Black History Month - VIA Metropolitan Transit

VIA celebrates Black History Month 2022

Black History Month is a time to recognize the achievements of Black Americans and reflect on their central role in our shared history. VIA honors Black History Month because we value diversity, equity, and inclusion. Fostering equitable environments and inclusive practices that celebrate diversity keeps us moving forward, together.

VIA In the Community

We celebrate the contributions of all Black Americans who have made an impact in the community and in our organization. Today, and every day, we thank the VIA team members whose dedication to our mission—to connect our community—goes well beyond their role at VIA. Get to know four inspiring VIA employees and learn about their commitment to serve.

TREMELL BROWN

VIA Vice President of Safety, Training and System Security
Member of the San Antonio Zulu Association

Tremell Brown began his career at VIA as a bus operator in 1990 and worked to become Vice President of Safety, Training and System Security, a position he’s held for the past six years.

.
Brown is proud to champion causes that support people of color, both professionally and through his volunteer efforts with community organizations like the San Antonio Zulu Association. The SAZU is a nonprofit founded with the mission to assist the greater San Antonio community. It raises money for youth programs and scholarships with its signature “Taste of New Orleans” event held each year during Fiesta. The all-volunteer organization also provides for numerous philanthropic outreach programs that advocate community service.

Organizations like the SAZU exemplify VIA’s mission to connect the community. Brown points out a direct correlation between the two.

“At VIA we serve the community each and every day,” he said. “Being blessed with the opportunity to also serve the community in my personal life through various organizations galvanizes the importance of servant leadership.”

In his role as Marketing Chairman for the San Antonio Zulu Association, Brown is charged with being the megaphone in achieving its goals, which include providing college scholarships and development opportunities for emerging leaders in the San Antonio area.

Brown says it is vital to stay connected and attentive to the challenges and experiences that exist, as well as being available to listen closely for opportunities to better understand and help others.

“I view community service and involvement as a civic responsibility,” Brown said. “As a member of multiple philanthropic organizations, working hard to continuously create and elevate the opportunities that motivate others to reach greater potential and achievement is vital.”

He adds that while Black History Month is an opportunity to celebrate, achievements and milestones should be recognized every month of the year.

“Encouraging and reminding members of the community to not only continue to dream bigger more often, but to also set bigger goals and then execute them well, will result in greater expectations to regularly reach greater accomplishments.”

LOUIS HOWARD

VIA Bus Operator
Youth Boxing Coach

To be a VIA bus operator, one has to be focused and strong. And they have to care about the community we serve. Louis Howard’s life before signing on to be a VIA driver in 2011, prepared him well for the job.

BONNIE PROSSER ELDER

VIA Senior Vice President Legal/General Counsel
2019 San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame Inductee

Bonnie Prosser Elder has been a leader in transportation and community service in San Antonio for more than 25 years, serving numerous organizations and multiple boards with a focus on issues of interest to persons of color and other minorities.

.
Bonnie Prosser Elder has been a leader in transportation and community service in San Antonio for more than 25 years, serving numerous organizations and multiple boards with a focus on issues of interest to persons of color and other minorities.

The list of organization’s that count her as an esteemed member or patron is long and reflects her deep ties to the community and legal profession. They include the San Antonio Bar Association, San Antonio Black Lawyer’s Association, Texas Young Lawyers Association, San Antonio Young Lawyers Association, San Antonio Young Lawyers Association Bill of Rights Teaching Program, Leadership San Antonio, Governor’s Commission for Women, San Antonio Sports Foundation and Jack and Jill of America, Inc. She is an active member of San Antonio Chapter-LINKS, Inc., Junior League of San Antonio, Texas Women’s Forum, and the American Public Transit Association Legal Affairs Committee. She is a role model and mentor to women and young girls, has been recognized by Who’s Who in San Antonio, awarded the 2014 Friend of Sam Houston High School Community Award, identified by the National Diversity Council as one of the “Most Powerful and Influential Women of Texas,” selected as a Blackbook San Antonio awardee, and inducted into the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame in 2019.

Each association represents countless hours and resources invested in the community. And though she can claim many accolades for her work, Prosser Elder remains an example of a servant-leader.

“Giving back to the community is the rent you pay for the opportunity to live and participate in society,” Prosser Elder, VIA’s Senior Vice President of Legal and General Counsel, said. “But community service is not a Black History Month issue, it is an American issue we should all embrace 24/7, 365 days a year.”

Black History Month is an opportunity to focus on the experiences and contributions of Black and African American people as part of our shared American history.

“It is so much more than slavery, Rosa Parks, and Martin Luther King,” Prosser Elder said. “We should know and learn about the many other important figures in American history such as Katherine Johnson, Thurgood Marshall, Carole Anderson, Barbara Jordan, Claudette Colvin, Emmett Till and so many more.”

TAMMY SIMS

VIA Bus Operator
President of Amalgamated Transit Union Black Caucus

Tammy Sims says she can’t remember a time when she wasn’t serving. The retired airline attendant starting driving a bus at VIA 10 years ago and has used it as a platform to give back to the community.

Honoring Rosa Parks

On February 17, 2022, VIA partnered with the with the San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum (SAAACAM) to celebrate Black History Month with an event to commemorate Rosa Parks, who would have been 109 this year.

The event was designed to educate, inspire, and engage the community in a conversation about diversity, inclusion, and service.
VIA began the tradition of celebrating Mrs. Parks’ birthday in 2019 and is excited to return to an in-person celebration with a new partner in honoring Parks.

The event was marked by a special performance by actress/storyteller Jean Donatto as Rosa Parks and the Reverend Dr. Lemelle Taylor, Pastor of Butler African Methodist Episcopal Church of San Antonio.

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

CLICK TO WATCH VIDEO

Image: VIA cares - Connecting our Community

VIA Cares Service Day (Rescheduled)

VIA Cares, VIA’s employee volunteer program, partnered with the City of San Antonio’s Parks & Recreation Department for a service day dedicated to beautification of Fairchild Park in the city’s historic East Side. Due to inclement weather, the VIA Cares Service Day was rescheduled to April.

About Fairchild Park

Fairchild Park in Dignowity Hil is named for Euretta K. Fairchild, a longtime YWCA Director and a founding member of the Alamo City Black Chamber of Commerce — the only woman on the founding board in 1938.