Our MISSION
TO CHANGE THE NARRATIVE OF YOUTH OF COLOR THROUGH CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE RELATIONSHIPS
HOLLA was founded in 2013 by Executive Director, Eric Knox. Eric moved back to Portland after some time in LA and discovered gentrification had significantly impacted NE Portland and that displaced students of color lacked role models of color within the school systems. HOLLA was founded in response to this lack of representation in order to provide mentors of color to engage relationally with students. HOLLA exists to empower students of color in Portland. Our priority is to change the narrative of youth of color through culturally responsive relationships. Our programs provide representation, equity, and a wide range of supports for mentees and their families.
WHO we are
HOLLA is a mentorship movement that connects with families, administrators, teachers, and nonprofits to recognize the power and potential of Black and Brown youth. HOLLA mentors engage relationally with students both in and out of school. We provide opportunities for representation, enrichment and exposure through athletics, arts, aviation, outdoors and college preparation. Relationships with our mentors are equally important, we spend time in on-going leadership development and community with mentors throughout the year.
our philosophy
We believe that the joy, relationships, authenticity, and growth we center in our work with HOLLA families must first be embodied by us as a staff. We believe that what we pay attention to grows- so we pay attention to each other, ourselves, and the youth we build relationships with. We assume the best about each other, and listen to each other with humility, curiosity, and a desire to learn from each other. We amplify each other’s voices, express joy together, and acknowledge the importance of the work of liberation together. At HOLLA, giving and receiving feedback is crucial to excellence in our work, and to our growth. HOLLA uses our structure not to restrict ourselves but to respond in relevant, expeditious ways to community voice and community need. We understand we must be like water; able to change and adapt. We build deep and center relationships so that growth is stable and moves at the speed of trust.
our values
Our values reflect who we are and how we show up to our work. We use our values as a framework to make decisions within our individual roles and as an organization, and to communicate what we hold most important as we work to fulfill HOLLA's mission
Joy:
Looks like passion, creativity, celebration, vision, hope.
Relationships:
Looks like presence, identity, connection, community partnerships, accountability to each other, depth, trust, and 360 degree mentorship.
Authenticity:
Looks like identity, culturally honoring and responsive, mutuality, curiosity, voice, a with not for approach, and a deep belief that how we do the work is equally important to what we do.
Growth:
Looks like exposure and opportunity, challenge, goal setting, mindset, beliefs, pathway, grit, reflection, adventure and exploration.
Our board
Alisha Howard
Alex Coffee
Dr. Marty Palacios
Eric Knox
Kelly Knox
Luis Sanchez-Vera
Eric Winquist
Patricia Williams
Inclusion statement
At HOLLA, diversity is not something we strive for, it is who we are. We celebrate the identities, individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, innovation, self-expression, and talent of each person- the visible and invisible qualities that make you who you are. HOLLA affirms and welcomes people of all races, ethnicities, abilities, experiences, socio-economic backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender identities, religion, and citizenship statuses. Our inclusive culture inspires us to be unapologetic, bold and speak openly. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion guides us into culturally responsive relationships that thrive on joyfully celebrating the individuals who make up our community. Join us.