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What Has 2016 Taught You that will Improve Your 2017? DeLoyd Parker of S.H.A.P.E Community Center
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What Will Justice Look Like in Harris County?
Sheriff-Elect Ed Gonzalez Promises More Than Putting “Lipstick” on Harris County Law Enforcement
HOUSTON - He speaks softly, but will carry a big stick as the new Sheriff in Harris County. Ed Gonzalez is entering office with promises to sweep out old practices and cultures that have left the office with an image problem with the community. “It is important that everyone feels that we have a fair and just criminal justice system,” Gonzalez said. “On paper, it appears that the legal system and the laws should be fair to everyone, but if you look at it statistically, it is not.” He believes that he not only has the vision and grit to lead law enforcement, but also his experience in both law enforcement and policing and his background serving on the Houston City Council will help make a difference in Harris County. His priority is simple: Turning the pages on the past history and current controversies in law enforcement and brings a sense of calm that restores faith
and trust in policing with Black and Hispanic communities by helping each see that justice will be equal and fair for everyone. One of those main objectives is to change the current culture that has negatively impacted so many African-Americans and Hispanics in Harris County. Sheriff Gonzalez’s new “stick” is likely to be one that sweeps wide and brings major changes in the philosophy, staffing and culture on the streets and in the Harris County Jail. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office has approximately 3,500 employees and is the largest sheriff’s office in the state of Texas and the third largest in the nation. Gonzalez is taking over a department with 2,545 officers and responsibility for three jail facilities that can house and care for up to 9400 inmates. CONTINUE READING ON PAGE 11 @ WWW.AFRAMNEWS.COM
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Editorial & Opinion
2016: Working Together for Houston Hon. Sylvester Turner City of HoustonMayor
I
t was almost a year ago that I took the oath of office to be your mayor. My promise was that tomorrow will be better than today. It’s the same promise my mother made to me when I was growing up in Acres Homes. If you think about it the promise of a better tomorrow
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is what has driven Houston from the start. As I look back on this first year in office, I am both proud and humbled by what we have achieved. As I greet the neverending challenges of managing the 4th largest city in the nation, I feel support and guidance from places I never expected. Your willingness to cross political lines, set aside long held differences of opinion and listen to one another is allowing us to achieve big things for this great city. We are working together in ways never before seen. Hand in hand, we are building the Houston of tomorrow - a Houston with better roads, a Houston with secure finances, a Houston where everyone feels safe. This new level of cooperation first surfaced in January when City departments long used to operating independently of one another came together to solve our pothole problem. The condition of our streets was the one complaint I had heard loudly and frequently from Houstonians while on the campaign trail. Within just two short weeks, City employees had met the challenge of a streamlined operation in which citizen reported potholes are repaired by the next business day. A year later, we are maintaining this performance standard 95 percent of the time. Overall, more than 40,000 potholes have been filled. With fewer potholes, we are able to turn our attention to more serious
street repairs that take longer than a business day’s work. In April, Houston suffered the worst flooding since Tropical Storm Allison. In many cases, the flood victims were the poorest members of our community. They lost housing and all possessions in one day. Houstonians banded together in an unprecedented relief effort and within a little more than one month, these residents had been placed in new housing with all the furnishings. I know fear grows in many of our neighborhoods every time dark clouds are building on the horizon. I have appointed the City’s first ever flood czar and we are gearing up to move forward with flood relief projects early in 2017. One month later in May, conservatives and liberals on City Council came together to eliminate a $160 million budget shortfall, the worst since the Great Recession. We did it in record time and without massive layoffs or cuts in City services. Now with personal sacrifice by our municipal employees, police officers and firefighters, we have a pension reform plan ready for the state legislature to approve that provides certainty and reliability now and for the future. This plan was crafted with input from a broad spectrum of Houstonians who have in the past disagreed on the right path forward. Labor unions, the business community, budget hawks and other stakeholders are all on the same page and moving forward together. This plan eliminates nearly
Donald Trump, This Is Not Normal Charles M. Blow Author, Political & Social Analystv
This is my last column of the year. In 2015, my last column was a roundup of the year’s biggest social justice stories as ranked by intellectuals and activists. I thought that I’d make that a yearend tradition for the column, but this
year Donald Trump has intruded. That is not to say that issues of social justice have receded. They haven’t, at all. But the election of Donald Trump poses such a significant — and singular — threat to this country that for me all other issues are unfortunately, temporarily I hope, subsumed by the unshakable sense of impending calamity he presages. The nation is soon to be under the aegis of an unstable, unqualified, undignified demagogue and with Republicans in control of both houses of Congress, there is little that can be
TEXAS • DECEMBER 26, 2016 - JANUARY 1, 2017
$8 billion of unfunded pension debt. It provides structural budget balance moving forward and will result in more than $200 million of cost avoidance in its first year. No one has put forth an alternative that delivers the same immediate and long-term benefits while also creating secure and stable retirements for employees at an affordable price for taxpayers. Our crime rate was also a priority this year. When it appeared as if we were headed toward a dramatic year-over-year increase in homicides, an extra $2 million was allocated for police overtime. Working with the community, HPD quickly crafted strategies to stop the upward trend. As of right now, we anticipate ending 2016 with about the same or fewer murders than 2015. With the transition from one presidential administration to another in Washington comes a new challenge. Many in our community are afraid they will no longer fit in. They fear being victims of hate crimes; they fear being targeted for deportation. Houston has always been a welcoming city, and that is not going to change. The Houston that existed before the November election still exists today. We are a city where residents and law enforcement work hand in hand, where neighbor looks out for neighbor and where hate and intolerance are not accepted. There is new leadership at the Houston Police and Fire Departments: Police Chief Art
Acevedo and Fire Chief Sam Pena understand Houston’s diversity and share my strong commitment to keeping our residents safe. The new chiefs, my office and all of the groups serving our immigrant and refugee communities are working together to ensure all residents continue to feel safe and protected. When I look back on all that we have done this past year, I see tremendous progress toward a more responsive, streamlined and efficient City government. We are filling potholes faster, implementing pension reform, shoring up City finances and working to improve police relations. These are the major accomplishments of 2016, but there were also many smaller successes. Blue tarps were replaced with new roofs. We tackled the Kush epidemic, cleaned up neighborhood dump sites, housed more homeless and appointed the city’s first director of education. We even brought the World Petroleum Congress back to Houston after a 30 year absence. Tomorrow is here, and it is better than yesterday, but both you and I know there are more tomorrows to come. I truly believe that in this city, if you can dream it, you can achieve it. So, as we prepare to ring in the New Year, I renew the promise I made on inauguration day 2016 and ask that you remain by my side to help. We have so much more to accomplish for this great city, and, together4, we will get it done!
done to constrict or control his power and unpredictability. It’s like seeing an ominous weight swinging toward a limb, sure to break it, while you feel utterly helpless to prevent the fracture. As the exiting first lady Michelle Obama told Oprah last week: “We’re feeling what not having hope feels like.” In point of fact, we may be on the brink of feeling what an erosion of liberty, competent leadership, and absolute sovereignty feels like. The durability of our democracy is not destined. It is not impervious to harm or even destruction. The Constitution can’t completely prevent
that, nor can protocols and conventions. The most important safeguard against authoritarianism is an informed, engaged citizenry vigorously opposed to acquiescence and attrition. In other words, it may well be that the only thing that can protect America from the man who will sit at its pinnacle of power is the urgent insistence of the public that radical alteration of our customs and concepts of accountability are not on the table, that authority in a democracy is imbued by the ballot, but it is also accountable to its people.
Visit City of Houston website for more updates!!!
To continue reading online visit Source: nytimes.com
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TEXAS • DECEMBER 26, 2016 - JANUARY 1, 2017
Editorial & Opinion
‘I Fell In Love With Trump Earl Ofari Hutchinson Author & Political Analyst
“I fell in love with him because he really talks about helping Black people.” The “he” is Presidentelect Donald Trump. The man that spoke of his love fest with Trump was legendary football great Jim Brown. Brown had barely got the loving words of praise about Trump out his mouth before the predictable debate raged. The critics tore into Brown as being an opportunist, a hustler for his at-risk youth foundation, and a photo-op chaser. And these were the more charitable digs at him. Brown is hardly the only prominent black to meet with Trump before, during and after the campaign and his election. In fact, the parade of black preachers, businesspersons, professionals, athletes and entertainers that have either trooped to Trump Tower, or met with him
in highly staged and orchestrated venues, has been nothing short of breath taking. Breath taking, because Trump ran the most vicious, unabashed, race baiting, Muslim, and immigrant baiting campaign since state’s rights Alabama governor George Wallace in 1964. But Brown and the parade of Blacks that have met with Trump make the case that he is the president and that it is foolhardy to do the Ostrich head in the
sand routine and deny this brutal reality. They say that there are millions in contracts, business and professional opportunities, administration appointments, vital federal job, education, health and civil rights protection programs at stake with the Trump administration. There’s simply no way to ignore that. There’s an unarguable point to that. Trump will be at the federal helm for at least four years and that’s a lot of time to wreak irreparable program and institutional damage to those programs. The problem, actually two problems, that Brown has, is first, after marching out of Trump Tower he made absolutely no mention of anything that Trump specifically said or did to assure that he’d commit to any specific program or initiative, or resources that would say boost Brown’s at risk program, amer-I-Can. This also applies to dozens of other programs in poor, inner city neighborhoods that mentor, tutor, and provide family support services to these youth as well. The bulk of these programs are run on a shoe string budget and are one step away from closing their doors. Other than Brown gushing over Trump, there was stone silence from Trump about what, if anything, he had to offer in return for the Black lovefest. That’s even more strange since Trump never tires of boasting that he’s a negotiator. So, if Brown, and the other Blacks that flock to him do some hard bargaining with him to get his administration to commit to specific programs to aid the black poor and Black businesses, then meeting him makes some sense. This will have put Trump on the record and on the spot to deliver on the commitment. If he reneges he will be shown up for the congenital liar To continue reading online visit Source: huffingtonpost.com
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“Freedom is never given. It is won.” We cannot expect them to stop treating us as second class citizens until and unless we stop believing that we are second class citizens and until we stop behaving as second class citizens. - A Philip Randolph
The Quest for Real Umoja
For many years Blacks have been struggling and fighting for it, but have yet to lay hold of the golden fleece called Unity. Unity is defined as the quality or state of being made one and a condition of predicated by harmony. When is comes to Unity, one of the main problems facing African-Americans is that we are too divided on issues relating to life, education, business, politics, religion and community. These elemental fractures in Black America’s history and the split personality of our race has been a great detriment to the real progress in Black America for generations. From Willie Lynch era to President Barack Obama in 2016, We MUST Understand that true unity is the key to success and the one and only factor that can save Black America. Than is what Dr. Maulana Karenga had in mind when he created Kwanzaa in 1966. Karenga is professor and chairman of Black Studies at California State University, Long Beach. According to Karenga’s Kwanzaa website, after the Watts riots in Los Angeles, Dr. Karenga searched for ways to bring African-Americans together as a community. He founded US, a cultural organization, and started to research African “first fruit” (harvest) celebrations. He then combined aspects of several different harvest celebrations, such as those of the Ashanti and those of the Zulu, to form the basis of Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa is now celebrated throughout the world African community on every continent in the world.
Umoja (oo–MO–jah) (Unity) means to strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race. It is time to tap the power of this observance and make it a daily ritual that we practice in our homes, neighborhoods, schools, streets and businesses in our community. We MUST Understand that true unity begins when we stop paying lip service to one another, stop resenting each others successes and step up to support, learn together and grow together with a united goal, direction and vision in mind of saving generations of Black youth from the same old depressing economic and social ruts that have plagued Black folks for decades. The Honorable Lewis Farrakhan, a Muslim who heads the Nation of Islam, has been calling for years for AfricanAmericans to return the principles of self-reliance, family values coupled with Black empowerment- all of which Blacks were using during and like the successful periods of Post Civil War Reconstruction, the era of Black Wall Street, the Harlem Renaissance periods of Black History. We MUST Understand that it took Unity and working together to bring about and sustain those successes and it is time to recapture that lightning in a bottle and allow it to reignite us in unity to fuel our future progress. Where we connect to our past, we become more united because we link with the kind of self determination, survival, creativity, ingenuity and persistence that made our people great. That instills hope in the Black community and that creates a new birth motivates us, nurtures us
We MUST Understand By Roy Douglas Malonson, Chairman
and eventually develops into full grown successes at every level. As a result of our support for one another, we build the kind of true unity that permeates the Black community and builds pride, progress and economic growth and prosperity for all. A return to true unity starts when Black people today take a serious step to integrate the concepts of Kwanzaa in to daily living over just remembering it for one week each year. Also, we must also demonstrate a true appreciation and serious understanding of Black history and struggle of our people from the tribal roots on African shores to slavery, segregation, integration and into the industrial age, business and current computer ages of our current society. Unity starts with you and We MUST Understand that “UMOJI” must become the standard to live by each day in Black community, if we are to reach our peak and maximize success at every level and in every aspect of Black life and living. Unity must start somewhere, but if everybody waits for somebody to do it, nobody will get it done. We MUST Understand that for “Black America can be Great Again” we must open our own eyes, pool our resources, work with and support one anotherThen Real Change and Unity will take place. Continue reading We MUST Understand online @ AframNews.com!
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KWANZAA FROM PAGE 1
“Kwanzaa affirms that mothers and fathers of previous generations transmitted AfricanAmericans’ existence and persistence to the mothers and fathers of today. Pass it on.” -- Dorothy Winbush Riley HOUSTON - This year marks the 50th anniversary of Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa, or “First Fruits of the Harvest,” is an African-American and Pan-Africian holiday which celebrates and strengthens community, family and culture over a period of seven days. Kwanzaa begins December 26th and each day, a principle of Kwanzaa is celebrated. The first day of Kwanzaa in Houston is being celebrated at the Third Ward Multi-Service Center at 3611 Ennis, Houston, Tx. 77004 on Monday. The celebration of family, community and culture is being sponsored here by the Greater Houston Area Kwanzaa Planning Committee. It all begins at 5 p.m. when the market opens and celebrations begin promptly at 7 p.m. and will include Kwanzaa demonstrations, several guest speakers to be determined and numerous local vendors. A complete list of scheduled events for each day is available online and brochure. Eric V. Copage described the holiday in a unique and special way stating. “Kwanzaa does not replace Christmas and is not a religious holiday. It is a time to focus on Africa and Africaninspired culture and to reinforce a value system that goes back for generations.” FOUNDER
Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor and chairman of Black Studies at California State University, Long Beach, created Kwanzaa in 1966. Dr. Karenga is known internationally and created the observance as an African American and Pan-African holiday. According to Karenga’s Kwanzaa website, after the Watts riots in Los Angeles, Dr. Karenga searched for ways to bring African-Americans TX- 4
Cover Story
together as a community. He founded US, a cultural organization, and started to research African “first fruit” (harvest) celebrations. Karenga combined aspects of several different harvest celebrations, such as those of the Ashanti and those of the Zulu, to form the basis of Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa is now celebrated throughout the world African community on every continent in the world. He also is the author of the authoritative book on the subject: Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture and lectures regularly and extensively on the vision and values of Kwanzaa, especially the Nguzo Saba (The Seven Principles), in various national and international venues. He holds two Ph.D.’s; his first in political science with focus on the theory and practice of nationalism (United States International University) and his second in social ethics with a focus on the classical African ethics of ancient Egypt (University of Southern California). Karenga is the foremost exponent of Maatian ethical thought, having developed over the last three decades, a creative and scholarly Kawaida interpretation of ancient Egyptian ethical thought as a living tradition and a useful philosophical option for critical reflection on the urgent issues of our time. TIES TO BLACK HISTORY As an activist-scholar of national and international recognition, Dr. Karenga has had a far-reaching effect on Black intellectual and political culture since the 1960s. Through his organizational and intellectual work, and his philosophy, Kawaida, he has played a vanguard role in shaping the Black Arts Movement, Black Studies, the Black Power Movement, the Black Student Union Movement, Afrocentricity, ancient Egyptian studies and the study of ancient Egyptian culture as an essential part of Black Studies, Ifa ethical studies, rites of passage programs, the Independent Black School Movement, African life-cycle ceremonies, the Simba Wachanga Youth Movement, Black theological and ethical discourse, and the Reparations Movement. UNDERSTANDING KWANZZA Kwanzaa is derived from the phrase “matunda ya kwanza” which means “first fruits” in Swahili. Each family celebrates Kwanzaa in its own way, but celebrations often include songs and dances, African drums, storytelling, poetry reading, and a large traditional meal. Each of the seven nights, the family gathers and a child lights one of the candles on the Kinara (candleholder), then one of the seven principles is discussed. The principles, called the Nguzo Saba (seven
principles in Swahili) are values of African culture which contribute to building and reinforcing community among African-Americans. THE SEVEN BASIC PRINCIPLES The seven principles, or Nguzo Saba are a set of ideals created by Dr. Karenga. Each day of Kwanzaa emphasizes a different principle. The candle-lighting ceremony each evening provides the opportunity to gather and discuss the meaning of Kwanzaa. The first night, the black candle in the center is lit (and the principle of umoja/unity is discussed). One candle is lit each evening and the appropriate principle is discussed. The seven principles, or Nguzo Saba are a set of ideals also created by Dr. Karenga. Each day of Kwanzaa emphasizes a different themed principle. 1. * Unity: Umoja (oo–MO–jah) To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race. 2. * Self-determination: Kujichagulia (koo–gee–cha–goo–LEE–yah) To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves. 3. * Collective Work and Responsibility: Ujima (oo–GEE–mah) To build and maintain our community together and make our brother’s and sister’s problems our problems and to solve them together. 4. * Cooperative Economics: Ujamaa (oo–JAH–mah) To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together. 5. * Purpose: Nia (nee–YAH) To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness. 6. * Creativity: Kuumba (koo–OOM–bah) To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it. 7. * Faith: Imani (ee–MAH–nee) To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
THE SEVEN SYMBOLS Kwanzaa also has seven basic symbols which represent values and concepts reflective of African culture. An African feast, called a Karamu, is held on December 31. 1. 2. 3.
Mkeka: a mat. Mazao: fruits and vegetables. Muhindi: ears of corn.
TEXAS • DECEMBER 26,Texas 2016• August - JANUARY 1, 2017 12-18, 2013
4. 5. 6. 7.
Kinara: a candleholder. Mishumaa saba: the seven candles. Kikombe cha umoja: the unity cup. Zawadi: the gifts.
Kwanzaa brings a cultural message which speaks to the best of what it means to be African and human in the fullest sense. Former United States President Bill Clinton said these comments about Kwanzaa. “The seven principles of Kwanzaa -- unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith -- teach us that when we come together to strengthen our families and communities and honor the lesson of the past, we can face the future with joy and optimism.” According to Karenga’s website, the central interest of the website is to provide the best information which reveals and reaffirms the integrity, beauty and expansive meaning of the holiday and aid in our approaching it with the depth of thought, dignity, and sense of specialness it deserves. The holiday, then will of necessity, be engaged as an ancient and living cultural tradition which reflects the best of African thought and practice in its reaffirmation of the dignity of the human person in community and culture, the well-being of family and community, the integrity of the environment and our kinship with it, and the rich resource and meaning of a people’s culture. Malcolm X once said. “We cannot think of uniting with others, until we have first united amongst ourselves. We cannot think of being acceptable to others until we have first proven acceptable to ourselves.” May Kwanzaa remind not only of our past greatness, but also connect us and show us the serious responsibility we have to teach future generations. For more information on Kwanzaa or the Houston celebration of events, call the S.H.A.P.E. at 713-521-0629 or 719-521-0641. or email the center at shape@shape.org. You can also visit the website at www.shape. org. CITED SOURCES: -Founder’s Kwanzaa website: www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org - History.com - Excerpts from the book: The Complete Kwanzaa Celebrating Our Cultural Harvest, Copyright 1995 by Dorothy Winbush Riley. - Inspirational-quotes-cafe.com
Visit www.aframnews.com to view Kwanzaa festivities that will be held in Houston By:Darwin Campbell
TEXAS • DECEMBER 26, 2016 - JANUARY 1, 2017
Community Speaks
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Tell us what 2016 has taught you that will improve your 2017...
Learn to be alone with my creator and while I’m there with him, listen to His guidance. - Kimberley Smith
Get Moving” !!! The most important part of stepping out on faith is “stepping”. Make steps to accomplish your goals...even baby steps - Velicia Moore
2016 has taught and validated for me: As hard as we try to gather communities to inform and educate them, we can’t get them to participate unless something is given away free. Even those in attendance, listen to respond rather than listen to understand and be informed.. We then find ourselves dealing with the same topic or problem discussed in years past. An example would be COH Chapter 42 which allows developers changes and division of neighborhood lot sizes for those without Deed Restrictions or HOAs...Now communities are being gentrified and negatively affecting family homesteads that have been generational. I tried to express my concerns when I ran for City Council in 2011. Even suggested “STARTING a Neighborhood covenant of sort to be filed on record, BEFORE Chapter 52 was approved in 2013. Community agreements would have been grandfathered prior to Chat.13 approval. So many of our community leaders have the church on every corner mentality, rather than build ONE United Front for a powerful impact on tasks we are trying to achieve, individually, each wants to be the head huncho. I was hopeful in 2016 that people would realize that as long as we continued to elect the same people (or their aire/designee)... we’d get the same results... - Kathy Ballard Blueford Daniels
That your network determines your networth - Kim Ross
I have learned that life is not promised and if we plan to make a difference we need to plant that seed today! - Nkito Mwanga We MUST understand that if we are to maximize our abilities and provide an environment of greatness for our next generation*we MUST be ready to stop depicting negative behaviors as if its a badge of honor*STOP with “honoring the drug life*gansta*Madeatype life style*we MUST accentuate our POSITIVE to eliminate our NEGATIVE*only then will we assume our rightful place*a recognition of the richness that has been left by our ancestors*Wisdom~Honor~Persevera nce - James H. Allen
Teamwork makes the dream work - Keshia Shantae
Within the confines of this scope [2016] allowed to reflect on times past in hopes for a greater future. I learned [more] that perseverance moves a person closer to success. And success is a goal that all should strive for whether it be in the home, at a job or even in a lasting business or personal relationship. We must be constant in our learning because new things are being constantly presented. And if we are stagnant in our thought process we lose time, opportunity and progress. 2017 [for many] will be an opportunity to reevaluate the success and failures of 2016. And organize a more logical approach so more things may be accomplished! -Bracy Webb 2016 has taught me a variety of things. Education is the key. Never stop... You can never know too much and always follow your dreams. It’s ok to have a Job but a Career that you love waking up to and being able to give it your best - is an awesome feeling. I’m a LVN as of now, but who knows, I won’t give up until I own a “Children’s Castle” for teens 13 - 17 to promote education and a better life. Especially for foster teens or teens that have no one to taklk to..... FOLLOW YUR DREAM - Melanie Johnson
I have definitely learned to stay positive in spite of. I had to realize that everything would happen in due season and that I can’t worry about things out of my control.. Next year I plan to focus more on finding the good things in every situation. I learned to not doubt myself and my abilities. I had to tune into my inner self and pull out greatness that had been there all along. Next year, I wont hold back. Lastly, I’d say that in 2017 I’m taking with me, all the chances to meet new people and form long lasting relationship. This year I’ve met some amazing people who have helped to mold me and to constantly remind me that hard work will pay off -Tequelia Armstrong TX- 5
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TEXAS • DECEMBER 26, 2016 - JANUARY 1, 2017
The Eagle’s Nest Newspaper
A Chat with former Eagle, Tracey Roberts
By: Brian Walker, BTW Student
I had the pleasure of speaking with a Booker T. Washington Alumni, Tracey Roberts. Mrs. Roberts is a member of BTW Class of 1990. She is a Registered Nurse at CHI St. Luke’s, located in the Baylor Medical Center here in Houston, TX. Mrs. Roberts is also a wife, mother of 3 boys, and a graduate student at Prairie View A & M University. All three of her children have performed well in school, and she has plans of enrolling her youngest son in the Booker T. Washington High School and the High School for Engineering Professions’ program. She has dedicated her career to helping people and also balancing her personal life with raising 3 young men. Although she lives in the Cypress Area, she still owns a home right here in the BTW zoning area with plans to move and retire here one day. Brian: How would you describe your high school experience at Washington High School? How did it help you become the person you are today? Mrs. Roberts: “I always enjoyed school and knew I wanted a better life for myself. I lost my mother at a very young age and was raised by my grandparents. My grandmother always had a strong influence in my life and made me feel like getting a good education would be important for my future.” Brian: What were some of your most memorable moments as a student at Booker T. Washington? Mrs. Roberts: “I did not participate in any extracurricular
MISSION STATEMENT
“The faculty and students of Booker T. Washington High School for the Engineering Profession are striving for the successful outcome of its students through learning, companionship, research, and diligence.”
activities, but I was always a fan of BTW and I still am. I enjoyed all of the activities that included pep rallies and football games. I remember when we used to attend ‘Battle of the Bands’ on a regular basis. I still enjoy attending homecoming games, and I am very proud of the school spirit that is still shown at BTW.” Brian: What inspired you to become a nurse and the person you are today? Mrs. Roberts: “I always had a love for science, particularly Biology. One of my favorite teachers back then was Mr. Temperilli, my biology teacher. I also had another favorite, Ms. Caster, who taught Algebra. Of course I still had my grandmother pushing me through school. However, those were 2 teachers I remembered who really cared about kids and made learning more enjoyable.” Brian: Do you have any advice for students at Washington High School today? Mrs. Roberts: “My most important piece of advice would be to stay in school and finish school. Getting an education was hard and I am sure it still is. As a matter of fact, I am working on my Masters in nursing right now. The important thing is that it is well worth it in the long run. That’s what I stress to my 3 boys.” Brian: If you had to do school all over again, would you do anything differently? Most importantly, do you wish you could go back to your high school years? Mrs. Roberts: “Honestly, in both cases, the answer is ‘no.’ I did enjoy my high school years, but I truly enjoy my adult life also.” Brian: What is the best and worst part about becoming an adult? Mrs. Roberts: “Well the worst part of being an adult is bills that never stop (smile). Another bad thing is when you make mistakes, they normally are part of a permanent record. There are no retakes or makeups. However the
“Building on a Solid Foundation” by Meshake Musimbabigwi
The essay below was winning entry for the “Building on a Solid Foundation Community Trailride” writing contest. The first place winner, Meshake Musimbabigwi, was awarded two hundred and fifty dollars. Seven other students received monetary prizes for their writings.
Building on a solid foundation is very important, whether you’re building a house, a school or even developing skills because if you do not build a solid foundation, everything will collapse and you’ll need to start over again. Structure is a necessity. Be proactive. In order to build a solid foundation, you need a plan of what you are going to do, how you are going to do it and when you’re going to do it. You need a HOU-6
strategy, something to refer back to, something like a blueprint... For example, in every cycle of Dr. Nghia Le’s engineering class, we have a new project. In order for me to get it done, I must write everything out. I write down objectives, materials I need to purchase, and all other constraints before I go about getting it done. Much later, I begin getting it done, moving from research, to notes, to prototypes and to presenting my project to my
class. In addition, building a solid foundation requires a lot of effort, time and sacrifice. It doesn’t happen overnight. It asks for late nights, early mornings and maybe even weekends. I can honestly say I’ve missed out on a lot of sleep putting together a prototype or a working wind turbine, but my grade was well worth it. I would rather miss a movie with friends, and get my work done, instead
of going and having a missing grade. Focus on the things that matter. Do not schedule your priorities, but prioritize your schedules. Building on a solid foundation requires you to stop occasionally and recuperate. Make sure you’re headed on the right track... It calls for a lot of monitoring, so that you can move forward and progress. To build on a solid foundation, you may need to work with others. Two minds work much better than one. Someone to tell you you’re incorrect and redirect you to the right path can be invaluable. Mistakes happen, but you need to be
best part is the independence you feel along with watching your kids grow and develop over time. I’m very proud of my accomplishments.” Brian: How do you think students from your generation would benefit from today’s technology if it were available in 1990 and how students of today would perform if they lived in 1990? Mrs. Roberts: “Well if the internet and all the multimedia that’s available today was available in the 90’s I think we would have accomplished more and thrived with the latest technology. Our teachers always forced us to use encyclopedias and dictionaries to seek understanding and I just think we would have access information faster. As for today’s kids growing up in the 90’s it’s really hard to say. Kids are able to master things much faster than we were able to but that is most likely due to technology.” Brian: Mrs. Roberts I really appreciate your time and hope to see you at BTW events in the near future.
able to get right back up and continue to work harder. You need to be able to take criticism and use it to better yourself. In Dr. Le’s class, we are put into groups to work together to reach a common goal. Within that group, we always seem to have different ideas and theories, but we still manage a way to collaborate and simultaneously incorporate everyone’s ideas. In addition, when building a solid foundation, it’s necessary to take breaks. Celebrate the little moments of success and relax. Taking breaks allows you to recover and strengthen your mind and body. Don’t
work yourself too hard; work smarter, not harder. It’s perfectly fine to let your mind process information. In conclusion, building a solid foundation is never easy, it requires a lot of time, effort and sacrifices, but it’s totally worth it. If you do not build a solid foundation, everything will come crumbling down. Building a solid foundation increases success and helps to develop a plan, which is very necessary. Building a solid foundation requires self-motivation. You have to want it for yourself. Building a solid foundation allows you to advance and move forward.
EDITION DATE: December - 25, 201626(Vol. 21 Issue1,48) EDITION DATE:19December - January 2017 (Vol. 21 Issue 49) TION DATE: December 26 - January 1, 2017 (Vol. 21 Issue 49) TEXAS • DECEMBER 26, 2016 - JANUARY 1,
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Houston Community College Invitation for Bid (IFB) Asphaltic Parking Lot Reconstruction & Restoration Project No. 17-20 Sealed bids will be received in Procurement Operations (3100 Main Street, Room No. 11A06, Houston, Texas 77002) until 2:00PM (local time) on Tuesday, January 24, 2017.
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be received in Main Address for Tearsheet/Copies: Rate and Sealed sizeproposals of will Ad to3100 run inStreet AAN&I’s Greater Houston edition. GUEST SPEAKER 3100 Main Street Procurement Operations (3100 Main Houston, Texas 77002 H W F Street, Room No. 11A06, Houston, EDITION DATE: December 2016Texas (Vol. Houston, 7700221 Issue 48) M19 - 25, Texas 77002) until 2:00PM (local F J C H time) on Tuesday, February 14, A - January L EDITION DATE: December Acres 26AD 1, 2017 (Vol. 21 Issue 49) COST AD COST 2017. A Pre-Bid Conference (Non-ManHome Chamber edition. te and datory) sizefor IFB of17-20 Ad to run in AAN&I’s Greater Houston will be held at Documents can be obtained at: for Bus. & Eco. Dev, Inc. . HCCS Central Campus, San Jacinto Networking Luncheon TOTAL NET $204.48 TOTAL NET COST: $147.60 EDITION DATE: December 19 25, 2016 (Vol.COST: 21 Issue 48) Marketplace Heading: Building, Room No. 112, Houston, 6112 Wheatley St Public Notice NOTICE Texas 77004, on Thursday, January Houston, (Vol. TX 77091 21 Issue 49) TION DATE: DecemberPUBLIC 26 January 1, 2017 5, 2017, at 9:30 a.m. (local time). Total Cost to Run Ad for 2 Weeks From 11am -12:30pm Houston Community College ONORABLE
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Law & Politics
Mayor Leads Major Street Outreach Initiative
Six-Week Surge Underway to Help Reduce Homelessness in Houston
“The holidays are a rough time for the homeless, but it’s a year-round problem we have to solve.” - Mike Binder
HOUSTON - Homelessness in Houston is a rising tide that has reached levels in the Bayou City that are sounding alarms downtown at City Hall. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has set his sights on tackling the issues and providing as much support as necessary to help these residents get off the streets. “We must act, and we must act quickly,” Turner said. “This is just the first step of a targeted response to holistically help folks who are legitimately homeless and suffering, while going after those who prey on them and are up to no good.” Ending chronic, veteran and family homelessness is a top priority for Mayor Turner and the City of Houston, as well as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Labor and Veteran’s Administration. The one-day outreach surge kicks off a six-week long outreach initiative to respond to the changing dynamics of Midtown’s street homeless population. The specific area of focus is in Midtown, around Wheeler and San Jacinto. It is of particular concern because it is known as a “Kush” hotspot. A high grade strand of marijuana. OG Kush is a super-potent variety of medical-grade Cannabis with very distinct aroma, appearance and long-lasting psychoactive and physiological effects. Concerns about it impacts and effects are very real and with that area having the largest street population in the city, it threatens the success and stability of over 550 formerly homeless veterans who live in nearby communities, according to Turner. Turner recently declared war on the KUSH trade in Houston and is working to help those addicted to the synthetic drug and to eradicate the scourged drug from communities, neighborhoods and city parks. The Problem Nearly $103 million is spent annually on chronically homeless individuals in our community. In Texas, according to this same report, there were 29,615 persons homeless in 2013, meaning that approximately 12 out of every 10,000 persons in Texas are homeless (down from 15 out of every 10,000 persons in 2011). In Houston, Harris and Fort Bend Counties, TX-10
there are 3,626 homeless individuals and families without a place to call home on any given night. Of those, 2,576 seek help in shelters, while another 1,050 are without shelter and exposed to bone-chilling temperatures and harsh weather conditions. One of the reasons the mayor seeks to focus on the issue is many unsheltered homeless suffer from mental illness and/or substance abuse disorder. According to the Coalition for the Homeless, the rates are twice as high for those unsheltered as for individuals who currently live in a shelter. Concerns about the homeless have sent over 60 volunteers from 13 agencies into action combing the intersections and overpasses of Midtown recently to conduct large-scale, integrated outreach surge to individuals hanging out and or sleeping on Houston streets. Hard Times and Homelessness Imagine for a moment what it would mean in your own life to be without a place to sleep, to shower, to keep your clothing and possessions, to build your life. For the individual or family without a home, the impact of homelessness can be devastating. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, families experiencing homelessness are generally similar to other, housed families living in poverty. In fact, many poor families – homeless or not – share similar characteristics: they are usually headed by a single woman with limited education, are usually young, and experience high rates of domestic violence and mental illness. According to the Coalition for the Homeless, some families living in poverty fall into homelessness as a result of some unforeseen financial challenge – such as a death in the family, a lost job, or an unexpected bill – which creates a situation where the family cannot maintain housing. In addition, the direct impact on individuals and families who are without a home, creates enormous costs to communities and society. The costs incurred include medical treatment, hospitalization, police intervention, incarceration, the provision of emergency shelters, and other areas. Leading a United Ground Game Dedicated volunteers also have spent countless hours surveying individuals to determine their needs and offer assistance. The surge includes surveys of individuals included a mix of homeless individuals, as well as those who are housed, but hangout in the area. Continue reading online @ www.aframnews.com Reporting: Darwin Campbell
TEXAS • DECEMBER 26, 2016 - JANUARY 1, 2017
New Community Center Will Honor Late Political Icon
HARRIS COUNTY - Harris County Commissioner Gene L. Locke, along with other community leaders, conducted a groundbreaking Dec. 8 for the 12,460-square-foot Barbara Jordan Community Center in a northeast Houston park that also bears the late congresswoman’s name. “When I think about perseverance, I think about my friend Commissioner El Franco Lee, who persevered a number of years to make this day a reality,” Locke said. “Ultimately, he made a commitment to this community. And I’m proud to stand at this podium in his memory and say, it will be done.” Jordan’s sister, Rosemary McGowan, said the center will be a place where the community can come together for various services. “We have a new facility to look forward to in this great community,” McGowan said. “And thanks again for the name she carries of my sister because she was that eloquent champion of ethics and justice.” Construction will start early next year on the single-story structure that will include a museum with Jordan’s memorabilia. The facility also will house spaces for arts-andcrafts, special events and exercising – all of
which will benefit community residents. The building will be constructed near the existing Community Center, which will be demolished after the facility is completed in late 2017. “The northeast Houston community is very much pleased and happy that Commissioner Lee thought enough of us to give us a facility that we not only desire but we deserve,” said Charlotta D. Mock with the Riverwood Estates Civic Club. “But we are very thankful to Commissioner Locke for making sure that that vision came to fruition. We know that it will be used well and make an impact to change lives for the better.” Also at the event were: Willie J. Hunter, civic association president; Elvin Franklin Jr., chair of the Harris Health System Board of Managers and community resident; Jeffrey P. Gerber, chief executive officer of PGAL; and Willie Jordan Jr., an architect with KCI. Barbara Jordan, a Houston native who died in 1996, was the first AfricanAmerican woman elected to the Texas Senate after Reconstruction and the first Southern African-American woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Submitted by:Mary Benton, Pct 1
TEXAS • DECEMBER 26, 2016 - JANUARY 1, 2017 Harris County From Page 1
FOCUS ON REBUILDING IMAGE AND TRUST “Doing job and rebuilding the image of a department is not an easy solution,” he said. “However, the solution starts with balance – and in rethinking our priorities and how we address safety in our communities whether you are 12 years old or 92 years of age.” Part of his plan includes bringing together the department and the community and ushering in a new era of trust and cooperation between the two. “We want change the mindset that the only time you interact with a police officer or deputy is when you do something wrong,” he said. “Looking at at my job, where it starts is with the community. I want to re-engage community people and get the officers and the public working together again.” He intends on utilizing a combination of past models used to build on more community participation and programs set up by former Houston Police Chief Bradford and former Houston Mayor Lee Brown and work on justice reforms with Mayor Turner. According to Gonzalez the key is to be proactive and visible from the very beginning. He said that starts with his office being transparent about cases, complaints, jail conditions, deputy behavior and conduct and other actions that affect the image of the department. He said too long the jail and department have operated behind closed doors and with too much darkness. “I will be open and transparent about all that goes on,” he said. “ I will put sunshine on it and invite the media to tour and see for themselves what we do and how we are aware of issues and what we are doing to fix it.” ACTION ON BAILS AND BONDS ISSUE Gonzalez said he is serious about doing something about jail overcrowding and the housing of inmates who are awaiting court dates and are stuck in jail because of being too poor to afford bail. About 75 percent currently in jail or awaiting trial and are in jail because they cannot afford bail. “There are way too many people in the system and too many people are in county jail, and most are Black and Latinos who have not been convicted of anything.,” he said. “Jail is not the answer so we have to address the broken system of bail reform, rethink our drug policy and address those arrested for minor offenses who are arrested and detained in jail.” He is also researching and plans to look for better more effective ways to use law enforcement for solutions over just catching citizens doing wrong. “Strict hard law enforcement and jails are
Law & Politics not the solution to every situations,” he said. “There are people struggling with addiction, poverty and mental illness and we must rethink how we address those problems using more community based solutions and faith-based resources to help address them.” PLAN TO CHANGE THE OLD PATTERNS & WAYS OF THINKING TO A NEW WAY According to Gonzalez, too much emphasis is put on incarceration as the only model for dealing with crimes and criminals. According to state prison and jail statistics, the prison system is filled predominantly with Blacks and Latinos. Also, African-Americans are four times more likely to be incarcerated than an Anglo-White citizen for small amounts of marijuana even though the usage rates are the same. “The old way of thinking said let’s just put people in jail because you done something wrong and this way disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic communities,” he said. “It has been about who was targeted and who law enforcement was focused on. I want to dismantle the cradle to prison pipeline and see my role as being a Sheriff that works beyond the proverbial four walls of an office in the jail center.” Gonzalez wants to see and will work to develop a new cycle of operations that attempts to rebalance the scales of justice by using lesser incarceration and punishment models more intervention and prevention alternatives. He also hopes to work with the community and organization to help provide the kind of support that removes the obstacles that are constantly in the way of success for the individuals at risk for recidivism. “If we reduce the number coming in and reduce massive incarceration… and if we address core issues of addiction, poverty, unemployment, hopefully that can make impact on improving things…,” he said. “On my watch… “No one will say no one cared, no one tried and no one acted.” ROLE MODELING He also wants his deputies to be mentors to help build stronger communities for this generation and the next. “As early as Third grade, we want to be part of a cooperative effort of encouraging the development of reading and math skills that bring early successes and builds the kind of confidence needed to keep kids on the road to academic success and achievement,” he said. “I want to get them off the road that leads to them becoming a future statistics that determines how many jails and prison will be needed in 10 to 15 years.” Gonzalez hopes to change the culture and mindset that has been the history of Harris County law enforcement for years.
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By reducing stigmas of formerly incarcerated and enlisting faith-based and community-based organizations, we can help remove the obstacles that keep so many from a successful re-entry into society, he said. For the young adults, Gonzalez hopes to nurture the kind of community environment and trust that create jobs opportunities and teach leadership for the less fortunate and formerly incarcerated that helps lead to better job opportunities. “Those opportunities mean fewer people feel that decisions have to be made to go out and commit crime,” he said. “If you have a job and are productive, you are less likely to get out there and commit crime.” He believes that opening doors and connecting the dots in people lives will result in more successful life stories and housing opportunities. “Without it, the majority of formerly incarcerated will re-offend and be back into the criminal justice system,” he said. “I want to change that cycle and end it…” III. RELATIONSHIP AND TRAINING The new sheriff wants better relationships and it will start with providing more training and direct assignments to and in communities for his deputies. The first part of the training involves understanding the community and culture each deputy serves. “One of the biggest problems is bringing in recruits from less diverse communities and outlying areas,” he said. “Many do not understand that there has to be respect and understanding of the different cultures that live throughout our county.” He will address that and provide training that prepares every deputy for policing in diverse area and include ways to be sensitive and respectful of all communities. Some of his ideas include the following: 1. Raise awareness for culture awareness and understanding. 2. Ensure deputies find opportunities and ways to spend time in those communities, not just do policing alone there. 3. Work to have deputies active and in the communities they serve. “It a whole new mindset,” Gonzalez said. “I want them to have skin in the game, live there and worship there, shop there and have and take stock in the schools and community they serve.” Far Too many times officers live in suburbs and come into city to work with no connection with community and no attachments,” he said. “We can remove the negatives by simply
tapping into community involvment and being engaged,” he said. “We will be...participating in – Toy giveaways; Turkey give aways because we want all our officers seen in positive light.” OTHER TRAINING INCLUDES TRAINING THAT WILL HELP DEPUTIES BETTER DEESCALATE CONFLICTS “We want to be among the first to present de-escalation and role plays that helps reduce the conflict that often leads to police shootings and tragedy on duty in communities,” he said. “Right now things are happening too fast because even physical altercations are leading to deadly force. Continue reading online @ www.aframnews.com Reporting: Darwin Campbell Photo Credit: LaToya Hamer TX-11
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