Tag: inspire change

Houston Texans and partners announce 2023 Inspire Change Grant

The Houston Texans and their partners have launched the 2023 Inspire Change Grant.

The Houston Texans along with ConocoPhillips, Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, and Ashley announced Tuesday the 2023 Inspire Change Grant.

The grant will be used to fund programs and projects that, “create partnerships that unlock pathways to new opportunities and support social justice and racial equity efforts in Houston,” according to a statement from the Texans.

The program is in its third year, and the team and partners will award $400,000 to area nonprofits and education programs.

An advisory committee of Texans representatives and community leaders will select grant recipients in the following areas: education, criminal justice reform, workforce and economic development, community resources, relational policing, poverty alleviation, racial equity, employment, support for children with incarcerated parents, homelessness, and access to mental health support in underserved communities and schools.

Since 2021 when the grant was created, more than $800,000 has been awarded to 30 local nonprofits.

Last year, the Texans and their partners surprised recipients with their grants at a reception at NRG Stadium with Texans players, Texans Foundation vice president Hannah McNair, and Texans Legends. Throughout the year, the Texans also visited grant recipients Bo’s Place, Santa Maria Hostel and Casa de Esperanza de los Ninos, Inc.

The grant application will be available Aug. 23 through Sept. 13 at  www.HoustonTexans.com/InspireChangeGrant.

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Texans to recognize USA Football coach Cameron Campbell for 2022 Inspire Change Changemaker Award

USA Football master trainer Cameron Campbell was named the Houston Texans’ 2022 recipient for the inaugural Inspire Change Changemaker Award.

The Houston Texans announced USA Football master trainer Cameron Campbell as the team’s recipient for the inaugural 2022 Inspire Change Changemaker Award.

The Texans will recognize Campbell, referred to as “Coach Cam,” on Dec. 18 in the club’s Week 15 matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs at NRG Stadium.

Campbell, a former NCAA Division I athlete and graduate of the University of Houston, has been a key part of the Texans’ Youth Football initiatives including Play Safe, Coaches Academy and Youth Football Camps over the past few seasons — a slice of his involvement over the past 12 years as a significant contributor to Houston’s youth and family sports space.

“Being named the Texans’ 2022 Inspire Change Changemaker Award means everything to me,” Campbell said in a statement from the Texans. “As a contributor, it’s your job to give. You don’t give expecting to receive anything, and I believe that we can create a positive impact and some change with the right recognition and resources. There’s always more work to be done.”

In 2017 Campbell launched a small business in 2017 called Texas Athletics Construction, whose mission is, “to build athletic surfaces around the Houston community and to improve the lives of all student athletes,” according to the Texans.

Campbell and the 31 other Inspire Change Changemaker Award recipients were selected based on their outstanding work in the community and their support for one or more of the key pillars encompassed in the Inspire Change initiative: police-community relations, criminal justice reform, education and economic advancement. Each winner will receive a $10,000 donation to the social justice 501c3 nonprofit organization of their choice courtesy of the NFL Foundation.

According to the Texans, the NFL has given more upwards of $244 million to 37 national grant partners and hundreds of grassroots organizations across the nation, nearing its 10-year, $250 million commitment to social justice efforts.

The Texans’ Inspire Change efforts awarded $400,000 to 15 local nonprofits through the Inspire Change Grant Fund.

For more information, check out www.HoustonTexans.com/InspireChange.

Houston native, former Texans S Michael Thomas reflects on Juneteenth

Former Houston Texans safety and Nimitz High School product Michael Thomas reflects on what Juneteenth means to him in a new Inspire Change video.

Saturday marks the first time in United States history that Americans observe Juneteenth as a federal holiday.

The holiday landmarks the official ending of slavery in the United States. Civil War Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston on June 19, 1865 to declared that all slaves were free due to the Emancipation Proclamation Act — two years after its passing.

As part of the league’s Inspire Change program, Houston native and former Texans safety Michael Thomas took part in an NFL feature that showcases the importance of Juneteenth and its history.

“I’m looking forward to having a conversation with a couple of historians who can teach me about Juneteenth,” Thomas said. “Being from Texas, I’ve learned about it in school. But to be here on the ground, it’s going to be amazing.”

Galveston Historical Foundation’s Tommie D. Boudreaux joined the former Pro-Bowl safety to discuss the significance and revisit Juneteenth’s famous locations within the city. The Reedy Chapel AME Church was one of several historic locations Thomas and Boudreaux visited during the 4:23 video, where General Granger proclaimed the end of slavery.

Boudreaux said Juneteenth is an American story and is part of the nation’s history. Al Edwards was the first American politician to present a bill to make Juneteenth a state holiday. But on June 17, President Joe Biden signed the bill marking Juneteenth as a federal holiday — the 11th in American history.

Click here to watch Michael Thomas explore the history of Juneteenth in Galveston with Tommie D. Boudreaux.