February 7, 2021
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
“Addressing Current & Historical Realties Affecting Our Community”
Vol. 26, Issue 03
THINK ABOUT IT! • Blacks make up 15% of U.S. Population • Blacks make up 33% of U.S. Prison population • Blacks count for 16% of U.S. COVID deaths
‘FATHER OF BLACK HISTORY’ By: N.L. Preston
NEW TERRITORY
By: Roy Douglas Malonson
HOUSTON - When Shepherd Manson Johnson took his rightful place in the Kingdom of Heaven, Pastor Murray G. Martin knew it was time for him to return home. Home was the place where he was groomed and nurtured by his mentor, Johnson, and Martin knew it was his duty to carry the torch the shepherd-less congregation still needed to light the way. The young pastor knows he can never completely fill the Shepherd’s shoes – and is not trying to - but wants to pay homage to the man he’s been looking up to as a father figure since he was 13 years old. While the church is still fighting to recover mentally and spiritually from the COVID-19, which took Johnson’s life, Pastor Martin is relying on his faith and renewed ideals to lead the congregation in a new direction. “I am excited and honored for the challenge to lead a great church with a wonderful history in the city and community,” Martin said. “I am honored to follow a man of The Shepherd’s stature. We can be all day talking about the legacy and trail he blazed on several platforms.” Martin is from Bay City, Texas, where he was
raised with his grandparents, before coming to Houston to live with his mother at the age of 13. The mother and son joined Holman Street Baptist Church, where he met Shepherd Johnson, who was a good friend of Martin’s grandfather, Pastor Rudolph Martin Sr. Martin and Johnson bonded instantly and, as he says, his path was set, or as others might say, his “calling” was already in the works. The young man graduated from Booker T. Washington High School, then enrolled at Texas Southern University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Communications. He was licensed and ordained at Holman Street Baptist Church by Shepherd Johnson, who groomed him in ministry. Martin was Johnson’s assistant for about six years before returning to Bay City and Mother Zion Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as Pastor for 14 years. “Now I’m back,” said Pastor Martin, who is also currently pursuing a Master of Divinity from Houston Baptist University. And he knew there would be some challenges, due to the double blow of a forced change in operations Holman cont’d page 5
Even though “Black” history is “American” history, and should be celebrated year-round, the entire month of February is designated as the official month for people across the country to celebrate the accomplishments of a race of people who have been disenfranchised for generations. So, what is Black History Month and how did it all begin? In 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson initiated Negro History Week, which corresponded with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. In 1976, this celebration was expanded to include the entire month of February, to educate people of all ethnic and social backgrounds the meaning of the Black experience. Here’s more about the man who started it all. Carter Godwin Woodson (December 19, 1875 – April 3, 1950)[1] was an American historian, author, journalist, and the founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. He was one of the first scholars to study the history of the African diaspora, including African-American history. A founder of The Journal of Negro History in 1916, Woodson has been called the “father of black history.” In February 1926, he launched the celebration of “Negro History Week,” the precursor of Black History Month. Born in Virginia, the son of former slaves, Woodson had to put off schooling while he worked in the coal mines of West Virginia. He graduated from Berea College, and became a teacher and school administrator. He gained graduate degrees at the University of Chicago and in 1912 was the second African American, after W. E. B. Du Bois, to obtain a PhD degree from Harvard University. Most of Woodson’s aca- Black History cont’d page 4
WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY • AVOID PUBLIC SPACES OR EVENTS WITH MORE THAN 10 PATRONS • SANITIZE AND STOCK UP • AVOID TOUCHING YOUR EYES, NOSE AND MOUTH • PRACTICE GOOD HYGIENE