Women’s Storybook Project, a nonprofit based in Austin which serves children across the state of Texas and the nation, will hold its 6th annual fundraising luncheon in -person on Thursday, April 28 and online on Friday, April 29th.  Today we talk to Jill Gonzales, Executive Director of Women’s Storybook Project. At Women’s Storybook Project (WSP), the mission is to connect incarcerated mothers with their  children through the joy of literature. Incarcerated moms are given the opportunity to earn (through good behavior) the ability to record themselves reading a book, which is then mailed to their child. The result is that a child gets to hear their mom reading them a bedtime story.

Netra Ford is the Executive Director of Exceeding Autism.  April is Autism Awareness month and Exceeding Autism commemorates by holding it’s annual Gala de Bleu. This is a formal event which will be held at the Hilton Medical Center on Saturday, April 2, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. April 2 is also World Autism Day.  On The Spectrum Seminar was held on April 1 and explored holistic approaches to meeting special needs. We all have a special need whether it’s diagnosed or undiagnosed and we are willing to admit it.  Gala de Bleu is a night of inspiration and philanthropy that supports the mission of Exceeding Autism by raising funds to provide resources for our clients and families who’ve been caring for their loved one diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Dr. Marieka Thomas is the cofounder of Studio 9215.  Dr. Thomas educates us on the health benefits of CBD, the difference between THC cannabis and CBD, and she also invites us to the first Adult Herbal Art Carnival and Music Festival happening on 4/20 at Studio 9215. 

Celebrate the flavors of African-American, African, and Caribbean cuisine during Black Restaurant Week. Black Restaurant Week is a ten-day showcase celebrating the best in culinary arts. Dine at one of the participating restaurants offering weekly specials.  We talk to the CEO and Founder of Black Restaurant Week, Warren Luckett about this exciting week.

We are passengers on their journey towards love and legacy.  Jessica & David Martin are wealth creators, entrepreneurs, and authors.  Their book, "Chasing The Empire" is about their journey towards their empire and you get a raw and riveting sneak peek into the hears and minds of true hustlers who hold a vison for building generational wealth and teaching others how to do the same. 

Kenny Coleman, a resident of Houston, Texas and Chairperson for PLAP, i.e. People’s Legal Aid Project. We are a local non-profit corporation organized in Texas to help bring parity to the criminal justice system in the hopes of saving lives.  We are a relatively new organization (established in 2021) and so we need help to reach the public so that people may be aware that we are here for the people and of our current fundraisers.  https://Othal.org

Maisha Colter is the CEO of AVDA (Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse) Teen Dating Violence Awareness. The recent fatalities in our community have brought dating violence to the forefront. It is important to know the signs. Dating violence is preventable.  Texans have had enough of teen dating violence and its sometimes deadly consequences, as witnessed by the recent enactment of Texas Senate Bill 9 requiring public schools to educate students about abuse. This past February, as part of its Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month activism, AVDA (Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse) is reaching out to school districts and educating the public on why and how to comply with the new requirement.

Sasha M. Mays, Founder & CEO of Houston On The Map and Houston Police Officer and Mayoral candidate, Robin Williams informs us about The Baby Bear Rally.  The Baby Bear Rally is a cause to fight for children who are being held against their will and inviting everyone to share their story regarding their situation and the child they are fighting for. It will be a simple gathering so people can talk and share their story regarding what challenges they have faced while trying to seek help for their child so we know what time change in the system.

New Gov’t program that gives money to families who can’t afford to connect to the internet at home. It’s called the Affordable Connectivity Program or ACP. VP Kamala Harris announced it a few weeks ago. She asked internet companies to get the word out in our communities.  The Affordable Connectivity Program gives qualifying households a credit of up to $30 per month to use towards an internet service plan ($75 for those on qualifying tribal lands). Think of it as a housing voucher but for internet service. With this “voucher” — and the right internet service plan— high-speed internet is free for these qualifying families.  We have Foti Kallergis, Comcast Sr. Director of External Communications and Public Relations and Jamila Byrd, a mother who has benefitted from the program, tells her story. 

IYO Visuals is a full service production company based in Houston & Los Angeles with over a decade of film & video production experience.  Isaac "Chill" Yowman is the Founder & CEO and has been nominated in the ‘Outstanding Short Form Special’ category for the NAACP Image Awards for his latest masterpiece "Memory Builds the Monument." His documentary has also been selected in the highly anticipated 2022 SXSW Film Festival taking place in Austin, Texas this March.  Kathy Payton, CEO of 5th Ward CRC, also talks about how Isaac built his offices in 5th Ward, how CRC is expanding its single-family homeownership program, and the 9th Annual Lyons Ave Renaissance Festival on April 9th, 2022.  

Founder of Jus Free nonprofit organization Dominique Leonard stimulates breakthroughs to everyone who’s been “Locked Up.”  For National Let’s Laugh Day, former inmate Leonard produces his comedy show to provide comic relief in unideal situations.  Lockups and Laughs comedy show will be a night to celebrate freedom from within while proceeds are donated to his organization to advocate for parole reform in Texas.

Dr. Teralyn Sell, Psychotherapist and Brain Health Expert, states that, “The impact of S.A.D. can be profound on your mental health. It can cause fatigue, motivation issues, sadness, irritability and trouble sleeping, and much more.”    Dr. Teralyn’s Talks Tips on How to Combat Seasonal Depression and Boost Brain Health.

AIDS Foundation Houston, Inc. (AFH) will host the 33rd annual Walk to End HIV on Sunday, March 6, 2022, at Sam Houston Park in downtown Houston. This signature event is the city’s single greatest response to Houston’s ongoing HIV epidemic. More than 3,000 Houstonians are expected to participate in the noncompetitive 5K walk to remember and honor those affected by HIV/AIDS and to celebrate the advances in pharmacology to help prevent HIV acquisition as well as treatments that lower the viral load of persons living with HIV, which prevents HIV transfer through sex.

Julia C. Hester House is a long-standing community center in the Fifth Ward area, serving over 1,500 residents annually. Through our mission of providing support and services that empower, build and sustain the Fifth Ward community, we offer an array of support mechanisms that focus on youth development, senior services, social services and workforce development.

OneStar, AmeriCorps brings people together in service—harnessing the passion and enthusiasm of everyday Texans to strengthen communities. AmeriCorps members commit their time to serve with nonprofits, government agencies, and faith & community-based organizations to tackle some of our state’s toughest challenges with hands-on solutions. AmeriCorps invites individuals to serve alongside each other for the betterment of every Texas community.

The BOSS Impact Fund will focus on investing in Black women led businesses and preparing these entrepreneurs to build scalable, growth aggressive companies. Its goal is to raise investment funding for 500+ Black women entrepreneurs, over the next three years.  As part of its efforts, The BOSS Network is partnering with Sage, the global market leader for technology that provides small and medium businesses with the visibility, flexibility and efficiency to manage finances, operations and people, for the launch of the Sage “Invest in Progress” Grant Program, a $1.5MM commitment over three years.

ReelAbilities Houston Film & Arts Festival promotes inclusion and celebrates the lives, stories, and talents of people with disabilities, making an impact that lasts far beyond the festival. The event runs February 15-24, 2022, with ReelArt opening February 6 at Sabine Street Studios.  ReelAbilities is amazing event for people of all ages with most events completely cost free. With so many incredible events and participants, we have access to numerous spokespeople including board members, volunteers, and sponsors who have participated in ReelAbilities for many years.

Cristina Cave, Community Relations Sr. Manager for Baker Ripley and Baker Ripley Tax Service Spokesperson, speaks with Larry Jones about the tax services provided for the community.  On Friday, January 28th, the IRS will had their nationwide Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day and BakerRipley will begin providing free tax help and preparation to low-income residents in the Greater Houston Area.

FLAS founder and executive director, Elia Chino, shares with us information about a new program.  Through its new initiative known as Project Vive, the 28-year-old nonprofit organization FLAS is working directly with Houston’s primarily Spanish-speaking Latino community to encourage healthier sexual behaviors and to improve prevention services in the local region.