Black Parent Initiative

Meet Chavonne Allen 🌼 As an Education Impact Coordinator with the Sawubona program, Chavonne serves high school students and families with empathy, excellence, and heart.🧡 For the past three years, she has been a driving force in building strong school relationships helping students stay engaged, recognize their strengths, and grow into confident, capable leaders. Her work centers on making sure every young person feels seen, supported, and valued.🤝🏾 Before joining BPI, Chavonne spent 16 years in banking and 8 years in the fast-paced casino industry in Las Vegas, where she strengthened her skills in communication, problem-solving, and connecting with diverse communities. She now brings that experience into her work supporting families, fostering collaboration, and helping parents navigate and advocate within the school system. As a devoted mother of three, Chavonne brings lived experience, understanding, and authenticity to the families she serves, meeting them where they are and walking alongside them every step of the way. She believes that when families and students feel truly supported, they thrive. 🎉 Fun fact: Chavonne loves spending quality time with her family and brings that same energy of care and connection into everything she does 💫 Stay tuned as we continue introducing the incredible people behind our work. 👏🏾 #BlackParentInitiative #BeTheHealing #OwningOurNarrative #BlackExcellence #BPIpdx

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised: Moving Forward in a time of uncertainty and navigating the resurgence of aggressive anti-Blackness. Don't miss this unique opportunity to join Dr. Joy DeGruy in a critical community discussion! Sunday, May 17, 2026 12 PM to 3 PM at Soulful Sips Café

Introducing Sawubona🌼 At Black Parent Initiative, our school-based program, Sawubona, is more than a name, it’s a message. “Sawubona” is a Zulu greeting that means “I see you.” It’s about recognizing the worth, dignity, and value of every student and family we serve.🧡 This program is rooted in connection and care reminding our youth: you are seen, you matter, and you belong. What Sawubona does🌼 We create spaces where Black students and families are empowered with the tools, support, and confidence to navigate school systems and advocate for themselves. Through: • Student advocacy groups & culturally affirming spaces • Parent engagement & access to life resources • Community events that uplift and connect our village • Partnerships with local school districts to support families Sawubona is about more than support—it’s about representation, identity, and empowerment. Because when students are seen, they thrive. Stay tuned as we continue to highlight the impact of our programs and the communities we serve 💫 #BlackParentInitiative #BPIpdx #Sawubona #BeTheHealing #OwningOurNarrative

Meet Asia Rubio,MPH 🌿 As Lead Lactation Consultant, Asia is a community-based International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) dedicated to supporting families with compassionate, culturally responsive care. 🤎💛 Inspired by her own feeding journey, Asia entered the lactation field to ensure families have access to skilled, affirming support. Her work centers on building trusting relationships, helping parents meet their feeding goals, and making sure they feel seen and supported every step of the way. With a Bachelor of Health Sciences from Portland State University and a Master of Public Health from Eastern Washington University, Asia brings both knowledge and heart to her role. She provides direct care, mentors aspiring lactation professionals, and supports the development of programs that strengthen care for families. Asia is deeply committed to uplifting Black voices in the lactation field and creating spaces where families feel empowered, connected, and supported. ✊🏾 🎉 Fun fact: Asia enjoys mentoring future lactation consultants and is passionate about helping grow the next generation of care providers 🤱🏾✨ Stay tuned as we prepare to introduce our next program, Sawubona👏🏾 #BlackParentInitiative #BeTheHealing #OwningOurNarrative #BlackExcellence #BPIpdx

Meet Kimberly Johnson 🌿 Kimberly is a Full-Spectrum Doula and Lactation Counselor devoted to supporting mothers and families through pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum journey. 💛 With a blend of education, emotional support, and hands-on care, she creates safe, nurturing spaces where families feel seen, heard, and confident every step of the way. Her work is rooted in compassion and a deep understanding of the transitions that come with welcoming a new life. Before stepping into her doula calling, Kimberly spent over 13 years as an Expanded Function Dental Assistant where she built trust, provided comfort, and supported patients with care and intention. Those same values now guide her work with families, from the birth space to postpartum support. Kimberly’s care extends beyond birth, walking alongside families as they find balance, strengthen connections, and adjust to new rhythms. As a mother herself, she brings both professional expertise and lived experience to everything she does, empowering families to feel grounded, supported, and equipped to thrive. ✊🏾 🎉 Fun fact: Kimberly loves exploring new places with her family 🌍🍲 Stay tuned as we continue introducing the incredible people behind our work. 👏🏾 #BlackParentInitiative #BeTheHealing #OwningOurNarrative #BlackExcellence #BPIpdx

Meet Michelle Smith 🌿 Michelle is a devoted mother, wife, and powerful advocate for maternal and infant health, bringing both lived experience and professional expertise to her work. 💛🤎 As the Doula & Lactation Program Manager for BPI’s Sacred Roots program, Michelle supports families through pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and loss, centering culturally rooted care, education, and healing. Her journey into birth work began through personal loss, transforming grief into a mission to uplift and empower other families. A Certified Doula (SMC), Certified Lactation Education Specialist (CLES), author, speaker, and PAIL advocate, Michelle creates spaces where families feel seen, supported, and strengthened. She believes birth is not only the beginning of a child’s life, but also a powerful transformation for parents. Through compassion, advocacy, and community, Michelle continues to walk alongside families, helping them navigate every stage with grace, strength, and hope. ✊🏾 🎉 Fun fact: Michelle enjoys watching home improvement and cooking shows ☕🏡🍳 Stay tuned as we continue introducing the incredible people behind our work. 👏🏾 #BlackParentInitiative #BeTheHealing #OwningOurNarrative #BlackExcellence #BPIpdx

Sacred Roots is a program within The Black Parent Initiative, that provides culturally specific doula and lactation support for Black and Multi-Ethnic families throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. 🤎 We understand that this journey comes with unique needs, and our doulas are here to offer continuous care rooted in comfort, advocacy, education, and respect—every step of the way. Why It Matters✨ With doula support, mothers often experience shorter labors, fewer complications, and healthier outcomes for both parent and baby. What We Offer 🌿 • Prenatal and postpartum visits • Continuous labor & birth support • Breastfeeding and lactation guidance • Birth education & mother circles • Doula Dad Program to uplift and support fathers • Connection to resources and community From first latch to first steps, Sacred Roots is here to walk alongside families—grounded in culture, care, and community. Stay tuned as we continue to highlight the amazing people within this program🤎 #BlackParentInitiative #BPIpdx #SacredRoots #BeTheHealing #OwningOurNarrative

Meet BryAuna Bridges 💫 BryAuna is our dynamic Marketing Coordinator, bringing creativity, strategy, and heart to how we connect with our community. ❤️ A Cum Laude graduate of Tuskegee University, she has a strong foundation in communications, event planning, and digital content creation. Her experience ranges from working with a Fortune 500 company to leading marketing efforts within her university’s global office, equipping her with the skills to elevate BPI’s voice and expand its impact in meaningful ways. Rooted in relationship-building and storytelling, BryAuna is passionate about creating authentic connections and amplifying the mission of BPI through engaging, community-centered media.✊🏾 🎉 Fun fact: BryAuna loves baking and enjoys creating sweet treats in her free time 🍰✨ Stay tuned as we prepare to introduce the amazing team within our next program! 👏🏾 #BlackParentInitiative #BeTheHealing #OwningOurNarrative #BlackExcellence #BPIpdx

Today, we honor and celebrate the mothers, grandmothers, bonus moms, aunties, village moms, and every woman pouring love into the next generation. 💛❤️💚 We also hold space for those navigating Mother’s Day with grief — mothers who have experienced the loss of a child, those longing to become mothers, and those missing their own mothers today. Please know you are seen, loved, and embraced by community. Your strength, sacrifice, wisdom, nurturing, and unwavering love help build stronger families and stronger communities every single day. At Black Parent Initiative, we honor the many journeys of motherhood and the impact of those who continue to show up with love, even through joy and pain. Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at BPI. ✨ #HappyMothersDay #BlackMothersMatter #BlackParentInitiative #BPIpdx #BeTheHealing

Meet Tyshun Brewer 💫 Tyshun is one of BPI’s Home Visitors, working closely with families to support children in reaching their developmental milestones while nurturing their physical, emotional, and mental growth. ❤️ With over 24 years of experience serving children and families, Tyshun brings deep care and dedication to her work, from her early days as an Assistant Teacher to her many roles at Albina Early Head Start, including Teacher and Home Visitor. What she loves most is witnessing transformation, seeing parents gain confidence, achieve their goals, and watching children thrive along the way. In addition to her home visiting work, Tyshun also supports families through events, workshops, and connecting them to the resources they need to succeed. ✊🏾 🎉 Fun fact: Tyshun loves celebrating milestones, big or small, and finds joy in those proud “aha” moments with both parents and children ✨ #BlackParentInitiative #BeTheHealing #OwningOurNarrative #BlackExcellence #BPIpdx

Meet Leigh Bohannon 💫 Leigh serves as BPI’s Community Outreach & Resource Manager, supporting families through events, workshops, goal setting, and connection to resources. She’s often the friendly face behind your BPI experience, building partnerships, removing barriers, and helping families move forward with confidence. A Cum Laude graduate of Alabama A&M University with a background in marketing and media, Leigh has worn many hats from on-air radio personality to quality improvement specialist. No matter the role, her commitment to uplifting the Black community has remained constant. A proud Portland native with Southern roots, she brings passion, creativity, and heart into everything she does, both at BPI and at home as a mom of three.🏠❤️ At her core, Leigh is driven by purpose, strengthening families, empowering youth, and being a conduit for meaningful change. ✊🏾 🎉 Fun fact: Leigh does Southern barbecue catering on the side and dreams of opening her own family-run food truck one day 🍗🔥 #BlackExcellence #BlackParentInitiative #BPIpdx #OwningOurNarrative

Black Family Connection (BFC) is a program within The Black Parent Initiative, designed to support families as they grow, stabilize, and thrive through culturally specific care. 💫 At BFC, you set the goals and we walk alongside you as you achieve them. ✨ Healing & Growing Together Guided by Dr. Joy DeGruy’s work, we help identify barriers and build pathways forward together. 🤝 Built on Relationships We connect families to a strong, supportive village rooted in culture, identity, and empowerment. Stay tuned as we begin to highlight the people who are committed to impact within this program❤️ #BlackParentInitiative #BPIpdx #BlackFamilyConnection #BeTheHealing #OwningOurNarrative