With Our Hands Raised High…

We ALL IN!

I asked the ladies at my table before leaving the NAACP Freedom banquet held in Missouri City, TX last year if they were “All In”. Unanimously we chanted and nodded, “Yes, We All In”. Before coming to this conclusion, I asked myself if a black man of esteemed pedigree wearing a baseball cap and a jersey while leaving a little league game was pulled over by a sheriff or police officer would he be more likely prejudged as suspicious, violent, a criminal, or mistreated simply because of his melanin rich skin than any other man and the answer that spoke to my heart was “Yes”. This is my reality and thus my hands are raised to declare that “I’m All In”.

“I’m All In” is a simple proclamation to my community that I am taking a stand against police brutality, racial profiling and systemic maltreatment targeting people with melanin rich skin. Despite the progress of African Americans in this country and the opportunities made available through bloodshed and sacrifice, I recognize that there is much more to be done. A black man is still only moments away from a life altering circumstance or tragic encounter with a sheriff or police officer simply because he was black in the wrong place and at the wrong time. So often, so easily, and so instantly I have tried to distance myself from the black struggle in regards to police brutality because I wanted to believe that there was something uniquely different about my standing in life, my choices, my education, and my achievements that set me apart. What became ever so clear was that the racial divide and tension spun in Ferguson from the senseless death of a young black boy could be minutes away from my door step. I have two boys and despite their racial mix they are black by all measures in this country. The women who sat at the table with me at the NAACP banquet this past year were also mothers. We agreed that police brutality is costing black lives and it has no respect for class and honorable mentions.

There are countless stories of black people being harassed, falsely accused, and shot for being black in the wrong neighborhood when in fact the neighborhood and home were theirs. I cannot continue to look in my sons’ faces fearing that one day they will unjustly suffer at the hands of the sheriff and police without taking a stand. This is why I boldly declare with anyone who will stand with me that “I’m All In”!

Vanesia R. Johnson, Chairperson

Fort Bend: A County United Against Abusive Truancy Practices

Fort Bend ISD school officials, local politicians, community advocates, and parents joined forces across political party lines and racial divides to combat abusive truancy practices. The voices of unity and community spirit inspired the timely passage of House Bill 1490. Representative Huberty jointly authored House Bill 1490 with Representative Reynolds which put an end to the criminal penalty for students crippling the state’s low socio-economically disadvantaged youth. “We The People” prevailed!
At left is a great fact sheet from Texas Appleseed about changes to Texas truancy laws from the last legislative session.

For more information about the bill please click here.

To learn more about pro bono legal representation available for students of Fort Bend ISD charged with FTAS, visit http://www.classnotcourt.com

Top 50 HMWP

We are proud to announce that Lynette Reddix, C.A.S.E. Treasurer and Fundraising Chairperson was among the Health, Medical and Wellness professionals honored at this year’s Top 50 HMWP event hosted by D-Mars. Her tireless work as a small business owner and her commitment to serve persons with mild to severe mental health and addiction issues earned her this much deserved honor.

NAMI Fort Bend 2015 Mark Mitchell Award

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for millions of Americans affected by mental illness. C.A.S.E. is honored to have Melody Lin, this year’s 2015 recipient of NAMI Fort Bend Mark Mitchell Award amongst its team of active community organizers. We extend a gracious thanks to Pat Sumners, President of NAMI Fort Bend and other members of NAMI Fort Bend’s leadership team for recognizing Mrs. Lin’s hard work and dedication to improving the lives of all persons affected by mental illness regardless of race/ethnicity, color, class, sex, religion, language, or creed.

Fort Bend Hispanic Heritage Forum’s Community Leadership Award

On March 25, 2015, the Fort Bend Hispanic Heritage Forum honored five (5) Community Leadership Award recipients for their commitment, service and excellence in enriching the lives of Fort Bend county residents. The recipients of this prestigious award in no particular order were as follows: Thomas Randle, EdD, Superintendent of Schools-Lamar CISD; Joe Morales, Businessman/Owner, Las Noticias de Fort Bend; Dee Gonzales (Retired), Elementary Teacher from Travis Elementary- Lamar CISD; Harry Wright (Retired) Secondary Educator and Principal from BF Terry High School- Lamar CISD; Jim Gonzales, President & CEO, IDC Inc.

NAACP Life Membership Breakfast

On March 28, 2015, the NAACP Missouri City, TX and Vicinity Branch held its Life Membership Breakfast at the Fountain of Praise Life Center. Congressman Al Green was the featured speaker of the event. Inspirational words to encourage NAACP members and attendees to continue the fight for freedoms once fought for by our forefathers were just one of the many noteworthy remarks. Those in attendance were reminded that the fight for civil rights is far from over!

Click here to see more photos from the event.

Summerfest: Unifying Our Power AGAINST the Odds

Bowling for CASE Membership Drive and Fundraiser

September 18, 2015
7:00 pm
Fun-Plex | 13700 Beechnut
Houston, TX 77083

Friends, Families, Neighbors and Supporters: Come enjoy a fun filled night bowling with purpose and for a cause!!! To register you or your team and for more information contact 713.204.9554

Bowling team donation: $30 per person (includes shoes). All proceeds benefit CASE.

Black Youth Matter: What Today’s Data Spells for Tomorrow’s Futures

The Earl Carl Institute’s Disproportionality Summit

September 25, 2015
9:00 am – 3:30 pm

Topics: Mental Health, Foster Care, Juvenile Justice & Minority Juvenile-Police Interaction, & School to Prison Pipeline.

Texas Southern University Campus
Thurgood Marshall School of Law
Rooms 105-106
3100 Cleburne Street
Houston, TX 77004.

5K Walk for Colon Rectal Cancer Awareness

October 10, 2015
Sugar Land Memorial Park

Rose B. Johnson Foundation will host a 5K Colon Cancer Awareness Walk at the Sugar Land Memorial Park on October 10, 2015. All colon rectal cancer advocates and supporters are encouraged to participate. Increased colon rectal education, screening, and early treatment to make colon rectal cancer a thing of the past is the focus of this year’s event. For more information, please email rosejohnsontt@gmail.com or visit rbjohnsonfoundation.org to remain up to date on the event.

CASE On Patrol

By Regina Gardner, GCSW