This year, 137 people participated in HCC’s Annual Fall Golf Classic, which made up 34 teams. Over $66,000 was raised for HCC’s Minority Male Initiative. These funds will benefit the MMI program as it helps Houston-area Black and Hispanic men finish their education and build a successful future for themselves, their family and their community.

Tournament proceeds go to the Houston Community College Minority Male Initiative Program to continue its efforts in providing educational opportunities for Houston-area youth. The primary scope of the program is to provide quality learning experiences that promote high school completion and postsecondary education for young Hispanic and African-American men.

The prevailing goal is to develop a sound foundation of learning activities that creates a college-bound culture and an interest in non-traditional careers for men of color. The MMI program aims to promote high school completion and postsecondary education for young Hispanic and African-American men. The goal is to develop an interest in receiving a college education and pursuing a non-traditional career for minority men. Through its Minority Male Initiative, HCC is checking the diminishing presence of young Black and Hispanic males on college campuses and in corporate America. Through outreach opportunities, young minority men will have the resources to pursue a degree for a multitude of career options.

HCC’s Vice Chancellor of Student Services, Dr. Diana Pino, on the importance of the 2013 MMI Annual Golf TournamentParticipants and spectators also had the opportunity to bid on items in a silent auction during the golf tournament. Proceeds from the silent auction will also benefit HCC’s MMI program as it guides young Houston-area Black and Hispanic men to finish their education and secure successful futures for themselves, their families and their communities.

This year’s donations to the tournament include a Double Eagle Sponsorship from Horizon Group International, an Eagle Sponsorship from University Copy Center, Barnes & Noble Booksellers and Jacobs, and a Birdie Sponsorship from AUTOARCH Architects and Academy Advertising Specialties & Awards.

Parents of the students that attended the program watched as presentations were given on each subject that was taught during the four week academy (June 17 thru July 17, 2013). Student’s demonstrated new knowledge and skills learned in Mathematics, Process Science, Robotics Technology, and Green Engineering.

The students also seized the opportunity to synthesize their classroom experience with robotic technology by visiting NASA Space Center Houston, and process science with hands on experience at The Last Organic Outpost by planting fruits and vegetables, in addition to learning about giving back to the community.

HCC’s STEM Academy under MMI launched into its fourth year partnering with the Alief YMCA, Alief ISD, HISD, North Forest ISD, and Missouri City. The STEM Academy participants sends a huge THANK YOU to Houston Community College and its Trustee’s for allowing them to comprehend Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) through a new set of lenses; as a result, investing in their future.

Dozens of families took part of this event sponsored by HCC’s Minority Male Initiative and 100 Blackmen of Metro Houston and its partners. There was free health screenings, information on healthy behaviors, and important alternative exercise demonstrations for both children and adults. All were encouraged to learn about Yoga.

Event partners include the Memorial Hermann, Methodist Hospital, Houston Community College, 100 Collegiate Chapters from “Texas Southern University, Prairie View A&M, and University of Houston”.

“Health & Wellness” is a new initiative that is working to combat the epidemic of obesity by creating community environments that better accommodate, even encourage, healthy eating and regular physical activity. The hope is that everyone in the Houston Diaspora will think about what they can do to help make it easier for themselves and those around them to make healthy decisions – eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and incorporating physical activity into their daily routines.

If you have questions about the event contact HCC’s Minority Initiative, John Gilmore at: 832-309-1353 or 100 Blackmen of Metro Houston Health & Wellness Committee, Chi Ali at: 954-226-9527.

The exhibition enabled students to become involved and share their talent, a goal set by Men of Honor. The HCC Men of Honor organization’s primary focus is to facilitate student’s leadership development, peer support and student involvement through mentoring. The students worked with advisors and mentors to help their visions evolve from an idea to reality.

Professors nominated promising and talented students, and the students, in turn, nominated a member of the HCC faculty as their mentor. Bryan Bauhs, Program Coordinator for the Art Department at Northwest College, collected the works, photographs of the art, artist’s statements, bios and inspirations in preparation for the exhibit. It was an effort that required many emails and helping hands, which resulted in a successful show.

Each student was publicly recognized and received a financial scholarship to encourage their creative talent. Many of the students have plans to pursue a degree in art in hope of sharing their creative vision with the world.

David Mora, an Art student at Northwest College, received the honor of having his work picked as the centerpiece for the event. His painting, “Two Nature’s at War,” was originally a painting he created for himself to convey his love of lions and how they symbolize power, strength and royalty. Mora is unsure of his future, but hopes to attend the University of Houston to continue his art studies and earn his bachelor’s degree.

Acrylic paintings, bamboo brush drawings, watercolor paintings and digital prints were accompanied by sculptural pieces of brass, copper and silver, or in Isaac Reyes’s case, leaves, chicken wire and paper mâché.

Reyes’s sculpture, “Ama Tierra,” depicts Mother Earth coming out of the ground, her bodice completely covered in leaves. Its purpose is to inspire its observers to think about earth and its beauty. The sculpture’s construction is reminiscent of a piñata, weighing only four pounds, yet has more durability.

Reyes was nominated by Professor Michael Bolden and named Bennie Flores, another artist in the exhibit, as his mentor. He is not a stranger to showcasing his work, having participated in past student shows and the Project Row Houses exhibit for the Summer Artist Studio Residency 2012. His photographs have even been on display in China as part of the Ming Yao photography festival that showcases the best of American colleges.

The students and faculty honored at the event are Bryan Bauhs, Northeast College; Pedro Baltran, Northeast College; Rolando Reyna, Southwest College; Christopher Grant, Southwest College; Pat Doran Porcynaluk, Southwest College; Pedro Obando, Southwest College; Jessica Jacobi, Central Campus; Anthony James Bibal, Central College; Bennie Flores Ansell, Central College; Isaac Reyes, Central College; Michael Golden, Central College; Andre Brooks, Central College; Tina Kotrla, Northeast College; Schwanell Hatchett, Northeast College; Nelanie Loew, Northwest College; David Mora, Northwest College; Steven Potter, Southwest College; Diego Hernandez, Southwest College; Geoff Hippenstiel, Northeast College; Yoshio Romero, Northeast College and El Franco Lee II.

The exhibition was curated by the HCC Art Discipline Committee, including efforts from Bryan Bauhs, Chairman; Aundrea Matthews, Gallery Manager and installation by Robert Hodge Studios. The Northwest Jazz Ensemble performed.

The Men of Honor Exhibition will be on display until May 3 in the first floor lobby, in the Main Gallery, 3100 Main Street.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact John Gilmore, III at 713.718.5061 or email johngilmoreiii@hccs.edu.

In addition to meeting Howard, some of the students won door prizes that included gift cards and an autographed poster of the movie “Red Tails.”

HCC’s Minority Male Initiative is designed to curb area high school dropout rates while preparing HCC’s minority male students for tomorrow’s workforce and business opportunities. HCC began its Minority Male Initiative to counter the on-going crisis throughout America of a diminishing presence of young Black and Hispanic men on the campuses of higher learning, in corporate America and in entrepreneurial endeavors.

Proceeds from this year’s tournament proceeds will go to HCC’s Minority Male Initiative Summer STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Academy that helps provide real life, practical, hands-on learning experiences for minority males in grades 7 through 12. The summer program allows students to earn up to five semester hours of college credit and scholarships. The STEM Academy program is a first step towards building students’ transition from high school to college.

For more information on HCC’s Minority Male Initiative, contact John Gilmore, III, MMI Program Manager at john.gilmoreiii@hccs.edu or call 713.718.5061.

The tournament will be held Monday, October 8 at Quail Valley Golf Course, 2880 La Quinta Drive, Missouri City, Texas. HCC began its Minority Male Initiative to counter the on-going crisis throughout America of a diminishing presence of young Black and Hispanic males on the campuses of higher learning, in corporate America and in entrepreneurial endeavors.

For more details on the golf tournament, visit www.hccs.edu/golf

For more information on Houston Community College’s Minority Male Initiative contact John Gilmore, III, MMI Program Manager at john.gilmoreiii@hccs.edu or call 713 718-5061.

MMI helps provide real life, practical, hands-on learning experiences for minority males in grades 7-12. The idea is to develop a sound foundation of learning activities that enable young minority males to complete high school and pursue a college degree.

This year’s tournament proceeds will go to HCC’s Minority Male Initiative Summer STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Academy that helps provide real life, practical, hands-on learning experiences for minority males in grades 7 through 12. The summer program allows students to earn up to five semester hours of college credit and scholarships. The STEM Academy program is a first step towards building students’ transition from high school to college.

This year’s Triple Eagle Sponsors are PCJ Consultants Inc. and Dr. Art Tyler, HCC Deputy Chancellor/COO. Borris L. Miles Independent Insurance Agency, Horizon Group International and RICE Financial Products Company are the Double Eagle Sponsors. Eagle sponsorships are Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, Bracewell & Guiliani, Chevron Energy Solutions, ESPA Corporation, Reliant Energy and University Copy Center.

For more information on HCC’s Minority Male Initiative, contact John Gilmore, III, MMI Program Manager at john.gilmoreiii@hccs.edu or call 713.718.5061.

Triple Eagle Sponsors

Double Eagle Sponsors

Eagle Sponsors

Birdie Sponsors

Par Sponsors

·   Vince Young Foundation

·   Llewelyn-Davis Sahni

·   A-Rocket Moving & Storage

Details on 2010 tournament 

Where: Wildcat Golf Club, 12000 Almeda Road, Houston, TX 77045
Registration: 7:00 a.m.
Shotgun Start: 8:30 a.m.

More information at http://www.hccs.edu/golf

To purchase photos from the tournament, go to http://hccs.eventpictures.com.

This year’s tournament proceeds will go to Houston Community College’s Minority Male Initiative (MMI) Summer Bridge Academy that helps provide real life, practical, hands-on learning experiences for minority males in grades 7 through 12. More details at http://www.hccs.edu/golf

This year’s tournament proceeds will go to Houston Community College’s Minority Male Initiative (MMI) Summer Bridge Academy that helps provide real life, practical, hands-on learning experiences for minority males in grades 7 through 12, with many students earning up to five semester hours of college credit and scholarships.

The overriding goal of the Summer Bridge Academy is to develop a sound foundation for young males to engage in learning activities that will enable them to complete high school and pursue a college degree. With your support, HCC will continue to provide these young men mentorship, tutoring and educational opportunities throughout middle school, high school and the completion of a college degree.

A portion of the proceeds will also go to the Pro-Vision All Male HISD Charter School, an innovative single-sex school that targets young men in grades 5 through 9 who are experiencing academic difficulty, behavioral challenges and other issues that have not allowed them to have success in a traditional school setting. Since opening in 1995, the Pro-Vision School has gained valuable experience tapping into the hidden essence of what makes all human existences matter through purpose and meaning.

Parents, community supporters, dignitaries, and members of the HCC administration were all in attendance at this momentous affair where students from B.C. Elmore Middle School, Forest Brook Middle School, and Phillis Wheatley High School had an opportunity to exhibit and discuss topics that they studied while in the program. With opening remarks by one of the students, the program began with a warm welcome by HCC Northeast President Dr. Margaret Ford Fisher to everyone visiting the campus and attending the program including Dr. Arthur Tyler, HCC Deputy Chancellor/COO; Dr. Maria Straus, Director of Learning Initiatives; Dr. Charles Hebert, Associate Vice Chancellor of Workforce Development; and Eva Loredo, HCC Trustee.

Dr. Fisher encouraged the students to perform at their highest level, to graduate from high school, and to make college a priority.

“You are the light that shines bright into the distant future. We want you to let your light shine and we wish you well as you pursue your career and life goals,” Dr. Fisher remarked to the students.

Dr. Tyler continued the iteration of encouragement of the students for their commitment to completing the program. He told the students, “I hope that this experience has given you a good idea of what college is. You are indeed the next group of people to impact the future.”

Trustee Eva Loredo shared valuable advice with the students about their obligation to share what they have learned with everyone that they know and she also encouraged them to volunteer in their communities.

Guest speaker George A. Salazar, a NASA systems engineer, concluded the program with his dynamic story of triumph to reach his academic, professional, and personal goals. He told the students about his rise from mediocre high school student to community college graduate to university graduate to eventually reaching his goal of becoming an engineer. Mr. Salazar’s story was well-received by students and guests alike.

Members of the HCC Northeast Energy Institute faculty were also commended for their participation in facilitating the use of the STEM curriculum to help students realize their scientific, technological, engineering, and mathematical potential.

Students received hands-on experience in learning about projects such as DNA modules and their use in cloning, forensic investigations, the widespread use of bio-fuels and fossil fuels, diagramming the placement and function of drilling wells, and the use of robotics in variety of scientific and medical fields. In addition to their certificates of completion, students received HCCS backpacks for their participation in the program.

For more information about the HCC Northeast Energy Institute or other HCC Northeast academic and career and technical programs, call 713.718.8300.

The challenges facing minority males in Houston include:

· Rapidly increasing rate of minority male high school dropouts

· Low enrollment for minority males in higher education institutions

· More minority males are in jail than in college

The challenges facing minority males in Houston include:

About HCC’s Minority Male Initiative:

HCC began its Minority Male Initiative to counter the on-going crisis throughout America of a diminishing presence of young Black and Hispanic males on the campuses of higher learning, in corporate America and in entrepreneurial endeavors. For more information on Houston Community College’s Minority Male Initiative contact John Gilmore, III, MMI Program Manager at john.gilmoreiii@hccs.edu or call 713 718-5061.

Dozens of people turned out to see the magnificent works of art.

Light refreshments were served, and music was provided by HCC’s Northwest Jazz ensemble.

HCC’s Minority Male Initiative and FWEP are designed to curb area high school dropout rates while preparing young males for tomorrow’s workforce and entrepreneurial opportunities. HCC began its Minority Male Initiative to counter the on-going crisis throughout America of a diminishing presence of young Black and Hispanic males on the campuses of higher learning, in corporate America and in entrepreneurial endeavors.

“We have a major national epidemic in terms of recruitment and retention of minority males to both community colleges and four-year colleges. We intend to address this issue proactively,” said Dr. Michael P. Williams, HCC Trustee, District IV.

The HCC Annual Fall Golf Classic was held Friday, October 23, at Hermann Park Golf Course. For more information on HCC’s Minority Male Initiative, contact John Gilmore, III, MMI Program Manager at john.gilmoreiii@hccs.edu or call 713.718.5061.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month:
Victor Villaseñor visits HCC and area
middle schools

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Houston Community College, the Hispanic Education Leadership Committee (HELC) and HCC’s Male Minority Initiative are hosting a conversation with renowned author Victor Villaseñor. Click here for more information including the Official Press Release.

• Slideshow: See photos of Minority Male Initiative

The day started with an inspirational message from community leaders including HCC Board Chairman, Abel Davila, Ben Mendez, founder and president of Project Management Group, LLC, and Houston lawyer, former HCC trustee and City of Houston mayor hopeful, Gene Locke.

Davila told the group of more than 300 minority male students from the greater Houston area, “Be men, step up to the plate and get an education.”

Locke advised the group to set their life’s goal today, “the time is now for you to set a goal for yourself … no one else can do it except you.”

Mendez suggested that each participant should have a good role model after whom they should pattern themselves, concluding, “We all want you to succeed.”

Michael “Bo” Williams, salesman at Jos A. Bank, author of “Dress from Success” and motivational speaker vividly illustrated for the crowd the value of dressing for success when applying for a job.

The afternoon was filled with career training and educational information and opportunities at HCC and a distinguished panel of leaders. Among those who spoke to the group in the afternoon were Dr Art Q. Tyler, HCC Deputy Chancellor and Dr. Michael P. Williams, HCC Trustee District IV. Both men reflected on their lives and the barriers they overcame to achieve their long-life goals.

For more information on Houston Community College’s Minority Male Initiative contact John Gilmore, III, MMI Program Manager at john.gilmoreiii@hccs.edu or call 713 718-5061.