Minority & Small Business Week
October 7, 2020
Public Health Director Hired
C ontinued froM p age 12
families in populations unfairly
impacted by health inequities. She
also helped enforce Oregon’s In-
door Clean Air Act that created
smoke-free workplaces to protect
employees and the public, and
she’s promoted health and equity
by helping community organiza-
tions develop policies to reduced
chronic diseases.
Banks has partnered with coordi-
nated care organizations, health sys-
tems and insurers to improve how
pregnant African-American women
transition from clinical to commu-
nity-based care. And she helped de-
velop Early Learning Multnomah,
an early learning hub that ensures
kindergarten readiness for children
of color ages 6 and younger.
As deputy director of the coun-
ty’s Public Health Division, she
helped develop its first dispari-
ty-focused Community Health
Improvement Plan and led a unit
that enacted culturally specific
strategies in the African Ameri-
can/Black, Latinx/Hispanic, Na-
tive American/American Indian,
Pacific Islander and immigrant/
refugee communities. She’s also
well known for her work as prin-
cipal investigator for Racial and
Ethnic Approaches to Community
Health (REACH), a chronic dis-
ease prevention program reaching
75% of the Black population.
Banks earned a bachelor’s de-
gree in psychology from Gonzaga
University in 2001 and a master’s
degree in public administration
from Portland State University in
2012.
Page 17
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Obituary
A Big Personality Who Served, Gave Back
Charles L. Bryant Jr.
1962 - 2020
God blessed the world and us with a beautiful
baby boy named Charles Lawrence Bryant Jr. on
Nov. 19, 1962. He was born at John Sealy Hospi-
tal in Galveston, Texas to Brenda James Bryant and
Charles Bryant Sr.
At a very young age, Charles and his family
moved to Portland. He went to Holiday Park, King
Elementary and Chatman Middle School, then grad-
uated from Lincoln High School in the Class of ’81.
Charles served his country in both the U.S. Army
Reserve and the U.S. Army. He was stationed in
Schwetzingen, Germany with the 649th Company,
as well as Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and fought
honorably for our country in the Gulf War, also
known as Operation Desert Storm. During his ser-
vice, he received numerous decorations and medals,
including the National Defense Service Medal, the
Southwest Asia Service Medal with Bronze Service
Star-3, and Kuwait Liberation Medal - Saudi Arabia.
He was then honorably discharged in 1994.
After returning to Portland, Charles held a variety
of good jobs, but the one that fulfilled him most was
that as an Employment Specialist with Central City
Concern. He served as an advocate and mentor to
Veterans and other deserving members of the Port-
land community. Charles loved helping and engag-
ing with people – he was full of charm and personal-
ity, and was the ultimate personification of a people
person. A testament to his giving spirit was his annu-
al charitable coat drive, which provided winter coats
to Portland’s homeless community. This winter coat
drive started small, then grew in its capacity to serve
hundreds of people due to his determination and
heart-felt compassion.
Charles, also known as “Cholly Raw-Raw, Cholly,
or Chuck” to his friends and family was charismatic,
funny, joyful, loving, kind, giving, and most definite-
ly he was a people person and sometimes even hum-
ble! There are so many words to describe him. His big
personality would always light up a room, and he was
definitely the life of the party. Charles was smooth
and cool, with a walk that you could recognize from
afar. He was very adventurous and enjoyed spend-
ing time camping, fishing, golfing, horseback riding,
playing tennis and watching his favorite football team
the Denver Broncos. Those who knew him well felt
his compassion and kindness. His adoration for his
family was admirable, especially his relationship
with his mother. He relished the time he spent with
her, making her laugh, and assisting with her care;
plus he had a huge heart for others.
Charles loved spending time with his many
friends and family – from simply hanging out fish-
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ing or enjoying bike rides on sunny days, to hosting
barbecues while dancing and singing off key to his
favorite song – “Before I Let Go” by Maze featur-
ing Frankie Beverly. You were never a stranger if
Charles was around. His infectious smile and laugh-
ter were legendary and comparable to none. He al-
ways had a joke and enjoyed making everyone laugh
and smile. Charles was full of wisdom and was al-
ways uplifting and positive. He had the gift of bring-
ing joy to everyone and could easily change your
mood by simply smiling or having a nicely-timed
remark. Charles loved traveling and being in the
outdoors, but above all, he deeply loved his Mom
and his children – Chyna and Christian (Amari).
Charles was preceded in death by his uncle Ed-
ward Lawrence Mopplis III and his paternal grand-
mother Annie B. Thomas, both of Galveston. He
leaves to mourn his passing his grandmother, Agnes
Patterson; his mother, Brenda Bryant; his stepfather,
James Hicks; his father, Charles Bryant Sr. (Linda)
of Durham, N.C.; his fiancé, Melanie Dallas-Bryant;
his daughter, Chyna L. Bryant of Fayetteville, N.C.;
his son, Amari “Christian” L. Bryant of Las Vegas;
his brother, Arthur Bryant (Lisa) of Everett, Wash.;
his sister, Angela Henderson; his brother, Kamau
Henderson of Garner, N.C.; his beloved niece, Ay-
iana Dirks; his nephew, LTJG Armani Dirks; his
most-adored grandchildren, Chaliya Blue and Cam-
eron McCormick of Fayetteville; and numerous
aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Charles was touched by God on Sunday, Sept. 27,
2020 and told he had completed his tasks on Earth;
and that now it was time to return Home. Although
we, his family and friends, think it was too soon,
God knows best, and we accept and bow at His will.
We will forever cherish the many memories of
love he had for his family, community, and many
friends.
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