“Man of Steal” Dies
December 22, 2024
The image of Santa Claus has been a white man for decades. As our world becomes more diverse, why hasn’t the image of Santa changed to reflect that diversity? For Black people, this lack of representation is especially felt during the holiday season. Black children, see Santa, the gift giver, as a white man...
“My mother used to tell me ‘man gives the award; God gives the reward. I don’t need another plaque,’” Denzel Washington on X in 2019. Even though his name has been mentioned in the Academy Award predictions in 2025, for his role as Macrinus in Gladiator II, Washington is staying true to those words....
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“The most disrespected, unprotected, neglected person in America is the Black woman.”- Malcom X. Women in a California prison have requested clemency from President Biden after being sexually abused by prison guards. Last week, Biden pardoned 39 people, making that the largest act of presidential clemency in a day. For centuries the U.S. prison...
Congress avoided a government shutdown, hours before the deadline. At the beginning of the week, both Democratic and Republican parties tried to create a plan to fund the government. However, the plan received a lot of criticism from Donald Trump, Elon Musk and JD Vance. A new plan was created and that one was...
Dallas, TX – July 17, 2024 – St. Luke Community UMC is hosting its 9th annual Mental Health Symposium from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (CST) Saturday, July 20, 2024, virtually on Zoom. The symposium, held in conjunction with National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, addresses the intersection of mental health and the criminal justice system, and advocates for crucial reforms and community-based solutions. The Honorable John Wiley Price, commissioner of Dallas County District 3, is the keynote speaker. The Honorable Lela Lawrence Mays, presiding judge of Dallas County’s 283rd Criminal District Court, leads a panel of six distinguished speakers who will explore pivotal topics such as the impact of mental health crises on 911 calls, decision-making processes for first responders, the role of deflection centers as alternatives to incarceration, mental health services within jails, probation challenges, and future initiatives to improve mental health outcomes. “We are committed to fostering dialogue and action around the urgent need to reform how our justice system addresses mental health,” said Richie Butler, senior pastor of St. Luke Community UMC. “Our symposium serves as a platform to educate, empower, and advocate for equitable mental health care solutions that prioritize compassion and support.” The symposium is free and open to the public. Interested participants can get complete information and register at https://slcumc.org/mentalhealthsymposium-2024. Three Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available for free to mental health professionals through Hickory Trail Hospital in DeSoto, TX. St. Luke Community UMC will also host a special mental health worship celebration at 10 a.m. Sunday July 21, 2024. This service will include the presentation of the Lawana Porter Mental Health Trailblazer Award to Rev. Velda Turnley and Rev. Dr. Paula Dobbs-Wiggins for their exemplary leadership in promoting mental health awareness within faith communities. “We recognize the critical need to destigmatize mental illness and advocate for systemic change,” added Pastor Butler. “Through initiatives such as our Mental Health Ministry Scholarship, we support future mental health professionals who will provide culturally competent care to underserved communities.” About St. Luke Community United Methodist Church: Since 1933, St. Luke Community UMC has served as a...
Mark your calendars for our next Farmers Market on Saturday, November 16th, from 10 AM to 3 PM! Located at 6112 Wheatley St., Houston, TX 77091, at the Acres Home Chamber for Business and Economic Development, we’re excited to welcome you and your family to a day full of fresh flavors and fun. This month, we’re thrilled to announce that we now accept SNAP! Making fresh, locally sourced food more accessible is at the heart of what we do. Come explore a variety of delicious offerings, from handmade jams and jellies to farm-fresh eggs, an array of pickled goodies, cooked food offerings, and a Lemonade stand! Our market will also feature a cooking demonstration by Beauty’s Community Garden, where you’ll discover ways to transform seasonal produce into healthy, delicious meals. Don’t forget to stop by our photo booth to capture memories with family and friends in a fun, festive setting. We can’t wait to see you on November 16th! Support local farmers, meet your neighbors, and take home some of the best flavors Acres Home has to offer. See you there! To join as a vendor, complete this form: https://bit.ly/3Y6IhM3
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“If my uniform doesn’t get dirty, I haven’t done anything in the baseball game.”- Rickey Henderson. Major League Baseball’s all-time leader in stolen bases, Rickey Henderson died on December 20th, 2024, five days before his birthday, at 65. Henderson was recognized for his speed and dominance on the field. He was known as the “Man of Steal.” He was famous for his speed and record-breaking stolen bases. An important figure in Black history, shaping baseball beyond the contributions of Black players who came before him. Henderson played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 25 years, studies show the average MLB player only plays for 5.6 years. He played for nine teams over the course of his career, but he is most remembered for his time with the Oakland Athletics. He spent 14 seasons with the athletics where he broke records and won a championship. Henderson understood his athleticism early on, born in the back of a car on the way to the hospital, he later said “I was already fast I couldn’t wait.” He played baseball, basketball, football and briefly ran track in high school. He received many scholarship offers to play football but decided against it because his mother told him that football players have shorter careers. At one point he was amongst only 57 other players who batted right and threw left, in an interview he said, “All of my friends were right-handed and swung from the right side, so I thought that’s the way it was supposed to be done.” Henderson has two records in baseball history that have yet to be broken. He stole 1,406 bases and he scored 2,295 runs. In 1990, he won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, and in 2009, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame which was during his first year of eligibility. In 2017, the Oakland Athletics dedicated their field to him. He was known for referring to himself in third person, while playing one time he struck out and another player said they heard him saying, “Don’t worry, Rickey you’re still the best.”...
By: Sadiyah Karriem A memorial service will be held to honor the life and legacy of Hurt Porter Jr., co-founder of the interna- tionally renowned Kidcare childhood feeding pro- gram. Kidcare was the first meals on wheels program to address child hunger in America. Porter passed away on November 4th at the age of 81, following a courageous battle with prostate cancer. The Porters founded their charity from humble beginnings in their Northside Houston home. Their work gained widespread attention after they challenged City Hall’s restrictions on preparing meals for Houston’s hungry children in their home kitchen. Through years of dedication and sacrifice, Hurt and his wife, Carol, were nationally recognized for their efforts to combat childhood food insecurity. They were honored by President George H. W. Bush as Read more at his 866th Point of Light, also Presidents
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By: Bill King As of last year, Houston’s tax increment reinvest- ment zones (TIRZs) had just under $1 billion in combined liabilities. The lion’s share of these liabilities is slightly over $80 million in bonds secured by the TIRZs, pledging their future property tax receipts. The balance of the liabilities is a potpourri of obligations, running from trade account payables to agreements to reimburse developers for improvements they have constructed. To put the $800 million of bonds issued by the TIRZs in some perspective, as of last year, the City of Houston only had about twice that amount ($1.723 billion) outstanding for all of its public improvement bonds. In other words, the TIRZs have issued a third of the total amount of bonds the City has borrowed for public infrastructure work. Just three of the TIRZs (Uptown, Midtown, and Main Street) account for over half the TIRZ bond debt. The recent research from Baker Institute shows that the median income in these three TIRZs was at least 50% higher than the City’s median income. The Uptown TIRZ alone accounts for 36% ($296 million) of the total bond debt. Included in that $296 million is $102 million issued by the Uptown TIRZ for affordable housing. According to its audit, City Council has, incredibly, already authorized the Uptown TIRZ to issue an additional $232 million in “affordable housing” bonds. It is important to understand that the TIRZs’ bonds are absolutely an obligation of the City of Houston and hence, its taxpayers. The only source of repayment of these bonds is future property tax receipts by the City, which will be transferred to the TIRZs so they can make the bond payments. Also, if any of the TIRZs are terminated, the City must assume their bond debt. That means the TIRZs have tied up well over a billion dollars in future City property tax collections to service their bond debt. Those future property tax revenues will not be available to the City to pay for police, fire, garbage pickup, etc. It will take almost $400 million of future property tax receipts just to...
Houston, TX-The Ensemble Theatre is known for putting on a great holiday production, complete with dazzling spectacle, deeper meanings, and lots of soulful sounds! This holiday Season, The Ensemble Theatre is taking a break from ‘Motown’ and giving the community ‘The Twelve Ways of Christmas’ by Chika Kaba Ma’Atunde. ‘The Twelve Ways of Christmas’ is written (book, music, and lyrics) by Chika Kaba Ma’Atunde and directed, with choreography by Aisha Ussery. ‘The Twelve Ways of Christmas’ is a delightful musical review that explores the various ways that Christmas is celebrated; with family, with friends, the importance of the religious significance of the holiday to some, the wonder of being a child receiving gifts, the longing of a soldier away at war, and even explores the reality of those experiencing grief during the holiday season. ‘The Twelve Ways of Christmas’ is sure to be a sight to see, with Aisha Ussery at the helm of the production. Aisha has an extensive resume as a director, choreographer, musician, playwright, and performing arts educator, and is known for her dynamic performances; whether she herself is performing or directing/choreographing others. “It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The holiday season is chockfull of different celebratory traditions grounded in when, where and how one grew up, what one’s life has become and the ideas one holds most precious. At its core, Christmas holds space for everyone, wherein we reflect on joys and losses, show gratitude for abundance, bless those in need, and honor the birth of a Savior. ‘The Twelve Ways of Christmas’ takes us on a journey into the many ways people observe this special day. With fiery and luscious jazzy tunes, Chika Kaba Ma’atunde’s book and score incite laughter, tears, praise, and a soul-stirring desire to snap your fingers and sing along.” Aisha Ussery, Director and Choreographer ‘The Twelve Ways of Christmas’ “‘The Twelve Ways of Christmas’ is a show that acknowledges the different ways people experience Christmas through song. Regardless of one’s feelings about Christmas, there is something in ‘The Twelve Ways of Christmas’ that will touch the hearts of […]
...It was not what we thought. It was not rural rage. It was not inflation. It was seething resentment, grievance, and nostalgia for the way we never were: a white, Christian nation of intact, happy families where everyone was blond, beautiful, straight, employed, and able- bodied. It was also not our fault. In spite...
For generations a college degree was the golden ticket to success in Black communities. Today, that idea of what success looks like is being challenged by young Black people. Young Black people have found ways to make mon- ey from their phones, never having to work a 9-5, creating their own schedules and being...
(Washington, D.C.) — On Wednesday, December 4, 2024, Congressman Al Green, Ranking Member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, participated in a Financial Services Hearing entitled, “Innovation Revolution: How Technology is Shaping the Future of Finance.” You can access and listen to Congressman Al Green’s remarks here. The hearing remarks highlighted...
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October 16, 2023, HOUSTON, TX – Congressional Candidate Amanda Edwards has raised over $1 million in less than 4 months, a substantial sum that helps bolster the frontrunner status of the former At-Large Houston City Council Member in her bid for U.S. Congress. Edwards raised over $433,000 in Q3 of 2023. This strong Q3 report expands on a successful Q2 where Edwards announced just 11 days after declaring her candidacy that she had raised over $600,000. With over $829,000 in cash-on-hand at the end of the September 30th financial reporting period, Edwards proves again that she is the clear frontrunner in the race. “I am beyond grateful for the strong outpouring of support that will help me to win this race and serve the incredible people of the 18th Congressional District,” said Edwards. “We are at a critical juncture in our nation’s trajectory, and we need to send servant leaders to Congress who can deliver the results the community deserves. The strong support from our supporters will help us to cultivate an 18th Congressional District where everyone in it can thrive.” Edwards said. “Amanda understands the challenges that the hard-working folks of the 18th Congressional District face because she has never lost sight of who she is or where she comes from; she was born and raised right here in the 18th Congressional District of Houston,” said Kathryn McNiel, spokesperson for Edwards’ campaign. Edwards has been endorsed by Higher Heights PAC, Collective PAC, Krimson PAC, and the Brady PAC. She has also been supported by Beto O’Rourke, among many others. About Amanda: Amanda is a native Houstonian, attorney and former At-Large Houston City Council Member. Amanda is a graduate of Eisenhower High School in Aldine ISD. Edwards earned a B.A. from Emory University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. Edwards practiced law at Vinson & Elkins LLP and Bracewell LLP before entering public service. Edwards is a life-long member of St. Monica Catholic Church in Acres Homes. For more information, please visit www.edwardsforhouston.com
As September 13th rolls around, we extend our warmest birthday wishes to the creative powerhouse, Tyler Perry, a man whose indomitable spirit and groundbreaking work have left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment. With his multifaceted talents as an actor, playwright, screenwriter, producer, and director, Tyler Perry has not only entertained but also inspired audiences worldwide, particularly within the African-American community, where his influence and role have been nothing short of powerful. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1969, Tyler Perry’s journey to stardom was a path riddled with adversity. Raised in a turbulent household, he found refuge in writing, using it as a therapeutic outlet. This period of introspection gave rise to one of his most iconic creations, Madea, a vivacious, no-nonsense grandmother who would later become a beloved figure in Perry’s works, offering a unique blend of humor and profound life lessons. Despite facing numerous challenges, including rejection and financial struggles, Perry’s determination and unwavering belief in his abilities propelled him forward. In 1992, he staged his first play, “I Know I’ve Been Changed,” which, although met with limited success, was a pivotal moment in his career. Unfazed by initial setbacks, Perry continued to hone his craft, and by 1998, he had successfully produced a string of stage plays that showcased his storytelling prowess.
Calling all teenage student-athletes! If you have dreams of playing college soccer and wish to represent an HBCU, the HBCU ID Camp is your golden opportunity. From 8 am to 5 pm on November 11-12, Houston Sports Park will transform into a hub for aspiring male and female soccer players. Coaches from HBCUs across the nation will be present to evaluate, scout, and offer valuable feedback. Moreover, they might even spot the next soccer prodigy to join their collegiate soccer programs. This camp is not just about honing your soccer skills but also a chance to connect with the HBCU soccer community. You’ll learn the ins and outs of what it takes to excel on the field and in the classroom, which is crucial for a college athlete. The HBCU ID Camp is an excellent platform to network with coaches, learn from experienced athletes, and take the first steps toward your college soccer journey. To secure your spot at this incredible event, don’t forget to register [here](insert registration link). Space is limited to 120 participants, so make sure to reserve your place before it’s too late. It’s time to turn your dreams of playing college soccer into a reality.
