Black Houston(s) Symposium 2026

Thursday, March 26, 2026

African American History Research Center at the Gregory School

Welcome (9:30 a.m.)

WELCOME | Sheena Wilson, African American History Research Center, Gregory Campus

PANEL & POEM | More than Just a Game (9:35 - 10:50 a.m.)

	Ugochi Emenaha is a literacy advocate and published author who believes that stories are the key to knowledge and compassion. Dr. Emenaha has published in articles, poems and short stories in various publications including the Texas NAME Journal and the TCWSE Journal of Education. She currently serves as the Director of Special Populations at Yes Prep Southwest in Houston.
	Alexis Doaks has been coaching Varsity Girls’ Volleyball at Yes Prep for 3 years.
	Agibola “Gigi” Korfeh is a 12th-grade English teacher in Houston, Texas, with over five years of experience teaching upper-level high school students. Her work centers on rhetoric, storytelling, identity, and the intersections of race, class, and representation in education. She has coached both middle school and high school volleyball, witnessing firsthand how sports cultivate discipline, confidence, and embodied leadership among Black youth. Agibola serves as a youth director who has led and mentored students locally, nationally, and internationally, guiding young people in leadership, faith formation, and personal development. A first-generation American with parents from West Africa, her lived experience informs her commitment to culturally responsive pedagogy and community empowerment. Her professional interests include educational technology and the power of narrative and sport as spaces of belonging, resilience, and embodied expression within Black Houston communities.
	Festus Amoye is a visionary entrepreneur, author, and the founder of Laddering Your Success (LYS), an organization dedicated to bridging the gap between high school and post-secondary achievement. Growing up in Houston, Festus navigated significant personal roadblocks, including the loss of his parents and a lack of early mentorship. These challenges fueled his mission to empower students with the "Be, Know, Do" framework—a proven, purpose-driven strategy that helps young people discover their core values and chart clear career pathways. A proud product of Alief, Festus’s roots are firmly planted in the Houston sports community. He played football for the Alief Elsik High School Rams, a program known for producing elite talent such as Super Bowl champion Tony Hills, NFL linebacker Warrick Holdman, and versatile defensive back Donovan Greer. Drawing from his experiences on the field and his journey as a first-generation college graduate, Festus now serves as a high-impact speaker and success coach. He leverages his love for football and his background as a military veteran to inspire students to tackle obstacles and achieve unlimited possibilities in their professional and personal lives.
	Olayinka Shorunke is a dynamic leader and the co-founder of Laddering Your Success (LYS), where he serves as a driving force in redefining post-secondary outcomes for Houston’s youth. Specializing in curriculum development and strategic growth, Olayinka is dedicated to providing students with the practical tools and mental frameworks necessary to navigate the complex transition from the classroom to a high-demand career. His commitment to discipline and excellence was forged on the gridiron of Alief. Like Festus, Olayinka is a proud alumnus of Alief Elsik High School, a powerhouse program that has cultivated a "pro-style" culture for decades. He walked the same halls as NFL greats like Rashard Lewis and standout defensive talents like Chuckie Nwokorie, drawing inspiration from the school's legacy of producing world-class competitors. Upon graduating from Midwestern State University, Olayinka went on to intern with the Houston Texans in their accounting department. At LYS, Olayinka translates the "team-first" mentality of Houston football into a scalable system for student success. By combining his passion for sports with a rigorous approach to career "laddering," he helps students identify their strengths and execute a winning game plan for their futures.

PANEL | Under Pressure: Sports and the Management of Black Mental Health (11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.)

When the buzzer sounds: Choosing Selfhood Outside of the Black Sports Pipeline

Chali Taylor is a junior Business Management and Entrepreneurship major at Rice University. For 2 years, Chali was a member of the Division 1 Rice Football team. Born and raised in Washington, DC, Chali has developed a passion for political and civil leadership and spent this past summer working on Capitol Hill at the lobbying firm, The Madison Group. His experiences and work have led him to the Bank of New York, where he will spend this upcoming summer. In his free time, Chali enjoys playing basketball, exploring Houston, and spending time with friends.

Royce White & Cameron Burrell: How mental health becomes visible, contested, and eventually institutionalized by Houston Pro & College Athletes

Dr. Emmett Gill Jr. joined University of Houston Athletics as its Mental Health Counselor in February 2024. In his role, Dr. Gill assists Houston student-athletes in addressing emotional issues including focus on improved self-esteem, behavioral changes and enhanced mental well-being. Gill Jr., who is a licensed clinical social worker in Texas, founded AthleteTalk, LCC, in December 2019. There, he was responsible for developing multi-day plans for athlete wellness and behavioral/mental health while providing mental health services to collegiate and professional athletes. He previously worked at Vibrant Emotional Health as its Professional Sports Crisis & Wellness Program Manager. There, he developed evaluation methods for NFL Mental Health Event Action Plans (MHEAPs) and reviewed, evaluated, and improved initial MHEAPs for all 32 NFL teams. Gill Jr. also assisted with the reporting of monthly and semi-annual NFL LifeLine utilization data.

Performance Without Care: Black Embodiment, Emotional Labor, and Leadership Development

Khadyajah Jenkins, M.A.T., is a doctoral candidate in Leadership & Innovation at Pennsylvania State University, where her scholarship explores how Black college students use archival love texts to reimagine vocational identity. Her research sits at the intersection of Black embodiment, emotional labor, leadership development, and educational equity. Jenkins is completing a postgraduate certification in Sexual Health & Social Justice from the University of Michigan and an MBA with a concentration in Luxury Fashion at American University. Her work has been featured in Forbes and LinkedIn News. She is the founder of Khadyajah's Community Library in Houston, TX, a culturally responsive literacy initiative serving over 1000+ students and families. Jenkins served on the Board of Directors of illuminAid, and mentors veterans and professionals through American Corporate Partners and Adobe. She presented previously at Virginia Tech and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Mental Performance in Black American Football Players: An Attribute Clustering Approach

Adebisi Akinyemi is the lead data scientist at HITE EQ, a sports tech startup with an app that provides evidence-based mental training to help athletes and teams maximize performance. She earned her PhD in Psychological Science with a focus on health psychology and quantitative methods from the University of California, Irvine. As a doctoral student, her research explored the intergenerational transmission of adversity, how media transmits racial trauma to marginalized communities, and gendered online abuse in sports. Her research has been published in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals such as Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, Nature Human Behaviour, and Stress & Health. At HITE EQ, her research examines how mental training can help improve athletes’ psychological attributes and how these attributes may predict on-field performance.

NETWORKING LUNCH (12:30 - 1:30 p.m.)

NETWORKING LUNCH

PANEL | Our Bodies Keep the Score: Movement & Collective Memory in the Diaspora (1:30 - 2:30 p.m.)

Bodies in Motion, Voices in Memory: Genealogy, Sport, and Sound in the Post-Antebellum Black Gulf Coast Diaspora

Alex D. Lee, Sr., is a genealogist and historical researcher with 18 years of experience specializing in families of Southwest Louisiana. A native of Beaumont, Texas, and a Texas Southern University alum, he is CEO of AlexGenealogy© and founder and president of the Southwest Louisiana Genealogy Research Group (SWLGR) nonprofit. He serves as a Keywords Community Circle and Advisory Board Member for Keywords for Black Louisiana and is a former archivist for the St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court. His research examines Southwest Louisiana from the colonial period to the present, with particular emphasis on Louisiana Creole migration, church and civil record analysis, and the use of DNA evidence to reconstruct family networks. He has identified hundreds of formerly enslaved individuals and developed a large digital genealogical database linking many to living descendants, with materials dating back to the 1600s. He received the 2021 Diverse Heritage Award from the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation.

Ball Til We Fall: Worlds We Made On Hardwood Floors

	Raymond Burgos Jr. is an artist, organizer, and student born and raised on the Northside of Houston. One of the primary focuses in his practice is discovering new ways to combine visual art, education, and community engagement. Writing, reading, and literary advocacy are also integral parts of his work, and really, his day-to-day life. You can catch him facilitating the Houston chapter of the Noname Book club, with Tay Butler and Books With the Bruzz, or his personal Words To Seeds Bookclub. The last, and probably most important part of his practice is doing what he loves with people he loves.
	Taryn “T” Stevenson is a Houston-based writer, educator, organizer, and black queer archivist. They are currently a student at Texas Southern University, majoring in English and minoring in radio/TV/film communications. T uses collage, text, and archival images as tools to build the roadmap that connects our lost history to the present-day youth.
	Dorien Brackens’ research interests are in black queer history and sustainable ecology. They are also currently affiliated with the Holt lab.

NETWORKING BREAK (2:30 - 3:00 p.m.)

NETWORKING BREAK

PANEL | Food Systems, Nutrition, and Athletics: PVAMU CAFNR’s Role in Houston Foodways (3:00 - 4:10 p.m.)

	Dr. Jenelle N. Robinson, PhD, is a nutrition educator, cultural foodways researcher, storyteller, and poet with over 20 years of experience in health and nutrition education, program development, and culturally responsive curriculum design. Her work explores body image, diasporic foodways, mental health, and student engagement in higher education, using performing arts–based pedagogy to make nutrition education both transformative and accessible. Dr. Robinson’s publications focus on culturally relevant theories, frameworks, and qualitative methods, emphasizing the intersections of food, culture, and well-being. Through research, teaching, and creative practice, she seeks to evolve how nutrition is understood, taught, and implemented, centering diverse voices and experiences across the African diaspora. She is committed to fostering learning environments where culture, storytelling, and evidence-based practice meet to inspire both knowledge and action.
	Tekedra Pierre is the Founder of Agletics, an initiative that is redefining the connection between agriculture and sports. She has experience across industries, including healthcare, secondary Career and Technical Education (CTE), entrepreneurship, and higher education. Dr. Pierre is the Director of the Information, Impact, and Sustainability Center (IISC) within the College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (CAFNR) at PVAMU. In this role, she manages internal and external communications, marketing, outreach, and engagement for agriculture programs across Texas and beyond.
	Peter Ampim is an Associate Professor of Agronomy in the Department of Agriculture, Nutrition and Human Ecology in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources at Prairie View A&M University. Dr. Ampim’s Ph.D., MS and BS degrees are in Weed Science, Agronomy and Natural Resources Management respectively. While his BS was earned from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Ghana, his MS and Ph.D. degrees were earned from Alcorn State- and Mississippi State- Universities respectively in Mississippi. Dr. Ampim also did a postdoc in environmental soil science with Texas A&M AgriLife Research. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in the areas of plant, soil, and environmental sciences. Dr. Ampim's current research activities broadly encompass sustainable and special crops production, but his particular focus is on developing sustainable and resilient crop production practices to support small scale farmers, including urban producers. His research projects are mostly integrated involving field, lab and outreach.
	Ashley Aborisade is a Program Coordinator at Prairie View A&M University’s Food Security Research Center, inside the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. With a background in communications and finance, she is a committed advocate for food security, financial education, and creating opportunities to build strong, resilient families. She earned a B.A. degree in Mass Communication from Oklahoma City University and is currently pursuing further education in project management and financial planning. Ashley is a certified Texas Master Gardener. Born in Liberia, she immigrated to the U.S. and grew up in Oklahoma City. At a young age, she watched her grandfather turn his backyard into a garden and saw firsthand the revolutionary effects of gardening. Now, as a Master Gardener volunteer, she enjoys empowering others with the nourishing mental, physical, and spiritual benefits of gardening. Prior to completing Master Garner coursework with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Ashley served on the Harris County Family and Consumer Sciences Advisory Committee, and the Texas A&M-Texarkana Women in Leadership Advisory Board.

PANEL | Houston's Legendary Black Rodeo Cowboys/girls: An Enduring Legacy That Must Be Maintained (4:20 - 5:35 p.m.)

	Dr. Demetrius W. Pearson is an associate professor and co-founder of the Sport and Fitness Administration Program, as well as the former associate chair, in the Department of Health and Human Performance at the University of Houston. His research focuses on the Socio-cultural and Historical Aspects of Sport. Recently he has conducted research and written about African American involvement in North American Rodeo. Dr. Pearson has published over 70 peer reviewed research articles, book chapters, and conference abstracts. His recent co-authored book, titled Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Global Sport Community (2025) features a chapter on Black Cowboys. His first publication, Black Rodeo in the Texas Gulf Coast Region: Charcoal in the Ashes, in 2021 was the culmination of over 20 years of rodeo research. Pearson’s rodeo expertise was recently sought by award-winning photojournalist Sarah Bird to write the historical afterword for Juneteenth Rodeo, which was published in 2024.
	Myrtis Dightman a.k.a. the “Jackie Robinson of Rodeo” by Christian Wallace in a Texas Monthly (2018) magazine feature story titled “The Greatest,” was arguably among the best bull riders of his era. He is credited as the first Black rodeo cowboy to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in 1966. The following year he became the number one ranked bull rider in the world and the first African American to hold such an honor. Dightman was a multi-year NFR qualifier from 1966-1972 and the first Black rodeo cowboy to compete in the Houston Astrodome, where he placed first in the opening go-round of the bull riding event. Notwithstanding, Dightman appeared in several Hollywood movies depicting rodeo life in 1972 with legendary film icons Steve McQueen (Junior Bonner) and Cliff Robertson (J.W. Coop). Myrtis Dightman is a fixture in every rodeo hall of fame.
	Harold Cash attended LaMarque Public School and graduated from Prairie View College in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. His interest in rodeo piqued at the age of 18. From there, he went on to win the All-American Rodeo Association Championship Bareback Riding Buckle, 1979-1981. He has been inducted into multiple Hall of Fames, including the national multicultural Western Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, Texas, and, most recently, the Dallas, Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame. His vision is to continue educating our youth on the western cowboy culture, past, present, and most importantly, the future.
	Freddie “Skeet” Gordon is a Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association cardholder since 1955, and gold card member, Skeet was a multi-event rodeo cowboy for over 20 years. He won his first bull riding competition at Mercedes, TX in the mid-1950s. His bull riding prowess enabled him to compete in elite competitions from California to New York. Gordon’s illustrious rodeo career included invitations to the world renown HLS&R in the 1960s, as well as the first all-African American rodeo in Harlem, NY, which included the late Muhammad Ali as the grand marshal. The event was chronicled by filmmaker Jeff Kanew in the 1972 documentary titled Black Rodeo. Freddie Gordon has been inducted into several rodeo halls of fame (e.g., HLS&R’s Black Go Texan, NMWHMHF, and South Central Texas Ring of Honor) and continues to mentor young rodeo cowboys/girls.
	James Boone is a revered veteran rodeo cowboy who competed nationally and throughout the state of Texas. Known in rodeo circles as a fierce competitive bull rider, Boone is a “quasi” rodeo historian who was instrumental in the identification of numerous Black cowboys pictured and chronicled in Sara Bird’s award-winning photo-essay book titled Juneteenth Rodeo.

CLOSING REMARKS (5:35 - 5:45 p.m.)

Portia Hopkins, Fondren Library, Rice University

Friday, March 27, 2026

R Room at Rice Stadium, Rice University

WELCOME (9:30 a.m.)

Reginald DesRoches, Rice University President & Portia Hopkins, Fondren Library, Rice University

PANEL & DRAMATIC READING | Swinging for the Fences: Baseball, Black Community, and August Wilson's Fences (9:40 - 11:10 a.m.)

	M. Clay Hooper is an Associate Professor of English at Prairie View A&M University. His research focuses on the Black intellectual tradition and the politics of racial solidarity. His peer-reviewed works cover Black feminist writers like Toni Morrison and Alice Walker, post-Reconstruction Black intellectuals like Sutton E. Griggs and Alain Locke, and Black abolitionists like Frederick Douglass and William Wells Brown. His current manuscript project, “A Great Race-Welding,” examines the intersection of philosophical pragmatism and Black nationalism in African American literature from the end of Reconstruction to the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement.
	Whitney Brantley, known as The Dopest Historian, is a Houston-based historian whose work examines Black life in Texas, with a concentration on Black Houstonians, and their communities that built, shaped, and helped sustain Houston’s social, cultural, and institutional landscape from the nineteenth century to the present. Drawing on archival research, oral histories, and public history practice, her work centers on the recovery and interpretation of "under-told" narratives within Houston’s Black communities. Through her brand, “Dope, It’s History,” she engages these histories through public-facing initiatives including: walking tours, Juneteenth programming, moderated conversations, and historical consulting that supports organizations, cultural initiatives, and community storytelling.
	Eileen J. Morris is the artistic director of The Ensemble Theatre-Houston. She is part of the first cohort of the BOLD Women's Theater Leadership Circle, which has benefited The Ensemble Theatre in receiving $1.50 million in the past seven years. Under her artistic leadership, The Ensemble Theatre has received numerous recognitions that have helped to strengthen the institution while positioning the theater on a national scale. Eileen was recognized as the 2023 Best Artistic Director by the Houston Press Awards. Additionally, she received the title of 2021 Director of the Decade for her work on Fences from BroadwayWorld Houston and was honored with the 2020 US/TT Thomas DeGaetani Award for her significant contributions to the performing arts community in Texas. Eileen holds the distinction of being the ONLY woman in the world to direct nine of the ten plays in the August Wilson Century Cycle.

PERFORMANCE | Brave Bodies: Breaking Barriers and Bearing the Burden of Becoming (11:10 - 11:55 a.m.)

First Down. First Base. First Position | Harrison Guy, Founder, Urban Souls Dance Company

This performance lecture explores the history of Black “firsts” across sport, dance, and public life through the lens of the body. Moving between the languages of football, baseball, and dance, the work reflects on the courage required of those who were the first Black athletes, dancers, and cultural leaders to enter spaces where they were not expected or welcomed. Drawing from the legacy of the Prairie View Interscholastic League, the Negro Leagues in Texas, Houston’s own sporting history, and the lineage of Black dance pioneers, the piece examines how Black bodies have carried both the promise and the pressure of progress.

Through poetic narration accompanied by live movement, Brave Bodies considers what it means to break barriers while also bearing the burden of becoming. The work highlights the physical, emotional, and historical weight placed on those who go first while celebrating the resilience, beauty, and brilliance of Black embodiment. Ultimately, the piece asks how acts of movement whether on the field, the diamond, or the stage become pathways not only toward recognition, but toward home.

Harrison Guy is a choreographer, teacher, cultural architect and community builder, who uses movement to document, preserve, and honor Black history and culture. He is the founder of Urban Souls Dance Company. Harrison has captivated audiences across the nation through his inspirational and unique works of truth, beauty, and activism. Using his personal identity as a Black gay man as a catalyst, Harrison is interested in how Black life and African American traditions might be accessed in the pursuit of healing. He intends to continue cultivating a safe space for Black dancers to be centered and affirmed.

NETWORKING LUNCH (11:55 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.)

NETWORKING LUNCH

PANEL | Freedom Fields: HBCU Sports Histories(12:45 - 2:30 p.m.)

Training Grounds: PVIL and Black Athletic Life in Houston

Evelyn Davis is the Lead Archivist and Assistant Manager with over five years experiences in archives. I assist with overseeing archival projects, the acquisition of new donations, building community partnerships.​ While obtaining my dual master's degrees, I had a passion and interest in African American Studies within Special Collections. So, when I got the offer to work in a Black Archive, I felt a duty and responsibility to preserve the rich legacies of families, business owners, and student in the greater Houston area.

The Turkey Day Classic: A Celebration of Black Community, Pride & Sportsmanship

	Edward “Bert” Evans III is the eldest of five children born to Catherine and Edward B. Evans Jr. He attended Bruce Elementary, William E. Miller Jr. High, and graduated from Jack Yates Sr. High School in 1968. After high school, Bert attended the University of Texas at Austin before beginning his career in the steel industry with Armco Steel. He later returned to complete his degree at Texas Southern University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education in 1979. In 1984, Bert joined ExxonMobil, where he served for 27 years in positions including Operator, Operations Supervisor, and Chemical Plant Safety Coordinator. After retiring in 2011, he continued his work as a Safety Consultant for the company’s Baytown Complex. Bert has been married for 25 years and is the proud father of five children, with five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He is an active member of Windsor Village Church and supports A Time To Change, Inc., a nonprofit organization serving underserved youth. He is also a member of the “Breakfast Club,” a group committed to funding scholarships for young people pursuing higher education. A sports enthusiast who enjoys swimming and jazz music, Bert remains committed to mentoring youth and supporting community development initiatives throughout Houston.
	Dr. Carolyn Evans-Shabazz is a proud graduate of Jack Yates Senior High School and went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. My educational journey continued at Texas Southern University, where I earned a Master's degree in Psychology and a PhD in Education. These experiences ignited my passion for addressing educational inequalities and fostering empowerment in underserved communities. Throughout my career, I have been privileged to break barriers and pave the way for others. I had the honor of serving as the first African American woman to chair the Houston Community College System's Board, a role that enabled me to help make education more accessible and equitable. As a member of the Executive Committee and 2nd Vice President of the NAACP-Houston Branch, I continue my advocacy for civil rights and equality. As a life member, I work diligently to ensure that the voices of our community are heard and our rights are upheld. As your Councilwoman, I have championed significant legislative achievements, including the passage of an ordinance providing parental leave to all City of Houston employees and strengthening the enforcement of our sound ordinance. I am committed to providing information and seeking resources to enhance the quality of life in District D, believing that education is the key to changing the circumstances of entire families and reducing crime. Beyond my public service, I am a realtor with over 30 years of experience in Houston and a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. My family has a rich history in Texas—my grandfather was the first president of Prairie View University, and my parents, the late Edward B. "Doc" Evans and Catherine Williams Evans, were both educators in the Houston Independent School District. I am the second of five children and the owner of a local landscape design business.
	Dr. Voris Glasper is a native Houstonian raised in the city’s Fifth Ward and educated in Houston ISD. At Phillis Wheatley High School, he played varsity football for three years (co-captain as a senior) and varsity baseball for three years (senior captain), and was on Wheatley’s 1954 State Champion Football Team. Valedictorian of the Class of 1957, he earned the E. E. Worthing Scholarship, Fisk University’s top award, and entered Fisk University in Nashville in 1957. There he played football, joined Alpha Phi Alpha, and spent his junior year as an exchange student at the University of Redlands (1961). He graduated from Fisk with honors in Chemistry, earned his DDS from Meharry (1965), served two years in the U.S. Army as a dentist and captain, then returned to Houston to practice dentistry for 58 years. He and his wife, Carol, have three children: Voriccia, Voris II, and Victor.
	Dr. Thurman W. Robins was an outstanding high school and collegiate athlete. A retired educator, his career spanned more than forty years. Dr. Robins has published four books, including: Swimming Against The Odds; Shimmy To GOLD; Requiem For A Classic; and Aspire, Act, Achieve. He has been inducted into four Halls of Fame. His hobbies include creative artwork, writing, traveling, and playing golf.
	Algenita Scott Davis is Government and Community Affairs Officer for Central Houston, Inc. and Visiting Professor with Jesse H. Jones School of Business of Texas Southern University for five years; Executive Director of Houston Habitat for Humanity, managing $30MM operation; constructing 350 affordable houses and three complete affordable subdivisions, operating mortgage company serving over 500 low-to-moderate income residents, directing $2MM restore operations, Served as SVP and Community Affairs Officer for JPMorgan Chase and its predecessor Texas Commerce Bank; Serving as Founding Chair of Tax Increment Zone Number Nine that includes 460 affordable houses and Founding Vice Chair of Tax Increment Zone Number Seven with over $50 MM in community investment, Served as founding President of William A. Lawson Institute, constructing 50 unit senior housing project. Professional Leadership as President of the National Bar Association and Houston Lawyers Association.
	Bishop Thomas Wallace attended Phillis Wheatley from 1964 to 1967. I attended undergraduate school at the University of Iowa, where I played Big Ten football. Currently, I have one bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, and three doctoral degrees. I have been an academic instructor for several colleges and universities, as well as Dean of Men at Wiley College. I am currently the Archbishop and Primate for New Day Kingdom Assembly Pentecostal Convergence Church and pastor of The NEW Oasis. More importantly, I am married to Dr. Edith Wallace and have four children, thirteen grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren, with one on the way.
	Debra Blacklock-Sloan, a fifth-generation Texan and native Houstonian, is self-employed as a historical researcher and genealogist with 30 years of experience. Debra also operates a business where she conducts bus tours of African-American sites across the country. Debra is also an avid preservationist and has received numerous accolades for her preservation and volunteer efforts. She is responsible for twelve City of Houston Protected Landmark designations and 30-plus state and county historical markers in Houston. Her memberships include the Harris County Historical Commission, Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society-(Willie Lee Gay H-Town Chapter), Association of Professional Genealogists, Oak Park Historic Cemetery Association, and the Harris County African-American Cultural Heritage Commission. (Created by Pct.1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis). Debra’s past collaborative projects include authoring and editing articles for the African-American Handbook of Texas; creating interpretative panels for the historic Bethel Church Park in Houston’s Fourth Ward Freedmen’s Town; documenting the enslaved population and descendants on the Bernardo Plantation in Waller County; documenting Blacks in Houston’s Frost Town Settlement, locating descendants of the Black Liberators Project, initiating the Equal Justice Initiative’s Community Remembrance Lynching Project and submitting applications for the UNESCO Slave Route Project. Debra’s current efforts include documenting African-American historic resources in Texas counties, researching early Freedmen’s Town residents in Harris County and “The Nickel: A Guidebook to African-American Historic Sites in Houston’s Fifth Ward.” Over the years, she has presented several local workshops on African-American genealogy research. She has also been featured in several newspapers, publications, and TV segments. She is passionate about her genealogy business and loves assisting her clients in discovering their lineage. Debra believes “finding one’s ancestors leads to finding yourself.” “Sankofa”
	Debbie Harwell is an instructional associate professor in History and Honors at the University of Houston, where she teaches classes in Houston history, US history since 1877, and public history methods. She also serves as the editor of Houston History magazine, published by the UH Center for Public History. Harwell is the author of Wednesdays in Mississippi: Proper Ladies Working for Radical Change, Freedom Summer 1964, and a member of the Harris County Historical Commission.

BREAK (2:30 - 2:45 p.m.)

BREAK

PANEL | DOMEafterDOME: Student Perspectives on the Astrodome (2:45 - 4:15 p.m.)

	Mili Kyropoulou is an international architect, researcher, and educator, currently an Assistant Professor at the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design at the University of Houston. As the founder and director of the BASE Lab (Building Analytics and Sustainable Environments), her work operates at the intersection of climate-responsive, human-centric design, grounded in experimentation and building performance simulations. Mili studied architecture at the Aristotle University in Thessaloniki and holds an MSc in Sustainable Environmental Design from the Architectural Association in London. She is a registered architect in Greece and the UK (RIBA Chartered Architect) and a LEED Accredited Professional, serving on expert organizations such as IBPSA (International Building Performance Simulation Association) and IES (Illuminating Engineering Society). With over 15 years of experience in architecture, Mili has practiced in Greece, the UK, France, and the US.
	Linzhen “Lin” Chew is a fifth-year Bachelor of Architecture student at the University of Houston’s Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design. His work focuses on sustainability, emerging technologies, and community-centered design, exploring how architecture can create inclusive and resilient environments. He approaches design as both a technical discipline and a narrative practice, aiming to shape spaces that are innovative, responsible, and socially grounded.
	Taylor E. Henderson is a fifth-year architecture student at the University of Houston and a current intern at Corgan, where she works with the Education Studio. She is passionate about how thoughtful design impacts the well-being of its users, and this interest has guided her academic and professional journey. Upon graduating, Henderson plans to continue her pursuit of architecture in the education sector and hopes to become a licensed architect in the near future.
	Poorva R. Kondalkar is a graduate student at the University of Houston pursuing a Master of Science in Architecture with a focus on Digital Media and Fabrication. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Architecture in 2024 and has experience working on residential, commercial, hospitality projects and independent design work. Passionate about emerging technologies, she aims to integrate optimization and digital systems into architectural practice.
	Gissele Yanez is a 5th-year architecture student at UH and is a Houstonian, born and raised!
	MODERATOR Rose Oyoo is a senior at Rice University, in the Department of Psychological Sciences. She serves as a Senior Program Assistant for the Center for Engaged Research and Collaborative Learning (CERCL) and is on the Executive Committee for Black Houston(s)

BREAK (4:15 - 4:30 p.m.)

BREAK

CURATED SESSION | Redefining the Field: Women in the World of College Sports (4:30 - 5:30 p.m.)

	Chaundra J. Frank, MBA is a Rice University double alumna whose educational foundation and athletic excellence have shaped a distinguished career in executive leadership and community advocacy. A former Rice Track and Field athlete, Chaundra earned her Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Sports Management and later returned to complete her MBA at the Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business. Today, she continues her deep engagement with Rice as President of the Association of Rice University Black Alumni (ARUBA) and President of the R-Association (Rice Letterwinners), strengthening connections between alumni, current students, and the broader Rice community while advocating for diversity, equity, and athletic excellence. She also serves on the board of directors at Legacy School of Sport Sciences and Chinquapin Preparatory School. Professionally, Chaundra brings over 25 years of leadership in finance, strategy, and operations across energy trading, professional services, operations management, and nonprofit organizations. She has served as Vice President of Finance at the Houston Botanic Garden and held various executive positions at management consulting firms and energy companies. Chaundra is deeply committed to community development through sports. Over 12 years ago, she founded Lake Houston Youth Sports Association (Lake Houston Basketball), serving 300+ young athletes, and serves as Vice President of Media & Community Relations for Legends of the Ball, Inc., where she has raised over $250,000 for Title IX awareness and educational scholarships, curated programs during NCAA Final Four and WNBA All-Star events, and partnered with WNBA leadership to create national exhibits honoring women's basketball pioneers. Her work integrates Rice values of leadership and service with executive expertise and advocacy for equity in sports and education.
	Amanda Perkins-Ball is an Associate Teaching Professor of Kinesiology at Rice University and Director of the Movement Behavior Lab (MoBL). Her work in sport and exercise psychology focuses on motivation, motor learning, and physical activity behavior, with particular attention to the role of culture and identity in sport and health experiences. She is a Fellow of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) and serves on its Executive Board as Membership Services Division Head. She has received recognition for her teaching and undergraduate research mentoring, and her work includes peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and national and international presentations.
	Jenna Byrd is a senior double majoring in kinesiology and psychology at Rice University whose research centers on belonging, identity, and racial disparities in healthcare. She is currently completing a practicum supporting caregivers of individuals with dementia, where she conducts assessments and connects families to resources. Jenna plans to pursue graduate training in clinical psychology or social work, with the goal of advancing mental health equity and providing culturally responsive care in clinical and community settings.
	Genessee Puntigam is an assistant coach for the Rice University soccer team. During the 2024 season, Puntigam helped lead the Owls to their first AAC Tournament trip and AAC Tournament game victory with a 2-0 win over UAB in the AAC Quarterfinals. Puntigam arrived to South Main after spending the prior nine years playing professional soccer. She began her playing career with Montpellier HSC in France, twice helping them to a runner-up finish in the Coupe de France as well as a runner-up in Feminine Division I. After joining Vittsjo GIK, she spent a year stateside with LA Galaxy OC of the United Women’s Soccer League. She then went back overseas, joining Dijon FCO. Most recently she spent a year with FC Koln as a member of Bundesliga. Puntigam played collegiately at Cal from 2010-13, where she was a key member of the Bears back line that made four straight NCAA appearances. She made 75 starts and was named Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention in 2011.
	Dayo Tennyson is a sophomore at Rice University studying Sports Medicine and a member of the Soccer Team.

CURATED SESSION | Black Sports Moms (5:30 - 6:30 p.m.)

	Lachauna Edwards is the co-founder of Black Sports Moms®, where she serves as General Counsel and leads all legal strategy and NIL education for the organization. In this role, she designs and delivers a curriculum that equips mothers to confidently navigate contracts, brand partnerships, compliance, and intellectual property protection. Beyond legal strategy, she also plays a central role in cultivating and supporting the Black Sports Moms® community across social platforms. Outside of Black Sports Moms®, Lachauna operates her own law firm, where she has had the opportunity to help protect and secure more than $4 million in NIL opportunities for student athletes. She previously spent over a decade as an attorney with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, grounding her work in a deep understanding of equity, compliance, and institutional accountability. Lachauna is the wife of a youth football coach and the mother of three young athletes. She blends professional authority with personal experience lived as a sports family.
	Andrea Odom is the co-founder of Black Sports Moms® and serves as VP and Director of Strategic Partnerships. She also drives and oversees media, public relations, and our outreach team. Andrea crafts our campaigns that amplify athletes, brands, and community initiatives, bringing her expertise as a PR and community strategist to every client. Also known for managing high-profile media campaigns, whether advocating for justice, supporting political figures, or crafting narratives for businesses, her impact can be seen across multiple projects. In addition to being a “momager” to her son, professional baseball player Dylan Campbell, Andrea is a proud mom of three, blending her personal and professional worlds to support families in sports.
	Andrew Anderson is a former college athlete and Purdue University graduate turned marketing strategist with 12+ years of experience, driving growth through digital media, paid advertising, and performance-driven strategies. He has led high-impact campaigns for Fortune 500 brands, healthcare systems, nonprofits, and emerging startups, managing multi-channel initiatives across Google Ads, Meta, YouTube, programmatic, and influencer campaigns. Andrew brings a hybrid background of agency leadership and entrepreneurial execution, having launched Hoop Leads, a digital advertising service that helps basketball trainers and programs attract and convert high-quality clients. He also founded Leverage Athletes, a passion-driven initiative aimed at helping athletes build, grow, and monetize their personal brands through strategy, content, and digital presence.

EXHIBITION | BOOK SALE (6:30 - 7:00 p.m.)

EXHIBITION | BOOK SALE

BLACK HOUSTON(S) AWARDS (7:00 - 7:30 p.m.)

BLACK HOUSTON(S) AWARDS

KEYNOTE | Sports: Leveling the Playing Field (7:30 - 8:30 p.m.)

Dr. Damion L. Thomas, Supervisory Museum Curator, Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture Damion Thomas, PhD, is the Museum Curator of Sports and the interim Assistant Director for the Office of Curatorial Affairs at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. He earned a BA, MA, and PhD in United States History at UCLA. Prior to joining the museum, he was an assistant professor at the University of Maryland-College Park and the University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign. He is the author of Globetrotting: African American Athletes and Cold War Politics, and numerous other articles and op-eds.