Our Founders

GRACE KUTO. Born and raised in Kenya, East Africa, Grace came to the United States to study in 1976. As a student at Portland State University, she was a founder of the International Classroom Program for the World Affairs Council of Oregon, through which she has impacted thousands of children and hundreds of teachers throughout the Northwest. A gifted speaker on East Africa, cultural awareness, and international programs, Grace teaches at Lewis and Clark College while holding a full time position at OHSU. Grace has served on numerous boards including SARNA (Society for Africans Resident in North America) which she helped found, the Multicultural Resource Center, American Friends Service Committee and the Board of Advisors of the World Affairs Council of Oregon. She is the author of Harambee: African Family Circle Cookbook. Grace lives with her husband, Paul, in Portland and is the mother of two daughters, Muyoko and Lutomia.

JACKIE GOLDRICK. Working with Grace to found Harambee Centre continues Jackie's love affair with Africa. In 1990 she moved to Ghana, West Africa when her husband, John was appointed Peace Corp Director there. For 3 ½ years she served with the United States Agency for International Development. In 1992, her family moved to Kenya, East Africa where Jackie was appointed Project coordinatorfor the US Ambassador's Self Help Project. For 2 ½ years she traveled throughout Kenya identifying sustainable community based self help projects with a particular emphasis on those that benefit women and children. Upon returning to the United States, the Goldricks settled in Portland. Here Jackie has served for three years as Education Director for the World Affairs Council of Oregon, she has led several educational trips to both Kenya and Ghana. Jackie is the mother of two daughters, Shaheen and Shannon, and a son, Sean.

Harambee Centre
P.O. Box 6617
Portland, Oregon 97228-6617 USA
Telephone: (503) 710-8264
info@harambeecentre.org