Name: TaShanda T. Howard
Company: The Dwight D. and Sheryl H. Howard Foundation
Why is the Girlz Rule Camp and Symposium so important?
I think the program is very important because we just want to make a positive image for the young ladies and let them know that girls do rule. Although it is a basketball camp it’s not just about basketball we focus on leadership, setting goals and realizing your potential on and off the court. We make it a point to let them know that you can do anything that you want to do in life you just have to stay focused and not worry about what others are saying or doing, you have to do it for yourself.
What did the Houston event offer this year?
The Houston weekend event kicked off on Thursday, March 19 and offered everything from positive reinforcement to mentorship. The girls were able to set career goals with vision boards, learn how to “Dress for Success” with a Macy’s representative and acquire team building and leadership skills with the assistance from NBA/WNBA siblings such as; Jimmelle Melvin, sister of WNBA legend Chasity Melvin and Phebe Smith, sister of NBA player Josh Smith. We also had special celebrity guests who spoke to the girls, including; Jahaziel Howard, coach of Howard Elite AAU team; Tanesha Barefield, owner of Crossover Athletics; Dana Jackson, radio personality, Majic 102.1; Simone Eli, sports anchor, KPRC2; and WNBA All-Star Tina Thompson, who spoke to the young ladies about working hard and staying focused in all aspects of life. Friday ended on a high note with a powerful message from Judge Clarease Rankin-Yates who was the first African-American woman in history, to be appointed to the United States Immigration Court. The last day of the camp started with an introduction to dinner etiquette from Jamie Bertrand, founder/broker of Elite Real Estate Services. Then 10 young ladies who met scholastic and athletic ability enjoyed a private luncheon at Outback Steakhouse at Meyerland Mall which was followed by ice skating at the Galleria Mall.
Where else will you offer the program?
We can be found hosting this program “From the H-Town to the A-Town.” I live in Atlanta, teach school and coach basketball in Atlanta so we are back and forth from Houston to Atlanta but we do events similar to this in Atlanta as well. We also host adult forums where we get together and discuss issues that are going on inside our community along with fashion shows and other good things that are going on in the African American business community.
What’s next for the foundation?
From July 6 to July 10 we will host the girls’ basketball camp and during the week of July 13th to July 17th we will host the boy’s camp. We also have after school programs for pre-K to second grade. Our entire family plays basketball, including my mom and dad, but we as a family love helping and doing things in the community. Dwight and I are continuing on our parent’s legacy by working with kids not just females but males too.
Check out pictures from the event below:
For more information, visit www.Dwight-Howard.com.
