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A native Houstonian, Douglas Horn, is a 40-year veteran in the Hotel Industry. He currently is the General Manager of the Four Star High Rise Houstonian Estates Condominium located just west of the 610 loop. Prior to that, Mr. Horn managed the 492 room Wyndham Greenspoint Hotel and had review responsibility as well for the 400 room Marriott Greenspoint. These two assets are owned and operated by Sunstone Hotel Investors, LLC, a hotel company with 75 assets throughout the United States. Before joining Sunstone, Mr. Horn was Senior Vice-President of operations for Performance Hospitality, a division of Wyndham International Hotels. A nine year employee with the company, Mr. Horn was an integral part of the formation of Patriot American / Gencom Hotels the parent company for Wyndham International today. In his last position he was responsible for 45 hotels nationwide with annual income of over 300 million dollars. In this position he was responsible for the financing of as well as the sale of several assets valued individually up to 60 million. Mr. Horn handled renovations in excess of 25 million on individual projects and over 100 million collectively. Additionally Mr. Horn formed Gencom Advertising, which became part of his division in PHM. This agency was responsible for over 4.5 million in annual placements and was recipient of two Addies and numerous HSMAI awards. Mr. Horn serves on the board of the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association as a past chair and has chaired TH&LA’s annual Short Course as well as teaching a class in the program. He is also an active member of the Board of the Hotel and Motel Association of Greater Houston and it’s past chair in 2001-02. He serves on the Advisory Board for the Conrad Hilton College of Hotel & Restaurant Management at the University of Houston. He is past Chairman of the Tourism Advisory Council for the Texas Economic Development Office of the Governor of the State of Texas and past Chair of the State of Texas Marketing Committee. Mr. Horn served as Chairman of the Greater Houston and Convention Bureau 2005-07 and still serves on its Executive Committee. Mr. Horn is twice the recipient of Certificate’s of Recognition / Outstanding Service from the Secretary of State of Texas, from the Honorable Jack Hanna, and has been recognized upon numerous occasions for his service the hotel industry. Mr. Horn is a graduate
from the University of Houston. He is married to
Stephanie Haynes and lives in University Oaks.
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Anthony Taylor, Sr. is the Publisher, President, & CEO of Business Pros Newspaper in Houston, Texas, an all-positive, multicultural, and informative publication he began in 2006, an idea that formed after writing for newspapers wanting him to focus on negative issues. In addition to funding and heading Business Pros’ operations, Taylor writes the publication’s “Real Estate Anthony” column and commentary “Keeping the Community Alert.” He cares for the community by initiating and completing many projects, working to make the community safer by reporting poor building codes and community safety. A man of several trades, Taylor reaches a multicultural young and elder audience with his years of knowledgeable Law Enforcement, Real Estate, Politics, Education, Business, Theology, Philosophy, Psychology, and Public Speaking experiences. Taylor is also the author of Just Tell the Truth and Make It Happen: Traveling the Road of Life, a real estate and mortgage broker, a highly recognized and respected public speaker and educator, who always makes time to speak to kids, and a member of many organizations including the Texas Association of Black Personnel in Higher Education (TABPHE), HAR, NAACP, AMA, TAR, NAR, etc. He is currently working on developing a three in one trade, degree, and theology combination school, completing his first play, and releasing two upcoming books. Taylor is an active advocate in the community and remains a proud participant, sponsor and supporter of many organizations, important causes, and education including sponsoring the International Kids Fund and Pro City Houston, participating in the Y-Me National Breast Cancer Walk on Mother’s Day, giving gifts to the Big Brothers & Sisters Toy Drives, and sponsoring and participating in the Deck the Halls Parade, MLK Parades, and the 34th and 35th Annual Strawberry Festivals, etc. Additionally, Taylor donated a walker to Briarwood Nursing & Rehab in April 2007 after discovering the facility needed it for physical therapy. A member of the law enforcement for almost two decades, Taylor is a doer who pursued and achieved his list of numerous accomplishments before age 40. “I always express education is important, but a Bachelor, Master, PhD, and Doctorate Degrees will not get you into heaven. Additionally, common sense gets people through life. But, having the degrees makes life much easier.” He’s been featured
in Who’s Who in Black Houston, appeared on the Wash
Allen Show, and was a guest speaker on Gospel Vision.
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Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is serving her seventh term as a member of the United States House of Representatives. She represents the 18th Congressional District of Texas, centered in Houston, which is the energy capital of the world. Congresswoman Jackson Lee earned a B.A. in Political Science from Yale University with honors, followed by a J.D. from the University of Virginia Law School. In the 110th Congress, Congresswoman Jackson Lee was named the new Chairwoman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection. She sits on three Congressional Committees – the House Committees on the Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Foreign Affairs. The Congresswoman has authored several immigration bills, such as H.R. 750, the “Save America Comprehensive Immigration Act of 2007”, which sets forth a comprehensive and humane solution to the immigration problem. Rep. Jackson Lee introduced legislation to enhance federal enforcement of hate crimes with H.R. 254, the David Ray Hate Crimes Prevention of 2007. Rep. Jackson Lee also played a significant role in the recent renewal and reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act. Congresswoman Jackson Lee contributed an amendment to the NASA reauthorization bill this year that will ensure equal access for minority and economically disadvantaged students to NASA’s education programs. In addition, the Congresswoman launched the Dr. Mae C. Jemison Grant Program to work with institutions serving minorities to bring more women of color in the field of space and aeronautics. As Chairwoman of the Transportation Security and Infrastructure Subcommittee of the Homeland Security Committee, Congresswoman Jackson Lee has supported enhanced technology, better intelligence, increased airplane cargo inspections, increased security for railroads, and implementation of the 9/11 Commission report. In addition, Congresswoman Jackson Lee is a founder, member, and co-chair of the Congressional Children’s Caucus, the Pakistan Caucus, Afghan Caucus, and newly formed Algerian Caucus. Congresswoman Jackson Lee has been actively engaged in addressing and resolving the genocide in Darfur. Accordingly, she met with Sudanese refugees in Chad, for whom she secured additional funding, and African Union soldiers in Sudan. Congresswoman Jackson Lee has been hailed by Ebony magazine as one of the “100 Most Fascinating Black Women of the 20th Century.” “Congressional Quarterly” named Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee as one of the 50 most effective Members of Congress. “U.S. News and World Report” named her as one of the 10 most influential legislators in the House of Representatives. And the “Houston Chronicle” named Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee as one of the most influential and prolific legislators on Capitol Hill. Rep. Jackson Lee recently received the 2006 Award for Policy at the 16th Annual Phillip Burton Immigration & Civil Rights Awards. In 2005, Congresswoman Jackson Lee was awarded the Drum Major Award for Public Service by the Revelation Urban Development Institute. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to Science, the National Technical Association (NTA) of Scientists and Engineers honored the Congresswoman with its Top Women in the Sciences Award. Congresswoman Jackson Lee was also awarded the “Legislator of the Year” by the National Mental Health Association for her outstanding work on mental health legislation. Before her election to Congress, Congresswoman Jackson Lee served two terms as one of the first African American women At-Large members of the Houston City Council, where she chaired the first Human Relations Committee, along with the Airport and Cable Committees. Prior to her Council service, she was an Associate Municipal Court Judge for the City of Houston. Congresswoman Jackson
Lee is married to Dr. Elwyn C. Lee, who holds a dual
position of Vice Chancellor and Vice President for
Student Affairs at the University of Houston System and
the University of Houston, respectively. They have two
children Erica, who is a graduate of the University of
North Carolina and Duke University, and Jason, who is a
third year student at Harvard University.
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Larry holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree from Alabama State University and started as an afternoon Air Personality while in Alabama. After stints in Little Rock and Tulsa to strengthen and perfect his traits, Larry Jones made his way to Houston to host a morning show. His high moral integrity, lofty ideals, broad sympathies, and unselfish devotion to principles of equality took him to stations in other cities… New York, Chicago, St. Louis, Milwaukee and Memphis where he was relevant in nature and liberal in spirit. He is indeed a most remarkable man. A man of extraordinary vitality and great administrative ability, Larry Jones has always been a champion of civic betterment and a tireless advocate of honest government. He has been recognized by the mayor and the City of Houston for his community service and has received a Congressional Award from Congresswoman Shelia Jackson-Lee. He was also named Billboard Magazine local Air Personality of the year. Larry Jones is a man who never lets the prevailing opinion divert him an inch from the course he takes, because he believes that “the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.” And in that order, he walks with a sincerity of purpose, a commanding eloquence, and a rare combination of judgment, given to him by Jesus Christ.
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Houston rap artist Trae is exactly what his name suggests… the Truth. He is not only lyrically talented, but he blessed with a big heart as well. Known for his claim to be for the City of Houston, Trae backs up his claims regularly. His efforts within the community have been recognized with various honors and accolades, across various spectrums, from family functions to Governmental requests. Recently, on the celebration of the 15th Season of the UniverSoul Circus, Trae was honored with the Leadership Award making him one of only six recipients this year along with humanitarian greats Steve Harvey, LL Cool J, and Denzel Washington. State Representative Sylvester Turner recently recognized Trae for his youth efforts by requesting him to participate as a motivational speaker for the Teen Summit held at MC Williams Middle School. After offering words of encouragement and motivation, Trae performed a free concert and provided everyone with posters and signed autographs and took pictures with everyone. The Youth Legislative Program is designed to target ages 8-18 and address problems such as drug addictions, sex education, gang involvement, self-respect, and self esteem. Trae’s proudest accomplishment in city involvement came this summer, July 22, 2008 when he was presented with a Proclamation from Mayor, Bill White for Trae Day in the City of Houston. Council Member, Peter Brown was on hand to read the document to Trae in recognition of all of his charitable efforts within the community; his Hopefest Prison Tour (in conjunction with Rosie Ruiz), the work he has done on behalf of No More Victims, Inc. and the neighborhood block party that drew over 7,500 people to Sharpstown Mall. It was wonderful to see all groups of youth, various ages, families, and organizations, coming together to support this one person’s goals and ideas. Council Members Peter Brown and Ronald Green supported the event with school supplies and bicycles which were given out to families in need. Trae has also signed on to help promote and support #91, Defensive Tackle, Houston Texan and NAACP Youth and College Division Ambassador, Amobi Okoye’s foundation by encouraging young adults and youth in developing their full leadership potential and increase the importance of social responsibility by encouraging people to register and vote, as well as neighborhood revitalization with the building of Amobi’s House, which is an Achievement Center for under privileged youth. Trae is proving that a rap artist can indeed be a strong, positive and consistent role model to young people in the community.
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Debra Martin is the founder and owner of Borae’ Records an Independent Gospel Record Label, located in Baltimore, Maryland since 2004. She learned the music industry’s business prospects in Manhattan, New York”. She found the desire to establish the business in my hometown, where she was comfortable with the people, and knew of many unknown artists looking for record deals. Debra was developed as a solo artist under the production of Mr. Gregory Brown, Sr. she felt she had more to offer to the music industry if she established her skills as a ‘business owner’”. With over 35 years of corporate office experiences, working with skilled professionals, Debra was often placed in positions to work with little or no guidance. She often had to produce professional documentations in correct format and in a limited timeframe. This experience guided her through many types of corporate documentations to manage and operate a professional business.
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Fernell Hogan, is the founder and CEO of the Houston Community Education Council (HCEC), a community building organization that focuses on developing and educating residents of underserved communities. Mr. Hogan is a U.S. Air Force veteran and has been a successful entrepreneur, mentor, and business advisor since 1999.He is a visionary who brings to the HCEC an extensive knowledge of business planning, development, financial analysis and marketing. Mr. Hogan focuses his efforts on the development of productive youth in communities in and around the Greater Houston area through creative initiatives and organization collaboration. A rising advocate of community education, Mr. Hogan serves as Graphics Artist instructor to students of the Aldine School District through the Learning Blocks After School Program. Serving also as co-founder of the YoungMAC (Young Minds Are Creative) Youth Foundation alongside his 11 year old co-founding son, Fernell Hogan II, this program is an art based curriculum. “Our goal is to expose and educate the younger generation on the many various forms of art.We strive to stimulate the creativity within as many kids as we can”, says Mr. Hogan. By instilling the “Anything Is Possible”—If You Believe attitude within his own kids led to the upcoming launch of the 2009 “Anything Is Possible” nationwide public service campaign coordinated by the HCEC. An active member of various community action groups Mr. Hogan plays a vital part in aligning community leaders, faith based leaders and businesses together to address critical issues in a more civil and uniformed manner to help produce positive results.
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