PSU and POIC Partnership Means Jobs for Students of Color

Jan 18

Following a POIC + RAHS job fair at Portland State University, two students of color have joined POIC + RAHS as part-time staff. These initial hires directly address the limited access to professional development opportunities for Black and Brown students.

The new partnership between PSU and POIC allows BIPOC undergrads to make a livable wage, gain valuable work skills, and ultimately help youth overcome the systemic barriers they face. Black and Brown students often have limited access to professional development opportunities, such as internships and networking events, making it harder to launch a successful career after graduation. This partnership directly combats those odds. Two months into their roles, these new staff members have found meaning, fulfillment, and value in their work.

Students receive a $5,000 scholarship from POIC + RAHS, matched by PSU for a total of $10,000. “That changed everything,” says Mya Dupree, a Child, Youth, and Family Studies Student at PSU and Associate Program Coordinator in Youth Services at POIC + RAHS. “I'm basically done. I don't have to worry about the rest of my term. I feel supported. People want to see me succeed.”

“I really enjoy being a part of this organization,” Mya continued. “There are a lot of people who are Black, who look like me, which is exciting to find in Portland. Portland State does not have a lot of Black people there, so POIC coming to PSU, looking specifically for Black students, made me feel valued.”

“Being here, I've been able to step into my power and feel more confident, relaxed, and comfortable, which gives me the confidence to do the things I want to do in the future,” Mya went on to say. “This is the career path I want to be on. I feel like I'm moving in the right direction by being a part of this organization.” Mya works with younger students in mentorship, leadership development, and providing overall resources to further racial equity and social justice for youth.

“I like being someone who can be a resource to someone else. It’s nice to be something I didn't have for myself. This is what they talk about. You go to school. You figure out what you want to do. And then your path kind of just takes you to certain places. Like I was reading articles about Black youth in education, and now I'm working with Black youth in education.”

Also hired is Aldric Barrow, a Business Technology + Analytics Student at PSU and now the HR Assistant at POIC + RAHS. “Supporting the organization in my current role as an HR Assistant has been extremely gratifying,” says Aldric. “I truly feel like I’m helping to make a profound impact in our community. I feel like a lot of times, people miss the broader context of Portland and Oregon in general. Working here has given me a lot more perspective and context as to why things are the way they are and how we're actively undoing a lot of that.”