January 24, 2021
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
Vol. 26, Issue 01
WE WON
“Addressing Current & Historical Realties Affecting Our Community”
Photo Credit: johanfourie.com
PASTOR KIRBYJON CALDWELL SENTENCED By: N.L. Preston
FAIR FIGHT: STRONG BLACK WOMEN TKO JIM CROW
By: Roy Douglas Malonson
Forbes quantifies a “powerful” person by money, populations, media mentions and measurable impact. This baseline helps them decide who will fall among its “Most Powerful” lists and very few make the cut. For instance, all millionaires are not powerful, but a person with an empty bank account -- but has in-
fluence -- can be. But one thing is for certain, a truly powerful person can start or change a movement and can make history along the way. And when “power” is wrapped up in a beautiful Black package -it makes it even better. Congresswoman Maxine Waters told MSNBC’s Joy Reid after Sen. Kamala Harris’ historical VP nom-
ination, Black women “have shown that not only will they vote, but they will get out the vote. [And] they will fight for the vote.” And in 2020, not only did 91% of Black women vote for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden according to NBC News exit poll results, but Black women have also been on the front lines of this year’s election,
working to ensure that all eligible voters have their voices heard at the polls. It’s no secret that, even after Jim Crow was “supposedly” long gone, the practice of voter suppression was alive and well, and while Blacks were no longer required to “count jellybeans in a
Strong Women cont’d page 3
HOUSTON - Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell, the esteemed religious leader who advised both President Barack Obama and President George W. Bush, will serve time in prison for his part in bilking millions of dollars out of unsuspecting people in an investment scheme. Caldwell was sentenced on Jan. 13 to serve six years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. According to court documents, in 2018, Caldwell and Gregory
A. Smith, a Shreveport-based investment adviser, were charged by federal authorities for using their high-profile positions to encourage more than two dozen people to invest about $3.5 million in historical Chinese bonds between April 2013 and August 2014. Those bonds turned out to be worthless. During his hearing, Caldwell expressed remorse and accepted full responsibility for his actions. The court found that Caldwell
Caldwell cont’d page 4
WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY • AVOID PUBLIC SPACES OR EVENTS WITH MORE THAN 10 PATRONS • SANITIZE AND STOCK UP • AVOID TOUCHING YOUR EYES, NOSE AND MOUTH • PRACTICE GOOD HYGIENE
2 AFRAMNEWS.COM
January 24, 2021
EDITORIAL
President/Chief Editor
Tristar
Griselda Ramirez: Production
Partin’ the Waters By Omowale Luthuli-Allen
Office: (713) 692-1892 Wednesday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Always in Pursuit of the Greater Good A friend of mine arrived in St. Louis just as the presidential campaign was ending, and the cab driver... volunteered his testimony. “I am my father and grandfather before me, and their fathers have always been straight ticket Republicans.” Ah, said the friend who is himself a Republican, “I take it to mean that you will vote for Senator So and So.” “No,” said the driver. “There are times when a man has to push his principles aside and do the right thing.” Situation Ethics- The New Morality – Joseph Fletcher In popular music, I remember the songbird Gladys Knight singing Curtis Mayfield’s “As long as there is peace with you, make yours a happy home “and I remember Queen Aretha crooning “I rather deny myself than see you without it.” The kids and the long-term interests of the family are more important than our grievances.
The home is the split personality America that we have mixed feelings about. Nevertheless, we are patriots. A Grand Ole Party led by the ex- President have forgotten that they swore allegiance to a constitution and not a reality TV star turned politician. Trump has decided to trash the country by sabotaging key institutions such as defense, immigration and civil rights and leaving a path of destruction for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Fletcher points out that it’s shortsighted and dangerous when we get so pumped up on what’s right that we can’t see what’s good. To stop the slippery slide into chaos and heal the country, Dem John Kerry conceded a hotly contested election to George Bush in 2004. He probably disagreed with the Supreme Court in the Florida “hanging chad” controversy, but in the interest of the greater good, he sought the peace because of the promise and potential of a democracy governed by “WE THE PEOPLE.” Make no mistake about it, there is a plot to destroy America. Just look at what happened on Jan. 6 when Trump’s “insurrectionists” stormed the U.S.
Good cont’d page 7
A Revival of God
Consciousness Bobby E. Mills, PhD
Racism Drives Individuals Insane
God hates racism, because God hates sin. Racism is a fool-hearty idea that results in foolish actions, because “Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.” Hence, foolish actions come from wrong thoughts and devilish motives. Racism is simply a White Privilege business proposition that only benefits the corporate business structure/class; not middle- and workingclass Americans. Thus, middle-class, workingclass and poor Caucasians are only pawns in a high stakes capitalistic power and money game. Moreover, law enforcement constabularies are the first line of defense to protect the property rights of super-rich white men against ordinary middle- and workingclass whites from minorities. Poor whites are the forgotten class. This sequence of events perpetuates racial and class divisions, which
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
in turn, result in madness; us against them at every level. How naive can middle-class white individuals become by allowing the super-rich and poor/working class whites control and dictate quality of life in a democratic nationstate? What is absolutely spiritually troubling about the 2020 Presidential election is that 73+ million Americans voted for a modern-day Barabbas rather than a God-fearing man. When Jesus stood before Pilate, the crowd delivered him up to be crucified because of fear of righteousness, envy, greed and jealousy. Socalled Christian Right Evangelicals are still crying out for Barabbas (evil) in the ungodly name of TRUMP. It has been wisely stated: “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:” Without 80+ million God-fearing democratic-minded citizens, America would be headed for eternal suffering going nowhere; but to hell, fast. When a democratic elected leader displays bold and brazen autocratic tendencies, and consequently, garners the support of 73+ million so-calledChristians, the entire GOP, and Trump Loyalists, that’s insanity (madness). Racism drives individuals insane. Of course, doing the same thing over and
over, and expecting a different outcome is the classic definition of insanity. For 73+ million Trumpsters to believe that Donald Trump was the cure-all for the socio-economic ills plaguing American democracy was indeed insanity to the highest degree, and without God-conscience. America, “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” Thus, if you think otherwise, please go to the nearest mental health facility, because you are spiritually/mentally insane. “A mind is a terrible thing to lose” and this is why the Bible declares: “Let the mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” (Philippians 2: 5). 73+ million primarily White voters cast legal votes, but the 80+ million primarily multi-ethnic-votes were illegal, and thus Tennyson declared: “Ours not to reason why, ours but to do and die.” God-fearing Americans must shine light into dark places of ungodly minds (spiritual-enlightenment), because: “The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.” (Psalm 68: 11). Selah - AANI
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
Strong Women cont’d jar,” they were faced to battle tricky “exact match” ID requirements, voter purges, felony disenfranchisement by stripping a person’s right to vote due to felony convictions, end to early voting in some locations and various voter registration restrictions. Enter Stacey Abrams and LaTosha Brown. Abrams today is arguably the most powerful woman of 2020. Thanks, in large part, to her, Georgia is now BLUE, and the Democrats have taken control over the House and Senate. There are many people - including South Carolina’s influential Jim Clyburn, Atlanta’s Keisha Lance Bottoms and Kamala Harris’ HBCU regime – who helped reclaim the country, but Abrams and Brown were true powerhouses whose movements became some of Donald Trump’s worst nightmares and part of Joe Biden’s saviors. Some could say, for both Abrams and Brown, the issue was personal. And frankly, we are glad it was. They say God gives his toughest battles to his strongest warriors – and the tough battle began when both Abrams and Brown lost their own races due to obvious voter suppression tactics. Abrams was the first
January 24, 2021
Black woman to become the gubernatorial nominee for a major party in the United States, and she was the first Black woman and first Georgian to deliver a “Response” to the State of the Union. And it was powerful, but she lost the gubernatorial race in 2018 by less than 55,000 votes to Georgia’s nowgovernor Republican Brian Kemp amid
about 10 days after her loss, then got busy to change the course of America. She launched Fair Fight to ensure every American has a voice in our election system through programs such as Fair Fight 2020, an initiative to fund and train voter protection teams in 20 battleground states. Abrams dedicated herself and her work
Brown, the co-founder of the Black Voters Matter Fund, ran for State Board of Education in Alabama’s 5th district against incumbent Willie Paul in 1998. Brown lost by a little over 200 votes, but minutes after the election was certified, she received a call from the state’s Democratic Party letting her know that 800 ballots had been found
AFRAMNEWS.COM 3 siana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Alabama and Mississippi to ensure that Black communities are not only registered to vote but also understand the power of their vote. The organization also works to advocate for the expansion of voting rights policies that include early voting, resistance to voter ID laws and a strengthening of the Voting
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris being sworn in reports of voter suppression in the state. It’s reported that, between 2010 and 2018, Kemp, who served as Georgia’s secretary of state during that time, purged upwards of 1.4 million voters from the rolls. Most of the purges were of black and Brown voters. Abrams reflected for
over the last two years to empowering people to use their voice and their vote and has helped register 800,000 people in the state of Georgia, an effort that looks likely to have been a key reason the state voted for its first Democratic presidential candidate since 1992.
in a safe by the county sheriff. There was one problem, however. It was technically too late for the ballots to be counted, and Brown didn’t have the money to take legal action. Today, Black Voters Matter Fund does work in Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Loui-
Rights Act of 1965. Many may not know, but with the 2013 Shelby vs. Holder decision, states are no longer required to have voting changes pre-approved, including polling place changes, changes to candidate qualifications or changes to voter ID laws. As a result, voter suppression
has been on the rise across the country. In Georgia, the “use it or lose it” laws struck voters from registration rolls if they hadn’t participated in an election within a certain period of time. In fact, one and a half million people were purged from Georgia’s voter rolls between 2012 and 2016. But Georgia’s “Good Ole Boys” became no match for Abrams and Brown, who gave new meaning to the phrase “strong Black women.” Now, the new Biden administration and Democratic House won’t have to deal with a Republican-run chamber. With both Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff winning both Senate seats in a run-off election, the Democratic Party is now set to run the Senate as a Democratic vice president, Kamala Harris, will cast tie-breaking votes. It is more certain that they will no longer face the same checks on their policy priorities that they would have faced with a Republican-controlled Senate. The power of the Black vote made that happen. “We changed the trajectory of the nation. Because our combined power shows that progress is not only possible—it is inevitable,” Abrams said. Always remember, your money and your vote are the two most powerful assets you have. - AANI
4 AFRAMNEWS.COM
January 24, 2021
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
EDUCATION
LONE STAR COLLEGE OFFERS FREE TRAINING FOR SOLAR PROFESSIONALS HOUSTON – The solar energy industry is experiencing massive growth but is facing a severe shortage of skilled solar professionals. Lone Star College and RigUp have announced a partnership to provide free training for students interested in joining the growing renewable energy industry. “This is a wonderful opportunity for those who have lost jobs in the oil and gas or construction industries to retool and learn new skills,” said Ken Kral, executive director, Lone Star Corporate College. “We are honored to partner with RigUp as they help build the solar industry in Texas and support tremendous job growth.”
RigUp is a leading workforce management solution for the skilled trades, serving the renewables, oil & gas, construction and defense industries. Students will learn the basics of installing utility scale solar racking and modular equipment, and will earn Occupational Safety and Health Administration 10 certification. The free Solar Installer Training Course, including an online OSHA Training and two-day, hands-on course, will take place in the El Campo area where the Aktina Renewable Power Project solar farm is being constructed. The facility is expected to take
two years to complete and will consist of 1.4 million solar modules. Once students complete the program, they will be offered employment to work in the solar industry to construct, assemble and maintain commercial solar systems.
“RigUp is committed to helping people get back to work,” said Ron Nickelson, head of solar at RigUp. “Our partnership with Lone Star College gives local residents access to the training they need to secure good jobs with low barriers
of entry, whether they are simply looking for short-term work or a long-term career in the solar industry.” The weekly course offering is expected to begin in mid-February and continue through the spring. Visit LoneStar.edu/
Solar-Installer to learn more. “The solar power industry is booming, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicting an over 50% growth rate of solar installations through 2029,” said Kral.
and his health condition. Smith pleaded made full restitution guilty last summer to all the victims be- and is currently servfore sentencing. The ing time. 67-year-old, who has Windsor Village prostate cancer, may is one of the largest not enter prison for protestant churches at least another year in the country. Undue to COVID-19 der Caldwell’s 38-
year leadership, 980 part-time and fulltime jobs were created; 258 acres of land have been developed and more than $168 million in economic value has been added to the historically underserved community
in which Caldwell serves. Other contributions include 462 homes, a YMCA, nationally known franchise restaurants, health care providers, an independent senior living facility and Women, Infants and
Children (WIC) program, to name a few. His church family remains by his side in support. “We look forward to more lives being changed and more destinies being shaped as The Windsor Vil-
lage Church Family continues to fulfill its God-given mission, in Jesus’s Name,” Floyd LeBlanc, Chairman of The Windsor Village Church Family Personnel Committee. “The Kingdom Building continues!”
Caldwell cont’d
- AANI
- AANI
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
January 24, 2021
AFRAMNEWS.COM 5
This shouldn’t be how we say hello...or goodbye.
It’s our reality right now. But it won’t be if we do what it takes to beat COVID-19. Vaccines are coming, but until enough of us are vaccinated, we all still need to wear our masks, stay at least six feet from others, and avoid indoor social gatherings. The more we slow the spread, the faster we’ll return to normal hellos … and fewer goodbyes. Learn more about vaccines and slowing the spread at cdc.gov/coronavirus Brought to you by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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January 24, 2021
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
EDUCATION
‘HOUSE OF DEGREES’
By: Georgia Provost
In the words of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “The purpose of education, therefore, is to educate everyone to think critically and to think intensively.” For one African American family in Houston, education plays a monumental role in their lives and in the lives of their children. Rev. Edwin A. Davis, Ed.D. and Charlotte J. Davis, Ph.D. have both had their own personal educational journeys. They both come from humble beginnings and have had to work very hard to get to where they are today. Both doctors are native Houstonians who have instilled in all their children the importance and value of getting an education from an accredited university of higher learning. They have also been a great influence on many others who have gone back to school and pursued their college degrees. As Dr. Edwin Davis has illustrated on various occasions, “once you get an education, it is the one thing that no one can take from you. They can take your title, position
and material possessions, but they cannot take your education.” One of their children has followed in their footsteps and is now Chelsea D av i s Bibb,
Each one of the doctors hold multiple degrees. In total, they have 13 degrees collectively. Dr. Charlotte Davis holds one bachelor’s degree, two masters, and
THE DAVIS FAMILY Ed.D. Dr. Davis-Bibb recently successfully defended her dissertation on October 29, 2020 from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. Like her parents, she has encountered
her own set of challenges on her education journey, but continued to persevere, keeping her end goal in mind and the influence of her parents as an example. She expressed, “I could not
have done this without my parents’ guidance, love and support. They have been great role models and have taught me many valuable lessons that I hope to instill in my own children one day.”
a doctoral degree from Sam Houston State University (2006). Dr. Edwin A. Davis holds one bachelor’s degree, three masters, and a doctoral degree from the University of
Houston (2004). Dr. Davis-Bibb holds one bachelor’s degree, two masters, and a doctoral degree. It is amazing that this family has achieved these astounding accomplishments against the societal stereotypes and the racial disparities amongst minorities in education today. The Davis family is not only proud of their daughter, Chelsea, for achieving her doctorate degree, but all their children have done very well. Their oldest daughter Erica recently received her masters from the University of Texas at Austin and was recently elected to the Harris County Board of Education, position 5. Their youngest daughter Courtney is currently working on her Master’s in Business Administration and is an environmental engineer. Their son, Eric, was recently promoted to the rank of Sergeant within the Harris County Sheriff ’s Office. We salute this family for the great accomplishments and exemplifying excellence in achievement.
- AANI
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
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Good cont’d Capitol with deadly outcome. Communist Russia and Vladimir Putin and Deutsche bank are pulling the strings of the marionets that we see on the stage. Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who once called the President a “sniveling coward,” is now his water boy. During the 2016 primary, Trump lambasted Cruz for having an ugly wife and claimed that Cruz’s father was involved in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. Trump and Cruz, and I forgot Senator John Cornyn, have started a
fire and we were lucky to get the chief arsonist out of the White House before he burned the people’s house down. Principles can be good, but life is more than lofty principles detached from daily living. The key is often doing the right thing at the right time. Yes, doing the good can conflict with principles. Doing good means putting country above party. On a lighter note, let me share this with you for 2021. This viral meme came to my inbox. Welcome aboard Flight #2021. We are preparing for an on-time departure into the New Year. Please make sure your attitude and actions are secured and locked in an Upbeat and Upright Position. All self-destructive thoughts should be turned off at this time and remain off forever. Any negativity hate and discouragement must remain completely stowed. In the unlikely event that we lose Altitude while under pressure, simply reach up and pull down a Prayer. Prayers will be automatically activated by Faith. Once your faith is activated you can assist other passengers. There will be NO BAGGAGE allowed on this flight. The captain (GOD) has cleared us for takeoff. Destination GREATNESS. Looking forward to you taking this flight with me...#2021. - AANI
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GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
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