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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (March 9, 2022)
Page 2 March 09, 2022 Black Focus Charter School Supported Wendy Weissman KairosPDX, the public charter school in north Portland started by Black women to serve Black and Brown kids, recently hon- ored two individuals who have helped shape the elementary school community. Betty Dorsey was recipient of the 2022 KairosPDX Leader- ship Award. An educator for the past 50 years, Dorsey was born in 1937 and raised in Beaumont, Texas. Teaching always was a part of her life, beginning at a young age when she would teach neighborhood children under a tree in her grandmother’s yard. One of the first Black people to help integrate Lamar College, now Lamar University, Dorsey received her degrees in music and education. Now retired, she is remembered by the children she taught and her reach has ex- tended beyond the classroom to park programs, churches and se- nior centers, officials said. Wendy Weissman is the re- cipient of the 2022 KairosPDX Ambassador Service Award. A supporter of KairosPDX since before the school was officially established. Weissman came to KairosP- DX through Social Venture Part- ners Portland and served as the LeadPartner in that capacity. She is also a long time volun- teer with Friends of the Children and NAYA, the Native Ameri- can Youth and Family Center in northeast Portland. The Week in Review Precision Castparts Corp. has agreed to pay $22.5 million to settle a class-action lawsuit that accused its metal casting facility in southeast Portland of polluting nearby homes with toxic metals. Officials said $12.5 million in payments will be made to neigh- boring residents and their lawyers. Black Landmarks Approved Three Portland Black History landmarks—Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, Dean’s Beauty Salon and Barber Shop, and the Gold- en West Hotel—won approval to the National Register of Historic Places Friday. “These landmarks are important to understand our history and demonstrate the resil- ience of Portland’s Black commu- nity despite systemic racism and government-sponsored clearance, redevelopment, disinvestment and gentrification,” said U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer. Portland Bans Fireworks Retired educator Betty Dorsey is honored for her longtime support for the KairosPDX community, a public charter school started by Black women to serve Black and Brown kids. Toxic Air Settlement The Portland City Council last week voted to ban the sale and use of fireworks in the city, citing rising temperatures, drought and increased fire risk from climate change. A fire at the Heidi Manor apartments in northeast Portland last July 4 was ignited after some- one threw fireworks in a dump- ster. Three people died. Schools Ease Masking Rules Portland Public Schools Fri- day announced that beginning on Monday, March 14, the district will transition to optional masking for all staff and students. This is aligned with the new COVID-19 public health guidance released by the Center for Disease Control & Prevention along with state and local health agencies. Court Ends Cosby Case The U.S. Supreme Court an- nounced Monday that it would not review Bill Cosby’s sexual assault case, leaving him a free man. He was released from pris- on in June after the Pennsylva- nia Supreme Court overturned his 2018 sexual assault convic- tion on the grounds that his due process rights had been violated. New Homeless Services Hub Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler announced last week he would create a new homeless service hub within the city government, streamlining the work of various departments that interact with people living outside, breaking down barriers to housing. Lunch Hour Homicide The victim of a shooting ho- micide that happened during the lunch hour near North Williams Avenue and Dawson Park on Wednesday, March 1, was iden- tified as 55-year-old Mark John- son of Portland. Monday, Joseph Banks, 50, was charged in the case for 2nd degree murder. locally owned by our members Make everyday purchases legendary Finding personal, friendly banking services can be as rare as Sasquatch riding a unicorn. Luckily, better banking is no myth at iQ Credit Union. banking for wanderers & explorers Get your own PNW inspired debit card GOOD THRU GOOD THRU 1/27 GOOD THRU 1/27 1/27 iQcu.com | 800.247.4364 | Insured by NCUA
