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“I often wonder what Mr. Henry Beauchamp Jr., the first Executive Director was thinking as he embarked upon launching Yakima Valley OIC, the 100th OIC program 50 years ago. I imagine he was anxious, excited, and humbled by the immense task that was presented to him. However, learning about his journey and background, it appears his faith, will, and perseverance set him on a path of starting a new nonprofit charged with creating equitable and sustainable programs that would eventually become the comprehensive and successful Agency we all know today.
Now, 50 years later, I’m excited, humbled, and honored to be the Interim CEO honoring our past, appreciating our present, and looking toward 50 more years of success!
Much has changed since becoming the 100th OIC back in 1972, but we continue to strengthen our menu of supports to underserved and underrepresented communities across 15 counties in Washington State. Areas of service have grown dramatically, like support for families needing a variety of utilities and housing support, education and career services, veterans’ programs, and resource distribution among many others.
If we all stop for a moment to take a collective look back at just how far this Agency has come over the past 50 years, it is breathtaking. However, standing still and becoming complacent is simply not an option because new community issues continue to emerge, and OIC must grow and change to address them.
As I look forward to the future of this great Agency, I know that success is inevitable because of the combined strength of our extraordinary staff, partners, funders, and volunteers, and the Board of Directors who guide us. Join me as we celebrate this remarkable milestone together – the 50th Anniversary of OIC of Washington!"
Anthony Peterson
Interim Chief Executive Officer
We invite you to join us on this special evening as we celebrate 50 Years of Empowering People and Changing Lives in the State of Washington. This year, the celebration will take place on Friday, September 9th at 5:30pm at the Yakima Convention Center in Yakima, Washington.
We are looking forward to celebrating with you at our 50th Anniversary Celebration!
Click Here to Buy Tickets Sponsorship Packet
*Formal Event*
Dr. Stefan Bradley
Dr. Stefan M. Bradley, a professor of Black Studies and History at Amherst College and raised in Yakima, will be the keynote speaker for OIC’s 50th Anniversary Celebration. He has received numerous honors and awards including the Don Brennan Humanitarian Award; the Better Family Life Excellence in Educational Leadership Award; the SLU Faculty Excellence Award; the Ernest A. Calloway, Jr. Teaching Excellence Award; and the St. Louis American’s Salute to Excellence Young Leaders Award. He was selected as one of Delux Magazine’s Power 100.
Dr. Bradley has published an impressive body of work, including Upending the Ivory Tower: Civil Rights, Black Power, and the Ivy League, which won the History of Education Society Outstanding Book Award as well as the Anna Julia Cooper & CLR James Book Award from the National Council of Black Studies; Harlem vs. Columbia University: Black Student Power in the Late 1960s, which won the Phillis Wheatley Book Prize; and Alpha Phi Alpha: A Legacy of Greatness, The Demands of Transcendence. He has appeared on C-Span, BookTV, NPR, PRI, BET, MSNBC, CNN, BBC,A1-Jazeera, the New York Times, as well as in documentaries on the Oprah Winfrey Network and the History Channel.
We look forward to another 50 years!
If you weren't able to attend, take a moment to view the 50th Anniversary Booklet, our photo gallery, and video.
Congratulations OIC for making a strong positive impact in the community for 50 years. Thank you for all the people you have given resources, opportunities and hope to!
Drew HarrisCongratulations OIC of Washington on your 50th anniversary! Thank you so much for all of the hard and selfless work you all have done and continue to do for our Yakima Valley community.
Gratefully, Your friends, Yakima County NAACPCongratulations to the Staff & Partners on OIC's 50th Anniversary! Serving the people of Yakima Valley in supporting those in need when addressing their everyday challenges, has been and will always be OIC's role. May your positive impact on the people in our our community at home, at work, at school and at play continue. As a community partner, we wish you success on your present and future plans and projects.
In Solidarity, Dori Peralta Baker, Chairperson Asian Pacific Islander Coalition of Yakima www.apicyakima.orgCongratulations OIC of Wa. We are proud of you and we celebrate with you on your 50th Anniversary! Keep making our state, city and our communities great!
Eric Silvers, State FarmCongratulations to OIC for 50 years of making people's lives better. We are honored to be a part of your team.
Tim Hume Kiley Juergens Wealth Management LLC Retirement Plan Advisors
Thank you to all of our participants and community partners for your support throughout the years. It has been a remarkable 50 years and here’s to celebrating the next 50 years together.
