April 10, 2026
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
Vol.31, Issue 10
AframNews.com
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African-American News&Issues
“Addressing Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community”
HBCU GRAD
By: Fred Smith
BE CAREFUL WHO YOU VOTE FOR
By: Roy Douglas Malonson
In every election season, promises come fast and loud. Campaign ads flood our screens. Speeches grow more passionate. Slogans get sharper. But when the rallies end and the cameras turn off, one simple truth remains: your vote is power. And power should never be handed away lightly. For generations, Black communities have understood that the right to vote was not freely given. It was fought for. It cost blood, jobs, safety, and in some cases, lives. The same can be said for many Hispanic families who overcame barriers to citizenship, language discrimination, and voter suppression. That history alone should make us pause before casting a ballot based on emotion, hype, or frustration.
Too often, political campaigns focus on symbolism instead of substance. A photo-op in the neighborhood. A speech at a church. A viral soundbite that spreads across social media. But representation without results is empty. Handshakes do not equal housing. Slogans do not lower grocery bills. Applause does not fix schools. Be careful who you give your vote to. Voting is not about personality. It is not about who speaks the loudest or trends the most online. It is about policy. It is about track records. It is about asking tough questions: Did this candidate invest in our communities before election season? Did they support legislation that improved healthcare access? Did they create opportunities Vote on pg. 3
Jeremy Plater has emerged as a key contributor to NASA’s groundbreaking Artemis II mission, a historic step in humanity’s return to the Moon. As part of the mission’s core team, Plater’s work supports the first crewed flight of the Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustainable human presence beyond Earth. His role reflects both technical expertise and a commitment to advancing space exploration, helping ensure that every system and procedure meets the rigorous standards required for deep space travel. Plater’s responsibilities span critical areas of mission planning and execution, where precision and collaboration are essential. Working alongside engineers, scientists, and astronauts, he contributes to the integration of spacecraft systems and mission operations that will guide the crew safely around the Moon and back. His efforts help bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and real-world application, ensuring that the Orion spacecraft and its supporting systems perform flawlessly under the extreme conditions of space. Beyond the technical achievements, Jeremy Plater’s involvement in Artemis II represents a broader vision for the future of exploration. The mission is not just a return to lunar orbit—it is a stepping stone toward long-term lunar habitation and eventual missions to Mars. Through his work, Plater plays a part in inspiring a new generation of explorers, demonstrating how innovation, teamwork, and determination can push the boundaries of what is possible and open a new era in human spaceflight. The Artemis II mission itself marks a defining moment in modern space exploration as it will send astronauts on a crewed journey around the Moon for the first time since the Apollo era. Utilizing the powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft, the mission will test life-support systems, navigation, and deep-space communication AA capabilities in a real-world environment.