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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (July 6, 2022)
July 06. 2022 Page 7 Portfolio project: Bridging a Pathway to Success We did it! We graduated the UNCF Portfolio Project Class of 2020 - 2021, even in a pandemic! By Ninevah Rudolph Lowery In today’s competitive climate ad- vanced education is the gateway to growth and opportunities for an improved standard of living. This is especially true for Black Americans that have endured generations of poverty and lower eco- nomic status. Higher living standards and established respectability in society don’t come easy for disadvantaged stu- dents, often deprived of higher education due to inade-quate funding and college preparedness. That is why UNCF, the country’s largest and most effective mi- nority education organization, is commit- ted to helping students navigate the path to college by investing in both students and 37 histori-cally Black colleges and universities, enabling students to get the college education they need to support the growing needs of our nation. Today, the UNCF Portland Leadership Council, a dedicated group of communi- ty leaders, donate time and resources to propel minority youth to higher educa- tion. Under the di-rection of Leadership Council Chair Michelle M. Harper, the volunteer group collaborates with UNCF Pacific NW to pro-vide programs and ac- tivities for Portfolio Project partici-pants, and to raise funds for scholarships that support stu-dents and HBCUs. Student participants are guided through the col- lege application process and matricu- late to colleges and universities. Portfolio Project, UNCF’s Signature College Preparatory Program, is proud of its 15+ years of service to students in Washtington and Oregon, providing them with college readiness, mento- ring, and financial assistance. With a rich history dating back to the 1970s, UNCF’s Portland presence started with involvement and support from the Ore- gon Alliance of Black School Educators; Black churches, sororities, and fraterni- ties; and scholarship fundraising through the annual UNCF Even-ing of Stars and UNCF Walks. UNCF’s Portfolio Project for juniors and seniors was held virtually during the pandemic. New in-person co- horts will launch on September 24, 2022 at two new sites, Warner Pacific Univer- sity and Clark College. We thank Warner Pacific University President, Dr. Brian L. Johnson, and Clark College President, Dr. Karin Edwards, for hosting our pro- gram. Prior to the pandemic, Dr. Karin Edwards hosted the program at Portland Community College, Cas-cade Campus. This year, UNCF’s Portfolio Project pro- vided $100K in scholarships to students in Oregon and Washington. UNCF believes that “A mind is a ter- rible thing to waste.” Please join our ef- forts to make a differ-ence in the lives of our youth. For partnership opportunities, ways to volunteer, or to make a donation please contact Linda Thompson-Black, Pacific NW UNCF Area Development Direc-tor, at Linda.Thompson-Black@ UNCF.org, 206-292-8859 or Michelle M. Harper, Chair of UNCF Portland Leader- ship Council, at infoport-land@uncf.org, 503-548-3083. UNCF Portland Leadership Council Michelle M. Harper - Board Chair, Ta- mara Brown, Zachary Clay, Domo- nique Debnam, Tiffany Dempsey, Joy Fowler, Bob Gravely, Sheila Holden, Devon Horace, Mimi Hunter, Ramiah Israel, Keyanus Jacobo, Carol Johnson, Denise Johnson, Shauncey Mashia, Kelly L. Mi-chael, Larry Miller, April Mur- phy, Whitney Pettigrew, Nia Rayford, Cameryn Rutlin, Shelia Searight, Patri- cia Simpson, Jesse Welch, Jo’Rita Wil- liams, Patricia Williams, Robyn Williams 2020—2021 UNCF Portland Portfolio Project Graduates Abreham Tegegne, Elsabeth Assaye, Johnni Li, Kidus Solomon, Rachel Fay Uy, Ada Garza, Imara Moore, Julien Odom, Ma’alo Gaoteote, Rein John- son, Aryn Spencer, Isabella Chalmers, Karina Talton, Maya Garcia, Robert Willis, Asukulu Songolo, Ivanna Garza, Katherine Johnson, M’munga Songolo, Thelema Davis, Eden Yonas, Jacque- line Smith, Kelaiah Bostic, Natalie Cet- ina-Huchin, Victoria Robinson, Elijah Truitt, Jaryn Barefield, Keziah Hollands, Paul-Louis Thomas, Yamlak Gebre We are excited to invite the community to our Each One Teach One Jazz In The Garden Luncheon on July 17, 2022, an in-person event at the Hilton Portland Downtown. UNCF’s Each One Teach One is the annual fundrais-er that brings the village together to celebrate the achievements of students, the work of community leaders, and the partners and sponsors that raise funds to sup- port UNCF’s Portfolio Project and col- lege scholarships. We are excited to recognize Michelle M. Harper as our Individual of The Year Honoree, and to show ap-preciation for our leaders in education, area businesses, civic lead- ers, and others. Please contact Linda. Thompson-Black@uncf.org for spon- sor-ship opportunities. For more infor- mation, tickets sales, or to make a do- nation please visit UNCF.org/EOTO. UNCF Portland Community Partners UNCF is proud of the work that we do to support students, but we could not real- ize our goals without the generous sup- port of community partners and spon- sors whose resources and contributions enable us to operate our programs and award scholarships. We extend our ut- most gratitude and sincere appreciation to our sponsors, donors, and leadership council members for their generosity and dedication; Adidas, Alaska Airlines, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Anders- en Construction, Brooks Foundation, Bureau of Environmental Services, Care Oregon, City of Portland, Clark College, Consolidated Metco, Del- ta Sigma Theta Sorority, Glow Booth, Heritage Bank NW, Hyatt Regency, Intel, Jordan Brand, Kaiser Perma- nente—Oregon/Washington, KATU 2 TV, Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, Meyer Memorial Trust, Moda Health, Nike, Nordstrom, NW Natural, Oregon Community Founda- tion, Oregon Health Sciences Uni- versity, Oregonian Season of Sharing Program, PacifiCorp, PGEFoundation, Port of Portland, Portland (OR) Chapter of The Links, Inc., Portland Community College, Cascade Campus, Portland Commu- nity Reinvestment Initiatives, Port- land Observer, Portland Trailblazers, Providence Health, The Nightwood Society, The Skanner, Umpqua Bank, US Bank, Vanport Jazz Festival, Warner Pacific University, Willamette Management Associates
