POIC’s Joe McFerrin II talks funding cuts, DEI challenges

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — With cuts to education and the current administration’s antipathy towards anything that relates to diversity, equity and inclusion, Joe McFerrin II finds himself in the middle of that discussion.

McFerrin is President and CEO of Rosemary Anderson School and the Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center (POIC).

It has five campuses, mainly in East County and North Portland, four high schools and one middle school. The 19 overall locations provide services, mainly to students and families of color — many of whom are low-income.

Those services fall in the areas of education, workforce development, violence prevention, as well as family health and wellness. They serve 3000 students and families and many more who avail themselves of their services.

McFerrin joined Eye on Northwest Politics to discuss concerns about DOGE cuts to POIC’s federal funding, the impacts of DEI cuts on Portland groups, as well as POIC’s new downtown initiative.

Watch the full interview in the video above.