitment to the work o f programs our community. And it’s a vision
Joe Nunn, Chair, Education and
east community, we have a keen penditure are with minority -owned such as Self Enhancement Inc., the
rooted in a firm commitment to mi­ Scholarship Committee
interest in ensuring that Rose Quar­ enterprises and 35-percent o f all Urban League o f Portland, the Port­
nority and wom en contracting,
African American Chamber o f
te r d e v e lo p m e n t o ffe rs local Rose Quarter employees are resi­ land Schools F oundation, and
backed by a record o f exceeding Commerce
Portlanders— and women and mi­ dents o f north and northeast Port­ Hands On Greater Portland.
goals on large, complex projects.
Tony Hobson, Sr., President &
nority contractors— economic op­ land.
W e’vemetwithTrailBlazerpresi-
Baruti Artharee, President
CEO
portunity as our area struggles with
The Trail Blazers honor their dent Larry Miller and heard his vi­
Coast Office Products
S e lf Enhancement, Inc.
double-digit unemployment.
commitments to be a force for good sion for a revitalized Rose Quarter.
Sam Brooks, President
Charles Wilhoite, Principal
That’s why w e’re strongly en­ in our community. During initial We are convinced that JumpTown
Brooks Staffing
Willamette M anagement Asso­
couraged by the Trail Blazers’ com­ construction o f the Rose Garden, is a once-in-a-generation opportu­
Margaret Carter, State Senator ciates
mitment to and record o f enlisting the team pledged $500,000 and the nity for our community.
(Retired)
the time and talent o f local women services o f many o f the contractors
D uring these co n v ersatio n s,
and minority business enterprises. that worked on the Rose Quarter Larry Miller made it clear that the
Given the district’s history as a project towards the construction o f project’s commitment to ensuring
thriving, vibrant center o f African the Blazers Boys & Girls Club, which minority construction benefits is
American and jazz culture, that’s opened in 1995.
also a personal priority. The district
the right approach.
The facility was the first in the will serve as an inclusive, acces­
The Trail Blazers walk the talk. nation sponsored by a professional sible gathering place for ALL Port­
During construction o f the $267 sports team. The Urban League o f land, built by the skill and talent o f
million Rose Garden and campus, P o rtla n d ,
L eg acy
E m anuel hard-working Portlanders.
the team pledged to provide con­ Children’s Hospital, and Portland
Rose Quarter development holds
tracting opportunities for MBE and (now Oregon) Sports Authority the promise o f generating thou­
WBE firms, and in fact, exceeded the were also beneficiaries o f the Trail sands o f jobs— including women
city’s goals.
Blazers Rose Garden construction and minority contracting opportu­
Dr. Marcelitte
By the numbers: The Trail Blaz­ project.
nities— creating an important, for­
FaiUa
ers achieved a 40-percent greater
The Trail Blazers, its team, staff ward-looking project for our city.
Chiropractic
minority-owned business participa­ and owner continue to make signifi­
We believe local entrepreneurs
tion and 100-percent greater women- cant contributions to programs in will look back with pride at their
Physician
owned business participation than Portland supporting children that work helped to forge something last­
the city o f Portland’s goals at the have garnered national recognition ing and meaningful for North and
time. This is an impressive record of and awards. Most notably, their Northeast Portland. And it’s not
We are located at
ensuring that large projects don’t support o f the Albina Head Start just about construction: JumpTown
1716 N.E. 42nd Ave.
just benefit a handful o f large firms. program to include contributions to will help create ongoing opportuni­
Portland, OR 97213
Given the complexity, size and the building o f the McCormack- ties for minority entrepreneurs for
(Between Broadway and Sandy Blvd.)
scope o f JumpTown, we appreciate Matthews Center, the restoration o f operations, services and as tenants
the Trail Blazers’ experience deliv­ all basketball courts in Portland o f the district.
• Automobile accident injuries
ering on big projects. The operation Public high schools, the assist to
The Trail Blazers have a vision
• Chronic headache and joint pain
o f the Rose Quarter has also ben- the Eddie Barnett Foundation that for the Rose Quarter and a team with
• Workers Compensation injuries
efitted the north and northeast com­ placed AEDs in all Portland Public the chops to make it happen. It’s a
munity: 29-percent o f Rose Quarter high schools, and their on-going vision fora project that is of, and for,
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