December 31, 2023
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
African-American News&Issues
“Addressing Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community”
Vol. 28, Issue 50
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We the People In 2024 we need to stay focused and be proactive instead of reative. - Roy Douglas Malonson
Left to right: Lucy Bremond, Linda Jones-Hartman, Tela Bryant, Charlotte Bryant, Patrina Dobson, Lillian Bourgeois, Candace Bourgeois, Clarise Gatlin
FORCES JOIN TOGETHER By: Shelley McKinley
The historic and newly renovated Eldorado Ballroom, established in 1939, served as the site where Cheniere and the Astros Foundation hosted senior citizen groups for a delicious meal by Chef Chris Williams, along with musical accompaniment from the violinist, Demola. For some attendees they could recall their parents getting dressed to attend performances by the likes of Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald. For others, they personally attended performances of artists such as Etta James and Ike and Tina. The event also planted the seed for support of the upcoming 2nd Annual Cactus Jack HBCU Classic. The round-robin collegiate baseball classic, designed by the Astros Foundation and Astros Youth Academy to highlight Historically Black Col-
leges and Universities (HBCUs) and their baseball programs, will feature six teams: Texas Southern University, Prairie View A&M, Grambling State University, Southern University, Jackson State University, and Alcorn State University. Paula Harris, Executive Director of the Astros Foundation asserted, “The College Classic has existed for 23 years, while this is the second HBCU Classic. We are going to level the playing field.” Cheniere’s accountants and lawyers served as waiters during the event. Cheniere Foundation Executive Director, Wendy Craven, who initiated the partnership with the Astros Foundation and The Eldorado Ballroom exclaimed, “We’re here, we’re your neighbors, and we care about you!” Forces Join on pg. 3
DR. MARGARET FORD FISHER BECOMES CHANCELLOR The Houston Community College (HCC) Board of Trustees has unanimously voted to name Margaret Ford Fisher, Ed.D., as sole finalist to serve as the institution’s next Chancellor. Dr. Ford Fisher has served as HCC’s Interim Chancellor since Sept. 1, 2023. Dr. Cynthia Lenton-Gary, the Board Chair, lauded the Board’s decision, stating, “Dr. Ford Fisher’s deep institutional knowledge, coupled with her forward-looking vision and nationally recognized leadership, makes her the ideal leader to navigate HCC towards a future rich in educational excellence and innovation.” The Board of Trustees will hold a subsequent meeting to act on the final appointment of Dr. Ford Fisher as Chancellor, no less than 21 days following her selection as sole finalist, per state law. Fisher on pg. 3
2 AFRAMNEWS.COM
President/Chief Editor
Contributing Writers Dr. Bobby Mills Rachel Thompson Jazz Pazz Asia Williams William Monroe Trotter Jr. Shelley McKinley Tristar Web Graphics - Layout Design/Print
December 31, 2023
EDITORIAL A Revival of God
Consciousness Bobby Mills, Phd
Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
HATRED OF BLACKS
STORIES, PICTURES, LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, EMAIL TO
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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
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
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. For more visit aframnews.com
And all that Jazz Esperanza Jazz Paz
ACREAGE HOME What is your name? To Gordon Allport, one of the founders of personality psychology “the most important anchorage to our self-identity throughout life remains our own name.” Every time your name is spoken, your identity is acknowledged. Names are our cultural identity; your name is a fundamental part of your personal brand. When we feel compelled to compromise our identities for social acceptance, our sense of self is compromised. The historic, suburban community of Acreage Home, about 10 miles northwest of downtown Houston was once recognized as the South’s largest unincorporated African American community. Developed during the first World War, it was named Acreage Home because the properties were sold by the acre, instead of by the lot. Residents dug their own wells and built modest homes. Although many plots lacked curbs and sidewalks and there were no storm drains (deep ditches lined many of the streets) it was a place where residents could become proud property and homeowners. Sammie Mae Ford, a resident of Acreage Home quoted in the Houston Chronicle, said in the 1920s most of the residents had gardens in their yards and raised
chickens and hogs. Ford described Acreage Home as “like it was the country” and “a place where people had to help each other.” The heavily pine-wooded, affordable land offered low taxes, and neighbors enjoyed plenty of room to grow gardens and raise livestock. Working class families, farmers, skilled laborers, and domestic workers bought the acreage platted for African Americans. Kristen Mack of the Houston Chronicle said that as the designation evolved into Acreage Home it was marketed as “a bit of genteel country with quick and easy access to the city.” Part of the area was annexed as part of the City of Houston in 1967. The remaining portion was absorbed by the city in 1974. Since its founding the community has nurtured artists like hip hop celebrity Slim Thug who grew up in Acreage Home. Award-winning actor Loretta Devine, publisher Roy Douglas Malonson and rappers Camillionaire, and Paul Wall are from the area. Mayor Sylvester Turner and nationally renowned educator, Thaddeus S. Lott Sr. call the neighborhood home. In rap idiom Acreage Home is nicknamed the “44,” after the “Acreage Home Limited”, the #44 METRO bus route that traverses Acreage Home. In 2002 Kristen Mack of the Houston Chronicle wrote that the lots of the “comfortable” larger houses were “well-maintained” while the smaller houses, among them many shotgun houses that were owned by absentee landlords were “ramshackle”. When in 2008 Lori Rodriguez wrote in the Houston
Acreage Home on pg. 3
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION Fisher Cont.
Dr. Ford Fisher has dedicated nearly four decades to serving HCC in various capacities, more recently as the founding president of Houston Community College Online, established in February 2018. Her tenure at the HCC Online College has been marked by exceptional growth and modernization, earning it the honor of being “One of America’s Best Online Colleges” by Newsweek for two consecutive years, 2022 and 2023. Under her leadership, the HCC Online College launched over 60 fully online degree programs and 70 hybrid courses, significantly enhancing educational accessibility, and
Acreage Home Cont. Chronicle that Acreage Home, along with MacGregor-Riverside Terrace, “barely held on to their historical population base” a gated community had just opened there In 2016 the residents petitioned Houston City Council to protest the new developments of new industrial facilities and townhouses. Still, La Sierra, began development in 2017. Investors were skeptical when David Bohorquez built new homes with contemporary facades and open floor plans that started then in the $300,000s Even with the continuing new construction and hefty price tags, there remains a per-
registering an enrollment of more than 62,000 students. Prior to this role, she served 20 years as HCC Northeast College president. There she led two successful capital campaigns and garnered community support for an HCC annexation initiative, resulting in greater educational services and in demand programs. Dr. Ford Fisher holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master’s degree in the Teaching of English from Wichita State University, and a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Houston. Board Chair LentonGary further said, “The governing board’s decision underscores Dr. Ford Fisher’s ceived stigma attached to Acreage Home. Maybe that’s why there is a push to rename the gentrifying area Highland Heights. The inevitability of urban renewal looms. And history repeats itself. The Third Ward, the center of Houston’s civil rights organizations in the 1960s, is now barely 45% Black. The Fifth Ward, originally known as Frenchtown, began as a settlement of about 500 Black people of Spanish and French ancestry who brought their traditional Creole music with them. When mixed with blues and jazz, it produced zydeco. In the 1950s over forty Black-owned businesses were situated on Lyons Avenue.
December 31, 2023 unique positioning as a visionary leader, deeply rooted in HCC’s culture and history, and ripely equipped to advance the college through fundamental changes occurring in our sector.” “I am deeply honored for the opportunity to lead HCC and thank the Board for the confidence it has placed in me,” Dr. Ford Fisher said. “I am committed to a vision of providing a real-world education and look forward to working with the Board of Trustees, and our extraordinary faculty and staff to foster a talent-strong Houston, enriching the lives of all of our students, while elevating our community.”
Duke Ellington used to play at Club Matinee, the “Cotton Club of the South”. Before the most recent census count the Black population was 56%. Now it is just 48%, and a Family Dollar store occupies the site where the Continental Lounge stood. Longtime members of Acreage Home claim to hold no ill will towards their new, wealthier neighbors whose assets will inevitably cause everyone’s taxes to rise and alter the prevailing ethos, but hope they respect the sacred history and customs that preceded them. And they can’t help but wonder why white folk had to move in for Acreage Home to be “revitalized”.
Chef Chris Williams of Lucille’s, spearheaded the renovations of The Eldorado Ballroom, preserving the original floors, windows, steps, and bar. “Our mission is to bring it back to national recognition,” stated Williams. According the Texas State Historical Association, Houston’s Eldorado Ballroom reigned as one of the finest showcases in Texas for the live performance of Black secular music—mostly blues, jazz, and R&B, but occasionally also pop and zydeco. Known as a stop on the Chitterling Circuit, the Eldorado was featured in the Negro Motorists Green Book, which indicated safe spaces for African American people to lodge, and obtain goods and services throughout the United States. By 1970, however, the Eldorado declined primarily due to the negative economic impact for Black-owned businesses in the wards triggered by desegregation. Changing musical tastes was also a contributing factor. Many younger Black people abandoned the classic jazz and blues of their parents’ generation for more progressive sounds during that time. Similarly, the addition of African-Americans to major league rosters ultimately ended the
Forces Join Cont.
AFRAMNEWS.COM 3 Negro National League in 1948 and later the Negro American League in 1963. Spotlights on the renovated Eldorado Ballroom and the 2nd Annual HBCU Classic provide opportunities for multigenerational engagement to reignite interest in historical aspects of African American culture.
Left to right: Enos Cabell, Art Howe. Both are former Astros.
Left to right: Paula Harris, Executive Director, Astros Foundation; Sean Mark Owitz, Cheniere, Chief Legal Officer; Marian Harper, Vice President, Foundation Development
4 AFRAMNEWS.COM
December 31, 2023
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
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EDUCATION
ADVANCING A HOUSTON THEATER CAREER AS AN ARTIST OF COLOR In February 2022, Main Street Theater (MST) launched its JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) Fellowship Program. The fellowship serves as a paid, artistic leadership development program for early-career artists of color. MST’s current Fellows are Nychollete Easter (Directing), Jessica Jaye (Directing), and Nori Thach (Stage Management). In connection with the program and to introduce this year’s Fellows to the Houston arts community, MST and its JEDI Council are hosting a free networking event and mixer for Houston artists on Monday, January 8 at 6:30pm at the theater’s Rice Village location, 2540 Times Blvd. Lucille’s will cater the event. The evening will also include a discussion with this season’s Fellows, facilitated by JEDI Council members Brandon Mack and Dabrina Sandifer. Attendees will also learn more about MST’s JEDI Artist Fellowship Program, open to all theater artists of color, and how to apply. The event is open to all Houston artists. About the JEDI Artist Fellowship Program Applicants will submit a resume and portfolio. The selected fellows will be assigned to a production either with the MainStage or the The-
ater for Youth programs in their area of interest (Directing, Design, or Stage Management) while being given access to additional professional development opportunities within the Main Street Theater organization. As part of the Fellowship cohort, participants will re-
ceive handson experience and mentorship from accomplished Houstonbased theater professionals. Through this program, Fellows will develop important leadership skills and build a network for their future work. Applications open January 8, 2024. About the MST JEDI
Council The JEDI Council consists of a group of four community professionals not connected with Main Street Theater,
who meet monthly with our Executive Artistic Director and our Theater for Youth Artistic Director, to advise and assess both situations that may
arise with personnel and guide MST toward implementing better practices. Though only a
few months old, this Council has already had a profound impact on our operations including their presence and work with artists at
first rehearsals and more. The Council is comprised of Katricia Lang, Brandon Mack, Dabrina Sandifer, and Gumaro Armando Silva. About Main Street Theater Now in its 48th season, Main Street Theater provides theater experiences for all ages. The MainStage produces professional, inti-
mate, literary plays for adults and operates under an Actors’ Equity Association union contract; the Theater for Youth produces professional, engaging productions based on children’s
literature for families and school groups, both in-house and on tour around Texas; and we offer Education and Outreach programs on-site and at satellite locations around the Greater Houston area for youth aged 4 – high school. We work out of 2 facilities: our Rice Village home on Times. Blvd., and as part of the MATCH (Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston) on Main Street. Main Street Theater is a member of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national service organization for not-for-profit theaters, of Theatre for Young Audiences/USA (formerly ASSITEJ), the world theatre network of theatre for children and young people, and a founding member of Houston Arts Partners. Main Street Theater is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance. Main Street Theater is also funded in part by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts and the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance. This project is generously funded by the Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, and Mid-America Arts Alliance.
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