“Right from the begining we knew it wasn't just a camp. It was a program, a continuation of what our parents were already teaching us. SEI taught us that we had to crawl before we could walk, and if we wanted to broaden our horizons, SEI was the place for us.”
- SEI alumni who is now a successful entrepreneur, teaching young men the values he learned at SEI

Self Enhancement, Inc.
Youth Potential Realized
3920 North Kerby Avenue Portland, OR 97227-1255

(503) 249-1721

Changing the Odds, Changing the Future:

Tony L. Hopson, Sr., Founder, President/CEO

Tony Hopson’s journey from picking beans and berries alongside his family in Willamette Valley to becoming the founder, president and CEO of Self Enhancement, Inc., is remarkable unto itself. Even more powerful than Tony’s own story is how SEI has grown from its beginnings as a summer camp to its comprehensive scope that helps at-risk African-American urban youth beat the odds, realize their potential and achieve their dreams.

Tony Meet Tony

Tony Hopson graduated from Portland’s Jefferson High School in 1972. He went on to graduate from Willamette University with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Sociology and a teaching certificate in 1977. That same year he earned a counseling certificate from Portland State University. In 1991 he received an Honorary Doctorate in Public Service from Willamette University. During his high school and college years he was recognized for his athletic skills as an all-city and all- state basketball player. In 1977, he participated in the Portland Trail Blazer’s rookie camp. From 1977 to 1985, Hopson taught, counseled and coached for Portland Public Schools.

Tony has also been recognized for his activism and community leadership by receiving numerous awards, including:

  • State of Oregon’s “Gold Schmidty Award”
  • “Teamwork Award” from Christian Women Against Crime
  • Urban League of Portland’s “Equal Opportunity Award”
  • Albina Ministerial Alliance’s “Bridge Builder Award”
  • Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s “Emerald Award”
  • Black United Fund’s “Legacy Award”
  • “Aubrey R. Watzek Award” from Lewis & Clark College
  • “Community Award” from the Portland Observer Newspaper
  • “Living Legend Award” from Willamette University
  • “First Citizen Award” from the Portland Metropolitan Association of Realtors
  • “Oregon Ethics in Business Award” from the Samaritan Counseling Center
  • “Distinguished Service Award” from the University of Oregon.

Tony is a very active volunteer and leader in the Portland community. He is a director on the
U.S. Bank Corporate Advisory Board, Trustee on the OHSU Foundation Board, Willamette University Trustee, sits on the Portland Trail Blazers Executive Advisory Board, and is a founding member of the Northeast Rescue Plan Action Committee (NERP AC).

Tony is the father of three sons. In his spare time he enjoys music, travel and water sports.

A Living Timeline of scope and significance.

1981

Tony Hopson, Sr., begins a one-week summer camp for high school boys.

1982

One-week summer camp for middle school boys added.

1985

Programs for summer camp participants expand to in-school, after school and weekends.

1988

Year-round in-school, after school, weekend and summer programs expand to serve boys and girls in three middle schools and Jefferson High School.

1989

Year-round programs expand to three elementary schools.

1994

Family Services begins, providing intensive services to families in partnership with Oregon Services to Children and Families and Multnomah County Department of Community Justice.

1995

SEI Pamplin Fellows, leadership development for high school students, begins.

1997

Center for Self Enhancement opens.

Elementary School program expands to serve two more schools, bringing total number of schools served to 11.

After-school, weekend and summer programs open to students not involved in SEI through their school.

1999

SAMHSA, three-year federal research project evaluating effect of mentoring on alcohol and other drug use in middle school students, begins.

2000

SEI becomes the new home of the Multnomah County Northeast Community and Family Services Center.

2001

SEI celebrates its 20th Anniversary of providing positive options to Portland's inner city youth.

2003

Portland Public School board approves SEI application to open a charter middle school.

2004

SEI becomes provider of Schools Uniting Neighborhoods (SUN) after-school program at four Portland Public Schools.

SEI Academy begins with its first sixth grade class.

2005

SEI Academy adds a seventh grade class.

2006

SEI celebrates 25 years of providing positive options to Portland inner city youth.

2007

SEI business plan, supported by Edna McConnell Clark Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and Meyer Memorial Trust funding focuses on increased growth in Portland and preparation for replication. The SEI core program is launched in Miami at the Overtown Youth Center.

2009

Program growth leads to shared leadership as Tony Hopson, Sr., remains President & CEO and Marcy Bradley is named as new Executive Director for SEI Portland. SEI comprehensive programs serves more than 2500 students in In-School, After-School, Summer, Post-High, and Community and Family Programs.

2010

SEI launches business plan designed to leverage growth and strengthen its partnership with Portland Public Schools through increased funding.