OUR ROOTS
Building a world where we believe in and enable every Black child to thrive.
OUR ROOTS
Building a world where we believe in and enable every Black child to thrive.
OUR ROOTS
Building a world where we believe in and enable every Black child to thrive.
OUR ROOTS
Building a world where we believe in and enable every Black child to thrive.
A Legacy of Community Power
Black Portlanders have always found ways to thrive. After being removed from the westside to the east, we made Albina our home. The city built I-5 through our neighborhood, and we kept building businesses.
When public schools in Portland failed to educate our children, we established the Black Education Center and the Baseline Essays and did it ourselves.
And when we had the chance to lead, Dr. Matthew Prophet, Portland Public Schools’ first Black superintendent, shrunk the achievement gap by deploying strategies to teach all children.
But as district priorities are reordered, Black students often find themselves at the bottom of education leaders’ lists–not the top.
The Center for Black Excellence is an independent nonprofit making it easier for community organizations to coordinate and collaborate, for innovative ideas to be pioneered, for systems and the individuals within them to be held accountable, and for Black student excellence to remain at the center.
A Legacy of Community Power
Black Portlanders have always found ways to thrive. After being removed from the westside to the east, we made Albina our home. The city built I-5 through our neighborhood, and we kept building businesses.
When public schools in Portland failed to educate our children, we established the Black Education Center and the Baseline Essays and did it ourselves.
And when we had the chance to lead, Dr. Matthew Prophet, Portland Public Schools’ first Black superintendent, shrunk the achievement gap by deploying strategies to teach all children.
But as district priorities are reordered, Black students often find themselves at the bottom of education leaders’ lists–not the top.
The Center for Black Excellence is an independent nonprofit making it easier for community organizations to coordinate and collaborate, for innovative ideas to be pioneered, for systems and the individuals within them to be held accountable, and for Black student excellence to remain at the center.
A Legacy of Community Power
Black Portlanders have always found ways to thrive. After being removed from the westside to the east, we made Albina our home. The city built I-5 through our neighborhood, and we kept building businesses.
When public schools in Portland failed to educate our children, we established the Black Education Center and the Baseline Essays and did it ourselves.
And when we had the chance to lead, Dr. Matthew Prophet, Portland Public Schools’ first Black superintendent, shrunk the achievement gap by deploying strategies to teach all children.
But as district priorities are reordered, Black students often find themselves at the bottom of education leaders’ lists–not the top.
The Center for Black Excellence is an independent nonprofit making it easier for community organizations to coordinate and collaborate, for innovative ideas to be pioneered, for systems and the individuals within them to be held accountable, and for Black student excellence to remain at the center.
A Legacy of Community Power
Black Portlanders have always found ways to thrive. After being removed from the westside to the east, we made Albina our home. The city built I-5 through our neighborhood, and we kept building businesses.
When public schools in Portland failed to educate our children, we established the Black Education Center and the Baseline Essays and did it ourselves.
And when we had the chance to lead, Dr. Matthew Prophet, Portland Public Schools’ first Black superintendent, shrunk the achievement gap by deploying strategies to teach all children.
But as district priorities are reordered, Black students often find themselves at the bottom of education leaders’ lists–not the top.
The Center for Black Excellence is an independent nonprofit making it easier for community organizations to coordinate and collaborate, for innovative ideas to be pioneered, for systems and the individuals within them to be held accountable, and for Black student excellence to remain at the center.
A Legacy of Community Power
Black Portlanders have always found ways to thrive. After being removed from the westside to the east, we made Albina our home. The city built I-5 through our neighborhood, and we kept building businesses.
When public schools in Portland failed to educate our children, we established the Black Education Center and the Baseline Essays and did it ourselves.
And when we had the chance to lead, Dr. Matthew Prophet, Portland Public Schools’ first Black superintendent, shrunk the achievement gap by deploying strategies to teach all children.
But as district priorities are reordered, Black students often find themselves at the bottom of education leaders’ lists–not the top.
The Center for Black Excellence is an independent nonprofit making it easier for community organizations to coordinate and collaborate, for innovative ideas to be pioneered, for systems and the individuals within them to be held accountable, and for Black student excellence to remain at the center.
A Demand for Intentional Change
In 2020, as the nation reeled in the wake of yet another string of police killings, Portland Public Schools began planning to modernize Jefferson High School and relocate Harriet Tubman Middle School to make way for the expansion of Interstate 5–the same interstate that had previously disrupted and displaced Black life in Albina.
As renovations and relocations were discussed, Black leaders in Portland challenged the status quo and reminded each of us that community development is about more than erecting buildings— it’s about the people who live, learn, work, and play within them.
Specifically, they proposed that a center be built to address the achievement gap, support the holistic wellness of Black students, families, and their educators, and reroot the community that we all know is essential to student success. In response, $60 million in capital funds for the Center for Black Student Excellence were included in that year’s bond. Portland voters enthusiastically approved.
A Demand for Intentional Change
In 2020, as the nation reeled in the wake of yet another string of police killings, Portland Public Schools began planning to modernize Jefferson High School and relocate Harriet Tubman Middle School to make way for the expansion of Interstate 5–the same interstate that had previously disrupted and displaced Black life in Albina.
As renovations and relocations were discussed, Black leaders in Portland challenged the status quo and reminded each of us that community development is about more than erecting buildings— it’s about the people who live, learn, work, and play within them.
Specifically, they proposed that a center be built to address the achievement gap, support the holistic wellness of Black students, families, and their educators, and reroot the community that we all know is essential to student success. In response, $60 million in capital funds for the Center for Black Student Excellence were included in that year’s bond. Portland voters enthusiastically approved.
A Demand for Intentional Change
In 2020, as the nation reeled in the wake of yet another string of police killings, Portland Public Schools began planning to modernize Jefferson High School and relocate Harriet Tubman Middle School to make way for the expansion of Interstate 5–the same interstate that had previously disrupted and displaced Black life in Albina.
As renovations and relocations were discussed, Black leaders in Portland challenged the status quo and reminded each of us that community development is about more than erecting buildings— it’s about the people who live, learn, work, and play within them.
Specifically, they proposed that a center be built to address the achievement gap, support the holistic wellness of Black students, families, and their educators, and reroot the community that we all know is essential to student success. In response, $60 million in capital funds for the Center for Black Student Excellence were included in that year’s bond. Portland voters enthusiastically approved.
A Demand for Intentional Change
In 2020, as the nation reeled in the wake of yet another string of police killings, Portland Public Schools began planning to modernize Jefferson High School and relocate Harriet Tubman Middle School to make way for the expansion of Interstate 5–the same interstate that had previously disrupted and displaced Black life in Albina.
As renovations and relocations were discussed, Black leaders in Portland challenged the status quo and reminded each of us that community development is about more than erecting buildings— it’s about the people who live, learn, work, and play within them.
Specifically, they proposed that a center be built to address the achievement gap, support the holistic wellness of Black students, families, and their educators, and reroot the community that we all know is essential to student success. In response, $60 million in capital funds for the Center for Black Student Excellence were included in that year’s bond. Portland voters enthusiastically approved.
A Demand for Intentional Change
In 2020, as the nation reeled in the wake of yet another string of police killings, Portland Public Schools began planning to modernize Jefferson High School and relocate Harriet Tubman Middle School to make way for the expansion of Interstate 5–the same interstate that had previously disrupted and displaced Black life in Albina.
As renovations and relocations were discussed, Black leaders in Portland challenged the status quo and reminded each of us that community development is about more than erecting buildings— it’s about the people who live, learn, work, and play within them.
Specifically, they proposed that a center be built to address the achievement gap, support the holistic wellness of Black students, families, and their educators, and reroot the community that we all know is essential to student success. In response, $60 million in capital funds for the Center for Black Student Excellence were included in that year’s bond. Portland voters enthusiastically approved.
Establishing the Center for Black Excellence
The successful bond enabled Black-led and -serving educational organizations in Albina to engage in the design and implementation of the CBSE. Building on a long legacy of Black folks’ fight for equitable education, together, community leaders formed a Steering Committee and established the Center for Black Excellence: an independent, community-based, non-profit organization working to realize not just the District’s promise of the CBSE, but the promise of a quality education for all Black students in Portland and beyond.
While the CBE works with Portland Public Schools to carry out the creation of the CBSE, our work is much bigger than a school district’s erection of a building.
Together with our community, we are setting collective goals, coordinating collaboration around those goals, working to establish the policy conditions required to achieve them–and holding systems of power accountable when they fall short.
Establishing the Center for Black Excellence
The successful bond enabled Black-led and -serving educational organizations in Albina to engage in the design and implementation of the CBSE. Building on a long legacy of Black folks’ fight for equitable education, together, community leaders formed a Steering Committee and established the Center for Black Excellence: an independent, community-based, non-profit organization working to realize not just the District’s promise of the CBSE, but the promise of a quality education for all Black students in Portland and beyond.
While the CBE works with Portland Public Schools to carry out the creation of the CBSE, our work is much bigger than a school district’s erection of a building.
Together with our community, we are setting collective goals, coordinating collaboration around those goals, working to establish the policy conditions required to achieve them–and holding systems of power accountable when they fall short.
Establishing the Center for Black Excellence
The successful bond enabled Black-led and -serving educational organizations in Albina to engage in the design and implementation of the CBSE. Building on a long legacy of Black folks’ fight for equitable education, together, community leaders formed a Steering Committee and established the Center for Black Excellence: an independent, community-based, non-profit organization working to realize not just the District’s promise of the CBSE, but the promise of a quality education for all Black students in Portland and beyond.
While the CBE works with Portland Public Schools to carry out the creation of the CBSE, our work is much bigger than a school district’s erection of a building.
Together with our community, we are setting collective goals, coordinating collaboration around those goals, working to establish the policy conditions required to achieve them–and holding systems of power accountable when they fall short.
Establishing the Center for Black Excellence
The successful bond enabled Black-led and -serving educational organizations in Albina to engage in the design and implementation of the CBSE. Building on a long legacy of Black folks’ fight for equitable education, together, community leaders formed a Steering Committee and established the Center for Black Excellence: an independent, community-based, non-profit organization working to realize not just the District’s promise of the CBSE, but the promise of a quality education for all Black students in Portland and beyond.
While the CBE works with Portland Public Schools to carry out the creation of the CBSE, our work is much bigger than a school district’s erection of a building.
Together with our community, we are setting collective goals, coordinating collaboration around those goals, working to establish the policy conditions required to achieve them–and holding systems of power accountable when they fall short.
Establishing the Center for Black Excellence
The successful bond enabled Black-led and -serving educational organizations in Albina to engage in the design and implementation of the CBSE. Building on a long legacy of Black folks’ fight for equitable education, together, community leaders formed a Steering Committee and established the Center for Black Excellence: an independent, community-based, non-profit organization working to realize not just the District’s promise of the CBSE, but the promise of a quality education for all Black students in Portland and beyond.
While the CBE works with Portland Public Schools to carry out the creation of the CBSE, our work is much bigger than a school district’s erection of a building.
Together with our community, we are setting collective goals, coordinating collaboration around those goals, working to establish the policy conditions required to achieve them–and holding systems of power accountable when they fall short.
Creating a Collective Vision for the CBE
The Center for Black Excellence Steering Committee entered into a Cooperation Agreement with Portland Public Schools in fall 2022 to solidify a shared commitment to the success of the District’s Center for Black Student Excellence.
For the next year, the School District undertook a comprehensive community engagement process that included parents, students, alumni, educators, and community members to develop the Center for Black Student Excellence Vision.
At the same time, CBE Steering Committee members started their search for an inaugural director to begin building a community-based organization that could carry out that vision.
In 2024, after countless engagements with representatives of nonprofits, schools, departments, and education service districts, CBE crystalized its plans to build a System of C.A.R.E.
SEE WHAT WE'RE BUILDING
Creating a Collective Vision for the CBE
The Center for Black Excellence Steering Committee entered into a Cooperation Agreement with Portland Public Schools in fall 2022 to solidify a shared commitment to the success of the District’s Center for Black Student Excellence.
For the next year, the School District undertook a comprehensive community engagement process that included parents, students, alumni, educators, and community members to develop the Center for Black Student Excellence Vision.
At the same time, CBE Steering Committee members started their search for an inaugural director to begin building a community-based organization that could carry out that vision.
In 2024, after countless engagements with representatives of nonprofits, schools, departments, and education service districts, CBE crystalized its plans to build a System of C.A.R.E.
SEE WHAT WE'RE BUILDING
Creating a Collective Vision for the CBE
The Center for Black Excellence Steering Committee entered into a Cooperation Agreement with Portland Public Schools in fall 2022 to solidify a shared commitment to the success of the District’s Center for Black Student Excellence.
For the next year, the School District undertook a comprehensive community engagement process that included parents, students, alumni, educators, and community members to develop the Center for Black Student Excellence Vision.
At the same time, CBE Steering Committee members started their search for an inaugural director to begin building a community-based organization that could carry out that vision.
In 2024, after countless engagements with representatives of nonprofits, schools, departments, and education service districts, CBE crystalized its plans to build a System of C.A.R.E.
SEE WHAT WE'RE BUILDING
Creating a Collective Vision for the CBE
The Center for Black Excellence Steering Committee entered into a Cooperation Agreement with Portland Public Schools in fall 2022 to solidify a shared commitment to the success of the District’s Center for Black Student Excellence.
For the next year, the School District undertook a comprehensive community engagement process that included parents, students, alumni, educators, and community members to develop the Center for Black Student Excellence Vision.
At the same time, CBE Steering Committee members started their search for an inaugural director to begin building a community-based organization that could carry out that vision.
In 2024, after countless engagements with representatives of nonprofits, schools, departments, and education service districts, CBE crystalized its plans to build a System of C.A.R.E.
SEE WHAT WE'RE BUILDING
Creating a Collective Vision for the CBE
The Center for Black Excellence Steering Committee entered into a Cooperation Agreement with Portland Public Schools in fall 2022 to solidify a shared commitment to the success of the District’s Center for Black Student Excellence.
For the next year, the School District undertook a comprehensive community engagement process that included parents, students, alumni, educators, and community members to develop the Center for Black Student Excellence Vision.
At the same time, CBE Steering Committee members started their search for an inaugural director to begin building a community-based organization that could carry out that vision.
In 2024, after countless engagements with representatives of nonprofits, schools, departments, and education service districts, CBE crystalized its plans to build a System of C.A.R.E.
SEE WHAT WE'RE BUILDING
