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BLACK COWBOYS ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE. WE STRIVE TO KEEP THE LEGEND ALIVE & GROWING. ~BLACK PROFESSIONAL COWBOYS & COWGIRLS ASSOCIATION~

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American News&Issues

“Things that make you say: “What tha hell?!”

Before I Lay it Down...

By “Coach” Mark Spivey

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eachers could write volumes about some of the things we witness at our schools. If we documented every little thing that went on every single time, our damn fingers would fall off. There are times, however, when we are amazingly surprised to see, hear, smell, and read what our kids do.

I’ll share a few stories that I’ve witnessed over the past ten years.

A math teacher friend of mine gave her kids an assignment for homework. She told them to get their parents to help them if they had any problems. The next day,

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each child, one by one, turned their homework in with faces of disappointment. When she asked her little babies what was wrong, they said that they didn’t want their parents to help them with their homework anymore. As she started grading their papers, she understood what those kids were talking about. She couldn’t believe her eyes at what she saw. All that ISH was wrong! Those damn parents were dumber than hell. Then, they had the nerve to sign their names PROUDLY at the bottom of the paper. Don’t do that. If you know that you ain’t good at math, don’t be trying to confuse the hell outta these preschoolers. They know yo ass is dumber than Rick Perry. Leave the teaching to the experts. Incidents like that will make veteran teachers say “what tha hell?”

I teach Pre-AP and AP kids.

Edit rial & Opini n

Sometimes, they’re too smart for their own britches . Literally.

They’re the ones who go home and look up AP (Advanced Placement) questions on the internet, study the answers, then come back to school and try to make yo ass look stupid.

I haven’t had many cases like that, but EEEEVVV’RY now and then, I’ll get a kid who’ll ask me something confusing on purpose. Being a teacher doesn’t mean that I know EVERY damn thang, and I’ll let them know there is some stuff that I don’t know/remember. History is very broad. I’ll then ask him to go back and write me a 10-page essay on what he discovered since he wants to be soooo smart. I don’t think he liked that too much. I heard him say “what tha hell?” on the way back to his desk. Hmmm, huh…

One day, as I was teaching on the Emancipation Proclamation and the affect that slavery had on African­-Americans, one smartass kid told me that he didn’t see

anything wrong with slavery. He said that I would have been a good slave because I was big and strong-looking and he would have paid at least $25.00 for me. Now, being the ultimate professional that I am, I just stood there and replayed the statement that he just said in my mind. The room fell eerily silent as the other students awaited my response, some clutching their backpacks and purses in anticipation that all hell was about to break loose up in that mug. Images of Django (the “D” is silent) went through my head, but I just smiled and asked the young man, “how yo momma doing?” You guys will get that a little later. That was definitely a “what tha hell?” moment. Now, “What tha hell?” has gone national.

There used to be a time when you could turn on the television, start doing something else, and listen to the news without watching it. You could almost always tell who committed a crime without turning your head towards the tube.

Nothing New in the Ape Crack About Michelle Obama

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illy, sick, demeaning cracks made by such as the canned Univision host Rodner Figueroa likening First Lady Michelle Obama to a Planet of the Apes character are not new. Four years ago, the then CEO of the Tennessee Hospitality Association, Walt Baker, took much heat and lost a lot of business for his marketing firm when he also likened the First Lady to a monkey. Four years later, a Belgian newspaper, De Morgen, went one, in fact, two better. Before Obama’s visit to the Netherlands in March 2014, it ran a Photoshop picture that depicted both Michelle and President Obama as apes. De Morgen was not just your run of the mill far right, shrill racially xenophobic European newspaper. It purported to be a progressive newspaper. Yet, despite its alleged politically enlightened stance, it apparently saw

no contradiction in its ape imagery of the president and Michelle. In February 2009, New York Post cartoonist Sean Delonas ignited a firestorm with his casual depiction of President Obama as a monkey.

In the nearly five years between Baker and Figueroa’s idiotic popoffs, with De Morgen sandwiched in between, the depiction, pillorying and vile spoofery of the Obamas as apes, monkeys and gorillas in the pack of race baiting websites, chat rooms, college frat parties, and student websites in assorted offbeat, crude, vile cartoons has become standard fare. That’s not an accident.

The long, sordid and savage history of racist stereotyping of African-Americans has been the stock in trade of race baiting and racial ridicule for more than century.

A few grotesque book titles from a century ago, such as The Negro,

a Beast; The Negro, a Menace to American Civilization; and The Clansman depicted blacks as apes, monkeys, bestial, and animal-like.

The image stuck in books, magazines, journals, and deeply colored the thinking of many Americans of that day... that day?

In the movie version of Rudyard Kipling children’s classic, The Jungle Book, the Disney Studios in 1967 graduated from the other standard animal depiction of African-Americans as Black crows to depicting African-Americans as the monkey like jive, gibberish blathering King Louie. The film was remade in 1994.

Black personalities and notables have been special targets of the ape and monkey taunts and digs. Jackie Robinson was regularly taunted by opponents with monkey gestures

all original responses from Letter to the Editor Weourwelcome readers to content found in the

African-American News&Issues. Letters to the Publisher may be sent via e-mail to news@aframnews.com. Please keep all letters under 300 words. Be sure to include the author’s name, area of residence. All letters and articles may be verified before they are published. All letters are subjected to editing or being cut for spacing purposes. Thank you in advance for your submission.

Texas • March 23 - 29, 2015 If you heard the broadcasters say “There was a drive-by shooting that happened overnight at 4 a.m. in the parking lot of a strip club on the southwest side of Houston,” you immediately knew that Black folk were involved. Or, so we assumed.

We know that everybody else has their asses asleep at that time in the morning because they have jobs to go to. You can be in the bathroom and hear the morning news describe an armored car robbery in the River Oaks section of Houston. Without a reasonable doubt we KNOW that White people committed the crime because Black and Hispanic folk know that there are people in that truck with automatic weapons who are prepared to shoot back at yo ass. Plus, the damn truck is ARMORED! Only professional (White) people who have TIME to plan such robberies in broad daylight are trained to do that ish, we assume. That ain’t Jabbo and Juan.

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and gibes. Black basketball greats Patrick Ewing and Michael Jordan were ridiculed in cartoons as apes.

And it’s become a virtual ritual for White fans to toss banana peels at Black soccer players in Europe The vile ape characterization of blacks is much more than a passing fancy of cranks, haters and unreconstructed bigots.

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Edit rial & Opini n

You Never Know Who Is Watching: Manhood, Race & Culture

By Dr. James Thomas Jones III

The Case Of Sigma Alpha Epsilon

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n regards to racial matters, there are milestones that notify the climate of discord that a people is existing within. For America, a few of the more notable moments were the Plessy v. Ferguson decision (1896) that sanctioned ‘separate but equal,’ Sweatt v. Painter decision (1950), Brown v.

Board of Education (1954), as well as the Civil Rights (1964) and Voting Rights (1965) Acts, respectively. This nation’s powerbrokers spoke loudly and definitively during such moments.

Although many have lamented the occurrence, the recently released video of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity at the University of Oklahoma provides Whites an opportunity to address American race matters. If this debacle teaches us nothing else, racial matters still matter in America. The video, posted by Unheard, an African-American student organization was aimed at University of Oklahoma President David Boren with a simple statement of “Racism is alive at The University of Oklahoma.”

Unbeknownst to most Whites, for African-Americans the moments following racial incidents are closely monitored.

So it is logical that Oklahoma University’s African-American students eagerly awaited both University administrators and student peers reaction to a video showing a few White students chanting “There will never

be a Nigger in SAE. You can hang him from a tree, but he can never sign with me.” Will they respond with a mediocre politically correct statement or convincingly with authority?

Will there words relate anger, disgust, and intolerance for prejudiced and discriminatory activities within that institution of higher learning? Quite possibly the only gift that discriminatory behavior provides is that it provides an opening, a platform of such, for Whites to reveal their position on race matters.

So the students awaited the response of the White powerbrokers; fortunately, the wait was brief with President David Boren responding in less than an hour with a statement that “if the video is indeed of OU students, this behavior will not be tolerated and is contrary to all of our values. We are investigating.” Boren should be commended for throwing the fraternity off of campus.

The OU student body also deserves credit for their swift response to this issue. It appears that someone spray-painted the SAE fraternity house with the words “Shut it down.” While others are planning a candlelight vigil aimed at healing the racial divide on their campus and in this nation. I consider this moment, a confessional moment for Whites. Put simply, the fact that they desire to discuss race matters implicitly reveals that they acknowledge its presence in the new millennium. The fact that the student body, University President, and the National Headquarters of SAE, have all acknowledged the presence of the pernicious evil of racism in their midst and denounced it with an unprecedented swiftness and authority gives us hope for the future regarding race matters; because until we seriously address this nation’s race matters, race will continue to matter.

American News&Issues

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Please Do Not Forget Our History! Forgetting What Happened to Us Can Destroy Us! - Roy Douglas Malonson

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We Will Exist Until Justice Levels

im Wise stated some years ago that “Standing still is never an option so long as inequities remain embedded in the very fabric of the culture.” I couldn’t agree with him more.

Over the course of the years, African-American News & Issues has been called many things as it relates to being a newspaper. I have heard rumors of all sorts of things. But at the end of the day, people can call it what they will or may, but the truth of the matter is that we will exist until justice levels out in our community. If we as a people stand still and never voice the inequalities that invade our fortress, then we are just as guilty as the perpetrators who impose them.

Therefore, African-American News & Issues has created its existence without fear or favor.

Thus we chose to highlight and distribute on the basis of that element, regardless of who likes it and who does not. When my wife and I began this publication, nearly 20 years ago, there was a purpose and plan in mind. We wanted to produce a platform for members of the African-American community. A platform whereas typical, everyday people could see themselves, as well as be kept informed on news and issues that relates to us, and in a language that we could understand.

From that vision was AfricanAmerican News & Issues born and engineered, and we have not failed in our mission since. Since that time we have not ceased from reporting volatile injustices of both historical and present realities that affect members of the Black community.

African-American News

& Issues is not just your typical Black publication. We tread on the ground that others shy away from.

We present the news that others are afraid to talk about. People have the tendency to try to paint a picture that slavery, prejudices and racism is not a problem for African-Americans in these days and times just because things have gotten modern and technologically advanced.

We MUST Understand that things really don’t change, they just evolve. Perhaps in a different way or by means of another method. But at the end of the day, they really are still the same.

I have written about this before and will continue to do so until the levels of injustice within this country from one race to the other is leveled. Though, I would love to remain hopeful, the truth is that I suppose that I will just die expressing these thoughts and beliefs.

As it is, the country is divided.

It has not just gotten this way either. It’s been like this since the origination of these United States.

Primary example-- we have a president who just because of the color of his skin has received more insults and opposition than any other president in the history of the existence of this nation. It is not because he is a president that has ill intentions toward the American people. It is simply because he is a shade darker than the counterparts that preceded him.

He is not the only one, all you have to do is look around and pay attention to the recurring challenges that the African-American race deals with on an everyday basis and measure it up against the treatment of other nationalities,

We MUST Understand

By Roy Douglas Malonson, Chairman

races and colors. In doing so, you will find a grave indifference.

There are foreigners that come to the United States everyday and are entitled to all kinds of grants from the government. On the other hand, you have AfricanAmericans whose fore-fathers actually built this country from their hard work and sweat, and it’s hard for some people to even get a loan. Something is wrong with this picture.

If those examples are not enough to satisfy a person’s curiousity, try doing an inventory of people of different races’ jail and prison sentences for the exact same crimes. Even more astonishing levels of injustice appears.

The list is endless and so are the injustices that are imposed upon the African-American community.

Concluding, Thurgood Marshall conveyed a very true statement when he expressed his appeal to Americans all over the United States. Marshall stated, “I wish I could say that racism and prejudice were only distant memories. We must dissent from the indifference. We must dissent from the apathy. We must dissent from the fear, the hatred and the mistrust…We must dissent because America can do better, because America has no choice but to do better.”

Until that time comes, African-American News & Issues will exist, and more readily will continue to report news and issues that are relevant to individuals who are members of the Black community.

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American News&Issues

Rodeo from pg. 1

HUMBLE - Black cowboys have been widely recognized through literature, television, and through events such as the modern-day rodeos. The Black Professional Cowboys and Cowgirls Association, Inc. (BPCCA) put on multiple events at the Humble Civic Center for this year’s rodeo in order to honor those Black cowboys that have paved the way for present African-Americans that continue to love and display these historic and exciting traditions.

The 16th Annual Heritage Day Rodeo, hosted by BPCCA, turned out to be successful with the help of Black cowboys and cowgirls, spectators, and with the sponsorship of H-E-B and Silver Eagle Distributors. These sponsorships help by contributing to the youth through scholarships that help fund their college education. The BPCCA’s mission is “supporting education,” and their purpose is to “create awareness and recognition for AfricanAmerican men and women who have made significant contributions in the African-American community.”

Their goal is to “maintain a college scholarship fund through various fundraising activities” in order for high school graduates to attend four-year universities.

So far, BPCCA (with the help of sponsors) has provided 132

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scholarships for high school seniors. They have given $100,000 in excess. Their vision is to “host the largest African-American civic event in the Houston, Texas area.” The events help to ultimately highlight the culture and traditions of Black cowboys and cowgirls.

Dwight Judge, the founder of BPCCA, stated that “Heritage Day is an opportunity for families and friends to come together to renew and build relationships.”

Judge feels that “Rodeo is very important to the Black community, because many years ago, this was the only sport that they were able to participate in and it became a family event on Sunday afternoons where the entire family would go out and enjoy watching family members or themselves compete, so it has a long history of bringing families together.”

Judge said that his rodeo days started many years ago when somebody mentioned that they wanted him to host rodeos out of the state. “My brothers and I had a small amateur rodeo in Barrett, Texas, and a guy from New York recruited me to come and do a rodeo in Harlem, and I would take cowboys and cowgirls and staff from here, and we would go there, and for 18 years we produced rodeos in New York City and each of the boroughs... After

C ver St ry

retiring from the New York series, I wanted to do something here in Houston that would galvanize the Black community as it did in the late 50s and 60s and make an outing for the African-American families,” he said.

“In addition to that, I wanted to provide an opportunity for graduating high school seniors to receive scholarships, so really and truly, I want to be known as the guy that believes in education, not just the rodeo guy, because I understand what helped me endure 35 years of corporate America was education, not rodeo. I was able to combine the two and enjoy the sport that I love, but also create an opportunity for kids to qualify scholarships to help them in their pursuit of going to college,” he further explained.

Judge would like to see more support of the BPCCA rodeo from the African-American community. “We just need more of the African-American community to come out and support, because it belongs to us. It is African-Americans that produced the rodeo, African-Americans that participated in the rodeo, and it belongs to us. I would like for people to come out and enjoy the experience,” he said.

The Black cowboy was one of adventure, survival, and natural ability. Many slaves brought into

the United States came from countries such as Ghana and Gambia. These countries were widely known for herding cattle.

Slave herders were very intrigued by the cattle herders and eventually picked up many techniques from their slaves.

Throughout several parts of the Deep South, slaves used their skills on plantations that raised cattle. Most slaves used salt, bullwhips and dogs to manage cattle. After the Civil War, former slaves became cowboys that worked to move the cattle along different trails.

Many Black cowboys rode out of Texas along GoodnightLoving, Chisholm, and the Western and other trails in cattle drives to North and South Dakota, Colorado, Kansas and Wyoming.

They would on average take approximately three months to reach their final destination.

Of 35,000 cowboys between 1886 and 1896, approximately 5,000 to 8,000 of those cowboys were Black. Although much racism still existed, many cowboys, whether they were Black, White, or Red, stuck together as a result of the hard times and change of lifestyle awaiting them.

Heritage Day consists of the actual Black Heritage Rodeo that show actual cowboys and cowgirls competing in categories such as bull riding, calf roping, women barrel racing, and bull riding, concerts that celebrate and embrace Zydeco music that contains that sounds that root from Creole, Cajun, and Blues origins, and the exposition, which includes art, games, rides, and a kid zone for children to enjoy.

Sheep riding and calf scrambling allows the younger population to grasp a slight idea of what it was like to be a cowboy. Zino’s Desserts provided pies, cookies and cakes while Frenchy’s provided their famous fried chicken.

Corey LaDay also provided his signature barbeque and Big Lee’s sold fish and shrimp to guests.

James E. Harris, the Director of Supplier Diversity for H-E-B, stated that “H-E-B is a sponsor due to the implementation of

Texas •M arch 2312-18, - 29, 2015 Texas • August 2013

giving away scholarships and because of what the BPCCA rodeo means to the Black culture.

“It’s really a celebration of what African-Americans have meant to shaping the landscape of Texas by way of Black cowboys,” he said.

According to Harris, the relationship between BPCCA and H-E-B was cultivated when “Dwight Judge had a meeting with H-E-B 10 plus years ago.”

He went on to say that Judge “painted a vision of where he wanted the organization to grow to, and it was seeded in providing scholarships for youth to go to college. That was the genesis for the program. The vehicle he provided was the rodeo, and at that time it was done through the February timeframe, which was Heritage Month. It used to be hosted at the Houston Farm and Ranch Club. It outgrew that facility, so that’s why it’s hosted in Humble.”

“I think it’s important for us to remember our history, to embrace it, and it’s not just about remembering history, but what are we doing to shape the future of African-Americans and Texas going forward? We do that by understanding our history by celebrating it, embracing it, and really planting a seed for the youth, so most of the proceeds for this event goes toward scholarships for high school students looking to enter four year universities in the upcoming year,” he further stated.

Harris believes that sponsorship for the BPCCA rodeo is important to it’s existence. “What I’d like to see is more companies to come on board to be a sponsor and sew a seed in the future of Houston’s youth, because these scholarships are for youth attending college, so my request would be more and more organizations to embrace, engage, and support the organization so they can make a difference in the lives of the youth in the state of Texas, specifically Houston,” he said.

Story By: Erica Ponder Photo Credit: Fly Thomas See More Photos on Pg.5

Texas • March 23 - 29, 2015

Rodeo fRom pg. 4

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In addition, music by African-American artists con- Vendor sistently populates Billboard’s Top 20 albums chart. Youth is a key driver for specific music genres, and more than half of the Black population – 53 Date percent – is under the age of 35 .... (compared to 47 percent of total population). However, African-American youth aren’t the sole procurers of Black music. Hip-hop, in particular, has become an international, multibillion-dollar business reflective of the strong sway Black culture has on the music industry and its trends, thus providing additional proof of the far-reaching impact of today’s Black Power. Over the years, jazz, blues and R&B have had similar universal appeal.

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TEXAS • MARCH 23 -29, 2015

March

Mar 23 - 27

Monday - Friday Houston Livestock & Rodeo 8400 Kirby Dr. .

Houston, TX 77054 For more info visit www.rodeohouston.com

Mar 27 - 28

Friday - Saturday 300 Men’s Conference 3700 Southwest Fwy. Houston, Texas 77027 Fri. @ 7:30pm, Sat. @2:00pm For more info visit: www.lakewoodchurch.com/men

Mar 23 - Apr 12 27 Monday - Sunday The Ensemble Theatre “What I Learned in Paris” 3535 Main St. Houston, TX 77002 Various Showtimes For more info contact: (713) 520-0055 Thursday Waller County Democratic Club Meeting 635 Business 290 E Hempstead, TX 77445 Beginning at 6:30pm For more info visit (979) 645-1664

26

27 Friday Houston Area

Healthcare Associates Clinic Grand Opening 9520 Homestead A-1 Houston, TX 77054 From 10am -5pm For more info contact: (936) 648-6509

27

Friday 2015 NCAA Division Men’s Basketball South Regional NRG Stadium 1 NRG Park Houston, TX 77054 Beginning at 12:00pm For more info contact: (832) 667 - 1400 www.ncaa.com/mbbtickets.

Friday Power of Praise Christian Church Fish Fry 7512 Lockwood Dr. Houston, TX 77026 From 9am to 5pm For more info contact: Nico Theman Matthews (832) 443 - 5979

27

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Friday

Acres Home Chamber for Business & Economic Development, Inc. 26th Annual Awards Banquet “Reclaiming, Reframing & Rebuilding Acres Homes” 6112 Wheatley St Houston, TX 77091 For more info contact: Anthony Stewart (713) 692-7161 info@acreshomecenter.org

28 Saturday The Fight for

Emancipation & the Role of Religion -Film Premiere 4715 Main St Houston, TX 77002 Beginning at 3pm For more info contact (832)865-0408 Saturday The Women’s Home 5th Annual Crawfish Boil West Alabama Ice House 1919 W Alabama St, Houston, TX 77098 From 1:00pm to 5:00pm For more info visit www.thewomenshome.org Saturday Mt. Ararat Baptist Communty Health Fair 5801 W. Montgomery Rd Houston, Tx 77088 From 9:30am - 1pm For more info contact (713)535-9901

28

Renaissance Festival “Partners Partying for a Purpose” Between Capron & Benson 3700 Lyons Ave. Houston, TX 77020 From 1:00pm to 5:00pm For more info visit www.facebook.com/ LyonsAvenueFestival Saturday First Baptist Church of Lincoln City Hamburger Sales 844 Fortune St Houston, TX 77088 From 11am to 2pm For more info contact (832) 892-5078

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Saturday American Heart Assoc. & Houston Methodist Free CPR Save a Life Couse Sterling Highschool Gym 300 W. Baker Rd Baytown, TX 77521 Times: 9am, 10am, 11am, 12pm & 1pm For more info contact

Saturday American Heart Assoc. & Houston Methodist Free CPR Save a Life Couse D. Bradley McWilliams YMCA 19915 State Hwy249 Houston, TX 77070 Times: 9am, 10am, 11am, 12pm & 1pm For more info contact apiyo.obala@heart.org **Ages 12 and up

Thursday

Sugar Land Parks 2742 Eldridge Rd. Sugar Land, TX 77478 From 12:00pm to 3:00pm For more info contact (281) 275 - 2885 www.sugarlandtx.gov/parks

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Saturday African-American Library at the Gregory School Women’s History Month 1300 Victor St Houston, TX 77019 Beginning at 2pm For more info contact: (832) 393-1440

March 28 - 29

Saturday - Sunday Men’s Conference 2015 Two Churches One Kingdom Faith Temple COGIC The Well New Life Fellowship Theme: Transformed for Purpose Bishop Thurman B. Graves Pastor Amel Qullin, Jr. 7426 Curry Rd. Houston, TX 77093 Sat., Beginning at 10:00am Sun., Beginning at 3:00pm For more info contact: (713) 692 -1092 or (281) 436 - 0930

March 28 - 29

Saturday - Sunday McDonald’s Houston Children’s Festival Tranquility Park 400 Rusk St. Houston, TX 77002 From 10:30am to 6:30pm For more info contact:

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28

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1

April

Wednesday Easter at the Wood Pre-Easter Praise Brentwood Baptist Church Marvin Sapp in Concert 13033 Landmark Street Houston, TX 77045 Beginning at 7:00pm For more info contact (713) 852 - 1400 www.brentwoodbaptist.org

Guest Speaker Devon Anderson Harris County District Attorney

Acres Home Chamber for Business & Economic Development, Inc. Monthly Networking Luncheon 6112 Wheatley St Houston, TX 77091 From 11:30am to 1:00pm For more info contact: Anthony Stewart (713) 692-7161 info@acreshomecenter.org

Email Your Upcoming Events to: news@aframnews.com 4 weeks in advance!

4

Saturday Ricebowl 2015 George R. Brown Conventoin Center 1001 Avenida De Las Americas Houston, TX 77010 From 2:00pm to 8:00pm For more info contact www.animematsuri.com/ ricebowl Saturday New Mt. Calvary Community Easter Egg Hunt 4711 Kelley St Houston, TX 77026 From 10am -12pm For more info contact (713) 635-1955

4

April 4 - 5

Saturday - Sunday Easter Celebration Saturday, Tom Wussow Park Sunday, Rhema Word of Life Church 15955 W. Hardy Rd. Ste 320.

Houston, TX 77060 Sat., From 11:00am to 2:00pm Sun., Beginning at 10:30am For more info contact: (281) 405 - 9000 Sunday New Mt. Calvary Easter Worship Service 4711 Kelley St Houston, TX 77026 Beginning at 8:30m For more info contact (713) 635-1955 Monday Acres Home Chamber for Business & Economic Development, Inc. Chamber Seniors- Movie 6112 Wheatley St Houston, TX 77091 From 1pm - 3pm For more info contact: (713) 692-7161

3

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Friday Cliffdale Baptist Church Annual Easer Egg hunt 854 Enterprise St Houston, TX 77088 Beginning at 9am For more info contact (832) 889-9791 Friday I Believe Conference Featured Artist: Jeremy Sanders (Sounds of Kingdom) New Faith Christian Center 15002 Highway 6 Rosharon, TX 77583 Beginning at 7:30pm For more info contact (713) 852 - 1400 Friday New Mt. Calvary Good Friday Worship Service 4711 Kelley St Houston, TX 77026 Beginning at 7pm For more info contact (713) 635-1955

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Monday Acres Home Chamber for Business & Economic Development, Inc. STEM Academic Tutorials 6112 Wheatley St Houston, TX 77091 From 4pm - 6pm For more info contact: (713) 692-7161 info@acreshomecenter.org

HOU-7

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African

American News&Issues

Greater Oak Grove Baptist Church

Pastor D. Earl Lewis

HOUSTON - AfricanAmerican News&Issues presents Greater Oak Grove Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor D. Earl Lewis.

Greater Oak Grove’s history is one that dates back to nearly 50 years ago. It was was established on June 6, 1968 under the name of True Vine Baptist Church.

This establishment was first initiated in the home of Bro. and Sis. Leo Gibson on Kirk Street in Houston’s Fifth Ward segment of the city. Amongst those in attendance were Rev. M.D. Smith, Rev. Fred Dixon and Rev. and Sis. Marvin Bennett.

Rev. Bennett was elected as the first pastor. In addition to the pastor, five additional members were added to the church, namely: Bro. and Sis. Norris Littles, Bro. and Sis. Leo Gibson and Bro. Gurvis. The first worship service took place at the True Level Hall on Lyons Avenue.

It was then that a few other pioneering members were added.

These members were Bro. Ray Jackson, Sis. Pearl Owens, Sis. Tina Lacy, Sis. Mona Wallace and Sis. Ida Smiley as a honorary member. As the newly formed body of Christ had begun TX-8

worshiping and giving God all the glory, He consistently added to the church. The membership grew and after six months, they were able to move to another location. That location was the Baptist Theological Seminary on Chew Street. Shortly thereafter, Rev. Bennett resigned as pastor.

After much fasting and prayer, the Lord directed the believers’ minds to call the Rev. Jesse H. Jones, Sr., and he fervently accepted the challenge.

It was from this experience that the growth of the church, at the rate at which it was, created a need for a permanent dwelling place. Accordingly, a new place of worship was found, and the move was made to its current location on Sandra Street in Northeast Houston. At that time, the church name was also changed to Greater Oak Grove Baptist Church. Through the ministry and leadership of Pastor Jones, the membership multiplied abundantly, and many community service activities became a part of the church’s agenda.

A few of those community services include Senior Citizen’s nutritional sites, Helping Hands community services and a food

RELIGI N

pantry.

As time went on, in 1995, a multi-purpose wing was added on. The multi-purpose center housed classrooms, a fellowship hall, and administrative offices.

Pastor Jones with his devoted wife, (the late) Sis. Verstine Jones by his side, faithfully led the Greater Oak Grove family for 35 years. He intently upheld a motto which stated “Let every saved soul help save a soul.” On August 23, 2003, Pastor Jesse H. Jones, Sr. was called home to be with the Lord.

After his passing, the church saw fit to choose one from within in the person of Rev. D. Earl Lewis, who became the 3rd shepherd of the church. Pastor Lewis began watch on the 3rd Sunday in November of 2003 (35 years to the day in which Pastor Jones began). Pastor Lewis served as the assistant pastor under Pastor Jones for 7 years before being called to lead the New Beginning Missionary Baptist Church in 1998. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and such a great visionary leader, the church has transitioned from programs to purpose.

Pastor Lewis’ vision for Greater Oak Grove is to become a “Campus for the Community.” To that regard, several community minded ministries have been implemented.

To honor the preceding shepherd of the church, the Fellowship Hall was named the Jesse H. Jones, Sr. Memorial Building on March 25, 2007.

Pastor D. Earl Lewis

Reverend D. Earl Lewis was licensed to preach the gospel in 1991 and ordained in 1993 by Dr. Jesse Henry Jones, Sr. He earned a Bachelors of Science

in Christian Leadership from the College of Biblical Studies in Christian Leadership (summa cum laude). He also holds a Masters of Theology from Liberty University Baptist Theological Seminary.

Affectionately called by many as “Pastor DEL,” he can be heard weekly on the local Christian radio station, KHCB. He also serves as the vice president of Powerwalk Ministries Inc., Member of IMPACT Ministries, Northeast Houston Levites and the Houston Area Pastor’s Association. His academic acumen has afforded him his most recent accomplishment, an appointment as the Dean of Students for the College of Biblical Studies, however, his proudest attributes are his lovely wife Susan and their three children, Kirstie, Jordan and Caleb, and shepherding the flock of the Oak Grove family.

To date, Greater Oak Grove has implemented a plethora of ministries, including Beautification, Bereavement/ Benevolence, Boys to Men, Christian Education, Elijah’s Prayer, Fishers of Men, Generation H.Y.P.E., Greeters, Hearts for Christ, Keepers of the Grove, Kitchen, Male Chorus, Media/Marketing, Sounds of Faith, Silver and Gold, Sight and Sound, Shepherd’s Care, Rated R Young Adult, Nurses, New Members, Deacons & Ministers Wive’s and Men of Standard, just to list a few.

The church’s theme is “Making a Difference by Making Disciples,” according to St. Matthew 28:18 - 20. The vision of Greater Oak Grove is “to be a Christ centered, biblicallybased, center of hope for Northeast Houston and honoring

Texas • March 23 - 29, 2015 God by encouraging spiritual growth, embracing the family, and empowering the community.” The church subscribes to a mission which states, “to be a seeker friendly, community sensitive body of believers. We will strengthen families, equip saints and evangelize sinners through expositional preaching/ teaching. We will provide opportunities of empowerment through life application courses that will transform lives and impact the community. To the end God will be glorified in all that we say and do.”

Worship Days and Times are as follows: Sunday, 9:30 a.m. - Morning Worship, 10:00 a.m. - Children’s Church (2nd & 3rd Sunday), Communion (During 1st Sunday Morning Worship); Tuesday, 12:00 p.m. - Senior Mission (WIA), (2nd Tuesday) 7:00 p.m. Brotherhood Ministry (2nd Tuesday); Wednesday, 12:00 p.m. - Bible Study, 7:00 p.m.

- Christian Education, 8:00 p.m. - Choir Rehearsal and 8:00 p.m. - Children’s Rehearsal (3rd Wednesday).

To worship at Greater Oak Grove Baptist Church, stop by 9829 Sandra St., 77016. For more information about services or upcoming events, contact the church at (713) 631-4385.

Pick up the latest edition here!

Texas • March 23 - 29, 2015

Third Ward C mmunity

Read us online! w w w. aframnew s. com

9

Multi-Service Center

HOUSTON - The Third Ward Multi-Service Center is located at 3611 Ennis Street, 77004. The center, also known as the Third Ward MSC, has been a highly used resource in the Third Ward community since the doors were opened in 2002. Since then, the multi-service center has grown with the facilities, services and programs they provide in order to help the surrounding communities.

The agencies and programs that are housed within the center provide different services that help the residents of the community thrive and receive valuable education on health, culture, fitness and community planning. The administration office is open from 8 a.m. To 6:30 p.m.

Mon. through Fri., however, the auditorium and conference rooms are available to the public for community gatherings, meetings, conferences and productions seven days a week.

The Resource Center is open on Mon.- Fri. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Resource Center has computers and there is access to a printer and multiple others resources in the facility.

Residents are able to access information pertaining to emergency food, emergency assistance with rent and utilities, medical support, job readiness, transportation services and other issues/ concerns affecting them.

One of the organizations that play a major role in the functioning of the Third Ward Multi-Service Center is Gateway to Care. According to Marilyn Edwards, a front desk receptionist at the MSC, the program helps with “finding healthcare for families through referrals to different primary care clinics and they also help explain the process of Medicaid and Medicare, and the Harris County

Hospital district’s program.�

Gateway to Care is a nonprofit organization that has dedicated their efforts toward ensuring that each resident of the Harris County and Greater Houston area has access to affordable healthcare.

This organization operates as a “collaborative� of more than 165 member and associated organizations who work together to coordinate resources and provide healthcare services in the local community. The Gateway to Care Collaborative is responsible for improving the lives of over 100,000 individuals and families since 2000. Their vision and goal is make sure the community is given 100% access to healthcare for the uninsured and underinsured residents.

The MSC also has a Food Bank program every first Thursday of the month. “This facility is in partnership with the Houston Food Bank, and they come here to provide monthly food to seniors ages 60 plus that are on a fixed income,� Edwards said.

The Senior Program focuses on “socialization activities, arts and crafts and volunteer opportunities within the community,�

Edwards said. During this program, seniors 60 and older get together from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. so that they can participate in games, dances, health activities, exercise classes, go on field trips, and socialize with other senior citizens within the community.

Another program that is connected to the multiservice center and has helped Third Ward citizens is the Advocate Legal Senior Center. Norma Bradley, an advocate for senior citizens and longtime community member, started this organization in 1982. Her desire for an initiative like this stemmed

from realizing that becoming a guardian was a complicated process, so she wanted to help others in their effort.

The organization provides direct legal representation of persons interested in seeking guardianship for a loved one who is incapacitated due to physically or mentally disabling conditions. The Advocate Legal Senior Center can offer assistance in obtaining guardianship for a loved one. The Advocate Legal Senior Center also assists with geriatric care, senior housing assistance programs, as well as government, public, and consumer needs.

Something else that the multi-service center supports is a community garden.

The Houston Department of Health and Human Services started this program to show residents how to grow nutritious foods while the community participates. The effort has now grown to 11 gardens around the Houston area. The foods that have been grown in the garden include onions, spinach, turnips, lettuce, mustard, garlic, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower. Classes on how to plant and grow crops and the importance of organic foods are also available.

The multi-service center carries the Diabetes Awareness and Wellness Network Center (D.A.W.N.) established by the Houston Department of Health and Human Services. This organization offers free wellness programming to people who have been diagnosed with, or are at-risk for diabetes.

Members of the organization aim to make changes within their lifestyle to avoid the affects of the disease and improve their quality of life.

To Learn More About 3rd Ward Multi-Service Center Visit www.aframnews.com

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WOLF PACK RIDING CLUB:

Trail Riders

TEXAS • MARCH 23 - 29, 2015

“WE DON’T PACK FAIR”

HOUSTON - Texas history and the implementation of trail riding are synonymous in their relationship to one another.

Each year starting in the month of February, the first trail ride takes place in Hidalgo. As the days fade away throughout the month, other trail rides commence with a schedule that ultimately leads all of the trail riders to Memorial Park. This entourage of horseback riders, buckboards and covered wagons all convene to take part in the infamous parade that initiates the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is one event that trail riders and riding clubs alike gather to share in and participate in the cowboy and cowgirl scene that so many have come to love.

Since the origination of the sport into American culture, countless of individuals have united together at an effort to form divers organizations, clubs and teams that participate in the trail riding experience. On December 12, 2014, one more club was officially added to that list-- the Wolf Pack Riding Club. The Wolf Pack Riding Club evolved from a group of young African-American men and women who, in times past, either rode with other riding clubs or individually. These like-minded TX-10

men and women all shared equal objectives that furthered assisted with the origination of Wolf Pack. The desire to create a riding club which strived to“foster a unique family atmosphere, allow members to pass the cowboy/trail riding tradition on to their own children and provide community service,” was shared by all affiliates of the club.

As such, the Wolf Pack Riding Club is not just your typical riding club.

They have established a mission statement and purpose to assist with further fortifying their goals of trail riding.

Thus, they subscribe to a mission statement and purpose which includes the following: “Wolf Pack Riding Club’s purpose is to combat community deterioration and juvenile delinquency, to support education while perpetuating the heritage of the Black Cowboy. Wolf Pack strives to stimulate and maintain the interest of horse lovers in the heritage of the American Cowboy.

Additionally, Wolf Pack will include the whole family, especially youth, as participants in the experience and the actual duties associated with a real trail ride and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Cowboys, cowgirls, their children and the general public at-large shall organize and participate

Back Row (l-r) Secretary - Krystin Collins, Kendrick Keene, V.P. Arnold Collins II & Michael Johnson Front Row (l-r) CEO/Trailboss - Rodgers Shields, Jr., Courtney Douche, President - Natasha Earvin & Treasurer - Thadious Peterson

in such activities as trail rides, rodeos, camp-outs, etc., and other activities as deemed appropriate to meet the organization’s purpose. These activities are designed to promote goodwill and a spirit of camaraderie among all people. Also included shall be educational training for the proper care, maintenance, and safety of animals.”

The Wolf Pack Riding Club maintains a serious commitment of upholding and demonstrating the referenced clauses identified in their purpose.

This factor is evident in conjunction with the various involvements that the club has become active in within the community. Each year, the Wolf Pack Riding Club participates in the Acres Homes Collaboration Fun Day in the Park, which occurs in the month of June. The event is a threeday celebration whereas various riding clubs in the Acres Home community

come out to participate in.

Various sporting events, tournaments, networking, games and community fellowship are held on this weekend-long festivity. The Acres Homes Collaboration also hosts a dance/toy drive in the month of November that the Wolf Pack Riding Club strives to take part in. The drive serves to benefit underprivileged children who are awarded with the gifts at the Annual Christmas Ride, which takes place in December.

In addition to supporting community-based programs and events, Wolf Pack also hosts two events.

On the fourth weekend of October, the club sponsors an Annual Camp-Out/Trail Ride and Rodeo. Lastly, their Annual Dance is held on the third weekend in January.

President Natasha Earvin shared the following about Wolf Pack during an interview: “As with any other organization, we have experienced

some of the pains that are associated with a growing organization. However, we have resolved any conflicts that we have experienced by keeping an open mind, communicating one-one and as a group, praying together, and most of all remembering why we came together as a family and that this was all created in love! We are definitely more of a family than just a club! I believe what sets us a part from many other clubs is our family environment - we spend holidays together, our kids are friends, and we do many things as a group outside of trail riding. We do not just come together as a social or riding club.

Our bond extends far outside and is much stronger than just the world of trail riding. We are truly a family!”

Additionally, Earvin stated, “One of the main things that we would like the Black Community and Houston at-large to know is that the Black

Cowboy does exist!” She continued, “Members of the trail riding community participates and supports in rodeos on local, state and national level - it is a community that is thriving and alive and well.”

The Wolf Pack Riding Club is a member of the Border2Border Trail Riding Association, a collective collaboration which is comprised of clubs both in Texas and Louisiana regions. Board members of the Wolf Pack Riding Club are Chief Executive Officer (Trail Boss) Rodgers Shields, Jr., President Natasha Earvin, Vice President Arnold Collins, II, Secretary Krystin Collins and Treasurer Thadious Peterson.

For additional information about the Wolf Pack Riding Club, or to learn how to become a member of the organization, contact Natasha Earvin at (281) 217-9783.

By: Rebecca S. Jones Photo Credit: Natasha Earvin

TEXAS • MARCH 23 - 29, 2015

Houston Livestock & Rodeo

100 FUTURE SAILORS COMMIT TO LIFE AT SEA DURING HOUSTON RODEO

HOUSTON - This year during the annual 2015 Houston Livestock & Rodeo, approximately 100 future Navy Sailors from across Navy Recruiting District (NRD) Houston rose their right hand and swore to defend the U.S. Constitution from all enemies during a joint service military swear-in ceremony at the Houston Rodeo’s Armed Forces Appreciation Day. Thousands of military supporters and rodeo fans witnessed the soon-to-be Sailors take the Oath of Enlistment with nearly 300 other future service members from each branch of the military.

“The recruiting mission is focused on finding the best and brightest men and women to serve in America’s Navy,” said NRD Houston’s Commanding Officer Cmdr. Rick Evangelista. “It was exciting to see the quality young men and women our Houston recruiters brought together and see them - as a team - take their oath to

protect our country. This is their first step toward living a life we in the military have always treasured - a life of honor, courage and commitment. To see this happen at the Houston Rodeo as they were honoring our military members was an absolute joy. I couldn’t have been more proud.”

Recruiters and future Sailors were honored with free tickets to both the rodeo and to the following concert later that evening.

Additionally, they each received free barbeque, ticket books filled with free rides and discounted food coupons and a smile and handshake from thousands attending the ceremony, thanking them for their service.

“I was so proud,” said future Sailor Yhwh Ellis from The Woodlands, Texas. “When I raised my right hand, the only thing I could think was how right it felt - to join the Navy.

There are moments during the recruiting process where you ask yourself ‘is this the correct choice’ and when the veterans

came up and shared their experiences, I knew I made the right decision.”

The Navy’s goal is to hire the best men and women to accomplish today’s missions and meet tomorrow’s challenges. Navy Recruiting District Houston seeks out quality candidates throughout the surrounding areas, helping the Navy meet their hiring goals while also conducting volunteer activities designed to help give back the city of Houston and the surrounding communities they serve.

NRD Houston consists of integrity-based leadership focused on spirited teamwork and a standing commitment toward excellence.

“Why Being There Matters” On our planet, more than 70 percent of which is covered by water, being there means having the ability to act from the sea. The Navy is uniquely positioned to be there; the world’s oceans give the Navy the power to protect America’s interests anywhere, and at any time. Your Navy protects and defends America on the world’s oceans. Navy ships, submarines, aircraft and, most importantly, tens of thousands of America’s finest young men and women are deployed around the world doing just that. They are there now. They will be there when we are sleeping tonight. They will be there every Saturday, Sunday and holiday this year. They are there around the clock, far from our shores, defending America at all times.

Thank you very much for your support of the men and women in U.S. Navy, deployed around the clock and ready to protect and defend America on the world’s oceans.

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Chris Fahey Thanks from MC3 Amanda L. Owens

African

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