TBLF’s Sports Empowerment

The Texas Relays are a vital and integral part of Texas sports. While the sports industry continues to flourish economically, it needs to develop more intentional strategies that will optimize leveraging the full value of diversity. In May 2022, a coalition of local community champions united to uplift students from underserved communities passionate about sports-related studies and preserve the rich legacy of Texans who have impacted the world of sports and invest in serving underserved communities

The Texas Black Legacy Foundation (TBLF) emerged from a series of collaborative conversations in fall 2022. TBLF’s mission is to empower deserving students from underserved communities with need-based scholarships tailored for those dedicated to sports-related studies or careers.  Beyond need-based scholarships, TBLF provides holistic wraparound support services through Community Partners, including wellness initiatives, job training, and financial literacy programs. Moreover, forging partnerships with Texas businesses and organizations opens doors to valuable internships, ensuring these students have an opportunity to explore and thrive in competitive careers related to the world of sports.

Vision – Honoring and Preserving the Legacy of Black Texans Involved in Athletics

Mission – Building Bridges for Future Generations

Community Goals

  • Offering scholarships to students from underserved communities pursuing athletics-related studies, opening doors to professional opportunities and careers in sports
  • Connecting students from underserved communities pursuing athletics-related studies to internships and support services such as financial literacy and wellness programs to empower them in the world of sports
  • Honoring the legacy of outstanding Black Texans who’ve championed serving underserved communities

TBLF Board Members

Darrell W. Pierce

Chair

Mr. Pierce has worked for IBM, Motorola, and the State of Texas. He currently serves as CEO of SNAP Management Group Inc. and is Vice Chair for the City of Austin Urban Renewal Board. Mr. Pierce’s civic commitment has also included serving as Board Member/Chair for the Austin Chamber of Commerce Education Task Force, Chair of the African American Chamber, Chair for Austin Ed Fund, Commissioner on the City of Austin’s Planning Commission, and Chairman of the Capital Improvement Committee. Respectively, as a Commissioner, he recommended changes to zoning to the Austin City Council, and as Chairman, he assisted city administrators with prioritizing improvement projects funded through general obligation and enterprise funds.

As the General Services Commission’s (GSC) Director of Executive Business Administration, Mr. Pierce directed the business management and procurement operations for each state agency, exceeding two billion dollars in annual acquisitions. Responsible for managing a twenty-million-dollar operation budget for eight departments (with over 200 employees) and developed Texas’s first statewide supplier diversity program.

Mr. Pierce has over 21 years of direct experience in providing consulting services with a focus on facilitation, executive coaching, organization optimization, strategic/action planning, streamlining and reengineering processes, establishing business controls, and establishing best practices. Mr. Pierce holds a degree in business management from St. Edwards University, is currently seeking a Master’s in leadership and ethics, and is a graduate of Leadership Austin.

CLIENT PARTNERS

An abbreviated list of SNAP’s client partners includes Austin Energy, Austin Commercial, Austin Independent School District, Texas Education Service Centers, Texas Department of Transportation, Child Inc., Central Health, Health and Human Services Commission, Texas Education Agency, Department of Health, City of Austin, Austin Energy, Legislative Budget Board, City of Fort Worth, Austin Police Department, Deloitte Consulting, MGT of America, Tiba Oncology, Travis County, Aids Organization Center, Aids Arms, and University of Texas Permian Basin.

PREVIOUS AWARDS

Texas Senate Proclamation for Community Leadership
Texas County Commissioners Proclamation for Youth Development
Texas House of Representatives Proclamation for Community Service
City of Austin Proclamation for Outstanding Service on the Planning Commission

Molly J. Rivera

 

Molly Jenean Rivera, a native of Monroe, Georgia is the Chief Operations Officer (COO) for iBridge Group. She has been with iBridge Group since 2009.

With a career spanning in the Electrical Power Industry, at Southern California Edison (SCE), the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), and within state government, Molly possesses over 20 years of experience in implementing and managing technological initiatives. Renowned for her expertise in Operations strategy and Project Management, he excels in managing and overseeing diverse business operations. One of Mrs. Rivera’s most significant accomplishments is being married to her husband, Richard, and raising three children.

They will be celebrating their twenty-four (24) years of marriage this August 2024. The youngest graduated this May and plans on studying for the LSAT to pursue law school in the fall of 2025. Alongside balancing work and raising a family, she is very active in her church. One of her milestone achievements is becoming the first member on both sides of her family to graduate from college; Indiana University, a D1 University. During her time at Indiana University, she was chosen by her peers as the captain of the distance team in her junior and senior years. Additionally, she earned accolades as an All-American in the 4x800m relay, 800m, and 1500m events, and clinched the indoor women’s national championship in 1990. Her illustrious track and field career extended to Olympic recognition in 1996, where she served as an alternate in the 1500m run. A little fun fact about Mrs.

Rivera, she is a PK (for those who know what that means…preacher kid) and you can always find her working out at F45 at 5:00 a.m.! Molly takes pride in her role on the Texas Association of State Systems for Computing and Communications (TASSCC) Advisory Board (TAB), her recognition as one of the Top 20 Newcomers for COO in the Austin Area in 2021, and her induction into the Track & Field Hall of Fame at Indiana University Bloomington, Indiana in 2015.

Additionally, she was selected for inclusion in the 76th Edition of the Marquis Who’s Who in 2023, an honor extended to only 600 applicants worldwide each year. She is on page 924: Distinguished Listees.

Gregory L. Smith

Treasurer

Gregory L. Smith is a lifelong resident of Austin, Texas, who has been involved with community development work for over thirty years.
Gregory managed the community development programs for nearly eighteen years with the City of Austin. During his tenure, he was responsible for the implementation of the East 11th and 12th Street Redevelopment Program, in addition to numerous development projects serving child care, youth, the homeless, the elderly, and low-income families; the preservation of historic resources; and the implementation of several small business development programs focused primarily in the East Austin community.

As President and CEO of the Austin Revitalization Authority (ARA), since 2009, Gregory has continued his community development work by carrying out ARA’s mission, which is “to engage in commercial, residential, and cultural development that promotes community well-being while respecting the people, institutions, and history of East Austin and other underserved communities.” ARA has been and continues to be instrumental in the redevelopment of the East 11th Street corridor, including owning and managing over 64,000 square feet of office and retail space on the corridor. ARA’s office is located in the historic restoration and two-story addition of the Herman Schieffer House, locally known as the East Room. Most recently, ARA has focused on affordable housing preservation in underserved communities.

Membership Organizations: City of Austin African-American Resource Advisory Commission, National Forum of Black Public Administrators, George Washington Carver Ambassadors, Austin Area Urban League Guild.

“One of my accomplishments was having the opportunity to play a meaningful role in the redevelopment of a neighborhood where I grew up. I enjoy spending time with my family, especially my five grandchildren, and, of course, playing a round of golf.” 

Natasha Livingston

 

Natasha Livingston is the Community Outreach Strategist with Prosperity Bank covering Houston& South-Central TX.

With over 20 years dedicated to Mortgage Banking and Real Estate Services, she has illustrated a solid course of leadership and expertise in the industry since 1997.

A Texas Native from the Houston Area, her passion to serve as a community champion inspires her “DO GREAT THINGS ON PURPOSE” mindset! The journey began two decades ago building a foundation through her work in diverse communities as a Real Estate Sales Professional with top Brokerage Firms, then moving into Mortgage Banking expanding Business Development/Account Management and Operations for Leading Financial Corporations such as, Bank of America and Citibank. Continuing to hone solid methods and leadership strategies by creating business value, team development, operations, maintaining relationships, establishing industry best practices that served the community.

Known for integrity, diplomacy, and sincerity, she utilizes her unique insight expanding development opportunities and identifying responsive, creative solutions. Leveraging her extensive industry knowledge, relationships, and mastery of Real Estate methodology, Natasha now serves as an invaluable resource to the community and her industry.
Governed by purpose driven strategies she intends to be a valuable resource to the community outreach team efforts and focus on leading the advancement and implementation of Prosperity Banks valued commitment to community outreach.

Her expertise in housing and development has supported the advancement of educational programming and analyzing strategic models that support enhanced minority homeownership opportunities. As a subject matter expert, she was requested to assist in providing key data and research to the US Congressional Finance Committee on the disparity of financing minority home loans.

Fully vested to community service and improvement she has held membership in multiple community organizations and industry affiliations such as NAACP-Housing Committee Member, Women’s Council of Realtors, Houston Association of Realtors, Texas Land Title Association, American Land Title Association, Jack & Jill of America, Inc. and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Natasha holds a B.A. in Communications, a M.A. in Strategic Organizational Communications, and a certification in Leading Workplace Diversity from Rice University School of Business.
She is an expert in cultural and strategic communications within organizational structures, workplace solutions and inclusive leadership methods.

Natasha is a dedicated mother dedicated to building meaningful relationships that meet the needs of the community.

TianEn Stephenson

 

TianEn Stephenson is a Design and Digital Products Senior Manager within Accenture Song. Based in Dallas, Texas, she serves as an expert in product management, strategy and execution. She brings over 12 years of delivery excellence, mobile engineering and testing experience. She also serves as the Strategic Advisor for the African American ERG, leading national strategy and programing for over 6,500 members within 36 chapters. TianEn is married to Dionta and has 4 sons (Maximus-11, Titus-8, Caius-3, and Emrys-8 months) and 1 dog, Layla. TianEn and her husband also serves the community with their youth sports organization, DFW Hawks for football, basketball and track.

TBLF Working Committee

TBLF Working Committees

TBLF is driven and supported by the following working committees:. 

  • Program & Community Partners
  • Finance & Fundraising
  • Honorees & Recognition
  • Scholarship Committee

Texas Black Legacy Foundation helps athletes

FOX 7 Austin’s Leslie Rangel spoke with a local Austin organization that’s making sure young athletes who end their sports careers at graduation continue in the sports industry as decision-makers and business leaders.

www.fox7austin.com