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August 29-September 4, 2007 ™ Vol. 12 Issue 30

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LONG, HOTTER, SUMMERS BUD JOHNSON

African-American News&Issues

A guilty look

“After World War II, Whites began moving out to the suburbs in huge numbers, spurred on by new interstate highways, low-interest mortgages and widespread access

to college provided by the G.I. Bill.

As Blacks moved into the Central Ward, they faced severe discrimination in jobs and housing. Years of poverty and discrimination had created a powder keg of frustration in many Black communities.

The spark came on the hot summer night of July 12, 1967.” Histo-

Page 5

Lone Star Hoods

DALLAS– Paul Quinn Interim President Paul Sorrells announced the dress code changes stating, “It is our mission to educate and better prepare our students for successful professional careers. To that end, beginning in the fall we are implementing a business casual dress code for the campus.” Between the hours of 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, MondayThursday, students will no longer be allowed to wear jeans, gym shoes, flip flops, pajama bottoms, shorts, sweatshirts, sweatsuits, halter tops, or shirts without collars outside of their dormitories.

Fridays will be “Paul Quinn Pride Day” and students will be permitted to wear jeans and shorts if they are wearing Greek or school paraphernalia.

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Quote of the Week

“The sweltering summer of the Negro’s legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality.”

Martin Luther King

ry repeats notwithstanding, African America News&Issues had cause to pause and ponder (while reading that excerpt from the New York Time’s July 7, 2007 article, 40 Years On Newark Re-Examines Painful Riot Past), whether or not, America’s violent past mirrors our future.

Dare we ignore the sage warning to remember our past so that we won’t repeat our mistakes? Will 2007 America’s senseless violence evolve into the “Long Hot Summers” that exploded in the 1960’s underserved, crime and drug infested urban jungles throughout See SUMMERS page 3

Texas Activist Seeks Damages in Suit Against CenterPoint Energy

Roundup from the

FORT WORTH– The National Funeral Home Directors and Morticians Association have awarded Gregory Spencer Funeral Directors the number one designation for 2007. General Manager Cynthia Diane Evans, funeral director Daryll R. Davis, is running Gregory Spencer Funeral Home I and the Rev. Joe A. Foster, Senior Mortician. To get that honor, Spencer and staff overcame challenges from larger funeral operations in major cities that were involved in directing funerals for Godfather of Soul James Brown, Singer Gerald Levert, Bishop Gilbert E. Patterson and former Grambling University Coach Eddie Robinson and other well-known Black celebrities.

Does violent history mirror Black America’s future?

DARWIN CAMPBELL

African-American News&Issues

The National Guard quelled 1960s America’s long, hot summer See excerpt on page 3.

BEAUMONT- It appears a dispute between a prominent Black Texas community activist and Centerpoint Energy has landed in a Jefferson County District Court. According to court documents, Eligah C. (Ricky) Jason is seeking an undisclosed amount of damages in a case involving alleged guerilla tactics and questionable actions of a Centerpoint Energy employee trying to take a gas meter.The suit, filed Aug. 8 in the 58th Judicial District, alleges that actions taken against Jason by the employee representing Centerpoint Energy Inc. in the incident were reckless and negligent.

Both Centerpoint Energy and Kevin Calhoun are named in the suit.

He is seeking unreported amount for damages including loss of liberty, loss of earnings as a result of being arrested and incarcerated, attorney fees and expenses in defense of the criminal charges he faced and

the vexation, humiliation, embarrassment, mental anguish and distress the entire incident has had on his name, character and health. Jason has long been associated with the fight for civil rights and justice.

He has a host of celebrity colleagues and friends worldwide from famed peacemakers Bishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela of South Africa to African American Civil Rights giants Dick Gregory and Martin Luther King III. According to the suit, on Aug. 8, 2006, Jason was at his residence when he was awakened by pounding on his door. When he answered the door, defendant and Centerpoint Energy employee Kevin Calhoun told Jason that he was there to retrieve a gas meter. Jason, who had been under doctor’s care and on medication at time, did not object to the collection of the meter, but simply asked Calhoun to come back later.

Jason was not in arrears on a bill and the meter was not even activatSee ACTIVIST page 3

Police Chief Fires Officer Accused of Brutality MARIO SALAS

African-American News&Issues

SAN ANTONIO- At a press conference, civil rights attorney James Myart in quoting from an It’s been over a year since God called Betty Jean Sullivan home with a “Well done my good and faithful servant” commendation, but her precious memories are as vibrant as ever in the hearts and minds of those who celebrated her very productive, Christian life on September 2, 2006 at Pleasant Hill BC, 1510 Pannell @ Lyons Ave, in the heart of Houston, Texas’ Fifth Ward community. Senior Pastor Rev. Harvey Clemons, Jr. officiated a truly joyous order of service that included input from Rev. Will Fortune, Rickie Harvey, Celestine Neal, her beloved PHBC’s Senior Choir and Oretha Ellis representing PHBC’s Mission II. Active pallbearers were: Cravon D. Rogers, Dira G. Williams, Ernest Scales, Bennie Hughes Jr., Ronald Hughes and Rickie Harvey. Leo Sinegal, George Hill Sr. and Tommy, John Carl & Michael Sullivan were honorary pallbearers Betty Jean, who was born on Nov. 1, 1933 to Willie A. and Dinah Hughes Washborn in Brenham, Texas.

(FYI: Brenham, the county seat of Washington County,

Express News article by Lomi Kriel, revealed that San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) officer Keith Alfaro has been fired by Police Chief William McManus. According to the Express News, Officer Alfaro was “accused of assaulting

BETTY SULLIVAN

November 1, 1933 - August 25, 2006

is on U.S. Highway 290 seventytwo miles northwest of Houston.

The Hickory Grove community changed its name in 1843 to Brenham in honor of Republic of Texas hero Dr. Richard Fox Brenham, who had practiced medicine in the vicinity. Brenham has served as a regional educational center since Reconstruction, when a large Freedmen’s school was established there. In 1875, the town began operating the first tax-supported school system in Texas, includ-

an 18-year-old woman at a neighborhood swimming pool and has been issued a notice of indefinite suspension — essentially, an action that is tantamount to being fired.”

The biggest criticism was leveled at the San Antonio Police Officers ing a school for Blacks. In 1883, German Methodists of Brenham founded Mission Institute.

In 1889, the school was renamed Blinn Memorial College, also known as Blinn College, in appreciation of financial support from Rev. Christian Blinn. The Lutheran College, founded in 1891, and a Black female college also provided higher education in later nineteenth-century Brenham.

Black professionals and Blackowned stores served their own community during the first half of the twentieth century. Brenham’s population doubled every decade between 1860 and 1900. Despite a brief reign of terror by the Ku Klux Klan, the town preserved its position as a regional economic center between 1910 and the 1950s. Handbook of Texas Online.)

Betty, confessed Christ at an early age and united with the St. John A.M.E. Church in Brenham.

She attended Goodwill and Henderson Public Schools and graduated from Pickard High School.

She then entered and graduated from the Franklin School of Beau-

Association (SAPOA) and its president Teddy Stewart who many civil rights leaders are saying has stacked the Police Citizen Action Advisory Board with handpick civilians who are prone to be highly influenced by See BRUTALITY page 3

ty in Houston, Texas where she met her soulmate, Turner Sullivan Jr. They married on Dec. 29, 1955 and raised their only son while she worked as a practicing cosmetologist for over 40 years. She joined Pleasant Hill Baptist Church and remained a faithful member. She served for many years as President of Mission II and a faithful choir member. Her social affiliations include the Heroines of Jericho Golden Staff Court #272, City Association of Beauty Culture League, and Texas State Association Beauty Culture League. She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Tyrone J. Sullivan; her beloved husband; four sisters, Willie M. Rogers, Mable M. Scales, Lottie V. Harvey and Alice L. Henderson; three brothers, Edgar C. Hughes, Bennie Hughes and McKinley Hughes. She is survived by one niece, Rhonda Harvey; seven nephews, Oscar C. Rogers, Jr., Dora G. Williams, James R. Scales, Ernest K. Scales, Bennie Hughes, Jr., Ronald L. Hughes and Rickie O. Harvey and a host of other relatives and friends.

TX-1

VIEWPOINTS & OPINIONS

2 • African-American News&Issues • Texas •August 29 -September 4, 2007 Si 19 nce 94

EDITORIAL

“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

WE MUST UNDERSTAND: Checkmate Ends Games

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“Peace” 9 1/4” tall

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nasmuch as African American News&Issues’ pundits have copiously use the term “checkmated” (extracted from Dr. Frances Cress Welsing’s lectures on made in America African’s political leadership’s catch-22 circumstances in the nation’s racist political system), we must plead guilty to misrepresenting chess terminology to make a point. Then again, one can easily understand where the renown psychiatrist and author of The Isis Papers, is coming from when she used the chess term in context of her lectures on why the misguided agenda of “working within a rotten system to make changes” ultimately puts Black leaders in a no win, “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation.

We Must Understand, logic dictates that an oppressive system isn’t likely to reward crusaders that are dedicated to equal rights for the oppressed. Yet, Black America somehow fails to grasp the biblical concept found in Matthew 6:24, that elucidates: “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

Even so, if one replaces king, and/or masters with Black leadership, checkmate (FYI: To attack a chess opponent’s king in such a manner that no escape or defense is possible, thus ending the game), indeed, tells us what time it is in 2007 Black America, thus, we can’t win for losing. If you need an example of where we’re coming from, the upcoming bonds that Black Texans will be asked to vote on will suffice.

In fact, since we promised to give insight into various bonds targeting the Nov. 6, 2007 ballot, let’s talk about the Houston Independent School District’s $805 million bond request. Not surprisingly, HISD’s majority/minority Board of Trustees voted 8-1 for the bond, sans any community input whatsoever. So the question is, why did minority trustees vote aye for the bond that will further tax their already economically depressed

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Run Carol, Run! Roy Douglas Malonson

’d heard the cliché about Cutting to the chase, any remembering our history all Black person who has voted for of my life. But I hadn’t bothered to school bonds should’ve immedianalyze the often misquoted say- ately thought of the old English saying: “Those who cannot remember ing “Fool me once, shame on you; the past are condemned to repeat fool me twice, shame on me,” when it,”(credited to the 17th century Superintendent Abe Saavedra had Spanish philosopher George San- the gall to convince his “rubber tayana), until I started publishing stamp,” minority/majority Board of African American News&Issues. Trustees to sanction an $805 milIn addition, I never really thought lion bond proposal with absolutemuch about it because like far too ly “nada” community input. Voters many history illiterate Americans are asked to vote for the bond on I confused collective history with Nov. 6, 2007. So, please don’t ignore personal past. If you read how HISD misused Santayana’s Life of Reaour tax money in the son, you’ll realize the past, because Ignopopular cliché was taken rance Voids Histoout of context. What I’m ry. Meanwhile, let’s saying is, while the averturn back the clock to age African American 1989 and I’ll refresh might not know Black your memory, or History, they certainly give you a mini-hisshould remember their tory lesson to conown past. sider before you vote You can’t forget someaye, or nay for HISD’s Carol Galloway thing you never knew. I current bond propossay this, because my past al that will negatively is an intricate part of my Northwest impact inner-city schools.

Houston, Texas’ Acres Home comI’m not about to let HISD hold munity’s history. I not only made our kids hostage so that they can some of that history, but dedicat- cram bond proposals and higher ed myself to reserving it. Yet, unlike taxes down our collective throat. most people, who think history is Even so, we must remember when something that you only learn in Superintendent Frank Petruzielo school, I realize Black History is a did what Saavedra is trying to do. chronicle of our culture that’s hand- If you remember, voters choked ed down from our ancestors. Ide- on a bond proposal that was hard ally, we’re obligated to add to that to swallow. As much as I like that history (FYI: Noah Webster, in his analogy, maybe you don’t know 1828 dictionary defined “history” where I’m coming from? I’m talking as: .... a narrative of events in the when Petruzielo conned the voters order in which they happened with into voting 2-1 (27, 190 yea-13, 056 their causes and effects.), and pass nay), for a two-phase, $300 million it on to the next generation. With bond in 1989. If you recall, he not this in mind, I’m duty bond to share only failed to keep his promises, what I learned about school bond but citizens were hit with a stagissues in the past. gering 32 percent tax increase in TX-2

series of Eyeviews, circa 1987, that I got a lot of reverse racist flack over. Yet, I’m as convinced now, as I was then, that America’s public schools clandestinely changed their teaching methods because Black kids were out performing White kids. For sure, we had a better grasp of the “old school” show and tell methods that had been passed down from our slave ancestors.

History records that slaves were slick enough to learn (by surreptitiously watching tutors teach “Massa’s” urchins), although edification was a death sentence. Hey, don’t believe me. Ask your Paw Paw, or Big Momma, how 1960s America’s schools taught. Meanwhile, you post-Brown v. Board grads look up the word elocution in the dictionary and you’ll know why our kid’s catch hell with reading comprehension on tests. Meanwhile, I’d better adhere to African American News&Issues’ keep it real editorial

1992. Yet, he brazenly added insult to injury in 1993 when he moved to get the second phase approved without community input.

However, Carol Mims Galloway (former City Councilmember who was then on the school board) raised so much hell until she made Petruzielo cut and run. Dr. Rod Paige picked up HISD’s baton, but

had to fight Galloway, who rallied the community against any proposal that would close schools in the ‘hood. History repeats notwithstanding, I got a phone call from NAACP’s president Galloway shortly after Arthur Gaines and Kevin Hoffman voted ‘yea’ for a bond proposal that included closing schools in their respective dis-

tricts and retired. She was as mad as hell, and (in spite of already being over burdened trying to resurrect her organization’s historical image in the ‘hood) asked me if I would help her reclaim her seat on school board. Since Carol knows HISD’s divisive bond history, inside-out, I shouted into the phone…Run Carol run!

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oebeit I’m persistently challenged by detractors that fail to grasp the concept of communicating as opposed to articulating. They enviably critique The Twilight Zone methods of my teaching that borders on The Outer Limits of disparaging made in America Africans (saying things about my dearly beloved, stuck on stupid brothers and sisters saying that racist “red necks” can’t get away with), but I offer no apology whatsoever. In fact, if my acerbic intellectual chastisements offend my more sensitive, brainwashed, political correct brothers and sisters (wont to believe it’s intelligent and/or positive reinforcement to tell an ugly child that she, or he, is beautiful)… good! Because it ain’t a damn thing positive about a lie.

Denial notwithstanding, if one has the intellectual wherewithal to access the historical archives of their psyches and connect the dots, they can easily discern that Black family values began to erode at the advent of the misguided “positive reinforcement” era, that was duly documented in the inane “Pop Psychology” best seller, I’m OKYou’re OK, that was written to save a generation of lost and looking White kids. For real, they were suffering from the trauma of integration. White supremacy aside, White kids suddenly realized that Black kids, not only could jump higher on the basketball court, but think on a higher level than they could. Shazam! If you’re from my

ON: Old School’s OK!

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policy. For sure, I know you’re not going to do the research. Ergo (FYI: The book, I’m OK- You’re OK, by author Thomas Anthony Harris, is one of the most successful self-help books ever published. It was originally published in 1969 by Harper & Row, and gradually grew in popularity until it made the New York Times bestseller list in 1972, where it remained for almost two years.

It is still in print, published by Harper- Collins and is estimated to have sold over 15 million copies in three years. It was translated into over a dozen languages.-Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.)

In essence, the book rationalized mediocrity and engendered the notion that one can build kid’s self esteem by stroking their ego.

Even if one lies to them. Hey, if you’re too dumb to know where I’m coming from, “What we have here is a failure to communicate.”

Square business, as I’ve explained in the past, consider yourself in a classroom when you read Eyeview.

Accordingly, I’m the “old school,” no nonsense teacher who doesn’t give a damn if I hurt your feelings or not, as long as I unlock your closed minds and make you think about what I’m saying. Truth is, I learned the most from teachers I disliked. Mayhaps you differ from me. When those mean, old teachers embarrassed me in front of those pretty gals, I conspired pay back. I researched books all night to find flaws in teacher’s version of the lesson to rebut in their class the next day. The teachers (insecure in their knowledge) usually put me out of their class. But the good ones often smiled and nodded. And I knew I was OK. I wonder if anybody knows where I’m coming from?

BUD’S EYEVIEW

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constituents? Particularly Arthur Gaines and Kevin Hoffman who retired from the board forthwith. Longevity notwithstanding, Gaines was lionized in the media and is likely to add to his already massive number of “outstanding citizens,” and/or the Black community’s “Appreciation Awards,” in recognition of his dedicated service during his career in education that spans three decades.

And there’s absolutely anything wrong with that.

Especially if he truly did the very best that he could under the circumstances. Nevertheless, one has cause to pause and ponder whether, or not, educators that leaves schools they served in worse disrepair, and the kids dumber be honored for doing “a great job?” Perish the thought that we have an axe to grind with Grimes, and surely not Hoffman who we consider a fellow warrior in the ongoing spiritual war. Yet, we would be remiss as an editorial watcher on the wall to not question the effectiveness of minority HISD trustees that condoned the rehiring of the high priced spin doctor Terry Abbott. For sure, we fully understand that one must play the political game well to enjoy minimal success within the system, but much like in chess, when an opponent neutralizes the king, the game ends. Checkmate!

We Must Understand, there’s a great difference between politicians and public servants. Politicians are more likely to adhere to special interests, while a true public servant serves disenfranchised citizens. Accordingly, we will not rush to judgment because the public servants in question failed to adequately serve the public with the edifying data that AAN&I has requested ad nauseam. The game ain’t over until it’s over. Ideally, our retired HISD Trustees are obligated to share the results of previous bond election (Detailing how the money was used) with the general public. Surely, retiring educators want their constituents to be educated about the upcoming bond.

Bud Johnson: The Old African Warrior

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era you should remember the “Hippie” generation of confused, rich White kids searching for themselves. If not, you might recall a

African-American News&Issues • Texas • August 29-September 4, 2007 • 3 BRUTALITY -from Page 1

the SAPOA. The four civilians on the review board voted that Tamara Vaughan’s claims were unfounded, while the seven police officers decided Alfaro should be suspended for 30 days despite the massive evidence that he beat and threatened to kill 18- year-old Tamara Vaughn if she filed a compliant. The Advisory Action Review Board has no credibility, and is non-representative of the citizens or the city. It appears from the SAPOA union contract with the City of San Antonio that the police officers’ association is in control of the board, Myart said. Tamara Vaughn sustained massive injuries about the face and head in the severe beating she received at the hands of Alfaro, who has had repeated violations but have remained on the force.

According to the Express News, “San Antonio police Detective Keith Alfaro, 35, is charged with aggravated assault and evading and resisting arrest after Tamara Vaughan, 18, said Alfaro punched her repeatedly because she told him to put out a cigar at a North Side community pool. The SAPD puts Alfaro on paid administrative duty pending the completion of an investigation. “ Alfaro is also accused of calling the African American teen a “Nigger” and make other racial remarks during the course of the incident.

It also reported that “Alfaro was suspended without pay in April 2003 after supervisors found some merit in two allegations of wrongdoing, both of which involved a pair of brothers who claimed they had been mistreated, threatened and pushed by the officer. The incidents took place in October 2002 and led ACTIVIST-from Page 1 ed or connected to the home since Jason’s home is heated and cooled by central heat and air. Calhoun allegedly ignored Jason’s request and waited until Jason was back inside and trespassed on his property by jumping over his fence and entered the yard. Jason’s home is surrounded by a large eight-foot wooden privacy fence and on the fence two signs are clearly posted that warns visitors “No Trespassing” and “Beware of Dog.” Jason’s two dogs allegedly responded to the intrusion by Calhoun and were beaten with a metal tool the employee. When Jason heard the commotion, he went outside and said he heard Calhoun use racial expletives and witnessed him hitting the dogs with a pipe wrench.

He then went back into his home

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to unpaid suspensions totaling six days, of which Alfaro served two.”

Keith Alfaro apparently has escaped appropriate punishment despite the fact that he has acted like what many consider a “rogue policeman.”

According to informed observers the San Antonio Police Officers’ Association, under the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the City of San Antonio gets to veto any civilian representative they do not want on the Board. It is no surprise to many that under this agreement the police have been getting a pass from a board that is politically stacked in favor of SAPOA. These civilians must be held accountable to the people, not in bed with the police and the police officer’s association.

This board is nothing like it was envisioned. There is no real citizen input. There are four SAPOA

handpicked citizens on the board controlled by the union. The City Council must act to protect the citizens because what we have now is a citizen board that protects the police.

It is the opinion of many in the community that the Mayor and City should disband the Board and create a more responsive and less secretive process with real power and teeth to protect citizens from abusive police officers. This board is nothing like he envisioned it when he forced the City Council to create it in the wake of the Rodney King beatings in 1992.

In the wake of the members’ recommendation falling far short of the chief’s final decision to fire Police Officer Keith Alfaro, the board should resign and the methods by which civilians are placed on the board be revisited and changed by the City Council.

Tamara Vaughn (right) was beaten by police officer Keith Alfaro.

Alfaro has been fired by the police chief despite a rubber stamp move by the Citizen Police Advisory Board. and called 911.

According to Jason, he attempted to help Calhoun, but Calhoun responded by cursing him and allegedly pushing him, requiring him to have to have some medical attention at the local hospital. Jason is under a doctor’s care and suffers from various medical conditions, including high blood pressure to maintenance treatment of corneal transplants in his eye. When police were called to investigate the incident, Calhoun allegedly told police that Jason turned the dogs loose on him and commanded an attack.

Police ignored the claims by Jason that not only had Calhoun trespassed on his property, but also cursed him and assaulted him – a claim back up by medical reports provided by the defendant. Jason was arrested and booked into jail and was charged with criminal charges that were prosecuted in Jefferson County and later dismissed.

According to the suit, Jason contends Centerpoint and Calhoun are liable and responsible for the false

sional conduct of its employees and for it failed procedures and protocol in dealing with the control, decision-making and delegation of authority to employees in the field.

As reported in African American News&Issues, Sept. 6-12, 2006 edition, from the courtroom to death row, the soft-spoken Jason has been a tireless activist working to get the message out for those human beings that society has neglected, tossed aside and thrown away. Wearing that badge has made him a target of many in Beaumont and across Texas looking for an opportunity to intimidate him, harass him and neutralize his efforts.

What remains at issue in Beaumont is the responsiveness of the Beaumont police are to African Americans who call for help in the Black part of town.

Has the city made any gestures since the incident to improve communications and offer piece of mind that when Blacks call for help that taxpaying residents can get attention and help they deserve. Are

SUMMERS-from Page 1 the land of the free? Irony aside, although the Watts’ riot is the most memorable, Newark, New Jersey recently commemorated a much deadlier long hot summer. “There was a rain of stones, rocks, Molotov cocktails at the precinct,” recalls Rutgers’ sociologist Max Herman.

Herman, who has been working on a book about the racial riots for most of the past 40 years, says that Newark has tried to ignore its history and encourage a message of renaissance instead, but believes that attitude held the city back, “because there hasn’t been an honest airing of what happened in the past. “You can’t have a renaissance without reconciliation, and you can’t have reconciliation without truth telling,” concludes Herman.

Accordingly, AAN&I is obligated to share a chronology of race riots that changed the course of America’s history of discrimination and Jim Crow laws from a June 2, 1980 article (All the Long, Hot Summers), that reveals: “Burn, baby, burn!’ That was the exultant cry first heard in the Los Angeles district of Watts. It marked a historic shift from the era of sit-ins and nonviolent marches, of songs and prayers, to the era of ghetto rioting.

The worst outbreaks: New York City, July 1964: During a rally held in Harlem to protest an off-duty, White police officer’s killing of a Black youth, the crowd marched to a Harlem police station and scuffles with police erupted into a riot that lasted six days.

“Riots also broke out in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn. The final toll: one dead, 143 injured, 461 arrested; Los Angeles, August 1965: A minor incident on a hot summer night turned into six days of rioting, arson, looting and sniping by an estimated 10,000 Blacks. Of the 34 people killed, 28 were Black. By the sixth day, 12,000 National Guardsmen and 2,500 city and county police were patrolling 46 square miles and had arrested 4,000 people. Some 200 buildings were completely destroyed, with property losses estimated at $40 million. Cleveland, July 1966: Again a minor incident—this time in a neighborhood bar in the Black section of Hough—turned into widespread shooting and fire bombing.

In six days, four Blacks were killed and 50 injured.

“Newark, July 1967: Violence exploded when Blacks heard and believed a false rumor that the police had killed a Black taxi driver. As the rioting spread, exaggerated reports of Black snipers prompted the intervention of the Nation-

We got mail...

As a veteran and the mother of a serviceman, I was dismayed that Darwin Campbell belittled the death and service of Brandon Keith Bobb. Bobb made choices which Campbell reduced to subservient behavior. He uses him to make a statement about the war and to spread his hatred of President Bush.

I’m sure Bobb didn’t have those feelings or he never would have joined. If I were his mother, I would be hurt to have my son used in such a manner. Since he joined after the war started, he was probably very much aware that he would

be sent to combat. He joined anyway and served this country proudly. His family should find comfort and peace in that, but Campbell is intent on not letting that happen.

He would have us forget about 911 and the danger of radical Islamic extremists. He can’t see the big picture on this war on terror. He has been influenced by politicians that have one goal and it is not to get us out of Iraq. It is to get elected.

Then he throws in misinformation to try to convince us that minorities die at a greater rate than Whites when that myth has been debunked long ago. His anger would better be served if he directed it toward cleaning our cities of gangs and ridding the community of drugs, and activities which cause the death of our young at a much greater rate than any war.

Martha Hughes Waikoloa, Hawaii

disregard for privacy and personal rights and is an outright assault on Blacks and demonstrates that racism is alive and well in 2007.

This attack on a man of peace was unprecedented. He was invaded and overrun by corporate policies that allowed its workers to be less than professional and poor stewards of their company’s image.

This case is sure to test how respect-

ful and responsive Centerpoint Energy officials and other large service provider companies will be to its Black customers and whether it needs to adjust its policies, protocols and procedures to reflect better respect for diversity, culture and all spectrums of the economic ladder and humanity who as customers help pay for the company’s bottom line.

Military article misdirected

One of Ricky Jason’s allies as a peacemaker and community activist is Bishop Desmond Tu Tu of South Africa. charges leading to his arrest and detention and for the pain and mental anguish and damage to his good name.

Centerpoint Energy had previously promised an inquiry into the incident, but the results of that alleged inquiry were not adequate and did not involve talking with Jason. The suit also holds Centerpoint accountable for its lack of profes-

the property ownership, sovereignty and privacy of Blacks as important as Beaumont Whites? Does the city of Beaumont respect AfricanAmericans enough to demand and hold companies responsible for using poor protocol and bad employee behavior in the field.

As national activist Dick Gregory said, the Jason case reflects a intimidation tactic and shows the blatant

al Guard. In six days of rioting, 26 were killed, 1,500 injured, and damage reached $30 million; Detroit, July 1967: The worst riot of the decade erupted on a muggy night when police raided an after-hours drinking club. At the height of the violence, President Lyndon Johnson sent in the U.S. Army, and the National Guard fired machine guns from Sherman tanks. The sevenday toll: 43 killed, 2,000 injured, 7,000 arrested and 5,000 left homeless; Washington, D.C., April 1968: After the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was killed in Memphis, Stokely Carmichael led a march down 14th Street that swelled into a riot.

“In four days, nine died, 1,000 were injured and 6,000 arrested.

The ‘long hot summer’ had become an annual event in America’s cities when the rioting suddenly stopped.

One reason was a series of reforms: more political power for Blacks, police review boards, a variety of job programs. Another was the realization that ghetto Blacks were the chief victims of ghetto violence—burned-out areas of Detroit and Newark are still in ruins today.”

Unfortunately, the elements that created the history of ghetto rioting also exists today. Recently, presidential candidate Sen. Barack Omaba, D-Ill., reflected on that reality in a campaign speech: “In Chicago, the number of city school children killed last year exceeded the number of Illinois soldiers killed in Iraq during the same time. The carnage is felt most severely by African Americans disproportionately trapped in poor urban neighborhoods.”

(FYI: Blacks make up 13% of the U.S. population but 49% of homicide victims, the Justice Department reported last week. About 8,000 Blacks were murdered in 2005, more than twice the number of Americans killed in the entire Iraq war so far.)

Even so, Black on Black genocide portends an awakening according to Frantz Fanon’s 1961 book (The Wretched of the Earth), who wrote: “The colonized man will first manifest this aggressiveness which he has deposited in his bones against his own people. This is the period when the niggers beat each other up, and the police and magistrate do not know which way to turn when faced with the astonishing waves of crime.”

Alas, if that, indeed, is what time it is in 2007 Black America, it behooves this great nation to remember the mistake of its racist past, lest Long Hotter Summers is our future. God Bless America!

TX-3

POLITICAL NEWS

4 • African-American News&Issues • Texas • August 29-September 4, 2007

Together in Black and Brown DARWIN CAMPBELL

African-American News&Issues

DALLAS- Steps are being made to fulfill the monumental task of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of unity and the dreams of many who still sing, “We Shall Overcome.” The coming together in Black and Brown to discuss issues affecting Black and Hispanic groups is the beginning of understanding and a vital key many hope will lead to solving chronic problems affecting both communities. One of the greatest problems facing African American and Hispanic communities and the focus of the meetings is how to help the formerly incarcerated and those coming home from prison and reentering the community.

Members of the Congressional Black and Hispanic Caucuses, the national arms of LULAC, NAACP, Community Resource One Stop Systems (CROSS) Re-entry Program, Homeward Bound-Second Chance Education & Development, and Proactive Approaches to Community Supervision (PACS) have all come together to produce and support the National Black-Brown Summit on Re-entry and Recidivism. The meetings featured national and local figures including Illinois Congressman Danny K. Davis, LULAC National President Rosa Rosales; Interim President and Chief Executive Office for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Dennis Courtland Hayes; Mark Earley, President and CEO of Prison Fellowship Ministry; and Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt Jr. of the C.M.E. Church; and Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins. All are actively involved in changing the stereotypes and tide of negativity surrounding the formerly incarcerated.

Leaders believe the national summit is a beginning that brings together both African American and Hispanic leaders together in a united effort to jointly and positively affect, the negative impact recidivism has in their community and it’s devastating effects on innocent victims of crime. It is especially important because of the statistics that reveal that the repeat crime rate and road back to the penitentiary is traveled by more African Americans and Hispanics when compared to Whites.One leading initiative, serving as a blueprint for change, is the Second Chance Act led by Davis.

He introduced the 2nd Chance, Act, which is is designed to rehabilitate and to prepare ex-offend-

Bishop T. Hoyt, Jr.

ers for a healthy and positive reentry into normal society once they are released from correctional facilities and institutions and to reduce recidivism. “These men and women deserve a second chance.

Their families, spouses and children, deserve a second chance and their communities deserve a second chance,” he said recently. “A second chance means an opportunity to turn a life around… a chance to break the grip of a drug habit. A chance to support a family, to pay taxes, to be self-sufficient.”

According to Davis, the Second Chance Act will provide transitional assistance to assist ex-offenders in coping with the challenges of reentry and reduce recidivism. Locally, Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins promised to be tough on murderers and rapists but focus on rehabilitation programs for lesser offenders. Watkins is the county’s first Black district attorney and is now working on fulfilling a similar goal with his plans for “correcting” or “fixing” defendants for the greater good of the community.

Much of that repeat criminal behavior is linked to the failure of society to give the formerly incarcerated a fair second chance at rebuilding a formerly broken life. The brick walls and closed doors associated with that, discourages formerly incarcerated men and women leading them to look back and return to a life of crime. The importance of the summit is highlighted by a quick glance at the current U.S. Census.

In 2000, there were 282,125,000 Americans, 228,548,000 White, 35,818,000 Black, 35,622,000 Hispanic. That translates into a 31% general minority (Black-Hispanic) population and 69% for the general majority (White) population. The numbers for the criminal justice system are a complete opposite of the general population.

Blacks and Browns make up 66% of those in the criminal justice system while Whites account for 33%.

One third of all correction departments provide no services to released offenders, and most departments do not offer a transitional program, placing a heavy burden on families and communities. Considering the cost of incarceration (as much as $40,000 per year) and all the social and economic costs of crime to the community, it’s just common sense to act to help ex-offenders successfully reenter their communities and reduce recidivism.

Currently, many leave prison to return to the same environment where their first offenses started.

Rosa Rosales

Adding to this problem is the fact that many return home often facing additional barriers to reentry such as: serious physical and mental health problems, no place to stay and lack of education or qualifications to hold a job. As a result, two out of three will be rearrested for new crimes within the first three years after their release.

The startling and disproportionate statistics are the reasons for the summit and the birth of the Second Chance Act. Blacks and Hispanics share many similarities in their communities including out of control crime that negatively impacts children, schools, property and other valuable assets in those communities. The summit also addressed topics that included gang intervention, housing issues, family and mentoring programs, civil rights and education challenges faced by the formerly incarcerated. ”Unless Blacks and Browns come together to jointly work on the serious issue of crime in their communities, crime rates will continue to rise and lower the quality of life for all law abiding citizens,” one spokesman said in a special release. “African American and Hispanic communities must address this crime element in their own communities and provide job training and other support services, to these returning offenders, with empathy on cultural difference and awareness between Hispanic and African Americans.”

The National Black-Brown Summit on Re-entry & Recidivism is historic because its is focused on getting to the root of the problem and finding working solutions and helping the men and women in the judicial system, law enforcement and counseling circles understand the challenges for the formerly incarcerated.

Blacks and Browns are being used as a commodity to feed a multi-billion dollar criminal justice industry.

Leaders believe more effort is needed to address that fact while also reviewing determinant sentencing, drug treatment, education, vocational training, employment, housing, medical, mental health options which are key factors that must be addressed to impact re-entry and recidivism rates in this country.

Black and Brown unity is essential to the healthy development and economic and political survival of both groups.

Opening lines of communications and making joint commitments to make an impact on both communities is not only a fresh start, but also a giant step in the right direction.

Craig Watkins

Mark Earley

NAACP leaders not satisfied with answers from DISD DALLAS- In a meeting between NAACP leaders and Dallas Independent School District Superintendent Michael Hinojosa, Black leaders got the run around on their questions to the superintendent about the educational plight of Black children and equity with respect to hiring and maintaining more Blacks in administrative and leadership positions.

Hinojosa failed to address the district’s policies that have not been inadequate in terms of closing the achievement gaps between Blacks and now both their White and Hispanic counterparts and failed to address any plans to remedy the disparities.

The superintendent was also moot on the failure of hiring more qualified Blacks to counseling jobs and other positions just because they did not speak Spanish.

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

The campaign to halt the execution of Kenneth Foster is seen here at the Carver Cultural Center at a recent rally.

Class prejudice may play a role in Foster’s execution MARIO SALAS

African-American News&Issues

SAN ANTONIO- An emergency rally to halt the execution of a 30year-old man named Kenneth Foster was recently held at the Carver Cultural Center. The only crime Foster seems to be guilty of is being at the wrong place and with the wrong crowd. This case speaks volumes about why we should keep up with our teenagers whereabouts.

According to the Free Kenneth Foster website, On August 15, 1996, Foster was arrested with three others for an alleged participation in a robbery and slaying of Michael LaHood. On May 5, 1997, Foster was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to die by lethal injection.

He is scheduled to be put to death, on Thursday, August 30, 2007 baring any last minute moves by the Governor.

Evidence shows that Foster’s guilt mainly came down to just being at the scene of the crime, for he was not the shooter. In 1996, Foster was driving around with two other men, Dewayne Dillard and Julius Steen.

According to the campaign to halt the execution, Steen testified that they were “just goofing off” when they decided to pick up Mauriceo Brown.

According to court documents, Brown announced that because there was gun in the car, “they ought to “jack” someone.” The group committed several robberies of individuals that day, and all were certainly guilty of robbery. But it appears that only Brown was a killer.

Apparently, by all of the other men’s testimonies, Brown decided to rob and kill Michael LaHood without informing the others what he was up to. Before the others in the car knew it, and apparently to prove some twisted form of manhood, Brown jumped from the car and went up to LaHood. Lawyers for Foster say that Foster and the others remained in the vehicle and waited for Brown to return not knowing that he had planned on killing LaHood.

It is hard to believe that Foster and the others did not know that Brown was going to rob someone especially since they had been doing just that all day. But the key is the fact that they had not killed anyone before Brown decided to cut down LaHood. However, no matter how you slice it, Foster did not pull the trigger.

Justice would be served if Foster’s sentence would be commuted to prison time. Apparently, when Brown returned to the car, Foster and the others discovered that Brown had fatally shot LaHood. Susan Reed, the Bexar County DA, who prosecuted the case, has apparently dismissed later testimony and the possibility that Foster was unaware that Brown was going to

Read us online at www.aframnews.com.

rob and kill LaHood.

Reed lays a legal claim upon Foster, in that under Texas law, even though he did not actually pull the trigger he is considered guilty of murder. Reed is quoted as saying, “He was guilty. He was driving that car, he helped set that up, he was reaping the rewards. It was all of them working together on it.” Reed used the controversial “Law of Parties” to get a death sentence for Foster and Brown. Brown has already been executed.

The DA chose to tie the cases of the driver (Foster) and Brown together. Politics is always at work in criminal cases especially when the victim was the member of a prominent family and the alleged guilty party is of a “lower class.” The Foster case was class prejudice at it best and the news media played the game with the rest. “It was on the news every day,” attorney Cornelius Cox was quoted as saying. Michael LaHood Sr., a well-known attorney, and his son Michael were known in court house circles. Importantly, one of the convicted men has said that he was “pressured by the prosecutors to give the trial testimony and has signed an affidavit clarifying that he did not intend to imply that Foster was aware of what Brown was about to do.” Brown, the actual killer, testified that Foster and the others did not know what he had planned on doing.

Federal District Judge Royal Furgeson, of San Antonio, overturned Foster’s death sentence in 2005, saying: “There was no evidence before Foster’s sentencing jury which would have supported a finding that Foster either actually killed LaHood or that Foster intended to kill LaHood or another person. Therein lays the fundamental constitutional defect in Foster’s sentence .... Therefore, Foster’s death sentence is not supported by the necessary factual finding mandated [by the U.S. Supreme Court] and, for that reason, cannot withstand Eighth Amendment scrutiny.” The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned Furgeson’s decision. Last year the U.S. Supreme Court did not review Foster’s appeal.

A request for commutation have been filed by attorneys in an effort to save Foster’s life. His supporters have initiated a petition campaign to the governor and the pardons and paroles board, and they have held rallies across the state. Foster seemed very honest when he said, “I’ve never tried to portray myself as an angel,” as he was quoted as saying from death row. “I take responsibility. I was a follower. I was a fool for being there.” The “Law of Parties” should be reviewed by a future Supreme Court to test its constitutionality. The death sentence may eventually be declared unconstitutional again with a change in the Supreme Court.

To get FREE coverage of your political events and news and announcements, please send items to news@aframnews.com.

TX-4

SPORTS & COMMUNITY

African-American News&Issues • Texas • August 29-September 4, 2007 • 5

Quanell X/New Black Panther Party Provide Solutions to HPD DR. C. HUDSON Special to AAN&I

HOUSTON- A town hall meeting was held by Minister Quanell X of the New Black Panther Nation at the New Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, in southeast Houston. The activist provided positive solutions to the City of Houston Police Department to bring a halt to the questionable shooting deaths of mentally ill citizens and provided strong support to the family members of the deceased, as well as to families who have mentally ill relatives. Over the past several months, there have been at least three mentally ill persons who died due to questionable shooting deaths by the Houston Police Department. Reginald Sumbler, 21, Steven Guillory, 39, and Marnell Villarreal, 42 were wrongfully shot to death by the City of Hous-

ton Police Department.

Villarreal was questionably shot to death at the City of Houston Police Department Headquarters. Quanell X provided positive support from health professionals at the town hall meeting for the family members of Sumbler, Guillory and Villarreal who are grieving and enduring the loss of their mentally ill loved ones. Psychotherapists Dr. Joseph L. Jefferson and Dr. Tabitha X Stewart were both present at the town hall meeting and offered profound advice and positive suggestions to the grieving family members and family members with mentally ill loved ones. Support of a mentally ill love one is a big responsibility for the family, “make sure that [they] take their medications,” said psychotherapist Dr. Joseph L. Jefferson.

Minister Quanell X gave a positive, proactive solution to the City of Houston Police Department when addressing a call regarding a men-

tally ill citizen.

He suggested that calls should be dispatched to police officers who are professionally trained in peacefully diffusing challenging situations with mentally ill citizens. This solution to the City of Houston Police Department would bring a halt to the questionable shooting deaths of mentally ill citizens. The community’s solution sets a positive precedence for all departments to follow.

The New Black Panther Nation’s town hall meeting not only addressed the questionable shooting deaths of mentally ill citizens of Houston, but also concluded with positive solutions for the Houston Police Department to bring to a halt the questionable shooting deaths, provided support and advice from health professionals for the grieving families of the deceased mentally ill victims, and to families with mentally ill members.

Journey Home Center still active on eve of disaster’s two-year anniversary MALIK KENYATA Special to AAN&I

HOUSTON - Two years have passed since the deadliest disaster in modern American history hit the Gulf Coast. While New Orleans is seeing some signs of recovery - utilities have been restored to all areas of the city, businesses are reopening and residents are moving back home - New Orleans and the region yet face significant challenges. Too many people who want to return have not been able to do so.

That’s where The Journey Home Center comes in. “A Chocolate cake for A Chocolate City,” stated Dr. Edith Clark, the well known humanitarian and community activist, earlier this year, after she presented a huge cake to the Journey Home Center (Where New Orleans and Houston Meet). The Journey Home Center of New Orleans is a New Orleans’ institution located at 3611 Ennis, in Houston Texas. The center is a partnership between Ray Nagin, mayor of New Orleans and Bill White, mayor of Houston.

It’s counterpart is the New Orleans Welcome Home Center located on the third floor of the New Orleans Public Library.

The two centers provide citizens the access to necessary resources

to return home to New Orleans.

The New Orleans Repopulation Committee Co-chairs are Reverend Tom B. Watson and Reverend Frank Davis who were charged with the responsibility of developing an aggressive plan and schedule to engage evacuees in the process of returning to New Orleans.

Although it does not provide immediate financial assistance, the Journey Home Center is designed to address the needs of the misplaced New Orleans’ citizens that are currently living in Houston and provide evacuees with information about housing, employment, education, transportation, child care, healthcare and small business development. When the center first opened, several hundred evacuees showed up in the first few hours of operation.

The center’s executive director is Diane Beasley of New Orleans.

Kenya Shabazz said, “The civil and public servants of Houston can learn a whole lot from Dr. Diane Beasley and the crew at the center.

I was visiting the Third Ward Multi Purpose Center one day, and just happened to walk up on the center.

I went inside and was overtaken by the hospitality and professionalism of the people there.”

Beasley gave huge accolades to her fellow office comrades, including Rhonda Williams, Rodrick Mukes, Viveca Young, and Lisa Pal-

omba. She said, “The city of New Orleans has birthed some of the best of humanity and my fellow workers are proof of that. Our job gets difficult when the people come to the office, and expect us to do damage control. We are working with agencies in Texas to provide the necessary empowerment that is needed for a family to become selfsufficient.”

Clark said, “Mrs. Beasley is a very good example of a professional and loving, public servant. The government, which had come under fire for its lackluster efforts in providing assistance, finally gave some good news when it was announced that thousands of Hurricane Katrina and Rita displaced citizens, would receive housing assistance for 18 additional months.

Elijah Cruthurs, who lives in Clinton Park, asked, “Why should American citizens have to suffer any longer? The people of New Orleans were treated as though they were not citizens of the U.S. of A.” Beasley lamented “No one understands the profound mental, and financial stress, that the displaced families are living with. The need for counseling, medical assistance, education, housing and jobs is profound.”

The center’s service hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call (713)5274027.

A chocolate cake for a “Chocolate City.” From the left: Rodrick Mukes, Lisa Palomba, Viveca Young, one of the area’s senior citizens, Dr. Edith Clark, Deboroh Dillard, Rev. John Gibbs and Mrs. Dianna Beasley.

SportsPerspectives By: Bud Johnson Michael Vick Looks Guilty

Although Michael Vick had sense enough to civilize his dress code and get a decent hair cut. From a true Black perspective he still would’ve had a difficult time convincing a jury of honest, law-abiding citizens that he wasn’t, indeed, a Menace II Society. Race card notwithstanding, Vick not only has that Boyz n the Hood swagger, but his eyes speaks volumes about the bad attitude that drives the God-given natural talents that has brought him fame and fortune. In other words, Vick looks like the brothers that make timid men nervous and apprehensive women automatically clutch their purses when he approaches them on the streets.

Denial aside, Vick looks like he is capable of doing anything, be it good, bad, or downright ugly. In fact, the only movie role he would be offered would be to play a violent, cold blooded thug. Thus, Vick’s defense team would’ve been remiss not to tell him, straight up, that his best chance to stay out of jail for a long time was to make a deal, no matter how shabby the prosecution’s case was, or whether he’s innocent or not.

For sure, sports fans who are totally clueless about the history of bloodsports (a byproduct of gambling that dates back to ancient times), had already convicted Vick. Inasmuch as they’re wont to depend on the mass media as their major source of information, they know even less about how the criminal element operates in the real world. Especially when it comes to the highly lucrative illegal dogfighting underground industry.

Consequently, whenever the mass media throws them a juicy bone of distraction, i.e. Vick’s involvement in dogfighting, they attack it like a pack of wild pit bulldogs (no pun intended), much to the exclusion of much more important issues bedeviling a sin-sick, war-torn world. When one connects the dots, one can easily understand why the media jumped on Vick’s alleged transgressions, insofar as if such a massive operation had been going on for over six years, either Surry County’s law enforcers aren’t doing their jobs, or are in cohorts with the outlaws they’re supposed to keep from breaking the law. One thing is for sure, and that is if the government’s prosecutors offered Vick a deal for a guilty plea, it’s because they didn’t want to go to court with his case. Translation: evil in high places have more to lose than Vick.

Meanwhile, even the Black people who don’t rate dogfighting very high on their list of transgressions are convinced that Vick is guilty as charged.

In fact, one should have cause to pause and ponder, just how ridiculous they sound when they cite chapter and verse of what Vick did, replete with the academic question: “Why would he risk everything he’s worked so hard for by doing something so stupid?” I say it’s ridiculous because the only evidence indicting Vick was the plea bargaining testimony of his alleged partners in crime. Yet, the media writes articles (obviously using data illegally leaked by the investigating agents) that give the general public the distinct impression that the “snitching” crooks are preaching the gospel. Furthermore, the NFL officials, endorsement partners and Atlanta Falcon president Arthur Blank acted as if it was a foregone conclusion that Vick was guilty without any real validation. In essence, Vick was accused, indicted, tried and convicted in the media, sans due process. Consequently I have a big problem with the whole mess. A legitimate investigation into any kind of organized crime simply isn’t handled that way. Wouldn’t you think that if the FBI is investigating a case (that portends a network of organize criminal enterprises spanning several cities that local cops stumbled upon when they busted a dope addict during a routine traffic stop), they would covertly learn all they could about it before leaking information to ignite a media feeding frenzy?

Hell, crooks ain’t dummies. Hey, crooks’ natural criminal instincts would tell them to (temporarily) shut down any of their illegal operations that Vick could possibly be connected with forthwith. Truth is, I suspect that’s why a sealed indictment’s contents were leaked to the media in the first place. Furthermore, the prosecutors put so much pressure on Vick to accept a deal, until one has to suspect that they really didn’t want to risk taking the case to court. Incidentally, if the three singing jail birds had eyeball evidence connecting Vick with dogfighting, they surely can identify a whole bunch of faces that were in the dogfighting places that Vick allegedly visited nationwide over a six-year period.

Do you really and truly believe the authorities would purposely pass up a golden opportunity to greatly cripple a nationwide network of dogfighting operations just to dog Vick? Think about it.

Cynthia Cooper-Dyke honored by USTA during the 2007 US opening PRAIRIE VIEW - Prairie View A&M University head women’s basketball coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke was honored by the USTA during the 2007 US Open Opening Night celebration themed, “Breaking Barriers,” which will highlight the 50th anniversary of Althea Gibson’s historic title victory at the U.S. National Championships. Gibson will be inducted in the US Open Court of Champions, based on the result of an international media vote.

The Aug. 27 tribute will include a celebration of African American females who also broke barriers in the world of sports, entertainment, politics and the arts. CooperDyke was the first woman to score 2,500 career points in the history of the WNBA. Her accomplishments, along with other Black female firsts such as Yolanda Adams, Phylicia Rashad and Nikki Giovanni, will be celebrated.

Head Coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke, head coach of the Lady Panthers.

PVAMU Sports Information

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Call (713) 692-1892 Name: Billie Burns FAX (713) 697-9410 for PARKWAY TOWERS Phone: 713-522-9821 150 W. PARKER ROAD, SUITE 506 more information HOUSTON, TX. 77076 REGISTERED DISPENSER OF HEARING AIDS

CONTACT INFORMATION

(713) 692-EARS(3277)

Sales-Service-Supplies Wholesale-Retail

We repair buffers, vacuum, shampooers and all other machines.

Charles Dawson

SAME DAY FREE DELIVERY

US METRO Chemical

Dawson Chemical

713/633-9019

713/697-7137

& Janitorial Supply Company & Janitorial Supply Company 4308 Kelly St. • Hou., TX 77026 6010 Irvington -Hou.,TX 77009

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.

CHILDCARE The Learning Garden 6672 Antoine Houston 77091 713.682.0601

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 www.Dfwcivilrights.com contact information:

HELP WANTED

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 physical and drug test.

APPLY at 430A Airtex, Houston, TX 77073 Williams Brothers Construction Co. Inc. Rate OPPORTUNITY and size of EMPLOYERS Ad to run in AAN&I’s H EQUAL 281-209-1811 edition. (August 29-Septemb Galveston

Three Riverway, Suite 555 Houston, Texas 77056 713-271-7805 | www.hmbc.org

Head

Own Your Tomorrow

HELP

Celebrating Diversity AD COSTHouston Community in the Workplace 2x2” ad for 52 weeks=$2,080 C College

+one time set-up fee=25.00 The Houston Community College accepting Total cost to run ad foris52 weeks= online job applications for$2,105 the following position.

Please apply at our online job website at www.

This is the price and size of the Ad to hccs.edu and click on jobs@hccs requisition #001609 AAN&I’s Greater Houston Edition Janu Immediate Part –Time Opportunity

Has several Facility Maintenance Specialist positions available at various campus locations.

Please signrequire for approval faxwork back to 713-692-1 May evening andand weekend schedule. leealcorn@dfwcivilrights.com

Ad must be approved and to payment received by 12 NOON Tue HCCS seeks provide equal employment/educa-

or call 214-232-5138

National Black United Front beforetional Wednesday the ad will not ru opportunitiespublication without regard toor race, color, Houston Chapter

religion, national origin, sex, age or disability.

Chairman Kofi Taharka Signature Houston Chapter

Lacy’s DateCafeteria and Restaurant HELP WANTED

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

713-942-0365 or www.nbufhouston.org

ELECTRICAL

Aus-Tex Electric 1525 Wilburforce Houston 77091 713.682.5809

FINANCIAL

Contact Information Name: James A. Corona Company: Houston Community College Phone: 713-718-8560 Fax: 713-718-8641 Address for tearsheets: 3100 Main Support Black Houston, Texas 77002

Cooks and Utility Worker 713-631-3962

AD C Net Rate: $90 - 50% dis Total Co

Freelance Writers

Businesses!

Where you spend your money is IMPORTANT!

Please include resume and written sample to news@aframnews.com

Adback For 1 to Week IRS PROBLEMS & Please sign for approval and fax 713-692-11 INSURANCE Income Tax Preparation by 12 NOON Friday before for Wednesday or the ad +One publication Time Set-up GEORGEFee W. Do not talk to the IRS BORRIS L. MILES LUNNON, JR. without Representation!!!

Insurance Agency Agent Let me handle your IRS Issue and Signature Problems.

Generally you will never have to speak with or meet with the IRS if I am your representative.

713-862-4332 Ask for Rodrick

Date

America can depend on Farmers

FUNERAL HOMES

LOCKWOOD

Auto - Life Home - Health Business

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

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

Funeral Home, Inc

Please approve the ad, sign and fax to 713 Ad must be paid in full and this ad sheet MUST be signed by Borris L. Miles to ad being to ran.

"Committed to the Future" 9402 Lockwood Dr. Houston, Texas 77016 713.633.1492

MABRIE Memorial Mortuary

5000 Almeda Rd. Houston Texas 77004

Signature

713-942-7673

Morgan Harris Funeral Home 8011 West Montgomery Houston Texas 77088 281.820.2391 HOUSTON MINORITY BUSINESS COUNCIL

Ma Hel

Me n t i oFax: n t h713-520-5247 i s AD Ge t $ 5 0Email: t o $ 5 0bburns@wbctx.com 0 o ff

3521 Jensen St. Houston, TX 77026

713/227-4808 or 4809 Janitorial Supplies

Boyd Funeral Home 7411 Wheatley St. Houston Texas 77088 281.820.0508

We Appreciate Our Customers

Abilene Black Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 3572 Abilene, TX 79604 (325) 676-0138

CHEMICALS

Certified Public Accountant

Marketplace Heading: Attorney “Faith Frame” 8” tall ow ! ailable N

HEARING AIDS

Free 5-line Ad to run in AAN&I’s Houston/Gulf Coast edit listing for your Hearing Aids of Houston EDITION DATE: March 14-20, 2007 Sandi Coe, M.A., CCC-A business!

Rodrick Dow, PC

Law Offices of James & Stagg 1314 Texas, Ste. 701, Houston, TX 77002

CAFE

Coolwater Cafe 11500 Northwest Fwy. Houston 77045 713.680.2665

O.W. Wiley Mortuary, Inc. 1290 Pinemont Dr. Houston 77018 713.681.7475 Our advertisers

SUPPORT YOUR NEWSPAPER!

Supporting The Community

Auto • Home • Life Disability • Annuity Commercial Health Insurance

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Hunters Insurance Agency Scott Hunter, Agent

Auto Home Life Flood

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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

Please read us online at www.aframnews.com

and

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

BUSINESS EDITION DATE: VOLUMEAfrican-American 12 Issue 13,News&Issues 2007 • Texas • August 29- Sepember 4, 2007 • 7 INVESTMENTS

Retiring, Changing Jobs or Laid Off? Let me assist you with your retirement plan options

• 401(k), • 403(b), • Pension

• Profit Sharing • ESOP • Other

Rodrick Dow, CPA, MBA Registered Representative Securities offered through H. D. Vest Investment Securities Inc., Member SIPC Advisory Services offered through H. D. Vest Advisory Services, Inc. 6333 North State Highway 161, Suite 400, Irving, Texas 75038 (972)870-6000

Akwasi Evans 1154-B Angelina St. Austin, TX. 78702

PEST CONTROL

RAYCO

Pest Control 281-444-3525

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.

Rayco uses microencapsulated products for a more effective treatment.

NEWSPAPERS/BLACK African Herald Dr. Richard Nwachukwu 8204 Elmbrook Ste. 217 Dallas, TX 75247 African News Digest Beede Amuka 10103 Fondren Ste. 442 Houston, TX 77096

Signature

Cherokee County Informer DBA Texas Informer Walter & Maxine Session P.O. Box 332 Rusk, TX 75785 Corsicana Examiner Rev. Dairy Johnson P.O. Box 1613 Corsicana, TX 75110 Dallas Examiner James & Mollie Belt 1515 Corinth St. Dallas, TX 75215 Dallas Post Tribune Dr. Theodore Lee 2727 Beckley Ave. Dallas, TX 75225 Dallas Weekly Jim Washington 633 Pryor St. Sw, Atlanta Georgia East Texas Review Joycelyne Fadojutimi 517 South Mobberly Longview, TX 75602 Elite News Jordan Blair P.O. Box 397925 Dallas, TX 75339 Garland News Journal Willie Hobdy P.O. Box 24 Greenville, TX 75043 Kuumba Heritage Willie Hobdy P.O. Box 24 Greenville, TX 75043 Our Texas Magazine General E. Berry P.O. Box 4463 Dallas, TX 75208 The Smith County Herald DBA The Herald Stephanie Johnson P.O. Box 8252 Tyler, TX 75701 Houston Style Magazine Francis Page Jr. 2646 South Loop West #375 Houston, TX 77054 Metroplex South Star Willie Hobdy P.O. Box 24 Greenville, TX 75043

Sounds like motown baby!

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NEWSPAPERS/BLACK

MON- The Gazette Thurman Jones 1100 Summit Suite 101 Plano, TX 75074

Your BUGS are our Problem!

Cecil shaw

For bookings call (832)256-9992

713-862-4332

MEDICAL

African American female to lead Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce

SOUL MUSIC

Power Pages Hattie Kelly 313 S. Hamilton Farmersville, TX 75442 San Antonio Observer Hussien Ali P.O. Box 200226 San Antonio, TX 78220 Southwest Digest T.J. Patterson P.O. Box 2253 Lubbock, TX 79408 The Villager Tommy Wyatt 1223 Rosewood Ave. Austin, TX 78702

PORT ARTHUR- An African-American woman is taking reigns as leader of the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce. Mary Ann Reid finished ahead of 30 applicants who vied for the chance to head the organization. She replaces Verna Rutherford. Reid knows the community as she has worn many hats in the community and looks at the challenge as just taking care of home and the community. Reid has a long history of work and volunteerism with the Port Arthur Chamber, as well as her community involvement. She takes over Sept. 1, 2007.

Organizations partner with Comerica Bank to offer financial and computer classes to local community HOUSTON- The Acres Home Center for Business and Economic Development and the African American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston will partner with Comerica Bank to provide financial literacy and computer training classes to the community. The courses will be held August 21st - November 8th at the Beulah Shepard Building located at 6112 Wheatley Street in Houston.

“We are excited to partner with Comerica Bank to provide these services” said DaVeeta Shelton, African American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston. “We realize this knowledge is critical, and we are glad to be a part of building the community.” Some of the workshops include: QuickBooks for Small Businesses, Accessing Money for a Home Loan, Web Advertising, Your Credit Score and Credit Repair, Creating and Monitoring your

child’s MySpace Page, Internet for Seniors. Computer training classes will be held on Tuesdays, and Homebuyers financial workshops will be held on Thursdays. All classes are scheduled from 5 – 7:30 p.m., except for the computer classes for seniors which will be held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.. “Comerica is committed to providing financial literacy,” said Vanessa Reed, Community Reinvestment Act Manager for Comerica’s Houston market. “Our sponsorship of financial literacy and training programs empower people to improve their lives. Comerica is in the business to help people be successful.” The workshop is free for the first 12 participants who RSVP, and refreshments will be served.

For more information, please call Sharon Johnson or DaVeeta Shelton at (713) 692-7003.

8th Annual Texas Conference for Women held in Austin, Texas AUSTIN- Some of the nation’s leading figures in business and entertainment willheadline the eighth annual Texas Conference for Women. The conference, hosted by Governor Rick Perry and First Lady Anita Perry, is slated for October 4, 2007 at the Austin Convention Center. In addition to keynote addresses from ABC News coanchorElizabeth Vargas, former Hewlett-Packard CEO and best-selling author Carly Fiorina, and Mary Wilson of the Supremes, more than 75 expert speakers will tackle the top women’s issues of Date today, and stimulate an exchange of ideas among women of all ages and backgrounds.

“The Texas Conference for Women continues to surpass all our expectations, and the Governor and I are so pleased with this year’s tremendous program,” said First Lady Anita Perry. “Texas women of all ages and backgrounds will benefit from this timely discussion of the issues and enjoy an extraordinary opportunity to share, learn and grow as a community.” The goal of the conference is to provide women with the tools they need to enrich their lives, advance their careers and impact their communities.

A sampling of the diverse program offerings includes:

“Why Go Green?” — Environmentally friendly practices don’t just benefit the planet. Learn how to live a healthier, happier, more fulfilling life through green living.

• Diane MacEachern, founder and CEO, The World Women Want, LLC • Betsy Rosenberg, creator and host, “EcoTalk”

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

Connect the Dots 10:30 am-12:00 noon Wed

KPFT 90.1 FM

RESTAURANTS Leonard’s Famous Burgers 1913 W. Little York Rd. Houston 77091 (713) 686-3555 Josie’s Place 7473 N. Shepherd Dr. Houston 77091 (713) 695-7711

SCHOOL/CLASSES

FREE

High School Diploma Morning, Evening & Weekend Classes in English & Spanish

Second Chance Technology Edge

“Are You on Track Financially?” — A discussion of where you stand financially - where you need to be and how to get there.

• Sharon Epperson, personal finance correspondent, CNBC • Carmen Wong Ulrich, author, Generation Debt • Julia Wellborn, regional president, Wachovia

“Lessons in Leadership” — Great leaders share the top five lessons they’ve learned on their way to the top.

281-813-2347 or • Janet Gurwitch, founder, Laura Mercier Cosmetics 713-600-2800 x117 • Sheila Johnson, co-founder of BET and CEO, Salamanask for Juan, Xavier or Litisha der Hospitality LLC • Mary Mack - president - Investment Services Group, On Point Music and Dance 8222 Antoine Dr. Suite #250 Wachovia Securities Houston 77088 (281)447-3517

“Women Making a Difference” — Hear from some amazing women affecting change in their communities and across the country, and have the chance to learnhow you too can make a difference.

• Becky Zaheri, president and founder, Katrina Krewe, Inc. • Joi Gordon, CEO, Dress for Success Worldwide • Pam Cope, founder, Touch of Life Ministries The conference first opened its doors in 2000, and since then it has grown to attract more than 7,500 attendees and impact the lives of thousands of Texas women.

Now in its eighth year, the Texas Conference for Women is a non-profit, non-partisan, one-day event for Texas women to connect, learn practical and professional strategies from nationally recognized experts, and network with peers. The eighth annual Texas Conference for Women is the state’s premiere education and networking event for women, and draws thousands of women each year for a day of sharing, learning, inspiration and motivation. The conference, made possible in part by Presenting Sponsor BP, will host more than 250 exhibitors and will partner with more than 100 supporting organizations from across the state. In addition, six $5,000 academic scholarships will be awarded to outstanding female college students who balance academics, service and leadership to make a difference in the community.

For more information, visit www.txconferenceforwomen.org.

SERVICE STATION/AUTO REPAIR 6960 TC Jester @ Little York

RAPID LUBE Acres Home Auto Repair Tune-Ups Brakes Full Service 99 $ Front End Work Oil Change Tires - Batteries Alignments Up to 5 qts. + EPA + tax A/C Work Check Engine Lights State Inspections CV Joints - Axles Original Owner is Back! Engine Diagnostics

19

713-956-2500

No Credit Check Financing for Repairs

SHOE REPAIR MIGHTY FINE SHOE REPAIR

Men & Ladies - Boots & Shoes Shined, Waxed, Glazed, Dyed & Repaired

281-448-9255

Pager 713-687-8592 • mfshoe@aol.com

1400 South Victory Houston, TX 77088 Major Credit Cards ACCEPTED

2007 Keynote speakers from the left: Elizabeth Vargas, an award-winning anchor and correspondent; Carly Fiorina, the former chairman and CEO of Hewlett-Packard, and Mary Wilson of the Supremes.

Cassye D. Cook, speaker at HCC bi-monthly luncheon

HOUSTON - Cassye D. Cook, president of the National Urban League Young Professionals, will be the guest speaker at the Houston Citizens Chamber of Commerce, bi-monthly business luncheon. The event will be held on Wednesday August 29,

2007 from 11:30a.m. - 1p.m. at the Third Ward Multi Service Center, 3611 Ennis. The topic is, “Young Professionals and Their Impact on the Future of Houston’s African American Business Community.

Cook affiliated with the Houston

Area Urban League Young Professionals (HAULYP) movement in 2002.

The cost for the luncheon event is $10.00 for members and $15.00 for non members.

For more information, call (713) 522-9745.

To get FREE coverage of business, please send items of interest to news@aframnews.com TX-7

ENTERTAINMENT/AUTOMOBILES Meredith Beal: broadcaster of the year JASPER- TAB presented the Broadcaster of the Year Award to Mr. Meredith Beal for his commitment to excellence and local community service.

Beal, president and CEO of Lasting Value Broadcast Group, purchased KCLW Hamilton in 2000 and has since increased local programming, added local news and created new public affairs programs such as one that features interviews with candidates for local, county and state political offices.

African-American News&Issues • Texas • August 29-September 4, 2007 • 9

St. Matthew Grand Lodge and Mary Elizabeth Grand Chapter host Grand Banquet and Awards program HOUSTON- The St. Matthew Grand Lodge, A.F.&A.M. of Texas and Mary Elizabeth Grand Chapter, O.E.S. of Texas, held its Grand Banquet and Awards on July 20 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 12801 Northwest Freeway. Under the leadership of the Honorable Derrel Wilson, Sr., grand master/grand patron, and Sister Alberta W. Jones, grand worthy matron, the mistress of the hour was sister Brenita Dunn, associate grand matron. Other participants included Rev. Daer Kyle, scripture & prayer; Sister Sheryl Lewis,

Elisabeth Chapter No. 134, greetings; Brother Norris Norman, Bethel Baptist Church, solo and Sis.A.W. Jones, G.M., introduction of speaker.

After the guest speaker, Sister Annie M. Owens, the program continued with a solo by Sister Kimberly Rice, Alice Tucker Chapter #009. Educational Assistance Awards were given to Jacci S. law, Forest Brook High School; Branden W.S. Neal, Jack Yates High School and Quincy B. Wilson, of George W. Carver High School.

From the left: Darrel Wilson, Quincy B. Wilson, Jacci S. Law and Sis. A.W. Jones. Photo by Roger Jackson.

Cassandra White remembers the spirituals in first release A native of Houston, Texas, Cassandra White recently released, “Remembering the Spirituals,” a CD which revisits songs of old.

The 11-song CD includes “Walk Together Children,” “Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child,” “Witness,” “Steal Away,” “Were You There,” “Let Us Break Bread Together,” “My People,” “Give Me Jesus,” “By and By,” “Walk With Me,” and “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.”

White is renown locally, nationally and internationally for such vehicles as her performance as Liza Hughes in Civil War, performed at the Alley Theatre

in Houston, Texas, and at the St. James Theatre on Broadway. She has also performed in France, Germany and Switzerland with the Harlem Gospel Singers in The Best of Gospel – Rock My Soul.

Cassandra began her vocal career singing gospel and spirituals at the age of five.

She was accepted into the rigorous training program of the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, Texas. Upon graduation, Cassandra chose to attend Texas Southern University so that she could study under the acclaimed classical soprano teacher, Bernadine Oliphant.

Cassandra quickly rose to the top of her class. She was featured in Cosi Fan Tutte (Fiodiligi), L’Elisir d’ Amore (Adri-

na) and Le Nozze de Figaro (Susanna).

Cassandra was a finalist in the Houston Grand Opera Studio competition where she won the Eleanor Searle Whitney McCollum Auditions and Awards. During her tenure at Houston Grand Opera she sang in the HGO Studio, Students Through Arts Reaching Success Project (S.T.A.R.S.) and Opera to Go. She performed as Gretel (Hansel and Gretel), Moon, Falling Bird and The River’s Sister (Mother of Three Sons) as well as performing as a choral soprano in The Borg, Peer Gynt and the Outcast.

Cassandra continued her education at Rice University’s prestigious Shepherd School of Music under the tutelage

of Dr. Joyce Farwell. She was a soloist in Handel’s Messiah when she sang in the Shepherd School’s Opera Workshop. Cassandra has also performed as Marion Anderson from First Lady’s Suite for Theatre LaB, Ti Moune from Once on This Island for Global Harmony Productions in Aruba, Caribbean, Crystal from Little Shop of Horrors for Theatre Louisville as well as other national and international venues. She has worked with Melba Moore, Celine Dion and Nikki Giovanni. She has offered her talent to support many worthy causes for which she advocates.

For more information, visit www.cbwentertainment.com.

Deals & Wheels How much can I afford?

GWENEVERE M. CLOUD Automotive Correspondent

HOUSTONBefore you are convinced by the latest television or radio commercial or print ad to run down to the nearest dealership to buy a vehicle, you should ask yourself, “How much can I buy?” Many people begin shopping by looking at a vehicle with all the bells and whistles, without having a clue whether they can afford it or not. It’s easy to overspend your budget on a new car or truck.

A few steps can prevent you from getting in over your head. Start the vehicle-purchasing process with a preliminary budget planning session to help you determine how much vehicle your money can buy and how much money you feel comfortable about spending on the second largest consumer purchase (the first being a home). It is way too easy to buy or lease a vehicle you really can’t afford.

When you overextend yourself, you may be saying “bye-bye” to exotic vacations and evenings out on the town. You can set yourself back financially, for years to come.

Know that there is a huge difference between qualifying for a loan and being able to afford one. Qualifying simply means you meet the lender’s guidelines, but only you know if you really can afford to have that new vehicle parked in the garage.

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@

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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 to news@aframnews.com.

TX-9

10 • African-American News&Issues • Texas • August 29 - September 4, 2007

/PENING DOORS TO DREAMS ! lRST CLASS EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE

OFFERING OVER BACCALAUREATE

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CHURCH/COMMUNITY NEWS

African-American News&Issues• Texas August 29 - September 4, 2007•

In Loving Memory of Mr. Jerry D. Randle

CHURCHES SHADY ACRES

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

DUNCAN MEMORIAL

713/861-6625

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: am Befellowship with these11folks. sides 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

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.

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

Website

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

713-672-2654

Wednesday

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

OFFICE: 713/674-5131

140 Fidelity Rd. Houston Tx 77029

SUNDAY SERVICE

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

Greater Progressive MBC 840 Ringold Houston 77088 (281) 445-8603 Hope in Christ Church 10310 Antoine Drive Suite A Houston 77091 (832) 882-7925 Mt. Ararat Baptist Church 5801 W. Montgomery Houston 77073 (713) 692-9954

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

Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church/ School 1055 W. Tidwell Rd. Houston 77091 (713) 680-1419 Progressive MBC 944 Reverend B.J. Lewis Dr. Houston 77088 (281) 447-2342 St. Monica Catholic Church 8421 West Montgomery Rd. Houston 77088 (281) 447-5837

ECHOS offers food for hungry babies HOUSTON- Local Infant Formula for Emergencies (LIFE)/Houston has opened a satellite office at ECHOS (Epiphany Community Health Outreach Services) in the heart of Southwest Houston, making it easier for families in that area to receive infant formula. ECHOS, a mission of Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, sits on th ecorner of S. Gessner and Bissonnet and assists over 6,000 clients each year with accessing free or low cost health and social services that already exist in the community. For more information on LIFE/Houston, please contact Jasmine Williams at (713)5286044 or visit the Web site at www. lifehouston.org.

July 1, 1921 - June 25, 2007

HOUSTON- Jerry D. Randle was the second child of six children born to the late Jerry and Alberta Randle on July 1, 1921 in Fulshear, Texas. Jerry was loved by many and even though he had no children of his own, he was a father to many in Edna and the Houston area as well. Jerry was a generous, fun-loving, free spirit who never met a stranger. He was always giving a helping hand to those in need. Uncle Jerry, as he was affectionately called, kept a smile and was always ready for adventure. He was a faithful member of St. Andrews United Methodist Church, pastored by Andrew Nunley, at his death. He departed this life on Monday, June 25, 2007 at 1:20 a.m. He was joined in holy matrimony to Edith Randle, who preceded him in death.

He leaves to mourn; two brothers, Hubert (Martha) Randle of San Francisco, Ca. and Theodore CR (Nelna) Randle of Houston, Tx.; two sisters, Oveta L. Jerry D. Randle (George- deceased) Hunter and Abbie Odessa (Herbert) McDaniel of Houston, Tx; four nephews, six nieces, seven great-nephews, three great-nieces, two great-great nephews, four great-great nieces and a host of other relatives and friends.

Harvest Time Church hosts Harvest Fest 2007: The Finale-“Expanding Your Capacity, Take the Limits Off” HOUSTON -Bishop Shelton Bady and Harvest Time Church invite you to Harvest Fest 2007: The Finale-“Expanding Your Capacity, Take the Limits Off.” This monumental four-day conference features some of the nation’s most prominent speakers, namely New York Times best selling author, John C. Maxwell and Houston’s very own Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell. The conference kicks off on Wednesday, August 29 and culminates on Sunday, September 2.

There are three powerful evenings all commencing at 7:00pm. On Wednesday, August 29, Pastor Marvin Sapp, pastor of Lighthouse Full Life Center Church, will speak and Fresh Anointing is the featured musical guest. On Bishop Thursday, August 30, get a word from Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer, who pasShelton Bady Pastor tors one of the largest churches in Los Angeles, Faithful Central Bible Church, Kirbyjon Caldwell with a membership of 13,000 and witness the great talent of music guests Darryl Coley and the Voices of Harvest; on Friday, August 31, join Bishop Noel Jones, who pastors City of Refuge, also in the Greater Los Angeles area, and embark upon a musical journey with Micah Stampley and Voices of Harvest. Closing out this historical event on Sunday, September 2, witness the anointing of none other than Bishop Shelton Bady and worship with GB5 Gutierrez Brothers, Marcus Wiley and the Voices of Harvest. Additionally, on Friday, August 31, Bishop Shelton Bady and Harvest Time Church present a one-time Leadership and Empowerment Forum led by the world’s #1 authority in Leadership, John C. Maxwell and one of Houston’s most influential voices, Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell, beginning at 9:00am and continuing to 12:30pm. Registration is required. For more information, please call (281)877-8888 or visit havesttimechurch.net.

Rev. Edwin Davis receives Honorary Doctorate of Divinity degree HOUSTON- Rev. Edwin Davis recently received a Honorary Doctorate of Divinity degree presented by Dr. Zamekio Jackson, campus president, Saint Thomas Christian College, in Jacksonville, Florida. Rev. Davis is the pastor of the historical Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, located in Acres Home. Galilee has been in the Acres Home community since 1913.

Recently, the church received a State of Texas Historical Marker.

Davis is an excellent Rev. Edwin Davis receiving his Doctorate of role model for those who Divinity degree from Dr. Zamekio Jackson. wish to follow his lead.

Photo by: Provost His educational accomplishments include; Doctorate of Education in Histor-

ical, Social and Cultural Studies from the University of Houston, Bachelor of Science in Crininal Justice also from the University of Houston, Masters of Arts in Theology from the Houston School of Theology Seminary, Masters of Education in Counseling from Prairie View A&M University, and a Masters of Divinity from the Houston Graduate School of Theology Seminary.

He is married to Dr. Charlotte Davis and they have four children, Eric, Erica, Courtney and Chelsea.

Another Chance to Affirmative Action/EEO College

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12 • African-American News&Issues • Texas • August 29-September 4, 2007

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