A Defender Special
These are the stories that captured our interests all year long.
MLK Day at the Children’s Museum
We teamed up with the Children’s Museum Houston to honor civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the museum’s 26th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration on Jan. 15, 2022. Brought to you by State Rep. Garnet Coleman, the event commemorates Dr. King’s legacy and his powerful call equality, justice and the end of racism in America during the civil rights movement.
State of Black Women Health Forum
Our second State of Black Women Health Form took place at HISD’s Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy on May 18, 2022. The popular event is two-fold, with student assemblies in the morning and an adult program beginning with a reception at 5:30 pm and a program at 6:30 pm. Health questions from the audience were answered by Black medical professionals who commonly address the health care needs unique to Black women. A host of sponsors, including H-E-B, Texas Children’s Hospital, The University of Texas M.D.Anderson Cancer Center, JPMorgan Chase, City of Houston Health Dept, Hillday Public Relations and The Steve Fund, helped make this event at resounding success!
Juneteenth Faith Leaders’ Breakfast
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JUNE 16: DZ Cofield (Good Hope MBC) talks with Jodie L. Jiles (Houston Defender) during the Houston Defender Faith Leaders Breakfast held at Davis Street on June 16, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jimmie Aggison/Houston Defender) 
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JUNE 16: Tiffany Chandler (St. John’s United Methodist Downtown) talks with Dr. Michael Bowie (SBC21) during the Houston Defender Faith Leaders Breakfast held at Davis Street on June 16, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jimmie Aggison/Houston Defender) 
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JUNE 16: Chef Mark Holley (Davis St. Restaurant) speaks during the Houston Defender Faith Leaders Breakfast held at Davis Street on June 16, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jimmie Aggison/Houston Defender) 
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JUNE 16: The Houston Defender Faith Leaders Breakfast held at Davis Street on June 16, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jimmie Aggison/Houston Defender) 
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JUNE 16: Karl Minor (The Church of Grace Fellowship) and Wendi Turner (Hope Over Hurt) attend the Houston Defender Faith Leaders Breakfast held at Davis Street on June 16, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jimmie Aggison/Houston Defender) 
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JUNE 16: Dr. George Adesina (Kelsey Seybold) speaks about health in the community during the Houston Defender Faith Leaders Breakfast held at Davis Street on June 16, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jimmie Aggison/Houston Defender) 
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JUNE 16: Alexis White (Kelsey Seybold), Nan Brewer (Kelsey Seybold), Paula Smith (Kelsey Seybold)attend the Houston Defender Faith Leaders Breakfast held at Davis Street on June 16, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jimmie Aggison/Houston Defender) 
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JUNE 16: Lloyd Wiles (Kelsey Seybold), Brian Ventre (Kelsey Seybold), Franco Minor (Kelsey Seybold) attend the Houston Defender Faith Leaders Breakfast held at Davis Street on June 16, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jimmie Aggison/Houston Defender) 
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JUNE 16: Carlos Mendoza (Kelsey Seybold), Paula Smith (Kelsey Seybold), Ryan Butterfield (Kelsey Seybold) attend the Houston Defender Faith Leaders Breakfast held at Davis Street on June 16, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jimmie Aggison/Houston Defender) 
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JUNE 16: Ryan Butterfield (Kelsey Seybold), Paula Smith (Kelsey Seybold), Carlos Mendoza (Kelsey Seybold), Lloyd Wiles (Keylsey Seybold), Paige Durham (Kelsey Seybold) attend the Houston Defender Faith Leaders Breakfast held at Davis Street on June 16, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jimmie Aggison/Houston Defender)
Juneteenth Faith Leaders’ Breakfast sponsored by KelseyCare Advantage. The event was designed to introduce the new Defender Community Central Channel and other digital products while focusing on the benefits of KelseyCare Advantage.
HBCU Presidents Classic
Defender Network’s signature event “The HBCU Presidents Classic” celebrating the leadership and achievements of Texas Southern University and Prairie View University was held on Thursday, Aug. 25, just ahead of the annual Labor Day Classic.The event sponsored by Amegy Bank featured informative and entertaining dialogue between the Prairie View A&M University President Dr. Ruth J. Simmons and Texas Southern University President Dr. Lesia L. Crumpton-Young moderated by Defender Network Education Reporter Laura Onyeneho.
“Woman King” Movie Premiere
Almost 400 guests attended the highly anticipated film screening starring the Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis. Black women and men of all ages and backgrounds were welcomed with the red carpet treatment.
Early Voting Rally
The League of Women Voters (LWV) of Houston, the Houston Defender Network and Texas Children’s Hospital came together to hold an Early Voting Rally at the historic Emancipation Park in an effort to garner some urgency ahead of the upcoming early vote.
Smart Marketing Open House
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 06: Smart Marketing Open House event held at the ION Center in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jimmie Aggison/Houston Defender) 
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 06: Smart Marketing Open House event held at the ION Center in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jimmie Aggison/Houston Defender) 
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 06: Smart Marketing Open House event held at the ION Center in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jimmie Aggison/Houston Defender) 
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 06: Smart Marketing Open House event held at the ION Center in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jimmie Aggison/Houston Defender) 
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 06: Smart Marketing Open House event held at the ION Center in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jimmie Aggison/Houston Defender) 
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 06: Smart Marketing Open House event held at the ION Center in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jimmie Aggison/Houston Defender) 
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 06: Smart Marketing Open House event held at the ION Center in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jimmie Aggison/Houston Defender) 
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 06: Smart Marketing Open House event held at the ION Center in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jimmie Aggison/Houston Defender)
Local businesses come together to hear about how the Defender network can help them boost their business to more in the community.
