All results / Stories / Jo-Carolyn Goode
Karina Gonzalez: Living Life On Pointe
Not all accidents are mistakes. Some can lead to life-changing outcomes. Ask Houston Ballet’s first Hispanic principal dancer Karina Gonzalez. While tagging along with her mother and older sister to a folk dancing class her mother was given wrong directions. Instead of her sister going to folk dancing class, both girls ending auditioning for a ballet class at the Gustavo Franklin Ballet School in Caracas, Venezuela. As things turned out, Gonzalez was accepted into the school and her sister was not.
Millions Show Selfishness By Not Social Distancing
How selfish can you be? There are 5.64 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide with the United States accounting for 1.72 million of them. Still you choose not to follow the rules. The US leads the world in the number of coronavirus deaths toppling over 100,000. Yet, still you choose not to follow the rules. Even though you know the coronavirus is a respiratory disease that is highly contagious and does not discriminate or show any mercy to those who are infected.
Local Girl Stars in TUTS' Seussical
Tap into a child’s imagination and there is no wonder what they might conjure. An oversized one-eyed yellow monster with feet for hands, people with orange Mohawks, blue faces, and green fangs instead of teeth or maybe a dog that meows instead of barks while his tail gets longer. That’s the beauty of a child.
Hurry, Houston! Just One Week Left to Savor Girl Scout Cookie Magic!
Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council Delights Houstonians with Classic Favorites Until March 24th
Sweet treats, big dreams! The clock is ticking, and there's just one week left to indulge in the delectable delights of Girl Scout Cookies in the Greater Houston area. The Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council (GSSJC) are spreading joy and sweetness until Sunday, March 24th, with their irresistible array of cookies.
Who to Watch in 2019
Houstonians won’t soon forget 2018. It was the year of surprise upsets as a number Democrats unseated long term Republicans resulting in the first Latina and woman Harris County Judge, Lina Hidalgo; County Commissioner Adrian Garcia, first African American mayor of Missouri City, Yolanda Ford; Fort Bend County’s first African American district attorney, Brian Middleton, first Latina in Congress, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia; and the Black girl magic of 19 female judges
Governor Greg Abbott Set to Address Texas Electricity Policy Summit at Rice Baker Institute
Get ready for a pivotal event shaping the future of Texas energy policy as Governor Greg Abbott takes the stage at Rice University's prestigious Baker Institute for Public Policy. On April 9, 2024, the Texas Electricity Policy Summit will convene academic luminaries, energy industry leaders, and legislators to delve into critical discussions about the state's electricity market landscape. This exclusive summit, hosted by the Baker Institute's Center for Energy Studies, promises insights and perspectives that will chart the course for Texas' energy future.
CrysTales Taking Chancing to Bring the Funny
How amazing would it be if you could see yourself the way God sees you? This became a repetitious prayer for Crystal Holmes-Montgomery. When she couldn't see herself as God did it made her view narrow and not able to the full picture. For the longest time it seemed God had been sending her a message to add another dimension to herself.
Is There A Black Doctor in the House?
Where are all the Black doctors? They are hard to find. On average, about 5.7% of all the doctors in the US are Black according to data from the Association of American Medical Colleges. Although enrollment of African Americans in medical school is on the rise, 5.7% is still low when considering that there are 66.1% of active physicians with a US Doctor of Medicine degree.Where are all the Black doctors? They are hard to find. On average, about 5.7% of all the doctors in the US are Black according to data from the Association of American Medical Colleges. Although enrollment of African Americans in medical school is on the rise, 5.7% is still low when considering that there are 66.1% of active physicians with a US Doctor of Medicine degree. Looking back at the history of Blacks in medicine, it's easy to see why the numbers are so low. However, new data suggests that more black doctors are needed now than ever, and for some, it could mean the difference between life and death. On average, when put in a crowd of a diverse population with no identifying connections, a person will gravitate toward those of their own race. It's a natural behavior because people are more at ease with who or what they know. Generally, being of the same race is an easy commonality to draw towards. This same kind of thinking works in medicine as well. According to studies, Black Americans who have black doctors have more trust in them, practice preventative care, and ultimately live longer lives. "I think we as blacks relate more to people who look like us. Often, we have unspoken similar backgrounds that bring us to a common place of understanding when we have difficulties in our quests for higher education," said Dr. Creaque Charles, Pharm. D. at an accredited HBCU school of pharmacy. How to Improve Representation of African Americans in Medicine? The answer to that question lies in the problems that Blacks have with medicine. To understand the concerns, one must go way back in history to when enslaved men and women were forcibly brought over on ships to America. Those men and women were treated less than humans and stacked on top of each other like property. On that journey, they had to exist in deplorable conditions that were filled with human fecal matter, urine, and other forms of human waste. This resulted in them becoming gravely ill, and some died. None received medical care. The feeling continued when slave owners subjected their Black female slaves to forced sterilization to stop reproduction. Women were also exploited for their bodies to produce more strong slave labor. These women did not also receive any medical care. When the truth about an unethical experiment with Tuskegee men and Syphilis (dubbed the Tuskegee Study of Untreated Syphilis) came to light in 1972, prejudices grew.vDuring the era of the Civil War, Blacks were "doomed to extinction" by the medical community of the time, which thought the mental, moral, and physical deterioration of Blacks would send them to an early grave. The distrust of the medical community continues to this day as some doctors of other races may have prior biological beliefs about Blacks that can result in doctors thinking Blacks have a high tolerance for pain, so they may undertreat them for pain. Incidents like the above led some Blacks to believe that they receive better treatment than their own because they know the point of view from which they are coming. They understand it. "When people look at me and they can see themselves in me, that commonality serves as the foundation for a bond of trust," said Dr. Robbyn Traylor, chief medical officer of an urgent medical care clinic, who knows that any doctor can be excellent no matter their race. "There is a level of comfort that is understood and that can remain unspoken when brown and Black patients are treated by brown and Black doctors." A CNN article dives further into the issue of why there is not a surge of Black doctors. Those reasons include factors like the race being excluded from medicine, systematic racism, institutional racism, not being exposed to STEM or STEM careers as a child, and a lack of Black doctors as mentors are among the top reasons. History supports this when looking at the first Black person to earn a medical degree. Dr. James McCune Smith had to go all the way to Scotland to receive his degree in 1837 from the University of Glasgow. Dr. Traylor was fortunate as a child to be heavily exposed to the life of a Black doctor as both of her parents worked in the medical field. She was often at their heels as a child while they worked at one of the best trauma centers in the Texas Medical Center. "I was lucky enough to grow up in a community of people who made me believe that I had the intellect and attitude for medicine." Diversity Matters Diversity Matters After Arizona, California, Florida, Michigan, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and Washington enacted bans on affirmative action, the diversity of the medical schools in those states dropped by a third. Before Black students were wholeheartedly welcomed at these schools in the 1800s and 1900s, they had a choice of seven medical schools, according to research by the Duke University Medical Center Library and Archives. Now only two remain: Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, D.C., and Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. Black students are more likely to attend black medical schools to seek out those who look like them and have proven that their dreams are achievable. Future Black doctors want to attend schools where they don’t have to feel as if they don’t belong. They want to go to schools where they are encouraged to do well, and those who are instructors and mentors truly believe that THEY can do well. Dr. Tamiya Sam, who is a registered pharmacist and holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, knows that whether it is medical, pharmacy, dental, or nurse practitioner school, having a Black mentor matters. "The face of pharmacy is increasingly non-Black. I believe if there were more hands on and dedicated Black pharmacists who truly mentored Black pharmacy students, it would have a higher impact on their completion because they would serve as someone who has been there and genuinely wants to help them succeed." Rosa Terrance, DNP, APRN, GNP-C, agrees with Dr. Sam. "Mentorship absolutely matters and is influential in producing more providers of color. At all times, I make sure of two things: 1) I have a mentor who looks like me, and 2) I am acting as a mentor to someone else. There is a degree of comfort and trust that is birthed out of just being present with someone of your likeness in an otherwise underrepresented space." The Next Generation of Doctors African Americans have a responsibility to expose our children to all the world can offer them. African Americans have a responsibility as a race to step up and be mentors for brown and black children in all fields, not just the medical field. To improve race relations, Blacks must educate our non-Black counterparts. A change must come, and it must start now with each of us.
The Reset of TSU with Dr. Lesia L. Crumpton-Young
"What is the transformative thing that I am going to do today?" is the question that Texas Southern University President Dr. Lesia L. Crumpton-Young asks herself at the start of each day. It's a question that causes her to act intentionally for a defined purpose. This is how she will approach each day of the presidency of Texas Southern University.
Navigating the Depths of Depression: Understanding Clinical Depression and Seeking Support
Depressive episodes can be triggered by various life events, such as job loss, the death of a loved one, or financial struggles. Nobody is immune to these challenges, and while some emerge from depression more easily, others may require extended assistance. This is where professional help comes into play.
Remembering the Legend Dr. Thomas F. Freeman
Talk about a life well lived, Dr. Thomas F. Freeman did just that. Traversing on this earth for 100 years, the impact that he made on students, the community, and the world is long lasting. He was the epitome of a living, walking, legend.
Houston Style Magazine Honors Mothers Who Serve the Community - Angelee Moody Rhyne
You can adopt a child, a pet, and even a highway. Angelee Moody Rhyne decided to adopt a park. One day she had a meeting with someone at the Marian Park to discuss plans for a Back-to- School. In her mind the park would be an ideal location since at one point she frequented the park regularly. However, that was many years ago. She had no idea the state that she would find the park in today. She was just applauded at how the park had gone down.
Elvin Franklin Jr. Looking Out for the Underserved of Houston
Never forget from whence you came was a principle that a young Elvin Franklin Jr. learned at church. It is a lesson that has not only stuck with him but motivates him for what he does daily, help the underserved.
Shell Honors Heroes of Houston with National Ad Campaign
Hurricane Harvey was a storm that changed us. Whether directly affected or indirectly Harvey changed Houstonians and those around the world emotionally, mentally, and physically. Our values of what was important changed. Our concerns for our fellowman broke color lines as well as challenge our thoughts on how one person can make a difference if they just have the desire.
Celebrating the Life of Lestine Goode
Lestine Goode was a devote Christian, family man, and most importantly, my daddy. He ran the race and fought the good fight but sadly succumbed to his illness. He was laid to rest on July 24, 2019, after having a funeral worthy of the distinguished man he was. Read more about the man who not only taught me lessons to live by but also to many other children across the city under his tutelage.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Mentors Students to ASCEND to Greater Dimensions
Putting any person in a box limits their opportunities. They have no room to grow and flourish. There is no new path to travel. No new discoveries to be made or challenges to tackle. However, when someone comes along to remove one side of the box a whole new world opens. Mentors do that for children by exposing them to the world beyond their limited space for a better future.
Houston Woman Magazine Names Tavaero Jet Charter Co-Owner Marcela White as One of Houston’s Most Influential Women of 2023
Marcela White, co-owner of Tavaero Jet Charter Corp., has been named one of “Houston’s 50 Most Influential Women of 2023” by Houston Woman Magazine. Each of the honorees was nominated for inclusion on the “50 Women” list by a reader of Houston Woman Magazine and was then selected by the staff of the publication.
Chef Beverley Kellman Is Serving Up Food Good to the PVAMU Students' Soul
Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) students may not know how lucky they are to eat dishes prepared by the award-winning Chef Beverley Kellman. The 2017 Brazos County Chef of the Year and 2019 American Culinary Federation Texas Chef Association Pastry Chef of the Year is highly respected in the culinary field with a resume that reads like a seasoned chef, even though her years are far more youthful. The former Food Network "Cutthroat Kitchen" contestant has cooked everywhere from the greatest place on earth, the Disneyland Hotel at Disneyland, California, to now serving it up on the hill as Sodexo Executive Chef at Prairie View A&M Dining Services.
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo Conquers IRONMAN New Zealand: A Triumph of Grit and Determination
Join Us in Celebrating Judge Hidalgo's Remarkable Feat in One of the World's Toughest Sporting Events!
In a stunning display of unwavering determination, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo has crossed the finish line of the prestigious Ironman Race in New Zealand, marking an extraordinary personal achievement and inspiring the entire community.
Moms Who Rock the Mic - Supastar
The life of DJ and a mother have a lot in common. Both have people that love to scream their name. Both always have places that require their attendance at a successful event. Their schedules would make anyone exhausted. Go is their middle name. Kandi Eastman, Supastar, and Rachelle Renee know this all too well. As some of Houston most well known DJs, they balance being a mother with that of being everyone’s favorite DJ. Allow me to reintroduce DJs who are moms that rock the mic.
