S.H.A.P.E. COMMUNITY CENTER
In 1969, S.H.A.P.E. (Self-Help for African People through Education) Community Center was founded. DeLoyd T. Parker Jr., Co-Founder and Executive Director for over 36 years, worked in the Ujamaa Villages of East Africa and traveled to many countries in the eastern part of Africa spreading S.H.A.P.E.'s philosophy. The S.H.A.P.E. Community Center has become recognized as one of the most visible and involved community centers in the Greater Houston Community and the state of Texas as well as both nationally and internationally. Subsequently, the center has led the way toward justice, equal opportunity and human rights by helping to organize the Million Man March, the Million Family March and the Millions More Movement in Washington, D.C.
Because of its deep commitment to the community, human rights and the strengthening of the family, S.H.A.P.E. has actively sought ways to oppose injustice and to improve the community for all people. S.H.A.P.E. has also played leadership roles regarding numerous issues of injustice over the years, including nationally recognized cases such as those of Clarence Brandley, Ida Delaney and Byron Gillum, that were catalysts for the implementation of a police Civilian Review Committee (CRC).
Initially, this class project's theme was solely focused on the S.H.A.P.E. Community Center. However, during the research portion regarding the Center's People United Against Police Brutality, it was discovered that there were many instances of civil rights injustices in the city of Houston. Many were addressed by the S.H.A.P.E. Community Center, but there were other incidents that preceded its founding that needed to be included within this website.
Because of its deep commitment to the community, human rights and the strengthening of the family, S.H.A.P.E. has actively sought ways to oppose injustice and to improve the community for all people. S.H.A.P.E. has also played leadership roles regarding numerous issues of injustice over the years, including nationally recognized cases such as those of Clarence Brandley, Ida Delaney and Byron Gillum, that were catalysts for the implementation of a police Civilian Review Committee (CRC).
Initially, this class project's theme was solely focused on the S.H.A.P.E. Community Center. However, during the research portion regarding the Center's People United Against Police Brutality, it was discovered that there were many instances of civil rights injustices in the city of Houston. Many were addressed by the S.H.A.P.E. Community Center, but there were other incidents that preceded its founding that needed to be included within this website.