The Magic 25: Commissioner Charles Jordan, IFCC Founder
“As a college student, I was truly honored to join City Commissioner Charles Jordan’s staff on July 1, 1975. I had no idea this experience was going to be the most life changing opportunity anyone could ever dream. I believe that in a lifetime we may have few chances to witness great leadership and its impact on the community. Mr. Jordan is the type of leader who inspires others to challenge themselves and discover their talents. The team he assembled in City Hall were the best and the brightest and eager to serve.
His knowledge, passion, dedication and love for the citizens of Portland are the reasons why the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center exists today. As founder of the IFCC it was his dream that this place would bring people together from all cultures and backgrounds to connect, discover their gifts and share with others. He convinced us that the IFCC through the arts could build bridges to cultural understanding and connect not only the urban community, but the entire community.
The Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center is one of the city’s unique treasures that stands as an exemplary example of what community should look like.
Each time I walk through the doors it is an exciting and different experience that motivates and inspires me to try something new.
Isn’t it incredible how one person with one idea can make a significant difference for an entire community that transcends time?
Thank you, Mr. Jordan for caring…
Richest Blessings”
by Michelle Harper
Portland Parks and Recreation
Citywide Collaborative Alliances Manager
“Commissioner Charles Jordon made this statement on the eve of the IFCC opening back 1982. We walked through the lobby heading for the front doors and the Commissioner stopped. To paraphrase he claimed, “There is a program I have seen back east and I know we can have the same thing here. The program was a safe haven for all young people to spend time, learn, and develop their creative abilities and we can do that here in Portland with this project. He turned to me and said, “You’ll have everything you need for support. Right Al?” (Al Jamison, who passed away on October 13 of this year, was Assistant to Commissioner Jordan, back in the day.) Charles Jordan, the visionary, must be with a smile in his heart, as we celebrate the IFCC 25 years later.
I knew him as a compassionate administrator. He was always confident through the thick and thin times of the early IFCC years. I never left his office without hope and the determination to make his dream a reality. He was the one who guided me to hire Jeff Ditzler as director of the Student Production Company. Charles must be thrilled to know that a former student of that company is Creative Director of the IFCC today! What a tribute to his vision and concern for young people then and now.”
by Susan Goodson Fatherree, Ph.D., former Executive Director of IFCC, 1982–1997
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