African American News & Issues 5/14

FREE • May 14 - May 20, 2018

www.aframnews.com

Vol. 23, Issue 17

Houston’s “Top Ladies” Give Back

St. Philip’s College President Dr. Adena Williams Loston, students honored, pg. 10

Amanda Edwards hosts her Edwards Empow-

erment Signature Series, pg. 9

Members of the Houston Chapter of Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. pose for a photo.

By LaTreshia A. Hamilton, J.D. Photos by Thomas Carter

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Recently, the Houston Chapter of Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. (“TLOD”) hosted its First Annual Community Resource Fair (the “Fair”) at the Third Ward Multi-Ser-

Afram News

vice Center. Through the efforts of its Status of Women Committee, the TLOD partnered with several organizations, institutions, and vendors to provide free resources related to financial awareness, job recruitment, health and wellness, and higher education.

Founded in 1964, Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. was chartered in Tyler, Texas as a non-profit educational,

humanitarian organization.

Since its inception, the organization has expanded its objectives to include: a focus on youth through its subsidiary organization, Top Teens of America; improving the status of women; providing services to senior citizens; community beautification projects; and community partnerships. Currently, there are 116 TLOD chapters nationwide. Said chapters sup-

African-American News and Issues Newspaper

port the National Council of Negro Women (“NCNW”), the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (“NAACP”), the United Negro College Fund (“UNCF”), the March of Dimes, and award scholarships to teens in each of TLOD’s six geographic areas.

The Houston Chapter of TLOD was founded on FebContinued on Page 4

Afram News

Dr. Lawrence Allen of TEA Board attends monthly networking luncheon, pg. 8

Yasser Young, opens the Universal Negro Improvement Association’s presentation with a rap song, pg. 6

2 • African-American News and Issues WE ENCOURAGE YOUR OPINION

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United We Stand…

Divided We Fall

A

merica, the United States of America, has major divisions among its citizens.

If we can’t find a way to unite as one nation, our future is truly questionable. I know we want our problems solved and it would be a giant step forward solving the major injustices against African Americans and other ethnic groups considered lower class people.

America has long been viewed as the Shining City On The Hill, becoming the strongest, wealthiest country on Earth. People all over the world observe us very closely for guidance on leadership.

What the world sees us doing under our current President Donald Trump seriously threatens our well-being and the progress of our citizens.

We must not forget the world is no longer predominantly under-developed as it once was. The credibility of the United States is now being questioned by our world neighbors. What that says is we cannot be successful on the world stage with two different mind sets operating among our citizens. The true saying, “United We Stand and Divided we Fall,” must be what we choose if we intend to lead the world.

Unifying must be done by all true Americans, regardless of their race, religion or financial status. I can accept the fact there is a hard-core segment who live with a personal agenda of hate and are never going to change their negative thoughts. That’s okay. I also know there are more good Americans who, if given the right information and respect, will change for the betterment of the country.

Donald Trump is not a king and America is not a dictatorship where the leader has absolute power. At some point,

Texas • May 14 - May 20, 2018

The Standard View

By Billy “Hollywood” Groves

hopefully real soon, Donald Trump will not be the President. During my lifetime as an activist, I’ve noticed certain people change positively; that I thought would never change. Subsequently, when they did, they made their community a better place for everyone there. Since Trump came into power, American progress and respect seems to have come to a halt. While under President Barack Obama, our journey of becoming a united United States became an accomplishable goal.

At the end of the day, we cannot let political parties divide us. Trump’s strategy, whether he knows it or not, is causing civil unrest. Actually, those in divisive racial areas, who have a lot of power, just need to speak out about what happened in the past and address what we need to do in the future.

We the people also have a plan to answer Trump’s plan.

We will stand up for what we have been taught all our lives.

We have been taught by our U.S. Constitution that all people are created equal. We believe bringing people together is possible. It probably will start with our upcoming 2018 elections.

Every time people read about our nation’s success, they are inspired by what we have accomplished. When people read about the negative things in our American history, they know we have come a long way. If we want to keep going forward, it is of the utmost importance we we unite as one nation under God. God Bless America!

- AANI

Y

Relationships

ou receive more kudos from the Black community for going to jail and getting out, or cheating on your spouse and not breaking up instead of just…. not going to jail or actually being faithful inside your romantic relationships.

The Black community has been governed by confusion and dysfunction for entirely too long. Our Black women, men and pastors will pray to God for months on had for their son Billy who robbed the gas station by gunpoint, killed a baby, and stole its pacifier but won’t bother Jesus one time for favor for the Black kid who actually can follow instructions.

We deem “the good kids” as assimilators instead of mature and wise and our young girls see these lessons played out before their eyes. We wonder by Teyanna keep dating niggas in jail like they’re famous but forget momma laughed at the nerdy Black kid too when he was getting bullied outside the apartments by Tyrone from jail with the ponytail.

We know how to contact these type of men, our women are attracted to them, send them food, the entire hood know release dates, we read law books to understand their plight in jail, we use the ultimate power of God and prayer to ease punishment for their wrong doings, then we throw a celebratory “Coming home party” post getting caught up in the system.

Let Tommy plan to go to college and we leave them to fend for themselves because it cost too much. We teach our girls that a strong Black Queen is to be what for her man? A provider when he is down, his ride or die chick, his backbone when he is weak, she must cook and be his chef, clean like a maid and even feed him as

Speaking to Dysfunction

By Sir Christopher Wayne

a mother would. Our strong Black Queens are taught all these beautiful noble traits of what it is to be a wifey, but for whom? I’d rather she not do half the things on this list but why so much even for a WHOLE man?

I’ve never heard of a king exhibiting such immature behavior yet we teach our Queens to procreate with a male of such low characteristics. We raise good Black men as well too in the Black society but notice how we have no narrative for how to be in relations with a good Black man. It just isn’t taught by our mothers or fathers to the daughters of our community. We know how to care for a jailbird, or for a little kid who is deemed a troublemaker and hell we even know how to care for a man who can’t work. It also makes sense why our good men tend to usually end up outside of Black society for some odd reason.

We praise all the dysfunctional aspects of the Black male. From Charlamagne tha god explaining how being a class clown on probation lead him to success to your favorite comedian joking about being a troublemaker and being disruptive in school; even your favorite rich tattooed rapper who promotes Black women stripping and drug dealing. Why are expending so much energy on battered dysfunctional “Black men” instead of the polar opposite of Tyrone from down the street? Why is it that our young Queens are told to stay in a abusive relationship and pray about the situation until - AANI it changes?

Texas • May 14 - May 20, 2018

The Cosby Betrayal

L

isa Bonet was the only reason I watched The Cosby Show and when she went to A Different World I followed her. But when she left that show and eventually returned to Cosby, my interest had waned; not so much in her, but in the top-billed star himself. Sure, Heathcliff Huxtable was a great, loveable father. But even I was selfaware enough to know even at that young age the person I was watching on TV was a character, with no more substance than a Saturday morning cartoon.

And yet, I remember, in those pre-Internet days, finding juicy tidbits of salacious Cosby gossip on random news shows, only for it to disappear unnoticed into the ether. The non-coverage made me think I had imagined the alleged affairs and payoffs to the point I thought I was crazy.

I suppose this was why the fallout to Hannibal Burress’s standup routine disturbed me so much. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to believe the allegations, but what warred within me was the image of Heathcliff Huxtable, and that’s who I didn’t want to believe did the things he had been accused of.

Until I remembered Heathcliff Huxtable was a character, and suddenly I had validation all those past Cosby rumors had some weight to them.

After reading supermodel Beverly Johnson’s account of how Cosby had drugged her at his mansion, I came away more than disgusted.

It was a betrayal. Here was a man, once lauded as “America’s Dad,” accused by more than 50 women of despicable acts against them. Reading his deposition made it even worse: his cavalier, callous attitude toward women and

African-American News and Issues • 3

Opening Minds

By Erick Kline, Copy Editor

drugging them into submission had transformed him from a cartoon character into the monster in the closet.

And Cosby was definitely a monster to the women he essentially terrorized over the decades. He terrorized not only with his perversions, but also his wealth and power, nonchalantly secure in the belief the two would allow him to do whatever he wanted without consequence. Therefore, victims were intimidated or paid off or similarly silenced so he could continue his little reindeer games.

Now, in this #metoo era, Cosby is facing his day of reckoning. Despite vehemently denying the allegations, a jury still find him guilty of three counts of aggravated indecent assault against Andrea Constand. He faces up to ten years in prison and a $25,000 fine for each count. And even if his lawyers win on appeal, Cosby’s career is over, his legacy destroyed in the twilight of his years. Many of his honorary degrees were rescinded or revoked. After he was convicted many more followed suit.

Reruns of The Cosby Show have also been canceled.

I can’t find any of this sad.

It’s more depressing than anything. Billy Cosby entertained generations with his brand of family-friendly humor, and we all went for it.

But when we looked behind the curtain, we discovered there’s no little man there pulling levers and pushing buttons; but instead, a wolf in sheep’s clothing trying to convince everyone he’s Mary’s little lamb. - AANI

Time for Mothers to be Mothers

“The more chances you give someone the less respect they’ll start to have for you. They’ll begin to ignore the standards that you’ve set because they’ll know another chance will always be given. They’re not afraid to lose you because they know no matter what you won’t walk away. They get comfortable with depending on your forgiveness. Never let a person get comfortable disrespecting you.” I saw this quote on Pinterest and it conveyed a powerful message to me about our mothers. So, now that we are done celebrating Mother’s Day, it is time for some of our mothers to be mothers. As I stated last week, our mothers have the power to change the world.

But, in order for them to do that they must first be the example.

I often say that children are like sponges, they soak any and everything they see or hear in. Sooner or later they are going to repeat the pattern. In most cases, it is sooner than later too. It is no secret that the family structure of today is completely different than when I was coming up. But, one thing is certain children will still be children. I remember when I was in kindergarten, I got in trouble for cussing at school.

Hell, I didn’t know I was doing nothing wrong, because I was only talking the way adults around me talked.

My father was a barber and I hung around the joint a lot, so you can imagine the types of things I heard there. My point is, children are going to demonstrate exactly what they see and hear. Their minds are too tender to understand there should be a filter on some things because they are genuine and only acting the way they see how

to act.

The thing most of our mothers don’t understand is that some things can be stopped early in life. When you see your child walking around disrespecting elders, booty shaking, cussing and acting like an all-out fool; it is then that you should reprimand the behavior not take part in it like your child is competing in the next standup comedy line. We MUST Understand eventually they will begin to demonstrate the same behavior on you if they haven’t already.

Nonetheless, if you don’t see anything wrong with a disrespectful and ill-mannered child, then fine keep going about business as usual. Just watch and see if the law won’t come knocking at your door or worst.

Continuing, there is one thing that really troubles me about many of our people today. That is, the blatant level of disrespect that is welcomed within our communities. Many of our mothers have no regard to how they present themselves in public or at home; allow men to address and treat them; no concern with the way that their children act and most importantly don’t seem to care about the example that are setting for their offspring. Ultimately, I am just saying time out for this crap; enough is enough – it’s time for our mothers to be mothers.

It’s just like the “me too” movement that has been gaining a lot of attention. I must admit I understand it in some ways, but then again, in a way I don’t. I know it looks like an oxymoron. We MUST Understand some of our women put themselves in certain predicaments and they must take blame in their share of the outcome. I am not suggesting that it is right for anyone to be intention-

We MUST Understand

By Roy Douglas Malonson, Publisher

ally disrespected or taken advantage of. However, it is equally important that young ladies are mindful of the types of images they present to the public. In the minds of some folks, dressing, talking and acting a certain way yields the notion that you are down for whatever. Therefore, to some twisted-minded individual they are going to take advantage of the representation and treat them how they perceive they want to be treated. So, since knowing this is the persona of the generation we live in, our women should take more time to protect themselves and the images they portray.

In closing, I would just like to admonish our Black women to consider when they talk about who is disrespecting them; make sure you have not put yourself in a position to disrespect yourself first.

- AANI

Go to

www. aframnews .com to find out where to pick up our newspaper

4 • African-American News and Issues

Continued from Page 1

ruary 27, 1965, in Houston, Texas with the purpose of enhancing and enriching the lives of youth and adults through community-based programs and projects. Currently, the Houston Chapter has more than 135 members and is proud to be the largest chapter in the organization that provides over 190 Top

Teens with resources, scholarships, and mentorship that will assist them as they pursue excellence in higher education and beyond.

When asked what TLOD hoped to achieve by hosting a Community Resource Fair, President Lady Katherine Wilson said, “As Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc., serving others is our motto! Through

Lady Kathy Wilson, Houston Chapter President and Lady Barbara Branch, Houston Chapter Scholarship Task Force Chairperson making their rounds to partnering vendors.

Ladies Rosemary McGowan, Past Chapter President and Lady Jacqueline Fortune Carter – Director of Community Engagement representing Harris County Sheriff’s Office.

Registration Check-In - Lady Arnissa Bennett, Chairperson Sickle Cell Anemia Committee & Lady Jacqueline Lewis – Chairperson – Senior Citizens Committee.

Texas • May 14 - May 20, 2018 strategic planning and coordination led by Ladies Marie Webber and Rita Pittman, our mission was to provide a day for neighboring residents to come and access valuable and useful information about resources and services that they may not otherwise have access to. We wanted to increase resident awareness so that the public could be better informed to make healthy lifestyle decisions.

Our efforts proved to be fruitful as we were able to host 20+ vendors that interacted and provided services to all in attendance. Residents received a great amount of information regarding the various services that were made available to them. The vendors offered detailed information that equipped participants with onsite direction for securing resources and access to more services and affording attendees with a better understanding of what is available and how to obtain support. It was also our desire to develop vendor and participant partnerships for future community service projects.”

Lady Wilson went on to say that TLOD selected the Third Ward Multi-Service Center as its venue because, “Statistics on health disparities and other declining factors in Third Ward indicate an ongoing need to assist residents with improving health

and the overall quality of life.

To join in the efforts of other entities, we chose the Third Ward Multi-Purpose Center because it is easily accessible to residents in the Third Ward area and is a spacious facility that can accommodate the number of residents and vendors that we planned for.

Because our programs and efforts support many of the needed services of the residents in the Third Ward Community, Lady Webber and her team were able to unite our chapter’s committees and partnering vendors to provide immunizations, dental health, back to work clothing for women, prom dresses for students, financial literacy information, college preparation advisement, identify safety and gardening tips, mental health and relaxation therapy, and referrals for any needs that were beyond the onsite services of the day. All of these services, plus the fact that the facility is also geographically centered in the heart of the community and is a common gathering place for many events, made this location an ideal venue.”

During the Fair, there were various organizations, institutions, and vendors with displays and information tables set up. To name a few, Lady Diondra Miller administered shingles, tetanus, and pneu-

Lauren Auzenne, a senior dental student at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, performs an oral cancer screening as fellow dental student, Virginia Velez, looks on.

monia vaccinations on behalf of Walgreens; Professor Katherine Daniels and nursing students from San Jacinto College – Central Campus provided blood pressure testing; Jacqueline D. Fortune, Director of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office’s Community Relations Division, distributed pamphlets regarding its Law Enforcement Explorer Program, a career based program for young adults ages 14 to 20 years old who are interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement, Crime Prevention, Child Identity Theft, Robbery Prevention, and Construction Site Theft Prevention; D’Misha Miller, a Business Development Manager for Sterling Staffing Solutions provided literature on employment opportunities and resume tips; a representative from Houston Public Library signed attendees up for library cards and informed them about current job openings; Sara Jamison-Sermon, a Community Outreach Liaison for Texas Southern University’s (TSU) Office of Admissions, provided information regarding TSU’s admissions process; Linda Washington, CEO of Mystic Soul Candles, sold relaxation and aroma therapy candles; Lady Joan Green of Joan’s Monogram Works displayed her custom monogram pieces; and band members and majorettes from The Lawson Academy performed original selections and dances for entertainment.

Notably, Director Linda Kinchen, and Eligibility Coordinator, Bobby D. Hansford, were in attendance on behalf of Harris Health System – Health Care for the Homeless Program (the “Program”).

Established in 1974, the Healthcare for Homeless Program’s mission is to improve healthcare for the homeless and make it easier for the homeless to

Texas • May 14 - May 20, 2018

access healthcare services.

The Program provides dental care and a variety of preventative and primary healthcare services to homeless individuals through shelter-based clinics and through mobile health and dental units. In addition, the Program also provides eligibility and registration services through homeless shelter locations in the Greater Houston area.

Likewise, through its strategic partnerships, the Program also provides on-site mental health and substance abuse counseling. Overall, the Program aims to reduce or eliminate barriers to healthcare experienced by homeless individuals, enable healthcare problems to be detected and treated early, increase immunization rates for homeless children, and increase health promotion and prevention education among the homeless in the Houston community.

Lauren Auzenne, Emily Creighton, and Virginia Velez, dental students at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, were also in attendance.

The students performed oral health screenings and provided attendees with nutrition counseling, oral hygiene care packages, and information regarding the health of their teeth. Ms. Creighton and Ms. Velez informed attendees about the sugar content found in popular food and drink items such as Special K Cereal, M&M’s, Snickers, Capri Sun Juice Pouches, and Coca-Cola products. Meanwhile, Ms. Auzenne, a senior dental student, examined an attendee who had developed erythematous candidiasis, a fungal infection that occurred from improper denture care.

Ms. Auzenne said, “Ninety-ďŹ ve percent of people do not know how to properly oss or brush their teeth.â€?

Incidentally, the attendee that Ms. Auzenne examined had

not been properly cleaning or removing his partial denture.

Thus, his failure to do so resulted in the fungal infection.

Nevertheless, Ms. Auzenne assured the attendee that with proper dental hygiene and anti-fungal medication, the infection would subside. When asked why such a large number of individuals have poor oral health, Ms. Auzenne insisted that a plausible explanation is the insecurity that individuals feel regarding the condition of their mouth and teeth. In turn, they do not visit the dentist.

A complete list of community sponsors include: Wells Fargo Bank; Harris County Sheriff’s OfďŹ ce; NAACP-Houston Chapter Voter Registration; WIC; Project Prom Dress; Walgreens; Texas Chip/Texas Star; Harris Health and Healthcare for the Homeless Program; Houston Area Women’s Center; Dr. Krystie Udeze, Dentist; The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Texas Southern University; San Jacinto College – Central Campus; Texas Women’s University Nursing Students; Houston Community College; The Lawson Academy; Houston Public Library; Sterling StafďŹ ng Solutions; Mystic Soul Candles; and Joan’s Monogram Works.

African-American News and Issues • 5

When asked how TLOD has enriched her life, Lady Wilson said, “I personally began my journey as a Top Teen in the organization where I was mentored by Lady Georgia Smith, mother of NFL greats, Charles “Bubba�

Smith and Lawrence “Tody�

Smith. Lady Smith made sure that I understood the value of serving others. Now, as president of the ďŹ fty-three-yearold historic Houston Chapter of Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc., I am humbled to provide that ingrained service to others. This beloved organization is all about service; service to youth, senior citizens, the status of women, community beautiďŹ cation, and ongoing programs and projects that are important to the fulďŹ llment of TLOD’s mission. It is because of what was given to me, I have to serve others.â€?

The Houston Chapter of Top Ladies of Distinction’s First Annual Community Resource Fair was a success! Members of the Houston community left feeling a renewed sense of hope and were equipped with valuable and resourceful information.

Thus, as “shapers of change,� members of Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. continue their efforts toward “Serving Youth and Adults.�

- AANI

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6 • African-American News and Issues

Texas • May 14 - May 20, 2018

In the Voice of Marcus Garvey

By Arielle Johnson Photos by Arielle Johnson

On Sunday, April 1, 2018, President Michael R. Duncan and Second Assistant President, Raymond Dugue of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (U.N.I.A.) descended upon the Pan-African Connection Bookstore in Dallas. Yes...it was Easter Sunday and April Fool’s Day all wrapped up in one, which by the way only coincide with each other 3-4 times per century. The last time the two

coincided was in 1956. But on a day reserved for observance of the Resurrection of a King, King Jesus and just a few days shy of the Assassination of Martin Luther King, everyone in attendance was reminded on April Fool’s day, of how far away we have gotten from Marcus Garvey’s teachings - COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS. It’s what every other race that lands on our shores teaches, but for some reason, has gotten away from us. How is it possible for the U.S. dollar to circu-

Universal Negro Improvement Association members at the Pan-African Connection Bookstore in Dallas, TX.

Yasser Young performs “Ase”(pronounced Ah-shay). a concept in the West African,Yoruba language, which means to work up the power to bring about change.

late within the Black community 6 hours, as compared to an entire month in the Asian community?

Marcus Garvey was born in Jamaica in 1887. He made his unprecedented mark on Harlem, NY, in the early 1900’s.

He had a new speech for downtrodden African-Americans and encouraged the most common men among us to do their part for our race so we could all rise together. If we all did our part in carrying the weight of ourselves, as well as absorb some of the weight of our brothers and sisters who were lagging behind, as a race, we would be much further along than what we are today. He was the go to man in Harlem, anytime anyone needed work. He was indeed a self-proclaimed King, but one who made all Black people feel as though they too were connected to royalty, even if they only possessed one drop of regal blood.

“The Economic Blackprint” was the presentation delivered by UNIA leaders.

Several brothers marched down the aisle, hoisting a gi-

gantic red, black and green flag and wearing red, black and green.

Yasser Young, President of Shreveport, Louisiana Division #422 opened with a rap song, “Ase”(pronounced Ahshay), a concept in the West African, Yoruba language, which means to work up the power to bring about change and make things happen). He then introduced the Second Assistant President General Brother Raymond Dugue

was born in Jamaica and arrived in the U.S. at 14. By 17, he had stumbled across The Philosophy & Opinions of Marcus Garvey which increased his dedication to his race and the challenge to revive the Marcus Garvey spirit and teachings in the brothers and sisters of his race here and abroad. He quoted William Cullen Bryant, “Truth crushed to earth will rise again.” The UNIA’s present day existence and the fervor

(pronounced Doo-Gay), from Queens, New York. During the presentation, he stated, “We have to create a self-reliant platform. Agriculture is the only way to build the economy. It feeds and builds a system. This was the history of Ancient Kemet.”

The current UNIA President, and the 10th Successor to Marcus Garvey, is Brother Michael R. Duncan. He lives in Brooklyn, New York but, like Marcus Garvey, he too

within this movement is an example of this quote being brought to life.

Of course, this is just one small example of what we can do when we come together and aggregate funds.

There is so much more that needs to be done, and can be when we come together.

Our efforts to operate as individuals in this country and still garner the respect we deserve, have proven to be futile. Visit, https://archive. org/stream/ThePhilosophyOpinionsOfMarcusGarveyOrAfricaForTheAfricans/EbookPhilAndOpinions_djvu. txt you will be able to read some of his very powerful quotes. If you have time, it wouldn’t be such a bad idea to read through them, a little at a time, everyday, the same as if you were reciting daily affirmations. To reach the local chapter (local to the State of Texas) of the UNIA, please reach out to Brother Yasser at https://www.facebook.com/ yasser.ism on Facebook. He is in charge of the Shreveport, Louisiana division.

- AANI

“A race without authority and power is a race without respect.” - Marcus Garvey

Second Assistant President, Raymond Dugue of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (U.N.I.A.) addresses the audience.

8 • African-American News and Issues

Texas • May 14 - May 20, 2018

Chamber Recognizes Dr. Bamberg & New Partners

Dr. Linda Head, Vice Chancellor Lone Star Community College System.

Moquita M. Quinan, CTPM Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Specialist, University of Houston.

Renae Johnson, MPA, NationSync CDC.

Neekeita Fields, Prosperity Professional Services.

Rev. FN Williams, Sr., Antioch Missionary Baptist Church.

Rev. Joseph Baker, Guiding Light.

Roy Douglas Malonson, Chairman Emeritus and Dr. Wanda Bamberg, retiring Superintendent of Aldine ISD.

Clifford Johnson, Terrell Holiday and Mary Ann Thompson.

Pamela McCoy-Jones and Junell Cain handling the RSVPs.

Carver High School Jazz Band Michael McCullough, Instructor, Jaylinn Smith on bass guitar, Gilbert Alverez on drums, Stephanie Montoya and Laila Chinn on clarinet, Martin Pancherco on trumpet, Axel Camey on saxophone.

The Acres Home Chamber for Business & Economic (AHCBED) held its monthly networking luncheon May 3, 2018. Attending were residents, business owners, educators, pastors, ministers and members. New Chairman Warren Fitzgerald Muhammad oversaw the event. Several door prizes were awarded, introductions given, lunch catered by Tippy’s Soul Food and Catering, and entertainment provided by the Carver High School Jazz Band under the direction of Mike McCullough.

The presentation for new members Renae Johnson, MPA; Moquita M. Quinan, CTPM Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Specialist, University of Houston; and Neekeita Fields, Prosperity Professional Services, saw them inducted into the Chamber. Linda Head, Office of Workforce Education and Corporate Partnerships Associate Vice Chancellor, introduced by Dr. Alton Smith, spoke about the many opportunities Lone Star and Workforce Training Center offers. Afterwards, she was presented a bronze bust of President Barack Obama as a token of appreciation.

Wanda Bamberg was presented with a gift basket of appreciation for her retirement as Aldine’s superintendent. Mr. Roy Douglas Malonson, Chairman Emeritus gave closing remarks, before Reverend Chrisalorus Jackson offered the final prayer.

AHCBED is located at 6112 Wheatley Rd., 77091.

For more information and/ or details about upcoming events, or to become a member of the chamber contact, Mr. Anthony Stewart at (713) 692-7161. The speaker for June’s’s luncheon will be Dr. Latonya Goffney, Superintendent of Aldine Independent School District. - AANI

Texas • May 14 - May 20, 2018

“Be The Solution�

African-American News and Issues • 9

Cinco de Mayo’s Hidden Link to African People

By Ron Wilkins

The Edwards Empowerment Signature Series - the “Empowering #UsToo: Igniting Change in the Next Generation of Young Men & Women to Stop Sexual Assault, Harassment & Misconduct.�

Even a brief glance at the past few months’ top news stories reveals a dire need for meaningful change in our culture regarding sexual misconduct. Tackling this challenge, On Saturday, April 28th, City Council Member Amanda Edwards successfully hosted the 2018 kickoff event for her Edwards Empowerment Signature Series - the “Empowering #UsToo: Igniting Change in the Next Generation of Young Men & Women to Stop Sexual Assault, Harassment & Misconduct� dialogue.

Held at the HCC West Loop Campus, the event brought together a diverse group of hundreds of male and female high school students, college students and young adults to discuss how they can stand to end and transform the toxic culture that led to the #MeToo movement throughout the country.

The event began with an enlightening discussion led

by President of the Houston Area Women’s Center, Sonia Corrales and the Center’s educators in which they shared common myths and facts regarding sexual violence.

Next, Council Member Edwards moderated a panel that included 97.9 The Box’s deejays Young Jas and J-Mac and ABC13’s Chauncey Glover. The group discussed how young people can foster

a culture of mutual respect and empathy, as well as best practices for intervening in situations of harassment and assault. Following the panel, Kimberly Wolf of Girlmentum led a fun and interactive presentation on the meaning and role of power dynamics in our culture and how young people can recognize and address these dynamics.

The event concluded by launching the #EmpowerChallenge. In unison, the participants stood and took the #EmpowerPledge, committing to “be the solution� by empowering their fellow brothers and sisters to stand for change and take ownership to stop sexual assault, harassment and misconduct in their communities.

Participant Lauren Lockett stated, “I learned so much from the presenters and conversations at this event. I feel more equipped and passionate about helping to end the corrosive culture around us.� Council Member Edwards stated, “ I am inspired by the participants’ active participation and interest in carrying this movement forward with the #EmpowerChallenge. With this event, we equipped our youth with critical knowledge and skills to ignite change among their peers to stop sexual assault, harassment and misconduct in our community.� - AANI

In 1861, the 1st year of the U.S. Civil War, the Secretary of State for the Confederate States of America Robert Tombs sent John Pickett as his envoy to Mexico City.

Since Union forces had blockaded southern ports, Pickett’s mission was to persuade the government of President Benito Juarez to allow slave produced cotton from the U.S. south to be transported overland and loaded onto ships anchored in Mexican ports.

The cotton was to eventually be sold to various European countries to help support

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the Confederate war effort.

Despite persistent attempts to gain Mexico’s approval the Mexican government refused and John Pickett’s mission failed.

To compound Pickett’s failure and disappointment prior to his return empty handed to the U.S. south, he was thrown into jail in Mexico City after getting into a ďŹ st ďŹ ght with a Union sympathizer there.

U.S. rulers have been careful to exclude this event and any acknowledgement of the mutually beneďŹ cial history that Mexican and African people share.

The destiny of Africa’s scattered people has been

impacted and decided in more countries than popular history has acknowledged.

Mainstream history does not reveal how Africans beneďŹ ted from France’s humiliating defeat at Puebla, Mexico on May 5, 1862. Cinco de Mayo is a ďŹ tting and spirited annual celebration which reminds us of Mexico’s heroic, although short-lived victory over Napoleon 3rd’s larger and better-armed forces. Black people should also celebrate the French army’s defeat at the hands of Mexican forces.

Napoleon had hoped that the Confederacy would quickly win the U.S. Civil War, retain slavery.

- AANI

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Texas • May 14 - May 20, 2018

10 • African-American News and Issues

Six honored for service to Aldine ISD The Aldine ISD Board of Trustees honored six individuals for their dedicated service over the years to the school district by naming schools or facilities after them during the Sept. 19 Board meeting.

Those honored were former Trustees Merlin Griggs, Rick Ogden and Ernest Mendel, current Trustee Rose Avalos, Superintendent Dr. Wanda Bamberg and Deputy Superintendent Dr. Archie Blanson.

The Board’s School Names Committee, consisting of chairman Paul Shanklin and members Dr. Kimberley Booker and Patricia Bourgeois, recommended naming the new Greenspoint EC/PK campus the Merlin Griggs, Sr. EC/PK Campus, renaming Rayford Road Intermediate School as Rick Ogden Elementary School, the new East Side Early College campus the Rose M. Avalos Early College Campus, renaming the future Aldine Heritage Museum after Ernest F. Mendel, renaming the Aldine ISD Resource and Staff Development Center the Dr. Wanda Bamberg Resource and Staff Development Center and naming the new Career Technical High School the Dr. Archie Blanson Career and Technical Education High School.

Mr. Griggs was an outstanding community volunteer and Board member. He served on the Aldine ISD Board for nine years. Before his Board service, he served on various campus and district committees, including the 2007 Steering Committee that saw the successful passage of the $365 million bond referendum. Mr. Griggs was a devoted family man to his wife Cathy and his two sons attended Aldine ISD schools

Six individuals honored by the Aldine ISD Board of Trustees for their dedicated service over the years to the school district have schools or facilities after them during the Sept. 19 Board meeting.

and graduated from Nimitz High School. Mr. Griggs was a model trustee and attended numerous trainings and meetings to be visible in the schools and community. As a Board member, he held all four offices, including president, vice-president, secretary and assistant secretary.

He also chaired various committees. Mr. Griggs passed away in December 2016 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Mr. Ogden served on the Aldine ISD Board of Trustees for 27 years and was the longest serving Board member when he retired in December 2016. Mr. Ogden and his wife Charlotte lived in the Aldine community for 32 years and raised their four children who all attended Aldine schools.

Before becoming a Board member, Mr. Ogden was an engaged parent serving his children’s schools and the district on various projects and committees including strategic planning and steering committees for bond referendums. Over the years, Mr. Ogden held all four board offices more than once.

- AANI

International Honor Society Announces Performance Awards

The 89–year–old Phi Theta Kappa honor society inducts students at the St. Philip’s College chapter. (SPC photos by Julysa Sosa)

The chapter of the international honor society of two– year colleges at St. Philip’s College recently announced 2017 performance awards received at both the state and the international levels of the society during an executive report for St. Philip’s College President Dr. Adena Williams Loston.

The 89–year–old Phi Theta Kappa honor society has inducted over two million community college students, including students at the St.

Philip’s College chapter. The society’s annual awards program in Texas is one of the largest of 29 regional events nationwide, and St. The college’s first Five Star award was earned in 2010, and reflects the collective efforts of members, college advisors and employees on programs of long–lasting benefit to the college. Successive cohorts of students have maintained the Five Star status for their chapter since 2010, organizers share. The College

Project Award of Merit award is a college chapter first, significant as the college Quality Enhancement Plan-Ethical Decision Making was a key aspect of data-gathering on its students’ educational experience in support of the college’s successful reaffirmation of accreditation.

For details on the college’s performance excellence awards, contact college chapter advisor Maria Botello at (210) 486-2199, mbotello@ alamo.edu.

- AANI

Texas • May 14 - May 20, 2018

African-American News and Issues • 11

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Notice to Proposers Sealed electronic proposals will be received by Lone Star College for: • RFP #575 – Utility Accounting Software Solution. Electronic bids due by 11:00 a.m., Thursday, 5/31/2018. Online WebEx pre-proposal meeting will be held Monday, 5/14/18 @ 10:00 a.m., Contact: sharon.k.ognowski@ lonestar.edu or 832813-6211. Must Register to Bid: http://wwwappsdstc.lonestar. edu/istar/supplier.htm.

If registered, please ensure your registration is up to date. For assistance with the on-line registration process, contact donna.e.cottrell@lonestar. edu or 832-813-6275.

OPEN: MONDAY - SATURDAY

SATURDAY, MAY 19

The Empower Series 10:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Doors open at 10:00 a.m.

Highland Hills Library 6200 Bonnie View Rd. Dallas, TX 75241 thrive@empowerseries.com www.empowerseries. com/events.html

Addressing Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community

Product Development Manager needed in Houston, TX to develop and implement LENA’s regional product strategy for small-scale LiquiďŹ ed Natural Gas (LNG) and Nitrogen Rejection Units (NRU) based on sales opportunities and market needs, including identifying potential to improve competitiveness of LENA Products to meet the needs of the North American market. Applicants must have the minimum of two years of experience as an engineering manager or engineer in the natural gas industry including developing and engineering plus commissioning or operating LNG and NRU plants. Must have legal authority to work in the U.S. Send resume/ references to: Leslie Reynolds, Manager, Human Resources North America, ATTN: The African-American, Linde Engineering North America, Inc., 6100 South Yale Avenue, Suite 1200, Tulsa, OK 74136. EOE.

SATURDAY, MAY 19 Free Legal Clinic for Veterans 9:00 a.m. until Noon Veterans who need legal advice or legal assistance can visit a free legal clinic at the Tomball VA Outpatient Clinic.

1200 W. Main Street, Tomball, TX 77375.

No appointment necessary. Any veteran, or spouse of a deceased veteran, can receive advice and counsel from a volunteer attorney in any area of law, including family, wills and probate, consumer, real estate and tax law, as well as disability and veterans beneďŹ ts.

Veterans who need ongoing legal representation and who qualify for legal aid may be assigned a pro bono attorney to handle their case. More information about legal services for veterans is available at www.hba.org.

SUNDAY, MAY 20

Dedication Ceremony Rick Ogden Elementary School, 21919 Rayford Road, Humble, TX 77338 2 p.m. Reception

SUNDAY MAY 20 RBG Family Fit Day 12:00 p.m.

MacGregor Park

MONDAY, MAY 21

Glorious Inaugural Banquet honoring Bishop Johnny A. Tates, Prelate of Texas Greater Southeast First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction 7:00 p.m.

Sheraton North Houston at George Bush Intercontentinental Airport, 15700 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Houston, TX 77032. Inaugural Speaker: Bishop Jerry Wayne Macklin, 2nd Assistant Presiding Bishop, Church of God in Christ, Inc. Black Tie Affair

SATURDAY , MAY 26 “The Last Dance�

The last event ever held at this campus!

7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Booker T. Washington High School Cafeteria & Gym Ticket sales begin Friday, May 11, 2018, BTW OfďŹ ce Online: btw125.ticketleap.com/btw-125block-party Pre-Sale: $25.00 At the Door : $30.00 Table Reservations for Tables of 8 Available, $200.00 until May 18 FOOD TRUCKS WILL BE AVAILABLE! No Alcohol - No Smoking - No Outside Food or Beverages

SATURDAY , MAY 26

Are you ready for some FREE family fun?

Come out for the SHAPE Community Center, 39th Annual Pan-African Cultural Festival, in recognition of African Liberation Day. This year’s theme, “Liberation and UniďŹ cationâ€? will be celebrated with live music, lots of food, vendors, and a petting zoo for the children! Please join us for a fun-ďŹ lled family afternoon from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at “Our Parkâ€? and SHAPE Community Center located at 3815 Live Oak, Houston TX 77004. Please call us at 713.521.0641 or visit our website at www.shape.org.

FRIDAY, JUNE 8 – SATURDAY, JUNE 9 Christian Girlfriends Alliance 2018 Boss Men & Boss Ladies Empowerment Tour Join us & connect with local business owners.

Gain knowledge & grow your business.

Connect with new clients.

Embassy Suites Houston Energy Corridor 11730 Katy Freeway Houston, TX 77079 Purchase tickets on website event page www.christiangirlfriends.org Contact information 281-803-9052