As one of the most visible and involved community centers in the Greater Houston Community, as well as in the State of Texas, S.H.A.P.E. has led the way toward Justice, Equal Opportunity, Human Rights and Institution Building in the city, state, nation and world. Because of its deep commitment to the community, and Family Strengthening & Empowerment, S.H.A.P.E. has actively sought ways to oppose injustice and to better the community for all people.

In 1969, S.H.A.P.E. (Self-Help for African People through Education) Community Center was founded. Today, the Center provides many programs that serve as tools to strengthen families and communities. Just to mention a few:

· An After School /Summer Enrichment Program, with youth and family guidance and counseling;
· A Parenting Support Program (Strengthen Parents)
· Freedom School held on Saturdays, with cultural and enrichment activities
· The Harambee Academic Quiz Bowl
· An Annual Pan-African Cultural Festival (3 Day Event)
· Annual Kwanzaa Celebrations (7 Day Event)
· Pump Up The Power (PUPP) a youth leadership program
· A Fruit & Vegetable Cooperative, held every two weeks (Economic Development)
· The Gathering of Elders (Council of Elders)
· A Wholistic Health Program (Food & Nutrition)
· Kazi Shule (Alternative School) for elementary school youth
· African Dance & Drumming Classes
· Youth & Adult Computer Classes
· Legal Assistance Clinics / Forums
· Forums for Community Issues
· Voter Registration / Mobilization
· Freedom Tour (Retracing the Civil Rights Movement)
· Tobacco Prevention / Education
· Death Penalty Abolition Movement (Advocacy)
· Home Site for the Association of Black Social Workers
· Drug Treatment Referral, etc.
· "The S.H.A.P.E. of The Gambia" (West African Center)

All of these programs and other activities are geared to youth, family and the revitalization and strengthening of the family and the community.

For over 30 years, S.H.A.P.E. has survived the ebbs and flows of the civil rights movement. S.H.A.P.E.'s journey from a small organization to one of international scope mirrors the transition of its leadership. The center, which originally had a staff of two, now supports 25 full and part-time staff and hundreds of volunteers, that are the key component to S.H.A.P.E.'s success. The outreach, which began locally, has now gained national and international attention. As a result, S.H.A.P.E. was honored in Washington, D.C., along with 26 others, for efforts in combating drugs, by the then Drug Czar, William Bennett, and the White House in the early nineties. S.H.A.P.E. has historically been involved with the organizing of the Million Man March and most recently, the Million Family March, where hundreds of families were transported from Harris County and the Gulf Coast Area to Washington, D.C. to join in this historic occasion.

For its efforts in improving the quality of life for children, family and the community as a whole, S.H.A.P.E. has received over 400 awards over the years, including the Jefferson Award, MLK Humanitarian Award, UNCF Leadership in the Minority Community Award, Mickey Leland Humanitarian Award, Metropolitan Transit Authority of Houston Outstanding Community Service Award, State of Texas (TCADA) Substance Abuse Prevention Award, along with many others too numerous to list.

S.H.A.P.E. has made presentations in London, England on "Building Institutions" in 1993 and in Washington, D.C. for the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC). It has conducted many seminars for HISD schools and has made presentations to over 100 schools in the HISD, Ft. Bend County ISD and Rice Consolidated ISD and others. S.H.A.P.E. has played leadership roles regarding numerous justice issues over the years including nationally recognized cases such as 1) the Clarence Bradley Case; 2) the Ida Delaney Case; 3) the Byron Gilliam Case and 4) the Gary Graham Case and the implementation of a Police Civilian Review Board.

Over previous years, while directing the After School Community Watch, S.H.A.P.E. and its staff were successful in removing many hand guns and other weapons from youth on the streets of the Houston Third Ward Community, as well as transitioning those same youth into functional family programs.

By putting aside material gains and comforts, S.H.A.P.E. and it's staff have accomplished many of its goals for uplifting the African-American community and the community at large, through collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, self-determination, creativity, unity and it's faith in "The Greater Power" to persevere. S.H.A.P.E. recognizes that the philosophy of Inter-Dependence is the key ingredient in the community succeeding in all of its endeavors.

S.H.A.P.E. has instituted several economic development programs and activities including the Black Economic Development Association; T-Shirt/Silk-Screening Operations; a Nutrition Program and Restaurant with catering service.

Representing S.H.A.P.E., Deloyd T. Parker, Jr., Co-Founder and Executive Director for over 31 years, worked in the Ujamaa Villages of East Africa and traveled to many countries in the eastern part of Africa, spreading S.H.A.P.E.'s philosophy.  His most recent trip to Africa was to The Gambia in West Africa, (summer 2000) where he met with the President of The Gambia and was able to expand relations with the government as well as grassroot community leaders.  The initiation of the SHAPE philosophy was embraced by the people of The Gambia and "The S.H.A.P.E. of The Gambia" was born.

Growing up in Port Arthur, Texas, Deloyd's parents, Mrs. Ruby Parker and Mr. Deloyd Parker, Sr., instilled in him a sense of humility, a willingness to help, the courage to face adversity and the strength to fight injustice when and wherever it is raises it's ugly face. With this foundation, Deloyd along with countless Volunteers, Staff and Supporters have built S.H.A.P.E. a Comprehensive and Wholistic Community Institution.  Brother Parker attributes all of these accomplishments, achievements, successes and victories to embracing the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa (Unity, Collective Work & Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Self-Determination, Purpose, Creativity and Faith) and to...

A GOD BEING THE GLORY@

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