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Black Parent Initiative Appoints New Leader

Bahia Overton, Executive Director, Black Parent Initiative
The board of directors of Portland's Black Parent Initiative (BPI) has selected Bahia Overton to lead and champion its community driven programs and to steer its strategic goals and objectives into the future.

BPI provides culturally specific programming to transform the lives of families and children. Its unique approach is to improve the lives of Portland’s Black and multi-ethnic children by focusing on optimal health, cultural identity development, parent education, and ensuring parents and caregivers have the resources to ensure children succeed.

Overton most recently served as the Director of Equity and Partnerships at the Chalkboard Project. She is also the Executive Consultant for Joy DeGruy Publications. She assists Dr. DeGruy in researching historical trauma and developing new models and methods for culturally responsive service delivery.  Overton has also assisted with training and development for government agencies in creating and sustaining equitable policies and practices.

With more than 14 years of practical experience as a professional in the field of social work, she has served as Child and Family Therapist, Curriculum Developer and Culturally-Specific Treatment Specialist in several states, with various community based organizations and government entities. Overton serves on the following boards and councils: College Possible; Oregon Student Voice; Organic Oneness; and Oregon Educator Equity Advisory Group

Overton is also an active member of the Bahài’ Faith which espouses the oneness of the human family. She  holds a bachelors degree in Psychology and a masters degree in Social Work. She is completing her Ph.D. in Social Work Research, focusing on the experiences of African American female adolescents in foster care.

Staff and board of directors at BPI are grateful for our community's support as we continue to deliver high quality programs and services to families of Black and multi-racial children to break generational cycles, achieving financial, educational, health and spiritual success and well- being. For more information or to donate contact ann.beckett@thebpi.org. 

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