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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (May 8, 2024)
May 08, 2024 Page 7 Creating Action Around Bringing Peace to Portland’s Streets Continued from Front achievements of those working to make a difference in their communities through the promo- tion of education and the preven- tion of crime and violence. Each year, one person or organization from each of the FBI’s 56 field of- fices is chosen to receive this pres- tigious award. "Our success as both law en- forcement and an intelligence agency hinges on our ability to foster and maintain genuine partnerships with people in all communities,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “People like this year’s Leadership Award re- cipients not only identify what others need, but they are willing to roll up their sleeves and provide services. They are building bridg- es and relationships while putting in the work to have hard conver- sations and find common purpose. They do it out of kindness and compassion with a sincere belief that justice – in its many forms – requires all of us to do the right thing in the right way." Director Wray hosted the 2023 DCLA winners in a special ceremony at FBI Headquarters on April 19th, emphasizing the importance of community part- nerships in keeping our shared communities safe. These part- nerships – as exemplified by the breadth of the work by the DCLA recipients – have led to a host of crime prevention programs that protect the most vulnerable in our communities, educate fami- lies and businesses about cyber threats, and work to reduce vio- lent crime in our neighborhoods. Learn more about the Director's Community Leadership Award, IPAC, and the FBI Portland Field Office online DCLA 2023 Winners — FBI. Powerball Jackpot Winner Announced Continued from Page 3 when Saephan called her with the news: “You don’t have to go any- more,” he said. Saephan said he was born in Laos and moved to Thailand in 1987, before immigrating to the U.S. in 1994. He wore a sash at the news conference identifying himself as Iu Mien, a southeast Asian ethnic group with roots in southern China. Many Iu Mein were subsistence farmers and as- sisted American forces during the Vietnam war; after the conflict, thousands of Iu Mien families fled to Thailand to avoid retribution and eventually settled in the U.S. Tens of thousands of Iu Mien people live along the West Coast, with a sizeable and active commu- nity in Portland. Saephan graduated from high school in 1996 and has lived in Portland for 30 years. He worked as a machinist for an aerospace company. In the weeks leading up to the drawing, he wrote out numbers for the game on a piece of paper and slept with it under his pil- low, he said. He prayed that he would win, saying, “I need some help — I don’t want to die yet unless I have done something for my family first.” The winning Powerball ticket was sold in early April at a Plaid Pantry convenience store in Port- land, ending a winless streak that had stretched more than three months. The Oregon Lottery said it had to go through a security and vetting process before announc- ing the identity of the person who came forward to claim the prize. Under Oregon law, with few exceptions, lottery players cannot remain anonymous. Winners have a year to claim the top prize. The jackpot had a cash value of $621 million before taxes if the winner chose to take a lump sum rather than an annuity paid over 30 years, with an immedi- ate payout followed by 29 an- nual installments. The prize is subject to federal taxes and state taxes in Oregon. The $1.3 billion prize is the fourth largest Powerball jackpot in history, and the eighth largest among U.S. jackpot games, ac- cording to the Oregon Lottery. The biggest U.S. lottery jackpot won was $2.04 billion in Califor- nia in 2022. Advertise with diversity in The Portland Observer Call 503-288-0033 or email ads@portlandobserver.com OBB Football Practice First Black-Owned Football Team in the Salem Pavilion Arena Continued from Page 3 absent from the area since 2019, with 16 teams announced earli- er this year, including Oregon and others like Iowa Rampage, Wichita Regulators, Salina Lib- erty, Southwest Kansas Storm, Rapid City Marshals, Albany Firebirds, Orlando Predators, Billings Outlaws, and the West Texas Desert Hawks. "We're thrilled to bring Are- na Football back to the great state of Oregon and the Salem community," says Justin But- ler, FourSight Strategic In- vestments Partner. "We know that there has been some time since the sport has been played here but we're building a team based on community involve- ment, fan engagement and a family atmosphere." A portion of pre-season tick- ets are free in a partnership be- tween the Black Business As- sociation of Oregon (BBAO) and the Blackbears. "A Black- owned arena football team is significant for Oregon because it promotes diversity, represen- tation, and economic empower- ment within the sports industry," says Lance Randall, Executive Director of the BBAO. "We see this partnership as an opportu- nity to contribute to advancing underrepresented communities in the sports industry and pro- moting positive social change." The Oregon Blackbears are thrilled to offer various spon- sorship opportunities tailored to fit any brand's objectives and budget with partnership packages designed to maximize brand exposure, connect with fans in meaningful ways, and engage with the vibrant com- munity of Oregon and beyond. Key opportunities include pre- mier, in-game, media exposure, community engagement, and exclusive hospitality sponsor- ships. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, email partnerships@drbmn. com or call (971) 208-5166.
