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Marcus Davis, Successful Black Business Owner of Houston Based Businesses TBK Foods, The Breakfast Klub, Reggae Hut, Alley Kat and more.

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EVERYDAY SHOULD BE “NATIONAL BLACK BUSINESS MONTH” Who’s Who in Black Corporate America

By William Reed

We need to “make Black economics matter.” Each day we need to make a purchase from a business operated by Blacks.We must make it an matter to buy something from another African American.

Pumping Dollars into Black businesses should be a goal on the Black Business agenda. The objective of Black Business Month, which was recently held in August, was to provide a daily platform to design, discuss and employ simple economic facts as a matter of policy at the local, state and federal levels.

The gap in businesses ownership rates between Whites and Blacks is widely regarded as evidence of inequality. How bad is it really, and what can be done?

Overall, the number of Black business owners is far lower than the national average, and their businesses also “tend to have lower sales, fewer

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employees and smaller payrolls, lower profits, and higher closure rates.”

Everyday Black Consumers, community leaders, local government officials, and venture capitalists have an opportunity to focus efforts on creating a more hospitable environment in which Black-owned businesses can grow. Supporting Blacks’ businesses is the best way to lower the high rate of African American unemployment and raise wealth. Economically, we’re way behind our ethnic counterparts.

Most African Americans are still in a dire economic situation. Blacks must make a strong commitment to start, support and grow Black businesses.

We ask all African-American families and organizations, to use the 31 Ways, 31 Days approach that was used during National Black Business Month and visit at least one Black-owned business -- not only during that time but EVERYDAY! Entrepreneurship is a practice.

One that occasionally yields mondo rewards early in the process, but far more often reveals the fruits of your labor in bits and pieces that add up to gorgeous awakenings, rewards and impact over time. One you commit to.

This approach fosters INTERNAL REPARATIONS! Entrepreneurship is the process of starting a business, a startup company or other organization. The entrepreneur develops a business plan, acquires the human and other required resources, and is fully responsible for its success or failure. Entrepreneurship operates within an entrepreneurship ecosystem.

The way we approach entrepreneurship education today needs to evolve to accommodate ever-changing learning styles. Entrepreneurship is

also something to be practiced, and the practice itself is the best way I know to become a smarter, stronger, better entrepreneur. The hardest part is starting.

Entrepreneurs contribute significantly to societal welfare by creating new businesses, generating new jobs, and revenues.

The Neilson Report (2013) shows the buying power of African Americans has reached 1 trillion dollars. It is projected to reach 1.3 trillion by 2017, of these 1 trillion dollars; Black women control 680 billion dollars. The hip-hop buying power has exceeded tens of billions of dollars .We are the second most powerful buying demographics in America. Our buying power will make us the 16th largest country. Currently, Black businesses get only 2% of the Black dollar. If Black consumers spend 10 percent of their income with Black businesses it would generate 1 million jobs.

Dr. Webb Evans believed that Black dollars matter and that the Black Community must march with their dollars in order to accomplish what was not accomplished with the other previous marches across the globe.

Support Black Owned Non-Profit Organizations, Open an account with a Black owned bank or credit union; online or local; Support a historically Black college or university; Dine at a Black owned restaurant; Hire a Black real estate broker; Visit a Black doctor or dentist for health care; Visit an AfricanAmerican museum or library; Watch or rent Black produced films; Subscribe to a Black newspaper, magazine or website/online radio; read a book by Continue Reading Online Online @ Aframnews.com

TEXAS • SEPTEMBER 7 - 13, 2015

HAPPY LABOR DAY

Honorable Eddie Bernice Johnson TX 30th Dist.

Traditionally, Labor Day is a time in our country when we acknowledge the contributions to our economy and our way of life made by the American worker. For some, it is a time of large parades, family picnics, football games and rest.

Congress recognized the necessity of having a holiday during which the activities of laborers were highlighted. In June of 1928, legislation was passed in Washington that signaled out the first Monday in September as a national holiday.

Labor Day has its origins in the late 1800s with the activities of union members and their leadership that demanded better working conditions, increased wages and union representation. More than twenty states recognized a day to “honor labor” before the Congress acted.

During Labor Day forums and meetings, a number of issues are considered by members of organized labor. They include the unemployment rate, providing workers with a “livable wage” and closing the gap between the wages paid to women and those paid to men.

As a member of Congress, I have fought for the American worker. I have proposed legislation designed to close the “gender gap” in wages and have backed legislation that would increase the number of jobs in our economy and job training.

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This year, Labor Day comes at a time marked by significant progress.

According to the Department of Labor, there are approximately 138 million people who are employed in our country. In July of this year, our economy created 215,000 new jobs.

The job growth in our economy has been steady. July marked the 58th consecutive month of job growth. The economy, according to many experts, is as healthy as it has been during the last 15 years. Yet, we still face a number of challenges.

It is vitally important that during our celebration, we remember those men and women who have not been able to find jobs due to a lack of opportunity or a lack of training.

We must do all that we can to work collectively address the problems that impede the ability of every American to secure jobs that offer a livable wage and make it possible for families to feed and provide schooling for their children.

We must also remember that we have an obligation to prepare our young people for a 21st century world of work, where an emphasis is placed on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEMrelated) academic disciplines. To do less would be to fail them, and ourselves.

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TEXAS • SEPTEMBER 7 - 13, 2015

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“THERE ARE ONLY 3 THINGS THAT MEN WANT IN LIFE: Before I Lay it Down...

By “Coach” Mark Spivey

That’s about it. Ask any “real” woman and she’ll tell you that she knows what’s key to keeping her man happy. Any “real” woman will tell you that a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Mommas have been saying that for generations. The only thing better than a home-cooked meal is another one tomorrow. Men love good food, especially when it’s prepared by the love of their life. It used to be a rite-of-passage for young gurls to stay in the kitchen and watch their moms prepare dishes for her husband and the rest of the family.

There, she would practice her tools for the trade. Now-a-days, that ain’t happening no mo. Mom is in the kitchen; daughter is on Instagram.

You can’t learn to bake a cake from scratch on there.

“Real” women know that men love to be loved, too. Show us you care for us. Show us you got our backs. Don’t love us just because we have a few pennies in the bank; love us when we’re broke and trying to make things work, too. “Real” women know that life is full of upsand-downs and men aren’t immune to such happenings. Contrary to popular belief, we are not “men of steel” nor do we wield superhuman powers. All we have is God and a prayer. Having a wife who loves her man is a powerful combination. I often say that “two people working together, can have anything their hearts desires”. I truly believe that.

Good food AND good sex should “ALWAYS” be on the menu. A “real” woman knows that sex should not be rationed out like food stamps. Once a month. Don’t do that. Men really don’t want it every day. They just want to believe that if they ask you for it every day that you’d at least say yes two

times a week. Anything less than that causes “eyeball-itis”. That the disease where men start focusing more on someone else’s food and affection. Men, don’t do that. A “real” woman won’t let it get that far. Men are simple beasts. If you love them and feed them, they’ll eat just about anything. A “real” woman knows what I’m talking about.

Over the years I’ve spoken about how both males and females love looking at males and females. Case in point: If women (all women) see a great-looking man walking down the street or entering a room, they look. If men notice a shapely woman walking ANYWHERE, they look too. Now, here’s the question of the day: Whose eyeballs get the better workout, men or women? I’m glad you asked.

Based upon my own critical research, it’s easy to hypothesize that women tend to be better lookers than men. They have taken men-gazing to an entirely new level. It used to be that women could only use their eyes as visual assault weapons when spotting an unassuming male in their scope. But now, with the advent of high tech tools such as cell phones and ipads, the stealthiest of covert eye-balling has taken on a whole new life. Now, women can continue to watch everything from the way a man licks his lips to watching that lump in his crotch. Women are really guilty of looking down there…

Men, on the other hand, have the tendency to just look at women any ole damn way. They don’t need no cameras or any other type of video device. They dumb-asses just look at them pretty girls all bug eyed and stuff. I don’t know if we’re just slow or if our moms dropped us on our heads too many times as infants, men are just stoopid. I know a-plenty…

It’s okay to look at other people, but you gottha-be-mo-careful if the person you’re walking with decides to ask you “whatchu looking at?” If you are with that special person...

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

THE PARABLE OF A BLACK PLUMBER:

I have always prided myself on being a person who intently seeks to learn about life. And I have lived long enough to understand that there are so many ways to learn about life. I actually had an unexpected discussion with a brother that began with him advising me about what I considered a major plumbing issue; turns out that a liquid clog drainer fixed the problem.

Our conversation carried forward and eventually turned to what is a typical conversation regarding the problems of the African-American community; however, this brother was particularly frustrated by our people’s conscious decision to not support their own, a decision that invariably works against our entire community. This brother, who happened to be a plumber, shared a story that I hope we all can learn a thing or two from.

I laughed as this Christian Brother after finding out that I was a History Professor related that he could never do my job because he was easily bored with reading and books. Ironically, this recognition led him to decide, unlike his older siblings, that he would not pursue a collegiate degree; he related an internal gnawing to embark upon his own path, one that fit his particular interests and talents.

He was well aware that he needed to find a way to earn a living, even if it flowed from working with his hands. So with his parent’s aid he pursued an industrial education.

I listened intently as he related the various options he found after making this decision, this brother related that he hated the vast majority of the options, however, all of that changed when he took a course on plumbing. He smiled uncontrollably as he related that he innately understood plumbing; this ‘life’s calling’ allowed him to fix the plumbing in his parents home; an issue that had been in existence for as long as he could remember. The brother related

that he had even started his own plumbing company; unfortunately, a lack of consistent customers forced him to close his business and secure employment with a national chain plumbing company. However, he did service the Black community when called upon; of course that work was as we term it ‘off of the books.’

It was not unusual for him to receive requests via friends, family members, and even the local church to come and investigate a plumbing problem. This brother chose to share one such request with me. He stated that his pastor called him and related that one of the older church members, one of the ‘mothers of the church’, was in need of his services.

Ever the cooperative brother, he promised to drop by that very night to look into the issue. It was during this home visit that so much of what he considers wrong with AfricanAmericans, particularly their gross lack of economic collectivism became apparent.

He related that he arrived at the potential customer’s home around 7:30 PM and began his investigation of the problem. It became immediately clear that there were major plumbing issues within this older home that the lady had lived in for the past fifty-plus years. The brother immediately realized that very little, if anything, had ever been updated in regards to the plumbing works.

After diagnosing the massive amount of work that needed to be done, he realized that the materials alone would cost over $1600.00, let alone the labor costs, which are always the bulk of the bill. The plumber related that he told the church mother of the various issues that were causing the problem that she was experiencing with her plumbing and offered to fix the problem without any additional labor costs. The combination of this lady being an elder of the community and a member of his church who apparently had no other options available spurred his generosity.

Manhood, Race & Culture

By Dr. James Thomas Jones III Ph.D., M.A., M.A., M.A.

He related that the moment he shared the problems and the cost of materials, God’s Saint laid her religion to the side and related that she would never pay some shadetree plumber that type of money and he ‘had best to get his stuff and get out of her home.’ Although the ‘blessing out’ that he received from this ‘church mother’ would have shocked, if not appalled, many, he had come to understand that it was within the realm of responses he could anticipate when dealing with his people regarding monetary matters. He did not respond to her rants as he gathered his tools and materials.

As was his routine, he rose early the next morning and prepared to head off to work when his morning ritual was interrupted by a call from the dispatcher at his job who related that they had a service call in his area and that it would not make much sense for him to travel the hour to his job only to turn right around. He took down the address and simply shook his head when he realized that the service call that he was attending to first came from non-other than the church mother that had thrown him out of her house the previous night.

The brother related that he arrived at the front door dressed in his uniform and rang the door bell. The “mother of the church” arrived at the front door and immediately tore into him with a litany that was certainly not edifying to the Lord and reiterated her point from the prior night, “I ain’t paying you that kind of money to fix nothing in this house.” It was then that he related to her, “You are correct.

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African

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Community From Pg. 1

The American labor movement serves as the foundation for the economic might that we each enjoy without a second thought. This particularly thankless task is celebrated by all Americans on the first Monday of each September. Unfortunately, the African-American contribution to American labor as labor leaders, laborers, and entrepreneurs is commonly omitted.

There is little room for debate regarding the indispensable nature of persons of African descent in regards to American labor. One must remember that were it not for the labor contributions of enslaved Africans that colonists may have very well be forced to revert back to cannibalism to survive; an action that was occasionally used by colonists as they sought to survive the barren winter months when food was particularly scarce for them on the North American continent. It was the African contribution of food staples, most notably rice, which greatly aided the American colonists’ survival attempts.

Labor matters have been a pressing issue for African-Americans after Southern states ratified the 13th Amendment that abolished the institution of slavery, except in regards to those convicted of a criminal offense.

It was the labor of recently emancipated African-Americans that fed this nation during many of its most tenuous and trying moments. Towards the end of the twentieth-century, labor matters became the most prominent issue on African-American leaders’ agenda. Leaders’ such as Booker Taliaferro Washington, William Edward Burghardt DuBois, Marcus Garvey, Elijah Muhammad, Malcolm X, and Louis Farrakhan have addressed the critical issue of American labor and the African-American role in the institution. Although there were often substantive differences to be discovered

amongst many of the aforementioned leaders programs, there was one prominent strain of thought that each of the aforementioned individuals considered necessary for the politico economic flourishing of AfricanAmerican life, African-Americans must make the becoming independent business owners/entrepreneurs their single-greatest goal.

Race men such as Washington, Garvey, and Malcolm X clearly understood that unless AfricanAmericans developed a single-minded determination to circulate their dollars amongst their own people in their own community, that there would be no hope for reversing historic patterns of poverty that disproportionately affect every facet of Black life. We must remember that it was the esteemed Black Nationalist Titan Malcolm X who angrily barked at his people, “Every time you allow a dollar to leave your community, you are running down your community.”

Fortunately for our esteemed race leaders, they can rest well knowing that the entrepreneurial spirit is welland-alive within our communities.

Today, the entrepreneurial spirit is alive in well throughout the state of Texas as African-Americans are embracing the urge to start their own businesses in an unprecedented manner in a host of arenas: real estate, restaurant, beauty, building, trades, etc.

Lonnie Murray, the founder and owner of A. Tech Roofing and Restoration (Dallas, Texas), related that his path to entrepreneurial success is somewhat atypical when compared to others. Murray entered the roofing and restoration business via the real estate industry. It was while working real estate that Mr. Murray learned of the voluminous and consistent complaints that homeowners had regarding the shoddy work that socalled contractors were performing on homes. It was this niche that Murray

C ver St ry

capitalized upon and began his own restoration and contracting company.

A. Tech Roofing and Restoration has met with significant success during its fifteen years of existence.

Boasting a roster of 13 employees, Murray relates that approximately fifty-percent of his employees are African-Americans and the pride that he gets from having the ability to tangibly affect his employees’ lives can never be measured. Although Murray relates his business health at a seven, on a scale of ten, he does relate that it could possibly be a ten if he advertised his services; currently, all of his work comes through referrals. To his chagrin, Mr. Murray has learned that even a sterling referral does not prevent potential customers from questioning his qualifications and craftsmanship.

Murray relates that even with the benefit of referrals, he is constantly reminded that he is a Black man in America and therefore viewed through a suspicious lens. Murray relates consistent frustrations of having to prove that his company performs quality workmanship at every site that they work. Murray states that, “Such problems are the price of doing business as a Black man in America. I have to prove that my company belongs through good service and a phenomenal warranty that you will find no other place in the building trades.”

When asked why he chose to become an entrepreneur, Murray related that it was while working in real estate that he realized that “when you work for someone else, you’re building their empire. And they will only share with you the small piece of that empire that they choose to. If you work for yourself, you can control 100% of that empire that has been built.”

After fifteen-years of operating his own company, Murray realizes that he, and by extension everyone

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else, actually control their own destiny. And the sky’s the limit! “His only advice to bourgeoning entrepreneurs is that “the only path to success is hard work and perseverance.”

One of the more unusual stories regarding entrepreneurial success flows from Deidre Richard of Deelicous Cakes. Formally trained as an Electrical Engineer, Mrs. Richard relates that “I always baked on the side. Every weekend I was making cakes for people, not advertising or anything, just making them for friends and friends of friends and relatives.

As so many successful entrepreneurs before her have stated, I found absolutely no joy in working in corporate America and could really have not cared less if I met imposed deadlines and what have you, as I was truly only happy when I was baking. I guess that you can say that I was in my zone when I was baking. Although my current business is far from stress-free, it is a stress that I can manage. I prefer to consider it an adrenaline rush that I can create for myself.”

Deidre relates that she baked as a ‘hobby’ for 19 years prior to opening a home business that was met with phenomenal success that led her mind to thinking that she may very well be on to something. Prior to quitting her corporate job, Mrs. Richard began taking business classes and developed several steps to improve her chances of success. She stated that she initially took very small steps in regards to her personal financial risk, ventured out to test the waters in regards to determining if this was a viable sustainable business, and finally she sought out a mentor who was willing to guide her through what can be a veritable minefield for Black business owners.

Now that she has been able to have a storefront business up and running for the past five years, experience has taught this self-proclaimed micro-manager, the necessity of delegating day-to-day operations to her relatively small staff so that she can work “on the business and not in the business.” Mrs. Richard relates that in five years she hopes to be in a larger location with increased clientele, increased cash flow, and have the space to teach baking and cake decorating classes to others. Her

Texas • September - 13, 2015 Texas • August712-18, 2013

current location causes her to turn away more business than she would like to. Interestingly, Mrs. Richard relates that “In ten years, I would like to be in a position to sell the business to an interested party.”

Created in 2001, the Midtown located The Breakfast Klub has swiftly become something more than a mere diner where patrons consume succulent breakfast items. According to Davis, “I fully realize that a person could wake-up, go to their home kitchen, and scramble eggs for approximately thirty-four cents. And many people who do not understand what The Breakfast Klub is about have complained about the prices.

However, they fail to understand what it is that we are doing here.

We are employing the community.”

The Breakfast Klub owner related that his business allows him to hire “many people within our community that non-Black businesses, many of whom are religiously supported by our community, would never consider hiring. I am talking about individuals who have a criminal and/or drug background.”

One of the first things that Marcus Davis impresses upon you is a fervent desire for The Breakfast Klub to continue extending itself well beyond merely selling breakfast to African-American consumers.

Unfortunately for Davis, his feelings of loyalty are not always requited by the African-American community.

According to The Breakfast Klub creator many within his community have “…consciously chosen to patronize other businesses that are offering inconsistent inferior product, poor service, and do not have their best interest at heart.” Davis remarked, “Here we are in a situation where there are so few outlets for AfricanAmericans to support their own, yet they amazingly will decide to do such.

Even the so-called conscious community will work against established African-American businesses that are employing our people and putting money back into the community in various ways.”

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Black News

Texas • sepTember 7 - 13, 2015

THE BREAKFAST KLUB

maRCUs DaVIs

It would be incorrect to assert that every American city possesses an eatery that serves as a definitive cultural statement; in regards to African-American restaurants, these places are in a word, scarce. In fact there are very few restaurants established by, operated by, and serving an African-American clientele that have risen to the status of Cultural Icon and Community Institution such as: Ben’s Chili Bowl (Washington, D.C.), Sylvia’s (Harlem, NY), Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles (Los Angeles).

The fact that a major city such as Houston, Texas, with such an esteemed legacy of African-American contributions did not have a restaurant on that list is most certainly a dark spot on the city’s cuisine scene.

The alluded to blight is magnified when one realizes that such loci have proven to be as much about the culinary cuisine as they are about serving as a rallying point for the Black community; put simply, any and every one traverses through such locales for their own purposes and on their own time. Fortunately for Houstonians, this cavernous void has been filled by restaurateur Marcus Davis.

The Breakfast Klub, located in Houston’s trendy mid-town district

emanates from two spaces: (a) Marcus Davis’ innate desire to continue a familial legacy in the food service industry, an industry that he was clearly reared within, and (b) the aforementioned Davis’ recognition that Houston was missing a quality restaurant that focused upon breakfast. According to Davis, a city of this size, with a swell of eatery choices, was devoid of one particular niche, that being, “a good breakfast restaurant in Houston. There were many places that served breakfast for a period of time and then moved into other choices as the day progressed.

However, there was not a place specifically aimed at solely serving breakfast. Not to mention, the reality that I knew that existing restaurants would never be able to offer the type of experience that I could.” It is this confidence, taught to him by his father, that would serve Davis extremely well in his entrepreneurial endeavors.

It was in 2001, after a fruitful search to find the ‘perfect location’ for The Breakfast Klub, Marcus Davis stepped into what he would soon learn was his destiny and launched his own restaurant, every restaurateur’s dream. From

its opening, The Breakfast Klub has offered two signature dishes: Katfish & Grits and succulent Wings & Waffles.

It would be a gross understatement to merely call Davis’ venture successful. By any measure The Breakfast Klub has been a resounding success. One merely needs to drive past The Breakfast Klub on any weekend and you will be shocked to see startling long lines of customers patiently awaiting their opportunity to dine upon Davis’ culinary offerings. Davis relates that he actually envisioned the long lines while The Breakfast Klub were merely a conceptual idea in his mind.

Although Davis’ bottom line financial success is obvious, in the world of restaurateurs, success is best measured via accolades, awards, and recognition. It is in this arena that African-American restaurateurs have traditionally experienced frustrations as both their venues and cuisine is routinely denigrated and ignored by White ‘industry leaders’ who not only determine what is, and by extension what isn’t, considered distinguished enough to be celebrated and visited by both local and out-of-town patrons. The Breakfast Klub has been

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particularly successful in receiving accolades from those who set industry standards. Davis’ culinary offerings have been recognized by the following entities: • Good Morning America (One of the Best Breakfast Restaurants in the Nation) • USA Today (One of the Best Breakfast Restaurants in the Nation) • Esquire (One of the Best Breakfast Restaurants in the Nation) • Forbes (One of the Best Breakfast Restaurants in the Nation) • Houston Press --- Readers Choice Best Breakfast (2011) • My Table Culinary Award --- Favorite Breakfast (2011) • Best of City --- Breakfast Category (2011) Although the aforementioned accolades are particularly laudable and would make any restaurateur proud, they are in many ways irrelevant in regards to what makes Marcus Davis, and The Breakfast Klub, so phenomenal.

Considering that he was raised in the food service industry by his father, it is a testament to the elder statesman that the most impressive aspects of Marcus Davis are found far away from the kitchen. It did not take long for me to recognize during a recent interview with Davis that if this gentleman were alive during the Civil Rights Movement he would have been recognized for what he truly is, a “Race man”; a laudable moniker that the African-American community attached to a select few individuals who could aptly be considered the Vanguard of the Race in regards to politico economic matters.

Marcus Davis belongs to a population of Black businessmen and women who have been under girded by an unmistakable streak of kindness and consideration for the less fortunate that signals their adherence to the scripture found at Luke 12:48, “To whom much is given, much is required.” There is quite possibly no greater sign that he not only recognizes this calling,

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but also has integrated it into his business operations than the moral base of faith, family, community, and empowerment that The Breakfast Klub operates from.

It is such matters that make The Breakfast Klub more than a place to consume succulent breakfast items.

According to Davis, “I fully realize that a person could wake-up, go to their home kitchen, and scramble eggs for approximately thirty-four cents. And many people who do not understand what The Breakfast Klub is about have complained about the prices. However, they fail to understand what it is that we are doing here. We are employing the community.” The Breakfast Klub owner related that his business allows him to hire “many people within our community that non-Black businesses, many of whom are religiously supported by our community, would never consider hiring. I am talking about individuals who have a criminal and/or drug background.”

When pressed regarding the success and failure rate of this often discarded population, Davis forthrightly relates “some of them work out and some of them do not. They are no different from any other population of potential employees.”

One of the first things that Marcus Davis impresses upon you is a fervent desire for The Breakfast Klub to continue extending itself well beyond merely selling breakfast to African-American consumers.

One quickly understands that Davis should not be faulted for his feelings regarding uplifting his community because he has apparently been socialized to view the world through such a lens.

Unfortunately for Davis, his feelings of loyalty are not always requited by the African-American community.

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ION/RELIGION

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rcement of the ion order for School district accomplishing tives. It helped on; it created ved areas, such and it helped minority district nce, causing the nationally recting that urban and thrive if sources. It also ortance of proation regardless nomic status. to thrive under order, but with phics, making y in the district. an to question -lived its intent. come predomi-

Wanda Bamuperintendent, of the desegreited them from lified staff once a certain perticular race. In ants were being tain positions ce, because the ed that the staff dent body ratio mpus. qualified applibe in any stuhad a qualified qualified Afriher, or a qualirican, and they it the bill; they and they were r, as far as the re looking for, particular percular ethnicity ercentages so it n we were supking for anothberg explained. ur faculty had ity of the stuWhen we made e had to con-

HOU-6 mberg, it never to be under-

ACCOUNTANTS

CHURCH ADSTexas • sepTember 7 - 13, 2015 BAPTIST CHURCH SUNDAY SERVICE

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staffed or underserved, but it did Member AICPA make the hiring process more difMICHAEL LOVE, CPA ficult and at times created hardEmail: mlovecpa@yahoo.com ships for the applicant. Also, once www.michaellovecpa.net a certain percentage had been 713-666-2900 Office met, perfectly qualified students 713-666-2932 Fax could be rejected based upon race 2626 South LoopW, #420 Houston,TX 77054 alone. Additionally, students were ALUMNI being bused past schools close to their home to schools much farB.T. Washington ther away.

Houston ISD Alumni Roy Douglas Malonson, who 281-723-1656 spearheaded the movement for the development of the magnet proG.W. Carver School grams and Carver High School as Alumni of Aldine ISD the city’s only Montessori, strongly 713-806-9889 protested the move away from the 1977 desegregation court order.

BEAUTY SHOP “This is a very serious matter,” At Reese Academy, before school and after school enrichment programs are ofhe said during a public meeting fered from 7 a.m.-8:30 a.m. and from 4:20-5:45 daily. Reese NATURAL will beKREATIONS unaffected by regarding the issue. This is dealing cuts to the magnet schools.

Melanie Malonson with education for our children. Dr. Photo: Aldine ISD 281-898-4716 Kujawa said it…. Aldine [does] not 11718 SOUTH WILCREST District administrators looked elimination. Other need to be removed from under schools would HOUSTON, TX 77099 the desegregation plan. You need- desperately for areas to cut that be Smith, Stovall, Harris and Hill, A dthe v esame r t i scriteria. e o nStuline ed a court order to be fair to our would have the least impact on all based on children. You did it, but you were schools. Administrators made 12 dents of magnet a f r aprograms m n e w that s . chad om percent of their cuts in district been eliminated forced to do so,” he said.

For mo r e in fo ca ll would return to Malonson also warned the departments (central office, main- their home campus and given first CHAMBER school board and citizens of the tenance, operations, and substi- priority forBLACK available slots in other loss of the $12 million federal grant tutes. Although no one was laid off, magnet programs, with the excepthat went with the programs. He they chose to delete or freeze sev- tion of 4th grade students, who was concerned that eventually, the eral AISD positions, as they were will be given the option of continuprograms that had made Aldine a vacant. Reductions were also made ing at Houston Academy. Staff will in the use of paraprofessionals be placed into 713-692-7161 model district would be lost. vacant positions on Federal stimulus dollars provid- (teaching assistants). The district other campuses.

6112 WHEATLEY ST ed hope for a way out of the finan- also made several board approved The order would haveTX given HOUSTON, 77091the cial dilemma Aldine faced. That cuts to stipends for educators in magnet program a protected status CHEMICAL was until the passage of recent leg- certain areas. Incentive plans were and funds from the government islation, House Bill 3646, increasing eliminated, class sizes increased would have been provided for their revenue for school districts ($13.9 and expansion projects frozen. But operation. Also, several events and million for Aldine) and awarding these budget changes would not be items were reduced eliminatCitywideor Chemical a state mandated raises for educa- sufficient to secure the future sol- ed, such asJanitorial the magnet and & festival Commercial tors, librarians, counselors, speech vency of the district. technology fair. proposed cuts PestThe Control Company 3521 Jensen St. In order to strengthen the bud- were approved by district pathologists and nurses. Those trustHouston, TX 77026 713/227-4808 or 4809 raises amounted to $7.9 million, get, the district would propose ees at the January 25 school board Janitorial Supplies consuming more than half of addi- greater cuts and it would need the meeting before a packed house of Sales-Service-Supplies tional monies granted by the state. communities support for them. incensed parents and student.

But Wholesale-Retail We repair Aldine ISD currently finds itself The magnet programs were next. Bamberg warns the cuts maybuffers, still vacuum, shampooers in a precarious position. The pro- The district scheduled meetings at not be enough to meet and allthe otherneeds machines.

Charles PRESENTSmillion A PRODUCTION of the nation’sDawson various academies from December jected revenue of $444.2 12th largest district.

SAME DAY FREE DELIVERY US METRO falls $43 million dollars short of 1 through January 7.

Administrators say they still need Dawson Chemical ANAldine’s 2009-2010FILMbudget. Cur- E The first magnet school up for $18 million toChemical balance the budget.

EXECUTIVE elimination was Carroll Academy’s rently, the Cschool AND district has $93 PRODUCERS “The only713/633-9019 way we’re 713/697-7137 going to million, but the ending fund bal- magnet program. at this point WRITTEN ANDIt demonstrated get additional revenue PRODUCED CHURCH DIRECTED BYof interest from is to look to the community,” said BY is $50 million. Aldine’s the least amount ance expenses amount to $40.5 million parents and students among mag- Bamberg, alluding to the need for Cliffdale per month. However, the school net programs on the primary level, increased property Baptisttax revenue, district needs at least 2.5 times that and yet, it had the greatest cost. which could be as much as 13 cents Church amount in the ending fund bal- Without a magnet program, Car- per $100 value of property.

(281) 447-8850 ance for financial accountability, , roll will offer the Core EducationEd.- Last week’s story, provided ENTERPRISE ST Pastor Program ofAND a traditional ele- inaccurate854demographics earned interest, bond ratings, loans for AISD. CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS FOR al THEATERS SHOWTIMES HOUSTON, TX 77088 Fred Sanders and cushioning for bad times. This mentary.

The correct numbers are 68.2 perHowever, Carroll would not be cent Hispanic, 27 percent Africanmeans, the ending fund balance the only magnet considered for American, 2.2 percent White. should be $101.25 million.

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8 AM and 11 AM BIBLE STUDIES Wednesday 7:30PM Leonard N. Barksdale, Pastor Fifth Ward Missionary Baptist Church 4300 Noble Street, Houston TX 77020 Ph: 713/675-5111 • Fx: 713/675-1522

Website: www.fwmbc.org

Fifth Ward Missionary Baptist Church members will endeavor to provide a strong foundation of love; we will stand on Biblical Truths; and we will equip one another to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our community and in our (713) 697-1758 world.

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Sealed proposals will be received in Procurement Operations (3100 Main Street, Room No. 11A06, Houston, Texas 77002) until 2:00PM (local time) on Thursday, October 8, 2015.

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Texas • September 7 - 13, 2015

African

American News&Issues

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African

American News&Issues

HENDERSON’S SOUL FOOD RESTAURANT

West Houston has become a mecca of suburban expansion over the past twenty years with the Highway 290 corridor leading the way. In order to get to Interstate 10 from this area before that time, one had to travel east back into H-town, journey to the 610 South Loop and hop on from there. Eventually, city managers found it befitting to carve out a few streets between I-10 and 290, each running north to south to alleviate some of the traffic snarls thousands of commuters face daily.

With the addition of Grand Parkway/99 being almost complete, West Houston will soon be connected with Interstate 45 North, some 50 miles away; and just like in the old days of Western Expansion when neighborhoods and businesses sprouted up along canals and railroads, these regular “Super Highways” will become home to 21st century pioneers hungry for life’s delicacies.

Many Houstonians are transplanted out-of-towners who moved here from other states. Some were seeking employment opportunities while others were hoping to find warmer places to thaw out from the below freezing temperatures of the North. With summer temperatures hovering around 100 degrees most of the time, native residents of the fourth largest metropolitan area in the nation would look at their new neighbors with raised brows and side-eyes knowing that shoveling snow and wind chills factors in the teens would GLADLY be accepted here from time to time.

I got stuck in traffic one day on I-10 and decided to take a short cut home down Fry Road. It was one of those streets that connected to 290 and only 20 minutes from my house. As I traveled at a snail’s pace through nicely-manicured subdivisions and brightly lit retail spaces, I noticed a restaurant sign

that read: “Henderson’s Soul Food: “Where We Belong”. Now, I’ve been living in West Houston for nearly 20 years and I remember the time when Fry Road did NOT run all the way to 290. The only Soul Food restaurants that I was aware of were some 50 miles away in 3rd Ward, Texas. Therefore, being the resident connoisseur that I am, I found it imperative to go in and check out joint. I was a little hungry, too.

The facility was nice and modern. Pictures of musical instruments adorned the Jazz-themed walls along with flat-screen televisions and wireless connection stations.

There was a small but strategically placed mahogany stage in the front left corner and the atmosphere was cozy and inviting. How I noticed all of that had to be absolutely miraculous due to the lovely aroma of fresh “conebread” coming from behind the counter that nearly dulled my senses.

I’m a Southern Boy. Been in Texas all my life. I don’t know much about caviar and fillet mignon, but I sho do know about Ox Tails and cornbread. Therefore, excuse me if you are offended by the second half of this report because this is where I stop being all “proper” and return to my “Ebonic-roots”. Honey-chile, letme tell you! I walked myself up to that menu and started reading out loud!

“Smutthered Pokechops”, “Baked Chicken”, “Smutthered Chicken”, “Fried Pokechops”, “Turkey Necks”, “Fried Catfish”, “Banana Puddnen” “Care-mel Cake”....and so on and so forth. Now, the menu was not written like I spelled these items; it was written in “proper” English. But, didn’t I just tell y’all that I was in “Ebonic-roots mode”?

My mind was being couture, but my eyes were being Colored, Negro, Black, and African-American. That

Business

food was smelling good!

I ordered me some chicken, corn, green beans, cornbread and a piece of that caramel cake. By that time, the owners came in and I got a chance to meet them and be a little nosey. I found out that Patrick and Aliceson Henderson opened up their first restaurant in Zion, Illinois way back in 2001. They moved to Texas and opened up the current location in 2004. The inspiration for their restaurant came from Aliceson’s grandmother who taught her and her siblings how to cook and also shared with them “secret family recipes”. Aliceson made sure that I sampled her food before I left stating: “I don’t want people to brag on our food until they taste it”.

That made perfectly good sense to me. So, taste away I did. Well, to be honest, I devoured everything on my plate. As Ellie Mae Clampett would say: “I was fuller than a tick on a hound dog…”

Patrick is also a full time pastor of the “Impact Community Church” in Katy, Texas. Just as I was about to delve into another piece of that good ole “conebread”, Aliceson told me that they also own “Kingdom Kidz Christian Academy” also located in Katy. “How do you guys manage all of these venues”, I asked. “Our children help us out a lot”, said Pastor Henderson. They have seven.

As I gathered my belongings and got ready to leave, the Hendersons asked me if I enjoyed everything. With all of those bread crumbs around my lips, I gladly said “yes”. West Houston has a genuine Soul Food restaurant that everybody can be proud of. I was surprised when they told me that more than half of their clientele was non-black.

But then again, soul food has no boundaries.

Henderson’s Soul Food Restaurant 7630 N. Fry Road Cypress, Texas 77433 281-656-8029 Tuesday-Saturday: 11:30 AM till 8:00 PM (Live Music and Karaoke on the weekend) Sunday 1:00 PM till 6:00 PM

By Mark Spivey

TEXAS • SEPTEMBER 7 - 13, 2015

ABOUT “THE CHAMBER”

Anthony Stewaet & Shelondra Peavy

In a recent 2015 Mayoral Candidates Forum, Sylvester Turner mentioned the community’s need for economic and business development.

But the truth is: The community’s need for economic and business development was realized and addressed as far back as 1994.

Directly in the heart of the Acres Home Community, a grass-roots nonprofit 501 ©(3) organization has been in existence for a significant while now. Although the organization has become recognized as a cornerstone since its founding in 1994, the community has not yet fully embraced the opportunity to join in and utilize the associated benefits. One source who has requested to remain anonymous had this to say: “It appears that people have such high regards for the Acres Home Chamber that it causes them to believe that they are not necessarily an ideal candidate for membership for some undetermined reason, but then if you ask those same people to acquire a membership, they would be delighted to do so.”

The Acres Home Chamber for Business and Economic Development, Inc. is an organization within the community that prides itself on providing leadership as well as personal and professional development to small businesses and entrepreneurs in the community. “The Chamber” (as it’s affectionately called by its staff) is also an ideal place for politically and socially inclined individuals to find common ground and cultivate their aspirations by direct interaction with

the community and its leaders.

Until now, “The Chamber” has had an array of membership benefits such as access to their updated digital computer lab, free computer classes (facilitated on select Saturdays), free entry to assorted Chamber-hosted events (Octoberfest, Juneteenth celebration, Family Night, Holiday Marketplace, Thanksgiving Meals on Wheels for Elderly, etc.). Of course the list of benefits includes other nuggets such as applicable discounts with several of its affiliated businesses and light clerical services (faxing, copying, etc.). Another strong suit for the Acres Home Chamber for Business and Economic Development, Inc. is its vigorous community health and wellness initiative. Yet, even with all of these essential offerings, “The Chamber” is now revving its engines and shifting into overdrive as it relates to connectivity and relatability.

The current staff is a team made up of innovative people who are bursting at the seams with garden-fresh plans and ideas. In keeping with this newfound energy, they have begun enlisting some of Houston’s community top business and/or political leaders such as Marcus Davis (Brother to Councilmember, Jerry Davis and Owner of TBK Foods, The Breakfast Klub, Reggae Hut, Alley Kat, etc.).

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Business

TEXAS • SEPTEMBER 7 - 13, 2015

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REVERSE TOWN HALL MEETING

September 9, 2015 @ 7pm Beulah Ann Shepard Building 6112 Wheatley Street | Houston, Texas 77091

Jolanda Jones, Gladys House & Assata Richards

HOUSTON - The Power Brokers Present: A Town hall meeting where “The Talking Heads” are not at the head table talking.

Instead they are in the audience listening. The moderators, who’s sole role is to call on the audience, and take down the “People’s Agenda,” are the hosts of KCOH 1230AM’s “The Power Brokers”: Jolanda Jones, Assata Richards and Gladys House.

Power to the People! Please joing in us and share the marching ordersfor Black Houstonians.

We look forward to hearing your thoughts!

WE CAN WIN THE NEW FIGHT FOR WORKING FAMILIES

It has become traditional around Labor Day to reflect on the big accomplishments of the Labor movement. And make no mistake, we have accomplished a lot.

Most American workers, whether they belong to a union or not, don’t know that just a couple of generations ago there was no 40 hour work week or time and half for overtime. 60 to 80 hour weeks at regular wages were the norm. Children were put to work before they finished grade school. Critical employee benefits like health care and medical leave were barely concepts much less essential family protections gained through employment. These big wins were achieved by the Labor movement, but they benefit every family across the ideological and political spectrums.

They aren’t just Labor victories, they are American victories.

This Labor Day, however, instead of just looking back with satisfaction, we should also look ahead with great urgency. American workers are in real trouble. Middle class wages in America have been flat for over 30 years. That’s right, 30 years with wages barely keeping up with the basic cost of living. Working families have been running in place instead of getting ahead.

And too many of us aren’t even holding our place. The middle-class has been shrinking, even while

American workers have become more productive than ever. The fruits of our productivity are being gobbled up by just a very few at the very top. Studies show the gap between increased productivity by workers and the real wages they are paid is almost $600 a week. So who’s benefitting from increased productivity? Well, maybe it is explained by the fact that the gap between income earned by average American workers and the compensation given to CEO’s is the largest in the world.

Our real challenge now is to fight back where it counts. It is not enough for union leaders to simply resolve to get tougher at the negotiating table or for union members to hold out longer for just a little more. These days, too many times, the real battle was waged and won or lost in the political arena and we failed to show up in large enough numbers and well enough armed for the fight.

Special interests protecting the very few at the very top have been changing the rules of the game by investing billions in a political system that is devolving into crass pay-to-play. Corporate interests and mega-wealthy individuals now move independently of candidates and without oversight to control who gets elected and which policies they enact.

The money is staggering. In the 2012 elections national candidates spent a

combined $7 billion dollars running for office. In 2016, national candidates will have to raise $1 billion just to be competitive.

To fight back, the labor movement has to move outside of just union business. We have to remember that the forces holding working Americans back and shrinking the middle class aren’t just targeting union members, their actions hurt all working families.

I’m proud that my union has realized that in order to fight back against the billionaire special interests, we have to build coalitions that go beyond our own membership. New alliances must form that bring together different unions along with people who may not hold a union card. It means getting registered to vote, getting others registered to vote, talking up our candidates and issues and calling out those who oppose working families.

It means finding common ground and then taking action to defend it.

As Communications Workers of America Vice President and head of CWA’s Human Rights Department, I’m working diligently with men and women throughout our district and the country to bring CWA into these new coalitions and to build alliances outside of the traditional CWA boundaries.

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By Claude Cummings

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P.E.P. “People Encouraging People”

(l-r) Tameka Morris-Mottley, Jamie Wasieck & Kimberly Chavis

It’s been violent summer throughout the Houston area and Acres Home is not a stranger. Coppertree Village Apartment has more than its share but that violence is not indicative of the love and potential for greatness among the residents especially the kids.

Recently, on a Saturday the local news mentioned "Four Shot one dead" but when contacting those same networks for positive media they declined and others wouldn’t mention it because there wasn’t a story unless more shooting or violence occurred. I believe what we are dealing with is not a story and we aren’t our situation -- we are our solution.

After speaking with neighbors, mothers and visitors they all spoke about the violence and the shooting but also agreed that the solution is "Peace" but the biggest was the children living in it. The children living in a safe environment, I mean who doesn't want that for their children?

Well, we are no different.

To bring our neighbors together a group was founded called P.E.P. (People Encouraging People) along with an Acres Homer, Pastor Fred Sanders of Cliffdale Baptist Church.

Together an event was hosted and funded from our own pockets with those same neighbors “Peace in the streets.”

The ultimate goal of P.E.P. is to

create positive community change that includes everyone, to help communities bring residents together to build trust and respect, and to make changes for safer communities. It is believed that our children deserve a safe atmosphere to grow, live and become better leaders.

As a result, we can focus on approaches to residents’ issues that are totally tailored to our community and can shift gears and redirect behaviors very quickly when issues arise for positive end and therefore bring positive change.

• A community of diverse and vibrant neighbors • A community that meets the housing needs of all residents • A community reigns viable, livable, and memorable resident.

• A community that cares for people and families in need.

• A safe and secure community.

• A leader in meeting regional challenges, • An active and engaged community.

The aftermath of the violence recenlty led to the event “Peace in the Streets” The objective was to bring out families on the day where gun fire

C mmunity

was known to fill the air. On this day almost all residents were homebound because of fear, fear that their children would be hurt in gun fire or violence or just the thought of something bad happening. Our goal was to reach 40 families that were divide by a strip of grass and meet on what divides us and get to know our neighbors. P.E.P. offered music, free food and drinks, games, prizes and opportunity fellowship in peace to families and children 3 – 16yrs old. To a surprise over 60 children and adults came out of fear to enjoy and discuss all positive in their own community while enjoying the sweetest laughter of children nearby.

Community leader Charles Ingram showed his support and had great things to say. Also is in attendance Cedric Johnson of Lincoln City Park showed support.

P.E.P members Tameka MorrisMottley, Jamie Wasieck, Kimberly and Tammy Chavis along with their families were at work and filled with joy that the “Peace in the Street” was a success.

We look forward to the next event in the same place at the same time on September 19, 2015. Our plan is to host third Saturday of every month to promote “Peace in the Street” because we know in our hearts our efforts will be an example to all apartments including those in low income apartments to love thy neighbor and to do that you have to stand up for what you believe in.

We are asking that those who can help and or attend to do so because a change is coming. In the next months we will broaden our horizon by offering free cooking classes and motivational sessions to become a better you and community with support. Also to support what we call The P.E.Pster Group will include dancing which is to show children being put into a safe environment to flourish and that’s what we are looking forward to “New Beginning in Coppertree!”

“The Growth in the "Tree."

“Before the tree was the seeds, Let’s Keep planting.”

Story & Photo Credit: Tameka Morris- Mottley

Texas • September 7 - 13, 2015

Religion

Clifford B. Meachum Jr.

Reverend Clifford B. Meachum, Jr. was born August 14, 1950 in Anderson Texas, to Clifford B. Meachum, Sr. and Ottie Mae Sneed.

He attended Garden City Elementary School, continuing his education and graduating from Klein High School in the second year of integration.

He was on the JV basketball team his sophomore year, continuing on as an all district player in his senior year, graduating in 1968. He attended Houston Baptist University, Mount Hope Bible College, New Light School of Biblical Studies in which he graduated in the top of his class.

Reverend Clifford B. Meachum, Jr. was married to Dorothy Chatmon Meachum together they had three children; Sharon Burnside (Albert), Devon Meachum (Robin), Rev. Jason Meachum. He also had one son, Quinton Flannel (K’Lah); seven grandchildren, Jeremiah and Kwanzaa Burnside, Devon II, Jayce, Jael, Jayden and Makayla Meachum. The Meachum’s celebrated their thirty ninth year wedding anniversary on December 20, 2014.

Rev. Meachum retired with thirty eight years from Sears Roebuck in 2013, while serving as Rev. Meachum of Starlight Missionary Baptist Church. Rev. Meachum confessed his calling in 1969, under the leadership of the late Rev. D. S. Bailey, 6619 Sherwin St. a street now called D. S. Bailey Ln, currently under the leadership of Dr. Edwin A. Davis.

Rev. Meachum’s ministry began when he was called to Green Valley Baptist Church in Navasota, Texas for 4 ½ years of labor. On May 11, 1983, Rev. Meachum received a letter requesting he would become the Rev. Meachum of Starlight Missionary Baptist Church at 9202 Willow St., Houston, Texas.

Gladly receiving his appointment as Rev. Meachum of Starlight Missionary Baptist Church.

Rev. Meachum’s thirty one of service at Starlight has been supported by a staff of Ministers, Deacons and Trustee Board members along with auxiliaries such as the Brotherhood, Music Department, Usher-Greeters,

Reverend Clifford B. Meachum, Jr.

The Rev. U.S. Turney Scholarship Fund, The Bereavement Committee, Star Ministries, The Rev. Meachum’s Aide and The Ministers and Deacons Wives’ Council. This year marks three decades of Rev. Meachuming at Starlight MBC for Rev. Meachum in which July 2015 he celebrated his 32nd year anniversary.

In 2002, Rev. Meachum Meachum was blessed with his first son in the Ministry, Rev. Curley Randle. Other sons in the ministry are Rev. Phillip Sampy and Rev. Clemon Flukes.

The year of 2005 was an especially incredible year in the ministry for Rev. Meachum Meachum. His youngest son Min. Jason Meachum became his second son in the ministry. Both have been called to Rev. Meachum their own churches, but worked closely with Rev. Meachum in the ministry.

Rev. Meachum always in close partnership with his wife First Lady Dorothy Chatmon Meachum. Rev. Meachum Meachum last call of service to Starlight Missionary Baptist Church was the 63rd year Church Anniversary service held on August 30, 2015, which he gave instructions as to how it should go. Seeing this assignment through and working until the very end.

Rev. Clifford B. Meachum Jr., a man who had faith in God, stated as we go forward into the future our course is centered in Christ. Rev. Meachum’s favorite statement: “A lot of good can be done if no one cares who gets the credit!”

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CBP-5224-01 Not Theirs Ad-MM.pdf

1 9/2/15 9:33News&Issues AM American

11

ToP 10 aT naTional fBla ConfeRenCe

denisse CÓRdova

The Generals are celebrating one of their own. Denisse Córdova shined at the Future Business Leaders of America’s National Leadership Conference.

More than 8,500 students from across the nation competed at the conference. The competition recently took place in Chicago.

Students from MacArthur, Aldine and Victory Early College High Schools represented Aldine ISD. Denisse finished 10h in the nation in the Introduction to Business Communication event.

To advance to nationals, students have to place at the state competition in the spring.

Denisse is an overachiever. In 2014, she was an eighth grade student at Hambrick Middle School. That year, she took the Advanced Placement (AP) Spanish Exam. The AP exams target high school students. Colleges and universities receive AP scores each year. They use the

AP exams to give students college credit or advancement placement. Colleges can also use the scores when they consider students for admission.

Denisse accomplished a rare feat. She earned the top score possible. Among the 1.5 million 11th and12th grade students that took an AP exam in 2014, only 285 received a perfect score.

She earned another distinction while at Hambrick. She earned the honor of Duke Scholar for her exceptional scores on the SAT. Duke University sponsors the Talent Identification Program. According to Dr. Martha Putallaz, Duke TIP works with academically talented students. Duke’s program guides Duke Scholars to reach their full potential. Putallaz is executive director of Duke TIP. “As seventh graders, these students have achieved scores on the ACT or SAT rivaling those of half of all college-bound seniors who took the tests,” Putallaz.

Last school year at MacArthur Ninth Grade School, Denisse competed in history fair. She placed second at the state competition in the Senior Individual Website event. This placed Denisse among the 21 AISD students that advanced to National History Day. This school year, Denisse is a 10th grader at MacArthur High School.

FBLA members have the competitive edge.

They convene to compete in leadership events.

They also learn new ideas about shaping their career future through workshops and exhibits.

Student members consider the four-day national conference the pinnacle of the FBLA experience.

The association offers plenty to members.

It has forged partnerships with industry leaders.

They underwrite competitive events and scholar-

naTion’s BesT in ColleGe Readiness

Two Dallas Independent School District campuses are among the nation’s 500 best high school schools for college readiness, according to Newsweek.

The School for the Talented and Gifted was ranked No. 36, while the School of Science and Engineering was listed as No. 229. Both campuses, housed at the Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center, earned high marks for the percentage of students that demonstrate college readiness, as well as graduation rate and the percentage of students that are college bound.

According to the magazine, Newsweek “evaluates schools on a broad range of criteria in order to identify schools that excel at preparing students for college and overcome the obstacles

posed by socioeconomic inequality.”

In addition, seven Dallas ISD schools were among 500 nationwide to be included on Newsweek’s “Beating the Odds” list.

Those schools are rated on their ability to prepare students for college while also overcoming the challenges for students that meet the level of poverty.

Dallas ISD schools on that list include Trinidad Garza Early College At Mountain View (No. 16), the School of Science and Engineering (No. 30), Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School (No. 36), the School for the Talented and Gifted (No. 43), the School Of Business And Management at the Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center (No. 151), Kathlyn Joy Gilliam Collegiate Academy (No. 212) and Middle College High School (No. 470).

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