FREE APRIL 2 - 8, 2018
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African-American News and Issues Newspaper
Vol. 23 Issue 11
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Did You Know 50th Anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr. Assassination
Greater Houston
OMOWALE STORY
Photo: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle
“My story is wrapped up in the era that I grew up in... In the 1960s and 1970s, is where I was engaged in a lot of struggle change - social and political change and that’s where I really matured as a professional community builder and organizer.” See Pg 4
On April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. On that dreadful day, one of the greatest visionaries known to the African-American community was killed; however, the dream that he left on record continues to live on. The true affects of a person’s life are manifested once they are deceased. The amount of influence a person has had when they are no longer here to impose it can truly be defined at that moment. “Violence never brings permanent peace. It solves no social problem: it merely creates new and more complicated ones. Violence is impractical because it is a descending spiral ending in destruction for all. It is immoral because it seeks to humiliate the opponent rather than win his understanding: it seeks to annihilate rather than convert. Violence is immoral because it thrives on hatred rather than love; it destroys community and makes brotherhood impossible. It leaves society in monologue rather than dialogue. Violence ends up defeating itself. It creates bitterness in the survivors and brutality in the destroyers.” In the assassination of Dr. King, his enemies thought if they eliminated him from society, it would remove the vision he imputed within the hearts and minds of African-Americans around the country. It is unfortunate that the violent lifestyle that Dr. King forbad was the one that he met his final destination with. Yet, he left many powerful words of encouragement and motivation for his followers. On February 4, 1968, Dr. King Continue @
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African
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Editorial & Opinion
American News&Issues
Remember(The Truth About)The Alamo Attorney At Law By: Oscar H. Blayton
On a Saturday evening in February 1955, like a million other kids in America with their eyes glued to Black and White televisions, I sat watching Walt Disney’s version of the Battle of the Alamo. What we saw was the popular actor Fess Parker portraying a heroic Davy Crockett on the ramparts of the famous old Spanish mission battling Mexican soldiers in the defense of freedom. What I did not know at the time was that the history surround-
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Letter to the Editor
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e welcome all original responses from our readers to content found in the AfricanAmerican News&Issues. Letters to the Publisher may be sent via e-mail to news@aframnews.com. Please keep all letters under 300 words. Be sure to include the author’s name, area of residence. All letters and articles may be verified before they are published. All letters are subjected to editing or being cut for spacing purposes. Thank you in advance for your submission.
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ing this battle, and the role of Americans in the early history of the Mexican republic, was being extremely distorted. Walt Disney never told us that slavery was the reason for the battle and the ultimate creation of the Republic of Texas, which later became the state of Texas. On September 16, 1829, the Afro-Mexican president of Mexico, Vicente Guerrero, signed a decree outlawing slavery in that nation at a time when the southern United States was deeply in thrall to slave labor. While most of Mexico welcomed the emancipation decree, its northern region, known as “Texas,” was largely populated with American Southerners who had moved west in search of more fertile land where their slaves could produce cotton.
To accommodate the “Texican” slaveholders, Texas was exempted from the decree for one year. But after the period of exemption ended in 1830, the Texicans refused to
Texas Dist. 139
Asthma attacks. Cardiovascular disease. Tuberculosis. Lung cancer. These are just some of the effects of living next to a concrete batch plant. I am fully opposed to having one of these toxic corporations in my district. I am doing everything in my power to keep the residents of Acres Homes out of danger. On December 18, 2017, an application for an Air Quality Standard Permit to authorize construction of a permanent concrete batch plant located at 3411 De Soto
Finally, in 1836 Gen. Antonio López de Santa Anna led an army north from Mexico City to put down what had grown to be a Texas insurrection and freeing slaves along the way. Determined to resist Mexico’s intention to free their slaves, Davy Crocket and roughly 200 other Texicans gathered at the Alamo in San Antonio to block Santa Anna’s advancing army. Santa Anna laid siege to the Alamo, and after 13 days, it fell.
free their slaves and the Mexican government demanded that they comply with the law or face military intervention. While military intervention did not occur for another six years, several violent conflicts broke out in the interim between Texicans and the Mexican government, some
Standing Strong Against Batch Plant Hon. Jarvis Johnson
escalated to the use of arms.
St., Houston, Harris County, Texas 77091, was submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) from Soto Ready Mix, Incorporation. This location is near Greater Inwood and Acres Homes. A notice of this application was provided to the public on January 18, 2018. Air Alliance-Houston - a nonprofit organization seeking to reduce air pollution in the Houston area through research, education, and advocacy - contacted my office to inform us of health and environmental issues associated with the establishment of this batch plant in a residential area. My office immediately contacted TCEQ to request a public meeting. The public meeting with Soto
While the “heroes” of the Alamo were under siege in San Antonio, Sam Houston and other Texicans were less than 200 miles away drafting a constitution for the hoped-for independent Republic of Texas. That constitution contained the following guarantees that chattel slavery would be protected in Texas: “…[N]or shall Congress have power to emancipate slaves; nor Ready Mix, INC., and representatives from TCEQ's permit division was held on Monday, March 26th at 7 P.M. at the Acres Homes Multiservice Center. Over 200 concerned constituents showed up and 27 formal comments were made on record. The residents of District 139 made it clear that they will not simply sit back and let this happen. I empathized with every single one of them as they expressed their fear for their children’s lives and their own. We have to continue to stick together in this fight. I need you all to show up in these same numbers throughout this process. The "Plan B" that I introduced at the closing of the meeting is not a pro-batch plant plan, it is a pro-regulation plan. It is merely an effort to ensure that in the event the
Texas • April 2 - 8 , 2018
shall any slave-holder be allowed to emancipate his or her slave or slaves, without the consent of Congress...” The Texas constitution established additional racist policies by stating: “No free person of African descent, either in whole or in part, shall be permitted to reside permanently in the Republic, without the consent of Congress...” Weeks after their defeat at the Alamo, the slaveholding Texicans got what they wanted when they defeated Gen. Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto and forced him, as a prisoner, to sign the Treaty of Velasco. That treaty recognized Texas as a republic, independent of Mexico, but it also stated in part: “[A]ll private property including… negro slaves… that may have been captured by … the Mexican army or may have taken refuge in the said army … shall be restored to the Commander of the Texican army…” Continue @ aframnews.com
permit is granted, Soto Ready Mix, INC., will have to go above and beyond the minimal standards currently proposed in the application. As many of you have witnessed, the applicant, Soto Ready Mix, INC., has already begun some operations at this location that have caused public nuisance. If the permit is denied, I am anticipating Soto Ready Mix, INC., will continue this operation without regulation. It is my understanding that TCEQ is not in the regular practice of denying permits to applicants. Although the regulation and complaint system for TCEQ is not the best, IF they do unfortunately grant the permit (again, this is NOT what I want), the permit will allow us as citizens to ensure Soto Ready Mix is held accountable for its operations. Continue @ aframnews.com
Texas • April 2 - 8 , 2018
Editorial & Opinion
American Bullying Problem The Standard View
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Billy “Hollywood” Groves
e are hearing a lot of news these days about people being bullied in America. Whether at our schools, in our neighborhoods or the internet, people being bullied is a major problem we are currently facing in America. I was very pleased to hear former U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden express his thoughts Recently, about what he would do to a bully. Biden’s message was directed at the person who is considered by many Americans to be the “Number One” bully in the nation. I’m talking about Donald Trump. I understand the way Biden talked about beating up Trump. If they were in high school together, was probably not a tasteful, respectful response for a lot of people in reference to this bullying problem. A way, I kind of agree with them. But on the other hand, when you are confronted by a bully in reality, like I have been confronted in the past, sometimes you have to get on their level to get them to leave you alone. In my mind, Trump, the NRA and a lot of the folks supporting their program are modern day bullies. One of their major flaws is their “in house” bullying tactics, where they take advantage of the weak and vulnerable people around
them who they have a certain degree of authority over. To me, that’s why a person like Trump, who clearly has a bully mentality, could never be a true “Great” world leader. True leaders have the mindset of getting along with people they don’t know or who are different from them. These people have the real mindsets and temperament to be true world leaders. No matter how outlandish you may view Joe Biden’s comments about “beating up Trump”, those comments were a galvanizing positive statements. Under those circumstances, that’s a blow against bullies and their evil behaviors. We must not forget that Trump has been bullying people ever since he came to the attention of our nation. He once said, he was so popular and loved by his followers, that he could shoot a person and nothing would be done. These days, the large crowds of young people who are protesting against gun laws are describing people like Trump and the NRA, as bullies and they have the right process and attitude to defeat these bullies. I agree with everyone around the world who understands that bullies divide the world more than they bring people together. One day the world will come together and move forward a one human world/ earth. The people who will bring us together are truly God’s people and they “don’t” bully people! God Bless America! - AANI
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What Does Race has to do with it? A Whole Lot, My Brother!
The Grio recently published an article entitled, “Michael Steele: ‘What the hell does my race have to do with any of that?’” Now, I know that there are some things that make you go hmmm…. But ironically for me, this just isn’t one of those topics. Apparently, what the former Republican National Committee (RNC) chair doesn’t understand is that, his race has everything to do with everything. We MUST Understand that although there have been various advancements made on behalf of our democracy; the truth is we still have a good way to go – and I imagine it will be that way for quite some time. It is imperative that members from the AfricanAmerican community understand that we don’t live in a colorblind society. It doesn’t matter how high up in the success ladder a Black man goes, there will always be a reminder and they will put your ass back in your place. Recently, communications director Ian Walters made comments at the Conservative Political Action Conference in regards to the position that was extended to Michael Steele as chair of the RNC, a couple of years ago. Walters truthfully spoke, “We had just elected the first AfricanAmerican president; that was a big deal.” He continued, “What did we do? This is a terrible thing. We elected Mike Steele to be the RNC chair because he’s a Black guy. That was the wrong thing to do.” After hearing the comments expressed by Walters, Steele asked the CPAC’s Chairman Matt Schlapp, “What the hell does my race have to do with any of that?” Well, Schlapp responded by saying, “Those words that tumbled
out of his mouth I believe were unfortunate words.” However, Steele defined the comments as “stupid” rather than “unfortunate”. Steele further went on, “Call it what it is. It is stupid to sit there and say that we elected a Black man chairman of the party and that was a mistake.” In his own defense he asked, “Do you know how that sounds to the Black community; do you know how that sounds to Americans; and do you know how they then equate that level of stupidity to conservatism?” Obviously, tweeting has become America’s new way of handling business, starting from the top up. Following the trend, Walters tweeted an apology, “Sometimes when you speak, the words that come outdo not reflect what’s intended.” Steele wasted no time in addressing the tweet. He was disgraced at the apology and said that still did not change anything. On SiriusXM he said, “I’ve spent 41 years in this party. 41. I’ve taken crap you have no idea about and I’ve carried this baggage. And for him to stand on that stage and denigrate my service to this party and for you as a friend to sit there and go, ‘Well, you’ve been critical of the party’? There’s only one word I can say, and I can’t say it on this air.” So here’s my take… Mr. Steele thought because he was one of the good ole’ boys and it appeared he was accepted and allowed to go eat crumbs with his fellow constituents that he was deserving of a seat at the table. He thought that he was qualified and a true accepted member within their society. However, he saw like many others often find, the only status he had was what they gave him. As hurtful as the comments made were to Steele, the fact remains that it represents a perception of
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We MUST Understand Roy Douglas Malonson, Publisher
how they view Black folks. We MUST Understand that it has been evident through the former President Barack Obama entire presidency that many who do not look like us, have no regard to who you are or what position you carry. Black is Black and you will always be a Negro in their eyesight. Even in the year 2018, nothing has changed and the Republican Party was just using Michael Steele’s Black face to get their point across. Therefore, when they got to a point where they felt he had served his purpose, they didn’t give two cents about letting him know that he was just a number asset of diversity inclusion numbers and product of a trail set in place by former President Obama. Oh but now, Mr. Steele is running around like he is so insulted and offended after finding out how his counterparts felt about him all along. Ain’t that a shame and a pity?!?! Addressing our loyal audience of African-American News&Issues, I don’t care how high of a position an AfricanAmerican excels to, there will always be a constant reminder that the shade of your color is a tint darker than others. Of course, we know that color has absolutely nothing to do with a person’s intellect or ability to lead, but it is just a stigma that has always been in place since the inception of these United States. So to Mr. Steele and those with the perception that you are a part of their society, always remember that your race has everything to do with everything! End of story… - AANI TX-3
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African
omowale story
American News&Issues
Wale from pg. 1
and veteran of the struggles for peace, justice and democracy, took me on a mental historical ride which will never be forgotten.
Where it all Started:
The
Omowale Lithuli Allen was born in Amarillo, Texas, where his father worked at the Pantex Plant. At the age of two his father Jimmie & Omowale Luthuli-Allen passed, he and his By: Rebecca Jones mother, Margerie Allen reloHOUSTON – From sitting cated to her hometown in north down as a child in his living Louisiana. There, his mother went room watching the funeral of to school at Grambling College Emmett Till; to recounting the and became a teacher. Afterwards, political assassinations of: Dr. they moved to De Quincy, Martin Luther King, Jr., John Louisiana where Omowale was F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, raised by his mother, grandmother Medgar Edwards, Malcolm X; (Penny Smith) and aunt, Doris to recalling the brutal murder of Owens. Though he did not grow Carl Hampton by HPD officers up in a complete community, in the 70’s, Omowale Lithuli he found all of his basic needs Allen reminisced of the pivotal taken care of by the women who events that transformed the way he raised him and the community came to understand social systems he grew up in. To that regard, he at an early age. During an excluexpressed, “When I was growing sive interview, the international up, I was blessed to experience and national human rights activist a true village, although now that village has been ripped apart at ADVERTISE the seams.” 6th in the NEXT Edition While growing up in the Deep EDITION! South, Omowale was educated to release May 7, 2017 in the segregated school system. H-Town Black Nevertheless, he maintains his Connecting Our Communities to parents ensured he was, “insuthe services they need! lated from the worst affects of Promote Your segregation.” Hence unfazed by Black-Owned the Justice Department’s declaraBusiness in the tion that freedom of choice had Largest Circulated officially become law of the land, he and his high school classBlack Business mates decided to remain at their Journal school and keep their graduating #TheHTownBK class intact. Being educated in a Inquire today by Calling (713) 692-1178 segregated supportive environThere are still spots available ment, with a strong focus on 100,000 copies circulated throughout the city!
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leadership development, enabled Omowale and his classmates to earn passing scores on the SAT; which were needed to enroll in college. Previously, he had been deeply involved with Southern and Grambling Universities in the Southwestern Athletic Conference for his scholastic and athletic abilities. Therefore, after graduating high school in 1966, he chose to matriculate at the University of Houston. “My story is wrapped up in the era that I grew up in… In the 1960’s and 1970’s, is where I was engaged in a lot of struggle - social and political change and that’s where I really matured as a professional community builder and organizer.” – Omowale Allen
The Transformation of a Racially Polarized Environment at the University Level
Prior to his entrance at the University of Houston, Omowale was painfully aware of the sentiments issued by Ezekiel Cullen, one of the university’s founders’. Cullen made the statement, “No nigger will never enter this institution.” However, once the University of Houston made the transition from a private university into a public college; Omowale became a part of the first wave of Black students to enter the campus. At that time the university had not devised any type of social mechanism to accommodate Black students into the mainstream of campus life. Personally experiencing this factor and being knowledgeable of the fervency of the Black power movement and other groups like the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, Omowale was compelled to combat the lack of inclusion and inequality that existed within the university. As
a result, he sought to organize a movement that became known as the Committee on Better Race Relations. While attempting to find leadership, a suggestion was made he seek out Gene Locke, who was an upperclassman. Upon doing so and soliciting his support in the effort, Locke agreed and became the first chairperson. Not long afterwards, he met other like-minded individuals such as: Lynn Eusan, Michelle Bonds, Audrey Teller, Veronica Dorian, Shara Locke, Mary Bowers and others. Collectively, they united to officially launch the Committee on Better Race Relations in 1967. In an attempt to promote a democratic system within the University of Houston, the cluster developed and fostered ten demands and presented them to President Hoffman. A few of those demands included: systematic recruitment of more Black students, Black faculty and Black counselors, an establishment of an African-American studies department, outreach activities into the surrounding Black neighborhoods and an advancement and wage increase for the Black menial workers at the university. Initially, President Hoffman was reluctant to relent to the demands and took a position to study them. After considering the era they were in, the students felt they could not, “endorse gradualism or wait for commissions to study the problems of inclusion that existed at the university.” Thus, they compiled a campaign for a Black Homecoming Queen with the demands that were presented. Soon the movement garnered the support of other Black students and even some Whites. After much perseverance and volition by the Committee, the University of Houston conceded. Consequently, Lynn Eusan became the first Black Homecoming
Texas • April 2 - 8,2013 2018 Texas • August 12-18,
Queen in a predominately White university in the Deep South in 1968. Within a few years, students were able to see the emergence of: an African-American studies program (which still exists today); Black facilitators and counselors and a reconstruction of the campus atmosphere that was not present when they first entered campus life at the university.
The Struggle Becomes Real Excerpt from Interview w/ Omowale Allen
“In terms of the 60s, that’s why I think that on one end, we were creators or builders of a movement for change at the university level; on the other hand, we were dropped and plunged into a stream of history that was a lot bigger than a campus-based movement. At that time, you had a low-tide of the Black liberation movement that was taking place, in terms of the fight for change in the Deep South that was led by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). You also had the Vietnam War that was taking place at that time. Many of us had seen our playmates, colleagues and friends sucked into the Vietnam War, who died on the battlefield in Southeast Asia.” “Our counterparts at the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee were engaged in trying to shut the war down; as well as, being engaged in other multinational formations, that were also trying to shut the war down. But, you also had the beginning of the Women’s and Environmental Movements, also. So we were being saturated or immersed into all of these different movements and influenced by them.” “The straw that broke the camel’s back was the assassination of Dr. King in 1968.” Continue on Pg. 5
Texas •APRIL 2 - 8, 2018
Wale from pg. 4
Omowale story
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“It clearly cemented in our understanding that we could no longer be a campusbased movement and we changed and became a community-based movement. In that, we moved off of the campus and into the surrounding community, which is the area that is being gentrified around the University of Houston now, between Elgin and Gulf Freeway and Scott Street and 288. So we moved into that area and began after-school programs for the young people who were living in the bottom, which was a poverty-stricken neighborhood.” “The University Of Houston was changing in an irrevocable way by the movements that we had there and we were changed in the process of being involved in those movements. We begin to realize that the United States was not monolithic on the question of race it was pluralistic - that there were many people including Whites, who recognized that the old South had to undergo a transformation. To that end, we begin to work with our allies, in social change movements that were going on in the country. There were people of goodwill in many different communities who worked for change. That was a period of rapid intellectual growth for us. We participated in a lot of community-based struggles which were struggles against environmental racism, although they didn’t call it that - that’s what it was. We participated in red stripes, struggles against police misconduct and all types of movements. During that time, Houston was a good ole’ boy city; so you had a police chief, Herman Short and a mayor that indicated that they would protect the status quo and they would not tolerate dissent.” Despite the plethora of advancements the Committee saw come to fruition at the university level, their struggle did not come without a cost. Their efforts were merely a stepping stone and proving ground to a much larger platform to contend with throughout the community. Omowale, Gene Locke and Lynn Eusan were arrested. A police disturbance translated into charges of inciting a riot and destruction of property for the trio, which resulted in a high-profile trial within the City of Houston. Fortunately, with the success of raising funds and the community support, they were able to hire two African-American Attorneys Bobby Caldwell and Raymond Jordan. Following a five-day trial, Omowale, Locke
Lynn Eusan becoming the first Black Homecoming Queen in a predominately White university in the Deep South in 1968 & Omowale Luthuli-Allen
and Eusan were all acquitted of the charges. Omowale said, “I have to admit when we were charged, we posted bond and went back to school the next day, until the trials came up.” He continued, “But when the students at most of the Black universities got involved in protests, they were put out and couldn’t get back in school; the Black universities didn’t respect due process – the University of Houston did.” Throughout his tenure at the University of Houston, Omowale and his core group, formed alliances with Friends of SNCC at Texas Southern University and they cross-fertilized on one another with their engagement in the community on several issues. One of those initiatives was eliminating the Holmes Road dock where a student drowned and was also the home-site to an environmentally unsafe hazard in the Sunnyside community. Additionally, the students supported one another’s varying protests at their perspective universities’ when called to action. Overall, Omowale described his time at the University Of Houston as a, “laboratory for us to learn how to get involved in community building.” He said, “The significance about that period was that we
decided to throw our lot in with the masses of the people, rather than trying to be successful and integrate into America - we were trying to build community power, build Black power.” “We felt that it was important to commit class suicide, and we were going to abandon the dream of becoming students and professionals, who were detached from the community,” he added. After a very successful stint at the University of Houston, Omowale earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science in 1970. Shortly thereafter, he went to Theology school in Atlanta, where he became a licensed minister. Unfortunately, during the time he was there, Lynn Eusan was savagely and viciously murdered on the streets of Houston, while trying to catch the bus in hurricane weather. She was sexually assaulted, stabbed numerous times by a Black man who was ultimately acquitted.
Rebranding the Culture and Climate of the Black Community
Omowale revealed that the convention in Gary, Indiana was the, “beginning of shaping a new Black political movement and culture.” It was at that time, a few existing Black mayors and scores of people from around the
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country came together to realize there truly was two America’s. “One that was over-developed and another under-developed which was really a situation of the haves and have not’s; which meant there had to be a political culture and movement that challenged this idea of having two nations in America”, he stated “Accordingly, the Gary Convention caused for many of the Black leaders and activists to seize the political movement and begin to build independent Black political institutions.” “On a personal level, many of us had made the commitment that we were going to give our community our personal best and so we had to define what our personal best was and how could we serve? So, there was more or less, a cluster of us – including Deloyd Parker, Lynn until her demise and some other valued leaders, who were trying to bring about the change that was needed. All of us were like co-founders of S.H.A.P.E. Center along with Deloyd, so, we were beginning to build independent political movement and independence in terms of our social and cultural institutions. We begin to form some other organizations that reflected the interest of the African-American community.” Keeping current with forming organizations that sought to reflect the interest of the African-American community, Omowale became a co-founder of the Martin Luther King Stop the Violence Workshop and Rally (XXII). The rally works to unite communities to reduce random and senseless youth violence. For over three decades, he has worked at the neighborhood and school level through Communities in Schools and the Fifth Ward Enrichment Program. Additionally, he has worked with the Welfare Rights organization since its inception. His focus was on building, “a consciousness about what was happening to the people who were trapped on the antiquated system of welfare that existed in the nation at that time.”
International Humanitarian Involvement
“There was a deep period of disillusionment that had taken place in America with the death of Dr. King. Once the dreamer died, they assassinated the leader but, they didn’t assassinate the movement. Continue on Pg. 6 TX - 5
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African
American News&Issues
Wale from pg. 5
Omowale Luthuli-Allen
International Humanitarian Involvement “There was a deep period of disillusionment that had taken place in America with the death of Dr. King. Once the dreamer died, they assassinated the leader but, they didn’t assassinate the movement. So it was incumbent on us to try to keep the movement alive. So at that point we tried to identify with international and global movements across the globe that was working for change.” - Omowale Allen Over time, Omowale became an international human rights activist and a veteran of the struggles for peace, justice and democracy. He is a former staff and close friend of the late Congressman Mickey Leland. Both Congressman Leland and Omowale worked on the fight against apartheid and justice for the Haitian Refugees leading to the successful resettlement of Haitian Refugees in Houston (1980 -81). At the time, many Haitian Refugees were perishing and drowning. As chairperson of the Haitian Refugee Resettlement Committee he went to Miami and initiated connections to bring the refugees to the City of Houston. Afterwards, the committee worked with a collection of churches, state and local officials and the community to find employment and housing for the refugees and assisted them so they could adjust to American life. This proved to be an effective mission as they have been one of the most successful groups that have settled in the country in the last several decades. Continuing, as Co-Chair of the Southern TX - 6
Omowale story
Africa Task Force, Omowale helped lead and direct the movement that led to City of Houston Divestment. In this initiative, the force also managed to close the South African airways from landing in Houston and shut down the South African consulate. Along with Jew Don Boney, he survived charges of trespassing at the South African Consulate in Houston in 1985. Omowale was sentenced to 14 days in jailed and charged a fine of $500. Through the significant political movements he and a host of others dedicated their time to, the City of Houston changed the way it did business with regimes oppressing other people. He was selected by the American Friends Service Committee as one of the activists to meet with the late Nelson Mandela in New York City, after his release. Additionally, he engaged to stop the Vietnam War and supported the Nuclear Freeze movement. He served as a delegate at the 40th Anniversary of the End of World War II and the defeat of fascism in Moscow, USSR 1985.
A Path Continued… Today, Omowale serves as one of the local community involvement coordinators for My Brother’s Keeper, a President Barack Obama initiative to improve outcomes for boys of Color. Though the effort was established through executive action, the former President had to find willing partners to accept the project, due to the non support from the Republican Congress. To the credit of former Mayor Annise Parker and Mayor Sylvester Turner, My Brother’s Keeper has become a fully accepted operating program in Houston. Nationally, 195 chapters which are making important advances in the lives of young African-American and Latino males throughtout the country. “It’s kind of like that old saying, ‘The woman holds up half the world.’ But, in my case it was more or less like two-thirds or three-quarters of the world for me; because their sacrifice was total so that myself and my cousins could be successful. So, one of the things that I’m trying to get out to the community is that once you start having children you don’t have an independent life anymore. One of the things I heard 35years-ago from a friend of mine, Thomas Malonson was that, ‘The best thing that a
Texas •April 2 - 8, 2018
father can do for his children is love their mother.’ So, I’ve tried to make that as a core principle at My Brother’s Keeper that a father should never Omowale Luthuli-Allen with daughters Jimmie and Anyika abandon his kids. stage, but my time is coming to a close. Instead, a father should also love and care Although I don’t expect to defect from the for the mother of his kids. That’s one of the struggle, it’s just that father-time is unrelentthings I find disconcerting about what has ing and I know that I’m going to have to happened to African-American life, is that move off the scene. So I’m hoping that the we have bought into a mindset that allows us 36-year-olds, like yourself and others, that to neglect our families.” - Omowale Allen they can begin to pick up the torch and do even greater things in terms of trying to In addition to My Brother’s Keeper, rehabilitate the community.” – Omowale Omowale is also the Outreach Director of Allen the Unsolved Violent Crime Alert, a crime prevention organization which seeks to find A snippet of some of Omowale’s youth clues to cold cases, especially murder and engagement international endeavors include: rape. Amsterdam-Netherlands- International Criminal Court- The Hague in 2014; Preparing for Tomorrow’s Future Republic of South Africa – 1999, 2004 and “I am concerned about the next wave.” – 2013; Republic of Cuba in 2002; Republic Omowale Allen of Brazil in 2009; South African Delegation to US – 2001 and nationally, the Peace & Omowale has been a strong advocate Civil Rights Tour in 1996. During our interfor furthering the empowerment of various view, he shared that it is crucial for the future youth groups around the world. In one of those projects, he has worked with Clarence of tomorrow understand the grave nature of becoming involved in national and internaBrooks in leading youth delegations at tional affairs. He said, “I think it’s critical International Youth Friendship and that Black youth get exposure to understand, Development, Inc. International Youth that we are only about 4 or 5 % of the entire Friendship and Development, Inc. is a world. We are a tiny part of the world in the program which works to build global youth United States and it’s important that Black friendships and curb juvenile HIV/AIDS youth get outside of the United States and through cross cultural exchange. begin to connect with other people who are “I’m getting to be an old man - I’m trying to build a meaningful future.” 70-years-old and I know that my boat is goSpecial Awards and ing to sail over the horizon. But, I’m hoping Acknowledgments: that some of the younger people would begin to not only think about themselves, but, that To date, Omowale has been recipient they will begin to pose the question, ‘how of many awards, accomplishments and acdo I advance the entire community and colades for his tireless humanitarian efforts not just myself?’ They can make personal and involvement. advancements and at the same time advance the entire Black community. I’m just realContinue @ aframnews.com izing that I’m just one of the players on the By: Rebecca S. Jones
d the
EDITION DATE: April 28, 2018, edition. 2018 (Vo Rate and size of Ad to run in AAN&I’s Houston EDITION DATE: April(Vol. 9 - 15, EDITION DATE: April 2 - 9, 2018 232018, Issue2018 11) (V Read us online! www. aframnews. com
What’s Happenin’ PUBLIC NOTICE Acres Home Chamber for Business & Economic Development. Inc.
TEXAS •APRIL 2 - 8, 2018
uncheon
Proposal Request
MICHAEL D. MOORE (MOE)
ntil 12:30 p.m.Guest Speaker for April 5, 2018 Luncheon
uston, Texas 77091
For more information call 713-692-7161
This perseverance garnered him the title of an All American/All State football player at Westbury High School and later he became an All American Fullback at North Iowa University. His football career came to an end when he transferred to Prairie View A&M University, but the principles he learned as a businessman helped him MICHAEL D. MOORE (MOE) Guest make the difficult decision “Do what you can with to leave college rather than 1. ________________ you got, and every- accumulate a debt that 2.what ________________ thing you need will follow would take a lifetime to pay 3. ________________ you.” back. With $460 from an 4. ________________ ~ Michael D. Moore unemployment check, he founded Beltway Records Michael D. Moore and built this business to bebecame the “man of the come a prosperous company house,” at the tender age of generating a six figure annueleven due toZip the divorce al income. While traveling of his parents. He readily across the country, dining assumed that new found in five star restaurants and responsibility and sought a hotels, he became impressed way &toEconomic fulfill it byDevelopment, becoming with for Business Inc. their ). presentation onetoof family breadwinrmation prior thetheluncheon date. and quality of the food he ners. Michael the entrepreenjoyed. This prompted him neur was born. He started to begin to experiment with collecting cans and selling Code ______________________ Cash_________ mixing different kind of them and going to the gas __________________________________ seasonings. station when it rained, to Desiring to always be help patrons pump their gas tion Date:________________________ the best “Moe” he could be, when they didn’t want to get Number___________________________ he started reading selfout of the car. When that help books. One book in m with check payable to: wasn’t enough, he started particular resonated with his ment, Inc. (AHCBED) knocking on the doors of his soul and prepared him for 91 neighbors in his third ward his encounter with destiny, 3) 691-7131 Cuney Homes apartment The Magic by Rhonda complex asking them if he Sponsorship Levels Benefits could take out theirand trash for Byrne. An opportunity for him to showcase his seasonails some change. Michael or ing came to him one day “Moe” as he was known in through a friend. His initial high school was relentless reaction was hesitancy until in his hustle, which shaped him as a small businessman. he heard his “second voice,” encourage him to take the
challenge. He distinctly heard the words, “Go, because there is something out there for you.” The day of the event was fast approaching, but the weatherman had predicted rain on the day of the Crawfish Contest. He felt that he’d gotten a reprieve, again the voice (Michael calls it the “voice of God”) told him to persevere. He did and his whole destiny changed.
Moe’s Magic Dust
In June of 2012, Moe was called to participate in a Crawfish Contest at the Vida Loca Mexican Bar & Grill. He was going up against some big cooking rigs and teams in the crawfish game. Moe knew it was going to be a challenge because he was a one-man team. So, he decided that he would simply beat them on flavor. Moe began by combining several seasonings, and called it “Magic Dust.” He stepped out in front of his tent and yelled… “CRAWFISH MAGIC
DUST, THIS IS WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT!!!” Moe wowed the people! His newly acquired favor with his culinary audience won him a spot in the next round. He won the contest because the crowd loved his blended seasoning creation. Continue @ aframnews.com
Drymalla Construction is accepting proposals to renovate the burn building at the HFD Training Academy in the Hobby Airport area The proposed project scope consists of demolition and of structural slab replacement, replace doors and frames in concrete walls, repair damaged masonry, new CMU walls, add new lighting, new metal partitions. Plans are available at drymallaplans.com. Proposals may be sent to the CMAR to Bids@drymalla.com Proposal Date April 25, 2018 at 2:00PM
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Contac Name: Barbara WEDNESDAY Contact Information: Name:APRIL Kathy4,Altieri 2018 Phone: 713.718 Email: barbara Company: Drymalla Construction Compa TIDWELL Address for Tea Phone: 979-732-5731 Fax: COMMUNITY CENTER 3100 Main Stre Email: kathy@drymalla.com CoH Dept Houston, Texas Address for Tearsheets: ofHarbert Neighborhoods and 608 St Complete TX Communities Columbus, 78934
Houston Community College Request for Proposals (RFP) Executive Search Services Project No. 18-03 Sealed proposals will be received in Procurement Operations (3100 Main Street, Room No. 11B01, Houston, Texas 77002) until 2:00PM (local time) on Tuesday, April 24, 2018. Documents can be obtained at: http://www.hccs.edu/about-hcc/ procurement/
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