February 23, 2020
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION African-American News&Issues
Vol. 25, Issue 5 LIVING LEGEND
DR. MARCIA JOHNSON
BLACK BUSINESS OWNER CALLS ON CITY LEADERS
Terence J. “Pokey” Reed has been serving the Greater Houston area for life as a proud citizen, and for the last 10 years as a business leader giving back. Even if you don’t know his name, chances are, you’ve seen him around town.
By N.L. Preston
HOUSTON –According to the National Federation of Independent Businesses, this year’s outlook is optimistic for the small business owner. “2020 is off to an explosive start for the small business economy, with owners expecting increased sales, earnings, and higher wages for employees,” said NFIB Chief Economist William Dunkelberg. “Small businesses continue to build on the solid foundation of supportive federal tax policies and a deregulatory environment that allows owners to put an increased focus on operating and growing their businesses.” But for one Black Houston proprietor, the latter part of Dunkelberg’s statement, “increased focus on operating and growing their businesses” is becoming a challenge because he feels that the city he’s proudly supported over the years, is not supporting him.
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION ON PAGE 3
Terence J. “Pokey” Reed has been serving the Greater Houston area for life as a proud citizen, and for the last 10 years as a business leader giving back. Even if you don’t know his name, chances are, you’ve seen him around town. The Acres Home native is the owner of Vintage Carriage Co., LLC and his premier fleet of horse-drawn carriages has been a staple of the city, providing quality service and joy at festivals, during the holidays, leisurely weekends, etc. The family owned and operated business (with wife Dr. Stacey Jones-Reed and son Terence Reed Jr.) has been “at your service,” never turning down an invitation to support the community and requests from elected officials, oftentimes for free. “There is so much we do in the commuSUPPORT cont’d on page 7
PRINCIPALS OF THE YEAR ON PAGE 9
HOUSTON – Marcia Johnson is a true champion of education. Born in North Miami Beach, this wife and mother earned a BS degree in Broadcast Journalism and a law degree from the University of Florida in Gainesville before making her way to Houston. “We moved to Houston in 1977 after my husband was recruited to Baylor College of Medicine,” Johnson told African-American News&Issues. Her first local job was at the City of Houston’s Attorney’s Office before she moved on to a law firm, followed by the City of Houston Housing Authority and eventually Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law, where she’s remained ever since. DR. JOHNSON cont’d on page 9
BLACK HISTORY MONTH HIGHLIGHT ON PAGE 5
Photo courtesy of San Francisco Bay View
‘SUPPORT ME AS I SUPPORT YOU’:
Photo courtesy of Texas Southern University
“Addressing Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community”
Learn more about HUEY P. NEWTON & THE BLACK PANTHERS
WHAT’S HAPPENIN’ IN HOUSTON ON PAGE 11
