News You Can Use September 7, 2025: Our Call to Action for Black Student Excellence
Good morning, everyone. I want to share some critical news about our community and our children. It’s about a promise that was made and a promise that has not been kept.
In 2020, Portland Public Schools voters approved a construction bond that included a specific, designated allocation of $60 million to build a Center for Black Student Excellence. This was a landmark community commitment to reinforcing the academic and cultural success of Black students in our city.
The problem is, five years have passed, and none of that $60 million has been spent.
The “Why” and the “Where”
Why is this so important? Because Black students need safe, dedicated spaces to thrive. Think about the importance of Black Student Unions. These are places where students can find community, celebrate their culture, and build the resilience they need to succeed in school and in life.
The Center for Black Student Excellence would be a permanent hub for this work. It’s a place where students can get culturally specific support, and it’s an act of community reclamation. The PPS is looking to purchase a site on Vancouver and Fremont—in the historic heart of the Albina neighborhood, an area that has endured so much displacement. This location is not just convenient; it’s a powerful symbol of our commitment to rebuilding what was lost. The building is ten years old Portland Public Schools’ proposal is to acquire the One North development at 3506-3514 N Vancouver Ave. and 25 N Fremont St. in the heart of the Albina neighborhood. The development comprises two buildings, both constructed in 2015, with about 72,000 square feet of space, according to a district staff memo. (An appraisal the district obtained in May valued the property at $15.2 million.) The designer Holst created an amazing structure and I included the building on the walking tour our church participated in with University of Oregon Field School last wed.
For decades, the members of this church have been witnesses to PPS launching well-intentioned programs for Black students, only to see them lose funding or momentum. We cannot let this vision become another one that is dropped.
Our Call to Action
This is where you and I come in. The Portland Public Schools Board is holding a public meeting on September 9th. This is our opportunity to make our voices heard. I am encouraging all of you to attend this meeting, either in person or online. Our presence sends a clear message that we are watching and that we demand accountability. Join me at the Dr. Matthew Prophet Education Center (Prophet Center), 501 N. Dixon Street, at 6:00 pm.
Networking is key. Let’s talk after this service and make a plan to show up. Our faith calls us to be advocates for justice, and that includes ensuring our children have the resources they need to thrive.
Let’s make sure the promise of the Center for Black Student Excellence becomes a reality for our students, for our community, and for the future of Portland.
Thank you.
CSC
Bethel EDC 