February 19, 2023
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
African-American News&Issues
Vol. 28, Issue 5
LIVING LEGEND
“Addressing Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community”
Rev. Dr. Edwin A. Davis
BEHIND THE PULPIT
By: Chelsea Davis-Bibb, Ed.D.
Dr. Ruth Simmons
Passionate, dedicated, phenomenal and faithful are just a few words that describe Rev. Dr. Edwin A. Davis, pastor of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church (GMBC), the oldest African American Baptist church in Acres Homes. Pastor Davis has been pastor of GMBC for 35 years and has grown the church significantly over the last three decades. It was in 1987, when he preached what is known to some as his most famous sermon, “The Boomerang,” which played a significant role in him becomDr. Simmon’s Term. It was noted that she could ing the 8th pastor of the church. A native remain as president but only with “limited Houstonian, Pastor Davis grew up in Third presidential authority.” She disagreed with this Ward and lived on Truxillo Street where his notion and decided to resign early. Dr. Ruth grandmother, Ophelia P. Davis raised and Simmons said, “My immediate response was taught him many life lessons. that I could not and would not agree to being As a child, Pastor Davis attended church with president in name only. No enduring good his grandmother every Sunday morning. He can arise from subservience to low standards learned to play the organ at an early age and and expectations.” Again, it all comes down to played for several churches in the Houston power and control. area, and later received the call from God to Prairie View A &M was established during enter the ministry. “The Holy Spirit reveals this the Reconstruction period after the Civil War. calling to you, and you either obey the calling It was the first college in Texas Pulpit cont. Apartheid or do something different. that was created for Black people. on pg. 7 cont. on pg. 3
Chokwe Antar Lumumba
THE NEW APARTHEID
By: Roy Douglas Malonson
We are seeing many changes in our communities, and even our schools. Consider the events that are currently taking place at the historic Prairie View A & M University, which is known as the largest HBCU in the state of Texas. The current President Dr. Ruth Simmons, who has been president of Prairie View since 2017, has decided to step down from her role four months earlier than the original date. Her last day would have been June 1st, now that has changed to the end of February. The abrupt leave is due to differences with the Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp regarding hiring over the rest of
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