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Portland State University President Daniel Bernstine presented the 2006 Vanport Legacy Award to Samuel Brooks in front of a crowd that included Brooks' friends, colleagues and co-workers attending the Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs (OAME) Annual Luncheon, Thursday May 11.

As founder of OAME and an advocate for minority, women and emerging small business in Oregon and the region, Brooks was given the award in recognition of his lifetime dedication to advancing business and individual success. The award, sponsored by Portland State's School of Extended Studies, is now in its second year of honoring outstanding contributions to community success; the 2005 Vanport Legacy Award went to Steve Suo, a staff reporter with The Oregonian, who was recognized for his five-part series, “The Unnecessary Epidemic,” which focused on the methamphetamine epidemic in Oregon.

“Through this award we are recognizing individuals, programs and organizations that reflect our commitment to the community, and Sam truly reflects that commitment,” said Dan Bernstine. “By engaging with the community we ensure Portland State University is a great place not only for learning and research, but is supportive of our community’s economic growth and livability.”

After four years in the Navy, Samuel Brooks has spent the rest of his life advocating for small, women, minority and emerging small businesses. He founded and operated S. Brooks and Associates, a local employment agency, and in 1987 formed the Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs (www.oame.org), which has grown to become the largest minority and most diverse business association in the Pacific Northwest.

Under Brooks' direction, OAME now provides technical assistance and access to capital, matching capability with opportunity, administrative services, information and networking programs and new businesses incubation, in part through a partnership with the Business Outreach Program at Portland State, which has an office at the OAME Cascade Plaza facility (4134 N. Vancouver Ave., Portland).

Portland State’s School of Extended Studies uses the strengths of the University to serve and empower lifelong learners by delivering programs that are flexible, responsive, and innovative. For many, Extended Studies is the first point of contact with the University. Working closely with the communities it serves, the program administrators learn firsthand of the community’s needs, priorities and plans for the future. Extended Studies translate those plans and priorities into practical, high-quality programs.

For additional information on the programs offered through PSU’s Extended Studies, visit www.extended.pdx.edu.

To request a high-resolution digital photo of Samuel Brooks, contact David Santen at 503-725-8789.

Bill Prows (503-725-9719, wprows@pdx.edu)
PSU School of Extended Studies