Vol 28 Issue 13

do they care?

By: Roy Douglas Malonson

Like Michael Jackson, the King of Pop said, “They don’t really care about us.” It is no secret that gun violence has sent shock waves through our nation. We also know that racial inequality still remains in every aspect of life. Gun violence has not only impacted our nation but it has shattered our Black communities. Racial inequality not only exists in our justice system, prisons, housing and job opportunities, but also through gun violence. We have said that the system is not working, but in hindsight it is. It is doing exactly what it was created to do-lock up as many Black and brown people as possible.

The Center for American Progress (CAP) has

reported some disturbing statistics that are not too surprising. First, “Young Black Americans (ages 15 to 34) experience the highest rates of gun homicides across all demographics.” Our young people are dying by the hands of nonsense. Our future is dying because our government chooses to ignore the lives that have already been lost especially for Black and brown kids. CAP also noted that Black Americans are ten times more likely than White Americans to die by gun homicide.” They don’t really care about us! And why would they? In their minds, the more Blacks that get killed, that’s one less Black person they have to worry about.

Care on pg. 3

By: Crystal LaShan

April D Taylor, the Chief Executive Officer of The SVE Firm, was an integral player in the success of the HBCU All Star Game. She serves as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the HBCU All-Star Game. “As the COO, I get to ensure we are curating next level experiences for the interns and the players and fans.” This mission was accomplished! The HBCU All Star Game was an extraordinary success and accomplished their goals.

According to Mrs. Taylor, “This was an amazing experience. We have had over 375 applicants in the internship program that I run and had over 50 interns representing over 20 institutions. The HBCU experience is something everyone should experience.” It is her passion to create opportunities for HBCU scholars and raise scholarship money to ensure they receive a quality HBCU education. We salute you Mrs. Taylor and appreciate all your hard work to guarantee our HBCU community gets every opportunity to ensure our scholars’ success.

APRIL D. TAYLOR

Justin Jones

Justin Pearson

Gloria Johnson

“Addressing Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community”

Chelsea Davis-Bibb, Ed.D. - Editor

Writers

think about It

By Dr. John E. Warren

EDITORIAL

are already guilty of not having a God conscience, and therefore, America is doomed to fail as a multi-cultural democratic society. It’s only a matter of time!

affordable connectivity creates access

By: Dr. Felicia Adams

God created human beings in his own spiritual image, a little lower than Angels, born of a woman and from the seed of man, and God said, “Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee” (Jeremiah 1: 5). America can we spiritually rise to God’s expectations in a multi-cultural democratic society? Can we achieve freedom under constitutional Liberty, Law, and Justice for all Americans?

Of course, we already know that the (40) days and nights of rain and flooding (Baptism) will not return, because God has already said, “No more water, but the fire next time.” Hence, it appears that the jury is still out and deliberating on whether America can spiritually rise to the occasion. However, from the vantage point of Christian Right Evangelicals, The GOP, White Nationalists, Fox “FAKE” News, and some spiritually misguided Blacks and other minorities, these social groups

The spiritual influence of the devil has oriented too many Americans toward the flesh and vulgar materialism, and above all, racism (The 1619 Project) rather than the Spirit of God. Consequently, the spiritual notion of “Am My Brother’s Keeper” has been replaced with “I Am My Brother’s Killer.” Cain asked God the question, “Am I My Brother’s Keeper?” But God knew that he was his brother’s killer. Too many Americans are asking the same spiritual question, already knowing the answer, and statistics bear this out, because we can rise to the occasion. However, there is a solid block of spiritual misfits; namely, Christian Right Evangelicals and the GOP. Hence, America has become an ungodly and uncivilized society, because of gun violence, and they will do nothing to stem the tide. Today, April 10, 2023, America experienced its (15th) mass shooting in Louisville, Kentucky at Old National Bank. Five American citizens are dead and (8) wounded.

Houston Schools Must Eliminate the Digital Divide

In our increasingly digital world, equitable access to the internet is paramount for students and their families. To shrink the digital divide and create this access, schools and the administrators that lead them must pursue every resource available, especially outside-the-box partners and solutions. Without access to the internet, many students are deprived of information and connectivity that are foundational to literacy, advancement, and skills building. Without access to these basic pathways to most Americans’ way of life, students are ultimately

left behind. It is critically important for school administrators and educators to find allied champions for digital equity in this struggle. That is why Southwest Public Schools partnered with Houston’s largest internet provider, Comcast, to focus on ensuring that every student has internet access year-round. After 26 years of experience in urban education, I now serve as the Superintendent at Southwest Public Schools, a tuition-free, open-enrollment school system where students are accepted regardless of background, academic record, or where they live. We strive to prepare our students for postsecondary readiness, and we have had to reckon with the fact that success often relies on whether students have access to the tools they need to be competitive in the digital world.

President/Chief Editor

Contributing

Dr. Bobby Mills

Dr. Chelsea Davis Bibb

Crystal Lashan Travis McGee

Kenneth Payne

Tristar Web Graphics - Layout Design/Print

Care cont. a Black Lives Matter protest against police brutality in Austin, Texas back in July 2020. If Perry was Black, would he have a chance at being pardoned? And what about justice for this family who now has to relive this moment that changed their entire lives. We have a president who is demanding change but is blocked by Republicans. They don’t really care about us! Just look at the last few events and what has transpired. We even witnessed racial discrimination when two out of three representatives were expelled over protesting on the house floor in regard to the Nashville shooting. Both representatives, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson are Black, and the third representative, Georgia Johnson, who

However, it must be stated we can’t expect change from others until we hold ourselves accountable for our own actions. Black on Black crime has to stop. We can’t keep killing each other and then demand change when others kill us. We have a government that was not built for us. We have a government that was founded without us in mind because we were considered property, not people. We also have a governor who has a self-agenda and blames everything on mental illness. Yes mental illness is real, but we can’t make that as a continued excuse for everything. Just think about what Governor Aboott wants to do now, which is to pardon a convicted murderer.

Daniel Perry, who is white, was just found guilty of killing Garrett Foster, a white military veteran, who participated in

is white, was not expelled. She took part in the same protest but was not met with any consequences. They broke house rules by using a bullhorn to speak when they were not asked or recognized to speak. Their mics were even cut off when they started talking about gun violence. A topic that is not being talked about enough with legislation. Considering the state of our nation, acts like this are needed to get the attention of those who believe nothing is wrong. As Malcom X said, “by any means neccessary,” and that is what they did. This expulsion was an abuse of power and intentional racism at its finest. When Johnson

was confronted by reporters on how she avoided expulsion, she said, “It might have something to do with the color of our skin.”

But how many people must die in order for change to happen? How many more kids need to die to get an honest conversation going about how this is a problem? The Nashville shooting and now the Louisville shooting that has left six people dead, including the shooter. This now seems to be our norm. The shooter was white and of course mental illness is a part of the conversation.

Everything we are

witnessing is just history repeating itself. And we can thank integration for a lot of our problems. Integration truly hurt our communities and the Black race as a whole. Integration started with the historical Brown v. The Board of Education outlawed segregation in schools in 1954 and Ruby Bridges became the first Black person to integrate a school in the south. Since then, we have never been the same. We can also contribute a lot of problems to the Dixiecrat (also known as State’s Rights Democrat).

According to

Britannica, Dixiecrat is a “member of a right wing Democratic splinter group in the 1948 U.S. presidential election organized by Southerners who objected to the civil rights program of the Democratic party.” They were against racial integration and defied federal regulation. They were also in favor of the Jim Crow laws and other elements that contributed to racial segregation. If we are not careful, we are going to lose everything our ancestors fought for. Dr. King wanted separate but equal. We are separate but we have never been equal and we won’t ever be until we decide to wake up, learn about our history, educate this history to our kids so we won’t enslave our future.

George Santayana said, “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Spelman College glee Club ComeS to HouSton

By: Crystal LaShan

Since 1924, the Spelman College Glee Club has maintained a reputation for choral excellence, performing a repertoire that includes selections from world cultures, commissioned works, sacred and secular choral literature Negro spirituals, and music by African American composers, with a particular focus on harmonies that complement women’s voices. It was truly a blessing to experience the fabulous Spelman Glee Club right here in Houston, TX. Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Houston City Controller Candidate Chris Hollins and his wife, Morgan Hollins, Mr. James Davis of Gulfgate Dodge Jeep Ram, Trez Bistro and Wine Bar, Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, along with the Sisters of

1881 HBCU Blue Legacy. In addition, as a special thanks to Councilmember Edward Pollard, students and senior citizens were able to attend the HBCU Choral Explosion for free with an ID. The Spelman College Glee Club made Houston one of the six cities on their 2023 Tour, ready to amaze and inspire. Their tour started in Baton Rouge and went on to Lafayette, Houston, Dallas, Kansas City, Chicago, and back home to Atlanta. Every city raved about their incredible vocals, beautiful showmanship, and superb talent.

Dr. Kevin Johnson, Associate Professor of Music, is the current Spelman Glee Club director. Under his direction, they have traveled throughout the United States,

performing for various audiences in churches, high schools, colleges, and universities. From Faneuil Hall in Boston, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City, the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., and now at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Houston, Texas for the HBCU Choral Explosion, the Spelman College Glee Club never disappoints.

Internationally, the Glee Club has traveled to Canada, Brazil, Italy, and most recently, Portugal for the 2019 Terras Sem Sombra Festival. Performance highlights include a 2016 White House concert for President Obama and a March 2017 performance at the historic Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South

Carolina. These young ladies are well-trained and ready to share their talents with the world. Whether they continue a career in the arts or become doctors or lawyers, their Spelman Glee Club experience is one they will treasure for a lifetime. You can experience their beautiful voices on Afram TV at www.aframnews.com.

Photo Credit: Randall McHenry

Spelman College Glee Club with President Barack Obama in the White House (2016).

Houston Area Spelman Alumnae sing the Spelman Hymn, Spelman Thy Name We Praise with the Spelman Glee Club.

Spelman College Glee Club Director Dr. Kevin Johnson plays drums with Corinne Adams and Kendall Felton.

Spelman College Glee Club performers Ava Challenger, Jordan Bobo, HBCU Choral Explosion Producer - Crystal Toussant, Corinne Adams, Ryan Bates, Spelman Glee Club Director Dr. Kevin Johnson, and Taylor Boldoe were excited to celebrate the success of their event.

Spelman College Glee Club and Praise Dancer Carrington Griffin performed fantastically on Nina Simone’s Young, Gifted, and Black.

Sugar land CHapter of JaCk and Jill

By: Crystal LaShan

The Sugar Land Chapter of Jack and Jill Inc. had a fantastic fundraiser. “A Night in Paris” was beautifully curated with art, live music, and comedy featuring comedians Daniel Dugar, Mario Hodge, and Gerard Guillory. Their Co-Host was Carla Ferrell from the Steve Harvey Morning Show. The Sugar Land Chapter was celebrating its 15th Anniversary of service.

For more visit aframnews.com

Jack and Jill Legacy are always willing to support a great cause. Daughter, Jacqueline Bostic McElroy & her mother, Jackie Bostic enjoying the Gala.

Nona King, Bridgette Dilworth, and Sandra Blaze

Young Artist, Chloe’ Marsai explained her Digital Artwork, True Blue Resilience, in the live auction, which was inspired by the 2021 Houston Chapter of Jack and Jill of America Inc. Biennial Debutante Ball.

Kelley Austin, Keya Porter, Trina Hearn, and Pamela Sims

Co-Hosts Carla Ferrell and comedian Danielle Dugar.

The beautiful couple, Adrienne Banks and Sean Banks enjoying the sweet life.

Foundation Chair Keya Porter, artist Jasmine Janelle, and Chapter President Kelley Austin.

PuBlic NOTice

The Houston Independent School District Purchasing Services Department located at 4400 West 18th Street, Houston, TX 77092 is soliciting Request for Proposals (RFP) via the District’s electronic bidding portal. Proposers may login to view specifications and submit their responses at the following link https://houstonisd.ionwave.net/Login.aspx until 10:00 a.m. (CST) Tuesday, May 9, 2023, for the following solicitation:

RFP 23-03-03 Fire Extinguisher Purchase, Inspection, Maintenance, Service and Disposal RFP 23-03-04 Intercom and Local Sound Reinforcement Systems Service, Maintenance, Repair, and Installation

Pre-proposal conferences via Microsoft Teams will be held in conjunction with this RFP. Information regarding dates, times, and instructions to receive a link to join the meeting can be located within the electronic bidding portal under the “Event Details” tab specific to this solicitation.

TExAs sOuThERN uNIvERsITY ChEER TEAM WINs NATIONAL ChAMPIONshIP

GRANT FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

TRANSIT AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS (METRO)

CALL FOR PROJECTS FY2021 AND FY2022

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County is conducting a call for projects regarding the 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities grant program.

This program provides federal funding for the purpose of assisting private nonprofit groups in meeting the transportation needs of older adults and people with disabilities when the transportation service provided is unavailable, insufficient, or inappropriate to meeting these needs.

The 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities grant program aims to improve mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities by removing barriers to transportation services and expanding transportation mobility options. This program supports transportation services planned, designed, and carried out to meet the special transportation needs of seniors and individuals with disabilities in all areas. Eligible projects include both "traditional" capital investment and "nontraditional" investment beyond the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) complementary paratransit services.

The Texas Southern University Cheerleading Team made history as they won a national title at the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) College National Championship on Friday.

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Competing in the Cheer Spirit Rally Division I category, the Tigers were solid from start to finish as they opened the preliminary round with a 94.05 performance score, 94.3 raw score and a 23.5125 performance score. In the final round, TSU maintained its consistency and did even better with a 96.1 performance score, 96.1 raw score and a 95.5875 event score.

The national title marked the first time an HBCU has claimed a title at the championships.

“When I first came to TSU, I told the team we’re going to Nationals,” said head coach Shontrese Comeaux.

“When we earned our gold bid at NCA Camp, I told the team, ‘It’s time to go to work’.

I knew this was the year and the team to get the job done.

Project proposals are due to METRO by April 24, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. (CST), via electronic submittal to: GrantApplications@RideMETRO.org

Late submittals will not be accepted.

On Monday, April 10, 2023, a pre-application workshop presentation, application package, worksheets and related documents will be posted at RideMETRO.org/Pages/GrantPrograms.aspx

For more information about these programs or questions regarding the application and budget process, please email your questions to GrantApplications@RideMETRO.org or call Albert Lyne, METRO Deputy Chief Strategy Officer at 713-739-4697

Questions submitted by April 14, 2023, will be posted by April 18, 2023. Visit RideMETRO.org/Pages/GrantPrograms.aspx for updates.

RideMETRO.org

For more visit aframnews.com

Call or text 713-635-4000

METROPOLITAN

Texas Southern University Cheerleading Team