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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (July 20, 2016)
July 20, 2016 Page 5 Named Champion of Change Subscribe 503-288-0033 ! Equity push Fill Out & Send To: brings White House honor The White House honored Portlander Desiree Williams-Ra- jee Friday along with nine oth- ers from around the country as “Champions of Change for Cli- mate Equity.” An equity specialist for the Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, Williams-Rajee has successfully worked with com- munities of color and low-income residents on a quest to educate them on climate change. She has partnered with several community organizations to cre- ate a climate plan that not only significantly reduces carbon emis- sions, but also includes a prepara- tion plan for climate impacts and outcomes in overlooked commu- nities. Identifying as black and Fili- pina, Williams-Rajee recognized quickly after moving to Portland Attn: Subscriptions, PO Box 3137, Portland OR 97208 $45.00 for 3 months • $80.00 for 6 mo. • $125.00 for 1 year (please include check with this subscription form) Name: Telephone: Address: or email subscriptions@portlandobserver.com Desiree Williams-Rajee of Portland is honored by the White House for her efforts to include communities of color and low-income residents on matters involving climate change. the disproportionate access areas of color had to action towards cli- mate change. “It did not take long to discover in Portland the people who bene- fited from sustainability initiatives did not look like me; the color green was in fact synonymous with the color white and other prickly nouns like exclusion and gentrification,” Williams-Rajee said.“When the opportunity arose, I was intent that the City of Port- land’s new Climate Action Plan would serve to correct that imbal- ance.” Learn Lead Poisoning Prevention A series of free workshops where participants learn how to prevent lead exposure in their home are of- fered by the nonprofit Community Energy Project. The one-hour sessions are espe- cially helpful for households with children or pregnant women in housing older than 1978, or those concerned about lead exposure. Qualified participants receive a free kit of safety and testing supplies. The upcoming workshops are Monday, Aug. 1 at 2 p.m. at the East County Women Infants and Children’s (WIC) office at 600 N.E. Eighth St. in Gresham; Tuesday, Aug. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the Community Energy Project at 2900 S.E. Stark St., Suite A; and Saturday, Aug. 27 at 3:30 p.m.at the Multnomah County Central Schools Chief C ontinued from P age 3 school districts to craft procedures for testing lead, radon and other chemicals at their campuses. In her statement, Smith said it was critical for the school board to figure out how to work togeth- er with each other as a governing board and in partnership with the superintendent, “It is with this understanding and significant concert that I have decided to retire from Portland Public Schools now,” she said. The school board will conduct an immediate search for Smith’s replacement. “This timing gives the board the opportunity to bring in interim leadership this summer before the beginning of school, as we con- tinue a national search for a per- manent superintendent,” school board Chairman Tom Koehler said in a statement. “The board will double down on its focus to lead the district and make decisions in the best interest of the 48,000 kids we serve and the taxpayers and voters to whom we are account- able.” Theater Director Profiled C ontinued from P age 3 wrights share monologues on how they feel about the institutional profiling of black people, the Red Door Project website reads. “Racial profiling is not a new story. It’s a very old story. It is not something that is difficult to find out more about. If it’s not something you have researched from a historical perspective, we recommend you do so and then use your position, voice and privilege to influence the situa- tion in a productive and healing direction,” Jones told the Willa- mette Week. Library, downtown. Register for the classes at communityener- gyproject.org or call 503-284- 6827, extension 109. Providing Insurance and Financial Services Home Office, Bloomington, Illinois 61710 Ernest J. Hill, Jr. Agent 4946 N. Vancouver Avenue, Portland, OR 97217 503 286 1103 Fax 503 286 1146 ernie.hill.h5mb@statefarm.com 24 Hour Good Neighbor Service R State Farm R
