Clarease Yates  served as the Chairman of the Board of the Sickle Cell Association-Gulf Coast Texas from 1995-1996. She started "Let the Fashions Begin" in 1996 as a fund raiser for the organization. The late Dr. Guy Rankin was very supportive of this event and the first event was dedicated to his memory.

In 2001, Clarease incorporated Let the Fashions Begin (Men of Style) as a 501 (c)(3) Non-Profit Corporation with the help of the Late Judith Jones and her husband Attorney Nelson Jones. The mission of this entity is to provide funds to Texas Children's Hospital for Sickle Cell Research. This event honors outstanding men who are making a difference in the community and in addition are fashion savvy.

This event has raised in excess of a half million dollars. Because of Let the Fashions Begin - Men of Style, Texas Children's Hospital now has a Sickle Cell Research Center.

Clarease loves mentoring young people, and in 2008 she incorporated Indestructible Beginnings, Inc. This non-profit corporation's mission is to teach the ABCs of common courtesy to our youth and get them pointed in the right direction with basic life skills. She has authored a book entitled Indestructible Beginnings, which she uses in her charm and etiquette workshops.

Clarease is married to Cary Yates and they have been honored as a Power Couple for their untiring work in the Houston Community.