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THEY TOOK OUR LAND NOW THEY’RE SELLING IT BACK AT LUXURY
By: Roy Douglas Malonson
It’s a story that has repeated itself across generations: Black families worked hard to secure land, only to have it taken through systemic practices and later sold to developers for pro t. Today, that cycle continues—only now, the very land that was lost is being sold back at luxury prices that many of the original residents could never a ord.
From ird Ward to Freedmen’s Town, Houston’s historically Black neighborhoods are in the middle of a modern land war—one fought with rising property taxes, investor buyouts, and zoning decisions. What was once land passed down through generations is being snapped up by developers, ipped, and marketed as high-end real estate. e people who
PRICES
built these neighborhoods are being priced out—and told they should be grateful for the “revitalization.”
Over a century ago, Black Americans steadily acquired land, particularly in the South. A er emancipation, land ownership was viewed as a key to freedom, stability, and wealth. By 1910, Black farmers owned over 14 million acres. But through a combination of legal loopholes, intimidation, and predatory development practices, 90% of that land has been lost.
One of the major culprits is a system known as heirs’ property. A er slavery, many Black families inherited land informally, without wills or o cial Land on pg. 3
POPE FRANCIS PASSES AT 88
Pope Francis, the rst Latin American and Jesuit pope, passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. He died in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta residence following complications from a stroke. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, con rmed the news, stating that at 7:35 a.m., the Bishop of Rome “returned to the house of the Father” .
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires in 1936, Francis became pope in 2013 a er the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. His papacy was marked by a focus on humility, social justice, and outreach to marginalized communities. He was known for his simplicity, evident in his living arrangements and modest attire, and for his advocacy for the poor and environmental causes .
In recent years, Pope Francis faced health challenges, including respiratory issues and chronic conditions. He had been hospitalized earlier this year for double pneumonia and chronic bronchitis . Despite these health setbacks, he remained active in his duties, delivering messages of peace and compassion. His passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from world leaders and religious gures. U.S. President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron both honored his legacy, describing him as a global moral leader and champion for the poor and voiceless .
Pope Francis’s funeral is scheduled for April 26 in St. Peter’s Square, following traditional rites. e College of Cardinals will convene to elect a new pope, with many considering the in uence of Francis’s appointments in shaping the future direction of the Church.
EDITORIAL
Bobby Mills, Ph.D.
OF LAWS
Laws are universal in nature; especially if based upon God’s divine universal laws, e Two Great Commandments. However, the enforcement of laws can vary based on di erent social factors such as race, gender, and socio-economic statuses. e reelection of Donald J. Trump as President signaled the particularistic enforcement of laws based upon revenge and pay back. Lest we forget: “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” (Proverbs 29: 18). America, where there is moral ignorance, and spiritual rejection of God (UNIVERSAL TRUTH); not individualized truth, there will always be law-breaking, crime, and sinfulness running rampant. For a democratic nation-state to function well, individuals must obey universalized laws. is is precisely why spiritual knowledge of the Divine Lawgiver is so very important, especially in a multicultural democratic society. erefore, if individuals will not obey manmade laws, it is for certain they will not obey God’s divine spiritual laws. Prayerfully, America has always socio-spiritually striven to be a nation of laws, not fallible men. Most Americans know that Divine Love is the spiritual ful llment of the law, because: “For the law of
COST OF GENTRIFICATION A Revival of God Consciousness
the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the esh, God sending his own Son, in the likeness of sinful esh, and for sin, condemned sin in the esh: that the righteousness of the law might be ful lled in us, who walk not a er the esh, but a er the Spirit.” (Romans 8: 2-4). America, only the Holy Spirit (TRUTH) can free us from sin and eternal damnation, not MAGA Trumpism. Attempting to obey the law or laws without divine spiritual understanding is an impossibility, because of mankind’s universal sin nature. But, more importantly: “the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: because that, when they knew God, they gloried him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man,” (Romans 1: 20-23). MAGA Cult Followers, Donald J. Trump, is not God, neither is he godlike in character. Most of all, MAGA-Cult Followers avoid idolatry and idol worshipping, and spiritually understand the magnitude of God’s love: “for if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth
We Must Understand
Our Communities Are Disappearing
Gentri cation is no longer just a buzzword—it’s a crisis. Across cities like Houston, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C., historically Black neighborhoods are vanishing—not because people are choosing to leave, but because they’re being forced out.
In communities built by Black hands—brick by brick, church by church, block by block—wealthy developers are buying up land, ipping homes, and driving up property taxes.
Pushed Out of What We Built
e result? Elderly residents on xed incomes are being squeezed out. Families who lived in the same house for generations are priced into the streets. Our culture, our churches, and our stories are being bulldozed to make way for high-end co ee shops and roo op patios.
Let’s be clear: revitalization is not the problem. Displacement is.
What Needs to Change
When policymakers approve luxury developments without protections, they are complicit in erasing Black legacies. We need:
Rent control and property tax relief for long-time residents
A ordable housing mandates for developers
Education on protecting inherited land
Community land trusts to keep land in the hands of the people
This Is About More Than Rent
e cost of gentri cation isn’t just higher bills. It’s the loss of Black identity, community, and generational wealth.
If we don’t act now, we won’t have to wonder what happened to our neighborhoods—because they’ll be gone.
We Must Protect What’s Ours
Let’s protect our spaces, our stories, and our people. Before it’s too late.
Roy Douglas Malonson, Publisher
EDITORIAL
POLITICAL INFLUENCE FOR SALE
By:Jazz Paz
Oprah was the original in uencer, but we didn’t know it then. Appealing to all races, cultures and traditions, she in uenced us towards generosity and grace.
When 23-year-old in uencer Awa Sanneh posted a video of herself in the White House bathroom last year, she captured half a million followers’ attention and invitations to meet President Biden, and watch his State of the Union address in person.
When CBS News asked if she felt the Democrats were summoning her to stroll on the red carpet, she was sure. “De nitely, and I’m glad to be on it. ey (the DNC) just told us that if we wanted to put on our own show that they would give us all the resources to do that,” Sanneh said.
Rob Flaherty ran Biden’s digital strategy, and then for Kamala Harris. “We just have to be working with them. And if we’re not, we’re missing a huge way that voters are getting information about the world,” he explained. “We give them talking points, resources, base language, you know, graphics,” he said of campaigner’s work with in uencers.
Flaherty denied the Harris campaign paid content creators directly, but other Democratic organizations do. Sanneh declined to reveal how much she’s earned, but she admitted, “A video just for a creator in my size, an average can go from $3,000 to $10,000
and upwards.” Federal rules require in uencers to disclose when they are being paid, but in a ruling last December, the Federal Election Commission voted against similar requirements for in uencers spreading political messaging.
In the hours preceding Trump’s Joint address to Congress last month, Democratic senators clustered with a handful of progressive in uencers who share millions of fans. eir House colleagues met with forty online celebrities they hoped could escalate enthusiasm. ese camarafacing motivators sit in parked cars or pose naturally in other familiar scenes and con de in scripted “discussions” to their admirers their private yearning for a candidate’s success and why victory is imperative.
Trump prevailed using a related approach, but he relied on bombast and infamy. His cheerleaders employed fanatical and pugnacious deceivers who are equally entertaining and repellant. Some have mocked the earnest and serious messages of the le , lampooning them online, but that served to mostly disseminate their missives.
From actor Tracee Ellis Ross (Girlfriends and Black-ish, and founder of the Time’s Up movement) to modelgorgeous Nupol Kiazolu who organized one of the
Land Cont.
documentation. Over time, as land was passed down through generations, ownership became divided among dozens of descendants. Without clear title, families were le vulnerable to forced sales. Developers could buy a share from just one heir and use the courts to force the rest to sell. is tactic has been used in Texas, including Harris County, to displace Black families from their ancestral homes.
In Houston’s ird Ward, the effects are visible and dramatic. is historically Black neighborhood, once a thriving hub of community and culture, has become a hotspot for real estate investors. Reports show that large swaths of land are now owned by out-of-state companies or anonymous LLCs. Properties that once sold for under $100,000 are being redeveloped and listed at over $500,000. New residents move in, taxes skyrocket, and longtime homeowners are le to choose between keeping the family house or losing it to foreclosure. For many, keeping the land isn’t even an option. e pressure to sell can be relentless, especially for elderly residents on xed incomes. And with property values rising so quickly, some families feel forced to cash out, even when they’d prefer to stay. It’s a painful choice: give up your legacy or drown in debt trying to save it.
Just west of downtown in Freedmen’s Town, a similar story is unfolding. Established by formerly enslaved people in the late 1800s, the area was once the epicenter of Black life in Houston. Today, Freedmen’s Town is barely recognizable. Luxury townhomes stand where shotgun houses once lined the streets. Developers even paved over historic brick roads laid by freedmen.
But the narrative of progress o en ignores the people who built the foundation.
While some e orts have been made to preserve what’s le —through community land trusts, historic preservation grants, and city-led initiatives— the pace of development far outpaces protection. And without widespread legal reform, the conditions that allowed this land loss to happen remain in place.
What’s being lost isn’t just property— it’s history, wealth, and identity. Land ownership has always been a cornerstone of economic independence. When Black families lose their land, they lose leverage, stability, and the ability to pass something down. And when they’re priced out of the neighborhoods their ancestors built, it sends a message: your legacy has no place here. Some local organizations are pushing back. Legal clinics are working with families to secure clear title and prevent forced sales. Nonpro ts are organizing to buy back land and hold it in community trusts. And activists are demanding accountability from city leaders who approve zoning changes and development plans without community input.
But the struggle is uphill—and urgent. Every year, more properties are ipped, more families displaced, and more communities erased.
e story of land loss isn’t just about acres and dollars. It’s about power. It’s about who gets to stay, who gets to leave, and who gets to pro t.
And for Black Houstonians, it’s about reclaiming what was taken—and making sure the next generation doesn’t have to buy back their birthright.
omas Je erson signs the Act Prohibiting Importation of Slaves.
e Missouri Compromise is passed. It was a legislative package designed to address the issue of slavery in the new territories acquired from the Louisiana Purchase.
e rst recorded lynching of an African American occurs in St. Louis.
1. Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball. He debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, becoming the rst African American to play in the modern era of MLB.
- African Americans have been present in Texas since the Spanish colonial era, with the arrival of Estevanico, an enslaved Moor, with Cabeza de Vaca’s expedition in 1528.
- Slavery played a signi cant role in Texas’s economic development, and by 1860, approximately 30% of the population was enslaved.
- Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19th, marks the date when enslaved African Americans in Texas were nally informed of their emancipation in 1865.
- A er emancipation, African Americans settled in Texas, but faced discrimination and challenges during and a er Reconstruction.
- African Americans in Texas have made signi cant contributions to various elds and have achieved prominence in areas like politics, education, and sports, including Hattie Mae White’s election to the Houston school board in 1958.
Frederick Douglass publishes his rst autobiography and bestknown work, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave.
Uncle Tom’s Cabin is published, helping fuel the abolitionist movement.
In Dred Scott v. Sandford, the Supreme Court case nds that the U.S. Constitution does not protect or recognize free or enslaved African Americans as citizens.
John Brown’s Raid on Harper’s Ferry. Brown and his 18 men seized the US Armory and Arsenal at Harpers Ferry on the night of October 16, 1859.
POLITICS
BEING TOUGH ON CRIME INCLUDES ADDRESSING CHILD ABUSE
By:Teresa Huizar
News outlets obsess over shocking, high-pro le crimes -- from murders to violent carjackings. In response, politicians focus on preventing these tragic, but statistically rare, events. Meanwhile, far more prevalent and costly crimes go unnoticed.
at’s especially true when it comes to America’s epidemic of child sexual abuse. A staggering 10% of American children experience sexual abuse before their 18th birthday. Less than onetenth of 1% of Americans are robbed each year. An even tinier fraction -- 0.0075% -- are victims of homicide.
Child abuse in icts scars that last a lifetime. e costs to the children and society are enormous. at’s why lawmakers who want to get tough on crime or rein in government spending should devote more resources to addressing child abuse. Every dollar spent on preventing abuse pays for itself many times over. A year’s worth of U.S. child maltreatment cases -- including physical, sexual, and psychological abuse, as well as neglect -- costs $428 billion over time, according to the CDC. Our healthcare, welfare, education, and criminal justice systems pay the bill.
e impact of child abuse doesn’t end when police rescue the child. Survivors need years of support, which can include medical care, counseling, and more.
A network of Children’s Advocacy Centers across the country take on this work, serving hundreds of thousands of children each year. CACs coordinate teams of medical professionals, law enforcement, prosecutors, social workers, and victim advocates who guide children and their families through
HOUSTON
every process to get justice and heal. ese centers play a vital role in supporting law enforcement and prosecutors. CACs conduct medical examinations and forensic interviews with children, providing critical evidence. Victim advocates at assist in cra ing victim impact statements, which have been shown to in uence a perpetrator’s sentencing when read aloud in court.
Law enforcement and prosecutors rely heavily on this evidence because prosecuting child abuse isn’t a given. In one study, researchers examined 325 cases of child sexual abuse. More than half of cases stalled at the investigation stage and less than a quarter made it to trial.
Unfortunately, CACs have had their nancing slashed. For 40 years, the Victims of Crime Act supported victim services through a dedicated fund made up of nes from white-collar crimes -- not taxpayer dollars. But in recent years, the fund has plummeted, resulting in a $630 million shortfall in 2024.
Free Wellness Event Brings Life-Saving Screenings and a 5K Walk to Houston. The nonprofit delivers more than 10,000 free health screenings annually and offers cutting-edge health education programs. Now, AAMWA is bringing its mission to Houston with Black Men’s Wellness Day
FORT WORTH
Council talks tougher fines for clear cutting. The new rules are aimed at protecting the city’s tree canopy from development.
MONTGOMERY
Montgomery County Precinct 3 Commissioner Ritch Wheeler’s office stated that it requested assistance from the Harris County Flood Control District in acquiring the land from the developer, citing its proximity to nearby bodies of water. However, representatives from the development company said they have no intention of selling the property.
POLITICS
BLACK CHURCHES BACK AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MUSEUM
By: AP News
As he does once a month, Rev. Robert Turner set out from his home in Baltimore last week and made the 43mile journey to Washington — on foot.
By the evening of April 16, he had reached the White House, holding a sign that read “Reparations Now.”
is time, Turner made an additional stop along the way: the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Turner knelt in prayer and placed a wreath at the entrance of the museum to show his support for its mission — one that drew criticism from President Donald Trump, who, in a March 27 executive order, accused the Smithsonian of promoting a “divisive, race-centered ideology” that he claimed misrepresented American history.
Turner wanted to a rm the museum’s importance. Since opening in 2016, it welcomed its 10 millionth visitor in 2023. e museum chronicles the history of chattel slavery, Jim Crow segregation, and their ongoing impact, while also celebrating the resilience, achievements, and contributions of Black Americans and institutions.
“I laid my wreath there as a gesture of solidarity — to honor the
truth and the history the museum shares daily,” said Turner, pastor of Empowerment Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church in Baltimore.
His congregation has pledged to become a museum member, and Turner is encouraging church members to join as well. Memberships begin at $25 annually, according to the museum’s website. ey’re not alone — other predominantly Black churches are taking similar steps to show their support.
One supporter is the Rev. Jacqui J. Lewis, senior minister at Middle Church in New York City, a multiracial congregation a liated with the United Church of Christ.
“We’ve been members of the museum since it opened, and we recently made another donation in response to this administration’s policies,” Lewis told the AP. at donation, she said, was a $1,000 “Easter Love gi .”
Bishop Timothy Clarke of First Church of God in Columbus, Ohio, said he plans to follow the lead of fellow clergy by encouraging support from his mostly African American congregation.
“Our grandson is on a eld trip in D.C.,”
Clarke shared in an email. “His favorite part so far has been the visit to the museum.”
While Trump’s executive order didn’t mention speci c funding cuts, it appointed Vice President JD Vance — who sits on the Smithsonian Board of Regents — to lead e orts to remove what the order called “improper ideology” from the institution. Vance has promised to “restore the Smithsonian Institution to its rightful place as a symbol of inspiration and American greatness.”
Critics, however, argue that the move aims to rewrite history by downplaying slavery and other painful truths of America’s past.
LEGAL NOTICE e Houston Independent School District Purchasing Services Department located at 4400 West 18 th 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 10:00 a.m. (CST) Tuesday, May 20, 2025, for the following solicitation:
RFP 25-03-10 Electronic Disposal and Recycling 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 #25-04-03 – Promotional Products for Lone Star College System. Electronic submittals due by 2:00PM, Friday, May 7, 2025.
Contact: janet.bradley@lonestar. edu or (832)813-6299. Must Register to Bid: https://lonestar.ionwave.net/Login.aspx. If registered, please ensure your registration is up to date. For assistance with the on-line registration process, contact MCvendors@lonestar.edu.
COMMUNITY
HOUSTON HOUSING AUTHORITY ANNOUNCES UPCOMING UPDATES TO VOUCHER WAITLISTS
By:Cynthia Hurrington
e Houston Housing Authority (HHA) today announced upcoming updates to the Housing Choice voucher and project-based subsidy waitlists. ese updates are part of HHA’s ongoing commitment to equitable, transparent and e cient service.
“Save My Spot”: Action required for individuals on the Housing Choice voucher waitlist
From May 1 to June 2, individuals on HHA’s Housing Choice Voucher waitlist must register in HHA’s new RentCafe portal, con rm their current contact information and select “Save My Spot” to remain on the list. is critical step clears outdated entries, making space for individuals and families who need it.
“ is is a required update to make sure our limited resources are going to the people who
still need them,” said Kenneth Coles, HHA’s senior vice president of voucher operations.
“Our goal is to ensure HHA has updated information for individuals on the waitlist and to remove those who no longer need housing assistance.”
e “Save My Spot” period begins on May 1 at 9 a.m. CST. ose who do not complete the process by June 2 at 5 p.m. CST will be removed from the waitlist. To “Save My Spot” on the HHA Housing Choice voucher waitlist, wait-listed individuals must create a pro le in the new RentCafe portal by following the instructions that will be outlined at www. housingforhouston.com beginning on May 1. New opportunities: Select project-based voucher waitlists open May 1–16
While the Housing Choice Voucher waitlist remains closed to new applicants, HHA will open waitlists for approximately 20 projectbased subsidies tied to speci c properties.
ese site-speci c waitlists o en have shorter wait times and o er an alternative for eligible individuals.
e project-based voucher waitlist application period opens on May 1 at 9 a.m. CST and closes on May 16 at 5 p.m. CST. All applications must be submitted online through the RentCafe portal. Applicants will nd detailed instructions and resources at www.housingforhouston.com once the application period opens on May 1. e website is accessible in several languages, including Spanish. Assistance available
HHA is committed to ensuring that residents are informed of these updates and have the necessary resources to complete the registration process. For individuals needing help with registration or access to
a computer, HHA will provide assistance at the reception lobby of the HHA o ce at 2640 Fountain View Dr., Houston, TX 77057. Sta will be available to support individuals through the registration
and application process. For more information, please visit www.housingforhouston.com.
Photo credit: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department