Katrina Survivors In North Texas

Few stories have affected me like Hurricane Katrina and its affect on the New Orleans area. I remember seeing the first images of homes up to their rooftops and later aerials of entire communities destroyed. I knew that homes with family memories, photographs and livelihoods had been wiped out. I remember some people did not want to leave their homes because they did not want to abandon their pets.

Many people in New Orleans went to the Superdome to wait for the storm. In a matter of days, food and water ran out. After pleas for help were broadcast on television, federal aid poured in. Thousands of storm survivors came to Texas and other states on buses.

Victoria Griffin and Gilda Rixner are two bubbly New Orleans natives who were on those buses. Gilda in particular has a booming laugh and wonderful spirit. It comes through on the phone as well as in person. Victoria was a city worker in New Orleans and thought she would be best helping her fellow citizens get through the storm. Many of those citizens were too poor, too frail or too ill to take a long trip to wait out the storm in an expensive hotel hundreds of miles from home. Gilda decided to stay there and watch over elderly people.

After arriving in Dallas, both women tried to go back to their hometown, but they found New Orleans too dangerous with too few opportunities. For now, they’ve decided to stay in North Texas. And they’ve done well. Instead of relying on hand outs, the two say their home cleaning business is taking off! They are also looking to expand their services to businesses. Hurricane Katrina did not drown the will of these survivors, it only made them stronger.

During our interview, Victoria said to me: “I don’t see any sense in going back. I just say God can bless you wherever you are so I don’t have to go backwards. Where I’m at now, I can do fine.”

Here are just two stories of how the people of New Orleans took adversity and turned it into something positive… an inspiration for all of us.

If you would like to contact Ebony Cleaning Services, email ebonycleaningservice@yahoo.com or call 214-660-1328.

Art With Passion

You probably consider most artists to be “passionate” about their work. However, Brooks Peoples of Garland takes it to a higher level. She was frustrated by cutbacks in art programs in local schools, so she created her own academy! While most of us took time off during the summer, Brooks held free or low-cost classes for children in the community. The children learned drawing, painting, sculpture and much more. Brooks has similar after school programs now that classes are back in session.

We’re always being told to do what we’re passionate about. But how many of us would sacrifice much of what we have to fill a need in the community? An old African proverb says “it takes a village to raise a child.” Brooks Peoples is making sure our North Texas village is filled with art to tell our stories.

For more information, see http://brookspeoplesacademyandarts.com/Brooks_Peoples_Visual_Art.html

House of Blues Gospel Brunch

My name is Reginald Hardwick. I am proud to be one of the producers of NBC 5’s Spotlight. This is my first blog and I hope you join myself and others as we talk about our experiences covering North Texans who make a difference.

My first blog is about the House of Blues Gospel Brunch. By now, you’ve probably seen the story put together by photojournalist Patric Alva and I. I knew this story would be special from the beginning but I had no idea that The Hensley Ensemble was so talented until I stepped inside the Goodwill Baptist Church in Southeast Dallas.

There are 16 voices in the choir, but it sounds like dozens more! The band is also right on beat. They are led by Elbert Hensley, a man who stuck with his dream. Mr. Hensley has led this group for 25 years. These are not full time singers.. they have day jobs but their love of music and faith has kept them together and singing for a quarter of century! You can see the joy in their faces as they sing, motion and speak about the group. Mr. Hensley is a perfectionist, but not in a bad way. If he hears one voice or note out of tune, he calmly stops the song, instructs how to do better and moves on.

We interviewed several members and they were all universal. They were not part of this great singing choir for the limelight or to be “discovered.” They were there to share their Christian faith and because they love using their voices to do so. They were so excited to do both of those things at a venue like the House of Blues!

Hopefully, all of us can find what we love to do and share it with others.. even if it is not our full time job. That is the message I got from the music of The Hensley Ensemble.

Our thanks to the House of Blues for allowing us to connect with The Hensley Ensemble.