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