African-American News&Issues

Vol. 19 Issue 13

Greater Houston

April 21-27, 2014 | FREE ®

The #1 100% Black-owned Top Ranking African-American News Website Online

Black History Is 24/7/365 “If you don’t know your past, you don’t know your future!”

~Roy Douglas Malonson, Publisher~

The Diamond of Acres Home

(l-r) Front Row: Pharyn Dickson, Schylar Solomon, Inied Dickson, Jewell Houston, Seniah Sadler & Brendan Sadler (l-r) Back Row: Robert Dickson,Jacel Dickson, Melvon Houston Jr., Boston Hawk, Jai Monique Stewart, Avanell Houston Demart, Charles Demart, Barbara Houston Stewart, Adrian Sadler & Chava Juel Sadler

Jewell Houston Academy Celebrates 10 Years of Academic Excellence See HOUSTON pg. 4

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African

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P litics

National Action Network’s 16th Annual Convention

Now, the last time I was And over the past five here was three years ago, and a years, in the wake of the worst few things have changed since economic crisis of our lifetimes, then. I am here as a second term we’ve won some victories, too.

President. I have more gray hair. Nearly 9 million new jobs at It’s all right. Let’s see, what America’s businesses over the else; I’ve got twice as many past four years. Seven and a dogs. I’m glad I won’t have to half million Americans signing serve a third term because three up to buy health care coverdogs is too many. I can’t keep age under the Affordable Care on promising Malia and Sasha Act. And millions more who another dog. have gained coverage through Of course one thing that has Medicaid and CHIP, and young not changed is your commitpeople being able to stay on ment to the cause of civil rights their parents’ plans. The rate of for everybody and opportunity uninsured Americans is down. for all people. And that’s been High school dropout rates are something that’s been on my down. Our high school graduamind this week. Some of you tion rate is the highest on record. may know that yesterday I was More young people are earning down in Austin, Texas at the college degrees than ever before.

LBJ Library to speak on the 50th We’ve made progress and we’ve anniversary of the Civil Rights taken action.

Act and the man who signed it But we also know our into law. And standing there, I work is unfinished. Too many thought of all the Americans, Americans working harder than known and unknown, who made ever just to get by. Too many it possible for me to stand in that Americans who aren’t working spot, who marched and orgaat all. We know we have to do nized, and sat in, and stood up more to restore America’s promfor jobs and for justice. I thought ise of opportunity for all people, of all who achieved that great particularly for communities victory and others, not just with hardest hit by the recession; parrespect to the Civil Rights Act, ticularly for those who struggled but the Voting Rights Act and since long before the recession, the Fair Housing Act, and imnot only African Americans and migration reform, and Medicare Latinos, but Americans trapped and Medicaid, and the first across the country in pockets of Business Card for Paper_Layout 1 2/18/14 12: battles of a long War on Poverty. poverty: inner city, suburban, rural.

And we know what opportunity means. Opportunity means more good jobs that pay good wages. Opportunity means training folks for those jobs.

Opportunity means changing the odds for all of our children through Pre-K, something Mayor de Blasio is fighting for 979-921-9908 28820 FM 1736 Road here in New York City. And Hempstead, TX 77445-7204 opportunity means affordable Trophy Hunting: higher education for all who are Whitetail - Axis - Blackbuck willing to work for it.

Archery • Camping • Camp Fire Opportunity means answerCanoeing • Family & Church Reunions ing the call to be My Brother’s Fishing • Guided Nature Hike Hay Rides • Hiking • Horseshoes Keeper and helping more boys Kayaking • Nature Photography and young men of color stay Pedal Boats • Picnics • Sand Volleyball on track and reach their full potential. website: www.rsdeerranch.com Before I came out, I was in a email: malonson@rsdeerranch.com TX-2

photo line, saw my good friend, Freddie Haynes, a great pastor from the great state of Texas.

And he told me this summer they’re going to hire 100 young men, pay them $10.10 an hour maybe $10.50 as a consequence of this call. And the point is, is that My Brother’s Keeper, that’s not just something I do, that’s not just something the government does. That’s something everybody can participate in, because we know these young men need support.

Opportunity means making the minimum wage a wage you can live on. It means equal pay for equal work. It means overtime pay for workers who have earned it. It means continuing to extend the right of quality, affordable health care for every American in every state, because we’ve got some states that aren’t doing the right thing. We have states who just out of political spite are leaving millions of people uninsured that could be getting health insurance right now. No good reason for it. If you ask them what’s the explanation they can’t really tell you.

And, by the way, making sure our citizens have the opportunity to lead healthy lives also means dealing with things like the dangerous carbon pollution that’s disproportionately affecting low-income communities.

It means making sure that our young people are eating right, so listen to Michelle. I’m just saying.

So we know we’ve got more work to do to bridge the gap between our founding ideals and the realities of our time.

And the question then becomes, well, how do we actually make these changes?

How does it happen? How do we get a minimum wage bill passed? How do we make sure that those states that aren’t yet implementing the Affordable Care Act actually are doing right by their citizens? It means being vigilant. We’ve got to be vigilant to secure the gains we’ve made,

but also to make more gains in the future.

And that’s the meaning of these last 50 years since the Civil Rights Act was passed.

Because across the country right now there are well-organized and well-funded efforts to undo these gains. And one of those gains is under particular assault right now, and that’s what I want to spend the rest of my time here talking about.

Just as inequality feeds on injustice, opportunity requires justice. And justice requires the right to vote. President Johnson, right after he signed the Civil Rights Act into law, told his advisors, some of whom were telling him, well, all right, just wait.

You’ve done a big thing now; let’s let the dust settle, don’t stir folks up. He said, no, no, I can’t wait. We’ve got to press forward and pass the Voting Rights Act. Johnson said, “About this there can and should be no argument.

Every American citizen must have an equal right to vote.”

Voting is a time when we all have an equal say Black or White, rich or poor, man or woman. It doesn’t matter. In the eyes of the law and in the eyes of our democracy, we’re all supposed to have that equal right to cast our ballot to help determine the direction of our society.

The principle of one person, one vote is the single greatest tool we have to redress an unjust status quo. You would think there would not be an argument about this anymore. But the stark, simple truth is this: The right to vote is threatened today in a way that it has not been since the Voting Rights Act became law nearly five decades ago.

Across the country, Republicans have led efforts to pass laws making it harder, not easier, for people to vote. In some places, women could be turned away from the polls just because they’re registered under their maiden name but their driver’s license has their married name. Senior citizens who have

Texas • August 12-18, 2014 2013 Texas • April 21-27,

President Barack Obama President of The United States

been voting for decades may suddenly be told they can no longer vote until they can come up with the right ID. In other places, folks may learn that without a document like a passport or a birth certificate, they can’t register. About 60 percent of Americans don’t have a passport. Just because you don’t have the money to travel abroad doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be able to vote here at home.

And just to be clear, I know where my birth certificate is, but a lot of people don’t. A lot of people don’t. I think it’s still up on a website somewhere. You remember that? That was crazy.

That was some crazy stuff. I hadn’t thought about that in a while.

Now, I want to be clear I am not against reasonable attempts to secure the ballot. We understand that there has to be rules in place. But I am against requiring an ID that millions of Americans don’t have.

R.D. Malonson S.A. Malonson Darwin Campbell Chandra Jarmon Rebecca S. Jones Fred Smith

Publisher President/C.E.O. Editor Production

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African

Texas • April 21-27, 2014

Edit rial & Opini n Staying Focused

Rev. Al Sharpton President, National Action Network

Distraction is nothing new. On the road to progress and justice, obstruction is expected. Throughout history, when people push for change, they are routinely attacked, ridiculed and criticized. Not even the President of the United States is exempt from distractors, nor is the attorney general. Last week at National Action Network’s (NAN) 16th annual convention, where both President Obama and AG Holder addressed folks from around the nation, Holder made a very similar argument. He asked what other attorney general or president had to deal with the sort of vitriol and disrespect that they have had to deal with? The answer is none.

But if there’s any conclusion that was reached during our convention which brought together civil rights leaders, clergy members, elected officials, families of victims of gun violence, community advocates and more, it’s that we cannot cease our efforts. We can’t stop and won’t stop. Though the dynamics may be different, our work is as vital today as it ever was. And to those who attempt to take attention away from the cause of justice, I have news for you: nice try, but we’re as energized as we ever were.

Every year, folks gather for NAN’s convention to assess our state of affairs: the progress we’ve made and the work that remains ahead. Following our 16th convention last week, we’ve outlined three key items that we must address immediately: protecting and preserving our right to vote, tackling unemployment and inequality, and dealing with state nullification laws like stand-your-ground.

“Voting is a time when we all have an equal say Black or White, rich or poor, man or woman,” said President Obama as he addressed a packed audience at the convention on Friday afternoon. “In the eyes of the law and in the eyes of our democracy, we’re all supposed to have that equal right to cast our ballot to help determine the direction of our society ... But the stark, simple truth is this: The right to vote is threatened today in a way that it has not been since the Voting Rights Act became law nearly five decades ago.”

The president is 100 percent correct. In dozens of states around the country, there are laws that now severely limit and/or disenfranchise the votes of people of color, the poor and other groups. From strict new voter ID laws to a reduction in early voting days and more, these regulations have been popping up over the last few years with the clear intent of keeping people from participating in the election process.

Because so many Americans voted in the ‘08 and ‘12 elections, many so-called leaders in states from coast-to-coast pushed for these laws. They know that people have the power and the numbers to elect who they deem appropriate and that scares many who would like to maintain the status quo. During a year when so much is on the line, we must reverse and repeal these egregious laws.

As we continue down the road to justice, we must not ignore the plight of those who are less fortunate among us. While the economy has vastly improved since the Great Recession of ‘08, unemployment and under-employment remains far too high especially among Blacks and Latinos. Numbers simply don’t lie, and the unemployment rate within certain communities is nearly double that of other segments of the population.

American News&Issues

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“We MUST never forget slavery, lynching, Jim Crow Laws, the disrespect of the Black race and the first Black president.”

This Goes Out to All the “Black Turtles” on the Fence Post

T

here is an age old tale told by an old, tough Texas rancher talking politics with a young man from the city. In that story, the old man compares a politician to a “post turtle”.

The young man doesn’t understand and asks him what a post turtle is.

The old rancher replies, “When you are driving down a country road and you see a fence post with a turtle balanced on top, that’s a post turtle.

You know he didn’t get up there by himself. He doesn’t belong there, he can’t get anything done while he is up there; you just want to help the poor, dumb thing down.”

First, We MUST Understand that what ever job you are doing or what position you are serving in, you did not get there by yourself.

“Black Turtles” (affluent, bourgeois Negroes) Must Understand that what you enjoy today was purchased with the blood of many Black freedom fighters who laid it all on the line for you. You have absolutely nothing to glory in.

Rev. Al Sharpton recently stated that the majority of Black people from the Civil Rights Era, never marched, never protested, never boycotted and didn’t so much as give a dime to the movement.

All the heavy lifting was done by selfless activists like Martin Luther King Jr., Fannie Lou Hamer, Ella Baker, Dorothy Irene Height, Medgar Evers and John Lewis - types who laid it all on the line - some even costing them their own lives and livelihoods.

The “Turtles on the Fencepost” today want to enjoy all the benefits of Civil Rights sacrifices, but do not want to lift a finger to do or risk anything to do what our ancestors did. They are too selfish, stuck on themselves and sold out their own

Black people for 30-pieces of silver.

These hapless “Black Turtles” sit on the post thinking that 50 years after the Civil Rights Act of 1964, racism and attacks on the Black community are gone. They believe that a person can achieve the impossible and that the sky is the limit.

However, what they don’t understand is we all can see the same sky, but only a few are standing on the mountain, while the majority are looking up from a deep canyon.

The “Black Turtles” sitting on the fence post love their fraternity and sorority galas, mansions, cars and talking about their stock portfolios and credit lines- thinking that it all just happened.

They dispel the importance of the Civil Rights Movement as “poppycock” and never look back or engage in the Black community. They are numb to what is happening today with voting rights, the treatment and education of Black children and see it as someone else’s problem.

“Black Turtles” are in serious denial. They live and believe that if things are not happening to me, they either did not occur or it is not important enough to make the “agenda” or it is all just a figment of the Black imagination.

These “Black Turtles” on the fence post sit there watching as the Black community burns, not realizing that the fire will someday make it to their fence post (mansions and neighborhoods) where they live.

We Must Understand that we got an education and opportunity because people were doing things.

Poor, low wage fathers, mothers and college students were spat upon, beaten, went to jail and shed their own blood to open doors for us to go

- Roy Douglas Malonson

We MUST Understand

By Roy Douglas Malonson, Publisher

where they could not enter. You did not do it by yourself!!!

Inequality, racism and the attack on voting rights for Blacks are still viable issues and there you sit on that very post as the world goes by without a clue.

Second on the list are politicians who get elected, then run far away from the true meaning of being the ideal public servant to the Black community needs.

Many Black elected officials holding office as state representatives, city councilmen school board members or who are appointed to boards and civic leader positions are turtles on a fence post. They sit on that same post doing absolutely nothing and think about how their status and position is an entitlement or a lifetime gift from the people.

They are doing nothing for their constituents. As years pass by, they get re-elected, even though crime gets worse, the job and economic situation deteriorates and the problems with education issues with Black kids get bigger.

These “turtles are unfit” for duty because they lack ability, they have no power, and are completely unqualified. Many are out of place and cannot deliver for constituents.

Some “Black Turtles” sit on the post and have the nerve to plot and dream about ways to get to the next political level.

Black complacency must end.

We MUST Understand that we have not yet arrived.

Your community needs you off the sideline and in the fight right now.

TX-3

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African

American News&Issues

HOUSTON from pg. 1

A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. - Proverbs 22:1

E

ven after 92 years, Jewell Houston maintains her connection to children and her Acres Home community.

Though small in stature, she is a quiet giant whose words, example and life touches hundreds of kids each year at the Jewell Houston Academy – named in honor of her years of service as a mother, teacher and community icon and matriarch.

As she ages gracefully, the school that bears her name celebrated a decade of academic excellence and Mrs. Houston was as usual right in the thick of things mingling with family, friends and most of all the beloved students of the academy.

“We love these good young people with goals and aspirations,” she told the large group gathered to honor her and the school’s accomplishments. “This celebration represents the best feet you children put forward each day in this school and shows the care that the district, teachers and staff have for students.”

Houston was given a special recognition award in conjunction with the school’s 10-year anniversary.

Attending the event recognizing a decade in Acres Home community was Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. Wanda Bamberg and Board President Steve Mead and other members of the Aldine School Board; Acres Home Chamber for & Business for Econmic Development, Inc. Chairman Roy Douglas Malonson, school faculty and staff and a number of other past employees, parents and local dignitaries. Also, TX- 4

several members of Houston’s church turned out in support of the school and Houston.

“Jewell Houston Academy is a wonderful school and is named after a “jewell” of a person,” said Dr. Bamberg. “We are committed to making sure it is the legacy you deserve for many years to come. Thank you for all your work.”

Jewell Simpson Houston is a native Houstonian and graduate of Booker T. Washington High School and Paul Quinn College.

She received here Bachelor’s Degree in Science from Houston College for Negroes and began teaching in Aldine in 1951. She later earned a professional lifetime certification for high school instructor, principal, counselor and superintendent. She retired after dedicating 34 years of her life striving to instill a “can-do” attitude in her students.

Jewell Houston Academy was born in August 2003. With a projected enrollment of 760 fifth and sixth graders that Jewell Houston Academy for Math, Science and Fine Arts, the school opened its doors.

During its first three years, Houston Academy was a magnetonly campus helping develop and graduate some of the most outstanding performers and college ready citizens in Aldine district.

Starting the fourth year and continuing, the school has welcomed students from the neighboring attendance zone as well as magnet students from the district- all with the goal of preparing them to be well rounded college bound learners and talented Fine Arts performers.

The celebration also featured a short film on the 10 year history of the school and showed many past sights and sounds that helped shaped the culture and tradition of the school.

The program came complete with entertainment with sing-

C ver St ry

ing provided by the Houston Academy Gospel Choir and Houston Academy Concert Choir. Also, several selections were also played by the Houston Academy Orchestra and a short opera play performed by the Houston Academy Dance Company.

The celebration was followed by a grand reception in the school library. Those attending stopped by to congratulate Houston for her award and sign a memory book for her.

Principal Ruby Allen said the school has a plan and vision for each student and does not waver on making sure each fulfills that goal.

“We believe failure is not an option,” Allen said. “Our focus is instilling in each of our students that the future is theirs and they have what it takes to achieve all their dreams. We are committed to leading them to be their very best.”

Houston’s connection with the school has lasted long past her retirement. She spends time at the school periodically and mentors faculty and student alike.

“We must be involved in the lives of our young people and help in shaping their lives,” Mrs. Houston said. “We have a great opportunity to do good and do things right. We must do our part because these young people have so much to offer a world ripe with opportunity for them to move forward.”

Gems from Mrs. Jewell Houston: include a basic understanding of the following given to every student.

“Everyday was a blessed day with the students as my priority. I tried to let them know: 1. They were important, someone loves them and was depending on them to succeed.

2. They could improve their skills, understanding and self worth each day.

3. There were no limitations on using their God-given talents to be productive citizens.”

One student who influenced

by Houston’s words and benefitted from that wisdom and example is Leah Ojesina.

Ojesina was a 2005 graduated of the Houston Academy, a 2011 graduate of Carver High School and currently is a student at Texas A&M University and expects finish next year.

In her keynote speech, she praised Houston Academy for its commitment to student excellence and thanked Mrs. Houston and her teachers for giving her the counsel she needed as a young lady to prepare her to navigate teen and young adult years.

“They played a significant role in my success,” Ojesina said.

“I received a great education here that has helped prepare for life and excel in college. It would not have been possible without Jewell Houston Academy.”

Married to Melvon Lee Houston for 57 years, the Houston’s had three children, six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and one goddaughter.

Family members were grateful for the tribute to their mother and said that their mother’s strength comes from her love and commitment to young people.

“This event far surpasses her expectations and there are not enough words to express our appreciation for the school, the community and staff,” said

Texas • August 12-18, 2014 2013 Texas • April 21-27,

Jewell Houston

Barbara Houston Stewart.

“This is far beyond her imagination and she has lived to see her goals and dreams come to fruition.”

Houston-Stewart said it is truly the Acres Home community that makes the school so special.

“This event is just outstanding and we very much appreciate the recognition,” said Avanell Demart, her youngest daughter.

“She is a blessing to us and a blessing to these children. We are all thankful for her and the living example and legacy she is.”

Son Melvon Houston Jr. said he was very excited to see his mother be loved so much and welcomed with open arms at the school.

“It is very impressive how she is treated and what they children are doing here year after year,” he said. “This is very uplifting to her and is a source of pride for her. This is good for the kids and good for her also.”

Cover Story : Darwin Campbell, African-American News&Issues Cover & Inside Photo Credit: Priscilla Graham

Texas • April 21-27, 2014

C mmunity

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

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Where Youth, Education & Community Connect

Jewell Houston Academy

Photo Credit: Priscilla Graham TX- 5

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Run Dates: November 18-24, 2013- May 12-18, 2014 6

Read us online! w w w. a fr a m n e w s. c o m

Bus ness Profile

Love for Outdoors and Shaping Young Lives Drives Landscapes by Oscar

Oscar Jelks

Oscar Jelks did not know that his love for landscaping would shape up into a successful business.

After having little success find work, he started caring for his mother's lawn.

That work became somewhat of a signature of his green thumb and creative spirit and soon a few in his neighborhood requesting his services.

“I wanted to work, so I just got out there and started

doing it,” he said. “It was important for me to use my skills and I discovered that I had a real talent for doing yard work.”

Established in 1993, Landscapes by Oscar has been a business that has a solid reputation for customer service in providing lawn care and landscaping services.

He has been a member of chamber since 2013.

Jelks recalls starting out with one lawnmower that belonged to his mother. He got so busy with requests that he had to set aside money to buy his own equipment.

From there, his small business began growing until he moved from just cutting grass to doing landscaping for homeowners. His dedication to quality work and professional and timely manner led to him into getting his first commercial contracts and he has never looked back.

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Even after going through a tough period in the business where a contract got slim and caused him to foot the bill for many of his business expenses, it was Jelks love and talent for landscaping that kept him moving forward and it is that same spirit that makes him strong today.

“I love what I do and believe in doing things right,” Jelks said. “I put my name on everything I do and I want it to be the best.”

Since starting out humbly, his work has expanded from grass cutting and lawn care to tree cutting also.

He employs about 4 workers and makes sure each understands the value of hard work and understand what it means to step back, have pride in your work and appreciate the value of hard work.

One of his main objectives in his business is to give

Texas • April 21-27, 2014

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HOU-6 FIDELITY CHURCH OFDate CHRIST very serious matter,” At Reese Academy, before school and after school Signature enrichment programs are ofng a public meeting fered from 7 a.m.-8:30 a.m. and from 4:20-5:45 daily. Reese will be unaffected by “The Church That Cares” Fifth Ward Missionary Baptist Church Sin 19 ce 94 members will endeavor to provide a We repair buffers, strong foundation of love; we will stand vacuum, shampooers on Biblical Truths; and we will equip and all other machines.

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

Men & Ladies - Boots & Shoes

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

EDITION DATE: April 21-27, 2014 (Vol. 19 Issue 13)

Texas • April 21-27, 2014

What’s Happenin’ in Houston PUBLIC NOTICE 3 27 Sunday Pinecrest Presbyterian

African

Houston First Corporation George R. Brown Convention Center Improvements And Garage 1001 Avenida de las Americas Houston, Texas 77010.

Vaughn CM @ Risk, is requesting proposals for the Houston First Corporation; George R. Brown Convention Center Improvements and Garage. The work will be located at or near the George R. Brown Convention Center located at 1001 Avenida de las Americas, Houston, Texas 77010.

The Competitive Sealed Proposals for the Construction Services: Parking Garage And Office Building; Bid Package 1– Retention Systems/Shoring, Utilities, Mass Excavations, General Works, Foundation, Precast Concrete, Elevators/Escalators, Exterior Glazing Systems, Earthwork, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Fire Sprinkler Systems. Bid Package 1 Competitive Sealed Proposals will be received by Vaughn Construction at the Houston First Administration Office located on level 1 outside Exhibit Hall E of the George R. Brown Convention Center which is located at 1001 Avenida de las Americas, Houston, Texas 77010 between the hours of 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Local Time on Thursday, May 15, 2014. The hard copies of the proposals must be hand delivered (do not mail FAX or E-mail). A Pre-proposal Conference will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, April 28, 2014 at George R. Brown Convention Center; HFC Construction Conference Room - 3rd Floor GRBCC Room 370. Further information was presented at the Conference. All questions regarding this proposal will be due by 5:00 PM on Friday May 2, 2014. All questions should be sent via email to shawes@vaughnconstruction.com The Request for Proposals may be viewed at the following location(s) / website(s) beginning April 24, 2014: iSqFt – On-line plan room - http://www.isqft.com.

AGC Dodge– Houston – 3825 Dacoma St., Houston, TX 77092- 713-843-3700

National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC), 3825 Dacoma St., Houston Tx 77092- 281-772-4585

Drawings and Specifications may be available through A&E Reprographics.

For questions, please contact: Ken Holmes kholmes@vaughnconstruction.com.

For questions regarding access to isqft, please contact Marc Flores mflores@vaughnconstruction.com or P: (713)243-8300 For additional information regarding the project or Houston First diversity program, visit www.houston first.com and select the Doing Business tab for review of HFC s Supplier Diversity Program Instructions. It is the desire of Houston First Corporation to actively seek the involvement of Small, Minority, and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (SMWBE) or Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB) in its construction projects. The Houston First Corporation and Vaughn recognize probable subcontracting opportunities for diversity companies in this proposal package.

April

24 Thursday 26 Acres Home Library

Saturday Ensemble Theatre Dramatic Night of Poetry 3535 Main Street Houston, TX 77002 Beginning at 7pm For more info contact: (713) 520 -0055

American News&Issues

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Saturday Houston Museum African-American Culture Church Heading Title: 100 Men in Black Public NoticeCommunity Crawfish Boil 4807 Caroline St 4913 Market St Houston, TX 77004 Houston, TX 77020 Beginning at 12pm-3pm Beginning at 10:45am For more info contact: For more info contact: Contact Information:(713) 526-1015 (713) 670-0552 Name: Seth Hawes Saturday www.aframnews.com Company: Vaughn Construction Let Go Let God Phone: (713) 984-4068 Sunday 2014 Conference Fax: (713) 243-8350 100 Black Men of 9100 Gulf Fwy Email: shawes@vaughnconstruction.com Metropolitan Houston Houston, TX 77017 Address for tearsheets: 20 Years From 9:30am - 4:30pm 10355Anniversary Westpark Drive 2001 Post Oak Blvd For more info contact: Houston, Texas 77042 Houston, TX 77056 (832) 786-1907 Beginning at 6pm Visit us online @ For more info contact: (832) 656-6438 AD COST www.aframnews.com

Saturday St Paul AME When Momma Prays Stage Revival 1554 Gears Rd Houston, TX 77067 Beginning at 5pm For more info contact: (281) 537-3300 Online Advertisment available NOW! Sunday First Baptist Church of Lincoln City FBC Praise Dancers 844 Fortune St Houston, TX 77088 Beginning at 11:30am For more info contact: (832) 892-5078

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Cost to run Ad for one week: Tuesday The #1 100% 29Total Our Mother of $1,336.50 Black-owned Top Mercy Parish Civil Rights Class 4000 Sumpter St Houston, TX 77020 From 7pm - 8pm For more info contact: (281)704-6655

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Thursday Houston Museum African-American Culture “Vanishing Pearls” 4807 Caroline St Houston, TX 77004 Beginning at 7:30pm For more info contact: (713) 526-1015

Signature

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Thursday Houston Museum African-American Culture “The Life and Crimes of Doris Payne” 4807 Caroline St Houston, TX 77004 Beginning at 7pm For more info contact: (713) 526-1015

Email your Community Event to news@aframnews.com 2 weeks in advance!

(832)393-1700 Friday T.S.U. Dunn-Ross-Newton Male Chorus Gospel Musical 3100 Cleburne St. Houston, TX 77004 Beginning at 7pm For more info contact: (281) 704-6655

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Saturday Houston Museum DateCulture African-American Jen.e.sis: Candles and Incense 4807 Caroline St Houston, TX 77004 Beginning at 6:30pm For more info contact: (713) 526-1015

Apr. 25- Apr. 26 27 Friday - Saturday

Remington College Free Salon Services for HS Prom Students 11310 Greens Crossing #300 Houston, TX 77067 For more info contact: (281) 554-1790

Sunday IOTA PHI LAM SORORITY Business Luncheon 5309 MLK Blvd.

Houston, TX 77004 From 2pm- 5pm For more info contact:

carolynjones918@yahoo.com

Dr. James M. Douglas Former TSU Chancelor

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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Saturday St. Monica Food Pantry Golf Tournament Jersey Meadows Golf Club 8502 Rio Grande Jersey Villiage TX 77040 Beginning at 8am For more info contact: (281) 804-4037

Saturday Houston Museum African-American Culture “Otelo Burning” 4807 Caroline St Houston, TX 77004 Beginning at 1:30pm For more info contact: (713) 526-1015 Tuesday Our Mother of Mercy Parish Civil Rights Class 4000 Sumpter St Houston, TX 77020 From 7pm - 8pm For more info contact: (281)704-6655

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Wednesday Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous The Council on Alcohol & Drugs 303 Jackson Hill St. Room B165 Houston, TX 77007 From 6:30pm - 8:30pm For more info contact: 1213_FAST_Ad_2x2.pdf 1 6/21/2013 9:30:31 AM www.foodaddicts.org

Thursday - Sunday Ensemble Theatre The Old Settler 3535 Main St Houston, TX 77002 *Various Showtimes* For more info contact: (713)520-0055

May 9 - May 10

Friday - Saturday Remington College Free Salon Services for HS Prom Students 11310 Greens Crossing #300 Houston, TX 77067 For more info contact: (281) 554-1790

Support those whom support you!

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Email Basics 2 24 Thursday W. Montgomery Rd Acres Home Chamber Please8501 sign for approval and fax back to (713) 692-1183 Houston, TX 77088 for Bus. & Eco. Dev, Inc. Wednesday for next Monday’s publication.May 8 - Jun 1 Beginning at 11:30am Email Marketingby 12 NOON For more info contact: 6112 Wheatley St Houston, TX 77091 From 6pm -8pm For more info contact: (713) 692-7161

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The Steps of a Good Man

What Defines a True Father?

It is a man that is willing to make sacrifices for his family.

It is a man that make the tough decisions that aren’t easy but that have to be made.

It is a man that is active in the lives of his children.

It is a man that won’t always give his children what they want, but would never hesitate to give them what they need.

Overall, a true father is a father that loves his children unconditionally.

James Howard Fortune was that kind of man and his life story reveals the steps of a good man.

Born on May 1, 1922 in Brenham, Texas, Will and Georgia Fortune did not know at the time that they were raising a real man and a man of God. In the year of his birth, the Washington D.C. home of Black Civil Rights Abolitionist Frederick Douglas was declared a national shrine, Also, Dr. Rebecca J. Cole the Black community lost the second African American woman physician and first Black woman to graduate from the Woman’s Medical College in Pennsylvania.

Cole received her secondary education from the Institute for Colored Youth (ICY -- now Cheyney University). She was appointed as a resident physician at the New York Infirmary for Women and Children, which was a hospital owned and operated by women physicians, from 1872-1881.

Dr. Cole worked as sanitary visitor, a position in which a traveling physician would visit families in their homes in slum neighborhoods and instruct them in family hygiene, prenatal and infant care.

Growing up, Pastor Fortune attended Pickard High School and attended Mt. Zion United Methodist Church. After moving to Houston, he attended Booker T. Washington High School and graduated with honors in 1941.

During his teenage years, he joined Antioch Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. M. C. Williams.

As a faithful member, he was TX-8

Pastor James H. Fortune Sr. 1922-2014

a Sunday School teacher and B.Y.P.U. Leader and member of the Brotherhood and Senior Choir.

It was under the pastoral guidance of Rev. F.N. Williams Sr. that James H. Fortune answered the call into the Christian ministry. It was critical time in history because all over the south and in Texas, Black America was in the middle of the Civil Rights Movement that ultimately led to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Fortune became the first son to accept the call under Pastor Williams.

After courtship, Rev. Fortune united in Holy Matrimony with the love of his life, Anita Magdalene Williams on June 10, 1941, just six months before the United States would be thrust into World War II after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

At home, African Americans faced segregation, racial violence and deprivation of voting rights and the military had not yet been desegregated, but the United States called Blacks to service.

After being drafted into the United States Armed Forces Navy Division in 1943, Rev. Fortune served his country in World War II on the U.S.S.W.E. Admiral Benton A.P. 120 as a 20 mm Gunner.

For many years after, her served as an officer of Highland Heights Masonic Lodge where he was instrumental in erecting the building presently located on West

Religion

Texas • April 21-27, 2014

Creation or Evolution

One plus one equals two whether you are a theist or a humanist. But when you start accumulating data and sifting it through your worldview, it affects what you do with the answer. In other words, your worldview determines how you use the information you have collected.

There are many areas of education today in which the battle of worldview is being fought.

One area is the subject of creation, or First Cause. If you believe that mankind is the product of evolution, that will affect the value you put on human life, the way you think about the world, and your ethics. Instead of honoring mankind as a little lower than the angels, you will denigrate

Montgomery Road. Additionally, he was an advocate in the foundation of M.C. Williams JuniorSenior High School in the Acres Home community.

On August 24, 1960, Rev. Fortune was called to pastor Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church where he served for 47 years.

While serving the church, Fortune also worked as a machinist retiring from Hughes Tool Company after 41 years of service.

Pastor Fortune was a perfectionist and believed in giving God and his best the best and was instrumental in installing Shiloh’s first indoor restroom, choir room and free standing fellowship hall.

In 1988, he built a new edifice and was able to burn the mortgage within 15 years.

Pastor Fortune efforts made Shiloh M.B.C. A beacon of light in the Acres Home community.

On March 16, 2014, Rev. James Howard Fortune was escorted into eternity.

To continue reading Pastor James H. Fortune Sr. Obituary visit us online @ www.aframnews.com

him as a little higher than the apes.

But if you believe that God is the Creator, that means you embrace the concept of another Authority that supersedes human authority. Therefore you will not believe that man’s authority is the measure of all things, and you will be governed by a standard of truth that is above and outside of man-made authority.

The issue of creation isn’t just a matter of how we came to exist. It is a worldview issue, a matter of who reign in ultimate authority on this earth, man or God. Your decision on this question will impact every part of your life.

How you view this matter will even determine how you value life – how you value yourself

Pastor Tony Evans Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship and others. This is a critical piece of truth that when absent from the education of a culture will lead to increased crime and violence.

Verse: “How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!

And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.”

Proverbs 16:16 Pastor Tony Evans is senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas, and President of the Urban The Urban Alternative.

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Texas • April 21-27, 2014

L cal & State

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

We Are Our Brothers’ and Sisters’ Keeper:

Executive Clemency And Sentence Commutation Is Simple Justice Long Overdue

Last August, at the direction of U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, the Justice Department launched the “Smart on Crime” initiative, a set of internal policies and reforms to ensure federal laws are enforced more fairly and efficiently. These reforms are consistent with the President’s constitutional obligation to take care that the laws are faithfully executed.

This effort is a clarion call to all civil rights and faith community members and advocates for sentencing reform to redouble their efforts to fix a federal criminal justice system that has seen an 800 percent increase in the number of federal inmates over the last 30 years, from 30,000 to more than 216,000.

One of the smart reforms is a modification in the department’s charging policies so that certain low-level, nonviolent drug defendants, with no significant ties to large-scale organizations, gangs, or cartels, will no longer be charged with offenses triggering mandatory minimum sentences.

Instead, they will be charged with offenses that allow judges to impose sentences appropriate to their conduct.

The “Smart on Crime” initiative is an exciting development that should be welcomed and supported by everyone because the status quo simply was not making the criminal justice system better, it was creating more problems than it solved. And we are spending more than $6.5 billion annually to incarcerate inmates, money that could be better used to fund job training, and educational opportunities, invest in infrastructure, support veterans, and promote reentry programs to reduce recidivism.

The United States incarcerates nearly 25 percent of the world’s

inmates, even though it only has 5 percent of the world’s population. No other country imprisons a larger percentage of its population than the United States or spends anywhere near the amount we do to incarcerate our citizens.

The cost of imprisoning so many non-violent offenders is fiscally unsustainable and morally unjustifiable and it will take the combined efforts of policy makers, reform advocates, legal professionals, and private citizens to solve the problem.

There is no shortage of stories chronicling the damage done to the lives of thousands of individuals and their families by the draconian sentencing laws passed

by Congress and state legislatures beginning in the late 1980s in the so-called “War on Drugs.”

Few are as tragic as the story of Clarence Aaron, who grew up in a public housing project in Mobile, Alabama.

In 1992, shortly after his grandfather’s death, Clarence made a mistake that would change his life. He agreed to introduce an old high school football teammate to a college classmate whose brother was a drug dealer.

Clarence was present during one of the brother’s drug transactions and during another attempted transaction for which he received $1,500.

He was later arrested by federal law enforcement officers and charged with conspiring to process 20 kilograms of powder cocaine and distribute it as crack cocaine. Even though this was his first offense, Clarence was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Shocking as this sounds, the judge was powerless to adjust the punishment to fit the crime because he was required by law to impose the sentence called for by the then-mandatory

federal sentencing guidelines.

It would be comforting to think that the case of Clarence Aaron is an aberration, a rare miscarriage of justice in a system that otherwise works well for all Americans. It would be comforting but it would also be wrong.

The sad fact is that for thousands of inmates in the federal penal system, especially African Americans and Hispanics, the case of Clarence Aaron is not the exception but the rule. As recently as 2010, more than half of all inmates in the federal system (52%) were incarcerated for drug offenses, a rate more than three times as great (17%) as found in the state penal system.

And the racial and ethnic composition of federal inmates incarcerated for drug offenses is equally troubling story because while whites and African Americas use drugs at similar rates, African Americans are much more likely to be arrested and sentenced for drug offenses.

Indeed, African Americans and Hispanics comprise more than 6 in 10 federal inmates incarcerated for drug offenses.

Moreover, according to the U.S. Sentencing Commission African American offenders receive sentences that are 10 percent longer than white offenders for the same crimes and, according to a report by the Sentencing Project, African Americans are 21 percent more likely to receive mandatoryminimum sentences than white defendants.

Many persons concerned about the fair administration of justice were alerted to and alarmed by the danger posed by the imposition of mandatoryminimum sentences for nonviolent drug offenses and worked to restore balance and justice to sentencing policy.

In 2005, I introduced the “No More Tulias Act of 2005” (H.R. 2620) in response to the infamous drug task force scandal in Tulia, Texas that occurred six years earlier, during which 15 percent of the town’s African American population was arrested, prosecuted and sentenced to decades in prison based on the uncorroborated testimony of a federally funded undercover officer with a record of racial impropriety.

This legislation, which was endorsed by more than 50 of the leading civil rights, religious, and criminal justice reform organization was designed to help put an end to these abuses by enhancing the evidentiary standard required to convict a person for a drug offense, improving the criteria under which states hire drug task force officers, and denying federal money to states that do not have laws preventing convictions for drug offenses based solely on uncorroborated testimony.

Later, in 2007, I introduced the “Drug Sentencing Reform and Cocaine Kingpin Trafficking Act of 2007” (H.R. 4545), bipartisan legislation eliminating the unjust and discriminatory 100 to 1 disparity between crack and powder cocaine sentences in federal law. Companion legislation in the Senate was introduced by then Senator Joseph Biden of Delaware (S. 1711).

This legislation attracted widespread support because scientific research had by this time clearly refuted the myth upon which the 100 to 1 ratio was based that use of crack cocaine was far more addictive and dangerous than powder cocaine. Instead, the pharmacological effects of crack cocaine were repeatedly shown by scientific and medical experts to be no more harmful than powder cocaine and that the

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Honorable Sheila Jackson Lee TX 18th Dist.

effect on users is the same. Since there was no pharmacological difference between the two drugs, the “Drug Sentencing Reform and Cocaine Kingpin Trafficking Act” removed the distinction in federal law between them for sentencing purposes. Similar bills to remedy the inherent unfairness in federal drug sentencing were introduced by Senators Edward M. Kennedy and Orrin Hatch, and Jeff Sessions.

In 2010, after years of working to reform our drug sentencing laws, our efforts finally bore fruit when the Congress passed and President Obama signed into law the “Fair Sentencing Act of 2010” (P.L. 111-220), which finally ended the 100:1 ratio that had resulted in unconscionable racial disparities in the average length of sentences for comparable offenses. Indeed, the 100:1 regime was so draconian that it typically resulted in African Americans serving as much time in prison for non-violent drug offenses as whites did for violent offenses.

The Fair Sentencing Act incorporated all of the key components of my “Drug Sentencing Reform and Cocaine Kingpin Trafficking Act” and is a watershed moment in the fight for fair and equitable drug sentencing policy.

But since the provisions of the “Fair Sentencing Act” were not retroactive there is still much work left to be done. The federal prison system still houses thousands of inmates sentenced under the old, unfair 100-1 ratio regime.

To continue reading We Are Our Brothers’ and Sisters’ Keeper visit us online @ www.aframnews.com TX-9

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Read us online! w w w.a f r a m n e w s .com

Educati n/Y uth

Texas • April 21-27, 2014

Power Coalition Formed to Challenge HISD’s Disrespect of Black Children, Schools & Community

(l-r) Dr. Robert Ford, Rev. Carl Matthews, Loretta Brock, Sister Mama Sonya, Dr. James Douglas, Rev. Lillie, Rev. Robert Gilmore, Dr. Carolyn Evans Shabazz, Dr. Davetta Daniels, Minister Robert Muhammad & Mr. Johnny Gentry

In a strong show of solidarity, a new coalition has formed to send a strong message to Houston Independent School District (HISD) that the disrespect of African-American children, communities and neighborhoods will no longer be tolerated.

“We are calling on the entire Black community in Houston to get involved and advocate for our children,” said Yolanda Smith, Executive Director for NAACP, Houston Branch. “We cannot sit on the sidelines. The issues going on with the HISD will take the entire community coming together to work together.”

The NAACP is calling parents, PTO members, community leaders, civic leaders, and grandparents to important town hall meeting on April 24th at 7 p.m. At at the Houston Branch Headquarters at 2002 Wheeler Avenue.

Leaders are outraged over the blatant discriminatory practices being carried out by HISD. The city wide coalition is made up of a group of civil rights and social justice community organizations, ministers and parents who are all concerned with the way Superintendent Terry Grier and the HISD School board is making TX-10

decisions affecting the futures of thousands of African-American students and other minority children.

Problem No. 1 – HISD Disrespects The Democratic Process, Taxpaying Citizens and Voters There are also concerns about the way the HISD Board disrespects and treats with sheer resentment and apparent contempt, Black and minority voters that come to board meetings to share concerns.

“HISD transacts their meetings under the Roberts Rules of Order.

Under the Robert’s Rules of order the subsidiary motion to “table” is non-existent therefore the vote taken to “table indefinitely” was out of order,” Dr. Carolyn EvansShabazz said. “We are tired of HISD making up the rules as they go when dealing with the minority community.”

There were 19 speakers from the community prepared to speak for support of the item that ultimately would restore Dodson.

The board shut down the voices of the community and did not allow taxpayers to speak.

“It is not only out of order, but is grossly disrespectful,” she said.

They are also seeking a moratorium on consolidation and closing

of schools in HISD. tendance zones applicable for this Problem No. 2 – Stop School current school year and the issue of Closings’Consolidations UIL athletics.

It is also a proven fact that alter“Athletics is co-curricular ing school landscapes by closing and is an incentive to our minority schools signals the economic death of Black and minority communities.

The group is also asking for HISD Board President Juliet Stipeche to call a special board meeting with proper notice to address the agenda item dealing with the closing of Dodson ElementaryMontessori School as well as revisit the deLSC-North Harris cision in March 2700 W.W. Thorne Drive t 281.618.5400 regarding the LSC-Greenspoint Center establishment 250 N. Sam Houston Parkway E. t 281.260.3500 of the Futures Academy at LSC-Victory Center Jones High 4141 Victory Drive t 281.810.5602 School and restore at-

children,” she said. “It sometimes is the only way some of our children get college scholarships.”

The coalition also contends that in light of recent HISD data revealing that Dodson currently has 443 students in attendance and 211 applications for the upcoming school year, Board President Stipeche, Trustee Rhonda Skillern-Jones and Trustee Wanda Adams placed the agenda item on this month’s agenda which ultimately served to restore Dodson.

If only 28% of those applications or 59 are accepted, Dodson would have the magic 500 students needed to have adequate elementary school enrollment.

To continue reading visit our website @ www.aframnews.com Story By: Darwin Campbell, African-American News&Issues

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Convenient classes, designed to work with your schedule, are within reach.

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Texas • April 21-27, 2014

Texas HBCU Corner

African

American News&Issues

11

Support OUR Texas HBCUs! If WE don’t, then who will?

MSNBC Takes the Growing Hope Initiative on the Road to Texas Southern University

MSNBC kicks off the Growing Hope College Tour on Friday, April 25 with a visit to Texas Southern University hosted by Alex Wagner.

“NOW with Alex Wagner” will broadcast live at 3 p.m. CT from Texas Southern’s University Plaza, near the Tiger Walk, just in front of the Sterling Student Life Center. MSNBC hosts and contributors will also be onsite for meet and greets with fans from noon to 7 p.m. local time.

Growing Hope is a MSNBC initiative that invites viewers to engage with the brand and share their hopes for change around issues that impact their communities.

The “Growing Hope” series will include live events, online activations and special on-air programming. By sharing hopes online, at events, and through social media, the MSNBC audience can grow together as a community with the power to make a difference.

The MSNBC space was one

of the most popular at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans last year, remembers TSU Associate Vice President Eva Pickens.

“People from all walks of life were tweeting their hope for America, then running to take pictures as their statements showed up across the reflection pond. It was very interactive and exciting to see.

Of course, we expect hundreds of thousands to show up at Texas Southern as well. We are definitely inviting everyone and planning for a huge audience.”

Pickens said invitations, letters and flyers have gone out to community groups, other colleges and schools, non-profits, church leaders to invite their congregations and parishioners, TSU students, alumni and employees. But one does not need an invitation to attend.

The event is free and open to the public. Parking is available in the university’s east and west garages; one at Cleburne and Tierwester

(near Yates High School) the other at Blodgett and Ennis (near the H&PE Arena). Then visitors can take a small stroll down Tiger Walk and write in their hope for America.

TSU’s V-Lot will be closed, beginning Wednesday, April 23rd and reserved for production crews, electricians and MSNBC representatives.

MSNBC kicked off the multimarket “Growing Hope” tour at the 9th annual Jazz in the Garden festival in Miami on March 15-16.

The tour continues throughout the year with visits to local festivals across the country this spring and summer. The tour stops will feature unique fan elements including MSNBC host meet and greets and an opportunity to participate in the “Growing Hope” activation.

Additional events and programming will be announced in the months ahead.

Viewers can find information

about “Growing Hope” online at www.msnbc.com/growinghope.

In the coming months, msnbc.com will unveil a digital Hope Tree, allowing users to virtually post a hope, explore hopes of others in their communities, and receive unique content about the issues that matter to them. “Growing Hope” will live on social media with #GrowingHope.

Alex Wagner Sin 19 ce 94

le Availab Now!

“Community Cooks” at WE Over The Farm at Paul Quinn College A Community Cooks is an experience like no other. This year's event was no exception.

It featured a farm-fresh dining experience like no other!

The “Community Cooks” event at the WE Over the Farm at Paul Quinn College offers enjoyable culinary delights from Dallas-Fort Worth's top chefs, prepared right on the football fieldturned-farm. Other things available at the event included opportunities to sip on beer, wine, and other farm-inspired libations.

Many came for the food and ended up sticking around for the company, live music and dancing.

WE Over the Farm hatched in March 2010. Paul Quinn College transformed its unused football field into a two-acre student-run organic farm.

The program operates as a small business and teaches students social entrepreneurship while providing fresh, healthy, affordable food to its surrounding community - a federally-recognized food desert.

Since 2010, the Farm has produced more than 20,000 lbs. of food, donated or sold at discounted prices to local charitable organizations and community members, as well as to DFW area restaurants, grocers, and at farmers' markets.

All proceeds from this event go directly toward the WE Over Me Farm and community education programs designed to increase healthy eating and food access in the Highland Hills section of South Dallas - a federally-recognized food desert.

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Texas • April 21-27, 2014

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free! buy

Cheerios

11.25 - 14 oz., honey nut, yellow box, chocolate, multi grain peanut butter, or apple cinnamon

free! ¡gratis! with in-store coupons • Nature Valley Granola Thins

10 ct., assorted varieties

That’s up to

5.54

$

free! buy H-E-B Fully Cooked Barbacoa 16 oz.

• American Children’s Book assorted titles

Llévatelo GET

GROW YOUNG MINDS, READ 3 TIMES A WEEK

¡gratis! free! with in-store coupon

H-E-B Lokitos Tortilla Chips

Para niños bien listos ¡leéles 3 veces a la semana!

• Ball Park Meat Franks 15 oz., regular or bun size

GET Llévatelo

That’s up to

10 oz.

1.98

$

free! buy

Dole Salad Mix

5 - 10 oz. assorted varieties

Prices Good Wednesday, April 23 Thru Tuesday, April 29, 2014 At Your Neighborhood H-E-B Stores.

Some items may not be available in all stores. Items not valid at Central Market. Due to the popularity of our Extra Low Prices Every Day, we reserve the right to limit quantities. Limit Rights Reserved. We Accept Lone Star Card, WIC And Manufacturers’ Coupons. ©2014 HEB, 14-1501 visit www.heb.com

HOU-12

That’s up to

Llévatelo GET

¡gratis!

free! with in-store coupon

Marzetti Salad Dressing 12 - 15 oz. assorted varieties

3.98

$

free!

Llévatelo

¡gratis!