The Urban League
VIEW
Vol. 4. No.
"50 Years of Creating Community Solutions"
Published by the Urban League of Portland
Spring 1995
10 North Russell St. Portland, OR 97227 (503) 280-2600
League celebrates 50
years of service in 1995
Fifty years ago a group of people decided
to do something about the poor living
conditions and limited opportunities faced
by people of color in Portland. The labels
and hues of Urban League clients have
evolved since 1945: from Negro to Black
to African American; from a Black client
base to a more multicultural one. But the
League's mission has remained constant: to
create opportunity for those who have been
Equal Opportunity Award winner Dr. Vivian Bull (second from left) with Urban League
President Lawrence J Dark and scholarship winners Candy Kyle and Philip Richardson.
locked out so that they can become self
sufficient, productive members of society.
Dr. Vivian Bull and Jaki Walker
honored at Equal Opportunity Dinner
Dr. Vivian Bull, president of Linfield
College, and laki Walker, an affordable
at Linfield College in McMinnville. Dr.
Bull said her commitment to diversity was
housing advocate and developer, received
partly a result of an international career
the Urban League of Portland's highest
that has included work in Africa, Europe,
and the Middle East. At Linfield Dr. Bull
has supported multiculturalism by devoting
resources to minority recruitment, to the
"Reach Back" mentorship program, and by
honor at the annual Equal Opportunity Day
Dinner in February. Urban League Board
Chair Michael Lewellen presented the two
honorees with the League's Equal
Opportunity Award for their leadership in
supporting the cause of equal opportunity.
The gala event at the Portland Hilton
appointing a Director of Multicultural
Programs.
featured a keynote address by Governor
Dr. Bull selected Candy Kyle and Philip
Richardson, two African American
John A. Kitzhaber, M.D., as well as
students attending Linfield, to receive
comments by Dinner Co-Chairs Portland
Police Chief Charles Moose and Sisters of
$1,000 scholarships sponsored by U.S.
Dr. Vivian Bull became the first person
from outside Portland to receive the Equal
Opportunity Award. She was honored for
her creative efforts to increase diversity
among the student body, staff and lecturers
said. A year-long calendar of events is
being created to share the League's story
and celebrate the anniversary.
(continued on page two)
West Communications.
Providence executive Greg Van Pelt.
More than 700 people attended the event,
which helped raise more than $70,000 to
support Urban League programs serving
the community.
Urban League President Lawrence J. Dark
has designated 1995 as a year of
celebration of the League's achievements.
"This is a wonderful opportunity to
demonstrate what we have accomplished
and why our mission is still relevant," he
Jaki Walker is executive
director of
Northeast Community Development
Corporation (NECDC), which creates
affordable housing in low-income areas in
Northeast Portland. In the past two years
NECDC has completed 55 single family
homes, 51 of which are owned and
occupied.
Another 78
projects are
scheduled to be constructed in 1995.
(continued on page seven)
A message to our readers
Don't blame your mail carrier. The
Urban League newsletter has been
inactive in the past year.
We
apologize to our supporters for the
lack of communication. As you can
see, there is plenty of good news to
report. With a busy anniversary year
ahead, we look forward to resuming
our quarterly publishing schedule.
New President Lawrence J. Dark
Urban League enters 50th Anniversary year with new leadership
Lawrence J. Dark, the Urban League of Portland's new President
and CEO, assumed his duties last May He was selected by the
League's board to replace Dr. Darryl S. Tukufu who resigned to
Dept. of Health and Human Services);
The American Psychological Association's Commission on
Violence and Youth;
Mr. Dark brings a wealth of
Board for the Advancement of Psychology in the Public
accept a position in Ohio.
experience in advocacy, race relations and nonprofit management
to his new position.
Prior to his appointment, Dark was
Executive Assistant to the President of the University of South
Carolina for Equal Opportunity Programs and a Research Fellow
at the university's Institute of Public Affairs.
Mr. Dark's professional and community
work has focused on education, equity, and
social justice issues. In his South Carolina
post, Dark was responsible for advice and
support on equity and social justice issues;
leadership
in
the
Interest (BAPPI).
Community and Family Involvement
A strong champion of community involvement, Mr. Dark served
on the boards of several community-based organizations in South
Carolina and, earlier, in Virginia where he
served on the board of the Urban League
of Richmond. In Portland, Dark serves on
the boards of the Columbia-Willamette
Area Health Education Centers Program,
Oregon Trail Chapter of the American
Red Cross, The Private Industry Council,
development,
implementation,
the Oregon Symphony, the World Affairs
Council and Business Youth Exchange.
complaints from students, faculty, and
Following the advice and example of
and evaluation of
multicultural policies and programs; and
resolution of harassment and discrimination
staff.
Police Chief Charles Moose, the Dark
family lives in the Urban League's core
Experienced Advocate
Legally trained, Mr. Dark earned his law
degree at Northwestern University after
community, Northeast Portland. Mr. Dark
is married to Okianer Christian Dark, who
is a Visiting Professor at Willamette
University School of Law in Salem and a
tenured full professor at the T.C. Williams
completing his undergraduate work at
After
Denison University in Ohio.
Lawrence, Okianer and Harrison Dark
obtaining his law degree, Dark served as
Assistant to the President of Forsburg State University. He went,
on to hold several key advocacy positions, including:
Executive Director, National Institute Against Prejudice and
Violence;
Director, Council on Human Rights, Commonwealth of
Virginia;
Corporate Initiative Associate, American Red Cross, National
Headquarters;
Director, Corporate Foundation Relations and Development,
Claflin College;
Associate Director of the American Bar Association's Council
on Legal Education Opportunity.
In recent years, Mr. Dark has been especially concerned about
violence as a public health issue, particularly as it affects youth
and people of color. He is also concerned about the rise in hate
crimes related to a victim's race, ethnicity, religion, gender or
sexual
orientation.
His work in these areas includes
appointments to:
South Carolina Attorney General's Task Force on Crime and
Violence;
The Center for Substance Abuse Prevention's
(CSAP's)
"Think Tank" meeting on African-American Youth Issues;
National Institute of Health (NIH) Research Panel on AntiSocial, Aggressive and Violence-Related Behaviors and Their
Consequences;
Secretary's Blue Ribbon Panel on Violence Prevention (U.S.
School of Law at the University of
Richmond, VA. Okianer Dark's academic focus includes
antitrust law, torts, womanist theory and the institution of law as
well as white collar crime. The Darks have a six-year-old son,
Harrison Edward.
50th Anniversary celebration
(continued from front page)
During Black History Month the League held an Open House,
presented a panel of distinguished seniors who shared
"Reflections of the Past," and co-sponsored a Black History
luncheon with the City Club of Portland.
Another important partner in the anniversary year is Ad2, a
volunteer organization of young advertising professionals. Ad2
has selected the League as the recipient of a year-long public
service campaign. Ad2's Jeni Stewart has created an anniversary
logo combining a bridge, a rose and an urban scene. Later this
spring, Ad2 will launch a series of print, radio and TV
commercials about the League.
The highlight of the year promises to be the 50th Anniversary
Dinner at the Oregon Convention Center on Wednesday, October
11. A commemorative souvenir history will be published for the
dinner, which is being moved to October so that it will not
conflict with a "Porgy & Bess" fund raiser in July.
A 50th Anniversary Committee is being created to help plan
Anyone interested in supporting the project should
contact Mike Pullen at the Urban League (503) 280-2600.
events.
President's Column
Our vision must start with values we share in common
The first thing I want to say in this first
Economic
column is how pleased I am to be
appointed The Urban League of Portland's
President and Chief Executive Officer.
The League has admirably served Portland,
the State of Oregon, and its constituents
for 50 years. The continuing strength of
the League attests to its resiliency and its
ability to serve the needs of the
community. This is a proud testament to
the work of my predecessor and many,
many fine individuals and organizations
over the years. I hope to merit your trust
in passing responsibility
-- onto me.
The second thing I want to say is that
that the challenges are certainly not
becoming any easier. Together, we must
harness the League's credibility, reputation,
and resources to meet our new challenges
and
I'll briefly outline what I mean by each of
these principles. In future issues I'll
explain how we plan to put these principles
into action.
and this legacy
neither Lawrence J. Dark nor the League
and its supporters have any time to rest on
our laurels. We must press forward into
the 21st Century, in a world changing so
rapidly and in so many surprising ways
Sufficiency
Development
Cultural Competency
Globally Educated
Democracy Oriented/Citizenship
Living Well, Staying Well in the Age
of HIV/AIDS.
Lawrence J. Dark
Then, we can get on with the real issue.
How do we translate the values we share
and affirm into the values on which we
act?
Economic Sufficiency and Development
We must provide opportunities for the full
range of employment to assist people to be
competent employees as well as employers,
to foster entrepreneurial skills and
participate in city, county and state issues
and economic development that impacts
employment.
Cultural Competency
The economic
In my vision, the League must both
dislocations of the shift to a global
advocate policy development and provide
services that will nurture our constituency.
higher level.
We must work within the three areas of
concentration outlined by our National
A Broader View
Our constituency is broad.
just because Hugh Price said so but
economy and a knowledge-based society
are affecting all people. We must take
steps politically and programmatically to
insure all people are culturally competent
to work and learn with different racial and
ethnic groups.
because these areas provide excellent
guidance and focus:
Globally
and serve our constituency at an even
Urban League President, Hugh Price: not
One sees it
reflected in our staff, volunteers, and board
members.
We are African-American,
Caucasian, Latino, Native American,
Pacific Islander, Asian-American, young
and elderly, gay, lesbian, or straight. We
must mirror this diversity with an equally
encompassing vision.
To achieve effective long-term solutions,
we must resist taking a piecemeal approach
to helping children and families. Instead,
we must see the connection between our
personal values and national policy. We
must forge strong connections between our
programs and our policies. We must see
the link between empowering our
communities and taking active roles in
state and local politics and planning. We
must form partnerships and alliances, both
internal and external, to meet our present
needs and launch a focused and stronger
crusade into the 21st Century.
Into Action
We must first accept the fact that there are
many shared values across our diversity.
Educated
In a global
marketplace, training and education must
Educate and develop our children
prepare our young people for life-long
growing up in the inner city to provide
learning and provide them the knowledge,
skills, and habits of mind that permit them
to compete successfully. The League must
strengthen its advocacy and participation in
educational issues.
them with the academic and social
skills they require to be successful;
Enable their families to become
economically self-sufficient;
Encourage racial inclusion so that our
folk can participate fully in the
mainstream economy.
The League's mandates are to provide
advocacy, develop programs, and deliver
services to meet the present and anticipated
needs of our constituents. I envision
taking a holistic, broad and contemporary
approach to these responsibilities and have
Democracy Oriented/Citizenship Projects
to assist people to interact with others and
to work with and respect such institutions
as the education or the legal system have
been developed. The League must support
these and other efforts to help our
constituents participate in building a safer,
healthier community, including voting and
participating in the political process.
established core principles to guide our
There are five core principles that I believe
Living/Staying Well in the Age of
HIV/AIDS The HIV/AIDS crisis is tied
to other problems that exist in the AfricanAmerican community and the wider
should guide the efforts of The Urban
community: illiteracy, inadequate health
League of Portland into the next century:
(continued on page seven)
efforts.
Core Principles
Hugh Price sets agenda
New National Urban League president focuses on children and economy
Hugh Price. the National Urban League's
new president, unveiled his vision for the
leaders to become "sophisticated and
insistent consumers of education" for their
such workers to adequately support their
families. The growing inability of inner-
organization in his keynote address
opening the national convention in
Indianapolis last July. Price was a senior
children. He said this is a "natural niche"
for the Urban League to fill.
city adults to fmd legitimate jobs fuels
neighborhood deterioration, the onset of
despair, and the break-up of families.
executive at the Rockefeller Foundation
before replacing John Jacob as President
and Chief Executive Officer of the
"Marvelous as the market economy works
for most Americans, it has all but
collapsed for inner-city folk," Price
The Urban League must
declared.
National Urban League last May. His first
major speech suggested bold new goals
continue its successful job training and
placement programs but must do much
Not envisioning this expanded
more.
and initiatives for the Urban League.
Change and Challenge
Dramatically, Price described "the
changing and challenging seas" that
African Americans and others must
navigate. Citing symptoms of world-wide
economic upheaval, Price observed that the
economic factors at work are global. Even
though "racism is still abroad in our land,"
Price cautioned "we must not fall into the
paranoid trap of thinking that racism
accounts for all that plagues us."
effort as a racially-based approach, Price
emphasized that the blue collar job decline
affects all Americans as well as workers in
other industrialized nations.
He called upon government to create new
labor-intensive public enterprise to perform
services that are valued by taxpayers.
Price noted that the military was exactly
Hugh Price
"This campaign to take back our Price not that after-school activity is
children from the streets is the equally important because this is where
manifest destiny of
League movement."
the Urban
- Hugh Price
Price noted that many economic trends are
color-blind and urged League members to
be "clear-eyed" in dealing with them.
Stressing that economic dislocations are
most affecting cities and the urban poor,
Price noted the disappearnce of inner city
manufacturing jobs which once provided a
middle class lifestyle to blue collar
workers.
Because the challenge is great and
resources are limited, Price maintained "we
social development takes place. In innercity neighborhoods, children are often
The social
alone after school.
infrastructure has disappeared as parents
often struggle long hours at low wage jobs
and park and recreation programs are cut
back. In this vacuum gangs have emerged
and grown.
"It's high time that society at large and,
especially, we of the African American
community, muster the will and the
wherewithal to ensure that each inner-city
child....has a caring adult in his or her life
every day." Price proposed that Urban
League affiliates establish a Youth
Development Fund and develop a master
must concentrate with laser-like focus on
those critical areas where we can leverage
our unique strengths for greatest impact."
plan for delivering youth services after
school and over the summer. [Editor's
Education and Development
Mr. Price committed the Urban League to
launched summer and after-school
programs on its own initiative, even before
the Price speech.]
support education and social development.
Techniques to improve education for poor
children have been proven, he pointed out.
"What's missing is not the way to change,
but the will." Price sees the League's role
as mobilizing parents and community
note - The Urban League of Portland
Econcuuic Self-Sufficiency
Only a generation ago, blue collar workers
were the backbone of the American
economy. The economic dislocations Price
described have undermined the ability of
such an enterprise. With military spending
now reduced, Price proposed that work on
America's physical infrastructure be
elevated to a similar status. He noted that
investing in infrastructure provides jobs
and is far more productive than spending
on public assistance, police, and prisons.
Building A Harmonious Society
"I fully understand the instinct to separate
when we are incessantly under economic
siege," Price said. But he emphasized
again that America has become much more
multicultural, citing the example of a
California firm with 200 employees
representing 30 nationalities. "For all our
suffering, we cannot become so fixated on
our own problems that we ignore our
(continued on page seven)
Price sets three goals
Hugh Price has set three top goals
for the Urban League Movement:
Educate and develop children to
provide them the academic and
social skills to be successful;
Enable their families to become
economically self-sufficient;
Encourage racial inclusion so that
African Americans can participate
fully in the mainstream economy.
The Urban League of Portland thanks its 1995 business members
Gold Members ($3,500 and more)
Corporate Members ($350 - $1,249)
Arco Oil
Bank of America
The Boeing Company
First Interstate Bank
Meier & Frank
Nationwide Insurance
Nike
Nordstrom
Northwest Natural Gas
Portland Trail Blazers
Standard Insurance Co.
State Farm Mutual Insurance
United Airlines
United Parcel Service
U.S. Bancorp
ADC Kentrox
Arthur Andersen & Co.
Automated Office Systems
Columbia Forest Products
Coca Cola Enterprises
Electro Scientific Industries
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Foster Pepper & Shefelman
Garlington Center
The Halton Company
Housing Authority of Portland
Hyster Company
Industrial Design Corporation
Intel Corporation
Kelly Temporary Services
Lane Powell Spears & Lubersky
Liberty Northwest Insurance
Mt. Hood Community College
Mt. Olivet Baptist Church
Orix Credit Alliance
Pooland Police Association
Qual Med Plans for Health
REM Steel Sales
Ronographic Communications
Schnitzer Steel Industries
State of Oregon
Submarine Systems
Timberline Lodge
Tri-Met
U.S. Navy Recruiting District
U.S. West Direct
United Finance Co.
Washington Mutual Savings Bank
Waste Management of Oregon
Weston Pontiac-Buick-GMC
Sponsor Members ($1,250 - $3,499)
Blue Cross/Blue Shield
Bullivant Houser Bailey
Cellular One
CTR Business Systems
R. R. Donnelly Norwest
Laurie Eckman
Emanuel Hospital & Health Center
Gresham - City of
Kaiser Permanente
KATU TV Ch. 2
Key Bank of Oregon
KPDX Fox-49
KPTV TV Ch. 12
Mentor Graphics
Pacificorp
Paradise Baptist Church
Paragon Cable
J. C. Penney Company
Port of Portland
Portland Hilton
Precision Cast Parts Corp.
The Private Industry Council
Safeway Stores
Sisters of Providence Health System
Steinfield's Products Co.
Stoel Rives Bo ley Jones & Grey
Tektronix
US WEST Communications
Wacker Siltronic
Small Business Members ($100
$349)
Albina Community Bancorp
American Bridge Association
Auto Wheel Inc.
Bob Brown Tire Center
Boy Scouts of America
Brewed Hot Coffee
Bridgetown Realty
Lolita Burnette
Campbell Galt & Newland
The Campbell Group
URBAN LEAGUE MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Urban League of Portland is to help African Americans and
others achieve parity and economic self-sufficiency through advocacy, community
problem-solving, partnerships, and by conducting programs designed to strengthen
the growth and development of individuals, families and communities.
David C. Chvatal, CPA
John & Phyllis Courtney
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
EID Services
The Estime Group
Forest City Trading Group
James Francesconi
Georgetown Manor
Great Expectations
William Hart, Architect, PC
Holman Distributing Center
Junior Achievement
Neil Kelly Remodelling
KWJJ AM/FM Radio
KXL Radio
The Links
Living Color Beauty Supply
Loaves & Fishes Centers
McKeever/Morris, Inc.
Metro Catholic Bmadcasting/KBVM
The Mitzvah Foundation
National Minority Television
Norpac Food Sales
North Pacific Insurance Co.
Nova Northwest, Inc.
Oregon Food Bank
Ownco Marketing
Pacific Design Engineering
Pathways/Career Transition
Pivot - New Chance
Planned Parenthood
Portland Federal Executive Board
Portland Opera
Portland Properties
Project Plus - PSU
Quality Through Leadership Assoc.
Reedwood Extended Care Center
Refuse Removal
Shedrain Corporation
Daniel Snyder
Sussman, Shank, et al.
Thousand Friends of Oregon
Trust for Public Land
Tualatin Valley Mental Health Center
Vann & Vann Funeral Home
Wade Manufacturing Co.
Wagner Mining & Equipment
Kimberly Webster
Major Program Sponsors
Gunderson, Inc.
IBM Corp.
Intel
Key Bank of Oregon
Portland General Electric
Schwabe Williamson & Wyatt
Michael Lewellen leads
board during year of
leadership transition
During the past year, the Urban League of
Portland board has been led by Chair
Michael Lewellen, Director of Corporate
Development for NIKE. Lewellen joined
the Urban League Board in 1992 and has
chaired the League' s Fundraising
Committee. Since his election as board
chair in April 1994, Michael has helped
coordinate
the
League's
McDonald, Vice President Sales and
Kevin Fuller was elected to serve on the
Client Services for the Portland Trail
Blazers; Terry Tracy, Executive Vice
President Administration for Key Bank of
Oregon; Emmett Wheatfall, Corporate
National Urban League's Board of Trustees
as an under-30 delegate.
Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist
with Portland General Electric and a
former pastor at Maranatha Church; and
Amoy Williamson, Senior Management
Auditor with the City of Portland and a
certified public accountant.
In another development, board member
Board members who retired from the board
in the past year include Louis Boston,
Joan Brown-Kline, Ed DeWald, James
Francesconi, Ed Hardy, Rita Lucas,
William Spivey, Bill Wyatt and Gina
Wood. The Urban League of Portland
extends its sincere thanks to these talented
volunteers for their years of leadership and
service.
leadership
transition and also the highly successful
fund raiser with the Oregon Symphony that
brought Coretta Scott King to Portland in
January.
The first St. Nicholas was a 4th-century bishop in Turkey. The world's longest glacier,
found in Antarctica, is more than 250 miles long. It is estimated that the English
language contains roughly 450,000 words. The most popular dog in America is the
Cocker Spaniel. Pluto circles the sun once every 248 Earth years. Charles Dickens' pen
name was Boz. The first commercial film ever produced was made in 1895 and lasted
one minute. See. You really do learn something new every day.
Board Chair Michael Lewellen
The League's other board officers during
the past year have included Judi Pitre,
Vice Chair; Rian Brown, Treasurer; and
Laura Glosson, Secretary. Judi Pitre is
learn
Deputy Executive Director
Housing
Services for the Housing Authority of
Portland.
Rian Brown is Director of
Personnel at Providence Medical Center.
Laura Glosson is a retired educator.
Board members elected to three-year terms
in the past year include: Carol Chism,
Executive Director for the Center for
Community Mental Health; David Duran,
Regional Director - Public Relations for
US WEST Communications, who also
serves on the boards of several Hispanic
advocacy groups; Jim Hill, Oregon's State
Treasurer and the first African American
elected to statewide office in Oregon;
James May, President and CEO of Legacy
Emanuel Hospital & Health Center; Tom
-0 United Airlines salutes the Urban League of Portland. May it be a learning
experience for all.
ff UNITED AIRLINES
Hugh Price
(continued from page four)
commonality of interest with others," Price
emphasized.
He cautioned against driving wedges
between races. "Of course, we must mot
out vestiges of racism," he emphasized. At
the same time, he urged the League to
focus on ways to make a multicultural
NECDC executive director Jaki Walker accepts award at Equal Opportunity Dinner.
Equal Opportunity
(continued from page one)
NECDC has been successful in increasing
home ownership among residents of low
and moderate income; stabilizing property
values; and providing economic
development, especially for minority
contractors.
Ms. Walker selected two Portland natives
Hope Asana, a sophomore at Pomona
College in California, and Nekicia
Luckett, a senior at the University of
Oregon -- to receive $1,000 scholarships
sponsored by Bank of America.
KPTV and KOIN TV created videos for
the dinner showcasing the achievements of
Dr. Bull and Jaki Walker.
physician struggled with less than surgical
precision for several minutes before
opening it. Musical entertainment was
supplied earlier by two multitalented Urban
League employees.
Whitney Young
Program Director Felicia Hassan sang
"Lift
Every
Voice"
while
Assistant
Director of Youth & Family Services
Larry Clayton knocked out the crowd
with 0- version of "Summertime" to
announce the League's July "Porgy &
Bess" fundraiser.
Urban
League
President
and
CEO
Lawrence J. Dark thanked the audience
for the great turnout and invited guests to
help the League achieve its goal of having
5,000 individual members by the Annual
Dinner.
Elizabeth Warman of The
Company
presided
as
Boeing
Mistress of
Ceremonies. Father Nicholas Marandu,
Governor Kitzhaber used his keynote
a native of Tanzania who is pastor at
address to argue for a broad interpretation
of equal opportunity. "Too often equal
opportunity has been narrowly construed to
mean hiring practices and minority
recruitment... That's important," said the
Governor. "But it's not nearly enough."
Immaculate Heart Parish in Northeast
He went on to state that part of our
Portland, delivered the invocation. State
Representative Frank Shields, a pastor at
Sunnyside Methodist Church in Southeast
Portland, delivered the benediction.
Dinner guests included Multnomah County
Chair
Beverly
Stein,
Portland
warned against taking that right for granted
and of forgetting "the many thousands who
Commissioner Charles Hales, State
Representatives Avel Gordly, Margaret
Carter, Gail Shibley, and Kate Brown,
and Sharon Kitzhaber.
still stand outside the gates without the
Dinner sponsors included Ad2, Boeing,
means to enter."
First Interstate Bank, KATU, KGW,
KOIN, KPTV, Key Bank, Meier & Frank,
Mentor Graphics, Nordstrom, Pacific
Power, Paragon Cable, Sisters of
birthright as Americans is the right to have
an opportunity to pursue our dreams. He
The evening also included several light
moments. When Urban League student La
Shawanta Spears presented a wrapped gift
to Governor Kitzhaber following his
speech, the former emergency room
Providence, Stoel Rives Boley Jones &
Grey,
United Parcel Service and
Washington Mutual Federal Savings Bank.
society work. "The time-honored role of
the Urban League is to build bridges, not
just between poverty and plenty, but
between people of all races and
persuasions," he pointed out.
Throughout his speech, Price emphasized
that African Americans must work to
restore personal responsibility while society
must "update and then uphold its end of
the bargain."
While admitting the
challenge was immense and that much of
what he had outlined was a "tall order,"
Price expressed absolute confidence that
the League was equal to the task. "Ladies
and gentlemen, it's time we get on with
our calling," Price concluded as he opened
the League's Annual Conference to
thunderous applause.
President's column
(continued from page three)
care, drug use, unemployment and school
dropouts.
The Urban League should
collaborate with the health community and
other Oregonians to emphasize health
education, prevention, and information
efforts among our constituents who are
particularly vulnerable to this epidemic.
It is an honor to be the servant/leader of
the Urban League of Portland as we reach
the milestone of our 50th Anniversary.
The League is a beacon now as it was in
1945. We continue to offer assistance to
African Americans and others seeking a
just society that offers equal opportunity
and access, fairness and inclusion.
Progress only happens if we continue to
build bridges in every sector of life: in
employment,
economic
development,
education, housing and health The planet
we share, the space we share, will always
need people who give of themselves for
the human race. Portland, let us celebrate,
but also continue our struggle for racial,
economic and social justice.
Major job fair highlights year for Employment Dept.
than 3,000 job seekers and
employment recruiters turned out for the
Urban League's "Career Connections
'95" job fair in mid-March. All 80
More
employer booths were sold this year,
according to Urban League Employment
Director Brenda Sherman-Sanders.
"Career Connections" was introduced in
1993 to provide an opportunity for job
seekers and human resource representatives
to network on a great scale. The event
attracts employers from a wide variety of
with openings ranging from
professional to entry-level positions. Job
seekers attend for free, while employers
rent exhibit booths. The schedule includes
fields
workshops on workplace trends and job
hunting tips for job seekers.
Oregon
Commissioner for
Labor &
Industries The Honorable Jack Roberts
delivered the keynote at the opening
breakfast, where State Farm Insurance was
honored with the League's annual
"Employment Partner of the Year" award.
Special thanks to all the volunteers and
sponsors who helped make this year's job
fair a success, including: AmeriCorps,
American Business Machines, Bank of
California, Boise Cascade, Cellular One,
Coffee People, First Interstate Bank, Franz
Bakery,idubitz Truck Stops, KATU-TV,
Employment Director Brenda ShermanSanders (right) presents State Farm's Lissa
Guyton with Partner of the Year award.
KBOO FM Radio, McDonalds, The
Oregonian, The Skanner, Portland/Oregon
Visitors Assoc., and Resumes Plus.
Guild volunteers organize diverse fund raisers
The past year has been a diverse one for
the Urban League Guild. The League's
volunteer auxiliary has organized a number
of creative fund raisers and social events.
Most recently the Guild hosted delegates to
the National Urban League's 1995 Western
Regional Conference. The Guild organized
a Welcome Reception and a Farewell Party
for retiring Tacoma Urban League
President Tom Dixon at Doris Cafe.
In March the Guild sold tickets to a
concert by the Alvin Ailey Dance Troupe
to raise funds for the League's tutorial
program. During 1994 the Guild formed a
partnership with the Portland Art Museum
to help raise funds for the League and the
Museum's new Cameroon art gallery.
Another special project in 1994 was a
luncheon hosted for Miss Black America
Ebony Warren, who was in Portland for
the first Miss Black Oregon Pageant.
volunteers
also assisted at
the
of Weston Pontiac
Weston Pontiac offers
50th anniversary year
incentive program
Clarence Larkins has a deal for you and
the Urban League. Larkins is a salesman
at Weston Pontiac in Gresham, the largest
Pontiac dealer in the five Western states.
Clarence is a longtime Urban League
member who would like to give something
back to the League in its 50th Anniversary
Year.
From now until December 31, 1995
Clarence will donate $50 to the Urban
to organize. The Guild meets on the
second Wednesday of each month at 6 pm
at the Urban League.
League of Portland to any Urban League
member who mentions the League when
they purchase a car from Clarence.
Urban League and VOA
team up to help families
Weston Pontiac Buick GMC is a familyowned dealership located at 22555 SE
Stark St. in Gresham. Weston is the #1
dealer in GMC truck sales in Oregon and
has the largest service department in the
Northwest
rated #1 in customer service
Families with children ages birth to three
years can now find support, prevention and
intervention services at a new program
Weston offers more than
seven acres of new and used cars and
called Common Bond. The program is a
trucks.
collaboration between the Urban League's
Youth & Family Services Center,
Volunteers of America (VOA) and
Multnomah County's Health Division.
Common Bond is located at St. Andrew's
Church at 4919 NE 9th Ave.
include parent
Services
training classes, parent
satisfaction.
To take part in the program, just drop by
and ask for Clarence. If he is out, another
salesperson can help you. Mention your
Urban League membership and after your
purchase, a $50 check will be sent to the
League.
support groups, home visits and referrals.
The Urban League extends its thanks to
VOA operates the center and the Urban
Clarence and to Weston Pontiac (an Urban
League business member) for this generous
League offers supplementary services. The
Annual Dinner, Equal Opportunity Dinner staff includes a director, a parent educator,
and Career Connections. The Guild's next a child development specialist, volunteers
major project is the July 19 "Porgy & and a Multnomah County community
Bess" benefit, which the group is helping health nurse. Hours are 8 am to 5 pm.
Guild
Clarence Larkins
program.
It's
a great way to wish the
League a Happy. Anniversary! For more
information, contact Clarence at 665-2166
or 255-3840.
League and Guild to host "Porgy & Bess"
opening night gala on July 19
Urban League and
Boy Scouts team up
for outreach event
On July 19, 1995 the Urban League of
Portland and its volunteer Guild will host
the opening night performance of George
and Ira Gershwin's classic musical "Porgy
Tickets can be ordered through the Urban
issue of the VIEW.
The Urban League of Portland is teaming
up with the Cascade Pacific Council of the
& Bess," at Civic Auditorium.
distinguished citizens are serving as Event
Co-Chairs: Marshall Glickman, William
Hilliard, and Arlene Schnitzer.
The Gershwins' timeless musical about
Black life in the American South has a
message of hope and love. We believe
"Porgy and Bess" is a great way to bring
people together to support diversity and
Boy Scouts of America to support the
Urban
outreach efforts of scouting.
The League has purchased every available
racial harmony in our community. Funds
seat for the opening night performance,
presented by Portland Opera. A gala
programs serving our community.
Three
League using the flyer enclosed in this
raised gala will support Urban League
League President Lawrence J. Dark is
Co-Chairing the Council's first annual
Century Club Luncheon on Monday, July
31 from 12 pm to 1:30 pm at the Oregon
Convention Center. The luncheon will
raise funds to support outreach to minority
and economically deprived youth in the
preview dinner will be held at the Portland
Marriott, with a reception starting at 5 pm,
followed by dinner at 5:45 pm. A
Portland metro area.
Individuals and companies which have
community reception will be held at the
Civic before the opera begins at 7:30 pm.
demonstrated outstanding involvement in
the development of scouting opportunities
for low-income and inner city youth will
be honored with the Whitney M. Young,
Service Award at the event. The award is
named for the former National Urban
League president who was a scouting
advocate.
Tickets are $125 each. For information,
contact Chris Shelby of the Boy Scouts at
National foundation awards Urban League
$420,000 to develop urban parks in Portland
The Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest
Foundation has selected the Urban League
of Portland to lead a bold initiative to
develop urban parks in underserved
Portland neighborhoods. The four-year
grant is part of a new $14 million initiative
by the foundation to support expansion of
urban parks in U.S. cities.
Longtime Portland resident Tahja Jackson
is leading the League's project as Urban
Parks Project Coordinator. She will work
with community members and the Urban
Treehouse Project to develop parks and an
open space plan for Northeast Portland. A
key goal is to involve community members
in park design and the planning and
(503) 226-3423.
June will be busy
at Senior Center
Governor John Kitzhaber has proclaimed
June as
Month."
"Multicultural Senior Center
The League's center has
scheduled a busy lineup of special events
to honor the occasion.
implementation of park programs.
The League will receive $420,730 and the
Trust for Public Land (TPL), a national
The Trust for Public Land will provide the
nonprofit land conservation organization,
city and the Metro regional government
with technical expertise in implementing
the parks and open space plan. The Trust
will receive $450,100 for its work in
The two groups will work
Portland.
together to develop a large regional park in
North Portland, a smaller community park
and several neighborhood parks in
Northeast Portland.
VIEW Staff
Editor
Writer
Spiritual Advisor
Michael Pullen
Bill Gilbertson
Mack McCormick
also will help secure park sites.
"We are fortunate to have the opportunity
to work with community groups, the Trust
for Public Land and the City of Portland to
build parks that serve everyone," said
Lawrence J. Dark, president of the Urban
League of Portland. "This initiative will
help attract even more support to maintain
healthy parks, which effect healthy
communities and quality of life."
Senior Health Fair: Friday, June 2, 10 1 pm. Speakers and videos on health
issues, intergenerational walk.
Multicultural Fair: Saturday, June 17, 11
3 pm. Featuring festive music, art,
poetry and food from many cultures.
Fourth
Anniversary
Celebration:
Tuesday, June 20, 12:30 - 2:30 pm.
Annual Fishing Derby: Friday, June 23.
Hagg Lake. BBQ, games, prizes.
All programs are free, except for the
fishing derby which has a nominal fee.
Transportation assistance is available.
Calendar of Upcoming Events
June 2: Senior Health Fair, Multicultural Senior Center
June 17: Multicultural Fair, Multicultural Senior Center
June 20: 4th Anniversary Celebration, Multicultural Senior Center
June 23: Annual Senior Fishing Derby, Hagg Lake
July 12: Urban League Annual Meeting, Location TBA
July 19: "Porgy & Bess" Opening Night Gala Fund Raiser, Civic Auditorium
July 23-26: National Urban League Annual Conference, Miami, FL
July 31: Century Club Luncheon, Fund Raiser with Boy Scouts, Oregon
Convention Center
October 11: 50th Anniversary Annual Dinner, Oregon Convention Center
Urban League of Portland
Urban League Plaza
10 N. Russell
Portland, OR 97227
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
Wish List
The Urban League is in need of the
following items to better serve
constituents in our programs:
* HP laser printers
* Two drawer file cabinets
* Book shelves
* Passenger van
* Van with wheelchair lift
* Cellular telephones
* Electronic typewriter
* Camcorder
* 486 computers
* Portable PA system
* Overhead projector
* Camera with flash
* Copiers and paper
* Fax machine
* Office supplies (pens, paper, etc.)
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Portland, OR
Permit 1667