Vol 28 Issue 4

The Collins family

By: Crystal LaShan

“Get you some dirt. They’re not making any more,” resigned from many thoughts after having an extraordinary interview with Mr. and Mrs. Collins, also known as Mr. Ernest and Mrs. Floretta. They represent a legacy like no other. A Black landownership legacy is seen as an anomaly because most black families were denied their forty acres and a mule after reconstruction. Some were even terrorized out of their land by White men who didn’t respect the hard work they put into it, or simply believed that they were entitled to something they didn’t earn just because society deemed them a superior race. Well, that is not the story of the Collins

family legacy. After the end of the Civil War and during Reconstruction in 1871, Mr. Ernest’s great, great grandfather, Mr. Newton Isaac Collins, purchased 130 acres of land. That one purchase started a rich, loving, and committed legacy for six generations of Black landownership.

“Flo and I are in the business of agriculture, and she has been supporting me in the ranching.” These first words from Mr. Ernest warmed my heart immediately as he explained the secret of his success is his family. On March 5, 1965, on a Friday evening, Flo met Ernest at the student union on the campus Collins cont. on pg. 3

By: Afram News

We must remember a beautiful soul and pay tribute to the life of Doris R. Countee, a phenomenal educator who touched the lives of many. She died on January 21, 2021, after a strong battle with health issues. She served as an HISD teacher for 46 years at Booker T. Washington and Robert E. Lee High Schools and was a Marine Biology teacher.

Doris was the oldest great-great granddaughter of the great Rev. Jack Yates and attended Antioch Missionary Baptist Church of Christ, Inc. She was heavily involved in church and had participated in Sunday School for 50 plus years. She was also involved the schools she worked at and was the half time announcing voice at football games at both schools.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Velma Amboree, great granddaughter of Jack Yates, and Alphonse Richards, adopted mother Nannie Y. Countee, two brothers (Robert and Willie Earl), and a sister (Betty Price), She is survived by a brother Charley Earl (Betty), sister Lennie Marie Davis, and her niece/goddaughter Martha Whiting-Goddard. She is also survived by a host of Yates, Earl, Countee, and Whiting nieces, nephews, and cousins.

BLACK HISTORY IS 24/7/365, NOT 28–29 dAYS

Pictured: Ernest Collins, Floretta Collins, Leslie Collins-Thompson, Roderick Thompson, Todd Collins, Janelle Alston-Collins, Sydney Rose Collins, Ella Gabrielle Collins, Alston Ernest Collins, Ross Thompson, Brooke Thompson, and Taylor Thompson.

“Addressing Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community”

Contributing Writers Dr. Bobby Mills

The Overflow

EDITORIAL a Revival of God Consciousness

“Tomorrow, I’ll be at the table when company comes. Nobody’ll dare say to me ‘eat in the kitchen,’ then.”

Bobby Mills, Phd

News: Office: (713) 692-1892

too

Hughes wasn’t allowed to eat at the table because of his skin color, but when he used the word “tomorrow,” he was hopeful that one day, he would be able to sit at the table without judgment or discrimination. I long too for the day when we all will be able to sit together without being focused on our differences, but to find common ground, mutual respect, with the understanding that our differences are a part of who we are, and that we too have a lot in common with each other.

The poem “I, Too” by Hughes was relevant during its time, and is still relevant in today’s society. He started the poem off with, “I, too, sing America,” letting everyone know that even though I am Black, and my skin color is not favored by most, I am an American too.

White Privilege Autocracy

Some will say if being White

Hughes concluded his poem with, “BesidesThey’ll see how beautiful I am and be ashamed-I, too, am America.” Hughes made it known that if they had spent more time getting to know him and had judged him by his character instead of his looks, then they would have seen a great person who is more than his skin color, who was not only America, but who was a human being as well. Look at a person’s character first before you judge them by their outward appearance. I proudly say, “I am America Too.”

Privilege oriented is wrong, then I do not want to be right. Therefore, autocracy is about making a lie your false truth, because the objective is to live by the power of guns, guns, and more guns. Guns provide the ability to maximize power, privilege, and pleasure, because of skin tone: something for nothing. The classic example is the (1619) Project in the Southern States. Making a lie your false truth is a classic example of hypocrisy. Our Lord and

Savior always admonished us to: “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil: cling to what is good” (Romans 12: 9). America let’s cease playing political games with one another for material advantage because, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation” (Romans 9: 9-10). Black history month should be an enlightenment and reflection time for every American, especially Black Americans, because Blacks are the God conscience of American society.

Today, Blacks are still facing many challenges with being Black in America and racism and discrimination still exists. Hughes wanted that to be known and to embrace the fact that he is too American. He also said, “They send me to eat in the kitchen when company comes, but I laugh, eat well, and grow strong.” He then said, For more visit aframnews.com That can produce stories that address current and historical realities affecting our community. Please send your inquiries to prod@aframnews.com

Chelsea Davis-Bibb, Ed.D. - Editor

We aRe lookinG foR hisToRiCal WRiTeRs

Langston Hughes was a phenomenal writer and was known for shaping and contributing to the artistic creations that came out of the Harlem Renaissance. During this era, many Black artists utilized their gifts to express and document their life and cultural experience of being Black in America.

of Prairie View A&M University. They were introduced by mutual friends and quickly became inseparable. Their first date was at the movies. Ernest had to ask Flo’s parents’ permission to take her on a date. He picked her up at seven and was told to have her back by nine. “I was so nervous; I couldn’t even enjoy the movie because I knew I had to get Flo back to her parents on time.”

After getting Flo back home on time, Ernest’s car wouldn’t start, so when Flo discovered he was still in her driveway, she went to check on him. After realizing that the car was not going to work, Flo’s parents permitted Ernest to stay the night with her brother in his room. That night solidified their friendship which progressed into a beautiful relationship that evolved into a loving and devoted marriage of almost sixty years. Three children and six grandchildren later, they have continued the Collins family legacy of family first and success will naturally flow.

Mr. Ernest, also known lovingly as Ernie to his friends, grew up on a farm in Travis County, approximately seven miles southeast of Austin, Texas. The farm, located on Dee Gabriel Collins Road, has been owned and operated by members of the Collins family since the late 1800s. Their family farm has been recognized by the state of Texas for owning and operating for over 100 consecutive years. He is one of eleven children born to the late Talferd and Ella Collins. His parents believed in hard work and education and that was their top priority for the family. All of their children were supported and encouraged to take full advantage of educational opportunities. As a result, they have an amazing legacy of all eleven children graduating from high school, and all attended college.

Ernie earned a Bachelor of Arts

in Business Administration from Prairie View A&M University and has additional studies toward an MBA at Texas Southern University. His wife, Floretta graduated in 1966 with a degree in elementary education. Upon graduation, he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army. Before reporting for officer’s basic training in artillery at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Ernie married the lady of his dreams, Floretta Brown, in her hometown of Bay City, Texas.

Ernie served two years in the Army as a Fort Ord, California training officer. He was discharged as a 1st Lieutenant in 1969. Upon returning to civilian life, he joined Humble Oil and Refining Company, now ExxonMobil in Denver, Colorado. After having a very successful career in various marketing and management positions, in 2003, he retired after 34 years of service.

During his time with ExxonMobil, they purchased their first farm, Files Valley, in 1973. After retiring, Mr. and Mrs. Collins decided to return to the simple life of their family farm. They both grew up on Texas farms, Ernie near Austin, and Floretta in Bay City. Ms. Floretta’s family purchased their land in 1940 and it is still in her family today. By the late 1890s, Ernie’s family had purchased 1000 acres of land in Pilot Knob. In 1891, Newton Collins sold his 130 acres of improved land for 500 acres of unimproved land. Then in the

late 1890s, his son Dee Gabriel Collins purchased an adjacent 500 acres of land. Pilot Knob is considered A Freedman’s Town, a settlement created by formerly enslaved people.

“Farming is turning the soil and growing crops to sell. Ranching is landownership with cattle and maintaining grass for your cattle to eat. A rancher deals with cows and calves. We sell calves to market.” Mr. Collins made the distinction between Farmers and Ranchers so easy to understand and even more interesting to explore. When he shared that his father and mother did this all of their lives, he admitted to trying to escape the tradition

through education. “Education was a tool to see that there was a Great Escape.” He admitted that Ms. Floretta thought farming was fun and he said “No”. He realized that he loved the Cattle and Horses, not the cotton and corn. So he focused on what he loved and now almost fifty years later he has a very successful Cattle Ranch, Red Hill Ranch.

By following the family tradition, he maintained a cattle herd on a farm that boasts six generations of land ownership. What an extraordinary story to tell and utilize to empower more African American families to invest in their family legacy through land ownership. The Collins family is a blueprint for what can be accomplished when we put family first, invest in the traditions, and

commit to the longevity of Generational Wealth Building. “It was hard to get away from six generations of land ownership because I saw my father and grandfather work their land. I also knew the history of my ancestors in other generations did it too.” He understands that cattle ranching is labor and capital-intensive. “You need knowledge of Cattle. My family owned their land and sharecropping was perceived as horrible because they were working someone else’s land.”

It is so empowering to hear a story that doesn’t end in Black family trauma like Black Wall Street, Rosedale, Greenwood, or the infamous Lake Lanier. The Collins family didn’t experience negativity because they owned their property and fearlessly protected their investment. “Farming was perceived as horrible because most Black people were sharecroppers. When you own your land, it is pretty good and there was no negativity. Mr. Collin’s great grandfather, Dee Gabriel, was a stand-up kind of guy with eighteen children, so there was no taking his land.” Mr. Collins admits that “Education made progress possible.”

The original ranch house had no telephones. The kids loved learning and enjoying the country life on the ranch. He remembered his granddad saying, “Get you some dirt, Boy! They’re not making any more of it.”

According to Mr. Collins, “You must be committed to investing your time and money. Most people don’t understand how to operate a farm if they didn’t grow up on a farm, but you can educate yourself and you need a mentor. People think farming is still hard like it was for our ancestors, but now farming equipment does a lot of the major work. Equipment has progressed, which allows them to experience the evolution of farming in the 21st

Dee Gabriel Collins and wife Donnie, in the late1800’s, purchased approximately 500 acres in Pilot Knob Farm located on Dee Gabriel Collins Rd.

Front (L to R): Ernest Boyd, Alice Marie, Talferd Myers, Silas BackElla Myers Collins, Ella Elizabeth (mother), and Talferd Gabriel Collins (father).

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Boots Bling and Bowties: 30th anniversary of the heritage western gala

By: Crystal LaShan

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Black Heritage Committee celebrated the 30th Anniversary of the Black Heritage Western Gala. Their theme was Boots, Bling, and Bowties and the guest understood the assignment. Everyone was sparkling and glitzy with plenty of unique bowties and gorgeous gowns.

The Black Heritage Committee’s mission is to promote the show within the African American community through awareness and participation, while highlighting the pioneer and Western heritage of Black individuals in Houston and throughout the state. In addition, members’ efforts help provide funds for college scholarships while celebrating Black Heritage Day annually on the grounds during the Rodeo. They honored and recognized the accomplishments of “The Modern-Day Pioneer in Agriculture,” who have made a positive impact in our community through agriculture. It was an awesome night to honor ranchers and

farmers who are making a difference in the Houston community. Thank you for your service.

Bill Pickett Honorees Ernie & Floretta Collins were excited to enjoy this year’s ball.

Ray Hollins, Gala Vice Chair was basking in the excitement of a successful event.

Dr. Destiny F. Phillips was enjoying the amazing Cowboy displays.

Mitchell’s Moments LLC were out in full effect with their owners (L to R) Chansity and Aaron Mitchell.

Winning the most unique and stylish outfit of the night is Whitney Ellison.

AKA Donna Glover was representing her sorority well while having a great night with her friend, Jacqie Amerson.

Couple Kendolyn Pope and her husband Atty James Pope having a blast at the event.

75th annual diamond CeleBration: the Junior league of houston Charity Ball 2023

By: Crystal LaShan

Glitz, glamour, and excitement were the feelings that were created when anyone entered the Junior League of Houston 75th Annual Charity Ball.

The charity ball highlighted the history of The Junior League with beautiful photography sharing images of the past, present, and future of The Junior League. It was striking to see the evolution of the diversity of the Junior League. I believe it is The Junior League’s selfless effort to strengthen the Houston community to impact the masses that yields a desire for people of all ethnicities to want to take advantage of the training, support, and opportunities to give back to our Houston community. Several fundraisers were held during the first 20 years of The Junior League’s history, but there hasn’t been a fundraiser more successful than the charity ball. The first ball, held in 1949, netted $17,700, and on its 50th anniversary, the ball netted $750,000, all of which was returned to the community. This year’s black-tie event celebrated The Junior League’s diamond anniversary by honoring the strong and dedicated women of the league coming together, no matter the challenges, to help the Houston community. The three-night event raised over $820,000 for The Junior League’s community program and volunteer initiatives.

Congratulations to The Junior League of Houston for creating an extraordinary legacy that has evolved to embrace a diversity of like minded individuals who want to join in the common goal of giving back to the Houston

Community. Your great works have impacted people across Houston to create a positive change that strengthens thousands of Houstonians’ lives. Thank you for your service and dedication. Founded in 1925 by 12 forwardthinking women, The Junior League of Houston has built an exemplary record of charitable achievement. The Junior League’s reputation has been forged by its steadfast focus on service to and financial support of the community through trained volunteers.

The Junior League provides trained volunteers and funding to 33 community projects. In addition, The Junior League’s community outreach efforts include community assistance grants, emergency and resource contingency grants, community collaborations, and outside board representatives. Further, The Junior League’s extensive training and education program cultivate a lifetime of civic service, preparing members to serve as agents of change in the Houston community well beyond their active membership years.

Auctioneer & Host Johnny Bravo congratulated Sherry Berry on winning an $11,000 Bid for the Sewell Car Rental package for a year.

The Ladies of Junior League were having a lovely time (L to R) Chantel Williams, Junior League’s Community Impact Director – Health & Well Being, Adrianna Williams, and Director at Large – Development, Dena Washington

Gorgeous mother and daughter, Ashley and Charlotte Seals were enjoying a lavish night out.

Dressed to impress while enjoying the silent auction (L to R) Fady Armanious, Amanda Boffone, and Bill Baldwin.

This mother and daughter duo, Angela and Sherry Berry were beautiful and ready to rule the night in glamour and style.

Houston’s Radio Live Band was truly entertaining and the hit of the night.

Competitive Sealed Proposal Notice for Worthing High School Track & Field Renovations

Project Number: 23-01-05

Houston Independent School District

The Houston Independent School District will receive Competitive Sealed Proposals from contractors for work at Worthing High School. The work includes, but is not limited to, the demo and replacement of a new athletic running track and field events. Installation of a softball and baseball field, detention pond, irrigation improvements, security lighting, electrical connection(s), concrete pad(s), hose bib and miscellaneous site work. Part A and Part B and all other required proposal information, except sub-contractor firm information and M/ WBE required documents, are due no later than Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at 2:00 PM CST. at 4400 West 18th Street, Office of Board Services #1C, Houston, TX 77092. The proposals will be opened, and the amounts read aloud. Worthing High School is located at 9215 Scott Street, Houston, TX 77051

The Request for Competitive Sealed Proposal (RFCSP), which includes plans and specifications, will be available beginning Saturday, February 4, 2023, and are on file at: HISD Solicitation bid website: https://www.houstonisd.org/ Page/179264.

There is NO charge to view or download documents. Any questions regarding documents are to be addressed to Michelle Chevalier, mchevali@houstonisd.org.

The Competitive Sealed Proposal process will be utilized as authorized in Senate Bill 1093, Legislative Session 83-2013, Ch. 2269, Subchapter D, of Texas Government Code. The Competitive Sealed Proposal process enables HISD to select contractors on the basis of price and qualifications/methodology.

Sub-contractor firm information and M/WBE forms, schedules, and statements, as required by Section AB of the RFCSP and in accordance with the Office of Business Assistance, will be received at 12:00 NOON CST, Wednesday, March 8, 2023, in the Board Services Office #1C, 4400 West 18th Street, Houston, TX 77092. PROPOSALS SUBMITTED WITHOUT M/ WBE FORMS PROPERLY COMPLETED WILL BE CONSIDERED NONRESPONSIVE.

A pre-proposal conference will be held at Worthing High School at 10:00 AM CST, Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 9215 Scott Street, Houston, Texas, 77051. For additional information regarding this project, please contact Michelle Chevalier, mchevali@houstonisd.org.

Drawings and Specifications for the RFCSP may be reviewed at the following Houston locations: Associated General Contractors / www.agchouston.org

HISD Construction Services Office (Bond), 3200 Center, Houston, TX 77007, (713) 556-9250

McGraw Hill Construction/Dodge / www.construction.com

Virtual Builders Exchange, 7035 West Tidwell, Suite #J112, Houston, TX. 77092

shoe repair

heArTs of GoLD

By: Chelsea Davis-Bibb, Ed.D.

Hearts of Gold is a nonprofit organization that caters to young people through boxing and mentorship. Through passion and commitment to the youth of Beaumont, TX, Timothy Harris, CEO of Hearts of Gold, just wants to advance the community and provide the youth with the tools they need to be successful. Since the YMCA was shut down, the kids of Beaumont “have nowhere to go,” according to Angel Jones, who is secretary for the organization. Hearts of Gold wants to give back to the community and give kids a place where they can thrive. Jones made it known that Beaumont has a high crime rate and through their organization, their mission is to educate, keep the kids off the streets, and out of trouble.

After questioning his purpose in life, Harris thought about how he could make a difference in his community. Drawing from his background as a coach, being a leader, and the oldest from a single parent home, he wanted to do something with meaning, and that was to help protect the youth and the community. Jones spoke about Harris’ passion when working with the kids and how he lights up when he is training and working with them. Jones also takes great pride in helping the youth. “I always promised God that I will be a protector and to teach these kids to be better than

us so they can create a better path for this life. “Jones reflected on her and Harris’ youth and how there was “no support system,” but with God, they made it through.

Aside from the crime rate being high, according to Harris, their district is one of the lowest when it comes to testing, so one of their goals is to tutor kids and take them from where they are to where they need to be. “Each one, teach one, each one, reach one,” is how Jones described the work they are doing. Jones also stressed the importance of breaking the “slave mentality” within our culture and how we must love ourselves and put God first.

Harris wants the community to know that they “are building and changing this community and the mentality of the community.” He further stated, “We are getting our kids out of the box…we want to inspire our community, and let these kids know who they are and who they belong to. We just want to make a better community for our kids so they can have a better life and future.”

For more information about Hearts of Gold, you can email goldentriangleheartsofgold@gmail.com.

century.” Mr. Collins believes mentorship has been his saving grace, so he enjoys helping mentees gain confidence, showing them how to maintain ownership of their land and take away the fear of the process. “One Hundred Ranchers is a great organization composed of Individuals that grew up on ranches. They were very supportive and provided education about farming. It is a small group of Black legacy landowners. He said his dad would tell him that “nothing changed under the sun, baby calves are born in the spring and you sell them in the fall. It is the process of life.”

Mr. Collins admits that his ancestors made the ultimate sacrifice in the 1800s to purchase their family land. “That increased our Net worth. He took the time to teach his children and grandchildren the history of their family, and how farming and ranching work. That is the most important part of building generational wealth. Todd, his son, bought his first land at the ripe age of 17, and at the age of 17, his granddaughter, Brooke whom he often took care of, invested $5,000 in her first land purchase. All of Earnest and Floretta’s children, Leslie, Daryl, and Todd, purchased land at a young age, which is a great example of how land ownership can impact many generations to come.

Mr. Collins is proud to be very actively involved in the community as he serves as a Lifetime Director of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Director of the Soil and Water Conservation Board for Walker County, Board Member of 100 Ranchers organization and Lifetime Member of the Landowners Association of Texas. Collins serves as a CARET (Council for Agricultural Research, Extension and

Teaching) Representative for Prairie View, and was the 2015 recipient of the 1890 Universities Career Exemplar Award by APLU (Association of Public Land-Grant Universities). He served as a Member of the Prairie View A&M University Capital Campaign Cabinet, a Member of the Board of Directors for the H.S. Estelle 4-H and Youth Camp, Advisor to the Farm Service Agency County Committee for Harris and Montgomery Counties. He is also the Trustee Emeritus of Prairie View A&M Foundation, a member of Prairie View A&M President’s Advisory Council, and a member of Capital Farm Credits Advisory Council. Mr. and Mrs. Collins were honored with the naming of the Ernest Boyd and Floretta Brown Collins Auditorium in the new Business and Agricultural building on the Prairie View A&M University campus. They are strong supporters of youth and education. They have established endowed scholarship funds at Prairie View A&M University and Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. Family over everything is the Collins Family motto. Ernie and Flo are the proud parents of three children, Leslie CollinsThompson (Rod), Todd Jamal (Janelle), and Daryl Donovan (deceased). They are also proud grandparents of six: Taylor Floretta, Ross Lorenzo and Brooke Carlette Thompson, Sydney Rose, Ella Gabrielle, and Alston Ernest Collins. In retirement, Ernie’s top priorities are spending time at the family compound, Red Hill Ranch, and working closely with his grandchildren. The Collins family continues to empower the next generation of Black Landowners and challenge our youth to make the sacrifice to invest in themselves.

Collins cont.

Timothy Harris praying with a group of kids who are a part of Hearts of Gold.

BLACK-OWNED Brands

2 FRIENDS AND A CHEF

Friendship is the foundation of 2 Friends and A Chef Coffee. Their coffees were born out of that friendship, a love of cooking, and a determination to provide products that are fresh and prepared in a way that is healthy and tasty. All of their coffee is 2 Friends tested and chef approved!

As a master herbalist and a health & wellness coach for over 30 years, Tessy had a passion and deep understanding of holistic wellness. After his partner started losing her hair due to an autoimmune disorder, they started searching for remedies. They worked with best scientists, lab techs, and formulators to develop Nzuri Elixir Liquid Hair Skin and Nail Vitamins.

Learn more about these products and other Black-owned brands at heb.com/bethechange

Cynthia Cooper Co-Founder

Tessy Anifowoshe Sr., Founder