Vol 28 Issue 24

AmericA’s independence

By: Chelsea Davis-Bibb, Ed.D.

Frederick Douglas was a prominent figure during the Abolition Movement and made strides in getting himself and others to freedom. He gave a speech titled, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” in Rochester, New York on July 5, 1852, that reminded Black people to not be fooled by America’s independence. In the speech, Douglas never referred to American independence as mine or ours, he continuously used the word yours. He stated, “The freedom gained

Justice clarence thomas

This person is very dangerous for black people for reversing everything we have fought and died for.

By: Crystal LaShan

Houston’s Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) leadership is working hard to engage the community to raise funds to maintain and improve its programming. So, partnering with Tootsie was a perfect way to inspire prominent women in the Houston community to give to this worthy cause. The YWCA’s goal is to raise over 10 million dollars to build a new facility to serve the Houston community and to create a safe space for the women and children of Houston.

YWCA Houston is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. They aim to help women and girls educate, empower, advance, lead, serve, and thrive. YWCA’s vision is to help women and girls thrive without barriers and change their community.

YWCA Houston is signing up children in grades 5th – 11th for their free Youth STEM Summer Camp. The camp will be held at the Emancipation Park Cultural Center from July 11 to August 11 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. All camp instructors are engineers from Linde. Projects include model rockets, Bluetooth speakers, computer hardware, coding basics, electrical circuits, motors, clean energy, and more! Space is limited so sign up soon.

Independence on pg. 7

is yours; and you, therefore, may properly celebrate this anniversary. The 4th of July is the first great fact in your nation’s history —the very ring—bolt in the chain of your yet undeveloped destiny.” Douglas knew that no matter what, this celebration would mean nothing to him because of the shackles that were still present around many slaves. Douglas knew the “disparity between” the free and the enslaved as he mentioned, “I am not included within this glorious occasion.”

For more information about YWCA Houston programs and services for the community or to donate to this worthy cause, go to www.ywcahouston.org.

Fundraiser on pg. 5

“Addressing Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community”

YMCA And TooTsie FAshion show

Terri Broussard Davis

EDITORIAL

Chelsea Davis-Bibb, Ed.D. - Editor

A Revival of God Consciousness

Bobby Mills, Phd

Lord Alfred Tennyson emphatically referred to a dictatorial King when he stated: “Ours is not to reason why, ours is but to do and die.” Thank God for American democracy, because we can employ logical reasoning and spiritual enlightenment and ask why, and even choose to do or die. American democracy is a governing constitutional system that is of the people, by the people and for the people. Therefore, democracy is constitutionally grounded in the basic spiritual principles of human rights and human dignity as expressed in the Preamble to the U. S. Constitution. The cardinal moral truths of American democracy are these: “That all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness—That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the

It is indeed unfortunate that Christian Right Evangelicals, The GOP, White Nationalists, Fox “FAKE” News, some spiritually misguided Blacks, and other minorities have demonstrated their utter contempt for multicultural democracy at the polls. In (2016) and in (2020) (73+) million spiritually confused Americans voted for confusion (Donald J. Trump) to the nth degree. Shame! Shame! Shame! Donald J. Trump won in (2016), but thank God in 2020, he lost because of the ancestors of the (1619) Project, the children of slaves. America, understand this, the ancestors of slaves cannot save America from itself.

The Overflow

Affirmative Action

Affirmative Action is defined as, “an active effort to improve employment or educational opportunities for members of minority groups and for women.” It was created to help with discrimination against these groups so they can be included in jobs, colleges, government contracts, and so much more. The implementation of Affirmative Action acknowledged that there was a problem as it tried to be part of a solution. It was created for a reason and now it seems as if we are going back in time as the Supreme Court has made it unlawful for colleges to take race into consideration as a factor in admission. It is sad because the same issues that existed when the law was created are still there.

This decision will greatly impact Black and brown kids and their future. Some minority students will not be considered now for those elite colleges and universities. It’s all political and not about the people.

It means that minority students will have to work twice as hard to make themselves unique or stand out from other students. They will also have to get involved in more enrichment activities that will make their academic resume impressive. This means participating in extracurricular activities, community service, and keeping their grades up. There is no room for error. This also means that parents will have to step up and get involved in their children’s education and try to expose their kids to as much as possible outside of their own communities.

Michelle Obama spoke out about the ruling and shared a message about her journey as one of the only Blacks on her campus. She, like many others across the nation, was heartbroken about the ruling and what it means for our kids and their future. She ended her message stating, “Today is a reminder that we’ve got to do the work not to just enact policies that reflect our values of equity and fairness, but to truly make those values real in all of our schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods.”

For more visit aframnews.com We ARe lookinG foR hisToRiCAl WRiTeRs That can produce stories that address current and historical realities affecting our community. Please send your inquiries to prod@aframnews.com

Houston AreA urbAn LeAgue AdvAncing equity LuncHeon

By: Crystal LaShan

“HAUL acknowledges the inherent significance of empowering individuals to influence their own trajectories, championing their civil liberties, and cultivating an environment of equitable treatment within the community. We convene each year for this luncheon discussion to magnify our resolve for justice, civil rights, equality, diversity, and inclusion. When we do these things, we set the stage for racial equity, social parity, the opportunity for wealth generation, and community

stabilization. That is the aim of a caring community,” said Judson W. Robinson III, President & CEO of Houston Area Urban League (HAUL). HAUL celebrated 55 years of servicing community members in achieving economic self-reliance, parity, power, and civil rights. HAUL’s corporate partners, civic organizations, and community leaders had a unique and inspiring conversation about the steps that must be taken to advance equity in 2023 and beyond. HAUL highlighted the work

they have achieved and the work they are presently executing to accomplish this goal. The luncheon was a house of who’s who in business and enterprise. It was a great way to celebrate Juneteenth in an empowering way.

Advancing Equity Luncheon Speakers included HAUL Leaders Sylvia Brooks, Former President & CEO, HAUL, Eric Goodie, HAUL Sr. Vice President, Judson W. Robinson III, President & CEO of Houston Area Urban League. The corporate leaders on the

panel were Kimberly Blasingame, Director of Talent, Acquisition, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, CenterPoint Energy, Myra Caldwell, CEO & Founder, Caldwell Consulting Services, James Harris, Sr. Director, Diversity & Inclusion and Supplier Diversity, H-E-B, Johnny Mata, Director, Greater Houston Coalition for Justice, Alex Obregon, Vice President of Finance, Comcast, and Julie Sudduth, Regional, President, PNC Bank.

Attorney Carol Guess, Kimberly Blasingame – DEI Centerpoint Energy, and Loretta Gurnell –Super Shine Girls Founder and CEO.

Monitrice Malone and HCC Trustee Dr. Regan Flowers

Prince Huff, Judson Robinson - HAUL President/ CEO, and Erick Cork – HAUL V.P.

Alex Obregon, V. P. of Finance, Comcast, John Guess, and Jamal Johnson

sHAq’s big cHicken opens in Houston

By: Crystal LaShan

Shaquille O’Neal has had a relationship with Houston for many years. More recently, his son, Shaquir O’Neal, decided to play basketball for Texas Southern University. So, it only makes sense for Shaq to open his new restaurant in the fourth largest city in the nation. Shaq’s Big Chicken had its grand opening to a massive crowd excited to take a selfie with Shaq and try his delicious chicken. Shaq was patient, caring, and kind as hundreds of fans lined up to get a quick selfie and a taste of free Chicken from Shaq’s Big Chicken. Big Chicken is a laid-back spot with great food. Shaq has admitted that the dishes offered at Big Chicken are inspired by O’Neal’s life – including the meals

SPOTLIGHT

he ate as a kid, so he gives his mom all the credit. Whether fried or grilled, the chicken is juicy and delicious. The unique combinations of Lucille’s Mac & Cheese, sweet potato fries, and other Big Chicken favorites make this a memorable dining experience.

Sandra and Rosie Watkins enjoyed giving Shaq a great hug.

Houston Fire Station 60 members: Jorge Funes, Perry McClendon, Dustin Davis, Michael Michna, Nicholas Dahl, Shaquille O’Neal, Stephanie Little, Jamal Barnes.

Michelle Williams and her daughter Mikenna Williams were excited to see Shaq.

Perry McClendon, Jorge Funes, Zero, and Michael Michna

Nicole Walters and Stacey Porter were excited to experience the Tootsie Fashion Show.

Tootsie Model in a perfect twirl.

Tootsie Fashion Show Models were killing the walkway.

The Tootsie model looks gorgeous in this burst of color.

YWCA Board President Dr. Janice Beal encourages everyone to shop for a great cause.

MulTi-sporT hAeniCke-prevosT

By: Asia Williams

Multi-sport athletes are known to have better athleticism, various skills, discipline, and outstanding leadership development. Houston born upcoming senior Shawn HaenickePrevost has surely mastered it all playing every sport in the book, which has led him to be one of the top football kickers/ punters in Texas for class of 2024. “A team is only as strong as its weakest member,” says Haenicke. At the age of three, Haenicke began playing soccer, and later played basketball,

lacrosse, and flag football at the age of eight. He also played baseball and did karate at the YMCA. Around 3rd grade he played soccer for Albion Hurricanes FC. He started out in recreational teams at the club, and then later joined competitive teams. Haenicke switched to club soccer around the age of nine, positioning in striker and midfielder until he was 12, which is when he became goalkeeper. Not only that, he also did track and field at Travis Elementary School. He continued track and

field at Hogg Middle School, where he also added wrestling, basketball, and soccer to his middle school sports list. However, it didn’t stop there for soccer and football. Haenicke made the varsity soccer team freshman year at Heights High School starting as a backup keeper, yet he continued to play for Albion Hurricanes FC club teams.

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There was no life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for Black people-only bondage. It was noted that the 4th of July should really be a day of mourning because America did not keep her promise that “all men are created equal…with certain unalienable rights.” This did not include Black people then, and in some cases, still does not include Black people today as we are still fighting some of the same fights our ancestors fought.

July 4th is recognized as America’s independence from Great Britain. The Continental Congress voted in favor of this independence on July 2nd, 1776,

and two days later the Declaration of Independence was adopted from the 13 colonies, which was drafted by Thomas Jefferson. However, while America was free, Blacks were still enslaved. July 4th became a federal holiday in 1941, and is celebrated by many people every year through parades, fireworks, family gatherings, etc. It wasn’t until January 1, 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared “that all persons held as slaves are and henceforward shall be free.” This was 87 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. For 87 years, Black

people had to sit back, and watch America celebrate freedom but continued to enslave millions of people. Although the Emancipation Proclamation took effect in 1863, there were many states, including Texas, that still enslaved Blacks. Tanesha Grant said, “The 4th of July was never about Black people,” and how we as a culture should continue to celebrate Juneteenth instead. She continued and said, “Juneteenth is just for us. As Black people, we are told we don’t deserve our own holidays rooted in our own history.

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Shawn Haenicke-Prevost

Independence Cont.

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