CH2A

Harold Two October 13th, 2009

The Diversity Institute and CH2A & Associates, Inc. present video highlights from I Went 2 Jeff: The Jefferson High School Centennial Celebration.

Tags: Community, Jefferson High School, portland, schools

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Harold Two September 30th, 2009

Photo highlights from the annual Jazz on the Mississippi event sponsored by The Diversity Institute and Portland Development Commission. This community event featured Harold C. Williams Two, Gretchen Mitchell, Tahirah Memory, Farnell Newton, Band on “Q”, Urban Arts Dance Company and was hosted by the world famous and Portland Trail Blazers own DJ OG One.

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Harold Two June 30th, 2009

PDC solicited the services of CH2A & Associates, Inc. in June 20, 2006 to help improve the agency’s communication with Portland’s diverse communities, particularly those to whom PDC had not traditionally engaged with. PDC asked CH2A to provide training to the PDC Public Affairs Staff and PDC Community Relations Staff regarding African-American history and experience in Portland.

“Diversity is a resource and necessity; it is not a barrier.” The purpose of our workshop was to help eliminate fear, and establish a “common ground,” focusing on our similarities instead of our differences. Embracing diversity can, and will if utilized properly, open more doors and provide more opportunities than one can imagine. The real issue is that minorities (race, sexual orientation, persons with disabilities, etc.) are being left out and denied access to resources that can better their lives. This, in part, is due to the majority culture’s fear and/or lack of knowledge about how to engage with minorities.

Tags: diversity, PDC

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Harold Two June 30th, 2009

CH2A made over 500 contacts within the community, had over 80 face-to-face interviews with a variety of homeowners, business owners, community leaders and recipients of PDC’s resources, and held a number of community events and meetings. Interviewees also included developers of small businesses who had received PDC services, labor unions, neighborhood groups, and contractors.

After December 6, 2006, CH2A’s focus moved toward small businesses as a whole, instead of solely on African-American owned businesses. CH2A eventually reached out to all communities, but initially focused on the African-American community because of its experience in communications and its historical knowledge of that community.

In their report, CH2A gives a historical overview of PDC as it pertained to the African-American community, who overall had a negative perception of PDC’s image. They listed many of the issues, and concerns of the community, and also found that many of those disenfranchised shared similar issues with those who had received funding and/or other resources from PDC. The issues that were apparent boiled down to lack of access, lack of communication, and lack of accountability on PDC’s behalf. After CH2A diagnosed the problem and gave recommendations to rectify the issues, The Diversity Institute was able to step in and continue to provide the necessary technical services.

Tags: Community, diversity, PDC

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Harold Two June 8th, 2009

The Diversity Institute sponsored the 2009 Junior & Senior Prom at Jefferson High School.

Here are a few views from the “Night of the Century” in the Rose Room at the Portland Rose Garden.

Tags: Jefferson High School, portland

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Harold Two May 5th, 2009

For those of you unable to attend the Champions of Diversity luncheon, you can still enjoy this special event by watching the video. Be sure to join us next year when we once again celebrate Portland’s Champions of Diversity.

CH2A and The Diversity Institute also want to reiterate our thanks to all our sponsors and to our champions!

Tags: portland diversity

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Harold Two March 27th, 2009

Thank you to everyone that made our “Celebrate Portland’s Champions of Diversity” luncheon a successful event.

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Harold Two February 23rd, 2009

Help us celebrate Portland’s champions of diversity at a unique luncheon. The Diversity Institute and our sponsors — Portland Development Commission and CH2A & Associates, Inc. — have planned a luncheon filled with entertainment, inspiring speakers and an awards ceremony celebrating our champions:

• Bruce Warner, Executive Director of PDC
• Tom Potter, Former Mayor of Portland
• Ted Wheeler, Chair of Multnomah County
• Russ Danielson, VP and Chief Executive of Providence-Oregon
• Dr. Preston Pulliams, President of Portland Community College

Speakers include:

• Cyreena Boston, Field Representative of Multnomah County for U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley
• Charles Wilhoite, Board Chair of Portland Development Commission
• Dr. Matthew Prophet, Former Superintendent of Portland Public Schools

Plan on joining us at the Rose Garden on March 16 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. as we celebrate the dedication.

Learn more and register today!

Tags: portland diversity event

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Harold Two November 11th, 2008

AARP is sponsoring a Forum on Diversity and Aging in Oregon Communities. This event, held on November 17, 2008, addresses the opportunties and challenges facing aging populations.

Tags: aging, oregon, portland

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Harold Two October 22nd, 2008

The three local leaders will discuss their experience in bringing business, education and government entities together to provide better education and public services for the Portland area.

Keynote speaker John Jackley, Director of Communications and Business Equity for the Portland Development Commission (PDC), along with Dr. Preston Pulliams, President of Portland Community College (PCC), and Harold C. Williams Two, President of CH2A Associates, have been asked to make a presentation at a national meeting in NYC this month.

Jackley, Dr. Pulliams and Williams have collaborated on several projects that bring community services together to make it possible for citizens to find pathways to successfully complete education and training programs, to find affordable housing and to gain access to other opportunities (businesses and government/social services).

“The maze of businesses, education and government/social services can be very confusing and threatening to the very people who need these services the most,” said Jackley, who has spent many years promoting diversity in the business and government sectors. He is skilled in organizational development, project management, and interpersonal communications.

Successful outreach efforts this trio have embarked on and will discuss include the partnerships between Jefferson High School, Portland Development Commission, Portland Community College and The Diversity Institutes/CH2A mentor program. “The Jazz on the Mississippi” festival promoting diversity and public involvement and PDX Confidential “Setting the Table Conference” focusing on diversity and economic development are just a sampling of the work done by the trio. This work has gained national attention in recent years for innovative approaches and successful partnerships.

Jackley, Dr. Pulliams and Williams will speak before the American Community College Trustee Association’s national conference in late October. The African-American Community College Trustee Committee will be hosting the trio at their meeting October 31, 2008 10:30am to 11:45am.

Tags: conference, pcc, PDC

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