Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 30, 2011)
Bids/classifieds Advertising deadlines 12:00 Noon Monday Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. To place your ad, email advertising@theskanner.com Rob continued from page 9 gling youth and families through the 24/11 initiative. “He was like my son in the Gospel,” said Bishop Holt. “ Rob I think, is an example of manliness: committed to his family, to community, to his children and to his church. He didn’t just talk about it; he walked it.” As the leader of the city’s efforts to end gang violence, Ingram was outspoken in his view that the root of the prob- lem lies with a society that denies basic resources and care to poor children and families. “These are our children and they are exactly what we have created,” he said last September, after an apparently random shooting left six teens wounded. “So if we are so angry and disgusted, then we need to do something.” Doing something was exactly what Ingram was known for. His upbeat personality inspired and uplifted others. His daily Facebook posts were full of hope, encouragement and fun. He loved stylish shoes and wore them well, as com- fortable in his immaculate suits as he was in casual sports clothing. A connector of people, places and ideas, he moved between worlds building understanding and community wherever he went. I expected him to be a force in this community for decades to come —Marcus Mundy As President of the Urban League of Portland’s Young Professionals, Ingram pushed his group to achieve and strive. His expectations were high, but no higher than the standards he had for himself. Ingram told The Skanner News he planned to write his autobiography one day, but had work to do first. “He had a tough job to do with the city in trying to cur- tail youth violence,” says John Canda, who previously held his position. “I still don’t believe people understand what an awesome responsibility that is. Rob did it well.” Rob left no doubt how proud he was of his family. And he had good reasons to be proud. His oldest son Derriel Ingram, now a student at Lane Community College, led the Black Students Union at Benson High school last year, and also won the state wrestling championship. Rob Ingram with Chabre Vickers at the Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Nw annual breakfast Many others in the city, who knew Ingram through his work for at-risk youth or through his inspirational leader- ship of the Urban League’s Young Professionals, can hard- ly believe he has gone forever. Many hoped and expected that he would rise to greater prominence some day, maybe running for mayor or to be Oregon’s first Black Senator. “He was here to make an impact and he did,” says rep. Lew Frederick. “We needed to have him a lot longer than we did. “He left a legacy and a challenge. I hope we are up to it. I think we are up to it.” Here are tributes from some of those who knew him well “Rob’s face was a face that lit up a room. When he walked into a room, everyone noticed. His caring for at-risk youth was his primary responsibility and it was his passion. He loved family. He loved what he did. And you could see it in his face.” Tom peavey, policy director for portland’s office of Youth violence prevention. “Rob was a definite pillar in our community. He was somebody who could relate to multiple generations – the old and the new, He will be dearly missed.” robert blake, outreach worker brothers and Sisters keepers. “He was an excellent leader and I expected him to be a force in this community for decades to come. Everything he did in the community was positive. He had a lot of pas- We honor the many accomplishments of African Americans. sion and he worked very hard. He was a good family man: a loving family man and husband. He was just a very nice person on top of everything else. It’s a very sad day for Portland.” marcus mundy, president of the urban league of portland. “There is not one single person in this city who needs a role model who wouldn’t want Rob Ingram to be that per- son. Rob’s commitment to work was unsurpassed – even when he should have stopped and taken a break. For some reason I was blessed to have a close relationship with Rob. Who is going to do all that work? He was doing the work of 10 men. And his work impacted people in a way that no other person’s did. The loss is just monumental.” Chabre vickers “Rob Ingram was different. He did not just hold positions which signified change, nor did he simply work for change, he was the change…He was unapologetically committed to the improvement of the lives young men of color – a matter that was urgent and always on his mind.” rochell ‘ro Deezy’ Hart “Rob’s death has affected me a great deal. It’s like losing a young brother or maybe an older son. He was a leader, and he understood that change doesn’t happen by intuition but by hard work. And he was willing to put in that hard work. He left a legacy and a challenge. I hope we are up to it. I think we are up to it.” rep. lew frederick We went to the Whitney M. Young Conference in Atlanta: Rob, myself and Crystal Robinson. We all did the Myers Briggs (a personality profile). Rob’s Myers Briggs came out as the Champion and I think that title is perfect for him.‘Champions are greatly concerned with ethics and jus- tice and have a strong desire to speak about current issues and events. Champions can be tireless in talking with oth- ers, like fountains that bubble and splash, spilling over their own words to get it all out. Their strong drive to speak out on issues and events, along with their boundless enthusiasm and natural talent with language, makes them the most viva- cious and inspiring of all the types.’ He was a champion of people, and of life and a steward of the community.” jazzmin reese, formerly vice-president of the urban league’s Young professionals, now stepping into the role of president. “What I remember about Rob is his style. Rob was a gen- tleman. He had a tough job to do with the city in trying to curtail youth violence. I still don’t believe people under- stand what an awesome responsibility that is. Rob found ways to deal with the stress of that position and I think he did that very well. I’m very sad for his family, his children and the entire City of Portland.” john Canda outreach worker and former director of the office of Youth violence prevention “Rob’s heart was deep into community building. He was such a great guy – always positive. He was one of those solid rocks in the community giving so much from his heart. Like a lot of people I’m still reeling. He was so young.” renee mitchell “As a citizen he represented the best of what a public ser- vant should be. His actions and interactions with people all represented shared community. No matter who you were – Black or White, rich or poor, he made sure you got the same attention. He treated everyone the same.” kelvin Hall “We loved him and we will miss him. He was like my son in the Gospel. Rob I think, is an example of manliness: committed to his family, to community, to his children and to his church. He didn’t just talk about it; he walked it.” bishop Steven Holt “As shown by how he lived his life my husband, Robert Ingram, was passionate about our community. He loved mentoring and leading. He believed in every person’s capacity to change, to be a good citizen. Your prayers have given us strength—please continue to offer them for us all. Dana fuller Ingram “It’s an unbelievable tragedy. I was in shock and still am. Rob was a great dude; motivational, inspiring and hard working. He had a passion for helping our community and he was able to go through doors a lot of us couldn’t. He was a voice for the hood bringing our perspective to City Hall. He helped me a lot. He was a mentor and a great family man. A picture of what a Black man could be. We all must step up to the plate and carry on his work.” Samuel More stories about Rob are online at www.theskanner.com page 10 The Portland Skanner november 30, 2011
