Amid the devastation of Hurricane Harvey, national motivational speaker, Robert Jackson, joined the students, staff and families of Houston Can Academy to share messages of self-empowerment and taking control of personal circumstances.

Amid Hurricane Harvey, the wettest tropical hurricane on record in the contiguous United States, resulting floods inundated hundreds of thousands of homes and displaced more than 30,000 people in the Houston area. While the school was closed, Houston Can Academy did their best to encourage their students and staff to carry on and remain positive about their education and futures.

Jackson spoke about how your choices, rather than your color, will define your future. He explained to the teenagers that the only place that allows success to come before work is in the dictionary and encouraged them to keep their heads high and work hard for their future success. When discussing the hurricane devastation that affected many of the students and their families, Jackson explained that the root of anger is fear, frustration and pain; and not to let their frustration have power over their goals to finish their high school education and continue with their dreams.

It is Houston Can Academy’s mission to provide every student the opportunity to pursue their dreams while removing barriers that keep them from attaining their education. From day care services to clothes, eyeglasses, or other basic human needs, Houston Can provides solutions for students. Houston Can Academy is part of Texans Can Academies’ network of 13 high schools of choice across Texas that are tuition-free, open enrollment schools, welcoming students from all walks of life.

National consultant, speaker and author, Robert Jackson, has a goal to make a bigger impact on education. He stepped out of the classroom after being a teacher to go on the road to conduct professional development workshops and speaking engagements nationally for educators, parents and students. He remains deeply rooted in his commitment to serve his community, especially on issues facing African-American and Latino Students.