June 13, 2025
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
AframNews.com
Vol.30, Issue 21
FREE
African-American News&Issues
“Addressing Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community”
MS. JUNETEENTH HOUSTON
TO THE DADS, UNCLES AND BROTHERS WHO STEPPED IN
By: Roy Douglas Malonson
This Father’s Day, we honor the men whose love can’t be measured by DNA alone. Across the Black community, fatherhood has often meant more than biology. It’s been defined by presence, protection, sacrifice—and a commitment to stand in the gap, especially when others walked away. For generations, Black men have been the backbone of families, neighborhoods, and movements. Yet their efforts have often gone unnoticed, overshadowed by negative narratives. Today, we push those stories aside and celebrate the dads, uncles, brothers, coaches, and mentors who stepped up and never looked back. They didn’t do it for attention. They didn’t do it for praise. They did it because they knew somebody had to. In neighborhoods where single mothers worked long hours just to make ends meet, uncles filled in at school plays. Big brothers helped with homework and kept younger siblings out of trouble. Coaches turned practice into life lessons. Neighbors offered
rides, advice, and sometimes just a listening ear. These men didn’t just help raise children—they helped raise hope. Ask around and you’ll hear the stories. The father who worked two jobs but still made it to every football game. The uncle who taught his niece how to change a tire, balance a checkbook, and protect her peace. The older brother who missed out on his own childhood so his siblings could have theirs. The mentor who came from nothing and used his scars to guide someone else to success. Their love wasn’t always soft. Sometimes it was tough. But it was steady. It showed up in discipline, consistency, and presence. There’s a certain strength Black fatherhood carries. It’s a strength that defies statistics. One that pushes through the weight of generational trauma, mass incarceration, and systemic pressure. One that rebuilds what was broken and teaches boys to be better men. Dads on pg. 3
THE JUNETEENTH HOUSTON 2025 CELEBRATE FREEDOM The Juneteenth Houston 2025 Celebrate Freedom, a city-wide initiative was held at Emancipation Park on Sunday, June 1. The celebration was a time held-tradition of freedom, community, great food, entertainment, honoring our ancestors, competitions, history, education, culture, elders and youth. As a matter of record, it was the event’s largest gathering since its inception three years ago. Seven “villages” were highlighted: Acres Homes, Fifth Ward, Fourth Ward, Independence Heights, Sunnyside, South Park and the Third Ward. Kudos to chairpersons John Niklos, II, Jason Oliver and Harrison Guy for their great work! Please check the Juneteenth Houston website for city-wide events and to order a t-shirt: https:// www.juneteenthhouston.org/ AA