"Education, Employment and Equality"
Vol. 7. No. 2
Published by the Urban League of Portland
10 North Russell St.
Fall 1998
Portland, OR 97227 (503) 280-2600
Celebrate youth who Do The Right Thing
Staff Profile
All too often in our society the nation's
youth get a bad rap. Negative images
ranging from violence to selfishness to
laziness have been branded upon our
children.
While some kids are not
undeserving of these labels, countless
Fawn McDaniel
was destined to
work with youth
others defy these stereotypes every day.
Ten years ago Urban League Director of
Leadership Programs Fawn McDaniel had
no intention of working with children for
her career. The daughter of a high school
The Urban League believes that youth who
are achieving success both personally and
in their communities should be celebrated.
In that spirit, a special event called "Do
The Right Thing Day" was created in
1996. In keeping with the National Urban
League slogan, "Our Children = Our
Destiny", Do The Right Thing Day is
A parade down Martin Luther King Blvd.
is a highlight of Do The Right Thing Day.
designed to nurture and support the youth
Street) to Jefferson High School, where
of our community who
achieving every day.
opening ceremonies will begin at 10:30 am
with remarks from students and community
leaders. From 11:00 am to 3:00 pm a
"We hope to send a loud and clear
talent showcase and booth displays by
message that academic achievement for
African-American and other inner city
youth is a high priority," says Urban
League of Portland President/CEO
Lawrence J. Dark. "If youth are to grow
up to be responsible, caring adults, they
community and business organizations will
be available. Free food and games with
prizes will also be offered.
need our support now."
Stoudamire of the Portland Trailblazers and
Events in Portland
The Urban League of Portland will join
more than one hundred National Urban
League affiliates across the country on
Saturday, September 19 for a series of
Local elected officials and community
leaders are expected to join the march,
are
quietly
The Grand Marshalls of the parade will be
hometown
favorite
sons
principal, she was eager to forge a separate
identity for herself in the world of business
and finance. But before long McDaniel
decided that helping young people was her
calling. "I never imagined it as something
that I would do," says McDaniel, "but now.
I'm really happy with it."
The biggest event of the year for the Urban
League and especially for McDaniel is
Do The Right Thing Day, for which she
has been the primary planner, architect and
driving force. McDaniel spends a great
deal of time working to organize the anny
(continued on page two)
Damon
A.C. Green of the Dallas Mavericks.
which will also include a mounted troop of
Buffalo Soldiers and musicians from local
schools.
events that will give much-needed voice to
the positive accomplishments of inner-city
youth. Do the Right Thing Day will begin
at 9:00 am with a march from The Urban
the nearby North Portland Library (next
League of Portland (10 North Russell
(continued on page two)
Children's Book Fair
A Children's Book Fair will also be held at
Fawn McDaniel
Do The Right Thing
Fawn McDaniel
I
(continued from page one)
(continued from page one)
door to Jefferson High School's football
field), at which over 1,500 free books will
of people necessary to make the event a
success. "One of the most important
things is to get the support of the
community," says McDaniel.
be given to elementary and middle schoolaged children. Scheduled to run from
10:30 am - 2:00 pm, the fair is organized
and presented by the Urban League Guild
She also works closely with local school
officials to assure that Do The Right Thing
and the North Portland Branch Library.
Okianer Christian Dark, wife of Urban
Day is something that kids want to be a
part of. "We really want to celebrate
League of Portland President Lawrence J.
Dark, is the event's organizer.
The fair's goal is to promote an interest in
reading for children and their families. A
stage will feature African drummers and
presentations by "People Who Read.'
Book fair sponsors include Friends of the
Library, First Books, Temple Beth Israel
and Washington Mutual Savings.
In an effort to foster healthy competition
and inspire schools to join its celebration,
The Urban League of Portland has agreed
to award $1,000 to the school that brings
Another
$1,000 will go to the school that brings the
most parent marchers.
the most student marchers.
This year Do The Right Thing Day is just
one of a number of events that are part of
"Achievement Month" in September. On
September 13-14 a Charity Auction and
Golf Tournament were held at Columbia-
children and make the event fun for them,
because it's their day," she says.
More than 1,500 new books will be given
away at the Children's Book Fair.
Do The Right Thing Day is part of the
Campaign for African American
Achievement, launched by the National
Urban League in 1997. The city of
Portland -- particularly local business,
community groups, sororities, fraternities
and churches -- has joined countless other
communities across America to mobilize a
Although Do The Right Thing Day is the
Urban League's flagship event for youth,
McDaniel helps the Urban League offer a
number of other programs throughout the
year. The Next Step program, operated in
partnership with Multnomah County
introduces inner-city youth to local
colleges and historically black colleges and
universities (HBCU's) across the nation
"We had students last year that had never
been out of the city of Portland. Taking
them down to the University of Oregon
and out to the East Coast was an eye-
campaign to create conditions that will
opener," Fawn explains.
enable African American youth to achieve
at world class academic levels.
transcripts and SAT scores, many of these
students received enrollment offers on the
Armed with
spot.
"Many youth are doing the best they can
with the resources they have," says Mr.
On the first Sunday in June the Urban
Edgewater Golf Club, with proceeds
Dark.
"We have to stop seeing our
children as deficits and problems, and start
youth
seeing them as investments we need to
League and Bridge Builders celebrate the
annual Black Baccalaureate, which
McDaniel describes as "a spiritual
support."
ceremony that is offered to all African
dedicated
programs.
to
Urban
League
American graduating high school seniors."
Leaving a legacy
for equality
Whether it's a special event like Do The
Right Thing Day or the daily operation of
a myriad of community service programs,
the Urban League of Portland endeavors to
always be recognized throughout the area
as a safe haven for children and families.
You can help build equal opportunity
in
the 21st century by making a
"planned" gift to the Urban League of
Portland.
The easiest way is to
remember the Urban League in your
will. Other planned giving techniques
can allow you to claim tax deductions,
avoid capital gains taxes, and earn
income while you are still alive.
Call us at (503) 280-2615 for more
information.
McDaniel and the Urban League believe in
the organization's national theme: Our
Children = Our Destiny.
"Often students
do not receive the same kind of support
that I did," says McDaniel, "so I always
We are a non-profit, community-based
make it a point to be very honest and
devoted to
"strengthening African Americans and all
who strive for economic self-reliance and
social equality."
supportive and positive with the students I
work with, to let them know that anytime
they need me I'm there."
human
service
agency
Do The Right Thing Day sponsors include
the Borden Foundation, Legacy Health
System and Washington Mutual Bank.
The Urban League also wishes to thank all
the staff and volunteers who gave their
time to put on this successful community
event.
Our mission
The mission of the Urban League of
Portland is "to strengthen African
Americans and all who strive for
economic self reliance and social
equality"
Why Celebrate Youth Who Do the Right Thing?
"The successful
teenagers doing the
trouble.
right thing in
CHARLES MOOSE
We need to support them."
PORTLAND POLICE CHIEF
life
should have a day to
celebrate. so they
can feel good about
"Let's
themselves so they
won't carry guns
and take drugs and
When you do the
and personal example, how rewarding and
how important that choice can be. It is
face it:
being a kid can be a
really thankless job.
critical that we do this -- critical for the
future of our country as well as for our
communities." PORTLAND STATE
UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT DANIEL 0.
right thing, no one
drop out of school."
TONY HERRERA,
1998 Summer Youth Employment Program
(winner of "Most Valuable Crew Member"
award)
fulfill their potential through education.
We need to demonstrate, through advice
BERNSTINE
seems to notice.
And if you mess up.
"Young
people
you never hear the
We
end of it.
should celebrate
everywhere need the
encouragement of
youth so that their positive efforts are
when young people
make the right decisions in life, when they
stay away from drugs and gangs, or go to
good choices.
reinforced and nourished. Support of our
school every day, or look after their
"We should celebrate the success of our
children is a vital key to their continued
success."
GOVERNOR JOHN
KITZHABER
younger brothers and sisters. We need to
encourage kids who do the right thing, so
they will become adults who do the right
thing. U.S. SENATOR RON WYDEN
"Being a successful
kid today takes hard
work and balancing
a great deal.
I
"I think that it is a
good idea to have
'Do The Right
Thing Day' because
applaud the Urban
League members for
doing the right thing
most teenagers
don't get credit for
the positive things
that they do. We
always hear about
by recognizing the
kids in our
community who are
achieving success.
The livability of our community depends
on the positive contribution of young
It's important that we send the
message to all kids that their actions do
matter and they can make a difference."
people.
drive-by' s, or drugs
or other negative
things that teenagers do. Now it's time to
stop giving glory to the teenagers that do
wrong, but give glory to the teenagers that
CONGRESSMAN EARL
are 'doing the right thing':
LATEASHIA SYKES, 1998 Summer
BLUMENAUER
Youth Employment Program
those around them
to continue making
By
showing our support, we're saying
more
than,
'good
job', we're saying
that we care about
their future and believe in their potential."
U.S. SENATOR GORDON SMITH
"We should support youth who are
'DOING THE RIGHT THING' because
education and society tend to focus a
majority [of] human and financial
resources on youth who are having
Students who are 'DOING
problems.
THE RIGHT THING' should be recognized for their efforts to develop
intellectually, socially and [to] become
productive and contributing citizens in our
society." JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL
PRINCIPAL LELA ROBERTS
"People should celebrate youth doing the
right thing because when we do this it
makes us as 'youth' feel good. It will
cause a mental chain reaction leading up to
doing the right thing because we always
seem to focus on the youth who are doing
the wrong thing: gangs, drugs, pregnancy,
killing, etc...but never enough on the ones
"We all know the economic value of
positive things." MARIO
higher education to the individual, but the
broader value of
education includes
ODIGHIZUWA, 1998 Summer Youth
doing good things, the ones trying to better
themselves and their community."
opportunities, better
quality of life,
I think we should celebrate youth who are
NORELLE HARPER, 1998 Summer
Youth Employment Program
enhanced
career
greater
understanding
of
ourselves and our
"Less crime is no accident. Kids involved
in community activities, jobs, church and
school are staying away from crime. If we
look around we will see that most of our
kids are involved in these types of
programs and they are staying out of
ablities, and the
enhanced possibility
that we will be in a
position to give something back to our
communities. Each of us must do what we
can to encourage talented young people to
Employment Program
"We should support youth because they are
the future of society. We should support
and reward youth who do the right thing
because they are the role models for
others, and the
leaders in the next
generation." REV. DAVID T. TYSON,
C.S.C., PRESIDENT, UNIVERSITY OF
PORTLAND
(continued on other side)
Why celebrate kids?
this emphasis on what doesn't work and
are
responding with a request to be
recognized. I know, because this message
"The Blazers have
has been relayed to me directly by
had the good fortune
members of the Multnomah County Youth
Advisory Board.
of bringing bright
and talented young
members of this
community into our
organization, both in
the front office and
on the basketball
court. There is a
deep-seated
connection to the North/Northeast
community in each of them that inspires us
all. A dedication brought on by living in
an environment where doing the right thing
is not only taught but also practiced daily.
Clearly, our community needs to respond
to this request. I commend the Urban
League for taking the lead in recognizing
our 'good kids' with Do The Right Thing
Day.
Research shows that parents,
teachers, friends and neighbors providing
support and caring is what children need to
succeed. Successful children are far more
likely to transition well into young
adulthood, to participate meaningfully in
society and to lead productive, rewarding
lives.
The Blazers salute the Urban League for
the
right
dedicating a day to celebrate young people
in our neighborhood who are making right
Doing
choices and achieving goals towards a
BOB WHITSITT,
bright future."
PRESIDENT, PORTLAND TRAIL
getting homework
done, helping others
BLAZERS
thing, whether it's
or staying out of
trouble,
isn't
always easy.
"Too often in our current media-saturated
.society, we are fed images and stories
The
children who
accomplish
it
which are disproportionately focused on
deserve special
negative incidents and failure. In turn,
recognition for their
people and organizations that care about achievements. We need to show them that
community have traditionally committed to
we value them at least as much as the
'fixing' what is perceived to be wrong,
home run hitters and killer whales that fill
MULTNOMAH
the headlines."
COUNTY CHAIR BEVERLY STEIN
rather than building from what is known to
be right. Youth who are succeeding feel
Summer Youth Employment Sponsors
The Urban League wishes to thank the
following sponsors of our 1998 Summer
Youth
Employment
Program.
which
employed more than 35 young people
providing free landscaping services to
seniors this summer.
1998 Program Cash Sponsors:
Nike, Inc. (Presenting Sponsor)
AON Risk Services
Associated General Contractors
Baugh Construction
The Campbell Group
Columbia Resource Co.
Cosgrave Vergeer & Kester LLP
John & Phyllis Courtney
Doubletree Hotels - Hayden Island
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Gunderson, Inc.
Irwin Hodson
Key Bank
KOEI America
Lazerquick
Legacy Health System
NACM of Oregon
Neil Kelly Co.
Nissho Iwai
North Pacific Insurance Co.
Old Spaghetti Factory
Oregon Pacific Development Investment
Purdy Corporation
Sealy Mattress Co.
Snyder Roofing & Sheet Metal
United Parcel Service
Weiden & Kennedy
HOW DOES A
CHILD GROW?
If a child lives with criticism,
he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility.
he learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule.
he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with fear,
he learns to be apprehensive.
If a child lives with shame,
he learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance,
he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement.
he learns to be confident.
If a child lives with acceptance,
he learns to love.
If a child lives with approval,
he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with recognition,
he learns it is good to have a goal.
If a child lives with honesty,
he learns what truth is.
If a child lives with fairness,
he learns justice.
If a child lives with security,
he learns to have faith in himself and
those about him.
If a child lives with friendliness.
he learns the world is a nice place in
which to live, to love and be loved.
In-Kind Sponsors
Anderson Roofing
Fred Meyer
Gardenburger
Roy Jay Enterprises
Nike
Thrifty Car Rental
Is Somebody Watching?
commitment to becoming economically
strong and to improving the well-being of
Black America.
"I didn't know people were watching me
and seeing that I was doing well in school.
It made me feel really honored for people
to recognize me."
A responsibility to achieve
The point of Doing The Right Thing Day,
of the Campaign for African American
Achievement, and of the Urban League's
decade-old NULITES (National Urban
League Incentives to Excel and Succeed)
program is to inspire our youth to take on
the personal responsibility necessary to
acquire the academic and social skills to
succeed. And it's to remind us adults of
our responsibility to help them do that.
So said Amber Demerson Lewis, now a
senior at Cypress-Falls High School, in
Houston, Texas, when she was inducted
last April 25 into the first class of the
Thurgood Marshall Achievers Society.
Amber was one of more than 2,500
elementary- and secondary-school students
across the country honored that day during
the inaugural event of the Campaign for
Without academic success, our young
African American Achievement.
The Marshall honor society, named after
famed
civil
rights attorney
the institutions they represent the path
African Americans must travel: a continued
By Hugh B. Price, President
National Urban League
the
What two individuals better symbolize both
in their own achievements and in terms of
Hugh B. Price
and
Supreme Court Justice, is part of the
response of the Congress of National Black
Thing" event September 19 to applaud
those youngsters who are doing well in
people won't be able to gain access to the
institutions of post-secondary training and
higher education which are the gateways to
viable employment for the overwhelming
majority of Americans.
Churches and nearly a score of national
school and in their communities. This year
Black organizations, including the National
Urban League, to a vitally-important need:
to let our children know that we adults are
we've made these ceremonies part of our
And without that training and those
designation of September as "Achievement
Month." We expect more than 40,000
pupils to participate in these ceremonies.
credentials, they'll be shut out of the wellpaying jobs essential to individual wellbeing and economic power.
In Chicago, where our "flagship event" for
the day will occur, more than six hundred
youngsters and their parents are expected
to gather Saturday afternoon at the
Whitney M. Young Jr. High School. All
of the students will receive gifts and our
applause and our hopes and prayers.
This task of preparing our youth for the
future is one of the cornerstones of
watching them and will take note when
they do well.
Praising achievers
We want to praise achievers like Amber so
that their accomplishments will help inspire
others among their peers to strive to do
their best.
And we want to praise achievers like
Amber to remind ourselves to reduce as
much as possible the number of young
people who can reach high school -- or the
upper years of elementary school -- and
not know that a community of adults is
watching over them and supporting them.
We know that as much as we, rightly, tell
our youth they must do well in school in
order to prepare for a challenging future,
so we must commit ourselves to helping
them find their own ways to success, and
to celebrating the steps they take along the
path of self-sufficiency and upward
mobility.
"Do The Right Thing" Events
That's why nearly all of our 115 affiliates
in 34 states and the District of Columbia
will hold their third annual "Do The Right
equality I
spoke about at the Urban
League's annual conference in August in
Philadelphia.
The task of ensuring their preparation is
vital, I said then, if African Americans as
a group are to take their place as full-
"The point of Doing The Right
Thing Day ... is to inspire our
youth to take on the personal
responsibility necessary to
acquire the academic and
social skills to succeed."
fledged participants in American society.
We must accept no excuses from a system
of public education that has been
inconsistent, at best, in providing quality
education. We must demand the best -- in
teachers and administrators, in curricula, in
school facilities -- the public schools have.
But, so too, must we demand the best of
ourselves: to make sure that our youngsters
We also hope they'll understand why the
honorary co-chairs of the event are Martin
Luther King III, president of the Southern
Christian Leadership Conference, and
Mellody Hobson, senior vice president of
Ariel Capital Management, of Chicago, one
of the nation's leading Black financial
investment firms.
go to school ready and eager to learn
because they will have already learned
from us that learning is important.
If we do that, then we won't ever have to
hear those haunting words ... "I didn't
know people were watching me and seeing
that I was doing well in school."
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
Urban League of Portland
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Portland, OR
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