Community involvement is extremely important to me. My passions are education and cancer research. Below, you'll find some of the organizations that I actively support. I encourage you to read up on them, then get to know how you can help out in your respective community! 

I believe the solution to almost every problem facing our nation begins with education. And there are many opportunities to help support those that have taken the charge to educate our youth. 

One such group is YES Prep, a public charter school system based in Houston that serves grades 6 through 12. YES Prep is not only committed to graduating students from high school, but also in making sure they graduate from college.

Here are some facts about YES Prep students. 

• 90% of YES Prep students are first-generation college bound
• 80% of YES Prep students are economically disadvantaged
• 95% of YES Prep students are Hispanic or African American
• Most students enter YES Prep at least one grade level behind in Math and Reading

For more information, please check out the YES Prep website by clicking the logo below.

In December of 2011, after a 4-year battle with cancer, brother, husband, son, and friend Joe Somerlott passed away. As a pebble cast into water creates ripples that extend far beyond its own stature, Joe's life had a profound effect on those that surrounded him, likely beyond what he could have imagined.

Though I wouldn't say Joe and I were the best of friends- we lost touch through the years, as people do- the news of his passing created a strong stirring within me and compelled me to express my thoughts and feelings in a song. His life, and battle to preserve that life, continue to inspire me to do a better job of living my own life.

Thanks to the good people at Rampart Recordings, I was able to record this song, "Joe", that I am proud to share with you now.

This is a free download. Instead of a traditional pay-for-download exchange, I would like to ask you to make a donation to the below link before downloading. The amount is entirely up to you, but I can assure you that 100% of every donation will go to Joe's Memorial Fund, to help his family cover related medical expenses incurred, or The Somerlott Project. Again, 100% of your donation will go to support this cause. 

For additional information about The Somerlott Project and the life of Joe Somerlott, please vist this link.

Thank you for your time and supporting this worthy cause.

Sincerely,
Brant