Albina Head Start

From a Head Start classroom in Portland's Albina neighborhood to CEO of a community-focused investment firm, Rukaiyah Adams' journey shows what happens when early opportunity meets lifelong purpose.

How it started: At Albina Head Start, Rukaiyah didn't just find early learning. She met Ron Herndon, the program's director and community leader, who would later become a mentor. Decades later, they reunited to launch the 1803 Fund, building wealth and opportunity in the very community that shaped them both. Rukaiyah's work is love in action — investing in the neighborhood that first invested in her.

The bottom line: Head Start is a launchpad for future leaders and strong communities. Rukaiyah's story is living proof.

Explore more Alumni stories: https://nhsa.org/alumni/

Read more about the Phil Knight Foundation's contribution to Albina Head Start!

Phil Knight foundation donated $226 million in 2024, mostly to Oregon causes The Nike cofounder's family foundation has grown to $5.4 billion in assets, with $182 million going to University of Oregon's science campus last year.

Blazers, Books, and Buckets Join the Portland Trail Blazers at the Multnomah County Albina Library on January 18th from 1:00-3:00pm in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  To honor MLK's legacy and belief that literacy is fundamental to freedom, the Trail Blazers will beactivating the Albina Library with fun, pri...

Following PPS, All Albina classrooms will be closed at 2:00, Friday, August 29th @ due to extreme heat. We apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you

2025 Legacy Free Food Market

https://portlandtribune.com/2025/06/05/fresh-start-for-northeast-portlands-albina-head-start/

Fresh start for Northeast Portland's Albina Head Start - The Portland Tribune Albina Head Start has educated generations of children from low-income families in Portland and currently serves the largest population of Black infants, toddlers and children among all early childhood programs in Oregon.

This Portland organization has found a way to keep early childhood education accessible, aided by a prominent philanthropist Albina Head Start’s Northeast Portland anchor is part of what leaders hope will become a blossoming of Black-serving education institutions.

Early Closure for Monday, 6/9/25: All Albina Head Start/Early Head Start classrooms will close at 1:00pm due to extreme heat.

Albina Head Start Gets New Building, Tries To Save Old Murals After being given a 100-year-old building next to the Albina Head Start in Northeast Portland's Alberta District, Head Start officials had a choice.