Pioneer Bank Answers Prayer of Arthur J Smith Sr, and his Family in Aftermath of Hurricane Harvey with $15,000.00 Dollar Check

Arthur Smith Sr., his wife Darlene Koffey Smith, son Arthur Smith III, also known as “Yung Giant”, Gloria Sanderson, SVP, CRA/Fair Lending Officer for Pioneer Bank are the featured individuals on the cover of “VERSION 1” of Houston Business Connections Magazine’s “2017 Year-End Review” edition. Houston Texans football player J.J. Watt is also featured on the cover of this version. Inside this edition, J.J. Watt shares how he plans to distribute the millions of dollars the J.J. Watt Foundation received in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Beyoncé, Mattress Mack, Jim Crane, State Senator Borris L. Miles, State Rep. Shawn Thierry, Dr. Letitia Plummer, Judge Loyd Wright, Judge Christine Riddle Butts, Judge John Schmude, Judge Renee Magee, Attorney Sandra Peake, and Attorney Melanie Wilcox Flowers are just a few of the other distinguished individuals featured inside this edition. Houston Business Connections Magazine© is published by Aubrey R. Taylor Communications. All Rights Reserved. Cover photo by: Kennedy Hall, Phillis Wheatley High School Journalism Department/Photographer

When all Hope Was Seemingly Lost…Gloria Sanderson of Pioneer Bank Showed Up!

HBC MAGAZINE© REPORTS

We’re sure you’ve heard of the passage of scripture in James 2:14-17 which reads, “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food and one of you say to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” 

FAITH AT WORK

By now, most of you know that the struggle for Houstonians trying to recover in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey is still ongoing for many. Arthur J. Smith, Sr., his wife Darlene Koffey Smith, and their son, Arthur J. Smith, III, are just one example of what families are going through as they struggle to keep the faith; hold out hope, and trust God.

After putting thousands of dollars of their hard earned money into renovating their small building in Houston’s historic Fifth Ward, the pouring rains from Hurricane Harvey came along and threatened to put the Smith’s out of business for good. “The roof just wasn’t strong enough to hold up,” says Arthur J. Smith, Sr. as he discusses the challenges Super Bold City, a micro-factory for printing T-shirts faced following the storm. “Everything was just all messed up,” he says.

According to Smith, Hurricane Harvey’s relentless downpour of rain is what did the most damage to his building. “The rain, and after that, the moisture just took its toll and caused us to consider just throwing our hands up,” he says. “Everything we invested appeared to be lost forever.”

THE SBA SAID “NO”

After the storm was over Arthur J. Smith, Sr., and his wife Koffey began searching for help in all the usual places. They felt pretty confident that help would come by way of the (SBA) Small Business Administration. However, their hopes were quickly dashed when the SBA said, that they couldn’t help. “We filed for a $50,000 dollar SBA Loan, but was turned down,” he explains. “We thought all hope was lost after that…but a knock on the door changed it all.” 

PIONEER BANK SAID “YES”

“Gloria Sanderson, the SVP,CRA/Fair Lending Officer is a perfect example of why it is vitally important for banks and other lending institutions to have caring people who value our community in positions of authority,” says Aubrey R. Taylor, publisher of Houston Business Connections Magazine©. “From what I’ve been told, upon reading their story in the Houston Chronicle, titled: “Harvey abruptly changes economic fortunes, for better and worse” written by: Lydia DePillis and Collin Eaton back on Friday, September 29, 2017 – Gloria Sanderson felt compelled to act,” says Taylor. “She didn’t have to start calling around to try and find Art and Koffey. She could have just ignored their story (or waited for someone else to act) like most other people did,” explains Taylor. “But Gloria Sanderson isn’t that type of person – she truly cares about the community she’s dedicated to serving. It took some effort on her part, but she eventually found Arthur J. Smith and Koffey – and promised to help them!”

SANDERSON KEEPS HER PROMISE 

GLORIA SANDERSON -- (281)222-7458

When everyone else said “NO” to Arthur J. Smith, Sr. and Koffey, the people at Pioneer Bank said “YES”. “On behalf of Houston Business Connections Magazine©, I want to personally thank Gloria Sanderson and Pioneer Bank for helping this fine, hardworking family by delivering $15,000.00 dollars by way of their “Small Business Recovery Grant Program” done in partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas to help small businesses get back on their feet after Hurricane Harvey,” says Aubrey R. Taylor.

ART AND KOFFEY ARE GRATEFUL

“On behalf of Super Bold City, Art, our son (Yung Giant) and myself (Koffey) we want to personally thank Pioneer Bank and Miss Gloria Sanderson for hearing our cry; noticing our need to be helped out financially, and taking action to help us reach our level of progress as a small business. We are working hard every day to continue to serve our under-served community/society after being affected by Hurricane Harvey ourselves. Miss Gloria Sanderson went above and beyond the call of duty. She went the extra mile for us, by traveling from Sugar Land, Texas to 5th Ward in search of helping us out. And to hear her say that she could not get the image of my husband Art printing that T-Shirt with a hole in the roof after seeing our story in the Houston Chronicle made us feel appreciative just to know that someone out there cared enough to help.”

GLORIA SANDERSON IS A TRUE PIONEER

“Pioneer Bank has a true gem in Gloria Sanderson,” says Aubrey R. Taylor. So, if your business has been negatively impacted by a natural disaster, such as Hurricane Harvey, Gloria Sanderson, the SVP, CRA/Fair Lending Officer is a great person to know. She can be reached directly at, (281)632-1516, or by cell at, (281)222-7458. Her email address is, Gloria.sanderson@pioneer.bank if you have any questions. WAY TO GO GLORIA SANDERSON!

A MUST READ STORY PUBLISHED IN THE CHRONICLE

Harvey abruptly changes economic fortunes, for better and worse

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)

AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS

957 NASA PARKWAY #251

HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039

PHONE: (832)212-8735

CELL: (281)788-3033

Arthur Smith Sr., and His Family Still Facing Many Challenges and Setbacks in Aftermath of Hurricane Harvey

In the Midst of Personal Setbacks and Struggles in Aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, Arthur J. Smith, Sr is Still Urging Others to Get Registered to Vote in Local, Statewide and National Elections

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

Harvey abruptly changes economic fortunes, for better and worse

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)

ART AND KOFFEY ARE HOPEFULLY OPTIMISTIC THAT SOMEONE WILL SEE THIS STORY AND COME TO THEIR AID

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”.

HURRICANE HARVEY DIDN’T KILL THEIR FIGHTING SPIRIT

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.

LET’S KEEP THE “AMERICAN DREAM” ALIVE IN 5TH WARD, TEXAS BY HELPING ART AND KOFFEY RECOVER

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

957 NASA PARKWAY #251

HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039

PHONE: (832)212-8735

CELL: (281)788-3033

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.

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 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.

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.

"NONPARTISAN VOTER REGISTRATION DEPOT"

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.