Events for Portland and Vancouver Wash. April -May

The 8th Annual Portland Youth Summit is April 11-12, at Portland State University Smith Hall, 1825 SW Broadway, Portland.

The Friday night Youth Talent Show, called Freemix, features rappers, dancers and singers who auditioned and earn a place to perform and a chance to win first place to perform on Saturday night at the Blazers’ Boys & Girls Club concert. The Friday Night Talent Showcase is at 6 p.m., Portland State University, Smith Hall First Floor Parkway North. 

Saturday morning registration starts at 11 a.m. Smith Hall, Saturday Night events April 12 start at 8 p.m. at the Blazers Boys & Girls Club, 5250 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland.                        

On Saturday, workshops for parents/adults and young people include viewing Jasiri X’s workshop recorded on February 8, 2014 in Portland titled The Real Gangsta’s of Rap.  One of the highly anticipated workshops is called Soulfly Groovment, which will feature a workout CD produced by rapper and activist Stic.Man from the political hip-hop duo Dead Prez, on meditation, holistic health, and natural body movements. 

The additional workshops topics will vary from the Art of poetry, social justice, youth and leadership empowerment, and economics. 

The Summit offers merchandise and informational vendors, from non-profits to small businesses. A pizza feast and networking will be held at the end of the workshops. 

To register, email pdxsummit@gmail.com. 

Author R Gregory Nokes discusses "Breaking Chains" at North Portland Library

R Gregory Nokes, author of Breaking Chains:  Slavery on Trial in the Oregon Territory will discuss his book Tuesday, April 15, at the North Portland Library, 512 N Killingsworth Stat Commercial.  The discussion will last from 6:15 - 7:45 p.m.

Breaking Chains is the story of Robin and Polly Holmes who, along with their children, were brought to Oregon in 1844.  Enslaved in Missouri, the Holmes were promised freedom in exchange for helping develop their owner's WillametteValley farm. However, Nathaniel Ford, an influential settler and legislator, kept them in bondage until 1850, even then refusing to free their children. 

Holmes took his former master to court and, in the face of enormous odds, won the case in 1853. In Breaking Chains , R. Gregory Nokes tells the story of the only slavery case adjudicated in Oregon's pre-Civil War courts--Holmes v. Ford. Through the lens of this landmark case, Nokes explores the historical context of racism in Oregon and the West, reminding readers that there actually were slaves in Oregon, though relatively few in number. 

R Gregory Nokes' website is www.gregnokes.com/books/

Find More Events in Portland and Seattle on The Skanner's Community Calendar 

For more events check out The Skanner’s community calendar

Portland Police Launch Violence Prevention Program BoyStrength

On December 4, 2013, the Portland City Council approved funding for the Portland Police Bureau to pilot a boy's violence prevention and education program in 2014.
Under the successful model of the WomenStrength and GirlStrength programs, which have a 34 year history of success, the BoyStrength program mission is: fostering awareness, redefining masculinity, and encouraging boys to be leaders in nonviolence.
Contribute to your community by volunteering to teach violence prevention skills. No experience necessary.
Men from all backgrounds, abilities and ages (over 18) are encouraged to apply.
BoyStrength Program instructor applications are being accepted until May 1, 2014, and the training begins on June 7, 2014.
For the Volunteer Information and Application forms, visit http://www.portlandonline.com/police/BoyStrength
For additional information, contact the Strength Programs at the Portland Police Bureau's Family Services Division by calling (503) 823-0239, or emailing WomenStrength.pb@portlandoregon.gov

Workforce Conferences Target 50-and-Older Crowd

PortlandCommunity College is hosting two conferences on employment and training aimed at the 50-and-older crowd.

The half-day conferences titled, “Finding Work at 50 Plus: Yes You Can!” are set to go from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, April 22, in Beaverton at the Willow Creek Center (241 S.W. Edgeway Dr.) and again on Thursday, April 24, at the Portland Metro Workforce Training Center (5600 N.E. 42nd Ave). The free conferences are for members of AARP who are age 50 or older. The purpose is to give information, offer networking opportunities and help create a “next steps plan” for AARP members on employment and training options targeted specifically for their age group. In addition to PCC, AARP and the Small Business Administration are co-sponsoring the events.

The conferences, which are co-sponsored by AARP and the Small Business Administration, will feature workshops on how attendees can run their own business, learn more about solo entrepreneurship, take advantage of the hidden job market, re-careering, and discover specific tools and techniques on finding employment. Keynote speakers include Kevin Cahill with ECON Northwest and Malcolm Boswell from Oregon State Employment. Both will present data on the 50-plus workforce to show where the jobs are, employment trends and data on entrepreneurship. Panel speakers will talk about how they have re-created their lives.

Organizations providing information at the conferences include PCC’s Small Business Development and CLIMB centers as well as the college’s Career Pathways, Community Education and Life by Design programs. Plus, SCORE, Mercy Corps, Small Business Administration, Worksystems Inc., Experience Works, Easter Seals of Oregon, AARP and Dress For Success will also be on hand.

To register, call toll free at (877) 926-8300.       

OSU Hosts Screening, Discussion of Documentary ‘American Promise’

The award-winning documentary “American Promise,” about the struggles of two middle-class African American families as they educate and parent their sons, will be shown at Oregon State University on Tuesday, April 15.

The screening begins at 7 p.m. in the auditorium in Milam Hall, 2520 S.W. Campus Way, Corvallis. A question-and-answer session with filmmaker Michèle Stephenson will follow. The event is free and open to the public. Lead sponsors for the event are the College of Education and the Division of Student Affairs, with additional support from several other OSU programs.

A 30-minute version of the film will be shown at 4 p.m. Monday, April 14, in the theater atCorvallisHigh School, 1400 N.W. Buchanan Ave. A panel discussion about the African American male experience in predominately white schools will follow. That event is also free and open to the public.

“We hope the film will help us better understand some of the issues surrounding the black male achievement gap as it exists in our community,” said Felicia Reid-Metoyer, a faculty member in the College of Education and one of the organizers of the events.

“In particular, we would like for the two-day event to advance the discussion as it relates to teachers, administrators, and staff who work with underrepresented minorities in Corvallis and other local schools,” said Reid-Metoyer, who was inspired to bring the film to Corvallis after watching it in Los Angeles last year.

In “American Promise,” Stephenson and her partner, Joe Brewster, follow their son, Idris, and his best friend, Oluwaseun “Seun” Summers, as they move through school and confront issues of class, race and opportunity. The film begins with the boys’ entry into kindergarten at a prestigious private school and follows them through their school years to high school graduation.

“American Promise” premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival and won the Grand Jury Award for Achievement in Filmmaking. To learn more about the film or watch the trailer, visit www.americanpromise.org.

The Rosewood Initiative Mother's Day Market Set for May 3

The Rosewood Initiative Mother's Day Market will be on Saturday May 3rd, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. inside The Rosewood Initiative building located at16126 SE Stark Street, Portland, Oregon. The event is free and open to the public allowing shoppers the opportunity to find the right gift for mom or spend some quality time together. If you're looking for an opportunity to support local artisans and try delicious food, The Rosewood Initiative Mother's Day Market is just the place.

When asked about The Rosewood Initiative Mother's Day Market Executive Director Jenny Glass said, "This is going to be another great opportunity for the Rosewood community to showcase its many diverse and talented residents to the broader area. We really look forward to inviting everyone out to see and experience what the community has to offer." The Mother's Day Market will be the second time The Rosewood Initiative has hosted a seasonal market. In December the organization held its first ever Holiday Market with over 30 vendors offering a wide variety of products for sale.

The original idea for the market grew out of a need in the community for small home based and roadside businesses to have an indoor location for operation during the rainy season. The Rosewood Initiative wanted to do more for those who have the entrepreneurial spirit in the area. Currently at their 16126 SE Stark location The Rosewood Initiative offers small businesses and entrepreneurs support and training through programs ran by MercyCorps Northwest and Portland State University's Small Business Outreach program.

The Rosewood Initiative is a non-profit organization dedicated to making the Rosewood area a desirable place to live, work and play. By partnering with residents, apartment managers and owners, businesses, churches, social services agencies, neighborhood associations, and public safety agencies to create space for the community to come together to meet their common goals. For more information about The Rosewood Initiative or The Rosewood Initiative Mother's Day Market you can contact them on the web at rosewoodinitiative.org or call (503) 208-2562.

Commissioners seek applicants for Board of Equalization vacancies

The Board of County Commissioners is seeking applicants to fill two seats on the Clark County Board of Equalization.

One position is for a full-term board member, and one is for an alternate to serve on an on-call basis. Terms are for three years.
The board provides an impartial citizen forum in which property owners can resolve issues of assessed valuation and exemptions. Members are paid $75 per day while attending meetings. Meetings usually are Tuesday through Thursday and scheduled during regular business hours, as needed.
Applicants should have knowledge of real and personal property, Clark County, property appraisal techniques and property tax law. Experience or education in the building trades also is helpful.
Applicants should submit a letter of interest and resume to Jennifer Clark, Board of County Commissioners, P.O. Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666-5000 or email jennifer.clark@clark.wa.gov.

Deadline is 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 7.

To learn more, visit www.clark.wa.gov/board-of-equalization/index.html.