Tony is a native of Portland, Oregon, resides in the Northeast community, and is a respected neighborhood and community leader. From 1977 to 1985, Hopson taught, counseled and coached for Portland Public Schools and in 1981 Hopson founded Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI) as a one-week summer camp committed to improving collegiate and employment opportunities for high school students. The initial camp served 80 students. In 1988, SEI became a year-around program and during a capital campaign that began in 1989, SEI raised over $10 million to build the 62,000 sq. ft. Center for Self Enhancement which opened its doors in 1997. The Center offers a variety of activities and services for youth and families in inner-Portland and is a hub of the community. Self Enhancement employs 120 people, most of whom live in Northeast Portland.