The Diversity Institute Report Final

“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.

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.

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.

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

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?

1. YMA- Young Men’s Academy (6th grade – 9th grade)
   • Provide viable youths (actively participating in the Young Men’s Academy) who are skilled and poised enough to take advantage of the opportunities provided in the collaboration
2. PDC- Portland Development Commission
   • Provide collaborations with other PDC partners  (unions, private business, government)
   • Provide mentors for a variety of careers, including trades
   • Provide business exposure opportunities
3. PCC- Portland Community College
   • PCC will provide coordination with YMA for coursework and credit acquisition
   • Provide a site coordinator to work with YMA Principal
   • Provide schedules in advance for planning
   • Provide accreditation of class work
   • Provide instructors
   • Provide mechanism for YMA staff to do Dual Credit with PCC instructor
   • Provide college exposure
   • Provide Career Mapping through jobs exposed to through business collaboration
   • Provide access to computer labs
   • Provide tutors during and after school for PCC students
   • Provide teachers from PCC Teacher Institute
   • Provide parent meeting with explanation of secondary opportunities: High  School Completion, College, Certification
4. The Diversity Institute
   • Coordinate collaboration between PCC, PDC (other companies, organizations and governmental entities) and YMA
   • Provide and organize scholarship banquets, workshops and other fund raising opportunities

“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

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

At the December 6, 2006, PDC Board of Commissioners meeting, CH2A helped present the annual Diversity Report. With John Jackley and Dr. Garfield DeBarteleban, we announced a number of significant policy changes and presented a strategic shift in attitudes and relations within the minority community. Our research assisted PDC in the development of its Minority Contracting Initiative.

By holding a series of non-traditional community outreach meetings with faith-based and other organizations, CH2A opened doors for PDC that had previously been closed. We went to churches, coffee shops and other places of business to hold events that allowed PDC representatives to meet the public face-to-face. We participated in developing the construction wage policy through our grassroots work and in policy suggestions.

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.”