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.
Black Lives Still Don’t Matter: The shooting death of Daunte Wright
By: Roy Douglas Malonson
I’m tired of seeing Benjamin Crump at the microphone. I’m tired of seeing him on television holding news conferences. Not because I don’t like or respect the man, it is because I now know that when I see the civil rights attorney, it means another Black person has been killed in either a racially-motivated incident or at the hands of police. Seeing Crump is a constant reminder that a bounty is still on our heads and BLACK LIVES STILL DON’T MATTER! If it is not clear to you yet, it should be.
How in the hell is it that while, what could possibly be the trial of the decade is being held in Minnesota (the murder of Houston’s George Floyd), another police officer in the state killed an unarmed Black man.
But no matter where you are from, the eyes of the world are upon the police, yet they still have no problem gunning down a Black man or woman – for no other reason – than being Black.
This time, the picture looked slightly different, the crying mother standing next to Crump was not a Black woman, but she joined the ranks of the other ‘Black lives matter’ parents because her biracial son, Daunte Wright, had Black blood and in the eyes of the police, his life did not matter.
Katie Wright, the victim’s mother, described the last day she spoke to her 20-year-old son. He called to tell her he had been pulled over by the police, and she said she had no idea it would be the last time she would speak with him. She wasn’t plagued, however, with the fear Black mothers typically have when they hear the words “police” and “son,” she thought everything would be OK.
“I said ‘OK, when the police officer comes back to the window, put him on the phone and I can give him all our insurance information,’” she said. “A second goes by, and I hear the police officer come back up to the window and ask Daunte to get out of the car. Daunte asked, ‘For what?’ The police officer said, ‘I’ll explain to you when you get out of the car.'”
The mother said she could hear the police and her son struggling.
“Then the police officer asked him to hang up the phone. Three or four seconds went by. I tried calling back to back to back because I didn’t know what was going on,” she said.
Still, the mother did not think her son’s life was in danger. She thought, worst case scenario, he was getting arrested.
“When I called back, the girl that he had in the car answered the phone, and it was on FaceTime. And she was crying and screaming and said that they shot him. And then she pointed the phone towards the driver’s seat and my son was laying there, unresponsive. That was the last time that I seen my son,” Katie Wright described. “That’s the last time I heard from my son. And I’ve had no explanation since then.”
So, what happened? What did police have to say?
Police in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota – where the shooting occurred — said Wright was initially pulled over for an expired tag.
Bodycam footage shows that after Daunte Wright stepped out of the car and then got back in, Officer Kim Potter said she was going to use a Taser on him.
She didn’t grab a Taser, instead she grabbed her handgun and opened fire. “Oh sh*t! I shot him!” she could be hear saying.
Potter, who is white, says it was all a mistake, but not many are buying her story.
“I cannot accept that. I lost my son. He’s never coming back,” the victim’s father, Aubrey Wright, said during an interview. “That doesn’t even sound right. You know, this officer has been on the force for 26-plus years. I can’t accept that.”
Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) even publicly questioned the mix-up of the Taser and handgun.
She also spoke about the toxicity between police and the Black community. She released a statement that read, in part.
“I am deeply horrified by yet another police killing of an unarmed black man – no more than 14 miles from where Derek Chauvin stands trial for the murder of George Floyd. Despite the worldwide protests and the increased scrutiny of policing practices, Daunte Wright, a young man who so feared for his life that he called his mother during the stop, is dead following what was just a minor traffic incident. Daunte’s mother now joins a painfully long list of women whose children have fallen victim to emboldened police officers who hide behind their badge.
“It is the unfortunate reality that driving while Black, running while Black, walking while Black, sitting in your vehicle while Black, bird watching while Black, serving in the military while Black, and quite frankly – doing anything that any other person could do, but doing it while Black, is dangerous and all too often ends in death. How many more of our sons and daughters must die for a so-called traffic violation? How many of our neighbors must die for a so-called counterfeit bill?”
So again, Crump was again in front of the cameras, standing by a family who lost a loved one due to police violence. Sadly, he was already in town for the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who knelt on Floyd’s neck for more than 9 minutes.
Floyd’s family left the trial to meet with the Wright family outside the Minneapolis courthouse.
“They thought it was important that they give comfort to Daunte Wright’s mother and family,” said Crump, who is now representing the Wright family.
Philonise Floyd, George Floyd’s brother, said his family stands in solidarity with the Wright family.
“The world is traumatized, watching another African American man being slayed,” Philonise Floyd said. “I woke up in the morning with this on my mind. I don’t want to see another victim. It’s a time for change, and that time is now.”
But will there be change? You’re still not blind, are you? When you have one ounce of recognizable Black blood in you, many police no longer recognize you as a human being. They are locked and loaded, with weapons aimed at your heart and ready to kill. Why? Just ask the families of Eric Garner, Alton Sterling, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, Walter Scott, Philando Castile, Stephon Clark, Breonna Taylor and, of course, George Floyd. Like we told you, to them, Black lives still don’t matter!
Civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton will be delivering Daunte Wright’s eulogy at New Salem Missionary Baptist Church on Thursday. Sharpton’s organization, the National Action Network, will also cover the funeral costs.
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