A highly regarded North Portland nonprofit is the target of a legal complaint, alleging inappropriate sexual behavior and gender discrimination.
Local leaders have praised Self-Enhancement, Inc. for how its programs support black students at Portland-area high schools. It's been credited with helping boost the graduation rate by 17 points over the last four years at Portland's Jefferson High School.
But in a legal complaint filed this week, Fyndi Jermany, a former female staffer at SEI said the Jefferson High program was marred by sexualized behavior from top staff. The story was first reported by the Portland Tribune.
SEI Founder and President Tony Hopson Sr.
Ifanyi Bell / OPB
Jermany's complaint alleged executive director Tony Hopson kissed her on the cheek and made inappropriate comments.
Among the allegations against Hopson directly: "leering at [Jermany] and looking her body up and down and telling her 'you look nice' in a sexually suggestive tone."
It said administrators put up with staff and students dating, and with Jermany's supervisor allegedly telling a colleague "wait until she's 18, so it's legal."
The complaint goes on to say graphic photos and videos involving staff and students were shared at school. Administrators also allegedly told Jermany and other female staff members to "dress sexy" or "flirt with donors" at fundraising events, so they would "give more money."
Jermany said her complaints were repeatedly ignored and she was denied a promotion afterward. She took a leave from her job in February, but learned that shortly after that, staff began saying she would not allowed to return. Jermany's complaint said she suffered damages in lost salary and "additional financial consideration" totaling $210,000. It cited other factors, such as "emotional harm" and discrimination damages totaling $665,000.
SEI administrators responded with a written statement several days after the lawsuit was filed. Chief operating officer Libra Forde said that while school officials take allegations of sexual harassment or assault "extremely seriously," they also deny those made in Jermany's lawsuit.
"These allegations have been investigated multiple times, without corroboration, over a period of several months prior to the filing of this lawsuit," Forde wrote.
Portland Public Schools, which has a contract with SEI, said it plans to investigate.
"We take very seriously any allegations of behavior that threatens the safety and well-being of any of our students or staff," said PPS spokesman Harry Esteve. "We learned of this lawsuit [Friday] and our Title IX, legal and human resources teams will immediately begin looking into the allegations made against SEI. We will take any necessary steps to ensure the safety of our students and staff."
This story has been updated with a response from SEI.