]> 2026-05-12T23:21:59-07:00 Word is Bond - Employment And Education 0 en employment and education '''Education/Training''' ''522 NW 23rd Ave., Suite J, Portland, Oregon 97210'' ''https://www.mywordisbond.org/'' Word is Bond is a Portland-based, Black-led nonprofit that mentors and empowers young Black men ages 15 through 20, as they transition into adulthood. Word is Bound seeks to help Black youth realize their full potential through "dynamic programming" in the areas of leadership development, public speaking, storytelling, professional and career development, college prep, mentorship, outdoor leadership, civic engagement, Black history and Black identity, mental health and self-care, international travel, and service to others . Word is Bound runs the following programs: '''Rising Leaders Program''' is a three-year leadership incubator program that is part internship, part rite-of-passage program. Participants advance through Rising Leaders in leadership cohorts, consisting of young Black men from across Portland, beginning in the summer after their freshman year in high school. In year one, participants learn foundational leadership and professional development skills. In year two, they are placed in a professional internship. In year three, participants engage in the Black Star Homecoming Experience in which ambassadors travel to Ghana, West Africa for a two- week immersive international leadership experience. Rising Leader is free to all participants and features no barriers to entry based on academic performance or extracurricular activities. Ambassadors receive daily meals during the program, haircuts, a business suit, and a professional photoshoot. The '''Spring Leadership Forum''' consists of a seven-day leadership trip to Washington D.C. '''Level Up''' is their school year program and connects participants with mentors, resources, tools, and workshops that help them achieve their goals. Level Up runs from September through May annually. It hosts different events each month for free and is open to young Black men ages 13-19 in the Portland Metro Area. To sign up contact Executive Director Lakayana Drury at ''lakayana@mywordisbound.org'' '''In My Shoes''' is an interactive community walking tour project curated and facilitated by community ambassadors of Word is Bound. The project features walking tours in neighborhoods across Portland. In My Shoes also hosts a 5K community tour in September. employment and education word is bond 2025-10-22T04:13:01Z 2460970.675706 Word is Bond - Employment And Education 0 lakayana@mywordisbound.org Level Up Word is Bond - Employment And Education# 8778ed8d73c4575fd135c51c744d848c