Hype Freedom School raises $20k in 20 days - Houston Chronicle

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Hype Freedom School Executive Director Brandi Brown was cautiously optimistic that she could raise $10,000 during a pandemic.

She wanted to celebrate the organization's 20th anniversary in a major way. Turns out, Brown achieved far beyond her goal, garnering $20,000 in 20 days for the organization.

"This pandemic has left so many big questions about what funding and resources would we have to do what we need to do," she said. "Although we were in a good position to serve this summer, we didn't know what position we would be in next summer."

Hype Freedom School, which was founded by Brown and is a partnering organization of the national Children's Defense Fund, is a literacy-based program for K-12th graders. It operates a six-week literacy summer learning programs and a year-round enrichment curriculum.

Brown said it was her board that decided to increase the fundraising goal to $20,000. She challenged families and friends to donate just $20 each. Donations poured in.

"We've all been asking ourselves where do we go from here and how do we address the inequities. We already had race inequities before this pandemic, now we have the digital divide," Brown said. "Hype has done a good job to teach the children no matter what their background or race, they have the power to make a difference and make a change in the world."

Hype Freedom School, which has locations in Sunnyside, Pearland and Beaumont, typically serves 200-300 students each summer and hires 40-50 college interns. This year, they only have 100 students and 11 college interns due to the pandemic. All children participating this summer received a "Hype in a Box," complete with supplies and books. Children without tablets or laptops were provided with them.

"We know there are major educational gaps during this pandemic. Now, we have to find out how we can shift our work to support our kids, families and school districts that we serve."

For more information or to donate, click here:  Hype Freedom School.

Here are some other small non-profit organizations led by and focused on people of color in Houston:

Friends of Riverside Park Houston. Started in 2019 by a group of concerned residents in Third Ward, the organization's mission is to help improve amenities and programing for Riverside Park, one of the city's oldest parks. The group, which is headed by Sharon Brooks-Evans, formerly the head of Friends of MacGregor Park, recently received a grant to launch a free virtual art program in conjunction with Harambee Art Gallery. Click here for registration. 

Center for Healing Racism. Founded in 1989, the center is run by executive director Cherry Steinwender and helps facilitate healing of racism through education and dialogue.

Asians Against Domestic Abuse  Founded in 2001, the group works to prevent violence against women and strengthen healthy family relations within the Asian American Community and serves families from Asia, Middle East and Northern Africa. Its executive director is Maryam Kamal-Eldin.

East Harris County Empowerment Council. Led by Terence Narcisse, the council supports thousands of families living in unincorporated Harris County, including Galena Park, Crosby, North Shore and Sheldon.

C-Stem. Founded by Reagan Flowers, C-STEM's mission is to educated students in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Partnership for the Advancement & Immersion of Refugees (PAIR).  Supports hundreds of refugee students each year through mentoring, tutoring and college access.

Community Artists Collective. Led by artist Michelle Barnes, the group promotes artistic empowerment and accessibility to the arts by fostering racial and ideological inclusivity among Houston’s local art community.

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Hype Freedom School raises $20k in 20 days - Houston Chronicle
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