NEXT LEVEL CONSULTING

Gloria Austin, Senior Consultant

Mrs. Gloria Reed Austin is the co-founder of the National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum located in Fort Worth, Texas. Founded February 1, 2001 with her husband James N. Austin, Jr., (Jim); and initially named the National Cowboys of Color Museum, the museum was renamed in August 2008 to more clearly communicate to the public its mission, value and purpose. The National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum houses exhibits and programs that document the role of African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians and Native Americans in settling the West, as well as the history of the Buffalo Soldiers and the Tuskegee Airmen. The museum offers free Youth Cultural History Workshops to the area school districts on Wednesdays and Thursdays, featuring historians and storytellers that help bring “history to life” for young students and educators as well. The goal of the workshops is to use the strength that early pioneers showed through their resiliency and creativity to overcome great hardships as examples of why building character and taking advantage of educational opportunities is equally as important as the youth face challenges in today’s world. The museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Having served seven (7) years on the City of Fort Worth City Plan Commission, Mrs. Reed Austin's, community endeavors have included board memberships on the Harris Methodist Health System Board of Trustees, Fort Worth Sister Cities International Board of Directors, Senior Citizen Services of Greater Tarrant County, Inc. Board of Directors, Texas Wesleyan University Board of Visitors, Camp Fire Boys and Girls - First Texas Council and the Arts Council of Fort Worth and Tarrant County. Awards and Recognition include Woman of Excellent Community Award, March 2017; Induction as honorary member in Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., in June 2010 and currently an active member in the Alpha Pi Sigma Fort Worth Alumnae Chapter; receiving the designation as a Woman Making a Powerful Difference Award bestowed by ABC Radio Networks and Clorox Pine-Sol, that featured Mrs. Reed Austin in the May 2008 issue of Essence Magazine; Mayor Mike Moncrief Believing In Youth Award Recipient - April 2005; Great Women of Texas 2001 Women of Influence Award Finalist presented by the Fort Worth Business Press; Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce, Women’s Division Eagle Award - Outstanding Non-Profit Organization of the Year - June 1999; National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc., Alpha Sigma Chapter – Eminent Citizen Award, Media Category - December 1999; YMCA Minority Achiever Award – 1996; and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram Player of the Week.

One of Mrs. Reed Austin’s proudest accomplishments was the establishment of the Renaissance Cultural Center Scholarship Program. The center donated over $450,000 to 251 youth graduating from high schools located within Tarrant County from 1995 to 2010. The scholarships were awarded at an annual banquet that featured nationally recognized speakers to provide inspiration to attendees (Susan Taylor, Ed Gordon, Steadman Graham, Clifton Davis, Rev. Frederick Haynes, III and U. S. Congressman Walter Fauntroy, to name a few). Recognition in the form of “Dr. Marion J. Brooks Living Legends” awards were also presented at the awards banquet to area citizens who dedicated their lives to community service.

When explaining her philosophy about fostering resiliency in young people she says, “I believe that if you help a young person develop a strong sense of self-worth, see the importance of having personal morals and values, and develop a sense of responsibility to the community, you have given them tools to deal with the ups and downs that life will invariably bring their way." Reed Austin’s commitment to young people is further demonstrated by her giving personal time and resources through countless hours of community service and volunteer efforts. Her humble response to the numerous community awards and recognitions she has received is, “We hope that through our example of giving back, our children will learn there is a purpose for their life other than self-gratification and there is a joy in helping others succeed that stands the test of time.” She is the proud mother of Tara C. Reed, Ph.D., an educator at Tarrant County College in Fort Worth, Texas.