HOUSTON – Steve Vetrano is the CEO of the Texas Gulf Coast Region of the American Red Cross. He said the Red Cross is ready for this hurricane season and they try to prepare for all emergencies the same way and depend on volunteers to get the job done.
"Ninety-five percent of our work force are volunteers", he said. "Without them we couldn't get the supplies that we need to the people who need them. Donations are just as important for what we do."
The Red Cross also has a series of apps for anyone with a mobile phone to use. Fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, first aid and many more apps are available via the Red Cross website .
The 11th annual Texas Black Expo hits Houston June 19-22 with business empowerment sessions, concerts and a trade show with more than 200 exhibitors. Jerome Love is the president and CEO of the Texas Black Expo event and said the whole weekend is about empowering people with an overriding theme of Healthy People, Healthy Community.
"We have free screenings, free checkups, dental screenings, blood/mass index, all of that is gonna be taken care of." Love said.
NBC's Nick Cannon will host a Saturday afternoon concert and Morris Day and the Time will be the featured act of a Saturday evening Old School Concert at Discovery Green.
Also this week Judson Robinson III, president of the Houston Area Urban League, as preparations are under way for the annual Equal Opportunity Day Gala. The Urban League has been active in Houston for more than 40 years and Judson said it is still a relevant organization addressing the needs of the community.
"If you're healthy, if you're educated, if you have a job, if you have a home, those are pretty much the cornerstones to a successful life. So we try to stress programs in those four major areas," he said.
Many more details about Urban League and the Gala dinner on June 21st.
Houston Newsmakers with Khambrel Marshall airs every Sunday at 10 a.m.
More Information:
• Steve Vetrano, CEO Red Cross, Texas Gulf Coast Region , 713-526-8300
• Judson Robinson III, president, Houston Area Urban League, 713-393-8721,
•Jerome Love, president/CEO Texas Black Expo,