African-American News&Issues

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JANETTE LEMMON COSLEY

VOL. 20 ISSUE 48

PLEASE DO NOT FORGET OUR HISTORY! FORGETTING WHAT HAPPENED TO US CAN DESTROY US! ~Roy Douglas Malonson, Chairman~

UMAR JOHNSON: AMERICA’S GREATEST “RACE MAN”

DIRECTOR OF THE ENSEMBLE THEATRE

J

anette L. Cosley, a native Houstonian, has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Keuka College in New York. Upon her return to Houston in 1979 she pursued her journalism career as News Anchor at KAUM Radio. In 1980, she moved on to KPRC Radio where she spent ten years reporting, writing and editing talk radio news. To broaden her media experience at KPRC Radio, she accepted the opportunity as an Account Executive in the Sales Department, developing new advertising accounts for News/Talk Radio. Moving on from journalism, she entered the not for profit sector, accepting a position with the United Negro College Fund, Inc. as the Assistant Area Development Director. In addition, she coordinated the efforts for UNCF in both Houston and San Antonio throughout the year.

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“The Twelve Slaves of Christmas…”

Before I Lay it Down...

By “Coach” Mark Spivey, M.Ed

Les’t we forget...

1. Poor People - They work too hard and make too little to enjoy any part of this festive season. That’s why we should be in favor of raising the minimum wage to $15.00 an hour. How does anybody live off of anything less? It’s NOT living; it’s surviving. I’ve been in those shoes before. Giant retailers and restaurants such as Walmart and McDonalds should be ashamed of themselves for taking advantage of their workers.

2. Peter and Paul - Not the ones in the bible. It’s those guys that poor people rob/pay in order TO survive. In ghetto/urban technology, it means getting “extensions” on your automobile and home loans so you can have money for December’s Christmas. By asking your finance companies to “move your monthly

Roy Douglas Malonson Chairman Shirley Ann Malonson

President/C.E.O.

Chandra Jarmon

Production/Editor

Sandra Davis

Production Asst

James Jones III, Ph.D

Staff Writer

Shelondra Peavy

Staff Writer

Mark Spivey

Contributing Writer

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payment/note” to the end of your contract so you can have a “good” Christmas, is not really a good idea at all. Those bastards will gladly give it to you knowing all the while that this type of transaction means more money and higher finance charges for them. By the end of January, Peter can’t rob Paul anymo or vice versa.

They’re both broke…

3. Single Moms - Imagine an underpaid, hard-working single mom of 3 kids. Two are in elementary school; the baby is in daycare. She can’t afford Christmas because she has to pay rent. Her take home pay is $1400.00 dollars a month but her rent is $1000.00. She’s living below the poverty level, but she makes too much to qualify for food stamps or public assistance. What kinda shit is that? The kids know its Christmas time because the gift-less Christmas tree in the corner is their reminder.

So, what’s a mom to do? Apply for a loan? No, her credit score is below 400. Ask her family members?

No, they work at McDonalds and Walmart. The only option she has left is to share her body. It’s not about love and it’s not about pleasure. It’s about her kids.

4. Undesirable Men - “He’s just a friend”, not exactly handsome, but he’s “alright”. He has “bootydo” and his teeth aren’t perfect. But, he has a job and he’s not a “ho”. Not being a “ho” is by default; no one wants his ass until around Christmas.

It’s his “special time of year”. It’s not about love; it’s about pleasure. That’s all he wants for Christmas… (along with his two front teeth).

5. Grandmothers Who Raise Their Grandchildren - Nowadays, it almost seems like a “rite of passage” with so many children being raised by Madeas. It’s happened for years, but now it’s more prominent. Young women popping out children with no dads around, and grandmothers with hearts of gold not wanting her offspring to suffer.

Especially around the holidays. The grandchillren may not get much, but they’re gonna get “something”.

Madea has a “friend”, too.

6. Those People Selling

Edit rial & Opini n

Newspapers on the Corner - They live under the freeways in makeshift tents. Their modes of transportation are “abandoned/ stolen” shopping carts or raggedy-ass bicycles with under-inflated tires.

We see them on the weekends in all types of weather, selling the Houston Chronicle or whatever your local paper may be. They’re a motley crew of individuals, people seen only by people like them. To the rest of us they’re like fixtures; stop signs and light poles. They don’t even blend in. I wonder if they get bonuses for selling all of those papers. Bahhhh, Humbug…

7. Police Officers - They have to protect.

8. Emergency Medical Services - They have to serve.

9. Firemen - They have to respond.

10. Children - Starting in November, right after Thanksgiving they have to be “good” or they ain’t getting nothing for Christmas. I think we’re supposed to say “they ain’t getting “anything” for Christmas.

You can’t get nothing because nothing is nothing. Ain’t nothing there. Kids don’t want nothing. They want something. They don’t want “anything” either. Their little bad asses want everything. I’ll be glad when they want a job…

11. Garbage Men - All that trash they have to pick up surely qualifies them as members of the “12 Slaves of Christmas”. You’ll never see a happy garbage man during the week after Christmas. They get attitudes. Broken bulbs and them “Ice-cycle” thingys be all in yo driveway and ISH. They won’t even roll yo damn trash can back up in the yard.

It’ll be in the middle of the street next to yo neighbors. How in tha hell are you supposed to tell who’s trash can is whose. All trash cans look alike.

12. My Yardman - He’s not really a slave, but he acts like one. I still don’t understand why he tries to cut my yard when my grass is dormant. Ain’t nothing growing.

This time, nothing means nothing. He put some mulch in my yard last week, but he didn’t trim my yard.

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Texas • December 21 - December 27, 2015

America is the Land of Immigrants Honorable Eddie Bernice Johnson TX 33rd Dist.

America is a land of immigrants. Since its inception, the United States of America has been a place where persecuted people have come and been able to live freely. Our willingness to open our country’s doors to refugees of the world has been met with its fair share of dissension; however, America is great because of its great diversity. To be great, we must strive to include individuals from all walks of life. In the wake of the Syrian Civil War and the resulting Syrian Refugee Crisis, many elected officials have resorted to harmful rhetoric that is disparaging and disappointing. For instance, House Speaker Paul Ryan recently suggested that we should freeze the acceptance of Syrian refugees because “we cannot let terrorists take advantage of our compassion.” This way of thinking is misguided and misinformed.

The fear that Paul Ryan and countless other Americans have of terroristic violence is the same fear that drives these refugees to our doorstep. Families have been torn apart and forced out of their homes because of violence in their backyard. As Americans, we should greet suffering refugees with open arms and understanding hearts, not with prejudice and hatred.

According to reports, roughly ten percent of the annual 70,000 refugees from all nations that the United States accepts settle in Texas. To date, 184 Syrian refugees have already been settled in Texas, many in the Dallas area.

This leads to the question, why is it that one of the leading states in refugee resettlement be one of the

most unforgiving when it comes to immigration?

Our state has been made greater by those who have relocated, resettled, and contributed so much to our communities and our state.

The Syrian Refugee Crisis highlights a problem that America has seen time and time again—fear of the lesser known. Refugees fleeing Nazi persecution prior to and during World War II were met with fear before the Holocaust, and that is a mistake our nation now must live with. France, a country that recently suffered extreme loss at the hands of terrorists, plans to accept 30,000 Syrian refugees. That is a gesture that truly embodies compassion. It is time we overcome our fear and do the same.

We must not forget that our country is one built by and made great because immigrants who have come from all parts of the world in search of a better life.. The Texas I know and represent is a warm and friendly place, where a stranger always has a seat at the table – where everything is bigger, including and especially our hearts. Exclusivity is not the culture of Texas, and it is not the culture of Paper this great nation.

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Texas • December 21 - December 27, 2015

Edit rial & Opini n

how The ‘CoolPoSe’ UNDermiNeS male/female relaTioNShiPS wiThiN The BlaCK CommUNiTY Manhood, Race & Culture

By Dr. James Thomas Jones III

There is not doubt that African-American men are not a monolithic population. Despite what many whites have created within their own minds, AfricanAmerican men neither think alike nor possess the same goals and priorities. As an African-American male, I must relate that there is actually one point of convergence that you will find among brothers that were raised in an authentic Black community, that being, an intangible quality that is known by many names. Today’s youth culture term it swag, earlier generations called it ‘soul’, while others term it ‘cool’. One thing is for certain, African-American males have had a monopoly upon this elusive intangible quality for as far back as anyone can remember.

As with most things that African-American males have seemingly cornered the market upon, ‘cool’ has proven to be a double-edged sword with the ability to do good and a more likely ability to do evil. Unfortunately, this ‘cool’ factor has failed to benefit our community beyond providing Black males with the ability to move with at least a veneer of confidence and self-esteem when surrounded by whites who find even their presence offensive. To whites chagrin, we have learned to remain ‘cool’ during the most stressful moments.

It is this ‘cool’ factor that African-American men emit via their dress, walk, and talk that young Black boys desire to emulate during their adolescence. NonBlack males realize that neither they, nor anyone who looks like

them, will ever exhibit authentic ‘cool’. At best, their expression of ‘cool’ will be a facsimile of a cultural pattern that brothers were doing a bunch of yesterdays ago.

According to Richard Majors, the “Cool Pose” is a set of language, mannerisms, gestures and movements that “exaggerate or ritualize masculinity. The Essence of ‘cool’ is to appear in control, whether through a fearless style of walking, an aloof facial expression, the clothes you wear, a haircut, your gestures or the way you talk. The ‘cool pose’ shows the dominant culture that you are strong and proud, despite your status in American society…Much of cool pose is ritualistic imitation of peers. If you’re not seen as cool, you’re an outsider. It’s a way to be included.”

Considering the present state of African-American males, one is faced with an over-arching question. Is the ‘cool pose’ working against the formation of healthy male/female relations within today’s African-American community? Considering the present state of the Black Family, it appears that the ‘cool pose’ is proving to be a negative for African-American males, the women that they create children with, and their offspring.

Although the ‘cool pose’ benefits a few African-American males by ensuring their place among their peers, it simultaneously creates the perfect storm for their rejection by an economically formidable white society. AfricanAmerican males inability to secure gainful employment, a traditional pre-requisite to marriage and the starting of a family, hinders nearly every aspect of any potential relationship. It appears that for contemporary African-American males who have adopted the ‘cool pose’ as a primary identity, they will invariably find themselves ostracized from mainstream institutions into an unprecedented

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PLEASE DO NOT FORGET OUR HISTORY! FORGETTING WHAT - ROY DOUGLAS MALONSON HAPPENED TO US CAN DESTROY US!

L

i gUess A Win is A Win

et me first say congratulations to Houston’s next Mayor, Sylvester Turner, and all of those who worked on his brilliant campaign. Your hard-work and commitment to excellence made this political win possible. And make no mistake about it, this was a political fight for the ages, particularly when one considers what was at stake; the future of Black Houstonians.

Although many seek to ignore the issue of gentrification, however, the fact is that huge sections of historically African-American neighborhoods (3rd Ward --- 5th Ward) are being swallowed up by white developers seeking to put condominiums, lofts, and other housing options inside of the loop. If Black Houstonians are not careful, there will be no affordable housing options available. Put simply, the vast majority of inner-city residents will no longer be able to live inside of the loop and those who have held property in these areas for generations will be prime to lose their family possessions due to property taxes rising to a level that they can no longer afford to retain their homes and/or property.

By the end of Saturday’s run-off election, Sylvester Turner had received 108,389 votes to Bill King’s 104, 307.

Relatively speaking, this election was

nearly a dead heat between the two candidates; it was only the phenomenal participation of African-Americans located in Fort Bend County that kept turn ahead the entire day. When the dust settled, the difference the margin of victory was slightly over 4,000 votes. Another way of looking at the results that would show just how close this race was is that Turner received 51% of the votes and Bill King checked in with 49% of the votes.

Once again, I applaud Sylvester Turner and his campaign for their hard-fought victory over Bill Turner.

Considering that the Democratic Party has held Houston’s Mayoral office for the past 30 years, this year’s election was a particularly daunting feat for many reasons.

However, there is something that is particularly unsettling for me in regards to this year’s Mayoral race.

The thing that has unsettled me is the reality that when you account for the outlying areas there are more than 6,000,000 people in this city. Out of that 6 million, only 212,696 citizens participated in this year’s election.

Even more troubling is the reality that when the outlying areas are accounted for, there are over 1,100,000 AfricanAmericans, making them the 9th largest population in any American city, in

and permanent ways.

Unfortunately for AfricanAmerican males, their ‘ritualistic imitation of peers’ too often leads them to the same position their counterparts are mired in: prison, illiteracy, probation, parole, unemployment and/or an early death.

It is my contention that the ‘cool pose’ is integral to understanding why: 1.5 Million African-American Males are involved in the penal system via incarceration (Federal, State, and Local) or on some form of probation there is a 85% recidivism rate for African-American Males 60% of African-American

males are involved in the penal system for a drug related crime In 1979 there were 100,000 Black males in the judicial system, today that number has swelled to 1,500,000.

The majority of the 2.3 million people incarcerated in U.S. prisons and jails are people of color, people with mental health issues and drug addiction, people with low levels of educational attainment, and people with a history of unemployment or underemployment.

This matter begs the question of what are we to do? Lord knows that it is impossible to get AfricanAmerican males to divest from the ‘cool pose.’ It may be time to

We MUST Understand

By Roy Douglas Malonson, Chairman

this city and at most 7% of them cast a vote for the Mayor-Elect.

Although it is well known that Americans do not come out to vote, I consider it particularly disappointing when African-Americans, a population whose ancestors had to fight for measures such as the Lyndon Baines signed 1965 Voting Rights Act --- this election occurred on the 50th Anniversary of that Act --- to ensure even a rocky path to your local polling place; and yet, we fail once again to make our way to the polls.

I must admit that I am simultaneously disappointed by our refusal to engage the political process and completely at a loss in regards to what we need to do to get our people to recognize that we will continue to lose in the game of life until we become politically active and serious about our individual and community economics.

Sylvester Turner needs the help of Black Houstonians and I pray that we will put forth a much better effort than what we showed on election day.

begin a process of socializing our young men toward a new form of ‘cool; one that allows them to retain their ‘cool’ quotient, while also directing them down a path that increases their chances of academic and economic success. Failure to take this issue on and redirect our youth down a productive path highlights our feebleness and accentuates an unfortunate reality that today’s Black leadership is doing little more than spinning their wheels and acting ‘cool’ themselves; and as Gwendolyn Brooks pointed out in her epic poem We Real Cool, such activities will guarantee that “We Die Soon.”

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African

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From Pg. 1 ~ Cosley

C ver St ry

2013 Christmas musical and the title is “DJEMBE and The Forest of Christmas Forgotten” book, music and lyrics by Carlton Leake

HOUSTON - In 2001, she was approached by Gerald Smith, one of Houston’s most successful investment bankers, and offered a position with his firm.

She joined, Smith

2012 Performance “The Nacirema Society” by Pearl Cleage

Graham & Company as a Business Development Associate. The Ensemble Theatre Board tapped Janette in November 2003 to become the Executive Director following the retirement of their former

Executive Director. Cosley is a past member of the National Association of Securities Professionals, Past President of the Institute of Divine Metaphysical Research, and a board member of

Texas • December 21 •- D ecember 27, 2015 Texas August 12-18, 2013

2013 Performance “Knock Me A Kiss” by Charles Smith

the Fifth Ward Enrichment Program. In 2007, the Houston Press named The Ensemble “Best Theatre Company” in its Best of Houston edition and the Houston Chronicle named The Ensemble “Showcase

for African American Actors” in its Ultimate Houston publication. In 2008, Janette was selected as one of Rollin’ Out Magazine’s Top 25 Women.

Former Houston Mayor Bill White appointed Janette to the City’s Miller Theatre Advisory Board in 2006. During her 10 years with the United Negro College Fund, she was awarded the President’s Award. She is a recipient of a Youth Community Service Award from Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. The Houston Association of Black Journalists presented her a Service Award as treasurer of the association. She served as secretary of the board of Fifth Ward Enrichment Program, Inc. and in 2010, she was elected to the High School for Performing and Visual Arts Advisory Board. Janette is currently in the American Leadership Forum 2010-2011 class.

When it comes to being an African American tapping into the entertainment

industry, Janette Cosley stated, “It’s always busy, but the challenge that arises is the need of corporate support because it is a non-profit organization.”

As the Executive Director of The Ensemble Theatre, she oversees the theatre’s $1.5 million budget and is responsible for theatre operations including finance, accounting, fund development, administration, human resources, marketing, public relations, ticket sales, and production. The Ensemble holds the distinction of being one of the nation’s oldest and largest professional African American theatres in the Southwest owning and operating its facility and producing in-house. According to Cosley, “Good product, providing great customer service along with affordable prices, allows me to say in business as an African-American.”

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Texas • December 21 - December 27, 2015 Johnson From Pg. 1

RICHMOND - On today’s Black Nationalist scene, there is not a more polarizing figure to be found than Dr. Umar Johnson. When it comes to Dr. Umar Johnson, there does not appear to be a gray area for most people, they either love him or hate him for reasons that they rarely share. Black Houstonians are being provided an up-close glimpse of Dr. Umar Johnson as he is preparing to descend upon this city to participate in a Kwanzaa Celebration at The Shrine of the Black Madonna on December 26th (Saturday), festivities are scheduled to begin at 6:00 PM. I must admit that I jumped at the opportunity to interview this brother for a host of reasons; at the top of that list was the realization that Umar Johnson has managed to simultaneously situate himself as the most sought after African-American public intellectual in the world today and the most vilified by certain sections of the Black Nationalist community. I was certain that this opportunity to ‘break bread’ with this brother promised to be not only exhilarating, but also informative in unexpected ways. Dr. Umar Johnson most certainly did not fail in that regard.

Although the official reason for Dr. Umar Johnson’s visit to Houston, Texas, is to participate in the Kwanzaa festivities, from what I have heard about him, I was certain that he would not allow for an opportunity to politicize Black Houstonians to fall through his hands. The noted speaker related that although he was coming for a Kwanzaa celebration, “I am most certainly going to address several other issues presently affecting our community such as the continuing pattern of police officers killing African-American men.

Additionally, I will be addressing the poor economic choices holding our community back.” Dr. Johnson is convinced that regardless of the African-American population one is examining, economic inefficiency, political apathy, and an irrelevant

educational curriculum will be found in its midst.

A descendent of Frederick Douglass, one would think that Johnson was destined to become what many term a “race man”; meaning someone who has dedicated their life to racial uplift. It appears that Dr. Umar Johnson operates from a Douglass mantra that says, “Power concedes nothing without demand.

It never has and it never will.”

Although many critics and supporters relate that Dr. Umar Johnson current position as the most recognizable and sought-after Black public intellectual is one that he was destined for, most would probably be surprised to learn that this brother’s path to his current position was far from linear.

Umar Johnson related that the alluded to path began with an interest in African-American History and the uplift of the race that was was born when his family moved to Philadelphia during his 4th Grade year and he attended Mead Elementary School. It was there that Johnson had his first Black History Class with Mrs. Greene. Johnson relates that “I immediately fell in love with learning about my people. It was most definitely my favorite class…

It was that one course that put me on this path.” However, it was not until his 6th grade year that Johnson’s fate as a “race man” was solidified at a Family Reunion. It was during the opening moments of the joyous get together that young Umar realized that there were droves and droves of pictures of the abolitionist and Civil Rights leader Frederick Douglass on display. It was after inquiring about the innumerable photos of Douglass, and others, that Umar learned from his father that he was related to the venerable Black leader.

It is truly ironic that Umar, born out of Marcus Garvey’s Universal Negro Improvement Association, has in many ways been able to step into a role that Douglass held both during slavery and the reconstruc-

Letter to the Editor W

Community

tion era. Sadly, it appears that the very problems that faced Frederick Douglass both during this nation’s period of chattel slavery and American Reconstruction are now facing this latest generation of Black Nationalist leaders.

When pressed about the most significant areas that persons of African descent must address if they desire to straighten out their current position as the ‘have not’s’ of the globe, Dr. Umar Johnson refuses to pinpoint one area.

However, he does place significant emphasis upon the areas of education, economics, and politics.

According to Dr. Johnson, “the proper education of a Black male child is one of the most revolutionary undertakings that one could ever perform. The main reason why this is such is that a properly educated Black child becomes a rival to others from the dominant group. And make no mistake about it, we are battling over who will control the economic resources of not only this nation, but all around the globe.”

Dr. Umar Johnson is adamant that so much of the disinterest in truly important things such as economics and politics flows from the absence of a relevant education. The Black Nationalist Titan Malcolm X once remarked that “Only a fool would allow his oppressor to educate his children.” The aforementioned sentiment is one that Dr. Johnson agrees with wholeheartedly as he believes that “the reason we can’t FIX the schools is because they are not only designed to fail, but also deliberately and systematically destabilize Black Children intentionally.” According to Dr. Johnson, until we get an understanding of this reality that “Public education is designed to fail” nothing else we do will be fruitful. “Not even our Ph.D.’s will be able to do anything until they learn that the schools are not failing, they are doing exactly what they were created to do.”

Although it is a difficult thing for African-Americans to stomach, the

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

Read us online! w w w. aframnew s. com historical record proves that whites resisted school integration with all of their might, according to Dr. Johnson, school segregation is still occurring at this present moment within so-called integrated schools. “They used to prevent us from entering their school buildings, now since they can no longer do that, they use special education as an efficient means of segregating Black children, particularly Black males, away from others.”

Such matters have forced Dr. Umar Johnson to begin his own educational entity --- The Frederick Douglass and Marcus Garvey RBG International Leadership Academy for Boys --- that he has been busy raising funds for from an often resistant

5

Black community. According to Dr. Johnson the above academy “… would be the first such school of its kind ever. It will not be multi-cultural!

It will be unapologetically Black and designed to guide the children toward the mindset of Revolutionary PanAfricanism and entrepreneurial ship.”

Most would be surprised that a man as well degreed as Dr. Umar Johnson warns against the pursuit of a college degree. Johnson postulates that “simply preparing our children for college is a failing strategy.

A college education does not guarantee us anything.

Continue Reading Online @ www.aframnews.com By: James thomas Jones, iii

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Chorus Group Rehearsal 7:30 p.m.

rict administrators looked elimination. Other schools would ately for areas to cut that be Smith, Stovall, Harris and Hill, have the least impact on all based on the same criteria. Stus. Administrators made 12 dents of magnet programs that had nt of their cuts in district been eliminated would return to ments (central office, main- their home campus and given first Wednesday MINISTER: Mid-Week Bible Class ce, operations, and substipriority for available slots in other Theaster Maloy, Sr. 7:00 p.m. y ppoff, Halaid Although no one was magnet programs, with the excepGreat Christmas GiftsOFFICE: 713/674-5131 ays tion hose to delete or freeze sevof 4th grade students, who olid H 140 Fidelity Rd. Houston Tx 77029 ISD positions, as they were will be given the option of continu. Reductions were also made ing at Houston Academy. Staff will FIFTH WARD CHURCH OF CHRIST e use of paraprofessionals be placed into vacant positions on ng assistants). The district other campuses.

SUNDAY ! the made several board approved The order would have given 8:00 a.m. Worship w e N o stipends for educators in magnet program a protected status 10:00 a.m. Bible Class n areas. Incentive plans were and funds from the government 11:15 a.m. Worship ated, class sizes increased would have been provided for their 6:00 p.m. Worship pansion projects frozen. But operation. Also, several events and MONDAY budget changes would not be items were reduced or eliminat10:00 a.m.

Gary Smith ent to secure the future sol- ed, such as the magnet festival and Ladies Bible Class Minister of the district. technology fair. The proposed cuts WEDNESDAY e bl a l i a v A rder to strengthen the bud- were approved by district trust7:30 p.m. Bible Class for all ow! board he district would propose ees at the January 25Nschool r cuts and it would need the meeting before a packed house of Website www.fthwardcoc.org unities support for them. incensed parents and student. But magnet programs were next. Bamberg warns the o cuts may still “GIVING, GROWING, & GAINING” BiBle rGaniZerS 4308 Stonewall St. Hou. Tx 77020 strict scheduled meetings at not be enough to meet the needs 8 X 11 (12th FitS StanDarD BiBle SiZe) 713-672-2654 s academies from December of the nation’s largest district.

2 CoMPartMentS WitH reMoVaBle SHoUlDer StraP ugh January 7.

In addition to their other activities, the Administrators say they still need Fifth Ward COC also holds a Bible Gift toShop: first magnet school up for $18 million balance713-692-1195 the budget.

Class for non-members on Thursday at -7:30 PM. For more informaation was Carroll Academy’s “The only way we’re going to Holiday Store Hours: Mon. Tues. Wed. and Thursnights 11am 5pm tion on the various special events or et program. It demonstrated get6130 activities you really should visit their additional revenue this point Wheatley Street at | Houston, Texas 77091 website, it is very well done, informative ast amount of interest from is to look to the community,” said and worth a visit even if you have anothHOU-6among mager church home. s and students Bamberg, alluding to the need for ograms on the primary level, increased property tax revenue, et, it had the greatest cost. which could be as much as 13 cents

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CHRISTMAS WITH THE ClEVElAnDS

Recently, the Loving Word Fellowship Church Southside location (Crown Plaza 8686 Kirby Drive, Houston, TX 77054) presented a mystery dinner theater. This inaugural presentation entitled Christmas with the Clevelands was filled with humor, dancing, singing, and a power-packed message.

This production was a semiformal event accompanied by an exquisite 3-course meal.

Furthermore, if you loved the warmth of the movie, “Soul Food”, then Christmas with the Clevelands was a production that would have likely left a very lasting impression on you as well.

From the youngest to the oldest of the cast members, there was a wealth of talent and gifts across the board.

In fact, the members of the fun-loving cast have bonded, laughed, cried, and praised together even during rehearsals as though the show-time curtains had already been drawn.

One lady sat and proudly watched her son and her daughter as they recited their lines and sung their songs.

“It’s like they don’t need an audience in order for them to give it their all and get into the spirit, because that’s what they do anyways.” says Deandra Peavy about her son, Jordan and her daughter, Alondria. As for cast-member, Miss Birdie Gore, she had this to say: “The people in the play have all started

to call me “Nanna” (Gore’s character name) on a regular basis now. But, as far as the play is concerned, it’s going to remind people that a family that prays together truly stays together. And hopefully, it will also remind people not to let the enemy come in and destroy their families, because the Devil will always try his best to destroy us, but we don’t have to let him win.”

The writer and director, Tina Giles has put together what could easily become a Christmas classic and a new favorite for stage play lovers. When asked about “Christmas with the Clevelands”, Miss Tina Giles gave the following synopsis: Big Mama was the glue that kept the Cleveland family together and now she’s gone on to be with the Lord. What will this family do with out Big Mama? Of course, Big Mama was there for everybody. She was there for her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and the church members too. Now, since Big Mama is gone, the family is falling apart. What’s worse is the fact that everyone is fighting and trying to find out the particulars about Big Mama’s will and who will have authority over her estate.

Although it was not realized by everyone else, Big Mama owned land, many polices, and even gold.

Continue reading online Source: Aframnews.com

By Shelondra Peavy

EDITION DATE: December 21 -27, 2015 (Vol. 20 Issue 47) ON DATE: December 28, 2015 - January 3, 2016 (Vol. 20 Issue 48)

What’s Happenin’ Dec 21 - Jan 23 28 Monday 2 Project Row Houses Monday - Saturday

African

Texas • December 21 - December 27, 2015

PUBLIC NOTICE

Marketplace Heading: Work Ujima (Collective Houston Museum of African Public Notice & Responsibility) American Culture 2310 Elgin St Abolitionists: Houston, TX 77004 Different Eyes Seeing the Contact Information (Market Opens at 5pm) Same Reality Name: Jennifer Chiu Beginning at 7pm 4807 CarolinePhone: (713) 718-5138 For more indo contact: Documents can be obtained Houston, TX 77004 Fax: at: www.hccs.edu/district/de(713) 526-7662 For more info contact: partments/procurement.

Email: hua.chiu@hccs.edu Tuesday (713) 526-1015Address for Tearsheet/Copies: Nation of Islam (NOI) Sealed qualifications will Saturday 3100 MainUjamma Street ( Cooperative be received in Procurement Dr. Umar Johnson Houston, Texas 77002 Economics) Operations (3100 Main Street, Kwanzaa Vendor Fest Room No. 11A06, Houston, 4443 Old Spanish Trail AD COST 5309 MLK Jr Blvd Texas 77002) until 2:00PM Houston, TX 77021 Houston, TX 77021 (local time) on Wednesday, (Market Opens at 5pm) January 27, 2016.

Beginning at 1pm TOTAL NET COST:at$182.20 Beginning 7pm For more indo contact: For more indo contact: (832)274-6691 (713) 398-2681 Saturday Total Cost to Run Ad for 2 Weeks Wednesday $374.40 Dr. Umar Johnson S.E.H.A.H. Youth & Umoja Kwanzaa Message Monday - Wednesday Fitness Center Sanctuary of Ensemble Theatre Nia ( Purpose) 5309 MLK Jr Blvd A Soulfulsign Christmas Please for approval and fax back to 713-692-1183 Nia Cultural Center Houston, TX 77021 3535 Main St. 2627 Ave M by 12 NOON Wednesday the week before Monday Beginning at 6:30pm Houston, TX 77002 Galveston, TX 77550 For more indo contact: Times Vary Beginning at 7pm (832)274-6691 For more info contact: For more indo contact: Saturday O#107176 (713) 520-0055 (409) 457-8955 Greater Houston This Should be Your Event Wednesday Kwanzaa Planning s e n d i n q u i r i e s to S.E.H.A.H. Youth & Committee (GHKPC) news@aframnews.com Fitness Center Umoja (Unity) Nia (Purpose) Third Ward MSC 5110 MLK Jr. Blvd 3611 Ennis St Monday - Saturday Houston, TX 77021 Houston, TX 77004 Houston Zoo Lights (Market Opens at 5pm) (Market Opens at 5pm) 2015 Women’s Global Beginning at 7pm Beginning at 7pm Leadership Conference For more indo contact: For more indo contact: Date 6200 Hermann Park Dr (713) 747-0241 (713) 521-0629 Houston, TX 77030 Thursday Sunday Beginning at 6pm S.H.A.P.E. National Black United For more info contact: Kuumba (Creativity) Front (NBUF) www.houstonzoo.org 3815 Live Oak Kujichaguila Houston, TX 77550 (Self- Determination) (Market Opens at 5pm) Monday - Saturday S.H.A.P.E. Community Ctr Beginning at 7pm Houston Museum of African 3903 Almeda Rd For more indo contact: American Culture Houston, TX 77004 (713) 521-0641 As Small as a Giant: (Market Opens at 5pm) A Homeage to Black Lives Beginning at 7pm matter Movement For more indo contact: 4807 Caroline (832) 671-1830 Friday Houston, TX 77004 The Shrine of the Wednesday For more info contact: Black Madonna Warren Fitzgerald Jr (713) 526-1015 Imani (Faith) JP 1 Campaign 5313 MLK Blvd Kickoff Fundraiser Email Your Upcoming Houston, TX 77021 4212 Almeda Rd Events to: (Market Opens at 5pm) Houston, TX 77004 news@aframnews.com Beginning at 7pm From 5pm to 8pm 4 weeks in advance!

For more indo contact: For more info contact: or call (713) 692 - 1892 (713) 876-8226 invite@eventbrite.com Houston Community College Request for Qualification (RFQ) Labor & Employment Legal Services Pool Project No. 16-22

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DEC

Dec 21 - Dec 30

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Saturday Project Row Houses Muhammad School of Martial Arts 2511 Holman St Houston, TX 77004 From 2pm - 3pm For more info contact: (713) 526-7662 Read us online

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Thursay iprayz Gospel Party 1112 Southmore Blvd Houston, TX 77004 Beginning at 6pm For more info contact: (800) 319-9231 Monday Project Row Houses Tutoring 2521 Holman St Houston, TX 77004 From 5pm - 9pm For more info contact: (713) 526.7662

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American News&Issues Thursday

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12 Tuesday Windsor Houston

Networking Breakfast 6920 TC Jester Blvd Houston, TX 77091 Beginning at 9:20am For more info contact: (281) 224-0280 Sunday First Baptist of Lincoln City BC FBC Praise Dancers 844 Fortune St Houston, TX 77088 Beginning at 11:30am For more info contact: (832)892-5078

17 GUEST SPEAKER Janette Cosley

Acres Home Chamber for Bus. & Eco. Dev, Inc. Networking Luncheon 6112 Wheatley St Houston, TX 77091 From 11am -12:30pm For more info contact: (713) 692-7161 info@acreshomecenter.org

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Minimum of a $25 H-E-B Gift Card random drawing will be held during event

Jan 27 - Jan 29

Wednesday - Friday Aldine ISD FFA Livestock Show 1865 Aldine Bender Houston, TX 77032 For more info contact: (281) 985-6646 Read us online

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African

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American News&Issues

TEXAS • DECEMBER 21 - DECEMBER 27, 2015

THE TEXAS CONFERENCE MINISTERS ALLIANCE OF THE AME CHURCH CONGRATULATES MAYOR SYLVESTER TURNER, CHRIS BROWN & AMANDA EDWARDS

Coming from a modest and humble beginning in the Houston’s Acres Homes community, Turner knows what it means to work hard to achieve success. Promising to bring more opportunities to Houston’s middle class families, Sylvester Turner ran for mayor to be a voice for all, because “Houston works best when it works for all of us.” Sylvester Turner pledges to fix potholes, make the city safer, address economic inequalities, support local schools, create partnerships, etc. All of this can be seen in the work he did as a State Representative for more than twenty-five years. He has the experience, connections, and passion to get the job done.

The Texas Conference Ministers Alliance (A.M.E. Church) is proud to have pledged its support early on to the Honorable Sylvester Turner’s campaign. We stood firm in our faith and belief that as a community we have the responsibility to elect people who hold our best interests at heart. We have the responsibility to ensure, that we put people in place that will be purveyors of positive change in our city. It was our choice and is our belief that the Honorable Sylvester Turner, Mayor-elect is the change agent to galvanize a positive direction for the multifarious requirements for a city destined to lead as we grow.

The Texas Conference Ministers Alliance (A.M.E. Church) also pledged its support early on to Chris Brown City Controller-elect, Amanda Edwards for City Council-elect AtLarge Position 4, These dedicated servants are poised and positioned to work with the mayor and other elected officials for the greater good of the whole community. Their commitment to a TX-8

better city is evident in their dedicated work and support of overall community development and improvement.

These leaders will help complete a team that will go to work ,and lead change along with the Honorable Sylvester Turner, Mayor-elect:. In a world in which the only constant is change, Houston has a mayor that is not afraid of the “constant”.

BISHOP VASHTI MCKENZIE: PRESIDING PRELATE, 10TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT AME CHURCH (TEXAS) We offer our congratulations to all the newly elected officials of Houston. We are excited about the future of Houston under their

leadership. We are glad to see Sylvester Turner have the opportunity to take the helm of the city and usher in a bright future. Amid the backdrop of challenges and crises which all major cities are currently facing we pray that God will bless all these elected officials to provide wise, creative and innovative leadership to the 4th largest city in the nation.

REV. DAVID ISRAEL MADISON, PRESIDENT, TEXAS CONFERENCE MINISTERS ALLIANCE: PASTOR, GREATER WARD AME CHURCH “Our hearty congratulations go to Sylvester Turner on his historic election. He has been a champion for his district and the entire state of Texas for over 25 years and now he brings

all his experience to serve at city hall as the mayor of Houston. We stand in prayer for all of our elected officials as they tackle the daunting issues Houston faces. We pledge our support to work with them to make Houston the greatest city in the nation and the world.”

Texas Conference Ministers Alliance is made up of pastors and ministers in the Texas Annual Conference. The African Methodist Episcopal Church, usually referred to as the A.M.E. Church, is a predominantly AfricanAmerican Methodist denomination based in the United States. It is the oldest independent denomination founded by blacks in the world.

It was founded by the Rt. Rev. Richard Allen in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1816.

IN LOVING MEMORY: MRS. AUDREY LAWSON

T

Rev. William and Audrey Lawson are shown at the first annual “Real Role Models” gala at the Royal Sonesta hotel on Oct. 24.

PHOTO CREDIT:AMANDA WHITE

he entire Houston community should mourn the passing of Lady Audrey Lawson, 83, this Saturday. Born in St. Louis, Lawson attended Tennessee State University, the same institution that her beloved husband matriculated from. The powerful duo created Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in their home in 1962.

Best known as the wife of Rev. Bill Lawson, Lady Audrey Lawson, a professional social worker, was so much more. She used her professional training to uplift the African-American community of believers in innumerable ways from educating them in selfgenerated charter schools through serving as a central player in the ascension of The Ensemble Theater to an award-winning entity.

Remembered by current Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church Senior Pastor Marcus Cosby as an unending resource, most agree that her influence is found throughout the ministry.

She is survived by four children --- Melanie, Cheryl, Eric, and Roxanne --- and three grandchildren --- Robyn Troup, Raven Troup, and Alex Koby.

TEXAS • DECEMBER 21 - DECEMBER 27, 2015

Educati n/Y uth

THE AFRICAN CHILDREN’S CHOIR TOURS HOUSTON

Approximately twenty years ago I was invited to a musical performance at a local church in my hometown of Mansfield, Ohio. Little did I know that this performance would foreshadow a significant aspect of my future life. The entertainment for the evening was the African Children’s Choir. I must relate that this was most certainly a life-changing event for everyone who viewed the performance.

So it is with abundant joy that I am sharing that the African Children’s Choir recently came to Houston Texas for a two-day stint at the Ecclesia Church --- 1100 Elder Street (phone number 713-622-1846) for the following performances.

The performance was absolutely free, however, donations for the children were accepted.

According to the African Children’s Choir website its genesis began in the following way.

Thirty years ago, Ray

Barnett was on a humanitarian trip to war-torn Uganda when he gave a small boy a ride from his decimated home to the safety of another village. During the journey, the child did what he knew how to do best – he sang. That simple song of dignity and hope became the catalyst for a program that has changed the lives of thousands of children and reshaped the future of the African continent.

“When I went back to Canada and people were not very interested in Uganda, I remembered this small boy,” Ray explained. “I knew that if only a group of these beautiful children could go to the West, people would be deeply moved and would certainly want to help.”

From there the African Children’s Choir was born… the first tour of the Choir, which successfully brought the voices of 31 children of war-torn Africa to the West.

During a recent interview with Heidi Moen, the

African Children Choir’s tour manager as well as one of the eight chaperones escorting the children during their 9 month tour of the globe, I was surprised to learn that every person associated with the event is an unpaid volunteer who is responsible for raising the necessary funds to participate in the world-wide tour.

The African Children’s Choir is undoubtedly a life-changing event for all who come in contact with, particularly the children selected. “The children who are coming to Houston to perform are from Uganda.

A country that has sections that are gripped by what many think is a poverty that they will never be able to escape. However, the African Children’s Choir has proven to be a reliable way out of this situation by offering education to these children.”

According to its website, “the Choir has gained international recognition, performing at Live8, at the

House of Commons and the Pentagon, and appearing at some of the world’s most prestigious halls, including The London Palladium, The International Club of Berlin and the Palais des BeauxArts in Brussels.” I was shocked to learn that there are three different African Children’s choirs sharing their unique songs and stories to audiences throughout the globe in places such as Australia, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States of America.

Considering that founder Ray Barnett sought to provided hope and education to the African children that he met during his travels to Africa, the African Children’s Choir has been an unequivocal success as it has raised “millions of pounds to establish numerous schools throughout Africa that serve children who would otherwise have no chance at an education…money for emergency relief and develop-

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

ment programs in Somalia, Sudan and Rwanda…(as well as) helping orphaned children in South Africa who are battling hunger and disease.

Although the elementary aged children who participate in the choir are helped immensely in regards to their education, their efforts have paved the way for many of their peers to be helped. According to Heidi Moen, the program helps the children with financial and material assistance all the way through their collegiate years.

When asked in what way the African-American community could assist with their efforts beyond attending the children’s performance, Mrs. Moen highlighted a very unique program called the “suitcase program”. It is an initiative that seeks to provide each participant in the African Children’s Choir with a suitcase filled with clothing and supplies that belong to them. To assist in this endeavor, please visit the African Children’s Choir website (https://africanchildrenschoir.com) for more information.

The Choir’s success meant that it was able to provide for many children beyond those in the Choir.

Over the next few years, six more children’s homes were established to care for vulnerable children, many of whom had been orphaned during the war. Additionally, the African Children’s Choir established a number of special Literacy Schools in Uganda where hundreds of children learned to read and write and gained confidence and skills that ensured a brighter future.

As the children got older, the program developed a sponsorship arm where all

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of the educational needs of these children could continue through secondary school, and in most cases, the children went on to higher education.

Dr. Robert Kalyesubula Member of Choir 2 Before I joined the African Children’s Choir I was actually out of school. I didn’t have food to eat and I didn’t even have clothes to wear. I didn’t know where to sleep because we were 10 children sharing one house.

When I joined the ACC, everything changed. They provided for me food, they provided for me shelter, and I was able to play with the others without fearing and wondering what I was going to eat the next day.

After his exposure to the world while on tour with Choir 2, Robert went back to Uganda where ACC paid his and his brothers’ tuition.

He went on to med school in Kampala for his first degree, and then earned a Master’s Degree in Internal Medicine – this in a country where there are only three nephrologists for a population of 30 million people.

One of Robert’s brothers also became a doctor and the other brother became a civil engineer. Today, Dr. Robert works in the village where he was born, giving back to the community in ways that were unimaginable without the support of the African Children’s Choir.

Music for Life now operates in seven countries in Africa. The African Children’s Choir continues to tour every year, raising funds to support Music for Life as it faces the challenges that the continent brings, including the devastation wrought by the AIDS pandemic and the suffering of the 12 million orphans.

By: Dr. James Thomas Jones, III

Read us online @www.aframnews.com The #1 100% Black-owned Worldwide Digital News Source TX-9

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Read us online! www.a f r a m n e ws .c om

tHey Call Him “mister sCarfaCe”

SOUTH ACRES - In the nationally acclaimed Hip Hop magazine called “The Source”, he was named #16 on their list of the Top 50 Lyricists of All Time, while other sources have ranked him even higher than that. But, how did he become such a common favorite?

Better known by his stage name (Scarface), Brad Terrence Jordan is a highly favored and well respected rapper. But, beyond that, he is also a masterful DJ, a music producer, and author. More recently, he has broadened his artistic grasp to include his stance as a guitar-playing band-member. The former member of the “Geto Boys” is originally from Houston’s South Acres (Crestmont Park) neighborhood.

And so – How did he go from “being just another face” in South Acres to being one of the greatest artists in the “rap game”?

Although Houston has a plethora of talented artists, there has historically seemed to be a disconnection between the artist and the person or avenue that could make them famous. But for a mere few talented Houstonians, success has come to them on a global level. Grouped with people such as Phylicia Rashad, Beyonce’, Kelly Rowland, and Debbie Allen, Mr. Brad Scarface Jordan is among those select few who “made it big”.

Very early in his career, Scarface was a DJ known as DJ Akshen (pronounced “action”). From there, he also became well known and well liked as a rapper who recorded several musical compilations before signing with Rap-a-lot Records and joining a group that the world would later know as the “Geto Boys”.

Taking his name from the film “Scarface”, Brad “Scarface” Jordan became extremely successful in the music industry due to his ability to relate to a certain audience. “The streets” in cities all over the nation had begun to single Scarface out as the best rapper in the group. By speculation, I can say that the reason for this was that “even in his rhymes, he seems like the guy in the neighborhood that every person wants to be cool with. And as for the ones who may not have been friends with them, judging from his lyrics and every day persona, it automatically

seemed best for them not to cross him”.

In the ghetto, everybody loves that type of guy. And since there are so many ghettos in our nation, Scarface found no problems with finding a listening and buying audience while he was the front man of the group, the “Geto Boys”.

Of course, without having a substantial “following” that is willing to buy their artwork, it would be difficult for a new-comer to become a successful artist. That said, there is a universal checklist for every aspiring artist to begin with.

Number one - are you extraordinarily great? (There are many people who are great in a very ordinary way, but there needs to be something that sets an artist above his or her peers.)

Number two - do you have the drive to maintain the level of greatness and success you are seeking? (Many people want success, but they do not have the drive and perseverance that it takes to maintain it. Therefore, they may have the talent to attain success but still not be able to hold on to it.)

Number three - are you placing yourself in the right circles to be noticed by the right people? (Nobody can ever know what a great artist you are if your work is never on display. In other words, if you only sing in the shower, who will ever hear you?

In light of “number three”, placing oneself in the right circles and being noticed by the right people may not necessarily work as well as it should in Houston. I have personally witnessed the fact that many people who are in the position to help others to achieve their goals simply will not, regardless of how talented the “needy aspiring artist” may be. It seems as though many of the entertainers in Houston are very covetous, envious, and sometimes - downright hateful. Thus, these types of people are likely to withdraw their “giving hand” from “up-and-coming” artists who may really deserve the break; basically these culprits are guilty of behaving like crabs in a bucket.

With this in mind, it’s interesting to know that somebody as wellreceived as Scarface, was also rejected in the beginning. During his interview, Scarface had this to say “I ain’t gonna

C mmunity

Texas • December 21 - 27, 2015

UNDERSTANDING THE LAW: SHOPLIFTING

lie… when I was first trying to get “put on”, I called “B Boy” records in the Bronx (NY).” And then he humorously re-enacted his phone call, even making the sound of a phone hanging up in his face.

That’s why extreme talent and “drive”, plus - confidence, charisma, and general popularity are important and necessary attributes for beginning a career in the music industry, or any other industry, as a matter of fact.

Otherwise, some people may find it difficult to get past all of the initial naysayers and haters they may encounter along the path to success.

Question: If Houston has so much talent and so many resources, being the fourth largest city in the nation, why isn’t Houston a musical Mecca yet?

Los Angeles, Atlanta, and much of the East Coast have made their marks in the music industry repeatedly. So Why hasn’t Houston?

As for Scarface, “the buzz about him in the streets” is what made him popular in the music industry. From the beginning, his lyrics and his delivery thereof were, beyond a shadow of a doubt, extraordinarily great. Yet, seemingly as his own worst critic, Scarface had this to say “I don’t feel like I’m all that great yet… Sometimes it’s bigger than just what the people think… It’s self-gratifying for me to do a record that “I” like (stressing the word “I”).”

But, according to “the people”, although Scarface remained in the Geto Boys group while releasing a series of solo albums, it was his solo projects that the hip-hop community actually fell in love with.

In addition to his career as a rapper, Scarface has also been known as the coordinator and president of Def Jam

As the holidays approach the pressure to buy gifts for your loved ones greatly increases. For those who have fallen on hard times this year buying gifts can be quite the financial burden.

If you cannot afford gifts let your loved ones know instead of making bad decisions this holiday season such as shoplifting. Incidents of shoplifting increase greatly during the holidays because people are attempting to provide gifts for their loved ones that they aren’t able to afford. In Texas, shoplifting is a type of theft and is punishable as an criminal offense; civil law also allows the victims of the theft to sue for damages and is separate

Amount Less than $50 $50 - $500

$500 - $1500

Krystin Collins Attorney at Law from the criminal case.

The penalties for shoplifting are the same as the penalties imposed for theft generally.

Penalties for theft in Texas are as follows:

Classification Class C misdemeanor Class B misdemeanor

or

Class A misdemean-

$1,500 - $20,000

State jail felony

$20,000-$100,000

Third-degree felony

$100,000 - $200,000 $200,000 or more

Second-degree felony First-degree felony

Penalties

A fine of not more than $500 Not more than 180 days in a county jail and/ or a fine of not more than $2,000 Not more than 1 year in a county jail and/or a fine of not more than $4,000 180 days to 2 years in a state jail and/or a fine of not more than $10,000 2 to 10 years in a state prison and/or a fine of not more than $10,000 2 to 20 years in a state prison and/or a fine of not more than 5 to 99 years in a state prison and/or a fine of not more than $10,000

If you have been caught shoplifting, consult with an attorney to get a full understanding of the punishments and penalties involved. Do not let the financial pressures associated with the holiday season force you to make bad decisions.

South since 2000, where he cultivated the career of popular rapper and now actor, Ludacris, whom Scarface also originally signed to the label.

Despite the fact that he never did conform to having a more commercial / mainstream appeal, he remains uniquely popular amongst all of the most legendary people in the industry.

Appropriately so, Scarface has been

described before as “your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper”.

Having worked with some of the other “bests” in the industry (including John Legend, Drake, Akon, Eminem, Ice Cube, and many others), Scarface is definitely one of the greatest entertainers to ever hail from Houston.

By: Shelondra Peavy

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Texas • December 21 - 27, 2015

Life Style

Deidre Thomas Elected to Americans for the Arts’

HOUSTON - Members of Americans for the Arts, the leading organization for advancing the arts and arts education in America, have elected Deidre Thomas as a member of their advisory council for the Emerging Leaders Council.

Thomas will advise Americans for the Arts’ staff on developing programs and services that will build a deeper connection to the field and the network membership.

In the Emerging Leaders Council, Thomas will work with fellow arts leaders to assist in developing programs and resources to promote professional development and networking opportunities for emerging arts professionals nationwide.

As a grants coordinator for Houston Arts Alliance (HAA), Thomas works on all aspects of HAA’s grants programming and initiatives.

In this role, she applies a broad range of skills in process management and

Health

Holiday Weight Control Oh Dear! During this blissful season, we will have be mindful about actively fighting against a very familiar enemy; holiday weight gain. This dreadful enemy is hidden in Mom's apple pie, Me-Maw's fat back and collard greens, Madea's peach cobbler, and more recently added to the list is Aunt Pattie La'belle’s sweet potato pie.

It seems that just when we've finally gotten a grip on our weight, our eating habits, and our general overall health, America's most festive time of the year rolls around and the holiday traditions cause us to eat foods that we would not typically indulge in. It's like - boom! It's Thanksgiving, then Hanukkah and Christmas, New Year's and so on - and tantalizing food is all over the place. It seems that from the office pot luck parties, to the community based galas, to church functions - it all leads up to the day when we intentionally wear loose fitting gear and then pull up to Big Mama's house moments later. And then it happens;

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technology, and has been instrumental in creating systems to support the growth of grants programs to serve arts and culture in the City of Houston.

“Americans for the Arts strives to cultivate the next generation of arts leaders in America, and I am pleased to welcome Deidre Thomas to our advisory council,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “These leaders are willing to dedicate their time and expertise to work with peers across the country to shape national programs and messages and help craft services for states, communities, and local organizations. I applaud Ms. Thomas for her valued contribution and commitment that will undoubtedly improve the state of arts in America.”

Potential council members were nominated in mid-September and were voted on by members of Americans for the Arts through November 12, 2015. Thomas will serve a three-

year term, from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2018.

“I love to provide the knowledge that organizations need to thrive and hope to make a great impact in furthering the arts both locally and nationally,” said Thomas.

Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education in America. With offices in Washington, D.C. and New York City, it has a record of more than 50 years of service.

Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts.

Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.

About Houston Arts Alliance Houston Arts Alliance (HAA) is a nonprofit, public-private initiative that invests in Houston’s arts and cultural sector, advances Houston’s reputation

as an arts and culture destination, and works to elevate the quality of life for all Houstonians through arts and culture. As the city’s designated local arts agency, HAA provides programs and services for the arts and cultural sector and awards approximately 225 grants annually to nonprofit arts and cultural organizations and individual artists. The Alliance is the custodian of the city’s art collection; takes permanent and temporary art to Houston’s public spaces; presents free Folklife + Traditional Arts programming; nurtures up-and-coming arts organizations through its capacity building programs; connects the business community with the arts; convenes the field as necessary, and provides the latest information and research on cultural policy, economic development and Houston’s folklife.

HAA’s primary partner is the City of Houston. Approximately 55% of HAA’s budget comes from Hotel Occupancy Tax and 30% from the City of Houston’s Percent for Art

we ease up to the dining table, we reach beyond a loaded plate for the salt, we thank God for the food and for the cook, and then we do it – we please our taste buds and attack our vital cells and organs with foods that taste scrumptious and fantabulous, but are absolutely no good for us.

It seems like: Every year between the “Thanksgiving to New Year's” holidays season is one drawn out, festive food temptation zone that is designed to make us gain weight.

And once we factor in the associated seasonal emotions, this is in effect, a double whammy.

"You've got the stress of the holidays, along with a lack of sleep, and, for many, a cauldron of bubbling emotions coming to the surface -- and you've got all this food beckoning you at every turn," says Warren Huberman, PhD, a clinical psychologist specializing in weight control. "It can be a dangerous combination for those who have problems controlling what they eat."

It is , however, possible to control ourselves during this tempting time of year, especially if we become aware of what our personal “holiday overeating” triggers are.

Believe it or not, certain music,

movies, and even certain climates may cause triggers. For instance, if a person is watching “Miracle on 34th Street”, “Home Alone”, or any other movie with a Christmas setting, they may be tempted to wrap up in flannel blanket with a mound of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies and an ice cold glass of milk. Thus, at this point, we become governed more-so by our emotions and environment, rather than being controlled by healthy facts and logic.

Further, it's a statistical fact that people whose overeating is cued by their emotions actually lean towards having a harder time losing weight and a similarly hard time maintaining weight loss (if they were to lose any).

Warren Huberman, PhD also that we have to have a coping plan.

By researching assorted data and sources, it's been found that dieters who tried to control their appetites by avoidance were at greater risk for overeating than people who actively develop ways to cope and control their overeating.

In fact, there were some very simple strategies that were listed as ones that could help us best. Among those strategies that would work best is “positive self-pep-talks”. In fact,

we can each use our telephone to record a message to ourselves that includes a list of every wonderful reason why we want to lose weight (or simply have better health). Then, we should state what we plan to do to reward ourselves if we actually triumph over the temptation and reach our weight and/or general health goals. That way, when we're tempted to eat something that may be detrimental to our health/ weight, we can just grab our phones, because that self-pep-talk is readily available for our listening pleasure.

Then, we need to listen to it!... over and over again (if necessary).

Just as surely as we can appreciate a good pep talk before or during any other challenging situation, this type of motivation is just as crucial in times like these.

We also have to recondition our mindset as it relates to food. Just as it is with muslims (Nation of Islam) and other evidently self-disciplined groups, we have to learn to “eat to live” as opposed to “live to eat”.

More often than not, overeating is connected to an underlying emotional place deep in the core of us, and we just sub-consciously start to overindulge. Therefore, we need to be more mindful of our eating habits and

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Program, which supports commissions of new civic art projects as well as conservation of existing artworks.

The remaining 15% of HAA’s budget comes from private fundraising (grants/contributions/other revenue) for programs and special projects.

HAA is committed to raising funds for only those projects and initiatives that the Arts Alliance is uniquely positioned to provide the community.

For more information, visit houstonartsalliance.com. For events in the region, visit Artshound.com. actions. In other words, we should first ask ourselves “Why am I eating right now?... Am I hungry?... Or, do I just like how this particular dish tastes?

Then we need to take inventory of the dish. What's on the plate? Is it helpful or harmful to my body?”

Yet, despite our best strategies and plans, things can go terribly wrong with those "food pushers" who refuse to accept "no" for an answer when they're trying to tempt us with their fattening treats. Big Mama, Me-Maw, Nanna, Mom, and Madea are notorious “food pushers”.

But toughen up! Or, if you're a “softie”, there's no need to explain...

Just say no ma'am.

Better yet, say “That looks/smells wonderful, but I'll have to pass this time.”

Christopher Buchannon is a native of Georgia, but he's been in Houston since the early 90's.

He said “I though Georgia was bad, but Texas is probably worse when it comes to trying to avoid fattening foods. I've adopted a family out here in South Park and my friend's Grandmother is just like mine was.

Continue reading online @ www.aframnews.com By: Shelondra Peavy

Read us online @www.aframnews.com The #1 100% Black-owned Worldwide Digital News Source TX-11

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HBCU Corner

Texas • December 21 - 27, 2015

Coors Light Celebrates the 2015 HBCU Classics with $100,000 in Scholarships

Coors Light hosted a VIP tailgate for HBCU alumni and fans at the SWAC Championship in Houston. Coors Light presented $100,000 in scholarship donations to Historically Black Colleges and Universities during the 2015 HBCU Classics season. Coors Light as been a proud partner of the HBCU Classics for over 25 years, investing more than $1 million over the last seven years to support higher education for students 21+

CHICAGO - Recently, Coors Light recently wrapped up its 2015 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Classics season, following the SWAC Championship in Houston. The brand has invested in HBCUs for

more than 25 years, supporting higher education, civic leadership and economic empowerment. Over the last seven years, Coors Light has donated more than $1 million to provide much needed resources to HBCUs. This year Coors Light is giving $100,000 in scholarships benefitting juniors and seniors aged 21 and older.

This year’s support continued with the theme “Return. Reunite. Refresh.” Coors Light hosted events reuniting alumni and fans and bringing refreshment to the HBCU Classic experience with live music entertainment and cooking with beer demonstrations. In 2015, Coors Light was an official sponsor of the following Classics: • Southern Heritage Classic (Memphis)

Georgia Tech defeats #PVwbb 96-48

ATLANTA -- The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets handed Prairie View A&M only its second loss of the season in defeating the Lady Panthers 96-48.

Georgia Tech (8-3) used a 33-point second quarter, shooting 13of-15 from the field in the process, to pull away from Prairie View A&M (4-2).

Larissa Scott led the Lady Panthers with 10 points, five rebounds, and five steals. The five rebounds were the lowest total in a game this season for Scott, who leads

Big Tigger joined Coors Light for a VIP Tailgate at the SWAC Championship in Houston.

• Chicago Football Classic • Magic City Classic (Birmingham) • Florida Blue Classic (Orlando) • Bayou Classic (New Orleans) • SWAC Championship (Houston) In addition to sponsoring the Classic events above, Coors Light presented its annual scholarship donation to the 100 Black Men of Atlanta for Project Success.

“Supporting higher education and investing in our communities have always been priorities for us as a brand,” said Joe Sargent of the Coors Light multicultural marketing team. “The HBCU Classics are a great way to celebrate the unique culture and experience these institutions offer, and we’re happy to continue supporting higher learning within the African-American community.”

While some schools were able to claim victory on the field during the game or the battle of the bands, all of the participating HBCUs walked away with much needed resources provided by Coors Light. In addition to donations, the brand hosted a series of events surrounding the Classics. These events included VIP tailgates in each city with live entertainment from nationally recognized hip-hop artists and DJs, such as hit producer, Mannie Fresh. Refreshments were prepared by former Hell’s Kitchen finalist Chef Jason Ellis, who cooked delicious food with Coors Light. Legal drinking age consumers also were invited to join Ellis at cooking-with-beer demonstrations at various retail locations.

President Rudley to Leave TSU

the SWAC and ranks third in the NCAA in rebounding. Atlanta native Tori Carter (pictured) chipped in nine points for Prairie View A&M, as did Lamaria Cole, who was held 10 points under her season average due to early foul trouble.

Roddreka Rogers led Georgia Tech with 25 points. The Yellow Jackets took a 50-29 lead into halftime. #24 Tori Carter - Position: G Height: 5-9 Class: Junior Hometown: Atlanta, Ga. Previous School: UNC-Charlotte

Submitted by Nicole Pierce Photo by Aclipse Marketing/MillerCoors

Dr. John M. Rudley

President John M. Rudley has publicly announced that after eight years, he will be leaving his post as President of Texas Southern University at the end of the academic year. Rudley, who made the announcement during commencement exercises, related that “When I arrived eight years ago, I always felt that I would come in with Obama and go out with him…I thank you all for your support during my time as President of Texas Southern University.”

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