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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 14, 2018)
FEBRUARY 14, 2018 Portland and Seattle Volume XL No. 20 25 CENTS News ........................3,6-7,11-14 Black History Events ......7 Opinion ...................................2 A & E .................................... 8-9 Calendars ........................... 4-5 Bids/Classifieds ....................11 CHALLENGING PEOPLE TO SHAPE A BETTER FUTURE NOW SOMALI CHILDREN’S ALPHABET BOOK LAUNCH The Black Parent Initative board of directors announced Wednesday it has terminated the employment of CEO Charles McGee. Announcement comes after harassment complaint, announcement of criminal investigation The Skanner News Staff ednesday afternoon the Black Parent Initiative board of directors announced it has terminated former CEO Charles McGee’s employment, effec- tive immediately. W See MCGEE on page 3 PHOTO BY SUSAN FRIED BPI Board Terminates McGee’s Employment The New Holly Gathering Hall was filled to capacity Feb. 9 for the official book launch of ”Baro-Af Soomaali”, a joint effort of local Somali families, Seattle Public Schools and the Seattle Public Library. The project came about because organizations working with the Somali community realized that many families were concerned about the lack of educational materials that reflected Somali culture. Four Somali families worked with local artist Mohammed Shidane to design the book. The profits from the sale of the book will go to Seattle Public Library Foundation and the Somali Family Safety Taskforce to fund similar projects in the future. Kafoury Names Kimberly Melton as Chief of Staff The Skanner News ultnomah Coun- ty Chair Deb- orah Kafoury announced Tues- day night that Kimberly Melton would take over Feb. 16 as her chief of staff. Melton has worked as a senior policy advisor in Kafoury’s office since 2015, M Men’s halfpipe gold medalist Shaun White at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018. World News Briefs Shaun White is Now a Three-Time Olympic Gold Medalist page 12 Black History Month at the Library page 8 focusing on youth and fam- ily issues, public health, immigration and partner- ship with underserved communities. “Each of us brings our own lens and unique ex- perience to our work. I’m excited about the fact that the chair and I share those values and those perspec- tives and be part of system change,” Melton told The Skanner. “I’m pretty excit- ed that the chair welcomes the lens and the perspec- tive that I bring and that I get to be a part of where we’re going next.” “Kim is the rarest combi- nation of analytical think- er and policy wonk with a strong dose of heart,’’ Kafoury said in a state- ment issued by the county Tuesday. “At a time when county residents are fac- ing so many issues, she brings a powerful intel- lect and perspective to my leadership team.” Originally from St. Lou- is, Melton holds a bach- elor’s degree in African See MELTON on page 3 Black Film Festival Serves Up Old Classics, New Works Running until Feb. 25, the festival welcomes actor Joe Morton as honorary guest By Melanie Sevcenko For The Skanner News t’s not too late to check out selec- tions from this month’s Portland Black Film Festival, held annually at the Hollywood Theatre in rec- ognition of February’s Black History Month. The festival screens both classics and new works on the Black experi- ence, while celebrating the cinematic I excellence of African Ameri- can filmmakers. Running until Feb. 25, the festival welcomes actor Joe Morton as its honorary guest, who will present a special screening of Johns Sayles’ 1984 sci-fi comedy “The Broth- er from Another Planet” on Feb. 24 at 7 p.m., followed by a Q & A. See FILM on page 3 PHOTO COURTESY OF PBFF AP PHOTO/PATRICK SEMANSKY County chair promotes chief policy advisor, whose work has focused on children, public health and equity issues Film still of “Charles Bradley: Soul of America.”
