November 7th, 2024

“I had excellent and wonderful teachers and til this day, I hate they closed North Forest ISD down. Because my teachers there are the reason, I’m an educator; and because I graduated with a foundation, in my first job as a teacher I went back to Forest Brook to teach high school English. I have known a lot of districts, but they will always be the best students I ever had. They respected me for what I was trying to get for them. They understood I loved them, and it was more about them getting what they needed to succeed.” – Dr. Kimberley N. Booker

By Rebecca S. Jones

HOUSTON – From humble beginnings in Northeast Houston, Dr. Kimberley N. Booker has become a true educator and public servant. Driven by purpose and motivated by a passion she developed during her fundamental years of schooling in the North Forest Independent School District; she has dedicated nearly three decades of service to the field of education. Furthermore, Dr. Booker is an accomplished: Board Trustee, Administrator, Author, Mentor, Chief Executive Officer, Mother, Wife and above all a woman of spiritual conviction with strong Christian values. However, her entitlement in these roles did not come without cost.

Finding Purpose

At the age of ten, Kimberley’s father passed away. Although her mother, the late Odessa Haywood later remarried her mother primarily raised her and her two brothers alone. Odessa was a praying and God-fearing woman, who instilled sound values and morals within her children. Growing up, Kimberley’s mother always told her she could be anything she wanted to be. While Odessa was a high school graduate and took up some college courses later in life, she always encouraged her daughter to do more and to supersede her accomplishments’.

After graduating from Forest Brook Senior High School, Kimberley matriculated at the University of Houston. Initially, she had a desire to become a physician. However, after enrolling in college it didn’t take her long to realize she didn’t mix well with “Science” and couldn’t stomach the sight of too much “Blood”. Therefore, she regressed to her initial passion, education. Accordingly, she continued on and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education and a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Houston.

Upon completing her studies, she began teaching English at Forest Brook Senior High School. Since that time, she has tirelessly extended over a decade of service to educating students across the Greater Houston and surrounding areas – working in Aldine, Houston and Spring Independent School Districts. Aside from being an instructor, she also worked in administration and served as an Adjunct Professor. Amidst passionately working to educate the “total child”, she returned to school to accomplish a Doctorate degree in Administration and Foundation. During our interview, she shared that it was important for her to attain her Doctorate from Texas Southern University – a local HBCU. A mission she accomplished in 2010.

Driven by Purpose

In February 2017, Dr. Booker was elected as a school board member of the Aldine Independent School District. She said, “The reason I became a school board member is because I believe in students, I believe in student success. I was working in Aldine, until I was elected to be a board member and I resigned because it meant that much to me to support students. I gave up an entire salary to volunteer for the school board and when I did this it wasn’t planned. I hadn’t saved any money; I went to my husband who doesn’t play around when it comes to our finances. We have two sons of our own. But my husband looked at me and said if it means that much to you… Go ahead and do it if it makes you happy! And right there, I knew it was God…”

Throughout her journey, Dr. Booker has made various personal sacrifices for the sake of education and declares she doesn’t regret doing so. Even in the face of having gone through a divorce; losing her home and vehicles; taking pay cuts and demotions in her professional career and experiencing the loss of her mother in 2009, amongst other obstacles; she remained committed to her “Purpose” – Education. So much so, that she established a non-profit organization while working as an educator at Eisenhower Ninth Grade Campus – Young Ladies of Elegance.

Young Ladies of Elegance

Being the proud mother of two well-balanced sons, Dr. Booker always desired a daughter of her own. One day while in meditation on the matter, she was spiritually inspired by God to develop an organization where she would not only mother one daughter, but scores of young girls across the city. Young Ladies of Elegance is a two-fold program – intervention and prevention. Participants have the option to either be a mentor or receive positive mentorship from the staff of Young Ladies of Elegance.

Dr. Booker expressed, YLOE is, “a mentorship, leadership, positive role model organization which shows young ladies how to be leaders on the campus.” She continued, “If we have good girls, we want them to remain good and help somebody else. For the young ladies who have had challenges, well here we are. We say we want to help and that’s what we need to do, stop talking about it and be about helping these young people because they need help.”

For more information about YLOE contact 832-366-3009; visit their website http://youngladiesofelegance.com/index.html or follow them on Facebook @YoungLadiesofElegance.

To affirm her commitment to Young Ladies of Elegance, Dr. Booker authored a book, Momma, I Need Help! She said, “I based it on my organization because, as Black people we don’t always see the importance of our daughters being in a leadership program. A lot of parents want them out there shaking and dancing and half naked. I’m not saying there’s nothing wrong with cheerleading or drill team – but what about their character? What are you teaching them? So, I wrote a book to mothers letting them know – your daughter is crying out for help and you need to see the signs.”

Silver Lining

Despite the many changes Dr. Booker has witnessed and experienced in education, she remains humble and always keeps a positive attitude. She strongly believes, “Education is not a joke and it’s essential for our students.”

Aside for being Driven by Purpose in regards to education and mentorship, Dr. Booker has been happily married to the love of her life for 21 years, Elder David Booker. She is also the mother of two outstanding sons, Joseph Williams (28) and Jordan Booker (19), who both volunteer diligently with Young Ladies of Elegance. Dr. Booker also acknowledged her pastor, Pastor Holmes, whose teachings have been essential in helping her identify and operate in her “God-given Purpose”.

October 16, 2023, HOUSTON, TX – Congressional Candidate Amanda Edwards has raised over $1 million in less than 4 months, a substantial sum that helps bolster the frontrunner status of the former At-Large Houston City Council Member in her bid for U.S. Congress. Edwards raised over $433,000 in Q3 of 2023. This strong Q3 report expands on a successful Q2 where Edwards announced just 11 days after declaring her candidacy that she had raised over $600,000. With over $829,000 in cash-on-hand at the end of the September 30th financial reporting period, Edwards proves again that she is the clear frontrunner in the race. “I am beyond grateful for the strong outpouring of support that will help me to win this race and serve the incredible people of the 18th Congressional District,” said Edwards. “We are at a critical juncture in our nation’s trajectory, and we need to send servant leaders to Congress who can deliver the results the community deserves. The strong support from our supporters will help us to cultivate an 18th Congressional District where everyone in it can thrive.” Edwards said. “Amanda understands the challenges that the hard-working folks of the 18th Congressional District face because she has never lost sight of who she is or where she comes from; she was born and raised right here in the 18th Congressional District of Houston,” said Kathryn McNiel, spokesperson for Edwards’ campaign. Edwards has been endorsed by Higher Heights PAC, Collective PAC, Krimson PAC, and the Brady PAC. She has also been supported by Beto O’Rourke, among many others. About Amanda: Amanda is a native Houstonian, attorney and former At-Large Houston City Council Member. Amanda is a graduate of Eisenhower High School in Aldine ISD. Edwards earned a B.A. from Emory University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. Edwards practiced law at Vinson & Elkins LLP and Bracewell LLP before entering public service. Edwards is a life-long member of St. Monica Catholic Church in Acres Homes. For more information, please visit www.edwardsforhouston.com

As September 13th rolls around, we extend our warmest birthday wishes to the creative powerhouse, Tyler Perry, a man whose indomitable spirit and groundbreaking work have left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment. With his multifaceted talents as an actor, playwright, screenwriter, producer, and director, Tyler Perry has not only entertained but also inspired audiences worldwide, particularly within the African-American community, where his influence and role have been nothing short of powerful. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1969, Tyler Perry’s journey to stardom was a path riddled with adversity. Raised in a turbulent household, he found refuge in writing, using it as a therapeutic outlet. This period of introspection gave rise to one of his most iconic creations, Madea, a vivacious, no-nonsense grandmother who would later become a beloved figure in Perry’s works, offering a unique blend of humor and profound life lessons. Despite facing numerous challenges, including rejection and financial struggles, Perry’s determination and unwavering belief in his abilities propelled him forward. In 1992, he staged his first play, “I Know I’ve Been Changed,” which, although met with limited success, was a pivotal moment in his career. Unfazed by initial setbacks, Perry continued to hone his craft, and by 1998, he had successfully produced a string of stage plays that showcased his storytelling prowess.

Calling all teenage student-athletes! If you have dreams of playing college soccer and wish to represent an HBCU, the HBCU ID Camp is your golden opportunity. From 8 am to 5 pm on November 11-12, Houston Sports Park will transform into a hub for aspiring male and female soccer players. Coaches from HBCUs across the nation will be present to evaluate, scout, and offer valuable feedback. Moreover, they might even spot the next soccer prodigy to join their collegiate soccer programs. This camp is not just about honing your soccer skills but also a chance to connect with the HBCU soccer community. You’ll learn the ins and outs of what it takes to excel on the field and in the classroom, which is crucial for a college athlete. The HBCU ID Camp is an excellent platform to network with coaches, learn from experienced athletes, and take the first steps toward your college soccer journey. To secure your spot at this incredible event, don’t forget to register [here](insert registration link). Space is limited to 120 participants, so make sure to reserve your place before it’s too late. It’s time to turn your dreams of playing college soccer into a reality.

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