January 26, 2020
25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION African-American News&Issues
Vol. 25, Issue 1 ACRES HOME COMMUNITY NEWS
“THE PEOPLE WON”
“Addressing Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community”
BRIDGING THE GAP
Photo courtesy of Buffalo Soldiers Museum Houston
Photo courtesy of AFRAMNEWS
Elected officials attend the Soto Ready Mix Batch Plant press conference on Jan. 23. (left to right) Texas Senator John Whitmire, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee and Texas Representative Jarvis Johnson.
Desmond Bertrand-Pitts
Desmond Bertrand-Pitts is the chief executive officer of the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, and he and his grandfather, Captain Paul J. Matthews, founder and one of the only African-American owners of a national museum in Houston, are working hard to bridge the multi-generational gap of our community while honoring African-American military. By AANI Staff
HOUSTON – Cocktail receptions, weddings, events featured on VH1 with the Real Housewives of Atlanta reality show divas? Those are not the typical things you see going on inside of a museum - that is until nowthanks to the millennial mind of a grandson working hard to keep his grandfather’s proud legacy flourishing in the hearts and minds of Houstonians and the country, as a whole. Desmond Bertrand-Pitts is the chief executive officer of the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, and he and his grandfather, Captain Paul J. Matthews, founder and one of the only African-American owners of a national museum in Houston, are working hard to bridge the multi-generational gap of our community while honoring African-American military. “I first heard about the Buffalo Soldiers when I was a cadet at Prairie View A&M University back in the 1960s. I read two paragraphs in a military book about the soldiers and became very intrigued about these Black men in uniform because they did what they did, not necessarily for themselves, but for those that came behind them,” Matthews said. “And that was a story that needed to be told.” SHOWTIME FOR MO’NIQUE ON PAGE 4
Who are the Buffalo Soldiers? The Buffalo Soldiers, comprised of former slaves, freemen and Black Civil War soldiers, were the first to serve during peacetime. Throughout the era of the Indian Wars, approximately 20 percent of the U.S. Cavalry troopers were Black, and they fought over 177 engagements. The combat prowess, bravery, tenaciousness, and looks on the battlefield, inspired the Indians to call them Buffalo Soldiers. The name symbolized the Native Americans’ respect for the soldiers’ bravery and valor. Keeping the legacy alive “I’ve been a part of the museum since the beginning. I like to tell people that I was ‘voluntold’ to be where I am today,” Bertrand-Pitts said. “What the captain has set forth is not only providing Houston, but the entire country, the history of the Buffalo Soldiers and African-American military. I am a millennial so one of my focus areas is to get our age groups involved in the other aspects of philanthropy, and being involved in history, making sure the legacy does not die.”
BUFFALO SOLDIERS CONT’D ON PAGE 5 MLK ORATORY WINNER ON PAGE 6
HOUSTON – Acres Home residents and elected officials are celebrating a victory after a concrete mixing company withdrew its application to build in the northwest Houston neighborhood, one day before a judge was set to hear arguments over the permit. Soto Ready Mix planned to build a concrete batch plant near neighboring residents and a community center in the historic neighborhood. The concrete mixing company requested an air emissions permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to build a batch plant. The residents of Acres Home fought relentlessly to stop that, garnering the attention of many elected officials, including Texas Rep. Jarvis Johnson, Sen. John Whitmire and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee to help fight the permit. BATCH PLANT CONT’D ON PAGE 5
BIGGER AND BETTER BUSINESS
NEW CHIEF COMMUNITY OFFICER
DALLAS – Irvin Ashford, Jr. the new Chief Community Officer at Comerica Bank, is extremely grateful for his new role and is on a mission to empower the community he serves. Ashford will be responsible for leading Comerica’s diversity business resource groups, community reinvestment nationally and all associated activities including development, lending, community investments, volunteerism and data analysis. Ashford will also maintain the responsibilities he previously served as Comerica’s National Director of Financial Education and External Affairs, and will report directly into the Office of the Chairman. BIGGER AND BETTER BUSINESS CONT’D ON PAGE 3
BLACK SUPER BOWL QUARTERBACK ON PAGE 7
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JANUARY 26, 2020
OPINION & EDITORIAL
GREATER HOUSTON AREA
Y R U SO ANGRY? EMPTY NEST SYNDROME
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Partin’ the Waters By Omawale Luthuli-Allen
I got that. You are angry because she sent those people after you. You admitted that you were the father after the DNA results. You told Mama that condoms robbed romance of the real fun. Then the Attorney General wanted almost three years of back child support. You are dumbfounded and can’t figure out where you are supposed to find that many Benjamins. Next, those people demanded that you pay for three years of formula. Then your income tax refund was seized and now they are threatening to revoke your barbers’ license. Old school, it’s messed up. Plus, when I go to visit my children, the mother has skittles on her nails and a fancy hairstyle for the club. When I give her money, she spends it as if I have a money tree. I must admit that my kids are clean and happy. Other than an occasional ear infection, they are healthy. Now let “Old School” talk. Homeboy, grow up. Never throw your baby’s mama under the bus, especially in front of the children. You are the non-custodial parent. Mama often
must make do in order to maintain a place to live in, even when you have the children in your possession. When the children were teething and crying 24-7, it was Mama supplying the Orajel and TLC tender loving care. You had the freedom to be with your other squeeze. For years, you got the milk while having no intention of ever buying the cow. Now you want somebody to send in the clowns because your parade is being rained on. Old School says, “Give Mama a standing ovation. “Wave at her as she waits on the 44 bus. Take some of the dollars from your weed stash and send her and the children to Disneyland. Then finance her to take a rest and recuperation vacation in Aruba. Mommy does so many things that baby fathers are not good at. Hell no with the “NAH NAH NAH.” Sage poet Don Williams says that this is the type of woman that God would have taken as a wife. Empower her with praise and encouragement and she will empower your kids. Old school says BE a DADDY, you called those people on yourself. Get Momma a “BMW- Black man working.” Assist in solving her problems and Mama might make you happy and, as a team, you can produce productive citizens.
News Wit Attitude By Miss @NewsWitAttitude
So I’m officially “in my feelings.” I’m no longer “mommy” and I’m just that corny old woman who chauffeurs teenagers around town. I’m an ATM, a ‘lame’ who knows absolutely nothing about life, as my kids would try to make me believe.... and the social life I’ve given up for them... I should have possibly been pursuing more, as my friends always encouraged me to do. What’s worse... is that my life is REALLY soaring – professionally - but in the world according to everyone under the age of 16, I’m just a chunky old lady trying to kill all the fun. In my days, we called it “cockblocking” and damn right I am. I am a one-woman goalie in a soccer field of horny kids trying desperately to block all pregnancies, STDs and misguided sexcapades from going into the end zone of my damn life. This world we live in is dangerous, and no matter how many “You can live with HIV if you take this pill” commercials I see, I still don’t want that to become one of my chil-
dren’s battles. So while I am —admittedly—the overprotective mom, demanding to meet the parents of my children’s friends (What’s wrong with that?), making them come in before dark and DAMN SURE not allowing them to ride alone in a car with other teen drivers, I’ve slowly pushed my kids away and they are screaming for
the first year, you’re not dating that person, you’re dating their representative... and so many people can hide who they are until you give them complete access to your life. So whatever the case— I can save all my hangups for a psychiatrist’s couch— I have somehow become the woman who the kids are treating like the plague.
independence that I just can’t seem to manage to let them have. As a single mother who’ve had to fight off plenty of old “Creepy Creepersons” when I was a teen (cough cough.. certain family members’ pedophiliac boyfriends), I have always been guarded of who I let around my kids. I’ve rarely introduced them to men I’ve dated and never left them alone with anyone because I don’t trust the souls of some folk until they’ve weathered the test of time and my watchful eyes. My motto is that, at least for
They’d rather spend time with their friends on the weekend, are not “into” our annual family vacations anymore unless they GRILL me about where it is before they DECIDE it’s considered fun (and don’t have a dime to contribute, I might add) and they close up in their rooms when they’re home with me so I won’t invade their privacy. So what is this mom to do? Well, honey, I’m going to stop sulking and grab a part of the life I cut off while they were my innocent babies - and no,
GREATER HOUSTON AREA
BUSINESS
NEW CHIEF COMMUNITY OFFICER AT COMERICA BANK ‘HONORED, HUMBLED’
Photo courtesy of Comerica Bank
I don’t regret it because I LIVE by the motto, “BECOMING a mother is NOT hard, BEING a mother IS.” We are parents, first and foremost, and sacrifice is part of the unconditional love we give, and get, in return. On the flip side, though, maybe NOW I will go out on more dates, maybe NOW I will go on a vacation without them and maybe NOW I’ll close myself up in my room for my privacy (well, no, I still need to watch those little suckers… ha ha). Or maybe I’ll just do this — STOP TAKING THINGS SO PERSONAL! They are TEENAGERS and they think they ARE smarter than everyone in the world. I’m not a corny old lady... I’m 40ish, fabulous and Texas fine, and while Stella ain’t trying to get her groove back... she might just get her groove on a little bit. Teens.. bah humbug! It’s just a phase. They still need their Mama.... even if they don’t think they do. The goal has not changed. I’m here to mold and guide them, lead them in the right direction whether they like it or not, keep them safe, teach them the ways of the world and how to be successful Black men and women. I’ll just keep standing by closely, with my watchful eye, refreshed after coming back from my SOLO vacation continuing to live the blessed life God has allowed me to provide for my “little stinkers” who are smelling themselves. Enjoy life parents. Keep doing what you do!
BIGGER AND BETTER BUSINESS
By Isaiah Robinson
“I feel honored, humbled, and encouraged.” Ashford told African-American News&Issues. “Honored because Comerica has a long, successful history in the financial services industry and they could have selected someone else for this position, but I was chosen. Humbled because of my personal journey and because I have worked hard to be impactful in my career.” Ashford joined Comerica Bank in 2000 and has continued to strengthen relationships with the communities served by Comerica through various financial literacy and community development initiatives.
“My goals are very simple, to fulfill the Comerica Promise of ‘raising expectations,’” Ashford said. “It is paramount that we increase the financial education and economic wherewithal of more people particularly individuals in diverse communities. We can and will do more to provide our expertise to help vulnerable communities to achieve economic parity by lending our expertise on economic and community development, financial and wealth building strategies. “ Last year, he and his team established the Comerica Money $ense Program to address the critical need of teaching sound financial principles to a wide range of audiences from pre-K to senior citizens, as well as small businesses. “The launching of Comerica Money $ense, which expanded to Comerica Business, Education, Sports and Senior $ense programs, is all designed to provide critical financial knowledge to empower individuals and communities to make sound financial decisions,” Ashford said. “This year we’re expanding our outreach to include financial education for nonprofits including
churches through our Comerica Community and Church $ense programs.” Ashford has remained a pillar in the community, aiding various civic and community groups that include serving on the board of directors for the Texas Women’s Empowerment Foundation (TWEF), Dallas Theater Center, Kym’s Kids and Focus on Teens. He also serves the Board of Trustees for the Webb School, in Bell Buckle, Tennessee, where Ashford was one of the school’s first African-American graduates. In 2019, Ashford was inducted into the University of Dallas’ Satish & Yasmin Gupta College of Business Hall of Fame for his contributions to community and economic development initiatives in diverse and underserved communities. Ashford is a Woodrow Wilson International Studies and Public Policy Fellow, an American Marshall Fellow and British American Project Fellow. A graduate of Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio, Ashford earned dual master’s degrees – public affairs from the University of Texas and business administration from the University of Dallas.
AFRICAN-AMERICAN NEWS&ISSUES REMEMBERS MICHAEL “MR. MAC” MCCULLOUGH
Photo courtesy of Aldine ISD
NEST CONT’D
JANUARY 26, 2020
African-American News&Issues is saddened at the passing of Michael “Mr. Mac” McCullough, director of the Carver High School Chamber Orchestra. Mr. McCullough passed away unexpectedly over the Jan. 18 weekend. Aldine Independent School District and Carver High are also mourning the unexpected death of their beloved band instructor. “Mr. Mac” was a fixture in Aldine ISD performing arts community and devoted 24 years to sharing his love of music with students at Drew Academy, where he taught music for four years, and for the last 20 years at Carver High School. During his tenure at Carver, he taught guitar, worked with the school’s Chamber Orchestra, the Varsity and Non-Varsity Orchestras (which are UIL performing orchestras), and the Carver Jazz Ensemble, which he founded five years ago. “Mr. Mac’s” passing will leave a void in the Carver band program and his smile and kind words will be missed by all who had the good fortune to have known him.
AFRAMNEWS.COM 3
OUR STORY
AFRAM NEWS ANNIVERSARY
EDITION 1996
Mr. Roy and Mrs. Shirley Ann Malonson founded Acres Home Citizen’s News published by Malonson Company Incorporated.
1997
Lee Patrick Brown elected the first African-American Mayor of Houston.
1998
James Byrd Jr. attacked and dismembered by three white supremacists in Jasper, Texas on June 7.
2001
Colin Powell appointed Secretary of State by President George W. Bush (Jan 20).
2002
Halle Berry and Denzel Washington win Oscars for best actress and best actor for their controversial roles in “Monster’s Ball” and “Training Day” respectively.
4 AFRAMNEWS.COM
AFRAM NEWS
ENTERTAINMENT LAUGHING TO THE BANK
MO’NIQUE LANDS SHOWTIME
EDITION 2005
Hurricane Katrina hits the Gulf Coast taking an estimated 1,700 lives. The vast majority being African-Americans living in New Orleans, Louisiana (August 30).
Photo courtesy of Selakententertainment
ANNIVERSARY
By AANI Staff
2008
Barack Obama elected 44th President of the United States, becoming the first African-American president (November 4).
2009
Disney releases “The Princess and the Frog,” debuting the studio’s first animated Black princess.
2010
Dem. Kamala Harris defeats Steve Cooley, becoming the first Black woman to hold title of state attorney general (Nov. 24).
2011
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial opened to the public on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
HOLLYWOOD – Will Mo’Nique finally have a “let go and let God” moment with Netflix after finally landing a well-deserved comedy special with Showtime? Maybe, but we doubt it. “Mo’Nique & Friends: Live from Atlanta,” which was filmed at the city’s Variety Playhouse, will premiere on Feb. 7, and it will be her first major comedy special in a decade. The showcase will also feature Donnell Rawlings, Prince T-Dub, Just Nesh, Tone-X, and Correy Bell. The Academy Award-winning actress and comedian went on the attack against Netflix, claiming that the streaming service only offered her $500,000 for a special, but offered white and male comics significantly more. Specifically, she filed a lawsuit claiming Jerry Seinfeld signed a $100 million deal in 2017 for two stand-up specials and an interview show, and Dave Chapelle was paid $60 million for three comedy specials. Netflix also reportedly paid Chris Rock $40 million and Ricky Gervais $40 million for two specials. Mo’Nique said Amy Schumer was first offered $11 million for a special but was able to re-negotiate it up to $13 million. The lawsuit stated, “When the talent was not a Black woman, Netflix offered to pay, and did pay, astronomically more than it pays to Black women as it offered to Mo’Nique.” In newly- filed documents obtained by The Blast, Netflix says, “Plaintiff fails, however, to allege any
facts showing that the compensation offered her was the product of discrimination. On the contrary, her complaint contradicts its core premise by noting that other persons of color, other women, and another African-American woman (like Plaintiff) have been paid substantially more money to create comedy specials for Netflix’s streaming service than what was offered to Plaintiff. And Plaintiff fails to explain why she was entitled to be offered what the stars to whom she compares herself were offered for creating such comedy specials.” Netflix says the evidence will show Mo’Nique was not discriminated against and are asking the court to dismiss the case. And while we don’t expect her to withdraw, will she finally move on from the public controversy? Mo’Nique and comedian Steve Harvey had a battle of differing opinions when he interviewed her on his talk show, and other entertainers have spoken out saying, while Mo’Nique is indeed talented, she is not the same type of “draw” as groundbreaking comedians like Seinfeld and Chapelle. Out thoughts? She has the right to feel the way she does and we’ll all just have to wait and see what happens.
GREATER HOUSTON AREA
LOCAL ARTS & CULTURE
ARTIST DRAWS FROM HARVEY LOSS
Photo courtesy of AFRAMNEWS
OUR STORY
JANUARY 26, 2020
Weirdie (center), born Malie Flores, has climbed his way back to the top and his guests couldn’t be happier.
HOUSTON – It’s not often that you find yourself getting emotional at an art exhibit, but that’s what many guests felt during artist Endigo Weirdie’s thank you speech. On January 16, Weirdie showcased his collection, The Retrospect of a Retrograde, to a packed house at Winston Contemporary Art. Weirdie expressed how long and difficult his journey had been since losing everything three years ago in Hurricane Harvey. His pieces focus on issues like depression and PTSD but bring out a feeling of triumph in the end. Weirdie, born Malie Flores, has climbed his way back to the top and his guests couldn’t be happier.
BEST MOVIE MATCH UP
‘BAD BOYS’ BREAKS MLK BOX OFFICE
HOLLYWOOD - It was a record-breaking box office over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend as Will Smith and Martin Lawrence brought back the fun in the latest “Bad Boys” franchise. “Bad Boys for Life” has smashed all predictions, bringing in $73.4 million its opening weekend, a big jump from the projected $38 million it was predicted to hit. According to Variety, the third installment of the Smith-Lawrence action-comedy will finish as Sony Pictures’ biggest R-rated opening ever and the industry’s second-highest opening of all-time for January, as well as Lawrence’s biggest opening. “Bad Boys for Life,” produced by Smith, Jerry Bruckheimer, and Doug Belgrad, took in $23.5 million on Friday, $21.6 million on Saturday, $17.1 million on Sunday and a projected $11.3 million on Monday. Smith and Lawrence also dominated rivals, taking in more than the combined total of the next three films — Universal’s launch of family adventure “Dolittle” with $29.5 million, the studio’s second weekend of awards contender “1917” with $26.8 million and Sony’s sixth frame of “Jumanji: The Next Level” with $12.8 million. All we can say is – CONGRATS – and for those who haven’t seen it yet, grab a box of buttered popcorn and meet us at the movies!
GREATER HOUSTON AREA
JANUARY 26, 2020
COVER STORY
CONCRETE PLANT CONT’D
In 2019 alone, Soto Ready Mix was cited 34 times for violations, according to an official at the press conference in early January.
Photo courtesy of AFRAMNEWS
Acres Home residents and elected officials are celebrating a victory after a concrete mixing company withdrew its application to build in the northwest Houston neighborhood, one day before a judge was set to hear arguments over the permit. Soto Ready Mix planned to build a concrete batch plant near neighboring residents and a community center in the historic neighborhood.
BATCH PLANT CONT’D FROM COVER Opposers said the plant has already caused pollution and major health care concerns for residents. “The emissions of a batch plant are well-documented to be the silent killer,” said Sen. John Whitmire at a press conference in. According to health officials, the concrete facility is producing a fine particulate matter that is 30 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair, and nearby residents are six times more likely to get asthma because the plants pollute the air. The particles could also contribute to premature death. In 2019 alone, Soto Ready Mix was cited 34 times for violations, according to an official at the press conference in early January. The TCEQ granted a hearing in October, allowing residents to make their case before a state judge. Plans for that hearing, which was scheduled for Jan. 23, ended. Johnson spoke to Armando Soto, the owner of the company, and negotiated the pulling of their request for the batch plant, in addition to relocating its trucks. “It was a good move, but it wasn’t enough,” Johnson said. “Stopping the permit is good, but moving the trucks out of the com-
munity completes the victory.” According to Johnson, the owner is looking for an industrial property to place his trucks, but for the time being, the cement-mixing trucks will be placed on a lot off of TC Jester. The motion filed by Birch, Becker & Moorman, LLP of Austin said Soto determined that withdrawing the application was in his best interest after conversations with “interested persons.” “Soto understands that the preliminary hearing in this proceeding is scheduled for (Thursday) and believes that the time and expense of holding the preliminary hearing would be a waste of resources for all parties since Soto is seeking to withdraw its Applications,” the motion read. “Soto has no intention of moving forward with the Application and any further steps in furtherance of the Application are unnecessary and would not be the best use of any party’s time and energy.” The pulling of the applications has brought the two-year fight to a close. “This was a terrible proposal that should’ve never been proposed,” Whitmire said. “I’m excited and pleased for the citizens of Acres Homes because the people won today.”
BUFFALO SOLDIERS CONT’D FROM COVER
How does he plan to accomplish that? “We want people, young and old, to be able to identify with something here at the museum. The idea with MAD (Museum After Dark) is to attract the younger audience with things they like, an after-work drink, etc. and incorporated that with a DJ and other items of interest,” Bertrand-Pitts explained. Once in the door, visitors are invited to tour, be mesmerized and, hence, spread the word. Various exhibits are on display, showcasing the Emancipation Proclamation, and many historic time periods. Visitors can also see medals and patches, and weaponry used by the African-American Soldier, including rifles, muskets and cannonballs pulled directly from battlefields. There is also an exhibit displaying the brave Buffalo Soldiers who served in World War 1, and their role in the Boxer Rebellion. The biggest “aha moment” Matthews believes people have is recognizing the impact the soldiers had in our history. “They were the peacekeepers in the American West, building forts, camps, railroads, delivering the mail, telegraphs and wires, chasing down outlaws, protecting the land. Without the Buffalo Soldiers, the Westward Movement would have been delayed 50 years,” Matthews explained. “Most students are amazed that history is there. When you go to other museums, you get content. When you come to the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, you get context. We take an item and put it in your environment to show how you revolve around it and how it revolves around you.” Capt. Matthews has proudly just celebrated his 75th birthday. African-American News&Issues asked him to share a few words of wisdom: To children: “History provides a guidepost to your future. You must know your history to be aware of who and where you are, in order to help you to get to where you want to go.” To millennials: “You need to be able to expand on the progress that’s been made by those who have come before you. Get involved!” To the older generation: “We have moved from being a footnote to be an actual page in history. We must continue passing our knowledge on to others.” What’s next? • The Buffalo Soldiers Museum will celebrate 20 years of operations & service in January 2021, but will host their 20th gala honoring Dr. Donnie Johnson, the creator of the super soaker water gun, on Feb.28. • January 20, 2020, the museum will launch “Heal the Armory,” a five-year campaign aiming to raise $5,000,000. This initiative will benefit programming for veterans, families of veterans and community events curated by the museum.
AFRAMNEWS.COM 5
OUR STORY
AFRAM NEWS ANNIVERSARY
EDITION
2012
Trayvon Martin killed by George Zimmerman in Sanford, Florida (Feb 26).
2013
The Black Lives Matter movement created in response to ongoing racial profiling and police brutality against young Black men (July 13).
2014
Michael Brown shot and killed by police in Ferguson, Missouri which lead to “Hands up, Don’t shoot” demonstrations across the U.S. (August 9).
2015
Nine African-Americans are killed in the Charleston Church Shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in South Carolina (June17)
2019
First member of the British Royal Family to be born of African-American decent.
6 AFRAMNEWS.COM
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HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE TO PROPOSERS: The Houston Independent School DisThe Houston Independent School District located in the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center at 4400 West 18th Street Houston, Texas 77092 will accept proposals, until the stated date and time deadlines, in the Board Services Office, Level C1 • Project 20-11-03 – RFP / Collection Agency Services – with a deadline of 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 26, 2020. The Pre-Proposal Conference for this project will be in Conference Room 2C16 at the above stated address on Thursday, February 6, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. • Project 20-10-11 RFP / Vehicle Up-Fit Installation, Service and Repair – with a deadline of 10:00 a.m. on February 11, 2020.The Pre-Proposal Conference for this project will be in Conference Room 2E06 at the above stated address on February 4, 2020 at 10 a.m. The solicitation for bids is available on the HISD web-site at www.houstonisd. org. To access, go to Departments, Purchasing Services, Bid Opportunities. The District reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, or, to accept the proposal that is most advantageous to the District.
HOUSTON – Crespo Elementary School fourth-grader Brandon Curbow’s speech on what civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.’s vision would be for America in 2020 won first place at the MLK, Jr. Oratory Competition, which featured a field of 12 Houston Independent School District students. The 24th annual competition, which garners national attention, took place before an enthusiastic and packed audience Friday at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church of Christ in downtown Houston. Brandon stood out among the 12 finalists for his stage presence, decorum, content interpretation, and memorization. “This competition showcases the outstanding talents of our students,” HISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan said. “I am so proud of each of them for the stellar, insightful speeches they delivered. They are all winners in my book.” Competing finalists wrote, memorized and delivered speeches inspired by the Nobel Peace Prize winning slain civil rights leader. “I was surprised and excited to hear my name called as the winner,” Brandon said. “I practiced every day for hours. I want to thank my mom, dad, sister and all my teachers.” The runner up in the competition was Ayomide Lawrence, a fourth-grader at Blackshear Elementary School, and the third-place finisher was Jenny Teague, a fifth-grader at Sutton Elementary School. The remaining $100 finalists were: Ananya Cherkuri, Aniyah Williams, David Ozuzu, Kaydence Fletcher, Symphony Stroud, Hanah Hamilton, Sean Gair, Gabrielle Marshall and Leo Serrano.
GREATER HOUSTON AREA
BLACK QUARTERBACK
SPORTS
JANUARY 26, 2020 ce Sin 4 9 19
NFL’S 7TH BLACK MAN TO LEAD TEAM TO SUPER BOWL
Cam Netwon Carolina, 2016
Russell Wilson Seattle
Colin Kaepernick San Fransisco, 2013
Donovan McNabb Philadelphia, 2005
“Jigsaw Puzzles” 18”x24” / 500 Pieces
AVA IL NOWABLE !
New!
Doug Williams Washington, 1988
It’s been four years since an African-American quarterback played in the Super Bowl. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs booked their ticket to Super Bowl LIV after a convincing 35-24 win against the Tennessee Titans.
KANSAS CITY - The Kansas City Chiefs booked their ticket to Super Bowl LIV after a convincing 3524 win against the Tennessee Titans, allowing for another opportunity for a black quarterback-led team to step foot onto the field and take home the Lombardi Trophy. In the game, a close first half left quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs with a four-point lead at the break, which remained until the final 15 minutes due to a scoreless third quarter. After that, the home team turned on the jets in the fourth quarter, scoring twice in less than eight minutes to open up a lead the Titans couldn’t erase. The Texas Tech product shredded Tennessee on Sunday, with 294 yards and three passing touchdowns, including a pair to wideout Tyreke Hill, and a rushing score. Mahomes and Co. are headed to Miami and yes, they did whoop our Texans to the moon and back in the divisional playoff game--not trying to throw salt in the wound here-- but, a Black quarterback is walking on one
ds ar d C e it t ed ep ay Cr Acc -a-w y La
Steve McNair Tennessee, 2000
Photo courtesy of Kansas City Chiefs
By Isaiah Robinson
AFRAMNEWS.COM 7
of the biggest stages in the world, and that is something to give us another reason to watch the big game. It’s been four years since an African-American quarterback played in the Super Bowl, and only six have made an appearance. Cam Newton was the latest Black quarterback to head to the Super Bowl in 2016, but Newton and the Carolina Panthers lost to the Denver Broncos 24-10. Russell Wilson led the Seattle Seahawks to two appearances (Super Bowl 48 and 49), making him the only African-American quarterback to play in two Super Bowls. Behind Wilson, is former San Francisco 49er’s quarterback Colin Kaepernick in 2013, former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb in 2005, late Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair in 2000 and former Washington Redskins quarterback Doug Williams in 1988. So again, although our Texans will not be in town for the big showdown in February, one of “our own” is and that’s a great reason for some of us to root for a win. Or, we can all do what we do for the “love of the game.” Either way, we’ll be watching.
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