All results / Stories / Jo-Carolyn Goode

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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.

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Christina Morales: Proud of Her Heritage, Proud of Her Story

Being told that you are not good enough just because of your skin color is damaging to anyone no matter their race or age. It leads to far greater issues down the line. Having pride in your cultural heritage helps to build self-confidence and self-love while also claiming ownership of your ancestry and honoring the sacrifices, work, and love of those who came before you.

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DJ Reader is On a Mission of Love

He was his teacher. He was his mentor. He was his best friend. David Reader Sr. was everything to his son, Houston Texans’ Defensive Nose Tackle David Vernon Jr. or DJ. Four years ago Reader lost his father to a disease that claims the lives of more people than breast or prostate cancer. An estimated 661,000 Americans have kidney disease according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases yet little is known about this deadly disease. Reader wants to change that as a tribute to his father on a mission of love.

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Cory Solomon: Hometown Favorite Shines at RodeoHouston

When most boys have dreams of being a professional football player or basketball player, Cory Solomon wanted to trot down a different path. For as long as he could remember his goal has been to become a professional cowboy. Now he is living his dream and we are privy to see him do it at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

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Weighing In On the Healthcare Debate: Hot Button Issue of 2020 Election

About fifteen years ago, I became painfully aware of how crucial the healthcare topic is. After all, something is not on top of your priority list until it hits you close at home right. Before being diagnosed with an incurable autoimmune disease, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, I viewed health insurance as something all Americans had for those “just in case something happens moments.” I only really used my health insurance for check-ups and prescriptions for antibiotics for common viruses and bacteria. I thanked God that I never really had anything too serious growing up. As the saying goes, we are all one moment from a tragedy or sickness.

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A Story for You and Your Friends, Both Real and Imaginary

Paramount Pictures Presents A Sunday Night / Maximum Effort Production A John Krasinski Film “IF”

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Hunger Free Summer Initiative Dishes Out 400K Meals

Growing children need the basics – food, shelter, and water. Simple yet complicated at the same time. Simple as these are common that many have access to but not all can obtain due to life circumstances. This setup is not good for any human being but it is especially detrimental to children in their early years of life.

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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.

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Unveiling the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe: A Cultural Fusion with "The Drop" Campaign

Hyundai, in collaboration with Culture Brands, its African American marketing agency, has unleashed a groundbreaking marketing spectacle with the launch of "The Drop" campaign, introducing the world to the highly anticipated 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV. This latest installment in the renowned “OKAY Hyundai” series seamlessly merges the captivating allure of sneaker culture with the spirited, adventure-driven essence of the all-new fifth-generation Santa Fe.

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Sylvester Turner: Balancing Fatherhood and Politics

Lifting her high into the heavens as if he is trying to allow God to kiss her himself I watch a father bond with his baby girl. Holding her ever so careful, he gently cradles her in his arms with a strong hold, as he dares not let her slip. Pride pours out of every point on his body as he holds the most beautiful thing he has ever laid his eyes on and thinks, “How blessed am I.”

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The Life and Legacy of Earl Lewis Thomas

BOOM! Earl Lewis Thomas was a force that no one wanted to challenge on the football field. The NFL defensive man was one of six that encompass the Seattle Seahawks’ Legion of Boom that put the team in the history books for their six consecutive seasons. The NFL, family, and friends are mourning the powerful wide receiver as Thomas passed away in Houston at the age of 71 succumbing to COVID-19 virus.

McGowan Is First African American Valedictorian at St. Thomas High School

Doing something that no one has done before is a task with no blueprint. Although Kellin McGowan did have somewhat of a guide on his quest to become the first African-American valedictorian in the history of St. Thomas High School, his rich family legacy of achievements was all he needed.

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Keeping Houston’s Future Bright

Houston is a great city because of the people that pour into daily to make it so. From the many residents that have chosen this as the place to raise their families to those who make and uphold our laws to those who put the city on the map for forward thinking, Houston’s people are our best kept secrets. Two people contributing greatly to keeping Houston’s future bright are Vera Bumpers and Carlecia D. Wright who enhance Houston’s safety and economic growth.

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When Military Meets Art: Honoring Buffalo Soldiers

Turning the pages of history books there was always something vastly missing… the story of African Americans. Sure, there was plenty of information about the dreadful life of a slave who spent long days picking cotton, being sold like property, and being demoralized every minute of their lives. A little was told about the Jim Crow era when African Americans lived in a country where they were thought of as interior and where cheated of rights and privileges and treated less than. Never were the true tales of the days when African Americans were king and queens, inventors and innovators, and savers and heroes. Thus, affecting how African Americans saw themselves.

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Improving the Lives of Mothers Through Health and Wellness

Falling is a part of life. Staying down is not. Before 2013, LoRon White was always in the game despite his small stature. He had big dreams of playing basketball professionally. However, an injury of a ruptured tendon in his leg would stifle those dreams. That could have taken him out but White turned tragedy into triumph. After his surgery to repair his leg, White began intense therapy and started working on his physique.

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Dr. Cornel West's Presidential Candidacy: A Quest for Truth and Justice

Political activist, author, and professor Dr. Cornel West has made a bold announcement by declaring his candidacy for the highest office in the nation, the President of the United States of America. Running as a third-party candidate for the People's Party, Dr. West aims to elevate his lifelong pursuit of truth and justice.

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Teacher Turn Comedian Eddie B

"I'm Already Professionally Developed: Straight From the Teacher's Desk," is a book about Eddie B’s journey as a teacher on the way to the creation of the videos “What Teachers Really Say” and how the idea turned into one of the biggest comedy tours in history. “I share my personal experiences in the classroom as well as my home life! It all ties into the issues and desires of teachers who want to see better days; the ones who are really passionate about changing the narrative of this profession. We deal with so much!” Eddie B commented.

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Honoring Houston Women in the Pulpit

Women in the pulpit are always a controversial topic in some religious circles. Basing their belief of 1 Timothy 2:12 where Paul writes to Timothy in a letter saying, “I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.”

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Remembering Houston Radio Legend Robert “Bassman” Washington

Houstonians are mourning the loss of a Houston radio legend. Robert “Bassman” Washington died Sunday morning at the age of 48-years-old.

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Empowering Anthems: Hip-Hop Artist Zauntee Inspires Underdogs with Music That Hungers for GOD

On February 23, Tampa native and rising hip-hop sensation Zauntee unleashed his full-length album, "We Already Won," radiating with a powerful message of hope and determination. With tracks like "The City is Mine," Zauntee aims to ignite a fire within listeners from the very first beat, evoking the spirit of resilience akin to the iconic Rocky movie.