African-American News&Issues by AFRAMNEWS.COM

Vol. 19 Issue 21

Greater Houston

June 16-22, 2014 | FREE ®

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PLEASE DO NOT FORGET OUR HISTORY. FORGETTING WHAT HAPPENED TO US CAN DESTROY US! ~Roy Douglas Malonson, Chairman~

The Call for “Great Awakening”

Bishop Warns a Titanic “Cruise ship” Mindset is Sinking Our Future and Destroying the Race See AWAKENING pg. 4

African

AUSTIN-The City of Austin unveiled 22 new portraits bordering the existing public art at the African American Cultural and Heritage Facility and announced more portraits will be added each year. The unveiling of the annual African American Portrait Project was part of a standing-only reception for honorees and their loved ones commemorating “Portraits of African Americans Who Made A Difference” that took place in front of the “Reflections” mural. The celebration highlighted African Americans who have made a long-lasting impact in the city and who were—or continue to be—pioneers in their areas of service. The African American Resource Advisory Commission oversees the portrait profile selection process. The “Reflections” mural, unveiled in March 2013, pays tribute to many important people, places and events in Austin’s African American community. Learn more at www.austintexas.gov/ Business Card for Paper_Layout 1 HeritageFacility.

American News&Issues

AUSTIN- Austin ISD’s Cultural Proficiency & Inclusiveness, in the Office of Academics, has earned the designation as the largest No Place for Hate® district in the nation. The AISD’s Whole Child / Every Child is a district-wide focus, which includes a plan for integrating the Anti-Defamation League’s No Place for Hate® campaign. The campaign highlights student coalitions that plan and implement projects and activities, resulting in students owning the projects and being responsible for enforcing the campaign’s main beliefs. No Place for Hate® was developed to organize schools to work together and develop projects that enhance the appreciation of diversity and foster harmony amongst diverse groups. The campaign empowers schools to promote respect for individual and group differences while challenging prejudice and bigotry. Linder Elementary School, with 6/3/14 12:2 more than 480 students, was the first elementary in AISD to implement No Place for Hate® and have continued to earn the designation for the last seven years. The school, which is a dual language school, promotes inclusive979-921-9908 ness and strives for 28820 FM 1736 Road individual respect. Hempstead, TX 77445 Social and Emotional Waller County Learning is an initiative that the school TX Whitetail Breeder has embraced and has Registred Brahman & Hereford implemented for the last two years. Since Trophy Hunting then, Linder’s academic data has www.rsdeerranch.com improved. malonson@rsdeerranch.com TX-2

Texas R und-Up

BEAUMONT- In the letter Beaumont Independent School conservator Fred Shafer sent to Superintendent Dr. Timothy Chargois and school board members, Shafer is directing the superintendent to create a second round of reduction in force list, that is made up primarily of central office professional positions. That would expand the number of positions on the chopping block coming from the central office and administration. The conservator says the total personnel cost savings should amount to about $2.5 million, according to a report from the district's financial consultant. Earlier, the board delayed a vote on the superintendent's plan to cut more than two hundred jobs, primarily teaching and other staff positions. DALLAS- The Kung Fu Saloon is under fire for its alleges discriminatory actions against an AfricanAmerican man. De Andre Upshaw was turned away from the arcade bar for violating a then-unposted dress code. He started a petition online and now has the Dallas City Council reviewing the incident. On his site Upshaw is calling out the restaurant bar for its practices. Hundreds have joined him signing his petition and calling for changes. A 26-year-old Black man, Upshaw believes the dress code was merely a cover for racial discrimination. He pointed out to the council that Dallas City Code requires that public establishments post their dress codes and apply them universally to all potential customers. The city council has promised a full review of the situation and any others that may violate the city’s expectations for its eateries, bars and restaurants.

FORT WORTH- The Fort Worth ISD board approved paying exsuperintendent Walter Dansby more than $900,000 in severance payments. The board voted unanimously to pay Dansby after he resigned from the district last week. He will get $906,000 over the next year from the district in payments. Dansby, who is Black, had been the superintendent for more than two years and with the district for 41 years. The former superintendent will be considered the district’s Ambassador of Public Relations from June of this year until the end of January 2015, then officially retired from FWISD. Board members also selected Dr. Patricia Linares as the interim superintendent. A nationwide search begins this summer to find the new superintendent.

JASPER - The Citizens of Jasper Demand Unity, Freedom from Poverty and Prejudice for Juneteenth and on June 19, Juneteenth, the people of Jasper along with their partners and guest speakers will speak of freedom, equality and unity as the core values of American Democracy, our Constitution, Declaration of Independence and Emancipation Proclamation during a ceremonial burial of “Poverty, Prejudice-The Ugly Face of Jasper.” The event will be hosted by the Jasper Pillars of Community committee from 10:30 am until 11:30 a.m. on Juneteenth at Jasper Court House, 121 North Austin Street, Jasper, Texas 75951.

Texas • August 12-18, 2014 2013 Texas • June 16-22,

SAN ANTONIO- San Antonio- More than 1,500 H-E-B vendors, suppliers and Partners gathered in San Antonio for H-E-B’s 29th annual Tournament of Champions, which took place June 9-11. This year’s tournament raised over $7.9 million, an increase of $1.1 million from last year, to benefit more than 300 Texas nonprofit organizations. Since its inception in 1986, the H-E-B Tournament of Champions has raised a total of $73.4 million for over 600 Texas nonprofits, many of which reside in the Central Texas region. An annual tradition, The H-E-B Tournament of Champions is one of the largest charitable events of its kind in the nation. The program was created to provide an opportunity for H-E-B’s suppliers to partner with the company to support nonprofit organizations focused on youth, children and education across the state of Texas.

www.aframnews.com SOUTHLAKE- A Muslim Physician responded to anti-Muslim statements made by a newly elected school board member. New Keller Independent School District Trustee Jo Lynn Haussmann made some disparaging remarks about voter turnout and stating it was “shameful” having a Muslims on city council. Haussmann is White. Shahid Shafi felt the comments were unfortunate and inappropriate, but made it clear on his Facebook page that they are not a true reflection of this great society. Shafi noted that the pilgrims came to the New World to escape religious persecution.

What’s Happenin’ around Texas? Submit your news to news@aframnews.com WACO- A McLennan County Grand Jury has returned multiple indictments against six Black men accused of sexually assaulting a young girl. Douglas Demond Canada, Lamont Tray Davis, Dejuan Oshea Degrate, Devoric Javon Evans, Cory Darnell Hall, and Daytron Derrell Smith were all indicted on at least 15 counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child. All six suspects were arrested May 8, after police investigated and found that the six men had sex with a girl under the age of 16 and allegedly against her will.

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R.D. Malonson Chairman S.A. Malonson President/C.E.O. Darwin Campbell Editor Chandra Jarmon Production/ Sales Fred Sanders Distribution Rebecca S. Jones Distribution Ruth Randle Distribution General: news@aframnews.com Ads: sales@aframnews.com Website: www.aframnews.com African-American News&Issues is published by African-American News & Issues, Inc., 6130 Wheatley Street, Houston, Texas 77091, (713) 692-1892. Our office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:15am - 5pm. The entire contents of the paper are copyrighted by African-American News & Issues, Inc. All rights reserved. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without the expressed written consent of the publisher. African-American News&Issues is not responsible for any claims made by advertisers. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the publisher.

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Texas • June 16-22, 2014

Edit rial & Opini n

Worse Than a Bad Nightmare Earl Ofari Hutchinson Author & Political Analyst

Dr. Ben Carson is worse than a bad nightmare. A nightmare keeps recurring, and recurring and recurring. But at least with a nightmare, you wake up in one piece, with no scratches, bruises, cuts, or injuries. With Carson, though, there’s no end to the torture. The horror is that he invariably crops up when his right-wing GOP handlers trot him out whenever they need a Black to make a dumb quip, dig, slur, or insult of women, Blacks, Democrats, and especially President Obama. He was in predictable form again when he piled on Obama to a recent interviewer with the not-so-veiled hint that he’s “not qualified” to be the nation’s commander in chief. This is, of course, the echo of the GOP’s latest hit attack on Obama for his alleged foreign policy gaffes. But Carson didn’t stop there -- he earlier had dredged up the well-worn, tired, Nazi label to tag those who try to silence dissent. Carson didn’t explicitly name who the “those” were but he meant Obama and the Democrats and the dissenter was him. There it was on naked display, the two pet themes of the ultra-right the supposed bullying by liberals of conservatives, particularly a Black conservative, and a supposedly weak kneed president on foreign policy. The trotting out of Carson to deliver the right-wing gospel from on high fits in with yet another by now familiar ploy used by ultra-conservatives during the Obama years. And that’s float Carson as a trial balloon as a possible GOP presidential contender in 2016. As always, some in the media take the bait, and start a mild buzz of speculation about whether Carson will actually toss his hat in the ring. This is more than political theater of the absurd. It gets even more attention for the GOP. But more importantly, it touches a deep, dark, and throbbing pulse among legions of ultra-conserva-

tives who think that Obama and many Democrats are communists, gays are immoral, and that the healthcare reform law is exactly what Carson has likened it to “slavery,” meaning the tyrannical intrusion by big government into their lives. Mainstream GOP leaders can’t utter these inanities. They must always give appearance that they are above the dirt, mud, and hate-slinging fray. So they leave it to a well-paid stalking horse like Carson to do their dirty work for them. But that’s only part of Carson’s worth to conservatives. He gives the illusion that the GOP is a race-neutral party that has a plethora of big name, African Americans as their visible point men and women, and who speak with authority. The cast of shameless Black panderers and hucksters that the GOP has trotted out and plopped in front of the TV cameras during the past few years has been both endless and embarrassing. But they still keep them coming. The idiotic comparison of the Affordable Care Act to slavery was a perfect example of how the GOP craftily manages to weld race and its current signature hit issue of Obama, the health care law, into one package to play on right-wing hysteria over the law. The GOP understands the fundamental political axiom that self-interest rules politics as well, if not better, than the Democrats. Party leaders have long known that many blue-collar White voters, especially male voters, can be easily aroused to vote and shout loudly on the emotional wedge issues: abortion, family values, anti-gay marriage and tax cuts. Carson fits neatly into this script. He’s an African American with name identification who once had some admiration among Blacks. But even a discredited Carson among Blacks, is less important than that he’s a serviceable tool used by ultra-conservatives to play their version of the race card, by depicting him, a Black man, as a victim of allegedly closet racist Democrats who seethe at the notion of a Black man who dares have the timidity to express views that don’t parrot the Democratic Party’s positions. Source: Huffington Post

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“We MUST never forget slavery, lynching, Jim Crow Laws, the disrespect of the Black race and the first Black president.”

It’s Gonna Take EVERYBODY to Rebuild This Village

ne day somebody has a problem. He made an appeal to anybody to help solve the problem. Anybody turned the matter over to everybody and made an appeal that the matter was urgent and something needed to be done. Everybody took the matter under advisement, held numerous meetings and discussions on the problem, but delayed getting involved and making a decision to fully commit to resolving it until Anybody and Nobody got an opportunity to research it and offer a solution to the problem. In the end, Nobody got it and nobody did nothing and somebody still had a major problem. Sound familiar? We MUST Understand that apathy and indifference is exactly how the African American community has reacted to and passed the buck when it comes to taking responsibility for helping train and develop the next generation of Black family and community leadership. According to Center for Disease Control statistics, Youth violence remains an important public health problem that results in deaths and injuries. The CDC lists a group of family, peer, school and community risk factors that combined have created a potpourri of issues in the hearts and minds of youth just trying to find a way to survive and make it in a world that seems indifferent to their plight. One of the first things that We MUST Unsterstand as African Americans must come to grips with before we can save our youth is the apathy and the grave state of the Black community. “Black Rome” is in critical condition, on fire and the violence in the streets among youth is but a symptom of the sickness community wide in Houston, Fort Worth, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio and other Black neighborhoods across

Texas. We must come to grips with the fact that we are not well as a people and must look inward to ourselves for the cure to heal our maladies. Our Black neighborhoods have diminished hopes of economic opportunities and looking at housing and employment, there are higher concentrations of unemployment and poor living in Black communities. In Hispanic communities, the massive mobilization of “Brown Power” demonstrates the unity in their community, while the Black community suffers from low levels of community participation and neighborhoods that are disorganized, separated along religious, social and economic lines. It is the kind of disunity and insanity that does little to energize a people, especially our youth, who are smart and can see the hypocrisy of parents, pastors, deacons, church-goers alike who see Black individualism and a focus filled with gaining more personal status, clothing, cars, money and material things than dealing with the total condition of a people and the future of the community. Seeing that life, kills any optimism and hope and leaves a young mind to fend for himself and learn life’s lessons without the benefit of strong father figures, mother figures or community “village” leaders to offer direction. According to studies, parents must find ways to spend more quality time with youth, provide better supervision and monitoring, and beef up discipline practices in the home. Youths often gravitate to the “Dark Side” because of poor academic performance, a lack of involvement in social and conventional activities and a low commitment to school and school failure. It also happens when the family and the education system toss them out.

- Roy Douglas Malonson

We MUST Understand By Roy Douglas Malonson, Chairman

This upfront rejection, lack of interest, neglect and throwaway attitude on the part of the school system combined with how some parents down the self-esteem of youth do not help motivate youth away from considering the alternative. The constant barrage of negative “you can’t do and you will never be’s” leaves them feeling like nothing matters and that life really is not important. This negative outlook pushes them out of the house and into the streets and the hands of “street youth”, street organization leaders and sometimes drug dealers. We MUST Understand it is time for the Black community to abandon the selfish pursuit of “White culture” and return to the “Old Paths”. One day somebody has a problem. He made an appeal to anybody to do help solve the problem. Anybody turned the matter over to everybody and made an appeal that the matter was urgent and something needed to be done. Everybody took the matter under advisement, held numerous meetings and discussions on the problem, but delayed getting involved and making a decision to fully commit to resolving it until Anybody and Nobody got an opportunity to research it and offer a solution to the problem. In the end, Nobody got it and nobody did nothing. Far too many of our most precious resources are being wasted on the vast wastelands we call our “city streets”. I remember a time in the neighborhood where I grew up where every adult in the neighborhood and churches took stock in each child and worked hard to teach, train and prepare each young person in right and true ways. Today… WILL YOU HELP SOMEBODY? TX-3

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AWAKENING from pg. 1

American News&Issues

HOUSTON-Like the prophets Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel and John the Baptist, Bishop James Dixon spoke as one crying in the wilderness to a people lost and wandering as sheep without a shepherd. "We are a family and today the Black community must be clear about our state of affairs," Dixon said. "The "Titanic " is sinking and we are partying, dancing, celebrating and having a good time while our boats fill with water and music plays. We are dancing while drowning." Bishop Dixon was the guest speaker at the monthly Acres Home Chamber for Business and Economic Development Inc Business/Networking Luncheon held at the Beulah Ann Shephard Building, 6112 Wheatley Street. That picture describes a Black community in disarray, divided and fighting against numerous efforts to throw out lifelines to rescue the perishing and care for the dying. According to Dixon, the statistics in the Black community on crime, family values and community pride bear some grim numbers that should cause a great awakening. "We are a sick and broken people," he said. "We lead the nation in the worst categories when we should be at our best." Some of those problem areas where we are losing the battle for our future include the struggle for Black to stay out of detention centers and jails where one of three Blacks spend time; the family where Blacks experience a divorce rate approaching 70-percent and have fewer children and have one of the highest drop out rates and lowest college graduation rates in the country. It has also affected us economically, as Blacks have fewer businesses, higher unemployment rates and are not landowners in huge numbers. "Statistics don't lie," he said. "We are fast becoming a liability (on society). If this does not change, we will no longer be a TX- 4

people." God called Bishop Dixon to preach at age 15. At age 18, he was called to be the pastor of Greater Mt. Pillow Baptist Church, which at the time was a 109 year-old traditional and historic church. Due to rapid growth, five years later, he led the church to relocate to 1023 Pinemont Drive in northwest Houston and a new edifice was purchased for a million dollars and the name was changed to Northwest Community Baptist Church/ The Community of Faith. He studied at Houston Baptist University and Texas Southern University before completing a Bachelor of Arts Degree at Oikodome School of Biblical Studies. Dixon has authored four books, "The Difference is Vision", "If God is So Good, Why are Blacks Doing Do Bad", "Unleash Your Faith Unlock God's Power", and "The Secret of the Seed". He is also a songwriter and producer. His assessment of the state of Black Affairs was not without criticism and pastoral judgment for that institution that is the heart and soul of the Black community - The Church. He compared todays Black churches to two types of ships: "Battleships" or "Cruise" ships. "Battleship" churches are those on the front lines of services in God's kingdom and willing to stand up in the face of opposition and fight for what is right, true and just. Those ships, similar to the churches in the Civil Rights Movement, are built for conflict, war and are full of soldiers willing to bleed, protests, march and fight. They are true servants who hit the streets with the Word of God and a servants heart and visit the sick, jailed, the lost and homeless and other troubled souls needing rescue. "Cruise" ship churches pay for their trips and want to be entertained and have a good time. Cruisers steer clear of storms,

C ver St ry

choppy waters and are generally only concerned with self or some inner circle of brothers and sisters. "Many of us have shifted from Battleships to Cruise ships and that has affected our ability to meet the challenges of today and stem the tide of issues that are destroying us as Black people," he said. "It is going to take another movement to change our reality. It's Movement time." He said the church needs to go back 50 to 75 years to a time when we were a people - "Negroes" who stood and fought together instead of "African-Americans", who have developed a more material, selfcentered and arrogant approach to life and living. Some of those men that led movements include Pastors M.C. Williams, F.N. Williams and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to name a few. He noted that in Houston, there are more "cruise ship" churches than true "battleship" churches and it becomes evident when a key issue hits the Black community. Whether its closing schools or police brutality, "cruise" pastors steer their

churches clear of the controversy, while "battleships" are there and ready to do battle. "When there is a crisis in Houston, you know who will not show up," he said. "Our battleships (churches and pastors) show up for every situation. You don't have to ask them and you don't have to look for them or wonder where they are." Turning it around, Dixon said there needs to be a "Great Awakening" that changes the focus and mindset of Black people in America. According to Dixon, it all starts with returning to a focus on the richness and pride surrounding Black history and pride. "We have been disconnected from our history, heritage and hope for too long and it shows," he said. "No history, no heritage equals no hope. So history is have to know if we are to turn the tide." He also said that one of the toughest challenges will be to erase the influences of a generation raised on and raised in immorality and bad role models. "Black people have long tolerated and accepted too many role models who have

Texas â&#x20AC;˘ August 12-18, 2014 2013 Texas â&#x20AC;˘ June 16-22,

been unashamedly immoral, unapologetically irreverent and embarrassingly illiterate," Dixon said. "A generation exists that has been raised to think there are no rules and standards and not to be respectful to elders - It simply is wrong message from the wrong models and we must change that now because it is key to our survival as Black people." With about 80,000 Black churches in the United States, he challenged all Black churches to get back on duty and accept the assignment challenge to return to an active mission of working to set the example, restore values and shape and improve lives and communities. "Like Gideon, God can use the spirit of the minority to turn things around," he said. "God can lead us to victory with the right spirit, and by being united behind the right vision and voice. We can win."

Member Cover Story & Inside Photos By: Darwin Campbell, African-American News&Issues

Texas • June 16-22, 2014

C mmunity

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AHCBED Monthly Networking Luncheon

HOUSTON- Recently, the Acres Home Chamber for Business and Economic Development Inc. held its Monthly Business Networking Luncheon, located at 6112 Wheatley Street, 77091. Chairman Roy Douglas Malonson greeted attendees with jokes and hearty one-liners that set the tone for the great food and raffles. The drawing was full of fun as attendees and tables competed with each other to see how many from each table could win raffle prizes. Prior to blessing the food, Chairman Malonson discussed upcoming events and talked about the years of history in the audience in the person on several honored Houston Black historians and Freedom Fighters. After Pastor Joseph Baker of Guiding Light Inspirational Baptist Church blessed the food, a period of good eating and fellowship with many networking and exchanging business cards, stories and life experiences.

The All African People’s Development and Empowerment Project-Houston

HOUSTON- All African People’s Development and Empowerment Project (AAPDEP) Houston was founded in 2009 when Dr. Aisha Fields came to SHAPE Community Center to give a presentation on the organization in a forum entitled “The Black Movement in the Era of Barack Obama.” A major focus of the group is to increase awareness of Black history and heritage. That is why the AAPDEP is sponsoring the 2nd annual Juneteenth Freedom and Music Festival will take place on June 21, 2014 at 3707 Brill Street in the 5th Ward Community Garden. Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of chattel slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General

Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new Executive Order. However, with the surrender of General Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of General Granger’s regiment, the forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome the resistance. In honor of the emancipation of the enslaved people, AAPDEP will host the Juneteenth Festival and celebrate with R&B, Reggae, Gospel, Rap and Hip Hop music, food, speakers, African drumming and dance, games for children, as well as arts & crafts. The 5th Ward Community Garden also developed and brought operational following the founding

of AAPDEP here in Houston. This year marks the fifth consecutive year that the garden has successfully planted its crop. It has yielded plenty of good, organic vegetables where community member can’t get anywhere else nearby. It has become a staple of the community with the people pitching in to make it work, despite it not being funded by any state, local, or federal agencies or non profits. It has been successful by the determined efforts of the community. Since the last two years had limited the yield of the garden, the group moved to build itself a 2000 gallon Rainwater Harvesting Irrigation System. That project which saw some environmentalist along with AAPDEP members come together a erect the system which now provides nutritious rainwater to the vegetable plants. This irrigation system virtually guarantees the

longevity of the garden. The All African People’s Development and Empowerment Project (AAPDEP) was initially founded in 2007 in St Petersburg, Florida. It’s mission was to harness skilled African workers from throughout the world to contribute their skills to developing Black communities throughout the world into becoming self sufficient, do for self stable economic entities. These skilled workers include doctors, nurses, carpenters, engineers, farmers, skill construction workers, etc. Dr. Aisha Fields, a physicist, has been the organization’s International Director since it’s founding. Her work has established branches in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, New Jersey, Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Texas in the United States. In Africa, the group has a work-

ing chapter in Sierra Leone with a Nursing School, Clean water and fishing projects, along with farming, and birthing training to deal with the high rate of infant and maternal mortality which in Sierra Leone is among the highest in the world. AAPDEP Internationally is represented in Sweden, Britain, France, and Nassau, The Bahamas. A long term project of the Houston AAPDEP and the 5th Ward Community Garden is to provide a viable economic development project in the form of a One Africa! One Nation! Marketplace! A place where vendors of all sorts can come together for a huge flea market that we see in the Mexican communities here. To continue reading visit us online @ www.aframnews.com Darwin Campbell, AfricanAmerican News&Issues TX- 5

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elimination. Other schools would be Smith, Stovall, Harris and Hill, all based on the same criteria. Students of magnet programs that had been eliminated would return to their home campus and given first priority for available slots in other magnet programs, with the exception of 4th grade students, who will be given the option of continuing at Houston Academy. Staff will be placed into vacant positions on other campuses. The order would have given the magnet program a protected status and funds from the government would have been provided for their operation. Also, several events and items were reduced or eliminated, such as the magnet festival and technology fair. The proposed cuts were approved by district trustees at the January 25 school board meeting before a packed house of incensed parents and student. But Bamberg warns the cuts may still not be enough to meet the needs of the nation’s 12th largest district. Administrators say they still need $18 million to balance the budget. “The only way we’re going to get additional revenue at this point is to look to the community,” said

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XFINITY® celebrates Black Music Month with movies, interviews, videos and much more. On June 28th,* catch an exclusive airing of HelloBeautiful.com Interludes Live: Jennifer Hudson. Enjoy an intimate concert on TV One featuring new music from Jennifer Hudson, or catch the concert and Jennifer’s award-winning movies at CelebrateBlackTV.com and XFINITY On Demand™.

Website

www.fthwardcoc.org “GIVING, GROWING, & GAINING” 4308 Stonewall St. Hou. Tx 77020

713-672-2654

In addition to their other activities, the Fifth Ward COC also holds a Bible Class for non-members on Thursday nights at 7:30 PM. For more information on the various special events or activities you really should visit their website, it is very well done, informative and worth a visit even if you have anoth-

*Check local listings for time.

T:5”

rict administrators looked ately for areas to cut that have the least impact on s. Administrators made 12 nt of their cuts in district ments (central office, maince, operations, and substiAlthough no one was laid off, hose to delete or freeze sevISD positions, as they were . Reductions were also made e use of paraprofessionals ing assistants). The district made several board approved o stipends for educators in n areas. Incentive plans were ated, class sizes increased pansion projects frozen. But budget changes would not be ent to secure the future solof the district. rder to strengthen the budhe district would propose r cuts and it would need the unities support for them. magnet programs were next. strict scheduled meetings at s academies from December ugh January 7. first magnet school up for ation wasHOU-6 Carroll Academy’s et program. It demonstrated ast amount of interest from

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Texas • June 16-22, 2014

June

Tuesday Mt. Sanai B.C Pastor’s Anniversary

Speaker: Dr. Leroy Elliot

902 W. 8th St Houston, TX 77007 Beginning at 7pm For more info contact: (713) 869-5137

Thursday Baylor College of Medicine Teen Health Clinic Acres Home Juneteenth Resource Fair 8111 Lawn St Houston, TX 77088 From 4pm - 7pm For more info contact: (281) 847-3901 Saturday Garden City Park 2nd Annual Reunion 2800 W. Little York Houston, TX 77091 From 1pm - 6pm For more info contact: (713) 697-5657

21 Saturday AAPDEP 5th Ward

Juneteenth Freedom & Music Festival 3707 Brill St Houston, TX 77026 From 12pm - 8pm For more info contact: (832) 647-3550

What’s Happenin’ 21 Saturday Acres Home Chamber

21 Saturday Sylvester Turner

Juneteenth Parade 6719 W. Montgomery Rd Houston, TX 77088 Beginning at 10am For more info contact: (713) 683-6363

www.aframnews.com

Saturday Houston Area Urban Leauge Equal Opportunity Gala 1600 Lamar St Houston, TX 77010 Beginning at 6pm For more info contact: (713) 393-8700

for Bus. & Eco. Dev, Inc. Digital Computer Class 6112 Wheatley St Houston, TX 77091 From 11am -12:30pm For more info contact: (713) 692-7161 info@acreshomecenter.org

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African

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Juneteenth

2014

4 weeks in advance!

22 Sunday GtrWard ChapelAMEC GardenCity Park Reunion Worship Service 6822 Arabella St Houston, TX 77091 Beginning at 11am For more info contact: (713) 697-5657

Support those whom support you!

ing Reopen er b o t c in O

2014

We’re still making progress in Houston.

Welcome

Join me today in celebrating our progress in the ongoing pursuit of justice, freedom and equality. I am proud that we are in the final stages of the restoration of the historic De Luxe Theater in partnership with Texas Southern University and the Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation.

TO YOUR FUTURE PROMOTION.

The De Luxe opened in 1941 in the heart of the Fifth Ward, a neighborhood settled in the 1800s by freed slaves. It’s a cultural touchstone for Houston’s African American community. Bringing the De Luxe back to life will honor the contributions of African Americans and enrich the lives of all of us in Houston.

Happy Juneteenth! Mayor Annise Parker

P o l . a dv. a n n i s e Pa r k e r C a m Pa i g n

Texas • June 16-22, 2014

HOU-7 Welcome_AfricanAMNews_Summer 2014.indd 1

5/21/14 10:36 AM

African

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Religion

Texas • June 16-22, 2014

Payne Chapel A.M.E. Church, 2701 Lee St, Houston, TX 77026

Rev. Dr. Ruben Braziel

HOUSTON- Rev. Dr. Ruben Braziel was born in Temple, Texas and grew up in church parsonages, because his father, was a well-known pastor here in Texas. After his High School education he went on to pursue a Bachelors of Science degree, in Chemistry and Mathematics, from Huston-Tillotson University. Afterwards, he enrolled in Texas Southern University, and completed the required course work to receive a Texas State teaching Certiﬁcation. He later returned to Texas Southern University, where he graduated with the Master of Public Administration Degree. He then, enrolled in The Houston Graduate School of Theology, where he earned the Master of Divinity Degree, and subsequently received the Doctor of Ministry Degree. He has served in various capacities in the A.M.E. Church. “I praise and thank God that I have been blessed to serve as the former President of the Gulf Coast Ministerial Alliance, currently, serve as the Vice President”. He has also served as a conference trustee, in addition to serving as a member of the Ministerial Efﬁciency Committee. He has also been blessed to serve as an educator in the Houston Independent School District as a teacher and administrator, educating children, for 32 years. He has served as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Houston Graduate School of Theology. He also, served as an instructor with the Board of Examiners, Dean of TX-8

the Board of Examiners, and Chair of the Board of Examiners for the Texas Conference, helping to teach and train individuals going into the ministry. He currently, serve as the Vice Chair of Board of Examiners for the entire Tenth Episcopal District. He has been a pastor for over 40 years. He is married to a wonderful young lady, and they are the proud parents of two sons and four grandchildren. In my own words to sum it all up “I am a husband, father, preacher, and a teacher, but more than anything, I am a Child of God”. Rev. Dr. Ruben Braziel HISTORY The African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church grew out of the Free African Society (FAS) that Richard Allen, Absalom Jones and others established in Philadelphia in 1787. When ofﬁcials at St. George’s Methodist Episcopal Church pulled blacks off their knees while praying, FAS members discovered just how far American Methodists would go to enforce racial discrimination against African Americans. Hence, these members of St. George’s made plans to transform their mutual aid society into an African congregation. Although most wanted to afﬁliate with the Protestant Episcopal Church, led a small group who resolved to remain Methodists. In 1794 Bethel AME was dedicated with as pastor. To establish Bethel’s independence from interfering white Methodists, Allen, a former Delaware slave, successfully sued in the Pennsylvania courts in 1807 and 1815 for the right of his congregation to exist as an independent institution. Because black Methodists in other middle Atlantic communities encountered racism and desired religious autonomy, Allen called them to meet in Philadelphia in 1816 to form a new Wesleyan denomination, the AME Church. In 1886, Mrs. Wells opened her home to a minister and a small group with a desire of having a Church of great faith organized in the Fifth Ward in Houston, Texas. This outreach led to the establishment of Payne Chapel AME Church. Mr. James Calvin Lindsey named the church after Bishop Daniel Alexander Payne who was elected the 6th Bishop of African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1852 and served for 41 years. Through

the Christian spirit of Mrs. Wells, these pioneers, with a local Minister, Reverend Richard Smith, as leader, were granted the use of her property at 1700 West Street without any financial remuneration. The Church remained at this site for six months with Reverend J. C. Butler, a mission minister, serving as temporary leader. After much planning and many prayers, Mr. Tucks, Mr. Walker, Mr. George Taylor and others acquired property in the 1500 block of Hill Street. A Church edifice was built at a cost of approximately three thousand dollars ($3,000). Reverend J. C. Butler followed the small but inspired membership from West Street to Hill Street and became the first official Pastor of Payne Chapel. The pioneers met the challenge of a growing neighborhood and an increased membership by planting roots of African Methodism in a larger edifice on the corner of Lee and Davis Streets with Reverend J. C. Butler in 1920. Many relatives of members of Payne Chapel at the Hill Street location became member sat the Lee and Davis location including Maude Bright, Viola Calvin, Nellie Cook, Valerie Ezell, Juanita Garrett, Lillian Cox Morris, Owen White, Alma Williams, Bessie Mae Williams, and Darlena Arrington Williams. Stewardesses and stewards were Lucy Crawford, Mary Stephenson, Stella Thorpe, Henrietta Walker, George Carnish, Ed James, H. Marbury, A. Mitchell, L.S. Sharpe, John Walker, and Len Young. The Trustees were Jim Butler, George Carnish, B.L. Clark, A.Z. Hester, Ed James, Jessie Jones, James A. Reed, Jeff Rucker, J. Walker, and L.C. Young. Payne can rightfully boast of having been served by progressive, alert, and spiritual ministers from its beginning to the present day. They all successfully led their flock in a manner that fit perfectly into the scheme of the progress of the Church. They performed heroic and momentous tasks that proved to be towering mountains of spiritual strength as reflected in the following listing. Reverend F.D. Holloway became the Minister of Payne Chapel in 1933. Along with his other fine qualities, he was a gospel preacher and singer. To continue reading visit us online www.aframnews.com

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Energy

Texas • June 16-22, 2014

Read us online! w w w. aframnew s. com

AABE Ushers in New Leadership with George Williams

The element of surprise captured George Williams’ attention twice. Once when he and Dwayne Barlow won the Entrepreneur of the Year award, presented at the 2014 National AABE Conference, and again when he was elected as the new Board Chairman for the American Association of Blacks in Energy. (AABE) “It’s a great feeling,” Williams said of his selection as the new Chairman of the prestigious AABE Board of Directors. “Nothing is more important than people having the conﬁdence in knowing that their interests and the interest of the organization will betaken to heart.” Williams went on to say that AABE is a dynamic organization founded with a corporate and entrepreneurial spirit in 1977. “We were founded and dedicated to ensure that the input of African Americans and other minorities into the discussions and

developments of energy policies, regulations, research & development technologies, and environmental issues.” Williams looks forward to leading the organization. His focus is on growing the membership, thriving ﬁnancially and living the mission and vision of AABE. With nearly 2,000 members, “AABE is a credible resource to meet the needs of members and continue being a force impacting energy education worldwide.” His company, PMI Energy Solutions, LLC headquartered in Batavia, Illinois, continues to skyrocket with opportunities in the energy industry. He has found particular success in the areas of storm restoration, and in overhead and underground electrical distribution construction and maintenance, in the electric utility industry. “I was successful in secur-

ing two direct contracts with Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) to install advance meter infrastructure (AMI) and distribution automation (DA) radio/repeaters and to replace poles,” he said. “It is very unusual for a relatively young and diverse company to be awarded direct contracts with utilities after a couple years of serving as a subcontractor. However, as a result of our ability to perform high quality work in a safe and productive manner, we were able to establish credibility with the utilities.” Williams also has large direct contracts with Ameren, INTREN and M.J. Electric and We several more contracts in the workings. A number of diverse companies continue as subcontractors for an extended period of time before becoming prime contractors, he added. Although PMI Energy Solutions, LLC is only three years

Connections and Collaborations

HOUSTON- Members and the national American Association of Blacks in Energy planning committee provided a results-driven event, with invaluable resources aimed at assisting members in understanding their role in the changing energy landscape. The theme Global Energy: Resources. Solutions. Sustainability was explored by the best and the brightest in the sector. The diverse range of opinions and fresh ideas left this year’s conference attendees energized, with a new vision, new partnerships and collaborations. The week began in the same manner that we have for many years with service to the Houston local communities. The pre-conference activities featured a science competition for students in Houston. Next

up, the Diaspora Forum entitled Engaging in Diaspora to participate in the Energy Supply Chain was the first of many discussions on initiatives abroad. The first day concluded with an extraordinary “First Time Attendees” session to help newcomers get the most out of their experience. The special event was followed by an opening session address by the Chairman, Ralph Cleveland. Later Dot Harris, longtime AABE member and Director of the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity for the Department of Energy, shared her views on the role of minorities in energy. Game Changer Discussions on sustainability, air quality and coal, and shale oil and gas rounded out our first day, yet these hot topics were

later explored in-depth during our Game Changer workshops. The third day focused on leadership and career development. The CEO addresses convened with a presentation by John Watson, Chairman and CEO of Chevron. Each year attendees come to the conference for the career development portion. This year’s event featured an inspiring “C-Suite Conversation” where leaders in energy and entrepreneurship shared their experiences in hopes of impacting the next generation of leaders. The last session was nothing short of electrifying as veteran democratic strategist Donna Brazile and GOP mainstay Michael Steele debated current events on the political landscape. Courtesy of American Association of Blacks in Energy

old, they are not newcomers to the industry. With an engaging spirit, Williams is CEO with 27 years experience in the utility industry, encompassing transmission & distribution, nuclear, fossil, startups and corporate experience. His success has allowed him to bring on 75 employees to perform services throughout the Midwest. His company has responded to numerous storm disasters across the country and implemented numerous electrical infrastructure improvement projects across the Midwest. “I have worked for six utilities in my career,” he said. “Our work stands on its own and I’m very proud to have been involved with storm restoration efforts across the country, including Hurricanes Isaac and Sandy. It was very difﬁcult getting in with road blocks, ﬂooding and many unknowns. We were in the Northeast for three

George Williams

weeks, working 16 hour days until the power was restored.” Williams said he is proud to have developed, “strong relationships, performed quality work, set high performance standards and understands that his success is deliberate. Story by: Darwin Campbell, African-American News&Issues

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Texas • June 16-22, 2014

First and Youngest Black Solo Pilot Visits Lancaster Aviation Program LANCASTER- Recently, Lancaster ISD welcomed the world-famous Captain Barrington Irving Jr. to the Lancaster Independent School District 21st Century STEM Learning Expo and Rites of Passage Extravaganza. The learning expo took place at the Lancaster High School IB/STEM Academy located at 200 E. Wintergreen Road in Lancaster Texas. It was a free public event and represented the culminating celebration of all things academic and will include student project-based learning assignments, the honoring and awarding of the STEM scholars and more than 350 project, activity and information stations facilitated by students and STEM instructors. "It an opportunity for the community, businesses and parents to see what the students in Lancaster ISD have engaged in throughout the school year," Lancaster ISD STEM Director Antionette Mathews said. Mathews also explained that the Rites of Passage aspect of this event has an inter-linked purpose. The STEM Rites of Passage celebrates the students’ completion of STEM milestones at designated grade levels. The milestones are indicators to help our district ask critical to determine where we are on the spectrum of 21st Century skills integration and the goal of providing our students with opportunities to graduate with More Than a Diploma. The Lancaster ISD STEM Expo has an aviation and engineering focus and will somewhat serve as the bridge to TX-10

Captain Barrington Irving Jr.

the district’s K-8th grade STEM Summer Camp experiences. To inspire and help launch the summer experience, students, parents and community supporters had the chance to meet the world renown, Guinness Book World Record holder, Captain Irving. At the age of 23, Captain Irving staked his claim in history as the youngest and first black person to pilot a plane around the world solo. At 30, he is now the founder of the non-profit Experience Aviation that is dedicated to connecting and empowering minority youth to pursue careers in aviation through hands-on interactive learning experiences. He accomplished his historical feat in a Cessna 400 standard utility plane appropriately named "Inspiration" and now, through his mission of educating youth and connecting them to a brighter future of opportunities, he has become an inspiration for students around the world. Lancaster ISD is one of two premier districts that implements this summer experience.

Sixty students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade had an opportunity to work with the history maker in the BI60 Flying Tigers

Operation: Build and Soar Camp directly hosted by Captain Irving and his team. Mathews described this camp as the experience of a lifetime for participating students. Other opportunities were provided to build a super sports car, 12 high powered drones, and launch a high altitude balloon thousands of miles into the atmosphere. "No one in the DFW area has done any of these projects, let alone with the first and then youngest black person to fly solo around the world," she said. Other students in Lancaster

ISD and the surrounding areas in grades K-8 also will have the chance to participate in a 2 week-aviation program hosted by math and science educators in the district. Captain Barrington Irving gave students the inside view of a STEM-fused learning environment and the great happenings in Lancaster ISD this summer and beyond! For more information on STEM education in Lancaster ISD, contact the district office at 972-218-1400 or visit the district website at www.lancasterisd.org. You can also learn more facts about the Experience Aviation program for minority and urban youth at www.experienceaviation.org.

Erayle (Air - Rul) means… Freedom is a necessity! HOUSTON- She has a strong sense of independence; desire to excel and to lead. “Dream the Impossible Dream” is her deepest motivation that keeps pushing her to excellence, not only that; Erayle’s soul is combined with spiritual wisdom and artistic vision! Erayle is a native Houstonian and this extraordinary talent is a sophomore at the High School of the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA). Erayle aspires to be a well-known Opera Singer. HSPVA has provided Erayle with a great start to develop her skills to become a house-hold name. She participated in a Black History production at HSPVA called the “Dream Girls”. While participating in that show, she became a better performer and singer. She was asked to be a part of International Presentation of Performers (IPOP!). She enjoyed that experience and look forward to joining their team in the future. Erayle has also won the “Director’s Choice” award at the American Festival for the Arts (AFA). Erayle received two scholarships from AFA, and she looks forward to a continuous relationship, which made her realize how much she enjoys singing. Erayle has had many opportunities to become who she is today, and she appreciates them all. For example: In 2012, Erayle received a gold medal in “Solo and Ensemble”. She is very grateful for her talent and experience. Just recently; Erayle performed a show as Belle in “Belle of the Ball” with the Houston Symphony at Jones Hall. This performance has further confirmed for her, that she will continue to strive to become an Opera Singer. Finally, this year, Erayle Amacker has become Erayle Ashley Amacker a force to be reckoned with in the Academic, Cultural, Technological, and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) competition of NAACP, where she will represent Houston at the Nationals, in Las Vegas this summer in Vocal – Classical art area. Erayle is highly motivated by these words that she always says, “Everything I sing, everything I say and everything I do is to glorify the Lord up above.” No doubt, this unparalleled star will be seen again! ~PHOTO CREDIT: CHANDRA JARMON

Health

Texas • June 16-22, 2014

African

American News&Issues

Silence of Sickle Cell Disease Makes it Dangerous Killer of African-Americans

When Rapper JayAre of the group Cali Swag District died over the weekend from Sickle Cell Anemia, it once again hammers home the need in the African American community to understand Sickle Cell Disease. JayAre, 25, whose real name was Cahron Childs as reportedly admitted into a hospital last Thursday and went into cardiac arrest. The group, Cali Swag District, is best known for their international hit song “Teach Me How to Dougie,” which was accompanied by a popular dance. In the United States, it’s estimated that sickle cell anemia affects 70,000–100,000 people, mainly African Americans. The disease

occurs in about 1 out of every 500 African American births. Sickle cell anemia also affects Hispanic Americans. The disease occurs in more than 1 out of every 36,000 Hispanic American births. What Is Sickle Cell Anemia? The National Institute of Health and Centers for Disease Control lists Sickle cell anemia (uh-NEE-me-uh) as the most common form of sickle cell disease (SCD). SCD is a serious disorder in which the body makes sickle-shaped red blood cells. “Sickle-shaped” means that the red blood cells are shaped like a crescent. Normal red blood cells are disc-shaped and look like doughnuts

without holes in the center. They move easily through your blood vessels. Red blood cells contain an iron-rich protein called hemoglobin (HEE-muh-glow-bin). This protein carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Sickle cells contain abnormal hemoglobin called sickle hemoglobin or hemoglobin S. Sickle hemoglobin causes the cells to develop a sickle, or crescent, shape. Sickle cells are stiff and sticky. They tend to block blood flow in the blood vessels of the limbs and organs. Blocked blood flow can cause pain and organ damage. It can also raise the risk for infection. The Houston Medical Forum focuses on a number of medical conditions affecting African-American and one that is the center of focus in June in sickle cell disease. World Sickle Cell Day is June 19th and happens in conjunction with the celebration of Juneteenth. Who Is at Risk for Sickle Cell Anemia? Sickle cell anemia is most common in people whose families come from Africa, South or Central America (especially Panama), Caribbean islands, Mediterranean countries (such as Turkey, Greece, and Italy), India, and Saudi Arabia. More than 2 million Americans have sickle cell trait. The condition occurs in about 1 in 12 African Americans. Basic Overview Sickle cell anemia is one type of anemia. Anemia is a condition in which your blood has a lower than normal number of red blood cells. This condition also can occur if your red blood cells don’t contain enough hemoglobin. Red blood cells are made in the spongy marrow inside the larger bones of the body. Bone marrow is always making new red blood cells to replace old ones. Normal red blood cells live about 120 days in the bloodstream and then die. They carry oxygen and remove carbon dioxide (a waste product) from your body. In sickle cell anemia, the abnormal sickle cells usually die after only about 10 to 20 days. The bone marrow can’t make new red blood cells fast enough to replace the

dying ones. Sickle cell anemia is an inherited, lifelong disease. People who have the disease are born with it. They inherit two genes for sickle hemoglobin— one from each parent. People who inherit a sickle hemoglobin gene from one parent and a normal gene from the other parent have a condition called sickle cell trait. Sickle cell trait is different than sickle cell anemia. People who have sickle cell trait don’t have the disease. Like people who have sickle cell anemia, people who have sickle cell trait can pass the sickle hemoglobin gene to their children. How Is Sickle Cell Anemia Diagnosed? A simple blood test, done at any time during a person’s lifespan, can detect whether he or she has sickle hemoglobin. However, early diagnosis is very important. In the United States, all States mandate testing for sickle cell anemia as part of their newborn screening programs. The test uses blood from the same blood samples used for other routine newborn screening tests. The test can show whether a newborn infant has sickle hemoglobin. Test results are sent to the doctor who ordered the test and to the baby’s primary care doctor. It’s important to give the correct contact information to the hospital. This allows the baby’s doctor to get the test results as quickly as possible. Health providers from a newborn screening follow-up program may contact you directly to make sure you’re aware of the test results. If the test shows some sickle hemoglobin, a second blood test is done to confirm the diagnosis. The second test should be done as soon as possible and within the first few months of life. The primary care doctor may send you to a hematologist for a second blood test. A hematologist is a doctor who specializes in blood diseases and disorders. This doctor also can provide treatment for sickle cell disease if needed. Doctors also can diagnose sickle cell disease before birth. This is done

Rapper JayAre of Cali Swag District

using a sample of amniotic fluid or tissue taken from the placenta. (Amniotic fluid is the fluid in the sac surrounding a growing embryo. The placenta is the organ that attaches the umbilical cord to the mother’s womb.) Testing before birth can be done as early as 10 weeks into the pregnancy. This testing looks for the sickle hemoglobin gene, rather than the abnormal hemoglobin that the gene makes. What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Sickle Cell Anemia? The signs and symptoms of sickle cell anemia vary. Some people have mild symptoms. Others have very severe symptoms and often are hospitalized for treatment. Sickle cell anemia is present at birth, but many infants don’t show any signs until after 4 months of age. The most common signs and symptoms are linked to anemia and pain. Other signs and symptoms are linked to the disease’s complications. To continue reading visit us online @ www.aframnews.com By: Darwin Campbell, 1213_FAST_Ad_2x2.pdf 1 6/21/2013 9:30:31 AM African-American News&Issues

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Texas • June 16-22, 2014

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