MEET THE COHORT
The Black Resilience Fund is currently serving 25 households in Multnomah county. These profiles represent only 4 of the 25 cohort members.
Ruthie Lee Culver (she/her/hers)
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
Current occupation: Health & Wellness Coordinator
Who is your role model and why?
Jessie B. Culver (My Mom) Nurturer, Community Advocate and PeaceMaker
What are your current goals?
Pay off my debts, rebuilding my credit history and establishing a 720 or above credit score.
How will the Black Resilience Fund support you in reaching your goals over the next 3 years?
Direct connection to community support through this cohort will provide me with people and community that I can trust in. Moving forward with the additional financial assistance will aid me in my financial management goals.
How do you think being a part of this program might change your life over the next 3 years?
It will definitely assist me in paying off my debts quicker and lessening my financial stressors.
What does it mean to you to be a part of the Black Resilience Fund "Village Building Cohort"?
It encourages me and makes me proud to know that my people are making moves toward building community and willing to aid me in making my dreams come true. It feels good knowing that I'm not in this alone; that there's a village of people that's supporting me in rebuilding my financial portfolio. I know that together we can and will do this; creating a space for possibilities beyond my past disappointments and failures. I have hope for my future as a single Black Woman over 60; there is a core of wonderful human beings that have created an honest space for a grown Black girl like me that needs a second chance. We Are Stronger Together!
Octavia Johnson (she/her/hers)
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
Current occupation: Full-time Mommy (raising three beautiful children) & full time in Food distribution
Who is your role model and why?
My role models right now are my group of friends. They each bring something to the table that I see myself doing. One of them is financial wellness oriented and the other is very career oriented. They inspire me to keep working toward my goals and remind me that I have what it takes to achieve those goals.
What are your current goals?
My main goal is to own and keep a home not just for me but for my children. I think they deserve stability. They deserve not to worry about our next meal or if this apartment gets too cramped for us. I've taken steps toward reaching my goal including having reliable employment, working on my credit and getting my kids into extracurricular activities. These are little steps to get to where I need to be and it means a lot that I am even taking these small goals on. Trying to be financially stable is the hardest goal but I know with hard work, dedication and discipline I can achieve anything.
How will the Black Resilience Fund support you in reaching your goals over the next 3 years?
I think the Black Resilience Fund will help me over the next three years by making sure that I stay involved with the community. I think it's important that we put out there that giving someone like me - who's a recovering addict, who's a single parent, who struggles with the things that I struggle with a chance and the support to reach my goals… it means a lot.
How do you think being a part of this program might change your life over the next 3 years?
It's already changing my life little by little. Just knowing that those funds will be there in case of an emergency to help me build it's a relief. I am also doing the work as well so the Black Resilience Fund is just a bonus and I think it's going to give me the chance to help somebody else.
DeAngelo Crawford (he/him/his)
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
Current occupation: I have been in the tech sector for over 15 years. Founder and owner of HAUS, LLC.
Who is your role model and why?
I am my own role model.
What are your current goals?
When I was diagnosed with kidney failure in 2016, I began the plan to start a food truck, The Dawg HAUS, LLC. I started this business as an inheritance for my daughter. I want to turn our business into a franchise and I want to make ready made products to be sold in grocery stores. Products such as hot dogs, sausages, and buns. A part of this overall goal is to also purchase a home and also pass it down to my daughter. In other words, I'm building a future for my daughter so she doesn't have to fight as hard to be secure.
How will the Black Resilience Fund support you in reaching your goals over the next 3 years?
I believe that BRF will assist me in learning what I need to know about production and how to save to purchase a home. I also believe that the workshops and meetings will provide the tools I need to achieve these goals.
How do you think being a part of this program might change your life over the next 3 years?
I feel that being a part of this program will change my life and my daughters life for the better. By enriching us, we will be able to enrich others down the line. It means a lot to me to be a part of the BRF. I feel like I actually have a group of like minded people that want to make a change in their lives and communities. This is a really special place.
Darnell Johnson (He/Him)
Hometown: McMinnville, Oregon
Current occupation: Housing Case Manager
Who is your role model and why?
My previous sponsor, Casey. She has taught me how to truly trust myself and approach this life with compassion and safety, both for myself and others.
What are your current goals?
My current goal is to become my own “sugar daddy”. I want to build an empire that myself and my family can benefit from so we no longer have to worry about where our next meal will come from or how we’ll pay the most basic bills.
How has the Black Resilience Fund changed your life in the first year?
This cohort has helped teach me just how powerful I am. It has encouraged me to live in an abundance mindset and given me courage to go for all that is possible in this life.
What did you expect being in the cohort would be like and how has that changed?
I honestly didn’t know what to “expect”. I do my best to approach all situations with an open mind and open heart. I can say that if there were any hidden/unconscious expectations coming into this cohort, Brown Hope and our cohort members have remarkably exceeded them. I have found healing in this experience that I never thought I would find.
What does it mean to you to be a part of the Black Resilience Fund "Village Building Cohort"?
I couldn’t imagine a better blessing than this cohort. It means absolutely everything.