Volume 28 Issue 48

December 17, 2023

GREATER HOUSTON EDITION

African-American News&Issues

“Addressing Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community”

From left to right: Sherhara Downing, Cheri Green, Judge Clarease RankinYates, Councilmember Tiffany D. Thomas, Kim Roxie, Phillip Yates, Ronda Prince, Marian Harper, Tezlyn Figaro, Kodi Bailey, and Sharon Fletcher

Vol. 28, Issue 48

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We the People

Success is one of the greatest cause of failure - Roy Douglas Malonson

HAS SHEILA JACKSON-LEE REACHED HER LIMIT? By: Rachel Thompson

BLACK ENTREPRENEURS WEEK By: Shelley McKinley

Black Entrepreneurs Week (BEW) featured a host of events from November 25 – December 2, 2023, in Houston to showcase Black-owned businesses, while connecting them to the local community. Through a series of events, BEW provided opportunities to help with the growth of entrepreneurship and wealth-building initiatives in Houston’s Black community. Of those events, Unlock her Power held on November 29, 2023, paid homage to seven Black women form different industries that are paving the way for others to follow.

The honorees included Marian Harper, Vice President of Foundation development and Family Relations for the Houston Astros; Honorable Judge Clarease Rankin-Yates; Ronda M. prince of RapA-Lot records Inc. and Prince Boxing Enterprise Inc.; Kim Roxie, Founder and CEO of LAMIK Beauty; Tezlyn Figaro, Founder of Tezlyn Figaro Communications Group; Tiffany D. Thomas, Houston City Councilmember for District F; and Cheri Green, VP at JP Morgan Chase.

Entrepreneurs on pg. 3

Following U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee’s defeat in the Houston mayoral runoff, she promptly filed for reelection to the Texas 18th Congressional District seat. As the Houston Chronicle noted, Lee has “cruised” to victory virtually every time she has been up for re-election since 1994, however, that might change this time against Amanda Edwards who once interned for Jackson-Lee. According to Houston Public Media, black voters did not show the same support to the congresswoman in either round of the mayoral contest as they did for Sylvester Turner during his mayoral races. Whitmire also tied with JacksonLee among women, cutting into another one of her critical support groups.

Census figures show Houston is becoming younger, with a median age of 35. Currently, 25% of the population is below the age of 18.

Both Jackson-Lee and Edwards will have to connect with Gen Z, Gen X, and Millennials of all ethnicities if they plan to win the primary, as well as persuade them to vote.

Sheila on pg. 3

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December 17, 2023

GREATER HOUSTON EDITION

EDITORIAL A Revival of God

Consciousness Bobby Mills, Phd

HATRED OF BLACKS The Bible is basically a spiritual book concerning the difference between good and evil, and the effects of evil on individuals as well as societies. Hence, the Bible admonishes us to shun everything evil, and that every man must work by the sweat of his own brow. Herein lies the problem, White men have no problem with constructing empires if other men do the physical labor, because he believes that everything can be accomplished by the barrel of guns, guns, and more guns. White men design skyscrapers, international highways, and coast to coast railway systems when other men do the physical labor.

This, in and of itself, is the foundation of the institution of slavery. Initially, White men sought to enslave Native American Indians, but he found out that the Indian would rather be dead than a slave. Of course, all men have the same philosophy. Except Black men had no escape hatch, they could not swim oceans to get back to Africa. However, a lot of Black men ran in the woods and lived with Indians to escape the inhumanity of slavery.

White men made all kinds of ungodly excuses for why they enslaved Blacks, and to date, Whites have never acknowledged their lack of God conscience. White men wrote the Bible, the greatness book ever written (Holy Scriptures), and then they

crucified Jesus Christ. In the twenty-first century, all crucifixions are not on a Cross, but guns and more guns are the crucifiers. White men wrote GREAT documents, The Preamble to the U. S. Constitution and the Constitution itself, damn near perfect spiritual documents, and then they went home to their slaves. How hypocritical can individuals become through their own sense of selfcentered racial superiority!

Sadly, too many Americans desire to be served rather than serve. In a multicultural democracy-oriented society selfish service is a no, no. But service to each other is a yes, yes. Hence, in a democracy equal is equal, not that equal is unequal.

Blacks have come a long way from chattel slavery, but it is fool hearty for Blacks to think that they have acquired equal status citizenship and Civil Rights equality in American society. America, know this, Black human dignity and progress is of God, and not White benevolence.

In the 21st century, uncalled for White militaristic resistance, intimidation, and murder against Blacks still exists. Thus, in the twenty first century, Blacks must spiritually come to know who they are as children of God, and at the same time, know who among them desires to be children of the devil. Despite their demonic slavery experience, Blacks have a God conscience.

Hence, Blacks must spiritually learn how to shun evil, embrace righteousness, and learn to discipline other Blacks based upon Godly precepts and spiritual prinFor more visit ciples. aframnews.com

And all that Jazz Esperanza Jazz Paz

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER Every senior at H.I.S.D.’s Carnegie Vanguard is admitted to college with 95% matriculating to four-year institutions. Every single senior. First generation college bound students from very low-income families.

Students with less than exemplary grades. Even uncertain students who are not convinced of the value of higher education are expected to try, and each of them have been accepted at a college or university before they graduate. Some are awarded full scholarships to prestigious institutions; some accept work-study packages and borrow to cover their expenses locally. Their school counselors and interns faithfully channel these students through the process of determining their destiny.

For schools without such devoted on-site advisors private college admissions consultants are happy to help. Count on spending between $850 - $10,000 with an average hourly rate of $200 for their advice which comes with no guarantee of admittance to your desired institution. For students inbetween these circumstances, free help (and sometimes funding) is available to direct your endeavor. Libraries are a good source of information.

College admissions offices are full of helpful details.

Teachers are often helpful.

Dan Lee is an admissions consultant who believes that

some colleges covet firstgeneration college students (those from homes where neither parent holds a bachelor’s degree) so much that they are preferred over more highly prepared students. To demonstrate their preferences these schools, offer scholarships to some capable, less well-resourced students whose parents lack a bachelors degree,. He says colleges and universities realize that GPAs and standardized test scores are frequently the result of socioeconomic circumstances, so many institutions review low-income students’ performance through the lens of their individual high schools, not in comparison to the entire applicant pool. Mr. Lee co-founded the Solomon Admissions Consulting Group, and he understands how challenging it is for a student to make themselves outshine their peers in the effort to be chosen by the school of their choice. “Especially for kids who are applying to a lot of the top schools, it’s almost like a part-time job.”

Certainly, many kids must feel like a part-time job is necessary just to participate in the college application process, even before paying for the tuition, fees, books, and board needed to continue their education. Registration to sit for the SAT costs $55 (but can be waived for eligible candidates). Application fees to individual colleges can run up to $100 but most Historically Black Colleges and Universities offer a Common Black College Application (CBCA), allowing students to apply for up to fifty HBCUs with just a single applica- For more visit tion and $35. aframnews.com

GREATER HOUSTON EDITION Entrepreneurs Cont.

During a lightening round for a response to the question, ‘What is missing from the conversation?,’ Councilwoman Thomas stated, “The votes we cast today will impact generations. Remember the collective.” Although this week was about entrepreneurship, Prince remarked.

“Entrepreneurship does not have hours or days off. Know what you are getting into. Keep your job until the money you make can support you.”

Most of the attendees were Black female

Sheila Cont.

small business owners with goals for growth.

Attendee Jovanni Lota and owner of the house of Mpenzi Salon attended the morning and evening events and left with a notebook full of ideas. “I wish I could have attended all the sessions. The sessions I attended were informative and inspiring. I learned about social, intellectual, and monetary capital. You have to have all three to make it as an entrepreneur. Your bank is your partner and you have to cultivate that relationship,” recalled Lota.

With roughly 800,000 residents and only 258,000 registered voters in the 18th District, connecting with residents, and then turning potential supporters into actual voters will be the key. Jackson-Lee recently attended an outreach event co-sponsored by Houston-based Rap-A-Lot Records in an attempt to connect with young voters, as well as to encourage them to go to the polls and vote.

The Texas 18th District has voted for a Democratic presidential candidate and House candidate since 1972. It voted for Biden in 2020, and similarly, in 2022, for its current House occupant Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee. A 2021 Pew Research survey found that 52% of Gen Z adults, or those born after 1996, identify as independents while only 31% identify as Democrats. Reaching this target demographic may prove to be a challenge for Jackson-Lee when competing against Edwards, a younger native Houstonian with deep political and personal roots in the 18th District.

Ads on television, radio, and in newspapers seemed to have made the difference for Whitmire.

He spent over $2,000,000. on advertisements while Jackson-Lee spent $60,000. According to the Federal Election Commission’s Campaign finance data, Edwards raised $1,033,802.07 and has $829,397.04 cash on hand, compared to Isaiah Martin’s $283,734.60 and Jackson-Lee’s $213,042.19 cash on hand. If the race to the Congressional seat patterns itself after the mayoral runoff, Edwards will be able to outspend her opponents on advertisements, thereby increasing her chances to further cut into Jackson-Lee’s base as well as reach younger independent voters.

December 17, 2023

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KIONTA CARTER NAMED CIVIC HEART COMMUNITY SERVICES CEO

Helen Stagg will retire as CEO of Civic Heart Community Services (Civic Heart) on December 31, 2023, after more than 4 years at the helm of one of the largest and oldest Blackfounded non-profit organizations in Houston.

Following an extensive executive search, Kionta Carter will assume the role January 3, 2024.

During her 23-year tenure with the organization, including 4 years as CEO, Stagg provided nurturing leadership and led the organization to achieve a 240% increase in community investment. With her unrelenting passion for empowering others, the organization’s work expanded to more than 25 programs serving 65,000 people in 59 Texas counties, supported by 287 volunteers and 75 culturally diverse employees working under 150 agreements with a wide range of partners and a $13 million annual budget.

Carter, who has held leadership positions with YMCA of Greater Houston for the past 15 years, brings a wealth of non-profit operational and fundraising experience to her new role.

She has overseen the operations and growth strategies for 12 YMCA centers, with an operational budget of $16 million. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University; a master’s degree

from Wayne State University; and a certification in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace. She recently earned a Non-Profit Leadership Certification from Rice University.

She serves on community leadership organization committees such as Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. For the past few weeks, Carter and Stagg have begun working together to ensure a smooth transition.

“The bar will be high for our new CEO, without doubt,” said Vanessa Reed, Civic Heart’s Board Chairperson. “Fortunately, Ms. Carter will stand on the shoulders of a successful predecessor, who fully supports her in the transition to ensure continuity in quality client services, and consistency in planned programs. We believe that Ms. Carter’s passion and commitment to serving others, her deep history of community outreach and volunteerism, and her belief in the value of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality will allow Civic Heart to forge new paths that further our mission to help others empower themselves.“ “I am honored to be entrusted to build on the foundation established by those who have come before me, and those I will work alongside to bring

more needed services, to more people in our community,” said Carter. “What inspires me is the opportunity to increase awareness to allow more people to know who we are, and get more people involved in continuing the legacy of impactful community work.”

2023 has been a year of change for Civic Heart. The 34-year-old organization, one of the largest Black-founded non-profit organization in the Gulf coast region, was formerly known as Change Happens! and announced its name change to Civic Heart Community Services in April. And in June, Civic Heart relocated its headquarters to One Emancipation Center at 3131 Emancipation Avenue in Houston’s Third Ward.

About Civic Heart Community Services Civic Heart Community Services is one of the largest minorityfounded social service organizations in the Gulf Coast Region of Texas. For more than 34

years, the organization has successfully developed and implemented outreach, education, prevention, intervention, and collaborative partnerships to serve marginalized and vulnerable communities.

The organization offers a wide array of program and services that includes: education, workforce and employment; after-school and summer enrichment programs; housing and supportive services; substance misuse prevention and co-occurring mental disorder treatment; HIV prevention; teen pregnancy prevention; increased access to health care coverage; reentry program and employment; implementing a resident-driven community plan to increase affordable housing and transportation and mobility options, and enhanced civic engagement to address challenges and facilitate a greater sense of inclusion. Learn more at www.civicheart.org.

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December 17, 2023

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EDUCATION

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LOCAL

41 PERCENT OF HISD SCHOOLS HARRIS COUNTY CIVIL COURTS AT WOULD BE D OR F CAMPUSES LAW NAME NEW ASSOCIATE JUDGE The Houston Independent School District (HISD) today announced that its analysis of 2022-2023 state accountability data shows approximately 41 percent of the District’s campuses would get D or F ratings under the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA’s) updated and more rigorous accountability system.

Accountability ratings have not been released due to ongoing litigation. The state, however, did provide raw accountability data and the methodology that would have been used to determine campus letter grades.

Based on that methodology, HISD has the equivalent of 111 D or F rated schools.

“TEA is making the school ratings system more rigorous,” said HISD Superintendent Mike Miles. “This is a necessary and important shift if we want to ensure schools

“We are releasing are preparing all the results of this data students to compete analysis because we and succeed in our want the community global, rapidly evolving to have an accurate workplace and world. In understanding of where HISD, we understand we are as a District and the future of our the important, urgent students is at stake, work that lies before us,” and know we need a Superintendent Miles true picture of how said. “We only have so they are doing. That’s much time to help our what the state’s updated kids get on track, so accountability system they graduate ready for provides. college, work, and life.”

“Team HISD also The accountability knows that our data includes 2022students have limitless 2023 STAAR scores; potential. We will TELPAS scores, which continue to steadily are the results of a test improve classroom of English language instruction across the proficiency; 2022 District so students graduation rates; and can meet high— 2022 college, career, and appropriate— and military readiness standards for academic rates. Calculations take performance.” these datasets and apply Based on its analysis them in various ways to using the TEA data reach an overall rating and methodology, for every campus. HISD HISD would have is not releasing data for 35 A schools; 58 B individual schools at schools; 64 C schools; this time.

59 D schools; and 52 F Schools on pg. 7 schools.

A veteran Houston lawyer has been tapped to serve as the Harris County Civil Courts at Law’s first associate judge, a newly created position designed to tackle the county’s increasing volume of eviction appeals.

Judge Jermaine Thomas will begin hearing eviction cases on Jan. 8, 2024. Focused exclusively on evictions, his targeted caseload is designed to help alleviate the civil case bottleneck caused by the continuing surge in eviction cases across the county.

The 48-year-old lawyer comes to the county from Houston-based civil law firm Barry Barnes and Associates, where he spent the past two decades practicing law. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Texas Southern University and a law

degree from South Texas College of Law. “I hope to run a court where individuals or litigants on both sides believe they got a fair hearing,” Thomas said.

“I’d like them to walk away saying that I was fair, impartial, and I heard them — and I applied the law.”

In Texas, evictions fall under the jurisdiction of Justice Courts, with cases filed in the Justice of the Peace precinct where the property in question is located.

Appeals, however, are heard by the Harris County Civil Courts at Law. There are 16 Justice Courts, but just four county civil courts to hear their appeals.

Compounding the issue is the fact that evictions have risen dramatically in wake of the pandemic, especially as eviction assistance and

moratorium programs ended.

During the first 11 months of 2023, the Harris County Civil Courts at Law reported 7,371 eviction appeals cases — more than double the prepandemic caseload of 3,568 recorded in 2018.

The numbers have been rising since 2022, when Harris County Civil Courts at Law recorded 6,279 cases.

“Even with our additional eviction dockets, the surge is creating a bottleneck that impacts our ability to hear all civil cases in a timely manner,” said Harris County Civil Courts at Law Administrative Judge LaShawn Williams, who also presides over County Civil Court at Law No. 3.

Judge on pg. 7

L-R: Judge Audrie Lawton-Evans County Civil Court at Law #1, Judge Jim F. Kovach County Civil Court at Law #2, Associate Judge Jermaine S. Thomas, Judge Lashawn A Williams County Civil Court at Law #3, Judge Manpreet Monica Singh County Civil Court at Law # 4

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December 17, 2023

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AFRAMNEWS.COM African-American News&Issues

GREATER HOUSTON EDITION Schools Cont.

“Even though the state is currently unable to release accountability ratings, this data still helps illustrate how our schools are doing,” said HISD Chief Academic Officer Kristen Hole. “We know that we must significantly raise the quality of instruction.

That is what HISD is focused on now, and we will keep working to do that each and every day.”

The District will use the accountability data to make decisions about which schools will be included in the New Education System in the 2024-2025 school year. Those decisions will be announced in the coming weeks.

Judge Cont.

“We’re excited to have Judge Thomas on board to help us tackle the issue. We know he will be compassionate and fair in his administration of justice.”

The associate judge position was approved by the Harris County Commissioners Court in late October. Judge Thomas was hired by the county civil courts on Dec. 4 and will spend the next month monitoring eviction dockets, sitting in on eviction cases, and attending required judicial training. He’ll start hearing cases in the new year.

Born to a single teen mom, Judge Thomas said he believes he brings a unique perspective to the bench — both as a lawyer representing people going through the eviction process and as a child whose own family faced eviction.

“I want to deliver justice with a degree of empathy. I believe that’s something valuable I can bring to the bench,” Judge Thomas said, adding that he hopes his work will honor the legacy left by his late mother, who died in 2008. “That’s what I’m looking forward to doing.”

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