March 8, 2020
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION African-American News&Issues
Vol. 25, Issue 7 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION COVERAGE
BIDEN WINS OVER TEXAS DEMOCRATS
LAUREN ANDERSON IS BACK: HOUSTON BALLERINA GRACES THE STAGE AGAIN
Photo courtesy of The National Review
“Addressing Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community”
By Isaiah Robinson
HOUSTON – Former vice president and 2020 presidential hopeful, now the frontrunner, Joe Biden, is leading the Democratic race after a strategically planned visit to Texas a day before Super Tuesday. With Texas among one of the key states to acquire in the race for delegates, in addition to the need to attract both young and African-American voters, Biden’s visit to Texas Southern University (TSU) could have potentially helped secure his win in Harris County. BIDEN cont’d on page 3
LIVING LEGEND
Photo courtesy of www.laurenandersonofficial.com
LAUREN ANDERSON. Houston Ballet’s first African-American principal dancer has accepted the responsibility of her role as a “first,” and continues to give back, helping to mold the next generation. But like any great artist, when the stage calls, you must answer. The dance icon is gracing the stage again at the Wortham Theatre, starring as ‘Queen Mother’ in ‘The Sleeping Beauty.’ “You don’t want to miss it,” Anderson said.
JUDGE ZINETTA BURNEY
HOUSTON – A fierce photo of a group of sassy little Black ballerinas set the internet on fire recently, and the photographer, Brandie Perry, told reporters the tiny #BlackGirlMagic troop looked up to the young woman that the singer Prince said was his muse. “It started as photos of friends going to dance together and getting pictures,” said Perry, whose photo of the girls went viral in February. “But they all look up to Misty Copeland, and it’s Black History Month, so it couldn’t have happened at a better time.” And while the tiny ballerinas from Beaumont, Texas look up to Copeland...Copeland has praised the legendary Houston ballerina who helped to pave the way for generations to come. Before Copeland became the first African-American principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre, Lauren Anderson burst through a glass ceiling, becoming the first African-American principal ballerina at the Houston Ballet in 1990. And before Anderson, when Blacks were still considered “Colored,” Raven Wilkinson forged the path in the 1950s as a dancer for the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. Both Anderson and Wilkinson were at Copeland’s
BLACK VOTER SUPPRESSION ON PAGE 4
2015 debut in “Swan Lake,” which was the first time a Black woman became the “Swan Queen” with American Ballet Theatre. Anderson presented Copeland with flowers on stage after the historic performance. “One thing about the diversity of African-Americans in these major ballet companies is social media. It has changed the world of dance in so many ways.”
A trio of “firsts” celebrating each other’s successes, which sadly, had large gaps in between. But today, because of these pioneers, and a few others, one door after another are beginning to open. Last year, 11-year-old Charlotte Nebres became the first Black lead in the New York City Ballet’s holiday production of George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker.” What’s the difference between then and now? Why is #BlackGirlTwirl becoming a movement? The internet – which Anderson credits as a force in helping to highlight Black ballerinas around the world. ANDERSON cont’d on page 3
ACTRESS AJ JOHNSON’S NEW SERIES ON PAGE 4
Photo courtesy of University of Houston System
By N.L. Preston
HOUSTON – In 1941, in Houston, Texas, Zinetta was the second of four children born to John and Thelma Arceneaux. At the age of 17, she gave birth to her only child, Sharon Maria Burney. LEGEND cont’d on page 6
VANESSA REED: COMERICA BANK ON PAGE 7
