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African-American News and Issues Newspaper

Jolanda Jones

Vol. 22 Issue 47

AframNews

Greater Houston

Shirley Ann Jackson

Shirley Ann Jackson, born in 1946 in Washington, D.C., has achieved numerous firsts for African American women.

She was the first black woman to earn a Ph.D. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.); to receive a Ph.D. in theoretical solid state physics; to be elected president and then chairman of the board of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS); to be president of a major research university, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York; and to be elected to the National Academy of Engineering. Jackson was also both the first African American and the first woman to chair the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Broken, Abused and Battered, but Not

Cont. Reading

online aframnews.com

@

Woman Power 101

Destroyed...

HOUSTON – “The most

common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.”

Dedicating Her Life

To Fight For The Least The Last,

The Lost...

Did You Know?

See Pg 4

I couldn’t agree more with the words expressed by the famed Color Purple author, Alice Walker. In life, there has always been a tendency to redefine groups and races of people as inferior, as a control mechanism. In most cases, when these manipulative misconceptions are at play, it is actually the strength of superiority, which threatens the implementer. Such is the case with the female specie of the world. This maliciously-designed variable is not just inclusive with American society, either. It is a global phenomenon that has existed since the ages of time.

See Page 8

African American News&Issues

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Editorial & Opinion

Why I Reached Out To Russell Simmons Earl Ofari Hutchinson

O

Author & Political Analyst

ne week before screenwriter Jenny Lumet gave her very graphic account in the Hollywood Reporter of her allegation that music and TV producer mogul Russell Simmons sexually assaulted her, I had reached out to Simmons. We have the same interest no, passion in and for yoga. I’ve been a practitioner of it for several years. Simmons has been a virtual one-man crusader for yoga, spreading the gospel of its many physical and metal rejuvenating benefits far and wide. He has opened a popular

Roy Douglas Malonson

Chairman

Shirley Ann Malonson

President/C.E.O.

Chandra Jarmon

Production/Editor

Kimberly Taylor

Production Asst.

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by African-American News & Issues, Inc., 6130 Wheatley Street, Houston, Texas 77091, (713) 692-1892. Our office hours are Monday-Friday, 9am - 5pm. The entire contents of the paper are copyrighted by African-American News & Issues, Inc. All rights reserved. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without the expressed written consent of the publisher. African-American News&Issues is not responsible for any claims made by advertisers.

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yoga studio in West Hollywood.

My interest was solely in exploring ways to collaborate with him on further promoting yoga as a practice in inner city communities.

But Lumet’s allegations stopped me dead in my tracks.

I am hardline on sexual abuse. I have devoted a countless number of my columns over the years to blasting the long-running hideous, self-serving history of duck, dodge, denial and out and out hypocrisy by legions of politicians, artists, entertainers and top dog religious leaders when confronted with their sexual crimes. Their storehouse of lies, armies of enablers, batteries of attorneys, and a largely disinterested, and worse, disbelieving public, have enabled them to skip away scot free with little damage to their professions, careers and standing. Comedian-actor Bill Cosby partially changed that.

Harvey Weinstein fully changed that. Men from top to bottom are under the long-awaited, and much needed, media, corporate and legal looking glass.

Russell is no different. The truth of Lumet’s allegation against him is yet to be determined. But what has been determined is that Russell, as with so many high profile, wealthy, connected men, has played fast and loose with the rules of engagement on sex. There were women, lots of women, and the temptation was simply far too great to resist not to abuse, harass and victimize women. They were fair game.

However, this is where Simmons is different and why after an agonizing soul search about him and his alleged act, or acts, I could applaud him. The applause is for his fully taking responsibility. He immediately issued a statement that did not try to sleaze out of the allegation with the usual ploys prominent men use when nailed with a sex charge. One is to turn

the table and try to smear the integrity and veracity of his accuser.

Another one is to loudly profess their innocence. Another is to do the he said, she said ritual tap dance denial. And yet another is to simply say absolutely nothing.

Simmons in his public statement admitted that sexual abuse is a vicious and pernicious stain in American life, and that women have suffered mightily from the decades of victimization. He admitted that men such as himself may have caused much of that pain. Finally, he publicly declared that he would relinquish involvement and operation of his lucrative business interests. No tears need be shed for him on this. This does not mean that he will reduce himself to sack cloth and ashes. He will still be a very wealthy, powerful and connected man in the entertainment industry.

Finally, he did something that especially caught my eye and heart. He said that he would seek atonement, healing, and perhaps redemption, from what he and I hold dear, that’s yoga. He would do that by converting his studio for yogic science into a non-profit center of learning and healing Simmons provided a template for other men caught with their sexual misdeeds down. That’s confront their deeds, admit the pain it caused, and spare no effort or expense in embracing the fight to end sexual abuse. Simmons publicly did that. But then again this is what I would expect from a guy who truly believes in the spiritual healing power of yoga. This is why I reached out to him and this is why I will continue to reach out to him.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst. He is a regular columnist for the Huff Post.

His latest book is, The Trump Challenge to Black America (Middle Passage Press).

- End

Texas • December 11 - 17, 2017

Replace Statue Of Columbus With Toussaint L’Ouverture

In 2013, when Glenn Cantave was an undergrad student studying abroad in Bolivia, he did as many tourists do in the country and visited the colossal statue of Cristo de la Concordia, one of the largest depictions of

him, that cause was the expansion of the Spanish Empire for profit. Columbus threatened and raped and murdered. It is ass

Toussaint L’Ouverture

Christopher Columbus Jesus in the world.

For many Bolivians, the statue is a site of national pride.

The 133-foot figure towers over visitors clamoring to take his photo, his arms outstretched as if offering a giant hug. But for Cantave, something about it felt wrong. “I have nothing bad to say about Jesus as a guy,” he told HuffPost. “But Bolivia has one of the largest indigenous cultures in South America and the religion of Christianity was imposed on its people. This image of a white man looking down on everyone was very problematic.”

The experience shifted Cantave’s perspective on the relationship between men perched on pedestals and the communities obliged to literally look up to them every day. But the monument that angers him most, however, is the one at home: a 76-foot statue of Christopher Columbus, a man who Cantave unequivocally calls a terrorist, in Manhattan.

“A terrorist is someone who intimidates people for a political cause,” Cantave said. “For

backwards that a city like New York, with such a high awareness of terrorism, has a terrorist as a landmark.”

I met Cantave at Queens Borough Hall, at the first of five public hearings addressing what should become of New York City’s contentious monuments.

Cantave attended and testified at four of the hearings.

Concern over what should become of the controversial monuments which Mayor Bill de Blasio referred to as “symbols of hate” bubbled over in August when a white supremacist rally protesting the removal of a Confederate statue in Charlottesville, Virginia, turned violent, resulting in the murder of counterprotester and antiracist activist Heather Heyer.

Shortly thereafter, protests erupted in New York demanding the removal of a statue of Dr. J. Marion Sims. Though he is known as the “father of gynecology,” he has a legacy of torturing enslaved women, performing “experimental surgeries” on them without anesthesia.

Continue reading online www.huffingtonpost.com

Texas • December 11 - 17, 2017

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cclesiastes 1:9 says, “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.” I decided to quote this scripture from one of the oldest history books known to humanity, The Bible. We are living in a society that does not understand that many of the things that we are seeing, is just history repeating itself. I thought on this subject in regards to the recent discussion about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Prince Harry (Henry Charles Albert David) is the younger son of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana of Wales.

He stands fifth in line to receive kingship of the throne of England.

Meghan Markle is an American actress and model. She just so happens to be the daughter of a Dutch-Irish man and an AfricanAmerican woman. So, what is all the fuss about? A prince of England is engaged to a Black woman!

New York Times’, Patrick Kingsley recently wrote an article entitled, “Royal Engagement Seen as Symbol of Change, With Asterisks”. Kingsley conveys the various emotions described by residents and others who are weighing in on the marriage. We MUST Understand that royalty is nothing new in the lives of people of African descent. In fact, it is quite the contrary. It may be that it is a misguided misconception for the lack of knowing and understanding their history in the United Kingdom, as it relates to African descent. This is why I often refer to the term “history”, in the truest sense of the word, “His-story”.

We MUST Understand, that history recorded and retold as the writer saw or sees fit to document it equates to being, ‘his story, told like he want it’. As it is, much of the inherited history that has been passed down to our modern society

Editorial & Opinion Black Truth Will Prevail!

has been white-washed; it is flawed to reflect those who do not look like us. Therefore, an accurate description as it was is not going to always be adequately reflected.

For this reason, I have chosen to highlight a couple of examples, representing people of African descent in roles of royalty and leadership, as well as, proof that other cultures are a direct extension of African descent.

According to www.aaregisty. org/history, Princess Sophie Charlotte, born in 1744, was the first Black Queen of England. She was the daughter of Prince of Mirow, Germany, Charles Louis Frederick and Elisabeth Albertina. The site documents her ancestry as a direct descendant of an African branch of the Portuguese Royal House, Margarita de Castro y Sousa. Her marriage to King George III of England on September 8, 1761, established her as Queen of England and Ireland. Through their union, 15 children were produced. Her fourth oldest son was Edward Augustus, Duke of Kent, who became the father of Queen Victoria. In other words, Queen Victoria’s grandmother was a Black woman and the current Queen Elizabeth II’s great great-great grandmother was a Black woman.

The reference denotes, “Portraits of the Queen had been reduced to fiction of the Black Magi, until two art historians suggested that the definite African features of the paintings derived from actual subjects, not the minds of painters.” Furthermore it reveals, “In Queen Charlotte’s Read more articles online @ www.thegrio.com

era, slavery was prevalent and the anti-slavery campaign was growing. Portrait painters of the royal family were expected to play down or soften Queen Charlotte’s African features. Painters such as Sir Thomas Lawrence, who painted, Queen Charlotte in the autumn of 1789 had their paintings rejected by the royal couple who were not happy with the representations of the likeness of the Queen. These portraits are amongst those that are available to view now, which could be seen as continuing the

Queen Sophie Charlotte political interests of those that disapprove of a multi-racial royal family for Britain.”

The African-American registry continues to inform that Queen Charlotte made many contributions to the world. Amongst them are: Queen Charlotte Maternity Hospital in London, Charlotte town, Canada and Fort Charlotte, St Vincent, West Indies, which all bear the name of this Black woman. Obviously, since her African bloodline is not “common knowledge”, many people are unaware of the fact that Prince Harry is actually not doing anything new

African American News&Issues

or promoting change at all. This is no new phenomenon to British culture; Prince Harry is just embracing his true heritage and reopening a revolving door that existed long before he was born.

We MUST Understand that there are many lies about the truth that can be hidden, but the factual evidence of DNA cannot lie. Such was the case, in one of China’s most-recent findings through Professor Jin Li. Recently, Professor Jin Li of Fudan University in Shanghai, China lead a project that set out to prove that Chinese evolved independently from everyone else. Prior to starting his testing he said, “I was hoping that I could identify or could be able to find evidence that support independent origin of Chinese in China - because I’m a Chinese and came from China and through the education process, I always believe that there are something special about Chinese.”

During this process, he chose to use a singledout male genetic marker, which only appeared about 80,000 years ago in Africa.

Through genetic testing, this marker would prove that any man or woman who carries it must have recent African ancestors and cannot be descended from the more ancient of Asian Homo erectus.

For the record, Homo erectus is a predecessor of modern humans.

Professor Li took DNA from over 160 ethnic groups around East Asia totaling over, 20,000 samples.

After his testing was complete he stated, “We did not see, not one, single individual that could be considered as the descendant of the Homo erectus in China, rather, everybody was a descendant of our ancestors from Africa.” “After we saw the evidence that we generate

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We MUST Understand

By Roy Douglas Malonson, Chairman

in my laboratory, I think we should all be happy with that; because, after all, modern humans in different parts of the world are very similar to each other, in fact, we are all relatives,” he added.

I will bring this matter even closer to home. As it relates to these United States, American citizens, have just witnessed what has been described as the administration of the first Black POTUS. But, when I write or talk on the subject of former President Barack Obama, I always refer to him as the first, “recognized” or “acknowledged” African-American president. Truthfully, according to the “one-drop” rule, America has been in the inherited seat of living under the orders of past Black presidents. There have been several Black men to serve in the highest seat in the nation that any man can, however, because their skin did not reflect their true identity; this has remained as a hidden secret.

Concluding, I would like to encourage our readers to research your ancestry and heritage. In doing so, you will find that your birthright established you as a kings, queens, princes and princesses.

Remember that there is “nothing new under the sun”, and we are just seeing history circle right back around, as it was since the very beginning of our existence. Don’t be fooled, Black folks have not only just come into leadership positions, but according to DNA and true history, we are amongst some of leadership’s and royalty’s prime pioneers. Therefore, somebody can’t give you a place in history that was always yours to begin with.

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African American News&Issues

Jones from pg. 1

Jolanda Jones with her grandmother Mrs. Jones

Broken: HOUSTON - Jolanda “Jo” Jones hails from the hard knocks streets of Third Ward. Life for her has never been a bed of ease; instead it has been quite the contrary.

As a young child, she experienced a devastating tragedy that would serve to profoundly affect her family life. Shortly after returning home from Vietnam, her father ended his life with her in the room.

Following the tragedy, she suffered torturous nightmares and was often bullied by childhood acquaintances who teased her, about her father’s suicide. Eventually, she and her mother moved from Third Ward, leaving those childhood acquaintances behind. Remembering the pain she encountered, she chose to keep her father’s secret to herself.

Abused:

As time went on, Jolanda became the oldest of four siblings.

Her mother being a single parent would often need babysitters while she went to school. It was during this time, that Jolanda was repeatedly raped by her uncle who babysat her. She was less than TX- 4

ten years old. Threatened by her molester for years, she never told a soul. Needless to say, she suffered emotionally, psychologically and physically from the abuse.

The Struggle Continues…

Growing up, life was a pure financial struggle for her family.

Oftentimes, they were evicted, had utilities disconnected and made their home any place in the city that would allow them a lease. At a young age, she was responsible for the rearing of her siblings, as their mother worked to make ends meet.

In our interview she shared, “I was miserable, forced to be an adult, as a kid.” To add to the list of unfortunate incidents, the family lost most of their possessions in a house fire.

Their rent home was consumed from using candles in place of electricity. Sentimental valuables of her father were destroyed, including memorabilia from his service to the United States Marine Corps and his art work as a student under the tutelage legendary TSU art teacher John Biggers.

A Shift in the Atmosphere:

Over time, the perils she faced

Jolanda during her tumultuous upbringing served as a mountain of motivation for her. From watching television she gathered that, “all the rich people were doctors and lawyers.”

This ideology created a desire within her, to aspire to become a physician or an attorney. Though her mother was always working, she consistently encouraged, promoted and enforced education to her children. That factor combined with, Jolanda’s realization, in kindergarten, that the student with the highest grade received a “smiley face” stamp on their paper further motivated her. She said, “I made it my mission in life, to always get the highest grade, so that I could be the only who got the smiley face.”

In addition to excelling in academics, Jolanda found comfort in sports. In searching for an escape from chores, she noticed playing sports privileged her to come home later. While playing football, basketball, dodge ball, racing in the streets and participating in other sporting games; her athletic potential manifested. In the seventh grade, she began running track at Lanier Junior High School. She recalls her track coach, Barbara North being an instrumental mentor for her. On occasions when her mother was unable to drop her off or pick her up from practice, it was through the hospitality of a classmates and their parents, who allowed her to do sports; like when her seventh grade track teammate Falana Batiste’s mom took her from practice and allowed her to spend the night; or her high school track teammate Laurie Boydston, who when she learned Jolanda was getting up and walking to school in the morning to arrive by 6am, started picking her up for track practice. Those are just a few, but it took a village.

In eighth grade, her mother moved the family to Alief, after finding out that it was noted amongst one of the best school districts in Texas. In this era, there

Texas•• August December 12-18, 11 - 17,2013 2017 Texas

were very few African-Americans in the area. Hence, Jolanda was confronted with racism for the first time in her life after relocating. She has vivid memories of being called n*&&a and having to fight the racists at the bus stop. She suffered humiliation at school because of her race.

By the time she arrived at Elsik High School, she endured being discriminated against amongst some of her White peers, including some teammates, who did not want her on the varsity basketball team.

Notwithstanding her outstanding athletic abilities, as a freshman, she was not welcomed on the varsity by some of her teammates. She was bullied, called racial epitaphs and made to feel not welcomed, so she begged the varsity coach to be able to play on the junior varsity team. The coach acquiesced but she dominated so much on junior varsity, often scoring over 30 and 40 points a game, her coach moved her up to varsity when district play began. Even then she wasn’t welcomed so on the bus, rather than sit in the back of the bus with the varsity team, “I would always have to sit with Coach, because my teammates were so mean to me,” she recalled.

Overall, Jolanda excelled abundantly in numerous capacities while in high school. She graduated from Elsik High School magna cum laude, was an All-American in both, track and field and basketball and was All-State in cross country. Furthermore, she was the only person to win the Texas State 5A Team Championship as an individual, winning the 800 meters, 400 meters, and high jump, setting the state record at 6’1 ½”, and placing 2nd in the long jump, scoring all of Elsik’s 38 points, tying the entire Dallas Carter team.

These achievements earned her the prestigious Houston and Vicinity Outstanding Scholar Athlete and the Hertz #1 Award, where she was chosen as the best athlete in Texas,

male or female, and was flown to NYC and presented the award by the now-infamous OJ Simpson.

Although things were looking up for her academic and athletic-wise, death continued to pervade her family life. Before graduating high school, she had lost: two uncles to suicide, several cousins to the penal system and her aunt was killed in a brutal murder. In spite of, she remained focused and committed to persevering through life’s unfortunate circumstances. She said, “At that point in my life, I was just doing what I could to change my station in life.”

With the slew of honors Jolanda earned from her phenomenal stint at Elsik, she was presented scholarships galore from major universities all over the country, including the Ivy Leagues.

She decided to matriculate at the University of Houston. While there, she continued to advance in her capabilities. As such, she was on various university and community boards and organizations; a member of the student government, as well as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; nominated for the Rhodes scholarship; the 1989 US Track and Field Heptathlon Champion and NCAA Top Six Award winner; runner-up for SWC Female Athlete of the Decade for the 80s; two-time Academic AllAmerican and earned an unprecedented three NCAA heptathlon championships. Ultimately, she graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Political Science and her outstanding achievements in scholarship, athletics and community service earned her an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship.

Battered: Although Jolanda won the 1989 US Championship, she was unable to defend her title.

During an extremely abusive relationship and marriage with her then-boyfriend, she was forced to end her athletic career.

Texas • December 11 - 17, 2017

Jones

In this phase of her life, she experienced the joy of becoming a mother, and the grief of being raped, physically and verbally assaulted and was the victim of various indiscretions by her spouse. Despite these hardships, she remained determined to take advantage of the NCAA scholarship she had earned.

Not Destroyed: Accordingly, she enrolled into law school, while caring for her five-month-old son. Eventually, she got the courage to leave her husband. In 1995, Jolanda earned her Juris Doctorate from the University Of Houston Law Center. Afterwards, she became the first Black law clerk and lawyer at a prominent corporate law firm.

Simultaneously, she resumed athletic training after six years, and surprisingly qualified for the 1996 US Olympic Trials. However, the mere three months of training and the unexpected murder of her 19-year-old brother severely overwhelmed her. After competing in four events, dehydration forced her to withdraw. Thereafter, she continued as a lawyer, focusing on civil litigation. Though she did well in the civil litigation arena, her nature motivated her to fight for the rights of the underserved and help seek out justice for them.

A Commitment to serve the “Least, Last and Lost”…

Growing up, her mother was an activist and exposed her to powerful and influential activists and leaders of the community such as: Deloyd Parker, Gene Locke, Omowale Luthuli (formerly Dwight Allen), the late Ester King, Thomas Meloncon, and Lynn Eusan, just to list a few.

Exposure to such greatness, and an inherited trait played a huge role in her combating the criminal justice system, on behalf of the less fortunate. Her legal acumen operating as a Criminal Defense attorney has

Jolanda Jones & Cherrise Traylor

distinguished her in the courtroom amongst her peers. To that regard, she has received many prestigious legal awards. A couple of them are noted as, the NAACP Alex Award for outstanding legal skill and the Houston Lawyer’s Association Francis Williams Founder’s Award, amongst many others.

Her resume boasts a few of her judicial achievements inclusive with: “the shut-down of Houston Police Department’s Crime Lab by shining a light on HPD’s shoddy science which locked up innocent people and allowed the guilty to roam free; taking on then-State Representative Talmadge Heflin, chair of the House Appropriations Committee, who had illegally taken the child of Ugandan immigrant Mariam Katamba, resulting in reuniting mother and child; she convinced a jury that her innocent young Black unemployed client, who was at the scene of the crime and was caught fleeing the scene, was not guilty, on two counts, of ambushing the police and firing 17 shots at them, notwithstanding that the majority of the prosecution witnesses were either police officers or ATF agent eye witnesses to the crime (two Not Guilty verdicts for her client - while his co-defendant, in the same trial with the same jury, different lawyer was convicted on both counts and sentenced to 20 and 40 year sentences,

respectively).”

After developing a strong reputation for serving the downtrodden and a great outpouring from the community to run for public office, she ran for a seat on City Council.

Consequently, she was elected as a Houston City Council Member, where she served for four years.

She continued on in her legacy of being an, “unapologetic warrior for the least, last and lost.” During her tenure as Council Member, she advocated for justice and equality for Houstonians. Additionally, she worked to create jobs and enhanced business opportunities for small and minority business owners.

Jolanda also, helped govern a $4 billion dollar budget and negotiated a $250 million dollar, three-year contract for Black and Hispanic health care providers with the city.

A Focus on Education

In 2015, Jolanda was elected to the Houston Independent School District Board of Education, District 4, and took office in January, 2016, where she holds the position of Second Vice President. She believes in the power of free public education and remains committed to fortifying the district’s collaboration with the community to improve equity within HISD schools, regardless of social status.

Being raised by a single mother

Read us online! w w w.afra mnews.com

and then becoming one in her own life, has assisted her with the knowledge to understand struggles that single parents undergo, while trying to support their children’s educational goals. She reminisced on the affects that she experienced in school, which in part, compelled her to run for the position. Jolanda stated, “I remember when the school system took me from my neighborhood school and bused me to a school across town. The lack of finances made it hard for my mother to support my track meets, sporting events, or even make it to my track practices. So that’s why I feel neighborhood schools are really important, because parents may not be able to participate in their children’s activities because the school is so far away.”

To Inspire Others…

“As a child, I was always the oppressed and now I believe that, as an adult, I have a duty to fight for the oppressed.” Blessed with an uncanny ability to connect with versatile audiences, she is a nationally recognized and sought after public speaker. She expounds on subjects such as: Abstinence: Sex and Drugs, Balancing Athletics and Academics, Character, Domestic Abuse, Education, Juvenile Delinquency, Leadership, Life Skills, Literacy, Overcoming Obstacles, Self-Esteem, Study Skills, Team Building, Violent Crime Effects, Public Education, Politics, Networking Current Events and Hot Topics.

Still NOT Destroyed…

Over the years, Jolanda has accomplished much success. She has been inducted into: the Cougar Hall of Fame at the University of Houston Athletic/Alumni Center; GTE (Verizon) Academic AllAmerica Hall of Fame in 1999, the Texas Black Hall of Fame in 2003, and Texas Executive Women Woman on the Move.

As a noted television personality, she has appeared on many news

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broadcasts and been featured on Survivor and Sisters in Law. Motivated by Life, Family and

Love…

Undeterred by a journey filled with many rugged edges, she is grateful for her mother. She maintains that her mother has been her motivating force. “Looking back, I know that’s why I did so well – because, my mom was always on me about my grades. She knew that she couldn’t afford to send me to college, but, always drilled in me that my brain could. When my cousins and friends were outside playing, after school, she had me doing extra homework and book reports that she created.” Reflectively, she expressed, “My mom raised me in West African culture and instilled the sense of understanding that we come from kings, queens and warriors. We, Africans, were enslaved because, we allowed people to come in after we showed them human decency and they took our kindness for weakness. So, I don’t buy into the notion that we are all criminals and thugs. I also don’t allow people to mistake my kindness for weakness.”

Others in her life who contributed to helping her overcome obstacles were her grandmother and Aunt Cathy. “Those are two people who helped me from not being successful in committing suicide, when I was at my wit’s end and didn’t want to live anymore. My grandmother is the one who kept me from trying more severe ways.” Jolanda regards her son, Jiovanni as her greatest accomplishment. As a single mother, she raised the Texas public university graduate and business owner. Additionally she says, “I am in a fantastic relationship with my girlfriend, Cherrise Traylor - I’m in a happy place and just want to have fun and enjoy our life. She’s very patient me and with all of my very busy life.”

By: Rebecca Jones TX- 5

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Texas • December 11 - 17, 2017

African American News&Issues

Acres Home Chamber for Business & Economic Development. Inc.

Andrea Abdalla of Astonishing Events by Dre’, LLC

HOUSTON - Andrea Abdalla is a native Houstonian. During the 60’s, her parents moved from Lake Charles, LA, to the heart of Acres Homes. It was there that they raised fifteen children, while operating as

business owners within the community. Andrea recalls being reared in a loving environment with her siblings, where their parents instilled values in each of them.

She was educated in the

Houston public school system. In 1986, she graduated from Nimitz High School.

After pursuing educational coursework at Lone Star Community College, she dedicated seventeen-years to S. P. Richard Distribution Center. When she was abruptly laid off, she took no thought as to where she wanted to go in life.

A combined inspiration of pure necessity and a strong desire to become a business owner ignited her God-given entrepreneurial spirit. As a child, she had already watched and supported the business endeavors of her parents. Though knowledgeable of the day to day functions of operating a business, she was unsure of how to actually implement and create an establishment of her own. Therefore, she

prayed, stepped out on faith and began to network within the community. Following, she took her savings and established, Astonishing Events by Dre’, LLC, only two-months after being laid off.

Astonishing Events by Dre’ is an event hall located on the corner of Antoine and West Little York. Initially, business was slow during the first couple of months of its inception. However, patrons soon became aware of the cozy hall and have been flocking to it ever since. For two years, Astonishing Events by Dre’ has done outstanding work in supporting its clientele and the local community. The banquet hall is a full-service venue that offers affordable, competitive pricing and several packages to choose

from. The facility is available to accommodate all types of fellowships, including: weddings, anniversaries, reunions, birthday celebrations, corporate events, non-profit organization venues, church programs, baby showers, quinceanera’s and banquets; amongst any other imaginative gathering that one would desire to host.

Overall, it is capable of managing varied services in the community. Astonishing Events by Dre’ does everything from renting out the hall, providing décor and offering catering through, Raegan’s Kitchen. The hall is efficient and wellorganized, as noted by many clients.

Testimonials from recent customers are included in the following statements. Zoe

Wilson, “A cut above the rest! Immaculate cleanliness! Good location, friendly staff and a gracious owner.

Economical for all budgets.”

Another, Kamelia Leday expressed, “A great event hall… I will recommend this hall to anyone that is looking for a place to have a venue.”

“Nice venue, great décor, ample space… Makes you wanna throw a party just because,” exclaimed Yolanda Carpenter Singletary.

Today, Andrea encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to, “Go after your passion, pursue it and step out on faith. Never let anybody tell you that you can’t do it. I used my savings to get my foot in the door, but there are those who start with nothing – so it can be done either way. Just, go out there, mingle, get to know people and let faith be your guide.”

Though both her parents are deceased, she is committed to continuing their legacy of entrepreneurialship within the same community they operated in for years. She is a mother of three and excited about serving the Greater Houston and surrounding areas. Andrea is a member of the Acres Home Chamber for Business and Economic Development.

Astonishing Events

by Dre, LLC is located at 6662 Antoine Dr., 77091.

For more information or details contact, (832) 459-2003; email, andra1@ comcast.net or visit the company’s Facebook page @ Astonishing Events by Dre. LLC. By: Rebecca Jones

HOU - 6

Heading Title: Public Notice

Texas • December 11 - 17, 2017

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice to Proposers Sealed electronic proposals will be received by Lone Star College for:

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Name: Sharon K. Ognowski Company: Lone Star College System Phone: 832-813-6575 FRIDAY WEDNESDAY Fax: 832.813.6511 DECEMBER 15, 2017 DECEMBER 13, 2017 Email: Sharon.K.Ognowski@lonestar.edu Houston ISD P.A.Pfor & Paul Wall Address Tearsheets: 22ndAnnual Gardere 5000 TOY Research Forest Drive DRIVE The Woodlands, Texas 6112 Wheatley St 77381-4356 MLK Jr. Oratory Houston, TX 77091 Competition 6121 Tierwater St. 11:00 PM AD –12:30 PM COST Houston, Tx. 77021 FOR MORE INFO Starting at 9 am (713) 692-7161

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Mandatory Pre-Proposal/Site Visit, Monday, 12/18/2017 at 2:00 p.m. at LSC–University Park in the Conference Center, Tokyo Conference Room, 20515 State Highway 249, Houston, TX 77070. Contact: sharon.k.ognowski@ lonestar.edu Must Register to Bid: http://wwwappsdstc.lonestar.edu/istar/ supplier.htm . If registered, please ensure your registration is up to date.

For assistance with the on-line registration process, contact donna.e.cottrell@ lonestar.edu or 832-813-6275.

EDITION DATE: December 11 - 17, 2017 (Vol. 22 Issue 47) Zoo Lights

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice to Proposers Sealed electronic qualifications will be received by Lone Star College for: • RFQ 551 – Request for Qualifications Construction Manager-at-Risk Services for Related Hurricane Harvey Storm Damage Flood Recovery at six (6) main buildings and additional areas at the LSC-Kingwood Campus. Electronic Statements of Qualifications due by 11:00 am, Thursday, 01/18/2018.

Pre-proposal Conference – Tuesday, 12/19/2017 at 1:00 pm, LSC-Kingwood Campus, Student Conference Center, Room 108, 20000 Kingwood Drive, Kingwood, TX 77339. Contact: kimberly.a.burnaman@lonestar. edu Must Register to Bid: http:// wwwappsdstc.lonestar.edu/istar/ supplier.htm For assistance with the on-line registration process, contact Donna Cottrell, donna.e.cottrell@ lonestar.edu or 832-813-6275. If you are already registered, please ensure your registration is up to date.

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!!!! to the loyal readers From: African-American News&Issues

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8

African

101: The Basics

According to the Bible, the fall of humanity was incited by a woman. That factor alone is enough to express to our readers that women have immeasurable power. Any time an object, person or group has the power to bring you down, cause harm or failure; believe it or not, that is actually your weakness. To bring this thought even closer to home, some of the greatest men to have ever rule or lead the world, have suffered their ultimate downfall at the hands of a woman.

Manipulatively, the only way around this ailment is to circumvent it, which is exactly what was done. But, in understanding this element, know, that this role can easily be flipped – it’s a two-sided lane.

This topic came to mind in light of the recent controversy and exposure of abuse swarming in the media in regards to women.

I felt compelled to explain the power that women posses in this two-part series of Women Power 101. The indication of the number, “101” is meant to serve as the basics of fundamentals relative to the introductory phase and explanation of coursework. In this series, I am hoping to empower not only, African-Americans, but women from all cultures and backgrounds.

A Reflection of Struggles for the American Woman

I often compare the female population struggles’ to that of the African-American race and for good reason. In times past, the woman was deemed as a second class citizen – this wasn’t too long ago. Truthfully, this thought is still at root in a lot of men’s minds today. While many advancements and movements have taken place in modern society, there are still major disparities that exist amongst both groups. Weekly, we deal with current and historical realities affecting our communities and thrive on presenting issues that continue to invade the African-American fortress. Thus, I will spare you that reflection in this feature only and aim to deal with the struggles that women have encountered and are still trying to overcome in these United States.

For our readers reference I have retrieved excerpts from the National Women’s History Project site at http://www.nwhp.

TX - 8

Community

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Woman Power “101”

org/resources/womens-rights-movement . Though the extracted “legal” struggles indicated, greatly exceed the actual sum; the timeline is meant to reflect a brief overview of the battles women in America have faced, since the nation’s inception.

in 1839. However, that right was limited to the permission of a one’s husband. In 1848, 300 women and men sign the Declaration of Sentiments, a plea for the end of discrimination against women in all spheres of society.

Seven years later, a Black enslaved woman

Texas • December 11 - 17, 2017

20th Century In 1908, the Supreme Court upholds Oregon’s 10-hour workday for women, with an implication that women are physically weak. Margaret Sanger establishes a clinic in Brooklyn in 1916. She is amongst others who were jailed for promoting the idea that women should have control of their own bodies. A couple years later she was victorious in a lawsuit in New York which allowed for physicians to advise married patients about birth control for health purposes.

“The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex,” was ratified in the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920. In 1923, the National Woman’s Party proposes that, “Men and women shall have equal rights throughout the United States and in every place subject to its jurisdiction.”

21st Century Struggles

18th Century

In 1701, the first sexually integrated jury hears cases in Albany, New York. Make note of the term “integrated”, a word Americans have typically associated with AfricanAmericans. Prior to 1701, jurors were limited to men only. In 1769, American colonies based their laws on the English common law, which was summarized in the Blackstone Commentaries. It said, “By marriage, the husband and wife are one person in the law?

The very being and legal existence of the woman is suspended during the marriage, or at least is incorporated into that of her husband under whose wing and protection she performs everything.” This law concluded that the only voice, being and right of a married woman, was that which belonged to her husband. State legislature to take away a women’s right to vote occurred in 1777. In 1789, the Constitution was ratified to allow the usage of the terms, “persons,” “people” and “electors” to represent both men and women.

19th Century For the first time in American history, the southern state of Mississippi grants women the right to hold property in their own name

n the year 2000, the U.S. Supreme Court invalidates those portions of the Violence is declared to be property without a right Against Women Act permitting victims to defend herself against a master’s act of of rape, domestic violence, etc. to sue their rape. Individuals being deemed, “property” attackers in federal court. In, 2003 Nevada is another factor vaguely familiar within the Department of Human Resources v. Hibbs African-American culture.

538 U.S. 721 (2003). The Supreme Court In 1869, the first woman suffrage law rules that states can be sued in federal court in the U.S. is passed in the territory of for violations of the Family Leave Medical Wyoming. However, the 15th Amendment Act. 2005 Hillary Clinton becomes the first ratified the following year states, “The right First Lady to be elected to public office as a of citizens of the United States to vote shall U.S. Senator from New York. Condoleezza not be denied or abridged by the United Rice becomes the first black female States or by any State on account of race, Secretary of State. In 2005 the Supreme color, or previous condition of servitude.” By Court rules that Title IX prohibits punishing its text, women are not specifically excluded someone for complaining about sex-based from the vote. In 1872, it was officially discrimination. 2013 The ban against women lawful by the Supreme Court to impose the in military combat positions is removed.

exclusion of a married woman to practice Concluding, I would like to encourage law. It wasn’t until special Congressional legour women, with the words of Mae Jemison. islation took place that the first woman was “Never limit yourself because of others’ limallowed to bring a case before the Supreme ited imaginations; never limit others because Court several years later. of your own limited imagination.” Don’t The U.S. Supreme Court declares that forget to read next weeks edition where I will despite the privileges and immunities clause, continue to expound on the many powers a state can prohibit a woman from voting in that women possess.

1875. At this point, they defined women as TO BE CONTINUED… “a special category of non-voting citizens.”

Towards the wake of the 19th century, Wyoming became the first state to grant By: Roy Malonson women the right to vote.

Texas • December 11 - 17, 2017

youth/Education

Read us online! w w w.a fra mnews.com

Black Men in Early Childhood Education As educators, we have an obligation to give our students every opportunity to succeed.

Parents rely on us to ensure their children are armed with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive, once they leave our classrooms. Over my more than 15 years in education, I have learned that to fulfill this responsibility, schools must give children the opportunity to learn from men of color. The profound impact Black male educators can have on the trajectory of a child’s life cannot be overstated and it’s time that we acknowledge it.

Promoting Diversity

According to the U.S. Department of Education, less than two percent of our nation’s teachers are Black males. At a time when nonWhite students outnumber White students in U.S. public schools, the need for a diverse teaching force has never been greater. At Eagle Academy Public Charter School, diversity is something we not only celebrate, but aggressively pursue. We constantly look for ways to expose our students to different experiences, perspectives and methods for coping with challenges. And this starts with diverse educators.

It should come as no surprise that men and women bring different perspectives to the classroom, and the same is true for individuals of varying backgrounds and ethnicities. It is crucial that schools cultivate a diverse and stable environment to facilitate this development, especially in early education, where children develop the foundation for the rest of their lives. I have seen firsthand that when children learn and grow in a diverse community, they begin to challenge stereotypes that have, for far too long, prevented children from reaching their full potential.

Shattering Stereotypes

Today, early childhood education is still widely viewed as a woman’s profession. With men representing only 2.5 percent of preschool and kindergarten teachers and 21.5 percent of elementary and middle school teachers, the chances of having a male educator (let alone a Black male educator) before reaching high school are slim.

The environment children are exposed to in their first years of education has a profound impact on how they view the world. Therefore, there should be a sense of urgency among early educators to combat stereotypes. When children see a diverse teaching staff working together in the same profession, they not only learn the importance of equality, but are also encouraged to ignore gender and racial stereotypes associated

Credit Cards Acce Lay-a- pted way

with certain careers. As a Black man working in early education, I have seen how these societal constructs negatively affect children and I have dedicated my life to breaking them down.

Offering a Role Model

Role models play a critical role in a child’s development. Young boys who come from disadvantaged backgrounds may not have a strong father figure at home, and often come to school hoping to fill that void. As a leader of a 98 percent African American student body, I feel it is important for students to find someone they can see themselves in, look up to, and aspire to be.

Boys who grow up with only female teachers and role models don’t have this opportunity.

Children tend to mimic influential individuals in their lives. They benefit from strong, Black male teachers who lead by example. This is something I learned from a student while working in Washington, D.C.

9

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He was a young boy whose behavioral issues were hindering his ability to learn. Without a father figure in his life, his mother was struggling to get through to him. Upon sitting down with the boy in hopes of identifying the root of these problems, I was surprised to find he had just one request: to spend time together. After our first outing to the movies, his attitude and schoolwork improved dramatically. I didn’t have to employ any complicated learning tactic or psychological theory to help this child—I just had to be there and listen. Over the remainder of the year, I watched him grow into a successful and happy student. That experience left me determined to be someone my students can always rely on and look up to inside and outside of the classroom.

Investing in the future

As we look to the future of early childhood education, I urge parents, teachers, lawmakers and communities to invest in ways to bring diversity to the classroom. I also challenge my fellow Black men who are passionate about education to buck the norm, ignore the stigma, and put the children first.

As a Black male principal, I feel it is my duty to spread this message and be a catalyst for change in order to create a more diversified environment for our children to learn in. I have found there is nothing more rewarding than seeing a student succeed against all odds, due to the lessons you have taught them. I encourage more Black men to join me in this journey.

By: Royston Maxwell Lyttle

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What a year for Houston we experienced Hurricane Harvey a category 4 tropical storm that caused nearly 200 billion dollars in damages and claimed 77 lives, it literally tore through our city.

Then you have the Houston Astros who felt pain for their city and fellow Houstonians, they worked very hard to try to bring happiness back to their city and put a smile on the face of the city. “Houston Astros our World Series Champs”!!! When you heard those words all over the city you saw smiles on the faces of the people.

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But through it all we remained Houston Strong and we banned together to help each other out in any way we could. There were also a great number of celebrities reaching out to help out Houston.

LIV E DE

W

Texas • December 11 - 17, 2017

But for some life is not quite back to normal there are still a few families out there still trying to recover from Hurricane Harvey. On Nov.28, 2017 the Houston Texans, Houston Astros along with J.C.Penny stores Inc. and the greater Houston YMCA joined together to help some of the needed families that lost everything and are still trying to recover.

There were 15 kids who were all handed 100 gift card to go off and shop. There were two families that lost everything in the storm they were presented a brand new LG washer and dryer and a 5000 dollar gift card for an ultimate shopping spree at JCPenny , presented

by Houston Texans Jadeveon Clowney, Jonathan Joseph and Houston Astros player Alex Bergman. The players were a surprise

to the kids and families, it was a very touching moment when the families cried out and thank god for their blessings. One of the ladies mention how she didn’t know how she would get back to living the way they lived before the storm.

Costanzo Fishel cried out to me while fighting to hold back her tears, she said “ Five– Thousand dollars may not be a lot for a lot of people but at this very moment it is a blessing for me and my family we lost a lot we are truly grateful to everyone who came out to help my family and to all the others we a grateful”.

I spoke with Keona James on behalf of J.C.Penny’s stores Inc. “this is something that we do every year all over the country, doing it in Houston this year was extra special and not so special it was extra special because we got a chance to help 10 families that really needed help and it was not so special because we couldn’t do the same for everybody. We have been working with the YMCA for about 20yrs and we wanted to help 10 families that can really benefit from our help” Jonathan Joseph of the Houston Texans said, “it was uplifting to see the smiles on the kids’ faces, and the tears from people who are truly grateful”. When asked about the game that they lost to the Baltimore Ravens he says “this is not about football; football is football this is about these families that lost everything, this is about them and how to help them get their lives back together.

Continue reading online @ www.aframnews.com By: Jay the Barber

Texas • December 11 - 17, 2017

lifestyle these issues and any underlying causes, dealing with them and allowing God to take you through to victory is shared through the words of Author and Pastor Andre` “AJ” Jones’s “God’s Fallible Man: A Memoir of a Husband, Son, Father, and Brother.”

Pastor Jones shares the root of his issues with abuse and how it was the deciding factor in choices he made and the behavior he exhibited. Unfortunately there were friends and loved ones who experienced what only he knew to do through the experiences he had as a child.

Pastor André (AJ) Jones

Bio - Pastor André (AJ) Jones is saved by the grace of God. As a result, he is redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, restored and is energetic, spirit-filled and on fire for the Lord!

Passionate about ministry, he is committed to helping people believe that they can be forgiven, redeemed and restored from anything they may have done “BC” (Before Christ). Pastor Jones challenges them to truly develop a real relationship with Christ by teaching them the Word of God and how to use what they have in Him to deal with the challenges they face in their lives today. He is the Senior Pastor of the Cullen Missionary Baptist Church in Houston, TX which was founded by Bishop Robert C. Jefferson in 1977. He was also the Senior Pastor of the historic, 126 year old Spring Hill Baptist Church in Calvert, TX and the founder of the AMEN Fellowship Church on the campus of Texas Southern University.

However, God has a way of getting His man! Doing what it takes through the God he shared with others, Pastor Jones found that he needed Him to help him come to terms with the abuse that not only he suffered, but for those who suffered abuse due to his actions.

God’s Fallible Man: A Memoir of a Husband, Son, Father, and Brother is a two-edged sword of deliverance for men, women, boys and girls seeking to be free from the only source that heals completely.

Perspectives and lives will be changed, and the healing can begin when we realize that an infallible God is available to help us triumph in every area of our lives.

Book & Synopsis – GOD’S FALLIBLE MAN: A MEMOIR OF A HUSBAND, SON, FATHER, AND BROTHER - The trauma of abuse is not a one-way street, it has an effect on both the abuser and the victim often with a lifetime of suffering. Addressing

11

Life Beyond Loss is now available on the readers to their breakthroughs. Ramona Amazon.com.

Her next book is tentatively also contributed to the highly acclaimed Imani titled The Anointed Wife which takes a Faith Anthology – No Test, No Testimony. somewhat humorous look at her journey Ramona lives in central Texas with her from wife to an anointed wife. husband Anthony and daughter Lamona.

Book Synopsis – Life Beyond Loss Rounding out the family are her fur babies Losing my mother was the event that Leo, Aries, and Gemini. Ramona enjoys gardening, decorating and entertaining her friends changed my life. It set me on a downward and family. Professionally, aside from writing, spiral and a protracted period of grief. I have moved on from pain, and every day Ramona works in the market research field.

She holds a B.S. in Business and leverages this seek to live the life that God planned for to help manage her business Journey Journals me to have. It is not a perfect life, but a life and her husband’s transportation company as filled with perfectly wonderful moments. I well. have learned to look back at my time with my mother with joy and not heartache. I She considers herself to be a warrior as understand now that she was just here to she survived a battle both uterine and ovarian get me started. I can smile now when I cancer at the same time. Her battle with cancer gave her time to reflect on her life and think of her smile. I do not do this alone, but rather I lean on scriptures and prayers to reignite her love of writing. Journaling about keep my balance and strength. Through it her illness was a healthy and creative outlet for her. Ramona is passionate about helping all, I have learned that my grief was a point in time rather than my way of life. Read those who are battling cancer and working through grief. Most days can find her email- my struggles and rejoice in my victories and remember that you too can I have a life ing friends and strangers who have reached beyond loss. out to her to discuss either subject.

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In his “spare” time, Pastor AJ Jones is fulfilling a dream as a Sports Director for several gospel stations around the state & created a nationally syndicated Christian sports talk show called Faith In Sports.

He has also worked as a bank vice president, product manager & branch CFO over a 14-year career in corporate America.

Read us online! w w w.a fra mnews.com

Ramona Burnett

Ramona Burnett is an author with Imani Faith Publishing. Her debut book is entitled Life Beyond Loss. Her book explores her battle with grief after losing her mother as a young child. In the book, she wraps her experiences with scriptures, prayers and what she calls her heart discoveries to point

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