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As the year 2015 has arrived, five of Houston’s more well known African-American community organizers and activists shared with African-American News&Issues, their thoughts on the most pressing issues affecting African-Americans.

As an Outreach Minister for youth, elderly, women with children, and the indigent in Sunnyside, I find it amazing that so many people’s basic needs are not being met, and leading the way is the elderly population.  Many are suffering from malnutrition, simply because they lack access to food, finances, transportation and communication. 

African-American News&Issues presents, Burnett Jackson owner of Burnett’s Package Express. Burnett Jackson hails from Kilgore, Texas. She moved to Houston in 1957. After completing high school, she attended Texas Southern University.

All across Waller County, and in fact around the state, sit abandoned cemeteries containing the remains of African-Americans who where denied burial in predominantly White cemeteries.

Recently, the DeAnne Group hosted its 3rd Annual Holiday ‘Sankofa’ Celebration at the Third Ward Multi-Service Center located at 3611 Ennis St., 77051.

I know Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price, well sorta. As a student at North Texas State University in the early 1980’s I remember him coming to speak to the Black Student Union. I’d never seen, or heard, anyone speak with such conviction, eloquence and humor ‘and’ provide an education in Black history.

Recently, S.H.A.P.E. Community Center celebrated 45 years of service to the Houston area and onward. The theme for the 45th Anniversary celebration was, “Celebrating our Past, Embracing our Present, Shaping Our Future”.

The Julia C. Hester House is a 71-year-old nonprofit settlement house and community center in the Fifth Ward area. Since its origin the community center has maintained one true mission.

Dick Gregory has never been one to bite his tongue when it comes to speaking truth. The legendary humorist, civil rights icon, social activist, holistic health proponent, bestselling author and cultural commentator was welcomed with open arms to Houston on Oct. 18 and didn’t disappoint.

In this country, a Black person can’t seem to even be able to play loud music, drive a vehicle, knock on a door for help, wear a hoodie, walk across the street, shop in a major store, buy a sub sandwich, seek out an officer for help, reach for a license when pulled over, or cross a major highway, without being harassed, dehumanized, tasered, beaten, strangled, stripped of their rights or outright killed by officers in this country.