Volume 29 Issue 6

African-American News&Issues

“Addressing Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community”

MAINTAINING EXCELLENCE

By Shelley McKinley

Donna Blackshear-Reynolds is a federal treasure, currently serving as the Associate CFO for Organizational Development within the O ce of the Chief Financial O cer at NASA, Johnson Space Center (JSC), an organization of approximately 180 civil servants. Donna also serves as the senior JSC Ombudsman, appointed by the JSC Center Director and Lead for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility for the Agency OCFO organization of over 1200 civil servants at 10 NASA Centers.

Donna Blackshear-Reynolds is also a local treasure,

having graduated from Phillis Wheatley High School, grown up in the Fi h Ward Community, and raised by Hubert and Mattie Blackshear. Her mother, Mrs. Mattie Blackshear, a teacher for 41 years with the Houston Independent School District and founder of the Scattergood Club of Houston, is included on a mural at the corner of Lyons Ave. and Lockwood in honor of the work she did in the community alongside others. While a student at Wheatley HS, Blackshear-Reynolds petitioned to get Calculus as a course o ering, knowing that she and others needed it for

History is His Story, not the Truth or Our Story. Black History is 24/7/365, not just 4 weeks

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Roy Douglas Malonson

All knowledgeable black smust have mused at one time or another. i.e. Church leaders must surely know that Hebrews were Black people, thus Jesus was Black, so how can they in good conscience allow them to be depicted as Whites? e reasons for that are of course complicated and racist, but here is now the Popes deal with it in private.

German Pope Benedict XVI, and Italian (by way of Argentina), Pope Francis I, pray to the Black Madonna in a Vatican Chapel (2013)

This Jesus is out front of all the Catholic Churches in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Diocese

Donna Blackshear-Reynolds

Constable Alan Rosen and Robert Curley Malonson, Detective Sgt.

Daniel Cardinal DiNardo

America’s political crisis and the high level of anxiety about the future is grounded in institutional racism. is is precisely why our democratic institutional structures are being knee-capped by desires for White Privilege Autocratic Values. is is why the issue of abortion has become a racist camou age cloak issue. Hence, let’s get real about America’s future, and the new multi-cultural frontier facing us as a democratic multi-cultural nation-state. Institutional racism in a democratic multi-cultural society has always been a recipe for autocratic White Privilege Anarchy. No doubt about it, the basis for the devilish stronghold that exist in the GOP is institutional racism, because the GOP has been transformed into the Dixiecrat Confederacy Party of the ole South. Presidential candidate, Nikki Haley’s refusal to say that slavery was the primary cause of the Civil War is absolute proof that racism drives public policy and cultural image in the GOP. Hence, unless an individual has empathy for exclusion you cannot get elected as a public servant o cial in the Not So Grand Ole Party (GOP). A devilish and racist stronghold exist in the spiritual mindset and character of the GOP. Initially, and historically most Blacks were socialized as President Lincoln Republicans, because:

“no nation divided against itself can stand”. However, with the election of Donald J. Trump in 2016 the notion of America as a White nation became openly popularized in the slogan, “Make America Great Again”. Which, in turn, is a subliminal message of “Make America White Again”. Of course, America was never a White nation, because Native American tribes were inhabitants of the land. America, you cannot discover land that is occupied. Unless the ungodly intent is to declare the occupants as non-humans, because of their skin-tone. ereby, commit genocide against them, and they did. Just a reminder it’s not about skin. It’s about sin!

If America is to survive as a multicultural democratic society, we must invariably pull down the divisive walls of institutional racism and acknowledge that: “ e Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.” (Psalm 9: 9). America must learn to utilize all its resources both human and non-human to remain as a great nation and become greater. America, wicked nations that refuse to acknowledge God’s Will, shall be judged by God, because: “ e Lord is known by the judgement which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands… e wicked shall be turned into hell, and all nations that forget God.” (Psalm 9: 16-17). America, let’s get real, racism is a spiritual and moral recipe for a failed nationstate. Welfare is an example of nation state failure. It is a form of

Readers of a certain age may remember when being recognized as being a Texan was something to be proud of. We were known then to be friendly, honest, and welcoming. Independent, industrious workers. Highly skeptical of our government. We loved our neighbors, our neighborhood schools, our church, trail rides, and eating tamales at Christmas.

Although many oldtime Texans are becoming increasingly disappointed to disgust over the political surliness towards newcomers, public displays of corruption, and radical miserliness demonstrated by the unholy trinity of Abbott, Patrick and Paxton, the rest of the world continues to be drawn here faster than double-struck lightning.

With more than 30 million people, Texas has almost 8.5 million more residents than it did at the beginning of the century. e increase is substantially due to the international oil business which has always stretched from Texas to around the world. e hourly-paid oil eld roughneck who symbolized the state’s explosive wealth born of oil used to be a sunburned white man; today the typical greasestained oil eld worker is

Hispanic who was born here. According to the U.S. Census Bureau about 95% of our population growth is due to people of color, with Hispanics outnumbering whites making them about equal in citizenry, but unequal in representation. White voters still control elections via deliberate gerrymandering of the new political maps. Houston is one of the most immigrant-diverse cities in the nation with more than one hundred di erent native languages. People here celebrate Lunar New Year, Christmas, Hanukkah, Ramadan, Chavez-Huerta Day, and the Hindu festivals of Holi and Diwali. Asians account for about 5.4% of us, with that demographic growing faster than whites. In some locales new home construction is being built around the ancient design philosophy concept of Vastu Shastra.

e number of Texas-born Hispanics surpasses that of Texas-born whites, but they are so much younger than the white population that their impact on Texas politics remains nascent. As those brown babies reach voting age the Texans the political environment will uctuate, but perhaps not in expected ways. Most Asians and Indians are socially, scally, and religiously conservative. Latinos are also more traditionalist, family orientated (anti-LGBT), and religious (anti-choice), which may make Republicanism appealing to them.

Black Texans make up about 12% of our residents.

Excellence Cont.

college. is successful endeavor likely gave her the con dence to ask to enroll in an independent study class reserved for graduate students at the University of Texas at Austin, in order to work under the direction of Barbara Jordan, who was an adjunct professor teaching in the LBJ School of Public A airs at the time.

Every Wednesday Blackshear-Reynolds went to the Texas Capitol and sat in on hearings related to Health & Human Services. She would report back to Barbara Jordan on who was in favor and who was against an issue and interact with the Chair of the Health & Human Services Committee. “At that age I didn’t realize the signi cance of what I was doing,” commented Blackshear-Reynolds. “Although she knew my mother, Barbara Jordan was strictly business. She wanted reports that were concise yet compelling.” She received a grade of A in the class.

Donna Blackshear-Reynolds earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Government with honors at the University of Texas where she was named 1 of 20 “Outstanding” students featured in the UT Yearbook. As a Danforth fellow, she completed her Master of Public Administration at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, and she has completed PhD coursework at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Finance.

While at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard, BlackshearReynolds applied for the Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program. Each year, candidates apply to the program in e orts to be selected as Finalists. Finalists are then eligible for appointments as Fellows at a participating federal agency in order to grow professionally while serving the USA. As a PMF, Blackshear-Reynolds chose NASA JSC for her appointment to return to the Houston area to help her mother care for her father. “NASA was in Houston, so I could be close to my parents and work for a federal agency,” stated BlackshearReynolds.

Having had the experience of being a child in Hawaii on vacation with her parents while watching television to hear Neil Armstrong say “ at’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” on July 20, 1969, she is equally

excited for Jeanette J. Epps, an African American female astronaut making her rst trip into space as a member of Crew 8. Epps and her three crewmates will join the Expedition 70 and 71 crews for a planned six-month mission aboard the space station to conduct more than 200 experiments.

Donna Blackshear-Reynolds was adopted at two-months old by

adopted at two-months old by the Blackshear family and grew up knowing that fact. erefore, her parents were older than those of her peers. BlackshearReynolds graduated in May 1981 with her Master’s degree at age 22 and in October of that same year, her father passed away.

Blackshear-Reynolds has reconnected with her birth family from the islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis and is currently planning a family reunion for her birth family from several countries all over the world. “It’s not what happens to you. It’s what you do next,” shared BlackshearReynolds.

She feels extremely blessed for the parents who raised her, her birth family, and her immediate family which includes her husband Attorney Rodney Reynolds; her daughter, Maria, a graduate of Yale University and UT Southwestern medical school, and currently a psychiatry resident at Harvard Medical School Teaching Hospital Cambridge Health Alliance;

Hospital Cambridge Health Alliance; and son, Evan, a graduate of Cornell University, post baccalaureate studies in psychology at the University of Houston and currently a PhD student in Clinical Psychology at Northwestern University. Beyond her family connections, she is also proud of what she has accomplished in the community. According to the NASA Roundup Reads (2017), JSC volunteers jumped into action at the Port City Links’ annual Health,

Education, Science Fair and Carnival at Sunnyside Park, south of downtown Houston. With Donna BlackshearReynolds at the helm as vice president of Programs for the Port City Chapter of e Links, Incorporated, which is a woman-run friendship and service organization focused on giving back to Houstonians. e fair brought together vendors from around Houston to deliver free fun, food and learning to children gathered for South Central Sportz’s (SCS’) spring baseball season opening day. SCS’ 15 youth baseball teams all call Sunnyside Park home, and the event also o ered students across the community a chance to showcase their winning projects from a prestigious Port City Links science fair.

connections, she is also proud in the community. According

“I rst saw an opportunity for us to host a fair as my own son and daughter participated in youth baseball at the park where all the teams are named for the Negro League,” BlackshearReynolds said. “As the event grew over the years, I was able to tie in my own work with NASA to the work the fair was doing. My favorite part of the event is being able to say to our attendees, ‘Here’s a judge, here’s a lawyer, here’s a businessperson and a NASA engineer. You can do anything you want with your life. You can come work for NASA!’”

Special guests have included Harvard classmate and Emeritus Mayor Sylvester Turner, Congressman Al Green, and many others. e event was sponsored by former City Councilmembers Dwight Boykins and Wanda Adams, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Paula Harris, the Astros Foundation, Schlumberger, A-Rocket Moving, Texas Southern University, and dozens of local businesses and community leaders. Above all, the event highlighted the importance of diversity in STEM and sought to connect young people with role models and opportunities for teamwork. “Houston is one of the most diverse cities in America,” Blackshear-Reynolds said. “We must pull talent from all of our neighborhoods to lead human space exploration.” In response to a question concerning where she gets all of her energy to accomplish so much, she simply replies, “I get it from the Lord.”

DONNA BLACKSHEAR-REYNOLDS

In a signi cant development in the TX-18 Congressional primary, Amanda Edwards secured a pivotal endorsement from former Congressman Craig Washington during an exclusive interview on FOX 26’s Sunday morning program, “What’s Your Point?”.

“I am thrilled to endorse Amanda Edwards for Congress. TX-18 needs new ideas and solutions so that we can move our community forward,” said Craig Washington. He further emphasized, “It is time that the torch is passed in order to realize our full potential as a community.”

Washington’s endorsement is seen as particularly intriguing, he has mainly shied away from primary politics since leaving Congress.  He represented TX18 from 1989 to 1995.

Edwards stated, “Receiving the endorsement of former Congressman Craig Washington, a respected and experienced leader who has previously held this seat, is incredibly humbling.” Edwards also remarked, “As Congressman Washington has wisely observed, it’s time for a new era of leadership in Washington and in Houston.”

Edwards has been endorsed by national organizations including Brady PAC, Collective PAC, and Higher Heights and local Houston leaders including Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones, Houston City Council Member Robert Gallegos, Houston City Council Member Tarsha Jackson and formerCongressman Chris Bell.

In addition to announcing a litany of high-pro le endorsements, Edwards has a signi cant nancial advantage over Rep. Jackson Lee.

POLITICS 713.692.1195

GOING OUT OF BUSINESS SALE SALES EVERY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY FROM 11AM TO 4PM FORMER CONGRESSMAN CRAIG WASHINGTON ENDORSES FORMER CONGRESSMAN CRAIG WASHINGTON AMANDA EDWARDS

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About Amanda: Amanda is a native Houstonian, attorney and former AtLarge Houston City Council Member. Amanda is a graduate of Eisenhower High School in Aldine ISD and Emory University in Atlanta, where she earned a degree in political science, served as president for the college and was inducted into the Emory University Hall of Fame. Edwards also earned a J.D. from Harvard Law School. She practiced law at Vinson & Elkins LLP and Bracewell LLP before entering public service. Edwards is a life-long member of St. Monica Catholic Church in Acres Homes. For more information, please visit www. edwardsforhouston.

UPHOLDING DEMOCRACY POLITICS

By Roy Douglas Malonson

Since 8am, Saturday, December 30th, 2023, the Harris County Democratic Party (HCDP) has been complicit in the e orts to remove Black women judicial candidates, such as Judge Erica Hughes, Lillian Alexander, Amber Boyd-Cora, and TaKasha Francis, from the ballot. ese candidates have been targeted with o cial challenges made with HCDP and in some instances lawsuits, some reaching the Texas Supreme Court. What is deeply troubling is not just the legal battles but the systemic racism that denies these Black women a fair opportunity to defend themselves and just compete in a vote with Harris County voters.

Judge Erica Hughes, a federal immigration judge, and Army veteran, appointed under President Biden, faced a daunting challenge when her place on the ballot was contested by Judge Michael Engelhart. Despite reasonable requests for an extension due to the New Year’s holiday weekend, Hughes was denied an extension by the HCDP Chair, Mike Doyle. His December 31, 2023, approximately 7pm decision e ectively precluded Judge Hughes her the ability to submit evidence against the false allegations that she had forged petition signatures, each alleged signature carrying a potential third-

degree felony charge.

Although Hughes remained on the ballot, Engelhart then led a lawsuit, and used as evidence, Doyle’s hypothesis that Engelhart would likely prevail if Engelhart led a lawsuit in court. Engelhart, did in fact, le a lawsuit in the wee hours of New Year’s Day, 2024, at approximately 3am. e lawsuit, Case Number 2024–00001,

was the rst lawsuit led in 2024. e handling of that lawsuit not only violated administrative procedures but also sought to depose individuals on a day when the courts were traditionally closed. ankfully, through divine intervention or sheer determination, For more visit aframnews.com

TaKasha Francis, Lillian Alexander, Judge Erica Hughes, Amber Boyd-Cora

Notice to Proposers

Request for Proposal will be received by Lone Star College for:

• RFP #942 – Comprehensive Mental Health Counseling Services for Students. Electronic submittals due by 3:00PM, Wednesday, March 27, 2024.

• WebEx pre-proposal meeting: ursday, March 7, 2024, 10:00AM; call-in number 1-408-792-6300, Meeting #2634 854 4260

• Contact: janet.bradley@lonestar. edu or (832)813-6299.

• Must Register to Bid: http://wwwappsdstc.lonestar.edu/istar/supplier.htm . If registered, please ensure your registration is up to date. For assistance with the on-line registration process, contact MC-vendors@ lonestar.edu.

By Kevin Malonson

Corporal Robert Curley Malonson is currently a Detective assigned to the Criminal Investigations Unit for the Harris County Pct 1 Constables O ce. Curley rejoined the Pct 1 Constable’s O ce Family in 2021, a er retiring from the US Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Prisons with over thirty years of public service.

Curley is a native Houstonian, and the fourth of six children born to Robert and Willma Malonson. Curley was named a er his father and Grandfather John Curley Malonson, a Realtor and Barber who settled the Malonson Family in the Acreage Homes Community. Curley has three adult children and two grandchildren.

Curley completed his formative education in Houston and graduated from the prestigious High School for Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice. Curley earned his Associate’s Degree from the Houston Community College System, Bachelor of Science Degree from

the University of Houston/Downtown, and a Masters of Education Administration from Lamar University where he also completed the Principal Certication Program.

Curley is a graduate of the University of Houston-Downtown Police Academy training program. Curley’s law enforcement career began with the Sam Houston State University Police Department. He then went on to work for the City of Bellaire, Harris County Pct 1 Constable’s O ce, Metropolitan Transit Authority, and e Harris County Juvenile Probation Department.

Curley is not only a certi ed Texas Peace O cer, but he is also a certi ed Texas Educator and holds a Lifetime Teaching License. Curley taught Government, Law Enforcement Skills, and College Criminal Justice courses in Houston ISD, Fort Bend ISD, and Klein ISD.

In 2001 Curley joined the United States Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Prisons as a Federal Law

Enforcement O cer-Education Specialist. Curley enjoyed a distinguished twenty-year career where he held numerous positions of increasing responsibility. ose positions included Supervisor of Education and Training, Assistant Supervisor of Education and Training, Education Specialist, Agency Recruiter Coordinator, and Employee Mentor. In addition to those duties Curley was o en requested or volunteered to serve in other leadership positions such as the Emergency Preparedness

O cer, Special Investigative Agent, Executive Assistant to the Warden, Associate Warden, Captain, and A rmative Employment Manager. Curley was nominated and served in the employee Mentor program. Curley was instrumental as both a nonmanager and manager for union employee employer relations negotiations.

Curley was a member of the Bureau of Prisons For more visit aframnews.com

Kevin Malonson, Robert Curley Malonson, Wilma Jean Malonson, Constable Alan Rosen, Keith Malonson

IS ROOTED IN ACTION CHANGE Real

Helping Texans in need has been the cornerstone of H-E-B’s Spirit of Giving. We’re continuing to expand our investment in nonprofit organizations that are doing meaningful work in diversity, equity and inclusion.

Houston Museum of African American Culture –

The mission of the Houston Museum of African American Culture is to collect, conserve, explore, interpret, and exhibit the material and intellectual culture of Africans and African Americans. HMAAC is a museum for all people, and seeks to be a cultural portal through which we come together to build a common future.

UNCF –

The UNCF awards more than 10,000 scholarships annually, enabling more African American students to attend and graduate from college. Through their partnerships with historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), they have helped to more than double the number of minorities attending college.

NAACP Empowerment Programs Inc. –

The NAACP and the NAACP Empowerment Programs Inc. work to ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights without discrimination based on race, by focusing on training, education, and advocacy that ensures the health and wellbeing of all persons.