THIS FAMILY OWNS THE FIRST EVER BLACK-OWNED FURNITURE BROKERAGE — WITH ACCESS TO $200 MILLION IN FACTORY DIRECT HIGH-END CUSTOM FURNITURE!
Texas Wholesale Furniture Co., based in Houston, Texas, is owned and operated by Prairie View A&M Alum, husband and wife team, Brandon and NaimaTownsend. Their company works with 200 manufacturers nationwide, and specializes in wholesaling high-end residential and office furniture.
Unlike traditional retail furniture stores, Texas Wholesale Furniture Co. allows the general public to buy furniture factory direct at wholesale prices. On the business front, this power couple is changing the way furniture is bought, using social media to create jobs and business opportunities nationwide. The company projects bringing on 500 brokers and sales representatives throughout the U.S. by 2020.
Their story Texas Wholesale Furniture Co. was founded by two newlyweds, Brandon and Naima Townsend, upon graduating from Prairie View A&M University and purchasing their first home. The couple was in search of high-end designer furniture at factory direct prices.
After shopping around, the couple quickly realized the advertisements and promises of up to 70% off at Houston retail furniture stores did not match what was actually available in their showrooms. “The ads and TV commercials were often a tease to get customers into the store and upsell,” Brandon says.
Remaining diligent in their search, they contacted family friend Jermon Malone who knew a few furniture manufacturers and as a result they were able to furnish their home at 70% off retail.
Naima remembers purchasing a custom living room set factory direct for $1,800. A week later, she saw the same exact set at a major Houston area furniture store for $3,699 plus tax! That was the moment it all came together. The couple immediately began to help friends and family save their hard earned coins by taking them directly to the manufacturer.
“In the beginning it was just another stream of income, and we would use the extra earnings to invest or take a vacation. It was really about helping our friends and family save. We didn’t have a website or anything. If you knew about it and asked, we would help you. We’re not pushy sales people,” Naima says.
At this time, the couple also realized they were able to create jobs for delivery and sales people they knew. Creating jobs for people changed the dynamic as they were able to play the “Black Wall Street” game by empowering and partnering with other businesses in the Black community.
Turning a side business into an empire Over the years, however, Texas Wholesale Furniture Co., which was just a side business at the time, began to grow and so did the careers of the two young entrepreneurs. Naima was working towards becoming an athletic director equipped with her Masters in Education Administration. Brandon was an engineer/ data analyst at Lockheed Martin and NASA with a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering climbing the corporate ladder.
With a newborn son, a 45-minute commute to work, and the side business growing, the couple soon decided that time was more precious than what the corporate world had to offer. So, in Brandon’s words they “prayed about it and let God order their steps.” Naima transitioned out of her teaching position, and began to run the business full time. Brandon remained working as an engineer, but focused on sales and marketing. As word spread, people from all over Texas began to call and thats when it became apparent to the couple they needed to work with more manufacturers in order to meet the needs of their newly established client base.
They were working out of their office near the Houston Galleria at the time, and they considered opening a regular retail furniture store. However, they saw that no store carried all of the inventory they needed so they began to develop personal relationships with manufacturers who were open to new sales strategies. Once 20 manufacturers were on board, their furniture brokerage came to life.
Today, Brandon and Naima contract and employ several other minority-owned businesses and incorporate them into their projects. Now their web site, www.TexasWholesaleFurniture.com, is a force to be reckoned with creating jobs nationwide via social media and using their platform to create business opportunities for young entrepreneurs.
Follow them on Instagram at @texaswholesalefurnitureco or call 832-590-0697 to learn more about this exciting Black-owned furniture brokerage, the first of its kind!
Esmeralda Baez enrolled at Evolution Academy Charter School in the fall of 2015 as a true freshman and completed the requirements for graduation in just two years. At just sixteen years old, Baez completed the Texas recommended graduation program with 28 credits to best prepare her for college.
Esmeralda first heard about Evolution Academy from her cousin, who previously graduated from the progressive Texas-based charter school. She was looking for alternatives to the massive high schools in her home-school district and she found her perfect fit at Evolution Academy. She set her goal to graduate early and she took advantage of every resource provided by Evolution Academy, including computer-based classes, credit by exam and summer school. In fact, she completed her Spanish II class in just three weeks. “I wanted to complete high school early, so I could start college earlier,” said Baez. “The teachers and the staff at Evolution Academy supported me every step of the way.”
Esmeralda’s family is very proud of her and are impressed with Evolution Academy, its staff and course offerings. She has recommended the school to family members and friends and her sister is now enrolled at Evolution Academy as well.
“We are proud of Esmeralda and all that she has accomplished,” said Cynthia Trigg, superintendent and founder of Evolution Academy Charter Schools. “The blue print is set, and other students can realize the dream of a high school diploma if the follow the plan and stay the course. It may be difficult, but not impossible.”
Now that she has checked high school off the list, Esmeralda plans to enroll in college and has her sights set on majoring in psychology and becoming a psychiatrist. “Education is something you really need,” said Baez. “I knew it was important for me to take my education seriously, so I could reach my goals.”
Founded in 2002, Evolution Academy offers one-on-one attention with a mix of traditional and computer-based instruction, which enables students to earn 2 or more credit hours every nine weeks, allowing them to catch up or graduate early. The main campus in Richardson includes a science lab, fitness center and wellness program, piano lab, culinary arts program, full-service cafeteria and a state-of-the-art music studio where students can write and produce music. The school also offers multiple career and technical education courses that prepare students for certificates in professional fields. Students who enroll also receive monthly DART bus passes provided by Evolution Academy, so they won’t have to worry about how to get to school.
To date, Evolution Academy has graduated more than 2500 students, many of whom were unsuccessful in traditional school settings. Evolution Academy graduates have gone on to graduate from some of the top colleges and universities in the country, enlist in military service and embark on productive careers in the workforce. Evolution Academy has campuses in Richardson, Beaumont and Houston, Texas and has open enrollment year-round on all three campuses. Students can enroll online at http://www.evolutionacademy.org or visit one of the campuses to enroll in person.
About Evolution Academy Charter School
Evolution Academy is a public charter high school, serving students grades 9-12, with campuses in Richardson, Houston and Beaumont. The school offers two convenient sessions, Monday – Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and 12:20 p.m. to 4:20 p.m. http://www.evolutionacademy.org.
Before they could even get rolling good on the latest leg of their “Latitude” tour, The Walls Group was stranded in Atlanta, when their tour bus driver left them without wheels and their ten thousand dollar deposit.
The family group from Houston is understandably incensed that the driver is no longer communicating with them, but to make matters worse, he has kept the initial deposit that would have allowed the family to make other arrangements. Because of the devastation to the greater Houston area, the family couldn’t return home. The cost of emergency lodging due to the devastation of Hurricane Harvey at home and being without tour transportation has cost them nearly what the month long tour travel would.
Pray with us for The Walls Group that restitution is made by this driver and his company.
Rikki Klaus from Atlanta’s WSB-TV caught up with the family for an exclusive interview before they were finally able to return home. You can watch her report, below.
DEBUT SINGLE “FIGHTERS” SET TO IMPACT
GOSPEL RADIO JAN 2017
Houston based recording artist Cheryl Fortune is set to embark on her solo recording career with the release of her Lucius B. Hoskins produced debut single “Fighters” set to impact gospel radio January 2017. “With this single I created an anthem for women that would offer A sense of hope, strength and boldness, states Cheryl.
Ms. Cheryl Fortune is widely known throughout the gospel music industry as a former member of GRAMMY-nominated and Stellar Award winning recording group James Fortune & FIYA. As the sound of the ensemble Cheryl lent backing vocal, co-writing and vocal production on projects such as, LIVE THROUGH IT (2014), GRACE GIFT (2012), IDENTITY (2012), ENCORE (2010) and TRANSFORMATION (2008). Cheryl contributed backing vocals on other artists projects including Kirk Franklin (Hello Fear), Shirley Caesar (Good God), Zacardi Cortez (The Introduction, Reloaded), Bishop T.D. Jakes (Sacred Love Songs, Vol 2) and Isaac Carree (Uncommon Me). She recorded a song “Running To You” (composed by Terence Vaughn) for the 2013 released compilation project KINGDOM MUSIC, VOL 1 (FIYA World/Light) among many other compilation projects as well. Most recently she toured with Kirk Franklin on the 20 Years In One Night World Tour.
As a songwriter Cheryl is most notable for co-writing the Billboard #1 smash hit single “I Trust You” which maintained that position for 28 consecutive weeks on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart. She also co-wrote the song “Hold On” which features Fred Hammond and R&B singer Monica. Additionally, Cheryl wrote the current single “God Held Me” (Lucius B. Hoskins) recorded by Zacardi Cortez.
A vocal prowess full of grace, style and poise, Cheryl is ready for her next chapter in life through song with the ability to speak and help battered and broken women about overcoming and surviving all types of abuse, form of cancer, or any challenge life has thrown ones way.
“I’m Good” Climbs Christian Hot AC/CHR Radio Chart
Thoughtful lyricist and hip hop recording artist, Tedashii, returns today with the release of a new music video for “I’m Good,” a song found on his latest 7-track EP This Time Around. “I’m Good” is enjoying early success at radio, currently No. 21 and climbing on the Christian Hot AC/CHR radio chart with over 340 spins to date in top markets including Tampa, Virginia Beach, Oklahoma City, Des Moines, and Springfield, MO.
“I’m Good” is a creative departure sonically for Tedashii who sings over an up-tempo guitar rhythm with newfound optimism. Shot at La Jolla Beach, Ocean Beach Pier and Sunset Cliffs in sunny San Diego, with brilliant driving scenes through Coronada, the video perfectly captures the essence of this vibey end-of-summer groove.
This Time Around follows the release of Below Paradise, the rapper’s fourth LP and a very personal account of the sometimes-harsh realities of this world, both the joy and the sorrow. Below Paradise debuted at No. 17 on the Billboard 200, and No. 1 and No.2 on the Top Gospel Albums and Rap Albums charts, respectively.
Tedashii is currently touring in support of This Time Around appearing as main support for Crowder’s American Prodigal Tour and on Winter Jam 2016 Tour Spectacular. For a full listing of tour dates and more information on Tedashii, be sure to visit Tedashii.com and follow him @Tedashii on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
About Tedashii: Tedashii is a Houston, TX native and a ReachRecords hip-hop recording artist. With his Billboard-charting releases, he has sold nearly 175,000 albums to date and is averaging over 16 Million monthly listens on YouTube. Tedashii is featured on Lecrae’s GRAMMY Award-winning album Gravity, has graced the stages of the GMA Dove Awards and KLOVE Awards, and his hit track “Dum Dum” appeared on the Fox TV Series So You Think You Can Dance. Tedashii also performed on the top-selling Winter Jam Spectacular Tour and is the host of his own show, Serium, powered by NGEN Radio. Tedashii currently resides in Atlanta, GA.
Texas Wholesale Furniture Co., based in Houston, Texas, is owned and operated by Prairie View A&M Alum, husband and wife team, Brandon and Naima Townsend. Their company works with 200 manufacturers nationwide, and specializes in wholesaling high-end residential and office furniture.
Houston based recording artist Cheryl Fortune is set to embark on her solo recording career with the release of her Lucius B. Hoskins produced debut single “Fighters” set to impact gospel radio January 2017. “With this single I created an anthem for women that would offer A sense of hope, strength and boldness, states Cheryl.
