Isaiah's Story
One of Isaiah's earliest memories takes place in his family's living room in the budding suburb of Clear Lake City, located roughly 20 miles from Downtown Houston. Known by all as a curious child, Isaiah was known to look through objects that would not commonly fascinate kids at his age level. After looking at a newly published version of Forbes, he remarked to his father after glancing at the cover, "I wish I could be like Steve Jobs." Without a thought, Isaiah's dad said something that would shape him forever; "Why not you?" Those simple three words would be used as motivation to start a fire that would last forever.
I dont think he knew it at the time, but I would go back to that conversation almost every day. If they could do it, why not me?
Entrepreneurial Beginnings
Knowing his son's lust for success in business, Isaiah's father worked to create an atmosphere growing up that would help groom his son's business acumen. After seeing success after appointing him 11-year-old bookkeeper of the family's banquet hall business, Dr. Martin wanted to develop his son's entrepreneurial creativity. After a now 13-year-old Isaiah begged for the newly released iPad mini, Isaiah's father directed him, "if you want it, earn it."
Not knowing how to come up with the money, Isaiah went through and examined how exactly he could generate an income at 13. After noticing sweaty, dehydrated participants at a yoga class taking place at the family's event center, young "Zay" engineered a plan to sell frozen lemonade to the participants, while using his eight-year-old brother to pass out free samples. "Martin's Lemonade" went on to be a huge success generating enough profit not only to buy Isaiah an iPad but his brother one too!
Knowing his son's lust for success in business, Isaiah's father worked to create an atmosphere growing up that would help groom his son's business acumen. After seeing success after appointing him 11-year-old bookkeeper of the family's banquet hall business, Dr. Martin wanted to develop his son's entrepreneurial creativity. After a now 13-year-old Isaiah begged for the newly released iPad mini, Isaiah's father directed him, "if you want it, earn it."
Not knowing how to come up with the money, Isaiah went through and examined how exactly he could generate an income at 13. After noticing sweaty, dehydrated participants at a yoga class taking place at the family's event center, young "Zay" engineered a plan to sell frozen lemonade to the participants, while using his eight-year-old brother to pass out free samples. "Martin's Lemonade" went on to be a huge success generating enough profit not only to buy Isaiah an iPad but his brother one too!
Picking Up Steam
After developing a history of getting things done, Isaiah was selected to become chairman of the Houston Area UNCF Gala, an annual fundraiser that raises money for underprivileged youth African American high school kids to attend college. While serving as the first-ever two-year chairman, Isaiah's team was responsible for raising over $150,000 for the fund, breaking the record for any chairman to date.
After developing a history of getting things done, Isaiah was selected to become chairman of the Houston Area UNCF Gala, an annual fundraiser that raises money for underprivileged youth African American high school kids to attend college. While serving as the first-ever two-year chairman, Isaiah's team was responsible for raising over $150,000 for the fund, breaking the record for any chairman to date.
It was my experience with UNCF in which I learned how to manage a team. Through the organization, I learned the importance of team work to drive a winning culture.
"Mini Mark Cuban"
After leaving UNCF, Isaiah wanted to start his first major corporate venture while seeking to make a difference in his city. After a parent in a coffee shop complained about how her child sports team didn't value academics; Isaiah created Team Future Athletics, a youth basketball organization that strived to prove one idea: athletes can compete at the highest level of athletics while also competing at the highest level in the classroom. Team Future employed local school district administrators as well as former D1 basketball players to engineer a curriculum that would feature career planning, SAT/ACT prep, personalized subject tutors, as well as professional coaching, which would create a culture conducive for success. Isaiah's idea proved to be a reality; not only did the team have a 33-9 while capturing five major platinum division championships, but all players also maintained an A/B report card while seeing grade increases across the board. After receiving national media attention, Isaiah was dubbed "Mini Mark Cuban" by CBS after drawing comparison to Dallas Maverick's owner and Shark Tank star, Mark Cuban. Similar to Cuban and the Mavericks, Isaiah was the youngest owner and CEO of a club sports organization in history.
After leaving UNCF, Isaiah wanted to start his first major corporate venture while seeking to make a difference in his city. After a parent in a coffee shop complained about how her child sports team didn't value academics; Isaiah created Team Future Athletics, a youth basketball organization that strived to prove one idea: athletes can compete at the highest level of athletics while also competing at the highest level in the classroom. Team Future employed local school district administrators as well as former D1 basketball players to engineer a curriculum that would feature career planning, SAT/ACT prep, personalized subject tutors, as well as professional coaching, which would create a culture conducive for success. Isaiah's idea proved to be a reality; not only did the team have a 33-9 while capturing five major platinum division championships, but all players also maintained an A/B report card while seeing grade increases across the board. After receiving national media attention, Isaiah was dubbed "Mini Mark Cuban" by CBS after drawing comparison to Dallas Maverick's owner and Shark Tank star, Mark Cuban. Similar to Cuban and the Mavericks, Isaiah was the youngest owner and CEO of a club sports organization in history.
TF is where I realized, woah this is real. Looking back, I credit the organization for giving me the confidence I needed to grow as a person and further my career in business.
UH #ForTheStudents President
In March of 2020, Isaiah began his tenure as President of UH #ForTheStudents. Focused on a platform of increasing student services and community partnerships, Isaiah embraced the challenge of initiating change through the COVID-19 Pandemic.
During his administration, #FTS coordinated with University Admin, Mayor Sylvester Turner, and Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins to reimagine UH's early vote response resulting in the largest voter turnout in school history. To build further, #FTS teamed up with State Senator Borris Miles to transform the university's 40,000 seat football stadium as an election day polling site.
After seeing multihour food distribution lines for thanksgiving, Martin and #FTS teamed up with Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, and seven other University SGA's to launch a Texas-Sized Christmas. The event garnered national attention with donations of over 40,000 meals for families facing seasonal food insecurity.
Discontent with the lack of urgency from college students to receive doses of the COVID vaccine, Martin and #FTS again teamed up with Mayor Turner and Congresswoman Jackson Lee to launch the "Take Your Best Shot" campaign. The student leader vaccination panel and competition between UH, TXSU, and St. Thomas University is committed to increasing student confidence in the vaccine and increasing its accessibility for all.
Fulfilling a year-long promise, Martin #FTS teamed up with UH, Harris County DA Kim Ogg, and Texas FNE to author the "Full Support Program." Designed to emphasize survivor support, the program ensures that every UH student has access to a free sexual assault examination, free survivor counseling, and legal and academic support. This public/partnership is the first of its kind in Texas and makes UH a leader against Sexual assault.
Throughout his tenure, Martin has sought change through improving university services while also putting UH in a position to serve its community. As his term comes to an end, Martin seeks to leave a legacy that will follow the next generation of #ForTheStudents leaders for years to come.
In March of 2020, Isaiah began his tenure as President of UH #ForTheStudents. Focused on a platform of increasing student services and community partnerships, Isaiah embraced the challenge of initiating change through the COVID-19 Pandemic.
During his administration, #FTS coordinated with University Admin, Mayor Sylvester Turner, and Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins to reimagine UH's early vote response resulting in the largest voter turnout in school history. To build further, #FTS teamed up with State Senator Borris Miles to transform the university's 40,000 seat football stadium as an election day polling site.
After seeing multihour food distribution lines for thanksgiving, Martin and #FTS teamed up with Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, and seven other University SGA's to launch a Texas-Sized Christmas. The event garnered national attention with donations of over 40,000 meals for families facing seasonal food insecurity.
Discontent with the lack of urgency from college students to receive doses of the COVID vaccine, Martin and #FTS again teamed up with Mayor Turner and Congresswoman Jackson Lee to launch the "Take Your Best Shot" campaign. The student leader vaccination panel and competition between UH, TXSU, and St. Thomas University is committed to increasing student confidence in the vaccine and increasing its accessibility for all.
Fulfilling a year-long promise, Martin #FTS teamed up with UH, Harris County DA Kim Ogg, and Texas FNE to author the "Full Support Program." Designed to emphasize survivor support, the program ensures that every UH student has access to a free sexual assault examination, free survivor counseling, and legal and academic support. This public/partnership is the first of its kind in Texas and makes UH a leader against Sexual assault.
Throughout his tenure, Martin has sought change through improving university services while also putting UH in a position to serve its community. As his term comes to an end, Martin seeks to leave a legacy that will follow the next generation of #ForTheStudents leaders for years to come.
Attending the University of Houston has afforded me opportunities that I would never have imagined. As time goes on, it is my hope that we continue to improve the lives of not only university students but also our neighbors in the surrounding community. As the largest Univesity in the city of Houston, we have a duty to be a brand that works for everyone.
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