This month the Pride Foundation hosted its first Scholarship Celebration since 2019. Both community and scholars came together to share an evening of connection and community. For our volunteer reviewers, it was an opportunity to meet the scholars they’d worked so hard to select. For our scholars, it was a time to honor the hard work they’ve done to get this far. Highlights of the evening include a heartfelt message from Director of Programs, Ira Wade Harris, about the importance of self-efficacy and understanding that Pride Foundation has your back; scholars building community and connections; and the amazing dinner provided by Frelard Tamales. See pictures from the event below:
What’s New
Welcome New Staff
Jamila Taylor (She/her/they) joined Pride Foundation last month as the Director of Community Engagement & Communications. Jamila’s entrepreneurial heart has guided her last 17 years of supporting organizations in developing unrestricted revenue leveraging community, skills, and talents. When not working, you can find her puzzling at the kitchen table or off visiting locations hundreds of miles from home.
Fall Scholarship Openings – National Coming Out Day
Pride Foundation’s Official 2024 scholarship application opened on National Coming Out Day – October 11th. Our scholarships fund LGBTQ+ students who are leaders—in their own lives, in their families, in their home communities, in their field of study, in their workplace, or in our movements for justice. Through the incredible generosity of our community, we have awarded over $8.5 million to 2,452 students in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington since 1993.
TRANSform Culture
In October, we celebrated LGBTQ+ History Month with the launch of our inaugural TRANSform Culture Fellowship cohort! The TRANSform Culture Fellowship is part of our Community Advocacy, Research, and Education (CARE) Department and is the product of three generations of Departmental leadership by and for Transgender+ people. Our TRANSform Culture Program, and this Fellowship especially, is our unapologetic commitment to centering and sustaining Transgender+ individuals and communities in the service of that goal.
Save the Date
Portland Scholarship Celebration:
Help Pride Foundation Celebrate our 2023 Scholars! Tuesday, November 14th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Louiza, 2808 NE MLK Jr. Blvd. Suite B, Portland, OR. This event is free to attend. Heavy appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided for all guests. Alcohol will be present and available to attendees age 21+. RSVP here!
Year in Review—Virtual
Join the Pride Foundation team for a virtual celebration and report on all the amazing work we’ve been able to accomplish together. December 6, 2023 @ 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM. RSVP here!
We’re so grateful for the community support that makes all of this work possible, and we’d love to hear from you. Please reach out and connect with us today!