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.

Arthur J. Smith, III, A.K.A. "Yung Giant" Prepares to Drop His New CD titled: "GOD'S EYEZ ON ME" featuring "College Life"

The History of Yung Giant: COLLEGE LIFE "THE EDUCATED RAPPER FROM THE HOOD!"

Yung Giant, real name Arthur J. Smith, III is a Texas born and raised rapper straight out of Houston’s 5th Ward. He's quickly becoming known as: "The Educated Rapper from the Hood"; but Yung Giant does much more than spit lyrics. He’s a rapper, songwriter, singer, poet and has been blessed with an uncanny ability to use his hands to draw and create images as a creative artist.

YUNG GIANT AND HIS PARENTS

PHOTO: Yung Giant is pictured with his mom, Koffey and dad Arthur J. Smith, Sr.

CREATIVITY RUNS IN THE FAMILY

Yung Giant has creative juices flowing through his veins. Born to recording Hip-Hop Artist, Koffey (The Ghetto Queen of the City of Houston, and affectionately known by many as Houston’s First Lady). Koffey was one of the first female vocalists out of H-Town to be featured on both, BET and MTV. She did so back in 1995 on a song she performed and co-wrote entitled: "G-Groove" by the 5th Ward Juveniles, produced by Multi-Platinum Producer (Mike Dean) and was distributed by Underground/Rap-A-Lot/Noo Trybe/Virgin Records. 

Yung Giant’s dad, Arthur J. Smith, Sr., known simply as Art, is also from Houston’s 5th Ward by way of Hardy Street. Art is a well-known T-Shirt Designer, Music Executive, Community Activist and former College Radio Promotions Manager for Rap-A-Lot Records.

It’s no secret where Yung Giant gets his musical inspiration and influences from however. He was reared in the housing projects called Cleme Manor Apartments (better known as Coke Apartments) located at 5300 Coke Street, which are now managed by a company from New York City. His mom, Koffey, was raised in these very same projects.

“Yung Giant’s first rap words were spoken when he was about 9 months old,” says Koffey. “Those words were: Ou-Na-Nah-Na-Nah from a song by Music/Rap Mogul Master P of No Limit Records.”

“Whenever I would be holding Yung Giant on my hip when he was a baby, and every time he would hear Master P’s song on the radio, he would kick his legs out dancing and repeat the same lyrical sound as Master P.”

As a young student in elementary and middle school, Yung Giant would tell his mom and dad almost every day, how many of the students at school labeled him as the best rapper in the whole school. 

“His dad and I would say, "Oh, that's good Son. But we never really thought too much of it; because Yung Giant had never rapped for us before – other than mimicking Master P,” explains Koffey. 

“However, one day this all changed when he was about 13-years of age,” reveals this proud mom.

“I can vividly remember Yung Giant stepping out of his bedroom and saying: "Mom and Dad I want y’all to hear my rap I wrote."

According to Koffey, she told Yung Giant: “Look here, I take this music seriously. I'm gonna be real with you -- even though you are my Son. If you're wack, I'm gonna tell you you’re wack. And if you're tight, I'm gonna say you're tight."

So Yung Giant agreed, and proceeded to rap. To the utter amazement and surprise of both, Art and Koffey their son was much better than expected. “We both just looked at each other and smiled,” said Koffey. 

“Wow, was all his dad could say, after Yung Giant finished his rap,” explains Koffey. "Boy you better not be going online rapping someone else’s raps is what he also said after congratulating our son," she says.

According to Koffey, Yung Giant said: "No Dad. I write all my songs to my moma’s tracks. I been paying attention to you and mom for years as a child and writing to mom’s tracks for years." 

His Dad said, "Son all the time you were listening to your mom’s tracks, I thought you were just listening to the music for entertainment."

THE EARLY YEARS

At the age of 9, Yung Giant was featured on a song entitled "Do or Die" (HIV Awareness Song) with 14 other youth that was released on his mom’s CD titled: Ghetto Life, which was categorized on the ballots of the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards listed for Song of the Year and Best R&B Vocal Performance back in 2010.

Yung Giant also sung on an interlude with his mom back when he was 8-years of age entitled "Waymaker". His first solo song was recorded at Sunrise Studio in Houston back when he was 13-years old, and was titled "Converse Conversation" featuring Koffey – aptly named such, because he only wears converse sneakers.

YUNG GIANT MEETS GOVERNOR ABBOTT

PHOTO: Yung Giant (far right) meets Gov. Greg Abbott along with his parents, Arthur J. Smith, Sr. (second from left), his mom Koffey (second from right), and Tommy Jennings and Quino Grey. 

FOCUSED ON EMPOWERING OTHERS

Shortly after Yung Giant and his parents opened up their “VOTER REGISTRATION DEPOT” -- themed it “Vote & Live”; and crafted their “catchy” motto for the project titled: “My vote -- gives my hope life” they were afforded a quick meeting and photo opportunity with Gov. Greg Abbott, the governor of Texas. “I’m so thankful that Ashlei Kellough, the Organizational Director for the Harris County Republican Party attended our grand opening and found value in our mission to register voters in a non-partisan way throughout Harris County,” says Arthur J. Smith, Sr.

YUNG GIANT PERFORMS AT WHEATLEY

Yung Giant performed his song for the first time at Phillis Wheatley High School (his high school) back in 2013 during the NBA All Star Week. During this celebratory week, he and his dad also went downtown (in Houston) to promote his new single. A few by chance meetings occurred as they combed the streets of downtown looking for interesting people to talk to.

YUNG GIANT MEETS CATHY HUGHES

PHOTO: Yung Giant, Cathy Hughes, his dad, and Ms. Hughes' personal assistant.

YUNG GIANT POUNDING THE PAVEMENT

Yung Giant and his dad had the pleasure of meeting Radio One founder, Cathy Hughes and her assistant Coffi, along with many others while downtown during NBA All Star Week back in 2013. “I’m proud to say I personally gave Miss Hughes a copy of my CD while I was in downtown Houston at the Toyota Center with my dad during NBA All Star Week,” says Yung Giant.

For those who may not know, Yung Giant is so proud of this by chance meeting because: Catherine L. Hughes (known as Cathy) is an African-American entrepreneur, radio and television personality and business executive. She founded the media company Radio One, and when the company went public in 1999, she became the first African-American woman to head a publicly traded corporation according to published reports. 

“I’m also proud to say that the very first person to buy my first CD was the late legendary sports caster Craig Seager,” says Yung Giant.

Craig Seager, in case you don’t know, was a well-known sports reporter, who covered an array of sports from 1981 until the year of his death (back in December 2016) for CNN and its sister stations, TBS and TNT. He was in Houston to cover the All Star Game being held at the Toyota Center.

YUNG GIANT MAKING IT HAPPEN

YUNG GIANT'S SECOND SONG

Yung Giant’s second song was: "I'ma Ghetto Boy (Livin' Fa God) featuring Koffey. It was first played on KTSU radio station located on TSU campus by Rev. Charles Hudson. 

YUNG GIANT'S THIRD SONG

Yung Giant’s third song was: "Black Ain't Black No Mo", which is a song about black on black crime and police brutality. This song has been very popular on the college campus at Texas Southern University due to Yung Giant’s performances on campus during his freshman year. 

Now in his sophomore year at Texas Southern University, Yung Giant has recorded his biggest song to date, which talks about his experiences as a college student, and serves as an Educational Anthem of sorts titled: "College Life". 

A LITTLE ABOUT TSU

Texas Southern University is a student-centered comprehensive doctoral university committed to ensuring equality, offering innovative programs that are responsive to its urban setting, and transforming diverse students into lifelong learners, engaged citizens, and creative leaders in their local, national, and global communities.

BACK IN MIDDLE SCHOOL

Yung Giant fondly remembers programs started by former principal Mrs. Marla Shepard and Mrs. Bobbi Young in reference to college back when he was in Middle School at Lamar Fleming Middle School Fine Arts Academy. These programs have left a lasting impression on him, he says. And he credits Mrs. Marla Shepard and Mrs. Bobbi Young both, with peaking his interest and excitement about attending college.

ENTREPRENUERIAL BLOOD FLOWING

He’s also very proud of the fact that his mother and father have been instrumental in guiding his young career. “I remember when my mom and dad first kicked on the designs and printing of T-Shirts when the program started. They even welcomed students to have input in the T-Shirt designs they created,” he says with a smile.

“My parents always stressed the importance of me getting a good quality education,” says Yung Giant -- who almost made straight A’s during his senior year in high school.

Yung Giant said he chose Texas Southern University because, once he experienced the University culture, atmosphere and vibe in his Houston, his own city, he knew he had to get to TSU quick. "COLLEGE LIFE" is Yung Giant’s new single from his debut CD: "GOD'S EYEZ ON ME". So stay tuned, and watch out for Houston's very own Yung Giant – whose planning to take his show to college campuses across the nation in the very near future. This young man, hip-hop artist, and scholar is poised and ready to do big things in the music industry. You’d better not sleep on Yung Giant -- The Educated Rapper from The Ghetto.

DON'T SLEEP ON YUNG GIANT

Arthur J. Smith, III (Yung Giant) and Arthur J. Smith, Sr. showing off a few T-Shirts and other products they created for the Phillis Wheatley Wildcats several years ago. Arthur J. Smith, Sr. can be contacted at: (832)258-5776 for more information about booking or interviewing Yung Giant.

AUBREY R. TAYLOR: "I would like to take this moment to wish Yung Giant much success on the release of his new CD titled: "GOD'S EYEZ ON ME" featuring "College Life"."

As President and CEO of Aubrey R. Taylor Communications, the publisher of Houston Business Connections Magazine® I am imploring you to support businesses, elected officials, corporations and other entities who value our support and patronage.

GREAT PEOPLE TO KNOW SERIES

Greatness can never be accomplished through individual effort, nor can it be attained thinking that you are superior to others. However, we are all born with a measure of greatness woven into our DNA. Some of us develop and realize our greatness – while others do not. But, rather than greatness being a destination to be arrived at, I believe that it is more of a journey! And with that said, I'd like to ask you to call me at (281)788-3033 or (832)212-8735 to share your thoughts on how you are working to make America "GREAT" in your own "UNIQUE" way!

From now through Tuesday, March 6, 2018 we at Aubrey R. Taylor Communications, the publisher of Houston Business Connections Magazine® will be focusing our attention on bringing you thoughts on greatness from business, political, corporate, ministry and community leaders.

ABOUT US

Houston Business Connections Magazine® is a marketing/branding publication designed to assist "People on the Move" with increasing their brand recognition, product and services promotion, and press release delivery throughout our diverse network of loyal readers. Call me directly at (281)788-3033 for more information. Please email your thoughts to me at: aubreyrtaylor@gmail.com

Individuals who need assistance with branding, marketing or targeting “OPEN-MINDED” voters and/or supporters should look no further. Houston Business Connection Magazine® and Ground Game Magazine® are both designed to assist you with building name recognition, outreach, press release delivery, strategy development/support and much, much, more.

OUR MISSION

The mission of Aubrey R. Taylor Communications, the publisher of Houston Business Connections Magazine® is to help our readership identify the people, businesses, corporations and candidates who “VALUE” and “RESPECT” our vote, prayers and support!

AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS
957 NASA PARKWAY #251
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039
PHONE: (832)212-8735
CELL: (281)788-3033

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AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS
957 NASA PARKWAY #251
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039
PHONE: (832)212-8735
CELL: (281)788-3033