Molly Mayo, Outgoing Executive Director
Dear friends, colleagues, and community,
This is my last week at SE Uplift. While transitions can be difficult and come with mixed emotions, I am glad that my contributions have furthered the ability of SE Uplift to address long-standing equity issues and to prepare for its future. I’m leaving SE Uplift with pride and satisfaction in what my team and I have accomplished over the past 2+ years.
- Coordinated dozens of free or low-cost social justice trainings
- Partnered with dozens of local organizations on projects and events
- Updated SEUL mission statement for relevance and inclusivity
- Programmed racial justice training for SEUL board
- More than doubled the number of community groups using our meeting spaces
- Made repairs to have a functional accessible entrance
- Brought in 4 new diverse organizations as tenants and partners into our building
- Developed a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion leadership team working with consultant Cliff Jones
- Recruited diverse, multi-lingual staff
- Teamed with Urban League to install Mulugeta Seraw sign caps in Kerns neighborhood, led and hosted the dedication ceremony
- Welcomed 4 new community organizations aligned with SEUL goals as fiscal sponsorees
- Celebrated SEUL’s 50 year anniversary
- Purchased new furniture for shared spaces
- Website revision is in process:)
- Supported and now fiscally sponsoring Portland United Against Hate
- Collaborated with City government and district coalitions to navigate changing priorities/ grant goals
- Constructed covered bike parking
- Worked with Bureau of Environmental Services to complete on-site stormwater management
- Protected our property and native plant garden with new fencing
- Brightened the building with an entry-way mural
- Improved office spaces through interior painting throughout the building
- Nurtured board leadership resulting in vastly increased executive committee diversity
- Installed new technology for both conference rooms and in SEUL offices
I’d like to deeply thank those of you with whom I have worked so closely and intently over the past years— board members, government partners, coalition staff, community members and local groups and organizations, None of the accomplishments listed above would have been possible without the incredible teamwork demonstrated by the SEUL staff, who I will never ever forget!
I wish the SE Uplift community the best of luck in moving forward with its work. I encourage the organization to continue evolving to maximize impact, to build collaboration skills, and to deepen its commitment to building an inclusive community.
Sincerely,
Molly Mayo