Çortlaith (Observer
lune 5. 2013
IN S ID E
TheWeek Review
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Fred Meyer
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S ports
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Diversity Champion Remembered
il!' p o ttia n i» (O b serv e r
Jerry Walker’s
passion was a
better world
Sustainability
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B if f
WWt,A; '5 G ood
O pinion
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C alendar
METRO
Jerry Walker, a longtime commu­
nity champion for diversity, inclu­
sion
and equality is being remem­
« « Tie G o o Ç é
bered for his passion to make the
world better, his big heart and his
gentle spirit after his death at the
age of 60.
Walker died May 26 in Austin,
Texas where he had recently ac­
cepted a management position for
the city of Austin. He retired last fall
as assistance director of equity at
Jerry Walker
Home Forward, formally Housing
Authority of Portland. During his vices of Oregon, Business Diver­
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career in Portland, he also held po­ sity Institute, American Contract
sitions at Multnomah County, the Compliance Association, and Na­
Port of Portland, and Oregon Health tional Forum for Black Public Ad­
and Science University,
ministrators - Oregon Chapter. In
Walker worked tirelessly in the total, he participated with or held
business community to ensure fair positions in excess of 50 local and
and equitable treatment for minority national boards and committees. He
and women owned businesses. He spoke at high schools, local and
was a volunteer in the fight against national conferences, and was al­
HIV/AIDS, serving on the Ryan ways available to assist with local
White Planning Council of Oregon, and national projects in hopes of
where he helped reduce the stigma creating equality and opportunities
from the disease, even appearing on for others.
billboards to raise awareness and to
He was the first person to receive
Page 11 | encourage testing and safe sex prac­ a Lifetime Achievement Award from
tices
Portland’s Business Diversity In­
He held executive board posi­ stitute. The Skanner newspaper
tions with the Micro Enterprise Ser- honored him as a Drum Major for
Justice. His procurement and eq­
uity efforts were also recognized by
the American Contract Compliance
Association as well as a number of
other national and local organiza­
tions.
He also volunteered with Brother
to Brother, Cascade Aids Project
and PFL AG Portland Black Chapter.
Jerry Walker was bom on July 8,
1952 to Sallie and Jessie Walker, Jr.
in Galveston, Texas. He graduated
from LaMarque ISD High School
and joined and toured the U.S. and
Europe with Up With People. He
later enlisted in the U.S. Air Force
and served as a Korean Linguist for
some time. He received a Bachelor’s
of Arts from St. Mary ’ s of California
prior to beginning his lifelong ca­
reer of public service.
He was preceded in death by his
loving m other, Sallie W alker;
brother, Robert Walker, and part­
ners Michael and Phillip. He leaves
to cherish his memory his father,
Jesse Walker Jr; sister, Kathryn
Robinson; brother, Jesse III and
host o f nieces, nephews, friends
and colleagues.
Memorial contributions may be
made to the PFL AG Portland Black
Chapter, PO Box 6743, Portland, OR
97228; the Cascade Aids Project,
208 S. W. Fifth Ave., Suite 800, Port­
land, OR 97204; and Our House of
Portland, 2727 S.E. Alder, Portland,
OR97214.
Date Set for 2nd MLK Dream Run
Annual event
supports north
and northeast
Portland
by L ee
C lassifieds
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F o o d
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P erlman
T he P ortland O bserver
This year marks the 50th anniver­
sary of the civil rights movement’s
March on Washington and Martin
Luther King Jr.’s I Have a Dream
speech. As one way of honoring the
event, the North-Northeast Busi­
ness Association is holding its sec­
ond annual Dream Run.
On Sunday, Aug. 4, participants
will assemble at 7 a.m. at Northeast
Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
and Alberta Street for 5, 10 and 15
kilometer road runs. Along the way
they’ll be cooled from the summer
Proceeds from the event will go
to NNEBA’s Fellows Program, a
youth entrepreneurial training pro­
gram, and the North by Northeast
Community Health Clinic. Sponsors
include the Nike Community Store,
Metro Regional Government, Kai­
ser Permanente, Lawyer’s Title,
Flossin Media, and the Portland
Observer.
The Dream Run was inaugurated
as a way to get people to visit and
promote the residential neighbor­
hoods and business districts of in­
Martin Luther King Jr.
ner north and northeast Portland,
sun by misting stations and enter­ also known as the Soul District.
tained by church choirs. There will
This year on the day before the
be prizes for the top men and women race - Saturday, Aug. 3 - organizers
finishers of each race, and all run­ will be holding an MLK Dream Run
ners will receive t-shirts, cinch packs Health and Expo-tique, with food,
filled with goodies, and Cash entertainment, and booths by busi­
Duckets good for discounts at par­ nesses and health-related organiza-
ticipating businesses. There will also
continued
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be a raffle good for still more prizes.