The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is proud to announce that Irene Marion, Equity and Inclusion Manager for the bureau, has been appointed by President Biden to serve as Director of the Departmental Office of Civil Rights for the U.S. Department of Transportation.
In her new role, Marion is the designated advisor to the Secretary of Transportation on matters relating to civil rights, and the enforcement of civil rights laws in federally funded transportation programs nationwide.
Marion was sworn in by President Biden on Wednesday, during a nationally televised ceremony, just hours after the president’s inauguration. The same day, the president signed the Executive Order On Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.
“Losing Irene is a loss for the City of Portland but a blessing for our country, as she has been a champion of equity and civil rights for all Portlanders.” said City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty, who was recently appointed Commissioner-in-Charge of PBOT. “This is an excellent appointment by the Biden-Harris administration and sends a positive signal that they are serious about dismantling systemic racism in our federal policies and programs. I offer a heartfelt congratulations to Irene on this opportunity for her to grow her pursuit of racial justice at the national level, and I look forward to working with a federal government that will be a partner with the City of Portland.”
Marion started with PBOT in 2016, serving as Public Involvement Coordinator. She has been Equity & Inclusion Manager since 2018.
“We are sad to see Irene leave PBOT, but we are thankful for her accomplishments and dedication to making Portland a better place for everyone,” Portland Transportation Director Chris Warner said. “Irene has led our efforts to define and pursue transportation justice. Especially during the pandemic, bureaus across city government have benefitted from her work to address racial disparities. We are dedicated to continuing her work to pursue transportation justice and make our streets safe for everyone.”
President Biden also named Maurice Henderson, formerly PBOT Assistant Director and Chief of Staff to Mayor Ted Wheeler, as Senior Advisor to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Dani Simons, who helped launch Portland’s bike share program when she worked for contractor Motivate, was named Assistant to the Secretary and Director of Public Affairs.
The Departmental Office of Civil Rights enforces civil rights laws and regulations, which prohibit workplace discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion and age in employment and the provision of government services.
The office oversees internal programs affecting the department’s employees, as well as civil rights programs of the government agencies that receive federal financial assistance.
In Marion’s time at PBOT, the bureau’s equity and inclusion program has begun to implement an aggressive work plan focused on transportation justice; expanding community partnerships; advancing equity in contracting and project delivery; and workforce development and training. Marion recently led the bureau’s partnership with Multnomah County on a COVID-19 safety public education campaign for Black and Latinx communities.
Her career path included a diversity of roles in the nonprofit, philanthropy and government sectors, including the U.S. Student Association, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, Congressional Black Caucus, Coalition for a Livable Future in Portland and the Funders Committee for Civic Participation.
Marion was born in the Commonwealth of Dominica and raised in Portland, where she graduated from Cleveland High School. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Howard University and a Graduate Certificate in Sustainability from Portland State University.
The young lady doesn’t even know about dominica.
ADMIN: The information we have is she was born in Dominica.
Whether she was born in Dominica or not, what is so important about that?
There are people born in Haiti who are very visible in Biden’s administration; one such person; her surname name is Jean Pierre, her office is located within the White House; there are others too from other country’s.
In any event, her positions if that information is true, cannot; will not help Dominica in any way shape or form; it might be imperative to disclose the source of the information that she is Dominica born!
It does not take a special person to become what they want to be in America: education is the key; as long as one is a citizen of the United States, with ambition, your potential is unlimited; family name and who you know matters squat doodle!
The only time Democrats love blacks, are when a white policeman takes the life of a black person. But when blacks are killing their own they are dumb.
Chicago was where Obama raised to fame. Where is he now.? Living in a $12.000.000 mansion in Massachusetts.
Chicago had 768 murders last yr. 252 more than 2019.These blacks have been voting Democrats all their lives. 1931 was the last time they voted a Republican mayor.
Trump asked the blacks
“What the hell you have to lose, for voting for me?”
They called him racist.
Trump allocated billions of dollars under the portfolio of Dr.Ben Carson. So that blacks can start their own business.
All Democrats want is to keep blacks where they are under government food stamps and to pay for the little shelter over their heads (Section
Now Biden opened the borders, so that blacks will have to compete with the Hispanics. Many of the blacks are not educated and are without a skill.I am not referring to those who can think 4
You need to shut to “F” up, I wish I could spell the F word out completely; you are nothing more that a sick dilapidated rat running your mouth off not knowing what the hell you talking about.
If the color of your skin is different to any black person; with your patios Dominica accent go and talk to any Republican in power; senate or the house, come back and write on DNO tell us how much they like or love you!
Man get lost you are a nobody!
I don’t usually get angry because of the opinions of others; nevertheless; your ignorance angers me; where are you from?
What turned you into such a white man behind kisser!
Shut up, the Republicans hate poor whites, as much as they hate Black people!
During the insurrection on the 6th of this month, they called for the hanging of Pence, the vice president, a white man, these are the people you supporting, are you a dog man?
Shut up!
Congratulations young lady! Continue to strive and reach for the stars. Glad that you honored your roots and let the world know that you are from the Commonwealth of Dominica. Congratulations and continue to put Dominica on the map and make us proud.
Yes,it is nice that Biden gives a black Dominican a job. I will shout hooray. When he follows Trump’s footsteps. For under him, unemployment for blacks was the lowest in the U.S. history. Follow Trump, because Obama and Biden spent 8 yrs in office crying how thousands of blacks are languishing in prison for minor offenses ( Remember Biden was the one who wrote the Senate version of B.Clinton’s Crime Bill) and they did nothing. But thank God, here comes Trump.
He brought Republicans and Democrats together and signed Criminal Justice Reform. Thousands of blacks received a second chance in life.They are out 3 like birds in the air.
Do like Trump, he earned $400.000 per yr. And gave everything to charity. Biden if you really love blacks.
Give one yrs. salary of yours to the Historic Black Colleges and Universities.
Trump signed an executive order, so that the HBCU will not come to any president begging for help, for the next 10 yrs.
Not just giving individual blacks a job.
CONGRATULATIONS are in order to this Dominican by birth who has excelled in her professional career. Lets give thanks for her and not be so myopic in our comments. We are all citizens of one world.
Nice vibes! Grace and mercy!
stop wasting ur time on them people dno..so are we dominicans going to get a medal for that lady accomplishment or bring her back to work to dominica?
i cant understand when dno put them peoples name up makes no sense to me…
these people well most of them never mention the country when they make it big
Great, we going places. You say Irene was born in Dominica, what is her maiden name, what village she from and before you talk I consider Roseau and Portsmouth also villages.
Eric George..I think Irene Marion ought to be congratulated instead of the low comment you have stated here
Way to go young lady. Congratulations in order now go make us proud.
I’m glad Dominicans could see that other countries don’t have problem to give high opportunities to foreigners. While here this would be on every talk shows for Dominicans to curse….
Congrats!! And may the most high see you thru all your endeavors..
Nice one DNO, some of these so called Dominicans dont even know where Dominica located.
I couldnt agree more. Most of these Dominicans have never returned home since
Remove those shades Kumbaya, they make you see only darkness.
This Dominica grew up on Canal Lane, Goodwill, Dominica and attended the Convent High School. Until she moved to Portland Oregon U.S.A. with her parents Mrs. Elizabeth Cuffy-Schoefermann and her Father Mr. Bob Schoefermann.
Why comment? Some of us in DA. have never travel so we can open our eyes to see that the world is different than just being in Dominica. You cannot blame youngsters when their parents take them overseas at a young age. When they grow up the first thing on their mind is getting a job and making a living we all have our priorities in life and they are all different.
And what’s the significance of pointing this out?
Best of luck. always great to hear about Dominicans and West Indians begin successful at home and around the globe