SAVE THE DATE!~F.A.I.T.H.-S.T.E.P. Conference Co-Sponsored by Councilmember Jarvis Johnson! Everyone is invited!

Councilmember Jarvis Johnson announces major upcoming Houston Drug-Free/Recovery Conference

As the country prepares to observe National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery month in September, one expert observed that “drugs and alcohol abuse is America’s number one health problem, the number one crime problem, the number one homeless problem, the number one youth problem, including youth violence”.

The issue of drugs throughout the city and lack of effective wholistic drug reform has prompted Councilmember Jarvis Johnson to partner with many in hosting the first of its kind “Families Aiding In Total Healing -Solving Together Every Problem” (FAITH-STEP) two-day drug prevention/drug free recovery conference to be held September 17-18, 2009 at Texas Southern University.

Councilmember Johnson unveiled details of this solution-oriented conference at the Official Press Conference on Friday, August 28, 2009 on the steps of TSU Granville Sawyer Auditorium (3100 Cleburne).

“We must recognize just about everyone's family is affected and afflicted by alcohol and drug abuse and the user is getting younger”, said Councilmember Johnson. “This conference will be a wholistic approach to help families the solution to the growing problem of substance abuse.”

The press conference also featured TSU President John Rudley, Conference Co-host Mrs. Cleo Glenn Johnson-McLaughlin, Rev. James McLaughlin, community activist Deric Muhammad, Mavis Jackson (LCDC,CART), Atty. Michael Harris, Janice Paul of the City of Houston Health & human Services Dept, TSU Provost James Douglass, and more.

Sponsors of the 2009 Recovery Month Conference also include Communities Of Tomorrow’s Economic Redevelopment/Gift OF Life Drug free, (COTER/GOLD), TSU Center on the Family (TSU/COTF), and the Black United Fund of Texas (BUFTX).

For registration information about the FAITH-STEP Conference log on to: http://jarvis-johnson.com

Photos: Councilmember Johnson's HMSTV program features four powerful businesswomen in Houston about the One Woman™ Conference and more!

(Pictured L-R: Carla Lane, Councilman Johnson, Lauren Williams, Laura Alvarado and Tracy Taylor Smith)

On Tuesday, August 18, Councilmember Johnson hosted another awesome segment of "Hot Topics" on the Houston Media Source Television Channel 17.

This segment was centered around women entrepreneurs and featured special guests Tracy Taylor Smith, Laura Alvarado, Lauren Williams and Carla Lane.

The show stemmed from the success of the One Woman™ National Business Conference hosted by the Texas Business Alliance (TBA) on August 6-8 in Houston. The three-day event drew over 500 attendees and offered tools for women seeking to do for self in this tough economy.

Councilman Johnson let the show discussion to cover topics such as diversity, business challenges, healthcare reform, high unemployment rates, four critical steps to starting a business, and the plans for taking the One Woman™ National Business Conference throughout the country.


"Our guests were phenomenal and I believe they shared a wealth of information with our viewers", said Councilman Johnson. "We are working to continuously bring shows to the community that directly impact their lives. We accomplished that tonight."

Thank you to Jeffrey Boney of the Texas Business Alliance and Margo Williams Handy, co-chair of the One Woman™ National Business Conference.

Meet Our Guests:

Tracy Taylor Smith, CEO of Taylor Smith Consulting and TBA Executive Board Member. Visit her website at: www.taylorsmithconsulting.com

Lauren Williams, Publisher of Womentality Magazine and co-chair of One Woman™ National Business Conference. Visit her website at: www.womentalityonline.com

Carla Lane, CEO, Lane Staffing, Inc. Visit her website at: www.lanestaff.com

Laura Alvarado, Technical Recruiter, Teleworld Staffing and Owner of Green Central Supplies, LLC, an online eco- friendly supplies distributor. She is also TBA-Membership Co-Chair. Visit her website at: www.greencentralsupplies.com/m

>

WATCH~Councilmember Johnson Live Tonight on Houston Media Source TV!

Community Advisory

Councilmember Jarvis Johnson will be hosting a special one-hour public affairs segment tonight (August 18) on Houston Media Source TV Channel 17.

He will be joined by special guests Tracy Taylor Smith (Taylor Smith Consulting; Laura Alvarado (Technical Recruiter, Teleworld Staffing also Owner of Green Central Supplies, LLC, an online eco- friendly supplies distributor); Lauren Williams, Publisher, Womentality Magazine (co-chair of One Woman™) and Carla Lane, CEO, Lane Staffing, Inc.

Please tune in as they have a lively discussion on the inaugural One Woman National Business Conference that took place August 6-8 in Houston. They will also discuss the impact of women in business, entrepreneurship strategies, corporate diversity and more.

Viewers will be able to call in with questions as well. Don't miss this!

Tune in on Houston Comcast 17 or online at: http://hmstv.org

Councilmember Johnson August 2009 Newsletter. Click below to read the District B Happenings!

CLICK HERE TO READ THE AUGUST 2009 NEWSLETTER





CLICK HERE TO READ THE AUGUST 2009 NEWSLETTER

Councilmember Johnson on the move helping and supporting his constituents

Councilmember Johnson's statement on the issue of MWBE Contracting in the City of Houston

We must begin a new era at City Hall it is simply unacceptable to continue the status Quo. Small Business produces ninety percent of the new jobs in the nation today. In spite of this fact, the City of Houston is still not utilizing the contractual opportunities that they have to work at its true capacity. Contract after contract the same scenario happens the city extends an old contract and keeps the old contractor without employing the RFP process and creating new contractual opportunities for small and minority business owners.

During the August 12 Council Session the meeting was brought to a halt as I voiced my displeasure with the manner in which the City of Houston has been utilizing old contractors and not creating new contracting opportunities for small and minority & women owned businesses.

I said to the Mayor and my fellow Council Members “I do not understand how we can just label a company a Sole Source Purchaser and claim that they do not have to purchase any parts from someone other than themselves. We have an opportunity to work at our true capacity as a major contracting agency”.

Why are we extending contracts if the contractors have not complied with all the terms of the contract. Many of these Prime Contractors have previously agreed to achieve the MWBE participation goal as a tem of their contract. Yet well after the contract is completed they have not fulfilled that commitment.

We must ensure that every term is met in order to ensure fairness and transparency for all companies seeking to do business with the City of Houston. As a City Council Member I can no longer sit idly by and do nothing. I will vote my conscious.

Photo Highlights from the 19th Houston International Jazz Festival!!!

Councilmember Jarvis Johnson Chaired the 19th Houston International Jazz Festival! Here are a few photo highlights.