2023 Black Student Success Summit Schedule
8:30 - 9:00 am Registration & Breakfast
Registration - Willamette Falls Room
Breakfast - Wahkeena Falls & Elowah Falls Room
9:00 - 9:30 am Opening Events
Keynote: De’Shawn Hardy
De’Shawn Hardy began his role as a Minister of Highland Christian Center in Portland, Or. De’Shawn moved into a leadership role quickly due to his amazing gift to serve and lead. He was under the direct leadership of the late Dr. W.G. Hardy (Pastor / Father) who was known for his dynamic ability to capture an audience. Earlier in his ministry De’Shawn lead Highland CC as their Worship and Support Leader in combination as the Non-Profit director.
De’Shawn is a graduate of Southern University. Later receiving an abundance of training around seminary. De’Shawn served part-time on the pastoral staff, executive board as well as the right hand of the Pastor, often requested for many speaking engagements and other spiritual endeavors as well as leadership roles and community work . De’Shawn is known as a humble but dynamic speaker with the ability to meet people on their own levels.
9:40 - 11:30 am: Morning Workshops
Each Workshop repeats in two sessions:
Session 1 - 9:40am - 10:30am
Session 2 - 10:40am - 11:30am
College Assistance and Financial Gems I Wish I Knew In High School - Astoria Room
Donna Myers, Gordon Kawaley
Tuition Assistance, Scholarships, and Financial Literacy for High School Students to maneuver their academic career before, during, and after college.
Black School Administrators: Leading the Era of Slaying - Coos Bay Room
Dr. Kimberlee Armstrong, Dr. Cheryl Proctor, Dr. Renard Adams, Freddie Mack, Loretta Benjamin-Samuels, Dr. Esther Omogbehin
This workshop will provide you with riveting stories from Black Educators about how they fought through racial battle fatigue in their own educational experiences and their “Why,” Why they chose Education as a career pathway. Through a facilitated discussion, students will learn about strategies that Portland Public School District is employing to decrease the opportunity gap and increase high school graduation rates for Black students.
StrengthFinders - Crater Lake Room
Teána Jones
Discover a strength that connects you to your personality, possible career choice, and capabilities. Why are you drawn to certain projects? Your strengths tell you a lot about yourself and this workshop will help you discover some of your strengths.
HBCU Intro and Panel Discussion - Multnomah Falls Room
Dallas Richardson and Briana Nelson, moderators; Raphael Gibson, Clark Atlanta University; Jacory Bernard, Morehouse; Dominique Harrison, North Carolina A&T; Juan Alexander, Norfolk State University; Roger Gray, Tuskegee University; Hugh Durham, Florida A&M University
Meet with HBCU admission counselors from Clark Atlanta University, Florida A&M, Morehouse University, North Carolina A&T University, Norfolk State University, and Tuskegee University to ask questions about admissions, financial aid and college life.
Student Services - Willamette Falls Room
Jeffery Hall, PCC (moderator); Cloie Brown, ACCESS; Ivy Mayeux, ACCESS; Janay Wright, Pan-African Commons; Liz Gonzalez, SAIL
Learn about campus resources designed to support students by providing academic advising, mentoring, help with setting academic goals, and referrals to campus and community resources. In this workshop you will hear from students who will share their experiences in these types of programs at various universities.
11:50 - 12:30 pm: Lunch & Entertainment
Food, Music, Entertainment - Wahkeena Falls & Elowah Falls Room
Scavenger Hunt! Check your booklet for a scavenger hunt to meet colleges, universities, and community organizations for a chance to win a laptop!
Raffle Prize Opportunity! Enter the raffle for a $50 gift card.
Turn in to your scavenger hunt and tickets by 3:40pm in Wahkeena Falls & Elowah Falls.
Must be present to win.
HBCU & Community Tables - Multnomah Falls Room
Stop by the tables during lunch to learn more about Historically Black Colleges and local Black Community Organizations. Don’t forget to get the scavenger hunt!
Raphael Gibson, Clark Atlanta University
Jacory Bernard, Morehouse
Dominique Harrison, North Carolina A&T
Juan Alexander, Norfolk State University
Roger Gray, Tuskegee University
Hugh Durham, Florida A&M University
National Society of Black Engineers
The Contingent
Black United Fund of Oregon
MicroEnterprise Services of Oregon
Blueprint Foundation
Scholarships for Your Financial Future - Multnomah Falls Room
Mentor$chip – Fund My College App hosts the world's first Scholarship Metaverse Gallery for Mentors who want to pledge student funds and for students who want to discover scholarships for higher education. Mentors, Parents and Professionals can create uniquely discoverable scholarships, and set them in their virtual community for Student Seekers to find and apply. Our Metaverse allows students to gain more scholarship awareness and begin accumulating rewards for educational experiences.
12:40 - 2:30 pm: Career Spotlights
Each Career Spotlight repeats in two sessions:
Session 3 - 12:40pm - 1:30pm
Session 4 - 1:40pm - 2:30pm
Entrepreneurship - Astoria Room
Please join Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO) in a discussion with local Black Entrepreneurs as we talk about their journey to becoming business owners. We will discuss the MESO programs that are available to assist small business owners, as well as the rewards and challenges that go along with entrepreneurship.
Reland Logan, MESO (moderator); Nicole Johnson of Ella Dean Hair Care, Tralice Lewis of Callie's Custom Hat Wigs, and Dijenaire Frazier of DC Rings, Jamaal Lane of Champions Barber Shop
Career Panel 1: Architecture, Construction, and Trucking - Coos Bay Room
Learn more about a variety of career paths in architecture, construction, and transport from Black Professionals. These workshops will highlight a range of industries where professionals share their stories and lessons learned followed by Q&A.
Chandra D. Robinson, National Organization of Minority Architects (moderator); Mohamed Fakhry, National Organization of Minority Architects; DeAngelo Moaning, Raimore Construction; Dr. Lawrence Hayes, Interstate Trucking Academy
Career Panel 2: Paramedicine, Dentistry, and Nursing - Crater Lake Room
Learn more about a variety of career paths in medicine from Black Professionals. These workshops will highlight a range of industries where professionals share their stories and lessons learned followed by Q&A.
Johnathan Benjamin, NREMT, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue; Brandon Moore, NREMT, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue; Susie Goolsby, D.D.S., MSHA, OHSU School of Dentistry; Travis E. Nelson, Oregon State Representative; J'reyesha Brannon (moderator)
A.I. Tools to Help You Create Content for School, Work, and Fun! - Wahkeena Falls & Elowah Falls Rooms
A discussion and exposure to A.I. applications that can help you do what you do easier, whether it's at home, work, or school (many of which are free or have a free component!). Voice overs, memes, photo editing, and more! We'll also discuss the ethics of A.I. applications for use school, art, and in creating other content.
Corey Frazier, PhD, PE, Intel
College & Employer Fair Sneak Peek - Willamette Falls Room
Stop by the College & Employer Fair early or revisit the HBCU & Community Tables in the Multnomah Falls room during Sessions 3 & 4.
2:40 - 3:30 pm: College & Employer Fair
Meet admission Counselors and Employers - Willamette Falls Room
Don’t miss a chance to interact with Universities and Employers to establish relationships and discuss admissions and career opportunities. Don’t forget to get the scavenger hunt!
Portland State University
Oregon State University
University of Oregon, SAIL
Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue
Raimore Construction
City of Roses Recycling
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland Public Schools
Black Educational Achievement Movement
Worksystems
Portland Community College
Constructing Hope
Instant Viking - Crater Lake Room
With the guidance of PSU Admissions Counselors and Multicultural Retention Services Coordinators, students will complete a PSU application and shortly after submitting the application with their official transcript, will be able to learn of their admissions decision. In addition to instant ACCESS to the ACCESS program, no essay is required! Bring your sealed official transcript to take advantage of this opportunity!
3:40 - 4:00 pm: Wrap-Up!
Gifts, Raffles, Music - Wahkeena Falls & Elowah Falls Room
Closing Speaker: Lakayana Drury
Lakayana Drury (He/Him/His) is an educator, social entrepreneur, community organizer, and storyteller, who uses various mediums of art, primarily poetry and photography, to uplift hidden stories and inspire others to collective action. As the founder and Executive Director of the nonprofit world is Bond, his inspiration behind creating the organization was the obstacles he overcame to discover his life path. Word is Bond is his freedom dream to empower young Black men like himself.
Lakayana is of Sudanese and Irish ancestry and has done considerable work exploring his biracial identity, particularly his African roots. His lived experience drives his passion for culturally-grounded education, mentorship, healthy masculinity, community investment in Black communities, and reimagining community safety.