August 15, 2025 • 40 mins
Mayor Pro Tem Martha Castex-Tatum is serving as the Honorary Chair for the 40th Annual UNCF South Texas Walk, Bike, Run for Education taking place on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at Tom Bass Regional Park. Joining her is Zarinah Poole, Area Development Director for the UNCF.
COHAP Outreach Corporation’s Annual Back to School Bash happening on Saturday, August 16th. To talk to us about this impactful community event, which will help over 1,500 underserved youth across Houston, is the founder and CEO, Natasha Wilson.
Rebuilding Together Houston has ways to beat the heat and free AC units for homeowners that qualify. Joining us is Anjeanette Gunter to explain ways to avoid the heat, to be safe, and whether or not they qualify for a free AC unit.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
From your local Houston BMW Center Studios. Welcome to the
Public Affairs Podcast, addressing local issues that affect our nation
and shape our world. I'm your host KG Smooth, first
time on the program. I can't believe that this is
the first time that she is here. She is our
mayor pro tempt the lovely Martha cast Texa Tatum on
(00:23):
the Public Affairs Podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Hi, how are you? Good morning? Is it Sunday? We all?
I am great? How are you you look so?
Speaker 3 (00:34):
Thought well, I'm very excited to be here. I love
the studio and just honored to be Yeah.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
This is your first time here since we moved from Greenway. Yes,
it is lovely. It is lovely and welcoming back. She
was here with us last year. We're representing the United
Negro College Fund. She is the area development director. Zorena
Pool is back on. How are you, Dolland.
Speaker 4 (00:56):
I'm great, great to see you again and happy sun Houston.
Speaker 1 (01:01):
Yes, we were talking off air. You were just saying like,
I can't believe that it's been a year since the walk,
So we're here to talk about the UNCF walk and we.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
Did that when what has it really been a year?
It really doesn't seem like it's been a year.
Speaker 4 (01:18):
Just about every September.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
That's every September. Yes, you are absolutely right, Tom.
Speaker 4 (01:24):
Best part that's will you'll find us.
Speaker 1 (01:27):
It feels like six months ago. I'm not going to
even hold you like time. What is time?
Speaker 3 (01:34):
Well, it feels like it's been almost a year for me,
but I will tell you because that was the last
time I walked three miles. So I'm looking forward to
actually getting back out there and getting those three miles
in on September the thirteenth.
Speaker 4 (01:50):
And as our honorary chair returning again this year to
represent the city of Houston, we are excited to have
you back out and to have your own run team
that everyone can join.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
Yeah, that's right.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
I definitely am looking for members of Team Martha. This
is my second year as the honorary chair, and this
is my second year hosting a team. So if you
were out there and you were waiting on a sign
to join a team, this is your sign. There could
be no bigger sign than this morning, join Team Martha.
(02:24):
There's a wonderful opportunity for us to support our students
and make sure they get the educations that they deserve.
Speaker 1 (02:30):
Indeed, so let's talk about it. The United Nego College Fund,
You and CF, as it's known, has been around as
long as long as I've been.
Speaker 4 (02:38):
A lot, around eighty one years.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Eighty one.
Speaker 5 (02:42):
Last year was.
Speaker 4 (02:43):
Our eightieth anniversary, and this is the fortieth anniversary for
the Walk.
Speaker 1 (02:48):
Wow and then the walk. Of course, we know why
the walk was formed. But for those who don't know
the history of YOU and CF, can you tell us
how and why was this particular organizations started.
Speaker 4 (03:02):
You and CF started right after emancipation when our newly
newly freed enslaved citizens wanted an education and were not
allowed to go to primary institutions at the time. So
a group of dedicated, community minded individuals came together and
(03:24):
formed UNCF to help fund historical black colleges and universities
across the country. And that was our birth eighty years ago.
It was a need and necessity to have funds and
resources available to support schools that are our member schools
like Morehouse and Spellman and Houston Tillison University and Texas
(03:47):
College and Wiley University, which are some of our Texas HBCUs.
Speaker 1 (03:53):
Can you please educate me if either of you know,
because this just came to me as you were speaking.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
When and why does it cost to learn more?
Speaker 1 (04:12):
Why were these institutions put together and you had to
pay for the higher education? Where did that start and begin?
Because what were they doing before they decided to have
a tuition fee to learn more?
Speaker 4 (04:36):
I can't tell you the answer to that, But what
I can tell you education prices have increased substantially year
after year after year. In fact, one of our dedicated donors,
the pastor of Britainwood Baptist Church, Pastor Ratliffe, is a
graduate of Morehouse and he shared with me that when
(04:57):
he was at Morehouse, tuition was something like four or
five hundred dollars. And I looked at him and said, really,
that's not what my bank accounts saying.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
This year, not at all, not one bit.
Speaker 4 (05:10):
But ultimately, as you continue to grow, and as you
have opportunities to bring dynamic administrators and professors and technology,
you need infrastructure. Which is why the walk is so important,
because it helps us raise general operating dollars for our
schools so that we can provide housing and food and
(05:34):
fitness centers and Wi Fi and all the things needed
and necessary for our kids to be able to graduate
and compete in this very tech savvy world.
Speaker 1 (05:46):
Oh oh, tell me about it. This AI thing is
just go back and watch the terminator. Everybody I know
the first terminator. Yeah, it's crazy. So a mayor pro
temp with you being the honorary chair, does what does
that mean?
Speaker 2 (06:02):
I always hear that title. Is the chair, the honorary chair,
the co chair? What does that mean? What are your response?
Speaker 3 (06:09):
I get to go out and tell everybody that I
know about the importance of the UNCF organization and the
UNCF WALK. I can use my platform to share with
people why it's important to give, why it's important to participate.
We've talked about the increase in the cost of college
for so many of our students. You know, they don't
(06:32):
drop out of college. They kind of debt out of college.
You know, they may have just a little bit of
expense that they need to pay, but they just can't
pay it. But scholarships like the UNCF allow them to
meet those financial needs so they can continue on and
actually graduate.
Speaker 5 (06:50):
And I will tell.
Speaker 3 (06:50):
You, as a mom of a college graduate, college has
gone up exponentially. When I graduated college, my tuition was
about forty five hundred dollars a year. And I know
that because I was on a basketball scholarship.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
But now that's a semester.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
If a semester, I mean, you know, it's it's extremely
expensive now and students are weighing their options. They are saying,
is it worth it for me to take out one hundred,
one hundred and fifty thousand dollars worth of debt and
maybe not even get a career going.
Speaker 1 (07:27):
And they don't even have yeah, don't even have a
career in the degree that I have. Do you know
how many friends I have that went to college, graduated,
has a doctorate even to that point, not a bachelor
even up to a doctorate.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
And it's not working in the field that they got
the degree for. And so I was like, so what
what this is?
Speaker 3 (07:54):
And we know that all students aren't going to go
to college, right and the students that don't go to college,
there are some opportunities for them to have some great careers.
We can never have enough electricians, We can never have
enough people to work. I mean, we can think about
even in the times when we've had storms in the
city of Houston and we had hard time finding plumbers
(08:17):
and electricians and people that do those trades that are
so important for us in our day to day lives.
You can make a wonderful career if you go into
a field like that. But students that want to go
to college, that want to make sure that they can
afford college and actually graduate from college, we need to
give them that opportunity, and so organizations like the UNCF
(08:40):
allow us to help fund those dreams.
Speaker 1 (08:43):
Yeah, I thought it was so sad or for the
lack of options that teenagers have when they took out
of schools, like the trade option to go because as
you as we all.
Speaker 3 (08:57):
Say, how economics and Lamar High School filter jewry boxes shop.
Speaker 1 (09:08):
Now, I had to decide between home mech or wood shop.
I took wood shop. But then after that I was like, dang,
I should have took homech because you know how to sew.
I wouldn't know how. That was the main thing I
wanted to take home ex so know how to make clothes.
But I took wood shop and and I was good
at that too.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
But yeah, go ahead.
Speaker 4 (09:29):
Yeah, And when we talk about his graduating and finding
jobs in their fields so that they can utilize their degrees,
you and c F also provides internships, mentoring programs. We
have donors and supporters such as Shell, who's are presenting
sponsor of the Walk, who make opportunities for our students
to come and intern and work alongside the professionals, and
(09:53):
a plethora of opportunities, not just you know the all
in gas, but when we think about ail and gas,
you all need marketing, you also need finance, you also
need it. So this is an example of some of
the things that we do because donors come out and
support the Walk and make it possible for us to
provide these very unique and needed opportunities for our students.
Speaker 5 (10:16):
So let me just give a shout out to Shell.
Speaker 3 (10:18):
I had an opportunity to meet some of the students
this weekend at the Mayor's Back to School event and
Shell had some of their students there from the HBCUs
and for them to continue to be the presenting sponsor,
they deserve a shout out. So thank you, Shelle for
all that you do and all that you continue to
do to make sure that our students get the education
(10:39):
that they deserve.
Speaker 1 (10:40):
Indeed, you're listening to the Public Affairs podcast, we're talking
to Zanara Poole, who is the United Negro College Fund
Area Development Director and our mayor pro Tempt Martha Cashtechs Tatum,
who is the honorary chair for the fortieth annual u
NCF South Texas Walk, Bike and Run. Yeah, you got
(11:01):
three options for education. It's going to be on Saturday,
September thirteenth, Tom Bass Regional Park, Section one. You know,
it's the same place all the time, and we always
have so much fun.
Speaker 2 (11:15):
A lot of different you know.
Speaker 1 (11:18):
Greek fraternities and sororities, different community organizations that are out there.
It really is a lovely time. You know, we work out,
we stretch and get warmed up, and then you can
either run shout out to y'all. Yes, you can ride
(11:38):
that bike, shout out to y'all. Or you can walk
a brisk walk or a brisk walk, you know, shout
out to y'all. Even the mall walks if you want
to get them hips and shoulders going, you can mall
walk there. I love it. What is are you happy
with the numbers at the end of.
Speaker 4 (11:58):
It all the numbers of participants at the walk or
have fundraising numbers. I will tell you, as a fundraiser
who's completely passionate about what we do.
Speaker 6 (12:09):
I'm never satisfied.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
If we can do more.
Speaker 5 (12:12):
We can always do it.
Speaker 4 (12:13):
So we can be the number one walk in the
unc F family if our city residents show up and
show out right. Because also our Harris County commissioner from
Precinct one, Rodney Commissioner Ellis is our grand marshall and
he's a big bike advocate and he lends the park
(12:35):
to us to have this very fun family event.
Speaker 5 (12:38):
So come on, Houston, show up and show out.
Speaker 4 (12:40):
I would love to see all of our HBCU graduates
come out and recognize show themselves in a way where
we can recognize them. So when I think of other events,
there's a certain walk that I love and everybody shows up.
We're in pink, and there's a certain walk benefits kids
(13:01):
and those that you know are our clients show up
wearing purple. So how can our hbc YOU graduate show
up and be recognized. You can call them that, call
them out, wear your school shirts, wear your fraternity and
sorority colors, show banners, come out, let's have fun, let's
(13:22):
sub Or you can wear your shell and your motiva
and your excellent shirts. But then put on that PV shirt,
put on that Texas Southern shirt. Put on something that
identifies you and remember you. And CF supports kids that
go to schools up their choice. So schools like the
University of Houston, the Texas A and M System, Baylor
(13:43):
and Rice also receive funds from UNCF because we're giving
it to the student who is enrolled there to get
an education.
Speaker 2 (13:53):
How about that? So, bro Tamp, you need a team.
I do.
Speaker 3 (14:04):
I have a team and this is your invitation to
join Team Martha. You can register for the UNCF Walk
at www dot UNCF dot org, slash Houston and join
Team Martha. I'm asking everyone who's looking forward to the event.
If you are not on a team or not leading
(14:26):
a team, I have a team for you to join,
and that is Team Martha. We want to show up
and show out. We want to let the students know
how much we support them, how much we want to
encourage them to get those degrees.
Speaker 5 (14:42):
And really just express to them how proud.
Speaker 3 (14:45):
We are of them for making the decision to go
to school and be able to be a resource for them.
We know that UNCF awards really serve as a lifeline
for so many of our students, and unfortunately we can
fund one in ten applications a lot of times because
of limited funds. Let's change that. We should be able
(15:06):
to fund every scholarship that a student applies for. Let's
make sure we have the money to make sure they
can get those college degrees.
Speaker 4 (15:14):
Indeed, see the average scholarship is five thousand, one hundred
and eleven dollars, So think about that when you register
for the walk, when you make a donation, give up
a month of coffee, give up a month of.
Speaker 5 (15:28):
I don't know.
Speaker 4 (15:29):
I like uber eats a lot because I don't.
Speaker 5 (15:31):
Want to cook.
Speaker 4 (15:31):
But maybe I'll start cooking and have people go to
school because I've made that choice, that conscious effort to support.
Speaker 1 (15:39):
Sure you could probably pay your child's whole your tuition
if you stop uber eating.
Speaker 3 (15:43):
I might.
Speaker 4 (15:44):
I might because we do like especially that one.
Speaker 1 (15:49):
Continuing on with that, can you talk about the impact
of the scholarship that it has on the state of Texas?
Speaker 4 (15:54):
Now I can speak from a personal perspective. Not only
am I staff for you and CF, I am a client.
You know, my son goes to more House. My son
goes to Morehouse, and we had to apply for scholarships
like everyone else. I work for a nonprofit, so we
(16:18):
were taking out loans. I had to take out a
parent loan, and it hurt to sit there and know
how hard not only me, but my entire UNCF family
are working across the country to raise funds for our students.
And to still know the burden that you have to
take on to help your child, who's worked hard, who's
(16:40):
graduated with honors, who's made the right choices, who is
deserving of a chance, you have to put that on
your back financially to get them through the finish line.
So when you give a family, when you give a
student a scholarship, you're not only impacting that student, you're
impacting the whole family, and you're changing the traject three
(17:00):
of the generations to come after that.
Speaker 1 (17:02):
Come on, thank you before we get out of here
real quick. Just for entertainment purposes, last week, the Mad
Hatter was his Daily Dilemma. He had played the clip
of Pastor Marvin Wining's talking about, you know, Greek letter
organizations and how you know you can't be serving to guys.
Speaker 2 (17:24):
I don't know.
Speaker 1 (17:24):
You know, I've been here. It's it's been a it's
been a thing. I just wanted to get you all
thoughts on it. I don't know if you are Greek.
Speaker 3 (17:31):
So if you are, I am a member of Alpha
Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, and I love the Lord. So
I don't think that there even needs to be a
conversation about that. I think that people that join Greek
letter organizations are like minded and want to serve our communities,
and we do a lot of good in the community
(17:52):
as an organization. But people also can serve and love
the Lord. Uh and so I don't have any issues
with people who are Christians and who know that the
Lord is the head of their life and are also
members of Greek letter organizations.
Speaker 2 (18:11):
Thank you, thank you any thoughts.
Speaker 4 (18:13):
I second everything she just said, still signed and delivered.
Speaker 5 (18:19):
But we want all those Greek organizations to show.
Speaker 6 (18:21):
Us Yes, let me tell you, we have food, we
have music, we have you'll be.
Speaker 4 (18:28):
Out there right helping me at that start stage.
Speaker 3 (18:34):
I think it's a great umbrella organization for us to give.
I know when my son was going to college, we
applied for the Omega Sci Fi Scholarship, the Kappa Scholarship.
We received a book stipend from Alpha Kappa Alpha. So
our Greek letter organizations also provide scholarships, but for us
to be able to utilize the u NCF to make
(18:56):
sure our students have the resources that they need to
go to college is a great symbol of unity.
Speaker 5 (19:03):
And we know that a mind is.
Speaker 3 (19:05):
A terrible thing to waste, but a wonderful thing to
invest in.
Speaker 1 (19:10):
And that's where we're going to end it, right there,
Zriita Poole, the United Negro College Funds Walk Area Development Director,
and our mayor pro Tempt, the lovely vivacious Martha Cash
text Tatum.
Speaker 2 (19:24):
Thank you all for being.
Speaker 5 (19:25):
Here, Thank you for having us.
Speaker 2 (19:27):
All right now in harmony.
Speaker 3 (19:30):
We'll see you on Saturday, the September thirteenth am.
Speaker 4 (19:35):
All right, go say eight am, but you show up
at seven and get registered and visit all our fund tents.
Speaker 1 (19:41):
Yeah, that's right. Yeah, And the tents are fun and
they were having some good food. Johnson, you know, love
on to you and dot Org you get those. Thank
you ladies, Thank you so much for.
Speaker 3 (19:50):
Your energy, thank you for having us.
Speaker 1 (19:52):
And to everyone listening to the podcast. We'll be back
after this. From your local Houston BMW Centers Studios, Welcome
back to the Public Affairs podcast addressing local issues that
affect our nation and shape our world. As we in
August already gearing up and it's back to school time.
(20:15):
Welcoming back to the program. She is the CEO and
founder of co Op Outreach Corporation. Please and welcome back
the lovely Natasha Wilson.
Speaker 2 (20:25):
How are you.
Speaker 7 (20:26):
I'm wonderful. Thank you for having me. Yeah, yeah, yeah, family, family.
Speaker 1 (20:30):
Talk about COHAP Outreach. What is it that you all
do over there?
Speaker 7 (20:35):
So we're a nonprofit Pizon one C three and we
serve the homeless community, but we also served community elsewhere
as well. So we do a lot of Dwayne Aulbach
school bashes, we do fall festivals, bring your resources to the.
Speaker 5 (20:50):
Community and do all that we can. Yeah, this is important.
Speaker 2 (20:54):
Yeah, yeah, Yeah. When did you start COHAP?
Speaker 7 (20:57):
Oh we started back in twenty twenty, that's when it
was incorporated on But I've been doing this for some years,
been advocacy, doing community outreach and been you know, just
doing a lot for many.
Speaker 5 (21:10):
One behind prison walls.
Speaker 2 (21:14):
Did before.
Speaker 7 (21:15):
Yeah, the mess of violence survivors, help support them, a
lot of you know, veterans. We're also helping ones that
have been age out of foster care. So we do
a lot in the community. And right now we're also
planning affordable housing program as well.
Speaker 5 (21:29):
Oh wow, we're doing a lot.
Speaker 2 (21:32):
Yeah, you are doing a lot. Yes, wow, that's that's dope.
Speaker 1 (21:36):
So this this has kind of always been your thing.
Like you mentioned your mission, excuse me and passion to help.
Speaker 7 (21:45):
Tell everyone, I said, CoAP COHAP sands for a chance
of hope and prosperity. That's what Cohap stands for. And
we just got to go, you know, give back and
do more for with each other. And it takes a
village to do it as well, so we got to
come to gether as a community to do things.
Speaker 1 (22:01):
Was there a particular situation or something that happened to
make you say, you know what instead of me doing
this on my own, like, let me just go ahead
and start this nonprofit?
Speaker 7 (22:13):
Right, Well, I have experienced homelessness before a few times,
so I understand how that goes. And then also my
mother is a survival of the mess of violence. And
then I also have a brother that did fifteen nine
to twenty years, so he was incarcerated. So you know,
my dad was incarcerated as well. So I've seen a
lot of things. And I said you know what, we
(22:35):
need more programs out here to make sure, especially with
our veterans. I come from a military family as well,
so I've seen a lot of military, you know, veterans
that would come out and they wound up getting in
trouble and get incarcerated, and no one want to talk
about that.
Speaker 1 (22:51):
You know, Well, they keep everything under wraps at those
military basis. I did radio in Columbus, Georgia, and and
Fort benn Military Base is there, and the things that
did not get reported to the news or to the
to the public that was going on on that base absolutely.
Speaker 2 (23:14):
Just grossly egregious. It was just murder, great all kinds
of things that they were.
Speaker 5 (23:26):
That's why they go through so much with PTZ and
then you see.
Speaker 2 (23:29):
We just had a situation.
Speaker 3 (23:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (23:30):
Fort Stewart like.
Speaker 7 (23:34):
Business as well. And then they have a real high
rate of drug addiction. But TDCJ, they have a high
rate of being incarcerated. It's to the point they have
a division for veterans with the TDCJ. Wow, that's how
bad it is.
Speaker 1 (23:49):
Like that, So that tells me that they actually know
what's going on, because to me, it's such a shame
that they you know, give their lives to fight for
this country, go through all of the physical, emotional, psychological,
and mental things, and then to come back for the
country that you gave your whole entire life for just
(24:10):
to drop you and treat you as if you didn't
even do anything.
Speaker 5 (24:14):
What they have to go through this to get their benefits?
Speaker 2 (24:16):
Right. I've got a friend that's a veteran.
Speaker 1 (24:19):
Who just got like fifteen years of like back pay
or something.
Speaker 2 (24:28):
Whatever the situation is.
Speaker 1 (24:29):
He got a big old payout, but it took him
so long to do that, Like, yeah, the system is
just well, I guess the system is working exactly how
they wanted to.
Speaker 5 (24:41):
That's what it is.
Speaker 2 (24:42):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's that's crazy work.
Speaker 1 (24:44):
But CoAP Outreach Corporation, But you are doing the biggest, the.
Speaker 2 (24:49):
Largest back to school Yes bash.
Speaker 1 (24:53):
That is going to an annual back to school Bash
August sixteenth, twelve until three. Third Ward Multi Service Center. Yes,
it's it's a lot. What do you got for the
for the kids, for the families.
Speaker 7 (25:07):
Resources and dental screenings And we're giving way three We
have a giveaway three scholarships Ralphail giveaway for three lucky seniors.
We have award ceremony. We have nomination for teachers. It's
gonna be a word.
Speaker 5 (25:21):
We're gonna have plean of city officials there.
Speaker 7 (25:23):
We've got Crime Stoppers gonna be there by Aaron Parker,
so you're gonna do a presentation about bullying and drug prevention.
Speaker 5 (25:30):
We have a fire truck tour.
Speaker 7 (25:32):
We have Doctor Lewis from the Women's Center that's coming
out and they're gonna do a little debate using the puppets.
It's amazing. And then the entertainment is amazing. Got University
of Houston band performing. We have the Community Music Center
of Houston performing, and we're gonna start everything off from
the Easteam Marine Corps RTC. They're gonna present the colors
(25:53):
to the national anthem. We have Community Whole Choice gonna
be out there. We have our DJ gonna be out there,
and they're also gonna have Carma Conte you know who
she is. Oh yeah, yeah, she's gonna be there as well.
And we're gonna have so many people that's gonna be
out there. It's gonna be amazing, amazing. Of course, our
council woman, that's her District D councilwomen, she's gonna be there.
(26:20):
We're also gonna have Aaron paul Are gonna be there,
Councilwoman Neda Murray.
Speaker 5 (26:25):
Set Ron Reynolds is gonna be there.
Speaker 7 (26:27):
Hopefully we know he's out there and taking fight the
battles for us out there, so but hopefully he's able
to be present. Yes, yes, they're doing an amazing work.
And also the former Kungss Room and Erica Lee Quarter
it's gonna be attendance. And then got Captain Hayes from
Preating seven attending, so we're gonna be amazing. Yes, plenty
(26:48):
of food and drinks and cookies. We're gonna have backpack
school supplies, hygiene kids giving away to each child, Tennis
shoes and socks gonna be there.
Speaker 5 (27:00):
We have a couple of ventors out there getting way uniforms.
Speaker 7 (27:03):
The gain prizes for the raffles are gonna be amazing,
chrome books and much more, gift baskets and gift cards.
But we want to make sure we bring resources to
a whole family, you know, because people need to understand.
As a parent, you just step in two for your children,
and I wanted to make sure they understand about mental health.
Speaker 5 (27:22):
They don't talk about mental health a lot there.
Speaker 7 (27:25):
And I'm also we're going to talk about going back
to school and let them if they don't have a GD,
they can go and sign up and rode for GD
and scholarship programs even for the parents. So I thought
about everybody of all resources that's gonna be there.
Speaker 1 (27:39):
Yeah, mental health is good, I think when it comes
to kids and children though, they need to be taught
how to use emotional intelligence.
Speaker 5 (27:49):
That's what it is.
Speaker 1 (27:50):
That is something that we were not brought up, that
we were not taught brought up exactly. Parents didn't know.
You know, I guess you know you can't if you
don't have the tools, you know, how how can you
know how to use them? You know what I'm saying.
(28:11):
But emotional intelligence is top tier because like for example,
black boys, you know, something happens, we get upset and
start crying.
Speaker 2 (28:24):
Stop crying, Stop crying. Be a man, you a boy,
Stop crying.
Speaker 5 (28:30):
So you want but then you want to know why
to get so angry and become violent?
Speaker 1 (28:33):
Right because they bottled up and they didn't have anywhere
to put to put those emotions and always remind people emotions,
e energy, emotion, those feelings got to go somewhere if
you stay bottled up, I mean pressure, brust pipes, a tear.
Speaker 5 (28:49):
You know, it'll make you less of a.
Speaker 2 (28:50):
Man to cry does not actually opposite.
Speaker 7 (28:53):
Yeah, and also there's nothing wrong to go talk to someone,
go to a therapist or counselor exact. You know a
lot of people in our group said make it si like, oh,
just go to church. Okay, it's nothing wrong. You have
that relationship with the Lord, you have a spiritual life.
But there's nothing wrong to go to a therapist, to
a counselor and talk to someone and let them know
what you're going through. It's a lot of trauma, childhood
trauma is going on. And look out here in Houston.
(29:15):
We have a high rate of the mess of violence,
a lot of women getting unlived because a lot of
the males are doing it. They have a pattern of
mental health issues that didn't get resolved. It's a lot
we need to discuss here in Houston.
Speaker 2 (29:31):
Yeah, we need to.
Speaker 5 (29:32):
Have another panel.
Speaker 1 (29:35):
I'm sure I'm just about to say, I know you are,
but listen on this coming on Saturday the sixteenth. It
is the biggest ever back to school. Come on out,
ye Multi Center Free thirty six eleven in the street
absolutely free Saturday twelve noon to three pm. And they
(29:57):
just need to show up. They don't need to register.
Speaker 5 (30:00):
We do have a VN bright, but this show up.
Speaker 7 (30:02):
You know, we're gonna try to have as many families
that we can. We also have the dancing Robot gonna
be out there too. Oh yeah, he's gonna be out there.
Texas Trunity Health Plan gonna be out there. So we're
gonna have plenty, plenty of resources. Everyone please come out
for sure, have fun.
Speaker 2 (30:19):
I'm sure they will. But you also need some donations.
Speaker 7 (30:23):
Yes, yes, we need backpacking, school supply kids. We are
very short. Anything can help. If you would like to donate,
please call one AAA two six four two seven ninety nine.
Again the number is one AAA two six four two
seven ninety nine.
Speaker 5 (30:40):
Anything will help.
Speaker 7 (30:41):
We have a large number of registrations and we're just
very short on backpacks and school supply kids.
Speaker 1 (30:46):
Natasha Wilson, the CEO and founder of COHF Outreach Corporation,
thank you.
Speaker 2 (30:53):
So good to see you.
Speaker 5 (30:53):
Thank you, thank you, brother.
Speaker 1 (30:55):
You are so very welcome. You're listening to the Public
Affairs podcast. Our next conversation is with our friends from
Rebuilding Together Houston. Welcoming back to the show. A Jeanette Gunter,
who is the deputy director of Operations for Rebuilding Together Houston.
Speaker 2 (31:12):
How are you.
Speaker 6 (31:13):
I'm doing well. Thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 1 (31:16):
No, thank you for coming back. You guys stay doing
greatness in the community. And so what you guys got
up for this summer, well.
Speaker 6 (31:25):
Right now, we're really working to prepare Houston homeowners for
the heat. We know that Houston is facing this extremely
hot temperatures.
Speaker 2 (31:33):
Oh, last week was just like whoa.
Speaker 6 (31:35):
Just discontinuing to increase right like last summer though exactly so,
we're working to install window AC units for eligible Houston
homeowners throughout Harris County.
Speaker 1 (31:46):
AH, throughout the county. Nice now, great thinking. Is this
something that you guys have always done or or is
this new?
Speaker 6 (31:56):
It is not new. It's actually something we've done for
about seven or eight years.
Speaker 2 (32:00):
Oh, starting to give me, No, it's.
Speaker 6 (32:02):
Been I mean we've continued to do it more and
more because Houston continues to get hotter and hotter, and
so it's something that we've been able to invest more
and more resources for because we know how life saving
it can be for families who are really struggling without
temperature control in their homes.
Speaker 1 (32:19):
Yeah, and please forgive me. There are a lot of
people who are not familiar with rebuilding together Houston. You know,
we have been partners in this thing. I think the
first time I had you all on was in twenty
seventeen when Harvey happened, and we have been together ever since.
(32:44):
So tell us about rebuilding together Houston. What is it
that you all do exactly for those who are not familiar?
Speaker 6 (32:50):
Definitely, Well, for more than forty three years, we've been
Houston's expert and hazardous home repair and disaster recovery. So
we've actually been fortunate enough to more than fifteen thousand
homes in the past forty three years. And a lot
of the work we're doing is really meant to improve
the safety and health of homeowners' homes here in Houston,
(33:11):
and so are working to do things like roof replacements,
electrical and structural upgrades, really working to make sure that families'
homes are safe to live in. And it's been a
great privilege to do that for more than forty three years.
Speaker 1 (33:24):
Absolutely, So, what is the what's the common or the yeah,
the common denominator of when you all, you know, are
rebuilding together those houses. What is the common denominator of
these houses of the folks that qualify that you all
see like it's always this with everyone, no matter what
(33:47):
it's going to be.
Speaker 6 (33:49):
The well, I think roof, I don't know, sure, sure, well,
I think a lot of the work we've done has
been roof replacements, but every home has been a little
bit different. As part of a national model, we work
with the twenty five points of Health and Safety checklist,
so we're really working to bring all of the homes
up to a safe and livable condition, up to code exactly.
(34:11):
But generally we find roofs, electrical issues and plumbing upgrades
or some of the primary concerns that our Houston homeowners have.
Speaker 1 (34:18):
Seems about right, roof, electrical and plumbing. Yeah, I could.
I can definitely see that. You guys do different community
events if you will. You know, we're with you all
for a.
Speaker 2 (34:34):
Black History mode exactly.
Speaker 1 (34:37):
You talk about that one where you all choose the
house that we you know, so greatly put together in
third Ward.
Speaker 6 (34:44):
Yeah, sure were we for more than four years annually
we've been celebrating heritage once and so Black History Month
and Hispanic Heritage Month have been kind of our bookend
signature events. We're looking forward actually to rebuilding unto SISPA
the Carriage Month coming up in September, but I know, yes,
(35:04):
so hopefully if you have us. But I know that
you were able to highlight a lot of the work
that we were doing around Black History Month in February,
and so those have been really great opportunities to bring
community members together to learn more about Rebuilding Together Houston,
to see the work in action, and to learn more
about how to get involved in terms of volunteering and
(35:25):
donating for those who have means and resources and really
want to help families who've been in their homes for
long periods of time, and Third Ward particularly, we've seen
a lot of families where the homes are multi generational,
so it's been in their family three, four, up to
even five generations we saw recently, and so both in
Third Ward but also in East End, I think that's
(35:47):
been really common, a common threat that families have been
embedded in the community for years, decades and really want
to stay in their home and have the opportunity to
pass their home down to their children and grandchildren. Except
so it's really great to be able to provide such
an important and critical service so that families can stay
rooted in the communities they help to build.
Speaker 1 (36:08):
No, it's very important because that house as five generations
like that is the foundation.
Speaker 2 (36:14):
Of it all.
Speaker 1 (36:17):
So what is a process like for a person to
have their house upgraded a little bit from a rebuilt together?
Speaker 2 (36:27):
Is it a tedious process?
Speaker 6 (36:30):
We try to streamline it to make it as smooth
as possible for families who are applying. Essentially, it's a
two step process.
Speaker 2 (36:37):
Okay, little one time.
Speaker 6 (36:40):
So first we think of it as qualifying the homeowner,
and then the second we think of it as qualifying
the home once those initial homeowners have been approved through
our eligibility. So really the first step is making sure
we're qualifying homeowners based on need. A lot of it
is income based in terms of the area media income,
(37:01):
confirming that they own the property, you know, in terms
of their deed, property taxes, et cetera. And then once
we have that in place, we're able to move them
to the next step of the process of qualifying the
actual home.
Speaker 2 (37:13):
Nice.
Speaker 1 (37:14):
So there is someone that's listening right now, like, wait
a minute, what what does she say? So where can
people go to just learn more and possibly apply.
Speaker 6 (37:24):
Sure, absolutely, our website always, but I'll give you the
number first because we have humans who answer the phone
and who are available.
Speaker 2 (37:32):
You have that actual human.
Speaker 6 (37:34):
Actual people who are able to walk you through the
process if you need help.
Speaker 2 (37:38):
It's not an AI prompt before I get you to human.
Speaker 6 (37:41):
No, you can actually call and we will be happy
to greet you. So our number is seven one three
six five nine twenty five eleven, or you can visit
us on the website at Rebuilding Together Houston dot org.
And in terms of the window AC units, again, that's
just something that's available right now this summer to help
(38:01):
families with the heat. So if you have inadequate temperature control,
so if you're a homeowner, you're not sure if you qualify,
you can find that information on our website, or you
can give us a call again at seven one three
six five eleven.
Speaker 2 (38:15):
For sure.
Speaker 1 (38:16):
Now keep in mind they don't repair HVAC systems.
Speaker 2 (38:21):
This is a free window.
Speaker 1 (38:23):
AC unit that's going to be installed by their team,
you know, not delivered, not dropped off. They are going
to install it. And so uh, if you are interested,
as just said, you know just go ahead and submit
that application, all right, No need to show, I don't
need to share how many Windows units are available, none
(38:46):
of that. Just it's on a so on a first come,
first server basis.
Speaker 6 (38:50):
Yes, exactly, based on when you complete the applications. You
complete the application, and we always do our best to
install at least two window AC units per home nice
so that we can have you know, more adequate coverage
within multiple rooms.
Speaker 1 (39:02):
So called rebuilding Together Houston seven one three sixty five
nine twenty five eleven. That's seven one three sixty five
nine twenty five eleven. Or you can visit the site
Rebuilding Together Houston dot O RG. It's Rebuilding Together, Houston
dot O RG. Unshaette, thank you so much for coming through.
(39:24):
What you all don't know is that I have kept
her here way longer than I should because we were
just a well, I was just talking about my my
spiritual awakening, the things that happened to me on on
December twenty first at twenty twenty when I was changed,
and yes, so thank you for being an ear or
(39:45):
just interested.
Speaker 2 (39:45):
In knowing like I felt bad. I was like, oh,
let me get you out of here, and kept you.
Speaker 6 (39:50):
So long No, it's been great just listening and learning
more and I appreciate you for having us.
Speaker 2 (39:55):
No, always always, So I'll see you next month.
Speaker 6 (40:00):
You definitely will. We're looking forward to sharing more information
about our Rebuilding Junto's Hispanic Heritage event in East End.
Speaker 2 (40:07):
Yes, yes, yes, it's going to be fabulous.
Speaker 1 (40:09):
The deputy director of operations for Rebuilding Together Houston, the
lovely Angeanette Gunter, thank you so.
Speaker 6 (40:16):
Much, Thank you so much, we appreciate it, and to
Speaker 1 (40:19):
Everyone listening to the podcast, I'm KG Smooth and we
will see you next week
From your local Houston BMW Center Studios. Welcome to the
Public Affairs Podcast, addressing local issues that affect our nation
and shape our world. I'm your host KG Smooth, first
time on the program. I can't believe that this is
the first time that she is here. She is our
mayor pro tempt the lovely Martha cast Texa Tatum on
(00:23):
the Public Affairs Podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Hi, how are you? Good morning? Is it Sunday? We all?
I am great? How are you you look so?
Speaker 3 (00:34):
Thought well, I'm very excited to be here. I love
the studio and just honored to be Yeah.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
This is your first time here since we moved from Greenway. Yes,
it is lovely. It is lovely and welcoming back. She
was here with us last year. We're representing the United
Negro College Fund. She is the area development director. Zorena
Pool is back on. How are you, Dolland.
Speaker 4 (00:56):
I'm great, great to see you again and happy sun Houston.
Speaker 1 (01:01):
Yes, we were talking off air. You were just saying like,
I can't believe that it's been a year since the walk,
So we're here to talk about the UNCF walk and we.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
Did that when what has it really been a year?
It really doesn't seem like it's been a year.
Speaker 4 (01:18):
Just about every September.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
That's every September. Yes, you are absolutely right, Tom.
Speaker 4 (01:24):
Best part that's will you'll find us.
Speaker 1 (01:27):
It feels like six months ago. I'm not going to
even hold you like time. What is time?
Speaker 3 (01:34):
Well, it feels like it's been almost a year for me,
but I will tell you because that was the last
time I walked three miles. So I'm looking forward to
actually getting back out there and getting those three miles
in on September the thirteenth.
Speaker 4 (01:50):
And as our honorary chair returning again this year to
represent the city of Houston, we are excited to have
you back out and to have your own run team
that everyone can join.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
Yeah, that's right.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
I definitely am looking for members of Team Martha. This
is my second year as the honorary chair, and this
is my second year hosting a team. So if you
were out there and you were waiting on a sign
to join a team, this is your sign. There could
be no bigger sign than this morning, join Team Martha.
(02:24):
There's a wonderful opportunity for us to support our students
and make sure they get the educations that they deserve.
Speaker 1 (02:30):
Indeed, so let's talk about it. The United Nego College Fund,
You and CF, as it's known, has been around as
long as long as I've been.
Speaker 4 (02:38):
A lot, around eighty one years.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Eighty one.
Speaker 5 (02:42):
Last year was.
Speaker 4 (02:43):
Our eightieth anniversary, and this is the fortieth anniversary for
the Walk.
Speaker 1 (02:48):
Wow and then the walk. Of course, we know why
the walk was formed. But for those who don't know
the history of YOU and CF, can you tell us
how and why was this particular organizations started.
Speaker 4 (03:02):
You and CF started right after emancipation when our newly
newly freed enslaved citizens wanted an education and were not
allowed to go to primary institutions at the time. So
a group of dedicated, community minded individuals came together and
(03:24):
formed UNCF to help fund historical black colleges and universities
across the country. And that was our birth eighty years ago.
It was a need and necessity to have funds and
resources available to support schools that are our member schools
like Morehouse and Spellman and Houston Tillison University and Texas
(03:47):
College and Wiley University, which are some of our Texas HBCUs.
Speaker 1 (03:53):
Can you please educate me if either of you know,
because this just came to me as you were speaking.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
When and why does it cost to learn more?
Speaker 1 (04:12):
Why were these institutions put together and you had to
pay for the higher education? Where did that start and begin?
Because what were they doing before they decided to have
a tuition fee to learn more?
Speaker 4 (04:36):
I can't tell you the answer to that, But what
I can tell you education prices have increased substantially year
after year after year. In fact, one of our dedicated donors,
the pastor of Britainwood Baptist Church, Pastor Ratliffe, is a
graduate of Morehouse and he shared with me that when
(04:57):
he was at Morehouse, tuition was something like four or
five hundred dollars. And I looked at him and said, really,
that's not what my bank accounts saying.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
This year, not at all, not one bit.
Speaker 4 (05:10):
But ultimately, as you continue to grow, and as you
have opportunities to bring dynamic administrators and professors and technology,
you need infrastructure. Which is why the walk is so important,
because it helps us raise general operating dollars for our
schools so that we can provide housing and food and
(05:34):
fitness centers and Wi Fi and all the things needed
and necessary for our kids to be able to graduate
and compete in this very tech savvy world.
Speaker 1 (05:46):
Oh oh, tell me about it. This AI thing is
just go back and watch the terminator. Everybody I know
the first terminator. Yeah, it's crazy. So a mayor pro
temp with you being the honorary chair, does what does
that mean?
Speaker 2 (06:02):
I always hear that title. Is the chair, the honorary chair,
the co chair? What does that mean? What are your response?
Speaker 3 (06:09):
I get to go out and tell everybody that I
know about the importance of the UNCF organization and the
UNCF WALK. I can use my platform to share with
people why it's important to give, why it's important to participate.
We've talked about the increase in the cost of college
for so many of our students. You know, they don't
(06:32):
drop out of college. They kind of debt out of college.
You know, they may have just a little bit of
expense that they need to pay, but they just can't
pay it. But scholarships like the UNCF allow them to
meet those financial needs so they can continue on and
actually graduate.
Speaker 5 (06:50):
And I will tell.
Speaker 3 (06:50):
You, as a mom of a college graduate, college has
gone up exponentially. When I graduated college, my tuition was
about forty five hundred dollars a year. And I know
that because I was on a basketball scholarship.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
But now that's a semester.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
If a semester, I mean, you know, it's it's extremely
expensive now and students are weighing their options. They are saying,
is it worth it for me to take out one hundred,
one hundred and fifty thousand dollars worth of debt and
maybe not even get a career going.
Speaker 1 (07:27):
And they don't even have yeah, don't even have a
career in the degree that I have. Do you know
how many friends I have that went to college, graduated,
has a doctorate even to that point, not a bachelor
even up to a doctorate.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
And it's not working in the field that they got
the degree for. And so I was like, so what
what this is?
Speaker 3 (07:54):
And we know that all students aren't going to go
to college, right and the students that don't go to college,
there are some opportunities for them to have some great careers.
We can never have enough electricians, We can never have
enough people to work. I mean, we can think about
even in the times when we've had storms in the
city of Houston and we had hard time finding plumbers
(08:17):
and electricians and people that do those trades that are
so important for us in our day to day lives.
You can make a wonderful career if you go into
a field like that. But students that want to go
to college, that want to make sure that they can
afford college and actually graduate from college, we need to
give them that opportunity, and so organizations like the UNCF
(08:40):
allow us to help fund those dreams.
Speaker 1 (08:43):
Yeah, I thought it was so sad or for the
lack of options that teenagers have when they took out
of schools, like the trade option to go because as
you as we all.
Speaker 3 (08:57):
Say, how economics and Lamar High School filter jewry boxes shop.
Speaker 1 (09:08):
Now, I had to decide between home mech or wood shop.
I took wood shop. But then after that I was like, dang,
I should have took homech because you know how to sew.
I wouldn't know how. That was the main thing I
wanted to take home ex so know how to make clothes.
But I took wood shop and and I was good
at that too.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
But yeah, go ahead.
Speaker 4 (09:29):
Yeah, And when we talk about his graduating and finding
jobs in their fields so that they can utilize their degrees,
you and c F also provides internships, mentoring programs. We
have donors and supporters such as Shell, who's are presenting
sponsor of the Walk, who make opportunities for our students
to come and intern and work alongside the professionals, and
(09:53):
a plethora of opportunities, not just you know the all
in gas, but when we think about ail and gas,
you all need marketing, you also need finance, you also
need it. So this is an example of some of
the things that we do because donors come out and
support the Walk and make it possible for us to
provide these very unique and needed opportunities for our students.
Speaker 5 (10:16):
So let me just give a shout out to Shell.
Speaker 3 (10:18):
I had an opportunity to meet some of the students
this weekend at the Mayor's Back to School event and
Shell had some of their students there from the HBCUs
and for them to continue to be the presenting sponsor,
they deserve a shout out. So thank you, Shelle for
all that you do and all that you continue to
do to make sure that our students get the education
(10:39):
that they deserve.
Speaker 1 (10:40):
Indeed, you're listening to the Public Affairs podcast, we're talking
to Zanara Poole, who is the United Negro College Fund
Area Development Director and our mayor pro Tempt Martha Cashtechs Tatum,
who is the honorary chair for the fortieth annual u
NCF South Texas Walk, Bike and Run. Yeah, you got
(11:01):
three options for education. It's going to be on Saturday,
September thirteenth, Tom Bass Regional Park, Section one. You know,
it's the same place all the time, and we always
have so much fun.
Speaker 2 (11:15):
A lot of different you know.
Speaker 1 (11:18):
Greek fraternities and sororities, different community organizations that are out there.
It really is a lovely time. You know, we work out,
we stretch and get warmed up, and then you can
either run shout out to y'all. Yes, you can ride
(11:38):
that bike, shout out to y'all. Or you can walk
a brisk walk or a brisk walk, you know, shout
out to y'all. Even the mall walks if you want
to get them hips and shoulders going, you can mall
walk there. I love it. What is are you happy
with the numbers at the end of.
Speaker 4 (11:58):
It all the numbers of participants at the walk or
have fundraising numbers. I will tell you, as a fundraiser
who's completely passionate about what we do.
Speaker 6 (12:09):
I'm never satisfied.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
If we can do more.
Speaker 5 (12:12):
We can always do it.
Speaker 4 (12:13):
So we can be the number one walk in the
unc F family if our city residents show up and
show out right. Because also our Harris County commissioner from
Precinct one, Rodney Commissioner Ellis is our grand marshall and
he's a big bike advocate and he lends the park
(12:35):
to us to have this very fun family event.
Speaker 5 (12:38):
So come on, Houston, show up and show out.
Speaker 4 (12:40):
I would love to see all of our HBCU graduates
come out and recognize show themselves in a way where
we can recognize them. So when I think of other events,
there's a certain walk that I love and everybody shows up.
We're in pink, and there's a certain walk benefits kids
(13:01):
and those that you know are our clients show up
wearing purple. So how can our hbc YOU graduate show
up and be recognized. You can call them that, call
them out, wear your school shirts, wear your fraternity and
sorority colors, show banners, come out, let's have fun, let's
(13:22):
sub Or you can wear your shell and your motiva
and your excellent shirts. But then put on that PV shirt,
put on that Texas Southern shirt. Put on something that
identifies you and remember you. And CF supports kids that
go to schools up their choice. So schools like the
University of Houston, the Texas A and M System, Baylor
(13:43):
and Rice also receive funds from UNCF because we're giving
it to the student who is enrolled there to get
an education.
Speaker 2 (13:53):
How about that? So, bro Tamp, you need a team.
I do.
Speaker 3 (14:04):
I have a team and this is your invitation to
join Team Martha. You can register for the UNCF Walk
at www dot UNCF dot org, slash Houston and join
Team Martha. I'm asking everyone who's looking forward to the event.
If you are not on a team or not leading
(14:26):
a team, I have a team for you to join,
and that is Team Martha. We want to show up
and show out. We want to let the students know
how much we support them, how much we want to
encourage them to get those degrees.
Speaker 5 (14:42):
And really just express to them how proud.
Speaker 3 (14:45):
We are of them for making the decision to go
to school and be able to be a resource for them.
We know that UNCF awards really serve as a lifeline
for so many of our students, and unfortunately we can
fund one in ten applications a lot of times because
of limited funds. Let's change that. We should be able
(15:06):
to fund every scholarship that a student applies for. Let's
make sure we have the money to make sure they
can get those college degrees.
Speaker 4 (15:14):
Indeed, see the average scholarship is five thousand, one hundred
and eleven dollars, So think about that when you register
for the walk, when you make a donation, give up
a month of coffee, give up a month of.
Speaker 5 (15:28):
I don't know.
Speaker 4 (15:29):
I like uber eats a lot because I don't.
Speaker 5 (15:31):
Want to cook.
Speaker 4 (15:31):
But maybe I'll start cooking and have people go to
school because I've made that choice, that conscious effort to support.
Speaker 1 (15:39):
Sure you could probably pay your child's whole your tuition
if you stop uber eating.
Speaker 3 (15:43):
I might.
Speaker 4 (15:44):
I might because we do like especially that one.
Speaker 1 (15:49):
Continuing on with that, can you talk about the impact
of the scholarship that it has on the state of Texas?
Speaker 4 (15:54):
Now I can speak from a personal perspective. Not only
am I staff for you and CF, I am a client.
You know, my son goes to more House. My son
goes to Morehouse, and we had to apply for scholarships
like everyone else. I work for a nonprofit, so we
(16:18):
were taking out loans. I had to take out a
parent loan, and it hurt to sit there and know
how hard not only me, but my entire UNCF family
are working across the country to raise funds for our students.
And to still know the burden that you have to
take on to help your child, who's worked hard, who's
(16:40):
graduated with honors, who's made the right choices, who is
deserving of a chance, you have to put that on
your back financially to get them through the finish line.
So when you give a family, when you give a
student a scholarship, you're not only impacting that student, you're
impacting the whole family, and you're changing the traject three
(17:00):
of the generations to come after that.
Speaker 1 (17:02):
Come on, thank you before we get out of here
real quick. Just for entertainment purposes, last week, the Mad
Hatter was his Daily Dilemma. He had played the clip
of Pastor Marvin Wining's talking about, you know, Greek letter
organizations and how you know you can't be serving to guys.
Speaker 2 (17:24):
I don't know.
Speaker 1 (17:24):
You know, I've been here. It's it's been a it's
been a thing. I just wanted to get you all
thoughts on it. I don't know if you are Greek.
Speaker 3 (17:31):
So if you are, I am a member of Alpha
Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, and I love the Lord. So
I don't think that there even needs to be a
conversation about that. I think that people that join Greek
letter organizations are like minded and want to serve our communities,
and we do a lot of good in the community
(17:52):
as an organization. But people also can serve and love
the Lord. Uh and so I don't have any issues
with people who are Christians and who know that the
Lord is the head of their life and are also
members of Greek letter organizations.
Speaker 2 (18:11):
Thank you, thank you any thoughts.
Speaker 4 (18:13):
I second everything she just said, still signed and delivered.
Speaker 5 (18:19):
But we want all those Greek organizations to show.
Speaker 6 (18:21):
Us Yes, let me tell you, we have food, we
have music, we have you'll be.
Speaker 4 (18:28):
Out there right helping me at that start stage.
Speaker 3 (18:34):
I think it's a great umbrella organization for us to give.
I know when my son was going to college, we
applied for the Omega Sci Fi Scholarship, the Kappa Scholarship.
We received a book stipend from Alpha Kappa Alpha. So
our Greek letter organizations also provide scholarships, but for us
to be able to utilize the u NCF to make
(18:56):
sure our students have the resources that they need to
go to college is a great symbol of unity.
Speaker 5 (19:03):
And we know that a mind is.
Speaker 3 (19:05):
A terrible thing to waste, but a wonderful thing to
invest in.
Speaker 1 (19:10):
And that's where we're going to end it, right there,
Zriita Poole, the United Negro College Funds Walk Area Development Director,
and our mayor pro Tempt, the lovely vivacious Martha Cash
text Tatum.
Speaker 2 (19:24):
Thank you all for being.
Speaker 5 (19:25):
Here, Thank you for having us.
Speaker 2 (19:27):
All right now in harmony.
Speaker 3 (19:30):
We'll see you on Saturday, the September thirteenth am.
Speaker 4 (19:35):
All right, go say eight am, but you show up
at seven and get registered and visit all our fund tents.
Speaker 1 (19:41):
Yeah, that's right. Yeah, And the tents are fun and
they were having some good food. Johnson, you know, love
on to you and dot Org you get those. Thank
you ladies, Thank you so much for.
Speaker 3 (19:50):
Your energy, thank you for having us.
Speaker 1 (19:52):
And to everyone listening to the podcast. We'll be back
after this. From your local Houston BMW Centers Studios, Welcome
back to the Public Affairs podcast addressing local issues that
affect our nation and shape our world. As we in
August already gearing up and it's back to school time.
(20:15):
Welcoming back to the program. She is the CEO and
founder of co Op Outreach Corporation. Please and welcome back
the lovely Natasha Wilson.
Speaker 2 (20:25):
How are you.
Speaker 7 (20:26):
I'm wonderful. Thank you for having me. Yeah, yeah, yeah, family, family.
Speaker 1 (20:30):
Talk about COHAP Outreach. What is it that you all
do over there?
Speaker 7 (20:35):
So we're a nonprofit Pizon one C three and we
serve the homeless community, but we also served community elsewhere
as well. So we do a lot of Dwayne Aulbach
school bashes, we do fall festivals, bring your resources to the.
Speaker 5 (20:50):
Community and do all that we can. Yeah, this is important.
Speaker 2 (20:54):
Yeah, yeah, Yeah. When did you start COHAP?
Speaker 7 (20:57):
Oh we started back in twenty twenty, that's when it
was incorporated on But I've been doing this for some years,
been advocacy, doing community outreach and been you know, just
doing a lot for many.
Speaker 5 (21:10):
One behind prison walls.
Speaker 2 (21:14):
Did before.
Speaker 7 (21:15):
Yeah, the mess of violence survivors, help support them, a
lot of you know, veterans. We're also helping ones that
have been age out of foster care. So we do
a lot in the community. And right now we're also
planning affordable housing program as well.
Speaker 5 (21:29):
Oh wow, we're doing a lot.
Speaker 2 (21:32):
Yeah, you are doing a lot. Yes, wow, that's that's dope.
Speaker 1 (21:36):
So this this has kind of always been your thing.
Like you mentioned your mission, excuse me and passion to help.
Speaker 7 (21:45):
Tell everyone, I said, CoAP COHAP sands for a chance
of hope and prosperity. That's what Cohap stands for. And
we just got to go, you know, give back and
do more for with each other. And it takes a
village to do it as well, so we got to
come to gether as a community to do things.
Speaker 1 (22:01):
Was there a particular situation or something that happened to
make you say, you know what instead of me doing
this on my own, like, let me just go ahead
and start this nonprofit?
Speaker 7 (22:13):
Right, Well, I have experienced homelessness before a few times,
so I understand how that goes. And then also my
mother is a survival of the mess of violence. And
then I also have a brother that did fifteen nine
to twenty years, so he was incarcerated. So you know,
my dad was incarcerated as well. So I've seen a
lot of things. And I said you know what, we
(22:35):
need more programs out here to make sure, especially with
our veterans. I come from a military family as well,
so I've seen a lot of military, you know, veterans
that would come out and they wound up getting in
trouble and get incarcerated, and no one want to talk
about that.
Speaker 1 (22:51):
You know, Well, they keep everything under wraps at those
military basis. I did radio in Columbus, Georgia, and and
Fort benn Military Base is there, and the things that
did not get reported to the news or to the
to the public that was going on on that base absolutely.
Speaker 2 (23:14):
Just grossly egregious. It was just murder, great all kinds
of things that they were.
Speaker 5 (23:26):
That's why they go through so much with PTZ and
then you see.
Speaker 2 (23:29):
We just had a situation.
Speaker 3 (23:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (23:30):
Fort Stewart like.
Speaker 7 (23:34):
Business as well. And then they have a real high
rate of drug addiction. But TDCJ, they have a high
rate of being incarcerated. It's to the point they have
a division for veterans with the TDCJ. Wow, that's how
bad it is.
Speaker 1 (23:49):
Like that, So that tells me that they actually know
what's going on, because to me, it's such a shame
that they you know, give their lives to fight for
this country, go through all of the physical, emotional, psychological,
and mental things, and then to come back for the
country that you gave your whole entire life for just
(24:10):
to drop you and treat you as if you didn't
even do anything.
Speaker 5 (24:14):
What they have to go through this to get their benefits?
Speaker 2 (24:16):
Right. I've got a friend that's a veteran.
Speaker 1 (24:19):
Who just got like fifteen years of like back pay
or something.
Speaker 2 (24:28):
Whatever the situation is.
Speaker 1 (24:29):
He got a big old payout, but it took him
so long to do that, Like, yeah, the system is
just well, I guess the system is working exactly how
they wanted to.
Speaker 5 (24:41):
That's what it is.
Speaker 2 (24:42):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's that's crazy work.
Speaker 1 (24:44):
But CoAP Outreach Corporation, But you are doing the biggest, the.
Speaker 2 (24:49):
Largest back to school Yes bash.
Speaker 1 (24:53):
That is going to an annual back to school Bash
August sixteenth, twelve until three. Third Ward Multi Service Center. Yes,
it's it's a lot. What do you got for the
for the kids, for the families.
Speaker 7 (25:07):
Resources and dental screenings And we're giving way three We
have a giveaway three scholarships Ralphail giveaway for three lucky seniors.
We have award ceremony. We have nomination for teachers. It's
gonna be a word.
Speaker 5 (25:21):
We're gonna have plean of city officials there.
Speaker 7 (25:23):
We've got Crime Stoppers gonna be there by Aaron Parker,
so you're gonna do a presentation about bullying and drug prevention.
Speaker 5 (25:30):
We have a fire truck tour.
Speaker 7 (25:32):
We have Doctor Lewis from the Women's Center that's coming
out and they're gonna do a little debate using the puppets.
It's amazing. And then the entertainment is amazing. Got University
of Houston band performing. We have the Community Music Center
of Houston performing, and we're gonna start everything off from
the Easteam Marine Corps RTC. They're gonna present the colors
(25:53):
to the national anthem. We have Community Whole Choice gonna
be out there. We have our DJ gonna be out there,
and they're also gonna have Carma Conte you know who
she is. Oh yeah, yeah, she's gonna be there as well.
And we're gonna have so many people that's gonna be
out there. It's gonna be amazing, amazing. Of course, our
council woman, that's her District D councilwomen, she's gonna be there.
(26:20):
We're also gonna have Aaron paul Are gonna be there,
Councilwoman Neda Murray.
Speaker 5 (26:25):
Set Ron Reynolds is gonna be there.
Speaker 7 (26:27):
Hopefully we know he's out there and taking fight the
battles for us out there, so but hopefully he's able
to be present. Yes, yes, they're doing an amazing work.
And also the former Kungss Room and Erica Lee Quarter
it's gonna be attendance. And then got Captain Hayes from
Preating seven attending, so we're gonna be amazing. Yes, plenty
(26:48):
of food and drinks and cookies. We're gonna have backpack
school supplies, hygiene kids giving away to each child, Tennis
shoes and socks gonna be there.
Speaker 5 (27:00):
We have a couple of ventors out there getting way uniforms.
Speaker 7 (27:03):
The gain prizes for the raffles are gonna be amazing,
chrome books and much more, gift baskets and gift cards.
But we want to make sure we bring resources to
a whole family, you know, because people need to understand.
As a parent, you just step in two for your children,
and I wanted to make sure they understand about mental health.
Speaker 5 (27:22):
They don't talk about mental health a lot there.
Speaker 7 (27:25):
And I'm also we're going to talk about going back
to school and let them if they don't have a GD,
they can go and sign up and rode for GD
and scholarship programs even for the parents. So I thought
about everybody of all resources that's gonna be there.
Speaker 1 (27:39):
Yeah, mental health is good, I think when it comes
to kids and children though, they need to be taught
how to use emotional intelligence.
Speaker 5 (27:49):
That's what it is.
Speaker 1 (27:50):
That is something that we were not brought up, that
we were not taught brought up exactly. Parents didn't know.
You know, I guess you know you can't if you
don't have the tools, you know, how how can you
know how to use them? You know what I'm saying.
(28:11):
But emotional intelligence is top tier because like for example,
black boys, you know, something happens, we get upset and
start crying.
Speaker 2 (28:24):
Stop crying, Stop crying. Be a man, you a boy,
Stop crying.
Speaker 5 (28:30):
So you want but then you want to know why
to get so angry and become violent?
Speaker 1 (28:33):
Right because they bottled up and they didn't have anywhere
to put to put those emotions and always remind people emotions,
e energy, emotion, those feelings got to go somewhere if
you stay bottled up, I mean pressure, brust pipes, a tear.
Speaker 5 (28:49):
You know, it'll make you less of a.
Speaker 2 (28:50):
Man to cry does not actually opposite.
Speaker 7 (28:53):
Yeah, and also there's nothing wrong to go talk to someone,
go to a therapist or counselor exact. You know a
lot of people in our group said make it si like, oh,
just go to church. Okay, it's nothing wrong. You have
that relationship with the Lord, you have a spiritual life.
But there's nothing wrong to go to a therapist, to
a counselor and talk to someone and let them know
what you're going through. It's a lot of trauma, childhood
trauma is going on. And look out here in Houston.
(29:15):
We have a high rate of the mess of violence,
a lot of women getting unlived because a lot of
the males are doing it. They have a pattern of
mental health issues that didn't get resolved. It's a lot
we need to discuss here in Houston.
Speaker 2 (29:31):
Yeah, we need to.
Speaker 5 (29:32):
Have another panel.
Speaker 1 (29:35):
I'm sure I'm just about to say, I know you are,
but listen on this coming on Saturday the sixteenth. It
is the biggest ever back to school. Come on out,
ye Multi Center Free thirty six eleven in the street
absolutely free Saturday twelve noon to three pm. And they
(29:57):
just need to show up. They don't need to register.
Speaker 5 (30:00):
We do have a VN bright, but this show up.
Speaker 7 (30:02):
You know, we're gonna try to have as many families
that we can. We also have the dancing Robot gonna
be out there too. Oh yeah, he's gonna be out there.
Texas Trunity Health Plan gonna be out there. So we're
gonna have plenty, plenty of resources. Everyone please come out
for sure, have fun.
Speaker 2 (30:19):
I'm sure they will. But you also need some donations.
Speaker 7 (30:23):
Yes, yes, we need backpacking, school supply kids. We are
very short. Anything can help. If you would like to donate,
please call one AAA two six four two seven ninety nine.
Again the number is one AAA two six four two
seven ninety nine.
Speaker 5 (30:40):
Anything will help.
Speaker 7 (30:41):
We have a large number of registrations and we're just
very short on backpacks and school supply kids.
Speaker 1 (30:46):
Natasha Wilson, the CEO and founder of COHF Outreach Corporation,
thank you.
Speaker 2 (30:53):
So good to see you.
Speaker 5 (30:53):
Thank you, thank you, brother.
Speaker 1 (30:55):
You are so very welcome. You're listening to the Public
Affairs podcast. Our next conversation is with our friends from
Rebuilding Together Houston. Welcoming back to the show. A Jeanette Gunter,
who is the deputy director of Operations for Rebuilding Together Houston.
Speaker 2 (31:12):
How are you.
Speaker 6 (31:13):
I'm doing well. Thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 1 (31:16):
No, thank you for coming back. You guys stay doing
greatness in the community. And so what you guys got
up for this summer, well.
Speaker 6 (31:25):
Right now, we're really working to prepare Houston homeowners for
the heat. We know that Houston is facing this extremely
hot temperatures.
Speaker 2 (31:33):
Oh, last week was just like whoa.
Speaker 6 (31:35):
Just discontinuing to increase right like last summer though exactly so,
we're working to install window AC units for eligible Houston
homeowners throughout Harris County.
Speaker 1 (31:46):
AH, throughout the county. Nice now, great thinking. Is this
something that you guys have always done or or is
this new?
Speaker 6 (31:56):
It is not new. It's actually something we've done for
about seven or eight years.
Speaker 2 (32:00):
Oh, starting to give me, No, it's.
Speaker 6 (32:02):
Been I mean we've continued to do it more and
more because Houston continues to get hotter and hotter, and
so it's something that we've been able to invest more
and more resources for because we know how life saving
it can be for families who are really struggling without
temperature control in their homes.
Speaker 1 (32:19):
Yeah, and please forgive me. There are a lot of
people who are not familiar with rebuilding together Houston. You know,
we have been partners in this thing. I think the
first time I had you all on was in twenty
seventeen when Harvey happened, and we have been together ever since.
(32:44):
So tell us about rebuilding together Houston. What is it
that you all do exactly for those who are not familiar?
Speaker 6 (32:50):
Definitely, Well, for more than forty three years, we've been
Houston's expert and hazardous home repair and disaster recovery. So
we've actually been fortunate enough to more than fifteen thousand
homes in the past forty three years. And a lot
of the work we're doing is really meant to improve
the safety and health of homeowners' homes here in Houston,
(33:11):
and so are working to do things like roof replacements,
electrical and structural upgrades, really working to make sure that families'
homes are safe to live in. And it's been a
great privilege to do that for more than forty three years.
Speaker 1 (33:24):
Absolutely, So, what is the what's the common or the yeah,
the common denominator of when you all, you know, are
rebuilding together those houses. What is the common denominator of
these houses of the folks that qualify that you all
see like it's always this with everyone, no matter what
(33:47):
it's going to be.
Speaker 6 (33:49):
The well, I think roof, I don't know, sure, sure, well,
I think a lot of the work we've done has
been roof replacements, but every home has been a little
bit different. As part of a national model, we work
with the twenty five points of Health and Safety checklist,
so we're really working to bring all of the homes
up to a safe and livable condition, up to code exactly.
(34:11):
But generally we find roofs, electrical issues and plumbing upgrades
or some of the primary concerns that our Houston homeowners have.
Speaker 1 (34:18):
Seems about right, roof, electrical and plumbing. Yeah, I could.
I can definitely see that. You guys do different community
events if you will. You know, we're with you all
for a.
Speaker 2 (34:34):
Black History mode exactly.
Speaker 1 (34:37):
You talk about that one where you all choose the
house that we you know, so greatly put together in
third Ward.
Speaker 6 (34:44):
Yeah, sure were we for more than four years annually
we've been celebrating heritage once and so Black History Month
and Hispanic Heritage Month have been kind of our bookend
signature events. We're looking forward actually to rebuilding unto SISPA
the Carriage Month coming up in September, but I know, yes,
(35:04):
so hopefully if you have us. But I know that
you were able to highlight a lot of the work
that we were doing around Black History Month in February,
and so those have been really great opportunities to bring
community members together to learn more about Rebuilding Together Houston,
to see the work in action, and to learn more
about how to get involved in terms of volunteering and
(35:25):
donating for those who have means and resources and really
want to help families who've been in their homes for
long periods of time, and Third Ward particularly, we've seen
a lot of families where the homes are multi generational,
so it's been in their family three, four, up to
even five generations we saw recently, and so both in
Third Ward but also in East End, I think that's
(35:47):
been really common, a common threat that families have been
embedded in the community for years, decades and really want
to stay in their home and have the opportunity to
pass their home down to their children and grandchildren. Except
so it's really great to be able to provide such
an important and critical service so that families can stay
rooted in the communities they help to build.
Speaker 1 (36:08):
No, it's very important because that house as five generations
like that is the foundation.
Speaker 2 (36:14):
Of it all.
Speaker 1 (36:17):
So what is a process like for a person to
have their house upgraded a little bit from a rebuilt together?
Speaker 2 (36:27):
Is it a tedious process?
Speaker 6 (36:30):
We try to streamline it to make it as smooth
as possible for families who are applying. Essentially, it's a
two step process.
Speaker 2 (36:37):
Okay, little one time.
Speaker 6 (36:40):
So first we think of it as qualifying the homeowner,
and then the second we think of it as qualifying
the home once those initial homeowners have been approved through
our eligibility. So really the first step is making sure
we're qualifying homeowners based on need. A lot of it
is income based in terms of the area media income,
(37:01):
confirming that they own the property, you know, in terms
of their deed, property taxes, et cetera. And then once
we have that in place, we're able to move them
to the next step of the process of qualifying the
actual home.
Speaker 2 (37:13):
Nice.
Speaker 1 (37:14):
So there is someone that's listening right now, like, wait
a minute, what what does she say? So where can
people go to just learn more and possibly apply.
Speaker 6 (37:24):
Sure, absolutely, our website always, but I'll give you the
number first because we have humans who answer the phone
and who are available.
Speaker 2 (37:32):
You have that actual human.
Speaker 6 (37:34):
Actual people who are able to walk you through the
process if you need help.
Speaker 2 (37:38):
It's not an AI prompt before I get you to human.
Speaker 6 (37:41):
No, you can actually call and we will be happy
to greet you. So our number is seven one three
six five nine twenty five eleven, or you can visit
us on the website at Rebuilding Together Houston dot org.
And in terms of the window AC units, again, that's
just something that's available right now this summer to help
(38:01):
families with the heat. So if you have inadequate temperature control,
so if you're a homeowner, you're not sure if you qualify,
you can find that information on our website, or you
can give us a call again at seven one three
six five eleven.
Speaker 2 (38:15):
For sure.
Speaker 1 (38:16):
Now keep in mind they don't repair HVAC systems.
Speaker 2 (38:21):
This is a free window.
Speaker 1 (38:23):
AC unit that's going to be installed by their team,
you know, not delivered, not dropped off. They are going
to install it. And so uh, if you are interested,
as just said, you know just go ahead and submit
that application, all right, No need to show, I don't
need to share how many Windows units are available, none
(38:46):
of that. Just it's on a so on a first come,
first server basis.
Speaker 6 (38:50):
Yes, exactly, based on when you complete the applications. You
complete the application, and we always do our best to
install at least two window AC units per home nice
so that we can have you know, more adequate coverage
within multiple rooms.
Speaker 1 (39:02):
So called rebuilding Together Houston seven one three sixty five
nine twenty five eleven. That's seven one three sixty five
nine twenty five eleven. Or you can visit the site
Rebuilding Together Houston dot O RG. It's Rebuilding Together, Houston
dot O RG. Unshaette, thank you so much for coming through.
(39:24):
What you all don't know is that I have kept
her here way longer than I should because we were
just a well, I was just talking about my my
spiritual awakening, the things that happened to me on on
December twenty first at twenty twenty when I was changed,
and yes, so thank you for being an ear or
(39:45):
just interested.
Speaker 2 (39:45):
In knowing like I felt bad. I was like, oh,
let me get you out of here, and kept you.
Speaker 6 (39:50):
So long No, it's been great just listening and learning
more and I appreciate you for having us.
Speaker 2 (39:55):
No, always always, So I'll see you next month.
Speaker 6 (40:00):
You definitely will. We're looking forward to sharing more information
about our Rebuilding Junto's Hispanic Heritage event in East End.
Speaker 2 (40:07):
Yes, yes, yes, it's going to be fabulous.
Speaker 1 (40:09):
The deputy director of operations for Rebuilding Together Houston, the
lovely Angeanette Gunter, thank you so.
Speaker 6 (40:16):
Much, Thank you so much, we appreciate it, and to
Speaker 1 (40:19):
Everyone listening to the podcast, I'm KG Smooth and we
will see you next week
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