[Black History Month Program presented by the Office of the Controller]
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WITH US OFFICE 8 24 COURTNEY SMITH, SERVING AS TODAY.
MR. SMITH JOINING ME TODAY, ROBERT SMITH, SERVING AS AN INTERN IN YOUR OFFICE.
I'M HONORED TO BE WORKING IN THE CONTROL'S OFFICE AND ALSO HONORED TO JOIN YOU AS MORNING, BUT WE HAVE AN EXCITING PROGRAM.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, I'D LIKE COME BY REVEREND ADAM MOORE TO STATE TO REVEREND.
UH, BEFORE WE PRAY, I'D LIKE TO ASK ALL REVEREND PLEASE, PLEASE, THANK YOU.
WITH ALL HEADS BOWED AND WITH ALL HEARTS HUMBLED, LET US PRAY.
THROUGH THEIR CREATIVITY THOUGH, THEY WERE GIVEN SCRAPS.
AND THOUGH THEY WERE, UH, GIVEN THE BURDENSOME EXPERIENCE OF ENSLAVEMENT, THEY CREATED THE BLUES THROUGH THEIR COMMUNION WITH YOU, THROUGH THE HYMNS OF THE CHURCH.
OH GOD, WE THANK YOU AND WE PRAISE YOU AND WE HONOR YOU RIGHT NOW.
GOD, IN THIS MOMENT WE ASK THAT THIS COLLECTION OF CREATIVE EXPRESSIONS WOULD BE AN ADEQUATE HOMAGE TO THE SACRIFICES OF OUR ANCESTORS THAT NAVIGATED THE VESTIGES AND PATHOLOGIES OF AN ENSLAVEMENT OF CRUELTY, OF SYSTEMIC OPPRESSION.
WE ASK THAT THROUGH THE MIDST OF THAT, YOUR CREATIVE INTENT THROUGH US MIGHT BE GLORIFIED.
AND SO FINALLY, NOW, OH GOD, YOU ARE THE GOD OF OUR WEARY EARS AND THE GOD OF OUR SILENT TEARS.
THOU WHO HAS BROUGHT US THUS FAR ON THE WAY THOU THAT TH THY MIGHT, HAS LED US INTO THE LIGHT.
KEEP US OH GOD, FOREVER IN THE PATH WE PRAY, LEST OUR FEET STRAY FROM THE PLACES, OH GOD, WHERE WE MET THEE.
LEST OUR HEARTS DRUNK WITH THE WINE OF THE WORLD.
FORGET, SHADOWED BENEATH THY MITE THY HAND.
MAY WE FOREVER STAND TRUE TO YOU OH GOD, AND TRUE TO OUR NATIVE LAND.
IN THE STRONG NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, WE DO PRAY.
AND ALL OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD ASSEMBLED HERE TODAY SAID AMEN.
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EVERYONE GIVE AROUND APPLAUSE.WE NOW HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF WELCOMING TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION, PRESIDENT QUALIA HAYES, TO THE PODIUM TO INTRODUCE CONTROLLER S.
IT IS AN HONOR TO BE IN FRONT OF YOU TODAY HONORING BLACK HISTORY MONTH.
I WAS SO ELATED WHEN YOU KNOW, I GOT THE EMAIL TO BE ABLE TO INTRODUCE CONTROLLER HOLLANDS.
CHRIS HOLLINS IS A NATIVE HOUSTONIAN WHO HAS SERVED AS HOUSTON CITY CONTROLLER SINCE JANUARY 24.
AS THE INDEPENDENTLY ELECTED CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF THE NATION'S FOURTH LARGEST CITY CONTROLLER, HOLLANDS PROVIDES OVERSIGHT OF A BUDGET EXCEEDING $6 BILLION, AND MANAGES THE CITY'S $6 BILLION INVESTMENT AND $14 BILLION DEBT PORTFOLIOS.
HOLLANDS IS DEEPLY COMMITTED TO TRANSPARENCY, FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY, AND RESULT DRIVEN OPERATIONS USING HIS OFFICE AUDITING AUTHORITY TO BRING NEW IDEAS AND BEST PRACTICES TO CITY DEPARTMENTS THAT RESULT IN COST SAVINGS AND A HIGHER STANDARD OF SERVICE TO HOUSTON RESIDENTS.
PRIOR TO HIS SERVICE, AS CITY CONTROLLER HOLLANDS LED THE 2020 ELECTIONS EFFORTS IN HARRIS COUNTY AS COUNTY CLERK GAINING NATIONAL CLAIM FOR PROTECTING AND EXPANDING VOTING RIGHTS FOR 2.5 MILLION HOUSTON AREA VOTER, HOUSTON AREA VOTERS DURING THE MOST IMPORTANT ELECTION OF OUR LIFETIME.
HOLLAND'S INNOVATIONS, WHICH INCLUDED DRIVE-THROUGH VOTING, 24 HOUR VOTING ONLINE MAIL, BALLOT TRACKING, AND TRIPLING THE NUMBER OF EARLY VOTING CENTERS LED TO EYE-POPPING RECORD VOTER TURNOUT.
DESPITE THE ONGOING GLOBAL PANDEMIC, HOLLANDS HOLDS A BACHELOR OF ARTS WITH FIVE BETA KAPPA HONORS FROM MOREHOUSE COLLEGE AND COMPLETED A JOINT PROGRAM WITH YALE LAW SCHOOL AND HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL EARNING BOTH HIS JURIS DOCTOR AND MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DEGREES.
HOLLANDS IS ADMITTED TO THE STATE BAR OF TEXAS AND FEDERAL COURTS FOR THE SOUTHERN REGION OR SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS.
BEFORE BEING ELECTED HOUSTON CITY CONTROLLER, HE WAS THE PRINCIPAL ATTORNEY AT HOLLANDS LAW GROUP.
HOLLAND SPENT THE BULK OF HIS CAREER AS A MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT WITH MCKENZIE AND COMPANY WHERE HE WAS DEDICATED TO HELPING LARGE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TRANSFORM THEIR OPERATIONS TO BETTER ACHIEVE THEIR MISSIONS AND MEET THE NEEDS OF THOSE WHO THEY WERE ENTRUSTED TO SERVE.
HOLLANDS AND HIS WIFE MORGAN LIVE IN HOUSTON'S THIRD WARD WITH THEIR DAUGHTER VIVIAN AND THEIR SON GEORGE, THE FAMILY.
THE FAMILY ATTENDS WHEELER AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH.
CAN EVERYONE PLEASE STAND? HONOR? THANK YOU SO MUCH BROTHER HAYNES FOR THAT, UH, TOO WARM INTRODUCTION.
UH, YOU KNOW, YOU MADE IT WHEN A PRESIDENT INTRODUCED YOU.
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UH, SO WE WE'RE THANKFUL FOR THE SGA PRESIDENT OF TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ALONG, UH, WITH OTHER TSU STUDENTS WHO ARE HERE TO, TO JOIN US ON THIS OCCASION.UH, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS MORNING AT YOUR CITY HALL.
UH, SOME OF YOU MAY BE HERE FOR THE FIRST TIME.
WE HOPE THAT IT IS NOT YOUR LAST BECAUSE THIS IS YOURS.
UH, AS I APPROACHED TWO MONTHS IN OFFICE, I'M HUMBLED BY THE SUPPORT THAT I'VE RECEIVED FROM HOUSTONIANS, FROM ALL CORNERS OF OUR CITY, AND IN PARTICULAR BY THE SUPPORT OF MANY OF YOU WHO ARE HERE TODAY AS CITY CONTROLLERS.
IT'S MY JOB TO SERVE AS THIS CITY'S FINANCIAL WATCHDOG, TO BRING GREATER TRANSPARENCY TO HOW THE CITY IS SPENDING YOUR HARD EARNED TAX DOLLARS, AND TO BRING NEW IDEAS AND BEST PRACTICES TO EVERY CITY DEPARTMENT SO THAT WE CAN DO MORE TO SERVE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, AND EVERY HOUSTON NEIGHBORHOOD.
NOW, Y'ALL MIGHT HAVE HEARD WE HAVE SOME SERIOUS CHALLENGES HERE IN CITY HALL, BUT TODAY, UH, WE'RE HERE TO CELEBRATE THE CULMINATION, UH, OF A MONTH THAT ACKNOWLEDGES THE CHALLENGES THAT WE'VE OVERCOME AS A PEOPLE.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH IS PRECIOUS AND SHORT, BUT IT'S FULL OF GREAT SIGNIFICANCE.
THIS MONTH IS A REMINDER THAT EVERY MOMENT COUNTS AND THAT IT'S UP TO US TO MAKE THE MOST OF THE MOMENTS THAT WE HAVE.
THIS MONTH CALLS ON US TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE STRUGGLE, RESILIENCE, AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF BLACK HEROES THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY.
AND SO THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE CONVENE TODAY.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR JOINING US.
UH, MY CITY TREASURER VERNON MIDDLETON LEWIS IS GOING TO JOIN US, UH, IN A MOMENT, UH, TO RECOGNIZE OUR DIGNITARIES.
BUT I'D LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE A COUPLE HERE IN PARTICULAR.
UH, FIRST OFF, MY IMMEDIATE, MY IMMEDIATE PRE PREDECESSOR, UH, FORMER CONTROLLER, CHRIS BROWN, CAN YOU STAND? AND, AND HIS PREDECESSOR AND FORMER BOSS, THE FIRST CITY CONTROLLER IN HISTORY AND OF THIS MONTH EVENT, MR. RONALD GREEN.
AND LAST, UH, SOME REAL DIGNITARIES.
MY PARENTS, GEORGE AND CHRISTIE, CAN YOU STAND UP? AND MY AUNT HATTIE AND UNCLE DAVID WHO CLAIM ME NOW, WOULD Y'ALL STAND AND BE ACKNOWLEDGED AS WELL? UH, AGAIN, WE HAVE AN EXCITING, UH, PROGRAM IN STORE FOR YOU TODAY.
AND SO FOR NOW, I'LL HAND IT BACK OVER TO OUR CITY AUDITOR COURTNEY SMITH.
THANK YOU CONTROLLER FOR KICKING OFF THIS MORNING'S CELEBRATION.
LEMME JUST SAY Y'ALL, SINCE I STARTED INTERNING IN THE OFFICE SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, CONTROLLER HOLLAND CARRIES A UNIQUE ENERGY AND SPIRIT.
IT ALWAYS SEEMS TO RUB OFF ON PEOPLE AND I REALLY ENJOYED IT.
OKAY, WE NOW HAVE THE INTRO, THE INTRODUCTION OF OUR DISTINGUISHED GUESTS BY THE CITY'S TREASURER, VERNON MIDDLETON LEWIS.
AS DEPUTY CONTROLLER OF THE TREASURY DIVISION, VENE AND HIS TEAM ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGING A NEARLY $6 BILLION INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO AND A $14 BILLION DEBT PORTFOLIO NAMED A RISING STAR BY THE BONFIRE.
VERNON IS ONE OF THE YOUNGEST TREASURES OF A MAJOR AMERICAN CITY.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING VERNON MIDDLE.
WOW, THAT WAS A HECK OF APPLAUSE.
I NEVER GOT THAT IN MY LIFE BEFORE.
CAN WE DO THAT ONE MORE TIME? GIMME WOO.
MY NAME IS VERNON MIDDLETON LEWIS.
I SERVE AS UCD TREASURER AND I HAVE THE HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO RECOGNIZE ELECTED OFFICIALS AND IT'S DISTINGUISHED GUESTS.
UH, IN THE ROOM WE HAVE MR. VAUGHN, REPRESENTATIVE O CONGRESSWOMAN, SHEILA JACKSON LEE'S OFFICE.
WE HAVE STEVEN JAMES, REPRESENTATIVE COUNCILWOMAN CAROLYN EVAN'S OFFICE, THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING.
WE HAVE COUNCILWOMAN HERE, MAYOR PRO, TIM MARTHA CA YES, AS A CONTROLLER PREVIOUS DIMENSION, WE HAVE FORMER CITY CONTROLLER, RON GREEN, THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING AS WELL.
AND RIGHT NEXT TO HIM, MY FORMER BOSS, FORMER CITY CONTROLLER, CHRIS BROWN, THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING AS WELL.
UH, WE ALSO HAVE RODNEY REST IN THE ROOM.
RODNEY, ARE YOU THERE? UH, IN THE BACK.
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WE HAVE MR, MY DEAR FRIEND, RANDY BATES.RANDY, THANK FOR ATTENDING AS WELL.
UH, NEXT WE HAVE THE LILY, LILLIAN HENNY.
AND FINALLY, I WANT EVERYBODY TO PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE STAND UP AND GIVE A REALLY GOOD APPLAUSE TO WHAT I CONSIDER MY MENTOR, THE FOUNDER OF THIS PROGRAM, ESSENTIALLY, WHO ESSENTIALLY THE BLACK WOMAN OF THIRD WAR, MISS JACKIE.
AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE FOR TODAY.
UM, REALLY EXCITED TO INTRODUCE SEVERAL GROUPS WHO HAVE JOINED US TODAY FROM TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY TO PERFORM FOR US TO FIRST LED BY DIRECTOR JASON BIE, DR.
WE'RE JOINED BY TSU, WHO YOU HEARD EARLIER.
GLORIA BATIS ROBERTS, THE TSU DEBATE TEAM.
WE ALSO HAVE LED BY PROFESSOR TOM ANON PSU'S THERAPY.
SO, AND THEN LET ME NOT FORGET, ON KEYBOARDS, WE'RE JOINED BY DR.
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WHEN DR. CARTER G WOODSON ESTABLISHED NEGRO HISTORY WEEK, HE REALIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF PROVIDING A THEME TO FOCUS THE ATTENTION OF THE PUBLIC, THE ASSOCIATION AFRICAN AMERICAN IN THE, EXAMINE THE HISTORY AND LIFE OF AFRICAN AMERICANS IN THE ARTS, INCLUDING VISUAL ART, WRITING, DANCE, AND OTHER ARTISTIC ACCOMPLISHMENT.TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY DEBATE TEAM IS PROUD TO MAKE THIS READER'S THEATER PRESENTATION SCRIPTED, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS OCCASION BY HEAD COACH DR.
ROBERTS ENTITLED AFRICAN AFRICAN AMERICAN AS A PLATFORM FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE.
AFRICAN AMERICANS ARE CURRENTLY FACING VERY SERIOUS SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES THAT WE NEVER DREAMED WOULD BE SO PERSISTENT TODAY IN THE 21ST CENTURY.
ISSUES SUCH AS WOMEN'S RIGHT, PARTICULARLY REGARDING HEALTHCARE, THE RIGHT TO EQUAL EDUCATION AND THE RIGHT TO EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND SOCIAL INEQUITY.
YOUR PRESENCE, MOTHER AFRICA IS LIVING DRAMA OF RACE, A DRAMA OF FLESH AND BLOOD, WHICH LIGHT HAS WRITTEN WITH THE PEN OF CENTURIES THROUGH YOUR VOICE, YOUR ANCIENT DUSKY VOICE WE HEAR AND ARE MOVED BY YOUR WISDOM.
YOUR VOICE SPEAKS TO US IN POWERFUL RHYTHMS AND INCANTATION VOICE IS CHANTING FROM CANE PLANTATIONS, THE PATTY FIELDS, THE COFFEE FARMS, THE COTTON FIELDS, VOICES FROM PLANTATIONS IN VIRGINIA AND LOUISIANA, VOICES FROM FARMS IN TEXAS AND THE CAROLINAS, ALABAMA, CUBA, BRAZIL, VOICES FROM B BRAZILIAN SUGAR PLANTATIONS FROM THE TONGA, DRUMS FROM FACTORIES, VOICES FROM HARLEM DISTRICT SOUTH, VOICES FROM FROM LOCATIONS, VOICES, WAILING SPIRITUALS, GOSPEL SONGS AND BLUES GOING UP THE MISSISSIPPI, ECHOING FROM RAILROAD WAGONS, VOICES CRYING OUT FOR FREEDOM.
VOICES ECHOING THE CRIES OF LANGSTON HUGHES.
IT WAS NEVER AMERICA TO ME, BUT WE VOWED THIS OATH.
AMERICA SHALL REMAIN A DEMOCRACY.
THE VOICE OF JAKE CARRUTHERS WEEPING LORD GOD, WHAT HAVE WE DONE? HE WAS A FIRM BELIEVER THAT A LARGE PART OF LIBERATING AFRICAN AMERICAN PEOPLE COMES FROM UNDERSTANDING AND CONNECTING HISTORY, CULTURE AND HERITAGE.
IN THE PROUD VOICE OF CLAUDE MCKAY, IF WE MUST DIE, OH, LET US KNOW.
THE REDEMPTIVE VOICE OF STERLING BROWN STRONG MEN KEEP COMING ON DENNIS STRONG, THE REASSURING VOICE OF MAYA ANGELOU.
THIS LAND IS OURS BY RIGHTS OF FOR CENTURIES.
WESTERN INTELLECTUALS DENIED OR MINIMIZED THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENT TO THE ARTS AS WELL AS HISTORY.
EVEN AS THEIR ARTISTRY IN MANY GENRES WAS MIMICKED AND OR STOLEN.
WE CAN STILL SEE THE UNBROKEN CHAIN OF BLACK ART PRODUCTION FROM ANTIQUITY TO THE PRESENCE FROM EGYPT ACROSS AFRICA, FROM EUROPE TO THE NEW WORLD.
THE SUFFERING OF THOSE IN BONDAGE GAVE BIRTH TO THE SPIRITUALS, THE NATION'S FIRST CONTRIBUTION TO MUSIC.
BLUES MUSICIANS SUCH AS ROBERT JOHNSON, MUDDY WATERS AND BB KING CREATED AND NURTURED A STYLE OF MUSIC THAT BECAME THE BEDROCK FOR GOSPEL.
SO, AND OTHER STILL POPULAR AND EVOLVING FLOOR OF YOUR MUSIC.
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BLACK AESTHETICS HAVE ALSO BEEN MANIFESTED THROUGH SCULPTORS LIKE AMMONIA LEWIS AND PAINTERS LIKE HENRY O. TANNER.IN THE 1920S AND THIRTIES, THE RISE OF THE BLACK RENAISSANCE AND NEW NEGRO MOVEMENT BROUGHT THE BLACK ARTS TO AN INTERNATIONAL STAGE.
WE TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO HIGHLIGHT AFRICAN AMERICANS WHO USE THEIR ART AS A PLATFORM FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE.
NINA SIMONE SANG MANY REVOLUTIONARY SONGS THAT BECAME ANTHEMS FOR THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT.
ALVIN AILEY'S MASTERPIECE REVELATIONS CELEBRATES AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE AND CULTURE INSPIRED BY SPIRITUALS, SONGS, SERMONS, GOSPELS IN HOLY BLUES BORN OUT OF THE BLOOD MEMORIES OF HIS CHILDHOOD IN TEXAS.
THE BALLET HAS BEEN PERFORMED AROUND THE GLOBE SINCE ITS DEBUT.
IN 1960, GORDON PARKS 1960 PROTEST PHOTOS REFLECT THE LONG HISTORY OF HOLY BRUTALITY IN THE US.
LORRAINE HANSBERRY GAVE US A RAISIN IN THE SUN, WHICH CHANGED AMERICAN THEATER FOREVER WITH A RADICALLY NEW REPRESENTATION OF BLACK LIFE THAT WAS AUTHENTIC UNSENTIMENTAL AND UNDENIABLY AHEAD OF ITS TIME.
ON THE CAMPUS OF TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY, WE HAVE MURALS WITH THE WORKS OF DR.
JOHN BIGGERS, WHO TAUGHT ON OUR CAMPUS AND WAS AN AFRICAN AMERICAN MURALIST WHO CAME TO PROMINENCE AFTER THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE.
BIGGERS CREATED WORK CRITICAL OF RACIAL AND ECONOMIC INJUSTICE.
CAROL SENDS THIS BODY OF TERRACOTTA SHRINE SCULPTURES AND GLAZE CERAMICS REPRESENTS A UNIQUE AND UNIQUE CONTRIBUTION TO THE EVOLUTION OF AFRICAN AMERICAN SCULPTURE, TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY GRADUATES ARE KNOWN AROUND THE WORLD FOR THEIR ART THAT IMPACTED SOCIAL JUSTICE, INCLUDING KERMIT OLIVER'S RESURRECTION THAT SPEAKS TO HIS VISION THAT EVERY DEATH PENALTY CASE RAISES BIG BIBLICAL THEMES, VENGEANCE VERSUS MERCY, PUNISHMENT VERSUS REDEMPTION.
EARLY HUDNALL FOR HIS PHOTOGRAPHY, WHICH FINDS INSPIRATION IN THE BEAUTY AND PRIDE OF EVERYDAY LIFE IN AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITIES IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN POETS AND PLAYWRIGHT THOMAS MILAN SONG, A PROFESSOR AT TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY OFTEN ADDRESSES THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BLACK MEN AND BLACK WOMEN WITH A POSITIVE TWIST.
THE DIARY OF BLACK MEN HAD A LENGTHY OFF BROADWAY RUN AND CONTINUES TO TOUR THE URBAN CIRCUIT.
HOUSTON IS HOME TO NUMEROUS OTHER FAMOUS BLACK ARTISTS AND WE ARE SO PROUD OF THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
LET US BE THE GENERATION OF RECONCILIATION AND PEACE AND LET US BE A HOLY NATION WHERE PRIDE AND PREJUDICE SHALL CEASE.
LET US SPEAK THE TRUTH AND LOVE TO THE LOST AND BEAST OF BEES.
LET US SERVE THE LORD IN UNITY SO THAT OTHERS WILL BELIEVE.
LET US BE A GENER GENERATION OF RECONCILIATION AND PEACE.
LET US BUILD ON ONE FOUNDATION TILL HE COMES AND THE WARS OF MEN SHALL SEEK.
LET US SHARE THE LOVE OF JESUS WITHOUT HYPOCRISY.
LET MERCY AND FORGIVENESS BEGAN WITH YOU AND ME.
LET US BE THE GENERATION OF RECONCILIATION AND PEACE.
LET US KEEP OUR HEARTS FROM EVIL AND CLINGING TO WHAT'S GOOD.
LET US HONOR ONE ANOTHER AND LOVE THE BROTHERHOOD.
LET US BE THE GENERATION OF RECONCILIATION.
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WHEN I CALL I AN EDUCATION MAJOR ADVERSITY OR OTHER, OR TODAY I JUST WANNA TALK TO Y'ALL ABOUT MY HERO.MY GRANDPA WAS A BOXER WARRIOR TRAINED WITH FIST OF STEEL HANDS THAT COULD KILL AT WHEEL TO MAKE YOU BLEED OR MAKE YOU A HOME COOK.
SEE, HE, HE, HE SOMETHING WITH LIGHT BROUGHT A KNIFE TO FIGHT A GUN.
RA THREE GRIZZLY BAD CONTEST WENT TO MY GRANDPA BOXING FIGHT IN THE RING, YOU KNOW, AMONGST OTHER THINGS FROM, FROM RACIAL DISCRIMINATION TO VIETNAM.
NOW JUST HOW TO WORK HIS OWN PHONE SCREEN.
THERE WAS JUST ONE ENEMY, WE COULD JUST GO FAST.
AND HE FAILED SO FAST AND NOW HIS BODY MOVES IN SLOW MOTION.
HIS BONES SCREAM IN A SYMPHONY OF PAIN THAT HIS PUNCHES JUST COULDN'T MEASURE UP TO.
AND I, AND PAY IT FORWARD WHAT HE GAVE MY MOTHER.
YOU SEE, I'M HIS CARETAKER NOW, NAVIGATING LIFE AS A STUDENT AND MAN LIFE.
IT JUST BE GOING AND GOING AND GOING.
AND SOME DAYS, I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S BAD FOR ME OR FOR, HEY, MY GRANDPA, Y'ALL MAN, MY GRANDPA WAS A BOXER.
SO RESILIENCE IS UN FAMILIAL TRAITS.
YOU SEE, HE, HE RISES OFFENSE WALKER LIKE A RISEN FIST AFTER A GORY BATTLE.
FACES HIS OLD AGE WITH THE SAME VENGEANCE HE DID HIS OPPONENTS BACK IN THE DAY.
BUT NOWADAYS, THESE ARE HIS MOST IMPORTANT VICTORIES.
Y'ALL, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN'T TELL, BUT MAN YOU USED TO FLOAT AH, LIKE A BUTTERFLY MAN AND Y'ALL ASLEEP.
THEY JUSTING LIKE, LIKE NEEDLES, LIKE PIN CUSHIONS.
AND I CAN'T HELP FOR ONE TO BE THAT, TO BE ABLE TO JUST STAND WHEN IT FEELS LIKE THE WHOLE WORLD IS BATTLING AGAINST YOU.
YOU SEE, MY GRANDPA WAS ONCE A BOXER.
THAT NEWNESS OF OFCY AGAINST THE HANDS BE A CRIPPLING, A JAB THAT'S TAKEN IT ABILITY TO WALK ON ITS OWN.
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HAS NEARLY TAKEN ALL OF IT HEARING AND I'M NOTHING BUT HELPLESS.A MAN FIGHTING MY OWN BATTLES TO ENSURE THAT THIS SITUATION DOES NOT LEAD ON MY DEGREE, ON THE, BECAUSE THIS WIFE HARD, HARD Y'ALL.
BUT MY STRENGTH IS GONNA MIRROR A YOUNG MONTGOMERY AS I FIGHT TIRES ME, BUT TACTICALLY AGAINST ATION.
TERRIFIED OF TAKING IT EASY AS I FIGHT, BATTLING AGAINST THE BIGOTRY THAT BOILS ON MY BACK.
AND I FIGHT AND I SWING AND I'M FIGHTING AND I'M SWINGING AND I'M FIGHTING AND I'M SWINGING.
Y'ALL FIGHTING GRANDPA IN THE FIGHT, FIGHTING TO KEEP MY GRANDPA IN THE FIGHT, FIGHTING JUST TO KEEP MY GRANDPA EVEN IF IT'S MORE.
OH MY BEAUTIFUL STUDENTS, ESTEEMED FACULTY.
SOME HAVE SAID THAT BEING WOKE IS NOT BEING PATRIOTIC.
WOKE, DO NOT APOLOGIZE FOR BEING WOKE, WOKE PROUD OF BEING WOKE.
LET THE WORLD KNOW THAT YOU ARE WOKE, BUT ONE CANNOT SYMPATHIZE KNOWLEDGE IF ONE IS UN.
WHEN ONE IS WOKE, THE SUN IS YOUR THIRD EYE.
YOUR JOURNEY WHISPERS YOUR NAME.
THE MOUNTAINS BEFORE YOU BOW TO YOUR PRESENCE, THE IMPOSSIBLE BECOMES POSSIBLE.
THE NAYSAY OF PESSIMISTS TONGUES TURN TO STONE.
THE FUTURE COPYRIGHTS YOUR DREAM.
WHEN ONE IS WOKE, WHEN ONE IS WOKE, ONE IS PERCEPTIVE, PRODUCTIVE, PERSISTENT, POLISHED, POWERFUL, POISED.
WHEN ONE IS UNWOKE, YOU ARE UNINFORMED, UNINTERESTED, UN UNAWARE, UNPRODUCTIVE, UNWORTHY, UNENGAGED.
THERE IS AN OLD GOSPEL SONG THAT SAYS, WOKE UP THIS MORNING, PUT, MY GRANDMOTHER USED TO WAKE ME UP.
IF I WOULDN'T BE HERE TODAY, IF I WASN'T WOKE, WOKE IS A BEAUTIFUL WORD.
SEGREGATION WANTED US TO BE UN WOKE SLEEPWALKING IN ALABAMA, COTTON DREAMING OF LOVELY PLANTATIONS.
YES, OLD JIM CROW WANTED US KIDNAPPING IN SLAVE PAJAMAS WHILE THE SOUTH ENFORCED BLACK CODES.
TODAY, WE CANNOT BE AFFORD TO BE UN WOKE WHILE THE VOTING RIGHTS TO ACT IS BEING TRAMPLED.
WE CANNOT AFFORD TO BE UN WOKE WHILE BLACK AUTHORS ARE BEING BANNED.
WE CANNOT AFFORD TO BE UN WOKE WHEN AMERICAN HISTORY IS, IS EDITING OUT THE TRUTH.
WE CANNOT BE AFFORD, CANNOT BE AFFORDED TO BE UN WOKE WHILE DIVERSE, WHILE DEPARTMENTS OF DIVERSITY AND EQUITY AND INCLUSION ARE DROPPED, ONE CAN AND CHALLENGE INJUSTICE.
WHEN ONE IS WOKE, YOU FEEL THE VISION IS CLEAR.
YOUR DETERMINATION STEADFAST, YOUR SPIRIT BULLETPROOF, YOUR STEPS STEADY.
YOUR GOD CANNOT BE EXILED WHEN YOU ARE WOKE.
TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY WILL NOT BE HERE TODAY.
IF HIM AND MARIAN SWEAT AN AFRICAN AMERICAN POSTAL WORKER AND THE USE HOUSTON NAACP DECIDE TO BE UNWOKE.
THE GREAT DOCTORS HARM OF SOUTH FREEMAN TAUGHT GENERATIONS OF STUDENTS
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TO USE THE GIFT OF ORATORY EXPRESSION TO BE WOKE.BARBARA JORDAN USED HER MAJESTIC VOICE AND GENIUS TO REMIND AMERICA TO BE WOKE.
ALL MY BEAUTIFUL STUDENTS, ALL MY ESTEEMED FACULTY BEING WOKE IS NOT PAT UNPATRIOTIC.
I SAY TO YOU TODAY, STAY WOKE, PLEASE STAY WOKE.
YOU WAKE UP THIS MORNING, JACKSON, ONLY ONE WORD COMES TO MIND.
THAT WAS TRULY SPECIAL TO WITNESS.
IT REMINDED ME OF ONE OF MY FAVORITE MAYA ANGELOU QUOTES WORDS MEAN MORE THAN WHAT IS SET DOWN ON PAPER.
IT TAKES THE HUMAN VOICE TO INFUSE THEM WITH SHADES OF DEEPER MEANING.
SO I THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORDS.
I THANK YOU FOR YOUR EXPRESSIONS, YOUR MOVEMENT, AND I THANK YOU FOR STIRRING UP MEMORIES OF MY GRAMPS, NOT A BOXER, BUT MY GRAMPS.
FOR THE NEXT PORTION OF THE PROGRAM, WE'RE GONNA HAND IT OVER TO
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AUBREY B HOOPER, WHO IS THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CONTROLLER.AUBREY, FIRST AND FOREMOST, LET'S GIVE IT UP AGAIN FOR THE TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY STUDENT PROGRAMS WHO PROVIDED US WITH GREAT ENTERTAINMENT TODAY.
I HAVE THE DISTINCT PLEASURE OF ACKNOWLEDGING OUR AWARDEES FOR THIS AFTERNOON'S PROGRAM.
WHEN CHRIS, OUR CITY CONTROLLER, DECIDED THAT HE WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND HONOR, UH, SOME COMMUNITY MEMBERS, HE SET A CRITERIA.
HE SAID, I WANT THESE TO BE INDIVIDUALS WHO'VE MADE SIGNIFICANT IMPACT, UH, WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.
UH, SOMETIMES WHO MAY NOT GET THE RECOGNITION, UM, FOR ALL OF THE HARD WORK THAT THEY DO IN THE TRENCHES.
UM, I THINK THAT THE HONOREES THAT HE SELECTED, UM, FIT THAT BILL TO THE TEAM.
SO FIRST, WHAT OUR COMMUNITY HEROES AWARD.
WE WANT TO HONOR AN ORGANIZATION BY THE NAME OF PURE JUSTICE.
PURE JUSTICE USES COMMUNITY ORGANIZING CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, EDUCATION AND RESEARCH AS METHODS TO HELP REFORM INSTITUTIONS AND SYSTEMS THAT PERPETUATE SOCIAL AND CRIMINAL INJUSTICES, AIMING TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF LOW INCOME AND WORKING CLASS FAMILIES.
THEIR PROGRAMS INCLUDE RESEARCH AND POLICY INITIATIVES FOCUSED ON REFORMING COMMUNITY SUPERVISION, COMMUNITY OUTREACH WORKSHOPS, FOCUSING ON KNOWING YOUR RIGHTS AND UNDERSTANDING LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS LEGAL AWARENESS INITIATIVES SUCH AS CASE REVIEW CLINICS AND PRISON OUTREACH PROGRAMMING THAT FUTURES PRISON BOOK DRIVES, AS WELL AS PEN PAL.
PEER JUSTICE WAS FOUNDED BY SASHA LEGETTE, UM, ESQUIRE AND ROHAN EVANS IN 2 20 15.
THIS DYNAMIC DUO HAS COMMITTED THEIR LIVES TO ADVOCATE FOR THE LEAST OF US WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY, CREATING A LEGACY OF CREATING CHANGE AMONGST OUR COMMUNITY.
THEY HAVE BECOME FIERCE ADVOCATES FOR EDUCA ECONOMIC JUSTICE, RACIAL JUSTICE, CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM, AND WORKPLACE DIGNITY IN OUR COMMUNITY.
SASHA, A FORMER COLLEGE PROFESSOR, HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATOR AND LEGISLATIVE AIDE NOW SPENDS HER DAYS AS THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND ADVOCACY FOR COMMISSIONER RODNEY ELLIS, WHERE SHE FORMERLY SERVED AS THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF POLICY BEFORE HER CURRENT ROLE.
RASHAAN HELPED BIRTH THE IDEA FOR THE CREATION OF THIS ORGANIZATION, CENTERING ON ADVOCATING FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM AND EXONERATING, FALSELY ACCUSED AND CONVICTED.
IM, UM, INMATES OUTSIDE OF THOSE WHO WERE PLACED ON DEATH.
DEATH ROW AFTER HE HIMSELF FOUND HIMSELF FALSELY ACCUSED OF A CRIME AND FOUND OUT HOW EXPONENTIALLY HARD IT WAS TO LOCATE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE WILLING TO REVIEW CASES AND HELP THOSE WHO ARE IN NEED OF TRYING TO BE EXONERATED.
IN 2015, EVANS PUBLISHED HIS FIRST BOOK, STOLEN IDENTITY, THAT EXPLORED HOW AFRICAN-AMERICAN MALES WHO BECAME VICTIMS OF THE SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE, EVEN IF THEY DID NOT ACTUALLY COMMIT THE CRIME, HOW THEY WERE ABLE TO FIGHT THROUGH THE STIGMAS THAT LEAD TO RECIDIVISM FOR RIGHTS AND WRONGLY CONVICTED FELONS.
THE BOOK ALSO EXPLORES THE STIGMAS THAT LEADS TO THE OVERALL DETERIORATION OF HUMAN DIGNITY.
THE CURRENT LAWS FOSTER WITH THE CONTINUATION OF SOCIETAL PUNISHMENT BEYOND CONVICTION.
WHEN SASHA AND RASHAAN ARE NOT ENGAGED IN CIVIL, ACTIVE, I MEAN COMMUNITY ACTIVISM IN FIGHTING AGAINST CRIMINAL AND SOCIAL INJUSTICES, WHICH IS VERY MUCH SO A RARITY.
THEY FIND TIME CELEBRATING AND ENJOYING EACH OTHER AS THEY ARE NOW NEWLYWEDS.
TODAY WE HONOR SASHA AND RASHAN AS COMMUNITY HEROES FOR THE UNSUNG WORK THAT THE TWO AND THEIR ORGANIZATION CONTINUE TO DO IN THE TRENCHES OF OUR COMMUNITY.
AT THIS TIME, I'M GONNA CALL UP OUR CITY CONTROLLER TO ASSIST ME IN PRESENTING THE AWARD.
AND RASHAN EVANS, IF YOU WOULD COME TO THE,
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AS Y'ALL CAN SEE, SASHA'S NOT HERE WITH ME.SHE'S OUT OF TOWN IN CALIFORNIA, BUT I DO HAVE SOME WORDS FROM HER, UH, AND FROM SASHA.
IT IS WITH EXTREME GRATEFULNESS THAT I'VE ACCEPTED THIS COMMUNITY HERO AWARD.
I'D LIKE TO THANK CHRIS HOLLANDS AND THE CITY CONTROLLER'S OFFICE FOR RECOGNIZING ALL OF THE HARD WORK PUT INTO SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE ENTIRE PURE JUSTICE TEAM AND OUR MEMBERS FOR POUR THEIR HEARTS, SPIRITS AND ENERGY INTO EVERYTHING UH, WE DO TOGETHER.
WHILE I APOLOGIZE FOR NOT BEING HERE WITH YOU ALL TODAY, KNOW THAT I AM IN CALIFORNIA SHARING OUR AMAZING WORK GATHERING RESOURCES AND BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS THAT MAKES TO MAKE SURE PURE JUSTICE CAN CONTINUE TO DO THE WORK FOR HOUSTONIANS LONG AND TO THE FUTURE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH AND I APPRECIATE EVERY ONE OF YOU.
AND I KNOW WE ONLY GOT THREE MINUTES, SO I JUST WANNA SAY WE DO A LOT.
UM, IT'S A LOT OF HARD WORK, YOU KNOW, SINCE BEFORE I WAS BORN, WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH A WHOLE LOT OF THINGS THAT I CAN'T EVEN UNDERSTAND WHY WE STILL DEALING WITH SOME OF IT TODAY, BUT YET WE ARE, UM, I WISH THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE TO FIGHT SO HARD TO CHANGE CERTAIN POLICIES AND LAWS THAT IMPACT PEOPLE THAT COME FROM CERTAIN PLACES, BUT WE DO.
I'M JUST THANKFUL TO HAVE THE PARTNER, UH, THAT BUILD, UH, THAT'S WALKING WITH ME IN PURE JUSTICE.
I'M THANKFUL FOR HAVING A TEAM BECAUSE WE CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT THEM.
AND LIKE I TELL EVERYBODY, YOU KNOW, UH, ME AND THE COMMUNITY, I BRING EVERYBODY TOGETHER AND ONCE I BRING EVERYBODY TOGETHER, EVERYBODY AND SASHA CREATES THE AGENDA AND WE PUSH IT UP THE HILL TOGETHER.
THANK YOU CITY CONTROLLER AND JUST, I WANNA THANK EVERYBODY AT THIS TIME.
I ALSO HAVE THE PLEASURE OF ACKNOWLEDGE OUR COMMUNITY TRAILBLAZER AWARD.
HOWARD JEFFERSON, AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS THE GODFATHER,
HIS INFLUENCE HAS BEEN FELT THROUGHOUT THE GREATER HOUSTON COMMUNITY FOR DECADES.
PROFESSIONALLY, HE SERVES AS A SERVED AS A FORMER ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT AND IS THE PRESIDENT AND PRINCIPAL OF PROTECTORS INSURANCE, LLC.
HE IS THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE HOUSTON NAACP WHERE HE LED THE BRANCH TO NEW HEIGHTS AND A FORMER MEMBER OF THE NAACP NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS, WHERE HE SERVED AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE VETERANS AFFAIRS TASK FORCE, AS WELL AS VICE CHAIR OF THE NATIONAL EDUCATION COMMITTEE.
DURING HIS TENURE AS CHAIRMAN OF THE VICE, EXCUSE ME, OF THE VETERANS AFFAIRS TASK FORCE, JEFFERSON LED A NATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOCUSING ON HELPING VETERANS ACCESS SERVICES, REDUCING HOMELESSNESS, AND ELIMINATING THE CLAIMS BACKLOG.
TODAY WE ARE EXTREMELY PLEASURED TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HONOR A TRUE COMMUNITY TRAILBLAZER.
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YOU GOT TWO MINUTESPEOPLE ASK ME, HOW AM I DOING? YOU CAN HEAR MY VOICE.
I GOT HAVING SOME WORK DONE ON MY VOICE, BUT WHEN I WAS 84, I TOLD HIM I STILL COULD GO.
WHEN I WAS 85, I WAS STILL ALIVE.
NOW I WANNA THANK YOU TWO BECAUSE Y'ALL ARE TEAM AND AUB CALLED ME ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO AND SAID, LOOK, I DON'T KNOW WHERE WE GOING TO RUN, BUT WE ARE GOING TO DO SOMETHING AND WE GOING TO NEED YOUR HELP.
AND I WAS GLAD TO GIVE MY HELP TO THIS YOUNG MAN HERE WHO HAVE MOUNTAINS TO CLIMB.
THANKS FOR ALLOWING ME TO BE A PART THE YOUR CAMPAIGN.
AND I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE HIS BEAUTIFUL WIFE.
MRS. CONGRATULATIONS TO EACH OF OUR HONOREES.
I'M THANKFUL THAT WE WERE ABLE TO SHOW OUR GRATITUDE TO THESE DEDICATED I AGREE INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY.
THESE FOLKS ARE A TRUE TESTAMENT TO A SERVICE.
TRULY MEANS WE'RE NOT PRIVILEGED TO WELCOME CONTROLLER HOLLANDS.
BACK TO THE PODIUM FOR A FEW SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS CONTROLLER HOLLANDS.
CAN WE GIVE IT UP ONE MORE TIME FOR OUR MASTER AND MR. OF CEREMONY? THANK YOU COURTNEY AND ROBERT.
TODAY'S HONOREES EMBODY WHAT SERVICE OUGHT TO LOOK LIKE AND IT'S MY PRIVILEGE TO BOTH RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS THAT COLLECTIVELY HAVE MADE OUR COMMUNITY A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE, WORK, AND RAISE A FAMILY.
CAN WE GIVE IT UP OUR HONOREES ONE MORE TIME? AND WE ARE NOT, UH, QUITE DONE TODAY, WE'RE ALSO PRIVILEGED TO RECOGNIZE THE INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR COMMUNITY BY ONE INDIVIDUAL.
WOULD MS. JACQUELINE POPE, PLEASE JOIN ME ON STAGE.
LADY JACQUELINE POPE HAS SERVED THE CITY IN VARIOUS ROLES THROUGHOUT THE YEARS AND ALL COMMUNITIES ARE BETTER OFF FOR IT OUTSIDE OF HER SERVICE.
UNDER NUMEROUS CITY CONTROLLERS, JACKIE'S STEADFAST SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE TOP LAYS OF DISTINCTION IS KNOWN THROUGHOUT THE GREATER HOUSTON COMMUNITY.
ADDITIONALLY, JACKIE'S EFFORTS TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE NEEDS OF OUR SENIORS AND THE LESS FORTUNATE DESERVE OUR ENDURING THANKS AND PRAISE.
WHILE JACKIE CELEBRATED HER RETIREMENT FROM PUBLIC SERVICE IN DECEMBER, I'M CONFIDENT THAT SHE WILL CONTINUE HER SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC IN OTHER ROLES AS SHE HAS ALWAYS DONE.
AND SO TODAY WE ARE HONORED TO RECOGNIZE LADY JACQUELINE POPE WITH A COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS AWARD.
I CAN'T MAKE DEMANDS OF MS. COPE, UH, BUT WE WE DO, UH, TRULY THANK HER.
WE ALSO HAVE, UH, CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION FOR THE TSU DEBATE TEAM, FOR THE TSU THEATER DEPARTMENT AND FOR THE TSU CHOIR.
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AND IF A REPRESENTATIVE FROM EACH OF THOSE WOULD COME, UH, TO HAVE THIS RECOGNITION.NOW I CAN TRULY SAY THAT BECAUSE OF TSU PRESENCE HERE TODAY, I'M A LITTLE BIT MORE WOKE THAN WHEN I GOT UP THIS MORNING.
AS WE MOVE TO OUR CLOSE, I WANNA THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.
UH, IF YOU ARE A MEMBER OF THE STAFF OF THE CITY CONTROLLER'S OFFICE, CAN YOU STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED? I KNOW THAT, UH, MY DAD AND MY UNCLE WOULD PROBABLY SAY THAT HPD IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, BUT IF THE POLICE WEREN'T GETTING THEIR PAYCHECKS, WE'D HAVE A DIFFERENT CONVERSATION.
THANK YOU, UH, CONTROLLER'S TEAM, UH, MY APPRECIATION GOES OUT, UH, TO THE STAFF IN PARTICULAR WHO ASSISTED IN MAKING TODAY'S EVENT A SUCCESS.
SO IF YOU WERE PART OF THE ORGANIZING TEAM, COULD YOU AGAIN STAND AND DO YOU RECOGNIZE? I WANNA THANK PRECINCT ONE COMMISSIONER RODNEY ELLIS AND HIS TEAM FOR THEIR SUPPORT IN PROVIDING BUSES, UH, FOR OUR TSU PERFORMERS TODAY.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK SEVERAL CITY DEPARTMENTS FOR SUPPORTING TODAY'S CELEBRATION.
MY THANKS GOES TO HTV FOR THEIR COVERAGE OF TODAY'S EVENT TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF SPECIAL EVENTS AND THE GENERAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR LOGISTICAL SUPPORT OF TODAY'S EVENT, UH, MR. PERCY CRUZO OF FRENCHIE'S CHICKEN, WHO'S GONNA BE FEEDING OUR TSU PERFORMERS.
HE'S NOT GONNA BE FEEDING US, BUT
ONE MORE TIME, UH, AND JUST SOME ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF FOLKS WHO MIGHT HAVE STEPPED IN LATER OR NOT BEEN RECOGNIZED EARLIER.
UH, ROXANNE WERNER OF COUNTY ATTORNEY CHRISTIAN MENIFEE OFFICE.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AS WE CELEBRATE, UH, BLACKS IN THE ARTS AND WHAT THAT MEANS DURING THIS BLACK HISTORY MONTH.
UH, BROTHER V MICHAEL MCKAY IS HERE.
CAN YOU STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED? UH, I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT TO CALL YOU, BUT MY BROTHER CARL DAVIS, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AS YOU ALWAYS ARE, AND MY SISTER RENEE LOGANS, PLEASE STAND IN YOUR RECOGNIZE.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, MS. LAUREN ASHLEY SIMMONS.
UH, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENCE TODAY.
AS FEBRUARY WINDS DOWN, LET US REMEMBER THE REASON FOR THIS MONTH'S CELEBRATION.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH SERVE THE PURPOSE.
THAT MAY MEAN MORE THAN MANY THINK.
IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO REFLECT ON THE PAST, TO CELEBRATE THE PRESENT, AND TO SHAPE OUR FUTURE TOGETHER.
SO AS WE CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH, LET US REMEMBER THAT WHILE WE'VE COME A LONG WAY, WE STILL HAVE MUCH TO DO.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR PRESENCE TODAY, AND GOD BLESS YOU.