Dr. LM Alaiyo Foster

A renowned educator and social activist, Dr. LM Alaiyo Foster has excelled as an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Black Studies at Portland State University since 2020. In addition, she has been the owner of Akachi Consulting Solutions, LLC since 2007, in which she provides diversity, equity and inclusion services, as well as individual, family and multicultural counseling. Since 2018, Dr. Foster has also served as president and chief executive officer of the Black United Fund of Oregon, which aims to assist in the educational, social and economic development of underserved and culturally diverse communities.

Prior to her current work, Dr. Foster served the Black Educational Achievement Movement as a remote consultant and officer of programs and community engagement from 2015 to 2018, as well as the Multnomah County Health Department as a program specialist and training consultant in 2015. She also lent her expertise as a manager of education and outreach services from Cascade AIDS Project, a traditional health worker for the Oregon Health Authority, a mental health professional for Portland Public Schools and a development director of teen parent services for the Youth Employment Institute between 2007 and 2015.

To prepare for her professional endeavors, Dr. Foster matriculated at Portland State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in sociology in 2001, a Bachelor of Arts in Black studies in 2004 and a Master of Arts in education and school counseling in 2007. She also achieved a Master of Science in nonprofit management and development from Capella University in 2011 and a Doctor of Education in educational leadership and administration from Lewis & Clark College in 2017. Similarly, Dr. Foster became a nationally certified counselor, qualified mental health professional and certified community health worker, and received an administrator and school counselor license through the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission.

Upon reflection, Dr. Foster considers helping spearhead the Traditional Health Worker Commission in Oregon to create livable wage jobs for people who did not attend college as a career highlight. In addition, she feels honored to have been recognized on the “Women of Influence” list by the Portland Business Journal and to have received the Phenomenal Women Award from the Oregon Women’s Health Network, both in 2021. Attributing her success to the support and encouragement of her family and her friends, Dr. Foster looks forward to continuing to grow her businesses and making an impact on her community. She currently holds membership with the African American AIDS Awareness Action Alliance and the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.