Community Involvement
Outside of my engineering career, I spend the bulk of my free time volunteering and being civically engaged. As a born and raised Portlander, I am passionate about the City and community that raised me. I currently hold leadership roles in several community organizations, with focus areas on: diversifying STEM fields, environmental justice, and Black community advocacy.
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Metro Parks and Nature Equity Advisory Committee
"The Metro Parks and Nature Equity Advisory Committee helps to shape the department’s planning processes, policy formation and outcomes on projects and system-wide efforts. The committee's role is to provide program oversight to ensure that funding for new projects provided through the voter-approved bond measure is applied in ways that improve access to nature for communities of color."
Learn more about the Committee's work here.
2021 Multnomah County Charter Review Committee
"The Multnomah County Home Rule Charter provides that every six years, a Charter Review Committee will be convened for the purpose of making a comprehensive study of the Charter and, if it chooses, to submit Charter amendments to the voters of Multnomah County. The charter is the local version of a constitution, essentially creating the structure of Multnomah County government."
BOARDS / NON-PROFIT COMMITMENTS
National Society of Black Engineers Portland Professionals (NSBE PRO-PDX)
Treasurer (2024 - Present)
President (2021 - 2023)
Vice President (2019 - 2021)
The National Society of Black Engineers Portland Professionals (NSBE Pro-PDX) is the Portland Professionals Chapter of the national organization, and a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization in Portland, OR.
The mission of the National Society of Black Engineers is "to increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community."
NSBE Portland Professional aims to support Black engineers and increase the pipeline of future engineers / STEM leaders in the Portland Metro area. Our events are focused on the holistic enrichment of the Black professional, with topics such as financial wellness, stress management, careers in green technology, and professional development.
We are committed to seeing a more diverse workforce and have a strong focus on Pre-Collegiate initiatives, volunteering to support STEM youth outreach, providing internship experiences, and an annual scholarship program.
Verde Action - Board Member
Board Treasurer (September 2022 - Present)
Verde Action serves communities by building environmental wealth through social enterprise, outreach, and advocacy. Verde Action is the 501c4 section of Verde and will focus on advocacy. More news and updates to follow in 2024!
Black Economic Collective (BEC)
Board Secretary (May 2023 - Present)
BEC is a grassroots, community-based organization with a mission of community development through financial education, resource allocation, and a collaborative effort.
Good in the Hood, Planning Committee
(2019 - Present)
The mission of the Good in the Hood Multicultural Music and Food Festival is to host a family friendly event for community members, businesses, and organizations where they can share their resources, enjoy music, food, and merchandise from small businesses. For nearly 30 years, the Festival has provided a vibrant community space for Portlanders. The goal of the festival is to provide scholarships and ‘strengthen unity in the community'.
My roles include:
-
Parade Co-Chair (2019 - 2022)
-
Social Media Coordinator (2022 - Present)
-
Scholarship Co-Chair (2020 - Present)
University of Portland Engineering Alumni Chapter Leader
The Engineering Alumni Chapter works closely with the Shiley School of Engineering to support the personal and professional growth of local engineering alumni.
Visit their website for more info about this chapter, or to get involved.
OTHER VOLUNTEERING
Oregon MESA
On-Call STEAM Coach Directory (October 2023 - present)
STEM Coach - Alder Creek Middle School (2021)
Volunteers of America Oregon
Annual Al Forthan Memorial Scholarship Reviewer (2014 - Present)
PAST POSITIONS
Building Blocks 2 Success Board of Directors
Board Chair (January 2023 - January 2024)
Board Member (September 2022 - December 2022)
Building Blocks 2 Success (BB2S) aims to get ethnically and gender diverse underrepresented youth from the Portland Metropolitan area excited about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) through exposure and participation in STEM-related programs and activities.
Portland NAACP Branch 1120B, Environmental Justice Committee Chair
(August 2020 - September 2022)
The Portland Branch 1120B's NAACP's Environmental Justice Committee is working to provide environmental justice awareness, programming in the community, educational outreach, and legislative change with partnered environmental justice organizations.
My work with the NAACP included:
-
Metro Nature Youth Leadership Program
-
Grant Writing Support and Management
-
Legislative Action
Learn more about the EJ Committee's work in our 2021 Annual Report! Join an active and influential committee. Learn more by emailing: environmentaljustice@pdxnaacp.org.