About Us
Elevate, empower & engage to the next wave of leaders since 2001
Since 2001, REAP has been offering multifaceted programming designed to uplift resilient leaders who are empowered to achieve their dreams.
Most recently, REAP has been focusing on school communities with significant numbers of families in challenging economic circumstances and non-English speaking families. Children of these families face the most challenge in negotiating school and life.
We call REAP The United Nations of Youth Empowerment - we're at the leading edge of the demographic changes you can see all around us
Meet Our Board of Directors
Levell Thomas
President
CEO, REAP, IncKEITH BODNAR
Board Treasurer
Controller Willamette ViewJEREMY ROGERS
Board Chair
Political Advocacy Director & Staff Counsel, Oregon Association of RealtorsCHERYL TWETE
Board Secretary
Community Development Director, City of BeavertonMIKE RICHARDSON
Director
Founder, Dark Horse ComicsDR.WILLIAM JOHNSON
Director
President, Moda HealthTYRONE POOLE
Director
President & Founder, OneAppTHOMAS LACENTRA
Director
Founder, Lacentra ConsultingHAKIM JONES
Director
Portfolio Director, NikeDR. KOFFI DESSOU
Director
Deputy Director, Office of Equity & Human Rights, City of PortlandDR. DONN SPIGHT
SURGEON
OHSU
History
Founders Levell Thomas and Mark Jackson are longtime friends who came up in Portland Public Schools together. They founded REAP in 2001 knowing the potential contained within Portland youth and their yearning for opportunities in the larger world.
Levell and Mark also knew how to adapt successful, proven programs as a structure for guiding and supporting youth, and they know how to tap into networks in business, government, and the nonprofit sector to connect the youth to leaders, mentors, and potential employers across our communities and the state.
Elevate Empower Expand Engage
Our Values
- Elevate youth voices
- Empower student leaders with a global mindset
- Expand student innovation toward entrepreneurship
- Engage students in cooperative management