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National News

By: Sharon C. Jenkins African American holiday traditions are a vibrant tapestry of history, resilience, and cultural pride. These celebrations not only commemorate significant events and figures in African American history but also serve as a means to preserve and pass down cultural heritage. Among these observances, Kwanzaa stands out as a relatively new...

Entertainment

Denzel Washington, one of Hollywood’s most revered actors, has reached a profound new chapter in his life. Known for his iconic performances and commitment to excellence in his craft, Washington has now embraced a significant spiritual milestone: baptism and the acquisition of a ministerial license. This moment not only underscores his deep personal faith...

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Local News

By: Shelley McKinley Honorable Dr. Carla Wyatt, the first African American elected as the Harris County Treasurer, was voted into the position in November 2022, and began her duties on January 1, 2023. Rounding out her first year of a four-year term, Dr. Wyatt put significant time into connecting with constituents across Harris County...

Politics

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...

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Seasonal Depression

Colder months include many holidays that allow time for fun and fellowship. However, winter months can be a hard time for many people. The days feel shorter, it gets darker earlier, and sometimes it feels harder to stay happy. This is a type of depression, called Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD. This type of depression happens when there is not enough sunlight during the winter months. Black people are more likely to experience SAD than other groups. It is challenging to those who do not have the resources needed to cope. Black people are also less likely to receive treatment for mental health issues like SAD because of the stigmas surrounding therapy and limited access to affordable healthcare.   Mental health issues are not new in Black communities, but talking about them has not always been common. Black people believe in relying in faith, music, and community to work through their difficult times. These traditions provide great support, but the winter months bring unique challenges. Additional stress factors like financial pressure or holiday related grief can make the wintertime especially hard. The holidays can trigger memories of loss and increase the feeling of isolation, but because of the stigma around mental health many Black people are discouraged from seeking help.   The lack of sunlight disrupts the body’s natural rhythm, which can cause lower energy levels and feelings of sadness. Vitamin D is an important vitamin that people get directly from the sun, vitamin D deficiency is more common in Black people than any other race. Those with darker skin tones produce less vitamin D because the pigmentation makes vitamin D hard to produce in the skin.   There is a way to cope with the difficulties that the colder months bring. Simple task like spending as much time as possible during the day can boost a person’s mood. Exercising, journaling or meditating can help manage stress. Another important step is to talk about mental health openly. More young Black people are beginning to seek and find the support they need to heal.   The traditional practices of...

Holiday Message from the Chairman of the NNPA

Dear NNPA Family, As we reflect on blessings, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the challenges we have faced together. Despite the obstacles, we have remained steadfast in our mission to be a powerful advocate and voice for our readers, viewers, and listeners. Your unwavering dedication has been a testament to our shared commitment and strength. As we enter this joyous holiday season, I am reminded of the peace, comfort, and hope that this time of year represents. For many, it is a time to celebrate the remembrance of a Savior, a Comforter, and a Wonderful Counselor who brings light and guidance to our lives. In the spirit of the season, I extend my warmest holiday greetings to you and your loved ones. Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, and blessings to each of you. May this season bring joy and renewal as we prepare for the year ahead. I also want to address some misinformation circulating regarding the NNPA. Claims about financial difficulties preventing us from meeting payroll are entirely false. The NNPA has never missed payroll, and our office remains open, with some staff working remotely. Let us continue to focus on our mission and the incredible work we are doing together and not the false accusations that are trying to tear us down. Additionally, I am pleased to announce that the NNPA app is back online and fully functional, and plans for our Mid-Winter Conference have been finalized. More details will be shared soon. As we close out this year, let us embrace the true spirit of TEAMM—Together Each Accomplishes Much More. Thank you for your hard work and dedication. Wishing you and your families a joyful holiday season and a prosperous New Year. Yours in the struggle, Bobby R. Henry, Sr. Chairman, NNPA

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“Man of Steal” Dies

“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.”...

Eddie Levert’s Daughter Dies from Lupus

Grammy award nominee Eddie Levert loss his 22-year-old daughter to a lifelong battle with lupus on Christmas Eve. Ryan Levert was the third child the singer has had to bury. His son Gerald died in 2006, and another son Sean, died in 2008. All of his children passed away from health issue complications. Ryan’s death has brought attention to lupus, a disease that affects many people, especially in the Black community.   Lupus is a disease that makes the body’s immune system attack itself. Instead of protecting the body from illness, the immune system harms healthy parts like the skin, joints, and organs. This can cause pain, swelling, and damage to important parts of the body like the kidneys and heart. Lupus can be very unpredictable. Some days, people with lupus feel fine. Other days, they have flare-ups, where the disease gets worse and causes more pain and problems.   Lupus is more common in Black people than in other groups, and Black women are especially at risk. In fact, Black women are two to three times more likely to have lupus than white women. Lupus begins at a young age, usually between 15 and 44 years old, affecting Black women during some of the most important years of their lives. After decades of research scientists are not sure why this happens. They say it could be because of genes, the environment, or differences in healthcare.   One big problem with lupus is that it can take years for someone to find out they have it. This is because lupus has many symptoms that look like other illnesses. For example, it can cause joint pain, tiredness, rashes, and fevers. Many people don’t realize these problems are caused by lupus until the disease has already done a lot of damage. For Black women, the delay in finding out can be worse because of healthcare inequalities and a lack of awareness.   Unfortunately, there is no cure for lupus, but there are medicines that can help the symptoms. The treatments can lower swelling, reduce pain, and protect the body from more damage....

HOUSTON TIRZSARE $1BILLION IN DEBT

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...

Celebrate 'The Twelve Ways of Christmas' at The Ensemble Theatre!

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 […]

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Opinion

America, Jesus quoted this scripture from the Old Testament when the devil tried to tempt him into artificially turning stones into bread (Matthew 4: 4). Jesus had the power to do so, but the moral lesson in the story is this: just because you can do something, it does not mean that it is...

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Education

Trinasolar US was proud to visit Eddie Bernice Johnson STEM Academy in Wilmer, Texas, and donate school supplies to contribute to the school’s achievements in STEM education. During this event, Trinasolar US donated nearly 700 books and over 1,000 headphones to support Wilmer students’ learning and development. Attendees of the presentation included Commissioner John...

Business

(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...

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.

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