Spencer Clark

HOUSTON- Students from the Summer Youth Employment Program sponsored by the African-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston, share their goals after hearing an inspirational talk by Roy Douglas Malonson, founder of the chamber.
Spencer Clark is a trainer at the Youth Football League which is a local organization operated for the benefit of children who wish to participate in the game of tackle football. The YFL is intended to be an instructional league that places an emphasis on the fundamentals of football.

Clark also places emphasis that the program inspires youth to develop life skills of sportsmanship, character and teamwork.
He beleives that whatever career he chooses, he will work hard and be dedicated. In life it is important to work well and often this means being acknowledged as hardworking. Mr. Malonson’s words of encouragement were based on working hard for something that you want and Clark has a true foundation for that.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and  can be defined as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. When people think of domestic abuse, they often picture battered women who have been physically assaulted.

But not all domestic abuse involves violence. Just because you’re not battered and bruised doesn’t mean you’re not being abused. According to the Domestic Violence Hotline, abuse is physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. Abusers use fear, guilt, shame, and intimidation to wear you down and keep you under their thumb.



Valencia Williams chose to share her domestic violence survivor story
 hoping that it could help someone else who is going
through the same ordeal.

Jasmine Phillips, a 2008 Eisenhower High School graduate was very active in extra- curricular activities and obtained many titles including Drama Club President, Texas Thespian Society, Y.L.O.E. President, Best Dressed, and Most Popular. Phillips is a freshman at Lamar University majoring in Theatre and minoring in Communications. She plans to eventually transfer to Coppin State in Baltimore, Maryland. Her goals include graduating from college in the top 10 percent of her class, finish writing a book, star in a movie, start her own clothing line, and give back to society. Owning a youth center and business are also in her plans. Phillips added that Mr. Malonson’s life story inspired her to continue moving forward and to not allow others to influence her decisions. She was in the middle of making a important decision in life, and Malonson gave her the encouragement to go on a pursue her passion.

Byron Williams attends Eisenhower High School and is a well known football player. Williams plans to obtain a degree and also pursue a career in the National Football League. Williams also plans to open his own business and pursue a music career after playing in the league. Mr. Malonson inspired him by giving words of encouragement through his personal life story and letting him know there is nothing too hard to overcome.

Dawn Misher, attends Lee High School and is involved in several extra-curricular activities. Misher’s entrepreneurship goals include owning a Bar and Grill and a facility to help many people. There are many benefits to being your own boss and Misher believes she has what it takes! She adds that Mr. Malonson encouraged her by stating that if you want to be successful you have to put your mind in it and never give up on what you are trying to accomplish.

Jakea Brown, has developed a strong love for children and a lot of patience in working with them. Children respond to her and she responds to them which helped to develop her goal of becoming a Pediatrician. An above-average student, she is especially prepared for medical school. Her focus will be on biology, chemistry and writing. Students preparing for a career in medicine must take microbiology, immunology, pharmacology, physiology and pathology along with anatomy. Overviews of medicine, surgery and neurology are covered in the last two years of medical school. Brown adds that Mr. Malonson showed her that sometimes you may fall down, but you have to get right back up in order to succeed.

Shovonne Misher, is a freshman at the University of Houston-Downtown with a focus in Business Management/Marketing. Misher will be prepared to pursue a variety of entry-level positions in fields that include accounting, financial services, economics, personnel resources, and sales and marketing. With the knowledge that she will gain in school as a Business major, Misher plans to have her own Fashion Label and learn the logistics in dealing with source fabrics, trims, accessories, suppliers and manufacturers to suit the specific needs, as well as know how to market and sell within the fashion industry. She learned different ways to earn an income and how to be successful in the process from Mr. Malonson. Also, she learned to make sure you can take care of yourself before you attempt to take care of others.

Arra Davis

 Arra Davis is a student at Lone Star College. She refuses to be deterred from achieving her goals as a student and a young woman who possesses strong morals and values. Davis aspires to become a successful OBGYN. OB/GYN is an abbreviation for obstetrician/ gynecologist, one who screens for certain diseases and treat female reproductive health issues.

She is eager and willing to go through the proper training to obtain the education and training requirements for obstetrics/gynecology as set by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG) and her goals include the following: Graduation from an approved medical school, Completion of an OB/GYN residency program (minimum of four years) that is accredited by the American Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

Bria Payne

Bria Payne is a student at Quest High School and a varsity athlete at Humble High School. Upon her graduation, she would like to attend Syracuse University in New York and obtain a Bachelors of Science degree and specialize in Sports Education. Payne not only aspires to become a renown basketball player but an entrepreneur as well. Payne is prepared for the one-of-a-kind bachelor’s degree program in sports coaching, sports management and sports studies. Each program is specifically designed to meet the needs of up and coming sports professionals in one of the quickest growing industries in the world.

All courses are available online for degree-seeking and non-degree-seeking students so student can complete their studies at any time and any place. Syracuse University offers the best possible professional training in the physical education field; the School of Education affords the students with a strong liberal arts core and rigorous lab science courses. From Mr. Malonson, she learned about individualism and where she stood as an African-American in society and the importance of striving to achieve her goals.

Sindreka Smith

Sindreka Smith, a student at Lone Star College is pursuing an Associates Degree in Music. Smith chose music as a major that is full of diverse styles, methods, cultures, and themes in varying types of music. She is eager to learn the history, theories, and composition of music that is intended to provide an extensive background in the art form for students who may go on to professional careers as composers, performers, or scholars, or who may enter fields in which a solid grounding in music is essential, such as arts management or publishing. Upon graduation, Smith aspires to become successful R&B singer, musician, and writer.