Vol 28 Issue 11

“Addressing Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community”

Jolanda Jones’ staff Resigns

By: Afram News

Three members of the staff of State Representative Jolanda Jones has resigned due to an “abusive and hostile work environment.” Jones previously served as Houston Council member and Houston Independent School District Trustee. This is not the first time that Jones has been in the hot seat as there have been issues with her and how she has handled her colleagues in the past.

Modern day Slavery

By: Roy Douglas Malonson

Many people forget that the American Prison System (APS) is a business. In fact, The Fordham Journal of Corporate and Financial Law noted that over $74 billion each year is generated by the APS, funded by the government and by taxpayers. They also mentioned that each inmate can bring in $6,000 to $14,000 in revenue. In the APS, they benefit off cheap labor and make money off of Black and brown people, since we are the main ones that are getting locked up. This is modern day slavery.

What needs to be done to address the racial inequality in the justice system? In order to

find a solution, we must first acknowledge that a problem exists. It is no secret that the criminal justice system locks up more Black people than White people. This is nothing new, but it continues to be a problem in our communities.

We have heard about different kinds of reforms, policies, and legislation taken place all over the world, but not enough attention has been aimed at fixing the racial inequities that lie within the criminal justice system. There are several reasons why this problem can no longer exist. One being that it is breaking up Black families.

Slavery on pg. 3

ndicted

By: Afram News

After escaping many accusations against him over many decades, Trump has finally been indicted. The former president has been investigated due to a payment of hush money to Stormy Daniels, a stripper and adult film actress who claimed she had an affair with Trump some years before he took office at the White House. This is a moment that Trump didn’t see coming as he is used to getting away with stuff. Trump was impeached twice, and with him being in the run for the 2024 presidential seat, it will be interesting to see how this all plays out for him this time.

tRump is i

Chelsea Davis-Bibb, Ed.D. - Editor

Contributing Writers

Office: (713) 692-1892

By: Chelsea Davis-Bibb, Ed.D.

The Overflow News:

This Has to Stop

It is sad that guns are now the leading cause of death for children since 2020. School shootings are becoming a part of our everyday life now. The latest Nashville shooting where six people died, including three children, is just one more shooting to add to the already long list of shootings we have witnessed. It seems as if there is no regard for human life anymore. More and more kids are dying, and no one is doing anything about it.

I don’t feel safe anywhere, and I definitely don’t feel like my kids are safe at school. Every time I drop them off, I pray that they will return home safely. It is a constant worry that never leaves you. Have we learned nothing from the Uvalde shooting? Or from the other many school shootings that have occurred in our nation? Our nation is so focused on other things that to me are not as important as school safety and protecting our kids.

We need to find a way to put more money into our schools to increase the safe-

ty of our schools. Whether this is hiring more police offices, installing high tech systems and cameras, and even placing metal detectors in all schools, including elementary schools. We must do more. We need to do more. We must protect our children so they can have a future. There are many questions that we should be asking such as why is Congress still in gridlock over gun control measures? Republicans control the House and they have rejected Biden’s call for an assault weapons ban. The Democrats are in uproar over the lack of interest that the Republicans have regarding gun control measures, and like always, everything is political. This is about what’s right and the innocent lives that we must protect. This is about declaring needed change that is well overdue. For the life of me, I am trying to understand what the world has come to and why school shootings are now a part of our daily lives. In an interview, President Biden said, “I can’t do anything except plead with the Congress to act reasonably.” The president should not have to plead to anyone about protecting our kids and innocent lives that are continuously being taken by nonsense.

a revival of God Consciousness

Bobby Mills, Phd

They Don’t Care

What’s going on in American society is the question of questions? And to prove that they do not care, Christian Right Evangelicals, The GOP, FOX “FAKE” News, White Nationalists, some spiritually misguided Blacks and some minorities will say and do anything to glorify the devil. America, to be forewarned is to be foretold, because “God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day” (Psalm 7: 11). They don’t care because they just keep telling lies, confusing themselves, and others who have not come

to the reality of God, and do not fear God. Don’t wait too late, because you just might not make it to the Pearly Gates because “The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead” (Proverbs 21: 16). They don’t care!

Trump and Trumpers believe that they can lie, intimidate, and threaten a multicultural democracy into embracing White Privilege Autocracy because they just do not care, but we all know that it is not so, because “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad”

(2 Corinthians 5: 10).

President/Chief Editor

Dr. Bobby Mills

Dr. Chelsea Davis Bibb Crystal Lashan Travis McGee Kenneth Payne Tristar Web Graphics - Layout Design/Print

Slavery cont.

In a report by The Atlantic, they discussed how over the years the Black family dynamics have shifted and how “seventy-two percent of Black children are born to unmarried women.” Prior to 1960, this number was lower and more Black women were married before they had children, but after the 1960’s things started to get worst as finding jobs were harder due to the loss of factory jobs, and other industrious jobs for Black men. Coupled with “legal discrimination” along with civil rights, this is where the broken Black families started.

When Blacks get locked up, this can create a domino effect that impacts many elements. Some of the individuals who meet this unfortunate fate, can’t afford the bail money, may not have money for representation, and may not be knowledgeable about the crimes against them. According to Pew Research, Black people are more likely to get locked up than Hispanics or Whites. In addition, “The Black imprisonment rate at the end of 2018 was nearly twice the rate among Hispanics (797 per 100,000) and more than five times the rate among Whites (268 per

100,000).”

Additionally, “Black men are especially likely to be imprisoned. There were 2,272 inmates per 100,000 black men in 2018, compared with 1,018 inmates per 100,000 Hispanic men and 392 inmates per 100,000 white men.” If this doesn’t scream racial disparity and inequality, then I don’t know what else will.

When Black men are locked up it can destroy families. It also can create a generational cycle that is hard to break. If you take away the Black man from the household, then the children have no father figure to help raise them. There is also one less income in the household now creating financial obstacles for that family. These obstacles include the children possibly not having necessities such as food, clothes, and adequate housing. Being incarcerated also impacts the prisoner once they are released from prison. It can be hard finding a job that will hire you with a record, and it can be difficult trying to assimilate back into the “real world,” after being away so long. This could lead to reimprisonment due to the life altering changes.

The Sentencing

Project stated, “It is clear that the outcome of mass incarceration today has not occurred by happenstance but has been designed through policies created by a dominant White culture that insists on suppression of others.” This system was designed for Black people, especially our Black men. If you lock them up, then they can’t achieve much with a record, which keeps them suppressed in society. By locking them up, they also can’t reproduce, which means the race slowly dwindles in society until it is extinct. Unless something is done to fix the crooked criminal justice system, this is a generation cycle that will never break.

In an interview with a former Adult Probation Officer, we discussed some of the issues within the criminal justice system, as well as steps that can be taken to solve some of these challenges. We also learned what needs to be done to keep our youth on the right path.

Afram News: What issues do you think lie within the criminal justice system?

Adult Probation Officer: The Criminal Justice System includes police, courts, and corrections. Each

entity comes with its own unique set of issues. My experience has come from the corrections side of the CJ System with interactions with Police and reporting to the courts. There are issues with accountability of probationers, the most discussed issue “bonds”, and lack of staff, with all three entities to name a few. Yes, these issues can be fixed.

Afram News: What is the most challenging thing you’ve seen as a probation officer?

Adult Probation Officer: Working with a Client who doesn’t want help, and working for a

department that moves from being client driven to data driven.

Afram News: Did you have repeat offenders?

Adult Probation Officer: Unfortunately, yes. For some clients, it was like a repetitive cycle. It may be 6 months for some, a year to two years, and they would be back on probation.

Afram News: What do you think can be done regarding our youth to keep them on the right track?

Adult Probation Officer: It has to start at home with the youth. Parents must be involved in what their children

are learning and doing. Education is extremely important. I had many adult clients over the years who were unable to read and sometimes write. It’s important to teach youth how to interact with others in the community. My parents often told me, “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” Keep the youth involved in positive and productive activities where they can develop and grow. We as a community need to also support our youth.

Food For your Mind, Body, & Soul

By: Crystal LaShan

Everyone should experience a culinary class and an engaging workshop on food as medicine. That is what an inquisitive group of adolescent girls, 6th-8th grade, enjoyed thanks to The Ararat organization. Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Kendall Gardner of The Ararat, partnered with Hope Farms in Houston, Texas to make this event happen.

The Ararat is a startup company rooted in digital

health committed to empowering individuals to holistically nourish themselves and restore their wellbeing through community, connection, and celebration.

According to Gardner, “The girls had the opportunity to learn about growing and cultivating foods to nourish their bodies. They also picked greens, veggies, and fruit from the gardens to make their own salads for lunch.

While enjoying lunch, they had an intimate conversation about our bodies and nutrition practices, which covered nutrition health, menstrual cycles, and hormone health with OBGYN Dr. Sahadat Kemi Nurudeen and

myself.”

Congratulations to our Houston born and raised executive, Kendall Gardner, on a job well done! We had a delicious salad with ingredients grown right on the Hope Farm. I was excited for every

girl who learned the importance of healthy eating and how certain foods can impact their body functions.

Crystal Hadnott, Vice President of Development for Moriah Group, was awesome

and inspiring. Dr. Nurudeen was thorough, relatable, and endearing. I can’t wait to go back to Hope Farm because of the warm welcome you receive once you step foot on the farm.

SunnySide little league Field opening

By: Crystal LaShan

The Astros Foundation with Schlumberger (SLB) kicked off the celebration of the opening of the Sunnyside Little League Baseball Fields. Bruce Miller, Vice President of Government, and Industry Affairs at Schlumberger was excited to say “…We got to be a part of something very special. Together, with the Astros Foundation, we kicked off the Sunnyside Little League baseball season. We had lots of volunteers from SLB, the Astros, parents, and coaches, not to mention many area government representatives. It was a beautiful day for baseball and giving back.” Celebrating the opening of the Sunnyside Little League Baseball Fields was special for many people all over Houston.

Dr. Sahadat Kemi Nurudeen OBGYN, Kendall Gardener, Crystal Hadnott, and Mrs. Gardner

Kendall Gardner and Chef Carlos

Pictured: Dr. Lisa Otey, Ursula Hall, Tim Otey, Gwen McAffe, Shemin Proctor, and Stephen Auzenne

Jolanda Jones, Paula McCann Harris, and the Astros Foundation Team working hard to serve the community.

Jolanda Jones and Paula Harris McCall working hard on behalf of the Food Bank to give out food to public in Sunnyside Houston, TX.

Dr. Lisa Otey and Tim Otey

Bruce Miller, Vice President of Gov’t & Industry Affairs at Schlumberger, KPRC 2 ReporterBrittany Jeffers, Paula Harris McCann, Pamela Greenwood and Lisa Hofman

Tim Otey and Crayvon Rogers

Divine Jackson, Jonovan Jackson, and Seth Thomas

Pictured: Hannah Love, Chloé Toussant, Seleste Banks, Brooke Campbell, Sela Olan, Sydney Smith, Summer Johnson, Zoe Johnson, Kylie Williams, Aubrey Jordan, Kendall Williams, and Elizabeth Ellison

HouSton teacH in

By: Crystal LaShan and Trey Legall

S.H.A.P.E. Community Center, along with the Texas Death Penalty Abolition Movement, cosponsored a teach-in to build momentum for a new initiative: The Texas People’s Tribunal. This political education event reviewed the history of enslavement, genocide, and colonialism with a focus on the atrocities specific to Texas. The goal was to connect the lineage of state sanctioned violence to our current systems and structures with an emphasis on the death penalty. Texas is by far the leader in executions with almost 600 in the modern era-more than the next six states combined. Harris County alone has executed more people than the next highest state of Virginia. These numbers do not include the police killings and deaths of folks inside the jail and prison walls.

The next event will take place Memorial Day Weekend, May 27-29, 2023, kicking off at the Pan-African Cultural Festival. The first official day of the initiative will be held on Sunday, May 28, 2023 at Thurgood Marshall School of Law. The final day will continue in Galveston, TX at the Old Central High School, and African American Museum. Please visit texaspeoplestribunal.com for more details.

Lee Greenwood-Rollins, mother of Joseph Nichols, a victim of the Texas Death Penalty.

Sandra Netter, Black Panther Alumna speaking to the audience.

Trey Legall of Shape Community Center.

Tania Siddiqi, Julie Rinker, Sandra Netter, Mirinda Crissman, Trey Legall, Lee Greenwood-Rollins, Miranda Uribe, and Precious Onalaja

pushing to the top at manvel

By: Asia Williams

Junior Mason Fleming, who is a defensive lineman at Manvel High School, has been working to push his football career to perfection through high confidence, and nothing but skill. Fleming is a great asset to his team as he brings a great level of athleticism like no other.

Fleming grew up in Manvel, Texas and surprisingly did not grow up playing football. When he was younger, Fleming always enjoyed watching his older brother Jaxson Fleming play football, who currently plays defensive back at Arkansas State University, and was encouraged by him to give the sport a shot at 11 years old. Having an older brother who played football was a learning experience and allowed Fleming to improve. “I would say growing up with siblings who played the same sport as I inspired me…it got me into football,” said Fleming. While getting more into the game with the help of his older brother, Fleming realized how much football meant to him, and soon

developed a deep passion for it.

Fleming played school football for the first time at Rodeo Palms Middle School around seventh grade. Starting out, it was quite confusing for Mason. He was always naturally athletic, but during that period, he didn’t really understand the game of football. Being the fast learner he is, he began to get the hang of things and started to improve drastically later in the football season. “Every year I got better and learned more about the game.” Though he was still learning every step of the way, his brother and his parents supported him, never missing a single game. An anxious Fleming made the JV football team at Hightower High School his freshman year. Aside from his uneasy feelings, he continued to wake up early to work out, practice agility and speed, and do field work in his

down time with his father, who coaches him to be the best and nothing less. Working his way through JV, his anxious feelings soon turned into excitement when he attended different football camps at various colleges such as Alabama University, Arkansas State University, McNeese State University, Ole Miss Football, Prairie View A&M University, Texas Christian University, and University of Texas at San Antonio. He also plans to take on a visit at Arkansas State University and Texas State University to tour the facilities and meet the coaching staff. His prior training all

paid off the following year when he was placed on varsity football at Manvel High School. Speed was the biggest difference Fleming noted between varsity and JV football. However, the transition was not difficult for Fleming due to the time he spent training and learning from his past mistakes to become a better player. Because of this, he was excited and felt confident being on varsity. “Football to me is not

really challenging, but it is very competitive,” he said.

Fleming now carries the torch with his older brother and is encouraging his 11-year-old younger brother to play football just like Manson did when he was 11. “We definitely try to inspire him. I

try to keep him under my wing and do my best to guide him to success.”

Fleming has received a total of four offers from Arkansas State University, Prairie Vire A& M University, Texas State University, and Lehigh University. He is excited for his future and his journey to playing college football.

Mason Fleming

Photo Credit: Michael Edmunds

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