Houston Style Magazine Vol 33 No 48

There is a bitter fruit from the 2022 congressional elections: the bare majority Republicans won in the House of Representatives is the direct result of racial gerrymandering. A new Jim Crow is back, empowered - as was the original Jim Crow - by partisan right-wing justices on the Supreme Court. Americans voted for democracy in 2022, even as the Supreme Court voted to undermine it.

This fact is indisputable. Since January, judges in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Ohio ruled that Repub lican legislators illegally drew congres sional maps along racial or partisan lines. In the past, the judges would have ordered the preparation of new maps to ensure the elections were fair. But these were the first elections after a new census since the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act in Shelby v. Holder, a decision that outrageously ig nored the factual record and overturned legislation renewed by overwhelming bipartisan majorities in both houses of Congress. Legislating from the bench, five conservative justices revoked the pre-clearance procedures that would have forced changes in the maps in three

COMMENTARY RACIAL GERRYMANDERING AND THE GOP HOUSE WIN

By Jesse Jackson, National Political Writer

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy

of those states. Then the conservatives in a later decision added the insult of ruling that any state court or lower court decision outlawing maps in the election year would be stayed until after the elec tion. The elections were held on maps that the lower courts found illegal.

Did it make a difference? Look ing at those four states alone, David Wasserman, an election specialist at the Cook Report, concluded that the reject ed maps in those four states - making up nearly 10 percent of the congressional seats - handed Republicans five to sev en House seats that would otherwise not have won. That was more than the difference in holding the majority. Add to that Florida, where the ambitious Republican governor rejected a first map to force a discriminatory and perversely partisan map that gave Republicans an additional four seats. That alone also would account for the size of the Re publican majority.

But that is not all. In Arkansas, Republican legislators drew up a map that split the county that surrounds Little Rock into three districts to dilute the Black vote. This egregious violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act -

which bars lines that "improperly dilute minorities' voting power - couldn't pass the smell test. Even the Republican gov ernor refused to sign it, saying it raised troublesome concerns, but allowed it to go into law without his signature.

In Tennessee, Republican legislators deprived Nashville of rep resentation, dividing the city up into three congressional districts to nullify the influence of Black voters. In Texas, where communities of color are growing the fastest, Republicans drew up new maps that, as Demetrius Fisher of the League of Women Voters concluded, "were racially gerrymandered and a blatant attempt to dilute the voice of Black, Latinx and Asian American Pa cific Islander communities."

These injustices are the prod uct of having no national standard for drawing districts, or for voting rules in general. The rules for elections are left to the states. The Voting Rights Act was passed to curb the vicious racial discrimination that essentially stripped Blacks of the right to vote across the South. Now, however, the right-wing majority on the Supreme Court has un dermined the protections built into the

law. That same conservative majority has also ruled that the federal courts will not review partisan gerrymandering at all. And created out of thin air a new doctrine that says that new maps drawn after a census and rule illegal by state or lower courts needn't be redrawn until after the next election.

Partisan gerrymandering under mines democracy. It allows politicians to choose their voters rather than voters choose their representatives. Racially discriminatory gerrymandering is still illegal under the Constitution and the Voting Rights Act. Now, however, the partisan right-wing judges on the Su preme Court have opened the door to its revival. Voters in this election voted for democracy and against the election deniers. But racially discriminatory gerrymanders provided Republicans the House majority. And that's not just a shame; it's a crime.

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

HCC SIGNS 3-YEAR AGREEMENT

WITH CITY OF HOUSTON TO PROVIDEFIREFIGHTERS WITH EMS TRAINING

through the HCC Center of Excellence in Resilience Operations at Northeast College and on other campuses across the entire HCC district.

“We are also excited to share that we are developing pathways to convert resiliency training courses to college credit, leading to advanced certificates and Associate of Applied Science degrees,” the chancellor said. Find out more information at HCCS. edu.

Houston Community College Chan cellor Cesar Maldonado, Ph.D., and City of Houston Mayor Syl vester Turner met at HCC’s Northeast College today to sign a three-year agree ment for HCC to train Houston firefight ers in emergency medical services.

On hand were members of the college’s Board of Trustees, including Trustee Monica Flores Richart of Dis trict 1, Trustee Charlene Ward Johnson of District 2 and Trustee Eva Loredo of District 8. Also present were City of Houston Fire Chief Samuel Pena, Executive Asst. Chief Rodney West and others from the Fire Department’s ex ecutive staff. The agreement is another step toward “preparing a more resilient

workforce,” Chancellor Maldonado said. “Every employee trained is one more skilled first responder able to help our community mitigate the impact of an event that threatens our citizens or property. We are proud of this partner ship, proud of the work we are doing together, and proud of those who com plete this training and go on to serve the public good.”

While HCC and the City of Houston have partnered on other initia tives over the years, the current focus on resiliency training began after Hurricane Harvey in 2018. Mayor Turner made re siliency part of the City’s strategic plan, calling for half a million Houstonians to gain skills needed to help mitigate the

loss of life and property associated with natural or man-made disasters.

In response, HCC stepped forward with a commitment to provide training for residents in a variety of resiliency related fields. The college’s announced Resiliency Operations Center (ROC) will be built at HCC’s Northeast College in the near future. “Our inaugural resilience courses are beginning,” Maldonado told the audi ence and reporters. “Now is the time to examine what we offer and see how these courses can benefit your opera tions and the communities where we live. I encourage business leaders to follow the City’s lead and register your employees. We will deliver this training

By StyleMagazine.com - Newswire

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and HCC Chancellor Cesar Maldonado sign a three-year training agreement at HCC’s Northeast College, surrounded by college leaders, trustees and Fire Department executive team members.

2022 HCC & Houston Fire MOU Signing

Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg has opened an investigation into possible criminal conduct in the county’s administration of last week’s midterm election, when some polling places opened late and others ran out of ballot paper, among other issues. She also has asked state authorities to assist with the probe. Ogg confirmed the investigation, first reported by the New York Times, in a Wednesday statement to Houston Public Media. She made her request for assistance in a Monday email to the Texas Rangers, saying her

HARRIS COUNTY DA KIM OGG LAUNCHES 2022 ELECTION INVESTIGATION,

ASKS TEXAS RANGERS TO ASSIST

By Adam Zuvanich, HoustonPublicMedia.org

office had received a referral from the Texas Secretary of State’s Office about “alleged irregularities” that “potentially may include criminal conduct” in Harris County, according to the Times. “Free and fair elections are the bedrock of our democracy,” Ogg said in her statement. “When we get credible complaints of election irregularities, we are statuto rily required to investigate. That's why we've called for the assistance of the Texas Rangers.” Texas Gov. Greg Ab bott, a Republican who won re-election statewide on Nov. 8 but received fewer

votes than Democratic challenger Beto O’Rourke in Harris County, called for such an investigation in a Monday letter he shared on social media. He asked for inquiries by the Texas Rangers, a divi sion of the Texas Department of Public Safety; by the secretary of state’s office, which oversees elections in Texas; and by the Texas Attorney General’s Office, headed by fellow Republican Ken Pax ton, who also lost in the state’s largest county but was re-elected nonetheless.

Also Monday, the Harris Coun ty Republican Party filed a lawsuit

against Harris County Elections Admin istrator Clifford Tatum and the county itself, alleging that Tatum violated Texas election laws by prematurely releasing early voting results on election night, by instructing poll workers to issue second ballots to voters who could not properly scan their original ballots and by pres suring election judges to allow results to be picked up from polling places by county personnel, among other viola tions.

The lawsuit claims Harris County's election was run in a way that "illegally disenfranchised tens of thou sands of registered voters from casting their votes," although it seeks only in junctive relief from a state district court and does not seek to overturn the results of any races. Tatum said in a statement Monday that his office is "fully com mitted to transparency regarding the processes and procedures implemented" during the midterm.

Odus Evbagharu, the chair of the Harris County Democratic Party, said in a statement Wednesday that the party supports a thorough review of the election but does “not agree with urging the prosecution of election workers for faithfully doing their jobs in support of the Democratic process.”

Find out more information at HoustonPublicMedia.org StyleMagazine.com

Harris County DA Kim Ogg

FLU SEASON HITS HOUSTON AREA

EARLIER THAN USUAL

By Sara Willa Ernst, HoustonPublicMedia.org

Houston is seeing a spike in in fluenza cases several months earlier than in previous years. Late August was when the first cases started trickling into the region. That's compared to the last flu season, which began in February.

The number of cases are in creasing as the holidays approach as 3.4 percent of reported doctors visits in Harris County during the first week of November were related to the flu or oth er respiratory viral infections, according to the most recent report from the Hous ton Health Department. That's up from 1.7 percent in early October. Children have been bearing the brunt of these flu cases. Ninety-two percent of doctors visits that ended up in a flu diagnosis were in children under the age of 18. There have been over 16,000 diagnoses in October and early November. Dr. Janeana White, the health department's deputy local health authority, said chil

dren weren't given much opportunity to build immunity during the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic. "The past couple of years, we've really hunkered down — children weren't in school set tings and daycare facilities," White said. "Most kids get exposed to RSV under the age of 2. We're now starting to see individuals who really weren't exposed to some of these viruses more robustly getting exposed."White said there are multiple respiratory viruses circulating in the region to be aware of: Respirato ry Syncytial Virus (RSV), COVID-19, parainfluenza and rhinovirus. RSV, in

particular, has been puzzling pediatri cians this year. A surge of cases hit the region in the spring and yet again this fall. "We are seeing transmission of RSV among children,"Dr. James Versalovic with Texas Children's Hospital said in an interview in early October. "What’s different this year is that now we’ve seen this twice. It is certainly unusual in terms of a second round of Versalovic said spikes in RSV were easy to predict before 2020 — cas es typically go up once a year in late fall and early winter. The year 2022 has de fied those patterns. "We know that these

transmission patterns have been more dynamic during the pandemic and it’s not been limited to COVID-19," Versalovic said. "RSV has been equally difficult to predict during this pandemic. It’s been a highly dynamic period for respiratory viruses in general." White said the best way to protect yourself from a bad case is to get the available vaccines. COVID-19 boosters and flu shots are available at most pharmacies. The flu vaccine takes up to two weeks before it becomes fully effective.

She is recommending tried and true precautions from the pandem ic — handwashing, wearing masks, rapid testing before events and surface cleaning." We should think about how we’re looking at events over this holiday season, the amount of people that we’re gathering with and really how to safely plan our travels during this holiday season," White said. Find out more in formation at HoustonPublicMedia.org.

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM MEDICARE

he digital navigators pilot program is a partnership between Comcast

Mayor’s Office of Complete Commu nities and SERJobs. The $150,000 pilot program will start Nov. 18,2022 and will last for 18 months. The program will in clude a “back to basics” technology-based curriculum like how to use computer applications, search for jobs online, send emails and operate word-processing soft ware. Additionally, participants can learn about the federal government’s Afford able Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides eligible low-income households with a credit of up to $30 per month to ward their Internet and/or mobile service.

“The work digital navigators will do in our Complete Communities may seem simple, but it’s very necessary,” City of Houston Director of Complete Commu nities Shannon Buggs said.

“We help Houstonians gain financial empowerment through free pro fessional financial counseling. In today’s digital economy, if you don’t have the

right digital skills, you start at a disad vantage. This program will change that.”

According to a recent Boston Consulting Group study supported by Comcast, digital navigators hold the key to reduce digital and socioeconomic inequities. The study revealed those who received hands-on help were more likely to use the Internet to improve their lives. Study highlights include:

• 1 in 3 reported obtaining new em ployment with a higher income.

• More than 65% now have Internet access or a connected device at home

• Almost half now have better health care

• 40% received support with basic needs like food, rent and housing

“Digital navigators have in credible potential to help people get connected and understand that there is a world of unlimited possibilities on the Internet,” Comcast Executive Vice President of Digital Equity and Exec utive Vice President of Public Policy, Broderick Johnson said. “In supporting

digital navigator programs, we are working with trusted partners to close the digital divide here in Houston.”

“This pilot program hits at the heart of our organization’s mission to empower individuals to transform their lives through education, training, employment and finan cial empowerment,” SERJobs Chief Exec utive Officer Sheroo Mukhtiar said. “The digital world revolutionized how people obtain employment. Applicants must feel comfortable and confident utilizing digital skills in their job hunt and as they navigate through a very competitive workforce. We know this is step forward in helping Houstonians be successful citizens.” Houston’s digital navigator pilot program is one of more than a dozen around the nation that Comcast is funding as a part of Project UP, the company’s $1B comprehensive ini tiative to advance digital equity.

Project UP encompasses digital equity programs such as Internet Essentials and Lift Zones. Since 2011, Comcast’s Internet Essentials has connected more than 10 million underserved Americans

Additionally, Comcast re cently reached and expanded on our goal by opening 1,250 Lift Zones in community centers nationwide – with 49 locations in the Greater Houston re gion – to provide students and families with free, high-speed WiFi powered by Comcast Business. Find out more information Texas.Comcast.com.

to broadband service at home, includ ing more than 1 million residents in Texas.

Dusty Baker

ck Excellence

Sports Leadership General Manager Houston Astros

Dr Reginald DesRoches

Dr Loren Blanchard President University of Houston Downtown President Rice University Dr LaTonya Goffney Superintendent Aldine ISD

Dr Millard House II Superintendent Houston ISD Dr Ruth Simmons D President Prairie View A&M University

Gerald Hin

Quentin Mease Community Service Award Texas Black Expo & We All Eat Campaign

Temperatures are dropping. Leaves are starting to turn colors. Lights are being hung to add a twinkle to our nights. Smells of cinnamon, sugar, and spice fill the air. Bells can be heard from near and far. That can mean only one thing. The holidays are here!

One of the first signs of the holiday season in the city is the trans formation of Downtown Houston. Get swept away in the magic of season as you visit nine themed villages that capture the essence of the season very unique ways.

Sugar Plum Plaza - Looking for visions of sugarplums to dance in your head? For this magical time of year, the iconic Fish Plaza at the entrance of the Wortham Theater is being reimagined as an ode to the holiday season. Listen to cheerful tunes while you wander around the sea sonally renamed Sugar Plum Plaza to gaze at the larger-than-life custom-built ornaments. For more information, visit www.visithoustontexas.com

Texas Winter Lights - The Marriott Marquis is bringing back their one-of-a-kind poolside tradition, Texas Winter Lights, an interactive walkthrough - or float–under–lights experi ence at Altitude Rooftop & Pool. From November 11 –January 8, guests can set course through the Marriott’s Grove of Trees, float among the Archway of Lights, or kick back on the lazy river, which is heated all to a perfect 80 degrees

THE MAGIC OF THE SEASON IN HOUSTON

By StyleMagazine.com - Newswire

all winter long, as lights glimmer from above. Enjoy more than 30 festive bev erage offerings, a new interactive graffiti wall, and nightly snowfall, or cozy up with a poolside movie every Thursday at nightfall. Tickets start at $25! For more information, visit www.marriott.com

Santa’s Village - This year we're bringing the North Pole to Main St. Take a stroll along Main from Dallas Street to Commerce Street as you shop for unique gifts at the mini vendor market complete with gift wrapping & free ornament-mak ing stations. Show up ready for photos because the one and only Santa Claus will be there taking pictures every Friday & Saturday from 6-9pm (on Christmas and NYE weekend the dates will move to Thursday & Friday: Dec 22-23 & Dec 29-30). Enjoy music and hot chocolate with your family & friends!

Holiday Ice Village - Glide your way into the holidays underneath the glittering lights of Downtown at this bus tling, open-air ice-skating rink sponsored by Green Mountain Energy in the heart of Discovery Green. You can anticipate a number of quirky and cool, themed skate nights and even an opportunity to hit the ice with Santa. If skating isn’t your thing, enjoy a holiday movie under the stars every Thursday evening or explore the park and Solstice Art Installation. Every Saturday in November and December, Flea by Night brings an eclectic array of

vendors selling items perfect for gifting that special someone. For more informa tion, visit www.discoverygreen.com

Land of the Sweets - Get ready to be wowed in the lobby of the Hilton Americas with the return of its iconic hol iday chocolate display. Sweeter than ever this year, this year’s hand-sculpted and Minion-themed masterpiece will boast well over 2,000 pounds of chocolate. Check it out and explore all the festivities Downtown has to offer with the hotel’s ‘Tis the Season package, which includes luxurious accommodations, a holiday treat, and two tickets to the Discovery Green ice rink. For more information, visit www.hilton.com

Candy Cane Lane - Oh man, do we have a treat for you, and it just may be 3x as sweet! Starting Dec 17, the long-awaited Trebly Park is open to the public and ready for the holiday season! Grab a cup of hot chocolate from the Hot Chocolate bar and marvel at the holiday art installations.

Winter Wonderland - Embark on a festive adventure under the stars with more than 100,000 lights. Wander down the 80-foot-long tunnel of LED lights across from the Hobby Center, dazzle at a series of sparkling constel lation arches on the boardwalk at Sam Houston Park, 3D trees at City Hall, and 22 blinged-out arches across from Downtown Aquarium. And don’t miss

your photo op at the giant illuminated angel wings at Central Library. Enjoy hearing your holiday favorites as you stroll past the roaming carolers and other live musicians while snacking on roast ed chestnuts from various vendors. For more information, visit www.houstontx.gov

Deck the Trees - Benefitting the Alley Theatre’s educational community and artistic initiatives, a display of 30 wonderfully festooned Christmas trees will appear in the Grand Holiday Win dow at the George R. Brown Convention Center facing Avenida de las Americas. Adding to the ambiance is the Avenida Concert Series with live musical perfor mances. For more information, visit www.grbhouston.com

Mistletoe Square - There's no doubt that the holidays are a magical time! But we have to wonder, what are they like around the world? Starting Dec 2, every Friday this season from 6-9pm, enjoy live music and watch live artists create artwork that showcases winter holidays around the world. Dec 2: Ha nukkah, Dec 16: Las Posadas, Dec 23: Kwanzaa, and Dec 30: Osaka.

On select Saturdays, cozy up un der the holiday lights for Movies Under the Stars. Showtime for the following movies begins at 7pm. 11/19: The Polar Express 12/10: Home Alone 12/29 : Lightyear.

MAGICAL WINTER LIGHTS RADIATES HOLIDAY CHEER FOR OPENING WEEKEND EVENT

HELD NOVEMBER 18TH – JANUARY 7TH

By StyleMagazine.com - Newswire

Magical Winter Lights is an ex periential adventure, sprawl ing with more than 100 vi brant lanterns within seven expansive displays and six million lights. Escape the city and immerse yourself in a unique wonderland of illuminated tunnels, and world landmarks, or stand beneath life-sized dinosaurs and explore the adventures of wonderland.

Magical Winter Lights is back in 2022 with even more excitement and experiences including, new lan tern displays, a renovated castle en trance, and additional entertainment. Circus Espana is one of the newest additions. This special attraction transports guests to a 1920s winter's tale in a faraway place where a mag ical clock that strikes once a year awakens a frozen town and brings sensational acts to life. From juggling challenges to aerial acrobats and a thrilling end, this bonus attraction, with an additional admission cost, is sure to entertain guests.

From now until January 7, 2023, including Thanksgiving, Christ mas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day Magical

Winter Lights will be open daily.

January 2-4 the event will be closed but will open again for the final three days of Jan. 5-7. Hours are 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with extended hours beginning Dec. 24. The event takes place at Hous ton Raceway Park in Baytown, TX - 2525 FM 565, Baytown, TX 77523.

Tickets start at $17 for children & seniors (4-12, 65+); $25 for adults (13+); and free for children 2 and under. Tickets are available online and at discounted prices from more than 200 local area Walgreens that are good for any day.

Find more information online at magicalwinterlights.com

THE LEGACY OF HIGHLIGHTING HOUSTON TALENT WITH NEW FILM RELEASE

By StyleMagazine.com - Newswire

With over 25 years of celebrat ing Houston-based rappers, actors, and entertainers, Wreck shop Films(Wreckshop Records), is back and excited to announce the release of The Dirty 3rd: Next Gen eration soundtrack and movie starring NAACP Nominated Actor-Clifton Powell, Wreckshop Records CEO-Der rick (D-Reck) Dixon, Comedian-Chico Bean, Houston-Based Rapper-Propain, and Actor-Dakarai Akil. The film and soundtrack is in collaboration with 8 Queens Film & Media Productions, 7 Kings Entertainment, The Dirty 3rd: Next Genera tion stems from the original independent films shot in the early 2000’s starring Derrick (D-Reck) Dixon, Tyte Eyez, ESG, and Slim Thug. Next Genera tion reveals how the main character, “Street,” from the original film has finally stepped his game up and gradu ated from street-level hustling and com pleted his quest to become a legitimate businessman. A reality, which rewards him with a safe and peaceful lifestyle. New challenges and drama await him when his loved ones reemerge in his life. Close friend “Sonny Bobo” returns home from a long stint in prison and his estranged grandson “Zaire”, who unbeknownst to Street, is no longer a wide-eyed kid comes back as well. Fans were given a sneak peek into The Dirty 3rd: Next Generation Soundtrack on October 14th, when the first sin

gle, “Gangsta” which features artists such as Propain, Slim Thug, OTB Fast Lane, and Boston George debuted. The soundtrack, which will be released on all platforms November 17th, also features music by Lil Keke, Sauce Walka, Z-Ro, David Banner, DJ XO, DJ Chose, Lil Flip, Big Pokey, Kirko Bangz, Killa Kyleon, Daryl “Dgotti” Monroe, Tyte Eyes, and many more.

“Between both films, we have sold over 300,000 DVDs and fans of the franchise have streamed the films over 3 million times. Twenty years later, we are back and so excited to bring this classic not only to original fans of the Dirty 3rd franchise, but also to THE NEXT GENERATION!” – Derrick “Dreck” Dixon, Wreckshop Nation.

For more information on The Dirty 3rd: Next Generation vis it dirty3rdthenextgeneration.com/

Derrick "D-Reck" Dixon

Bee Busy Wellness Center 9th Annual "Turkey at Every Table" Event

Bee Busy Wellness Center hosted their annual turkey giveaway at 2 locations this past Saturday, November 19th. Volunteers braved the cold and rainy elements to help serve many in the community that are in need during this holiday season. For information on Bee Busy Wellness Center, visit www.mybbwc.org or follow them on social media - Facebook: Bee Busy Wellness Center and Instagram: @ mybbwc Thank you to each and every person who donated and/or volunteered!

PVAMU CENTER HONORED WITH STATEWIDE AWARD FOR WORK DURING COVID-19

By StyleMagazine.com - Newswire

SEE MORE @ www.StyleMagazine.com

CIITS the Center for Instructional In novation and Technology Services at Prairie View A&M University, responded to the Covid-19 pandemic with lightning speed, easing the transition from in-person instruction to the delivery of online education.

For its many efforts in this area, CIITS was presented with the Bennie Tschoerner Award for Outstanding Com mitment to Texas Digital Learning Asso

ciation by an Institution.

The Bennie Tschoerner Award is given annually by the Texas Digital Learning Association. It’s awarded to “the most committed individuals and or ganizations — those who put their noses to the grindstone and ‘make things hap pen’” for TxDLA and residents across the state of Texas. The awards fall into three classifications: individual, insti tutional and corporate, for outstanding

service provided to the organization during the past year.

A notable award in any year, this particular year was important given the ex tra workload and extreme pressure placed upon institutions to meet the vital needs of campus educators and students. PVAMU’s online support organization went the extra mile in meeting the university’s commit ment to create “opportunities for all per sons,” as the CIITS introduction to distance

education says. “Neither socio-economic status, ethnicity, educationally unrelated handicap, nor geographic location must limit educational opportunity at Prairie View A&M University, a peoples’ uni versity.”

The organization is especially honored to be recognized above all the online support organizations throughout the state of Texas. “I am very proud of the CIITS team as they stepped up to the plate,” said CIITS Executive Director Charlene Stubblefield, who was the first African American to serve as president of TxDLA from 2020 to 2021. “Not only supporting Prairie View A&M Universi ty as we went from in-person to virtual events but also the Texas A&M University System, the Texas Digital Learning As sociation and the Annual HBCU Faculty Development Network Conference. It is an honor to work with this amazing group of people.” Find out more information PVAMU.edu.

Texas Southern University’s award-winning Aviation Science Management program hosted the second annual HBCU Aviation Direc tors’ Summit this month.

The two-day summit included not only directors from aviation pro grams at Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the U.S., but also other leaders in the aviation industry, including representatives from several major U.S. airlines. Bradley Mims, Deputy Administrator for the Federal Aviation Administration. United Air lines president Brett Hart, was also in attendance.

During the summit, the attend ees discussed challenges and shared ideas for their flight training and avia tion management programs. The inau gural summit was held last year at Del aware State University in Dover, DE. A primary focus of the summit involved developing strategies for training and graduating more students of color to go into the aviation industry and military to address the growing nationwide pilot and aircraft technician shortage.

As such, a significant part of the summit involved discussions with attending representatives from carriers such as Alaska Airlines, PSA Airlines, Republic Airways, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines. Military represen tatives included the U.S. Army Cadet Command and the U.S. Naval Air Force. "Texas Southern University is honored to host this critical summit," said Dr. Terence Fontaine, TSU's director of

TSU HOSTS 2ND ANNUAL HBCU AVIATION DIRECTORS’ SUMMIT

By StyleMagazine.com - Newswire

education, who also served as co-host of the summit with Xavier Samuels, first officer with United Airlines and chair of the Advisory Board for TSU's aviation program. "As we build momentum from last year's meeting, this gives TSU a prime opportunity to shine a spotlight on ways we've grown our aviation program to the benefit of our students."

Texas Southern Universi ty, with its groundbreaking Aviation Science Management program, is the only school in Texas that offers a combined Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Science Management and,

beginning just six years ago, a Bachelor of Science degree as a Professional Pilot.

In 2022, TSU entered into stra tegic partnerships with United Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Republic Airways, each providing critical funding and re sources for the program, as well as schol arships and defined career pathways for TSU graduates. This semester, there are 61 students enrolled in the management program. Enrollment in the professional pilot program quadrupled year over year to 56 students. Find out more information TSU.edu.

TSU HBCU Aviation Summit

COVID-19’S TARGETED FEDERAL AID LED TO MORE BLACK AND LATINO HOMEOWNERS

By Charlene Crowell

In a year fraught with financial chal lenges, going home for the holidays will have heightened significance this year for many Black and Latino families.

New research findings reveal that between 2019 and 2021, a period that included COVID-19 pandemic assistance programs, homeownership among Black and Latino families in creased. The increase was due in part to pandemic assistance like suspended student loan payments and extended or enhanced unemployment benefits that changed household budgets.

During these same years, fi nancially troubled homeowners who received federal assistance, gained the resources to avoid foreclosure, largely through forbearance programs. As a result, Black and Latino homeowners shared in the largest equity apprecia tion in the past three decades. As home equity grows, so does family wealth.

Analyzing the latest data from the Census Bureau’s American Commu nity Survey, the Urban Institute, a DCbased nonpartisan research organiza tion, found that Black household home ownership rose 2 percentage points, to 44 percent from 2019-2020., Latino household homeownership rose 2.5 percentage points to 50.6 percent. Both increases surpassed the 1.2 percentage point homeownership rate increase of

white households during the same pe riod. “The Black homeownership rate has experienced a continuous decline since the Great Recession, and Black households have been disproportion ately affected by predatory lending practices but the Black homeownership rate is finally showing gains,” states the Institute’s findings. The largest increas es in the number of Black homeowners occurred in Florida, Georgia, and Tex as.

“Despite the pandemic’s nega tive effects on employment, swift gov ernment actions, such as forbearance and unemployment benefits, helped Black and Latino households sustain homeownership and helped many en ter homeownership and benefit from historically low interest rates,” the In stitute authors continued. “We’re see ing a real spark in Black and Latino homeownership because people — in large part, millennials — were able to save during the pandemic,” Andre Perry, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, recently told the Washing ton Post. “Now whether it’s sustained, that’s a different story. But what you saw in 2021 is a good thing because homeownership creates wealth and other opportunities that benefit entire communities.”

Related findings by the Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS) at

Harvard University underscore how this small but important rise in homeowner ship benefitted families of color. In its annual State of the Nation’s Housing 2022, JCHS reports that despite the economic downturn brought on by the pandemic and the surge in home pric es, 2.2 million new homeowners were added between the first quarter of 2020 and the first quarter of 2022, boosting the nation’s total number of homeowner households to 83.4 million.

Despite national growth in homeownership between 2020 and 2022, the Harvard report makes it clear that lingering racial disparities in home ownership limit Blacks and Latinos from achieving large equity gains.

“In 2019, the median net wealth of Black homeowners ($113,100) was just over a third of that of white home owners ($299,900) and the median net wealth of Hispanic homeowners ($164,800) was still roughly half of white homeowners,” states the report. “At least in part, these disparities reflect consistently lower home valuations in neighborhoods that are predominantly Black or Hispanic.” Homeownership access is also related to an important market variable: low mortgage interest rates. Over half of outstanding mort gages in the fourth quarter of 2021 had interest rates below 4.0 percent, including 13 percent with rates below

3.0 percent. Lower interest rates translat ed into consumers qualifying for larger and/or higher-priced homes. Conversely, as these rates have increased in recent months, housing dollars cannot go as far. Hence it is reasonable to con clude that the array of federal assistance during the pandemic enabled Black and Latino Americans to financially piece together a way forward for their families. From 2020’s Economic Security Act (CARES Act) that allowed borrowers to take forbearances for periods lasting up to 18 months, to extended and enhanced unemployment benefits, to student loan payment suspensions, and more – timely, targeted federal initiatives made measur able progress possible.

“The lessons learned during the pandemic have led to a number of proposals to greatly expand the housing safety net and provide increased sup port for first-generation homebuyers,” stated Chris Herbert, JCHS Managing Director. “While these measures have yet to be implemented, it is important to continue the policy debate over the best approaches to making housing affordable for all." Charlene Crowell is a senior fellow with the Center for Re sponsible Lending. She can be reached at Charlene.crowell@responsiblelending. org.

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It Borders on Transcendent

When the classical beauty, mastery, and wisdom that were shaped throughout China’s dynasties over five thousand years meet the groundbreaking artistic and technological innovations of Shen Yun, you get a grand spectacle that’s one of a kind.

Shen Yun’s production is rooted in a deep appreciation of classical artforms, aesthetics, and values. It’s a celebration of traditional beauty. Yet it is Shen Yun’s artistic innovations—be it the harmonious blend of musical traditions from East

and West, or the patented multimedia effects that allow performers real-time interaction with large animated backdrops—that have pushed the boundaries of performing arts as we know it. Shen Yun’s performers are masters of one of the oldest art forms in the world: classical Chinese dance. This artform is as beautiful and rich as it is expressive, and can communicate the deepest of emotions without a single word. Shen Yun is your portal to a civilization of enchanting beauty and enlightening wisdom—an experience that not only transports, but transcends.

By StyleMagazine.com - Newswire

The Museum of Fine Arts, Hous ton, presents Golden Worlds: The Portable Universe of Indigenous Colombia, a groundbreaking exhibition showcasing the diversity and brilliance of ancient Colombian cultures. Com prising approximately 400 works, the exhibition reframes how we approach ancient Colombian art and invites vis itors into a cultural dialogue that spans space and time.

From intricately cast gold pendants and hammered gold masks to ceramic effigies of fantastical crea tures and rare ancient textiles, some 400 works span all the major ancient cultures of Colombia. Landscapes, ar chaeological sites, and collaborations add important context to the objects and their timeless messages. Thematic sections center the voices and concepts of descendant Indigenous communities in the display and interpretation of the works. With the European conquest, Indigenous cultures, and knowledge,

based on millennia of intellectual efforts, were largely cast aside. By drawing heavily on the involvement of contemporary Indigenous collaborators, Golden Worlds: The Portable Universe of Indigenous Colombia infuses these stunning works with life, meaning, and relevance for today and the future.

The exhibition will be on view through April 16, 2023. Golden Worlds has been organized by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and the Museo del Oro of Banco de la República, Bogotâ. The works in the ex hibition —which encompass figurative ceramics, ceremonial and ritual items, feather works, textiles, metal works, and historical documents—include an unprecedented number of loans from the Museo del Oro in Bogota; pieces from LACMA’s permanent collection, many of which have never been exhibited; masterpieces from the Metropolitan Museum, New York, and a significant number of works from the collection of the MFAH.

“We are pleased to have co-or ganized this exhibition with our col leagues in Los Angeles and Bogota to look anew at these finely wrought gold objects and their timeless messages Calima, Pectoral with Face, Gold, 8.75 x 11x 11.125 in. diameter, Gift of Alfred C.Glassell, Jr. Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. About the relationship between man and nature,” said Gary Tinterow, Director of the Margaret Alkek Williams Chair at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

“As the custodian of the Glas sell Collection, the largest and most comprehensive collection of gold of the Indigenous Americas, we welcome the opportunity to share our gold of the Americas with our sister institutions.”

Exhibition Organization and Highlights Golden Worlds: The Portable Universe of Indigenous Colombia is organized into seven thematic sections that center the voices and concepts of descendant Indigenous communities in the display and interpretation of the works. Find out more information

Twelve Days of Christmas, Inc. Legacy Tea

It was an afternoon worthwhile for those who attended The Houston Chapter of Twelve Days of Christmas, Inc.’s “Legacy Tea: Brewing Infinite Possibilities.” The fundraiser event was a celebration of sisterhood and service with Melanie Lawson as the emcee, Myrtle Jones and Alexandria Preston as Honorary Chairs, and Dr. Kimberly McLeod giving a message of inspiration. Several were recognized as Legacy Award Honorees including Tawana, Kelsey, & Cambel Cadien; Sterling Carter, DPT & Stephen Carter; Julie Baker Finck, PhD; Paula Harris; Cydonii & Grace Miles; Ben & Chris Williams; and featured author Mike Brown, “Little Netta’s Gift.” All proceeds will be used to benefit less-fortunate families by providing food, clothing, shoes, books, school supplies, holiday gifts, scholarships, elder care and emergency funds. It was one of the organization most successful fundraisers in their 23-year-history.

Women On the Move 35th Annual Award Luncheon

Texas Executive Women’s hosted their Women On the Move 35th Annual Award Luncheon with the theme “Empowering Women, Creating Futures.” Each year the organization rec ognizes ten exceptional women. The members of the 2022 Class of Women On the Move are April Bailey, Laurie Baker, Alexandria Farias-Sorrels, Shareen Larmond, Bridgett Matthes, Wendy Montoya Cloonan, Julie Morales Clark, Cathryn Martinez, Kim Roxie, Frances Villagram-Glover, and Amanda McMillian. From this event, the organization has been able to give thousands of girls scholarships, field trips and individualized mentoring. This was the first in-person luncheon since the pandemic.