May 1, 2026
Vol.31, Issue 13
AframNews.com
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African-American News&Issues
“Addressing Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community”
TROY FINNER RETURNS AS MISSOURI CITY POLICE CHIEF By: Fred Smith
THEY’RE TRYING TO TAKE AWAY BLACK SCHOLARSHIPS By: Roy Douglas Malonson
A new lawsuit filed in April 2026 is raising serious concerns across the country, especially within the Black community. At the center of it all are scholarships created specifically to help Black students— programs that, for years, have opened doors for thousands of young people chasing higher education. Now, those same programs are being challenged in federal court, with arguments claiming they violate a law meant to ensure equal rights. On the surface, the case is being framed as a fight for fairness. The argument is simple: no opportunity should be limited by race. But for many Black
families, the situation feels far more complicated— and far more personal. These scholarships were never just about money. They were created to respond to real gaps that still exist today. Black students, on average, are more likely to face financial barriers when it comes to college. From underfunded schools to limited access to generational wealth, the path to higher education has never been equal. For many, scholarships designed with their Scholarships on experiences in mind have been pg. 3 one of the few lifelines available.
Former Houston Police Chief Troy Finner is stepping back into public leadership as Missouri City’s new police chief, a move that has some residents calling it a second chance and others asking whether accountability has been met. Finner, a law enforcement leader who rose through the ranks of the Houston Police Department, was appointed to lead Missouri City’s police force and is scheduled to begin April 20, 2026. City leaders have pointed to his decades of experience, judgment and ability to build community trust as reasons for the hire. But Finner’s return cannot be separated from the scandal that ended his Houston tenure. In 2024, HPD revealed that more than 264,000 incident reports had been suspended under a “lack of personnel” code. Among them were more than 4,000 sexual assault cases, leaving survivors and families questioning whether their pain had been taken seriously by the system. For Black and brown communities, where trust in policing is often fragile, the appointment lands with weight. Many residents understand that people can grow, serve and be redeemed. They also know that public safety leadership must come with transparency, answers and measurable change. Missouri City now becomes the place where Finner’s next chapter will be judged. His success will not be measured by title or past rank alone. It will be measured by how he listens to victims, supports Read more at officers, releases information, responds aframnews.com