JANUARY 23 -29, 2017 | FREE
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Happy Anniversary African-American News&Issues Donald Trump is NOW YOUR President and there’s nothing you can change about that! So the real questions are, what plans will you implement? How are you going to execute those plans? #Next10ChessMoves #WhatsYourNextMove
HOUSTON - Economic impotence is at the heart of every problem that effects the Black community. In the LetsBuyBlack 365 movement, the reasoning is simple: Support Black business because the fallout from a Black community without strong businesses and economic power is the lack of political power. “Lack of political voice means schools not controlled by us can and do massively mis-educate and undereducate our children,” according to a mission statement from the group. “Mis-educated children grow up unable to compete nationally academically nor later for jobs. Unable to compete, the miseducated turn to illegal or hard jobs to survive.” That is a vicious cycle AfricanAmericans must break in order to progress and move forward in America. We don’t feel wealthy, because we are sending all of our money outside the Black community. One way to reverse the trend is to start investing at home – in businesses in our own neighborhoods. Support Starts at Home There are many reasons to support Black business in the Black community, but nothing more important than recognizing the economic power that rests in the palm of our hands.
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American News&Issues
Hon. Jarvis Johnson Texas Dist. 139
Jarvis Johnson was sworn in surrounded by family and friends January 10 to succeed Mayor Sylvester Turner as House District 139 State Rep. Johnson hit the ground running with an open house and many forums to visit his neighbors from all his north Houston district and hearing their input, has already filed 17 bills to achieve results. “I thank my family and friends that came to the Capitol to take
Roy Douglas Malonson Chairman Shirley Ann Malonson President/C.E.O. Chandra Jarmon
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General: news@aframnews.com Ads: sales@aframnews.com Website: www.aframnews.com African-American News&Issues is published by African-American News & Issues, Inc., 6130 Wheatley Street, Houston, Texas 77091, (713) 692-1892. Our office hours are Monday-Friday, 9am - 5pm. The entire contents of the paper are copyrighted by African-American News & Issues, Inc. All rights reserved. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without the expressed written consent of the publisher. African-American News&Issues is not responsible for any claims made by advertisers. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the publisher. African-American News&Issues assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs and other material, unless accompanied by a self-address stamped envelope.
Letter to the Editor
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e welcome all original responses from our readers to content found in the African-American News&Issues. Letters to the Publisher may be sent via e-mail to news@aframnews.com. Please keep all letters under 300 words. Be sure to include the author’s name, area of residence. All letters and articles may be verified before they are published. All letters are subjected to editing or being cut for spacing purposes. Thank you in advance for your submission.
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Editorial & Opinion
part in the Legislature’s 85th inaugural ceremony. It was without a doubt a fantastic moment for all. It means everything to me to be in Texas’ House, the People’s House, as the voice for the community where I grew up and have lived all my life,” said Johnson who raised his family, built business, and been involved in youth, church, chamber of commerce and senior citizen activities here. “In Texas, unlike most states, the Legislature meets only 140 days every two years. From early January through May 27, 150 representatives from across Texas (each representing about 179,000 people) and 31 state senators (each representing about 800,000 people) meet each odd year to build a budget and the laws of this state and broad policies for the next two years,” said the former three-term District B Houston City Council Member. Johnson is focusing on K-12 education, higher education, criminal justice, police accountability, mental health, child welfare and juvenile justice. In K-12 education he’s wants HB 310 to offer school guidance counseling programs funds, HB 315 for grants for education services for students not in state schools but other residential treatment facilities, HB 311 to amend public school funding formulas for those with disabilities, HB 374 for career and technology training opportunities, and HB 795 to help ISDs appeal Texas Education Agency (TEA) rulings. In Higher Education Johnson is pushing HB 313 to allow the University of Houston to benefit from the oil and gas based Permanent Education (PUF) Fund and HB 430 to alter the state's higher education funding formula to offer $500 to universities based on how many students earn bachelor degrees and $1,000 bonuses for at-risk students that earn a bachelor degree. Of local interest, Johnson filed HB 312 to establish a Disaster Recovery Fund to relieve the fiscal burden placed on local communities during times of disaster. In criminal justice and police
accountability Johnson filed HB 625 to require biannual psychological exams for police officers. HB 567, in honor of Sandra Bland, will prohibit police from arresting individuals for minor offenses. He’s also pitched HB 603 to require physical fitness testing for police and HB 814 to prohibit police from searching a private vehicle without probable cause, written or recorded consent from the vehicle operator. In mental health, Johnson wants HB 309 to offer home and community-based services for struck by severe and persistent mental illness. Johnson’s commitment is to keep people from destabilizing or continuing through the criminal justice, emergency services and mental hospital systems when more appropriate service levels could better serve people and save the state and counties important funds. In child welfare Johnson will fight for HB 287 to consolidate abuse and neglect definitions to require all Department of Family and Protective Service agencies to use the Child Protective Service's definition, to strengthen protections for children in the care of state or paid providers. HB 596 will ensure children removed from their homes and placed in Permanent Managing Conservatorship have the same rights to state appointed Guardians or Ad Litem Attorneys as those in Temporary Managing Conservatorship. In juvenile justice, Johnson wants HB 314 to ensure the Juvenile Justice Education Program prioritizes reading at grade level and prepares for the general education development test and offers funds to divert youth from state juvenile correctional and adult correctional systems. He wants HB 932 to require an annual report from the Department of Juvenile Justice concerning the number of offenders who are or have been in conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services, to break the pipeline from Foster Care to the Juvenile System. Continue reading online @ www.aframnews.com
Texas • January 23 - 29, 2017
Ode to Obama
Charles M. Blow Author, Political & Social Analyst
The dark clouds of the coming administration rolled in this week with a fury, producing a flood of strange and worrisome news. There was the utterly terrifying confirmation hearing of Jeff Sessions as our next attorney general, at which he signaled in no uncertain terms his hostility to the protective posture that the Justice Department has taken to safeguard vulnerable populations over the last eight years. There was the long-awaited news conference conducted by the president-elect that, predictably, turned into a circus of boasting, hubris, hostility, distraction and deflection. And then there was the release of the unsubstantiated intelligence report, with its nausea-inducing claims, which I don’t know what to do with. But there was a calm in the midst of the storm, a rock of familiarity and stability and strength: On Tuesday night, President Obama delivered his farewell address in his adopted hometown, Chicago, as a forlorn crowd looked on, realizing the magnitude of the moment, realizing the profundity of its loss. As the old saying goes: You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone. Whether you have approved of the Obama presidency as a matter of policy or not, it is impossible to argue that Obama was not a man of principle. Whether you agree with individual decisions or the content of his rhetoric, it is impossible to argue that he did not conduct himself with dignity and respect and that he did not lead the country with those values as a guiding light. I have not always agreed with the president’s positions or tactics, and this feels normal to me. Freethinking people are bound to disagree occasionally, even if a vast majority of
their values align. I was particularly frustrated with what I believed was his misreading and underestimation of the intensity of the opposition he faced, and his approach of being a gentleman soldier in a guerrilla war. I was harsh in my critique; some would say too harsh. In 2009, I wrote: “The president wears outrage like another man’s suit. It doesn’t quite
fit.” In 2011, I called him “a robotic Sustainer-in-Chief.” But none of those differences in opinions about strategy injured in any way my profound respect for the characteristics of the man we came to take for granted: bracingly smart, exceptionally well educated, literate in the grand tradition of the great men of letters. He was scholarly, erudite, well read and an adroit writer. And he was an orator for the ages. We got so used to elegant, sometimes masterly speechifying, that I will admit I sometimes tuned it out. We had an abundance of riches in that regard. But listening to the president’s farewell address, I was hit with the force of a brawler that the decency and dignity, the solemnity and splendor, the loftiness and literacy that Obama brought to the office was extraordinary and anomalous, the kind of thing that each generation may only hope to have in a president.
To continue reading online visit Source: nytimes.com
TEXAS • JANUARY 23 - 29, 2017
Editorial & Opinion
Here’s What Happens When Sessions Is In The Saddle At Justice Earl Ofari Hutchinson Author & Political
In 2008, the Alabama Policy Institute published a position paper on what it considered a dangerous trend by the courts and attorneys general. The trend was the court’s approval of consent decrees. For decades, consent decrees have been major weapons wielded by the Justice Department to go after cities, states, and corporations that engage in blatant abusive practices on everything from consumer fraud to police abuse. The institute compiled a lengthy position paper that railed against the use of consent decrees to right wrongs. It demanded that attorneys general and state legislatures act to limit, if not outright do away with, the use of consent decrees. The Institute asked the one attorney general whom it was certain would back its conclusions to the hilt to write the introduction. U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions got right to the point in the very first two sentences, “One of the most dangerous, and
rarely discussed exercises of raw power is the issuance of expansive court decrees. They have a profound effect on our legal system as they constitute an end around the democratic process.” He boasted that as Alabama Attorney General he rushed to the courts to scrap
a consent decree approved by his predecessor. He succeeded. Sessions heartily cheered the Institute for leading the charge to curtail the use of consent decrees. GOP senators, conservative bloggers, and legal shills have launched a charm campaign to paint Sessions as a guy who has been misunderstood. His racially demeaning quotes supposedly were taken out of context and, as Alabama Attorney General and later, U.S. Attorney, he urged vigorous prosecution of a Klan murderer, backed school desegregation efforts, filed lawsuits against voting rights discrimination, and backed the extension of the Voting Rights Act in 2006. But that’s simply PR puffery and window dressing to mask the extreme peril Sessions poses once in the saddle at the Justice Department. There were glaring signs that he would not play by the legal and public interest book as Attorney General. During the 2016 presidential campaign, he claimed that he didn’t see any criminal act in Trump’s boast that he grabbed women in their private parts. This struck to the heart of whether Sessions’ Justice Department would deal impartially with vital Department gender enforcement issues such as support for marriage equality, pay equity for women, and domestic violence and sexual assault. He also didn’t object when Trump said he’d prosecute Hillary Clinton and investigate Black Lives Matter. Then there’s the question of just what types of crimes Sessions would prosecute. There are an estimated 4000 federal criminal statutes on the books that could be subject to prosecution. up to the Attorney General to decide which crimes to make a priority for prosecution. To continue reading online visit Source: HuffingtonPost.com
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Now WE Are About to Lose the Black Church!
It is because African-American News&Issues is a publication that has thrived for over 20 years as a platform that highlights and addresses both current and historical realities affecting our communities; that I stand strong in exposing these elements that continue to impose on the African-American community. As publisher I have made it my business no matter what anyone else says or does to write and talk about the things that matters most to our people. Throughout the years, a lot has changed. Some of it
for the good, some for the bad and some things have just continued to remain the same. Such is the case with this Blackness. But, having the appropriate knowledge and being made aware of certain issues and factors is a tool that will assist members from our communities with the will and “know-how” to combat these elements as they continue and as they arise. Last year, I addressed a couple of issues that have existed to destroy our communities. The fact that many members from our communities have left and abandoned it after going off and being mis-educated and thinking that they have gotten to a point where they believe that they have arrived has crippled our communities. So much so to where many of them are constantly being inhabited by people that does not look like us. Hence we are losing our communities. Another issue I wrote about was the fact that integration did not strengthen the nation in the way that so many people believe that it did. Truth is, it
destroyed our communities! Before integration Black folks were selfsufficient people who relied on one another and supported each other because we really were not allowed to go outside of those boundaries anyway. So we knew no other way than to network and work together, because we literally had no other way to survive. We MUST Understand that before we were allowed into public schools with our White counterparts, we were educated at the church. In fact, many of the Black schools, colleges and universities that exist today were first established at the church. When Black folks couldn’t eat at the typical restaurants as everyone else, everybody cooked at their homes and gathered to the church and each one brought food and fellowship was held there. Morals, values and ethics were also instilled in many of us at the church. There were times that our parents worked so hard that they could not always afford to go to church but they made sure to send their children. Because they knew that where they were not able to teach certain things because they were too busy trying to make a living to provide for the family; they knew that some form of righteous teaching would be going on there. Furthermore, history is even a witness that many of the Civil Rights movements that began were first formed at the church. The Black church in times past has always been a meeting place for members of our communities to come together and discuss these issues that plague our culture and to brainstorm and come up with techniques to help us overcome them. So I wrote all of this to state that the Black church is definitely an integral part of our communities. And it has not just now gotten this way, it was established that way. But here we are in 2017 and for some reason, one of the very land-
We MUST Understand By Roy Douglas Malonson, Chairman
marks that have been responsible for being the bridge that helped to tide many of us over is being abandoned, neglected and forsaken. Somehow, all of a sudden the religion and teaching that was good enough for our parents, our parent’s parents’ and their parent’s parents’ are just not good enough for our children. As a result, our miseducated children are going off and coming home and going to other churches surrounded by people that do not look like them. They don’t want to go where Mama and Daddy went because it’s old-fashioned or does not display the current trends. This mindset is one that is helping us to lose the Black church. There are many other reasons and examples that I could give to help us understand that we are losing the Black church rapidly, but space will not allow me. In closing, I would just like to state that, I have never been the overzealous religious type, but I know right from wrong. Regardless of who I am, I know that my parents kept us in church as a child. Even though I’m Catholic and my wife is Baptist, we recognize and understand the need for the Black church. Therefore, I decided to address the issue. Because with us constantly losing vital facets of the Black community, before too long there will be absolutely nothing to lose. For the simple fact that so many of our people are freely giving it away, with no regard to the struggle that was made just for us to have it to begin with. So I would like to reiterate that the Black church in our culture has always been a very important landmark not only for our communities but for the people in them as well. So I urge our faithful and loyal readers to examine this and return to our old landmark. Read More columns online @ AframNews.com! TX-3
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African
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“ANNIVERSARY” FROM PAGE 1
ACRES HOMES - In 2017, who is best to champion Black issues with the great excellence and integrity? Only those who stand unapologetically on the truth, fairness and fights as the people’s voice. For over 22 years, that has been the mission of the African-American News&Issues (AANI). Roy Douglas and Shirley Ann Malonson stepped out in faith and formed a mission statement that has remained to date the most succinct expression of the newspapers values, goals and intentions. “It is the constant disrespect of other news media that confirms why we need a Black newspaper,” said Chairman Roy Douglas Malonson. “We exist to tell our story and preserve our history.” The African-American News&Issues reports news without fear or favor and reflects the News reported based on an analysis on what is occurring in the African-American community. The newspaper is a reliable news source that is based upon real-time interviews and facts and remains true to our most basic premise of serving the people that this paper belongs to. The Malonsons believe that Black newspapers have consistently played an important role in shaping ideologies and in the social and political uplifting of African-Americans. AANI has the spirit and today is the embodiment of the kinds of ground breaking Black newspapers that came before her. HISTORY
Cover Story
created the Acres Home Citizens’ News. The initial periodical proclaimed itself the “official voice of Acreage Homes reporting on schools, churches, businesses and the community. “The initial reception was phenomenal and honestly exceeded what we initially expected from the community,” according to Shirley Ann Malonson. In September of the same year, The Acres Home Citizen was changed to Citizens’ News in an effort to reflect the expansion and increased coverage area, which now reached out to cover several other African-American communities in North Houston, including Bordersville, Carverdale, Trinity Gardens, Independence Heights, Scenic Woods and Settegast. Demand for broadened coverage beyond North Houston, led to another expansion that
Curtis W. Clerkley Jr., Roy Douglas Malonson, Shirley Ann Malonson, Lisa Pears & Dr. Terence H. Fontaine
Early writers John B. Russwurm and Samuel Cornish published the Freedom’s Journal for the freed African-American community in New York City in the 18th Century. Also Frederick Douglass later published the powerful and respected North Star to campaign against slavery. Like Russwurm, Cornish and Douglass, only true representatives of the Black Press pattern their reporting with courageous stands on issues, fights for change and stands up with the community in and during the struggle for justice and economic equality and prosperity. African-American News&Issues has been the guiding post and is the lighthouse that has provided a historic look with a clearinghouse of ideas, insights and factual information on topics, subjects and issues affecting the Black community directly today and how those particular issues could impact the future.
had the newspaper successfully reporting and covering North Houston, but also reaching out statewide and nationally to address issues affecting the Black community. That was reflected in the latest name change to African-American Neighborhood News and later to AfricanAmerican News&Issues. One of the main goals of the Malonsons has been to produce an information vehicle that serves as the conduit of communications between the government, organizations, people and the community on topics dealing with the economy, education, jobs, discrimination, business and government decisions and actions. “We dare to be different,” Chairman Malonson said. “We report the news and information in ways that we know that you can’t go anywhere else to get the kind of information and news about Black people and our culture, heritage and history.”
DARED TO BE DIFFERENT
RELEVANT NEWSPAPER
The dream to be that kind of newspaper began in February 1996, when the Malonsons
It was 1910 when the California Eagle was published to help African-American migrants
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settle the West by providing housing and job listings. Throughout the great migration, the newspaper focused on challenging injustice and racist practices going on in the United States at the time. It led campaigns in 1914, against racism in the motion picture industry and led the fight in the negative portrayals of Blacks in D.E. Griffith’s Birth of a Nation. - which resulted in the film being banned in several communities nationwide. Other fights the newspaper courageously took on and made a difference was police brutality in Los Angeles and discriminatory hiring practices companies like Southern Telephone Company, Los Angeles Board of Supervisors, Boulder Dam Company, Los Angeles General Hospital and the Los Angeles Rapid Transit Company.
Malonson believes that a Black newspaper must be bold and report relevant news that the African-American Community can use. For years, White media has ignored the value of Black news and its impact on the community. It has always been biased and has strong distaste for Blacks. It is constantly seen in stories that paint negative pictures of Blacks in stories involving crime, education, elections and welfare. Those organizations constantly seek to discredit Black officials, the community and its leaders using age-old stereotypes, racist anecdotes, analogies and stories that case doubt that the community and its leaders are incapable, incompetent and lack solid equitable skills to lead, serve, make decisions for a city council, school board, mayoral position, county commission, state representative, Congress and even the presidency of the United States. “A real African-American Newspaper today is relevant when it provides real words and issues from the real person perspective and voice on the street,” he said. “It also is bold enough to present, addresses and reflect all the important current and historical issues and tough realities
TexasTexas • January 2312-18, - 29, 2017 • August 2013
affecting the community.” Too many Black publications lack that kind of substance and do nothing more than publish second hand news, reprint stories, news releases or are too heavy on entertainment articles and commentaries, rather than the kind of information that educates the public, makes connections to the past history and explains the impact on the present and future situations, he added. FUTURE CHALLENGE Chairman Malonson feels strongly that the schools have dropped the ball in regard to properly educating children and teaching black children about the important role their history and how that history is linked to their present and future. It’s full speed ahead for the newspaper. “We will continue our focus to report news that affects individuals that are often overlooked and swept under the rug by others,” he said. “We simply have made the decision to include such information in the paper for men, women and children.” Too many Black youths are not being exposed to the greatness that is and defines genuine African-American (Black) history and the people we are. Only recently did the Smithsonian open the new African-American Museum in Washington. It unveils some of the most important African-American History known in modern and recent times that had been hidden to the race. It is now available and on public display for all to know and learn. The Malonsons’ focus is not only dealing with current news and issues, but also preparing the way for the next generation of young Black journalists, educators, community and business leaders. AANI is also the parent company to The H-TOWN Black Konnect – a new venture that connects our communities to the services they need in the Black community. One of the main initiative for 2017 and going forward is to promote economic independence and wealth in the Black community. “We will be relevant for a long time to come,” he said. “We have a reason to exist until 100-percent of racism, biases, equal opportunity, police brutality, injustices in criminal justice, inequality and other problems have either been solved or no longer issues in our society.” Like Russwurm, Cornish and Douglass, only true representatives of the Black Press pattern their reporting with courageous stands on issues, fights for change and stands up with the community in and during the struggle for justice and economic equality and prosperity. To continue reading visit us online @ aframnews.com By: Darwin Campbell
TEXAS • JANUARY 23 - 29, 2017 “H-Town Black Konnect” FROM PAGE 1 By: Darwin Campbell
The H-Town Black Konnect is one way to break that cycle by supporting the premise of connecting our communities to the services they need – and from an AfricanAmerican perspective. H-Town Black Konnect can showcase and display the multitude of Black business savvy and talent that exists in the Black neighborhoods operating just around the corner or down the street. It is important to advertise your business as a service to our community so that they can know who you are and what it is you specialize in. That opens doors to new friendships, relationships and partnerships that can last a lifetime.
Cover Story by 2060, the Black population will increase from 45.7 million to 74.5 million, with 17.9 percent of the U.S. population. From 2000 to 2014, the rate of African-American population growth was more than double the white rate of 8.2 percent, and 35 percent faster than the U.S. population as a whole. Dr. Boyce Watkins told the Atlanta Star Journal last year that the key to economic growth, progress and independence is for Blacks need to harness that wealth. According to Watkins, with over $1 trillion, one can buy: 1,000 NFL teams; 3,000 predominantly white universities; the annual budget of 1.4 million charter schools across the nation; pay the tuition at Howard University for 50 million students for an entire year; buy 854,000 community centers; purchase NBC, ESPN and CBS and still have $1 trillion left over.
Recognize Black Economic Power Black buying power reached $1.2 trillion last year, and is estimated to be $1.4 trillion by 2020, according to the University of Georgia’s Selig Center for Economic Growth. That kind of combined spending power would make Black America the 15th largest economy in the world in terms of Gross Domestic Product and the size of Mexico, based on World Bank data. By comparison, in 1990, Black buying power was $320 billion. As the largest consumer group of color, in a nation that is becoming increasingly darker, this trend will only continue to have its impact on the U.S. “The size and influence of affluent African-Americans is growing faster than that of non-Hispanic Whites across all income segments, and the impact is being felt across industries,” said Cheryl Pearson-McNeil, Senior Vice President, U.S. Strategic Community Alliances and Consumer Engagement, Nielsen. “These larger incomes are attributed to a number of factors including youthfulness, immigration, historic educational attainment and constant, relevant dialogue across various social media channels that have an impact on AfricanAmericans’ decisions as brand loyalists and ambassadors. Savvy marketers are taking notice.” According to more research by as detailed in a report by Nielsen in collaboration with the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), Blacks current buying power sits at $1 trillion and that is forecasted to rise and reach $1.3 trillion this year. In an excerpt from another report, Nielsen highlights that
How We Spend Our Money Currently 43 million strong, African-American consumers have unique behaviors from the total market. A Nielsen study revealed that African-Americans are more aggressive consumers of media and shop more frequently. Blacks also watch more television, make more shopping trips, purchase nine times more ethnic beauty and grooming products, read more financial magazines and spend more than twice the time at personal hosted websites than any other ethnic group. African-Americans also make an average of 156 shopping trips per year, compared with 146 for the total market and favoring smaller retail outlets. Some of those stores and shops include: drug stores, convenience stores, and dollar stores. Personal health and beauty supply stores are also popular within the Black community, because of stocking an abundance of ethnic hair and beauty aids that cater specifically to the unique needs of African-American hair textures. Overall, health and beauty supply stores have an average household penetration rate of 46 percent among AfricanAmericans, and the average Black household spends an average of $94 in that type of store each year. Other Black buying trends popular buying categories include fragrances, personal items as well as family planning, household care and cleaning products and an increasing emphasis on family and cooking ingredients tied to cultural traditions.
Read us online! www. aframnews. com
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For business, it is another opportunity to connect with black shoppers and build a strong customer base.
Redefining the Purpose “Given the powerful cultural influences and population growth, there appear to be having an unprecedented impact across a broad range of industries, particularly in television, music, social media and social issues,” according to the report. The big question remains how does that translate in Houston, Texas. Black Business is important and the lifeblood of our progress and success in the Black community and we must channel that income to businesses by spending money in our own communities and advertising with those business in the community in The H-Town Black Konnect . It seeks to help business and consumer meet and provide the kinds of connections that go well beyond one purchase or one visit. The H-Town Black Konnect supports the principles and overall goals of LetsBuyBlack 365. In that movement are five key goals are to: 1) Empower Black people through committed Black owned businesses 2) Create vehicles to empower young people with opportunities for the present and the future 3) Re-instill consumer confidence in Black Businesses 4) Infuse capital in targeted enterprises that can increase the availability of sustainable jobs and career opportunities for our people 5) Be a hub for dialog and action around economic empowerment. The H-Town Black Konnect is the setting, the pace and standards for future prosperiader, but being ahead of the curb in introducing business and consumer to a new relationship. That strategy makes a true “Konnection” that benefits the community as a whole and builds economic power and wealth in the community. That allows us to creating many jobs in our own communities over enriching others.. Research from the Nielsen Company, Let’s Buy Black 365 and information from Atlanta Star Journal contributed to this story. TX- 5
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African
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Community
United Negro College Fund Houston’s 20th Annual Youth Gala
Clear Lake AME - Kadyn Chatman, Aiyana Joseph, Matthew Swagster McQueen, JOhn McQueen, Jaren Van Buren, Jefferson, Tahj Smith, Langston White and Lanson Smith HOUSTON – Since 1972 the slogan, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste”, has resonated throughout these United States. Derived by, Forest Long, it has become the motto of the philanthropic organization (United Negro College Fund – UNCF) that has been responsible for helping minority students around the country achieve the dream of attending a college or university. Endless African-American success stories and personalities have benefitted from the reach of this invaluable association including: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Spike Lee, General Chappie James, Samuel L. Jackson and Alexis Herman, just to list a few. UNCF – Houston’s 20th Annual Youth Gala Recently, the United Negro College Fund – Houston held its 20th Annual Youth Gala at the Bayou City Event Center. The theme of this magnificent event was, “Enhancing the Future of Education”. It was a premier social event for youth throughout the city of Houston. Through the collective efforts of varying organizations, the Gala was created to provide scholarship funds for the Houston chapter of UNCF. In the past several years, this project has maintained an average of $20,000 in donations raised for its purpose. A brief program was held to highlight the event’s focus. It was initiated with a greeting from the 2017 UNCF Youth Gala Program Committee, under the leadership of Chairperson Pat Pellerin. The UNCF Area Development Director
continued by delivering the UNCF Impact. Recognitions were given and amongst those honored were: UNCF Youth Gala Chairperson Emeritus (Harriet Streeter), Youth Gala Adult Steering Committee Chairpersons, Youth Gala Adult Steering Committee, 2017 graduating seniors, 2017 Youth Gala Youth Committees, 2017 Youth Gala Adult Committees and 2017 Building Blocks to Educational Excellence Partners. The program was concluded with closing remarks by the Executive Steering Committee Chairpersons. Afterwards, the youth permeated the building with dancing, fellowship and networking. Plenty fun was had by all as refreshments were served to
Texas • January 23 - 29, 2017
strong independent Black children in America. Through our involvement with Jack and Jill we are constantly being built and shaped to have our own empire and legacy. That way, we can have something that we can live off of and feel accomplished and proud of everything that we have done.” Background Insight from Chairwoman Pat Pellerin Chairwoman Pat Pellerin, informed that the Annual Youth Gala program was an initiative that was engineered to
Houston Chapter of TLOD and TLA - Lady Cynthia Hayes, Lady Valerie Levertt and Lady Eva Johnson promote, “kids helping kids”. It was first instituted by UNCF Youth Gala Chairperson Emeritus Harriet Streeter. The event is organized by teens starting at age 13 through high school graduating seniors. Students assist with the coordination of the event under the supervision of an Adult Steering Committee. The students are participants from corporate-partner partnerships that UNCF-Houston has with affiliating sponsors. Sponsoring organizations pay $250 and two teen representatives from each organization are chosen to assist with the planning and development of the gala, which begins in August. Those teens submit themes for ideas and colors for the decorations of the Gala. Pellerin explained, “We advise but they develop the theme and how the gala is going to be held for the next year. We present the idea to our children in the fashion that, this is a fundraiser to give to UNCF, so that we can help kids less fortunate than them and even some of them obtain college scholarships.” She continued, “We start from a zero-base budget and the $250 is the seed money; so we continue to ask for sponsorship and donations from any youth organizations or businesses that would like to support our idea.”
l-r Rev. Christopher Maxie, Lafoscia Maxie, Tasha Grant and Kevin Reed
Youth from Clear Lake African Methodist Episcopal Church HOU-6
the gathering. A brief interview with one of the participants, Lauren Roquemore, confirmed the positive influence that the Gala has had on the youth. She rendered the following when asked about her affiliation with the United Negro College Fund through Jack and Jill. She said, “Jack and Jill has helped me to get ready for college and shape me into a very inspired young woman. We have done lots of philanthropic work as well as staying informed with Black History facts and details. As young African-American children we’ve done lots of events and learned lots of information that’s helped us to know about our culture and assist with shaping us to become young and
Story & Photos By: Rebecca S. Jones To continue reading, go to AframNews.com
EDITION DATE: January 16 - 22, 2017 (Vol. 21 Issue 52) EDITION DATE: January 23 - 29, 2017 (Vol. 22 Issue 1)
What’s Happenin’
TEXAS • JANUARY 23 - 29, 2017
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TEXAS • JANUARY 23 - 29, 2017
HOUSTON- Houston Community College has named Muddassir Siddiqi the next President of Central College, according to an announcement from Dr. Caesar Maldonado, Chancellor of Houston Community College. “The selection of Dr. Siddiqi came on the heels of a comprehensive national research and extensive vetting by our selection committee,” Dr. Maldonado said. “Our goal was to find the best candidate who could meet the needs of our students and take an active role in the transformation process taking place at HCC. I am confident Dr. Siddiqi will exceed our expectations.” He is scheduled to begin his duties at HCC on Feb. 1. Siddiqi comes to HCC from Morton College in Cicero, Illinois, where he served as Provost and Chief Academic Officer and was instrumental in leading a major restructuring of academic and student service organizations through a robust, collaborative process, leading to enhancements to the student experience and success. He a led the addition of many new transfer agreements in workforce programs, including Health Information Technology, Patient Care Technician, Supply Chain Management, Music Production and Fire Technology. Also, under his tenure as Chief Academic Officer, he initiated a transition program for Bachelor of Science in Nursing and signed partnership agreements with numerous universities for dual degree and transfer programs. Houston Community College is composed of 14 centers of excellence and numerous satellite centers that serve the diverse communities in the Greater Houston area by preparing individuals to live and work in an increasingly international and technological society. “Dr. Siddiqi shares our bold vision for elevating Houston Community College to new heights in student success,” Dr. Maldonado said. “He
brings a wealth of experience in fields that align with the Houston region’s workforce priorities.” “His experience in instructional and workforce development is a great addition to support the strategic priorties of HCC of improving student success,” Maldonado said. Siddiqi received his Ed.D in Adult Education and Higher Education from Northern Illinois University in 2015; a Master of Business Administration from Northern Alabama University in 2011; and a Master in Industrial Technology from Illinois Institute of Technology in 2004.
Dr. Caesar Maldonado In addition to his expansive career experience and professional certifications, Siddiqi is a member of many education related associations, including: American Council on Education, Association for Institutional Research, Instructional Technology Council, National Association of Student Affairs in Higher Education, and is a college representative for Fulbright Scholar Program. HCC is also one of the country’s largest singly accredited, open admission community colleges offering Associates Degrees, certificates, workforce training and life-long learning opportunities.
By: Darwin Campbell
TEXAS • JANUARY 23 - 29, 2017
Politics
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New Progressives vs The Old Guard Could Harris County Democrats Be on the Verge of Transformation, New Leadership HOUSTON- The political earthquake that changed Harris County from “Republican Red” to a “Democratic Blue” is may not be over. Tremors and aftershock fallout appears to be evident as some Harris Democrats are clamoring for inclusion and historic changes in leadership in the party starting at the top. Party Chair Lane Lewis has led the party to victory in November as it reached a historic milestone that resulted in the county electing a Democratic District Attorney, Sheriff and a host of African-American Democratic judges. Now, with speculation and rumors are flying that Lewis may be leaving his post– this could leave a power vacuum in the party as Democrats work to reinvent the party on a statewide and national level after President Donald Trump’s election. The winds of change are blowing and change is coming, according to Dr. Max Miller Jr., president of the Houston Baptist Ministers Association and vicinity. “We are here and want to stand for what is right and it’s about the people having a voice,” Miller said. The so-called “Powers that be” are trying to look over us and trying to direct the community their own way and I am not going to sit back and take it. I have the Word and a community that we are willing to fight for.” The group of 200+ pastors, ministers and preachers from grassroots communities are united in supporting Chris Spellmon for Harris County Democratic Chair. “Change was needed before the change has come and not it’s time for real change,” Dr. Miller said. “We support him because his qualified for the position and support him because he has demonstrated that he has what it takes to transform the Democratic Party today into what it needs to be.” The African-American News and Issues sought a response to the latest rumblings and concerns within the party, but several calls to Party Chairman Lewis and the Harris County Democratic offices were not returned. A native Houstonian, Spellmon was raised in the Fifth Ward – a ward rich in African-American history and traditions. “Now is the Time” and “together we are the answer to ensure our interests are appreciated,” Spellmon said on his candidacy. “My hope is to serve the needs of citizens in Harris County and I am asking for support!” According to Spellmon, one of his main goals is to take grand measures to ensure that all citizens understand how government works and participates in the process. Also, getting
like-minded citizens to vote is a priority of the Democratic Party and recruiting judicial candidates and raising money for progressive efforts is the Democratic Party Chair’s priority. “I endeavor to unify the party, educate the voters and meaningfully engage them in all phases of political service with authority,” he said. “I will also endeavor to expand the fundraising base to accommodate the parties diverse and culturally changing needs.”
What happened in the Harris County Democratic Party According to Dr. Miller, there is a rocky transition going on in the underbelly of the party that the public is not aware of. It is the changing of the guard that is seeing the rise of the younger “Progressives” and the demise of the “Old Guard” county Democrats. “We respect the old guard, but they don’t carry the power anymore,” Miller said. “There is a great disconnect between the groups. There is a difference between the old preachers dying off and the new preachers on the scene now and what some need to understand now is that no longer do politicians run the church.” Miller added that the Black vote has been used and taken for granted over the years and later ignored with little to no real economic or other gains in neighborhoods or communities – a trend whose days are numbered. “It does work anymore to just say I got this church, that church and this group (automatically) any more,” he said. “No more late phone calls. You have to come to us and talk with us. We don’t want to be in the house any longer – we want to be at the table.” According to Miller, Spellmon is the kind of leader who understands what it takes to bring a party with archaic ideas and old philosophies into the 21st Century. “I believe that we can do anything with the right leadership,” he said. “Chris (Spellmon) is wiling to work with the community and the spiritual leaders and when you work with community, civic clubs and churches on the ground level, then
I believe we not only can turn Harris Blue, but also Houston Blue and the state of Texas Blue.” Another problem is despite the party’s November surprise, it has apparently failed to be totally inclusive and protective of its electorate. “What has happened is a falling off of coming to the grassroots areas to find out what is going on or what the issues are,” he said. There has also been a falloff of coming to spiritual leaders to partner and assist in these areas.” For example, many senior citizens who have voted Democrat for years were shuffled around and forced to vote at other unfamiliar polling locations that allegedly favored Republicans. That “watering” down or dilution of voting block strength created numerous untold hardships and raised the ire of some Progressive Democrats who feel that the current leadership failed. New Thinking and New Direction for Harris County Democrats Spellmon feels that he is the right man for the right time because of his grassroots experience in campaigns, the community and his connection to key figures and the needs of younger voters. He said three things that he believe are important in changing the future direction of the party are his transformation-style leadership, business acumen and use of resourceful networks. His experience includes witnessing the golden age of ascension of political leadership demonstrated by Mickey Leland and Barbara Jordan. As a student at Kashmere High School, he became intrigued with the notion of civic engagement; and volunteered to work in the campaign of Mickey Leland and Anthony Hall for State
Representatives. He observed the impact of the “People’s Five” campaign and learned how to use “consensus building” and “diversity of thought” as meaningful tools of negotiation. Also, under the mentorship of Rev. T.J. Compton, he said he realized the power that politics held by observing the numbers of citizens who would come to counsel with him on matters that affected the quality of everyday life.
Chris Spellmon Spellmon was a Finance major at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas, and joined the Student Government Association as well as the College Democrats. He has been an active member in the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats/ Dallas since the early 90’s and had access to several other campaigns and assisted State Representative Gerald Larry with his local and statewide races. Other key experience includes work in the Democratic Party on several key candidacies. Spellmon also contributed time to the effort to help turn Dallas “blue” when Craig Watkins ran for District Attorney in Dallas. He also worked on campaigns for State Representative Garfield Thompson and with Wendy Davis’ campaign for State Senator. Other key additional “tours of duty” with various campaigns include those of: Mark White in his bid for Governor of Texas; Bill Clinton in his presidential campaign; Barack Obama in his bid for President of the United States; Hillary Clinton’s campaign bid for President; Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee in her bid for re-election; Mayor Sylvester Turner, in his bid for Mayor of the City of Houston; and for several Harris County Judges including Ursula Hall, Ramona Franklin and Nikita Harmon. “Those experiences fueled my desire to learn about and do more to engage in public service through political actions,” he said. “Unleashing the Potential within others is my passion and my greatest reward is assisting others in achieving their career goals.” Miller said the issue is about honesty, integrity and character – that is what people deserve. By: Darwin Campbell
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Black Heritage
TEXAS • JANUARY 23 - 29, 2017
BLACK HERITAGE WESTERN GALA HO
PROGRAM FOCUSES ON SUCCESS STORY OF SUPPORTING URBA
HOUSTON - The question is often raised: “Can you really make a difference in the life of a child?” Out of the mouth of babies comes the resounding response that the future and lives of our young urban youth are worth investing in. No one expressed that more than Black Heritage Committee Scholarship recipient Dominique Jones, who told a harrowing story about her real life of struggles and sacrifices. She wowed a crowd of over 1,000 elected officials, dignitaries, corporate and business and community leaders who attended the 24th Annual Black Heritage Western Gala at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Jones shared how her early dreams and sacrifices kept her motivated and strong and how the BHC scholarship to Texas A&M University is making a difference in her life and helping her fulfill her dreams as she studies to become an attorney. “Who am I,” she said. “I am a child of self discipline… a challenger… a volunteer...a child believer… a confidant… and an overcomer.” Jones primed the audience with an inspiring story using a series of phrases describing herself in a bright myriad of ways – all to help underscore the value of their contributions to the program and investment in her and others like her. She also thanked her mother for her support and encouragement, but defined herself as strong and developing Black woman and a survivor – sacrificing play time as a child to participate in numerous competitions in high school and weathering the relationship breakup of her parents. Jones said she remained focused on God, being active in church and her studies and because of the support and positive influence of the Black Heritage Committee – it made all the difference in the world. So far, it has allowed her to broaden her horizons beyond Houston to include making TX - 10
national and international friends and working on student internships in Missouri and with a criminal defense attorney. “Thank you for your contributions, they are going somewhere,” Jones said. “As you donate, know your donations go far beyond. One day when I become a lawyer, I too will be able to give back as well.” BHC support is allowing Jones to fulfill her dreams of becoming an attorney. Dr. Terence H. Fontaine, BHC Chairman praised supporters for supporting students like Jones and promoting the mission of the BHC in the community. “The mission of the BHC is not only to raise awareness of our past but give hope to our future by raising scholarship funds for urban youth,” according to Chairman Fontaine said. Each year scholarships go to deserving high school seniors attending Texas Colleges and Universities The proceeds from the gala itself provides $18,000 in scholarships to outstanding youth recipients. HISTORY The Black Heritage Committee was established as an official Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo committee in 1993, under the name Black Go Texan Committee, The founding 50 members united in an efforts to better serve Houston’s African-American community. The BHC is to promote the show in the African American community while highlighting the pioneer and Western Heritage of Black Individuals in Houston and throughout the state. By promoting the integral role of the Black Cowboy in helping tame the Wild West, BHC hopes the African American community will develop a greater appreciation for its Western Heritage.
CENTER
TEXAS • JANUARY 23 - 29, 2017
Black Heritage
African
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ONORS HOUSTON BLACK MEDIA
AN YOUTH & POSITIVE CONTRIBUTIONS OF BLACK PRESS
BHC is committed to educating urban youth on the rich African-American Western culture and others about the significant contributions made by many African Americans in settling the West such as the renowned Buffalo Soldiers, and acknowledging the role played by Black Cowboys and settlers. HONORING THE BLACK PRESS The second part of the 24th Annual Gala was “Honoring Excellence and Integrity Through Black Media”. It also recognized black newspapers, journals and magazines that have made a positive impact in the community through the uses of written publications. Each recipient was honored for their contributions to the community they serve and received the Verna Lee Booker Hightower Award for Greatness. VERNA LEE HIGHTOWER According to the Texas State Historical Association, Verna Lee Hightower was born on June 26, 1930 in the small town of Spring, Texas. She earned the nickname “Boots” because of her love for horses and the outdoors, but after she married her husband, Ted Hightower, she began riding regularly and training horses. Her hard work and training on the barrels helped her gain a reputation as a fearless rider, bedecked in her tailor-made cowgirl apparel, never slowing down when approaching the barrels. She became one of the most competitive riders at the Diamond L Ranch. Also, on the Black Rodeo Circuit, whe competed on the national level in Okmulgee and Henrietta, Oklahoma. She was also successful in other rodeo circuits in Sinonton and Pasadena Texas. She also
ERFOLD
taught her children a healthy respect for riding and ranch animals. Mrs. Hightower was the first African-American to become member of the Girls’s Rodeo Association and the first African-American woman to participate in the barrel racing competition during in 1969 and 1970. “This evening also honors our community newspapers,” Chairman Fontaine said. “These newspapers are an iconic example of the very lifeline of information to our communities.” Those honored for 2017 included Roy Douglas Malonson, African-American News and Issues; Doris Ellis Robinson, Houston Sun; Karen Carter Richardson, Forward Times; Francis Page Jr., Houston Style Magazine; Sonceria Messiah-Jiles, Houston Defender; and Keith J. Davis, D-Mars Business Journal. Jones inspired words highlighted the program, but also set the atmosphere for sharing and recognizing the many other successes, contributions, cooperation and community efforts that the BHC is currently involved with in conjunction with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. “Houston has historically offered an array of activities, organizations and services that are reflective of our diverse city,” Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said. “From the Buffalo Soldiers to the Western Cowboys, and the great agricultural heritage of Texas, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo captures a big piece of Houston history. We appreciate the tremendous enthusiasm of the volunteers on the committee who contribute energy and countless hours to raise money for future Houston generations.” Black Heritage Day at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is Friday, March 10, 2017. This year’s performer on Black Heritage Day is Alicia Keys. Story By: Darwin Campbell, AANI Senior Journalist Photos By: Anthony Stewart TX-11
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