African-American News&Issues

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July 4-10, 2007 ™ Vol. 12 Issue 22

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“I Believe” Page 9

Roundup from the

Lone Star Hoods

DALLAS− With eight Dallas police shooting investigations, one involving DART police and one involving the Arlington PD for a total of 10, members of the Black Panther Party, The Nation of Islam, Olinka Green and other community activists are demanding answers. They met with Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle and others at the Mt. Tabor Baptist Church in Oak Cliff to discuss the issue. The goal of the meeting was to make Kunkle and law enforcement aware of the feeling of the Black community concerning four Black men who were killed while in police custody.

New Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert said he will hold to his commitment made to Black leaders when he signed an agreement to help execute the Dallas Black Agenda. The initiative was crafted by the Dallas NAACP, the Urban League of Greater Dallas, the SCLC and other community groups. “I felt very comfortable with it, because those are the same messages I had been talking about for six to seven months before that,” Leppert said. “Making sure that we create a difference in the southern part of our city was absolutely critical, not only for the southern part of the city, but the entire city. We’re going to do the same [thing] we’ve done in this campaign and that is to make sure that we reach out to all parts of this community and that they all feel a part of it.”

See LONE STAR page 8

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Quote of the Week

“If there ever are great revolutions there, they will be caused by the presence of the Blacks upon American soil.”

Alexis de Tocqueville

“There are six times as many Americans behind bars as are imprisoned in the 12 countries that make up the entire European Union, even though those countries have 100 million more citizens than the United States.”

Minority Youth Explore Bold New Frontiers At Science Camp

INDEPENDENCE DAY 2007

Packed prisons mock the Land of the Free.

Zero tolerance laws negate freedom BUD JOHNSON

African-American News&Issues

“I call them persecutors. They don’t care. They don’t have no heart, they have no soul. They want a bill to arrest everybody.”

That statement was made by Rep. Harold V. Dutton, Jr., a Texas lawmaker who was berating what he considered an oppressive bill that he helped kill during the Lone Star State’s 80th Legislature Session. However, as this great nation celebrates 231 years of indepen-

dence on July 4, 2007, that’s exactly what time it is in the land of the free. Thus, citizens of good consciences are lamenting oppressive sentencing in several high profile cases, e.g., one of the highest ranking players on Team Bush.

See FREEDOM page 3

NATION

Barack Obama strikes a chord at rally in San Antonio MARIO SALAS

African-American News&Issues

SAN ANTONIO– Barack Obama visited San Antonio this past week to hold a rally at Sunset Station (St. Paul Square). Some 4 to 5 thousand supporters jammed the historic train depot to hear Obama give a stirring speech on his campaign trail to the White House.

Obama began his speech by pointing out that we have lived under a Republican Administration that has done many harms in dividing people into categories such as “blue states and red states.” Obama made it clear that his campaign was The nation observes it’s independence on the 4th of July, but that day notes a much more significant kind of freedom for the family and loved ones of John Stoot, Sr., whose long and productive life was celebrated on July 15, 2006 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 5102 Dabney, with Monsignor Patrick R. Wells, officiating.

John was given his ultimate freedom on July 4, 2006 when he was librated from earthly flesh and his spirit was with the Lord. Delores Melvin, Jacqueline Carmouche, Anisa Stoot and Constable Victor Trevino paid tribute to John with words, song and scripture during the order of service. In addition, Corey Stoot, Kenneth Lavier, John Celestine, Paul Stoot Jr., John Stoot Jr. and Dugan Caruthers were active pallbearers.

Eric Caruthers, Clifford Stoot, Jason Lee, Felix Stoot, Anthony Belamy, Dugan Caruthers Jr., Christopher Penson, Terry Stoot and Paul Stoot Jr., were honorary pallbearers for John, the oldest of eight children born to Felix and Josephine Stoot on March 21,

about uniting people and dealing with problems that confront Americans everyday. The hate that some elements of the Republican Party, corporate America, and the Temple Priest religious groups has generated is being challenged by the Obama campaign.

The issues addressed by Obama included “universal health coverage” for all Americans, including children, who cannot afford the greedy and unfair price structures of medical care and prescription drugs. Obama talked about the falsehoods associated with the Bush program of “No Child Left Behind,” which is about “leaving children behind” and forcing upon

john stoot

March 21, 1928-July 4, 2006 1928, in Opelousas, Louisiana. He was baptized at Holy Cross Catholic Church. John, who had to quit school at early age after his mother passed, worked in the fields to help his father raise his siblings. He later earned his GED and found a job working at Lou Ana Oil Company until he decided in 1946 to move to Houston, Texas.

He started work at a local rice mill and on weekends played with his band, “John and the Jumpin Jivers” with his brother, Clifford.

Barack Obama brought his message of unity to San Antonio. our educational system a standardized testing scheme that disreSee OBAMA page 3

They were the first African American Band to play at the historic Shamrock Hotel. He married Dorothy Franklin and later, Annie Mae Purifoy. Meanwhile, he started John’s Tire Service. He later sold the business and went into law enforcement. As a Harris County Sheriff Department deputy, John became a member of the Texas Peace Officers Association, which was established in 1930s under the name of The Texas Negro Police Association. He participated in shooting competitions at conventions and received numerous first place awards as an expert, master shooter and a marksman.

During this time, John started working for Texas Southern University Campus Police. In 1980, he worked for Precinct 6 under Constable Victor Trevino. He retired, however, from the Lockwood Bank. After ending his second marriage, John met Elgree “Maria” Caruthers, and they were united in Holy Matrimony on Feb. 24, 1983.

John, who was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters: Beatrice Thomas and Dorothy Lilly;

Bernard Harris, right, looks over an experiment with youngsters attending his camp.

DARWIN CAMPBELL

African-American News&Issues

BEAUMONT- Exploring new frontiers has always been the dream of Bernard Harris Jr. The former NASA astronaut, physician and businessman not only has followed and lived his dreams, but he is now engaged in his greatest mission of all - sharing his vision with youth cultivating future scientists, researchers and potential space travelers.

He serves as president of The Harris Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit organization he founded in 1998 to develop math/science education and crime prevention programs for America’s youth. “This really underscores what an education in math and science can do for them.” Harris said. “They (youth) get real excited about that. And that’s my main goal.”

Harris, the first African American to walk in space, is the founder of the two-week Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp. The camp is being held at Lamar University for the first time this year. Exxon/ Mobile Bernard Harris Summer

See HARRIS page 3

along with his brother Rev. Gussie Stoot, truly was a man that will be immensely missed by all. He will be remembered for his unconditional love for his wife, children, grandchildren, family and friends.

The children that he nurtured included: John Stoot, Jr., Evangeline Shaw (Stanley); Doris Giles (Michael); Jeane Stern (Jessie), Paul Stoot, Sr. (Tammy), Angela Celestine (John) and Corey Stoot; Becky Belamy (Anthony), Dugan Caruthers (Sandra), Debra Henson and Eric Caruthers.

He also left a legacy of wisdom and love for his grandchildren: Johntae, Anisa, Tiera, Paul, J.J., Dugan Jr., Christopher, Armand, Adam, Tiffany, Andre, Sasha, Caanan, Niki, Wayne, Mario, and Tamala. Others that he leaves behind to cherish his memory are his brothers: Felix (Mildred), Clifford (Dorothy), Lewis, Torry (Mary) and Amy Wilson (daughter), his aunt Coretha Reed, godson Kenneth Lavier (Donna), goddaughter Carol Branch, sister-inlaw Geneva Stoot, and former son-in-law, Lewis Gist.

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WE MUST UNDERSTAND: July 4th is Message

What to the American slave is your Fourth of July? I answer a day that reveals to him more than all other days of the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciation of tyrants, brass-fronted impudence; your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings, with all your religious parade and solemnity, are to him mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy’s thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages.

There is not a nation of the earth guilty of practices more shocking and bloody than are the people of these United States at this very hour.”

We Must Understand, as America celebrates its 231st birthday on July 4, 2007, one would be in denial to suggest that Fredrick Douglas’s caustic speech doesn’t reverberate in the minds of a disproportionate number of descendants of slaves (trapped in the underserved, crime and drug ridden urban jungles in the land of the free) as it did with their enslaved ancestors in 1852. Yet, our public schools have done a masterful job of convincing made in America Africans’ intelligentsia that they, indeed, can share the “American Dream.” They’re taught that they’re living in a land of opportunity and have freedom to be whatever they want to be.

Surely there’s a kernel of truth in that ideology, lest it wouldn’t

ON: Twilight Zone Logic

PUBLISHER’S NEWS ANALYSIS

I

Roy Douglas Malonson

thought I knew what publishing a newspaper (that reported all news without fear or favor) was all about. I thought that all one needed was the nerve and enough financial stability to not be compromised by political favors and/ or profitable (indecent) proposals.

I’ve always had plenty of the former, and the success of Malonson Company Inc. gave me the latter.

Even so, in hindsight I realize that I was thinking from the perspective of a community leader, rather than a bottom line entrepreneur. Consequently, there are moments when my common sense, business-oriented, political astute mind, challenges my sanity.

Not so much for publishing a newspaper, as it is my dedication to an uncompromised Black perspective. I’m not regretting my decision, but as our estimated 2 millions readers in over 43 Texas cities know, when my wife and I, Shirley Ann, decided to add a publishing arm under Malonson Company, Inc.’s corporate umbrella, becoming Texas’ widest circulated and read newspaper with a Black perspective was the furthest thing from our minds. We had put the pencil on the cost of a nice six to eight page monthly serving the northwest community, that was mostly ignored by existing media.

Especially the Black newspapers that focused on the same Black leaders and the neighborhoods within the South Loop that the White media mostly focused on. Therefore, the monthly Acres Home Community News was a very good idea and a reasonable investment. Even so, community newspapers that dwell on what is called “puff news” has little to do with the TX-2

kind of free press that Thomas Jefferson was alluding to when he made the statement, “Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter,” on Jan. 16, 1787, in defense of a newspaper that rubbed powerful politicians the wrong way by exercising its First Amendment rights.

Since I had already done the research on newspapers, I knew where Jefferson was coming from.

Make no mistake about it; albeit a free press is glorified as the cornerstone of democracy, they pick a fight with the government if they tell it like it is. Need I tell you how costly it is to fight a government that fights dirty?

But that’s the fight I’m in as we celebrate Independence Day 2007.

Ideally, all one needs to publish a newspaper is enough cash flow to pay for it to be published and circulated. But that doesn’t apply to a truly “free press” that challenges the system.

The best publications imaginable are only waste paper unless they get it in the hands of readers.

Consequently, distribution mostly becomes a major problem for Black publications that are arbitrarily refused rack space in well traveled venues. As a result, Black newspapers must choose between the cosmetics of their publication, or a low press run that can be easier circulated.

When we first hit the streets with a very colorful newspaper that wasn’t only FREE, but selectively home delivered, most Black newspapers were being sold. That’s no longer the case. Yet, it’s much eas-

be effective propaganda. In fact, there’s a preponderance of historical evidence that African Americans’ “token tenth” are doing well enough to let bygones be bygones.

And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Nevertheless, since African American News&Issues is arguably Black America’s strongest editorial voice that speaks for the tired, huddled, disenfranchised masses struggling in the ‘hoods; we would be remiss not to have cause to pause and ponder whether, or not, the material success of a token number of upward mobile African American elitists translate to a people’s progress.

Perish the thought that we want to discredit successful Black “role models.” Nevertheless, have you ever considered the messenger who delivered the July 4th message that’s still resonating 155 years later? We Must Understand, Douglas was relatively free, insofar as he not only was allowed to speak his mind, but history records that he married a White woman and even dined in the White House with Pres. Abraham Lincoln.

There are some very pertinent lessons to be learned from studying Black American’s history. However, there are many paradoxes in our history that should provoke questions. Surely, Douglas wasn’t much different from today’s “Black leaders,” who are not only allowed to speak boldly against an oppressive system, but are given a national forum via the media.

If not, while that thought is marinating in your mind, let’s take a look at why the American colonists went to war with England and compare it to the state of Black

BUD’S EYEVIEW

Come in or call for more info 713 - 692 - 1195

“Free Press” costs big bucks

“Our country must abandon all of the habits of racism, because we cannot carry the message of freedom and the baggage of bigotry at the same time.”

President George Walker Bush

Bud Johnson: The Old African Warrior

W

oebeit my permissive parents gave me freedom to make my own decisions, I quickly learned where Kris Kristosserson was coming from in his 1971 pop classic “Me and Bobby McKee,” that intoned, “Freedom is when you have nothing else to lose.” Need I expand that ideology, or do you grasp the concept that freedom ain’t free if it costs you something? For sure, even as a wee lad, I learned that my free will cost me too much to exercise.

My slick momma assured me that I was free to do whatever I was big and bad enough to do.

However, I could save myself a whole lot of pain if I simply did what she told me to do. Thus, freedom from pain translated to lying about my transgressions. Hey, you can queue up The Twilight Zone theme now, because I’m obligated to discuss our sacred free press, therefore I must trespass into The Outer Limits of duplicity to expose Freedom’s Lies, as we prepare to celebrate 231 years of free speech on Independence Day 2007.

I’m sure our estimated 2 million readers already know both clans that I hail from are noted “story tellers” that have no problem with creatively embellishing the truth. Thus, you might be a bit confused when I say that my loquacious elders truly condemned lying. In fact, my “Step Paw Paw” Richard Justice equated lying with slavery.

Yet, he was the biggest liar in Houston, Texas’ Fifth Ward ‘hood.

Mayhaps, you suspect my folks

were lying hypocrites who didn’t love Jesus, but don’t go there. In the strictest sense, a lie is simply an untruth. Yet, a lie has as much power as the truth that spiritually sets one free.

Need I explain that lying was a survival skill for slaves? Truth is, only rich White men were free to say what they wanted, to whom they wanted to say it to and not give a damn who didn’t like it. Working from that historical premise, you should understand why a free press must cover all news without fear or favor, lest they make the United States Constitution’s First Amendment one of Freedom’s (biggest) Lies. In essence, in a true democracy, one can’t truly be free if he or she has to lie to avoid costly consequences for telling it like it is.

Ahhh, come on and pray with me brothers and sisters, because I’m going somewhere with this. First, however, let me teach the word.

To wit (FYI: English has two words for lie. The verb ‘recline’ goes back, together with its Germanic relatives {German liegen, Dutch liggen, Swedish ligga, Danish ligge}, to a prehistoric base *leg-, a variant of the base ·lag- which produced lay.

Both come ultimately from IndoEuropean *legh-, *logh-, whose other English descendants include litter and low. The verb ‘tell untruths’ and its related noun come ‘from a Germanic base * leug-, * loug-, represented also German liegen, Dutch liegen, Swedish ljuga, and Danish lyve. The second syllable of English

ier to circulate 5,000 or less free newspapers within the city limits than it is to distribute over 400,000 statewide.

Especially, when politicians wage war against our paper racks that are also attacked by our opposition. I’m not just beating my own drum, but

since AAN&I is the only uncompromised newspaper that dares to fight the system, we find ourselves very lonely. I’ll discuss the high cost of a tell it like it is “Free Press” in our upcoming 13th anniversary edition (February 2008) and/or on Black Press Week (March 2008),

America. Taxation without representation notwithstanding, according to an Oxford University Press study: “The phrase ‘taxation without representation is tyranny.’ was coined by the fiery Boston lawyer James Otis, but it was not widely used. The elite’s lead was important, but resolutions and pamphlets would not alone have altered even one British policy, let alone start to change the fundamental terms of American life. From the Stamp Act in 1765 to the dumping of the tea, the resistance movement’s ‘punch’ came from the port cities, thanks to both ordinary people’s grievances and well-organized popular leadership. ‘Ordinary people’ is a broad term. In the port towns it covered seafarers, laborers, apprentices, journeymen artisans, master craftsmen, tavern keepers, and even small merchants. In the right circumstances it could cover slaves, though describing a crowd as comprising ‘sailors, Negroes, and boys’ was a standard way to disown it.”

We Must Understand, there’s a message there. If you fail to connect the historical dots with today’s big picture, you won’t get the message. Black leadership’s elitists learned the lessons taught by the elitist founding fathers, well. Thus, they use their lofty positions in the system to pimp “ordinary Black people,” under the guise of rebuking “taxation without representation.” Yet, when federal dollars target “ordinary Black people’s” neighborhoods, they’re misdirected into elitist representatives’pockets.

We “ordinary Black people” must rededicate ourselves to demanding better representation for our taxation on Independence Day 2007.

warlock from the same source….

Warlock: Etymologically, a warlock is a ‘liar on oath,’ and hence a ‘traitor’ or ‘deceiver.’ Indeed, the word originally meant ‘traitor’ in English.

It soon broadened out into a general term of abuse, and it was also used as an epithet for the’ Devil, but the modern sense ‘evil sorcerer’ did not emerge until the 14th century.

It started life as a compound noun formed from war ‘faith, pledge’ {a relative of English very and German wahr ‘true’} and -loga ‘liar’ {a derivative of leogan, the ancestor of modem English lie}-Arcade Dictionary of Word Origins.) Okay, now that I’ve impressed you with research skills, let’s cut to the chase: My grandpa, Rev. William Paul Fonteno defended his propensity to spin yarns (especially about ghosts) by reminding me that Jesus the Christ used parables to make a spiritual point, and I dare not call Him a liar. Even so, His precepts were often hyperbole. On the other hand, when Jesus could’ve lied his way out of harm’s way, He refused to diminish His soul’s spiritual freedom.

Free Press aside, most of today’s journalists fail to pass the Jesus test.

Ergo, I’m saying all of this to say that African American News&Issues don’t expect for young journalists that have too much to lose, to tell it like it is. Hence, since we don’t want what evil (Warlocks) in high places offer the media to tell Freedom’s Lies, we ain’t got nothing else to lose. Ergo, if we keep telling it like it is. I wonder if anybody knows where I’m coming from?

To contact Bud Johnson, please call 281- 847-9929 (8-5- Thurs. & Fri.) or via e-mail at Africanwarrior@aol.com

because I fully intend to still be fighting the good fight.

Meanwhile, publications dedicated to a truly free press lament the postage increase that impacts those that depend on subscriptions for their major source of revenue.

See FREE PRESS page 4

African-American News&Issues • Texas • July 4-10, 2007 • 3 HARRIS -from Page 1 Science Camp (BHSSC) is a free, academic program of The Harris Foundation. The foundation takes an active role in shaping education in students in middle and high school through college. Science, mathematics and engineering are critical to society’s infrastructure for the 21st century and preserving that future requires an investment in our youth today, Harris said.

Harris, who became NASA’s expert on bone loss in microgravity, loves to talk to students about his current work as a businessman in medical technology companies and about training for his first marathon. Harris credits his personal achievements and accomplishments to self-empowerment, self determination and uses it as the foundation to inspire young people that they can do anything, if they only set their mind to it.

Harris himself has accomplished many feats throughout his life. He grew up in San Antonio, but has lived in Houston for more than 20 years. In 1990, he was selected as a NASA astronaut and flew his first mission three years later.

A payload commander of STS-63, the first flight of the joint RussianAmerican space program, Harris accomplished his childhood dream by completing a walk in space, becoming the “First African American to walk in space.”

At the time of his retirement from NASA in 1996, he had logged more than 438 hours in space and traveled over 7.2 million miles. The native Texan was born in 1956 and earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Houston and later obtained a doctorate of medicine from Texas Tech University School of Medicine. A trained aerospace flight surgeon, he completed his residency at the Mayo Clinic and fellowship at the NASA Ames Research Center. Harris has received numerous awards and recognition, including election as Fellow of the American College of Physicians, NASA Space Flight Medal, NASA Award of Merit, a fellow of the American College of Physicians, and was the recipient of the 2000 Horatio Alger Award.

Other degrees include a Master of Medical Science from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Houston Clear Lake and two Honorary Doctorate of Science degrees from Morehouse School of Medicine and Stony Brook University (SUNY). He holds several faculty appointments including, associate professor in internal medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch and assistant professor at

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Baylor College of Medicine. Harris serves on several federal, state and corporate boards and is a licensed private pilot. On the ground, Harris has developed a broad range of business talents. He served as vice president of SPACEHAB, Inc., where he was involved in business development and marketing of the company’s space-based products and services.

He also was vice president of business development for Space Media, Inc., establishing an international space education program for students. In addition, he is a member of the board of some of the leading technology companies in the world. Collectively, Harris has 37 years of total experience in research, management and hardware/product development.

He continues to author numerous scientific publications. One of his main goals in the camp and program is to use his experiences to reinforce lesson for the students, who are learning about leadership along with science, technology, engineering and math. Harris loves to answer questions from youth including questions about his experiences as an astronaut and describing what it is like to see Earth from outer space.

“You have to choose to be successful,” Harris said “Life is long.

You don’t have to be just one thing.”

During his visit to Camp Lamar, campers prepared short reports about their accomplishments thus far, and exhibited their work to Harris. He also witnessed the teamwork and organization skills campers have learned by observing a science experiment called Raft Rally. In an appearance, he urged each youth to discover the values of math and science, to use their talents, set goals and work hard to achieve them.

The camp program was developed as a collaborative effort of the Harris Foundation, the Houston Independent School District, the University of Houston (UH) and the Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU), designed to support economically and/or socially disadvantaged students with limited opportunities. This year, the foundation has teamed with the Exxon/Mobil Foundation to increase the impact and expand the reach of the program to 20 campuses nationally.

We got mail...

Is the church, Black America’s salvation?

I recently read your article, asking this question, “Is the Black Church, Black America’s Salvation”? Mr. Editor, based on what you, and many have seen take place in our Black churches, where spiritual apostasy has taken over making the church look phony and ineffective.

Most of our churches are being led by spiritual counterfeits or pastors who are ignorant of biblical church leadership structure, as taught by the apostles. Since most of our Black churches are not organized according to the Biblical mandate, making itself vulnerable to spiritual counterfeits, dictators, unscrupulous characters, Pedophiles, homosexuals, you name it.

Mr. Editor, I thoroughly understand your answer as being “hell no”.

The Black church can very well be African Americans’ salvation both spiritual and secular, if our spiritual leaders would adhere to the biblical teaching as it relates to Church Leadership by ordaining a group of godly men to overseer and protect each local church.

These men in the Bible are called

OBAMA -from Page 1

es. These false premises have cost thousands of dead and wounded.

American troops have been abused in a senseless war. Obama also made it clear that those who have fought in this unjust war must be treated with respect and dignity by giving them the proper benefits such as medical and psychological care, which the Bush administration has undermined. Obama will be going against Hillary Clinton and a host of other Democratic hopefuls in the Texas presidential primaries.

Many are voting for Obama in this first round and if he doesn’t get the nod, they will then support Clinton. This seems to be resonating across the country as millions of Americans are sick of Republican Party bungling and will vote for almost any Democrat in order to sweep the Republicans out of office.

This spells doom for the extremist wing of the Republican Party and their Temple Priest Roman Empire allies.

Obama’s theme that has found resonance across the country is the idea of “acting together.” This approach is different from the Republican juggernaut of division: of liberals and conservatives, of

blue states and red states, of ethnic divisions, and worldwide divisions created by the war in Iraq.

Obama describes his campaign as “a campaign of hope” to deliver universal health care, end big business lobbying that has “gummed up Washington” and partisan bickering that prevents action from being taken on important issues. He also describes his campaign as “America’s Movement for Change.” This seems to resonate well across ethnic divides and class divisions. The crowd at St. Paul Square (Sunset Station) was one of the most diverse in the history of San Antonio.

All of the hate generated by the Bush White House, and other divisive elements in our society have to be cringing in their corporate chairs. The pseudo-religious transformation of politics is being challenged by most of the Democratic candidates, but Obama says it straight.

A return to hope, peace, accountability, citizenship, care for the elderly, peace in the world, and respect for American values is the theme song of Obama. Twelve years of hate radio, war, racism, and extremist intolerance can be challenged with an Obama win.

Woebeit, the media focused more on the trials of the poor, little rich girl Paris Hilton, than the fact that Lewis “Scooter” Libby (the highest-ranking White House official to be convicted of a felony since the 1980’s Iran-contra scandal), it becomes increasingly obvious that America is the most oppressive industrialized nation in the world.

Especially when prosecutors become persecutors by meting out big time for small crimes.

African American News & Issues found the Libby case especially engaging insofar as the judge who sentenced him to 30 months of hard time (in spite of appeals for leniency from some of the most powerful men in the world), just happened to be Black. Reverse racism aside, although Georgia’s Atty. General is Black, racism had been factored into the harsh sentencing of former high school outstanding student/athlete Genarlow Wilson.

The youth was given 10 years in prison for consensual oral sex with a 15-year-old girl when he was 17. Consequently, there’s a preponderance of evidence that a culture of fear lends credence to an article (The “Lock ‘em up” Society - are we being prepared to accept despotism?), that reveals: “Almost two million adults greeted the new millennium in American prisons. According to the Justice Policy Institute in Washington, D.C., there are six times as many Americans behind bars as are imprisoned in the 12 countries that make up the entire European Union, even though those countries have 100 million more citizens than the United States. If all

these people, mostly American citizens, actually belong behind bars, then we can truthfully conclude that the American experiment with democracy has failed.

“It has produced instead of a law-abiding populace a large criminal class that threatens the remaining population and must be kept in check by long-term incarceration. This is a damnable lie. We have been sold that lie by media, the giant corporations which own them, and the politicians who are in their service; a lie intended to arouse within us an irrational fear for our personal safety sufficient to still our better judgment and to accept measures which are clearly not in our best interest. With few exceptions, such as violent criminals, locking up people will not make us safer. There is little relationship between large-scale incarceration and the crime level. But there is a very direct relationship between the harshness of the criminal code and the liberty of the citizens. Are we being conditioned to accept a despotic regime?”

According to the activist group Defending Justice, there’s a better way: For example, Cuba’s criminal justice system is far superior. “Instead of societal isolation prisoners are allowed to wear street clothes, earn a comparable income (to that of a free person who holds the same occupation), and are incarcerated in their home province no matter what their security level is. Additionally, prisoners become eligible for a conditional release program halfway through their sentence (for sentences of under five years), through which they work on farms or in factories with coworkers who are not informed

of their prisoner status. Of those prisoners who participate in alternative programs such as the conditional release program, the recidivism rate is about 15%.” For sure, since 9/11 zero tolerance police departments throughout the land of the free tend to arrest first and ask questions later.

Ergo, You can beat the rap, but you can’t beat the ride is a reality that’s in direct violation of the U. S. Constitution. Cutting to the chase: Most citizens don’t realize that an arrest occurs when an officer’s words or actions would convey to a reasonable person that he or she is not free to leave. California v. Hodari D., 499 U.S. 621, 628 (1991). Thus, an individual may be under arrest whether uncuffed on the street, guarded by officers in a special command or locked in a precinct holding cell, so long as a reasonable person would conclude that he or she is not free to leave.

However, the “probable cause” statue requires the officer have information “sufficient to warrant a prudent person, or one of reasonable caution, in believing, in the circumstances shown, that the suspect has committed, is committing, or is about to commit an offense.’” Need we waste space telling it like it is in the nation’s crime and drug infested underserveed ‘hoods?

Surely, unless you are detached from reality, you have cause to pause and ponder how America’s citizens of good consciences can sincerely celebrate Independence Day 2007 when racial profiling, zero tolerance policing (in underserved ‘hoods), and a double-standard criminal justice make a mockery out of The Land of The Free?

elders that rule the church, sharing their leadership abilities and serving in plurality. There is no substitute for these calibers of men.

Please let me make myself clear, when I mention elders, I’m not talking about preachers.

I am talking about men of wisdom that have been saved, have the desire to oversee God’s church that meet biblical qualifications.

The one-man leadership with his deacon helpers is not the biblical mandate for church leadership.

This type of leadership has worked havoc on the Black man, the Black family, the Black church, the Black community and culture.

The degradation of AfricanAmericans is prevalent because we are not an elder-oriented group of people in our churches, nor in our

culture. Therefore, I am sending out a “plea” to pastors to ordain qualified men to become elders (leaders) for our survival. Mr. Editor the Black church can be Black America’s salvation both spiritual and secular, when we adhere to the divine principles set out in scripture. My answer is “well, yes.”

Minister James M. Phillips Houston, TX

spects the role of the teacher and the importance of education that is not “teaching to the test.” Obama struck a chord with those at the rally as loud cheers went up in his obvious implication that the TAKS Test in Texas is a totally worthless instrument. Most professors would agree that the TAKS test is a worthless instrument in estimating a student’s ability, and much of the information on the test must be untaught at the college level especially in the social sciences.

To hear that students are still being taught that “Christopher Columbus discovered America” when all of science recognizes that the Vikings and the Chinese both came before Columbus is a total educational disservice. To hear that the Alamo defenders were heroes is but another example of leaving out the details that they were heroes to the slave owners who opposed Mexico’s abolition of slavery.

Obama reminded the audience that he voted against the authorization for war with Iraq. Most Americans have come to realize that the Iraq War is totally senseless and was generated under false premisFREEDOM -from Page 1

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POLITICAL NEWS

4 • African-American News&Issues • Texas • July 4-10, 2007

Austin residents want to know “Is Acevado the answer?”

DARWIN CAMPBELL

African-American News&Issues

AUSTIN- The hiring of new Austin Police Chief Art Acevado will not bring an automatic stamp of public confidence or approval from the community. He is being touted as a veteran known for building bridges and partnerships between law enforcement and diverse communities, but is he the right man for the job?

It appears from public comments made after candidates met with citizens in forums before his selection, bred more public skepticism and questions about him than optimism. It raises real questions about whether the selection process was just window dressing and how much do Austin city leaders value and respect concerns and comments from its own citizens.

Acevado was chosen by a 70 vote by the city council, affirming City Manager Toby Hammett Futrell’s choice to fill the post after input from citizens and the communities Acevedo has served. He is the city’s first Hispanic police chief, but despite his strong support and endorsement from the top level of Austin city government, Acevado’s success or failure in his new post lies with his ability to build confidence and support from the grassroots minority communities and neighborhoods that make up Austin.

Acevedo is inheriting problems in his new job that includes eroded public trust, especially in Black and Hispanic communities numerous investigations and the recent rash of controversies surrounding the department. Reports show incidents involving African Americans were increasingly troublesome and

raised serious questions about the APD’s attitude about policing in the Black community.

On June 19, 2004, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), represented by the Texas Civil Rights Project, filed a 16-page complaint with the Department of Justice against APD and the City of Austin alleging that Austin’s African American and Hispanic residents disproportionately met with excessive force and abuse of search powers through consent searches.

In June of 2002, Sophia King, a mentally ill Black woman, was shot and killed by an Austin Police Officer. A year later, 20-year-old Jessie Lee Owens, also Black, was shot and killed by another officer.

Two years later, 18-year-old Daniel Rocha was killed during a traffic stop related to an undercover drug sting.

In February 2005, the NAACP supplemented its DOJ complaint with information concerning the use of racially-charged words, “Burn baby burn,” that appeared on just one of many text messages by 10 police officers and employees during a fire at the Midtown Live Nightclub in Northeast Austin. This highly charged incident attracted national attention Just recently, another Black man was shot and killed outside a nightclub by an Austin police officer. That incident is under investigation. In public meetings held for police candidates, citizens wrote comments for city leaders to consider about each of the five candidates.

After introductions, comments, interviews and questions, post public analysis of Acevado did not end up with resounding sup-

S A L A S’ P O I N T Race in today’s politics Mario Marcel Salas

R

ight-wing radio and conservatives are trying to discredit presidential candidate Barack Obama by using race as a vehicle. By using Uncle Toms to claim that Obama isn’t “Black,” Republican racists are gearing up in an attempt to discredit Obama even before the presidential primaries. But what is race? How has race been used to define people and put people into boxes? There are many concepts about race that are now proven totally incorrect. These concepts are socially constructed and have been a vehicle to divide and conquer people. This question arose with Councilman Art Hall, and nationally known pro-golfer Tiger Woods. Those who come from mixed-raced ancestry are often the victims of racism from “Blacks” and “Whites.” Let us review the scientific definition and social definitions for race so that it may be possible to discredit various ridiculous views.

The scientific community once divided the world into three great races. Although it has been proven false, let’s look at what they did.

During the period when Charles Darwin was developing his ideas about the “origin of species,” there developed racist ideas about the superiority of the so-called White race. It was during this period that racist scientists tried to develop the idea that there were only three types: Caucasoid, Mongoloid, and Negroid. Foolishly, these scientists tried to place everybody into one of the three categories. Before, those who came from mixed ancestry where often referred to as “halfbreeds” or some other negative racist label. In the United States, rac-

ism took on a completely different idea with the one “drop rule.” The “one drop” rule said that that anyone with “one drop of black blood” was Black. This is ridiculous because a person that is 25 percent Black, and mixed with 75 percent White should be considered “White.” This would probably make W.E. B. DuBois “White” mathematically, as well other Blacks with light skin.

The “one drop rule” has been employed in this country because segregation was once the rule of law.

The idea of the “one drop rule” was to prevent mixed race marriages and keep people separated. If your mother was White (or looked like it) and your father was Black, then even if you married a White, the offspring would never be “White.”

This racist rule is still in effect in the minds of many.

Now let’s look at race in Mexico. In Mexico it was just the opposite. If your mother was White and your father was Black, the offspring was called a “mulatto.” Over time these labels disappeared and everyone became a Mexican. If a “mulatto” married a White, then depending on the tone of the skin of the child that child may be classified as white or Mexican. The “one drop rule did not apply in Mexico. The racist ideas in Mexico included the idea that the Black was to be blended away. In Mexico, some Blacks would be called Mexican if they were blended enough, while in the United States they would always be labeled “Black.”

This was true of my father who was a mixed-race Mexican by Mexican standards, but a Black by U.S. standards. My paternal grand-

port and nods that he was the cure all for rebuilding the torn and tattered image of the Austin police department. Citizens raised concerns that are key in repairing the negative image of the department, but none of those comments seem to register on the radar when final decisions were made about his hiring.

Some of those comments are red flags that could hinder his ability to build a positive image and trust with Black and Hispanic grassroots communities.

Some see him as applying the same old law enforcement approaches of “old school policing” including lots of gear and cops against minorities. According to public comments, Acevado needs to listen more. Comments also suggest that he came across as too P.C. (politically correct), not familiar with the community, cocky and “chummy” to the point of insincerity. Another key comment stated that the new chief is a bit naïve on community outreach and appeared to respond to questions by just telling people what they wanted to hear.

He also talked a lot in stories about himself and his own experiences, but didn’t seem to answer real tough questions. He was void of a plan while focusing more on “war stories” rather on what he was going to do for the community or in the community. Others indicated that he came across as “self-absorbed” and did not allow the public much time for questions.

Some found him “too slick, too high intensity, too in your face, long-winded, too emotional” and someone else said he had a “my way or the highway” attitude when disagreements occur. One commentator also shared gut feelings that Acevado did a lot to sell himself,

but was not sure if the (community) got an accurate picture of him on some issues. Most of his positive public comments centered on him being bilingual and on Acevado’s pro-active media savvy, years of police training, diversity exposure and years of police experience.

Acevedo has more than 20 years of law enforcement experience. He has worked for the Los Angeles police force and the California Highway Patrol in Los Angeles County. As chief/commander of the planning and analysis division, he has oversight of a number of sections and programs. He is a member of the International Association Chiefs of Police, California Peace Officers Association and Peace Officers of Los Angeles County, among other memberships and associations.

It was noted that he is also an immigrant and that should help in dealing with cultural issues in Austin. One stated, “he understands the culture.” It is apparent that the selection of Acevado is more tilted towards improving relations with the Hispanic community and is void of a real plan to build better relationships in the Black community.

Acevado has had experiences in his policing in Los Angeles that has probably jaded his approach to Black policing and law enforcement in African American neighborhoods. That should be of great concern, since Los Angeles County and Los Angeles has a long history of brutality and abuses against African Americans.

While the city feels that he is the right man who can bridge the gap with Hispanics, he has said nothing, nor has he communicated a plan for the African American communities and neighborhoods in East Austin.

mother was very dark and mixed race. She was a black Indian by Mexican standards, but a Mexican by white standards in the United States. The category of AfroMexican did not exist in Mexico or the United States in the past and so only now are these understandings becoming important. The long and short of it is that race is completely a social construction derived under cultural influences. There are many Mexican-Americans in San Antonio with “kinky” hair, which is an obvious reference to the African heritage in their community. Often, in the Mexican American community there is a denial of an African heritage as curly hair is cut short to deny any African connection. This was true of my own father who denied his African connections for a time and tried to exist between the two worlds of racist ideology.

In the Mexican American community my father was called the “N” word, and when he went to the African American community was called by the racist term “meskin.” My father was too dark to go through the front door of the Majestic Theatre and had to go around to the College Street entrance with the rest of the dark-skinned people.

This presented an interesting paradigm for me as I could see racism at work in both communities. This racism was aimed at dividing and conquering as many people as possible. I remember being asked by an African American why were at the back of the Majestic Theatre since I was light enough to go through the front. I responded that the ticket booth man didn’t think my father was a “Mexican” and so we had to go to the back. The ticket man was as ignorant as anybody that day as he thought that all Mexicans had to look White in order to enter the front door. It never dawned on him that people of mixed-ancestry

could be multi-cultural and multiracial.

The good news is that these racial classifications are no longer acceptable. Tiger Woods can decide what race he wants to be or accept his Black and Asian roots with equal understandings. Barack Obama can decide for himself how he wants to be identified as he respects his White mother and his African father on equal ground. Times have changed for the better in many ways, as the “three great races theory” has been proven scientifically incorrect. There are hundreds of races from a cultural and biological point of view. But one thing is sure even if you are still ignorant about races, as racists have defined them—there is only one race—the human race!

FREE PRESS-from Page 2 The U.S. Postal Service has implemented a massive hike in its rates for magazines that would put diverse and free speech at risk. Postal regulators have decided to adopt a plan that favors the nation’s largest publishers, while unfairly burdening thousands of smaller and independent magazines with much higher postal rates, as high as 20 or 30 percent. America’s founding fathers understood that the First Amendment would be worth little without a postal system that encouraged broad public participation in America’s marketplace of ideas. To ensure that a diversity of viewpoints were available to ‘the whole mass of the people,’ they created affordable postal rates that gave smaller political journals a voice.

The rate increase reverses this egalitarian ideal. It threatens the democratic discourse that our founding fathers fostered. To join the fight for a free press, see the Web site at www.FreePress.Net.

The real que stion raised by the public comments appears to suggest that Acevado’s watch may not differ that much Austin Police from othChief Art Acevado ers who have held the post. Despite best efforts, the community may be in for more of the same rough ride it has had in the past. To help Acevado, the city council has authorized award, negotiation, and execution of a service contract to provide African American cultural training for Austin Police Department employees.

The goal is to increase cultural knowledge of the local Austin African American population to further communication and trust between the APD employees and the Austin African American community. Black leaders must be vigilant and make Acevado respect the Black community and come up with a plan to respect, serve and protect every citizen not matter what community they live in.

School may be named after Rod Paige HOUSTON- The Houston Independent School District is considering a proposal to name a school in honor of Dr. Rod Paige. Paige, a former U.S. Secretary of Education and HISD superintendent of schools and Board of Education member, would have a school in Houston named for him if a plan proposed by community leaders and parents is approved.

A committee of school leaders, community officials, parents, and business partners has recommended naming the new school built to replace the old James Bowie Elementary School (7501 Curry Street). “The naming committee believes that because Dr. Paige has made many significant contributions to the academic progress of students in HISD, forged meaningful partnerships between schools and businesses, and increased support for public education on a national platform,” according to a board release. “It is fitting to name this facility in his honor.”

Paige was confirmed as the seventh U.S. Secretary of Education on January 21, 2001, becoming the first school superintendent to hold the post. He is the son of a school principal and a librarian, and he has dedicated his life to education. He is a native of Mississippi, where he attended segregated schools and earned a bachelor’s degree from Jackson State University. He earned his master’s and doctoral degrees from Indiana University.

He was dean of the College of Education at Texas Southern University, and was elected in 1989 to the HISD Board of Education. He was appointed superintendent of HISD in 1994 after helping lead the school board to adopt A Declaration of Beliefs and Visions, HISD’s core ideology. He was named national superintendent of the year by the American Association of School Administrators.

In Washington, Paige helped President George W. Bush win approval of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, a historic reform of American education policy.

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COMMUNITY & EVENTS A Vision for Martin Luther King Park

SAN ANTONIO-The Freedom Foundation is seeking $230 million of public and private funds for M.L.K. Park, we believe, is a prime site to be developed as an international, world class, cultural and heritage tourist destination. The Master plan calls for a 5,000 seat outdoors amphitheater. It will be located inside M.L.K. Park near E. Houston St. A variety of live entertainment will be presented for the public’s enjoyment: R&B, Jazz, World Music, Gospel and more. An amusement park will be constructed inside M.L.K. Park that will feature its own Freedom Train.

Special occasions of all kinds are to be held in the park creating memories that will last a lifetime. The public is invited to come out and create their memories. The San Antonio Parks & Recreation Department has completed the Martin Luther King Park Master Plan which includes an Afro-Centric museum. The museum will be located inside M.L.K. Park near E. Houston St. Creating a second entrance/exit gateway; a boulevard through M.L.K. Park will connect E. Houston St. and M.L.K. drive.

Salado Creek will be the River Walk of the East Side. Salado Creek is to be renovated to have the look and feel of the River Walk. Tourists from around the world will come to experience and enjoy this new and exciting culture & heritage destination. To make a donation, please contact Otis Thompson at (210)648-0603 or send it to Freedom Foundation Inc., 4747 Rigsby Rd., Ste. 516, San Antonio, Texas 78220.

Step Out and Fight Diabetes Health & Fitness Expo

DALLAS- Businesses and organizations along with others are invited to get involved now to help raise diabetes awareness by joining the American Diabetes Association at the Step out to Fight Diabetes…Health & Fitness Expo, formerly known as America’s Walk for Diabetes. The event will be held on Saturday, October 13, 2007 at 8:00 a.m. at the American Airlines Center and includes free food, a health and fitness fair, and activities for children.

The prevalence of diabetes is increasing in the African American community, think about those that you know, friends or family, who have been affected by this disease with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. It is the leading cause of blindness and people with diabetes are more likely to have heart disease or suffer a stroke.

It is critical for minority owned business and organizations to get involved to help educate and raise awareness to stop this epidemic within our communities. Walk teams are being formed now. Additionally there will be an exhibitor area in which special booth opportunities are available to promote your business/organization. Together with our alliances, citizens can become an impact in the fight against diabetes!

Register today as a team captain or individual walker at www.diabetes. org/walk or fax the registration form to the local office at (972)-392-1366.

Prairie View A&M University National Alumni Association Convention HOUSTON- The Houston Nurses Alumni Chapter will host the Prairie View A&M University National Alumni Association Convention, July 1115, 2007. This event will be held at the Westin Galleria Hotel. We are inviting all Prairie View Alumni, friends and associates to participate in convention activies. Major activies include meeting Bill Russell, Basketball legend and Joe Morgan Baseball Great, and Featuring V. Michael McKay, Gospel Hall of Fame Composer, for the Gospel Concert. Registration Deadline is July 5, 2007. For more information about the convention, call Clairene Booker at 713-443-6351.

African-American News&Issues • Texas • July 4-10, 2007 • 5

East Texas News

Billy “Hollywood” Groves African-American News&Issues

super job for the citizens of Anderson County.

have made Crockett a better place since they have been in East Texas.

Ricky Davis of Trinity, is a hard working truck driver who is concerned about the young people of Trinity County. He gave me this advice for them. “Try to find your inner mind and develop it, be yourself and don’t try to be someone else.” He emphasized that the spirit of God lives inside each of us, we just have to bring it out. Ricky, is a former football and basketball standout who did his thing for the Trinity Tigers in the middle 70s.

He is the father of two grown children and attends The Church of God in Christ in Trinity, where Rev. Cleveland Turner is the pastor. He left this thought: “Slow down, take your time, do the right thing and remember that a “slow nickel will beat a fast quarter’.”

Patrick “Tottie” Randolph Dennis, of Crockett, is a dedicated member of Greater St. Paul Baptist Church in Crockett where Rev. Hosea Dolphus is the pastor. He is a former Crockett High School football player of the 1990s, the son of Yvonne and Napoleon “Cat” Davis of Crockett and the late Mac Arthur Randolph, also of Crockett.

I asked Tottie about the racial climate in Crockett and what advice did he have for young people. “The racial situation between Black and White people is better than it use to be, but we have a long ways to go before things are equal for Black people.” He went on to say that the lack of jobs creates more crimes and drug dealers among young Black men, if we want less crime, we as a society have to create more jobs and opportunities for our brothers.

Rosie Mac Davis of Crockett, is a wise mother, grandmother and great grandmother who raised five children, 10 step-children and many grandchildren and other children unrelated. She credits God with giving her the strength to accomplish what she has. “Find a job, go to work, be perfect on your job and stay out of trouble was her advice for young people. “ Rosie Mae is an active member of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Crockett where Rev. Esterling is the pastor.

Kudos go out to new Anderson County Commissioner Rashad Q. Mims of Palestine, a young African American man who is doing a

Anderson County Commissioner Rashad Mims I, with wife, Donta.

High fives go out to Rev. O.T. Harris Jr. and Rev. Shannon Harris associate ministers at Greater St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, for their commitment to the people.

We are wishing a speedy recovery to Chris Martinez of Elkhart, Texas manager of Customer Choice in Crockett who underwent heart surgery. Lynn Martinez, assistant manager and wife, said they wanted to thank all of the people who prayed and showed support to them during this difficult time. The Martinez family are great people with great attitudes and work ethics. They

High fives go out to Rev. Patrick Sanders of Lufkin, a hard working family man who is making Lufkin a better place for African Americans.

Rev. Sanders is a longtime community leader and Boys and Girls Club Director. Keep up the good work!

This week’s East Texas thanks go out to, Dixie Denby, Mr. and Mrs. George Owens, The Dead End Barber Shop, Bernard, Tony and Broderick David, Trivia Martinez, George and Dr. Helen King, Royce “Doc” Craft, Tyrone Denman, Jessie Simon, Rev. William Purvis, Cliff Ervin, Claude Riley, Greg Murray, B.B. Mask, Marvin Upshaw, Tim Culp and Otis “Tubby” Merritt.

Please send your East Texas community events, news, and announcements to news@aframnews.com.

Hardcopy items must be typed and double-spaced. Photos sent by email should be 300dpi or originals may be mailed to: 6130 Wheatley, Houston, TX 77091.

Love and Joy Personal Care, Inc., hosts community events to aid the mentally challenged

HOUSTON- Love and Joy Personal Care Home, Inc. provides services to mentally retarded and mentally challenged individuals of the community. The organization will sponsor their first annual “Fashion Show Expo” with their clients as models. Their mission involves ministering to the emotional and social needs of their consumers.

Members of the organization believe that this event will do well to foster self-esteem and self worth in each participant. It will be held on Sunday, August 5, 2007, at 4 p.m., at the Sunnyside Multi-Ser-

vice Center 4605 Wilmington @ Cullen. Donations are $20 and are tax deductible. In addition, Love and Joy Personal Care Home, Inc., will have a “First Annual Community-wide Yard Sale” on Saturday, August 4, 2007 from 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at 11626 Cullen.

This is leading up to their big “Fashion Show Expo” weekend. So, please clean out those closets and consider donating to this event. All proceeds will go to a fostering client services. It is their vision to become independently owned and to operate Houston’s First Shelter for the physically and mentally challenged

population and to combine the existing facilities for the Love & Joy family under one roof. Their objective is to be able to aid the mentally ill homeless, and disabled individuals with adequate residential care by: • Providing residents an opportunity to reside in the community and prevent long term institutionalizing • Providing quality care • Providing an environment of mutual respect that recognizes the value of our residents If you have questions, please call (713)-240-1567.

4 ( % % . 3 % - " , % 4 ( % !4 2 % PRESENTS

ne Monkey Adrian Peterson speaks to the crowd at Palestine High School’s Wildcat Stadium on June 23 during the “Adrian Peterson Day” honors. Peterson, a 2003 Palestine High School graduate, was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings. “This day is special to me,” Peterson said to the crowd.

“Growing up in Palestine, this is definitely an honor and a dream come true. I hope this is an inspiration for all the young kids, that just because you came from a small town like Palestine, the sky is the limit as long as you believe and you show determination.” Peterson, who was wearing a No. 1 Vikings’ jersey declared, “I am going to represent Palestine to my fullest.

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713-223-5811 Se habla Espanol Not certified by Texas Board of Legal specialization

IMMIGRATION DEPORTATION F orester Law Firm Since 1974

713-528-4668 www.visa2us.us

Keynote Speaker We accept: American Express, Paul Murphy MasterCard, Discover, Visa, ATM/ Chief Executive Officer Marketplace Heading: Debit, Cash, Checks and Lay-A-Way

6130 Wheatley Street Houston, Texas 77091

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100% Black Owned We Appreciate Our Customers

...see more on PAGE 2

Black TAAACC Members

1” Ad For 4 Weeks= $100.00 Increase your +One Timewith Set-up business Fee= an ad in our $25.00 Texas Total Net Amount: Marketplace $125.00 Contact:

713-692-1892

or

adv@aframnews.com TX-6

Amergy Bank of Texas

AttorneyMembers: $20

Non-Members $25 RSVP by July 3, 2007 You can register & pay online.

Beulah Ann Shepard Bld. 6112 Wheatley St. Houston, TX 77091

713-692-7003

Email: info@aaccgh.org Website: www.aaccgh.org

Dawson Chemical

713/633-9019

713/697-7137

Citywide Chemical, founded in 1977, is the largest minority-owned chemical company in the southwest. They pride themselves on being customer-oriented offering same day, free delivering, free installation of dispensers and free training on all equipment, rented or bought.

CIVIL RIGHTS ORG. Coalition For The Advancement Of Civil Rights

Lee Alcorn, Founder and President 5801 Marvin D. Love Fwy. #202 Dallas, TX 75376-3743

Acres Home Citizens Chamber of Commerce 6130 Wheatley St. Houston, TX 77091 (713) 692-7003 African-American Chamber of Commerce of Arlington, Inc. P.O. Box 202716 (817) 946-5196

National Black United Front Houston Chapter

SignatureChairman

Kofi Taharka Houston Chapter

Meetings Monday @ 7:00pm 2428 Southmore Houston, 77004

713-942-0365 or www.nbufhouston.org

Check Out Our New Business Profile Feature In Our Texas Marketplace

Income Tax Preparation Do not talk to the IRS without Representation!!!

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Support our advertisers.

THEY SUPPORT YOUR BLACK NEWSPAPER!

Freelance Writers

Support Black Businesses!

Please include writtenHouston/Gulf Ad to resume run in and AAN&I’s Coast Where youedition. spend your sample to news@aframnews.com EDITION DATE: 06/13/2007 money is IMPORTANT! TEXAS STERLING CONSTRUCTION – a highway and underground utility construction contractor working in the Houston area is currently seeking female and minority applicants for the following positions:

• Water truck drivers - requires a commercial driver’s license with a tank truck endorsement; pays $12/hour.

$100.00 +One Time Set-up • Field Service Technician – requires 5 years experience in repair of heavy Fee= equipment; expertise in mechanical, hydraulic engine, and electrical systems of heavyDate construction equipment; pays $18.50 - $22.00/Hr. $25.00 • Shop Mechanic – requires 3 years experience in repair of heavy equipment; expertise in mechanical, Total Net Amount: hydraulic engine, and electrical systems of heavy construction equipment; pays $16.60 - $20.00/Hr. $125.00 • Small Tool Mechanic – requires 3 years experience in repair of tools and small engines and expertise • Heavy equipment operators – loader/backhoes, motor graders, mixer operators, and grade-all operators; requires 2-5 years of experience; pays $10-$15/Hr depending on project assignment.

in mechanical, small engine, and air tool systems; pays $11.50 - $14.50/Hr.

Benefits are available after six months of service and include medical, dental, and life insurance and a 401(K) Plan with a company match.

Jobs will be available immediately in the Houston area. Applicants should ask for Debra Brown, EEO Officer, at 20810 Fernbush, Houston, TX 77073 or they may call 281-821-9091.

Texas Sterling Construction is a Drug-Free and Equal Opportunity Employer.

INSURANCE

Please sign for approval and fax back to 713-692-1183 Ad must be approved and payment received by 12 NOON Friday the week before Wednesday publication or the ad will notGEORGE run.

W.

BORRIS L. MILES SignatureInsurance Agency

LUNNON, JR. Agent

Date

Please approve the ad, sign and fax to 713 Ad must be paid in full and this ad sheet MUSTAuto be -signed by 1 Life Home Health to ad beingBusiness to ran.

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Let me handle your IRS Issue and Problems. Generally you will never have to speak with or meet with the IRS if I am your representative.

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FUNERAL HOMES

Carl Barnes Funeral Homes, Inc

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Supporting The Community

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HEARING AIDS

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Memorial Mortuary

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Hearing Aids of Houston Sandi Coe, M.A., CCC-A CLINICAL AUDIOLOGIST REGISTERED DISPENSER OF HEARING AIDS

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MEDICAL

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.

Date

Signature

746 West 22nd Street.

Houston, Texas 77008 713- 869- 4529

You can get a 4-line ad like this for only $17.50 per week.

For more information, call (713)692--1892.

Three Riverway, Suite 555 Houston, Texas 77056

HELP WANTED 2x2” ad for 52 weeks=$2,080 Cooks and +one time set-up Line fee=25.00 Servers Total cost to run ad for 52 weeks= 713-631-3962 $2,105

• Common laborers; no experience needed; pays $8.50 - $9.00/Hr depending on project assignment.

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Please sign for approval and fax back to 713-692-1 Ad must be approved and payment received by 12 NOON Tue leealcorn@dfwcivilrights.com 1” Ador For 4 Weeks= or call 214-232-5138 before Wednesday publication the ad will not ru www.Dfwcivilrights.com contact information:

PARKWAY TOWERS 150 W. PARKER ROAD, SUITE 506 HOUSTON, TX. 77076

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WANTED- Class A and B CDL Drivers - Local Haul You must be 21 years old, have six months experience, a clean driving record and be able to pass a DOT drug test.

Thisphysical is theandprice and size of the Ad t APPLY at 430A Airtex, Houston, TX 77073 AAN&I’s Greater Houston Edition May Williams Brothers Construction Co. Inc. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS 281-209-1811

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SHOWROOM HOURS the price and size of the Ad to run in Wed-Thur: 11 am to 7 pm Friday: 11 am to 2007 6 pm . reater Houston Edition May 16-22, CRIMINAL - ACCIDENTS Saturday: 10 am to 3 pm

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IRS PROBLEMS & Barnes & Turner

Mar Help

Hunters Insurance Agency Scott Hunter, Agent

Auto Home Life Flood 832-778-8194

email:bmiles@bmilesinsurance.com

“For All Your Insurance Needs” 2656 S. Loop West # 340 Houston, TX 77054

Advertise Your Business In Our Texas Marketplace

Bryant Hunter started the agency in 1993 with the vision of helping people protect their most valuable assets. Scott joined the family business in 1997 and has continued the tradition of helping people protect their homes, autos, RVs, businesses and most importantly, their families.

scott@huntersinsuranceagency.com

INVESTMENTS

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Please read us online at www.aframnews.com

f Ad to run in AAN&I’s DFW Metroplex edition. andJune BUSINESS N DATE: 27-July 3 & July 4-10, 2007 NOTICES/BIDS

African-American News&Issues • Texas • July 4-10, 2007 • 7

Lawal Reappointed to Port Authority Commission

NEWSPAPERS/BLACK

TCCD (Downtown Campus) IFC Package: Millwork, Specialties, Flooring, & Fencing Pre-Bid Meeting: June 28, 2007 at 10:00 am Bid Date: July 12, 2007 by 2:00 pm 401 N. Main St. Fort Worth , TX 76164 Contact: (817) 332-2077

African Herald Heading: Dr. Richard Nwachukwu Bid NoticeSte. 217 8204 Elmbrook Dallas, TX 75247 African News Digest

HOUSTON- By unanimous vote, Hous-

Beede Amuka ton City Council has reappointed Kase o run in AAN&I’s Houston/Galveston 10103 edition.

Fondren Ste. 442 Lawal to the Port Commission of the Port Houston, TX 77096 nd size of Ad to run in AAN&I’s Houston/Galveston edition. of Houston Authority for a fifth term. IniITION DATE: July 4-10, 2007 tially appointed in June 1999, Lawal was the Cherokee County Informer EDITION DATE: July 4-10, 2007 first vice chairman of the Port Commission.

DBA Texas Informer

PHA commissioners serve two-year terms

Walter & Maxine Session

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS Houston Community P.O. Box 332 without pay. “We welcome CommissionTitleRusk, TX 75785 CollegexSystem 2 col. inch 1.5”= 3 Sealed bids, in Heading er Lawal’s return,” said PHA Chairman Jim duplicate, Invitation for Bids (IFB) Bids and Notices Heading Title Edmonds. “He is a valued member of the addressed to OST/Almeda Cor3 x $69 netForper col. inch=$207.00 Corsicana Examiner ridors Redevelopment AuthorBids and Notices Commission and a well-respected leader in Armored Car ad foritytwo Rev. Dairy Johnson will weeks= be received$414.00 at 5445 Total cost to run the business community and a supporter of Transportation Services Almeda, #545, Houston, TX P.O. Box 1613 education and small business development.

77004, until 1:00 pm, Friday, Corsicana, TX 75110 Project No. 07-33 July 27, 2007.Bids will be pubWe look forward to continuing our work Contact licly opened and read for fur- Information The Houston Community Colwith Commissioner Lawal.”

Dallas Examiner Contact Information: nishing all Name: labor, Georgia materials,Coats lege System (“HCC”) is solicContact Information James & Mollie Belt Lawal is chairman of PHA’s Small Busiequipment, Company: and incidentals, Houston Community College iting sealed bids fromRobertson qualified Name: 1515 Corinth St.Hazle Goodman ness Development Task Force, a member of Name: Chris as required, for the construcPhone: 713-718-5004 Dallas, TX firms to provide Armored Car 75215 M2L Associates Company: tion of parkL.P. and recreation theInc. PHA Pension Committee and a memCompany: AustinThe Commercial, Transportation Services.

713-718-2113 amenities toFax: Calloway Park in Phone: 713-722-8897 ber of the International Business Developsolicitation documents can be Address for tearsheets: Texas.

CONTRACT Dallas Post Phone: (817) 332-2077Houston, ext. 20267 Fax:Tribune 713-722-8048 ment Task Force. “I can think of very few obtained in HCC Purchasing DOCUMENTS be Street examDr. Theodore Leefor tearsheets: 3100may Main Address Fax: (817) 332-2068 things as necessary to ensuring robust interDepartment, 3100 Main Street ined at the following locations: 2727 Beckley Ave. Houston, Texas 77002 9320 Westview (1) Dodge Reports, 4101 Greennational commerce as a seaport,” Lawal said.

(11th Floor, Room No. 11B06), Dallas, TX 75225 E-mail: crobertson@austin-ind.com briar, #320, Houston, TX; (2) Houston, Texas 77055 Houston, Texas 77002, between “I am grateful for the confidence the City AGC, 3825 Dacoma, Housfor billing/tearsheets: theAddress hours of 8:00 a.m. and Council has demonstrated in me with this Dallas Weekly ton, TX; (3)ABC, 3910 Kirby, 4:30 p.m.N. (local time,St. Monday 401 Main Jim Washington reappointment. I have enjoyed, immense#131, Houston, TX; (4) Houston through Friday, by calling Geor633 Pryor St. Minority Business Development ly, the past eight years on the Port CommisFort Worth, TX 76164 gia Coats, Buyer at (713) 718Ctr, 4801 Woodway Dr, Hous-AD COST Sw, Atlanta Georgia sion and look forward to helping meet the 5004 or by visiting the HCC ton, TX; (5) Reed Construction Rate: 5’= Texas $450.00 AD COSTchallenges ahead.” website at www.hccs.edu (click Data, 10900 NW Net Frwy., #124,$90 xEast Review Mayor Bill White remarked, “Kase Lawal Houston, TX and (6)Amtek Plan on: Business & Community/ Fadojutimi 40% DiscountJoycelyne = $180.00 Net Rate: $90 x 6’= $540.00 the importance of the Port as Rm, 4001 Sherwood, Housunderstands Vendor Information/Bid/RFP).

South Mobberly Total Cost:517 $270.00 ton, TX. The right is reserved, Total Cost: $540.00 an asset in building business opportunities Sealed bids in original form will Longview, TX 75602 asthe interest of the Owner may be received until 10:00 A.M. (loand he has a proven track record in workrequire, to reject any and all cal time) on July 26, 2007 at the ing hard to promote Houston around the Elite News bids, and to waive any inforHCC Purchasing Department mality in bids received. Plans, Jordan Blair world. We certainly want to keep his energy (Room No. 11A06), and will be specifications and bidding docP.O. Box 397925 and talents on the Port Commission.” City publicly opened and read aloud uments may be obtained at the Dallas, TX 75339 offices of the Landscape Archiin Room 11A07 at that time. tect, M2L Associates, Inc., HCC is an equal opportunity/ Garland News Journal 9320 Westview Dr., Suite 18, educational institution, which Willie Hobdy Houston, Texas 77055 (713does not discriminate on the P.O. Box 24 722-8897) for a nonrefundable basis of race, color, religion, Greenville, TX 75043 fee of $50.00 per set. Make national origin, gender, age or checks payable to M2L Associdisability. ates, Inc. A prebid conference Kuumba Heritage will be held at OST/ AlmeWillie Hobdy da Corridors Redevelopment P.O. Box 24 RADIO Authority, 5445 Almeda, #502, Greenville, TX 75043 Houston,TX on Tuesday, July, 17, 2007 at 10:00 am. It is MIN. ROBERT MUHAMMAD Daterequested, but not mandatory, Our Texas Magazine General E. Berry that each bidder be represented at the Prebid conference.

P.O. Box 4463

Kase Lawal is returning to the Port of Houston for a fifth term.

Council Member Ada Edwards, who nominated Lawal for reappointment, applauded his vast business experience and emphasized the need for his continued involvement on the Port Commission.

“He’s a good man, a solid leader and I’m pleased he is continuing his work on the Port Commission,” Edwards said. City Council Member Carol Alvarado, whose district includes the Port of Houston, said, “The Port of Houston is a vital part of the Houston economy and Kase Lawal has proven to be an outstanding businessman and Port Commissioner.”

The Dream of Homeownership.

gn for approval and fax back to 713-692-1183 12 NOON Friday or the ad will not run.

Connect the Dots Dallas, TX 75208 and size of Ad to run in AAN&I’s DFW Metroplex edition.

The Smith County Herald KPFT 90.1 FM SHOE REPAIR EDITION 27-July 2007 DBA18, The Herald or approval and faxDATE: back toJune 713-692-1183 10:30 am-12:00 noon Wed

Please sign for approval andorfax to REAL ESTATE Box713-692-1183 8252 SHOE REPAIR ore for Wednesday publication theback adP.O. will not run.

Tyler, TX 75701 Men & Ladies - Boots & Shoes VASTINE HIGHTOWER OON Friday before for Wednesday publication or the Heading: ad will not run.

Shined, Waxed, Glazed, Realtor® MIGHTY FINE Dyed & Repaired

GARY GREENE, REALTORS

Date

1354 D West 43rd Street, Houston TX 77018

Bus 713-686-5454 Cell 713-826-0551 An independently owned and operated member of the Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc.

281-448-9255

Pager 713-687-8592 • mfshoe@aol.com

Date

1400 South Victory Houston, TX 77088 Major Credit Cards ACCEPTED

PEST CONTROL

SCHOOL/CLASSES

Your BUGS are our Problem!

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Second Chance Technology Edge 281-813-2347 or 713-600-2800 x117 ask for Juan, Xavier or Litisha

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www.raycopest.com Rayco will get rid of or prevent, pest problems, inside and out at your residence or business. Rayco can help with mice, ants, wasps, roaches, spiders, bees, silverfish, termites, fleas, earwigs and much more.

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Tune-Ups Brakes Front End Work Tires - Batteries Alignments A/C Work Check Engine Lights CV Joints - Axles Engine Diagnostics

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Houston Style Magazine Francis Page Jr. Real 2646 South Loop West #375 Houston, TX 77054

Estate

Metroplex South Star Willie Hobdy P.O. Box 24 Greenville, TX 75043

Reed promoted at Comerica Bank

HOUSTONComerica Bank has named Vanessa T. Reed manager of its Houston Community Reinvestment Act office.

Reed began her career with Comerica in 2000 as a credit specialist in Middle Market Banking and Commercial Real Estate. She also has worked for the former First National Bank of Commerce in New Orleans. A graduate of the University of New Orleans with a degree in business management, Reed is a member of the Houston chapter of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s Alliance for Economic Inclusion.

The Texas Market of Comerica Bank includes 72 banking centers in the key Texas markets of Dallas, Houston and Austin. Comerica Incorporated is a financial services company strategically aligned into three business segments: the Business Bank, Retail Bank, and Wealth & Institutional Management. Comerica focuses on relationships and helping people be successful. In March, Comerica announced that it will move its corporate headquarters from Detroit, Mich., to Dallas, making Comerica the largest bank holding company headquartered in Texas. The headquarters’ relocation is expected to be complete by the end of the third quarter in 2007.

713-956-2500 to runState in AAN&I’s InspectionsHouston/Galveston edition.

Original Owner is Back!

N DATE: VOLUME 12NoIssue 13, 2007 Credit Check Financing for Repairs SOUL MUSIC

Cecil shaw Sounds like motown baby!

Please sign for approval and fax back to 713-692-1183 12 NOON Friday or the ad will not run.

Forby bookings call (832)256-9992 www.myspace.com/cecilshaw

Date

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TEXAS HBCUs/YOUTH

8 • African-American News&Issues • Texas • July 11-17, 2007

Xi Kappa Lambda Chapter holds Nineteenth Annual Scholarship Gala Fundraiser

Missouri City – The Xi Kappa Lambda Chapter (Fort Bend) of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is proud to announce its Nineteenth Annual Scholarship Gala Fundraiser, Renaissance on the Bayou. The fundraiser will take place on Saturday, July 28, 2007 from 8:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m., at the Stafford Centre located at 10505 Cash Road, Stafford, Texas. Proceeds from this event will be used to provide college scholarships to graduating seniors from local high schools and support the chapter’s Historically Black Colleges & Universities Tour. Each scholarship recipient will be honored and presented with their scholarship award letter during the pre-gala reception.

“It’s exciting when the community rallies behind its youth. I’m inspired that this year we are goaled to provide more financial resources to local families to help offset the raising costs of higher education.” stated Stephen K. Brown II, Honorary Chair of this year’s gala. Xi Kappa Lambda will be working in collaboration with key corporate partners and local organizations to reach this goal.

Chartered in April 1983, Xi Kappa Lambda services the Fort Bend County/Missouri City community. This nationally recognized chapter supports youth scholastic achievement by awarding annual scholarships to local high school students and promoting their Historically Black Colleges and Universities Tour to expose, encourage, and enlighten area youth to attend college.

TSU receives grant for science and engineering education programs

Houston- Texas Southern University has been awarded a $199,552 grant to help strengthen science and engineering education and to better prepare students for careers in science and technology, U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings announced today. This year, the Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP) will fund 29 new grants totaling $3.5 million. “In today’s global economy, strong science and technical skills are increasingly in demand. These grants will help prepare more students to excel and succeed in these fields,” Spellings said. Texas Southern University will use its grant to train eight science faculty members over a twelve-month period in web-based technology and delivery systems. Texas Southern plans to incorporate webbased instructional materials into the general academic program in science and technology to enhance how courses are delivered to students. Grants are awarded under the Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program to help enhance science and engineering education at predominately minority institutions and to increase the flow of underrepresented ethnic minorities, especially minority women, into scientific and technological careers.

MESIP also supports the administration’s efforts to increase America’s technological and economic competitiveness by expanding the nation’s pool of qualified mathematicians, scientists and engineers for the global workforce.

Thurgood Marshall College Fund 20th anniversary Awards Dinner

Robert L. Johnson, founder and chairman of the RLJ Companies and Ron Meyer, president and COO, Universal Studios cordially invite you to celebrate 20 years of helping make dreams come true at the Thurgood Marshall College Fund 20th Anniversary Awards Dinner, honoring: Miller Brewing Company with the Corporate Leadership award. Also honored will be, E. Marianna Gabel, with the Community Leadership award, and Dr. N. Joyce Payne, with the Educational Leadership award. The awards will be held on Monday, November 5, 2007, at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers Metropolitan Ballroom 811 Seventh Avenue at 53rd St. in New York City. For additional information contact: Thurgood Marshall College Fund Benefit Office, 95 Madison Avenue, Suite 601, New York, NY 10016, or call (212) 843-1703.

H-E-B executive becomes new Girl Scout Board Member

HOUSTON-Although Winell Herron is a non-traditional adult Girl Scout, meaning one who does not have a daughter in the Girl Scout program, she is committed to the mission of the organization and service to the community.

As a new member of the Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council Board of Directors, Herron brings to the table many years of community service, expertise as a practicing public relations professional and her own personal journey as a Girl Scout. In thinking back on her experiences as a girl, Herron reminisces about all that she learned such as how to fully develop her personal strengths and the value of teamwork to accomplish goals.

“My mom was a troop leader. She knew that Girl Scouts was a leadership organization that would teach me valuable life lessons,” said Herron. Her fondest memory of Girl Scouting was at Camp Tex Lake

in the Austin area, which is where she grew up. The camp was a very primitive camp that did not have tents. The girls slept on a concrete floor in their sleeping bags. “We enjoyed our camp experience, particularly building a camp fire and making S’mores while singing camp songs,” said Herron. “I remember that we were all afraid of lizards, so when anybody moved, we would all scream and then laugh,” she said.

Today, Herron is an executive with H-E-B, a privately held retail company headquartered in San Antonio. They have more than 300 stores throughout Texas and Mexico, making it one of the largest independently owned food retailers. Herron began her career with H-E-B in 1988 in store operations.

She was responsible for successfully managing several retail locations.

After numerous promotions over the years, she is now Group Vice President of Public Affairs and

Diversity where she is responsible for leading the organization’s strategic initiatives in these areas. “It is my job to maintain a pulse on the communities H-E-B serves. It is a priority that we provide nonprofits which serve the community the re-sources they need,” said Herron. H-E-B does a lot of work in the community for disaster relief.

They often arrive on the scene with their mobile kitchen well before the Red Cross. The mobile kitchen is fully staffed and stocked to serve thousands of people per hour. Diversity is another critical area that Herron manages. “We have three main pillars. Those areas are workforce, workplace and marketplace which includes supplier diversity,” said Herron. “Our goal is a workforce that represents the communities we serve.” H-E-B provides consistent support to Girl Scouting.

In addition to hosting Girl Scout troops’ cookie booths at their stores, they are also a sponsor of the Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council’s annual gala, known as Urban Campout. Herron is equally busy in her personal life as a servant of the community. She volunteers with several organizations, including Houston Area Urban League Board of Directors, Ensemble Theatre Board of Directors and Texans Care for Children Board of Directors, just to name a few.

“I am happy to join the Girl Scout’s Board. When Betsy Kamin approached me, I was touched by her passion and zeal for the organization,” said Herron. “It was an easy decision since I believe in the mission and have personally benefited from its powerful and lasting impact,” she said. Herron is looking forward to having her dreams and aspirations for the organization realized. “I would love for the mem-

bership to continue to grow and thrive,” she said.

“I would also like to see an increase in the organization’s mi- nority memberWinell Herron ship, especially African American and Latina.”

Just as Girl Scouting has made a lasting impression on her life, Herron is looking forward to contributing to our future leaders and community citizens. To this end, she offers this advice to our Council’s girls. “Dream big! Have confidence in your ability to achieve your goals and look for opportunities to hone your leadership skills.

Read us online at www.aframnews.com. To get FREE coverage of your events, activities, news and announcements, please send items to news@aframnews.com.

TX-8

COMMUNITY African-American News&Issues • Texas • July 4-10, 2007 • 9 Micah Stampley: I Believe a fresh wind in the making MARVIN D. CLOUD African-American News&Issues

Houston, Texas

HOUSTON- Last month’s Father’s Day was an oxymoron in the Stampley household because for Micah Stampley, the man, the minister, the husband, the musician, and philanthropist, Father’s Day is celebrated everyday. Father of five children, the multi-gifted Micah, who along with his wife, Heidi, runs Levitical Records, LLC, says there is a dedicate balance in making a living and raising a family, yet God has blessed them with incredible opportunities, which allow him time to be the example God wants man to be.

With 30,000 plus units already sold from the first quarter multi-regional release, the entrepreneurial venture of Micah and Heidi Stampley, prepare for the worldwide release of the sophomore masterpiece, A Fresh Wind…The Second Sound, an invigorating collection of praise and worship songs from Micah Stampley, to accommodate the digital driven and International consumer.

From total praise, to mid tempo worship, to radiating warfare, A Fresh Wind, not only shows growth from the freshman release which was the second highest debut for a Male Gospel Artist in the history of Billboard.

Displaying maturity and wisdom there’s something for everyone on this project. “We Lift You Up,” produced by Stampley and his wife Heidi and Co-Produced by Aaron Lindsey (Israel and New Breed), has the signature Lindsey horn ar-

rangement and the undeniable sweet blend of Micah and his background singers. “No Compromise” is a hot track with a strong bass line that makes the most conservative move. “You Are Lord” is a smoothtune with a laid back vibe while “Fervent Prayer” is a sweet sound of sincerity. “I Believe” is a heart-felt song and the anthem to “Operation I Believe,” the movement under Micah Stampley Ministries, a nonprofit organization used to spread the love of Jesus Christ in word and deed through missionary efforts and awareness.

Elected for the 2007 Breakout Artist of the Year, Micah was a double 2006 Stellar Award nominee for “Male Vocalist of the Year” and “New Artist of the Year and was hand picked by Aretha Franklin to perform at the a musical tribute for “The Queen” during the “2006 Evening of Stars Tribute to Aretha Franklin” benefiting the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). A Fresh Wind is the quintessential praise & worship work of art and is just a taste of what is yet to come.

From his birth in Los Angeles, California to his humble beginnings growing up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana as one of eight children born to Richard Stampley, a carpenter and craftsmen of fine furniture and cabinetry by trade and a Pastor, and Delmarie Stampley, a devoted mother and homemaker, to his chart topping sophomore album, A Fresh Wind . . .The Second Sound; Micah Stampley is a musical phenomenon on the rise.

Destined for musical greatness from birth and with his God-given singing gift he joined his church

choir at the age of four. By the age of seven he was given the reigns as choir director at his father’s church, even though he had to stand on a table for the choir to be able to see him. In order to enhance the musical side of his father’s ministry Micah taught himself how to play the piano and keyboard and at the age of 13, with his brother Nathaniel as his partner, Micah became the church’s official music minister.

After graduation he continued in ministry, however, after his brother was killed in a freak gun accident in 1994, he felt devastated, alone, and adrift in his musical career. “I was so miserable, he recalls.

My brother had not only been my best friend, but my musical partner for years. I still had my passion for music, but I didn’t have a clue what to do with it.” For the next few years Micah just answered the call of God as he heard it. He traveled the globe with nationally renowned evangelist, Bishop Earl Johnson, accompanying him on his numerous crusades. He also appeared in several Gospel musicals in the Los Angeles area and eventually returned to his father’s church to oversee the music department. It was at this time he met his soon-to-be wife, Heidi Jones in the college gospel choir.

Heidi became Micah’s life and songwriting partner a little under a year after they met, and is now the Vice President of Levitical Records, the entrepreneurial venture of the duo; a home-school mother to their five children, a registered nurse, and Micah’s manager and biggest supporter.

In 2003, Micah came to the attention of Dexterity Sounds, Bish-

Micah Stampley and family op T.D. Jakes record label. Before anything could transpire, Micah won the “2004 Stellar Awards National Star Search,” after competing against thousands of candidates.

Shortly thereafter, Micah was invited to Bishop Jakes Potters House as a special musical guest. After service Bishop Jakes called Micah to his office and offered him a record deal instantly. This divine connection led to extensive exposure nationally and abroad both in conjunction with Bishop T.D. Jakes and independently. The rest as they say is history in the making.

A Fresh Wind …The Second Sound, a refreshing compendium of exuberant worship and praise melodies was self-released on Levitical Records. This comes on the heels of his chart topping introduction album, The Songbook of Mi-

cah, which hit the music charts as the second highest debut for a Male Gospel Artist in Billboard history.

With this success he was blessed with the honors of: Billboard Magazine critic’s pick as one of Top 10 gospel music artists of 2005 and the online giant, AOL’s Black Voices stamp as one of The Top 11 Gospel Geniuses of 2005. In addition, the record-setting artist received two 2006 Stellar Award nominations for “Male Vocalist of the Year” and “New Artist of the Year.”

“My vision and my wife’s as well, is to go beyond the arts as our sole means of ministry,” he continues.

“We want to deal with people as well as issues. We want to address the root causes of homelessness, for instance, and at the same time actually build shelters to feed, cloth and nurture people’s bodies as well

Deals & Wheels

Manufacturer’s or aftermarket warranty?

GWENEVERE M. CLOUD Automotive Correspondent

HOUSTONIn our country, the rights and remedies of buyers and sellers of goods are governed by Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) as it has been modified by each state. Having said that, warranties, like all contracts, are only as good as the company behind them.

I’m sure that there are some great third-party or aftermarket warranties available. Yet, everyday, I hear horror stories from individuals who have paid hundreds, if not thousands of dollars for an aftermarket warranty, only to find coverage non-existent when it is time to receive service.

When I was with a GM dealership, I sold my husband a 2001 Pontiac Firebird. Years later, he bought an aftermarket warranty which was set up on monthly payments. Halfway through his contract, the company Warranty Gold, filed bankruptcy, leaving him and thousands of other consumers, the holders of a worthless warranty - although it took in millions of dollars in premiums. Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon incident. Many investors and entrepreneurs want to get a piece of the pie when it comes to automobile repairs, but manufacturers have billions of dollars behind them.

Gwenevere M. Cloud is Business Development Manager for Gulfgate Dodge, 7250 Gulf Freeway, Houston, TX. For more information, call (281)4776767 ext. 6130 or email her at gcloud@ gulfgatedodge.com.

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Read us online at www.aframnews.com. To get FREE coverage of your lifestyle events and news and announcements, please send items.

TX-9

10 • African-American News&Issues • Texas • July 4-10, 2007 CHURCHES BROOKHAVEN CHURCH OF CHRIST

CHURCH/RELIGION NEWS

Vacation Bible School at Darien Loop Church of Christ: “Can You Dig It?

Sunday

Sunday School 9:45 a.m.

Morning Worship 11 a.m.

Evening Worship 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday Bible Class (all ages) 7:00 p.m.

P. E. Stewart, Minister

“TheTruthWill SetYou Free” John 8: 31-32 8630 Southview St, Hou., TX 77051

(713)733-5664

DUNCAN MEMORIAL

CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST Pastor Elder Supt Ohmas Edwards (713) 674-5466

2222 Lockwood Dr.

“Preaching The Tx Gospel Houston, 77020Is More Important Than Philosophizing.

SUNDAY Soul Winning Is More Important Than Building Membership Morning Prayer: 9:15 am .”

If youSunday are looking church School: for 9:30aam home, you might want to come Church Services: 11 am fellowship with these folks. Besides Sunday, they meet for prayer on Tuesday morning at 11 am, and on Friday the Bible Band Mission meets from 12 to 1 pm and a Bible

SUNDAY SERVICE

8 AM and 11 AM BIBLE STUDIES Wednesday 7:30PM

The Darien Loop Church of Christ Vacation Bible School participants.

JESSE SIMON

African-American News&Issues

HOUSTON- The Darien Loop Church of Christ, 7014 Darien Street, Thomas Reed minister, hosted, the Annual Vacation Bible School (VBS). “The history of V.B.S. dates back to the late 1800s, when churches saw the need to have Biblical studies, that continued into the summer, beyond the standard Academic year. It took a few years for the idea to catch on, but by the 1920s, churches began to hold V.B.S. and the practice contin-

ues to this modern time.” June 18-23, Darien Loop C.O.C. held its V.B.S. and a “joyous” time was shared by all in attendance. The theme, “Can you dig it?” brought to mind the score from the movie “Shaft,” in which Isaac Hayes queries “Can you dig it?” and the response was “right on.”

Everyone took to heart the fact that with good honest study of God’s Word, we are able to dig deeper and unearth hidden treasures, that illuminate truths, that in turn change lives.

Reed said, “All classrooms were filled. The teenager’s classes were

overflowing and the building was filled to almost capacity every night.

Many visitors were welcomed and those who came on Monday night were so impressed by the teaching, they came every night and brought their children.” After the Friday night fellowship, the teachers vowed for a better and more productive V.B.S next year. Teachers: (pre-school) Sis R. Alexander (elementary) Sis. R. Foreman, Sis B. Lee, Bro. Francis and Bro. S. Hayes, (teens) Sis D. Reed, (adults) Bro. Marshall, Bro. T. Reed, Bro. J. Bovell, Bro. W. Childress, and Bro. H. Randle.

Leonard N. Barksdale, Pastor

Fifth Ward Missionary Baptist Church 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

GREATER FRIENDSHIP MBC Rev. Johnny L. Goff, Sr.,

14055 Dublin

Houston, TX. 77085

Office: 713-7289503

www.gfmbc.com Experience the Friendship! Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church is a church with a mission- “Let Each One, Reach One!” They have been committed to following the Lord’s command to reach out to the lost (Matt. 28: 18-20) since their found-

SHADY ACRES

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

713/861-6625

Sunday

Minister Frank Melton Jr. Res.713/733-0868 Off. 713/861-9249 FX 713/861-2744 Assoc. Minister Glen Burgess, Sr. Res.713/734-8983

Early Worship 6 am Sunday School 9:30 am Regular Worship 10:30 am Evening Worship 6 pm

Wednesday General Song Practice

FIFTH WARD CHURCH OF 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

Celebrating the life of Ethel Mae Low A service of memory celebrating the life of Ethel Mae Low was held on June 2, 2007 at the New Testament Christian Church, G3500 Pasadena Avenue, Flint Michigan with Rev. Dr. Clarence J. Courts, Sr., officiating.

Mother was born in Cedar Lake, Texas on October 4, 1930 to Tommie and Analevia Henderson-Roberson. She was joined in marriage to Curtis P. Williams Sr. (deceased); and from this union, five children were born: Harry (Marilyn) Williams of Austin, TX, Gwendolyn (Jerald-deceased) of Flint, MI, Sandra (L. J. Jr.) Johnson of Arrington, TN, Curtis Jr. (Valerie) of Flint, MI, and Curtis P. Williams II (deceased infant son). Mother started doing the Lord’s work at an early age when she accepted Him as her Savior and worked faithfully at the Bethlehem Christian Church in Cedar Lake, TX. She later met and married Mr. Joseph Low and together they continued to do the Lord’s work in Flint, MI at New Testament Christian Church. She was a dutiful and faithful servant to her church. She loved gardening and working in her flower bed. She loved spending time with her family, church family, and neighbors. Mae received her high school diploma from Mott Adult High School, Flint, MI where she was the “Top Graduate in Her Class of 2001,” as well as the “Oldest Graduate.” She was an ordained Elder at her church and received her associates degree from Faith Evangelistic Christian Schools May 18, 1997.

Website

www.fthwardcoc.org “GIVING, GROWING, & GAINING” 4308 Stonewall St. Hou. Tx 77020

713-672-2654

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

AAN&I wants to be your media partner!

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FIDELITY CHURCH OF CHRIST “ The Church That Cares” 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

Mother went home to be with the Lord on May 25, 2007. She leaves to cherish her lovable memories a beloved husband of 31 years, Joseph Low; Children: Harry (Marilyn) Williams, Gwendolyn Copedge, Sandra (L.J. Jr.) Johnson, Curtis (Valerie) Williams Jr., and step-daughter, Betty Moore of Bay City, TX; sister-in-law, Willie Mae Townsend of Houston, TX; brother and sister-in-law, Eli and Willie Releford of Flint, MI; sisters: Johnnie Mae (Herman) Bell of Brazoria, TX, Paralee (Greg) Shivers of Houston, TX, Willie Mae (Terry) Gordon of Sugar Land, TX and Darlene (L.J.-deceased) of Houston, TX; Brothers: Chester B. Roberson of Houston, TX, Tommie (Sophie) Roberson Jr. of El Campo, TX and Roscoe Roberson of Houston, TX; 13 grandchildren: Harry Jr. (Shelia), Keith, Tameka, Taura, Sonia (Orlando), Piper, L.J. III, Justin, Craig, Traci’, Curtis III, LaNé (Vernon), and Christopher; 17 great grandchildren: Joshua, Keith Jr., Keira, Perris, Ana’Livia, Ian, Jarren, Daylen, Devin, Daria, Dyson, Clayton, Sharod, Tra’Anthony, Deja, Vernon Jr. and Jazmyn; a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other family members, many dear friends, and best friends, Ethel L. Ward of Cedar Lane, TX and Ella Horton and Hattie Watson of Flint, MI. Ethel is preceded in death by her parents; brothers Sylvester, Ralph and Gilbert; first husband, Curtis Sr.; and son Curtis P. Williams II. At the service, the Old and New Testament scriptures were read by Rev. Kenneth R.Gillard and prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. Arnold

Ethel Mae Low Lakes, Sr. A Solo was given by Sis. Mary Ann Johnson and the obituary, acknowledgement and resolutions were by Traci’ Williams and Sonia Pillow. Music was presented by the N.T.C.C. Praise Team and a poem was read by LaNé Williams-Ragland and L. J. Johnson III. The Eulogy was given by Rev. Dr. Clarence J. Courts, Sr. Active pallbearers were Harry J. Williams, Jr., L.J. Johnson III, Curtis P. Williams III, Christopher M. Williams, Justin J. Johnson and Michael Williamson. Honorary pallbearers were Harry J. Williams Sr., Curtis P. Williams Jr., L.J. Johnson Jr., Tommie Roberson Jr., Vernon T. Ragland Sr., Keith E. Williams Sr., Craig S. Williams Sr. and C. Orlando Pillow.

Angel Faces, Inc. celebrates grand opening of new center DALLAS/FORT WORTH-Angel Faces, Inc. celebrate the Grand Opening of “Angel Faces Playhouse and Performance Arts Center,” Saturday, July 28, 2007 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be free food, fun activities, live performances, artistic workshop and vendors from all over the Dallas/Fort Worth area specializing in products and services for families with children. The grand opening will also include “Can’t Stop the Praise.”The first annual Gospel Hip Hop Music Explosion immediately following the Grand Opening from 6p.m.- 8p.m. The mega gospel event, featuring “Ordered Steps,”“GTOP Choir,” “AFX” and many more of Dallas’s top gospel choirs, holy hip hop mime and praise dancers, will be the 220-seat performing Arts Center’s first musical production.

Tickets are being sold in advance at $10 for adults and $5 for students at the Angel Faces Ticket Center Located at 111 W. Ledbetter Dr., Suite 750.

Proceeds will go toward the purchase of props and costumes for the Angel Faces Playhouse Performers upcoming theatrical debut performance of Adam and Eve-ie in August. Adam and Eve-ie is an original children’s comedy musical stage play written, produced and directed by the Artistic Director of Angel faces, Inc., Monique Stone.

Angel Faces, Inc., is a 501c3 non-profit organization that promotes the awareness and prevention of child abuse, mentors youth and teaches them all forms of the expressive arts.

Angel Faces Inc., has served over 1,200 youth in the southern sector since it’s founding in 2000. It offers scholarships for drama, music, and dance training and performance opportunities to the disadvantaged.

For the past six years, Angel Faces Dance Company has received numerous opportunities to dance at venues such as Juneteenth and Harambee Celebration held at the MLK Jr. Center, Fair Park, Kwanzafest, The Arts Districts Dance For the Planets & City Arts, and more for the past three years.

Angel Faces has received DISD scholarships to attend the Debbie Allen Dance Intensive held in Ft. Worth. This year, eight of their dancers trained with Debbie Allen’s Los Angeles Studio Dance instructors for two grueling weeks and performed for her in a grand finale performance at the end of the camp.

These DISD dance scholarships represent the true essence of the group’s philosophy: “With dedication, determination, and direction, you can excel beyond your own imagination.” This grand Opening Celebration marks a personal and professional triumph for Stone, who is the group’s founder.

“To finally have a place to call home in the very neighborhood where we began and where we serve the greatest number of youth is a huge milestone in our seven-year journey,” she said. “We needed a place in our own community where children can be trained in all disciplines of dance as well as drama and music.”

For more information call, (214)-3725080.

Dallas Common uses gun buy-back to make community safer DESOTO- The Rev. Peter Johnson and Dallas Common has been involved in several gun buy back programs. The most recent success was at The Community Missionary Baptist Church on 115 W. Beltline Road in DeSoto.

During that event, a number of weapons were turned in and disabled never to do any harm on the streets again. For Johnson, the success of the program is encouraging. “We encourage gun owners to be responsible,” he said. “If you can not securely lock up your guns, sell them to us. We do not want to see another child or person hurt, harmed or killed as a result of senseless gun violence.”

The Mission of Dallas Common is to bring together diverse peoples, perspectives and resources in order to create solutions to the issues that confront and divide our communities, especially: poverty, violence, addiction, prejudice and intolerance. Its primary goal is to develop programmatic thrusts to address a growing culture of violence among our youth. Dallas Common wants to provide a generation of children with realistic alternatives to violence while creating a dialogue with our youth regarding guns and violence. The group also buys back ammunitions. With the program, cash is exchanged for guns and ammunition.

Typically Dallas Common will receive over one hundred guns from the community at one of these events.

Read us online at www.aframnews.com. To get FREE coverage of your church events, news and announcements, please send items to news@aframnews.com.

TX-10

YOUTH/SCHOOL

African-American News&Issues • Texas • July 4-10, 2007 •

Congratulations to Alicia Marcha who recently graduated from the University of Houston.

Dallas ISD announces start of 2007-2008 school year For the past 18 years, Marsherria and Gerald E. Wilson have awarded scholarships to graduating seniors throughout the Greater Houston community. Marsherria Wilson, President of Paradise Scholarship Fund and Paradise Funeral Home & Cemeteries and Gerald, CEO of Wilson Financial Group, Inc., are both products of HISD. Willie Skillern, vice president, has also been instumental in the foundation’s success. This year’s event was held on June 10. Congratulations to all scholarship recipients.

DALLAS- Dallas ISD students will start the 2007-2008 school year Monday, August 27, 2007. Dallas ISD is working hard to become the best urban school district in the nation by 2010. For that reason and for their educational growth, it is important that all students exceed in their academic achievement, and that can be done by not missing a day of class. Also, remember that students must comply with the state’s immunization requirements before school

Ten Star All Star Summer Basketball Camp

Final applications are now being evaluated for the Ten Star All Star Summer Basketball Camp. The Ten Star All Star Summer Basketball Camp is by invitation only. Boys and Girls ages 10-19 are eligible to apply. Past participants include: Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan, Vince Carter, Jerry Stackhouse, Grant Hill and Antawn Jamison. Players from 50 states and 17 foreign countries attended the 2006 Camp. College Basketball Scholarships are possible for players selected to the All American Team. Camp Locations include: Commerce TX, Prescott, AZ, Thousand Oaks, Ca, Sterling, CO, Babson Park, FL, Atlanta, GA, Champaign, IL, Ypsilanti, MI, Glassboro, NJ, Hickory, NC, Mitchell, SD, Lebanon, TN, and Blacksburg, VA. There is also a Summer Camp available for Boys and Girls ages 6-18 of all skill levels. For a free brochure on these Summer Camps, or for more information, please call (704) 373-0873.

Dallas Independent School District to hold job fair to recruit teachers

DALLAS- The Dallas Independent School District will hold a job fair to recruit teachers for the 2007-2008 school year. The fair has been scheduled for Saturday, July 28, 2007 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Automobile Building Fair Park. To attend the fair, candidates must first apply online at the Dallas ISD website at www.dallasisd.org.

Qualified applicants must be certified teachers and must bring a copy of their valid teaching certificate to gain entrance into the fair.

Candidates must also bring a social security card and photo identification, such as a driver’s licenses. Currently the salary for Dallas ISD teacher is $42,000 annually. Certified bilingual teachers receive an additional $4,000 stipend; math and science teachers a $2,500 stipend and Spanish teachers $3,000.

1st Annual Back2School Houston Parade and Education Expo HOUSTON- The 1st Annual Back2School Houston Parade and Education Expo. On Saturday August 4, 2007, the Back2School Houston Parade and Expo will commence with what is certain to become an annual cultural and dducational tradition within the City of Houston and the State of Texas. In recognition of our responsibility as a community, parents, and guardians of our youth, the 2007 parade theme is “Our Children, Our Choice.”

Join them as they shine light on what continues to be one of the most important issues facing our children today-a quality education. The 2007 Back2School Houston Parade & Educational Expo will step off at

10:00 a.m. in downtown Houston at Minute Maid Park (Texas & Crawford). The Parade Grand Marshall will be the University of Houston Charter School.

Sponsorship and parade registration is still open to public and prvate entities. Interested parties are encouraged to join them in this noble endeavor. The Back2School Houston Parade committee is an all-volunteer organization whose sole purpose is to highlight and promote educational excellence and opportunity for the children of Houston and the State of Texas.

For additional information, visit the Web site at www.Back2SchoolHou.com or call (832)236-4902.

Free Summer Camp for aviation students DALLAS- Metro Academy of Math and Science/ Chapter Ace Academy will host a summer camp from Wednesday, July 25 - Saturday July 28, 2007 for youth from 12-17 years of age. These four days of summer camp offers teens a behind the scenes look at aviation.

Hands-on activities reinforce the learning experience, and students experience a flight orientation ride in a small airplane. Students must submit an application. NBCFAE pay for the tuition fee, so there is no cost for most programs. For more information, please call (817)-222-4214.

Read us online at www.aframnews.com. To get FREE coverage of your school/youth events, news and announcements, please send items to news@aframnews.com.

TX-11

12 • African-American News&Issues • Texas • July 4-10, 2007

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