Black Student Success Initiative | Oregon Community Foundation

Working alongside community partners to attack the root causes of education inequity for Oregon's Black students.

Black students in Oregon continue to experience gaps in educational access and opportunities that appear in early childhood, K-12 and higher education settings. They experience higher rates of poverty, exclusionary discipline and lower graduation rates compared to their White counterparts. Responding to calls from Black Community Leaders to address these and other disparities, OCF launched the Black Student Success Initiative in 2020 to support an improved culture of learning for Black children and youth in Oregon.

The Black Student Success Network (BSSN) is made up of 23 Black-led, Black serving organizations across Oregon. This network is intended to bring together community organizations rooted in the African American/Black community to strategize and provide direction to funders on the best practices that will advance Black children towards success from early childhood through post-secondary education. This initiative is separate, but complimentary to, the Oregon Department of Education’s African American/Black Student Success Plan. .

“The challenges that marginalize Black children in Oregon’s education system are far too great for individual organizations to address alone," noted Marcy Bradley, Chief Community Engagement and Equity Officer. “This network will utilize strategic collaboration, create meaningful partnerships and spearhead coalitions designed to attack root causes of educational inequity in Oregon.”

Each of the 23 nonprofits who make up BSS receive an annual grant of $20,000 from a Pooled fund, with contributions from a Funders Task Force, made up of Oregon-based Philanthropic Foundations that share a commitment in addressing educational inequities, including OCF, Meyer Memorial Trust, James and Marion Miller Foundation, Collins Foundation, Portland General Electric Foundation, Grey Family Foundation, Nike, Foundations for Better Oregon.

Oregon Black Student Success Network Map

Black Student Success Network Members

Africa House/IRCO: Offers state's only culturally and linguistically specific one stop center for more than 5,000 African immigrants and refugees.

African Youth & Community Organization: Offers mentorship to African youth, sports and leadership training.

Albina Head Start: Provides child development services and parent education to strengthen and enhance children and families.

BEAM Village: Delivers culturally responsive educational experiences to Black youth and adults in Portland area.

Black Parent Initiative: Educates and mobilizes the parents and caregivers of Black and multi-ethnic children in Portland area.

Beaverton Black People's Union: Advocates for culturally relevant resources and supports wellbeing of Black students and their families  

Black United Fund of Oregon: Assists in social and economic development of Oregon's low-income communities.

Y.O.U.T.H PDX: Provide resources and trainings to raise awareness of the school to prison pipeline on child welfare.

Bridges: Helps repair historic divisions between the African and African American communities in Portland  

Elevate Oregon: Builds relationships with urban youth to promote education, self-reliance and leadership.

Holla Mentors: Provides culturally responsive relationships for and with youth by first-generation college students and committed professionals.

I Am M.O.R.E.: Creates opportunities to build resiliency and sense of purpose within traumatized youth and then trains them as program evaluators.

Inner City Basketball: Develops and trains student athletes to succeed on and off of the basketball court.

KairosPDX: Provides culturally competent consulting and direct services to current in-home providers and families and neighbors who serve youth of color.

Black Southern Oregon Alliance: Fosters talents and interests of Black students to reach their unlimited potential.

NAACP Lane County: Pursues political, educational, social and economic equality of all persons and the elimination of race-based discrimination.

Oregon Alliance of Black School Educators: Celebrates, supports, and inspires Black educators to provide the best educational experiences and outcomes for all students, while leading the way on best practices for Black students.

OSU Black Student Access & Success: Receives and distributes charitable contributions to Oregon State University.

POIC-Rosemary Anderson: Reconnects alienated at-risk youth with an education.

REAP Inc.: Offers leadership training to at-risk students in grades 3-12civic engagement, entrepreneurship and cooperative management (conflict resolution).

Self Enhancement Inc.: Supports and guides students and provide opportunities for them to achieve personal success.

The Father's Group: Works to enhance the lives of children through education, leadership, and networking; while strengthening our community, eliminating barriers, and helping them reach their full potential.

UofO Black Alumni: Empowers, mentors and provides academic and emotional support for Black University of Oregon students *no website available.