Black Student Success

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, youth development, K-12 and higher education settings. They experience more poverty, higher rates of exclusionary discipline and lower graduation rates than White students. Responding to calls from the community to address these and other disparities, OCF launched the Black Student Success initiative to support an improved culture of learning for our state’s Black children and youth.

Oregon Black Student Success Community Network

In an era of uncertainty, fear and economic disparity because of COVID-19, the Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) is spearheading a groundbreaking initiative focused on raising hope and possibilities for Black students. 23 culturally led organizations around the state have been chosen to pilot an advisory think tank, called the Oregon Black Student Success Community Network (OBSSCN). Read more.

Oregon Black Student Success Community Network Organizations

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 Parent Union: Advocates for culturally relevant resources and supports wellbeing of Black students and their families  *no website available.

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

#BooksNotBarsOR: 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  *no website available.

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.

Medford School District: 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.