A Night of Pride and Inspiration

I was so proud of the Oregon Alliance of Black School Educators (ORABSE) for Hosting the Black Community Science Night last Friday. I got chills thinking about how this group could be inspiring new black doctors, entrepreneurs, astronauts, bio-techs, electrical engineers, etc, etc. For sure Carlton Hart the black architect was in the house inspiring folks and so was the NAACP ACT-SO program Dr. Sheryl Means and others.

Here again, the omnipresent Michael Chappie Grice was a participant and had this to say:

“On the evening of Friday, October 13, the Oregon Alliance of Black School Educators (ORABSE) convened, for the second consecutive year, a Black Community Science Night at the Oregon Museum of Science & Industry.  Guided by the vision of Kevin Bacon, president and community stalwart and executive board member, Renee Anderson, some 680 Black parents and their children and grandchildren descended on the magnificent OMSI facility from 6 PM to 9 PM.  Hundreds of children explored the OMSI exhibits and science-focused, hands-on activities. A local band provided a rich tapestry of jazz and African Music in the background while the children danced and played during excitement about the chemistry, physics, robotics, mathematics, and science wonderland. ORABSE was very proud to have such a “full house“turnout and guaranteed not only that it was worthwhile but shall be continued in future years. The rainy weather seemed to add an authentic Portland signature to the event and did not deter attendance nor mute the spirit of enthusiasm and adventure that filled the facility for the entire three hours.  OMSI sponsors and investors can’t help but see that such a partnership only amplified people’s enthusiasm to bring their children into the OMSI arena. We look forward to more collaborations between the NAACP and organizations like ORABSE for the benefit of the community and its children.  The need is great, in these times.  Of particular note was the obvious mutual benefit of encouraging access to established cultural and educational institutions as partners like the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.  With OMSI’s leading example of sponsoring hundreds of admissions, there are dozens of “win-win” opportunities awaiting birth and nurturing in Portland and beyond that encourage diversity and equality in real-time community investment.  Thanks to all that promoted this culturally specific experience to “embrace the worth of all.”