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WE MUST UNDERSTAND ~ ROY DOUGLAS MALONSON PAGE 3

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Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for Lawson Academy MICHAEL LOVE A S S I S TA N T

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African

American News&Issues

“Understanding Yo Mate…” Before I Lay it Down...

By “Coach” Mark Spivey

ou and the love of your life have been married nearly 25 years. All the kids are grown and have left home to start their own lives. Gone is the dependency of a caring mom who is the glue that holds families together. No more mother-to-daughter talks. No more momma’s boys hugging and kissing on her all day long. The kids have gone. All that’s left in a big empty

Earl Ofari Hutchinson Author & Political Read us online! w w w. a f r a m n e w s.c o m

Maryland prosecutor has charged a Baltimore police officer with a major felony charge in the killing of an unarmed young Black male who was not charged with any crime. The case

Roy Douglas Malonson Chairman Shirley Ann Malonson

President/C.E.O.

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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.

TX-2

house is you and your wife. You’re a little older, a little wiser, and even possibly a little slower. No matter how much you deny it, life is changing. Love is being re-defined and the quality of passion is now more important than the quantity of its works. Tonight, I want to talk to the older fellers about loving our wives as we mature into our golden years. Here goes: Women are God’s most beautiful, wonderfully built creations. He may have created them from Adam’s ribs, but let’s remember that God put him in a deep sleep first. I imagine that God did this so He could marvel at His work before man could see it for

Edit rial & Opini n

himself. God probably looked at Eve and said: “I did good ...!” We fellers can co-sign on God’s proclamation, especially if He’s blessed us with our own “Eve”. As men and women age, our young friends “Testosterone and Estrogen” have begun to leave us just like our children did. Hell, I believe that we somehow mysteriously passed it on to them through the air or something. We don’t have as much as we used to no matter what our egos or minds may say. Our batteries, by design, have begun to run low. It is during these times that men must recognize the needs of their beautifully mature mates. We can’t think that they’re not sexual beings any longer just because their “drives” are not as strong. We

must make sure that they feel loved and made love to in a smoother, more passionate way. Take foreplay to a different level, massaging her mind as well as her body. Make her feel wanted, needed, and sexy as you brush her graying hair or rub on her tiring feet. Take yo time with her; don’t rush. Remember it’s the quality of the experience now. Touch her in places that she thought you’d forgotten and make her sweat out her perm. Kiss her on her neck and make her giddy like a teenager. Nibble on her earlobes and whisper “where do you want me to put this at” as you tickle her with your tongue. Tell her that “she’s YO gurl” and put her to sleep. Fellers take care of yourselves and also realize when you might need a little “help” from time to

Texas • May 11 -17, 2015

time. Get regular checkups and let your doctors know when you’re not “performing” like you used to. Ain’t nothing wrong with that. Help yo manhood so you can keep yo woman good. You don’t have to run a marathon or a sprint, you can take yo time in the romance department and your wife will give you a gold medal just for trying. She just wants to know that you still care. You never know what may “pop” up, if yo wife rubs you the right way. Just make sho you’re ready. There’s nothing sexier and prettier than a fine-ass woman with graying hair and a spunky personality. She still “switches” when she walks, not afraid to show those nice bow-legs. Continue Reading Online Source: Aframnews.com

Baltimore PD Indictment Is One Thing, Conviction Is Another

has drawn intense media attention and stirred public rage. Prosecutors in bringing charges are confident that they can get a conviction. And why not? There are many witnesses that say the victim was not committing a crime, there was no provocation, and he was unarmed. The coroner classified the killing as a homicide. The Maryland prosecutor in the case is not Maryland State Attorney Marilyn Mosby. The victim is not Freddie Gray. The officer charged with the killing was not the officers Mosby is charging with the slaying of Gray. The slaying did not happen in April 2015. It happened in 2008. The victim was Edward Lamont Hunt. He was shot dead by Baltimore police officer Tommy Sanders. The charge against Sanders was voluntary manslaughter. Hunt’s alleged offense was that he supposedly stared too hard at Sanders in a shopping center, and when he tried to search him, he ran off. He opened fire when he thought he was reaching for something. The story was potentially bogus, and it seems Sanders could have told the tall tale to cover his wanton slaying of Hunt. During the four-day trial, the

prosecution called eight witnesses who testified that they never saw Hunt reach into his jacket as he fled or saw Hunt assault the officer. The defense called only three witnesses. Two of them were police experts who said that Sanders simply followed standard Baltimore police guidelines in the detaining of a possible suspect. The other witness was Sanders who claimed that he feared for his safety in the encounter. That was enough for the jury. Sanders was acquitted. Seven years later, Baltimore police officers are back in a court docket on multiple charges. The Sanders case, and the handful of other similar cases, where cops are tried in the killings and assaults on unarmed civilians once again raise the eternal and deeply troubling question: Will a jury convict them? In 2010, a Bureau of Justice Statistics report found racial discrimination in jury selection is still rampant, even blatant. A Supreme Court ruling and other court rulings that ban all White or non-Black juries have been in far too many cases no more than paper decisions that have had little effect in insuring a diverse jury in cases

involving Black defendants. The same holds true where blacks have been the victims, and whites or non-blacks the defendants. That’s even more the case when the defendants are police officers. Mosby cleared the first colossal hurdle with the indictment of the cops. To get that far is in itself the rarest of rarities. Here’s how rare: Police have killed thousands of unarmed civilians in the decade since 2005 but according to a survey by the Washington Post and researchers at Bowling Green State University, only 54 officers have been charged in the shootings and virtually all have been acquitted if they ever get to trial. The Bureau of Justice Statistic report gave a big clue why it’s virtually impossible for juries to face the brutal reality that some cops do wantonly kill. It comes down to the racial make-up and the ingrained biases of the jurors, no matter what their color. On that point, it did find that a racially diverse jury weighed evidence and testimony longer and more carefully, brought different perspectives and life experiences to the deliberations, and made fewer factual errors. These are

all original responses from Letter to the Editor Weourwelcome 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.

crucial factors in the rare cases where cops are charged with killing young Black or Hispanics. On the other hand, a jury with no blacks, composed of mostly older middle class whites, and non-Black ethnics, is much more likely to believe the testimony of police and prosecution witnesses than Black witnesses, defendants or even the victims. In the Sanders trial, Hunt family members were outraged that the jurors chose to believe the testimony of the shooter, Sanders, rather than eight witnesses who flatly contradicted his version of the killing.

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African

Texas • May 11- 17, 2015

Edit rial & Opini n The Demise of the Black Male Educator Manhood, Race & Culture By Dr. James Thomas Jones III

will never forget the moment I walked into my seventh-grade social studies class at Johnny Appleseed Middle School because it was at that moment that I experienced something that would permanently change the trajectory of my life. I met Mr. Rick Roberson, the only African-American male teacher I would have during my K-12 education. Although it may seem a bit cliché, the fact that there was a Black man standing in front of my class went a long way toward molding what I would become professionally. Put simply, his presence mattered. To this day, Mr. Roberson attributes my becoming a Historian to his voluminous influence; an influence that extends to this very moment. As an educator who deals with African-American collegians on a daily basis, I have learned that my experience of having a single AfricanAmerican teacher during the K-12 educational experience is the norm. My exposure to African-American history informs my perception that the current lack of Black male teachers is an anomaly that began in the wake of the Brown v. Board of Education decision. Prior to the unwise decision by African-American leaders to pursue forced integration with a hostile White community, it was common for Black males to lead classrooms. Unfortunately for AfricanAmericans, undeniable racism worked to remove African-American male teachers. In the post-Brown decision era, African-American males were disproportionately removed from classrooms and replaced by White teachers at an alarming rate. Although difficult to admit, over a half-century after the Brown decision, the AfricanAmerican male teacher presence hovers at one-percent. During today’s

K-12 educational experience, Black males are much more likely to encounter an African-American male as a janitor, serving food in the lunch room, or driving a bus than teaching a class. The lack of African-American teachers is so significant that U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has begun several initiatives to counter this reality that according to the National Center for Education Statistics, nearly 82% of public school teachers are white. The fact that such a disproportionate workforce does not reflect the current demographics of student populations partially explains the voluminous problems that AfricanAmerican males experience within the current educational system. Unfortunately for Black America, so-called scholars such as Ivory A. Toldson relate a non-sense belief that refutes the idea that “…increasing the number of Black male teachers will eliminate the achievement gap.” Unfortunately, numbers-crunchers such as Mr. Toldson fail to comprehend the reality that many intangible factors are not quantifiable. It is such matters that lend validity to Terris King, a kindergarten teacher at the Bishop John T. Walker School in Washington D.C. who is currently instructing a class of over fifty AfricanAmerican children from impoverished backgrounds. Mr. King recognizes the impact that his presence is having upon the young African-American males placed under his care when he relates “I fill a void in their lives. A lot of them have never felt what it feels like to shake a man’s hand, look them in the eye, and tell them right from wrong. They need those things…they need an African-American male in their lives that’s positive.” “I look out of my window, and I see gentlemen that are standing on the corner, and I look at my boys, and I can say to myself what I’m going to teach in a day about what’s right and what’s wrong, might turn the path a little bit.” Continue Reading Online Source: Aframnews.com

American News&Issues

Please Do Not Forget Our History! Forgetting What Happened to Us Can Destroy Us! - Roy Douglas Malonson

I’m Not a Whore!

ne word can have a variety of meanings. The term that I have chosen to deal with in this editorial is, “whore”. According to Webster’s Dictionary a whore may be defined as, “a woman who engages in sexual acts for money, a male who engages in sexual acts for money, a venal or unscrupulous person, or the motion of pursuing a faithless, unworthy or idolatrous desire.” Now I’m not using this term in a literal sense but rather figuratively. When thinking of the term, “whore”, it is equivalent to the word “prostitute”. Most people are familiar with these terms in some sort of way. This is why I decided to use this particular term in order to best convey my point. Because there are some people that you just have to make things plain to; in order for them to best understand and communicate with them. So in reference to the word “whore” being defined as a male or female who engages in sexual activities for money; it is a safe assumption to state, once such a person’s role has been played and fulfilled then that male or female is of no real value to the person of which they performed these acts with. Thus, I have chosen to incorporate this term into this editorial, because I do believe that most African-Americans that read and keep current with our editions, should be able to understand what I am stating here. Because, I am sick and tired of people thinking that they can just use me, my wife and the establishments and organizations that we have built just to promote and advance their own agendas

and then just completely forget about the ones that helped them get to where they are. Because I’m not a whore and I will not be used for anybody’s purpose and then just thrown away like yesterday’s trash. Addressing the faithful and loyal readers of African-American News & Issues, there are some members from the Black community that have a really bad habit of doing this to people. This is not a good look on people that have this sort of mentality. Now make no mistake and don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with supporting people’s motives and agendas. However, in doing so I just believe that it should be a two way street. We MUST learn to support those who support us. If a person is desirous of getting a task, project, business or other, over to the public and needs help doing so, it’s simple to just ask for support but at the same time when the mission or objective has been reached or accomplished. I just believe that it’s no more than fair to turn around and give back to the ones that originally supported you. Also, by supporting members of your own community, it is a way of ensuring that our resources are circulated throughout our own community. And I am not just stating something that I don’t already apply in my personal life. I try my best to do business with people inside the community. I have always supported and purchased things through local Black businesses, because I have always understood the importance and significance of going out the community to support people that could care less about members from the Black community.

We MUST Understand By Roy Douglas Malonson, Chairman

And no I am not prejudice or racist at all. Nonetheless, I have seen what a race of people can do if they are on one accord and if everyone sincerely supports the next person in their ventures. The United States is also a witness to the potential success of the Black community, yet that’s an editorial for another day. Concluding, I know preachers, pastors, politicians, business owners and a number of other people that have come to African-American News & Issues and the Acres Home Chamber for Business & Economic Development seeking support of the community in some shape, form or fashion and then they are just never heard or seen from after that. This mindset yields a selfish personality of someone that is only concerned with how they may be helped and not having regard for anyone else. It happens all the time within the newspaper. There are some readers of African-American News & Issues that are genuinely loyal to picking up our paper no matter what is in the week’s edition. On the other hand, there are those that only retrieve the paper when them or someone they know is featured or highlighted in the paper. But to each his own! This type of behavior is not limited or aimed at no one person in particular, because as it is all types of people of all types of professions exhibit this behavior. TX-3

African

American News&Issues

Academy from pg. 1

HOUSTON - “God put us here to prepare this place for the next generation. That’s our job. Raising children and helping the community, that’s preparing for the next generation.” Retired professional basketball player Dikembe Mutombo, does not stand alone in this conceptual thought. Reverend William A. and Audrey Lawson share in on the vision of creating an environment for children that is conducive with preparing futuristic opportunities for the youth of the community. This element has been confirmed by not only a vision inspired by Mrs. Audrey Lawson, but the actual implementation of the Lawson Academy. Recently, the William A. Lawson Institute for Peace and Prosperity (WALIPP) introduced the Lawson Academy. The introduction took place in the form of a Ribbon-Cutting ceremony which was held to unveil the two middle-school (grades 6-8), single-gender campuses that the school consists of. Rev. TX- 4

L awson A cademy ’ s

award winning

Lawson Academy

D rumline , T igerettes , F lag

William A. and Audrey Lawson, (Principal) Dr. Marthea Raney, Council Member Dwight Boykins, members from various media facets, community stakeholders, residents and many other individuals gathered to attend the ceremony. The event took place at the academy which sits at 3129 Southmore Blvd., 77004. Rev. Lawson spoke about the goals and objectives of Lawson Academy, as well as gave a brief introduction about WALIPP and how it works as a birthmark of the campus. As he concluded his delivery he stated that, “We will leave behind a legacy of good opportunities for our young people.” Following, Principal of Lawson Academy, Dr. Marthea Raney had words. She said, “Our academy has always been committed to providing advanced opportunities for children in under served communities.” She continued, “We think it’s equally as important to instill a

girls and

Texas •• August May 1112-18, - 17, 2015 Texas 2013

C heerleading T eam

commitment to service and selflessness within the walls of our school; and that starts with understanding the many contributions that Revered Lawson, and others like him have made to this great city and this community in particular. It’s a constant reminder to always lead with character.” Afterwards, Lawson Academy’s awardwinning drum line, cheerleaders, Tigerettes and flag girls performed several selections which kept the audience engaged and up on their feet. Once the ribbon was cut, everyone was dismissed to preview the facilities and were served refreshments. According to a statement from school officials, it is their intent with the new brand identity and re-introduction to the public; that the board of directors and staff of the academy will aim to honor the legacy of Reverend Lawson and reinforce their commitment to service, reflective of the same.

Nearly two decades ago, members of the Third Ward community created a non-profit organization named in honor of one of Houston’s most renown pastors, Rev. William A. Lawson. That institution was WALIPP, which was inclusive with a senior living complex and the WALIPP Preparatory Academy (it has since become Lawson Academy). The academy has been noted for its operation with, “a creative academic curriculum to build student success and to develop the whole person.” The mission of the school is to, “provide a comprehensive education in single-gender environment based on four cornerstones: relevant curriculum, rigorous instruction, respect for self and others in the learning community and reciprocity, or give and take, of ideas and talents.” The chief values of the campus rest on what educators there has described as, “six pillars of excellence.” These elements include: Continue reading “Academy” Pg. 5

Texas • May 11 - 17, 2015

r osALyn L iLLie & K Aren L ee

m rs . d omingueZ

Lawson Academy

Read us online! w w w. aframnew s. com

T hyrA B urKs

g aiL S teWart

Building (St. James Episcopal “scholarship, integrity, brotherChurch) and the Girls Campus hood/sisterhood, work, culture and 3129 Southmore Tucker Hall. liberty.” For more details or information The Lawson Academy subabout Lawson Academy call, scribes to a motto which states that, (713) 225-1551 or visit www. “The best time to start success is LawsonAcademy.com. right now!” Rev. Lawson and his wife The Lawson Academy is an Audrey have labored in the open-enrollment charter school. ministry of Christ during a time Any student who is committed to period which dates back to the academic excellence and interested Civil Rights dispensation of in attending the next school year is time. Rev. Lawson was very encouraged to apply at the district instrumental in assisting with office. Space is limited, so students c oAch L orenZo J ohnson the late Dr. Martin Luther serious about applying are asked King, Jr. coming to Houston; to submit applications as early as possible. Lawson Academy is ranked as number at a time time when not many other ministers two as it relates to the highest among public sec- was so accepting of the message that Dr. King stood for. Additionally, he established Wheeler ondary schools. The academy has an outstandAvenue Baptist Church in 1962, which has ing S.T.E.M. (Science and Space, Technology and Transportation, Engineering and Energy become a pillar in the Third Ward community. and Mathematics and Medicine) and athletics, Throughout the years, Rev. and Mrs. Lawson have made great strides within many minority art and music departments. communities, educational atmosphere, religious To learn more about the Lawson Academy sectors and divers other segments of the visit the campus: the district office is located African-American community. at 5220 Scott Street #108, 77004; the Boys Campus sits at 3129 Southmore in the Rayzor Story & PHotoS By: reBeCCa S. JoneS

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STARTS FRIDAY, MAY 15

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EDITION DATE: May 11 - 17 6

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CARWASH elimination. Other schools would be Smith, Stovall, HarrisCARWASH and Hill, SPARKLE’S all based on the same criteria. Stu& DETAIL CENTER dents of magnet programs that had (832) 643-1008 been eliminated would return to WALLER COUNTY AREA their home campus and given first priority for available in other his slots should magnet programs, with the exception of 4thbe grade students, who your d will be given the option ofi rcontinusen d inqu i e s to ing at Houston s a l e Academy. s @ a f r a mStaff n e w swill .com be placedHOU-6 into vacant positions on other campuses. The order would have given the

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Texas • May 11 - 17, 2015

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HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE TO PROPOSERS The Houston Independent School District located in the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center at 4400 West 18th Street Houston, Texas 77092 will accept proposals, until the stated date and time deadlines, in the Board Services Office, Level C1

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May 11 - July 12 Monday - Sunday Houston Museum of African-American Culture Exhibitions Leaving Mississippi: Reﬂections on Heroes and Folklore 4807 Caroline St Houston, TX 77004 **Call for Hours** For more info contact (713) 526 - 1015

Email Your Upcoming Events to: news@aframnews.com 4 weeks in advance!

Monday Acres Home Chamber for Bus & Eco Dev, Inc. Seniors- Games 6112 Wheatley St Houston, TX 77091 From 1pm - 3pm For more info contact: (713) 692-7161 info@acreshomecenter.org

May 15 - 16 Friday - Saturday

Good Hope MBC The Art of Marriage Conf. 3015 North Mac Gregor Way Houston, TX 77004 May 15, Beginning at 6:30pm May 16, Beginning at 4pm For more info visitt goodhope.ccbchuch.com

May 15 - 16

Friday - Saturday Greater Star MBC 8th year Anniversary toucH By anointed 5510 Cruse St. Houston, TX 77016 May 15, Beginning at 7pm May 16, Beginning at 5pm For more info contact (713) 631 - 7457 Saturday Impact a Hero 11th Annual 5K Run 13134 Dairy Ashford Rd. Sugarland, TX 77478 Beginning at 7am For more info visit

www.impactahero5k.com

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Saturday Acres Home Chamber for Bus & Eco Dev, Inc. Digital Computer Class 6112 Wheatley St Houston, TX 77091 From 10am - 12pm For more info contact: (713) 692-7161

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May 23 - 24

Saturday - Sunday Ziyon Houston 7th Anniversary Celebration 5878 Bellfort St. Houston, TX 77033 Beginning at 5:00pm Saturday info@acreshomecenter.org New Covenant Christian Tabernacle Sunday 3rd Pastoral Appreciation First Baptist of Pastor ralPH g. Holiday, Jr. Lincoln City BC 8505 Cypress St. FBC Praise Dancers Houston, TX 77012 844 Fortune St Beginning at 11:00am Houston, TX 77088 For more info contact Beginning at 11:30am (713) 734 - 4431 For more info contact: Sunday (832)892-5078 St. John MBC Monday Parade of Salads Acres Home Chamber 7728 Peachtree St for Bus & Eco Dev, Inc. Houston, TX 77016 Seniors- Arts & Crafts Beginning at 3pm 6112 Wheatley St For more info contact Houston, TX 77091 (281) 821 - 7552 From 1pm - 3pm For more info contact: Great News! (713) 692-7161 African-American info@acreshomecenter.org News&Issues now offers E-Blast to over 20,000 business professionals Tuesday and community subcribProject Row ers for a very low price. Houses Let us promote Talk No Vacancies Outyour next event! side the Tortoise Shell For more information **speAKer** contact (713) 692-1892 NAThANiel doNNeTT or visit 2511 Holman St www.aframnews.com Houston, TX 77004 Saturday From 6:30pm - 7:30pm NAFBAwards For more info contact 2015 Nigerian Arts, (713) 526 - 7662 Fashion & Beauty Awards Tuesday 6780 Southwest Fwy. Project Row Houston, TX 77074 Houses &Health Dept From 6:00pm - 12:00am Presentation For more info contact 2521 Holman St (323) 246 - 7369 Houston, TX 77004 Read us online From 6pm - 7pm aframnews.com For more info contact (713) 526 - 7662 Saturday Ladies of the Lake Saturday Foundation Discover U Fantastic 4th Annual Zumbathon Learning Opportunites & Health Fair 1st Annual Crawﬁsh Bash 2105 Dickinson Ave. 1809 Washington Ave. League City, TX 77573 Houston, TX 77007 From 10am - 1pm From 1pm to 4pm For more info contact For more info visit (281) 554 - 1180 www.eventbrite.com

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PINEMONT

HOUSTON - Hartz Chicken has been an Acres Home Chamber for Business and Economic Development member with pride. Hartz Chicken on Pinemont believes in treating every customer as an honored guest. Hartz Chicken was established in 1972 and the Pinemont location has been operating for over 25 years providing the Acres Home community with great tasting fried chicken, a fresh buffet, and quality service. Hartz Chicken on Pinemont provides the community with the

C mmunity

highest quality food and value possible, served in an uncompromising atmosphere of genuine warmth, friendliness, and service as a part of the family. The Hartz Chicken on Pinemont has created the Acres Home Special with the community in mind, feeding families of 5 for only $23.99. The Acres Home Special includes: • 14 piece dark (7 legs and 7 thighs) • 2 Large Side of your choice (including fries, fried okra, and corn on the cob) • 12 Danish yeast rolls Hartz Chicken on Pinemont is the Acres Home Chamber for Business and Economic Development Small Business Spotlight not only for their tasty fried chicken, but their commitment to support the Acres Home community.

MEMBER

LEND A HAND TO THE ACRES HOME CHAMBER TODAY

The Acres Home Chamber for Business and Economic Development is seeking volunteers to support the chamber and community through programming in the following areas: • Juneteenth Celebration • Community Outreach Assistants • Computer Training Facilitators (1st and 3rd Saturday, 10am – Noon) • Arts and Crafts Assistant (2nd Monday, 1-3pm) • Mentors for Young Adults • Summer Camps - Activity Assistance • Membership Outreach • Business Owners as Facilitators of Seminars • Attorney’s to conduct Seminars To lend a hand and support the Acres Home Community, send an email of your speciﬁc skill and assistance to: director@acreshomecenter.org We look forward to having you help support the Acres Home Chamber and surrounding communities.

Basic Financial Literacy

HOUSTON - NOAH Inc. presents Basic Financial Literacy Series at the Acres Home Chamber May 11-15, 2015; 9am - 11am. • Seminar topics will include: • Managing & Budgeting, • Financial Goal • Setting, Starting or Building a Savings Account, • Credit Restoration and Identify Theft Awareness The series is free to Acres Home Chamber Members, Non-Members $25.00. This series supports the Acres Home Chamber mission on Financial and Economic Development.

TEXAS • MAY 11 - 17, 2015

Health & Wellness Seminar

HOUSTON - Wisdom, Power, Control and Si, Yo Puedo Controlar Mi Diabetes were developed to address the need for an evidence-based, culturally relevant type 2 diabetes self-management education (DSME) program targeting AfricanAmericans and Hispanics. The seven-week program align with the American Diabetes Association’s standards for DSME are driven by the empowerment principal. Classes are taught by Extension professionals, with the assistance of a registered nurse or dietitian teaching team. The program is designed for individuals with limited knowledge of how to control their diabetes, is experiential, employs activities that build both knowledge and diabetes self-care skills. A weekly video series is a unique feature of Wisdom, Power, Control and (Si, Yo Puedo). Using a soap opera format, the show depicts two central characters who discuss common struggles and successes living with diabetes. The central message of the video series is that controlling diabetes is possible, and

they can do it. The lessons are: What is diabetes, blood glucose levels, diet and nutrition, physical activity, medicines and preventing complications. This is a 7-week program inclusive of an orientation (pre-evaluation), 6 classes and a post-evaluation. • Wisdom, Power & Control Diabetes Series at the Acres Home Chamber for Business and Economic Development • Sponsored by: PVAMU College of Agriculture and Social Services, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, and KEW Learning Academy • Every Wednesday starting May 13, 2015 at 10am - Noon (May 13 - June 24, 2015) This is a 7-part series This 7-week diabetes education series is free to the public and supports the Acres Home Chamber mission on Health and Wellness For further information contact: Dr. Jayne McCullough at 832-567-8655, Dr. Sonja Davis at 713-274-0969, or Dr. Lason Hines @ 713-692-7161.

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TEXAS • MAY 11 - 17, 2015

AUSTIN - Schlumberger Ltd. has partnered with Houston Community College to provide job training using a $517,652 Skills Development Fund grant from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). The grant will benefit workers in the Workforce Solutions Gulf Coast area. The grant will be used to custom train 415 new and incumbent workers to increase technical skill levels in areas of information technology, accounting, project management and instrumentation. Those trained include IT project managers, accounting clerks and supervisors, manufacturing engineers, designers and technicians. Upon completion of training, the workers will earn an average hourly wage of $39.06. AUSTIN - State Representative Eric Johnson's House Bill 1036 passed out of the House with 141 "yes" votes and just a single "nay" vote which was subsequently changed to a "yes" vote. House Bill 1036 requires law enforcement agencies to submit a report with basic statistical information of shootings by peace officers and shootings of peace officers by civilians to the Office of the Texas Attorney General (OAG) within thirty days of the incident. It also requires the OAG to post this report online within five days of receipt, and to produce an annual report of these incidents. House Bill 1036 is the result of working with several stakeholders. Representative Johnson and his staff met with community leaders and academics who voiced the need for this information and also worked with various police departments and police officer associations from across the state, including in Dallas, Austin, and Houston, to address law enforcement concerns and craft the language of the bill. Representative Johnson said. Texas law requires law enforcement agencies to report information on a number of different types of incidents to the state, including incustody deaths. However, the law does not require law enforcement agencies to provide statistics on officer-involved shootings directly to the state.

aframnews.com

ABILENE - A new strip mall is planned for the plot of land next to Elm Creek Apartments, in the 2000 block of South Clack - formerly Las Brisas apartments. SOURCE: ktxs.com

Round-Up BEAUMONT - Beaumont has the cheapest gas.Retail gasoline prices across Texas rose a nickel this week to reach an average $2.43 per gallon. AAA Texas on Thursday reported gas prices nationwide are up 7 cents, to reach $2.65 per gallon. Drivers in Dallas and El Paso are paying the most for gasoline in Texas at $2.49 per gallon. Beaumont has the cheapest gasoline statewide at an average $2.35 per gallon. Analysts say the price at the pump often increases in the spring due to seasonal maintenance, rising demand and higher costs to produce summer-blend gasoline. SOURCE: AP CONROE - (AP) — A state judicial conduct commission has publicly reprimanded a Southeast Texas judge who is the sole overseer of Texas' troubled civil commitment program for violent sex predators. The Commission on Judicial Conduct made its ruling public Friday after looking into complaints that state District Judge Michael Seiler of Conroe allegedly made comments outside the courtroom that showed a personal bias and prejudice in dealing with the offenders. Additional judicial training also is ordered for Seiler, who's also accused of berating and belittling attorneys for sex offenders and openly criticizing a witness. A reprimand is the strongest sanction, short of moving to suspend or recommend a judge's removal, within the judicial commission's authority. Seiler attorney Tom Watkins said the judge plans to appeal. He called the reprimand unfair and rejected allegations against the Montgomery County judge. The allegations have led to Seiler's removal from more than a dozen cases since October. Seven times in six years appeals courts also have ruled that Seiler abused his discretion. DALLAS - The Dallas Independent School District will host a set of town hall meetings to help parents and community better understand the budget process from 6pm - 7pm. • Tuesday, May 26, 2015 Leonides G. Cigarroa Elementary School 9990 Webb Chapel Road Dallas, TX 75220 • Wednesday, May 27, 2015 John Q. Adams Elementary School 8239 Lake June Road Dallas, TX 75217 • Monday, June 1, 2015 Jimmie Tyler Brashear Elementary School

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2959 S. Hampton Road Dallas, TX 75224 • Tuesday, June 2, 2015 Eduardo Mata Elementary School 7420 La Vista Drive Dallas, TX 75214 • Wednesday, June 3, 2015 - 6 to 7 p.m. Raúl Quintanilla Sr. Middle School 2700 Remond Drive Dallas, TX 75211 • Thursday, June 4, 2015 Wilmer-Hutchins High School 5520 Langdon Road Dallas, TX 75241

What’s Happenin’ around Texas? Submit your news to

news@aframnews.com DESOTO - Congressional District 30 Annual Military Academy Day will be held Saturday, May 16, 2015 at Desoto High School beginning at 9:30a.m.

HOUSTON - The Houston Police Department invites the community to observe and participate in National Police Week from Friday (May 8), through Friday, May 15. All officers and citizens are encouraged to drive with their headlights on, in remembrance of the peace officers who have sacrificed their lives while protecting our cities. The Police Week Awards Ceremony Luncheon will be held on Monday, May 11, at noon, at the Hyatt Regency Downtown, 1200 Louisiana. The ceremony will feature the reading of the Mayor's Proclamation and awards presentations. The Day of Prayer Ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 13, at HPD Headquarters at 1200 Travis. Houston-area clergy members will gather to reinforce the partnership that exists between the community and the department. The public is inveited to attend. During Police Week, Houston-area school children are once again participating in pre-scheduled tours and demonstrations at the Houston Police Training Academy, 17000 Aldine Westfield. The children will meet with officers and partake in demonstrations from the Air Support Division, K-9 Unit, SWAT officers, Dive Team, Training Division, and Community Outreach Unit.

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W.E.B. DUBOIS SCHOLARS

HUSTON-TILLOTSON UNIVERSITY Recently, HT graduated its largest class that included 13 W.E.B. Dubois Honors Scholars. 1. Patrick Agenonga is an international student, majoring in Computer Science. He is a member of the International Student Association on campus as well as a member of the National Society of Black Engineers. 2. Queniqua Luckey is a computer science major from Fort Worth. She is a member of Golden Key and HT’s Pre-Alumni Association. 3. Abuchi Obiegbu is a computer science major from Nigeria. He enjoyed representing HT at the HBCU Computer Innovation Conference in California during the fall semester of 2014. He is a member of the National Association of Black Accountants and the Golden Key Society. He served as the vice president and later as the president of the HT chapter of the National Association of Black Engineers. 4. Jamal McClellan is a business administration major from Fort Worth. He has participated in HT’s Student Government Associate throughout his four years of undergraduate matriculation. 5. Jabu Mbara was the ﬁrst student from the Kingdom of Lesotho (in Southern Africa) to enroll in HT. His major is computer science. He has worked as a peer learning consultant, a resident assistant, and he was sophomore class president. During his senior year, Jabu was voted the Independent Texas Solo Artist of the Year. He is a singer. 6. Rufaro Mukahadzi arrived at HT from her home nation of Zimbabwe. She is a business administration major, concentrating in accounting. While at HT, Rufaro was the SGA vice president during her junior year. She was also an HT Ambassador, a resident advisor, and a math tutor. Rufaro enjoyed working with the Pre- Alumni Association, Toastmasters International, and as a PeerWriting Consultant. 7. Joshua (Tochukwu J.) Nwozor is a Business Administration major from Nigeria. His campus memberships have included Toastmasters International Association. He was also the president of the National Association of Black Accountants, and the treasurer of the Pre-Alumni Council. 8. Simone Sawyer (Granddaughter of former Texas Legislator Wilhelmina Delco) is a criminal justice major from Austin. She is an HT athlete and participant in our team track and ﬁeld events. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc and has served as a peer learning consultant. In conjunction with TX-10

HBCU Corner

her major, Simone interned at the Gardner Betts Juvenile Detention Center in Travis County. S 9. Binta Sidibeh is a biology-pre-med major. She was born in the USA, but grew up in the Gambia, West Africa. She has been very active in the pre-med club, the Golden Key Society and the AVID Program. Last summer, Binta spent several weeks working in a hospital in Peru as part of her biology curriculum. 10. Rae-Ann Spears is a business administration major with a concentration in accounting. She joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and also participated as an HT Ambassador. She was an active member of Toastmaster’s International and the PreAlumni Council. She is a member of the National Association of Black Accountants and has been the recipient of many awards and scholarships from that group. 11. Shanequiwa Sledge is from Fort Worth. Her major is psychology. Her HT activities include working as a resident assistant and mentoring at Sims Elementary School. Shanequiwa enjoyed being the SGA elections chair, a member of the Psychology club, as well as an HT Ambassador and a member of Pre-Alumni Council. 12. Ashley Simbanegavi is a business administration major from Zimbabwe. He has worked in the HT computer labs and he has been an active member of the International Students Association. He interned at WalMart where he tested his management skills training. Ashley completed his undergraduate degree requirements in the summer of 2014. 13. Lydia Urbina came to HT from her home city of El Paso. Her major is Kinesiology. She has played the second-base and third-base positions for the HT softball team all four years. She was accepted into the HT Education Preparation Program and completed her student teaching at East Memorial High School this spring. Lydia has been accepted for graduate study at the University of Wisconsin—La Cross in the area of Adapted Physical Education (Physical Education for children with disabilities). The 2015 Huston-Tillotson University Commencement represented the last HT degree conferring convocation for President and Chief Executive Ofﬁcer Larry L. Earvin, Ph.D., who announced his retirement, effective June 30, 2015. Earvin conferred degrees for a record 125 graduates in 2014, reﬂecting the University’s largest graduating class. The 2015 graduating class was the largest.

TEXAS • MAY 11 - 17, 2015

TOYOTA ANNOUNCES SPRING COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER FOR THURGOOD MARSHALL SCHOOL OF LAW

Sandra L. Phillips

HOUSTON - Toyota Motor Corporation is pleased to announce that a key member of their Global Leadership Team who is also a native Texan, Sandra L. Phillips, will be guest keynote speaker at the spring commencement ceremonies for the Thurgood Marshall School of Law on Friday, May 15

at 6:30 pm. At the Health & Physical Education Arena (corner of Blodgett & Ennis St.). Ms. Phillips is a native of Beaumont, Texas and a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin where she earned both her bachelor and law degrees. She currently serves as General Counsel and Chief Legal Ofﬁcer of Toyota Motor North America. In her historic role as the ﬁrst African American female named to this position, she oversees Toyota Legal One (“TL1”), the legal services function for Toyota's operations in North America where she was instrumental in building this integrated legal services group. Ms. Phillips is responsible for business operations support,

litigation, intellectual property, regulatory law and legal operations, and for managing representation of Toyota’s afﬁliates in North America. She joined Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. (TMS) in 2012 and served as Vice President and Assistant General Counsel and has played a key role in overseeing complex litigation matters. In July 2014, she was promoted to Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of TMS. Prior to joining Toyota, Ms. Phillips was a Partner at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP-Houston ofﬁce, where her practice focused on complex litigation management and strategy. Contiue reading online www.aframnews.com

TEXAS • MAY 11 - 17, 2015

Educati n/Y uth

African

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HISD FUTURES ACADEMY PREPARING STUDENTS FOR BRIGHT FUTURE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL

WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS

PARTICIPATE IN A GRADUATION CEREMONY AT

WILKINS PAVILION

In the Houston Independent School District, graduation is no longer the end game. We want to make sure our students are successful after graduation — in college, in careers, and in life. Our students have high expectations for life after high school. Many dream of going to college and starting successful careers. We ﬁrmly believe they can make those dreams a reality. Sometimes, they just need a little help.

Houston Community College. The program is designed to bridge the gap between graduation, post-secondary education and industry by providing students with the skills needed for entry into the workforce or college degree programs. Nowhere is this more evident than at Booker T. Washington High School, where administrators are placing a singular focus on engineering in an effort to better align the Futures Academy for neighborhood children with the school’s successful and longstanding engineering magnet, which draws students from across the city. Previously, students were able to earn an associate’s degree, but it wasn’t aligned to the school’s magnet. Now, the Washington Futures Academy of Engineering will offer neighborhood students the opportunity to earn an associate’s degree in engineering science. By getting college courses out of the way while

PHYSICS TEACHER ADEEB BARQAWI WORKS WITH HIS STUDENTS AT KASHMERE HIGH SCHOOL

Beginning this fall, incoming freshmen will take career and technical education courses designed to better prepare them for impending Houston Community College classes, which will allow them to earn an associate’s degree in computer engineering while still in high school. After graduation, they’ll be on to receive a four-year degree in computer engineering. Current students will be able to earn a work certiﬁcate in computer engineering, which will prepare them for careers in electronic technology or computer programming and maintenance. We’re also forming DR. NGHIA LE POSES FOR A PHOTOGRAPH WITH SOME OF HIS STUDENTS AFTER BEING RECOGNIZED AS A FINALIST partnerships with IN THE 2015 HEB EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AWARDS AT WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL corporations and universities to still in high school, students can more That’s where the Futures continue to strengthen our program. quickly complete a bachelor’s degree Academy program comes in. At the Jones Futures Academy, we in civil or mechanical engineering Launched three years ago, the recently partnered with Prairie after graduation. Futures Academy provides students View A&M University to provide We’re making similar program with the opportunity to earn career students in the allied health program changes at Kashmere High School, training, industry certiﬁcations and with a direct pathway to the univerwhere the Futures Academy will shift even an associate’s degree in highsity’s registered nursing program. from process technology to computer wage, high-demand industries — all Students will be able to more quickly engineering — a move being made while still in high school. complete their bachelor’s degree in in direct response to student and The program, which is free, is nursing after high school graduation community feedback. offered through a partnership with – in just two to three years opposed

to the standard four-and-a-half. These programs are clearly paying off. By the end of the school year, 165 students will have graduated from the Futures Academy over the last two years – 115 with an associate’s degree and 50 with an industry certiﬁcation in programs such as computer administration, engineering, and technology. The program expects to graduate 140 more students by May 2016. Don’Che Sweat was among the ﬁrst group of students to graduate from the Futures Academy. Adopted as a child, Don’Che grew up viewing education as a tool. She knew she could use it to help not only herself, but others. So when she saw the opportunity to join the Futures Academy at Kashmere, she jumped at the chance. Through the program, Don’Che gained invaluable experience in evaluating data and working with electronic and mechanical machines used in the power generation and oil and gas industries. She also visited chemical processing plants at Shell and GDF Suez, a multinational electric utility company. She graduated from the academy in 2014 with an associate’s degree and then, thanks to a full academic scholarship, went on to Texas A&M University. She plans to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in environmental science in just two to three years. This summer, she also plans to

return to Houston to volunteer with the Futures Academy, tutoring and mentoring current students in the program. Don’Che is just one example of the many students who have been positively impacted by the Futures Academy program. As tomorrow’s leaders, these students must plan now for their future — and we’re helping them do it. If they’re successful, our

SENIOR NAKIYAH SCOTT WORKS ON A

STRAW BRIDGE DURING A SUMMER INTERN

FH-HP AT WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL

PROGRAM WITH

community, our city, even our world, will be a better place for it. -Michael Love is the Assistant Superintendent of the Futures Academy at the Houston Independent School District. SUBMISSION & PHOTO CREDIT: HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT TX-11

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TEXAS • MAY 11 - 17, 2015

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