ABOVE: Mayor Sylvester Turner, Bishop James Dixon and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee honor some of Houston’s Leading Black Women who are using their POWER to cause others to rise. Photo by: James Wright-WrightONE Photography
This past Sunday, February 18, Bishop James Dixon and The Community of Faith honored several of Houston’s leading Black women who are using their power to cause others to rise.
Using the scripture from Proverbs 31:25 which states, “She is clothed with strength and dignity and she laughs without fear of the future,” Bishop Dixon celebrated these women during his 11 am service to honor the power of African American women.
According to Bishop Dixon, 2018 is the year, more than ever, where there is a call in the Kingdom for women to stand up and be all they can be. He believes that there is a call for women and men alike to stand ready to support and defend African American women across this country.
Bishop Dixon indicated that when women rise, everyone, including the family, churches, communities, society and everyone else rises with them. He stated that when women rise, historically, civilizations have been moved and changed.
Bishop Dixon took the time to recognize the selection of honorees for 2018, who he stated are succeeding personally, and whose work impacts, empowers, supports and lifts everyone in the community. Each honoree received a specialized award and had their bios and contributions to the community read before the congregation.
In addition to that recognition, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee issued proclamations to each honoree and delivered an empowering message of strength and encouragement.
Mayor Sylvester Turner also delivered a powerful message that had many of the honorees in tears, whereby he spoke about the strength of women and their impact on society.
Forward Times Publisher and CEO Karen Carter Richards was one of the honorees.
In addition to Karen, the other women who were honored included: Wanda Adams, HISD Board Trustee; Dr. Carla Brailey, Texas Southern University, Faculty; Linda Brown, Advantage Communications Group LLC, Owner; Melinda Spaulding Chevalier, Texas Southern University, Vice President of University Advancement; Councilmember Amanda Edwards, City of Houston; Raynese Edwards, OutsideIn Consulting, Managing Partner; Dr. Nativida Etienne-Maule, Oaks Medical Center, Family Nurse Practitioner; Donna Franklin, Texas Southern University, KTSU Programming Director; Crystal Hadnott, Ebony, Director of Strategic Partnerships; Marvalette Hunter, City of Houston, Chief of Staff for the Mayor of Houston; Christal Jackson, Head and Heart Philanthropy, Founder and President; Sonceria Messiah Jiles, Houston Defender Newspaper, Owner-Publisher; Courtney Johnson-Rose, Greater Houston Black Chamber of Commerce, Board Chair; Jolanda Jones, HISD Board Trustee and Attorney; Dr. Winnie King, Paradise Wellness, ER Doctor; Jalene Mack, Jalene Mack LLC, Attorney and Houston Film/Entertainment Advocate; Vanessa Reed, Comerica Bank, CRA Manager; Rhonda Skillern-Jones, HISD Board President; Dr. Justina Taube, Ophthalmologist and Pharmacist, Managing Partner; Ashley Turner, Bee Busy Wellness Center, COO and First Daughter; Andrea Shiloh, Prosperity Bank, Branch President; and Carlecia Wright, City of Houston, Office of Business Opportunity.
Honoree Karen Carter Richards, Community of Faith Youth Escort and Bishop James Dixon Photo by: James Wright-WrightONE Photography