Volume 29 Issue 14

“Addressing Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community”

COMMISSIONER THOMAS JONES, JR.

By: Shelley McKinley

e newest Port Commissioner of the Port of Houston Authority is omas Jones, Jr. He joins six other Commissioners and has the responsibility of setting policies and guiding executive sta to ensure that Port Houston continues to be a strategic leader for the Houston Ship Channel. Following a unanimous appointment from City Council, Jones was recently sworn in by Mayor John Whitmire at a Swearing-inCeremony held at Davis Street at Hermann Park.

e event included remarks by State Senator Carol Alvarado, Mayor Pro-Tem Martha Castex-Tatum, and Mayor John Whitmire. “When looking at the credentials for someone to serve on the Port of Houston’s Port Commission, I couldn’t think of anyone better that has the intellect and the passion for public service,” shared Mayor Whitmire.

Jones on pg.

History is His Story, not the Truth or Our Story.

Black History is 24/7/365, not just 4 weeks

- Roy Douglas Malonson

ELIZA ANN ROBERTSON 100 YEARS OLD

By: Vera Baker

Eliza Ann Robertson was born on April 4 1924, in Keatchie, Louisiana to Sam and Laura Collins. She attended Flower Hill School in Grand Cane, Louisiana. She moved to Houston’s Acres Home community in 1952.

She’s the mother to 10 children: 4 girls, 6 boys. She’s the grandmother to 25, and the great grandmother of 17.

She still drives, even though her children chau eur her where she needs to go. She loves to sh, socialize, and attend church.

She’s been a life-long active member at Greater Zion MBC, 1620 DollyWright in the heart of the Acres Homes Community since 1960, for over 64 years. On April 4th, 2024, she kicked o her 100th birthday celebration with her Acres Home MultiCenter family with cake and ice cream. Her children then gave her a beautiful party at her home, with over 100 family and friends in attendance. On Sunday, April 7, 2024, her birthday concluded with a church service at Greater Zion MBC.

Eliza Ann Robertson, our blessed centenarian.

appropriate support services.

About 1 in 36 children and 1 in 45 adults in the U.S. are autistic. e Autism Spectrum Disorder a ects how a person interacts with others, causing social obstacles and communication culties. Characterized by verbal and nonverbal impediments, and the presence of repetitive behavior or restricted interests, autism leads to self-isola- tion, educational and wellbeing challenges and exposes the individual to bullying and depression.

e CDC promotes early intervention and treatment as extremely bene cial, especially for children. Pro cient treatment can help to reduce symptoms and expand social, cognitive, and behavioral advancement. A postponed diagnosis makes treatment less e ective, but too frequently Blacks are misdiagnosed with conditions like ADHD or conduct disorder or go entirely undiagnosed. Intersectionality refers to the unique and copious forms of punishment faced Black and disadvantaged marginalized or underrepresented groups. e traumatic intersectionality of being Black and autistic creates its own vulnerabilities. Generations of Black autistic persons have su ered intolerance resulting in high rates of misdiagnosis, which results in a lack of resources and support.

by people who are both by belonging to other resented groups. e sectionality of being Black and autistic its own communication difCharacby verbal

Is there economic justice in the City of Houston’s prime contracting processes? e City of Houston has never had an inclusive diverse system of awarding contracts. No doubt about it, former Mayor Lee P. Brown was Houston’s most inclusive multi-cultural leader in the past y years.

Autism spectrum disorder begins in early childhood. Many children show symptoms of autism within their rst year, others not until they are two or three. Black people are signi cantly less likely to be diagnosed with autism even though the rate of autism is not signi cantly di erent among races. ese di erences are intensi ed by a system not designed for Black parents of children with neurodiversity, making Black parents feel inadequate to identify the need, or nd

e stereotypes and discrimination Blacks face daily are hazardous and are ampli ed when they have unrecognized special needs. Black and autistic communities are both ostracized causing some of the stigmatized symptoms of autism to amplify the stereotypes Black autistic people face, causing others to interpret their particular behaviors as de ant, histrionic or hostile.

Black professionals to secure a meeting with the mayor to discuss community-neighborhood developmental needs? is issue is not totally Mayor Whitmire’s fault, because the developmental needs of the Black community should have been discussed prior to the election. Professional Engineering Firms, Accounting Firms, Construction Management, and Inspection professionals have been locked out and ignored far too long by former mayors.

Mayor Brown’s Atlanta experience was the national role model for Blacks businesses being included in contracting opportunities. God has said: “Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.” (Deuteronomy 28: 6).

Evidently, the City of Houston does not believe in the principle of an open-door contracting business policy. Blacks are the largest voting bloc in the city of Houston, even though Hispanics represent the largest minority group in the city. Houston has become a minority-majority city.

Former Senator Whitmire is Mayor of Houston primarily because a large percentage of Blacks voted for him. Yet, why is it so di cult for

Adding insult to injury, when these rms are successful their fees are dictated at much lower levels than their counterparts for the same services. For example, take a Black Engineering rm that receives a contract for multiple projects, and then they are assigned only one project under that contract, while other rms receive 5,10, or 20 projects under their contract. Another important issue is the contract value of similar costs of a $14,000,000 project awarded while the Black rm receives a management fee of $600,000, and majority rms receive a management fee of $840,000 for the same level of e ort and scope of work. is is grossly unfair by any assessment standards. ese are only a few of the issues encountered by quali ed Black professionals.

for multiple projects, and then they rms contracting

Jones Cont.

Mr. Jones started his professional career with Ernst & Ernst (now EY) and in 1996 connected with Wayne McConnell to establish the rm of McConnell & Jones (MJ) LLP. In 1999, Odysseus Lanier and Sharon Murphy merged with the pair, creating the largest African American owned accounting and consulting rm in Texas and now the largest in the country. e rm o ers a full range of audit, accounting, tax planning and compliance, and management consulting services with o ces in Houston, Austin, Dallas, Washington DC, and Durham, N.C., MJ serves a broad and diverse mix of corporate, governmental, non-pro t and individual clientele. Jones continues to serve the rm as a consultant focused on client relations and business development.

Mr. Jones retired in 2022

as a founding partner of MJ, currently the largest African American owned public accounting rm in the US. MJ is also recognized by Accounting Today as one of the largest CPA practices in the Southwestern United States. Retirement, however, has not slowed him down. Jones is the Interim President of Jazz Houston which is a tribute to his father and preserves the cultural history of jazz through education and performances by the Youth Orchestra and other leading jazz performers. He is also the co-founder of the Houston Fund for Social Justice & Economic Equity (HEF) with Mayor Emeritus Sylvester Turner, and has given $13 million to 420 small business and non-pro ts in grants to impact underserved communities.

omas Jones, Jr. took the oath of o ce to serve a two-year term, and expressed his gratitude

to family and friends in attendance. “I’m very excited and eager to get to work, I know what my task is, and I’m ready to do it. Relationships are key to life. I didn’t get here by myself,” stated Jones. He acknowledged members present from Jazz Houston, Houston Fund for Social Justice & Economic Equity, MJ LLP, Florida A & M University Foundation Board, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Across the Track Political Action Committee, Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, and childhood friends from Daytona Beach, FL. Jones belongs to a wide range of other civic, community-based philanthropic, political and social organizations, too. Jones stated, “ e mission and goal is simple. It is to be good stewards of tax dollars and good corporate citizens.”

owns, manages, and operates eight public terminals along a 52-mile waterway. e Houston Ship Channel complex and its more than 200 private and eight public terminals is the nation’s largest port for waterborne tonnage and an essential economic engine for the Houston region, the state of Texas and the United States. e Port of Houston supports nearly 1.5 million jobs in Texas and 3.37 million jobs nationwide. Its economic activity totals $439 billion in Texas and $906 billion across the nation. omas Jones, Jr. replaces Cheryl Creuzot who chose not to seek a third term.

Port Houston

Commissioner Thomas Jones, Mrs. K’netha Jones, Jessica Jones, Mayor John Whitmire

State Senator Carol Alvarado

Mayor Pro-Tem Martha Castex-Tatum

Bishop James Dixon and Mayor John Whitmire

EDUCATION

JUST SAY, “NO” TO ANOTHER HISD BOND FBISD TRUSTEES

By: Travis McGee

On June 1, 2023, the Texas Education Agency (T.E.A.) took full control of the Houston Independent School District. Even though we have been historically underfunded by the State of Texas, our taxes make up approximately 90% of HISD’s budget. is does not include the fact that additional monies in the hundreds of millions (known as RECAPTURE) have to be sent back since we are considered a property-rich state. How was the state able to take over the largest school district in the state of Texas, you might ask? e state was able to do so through horrible legislation authored, co-authored, and voted on by your elected employees.

IR (Improvement

HB 1842 passed in 2015 states, “Any campus 5 years or more [designated] IR (Improvement Required) as of August 15, 2018, the T.E.A. shall appoint a board of managers, close the campus, or order an alternative management of the campus,” which would be a Charter $chool network. SB 1882 passed in 2017 states the campus has to partner with nonpro ts, institutions of higher learning, or CHARTER SCHOOL$. Both bills have one thing in common, Charter $chools. ey are considered businesses that should be able to fund themselves without our tax dollars. e schools that we pay taxes on are our business. In business, you should never fund or provide resources or buildings to your competition in order to put yourself out of business with your own money. Bonds and charter schools equal big money!

Now that we know how the Texas state takeover was even legally possible, let’s talk about another bond. I don’t mean James Bond, even though it’s been several of them as well. If We e People no longer have the right to vote our own elected employees in and out, why would We e People give the dictatorship of the T.E.A. another blank check known as a bond? e T.E.A. (Take Everything Away) doesn’t have to listen to constituents or get their input about anything, including how to spend their tax dollars. e infrastructure is now in place to charter the entire district when and if they decide to do so. ey have SUPPORT from the state, a state-appointed superintendent, a board of managers, our money, our property tax, buildings, and dictatorship.

By: SH-FBISD News

e FBISD Board of Trustees approved the appointments of two deputy superintendents and a nance director at the Monday Agenda Review meeting.

the entire district when and if they decide to do so. ey have SUPPORT from the superintendent, a

Dr. Jaretha Jordan was named Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, Kathleen Brown was named Deputy Superintendent of Operations, and Juan Zamora was named Director of Finance.

1998 (678 million), 2002 (808 million), 2007 (805 million), and 2012

Previous bonds have passed every four to six years for the past 26 years. In 1998 (678 million), 2002 (808 million), 2007 (805 million), and 2012 (1.9 billion) totaling 4.3 billion in 14 years. However, a bond passing doesn’t mean that the schools were built or constructed in a timely fashion. Some of the same schools have even closed. is may be a di erent bond with a much bigger price tag, but this particular bond has legislation, a state-appointed superintendent, and a board of managers that has the power to do whatever they choose to do with or without We e People’s approval. Even though the N.E.S.’s (Not Even Sure) system (experiment) hasn’t been proven, they are considering a bond that could possibly exceed 5 billion dollars.

For more visit

aframnews.com

“ ese extremely capable, experienced leaders are all resultsoriented, collaborative team players who bring a wealth of knowledge, vision and integrity to the roles, “FBISD Superintendent Dr. Marc Smith said. “I expect them to achieve great things for the district’s students, teachers and sta .”

Since 2021, Dr. Jordan has served as the Chief Academic O cer of Duncanville ISD. Prior to that she was the Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction and Executive Director of pre-K – 5 Schools in Irving ISD. She has 16 years of experience in public education leadership roles.

Dr. Jordan earned her Doctor of Education degree from Tarleton State University, a Master of Education degree from the University of North Texas and a Bachelor of Business degree from Northwood University.

Kathleen Brown has 13 years of experience as a professional development and human resources leader in Duncanville ISD, and she is presently the district’s Chief Human Resources O cer. Previously, she served for 12 years on campuses - rst as a teacher, winning the district’s Teacher of the Year award-and then

as an assistant principal and principal, primarily in Duncanville ISD.

Ms. Brown holds a Master of Administration and Supervision degree from Texas A&M- Commerce and a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Southern University and A&M College.

Juan Zamora has almost 20 years of experience in public education nance leadership roles. He is presently the Chief Financial O cer for Alice ISD. Prior to that, he was the Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations for Medina Valley ISD.

Mr. Zamora earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas-San Antonio and a Master of Business Administration degree from Webster University. He is a Registered Texas School Business Administrator.

e new district leaders will begin their tenure with FBISD within the next two months.

Houston Cont.

Lee P. Brown was the Godly exception, because of his inclusive developmental experience in the city of Atlanta. Mayor Brown was an integral part of Atlanta’s ability to include rather than exclude Black contractors. Houston is a much more diverse city ethnically, culturally, and economically than Atlanta. erefore, Houston with its unlimited capabilities ought to be more inclusive and productive than Atlanta.

However, isn’t it a strange twist of events that most professional politicians in Texas, and especially in the city of Houston become wealthy while in o ce, and at the same time, infrastructure, and community developmental needs in the Black community primarily remain stagnant and unchanged. Moreover, at the same time, neither do most Black professionals experience upward social mobility. Hence, the lack of business developmental contracting opportunities is having rippling e ects on quality-oflife issues at every socio-economic level in the Black community.

Once again, Blacks are the largest voting bloc in the city of Houston. Yet, at the same time, Black contractors receive minimal city prime contract-

ing opportunities, even though there are many who are highly quali ed, capable, and successful Black contracting-engineering rms. e question is why does this socio-economic set of circumstances exist? More importantly, how can it be equitably corrected? e answer to the question does not lie in reshu ing minority contracting opportunities, but in equitably redistributing prime contracts and sub-contractors that traditionally go to majority contractors. Since we spiritually understand the impediments to resolving the problem of equity and socio-economic fairness in contracting opportunities, God’s word gives us the answer to fairly resolving the issue: “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst a er righteousness: for they shall be lled.” (Matthew 5: 6). e rst individual that is critical of this editorial is without a doubt, a Judas Goat! e Black business community needs to have a come to city contracting meeting with Mayor Whitmire, because the Black community should be respected, and Black contractors deserve better than what they are receiving. Selah.

REAL ESTATE

THE BEST U.S. CITIES TO FIND A STARTER HOME

By: Mike LaFirenza

e American dream of homeownership o en begins with a starter home—a manageable property that allows young adults and families to establish roots, build equity, and lay the groundwork for nancial security. is initial step on the property ladder fuels the housing market and strengthens the economy by creating a generation of invested homeowners. However, nding an a ordable starter home has become increasingly challenging in recent times. With historically low inventory and major a ordability hurdles, homeownership in the U.S. has become an uphill battle.

for rst-time homebuyers. e U.S. faces a shortage of housing overall, but builders are also building fewer of the smaller, more a ordable homes they used to. One- or two-bedroom homes represented 24% of single-family homes built in the mid-1980s, but just 5% in 2022. Over the same span, the share of new homes with four or more bedrooms grew from 19% to 53%.

Whether you are a homeowner or a general contractor, finding a reliable builders risk insurance policy for your next project could save you thousands of dollars.

Autism Cont.

People with unusual needs commonly suffer hardship and rejection, making it essential that the Black community address the greater hurdles and stigma Blacks with autism endure.

e historical dearth of services available to Black communities as well as race-based trauma founded on malevolent medical “research” has destroyed our trust of the medical establishment, exacerbating the lack of access to competent physical, mental, and emotional health.

is de ciency especially a ects those who experience social, cognitive, or behavioral challenges. e consequences of this on their lives as well as the families of those with autism are o en momentous and tragic. It is incumbent on us all to demolish and expunge the stigma against Black individuals with autism and heighten

awareness of individuals with special needs by learning the potential symptoms of autism; becoming familiar with what Black autistic individuals face in order to properly accommodate to their needs; by educating others regarding pernicious stereotypes; by advocating for those with special needs.

Autism in Black (https://www.autisminblack.org/), Autistic While Black (https://www.spectrumnews.org/ opinion/viewpoint/autistic-whileblack-how-autism-ampli es-stereotypes/) and the Association for Autism and Neurodiversity’s Becoming an Ally to the Black Autistic Community (https://aane.org/autism-infofaqs/library/becoming-an-ally-tothe-black-autistic-community/) are all good sources of information.

Although recent market trends have presented signi cant challenges, the issue of housing a ordability has persisted in the U.S. for decades. A primary contributing factor is the disparity between the rate of growth in home values and household incomes. Between 2000 and 2022, the median home value surged by 59.1% a er adjusting for in ation, whereas the median household income saw a modest increase of just 4.5% during the same timeframe.

e right construction so ware will help speed up your next job. Read our guide on the best construction project management so ware, as well as our estimating so ware and takeo so ware reviews.

Supply has been another constraint

e declining trend in the construction of starter-size homes—de ned here as homes with three or fewer bedrooms—is especially apparent in the northern areas of the Great Plains and Mountain West. Less densely populated than their Northeast or West Coast counterparts, states in these regions all have a below-average share of starter-size homes (compared to the national average of 67.7%). Notably, Utah (41.8%) stands out with the lowest proportion of homes with three or fewer bedrooms, while Rhode Island (78.7%) and West Virginia (76.5%) o er the greatest proportion of smaller homes.

For more visit aframnews.com

U.S. NAVY OFFICER SCHOOL GRADUATE

By Megan Brown

MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Ensign Rita

Doakes, a native of Houston, Texas,

Doakes, a native of Houston, Texas, recently graduated from the U.S. Navy’s Limited Duty O cer/Chief Warrant O cer (LDO/CWO) School. On Apr. 12. Doakes, a Richard Milburn Academy graduate, joined the Navy 14 years ago.

“I joined the Navy for nancial stability, to travel the world and to be the di erence,” said Doakes. “I am the rst military o cer in my family.”

e skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Houston.

“Growing up, I learned to lead by example, even if it means not tting in or being liked,” said Doakes. “I was also always taught to be honest and to earn everything I get because the return is priceless.”

LDO/CWO school is one of four o cer accession programs operating at O cer Training Command Newport, Rhode Island. is is the nal step in a sailor’s transition into the Naval O cer Corps. is course is comprehensive, intense and designed to reinforce understanding of the responsibilities of a naval o cer.

sailor’s transition into the Naval O cer intense and designed to reinforce a naval o cer.

Doakes was an enlisted aviation boatswain’s mate (fuels) before joining LDO/CWO School and will now serve aboard USS Battan following LDO/ CWO School.

boatswain’s mate (fuels) before joining LDO/CWO School and will now serve aboard USS Battan following LDO/

Doakes has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

Doakes has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“My proudest accomplishment is

“My proudest accomplishment is becoming one of ve female aviation deck limited duty o cers and having the ability to leave things better than I found them each time,” said Doakes. Doakes serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.

so many men and women just by being myself,” added Doakes. “During this class and prior to it, I’ve earned so much respect for taking a step and bringing others with me.”

“I have been able to be an example to

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