April 2016 Equity Lens :: Leadership Development Update

Bridging cross cultural Leaders from cohort Classes of 2015-16!

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Over 100 leaders from the 2015-2016 Bridges programs came together on February 20th for the Second Annual Bridges Cross-Cohort Convening. Participants from the African American Leadership Academy, African Leadership Development Institute, Asian Pacific Islander Community Leadership Institute, Lead for Oregon, Slavic Leadership Development Project and Unid@s spent the day networking, building relationships and discussing cross-community issues and meaningful leadership. The convening was co-facilitated by trainers from Multnomah County’s Community Capacitation Center and alumni from each of the programs. 

Member's of LEAD's current cohort

“This truly was incredible. Really, just the mere fact in bringing everyone together was and IS power in transformational change. My African & Asian brothers & sisters moved me - inspired me!” - Feb. 20th 2015-2016 Bridges Participant

“This is the first time that I have been in a room with a group/groups of people this diverse in Portland. I was able to get to know more about people, their issues, hardships, and joys.” - Feb. 20th Bridges Convening Participant

Members of UNID@S' current cohort

On behalf of the CCC and BRIDGES, we would like to thank all those individuals that supported and participated in this year's convening. More pictures will be posted in an online gallery on the CCC's website. 

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Coming Soon! Bridges Alumni Online Directory

Our growing network of Bridges alumni will soon reach over 400 skilled community leaders! This summer the CCC will launch an online directory to honor andshowcase these individuals and their work in our communities. The directory will also act as a public resource for alumni to network with each other, for external stakeholders to view and contact leaders, and support connecting alumni with ongoing leadership opportunities in Oregon.

For more information about BRIDGES please email Jessica Lee, Leadership Development Manager, at jessica@coalitioncommunitiescolor.org.

Latino Network, Coalition of Communities of Color, and Stand for Children Oregon Unite Behind Initiative Petition 65

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 25, 2016

CONTACT: Kelsey Cardwell

kelsey.cardwell@gmail.com

425-753-0461

@BetterHSNow

Latino Network, Coalition of Communities of Color, and Stand for Children Oregon Unite Behind Initiative Petition 65

Today, the Latino Network of Oregon, the Coalition of Communities of Color, and Stand for Children Oregon announced their lead role as coalition sponsors for Initiative Petition 65 (IP 65). They head up a growing list of supporters like Adelante Mujeres, Benson Tech Foundation and Native American Youth and Family Center campaigning to improve Oregon’s high school graduation rate, and career and college readiness.

As the economy grows, IP 65 will target new money to Oregon’s most pressing problem—the state’s critically low graduation rate. If passed this November, it will directly fund proven high school that will increase student success. It will expand career-technical education (CTE) programs and college-credit courses, and implement proven dropout prevention strategies across Oregon.

“Oregon’s high school graduation rate is one of the lowest in the country, and last year, only 66 percent of kids of color graduated on time, a full 10 points behind white students,” said Julia Meier, executive director of the Coalition of Communities of Color. “It is time to take action to help Oregon’s students, particularly our most vulnerable students, because they cannot afford for us to wait any longer.”

Oregon’s public schools have great kids, dedicated teachers and hardworking staff, but the numbers show that our high schools are ill-equipped to serve our students, especially students of color:

Last year, over 2,500 kids of color dropped out of high school in Oregon, at rates significantly higher than their white peers, according to the Oregon Department of Education.
Only 15 percent of black students, 16 percent of Pacific Islander students, 21 percent of Hispanic students, and 22 percent of American Indian students leave community college with a certificate or degree, according to the Oregon Secretary of State's office.

However, at schools where students have access to career technical education, college-level coursework and dropout prevention programs, students of color fare far better in high school and college. For example, a  report released by the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) found that CTE students are 15.5 percent more likely to graduate high school in four years than students statewide.  Students of color benefit even more. The graduation rates for African American students are 24 percent higher than those of African American students statewide, 21 percent higher for Latino CTE students, and 23 percent higher for Native American CTE students.

“Students of color cannot wait around any longer for adults to do something about Oregon’s disturbing graduation rate,” says Carmen Rubio, executive director of the Latino Network. “This initiative quickly creates opportunities that will support students in succeeding in high school and college. We are proud to call ourselves a coalition partner.”

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CCC Leaders Bridge :: September 2015 :: Vol. II

July 2015 CCC Member Spotlight

Slavic Network of Oregon was founded over ten years by leaders within the Slavic community. Since its inception, Slavic Network has played a critical role in Portland's Slavic community by providing culturally-responsive programs that meet the unique needs of Slavic seniors, parents, and children.

Most recently, the Slavic Network of Oregon has focused its efforts on developing relationships with religious Slavic organizations. As a result of the intentional outreach efforts, the Slavic Network was able to provide annual programmatic support to 2,000 Slavic community members through trainings, support, and encouragement. 

As a grassroots community-driven organization, the Slavic Network of Oregon leverages the leadership and experience of the Slavic Advisory Committee (SAC), a team of Slavic community leaders with a vested interest in the Slavic community. The SAC team strategically surveys their respective community to identify community needs and develop culturally responsive solutions that meet the needs of their community. The SAC also organizes trainings and workshops for the community. As result of the Slavic Network's long-standing presence in the community and strategic partnerships with the religious organizations, the average audience for the trainings are about 300 people. 

Ultimately, the Slavic Network's community engagement efforts with community leaders and organizations has improved the quality of life for Slavic people in Oregon.

CCC Equity Lens :: April 2015 :: Vol. I