FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 17, 2016

PORTLAND –Black Male Achievement (BMA) Portland Summer Youth Experience attendees will host a community event to address racial and ethnic disparities as a result of Oregon’s Measure 11 mandatory minimum sentencing law. The “Rise Above: Measure 11 Reform Community Event” will take place on Saturday, August 20, from Noon to 3:00 p.m. at Woodlawn Park (NE 13th Ave and Dekum St.). Food will be served.

BMA’s Summer Youth Experience (SYE) provides a culturally-specific emotional and social intelligence curriculum to provide a supportive base for young Black male participants. Secondly, the program sets out to support young Black men in summer jobs through professional mentoring, on-the-job problem-solving, access to BMA professional networks, strengths-based relationship building, supportive leadership opportunities, and more.

BMA Portland is a collective of over 20 regional organizations represented by Black men that acts as convener, facilitator, policy guide, and collective voice to exert influence and push for change for the betterment of Black men and boys.

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