Why should you attend

AAYHF’s Annual

 “Changing the Story” Gala & Legacy Awards Event…

AAYHF Legacy Award Honorees and Friends of AAYHF believe it is important to attend this year’s annual Gala with Keynote Speaker Martin Luther King III because it is an opportunity to support a vital organization that is making a difference in the lives of young people, and to hear from an iconic figure in the fight for civil rights and social justice.

The African American Youth Harvest Foundation (AAYHF) is a nonprofit organization that provides educational and social support programs to youth in the Austin, Texas area. AAYHF’s programs help young people to succeed in school, develop their talents, and become engaged leaders in their communities.

Click on each of their individual’s YouTube interview below to hear their perspective:

AAYHF “Changing the Story”

Gala & Legacy Awards Honorees

PSA’s

Martin Luther King III

https://youtu.be/h3Z9XR7z9Mk?si=3Y7HA4QGVoqdmCgV

State NAACP President – Mr. Gary Bledsoe

https://youtu.be/8_EkwyJEH9Y?si=2pQb_rxKq_MTTJcK

Austin NAACP President – Nelson Linder

https://youtu.be/IQ7T6rBU1J4?si=xJ8PX7htgAhnyoAj

Mr. Carl Hunter – CEO – Building Promises

https://youtu.be/VZ-xGyZTBbE?si=OR5dXN2jKYRsYwz5

Elaine Lofton – AAYHF Chief Program Officer

https://youtu.be/qjqN-q02ueY?si=UXPIHkUwj1kbwZUR

Phyllis Everette – Founder & CEO Saffron Trust Women’s Foundation

https://youtu.be/6l_YJ3W4fuo?si=SR1A8wgPkQ0huhzT

Ebonie Trice – Founder & CEO Mission Accomplished

https://youtu.be/aGxbCOgWrGE?si=IBxwN3wTQ8Pn87Md

Sabine “Bini” Coleman – Founder & CEO 212 Catalysts

https://youtu.be/tghUyyRhUos?si=Ee4cOgZq-FsQu7VX

Dr. Joyce James – President & CEO – Joyce James Consulting

https://youtu.be/ICdcpkH5pH4?si=ykdnh5Vrp-NMnr-T

Dexter Brown – Vice President – Dell Technologies

https://youtu.be/5hpfEQQ44CE?si=g3fBhQalnd9XSYZu

Pastor Joseph C. Parker, Jr. – Senior Pastor, David Chapel Missionary Baptist Church

https://youtu.be/dRye047uNNA?si=-dW_IPOaxQz4V7Ub

DeAndre Wheeler – Senior Program Coordinator – AAYHF

https://youtu.be/O-qKafTmeOg?si=tI80L8NeJzuWfxeP

Twaski Simmons – Founder, D’Affluenza Trauma Coaching & Training Center

https://youtu.be/yGZ3_qY2fPs?si=6jJNQf4vglanT-la

Peter Daniels – Co-Founder, Therapy Works ATX

https://youtu.be/1K9MnpTyDHA?si=QOdUudk3ROppSA6z

Shuronda Robinson – CEO Austin Women’s Magazine

https://youtu.be/y359ZAOqa6k?si=QJm-T9ujYlUzPmnO

Carl S. Richie – Attorney at Law

https://youtu.be/Bm2DvtEjiv4?si=bwHaqtjX61VCH6Es

Harish Kotecha – Founder Hindu Charities for America

https://youtu.be/1vcq0NM2YG4?si=SxjEuiG-ZYtqO2xw

Reverend Mary Keenan – Associate Director, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

https://youtu.be/gW9sUsbp_U0?si=i8r2dTM0esjFaojI

Sheri Marshall Jackson, President Top Ladies of Distinction Capital City Chapter/CEO Best Choice Notary Academy/Umoveit-Wecleanit Commerical Janitorial

https://youtu.be/t5mF8gfBbFI?si=0n2padga-l3kxllB

Bill Wallace – Director, Tomorrow’s Promise Foundation

https://youtu.be/5qLY_k3i6mw?si=eHH5fM3YoeMLktdc

Chas Moore – Founder & Co-Executive Director,

Austin Justice Coalition

https://youtu.be/SsBxG4wlsvs?si=wC35rJQCulHLZGxu

Rev. Roy F. Jones, II – Senior Pastor New Hope Missionary Baptist Church

https://youtu.be/S0bQd6mJ0VQ?si=Bk2-CcSCp6vC_FqX

Honorable Ron Reynolds – Texas House of Representatives

https://youtu.be/Wt_alEjJsVU?si=Zv6DnEbwnZkLaBYn

Karen Lynne Duffie – AAYHF Social Media Outreach Coordinator/Life Coach/Author

https://youtu.be/Svo1Y57aHgg?si=x_nloyWOgFXePW4t

Corey Hopkins – AAYHF Host & Producer

https://youtu.be/VM8R8BwiwHI?si=fvpFwEwl4fTFFXpf

*Gala Weekend Itinerary Update*

*SPONSORSHIP TABLES AVAILABLE*

Martin Luther King, III,

will be the Keynote Speaker at the African American Youth Harvest Foundation Annual Gala, Saturday, October 28. In addition, he will be present for a VIP Brunch and Statewide Youth Summit.

WEEKEND ITINERARY

Friday, October 27

9am-11am

Tour of AAYHF Facilities &

Youth Resource Center

Location: AAYHF, 6633 Hwy 290 E.,

Suite #307, Austin, TX 78723

Friday, October 27

11:30am-2pm

VIP Brunch w/MLK III & Panel Discussion (Invitation Only)

Location: Impact Hub,

5540 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78756

~

Saturday, October 28

Statewide Youth Summit

Registration Required

Email us: contactus@aayhf.org

9am-1pm

Location: AISD Performing Arts Center, 1500 Barbara Jordan Blvd.,

Austin, TX 78723

*Seeking Sponsorship

Saturday, October 28

“Changing the Story” Annual Gala

6pm-7pm – Reception

7pm-10pm – Formal Dinner & Legacy Awards Event

Location: Fairmont Austin Hotel,

101 Red River Street, Austin, TX 78701

For Sponsorship and Special Event inquires contact Michael Lofton: MRLOFTON@AAYHF.ORG

Reserve Your Seat Here

AAYHF would like to thank AISD for the utilization of the AISD Performing Arts Center, which will be the venue for the

Statewide Youth Summit.

AAYHF also would like to thank the IMPACT HUB for the use of their facility where the AAYHF MLK III – VIP Brunch will be hosted.

We hope you will consider attending the AAYHF Annual Gala on October 28, 2023. It is a great opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young people in Austin and to celebrate local Honorees that are making a difference in our community.

• You will have the opportunity to hear from Martin Luther King III, a powerful advocate for social justice.
• You will be supporting the work of AAYHF, which is dedicated to helping youth succeed.
• You will be part of a special evening that will celebrate the achievements of local Honorees.

Tickets are selling fast for the AAYHF Annual “Changing the Story” Gala & Legacy Awards.

Secure your table/tickets today!

This will be a

Formal Attire Dinner Event.

Purchase Gala Tickets Here!

REGISTER FOR THE STATEWIDE YOUTH SUMMIT HERE–IT’S FREE!

Last Week with AAYHF!

Tuesday, October 17, 2023 – AAYHF Queens2Be (Q2B) Mentoring Program

was an exciting night of fun as well as learning, working with the Health Care Careers Academy team on how to administer CPR, draw blood, and check blood pressure. Our young ladies got to experience first-hand what it would be like and what it takes to save a life.

Thank you again to the Health Care Careers Academy Team!!

Michael Lofton always participates with the youth!

“ Mr. Lofton loves the kids.”

Check him out in the video below during a CPR demonstration…

On the same evening, our Boys2Men (B2M) Mentoring Program was held with more guidance from Mentors and Facilitators who really care about the development and success of our young men.

On October 19, AAYHF hosted a soft opening for the Harvest Trauma Recovery Center .

“Austin will soon be home to Texas’ first trauma recovery center, a community space offering mental health treatment and community interventions related to violent crime, run through the African American Youth Harvest Foundation.”

Read the full article here:

Austin nonprofit readies to launch Texas’ first trauma recovery center | Community Impact

Getting ready for the Gala…

With the gala only days away A AYHF volunteers attended a training and orientation in anticipation of the fast-approaching weekend of events starting Friday, October 27 through Saturday, October 28!

THANK YOU TO OUR AMAZING VOLUNTEERS!

Saturday, October 21: AAYHF attended the Wheless Lane Church of Christ Community Fun Day of Events!

At another event on Saturday, October 21 – AAYHF Team Members, Karon Moore and Sharon Mathis set up an information table at Hope Fest 2023!

Oct 9 – Oct 15 w/ AAYHF!

Michael & Elaine Lofton were both honored with the 2023 NAACP Visionary Award during the 86th Annual NAACP State Conference, October 12-14, 2023, Pflugerville, Texas.

Congratulations to both of them for a well-deserved acknowledgement!

Photographed below: Michael Lofton, Gary Bledsoe, President Texas NAACP, and Elaine Lofton

Photographed below: NAACP National President & CEO, Derrick Johnson & Michael Lofton, Founder & CEO, African American Youth Harvest Foundation (AAYHF)

Photographed below with Michael Lofton, actor, Mechad Brooks and Honorable Ron Reynolds, Texas House of Representatives

Photographed below: Derrick Johnson, Elaine Lofton, Gary Bledsoe, Michael Lofton and Alberta Bledsoe

Photographed below: Charles O’Neal, President, Texas Black Chamber, Elaine Lofton, Michael Lofton and Nelson Linder, Austin NAACP President

Also, on Saturday, October 14, 2023

Michael Lofton received the

2023 Community Award at the 85th Alpha Kappa Alpha Beta Psi Omega Chapter Event!

CONGRATULATIONS Mr. Lofton!!

Sunday, October 15

Corinth Missionary Baptist Church supports the African American Youth Harvest Foundation!

Michael Lofton & AAYHF Team Members, Corey Hopkins and GeNell Gary met with Honorable Ron Reynolds, Texas House of Representatives and Legacy Award Honoree to talk about the upcoming Gala and to record his YouTube PSA. (video can be accessed above in the Honoree video library).

Thank you to A+ Federal Credit Union for their day of service with AAYHF!

Queens to Be/Q2B and Boys2Men/B2M are weekly scheduled AAYHF mentoring programs held onsite every Tuesday. Our mentoring programs are year-round and free for youth participants.

For more information email us at contactus@aayhf.org

AAYHF weekly Boys2Men and Queens2Be Mentoring Program

Saturday, October 14:

Youth Leadership Institute Monthly Session – Led by AKA

Saturday, October 14: The African American Youth Harvest Foundation participated in Hispanic Heritage Month Festivities at the Manor Tech Center and Austin Achieve.

AAYHF with Community Partners!

Saturday, October 7, 2023

Michael & Elaine Lofton attended Hindu Charities for America (HC4A) dba Education Careers for America Annual Scholarship Fundraiser Gala.

HC4A provide and support AAYHF with scholarships in Cybersecurity and we are seeking to expand to other scholarship opportunities.

Michael Lofton, Founder & CEO, AAYHF, was on the panel speaking of the benefit and also spoke about the impact of the scholarships.

See for yourself the excitement that takes place in our Mentoring Programs and around the Offices of the Harvest Foundation!

Open the YouTube video links below to learn more about the vision and mission Michael Lofton, Founder & CEO, and the AAYHF Team have for young people and the community!

AAYHF VIDEO LIBRARY

Youth Leadership Institute w/Alpha Kappa Alpha Incorporated Beta Psi Omega Chapter Video

AAYHF Annual Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway Video!

Cap Metro & Harvest Foundation Trauma Recovery Center Video!

Michael Lofton speaks during a Youth Mentoring Session Video!

Mentoring Groups Physical and Nutrition Fitness Day Video!

Dr. Charles Urdy Golf Tournament

AAYHF COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND SUPPORT

We appreciate the support of Cadence Bank Foundation! Thank you, Mr. Rogers, for visiting AAYHF on September 26, 2023!

Thank you to our friends at The Brewtorium Brewery & Kitchen (Austin, TX) for their ongoing support!

“Delighted to connect Michael Lofton, CEO of  African American Youth Harvest Foundation  with  TCSOA (Travis County Sheriff’s Officers Association)  leadership. I’m grateful that The Association presented a check to support AAYHF youth programs.”

—Commissioner Ann Howard – at  Travis County, Texas – Government .

Thanks to Jack n Jill Austin Chapter for supporting AAYHF!

Thank you to A+ Federal Credit Union for their generous support of AAYHF families and programs!

Empower Your Legacy: Donate $1500 or More and Receive a $600 Estate Planning Package!

At Thiru’s VFS ( https://valuefinserve.com/vfs-for-hc4a ), we are committed to supporting impactful organizations that uplift our community. That’s why we’re excited to introduce an exclusive opportunity for donors who contribute $1500 or more to the African American Youth Harvest Foundation at  https://aayhf.org/donate/ , a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering African American youth and their families.

Your generous donation not only transforms lives but also secures your own legacy. As a token of our appreciation, we’re offering you a comprehensive Estate Planning Package valued at $600—completely free.

Congratulations AAYHF on the Nomination!

Become a

Wheatsville Food Co-op Owner and become eligible to cast your vote for the African American Youth Harvest Foundation to win the

2024 Community Action Award

in the November election!

Find out more about Wheatsville and their all-natural grocery store here in Austin as well as membership information (read more below) or

click here>>> Learn More Here!

STEM & Mentoring

STEM, Technology, 3-D Printing, Gaming & Coding and more is offered at no charge for youth ages kindergarten through 12th grade inside of the Dell Tech Lounge.

STEM workshops are one of the continuous programs that AAYHF offers for young people.

What is STEM? STEM consists of the natural sciences, technology-related, engineering and math fields.

For more info: contactus@aayhf.org

MORE AAYHF PROGRAMS

Scan the QR Code or email us at: contactus@aayhf.org

Happening in Austin!

RAIN TO WATER

TAKE THE SURVEY – $50 gift card HERE: 

https://tinyurl.com/rainaustin

Health & Vaccine Care

Food Pantry Info

African American Youth Harvest Foundation

www.aayhf.org

6633 Hwy 290 E., #307

Austin, TX 78723

512-428-4480

Email:  CONTACTUS@AAYHF.ORG

Michael Lofton, Founder & CEO

WAYS TO DONATE:

www.aayhf.org/donate

Text a Donation: Text the word

CHANGE to 77948