Volume 29 Issue 2

January 28, 2024

GREATER HOUSTON EDITION African-American News&Issues

“Addressing Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community”

Vol. 29, Issue 02

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We the People The negro who lives on the patronage of philanthropists is the most dangerous member of society because he is willing to turn back the clock of progress when his benefactor asks him to - Marcus Garvey

BREAKING GENERATIONAL CURSES INVESTITURE SPEECH: First I would like to thank you all for taking time out of your day to come celebrate this occasion with me and my family. I would like to thank the Commissioner’s Court for appointing me to this position. Especially the efforts of Commissioner Leslie Briones for working so diligently to help create this position. I would like to thank Judges Lawton-Evans, Kovach, Williams and Singh for entrusting me with this responsibility. I have been

in awe of the countless congratulatory messages and expressions of support that you all have bestowed upon me since this appointment was announced.

Throughout my life, I have always viewed the personal and professional successes of my friends and family as my own, and your overwhelming response, including the turnout today, shows me that you all do as well, and for that I am truly grateful.

We are fortunate to live in the Curses on pg. 3

JUDGE AUDRIE LAWTON EVANS I am Judge Audrie Lawton Evans and I am the Presiding judge of Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 1.

On behalf of all of my colleagues on the 5th Floor, I would like to welcome you to 201 Caroline.

What a great assignment this is…I have the distinct honor of starting this celebration and oh what a celebration it will be! And doesn’t it feel great to celebrate?

It feels especially great to celebrate on a day, such as this… a day that was meant to break the American spirit and destroy our very own democracy…on a day, 3 years ago, that was meant to break us all. And yet, a year ago, on this very day, Harris County swore in the First Female Sikh Judge in Evans on pg. 7 the entire nation, Judge Manpreet

2 AFRAMNEWS.COM

President/Chief Editor Contributing Writers Dr. Bobby Mills Rachel Thompson Jazz Pazz Asia Williams William Monroe Trotter Jr. Shelley McKinley

January 28, 2024

EDITORIAL

A Revival of God Consciousness Bobby Mills, Phd

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Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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.

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THE QUESTION OF RIGHTAND WRONG God has spiritually decreed that it is alright to disobey manmade laws that are against God’s laws, because: “The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.”

(Psalm 19:8). Family was designed by God, not by the Supreme Court. Thus, there are spiritual rules of moral order that govern family interpersonal relationships and interactions. Hence, we should desire to not ever sin against God’s law, because: “Thy word have I hidden in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119: 11). America, this is precisely why we should read the Holy Bible, because: “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”

(Joshua 1: 8). The spiritual question of right and wrong is about God and the devil.

Both are spirits, and human beings are flesh and blood.

A spiritual word to the wise is sufficient. Hence, God must confront the devil on our behalf, and we must run like heaven unto the spiritual covering of God. God gave human beings free will, and

He also gave us a spiritual road map in the Bible for what our will should be: love Him and love each other.

However, the devil always seeks to interfere with God’s Will. Since the sin of Adam and Eve in The Garden of Eden, God has been seeking to fix and put in order that which was sinless through His Son Jesus Christ. Praise God! America, in our everyday lives, we are spiritually confronted with choices. But know this, with choices there are consequences: good or bad! Therefore, if the decision choice is God’s law verses man’s law, above all, obey God’s law based upon the example of Patrick Henry: “Give me liberty, or give me death”. Therefore, individuals should never allow themselves to be placed in a devilish trick-bag based upon how a question is asked to elicit a certain answer rather than embrace the truth, because individuals have free will. In God-given free will choices there are constitutional rights that mankind universally has given to all individuals to reach a universal just conclusion based upon the notion of universal justice, not justice for some, but for justice everyone regardless of race, color, or creed. In a multi-cultural nation state, everything should be openly discussed the past, present, and the future in order not to repeat the sins of the past.

However, it seems as though Christian Right Evangelicals, The GOP, White Nationalists, Fox “FAKE” News, and some spiritually misguided Blacks and other minorities For more visit only desire to aframnews.com

And all that Jazz

By Berthony Napoleon and Rey Robinson

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 wellresourced 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 parttime 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

Power on pg. 7

GREATER HOUSTON EDITION Curses Cont. greatest place in the world. This city and county have been great to me. It is where I was born and raised, where I have been educated, where I have met and married my wife, where my kids were born and where I have been employed all of my life. I am honored to now be able to serve a place that has given so much to me.

In preparing my thoughts for today, I struggled at times to decide the direction to take, especially considering the vast diversity of this audience. But in deciding my approach, I have chosen the path that has always served me well: simply being true and genuine to who I am and those I love. To that end, if you came here today to hear about how I will pontificate from the bench as a jurist, although important, this will not be the speech for you. However, for those of you expecting that kind of speech, if you will step outside in the hall, someone will be waiting to refund you your full price for admission.

For those of us remaining, please allow me a moment of personal privilege.

I was born to a teenage mother, I was her second child. My mother had her first child at 15 years old, me at 18 and four years later, my mother would have her third child. I have never had much of a relationship with my father. In fact, I don’t even know his last name, and if he were in this room right now, I wouldn’t be able to identify him. My only memory of spending time with my father was when he picked me up and took me to hang out with him at a bar, I was maybe 11 years old. For the longest time, I refused to drink alcohol because I didn’t want to be anything like him. I despised him, because he rejected me. I must confess, I never told my mother the truth about where he took me, because I knew my mom, and I was scared she would kill him for taking me to a bar.

-- No, I am serious! My mother was a woman with the spirit of Chad Butler,

January 28, 2024 she spoke her mind, and “if you didn’t like it, a fight came with it”!

My mother was a strong and prideful woman, who did not have much, but would always share what little she did have with those she cared for. If my mother cared for you, you would not find a better advocate. She had the ability to turn a little into a lot and make something from nothing. My mother did not graduate from high school, yet she always championed the need for an education and demanded academic achievement from me and my sisters.

I think too often we equate academic achievement, although important, with intelligence. I am reminded of a time early in my legal career when a wise man once told

School in Sunnyside, then again back to Fondren Middle School. Ironically, as you may be able to read between the lines, we weren’t moving so much because we wanted to. More often than not, we were being evicted. Often as a child, you don’t realize what you don’t have because so many of your peers are similarly situated. I recall many nights my sisters and I doing our homework by candlelight and that wasn’t because we were trying to set a mood! One day my youngest sister and I were walking home from school with our friends, when my cousin, who’d often come by our house after school came running towards us with a look of discernment on his face. He had apparently made it to the house before us. Before

Manpreet Singh, Lashawn Williams, Jim Kovach, me, Audrie Lawton-Evans, Deidra Davis, Comm. Leslie Briones

me, “I don’t have a college degree, but a lot of people that work for me do.” Although she lacked a formal education, my mother was highly intelligent. She taught us how to sacrifice for the family unit. I recall times when my mother refused to eat until she was certain that her kids were full, because there wasn’t enough food for us to eat seconds and for her to eat as well.

Some of my earliest memories are of attending the old Bastian Elementary School in Sunnyside, across the street from Wesley Square Apartments, while living in Jarmese Apartments a few blocks away. I later attended Hartman Middle School, Fondren Middle School (when we moved to that SouthWest), then went back to Attucks Middle

we had a chance to say anything to him, in front of all of our friends, he proclaimed “THE LIGHTS -- ARE OFF -- AGAIN!!!” We were so embarrassed!

I still owe him for that one!

I attended Westbury High School all four years, unlike middle school, this time when we were evicted, we just moved into different apartments up and down West Bellfort (my recollection is at least 5 different apartments) fortunately, we were able to remain in the same school zone so we didn’t have to transfer. It was at Westbury that my passion for the study of African American Life and History developed. It is also where I got my first job, at 15 years old. It’s where I met my best friend. It was also there, that I began to appreci-

AFRAMNEWS.COM 3 ate how little that we really had. I saw kids driving to school, when we didn’t even have a car at home. Hell, there were times, when we didn’t have any furniture in our apartment. Because of that, coupled with my stubborn pride, I would never have any friends over.

Until one day, for some reason or another, my best friend, Byron Myers had to come into our apartment. He saw that we had no furniture, and it didn’t matter to him, he never told anybody at school that we had nothing and as often as he and I played the dozens, he never used that fact to chide me. We have been road dogs ever since!

I was a prideful young man. I resented being on food stamps (but hell, we needed them). When my mom would send me to the store with food stamps, if I had money, I would spend my cash instead of the food stamps and then go home and put the food stamps under my mattress. My mom eventually found my food stamp stash under my mattress.

I believe her motherly instincts told her that I was too embarrassed to use food stamps. My mother never sent me to the store with food stamps again.

My first job was at a car wash in southwest Houston. I would go on to work there for 10 years until I finished my first year of law school. It was there I met El Hajji Mushtaq Muhammad Ali Orawali, a native of Pakistan, he was my first boss, he was my first mentor and simply, he was the kindest, most generous, hardest working, loyal and honorable man I have ever known. And I mean that!

He taught me how to be a man. There were times when Ali, as we called him, helped my family pay the rent or the light bill and he would never ask for the money back or for anything else in return, and I know I wasn’t the only one he did that for.

After high school, I attended Texas Southern University. There I studied Political Science with a minor in the AdCurses on pg. 4

4 AFRAMNEWS.COM Curses Cont. ministration of Justice. There I met my mentor, Prof. Marva Johnson. I know it is no surprise to you all, but I was her favorite student! She taught me the three keys to success: 1) preparation, 2) preparation and 3) preparation. While attending TSU, I applied for the Texas Legislative Internship Program. Started

by Commissioner Ellis, the goal of TLIP was to provide opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students attending Texas colleges and universities to serve as interns in the Texas Legislature, in various state agencies, and in local government. TLIP provided me with an opportunity to serve as an intern for then State Representative Sylvester Turner during the 75th Legislative Session. The benefits to me from participating in the TLIP program have been immeasurable. I truly believe that TLIP program has been a critical part of my professional success and achievement. While at TSU, I also served as the President of the Political Science Club and as the Attorney General of the Student Government Association. It was also at TSU that I met my future wife Monique. She has been our family’s anchor, and she has allowed me to help her raise two of the best kids that a father could ask for in Taylor and Jermaine, Jr. After TSU, I attended South Texas College of Law in downtown Houston. There I met my next mentor, Prof.

Shelby A.D. Moore. Again, as I know it is no surprise to you all, I was her favorite student! Prof. Moore opened my eyes to issues I had not contemplated like the Impact of Domestic Violence and the Issue of Prosecutorial Discretion in Capital Punishment cases. The knowledge I gained serving as her research assistance changed my opinion on the death penalty. While at South Texas, I served as President of the Black Law Students Association. I am thankful for the efforts of people like Prof. Moore, Dean Singleton and Prof.

January 28, 2024 Jenkins for their help in assisting me and countless other similarly situated students. While at South Texas, let’s just say that I was part of the group that made the top 10% possible. It was there that I met my “lawless” crew, a band of friends that would be essential to each of us young lawyers becoming middleaged lawyers over the next 20 plus years, surviving personal and professional trials and tribulations. Near the end of my second year in law school, I began looking toward my job prospects.

I knew I would not be part of the highly paid summer clerkship circuit. So, I

at the firm during my 3rd year, and was eventually offered a job. I sat for the bar the summer of 2001 and became a licensed attorney on November 3, 2001.

Since that time and up until I accepted this Associate Judgeship, I have been an attorney at that law firm. I am thankful for the opportunity that Barry Barnes and Sylvester Turner gave me. I am thankful for my colleagues Catherine, Helen and Vanessa as well as the others who came and went. Over the years we have laughed, cried and been mad at each other, we’ve buried loved ones, yet through it all, we’ve known that

Friends of Judge Thomas decided to approach the only lawyer I knew, Rep. Sylvester Turner, to ask if I could volunteer at his law firm for free, just to have some work experience. Rep. Turner told me to go back and finish my semester at school and that when summer came, there would be a job waiting for me at the firm and that he was going to pay me because he “couldn’t let word get out on the street that he had people working for free”.

The law firm was established by Barry M. Barnes and Sylvester Turner in 1983.

We believe it is the longest standing African American owned law firm in the state of Texas. Last year the firm celebrated its 40th anniversary. I began working at Barnes and Turner as a rising second year law student in the summer of 2000. At the completion of my summer clerkship, I continued to work

we could always count on each other.

It was not an easy decision for me to leave my law firm family. At the firm, I gained a great deal of experience in litigation and transactional matters. We represented Plaintiffs and Defendants and Landlords and Tenants. Clients we loved, and some we didn’t love as much.

We celebrated victories and suffered losses. But through it all, I did my best to honor the profession. I never wanted a client to leave my office thinking they were worse off than when they came and in the process some clients became family, I am thankful for the trust that Ollie Hilliard, Roy Malonson, Sandra Smith and many others bestowed upon me.

On June 25, 2008, we lost our mother.

We held her hand as she transitioned.

We never left her side because she never left ours. Before she passed, the once

GREATER HOUSTON EDITION pregnant teen, high school dropout, sent all of her kids to college and all of her grand kids to college, her daughter to the air force and her son to law school! WE BROKE GENERATIONAL CURSES! On December 10, 2021, I lost the man that raised me, Mushtaq Ali, he left behind 4 wonderful sons.

Ali used to tell me that he hoped that his sons would grow to be men like me.

What he didn’t know is that I was trying to be a Man like him!

I am a firm believer that we were put on this earth to help others. I chose the practice of law because I always wanted to give a voice to the voiceless. Now that I am no longer an advocate, the mission remains. Instead of advocating, my duty shifts to ensuring that all receive a just and fair hearing and in my court they will. So Kayla Meyers, my trial coordinator, let’s get to the work of the people!

To my 5th floor family, WE COMING!!

It is with a discerning spirit, solemn honor, and passion for justice and fairness that I accept this privilege to serve.

I accept this honor on behalf of every kid who just needed an opportunity to prove themselves. MOMMA, I PROVED MYSELF! I accept this on behalf every kid who never complained about what they didn’t have, but instead, busted their ass to show the world they were worthy. MOMMA, I’M WORTHY! I accept this on behalf of every kid society counted out because the deck was stacked against them, but still they persevered and stayed the course.

MOMMA, I STAYED THE COURSE. I accept this on behalf of every child who knew that good wasn’t good enough, and that when you fail, you HAVE to get back up. MOMMA, I GOT BACK UP! I accept this on behalf of every kid that knew that any victory they’d achieve wasn’t theirs’ alone, but rather the collective effort of their will, others’ sacrifices and God’s PLAN. MOMMA WE DID IT!!!!

Friends and Family on pg. 5

GREATER HOUSTON EDITION

January 28, 2024

AFRAMNEWS.COM 5

FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF JUDGE THOMAS

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PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE TO PROPOSERS: Request for sub-contractor proposals for LSC – Victory Center Expansion Durotech, Inc., as Construction Manager at Risk on behalf of Lone Star College System will receive sub-contractor/vendor proposals for the LSC – Victory Center Expansion project as designed by PBK Architects, Inc. Proposals and qualification statements will be received by Durotech, Inc., from interested proposers, sub-proposers, and suppliers until 2:00 PM on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, in the presence of the Owner and Architect at the offices of Durotech, Inc. at 11931 Wickchester Lane, #205, Houston, Texas 77043-4501, Phone: 281558-6892 and Fax: 281-4965637. Construction Manager Contact: Marcela Rodriguez.

A pre-proposal meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at 2.00 PM (Location: Lone Star College-Houston North Victory - 4141 Victory Dr, Houston, TX 77088).

Drawings and Specifications will be available for review at the offices of Durotech, Inc., and at the plan rooms of AGC, Dodge Data & Analytics, Virtual Builders Exchange, Brazos Valley Contractors Association, Construction Data and CMD Group. Prevailing wage rates in conformance with Texas law will be paid on this project. All proposals shall remain valid for sixty (60) days.

The Owner, Architect/Engineer and Construction Manager reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, to waive any informalities and irregularities in the proposal process, and to make the awards in the best interest of the Owner. By submitting a proposal, each proposer agrees to waive any claim it has or may have against the Owner, the Architect/Engineer, Construction Manager and their respective employees arising out of or in connection with the administration, evaluation, or recommendation of any proposal; waiver of any requirements under the Proposal Documents, or the Contract Documents; acceptance or rejection of any proposals; and award of a Contract.

Notice to Proposers Request for Proposal will be received by Lone Star College for: • RFI #937- RFP# 937 High Fidelity Mannequins Purchase & Replacement. Electronic submittals due by 5:00PM, Thursday, February 15, 2024.

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African-American News&Issues

GREATER HOUSTON EDITION Power Cont.

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As you consider your academics beyond high school, there are numerous reasons to remember Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) represent only about 3% of the nation’s four-year nonprofit colleges and universities, but they enroll about 10% of all Black college students. HBCUs award 17% of all bachelor’s degrees earned by black students in the United States. Almost a quarter of all Black graduates with a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field are products of HBCUs, according to the United Negro College Fund, and are a major driver of their socioeconomic mobility. An HBCU graduate will likely earn an additional $927,000 over their professional lifetime, 56% more than without their degree or certificate.

January 28, 2024 There are nine HBCUs in Texas and dozens nationally. Generally, they welcome a greater number of applicants to their schools and are more affordable (by about 28% on average) than nonHBCUs. Still, you will want to maximize your prospects and minimize your financial obligations by submitting the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as soon as the 2024 – 2025 is available, likely by the end of December 2023. The sooner your completed online application is turned in the better your chances are of a higher financial award. Also, write directly to the institutions you are most interested in attending and explain your need. Some, particularly HBCUs, will negotiate expenses with serious students.

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Evans Cont.

AFRAMNEWS.COM 7

Monica Singh, and today, we a swearing in our very first Associate Judge for the Harris County Civil Courts at law and oh….he just happens to be a Black Man. I am not sure if everyone caught that last part, so I will say it again…he just HAPPENS to be a Black Man. And so today, I am welcoming you not only as a judge, but as a mother, a Black Mother who is filled with JOY! And so I asked my daughter and she said that they actually have a name for this type of joy. Many of you are probably familiar with the term Black Girl Magic…well, I am here to tell you that there is something else and it’s called Black Boy Joy! In Our Country, The weight of being a Black boy and a parent of a Black boy is immense. The truth is that every time a Black boy is brought into this world, his JOY is at risk from day one.

If Black boys can be feared and falsely accused because they choose to wear a hoodie, or play with a toy gun or jog

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through a neighborhood, that means their very existence, their very place in this world, is always on trial. Can you imagine walking around with the 24 hour burden of proving that you’re a good person? Constantly on alert about how you’re being perceived and striving to make others comfortable?

Assumed guilty until proven innocent?

That is the oppression that Black people, particularly Black boys, have to live with in our country every day.

And so on this day, which was meant to break us, we sit here more unified than ever, together, celebrating the swearing in of the first Associate Judge in the history of Harris County Civil Courts at Law, and the First Black Associate Judge in the history of the Harris County Civil Courts at Law. Today, let’s celebrate how far we have come …

Today let us celebrate Judge Thomas in all of his accomplishments, let us also celebrate the legacy he is leaving to little black boys across the world.

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