Vol 27 Issue 50

“Addressing Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community”

A MentAl Shift for 2023

By: Roy Douglas Malonson

Since the existence of Black folks, some White people have tried to do everything in their power to control Black people. Slavery was the ultimate example of control, and it has left a mark on Black people for hundreds of years. Even to this day, some of us are controlled and don’t even realize it.

William Lynch, who was an American military officer from Virgina was notorious for controlling slaves. It was noted that he was known for the term “lynching.” In the Willie Lynch Letters and the Making of A Slave, Lynch details and gives suggestions for how to control a slave. He stated, “I have a full proof

method for controlling your Black slaves. I guarantee that everyone one of you, if installed correctly, it will control the slaves for at least 300 hundred years.” We weren’t meant to have a mind of our own. We weren’t even meant to live in this country that was built by “We the People.” We were not included in that, but here we are. We are still controlled in some ways, and a mental shift is needed for our race, our culture, and our history. We have to change our mindset and start thinking for us.

We are now in the year 2023, and we still have so much to fight for such as rights and Mental Shift cont. on pg. 3

The Who’s Who of Houston Style and Flair celebrated Jackie Adam’s Twenty Years of prosperous business as the founder and owner of Melodrama Boutique. Jackie anointed her celebration as 20 years of fashion, community, and empowerment. It was perfectly curated with style, care, and love in every detail. When you entered the Ion, you were greeted by beautiful giant portraits of Jackie being her most stylish self. It was the perfect venue for this event. Everyone felt great pride in the fantastic work Jackie accomplished with every step. This event gave me New York Fashion Week in Houston Vibes. Everyone came dressed to make their own personal fashion statement, and

Boutique cont. on pg. 5

African-American

President/Chief

EDITORIAL

The Overflow

Happy New Year

that plan. Be patient with yourself and trust the process. In addition, we also must learn from 2022 and take that knowledge and apply it to being better in 2023. If nothing else, we must also be grateful that we have made it to another year. We have lost so many people in 2022 and over the last few years, and with each loss it is a constant reminder that life is short, and tomorrow is not promised. So, I challenge you to embrace 2023 and all that may come whether it is good or bad. List out your goals and create a plan to reach those goals. Most of all, help someone else a long the way. I believe that this is what life is all about, helping others.

Someone once said that “Each new year is a gift that holds hope for new adventures. May your new year be filled with exploration, discovery, and growth.” I wish you a prosperous new year. Take the gift of 2023 and use it well. Happy New Year!

A Revival of God Consciousness

Double Mindedness

Double minded individuals tend to be confused in all their ways, because they are halted between opinions: God’s Truth and the devil lie. In American society, we are experiencing an unparalleled pandemic of misinformation based upon GOP (RED) lies, false theories, alternative facts, and a bold devilish attitude. Wisdom is not only about knowledge, but also about the ability to make wise decisions in difficult situations. James the brother of Jesus declared, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in

faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways” (James 1: 5-8). A classic example is Elon Musk. America, make no mistake about it, “The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish” (Proverbs 14: 11). God has warned us concerning the evil of greed, vanity, and gluttony. Greed and gluttony invariably produce selfishness. Selfishness is counterproductive to civility and decency in any society, and especially in a multicultural democratic society. Thus, double mindedness invariably makes individuals their own worst enemy.

For more visit aframnews.com

Bobby Mills, Phd

Ed.D. -

Dr. Bobby Mills Dr. Chelsea Davis Bibb

Crystal Lashan

We ARe lookinG foR CommuniTy And BlACk hisToRy WRiTeRs from all over the houston area (Acreage home, independent heights, Third Ward, fifth Ward, missouri City, Piney Point, Carverdale, Bordersville, north forest, and all other Black communities) that can produce stories that address current and historical realities affecting our community. Please send your inquiries to news@aframnews.com.

Mental Shift cont.

equality. The great late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and many others fought for us to have rights and equality and demanded “separate but equal.” Separate but equal meant that we still have our separate spaces but are treated equal when it comes to water fountains, public restrooms, businesses, loans, and housing opportunities, and so much more. When we had our own communities and our own businesses, Blacks thrived. We would support each other and put money back into the community. Integration hurt us and quickly caused our Black communities to go under. If you look around now in some of our Black communities, they do not look the same and are deemed good property because of the location and proximity to downtown. We have to save our culture, our history, and our communities. In addition, Black people have so much buying power, that if we stopped buying stuff at some of these big corporations, they would put out of business. In an article published by McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility, it stated, “Despite the unevenly distributed human and economic devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic, Black consumers’ collective economic power is set to expand dramatically, from about $910 Billion1 in consumption in

2019 to $1.7 trillion (in nominal dollars)—equal to the projected GDP of Mexico—in 2030.” We have more power than we think, if we would support each other and stop supporting these major corporations who only put diversity, equity, and inclusion as part of their statements to check off a box, we could accomplish so much. Imagine if we put $1.7 trillion back into Black communities and businesses. The report further mentioned how there are still many inequities in the Black communities regarding products, experiences, and that “investments in Black consumers can help create Black wealth and community-level prosperity.” We cannot forget Black Wallstreet and how prosperous that community was doing until Whites came in and destroyed everything. Black Wallstreet can happen again in our communities if we work together. A mantal shift is needed in 2023. We have to change the way we think, what we support, and what we claim as our culture and our future for generations to come. Our ancestors worked hard to build the life we have and we are truly standing on their shoulders. We need to continue to build off the foundation they left to ensure our future generations have a shoulder to stand on as well.

William lynch

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Houston AreA urbAn LeAgue 2022 eoD gALA

The

(EOD) Gala celebrating Black excellence was gorgeous! Honoring the epitome of Houston

of the night!

National Alumnae Association of Spelman College(NAASC) Houston Chapter was established in 1980 to bring Spelman College graduates together to change the world in their community, recruit Spelman College students, and raise scholarship money. NAASC Houston is proud to have raised over $100,000 that has

helped Houston and surrounding area students attend Spelman College.

Spelman College Alumnae and Current Spelman students gathered to create baskets that the Girl Scout Troop will distribute to families in need for Christmas.

Adriane Dye, Dr. Tina Monique James, and Sabrina Matthews

Houston Area Urban League 2022 Equal Opportunity Day

Black dynamic leaders such as Astros World Series winning coach Dusty Baker was the story

NAASC Houston Scholarship Chairperson - Remington Wiley, Scholarship Winner - Trinitee Armstrong, and NAASC Houston Vice President & Scholarship Committee Member, Ashley Cummings

Elizabeth Fletcher & Jamail Johnson

Precious Azurée, HAULYP Social & Cultural Committee Chair TK Morgan, Shell Topaz Sampson - Mills, MD Menninger Clinic & Nicole West

From Left to Right: Cynthia Pena Sarrat, Jarrel Washington, Marquette Hobbs, Charles Hobbs, Monica Thompson, Keevin Thompson, Sara Donatto, Maria Reeve, Phylliss Griffin Epps, Cherrelle Duncan, Shannon Buggs

they didn’t disappoint. Lite bites were provided by Tasty’s, and all of the jamming vibes were courtesy of DJ Elevated.

Entrepreneur. Stylist. Philanthropist. Jackie Adams is the woman behind the magic of MELODRAMA Boutique. MELODRAMA is more than a boutique for Houston and beyond. Since its inception in 2002, MELODRAMA Boutique has been a destination for savvy and stylish women in Houston.

Beyond fashion, MELODRAMA has been a fixture in the Houston community for events, emerging businesses, and civic engagement. That spirit is clearly conveyed through its mission, ‘To empower women and build self-esteem through fashion, entertainment, entrepreneurship, and sisterhood. MELODRAMA Boutique is also known for supporting local designers, and you will always find unique and one-of-a-kind pieces in Jackie’s store. She goes

above and beyond to cater to her clientele, which is one of several reasons why Melodrama has stood the test of time.

The night’s highlight was the docuseries screening; This is 50: 20 Questions, 20 Years of Business, Unapologetically Jackie Adams. It was an in-depth look at how Jackie Adams built and sustained her iconic storefront on Almeda Blvd. in Third Ward Houston, TX. Jackie has served the Third Ward community with a cultural

flair that only she could provide, but her story is the motivation for everyone with a dream. The docuseries was terrific. It inspired everyone in the room to believe in their dreams and not be afraid to bet on themselves.

After the screening, there was a panel discussion on women in business with Dr. Reagan Flowers and Andrea Odom.

Boutique Cont.

Jackie Adams

Margo Harris and Regina Hassan

Tim Thorn and Sara Villery

Kim Edwards Williams and husband, L. J. Williams

Sky Houston, Andrea Odom, Jackie Adams and Dr. Reagan Flowers

For more visit

• WebEx pre-proposal meeting: Thursday, December 21, 2:00PM; call-in number 1-408-792-6300, Meeting #2622 749 4634

• Contact: pamela.johnson@lonestar. edu or (832)813-6782.

•

By: NNPA

President Joe Biden said he promised to lower costs for families and ensure that all Americans have access to quality affordable health care.

On Tuesday, Dec. 27, the president proclaimed that he’d delivered on that promise.

A record number of people –nearly 11.5 million – signed up for insurance on HealthCare.gov – about 1.8 million more and an 18% increase over last year.

With enrollment remaining open through Jan. 15, and not counting those who signed up for coverage through their state marketplaces, Biden said gains like those have helped to drive down the uninsured rate to eight percent, the lowest level in U.S. history. “In recent days, we received further proof that our efforts are delivering record results and bringing families the peace of mind that comes with health insurance,” the President stated. “Right now, four out of five people who sign up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act can find health care coverage for $10 a month or less. These

lower rates were set to expire at the end of this year, but thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, we were able to extend them and save millions of Americans on Obamacare an average of $800 a year.”

The Biden administration noted that, on Jan. 1, Americans will see the benefits of additional costsaving measures because of the Inflation Reduction Act.

That includes seniors realizing a month’s supply of insulin capped at $35, Medicare beneficiaries paying $0 out of pocket for recommended adult vaccines covered by their Part D plan, and prescription drug companies needing to pay Medicare a rebate if they try to raise their prices faster than inflation for drugs administered at a doctor’s office.

“We’re not finished working to make health care a right, not a privilege,” Biden declared. The administration continues to encourage individuals to visit HealthCare.gov by Jan. 15 to take advantage of lower rates and sign up for health care for the coming year.

Gilbert Andrew Garcia,