PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Dear Members, Happy New Year and I trust that 2023 has treated you and yours “so far, so good!” This issue of our newsletter allows us to look back at our accomplishments to date. It allows us to look forward at all that is planned for this upcoming year (so many opportunities that I encourage you to attend). Mostly this issue allows us to pause and celebrate the two men that altered the trajectory of PPS through vision, moxy, and relationships. One Dr. Matthew Prophet and the other Dr. Ernie Hartzog. The latter the ORABSE Founder in 1975 and the former whose name is honored in the renaming of the Portland Public Schools District Office as the Prophet Educational Service Center. Thank you Dr. Prophet and Dr. Hartzog for your leadership, courage and vision. We are on your shoulders and will always keep your legacy alive.

~ KEVIN BACON, ORABSE PRESIDENT

Celebrating ORABSE Founder's Birthday

Dr. Ernest Hartzog is the founder of ORABSE and a president emeritus of the National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE). In his honor, ORABSE will commemorate Founders' Day each February beginning in 2024.

On January 9, 2023, Dr. Hartzog gained the age of 95 years young! In addition to his family, many friends from the organizations he founded or has connections with, came out to celebrate him on Saturday, January 7th.

Representing The Boule, Links, business and education colleagues, his youth tennis clubs, and of course, ORABSE, we all acknowledged the measure of this man who contributed so much to so many. Ten of the past 11 ORABSE presidents were on hand to congratulate and thank him! Dr. Hartzog's legacy is to be emulated and we look forward to adding to the list of his accomplishments at his 100th birthday celebration!

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No one invented themself. Everyone can be great by doing small things to the best of their ability!

~Lurlene Shamsud-Din

ORABSE Welcomes New Program Manager

In November of 2020, with the election of a new Executive Board, ORABSE extended its outreach and became a true statewide program with a new mission: To celebrate, support, and inspire all Black educators to provide the best educational experiences and outcomes for All students, while leading the way on best practices for Black students. Membership increased from 20 to over 200 members.

To meet affiliate goals of celebrating, supporting and inspiring Black educators, ORABSE hired its first Program Manager in July 2022. This was made possible with a generous grant from Meyer Trust. ORABSE has welcomed Lurlene Shamsud-Din, an experienced health practitioner, manager and educator to this role.

Lurlene is a long-time member of the Oregon Alliance of Black School Educators, serving two terms as president. She is also a member of the National Alliance of Black School Educators and served as the Conference Office Chair when the organization convened their 2000 person NABSE Conference in Portland, Oregon. Lurlene’s background in advocacy, policy and leadership is a perfect fit to guide ORABSE as it continues to provide opportunities to educators for increased professional growth and to take pride in being celebrated for increasing academic excellence.

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ORABSE Event Success

Oregon Alliance of Black School Educators believes in our communities ability to educate all children! We know what it takes to do so! ORABSE was so excited to finally be in-person again, and started the school year with a series of events that embody our goals and engaged the community

• ORABSE Event Co-chairs, Traniece Warren-Brown and Lavert Robinson hosted a Mission Possible, a Back to School event for educators at the Colwood Golf Club. While enjoying good food, libations, music and ambience, attendees had the opportunity to make new connections with peers and network with seasoned and experienced educators. Everyone left with supplies, and the name and contact of those who could offer support, encouragement and inspiration throughout the year.

• In collaboration with the Black Parent Initiative (BPI), we held our first Wellness Fair, Restore, Refuel, Revive, on Saturday, November 19, 2022. Registered participants were able to attend three mini-workshops to hear from amazing speakers about self care. Participants were able to receive massages, acupuncture, Reiki healing, and chiropractic adjustments. A continental breakfast and a heart-healthy lunch was provided. The fair concluded with a “sound bath” which left folks feeling refreshed and relaxed.

• ORABSE hosted a Black Community Science night at OMSI, October 14, 2022. Over 800 people attended! It was well-received and the energy from the attendees was amazing. All the exhibits, including the Planetarium and the Teen Tech Center. Children and adults loved the Marvel exhibit, especially the Black Panther statue–a perfect backdrop for picture-taking. Vendors ranged from various food options to locally made vodka. We consider this one of our most well-attended and successful community events.