Aspiring Youth of Houston
For more than 16 years, Aspiring Youth of Houston has provided innovative,
high-quality after-school programs for thousands of at-risk middle
school students in disadvantaged communities. The mission of the organization
is “To Prepare At-Risk Youth to Aspire to and Attain Success
in School and Life.” The programming provides young people with
an opportunity to participate in a variety of skills and enjoy positive
experiences that prepare them to succeed in the following areas: academics,
success principles, the arts, teamwork, sportsmanship and character
development. The organization also works to bridge the gaps between
youth, schools and the community through the promotion of constructive
interaction between youth and positive role models in the community.
The participating middle school for MCCL’s STEM-ulation: Left
Brain-Right Brain Program is Ryan Middle School.
The Choice Foundation, Inc.
The Choice Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization, established in
2008 for enriching the lives of those in the greater Houston area.
Its programming focuses on health and human services to support families,
services that assist youth in their educational and career development
as well as their cultural expansion through introduction to the visual
and performing arts, and international initiatives that promote awareness
of the world.
The Ensemble Theatre
The Ensemble Theatre was founded in 1976 by the late
George Hawkins to preserve African American artistic expression and
enlighten, entertain and enrich a diverse community. Thirty-one years
later, the theatre has evolved from a touring company operating from
the trunk of Mr. Hawkins’ car to being one of Houston’s
finest historical cultural institutions. The Ensemble is one of the
only professional theatres in the region dedicated to the production
of works portraying the African American experience, the oldest and
largest professional African American theatre in the Southwest, and
holds the distinction of being one of the nation’s largest African
American theatres owning and operating its facility and producing
in-house. The Ensemble Theatre has fulfilled and surpassed the vision
of its founder, and continues to expand and create innovative programs
to bring African American theatre to a myriad of audiences.
Energized for STEM Academy, Inc. (E-STEM
Academy)
In partnership with the Houston Independent School District, E-STEM
Academy offers an exceptional education choice for students interested
in participating in rigorous and challenging studies in a non-traditional
setting. The program focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics (STEM). In keeping with HISD’s mission of creating
a college-bound culture in every school, E-STEM Academy students are
able to earn college credits that will prepare them for postsecondary
academics as well as technical careers in a variety of fields. Support
for the program is being provided by a coalition of stakeholders and
community partners, including the City of Houston Green Program, Rice
University, Texas Southern University, Houston Community College,
and CSTEM Teacher and Student Support Services.
Texas Southern University
Texas Southern, one of the nation’s largest HBCUs, has spawned
an impressive array of undergraduate and graduate programs, a diverse
faculty, more than 80 student organizations, and an alumni network
of educators, entrepreneurs, public servants, lawyers, pilots, artists
and others, many of whom are change agents on local, national and
international stages. Nestled within a sprawling 150-acre campus,
Texas Southern University has been a cornerstone for developing the
greatest potential in leaders from various socio-economic, cultural
and racial backgrounds. More than 9,000 students and nearly 1,500
faculty and staff comprise the University community.