Community Service Awards

Foundation dinner promotes diversity

By Cari Hachmann

Reflecting on its diversity mission by paying tribute to community leaders, the Portland Observer Foundation held its first annual service awards dinner on Friday. Pictured (from left) are Rakeem Washington, Kory Murphy, Sunshine Dixon, Chuck Washington, Raymi Elser, Andrae Brown, Clarina Boston and Karanja Crews. Photo by Tracey Stadamire/Un-4-Gettable Photography

Gospel grooves from The Light Band poured into the room as more than 200 community supporters settled into their seats at the Portland Observer Foundation’s first Community Services Award Dinner inside the Double Tree Hotel in northeast Portland on Friday.

Warm mingling and chatter came to a hush as KOIN 6 Anchor and Master of Ceremonies Ken Boddie welcomed the party and introduced the Rev. Dr. W.G. Hardy Jr. for a brief prayer.

Portland Observer’s Mark Washington opened the ceremony, acquainting the audience with staff members of the 43-year-old newspaper and recognizing their contributions.  He shared the event’s purpose, which was to acknowledge the Portland Observer mission in promoting cultural diversity and pay tribute to community service leaders.

Dana Ingram and her youngest daughter Kai are honored guests at the first annual Portland Observer Foundation Awards Banquet.Photo by Tracey Stadamire/Un-4-Gettable Photography

Spoken word poetry by Timothy Phillips Jr. and an endearing speech on community building by keynote speaker Commissioner Amanda Fritz along with a fundraising opportunity commentated by Roy Jay moved the night into the official awards ceremony.

Honorary Awards were handed to surviving family members of beloved coach and educator Phil Walden; businessman, youth advocate and public servant Harold C. Williams; and active community advocate and youth violence prevention leader Robert Ingram.

Advocates for cultural development in disadvantaged and minority communities honored were La’tricia Tillman of the Department  of Human Services, Pamela Weatherspoon of Legacy Health Systems, Cyreena Boston of the Portland African American Leadership Forum, Andrae L. Brown of Lewis and Clark College, Karanja Crews of Portland Public Schools, Rakeem Washington of Portland Public Schools, Cobi Jackson of Wells Fargo Bank, artist Sunshine Dixon, Simone M. Brooks of S. Brooks Associates and Kory Murphy of NW Business Consultants.

Outstanding young leaders are awarded Portland Observer Foundation scholarships. Pictured (from left), are Desiree Duboise, Celeste Chow, Gabrielle Lang, Tram Bui, Shani Plunkett-De La Cruz, and Andre McCowan.Photo by Tracey Stadamire/Un-4-Gettable Photography

Community Service Awards were given to Ron Herndon of Albina Head Start, John Jackley of the Portland Development Commission, Charlene Williams of Portland Public Schools, former Sen. Avel Gordly, TriMet’s Mary Fetsch and Bruce Watts, Corliss McKeever of the African American Health Coalition, and Cinna’mon Williams of Home Forward.

Six students from the Portland Metro area were awarded scholarships for their outstanding works as young contributors to their schools and community.