Portland Mourns the Loss of Michael “Chappie” Grice

Portland is mourning the passing of Michael “Chappie” Grice, a visionary leader, educator, founder and tireless advocate for youth, equity and the arts. Grice passed away peacefully at his home on September 13, 2025. He leaves behind a profound legacy as a beloved husband, father, grandfather, mentor and community champion.

For more than five decades, Grice dedicated his life to education and community leadership. He served with distinction in the Portland and San Francisco Public Schools, co-founded the World Arts Foundation Inc. (WAFI) alongside Ken Berry, and pioneered programs at the intersection of arts, education and history. WAFI continues to uplift Portland through its renowned Martin Luther King Jr. program and the Alberta Street Project, amplifying the voices and cultural contributions of the region’s Black community.

Drawing inspiration from the Tuskegee Airmen, Grice founded Urban Wings and Aerospace Leadership Club, instilling leadership, entrepreneurship and vision in middle and high school students through aviation and history. Their guiding mantra — “We fly planes, but we study leadership” — earned the support of the Port of Portland and local pilots, shaping generations of young leaders.

Grice was also a co-founder of Friends of the Golden West, a coalition that successfully preserved the Golden West Hotel, a landmark of Black Portland history, securing its place on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, Will Bennett continues this important work as a steward of the organization’s mission.

Born in Portland on March 3, 1948, Grice was raised in a working-class family. His early experiences with systemic racism, including redlining and exclusion, planted the seeds for his lifelong advocacy and leadership.

Community leaders are reflecting deeply on his loss. In a tribute, James Posey, president of Portland’s NAACP, asked:

• “Who will teach us to show relentless passion for putting our children first?”
• “Who will remind us, over and over, of our proud history and the price our elders paid for our freedom?”
• “Who in these troubled times will help us find a positive path forward, keep us focused, and keep our eyes on the prize?”
• “Who will set the example—the gold standard—of perseverance, persistence, and advocacy?”

The answer, many believe, lies in the new generation of leaders Grice mentored. At a recent community gathering, two of his mentees vowed to continue his work, carrying his torch forward with determination and vision.

“Michael believed in building leaders, not followers,” said Gwen Thompson, President of World Arts Foundation Inc. (WAFI) and longtime collaborator. “His vision was never just about himself — it was about equipping others to rise, to serve, and to lead.”

Grice’s legacy endures through his family, the institutions he built, and the countless lives he touched. His passing leaves a tremendous void, but also a living charge: to continue the work of equity, history, culture, and opportunity that he so passionately advanced.

A celebration of Michael Grice’s life and legacy will be held Saturday, September 27, at 11:00 a.m. at Grant High School Auditorium, 2245 NE 36th Ave., Portland, Oregon.