African-American News&Issues

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JULY 3 - 9, 2017 | FREE

AframNews

African-American News and Issues Newspaper

VOL. 22 ISSUE 24

AframNews

Did you Know?

Pelham, Texas –

A Tribute To African-American Greatness In Navarro County

Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex Area

“I SEE BLACK PEOPLE”

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“Black Male” Philando Castile

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The Equation

“Scared St. Anthony police Officer/ Cold Blooded Killer” Jeronimo Yanez

Pelham Community Center

Pelham is a small community of about 50 people and spreads over approximately 5,000 acres in Navarro County.

Pelham is on Farm Road 744 just east of the Hill county line, one mile northwest of Navarro Mills Lake and twenty-five miles west of Corsicana in west central Navarro County. It was settled by newly freed slaves in 1866, when it was called Forks of the Creek.

“Black Funeral” of Philando Castile

It is rich in history and residents have worked diligently to share with others how it originated and, even more intriguing, how it continues.

History The Texas slaves did not hear about the Emancipation Proclamation, issued on Jan. 1, 1863, until after the Civil War ended in April 1865. Two months later, a regiment of Union soldiers landed at Galveston. Its leader, Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger, issued the order that freed an estimated 250,000 slaves in Texas.

It was June 19, 1865, commemorated every year in Juneteenth celebrations.

The freed slaves, newly emancipated after the Civil War, made their way to this arc of land fed by three creeks on the western edge of Navarro County. They not only survived — they thrived, building schools, churches and a nurturing community under Jim Crow segregation.

SEE PAGE 4

PREJUDICES, FEARS, JITTERS AND KNEE-JERK REACTIONS PROVE DEADLY TO BLACKS

In 1878 the Wesley United Methodist Church was founded. It housed the first school in the town. The post office opened in 1900 but closed in 1908. Postmaster Lewis Richie’s wife renamed the town Pelham for her hometown in Alabama.

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African

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Editorial & Opinion

American News&Issues

WILLIAM H. COSBY JR. REMEMBER THE GOOD IN THIS GREAT LEGEND

“In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure.” - Comedian Bill Cosby an outspoken Black icon. (with some exceptions in the case of particularly serious themes), the gang The Cosby Factor The Black would sing a song about Whisperer the theme of the day.

Darwin Campbell, Senior Journalist

The lessons of life that Cosby shared are priceless and great for this generation today that seems to be living life without a solid moral compasses to guide them through difficult middle school and high school years.

W

hen it comes to Comedian Bill Cosby, Black America needs to remember his positive contributions to Black culture.

Cosby's trial in Pennsylvania on rape charges ended with a hung jury, but what is troubling is how people are hung up on the witch hunt and failing to respect the life and body of work of

Roy Douglas Malonson Chairman Shirley Ann Malonson President/C.E.O. Chandra Jarmon

Production/Editor

Kimberly Taylor

Production Asst.

Darwin Campbell

Senior Journalist

Chelsea Davis-Bibb

Journalist

Rebecca S. Jones

Contributing Writer

Mark Spivey

Contributing Writer

Lorenzo Tolbert

Contributing Writer

Jermaine Hayter

Sports Editor

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The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the publisher.

African-American News&Issues assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs and other material, unless accompanied by a self-address stamped envelope.

Letter to the Editor

W

e welcome all original responses from our readers to content found in the African-American 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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Growing up, admittedly I watched and was influenced by shows he produced and that played a partial and valuable role in the Black man that I am today.

It was critical growing up without a father to see a positive Black role model like Cosby providing some key information about surviving the streets, making positive decisions and ways to enjoy childhood without drugs, gangs or violence.

Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids

It is unfortunate that the emphasis of the media is on targeting and vilifying Black role models who have stumbled in life. Let me be the one to note that plenty of White role models and leaders have “dark” and questionable pasts, ie King David, President Donald Trump, Actor Errol Flynn, Actor Rock Hudson, Singer Curt Cobain, Filmmakers and Producers Roman Polanski and Woody Allen to name a few Unapologetic Trailblazer

During

each episode, Fat Albert and his friends (aka The Junkyard Gang), dealt with an issue or problem commonly faced by young urban children, ranging from stage fright, first loves, medical operations, hygiene to more serious themes (though toned down for younger children) including vandalism, stealing, racism, smoking, being scammed by con artists, sexually transmitted diseases, child abuse, kidnapping, drug use, gun violence and death.

At the end of most episodes

Cosby’s positives helped shaped a lot of lives of millions in the post 1970s- 1980s era and that influence continues to help some navigate through some of life’s biggest challenges. He embraced being Black and relished his role in reshaping thinking about Black people.

Cosby’s work is still useful instruction for generation in need of moral and spiritual development.

It still holds little life gems and never used inappropriate words spoke in blue or negative stereotypical dialects.

He was just simple funny in a respectable way. Parents could even let the children listen.

Let us not forget his role as a trailblazer in comedy and for helping to lift the negative stigma against Black men that helped opened the door for many Black television and movie stars today.

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TEXAS • JULY 3 - 9, 2017

NORMALIZATION OF THE N-WORD; NOBODY GETS A PASS Rev. Al Sharpton

S

President, National Action Network

everal years ago, National Action Network and I came out strongly against use of the n-word in any context by anyone.

We took the firm position that any racially disparaging term must never be accepted or normalized in society.

We marched in front of major record labels, and protested against Don Imus who lost his TV and radio shows after I and others demanded accountability for his use of derogatory and inflammatory language. We stepped in when Rush Limbaugh was attempting to buy an NFL team franchise (after making all kinds of disparaging comments), and we have been outspoken on this issue even when others did not stand with us. Yes, a lot of people – including Black rappers – attacked our position, but we remained steadfast.

Despite my tremendous respect and personal friendship with Bill Maher, I must now hold him accountable as well. Maher should know better. And since he does, he ought to be dealt with accordingly.

Recently, we learned that someone scrawled the n-word at the gate of the home of NBA player LeBron James.

“No matter how much money you have, no matter how famous you are, no matter how many people admire you, you know being Black in America is tough,” James said. “And we got a long way to go, for us as a society and for us as African-Americans, until we feel equal in America.” He is 100 percent correct. For Maher to use that same exact word the same week is beyond reprehensible. To think that it’s OK to joke around and use that term is either insensitive or arrogant, or both.

Just because Maher is liberal and a friend, does not mean he gets to say such a hateful term.

Words have tremendous power.

As a comedian, commentator and host of his own weekly show, Maher knows this just as well as anyone. He knows the power and influence that he yields in shaping public discourse and opinions. The fact that he thought he somehow earned a pass for him to say those words is simply outrageous and unacceptable. That is why NAN and I call for an immediate meeting with HBO to discuss this very grave matter. Just because Maher is liberal and a friend, does not mean he gets to say such a hateful term; there must be one standard. If we use the language of desecration, it normalizes the socialization of desecrating a people of goods, services and human and civil rights.

The n-word has a long history of hate, murder, violence, oppression and terror associated with it. People forget that even in the not-so-distant past, it was used to delegitimize an entire group and deny them voting rights, fair housing, jobs, access to upward mobility and so much more. Today, it is still being used to target, harm and attack folks no matter how successful or famous they are. We cannot accept usage of this term even when it is in the context of a bad joke. A joke, I might add, that made reference to ‘working in the fields’. There is no misconstruing what the subject matter was here.

Maher should be ashamed.

I will be the first one to admit that I myself have said it in the past, but as I have stated publicly, I began to understand the power of words years ago and how they can dehumanize, marginalize and exploit people in many ways. This is precisely why NAN and I have been so vocal on this issue for the past decade, and we have no plans of ceasing our work now. At a time when people of color are still being killed in hate crimes, nooses are found in places like the National Museum of African American History and Culture, attacks are taking place across the country and the n-word itself is spray-painted at the home of an NBA star, we must loudly condemn the acceptance of the use of this abhorrent word.

Continue reading online @ www.huffingtonpost.com

TEXAS • JULY 3 - 9, 2017

Editorial & Opinion

MORE REASONS THAN RACE IN WHY COPS WALK FREE Earl Ofari Hutchinson Author & Political Analyst Samuel DuBose, Sylville Smith, Philando Castile, and Terence Crutcher, Tulsa cop. Four Black men slain by police in three cities at four different times. The circumstances in all four cases, though, were, eerily the same. The killings came after stops by the officers. The men apparently posed no physical threat to the officers. Two were shot while running away. The other two were shot in their cars. There was chilling video footage of the killings. The only twist in the shootings was that two of the officers who were not convicted, one was a mistrial, were not White cops. One was Black, the other Hispanic. All four were either acquitted or there was a mistrial. The non-convictions of the cops brought the recent scorecard on police shootings of Black men, to 0 out of 4. This is just the latest grim count of unsuccessful prosecutions in dubious police shootings of blacks when the cops are hauled into a criminal courtroom.

The police killings of Black men, who in most of cases were unarmed, and the non-convictions of the cops who kill them has become not only commonplace, but expected. It makes no difference whether there’s a video that shows beyond any question that the victims posed no threat to the officers, had no weapon, or were shot from a distance, often in the back. The universal shout is that the killings and the acquittals of the police who kill them are simply more proof that the system is violent, racist, and hateful of Black men whose lives have no value. That may be. But it doesn’t tell why cops have virtually a guaranteed walk free pass from judges, juries, and prosecutors the rare times that they do wind up in a court docket in the killing of a young black.

The reason for that tells much

about the way the over use of deadly force by officers is treated within the criminal justice system. The starting point is the decision to prosecute the officer. There are two absolute indispensable elements for that to happen.

One, the video footage of the killing that appears to show beyond any doubt that the officer wantonly killed the suspect. The other is that there is mass public outrage, protests, or even the threat of violent disruptions, if there isn’t a prosecution. Even then, prosecutors tread very deliberately and warily, knowing that getting a conviction is a fierce uphill slog. The defense attorneys for the accused cops make that a certainty.

They are among the best in the defense trial business with lots of experience defending police officers accused of misconduct. Police unions bankroll their defense and spare no expense. The officers are immediately bailed out and they will serve no actual pre-trial jail time. Their defense attorneys have three time-tested legal ploys.

One is they play for time. They know that memories dim and passions cool, and the cases quickly drop from public and media focus. They file countless motions demanding the charges be dropped or reduced. They’ll occasionally demand a change of venue. In each case, the time clock is running in the case.

They often seek a bench trial, but when that is denied, no matter, the clock is still running pending a decision. If the case goes to jury, defense attorneys seek to get as many middleclass people, whites and even blacks and Latinos, on the jury as possible.

The presumption is that they are much more likely to believe the testimony of police and police defense witnesses than Black witnesses, defendants, or even the victims.

The negative perceptions of blacks, especially Black males, by much of the public is one problem. The even more daunting problem is that there is no ironclad standard of what is or isn’t an acceptable use of force in police killings.

Continue reading online @ www.huffingtonpost.com

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A TOTAL DISGRACE

American News&Issues

comes along with the territory and is It is not often that I challenge the something that really can go without faithful and loyal readers of Africanbeing stated. Because the Chief is American News&Issues at an attempt the one out front and everyone can to prove a point to our audience. see him and so he will always be However in this case, I have chosen to singled out as a target, no matter the make an exception. The challenge that situation. However, to intentionally I would like to present is for our readhumiliate and scorn a president all ers to simply Google one phrase: “the because of the color of most disrespected his skin is a TOTAL president in US DISGRACE. history”. It really doesn’t matter Throughout his adwhat preference ministration, President of search engine Barack Obama and his you use either. family were constantly Because I’m alon public display in most certain that various forms of the results will mockery. There were remain the same. endless cartoons and First and foredepictions of President most, President Former President Barack Obama Obama featured as a Barack Obama’s Muslim and his family is the name that you will find. Various as monkeys and apes, along with articles, instances and examples of the obscene pictorials and representatype of disrespect that he and his famtions. A variety of drawings featuring ily have experienced over the course of President Obama with a noose hung his eight-year administration will blow around his neck flooded internet on your mind. multiple occasions. Even the disrespect that the current president imposed on Now, some people may wonhim in regards to his birth certificate der and others will simply never and other vicious claims, only adds to understand how it is that a man and further distasteful actions against the family that literally brought so much former president. World leaders even grace, dignity and poise to the White joined in on the mocking game by House, could be placed in such a seat constantly showing their disrespect for of disgrace. While many may not understand, I certainly do! We MUST his seat in the Oval Office. It has also been recorded in many instances how Understand that this is a mindset that American political leaders under the is welcomed amongst our society, and former President blatantly disregarded it hasn’t just gotten this way either. and circumvented his authority. While It is a factor that we Africans living there are many examples of this type in America have experienced since of conduct, I can think of a couple of the inception of this nation. To that political affiliates who just completely regard, I always say that there is just had no problem showing their hatred Something about this Blackness towards President Obama. that is Seriously Misunderstood? It really does not matter who you are, House Speaker John Boehner what type of class, style, intelligence took it upon himself to offer an invitaor status you have – if you belong to tion to Prime Minister Netanyahu to the African-American race; there will speak at a joint meeting with Congress always be some form of prejudicial about Iran, without first consulting element imposed on you. Although with the former president. The former some may beg to differ, I just believe Mayor of New York, Rudy Giuliani in calling, “a spade a spade” and “an made an extremely racist and unwarace an ace”. Simple as that! ranted comment against President Obama with no regard. He said,“...I We MUST Understand that any know this is a horrible thing to say, time a person is the leader, president but I do not believe that the president or accountable for a large following loves America.” He continued, “He that there will always be some level of doesn’t love you. And he doesn’t love disrespect at some point. This aspect

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We MUST Understand

By Roy Douglas Malonson, Chairman

me. He wasn’t brought up the way you were brought up and I was brought up through love of this country.” This was in reference to the President rearing by his parents. The list is endless in regards to the many forms of disrespect that President Obama was confronted with throughout his eight-year stint in the White House.

But here we are in 2017 operating under a President who has completely degraded the office of presidency and all that it stands for – and it just appears that it is business as usual. The irony of it all, is the simple fact that many of us sat and watched President Obama endure eight long, tiresome years of continual disrespect. And now we are confronted with an administration that disrespects the executive authority given to him, with no shame or regard. He feel that he is entitled to act in the manner that he wants, treat and say anything to anyone he wants and President that there will be Donald Trump no repercussions for his actions. The sad reality of it all is that, even though we are witnessing live and in living color; this TOTAL DISGRACE right before our very eyes, our dear old POTUS just may get away with it.

Concluding, I would like to share a quote I saw which I feel represents the President very well... American Poet, Michael R. Burch posed a question in which anyone familiar with the operations of President Trump would know is a justifiable one. He said, “Trump claims he’d be the “best jobs president that God ever created.” But isn’t his claim to fame firing people?”

Someone may look at this as disrespect to the president, but no matter how you slice it, it is very true indeed. If you don’t believe me, reach out to his latest example in the person of the former FBI Director, James Comey.

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African

American News&Issues

BLACK PEOPLE from pg. 1

What we’re seeing when it’s a Black person, the bias kicks in that they’re aggressive, and that they can be violent.

The officer’s bias kicks in, and he begins to accelerate this scenario in a way that shouldn’t be.”

- DeLacy Davis, founder of Black Cops Against Police Brutality HOUSTON - The public release of a dashcam video depicting the shooting of Philando Castile by a Minnesota police officer is an omen that relations between the community and police are moving in the wrong direction and likely to get far worse.

The video and report by Police Officer and shooter Jeronimo Yanez both demonstrate a lack of respect for the lives of Black males and is indicative of the overall attitudes that have evolved in police departments around the United States.

Cover Story

Investigators are now looking more closely at whether the officers could have done more to de-escalate the situation.

So far, 416 people have been shot by police in 2017. Only Black newspapers, talk shows, family members and supporters are sounding off on the senseless bloodshed and lack of concern for Black lives on the part of police.

Crying and grieving parents petition the public for changes, but the appeals fall on deaf ears. That gives way to anger, riots and uncalled for retaliation against police because leaders are not leading or moving to stop the killings.

“You can’t reform or retrain a reprobate and racist mind,” Muhammad said. “This is a race war and has been underway for 500 years and the goal is to wipe us out ( Blacks) by any means necessary.”

Yanez had fatally shot Philando Castile, who worked for a nearby school, during a traffic stop outside the Twin Cities. The officer said Castile kept moving even though he told him not to, reaching down and putting his hand on something.

“There is no move to fix this and the worst is yet to come,” said the Hon. Robert S. Muhammad, Nation of Islam Southwest Regional Student Minister, Muhammad Mosque No. 45 in Houston.

“There is no justice for us. The deck is stacked against us. There are also elements in police forces that are racist and have the tendencies to kill us (Blacks).”

Transcript Snapshots Officer Atttiudes

With the cases piling up of Black men and women being gunned down by police at alarming rates and the failure of the justice system to indict and convict police officers, it leaves many scratching heads about the lack of concrete and constructive dialog and action to stop the bloodletting.

In the video, which is less than two minutes, Yanez initially approaches Castile for having a taillight out in his car. Castile tells the officer he has a firearm, and is warned by Yanez to not pull it out. Castile says he is not, yet Yanez starts yelling and allegedly grabs for his gun, shooting Castile seven times.

Death in Seattle

Yanez was recently acquitted of manslaughter for shooting Castile, and was offered a voluntary separation agreement from the local police department.

One of the latest shootings reported is in Seattle Washington. This police shooting left Charleena Lyles, a pregnant mother of three, dead. The two Seattle police officers had been called to Lyles' apartment so she could report a burglary.

According to reports, there was some interactions between Lyles and police prior to the shooting. Before the shooting, there was an alleged commotion lasting about 16 seconds, and then police fireed the gunshots that killed her.

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Texas • July 12-18, 3 - 9, 2017 Texas • August 2013

Appearing on News One Now, Howard University professor Greg Carr, Ph.D., J.D Carr said it’s clear that the not-guilty decision was fueled by the negative bias towards African Americans from law enforcement. “Juries are put in difficult positions because the prosecution, including the judge, are against black people.

We’re not baffled – we’re outraged. The bottom line is this – you’re looking at a country that is

terrified of black people, has always been terrified of black people. This is not going to be solved in the courts.”

What is more disturbing is Yaniz explanation which still is not a reason to kill Castile.

According to Yanez, before he opened fire, Castile kept moving his hand. From the transcript: “I, believe I continued to tell him don’t do it or don’t reach for it and he still continued to move. And, it appeared to me that be had no regard to what I was saying. He didn’t care what I was saying. He still reached down. … And, at that point I, was scared and I was, in fear for my life and my partner’s life. And for the little girl in the back and the front seat passenger and he dropped his hand down and, can’t remember what I was telling him but I was telling something as his hand went down I think. And, he put his hand around something. And his hand made like a C shape type um type shape and it appeared to me that he was wrapping something around his fingers and almost like if I were to put my uh hand around my gun like putting my hand up to the butt of the gun.”

Police Panic Deadly That part of the transcript is eye opening and says it all. “ I was scared”…

Scared of what? So Black men are being shot, killed and murdered because a police officer is “scared” !!! during a simple traffic stop trouble call in the Black neighborhood !!!

“First of all, the officer panicked. The split-second decision making that police officers have to make in a shoot/don’t shoot scenario – he accelerated it instead of de-escalating it. When you look at his partner on the sidewalk he seems as though he’s in a whole other video, because he doesn’t react as an officer who sees or feels or

believes that there’s a threat that is imminent,” according to DeLacy Davis, founder of Black Cops Against Police Brutality and a civil rights attorney. Davis, who appeared on News One Now

and Roland S. Martin, is extremely troubled over the video and the overall attitudes of police toward Blacks.

Nekima Levy-Pounds agreed. “It was baffling to know that the jury watched this particular video over and over and over again and still came to the conclusion that Yanez was not guilty in this particular scenario,” she said. “Beyond that, Philando Castile went above and beyond what the law requires in even reporting that he had a firearm – that’s actually not required under the law in the state of Minnesota.”

Levy-Pounds is former president of the Minneapolis Chapter of the NAACP. Solutions Muhammad makes it clear that one way to stop the killing is to reduce encounters with police.

It becomes obvious that these meetings with police on traffic stops or trouble calls are increasingly a problem as many Blacks end up dead, just calling in for the ones who are support to be sworn to “Protect and Serve” all citizens.

“It is time for us to patrol our own streets and communities,” he said. “It is up to us to make the places where we live safer and decent to live. You reduce the contact with police and you reduce the incidents of deadly violence against us.”

He also added that Blacks must wake up to the realities of the race environment and climate we live in and take steps to be as asset to the solution over being a liability and contributing to the demise of the Black community.

Continue reading this article online @ www.aframnews.com By: Darwin Campbell

TEXAS • JULY 3 - 9, 2017

ARLINGTON - A Fort Worth teen died Tuesday night from injuries she suffered in a multi-vehicle wreck on Interstate 30, police said.

Officials with the Tarrant County medical examiner’s office identified the victim as Cassandra Contreras, 17.

She was pronounced dead at 8:41 p.m.

Tuesday at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth.

www.aframnews.com

AUSTIN - Acclaimed actor Louis Gossett Jr. will be honored at The Capital City Black Film Festival this year. The Academy Award, Golden Globe and Emmy winner will receive the Harlem Lights! Living Legend Award at the festival’s fifth annual Opening Night Gala, which will be Aug. 17 at the Austin Convention Center in Texas.

AUSTIN - Join Us on August 16 at Topgolf Austin for the Brian Jones Classic! You'll enjoy Food, Drinks and Fun. Plus Tournament Play - Topgolf Style! The fun and excitement of the 2017 Brian Jones Classic will be here on Wednesday, August 16, 2017. Join us for an evening of golf, music and fun, all for the benefit of great futures for kids in Austin who need us most. You don't have to be a great golfer, even non-golfers have a great time at Topgolf!

Check-in: 5:30 p.m. Tournament Play: 6:30 p.m. Topgolf Austin, 2700 Esperanza Crossing. Purchase your tickets today for your chance to win a custom golf cart!* For sponsorship opportunities or to reserve your bay or tickets, contact Courtney Billingsley at 512-444-7199 or Courtney.Billingsley@bgcaustin.org

AUSTIN - Recently, the Texas Home School Coalition (THSC) realized victory on behalf of Texas parents when Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 999 into law.

Introduced by Sen. Royce West during the 2017 Texas Legislative session, SB 999 enacts the following changes: • Siblings involved in the same CPS incident are now processed by the same court or judge.

• Courts may now postpone a show cause hearing—for good cause shown—for up to one week when requested by the parent or the parent’s attorney.

• Courts are now required to find actual risk of harm to a child in nonemergency circumstances before ordering the child removed from the home.

Texas Round-Up BEAUMONT - Family members are searching for the whereabouts of 28-yearold Dawayne Gallien, Jr., also known as “DJ”. Wanda and Robert Henry, Dawayne Gallien Junior’s parents say their son was living at home and just graduated from welding school.

Gallien’s parents say the 28-year-old is always in contact with them, but they have not seen or heard from Dawayne in over 7 weeks.

BEAUMONT - The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) invites Beaumont– area employers, human resource professionals, business owners and managers to attend the Texas Business Conference employment law update on July 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Beaumont, located at 3950 I-10 South in Beaumont. The conference will provide valuable information for employers and business owners concerning the legal issues associated with operating a business in Texas. Participants may register online or download a registration form at the Texas Business Conference webpage. For more information, call 512-463-6389.

CONROE - Lone Star CollegeMontgomery is recognizing the need in our community for more health care professionals with a new scholarship.

The $500 scholarship is named after Michelle Riley-Brown, executive vice president at Texas Children’s Hospital and president of Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands. “I was overwhelmed with excitement when the scholarship was announced,” said RileyBrown. “I am truly honored and humbled to have a scholarship named after me at LSC-Montgomery. It was definitely a surprise!” Riley-Brown leads Texas Children’s community hospitals, primary care practices and the sub-specialty Health Centers in the community.

DALLAS - Commerce Police Department chief Kerry Crews Monday resigned from his post after a controversial May 20 arrest involving a beauty pageant queen in which he called her a "black b*tch." Just before her arrest, former Miss Black Texas Carmen Ponder was allegedly engaged in a heated discussion with Commerce ISD school board trustee Michael Beane at a Commerce, Texas Walmart, DFW-CBS reports. The argument reportedly stemmed from a road-rage confrontation between the two. Beane then allegedly asked Crews, who was off-duty and shopping at the Walmart, to intervene in the dispute.

Read us online! www. aframnews. com

DALLAS - Dallas City Council Shakes Up DART Board. Moments ago, the Dallas City Council approved a new slate of representatives for the Dallas Area Rapid Transit board.

They include the four nominated by the transportation committee a few weeks ago, Patrick Kennedy, Jon-Bertrell Killen, Amanda Moreno Lake, and Catherine Cuellar, as well as Dominique Torres, Michelle Krause, and Ray Jackson.

FORT BEND - Twelve inmates at the Fort Bend County Jail graduated from the new welding course.

Ten of the inmates received two certifications of completion; 112 hours of Flux Cored Arc Welding and 112 hours of Shielded Metal Arc Welding. Two inmates received one certification of completion for the Shielded Metal Arc Welding class.

The ceremonies were held at the Inmate Vocational Center on the Sheriff's Office compound. Guest speakers for the event were James Pustka, from Hudson Products and ABC 13 News Anchor Art Rascon.

FORT WORTH - The Fort Worth Police Department dismissed a police officer Tuesday who was indicted after shooting a man with a shotgun in 2015.

Officer Courtney Johnson was in court last month on a charge of assault by a public servant for shooting Craigory Adams with a shotgun, according to the Fort Worth Police Department.

Last month, Johnson's case ended in a mistrial. District Attorney Sharen Wilson said Johnson would not be retried for the aggravated assault charges.

Fort Worth Police Chief Joel Fitzgerald said Adams dropped the barbecue fork he was holding during the confrontation with Johnson and was compliant before he was wounded.

GALVESTON - Recently marked Juneteenth, a commemoration of the day that word of the Emancipation Proclamation finally reached the enslaved in Galveston, Texas, letting them know they they were now free—the killing of Charleena Lyles, the Seattle woman shot by police, has left many in the community feeling shackled with anguish.

Hundreds gathered in Magnuson Park, outside Lyles’ apartment, to demand answers. In a peaceful rally, they carried signs that said “#SayHerName” and “Charleena’s Life Matters.”

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HARRIS COUNTY - HCSO District 5 patrol units responded to a disturbance call. Upon arrival, units discovered two adult males shot. Both men were transported to Cy-Fair Medical center Hospital. One, the homeowner, survived his injuries. He was treated for injuries and released. The second male, a roommate of the homeowner, was pronounced dead at the hospital. The suspects fled the scene. Suspect is an unidentified black male approximately 6’00” tall, 165 pounds and in his 20’s and female identified as Ambrea Lee Evans OAKCLIFF - The Dallas City Council unanimously authorized funding for a new deck park over Interstate 35E with the hopes of physically reconnecting north and east Oak Cliff, areas that had been torn apart decades ago by years of highway building.

SAN ANTONIO - A 17-year-old “violent fugitive” being sought by U.S. Marshals was on house arrest in connection with a 2016 Mansfield capital murder when he allegedly fled to San Antonio, the Star-Telegram has learned.

Law enforcement sources and the Mansfield victim’s parents say Taymor Travon McIntyre, known locally as the rapper Tay-K 47, is now a suspect in a murder in San Antonio.

WACO - About 50 Waco Independent School District sixth- and seventh-graders are getting a chance to reduce summer learning loss with the help of Baylor University and a nationally recognized reading program.

Two weeks ago, Baylor’s School of Education started Waco’s first Freedom School endorsed by the Children’s Defense Fund. Held at Cesar Chavez Middle School through July 28, the program has deep ties to the 1960s civil rights movement and allows children to tackle controversial — though culturally relevant — topics through debate and book discussions.

WACO - Community leaders this week are paying their respects to Wilbert Austin Sr., who overcame an upbringing of poverty and prejudice to become a tireless community volunteer, minister and District 1’s longest-serving city councilman.

Austin died Monday night — on Juneteenth, friends noted — after a long battle with the stomach cancer that had caused him to resign the city council seat in May. He was 76 and had served on the council for 11 years.

TX- 5

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African

American News&Issues

Business

TEXAS • JULY 3 - 9, 2017

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Kelvin McGee was one of the first specialists we spoke with, who shared with us, his approach to fixing the inherent and somewhat inherited problems of the area.

He says he canvasses the area regularly to assess the needs of the community, but the true assessBiz Owners Listen Intently As Police Officers ment begins with the Discuss Crime local schools within the Several days ago, the Elite News Dallas Independent received an email from one of its School District. It has been through community partners, about an emerhis encounters the children and the gency meeting being called in South youth, Mr. McGee is able to paint a Dallas, to address the rash of sensevivid picture for anyone proposing less shootings and violent attacks any plans to solve the community’s against this seemingly forgotten area existing problems. of South Dallas. In recent local news, Mr. McGee serves as a liason beyou may have heard of the night a tween the schools and the students’ number of different drivers gathered homes, for behaviorals and at risk in the middle of Elsie Faye Heggins students, which allows him to see and Malcolm X Blvd, making donuts first hand, what sorts of challenges in the street with their cars. This the children may be facing. In theory, dangerous car stunt show went on after speaking with the child’s parfor approximately 30 minutes before the police arrived, and when they got ents on scheduled home visits, and monitoring the child on a daily basis, there, business owners and residents the anticipation is a marked change were incensed. They wanted to in the child’s behavior pattern, which know what in the hell took so long, leads to better interactions with their as they felt as though their lives and peers and teachers, ultimately, setting their livelihood were in danger. This the stage for a more productive was the prevalent story in the news, child in classroom and within the but the more pressing issue was the community. In practice, the desired senseless violence and the murders outcome often falls short, meaning if taking place in the same exact area. different measures are not employed Last night’s meeting was held at to address the negative behavior, the the 16th Street Initiative Offices, same behavior escalates to violence. located at Elsie Faye Heggins and After speaking with Mr. McGee, Malcolm X, the recent scene of Antong Lucky, a local business the car donuting stunt show. Elite owner, and urban specialist, entered News arrived an hour and half ahead the offices; instantly our conversaof the scheduled meeting time, tion traveled down a different road, with the intention of pulling the as we began to dialogue about the organizers of the meeting aside, to violence in the area and what needs question them about their role in the to be done to combat eradicate it. community, the purpose of the 16th Mr. Lucky explained the type of Street Initiative, future plans, and meeting he hoped to have later on their expectations for the emergency meeting. By the way, all of the mem- that evening and why he was pulling together a group of primarily local bers of the 16th Street Initiative business owners, police officers and Offices describe themselves as being prosecutors.

Urban Specialists when we started inquiring about their job within the According to Mr. Lucky, better organization. security is needed for the com-

munity, as we are here at Malcolm and Heggens, the gateway to South Dallas. Also, the residents need to see and feel the presence as the new security system as the strongly sensed and visible presence will serve as a deterrent to crime. We are talking off duty police officers strolling the streets during peak crime activity hours, and security cameras focused on the neighborhood, with a feed leading to someone who can take action quickly to put a stop to the violence before it results in a tragedy. The feed can be monitored by a private security firm or the Dallas Police.

Mr. Lucky has some great ideas, so quite naturally, we had to question him about why the city has not already provided the cameras.

We already know from the media, the manpower is not available due to job cuts, and many of the calls received are considered low priority, but how about the city supplying the community with the cameras?

Mr. Lucky reminded us, the act of filling out a request form with the city, then waiting for approval, may result in an increase in the number of fatalities in the area, while they wait for the city to approve it and get the cameras installed.

Not knowing what sort of crowd the 16th Street Initiative was expecting, we were compelled to ask Mr. Lucky, what made him think all the people he invited would actually show up. He mentioned the business owners were initially leery at first about meeting to discuss the violence in the community, but almost everyone in the same business strip which houses the 16th Street Initiative, has had windows blown out of their storefronts, due to bullets failing to penetrate the perpetrators’ target. The business owners are the ones suffering as people think twice about stepping into their business to conduct business with them, due to the widespread violence. Recently, Mr. Lucky has personally witnessed a young man take his last breath, in his car after being hit by a bullet.

To continue reading visit us online @ www.aframnews.com

By Arielle Johnson

Business

TEXAS • JULY 3 - 9, 2017

How You Can Help Save the Planet

team wins the debate. The 80 percent reduction in U.S. emissions that will be needed to lead international actions to curb climate change won’t come cheaply. If present trends continue, the total cost of global warming will be as high as 3.6 percent of annual gross domestic product (GDP). Global damage from hurricanes, real estate losses, and energy and water costs will come with a price tag of almost $1.9 trillion annually by 2100.

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi Who’s Who in

Black Corporate America

By William Reed

Are you one of those people crying partisan crocodile tears because President Donald Trump pulled out of the Paris Climate Agreement? Instead of waiting for the politicos to take action, isn’t it time Black friends of the earth take basic matters into their own hands?

Whether you are a believer, or not, the climate is changing, and Black communities are on the front lines. From the New Orleans’s Lower 9th Ward to the Rockaways in New York City and San Francisco’s East Bay, African Americans are bearing climate impacts.

Blacks contribute much less to the problem than others—in fact, our households emit 20 percent less greenhouse gases than do Whites.

Earth as a viable environment for human civilization is a task that calls all of us to action.

Even in the era of Trump, each of us has to do our part toward finding common ground with others of our ideological perspective to address global warming. The Paris Agreement is within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) dealing with greenhouse gas emissions mitigation, adaption and finance starting in year 2020. Language of the agreement was negotiated by representatives of 195 countries at the 21st Conference in Paris and adopted on 12 December

2015. As of June 2017, 195 members have signed the agreement, 148 have ratified it. In the Paris Agreement, each country determines its own contribution to mitigate global warming. Effective June 2017, President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would withdraw from the agreement and seek a new deal.

That was met with resistance, in a joint statement, France, Germany and Italy rejected Trump’s call to reopen climate talks. According to a National Economic Research Associates study, the agreement imposed a goal of reducing U.S. carbon emissions by 30 percent over a decade. The deal could have cost 2.7 million lost jobs by 2025.

You can’t ignore that there’s a distinct human fingerprint on climate change. The world needs human actions to limit the magnitude or rate of longterm climate change. Climate change mitigation involves reductions in human emissions of greenhouse gases. Which be achieved by increasing cleaner air through reforestation.

Mitigation policies can substantially reduce the risks associated

We can’t stand on the sidelines and hope our political

with human-induced global warming. In 2010, Parties to the UNFCCC agreed future global warming be limited to below 2.0 °C (3.6 °F).

What steps are you personally taking to save the earth?

Humans currently emit 30 billion tones of CO2 into the atmosphere yearly. The main driver of global warming is raising carbon dioxide levels from fossil fuel burning.

To save the earth 1. Pay attention to how you use water and: fix leaky toilets. Wash clothes in cold water.

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11. Commit to self-improvement. The challenge lies in doing the little things on a consistent basis and actually changing the world – one little step at a time.

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them differently on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability in our health programs and activities. Amerivantage is a D-SNP plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the State Medicaid program. Enrollment in Amerivantage depends on contract renewal. Part B premium is covered for fulldual enrollees. This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information. Limitations, copayments, and restrictions may apply. Benefits, premiums and/or co-payments/coinsurance may change on January 1 of each year. The Formulary, pharmacy network, and/or provider network may change at any time. You will receive notice when necessary. This plan is available to anyone who has both Medical Assistance from the State and Medicare.

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DFW - 7

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African

American News&Issues

Texas HBCU

Texas • July 3 - 9, 2017

St. Phillip’s College San Antonio Youth Wind Ensemble Earns Five Minute Standing Ovation in Carnegie hall Concert Debut posted to a Facebook document a historic moment of student success for a college observing its 30th anniversary as the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) member institution with the largest enrollment among HBCUs, and the only college in the nation federally designated as both an HBCU and a Hispanic Serving Institution.

Conductor Roderick Leonard

SAN ANTONIO - Recently, one highlight of the St. Philip’s College San Antonio Youth Wind Ensemble Carnegie Hall debut concert project was a five-minute standing ovation in the hall for the musicians in Manhattan.

The students were prebooked to spend an unforgettable Father’s Day weekend at The Westin New York at Times Square. Using the property as a hub, the team rehearsed and recovered after being both recorded live as the closing artists on a double bill with the Masterwork Festival Chorus, and enjoying a post-concert reception after the standing ovation in Carnegie Hall. A few words and many Photos

The San Antonio Youth Wind Ensembles experience https://www.alamo.edu/spc/saywe/ helps youth make a high-performance musical connection between community service and college education. The students are members of a successful seven-year-old musical organization whose alumni are now attending such

Outdoors in Manhattan

colleges as MIT, Brown and Stanford, where one of the alumni is a doctoral program student.

HOUSTON (ACRES HOME) - Nearly two years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation was made official, January 1, 1863, did General Granger successfully arrive to Texas to read General Order Number 3. The order read aloud from the coasts of Galveston, Texas, was as follows:

“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.

This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property, between former masters and slaves and the connection heretofore existing between them, becomes that between employer and hired labor. The Freedmen are advised to remain at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts; and they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.”

Twenty-seven percent of 2015 season UTSA Marching Band members were ensemble alumni or current ensemble members. Before they moved on, combinations of those alumni performed admissionfree concerts, both on and off campus, to educate audiences as a community service.

The reputation of the program and its students has opened doors to such ensemblecommunity partnerships as year-round programming for San Antonio Public Library patrons, and periodic performance work with locally stationed armed forces musicians on patriotic programs. The performance season runs from November-June.

About St. Philip’s College: Bishop James Steptoe Johnston of the St. Philip’s Episcopal Church of the West Texas Diocese founded St. Philip’s College in 1898, and

-www.juneteenth.com/history What caused the delay set out a spur of rumored events that have lost their sound throughout history to ring true as fact; however, on June 19, 1865 the sound and vibe most important was finally freedom!

Mayor Sylvester Turner has made the parade a portion of his legacy in its continuation and also hosted many other celebrations of freedom throughout the city of Houston including the rededication of Emancipation Park.

The undeniable sound of freedom rang true again through the streets of historic Acres Homes from the Multi-purpose center, located at 6719 W. Montgomery to Greater Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church (1620 Dolly Wright).

The celebration made of local school bands

Students in time Square TX - 8

Standing Ovation

Saint Artemisia Bowden led the nondenominational public college for 52 years (1902–1954).

Today, St. Philip’s College, a member of the Alamo Colleges, is a multi-campus institution and serves a semester enrollment of about 13,000 credit students. St. Philip’s College is a Historically Black College and a Hispanic Serving Institution. As “A Point of Pride in the Community,” St. Philip’s College is among the oldest and most diverse community colleges in the United States.

Texas HBCU

TEXAS • JULY 3 - 9, 2017

Read us online! www. aframnews. com

A SIBLING RIVALRY

job teaching after talking to a good friend who was a principal at Sam Houston High School.

Although money was good at Walmart distribution center his heart wasn’t into it, so he went on to get his teaching certificate and applied for teaching jobs.

By: Jermaine Hayter The sports corner with Jay the Barber!

It all started in Acres Homes, a minority neighborhood in Houston, Texas. They were born and became instant rivals.

Let’s take a look into the life of Ryan and Bryan Carrington, twin brothers who lived their whole lives as rivals but have a very close and loving relationship.

While at a job fair he met the principal of Crosby High School. He took a job at Crosby where he became a teacher and the audio and video director. He would sort through game films to send to colleges and send clips to various sources. He is also the coach of the freshman boys’ basketball team.

“ If you fall in life make sure you fall on your back because if you can look up - you can get up” ~ Bryan & Ryan Carrington They both had a love for sports growing up in a single parent household didn’t stop their journey to become who they are today. They are the middle kids out of four children one older brother, Byron and one adopted younger brother. They were both great athletes although Ryan claims to be the best athlete of the two, however, Bryan has all the accolades.

While they both took different routes to reach success, it all started by them attending different high schools.

Ryan attended Klein Forest and Bryan attended St. Pius X. Bryan received a scholarship to attend St. Pius X to play football he also excelled in academics. While Ryan stayed at Klein forest with a friend. Bryan started his journey in high school going on recruitment trips with team mates, while glancing around to find talent in his team mate he left St. Pius X and attended University of Houston where his journey took a detour, falling behind in class, skipping class and was very immature. He didn’t know how

9

When Ryan took the job at Crosby Bryan was still an undergrad struggling to make it, didn’t have much money or none at all. But in comes big brother (by 1 min) although Bryan never accepted the fact that he was older by a minute.

Bryan & Ryan Carrington

to maintain in a big university. Bryan then took a job as a bartender for a few years, while bar tending, he had a wakeup call he knew he could do better. So, he went back to the University of Houston to finish what he started. He began to work with the sports program as a under grad working closely with the new football head coach Tom Herman. Although it was hard trying to survive as an undergrad he struggled not having a paying job, he stayed focused and continued to reach his goal and his hard work didn’t go unnoticed. The new football coach really liked his character and his hard work and commitment to the program. When Coach Herman took the head coaching job at University of Texas he took his number one Undergrad with him and promoted him to assistant director of player personnel. He basically recruited players to attend the football program. Although he was struggling and trying to maintain as an undergrad with no salary, his main goal was to be a part of a number one recruitment class.

While his twin brothers journey was a bit dif-

ferent but somewhat similar, Ryan attended Paul Quinn University in Dallas. Once in college, his journey took a similar turn when he pledged to a fraternity. He became a party animal and forgot why he was in school, grades started to drop even though he was class president. He traveled to different cities partying and living the frat life but losing his credits for class. When he hit the bottom, he decided to take school serious again. The president of the University took him under his wing and mentored him, he put his college career back on track he worked so hard to continue his journey to success. His hard work also didn’t go unnoticed it paid off when a program was named in his honor “The Carrington plan”. A program designed to help students who fell off get back to their goals.

He took part in a program called Lead Capital, that took twenty-five students to attend a leadership program in which he received to internships for General Motors and Sam/ Walmart. He took a management job at Walmart in New Caney for two years. Then he took a

Ryan made sure his brother could take trips and they had fun together Ryan didn’t care about the money he spent on his brother because he knew his brother would make it and soon be making good money. The both lived by a saying that their mother, Diane Shepard use to say to them “we all we got”. Which comes from a movie about brothers in which the saying was “ I am my bothers keeper”. I didn’t ask if they ever saw the movie, but it’s clear they lived by the phrase “we all we got”. By talking to them I know that they are each other’s keeper. They have a unique relationship, the love they have for each other runs deep, but the competitiveness with each other still makes them want to be the best and keeps them striving to be the best at what they do.

While Bryan wants to be the head coach of a major university and make six figures, Ryan wants to one up his brother and be the person doing the audio and video for a NFL franchise.

They both expressed how they want to take care of their mother so she wouldn’t have to work again. Although the love runs deep the rivalry never end!

PVAMU Named Finalist in Five HBCU Digest- HBCU Awards Categories

Prairie View A&M University has been selected as a finalist in five categories for the 2017 HBCU Awards presented by HBCU Digest. More than 175 nominations from HBCUs were submitted from across the country. Winners will be announced at the seventh annual HBCU Awards ceremony July 14th in Washington D.C.’s Gallup Building.

HBCU Digest is a “national news resource of record for historically black colleges and universities.” They provide news and

commentary on HBCUS and can be found online at hbcudigest. com as well as on social media platforms.

The University is represented in the following categories: Awards in Student Activities: • •

Best Marching Band – The Marching Storm Best Student Government Association

Awards in Publications: • • Best Alumni Magazine – 1876 Alumni Magazine

Awards in Athletic Excellence •

Female Athlete of the Year – Shelby Williams

Awards in Individual Achievement • Female Student of the Year – Jeaiza Maria Quinones ‘17 For the full 2017 HBCU Awards Finalist list visit: http://www.hbcudigest. com/2017-hbcu-awards-finalists/ TX - 9

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Read us online! w w w.a f r a m n e w s .c om

W

hat if reality as we know it wasn’t what we knew it to be?

What if the stories of the past were changed by one small detail? However, that one small detail being one that would change it drastically!

What if the slaves that were brought from Africa had been White, the slave masters had been Black, and every event of the past, up until the present, were also in reverse?

What if?

In 1680 the institution of American slavery developed and became statutory law. Under this system a White African slave was chattel; an article of property that could be bought, punished, sold, loaned, used as collateral, or willed to another at an owner’s whim.

The White African people were not recognized as people in the eyes of the law. Thus, they had no legal rights. These people In this series you will discover that the ethnicities of oppressor and were viewed in the same respect as farm animals. They were oppressed have been reversed. This had been done in order to open the to be worked, and they were to be bred. The offspring of the minds of the readers to …. WHAT IF? slaves belonged to the slave’s owner regardless as to whether or not one of the child’s parents had his/ her freedom status or This gallery of illustrations has been created to assist the reader not. This way their children would continue to be slaves in their on grasping the understanding of why we are promoting that “Black master’s fields until….

Lives Matter”. Throughout this book you will see illustrations of the Caucasian race placed in the African-American experiences.

Chapter 1: The Arrival To my brothers and sisters who may be offended by my whitening our history and our historical figures (e.g. Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, Slave ships owner by Black Dutchmen and Black Portuguese The Black Panther Party, Colin Kaepernick, etc.) to validate a arrived in Jamestown, VA in 1619, and slaves were traded to the point, please forgive me. However, in order to display our complete Black colonist that were in Jamestown for food and other goods. struggle, it is essential that I illuminate our iconic leaders’ defiance in This was the first exchange in recorded history. the mist of our struggle. For that is the only way one will understand Between 1619-1859 11 million White captives were ferried why it was imperative for them to embrace a position of slugging it across the Atlantic to North America. Where these White capout against an oppressive system. tive’s future was replete with mental, physical, and emotional Also, I expect for these illustrations to bring clarity to all of you torture and anguish. For this inhumanity were the hallmarks of who fight against understanding our stance against injustice. the forced servitude that these White captives had to endure.

Introduction to Slavery

Over the next 240 years the trans-Atlantic slave trade proved to be a very profitable enterprise for the Black British, The first nineteen White slaves were captured in Africa, then French, Dutch, Spanish, and Portuguese who carried it out. transported to America in 1619. These White Africans were brought North America opened up a lucrative place to transport, and to America in order to become indentured servants. They were made sell White African slaves. Yet the trans-Atlantic slave trade also to toil in the master’s fields. They were bound by this duty against reached other countries such as South America, Europe, the their will. These indentured servants were put under contract for a peMiddle East, and the Caribbean. All of which combined for an riod of at least seven years. Truthfully, that time frame normally lasted enormous growth of wealth across the world. In actuality, much a lot longer because of the master’s inscrutable desire for free labor. greater wealth would have been accumulated had not so many In 1651, after several more years that the contracted seven, many White slaves been lost due to cruelty, disease and suicide. of the White indentured servants had fulfilled their obligation. Most of Slave ships owner by Black Dutchmen and Black the first nineteen did in fact gain the status of Freedom.

Portuguese arrived in Jamestown,

TX - 10

TEXAS • JULY 3 - 9, 2017

trans-Atlantic slave trade also reached other countries such as South America, Europe, the Middle East, and the Caribbean. All of which combined for an enormous growth of wealth across the world. In actuality, much greater wealth would have been accumulated had not so many White slaves been lost due to cruelty, disease and suicide.

Bio

Carlos Walker, 35, a budding artist was born and raised in Halifax, CO., Va. To Hilton and Inell Walker, who has 6 children. Mr. Walker being the sixth. Carlos has been drawing since the early age of eight. He was encouraged to continue VA in 1619, and slaves were traded to do so in school by Mrs. Fitzgerald to the Black colonist that were his high school art teacher and now in Jamestown for food and other by his family and Washika Arnold goods. This was the first exchange in his future spouse. Not envisioning recorded history. a future in art, Mr. Walker chose to put this talents to the side and sell drugs. Which landed him in prison at the age of 24, when most young Between 1619-1859 11 million men and women are just starting to live life and start their careers.

White captives were ferried across For him, little did he know GOD had a blessing in store and his career the Atlantic to North America. would just be getting started to become an artist/ activist and book Where these White captive’s future writer. While incarcerated he put together 3 exhibits and a single was replete with mental, physical, piece, plus he has written a book based on his artwork entitled “What and emotional torture and anguish.

If”. One of his projects is a 48-piece illustrated entitled “Walk A Mile For this inhumanity were the hallIn Our Shoes And You Will Understand From Whence We Came”, marks of the forced servitude that Illustrations called “Endangered Species”, a 3-piece illustration these White captives had to endure. entitled “The Greatest”, and a single called “Hunting Season”. His Over the next 240 years the greatest work of art is arguably “Walk A Mile In Our Shoes”, betrans-Atlantic slave trade proved to cause what it portrays is the Black EXPERIENCE in a different way. be a very profitable enterprise for In creating this exhibit, he seeks to show a mirror effect to Caucasians the Black British, French, Dutch, of what the Black EXPERIENCE looks like. Mr. Walker’s pictures Spanish, and Portuguese who carhave been created with the sole intent to invoke a thought in all who ried it out. North America opened refuse to understand the plight that Blacks have had to endure in their up a lucrative place to transport, and experience from slavery up until now. His work can be viewed on sell White African slaves. Yet the Instagram….@walkers_gallery.

Texas • July 3 - 9, 2017

Local & State

Sandra Bland Act Testing & In Play as Travis County Investigates Inmate

The Sandra Bland Act mandates county jails divert people with mental health and substance abuse issues toward treatment, makes it easier for defendants to receive a personal bond if they have a mental illness or intellectual disability, and requires that independent law enforcement agencies investigate jail deaths. The law takes effect Sept. 1.

Herman Titus AUSTIN - The Travis County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of an inmate in custody, according to Kristen Dark, Sheriffs Office Sr. Public Information Officer.

Due to the recent passage of the Sandra Bland Act, TCSO has requested the Texas Rangers conduct an independent investigation.

According to reports, inmate Herman Titus was taken to the hospital in critical condition and died shortly after.

Currently, evidence collected does not suggest any foul play in his death, but an official cause of death will be determined by the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Detectives with the Internal Affairs and Major Crimes units of the Travis County Sheriff’s Office are actively investigating.

Titus was booked into the Travis County Jail on May 23, 2017 charged with Intoxication Assault and a Parole Violation.

The incident occurred the morning hours of June 19, 2017, when Titus was transported by EMS to South Austin Hospital in critical condition and later died shortly after arrival at the hospital.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed the act into law a measure that seeks to address the circumstances that led to the death of Sandra Bland, a Black woman found dead in a county jail days after being arrested during a routine traffic stop.

The law’s namesake, a 28-yearold from Illinois, died in the Waller County Jail in 2015. Her arrest followed a lengthy argument between Bland and then-Department of Public Safety Trooper Brian Encinia, which was documented by the officer’s dashboard camera.

After Bland’s death – which was ruled a suicide – her family, activists and lawmakers swiftly criticized the rural jail’s leadership and Encinia.

With a new legislative session a long way away, the Texas Commission on Jail Standards was first to offer a solution, revising the intake screening process of county jail inmates to better identify mental health issues.

During the legislative session, state Rep. Garnet Coleman of Houston introduced a bill named in honor of Bland. A comprehensive piece of legislation, the bill originally tackled racial profiling during traffic stops, consent searches and counseling for police officers who profiled drivers, in addition to jail reforms.

That bill didn’t move out of committee because of opposition from law enforcement groups and lawmakers concerned about unfunded mandates.

The Senate version of the bill, by state Sen. John Whitmire of Houston, removed much of the language related to encounters with law enforcement (de-escalation training remained) and became a mostly mental health bill, which ultimately passed both chambers without opposition.

Most legislators support the idea that the new law increases public safety by preventing traffic stops from escalating by ensuring that all law enforcement officers receive de-escalation training for all situations as part of their basic training and continuing education.

African

American News&Issues

11

Grant to Help Public Housing Residents With Money

Chalmers Court Housing Complex

Booker T Washington Terraces Housing Complex

“

The secret to financial security is not to have more money, but having MORE CONTROL over the money we presently have.” - Auliq Ice

AUSTIN - Residents of public housing in Austin will be able to improve money management skills with training provided by a grant from Texas Capital Bank.

The HousingAuthority of the City of Austin (HACA) recently was presented with a generous grant from the bank that will provide needed money management training to participants in HACA’s Jobs Plus ATX program.

“This grant from the Texas Capital Bank is a wonderful opportunity for HACA to leverage the financial incentives available to residents through Jobs Plus,” said Jobs Plus ATX Project Director Barbara Jackson. “We will now be better able to help residents use their new earnings to set and achieve their personal and household financial goals.”

For many Jobs Plus participants in Booker T. Washington Terraces and Chalmers Courts , it may be the very first time they will have access to discretionary funds, but with limited background on how to manage their money to facilitate and promote self-sufficiency.

The $10,000 grant from Texas Capital Bank will be used to contract with local organizations like Austin’s

Economic Growth Business Incubator to give residents access to onsite tailored financial literacy services including credit counseling, debt reduction and money management during flexible hours.

Funds will also be used to purchase financial literacy software for Booker T. Washington Terraces and Chalmers Courts computer labs, offering residents the ability to continuously refresh their financial literacy skills and learning.

“Texas Capital Bank is proud to invest in programs like this that provide financial literacy learning opportunities for residents onsite,” said Effie Dennison, Senior Vice President and Director of Community Development and Corporate Social Responsibility for Texas Capital Bank. “This program will not only help residents learn financial management skills, but enhance their job opportunities to reach their goal of financial independence.”

Jobs Plus ATX is a four-year U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development pilot program that connects residents at HACA’s Booker T. Washington Terraces and Chalmers Courts public housing properties with workforce resources.

The program is designed to help increase earned income and enhance employment outcomes. A unique feature of Jobs Plus ATX allows participants to freeze their rent amount while their earnings increase.

Jobs Plus ATX has exceeded its first year goals for engagement, employment and participation in the program’s financial incentive.

To date, 113 families have gone to work or increased their income, resulting in $183,176 in saved rent payments.

In addition, 141 individuals have started new employment since the Jobs Plus ATX program began on July 1, 2016.

READ MORE ARTICLES ONLINE @ WWW.AFRAMNEWS.COM BY: DARWIN CAMPBELL, SENIOR JOURNALIST TX-11

12

African

American News&Issues

Community

Wells Fargo Donates $10,000 to Minnie’s Food Pantry

Texas • July 3 - 9, 2017

community! I truly appreciate Wells Fargo's act of kindness and continual support of Minnie's Food Pantry!” Minnie’s Food Pantry has been featured on The Food Network’s Documentary, Hunger Hits Home, The Ellen Show, Good Morning America, Entertainment Tonight, The Talk, and The Steve Harvey Show.

Wells Fargo donates to Minnie’s Food Pantry every year, and over the last three years, Goodman and his team has donated over 44,000 dollars. Wells Fargo strongly believes in giving back to their communities, and Minnie’s Food Pantry isn’t the only organization that has received donations. According to Goodman, “Company wide, Wells Fargo has donated over 281 million dollars in 2016 to different corporations and organizations. In Texas alone, Wells Fargo last year invested more than 10.7 million dollars in non-profits across Texas, and the employees donated out of their own pockets 5.1 million dollars to different non-profits across Texas. This is something that’s ongoing and is a part of our cooperate responsibility. Not only donating our time but some financial resources to these different communities.”

T

aylor Goodman, who is the District Manager for the Wells Fargo in Plano, Texas, wanted to give back to his community. After going online and searching for opportunities that were available to volunteer for a food bank, he came across Minnie’s Food Pantry. He didn’t know anyone at Minnie’s, but he reached out to see how his team could help. This year, they were able to donate $10,000 to Minnie’s Food Pantry. “It really started at that small grass roots efforts and has turned in over the last three years into what I feel is truly an incredible partnership that we’re proud to continue to support.

Through our teammates time and commitment, we volunteer once a month.” In a little over three years, Goodman and his team has expanded with volunteers, and now Minnie’s is well-known, and a lot of other business lines are also involved on a consistent basis that are volunteering their time. Hunger continues to be a growing problem in Texas, and even worldwide. One in five children suffer from hunger, and the DFW - 12

numbers are steadily increasing.

that,” expressed Goodman.

Minnie’s Pantry is working hard Goodman spoke very everyday to reduce highly of Dr. Cheryl hunger for those “Action” Jackson, individuals that are who is the founder of in need. This pantry Minnie’s Food Pantry. has provided over The pantry was crefive million meals ated to honor Jackson’s to families, and is mother, the late Minnie funded solely by Hawthorne-Ewing D.D. the community.

Every dollar that is “The success of donated provides this initiative is rethree meals. In ally because of Cheryl’s addition, Minnie’s passion for Minnie’s doesn’t discriminate against anyone mission…she is always and is proud to upbeat and enthusiastic. serve low-income She’s dedicated, her families. Minnie’s family is also a part of is the largest food this…it’s so inspiring.

Dr. Cheryl “Action” Jackson pantry in Collin The main reason why County. Jackson we feel so committed to expressed, “I am delighted that Wells Fargo Minnie’s Food Pantry is because of that has joined the fight against hunger in our relationship and what she has done with

So why is it important to give back?

Goodman stated, “Our communities are an intrinsic part of our culture and we understand that Wells Fargo’s long term success is directly linked to the success of our customers and the communities we serve. It’s part of our vision and values that we have that giving back to the community only makes that community stronger as well as Well’s Fargo stronger.”

Minnie’s Food Pantry’s serving days & times are Wednesday thru Friday and the 1st & 3rd Saturday of each month during the hours of 8:30am -11:00am.

Minnie’s Food Pantry is located at 3033 W. Parker Rd Suite 116 Plano, TX 75023

For more information about Minnie’s Food Pantry, you can visit their website at https://www.minniesfoodpantry. org/ or call is at 972-596-0253.

By: Chelsea Davis, M.Ed.