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Nothing Has Changed When It Comes to Policing Blacks!
What Happened to Us is Still Happening to Us~
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American News&Issues
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Why We Still Need a Selma
More Than a Simple Game of Tug-of-War: Manhood, Race & Culture By Dr. James Thomas Jones III
How Individualism Guarantees African-Americans will continue to Lose in the Game
D
uring a recent attempt to explain to my students the benefits of collectivism in what has always been a highly competitive battle among racial/ethnic groups for politico economic power, I became frustrated by my African-American students’ insistence that they should be able to spend their dollars whenever and wherever they pleased. There was an obvious disconnect between us. They stubbornly refused to consider the reality that where they decide to spend their money is a major political decision that sets in motion myriad issues that are largely irreversible in the short-term. In a desperate attempt to persuade them to look at this matter through another lens, I asked them to name the different groups in America. They related that there are Black people, White people, Asians, Jews, Jamaicans, Haitians, Africans, Arabs,
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and Hispanics. It was at that moment that I asked them if they had ever participated in the game tug-of-war. They answered that they had. I then likened the game of life to a tug-ofwar where only those of like race/ ethnicity are able to pull on the same side. So I meticulously attempted to create teams that would pull on the same side of the rope. The teams were assembled as follows. The Black team was composed of just Black people, meaning those 43 million African-Americans who are the descendants of enslaved Africans stolen from Africa. The students, showing their lack of understanding of collectivism, refused to include any Caribbean born or Continental Africans who had arrived in America recently on their team. To my delight, they agreed that the White team would be composed of “White people.” When pressed to construct that team they agreed that “White people” are composed of the following groups: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France , Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom. The students likewise agreed that Asians largely join forces to improve their individual political and economic status. So their team would be constructed of the following groups: Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Cyprus, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia,
Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, North Korea, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, The students then compiled a list for the Arab team. It was composed of the following nations: Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. The Hispanic team was composed of the following nations:: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, and Venezuela. The students then agreed that neither Continental Africans nor Caribbean born Black s were likely to join together for a collective effort. When faced with the innumerable odds facing African-Americans in the tug-of-war game of life where numbers and alliances matter, the students were humbled to see how their individual mindset serves as a significant factor in AfricanAmericans consistent pattern of being exploited by other groups in the arena of politico economic power. Many of my students agreed that it was shameful that African-American buying power, estimated to reach $1.1 trillion by 2015 according to a new report titled “African Americans: Still Vital, Still Growing,” was largely raided by outside groups and then distributed among themselves according to their own needs. Despite our most fervent attempts to deny the reality of this cyclical pattern of politico economic inefficiency and exploitation, the truth of the matter is that it remains today and will be exponentially more difficult to subdue tomorrow.
Texas • March 16 - 22, 2015
Earl Ofari Hutchinson Author & Political Analyst
O
ne week after Alabama state troopers bludgeoned civil rights demonstrators on the Edmund Pettus Bridge outside Selma on March 7, 1965 a visibly shaken Lyndon Johnson called for and addressed a joint session of Congress. His message was clear. His administration would pull out all stops to pass a voting rights bill which was the objective of the Selma marches. Five months later, the bill became the landmark 1965 Voting Rights Act. The act ignited an explosion in the number of Black , Hispanic, Asian, women and Native American voters and the election of thousands of their number to local state and federal offices. The jewel in the crown in the Act was the election in 2008 of President Obama. In the fifty years since the Selma march and the passage of the Act, a succession of GOP leaders, state legislators, girded by various federal court decisions, and the reflexive rightist four, and sometimes, five U.S. Supreme Court justices, have waged relentless war on the Act. The deal in the initial passage of the Act was that it be renewed every 25 years. When the Act came up for renewal in 1981, hardline ultraconservatives in the administration of then President Reagan made loud threats to push Reagan to oppose its renewal. They were just that, idle threats. Reagan with no fanfare signed the renewal legislation. When the Act came up for renewal again in 2006, the threats to thwart the law, turned into a mini-movement in Congress to delay or even block passage. A pack of House Republicans stalled the
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legislation for more than a week and demanded that hearings be held. The standard attack line has always been that it punishes the South for past voting discrimination sins, and that the thousands of Black and Hispanic legislators in the South, Southwest and West is supreme proof that the crude, naked race based voter suppression ploys was a thing of a long gone past. Bush signed the renewal order. But the GOP had served notice that the early saber rattle against the Act was a just a warm-up for a full throttle frontal assault. The GOP pecked at eroding the Act with the rash of photo identifications laws that the GOP governors and GOP controlled state legislatures enacted in recent years. The aim was to discourage and damp down the number of minority and poor voters that overwhelmingly vote Democratic. Then enter the Supreme Court. In the Shelby County v. Holder case in 2013, the Alabama county claimed the Act is outdated, discriminatory, and a blatant federal intrusion into state’s rights. The lawsuit explicitly wants the centerpiece of the Act, Section 5 dumped. This is the provision that mandates that states get “preclearance” from the Justice Department before making any changes in voting procedures. State attorneys general in several states have endorsed the Alabama County’s challenge.
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Texas • March 16 - 22, 2015
Edit rial & Opini n
“It Only Takes the Actions of a Few Idiots to Destroy Your Entire Program…” Before I Lay it Down... By “Coach” Mark Spivey
B
y now we’ve all seen the video of some white fraternity members from Alabama singing “You can hang them from a tree, but they’ll never sign with me, there’ll never be a nigger at SAE”. Because of this, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity has now been permanently banned, kicked out, evicted, and thrown off the campus of the University of Oklahoma at the expense of the nonsense of a few idiotic kids who decided to sang a song reminiscent of the actions of their ancestors in a antebellum South who got thrills outta of seeing black folk lynched from trees. Junior KKK grandkid was rocking that bus with his lyrical beats while all of his racist buddies chimed in, unaware that there was somebody in the mix who undoubtedly hated his singing or despised his message. Consequently, whoever posted the video musta have known that there would be some major implications if it got out, YET, they posted it anyway. God bless the child… In the meantime, as we are getting ready to protest, march against, and come up with some new slogan to express our anger over this, the ladies from Texas Southern and Southern Universities commenced to beating the ISH outta each other during the final conference game of the regular season and just prior to the start of 2015 SWAC Tournament down at the Toyota Center. Immediate suspensions took place and TSU had to forfeit its opening round game because they only had two eligible players who could participate. Ultimately, they had to make the decision to drop out of the tournament all together. It’s
sad, but I applaud my good friend and TSU Athletic Director, Dr. Charles McClelland, for making this tough decision in his on-going efforts to turn Texas Southern into one of the premier college programs anywhere. He’s a good guy. Those girls were fighting as if they though they were whupping the asses of some racist guys from Alabama who were sanging songs about their ancestors being hung from trees, but instead, they were fighting each other… Two different incidents. Two similar outcomes. Both groups lost. How can I criticize one without the other? It just wouldn’t be fair. Young people making idiotic decisions that affected two outstanding universities. It is just downright embarrassing. How can I choose to protest blatant racism and then turn around and applaud the actions of collegiate African-American women basketball players from HBCUs whupping each other’s asses in a game of utter importance? They were playing for first place! To some, this may not seem like an adequate illustration. After all, we’re comparing racism to sports, right? Wrong! I’m comparing idiotic behavior to idiotic behavior. We all lose when our college kids do things to embarrass us and their universities. God forbid if they were kicked off campus like SAE was. Or if they were seniors on a TSU basketball team who finally got a chance to make it to the BIG DANCE and now that dream is gone. Not every member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon was on that bus, but every member had to pay AND the fallout has key football recruits who committed to playing at OU in the fall now de-committing. On the flip side, not every member of TSU’s women’s basketball team participated in that brawl, but the entire athletic program has to pay. So will their fans. It only takes the actions of a few idiots to destroy yo entire program. I wonder who’s gonna be next. God bless, good night, and keep yo families together.
American News&Issues
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Nothing has changed when it comes to policing Black s! What happened to us is still happening to us! ~ Know your history!
O
Nothing has Changed...
ver the course of the past weekend, I sat and watched history constantly unfold. As citizens from all over the nation gathered to honor “Bloody Sunday” in Selma, Alabama, many people see that not that much has really changed at all. “Bloody Sunday” occurred when several hundred people gathered and proceeded to march in Selma on Sunday, March 7. John Lewis was one of the chief leaders of the movement along with SNCC and SCLC activists. The determined marches walked across the Edmund Pettus Bridge over the Alabama River headed to Montgomery. As they came close to making their way completely over, they were blocked by Alabama State troopers and local police who ordered them to turn around. When they refused, they were chastised with teargas and beaten with billy clubs. From this incident over 50 people were injured. This traumatic experience was labeled as “Bloody Sunday,” and was viewed around the world. After the devastation of what was labeled as, “Bloody Sunday,” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. called for civil rights supporters to come to Selma for a second march, but he was pressured by members of Congress “to restrain the march until a court could rule on whether the protesters deserved federal protection, King found himself torn between their requests for patience and demands of the movement activists pouring into Selma,” according to Jessie Kindig’s account of the incident. Ultimately, a couple of weeks later, one last march was done and completed with the assistance of federal protection. The greater good that came out of “Bloody Sunday” was that the federal Voting Rights Act was passed. This accomplishment brought joy to all that were involved in the march and the Black community as a
whole. Jessie Kindig stated that “Bloody Sunday” was about more than winning a federal act. It highlighted the political pressures that Dr. King was negotiating at the time between movement radicalism and federal calls for restraint, as well as the tensions between SCLC and SNCC. Though many great things came out of Bloody Sunday, the fact still remains that there yet linger underlying issues that exists within African-American communities all over the country. There are many events that have occurred over recent years that serve to let members of the Black community know that justice for all is not achieved. Of course I could begin naming the numerous young Black men that have lost their lives at the hands of authoritative figures in various states, but new cases of racism and discrimination arise everyday. One specifically came to mind as it relates to the present topic. While a great majority of Black and White Americans were tuned into the television watching the events taking place in Selma commemorating “Bloody Sunday,” a video of a group of University of Oklahoma Fraternity Brothers was being released. This video tweeted on Twitter by a group of AfricanAmerican students who are working diligently to promote change amidst the campus administration and society. The video shows the fraternity brothers performing a ridiculous racist party bus chant demeaning African-Americans. One of the phrases that can clearly be heard in the recording is, “There will never be a n----r at SAE.” In response to the events, the University of Oklahoma has officially gone on record as having severing“all ties and affiliations” amongst the university and the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. The University President, David
- Roy Douglas Malonson
We MUST Understand By Roy Douglas Malonson, Chairman
Boren said that he is “exploring the possibility of expulsions” and that he was“sickened by the video and I couldn’t sleep after that.” Furthermore, he stated, “To those who have misused their free speech in such a reprehensible way, I have a message for you. You are disgraceful.” He continued, “You have violated all that we stand for. You should not have the privilege of calling yourselves ‘Sooners.’ Real Sooners are not racist. Real Sooners are not bigots. Real Sooners believe in equal opportunity. Real Sooners treat all people with respect. Real Sooners love each other and take care of each other like family members.” Concluding, he expressed that “we are embarrassed by this video and offer our empathy not only to anyone outside the organization who is offended but also to our brothers who come from a wide range of backgrounds, cultures and ethnicities.” I must admit that it is quite noble that David Boren immediately took a stand to denounce the behavior of the students and their message in regards to the university. In my opinion it speaks volumes about his character. Nevertheless, the fact still remains that not much has changed, because the individuals featured in the video represent a frame of mind that will not easily be washed away in time. It is one that has been in these United States since our parents, our parent’s parent’s and so forth and so on... Therefore, I do not see this mentality changing any time soon, because at the end of the day, not really much has changed at all... TX-3
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African
American News&Issues
Quanell X from pg. 1
HOUSTON - Marcus Garvey once stated that “Leadership means everything, pain, blood and death.” If anyone can attest to the sentiments expressed by Garvey, then certainly Leader of the New Black Panther Party, Quanell X, can. For he has seen pain, blood and death as it relates to injustices that have plagued the African-American community for years on all sides of the fence. From his own personal experience as well as outreaches, from family members of victims that have had encounters with police officials, Quanell has vigorously and consistently provided a voice to those whose voices were not heard loud and clear by their own persuasions. However, his destination to attain such a platform did not come without these three elements: pain, blood and death. Quanell X was born Quanell Ralph Evans in the infamous celebrity culture and second largest city in the nation known as, Los Angeles, California in 1970. His mother moved to Houston’s South Acres when Quanell and his brother were just lads. His grandmother was primarily responsible for raising him. He attended Worthing High School during his adolescent years. Nonetheless, being the product of a single parent environment by choice of his mother, Quanell soon found himself wrapped up with the influences that plague young men across the country in predominately Black neighborhoods. As a teenager, he saw first hand the ill-treatment of Black men within the judicial system when he was arrested for peddling drugs. From his experience, he came to the conclusion that the “system” that was designed to serve and protect its’ citizens were targeting Black men for harassment. This factor did not sit well with him even as a young man and he vowed within himself to make a personal commitment to change those odds. As life has the tendency to TX- 4
allow people to cross paths with other influential characters, so became the introduction to a life of activism for Quanell; when he took out time to attend a speech delivered by the leader of the Nation of Islam, Minister Louis Farrakhan, at the Sam Houston Coliseum. It was from this episode that Quanell took to the Nation of Islam and became a student of its’ teachings. He was a student of the Minister Robert Muhammad. Hence Quanell X emerged! He was apprised of the world as viewed by the Nation of Islam, which opened his eyes to many issues that he had not readily been made aware of previously. It was not much long after his affiliation with Minister Farrakhan that Quanell soared through the ranks and became a national youth minister for the Nation of Islam. Soon after, he developed a reputation from his roles as a speaker, rapper and writer that would establish him years later as a true voice for the African-American people. His charisma, demeanor, stance and gift of gab all served as compliments that made it easy for members of the Black community to follow him and believe in what he stood for. In July of 1992, Quanell had the burdensome task of finding his youngera brother Quinten Evans dead in his apartment. He was one of four men that were found with bullets to their heads. Although it took nearly two decades, three men were charged with capital murder in connection with their deaths. Not long after his brother’s killing, Quanell met Representative Ron Wilson, a Democrat in the city. After being asked to speak by Representative Wilson, a relationship was built and he began working as an administrative aide. This position gave Quanell a glance at how the internal part of the “system” works. At which point, he knew that he would best serve the public as an activist.
C ver St ry
Having a vision to organize his own cause for young Black men, Quanell eventually departed from the Nation of Islam and sought to dedicate his time to pioneer Mental Freedom Obtains Independence (MFOI). This organization was one that was engineered to provide AfricanAmerican men the tools, knowledge and power to “combat police brutality and other manifestations of White oppression.” Their main goal was to highlight incidents of police brutality caught on film by the video cameras they carried. After toiling with this organization for a while, Quanell began a journey with Khalid Abdul Muhammad, a former member of the Nation of Islam as well. He became one of the top lieutenants for the New Black Panther Party under Muhammad. Since then, he has become the primary leader of the New Black Panther Party in Houston and also works closely with the Nation of Islam’s chapter in the city. Together these powerful forces rise to the occasion any and every time injustices are imposed upon members of the African-American society. Undoubtably, Quanell’s role in activism has ruffled many feathers of his White counterparts and has not made him very many allies. Nevertheless, his persona is one that demands respect and attention every time he steps on the scene. A position that has labeled and classified him as an “Activist that Fights for Us” for members all over the African-American community. From mayors, to city council members, to police officials, to television commentators and many branches in between; Quanell has boisterously spoke out against the discriminations and unbalances that continue to invade the Black community. He has suffered vicariously for the causes that he believes in and has endured arrests as a result of the battle that he continues to fight for. Nevertheless, he chooses to
turn each stumbling block into a stepping stone, which yields him with even more momentum to tackle the next time that he is called for duty. An attempt to list all of Quanell’s accomplishments and involvements in one simple article would be a true injustice to his fight for equality, as one edition could not contain all of his efforts and works. Howbeit, there are several cases that he has been a part of that through his affiliation, greater success has been achieved by his mere presence. In 1999, Quanell and a gallery of supporters and followers interrupted the proceedings of John William King, who was on trial for the brutal killing of James Byrd, Jr. in 1998. Nine years later, he was a key player in the murder investigation of Tynesha Stewart, a student of Texas A&M University. He was able to secure a confession from Timothy Wayne Shepherd, who was convicted of murdering Stewart. The very next year, Quanell was found once again in the spotlight for demanding the resignation of Chuck Rosenthal. Rosenthal was involved in an email scandal that exhibited racist messages about members of the Black community. Quanell led a protest outside of the courthouse.
Texas •M arch 1612-18, - 22, 2015 Texas • August 2013
He was also an integral part in the search for the missing children of Randy Sylvester, Sr. He was able to convince Sylvester to lead him to the location of his missing children, which ultimately uncovered the gruesome discovery of their burned remains. Quanell was also on the scene with protesters following the acquittal of George Zimmerman, who unlawfully gunned down 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida. Quanell and his entourage blocked Texas State Highway 288 to show the outrage of the Houston African-American community against the verdict. Numerous other accounts of Quanell standing at the fore-front of inequality exists, and he is always at the beckoning call of those that need an“Activist that Fights for Us” to state the least. Concluding, Quanell’s comments reveal a brief insight into the thought that he is in no shape, form or fashion tired of fighting for his people. By his own admission he stated, “My commitment to seeking justice has brought many families with heartaches some comfort. I stand devoted and steadfast to my mission to bring the scales of justice to an equal balance for all.” Story By: Rebecca S. Jones Photo Source: Flickr.com
C mmunity FOURTH WARD
Texas • March 16 - 22, 2015
THe fIgHT ConTInueS In freeDmen’S ToWn
HOUSTON - The Fourth Ward citizens are still fighting the removal of the bricks from Freedmen’s Town. The bricks that have been there for over a hundred years and pave Wilson and Andrews Street were once on several streets in the 80 blocks that use to be Fourth Ward Freedmen’s Town. After people of African descent were emancipated from slavery, they settled there coming from the banks of Buffalo Bayou. Although many of those bricks have crumbled over time, the citizens still feel that if the bricks are removed, the super neighborhood will be losing much of its history. Dorris Ellis Robinson, the President of the Freedmen’s Town Preservation Coalition, is in charge of coordinating and leading the activities that help to preserve and protect the brick streets in Freedmen’s Town. Robinson said that “the brick streets were paid for and placed by freedmen back in 1914 and they had worked hard with the city council 100 years ago to improve their neighborhood, and that effort to improve their neighborhood meant that they had to go to city council for six years asking them to allow them to improve the neighborhood. Secondly, they had to pay for the bricks that they were to place in the area so that the neighborhood could be improved, and then after paying for them, they had to work to install them.”
She went on to say that “the city said ‘yes, you can install them and improve your neighborhood, but you need to hire a contractor to allow it to happen,’ and so they said yes and hired a White contractor, because their mission was to improve their neighborhood. They hired a White contractor and the bricks were placed.” Robinson said that in June of 2014, the city council voted to remove the bricks that have been there for 101 years. As a result, the Freedmen’s Town Preservation Coalition was started in order to preserve that work of the African-Americans that were residents of Freedmen’s Town. Robinson said that they have since been working on this initiative since July of 2014. Robinson said that at one point in time while fighting for th e bricks to remain, she “laid down in the street to stop them from doing it (destroying the bricks) on Dec. 15, and then on Jan. 20, the city had gone to remove them again.” Robinson said that it was then that they were able to get the temporary restraining order against the city and the Conrad Construction Company acknowledged in court. The restraining order, which went into effect on Jan. 20, entails that the city or company cannot remove the bricks from the property. It has been agreed in court that the citizens of Freedmen’s Town can take the case to court for the
restraining order to remain. The trial begins on May 4. Robinson said that the foundation of those bricks mean that “we, this generation, cannot allow the historical surroundings of Freedmen’s Town to be renegaded to nothing. We must be able to appreciate the work of our ancestors, and in addition to their work, we all need to do greater work.” Robinson said that although they are working to get a permanent restraining order, she knows that “it is not easy.” She emphasized this statement by saying, “for one, we don’t have money. We were able to raise enough money to get to this point, and we continue to raise money so we can take it to trial, because the trial is scheduled for May 4, and between now and May 4, we need major support and people to stand with so we can fight it, because the city has all the taxpayers’ money, but God has been good to us and granted us the opportunity to get in court, so now that we are in court, we need to try to be ready to proceed to victory.” Robinson said that victory, according to her and many others, means “finding a way to preserve the legacy that our forefathers left for us.” The coalition members were able to raise money by asking the people they knew and setting up a Go Fund Me account called “Freedmen’s Town Coalition” so that people can add their
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contributions to the cause. Although Ben Hall, a candidate for mayor, was once the attorney for the case, but the coalition is currently looking for an attorney to represent them and work pro bono in order to carry the case forward. Robinson said that as far as the Fourth Ward community is concerned, she would like for “all organizations and churches make a financial contribution to Freedmen’s Town Preservation Coalition. We have two events every month for the public.” One of these events is a prayer service at the crossroads of the bricks. “They (the bricks) are spiritually historical also with the Uruba pattern... that is one of the reasons why we were able to get the restraining order.” This event takes place on the third Sunday of each month at 3:30 p.m. The other event is Preservation Monday, which is held on the third Monday of every month. “If anybody wants to come and show support or learn more about what we’re doing, they are to come to Preservation Monday, and we will have an overview to share with the community what they can do.” Robinson also asks that the community “allow us (the Freedmen’s Town Preservation Coalition) to come and talk to them as they’re having their organization meetings, church meeting, or any functions so that they can allow us to come tell them story about the Freedmen’s Town bricks and how they can become involved in the challenge.” Catherine Roberts, the co-founder and board member of Rutherford B.H. Yates Museum, Inc., said that she is interested in preserving the history of Freedmen’s Town, because she’s “seen how other countries preserve their history in communities around the world in London, in Italy, and in Poland, and how they benefit from it by also learning about history and the heroes.” Roberts said she first heard about Freedmen’s Town through an international student program and friends of her’s. Olee McCullough, a “Freedmen’s Town hero” according to Roberts, was also a driving force behind her activism for Freedmen’s Town. “She came up to me after one of the church meetings and said, ‘could you help me find someone to save the home my father built? The city is about to demolish it. It needs to become a museum.’” McCullough was approaching 90 years of age when she met Roberts,
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Mrs. Doris Hubert and was one of the first women from Houston to go to Spelman. From there, Roberts strengthened her advocacy. “She was just an inspiration to me,” Roberts said. Roberts said that “it just amazes me discovering treasures everyday and understanding and learning about these families and their amazing skills, so we can’t let that go away, and I think the sad thing is that maybe 1 percent of Houston knows its a national district... Less than that probably know it’s a traditional cultural property, which is a very high distinction for a national district.” The city wants to remove the bricks to improve the conditions of the streets, provide infrastructure to the residents, and make the streets look better, however, Robinson, as well as other residents, insists that “we want you to provide infrastructure to the residence without destroying the bricks, and we offered different ways they can provide infrastructure. We are offering them to take a look at the trenching technology.” Robinson said that with this option, it will allow the construction company to “bore down and do it under the sidewalk as opposed to providing infrastructure under the streets.” Story By: erica PonDer Photo By: PriScilla Graham TX- 5
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bbarnes@barnesturner.com
Fifth Ward Missionary Baptist Church members will endeavor to provide a strong foundation of love; we will stand 713-692-1195 on Biblical Truths; and we will equip one another to spread the Gospel of Je6130 Wheatley St. 713-697-1758 sus Christ in our community and in our back to 713-692-1183 Please sign for approval and fax Houston, TX 77091 world.6616 D.S. Bailey Lane
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Houston, TX 77099 elimination. Other schools would be Smith, Stovall, Harris and Hill, all based onBLACK the same CHAMBER criteria. Students of magnet programs that had Acres Homes Chamber been eliminated would return to Business Eco.first Dev. their homefor campus and& given priority for available slots in other 713-692-7161 magnet programs,6112 with the excepWheatley St tion of 4th grade students, Houston, TX 77091who will be given the option of continuing at Houston Academy. Staff will be placed intoHIS vacantSHOULD positions on other campuses. The order would have given the BE YOUR D magnet program a protected status HOU-6 and funds from the government would have been provided for their operation. Also, several events and
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Horse Quality Guiding Light Large Round Hay Bales Inspirational Call 979-921-9908 SundayBaptist Church (8am-4pm) Morning Bible Class
FIDELITY CHURCH OF Date CHRIST “The Church That Cares”
(713) 699-4448
9:30 a.m. Morning Worship Rev. Joseph 6719 Cohn St. 10:45 a.m. Baker, Pasor Evening Bible Class Houston, Tx 77091 5:00 p.m. Evening Worship 6:00 p.m. Chorus Group Rehearsal 7:30 p.m.
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Shirley Ann’s MINISTER: Black Mid-Week BibleKollectibles Class Theaster Maloy, Sr. 7:00 p.m. & Flowers Wednesday
OFFICE: 713/674-5131
713-692-1100 140 Fidelity Rd. Houston Tx 77029 6130 Wheatley St.
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Please sign for approval and fax b 12Independent NOON Wednesday The by Houston School District located in thefor next M
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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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NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS Sealed bids, in duplicate, addressed to Fourth Ward Redevelopment Authority will be received at 410 Pierce Street, Suite 355 Houston, TX 77002, until 2:00 pm, Tuesday, April 14th, 2015. Bids will be publicly opened at 2:00 p.m. and read at 2:15 PM on Thursday, April 16th, 2015, for furnishing all labor, materials, equipment, and incidentals, as required, for the construction of Fourth Ward Affordable Housing Project - “3-Shotgun Houses”, in Houston, Texas. CONTRACT DOCUMENTS may be examined at the following locations: (1) Associated General Contractors, 2400 Augusta, Suite 305, Houston, TX; (2) Virtual Builders Exchange, 7035 W. Tidwell, Building J, Suite 110, Houston, TX, (3) AMTEK, 4001 Sherwood Lane, Houston, TX and (4) Houston Minority Business Development Center, 2900 Woodridge, Suite 124, Houston, TX 77087. The right is reserved, as the interest of the Owner may require, to reject any and all bids, and to waive any informality in bids received. Plans, specifications and bidding documents may be obtained at the offices of ESPA/ KCI, 801 Travis St., Suite 2000, Houston, Texas 77002 (713680-0080) for a nonrefundable fee of $60.00 per set. Make checks payable to Fourth Ward Redevelopment Authority. A pre-bid conference will be held at 410 Pierce Street, Suite 355 Houston, TX 77002 in the 3rd Floor Large Conference Room on Tuesday March 31, 2015 at 10:00 am. It is requested, but not mandatory, that each bidder be represented at the pre-bid conference.
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Project 15-02-04 RFP – Insulation/Abatement Supplies & Materials with deadline of 11:00 A.M., April 8, 2015. The pre-proposal conference for this project will be in Room 2NE32 at the above stated address on April 1, 2015 at 11:00 A.M.
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Project 15-03-01– RFP – Grease Trap Services – (Nutrition Services) with a deadline of 3:00 P.M. (CST) April 06, 2015. The pre-proposal conference for this project will be in Room 2W26 at the above stated address on March 25, 2015 at 10:00 A.M.(CST)
Proposals are available on the HISD web-site at www. houstonisd.org. The District reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, or, to accept the proposal that is most advantageous to the District.The District sells obsolete assets
DID YOU KNOW?
Today, the phrase Black Power takes on a new meaning. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Black Power Movement inspired racial pride and self-esteem amongst African-Americans and encouraged all Americans to acknowledge and embrace Black culture and heritage. Now Black Power also refers to the considerable economic influence of African-Americans. Excerpt of Vanessa Abron’s “Afican-American Buying Power
Date
EDITION DATE: March 16 - 22, 2015 (Vol. 20 Issue 8) EDITION DATE: March 23 - 29, 2015 (Vol. 20 Issue 9) T •M 16 - 22, 2015 DITION DATE: March 30 - April 5, 2015 (Vol. Happenin’ 20 Issue 10) What’s EXAS
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Sunday Sunday Friday Buck Street Lady Bea Ward & Buck Street Houston Community College Memorial COGIC Angelic Voices Celebrates 33 Memorial COGIC Marketplace Heading: Request for Competitive th Pastor & Wife’s 24th Years in Ministry Pastor & Wife’s 24 Public Notice Sealed Proposals (CSP) Appreciation St. Matthews Church Appreciation RigOne Drilling Training GUEST SPEAKER 7701 Jutland St. GUEST SPEAKER Center Project No. 15-11 Elder Weldon Green Houston, TX 77033 Dr. Morris O Jenkins Contact Information Buck Street Memorial COGIC From 5:00pm to 9:00pm Ellis Memorial COGIC Name: Jennifer Chiu Documents can be obtained 3510 DesChaumes St For 718-5138 more info contact 3510 DesChaumes StPhone: (713) at: www.hccs.edu/district/deHouston, TX 77026 Lady Bea Houston, TX 77026 partments/procurement. Fax: Beginning at 11am (832) 283 - 2087 Beginning at 7:30pm Email: hua.chiu@hccs.edu For more info contact: For more info contact: aframnews.com Sealed proposals will be (713) 446 - 7352 (713) 446 - 7352 Address for Tearsheet/Copies: received in Procurement Sunday 3100 Main Street Operations (3100 Main Street, Sunday Saturday Worship Tabernacle Houston, Texas 77002 Room No. 11A06, Houston, Buck Street First Baptist Church Evening of Praise & Texas 77002) until 2:00PM Memorial COGIC of Lincoln City Worship Concert AD COST (local time) on Tuesday, April Pastor & Wife’s 24th Hamburger Sales 3006 E Richey Rd 14, 2015. Appreciation 844 Fortune St Humble, TX 77338 NET COST: Pre-proposal meeting will be GUEST SPEAKER Houston, TX 77088 TOTALBeginning at 4pm$252 held on March 26, 2015 at Superintendent Carl Davis From 11am to 2pm For more info contact: 10:00 am at 3100 Main Street, New Life Tabernacle COGIC For more info contact (281) 443-2357 Total Cost to Run Ad for 3 Weeks Seminar Room B, Houston, 3510 DesChaumes St (832) 892-5078 Sunday $756.00 Texas 77002. Houston, TX 77026 Saturday New Beginnings Church Beginning at 3pm African-American 1st Anniversary Celebration For more info contact: Library at the Gregory School GUEST SPEAKER Please sign for approval faxMonth back toBishop 713-692-1183 (713) 446 - 7352 Women’sand History Jermarion N. Williams Thursday African American Basket before Atmosphere of the Anointing by 12- NOON Wednesday the week Monday Monday Friday Waller County Weaving Allen Parkway Comm Center Universal Elite Aerospace Democratic Club 1300 Victor St 1600 Allen Parkway Aviation STEM Camp Meeting Houston, TX 77019 Houston, TX 77019 2001 Wheeler St 635 Business 290 E PO#101750 Beginning at 2pm Beginning at 11am Houston, TX 77004 Hempstead, TX 77445 For more info contact: For more info contact: From 8am to 5pm Beginning at 6:30pm (832) 393-1440 (713) 651-1250 For more info contact: For more info visit Sunday Saturday www.unversalelite.org (979) 645-1664 New Beginnings Church Universal Elite 1st Anniversary Celebration Aerospace HIS SHOULD BE GUEST SPEAKER Monday - Friday Wings and Wheels Pastor Baron Williams Houston Livestock & Rodeo 1940 Air Terminal Museum OUR VENT Community Church 8400 Kirby Dr. . 8325 Travelair Allen Parkway Comm Center a f r a m n e w s . c o m Houston, TX 77054 Houston, TX 77061 1600 Allen Parkway For more info visit From 12pm toDate 3pm Friday Houston, TX 77019 www.rodeohouston.com For more info contact 2015 NCAA Division Beginning at 3pm www.unversalelite.org Men’s Basketball Thursday For more info contact: South Regional Thursday Aldine Independent (713) 651-1250 NRG Stadium Metropolitan CME School District Sunday 1 NRG Park Sunnyside March Community Meeting Mt Horem Church Houston, TX 77054 Against Crimes 14910 Aldine Westfield Rd Dr. Thomas F. Freeman Beginning at 12:00pm 8955 South Frwy Houston, TX 77032 64th Anniversary For more info contact: Houston, TX 77051 From 6:30pm - 8:30pm G UEST SPEAKER (832) 667 - 1400 From 8:30am 1pm For more info contact Bishop Frank Rush www.ncaa.com/mbbtickets. For more info visit (281) 985-6202 1950 Lockwood Dr (832) 374-5585 Friday Houston, TX 77020 Power of Praise Sunday Beginning at 9:30am Friday - Saturday Christian Church HOLI 2015 For more info contact: Prettiest Pearls Fish Fry Festival of Colors (713) 636-2270 Girls Conference 2015 7512 Lockwood Dr. Houston Holi 425 N. Sam Houston Pkwy E Email Your Upcoming Houston, TX 77026 1 Abercrombie Street Houston, TX 77060 From 9am to 5pm Houston, TX 77084 Events to: *Times Vary* For more info contact: From 12:00pm to 5:00pm news@aframnews.com For more info contact: Nico Theman Matthews For more info contact www.prettiestpearls.com 4 weeks in advance! (832) 443 - 5979 (281) 277 - 6874
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Guest Speaker Quanell X Community Activist
Acres Home Chamber for Business & Economic Development, Inc. 26th Annual Awards Banquet “Reclaiming, Reframing & Rebuilding Acres Homes” 6112 Wheatley St Houston, TX 77091 For more info contact: Anthony Stewart (713) 692-7161 info@acreshomecenter.org
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Friday - Saturday 300 Men’s Conference 3700 Southwest Fwy. Houston, Texas 77027 Fri. @ 7:30pm, Sat. @2:00pm For more info visit: www.lakewoodchurch.com/men
28 Saturday The Women’s Home
5th Annual Crawfish Boil West Alabama Ice House 1919 W Alabama St, Houston, TX 77098 From 1:00pm to 5:00pm For more info visit www.thewomenshome.org
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Saturday Lyons Avenue Renaissance Festival “Partners Partying for a Purpose” Between Capron & Benson 3700 Lyons Ave. Houston, TX 77020 From 1:00pm to 5:00pm For more info visit www.facebook.com/ LyonsAvenueFestival
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Saturday First Baptist Church of Lincoln City Hamburger Sales 844 Fortune St Houston, TX 77088 From 11am to 2pm For more info contact (832) 892-5078
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Saturday Ameican Heart Assoc. & Houston Methodist Free CPR Save a Life Couse Sterling Highschool Gym 300 W. Baker Rd Baytown, TX 77521 Times: 9am, 10am, 11am, 12pm & 1pm For more info contact apiyo.obala@heart.org **Ages 12 and up
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Saturday Ameican Heart Assoc. & Houston Methodist Free CPR Save a Life Couse D. Bradley McWilliams YMCA 19915 State Hwy249 Houston, TX 77070 Times: 9am, 10am, 11am, 12pm & 1pm For more info contact apiyo.obala@heart.org **Ages 12 and up
28 Saturday EGGStravaganza
Sugar Land Parks 2742 Eldridge Rd. Sugar Land, TX 77478 From 12:00pm to 3:00pm For more info contact (281) 275 - 2885 www.sugarlandtx.gov/parks Saturday Mt. Arat Baptist Communty Health Fair 5801 W. Montgomery Rd Houston, Tx 77088 From 9:30am - 1pm For more info contact (713)535-9901
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Saturday African-American Library at the Gregory School Women’s History Month 1300 Victor St Houston, TX 77019 Beginning at 2pm For more info contact: (832) 393-1440 HOU-7
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African
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PLEASANT HILL BAPTIST CHURCH
Pastor Harvey Clemons, Jr. HOUSTON - African-American News&Issues presents Pleasant Hill Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Harvey Clemons, Jr. Pleasant Hill Baptist Church has a rich history in the Fifth Ward community and the greater Houston area. It was founded with six members in the year 1925. Within nearly two decades, that number of six multiplied exponentially into a membership roll that extended to over 2,700 names. The Pleasant Hill family, with faith and much volition, were able to construct the largest church facility for Negroes in the South. Reverend Lee Hayward Simpson, DD, was called as Pastor the year the church was organized by the founding members. He was labeled as the “Clever Leader” and visionary for the amazing growth, development, evangelism, education, cultural and social influence that Pleasant Hill had on the City of Houston and the Fifth Ward
Community from the year Pleasant Hill was founded until the latter part of the 1960’s. A great deal of accomplishments were rendered under the guidance and stewardship of Pastor Simpson throughout his years of service as Pastor to the Pleasant Hill family. In 1968, after the death of Reverend L. H. Simpson, the torch of leadership was passed to Reverend L. C. Crawford. Reverend Crawford utilized his organizational skills and management ability to benefit the Pleasant Hill Church. Under his administration, all debts were retired and the multiplicity of the music department was restructured and organized into one musical unit. After centralization of the music department, “When You Have Faith in God,” the first and only album by the Pleasant Hill Choir was produced. The salute on the album cover appropriately eulogizes Pastor Crawford as one who “actively supported all facets of the church family and was big enough to recognize the foundational stones laid by his predecessor, Reverend L. H. Simpson.” The leadership of Pleasant Hill changed in 1976. The membership chose Reverend Dr. J. M. Allen to serve as its third Pastor. Reverend Allen expanded on the ministries by adding a Transportation Ministry and Multimedia Ministry. A component of this was a venture into the television broadcasting of morning worship services. These new ministries allowed the church the opportunity to witness to souls throughout the city of Houston.
RELIGI N
In 1984, Reverend Harvey Clemons, Jr. was appointed to carry the mantle of leadership for Pleasant Hill. He became the fourth Pastor. He immediately began to explore ways for Pleasant Hill to become a beacon light and an oasis in the midst of a desert of economic and spiritual poverty. By 1994, Pleasant Hill had experienced 10 years of successful growth and leadership under Reverend Clemons. The phrase“A Decade of Miracles” was coined to communicate the explanation for 10 years of revival in the church and the 5th Ward. In 1995, Pastor Clemons recognized the need for the church to become more active and aggressive in rebuilding the physical components of the immediate surrounding area of the church and for providing social services to those in need. As a result, the Pleasant Hill Community Development Corporation (PHCDC) was formed to “rebuild the walls” – to restore the beauty and dignity of the Pleasant Hill campus and areas across the City of Houston. Since that time, PHCDC has developed and managed (1) Pleasant Hill Village Retirement Community - 167 units of senior independent living, (2) The Victual Restaurant - a full-service dining restaurant and (3) Brittons Place Apartments - 48- multi-family housing units and Park Village Apartments - 314 multi-family housing units in Alief. In 1998, the Church embarked upon a huge structure restoration of its sanctuary in order to empower the church to continue the proclamation of the Gospel.
TEXAS • MARCH 16 - 22, 2015
The renovation brought many new features such as paved parking lots, refurbished stained glass windows, audio/video equipment and improved sound booth, touch-up of original murals, and new restroom facilities. During the implementation and the accomplishment of all our endeavors, the continuing work of worship, care for widows and orphans, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and most importantly-spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ was never hindered. After all these years, Pleasant Hill’s life and ministries are founded on the certainty of God’s word, the ability to visualize and realize a better life, and ways to minister to God’s people. Pleasant Hill Baptist Church weekly services are as follows: Sunday Worship, 10:00am; Feed the Hungry, Wednesday, 11:30am and Wednesday Night Live 6:30pm. To visit and worship with the Pleasant Hill family, stop by 1510 Pannell St., 77020. For more information about upcoming services or events contact, (713) 224 - 0052.
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The Key to Education is Understanding the Knowledge That You Acquire & How it Affects Your Life. ~Roy Douglas Malonson, Publisher~
FROM THE CRADLE TO THE GRAVE
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Pastor Francis Williams, Sr. 1933 – 2014
And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. Jer. 3:15 You will always be with us spiritually. You will never be forgotten because you had a shoulder that we all could lean on, a mind that we could lean on, a mind that we could pick for wisdom, a heart of gold that we all appreciated and a sense of humor that enlightened our days. Your legacy continues through your wife, Dorothy Mae, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and the New Purity Missionary Baptist Church Family.
BLACK HOMICIDE
INTO THE
PHOTO SOURCE: MODLUMPKIN.BLOGSPOT.COM
LEADING CAUSES
OF
DEATH
IN THE
BLACK COMMUNITY
GRAVE PG 4
BLESSED IS THE MAN THAT WALKETH NOT IN THE COUNSEL OF THE UNGODLY, NOR STANDETH IN THE WAY OF SINNERS, NOR SITTETH IN THE SEAT OF THE SCORNFUL. BUT HIS DELIGHT IS IN THE LAW OF THE LORD; AND IN HIS LAW DOTH HE MEDITATE DAY AND NIGHT. AND HE SHALL BE LIKE A TREE PLANTED BY THE RIVERS OF WATER, THAT BRINGETH FORTH HIS FRUIT IN HIS SEASON; HIS LEAF ALSO SHALL NOT WITHER; AND WHATSOEVER HE DOETH SHALL PROSPER. THE UNGODLY ARE NOT SO: BUT ARE LIKE THE CHAFF WHICH THE WIND DRIVETH AWAY. THEREFORE THE UNGODLY SHALL NOT STAND IN THE JUDGMENT, NOR SINNERS IN THE CONGREGATION OF THE RIGHTEOUS. FOR THE LORD KNOWETH THE WAY OF THE RIGHTEOUS: BUT THE WAY OF THE UNGODLY SHALL PERISH. - PSALM 1:1-6 TX-8
TEXAS • MARCH 16 - 22, 2015
DID YOU KNOW? BLACK HISTORY IS 24/7/365 Mar “Freedom‛s
16
Journal,” first AfricanAmerican newspaper, published by Samuel Cornish and John Russwurm - 1827
Mar Norbert Rillieux,
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a skilled AfricanAmerican engineer & scientist was born on a New Orleans plantation ~ 1806 - 1894
Mar Louis Lautier,
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first African - American congressional newsman ~ 1947
Mar Rev. Leon
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Sullivan elected to board of directors of General Motors.
Mar H.B. Stowes “
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Uncle Tom‛s Cabin” published ~ 1852
“...the enslaving of the African race is a clear violation of the great law which commands us to love our neighbor as ourselves” Mar Dr. Martin
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Luther King Jr. leads march from Selma to Montgomery, Ala., for voting rights. ~ 1965
Mar J.W. Smith
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patents lawn sprinkler. ~ 1898
Educati n/Y uth
Read us online! w w w. aframnew s. com
FBISD JUNIORS EXPLORE THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY
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FORT BEND ISD - Cohorts of Fort Bend Independent School District’s Student Leadership 101 Program gained insight into the medical profession as they completed their monthly seminar focusing on Leadership in the Medical Community. Sponsored by FBISD Board members Grayle James and KP George, the session gave the high-school juniors an opportunity to meet with professionals at Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital to learn about their careers in the medical field. Steven Ramirez, Sports Medicine Coordinator and Austin High School graduate, welcomed the cohorts. He spoke about his educational background and career in sports medicine outreach. “My job can be considered as a hospital concierge in charge of special services,” he said. Ramirez does everything from coordinating athletic programs to evaluating injured student athletes to expediting an injured child’s admittance to the emergency room. Following Ramirez was Greg Haralson, Chief
Executive Officer at Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital, who shared his experience in hospital administration and duties as CEO. “My role is different from one day to the next,” he said. “I may have to serve on a committee, meet with the executive team, develop projects, recruit physicians and other staff, or attend community events. The list goes on and that’s the reason I love performing in this role.” Haralson also spoke of the hospital’s core competency of providing a family-like environment. “We want employees to look at administrators and know that they will listen and care about their needs,” he said. “We operate in a casual but driven environment where we want everyone to be comfortable in their role.” The cohorts also met Dr. Kulvinder Bajwa, surgeon and assistant professor at the University of Texas Medical School. A graduate of Willowridge High School, Dr. Bajwa spoke of his extensive medical background and shared reasons why doctors are considered leaders within the
community. “Doctors are community leaders for several reasons,” said Dr. Bajwa. “We are experts on various subject matters, healers, community activists and role models.” Dr. Bajwa also reminded the students that good leaders understand the importance of community service. “Whether making financial contributions or donating your skills, knowledge or manpower, all good leaders find time to give back to their community.” Julliet Ogu of Bush High School found this particular session among her favorite so far. “This was an awesome experience for me because I want to be a doctor,” she said. “To speak to real doctors and the CEO of Memorial Hermann really inspired me and gave me hope that my dreams can be accomplished. I feel so blessed to be a part of this program.” “The most powerful part of this session was that we had two alumni as speakers,” said Board President Grayle James. “They shared their experiences in FBISD schools and how that brought them to the careers
they’re in now as healthcare professionals. It’s wonderful for our students as juniors in high school to see how those men came from where they are right now (high school) and have launched themselves through college and into careers that are impacting lives.” This session also gave the students an opportunity to serve as a Feeder Pattern Focus Group, providing their input on the rezoning issue. Dr. Alice Ledford of Talent Management and Development asked the students to present their ideas and concerns regarding the topic. “Rezoning is a hard decision to make,” she said. “We want to look at all the dynamics to see what best benefits the majority.” The students also took part in StrengthsFinder activities, led by Brandi Breckenridge of Talent Management and Development, to help reveal their strengths. They completed exercises to train themselves to spot their strengths, learned how to apply strategies to help neutralize weakening activities, as well as four basics of staying on their strengths path.
ALDINE ISD - “America in Recovery” announced that Aldine Independent School District would be one of seven area school districts whose students will be in line for scholarship funds from the non-profit organization. The announcement was recently made during a press conference at MacArthur High School. “Education Leaders in Aldine ISD have found another way to show their tireless commitment to their kids by joining forces with us for this announcement,” said America in Recovery Founder Larry Keast. America in Recovery began as a charity trying to help individuals
get a second chance by providing jobs, but last year awarded the first round of scholarships to special high school kids in four Houston area school districts. The charity hopes to raise a quarter of a million dollars this year to make more dreams come true so these kids will not need second chances. Eligible School Districts will choose the kids, and America in Recovery will write checks to the schools they plan to attend. Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. Wanda Bamberg and MacArthur Principal Dr. Kristin Craft, along with MacArthur counselors and students, joined America in Recovery officials at the press conference. MacArthur is one of the schools where kids
will benefit from this private sector initiative. Also on hand for the announcement was America in Recovery Executive Director Judy DuBose. “Aldine ISD officials know the private sector is pivotal in helping these at-risk kids achieve their dreams, and it is important all Houston area parents get this message,” says Keast. Dr. Bamberg said the district was grateful that American in Recovery selected Aldine ISD to be a part of this year’s scholarship campaign. “This is a new partnership we are very excited about,” Dr. Bamberg said. “We welcome the opportunity to work with America in Recovery and thank you for
including our students. We are always looking for new opportunities for our students to find ways to go to college.” Students in six other Houston area school districts will be eligible for scholarships. Besides, Aldine, the America in Recovery Board has chosen Houston Independent School District, Cy-Fair ISD, Spring ISD, Galveston ISD, Goose Creek ISD, and Dickinson ISD. The scholarships will be awarded at an awards dinner in May. America in Recovery is a 501c3 charity and all donations are tax deductible. For more information, go to www.americainrecovery.org or call 281-598-9921.
AISD STUDENTS TO BENEFIT FROM AMERICA IN RECOVERY SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
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Energy
Texas • March 16 - 22, 2015
EnErgiZEHouston & uPskill Houston tEAM uP For workForCE DEVEloPMEnt ProgrAM
HOUSTON – The Greater Houston Partnership has announced that the EnergizeHouston program will join UpSkill Houston. This partnership will help by addressing the region’s workforce challenges that are currently being faced. The petrochemical recruitment and training initiative will be the first step in the partnership’s regional workforce initiative, and will provide the people within the Houston area direct access to connect with training programs that prepare them for good, desired jobs and careers. The announcement was made at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to highlight the organization’s commitment to education for over a long period of time. Since 1932, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has provided about $375 million to the youth of Texas. Furthermore, they have presented more than 15,500 scholarships since 1957. This includes a total of $12.9 million in scholarships in 2015. Although the show’s scholarships were only for four-year institutions, they have announced it will now support students who are enrolled at community colleges in degree programs that educate and train individuals for “middle skill” jobs. “The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has shown tremendous leadership and commitment to providing educational opportunity for Texans,” said Jennifer Hazelton, Chief Financial Officer. “By joining the effort to promote and invest in students attending community colleges, the show has recognized the growing importance of these skilled jobs to our region’s future,” she stated. “EnergizeHouston is an incredible, innovative first step toward solving our petrochemical and construction shortage, but this challenge is far bigger than what one company can solve,” according to Bob Harvey, President and CEO of the Greater Houston Partnership. “This combination adds an already strong and functioning job and training platform to UpSkill Houston, and allows us to greatly increase our ability to attract, train and place skilled workers in the seven industry sectors critical to our future: advanced manufacturing, inTX-10
dustrial and commercial construction, health care, oil and gas, petrochemical, ports and maritime, and utilities,” he said. ExxonMobil and nine community colleges launched EnergizeHouston in 2013. This was done in order to attract, train and place workers in jobs within the petrochemical industry through preparation and connecting the skills gaps in order for potential workers to be prepared for these jobs. The community colleges that participated in the program were Lee College, Alvin Community College, Brazosport College, College of the Mainland, Galveston College, HCC, Lone Star College, San Jacinto College and Wharton County Junior College. Now, hundreds of new workers are in training for the highly-skilled trade and craft careers they desire.The program offers information about career opportunities and training through their website, www. energizehouston.org. The partnership launched UpSkill Houston in 2014. This was the nation’s first “business-led, communitywide, integrated workforce effort.” The initiative aims to address the skills gap in Houston by increasing the number of Texans trained for “middle skills” jobs. “Middle skill” jobs are defined as the jobs that require more than a high school education, but don’t necessarily need a four-year degree. Today, 1.4 million of 3.6 million jobs in Houston are considered middle skills jobs, and nearly 75,000 middle skills jobs will open annually from 2015 to 2017. The three key objectives that UpSkill Houston has are to attract individuals to skilled jobs and professions in seven critical sectors, train individuals on the basic employability and technical skills necessary and place and retain individuals in critical skills jobs and professions.The initiative helps to unite industry, education, non-profit and community leaders so that the issue with skills gap and other regional workforce challenges can be addressed in an effective manner. “Employers tell us every day they need more workers with better and more diverse skills. Helping people
gain skills they need to compete for jobs will transform lives and strengthen our economy,” Gina Luna, Chair of the Greater Houston Partnership and Chairman of JPMorgan Chase in Houston said. Matt Aguiar, Senior Vice President of ExxonMobil Chemical Company and co-chair of UpSkill Houston’s petrochemical committee, announced that ExxonMobil was able to invest an additional $500,000 in the petrochemical training initiative. The cumulative financial commitment has now reached $1.5 million. “We expect new industry investment to attract thousands of jobs to the Houston area as our industry capitalizes on the abundant, affordable supplies of U.S. natural gas to produce chemicals,” Aguiar said. “The community colleges are preparing area residents to fill these new jobs and launch satisfying careers in the petrochemical industry.” The nine community colleges mentioned that are along the upper Texas gulf coast are working together to further expand the training opportunities so that students can advance from the classroom to their actual job of choice within a short amount of time. “Enrollment in the nine Houstonarea community college technical programs is on the rise,” Dr. Dennis Brown, President of Lee College said. “In process technology programs, for example, where students train to be process operators, we have seen enrollment numbers increase by an average of 15 percent a year over the last few years,” he further explained. “We need to improve the education and training for and the image of middle skill jobs,” Bob Harvey said. “People demean jobs that don’t require a four-year degree, even though these are often good, high-paying jobs that can help transform lives. They provide not only a good salary, but have a real career ladder with the potential for even more growth. These are careers and professions, not just jobs.” Source: Submitted by Ashley White www.Houston.org
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AHCBED “March” Monthly Business Networking Luncheon
Loretta Brock
Claude Cummings, Jr. & Ruth Cummings Etta Crockett, Roy Moore & Janette Cosley
Andrea Hilliard Cooksey Edna Griggs, Evelyn Smith, Beverly Davis & Dr. Rhenel Johnson
Lane Lewis & Attorney Warren Fitzgerald Muhammad
Sheldon Moss
HOUSTON – The Acres Home Chamber for Business and Economic Development recently held its March Monthly Networking Luncheon at 6112 Wheatley St. 77091. Roy Douglas Malonson, Chairman emceed the event along with Pastor Joseph Baker of Guiding Light Inspirational Baptist Church. The opening prayer was led by Bishop James Spellman. David Rico was a special guest speaker of the event. He is currently a student of Lonestar College - North Harris and was highly congratulated by the crowd on his achievements. He was one of many from Lonestar who was a scholarship winner. “Until
Bishop Elect C.D. Boulden & Birda Gore
Lone Star College, no one had ever really given me an opportunity to better myself. I spent six years at a job that barely made ends meet and I had no idea how to become a better person. They not only let me be myself, they encourage me to be myself. Lone Star College has changed my life by giving me a chance and for this I am truly grateful.” said David. Following, Janette L. Cosley of the Ensemble Theatre raffled off tickets for the upcoming show, “What I Learned in Paris.” As well, Mr. Roy Douglas Malonson conducted a drawing where several gifts were presented. Following the raffle each guest
Chester Gibson & Anita Scales
had the opportunity to introduce themselves, businesses and organizations. Once the introductions concluded, everyone was served lunch catered by Tiffany Parker and staff of Tippy’s Soul Food. Anthony Steward also presented the AHCBED new chamber members with certificates of appreciation. They were: Naro Mak (Hartz Chicken Pinemont), Roy Moore (DeAnne Group), One World Strategy Group and JC’s Digital Office Equipment. Dr. Lason Hines expressed upcoming events and how community involvement is needed to make them a success. Once all were seated in their
perspective seats, the speaker of the day, Claude Cummings, Jr. of the Communication Workers of America, District 6 (CWA), was introduced by Attorney Warren Fitzgerald Muhammad. Mr. Claude Cummings began his delivery by thanking Chairman Roy Douglas Malonson and acknowledging his wife, Ruth; along with those who came to support the Monthly Networking Luncheon. Throughout his informative address he explained to attendees the many functions of a union and gave an insight into the numerous ways that it is beneficial for members. Cummings also shared the difference between union and non-union workplaces.
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At the conclusion of his message, Cummings addressed questions from attendees concerning the union. After which, Pastor Joseph Baker rendered final words of prayer. For more information on the Communication Workers of America, visit http://district6.cwa-union.org/. For more information on upcoming events or how to become a member of the AHCBED, contact Anthony Stewart at (713) 692-7161.
Story By: Chandra Jarmon Photo Credit: Erica Ponder & Rebecca S. Jones TX-11
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