The Honorable Erica Lee Carter
National Trends and Service Award Honoree
The Honorable Erica Lee Carter is a dedicated advocate for children and community empowerment, inspired by her mother, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. We recognize her efforts to lead initiatives on economic equity, voting rights, securing funds for afterschool programming, the pivotal role she played in developing the resolution that established the CROWN Act as a countywide employee policy, and her contribution to the design of an $18 million Revolving Loan Program to support minority and women-owned business enterprises. We celebrate her dedication to continue the legacy of service and advocacy of her mother, The Honorable Sheila Jackson Lee, in representing Texas’ 18th Congressional District.
Trae Tha Truth
Services to Youth Award Recipient
Trae the Truth (Frazier Othel Thompson III), recording artist (rapper), philanthropist, activist, and a dedicated supporter of our Houston community, provides resources and support to underserved communities, especially youth, through music, fellowship, and other avenues. Trae has formed his own charities, Angel by Nature, which support youth of Texas, and Relief Gang, a non-profit organization formed to help Houstonians and other cities, whether its rebuilding homes after a disaster, providing shelter, food and education.
Dr. Carla Ortique & Dr. Kimberly Baker
Health & Human Services Award Recipients
Dr. Carla Ortique, Obstetrician & Gynecologist at Texas Children’s Hospital, and Dr. Kimberly Baker, Assistant Dean of Practice, at UTHealth is recognized for their leadership in addressing the high rate of maternal mortality, health disparities impacting African American mothers, and improving reproductive and child health. Dr. Ortique has been recognized as a passionate leader in efforts to support maternal & infant health and a few years ago, named physician of the year by the Houston Medical Forum. Dr. Baker and her colleague, were awarded $1.2 million from the US Department of Health and Human Services to improve reproductive health outcomes.
Houston reVision
International Trends and Services Award Recipient
Houston reVision is fulfilling its mission to empower local youth and those from international communities to revise, create and choose hopeful pathways. The organization provides education, health and cultural programs globally to help those in need emerge from poverty by giving youth a place to find safety, refuge and a meal. We are proud to recognize their efforts in creating a community of kinship for youth from all backgrounds.
Project Row Houses
Arts Award Recipient
The mission of Project Row Houses is to empower and enrich neighbors in the Third Ward community through engagement, art, and direct action. We applaud their efforts to bring together a dynamic mix of artists and independent change agents focused on artistic expression, creativity, and public art engagement opportunities.
Serving the Greater Houston Community since 2008