March 2019
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ustin Black Business Journal & Community News Magazine was created for the African American community, as a platform to present business and community news from a trusted source and to ensure the information is presented with a respectful, positive and authentic voice. Like more than 90% of the other Black entrepreneurs in Texas my business is self-funded and has only one employee. Printing is our largest cost which is why we are mostly digital. For instance, the March issue cost me $4.30 per issue/each. Yes, that’s per magazine and we are a monthly. We host events to defray costs but of course like a lot of Black owned businesses we barely break even and appreciate the generous donations from our supporters. Our mission is to inform, empower and transform Black communities through media and technology. We want to build our own communities from the inside out but we cannot do it without your help. We are building our tribe and we need you. We are seeking community partners to invest with us. We are seeking positive and constructive dialogue. We are seeking a seat at the table and the ability to evoke change on a grand scale. We are here to build up our community. Our Black Austin Tribe includes everyone in Central Texas, not just those blessed with a little more melanin than others. We pride ourselves on creating quality content for the multi-cultural community we serve. We provide influence & direction to our geographically dispersed Black community and consumers and enjoy being the voice of Black Austin. About this issue. To say I am proud of the men and women who grace the covers of this issue is an understatement. I feel extraordinarily blessed to have been given the opportunity to capture the stories you are about to enjoy. This is why I do this. It is so worth it! See for yourself. Congratulations not only to the incredible honorees, lawyers and civic professionals in this issue but to the companies who see their value and acknowledge their worth. These companies show first hand their commitment to diversity and inclusion is a cornerstone of their organization’s core values. And hey, let me hear from you. Send me an email, follow me on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook. Send me a note let me know what you like or don’t and what you’d like to see next. Or if you’d like to Volunteer, Donate or Sponsor an upcoming event. To nominate Top Doctors, Millennials, Educators, Blacks in Tech, etc. by going to www.austinblackbusiness.com and click Nominate I pray you see our value, and see our worth and look forward to working together to build a better Central Texas for all.
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TOP TEN SUPER LAWYERS
AUSTIN MOST INFLUENTIAL LAWYERS
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Congratulations Top Ten SUPER Lawyers! “Congratulations Karen Kennard, Demetrius McDaniel, and Dale Wainwright for this tremendously well-deserved recognition.” Mary-Olga Lovett, Greenberg Traurig Senior Vice President and Co-Regional Operating Shareholder, Texas offices.
“These are all dear friends, outstanding colleagues and respected leaders, and we know that their achievements will continue to inspire others to deliver the same quality of service and mentoring to others.”
Kennard’s practice focuses on government law, policy, and regulatory matters with an emphasis on municipal local government issues. Her experience spans more than two decades and includes serving as Austin’s city attorney and general counsel for the largest municipal league in the country.
McDaniel is the firm’s Co-Regional Operating Shareholder of Texas and Chair of the Texas Government Law & Policy Practice. He counsels and provides advocacy for Fortune 500 and other large private and public sector clients on federal, state, and local legal and public policy matters. McDaniel has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America since 2007, including being named the Austin Government Relations “Lawyer of the Year” in 2016.
Wainwright chairs the firm’s Texas Appellate Practice and represents clients in complex disputes in state and federal trial and appellate courts. Prior to joining Greenberg Traurig, he served on the Texas Supreme Court for 10 years, authoring more than 125 opinions. Elected to the Supreme Court in 2002, he became the third-longestserving member of the court.
Greenberg Traurig – Texas: Greenberg Traurig has more than 125 attorneys in Texas, serving client from offices in Austin, Dallas, and Houston. Greenberg Traurig, LLP: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT) has more than 2,000 attorneys in 39 offices in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, diversity, and innovation, and is consistently among the largest firms in the U.S. on the Law360 400 and among the Top 20 on the Am Law Global 100.
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2019
CENTRAL TEXAS SUPER LAWYERS
Edward Fernandes Karen Kennard Demetrius McDaniel Leonard Woods Michelle Earley Shefeeqa Giarratani Wallace Jefferson Bill Jones (Partner) Nickelle Meade Dale Wainwright
TOP 10 SUPER LAWYERS
Across the Board Good Guy
Edward Fernandes Partner, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
“That changed me a lot… seeing extreme poverty for the first time.... Whatever they had, they would offer you half of it.”
Edward Fernandes, Esq., was born in Massachusetts and grew up in a small rural community next to Plymouth in the late 1960s. His mother and father had moved to settle in the Northeastern U.S. from Cap-Vert Island, having been part of the wave of immigrants that had started coming since the 1920s from the Cape Verde Peninsula of Senegal in Africa. Fernandes spent his childhood years as part of a large yet close family of 11 people, including his five siblings, plus two other sisters and a brother who were foster children whom his parents took into their home. Fernandes learned how to work hard out on the 40 acres of cranberry bogs that his family raised for the Ocean Spray Co-op. When it came to his parents’ views about the need for Fernandes and his siblings to go on to college, it was “very, very important to them that we got an education.” At any given time, especially in the summers, there would easily be between 12-15 people in the house where Fernandes lived. Friends and relatives often came to visit, so he “had a lot of opportunities to debate.” Card games and board games were also going on whenever the other people were there, and Fernandes “always liked the challenge of these games… the strategy involved.” These were some of 8
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TOP 10 SUPER LAWYERS the memorable gatherings which played a part in Fernandes knowing for certain that he was going to be a lawyer one day from the time he was about 8 years old. He ended up going to Dartmouth College and then Columbia Law School. During his college years, Fernandes felt fortunate to have had a chance to venture out on several travel experiences, which made a profound impression on those formative years for him. He “used to think driving 50 miles to Boston was like going to Paris” before that. Fernandes spent a term in Spain, another term in Washington, D.C., and a third college term in the San Diego area at UCSD in La Jolla, California. After that, Fernandes continued expanding his love for exploring other cultures, which “transformed” him so much that he began to consider international law as a career direction. He visited Morocco, Tangier, and Casablanca. “That changed me a lot…seeing extreme poverty for the first time.” He was most impressed by how people who lived in “huts with a tin on the top” would keep their dignity and remain very clean and generous, even if they had very little. “Whatever they had, they would offer you half of it.” After three years of developing into his early career track as a new lawyer around the Boston area, Fernandes met up with a partner in law and moved to Houston in 1985. He stayed there working as a lawyer for 15 years. His college roommate and good friend had originally come from the South, which made Fernandes interested in going to see what it would be like to try out Houston as his next living adventure. Also, Fernandes decided that he “needed to get into a more urban environment…to basically start seeing things from A to Z,” after growing up in rural southeastern Massachusetts and then being on a small campus in a thriving although less urban area throughout his college years. He considered that learning experience, from those years practicing law in Houston, as important as his whole time spent in Columbia Law School. Fernandes and one of his former partners at the Houston firm went their separate ways when Fernandes started his own firm there in Houston. However, even after his former
partner moved to Austin, the two would continue to work on cases together. “Anytime we had huge cases we’d form a joint venture, and so he kept trying to convince me to come to Austin and join him.” Fernandes ended up moving to Austin, discovering that, when he got there, he “could see the sky again,” after 15 years in Houston. He decided that he needed to “return closer to his roots and a little more relaxed, rural environment compared to Houston.” Since then, Fernandes has remained in Austin, advancing in his career at a rapid and successful pace to the present day, still trying billion-dollar cases in several states around the U.S. He has enjoyed the variety in his commercial, corporate, litigation and primarily trial work around the state of Texas as well as around the country. He has considered his wide-ranging law practice opportunities “really fortunate to not be pigeonholed.” Fernandes collaboratively tried one of the largest environmental cases in the last 30 years and “was written up as one of the five top environmental cases of the year which was a flood for GBRA, Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority, in connection with endangered species in that case,” taking place in South Texas. He also tried a notable case at Ernst and Young in New Jersey and another major case in the Los Angeles State Court, where
he received “a favorable end.” “I love what I do and…clients see that.” Fernandes jokes with his clients that when they go to bed and he is still thinking about their case, they wake up and he has already been up early thinking about their case. Fernandes credits his earlier days on the cranberry farm and the work ethic taught to him by his parents in his younger years. “When you grow up doing real work, spending 10 or 12 hours in an office is not work.” His philosophy is that all people should be treated the same, “with respect and dignity…no matter who they are.” However, what Fernandes considers to be one of the top keys to many of the professional successes he has had, “really has a lot to do with a collaborative approach…I’ve always been able to put good teams around me and create real collaborative environments.” Besides valuing family, morals and his generous community service, Fernandes enjoys watching sports and listening to all different kinds of music. Whether it is during his daily one-hour morning workout, or if he just “needed a little spiritual pick me up” in order to inspire him for the day, “I’ve got my music in.” Fernandes also stops every now and then for those opportunities to sit down with someone, simply for “smoking a good cigar and enjoying life.” To advertise email sales@blackbusinessjournal.com
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TOP 10 SUPER LAWYERS
Global Citizen
Karen Kennard Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig
“Never give up.”
Karen Kennard, Esq., was born in Houston and grew up in Fort Worth, Texas in the 1970s. She came from a large yet comfortable family, including her six brothers. Her mother was a first-generation college graduate and her father had also gone to the university, so going to college was an expectation in her household. Even though “at any given time, there were anywhere from three to four kids in college” in her family. Considering the number of siblings needing provided for, her scholarship award was a definite incentive when it came time for Kennard’s turn to leave the nest. Kennard’s memories of her childhood days were overall ones that still make her smile, full of fun times in her neighborhood with many of the other children that lived around her. Lots of playing in the park, swimming in the summers, and some cherished time spent on her grandparents’ farm. “We weren’t rich, but my parents had resources…a typical middle-class upbringing that I have really fond memories of.” It was to her mother whom Kennard gives the most credit in the long run for keeping everyone’s spirits up and making sure life went on as optimistically and faith-filled as possible when her family went through the most difficult years 10
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TOP 10 SUPER LAWYERS
of their lives. The “dark” times happened during the wrongful imprisonment of Kennard’s brother due to his being convicted of the crime of rape which he did not commit. This unfortunate and very emotionally painful strain on all who were involved happened over a period of about 13 years, even well beyond that, due to the tragic outcome. The family received the first posthumous pardon given from Governor Rick Perry in 2008 when the true perpetrator finally came forward to admit that he, not Kennard’s brother, was the guilty one. This offered some degree of relief to Kennard’s family, finally seeing their innocent loved one’s name cleared, although that confession letter arrived so many years later after her brother had lost his life from an asthma attack. “He would never admit to doing something he didn’t do.” Thinking back, Kennard remembers, “Our parents always taught us to tell the truth, no mater what.” She was proud that her mother and youngest brother eventually got involved with the Innocence Project of Texas, as a result of all that their family endured. It was a way to try to give back in some way, perhaps to help others in a similar situation, even though it could never make up for their great loss of Kennard’s dearly beloved brother. After her parents had exhausted all their savings and strained their resources, “even mortgaged their house for lawyers” over the years to get through that whole process with Kennard’s brother, she was able to examine more deeply some very important things about herself and “the system.” “That has shaped me in so many ways...made me strong and determined and resilient in a way that I don’t know if any other experience could have.” Kennard accepts that the trail of wrongs could not be blamed on the people in the system, “because nothing is perfect…systems like the criminal justice system are made up of people making decisions. People make mistakes.” Her walk and hopes toward studying for a career path in the U.S. legal system never wavered, however. Kennard knew she wanted to be a lawyer one day, ever since she was in the third or fourth grade. Her elementary school
had hosted a career day event back then, and one of the guest visitors was a lawyer. “She was a woman and she was a lawyer.” Kennard remembers being so intrigued by everything about her, particularly fascinated by the briefcase she carried. At home that evening, Kennard proudly announced, “I think I’m going to be a lawyer.” She was also attracted to the city of Austin ever since her school days, when they took field trips to the Texas State Capital. The greatest inspiration that probably sealed the deal about choosing law school later was when she saw Barbara Jordan speaking during the Watergate hearings and learned that Jordan was from Texas and a lawyer. The type of law that Kennard started out practicing was not really a choice, as she saw it at that time in 1987 and 1988, when Texas was in the throes of a huge financial disaster due to the oil depression. On top of that, America “was in the midst of the savings and loans crisis, and there were virtually no jobs” when she graduated. For a brief time, Kennard had been in Austin working for Texas News League, also to be closer to her two brothers who were attending UT at that time. The first job offer in her field after graduation was an opening for a city attorney in Midland, Texas. She accepted the position but clearly let them know that her plan was
to work there for only a year, in order to gain some valuable experience and then return to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex to find work there, mainly to be closer to her family and friends. In December of 1989, Kennard moved to Austin after receiving a job offer for a similar position, worked in it for about 15 years and then advanced to general counsel. From there, she went on to become deputy city attorney. “It was an opportunity to run the day to day operations of a large law department and it’s right in my area.” She knew the issues and was looking for a chance to manage more people. Kennard worked successfully as deputy city attorney for a little under six years. She took over as city attorney when her supervisor retired. Looking back on her life, Kennard is a strong and happy person. Besides putting her utmost into her work, she enjoys volunteering as well, helping any organizations which promote causes she believes in. Kennard is also an avid reader and has been a member of a book club for nearly 30 years now. She loves the arts, going to museums and looking at paintings. However, international travel is her “number one thing,” when it comes to leisure time. Africa and Antarctica are the only continents which Kennard has not yet visited. Her goal is to “set foot on every continent” in her lifetime. To advertise email sales@blackbusinessjournal.com
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TOP 10 SUPER LAWYERS
Work Hard & Pay it Forward “The world is a competitive place, but one in which the majority of people, particularly in politics, no matter the party affiliation, want to see the whole of Texas and the United States move forward.�
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Demetrius McDaniel Principal & Co-Regional Operating Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig
MARCH 2019
TOP 10 SUPER LAWYERS Demetrius McDaniel, currently a practicing Attorney at Law with Greenberg Traurig. He is also the Principal and Co-Regional Operating Shareholder. McDaniel is a native Texan who was born and raised in Houston in the late 1960s. He was inspired by his industrious parents, a Baptist minister and English teacher, McDaniel’s path in politics and law brought him to Austin in 1981, where he has remained around the Texas capital ever since. Continuing education beyond high school was something McDaniel never thought twice about. Impressed from a young age by the fact that his mother was the first in her family to attend and finish college. Also, his paternal grandmother attended “the only college around that Americans of African descent could attend way back when,” graduating with a teaching certificate as well. Outside of the phenomenal values in self-discipline and working hard which he credits his parents for instilling to this day, and admittedly “watching Perry Mason,” McDaniel just knew he wanted to be a lawyer and would someday go to law school since he was about 10 years old. That was a time when he was influenced by a new wave of legislators being elected, such as Senator Barbara Jordan and House Representatives Craig Washington and Anthony Hall in particular.
cided that, besides the cold weather there, “It simply came down to… I’m a southerner, and I like it.” His lure to Austin arose from more than his meaningful trip there with Boys State. Before that, he had enjoyed summer visits there growing up and generally liked the area. His first job in his field of interest was in 1981 working as a Page in the Texas House and then for House member, El Franko Lee, before Lee became the Harris County Commissioner. The more he observed what it was really like in that world he had always admired and was finally digging deeper into, the more the young McDaniel awakened to just how much the people working in politics had to juggle. McDaniel realized the hard truth of government salaries, even back then, stating to himself, “I’m not working for $600 a month, I’m sorry.” It was mainly the discovery of lobbying that intrigued McDaniel to continue moving forward. He “struck up a friendship” with Jack Gullahorn, Executive Assistant to Speaker Billy Clayton in the early 1970s, who became his mentor and long-time friend still to this day. McDaniel then worked in the Department of Agriculture for five years for then Commissioner Jim Hightower and remained working in state government in one capacity or another while he attended law school.
Being brought up in a working-class family, McDaniel was driven as a teenager to go after experiences which started him on the track moving toward bigger accomplishments. He watched his father achieve his dream of becoming a full-time pastor of a church after working for Maxwell House Coffee Company for the first 10 years of McDaniel’s childhood. As a teenager, McDaniel had the opportunity to work union construction jobs to make money. He learned that it took being able to withstand the “hundred-degree sun” but attributed some of his most memorable life lessons to “working with those old men who had a lot of wisdom to impart onto a 16 or 17-year-old kid.” Considering the church back then as “really ground zero for a lot of the activities of the civil rights era,” along with two of his uncles running a labor union, McDaniel felt like he grew up around politicians and just knew he would one day run for legislator, city council or most definitely “run for something.” When the time came for McDaniel to decide on which law school, he considered Washington D.C. but then de-
During McDaniel’s years at law school, it was Gullahorn who invited him to the newly merged Akin Gump that November of 1988, which he did not realize was a big, national firm at that time: “All of these kids were talking about…that was all foreign to me, but… they were very prestigious,” and that is where everybody seemed to be heading. Looking back, he realized that he was one of the fortunate ones who did not get there through the normal recruiting route, privileged to be asked by Gullahorn himself to come and join him. McDaniel attributes much of his 30 years since “in big law” to those memorable and great 20 years he spent there at Akin Gump. In fact, it was two favorite colleagues from Akin Gump who joined him when the three partners left that firm in 2008 to become the founding shareholders of the Austin office of Greenberg Traurig where McDaniel still practices today, a firm he calls a “fantastic place to be, with excellent professional achievements, accolades, and clients.” Greenberg Traurig is doing well and steadily growing, recently having celebrated its 10-year anniversary.
As a family man, McDaniel wants to just continue enjoying life with his beloved wife and children. He is also a devout rancher hobbyist who raises American Bison. He feels that his ultimate purpose in life is to continue passing down the great values to his two young daughters, nephews and nieces, such as self-confidence, focus and work ethic that he learned from his parents and from back in his younger days visiting ranches when he worked with Jim Hightower. McDaniel’s personal philosophy about life is to simply work hard, be tenacious focusing on life goals, and follow The Golden Rule with others always, “paying it forward” whenever there’s an opportunity to be generous as he has always tried to do. He sees the world as a competitive place, but one in which “the majority of people, particularly in politics, no matter the party affiliation, want to see the whole of Texas and the United States move forward.” Compared to the days when he started out, back in 1988, and “there were just a handful here in Austin and Houston, and we all somewhat knew each other,” he has been proud to have been able to be a role model for other African Americans and minorities advancing in politics and law at a time when, as he points out, the U.S. has been making huge strides in these fields. To advertise email sales@blackbusinessjournal.com
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TOP 10 SUPER LAWYERS
Boots and Suits
Leonard Woods Partner, Duggins Wren Mann & Romero LLC
“It’s okay to cry today, but tomorrow we have to get a plan and decide how we’re going to move forward. No feeling sorry for ourselves past today.”
Leonard Woods, Esq., was born in Waco, Texas and grew up just outside of Waco on a rural farm in the early 1960s. His father raised cattle, so Woods learned to tend to the livestock, fix fences and “all the things that country boys do” from a very early age. Neither of his parents had been to college, although they were very intelligent and “salt of the earth good people,” as Woods remembers them. He is an only child. There was never any question whether he would go on to college after high school. If anything, the pressure was on and “it was made very clear” to him that he would continue his education past high school, particularly since no other person in his immediate family had done so. The path into law school for Woods was a bit nontraditional, even though he went to Baylor and excelled. While attending Baylor, he lettered in sports. After graduation, Woods was merely trying to make a living. He was already married, had a house and a young daughter to support and bills to pay. He applied at a high paying factory job where the people had connections with his father. Woods went into the interview “like a college kid, all dressed up.” After the interview, the 14
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TOP 10 SUPER LAWYERS foreman came out and told him, “Leonard, you know I think you’re the best candidate for this job. But this job is not for you.” This was a time he remembers feeling deeply hurt, because he “wanted to make extra money.” Woods later realized that being told no to that position he wanted so much “was one of the best things that ever happened,” because he knew he probably would not have gone to law school if he had started at the factory job. Not long after that, Woods found work negotiating contracts for an aerospace defense contractor in the greater Waco area. As soon as he found out about a provision in his employer’s fine print that any person working 30 hours per week could get their graduate school tuition covered by the company, Woods jumped at the opportunity. He applied to Baylor’s law school, got accepted, and in 27 months went to work as a new attorney. “It put a few gray hairs on my head and a few wrinkles on my face to work and go to law school at the same time.” There was a time during law school that left a profound impression on Woods when he told his father, “Dad, this is kind of hard.” His father simply replied, “Can you do it or not?” When he said he thought he could, his father told him, “Well, okay. Then do it. If it was easy, the guy over there cutting the grass would do it.” Those memorable words of wisdom from his father and his new appreciation for being turned down from the factory job helped him gain a whole different perspective on life from then on. He knew just what he needed to do to go after his dreams, and Woods was able to accomplish his goal all the way through to the finish line. Since those days, Woods has thoroughly enjoyed his career in law. He was fortunate to get in with a firm in Austin starting out from having known some contacts, such as Charles Akins. Since his wife was in education, they also knew some principals of schools in the area as well for her to also find work. They ended up settling in Austin and never left. One of the best things about practicing law for Woods is that it allows him to fulfill his life purpose, which is, ultimately, to help people. He has worked in “representing big brother and big business law” to quite a bit of pro bono and many areas of law in between. Woods has always had a way of talking and fitting in with different type of people. The
main reason is because he respects others and does his best to relate to anyone and everyone. Almost always, Woods can find a way to relate very well with his own stories, which he believes is key to his success in his role as a trial lawyer. He attributes his unique perspective to his background growing up in the country rather than as a more cosmopolitan or so-called “big city” person. Because his own family when he was growing up was “the poorest of the poor,” Woods is not at all bothered by whether he needs to “put on jeans and boots if I need to speak to people…or I can put on a suit” when the situation calls for the sophisticated approach. Maintaining a sense of humor and optimism gets Woods through all kinds of life situations. In his leisure time, among other
interests, he has always tried to stay active and physically fit. For more than 15 years, during his regular daily lunch breaks, he goes to the YMCA to lift weights and go running. Woods also loves to cook and bake. For the last 20 years, every Christmas, he has made 30-40 dozen of his famous and coveted cookies from his own secret recipe for the children’s ministry at his church. He is, above all, a devoted family man to his wife and two daughters. He always tried to teach kindness but also toughness when raising up his girls with a coach’s mentality whenever they were injured or afraid of something: “It’s okay to cry today, but tomorrow we have to get a plan and decide how we’re going to move forward. No feeling sorry for ourselves past today.” To advertise email sales@blackbusinessjournal.com
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TOP 10 SUPER LAWYERS
Collaborative by Nature
Michelle Earley Partner, Locke Lord LLP
“Experience has taught me that life is fleeting and not to take things for granted, because you just never know what the day is going to bring.�
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MARCH 2019
TOP 10 SUPER LAWYERS Michelle Earley, Esq., was born in Colorado but considers herself a Texas native. Her family moved to Austin in 1975 when she was only 4 years old. Her parents were originally New Yorkers, her father having grown up in Harlem and her mother coming from the Bronx. Due to Earley’s father having to move frequently for his IBM job, her family lived in many of places. Her sister and brother were both born in Vermont and lived there about 6 years before Earley’s birth. Earley’s parents were heavily involved in the community in the days of her youth. Her father “also did some work with the Black Austin Chamber of Commerce, so we were just always out and about in the community.” In a time where there was a “thriving black community” in Austin, her father helped to start the Urban League in their area. Earley recalls how both of her parents had “a lot of friends who were doing some pretty amazing things in Austin” back at that time. When they were not out on the town, Earley and her father and siblings spent much time outdoors, swimming at the lake and out participating in other nature activities. However, her mother “was not an outdoors person,”. Both of her parents also set excellent educational examples for her by completing their post-baccalaureate degrees during her childhood. After attending NYU, her father achieved his executive MBA from Stanford, and her mother was in nursing school for nearly all Earley’s growing up years. Her mother started out as a registered nurse and then went back to get her master’s and eventually her PhD at UT Austin. There “was never a conversation about not going to college” in Earley’s family. Her parents told her and her other two siblings that their jobs as they were growing up were to go to school and to do well in it. As a young child, Earley had some ideas of what she wanted to be when she grew up, which included a veterinarian and possibly an architect. However, once she realized how much physics would be involved in a career as an architect while exploring it during her junior year of high school, she quickly changed gears and decided on law. Earley had her vision set more toward academic law, because she wanted to actually teach. For this reason, she was routed toward Yale rather than any other law school. To this day, Earley is often mindful of her mother’s significant impact and attitude she
had when it came to dealing with people. Her mother used to always tell her: “God doesn’t like nasty” and “You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar.” Earley was amazed at how people would stop and listen to her mother whenever she felt obligated to give her opinion or advice, because they knew she had their best interest at heart. “She was a strong woman…but approached it with kindness…She did it in such a way that it was always palatable with people and made them take notice.” Earley applies much of her mother’s philosophy to her own workplace now and how she approaches the people and clients in her practice of working with corporate capital markets, mergers and acquisitions. “I am very collaborative by nature, and I think one of the things that drew me to the transactional side of law as opposed to litigation is that it’s not a zero-sum game…generally you’re trying to get to the same goal whether you’re the seller or the buyer, right?” In order to get to that sense of collaboration, Earley does not see the need to be adversarial in the markets she works within. Earley really strives to “listen and adapt” when taking client needs into consideration so that she can make the progress which she works diligently to achieve. Sometimes, she realizes, that means being flexible. “I think I let things roll off my back pretty well…Also, if I’m wrong, I’ll admit I’m wrong.” Her overall purpose in life, as Earley sees it, is to “be the best mother, lawyer and wife that I can be and hopefully be a role model for
my children,” to help them be the best they can be and to ultimately help others in the community as she has accomplished by her example. Earley sees character as something that is developed by how people react to the mistakes they make and what they learn from these same mistakes. In her leisure time, Earley is a runner. Every Saturday she goes on runs to “solve all of…life and world problems.” She considers running and exercise her “sacred time.” Spending time with her husband and children and watching “deep serial television shows” on Netflix and Amazon Prime, the “more thoughtful shows where they can really explore characters and character development” is another hobby she loves, along with reading. “Experience has taught me that life is fleeting and not to take things for granted, because you just never know what the day is going to bring.” Earley learned this lesson from two very pivotal life experiences. One was when she lost her best friend from childhood since the age of seven. Earley was 27 when her friend unexpectedly died from skin cancer. The other moment was when her father became ill and passed away about 11 years ago. It makes her stop and think more compassionately when practicing law, “that you just never know what’s going on in people’s lives.” She always tries her best to approach her practice with that same kindness and level-headedness remembering that everyone is going through something, “and how you approach it in your workplace can impact how you approach deals.” To advertise email sales@blackbusinessjournal.com
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TOP 10 SUPER LAWYERS
Raising Global Citizens
Shafeeqa Giarratani Partner | Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
"It was a pretty incredible thing to be at a school like that‌ And quite a contrast from the memorable 6-week long summer stays throughout my childhood at my grandmother's in Alabama out on dirt roads doing pig roasts."
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TOP 10 SUPER LAWYERS Shafeeqa Giarratani, Esq., was born in Nashville, Tennessee but grew up in Austin, Texas in the 1980s. Her mother came from rural Alabama, and her father was from Nashville. They moved to Austin for her father’s job with the Austin City Housing Department. Being brought up by intellectual parents from diverse backgrounds and being the middle child with two siblings, Giarratani came to know a wide range of people and experiences from all walks of life on her path to Harvard University. Education was highly respected and emphasized in Giarratani’s “close knit” family. Her parents met at Vanderbilt University during the uproarious 1970s era, her mother coming from a long line of teachers and her father being one of the first in his family to attend college. One thing that perhaps made the biggest impact on her outlook during Giarratani’s formative years was her family’s commitment to each other to sit down for dinners together as many nights as they could, even when life was at its busiest. From these times, she grew the closest with her family members and gained much of her self-assurance over the years. Giarratani still cherishes many fond memories about the wide-ranging topics they covered. It was during these heated, yet safely under control, evening dinner table sessions that her parents would invite her and her brothers to actively debate ideas. The subjects spanned everything from politics to religion and beyond. It was expected for the children to “challenge them,” even bringing up ideas they could think of which went against their parents’ views and beliefs to discuss. These family dinner times, combined with her Metropolitan A.M.E. Church speaker position designated to Giarratani at a very young age to address the congregation during the announcements, and her competitive debate team successes later at LBJ High School all led to Giarratani’s discovery of her love for debate and started the desire in her to one day become a lawyer. Giarratani credits her LBJ High School as well for its overall excellence. It was there that she was encouraged and led through the steps of applying at Ivy League colleges. She saw her high school as competitive with a lot to offer young people in so many different areas, which really enriched her years
Although Giarratani felt very at home and still to this day keeps ties with her large and supportive African American community from back in her college days at Harvard. She recalls a practice known as randomization, which she considered to be attributed to a college still dealing with issues of integration, “even as recently as the late 1990s/early 2000s” as she surprisingly saw it back then: “There was also that racial component…to diversify the dorms…a huge discussion on campus” that students called “forced mixing” of people. Before the randomization experiment was applied, students were able to choose which dormitories they would live in, which contributed to groups forming, often racially or academically oriented. of learning spent there. Giarratani looked into Stanford and Yale as some of her other college possibilities. However, when she visited Harvard, she immediately “really fell in love with Boston” and knew that it was the place where she wanted to spend her years of higher education. Harvard ended up being a perfect fit for her, even though Giarratani remembers feeling completely “in culture shock” coming from the South to the North and awestricken by the impressive world leaders, former presidents, renowned performing artists and other important figures who came to Harvard to speak. Attending those events really sparked an energy of enthusiasm which would remain shining to help form Giarratani’s worldview and sharpen her focus on where to go from there regarding her own life and career plans. “It was a pretty incredible thing to be at a school like that,” and quite a contrast from her memorable 6-week long summer stays throughout her childhood at her grandmother’s in Alabama out on dirt roads “having fun with the cousins and doing pig roasts in the front yard…just stuff that doesn’t exist in the city.” However, those were the past experiences that helped to “shape her,” growing up in the South. Being that Giarratani’s grandparents and great grandparents worked in the service industry, in such jobs as maid and gardener, she came to understand a lot about the importance of working hard “day in and out” and about how others related to them through her own careful observation of how they lived.
Giarratani returned to Austin not long after she married a Boston native who, ironically, attended the University of Texas. She had met her future husband-to-be on a blind date one summer while she was back visiting Austin. When they married and were trying to decide together where to live, he told her that “he hated the cold,” so the two of them decided to try living in Houston, Texas, for a brief time at first. They soon ended up settling without regrets in Austin, what Giarratani has always inwardly considered home. It is and has been comfortably home now for the two of them ever since and, decidedly, the best place to raise their family. Even though the city has grown and expanded quite a lot from the Austin she remembers being able to get all the way through from one end to the other in 30 minutes. There is still that “small town” feel to the city, and “it’s easy to make connections with people here.” Besides loving Austin and what she does for a living, Giarratani loves laughing and enjoying her full and busy life. She has fun spending time with her children and taking them to their activities. In her leisure time, she also likes running and making time to do a little baking. She believes in instilling values of “compassion for people in all circumstances” into her own children with a goal of making them “global citizens,” people who understand the issues of the world. Her personal outlook is that people should put their best foot forward, be kind to one another, and take time to do the important things in life while remembering to also take good care of themselves. To advertise email sales@blackbusinessjournal.com
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TOP 10 SUPER LAWYERS
And Justice for All
Wallace B. Jefferson Partner, Alexander Dubose & Jefferson LLP
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MARCH 2019
TOP 10 SUPER LAWYERS
Wallace B. Jefferson, the first black Texas Supreme Court justice, was born in the early 1960s in Tacoma, Washington. His father was in the military, so his five siblings were born throughout the country, including one in Guam. Then when his father’s military orders led them to San Antonio in 1967, they settled there and have called it home ever since. The diverse neighborhood Jefferson grew up in had military personnel from all over the country. He grew up during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, but his father soon became an officer, so the respect he saw each time they drove onto base as the armed guards saluted, sheltered him somewhat from the injustices that were going on outside of his small military community. Growing up, his parents instilled in him the importance of education. It wasn’t a question of “are you going to college?” but rather “where are you going to college?” While attending James Madison College, at Michigan State University, Jefferson originally decided to study microbiology because of his quest for knowledge through research and experimentation but soon switched to a liberal arts curriculum after a college professor took an interest in him and educated him on the science of philosophy and theory, and eventually law. Jefferson’s double-majors during his undergraduate study were in urban community policy problems and political theory. His older brother Lamont attended law school at the University of Texas in Austin and invited him for a visit. As he toured the campus, he felt at home, and the rest, as they say, “is history.” Jefferson officially moved to Austin in 1985 to begin law school. Just after he graduated, Jefferson worked in appellate law in San Antonio, at a firm called Groce, Lock and Hebdon. He stayed in that position for three years, from 1988 to 1991. It was the first law firm in Texas dedicated purely to arguing cases in the Court of Appeals and Supreme Courts in both State and Federal Court. In 2001, a vacancy opened on the Texas Supreme Court, a seat left by Alberto Gonzales, who stepped down to become White House Counsel, then U.S.
Judge Nicolas Battle. Jefferson often reflects on “how far we’ve come.”
“There may be problems and low expectations, but you can overcome them…I think it’s hard for any of us to have excuses for not trying to achieve the greatest that you possibly can.” Attorney General for George W. Bush. After Bush took office as president of the United States, Texas Lt. Gov. Rick Perry ascended to the governorship. He asked Wallace to come for an interview. Although Wallace had no prior relationship with Perry, he credits possible referrals from Perry’s special legal counsel Bill Jones and U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, Texas’ attorney general at the time. Those were two very “influential recommendations” which kept Jefferson on a path rising upward from there. After his nomination to the Texas Supreme Court, the Texas Senate approved his confirmation, but Jefferson had to stand for election in 2002 to retain his seat, which he did. Jefferson made history again in 2004, when Perry appointed him the court’s chief justice. Jefferson served as chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court for over 12 years. While he was chief justice, he also served as the president of the Conference of Chief Justices, presiding over an organization that was comprised of all the chiefs of all the U.S. states and territories. Until Jefferson, there had never been an African American on the Texas Supreme Court. Jefferson, through his family line, happened to be a descendent of a slave who lived in Waco, and that slave was “owned” by state
At the relatively young age of 33, Jefferson started arguing before the United States Supreme Court in 1996, an experience which changed his life from then on. He attributes the successful outcomes to some “great preparation” he received out of courtesy from his previous law professors, who had set up a “moot court” twice as a kind of practice round to help Jefferson overcome those challenges. “They grilled me like they predicted the U.S. Supreme Court would do. In the first real case, in 1996, Jefferson had won five to four. When he argued a second case two years later, Jefferson’s side prevailed again in that case five to four as well. Jefferson credits his parents for the values instilled in him to consistently strive for excellence. His father dropped out of college, then joined the military, but he later returned to school at night, to eventually earn his master’s while in the military. Wallace believes he learned perseverance in all things from his father: “There may be problems and low expectations, but you can overcome them…I think it’s hard for any of us to have excuses for not trying to achieve the greatest that you possibly can.” Looking back over his fruitful career, Jefferson believes “…it is a great thing serving on the Supreme Court…the amazing cases that come are a challenge, but it is something else to be at the head of a profession that makes sure justice is available to all of us.” Jefferson has contributed to working on “access to justice issues and to expand the avenue to the courts for people who are poor or otherwise cannot afford a lawyer.” He saw an opportunity to help the greater community as a larger purpose in life. Wallace B. Jefferson is proud to have increased access to justice for everyone by helping to afford more people the ability to defend their rights in court. He’s proud to have persevered through the challenging times in his life, knowing those challenges helped him successfully navigate his way to a better life not just for his family but the families of so many other Americans.
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TOP 10 SUPER LAWYERS
A Champion of Texas African American History
Bill Jones Principal, The Jones Firm
“The purpose and intent in the creation is to address chapters of history that have been left out of traditional history books and traditional history teachings in Texas.”
Bill Jones, Esq. was born in Caldwell, Texas in the late 1950’s. One of seven children, he had a normal, rural upbringing on his family’s ranch. His father had made sure they all knew what it meant to work hard, whether bailing hay, herding cattle or horses, or planting and tending to the crops. Jones says he didn’t have a great deal of disadvantage growing up because of the love and guidance from his parents, but he wanted to succeed regardless of what he looked like or felt like he had to overcome. His basic philosophy: “work hard and do the best you can.” For his first few years of school, Jones attended a segregated school. Then, in 1968, he began attending integrated schools. He knew from an early age he was going to college, “just wasn’t sure where.” He eventually settled on Texas A&M, because, as a young boy scout, his troop volunteered regularly at the Texas A&M campus and football games. But as Jones became older, proximity to his home and his appreciation for the Corps of Cadets solidified the decision to one day attend on that same campus. Jones was a popular young man and very active in high school; he was class president, on the drama 22
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MARCH 2019
TOP 10 SUPER LAWYERS team, student body president, and a valuable player on the school’s football team. Above all, Jones always felt that he owed much of his successes to the ongoing encouragement and support from his family. Jones majored in Business at A&M, and then he worked at the Texas Commerce Bank in Houston and excelled in their bank management program. He liked the operations and lending side of banking but had really longed to study law. Soon after, he took his LSATs and entered law school. While at Baylor University Law School, he clerked for two firms and, upon graduating, spent the next 16 years with one of the firms in Houston working in the bank litigation department. When then Lieutenant Governor Perry moved into the Texas governor’s mansion after newly elected President George W. Bush moved to Washington, D.C., Texas Governor Rick Perry asked Jones to be his General Counsel in the Governor’s Office. Jones had never worked with politicians, and he saw his move to Austin as heading to a “small city getting ready to grow up.” Jones was appointed to the Commission of Parks and Wildlife by Governor Rick Perry in September of 2011 for a six-year term. Jones had always prided himself on being consistent, and he also liked to try new and different things. Due to his inherent entrepreneurial spirit and courage to take risks when calculating a worthy chance to perhaps explore something others might not, he ended up the owner of The Jones Firm and co-owner of AFCI Texas, L.L.C. Jones has great convictions about his beliefs but always tries to see all points of view. He has a reputation of being good and honest as a professional, husband, father, and co-worker. Jones is Chairman Emeritus Texas A & M University System Board of Regents and has served many other prestigious positions and on boards, such as President of the 20,000-member Texas Young Lawyers Association; Baylor Law School Alumni Association Executive Board, the Capitol Area Boy Scouts of America Board; and the Texas A&M Association of Former Students Board.
One of Jones proudest moments came on November 19, 2016, when the Texas African American History Memorial became the 21st monument, and the last authorized monument, to be installed on the Texas State Capital grounds. Jones served as the Chairman of the Texas African American History Memorial Foundation which was formed for the purposes of design, construction and fundraising for the Memorial. Its idea began when Senator Ellis and other members of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus passed legislation. When the baton was passed to Jones, he helped to form the TAAHM Foundation which included Jones, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Representative Helen Giddings, Senator Rodney Ellis, Demetrius McDaniel, Esq., and Ruth Jones McClendon. The Memorial honors African American contributions
to Texas society and culture. It depicts the history of Africans and Blacks in Texas by illustrating the contributions, struggles and victories of people of color and the impact on the state of Texas from its earliest recorded history to the present. According to Jones, “the purpose and intent in the creation is to address chapters of history that have been left out of traditional history books and traditional history teachings in Texas.” Today as thousands stop by to view the monument, Jones hopes “that they will marvel at the structure and relish in the stories it reveals. Blacks have made so many valuable contributions to Texas history, and we were able to capture but a few. We remember our past while looking to our future.” To advertise email sales@blackbusinessjournal.com
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TOP 10 SUPER LAWYERS
“As a kid, everybody always thought I liked to argue... debate."
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TOP 10 SUPER LAWYERS
The Art of Law
Nikelle Meade Partner, Husch Blackwell LLP Nikelle Meade, Esq., was born and raised in the northern suburbs of Houston in the 1970s and grew up in the 1980s. Her family had worked more in the technical fields, such as her father being an engineer and her grandfather being an instrumentation technician. She remembers fondly how all the neighbors in her suburb used to get together for lunch on the weekends and the many enjoyable times that their children joined her to swim in the neighborhood pool. She had an older brother and a “typical suburban life” with a relatively easy, happy childhood. “As a kid, everybody always thought I liked to argue…debate.” After being told this over and over, Meade kept it in the back of her mind as a possible career option for later. She was the first of all her extended family to ever consider studying law. She was so grateful that her parents were the type of parents who encouraged her to explore her options and did not pressure her into any particular career path. They only wanted to see her go to college and find out what she wanted to do with her life from there. At first, Meade was set on being a psychiatrist. She started out at UT Austin doublemajoring in Psychology and English. However, by her sophomore year of college, she despised her Chemistry Lab class so much that she decided once and for all against medical school. She chose English as one of her concentrations because she had always “loved writing and the analysis of issues.” Her focus started to change to pre-law at about that same time. She discovered that law “was such a good fit” that she ended up staying at UT and going “full force” in the
pursuit of law school there after her years of undergraduate were completed. Meade experienced some “culture shock” at first, coming from Houston and getting accustomed to the “little bitty” Austin of the late 1980s and early 1990s. She wanted the distance between her home and college, to feel more independent. Once she started really getting off campus and exploring all that the city of Austin had to offer, she “fell in love with it” and has stayed there ever since. She currently practices as a partner attorney at a firm in Austin and is very satisfied with her job. One thing that really helped form Meade’s views on life has been her many travels over the years. She has been to Italy, Spain, Germany, France, Ireland, Mexico and Zimbabwe, to name a few. Her absolute favorite place of all time, however, was her visit to Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa. She was always drawn there, in large part, because of her long-time admiration for Nelson Mandela’s significant example and contributions to the world. He, as an important world figure, and the whole struggle in South Africa with apartheid was talked about quite extensively during her days as a student. The more that Meade learned about Mandela, the more he became a role model for her. She made it her life goal to strive toward such an attitude as his: “courageous” and “willing to sacrifice…for no personal gain.” She had imagined how much better off the world would be if more of the people in it could have been impacted by him the way Mandela lived. In Meade’s own outlook, practicing law is her personal way of “improving the lives of everybody else…and making some kind of positive contribution to the world” in whatever ways she is able. Through her travels to many other countries, she has come to conclude that people at their core are really very much alike wherever they are on the planet. “Everybody wants survival and happiness, peace and the things we consider comforts in life.” She believes that the human spirit does not change across nations, ethnicities, or genders when it comes down to the essentials of life and basic human needs. Meade tries to impart these values on her nieces and nephews. “I don’t have kids,
but… I treat them like my children.” She has learned over the years about the importance of spending time with them and her loved ones and other hobbies in order to maintain a healthy balance due to her long hours required in her profession. Back when Meade was first practicing law, a colleague supervisor who was diagnosed with cancer had taught her some meaningful lessons about not working to the point that one loses focus of the meaningful things in life. He had shared with her and her other co-workers some realizations he had made from his hospital bed: “When you’re in that situation, you’re never going to ask somebody to bring you some of your files…or how many hours I billed that past five years.” That role model who “everybody thought was dying” is still alive today. Meade has tried to always keep his advice in mind and make it a point to live out the philosophy each day that “life is not all about your work.” In her own leisure time, Meade also enjoys the arts. She has dabbled in painting, dancing, glass blowing, pottery and has “always had an art part” of her brain that she views as her way to relieve stress and to express herself. To advertise email sales@blackbusinessjournal.com
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TOP 10 SUPER LAWYERS
“And there’s that old saying, ‘what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger,’ and I’m glad I understand that type of environment. I understand that age. I’m glad I didn’t have to live my whole life in it, but I’m glad I understand it.”
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TOP 10 SUPER LAWYERS
Taking a Stand for Justice and Equality
J. Dale Wainwright Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig, LLP
J. Dale Wainwright, a former Texas Supreme Court associate justice, was born on Juneteenth in 1961 in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. His father worked for Dow Chemical for 27 years and was pastor at the family’s church. Wainwright’s mother also was an evangelist and a high school English and French teacher. Wainwright was the second-oldest child in the family and had two sisters and a brother. Wainwright remembers his childhood fondly. Long before today’s technological age, he enjoyed summers exploring through the woods and riding his bike. He remembers not having everything he wanted but having much of what he needed, including a loving home. Early in Wainwright’s education, schools were segregated, but later he and other black students were bused to integrated schools. He remembers his bus driver initially calling the black students derogatory names. “We lived through it,” he said. “And there’s that old saying, ‘what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger,’ and I’m glad I understand that type of environment. I understand that age. I’m glad I didn’t have to live my whole life in it, but I’m glad I understand it.” Wainwright, back then a reserved child who loved to read, went on to rank first in his junior high class and become valedictorian when he graduated high school. Two teachers, though, were resistant to his becoming valedictorian because a black student had never earned the ranking before Wainwright. However, that wouldn’t stop him. College was an expectation in Wainwright’s household. Wainwright’s mother held a master’s degree, and both she and his father attended Tennessee State University as
undergraduates. His father left college a few credit hours into his senior year to work and provide for his young family. Wainwright, following his mother’s advice to attend a historically-black college, chose Howard University in Washington, D.C. on a scholarship. “But for that, I would not have been able to go,” he recalled. During his time at Howard, he was able to study abroad at the London School of Economics. The future lawyer was considering the profession as a teenager, when he read and learned in civics class about the Constitution, especially the parts about justice and equality for all. Those themes drew him to the law, and Wainwright remembered his grandfather, who worked at Ford Motors. His grandfather had also longed to be a lawyer. When it was time to pick a law school, Wainwright aimed high, only applying for the programs at Vanderbilt University and the University of Chicago. He chose the latter due to the better scholarship. Wainwright would go on to become the first black attorney at a firm in Nashville before moving to Texas, where his career exploded. Wainwright loved practicing law and was surprised when the appointments director for then-Governor George Bush asked him if he would be interested in being nominated to become a trial court judge in Houston. Initially, he thanked the director for the offer and declined. Realizing there wouldn’t be much downside, and it was another opportunity to learn, he later changed his mind. Wainwright told his wife he’d give it three years. Well, that three-year plan turned into a 13-year plan. The judge would go on to take
another major and very unexpected step in his career: joining the Texas Supreme Court. Bush’s successor, Gov. Rick Perry, nominated Wainwright to sit on the court to hear one case, then Wainwright liked it so much that he ran for the post and won in 2002. J. Dale Wainwright and Wallace B. Jefferson were the first African Americans to be elected to the Texas Supreme Court. Jefferson was initially appointed by Perry in 2001, and won his seat in 2002, in the same election in which Wainwright was elected to an open seat on the court. He went on to serve nearly 10 years on the bench, before retiring in 2012 and returning to private practice. Wainwright now lives in Austin still, where he is chairman of the Texas Appellate Practice at the law firm Greenberg Traurig. He also serves as chairman of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice, which oversees the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, the agency that operates the state’s prison system. The former justice’s message for the next generation: “Whatever you do, do it like it’s important and it’s your personal task. It’s not something somebody gave you to just finish. It’s important to get it right… because that’ll open doors. People know who gets the job done.” To advertise email sales@blackbusinessjournal.com
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CONGRATULATIONS! Nikelle Meade,
Partner in Husch Blackwell’s Real Estate & Development Group, on being named
2019 Top 10 SUPER Lawyer
by the Black Business Journal's 2019 TOP 10 SUPER Lawyer
Nikelle Meade represents clients in all aspects of real estate with an emphasis in land use and real estate development, public-private partnerships, procurement, and governmental affairs. She helps clients navigate real estate development projects through governmental approvals and commercial transactions that include purchases and sales, leases, public financing and general contracts.
Congratulations Michelle Earley!
As a Partner at Locke Lord LLP we are both proud and inspired by your leadership and commitment to a fair and just world.
Michelle Earley is a Corporate Partner and a member of Locke Lord’s Executive Committee. She also serves as CoChair of the Firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee and is a member of the Lateral Hire Committee. In her practice, she handles a wide range of corporate and securities matters for public and private companies with extensive experience in representing issuers, underwriters and selling stockholders in registered public offerings, Rule 144A transactions as well as equity and debt private placements, and merger and acquisition transactions.
INFLUENTIAL LAWYERS
Toya Cirica Bell Deborah Thomas Machree Garrett Gibson
INFLUENTIAL LAWYERS
Toya Cirica Bell Deputy Chief Ethics Officer, Texas Health and Human Services System
to focus on more than one of the boundless opportunities during your career. ABBJ: What do you like most about living in Austin, Texas? Bell: It is a community with a vision that is populated by people who are constantly striving, learning and working to do and be better. ABBJ: What was one moment or experience in your life that changed your way of thinking? Bell: Realizing that the sense of progress is relative and that we must all embrace the voices of those with lived experience as we continually strive to improve our community through professional and volunteer endeavors.
Born and raised: Born in Tokyo, Japan and raised in San Antonio, Texas. Moved to Austin: 1992 Education: Rice University, Bachelor of Arts, English and The College of William & Mary, Doctor of Jurisprudence Legal focus: Ethics & Compliance; Employment Law ABBJ: Describe what you do in one sentence. Bell: Create, develop and cultivate the ethics management and compliance functions at one of the largest state agencies in the country.
ABBJ: What life lessons have you’ve learned? Bell: Practicing empathy can be transformative and life-changing. ABBJ: Why did you decide to become a lawyer? Bell: I’ve always enjoyed helping others solve problems by using my strengths as a critical thinker, communicator and collaborator.
ABBJ: Where do you see yourself in 10 – 15 years? Bell: I plan to continue mentoring others, while being engaged in my community and profession.
ABBJ: What advice would you offer someone who may be considering becoming a lawyer? Bell: If you are considering becoming a lawyer, know that it is a wonderful profession with so very many ways that you can have an impact on the world around you. From traditional career choices to those that are non-traditional, you will have the flexibility
ABBJ: Favorite book or book you’d recommend? Bell: Thinking Strategically- The Competitive Edge in Business, Politics, and Everyday Life ABBJ: What do you enjoy doing in your leisure time? Bell: International travel, beekeeping, visiting art museums, baking and craftin. To advertise email sales@blackbusinessjournal.com
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INFLUENTIAL LAWYERS
In the Spirit of Progress
Machree Michelle Garrett Gibson Attorney at Law, Lobbyist with Graydon and Gibson Associates
Machree Michelle Garrett Gibson, Esq., was born and raised in Austin, Texas during the 1950s a time of great change in America. Gibson followed suit among a long line of bold and educated family members from several generations before her, at a time when Austin was still officially under segregation laws. Gibson and her family lived in a neighborhood at that time alongside several progressive role models who closely influenced her upbringing as well, including Texas Women’s Hall of Fame inductee and State Representative Wilhelmina Delco, and her husband, Dr. Exalton Delco, Jr., who taught Gibson’s parents when they attended Huston Tillotson University. Following the teaching tradition of Gibson’s grandmother, Gibson’s mother was also a teacher. Remembering back on her school days of attending in the same building where her mother taught, Gibson was proud of her for being “quite young at the time…the only black teacher at Andrews Elementary School.” It was during fourth grade when Gibson first started really taking notice that she looked different than the rest of the people making up her school population. In her whole school, it was just her and her sister, their mother and a cook there who were African American during her early years of elementary, although she did not encounter many experiences or feelings of discrimination. She was even put “in the elevated class” due to her good grades and
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continued to move through the rest of her junior high and high school years with her class competitively. Gibson’s father held a long-time career of service in the U.S. Air Force, along with a principal’s certificate in public school administration. Both of Gibson’s parents had master’s degrees and had met in Austin while they attended the private college Huston-Tillotson University. As her father was nearing retirement in the Air Force and had seen so much of the world already by then, “he decided he wanted us girls to also see the world.” For this reason, Gibson and her family lived in Portugal for two years on the island of Azores when she was 12 years old. That time in her life was quite “an eyeopening experience” for her, one in which she lived in harmony with the local people of that island, a place which she remembers as being “so safe and so beautiful.” Living there and experiencing a different way of life caused her to feel a culture shock for a brief time upon returning to her home community in Austin. Going there was her father’s way of getting them away from the segregated East Austin side where they had always lived, just as his own mother had done when she encouraged Gibson’s father to leave Austin back when he was graduating from high school, pointing him in the direction of the University of Utah where his uncle had owned a store not far from the university.
Gibson has maintained a strong sense of maturity and direction for her life from a very young age. Her mother used to tell her ever since she was a child: “I’m so glad you were born 30. We needed an adult in the house.” Her parents would tell Gibson and her sister the stories about how all four of Gibson’s grandparents met at Sam Houston State University, which was yet another inspiration to continue in higher education. Upon being accepted into the University of Texas, Gibson recalls her father telling her and sister that if they could “make it at the University of Texas, then they could make it anywhere” after that. Gibson graduated with a double major in English and Government. Ever since those first conversations in her home about college, Gibson always knew she would end up going to graduate school. She married during Christmas break of her senior year in college at UT. Because her sister went directly into a master’s program in Electrical Engineering, Gibson in some ways “felt like the slacker,” because she waited a couple of years before starting law school at 28 years old. It “seemed very old at the time.” This was mostly because, unlike her peers there studying law with her, Gibson had already become the mother of two children and worked full time while her husband was away working in New York as an executive with IBM. It was also a difficult time for her to study law, because Gibson’s mother had unexpectedly passed away from a massive stroke at 45 years old.
MARCH 2019
INFLUENTIAL LAWYERS
trol me.” It was a big step for Gibson in her career direction and really helped to define her own confidence and persona as a lawyer. Since those days, Gibson’s family and her professional life have both turned out very well and have “just been rockin’ and rollin’ along.” She loves her job lobbying, especially, and has always made it an important part of her successful career in law over the years. She still thinks back to the one life-changing experience of her background in law, which has contributed greatly to how she practices law to this day. Back when she was a lobbyist at the capital during the year James Byrd, Jr had been murdered, she took turns with other lobbyists sitting with the Byrd family at the
time when the Hate Crimes Committee was newly formed. She spent a significant amount of her time with them during the committee hearings and learned so much from that whole experience. “They were just shell shocked.” Gibson’s senior partner had asked her to cover a committee hearing elsewhere, but she surprised him when she adamantly refused to leave the Byrd family. She was “raised up right” and knew, even back in those delicate days of blurred civil rights lines, not to let her 5’3 stature, gender or skin color hold her back from deciding not to be intimidated. “I didn’t know if he was just challenging me or trying to con-
These days, she prides herself on approaching people with kindness and respect above all. “Don’t get me wrong, some people get on my nerves, but I just smile and keep going.” Today, Gibson greatly enjoys her work practicing law, but it’s “family first and foremost.” On the weekends, she looks forward to spending precious moments with her one-year-old granddaughter and attending family reunions to keep up with her large extended family and so many loved ones. Gibson still returns to “the east side” every week, for Sunday service at the Wesley United Methodist Church there, where seven generations of her family have attended over so many years.
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INFLUENTIAL LAWYERS
Deborah Parker Thomas Deputy City Attorney, City of Austin
much there is still a certain serenity here that I didn’t find in Houston or Philadelphia. ABBJ: What are the challenges of being Black and living in Austin, Texas? Thomas: I love living is Austin and am thankful that I had the opportunity to raise my family here. But Austin is no different than other places when it comes to race issues because people are people. I still have to worry about my 17-year old son and tell him things that I would prefer not to have to tell him. ABBJ: What was one moment or experience in your life that changed your way of thinking? Thomas: Having children changes everything. You understand what the real priorities are. Born and raised: Philadelphia, PA Moved to Austin: 1989 Education: B.S., Pennsylvania State University, Health Planning and Administration, Master of Public Health, University of Texas School of Public Health, J.D., University of Houston Law Center Legal focus: Municipal Law, Land Use Law ABBJ: Describe what you do. Thomas: I manage the day-to-day operations of the City of Austin Law Department that has about 65 attorneys and 100 total employees. ABBJ: Why did you decide to become a lawyer? 34
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Thomas: After working with the Houston Health Department, my original intent was to attend law school to further my career in the health care industry. Of course life has its own twists and turns and I ended up in water law, which eventually brought me to the City of Austin Law Department. ABBJ: What advice would you offer someone who may be considering becoming a lawyer? Thomas: It’s a great profession. There are so many opportunities; so many different ways to use the degree. Be creative. ABBJ: What do you like most about living in Austin, Texas? Thomas: When I moved to Austin in 1989 it was quite different from today’s Austin. But even now after the City has grown so
ABBJ: What life lessons have you’ve learned? Thomas: Love God, cherish your family and friends, give back whenever the opportunity presents itself, and don’t sweat the small stuff. ABBJ: Where do you see yourself in 10 – 15 years? Thomas: Traveling the world and, if I’m lucky, enjoying grandchildren. ABBJ: Favorite book or book you’d recommend? Thomas: The Shack by William P. Young ABBJ: What do you enjoy doing in your leisure time? Thomas: I’ve started playing the piano. I was even in a cover band for a year. We had one gig before we broke up! MARCH 2019
Congratulations Wallace Jefferson on being named Black Business Journal's
Top 10 SUPER Lawyers
CONGRATULATIONS! TEXAS SUPER LAWYERS
COMMUNITY
Austin Bar Foundation Gala The 16th Annual Austin Bar Foundation Gala was held on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at the Fairmont Austin.
Proceeds from the Gala benefit the Austin Bar Foundation, which supports programs like the Self-Represented Litigant Project, Free Legal Advice Clinic for Veterans, Austin Adoption Day, CANLAW Clinic, approximately $20,000 annually in grants to area lawrelated programs, and more!
Six Austin Bar attorneys received high recognition as they were honored with awards: David H. Walter Community Excellence Award Fred Sultan Larry F. York Mentoring Award Jeff Civins Joseph C. Parker Jr. Diversity Award Toya Cirica Bell Distinguished Lawyer Award Judge Sam Sparks Jo Ann Merica Claude Ducloux
Joseph C. Parker Jr. Diversity Award The Joseph C. Parker Jr. Diversity Award is named in honor of Joseph C. Parker Jr., the first African American president of the Austin Bar Association. Blazing the trail for minority lawyers who followed in his footsteps, Parker has spent his life and work championing the equal, ethical, and fair treatment of all people, and raising awareness of the need to diversify our community. The award will be presented at the Gala and will honor a firm or an individual who has led the way in bringing diversity to Austin’s legal community and who exemplifies all that Parker stands for.
CONGRATULATIONS! Toya Cirica Bell Winner. 36
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MARCH 2019
COMMUNITY
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CONGRATULATIONS! Edward Fernandes on being named Black Business Journal's
Top 10 SUPER Lawyers
CONGRATULATIONS! Shafeeqa Giarratani on being named Black Business Journal's
Top 10 SUPER Lawyers
PUBLIC OFFICIALS
Joel Baker Clifford Brown Natasha Harper-Madison Aurora Martinez Jones Brenda P Kennedy Lora J Livingston Rudolph Metayer Velva L Price Eric Montgomery Shepperd Christopher Shorter Jeff Travillion Yvonne Michelle Williams
PUBLIC OFFICIALS
Joel Baker Fire Chief City of Austin Fire Department
“There Is No Right Way to Do Wrong.”
Born and raised: Atlanta, Georgia Moved to Austin: November 2018 Education: Columbus State University - Master of Public Administration, Georgia State University - Bachelor of Science , Georgia Perimeter College Associate (Fire Science and Technology) ABBJ: Describe what you do in one sentence, two at the most. Baker: I am responsible for the state of readiness for the city of Austin’s community risk reduction as it relates to fires, and non-law enforcement emergencies. ABBJ: Why did you decide to become a firefighter? Baker: I decided to become a firefighter after completing my military services with the United States Marine Corps. I wanted to join a profession where I believed that I could continue to serve my community and the public. ABBJ: What advice would you offer someone who may be considering becoming a fire chief? Baker: Join the fire department as a fire fighter, which will enhance your knowledge, skills and abilities as a professional fire fighter. Establish or join a fire fighter’s mentoring group or join the various working groups/committees within your fire department in order to 40
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learn the inter working of how the fire service meet the needs of its stakeholders. Obtain an associate degree in Fire Science; bachelor degree in Emergency Management or Human Resource; a master degree in Business, Finance or Public Administration. Attend the National Fire Academy in Emmetsburg, Maryland, which will help you develop long turn relationship with members in the fire services from all over the country. Finally, ask a fire chief to help you outline your career plan for the fire service. ABBJ: What do you like most about living in Austin, Texas? Baker: It’s hard to say what I like most because I have only been living in Austin for approximately 3 months. However, what I do like since I moved is its people. Everyone has been so welcoming to me. Reaching out to ensure that I am settling in. ABBJ: Discuss one moment or experience in your life that changed your way of thinking? Baker: The United States Marine Corps – as it relates to the development of leadership and management skills. However, since I started working in the fire service my attitude toward seeking a college degree also changed. Before joining the fire department, I never had a desire to go to college. It wasn’t until I decided to enhance my
opportunities in my fire station that I decided to go to college and obtain various degrees which I believe prepared me to become fire chief for the City of Atlanta – Fire Rescue Department and the City of Austin – Fire Department. ABBJ: What life lessons have you’ve learned? Baker: Put God first and take nothing personal. Develop your personal and professional relationships early and do all you can to ensure that you nurture those relationships. And finally, always seek out opportunities to pay it forward. ABBJ: Where do you see yourself in 10 – 15 years? Baker: Since I am aspiring to inspire before I expire, I am planning on starting a professional executive coaching consulting firm that will enhance the opportunity for fire fighters to get promoted in their fire department, as well as obtain the rank of fire chief for those who are willing to take on that opportunity. ABBJ: Favorite book or book you’d recommend? Davis: I would recommend the following: -Autobiography of Malcom X (author: Alex Haley) -Roots (author: Alex Haley) -Black Man of the Nile and His Family (author: Dr. Yosef Ben-Jochannan) -It’s - Your Ship: Management Technique (author: D. Michael Abrashoff) -Think and Grow Rich (author: Napoleon Hill) -Black Square and Compass (author: Joseph A. Walkes) -Landmarks of our Fathers (author: John L. Hairston Bey) -The Leadership Secrets of Colin Powell (author: Oren Harari) -Leadership on the Line (author: Ronald A. Heifetz and Marty Linsky) -Any book of your personal faith (i.e. Holy Bible, Quran, etc.) ABBJ: What do you enjoy doing in your leisure time? Baker: I like to ride my Harley Davidson, play golf and spend time with my friends and family.
MARCH 2019
PUBLIC OFFICIALS
Clifford Brown State District Court Judge , 147th District Court
Born and raised: Mount Vernon, NY Moved to Austin: 1999 Education: BS in Business from Adelphi University (Long Island, NY) and JD from George Washington University (Washington DC) Legal focus: Criminal Law ABBJ: Describe what you do in one sentence. Brown: Sit as the Arbiter of Criminal Allegations brought by the State of Texas against individual citizens. Ensure that the rights of the accused are protected and all parties encounter fair proceedings based solely on the law. ABBJ: Why did you decide to become a Judge? Brown: My becoming a District Judge is rooted in the desire that ALL participants in judicial proceedings are treated fairly with dignity and respect. To bring my life experience to bear lending objectivity and sensitivity borne out of those experiences to ensure fair and just outcomes. ABBJ: What advice would you offer someone who may be considering becoming a Criminal Judge? Brown: 1. Have a sincere desire to do what is right, just and fair irrespective of person in an effort to bring balance, integrity and sound judgement to the position 2. Gain a comprehensive understanding and holistic view of the criminal justice system 3. Obtain vast experience demonstrating excellent logical reasoning, analytical and decision-making skills to analyze complex cases and statutory law and render sound legal decision
ABBJ: What do you like most about living in Austin, Texas? Brown: My top 3. -Opportunity and accessibility. The mix of people: Academia meets Technology meets Government -Weather and Topography: Absolutely lovely especially coming from east coast. -The Food Scene: BBQ/TexMex
Natasha HarperMadison
ABBJ: What was one moment or experience in your life that changed your way of thinking? Brown: Being raised in poverty by a single Mother with 5 children who deeply valued Love, Faith, Family, and Education and watching her graduate from college while I was in middle school and seeing first-hand the value of education.
ABBJ: Describe what you do. Harper-Madison: As a city council member for the city of Austin I have the opportunity to serve my constituents and Austin residents through advocacy and policy making.
ABBJ: What life lessons have you’ve learned? Brown: Most important thing in life are relationships: God, family and friends. Ground your character in humility. Treat everyone you meet with dignity and respect. To much is given, much is expected ABBJ: Where do you see yourself in 10 – 15 years? Brown: On the Bench still serving the citizens of Travis County ABBJ: Favorite book or book you’d recommend? Brown: The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson ABBJ: What do you enjoy doing in your leisure time? Brown: Spending time with my family, travel. cooking and entertaining friends, watching sports and golfing when I can
City Council Member, District 1
ABBJ: Why did you decide to become a city council member? Harper-Madison: I decided to run for elected office because I wanted to serve my community and my city. As the singular black city council person, it is also of the utmost importance to me that Austin have black representation on council. ABBJ: What advice would you offer someone who may be considering becoming a council member? Harper-Madison: I would advise anyone interested in running for an elected office to first determine why they want to run, what they hope to accomplish, and whether or not they are prepared for the sacrifice of public service. If the “why” isn’t to be of service, if the hopes of accomplishment aren’t the betterment of the community they serve, and if the sacrifice of privacy and time are too great, I advise another path. ABBJ: What do you like most about living in Austin, Texas? next page >> To advertise email sales@blackbusinessjournal.com
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PUBLIC OFFICIALS Harper-Madison: I love the natural beauty of the city of Austin most.
Aurora Martinez Jones
ABBJ: Describe one experience that changed your way of thinking? Harper-Madison: The moment my doctor gave me a cancer diagnosis changed my way of thinking entirely. Prior to that, I thought my altruistic goals would be met with philanthropy, which would first require I amass some degree of wealth. I was singularly focused on wealth-building until that moment. My perspective shifted when my mortality was in question and community advocacy became my path. ABBJ: What life lessons have you’ve learned? Harper-Madison: -Be - patient with children and the elderly -Think before you speak -Always operate with integrity -Cheaters actually do win sometimes, but that doesn’t mean you want to be one -Smile often, laugh even more, dance whenever possible -Set - measurable goals -Don’t make promises you can’t keep -Admit when you don’t know something -You do not have to be the smartest person in the room -Speak up and out when necessary- but know when to be quiet and listen ABBJ: Where do you see yourself in 10 – 15 years? Harper-Madison: In 10-15 years, I see myself as a social innovation business consultant specializing in helping small businesses find resources, large businesses in partnering with community organizations and connecting organizations that encourage and provide civic education and engagement mentorship. ABBJ: Which book would you recommend others read? Harper-Madison: Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond ABBJ: What do you enjoy doing in your leisure time? Harper-Madison: My leisure time is best enjoyed in the company of my family and friends, eating, playing games, listening to music, watching movies, camping or just relaxing. 42
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Travis County Associate Judge
Born and raised: La Porte, Texas Moved to Austin: 2001 Education: University of Texas at Austin—Bachelor of Arts, Government University of Texas School of Law—Juris Doctorate, Law Legal focus: Child Welfare Law and Civil Litigation ABBJ: Describe your job. Jones: I help children and families heal and improve their lives through support, services, and collaboration. I work to provide healthy, safe, loving, longterm permanency for children in Travis County, Texas. ABBJ: Why did you decide to become a judge? Jones: As a child of immigrants, I learned early in life that I needed to help my family navigate through American systems and cultural norms. Since then, I developed a passion for helping people who traditionally go unheard. I became an attorney so that I could (help the most fragile members in our community – especially children, immigrants, and families living in poverty.
ABBJ: Any advice? Jones: For anyone considering becoming a lawyer or a judge I would tell them, you can do it! Growing up, I did not know any attorneys or judges. In fact, it was quite some times before I was able to meet an attorney who looked like me. As a young Afro-Latina in a Southern state, I was unaware of the potential I could achieve. Fortunately, I received encouragement and confidence to become a judge. ABBJ: What do you like most about living in Austin, Texas? Jones: I like the openness to innovation and progressive ideas that Austin, Texas embraces. I am constantly working to improve the child welfare system and the way in which the community accesses the court system so being in a city that is willing to try new things provides the kind of environment needed to enable change. ABBJ: What was one experience that changed your way of thinking? Jones: While I was an attorney, a judge, who was another woman of color, asked me had I considered being a judge. I had not. To be honest, I had no idea how to become Judge and I questioned whether I was qualified enough to consider being a Judge. Through her encouragement, I became a judge at age 31. Since then, I have made it a point to not limit myself in my personal life or in my career. In addition, I have become a mentor and regularly encourage young people to reach beyond their wildest dreams.
MARCH 2019
PUBLIC OFFICIALS
Brenda P. Kennedy ABBJ: What life lessons have you’ve learned? Jones: In life, I have learned that challenges, obstacles, and perceived failures make for a stronger, more resilient person. Most of what I achieved came with great difficulties, but success through that lens has helped me grow wisdom. I have learned to appreciate the hard times because they have set me up for greatness. ABBJ: Where do you see yourself in 10 – 15 years? Jones: In 10 to15 years I see myself continuing to serve my community and expanding progressive approaches to overcome broken institutions. I hope to expand my definition of community to be statewide or greater. ABBJ: Favorite book? Jones: The Giver by Lois Lowry. Although it is a children’s book, it is a great read as an adult. This book gives me hope. It is a great reminder, especially in my work, that despite all the suffering, sadness, and awful things that make us human, there are also wondrous, amazing, and loving things that show the best of humanity. It reminds me that my priority is always to invest as much as possible in goodness for our children because the human experience is a varying balance of good and bad. The more good a child can receive, I believe, the better life can be for that child. ABBJ: What do you enjoy doing in your leisure time? Jones: I enjoy reading books for my Feminist Book Club, watching Anime, spending time with my husband and two daughters, and attending community events.
Presiding Judge, Travis County Criminal Courts, 403rd District Court, Travis County, Texas
In 1988, Kennedy became the first African-American elected in a contested countywide race in Travis County. Born & Raised: Mexia and Temple, Texas Moved to Austin:1975 Education: University of Texas at Austin, School of Law Legal focus: Criminal Law ABBJ: Describe what you do. Kennedy: I preside over felony level criminal cases.
Kennedy: My exposure gained as a result of being involved in Drug Court has provided a whole new way of thinking regarding drug addiction, its consequences and effects on families and communities. ABBJ: What life lessons have you’ve learned? Kennedy: Too many to name…… a few would be patience, active listening, and how to talk to varied people of differing backgrounds and life experiences. ABBJ: Where do you see yourself in 10 – 15 years? Kennedy: Hopefully, travelling and enjoying retirement by that time.
ABBJ: Why did you decide to become a lawyer? Kennedy: Initially, my intent was to become a civil rights attorney after learning of the injustices occurring across our nation. During my law school experience, I became more interested in criminal law; got an internship with the Department of Justice in Washington D.C.; and, returned wanting to pursue a career in advocacy.
ABBJ: Favorite book? Kennedy: I am an avid reader, so, I have many favorites. I would say that of my latest reads, “An American Marriage”, by Tayari Jones was a very good read.
ABBJ: What advice would you offer someone who may be considering becoming a lawyer or a judge? Kennedy: A student should pursue an internship in the particular area of law that they have interest in to get the day to day exposure, experience, and working knowledge that they will need to determine if that is the area they really wish to pursue.
Background: Kennedy earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Texas School of Law and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin. She has served as an assistant city attorney for the city of Austin and assistant district attorney in Travis County before assuming her judicial duties in October 1987. Kennedy is the founding member of the Austin chapter of the National Charity League and completed many projects through the Austin chapter of the Links, Incorporated and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated; and many others. She is the proud mother of two daughters, Mallore Ahmad and Pilar Caldwell. Kennedy enjoys traveling to different parts of the country and around the world, and see the varied cultures and people across the globe.
ABBJ: What do you like most about living in Austin? Kennedy: The environmental concerns, cleanliness, and overall culture of the city. ABBJ: What was one moment or experience in your life that changed your way of thinking?
ABBJ: What do you enjoy doing in your leisure time? Kennedy: Reading, swimming, making Jewelry and traveling to beach locations.
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PUBLIC OFFICIALS
Rudolph “Rudy” K. Metayer Lora J. Livingston Civil and Family Law Judge In 1999, Livingston became the First African-American woman to serve on a district court in Travis County, Texas. Born and raised: Los Angeles, California Moved to Austin: 1982 Education: BA Political Science; Juris Doctorate ABBJ: Describe what you do. Livingston: I am a judge. I hear all types of civil and family law cases. ABBJ: Why did you decide to become a judge? Livingston: I felt called to public service and I believed I could make a significant difference in the justice system. ABBJ: What advice would you offer someone who may be considering becoming a lawyer? Livingston: Be prepared in every way possible; personally, and professionally. 44
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Background. Judge Lora J. Livingston is a 1982 graduate of the UCLA School of Law. She began her legal career as a Reginald Heber Smith Community Lawyer Fellow assigned to the Legal Aid Society of Central Texas in Austin. After completing the two-year fellowship program, she continued to work in the area of poverty law until 1988, when she entered private practice with the law firm of Joel B. Bennett, P.C. In 1993, she and S. Gail Parr formed a partnership and opened the law firm of Livingston & Parr and engaged in a general civil litigation practice with an emphasis on family law. In January 1995, she was sworn in as an associate judge for the district courts of Travis County. After her successful election, Livingston was sworn in as Judge of the 261st District Court in January 1999, the first to African American woman to do so. Since 2011, she has served as the Local Administrative Judge for the Travis County Courts. Livingston is active on several local, state and national bar association activities and serves on several boards.
Councilmember, City of Pflugerville and Litigator, Chamberlain McHaney Born and raised: Brooklyn, NY, Raised in Trophy Club, TX Moved to Austin: 1998 (Live in Pflugerville.) Education: BA in Philosophy, BA in Government, Masters in Public Affairs (MPA), Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD), all from the University of Texas at Austin Legal focus: Insurance Defense, Corporate Litigation ABBJ: Describe what you do in one sentence, two at the most. Metayer: I defend corporations, big and small, in lawsuits ranging from slip and fall cases to medical malpractice or building construction defects. I also serve the citizens of Pflugerville as their Councilmember ABBJ: Why did you decide to become a lawyer or civic professional? Metayer: Simply put, to help people. When I was 4 years old, I discovered a book my parents own named “The Kennedy Years and the Negro.” That book documented the work of several people during the Civil Rights movement, including Thurgood Marshall. Once my parents explained to me who he was and MARCH 2019
PUBLIC OFFICIALS that he was a lawyer, I decided to become one. Out of my desire to help people, it organically continued toward service at a higher level for public at large as a Councilmember in a place I love and call home, Pflugerville ABBJ: What advice would you offer someone who may be considering becoming lawyer or civic professional? Metayer: Perspective is a key attribute in life that is often understated by those in leadership. Meaning, it is just as important you are able to relate to a custodian as it is to a CEO of a major Fortune 100 company. Often times, you will be called upon to find solutions to difficult problems and if you cannot understand, or empathize, with a perspective or opinion that is different from your own, you are likely not going to find a solution that benefits everyone involved. Both as a lawyer and a Councilmember, you’re a problem solver. To do so effectively is to understand everyone’s perspective. ABBJ: What do you like most about living in Austin, Texas? Metayer: I love living in Pflugerville due to wonderful city services, the great schools, diverse population, and overall high quality of life. This old German town is the 3rd fastest growing city in the US and based on all it has to offer, you can see why. ABBJ: What are the challenges of being Black and living in Austin, Texas? Metayer: In Austin, often times you do not see the rich diversity that’s necessary to help make sure all viewpoints and perspective are engaged in helping to make a decision on a specific topic or matter. That lack of representation often times shies away young black people who may have been willing to call Austin home instead of Houston or Dallas. If you don’t see that inclusivity from the onset, you often times wonder why that is the case and makes you think twice about living in Austin. ABBJ: What was one moment or experience in your life that changed your way of thinking? Metayer: When I realized that often times the wrongdoing or actions of someone do not come from a place of malice (evil), but ignorance (misunderstanding). That fundamentally changed how I interacted with people for the better.
ABBJ: What life lessons have you’ve learned? Metayer: You are always interviewing. You just don’t know it. Meaning, people are always watching how you treat others, how you treat your job, how you treat society around you. Therefore, act and conduct yourself in a manner that will make those around you want you to be on “their team.” ABBJ: Where do you see yourself in 10 – 15 years? Metayer: Continuing to serve people in the Great State of Texas
ABBJ: Favorite book or book you’d recommend? Metayer: “Mindset” by Carol Dweck ABBJ: What do you enjoy doing in your leisure time? Metayer: Spending time with my wife Letisha, family and friends. Working out in Camp Gladiator, meeting with my Men’s Prayer Group, playing soccer and video games. Supporting the Texas Longhorns in all that they do.
Velva L. Price Travis County District Clerk
Velva Price was the first AfricanAmerican woman to be elected president of the Austin Bar Association and the Travis County Women Lawyers Association. She also served as president of the Austin Black Lawyers Association. Born: Denver, Colorado Raised: Everywhere due to Father’s military service in the Air Force. Moved to Austin: 1983 Education: University of Texas School of Law, J.D. Legal focus: Trial Litigation ABBJ: Describe what you do: Price: Administrator of all the District Court records and funds from 19 district courts, 4 associate courts and a magistrate court and summoning potential jurors for all the Travis County and City of Austin jury trials including grand jury service.
ABBJ: What advice would you offer someone who may be considering becoming a lawyer? Price: Being an attorney is an intellectually stimulating profession that can apply to any position or industry. A person may consider attending court to see how trials/ hearings are conducted, contact local legal organizations and/or join/attend pre-law groups. ABBJ: What do you like most about living in Austin, Texas? Price: The small town feel in a now big city. ABBJ: What life lessons have you’ve learned? Price: This lesson was taught by my parents – ‘ People are more alike than they are different and most want to make the world a better place, if given a chance’ ABBJ: Favorite book or book you’d recommend? Price: Any book that my almost book club, of the last 29 years, is reading.
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PUBLIC OFFICIALS
Eric Montgomery Shepperd Judge County Court At Law #2
ABBJ: What life lessons have you learned? Shepperd: Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by ignorance. We just don’t know what we don’t know. Born and raised: Maryland Moved to Austin: 1982 Education: BA in Business Andrews University, JD University of Texas Legal focus: Civil Trial
ABBJ: Describe what you do. Shepperd: I help litigants resolve their differences. ABBJ: Why did you decide to become a judge? Shepperd: Because I believe in the rule of law and want to help others do so ABBJ: What advice would you offer someone who may be considering becoming a lawyer or judge? Shepperd: Read Wrote and Analyze as much as possible ABBJ: What do you like most about living in Austin, Texas? Shepperd: The people of Austin. They are for the most part warm friendly kind and sophisticated ABBJ: What was one moment or experience in your life that changed your way of thinking? Shepperd: Creating an environment where even pro se litigants can resolve their legal problem.
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ABBJ: Where do you see yourself in 10 – 15 years? Shepperd: Still engaged in Austin civic life in whatever way Austin would have me do so. ABBJ: Favorite book or book you’d recommend? Shepperd: Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis Background. Shortly after graduating from UT Law School in 1985, Eric Shepperd became an Assistant Attorney General in what is now called the Law Enforcement Defense Division. He went on to become the director of civil litigation for the Travis County Attorney’s Office until his election for County Court Judge in 2006. Shepperd is an active mentor in the legal community for more than 30 years. He is the immediate past president of the Austin Bar Foundation, a lecturer for the University of Texas School of Law’s Trial Advocacy Program and a professor for the Austin Community College paralegal program, teaching advanced litigation. In the past, he has had the honor to serve as president/chairman of Austin Black Lawyers Association, Texas Organized Professionals, Red Cross of Central Texas, Austin Habitat for Humanity, Leadership Austin and Texas Center for the Judiciary.
Christopher Shorter City of Austin, Assistant City Manager
Focus Areas: Health & Environment; Culture & Lifelong Learning Born and raised in: Vicksburg, MS (born), Detroit, MI (raised) Moved to Austin: February 2019 Education: University of Pittsburgh - MPA (Urban and Regional Affairs), Florida A&M University - BS (Economics) ABBJ: Describe your job. Shorter: Supporting positive outcomes around Health, Environment, Culture and Life Long Learning in the city of Austin.
MARCH 2019
PUBLIC OFFICIALS
Jeffrey W. Travillion, Sr.
ABBJ: What do you like most about living in Austin, Texas? Shorter: The parks, food, and public art
Travis County Commissioner, Precinct 1
ABBJ: What life lessons have you’ve learned? Shorter: If you can tune into your purpose and really align with it, setting goals so that your vision is an expression of that purpose, then life flows much more easily. ABBJ: Favorite book or book you’d recommend? Shorter: Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond The World is Flat Mis-Education of the Negro The Debt by Randall Robinson ABBJ: What do you enjoy doing in your leisure time? Shorter: Volunteering, swimming and working out and reading Background. Christopher J. Shorter has served in leadership roles for the District of Columbia (DC) Government for the past 10 years. Most recently he has been the district’s Director of Public Works which provides environmental services and solid waste management for residents. He has also held roles as Chief Operating Officer (COO) for DC’s Department of Health and as COO and Chief of Staff for the district’s Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services. Mr. Shorter received a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public & International Affairs and a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University in Tallahassee, Florida.
Born and raised: Jackson, Mississippi Moved to Austin: 1985 Education: Bachelor of Arts, Jackson State University, WEB Dubois University Honors Program - Sloan Fellow (Carnegie Mellon University, Harvard University Master of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin ABBJ: Describe what you do. Travillion: I work with the Commissioners Court to fund Constitutional and statutory requirements of Travis County by State government (Court systems, county jail, public safety, indigent care) while working to understand and provide for the needs and priorities of communities in Travis County. ABBJ: Why did you decide to become a commissioner? Travillion: I understood very early that government can have a tremendous impact on the quality of life of its citizens. I believed that I had a unique perspective from working for many years to guarantee civil rights (NAACP), and as a professional in local, and state government. ABBJ: What advice would you offer someone who may be considering becoming a commissioner? Travillion: If you work on things that you believe in, your passion will be obvious and create opportunities for you.
ABBJ: What do you like most about living in Austin, Texas? Travillion: It is a great place to raise a family. ABBJ: What was one moment or experience in your life that changed your way of thinking? Travillion: My thinking changed when my wife and I had children. I understood that my mission was creating a space for the next generation to thrive. ABBJ: What life lessons have you’ve learned? Travillion: You only get out of this life what you put into it. ABBJ: Where do you see yourself in 10 – 15 years? Travillion: I enjoy the public space. I enjoy meeting people, sharing ideas, challenging beliefs. I plan to work in the community or teach as long as I find joy in those spaces. ABBJ: Favorite book or book you’d recommend? Travillion: I have several, but I recommend the “Crisis of the Negro Intellectual” by Harold Cruise and “In the Matter of Color” by A. Leon Higginbotham, Jr. ABBJ: What do you enjoy doing in your leisure time? Travillion: Reading, traveling, and spending time with family.
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PUBLIC OFFICIALS
Yvonne Michelle Williams Yvonne Michelle Williams, Justice of Peace, Travis County Precinct 1
Born and raised: Sublime, Hallettsville, and San Antonio Texas Moved to Austin:1989. Education: University of Houston – Juris Doctorate
ABBJ: What do you like most about living in Austin, Texas? Williams: It is the most progressive city in the state; in spite of its enormous growth it remains a pleasant place to live so far.
ABBJ: Describe what you do. Williams: I am a judge who presides over small claims, evictions, class C misdemeanor tickets, and juvenile truancy cases.
ABBJ: What experience in your life that changed your way of thinking? Williams: My college year where I became involved in organizing in the anti-apartheid movement.
ABBJ: Why did you decide to become a judge? Williams: I became a lawyer to “right the wrongs of this world” and as such I chose to prosecute civil rights and employment discrimination cases (Houston/Galveston area for years). I was coaxed into becoming a judge and so decidedly approached the role as one who respects everyone who comes before me. ABBJ: What advice would you offer someone who may be considering becoming a legal professional? Williams: Read, read, read and be involved in your community & your world. Study both academics as well as everyday life. Maintain a life of integrity and watch the company you keep. 48
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ABBJ: What life lessons have you’ve learned? Williams: There will “always be something” to challenge us. But, we have deep within us a natural resiliency to prevail when we try hard enough. ABBJ: Where do you see yourself in 10 – 15 years? Williams: Glad to be alive! ABBJ: Favorite book or books you’d recommend? Williams: For leisure, anything written by Beverly Jenkins. For all other, -“When & Where I Enter: The Impact of Black Women on Race and Sex in America” by Paula Giddings.
-“Women, Race & Class” by Angela Davis -“ILLUSIONS: Adventure of a Reluctant Messiah” by Richard Bach ABBJ: What do you enjoy doing in your leisure time? Williams: Music, movies, the woods, the desert southwest, and good company. Background. She was appointed to an associate municipal court judge post in 2006 by the Austin City Council and became the first judge selected to magistrate a night court. Williams has also been an adjunct instructor at Austin Community College since 2006, teaching legal writing courses. After winning election, a law school friend contacted Williams about a prevention/intervention program she had designed to address truancy while working with families of justice-involved youth. Dr. Grady M. Paris, J.D., senior trainer at Prairie View A&M University’s Texas Juvenile Crime Prevention Center, piloted it with JP1 and its court-involved families. Several hundred families have successfully completed the workshop series. Williams’ juvenile court was cited as a model by Texas Appleseed, when it advocated for decriminalizing truancy during the 2015 legislative session. MARCH 2019
UP & COMING
Aden Allen Paige C. Duggins-Clay Jasmine Harding Ifeoma Ibekwe Farah Muscadin Nadine Orrell Kelan Robinson Ariel Wiley Ayeola Williams
UP & COMING
Aden M. Allen Senior Associate, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati PC, Born & raised: Oakland, California. Moved to Austin: 2008. Education: B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from MIT; J.D. from Columbia Law School. Legal focus: Patent counseling, patent due diligence, and patent litigation. ABBJ: Describe what you do. Allen: My company is the premier legal advisor to technology, life sciences, and growth enterprises worldwide, as well as the firms and banks that finance them. I help companies evaluate their patent portfolios, defend their technology from patent infringement suits, and/or assert patents to protect their inventions. ABBJ: Why did you decide to become a lawyer? Allen: I liked the challenge of using my ability to reason and explain complex ideas to people who needed that kind of business guidance and counseling. ABBJ: What advice would you offer someone who may be considering becoming a lawyer? Allen: Understand why you want to be a lawyer and make sure that you are willing to do it long enough to get a return on the investment of time and money. Law degrees are expensive. Whether your motivation is personal satisfaction, financial gain, or knowing you’ve done a good job, being a great lawyer does not happen automatically upon graduation and you should always strive to learn and develop knowledge and skills that will help you and your future clients. ABBJ: What do you like most about living in Austin, Texas? Allen: Its potential. Over the decade that
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I’ve been here, Austin has grown immensely, and it’s not done growing. Though many see this as problematic, I see it as an opportunity to mold this city into a place that provides opportunities for all. ABBJ: What was one moment or experience in your life that changed your way of thinking? Allen: I took a labor economics class while an undergraduate. That class taught me, among other things, how well-meaning policies might yield vastly different economic realities. ABBJ: What life lessons have you’ve learned? Allen: Respect yourself. And, treat others with respect regardless of whether they respect themselves. ABBJ: Where do you see yourself in 10 – 15 years? Allen: Doing what I love, which is practicing law and assisting others. Also, spending time with my family and watching my kids grow up. ABBJ: Favorite book or book you’d recommend? Allen: There are a few: 1984 by George Orwell, A Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, Atlas Shrugged or The Virtue of Selfishness by Ayn Rand, and the Millionaire Next Door by Stanley & Danko. ABBJ: What do you enjoy doing in your leisure time? Allen: Spending time with my wife and kids and watching Golden State Warriors basketball.
Paige C. Duggins-Clay Associate, Husch Blackwell LLP Born & raised: Dallas (Cedar Hill), Texas. Moved to Austin: 2010 Education: Southwestern University, B.A., English/Education, Minor in Race & Ethnic Studies - J.D., University of Texas School of Law Legal focus: Civil Rights Litigation/ Education Law ABBJ: Describe what you do. Duggins-Clay: I help educational institutions fulfill their mission to students and the community. ABBJ: Why did you decide to become a lawyer? Duggins-Clay: As an African-American woman and the daughter of a teacher, I have a strong passion for social justice and educational equity. Although I began my education intending to become a high school English teacher and soccer coach, each new experience made me more aware of the ways law can impact education. Throughout college, I learned how education interacts with issues such as housing, employment, and criminal justice, and I found that pursuing a career in law would allow me to be an advocate for the less-advantaged. ABBJ: What advice would you offer someone who may be considering becoming a lawyer? Duggins-Clay: The journey to becoming a lawyer is a challenging one that will reinforce (and, in some aspects, redefine) who you are. But it will all be worth it in the end.
MARCH 2019
UP & COMING ABBJ: What do you like most about living in Austin, Texas? Duggins-Clay: Access to beautiful and spacious outdoor spaces, our laid-back professional culture, and breakfast tacos. ABBJ: What was one moment or experience in your life that changed your way of thinking? Duggins-Clay: As an undergraduate student at Southwestern University, I served as the Editor-In-Chief of The Megaphone, Southwestern’s official student newspaper. Shortly after I began working in that role, I wrote an editorial condemning reports that some students posted racially charged photos and comments regarding Black male students on campus. The day after the article was distributed, over a hundred copies of the newspaper were found burned in the BBQ grill outside of my campus apartment. This was a personal message sent to me, as The Megaphone’s first-ever African American Editor in Chief. While not my first experience with overt racial discrimination in education, it stands out as a sobering moment when I realized that my words were “powerful and dangerous,” as Audre Lorde put it. ABBJ: What life lessons have you’ve learned? Duggins-Clay: The most important lesson I’ve learned in my short career is to never pass up an opportunity to make a meaningful connection with the people you encounter – regardless of their background or business development potential. ABBJ: Where do you see yourself in 10 – 15 years? Duggins-Clay: Litigating cases that advance my deeply-held belief that access to highquality public education is a fundamental right. ABBJ: Favorite book or book you’d recommend? Duggins-Clay: Zadie Smith – On Beauty. I love this author so much I named my child after her. ABBJ: What do you enjoy doing in your leisure time? Duggins-Clay: Reading historical fiction, binge watching television dramas, attending live music shows, and camping.
Jasmine M. Harding Attorney at Doyle & Seelbach
Born and raised: in Humble, Texas (Greater Houston Area) Moved to Austin: 2014 for Law school Education: University of Texas School of Law, J.D. Houston Baptist University, B.A. Legal focus: Employment Law, Personal Injury and Commercial Litigation ABBJ: Describe what you do. Harding: Defend employers and their leadership in work-place injury lawsuits, discrimination and retaliation lawsuits and charges of discrimination, wage claims, suits for breach of contract, various employment-related torts, and suits for violation of state and federal statutes. ABBJ: Why did you decide to become a lawyer? Harding: I was always intrigued with the law, but I was seriously inspired to become a lawyer at the age of 16 years-old when I assisted getting a decision overturned by the school board in my school district. ABBJ: What advice would you offer someone who may be considering becoming a lawyer? Harding: I would advise them to seek out mentorship, so they have reasonable expectations and are properly prepared for their legal journey. What do you like most about living in Austin, Texas? Harding: I love the relaxed and flexible culture in Austin.
ABBJ: What was one moment or experience in your life that changed your way of thinking? Harding: My first time volunteering and serving a group of those who were living in extreme poverty changed my entire thought process. It reminded me how blessed I am but most importantly, it ignited something on the inside of me to want to serve. ABBJ: What life lessons have you learned? Harding: Work ethic is so incredibly important. I have learned that you do not always need to possess more experience than your opponents, you just have to outwork them. ABBJ: Where do you see yourself in 10 – 15 years? Harding: In my career, I see myself with a vast array of my own clients but personally I see myself impacting the community through service, faith and sound leadership. ABBJ: Favorite book or book you’d recommend? Harding: I recommend the Becoming Michelle Obama book. I thought it was extremely encouraging regardless of your political affiliation or background. ABBJ: What do you enjoy doing in your leisure time? Harding: In my leisure time, I enjoy attending my church, spending time with my loved ones, going to the movies, and trying new restaurants.
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UP & COMING
Ifeoma “Iffy” Ibekwe Founder and Principal Attorney at Ibekwe Law, PLLC
Born: in Nigeria and I lived in several countries before moving to Texas at the age of 11; I even attended Kindergarten in Dubai way before it was a glamorous desert destination! Moved to Austin: 1999 to attend The University of Texas at Austin. Education: University of Texas at Austin University of Texas School of Law – J.D. Legal focus: Business Law, Contracts, Trademarks, Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Probate
ABBJ: Describe what you do in one sentence, two at the most. Ibekwe: I assist clients with estate planning, including powers of attorney, wills, trusts, and probate. I also facilitate the optimal selection of legal business structures, and provide business services, including trademark registration and contract generation. ABBJ: Why did you decide to become a lawyer? Ibekwe: I became a lawyer to help children in the education system. After seven years as a school attorney, I switched to business law. ABBJ: What advice would you offer someone who may be considering becoming a lawyer? Ibekwe: Explore why you want to become a lawyer. Also, think outside of the box and don’t be afraid to walk a nontraditional path if that is what God calls you to do. ABBJ: What do you like most about living in Austin, Texas?
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Ibekwe: I love that my adult life was built in Austin; I attended school here, secured my first job here, got married here, and had all three of my kids here. It feels like home. ABBJ: What was one moment or experience in your life that changed your way of thinking? Ibekwe: Realizing that not all people process information or think the same way that I do was life-changing. ABBJ: What life lessons have you’ve learned? Ibekwe: Put God first and everything will be alright in the end. ABBJ: Where do you see yourself in 10 – 15 years? Ibekwe: I see myself maturing into more of who God has created me to be and still pursuing contentedness. ABBJ: Favorite book or book you’d recommend? Ibekwe: I recently read the memoir Educated by Tara Westover and I literally couldn’t put it down. It illuminated doomsday preppers, a terrifying demographic of Americans who are largely dismissed. ABBJ: What do you enjoy doing in your leisure time? Ibekwe: I love listening to podcasts (at 1.5x speed), spending time with my husband and kids, reading books by female authors, keeping my plants alive, and planning my next great vacation (mostly in my head).
Farah C. Muscadin Director, Office of Police Oversight
Born and raised: Flossmoor, IL (suburb of Chicago) Moved to Austin: July 2016 Education: University of Iowa College of Law Legal focus: Civilian Police Oversight ABBJ: Describe what you do. Muscadin: Our mission is to improve the accountability and transparency of the Austin Police Department. ABBJ: Why did you decide to become a lawyer? Muscadin: It started with my uncle who is a corporate attorney. I always wanted to follow in his footsteps.
MARCH 2019
UP & COMING
Nadine Orrell
ABBJ: What advice would you offer someone who may be considering becoming a lawyer? Muscadin: Address any doubts you may have about becoming a lawyer before going into to law school. Talk to as many lawyers you can and ask them to be honest with you. It is important to know the good, bad, and the ugly. ABBJ: What do you like most about living in Austin, Texas? Muscadin: I love the laid-back culture of Austin. I feel like people work hard and play hard. I really love that Austinites enjoy life. ABBJ: What was one moment or experience in your life that changed your way of thinking? Muscadin: I was laid off in April 2016 and packed up and moved to Austin. My faith was seriously tested coming here with no job or friends, but I held firm and I am so proud to see how far I have come. ABBJ: What life lessons have you’ve learned? Muscadin: To be open, flexible, have faith and know that everything happens for a reason. ABBJ: Where do you see yourself in 10 – 15 years? Muscadin: I used to always be able to answer this question because I generally always have a plan, but my experiences have taught to be more open to the various paths my destiny make take. Either way I will stay true to myself and my passions. ABBJ: Favorite book or book you’d recommend? Muscadin: Eloquent Rage by Brittany Cooper ABBJ: What do you enjoy doing in your leisure time? Muscadin: I enjoy a good happy hour.
Principal, Law Office of Nadine Orrell, PLLC
ABBJ: What do you like most about living in Austin, Texas? Orrell: There are many outdoor activities for families. Born and raised: Born in Kingston, Jamaica. I moved to the Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in 1984 and because a Naturalized citizen in 1986. Moved to Austin: 2011, from Brooklyn, New York Education: Master’s of Science in Engineering, Law Degree from the University of Florida (Go Gators!) Legal focus: Child Welfare Law
ABBJ: Describe what you do. Orrell: I help children and parents who have become a part of the Texas foster care system find meaningful resolution of their cases. ABBJ: Why did you decide to become a Child Welfare Attorney? Orrell: When I moved to Austin, I had practiced Environmental Law for about 12 years and I wanted to feel like I was making a meaningful impact in my client’s lives. I had always said that if I did not have to work, that I would advocate for children and I finally had the opportunity to do so. ABBJ: What advice would you offer someone who may be considering becoming a lawyer? Orrell: Treat people the way you would want to be treated. Some of my clients just need someone to encourage and believe in them. Also, make sure that you don’t neglect your own family in your quest to help other families.
ABBJ: What are the challenges of being Black and living in Austin, Texas? Orrell: It took me about 2 years to find a good hairdresser. What was one moment or experience in your life that changed your way of thinking? Orrell: I was pregnant with my first child when a Houston mother of 5 was accused of drowning her children because she was suffering from post-partum depression. That always stuck with me. Had the mother’s mental health been addressed, had her children been removed from her home when her husband first noticed that she needed help, those children’s lives could have been saved. At that time, I wished that someone had done something. I later realized that I could do something. I started practicing family law. What life lessons have you’ve learned? Orrell: You can help people to turn their lives around only after they decides that they have to want that positive change for themselves. ABBJ: Where do you see yourself in 10 – 15 years? Orrell: Doing what I am doing now. ABBJ: Favorite book or book you’d recommend? Orrell: My favorite book is “Hidden Figures”, an inspiring story about the Black women mathematicians who helped the United States win the race to space.
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UP & COMING
Kelan Robinson Manager, Community Engagement & Development, Austin FC ABBJ: What do you like most about living in Austin, Texas? Robinson: Having constant access to the outdoors, art and music.
Born and raised: Austin, Texas. I was born at St. David’s Hospital on 32nd Street and grew up in East Austin. I attended Maplewood Elementary School, Lamar Middle School and McCallum High School. Education: B.A. Political Science, Schreiner University ABBJ: Describe what you do. Robinson: Manage the community benefits and engagement efforts for Austin’s first major league sports team, Austin FC. I engage with our club’s community stakeholders and assist in efforts to promote Austin FC locally. ABBJ: Why did you decide to become a lawyer? Robinson: I wanted to find a role where I would be able to identify public needs/interests and effectively address them to improve the quality of life of Austinites. Initially, I took that on from a policy perspective while working at the City, but now I’m able to fill that role while managing Austin FC’s community engagement. ABBJ: What advice would you offer someone who may be considering becoming a lawyer? Robinson: Make an effort to align your work with something you thoroughly enjoy doing. The best job is one where you absolutely love what you do, no matter how challenging it can be at times.
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ABBJ: What was one moment or experience in your life that changed your way of thinking? Robinson: The first few weeks of working at City Hall changed my thought process as it was the first time I had to actively entertain multiple sides of an arguments and projects in a real-world setting. Hearing multiple perspectives, deciphering the important information and then having to effectively relay information back to Council taught me how to multi-task and effectively listen. ABBJ: What life lessons have you’ve learned? Robinson: To be adaptive - especially in a City like Austin. Our City’s landscape is constantly changing, and the best way to stay informed and involved in that change is to embrace it, ask questions and make sure you’re an active participant in your city. ABBJ: Where do you see yourself in 10 – 15 years? Robinson: Hopefully in a corporate social responsibility role where I’d be able to deliver private/commercial interests while effectively addressing public needs. ABBJ: Favorite book or book you’d recommend? Robinson: I enjoy Herman Hesse’s work. ABBJ: What do you enjoy doing in your leisure time? Robinson: I always look forward to being outside with friends and my dog, checking out local art/music and of course, playing soccer.
MARCH 2019
UP & COMING
Ariel Wiley
Ayeola Williams
Assistant United States Attorney
Staff Attorney, Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Born and raised: Houston, TX Moved to Austin: 2011 Education: The University of Texas School of Law Legal focus: Civil Defense Litigation ABBJ: Describe what you do in one sentence, two at the most. Wiley: I am a civil defense litigator for the United States Attorney’s Office ABBJ: Why did you decide to become lawyer? Wiley: When I was six and I realized that I was particularly good at arguing with others. ABBJ: What advice would you offer someone who may be considering becoming a lawyer? Wiley: Try everything and intern everywhere where you have an interest. You won’t know what you’re good at or what you like until you try it. ABBJ: What life lessons have you’ve learned? Wiley: Don’t stress the small stuff. It prevents you from working out solutions to a problem or realizing when something is not a problem at all. ABBJ: Where do you see yourself in 10 – 15 years? Wiley: Very hard to predict, but I hope to continue in litigation. ABBJ: Favorite book or book you’d recommend? Wiley: Aside from the entire Harry Potter series, Vicious by V.E. Schwab. ABBJ: What do you enjoy doing in your leisure time? Wiley: Reading, Boxing, and watching too much Netflix.
Born and raised: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Moved to Austin: from New York City in September 2014 Education: University of Toledo College of Law Legal focus: Health care, Transportation, Employment Law, Government ABBJ: Describe what you do in one sentence, two at the most. Williams: I am responsible for employment law matters, litigation management and monitoring, statutory interpretation and research and support for transactional matters for Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority. I am the primary attorney for agency and board policy development and management, and I support the agency’ Public Information Act activities. ABBJ: Why did you decide to become a lawyer? Williams: I inherited my father’s passion for law and justice. ABBJ: What advice would you offer someone who may be considering becoming a lawyer? Williams: Talk to friends and family who practice law about what they do and the pros and cons of lawyering.
ABBJ: What do you like most about living in Austin, Texas? Williams: Austin is a great city. I like the weather, the food. But most, I like the people I’ve met who are like a second family to me. ABBJ: What are the challenges of being Black and living in Austin, Texas? Williams: One challenge of being Black in Austin is the lack of a culture of diversity, specifically in the arts. ABBJ: What was one moment or experience in your life that changed your way of thinking? Williams: July 20, 2017 - the birth of our beautiful daughter, Iman. ABBJ: What life lessons have you learned? Williams: You are responsible for your life. ABBJ: Where do you see yourself in 10 – 15 years? Williams: General Counsel role in a great organization ABBJ: Favorite book or book you’d recommend? Williams: “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho ABBJ: What do you enjoy doing in your leisure time? Williams: When not spending time with my adorable daughter and husband, I enjoy jamming with my band “Relentless Jones.”
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event hosted by:
a non-profit 501(c)(3) Organization
1st Annual Fundraiser : April 13, 2019 Driving Range: 11:00a Tee Off: 1:00p
G R E YG ORL FOCC K LUB 7401 TX-45, Austin, TX 78739
Open to 36 players and more! Come and play for Junior Golf Team! By March 31, 2019 - $100.00 per player / $40 per Dinner guest After - $125.00 per player / $50 per Dinner guest Proceeds go to our Sumain Junior Golf Team Contact Cal Balogun: bdgp.pres@gmail.com
donors
CITY & COUNTY GOVERNMENT
City manager Presents Options for a New Land
Development Code
Meanwhile, Mayor Steve Adler argued for abandoning CodeNEXT, not due so much to the content of the proposal but because of the division the debate surrounding it had caused in the community.
City Manager Spencer Cronk released a memo on Friday proposing the first steps of a new process to rewrite the land development code. The memo comes seven months after City Council voted unanimously to suspend its last land use code rewrite effort, CodeNEXT, and instructed Cronk to propose a new process. Cronk’s memo outlines five key questions on which he wants City Council members to provide input before city staff begins drafting changes to the code. The first question asks whether staff should simply make changes to the existing code, or pursue an entirely new code. And if the latter, should Council do the text of the code and the zoning map concurrently or do the text and craft a zoning map separately? The other four questions relate to specific land use issues: compatibility standards, parking requirements, housing capacity, and so-called “missing middle” types of housing such as triplexes, fourplexes and townhomes. On those four issues, Cronk asks Council members to choose one of three options. The first is the status quo, or the policy that exists in the current code. The second is something akin to what was presented in the final draft of CodeNEXT. The third option is to support an even more aggressive change, such as significantly reducing parking requirements and compatibility standards and providing 58
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zoning that will allow far more housing in the urban core, such as through increased missing middle housing. One challenge for the third option is that it is not well-defined. A majority of Council members may agree that the city should pursue aggressive land use changes, but they may not agree on just how aggressive the change should be. The memo included appendices providing further explanation of what the more aggressive option might look like. Parking requirements, for instance, could range from significant reductions based on land use to complete elimination of parking requirements citywide or even the creation of “parking maximums” that prohibit developers from constructing more than a certain amount of parking on a property. Although Council was unanimous in its decision to scrap CodeNEXT, there was plenty of disagreement about what the problem was with the six-year effort to overhaul the code. Some Council members said the proposal didn’t facilitate enough new housing in the urban core, which they believe is needed to ease cost pressures, reduce sprawl and facilitate mass transit. Others said the opposite, echoing complaints from traditional neighborhood associations that said CodeNEXT would threaten the character of single-family neighborhoods and encourage development that would exacerbate the affordability crisis.
The election offered a boost to those who support more aggressive land use changes. Laura Morrison, a longtime supporter of preserving single-family neighborhoods, made opposition to CodeNEXT central to her campaign for mayor but lost in a landslide to Adler. Meanwhile, skeptics of density lost a key supporter with the retirement of Council Member Ora Houston, whose East Austin district is now represented by Natasha Harper-Madison, an outspoken advocate for increased housing supply and transit-oriented development. Whatever policy guidance Council provides, Cronk said that city staff will strive to use plain, transparent language when discussing the proposed changes and not shy away from addressing the “difficult issues” that generate the most controversy. He also said that staff should learn from the past and acknowledge “that our historical land use policies have not benefited all communities.” Cronk also cautioned that improving the land development code will not be a panacea for the city’s problems: “We have significant challenges in our City, but revisions to the Land Development Code alone will not solve long-standing issues regarding gentrification, equity, sustainability, affordability, and mobility. In my experience, land development codes enable communities to create an environment that can address these concerns. Land development codes are one tool in a versatile toolbox of resources and must be used in concert with complementary programs, services, and community resources.” Cronk will present the memo to Council for discussion at the Council work session on March 26. Courtesy of www.austinmonitor.com
MARCH 2019
TECHNOLOGY
As Tech Companies Move In, Can Austin Keep Itself Weird? double the current workforce there. Juul Labs Inc., the San Francisco-based maker of a popular e-cigarette, said it will open an office in Austin for some four-dozen employees to start. The plans, which haven’t been previously reported, would designate Austin as the head of Americas for Juul. South by Southwest, which kicks off Friday, serves as the city’s annual showcase. Since the first music festival in 1987, organizers have added film screenings, a technology conference, video game competitions and political debates. This year will feature Democratic presidential candidates Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar, alongside acting lessons from Jodie Foster and an interview with the founders of Instagram.
A
ustin is losing some of its quality of life appeal as it attracts Silicon Valley giants. Three years ago, Brin Chartier went to Austin, Texas, for the South by Southwest festival and decided she wasn’t going to leave. The then 27-year-old found a job at a tech startup and moved there the following year. “I fell in love,” she said. Lots of cities are trying to fashion themselves as the next Silicon Valley, but Austin is truly having a moment. Its economy, population and list of high-profile employers have all ballooned in recent years. Chartier is among a wave of Austin transplants, attracted by the mix of affordability, opportunity and eclecticism. “So many new people were moving in,” said Chartier, a Boston native. “It’s been wild. After a month or two, I was old news.” Austin’s population increased 23 percent from 2010 to 2017, growing faster than any other U.S. metropolitan region, and far outpacing the national rate of 5 percent, according to data from research firm Statista. It’s slated to expand the size of the downtown area by half, based on projects under construction or planned, according to Austin’s 60
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economic development department. As a result, the city is becoming less affordable and driving longtime residents out. In other words, it’s starting to look more like the Valley in less desirable ways, too. One draw for businesses is the local tax incentive program, which takes into account job creation and environmental impact. The technology industry is one of the biggest drivers of growth. And the city isn’t overreliant on one employer—unlike, say, Arlington, Virginia, which Amazon.com Inc. plans to call its second home. In the past few years, Amazon, Apple Inc., Facebook Inc. and Google have established large Austin outposts, and each recently signaled plans to expand there. Amazon spent $13.7 billion to acquire Austinbased Whole Foods in 2017 and is leasing nearly half of a new tower under construction, according to a local report last month. Apple’s presence in Austin is the biggest after its headquarters in Cupertino, California, and the company said it would invest $1 billion in Austin to build an office park capable of holding 15,000 additional employees, roughly
A quasi-official slogan of the city is “Keep Austin Weird.” That a landlocked, lone liberal stronghold in the country’s conservative heartland became a tech hub is a suitably weird fact. Jeff Haynie, who has spent the last two decades starting tech companies in Atlanta and Silicon Valley, moved his family and his newest startup, Pinpoint Software Inc., from Mountain View, California, to Austin last year. The company’s investors include Bessemer Venture Partners, Slack Technologies Inc. and Bloomberg Beta, the venture capital arm of Bloomberg LP. More affordable housing, a higher quality of life, relaxed business licensing rules and the absence of personal state income taxes convinced Haynie to come to Texas, he said. The state climbed to become the third-mostpopular place to start a new business over the last decade, from 20th, according to the Kauffman Foundation. The recent migration of talent and a change in attitudes among VCs makes starting a tech company outside of the Valley more possible than ever, Haynie said. Haynie has been coming to South by Southwest since 2009. He’ll spend the next week MARCH 2019
TECHNOLOGY
attending the festivities and entertaining friends and old colleagues from the Valley. More than 75,000 people are expected to descend on Austin for the event. “Some restaurants pay the whole year’s rent in just that week,” said Josh Baer, founder of a startup accelerator located downtown. “It’s hard to say whether Austin made South By or South By made Austin.” The tech influx has been good for Baer. His accelerator, Capital Factory, worked with more than 100 startups last year, up from five in 2011. But he worries Austin could lose its cherished weirdness and replicate the urban woes of San Francisco, where high-earning tech professionals drove up the real estate market to extraordinary levels. The median home price in Austin jumped 40 percent over the last five years, exceeding the national average, according to Zillow. Traffic is already a problem, and a population boom could put an even greater strain on transportation and other infrastructure. “Artists can’t afford to live here anymore,” Baer said. “The cool people are going off to live somewhere else.” Courtesy Bloomberg L.P.
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61
RELIGION
Austin’s Black Churches Church Name
Pastor
Address
City
State
Zip
Agape Baptist Church
H. Ed Calahan
7801 North Lamar Blvd., Bldg. F-15
Austin
Texas
78752
Alpha Seventh Day Adventist
Dr. Gordon S. Jones
3016 East 51st Street
Austin
Texas
78723
Bethany Christian Church
Rev. W.W. Booker
3507 East 12th Street
Austin
Texas
78721
14900 Avery Ranch Blvd. Suite C200
Austin
Texas
78717 78702
Christian Faith Fellowship Church Church of the New Testament
Billy J. Walker
1602 Harvey Street
Austin
Texas
David Chapel Missionary Baptist
Rev. Joseph C. Parker, Jr.
2211 E. MLK Jr. Blvd.
Austin
Texas
78702
East 19th Street Missionary Baptist
Rev. M.C. Walker
3401 Rogge Ln
Austin
Texas
78723
East Side Church of Christ
George Williams - Minister
5701 East MLK Jr., Blvd.
Austin
Texas
78721
Ebenezer Baptist Church
Dr. Ricky Freeman
1010 East 10th Street
Austin
Texas
78702
First Presbyterian Baptist Church
Elizabeth McLean
8001 Mesa Drive
Austin
Texas
78731
Gates of Dominion Word MinistryInternational
Michael A. Price - Apostle
5050 Commercial Park Dr., Suite A-1
Austin
Texas
78724 78758
Grant A.M.E. Worship Center
Rev. Sylvester Delaney Patton III
1701 Kramer Lane
Austin
Texas
Greater Calvary Baptist Church
Archbishop Dr. Sterling Lands, II
6510 Berkman Drive
Austin
Texas
78723
Greater Mt. Moriah Primitive Baptist
Chester F. Brown, III
4907 Springdale Road
Austin
Texas
78723
Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church
Gaylon Clark
4301 Tannehill Lane
Austin
Texas
78721
Greater Union Baptist
Pastor Rickey E. Williams
2939 Pecan Springs
Austin
Texas
78723
Higher Dimension Church
Bishop Sid Deon Johnson
1310 Salina Street
Austin
Texas
78702
Holy Cross Catholic Church
Rev. Basil Aguzie, MSP
1610 East 11th Street
Austin
Texas
78702
Imani Community Church
5214 Duval Road
Austin
Texas
78757
Joshua Chapel C.M.E.
1309 East 12 St
Austin
Texas
78702 78653
406 East Burton St.
Manor
Texas
Metropolitan AME Church
Little Zion Baptist Rev. N. Jordan Mkwanazi
1101 E. 10TH STREET
Austin
Texas
78702
Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church
Rev. L.K. Jones
2111 S.L. Davis Ave.
Austin
Texas
78702 78702
Mt. Olive Baptist Church
Rev. Richard E. Carter
2718, 1800 E 11th St
Austin
Texas
Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church
A. W. Anthony Mays
5900 Cameron Road
Austin
Texas
78723
Mt. Zion Baptist Church
Rev. G. V. Clark
2938 East 13th Street
Austin
Texas
78702
3403 Manor Road
Austin
Texas
78723
New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church
507 Commercial Drive
Buda
Texas
78610
New Hope Baptist Church
New Covenant Church Pastor Roy F. Jones II
2405 East 16th Street
Austin
Texas
78702
New Lincoln Missionary Baptist Church
Rev. Darron E. Patterson
2215 East 8th Street
Austin
Texas
78702
Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church
Pastor Nathaniel T. Cannon, Jr.
78721
Rehoboth Baptist Church Simpson United Methodist Church
Robert C. Waddle
Austin
Texas
Austin
Texas
78721
1701 East 12th @ Leona
Austin
Texas
78702 78721
Solid Rock Missionary Baptist Church
John M. Perez
1014 Gardner Road
Austin
Texas
St. James Missionary Baptist Church
Dr. B.W. McClendon, Sr.
3417 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Austin
Texas
78721
St. James Episcopal Church
Rev. Madeline Hawley
1941 Webberville Road
Austin
Texas
78721
St. John Primitive Baptist Church
1709 E.M. Franklin
Austin
Texas
78721
St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church
1160 Hargrave St
Austin
Texas
78702
Rev. Richard A. Coaxum
1202 Russell St
Pflugerville
Texas
78660
St.Peter United Methodist Church
Jack Gause
4509 Springdale Road
Austin
Texas
78723
St. Stephens MBC-Northstar
BJE McQueen
12300 Amherst Dr
Austin
Texas
78727
Sweet Home Baptist Church
Dr. Dante R Wright
3200 Sunrise Rd
Round Rock
Texas
78665
1300 Fort Branch Blvd.
Austin
Texas
78721
Wesley United Methodist
Sylvester Chase
1164 San Bernard Austin
Austin
Texas
78721
Zion Rest M.B. Church
R.E. Foster
3326 Paisano Trail
Austin
Texas
78745
St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church
True Light Baptist Church
62
1158 Webberville Road 5303 Samuel Huston Ave
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MARCH 2019
BLACK RESTAURANTS & FOOD TRUCKS Type Food
Name
Website
African
Cheap Date
https://www.facebook.com/CheapdateAustin-130884130646017/?ref=page_internal
Emoji’s Grilled Cheese
www.EmojisGrilledCheese.com
My Granny’s Kitchen
https://www.facebook.com/My-Grannys-Kitchen-431160566944688/
Country Boyz Fixins
places.singleplatform.com
Dirty Glove Midwest BBQ
https://www.facebook.com/Dgmbbq313/
Sam’s BBQ
https://www.facebook.com/ATXBBQ/
Willie’s Bar-B-Q
https://www.facebook.com/Willies-Bar-B-Que-105259916179491/
Jean-Jean’s Cajun Barbque
https://www.facebook.com/JeanJeans-Cajun-Barbque-434878466676325/
Original New Orleans Po-Boy
http://www.theoriginalneworleanspoboygumboshop.com/
Wild Magnolias
https://www.facebook.com/WildMagnolias/
Big Easy Bar & Grill
https://www.facebook.com/barandgrillbigeasy/
Chicken wings
Ooh Wee Chicken
https://www.facebook.com/Ooh-Wee-Chicken-254822834684553/
Comfort food
Lard Have Mercy
https://www.facebook.com/Lardhavemercy/
Christen’s Gourmet Pralines
www.christenpraline.com
La Gris Gris
https://www.facebook.com/ConjureNoir/
Pink Sugar Sweets
https://www.facebook.com/pinksugaraustin/
Sweet Epiphany
https://www.facebook.com/sweetepiphanytreats/
Sweet Sensations Desserts
http://sweetsensationstex.wix.com/home#!about/cjg9
The Black Banana Dessert Bar
https://www.facebook.com/TheBlkBanana/
Word of Mouth Bakery
http://wordofmouthbakery.com/
Sweet Temptations
www.sweettemptationsbymo.com
Asters Ethopian Restaurant
https://www.astersethiopianrestaurant.com/
Haesha Ethopian Restaurant
http://www.habeshaaustin.com/
Nubian Queen Lola
http://nubianqueenlolas.com/
Taste of Ethiopia
www.tasteofethiopiaaustin.com
Gemma Love Jamaican Cuisine
https://www.facebook.com/GemmaLoveJamaicanCuisine/
Tony’s Jamaican Food
https://www.facebook.com/Tonys-Jamaican-Food-370547336313465/
Goodies and Bits
https://roaminghunger.com/goodies-bits/
Y’all Down Home Cafe
http://www.yalldownhomecafe.com/
Elevated Soul
https://www.facebook.com/erinselevatedsoul
Galloway Sandwich Shop
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Galloways-Sandwich-Shop/109666675736229
Hoover’s Cooking
http://www.hooverscooking.com/
Krack of Dawn Breakfast and Donuts
https://www.facebook.com/krackofdawndonuts/
Lil Mama’s Corner Cafe
https://www.facebook.com/pg/LilMamasKitchenTX/about/?ref=page_internal
Marie’s Menu
https://www.facebook.com/mariesmenu/
Midtown Sports Bar & Cafe
https://www.facebook.com/MidtownLive/
Mr Catfish and More
https://www.facebook.com/thebestcatfish/
The Rolling Rooster
www.therollingrooster.com/
Roland’s Soul Food and Fish
https://www.facebook.com/rolandssoulfood
American American, Cajun, & Soul Barbecue Cajun Barbecue Cajun Creole
Creole
Desserts
Desserts/Custom Sweets
Ethiopian
Jamaican Soul Food & Barbecue
Soul Food
Three Chicks Soul Food
https://www.facebook.com/threechickssoulfood
Southern Hospitality
http://sohosfoods.us/
African
Wasota African Cuisine
https://www.facebook.com/wasotaveganparadise/
American
Baby Greens
http://eatbabygreens.com
Soul Food
Sassy's Vegitarian Soul Food
https://www.facebook.com/sassysvegetariansoulfood/
Southern comfort Vegetarian
To advertise email sales@blackbusinessjournal.com
63
BLACK BUSINESS DIRECTORY TYPE
BUSINESS NAME
WEB ADDRESS
Advertising Agency
Sanders/Wingo
https://www.sanderswingo.com/
Agape Family Barbershop
Barber Shop
Beauty - Mary Kay Rep
Beauty Salon
Beauty Supply
PHONE
PHYSICAL ADDRESS
https://www.facebook.com/Agape-FamilyBarbershop-107320889326709/
(512)542-9994
3218 E Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Austin, TX 78721
Marshall’s Barber Shop
https://www.facebook.com/pages/MarshallsBarber-Shop/143649095666663
(512)472-0302
1915 E 12th Street, Austin, TX 78702
Wooten’s Barber Shop
https://www.facebook.com/Wootenbarber/
(512)477-0109
2106 Guadalupe Street
Tie’s Barbershop
https://www.facebook.com/TiesBarbershop-1472681953025553/
(512) 906-2775
628 E. Oltorf Dr Suite B
Legendary Cuts
http://www.legendarycutsaustin.com
(512)953-1360
4700 Loyola Ln #107, Austin, TX 78723
Zeus Barbershop
https://www.facebook.com/ZeusBarberShop
(512)443-4142
4360 S Congress Ave, Ste 102, Austin, TX 78745-1909
Kutting Edge Barber Shop, Trae The Barber
https://www.facebook.com/nicecutatkuttingedge/ (817) 840-8619
1779 Wells Branch Pkwy #110A
Kut Klose Barber Shop
http://www.kutklosebarbershop.com/
(512)252-9260
821 Grand View Pkwy Austin, TX 78660
Keesha Nix, Indepedndent Beauty Consultant
www.marykay.com/KeeshaNix
512-963-7197
513 Hickroy Run Dr. Cedar Park, TX 78613
Ann’s Private Cuts
https://www.facebook.com/anngosey61/
(512) 491-8730
11139 N Interstate Hwy 35, Austin, TX 78753
Black Hair Unlimited
http://www.blackhairunlimited.com/
(512) 423-3940
3218 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
JaeUndreas Natural Hair Care
http://www.jaeundreas.net/
512-840-0660
7517 Cameron Rd. Ste 105 Austin, TX 78752
Salon Envee
https://www.facebook.com/SalonEnvee-172328024723/
(512) 767-8877
702 W St Johns Ave, Ste C, Austin, TX
The Hair Clinic
http://thehairclinicaustin.com/
(512) 608-4016
3016 Guadalupe Street
Gabrielle’s Salon & Day Spa
http://www.gabriellesalonspa.com/index.html
(512)323-0798
9012 Research Blvd Suite C7
Boojee Hair Austin
https://boojeehair.com/
(512) 494-4327
1923 E 7th St #170, Austin, TX 78702
(512)265-2155
7500 Rialto Blvd. #250, Austin, TX 78735 7703 North Lamar Blvd.
Ball Business Consulting Business Consulting
Darrell K Malone Consulting
www.dkmalone.com
(512)879-6307
Sirach Consulting, LLC
http://sirachconsulting.com/
(512)790-4524 (512)579-6517
College or University
Construction
Dentist
64
Unbound Consulting
www.theunboundgroup.com
512-994-2883
Huston-Tillotson University
http://htu.edu/
(512)505-3000
900 Chicon St, Austin, TX 78702
Virginia College
https://www.vc.edu/locations/austin/
(512) 371-3500
14200 N. Interstate Hwy. 35 Austin, TX 78728
Bridgeucation
www.bridgeucation.com
Aleon Properties, Inc.
www.aleonpropertiesinc.com
Haynes-Eaglin Waters Construction
http://www.hewaustin.com/
(512)451-6600
6448 E Hwy 290 Ste D-105, Austin, TX 78723
MM Family Dentistry
http://www.mmfamilydentistry.com/
(512)477-9775
2113 East Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Suite 105, Austin, TX 78702
Frazier Dentistry
http://frazierdentistry.com/
(512)453-3879
7333 E. US Hwy. 290, Austin, TX 78753
To advertise email sales@blackbusinessjournal.com
OCTOBER 2018
BLACK BUSINESS DIRECTORY TYPE
Finance
BUSINESS NAME
WEB ADDRESS
PHONE
PHYSICAL ADDRESS
Demitra N. Alexander, CPA, PC
http://www.dalexandercpa.com/
(512)535-7932
5407 N IH 35 Ste 303 Austin, TX 78723
Hopkins Tax & Accounting
http://www.hopkinstaxaccounting.com/
(512)829-1088
7600 Chevy Chase Dr. #300, Austin, TX 78752
Bobs Tax Teachers
http://www.bobstaxteachers.com/
(512)252-1927
200 E Pecan St., Pflugerville, Tx 78660
(512)808-7656
6200 Bridge Point Pkwy, Bldg 4, Ste 300, Austin, TX 78753
Financial Check-up and Review Home Organization
Nicky Fix My life
https://www.facebook.com/ groups/1907248392929347/
(512)522-2016
ChelaWorks
http://www.chelawhiteramsey.com/Shop.php
(228)326-7768
Pat Bell | HR Consulting
http://patbellhr.com/
(361)861-0086
Interior Design
Stephanie Sullivan Interior Design
http://www.ssinteriordesign.com
(512)-593-1437
Magazine
Austin Black Business Journal & Community News Magazine
www.austinblackbusiness.com
512-380-1611
Marketing
Elevation Firm
https://elevationfirm.com/
(512)910-2420
Floor 14, 600 Congress Ave, Austin, Tx 78701
Newspaper
The Villager Newspaper
http://theaustinvillager.com/
(512)476-0082
4132 E. 12th Street, Austin, TX 78721
Non-profit Organization
National Black MBA Association Austin
http://austinblackmba.org/
Nonprofit
Child Inc
http://childinc.org/
H|Adewumi Photography
http://hadewumi.com/
Alfy Wilmot Photography
http://www.alfywilmotphotography.com/
(512)537-5451
Look At Me! Media
https://www.facebook.com/lookatmemedia/
(512)296-3341
Northstar Photography
www.flickr.com/photos/lissiaz/
(512)422-7968
Rebuk Artist Photography
http://www.rebuckartisticphotography.com/
(512)367-9747
Texas Touch Photography
https://www.facebook.com/ TexasTouchPhotography/
(512)905-3371
Cindy Elizabeth Photography
http://www.cindyelizabeth.com/
D.Hill Photography
https://www.dhillsphotography.com/
Adisa Public Relations
www.makingthingsclear.com
(512)472-6112
Donald Harrell - Century 21
http://www.century21.com/real-estate-agent/ profile/donald-harrell-P25253564
(512)968-3290
E Infinity Realty
https://www.facebook.com/einfinityrealty/
(512)807-9292
Edie C. Phillips Real Estate
http://ediecphillips.com/
(512)775-0637
106 E 6th St #900, Austin, TX 78701
Anita C Roberts
www.luxuryaustinproperties.com
512-380-1611
1801 S MoPac Expy #100, Austin, TX 78746
Kathy De La Cruz (Realtor) - Re/ Max Posh Propeties South
http://www.remax.com/realestateagentoffice/ austin-tx-78735-kathydelacruz-id27266661.html
(512)470-4877
5501 W Hwy 290 Suite C, Austin, TX 78735
(512)478-3451
1721 E 12th St, Austin, TX
(660)693-3376
1801 S MoPac Expy #100, Austin, TX 78746
Human Resources
Photography
Public Relations Firm
Real Estate
W.G. Hunt & Co.
Videographer
Yinka Oyefeso - Keller Williams Realty
http://www.kw.com/kw/agent/austin-budaforsalehome
Funmi Ogunro
https://www.facebook.com/layo88
Documentary You - Justin Humphries
https://www.facebook.com/JustinJoyful
P.O. Box 144822 Austin, TX 78714-4822 (512)451-7361
818 E 51st Street, Austin, TX 78751
6205 Burnet Rd. B, Austin, TX 78757
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65
A celebration of our diverse Central Texas communities Saturday,
June 1, 2019 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Huston-Tillotson University, 900 Chicon Ave
www.soulofaustin.org
c i s u M Food
Fun FAdrmeisseion for the s e whole m a G family Entertainment #celebratediversity
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