Circles of Excellence Awards Reception

March is National Criminal Justice Month. Established by the United States Congress in 2009, its purpose is to promote societal awareness around the causes and consequences of crime, as well as strategies for preventing and responding to crime.

Prevention Zone, Inc. will recognize excellence within the criminal justice system through its annual Circles of Excellence Criminal Justice Awards Reception by recognizing individuals, public officials, organizations, celebrities, activists, and community leaders from across Texas whose exceptional efforts or outstanding service have led to positive changes in the criminal justice system.

Over 600,000 individuals return from incarceration each year. When you donate to Prevention Zone you are helping to provide services to individuals that have been stigmatized, marginalized, and removed from opportunity. You are also helping to build a nationwide movement of individuals who tirelessly work to ensure that criminal justice reform stays at the forefront of the national conversation.

By supporting the Prevention Zone, your organization affirms its commitment to address the institutional barriers in the justice system.

HABJ Scholarship and Awards Sneaker Ball Gala

HOUSTON – In an evening marked by elegance, empowerment, and community spirit, the Houston Association of Black Journalists (HABJ) hosted its Annual Scholarship and Fundraiser Gala at the historic Eldorado Ballroom in Third Ward, achieving a remarkable fundraising milestone of over $50,000 for college students.

The gala, which adopted a unique ‘Sneaker Ball’ theme, saw guests merging style with comfort, donning their finest attire along with their most stylish sneakers. This creative twist added a sense of joy and relaxation to the event, making it a truly memorable night. The evening was emceed by Alexis “Fly” Jones, reality TV star of OWN’s “Ready to Love,” and Erica Simon, 10 p.m. anchor of ABC13. Jones and Simon are also both HABJ board members.

SuitMart Million Dollar Clothes Giveaway For The Holidays!

Texas retailer Gary Dante of SuitMart rang in the holiday season on December 5th with an apparel giveaway at his Houston.“ This is the fourth year we’ve done this,” says Dante (above, center, with Houston’s mayor elect, former Senator John Whitmire, right). “We collect merchandise from vendors and take some out-of-season goods from our stores and donate them to people in need. We had nice participation from vendors this year, so we had a lot of product to give. At first, we were giving 20 units of apparel per person, but realized we weren’t moving enough goods, so we started giving away 40 units per person!”

Dante promoted the program with a public service announcement on local television and radio, and had flyers distributed at local churches, non-profits, and schools. 42 volunteers helped set up the in-store event, and they moved more than 150 people through the store in a seven-hour period. 

“This was the best year we’ve had,” says Dante. “We had pastors from local churches stopping by, as well as our current mayor and two mayoral candidates.”

Donated products included suits, shoes, sportswear, ties, and belts for men, women, and boys. At the end of the day non-profit organizations were invited to take any remaining merchandise.

While Dante thought this was going to be the last year for the giveaway, he’s already making plans for 2024.

Pagegirl101 Publishing Book Signing at the Houston Holiday Magic Lights and Bus Tour

Thank you to everyone who joined us for a magical literary experience as La La and Friends Children’s Books took center stage at the Freedmen’s Town Farmers Market during the City of Houston Downtown Holiday Magic and Bus Tour!

Families immersed themselves in the enchanting world of La La and Friends, where captivating stories came to life! Little ones and their parents enjoyed an unforgettable book signing event filled with joy, laughter, and the spirit of the holiday season.

🎁 Highlights of the Event:

• Meet the Characters: La La and her delightful friends were present to greet young readers and share the magic of their enchanting tales.
• Book Signing: Attendees had the opportunity to have their copies of La La and Friends Children’s Books personally signed by the talented author. Each book was a treasure trove of imagination and life lessons.
• Holiday Cheer: The event featured festive decorations, holiday-themed activities, and a joyful atmosphere that left families in high spirits.

🌈 Reasons Why It Was a Success:

• Supporting Local Authors: The community came together to support local talent and foster a love for reading.
• Family-Friendly Fun: The book signing was a perfect opportunity for families to share magical moments and create lasting memories.

🎉 We are grateful for the wonderful turnout at Freedmen’s Town Farmers Market, making it a day of literary enchantment, holiday festivities, and community spirit. La La and Friends Children’s Books cherished the opportunity to celebrate the magic of the season with everyone who attended!

La La and Friends Children’s Book Signing Delights Families at Houston Post International Food Hall

Thank you to everyone who joined us for a magical children’s book signing event at the Houston Post International Food Hall in Downtown Houston – a hub for culture, food, and recreation!

Hosted by Pagegirl101 Publishing, the event transported families into the enchanting world of La La and Friends Children’s Books. As the former Barbara Jordan Post Office building underwent its transformation, children and parents alike were entertained with readings, a vibrant coloring contest featuring characters from our 20 plus children’s books, and a showcase of educational workbooks.

🌟 Event Highlights:

• Interactive Readings: Little ones were captivated by engaging readings, where the stories of La La and Friends came to life with colorful characters and valuable lessons.
• Coloring Contest: Imaginations ran wild as children participated in an exciting coloring contest, bringing La La and Friends to life on paper. Congratulations to our talented winners!
• Educational Workbooks: Families explored a diverse collection of educational workbooks, designed to make learning a fun and enriching experience for children of all ages.

🎉 Why It Was a Success:

• Entertainment for All Ages: The diverse range of over 20 children’s books catered to different age groups, ensuring a delightful experience for everyone.
• Celebrating Learning: Pagegirl101 Publishing’s commitment to fostering a love for reading and education was celebrated, inspiring young minds through books that entertain, inspire, and educate.

🎁 This event served as a wonderful prelude to the grand opening of the Houston Post International Food Hall in November. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us for this special occasion, making it a memorable experience for all!

Stay connected for future events, releases, and more by following us on [Social Media Handles] and visiting our website [Website URL]. Relive the magic of storytelling and the joy of learning from the #LaLaAndFriendsBookSigning

Jackie Robinson Day with Houston Informer Foundation, Inc. MLB Player Alliance and the Houston Astros

Steppin Back in Time With Over 130 Years of Houston Black History

Meet the Publishers Preserving 129 Years of Black Newspaper History in the Metaverse

Publishers Mikel Collins, and Lorenza Butler, Jr., one of the paper’s former owners, plan to bring life back to the collection of more than 129 years of fragile newsprint and irreplaceable photographs. For Decades, the history of Houston’s oldest Black Newspaper West of the Mississippi have filed away in several different locations—some were digitally scanned and available online at the University of North Texas Libraries, the Portal to Texas History and other are accessible through microfiche at the Gregory Elementary School Museum, and others in boxes and bound volumes. The Houston Informer and Texas Freeman—got its start as what’s known in Houston as Freedmen’s Town, a resting place for reference files of newspaper clippings in the days before Google. Now Mikel Collins, and Lorenza Butler, Jr., one of the paper’s former owners, plans to bring life back to the collection of more than 129 years of fragile newsprint and irreplaceable photographs.

Lorenza Butler, Jr., spoke about his duty to document and preserve the past, and his plans for a new home for the archives with interactive avatars of each publisher in Metaverse for all to see and experience. “The Houston Informer and Texas Freeman is the Oldest Black Newspaper West of the Mississippi,” stated Butler. “The Houston Informer Foundation will start the arduous journey of archiving, for the first time, over 129 years of all known publications, institutional letters, bulletins, annual reports, as well as any personal letters between owners or legal materials regarding the Houston Informer and Texas Freeman newspaper and have them all housed in one location.”

The Houston Informer Foundation is currently in partnership with the Rutherford B. H. Yates Museum to host the first exhibition in 2023, and the Freedmen’s Town Historical Conservatory to assist with a call to the location communities for the collection of Houston Informer and Texas Freeman publications, clipping, and photographs. The Houston Informer Foundation will also host a series of in-person lecture series and quarterly workshops in museums, libraries, science centers, historical societies, and even online exhibits through Google celebrating the history and influence of the Black Press, specifically the history and contributions of Houston Informer and Texas Freeman newspaper. Beyond the above, the Houston Informer Foundation will support individuals and institutions committed to advancing the greater understanding of how newspapers from various viewpoints encountered the full range of life in their day in Houston.

About Houston Informer Foundation

The Houston Informer Foundation, Inc. (HIFI) is a non-profit organization based in Houston. Its mission is the preservation of the Houston Informer and Texas Freeman publications, bulletins, annual reports, institutional and personal letters between owners and legal matters. [email protected] | www. houstoninformerfoundation.org

Rutherford B. H. Yates Museum

The R. B. H. Yates Museum is a non-profit organization and was founded in 1996. It is based in Freedmen’s Town, Texas and is the steward of six of these historic homes, including some of the most significant and recognizable ones that were built by former community leaders; it also holds five empty lots, for a total of 11 archaeologically significant sites. Visit the Museum by appointment only (713) 739-0163| [email protected] | www.rbhy.org

Perfect for the Holidays: Author Lynn Page Launches New Children’s Book and Educational Workbooks of Self-Identity, Acceptance, and Family

I’m excited to share with you that brand and digital storyteller, business strategist, entrepreneur, mother, hustler, and influencer, and all-around “cool cousin,” Lynn C. Page has launched her debut children’s book, My First Best Cousin Friend, a picture book geared towards childen of all ages.

“I am overwhelmed by all the attention and love from everyone who has read my book, and truly hope this story inspires others to remember their friendship with their cousins. This is a fun book that will keep the reader engaged from the beginning to the end. Most kids have cousins and may not understand they can be friends and cousins. My First Best Cousin Friend is written in a lyrical, sing-song style.  Each page flows smoothly into the next. The words are appropriate for the age of the intended reader and will be pleasant to read aloud. The book launch and reading were at the Texas Southern University Library. My First Best Cousin Friend, Now the #1 New Release in Children’s Intermediate Readers on Amazon! 

Bee Busy Wellness Center Receives $183,000 FCC Grant to Strengthening Outreach on COVID-19 to Minority Communities

Bee Busy Wellness Center’s makeshift telehealth was OK, but now it’s building something grand. Bee Busy Wellness Center in Houston, Texas, like other health centers across the country, struggled with efforts to offer telehealth services to patients when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

As a way to be creative and to extend its healthcare program to those seeking services via telehealth, Bee Busy purchased mobile phones for clinical staff and iPads for providers to engage with patients who had iOS or Android systems, but failed in attempts at expanding its EHR to be compatible to offer telehealth.

So providers engaged with patients via mobile phones, on iPads and on laptop computers to address their healthcare issues. Patients engaged with their providers from the comfort of their own homes, while waiting for the opportunity to have face-to-face visits. Patients did visit the health center to access labs; however, they did not visit their provider in person in an effort to ensure their safety.

“Bee Busy Wellness Center provides services to patients who are immunocompromised,” said Norman Mitchell, CEO of Bee Busy Wellness Center. “The telehealth services were not sufficient as they didn’t allow communication with the company’s EHR, and were not adequate to offer as much continuity of care.”

Bee Busy targets the following areas: Southwest and Southeast Houston, Prairie View, Waller County, Montgomery County and the Clear Lake Area. The targeted population includes individuals living at or below 200% of the federal poverty line, homeless people, and those with limited or no access to the Internet.