Sadly, about half of these kids won’t make it.

That’s right, according to both national and local statistics, about half of all African American students don’t graduate from high school. That’s right, according to Portland Public Schools, only 49% of African American students graduate from Portland public high schools in four years, meaning 51%, more than half drop out.

Yet last year, 100% of SEI students graduated.

We are Self Enhancement, Inc., (SEI for short), a nonprofit organization helping at-risk African-American urban youth realize their potential. Simply stated, we’re closing the achievement gap. In addition to 100% graduation rates, more than 85% of graduates continue on to pursue higher education or occupational training — many being the first in their families to do so. Amazing results, despite the fact that almost all the young people in our program are faced with significant social, academic and economic obstacles.

Help a child succeed.

We can’t do this without you. Explore our site. Learn more about us and how, in 29 years, SEI has grown from a one-week summer basketball camp to a flourishing agency serving and changing the lives of thousands of students in the greater Portland, Oregon area each year. More importantly, learn how and why our approach makes a difference and how your donation can, too.