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Houston Texans’ Brandon Codrington Returns Home to Inspire Young Athletes at Free Youth Football Camp

THE CAROLINIAN — Houston Texans defensive back Brandon Codrington hosted his second annual Free Youth Football Camp at Broughton High School in Raleigh, N.C., on June 20. Hundreds of young athletes participated in drills, competition, and instruction from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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2 months ago

July 2, 2026

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Houston Texans’ Brandon Codrington Returns Home to Inspire Young Athletes at Free Youth Football Camp

RALEIGH, N.C. — Hundreds of young athletes filled the fields at Broughton High School on June 20, eager to sharpen their football skills under the guidance of someone who once stood exactly where they are today.

Houston Texans defensive back Brandon Codrington returned to his former high school to host his second annual Free Youth Football Camp, providing local youth with an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of the game while receiving mentorship from a player who turned perseverance into a professional football career.

Held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the camp welcomed children of various ages for a day of drills, competition and instruction. Alongside fellow coaches and volunteers, Codrington worked directly with participants, teaching techniques and valuable lessons that extended beyond the football field.

Throughout the camp, young athletes rotated through stations designed to improve speed, agility and football fundamentals. Cones were arranged across the field for footwork drills, while coaches led one-on-one instruction and group training sessions. Participants remained engaged throughout the day, enthusiastically embracing every challenge and opportunity to improve.

The camp atmosphere balanced hard work and fun. Young athletes pushed themselves through drills and competitions before gathering for pizza provided by camp organizers. At the conclusion of the event, participants were recognized for their efforts with mini trophies celebrating their achievements.

Among the awards presented was “The Best Energy Award,” recognizing athletes who consistently brought enthusiasm and positivity throughout the day. The recognition highlighted one of the camp’s core messages: effort and attitude matter just as much as talent.

For many parents in attendance, the camp represented more than an opportunity for football instruction. It was a chance for their children to learn from someone who overcame obstacles and achieved success through dedication and perseverance.

Codrington’s story serves as an example of what can be accomplished through hard work and belief in oneself.

A graduate of Broughton High School, Codrington’s path to professional football was far from guaranteed. Despite his talent, he did not receive significant recruiting attention coming out of high school. Rather than allowing that setback to define his future, he chose to bet on himself.

Codrington walked on at North Carolina Central University, determined to earn an opportunity. His commitment paid off when he received a full scholarship during his second year with the Eagles.

His success continued to grow throughout his collegiate career. During his time at NCCU, Codrington helped lead the Eagles to an HBCU national championship and established himself as one of the nation’s top players. He finished his collegiate career as a four-time FCS and HBCU All-American, earning recognition as one of the most accomplished players in program history.

Although he was not selected in the NFL Draft, Codrington continued to trust the process. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the New York Jets before eventually joining the Buffalo Bills, where he spent two seasons. He is now a member of the Houston Texans.

Throughout the camp, Codrington shared lessons from his own journey, encouraging participants to believe in their potential regardless of the obstacles they may face.

“Chase your dreams. Do not let anyone put their fears and limitations on you,” Codrington told the young athletes.

He also emphasized the importance of consistent growth and development, reminding campers that success is often built through small improvements over time.

“Every day you got to get better 1%,” he said.

That message resonated throughout the day as campers worked through drills and listened attentively to coaches. For many participants, the opportunity to learn directly from an NFL player was a memorable experience. For Codrington, it was an opportunity to give back to the community that helped shape him.

By returning to the same field where his football journey began, Codrington demonstrated that success and service can go hand in hand. As the camp concluded and young athletes left with new skills, trophies and memories, they also departed with a powerful reminder that determination, hard work and self-belief can open doors that once seemed impossible.

Based on reporting by The Carolinian.

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Oakland Post: Week of September 2 – 8, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of September 2 – 8, 2026

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3 days ago

September 7, 2026

Oakland Post

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Business

Longtime BWOPA Member Brendalyn Goodall Appointed to California Workforce Development Board

Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed longtime Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) member Brendalynn Goodall to the California Workforce Development Board. Goodall, an Oakland resident with decades of experience in public service, has held leadership positions focused on

Published

1 week ago

August 30, 2026

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Post Co-Publisher Gay Plair Cobb with Brendalynn Goodall. Courtesy photo.

By California Black Media

Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed longtime Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) member Brendalynn Goodall to the California Workforce Development Board.

Goodall, an Oakland resident with decades of experience in public service, has held leadership positions focused on employment, aging services and assistance for underserved communities.

“Brendalynn will be a great addition to this Board,” said Gay Plair Cobb, who served as former state Assemblyman Sandre Swanson’s alternate to the California Workforce Development Board (CWDB).

“She understands that California’s non-profit organizations serve persons who have the most significant barriers to their labor market success and that the Board should help these groups navigate the complicated requirements of state funding.

“In other words, she will be a strong advocate for our most marginalized populations. Her voice is needed now, more than ever.”

CWDB works with the governor to shape workforce policies, programs and investments designed to strengthen the state’s economy. It collaborates with employers, workers, labor organizations, educational institutions, community groups and California’s 45 local workforce development boards to expand access to quality jobs and respond to regional employment needs.

According to the board, its work includes coordinating state programs and guiding investments in workforce training and development.

BWOPA California celebrated the appointment, describing Goodall as a dedicated advocate for workers, families and older adults.

“Her appointment reflects a lifetime of leadership, service, and unwavering commitment to strengthening California’s workforce and expanding opportunity for all,” the organization stated in a press release.

Goodall served as summer jobs program coordinator in the Oakland Mayor’s Office from 2012 to 2014. In that position, she helped connect young people with employment opportunities and job experience.

Before joining the Mayor’s Office, Goodall was division manager for Aging and Adult Services in the City of Oakland Human Services Department from 2002 to 2011. She previously served as senior services supervisor and program director for the city’s Department of Aging, Health and Human Services from 1990 to 2002.

Goodall is also a member of the California Commission on Aging, which advises the governor and state officials on policies and programs affecting older Californians.

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Black History

Jackie Wright Champions Bay Area Stories, Filmmakers and Cultural Institutions

As an award-winning communications professional, Wright has worked with corporations, nonprofits, government agencies, educational institutions, artists, and community organizations. In 2026, she expanded that work by launching an introductory public relations class for small businesses and nonprofits, offering practical tools for gaining visibility, shaping messages and building productive relationships with the media.

Published

1 week ago

August 30, 2026

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Jackie Wright of Wright Enterprises. Photo courtesy of Wright Enterprises.

By Carla Thomas

Jackie Wright has spent more than two decades helping people, organizations and communities understand the power of a well-told story.

As founder and president of Wright Enterprises, a San Francisco-based strategic communications and public affairs firm, Wright has built a career spanning journalism, public relations, media relations, crisis communications, community engagement and multimedia storytelling.

Wright’s commitment to storytelling is also deeply personal. She wrote and co-directed the 15-minute documentary, “Love Separated in Life…Love Reunited in Honor,” which chronicles the story of her parents, Specialist Five (S5 Wyley Wright Jr. and Ouida Fay McClendon Wright. Her father, a U.S. Army helicopter crew chief, died in Vietnam in 1964 while serving as an honor guard during a visit by then-Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara. Decades later, Wright and her siblings had their father exhumed from a segregated cemetery in Jacksonville, Florida, and their mother moved from her burial place in Georgia so the couple could be reunited at Arlington National Cemetery in 2014.

The family journey later took Wright and her sister to Vietnam, where they discovered the former military compound that had been named in honor of their father and another fallen soldier. The documentary, centered on love, war, family, racial understanding, and remembrance, earned festival recognition at screenings.

“It was quite an honor to learn about my family’s history and share it on film,” said Wright.

That filmmaking experience complements Wright’s longstanding advocacy for independent cinema. She has served as a media partner and brand ambassador for Bay Area film festivals, including the San Francisco Black Film Festival, Oakland International Film Festival, and the Durban International Film Festival in South Africa.

“It’s important to help filmmakers and underrepresented stories reach broader audiences,” said Wright.

Whether promoting a neighborhood organization, championing an independent filmmaker or preserving her own family history, Wright has remained consistent. Through Wright Enterprises, she has turned communications into both a profession and a form of community service, telling stories that might otherwise go unheard.

“Our stories are an integral part of our history, and our history is not only American history, but worldwide,” she said.