A pril 9, 2014
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METRO*
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Portland Urban League Career Fair
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C alendar
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C lassifieds
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pages 19-20
First black city
commissioner
inspired
leadership
Portland Mayor Charlie Hales
ordered all city flags to fly at half-
mast through Saturday, April 12 for
former City Commissioner Charles
Jordan who died on Friday.
People from all over the city are
remembering Jordan for his leader­
ship, especially in his role as a former
director of Portland Parks and Rec­
reation.
City Commissioner Nick Fish
called him a presence that will be
remembered, especially for his ad­
vocacy of making Portland parks
serve families and children.
Current parks director Zari Santer
remembered him in a similar vein,
saying that Jordan looked at parks
Former City Commissioner Charles Jordan, a longtime commu­
as being something to help people
nity leader, died Friday. He was 77.
have a sense of pride in, not only
their neighborhoods, but them ­ dan epitomized the best in commu­ 1974. He served 14 years as Director
selves as well.
nity-building leadership in Port­ of Portland Parks & Recreation and
Just a few hallmarks of Jordan's land."
retired in 2003.
tenure include popular PP&R pro­
In June 2012, the Portland City
Jordan was the force behind Port­
grams such as the free Movies in the Council voted unanimously to re­ land landmarks such as Pioneer
Park, plus innumerable youth initia­ name the University Park Commu­ Courthouse Square, the Interstate
tives. Jordan also gained public nity Center in north Portland in honor Firehouse Cultural Center, Delta
support for critical parks bond and of Charles Jordan.
Park, Southwest Community Cen­
levy measures.
After spending his early life in ter, renovations to Tom McCall Wa­
He oversaw 44 new Portland rural Texas, Jordan served as an terfront Park, the Matt Dishman
parks and natural areas during his officer in the U.S. Army. He received Community Center, and many more
tenure.
his Bachelor of Science degree from public projects and successes.
"Charles Jordan is established in Gonzaga University in education,
As City Commissioner, h ew as
history as one of the heroes of Port­ sociology and philosophy. In 2001, noted for his innovative and uncon­
land, " says Portland Parks Commis­ he was awarded an honorary Doc­ ventional approaches to problem
sioner Amanda Fritz. "His many torate of Law degree by the Univer­ solving. Jordan developed the Com­
contributions to our community live sity of Vermont.
munity Juvenile Officer Program that
on, and his memory will inspire oth­
Jo rd a n sp en t 10 years as put Portland Police officers in local
ers to reach beyond ordinary goals Portland's first African-American
continued
on page 7
to achieve greatness. Charles Jor- City Commissioner, beginning in
S ports ®
F ood
Remembering Charles Jordan
The Urban League of Portland is
hosting an upcoming job fair as part
of its mission to bridge the employ­
ment gap for people o f color.
The free event on Tuesday, April
22 at the Lloyd District Double Tree
Hotel comes as a National Urban
League 2014 State of Black America
report examines income, wealth
gaps, and under-employment num­
bers for black Americans.
“Our response to this crisis is to
bridge this employment gap by
building a well-qualified workforce
with employment services, and ad­
vocating for more equitable employ­
ment policies, while working along­
side our dedicated partners in the
private sector who are committed to
diversity and who recognize the
Urban League is an unparalleled
resource to connect them with tal­
ented and qualified diverse candi­
dates in our city and region,” said
Urban League or Portland president
Michael Alexander.
As overall unemployment rates
fall in Oregon, the official unem­
ployment rate for black Oregonians
is 17.6 percent, more than double
that of the state as a whole. Blacks
only make up about 2 percent of
Oregon’s total population.
The fair will feature more than 50
employers who are looking to diver­
sify their workforce. The organiza­
tion has also directed additional
resources and staffing towards its
Workforce Department, which pro­
vides serv ices to in d iv id u a l
jobseekers, to respond to the grow­
ing demand in the African American
community for job-seeker support,
especially amongst the long-term
unemployed.