HBC MAGAZINE© REPORTS
Arthur J. Smith, Sr., known by most people as Art, his wife Darlene “Koffey” Smith, and their son Arthur J. Smith, III are resilient, hard-working people. They’ve overcome many obstacles to make it to where they are today. But Hurricane Harvey has this family reeling and searching for answers. You see, after putting thousands of dollars into renovating their small building located at 5307 Sonora Street in Houston’s Fifth Ward, right across the street from the historic Finnigan Park – they’ve seemingly lost everything, but their will to survive. After all, they still have each other, but much of the equipment they used to operate Super Bold City, a micro-factory for printing T-Shirts for businesses, family reunions, schools and other entities was lost due to Hurricane Harvey’s intense downpour that caused parts of their roof to collapse. The after-affect has left the Smith family struggling to survive as they continue to work their T-Shirt business the best way they can – but if they are to survive help is needed -- AND FAST!!!. “Everything we invested is all messed up,” said Arthur Smith, Sr. “Our entire livelihood…our piece of the “American Dream” appears to be almost gone forever."
A MUST READ STORY PUBLISHED IN THE CHRONICLE
A MUST READ STORY PUBLISHED IN THE CHRONICLE
Art Smith dries the ink on a t-shirt he just printed at Super Bold Print Shop on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017, in Houston. The storefront T-shirt print shop's roof and walls were damaged in the floods in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Their T-shirt drying machine left waterlogged and inoperable, heavily damaging their home and business. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle)
Many people remember 5307 Sonora Street as simply a barbershop, but Art remembers it as the place where he met the love of his life. Well, not exactly. You see, one day many years ago, Art was sitting in a barber’s chair in this very building, getting a haircut. Back then the barbershop was called Stacy’s Barber Shop in 5th Ward, Texas. While peering out the window, Art noticed Koffey walking across Finnegan Park with another young lady coming from what was known as the Coke Apartments/Cleme Manor -- where she grew up. According to Art, he jumped up out the barber’s chair and asked the barber to put the haircut on hold while he went to get his girl. And the rest is history. “We’re planning to give you an update on their compelling story when we take a closer look at Arthur Smith, Sr., and his family in our coveted “YEAR-END REVIEW EDITION” – hopefully by then we’ll be able to bring you some good news,” says Aubrey R. Taylor, publisher of Houston Business Connections Magazine©. “Something just tells me that someone out there with financial means to help is going to step in and help this hardworking family looking to continue their quest to lay hold of their piece of the “American Dream”.
Arthur J. Smith, Sr. is deputized to register voters in Harris County, Texas. And his "Non-Partisan Voter's Depot" is part of his vision to make a difference in Harris County. “My spirit is strong and my faith is unwavering,” says Smith. “I know that my family and I are going to make it somehow,” he says.
Arthur J. Smith, Sr. can be contacted at (832)258-5776 for information about how you can help this hard-working and resilient family at this pivotal point in their lives. Art and Koffey were recently featured in the Houston Chronicle talking about the challenges and setbacks they're now facing in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.
AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS
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A FEW HIGHLIGHTS
Arthur Smith, III (Yung Giant) is hugged by superstar Beyonce when she returned to Houston to serve food to people affected by Hurricane Harvey.
Arthur J. Smith III, Cathy Hughes, Arthur J. Smith, Sr. and Personal Assistant to Ms. Hughes an African-American entrepreneur, radio and television personality and business executive. She's also the founder of Radio One -- that's now known as Urban One.
Arthur J. Smith, III and Arthur J. Smith, Sr. showing off a few T-Shirts and other products they created for the Phillis Wheatley Wildcats. Art can be contacted at (832)258-5776 for more information on how you can order T-Shirts for your church, business, event or other entity.
Many Houston area leaders who were in attendance at the “Grand Opening” of the “NONPARTISAN VOTER REGISTRATION DEPOT: Former City Councilman Carroll G. Robinson, Former Democratic Party Chairman Lane Lewis, Honorable Jew Don Boney, Former Houston City Council Candidate Larry Blackmon, Former Houston City Council Candidate Georgia Provost, Jim Lewis, Former Houston City Councilman Andrew C. Burks, Jr., Political Consultant/Strategist Joshua Bullard, Lobbyist/Political Strategist Justin Jordan, Community Activist Charles X White, and representatives from Governor Greg Abbott’s Office also showed their support by coming out to support Arthur Smith, Sr. in his quest to inform, empower and encourage voter participation throughout Harris County.
Darlene Koffey Smith is hugged by superstar Beyonce when she returned to Houston to serve food to people affected by Hurricane Harvey.
Arthur J. Smith, Sr, and Koffey showing off their Super Bold T-Shirt design. Art can be contacted at (832)258-5776 for more information on how you can order T-Shirts for your church, business, event or other entity.
Many Houston area leaders who were in attendance at the “Grand Opening” of the “NONPARTISAN VOTER REGISTRATION DEPOT: Former City Councilman Carroll G. Robinson, Former Democratic Party Chairman Lane Lewis, Honorable Jew Don Boney, Former Houston City Council Candidate Larry Blackmon, Former Houston City Council Candidate Georgia Provost, Jim Lewis, Former Houston City Councilman Andrew C. Burks, Jr., Political Consultant/Strategist Joshua Bullard, Lobbyist/Political Strategist Justin Jordan, Community Activist Charles X White, and representatives from Governor Greg Abbott’s Office also showed their support by coming out to support Arthur Smith, Sr. in his quest to inform, empower and encourage voter participation throughout Harris County.
