Our History

The Black Parent Initiative (BPI) was established in 2006 to help families achieve financial, spiritual and educational success. Our vision is actualized by inspiring, engaging, and mobilizing parents/caregivers to improve the educational outcomes of Black children. BPI is currently the only culturally specific organization in Portland focused solely on supporting low/moderate income parents in North/Northeast Portland as a vehicle for enhancing the lives of Black youth.

Our programs are based in a large body of research that shows children are more likely to succeed when supported by stable, balanced and informed parents. Historical, socioeconomic, and racial factors keep a disproportionately large percentage of local Black youth from being raised in this type of environment. Our programs address these complex factors through working to reduce the disparities which impact the county's 45,000+ African Americans

BPI’s programs are evidence based, utilizing a culturally-specific Effective Black Parenting Model from the Center for the Improvement of Child Caring. They are implemented in partnership with Black churches, schools, local organizations, and community members.

Based on the demographics of current and past clients, parents/caregivers will be 22 to 65 years old; 60% female; 40% male; 70% single parents (the vast majority of whom will be female); and 99% Black/African American. 40% of clients will have less than a high school education and 60% will not have college educations. Nearly all BPI clients live below 200% of the federal poverty level and reside in North/Northeast Portland. Children are equally affected by poverty and range in age from birth to 23. All children served are Black/African American or mixed race.