04.30.2026_Defender-e-FULL

To thePOINT DN

THEATER CONCERTS

GOSPEL

GALAS

Yeah, we have a calendar for Black Events.

This week,TSU unveiledaSpaceportcampus, MeganTheeStallionannounced her breakupwithKlay Thompson, andaRiceUniversitystudy explainedwhy Houston’sbooming growth is not fillingup classrooms. Credit:Aswad Walker/HoustonDefender check it out

Message from the Reporter

TexasSouthernUniversityjust gotits ownSpaceport campus

TexasSouthernUniversityofficially openedanewaviationfacilityattheHoustonSpaceportrecently.

The20,000-square-foothangaratEllingtonField serves as asatellite campus and housesafleetof12CirrusSR20aircraftpurchasedbytheuniversityin2025.There’salso 4,500 square feet of classroomand office space,plusan8,000-gallon fuel tank that’s expected to save theprogram hundreds of thousandsofdollarsinfuelcostseachyear.

The City of Houstoninvested$5.5 milliontobuild the facility

“TheopeningofTexasSouthernUniversityatHouston Spaceportunderscores ourcommitmenttoinnovation, workforcedevelopment,andacademicexcellence,”saidTSU PresidentJamesW.Crawford,III.“Thispartnershipenhances ouraviationprogramforcurrentstudentsandfutureaviators whochoosetopursuetheirdegreeatTexasSouthern.Italso strengthensourroleinpreparingadiversepipelineofhighly skilledprofessionals forcareers in aviation,aerospace,and beyond.”

United Airlines hasbeenoffering scholarships to TSU aviation studentssince 2022 andbrought theprogram into itsUnitedAviatepilot pipelinein2024.Southwest Airlines hasalsoacceptedfiveTSUstudentsintoitsDestination225 pipelineprogram.And this spring,Delta addedTSU to its Propel pilotcareerpathprogram

MeganTheeStallionannounces breakup

It’sbeenaheadline-heavyfewweeksforMeganTheeStallion, andthistime, it’s all aboutmatters of theheart

TheHoustonrapperrecentlyannouncedherbreakupwith NBAstarKlayThompson

“I’vemadethedecisiontoendmyrelationshipwithKlay,” she said.“Trust, fidelity,and respectare non-negotiable for me in arelationship, andwhenthose values arecompromised, there’snorealpathforward.I’m taking this time to prioritize myself andmoveahead with peace andclarity.”

Thepairreportedlystarteddatingin2025,quicklybecomingoneofthosecelebritycouplesfanscouldn’tstopwatching Theyshoweduptogetherpubliclyand shared glimpses of their relationship online.

Theyevenappearedtobebuildingalifetogether.AccordingtoTMZ, shepostedaphoto of herselfand Thompson holdingkeystoanew home

ButbyApril2026,Meganconfirmedthesplit,pointingto

issuesaroundtrustandemotionaltreatment, amomentthatclearlystruckachordwithfans whohavefollowedher journeythrough her relationships.

Houstonisgrowing,but notthe wayschooldistricts hoped Houstonhas boomed over thepasttwo decades, jumpingfrom5.2 millionpeoplein 2005to7.5millionby2023.However,accordingtoastudy conductedbyRiceUniversity, thegrowthhas notbeenreflected in public school enrollment.

Leaders have expressed concernabout theslowrecovery ofenrollmentinHouston’spublicschoolsaftertheCOVID19pandemic,withsomegrapplingwithenrollmentdeclines andthe consequentdecreases in funding.

Perthe report,birth rateshaveactuallystayedprettyflat, from about91,000 babies born in 2005 to 96,500 in 2023. Most of theregion’sgrowthiscomingfromadultsrelocatingforjobsandopportunities,butnotfromfamilieshaving more children.Thepopulation, in simple terms, is aging, with thepercentageofpeoplebelow age50decreasingand thepopulationofpeopleoverage 50 increasing.

Therealactionishappeninginthesuburbs.Districtslike LamarCISDandWillisISDsawpopulationjumpsofnearly 70% and42%,respectively, between2013 and2023, while urbancoredistrictslikePasadenaISDbarelybudgedat1.9% growth.Meanwhile,the population within HoustonISD’s boundaries grew about11% during this time frame.

Fordistricts that grew by at least40%, they also sawa rise in enrollment,with164 kindergartners forevery 100 babies born therefive yearsearlier,due to families moving in with kids

Charterschools add anotherlayer to theequation. Districts with more charters consistently enrolledfewer public school kindergartners than expected.

Thereportsuggested that school districtsmusttrack migration andschoolchoices in addition to birthrates, as thesefactors arereshaping enrollmentinHouston’s public schools.

On TheWeb

•Why Blackcommunity needsBlack Women’sHistory Month.

•WhatBlack womenwant: 10 things we’remanifesting beyond romance.

•Uxoricide:WhenlovebecomesadeathsentencetoBlack women.

LONG RACISTHISTORYSHOWS

Fired police get rehired

ByAswadWalker

When Ashley Gonzalez was fired by the Houston Police Department (HPD) for her N-word-lacedsocialmediarant,somemembers of Houston’s Black community met the news withashrugthatscreamed“And?”

Their skepticism is rooted in history. They rememberHPDOfficerScottTschirhart,who shot and killed 24-year-old Byron Gillum in 1989.Despiteseveralquestionable“encounters” withBlackHoustonians,Tschirhartwasnever charged.Thoughhewaseventuallydismissed fromHPDfollowingintensecommunityactivism,hesimplymovedwestofSanAntonioto MedinaCounty,wherehewashiredasasheriff’s deputy—only to be involved in multiple violentincidentsinvolvingMexicanAmericans

BiggerthantheGonzalezrant

WhileGonzalezhassinceapologizedforthe rant, local activists contend that the incident speaks to a systemic failure: the need for laws thatpreventofficersfiredformisconductfrom being“recycled”byotheragencies.

“Let’sbeclear—thisisnotjustaboutoneofficerusingaracialslur,”saidactivistandauthor Candice Matthews. “This is about a broken system that continues to recycle officers who have already demonstrated bias, misconduct, and a disregard for the communities they are sworntoserve.”

Matthews noted that when departments allow officers to quietly resign instead of being terminated and decertified, they are “relocating” the problem rather thansolvingit.

Gonzalez, however, did not resign quietly Inherviralrant,shestatedmultipletimeshow muchshehated“f*ckingn*ggers,”addingthat if she encountered one the day after her rant, “He’sgoingtojail.”

InastatementpostedtoInstagram,Houston MayorJohnWhitmireconfirmedhertermination:“AshleyGonzalez...hasbeenterminated ShewillnolongerbeapartofHPD.”

Whitmireaddedthatthecitywouldseekher decertificationthroughtheTexasCommission on Law Enforcement, asserting a “zero tolerance ”policyforracism.

Yet,KofiTaharka,nationalchairmanofthe NationalBlackUnitedFront,viewstherantas averbalacknowledgmentofadeeper,institutionaldoctrine

“Theappliedmythofglobalwhitesupremacy andracismisthedoctrinethatisfoundational and institutional in this society, including the police,”Taharkasaid.“Herrantspokeoutloud thisfoundation.”

Movementforstrongerconsequences

For decades, the reform movement has pushedforanationaldatabasetotrackpolice

Read more of this story.

misconduct—including excessive force and dishonest behavior—to prevent “wandering officers”frommovingbetweenagencies.

“If law enforcement agencies are serious about accountability, then termination is not enough,” argued Matthews. “There must be permanentdecertification,anationaldatabase that prevents rehiring, and real consequences fordepartmentsthatcontinuetorecyclethese individuals.”

JUSTICE DELAYED

In 2022, President Joe Biden established the National Law Enforcement Accountability Database (NLEAD), which launched in late 2023. However, the system was limited to federal officers and did not track local or state misconduct Furthermore, on Jan. 20, 2025, President Donald Trump’s first day of his second term, he ordered the shutdown and deletion of NLEAD, removing the only centralized federal tool for trackingsuchmisconduct

Gonzalez’scareer andthepublicsafetyrisk

Before her termination, Gonzalez had loggedover1,600hoursofcourseworkandwas assignedtotheSouthGessnerPatrolDivision. She previously served in the U.S. Marines—a backgroundshecitedduringherviraloutburst

“Y’alldon’tknowhowgooditfelttosay‘N*gger’outloud,”Gonzalezsaidduringherrant “I feltlikeIwasbackintheMarineCorps...Ifelt liketheworldjuststopped.Itwasjustpeace.”

To activists like Matthews, this mindset is morethanjustpersonalignorance;itisadirect threattothepublic.

“An officer who is comfortable using the N-wordissignalingadangerousmindsetthat cananddoesimpactpolicingdecisions,arrests, use of force, and ultimately, lives,” Matthews said “Thatisapublicsafetyissue.”

Update on the Darius Elam case

ByAswadWalker

Formorethanfourdecades,DariusElam has maintained his innocence from behind prison walls. Today, his case—long cited by advocates as emblematic of systemic failure—is again under scrutiny, offering a fragile but significant glimmer of hope for justicelongdenied.

A case under review—again

The most recent development centers on the Harris County District Attorney’s ConvictionIntegrityDivision(CID),which hasofficiallytakenupElam’sclaimofactual innocence For supporters, this review represents both progress and an urgent test of thesystem’swillingnesstocorrectitself

“The Harris County District Attorney’s Conviction Integrity Division, led by Chief Scott Pope, is currently reviewing Darius Elam’sclaimofactualinnocence,”saidTammie Lang Campbell, founder of the Honey Brown Hope Foundation, the organization thathasbeenattheforefrontofseekingElam’s release from prison “While we are encouragedthatthedepartmentisinvestigating,we

are pleading for a swift resolution After 40 years of wrongful incarceration, justice and freedomarealifetimeoverdue.”

Campbell’s words capture the central tension: A justice system acknowledging potentialinjusticeinElam’scase,yetwithout resolutionorrelief

Advocacy fuels momentum

This latest milestone did not emerge in isolation.Itistheproductofsustainedgrassrootspressure,investigativepersistence,and communitystorytelling.

“This milestone follows seven years of advocacy by the Honey Brown Hope Foundation, including mediacoveragefromtheHouston Defender, independent investigationsthatledakeyjailhouse informant to recant, and thedocumentaryTheJourneyof Truth:TheStoryofDariusElam,” Campbelladded.

That recantation has been particularlysignificant.Jailhouse informant testimony—often criticized as unreliable and incentivized— played a key role in Elam’s original conviction. Its unraveling has raised serious

questions about the integrity of the case againstElam

Legal setbacks persist

Despite growing public awareness and mounting concerns about the evidence, Elam’slegalpathremainsasteepclimb.

AccordingtoastatementfromtheHarris CountyDistrictAttorney’sOffice,“Mr.Elam filed his 10th application for writ of habeas corpusinMay2025.Thetrialcourtrecommended dismissal The Court ofCriminalAppealsconcurred anddismissedthewritapplicationonJuly16,2025.Mr Elam currentlyhasnopendingcases andisinTDCJcustodyserving alifesentence.”

Read the rest of the story.

The statement further notes that Elam is now in the parole review process, with his next reviewscheduledforMay2026. This reality underscores a painfulcontradiction:whilequestionsabout hisconvictionintensify,thelegalsystemcontinuestoupholdit

DISTRICT 18

Redistricting reshapes political power

ByTannisthaSinha

Since Barbara Jordan walked into Congressin1973asthefirstBlackwomanelected from the South, Texas’ 18th Congressional District has been a pillar of Black political powerinHouston.

Butaftertworoundsofredistrictinginless than four years and the deaths of U.S. Representatives Sheila Jackson Lee and SylvesterTurner, TX-18isheadedforyetanother electioncycleinMay.

Afteraspecialelectionandarunoff,Congressman Christian Menefee is currently at the helm of the district, but only until the end of the year, when the term concludes. Forthenextfullterm,heisrunningagainst longtime 9th Congressional District representativeAlGreen.

After more than two decades serving TX-9, redistricting efforts redrew his home intothe18th.

Thequestionfacingvotersandcivicleaders in Houston’s historically Black communities is whether the district can remain a vehicleforBlackpoliticalrepresentation

Per voting rights activist Pamiel Gaskin, 79, the redistricting saga was a way of impactingminorityvoterparticipation She saidtheTexasredistrictinghasdilutedBlack votingpowerby“packing”Blackvotersinto fewer districts (like Congressional District 18)whilescatteringothersintoheavilywhite, Republicandistricts.ShearguesthisisintentionalandhasweakenedBlackpoliticalrepresentationstatewide

“You either crack them, which means you split them up, or you pack them into a smallarea,”GaskintoldtheDefender “They packed the Black district so that they don’t haveasmuchpower.”

She contrasts today’s declining Black voter turnout with the 90-95% turnout she witnessed in her youth and called for Black voterstomobilizeinthemidterms.

“The net effect is that Black citizens and voters don’t get the representation,” Gaskin said “We are with 12-14% of the population…nobody’sgonnabeontheballotthat’s

gonna save us What’s gonna save us is us and we have to vote We are the last guardrail to protect the democracy that we were promised.”

Newmaps

InAugust2025,TexasRepublicanspushed through a new mid-decade map at the urgingofPresidentDonaldTrump,whowanted fiveadditionalRepublicanseatsaheadofthe 2026midterms.

According to a study by Texas Southern University, only five congressional districts have fewer than 40% of their former (2021 map)residentsunderthenewmap.

Three of these districts are located in the Houston metro area, including TX-29, TX-18, and TX-9, and differ “dramatically” fromtheoldmaps.

The revised plan, in particular, reshaped the 18th Congressional District, stretching it from the suburbs southwest of Houston diagonally across the city to its northeast limits.

According to that map, roughly 45% of the voting-age population would be Black,

32% Hispanic, 15% white, and 8% Asian. Green’sdistrictmovedtothe18th-CDand remainedunchanged.

“MostoftheBlackandBrownvoterswere moved out of those districts, and most of them landed in the 18th congressional district,”saidMichaelO.Adams,directorofthe MasterofPublicAffairsGraduateProgramat TSU’sBarbaraJordan-MickeyLelandSchool ofPublicAffairs.

The consolidation, he explained, turned CD-18 into what redistricting analysts call a “minority opportunity district,” a seat designedtoconcentrateratherthanexpand minoritypoliticalinfluence

Acourtblockedthe2025mapinNovember 2025, but the U.S. Supreme Court formallyoverturnedthelowercourt’srulingand clearedthemforuse.

What the data says

The demographic transformation of the 18th Congressional District is documented inthenumbers.

Under the 2021 map, no single racial group held a majority among voting-age

citizens in the district as it was a “coalition district.”

Under the redrawn maps, the TX-18 would have a 50.8% Black electorate, with Black residents from the 9th Congressional DistrictredistrictedintothenewTX-18.

EdnaGriggs,75,alifelongresidentofthe 18thCongressionalDistrict,hasbeenredistrictedintothe29thCongressionalDistrict Shearguedthattheredistrictingwasadeliberateefforttobreakupthatvotingpower.

“This is where anyone who wanted to run for office came to the 18th Congressional District to win an election,” Griggs said “Now,thecommunityhaschanged…nolongeratotalBlackcommunityasitwasbefore.”

Turnout,a hiddenvariable

Primary turnout in TX-18 has historically been low, a pattern that has allowed organizedblocstodetermineoutcomeswith outsizedconsequences.

AdamspointedtoSheilaJacksonLee’sfirst primary victory as a cautionary tale Fewer than 40,000 votes were cast in the race that launchedher29-yearcongressionalcareer

“We saw in this cycle a tremendous increase in voter turnout on both sides of theaisleintermsoftheRepublicanshaving a competitive U.S. Senate primary, and also wehadTalaricorunningandJasmineCrockett,”Adamssaid “It’samidtermelection,and thevotersmaybetryingtosendthecurrent administrationamessage.Thatalwayshappenswiththepowerofthepartythatcontrols theWhiteHouse.Normally,theytendtolose themidtermelections.”

Withthe2026primaryrunoffsetforMay 26,theprecinctsinThirdWard,Sunnyside, and the historically Black northeast Houston corridor are the battlegrounds that will define what kind of district the 18th truly becomes.

InFocus DN

BlackWomenGameChangers Impact education, politics

By Tannistha Sinha

Black Women’s History Month is an opportunity to celebrate the women creating meaningfulchangewhilealsoacknowledgingtheresilienceithastakentosucceed in systems not designed for them Across education and politics, Black women continue to serve as architects of opportunity—leading institutions, shaping policy and opening doors for future generations.

Education Leaders

Dr. Serita R. Whiting

AnassistantprofessorintheDepartment ofJusticeStudiesatPrairieViewA&MUniversity, Whiting’s work focuses on juvenile justice, reentry, and social inequality Her research—published in leading academic journals—exploreshowmarginalizedyouth experiencethejusticesystem.Throughprojects on school discipline reform, homelessness, and sentencing disparities, she advances evidence-based, equity-centered approaches to justice and education.

Melinda Spaulding Chevalier

As Vice President for Public AffairsatRiceUniversity,SpauldingChevalier

leadsinitiativesthatconnecttheinstitution withstakeholdersrangingfrompolicymakers to the broader community. An Emmy Award-winning communicator, she previouslyspentmorethantwodecadesinjournalism,including13yearsasanewsanchor in Houston. Her work bridges storytelling, strategy and public engagement

Dr Margaret Ford Fisher

The ninth chancellor of Houston City College, Fisher oversees a system serving more than 88,000 students across 22 campuses. She previously led the creation of HCC’s Online College, expanding access through dozens of fully online and hybrid programs Arecognizedleaderineducation, Fisher has authored more than 50 publications and earned numerous honors for her contributionstoglobaleducationandinstitutional leadership.

Dr Cynthia Lenton-Gary

A Houston City College trustee and longtime civic leader, Lenton-Gary made historyasthefirstAfricanAmericanwoman to serve in city government for Missouri City and on the Fort Bend ISD Board. A former chemist turned advocate, she has championed youth employment initiatives and community development, earning widespread recognition for her service and leadership

Dr LaTanya J. Love

Executive Vice President of Student and University Affairs and dean of McGovern MedicalSchoolatUTHealthHouston,Love is a double board-certified physician who hasspentmorethantwodecadesadvancing student success and healthcare education. Shehasledmentorshipinitiatives,expanded access to care, and held national leadership rolesshapingmedicaleducationstandards.

Political Leaders

Teneshia Hudspeth

AsHarrisCountyClerk,Hudspethmade historyasthefirstAfricanAmericanwoman electedtotherole Sheoverseeselectionsfor acountyofmorethan4.9millionresidents and has worked to modernize operations, improve accessibility, and digitize records. She also co-founded the Houston Black Leadership Institute, helping prepare the next generation of leaders.

Jolanda Jones

ATexasStateRepresentativeandformer HoustonCityCouncilmember,Jonesbrings her experience as an attorney and former judge to her legislative work Representing HouseDistrict147,shehasfocusedoncriminal justice reform, education equity, and healthcare access. A survivor of domestic violence,shehasalsochampionedlegislation centered on prevention and accountability

Lauren Ashley Simmons

A first-term Texas State Representative from Houston, Simmons entered politics afteradvocatingforhercommunityduring the Houston ISD state takeover A former union organizer, she now serves as chair of theLabor&WorkforceCaucusandcontinues to push for workers’ rights, education equity, and protections for marginalized communities.

Martha Castex-Tatum

Houston’s Mayor Pro Tem and District K City Council Member, Castex-Tatum has prioritized public safety, infrastructure, and housing. She has led efforts to address substandard housing conditions andexpandaffordablehousingwhileserving onkeycitycommitteesthatshapefiscaland economic policy.

Tiffany D. Thomas

RepresentingDistrictFonHoustonCity Council, Thomas has centered her work on housing, infrastructure, and communitydevelopment Shehasledinitiativesto improve neighborhood safety and secured major funding for housing recovery programs. Through programs focused on heirs’ property and affordable housing, she continues to advocate for preserving generational wealth in Black and Brown communities.

InFocus DN

Game Changers

Houston-area

Black women ministers

By AswadWalker Blackwomenhavelongstoodasthespir-

itualbackboneandmoralcompassofapeopleforgedthrough struggle andsustained by faith.

From thehushharbors of enslavementto thepulpitsofmodernmegachurches, and before allthat, as we birthedcivilizations, Blackwomen have nurtured,taught, organized,andled—oftenwithoutrecognitionor full authority.

In theBlack Church,barriersrootedin sexismandmale-centeredinterpretationsof scripturehavehistoricallylimited women’s ascenttoseniorleadership.Yet,likethewalls of Jericho, thosebarriersare coming down TrailblazerssuchasBishopVashtiMcKenzie andthelateCardinalBarbaraNandiMartin have helped crack theceiling wide open Today, in Houstonand beyond, anew generation of Black womenministers is not only answeringthe call butalsoredefining leadership,expandingministry, and lightingthe path forothers. Their journeys offer both testimony andinstruction forthose who seek to honor theirown divine assignments.

Dr. Ruth Allen Ollison

Dr.RuthAllenOllison’sjourneyreflectsalifeofreinventionguided by faith. Raised in northeastTexas, she initially pursueda career in broadcastjournalism, earninga degree in Radio, TV,and Film from theUniversityofNorthTexas.Hercareerspanned more than 25 years, during which she brokebarriersasthe first Black female television news directorinatop-10 U.S. market Her call to ministry came in 1992while working in Washington, D.C.Respondingtothatcall,shepursuedtheologicaleducationand later earned adoctorate in Spiritual Disciplinesand Transforming Communities. Her transitionintoministrywas markedbybold, community-centeredaction—relocatingtoHouston’sThirdWard, purchasingaformerdrughouse,andtransformingitintoachurch. Today,herministry at BeulahLand CommunityChurchremains focusedonurbanoutreachandcommunitydevelopment,including efforts to establish acommunitycenter.Herwork reflectsacommitment to meeting both spiritual and practical needs.

Words of wisdom

Dr. MiaK.Wright

Dr.Mia K. Wright’s path to ministry beganinthe corporate world whereshebuiltasuccessful12-yearcareerinthepharmaceuticalindustry.Asasalesrepresentativeandcorporatetrainer,sheexcelledprofessionally,but felt apersistent call to somethingdeeper.Answering that call required aleapoffaith—leaving behind athriving career to pursue vocational ministry.

Before steppingfully intopreaching, Wrightwas already servingin leadershipwithinher church,managingadministrativefunctions and leadingtraining initiatives.Asher call deepened, she pursuedtheologicaleducation,earningaMasterofDivinityfromSouthwesternBaptist Theological Seminary.She later expanded her leadership capacityby earningadoctorateinOrganizationalChangeandLeadershipfromthe UniversityofSouthern California.

Herministry focuses on transformation—bothindividualand collective.Throughhernonprofitorganization,Metamorphosis,shehasspent morethantwodecadesempoweringwomenandcultivatingleadership development.Herworkbridgesfaith,leadership,andcommunityimpact.

Tiffany Tarrant

TiffanyTarrant’scall to ministry wasnurtured in thevery placeshe nowleads. Havinggrown up at St.John United MethodistChurch, she experiencedthechurchasbothaspiritualhomeandaformativetraining ground.Surroundedbymentors anddeeplyengaged inyouthministry, she developed astrong foundation that ultimately ledher to formally accept her call in 2011.

Herjourneyreflects steadypreparation and growth.She served as a youthpastor, became alicensedlocal pastor,and laterearnedaMasterofDivinityfromSMU PerkinsSchoolofTheology. In 2023,she was appointed senior pastor,continuing alegacyofleadership rooted in communityanddiscipleship.Beforeenteringfull-timeministry,Tarrant workedwithyouth-servingorganizations,experiencesthatcontinueto shapeher pastoral focus.

Her ministry centersonhelping individuals discoverand fulfill their God-givenpurpose,withanemphasisonleadershipdevelopment and multigenerational inclusion.

Maria MalloryWhite

Rev.MariaMalloryWhite’sministryisdeeplyrootedinbothlegacyand scholarship.Asasecond-generationpreacherintheAfricanMethodist Episcopal Church, shecarries forwarda rich spiritual heritagewhile forging her ownpath in ministry.She earnedbotha MasterofDivinity andaMasterofTheologyfromEmory University’sCandler School of Theology, equipping her with astrong theological foundation. Before answering her call to ministry,MalloryWhitebuilt an accomplishedcareerinjournalism.Sheworkedformajornationalpublications, including Business Week and U.S. News &World Report, and became the firstAfricanAmerican to reach editorialmanagement at thelatter. Herbackgroundinstorytellingandcommunicationcontinuestoinform her preaching and teaching Herministryfocuses on spiritualformation anddiscipleship, with a particular emphasis on empowering Black women.Through teaching, writing,and leading conferences andretreats, shecreates spaces for growth, healing,and connection.

To my sistersinministry:

His voice for your w that the both inte appointe were cho this. Whe place for doors, m gifts, and to walk in with b gr

youth pastor and late Watching them lead wisdom, and faith ways I did not yet showed me what own life. I carry a do the same for reminding them and equipped t have to shrink boldly an who G the p ingdom. Trust our life is divinely r you h a time as repared a open the r your ou ce relations

Iencourageyou to continually deepenyour ltishipwith God so youcan clearly discern e, His timing, andHis placement work in the K calling on yo entional and ed.Remembe osen forsuch en Godhas p ryou, He will makeroomfor dempower yo ntothatspac boldness, race,and confidence.

ed executive pastor. trength, grace, me feel seen in anguage for and ossible for my responsibility to Black women by God has called hey do not ut can walk ully in eated e.”

Ihavebeenblessed to witness Black women lead in ministry since Iwas sevenyears old through the powerful examplesofPastorJuanitaRasmus andmymother,YvetteTarrant,who wasfirsta er retired as executivepastor dwith s madem thavela twas p adeep young mthatif them, t kback b dfaith Godcre em to be

PrayerfullyfollowGod’s calling—andtrust Godto makeaway.Don’t allowanyone—other than the Lord—todefine whoyou areand what youdoin ministry.Use thegiftsGod gave you—andbeyour authenticself”

authentic self ”

.

Feature DN

Celebrating adecade ofimpact

Black MaternalHealth Week

Communityadvocates,midwives,and physiciansacrossHoustonare marking the10th anniversary of

with events,education, andarenewedcall forsystemicchange. Credit: ChatGPTAI

ByLauraOnyeneho

When theBlack MamasMatterAlliance launchedBlack Maternal Health Week a decade ago, it wasa rallying cryagainst systemic oppression, reproductive injustices, andhealthinequitiesthatcontinuetoimpact Blackmothersandbirthingpeople.

Tenyearslater,asthenationobservesthe 10thannualBlack Maternal Health Week, under thetheme “RootedinJustice &Joy,” advocates, physicians, andbirth workers across Houstonsay themovement hasgrown from agrassroots campaign into anational force, butthe crisis that createditremains stubbornlyalive.

In theUnitedStates, Black, non-Hispanic womenexperiencedthe highestratesofpregnancy-related deaths,being threetimes more likely to die from such causes compared to white, non-Hispanic women. Thistrendisalsoevident in Harris County,where from2016to2020,Black womenhad thehighest pregnancy-relateddeath rate acrossall racialand

ethnic groups, specifically83.4deathsper 100,000livebirths

Dr.Erica Giwa hasdelivered babies in Houstonfor15years.TheMedicalDirector ofOB-GYNatLegacyCommunityHealth, thelargest federallyqualifiedhealthcenterinTexas,saidshe spentthe first years of hercareerunaware of aBlack maternal health crisis

“Ihadbeeninpracticefivetosevenyears beforeIknewtherewasanyissue,”Giwasaid.

“WhenIlearnedaboutit,Ijoinedawork grouptoevaluatethefirstsetofdata, andthedatawasastounding.”

“I thinkone of thesuccessesofthe last decadeisthatwe’remorecomfortablesaying implicitbiasisa factor, in casual conversation,inprofessionalconversation,”Giwasaid. “Everyoneknows this is somethingwehave toaddress.”

The extension of Medicaid postpartum coveragefromsixweeksto12monthswasa landmarkpolicywin.Butshepointedtotwo critical gaps that remain: The sustainability ofcommunityprogramswhengrantfunding runsout,andtheurgentneedforcardiology andobstetricstoworkmorecloselytogether.

singleconversationaboutbreastfeeding.

“I hadtonsofnursescomeinand outof my room,but notone talked to me about breastfeedingand itsbenefits,” King said.“It mademefeellikeahorriblemother.”

Thatexperiencesenther back to school toearnlactationcertificationandultimately ledher to launch acompany dedicated to fillingthe void.But beyond herbusiness, Kingofferedapointedcritiqueofwherethe movementstillfallsshort

Founder of The Mommy Room Lactation Suites and Mommy’sSweet Treats, Dr.Charlee King has dedicated her career to empowering mothersand advancing health equity Courtesy: Dr.Charlee King

What thedatarevealed challengedthe prevailing assumptionsinmedicine regardingthe demographics of womenwho are dyingatalarmingrates Initially, it wasbelieved that thesewerelow socioeconomic womenlacking accesstohealthcare.However,further investigation showsthatthisisnot the case;educatedwomenwith collegedegrees andgood salaries aredying at arate threetimes higher than their whiteand Hispanic counterparts

“Thenumberonecauseofmaternaldeath is cardiovascular disease,”Giwasaid. “We areidentifyinghigh-riskpatientsinwayswe nevercouldbefore,butthesetwospecialties needtocometogethermore.”

Communityadvocates fightformothers

Dr.Charlee King knowsthe system’s failures firsthandasapatient.The Houston-based certifiedlactation consultant and founderofMommy’sSweetTreatslaunched herbusinessafterher ownhospitalexperience followingchildbirthleft herwithout a

“Houston stillhas thehighest mortality rateofBlackwomendyingduringchildbirth,” shesaid.“Alotoftheassessmentsbeingused arenotbasedonBlackwomen;they’rebased onadifferentdemographic.Ialwayssaythey usearuler to measureBlack women, where weneedayardstick.”

KingalsoraisedconcernsaboutthecommercializationofBlackmaternalhealthadvocacy.“I’ve seen awhole bunchofbusinesses popup.Areyoudoingthisbecauseyouwant toadvocateforthecommunity,oristhisfor profit?”she said.“If we cancontinuetolead with advocacy andthe results, I’mall forit. ButIdon’twantustolosetherealgoal.”

Profile DN

Turns Louisianarootsintoculinaryempire ChefYo

By ReShondaTate

ForYolanda “ChefYo” Henry, food has neverjustbeenabout feedingpeople. It’s aboutlegacy, creativity,and building somethingthatlasts.

TheHoustonentrepreneurhasspentmore than twodecades transforming herpassion forcooking into athrivingculinarybrand As theCEO of Nuksy’sFineCateringand Events, Henryhas builtareputationfor delivering high-end diningexperiences for corporateclients,weddings,privatecelebrations, andcelebrity events across Texasand Louisiana.

Today, hercompany is afixtureonmore than 75%ofvenue preferredvendorlists in theregion, amilestone largelyfueledby word-of-mouthreferralsandconsistentservice andthe buzz generatedthrough social media.

“Ourprimaryfocusrightnowisfull-servicecateringandeventmanagement,”Henry said.“We do events forcorporate clients, social clients, andweddings.We’ve been in businessforover25yearswithabout30years ofexperience.We’rejustcontinuingtobuild thebrand.”

ALouisianalegacy

Henry’sculinaryjourney beganlong before she launched abusiness.

Raised in Louisiana, shegrewupsurroundedbyfood,family, andcommunity gatherings ledbytwo talentedgrandmothers.Oneofthem-affectionatelyknown as“Nooksy”-wouldultimatelyinspireboth hercompany’s name andits mission.

“Nooksywas aphenomenalcookand a communityactivist,”Henry said.“No one ever went unfedinour community, and that’sreallytheconceptwewantedtobring to everything we do.”

As achild,Henry helpedwithfood preparationatfamilyfunctions,cutting crustsoffbreadandassistinginthekitchen during communitymeetingshostedbyher grandmother.

“I’vebeencooking as long as Ican remember,” shesaid. “Backthen, Iloved eating more than cooking, butIdefinitely developeda palate.”

Thoughsheeventuallyearnedadegreein financeandmovedtoHoustontoworkasa financialanalystforaninsurancecompany, cookingnever stopped callingher

“I wasworking in finance,but thewhole timeIwasstillcooking,”shesaid.“Finally,I toldmyhusband,‘IthinkIwanttobeachef.’ He said he couldsee that,so Iwenttoculinary school at theArt InstituteofHouston

andstarted my journey.”

Turning passion into abrand

That journeyeventuallyevolved into Nuksy’sFineCateringand Events -a full-servicecateringandeventmanagement companyknownforitsscratch-mademenus andcustomizeddiningexperiences.

Henryhas expanded thebusinesswell beyondcatering

Hercompanynowalsoincludesabarservice andagrowing productline. Recently, Nuksy’slaunchedagourmetspicecollection featuringachicken seasoningblend,steak rub, andvegetable seasoning. The products arenow sold in HomeGoodsstoresacross ninestatesandonline.

Henryalsoplans to expand into the restaurantspacewithanewconceptatHouston’sEdisonCulturalArtsCenter.

“We’realwaysthinkingaboutwhat’snext,” shesaid.“It’saboutstayingcreativeandstayingrelevant.”

Building

excellence — and training it

Like many service-based businesses, Henryhas facedone of thebiggest challenges:Staffing.

Maintainingthehighstandardsexpected at luxuryeventsrequirestrained,reliable personnel, somethingthatcan be difficult tofindinthehospitalityindustry.

SoHenrycreatedherownsolution

ThroughtheJ.LouiseInstitute,shetrains staff in professional etiquetteand hospitalityservicetoensureeveryeventreflectsthe levelofexcellenceassociatedwithherbrand.

“I actually became certifiedasanetiquette trainer,”she said.“NowI trainall of my staff to performwithexcellence, in uniform,andleavewithaskilltheycanuse beyondourevents.”

Areputation forprofessionalism

Forclients andcollaborators,Henry’s commitment to qualityisevident in every eventsheproduces

CharityCarter, whohas worked with Henryonmultipleoccasions,saidherprofessionalismandculinaryexpertiseconsistentlystandout

“ChefYobringsalevelofprofessionalism andcreativitythatmakes everyevent feel seamless,” Carter said.“Herfood is exceptional,butit’salsotheexperienceshecreates. Youknowwhenshe’s involved,everything willbedonewithexcellence.”

Over theyears,Henry’s business has weathered everything from economic

downturnstonaturaldisasters-challenges thatrequiredhertoconstantlyadapt

“Perseverance,thickskin,andresilience,” shesaid.“Thoseareprobablythethreethings I’vehadtolearnthemost.”

Eachsetbackrequiredrebuilding,restructuring,orpivotingthe business in new directions.

“Every naturaldisasterthat’shappened, we’vebeenapartofitinsomeway,” Henry said.“Youjusthavetostart over,redesign rethinkhowyoustayrelevant.”

Heradvicefor aspiring chef preneursissimple: Stay creati consistent

“Peoplewanttorememberyou samelevelofexperienceeverytim “Consistencyiswhatbuildsyo

What’snext?

As Nuksy’sFineCateringc grow,Henrysaysthegoalremai Creating unforgettableexperien

CHEFYO’SADVI FORASPIRING ENTREPRENEUR

Stay consistent. People return when th know they’llreceive thesame levelof excellenceevery time

Develop thick skin. Entrepreneurship comeswith setbacks. Learning to keep moving forwardiscritical.

Be willingtopivot. Economic shifts, disasters,and industry changes requirecreativity andflexibility.

Invest in training. Greatservice is built throughpreparation, professionalism, andh standards.

Think outside the box. Innovation andcreativit help businessesstay relevant in competitive markets.

in communityand creativity.

Anditall goes back to thelessons she learnedinher grandmother’skitchen

“Atthe endofthe day, food brings peopletogether,”shesaid.“That’swhatthishas always been about.”

Formoreinformation aboutNuksy’s Fine Catering andEvents, visitnuksys.com or follow thecompany on social mediaat@ NuksysCatering.

Sports DN

New faces, same dominant PrairieViewsoftballteam

ByTerrance Harris

It’s not even mid-April, and Prairie View seniorinfielderDyaniMcKinleyalreadyhas thePanthers’softballteampostseasonplans forMayonlock

“We are going to go all the way, ” said McKinley, referencing winning the SWAC Championship and advancing totheNCAASoftball Regionals. “So, look forward to seeing us play May 9 in the SWAC [tournament] Championship and being in Regionals onMay15,definitely

“I’m dreaming it withmyeyesopen.”

There is a subtle difference between being cocky and being confident, and thesePanthersbelieve inthemselves.Andforgoodreasons.

As the regular season winds down to the final couple of series, no team has been as dominant in the SWAC West and arguably theentireconferencethisseason

The Panthers recently clinched their fourth-straight SWAC West title and took a dominant 19-4 conference record and 27-17overallintotheirregular-seasonfinale at Arkansas-Pine Bluff. PV starts SWAC TournamentplayonMay5.

“Ithinkwecangoalltheway,”saidPrairie ViewcoachVernonBland,whoisinhis15th season at the helm of the program. “I really thinkwecanwinthetournamentandwina game in the Regionals, if we play up to our potential.”

The Panthers have a high ceiling, which is nothing new for a program that has been amongtheSWAC’sstrongestsince2018.

The faces may change from year to year, butthePanthersremainintheSWACChampionship conversation and have the chance toadvancetoRegionals.

It’s part of Bland and his assistant coach JosephLane’scarefullycraftedsystem.

“Wedon’tchangealot,”saidBland,whose teams won SWAC championships in 2018, 2022, and 2023, and in 2019 crafted the school’s first 30-win season “Our practice plans are basically the same, our itinerary whenweareontheroadisbasicallythesame

“When girls come in, we don’t do a lot of changing We just try to stay consistent and get the type of players who want to be atPrairieView.”

PlayerslikefreshmanMorganSmithand transferpitchersYasmynStewartandKayla Adams chose the Panthers because of the reputation Adams observed Prairie View from the opposing dugout as a member of Arkansas-Pine Bluff for a couple of years before deciding last offseason to make the jump

She saw something in the Panthers that shewantedtobeapartof

“Isawprofessionalism,”saidAdams,who isthethird-rankedpitcherintheSWACwith a 2.74 ERA and a 15-7 record “Like they wanted to be here, were ready to be here, and they were going to take the win. This is whatwedo,everybodyknowswhoweare.”

And the view hasn’t changed at all from the inside, where the Panthers have put together an impressive season They have beendominantinSWACplaybuthavealso notched non-conference wins against the University of Houston, University of Louisiana, Austin Peay State, Houston Christian, and played respectably in an 8-0 loss

to defending national champion University ofTexas.

The hope is that the wins against bigger programswillsendthemessagethatthePantherscancompeteandwinintheupcoming postseason.

“IthelpsalotbecauseIkeeptellingthem when we play our game, we see what can happen,” said Bland. “We can beat other teams. We beat Austin Peay, and then they beatMcNeese.

“Allwe’vegottodoiscompete.Ifwecompete,wecanwinbiggames.”

After a disappointing last couple of seasonsthatincludeddivisiontitlesfollowedby third-roundexitsintheSWACTournament, the Panthers seemed poised to get back on top.

Lane, who is known by the players as CoachRollo,saystheytweakedsomethings offensivelythisseasontomanufacturemore runs It seems to work: Prairie View ranks No.2intheSWACinhittingwitha.339average,whileSmithranks12thattheplatewith

The key to it, honestly, is just having our main people who know the culture to pass that to the new people coming in, and then they accept that culture and learn our standards. We set new standards every year, so making sure everybody is on the same page and then get it going from there. If something goes wrong, we are mature adults and talk about it and get going.”

INFIELDER KEARSTIN TINSLEY

.407 average and 18 RBI, and four other Panthersrankinthetop26inbatting.

ThePanthersaren’tapower-hittingteam, but are consistent with getting runners on baseandthenmovingthemaroundwithhitting and stealing bases. Players like senior outfielder Mia Nunez and junior infielder Jade Uresti have been a big part of manufacturingoffense.

It’s all led to better offensive production with Prairie View averaging 10 runs per game

“The goal is to understand which pitch weshouldbehittingandmakingsurewhen we swing, we get a high level of bat-to-ball ratios,”Lanesaid “Sowearenotjustswingingjusttobeswinging Theyaremoreintentionalwhentheydocommittoattackingthe ball

“Wewanttomakesurewhateverballthey hit helps us execute whatever we are trying todo Soifwearedoingahitandrunorwe aretryingtobuntorwhatever,wearetrying to make sure that that ball gives us the best opportunitytobeabletoexecutethat.”

Sports DN

JackYates’ siblings

Karneshia&LamarSmith

Defend titles, set sights on bigger stage

ByJimmieAggison

Onadayfilledwithpressureandexpectations, Karneshia and Lamar Smith, siblings fromJackYatesHighSchool,didwhatchampionsdo:Theyfinishedfirst.

With district titles at stake in the 800 meters, the duo didn’t just compete; they defendedtheirtitles,showingthey’renotfinishedyet.Now,withtheArearoundcoming up,theSmithsaren’tchasinghistory;they’re protectingit.

“During the last 200 meters, the only thing going through my head was I have to finish strong and leave it all on the track,” said Karneshia, who crossed the finish line in2:29.94.

Moments after Karneshia powered throughherfinalstretch,herbrotherLamar deliveredaperformancethatechoedthesame disciplineandconfidence

“Ididn’tfeelanypressurecomingintothe race, I just executed the race plan my coach andIputtogether,”saidLamar,whofinished in2:01.51.

Together, their races showcased not just individualstrength,butasharedstrategythat didn’tgounnoticedbytheircoach.

“The thing that stood out to me while watchingthemrunthe800meterswasseeing them execute the race on their own terms,” said Yates boys’ head track coach James Banks. “They did just enough to win while keepingalittleinreservetodoublebackand runthe400meterslater.”

For the Smith siblings, winning wasn’t a surprise; it was expected Both advanced to theregionalroundinthe800meterslastseason, setting the standard they now continue tomeet.

“The only difference between winning a titleanddefendingitisthatnowpeopleknow youandunderstandwhatyouarecapableof,” saidLamar.

“Ifeellikepeopleracemedifferentlynow compared to when I was a freshman,” said

Karneshia. “I feel now they try to push the pace of the race to beat me, but I know that Imuststaylockedinandrunmyracewhile trustingtheworkI’vebeenputtinginallyear.”

“Theybothworkhardandpreparewell, which gives them confidence when the lights come on in big races, ” said Banks.

Thatconfidencedidn’tdevelopovernight; it had been growing long before track season.Bothrunnersgainedmomentumfrom crosscountry,wheretheybrokelong-standing school records. Karneshia broke a 12-year-old2-mileschoolrecord(13:22.70), whileLamarsetanew5Krecord(16:34.90), a mark that had stood for 42 years.

“Ifeelstrongestinthemiddleoftherace, especially around the second 200 meters, because that’s where I can maintain my pace while others start to slow down,” said Karneshia.

“Their willingness to put in the work makes them dangerous in the 800 meters Both parents instilled that in them at an early age, ” said Banks.

Althoughtheirracesareindividual,they have always shared the journey.

execution becomes even more critical

“Survive and advance,” said Lamar. “Do enough just to get to the next round.”

In the area round, only the top four finishers advance to regionals. Last season, both runners qualified in the 800 meters; Karneshia’s run ended there, while Lamar continued to the state meet, where he was one of two athletes to represent his school as a junior.

I didn’t feel any pressure coming into the race, I just executed the race plan my coach and I put together here.”

LAMAR SMITH

“Running cross country prepared me for the 800 meters by helping me build my endurance and become mentally stronger for the 800 meters,” said Karneshia.

Now,thatenduranceiscomingthrough when it matters most, in the final lap of the 800.

“Some people say the 400 meters is the hardest race, but the 800 meters is the 400 twice, so I just stay focused and relaxed,” said Lamar.

“My brother has taught me so much about competing, staying confident, and neverbackingdownfromachallenge,”said Karneshia. “He showed me that competing isn’t just about winning, but about giving yourbesteffort,stayingfocused,andpushing through even when it gets tough.”

That bond extends into practice, where competition drives growth

“Wecompeteagainsteachothereveryday inpracticebecausewewanttoseeeachother getbetterandpusheachothertoourlimits,” said Karneshia.

Now, with another district title secured, the focus shifts to the Area round, where

“I made it to the UIL 4A State Meet but didn’t finish the way I wanted This senior season is all about revenge, going back to state and finishing what my junior self couldn’t Myseniorselfshoulddothatnow,” said Lamar.

Fornow,theSmithsstayahead,buttheir season is still in progress And if their history tells us anything, it’s that they’re only getting started.

ForKarneshiaandLamarSmith,winning thedistrictwasthestandard,notjustagoal “For them to keep advancing, they will need to continue working hard, run smart, and execute when the time comes, because they’re both physically ready,” said Banks.