The Urban League of Portland is excited to announce that this year's Equal Opportunity Dinner Celebration is LIVE and IN PERSON. On Thursday, September 28th, meet us at the Oregon Convention Center to celebrate another year of empowering communities and changing lives.
Through this signature annual fundraiser, the Urban League of Portland raises vital funds for the Black community in Oregon and Southwest Washington in a continued effort to build equitable, empowered communities. It is also the first time in the last four years that the signature event will be held in person.
“We are thrilled to host this year’s Equal Opportunity Dinner in person for the first time since 2019,” says Urban League of Portland President and CEO Nkenge [pronunciation: neh-KENG-eh] Harmon Johnson, Esq. “This gala serves as our flagship fundraising event. Its success fuels the expansion of our programs that impact and improve countless lives.”
This year’s Equal Opportunity Honoree will be Portland’s own Rukaiyah Adams, CEO of the 1803 Fund. “We are thrilled to honor Rukaiyah Adams as her work is in lockstep with the values of the Urban League. The 1803 Fund is a collection of resources to strengthen the Black community,” President Nkenge Harmon Johnson says. “Black people have always been central to American economic success but have rarely had access to the benefits and advantages that enable wealth creation. That is what the Urban League of Portland has sought to help create through our programming for Black Oregonians since 1945, and that is what we continue to work towards.”
Rukaiyah Adams was the Chief Investment Officer at Meyer Memorial Trust, one of the largest charitable trusts in the Pacific Northwest. Under her leadership, Meyer Memorial Trust increased assets managed by diverse managers by more than three times, and assets managed by women managers increased tenfold, proving that hiring diverse managers is not a concessionary practice. Today, Adams serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the 1803 Fund. The 1803 Fund seeks to grow shared prosperity, through smart financial investments and investments in community-based organizations.
As we honor Black wealth, Black creators, and Black culture, we will tell our stories and celebrate our victories. Since 1945, we have established affordable housing, provided health-related resources, empowered our seniors, and so much more. Join us as we celebrate building justice for all, across Oregon and Southwest Washington. Dress to impress. There will be a VIP Sponsor Lounge, Music, Dinner, opportunities to network, and special performances.
Please click here to register!
If you have questions, please email development@ulpdx.org.
Our culturally specific programs connect Black youth and families, young professionals, adults, and seniors with access to vital resources.
At the Urban League we uplift our community which uplifts us all. Help us create more Black success stories by donating today.
Looking Ahead
"We are excited to charge into the next decade fueled by the energy of our historic accomplishments. Please join us as we inspire economic success for our Black communities into the next decade."
-Nkenge Harmon Johnson | President and Chief Executive Officer
