SEI Blog
Featured
African American History is American History, a reality that is not always connected within our society. Edmund “Mundo” Holmes and Rashad Floyd’s mural, “Invent the Future” illustrates Black inventors as superheroes.
On August 8th, 2020 we released our first ever television special in lieu of our annual Soul of the City Gala + Action (our largest fundraiser of the year).
Remembering John Lewis and the profound impact he had on the early stages of SEI.
February was such a powerful time here at SEI as we celebrated Black History Month. Through a variety of events, exhibits and celebrations, we honored the strength, resiliency, and heritage of those that have come before us, as well as the community leaders of today.
Led by Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI), Albina Head Start, Immigrant Refugee Community Organization (IRCO), Latino Network, Metropolitan Family Services (MFS), Native American Youth Association (NAYA), United Way, Portland Public Schools, and Reynolds School District are implementing ARPNI over the next four years.
Our 3rd annual Junction Ave Black Owned Business Pop-Up was a success thanks to our partners, sponsors and the community that came out to support.
On Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, from 12PM to 6PM, over eighty black owned businesses will gather at The Center for Self Enhancement for Junction Ave: A Black Owned Business Pop-Up.
With the help of the community and our sponsors, we were able to serve nearly 500 youth this holiday season with toys and gifts.
On Wednesday, December 11th, Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI) hosted its second annual Trade Up! Fair highlighting different trade-related companies and organizations.
In November, we were able to serve over 400 families and provide dinner baskets to those who would not be able to afford a traditional thanksgiving meal.
With the support of our friends over at AFCPE, Hands on Banking, and Wells Fargo, we were able to serve over 50 households with free one-on-one financial counseling here at the Center on Thursday, Nov. 21st.
Harvest Fest 2019 was our biggest yet! We had a BLAST with over 1,000 youth and families flooding through our doors that night!
300 people showed up to help raise awareness on, and honor the victims of, domestic violence.
Self Enhancement, Inc. presents The African American Culture Center Library.
Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI) will host their 5th annual Purple Mile Walk. SEI’s goal with The Purple Mile Walk is to raise awareness on the prevalence and impact of domestic violence in the community.
Thanks to the generosity of all in attendance, we were able to raise over $1.4 million for our SEI community!
Thank you to everyone that came out to show your love and support for our Inductees.
We had a fantastic time at our Basketball camps this year! So many memories made. Check out some of the photos below.
Congrats to the Jordan Brand Class of 2023 Wings Scholars! Welcome to the Family.
On Tuesday, May 21, 2019, businesses up and down Mississippi Avenue will invite customers to eat, drink, or shop and will donate 10% of the proceeds to support Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI) programs and services for youth and families. This fundraiser is crucial to helping sustain SEI’s efforts to serve the community.
Congratulations to SEI alumnus and library patron Mitchell S. Jackson, who is one of 15 novelists, poets, translators, academics, and independent scholars selected by The New York Public Library for a prestigious 2019-20 fellowship at the Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers.
On May 10, 2019, Adams will receive the Stanford GSB Tapestry Award, which honors African American alumni who have woven inspirational leadership, intellectual excellence, and service to others through their professional and personal life.
On Saturday, March 30th, 2019 we dedicated space in the Eugenia Adair Memorial Library to Author and SEI Alumni, Mitchell S. Jackson. It was a wonderful night full of community, literature, and honor for the African American legacy that SEI has continued to help foster here in Portland.
Self Enhancement, Inc was absolutely overwhelmed by the success of the African American Women’s Luncheon “We Are Overcomers” that capped off our Black History Month events on February 28, 2019.
The event, emceed by Justice Adrienne Nelson, will include a panel discussion, moderated by SEI’s Chief Operations Officer, Libra Forde, a keynote presentation by Linda Hudson, Director of African American Services from the Imani Center, as well as special performances.
No words can describe the impact that Howard has had on the Portland community. Howard was very generous with his time and treasure. He was one of Portland’s last great philanthropists.
As the second largest minority-owned business in Oregon, SEI feels a responsibility to continue educating the public on the vibrant African American culture.
…to have the President invite our students to meet him on the tarmac at the Portland International Airport was truly a special moment. Not because it was the President, not because it was a unique experience for all of us, but because of the personal authentic way in which the President interacted with Ray, myself, and the students of SEI.
Your amazing generosity has played a huge part in creating the miracles that happen day after day here at SEI. Check out the video below for a recap of our livestream.