This is Our Story

Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI) was established in 1981, by Tony Hopson, Sr., a lifelong North Portland resident and community leader. It began as a one-week summer basketball camp aimed at providing a positive alternative for African American teens living in an area of Portland that was leaving them behind.

By 1989, SEI had grown into a year-round program providing academic support and comprehensive wraparound services for African American students and their families. In 1997, SEI opened the Center for Self Enhancement, which continues to serve as a safe haven for thousands of children and is the hub of SEI’s work. SEI has remained a pillar in the North Portland community and continues to expand its programs to provide youth and families with a continuum of services.

Today, SEI is a comprehensive, one-stop resource for youth and families, primarily African Americans and others living in poverty or seeking culturally responsive services. It is also one of the city’s leading multi-service organizations, providing thousands of youth, families, and adults with a wide array of education and social services on an annual basis. SEI’s strength is in its ability to meet the complex needs of the children and families it serves, including helping people to overcome cultural, educational and economic barriers.

SEI is committed to helping youth and families realize their full potential. SEI believes that every child has a gift and that it is our shared responsibility to help every child find that gift. By expanding learning opportunities and teaching every child that “Life Has Options,” SEI is seeing amazing results proving that SEI is the solution.