Soul of the City: Still We Rise

THIS YEAR'S SOUL OF THE CITY IS POWERED BY V&B PHILANTHROPY

SOUL OF THE CITY: STILL WE RISE PROGRAM

Hosted by Tra’Renee Chambers & Ken Boddie

Dinner

Cuisine prepared by Art of Catering

Welcome

Trent Aldridge

Invocation

Cherie Davis

Soul of the City Awards Presentation

Tony Hopson

Life Has Options Award Presentation

Rukaiyah Adams

SEI Student Performances

Directed by Cinda Jackson

Produced by Brandon “B Knock” Dean & Motaz

Choreography by Leslie Newton & Marché Black

Remarks from our Guest of Honor

Queen Latifah

SEI Alumni Testimonials

Nyla Moore & Tristan Irving

Paddle Raise

Johnna Wells

Thanks to our Sponsors

Closing Remarks

Orlando Williams

After Party

Cigar Bar

Live DJ | Motaz

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

The foundation of every community is its people. Those individuals who live, work and play within their neighborhoods. Just like the mighty oak tree with its deep roots and branches spreading into the sky, we are people also with deep roots and connections that spread throughout the community. Like the tree, people need to be watered, they need to be nurtured, they need sunshine, and they need love.

The theme tonight is “Still We Rise.” It is SEI’s mission to provide that water, to provide that sunshine, and nurture every individual connected to our purpose. We are rooted in love, hope, faith, and service.

Our work is never-ending and our tree forever blossoms

And Still We Rise!

Tony L. Hopson President & CEO

OUR HISTO

Self Enhancement, Inc. was established in 1981 by Tony Hopson, Sr., a lifelong North Portland resident and community leader. It began as a one-week summer basketball camp aimed at providing a positive alternative for African American teens living in an area of Portland that was leaving them behind.

By 1989, SEI had grown into a year-round program providing academic support and comprehensive wraparound services for African American students and their families. In 1997, SEI opened the Center for Self Enhancement, which continues to serve as a safe haven for thousands of children and is the hub of SEI’s work. SEI has remained a pillar in the North Portland community and continues to expand its programs to provide youth and families with a continuum of services.

OUR HISTORY

Today, SEI is a comprehensive, one-stop resource for youth and families, primarily African Americans and others living in poverty or seeking culturally responsive services. It is also

one of the city’s leading multi-services organizations, providing thousands of youth, families, and adults with a wide array of educational and social services on an annual basis.

SEI’s strength is in its ability to meet the complex needs of the children and families it serves, including helping people to overcome cultural, educational and economic barriers.

SEI is committed to helping youth and families realize their full potential. SEI believes that every child has a gift and that it is our shared responsibility to help every child find that gift. By expanding learning opportunities and teaching every child that “Life Has Options,” SEI is seeing amazing results proving that SEI is the solution.

OUR MISS

Self Enhancement, Inc. is dedicated to guiding underserved youth and families to realize their full potential. Working with schools, families, and community partner organizations, SEI provides support, guidance, and opportunities to achieve personal and academic success. SEI brings hope to individual young people and enhances the quality of family and community life.

OUR CONTINUUM OF SERVICES

In-School

Our In-School Program begins with students as young as the second grade. Each student is matched with an In-School Service Coordinator who provides 24/7 case management, tracking scholastic achievement, attendance, and behavior.

After-School

Our After-School Program offers academic support as well as exposure to a variety of classes in the areas of health and wellness, arts and performance, life skills, and leadership development.

Summer Program

Each summer, we provide five weeks of full-day programming. The program emphasizes academic enrichment, recreational activities, involvement in the arts, exposure to the community, and preparation for post-secondary education and employment.

OUR CONTINUUM OF SERVICES

Schools Uniting Neighborhoods (SUN)

We manage full-service neighborhood hubs where students and families access educational support, enrichment and recreational activities, skill development, and community involvement programs in 18 schools through contracts with Multnomah County and the City of Portland.

Post-High School

We believe in continuing to support our students after they graduate high school to help them be successful. We provide support for developing employment and career goals, entering and succeeding in college, as well as financial literacy and basic life skills.

Parent Involvement

Our Parent Involvement Program provides case management, support, and networking to address potential barriers to maintaining a healthy family environment and a positive home-school relationship.

OUR CONTINUUM OF SERVICES

Housing & Energy Assistance

We provide short-term rental assistance for families at risk of eviction and work with houseless community members to eliminate barriers to longterm housing. We also assist households at risk of losing power to their home. Our goal is that every family has a warm and safe environment for themselves and their children.

Anti-Domestic and Sexual Violence Program

We provide culturally specific services for African American survivors of violence, sexual assault, stalking, sex trafficking, and other trauma. Our confidential advocates provide consistent support, build trust, rebuild confidence and hope, and empower survivors to reach new goals.

Child Welfare Program

We work with children and parents involved with the DHS Child Welfare system to ensure African American families can successfully navigate it. We provide resources so children can remain in their homes, or work to reduce barriers so children can return to the care of their parents.

SOUL OF THE CITY AWARDEE JANELLE BYNUM

A courageous trailblazer, State Representative Janelle Bynum is serving her fourth term as the Oregon State Representative for House District 39 (Happy Valley and North (Clackamas) In the Legislature, she is Chairwoman of the House Committee on Small Business/Economic Development and co-chair of the Joint Committee on Semiconductors. She also serves as a senior Member of the House Judiciary Committee.

During her tenure in the Legislature, Janelle has spearheaded bipartisan initiatives encompassing voter engagement and turnout; investment in K-12 and higher education; juvenile and criminal justice reform; and targeted support for underrepresented businesses. She is widely recognized for her tireless efforts to pass landmark legislation on police accountability along with mental health workforce investments, the CROWN Act, diversification of corporate boards, and increased access to the ballot for youth.

Janelle and her husband Mark are parents to four children and own four McDonald’s Restaurants in SE Portland and Clackamas County. She has served on the Board of Trustees for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon, Business Oregon, the Center for Women’s Leadership, and the Oregon Commission on Black Affairs. Janelle is an amplifier of Black voices across the state and represents the 27 local McDonald’s owner-operators of Oregon and SW Washington who are proud supporters of SEI.

SOUL OF THE CITY AWARDEE LORETTA SMITH

Loretta Smith is currently the Founder and CEO of Dream Big Communications LLC, a government relations, advocacy, and public affairs firm since 2019 Loretta was driven by her humble upbringing in a service-oriented, working-class family and overcame great obstacles, becoming the first in her family to graduate from college. As a small business owner and public servant Loretta has dedicated her life to building pathways of opportunity for her community.

Loretta worked for over 20 years on the staff of U.S. Senator Ron Wyden and served eight years on the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners (2011-2018), breaking barriers as the second Black person elected to the Commission since its founding in 1855.

During her role as Commissioner, Loretta collaborated with many to author and pass over a hundred historic ordinances and resolutions She created a successful paid summer jobs program for young people ages 16 to 24. The Obama White House recognized Loretta for her leadership on workforce development as a model for the nation during a gathering in Washington D.C.

Loretta has supported capital for minority entrepreneurs, created new programs that increased funding for organizations of color, and addressed the digital divide by securing computers for seniors and lowincome families. Believing representation matters, in 2022 Loretta ran for Oregon's new 6th Congressional District, being the first Black woman to run for Congress in Oregon.

Loretta is a proud mother and grandmother. Her son Jordan attended Portland Public Schools and earned a college scholarship to attend the University of Washington.

LIFE HAS OPTIONS AWARDEE JOHN

DONAHOE

John Donahoe is President & CEO of NIKE, Inc. He is responsible for the continued growth of Nike’s global business portfolio, which includes the Nike, Jordan, and Converse brands. John became president and CEO of NIKE in January 2020 and has served on the Board of Directors since 2014.

Since its founding, Nike has been the biggest champion for athletes and sport, remaining

committed to breaking barriers and building active, inclusive communities to change the game for all. Through its Black Community Commitment in the U.S., Nike is advancing equality by investing in local and national organizations focused on economic empowerment, education innovation and social justice reform. This work continues Nike’s long-time commitment to nonprofit organizations serving the Black community, including Self Enhancement, Inc., which the company and its leaders have supported since SEI’s inception through grants, leadership experiences and employee engagement.

Prior to joining Nike, John was the president and CEO of ServiceNow and of eBay Inc., and he continues to serve as chairman of the board at PayPal Earlier in his career, he worked for Bain & Company for nearly two decades, becoming the firm’s president and CEO in 1999. A former basketball player and lifelong sports fan, John received an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Dartmouth College

John is married to Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe. They have four children and five grandchildren.

GUEST OF HO QUEEN LAT

Queen Latifah is a Grammy and Emmy awardwinning and Oscar-nominated musician, actress, producer, label president, author, and entrepreneur. Her previous film credits include Jungle Fever, Set it Off, Chicago, Bringing Down The House, Beauty Shop, The Last Holiday, Life Support, Bessie, Girls Trip, and End of the Road. Her television credits include Living Single and Star. Latifah starred in the live television adaptations of The Wiz Live! for NBC and The Little Mermaid Live! for ABC.

Latifah has earned six Grammy Award nominations, as well as a Grammy Award for Best Solo Rap Performance in 1994. In 2004, she was nominated for Best Female Rap Solo Performance for “Go Head.” In 2005, she was nominated for Best Jazz Vocal Album for “The Dana Owens Album,” and in 2008, she was nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for “Trav’lin Light.”

Latifah can currently be seen in the hit CBS series The Equalizer, of which she is also an executive producer.

OUR LEADER

BOARD OF DIRE

Bryan Steelman

Jesse Welch

Kiosha Ford

Lolenzo Poe

Miles Davis

Morgan Beltz

Orla Raym Sha To Van

Thank you to our recent past Board Members: Jan Turner, Karolyn Neupert Gordon, Lynn Ogden, Reggie Guyton, and William Mitchell

FOUNDATION BOARD PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL

David Lokting

Orlando Williams

Al Fleenor

Charles Mitchell

Sherrie Mitchell

Larry Miller

Kenneth Carr

VE TEAM

Tony Hopson

Trent Aldridge

Mariet Steenkamp

Freda Walker

Renita Crowell

Cherie Davis

Anthony Deloney

Tamra Hickok

Melissa Hicks

Tony Hopson, Jr.

Sahaan McKelvey

Shantel Waddell

JaVonne Williams

SERVICES AND SUPPORT SPONSORS

I support marginalized, vulnerable, and underserved youth and families, who have been systemically denied culturally specific services and support.

SERVICES AND SUPPORT SPONSORS

SERVICES AND SUPPORT SPONSORS

SAMANTHA RICHARDSON FAMILY DONOR FUND

EQUITABLE EDUCATION SPONSORS

I support ALL students having the right to develop to their full academic and social potential and this social responsibility is my community investment.

EQUITABLE EDUCATION SPONSORS

WES & ROSEMARIE THOMPSON FUND

INCLUSIVE INNOVATI

I support creative collaboration and sustainable development focused on wealth creation, economic inclusion, health services and social entrepreneurship for individuals who are often excluded from the innovation process.

Alaska Airlines

BCMC Properties

Bora Architecture & Interiors

City of Portland

Colas Construction Core

Fortis Construction

Hoffman Construction

Jason Hill Photography

John Jackson State Farm

Microsoft

INCLUSIVE INNOVATION SPONSORS

Migration Brewing

Moda Health

Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury

Multnomah County Commissioner Susheela Jayapal

Multnomah County Commissioner Jessica Vega Pederson

Multnomah County Commissioner Lori Stegmann

Oregon Housing & Community Services

Pavelcomm

POIC + RAHS

Portland State University

Prosper Portland

River City Media

SOREL footwear

State of Oregon Early Learning Division

Stoller Wine Group

University of Oregon