Stay Current with JSF
Our team is out in the community spreading awareness.
Surf's up! Hurricane Helene's wake lures surfers to Coastal Bend beaches, creates rip current risk
September 27, 2024
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Even though Hurricane Helene's impact along the Florida coast is over 900 miles away, we are still seeing some of the residual effects right here at home in the form of big waves, high tides and dangerous rip currents.
Je'Sani Smith Foundation finds new way to educate using virtual reality
August 9, 2024
CORPUS CHRISTI, Tx — The Je'Sani Smith Foundations annual Scholarship Award Reception was held on Friday evening at the Omni Hotel and they made a significant announcement.
3rd annual Surviving the Rip 5k takes off on North Beach
April 6, 2024
The third annual Surviving the Rip 5k and 10k run and walk was held to honor the memory of King High School student Je’sani Smith, who died in 2019 from being swept away by a rip current on Whitecap Beach.
Je'sani Smith foundation awards six students in scholarship money
August 5, 2023
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Six students in the Coastal Bend were each awarded $12-hundred dollars in scholarships from the Je'sani Smith Foundation and the support of Valero.
Je'Sani Smith Foundation kicks off beach safety, rip current awareness month
April 1, 2023
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — In a town bordered by beaches and open water, sometimes its easy to forget the dangers that lurk beneath the surface.
Watch for red flags, rip current risks as thousands of visitors descend on local beaches for Spring Break
March 10, 2023
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Just this week in Galveston, Texas, the bodies of twin brothers who did not know how to swim were recovered after strong current pulled them away after a trip to the beach with their family.
The Je'Sani Smith Foundation awards six scholarships
August 28, 2022
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Paying for college will be a little easier for some recently graduated King High School Mustangs.
Texas Tragedy Prompts Lifeguard Legislation
Summer 2022
On April 11th, 2019, Je’Sani Smith went for a swim at White Cap Beach, Texas and didn’t make it back to shore. He drowned as a result of a rip current, with no lifeguards immediately present in the area.
Gregory eatery highlights the importance of rip current safety
May 20, 2022
CORPUS CHRISTI — If you've traveled through Gregory there is a good chance you've stopped by Sarcastic Susie's for a bite to eat. It's a local favorite, and Friday they gave their customers an important lesson in rip current safety.
They played host to the Je'Sani Smith Foundation.
Read More
Je'sani Smith Foundation becomes member of the United Chamber of Commerce
April 28, 2022
The Texas Surf Museum held a special ribbon cutting Thursday evening. It was a symbolic ceremony to welcome The Je'Sani Smith Foundation as a member of the United Chamber Of Commerce.
Read More
Je'Sani Smith Foundation seeks to educate swimmers about the dangers of rip currents ahead of Spring Break
February 8, 2022
Je'Sani Smith Foundation embraces re-brand
January 21, 2021
A local organization dedicated to keeping people safe from rip currents now has a new look. The Je'Sani Smith Foundation had a rebranding event at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
Read More
Kiwana Denson is a trailblazer for developing rip current awareness
January 19, 2021
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Je’Sani Smith foundation’s purpose is to save lives by providing education and awareness on rip currents and how people can be safe at the beach.
Read More
Je'Sani Smith Foundation receives rebranding package; aims to share mission nationwide
January 12, 2021
Je'Sani Smith had just celebrated his 18th birthday a week before he was swept away in a rip current at Whitecap Beach on Aug. 11, 2019. His parents Terrance and Kiwana Denson mourned over the loss of their son, but chose to use this tragedy as a way to educate the community about beach safety and hazards.
Read More
The Higginbotham Community Fund donates for safety
November 13, 2021
The Higginbotham Community Fund will be presenting $1000 to the Je’Sani Smith Foundation on Saturday, November 13 at 3:00pm at the Higginbotham Offices at 500 North Shoreline, Suite 1200, Corpus Christi, TX 78401.
Read More
Islander Graphic Design Students Assist Je’Sani Smith Foundation as Part of ONE DAY
November 1, 2021
By all accounts, Je’Sani Smith was a talented young man and athlete at Richard King High School who was dedicated not only to team but to his friends and family as well.
Read More
Walmart contributes $500 to beach safety efforts
November 13, 2021
Walmart has gifted $500 to the Je’Sani Smith Foundation to promote beach safety and rip current awareness at Coastal Bend beaches. This donation will be used to distribute life-saving information along area beaches.
Read More
Victim's family, community celebrated for passage of drowning-prevention laws
June 28, 2021
Local and state leaders came together Monday to honor the mother of a Corpus Christi teenager who drowned after a rip current off Whitecap Beach dragged him out into the Gulf of Mexico in April of 2019.
Read More
High school senior receives Je'Sani Smith scholarship
June 22, 2021
A scholarship in his name was handed out to a fellow Mustang.
Read More
Je'Sani Smith Act signed into law by Governor Abbott
June 16, 2021
Two measures aimed at saving lives on our local beaches were signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott in mid-June.
Read More
Je'Sani Smith Foundation partners with Texas Surf Museum to promote beach safety
June 5, 2021
"What better way to educate and engage our community than a museum that’s the whole purpose of museums,” said Kiwana Denson, mother of Je'Sani Smith.
Read More
Community leaders share the importance of educating yourself on rip currents
May 26, 2021
Educating yourself and your loved ones is a crucial step before you decide to enter any South Texas beach waters.
Read More
What to know about dangerous water conditions when visiting local beaches
May 24, 2021
When traveling to the beach, it is important to know about the conditions of the water to ensure you, and everyone you are visiting with, stays safe.
Read More
Beach Safety: Know the warning flags before you visit the beach this Memorial Day weekend
May 24, 2021
Beneath that water can be dangerous rip currents that can't be seen, only felt.
Read More
State legislation filed in honor of Je'Sani Smith
February 26, 2021
State Rep. Todd Hunter filed legislation this week to designate April as Beach Safety and Rip Current Awareness month.
Read More
Gulf Coast Growth Ventures Contributes to Beach Safety Efforts Through $1,000 Billboard Donation
February 1, 2021
Gulf Coast Growth Ventures, an ExxonMobil-SABIC joint venture, has donated $1,000 to the Je’Sani Smith Foundation to promote beach safety and rip current awareness in San Patricio County.
Read More
Laundry Depot Contributes to Beach Safety Efforts Through $1,000 Billboard Donation
February 1, 2021
Laundry Depot has donated $1,000 to the Je’Sani Smith Foundation to promote beach safety and rip current awareness in San Patricio County.
Read More
Nueces County donates $5K to Je'Sani Smith Foundation for beach safety, rip current awareness
January 7, 2021
Nueces County donated $5,000 to the Je'Sani Smith Foundation to promote beach safety and rip current awareness.
Read More
Je'Sani Smith Foundation hits beach to warn of rip currents
September 5, 2020
The Je'Sani Smith Foundation was out on beach today warning beachgoers about the dangers of rip currents.
Read More
Je’Sani Smith Foundation static billboard put up off IH-37 to promote rip current awareness for beach goers
August 29, 2020
There is a new warning up along IH-37 for visitors to the Coastal Bend. The "Know the Flags" billboard just put up along IH-37 near Suntide Road is designed to help educate out-of-towners about the dangers of rip currents.
Read More
Nueces County officials to announce $5000 donation to Je’Sani Smith Foundation
August 30, 2020
Thursday's event at Padre Balli Park will include the announcement of the donation and a special information session regarding upcoming campaigns for this Labor Day.
Read More
Je'Sani Smith Foundation receives donation from Port of CC
August 10, 2020
The Je'Sani Smith Foundation received a huge donation from the Port of Corpus Christi today.
Read More
Je’sani Smith Foundation Receives $10,000 Donation from Port Of Corpus Christi to Support Beach Safety Initiatives
August 10, 2020
The Port of Corpus Christi has made a $10,000 donation to the Je’Sani Smith Foundation in support of beach safety and rip current awareness initiatives in the Coastal Bend.
Read More
July named Beach Safety and Rip Current Awareness Month
July 5, 2020
One local family has made huge developments in educating the community and visitors of the Coastal Bend area about the dangers of rip currents and undertows in the Gulf of Mexico.
Mayor Joe McComb declares June 9th Je'Sani Smith Foundation Day
June 9, 2020
Corpus Christi's City Council gathered Tuesday for their regularly scheduled meeting to discuss a wide variety of topics.
Read More
$1,200 awarded to Angelina Tapia through the Je'sani Smith Water Scholarship
June 5, 2020
The second-ever Je'sani Smith Water Scholarship was handed out to a 2020 King High School graduate this afternoon.
Read More
A Legacy Never Forgotten: Jesani Smith
May 23, 2020
Kiwana Denson says she created a website designed to bring awareness and educate the public on beach safety and rip currents.
Read More
Je'Sani Smith Beach Safety Alert being put into place just in time for Spring Break
February 28, 2020
Electronic message boards will be put on the J.F.K. Causeway, the ferry, and county beaches so people can be warned of dangerous rip currents in the ocean.
Read More