December 15 - 21, 2019
Vol. 24, Issue 47
Greater Houston Edition
“Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty, and persistence.”
“In fact, the confidence of the people is worth more than money.” - Carter G. Woodson
LIVING LEGEND Birdie Lee Chadwick
- Colin Powell
NEVER GIVING UP:
OUR STORY December 15
William A. Hinton, first Black professor at Harvard Medical School and developer of “Hinton Test” for diagnosing syphilis, born (1883)
HOUSTON - Longtime Third Ward resident, Birdie Lee Chadwick, recently celebrated her 100th birthday on November 29 with a host of family and friends who flew in from all around the country to celebrate with her at Laurenzoʼs restaurant in the Heights. At the party, Chadwick was presented with a proclamation from the City of Houston, Mayor Sylvester Turnerʼs Office, honoring her with a Birdie Lee Coleman Chadwick Day. Chadwick is reportedly one of the first African-American beauticians in Houston to integrate salons, eventually opening and operating her own salon and social club. Early in her career, she was also active in the preparation, training and development of young ladies in pageantry. After retiring in the early nineties, Chadwick remained active with her organizations, as well as her church, Lilly Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Third Ward, where she has been a member for many years. She is also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks organizations. Chadwick is not the only member of her family to become a centenarian. Her sister, Annie Mae Mack, died earlier this summer just six days before her 102nd birthday. The sisters lived only a couple of miles apart for almost 50 years.
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Colin Powell is appointed as the first Black Secretary of State (2000)
The Bobby Simon Story
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Robert Johnson, the billionaire founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET), becomes first African American owner of a major sports franchise (2002)
In his heyday, he stood 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighed 252 pounds, a “country boy” from Mansfield, Louisiana who was a force to be reckoned with. Fast as lightning and physically dominant, his athletic prowess took him from high school stardom to Grambling State University and eventually the Houston Oilers. See Story Page 5
COMMUNITY
EDUCATION
ENTERTAINMENT
18
The 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery, ratified (1865)
19
Legendary actress Cicely Tyson born (1933)
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Carter G. Woodson, the founder of Black History Month, born (1875)
HABJ students receive pearls of wisdom, words of encouragement from media leaders
Lone Star College to offer bachelorʼs degrees
Project Row Houses to receive $100K from prize awarded to Solange
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Actor Samuel L. Jackson born (1941)