South Carolina coach Dawn Staley raises the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship trophy at a celebration at the Colonial Life Arena on April 8, 2024. The South Carolina Gamecocks defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes 87-75 to cap a perfect season. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
Let me be clear: Iowa State women’s basketball player Caitlin Clark deserves ALL the accolades she’s been getting for an amazing college career....but the way the media treated the ACTUAL winners is a slap in the face to those at South Carolina State University.....and a prime example of the continual whitewashing of Black excellence. CNN was among the many media outlets coming under fre afer the Women’s College Basketball championship game when South Carolina defeated Iowa. More than 18.7 million people watched South Carolina win that nail-biting game. So why then was the picture we saw in much of the media, a joyous picture of Caitlin and her Iowa team???? Te predominantly Black South Carolina squad’s moment of excellence was eclipsed by whiteness... something we see all too ofen. CNN did end up changing the pictures afer outraged fans called them out. But this is an example of how we are continually pushed to the side. Tis is Coach Dawn Stanley (who is Black) and her team’s moment. Tey hadn’t lost one game all year and THAT should’ve been the focus.
a shield for openly racist behavior. Charlamagne contends that many companies implement DEI programs for public relations purposes and legal protection rather than a genuine commitment to diversity.
Spelman College President Dr. Helene Gayle highlighted the complexities and challenges inherent in DEI initiatives. Charlamagne’s critique underscores ongoing debates surrounding the efcacy and authenticity of diversity efforts in the workplace.
Donald Trump is no Jesus… or Nelson Mandela
HBCU leaders respond afer Charlamagne The God calls DEI ‘Garbage’
Charlamagne Ta God has sparked controversy once again by labeling workplace diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) eforts as “garbage” during his guest hosting on “Te Daily Show.” His remarks criticize DEI initiatives as well-intentioned but ultimately inefective, likening them to the Black little mermaid—rejected by racists yet not inherently benefcial. Charlamagne’s skepticism toward DEI stems from concerns about tokenism, reverse discrimination and the failure to produce tangible results in increasing Black representation in positions of power within corporations. He argues that rather than fostering genuine equity, DEI eforts may fuel resentment and division while providing
Former President Donald Trump has a penchant for grandiose comparisons, previously likening potential real estate losses to Jesus’ crucifxion. However, his recent comparison of himself to Nelson Mandela proves there is no level of ridiculousness this man won’t reach for. Trump’s Truth Social post vented frustration over a gag order ruling, suggesting potential jail time akin to Mandela’s political incarceration. Mandela endured 27 years in prison fghting for Black Africans’ rights, while Trump faces charges related to concealing payments to Stormy Daniels and election interference (taking away Black people’s right to have their votes counted). Social media users echoed disapproval, one noting Mandela’s resemblance to those denied housing by Trump and his father. Trump’s attempt to align himself with Mandela rings hollow, provoking condemnation for trivializing Mandela’s legacy while facing charges antithetical to Mandela’s struggle for justice. I would say the former president needs to do better... but there’s no such thing.
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The former home of Wesley Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church (2209 Emancipation Ave., Houston, 77004) has been designated to serve as the nation’s first Gospel Music Haus and Museum, a move that was a labor of love involving many hands both locally and nationally.
The gospel museum, however, is just one aspect of the new development that will fill the 62,500-square-foot patch of land in Houston’s historic Third Ward.
Recently, the city of Houston approved an ordinance authorizing the purchase and sale of the land, which will be sold to The National Housing Partnership Foundation (NHP) for redevelopment.
NHP, a nonprofit real estate organization dedicated to preserving and creating affordable housing, plans to renovate and redevelop the property into a mixed-use development that will be renamed Gospel Square.
And though the affordable housing aspect of this project is making headlines elsewhere, in Houston’s Black community the Gospel Music Haus and Music is the center of attention.
US Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (with mic) is joined by several supporters of the Wesley Chapel revitalization effort that will give birth to the nation’s first Gospel Music Haus and Museum. The gathering took place at St. John’s Downtown, Saturday, April 6, 2024. Photo by Aswad Walker.
is going to be a piece of what we’re doing. But we wanted something magnificent and a statement of who we were. And what better edifice than that beautiful church [Wesley],” said Jackson Lee.
County Commissioner Rodney Ellis informed attendees that the road to this adaptive reuse of Wesley Chapel was not easy.
“Kudos to all of you who played a role in getting this done… We know it was difficult,” he said. “And after all these years, if you can accomplish this, my God, what comes next?”
What’s next are the other aspects of the coming Gospel Square, which is expected to function as a live-work community with a café, recording studio, courtyard, community center, and 50 residential units, with 100% of homes affordable to residents earning 60% of the area median income (AMI).
“[Gospel music] is a special type of music, it’s a storytelling music, it’s a music that told our story in slavery, in the civil rights movement and beyond,” said Jackson Lee. “What is happening in Houston today is a national phenomenon. We want this to be the place where you donate resources to build the most magnificent teaching and museum facility that you’ve ever seen outside of Washington D.C.”
Jackson Lee said the museum will tell the story of gospel music while also serving as a
That’s what Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee focused on during a recent gathering at St. John’s Downtown (2201 Pierce St.), where she made the official announcement of the museum and revealed, in oversized check fashion, the $4.1 million in funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) designated for the “adaptive reuse” of the Wesley Chapel building for the “economic revitalization of Third Ward.”
teaching, writing, production and performance facility that will also provide an opportunity to create a community-designed economic engine.
In attendance at the gathering organized by Jackson Lee were several members of the gospel music Who’s Who list including Donnie McClurkin, V. Michael McKay, Kim Burrell and many others.
“I am not only a fan of gospel music, I love it,” said McClurkin before breaking out in song and setting out an impromptu gospel concert.
“We’re going to get affordable housing. That
According to the Harris County Housing Finance Corporation, the 60% limit for the AMI, as of 2021, ranges from $33,300 for a one-person household to $62,760 for an eight-person household.
Renovations will include infrastructure and energy-efficient improvements. Also, according to NHP, the church will maintain its existing exterior structure in honor of its historic nature.
Community members and residents of Third Ward can share comments and give feedback on the proposed renovation and redevelopment of the Wesley AME Church on the city of Houston’s website, website at https://houstontx.gov/ housing/index.html.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is working to block Texans existing at or below the poverty line from receiving potentially life-saving funds. Paxton, who was indicted on two counts of securities fraud (stealing), a first-degree felony with a punishment of up to 99 years in prison, and who had a “pro-Paxton group” that paid $3 million to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick who presided over Paxton’s impeachment trial, recently filed a lawsuit against Harris County’s federally funded guaranteed income pilot program (Uplift Harris) in an attempt to stop the participating 1,928 low-income Harris County families from receiving $500 a month, funds these households already designated to pay rent, keep the lights on and buy food.
to Ebenezer Scrooge these families out of $500 a month, it could mean days of missed meals and cut off power for those able to maintain their residency status. Many could also face the very real possibility of being evicted, placing entire families on Harris County streets.
In January, Harris County created the Uplift Harris guaranteed income pilot program, joining more than 80 cities and counties across the nation and other countries around the world that have seen success through similar programs. In Texas, San Antonio and Austin ran similar programs starting in 2020 and 2022, respectively.
Guaranteed income is one of the oldest and most successful anti-poverty programs.
During the 2020 presidential primaries, one candidate, Andrew Yang, made a guaranteed income a major part of his platform. Long
The lawsuit falsely claims that Uplift Harris program is illegal under Texas law and in practice. If Paxton is successful in his efforts
“I feel for these families whose plans and livelihoods are being caught up in political posturing by Trumpian leaders in Texas,” said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo. “Like with abortion rights and basic gun safety, Texas far-right leaders grab at any opportunity to proclaim their Trumpian rhetoric, and they do it with impunity because they know that the people they’re hurting are not their billionaire donors, but everyday people with limited political power.”
before Yang, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. advocated for a guaranteed income as the key to addressing multiple national problems, believing the common root was poverty.
Your Home. Your Dream. Your Family. Commerce Bank is here to help you build the life you imagined. We’ll walk you through the homeownership lending process, because we know your family and your home mean everything.
Te late Richard Pryor jokingly/seriously said of the U.S. criminal justice system, “You go down there looking for justice, that’s what you fnd – just us.” One of the reason is that the historic and arguably current pool of jurors is rarely a jury of our peers. Blacks and Hispanics rarely, if ever, are refected in jury pools equal to their percentages in any given city or county.
Harris County, for example, renowned for its cultural diversity, has this disparity on display regularly, as it is displayed nationwide. Even with its rich tapestry of diverse communities, disparities persist in the representation of members of these diverse communities in jury appearances. Blacks comprise 22% of the population, yet are only represented at 17% in jury appearances. For Hispanics, it’s a 33% to 26% disparity.
To address this reality, Harris County District Clerk Marilyn Burgess recently unveiled her ofce’s latest initiative, the “You Complete Justice” campaign.
The campaign aims to elevate awareness regarding the pivotal role of juror service, implement measures to enhance the juror experience and address disparities in juror representation, notably among Blacks and Hispanics.
“Te District Clerk’s Ofce is dedicated to achieving greater representation of minorities
and young residents so that our jury panels refect the diversity of our community,” said Burgess during a recent press conference.
Te Clerk’s Ofce led a similar campaign years ago but ran into an unexpected roadblock.
“We did a campaign back in February of 2020 trying to get appearance rates up. At that time our appearance rate in Harris County was around 22%, and then COVID hit one month later. So, all of that efort, we had no response from because we shut down jury service. So, now we’re trying it again,” she said.
Burgess said that when looking at all Harris County residents, the average rate of jury appearance stands at 14% with a response rate of 51%, while “a staggering 45% of Harris County residents who receive a summons from our ofce fail to respond in any way.”
To drastically improve those numbers, Harris County’s “You Complete Justice” campaign’s key initiatives include a signifcant pay increase for jurors, to acknowledge their invaluable contribution to the judicial process. Since Oct. 1, 2023, compensation for the 1st day of jury service increased from $6 to $30, with subsequent days, if selected to serve, ranging from $40 to $58. Also, jury service pay is now uploaded to a debit card approximately two days afer jury service is completed.
Te campaign will leverage digital media
platforms to disseminate information and encourage prompt response to jury summons.
Bishop James Dixon II, pastor of The Community of Faith Church and president of NAACP Houston, issued a call to action, hoping his sobering words might inspire more Harris County residents to become jurors.
“It is quite necessary for us to take seriously this assignment and this opportunity to stand for justice and to make sure that the constitutional rights every individual has are fulflled,” said Dixon. “To be tried by a jury of your peers should not be and is not a luxury. It is the law.
And it is what every human being deserves according to our Constitution.
“All of us are busy… But when we talk about justice, is there a more important issue in the common collective of our civil responsibility?” asked Dixon. “We need more minorities participating. We need more young people participating. And as our clerk did read of the percentages of the population that we represent, when you talk about how many of us are going to trial, those numbers increase drastically. So, this gap, this void is signifcant and is serious.”
President Joe Biden has announced comprehensive plans to provide substantial relief to borrowers, particularly those from marginalized communities disproportionately burdened by debt. Te recently-announced proposed measures would represent a signifcant step toward making higher education more accessible and equitable for millions of Americans. Te Biden-Harris Administration has already approved debt cancellation for four million borrowers, ofering them much-needed breathing room and economic mobility.
White House ofcials say that the newly unveiled plans build upon these eforts and are expected to provide relief to over 30 million borrowers, combined with previous actions taken by the administration. One of the central aims of the proposals is to address the disproportionate debt burden borne by communities of color, mainly Black and Latino borrowers.
Statistics reveal stark racial disparities within the student loan system. Black and Latino borrowers, who are more likely to take on student loans to aford a college education, ofen fnd themselves saddled with higher levels of debt compared to their white counterparts. According to a White House Fact Sheet, 20 years afer enrolling in college, the typical Black borrower from the 1995–96 school year still owed a staggering 95% of their original debt.
Under the new plans, the administration wants to extend relief to borrowers who:
• Face various fnancial challenges, including those who owe more than their initial loan amount due to accrued interest
• Are eligible for loan forgiveness who have yet to apply
• Who experience hardship in repayment
• Who entered repayment decades ago
• Who enrolled in low-fnancial-value programs
Community college borrowers, who represent a significant portion of the student population, would also beneft from the administration’s initiatives. Te Biden-Harris administration’s SAVE Plan, which aims to make community college more afordable, projects that 85% of community college borrowers could be debt-free within 10 years. However, Latino students comprise a substantial proportion
enrollees and need help completing their degrees and repaying loans. White House ofcials said, overall, the administration’s plans signal a concerted efort to tackle the student loan crisis and address systemic inequalities within the higher education system. Tey said the proposals aim to foster greater economic opportunity and advancement for all Americans by providing targeted relief to communities disproportionately afected by student debt.
Fair housing rights ensure equal access to housing opportunities for all residents, regardless of their background or characteristics. As April marks National Fair Housing Month, Houston residents must understand their rights and protections under the Federal and Texas Fair Housing Acts. These acts prohibit discriminatory practices in selling, renting and financing housing based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or familial status.
The fight for fair and stable housing is a cornerstone in the ongoing battle against systemic inequality. Deep in civil rights struggles, fair housing remains a critical issue affecting marginalized communities.
From Black individuals to LGBTQ populations, systemic barriers have hindered equal access to affordable housing in areas with greater opportunities. Before legislative reforms, discriminatory practices were rampant, with landlords and realtors favoring white, married men over other groups, perpetuating segregation, and denying housing to marginalized communities. Government policies, including redlining and suburban development initiatives, further exacerbated segregation, perpetuating disparities in housing access.
Here’s a breakdown of some common fair
housing red flags in both the sale/rental of housing and mortgage lending:
Refusing to rent or sell housing occurs when a landlord or seller denies housing to an individual or group based on their protected characteristics.
Refusing to negotiate for housing: If a landlord or seller refuses to negotiate for the sale or rental of housing based on protected characteristics, it is discriminatory.
Advertising housing to preferred groups only: When housing advertisements target or exclude specific groups based on protected characteristics, it violates fair housing laws.
Showing apartments or homes in certain neighborhoods only: Limiting housing options to certain neighborhoods based on protected characteristics is discriminatory.
Falsely claiming housing availability: Misrepresenting the availability of housing based on protected characteristics is a violation of fair housing laws.
Setting different terms or conditions: Applying different terms, conditions or privileges based on protected characteristics is discriminatory.
Providing different housing services or facilities: Offering different services or facilities based on protected characteristics constitutes housing discrimination.
Denying access to related services: Denying access to services related to housing, such as multiple listing services, based on protected characteristics is unlawful.
Refusing reasonable accommodations: Failing to accommodate individuals with disabilities, such as refusing to allow service animals or provide accessible parking, violates fair housing laws.
Refusing to make a mortgage loan: Denying a mortgage loan based on protected
characteristics is discriminatory.
Refusing to provide loan information: Failing to provide loan information to individuals based on protected characteristics violates fair housing laws.
Imposing different terms or conditions: Applying different terms, interest rates, points, or fees based on protected characteristics constitutes discrimination in mortgage lending.
Denying property insurance: Property insurance based on protected characteristics violates fair housing laws.
Discriminatory property appraisals: Conducting property appraisals in a discriminatory manner based on protected characteristics is unlawful.
Refusing to purchase a loan: Refusing to purchase a loan based on protected characteristics violates fair housing laws.
Setting different terms for loan purchases: Applying different terms or conditions for purchasing loans based on protected characteristics is discriminatory.
For information on the Federal Fair Housing Act, visit HUD’s website. For details on the Texas Fair Housing Act, check the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
Asa Black woman from Atlanta, GA, Aniyah Johnson was accustomed to always being around people who looked and thought like her. So she was nervous about attending Rice University in Houston, especially in light of the state of Texas’ attack on diversity and inclusion (DEI). However, Rice is a private university and therefore, doesn’t need to comply with the recent state mandates that universities get rid of DEI ofces and eforts. For that reason, Johnson is able to continue to take part in programs at Rice like the RISE (Responsibility, Inclusion, and Student Empowerment), a course that explores racial justice, equity, and life in Houston. Programs that Johnson says help her feel at ease in a predominantly white institution.
Johnson looks forward to her weekly RISE meetings, where she discusses her experiences at the university and how the week has impacted her in a safe space. She says there is no fear of judgment or the urgency of being politically correct here.
“You’re wholeheartedly yourself and just get to express your opinions with like-minded individuals,” she said. “We would have that place for being ourselves and not trying to conform to what other people think we should be. Here, you get to let loose. It was very positive and welcoming, and I felt heard.”
Te program includes seminars that discuss books on race and justice. Johnson recently attended a seminar that talked about Heather McGhee’s book The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together a story on the cost of racism in society.
This year, the students are reading Julia Arce’s collection of essays “You Sound Like a White Girl: Te Case for Rejecting Assimilation” and Cathy Park Hong’s collection of essays “Minor Feelings.”
“Tey’re [students] building community and shared experience, but also digging deeply into work that explores issues of diversity across the United States and beyond,” said Alexander X. Byrd, the vice provost of the university’s DEI ofce.
Byrd, a historian whose studies focus on the history of Black America and the Jim Crow South, is deeply involved in the university’s DEI-centric initiatives like the Analyzing Diversity course and re-examines standard stories of American history in the frst decades of the 20th century, how it shaped the discipline and how it has changed “since we began paying attention to those blind spots.”
Despite her nervousness at not being
familiar with other cultures or races, owing to her “coming from a marginalized community” and studying at an all-Black high school, Johnson was excited at the prospect of meeting new people at Rice who “weren’t necessarily of the same culture.”
Once she started attending classes at Rice, Johnson was struck by the diferent cultures and the experiences of other students.
While introducing themselves, most students discussed prior internships or entrepreneurial pursuits, which sounded alien to her.
“I’m really just like, ‘I just went to high school and joined a couple of clubs.’ I felt that contrast and nuances between experiences,” she said. “It was hard not to compare myself.”
Johnson says the RISE program helped her own up to her experiences, devoid of comparisons. She was quick to realize the diferences in opportunities. Even though she attended a high school that had some resources, other students had access to internships through their teachers’ connections.
“It’s just demographics and where people are from,” she said. “I was doing really good for what I was brought into, and the realm of public schooling that I had, but it was different compared to the amount that other people had.”
At a time when DEI ofces are being eliminated in Texas, this could be seen as a close alternative to these initiatives.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s law, Senate Bill 17, which bans DEI ofces in public colleges and universities starting this year, aims to limit “preferential consideration” toward students of certain races, ethnicities, and sexes.
Most recently, the University of Texas at Austin fred around 60 employees who worked in DEI programs. According to a joint letter from the Texas Conference of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and the Texas NAACP, some of these offices are expected to close by the end of May.
Te statement further states that the stafers
Truly creative, innovative and transformative thinking and research does not happen in a vacuum or in monolithic environments. It happens when we invite, include, hear and challenge all voices, backgrounds and perspectives.”
REGINALD DESROCHES
were given a three-month notice period. Tose affected did not work in “DEI-related jobs” when they were fred. To comply with SB 17, they were all given new responsibilities and some were moved to other ofces.
AAUP, Texas NAACP, and other afliated organizations vowed to “continue to gather information on these precipitous terminations,” which they believed were “potential attacks on First Amendment freedoms.”
“...these terminations clearly are intended to retaliate against employees because of their previous association with DEI and speech that they exercised prior to their current assignments.”
Despite the attacks on the federal and state level, Rice University president Reginald DesRoches cited an observation from a Supreme Court Justice that “Deeming race irrelevant in law does not make it so in life” as to why his institution will remain resolute in its commitment to diversity.
“We will continue our eforts to create a class of students that is multifaceted in race, gender, ideology, ability, geography and special talents. Such diversity is critical in solving the most perplexing, challenging problems already known, and those we have not yet encountered,” Des Roches said. “Truly creative, innovative and transformative thinking and research does not happen in a vacuum or in monolithic environ ments. It happens when we invite, include, hear and challenge all voices, backgrounds and perspectives.”
Provost Amy Dittmar, who is also the executive vice president for Academic Afairs and professor of Finance and Economics at Rice, says the university hosts students from myriad backgrounds. A number of programs and orientations are implemented to further the university’s DEI eforts, which include:
The Rice Emerging Scholars Program (RESP), a six-week program catered to frst-year students interested in STEM to gain mentorship and form a cohort, Owl Access, a pre-orientation program for Rice’s “FLI” population - frst-generation and limited-income students and those belonging to under-represented communities, which also introduces their families to Rice, Pathways program, a cross-disciplinary community-based program for graduate students to gain mentorship in academics,
Critical Dialogues on Diversity (CDOD), a compulsory fve-week set of workshops exploring culture and identity in the second half of the semester, which Byrd describes as an exercise for communication “in an environment that is full of people who come from diferent places, think diferently, hold diferent opinions, are of diferent racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds,” and Analyzing Diversity a compulsory course that explores social and cultural analysis, system inequities and their redress, and equity, knowledge, and the university.
Te university also recently added two positions within the Ofce of Multicultural Afairs that focus on residential colleges to develop programming and advising for “cultural awareness and inclusivity.”
“If CDOD is meant to help people and make the most out of an education in an extraordinarily diverse setting, Analyzing Diversity is meant to call students’ attention to the ways that their disciplines - English, Math, Sociology, etc. speak to how ideas around diversity help us understand the world better, bringing intellectual, academic, and disciplinary attention to these questions. It helps us better understand the world better,” Byrd said.
While students of color like Johnson welcome courses like CDOD, she is skeptical about mandatory classes and the idea that students attend those classes out of necessity and do not
imbibe their tenets.
“Once that class is fnished, what happens afer that?” she said.
Moreover, she feels Rice’s cultural events, hosted by student communities, help other students understand multiculturalism. But in reality, “usually only that group goes to those events.”
Diversity in Rice’s faculty
According to Byrd, Rice’s faculty diversity is a partnership between the faculty, department, chairs, deans, and the office of the provost. Search chairs and members of search committees undergo anti-bias training “so that they can approach searches with their eyes wide open.”
“If they hadn’t been taught about implicit bias, for example, it might afect the way that they approach searches,” he added.
Te DEI ofce, in conjunction with faculty members, develops plans to attract a diverse pool of candidates. Te ofce reviews search plans and analyzes the ways they were executed before inviting candidates to the RICE campus.
“If we don’t have a diverse pool, we don’t have a chance for getting a diverse faculty,” Byrd said. “If you’re unable to attract a diverse pool, that might be some information for you, and if you’re able to attract a diverse pool, that’s information as well. It really is a campus-wide work.”
RICE LAUNCHES AFROCHEMISTRY CLASS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND BLACK LIFE
During the COVID shutdown in 2020, Houston residents Vernita Harris and Bea Moore were like many and looking for something to do with their time to take their minds off the raging pandemic.
“I had been home trying to cook and do some things. So I told Bea, let’s trade recipes so we can mix it up. She was ‘Susie Homemaker’ so she had luxury meals on lockdown while the rest of us were trying to do bologna sandwiches,” Harris said.
“I remember making my first cake when I was probably 10 years old and making homemade butter and homemade ice cream, so I’ve always been in the kitchen, so I loved the idea,” added Moore.
Harris, who calls herself a reluctant cook, decided to spice up her own recipes by getting more creative.
“We started sharing recipes on Facebook and people would ask for them,” Harris said. “So, instead of sending them the recipes, I told Bea, why don’t we write a cookbook?”
Moore loved the idea and was all on board. Two months later, the duo had a business charted and underway. They started compiling the recipes, getting feedback and by October of 2020, they had a complete cookbook.
“Pinch-Dash-Done: A Gateway to Flavorful Recipes” features more than 160 dishes that take readers on a global culinary journey. The book’s dishes give a nod to the cultures of the Southern United States, including the authors’ native state of Texas, Italy, the Caribbean and more. In addition to sharing their recipes, Harris and Moore want the book to bring awareness to the increase in food insecurity after the pandemic; promote domestic and international food systems and chains; and support college students studying agribusiness. A portion of the book sales benefits the Houston Food Bank and Prairie View A&M University, the authors’ alma mater.
The chefs describe the cookbook as an eclectic mix.
“It’s not southern, it’s not traditional. It’s a mix of everything,” said Moore. “And so we have lots of traditional recipes that we’ve sort of reimagined to be healthier, like we have kale and where it’s cooked without the smoked meats. So it’s more of a vegetarian version. We have ice creams that are non-dairy based, as well as dairy based. We have a lot of salads. We have tons of homemade salad dressing made from fresh herbs and spices. We have lamb and pork, so if you’re non-vegan, then we have those things as well.”
Harris said each recipe comes from things that they have experimented with in some form or fashion.
“Some of our recipes are born from mistakes. I’ve gone through a gambit of spices and I love playing with spices and see how they work out. But we have taken some older recipes and completely reimagined those recipes. We try to simplify things so it’s not so complicated. So you don’t feel like you are in a 20-step program. I like to keep it simple. I’m all into the flavor and I’m all into being delicious, but I don’t want to spend two or three hours in the kitchen.”
Their success recently caught the attention of AARP, which features the cooks in an innovative virtual cooking series “Brunch, Lunch & Munch.” The author-led free cooking tutorials take place each month on the AARP website. The next event takes place on April 16 at https://events.aarp.org/TX-416-Gourmet.
In addition to providing satisfying recipes and easy-to-follow tutorials for the audience,
Harris and Moore introduce participants to herb gardening basics, which are a throwback to Moore’s childhood growing up on a Texas farm and learning about gardening from her grandparents. The authors hope to bring families back to the kitchen table to fellowship, as well as to share flavorful options with anyone who wants to prepare a meal, regardless of their culinary skill level.
“The ‘Brunch, Lunch & Munch’ cooking series is a safe, healthy and fun way to ‘spice’ up their cooking routines,” Harris says. “We are ecstatic about our partnership with AARP, an organization known for its consistent support of seniors and their families.
Our missions are similar in that we prioritize healthy, sustainable habits. ‘Brunch, Lunch & Munch’ and our cookbook, ‘Pinch-DashDone,’ are steppingstones toward positive living and delicious, home-cooked meals.”
The duo will take their talents to the popular Davis Street restaurant at Herman Park on April 21 as part of a local chef collaboration with Chef Mark Holley.
“Mark brings in chefs that are unknown or don’t have their own facilities,” Harris said. “It’s a great collaboration because I would’ve never seen myself in a restaurant or owning a restaurant or serving my food in a restaurant. And it’s a good opportunity.”
Harris and Moore will deliver a threecourse feast inspired by “Pinch-Dash-Done” featuring tantalizing dishes like Dill Salmon and Toasted Poundcake with Strawberries and Basil.
“Pinch-Dash-Done: A Gateway to Flavorful Recipes” is currently available on Amazon. com and at various book retailers.
Taylor Harris is impacting Houston’s Northside community with the new opening of Taylor’s House of Hope. Tis teen pregnancy shelter provides crucial support to pregnant teens facing adversity.
Founded in 2019, Taylor’s House of Hope represents Harris’s deeply personal journey and her unwavering commitment to helping others navigate similar challenges she once faced.
Te launch of Taylor’s House of Hope marks a signifcant milestone for Harris and the Houston community. Located near the Hardy Toll Road and Little York, this maternity home fills a crucial gap where residents can receive the guidance and assistance young women need to be self-efcient.
By partnering with her mother, Ashla Glass, who leads the Glass House Foundation focusing on young men’s roles in families, Harris has created a holistic approach to addressing the needs of vulnerable youth in Houston. She was 20 years old when she found out she was pregnant with her daughter.
During her fourth month of pregnancy, her child’s father lef her. She eventually landed in a shelter as an unemployed college dropout. She stayed at Lighthouse of Houston up until two weeks before her delivery. Filled with resentment, loneliness, and depression, the person she thought she would spend her life with abandoned her, and she didn’t want to return to her parent’s house, so Harris decided to take responsibility for her life.
Texas Tribune reports that In 2020, one in six pregnant teenagers already had a child. Hispanic and Black communities tend to have higher teen birth rates. Credit: Taylor’s House of Hope
“I’ve made poor decisions. I did reconnect with my child’s father and became pregnant with my son,” she said. “It was tough having him abandon us again, but I had to buckle down to work on my vision for Taylor’s House of Hope.”
Glass supported Harris’s journey to launch the organization. Glass struggled to raise her daughter and sometimes needed extra assistance as a single mother. Like her mother before her, she was also a single mother raising three children.
“It was like a generational curse that kept
being passed down,” Glass said. “I worked so hard to try to get my life together during the time Taylor became pregnant. I was a
recovering addict,” she said. “My daughter is very strong-willed. Once she decides, it’s fnal, but I wanted her to take accountability for her actions. It was tough, but she made it through, and I helped her understand the system and the resources she needed, especially as my only child.”
At Taylor’s House of Hope, there will be a facility where Glass will focus on teaching young men about the importance of their role in the family. Her father was absent and an addict whose actions hurt the family and the dynamics of a healthy family unit.
“When you don’t have that family structure, it’s detrimental to the quality of life for the kids. I’m not saying women can’t successfully raise children alone, but it’s tough, and it isn’t fair to the children, so it’s important to help our boys realize how important they are.”
Taylor’s House of Hope is partnering with Melina Healthcare for a nine-week “Journey to Motherhood” session focusing on maternal health and social discriminants of health. At the end of the session, participants will beneft from a community baby shower or maternity shoot.
The utmost consideration will be given to dividing total requirements into smaller activities or quantities, which will permit maximum participation where feasible. Subcontracts will be awarded based on price and ability to perform work. For questions or assistance with obtaining plans, bonds, lines of credit, insurance, equipment, materials, or general information about the project contact bids@rbic.com . All negotiations must be completed prior to the BID OPENING DATE of April 24, 2024.
Astros
14
innings and 44 outs without allowing a hit, which
the best start for a pitcher since 1961.
Kelvin Sampson, Jamal Shead receive postseason honors
Kelvin Sampson
The postseason praise is continuing for both University of Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson and star guard Jamal Shead. Sampson was recently named Associated Press Coach of the Year after leading the Cougars to the Big 12 regular season title in their first year and also a No.1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for a second straight year. Shead, meanwhile, was named the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year.
Jamal Shead
By Terrance HarrisThe energy is much more intense around Texas Southern’s Durley Stadium this spring.
Sure, the music fills the background noise during spring football practice, but just above it are the voices of the assistant coaches pushing and demanding more from every player on the football field.
Off to the side, far enough way to observe all 22 players on both sides of the football but still close enough to correct and fix even the smallest of details is the new man in charge of the Tigers’ football program, Cris Dishman.
“The guys have really adjusted to what we are doing as a staff,” Dishman said to the Defender. “They are buying in.”
“We’re not a team yet, but we are working every day to become a team. By the end of spring ball or the spring game, that’s when you will see a full team.”
Rockets playoff hopes hit crash landing
Jalen Green
The Rockets had a spectacular March, winning 11 straight games to put them in the Western Conference playoff conversation. But a five-game losing stretch that began with a loss to the Mavericks on March 31 put a quick end to that conversation. The Rockets will miss the playoffs for a fourth straight year, no matter the outcome of these final games.
In the meantime, the players are absorbing every detail demand of their new coaching staff, down to not only drinking water during their breaks but also making sure they consume small snacks for extra carbohydrates.
It’s definitely a different approach than under the Clarence McKinney regime. But the players who decided to stick around and not jump into the transfer portal after McKinney’s contract wasn’t renewed seem excited about the new approach that is meant to finally get the program back to winning.
seemed on the verge of a breakthrough the last two seasons under McKinney.
It just never happened in his five seasons at the helm. Now it’s Dishman’s job.
The positivity combined with the demand for accountability from the new man in charge has made this transition much easier.
change. I don’t think they fought the change. They understood at meeting one to now, exactly what we wanted. And they have just been buying in and doing it.”
One big difference this spring has been that no starting spots are guaranteed. It’s an open competition, even for established players like Williams and Wilson.
Prairie View guard Ryann Payne has been invited to participate in the ProHoops Combine where the WNBA and overseas teams will be present to evaluate the players … Rockets coach Ime Udoka was named the Western Conference Coach of the Month in March after leading the team to a 13-2 record during the month, which included an 11-game winning streak at one point … TSU coach Johnny Jones coached Team Ben Wallace to a 108-97 win over Team Rick Mahorn during the 2024 HBCU All-Star Game that was held during Final Four Weekend in Arizona.
Ryann Payne
“Almost every coach out there has worked in the NFL, played in the NFL. So, just knowledge and the way they have teaching us compared to in the past, it’s exciting,” said quarterback Jace Wilson, who was thrust into the starting role after last season’s opener. “Everything has a reason behind it. Everything is calculated. Our new strength coaches are amazing. It just feels like a different program. We are excited.”
And it all starts with Dishman, the former Houston Oilers great, and the way he has embraced his new team and they feel like they are his.
“Amazing dude; he’s an amazing leader,” said linebacker Jacob Williams. “It’s great to just watch him and see how he leads. He played at the highest level so it’s great to just watch him. He is pretty much a role model for the team.”
Dishman has inherited a program that went 3-8 and 2-6 in the SWAC and hasn’t had an NCAA-recognized winning season in more than two decades. But were it not for a play or two here and there, the Tigers
“I think the guys wanted the change,” said Dishman, who will wrap up the spring practices (on April 1212 at 1 p.m.) with the Tigers’ annual spring game at Durley Stadium. “Change is good. Some people fight
It’s been very surreal. Sometimes I sit back and look and say, `okay, this is what I wanted, this is what I’ve asked God for and he has given it to me. So now I pray to Him each and every day to make sure I do the best to my ability to get the best out of these guys.”
Dishman has made it clear that nobody will win a starting job during spring practices.
Wilson has been splitting reps with Jordan Davis this spring and there could be a threeway split when 6-foot-4 freshman Carter Barnes arrives on campus for fall practice.
“He is competing for his job. No one has a job,” Dishman said of Wilson. “Jace has played a lot of games but that don’t make him the starter. We have no starters on offense or defense.
“Right now, everybody is auditioning for their job. Even me, as a head coach, I’m auditioning for my job. Coaches are auditioning for their jobs. It’s okay to have competition.
“It’s okay to have that pressure on you because you come to work every day and every day not knowing if you have a job or not.”
That’s perfectly fine with his players.
“It keeps you on your toes, keeps the starters on their toes,” Williams said. “It makes us understand we have to come to work every day and nothing is given. You can’t get complacent.”
Sterling High School phenom Leilani Johnson embodies the essence of a natural-born athlete, seamlessly transitioning between multiple sports with a grace and proficiency that captivates all who witness her in action. From soccer fields to cheer mats, basketball courts to flag football fields and the lanes of track & field, she leaves an unforgettable mark of excellence wherever she competes.
At the 5A HISD district meet, Johnson’s innate athleticism propelled her to exceptional heights, earning her qualification for the 5A area meet in an astounding five events.
Reflecting on her amazing achievement, Johnson simply said, “Man, I’m so happy.”
In the 100-meters, Johnson blazed across the finish line with a time of 12.79 seconds, asserting her dominance with a first-place finish. Similarly, in the 4x100-meter relay, her lightning speed contributed to a winning time of 51.66 seconds.
Not content with just sprinting, she showcased her versatility with a remarkable long jump of 16 feet, 6 inches, clinching yet another first-place finish. Remarkably, Johnson shattered her personal record in the long jump, jumping 15 feet, 6 inches on her first attempt, only to surpass it with subsequent leaps, reaching an impressive 16 feet, 6 inches. Her skill extended to the triple jump, where she marked a distance of 32 feet, 8.5 inches, securing her fourth victory of the day.
Even in the fiercely contested 200-meters, Johnson’s determination propelled her to a commendable second-place finish with a time of 26.72 seconds.
Reflecting on her journey, Johnson traced her origins to Next Generation, where her passion for track began at 11 years old. Despite facing obstacles, including going to four schools prior to Sterling which didn’t include any sporting programs, she persisted in her pursuit of athletic excellence.
“I went to a lot of schools growing up, but as a freshman at Sterling High School, I’m real proud of myself because when I was younger and finished the AAU track season, I thought I was never going to run again because I moved schools and began attending a school that didn’t have sports,” said Johnson.
After journeying through elementary school, Johnson began attending Odyssey Academy and later transitioned to the International Leadership of Texas, a charter school that provided Johnson a platform for her talent to flourish. Although it was a less competitive environment, Johnson was ready to continue honing her skills on the track as she clocked impressive times in the 100-meter and 200-meter dash, which laid the foundation for her future achievements.
“At the International Leadership of Texas charter school, I ran a 27 in the 200-meter and a 13 in the 100-meter dash. I didn’t do long jump back then. This is my first year ever doing long jump,” said Johnson.
During her debut year in long jump, Johnson’s rapid progress served as a testament to her innate talent and relentless work ethic. For Johnson, athletics serves as more than just competition; it’s a vessel for channeling her boundless energy in a positive direction.
“Running and competing for me comes from me having a lot of built-up energy. I try to get it out as much as possible so I won’t do bad things to get that same energy out,” said Johnson.
Johnson finds inspiration in Sha’Carri Richardson, a professional female runner renowned for her speed in the 100-meter and 200-meter races. As a freshman at Louisiana State University, Richardson made waves in the track and field world by shattering the NCAA Division 1 record with a blistering time of 10.75 seconds in the 100-meter dash. However, her journey was later marked by controversy when she missed the Tokyo Olympic Games following a failed drug test after learning about the death of her mother.
“I like watching her because she inspires me to keep going even through my ups and downs,” said Johnson.
Sterling’s Leilani Johnson competing in the long jump during a recent meet at Barnett Field House. Credit Jimmie Aggison/Defender.
Looking ahead, Johnson harbors aspirations of Olympic glory, fueled by the wisdom imparted by her AAU coach, Coach Oshay.
“Never give up, move, move, move. You have to keep moving. If you keep moving, you are going to make it there,” said Johnson.
With each stride and every leap, Johnson exemplifies the epitome of athletic excellence, inspiring generations to come with her unwavering commitment to her craft.
Class: 2027
IG: @leakahsunknown
Races: 100-meters, 200-meters, Long Jump, Triple Jump, 4x100-meter relay
Height & weight: 5-feet-1, 122 pounds
Runner she studies: Sha’Carri Richardson (professional)
Status: Uncommitted
Favorite artist: BK’
Favorite subject: Algebra
Shout-outs: Michael Houston, Oshay Griffen, Frank Johnson, Patriceia Bercy, Coach Sims, Coach Johnson, Coach Wright
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