October 13, 2015

PORTLAND – The City of Portland will host 35 Black Male Achievement (BMA) representatives from six cities, October 14-16, 2015. Participants will attend workshops and site visits to learn about BMA Portland’s efforts in the areas of policy promotion, organizational structures, city-community collaboration, and engagement of young Black men and boys.

Mayor Charlie Hales will host a joint press conference at City Hall on October 15 at 3:30 p.m. with National League of Cities and BMA representatives. Following the press conference, the community is invited to a hip hop show at City Hall featuring Star Chile, DJ O.G.ONE, and special guests at 4:00 p.m.

“We’re proud that the National League of Cities has chosen Portland for their Technical Assistance Cross-site Convening,” said Dante J. James, director of Portland’s Office of Equity and Human Rights. “It shows that BMA Portland is an example of success and other cities are taking notice.”

The City of Portland was selected as one of 11 cities to participate in the National League of Cities’ BMA Initiative to improve outcomes for Black men and boys. The program is designed to work across public and private sectors and among jurisdictions to help improve the life outcomes of Black men and boys in four key areas: Education, Employment, Family Stability, and Criminal Justice.

Housed in the Office of Equity and Human Rights within Mayor Charlie Hales’ portfolio, BMA works with officials in Multnomah County government, as well as with for-profit and non-profit entities to create access to jobs and mentoring.

For more information, please contact Jeff Selby at jeff.selby@portlandoregon.gov.

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