Oregon Labor Candidate School

07/18/2026

Tremendous reporting about a great leader, you will forever be missed and remembered.

Ibrahim Coulibaly leaves a legacy as a trusted labor rights leader. He died July 6 at age 52.

07/14/2026

We are two weeks away from our BBQ! Huge shoutout to OFNHP - AFT Local 5017 for sponsoring this year's BBQ. Thanks to them, our tickets are now free with a suggested donation! That said, please RSVP so we have enough food. Registration link in the comments!

07/10/2026

Please give as you are able to honor the life of Ibrahim. There will also be a virtual memorial on Monday July 13th at 5:30 PM. Link to register in the comments.

My name is Florence. This Go Fund Me has been created after the staggering loss of… Florence Hurita needs your support for Honoring Ibrahim Coulibaly’s Legacy

07/07/2026

We are devastated to hear about the passing of Ibrahim Coulibaly, an OLCS alumnus, community and labor leader, father, advocate, and champion for working families. Rest in power.

Our union family is mourning the loss of our union sibling and leader, Ibrahim Coulibaly.

A dedicated leader in our African American (AFRAM) Caucus, CAPE Council, the State Central Table Bargaining Team, on our Civil and Human Rights Committee and across SEIU Local 503, Ibrahim spent more than a decade building a stronger, more equitable union. He fought for workers at the bargaining table, championed immigrant justice and civil and human rights, organized for worker-friendly candidates, and inspired countless members to step into leadership. Whether he was speaking at a rally, mentoring a new steward, or advocating for fairness and equity, Ibrahim led with integrity, humility, and an unwavering belief in the power of solidarity.

And Ibrahim was more than just a great union leader. He was a charismatic, personable human being who could engage just about anyone in conversation. He was passionate about his family and his friendships. He was always willing to lend a hand wherever he could and understood the importance of building one-on-one relationships.

Just days before his passing, Ibrahim wrote:

"Working people know that rights are rarely handed to us—they are earned, protected, and expanded through solidarity. Whether it is the right to fair wages, safe workplaces, dignity on the job, or the opportunity to build a better life, progress has come when people stand together rather than allowing differences to divide them."

Our hearts are with Ibrahim's family, especially his children, and with everyone whose life he touched. Read the statement from our AFRAM Caucus celebrating Ibrahim's life and extraordinary legacy and share your memories of him in the online memorial we’ve created.

Rest in power, Ibrahim. Your legacy lives in every worker as we continue the fight for justice.

We are collecting video stories of Ibrahim from his community, fellow members, and all those who he impacted during his life. Those stories will be shared with his family, and at any memorial events that are organized. If you would like to record a story, you can share it with us at [email protected], or share your memories of Ibrahim in written form on his memorial site: https://www.forevermissed.com/ibrahimcoulibaly/about

If you would like to contribute to the GoFundMe that has been set up to support his family during this time, you can do so here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/honoring-ibrahim-coulibalys-legacy

07/01/2026

Brisket. Beats. Lawn Games. We just need you.

Join us for our Summer Solidarity BBQ on July 25th at 1 PM for some fun in the sun. We will be in the back patio of OEA, serving up tasty treats and superb solidarity. RSVP via the link, cash bar, and $10 suggested donation for food.

bit.ly/OLCSBBQ

06/18/2026

Next up, member of IBEW 89, Barrett Johnson

Barrett Johnson is a father, a public servant, and a reformer. Born and raised in Oregon in a family of teachers, woodworkers, and small business owners, Barrett believes Oregon succeeds when working and middle-class families have the opportunity to thrive. A graduate of the Portland Public Schools system, Barrett spent a decade in the tech sector before dedicating his career to tackling some of Oregon’s most complex policy challenges. He currently serves as Chief of Staff to State Representative Dacia Grayber and remains active in his community through service on the Tigard Transportation Advisory Committee. Barrett is the proud father of two boys, Theodore and Arthur, and completes the Oregon Labor Candidate School program in memory of his late fiancée, Carly, whose love continues to inspire his work on behalf of Oregon families.

06/18/2026

Next up from Oregon Nurses Association, Forrest Lloyd!

I'm a registered nurse and a proud member of ONA (AURN at OHSU).

I attended Rhodes College in Memphis TN, where I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in psychology. I worked in various mental health settings, specifically as a psychiatric care technician on an inpatient psychiatric care unit, and as a TMS technician, administering outpatient Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation therapy.

I then received a Master's of science in Nursing from the University of Virginia (go hoos!), and have been working in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Bone Marrow transplant since 2022.

My passions include equitable healthcare, affordable quality education, caregiver stress/burnout & support, and accessible mental health services.

I believe a government should actually represent its constituents, not special interests or the biggest donors. I'm not sure exactly what my political future holds, but I am beyond grateful for the lessons I've learned from OLCS.

06/17/2026

Next up, we head south to meet IATSE Local 154 member Amanda Haverick!

Amanda Haverick is a theatre artist and union organizer, with a passion for supporting and driving the labor movement in Southern Oregon. She is rank and file with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Local 154 in Ashland, and she currently serves as the Chair of the Southern Oregon Central Labor Chapter with the Oregon Labor Federation. Acting through her many roles both in her workplace and in the community, "Haverick" works with her community partners to strengthen the labor movement in Southern Oregon and other rural parts of the state. She is especially excited for whatever her next chapter in the labor movement is after OLCS, and is thankful to her friends, her family, and her Local for all of their support and guidance.

06/17/2026

Next up, from SEIU Local 503, Paulita Peña-Urenda!

Paulita Peña-Urenda is a 1st generation Mexican-American and Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas advocate, union leader, public speaker, fundraiser, and longtime public servant dedicated to advancing the rights of workers, Latinos, Disabled, Indigenous peoples, and underserved communities. Her work spans labor organizing, employee advocacy, public education, community engagement, leadership development, and public service. Throughout her career, she has championed workplace equity, civil rights, disability inclusion, and opportunities for Native and Latino communities while helping individuals navigate complex workplace, educational, and government systems. Her educational journey reflects a lifelong commitment to learning and service, having attended The Boyd School of Travel in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon; Western Oregon University in Monmouth, Oregon; Portland State University in Portland, Oregon; and Corban University in Salem, Oregon. Her studies include Hospitality and Tourism, Business Administration, Early Childhood Education with an ESL endorsement, General Psychology, Biblical Theology, and History.

Throughout her professional and volunteer leadership, Paula has focused on issues including Indigenous sovereignty and treaty rights, labor history, workplace justice, whistleblower protections, immigration, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW), and leadership development for historically underrepresented communities. She serves in union leadership roles at the local, state, national, and international levels and is committed to ensuring Indigenous, Latino, Disabled and working-class voices are represented where decisions are made. Whether facilitating workshops, advocating for employees facing discrimination, organizing community initiatives, supporting future leaders, or preserving Indigenous labor history, Paulita approaches every effort with cultural pride, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to creating meaningful and lasting change for future generations.