Newsmakers March 12: Fight against gang violence

HOUSTON – In the fight against gang violence, the Houston Police Department is targeting the streets and schools. The department also urges the community to work with it and understand the threat that gangs pose to public safety.

“The most important thing about what a gang does is the organized crime component of that and so what our goal is is to go after that particular organized element and to pursue the highest level of prosecutions, because gang members, they are not afraid of jail time,” said Lt. Caroleta Johnson, with HPD’s Gang Division.

Houston Police extend their gang prevention efforts to students in the classroom, including some as young as elementary school age.

To help young people transition out of gangs, the Mayor’s Anti-Gang Office is there to address problems in their lives and build a fresh start.

"Some of them are having issues, family problems, individual and community risk factors that are drawing them in,” said Patricia Harrington, the director of the office. “We try to assess those situations and set up service plans to link them to the proper services that they need to leave that gang lifestyle behind.”

Also,

March is Women’s History Month, celebrating the achievements of women who have stood up for causes on a national level and changed lives in their local communities.

In Houston, Brittani Derbigny, the founder and director of Fostering the Woman in You, embodies the spirit of giving back and helping other women succeed.

The program provides support and mentorship for women who are overcoming different hardships, including mental illness and domestic violence. Derbigny said the program has been a transformative experience for participants.

“It changes their perspective into believing in themselves once more and we’ve noticed when you believe in yourself your mind is half the battle,” Derbigny said. “When you can see different, you can see that the world is yours and to also impact and mentor other young women as well.”

Next

The Franklin Beauty School, which has stayed a family-owned business for more than 100 years, an extremely rare feat in the business world. The school was founded right here in Houston by Madame Nobia A. Franklin.

"The Franklin Beauty School is a gem in the city of Houston. It is also a gem in the United States, because only 3 percent of family-owned businesses survive to the fourth generation, according to the National Family Institute,” said Dr. Gretchen Jackson-Odion, a history professor at HCC and producer of a documentary film on the business.

Ron Jemison Jr., the fourth-generation owner, credits his father for helping him understand that respect and etiquette go a long way in succeeding in business and the beauty industry. Jemison also reflects on what’s next as the school expands and tackling new ideas for the future.

"Houston Newsmakers with Khambrel Marshall" is on every Sunday at 10 a.m. right after “Meet the Press” on KPRC Channel 2.