Volume 29 Issue 15

Vol. 29, Issue 15

History is His Story, not the Truth or Our Story. Black History is 24/7/365, not just 4 weeks

- Roy Douglas Malonson

“Addressing Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community”

CIVICLEADER D.N.BENFORDPASSESAT94

By Myrian Orea

e Rev. D.N. Benford Sr., the longest-serving pastor of a single church and among the city’s most in uential leaders, died Monday in a local hospital. He was 94.

WHY CAN’T JOHNNY READ?

By: Bobby E. Mills, PhD

Johnny cannot read because his socio-economic family environment is dysfunctional. Additionally, Johnny can’t read because his school and neighborhood environments are socioeconomically dysfunctional. More importantly, we all know that Johnny’s school environment is dysfunctional, educationally as well as socially. Of course, this is not occurring by happenstance, it is by systematic design. Hence, if Johnny cannot

read and comprehend, he cannot become a productive citizen in an advanced technological society. The Bible makes it plain: “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” (Revelation 1: 3).

America, reading is intellectually, educationally, and socially developmental. Thank God for the ability to spiritually

Johnny on pg. 3

Benford pastored the 109-year-old Rising Star Mission Baptist Church, 302 N. Oak St., for 73 years before falling ill and dying at HCA Houston Mainland, church spokeswoman Ursula Burns said. Benford had preached his nal Sunday morning sermon on Easter.

“ e news of Rev. Doris N. Benford’s passing was both heartbreaking and monumental for Galveston County,” city Commissioner elma Bowie, whose family has a long history in the church, said.

“I was taught and baptized by this great man. Reverend Benford made every child coming through Rising Star feel special and loved. A mighty warrior for Christ took his rest a er generations and generations of families were taught the word of God.”

Editor

Reality Check

By Billy “Hollywood” Groves

While the expression “ There seems to be a lot of crazy people carrying guns and using them in America might appear to be a harsh declaration, the outsized number of unexplainable, irrational shooting incidents seems to support this startling statement. When every day we see that gun violence is so rampart, it is easy to think that evidently common sense is not as common as one would expect. No one seems to be exempt from having their lives impacted by this terrible phenomenon. We have seen young and old people, who are both perpetrators and victims of shooting across the country as well in many other parts of the world.

Living in America makes each of us painfully aware that the problem of gun violence is front and center. While these violent, evil tragedies are happening in our immediate communities, we do not have the luxury of pretending that this problem will be resolved without each of us taking proactive measures to address the situation. By not acknowledging the problem, by not speaking out against this problem, and by not seeking to resolve the problem, we become part of the problem.

EDITORIAL

Making our voices heard in support of alternative ways to resolve our differences, as well as being positive examples of constructive ways of resolving conflicts through demonstrating personal, good behavior will hopefully encourage gun-packing, trigger-happy, people to make better decisions.

Unfortunately, in America, our elected officials have not only failed to adequately address the gun violence issues through legislative measures, but many have by using inflammatory rhetoric and personal incivility, been guilty of contributing to an aggressive climate pitting fellow Americans against each other and condoning violent, inappropriate behavior. Others in our government seem to have agreed to ignore the escalating problem in favor of not offending the gun lobby, or by embracing the unrealistic hope that it will all just go away. While I know that there are many Americans that don’t fully embrace godly principles, however, I believe that most Americans have accepted the guidance of and commitment to God our Father and are fully equipped to effectively deal with this societal illness to ensure a better future for our youth. America as a Nation of God must always take a stand against negative incidents in our homes, communities, cities, and country. God has sustained us as a world leader, and as such we must continue to stand against devastating, crippling gun violence. God will assure our success. God Bless America!

How long is too Long

ByTravis McGee

OUR TAXES ARE TOO DAMN HIGH

Our taxes are too damn high. Every time there’s a problem in Houston’s government nancially, the least creative option is always raising the taxes or taking it to the voters to raise their taxes, but everyone knowingly or unknowingly pays taxes, some just more than others.

e homeowners, property owners, and business owners have always been overtaxed and underrepresented AKA taxation without representation. Our expectation of taxes will always be high and the reality of governmental service whether city, county, or HISD are far too low. I think audits are mandatory especially when you are dealing with taxpayer’s money.

Drainage fees are a tax but we still ood. Chapter 42 of the Code of Ordinances is a tax on the poor because even though they can’t a ord to stay in the multi-unit/multi-milliondollar properties built on one residential lot their taxes still go up.

Even though we have school closures in HISD our taxes still go up. Even though the idea of a garbage fee keeps coming up, our garbage and illegal dumping isn’t being picked up in a timely fashion, if at all.

Year a er year HPD says crime is down and they are shorthanded, but the reality is crime is almost higher than our taxes and the expectation of

police presence and response time is lower than minimum wages of the taxpayers, but We the People still have to pay taxes whether high or low. Taxes are steadily increasing however city services are steadily decreasing or no longer exist in some cases. e city has to prioritize spending just like the hardworking people of the City of Houston/ Harris County.

Being overtaxed is just another form of price gouging. e quality, value, workmanship, and progress of city services doesn’t justify the dollar amount we pay in taxes. Any increase in taxes should mean a better quality of life, drivable streets, public safety, education, zoning, a ordable housing that’s actually a ordable for the demographical area that it is built in, and city services versus just another BILL. Just as taxes are mandatory, so should superior city services be mandatory.

e cost of living is up clear across the board by 25% or more whether its insurance, utilities, groceries, building materials, vehicles, and rent just to name a few. e taxpayers simply can’t a ord another bill. Everything is on an increase except for wages. Whether it’s a garbage fee, bond debt, school tax, county tax, city tax, law suits, legal fees, or property tax, it’s still more money that tax payers simply don’t have to give, because it has always been more poor people than rich people. e only di erence is that the poor don’t get tax breaks.

April 26, 2024

EDITORIAL FORGIVENESS

By Bobby E. Mills, PhD

Forgiveness is about living as a child of God in the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, not the spiritual darkness of the devil in the world: “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour.” (Ephesians 5: 1-2). Forgiveness is divine, because forgiveness must take place in the mind and soul of individuals. Question: whom would you rather have forgiveness from: God or mankind? God knows the spiritual heart and mankind knows only the deed. God always gets it right; mankind sometimes gets it wrong. Therefore, the eternal example for forgiveness is the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on the Cross at Calvary: “for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3: 23-24). Perchance you make it to heaven ask the thief on the cross beside Jesus won’t God forgive us of our sins, if an individual’s spiritual heart is contrite. God’s spiritual words of inspiration is proof positive: “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins, and their iniquities will I remember no more.” (Hebrews 8: 12). God’s law must reside in us: “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5: 21). America, it is God’s way or no way! Therefore, no greater love does an individual have than to lay down his life for a friend. What a friend we have in Jesus, because: “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18: 24). This is why, we can enthusiastically sing with a glad and joyful heart: “what a friend we have in

Jesus, all our sins to bear.” Hallelujah to King Jesus because forgiveness is divinely sacred. Moreover, individuals should never become bitter, revengeful, and seek to exact the principle of an eye for an eye, because “vengeance is mine saith the Lord and I will repay.” (Romans 12:19). Hence, it is best to forgive individuals, and allow the love of God to repay. Because vengeance is mine saith the Lord, and I will repay. Forgiveness is never about being judgmental, because every American should understand this scriptural verse: “judge not, that ye be not judged.” (Matthew 7:1).

Unfortunately, living in a multicultural democratic society, some individuals will always trespass against others for various socio-economic reasons, but individuals should never become vigilantes in seeking to exact punishment on others. Law and order must always be moral order, “forbearing one another and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” (Colossians 3: 13).

Sadly, the world has a “tit for tat” payback mentality, and we are witnessing daily the demonic results with former President Donald J. Trump and Christian Right Evangelicals. Evil individuals pervert justice. God does not pervert justice. He allows rain to fall on the just as well as the unjust. Therefore, America we should: “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” (Colossians 3: 5-6). Read this and get right with God, because God is already right with you and for you. Amen!

Johnny Cont.

comprehend and understand God’s eternal truth, and divine purpose, because: “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10: 17). The learning process begins and must be spiritually reinforced in family structures, because the family is the first church, as well as the first school. The ninety-five percent educational rule states that if a child can learn to read by five, he or she has a ninety-five percent chance of completing high school as well as finishing college. Sadly, most Black, and Hispanic males cannot pass the military readiness exam. Recently, HISD reported that the gaps in college access have worsened over the past decade (2012-2022).

For example, the percentage of HISD’s Black and Hispanic and lowincome graduates who enter college after graduation or within one year after graduation has dramatically declined. Black Houstonians let’s become intentionally real, our children are our future, and they are at-risk, and we need to become godlier concerning their educational development. Hence, every child regardless of race/ethnicity and socio-economic status deserves a chance to become educationally successful and occupationally productive. More importantly, our children deserve to know how to read, because the world is becoming more and more technologically oriented.

Historically, Black culture affords far more socio-economic opportunities for females than for males to become educationally and occupationally successful, and we all know why. At the same time, in the 21st century marriage has become an equal status socio-economic game, and that has become a monumental problem for Black families. Sadly, only (20%) of Black children growup in a two-parent family structure, and consequently, there is no male figure in the family to train and discipline children in the way of the Lord: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22: 6). Moreover, “Children’s

children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.” (Proverbs 17: 6). The spiritual question of questions is this: who and where are the marriageable eligibles for high status Black females? Black men do not become angry when Black women marry outside of Black culture, simply learn how to read, obtain an education, or acquire a skill to support a family. Hence, when we leave God out of the life-style equation, we have hell in our homes, churches, schools, and society in general. Lack of internal spiritual self-discipline and family disintegration are at the crux of the problem of why Johnny cannot read, because Johnny is not being taught either in the home or school to read. What a shameful waste of human resources and talents. The long and the short of it all is when we leave God out of our everyday lives, we have hell on earth. Individuals must teach their children to obey God, “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sitteth in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou riseth up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.” (Deuteronomy 6: 7-9). Johnny can read, but Johhny has not been disciplined, and trained in the way of the Lord to have life giving character qualities, and this is precisely why Johnny cannot read. If Johnny can read and comprehend this scriptural verse, Johnny can become disciplined to learn to read anything, and this is a spiritual fact: “Whereby godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1: 3-4). This is a spiritual reality. Now run and tell that and pass it on.

CHEF PSALMIST

By: Shelley McKinley

ere is no other way to describe Willie Mae Sharpe other than as a chef and a Psalmist, hence she is known as Chef Psalmist. Chef Willie Mae was named a er and raised by her maternal grandmother, Willie Mae Wiley. Willie Mae Sharpe watched her grandmother run her small catering business in Beaumont, TX.

Sharpe also helped her grandmother in the kitchen to prepare the dishes that she served. Sharpe witnessed her grandmother feed strangers coming from the railroad. As her grandmother explained, “ e scripture says ‘Be careful how you entertain strangers; because some have entertained angels unaware. –Hebrews 13:2.”

Willie Mae Sharpe always knew she could sing. Her gi of song has opened many doors, and some may recognize her from the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN). She has opened for many Gospel singers and shared the stage with national recording artists such as Marvin Sapp, Myron Williams, Israel Houghton, Donnie McClurkin, Kurt Carr, Fred Hammond, Brian Courtney Wilson, Betty Ransom Nelson, Kim Burrell, and Bishop Carlton Pearson to name a few. Her gi has also taken her to Geneva, Switzerland; Viernheim, Germany; and Landstuhl, Germany. roughout her travels, however, one dream remained which was to open her own bed & breakfast patterned a er her grandmother’s home. Sharpe shared, “One of my greatest memories was hearing the testimonies of so many who had come back to just say ‘thank you’.” With determination to combine her three loves of food, music, and people, Chef Willie Mae Sharpe studied at e Art Institute of Houston. Her goal was to merge traditional comfort dishes with sophisticated culinary cuisine. She also wanted people to enjoy her great food and great music together. Willie Mae Sharpe started by opening her catering business and named it “ e Chef Psalmist,” making the switch from

songstress to entrepreneur.

LOCAL

1921 TULSA RACE MASSACRE ANNIVERSARY

By: Robin Cavanaugh

In August 2023, she nally saw the manifestation of her 30-year dream by opening Wiley House Bed & Breakfast in the Atascocita/ Humble area. It is named a er her grandmother and provides “a taste of soul” which features live music in addition to scrumptious food and a relaxing stay.

Sharpe continues to sing at Wheeler Ave. Baptist Church. She experiences her dream-come-true every time she gets to see people react to her food and music at Wiley House Bed & Breakfast. e added bonus is that she has the chance to continue the legacy of Black entrepreneurship given to her by her grandmother.

Holocaust Museum Houston (HMH) will observe the 103rd Anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre with a free lecture from historian Tim Madigan, author of e Burning: Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, on Wednesday, May 29 at 6:30 p.m. A book signing by the author will follow the program. On the nights of May 31 through June 1, 1921, a mob of hundreds of white supremacists descended upon the Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Known at that time as Black Wall Street, Greenwood was one of the most prosperous African American neighborhoods in the nation. By the end of the race riot, hundreds of buildings had been laid to waste, over 10,000 Greenwood residents were le homeless and up to 300 people had been murdered. Following the massacre, the Greenwood district remained a shadow of itself, and reports of the attack were largely unheard of for nearly a century. e Burning: Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 gives an indepth and haunting look into the events of that fateful day. Shedding light not only on the barbarism of the perpetrators in Tulsa, but also exposing America’s long history of countless race massacres that occurred in the latter half of the 19th, and

rst half of the 20th, centuries in the United States. is event is free to attend, but a RSVP is required. Public programs at HMH are presented by Memorial Hermann. RSVP at hmh. org/Tulsa.

e free lecture is in tandem with the featured exhibition, e Kinsey African American Art & History Collection, on view through June 23, 2024 in HMH’s Josef and Edith Mincberg Gallery. e exhibition celebrates the achievements and contributions of Black Americans from 1595 to present day. Considered one of the most comprehensive surveys of African American history and culture outside the Smithsonian Institution, the exhibition of the same name features the shared treasures amassed by Shirley and Bernard Kinsey during their ve decades of marriage. e collection includes masterful paintings and sculpture, photographs, rare books, letters, manuscripts and more that o er a well-rounded look at the African American experience and provide new perspectives on the nation’s history and culture. Learn more at hmh.org/Kinsey.

Smoke billowing over Tulsa, Oklahoma during 1921 race riots. Photo by Alvin C. Krupnick Co.

LOCAL

ANTRON D. JOHNSON, INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

By: Travis McGee

e Texas Legislative Black Caucus (TXLBC) is proud to announce the appointment of Antron D. Johnson as its Interim Executive Director, e ective April 15, 2024. With a wealth of experience in advocacy, community engagement, and policy development, Johnson brings a dynamic leadership style and a passion for advancing the interests of Black Texans to this pivotal role.

Antron D. Johnson joins the TXLBC with a proven track record of championing equity, justice, and empowerment in communities across Texas. As a respected leader and advocate, Johnson has dedicated his career to addressing systemic inequalities and amplifying the voices of marginalized communities. His commitment to social justice and his

stakeholders and constituents. His leadership will be instrumental in driving positive change and ensuring that the TXLBC continues to be a powerful force for progress in Texas.

“I am honored to serve as the Interim Executive Director of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus,” said Antron D. Johnson. “I look forward to working alongside TXLBC members and partners to advance our shared mission of promoting equity, opportunity, and justice for all Texans. Together, we will continue to tirelessly advocate for Black communities and a catalyst for meaningful change.”

ability to build coalitions make him uniquely quali ed to lead the TXLBC during this critical time.

In his new role, Johnson will work closely with TXLBC members to advance their legislative priorities, advocate for policies that upli Black Texans, and strengthen the caucus’s engagement with

Chairman State Representative Ron Reynolds stated that he “is con dent that Antron’s leadership will strengthen the caucus and position it for even greater success in the future. Under his guidance, the TXLBC will continue to be a leading voice for Black Texans and a steadfast advocate for policies that create a more equitable and inclusive state.”

For media inquiries or further information, please contact: Antron D. Johnson Interim Executive Director. ajohnson@txlbc.org.

DOJ ANNOUNCES $139M SETTLEMENT

By: Alexander Mallin, Pierre Thomas and Jack Date

e Department of Justice on Tuesday announced it has reached a $138.7 million settlement deal with victims of the disgraced former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar to resolve their claims of wrongdoing against the FBI in its failures to investigate allegations of sexual abuse.

“For decades, Lawrence Nassar abused his position, betraying the trust of those under his care and medical supervision while skirting accountability,” Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer said in a statement. “ ese allegations should have been taken seriously from the outset. While these settlements won’t undo the harm Nassar in icted, our hope is that they will help give the victims of his crimes some of the critical support they need to continue healing.”

Once nalized, the settlement will resolve 139 tort claims led against the DOJ and the FBI in 2022 by the long list of athletes and patients who reported abuse by Nassar, including Maggie Nichols, Simone Biles, Aly Raisman and McKayla Maroney.

e claims, which in total sought roughly $1 billion in damages, were led a er the department said it was declining to pursue criminal charges against agents whom the DOJ’s inspector general found failed to properly investigate allegations of abuse by Nassar.

e watchdog report found the FBI was noti ed of Nassar’s behavior but failed to act for more than 14 months, a period where Nassar is alleged to have abused at least 40 more girls and women.

Nassar pleaded guilty in 2017 in connection with crimes against several victims and was sentenced to 60 years behind bars for child pornography and other charges. He again pleaded guilty in 2018 and was sentenced to an additional 40 to 175 years for multiple counts of sexual assault of minors.

NATIONAL

Attorneys for many of those who brought claims against the government celebrated the agreement on Tuesday but said “the FBI fundamentally failed to protect hundreds of women and girls from sexual abuse through inaction and total mishandling of their Larry Nassar investigation.”

“We are proud to have achieved a monumental settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice, that not only secures the recovery the survivors deserve but also holds the DOJ and FBI accountable for their failures,” Megan Bonanni and Michael L. Pitt, who respresent 77 of the claimants, said in a statement.

“We hope this serves as a lesson for federal law enforcement and they make the changes necessary to prevent anything like this from happening again.”

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM HUMAN TRAFFICKING

By Raven Lolia

Human tra cking is a global problem that remains unresolved. Why is that? Many individuals believe that tra cking and modern-day slavery are topics you might only hear about in an episode of a television drama. Little do we realize the United States is one of the top countries with the highest rates of tra cking.

In the United States, the populations deemed to be the most vulnerable are women, children, those who are homeless, children withheld in the court system, juveniles, and foreigners. According to the Department of Justice, approximately 40% of all victims are black.

ere are several ways to identify a potential victim of tra cking.

e person is never permitted to be alone with anyone other than their known guardian, friend, or partner and is isolated. e person has a language or other social barrier that hinders them from speaking up for themselves.

e person verbalizes living with their employer.

Look for visible signs of physical or emotional abuse and mistreatment. Check also for tattoos, markings, or brandings on the skin in addition to other suspicious indicators. e individual may also be avoiding socialization with anyone.

How Can You Stay Safe?

Always stay vigilant of your surroundings. When entering and exiting a building or your vehicle, remain aware of everything taking place around you.

Maintain a safe distance at all times. While out, maintain a safe distance from anyone you don’t know. Leave enough room in between you and any person that allows you to get away or defend yourself if needed. Avoid isolation. Be mindful of remaining too long in an isolated space such as a park or parking lot. Leave the area quickly. Implement a 45-second rule. Start the engine

and drive o immediately a er getting in your vehicle. Many assume they are safe if they are locked in their car, allowing them to sit idle for a long time before driving o . oroughly research information on posted ads. As you move throughout your day, you may see papers that have want ads for job postings or missing persons. At times, those postings may not always be genuine. Calling a number and being instructed to meet at a speci c place or provide your location may be a trap.

Share your location. If possible have the location of your phone turned on, and inform someone you trust of your whereabouts.

Keeping these pointers in mind can do wonders in keeping you and your loved ones safe.

Notice to Proposers e Houston Independent School District Purchasing Services Department located at 4400 West 18th Street, Houston, TX 77092 is soliciting Request for Proposals (RFP) via the District’s electronic bidding portal. Proposers may login to view speci cations and submit their responses at the following link https:// houstonisd.ionwave.net/Login.aspx until 11:00 a.m. (CST) Tuesday, May 28, 2024, for the following solicitation: RFP 24-04-02 Environmental Assessment & Testing Services

Pre-proposal conferences via Microso Teams will be held in conjunction with this RFP. Information regarding dates, times, and instructions to receive a link to join the meeting can be located within the electronic bidding portal under the “Event Details” tab speci c to this solicitation.

Notice to Proposers Request for Proposal will be received by Lone Star College for:

• RFP #950 – Facilities Management Services. Electronic submittals due by 3:00PM, Friday, May 24, 2024

• Mandatory: Site Walk-through – See bid document for site visit schedule.

• Non-Mandatory: WebEx pre-proposal meeting: Monday, April 29, 2024 @ 3:00PM; call-in number 1-408-7926300, Meeting #2632 457 9706

• Contact: Pamela.Johnson@lonestar.edu or (832)813-6782.

• 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 MC-vendors@ lonestar.edu.

Bible-based, and Prayer-minded”