After raising nine children and three times as many grandchildren Margaret Carter knows how to speak to young people.  The former state senator and current deputy director of the Oregon Department of Human Services, as well as others, spoke with the Grant High School student body on Wednesday following the murder of recent graduate Andre Payton on Sept. 26.

Family and friends of Andre Dupree Payton pleaded for brotherly love, community and an end to the gang violence that ended the short life of their loved one, in a shooting Sept. 26. But just after the powerfully emotional service was ending, police were called out to a drive-by shooting on NE Mallory and Going Street.

The Skanner News editorial staff this week interviewed Oregon gubernatorial candidate John Kitzhaber on race, policy and the state budget.

Andree Dupree Payton's funeral set for Tuesday. Mayor Adams demands "Let the violence end now, and we will help any youth who want to leave gang life."

The key issue she will address if about how local vendors and services providers of color can successfully sell their products and abilities to local government. "Social equity and sustainability are our key priorities and core values," she said. This year's conference theme is, "Crossroads to Raising the Bar for Contract Compliance and Diversity."

A campaign inspired by the tragic death of Andre Dupree Payton seeks to prevent any further shooting deaths. Men from Portland's African American Community plan to make their presence felt at this week's football game between Grant and Benson high schools. They will be wearing buttons that say "Restore the Village," signifying that they are there to support and mentor and encourage black youth. The game will be held 7 pm Friday at Cleveland High School football field.

It may come as no surprise, but children are much more likely to witness acts of violence than adults. According to the Department of Justice, about 60 percent of children report being exposed to violence.

They've been called the "backbone of the economy" by President Obama.

For years, the Northwest Health Foundation has funded the efforts of many of the local, low-income health clinics in Portland.

In a heartbreaking instant, Andre Dupree Payton, 19, was shot and killed last weekend in downtown Portland. The shooting was another tragic outbreak of gang-related violence – but those who knew the teen well say that he was a decent young man who was hanging out with the wrong crowd.
Sam Williams, in-school coordinator with Self enhancement Inc., has been working with Payton for the last 4 years. "He worked very, very hard to graduate from Grant High School in the class of 2010," Williams said. "I want to emphasize what a good, good kid Andre was."