Empowering Young Musicians with Expert-Led Workshops and Activities

Houston, Texas (July 2, 2024) – Webber Marketing (WM), creators of the National Battle of the Bands (NBOTB), is partnering with Houston Community College’s Media Arts program to host a three-day band camp open to all high school bands across the country.

Counting down to the 10th anniversary of the Pepsi NBOTB, this event aims to inspire and educate young musicians to have an unforgettable experience. The camp will occur July 17th through 19th, each day from 2 PM – 6 PM, on the North Forest Campus of Houston Community College. Directed by Dr. Juvon Pollard, a Sr. Associate Direct of Bands of Texas Southern University’s “Ocean of Soul,” and assisted by Mr. Edward “PJ” Howard, an HBCU Band Director and Lecturer, the three-day camp will be filled with music, fun, and fellowship.

“We are incredibly excited to offer this high school band camp as part of our countdown to the 2024 NBOTB 10th Anniversary Celebration,” says Derek Webber, CEO of Webber Marketing and Executive Director of National Battle of the Bands. “This camp provides a unique opportunity for young musicians to develop their skills and gain invaluable insights into the music industry. Our goal is to inspire and nurture the next generation of talented musicians who will continue the rich legacy of HBCU marching bands.”

Students will participate in a two-part workshop that includes Introduction to Music Business and Audio Recording. As a completion award, each participant will be gifted two free tickets to this year’s NBOTB, which will take place on Sunday, August 25th, at the NRG Stadium in Houston, TX. Registration for band camp is $25 and closes on July 13th.

“The NBOTB Summer High School Band Camp is more than just a training ground; it’s an experience that will leave a lasting impact on these young musicians,” says Dr. Pollard, “We are committed to providing top-notch education and fostering an environment where students can learn, grow, and build lifelong friendships. We can’t wait to see the talent and enthusiasm these students will bring to the camp.”

As a kick-off to the main event in August, this in-person camp will bring together talented high school bands from different parts of the country to showcase their skills and musical talents.

To register and for more details, please visit https://www.nationalbattleofthebands.com/event/bandcamp/ . Stay connected with the NBOTB on social media: @NationalBattleOfTheBands (Facebook/Instagram/TikTok/YouTube) / @NationalBOTB (Twitter).

SPECIAL FOR TSU

Thomas F. Freeman Honors College Dean Dr. Diane Jemison Pollard retires after 44 years of distinguished service.

The end of 2022 marks the end of an era. Dr. Dianne Jemison Pollard, Dean of the Thomas F. Freeman Honors College and Professor of Theatre, is retiring from Texas Southern University after 44 years of distinguished service. Dr. Jemison Pollard led the theatre program for many years, was chair of the Department of Fine Arts (Art, Music, and Theatre) for more than 10 years, and served as Associate Dean and Dean of the Honors College for more than nine years.

As an accomplished university stage director, she directed inaugural productions for the following TSU presidents: Dr. Leonard H.O. Spearman, Dr. William Harris, Dr. James Douglass, Dr. Priscilla Slade and Dr. John Rudley. Her ability to teach students the fundamentals of directing as they shaped every aspect of “being” the character garnered her several first place directing awards on the national level at the National Association of Dramatic and Speech Arts (NADSA). In all, she’s directed more than 50 plays.

As the Dean of the Thomas F. Freeman Honors College, she implemented several initiatives including: the Research and Recruitment Trip, the Biannual Honors College Research Conference; The Freeman Honors Research Journal, which is an open access digital journal that houses the senior thesis and honors newsletters. She also implemented the gold medallion on the graduation stole Freeman Scholars receive at graduation and branded the name Freeman Scholars.

During a retirement celebration paying homage to her 44 years of service, Mayor Sylvester Turner declared Tuesday December 14 “Dr. Dianne Jemison Pollard Day” In the City of Houston.

She and her family commissioned artist and TSU alum, Jesse Sifuentes, to produce a bust of Dr. Freeman, founding dean of the college, as her gift to TSU. The bronze bust was unveiled outside the Honors Suite in the Library Learning Center on December 8. Also, she arranged for the Freeman Archives to be in room 303, next to the Honors College, so that all people can see not only artifacts, papers, books important to Dr. Freeman, but his original desk from the Debate office, which has been refurbished, can be viewed.

Dr. Jemison Pollard has worked hard and will be missed by students, colleagues, and alumni.

HOUSTON SUN NEWS

The 8^th annual and 2023 City-Wide African American History Parade and Symposium is held February 18, 2023, in downtown Houston. The Parade is at 10 a.m. at Texas and Hamilton near Minute Maid ballpark and the Lunch and Symposium is on the campus of Texas Southern University in the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs with lunch at 12 noon and Symposium at 12:30 p.m.

With history being taken out of schools instead of being taught, it is far more important to learn about African American History to find alternate ways for awareness and teaching. As a teenager growing up in Mississippi, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. took hold of both of my hands and said to me, four times, he repeated, “Whatever you do, do something, do something for the people, do something for the people, do something for the people, do something for the people.” Producing the City-Wide African American History Parade and Symposium is just one of my ways of ‘doing something for the people’.

“Real education means to inspire people to live more abundantly, to learn to begin with life as they find it and make it better,” said, Carter G. Woodson, Ph.D. the father of Negro History Week in 1926, now African American History Month. Woodson also said, “No man knows what he can do until he tries.” Since 2016, the Houston Sun has ventured to teach African American History to diverse demographics in Houston by inviting all to participate in the African American History Parade and Symposium.

Each year we take our theme from the Study of Association for the Study of African American Life and History which was founded in 1915 by Carter G. Woodson. This year’s theme is Black Resistance, and we are encouraging youth from elementary, middle school and high school to write an essay and create art that displays the theme. Elements of Social Justice will be on display and discussed during the Parade, the Symposium, and in the youth papers. Students will receive scholarships and Awards will be issued for categories in the Parade.

With this Parade and Symposium, we aspire to take our city where it is and improve it through knowledge, engagement, and exposure. The Grand Marshal is Rev. Dr. Samuel H. Smith. Honorary chairpersons are Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Mayor Lee P. Brown, Attorney Gary Bledsoe and Merline Pietre, Ph.D., historian.

HOUSTON SUN NEWS

The 8^th annual and 2023 City-Wide African American History Parade and Symposium is held February 18, 2023, in downtown Houston. The Parade is at 10 a.m. at Texas and Hamilton near Minute Maid ballpark and the Lunch and Symposium is on the campus of Texas Southern University in the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs with lunch at 12 noon and Symposium at 12:30 p.m.

With history being taken out of schools instead of being taught, it is far more important to learn about African American History to find alternate ways for awareness and teaching. As a teenager growing up in Mississippi, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. took hold of both of my hands and said to me, four times, he repeated, “Whatever you do, do something, do something for the people, do something for the people, do something for the people, do something for the people.” Producing the City-Wide African American History Parade and Symposium is just one of my ways of ‘doing something for the people’.

“Real education means to inspire people to live more abundantly, to learn to begin with life as they find it and make it better,” said, Carter G. Woodson, Ph.D. the father of Negro History Week in 1926, now African American History Month. Woodson also said, “No man knows what he can do until he tries.” Since 2016, the Houston Sun has ventured to teach African American History to diverse demographics in Houston by inviting all to participate in the African American History Parade and Symposium.

Each year we take our theme from the Study of Association for the Study of African American Life and History which was founded in 1915 by Carter G. Woodson. This year’s theme is Black Resistance, and we are encouraging youth from elementary, middle school and high school to write an essay and create art that displays the theme. Elements of Social Justice will be on display and discussed during the Parade, the Symposium, and in the youth papers. Students will receive scholarships and Awards will be issued for categories in the Parade.

With this Parade and Symposium, we aspire to take our city where it is and improve it through knowledge, engagement, and exposure. The Grand Marshal is Rev. Dr. Samuel H. Smith. Honorary chairpersons are Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Mayor Lee P. Brown, Attorney Gary Bledsoe and Merline Pietre, Ph.D., historian.

From Gulf Coast AFL-CIO in Houston Mayor’s Race

Senator John Whitmire today expressed his gratitude for the endorsement of the Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Foundation, AFL-CIO in the Houston mayor’s race.

“I am proud to receive the endorsement of the Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO,” said Senator Whitmire. “I will always stand up for Houston’s working families and fight for fair wages, workplace protections and dignity at work. Labor will have a seat at the table in my administration. When working people win, we all win.

“I’m ready to get to work for Houston and there is no better ally than the women and men of labor.”

(See the news release from AFL-CIO below.)

Whitmire has represented Senate District 15 in the Texas Senate for the past 40 years, after serving ten years in the Texas House. He knows Houston is a great city, where its diverse population comes together to tackle tough issues. Whitmire wants to see the city reach its full potential by taking on the tough issues facing our city. Those issues include public safety, illegal dumping, homelessness, flooding and drainage, street repair and neighborhood traffic safety. He also wants to boost the morale of police and firefighters and let them know that Houston has their backs.

 On January 17, 2023, the John Whitmire for Mayor Campaign filed its campaign contribution and expenditure report. 

The John Whitmire Campaign for Houston Mayor raised $1,148,015 from supporters in less than one month between the 2022 General Election and the legislative fundraising moratorium. 

Contributions maintained by the Whitmire Campaign at the end of the year total $10,100,086. 

Statement from John Whitmire: 

“I am so very grateful for the support shown for my campaign for mayor from so many Houstonians. Raising over $1.1 million in 30 days shows that we will have the resources to run a vigorous campaign reaching out to all Houstonians. 

“But campaigns are not just about money. They’re about ideas and solutions and the ability to get things done. Houstonians know that I have the experience to do the job. I will be tough but smart on crime. I will improve our infrastructure—streets, water, drainage. I will upgrade city services, including garbage pickup and permitting. Houston is a great city and we must address all our issues to reach our potential. Working together, we can. 

“I’m a public servant. I go where I’m called. I’ve been called to lead the City of Houston as its mayor. I accept that call.”