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December 17-23, 2008 INSIDE ™ Vol. 13 Issue 46

TEXAS’ Widest Circulated and Read Newspaper with a Black Perspective

• Drexel Society hosts the “Jewels of Excellence” 2008 Presentation Ball. PAGE 7 www.aframnews.com

Houston - Galveston - Texas City - Missouri City - Conroe - Woodlands - Huntsville - Beaumont - Port Arthur - Grove - Orange - Lumberton - Liberty - Cleveland - Livingston - Crockett - San Antonio - Mexia - Gatesville - Bellmead Austin - Brenham - Hempstead - Prairie View - College Station - Bryan - Killeen - Temple - Waco - Dallas - Irving - Fort Worth - Arlington - Waxahachie - Elgin - Round Rock - Harker Heights - Copperas Cove - Ennis - Corsicana

African-American

LIVING LEGEND

HMBC HONORS

Emerging 10 Symbolizes Self-sufficiency and Financial Independence

For Sale: 1 Used Senate Seat Latest “play for pay” news par for the course in Chicago Politics CARMEN WATKINS

African-American News&Issues

Edgar McMillan Jr.: First Black TripleThreat in Dallas County Law DALLAS- Edgar L. McMillan, Jr. was born in Dallas, Texas. A graduate of Lincoln High School, he received an Associate’s Degree from Abilene Christian University, and a Master’s Certification and Police Instructor Certification from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE).

McMillan began his career with Dallas County on December 1, 1971 in the Sheriff’s Department as a Deputy; and has served continuously and diligently for 36 years.

He was the first person hired by a civilian hiring board for the Sheriff’s department, and holds the honor of being the first AfricanAmerican to reach the rank of sergeant, lieutenant and captain by way of competitive exam. McMillan also carries the distinction of being the first African-American to receive the Patrol Officer of the Year Award. He is also the first African- American to achieve the rank of Chief Deputy in the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department more than 150 year history. McMillan has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career.

Under his leadership, the department has transitioned smoothly during times of change and growth including expansion of the traffic and patrol division. There are few individuals who have served with such dedication and commitment to law enforcement and have helped pave the way for others.

McMillan has six children, Philipa, India, Detra, Donya, DeNiqua and Darion and enjoys outdoor sports and fishing.

The public is invited to the retirement celebration for McMillan on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 from 11a.m. to 3p.m., at the Frank Crowley Central Jury Room, 133 North Industrial Blvd. This week’s Living Legend is Edgar L. McMillan, Jr., saluted for his dedication to community protection.

Quote of the Week:

“...the rules of building wealth and sustaining wealth also change and our principles have to change along with them.”

-Alan Hughes

Ishu Wadhwani MARVIN D. CLOUD

African-American News&Issues

HOUSTON- When the U.S. Department of Labor announced its Employment Situation Summary for the month of November, it was a sobering wake up call for many workers across the country.

The Dec. 5 announcement by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, confirmed what had been denied for a long time. We are in a recession, and have been in one since December last year.

The loss of 533,000 jobs in November alone, followed 723,000 total in September and October, giving more credence that the economy is losing jobs at the fastest pace in over three decades.

While some employees are contemplating changing jobs in the new year, to go along with their resolutions, employers are warning that if you are among the blessed ones to have a job, you might want to hold on to what you have. While attention is being pushed onto the Big 3 automakers, Ford, GM, and Chrysler, and the 2.5 to 3 million

A.B. Bernard jobs they affect, jobs are being lost in all sectors.

It’s not your father’s job security anymore and while money experts like Marilyn Logan advocates keeping a side hustle, or taking a parttime job, many people are setting their sights on starting a business of their own. Melissa Chang, president of an Internet incubator based in the Boston area says, “A recession is generally a difficult time for companies that are trying to raise venture capital because VCs are less likely to fund companies when the economy is suffering. For this reason, a recession is not an ideal time to start a company that requires a lot of start-up capital to get off the ground. But small Internet and technology-based companies are another story. A recession is actually a great time to nurture and incubate a small company.”

Robert Litan of the Brookings Institution states, “Education and money matter in explaining startup rates and success. That makes a big difference, since minorities (except Asian-Americans) lag in both.”

See EMERGING page 3

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested last week on charges he conspired to sell or trade or provide to the highest bidder, the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by President-elect Barack Obama. FBI senior officials are calling the move one of the worse of its kind of “corruption crime spree.” According to the 76-page affidavit, the 51year-old Democratic governor was wiretapped over the last month and found to be conspiring to sell or trade the vacant Senate seat in exchange for benefits for himself and his wife, Patti Blagojevich.

Included in those personal benefits was also a move to appoint himself senator. What Blagojevich did not count on obviously was the rapid movement of FBI agents in blocking the governor from continuing with his plans for the senate seat. But the problems for Blagovevich have been compounding

for some time.

The FBI has been has tracking the conversations and activities of the governor for at least a month. Alleged in the affidavit are additional charges that Blagojevich and the chairman of his campaign committee have been fast forwarding with questionable fund-raising activities in the last month to get as much money as possible before the end of the year. Beginning in 2009, new campaigning laws goes into effect and that law was designed to curtail Blagojevich’s ability to raise funds from companies with state contracts worth more than $50,000.

Many have speculated, and there allegedly is a taped conversation that includes CEO Sam Zell of the Chicago Tribune, which owns Wrigley field. Wrigley field is slated for a makeover in the future and in exchange for the immediate removal of some editorial writers at the Tribune that were unkind See SEAT page 3

Upon finding out that federal investigators had secretly taped him, Gov. Rod Blagojevich stated, “I should say if anybody wants to tape my conversations, go right ahead, feel free to do it. I appreciate anybody who wants to tape me openly and notoriously, and those who feel like they want to sneakily, and wear taping devices, I would remind them that it kind of smells like Nixon and Watergate.”

Ann M. Williams wins 2008 Business Community Award

DALLAS- Dallas Arts & Entertainment Pioneer, Ann M. Williams, the founder and artistic director of the Dallas Black Dance Theatre won the 2008 BCAG Gala award presented at the 3rd Annual Business Community Awards Gala hosted by the DFW Chapters of the National Association of Black Accountants and the National Black MBA Association. Williams was the winner out of four finalists nominated for their consistent contribution to the educational, professional and cultural growth of their community. She was honored for her establishment and operation of the Dallas Black Dance Theatre for more than 32 years.

The theatre has grown from a community-based and a semi-professional organization to a full scale professional dance company that tours nationally and internationally. It has a contemporary modern dance company, known as the ensemble that consists of 12 profesSee WILLIAMS page 3

Michael Sorrell (Paul Quinn College President and Master of Ceremonies), Kathy Valentine (NBMBAA President), Vonja Fleet (BCAG Finalist), Ann M. Williams (2008 BCAG Winner), Alicia Sanders, CPA (BCAG Finalist), Jessica Byars (NABA President) and Tony Reed CPA, PMP (BCAG Finalist) TX-1

2 • African-American News&Issues • Texas • December 17-23, 2008

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DERIC’s debate

Should Single Moms Take Their Sons to Prisons to Visit their Fathers?

Deric Muhammad

I was playing Monopoly with my nieces and nephews over the Thanksgiving holiday. My little seven-year-old nephew rolled the dice and landed on the “go to jail…do not pass go” square. I was not paying attention so when he moved his board piece to that jail square, I asked “What are you doing.”

He thought for a minute and replied, “I’m visiting my daddy.” This would have made for a well-timed joke except for the fact that his father is really in jail. Actually he has been in and out of prison every since my nephew was born.

Society would call him a career criminal. My little nephew still calls him daddy. He is like millions of other young Black boys whose fathers are imprisoned in the world’s most incarcerated nation, The United States of America. Black women are left to shoulder the burden of being mother and father, while their children’s dads languish in prison cells. Some are there for breaking the law and others for being at the wrong place at the wrong time without a good attorney.

The circumstances don’t matter to the child. It does not matter why daddy is in that place. Whether guilty or innocent, the hurt and disappointment feels the same.

Every time a judge sentences a father to 10 years in prison, he or she sentences a child to 10 years of pain. Once convicts are released, they are never the same, especially if they have a felony. This makes it more difficult to get employment and provide for the children.

The child is never the same either. Ten years without a primary male influence is a lot of critical exposure time to influences that could possibly land the little man in his dad’s top bunk. Every male child has a natural desire to see his father.

My dad was a hustler and I very rarely saw him. His lifestyle was so fast that nobody could keep track of him, not even himself. I wonder what is worse; not being able to find your father, or knowing exactly where he is in that big building with the bars downtown?

Many single-parent sisters whose children’s dads are incarcerated, are faced with the inevitable. One day that child will ask his mother about the whereabouts of his dad. Once he learns that his dad is incarcerated he may very well want to go and visit him. Here lies one of the most controversial unmentionable dilemmas of a single mom.

(A). Some mothers will honor their child’s request. They take the long drive to a prison in the middle of nowhere and allow their child to go through the rigors of visitation day. The child is allowed to brave the long lines, walk through the metal detectors, and have a father-to-son talk in the presence of armed guards.

The logic here, according to sisters who have exercised this option, is to allow the father to personally answer the child’s questions about his absence. Thus the mother can never be accused of trying to keep the child away from the father and placing the responsibility of atonement and reconciliation on the dad. Some also believe that the uncomfortable experience of visiting a loved one in jail will make the child never want to go to a TX-2

PUBLISHER’S NEWS ANALYSIS

Day Without a Gay: the great call-in Roy Douglas Malonson

It was supposed to be a national protest day against the recent passage of California’s Proposition 8 which overturns state rules allowing same-sex couples to marry.

Supporters nationwide wanted everyone to be clear on where they stood, so they all called in “gay” or “sick.” Now I could just stop right there and spend the rest of my time on the irony of their choice, but that would serve no one. National protest organizers want to underline impact of the gay community in the economy and increase the awareness of gay rights.

Some leading economists have estimated that the annual contribution to the economy from lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens exceeds the $700,000,000,000.00 (yes, billion) mark, leaving some people to add levity to the recent efforts by the big three automakers to shift their ask of a bail-out from the government to this target group. But more importantly is the group’s aim to underscore that they are not sec-

ond-class citizens. Rather, they say that they are full participants in society and therefore should receive full and equal treatment under the law.

Now the protest itself is not new.

It is similar to a number of other protests that we have seen before.

The organizers scheduled the “A Day Without a Gay” to coincide with International Human Rights Day and modeled it after similar work stoppages by Latino immigrants–which also encouraged people to perform volunteer work and refrain from spending money.

Remember the movie, “A Day without a Mexican”? Same direction with a new twist. Students were instructed not to walk out of their classes and college students were told to take their final exams.

However there were other opportunities listed that included writing letters to members of Congress about federal gay rights legislation to spreading the word about the day on social networking sites—for gay marriage backers who cannot miss

CARMEN’S CORNER

Race or Social Standing?

Carmen Watkins Just when I completed a conversation with my youngest daughter about the ability to “transcend” thought in literature and use a great real life example of Presidentelect Barack Obama, the latest new sociological study was released. I am often amazed that these studies are even funded. Most of them are absolutely ridiculous, but it is no doubt that after the election of Obama as president, there would be a series of studies that provided some new insight into “why” or “how” he could have been elected.

The latest study completed by a group of sociologists from California and Oregon show change over time in both racial self-identification and the way people perceive the racial identity of others.

The sociologists collected data from 1979 through 2002. According to the study, “there is much less ‘agreement’ about what race a person is than is commonly thought.

(What is important are the) “Fluctuations in both self-identification and how one is perceived by others happen more often than

they would or should if race is something obvious or unambiguous.” And so here it goes. If you don’t have a job, have been in jail or live in a low income community and you self-identify as Black rather than rather White, you are more likely to be seen as Black.

A rose of any kind…

We used to call this “stereotyping” but not anymore. Now it is social banking. The theory is that social status more than race, will determine how you will be seen and therefore, treated.

Surely we have all had the occurrence when a person has treated us differently because of who they thought we were or what they thought we had, but this is a bit different. What this suggests is that “social standing” could help you transcend race.

Not so fast…

Since the election, there have been a number of issues that I have called into question. Recently, I wrote about the Obama cabinet

work. But what was the real impact of the day, in Texas and across the nation? Did it serve the group well or was the message received by the masses?

Did it have an impact or did coworkers get angry at their absence and lack of sensitivity at a time when many are feeling the brunt of recent layoffs and downsiding, left over from the economic crisis? Many felt the protest was impractable and such as protests go, particularly those with an economic agenda, hard to track. Given the current economic climate and still the unwillingness for many gay Americans to “come out” many would shy away from participating in the protest.

Likewise, the economic impact of the protest would be hard to track if gay Americans merely chose to stay at home with their wallets.

One alternative was to patronize gay businesses. Given the history of “Black Dollar Days” with our own African-American community, I can tell you that often there is little impact in this form of protest and little if no long-term ideological change in our community as a result.

So maybe we should try “A Day Without an African-American” or maybe not. selections, or maybe the immediate discussion by many of the first lady and her wardrobe (also a senseless discussion), but now it appears that we have the baseline argument for “no more excuses.”

It’s official, all African-Americans, have just one month.

Now it’s over. It’s official. No more excuses for why your neighborhood, your relationships, your job or lack thereof, your wealth or lack thereof. That’s it. You have a Black president who was able to transcend race and now all African- Americans are out of excuses.

That is the underlining theme here. You see it is not as much about race as it is about you how you identify yourself (self-identification) and if you have any to the factors that create your identity for you. This is extremely familiar, remember when your White friend would say, “Are you from here?”

This is the exponential reach of that discussion, because of course, if you have not been in jail and you have a job and you own a house and you are educated and of course you self-identify as American … then you may not be labeled African-American.

Right? It’s Official … you have been served. No More Excuses.

Carmen

ATTENTION READERS !!!! Visit our new & improved Web site!

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We want to hear from you

For an upcoming edition, African-American News&Issues is asking readers to tell us 1.) What does being a minority in America means to you? 2.) What does having our first Black President, Barack Obama mean to you?

We invite you to participate in this historical edition by sharing your commentary in your own words (a maximum of 250) for consideration in our historical issue. Submissions are being accepted now. Please e-mail us your story to news@aframnews.com. Please include your name, address and phone number for verification and clarification purposes. place like that himself.

(B). Other moms choose to keep the child from visiting the incarcerated father in the interest of protecting the child. The logic commonly offered is that it’s counterproductive to voluntarily take their son to a place that they plan to try to keep him out of. If the father wants to be a part of his son’s life then he should straighten up his act and obtain a “get out of jail free” card.

Another argument says that it is

better for a son to never see his dad altogether, instead of visiting him in a cage. This is a tough road that many single mothers have to cross when their son’s father is imprisoned. Of course, one can say the solution is simple.

Black fathers must consider their children before they commit an act that could render such consequences. But, realities in our community are not that ideal. Every week, through this column, I am blessed with the opportunity to tell

the community what I am thinking.

This week we would like to know what you think. Should a single mother take her son to a prison to visit his father? Please email your comments to askbrotherderic@ yahoo.com.

We look forward to responding to every one of you.

Deric Muhammad is a Houstonbased community activist who has a blog at www.askbroderic.blogspot. com.

COMMUNITY/POLITICS EMERGING- from Page 1

Ron Martinez B.J. Farmer

Dr. Hubert Glover Carla Lane

Terry Smith

Jim Metcalf According to research whether or not Blacks and other minorities possess the ability to start up a business is not the question when it comes to business success. African-American ventures are started at the same rates of Whites.

Blacks and other minorities do face discrimination when it comes to getting a loan or a line of equity to grow their business because of the perception that the majority of their businesses fail.

R.D. Malonson-Chairman S.A. Malonson-Pres./CEO Marvin D. Cloud-Web Developer Lisa M. Smith- Production Carmen Watkins- Writer Jesse Simon - Photojournalist Mario Salas-Cont. Writer Roger Jackson-Photographer Fred Smith-Advertising/Sales James Johnson-Distribution Allen Carlton-Distribution David Johnson-Distribution E.C. Davis- Intern • Advertising: 713-692-1178 • Houston: 713-692-1892 • Fax Line: 713-692-1183 • General: news@aframnews.com • Ads: sales@aframnews.com • Web: www.aframnews.com African-American News&Issues is published by African-American News &Issues, Inc., 6130 Wheatley Street Houston, Texas 77091, (713)692-1892.

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Diedria B. Joseph The Houston Minority Business Council (HMBC) addresses these issues and more by actively involving its members in efforts that will increase and Remyi Fredson- expand business opportuCole nities and business growth for minority business enterprises (MBEs). HMBC recently honored the 2008 Emerging Ten (E-10) Award Winners.

This award honors ten of HMBC’s top minority-owned business owners. These HMBC certified minority business enterprises (MBEs) are setting trends and embracing the future with innovative practices and solutions.

Business owners receiving this award are recognized for making significant contributions to their industry and community; for expanding the economies locally and nationally. They also encourage other minority business own-

African-American News&Issues • Texas • December 17-23, 2008 • 3 ers to strive for excellence in their own industries. These companies’ exceptional service, overall industry enhancement, community involvement, innovative performance and doing business with, assisting, and mentoring other minority business enterprises (MBEs) had an overwhelming effect in their receiving the 2008 Emerging Ten (E-10) Award.

Ishu Wadhwani, owner of Applied Field Data Systems, Inc., and her husband Ashok, who serves as president, immigrated to the USA in 1970. Ishu established Applied Field Data Systems, Inc., in 1994. The company is a systems integrator and solutions provider firm offering GIS/GPS mapping solutions. The systems include GPS receivers, laser range finders, GPS enabled cameras and field data collection software. The firm also provides data management and application development services.

A. B. Bernard, a native of Beaumont, is general manager of BGI Contractors, Inc., which comprising several general contracting companies with over 200 employees, growing seasonally to 450.

BGI is a general contractor providing refinery mechanical maintenance, tank construction and repair, steel and pipe fabrication/ installation, field/shop construction, and ASME-coded pressure vessel fabrication. It specializes in Explosion Resistant and StormProof buildings and is a Butler Builder® providing commercial and industrial building design and construction.

BJ Farmer is president/CEO of CITOC, Inc., a computer programming firm specializing in network design, integration, maintenance, and consulting. CITOC, “Change Is The Only Constant” recently implemented a new ERP System with customer facing portals. This provides companywide visibility internally and for clients. They have also connected their voice over IP telephone system to the employee’s houses thus enabling flex time and savings on considerable drive time and costs.

Carla Lane is president/CEO of DiverseStaff, which she joined in 2003 as senior vice president and Chief Operating Officer and purchased the brand name in 2008.

Under Lane’s leadership, the DiverseStaff footprint has grown by an additional seven states, increased its portfolio to include Fortune 100 and 200 clients and has become a leader in government contracting. DiverseStaff is dedicated to providing organizations with quality staffing solutions resulting in excellent employment opportunities for their associates.

Jim Metcalf, president of Filter Resources, Inc., established the firm in 1983 to offer filtration products: air, gas, liquid separation, ASME code fabrication, filter elements, filter cartridges, filter bags, waste water, process filtration and rental equipment to major corporations.

They maintain four distribution centers and 33 warehouses within their customer’s facilities in order to reduce customer inventory, customer cost and increase efficien-

cy. Filter Resources has established itself as the premier filter distributor to refineries and petro chemical plants on the Gulf Coast.

Ron Martinez, is president of Martinez Design Company Martinez Design Company, established in 2002, as an advertising and marketing firm specializing in graphic design, branding, corporate identity, and marketing strategies and measurement. Martinez started the business by serving an under-served small minority business market. An award-winning graphic design service, the company always put its clients first; listening intuitively to their needs and providing customized solutions based on years of experience and proficiency.

Dr. Hubert Darnell Glover president of REDE, Inc., established in 1998, provides an array of business support services for federal agencies and large commercial clients.

Their services include onsite IT support from help desk to cyber security and networking and website support; financial management support from budgeting to reporting and procurement; document management support from reproduction to mailroom operations to records management; and, an array of administrative support services from secretarial to logistics.

Terry Smith, AIA, Smith & Company Architects, established Smith & Company Architects in Tampa in 1999. In 2001, he relocated his headquarters to Houston, Texas. Smith & Company Architects is a full-service architectural and interior design firm. They are advanced with the latest technology using Building Information Modeling in each project to assist with the clients needs in the design of their buildings. Today Smith & Company Architects is considered one of the top architectural firms.

Remyi Fredson-Cole is president of ThotBox Solutions Group, established in 2003, is an IT and Knowledge Management firm managing a portfolio of brandedniche solutions spanning multiple markets. ThotBox Solutions has leveraged a virtual work place to manage overhead as an innovative practice of doing business. This involved assembling a streamlined commissioned call center and virtual PBX system that created a corporate, always accessible presentation to the customer.

Ms. Diedria B. Joseph is president/CEO of Topp Knotch Personnel, established in 1995, is a full-service executive search firm with nationwide capabilities. Topp Knotch specializes in accounting finance, administration, call center, procurement, vendor management and professional placements. Topp Knotch has undertaken the task of integrating their systems to provide efficiency relative to “Shareholder Satisfaction”.

Their shareholders are their clients and employees. This integration has allowed Topp Knotch to gather valuable information relative to market trends and corporate analysis.

For more information, call the Houston Minority Business Council at (713)-271-7805.

WILLIAMS- from Page 1

SEAT- from Page 1

him as a hero, and applauded his efforts to halt doing business with Bank of America, because the bank was not participating in the “bailout efforts” to help struggling businesses in the area.

to receive ill-earned financial benefits for himself. Many folks are now calling Chicago one of the “dirtiest states in the country.” Presidentelect Barack Obama was saddened by the latest turn of activity and is now calling on his staff to review any conversation that might have happened by anyone on his team with the governor. Obama has called for the governor to resign, echoed by most people.

to Blagojevich and his administration, the governor would make sure the funding was guaranteed.

This could be the sign of things to come.

Reporters, writers and talk show hosts may have just won their first victory in the battle to keep out the intimidation of politics. According to the affidavit, agents learned Blagojevich was seeking $2.5 million in campaign contributions by the end of the year, with a large part allegedly to come from companies and individuals who have received state contracts or appointments.

Just a Hero What a difference a day or so could make. Many in the state and across the country, were hailing

The Tony Rezko Connection And just when we think we have heard enough about Tony Rezko, he surfaces again. This time there is a connection to the governor.

Antoin Tony Rezko, is awaiting sentencing, but he was also a fundraiser for Blagojevich. The governor’s chief fund-raiser, Christopher G. Kelly, is due to stand trial early next year on charges of obstructing the Internal Revenue Service.

According to the complaint, Blagojevich schemed with Rezko

sional dancers performing a mixed repertory of modern, jazz, ethnic and spiritual works by nationally and internationally known choreographers. Her vision to educate, promote diversity and raise cultural awareness in the DFW community and abroad along with her many personal accomplishments embodied the criteria of the recipient of the 2008 BCAG Award. Regarding her selection as an award recipient, Williams simply stated, “I am honored to be considered for such an award. To see all the young people that were also finalists, I know where their journey is going and it is good to be recognized along the way. I wish them all the success in their journey and just keep going.”

The Business Community Awards Gala is an annual professional and community-oriented event that aims to highlight outstanding professional and community leaders of the DFW metroplex while generating funds to support the scholarship programs of the host non-profit organizations, the National Association of Black Accountants and the National Black MBA Association. Other award finalists included: Vonja Fleet (founder and program director) and Peter Burns (program director) of The National Pre-Law Institute for Youth, Tony Reed, CPA, PMP (co-founder and executive director) of The National Black Marathoners Association, and Alicia D. Sanders, CPA (founder and CEO) of Amenity Financial Services. President Michael Sorrell, of Paul Quinn College, served as the Master of Ceremonies for the evening while Tiffany Blue kept the evening ablaze with jazz and R&B serenades throughout the reception and awards ceremony.

Williams is a founding member of the Dance Council and The International Association of Blacks in Dance. She received her early dance training under Barbara Hollis, Edith James, Doris Humphrey, and Charles Weidman. She received additional training under Alvin Ailey and Arthur Mitchell. She is a graduate of Prairie View A&M University and earned a Master of Arts Degree in Dance and Related Arts from Texas Woman’s University.

She holds a certificate in Arts Management from Texas A&M University, received an honorary Doctor of Humanities from Northwood University, and in May 2008 was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Dance from Texas Women University. She is a 2002 inductee into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame; and in April 2005, she was honored at The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. as a part of the Masters of African-American Choreography series. Williams has received many awards and honors for her support and commitment to the arts and service organizations. For 44 years, she was married to the late Nathaniel Williams, and their daughter Angelia, is a graduate of Florida A&M University School of Business and Industry and University of Dallas School of Business Management.

Pay to Play This is just the tip of the iceberg. Keep your eyes open. We are all buckled in for a long ride.

Although many in politics admit that “pay to play” has existed in various forms for many years, the blatancy of the governor will now call all actions of this type to light.

TX-3

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Ph:281-447-3448 Fax:281-447-8822 11005 North Fwy#A Houston, TX 77037

www.georgelunnon.com A sign of a good insurance agent that will care about you is one that cares about the community. George W. Lunnon, Jr. is that kind of agent. Among his activities, he is active in Greenspoint Mng. District, Greenspoint Chamber, Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, and is a charter member & President of 100 Black Men.

Rate and size of ad to run in AAN&I’s Houston/Galveston edition.

713-862-4332 Ask for Rodrick Publication Date: November 28- December 4, 2007 FUNERAL HOMES

CHILDCARE Name: Debbie Richards Address: P.O. Box 310245 LL&S &S AUTOMOTIVEHouston,TX 77231 See Page 2 Small World Academy Small World Academy for more information!!!

Phone: (713) 779-8877 or Acres Homes Come in or Call for more information “Learning to Compete” Automotive (832) 835-1007 713-692-1195 Fax: (281) 835-1008 6960 T.C. Jester (@ Little York) • LICENSED 1.5” Ad for 52 weeks BY THE STATE 6130 Wheatley Street Tune Ups -A/C Work • NEWBORN- 13 Years Houston, Texas 77091

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Houston, TexasMr. 77008 • QUALITY CHILD Name: Robert Leday REGULAR This is the price andSTORE size of the to run in CARE TotalHOURS: Cost forAd 52 weeks: • TRANSPORTATION 713.869.4529 Company: L&S Small World Academy 1” Ad ForThursday: 4 Weeks 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

WELCOME $780.00 • DROP-INS 17, Friday: 11 a.m to 7 26-December p.m.

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Floyd’s Premier and so will your 2201 W. LittleInformation: York Contact CUSTOMERS! Houston 77091 Mr. Elias Michalopoulo Please call Name: (713)688-7325

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2306 Ferguson Way Phone Number: 281-701-3790 for more information Houston 77088 Fax: 281-597-9990 (281)931-5591 Elliott Community Shop 13030 Woodforest Suite G Houston 77075 (713)455-2321 Hair Design by Antoinette 163 Greens Rd. Houston 77060 (281)875-4993 Individual Styles 11635 Homestead Houston 77016 (281)639-2334

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Ad Contact Information:

CIVIL RIGHTS ORG. Morgan Harris Funeral Home Name: Cynthia Rean 8011 West Montgomery National Address: Black United Front 3632 MainerHouston St. Suite Texas A 77088 Houston Chapter (281)820-2391 Houston,TX 77021 Phone: (713) 747-0382 Chairman Kashmere Funeral Home Kofi Taharka 5908 Lavender Fax: (713) 747-0382 Houston Chapter Houston Texas 77026 (713)633-3809 Meetings Monday @ 7:00pm O.W. Wiley Mortuary, Inc. 1290 Pinemont Dr. 2428 Southmore Houston, 77004 Houston, Texas 77018 www.nbufhouston.org 1 x 1.5” Ad For (713)681-7475 4 Weeks

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Hands on Business Services $25.00 Computer RepairTotal $60 Cost to run ad: Aids of Houston Hearing id in full and this ad sheet MUST be signed by 12 noon 281-975-9649 Please approve the ad and fax to 713-692-1183 by Noon Wednesday. $225.00 Sandi Coe, M.A., CCC-A rlbcandw@yahoo.com Wednesday the week prior to ad being to ran.

CLINICAL AUDIOLOGIST Ad must be paid in full byProfessional 12 NOON Wednesday or the ad will notCREDIT run. REPAIR Hair Designers of TX

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This 1.5” ad could be Ad Heading: your for just $150 for Adoption 4 weeks!

Please callsize AAN&I This is the price and ofatthe Ad to run in (713) 692-1178 AAN&I’s Greater Houston Marketplace ADOPTION for more information!

Ad Contact Information:

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TEXAS

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4 • African-American News&Issues • Texas • December 17-23, 2008

This 1” ad could be 10767 Eastex Freeway Houston 77093 yours for only $100 Date(713)691-0868 for 4 weeks!

Call 713-692-1892 for Rogers Barbershop more information!

2113 West Little York

Borris L. Miles

Supporting The Community

Auto • Home • Life Disability • Annuity Commercial Health Insurance

Bus. 713-355-8331 Fax: 713-355-8318 Pgr. 713-406-1088 5302 Almeda Rd. Hou. TX 77004 email:bmiles@bmilesinsurance.com

MEDICAL

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Please sign for approval and fax back to Me n713-692-1183 t i o n t h i s AD Ge t $ 5 0 t o $ 5 0 0 o ff Three Riverway, Suite 555 for Wednesday H-E-B 31st Annual publication or the ad will by 12 NOON Friday before nothosts run.

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NEED A WILL? QUESTIONS ON PROBATE? FOR FREE INFORMATION Contact Attorney Oswald J. Scott, Sr.

713/227-8060

texasprobateandwills.com Not certified by theTexas Board of Legal Specialization

SYLVESTER TURNER Attorney At Law

Spoil & Pamper Me Day Spa & Salon Date

Signature

The Unique Salon for “The Phenomenal Woman” We offer: Complete Healthy Hair Care for All Type Hair Free Hair Analysis Precision Cuts, Relaxers, Styles, Perms Texturizers, Hair Extentions Hair Protein Infusions

713-271-7805 | www.hmbc.org

Come join the “LUNCH BUNCH”

at the African American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston’s SAVE THE DATE !!!!

Business Networking Luncheon and the 4th Annual Career Opportunity Expo 2009

Christmas Luncheon and Legislative Date Update

HOUSTON- Communities across Houston are invited to the Al Edwards’ 31st Annual Christmas Luncheon & Legislative Update, on Saturday, December 20, 2008, at Wyatts Cafeteria, 4423 Griggs Road. The legislative update will explain laws passed in the last session such as; FEMA, Education, Healthcare, Job Opportunities, Youth, Crime, and activities for MLK Holiday 2009. For more information, call (713)741-8800.

HELP WANTED

Annual Feast of Sharing for Communities

HOUSTON- With the holiday season comes the annual H-E-B hunger-relief program, Feast of Sharing.

Feast of Sharing is an integral part of the chain’s ongoing commitment to improve the quality of life and combat hunger in the communities we serve. Started in Laredo and Corpus Christi in 1988, the Feast of Sharing program brings together hundreds of H-E-B Partners and community volunteers each year to serve a nutritious holiday meal.

Heading Title: This year, H-E-B will host Education 28 Feast of Sharing dinners in 22 Texas cities. Volunteers will prepare and serve more than 250,000 hot meals, with Contact Informat most meals prepared in the Name:Timothy Williams stores’s own Mobile KitchCompany: North Houston H en. It willPhone: be held in Hous713-686-6900 ton, on Wednesday, DecemFax: ber 17, 2008, at the George R. Address for tearsheets: Brown Convention Center, 1126 West Tidwell 1001 Avenida de las AmeriHouston, Texas 77091 cas, from 4 p.m. - 9 p.m. For more information on the Feast of Sharing, please call H-E-B at 1-(800)432-3113.

Ad Cost:

Rate and size of Ad to run in AAN&I’s Please approve the ad, sign and fax to 713-692-1183.

Thursday, January 15, 2009 Part Time Office Hours: Ad must Tues-Fri be paid in full and this 12:00 ad sheet MUST be signed by 12Cleaning noon PM Houston/Galveston Person neededmarketplace. on 10am-7pm Sat 7am-4pm Luncheon Ticket Prices (Mon. Appointments Only) in the Northwest Houston Wednesday the week ad being to DATE: ran.

November 12, 2008-May 6, 2009 Presale:prior $25.00 to EDITION area. Must be reliable.

Masseur & Reflexologist on Staff

Barnes & Turner

Attorneys At Law Signature 440 Louisiana Street 1880 Lyric Centre' Houston, Texas 77022

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For more information, call AAN&I staff at (713) 692-1892.

TX-4

16630 Imperial Valley #242 Houston, Texas 77060 281-447-5252 Hiring Hairstylists & Nail Techs

(commission or booth rental) Ask for Natasha or Jacquie

Teran Barber Shop 661 Rose Houston 77015 (713)671-0011 Tracy’s Beautiful Braids and Beyond

8222 Antoine Dr. Suite 101 Houston 77088 (832)888-3906

“I’m not a politician. I only want to help relieve the suffering in communities, and I want to help people see their community in each other.”

- Russell Simmons

At the Door: $40.00 RSVP by January 13, 2009 You can register & pay online.

Date

The Luncheon and Expo will be held at: Hyatt Regency Hotel

1200 Louisiana Street Houston, Texas 77002 For more information, please call (713) 692-7003 Email: webmaster@aaccgh.org Website: www.aaccgh.org

Support Local Black Businesses !!!!

Where we spend OUR money is IMPORTANT!!!!!

Please call 713-692-1100 for more information

EDUCATION

Now Hiring & Enrolling for Fall 2008!

North Houston High School for Business (Grades 9-12)

Attorney Timothy L. Williams, Executive Director

North Houston Multi-Language Academy (Grades 1-5)

1126 West Tidwell, Houston, TX 77091

No Tuition Costs • Free Transportation Call: 713.686.6900

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MARKETPLACE

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INVESTMENTS

Retiring, Changing Jobs or Laid Off? Don’t Leave Your Money With Your Former Employer Let me assist you with your Retirement Plan Options!!

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PHOTOGRAPHY

Creative Colours By RJ Outdoor PortraitsCommercial Weddings Fashion-Advertising

713/734-1442 4925 Richfield Lane

Houston, TX 77048

Roger Jackson, Photographer

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Call (713) 692-1892

United States Christian Chamber of Commerce to host “Third Thursday” Networking Luncheon

FT. WORTH- The United States Christian Chamber of Commerce (USCCC) will host their “Third Thursday” Networking Luncheon, on Thursday, December 18, 2008, at noon, at the Austin Plaza, 2401 Scott Avenue.

The USCCC is an avid advocate for economic empowerment, economic parity, Christian values, business ethics and integrity in the Marketplace. Their mission is to unite Christian-friendly individuals and businesses, leverage their economic power and impact their community, because they believe that “Everyone Needs God and a Job”.

The guest speaker for the Luncheon will be Roy C. Brooks, Tarrant County Commissioner. Commissioner Brooks has had a long career in Public Affairs. He served for 14 years as Precinct Administrator for Tarrant County, Precinct One. Additionally, he served three terms (six years) on the City Council for the City of Forest Hill, during which time he served as Mayor Pro Tem. He has also embraced four intitiatives as County Commissioner; Healthcare for the Homeless, Team Health (a Tarrant County Public Health initiative to reduce minority health disparities), Prisoner Re-entry, and E-Government. Ticket prices are $15 for members and $20 for individuals. There is limited seating and all attendees are encouraged to pay in advance for guaranteed seating.

For more information, please call Lisa Bills at (469) 227-4292.

Realtor Now! Frances Campbell 281-414-2211

Need an Appraisal? www.WeTCB.com

713-882-8262

Lloyd George Enterprises “Fair Market Value” Appraiser@WeTCB.com

RESTAURANTS

AUSTIN-Responding to the broad range of legal problems resulting from Hurricane Ike, Texas legal aid organizations and the Houston Bar Association have developed an online resource to assist low-income Texans affected by the disaster in obtaining free legal

MARIO SALAS

African-American News&Issues

LACY’S

to run in AAN&I’s Houston/Galveston edition.

Date: November 28- December 4, 2007

• TRANSPORTATION • DROP-INS WELCOME

24- Hour DAY CARE SERVICE

This ad space could be (713)L&S 697-7879 YOURS! 401 West Donovan Get this 2” ad for Houston, 77091 (Between N. Shepard for 4 weeks for& Yale) only $200!

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SCHOOL/CLASSES Company: L&S Small World Academy

MIN. ROBERT MUHAMMAD

Connect the Dots 10:00- 11.30 a.m. Wed

KPFT 90.1 FM

to FEMA appeals and other disasterrelated issues.

LiveHelp is free for those who qualify and can be reached through the Web site www.TexasLawHelp.org.

Attorneys are available weekdays from 11a.m. to 5 pm.

ized with statues and place names all over the political landscape. There is a disgraceful statue to the Confederacy in Travis Park in Downtown San Antonio and the list goes on. These names should be removed, as they reflect those evil men that fought to defend slavery and racism.

We don’t want to hear justifications claiming that these men were just part of their time, because there were plenty of good men who refused to support slavery and the racist southern cause. There are plenty of counties named after Texas Rangers in the state and reflect the bigotry and hatred that these man had against Mexicans and Blacks. In San Antonio, McCulloch Street is named after arch racist Ben McCulloch.

When Texas seceded from the union in 1861, McCulloch received a commission from Jefferson Davis, the president of the slave owning Confederacy.

He was placed in charge of the troops that demanded the capitulation of all Union military forts in Texas, and surrounded the federal arsenal in San Antonio with more than 1,000 troops. A majority of them were connected to the Knights of the Golden Circle, a KKK-type organization.

The federal arsenal surrendered and all prop-

erty was turned over to McCulloch in San Antonio.

This shattered the dreams of Blacks in San Antonio who must have thought that a chance for freedom was possible. McCulloch went to organize genocidal campaigns against Native Americans in Texas and other places.

Hays proved to live up to his name as a “devil” who was part of the “Texas Devils,” a term that Mexicans used to refer to the Texas Rangers because of their racist acts of murder against the Mexican population.

Hays engaged in genocidal campaigns against the Comanches and Mexican in small and major battles. It was not because he was so great and fearless that he was able to defeat a large number of Indians in a few battles, but it was a simple matter of superior fire power.

Hays became famous for murdering Mexicans and Indians alike with the use of the newly invented Colt Revolver. The Indians had no chance with spears, bows and arrows, and a few single shot rifles against Hays. The myths about Hays tend to be highly exaggerated and completely ignore the fact that he had better weapons which enabled him to defeat large numbers of Indians.

The Colt Revolver helped him to become falsely lionized by Texas settlers. Street

Ben McCulloch, was a man that hypocritically carried the banner of freedom in one hand and the whip of slavery in the other. after street and county after county are named after people that should never have been lionized and turned into heroes. Maybe one day, when the real story is finally told, and the myths that have racialized origins are revealed, people will want to remove them from places of honor.

Confederate soldiers and the defenders of slavery have no place of honor in American history. It is as hypocritical as it gets to turn evil men into heroes, and a simple quote clears it up quite well: “How can a man who carries the banner of freedom in one hand and the whip of slavery in the other ever be considered a true hero?”

Phone: (832) 338-4766 or (713) 249-9337 New Direction Job Service 8222 Antoine #112 Houston 77088 (281)447-0663 On Point Music & Dance 8222 Antoine Dr. Suite #250 Houston 77088 (281)447-3517

YOUTH SPORTS

L & S Youth Sports Basketball League

RADIO

information.

The new service, called LiveHelp, is available now and enables Hurricane Ike victims to conduct a live online chat with attorneys. Attorneys will answer questions and also refer those seeking help to legal resources specific

Many City Streets are Named After Racists

SAN ANTONIO- In the old historic Eastside of San Antonio, many of streets have been named after some of the most notorious racists in Texas history. The streets that run from west Cafeteria & Restaurant to east on the City’s Eastside Full Line Catering Service are named for such charHoliday Turkey Dinner 10-12 lb. Turkey - Cranberry Sauce acters as Jack Hays (Hays Cornbread Dressing - Giblet Gravy Street), Mirabeau Lamar Candied Yams - String Beans AUSTIN- African AmerSweet Potato or Pumpkin Pie(Lamar Street was named icans have a higher probaCranberry Sauce after this pro-slavery secbility of being obese, develFeeds 10-12 People ond president of the Repuboping high blood pressure, $64.95 lic of Texas), Dawson Street heart disease, high choles(probably racist Ranger Smoked Turkey Dinner terol, diabetes, and breast Nicholas Mosby Dawson), cancer than Americans $69.95 Burnet Street (first goverof European, Hispanic, or Fried Turkey Dinner nor of Republic of Texas Asian descent, according to and slave supporter), Nolan $69.95 several medical studies.

Street (probably named The African-American Holiday Ham Dinner after Philip Nolan, a racFitness Circle is a new exer$69.95 ist connected to schemes to cise group that meets every take over Mexico), Sherman Fried Turkey other Saturday to walk laps Street (probably named at Highland Mall, 6001 Air$40.00 after Sidney Sherman who port Blvd. The next fitness (Plus Tax - $10 Deposit) was connected with the racsession will be on Saturday, ist movement to establish 9606 Mesa Dr. @ Tidwell December 20, 2008 from a slave state in Texas), and (East Park Shopping Center) 9:00a.m. to 10:00a.m. many others.

713-631-3962 Each individual walks at Streets and the names their own pace. They will of parks and buildings in meet at the food court and Josie’s Place N. Shepherd Dr. all American cities reflect start walking at 9:15 a.m. 7473 Houston 77091 some bigotry, as the hero You may want to bring a (713) 695-7711 worship of racists was ramwater bottle and remember pant in the past. There are Leonard’s Famous Burgers to wear comfortable shoes. other examples of this in the LL&S &women S 1913 W. Little York Rd.Heading Title: Both men and are Small World Academy names of counties and placSmall World Academy Child Care invited.

There is no charge Houston 77091 (713) 686-3555 es in Texas. Caldwell and to join the fitness circle. to Compete” For“Learning more information, Sartins Seafood of Nassau Bay Hays County are named after bigots.

18023 Upper Bay Road please email Crystal Pollard • LICENSED

BY THE STATE Many men who fought Houston 77028 at austincircles@ymail.com.

• NEWBORN- 13 Years for the Confederate States Contact Information • LEARNING ENVIROMENT (281) 333-4040 of America have been lion• QUALITY CHILD CARE Name: Mr. Robert Leday

The AfricanAmerican Fitness Circle of Austin

Roy C. Brooks

Free Online Legal Help Now Available for Hurricane Ike Victims

REAL ESTATE HUD/RESALE AND NEW HOME SALES. Call Your Hometown

African-American News&Issues • Texas • December 17-23, 2008 • 5

Boys & Girls Ages 9 thru 18

For more information call (832) 338-4766 or (713)249-9337

ENROLL NOW !!

All games will be played at Harvest Time Community Center- 17770 Imperial Valley

In Memory of Reste Thomas, AAN&I Carrier for Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex

DALLAS- On November 22, services were held for Elder Reste Thomas at the Crusade for Christ C.O.G.I.C., 1234 South Ewing. Rev. Mark Beacham officiated the services and Rev. James R. Grant was the eulogist for the event which also consisted of sprayer by Pastor W.E. Tillman, song by Crusaders for Christ Choir and a Special Family Tribute by Issac Thomas.

Reste Jr., was born to Reste Thomas Sr. and Addie Thomas of Lisbon, Louisiana on June 29, 1950. He attended Mayfield High School and later joined the U.S. Army. He leaves to cherish his memories his loving wife: Debra Thomas; two daughters: Angie Martin and Renita Thomas: three sons; James R. Grant (Rochelle), Reste Thomas Jr., Michael Gopher, 11 grandchildren, and three greatgrandchildren.

He also leaves to cherish his memories his siblings; George Thomas (Linda), L.T. Thomas (Eva), Laura Thomas, Issac Thomas, Eddi Thomas, Irma Thomas, Earnest Thomas, Bernard Ford (Francine), preceeded in death by Louvinia Crew.

Active pallbearers were Reste Thomas Jr., Earnest Thomas, Rashiard Thomas, Charles Turner, Issac Thomas and Sherry Bennell. Honorary Pallbearers were Michael Gopher, Joshua Grant, James Grant, Victor Barnes, Darrell Price and Anthony Grant.

Funeral services were handled by Washington Memorial Funeral Home, 1950 Canada Drive in Dallas.

Thomas was a long time employee of AAN&I whose dedication to excellence and the expansion of the newspaper’s presence will be missed.

Elder Reste Thomas June 29, 1950-November 17, 2008 TX-5

Fidelity BC 9735 Nedwald St. Houston 77029 (713) 671-0095

CHURCH ADS and LISTINGS

BAPTIST

Greater Progressive MBC 840 Ringold Houston 77088 (281) 445-8603

Blessed Hope MBC 3741 Colvin Houston 77013 (713) 673-6309

Greater True Vine MBC 3010 Fontinot Houston 77026 (713) 672-9086

Bible Fellowship BC 10318 Antoine Dr. Houston 77086 (281) 447-0901

Green Meadow MBC 777 Green Meadow Lane Houston 77091 (713) 694-7624 Jerusalem MBC 2835 Fidelity Rd. Houston 77029 (713) 674-3794

Cliffdale BC 854 Enterprise Houston 77088 (281) 447-8850 Ebenezer MBC 1814 Jensen Houston 77026 (713) 222-0838

Mt. Ararat BC 5801 W. Montgomery Houston 77073 (713) 692-9954

SUNDAY SERVICE

8 AM and 11 AM

Mt. Ararat Community BC BIBLE STUDIES 9313 Lockwood Wednesday 7:30PM Houston 77016 Leonard N. Barksdale, Pastor (713)858-9801

Fifth Ward Missionary Baptist Church

Mt. Olive BC 3239 Areba St. Houston 77091 (713)812-9061

4300 Noble Street, Houston TX 77020 Ph: 713/675-5111 • Fx: 713/675-1522

Website: www.fwmbc.org

Fifth Ward Missionary Baptist Church members will endeavor to provide a strong foundation of love; we will stand on Biblical Truths; and we will equip one another to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our community and in our world.

New Pleasant Grove MBC 3221 Bain St. Houston 77021 (713) 672-7419

Olivet MBC 3115 Lyons Ave. Houston 77020 (713) 224-1515 Progressive MBC 944 Reverend B.J. Lewis Dr. Houston 77088 (281) 447-2342 Starlight MBC 9202 Willow St. Houston 77088 (281) 447-8788 St. Matthew’s MBC 870 Paul Quinn Houston 77091 (713) 695-2288

CATHOLIC St. Monica Catholic Church 8421 West Montgomery Rd. Houston 77088 (281) 447-5837

CHURCH OF CHRIST Brookhaven COC 8630 Southview Houston 77051 (713) 733-5664 East Houston COC 7515 E. Houston Houston 77028 (713) 631-7435 Homestead Rd. COC 7211 Homestead Rd. Houston 77028 (713) 633-1540

Everyday People with Jesse Simon

Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Pilgrim Place II

HOUSTON- The Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ‘s Housing Development Corporation (PHDC) held the groundbreaking ceremony for building Pilgrim Place II, a 60-bed housing unit for the elderly located at 4655 Aldine Mail Route. HUD officials, Midtown Consultants, Board Members, citizens of the community and residents of Pilgrim Place I were in attendance. Jewel Chandler, the event coordinator, provided hats, shovels and refreshments for those in attendance. Ray Wilson, president of PHDC, along with others provided information on the housing unit. Helping to ensure affordable housing for senior citizens is the mission of this project and others to come.

Those who gathered for the picture above are: Carrie Wilson, Rev. Keith Edwards, Richard Chandler, Harold Smith, Faye D. Wilson, Jewel Chandler, Dr. Ray F. Wilson, Rev. Myron Cloyd, Cynthia Munson, and Dr. Mary Holt Ashley.

Open Doors!

CHURCH

WWW.AFRAMNEWS.COM

6 • African-American News&Issues • Texas • December 17-23, 2008

CHURCH OF CHRIST 730 West 26th St, Houston, TX 77008

Sunday

Morning Bible Class 9:30 a.m.

Morning Worship 10:45 a.m.

Evening Bible Class 5:00 p.m.

Evening Worship 6:00 p.m.

Chorus Group Rehearsal 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday

MINISTER: Mid-Week Bible Class Theaster Maloy, Sr. 7:00 p.m.

OFFICE: 713/674-5131

140 Fidelity Rd. Houston Tx 77029

713/861-6625

Sunday

Early Worship 6 am Minister Frank Melton Jr. Sunday School 9:30 am Regular Worship Res.713/733-0868 10:30 am Off. 713/861-9249 Evening Worship 6 pm FX 713/861-2744 Wednesday Assoc. Minister General Song Practice Glen Burgess, Sr. 7:00 pm Bible Study 7:30 pm Res.713/734-8983

CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST

Historical Black Churches are IMPORTANT to our communities!

DUNCAN MEMORIAL

FIFTH WARD CHURCH OF CHRIST

CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST

SUNDAY 8:00 a.m. Worship 10:00 a.m. Bible Class 11:15 a.m. Worship 6:00 p.m. Worship MONDAY 10:00 a.m.

Gary Smith Ladies Bible Class Minister WEDNESDAY 7:30 p.m. Bible Class for all

Sr. Pastor Elder Greg Edwards (713) 674-5466

2222 Lockwood Dr. SUNDAY

Morning Prayer: 9:15 am Sunday School: 9:30 am Church Services: 11 am Duncan’s Vision Statement: “To train, educate, empower, evangelize, and to insipre the body of Christ by developing GODLY character through the word of GOD (2:Timothy 2:15).

Website

“GIVING, GROWING, & GAINING” 4308 Stonewall St. Hou. Tx 77020

713-672-2654

Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church 1055 W. Tidwell Rd. Houston 77091 (713) 680-1419

NON-DENOMINATIONAL Christian Life Community Church 8146 E. Houston Rd. Houston 77028

Hope In Christ Church 10310 Antoine Drive Suite A Houston 77086 (832) 882-7925

PENTECOSTAL Holy Temple Jesus Christ No.1 8409 Hoffman St. Houston 77016

UNITED METHODIST

Houston, Tx 77020

www.fthwardcoc.org

In addition to their other activities, the Fifth Ward COC also holds a Bible Class for non-members on Thursday nights at 7:30 PM. For more information on the various special events or activities you really should visit their website, it is very well done, informative and worth a visit even if you have another church home.

LUTHERAN

SHADY ACRES

FIDELITY CHURCH OF CHRIST “The Church That Cares”

Duncan Memorial holds Morning worship on Tuesday mornings at 11 am and Bible Band & Mission from 12-1 p.m. Choir Rehearsals are held every 2nd and 4th Wednesday night. They also have Friday night Bible Study at 7:30p.m.

Wesley UMC 7225 Homestead Houston 77028 (713)633-6849

Support Your Local Churches and Religious Organizations!

Gospel Musical Confessions of Preacher’s Wife comes to Houston

HOUSTON- Please join us for Bryan-Keyth Wilson’s “Confessions of a Preacher’s Wife: The Musical” based on the best selling novel by Mikasenoja, the First Lady of Urban Christian Fiction.

Bryan-Keyth Wilson, a native of La Marque, Texas, is sure to have the masses in stitches with his urban and edgy writing style.

He studied Musical Theatre & Dance at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, where he released his first play, No Ways Tired. The success of No Ways Tired re-

inforced Wilson’s belief that God called him to be a writer. He has also studied dance at The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and The Martha Graham School of Dance.

“Confessions of a Preacher’s Wife: The Musical” will run Saturday, December 20 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, December 21, 2008 at 5 p.m. at the Roy Cullen Theater, 500 Prairie, Downtown Houston.

Tickets are $30 presale; $40 at the door. Partial proceeds from the play will be donated to Galveston Hurricane Cen-

Bryan-Keyth Wilson ter to help restore Galveston churches that were damaged

by Hurricane Ike. For more information, please call, (409)682-4351.

Black Churches Celebrate Inauguration Ball

WASHINGTON- The African American Church Inaugural Ball will be held on Sunday, January 18, 2009 at 6 p.m. at the Grand Hyatt Washington, Washington, DC. The event is shaping up to be a star-studded affair with representation from the religious, business, arts and entertainment commu-

nities. The collective membership of African American Churches, and others, is invited to gather to honor the 44th President-Elect, Barack Obama, and the great history and strength of the African American church and its community.

The Ball’s theme, “We Have Come This Far By

Faith,” will be upheld as 25 extraordinary leaders are honored with the “Keepers of the Flame” Award. Recipients have an unshakable commitment to our future and an undeniable place in African-American history.

For more information visit www.AfricanAmericanChurchInauguralBall.com.

Emma Z.

2009 Poet Laureate Future Video Game Programer

Enroll Now For Spring 2009 Classes!

Whatever your aspirations, begin your journey at Lone Star College-North Harris.

Emma Z. was recently chosen as the college’s Poet Laureate for 2009. She has been writing poetry since the 2nd grade.

Enrolled at LSC-North Harris since 2006, Emma has her sights set on completing her associate’s degree and earning a bachelor’s degree in computer science, specifically video game software programming.

We can open the doors for opportunity.

Register Now! Spring classes begin Monday, January 12, 2009.

Call now or visit: NorthHarris.LoneStar.edu.

Affirmative Action/EEO College

LSC-North Harris

NorthHarris.LoneStar.edu

TX-6

2700 W.W. Thorne Drive 281.618.5400

LSC-Greenspoint Center 250 N. Sam Houston Parkway E. 281.260.3500

LSC-Carver Center 2330 S. Victory Street 281.618.5801

Visit our new and improved website at www.aframnews.com

SPOTLIGHT

YOUTH PAGE

WWW.AFRAMNEWS.COM

Our Future in the SP

African-American News&Issues • Texas • December 17-23, 2008 • 7

TLIGHT!

By E.C. Davis Send your youth items and photos to E.C. Davis via email: news@aframnews.com

Aaren Rochon Tousand

Lé Antranell Vanyce Gipson

Hailey Corinne Hopkins

6

Alexandria Marie Robertson

7

Jessica Michelle Guillory

11

Amber Gabrielle Jones

3

2

1

12

Cambrian Lidet Pichon

1. Victora F . Okopie , a 5 year old who attends Versa Reece Academy and is a A and B student. Okopie is involved in several activities and currently enrolled in jazz/tap & ballet @ reece. She also plays the Violin, participates in the after school enrichment programs and a second year spanish student. Her hobbies include horseback riding, creative art/drawing and has set goal of one day becoming be an A.K.A. 2. Running back is one of the top two glamorous positions in American football, the other is being quarterback. Tievon Encalande, a 15 year old who attends Hastngs High School.

Encalade plays foootball and a talented running back. Adrian Peterson who plays for the Minnesota Vikings is his favorite.

Encalade plans to study Architecture or Astronmy and become a successful black business man.

3. Krystle Fontenot, a student at Stephen F. Austin College majoring in Accounting. Accounting provides the means for organizing, summarizing and interpreting information about economic activities within companies and organizations.

Fonetenot will obtain the knowledge that managers, lenders, analysts, and investors use when obtaining this degree.

4. #17Mark SpiveyPosition: QBYear: Sr.Height: 6-5Weight: 180Hometown: Houston, TexasPrevious School: Westfield.

5. Britni Martin, a 10F - FHeight: 6-0 FreshmanPrevious AffiliationsConroeConroe, TX All-Greater Houston and AllDistrict for Coach Deidre Hinze* Averaged 17.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists as a senior* McDonalds All-America candidate* One of the top scorers in Texas Girls Basketball Association 2008 All-Star game* Three-time All-District performer and District “Newcomer of the Year” as a freshman* Four-time Academic All-Distrist honoree* National Honor Society member 6. Fallon Thomas #21 Pos.: G Ht.: 5-9 Hometown: Alamogordo, N.M. Previous School: Alamogordo (South Plains JC) Eligibility: Sr-1L Major: Sociology and Child DevelopmentAT HBU: (Junior - 2007-08) Played in all 25 games, starting 24…was third on the team with a .456 field goal percentage…grabbed 154 rebounds for second-most on the team, in-

4

Paige Miranda Barlow

8

Victoria Priscilla Francis

9

Varah E. Germaine Thornton

Mariah Cain

13

Megan Michelle Higgins

5

14

Jillian Ann Jackson

cluding 55 offensive boards…led the team with 86 assists, 35 blocks and 91 steals…started the season with a double-double against Texas A&M-Kingsville and repeated the task on against Tougaloo…poured in a season-high 16 points twice, against Oklahoma City and again at Texas-Permian Basin… reached season-highs of 11 rebounds against Tougaloo and 11 assists at Prairie View A&M...PREVIOUS COLLEGE: Was a First Team All-Conference member at South Plains College…holds the all-time assists record of 317 and holds the record for most assists in a game with 14…HIGH SCHOOL: All-District honoree last three years…all-time steals leader…

PERSONAL: Sociology and child development major…enjoys having fun and going out…one brother, Tevin…five sisters, Kalin, Briani, Tyra, Lauren and Taylor…daughter of Janis Thomas…born on Oct. 3, 1985.

7. Raquel Jones Pos.: G Ht.: 5-7 Hometown: Houston Previous School: Madison Eligibility: Fr-HS Major: HIGH SCHOOL: Graduate of Madison High School…earned Player of the Week honors and was named USA Today Player of the Week…made the Honor Roll and graduated in the Top 10 percent of her class...PERSONAL: Biochemistry and chemistry major…hobbies include texting and sleeping…biggest thrill in athletics is hitting three pointers…has one brother, Marcus…daughter of Rodney and Evelyn Batiste…born on April 26, 1990.

8. Jelela Simpson#3 Pos.: F Ht.: 6-0Hometown: Oakland, Calif Previous School: Tech (Contra Costa College) Eligibility: Sr-1L Major: Business Admin. and Management.AT HBU: (Junior – 2007-08) Played in 23 games and started 21… a .448 field-goal percentage, good for third on the team…led team in both rebounds (167) and defensive rebounds (107), averaging a team-high 7.3 a game…recorded 54 assists and 70 steals, both second on the team…one of three players to average double-digit points per game (11.0)…scored a season-high 21 points at Prairie View A&M...pulled down a season-high 13 rebounds twice…had three double-doubles...(Sophomore - 2006-07) Redshirt due to injury…Previous College: Transfer from Odessa College where she averaged 11 points, sev-

10

Ashley Nicole Reece

15

Jillian Alexandra Bellard

en rebounds and three steals a game…played at Contra Costa College in California where she was a First Team All-State and Second Team BVC Conference selection…High School: Three-time First Team All-City selection in volleyball, basketball and softball…Personal: Business administration and management major…enjoys talking on the phone, shopping and being around friends and family…is engaged to marry Mashaw Bennett on May 8, 2009...two brothers, John Simpson, II, and Jalance Simpson…one sister, Qiana…daughter of John Simpson and Ruth King…born May 3, 1985 9. Cindee WrightPlayed basketball at Charleston Southern her junior year, where she played in 25 games in her first season with CSU, starting the first nine contests of the season...averaged 3.6 points and 1.9 rebounds per game...tied for fourth on the team with 26 assists and ranked sixth among the Lady Buccaneers with 21 steals…prior to CSU, Wright spent two years at New Mexico Junior College...was an AllConference selection...averaged 18 points and 5.6 rebounds per game...named the team MVP in her second season...was 11th in the nation in scoring...made the Dean’s List in 2006 and 2007...HIGH SCHOOL: A graduate of Southwood High School…earned All-State honors in basketball and track… made the Honor Roll from 2003-05...PERSONAL: Undecided on academic major…enjoys playing basketball…two brothers, Craig and Cedric...one sister, Deirdre…daughter of Michael and Renee Wright…born on March 3, 1986.

10. Rice senior Jarett Dillard, who owns the NCAA career record for touchdown receptions (59) and a host of other national, conference and school records for receiving and scoring, was announced as part of their 65th annual team during a one-hour special that aired nationally on ABC Saturday afternoon.

Dillard is the first Owl to earn the distinction from the writers since Buddy Dial in 1958. In the first 15 years that the FWAA announced an All American team, a total of six Rice players were honored, beginning with Weldon Humble in 1946. He was followed by Froggy Williams and Joe Watson (1949), Kosse Johnson in 1953 and Dicky Maegle in 1954.TX-7

8 • African-American News&Issues • Texas -December 17-23, 2008

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Donnell Phillips, PHR Senior Human Resources Manager H-E-B Houston Division

His accountabilities include developing and implementing human resources strategic initiatives. He is also the gate keeper of H-E-B’s Position Management initiative, which managers the number of employees that a store may comprise in order to efficiently runs the business.

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He was Regional winner of the Spirit of H-E-B award as a Store Director and was a recipient of the “Bob Loeffler” HEB Pillar Award" in 2005.

He was also involved in the creation of H-E-B’s African Americans in Leadership affinity group and serves on the board for the Inter Ethics Forum, which focuses on race relations among teenagers.

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Prices Good Wednesday, December 17 Thru Wednesday, December 24, 2008 At Your Neighborhood H-E-B Stores.

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Limit Rights Reserved. We Accept Lone Star Card, visit www.heb.com WIC And Manufacturers' Coupons. Printed on recycled paper. ©2008 H-E-B Food Stores, 09-1013CS

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