This post is dedicated to the patches that we have created to celebrate Houston, Texas.
We weren’t born and raised in Houston, Tx, but Houston has shown us mad love since we have lived here. Sankofa is from New Orleans, Louisiana and Stacey is from San Antonio, Texas. Stacey moved to the Houston area in 2004 and Sankofa moved here in 2006. Sankofa & Stacey met in 2007, married in 2008 and have built a life and business of love. Although they decided to buy a home in Rosenberg, they are always finding reasons to be in the city limits of Houston.
Check out the patches below and some popular Houston locations. Our patches can be purchased on our Etsy website: www.etsy.com/shop/UniversalSankofa
Houston Texas Patch
H town – Reliant Stadium
713 Patch
713 – Astrodome & Reliant Stadium
Houston Patch
Houston – Graffiti Wall
832 Patch
832 – Graffiti Wall
Double Cup Lean Patch
Double Cup Lean – Graffiti Wall
Houston Patch
Houston – Toyota Center
Astros Patch
Astros – Minute MaidAstros – Space City – Minute Maid
One Saturday morning, early 2019, I (Stacey) was down on myself because I wasn’t feeling well and I had a lot of business work planned. I decided that I was going to lay on the couch a little while, decompress, watch something on the t.v. for a while, and hopefully I would feel a little better to begin work later in the morning. As I was scrolling through YouTube, I found something that looked interesting. I watched one episode and before I knew it, I had binged the whole series of “Nine Months After” by TinBridge Productions. I found them on Instagram, started following them and fell in love with their dedication and love of marriage and family.
We were super honored when they reached out to ask if we would be interested in sending them some of our apparel to be used in their next project called “Project 8”. Well, Project 8 is here! We want you all to support this beautiful black owned production company by following their social media and purchasing their latest release. Read more below about this company and what they have to offer.
About TinBridge Productions
Owners: David and Bridget Tinsley
Year started: 2017
Home base: Detroit, MI
University alum: University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)
Tell us about your previous projects and where they can be found!
My previous projects all highlight various aspects of the Black experience. They are available for free via the following link: https://linktr.ee/tinbridgeproductions
Tell us about your new project!
This is the story of two best friends in their 20s who have known each other since 1st grade. One is on a quest to walk in his purpose while the other is finding it difficult to accept her truth. How will they help each other figure it out? Project 8 drops gems on the pursuit of becoming financially free and deals with the difficulties of breaking free from corporate life. Filmed in the city of Detroit in 2019. This is the Director’s (David Tinsley) first project shot in his native city since returning home from Southern California in 2018.
What is your “why”?
To exemplify positive, yet realistic images of Black people. We want to represent the hardworking, everyday underdog who rarely gets accounted for in the media. We aim to tell those stories with truth and integrity.
We met the owner of this business while vending at the BLCK Market in Houston, Texas. We were impressed with the quality of his presentation, packaging and timeless and classic pieces of jewelry. Keep reading to learn more about ROHO WEAR and Nino, the owner of this black owned business.
Owner: Nino
Year started: 2018
Home base: Houston, Tx
University Alum: LSU
Let everyone know what your business offers.
We offer Contemporary African inspired accessories
Explain the meaning behind the name “Roho Wear”.
ROHO, directly translated from Swahili, means Spirit. In addition, different iterations of the word Roho also translate to spirit/soul in several other African languages. As children of African, we carry the spirit of Africa everywhere we go and in all that we do.
What is your “why”?
ROHO WEAR was started as a brand that encourages Africa’s cultural ambassadors in this diaspora to represent their heritage in a simple, yet bold manner. We aim to make it as easy as possible to spread African culture to the world while representing our roots #REPROOTS.
UNIVERSAL SANKOFA x ROHO WEAR
Stacey is the owner of these dope Africa stud earrings from ROHO WEAR. They are so bold, simple and elegant.
The images above show ROHO WEAR’s earrings and jewelry box. The pyramids are Shungite and Orgone Pyramids made by Sankofa of Universal Sankofa.
We hope you take the time to visit the social media and website of ROHO WEAR and purchase a piece so that you can Rep your Roots and carry the spirit of Africa with you.
We have been vending at this dope Houston market for two years now! Over these two years, we have seen beautiful collaboration and growth in this market. The BLCK Market is not just a market, there is usually some type of interactive piece going on from panel sessions, performances, painting sessions, game nights, and much more! You can even take a ride with Let’s Do This Houston 3rd Ward tours to the BLCK Market. Read below to meet J.O. Malone the owner of BLCK Market. The BLCK Market happens every first Friday and second Saturday at the Buffalo Soldiers Museum in Houston, Texas.
Owner: J.O. Malone (pictured center)
Year started: 2017
Home base: Houston, TX
Alum: Prairie View A&M University
What is your “why”?
Our purpose is creating quality and successful platforms for small black businesses and entrepreneurs.
What has been your most satisfying moment since starting BLCK Market?
Building business and wealth in the black community.
What would you do if you had unlimited resources for the BLCK Market?
We met the owner of this business from being a part of the group “Unity is Wealth”. He has always inspired us with his creativity and knowledge of the apparel world. From designing, to screen printing, to embroidery, this king has much to offer. Read below to meet the owner of MONEY BAG$ DOLLA BILL, and see what all he has to offer!
MONEY BAG$ DOLLA BILL x UNIVERSAL SANKOFA
For the love of money….this shirt by “Dolla Bill Clothing” spoke to us because we both work hard to generate wealth and want to leave behind generation wealth
These are some of our embroidery patches that match the vibe of the “Dolla Bill Clothing” shirts we are wearing.
Check out “Dolla Bill Clothing” and show some love and support!
We met the owner of this business from vending out in these streets. We set-up next to her at the BLCK Market back in 2018 and ever since then we’ve been good friends. We completed both the Houston Area Urban League Small Business University and SURE program at U of H together. Her spirit, drive, positivity, and determination is contagious and that’s why we love her and her creations. Read below to meet Carla Lyles the owner of Carla Sue Greeting Cards & Gifts, and see what all she has to offer!
Owner: Carla Lyles
Year started: 2016
Home base: Alief, Houston, TX
We love your cards because they are so raw, so real, and some have explicit words! We have also heard that intelligent people curse a lot. What’s your favorite curse word to use?
I’m not sure I have a favorite one. I definitely use bitch a lot. Mostly as a term of endearment.
What is your “why”?
I have many whys. I suppose the greatest reason why is to show my son and other beautiful melanated people that the days of merely surviving on this earth are over, we can in fact thrive doing the things we love most. I’m working on being a shining example of that.
What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Definitely my write up in Entrepreneur Magazine in December. It came at a time when i was feeling very low and ready to throw in the towel. Its was exactly what I needed to keep going.
We met the owner of this business while vending at the “Buy Black Marketplace” at the Shrine of the Black Madonna in Houston, Texas. A little while after, we joined the group “Unity is Wealth” and found out that he was also a member. He is an intelligent and resourceful author and business owner. Read below to meet Ross Williams the owner of Williams Commerce, and see what all he has to offer!
Owners Name: Ross Williams
Year Started: 2015
Home base: Houston
University Alum: Tulane University
Explain what all you do and what all your business offers.
Empower authors, entrepreneurs, and job seekers. Authors have access to a publishing company, editing services, consultations, and ghostwriting services. Business plans and consultations are offered to business owners. Job seekers are offered resume writing, cover letters, and LinkedIn optimization services.
What is your “why”?
Creating generational change and breaking generational curses amongst my family and as many other families as possible.
Besides your own books, what is your favorite book and why?
Slam by Walter Myers Dean because it was the first book I read as a child that influenced my writing style and provoked my interest in literature.
Universal Sankofa x Williams Commerce
We started a challenge called #RonaAndReadChallenge to get people to share titles of books that they recommend to read during this Stay at Home mandate. Both of Ross Williams books were in our recommendations.Tote by: Universal Sankofa Book by: Ross WilliamsUs with Ross at his book signing event in 2018 at the Media BlockA dope photo Ross took of us at our table at the Buy Black Marketplace reading his book.
We met this king from being in “Unity is Wealth”. From day one, this king has been super supportive of us and we love his motto of “Collaboration over Competition”. We partnered with him a couple of months ago and we created apparel and novelty items based on the theme “Melanated Ancestors”. Besides offering apparel, he does Lyfe Coaching, and makes orgone items. We absolutely love his motivational videos that he posts on his IG and FB page! Read below to meet the owner of this dope business, see how multi-faceted he is, see our collaboration, and shop his website.
Owner: Johnny Sallie, Jr.
Year started: 2019
Home base: Houston, TX
University alum: Texas Southern University
What’s the meaning behind your business name?
One must have the Loyalty to Living Your Faith Everyday in order to leave a Legacy for the generations to come.
What is your “why”?
My “why” is being the change I want to see and providing others with solutions to everyday situations that they may feel they are stuck in and have no other way out or around. My mother always told me, “the best thing you can do in life is to leave a place better than I found it.”
You are such a great motivator. Who motivates you?
What motivates me is God and all that I have been given the strength to overcome, my children, family, business partners, friends and the potential change that I can be a catalyst of.
Universal Sankofa x Loyalty Lyfe Legacy
The above shirts and many more “Melanated Ancestors” items can be purchased from his website link below!
Orgone pyramid by Loyalty Lyfe Legacy. Shirt by Universal Sankofa
Orgone Pyramid’s have the ability to clean the energy in the room and protect individuals from EMF radiation. This is just the tip of the iceberg of the benefits that orgone pyramid’s can bring an individual. Google “Orgone Pyramid” and see all the amazing benefits of having these beauties in your life.
So…check out his website and IG for more info and motivation!
Hey everybody! Finding a lot of free time during the stay at home campaign for COVID-19? Well, exercise your mind! Don’t binge watch shows all day, read! It doesn’t matter if you are reading for pleasure or reading to learn, READ!!!!
A couple of years ago there was a challenge on instagram called #bookphonechallenge, look it up if you don’t remember it. We decided to create a challenge during these times called #ronaandreadchallenge. The purpose of this challenge is to give people ideas of what other people are reading and introduce them to some new book titles.
Here are the rules for the challenge:
Post an image of you holding up to 9 books (can be a combo of books you have already read or going to read)
List the titles and authors
Tag 8 others to take on the challenge
Use the hashtag #ronaandreadchallenge
Stacey’s reads….
Becoming Supernatural – Dr. Joe Dispenza
Heal Thyself for Health and Longevity – Queen Afua
Fear – Thich That Hanh
Crabs in a Barrel War on Racism – Ross Williams
I Went Through All That For What? – Tierra White
The Power of Now – Eckhart Tolle
Stolen Legacy – George G.M. James
Freakonomics – Steven Levitt & Stephen Dubner
White Rage – Carol Anderson
Sankofa’s reads…
The Four Agreements – Don Miguel Ruiz
Malcolm X – Walter Dean Myers
The Complete Works of Lao Tzu – Hua-Ching Ni
They Came Before Columbus – Ivan Van Sertima
The Isis Papers – Dr. Frances Cress Welsing
Metu Neter – Ra Un Nefer Amen
The City of Wellness – Queen Afua
Made it Out – Ross Williams
Unspoken Game – Andrew Beaver
We challenge you to join the challenge and exercise your mind! Tell us below what books you are reading or planning to read in the near future!
While we are all homeschooling/remotely/digitally educating our kids, if you need assistance with understanding something that has been assigned for your child, or if you need more resources, just email us. I am a teacher and will be happy to answer questions. We WILL get through this! #bettertogether ❤️📚✏️
I’m certified as Science 4-8 in Texas. While I specialize in science, I can also point you to other fabulous educators specializing in other subjects. Please let me know if I can help in any way!
