"Children learn more from what you are than what you teach."
~W. E. B. Dubois
OUR HISTORY
The Oregon Alliance of Black School Educators (ORABSE) is one of 100 affiliates of NABSE throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean who continue the legacy established in 1973. Dr. Hartzog, the founder of ORABSE, in collaboration with 11 Superintendents from across the United States created an organization for African American administrators as well as other educational personnel. By 1975, the Oregon Affiliate of the National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE) was founded by Dr. Ernest Hartzog who was a founding member of NABSE.
ABOUT ORABSE
ORABSE is the only organization in Oregon that focuses on supporting and serving Black educators by providing professional development, curriculum support, advocacy and career support, leadership and education conferences, affinity-based gatherings, and networking events. We know Black teachers leave teaching at a higher rate than white teachers. We need our current Black educators to stay in Oregon and we need to increase the overall number of educators who identify as Black or African American.
This is not only important for the education of our Black students; it is important for the education of all students in Oregon.
"Black teachers are assets. If the purpose of education reform is to boost students’ academic outcomes, reduce suspensions, raise expectations, and even recruit (less racists) teachers into the profession, research suggests that increasing the number of Black teachers should be part of any serious strategy."
~Valerie Strauss. Washington Post
GET INVOLVED
As we grow our membership, we will continue to build relationships with state agencies and districts to accomplish these outcomes by partnering with various “grow your own” and “pipeline” initiatives happening around the state. We will also partner with higher education institutions and school districts to ensure our educators receive professional development units and/or credits for their participation.
OUR VISION
A society where a quality education and the opportunity to thrive as a member of the global village is a reality for all children.
OUR MISSION
To celebrate, support and inspire Black educators to provide the best educational experiences and outcomes for all students while leading the way on best practices for Black students.
We are proud to be a member of the
The BSS Network is made up of 24 nonprofits from various regions across the state of Oregon who lead the charge in advancing equitable school strategies through collaboration. Members of the Network serve as content experts and provide a range of advice and perspectives to the BSS Funders Task Force. Network members:
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Actively support and learn from other members in the Network (community of practice)
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Support/inform the development of meaningful funding strategies that lead to collective impact
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Provide input regarding policy agendas that will best support Black students
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Provide input for communications and narrative change
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Support funder Task Force member learning around specific issues impeding Black students in Oregon and effective support strategies.