MAYOR SYLVESTER TURNER AND HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT OPEN SUNNYSIDE HEALTH AND MULTI-SERVICE CENTER

By StyleMagazine.com - Newswire

the lives of Sunnyside residents and encourage them to lead healthier lifestyles.” art facility.”

Services include immunization, dental, family planning, sexual health, tuberculosis, a Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) center, and programs for mental health, new mothers, and seniors.

The facility is the first of its kind for the Sunnyside community with a large two-story indoor atrium connecting the health and multi-service areas. The new $25.8 million center replaces the nearby 30-year-old former Sunnyside Health Center and Sunnyside Multi-Service Center.

A large auditorium, conference rooms, classrooms will be available for use by community and non-profit organizations and there's an on-site public charging station that houses six pay-and-go charge points for electric vehicles.

The center also has a quarter-mile walking trail open daily for exercise, a community garden for volunteers to help maintain and a fitness room.

The health and multi-service center will also showcase two original public art pieces created by local artists commissioned by the Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA). The pieces will provide Houstonians and visitors an opportunity to engage with art in public spaces.

“I was delighted to be a part of the unveiling of Sunnyside’s new health and multi-service center, which is located in my congressional district. I thank Mayor Turner for demonstrating good stewardship of tax dollars with the construction and unveiling of this multi-service center. The opening of this health center was facilitated by the millions of fungible federal dollars that benefit the overall growing demand across Houston for health and community services, as well as this health and multi-service center,” Congressman Al Green said. I eagerly await to see how this new health and multi-service center will transform

According to data from the Houston State of Health, more than 46 percent of families in Sunnyside received SNAP benefits in 2022 compared to Houston overall at 61 percent, and the number of people with disabilities living in poverty is more than 40 percent compared to the city, at 28 percent.

“There is no doubt this expansion to a combined health and multi-service center was long overdue in the Sunnyside community,” said Houston Health Department Director, Stephen L. Williams. “We are all passionate about providing access and equity and this center will go a long way towards achieving that positive outcome.”

To celebrate a milestone in the City of Houston's Supplier Diversity program, Mayor Sylvester Turner honored the 5,000th small business to receive certification – Little Bits & Masterpieces, LLC.

The arts studio, which recently was granted the Minority Business Enterprise and Women Business Enterprise certifications, provides an environment that encourages children to be confident, to trust themselves, and to enhance their creative and artistic abilities through exploration and independent thinking.

During Mayor Sylvester Turner’s administration, the City of Houston’s supplier diversity program has certified 5,000th businesses. With this number, the City of Houston now has more certified businesses than any regional certifying agency in Texas, second only to the State of Texas HUB Certification Program. The City of Houston serves 10 counties in the Houston metropolitan area, while the State’s certification program certifies HUB firms in 254 counties across Texas. With certifications, small businesses are eligible to participate in City of Houston goal-oriented contracts. They can also be used to do business in many public sector agencies across the region, as well as in the private sector. Last Fiscal Year, the City of Houston awarded more than $608 million to certified MWSBE firms.

“When I became mayor in 2016, there were 2,550 small businesses in the City’s Certified Firm Directory,” said Mayor Turner. “As I come to the end of my term, I’m proud to say we have increased that number by almost 100%. In fact, we are already growing past the 5,000 mark. With the help of the Office of Business Opportunity, the City of Houston will continue its commitment to the advancement of equitable access, economic opportunity and the success of historically underutilized small businesses in the Greater Houston region.”

During Wednesday's celebration, Mayor Turner also recognized owner Sultonah Theriot, proclaiming it “Little Bits & Masterpieces, LLC Day.” With the proclamation, he commended Theriot for making City of Houston history, for contributing to the growth of the local economy and for making an impact in the community through her certified business.

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Astros Blaze Unique Trail By Hiring Dana Brown As Gm

On November 6, 2022, Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker became the third African American manager to win a World Series title.

By Brian Barefield, Sports

Editor were the first to do it from 2000-03.

in Sports Leadership

e joined former Toronto Blue Jays skipper Cito Gaston who did it back-to-back years (1992 & 93), and current Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts who accomplished the feat in 2020.

Baker also made team history by being the first African American manager to win a title for the Astros. Houston owner Jim Crane made all that possible by going against the norm and hiring Baker after firing former manager A.J. Hinch, who was suspended for a year for his involvement in the 2017 cheating scandal. At the time, Roberts was the only black manager in the majors.

On Thursday, Crane turned heads again when he hired former Atlanta Braves Vice President of Scouting Dana Brown as the Astros' new general manager, making him the only African American in the MLB to hold that title.

With the hire, Baker and Brown became only the second Black general manager-manager combination in baseball history.

"It is pretty special," said Brown during his introductory press conference about being the only black GM in the majors. "I have had a few opportunities to interview for GM jobs, and I remember Rob Manfred (MLB Commissioner) told me to 'Stay positive.' There are a lot of qualified African Americans in the game that knows baseball and be a big part of an organization. They can lead an organization and baseball operations."

"So, at the end of the day, I think it's good for our sport to have diversity, and I am really excited for this opportunity. I am especially grateful that Jim Crane took an opportunity and said, 'Hey, I like this guy. I like what he is all about, and he is rolling with me.'" to make any statement except that Brown has the r é sum é needed to help lead the Astros back to the World Series.

He was an intricate part of putting together the talent needed for the Atlanta Braves to defeat the Astros in six games in the 2021 World Series. He helped the Toronto Blue Jays return to the postseason in 2015 after a 22-year drought.

Former Chicago White Sox GM Ken Williams and manager Jerry Manuel

Even though the MLB lacks diversity regarding African Americans getting opportunities for front-office positions, this hire was not meant

For more information, please visit haul.org/eodgala or contact Brandi Ledet | bledet@haul.org | 713-393-8783

Since being hired, Brown has talked to Baker, someone he knew before becoming GM, and he likes the fact that Baker doesn't mince words when it comes to baseball. "Dusty is old school," Brown said about Baker. "He cuts it straight, and I like it. So that means I can cut it straight with him, and he can cut it with me, and we can get right down to the nitty-gritty. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Dusty and his whole career and everything he has done."