A B C for Youth Futures Inc
March 11, 2024
Join us for a fantastic day of health and wellness at the Community Health and Wellness Fair! This in-person event will be held at the Carver Library, located on East Commerce Street in San Antonio, TX, USA. Info Link: https://bit.ly/3RLCcRz We are accepting vendors daily if interested in presenting or need more information click on the link https://bit.ly/3RLCcRz
HBCU Spotlight: Jarvis Christian College
GET INVOLVED Volunteer Opportunities!
Interested in volunteering for any of the events email us at mrobinsonabc@icloud.com
Gardopia Volunteer Day
Community gardening
March 30, 9:00 am-11:00 am
Total Hours: 2
What is Your Super Power?
2nd Annual South Texas HBCU Community Awards & Masquerade Sneaker Ball 2024
UPDATE: Early Bird Ticket Discount & Advertisements Ready for Purchase
The **2nd Annual South Texas HBCU Community Awards & Masquerade Sneaker Ball 2024** is back and better than ever! Join us on **Saturday, May 4th, 2024** at **Noble Lounge & Bar** for a night of celebration, recognition, and fun. Get ready to put on your finest attire, but don't forget to bring your favorite sneakers! Join us for an unforgettable night filled with music, laughter, and great company. Whether you're a student, alumni, or simply passionate about supporting HBCUs, this event is for you. Mark your calendars and get ready to make memories that will last a lifetime at the **2nd Annual South Texas HBCU Community Awards & Masquerade Sneaker Ball 2024**!
Organized by - A Better Chance for Youth Futures Inc. & Every Person Counts
available for purchase, and we are going to have a WONDERFUL time!
Voting Link: https://bit.ly/HBCUAward24
Ticket Link: https://bit.ly/HBCUAwardsBall2
Our 2nd Annual HBCU Community Award 2024 Honoree's
D’Andrea Harkless - Huston-Tillotson University.
D’Andrea is a San Antonio native, a proud product of the east side and more so a proud 2011 Alum of Huston-Tillotson University.
D’Andrea is a full-time educator working with special needs high school students at Sam Houston high school. For the past 5 years she’s assisted with the planning and facilitation of the all-inclusive prom for those special needs students. She has assisted with helping students attend senior prom with the help of some community connections. She takes time to work with those students in the general population to be the beacon of light these young men and women need. She has also been named the “The voice” of the Sam Houston marching band.
When she’s not in the classroom D’Andrea is also an entertainer. She is a DJ, singer, musician, and host among other things. She is also active within her church; there you can find her assisting in the music ministry and has been since her matriculation in 2011. She leads worship on Sundays, can be found assisting with the audio-visual ministry, food ministry, scholarship ministry or wherever she may be needed.
In years past and present D’Andrea has been recognized for her community involvement through many different organizations; Huston-Tillotson international alumni association, & Tha1Radio
LaKesha Small - Grambling State University
LaKesha Small, a graduate of Grambling State University with a degree in Electronics Engineering Technology, has served as a source of inspiration for aspiring engineers. Her influence goes beyond her accomplishments in the corporate world. LaKesha’s journey has been truly extraordinary, encompassing both her impressive professional achievements and her unwavering personal mission. With a strong passion for igniting the imaginations of young individuals, she authored the acclaimed children's book, & Professor Circuitry Explores Engineering, which has garnered praise for its ability to foster curiosity and ambition in the next generation of engineers and technologists.
LaKesha Small has spent over two decades in the semi-conductor industry, making significant contributions to the advancement of technology that keeps families connected. Having a wealth of experience as a senior manager, she has accomplished remarkable success and discovered her true calling in inspiring others to set ambitious goals and envision an unlimited future.
Cynthia Freeman Gibbs - Florida A&M University
Cynthia Freeman Gibbs is a native of Lansing, Michigan and became a resident of San Antonio in 2002. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and MBA from Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, FL. Her writing career began in 2016 after spending twenty -two years in Corporate America working in various roles for Merck pharmaceutical company. When she isn’t writing, she works part-time at the San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum. She and her husband J Maurice Gibbs own Gibbs Financial Group.
As an Author, Cynthia wrote two books in her Dr. Olivia C. Maxwell Novel series which includes “Reasonable Insanity, ” and “Insatiable Revenge. ” Under the pen name, C. F. Gibbs, she wrote a Twisted Fairy Tale Fantasy, “Jack Dante LaBanks and The Beanstalk. ” She co-authored “Writing Is Essential” which was published by United Black Writers Association.
As a Film Writer, Cynthia was commissioned by Musical Bridges Around the World to write and act in a documentary educational film, “The Quilt: A Living History of African American Music” which premiered in July 2023. She became an award-winning film writer when her debut film won in multiple film festivals and has been designated as an official selection in several others.
As a Playwright, Cynthia was commissioned by The Public Theater of San Antonio in collaboration with ‘In The Eye of The Beholder Art Gallery’ to write a single act play for Juneteenth called, “Food For Your Soul, Cooking with Ruby McGuire Show” which was performed in June 2023.Cynthia serves as a Deacon Wife, Sharer, and Greeter at Resurrection Baptist Church. Cynthia is a lifetime member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She is graduate of Class 19 of the San Antonio Masters Leadership Program and serves on the Board of Directors for the Myra Davis Hemmings Resource Center and The Children’s Chorus of San Antonio. She loves the Lord and is enjoying all she can, while she can. never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
Tequila Lewis-Dupree - Grambling State University,
Mrs. Tequila Lewis-Dupree was born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana. She gives the credit of her strong upbringing and continued success to God and her parents the late Chester Lewis, Sr. and Shirley Lewis. She attended Grambling State University on an academic scholarship where she graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science. While attending Grambling State University, she was involved in the Earl Lester Cole Honors College, a member of Gamma Beta Phi National Honor Society, and Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. Mrs. Tequila Lewis-Dupree was the first student at Grambling to become the recipient of the Sam Seaboult regional scholarship. Upon graduating from Grambling State University, Tequila attended Capella University where she earned a Post baccalaureate in Mental Health Services and Masters in Business Administration. After working several years as a recreational therapist in Behavioral/Mental Health with adolescents, adults, and geriatrics, Tequila began her second career in Education. While working in education, she held numerous positions ranging from substitute teaching to campus leadership. When it comes to hard work Tequila is no stranger, she understands that commitment and dedication is needed to be successful.
Quickly, Tequila learned that she enjoyed teaching young inspiring minds. She taught Secondary Special Education and English for several years. Her love for helping others and students motivated her to volunteer/co-sponsor the Girl Scouts (formerly known as Empowered Young Womyn of Jones). Mrs. Tequila Lewis-Dupree has volunteered at the Food Bank, Haven for Hope, as well as the Special and Senior Olympics. Currently, Tequila works as a High School Assistant Principal where her job consists of managing the day operations of the campus. Most importantly, she enjoys mentoring the students, working within the community, as day to well as supporting her teachers and parents. Mrs. Tequila Lewis-Dupree is married to Nathaniel Dupree. The two of them share two beautiful children Caleb and Nevaeh. They also have one furbaby, Novi. One of her favorite life quotes is “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
Dr. Langston Clark - North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (A&T).
Dr. Langston Clark, an Associate Professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio with a background in Curriculum and Instruction, specifically in Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE). Dr. Clark's academic journey includes earning his Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin, an M.A. in Adapted Physical Education from The Ohio State University, and a B.S. in Physical Education from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (A&T).
Dr. Clark is deeply involved in research, particularly focusing on the training of educators and kinesiologists at minority-serving institutions. His research interests also extend to the intersections of athletics, race, and education. His contributions to the field are evident through numerous publications in reputable journals and numerous national and international research presentations. Notably, he has received several awards, including the Mabel Lee, Leroy T. Walker, and Helen N. Heitmann awards for his commitment to health and physical education.
Beyond academia, Dr. Clark is a public intellectual and has founded Entrepreneurial Appetite, a series of events aimed at building community, promoting intellectualism, and supporting Black businesses. He hosts the Entrepreneurial Appetite Black Book Discussions Podcast and has been featured on various podcasts discussing topics related to adapted physical education, Black experiences in academia, and research in health and physical education.
Dr. Clark is also dedicated to community service and mentorship. He actively mentors Black males through higher education initiatives, such as serving as an Alumni Fellow in The Heman Sweatt Center for Black Males at The University of Texas at Austin. As an alumnus of North Carolina A&T State University, he founded From A&T To Ph.D., a community of support for Aggies in the doctoral pipeline. At UTSA, he leads the Black Student Initiatives fundraiser, which has successfully raised over $25,000 to support programming for Black student leaders.
Moreover, Dr. Clark holds a significant role at the University of Texas at San Antonio, where he is one of three lead faculty members on a project aimed at increasing the recruitment, training, and retention of minority male teachers.
Overall, Dr. Langston Clark's diverse contributions span academia, research, community engagement, and mentorship, with a strong focus on uplifting minority-serving institutions and improving the Black experience in higher education.
Dr. Brandon Donaldson - Florida A&M University
Dr. Brandon Donaldson, who hails from Dallas, TX, is a licensed and registered pharmacist who currently practices in long term care with Carvajal Pharmacy. Dr. Donaldson is a member of the Delta Rho Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and currently serves as president of the San Antonio Chapter of the Florida A&M University National Alumni Association since 2017. His task as president is recruiting the best and the brightest to FAMU while establishing positive HBCU representation with love and charity within the city of San Antonio. He met his wife of 13 years, Dr. Naomi Donaldson, at FAMU and they both have 3 beautiful daughters together.
Quote:
“If anyone be he or she, great or small, governor or legislator, administrator or faculty, friend or foe, endeavor to do anything to keep FAMU from moving upwardly and onwardly toward achieving true greatness…Let his or her mouth forget its cunning and his or her tongue cleave to the roof of their mouth for FAMU must live on! — Rev. Moses General Miles
COL(Retired) Christopher V. Wynder
Colonel (Retired) Christopher Wynder is a Distinguished Military Graduate of Florida A&M University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice in 1992. He holds a Master’s Degree from Troy University and is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy and the Army War College Fellowship Program.
COL Wynder’s 27-year military police career was highlighted by positions around the world to include deployments to Haiti, Iraq and Afghanistan and a two-year battalion command in Guantanamo Bay Cuba. He was the Director of Assignments and Professional Development for 2,000 active duty officers and was the Senior Law Enforcement Advisor to the Commanding General, United States Forces Korea. Colonel Wynder’s final assignment was Senior Law Enforcement Executive for Army Installation Management Command. His most cherished role in the military was serving as a leader and mentor to the Soldiers he led.
Colonel Wynder’s military awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (2nd Award), Bronze Star, and the Department of Defense Black History Month Award.
Colonel Wynder is a Life Member of the Florida A&M National Alumni Association and recently served as a member of the FAMU NAA Far West Region Executive Board. He received the FAMU NAA Distinguished Alumni Award in 2021 and remains an active supporter of FAMU with memberships in the FAMU Army ROTC Alumni Association, FAMU Rattler Baseball Alumni Association and the local Alamo City Rattlers Chapter of the FAMU NAA.
Colonel Wynder continues to live his watchword of service and mentoring as an active member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated and in his profession as an educator. He shapes the lives of young people daily by teaching positive life skills, citizenship, and leadership in his Army JROTC Program at Highlands High School in San Antonio, Texas. COL Wynder and his wife, LTC(Retired) Rhonda Wynder are the proud parents of 5 daughters and reside in Helotes, Texas.
Teliyah Wynder
Teliyah Wynder is a junior at Prairie View A&M University where she majors in management information systems in the School of Business, while maintaining a cumulative 4.91 GPA. She is actively involved on campus in student-led organizations such as the Association for Information Systems (AIS), Phi Beta Lambda Honor Society (PBL), and the Belles of Prairie View, where she stands as an events committee coordinator and plans out ways to spread the principles of professionalism, being poised and polished.
Teliyah was selected for an internship for the summer of 2024 with KPMG as a chief information officer advisory intern. In this position, she will guide clients regarding CIO Advisory Services, encompassing IT Strategy, Cloud Transformation, and Agile DevOps. Her responsibilities will also involve assisting in IT service projects, managing software licensing, and implementing technologies. She plans to use this internship to gain experience in the IT field and set a foundation that she hopes will lead to working as Senior CIO Advisor.
Currently, she works as a part-time office manager, working closely with faculty and her peers to aid students with troubleshooting their hardware and software issues. In her position as a lab assistant, she has gained valuable knowledge in technology and communication, which has enhanced her critical thinking. This exposure has improved her ability to solve problems and has also boosted her confidence in tackling unfamiliar tasks.
An interesting fact about Teliyah is that she was brought up as a military child where she had the opportunity to travel around the world and develop a global mindset. This upbringing not only exposed her to diverse cultures but also instilled in her the invaluable ability to adapt swiftly to new environments and situations.
Not Pictured Honoree's
Caleb Alexander - St. Philip's College
Dorothy Carroll - Prairie View A & M University
Ja’Kobi Lee - Grambling State University
Scedric Moss - Bethune Cookman University
Dorraine Williams - Huston - Tillotson University
A Chicago Bite
San Antonio Public Library Carver Branch
C. H. Guenther & Son
Sumaa Set Apart
Wayne’s Wings
Advertise and Celebrate
Be a part of the celebration at the HBCU Community Awards and Sneaker Ball! Showcase your support for the honorees or promote your local business in our souvenir book. Advertise with us: a quarter page for $25, half a page for $50, or a full page for $100. Secure your spot by the deadline on April 1, 2024, and make a lasting impact.
Order Link: https://bit.ly/48xcBRz
Current Voting Poll Results
South Texas HBCU Community Award Scholar of the Year 2024
Caleb Alexander - St. Philip's College - 616
Teliyah Wynder - Prairie View A & M University - 423
Ja’Kobi Lee - Grambling State University - 224
South Texas HBCU Community Awards Impact Award 2024
D’Andrea Harkless Huston – Tillotson University - 728
Dorraine Williams Huston – Tillotson University - 491
Chris Wynder Florida A & M University - 246
Cynthia Gibbs Florida A & M University - 207
Langston Clark North Carolina A & T University - 100
South Texas HBCU Community Awards Alumnus of the Year Award 2024
Dorothy Carroll - Prairie View A & M University - 598
Tequila Lewis Dupree - Grambling State University - 483
Brandon Donaldson - Florida A & M University - 201
Lakesha Small - Grambling State University - 138
Scedric Moss -Bethune Cookman University - 100
South Texas HBCU Community Awards HBCU Alumni Chapter of the Year Award 2024
San Antonio Chapter - Huston – Tillotson University - 605
San Antonio / Alamo Chapter - Prairie View A & M University - 482
Alamo Rattlers -Florida A & M University - 181
South Texas HBCU Community Awards HBCU Organization or Business of the Year Award 2024
A Chicago Bite - 632
San Antonio Public Library Carver Branch - 583
Sumaa Set Apart - 318
Wayne’s Wings - 138
C. H. Guenther & Son - 100
A Better Chance Television Show
HBCU Programs and Updates
Scholarship Opportunities - Cleveland
Attention African American high school seniors who reside and attend a school in Cuyahoga County!
The Greater Cleveland Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.’s scholarship program is now accepting applications! The program offers multiple scholarships. Completed application packets with all required documents must be electronically submitted by 5 p.m. on Friday, February 23, 2024. More information can be found at https://www.dstcleveland.org/youth-applications
The Queens EOC
The Queens EOC is gearing up for the Spring semester of 2024. The next TUITION-FREE GED Prep program will start February 2024! The Queens EOC is now a GED testing site!
YOU CAN APPLY NOW AT: www.queenseoc.net
Virtual Admissions:
2024 DAL Scholarship
Attention African American high school seniors (males) in Cuyahoga County! The 2024 DAL Scholarship is now open for applications! Don't miss this incredible opportunity.
Visit www.clevelandalphas.com/scholarship to apply. Deadline: 02/28/24. Secure your future today
CMSD Parent University: College Bus Tours
CMSD Parent University: College Bus Tours
Wilberforce University - Saturday, March 23, 2024
https://www.clevelandmetroschools.org/College-Tours
Going to college is a family affair...
A CHICAGO BITE IS NOW HIRING
Have Fun and Learn... HBCU Trivia
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