A high-achieving student who epitomizes service and resilience is the first winner of the Avel Louise Gordly Scholarship for Oregon Black Women. Kiasia Baggenstos is a sophomore journalism major at the University of Oregon. An award ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. at The Soul Restoration Center, 14 N Killingsworth St., Sunday, June 4.
The gift from Knight and his wife Penny Knight to the 1803 Fund – an initiative revealed Monday – is meant to fund education services, art programs and other projects for Black Portlanders in the inner North and Northeast Portland neighborhoods once known as Albina.