Houston Style Magazine Vol 34 No 17

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OFFER

POSTURING, NOT POLICY

By Jesse Jackson, National Political Writer

America pays its debts. It is a basic pledge. Millions of Americans who hold savings bonds or put their hard-earned money into federal treasury bonds need not worry. The bonds are good; the interest will be paid. The reason the dollar is the currency used by countries across the world is that America pays its debts.

Now Republicans are holding that pledge hostage, demanding savage cuts in spending or they will default on America’s debts by refusing to raise the debt ceiling. The threat is nuclear: failing to pay our debts will sink the value of the dollar, shake the global financial system, drive interest rates higher, and blow up the economy here and most likely across the world. Millions will be thrown out of work.

The threat is also stunningly irresponsible. The tantrum of a child or a mad person. Give us what we demand or we will blow up the economy.

The threat is about paying debts that the Congress has already accumulated. Over one-third of this debt – a staggering $8.3 trillion of it – was racked up in the four years under Republican President Donald Trump – largely from massive top-end tax cuts and for massive emergency spending in the pandemic. Now Republicans are saying that they will renege on the debts that they helped accumulate if they don’t get their way.

So what do they want?

Amazingly, they refuse to say.

They have said what they won’t do: they won’t raise taxes, even on billionaires and corporations that pay literally nothing. They claim they won’t cut Social Security and Medicare. They insist on deep cuts – freezing spending at

2022 levels for a decade – but they won’t say what will get cut.

It is unlikely that they will cut the military budget or support for veterans. If they decided simply to freeze spending on the military and veterans, that would require cutting all domestic spending by nearly a fourth. That would mean slashing investment in public health, in roads and bridges, in air traffic control, in food safety, in education and job training, in science and technology programs, in affordable housing, in food and income support for impoverished mothers and children.

Traveling would get more dangerous. Our food and water would be less safe. We would lose the competition for the jobs of the future. Housing would get more expensive. Our schools would be poorer.

Fewer would be able to afford training or college. More children would go hungry. No one likes to admit these things – but they are simply true.

In their 320-page bill, Republicans do identify some things that they want. They want to cut spending on Medicaid and food stamps by raising work requirements – although that doesn’t save much money. They want to erase investment in renewable energy while opening more subsidies to big oil and coal. They want to cut the money that would enable the IRS to audit corporations and the wealthy who are not paying the taxes they owe. That according to the Congress’s own budget office will end up costing a net of more than $100 billion in tax avoidance.

To justify this, they lie. They claim that the government has grown “bloated,” appealing to popular prejudices. In reality – as they know – federal civilian employment is less than it was 60 years ago, even though the population has grown dramatically since then.

Why not lay out what they plan to cut? Because they can’t agree among themselves. Because they don’t want to admit to supporting cuts that would be very unpopular – and corporate subsidies and rip-offs that are indefensible.

The Republican “plan” is not a serious proposal. They won’t even admit what it requires. They are offering a posture, not a policy. But our politics have become so partisan and so poisonous that few if any Republican moderates will offer a voice of reason.

President Biden has called on the Congress to honor our past debts and lift the debt ceiling – and then to negotiate seriously about our nation’s priorities and how we pay for them. He has refused to pay ransom to those who threaten to blow up the economy. The question now is what happens if Republicans carry out their threat and refuse? In that case, the president will have no choice. He should use his authority under the laws and Constitution of the United States to honor our commitments and pay our debts. The politicians may rage and posture, but the full faith and credit of the United States must be honored.

You can write to the Rev. Jesse Jackson in care of this Newspaper or by email at: jjackson@rainbowpush.org

Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy speaks with Peter Giacchi, executive floor official with Citadel, on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Monday, April 17th. Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune

BIDEN ANNOUNCES REELECTION BID, SAYING BATTLE FOR NATION'S SOUL ISN'T COMPLETE

By Kevin Liptak, Arlette Saenz, Maegan Vazquez and Jeremy Diamond, CNN

President Joe Biden formally announced his bid for reelection Tuesday, setting off a battle to convince the country his record merits another four years in the White House and his age won't impede his ability to govern.

In a video released early Tuesday, Biden framed next year's contest as a fight against Republican extremism, implicitly arguing he needed more time to fully realize his vow to restore the nation's character.

"When I ran for president four years ago, I said we are in a battle for the soul of America. And we still are," he said in the video, which opened with images of the January 6, 2021, insurrection and abortion rights activists protesting at the US Supreme Court.

"The question we are facing is whether in the years ahead we have more freedom or less freedom. More rights or fewer," Biden says in voiceover narration. "I know what I want the answer to be and I think you do too. This is not a time to be complacent. That's why I'm running for reelection."

Biden's official declaration ends any lingering doubts about his intentions, and begins a contest that could evolve into a rematch with his 2020 rival, former President Donald Trump. He enters the race with a significant legislative record but low approval ratings, a conundrum his advisers have so far been unable to solve. Already the oldest president in history, he also confronts persistent questions about his age.

The launch comes four years to the day Biden made his 2020 bid official. That race became a mission to restore the country's character and prevent Trump from achieving a second term.

Biden's fourth and final presidential campaign will rest on similar themes. Just as he did in 2020, Biden is

making an appeal to the nation's ideals, particularly with the specter of Trump's return.

His announcement video warns against "MAGA extremists" who he says are "dictating what health care decisions women can make, banning books, and telling people who they can love."

"Every generation of Americans has faced a moment when they've had to defend democracy. Stand up for our personal freedoms. Stand up for the right to vote and our civil rights," he says. "And this is our moment."

But Biden's campaign will also ride on promoting the achievements made during the first two years of his presidency -- and an argument he needs more time to "finish the job."

"I know we can," he says.

The Republican National Committee immediately rolled out an attack ad against Biden, unveiling what it called an "AI-generated look into the

country's possible future if Joe Biden is re-elected." The dystopian video intermixes "news" of Biden's reelection in 2024 with faux reports of high crime, international turmoil, rampant illegal immigration and financial calamity. Little enthusiasm for another Biden run amid concerns about his age

No major Democratic challengers are expected to emerge, and Biden is

likely to enjoy an easy path to his party's nomination. Only two challengers are in the race: author Marianne Williamson and anti-vaccine activist and environmental lawyer Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Still, at 80, Biden is the nation's oldest president. Polls have consistently reflected concern about his age even among Democrats.

President Joe Biden speaks during a ceremony honoring the Council of Chief State School Officers 2023 Teachers of the Year in the Rose Garden of the White House (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

CHANGES ARE COMING TO AP AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES COURSE THAT'S FACED CRITICISM FROM FLORIDA GOVERNOR

By Kelly McCleary and Tina Burnside, CNN

The College Board is making changes to the framework of its Advanced Placement African American Studies course for high school students amid criticism from Florida's influential Republican governor and others who have accused the program of imposing a "political agenda."

The board, a non-profit that oversees AP coursework and administers the SAT college admissions test, didn't specify what would change about the course, saying details would be determined in the coming months.

"We are committed to providing an unflinching encounter with the facts and evidence of African American history and culture. To achieve that commitment, we must listen to the diversity of voices within the field," the board said Monday in a statement.

The announcement follows the board's engagement in a public spat with Gov. Ron DeSantis -- a potential front-runner for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination -- and Florida's Department of Education, which this year rejected a preliminary pilot version of the class, claiming it "lacks educational value" and violates a state law that bans the teaching of critical race theory.

Under DeSantis, who has used his fight against "wokeness" to boost his national profile amid a national discussion of how racism and history should be taught in schools, Florida has passed new legislation barring instruction that suggests anyone is privileged or oppressed based on their race or skin color.

In February, the board fired back, accusing Florida officials of "slander" and spreading misinformation for political gain. It also admitted making mistakes in the rollout of the course framework and said it should have immediately denounced the comments from DeSantis' administration.

"Our failure to raise our voice betrayed Black scholars everywhere and those who have long toiled to build

this remarkable field," the board said in February.

The board nodded to the controversy in its statement Monday, saying, "In embarking on this effort, access was our driving principle -- both access to a discipline that has not been widely available to high school students, and access for as many of those students as possible. Regrettably, along the way those dual access goals have come into conflict."

A pilot version of the course is now being offered in 60 high schools and will expand to 800 schools and 16,000 students in the next school year, the board said. The first AP African American Studies exam is expected to be administered in the spring 2025, the board has said.

"Every day, there are more stories about how this course is opening minds and changing lives. Regardless of how many students take this course, each one of those students should have access to the full breadth and beauty of this discipline," the statement read.

The Florida Education Department has said it had concerns about six topics of study, such as the Movement for Black Lives, Black feminism and reparations. Many of the objections were tied to the inclusion of texts from modern Black thought leaders and history teachers, whose writings the DeSantis administration believes violate state laws, it said.

After Florida rejected the preliminary course framework, the College Board released the official framework for the course with many of the topics DeSantis objected to removed. Under the official framework, students could study those topics as part of a required research project.

Read more at StyleMagazine.com

In celebration of its two year anniversary and its commitment to support authentic Black content and creators, Comcast NBCUniversal’s Black Experience on Xfinity today announced the winners of its $1 million in Emerging Black Filmaker grants.

Winners were selected for their ability to tell engaging and culturally relevant stories about the African, African American, or other Afro subcultural experiences or perspectives through a feature film, documentary, or web series, and were selected by an esteemed panel of diverse, entertainment-industry executives and thought leaders, including Gil Robertson, President of AAFCA; filmmaker, producer and author, Lyn Sisson-Talbert; and Yvette Milley, Executive Vice President, NBCU News Group and NBCU Academy. Winning submissions feature unique perspectives on the largest HBCU in America, the impact of Hip Hop legend, Kangol, and his group U.T.F.O., and a four-part series about

how barbershops connect with Black

“The Black Experience on Xfinity has been a strong supporter and promoter of emerging Black content creators.

Filmmaker grants are one of the many ways we can leverage our platforms to amplify authentic stories and voices that need to be heard,” said Keesha Boyd, Vice President, Entertainment Emerging Products. “We are thrilled to shine a spotlight on these

10 talented fillmakers, as we continue to invest in and distribute original programming from emerging Black content creators and talent.”

“Xfinity's Black Experience Grant Program is a great way to support emerging filmmakers and provides them with a real-life taste of the movie making experience,” said Robertson.

“As a Critic, I was impressed with the depth of the finalists, who all

demonstrate great promise as storytellers. The support given by Xfinity's Black Experience Grant Program is critical in creating a pathway for emerging filmmakers to move forward in their careers.” “It was my pleasure to help give new and emerging talent the opportunity to showcase their work on a large platform like Black Experience on Xfinity” said Sisson-Talbert. Black Experience on Xfinity offers one-stop access to a collection of content that showcase the breadth of Black culture. Available at home on Xfinity X1 and Flex, and on-the-go with the Xfinity Stream app, the Black Experience on Xfinity will entertain, educate, and uplift, featuring Black actors, writers, producers, and directors. It is home to the largest curated collection of Black Independent Films On Demand.

The Houston Rockets have hired former Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka as their next head coach, making him the 15th head coach in franchise history, the team announced on Tuesday.

"We are excited to welcome Ime to the Houston Rockets," said Rockets General Manager Rafael Stone. "Ime’s intelligence, drive, and toughness were the traits we were looking for in a coach to lead our team through this next stage of our development as we strive to become a champion."

"We were honored to have the opportunity to speak to multiple outstanding candidates throughout the interview process and felt that Ime’s vision best aligned with the goals the Fertitta family and myself have for the future of the Rockets."

Udoka spent one season with the Celtics, leading them to the NBA Finals before losing to the Golden State Warriors 4-2 in the series. It was an awe-inspiring run for Boston, as they bounced back from a 36-36 record the previous season to 51 wins the next.

Houston did not extend the contract of former head coach Stephen Silas at the end of the season after he was only able to compile 59 wins in three seasons. He had coached the likes of LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Luka Doncic as a long-time NBA assistant coach and was looking forward to the opportunity to draw up plays for James Harden and Russell Westbrook.

All that changed when the Rockets traded Westbrook before the season and lost Harden in the same fashion two weeks into the season. That led to three consecutive losing seasons and ultimately cost Silas his job.

Houston interviewed a plethora of candidates before deciding to give Udoka a second chance at being a head coach. Boston suspended Udoka after

HOUSTON ROCKETS HIRE IME UDOKA AS THEIR NEXT HEAD COACH

By Brian Barefield, Sports Editor

the team became aware of his involvement in an improper relationship with a staff member of the organization. He would later be dismissed by the team and replaced by assistant coach Joe Mazzulla.

"I texted him to say congratulations," said Mazulla before the Celtics were set to take on the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference playoffs. "And I told him I was grateful for the time that I had to learn from him as a coach."

Before becoming head coach of the Celtics, Udoka was an assistant coach on Gregg Popovich’s San Antonio

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staff from 2012-13 through 2018-19, Brett Brown’s Philadelphia staff in 2019-20, and Steve Nash’s Brooklyn staff in 2020-21.

Those teams made the playoffs in each of Udoka’s nine seasons as an assistant, with the Spurs winning the title in 2013-14. Udoka was also a member of Popovich’s staff for USA Basketball during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

As a player, Udoka spent parts of seven seasons in the NBA from 2003-04 through 2010–11, appearing

in 316 games with 80 starts. After going undrafted in 2000, he had brief stints with the Los Angeles Lakers and New York but spent most of his time in the NBA Development League and playing overseas.

Udoka’s first full NBA season was as a 29-year-old for Portland in 2006-07, and the following season, he helped the Spurs reach the Western Conference Finals. Besides Popovich, Udoka played for Phil Jackson, Larry Brown, Nate McMillan, and Paul Westphal.

Ime Udoka

GYMNASTICS STAR SIMONE BILES AND NFL PLAYER JONATHAN OWENS ARE MARRIED

By CNN/StyleMagazine.com - Newswire

DON LEMON AND CNN PART WAYS

By CNN/StyleMagazine.com Newswire

USA Gymnastics star and world champion Simone Biles and NFL player Jonathan Owens are married. Both shared images on social media Saturday announcing their marriage, and Biles now includes "Owens" in her full name on Instagram and Twitter. "I do," Biles wrote on social media Saturday. "Officially Owens."

"My person, forever," Owens wrote in a post of his own.The announcement comes just days after the couple posted a picture holding what appeared to be a Texas marriage license, with the caption, "Almost time to say 'I do.'"

The seven-time Olympic medalist announced her engagement to Owens in February 2022, along with several photos of the proposal.

The two met online right before the pandemic hit.

Owens told Texas Monthly in 2021 that the Covid-19 shutdown created time for them to get to know each other better.

"It was one of the few times in her life where everything was just shut off and she couldn't do anything," he said. "So we used it to get to know each other—really get to know each other. It created our bond and made it stronger. Now I'm so thankful."

Adults in the United States who reported feeling discriminated against at work had a higher risk of developing high blood pressure than adults who reported less discrimination at work, according to a new study.

The researchers defined discrimination as "unfair conditions or unpleasant treatment at work because of personal characteristics, particularly race, sex, or age."

Chronic exposure to discrimination can lead to weakness within the cardiovascular system because of perpetual stress reactions and to higher blood pressure overall, the study says.

High blood pressure damages arteries and makes them less elastic, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This damage decreases the flow of blood and oxygen

CNN has parted ways with longtime host Don Lemon. The announcement Monday came without explanation and astonished the media industry.

"Don will forever be a part of the CNN family, and we thank him for his contributions over the past 17 years," said CNN CEO Chris Licht in a memo to staff. "We wish him well and will be cheering him on in his future endeavors."

Lemon anchored "CNN This Morning" with Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins. The show has been on the air for nearly six months.

"We are committed to its success," Licht said of the morning show.

In a statement of his own, Lemon said his agent told him Monday morning that CNN had terminated him.

"I am stunned," Lemon said, arguing that management did not have "the decency" to inform him of his firing directly. "At no time was I ever given any indication that I would not be able to continue to do the work I have loved

at the network," Lemon added CNN rebutted Lemon, calling his version of events "inaccurate."

"He was offered an opportunity to meet with management but instead released a statement on Twitter," the network said in a statement.

Lemon joined CNN in September 2006. Prior to "CNN This Morning," Lemon hosted the prime-time show "Don Lemon Tonight" for more than eight years. He gained significant fame during the presidency of Donald Trump for his no-holds-barred commentary about the former president, pushing back against his lies and calling him a "racist."

He was widely criticized for sexist comments he made on "CNN This Morning" in February. During an on-air discussion about Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley's proposal that older politicians take competency tests, Lemon argued that the 51-year-old Haley "isn't in her prime."

Lemon said a woman is only "con-

sidered to be in their prime in 20s and 30s and maybe 40s." Co-anchors Harlow and Collins pushed back, but Lemon doubled down on his point. Licht later sent a memo to CNN staff, calling the comments "unacceptable." Licht said he had a "frank" conversation with Lemon, who apologized and was set to participate in formal training sessions

"It is important to me that CNN balances accountability with ... fostering a culture in which people can own, learn and grow from their mistakes," Licht said at the time. "When I make a mistake, I own it," Lemon told staff during an editorial meeting. "And I own this one as well."

Earlier this month, Variety published a report detailing allegations of misogyny aimed at female coworkers. Lemon denied the allegations.

WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION LINKED TO INCREASED RISK OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, STUDY FINDS

By Kyla Russell, CNN/StyleMagazine.com Newswire

to the heart and can lead to heart disease. Higher blood pressure means a higher risk of problems like heart attacks and strokes. For the study, published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the researchers analyzed data from 1,246 people beginning between 2004 and 2006. Each participant said they did not have high blood pressure at the start of the study, and most said they were not smokers and consumed little or no alcohol. They were followed for about eight years, until 2013 and 2014.

Over 93% of the participants were White, and about 52% were women. About a third were younger than 45, a third were between 46 and 55, and a third were over 56.

To assess levels of discrimination,

the participants filled out surveys about whether they experienced unfair treatment at work, if they felt more closely watched than others at work, if they often felt ignored at work and

if job promotions were given fairly. The survey also asked how often ethnic, racial or sexual slurs or jokes were said in a work setting.

According to the analysis, 319 of the participants reported developing high blood pressure by the end of the eight years.

People who experienced intermediate levels of workplace discrimination at the beginning of the study were 22% more likely than those who reported low levels of workplace discrimination to report high blood pressure after eight years. Read more at StyleMagazine.com

Jonathan Owens and Simone Biles

Don Lemon

‘QUEEN CHARLOTTE’: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE ‘BRIDGERTON’ PREQUEL

By Ariana Romero, Netflix

Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) is never shy about taking center stage in Bridgerton. Supporting character or not, she recognizes that’s exactly where she and her enviable outfits belong. But the beloved royal is about to enjoy the limelight like never before in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, her prequel series premiering May 4 and created by steamy drama master Shonda Rhimes.

As young Queen Charlotte says in the just-released teaser trailer, “This [palace] is my home. I am the queen.” Prepare to see the monarch ascend the throne and start a romance that will forever change the Bridgerton world.

In Bridgerton Season 2, fans got a glimpse of the mysterious love story of Charlotte and her often-unseen husband King George III (James Fleet).

Queen Charlotte whisks us back to the very start of their relationship to reveal the romance and secrets of the past. So what can you expect from this new Bridgerton tale? Keep reading for a story that would make Julia Quinn proud — plus a full set of never-before-seen Queen Charlotte photos.

When is Queen Charlotte’s release date?

Queen Charlotte hits the metaphorical ballroom on May 4, when all six episodes of the prequel’s season will premiere. The series announced its premiere date during a Valentine’s Day panel, as the cast and Rhimes celebrated the upcoming royal love story.

What happens in Queen Charlotte?

The series introduces a young Charlotte (India Amarteifio), who is only starting to understand her power — and the meaning of love. We meet

young Charlotte as she embarks on her life-changing marriage with young King George (Corey Mylchreest) and enters a ton very different from the one seen in Bridgerton. Naturally, a fearless leader like Charlotte is the one spearheading a societal shift that will lead to generations of change in the Bridgerton world. Although Queen Charlotte is dedicated to unraveling the past, it will also give fans a peek into the present-day lives of the Bridgerton coterie. (Well, their 19th-century lives, anyway.) So the series is also a can’t-miss for those thirsty to out-gossip Lady Whis-

tledown come Bridgerton Season 3. Who is in the cast of Queen Charlotte?

Prepare to check back in with some of your Bridgerton faves — while meeting an entirely new cast of swoon-worthy faces. Amarteifio leads Queen Charlotte as a younger version of the titular brilliantly bewigged royal highness. Mylchreest and Arsema Thomas round out the prequel’s main cast as young King George and young Lady Agatha Danbury. You’ll also see Game of Thrones mom Michelle Fairley, Sam Clemmett, Freddie Dennis, Richard Cunningham, Tunji Kasim, Cyril Nri and Rob Maloney waltzing through the palaces and parties of Queen Charlotte’s pre-Bridgerton timeline.

Golda Rosheuvel, Adjoa Andoh and Ruth Gemmell also appear in Queen Charlotte as their respective (and very familiar) Bridgerton characters: Queen Charlotte, Lady Danbury and Bridgerton family matriarch Lady Violet Bridgerton.

Read more at

Miller Outdoor Theatre has delighted generations of audiences for100 years with the best in performing arts entertainment. And every performance free.

JOIN THE SEASON-LONG CELEBRATION. Enjoy eight months of the best music, dance, theatre and more. Plus, celebratory events throughout the year packed with fun for the whole family. With enough time to roll down the hill. milleroutdoortheatre.com/celebratemiller

MAY 12 — HAPPY BIRTHDAY MILLER!

Let’s celebrate together with a larger-than-life birthday cake with slices for all served during intermission. Make memories with a photo in the 7-foot cake. And sign the giant Miller card, starting at 7 p.m. At 8 p.m. Houston Ballet presents George Balanchine’s Jewels.

Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte

HARRY BELAFONTE, ACTIVIST AND ENTERTAINER WITH A 'REBEL HEART,' DIES AT 96

Harry Belafonte, the dashing singer, actor and activist who became an indispensable supporter of the civil rights movement, has died, his publicist Ken Sunshine told CNN. He was 96.

Belafonte died Tuesday morning of congestive heart failure, Sunshine said.

Belafonte was dubbed the "King of Calypso" after the groundbreaking success of his 1956 hit, "The Banana Boat Song (Day-O)." He also became a movie star after acting in the film adaption of the Broadway musical, "Carmen Jones."

But Belafonte's biggest contributions took place offstage. He was a key strategist, fundraiser and mediator for the civil rights movement. He continually risked his entertainment career -- and at least once his life -- for his activism. He became a close friend of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., who often retired to Belafonte's palatial New York apartment to talk strategy or escape the pressures of leading the civil rights movement.

A voracious reader with a burning disdain for injustice, Belafonte's

By John Blake and Chloe Melas, CNN

political consciousness was shaped by the experience of growing up as the impoverished son of a poor Jamaican mother who worked as a domestic servant.

"I've often responded to queries that ask, 'When as an artist did you decide to become an activist?' '' he once said. "My response to the question is that I was an activist long before I became an artist. They both service each other, but the activism is first."

The scope of Belafonte's activism was astonishing. He saw the civil rights movement as a global struggle. He led a campaign against apartheid in South Africa, and befriended Nelson Mandela. He mobilized support for the fight against HIV/AIDS and became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. He also came up with the idea for recording the 1985 hit song, "We Are the World," which assembled a constellation of pop and rock stars, including Bob Dylan, Michael Jackson and Bruce Springsteen, to raise money for famine relief in Africa.

Belafonte didn't mellow as his

wealth and fame grew. He drew criticism after calling President George W. Bush "the greatest terrorist in the world" for leading an invasion of Iraq, and assailed Black celebrities such as Jay Z and Beyonce for not taking bolder stands on social justice. He criticized Barack Obama so much during the then Senator's first presidential run in 2008 that Obama asked him, "When are you going to cut me some slack?"

I've been doing?" Belafonte responded. Belafonte's hero and mentor Harold George Belafonte Jr. was born March 1, 1927 in New York city to poor Caribbean immigrants. His father worked as a cook on merchant ships and abandoned the family when Belafonte was young.

Read more at StyleMagazine.com

H-E-B LAUNCHES FRESH BITES BRAND, OPENS ADDITIONAL TRUE TEXAS TACOS LOCATIONS

By Thomas Schlachter and Homero De la Fuente, CNN

Additionally, the H-E-B convenience store in Lytle is currently undergoing renovations and will introduce the Fresh Bites brand when work is complete in the coming weeks. The Lytle location, which remains operational during renovations, also will include a True Texas Tacos restaurant.

Meal Simple options. Throughout the store, customers will find nutritious and wholesome products, including H-E-B Select Ingredients items in addition to normal convenience offerings such as soft drink fountains, beer and wine, and other snacks.

but want a better alternative to traditional convenience store snacks.”

The True Texas Tacos concept, which H-E-B launched in San Antonio in 2018, showcases a menu of more than a dozen breakfast and specialty tacos made with the freshest ingredients.

H-E-B is making it easier for Texans to fill up the gas tank while stocking up on fresh produce or grabbing a quick meal on the go. The San Antonio-based retailer is giving a new look to its H-E-B convenience stores, introducing H-E-B Fresh Bites brand, which will provide customers more fresh options such as produce, prepared food, and convenient meal options.

On April 17, the first H-E-B Fresh Bites opened at a new convenience store location adjacent to the Leander H-E-B on Ronald Reagan Blvd, which also features the company’s second True Texas Tacos restaurant.

With the opening of the Leander location, H-E-B has 12 convenience stores throughout Texas. Starting this year, the company will continue its plans to update the layout of the remaining convenience stores to the H-E-B Fresh Bites brand with many also including a True Texas Tacos. No plans or timelines have been set for updates to the other locations.

For on-the-go convenience, H-E-B Fresh Bites will offer customers an array of fresh options that go beyond offerings usually found at a traditional convenience store. H-E-B Fresh Bites locations will feature several refrigerated cases stocked with items such as fresh produce, salads, sandwiches, and sushi made daily, meat and cheese snacks, fresh juices, kombucha, and

At H-E-B, we’re always looking to provide Texans convenient ways to get their hands on quality, fresh foods that are good for them,” said Scott Campbell, H-E-B Convenience Store Operations Manager. “With the introduction of H-E-B Fresh Bites, we’re bringing the freshest products to our customers who are on the go

H-E-B Fresh Bites Leander is open Sunday through Thursday from 4 a.m. -12 a.m., and Friday and Saturday 4 a.m. – 1 a.m. True Texas Tacos are open from 6 a.m. – 2 p.m. daily. Customers can use the digital kiosks for easy, no-contact ordering, and on-demand delivery service Favor Delivery offers free delivery of True Texas Tacos.Madness run.

Harry Belafonte

aste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry returned to Houston for an afternoon of delicious taste sips Works in Buffalo Bayou Park with some of Houston's top chefs and mixologists to bring awareness and raise funds to end childhood hunger in Texas and across the nation.

TOP CHEFS AND MIXOLOGISTS UNITE TO END CHILD HUNGER IN TEXAS AT TASTE OF THE NATION

Alex Jack, Culinary Writer

One in eight kids in the U.S. lives with hunger, and One in five kids faces hunger in Texas. No Kid Hungry is on a mission to end child hunger by connecting kids to food that will allow them to not worry about where their next meal will come from. This not only supports the physical health of the child but mental health as well. If a child is not worried and hungry, it promotes their ability to focus on what is most important: being happy, healthy, and strong.

Chef Reginald Scott of The Smoke and Houston Style's 2022 Favorite Chef was a featured chef and partner for the event. "I am who I am because of the free meals I cherished at school.

I'm honored to be partners with No Kid Hungry to share that same enjoyment

with the next generation!" said Chef Scott.

Chef Scott showcased his culinary finesse at the event, presenting his signature dish, the Smoke Dust and Jerk Dust Wings, now available at his restaurant. These wings are a harmonious blend of the delectable smoky flavors of his pit and the herbaceous aroma of jerk dust or smoke dust dry rub. As always, Chef Scott did not disappoint with his show-stopping creation.

Other renowned chefs like Top Chef Season 19 participant Chef Evelyn Garcia of Jun and Chris Cosentino of

Rosalie Italian Soul were in attendance to support this cause.

"We are in the hospitality industry. We feed people for a living. These kids go to school, they can't focus, they can't learn." said Chef Cosentino. "Healthy food is a right, not a privilege." Mixologist, owner of Julep, and 2022 James Beard Award winner for Outstanding Bar Program Alba Huerta also participated this year.

Read more at StyleMagazine.com

Chef Reginald Scott and his team from The Smoke Smoke Dust and Jerk Dust Wings

Dr. Reginald DesRoches Quentin Mease Community Service Award Texas Black Expo & We All Eat Campaign

Loren Blanchard more information, please visit haul.org/eodgala or contact Brandi Ledet | bledet@haul.org | 713-393-8783

Goffney Stephen Silas Lovie Smith Head Coach Houston Rockets Head Coach Houston Texans

Millard EQUAL OPPORTUNITY DAY GALA S A T U R D A Y , D E C E M B E R 1 7 , 2 0 2 2 - 6 : 3 0 P M H I L T O N A M E R I C A S H O U S T O N Black Excellence in Education Jerome Love CONFERENCE NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE 2023 HOUSTON, TX

JULY 26-29 2023 Conference Chair - Myrtle Jones, Halliburton

Empowering Communities Changing Lives Affiliate Host Includes: Small Business Saturday Pitch Competition Community Day Youth Summit Concerts and much more

For Welcome Reception Career Fair Empowerment & Career Development Tech Connect & Demo Day

All Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker wanted was for his team to play with some consistency before they headed into a nine-game gauntlet against the Toronto Blue Jays, Atlanta Braves, and Tampa Bay Rays. They looked sluggish against their in-state rival, Texas Rangers, at Minute Maid Park, losing the series while being sporadic at the plate.

Six games later, Houston has a 5-1 record that includes a three-game sweep over the Atlanta Braves with a 5-2 win on Sunday at Truist Field.

It was their third consecutive game where they trailed entering the sixth inning or later, and it was the third straight day where they put together some late-inning hits to secure the victory.

Houston scored 11 combined runs while holding Atlanta scoreless in the last three innings of each game.

Trailing 2-0 in the top of the eighth inning, the Astros looked as if they were going to waste a beautiful pitching performance from starter Cristian Javier who struck out ten batters in six innings while allowing only two runs in six innings.

ASTROS USE ANOTHER LATE GAME SURGE TO SWEEP THE ATLANTA BRAVES

By Brian Barefield, Sports Editor

would record his 27th RBI of the season by driving in two runs on a single to left field to tie the game.

Rookie outfielder Corey Julks would provide the Astros with another spark in the next inning as he was called upon to pinch-hit in the top of the ninth inning.

Read more at

Center fielder Jake Meyers hit a single to start a potential rally, and with two outs, second baseman Mauricio singled to left field to extend the inning and his hitting streak to 17 games. Braves reliever Nick Anderson would load the bases after walking Alex Bregman, bringing Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez

to the plate with the game-tying and go-ahead runs on base.

Atlanta would replace Anderson with reliever A.J. Minter to face Alvarez, a batter that he did not have success against in the first game of the series as he surrendered a home run to give Houston the victory. Alvarez

IMPRESSIONIST AND POST-IMPRESSIONIST MASTERPIECES FROM THE PEARLMAN FOUNDATION OPENS MAY 21 AT THE MFAH

THE EXHIBITION WILL PRESENT SIGNATURE PAINTINGS AND SCULPTURES FROM THE DISTINGUISHED HENRY & ROSE PEARLMAN

FOUNDATION COLLECTION OF IMPRESSIONIST, POST-IMPRESSIONIST AND MODERN ART

Kathleen Coleman, Arts Editor

works from the renowned collection assembled in the second half of the 20th century by New York collectors Henry and Rose Pearlman.

Paintings and sculptures by Cézanne, Manet, Degas, Gauguin, van Gogh, Pissarro, Toulouse-Lautrec, Modigliani, Soutine, Lipchitz and others will be seen within the context of their experience of transience – regional, national, and international. It will explore the friendships the artists developed in Paris, as well as the many varied locations and sites that shaped their work. The exhibition will be on view at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston from May 21 through September 17, 2023.

collection outside of its home at Princeton University. For this presentation, we will be juxtaposing Pearlman pictures with works from the MFAH collection in order to broaden the representation of the artists, as well as to highlight Henry Pearlman’s distinctive point of view.”

Ann Dumas, MFAH consulting curator of European art, noted, “Henry Pearlman was fascinated by both the art and the lived experiences of the artists he collected. He was interested in work that reflected not only creative experimentation, but also meaningful exchanges and relationships between

painters and sculptors. He was especially drawn to artists whose travels and emigration stimulated creative exchange and innovation, and so his collection highlights the dynamic and increasingly international artistic crossroads of Paris during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.”

The installation’s organization will explore relationships, both personal and artistic, between artists, broader cultural movements and Pearlman as a collector. The pairing of Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin alludes to their mutual influence.

In the late 19th and into the early 20th century, European artists’ ability to travel along newly industrialized railway lines, and cross paths and share ideas, led to the transmission and evolution of varied artistic styles.

Impressionist and PostImpressionist Masterpieces from the Pearlman Foundation will present 38 outstanding

“Henry Pearlman’s highly personal approach to collecting sought to capture the momentum of art and thought at the dawn of the modern era,” commented Gary Tinterow, Director and Margaret Alkek Williams Chair, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. “This exhibition is an exceptionally rare opportunity for visitors to see this distinguished

Cezanne, Mont Sainte-Victoire, c. 1904

Sisley, River View, 1889

HMETRO's New Waltrip HS Bus Shelter H

A student artist at Houston ISD Waltrip High School is sharing her ram pride with all of Houston through a community partnership with METRO. Veronica Fonseca has brought new life to a bus shelter outside of her school in the Oak Forest community. In celebration of Waltrip Ram Pride, METRO Board Chair Sanjay Ramabhadran, METRO President & CEO Tom Lambert, Waltrip High School Principal Rhonda Honore,' METRO Media Specialist Monica Russo, METRO Board Member Chris Hollins, Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce Cindy Reibenstein, and HISD Wraparound Services Executive Director Dr. Phuong Uyen Tieu unveiled the newest student-designed bus shelter. This is one of the many ways that METRO is enhancing neighborhoods and the transit experience through their Arts in Transit program.

H Houston Black Real Estate Association 2023 Gala H

The Houston Black Real Estate Association (HBREA) hosted their annual gala under the theme “Reset & Align for Greater.”

During the sold-out gala Marla Lewis and her administration were applauded on a job well done and the new administration of Felicia Guidry was welcomed. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Congressman Al Green presented proclamations, scholarships were awarded to deserving students, and the top real estate professionals were announced. Some in attendance were State Rep. Ron Reynolds, Atia Willis, Sonya Brown-Marshall, LaDonna Parker, Latoya Mack, Derek Boles, April Jones, Kim Barnes, Alexia Sims, Shamika Jones, Brooke Burnside, Jemila Winsey, Nicole Jones, Elisa Linton, Kye Sampson, Shirley Penn-McAfee, Valeria McCants, Jonna LaGrone-Haynes, Royce Isaac, and Courtney Johnson Rose.

HNurture Nature Tree Giveaway and Planting Events

Houston lost a real jewel of a human being when Dr. Polly Sparks Turner passed away. Her legacy will be felt for generations to come. She was such an advocate for children and education. In honor of her memory, the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter held two events on Earth Day. The first event was a Nurture Nature Tree Giveaway at the Blue Triangle Community Center, and the second event was Nurture Nature Tree Planting at Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy. Both events were underwritten by the Astros Foundation. Also invited to plant trees were the participants of their Youth Leadership Institute and members of the Epsilon Lambda Chapter of the same sorority. Some in attendance were Staci Fullmighter, Paula Harris, Charlotte Bryant, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, State Rep. Ron Reynolds, Jessica Brooks, Andrea Bonner, Donna Miles, Melanie Miles, Mary Barnett, and Lucy Bremond.