Harold Two September 13th, 2008
The Diversity Institute sponsored the first ever Jazz on the Mississippi celebration on September 11. Enjoy this recap in photos and we hope to see you on the Mississippi again next year.
Harold Two September 10th, 2008
Jazz on the Mississippi event noted in The Portland Observer, 9/10/2008.
Harold Two August 9th, 2008
A non-profit organization run by a prominent local African-American family and two giant institutions in education and government have entered into a unique partnership to provide mentoring, career and education opportunities to students at Jefferson High School.
The collaboration involves the Portland Development Commission, Portland Community College and the Diversity Institute, an organization charged with promoting diversity, education and bridging the gab between the disfranchised and enfranchised in north and northeast Portland.
The institute is headed by Harold Williams Sr. and his son Harold Williams Two. The senior Williams brings prestige to the effort as a long time community advocate, business owner and member of the Portland Community College Board of Directors. Williams Two is also an executive with his father at CH2A & Associates and the Diversity Institute who has worked in the field of child development and social work.
Beginning this fall, the pilot program will provide mentoring, career mapping and tracking help, internships and other exposure to career and educational opportunities for Jefferson High School students, with special emphasis on the school’s Young Men’s Academy.
It expands on Jefferson partnerships that already exist with PCC and its Cascade Campus, across Killingsworth Street from the high school.
PCC will help students with coursework and build school credits, giving them added college exposure, career counseling, and tutoring, both during and after school hours. The PDC will provide internships and job shadowing for the Jefferson kids, along with mentoring in a variety of careers and trades, summer jobs with other partners and business exposure.
Jefferson Principal Cynthia Harris said the next step is for the backers to establish timelines, roles, and responsibilities, with training and implementation to follow.
“The mentoring piece is very important and it augments partnerships we already have in place,” Harris said.
Williams Two said the purpose of the collaboration is to provide a 21st Century Educational Model to Jefferson students that coordinates and collaborates with local schools, government agencies, unions, private entities, social agencies and community colleges and universities.
“We all share the understanding and know the importance of public involvement and giving back to youth in our community,” he said. “We believe strongly in the five keys of success: Access, accountability, communication, education and relationship building.”
“The key to changing the world is that you must be willing to change your mind,” he said.
The article was accompanied by a photograh with this caption:
Local business owner and community advocate Harold Williams Sr. (from left); Damon Hickok and Algie Gatewood of Portland Community College; Jefferson Principal Cynthia Harris; John Jackley of the Portland Development Commission; and Harold Williams Jr. usher in a new partnership to give career and educational opportunities to students at Jefferson High School.
As reported in The Portland Observer, August 6, 2008
Harold Two July 31st, 2008
Thomas Jefferson High School/Young Men’s Academy, Portland Development Commission (PDC), Portland Community College (PCC), and the Diversity Institute announce a pilot program that will provide mentoring, career mapping and tracking, internships and career and educational opportunities exposure for Thomas Jefferson High School students. This project will be launched in the fall of 2008.
This program is a direct response to an issue presented at an African-American Alliance Breakfast in spring of 2008. There it was asked, “Who in the city is addressing the issue of our (young African-American) male being disenfranchised, and who is stepping up to the plate to help prepare them to be successful and productive members of society?”
The purpose of this collaboration is to provide the 21ST Century Educational Model that coordinates and collaborates with schools (elementary – middle – high school), government agencies, unions, private entities, social agencies and community colleges and universities. This is the first time that unions, public entities and private entities will work together and take an active role in training and educating today’s youth to become tomorrow’s workforce.
These four organizations (Thomas Jefferson High School/YMA, PDC, PCC and the Diversity Institute) have taken responsibility for leading our region into the future as it relates to diversity, economic development, public relations and education. We all share the understanding and know the importance of public involvement and giving back to the youth in our communities. We believe strongly in the five keys of success: access, accountability, communication, education and relationship building.
What are responsibilities for each participant in this pilot program?
“The key to changing the world is that you must be willing to change your mind.”
Harold C. Williams Two (The Diversity Institute/CH2A)
Contact Person:
Harold C. Williams Two
Cell: (503)490-0755
haroldtwoch2a@msn.com
Harold Two July 18th, 2008
The Portland Observer reports on the refurbishing of the historic Albina Dome.
Area residents are invited to celebrate the rededication of the Dawson Park Gazebo during a community concert featuring local musician Patrick Lamb on Wednesday, July 16 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The park is located on the corner of North Stanton Street and North Vancouver Avenue.
The beautiful dome and brick flooring of the Dawson Park Gazebo were salvaged from the Hill Building, last located on North Russell Street during the early 1970s in the last days of a significant business district for the African American community before displacement by the expansion of Emanuel Hospital.
The dome was placed in Dawson Park in 1978. The Hill Building was built in 1890 and was once the cornerstone of the former city of Albina. The Dawson Park Gazebo serves as a reminder of the Albina of yesterday.
The Portland Development Commission financed all the gazebo’s renovation and improvements using tax increment proceeds from the Interstate Corridor Urban Renewal Area.
The renovated gazebo enhances and protects the historic dome and brings focus to the cultural significance of the dome.
All of the renovation was carefully planned with Portland Parks & Recreation; the Albina Rotary and Eliot Neighborhood Association community partners; who have encouraged and supported the renovation of the gazebo.
In the accompanying photograph, Harold Williams Sr. joins Serena Stoudamire, Albina Rotary president, at the Dawson Park Gazebo rededication.
As reported in The Portland Observer, July 16, 2008
Harold Two April 7th, 2008
I’m Harold C. Williams Two, a candidate for Portland City Commissioner position (2). Born and raised in the greatest city in the world: Portland, Oregon. I graduated from the school of champions, Thomas Jefferson High school in 1995. I received my BS in Early Childhood Development from Appalachian State University located in Boone, North Carolina. Currently I am President of CH2A & Associate Inc., a management consultant firm, vice chair of the Success Academy, a non-profit that serves low-income and at risk youth, and Board chair of PDX Confidential, a business professional organization.
I am also running for city commissioner of Portland to give a voice to small business, to the tax payer who believes they are not being heard, and to expose our children to our city government, its processes and its opportunities. We lose our young talent to other cities and states because many young people do not know what opportunities are available here in the city of Portland. “Imagine Portland without street signs. Imagine Portland with houses without address numbers. Outside of your neighborhood, you wouldn’t know how to get around. “Portland has phenomenal resources, services and opportunities; but very few people know how to access them.” My plan is to map out Portland city government and its services. This map will be simple and clear to understand.
I stand for access, accountability, communication, education and promoting the relationships between city government and the citizens of Portland. We must remove the things that divide and embrace the things that unite.
Now, to that opening question…why am I running for Portland City Commissioner position (2)?
She is the reason.
“For what we do today our children will hold us responsible tomorrow…”
- Harold C. Williams Two, Candidate for Portland City Commissioner position (2)
Harold Two March 19th, 2008
Hello Portland this is Harold C. Williams Two, your candidate for Portland city council position (2) and I am “actually” running for office.
Check me out as I run, jog, walk and bike all throughout the streets of Portland in my black, white and neon-safety green outfit as I train for my run and bike to the top of the world. I will run from Corner Stone Plaza located in North Portland (2752 N. Williams Avenue) to Council Crest in Southwest and back to Corner Stone Plaza and then continue to bike to the top of Rocky Butte in Northeast Portland and Mt. Tabor in Southeast Portland, and finish on the steps of City Hall on May 20, 2008, the day of primary to show the citizens of Portland how hard I will work for you once in office to map Portland’s city government. Mind you I am a 285 pound man, “not only am I asking for your VOTE, but also your prayers; I have a feeling I will be needing all I can get.” To assist me in this quest I have sought out the fitness training services of Reggie Senegal of 1Vest and Anwar Washington of Pearl Private Fitness. My election night party will be hosted by DJ OG One at The Huddle (Sports Bars) located at 825 N. Killingworth St.
Running and biking Schedule:
“As you can see Portland, I am willing to talk the talk, walk the walk, and run my race.”
- Harold C. Williams Two, Candidate for Portland City Commissioner position (2)
Contact Info and more: Committee to elect Harold C. Williams Two
Harold Two January 28th, 2008
The Portland Observer highlights “young, minority voices” seeking your vote this May.
Portland is lucky to see even one emerging black voice in many election cycles. But this May will bring at least three young African-Americans to contend for three seats opening in state and local politics.
Cutting-edge candidates as the article is titled? Only if giving “a voice to the voiceless” is cutting-edge.
To give a voice to the voiceless is one of those things that to me, is just common sense. If we don’t do it, who will?
admin January 22nd, 2008
Jefferson High School graduates Harold Williams, Sr. and Harold Williams, Jr. spoke at their former high school which had the honor of being Portland’s City Hall for a week.
admin November 30th, 2007
Portland Development Commission commends CH2A & Associates “as one of the architects of our success over the past year and a half.” CH2A was also recognized for efforts that “have allowed PDC to reach out to people and communities that have traditionally not had access to or a voice in our processes.”
PDC benefited from CH2A & Associates training workshops with “high marks for the training you provided to the agency’s executive team as well as the Public Affairs, Public Involvement, and Future of Urban Renewal teams.”
“We recommend your services to all government and private entities seeking to improve community engagement, citizen participation, and public outreach.”