Meet Silvester Robinson Jr. | Educator and Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Silvester Robinson Jr. and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Silvester, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
For a few years I worked part time with a mobile paint party company here in Houston called Kolor My Kanvas and during the summers in Houston with a summer literacy program called HYPE Freedom School Inc. During my time serving as an event assistant, host at club and as a site coordinator I learned that I was capable of being an extrovert at times.

Both of these jobs helped push me to bring out an energetic side of myself that I didn’t know I had. I was able to bring that energy to events with kids and adults that was impactful in engaging and welcoming people to just have fun. I noticed that many establishments began to have giant games for their customers to play and thinking about how Kolor My Kanvas brings the party to people I thought, “What if I provide a service that allows people to have giant games at any event without them having to buy and store them themselves?”.

In 2019 I was sitting with a friend, John Nicklos, and mentioned this idea to him. Ironically, he had recently had a conversation with someone else about a similar idea. We discussed our thoughts and ideas a little more and decided to develop a company that provided this service. The thoughts and ideas continued to flow and the company grew from a service of providing giant games into an experience that adults need to simply take a break from adulting and have fun.

Adulting gets harder as the world changes, bills pile up, kids always want something, relationships are hard and working for “the man” is overrated. Then the pandemic hit! Recess was off to a great start until this point. During the COVID-19 pandemic Recess like many other small businesses had to figure some shit out. Our experience and services required adults to have physical contact and be close to one another. Like the world Recess adjusted and saw that adults were coming up wit things for kids and close families to do at home. Recess sat back and asked the question, “What about the adults?”.

Recess developed its first of many products called Every Second Counts. This product is a all inclusive, convenient, easy go to box that adults can grab and go with 100+ challenges that can be played one on one, as a team or relay style. Recess put everything in the box that adults can use at game nights, kickbacks, family reunions, and even corporate events for team building exercises.

In 2021 I began operating alone to continue to offer adults the ultimate experience because adults need the feeling we had as kids during recess to adult better. Now in 2022, Recess is relaunching at the Black Queer AF Musical Festival presented by The Normal Anomaly Initiative held at Houston Stampede Event Center April 30th 3:oopm – 7:00pm.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
In 2010 I graduated from Prairie View A&M University with a degree in Agriculture and Human Science with a concentration in Animal Science. I decided to pursue this degree because I wanted to become a Veterinarian but during my 5th year in college I changed that to wanting to become a Zoo Keeper.

After graduation I knew that I needed to gain experience. I applied for a job at the Houston Zoo and got a job as a Zoo Ranger. I worked there for two years then went off to work at other animal welfare establishments like PetSmart, Houston SPCA and the last place working with animals was MD Anderson in the veterinarian and surgery department.

It was at MD Anderson that I decided that I no longer wanted to work with animals and wanted to get into teaching. I again knew I had to gain experience. I applied to various places and ended up with the Training and Leadership Consultant company and them Houston ISD.

During this time I gained a lot of experience and learned that I really enjoyed educating our youth. I am currently employed at Richard Milburn Academy in Pasadena, Tx. The journey has not been easy. Since 2015 I have battled depression, substance abuse, dysfunctional relationships and life in general of finding my way. I strongly believe developing this company has saved my life and I will continue to push tis business to its highest heights and make adulting fun.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
All of my best friends live in Houston but one has been out of state for awhile now. If and when he comes back into town I’d take him to one of the new parks I have visited since he left, then to a bar maybe Wonder Bar or Post HTX. Houston has several new and exciting spots for adults like FAO or Pitch25.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Kolor My Kanvas (Eric and LaTonya Smith) @kolormykanvas

HYPE Freedom School Inc (Mrs. Brandi Brown) @hypefs

John Nicklos @jalbertnicklos

The Normal Anomaly (Ian Haddock, Jordan Edwards, Joelle Bayaa-Uzuri)
@thenormalanomaly

I’d like to also say thank you to my family.

Website: www.recesshtx.com

Instagram: @recesshtx

Linkedin: Silvester Robinson Jr.

Twitter: @recesshtx

Facebook: @recesshtx