Founder spreads message of love, self-respect

About 25 years ago, Tammie Lang Campbell was reading the fairytale of Snow White to her young daughter when she noticed an important message tucked in the happy ending—love, family and the importance of feeling good about yourself—that she wanted to share with all children.

In 1990, Campbell wrote "Honey Brown in Search of Her Identity," which became the first of a series of children's books Campbell wrote to help kids with their self-esteem. She established The Honey Brown Hope Foundation the following year to emphasize the importance of recognizing inner beauty and God-given talent to her daughter and other young children like her.

"I feel it is an answer to a particular area that was not being addressed: young African American men and women who were not feeling good with who they are and their inner beauty and worth," Campbell said. "This also affects how they do in school and how they treat their environment and how they interact with others. The initiatives of the foundation were things I was teaching my own children."

Campbell said she often returns to the simplicity of the Honey Brown story to teach younger students about the importance of strong character and high self-esteem in everyday life.

"I always tell students, especially the younger ones, that Honey Brown can be whoever you want her to be, anyone that makes sense to them with their background," Campbell said. "The important thing is that they understand, through her, how to better themselves and excel."

Campbell's books, along with her ideas to encourage young people, have bloomed into a nationally recognized foundation that champions education, civil rights, literacy, writing, respect for self and others, and environmental stewardship. The organization also works with schools and parents through different programs, services and volunteer opportunities.

The Honey Brown Hope Foundation launched a new 365-day initiative in late January called "We Love America Healthy, Clean and Green," which—in partnership with the City of Houston Waste Management—will encourage and teach young people to practice recycling and environmental awareness.

The foundation is rooted in the story of Honey Brown and in Campbell's deep faith and vision for a better future for America's youth, said Campbell's daughter, Shar-day, who works as the marketing communications specialist for the foundation.

The foundation helps with several community events. In 2013, the foundation put on "Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You: A Tribute to John F. Kennedy," including a food drive for Missouri City's "Operation Thanksgiving" initiative.