[Press Conference: “National Urban League Conference Announcement”]
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GOOD, GOOD MORNING OR EARLY AFTERNOON TO EVERYONE, AND, UH, IT'S GOOD TO SEE THE TURNOUT, UH, THIS MORNING.UM, PRESIDENT MARK MOR KNOWS HOW TO BRING THEM OUT.
UH, SO WELCOME, WELCOME TO THE CITY OF, OF HOUSTON.
AND WHAT, LOOK, WHAT AN EXCITING, UH, SIGHTING DAY TO BE MAKING AN ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT A, UH, HUGE CONFERENCE, UH, THAT'S COMING TO THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW EXCITED I AM.
UH, SO LET ME THANK EVERYONE FOR BEING HERE TODAY, UH, FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND THE NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE.
UH, LOOK, AND I'M, UH, PLEASED, UH, UH, YOU'LL BE HEARING FROM A NUMBER OF SPEAKERS TODAY, BUT I FIRST, I DO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER TIFFANY THOMAS, UH, FROM DISTRICT F, UH, AND IN ADDITION, SHE IS A PROUD SUPPORTER OF THE, OF THE URBAN LEAGUE.
BEEN VERY, VERY ACTIVE IN, IN THE HOUSTON URBAN LEAGUE, AND SO I'M HONORED TO BE STANDING WITH HER TODAY.
AND THEN THE NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE PRESIDENT AND CEO MARK H MARIO, GET UP TO HIM.
THE PRESIDENT AND I HAVE BEEN TALKING OVER THE YEARS, ALONG WITH JUSTIN ROBINSON II ABOUT THIS CONFERENCE FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
UM, AND IN FACT, I THINK IT WAS BROTHER HARRY JOHNSON WHEN WE HAD A CONFERENCE WHERE IS BROTHER HARRY JOHNSON? YEP.
UH, THAT, UH, WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT IT, AND I THINK YOU CARRIED ME OVER TO MARK AND WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT THE CONFERENCE COMING, AND SO IT IS HONORED TO BE STANDING HERE TODAY.
AND THEN, OF COURSE, THE HOUSTON AREA URBAN LEAGUE PRESIDENT AND CEO JUDSON W ROBINSON II, AND THEN THE HOUSTON AREA LEAGUE LEAD BOARD CHAIR, MARK JACOBS.
WHERE'S MARK? WHERE'S MARK? MARK, YOU, YOU JUST COME WHERE, SORRY.
WE BELIEVE IN DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION.
DEI, UH, AND THEN OF COURSE, UM, THE HOUSTON FIRST PRESIDENT AND CEO MICHAEL HECKMAN.
AND THEN, YOU KNOW, IT'S ALWAYS A VERY SPECIAL NATIONAL GLOBAL EVENT WHEN YOU HAVE, UH, TWO OF OUR CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION, UH, FROM THE, UH, NINTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, UH, CONGRESSMAN, UH, AL GREEN, THANK YOU.
AND THEN FROM THE 18TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, UH, CONGRESSWOMAN, SHE, SHEILA JACKSON LEE.
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OTHER, UM, UH, DIGNITARIES AND, UH, PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE.
AND SO FOR EVERY ONE OF YOU, ALL OF OUR VIPS, LET ME WELCOME EVERY ONE OF YOU, UH, FOR BEING HERE.
UH, TODAY, THE NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE IS A HISTORIC CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT, EQUALITY, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE.
IT HAS A 112 YEAR REMARKABLE HISTORY OF STANDING ON THE FRONT LINES AND THE STRUGGLE FOR SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, AND RACIAL EQUALITY FOR ALL AMERICANS ON A LOCAL LEVEL, THE URBAN LEAGUE IS A TRUSTED AND CRITICALLY IMPORTANT COMMUNITY PARTNER, AND I AM GRATEFUL, UH, THAT THE CEO JUSTIN ROBINSON II HAS WORKED OVER THE YEARS WITH THE CITY ON SEVERAL INITIATIVES FROM DROP TRAINING, HOUSING, CRIMINAL JUSTICE, VOTING ENGAGEMENT, AND SO MUCH MORE.
UH, THE URBAN LEAGUE WAS DOING THAT BEFORE I BECAME MAYOR OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
AND OVER THE LAST SEVEN YEARS, UH, THEY HAVE HAD EXTENSIVE ENGAGEMENT, UH, WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
AND I CANNOT SAY THANK YOU ENOUGH TO THE HOUSTON AREA, UH, URBAN LEAGUE AND THE LEADERSHIP, MY BROTHER ROBINSON.
EACH YEAR, THE URBAN LEAGUE HOLDS A NATIONAL CONFERENCE IN A CITY THAT ATTRACTS THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AND SPONSORS.
YOU MAY RECALL THAT MORE THAN THREE YEARS AGO, ON OCTOBER 7TH, 2019, MANY OF US STOOD HERE TO ANNOUNCE THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE WAS COMING TO HOUSTON THAT SUMMER, BUT THEN COVID HAPPENED, AND THE CONFERENCE
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AMONG MANY OTHERS, UH, CONFERENCES AND EVENTS WAS CANCELED, AND WAS HELD VIRTUALLY DURING A TIME WHEN THE PANDEMIC POSED THE GREATEST PUBLIC HEALTH THREAT.I'M EXCITED, THOUGH, TO ANNOUNCE TODAY, ALONG WITH MARK AND JUDSON, THAT THE URBAN LEAGUE IS RETURNING TO HOUSTON FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 24 YEARS TO HOLD THIS NATIONAL CONFERENCE.
IT IS ABOUT UNITY AND INCLUSION, ECONOMIC ENHANCEMENT, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, ALL OF THOSE THEMES AND SO MUCH MORE, UH, WILL BE, UM, ACKNOWLEDGED.
TALKED ABOUT, UH, DURING THE CONFERENCE THAT WILL BE COMING HERE, I DO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE, UH, ONE OF OUR TRUSTEES, KATHY BLUFORD DANIELS OF HISD, WHO IS ALSO HERE, TRUSTEE DANIELS.
AND YOU NEED TO FIND YOUR VOICE YOUR WAY UP HERE ON DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION, TOO
UM, THE CONFERENCE WILL BRING TOGETHER THOUSANDS OF ATTENDEES, ALONG WITH LEADERS AND GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY TO HAVE A DISCUSSION IN OUR CITY.
AND WHO KNOWS, NATIONAL LEADERS MAY COME, UH, FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE, UH, TO THIS CONFERENCE, BECAUSE IT IS THE PREMIER CONFERENCE WHEN YOU START TALKING ABOUT ECONOMIC ENHANCEMENT, DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION.
AND ONCE AGAIN, HOUSTON PROVES THAT AS THE NATION'S FOURTH LARGEST AND MOST DIVERSE CITY, WE ARE THE RIGHT PLACE TO HOLD MAJOR ORGANIZATIONS AND THEIR ANNUAL CONFERENCES.
UM, I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE BOARD OF REGENTS, UH, STEPHANIE NELLY'S, PAGE OF TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY.
AND MARTIN, MR. PRESIDENT, I CAN TELL YOU HOW IMPORTANT IT IS BECAUSE SHE HAD SURGERY YESTERDAY MORNING, AND SHE HAS FOUND HER WAY HERE TODAY.
GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME AND ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD.
SO, UM, MADAM TRUSTEE, WELCOME TO THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
NOW, NOT ONLY WILL THE CONFERENCE BRING A SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC IMPACT, BUT IT WILL PROVIDE INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE LOCAL COMMUNITY TO EXPLORE NEW CAREERS, EDUCATION OPTIONS, AND OTHER INFORMATIVE AND ENTERTAINING EVENTS.
THE CONFERENCE WILL ATTRACT THOUSANDS OF THE NATION'S MOST FORWARD-THINKING COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS LEADERS FOR FOUR DAYS OF WORLD-CLASS SPEAKERS, INFORMATIVE WORKSHOPS, DYNAMIC ENTERTAINMENT AND NETWORKING EVENTS.
ON A PERSONAL NOTE, I WANT TO THANK THE NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE FOR CHOOSING HOUSTON IN MY FINAL YEAR AS MAYOR.
MY THEME, MY THEME FOR 2023 IS THE YEAR OF EXECUTION AND IMPLEMENTATION.
AND THIS ALIGNS WITH THE PROMISES I'VE MADE TO CONTINUE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF OUR GREAT CITY AND CREATE EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE BIGGER, BETTER, AND BOLDER.
SO, YOU KNOW, IN MY FINAL YEAR WITH THE NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE COMING NOW, YOU KNOW, WE ARE JUST GOING TO GO OVER AND ABOVE.
AND, UH, THIS WILL BE MARK'S THE PRESIDENT'S 20TH YEAR, UH, AS HEAD OF THE NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE.
AND SO I, I'VE KIND OF THEMED IT, 20,000 FOR 20 YEARS,
BUT IF YOU THINK WE OUTDID OURSELVES WHEN THE AKAS CAME, AND THIS YEAR WE SHALL GO OUT OF OUR WAY FOR THE NATIONAL URBAN, THIS CONFERENCE WILL BRING THE EYES OF THE NATION TO HOUSTON.
BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT WILL BRING OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN TO GROW AND MAKE CONNECTIONS FOR BUSINESS AND OPEN A WORLD OF POSSIBILITIES.
UH, SO AGAIN, AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR COMING.
I WANT TO THANK JUSTIN ROBINSONS AND THIRD, FOR HIS LEADERSHIP AND COLLABORATION.
I WANT TO THANK MICHAEL HECKMAN OVER THE HOUSTON FIRST, UH, FOR GETTING US READY AND PREPARED.
AND I WANT TO THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF, OF YOU.
NOW, I WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP JU ROBINSON OF THE HOUSTON AREA URBAN LEAGUE, JU, MR. MAYOR, UH, OUT OF, OUT OF, UH, RESPECT FOR MY NATIONAL PRESIDENTS, I WILL YIELD TO MR. MARK MORRELL, AND THEN I'LL MAKE REMARKS AFTERWARDS.
WITH THAT BEING SAID,
UM, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU ARE THE CAPTAIN OF A CRUISE SHIP, YOU CAN'T TURN IT TOO QUICKLY OR YOU TURN IT OVER, BUT STEADY AS SHE GOES.
BUT HE HAS PROVIDED STELLAR LEADERSHIP THROUGH SOME
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CHALLENGING, CHALLENGING TIMES, AND, UH, HE HAS DONE IT WELL.AND ON THIS LEADERSHIP, THE NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE HAS GROWN.
AND SO, UH, I'M JUST HONORED TO HAVE YOU HERE IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
NOW, PLEASE WELCOME PRESIDENT, CEO OF MARK, MARIO.
UH, FIRST OF ALL, GOOD AFTERNOON.
GIVE HIM ANOTHER ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
HE HAS BEEN A GREAT MAYOR FOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
BEFORE I GIVE MY REMARKS, WANT TO CENTER FOR JUST A MOMENT, THE TRAGEDY LAST EVENING IN LANSING, MICHIGAN, WHERE YET A AGAIN, YET A GAME YET AGAIN.
YET AGAIN, SOME OF OUR FELLOW CITIZENS HAVE BEEN VICTIMIZED BY SENSELESS VIOLENCE AGAIN.
WE DON'T HAVE THE DETAILS WITH RESPECT TO WHAT OCCURRED, BUT BECAUSE WE ARE MISSION DRIVEN AND PURPOSE BASED, I JUST WANT EVERYONE TODAY TO KEEP THE FAMILIES OF THESE, WE BELIEVE COLLEGE STUDENTS, UH, AND THEN THOSE THAT ARE HANGING ON FOR DEAR LIFE, UH, IN OUR THOUGHTS, INDEED IN OUR PRAYERS.
MAYOR TURNER, LET ME TELL YOU HOW THIS CONFERENCE GOT TO HOUSTON.
FIRST OF ALL, JUDSON ROBINSON UNLEASHED THE POWER OF SYLVESTER TURNER ON ME.
AND MAYOR TURNER SAID, I DON'T CARE WHAT IT TAKES.
I WANT THE NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE IN HOUSTON BEFORE I LEAVE OFFICE.
AND THAT WAS INFINITELY PERSUASIVE.
AND THEN JUDSON CAME BACK AROUND FOR A SECOND BITE AND SAID, I PROMISE THAT WE WILL RAISE, GO GOBS OF MONEY,
AND I SAID, LET ME TAKE IT BACK TO THE COMMITTEE.
AND THEN OF COURSE, JUDSON DIDN'T LIKE THAT ANSWER AT ALL.
SO THEN HE CALLED MY GOOD FRIEND AL GREEN, AND AL GREEN SAID, YOU WOULDN'T CONSIDER ANY OTHER CITY EXCEPT HOUSTON.
AND BY THE WAY, WHO ARE WE COMPETING AGAINST? LOS ANGELES, CHICAGO, TAMPA, ANCHORAGE,
AND THEN JUDSON ROBINSON CAME BACK ANOTHER TIME AND HE SAID, OKAY, I PROMISED YOU THE DATES.
YOU WANT THE DEAL, YOU WANT THE MONEY, YOU WANT THE VOLUNTEERS, YOU WANT THE PEOPLE YOU WANT? WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE? I SAID, WE'RE IN THOUGHT AND WE'RE IN PRAYER,
AND THEN HE CAME UP WITH A BRILLIANT IDEA THAT HE WAS GONNA PUT IN A CALL TO DUSTY BAKER.
AND DUSTY BAK SAID, YOU KNOW WHAT, JUDSON, I AM GOING TO CALL OUT MY CLOSER BECAUSE I KNOW WHEN THE CLOSER COMES, HE WILL SAY YES.
AND THE CLOSER, OF COURSE, IS NONE OTHER THAN THE GENTLE WOMAN FROM TEXAS, SHEILA JACKSON, LEE
AT THAT POINT, IT WAS ALL OVER HOUSTON.
UH, I'M EXCITED TO JOIN THE MAYOR AND JUDSON AND EVERYONE HERE TO FORMALLY ANNOUNCE THAT THE NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUES CONFERENCE IN 2023 IS COMING TO HOUSTON, TEXAS, JULY 26TH THROUGH 29TH.
AND THE MAYOR'S ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.
WE WERE HERE IN OCTOBER OF 2019, RIGHT? MANY OF YOU WERE IN THE ROOM.
UH, IN THAT ENGAGEMENT, THE OPENER AND THE CLOSER IN 2019 WAS HARRY JOHNSON.
HE DIDN'T NEED TO CALL ON ANY REINFORCEMENTS,
AND YET, TWO MONTHS LATER, THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD OCCURRED.
AND THOSE ISSUES REMAIN RELEVANT AND GUIDING AND DRIVING AND ANIMATING TO THE WORK THAT WE'RE GOING TO
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DO WHEN WE COME HERE FROM JULY 26TH THROUGH THE 29TH.THE NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE CONFERENCE IS A PURPOSE WITH A PARTY TO BE DISTINGUISHED FROM A PARTY WITH A PURPOSE.
BECAUSE THE ISSUES THAT CONFRONT HOUSTON AND TEXAS, WHETHER IT IS VOTER SUPPRESSION, WHETHER IT IS A TAX AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION, WHETHER IT IS NEED, THE NEED FOR ECONOMIC INCLUSION, AND TO SHOWCASE THE WORK THAT THE MAYOR AND MANY OF YOU ALL ARE DOING, THAT'S ESSENTIAL TO WHAT WE'LL DO WHEN WE GATHER, UH, FROM JULY 26TH TO 29TH HERE IN HOUSTON.
SO I COULDN'T BE, UH, PROUDER TO BE HERE, AND I WANNA THANK EVERYONE HERE ON THE STAGE, GIVE THEM A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
UH, CERTAINLY OUR TRUSTEE, MY LONGTIME FRIEND, AND BROTHER HARRY JOHNSON, WHO SERVES ON THE NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
UH, RAY SHACKELFORD, FORMER NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE, UH, TRUSTEE AND FORMER HEAD OF THE NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE.
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS, UH, WANNA ACKNOWLEDGE AND THANK HIM AS WELL AS ALL OF THE NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE STAFF, THE STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS, AND BOARD OF THE HOUSTON AREA URBAN LEAGUE, BECAUSE THIS IS ABSOLUTELY A FAMILY AFFAIR.
IT'S GONNA TAKE A LOT OF WORK TO ENSURE THE SUCCESS OF THIS CONFERENCE.
LET ME JUST QUICKLY TELL YOU WHAT WE HAVE IN STORE.
AND THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT THAT TAKES PLACE.
SO ONE THING I WANNA CENTRALIZE IS FAMILY, OR RATHER COMMUNITY AND FAMILY DATE, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE ON THE 29TH.
WE ARE GONNA SET A GOAL FOR 20,000 PLUS PEOPLE TO COME TO THE CONVENTION CENTER ON COMMUNITY AND FAMILY DAY.
THERE'LL BE EXHIBITS, HEALTH SCREENINGS, LEGAL CLINICS, ENTERTAINMENT SESSIONS, GAMES WITH PRIZES, BACKPACKS LOADED WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR K THROUGH 12 STUDENTS.
THIS COMMUNITY AND FAMILY DAY IS MEANT TO DEMONSTRATE THE WORK OF THE HOUSTON AREA URBAN LEAGUE, AND THE URBAN LEAGUE MOVEMENT.
OUR CONFERENCE IS ABOUT THOSE THAT WILL VISIT HERE FROM ALL OVER THE NATION AND SOME FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.
IT IS ABOUT THE ELECTED OFFICIALS, THE THOUGHT LEADERS OF CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS AND THE CELEBRITIES.
BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT, IT'S FOR THE PEOPLE OF HOUSTON.
YEAH, IT'S FOR THE PEOPLE OF HOUSTON.
AND WE WANNA SEND THE MESSAGE CLEARLY RIGHT NOW THAT THE DOORS ARE GONNA BE WIDE OPEN AT THE GEORGE BROWN CONVENTION CENTER ON THE 29TH FOR THE PEOPLE AND THE COMMUNITY OF HOUSTON TO BE ABLE TO BE A PART OF THIS CONFERENCE.
WHAT ELSE TAKES PLACE? A COLLEGE FAIR, AN EXPERIENCE ESPO, A SMALL BUSINESS MATTERS IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP SUMMIT, A YOUNG PROFESSIONAL SUMMIT, SUMMIT BUSINESS PITCH COMPETITIONS, A CAREER AND JOB FAIR.
WE HAVE A LOT THAT GOES ON AT THE NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE CONFERENCE.
IT'S ABOUT PURPOSE AND IT'S ABOUT THE PEOPLE.
AND WE NEED EVERYONE'S HELP TO ENSURE THAT IT'S GONNA BE A GREAT AND WONDERFUL AND POWERFUL SUCCESS.
SO, I WOULD NOTE THAT 2024 IS ALSO A PRESIDENTIAL YEAR.
SO CONSISTENT WITH THE TRADITION, WE THROW OPEN OUR DOORS AND WE INVITE THOSE THAT WANNA LEAD THIS NATION TO ENGAGE WITH US, UH, IN PERSON, UH, AT THE CONFERENCE THAT WILL TAKE PLACE IN HOUSTON.
AND THE MAYOR, WE CAN'T DO THIS.
AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE CONSIDER WHEN WE DECIDE WHERE WE'RE GONNA DO A CONFERENCE, AND NUMBER ONE CRITERIA IS THE STRENGTH, THE ABILITY, AND THE COMMITMENT OF THE LOCAL AFFILIATE LEADER AND JUDSON ROBINSON II WITH HIS FAMILY LEGACY AND THE WORK HE'S DONE, UH, HERE IN HOUSTON.
THIS AFFILIATE NOW OVER 50 YEARS OLD, IS THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENT FOR THE CHOICE OF HOUSTON AS THE PLACE FOR THE 2023 CONFERENCE.
BUT SECOND, IT REQUIRES THE LEADERSHIP OF THE MAYOR AND OUR JOB AS URBAN LEAGUE AFFILIATES.
AND IN SOME CITIES, WE HAVE A CHANCE TO HAVE A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MAYOR.
IN SOME CITIES, WE MAY HAVE TO THROW A FEW ROCKS AT THE MAYOR, WE DO WHAT WE MUST TO FURTHER THE MISSION, RIGHT? IN HOUSTON, WE HAVE A DYNAMIC PARTNERSHIP, AND WE WANT TO SHOWCASE THAT PARTNERSHIP TO PEOPLE ALL OVER THE NATION ABOUT HOW GOVERNMENT, THE CIVIL RIGHTS AND NONPROFIT COMMUNITY, BUSINESS, COMMUNITY, LABOR COMMUNITY, FAITH COMMUNITY, CAN WORK ON THE PERSISTENT, DIFFICULT ISSUES OF POVERTY, ECONOMIC DISPARITY,
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THE CHALLENGES THAT OUR CHILDREN FACE, HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.WE WANNA PUT A SPOTLIGHT ON IT.
WE WANNA SHOWCASE IT, UH, WHEN WE COME TO HOUSTON.
SO I AM SO JUST HONORED TO BE HERE.
LOOK FORWARD TO, UH, BEING BACK.
UH, AND JUST FINALLY, MY SISTER HERE IS AN EXCELLENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PEOPLE SHE REPRESENTS, BUT I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW SHE'S ALSO REPRESENTING THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS AND HOUSTON
THIS IS MY SISTER, UH, MY NOLA SISTER.
AND, UH, IT'S GONNA BE VERY SPECIAL BECAUSE I ALSO KNOW THIS CITY WELCOMED A LOT OF DISPLACED NEW ORLEANIANS.
AFTER HURRICANE KATRINA, I VISITED HERE, UH, VISITED PEOPLE IN THE ASTRODOME AND THE CONVENTION CENTER WHERE THEY WERE SHELTERED.
UH, MANY HAVE DECIDED TO MAKE THIS THEIR HOME RIGHT? AND, UH, PUT DOWN ROOTS AND BECOME A PART OF THIS COMMUNITY.
SO, UH, HOUSTON IS LIKE HOME, MR. MAYOR, YOU KNOW, IT IS, IT IS LIKE HOME.
AND I'M JUST SO HONORED TO BE ABLE TO BE HERE.
WE ARE GONNA MAKE THIS THE BIGGEST, THE BADDEST, THE MOST BODACIOUS URBAN LEAGUE CONFERENCE OF ALL TIME.
CAN YOU HELP ME? CAN YOU HELP ME? THANK YOU JUDSON.
NOT JUDSON, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WITHOUT ANY DELAY, THE LEADER OF THE HOUSTON AREA URBAN LEE JUDSON, ROBINSON III.
NO PRESSURE LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
UM, YOU KNOW, WHEN I LOOK AROUND THIS ROOM AND I, I SEE, UH, FOLKS LIKE BARBARA SEYMOUR, WHO WAS HERE WHEN I GOT HERE 15 YEARS AGO, OUR FIRST FEMALE BOARD CHAIR, AND GIVE IT UP FOR BARBARA.
UM, AND, AND MANY, MANY OTHERS, UH, THAT ARE HERE, UH, IN THIS ROOM, CHIEF FINNER, OUR FEARLESS POLICE CHIEF, WHO RIDES US TO EVERY OCCASION, BE THEY GOOD OR BAD, TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION, UH, WITH US AND ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GUILD THAT ARE HERE, I SEE OUR GUILD PRESIDENT, UH, TERRY, WOULD YOU WAVE YOUR HAND AS WELL? Y'ALL STOP BEING SHY.
YOU, YOU WORK HARD FOR THIS AFFILIATE.
UH, OUR YP LEADERSHIP IS HERE AS WELL.
YOU KNOW, YOU LOOK AT, UH, THESE FOLKS AND, AND I SEE OUR ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER DIRECTORS ARE HERE AS WELL.
MR. PHILLIP YATES DOING GREAT THINGS HERE IN OUR CITY.
UH, MY LEADERSHIP, MY EXECUTIVE TEAM, UH, MR. ROBINSON, MR. GOODY, MS. WINSLOW, UH, MS. LADETTE, AND OTHERS THAT ARE, THAT ARE HERE TODAY.
UH, BUT THE COMMENT I WAS ABOUT TO MAKE, MARK WAS ABOUT THE AUDACITY AND THE POWER OF OUR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS IN THEIR LEADERSHIP ROLES.
UH, AMANDA EDWARDS, UH, WAS A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER HERE.
UM, OF COURSE, TIFFANY THOMAS IS A CURRENT CITY COUNCIL MEMBER HERE.
THEY CAME THROUGH THE URBAN LEAGUE FABRIC.
OF LEADERSHIP OF, YOU KNOW, JUST REALLY KINDA CURATING WHAT THEY ALREADY KINDA HAD INNATELY, BUT TO HELP TO HONE THAT AND TO, AND TO ENCOURAGE IT, AND TO SHOW THEM THE POTENTIAL THAT LIED WITHIN.
UH, THIS CONFERENCE HAS SO MANY PEOPLE THAT NEED TO KNOW WHAT WE DO, BECAUSE THEY TOO CAN BECOME FUTURE LEADERS.
THEY CAN BECOME, UH, BETTER GUILDERS TO HELP PROVIDE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES AS THEY GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS OF LIFE.
UH, AND, AND OF COURSE, ALL OF THE GREAT OPPORTUNITIES THAT WILL OPEN UP AS A RESULT OF, UH, EXPOSURE TO THE PROGRAMS, UH, THAT WE HAVE TO OFFER PEOPLE PERISH MM-HMM
AND TOO MANY OF US ARE PERISHING.
SO IT'S INCUMBENT UPON THIS ORGANIZATION TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE COMES, AS MARCUS SAID, AS, AS THE MAYOR HAS SAID, THAT THIS IS THE BIGGEST AND BEST AND BADDEST CONFERENCE IN THE HISTORY OF THE URBAN LEAGUE MOVEMENT.
ROEL WILLIAMS, ROEL WILLIAMS, AN INDIVIDUAL WHO'S BEEN WITH THE URBAN LEAGUE FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS, STAND UP, ROME, STAND UP ALL THE WAY BACK FROM THE DAYS OF, UH, LA AND THE EARLY STARTS, UH, TO CURRENT AND HAS PLEDGED HIS LIFE TO HELP IT IMPROVE THE LIVES OF OTHERS.
SO THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE STORIES THAT ARE HERE IN THE ROOM.
BUT AGAIN, UM, WE'RE EXCITED, WE'RE
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EXCITED ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BRING, UH, FOLKS TO HOUSTON.UH, THE 26TH THROUGH THE 29TH OF AUGUST OF JULY.
UH, WE WILL HAVE A NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE CONFERENCE AND YOUTH SUMMIT HERE, WHICH WILL BE VERY IMPORTANT, THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR 92 NATIONWIDE AFFILIATES TO CONVERGE IN HOUSTON, ALONGSIDE THOUSANDS OF CORPORATE AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE VITAL WORK OF THE URBAN LEAGUE AS IT DOES DAILY, AND HOW THE URBAN LEAGUE DOES FIGHT FOR YOU IN THIS VERY MOMENT.
LIFE CHANGING ISSUES LIKE ROLLBACKS AND PANDEMIC MEDICAL COVERAGE, VOTING RIGHTS, AND QUESTIONING OF THE VALUE OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION PRACTICES IN HIRING ARE DIRECTLY IMPACTING THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE.
THERE IS NO BETTER PLACE OR TIME TO FACILITATE THESE CRITICAL CONVERSATIONS AND PUSH FOR GREATER EQUITY THAN IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.
THE ISSUES FACING THE POPULATIONS WE SERVE IN HOUSTON, UH, AND ACROSS THE STATE ARE ISSUES THAT SPAN URBAN LEAGUE POPULATIONS ACROSS THE NATION.
WE ARE PROUD TO BE THE HOST CITY OF THIS YEAR'S ANNUAL CONFERENCE, AND WE ARE PARTICULARLY PROUD TO CONTINUE TO CHAMPION THE COMMUNITIES THAT WE SERVE ON A NATIONAL STAGE.
THE EASTERN AREA URBAN LEAGUE HAS SERVED THE GREATER EASTERN COMMUNITY FOR OVER FIVE DECADES, EMPOWERING BLACK AND OTHER MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES TO ACHIEVE PARODY WITH AMERICA'S PROMISE OF OPPORTUNITY, EQUALITY, AND JUSTICE.
THIS YEAR, WE'RE ALSO PROUD TO CELEBRATE 55 YEARS OF EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES AND CHANGING LIVES.
CONGRESSWOMAN, MANY OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS ARE HERE, AND I'D LIKE THEM TO JUST WAVE THEIR HANDS IF THEY WOULD.
MARGARITA, I SEE YOU OTHERS, FORMER BOARD AND FORMER BOARD MEMBERS AS WELL, PAM, AND I THINK, UH, OUR SENATOR BORIS MILES IS HERE TOO, JUST TO, HE WAS HERE, BUT, UH, THESE ARE ALL PEOPLE.
BORIS IS A FORMER BOARD MEMBER, UH, OF THE HOUSTON AREA, BUT MARK JACOBS, UH, IS OUR CURRENT BOARD MEMBER.
HE IS SERVING AS OUR BOARD CHAIRMAN AND AS PRESIDENT OF HOUSTON CAPITAL CORPORATION.
MARK, IF YOU PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE A FEW REMARKS.
WE'RE GLAD TO HAVE YOU BACK IN HOUSTON.
AS ALWAYS, MAYOR, THANK YOU FOR YOUR REMARKS.
WE APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU DO, THANKS TO EVERYONE ON THIS STAGE, BECAUSE YOU CHANGE HOUSTON EVERY DAY, AND IT'S GREAT TO BE IN HOUSTON, TEXAS.
UH, JETSON, I WANNA THANK YOU.
JETSON HAS BECOME A GREAT FRIEND OF MINE OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS.
JUDSON, AS WE ALL KNOW, CHANGES PEOPLE'S LIVES EVERY DAY.
AND I WANT TO THANK THE BOARD.
I KNOW THAT JUDSON ALREADY TALKED ABOUT THE BOARD, BUT I'VE BEEN ON A LOT OF NOT-FOR-PROFIT BOARDS AS YOU HAVE BEEN.
AND THIS BOARD IS ONE OF THE BEST BOARDS I'VE EVER SEEN.
ALL 25 OF US WORKING TOGETHER TO CHANGE PEOPLE'S LIVES SELFLESSLY EVERY DAY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO.
AND I CAN'T LEAVE OUT THE STAFF BECAUSE THE STAFF IS AMAZING.
UH, ALL THESE DIFFERENT NOT-FOR-PROFITS, WE'RE ALL INVOLVED IN, I GOTTA TELL YOU, THIS IS THE BEST STAFF IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
THIS IS THE BEST STAFF AND ALL THE URBAN LEAGUE MOVEMENT
SO, UM, SO, SO MARK, WHEN YOU SAY, WHEN YOU SAY BODACIOUS, WE'RE, WE'RE GONNA BE BODACIOUS AND WE'RE GONNA DELIVER.
SO WE'RE, WE'RE REALLY EXCITED.
AND, YOU KNOW, I'M SO PROUD TO BE ON THE BOARD.
I KNOW, UH, THE HOUSTON AREA URBAN LEAGUE, AS YOU KNOW, IS AN OUTSTANDING ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES TANGIBLE RESOURCES THAT DIRECTLY IMPACT HOUSING, WORKFORCE, ACCESS, EDUCATION, AND OTHER AREAS TO FACILITATE EQUITY AND CHANGE THE LIVES OF FAMILIES FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
AND THAT FOR GENERATIONS TO COME IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT.
WE HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING OVER 10,000 CLIENTS ANNUALLY.
SO WE SERVED OVER 10,000 HOUSTONIANS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS, AND WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF, OF DOING THAT.
WE, WE SERVE THEM WITH WRAPAROUND SERVICES, INCLUDING EDUCATION, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING VIA PROGRAMMING THAT SUPPORTS OUR POPULATION FROM ELEMENTARY TO COLLEGE TO CAREER, AND THEIR FAMILIES.
AND WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THOSE FAMILIES EVERY DAY THROUGH OUR BOARD AND THROUGH OUR, UM, STAFF.
FOR THOSE WHO NEED ASSISTANCE WITH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT HALL PROVIDES DIRECT TRAINING AND TECHNOLOGY CONSTRUCTION, ENERGY TRANSFORMATION, WIRELESS INFRASTRUCTURE, JOBS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY, EQUIP OTHERS FOR SUCCESS, AND PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY FOR UPWARD MOBILITY FOR UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES.
WE PROVIDE HOUSING, COUNSELING, AND SOCIAL SERVICES TO FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS, OR THOSE FACING THE UNIMAGINABLE WEIGHT OF LOSING THEIR HOME TO FORECLOSURE AND MORTGAGE DEFAULT NATURAL DISASTERS AND ASSISTANCE TO OUR VETERANS AND THEIR SURVIVING SPOUSES.
WE'RE PROUD TO TOUT THAT WE HAVE THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF HUD CERTIFIED
[00:30:02]
COUNSELORS IN THE REGION THROUGH OUR HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS. WE ASSIST NCES WHO, RESIDENTS WHO NEED INSURANCE ON HOW TO APPLY.WE PARTNERED WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND THE HEAR SAW LAND CAMPAIGN TO HELP OVER 5,000 RESIDENCES.
RESIDENTS HERE IN HOUSTON RECEIVE A COVID-19 VACCINATION TO BATTLE THIS HORRIBLE PANDEMIC AND TO HELP EQUIP THOSE WHO, WHO DO SO WITH INCENTIVES TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES TO THRIVE.
AND, YOU KNOW, THIS PANDEMIC, WE SAY IT'S OVER.
AND WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO FIGHT THAT EVERY DAY.
SO THANK Y'ALL ALL FOR THAT AS WELL.
AT A TIME WHEN UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES FACE MORE CHALLENGES SECURING CAPITAL IN OUR STATE, OUR ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER IS SECOND TO NONE.
IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN OUR ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER COME OVER AND GET INVOLVED, COME OVER, VOLUNTEER, AND COME OVER AND SEE THE DIFFERENCE IT MAKES EVERY DAY.
WE'VE SUPPORTED A THOUSAND PLUS EXISTING AND BUDDING SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS ANNUALLY TO RECEIVE THE TRAINING AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO THRIVE AS THEIR BUSINESSES GROW THEIR POSITION TO FUNNEL THOSE RESOURCES BACK INTO THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE, CREATING MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL.
AND I WOULD ALSO ADD THAT, YOU KNOW, JUSTIN AND I HAVE THIS CONVERSATION ON A REGULAR BASIS, AND THAT'S, WE NEED TO PROVIDE GENERATIONAL WEALTH OPPORTUNITIES.
AND THE WAY TO DO THAT IS THROUGH ENTREPRENEURSHIP.
SO, SO VERY IMPORTANT IN OUR COMMUNITY TO HELP IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
FINALLY, IN 2020 AND EVERY YEAR SINCE WE'VE TAKEN OUR SOCIAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE TO HIGHER HEIGHTS AND CREATED THE CENTER FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EDUCATION, WHICH ADVOCATES FOR MORE ROBUST DEI ACTION IN THE WORKFORCE AND THE COMMUNITY.
LISTEN, STATE OF TEXAS ASSISTS WITH VOTER REGISTRATION AND EDUCATES THE COMMUNITY AND YOUNG ADULTS ON THE EXISTING STRUCTURE AND POLICIES IN THE STATE EFFECT TEXAS THAT AFFECT THEIR COMMUNITIES.
THERE IS NO TIME MORE URGENT THAN THIS, TO CONTINUE THIS FOCUS AND LEAN INTO THIS WORK, PARTICULARLY IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.
AND IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE IT, GO TO THE STATE HOUSE AND WATCH.
WE ARE THANKFUL TO OUR COMMUNITY AND CORPORATE PARTNERS, LOCAL LEADERS, AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON FOR LEARN, LEANING IN WITH US TO HELP REACH MORE CLIENTS AND ENSURE MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES, SECURE ECONOMIC SELF-RELIANCE, PARODY POWER IN CIVIL RIGHTS IN THIS HOUSTON AND HOUSTON.
YOU KNOW, WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT, UH, THE IMPORTANCE OF WORK, UH, IN THIS COMMUNITY AND THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO DO, BUT IT REALLY TAKES A STRONG LEADER WHO'S A PROVEN PERSON IN THIS SPACE.
AND I'M JUST SO PROUD OF THE FACT THAT THIS YEAR, OUR CONFERENCE CHAIR IS MYRTLE JONES.
SHE'S A SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF TAX AND HALLIBURTON, AND SHE HAS A GREAT, UH, EXPERIENCE IN THIS SPACE.
UH, SHE KNOWS WHO THE CORPORATE PLAYERS ARE.
WE TALKED ABOUT RAISING MONEY.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, MERTLE JONES.
UH, FIRST OF ALL, IT IS SUCH A HUMBLING EXPERIENCE FOR THIS LITTLE GIRL FROM MISSISSIPPI TO BE STANDING ON THE STAGE WITH THESE AMAZING AWE-INSPIRING LEADERS WHO HAVE DONE SO MUCH FOR THE CITY AND FOR THIS COUNTRY.
THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR GIVING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE AND TO DO THE WORK.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS CONFERENCE HAS NOT BEEN HELD IN HOUSTON, TEXAS SINCE 1999.
IT'S ABOUT TIME AS LIZ, WHAT LIZZO WOULD SAY.
A LOT ABOUT OUR GREAT CITY AND THE SECTORS IT REPRESENT HAVE WELL ADVANCED SINCE THEN.
AND WE'RE EXCITED TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO DISPLAY THE CITY AND ALL IT HAS TO OFFER.
WE HAVE A FANTASTIC ENERGY SECTOR, WHICH I AM PROUD TO HAVE WORKED IN FOR OVER 40 YEARS.
BUT IT'S ALSO CHANGING AND IT'S EMBRACING GREEN ENERGY.
AND WE'RE GONNA LEAD THE WAY ON THE ENERGY TRANSFORMATION.
WE WILL DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO FILL THE WORKFORCE SHORTAGES AND PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO EQUIP THOSE WHO LOOK LIKE US.
WE HAVE DYNAMIC MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY, BANKING, AERONAUTICAL AND OVERALL STEM SECTORS HERE IN EVERY ASPECT OF OUR SOCIETY.
AS WE LOOK AT STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS, OUR GOAL IS NOT JUST TO HAVE A GREAT CONFERENCE, WHICH I KNOW WE WILL MM-HMM
BUT TO INVEST IN THE YOUTH, LOCAL ECONOMY AND THE WORKFORCE.
THROUGH THE URBAN LEAGUE'S, AMERICAN BUILDING, APPRENTICESHIPS, CLEAN ENERGY PARTNERSHIP, WE ARE GEARED TO EXPAND TRAINING AND JOBS TO THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE LOOKING TO ENTER THE ENERGY PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION FIELD.
THROUGH THE URBAN TECH JOBS PROGRAM
[00:35:01]
2.0, WE ARE PREPARING CLIENTS FOR CAREERS IN IT THROUGH CODING CLASSES AND AMAZON WEB SERVICES TRAINING.WE'VE DESIGNED PROGRAMMING AND PROVIDED ACCESS TO QUALITY EDUCATION RIGHT HERE IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
THROUGH EDUCATION AND YOUTH PROGRAMS, BOTH LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY, WE'RE EMPHASIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF STEM AND PROVIDING ACCESS TO HIGHER QUALITY EDUCATION.
AND FOR STUDENTS WHO OPT TO CHOOSE A CAREER AFTER HIGH SCHOOL, WE'RE SETTING THEM UP TO PROVIDE WELL INTO THEIR FUTURES.
FOR US, IT'S ABOUT INVESTING IN THE COMMUNITY TO CHANGE THE LIVES OF MARGINALIZED PEOPLE FOR YEARS TO COME RIGHT HERE.
THE CONFERENCE ALLOWS US TO SHOWCASE THE BREADTH AND DEATH AND THE WORK HAPPENING LOCALLY AND GREATNESS OF THIS CITY.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY IN A BEAUTIFUL WAY THROUGH THE COMMUNITY AND FAMILY DAY EXPO ON SATURDAY, JULY 29TH.
THE COMMUNITY AND FAMILY DAY EXPO WILL PROVIDE PROGRAMMING THAT EMPOWERS THE WHOLE FAMILY AND INDIVIDUALS THROUGH COLLEGE AND CAREER FAIR, AND EXPUNGEMENT CLINIC HEALTH AND WELLNESS SERVICES FOR WOMEN AND MEN, AND A MARKETPLACE WHERE UNDERREPRESENTED SMALL BUSINESSES, BUSINESS OWNERS, CAN HIGHLIGHT THEIR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES.
THE EVENT WILL ALSO HIGHLIGHT THE DIVERSE ART, FOOD, AND HISTORY OF THIS CITY THAT MAKES IT UNIQUELY HOUSTON.
ON TOP OF THAT, WE WILL BE GIVING OUT 10,000 BACKPACKS STUFF WITH BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLIES, JUST IN TIME FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR.
WE HOPE TO SEE EVERYONE THERE.
UM, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS MENTIONED WAS ALL THE THINGS THAT HOUSTON HAS TO OFFER.
AND, UH, THERE HAS TO BE SOMEBODY RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SURE THAT YOU KNOW WHAT THOSE THINGS ARE.
AND LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I'D LIKE TO BRING TO THE STAGE, MR. MICHAEL HECKMAN.
HE'S, HE'S ONE OF THE MOST, UM, DYNAMIC YOUNG PEOPLE THAT I'VE MET IN THIS SPACE OF PROMOTING A CITY.
HE IS THE CEO AND THE PRESIDENT OF HOUSTON FIRST CORPORATION, MICHAEL JUDSON.
THANK YOU, UH, SO MUCH ON BEHALF OF ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES AT HOUSTON.
FIRST, UH, I'M SO PROUD TO BE HERE.
LOOK, THIS IS THE GREAT PART OF THE JOB WHEN YOU GET TO ANNOUNCE THESE TYPE OF MEGA CONFERENCES THAT DO SO MUCH GOOD TO BE ABLE TO COME TO YOUR COMMUNITY.
UH, MARK, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ENTRUSTING US, BUT MAN, WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG?
UM, YOU KNOW, THE MAYOR MADE CLEAR, UH, WHEN COVID SORT OF, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, RESCHEDULED THINGS A LITTLE BIT, GET IT BACK, BUT MAKE SURE IT GETS BACK BEFORE I LEAVE OFFICE.
AND FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO MAY NOT KNOW MAYOR TURNER REALLY WELL, HE DOESN'T MAKE SUGGESTIONS.
AND, UH, WITH THIS LEADERSHIP HERE, TO BE ABLE TO GET, UH, THE CONFERENCE HERE, UH, TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY ATTENDEE HAS A SENSATIONAL TIME WEATHER HERE.
HOUSTON IS THE MOST DIVERSE CITY IN THE UNITED STATES.
IT IS THE MOST INCLUSIVE CITY IN THE UNITED STATES.
PEOPLE WHEN THEY COME HERE, AUTOMATICALLY CAN MAKE FRIENDS.
THEY FEEL LIKE THEY'RE FROM HERE, AND THAT'S WHAT WE WANT.
I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT FROM THE GEORGE R. BROWN TO OUR HOTELS, TO OUR RESTAURANTS, TO OUR MUSEUMS, EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE TO OFFER HERE IN HOUSTON, WE WILL BE READY AND EVERYBODY WILL HAVE A GREAT TIME.
UM, WE ARE SO THRILLED, UH, TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION IN HOUSTON, THE TYPE OF LEADERSHIP THAT WE HAVE HERE, AND THAT PURPOSE THAT WILL BE DRIVEN.
Y'ALL WILL DRIVE THE PURPOSE, AND WE ARE SO PROUD TO BE ABLE TO BE MERELY A PARTNER WITH ALL OF THIS THAT GOES ON.
SO, ON BEHALF OF HOUSTON, FIRST, WE CAN'T WAIT FOR JULY, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO MAKING IT THE BEST EVER.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS, IS A PERSON WHO'S NOT A STRANGER TO ANYONE IN THIS ROOM, ANYONE IN THIS STATE, AND, UH, PROBABLY ANYONE IN THIS NATION.
SHE IS A PERSON THAT WHEN SHE BELIEVES IN WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND TRIES TO STAND UP FOR THE RIGHT THING, SHE IS WITH YOU 110%.
I'M HONORED AND I'M PROUD TO CALL HER.
[00:40:01]
CONGRESSWOMAN, SHEILA JACKSON.LEE JUDSON, YOU ARE THE FRIEND OF THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.
WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOUR LEGACY, YOUR LEADERSHIP, AND THE DYNAMITE EFFORTS OF THE HOUSTON AREA URBAN LEAGUE, TO CHANGE LIVES EVERY SINGLE DAY.
JUDSON ROBINSON AND HIS TEAM, ONE WOULD SAY IN THE CHURCH PROTOCOL HAS BEEN SET, BUT IT IS IMPORTANT.
UH, MR. PRESIDENT, CEO CHAIRMAN, FOR ME, HE IS ALL OF THOSE THINGS TO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR WONDERFUL COUNCIL MEMBERS AGAIN, UH, TO THOMAS, COUNCIL MEMBER SHABAZZ, UH, WHO IS, UH, RIGHT BEHIND US, OUR TRUSTEE, MARK JACOBS.
THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR PUSHING IN, LEANING IN.
UH, AND MICHAEL, THANK YOU FOR NOT SLEEPING FROM NOW UNTIL JULY
WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR YOU AND YOUR TEAM, UH, AFTER HE FINISHED, UH, THE TOYS FOR KIDS.
UH, HE WILL NOT SLEEP NOW FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON.
UH, AND CERTAINLY MYRTLE JONES.
UH, WE WILL BE RIGHT ALONGSIDE OF YOU, UH, SUPPORTING, UH, THE MAN WHO NEVER TAKES NO FOR AN ANSWER.
UH, AND NONE OF US WILL BE SLEEPING BETWEEN NOW AND JULY, AND CERTAINLY MY COLLEAGUE CONGRESSMAN AL GREEN.
WE KNOW WHAT NO SLEEP MEANS, BUT LET ME JUST, UH, MAKE A PROCLAMATION, UH, IN WORDS.
I PROCLAIM THE GREATEST CONVENTION EVER OF ANY CONVENTIONS WILL BE HELD JULY 26TH TO 29TH IN HOUSTON, TEXAS, 2023, THE NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE NATIONAL MEETING BAR NONE.
AND TRUSTEE NELLY'S PAGE WILL MAKE SURE OF THAT.
AND MY PRESIDENT LINK, LORRAINE OF THE HOUSTON CHAPTER OF THE LENGTHS, WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE VOLUNTEERS EVERYWHERE.
SO LET ME JUST GIVE A LITTLE MOMENT, UH, TO ACKNOWLEDGE.
UH, MARK, JUST A FEW WEEKS OR MONTHS AGO, I WAS WITH THE URBAN LEAGUE AND THEY WERE DOING COVID TESTING AND VACCINATIONS.
UH, AND THEIR WORK IS UNENDING FOR WHAT WE NEED.
THE NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE IS A SOCIAL JUSTICE AND SOCIAL ECONOMIC GENIUS IN TERMS OF ITS REACH.
HARRY JOHNSON, MARK IS A CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER, BUT HE IS A CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER WITH THE KEEN EYE OF NOT LEAVING ANYONE FROM THE CIRCLE OF EMPOWERMENT.
NOW, THAT MAY MAY MEAN A PERSON SEEKING TO HAVE A HOME, BUT IT MAY ALSO BE THE CEO OF A MULTINATIONAL COMPANY THAT IS THE GENIUS OF THE URBAN LEAGUE.
AND AS AN URBAN LEAGUER WHO WAS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD, DIG UP YOUR HISTORY, UH, AND VICE CHAIR OF THE BOARD, UH, AND WHO AT LEAST KNEW OF WHITNEY YOUNG, VERNON JORDAN WAS TO BE OUR GUEST.
AND SO, I'LL GIVE YOU A LITTLE NOTE, YOU'LL GO OUT AND RESEARCH IT.
THE YEAR, UH, THAT HE HAD AN ATTEMPT ON HIS LIFE.
I CHAIRED THE URBAN LEAGUE BANQUET AT THAT TIME.
HE DIDN'T MAKE IT TO HOUSTON, BUT GOD WAS GOOD THAT HE MADE IT.
THESE ARE THE KINDS OF LEADERS THAT WE'VE HAD.
AND THEN COMES MARK MORRE, WHO HAD HIS SHARE OF MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP AT THE HELM OF NEW ORLEANS AS ONE OF ITS MOST DYNAMIC MAYORS.
AND THEN JUST FOR THE INFORMATION OF ALL THE CORPORATIONS WHOSE PHONE WILL RING
THE MAYOR WANTED US TO HAVE A CONVENTION OF LEARNING AND TEACHING AND TO WELCOME WHEN WE SAY DIVERSITY IN HOUSTON, LET US NOT BE NARROW DIVERSITY, EQUALITY, INCLUSION IN HOUSTON OR AFGHANS.
PEOPLE FROM TURKEY AND SYRIA, PAKISTAN AND INDIA, CHINA, JAPAN, ALL OF THE ASIAN PACIFIC, SOUTHEAST ASIA AND BEYOND, AS WELL AS SOUTH AND CENTRAL AMERICA.
MAYOR, YOU LEAD THE MOST DIVERSE CITY.
I HAVE SEEN HIM RESPONDING TO ALL OF THESE COMMUNITIES.
CHIEF FINNER SPEAKS 10 LANGUAGES.
AND HE HAS MANAGED TO KEEP US SAFE.
WE'LL HAVE A DYNAMIC SECURITY.
BUT I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT MARK MORIAL HAS CONSULTED
[00:45:01]
AND HAS ASKED TO GIVE CONSULTATION TO EVERY PRESIDENT SINCE HE HAS BEEN IN OFFICE TO THE CORPORATIONS.THIS IS A SERIOUS ORGANIZATION THAT YOU WOULD DO WELL TO LISTEN TO MYRTLE JONES AND ANY ONE OF US WHO WILL CALL TO ENSURE THAT YOU ARE SITTING AT THE TABLE, THAT YOU ARE BEING SEEN IN A PLACE OF SERIOUS WORK.
NOT ONLY DOES THIS LARGE GROUP DO THE VOTING RIGHTS AND EDUCATION AND JOB TRAINING AND HOME PURCHASING, BUT THEY DO THE STATE OF BLACK AMERICA, NOT OUT OF ANGER, NOT OUT OF POINTING THE FINGER, BUT OUT OF DETAILED RESEARCH WITH ECONOMISTS, ACADEMICIANS.
AND IT IS THE BIBLE, IF YOU WILL, SECULAR FOR ALL OF US WHO ARE LEGISLATING IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS.
THAT IS WHAT THE NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE IS ALL ABOUT.
I WANNA QUICKLY GIVE THESE NUMBERS AS I QUICKLY BRAG ABOUT THE MAYOR AND THE CITY AND WHAT YOU'RE COMING TO.
THE CITY RANKED NUMBER NINE ON SMART ASSETS, 2022 BEST CITIES FOR CONFERENCES.
LAS VEGAS WAS NUMBER ONE, BUT WE WERE NUMBER NINE AND WE ARE MOVING ON AS WELL.
HOUSTON RANKED NUMBER TWO AMONG US DESTINATIONS ON NORTH STAR MEETINGS GROUP.
YOU WILL BE ABLE TO DO YOUR WORK AND THEN WE'LL GIVE YOU A SMIDGEN OF ENTERTAINMENT.
I WANNA ALSO INDICATE THAT WE HAVE STATE OF THE ART FACILITIES FROM THE ABILITY OF OUR WONDERFUL HOTELS.
BUT I'M SO EXCITED THAT YOU CAN COME OUT OF THE GEORGE R. BROWN CONVENTION CENTER AND JUST TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF GREEN IN DISCOVERY GREEN.
THESE ARE ELEMENTS OF THE CITY AND THEY'RE KEPT UP SO WELL, THEY'RE BEAUTIFUL THAT YOUR PARTICIPANTS WILL ENJOY.
SO LEMME GIVE THESE FINAL NUMBERS.
I WANT THE CORPORATE AMERICA AND CORPORATE HOUSTON TO KNOW WHO'S COMING HERE.
EVERYBODY HEARD WHO'S COMING TO DINNER? YEAH.
I WANT YOU TO KNOW WHO'S COMING TO HOUSTON WHEN THE URBAN LEAGUE CONVENTION COMES.
BESIDES THE TALENTED YOUNG PEOPLE THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED, THERE'LL BE A BOATLOAD OF YOUNG PEOPLE COMING FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.
I KNOW THE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS WILL MAKE SURE THAT IS THE CASE.
YOU'LL BE OUT THERE MAKING SURE THEY GET HERE.
AND SO THE TALENT WILL BE JUST ENORMOUS.
BUT I WANNA GIVE THESE NUMBERS.
246,000 HAVE BEEN PLACED IN JOBS BY THE URBAN LEAGUE.
21,000 HAVE PURCHASED NEW HOMES THROUGH THE URBAN LEAGUE.
8.3 MILLION HAVE HAD ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE SERVICES.
3 MILLION, UH, HAVE HAD ACCESS TO EDUCATION.
6.1 MILLION, UH, HAVE HAD, UH, ENGAGEMENT WITH GET OUT AND VOTE HOW TO VOTE, DO THE RIGHT THING.
23.7 MILLION, UH, HAVE BEEN ENGAGED, UH, AS URBAN LEAGUE AFFILIATES WORKING WITH, UH, THIS NATION.
44 BOARD MEMBERS, 150 EMPLOYEES, AND ALMOST A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS BUDGET THAT THEY MANAGE AND GROWING.
CORPORATE HOUSTON AND OUR FRIENDS THAT WILL COME KNOW THAT THERE WILL BE NOT ONLY A PURPOSE, BUT YOU WILL GO AWAY, BETTER ENHANCED, MORE KNOWLEDGE AND READY TO WIN, WIN, WIN.
IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE A HOME, COME TO THE URBAN LEAGUE CONVENTION AND KNOW HOW TO GET ONE QUICK.
IF YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE HEALTHY, COME TO THE URBAN LEAGUE CONVENTION AND GET INFUSED WITH GOOD, HEALTHY TACTICS.
IF YOU WANNA BE ENGAGED IN CHANGING AMERICA, GET HERE QUICK FOR CIVIC PARTICIPATION AND CORPORATIONS.
IF YOU WANNA BE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY, IF YOU WANNA BE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY, RAISE YOUR HAND RIGHT NOW.
WHEN WE FINISH THIS PRESS CONFERENCE.
I WANT THE PHONE LINES OF THE URBAN LEAGUE, LOCAL CHAPTER, JUDSON, YES, MA'AM.
BE CLOGGED WITH PEOPLE CALLING IN AND SAYING, I WANNA BE LISTED.
IS MY NAME WRITTEN THERE? PUT IT DOWN QUICK.
THANK YOU, MAYOR, FOR GIVING US THE CHALLENGE.
AND I'LL HAVE TO TAKE A FEW MOMENTS FROM WASHINGTON TO MAKE GOOD ON YOUR PROMISE.
CONGRESSWOMAN, LET ME ASK ALL, ALL OF MY URBAN LEAGUE STAFF, IF YOU WOULD JUST STAND REAL QUICK, REAL QUICK, YOU GUYS, I WANT TO JUST RECOGNIZE YOU GUYS.
[00:50:01]
AND I WANT TO DO THAT BECAUSE THE, THE NEXT SPEAKER, NOT ONLY 'CAUSE YOU GUYS ARE FANTASTIC, BUT THE NEXT SPEAKER IS A PERSON I'VE ALWAYS ADMIRED.HOW HE'S MADE SURE THAT THE PEOPLE THAT HE SURROUNDS HIMSELF WITH, OR PEOPLE THAT HAVE NOT ONLY LIFT HIM HIGHER, BUT THEY'LL LIFT UP THE CAUSE HIGHER.
HE WORKS HARD TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE PROMOTED, TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE GIVING THE BEST BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITY TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE GIVING THE BEST BACK TO HIS DISTRICT.
AND I THINK THAT'S A, A TRUE SIGN OF LEADERSHIP.
ONCE AGAIN, ANOTHER GREAT, GREAT FRIEND OF MINE, CONGRESSMAN AL GREEN.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE VERY KIND AND WARM INTRODUCTION.
THE HONORABLE JETSON ROBINSON IS A PERSON WHO HAS DONE SOMETHING ALONG WITH HIS FAMILY THAT NO OTHER HAS DONE IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
HIS FATHER WAS THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN TO SERVE ON CITY COUNCIL.
HIS MOTHER WAS THE SECOND PERSON TO HOLD THAT SAME SEAT.
HISTORY WILL SHOW THAT HE WAS THE THIRD PERSON.
AND THIS FAMILY HAS HAD AN IMPACT ON THE CITY OF HOUSTON, UNLIKE ANY OTHER FAMILY IN THE HISTORY OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, THE ROBINSON FAMILY.
SO I THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR KINDNESS.
WE HAVE, UH, BEEN HONORED, UH, PERMIT ME TO TELL YOU THAT, UH, JUST, UH, RECENTLY CELEBRATED MY 25TH BIRTHDAY FOR THE THIRD TIME
AND, UH, BECAUSE I'M OLD SCHOOL, MANY PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW CONGRESSWOMAN, THAT I TOO SERVED ON THE BOARD OF THE URBAN LEAGUE, AND I WAS PROUD TO DO SO.
THE TWO OF US TOGETHER, NOT AT THE SAME TIME.
RIGHT? THEY COULDN'T HANDLE BOTH OF US.
UH, BUT, UM, I, I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE ALL OF THE COUNCIL PERSONS WHO'VE BEEN INTRODUCED AND ALL OF THE LUMINARIES, BUT I DO WANNA SINGLE OUT ONE, IF I MAY.
HARRY JOHNSON IS THE HIDDEN HAND.
UH, HARRY JOHNSON SEEMS TO FIND HIS WAY INTO THINGS WITHOUT MAKING A BIG FANFARE.
WE DON'T ALWAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM PROPERLY.
BUT I CAN SAY THIS WITHOUT QUESTION, RESERVATION HESITATION.
THERE WOULD BE NO STATUE OF DR. KING ON THE MALL.
BUT FOR HARRY JOHNSON RAISING $125 MILLION, THE $125 MILLION, MAN, TERRY JOHNSON AND MAYOR TURNER, UM, YOU KEEP TALKING ABOUT, THIS IS YOUR LAST YEAR.
UH, I I'VE BEEN SAYING FOUR MORE YEARS.
IT'S JUST UNBELIEVABLE WHAT HE'S DONE.
HURRICANE HARVEY, OVER A TRILLION GALLONS OF WATER PANDEMIC THAT WAS GLOBAL.
HE IS, WITHOUT QUESTION A MAYOR THAT WILL BE REMEMBERED FOREVER IN THE MINDS OF PEOPLE, NOT ONLY IN THIS CITY, BUT ACROSS THE LENGTH AND BREADTH OF THIS COUNTRY.
THIS IS MAYOR SYLVESTER TURNER, MAYOR SYLVESTER TURNER.
A GREAT MAYOR, AND TO MY DEAR FRIEND, THE HONORABLE MARK MARIO AND THE PANTHEON OF GREAT URBAN LEAGUE PRESIDENTS.
SURELY WHITNEY YOUNG WILL BE THERE.
SURELY VERNON JORDAN WILL BE THERE, BUT I KNOW THIS MARK MOR WILL BE THERE TOO.
AND THE PANTHEON, MARK MORIAL HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE NOT ONLY IN THE LIVES OF PEOPLE SUCH AS THOSE WHO ARE HERE TODAY, BUT ALSO IN THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WHO WILL NEVER MEET AND GREET WHO SLEEP ON THE BRIDGES.
I KNOW, BECAUSE THE POLICIES WE DEVELOP IN THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WITH REFERENCE TO HOUSING, MANY OF THOSE POLICIES HAVE THEIR GENESIS AND THE NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE, AND THE OFFICE OF THE HONORABLE MARK MORELL FOR THIS, HE DESERVES A VERY SPECIAL EXPRESSION OF APPRECIATION.
A TEXAS SIZE EXPRESSION, IF YOU WOULD.
[00:55:02]
AND I AM HONORED TO KNOW THAT THE URBAN LEAGUE IS COMING TO HOUSTON, BUT I'M ALSO GOING TO BE HONORED TO SAY, AFTER THE URBAN LEAGUE LEAVES THAT CORPORATE HOUSTON ROSE TO THE OCCASION, CORPORATE HOUSTON MADE THE DIFFERENCE.IT IS IMPORTANT FOR CORPORATE HOUSTON AT THIS TIME TO DEMONSTRATE GOOD CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP.
SO IN THE BEST CITY WITH THE BEST MAYOR, WE OUGHT TO HAVE THE BEST CORPORATIONS TO STEP FORWARD AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE IN THE ROOM WHEN THE EVENTS OCCUR, ALL OF OUR RESPONSIBLE CORPORATE PERSONALITIES SHOULD BE PRESENT.
AND I'M HONORED TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE A LEADER, UH, MS. JONES, WHO IS GOING TO DO WELL BECAUSE SHE'S ALREADY TWISTING MY ARM.
YES, MS. JONES, I WILL PROMISE YOU, I WILL MAKE MY CONTRIBUTION.
UH, BUT CORPORATE HOUSTON HAS TO STEP UP.
AND FINALLY, FRIENDS, UM, THIS FAMILY DAY, 20,000 PEOPLE.
UH, MAYOR, I DON'T, I DON'T KNOW THAT WE'VE EXCEEDED THAT, UH, BUT I KNOW THAT IF ANYBODY IS GOING TO HAVE THE LIGHTS ON AT CITY HALL, I REMEMBER THE LIGHTS WERE PINK AND GREEN.
UH, CONGRESSWOMAN SHABAZZ, UH, REMEMBERS COUNCILMAN, EXCUSE ME.
I DON'T WANNA START ANY RUMORS.
SHE'S AN AKA, SO MAYOR, UH, I'M EAGER TO SEE, UH, YOU PRODUCE WHAT YOU PROCLAIMED.
AND THIS IS GOING TO BE ONE EXCITING EVENT.
AND YOU SHOULD BE HERE WITH US, WHEREVER YOU ARE ON THE PLANET.
MAKE YOUR WAY TO HOUSTON, TEXAS WHEN THE NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE HITS TOWN.
EVERYBODY THING, LEMME JUST, OKAY.
THE PRESIDENT, LEMME JUST, UH, BEFORE WE, UH, CLO MAYOR CLOSES OUT, I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR LEAD SPONSORS WHO'VE ALREADY COMMITTED, UH, BANK OF AMERICA NATIONWIDE.
AND THERE ARE STILL SOME EMPTY CHAIRS ON THE STAGE.
SO LET'S GIVE IT UP FOR BANK OF AMERICA NATIONWIDE.
LOOK, LET ME THANK YOU ALL FOR, FOR BEING HERE AND TELL YOU JUST HOW IMPORTANT THIS CONFERENCE IS ON TUESDAYS.
I NEVER HAVE A PRESS CONFERENCE AT NOON.
THAT IS A NO NOTE, UH, SOMETHING YOU DOING.
BUT THIS EVENT IS JUST THAT IMPORTANT.
YOU KNOW, WE START CITY COUNCIL AT ONE 30.
UM, LET ME ALSO SAY THAT, UM, UM, NOW THAT THE PRESS CONFERENCE IS WRAPPING UP, IT DOESN'T JUST HAPPEN ON ITS OWN.
UM, THE TECHNICAL WORK STARTS.
I SEE SALLY SERGEANT OUT HERE.
SALLY HAS, UH, WORKED ON THE SUPER BOWL IN 2017 WHEN I CAME IN, WORKED ON THE WORLD, BE PATROL HIM, CONGRESS WHEN I CAME IN.
I THINK SHE'S CONSULTING, UM, OR AT LEAST I'M HINT AT IT,
UH, BUT, UH, IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOME TECHNICAL WORK.
MYRTLE CAN'T DO IT BY HERSELF.
OKAY? AND IF ORDER TO HAVE THE BIGGER, THE BEST, THE BOLDER, IT MEANS THAT, UM, EVERYONE HAS TO STEP UP AND WE HAVE TO ASK.
OKAY? AND SO WHATEVER YOUR SPHERE OF INFLUENCE IS, UH, WE HAVE THE LARGEST PORT IN THE COUNTRY.
YOU KNOW, IT'S TIME TO SHOWCASE THAT.
UH, WE ARE THE ENERGY CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.
WE HAVE THE LARGEST MEDICAL CENTER IN THE WORLD, SO WE HAVE TREMENDOUS PARTNERS IN OUR CITY.
AND, UH, THIS WOULD BE AN EXCELLENT TIME, UH, TO HAVE THEM TO BE A PART OF THIS PARTICULAR CONFERENCE.
BUT WE HAVE TO REACH OUT TO THEM AND, UH, IN THE OUS WAY, I KNOW HOW I'M ASKING THEM TO JOIN US, UH, IN THIS PARTICULAR EFFORT.
AND, UM, SO LET'S, LET'S, LET'S DO THAT.
THIS IS A WONDERFUL GATHERING.
UM, SO, UM, I'M, I'M LIKE BEYONCE.
UM, YOU KNOW, I'M LIKE BEYONCE.
SHE'S, SHE'S SINGING, I'M JUST GOING TO TALK MY WAY THROUGH IT.
[01:00:01]
UH, BARBARA, THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE, UH, THE BEGINNING AND THE BOLDEST AND THE BEST.AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW, WE ARE ALREADY OFF TO A TREMENDOUS YEAR, UH, WITH THE, A LEAF CENTER, UH, WITH SUNNY SUNNYSIDE CENTER, UH, IN JANUARY ALONE, UM, IN FEBRUARY, UH, THE KINDER, UH, LAND BRIDGE AT MEMORIAL PARK, THE 11TH ECOLOGICAL WONDER IN THE WORLD.
SO IN EVERY MONTH, UH, THE NAVIGATION CENTER THAT OPENED UP YESTERDAY FOR OUR HOMELESS POPULATION, UM, AND MARK, IN JUST THE LAST SEVEN YEARS, WE HAVE HOUSED 21,000 PEOPLE, UH, IN THIS CITY.
WE HAVE THE LOWEST PER CAPITAL HOMELESS RATE IN THE COUNTRY, THE LOWEST.
AND I KNOW CHIEF NER WAS HERE, I KNOW PEOPLE FROM HPD, BUT IN 2022, UH, HOUSTON LED EVERY METROPOLITAN REGION IN THE COUNTRY IN VIOLENT CRIME REDUCTION.
AND THAT WAS RIGHT HERE IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON IN 2022.
SO WE HAVE A LOT TO BE, UM, I'M PROUD OF.
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY AS MUCH AS IT IS FOR THE, FOR THE NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE.
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR HOUSTON TO SHOWCASE ITSELF.
BECAUSE WE ARE NOT ON THE EAST COAST, WE'RE NOT ON THE WEST COAST, YOU KNOW, WE ARE DOWN HERE IN SOUTHWEST ON THE SOUTHERN END.
SO THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO HOST, UM, FOR US TO SHOWCASE OURSELF.
AND IT'S MY HOPE, UH, THAT, UM, THAT MAYOR ADAMS FROM NEW YORK, UH, MAYOR BASS FROM LA, UM, MAYOR LIGHTFOOT, UH, FROM CHICAGO, UH, WILL, WILL COME DURING THE CONFERENCE.
UM, BECAUSE BLACK MAYORS NOW RUN THE TOP FOUR CITIES, UH, IN THE UNITED STATES.
SO WHAT A, WHAT A WONDERFUL SPEECH.
BUT HAVING SAID ALL THAT, THAT'S ENOUGH.
MY STOMACH IS TELLING ME THAT IT IS TIME TO SHUT DOWN
SO WE'LL SEE YOU IN JULY OF 20.
CAN YOU JUST TELL PRESIDENT BIDEN THAT WE EXPECT FOR HIM TO BE HERE AS WELL? WELL, WELL, YOU KNOW, LOOK, I'M, I AM HOPING THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN, VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS, UM, I JUST THINK THAT IF YOU WANT PEOPLE'S SUPPORT,
SO, UM, I'M HOPING THAT THE PRESIDENT AND OTHERS WILL, WILL COME, UH, CAVITY MEMBERS AS WELL.
ECONOMIC PLAYERS WILL COME, UM, MINISTERS AND PRIME MINISTERS AND OTHERS WILL COME.
WE HAVE THE THIRD LARGEST CONSULATE.
I'M HOPING THAT THEY, THAT THEY WILL COME.
SO I JUST FEEL, YOU KNOW, THIS IS THE PRESIDENT, CEO.
IF MARK ASKED THEM TO COME, THEY WILL COME.
AND, UH, AND CERTAINLY AS MAYOR OF CITY OF HOUSTON, I'M INVITING THEM AND ASKED IF THEY WILL COME.
UM, BUT WE DON'T ACCEPT NO FOR AN ANSWER ANYWAY.
WE WILL HAVE 20,000 PEOPLE, UH, AT THIS CONFERENCE.
MYRTLE, WE WILL RAISE THE MONEY THAT'S NEEDED.
AND MARK, YOU WILL LEAVE HERE SAYING,
UM, UM, SO ANYWAY, THAT'S ENOUGH.