Tony Hopson Sr. Email Address

President and Chief Executive Officer

We are Self Enhancement, Inc., a nonprofit organization helping at-risk urban youth realize their potential. In addition to 98% graduation rates, more than 85% of graduates continue on to pursue higher education or occupational training - many being the first in their families to do so. Amazing results, despite the fact that almost all the young people in our program are faced with significant social, academic and economic obstacles.

Tony Hopson Sr. founded Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI) in 1981 as a one-week summer camp committed to improving collegiate and employment opportunities for high school students. The initial camp served 80 students. In 1988, under the aus¬pices of the Albina Ministerial Alliance (AMA), and through a grant from the Meyer Memorial Trust, SEI became a year-around program. During a capital campaign that began in 1989, SEI raised over $10 million to build the 62,000 sq. ft. Center for Self Enhancement which opened its doors in 1997. The Center offers a variety of activities and services for youth and families in inner-Portland and is a hub of the community. Self Enhancement employs 120 people. In 2006, SEI was recognized by the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation from New York as one of the premier youth development programs in the nation, and with their support, is replicating the SEI program in Miami, Florida in partnership with Alonzo Mourning. Tony Hopson Sr. has also been recognized for his activism and community leadership by receiving the State of Oregon’s “Gold Schmidty Award,” the Urban League of Portland’s “Equal Opportunity Award,” the Albina Ministerial Alliance’s “Bridge Builder Award,” Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s “Emerald Award,” the Black United Fund’s “Legacy Award,” the “Aubrey R. Watzek Award” from Lewis & Clark College, the “Community Award” from the Portland Observer Newspaper, the “Living Legend Award” from Willamette University, the “First Citizen Award” from the Portland Metropolitan Association of Realtors, the “Oregon Ethics in Business Award” from the Samaritan Counseling Center, and the “Distinguished Service Award” from the University of Oregon.