• About Us
  • Paper Locations
  • Contact
Hispanic News || Shirley Ann Flower Shop || RS Deer Ranch
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
MEDIA KIT
African American News and Issues
63 °f
Houston
  • National
  • Local
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Education
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Announcements
  • Afram TV
  • Events
  • Entertainment
No Result
View All Result
African American News and Issues
  • National
  • Local
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Education
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Announcements
  • Afram TV
  • Events
  • Entertainment
No Result
View All Result
African American News and Issues
No Result
View All Result
  • AframNews Media Kit
  • About
  • Paper Locations
Home African American News & Issues

The Youngest Judge In Texas

Crystal LaShan by Crystal LaShan
3 weeks ago
in African American News & Issues, Community, Local, National
0
The Youngest Judge In Texas
89
SHARES
1.5k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedIn

Knowledge, accountability, and trust will be the cornerstones of Judge Katherine “Kat” Thomas’s tenure at the 184th Criminal District Court. Thomas is committed to public service and restoring trust in our system. After earning a degree from Spelman College and an internship with President Barack Obama, she graduated from Howard Law and came back home to Houston. Thomas has made her career fighting to help others, and she’s working to make our communities safe.

You might also like

The Phi Beta Sigma Official Conclave Kick Off & Scholarship Celebration

The Art of Governing: Breakfast with Brilliance Honoring Brooke Thompson

Our History Matters

With a dare from a mentor, Thomas was given 24 hours to decide to run for judge.  She was told, “Why Not You?” You have the credentials, drive, passion, desire, and knowledge to be a Judge.  Why allow your age to be a barrier to achieving this goal?”  So, without allowing doubt to consume her, Thomas told her mentor, “I am going for it.”

Once Thomas made up her mind, it was full speed ahead. Mobilizing family, friends, classmates, and volunteers to create a ground game that spanned all of Harris County to make people aware of who she is and what she stands for. She made a concerted effort to attend a diverse list of events representing all people from all walks of life and traveling throughout the county to address the concerns of all the constituents she would serve. This is how she would unseat her incumbent and the republican who ran against her to become the youngest judge in Texas at a mere 30 years old.

This is the leadership we need in the 21st century to truly make a change in the United States of America.  We need to encourage, support, and develop young leaders who are fearless, committed to truth and justice, and not afraid to put in the work to achieve their goals. This is the perfect description of Thomas.  Her parents, Scott, and Athena Thomas, say that this is how she has always been. “Katherine auditioned for the High School for Performing and Visual Arts without consistently being in plays.  She knew that was the school to explore her interest in the arts, and she did what it took to do well in her auditions to be chosen. Katherine came home and told us she wanted to go to Harvard University to do a summer program.  We were O.K. with it, but Kat did everything needed to ensure that opportunity came to pass.  Kat is driven and knows what she wants.  Once she makes up her mind, she goes for it with everything she has.”

Thomas is proud to share that four generations of her family have supported her run for judge. Her grandmother, Judy Earls, 76, and great grandmother, Mattie Young, 95, were excited to vote for their beloved grand and great-granddaughter to be the youngest judge in Texas. “I come from four generations of hard work, dedication, sacrifice, and love. My great-grandmother is my reason, my motivation, my why. This moment means so much more to me than just a mere election. Coming from a history where many of my ancestors were not allowed to vote, I now have the opportunity not only to vote but to be a voice in the community. With the amazing support from my family, I have no choice but to succeed.” Thomas believes it is a privilege to vote and to be elected to serve the people of our community. Her great–grandmother, Mrs. Mattie Young, was the first person in their family to earn an advanced degree, and her grandmother, Mrs. Judy Earls, also continued that tradition. They are her motivation to strive for excellence in everything she does. Thomas will continue to work hard not to let her family down and the community she has been elected to serve. Kat’s grandmother was excited to say, “Kat is making history.” That is why Katherine wanted to vote with her 95-year-old great-grandmother because it was vital for her to share that moment with the matriarch of their family, who made this achievement possible.

Thomas also understands what is at stake. “I have experienced in my own family how people have been disproportionately affected by the criminal justice system. Whether issues with sentencing and bail disparities, it is why I want to bring my voice and lens as a Black Woman from Houston, a Black Woman who comes from sharecroppers and people who couldn’t vote and had to fight for the ability to vote. They conducted sit-ins and fought for their rights, so I should never complain about anything. It is a privilege to continue this legacy for my family.”

With such a determined spirit, dedication, and desire to succeed, it was a privilege to interview Judge Katherine “Kat” Thomas of the 184th Criminal District Court.

What inspired you to want to be a Judge?

Kat: I loved doing community service children’s projects growing up. I had the desire to influence the world around me. I saw deficiencies in our community, and I wanted to fix them. I also suffered from Imposter Syndrome which is when you think you aren’t enough or not qualified. My mentors encouraged me just to do it. They gave me 24 hours to decide and followed up to ask about my decision. I answered YES because I wanted to change the world around me.

What made you a better candidate than your opponents?

Kat: I am a native Houstonian. I am a proud double HBCU Graduate of Spelman College and Howard University Law School. I am a Trial Attorney, which gives me direct experience working with the community. I see the disparities that Black and brown people face every day, so I have a unique approach to applying the law. My opponents couldn’t bring to the bench the life experiences and connection to diverse cultures that are integral to who I am.

What do you want Houstonians to know about you?

Kat: You are never too young to start accomplishing your goals.  Young people must believe in themselves and be bold enough to do it. It is also important to vote in local elections because those leaders affect your everyday life. Lastly, I genuinely care about our community.  I want our young people to know they can be a Judge at 30 years old. Age doesn’t limit your goals. Where you get your education should be a place that nurtures your soul and empowers you.  HBCU’s were polarized because people believed students didn’t get a quality education. That is the farthest from the truth. Studies have shown that the most successful Black and brown students studied at HBCU’s because they were able to grow and flourish in those environments.

How will you engage with the community once elected?

Kat: I will have a Community Court that partners with existing organizations that have successfully served our communities. I want to deal with real issues that plague our community and offer real solutions that foster restorative justice. I want offenders to get the help they need and move forward successfully, having been given the support they need to be an asset to our society.

Keep your eye out for Judge Katherine “Kat” Thomas. She will truly make a difference for many years in Houston’s Criminal District Court system. Please allow her success to be an inspiration for encouraging other young people interested in public service. It takes a village to create leaders who can make a difference in our communities. They need our financial, moral, and physical support to run for office and win so that they can actually make a difference.

 

Share36Tweet22
Crystal LaShan

Crystal LaShan

Recommended For You

The Phi Beta Sigma Official Conclave Kick Off & Scholarship Celebration

by Crystal LaShan
3 weeks ago
0
The Phi Beta Sigma Official Conclave Kick Off & Scholarship Celebration

Celebrating Culture for Service, The Phi Beta Sigma Official Conclave Houston 2023 Kick Off & Scholarship Celebration was a Greek love fest for the Divine Nine lead by...

Read more

The Art of Governing: Breakfast with Brilliance Honoring Brooke Thompson

by Crystal LaShan
3 weeks ago
0
The Art of Governing: Breakfast with Brilliance Honoring Brooke Thompson

Knowing who can make, execute, and interpret the law is very important for young black women in America. Introducing the 2022 Debutantes to leaders on every level of...

Read more

Our History Matters

by Chelsea Davis-Bibb, Ed.D.
3 weeks ago
0

You can’t erase history, and you can’t act like it never existed. In recent news, Florida Governor DeSantis discussed his take on why the proposed AP (Advanced Placement)...

Read more

The Immorality of the Presidency

by Bobby E Mills, PhD
3 weeks ago
0
The Immorality of the Presidency

In the history of America’s Presidency, we have had forty-six Presidents. Question: how many were spiritual moral men who used the Bible as their leadership guide? It is...

Read more

Stevie Wonder Pays Respect to Miola Laws

by aframnews
3 weeks ago
0
Stevie Wonder Pays Respect to Miola Laws

At the age of 103, Miola Donahue Laws, also known as the matriarch of the Laws family, leaves behind a legacy that will be remembered forever. The funeral...

Read more
Next Post

Is It Worth It?

Latest Articles

The Phi Beta Sigma Official Conclave Kick Off & Scholarship Celebration

The Phi Beta Sigma Official Conclave Kick Off & Scholarship Celebration

3 weeks ago
The Art of Governing: Breakfast with Brilliance Honoring Brooke Thompson

The Art of Governing: Breakfast with Brilliance Honoring Brooke Thompson

3 weeks ago

Our History Matters

3 weeks ago

NEED PAST ISSUES?

Search our archive of past issues Receive our Latest Updates
* indicates required
  • Local
  • National
  • Community
  • Education
  • Politics
  • COVID-19
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Sports

ARTICLES

  • Local
  • National
  • Community
  • Education
  • Politics
  • COVID-19
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Sports

CONNECT WITH US

  • Home
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

  • Hispanic News
  • Shirley Ann’s Flower Shop
African American News and Issues

African American News & Issues
6130 Wheatley St
Houston, TX 77091
(713) 692-1892

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Copyright © 2023. African American News & Issues. All rights reserved. Private Policy | Terms of Use |

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • National
  • Local
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Education
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Announcements
  • Events
  • Afram TV
  • Contact

Copyright © 2023. African American News & Issues. All rights reserved. Private Policy | Terms of Use |

Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?