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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (July 22, 2015)
www . theskanner . com J uly 22, 2015 s eattle , w ashington V olume XXXVii, n o . 42 For The Skanner website scan this QR code cents Seattle, WA The Skanner News presents our new regional edition, featuring more news and local information. C hallenging P eoPle to S haPe a B etter F uture n ow ACLU Looks at Bills 25 HEAT WAVES The advocacy group discusses this session’s hot-button bills By Arashi Young Of The Skanner News See ACLU on page 2 INDEX News ........................1,2 Calendar.....................3 A & E ...........................4 PHOTO BY SUSAN FRIED P ropelled by the deaths of Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, Michael Brown, Walter Scott, Freddie Gray and others, the Black Lives Matter movement has made po- lice accountability a national discussion. This session, the Oregon Legislature re- sponded by passing a number of bills that protect civil rights and increase police trans- parency. The Skanner News contacted the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon to discuss these new laws and what they mean for Oregonians. The new police accountability bills that have been signed into law are: House Bill 2002 B--expands the definition of profiling and requires law enforcement agencies to adopt written policies on profil- ing. The bill creates a system for reporting complaints and a way to analyze grievances. House Bill 2571 B--creates rules about the use of body-worn cameras by police. House Bill 2704--allows the recording of conversations of police officers when they are performing official duties. Senate Bill 641--co-sponsored by the ACLU of Oregon, requires law enforcement to obtain a warrant before accessing data stored on a cell phone and information about cell phone location. All three house bills were sponsored by Rep. Lew Frederick, who represents North and Northeast Portland. Kimberly McCullough, the legislative director for the ACLU of Oregon, said the bills check authority with increased ac- countability. “We entrust police officers with extraordi- nary authority, including the ability to use force when needed, even deadly force,” McCullough said. “This authority must be balanced with transparency and accountabil- ity in order to deter and expose misconduct, protect individual rights and liberties, and promote public safety.” People gathered at swimming areas along Lake Washington Sunday, July 19 to get some relief from another hot day in Seattle. The 95-degree day was the 8th day in the 90s this year. The record is 9 and it was set in 1958. Fortunately for most Seattleites, a cooling trend is coming and the temperatures are supposed to be in the mid-to-high seventies for the next 10 days or so. Promoting Black Entrepreneurship Workshops provide inside knowledge to aspiring business owners By Donovan M. Smith Of The Skanner News G o to school. Get a job. Make a career. It’s the most commonly pro- moted path for the American worker. But Self Enhancement Inc. has a different message this summer: work for yourself. “Be Your Own Boss” is the title of an in-progress workshop series the North Portland non- profit is offering this summer to empower Black Americans with the knowledge necessary to be a successful entrepreneur in to- day’s field. “I think it’s just really import- ant to give opportunities, just kind of leveling that playing field of access to opportunities to be your own boss, to start your own business,” said Melis- sa Hicks, community and family programs supervisor at Self En- hancement Inc. SEI filled all 20 of its available spots within hours of announc- ing the program last month, ac- cording to Hicks. Workshop topics include transforming an idea to a busi- ness, marketing, reaching the right customer and perhaps the most important thing in the busi- ness world: building revenue. In addition to the program for adults, SEI is also offering en- trepreneur classes at their mid- dle and high school programs this summer. In the program ti- tled Black Oregon Social Start- up Innovators (or “BOSSI”), students will create their own logo and poster for the business along with an executive summa- ry of their mission all of which will be also be on display during the pitch fest. Twenty high school students will spend a month learning about the unique business op- portunities available to Orego- nians, and subsequently use that knowledge to create their own imaginary startup, complete with a business plan. The startups will then be pitched to area professionals, in an event mirroring the popular ABC television series “Shark Tank,” on Aug. 4 at Self En- hancement Inc., in an event that is free and open to the public. See SEI on page 2 Mural Shows Legacy of Black Women Painting called a testament to Black United Fund’s staying power By Donovan M. Smith Of The Skanner News N ot much about the Black United Fund of Oregon’s building on Al- berta Street makes it jump out as the powerful civic and economic conduit that it is. But a new mural, highlighting the contri- butions of several female African-American freedom fight, may help to change that. The nearly 25-foot by 100-foot piece pays homage to freedom fighters through the gen- erations, with depictions of activists, lead- ers and artists including Ruby Bridges, An- gela Davis, Coretta Scott King, Ruby Dee and Maya Angelou. To Angelou’s left stands a young girl look- ing at the dynamic women. She represents the continuation of leadership across time, according to Black United Fund executive director, Kimberlee Sheng, who also over- saw the image’s creative direction. “I felt whatever we did [had to be] really significant in terms of this neighborhood, the history of the Black United Fund and just the grit and determination we’ve had to exhibit in order to push through,” Sheng said. Furthermore, Sheng said, the work of See MURAL on page 2
