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IS THE CHURCH READY FOR A BLACK POPE?
By: Roy Douglas Malonson
In the hallowed halls of the Vatican, where marble saints look down upon centuries of tradition, one question echoes louder today than ever before: Is the Church ready for a Black Pope? And perhaps more importantly, why hasn’t it happened yet?
For over 2,000 years, the Roman Catholic Church has preached the universality of God’s love — yet its highest earthly office, the papacy, has remained untouched by Black leadership. Despite Africa being home to over 250 million Catholics — more than in Europe — and Black people being among the most faithful believers worldwide, no African or Africandescended leader has ever been elevated to the seat of Saint Peter.
So we ask, not just as a rhetorical question, but as a prophetic challenge: In the name of the Lord, is it time for a Black Pope?
By: Warren Muhammad
On a perfect Saturday afternoon in Houston’s historic Acres Home neighborhood, the air was thick with the scent of hickory, red oak, and pecan wood smoke. The energy was palpable as the cookers waited with anxious anticipation. Beginning at midnight on April 18th, each competition team began preparing their brisket and to smoke it overnight to be ready for the judging that would take place just over 12 hours later.
This year’s lineup wasn’t made up of flashy restaurant teams or corporate pit crews, it was a group of hardworking, solo pitmasters who juggled customer Easter orders while still making time to compete.
A History That Can’t Be Denied
Let’s be clear: Black presence in the Church is nothing new. Early Christianity had deep roots in Africa. Saint Augustine of Hippo, one of the most influential theologians in Church history, was born in what is now Algeria. Three early popes — St. Victor I, St. Miltiades, and St. Gelasius I — were of African origin. But in recent centuries, Black leadership in the Church has been largely symbolic, not structural. Despite this rich legacy, no Black cardinal has ever been elected Pope in modern times. And while African cardinals like Francis Arinze of Nigeria and Peter Turkson of Ghana have made headlines as “papabile” (potential Popes), the final vote always goes another direction. Why?
Jason Escobedo’s Smoke BBQ & Catering, Teddy Parish’s The Hungry Hub, Christopher Fontenette’s Str8 Flavour BBQ and Seafood, Glen Paxton’s Kingz Smoke Ringz, and Warren Fitzgerald Muhammad’s Chappie’s Gourmet Links & Cue may have each flown a different banner, but they were united by a shared love for the farmers market and a deep belief in the work the Chamber is doing in Acres Home. These weren’t just competitors, they were community builders with smokers, carving out time to show up for something bigger than brisket.
The Brisket Cookoff Competition, the first of its kind for the Acres Home Chamber for Business and Economic Development, Inc., was more than a contest, it was a homegrown movement. Spearheaded by local volunteer Ace Tejada, and the Chamber team, the event was envisioned as a way to turn up the heat not only on brisket, but on community engagement with the bi-weekly farmers market and economic empowerment.
The pitmasters spent the night and early morning sharing tricks of the trade and offering each other BBQ, but by
The Unspoken Truth: Race and Power in the Church Cookoff on pg. 3 Pope on pg. 3
A Revival of God Consciousness
Bobby Mills, Ph.D.
HUMAN DIGNITY
Once you strip a human being of dignity, he/she is dehumanized. This is precisely what the Trump Administration is seeking to do illegal immigrants; even calling them Aliens as though they are non-humans from a distantstrange planet. Symbols motivate human behavior. On the one hand, the symbol of dehumanizing illegal immigrants from Latin American countries is designed as deterrence to non-Whites seeking immigration to America. On the other hand, President Trump has boldly and openly stated: “if the immigrants were Whites at the border and from Scandinavian countries it would not be a problem. Let them in”. Humility is Godly, and arrogance is devilish. When individuals are only concerned for themselves and have absolutely no regard for the plight of others, seeds of societal discord are sown. This is precisely why the Bible tells us: “Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” (Philippians 2: 3-4). America aims to provide equitable solutions for supporting the poor and disadvantaged. If you do not believe me, simply ask Bill Gates and Warren Buffett. Individuals can change the world simply
EDITORIAL
by changing themselves. The following scripture is moral instruction for all individuals who are in leadership positions: “for Kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who will have all men to be saved, and come into the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2: 2-4). More importantly, nothing can separate us from the love of God: “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8: 31).
We Must Understand
Roy Douglas Malonson, Publisher
IF TITHES WERE REPARATIONS, WOULD THE BLACK CHURCH FIX THE HOOD?
young Black professionals. Tithes were never meant to just maintain buildings and pay salaries. In biblical times, they supported widows, orphans, and the poor. So what if we reframed tithing as a tool of economic liberation—a form of selffunded reparations to revive the neighborhoods many pastors still preach from but no longer live in?
To be clear, many churches do give back. But the question remains: is it enough? Is it strategic? And is it transformational?
America, we must always remember that every human being has inherent intrinsic Godly value. All human beings are created in the spiritual image of God, a little lower than the Angels. Therefore, every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect; even those who violate the law must be accorded due process rights. Therefore, legal due process rights is the essence of America’s greatness as a multi-cultural society. In fact, due process rights is the spiritual foundation of a free moral society, based solely upon “right reasoning”, not flawed self-centered Presidential declarations. Government exists to protect human rights, civil rights, and human dignity based solely upon the concept of “we the people”. It’s not about political will and law enforcement authority, but moral reasoning. America, the concept of legitimate governance exists. Therefore, the Constitution is the law of the land (America), not the President. The President simply takes
Every Sunday, across America, millions of Black families dress in their finest, head to church, and tithe. It’s a sacred ritual—an act of faith and tradition. But let’s ask an uncomfortable question: what if those tithes were treated like reparations? Could the Black church rebuild the very communities it’s located in?
The Black church has long been a spiritual refuge, a cultural cornerstone, and a political launching pad. It stood tall during slavery, led movements through Jim Crow, and gave rise to icons like Dr. King. But in 2025, many Black neighborhoods remain in crisis—riddled with poverty, poor schools, gun violence, and food deserts—while some churches collect millions a year.
So where’s the disconnect?
The modern megachurch can raise $20K in one Sunday. Over a year, that’s over $1 million from tithes alone—not counting special offerings. Imagine if just 30% of that went directly into the hood: buying back abandoned properties, opening free clinics, funding after-school programs, or paying off student debt for
We can no longer afford to separate faith from economics. If reparations from the government remain stalled, then perhaps the Black church—the most consistent Black institution in America—can act now. Not as a charity. Not as a bailout. But as a revolutionary act of stewardship.
What if our worship wasn’t just a sound, but a strategy?
The time has come for pastors, congregations, and community leaders to look inward and ask: are we just praying for the hood, or are we actually rebuilding it? Because if we can tithe millions…
We can fix our own streets. And maybe—just maybe— the church isn’t waiting on God.
Maybe God is waiting on the church.
Would your church step up if tithes became reparations? Say Amen… and do the math.
The Catholic Church is a global institution, yet whiteness still dominates its imagery, leadership, and narrative. From the paintings of a European-looking Jesus to the cardinals’ red robes in Rome, power is often cloaked in cultural uniformity. There’s an unspoken gatekeeping that says leadership must look a certain way — or come from certain parts of the world.
But the tides are shifting. With Africa and Latin America projected to be the center of Catholic growth in the 21st century, the Church faces a spiritual and political crossroads. Can it truly claim to represent all of God’s people while failing to elevate leaders who look like the global majority?
A Pope Who Looks Like
Us
Imagine the impact of a Black Pope. Imagine young Black boys and girls around the world seeing a man who looks like their grandfather or uncle standing at the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, offering a blessing to the entire world. Imagine what it would mean to Black Catholics in America who often feel unseen, unheard, and unrepresented in both religious and civic spaces. Representation is not about vanity — it’s about validation. It’s about healing centuries of exclusion and offering a sign that the divine sees all of His children equally.
The Prophetic Moment Is Now
Some say the Church is not ready. But when
has readiness ever been a requirement for divine transformation?
Pope Cont. Cookoff Cont.
Was America ready for a Black president in 2008? Was South Africa ready to free Nelson Mandela? Was the world ready for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream? No — but the Spirit moved anyway. The same must be said for the Church. If it truly believes in God’s justice, God’s equity, and the power of the Holy Spirit, then it must be bold enough to break the chains of Eurocentric tradition and embrace a vision of leadership that reflects all corners of the Kingdom.
We don’t need tokenism. We need truth. We need faith. We need action. Final Benediction
So we ask again: Is the Church ready for a Black Pope?
Ready or not, the time has come. Not just for symbolism, but for substance. For a reckoning of what it means to serve a global God through a global Church. If the Vatican wants to remain relevant, especially to its fastest-growing population — Africans and African-descended people — then it must look beyond Rome and toward the rising Black voices of faith, wisdom, and leadership.
Because the next Pope might not just be a man of God — He might be a Black man of God.
And when that day comes, may the Church not be surprised — but sanctified.
midday, the onceempty space behind the Chamber had transformed into a bustling parking lot filled with shoppers and community members anxious to taste the brisket and to cast their vote for the people’s choice winner. Farmers market tents flanked the entrance to the building, adding a vibrant pop of color and community energy. In the small lot, five impressive BBQ smokers stood like monuments to the craft, each one anchored by a different team, some seasoned veterans, others local newcomers, all fueled by pride, tradition, and the unmistakable aroma of smoked brisket.
The brisket cookoff gave the Chamber a way to bring the community together while doing something they already love, smoking brisket and tasting it, to encourage something they’ve long needed: a stronger connection to the local farmers market. It was a clever blend of culture and strategy, using food as the bridge to deeper civic involvement.
“We felt the brisket cookoff would bring people together, but also to start a tradition using something that always brings people together: BBQ,” said Sheba Roy, Acres Home Chamber Farmers Market Manager. “Our mission is to use our farmers market as a community hub, and events like the Brisket Cookoff can help us do just that.”
While the day was
lighthearted and community focused, with the Easter Bunny walking around and even taking pictures with the facepainter the competition was stiff, and the judging was serious. Houston food critic and influencer Foodie Herb joined Kevin Gatlin, of the renowned Gatlin’s BBQ at the judges’ table. The brisket was evaluated for smoke, tenderness, flavor, and presentation.
In the end, Smoke BBQ & Catering, led by Jason Escobedo, claimed first place, Jason’s expertise in presentation helped him narrowly edge out Chappie’s Gourmet Links & Que, helmed by Warren Fitzgerald Muhammad, who took second place overall. When asked about the secret to a great brisket, Escobedo shared this “You don’t wanna over season the meat. Salt & Pepper goes a long way, that meat soaks in the salt and if you do it right you’ll get a good bark on
smoke ring. You’ll hit it every time”.
The Hungry Hub, represented by Teddy, took third place. While each competitor brought their own style of southern BBQ flare to the competition it was these three contenders who set themselves apart by paying close attention to the finishing touches.
Chappie’s also clinched the People’s Choice Award, a fan-favorite determined by attendees who couldn’t stop raving about the mouthwatering flavor and just how tender and juicy the brisket was. For Fitzgerald Muhammad, the win came down to patience.
“The key to a perfect brisket is to cook it low and slow,” he shared.
“Don’t rush the process. You have to cook it at a moderately low temper
day’s emcee, balancing musical acts, announcements, and plenty of good-natured banter. Local vendors offered everything from handcrafted goods to sweet treats, and the whole space was filled with the kind of warmth only neighborhood pride can create.
The day wrapped with full bellies, new friendships, and a fresh sense of tradition, one built on smoke, wood, and the timeless power of food to bring people together. And if Saturday was any indication, this was more than just a cookoff. It was the start of something special for Acres Home.
Visit The Acres Home Chamber Farmers Market every first and third Saturday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at The Acres
Photos by Jhanielle A. Brown
THROUGH THE LENS OF TIME: BLACK HISTORY IS 24/7/365
1918 1920 1932 1942 1921 1941 1947
1918. The Dyer Antilynching Bill is first introduced, intending to establish lynching as a federal crime. However, the bill is halted in the Senate by a filibuster from Southern states.
1920. The Harlem Renaissance marks the first time that mainstream publishers and critics turned their attention seriously to African American literature, music, art, and politics.
1921. The Greenwood massacre occurs, where mobs of white residents attacked black residents and businesses in the wealthy Black Wall Street district in Tulsa.
1932. The Tuskegee Institute collaborates with the U.S. government to conduct syphilis experiments on African American men.
1941. The Tuskegee Airmen become the first graduates from an all-African American pilot training program to subsequently fight in World War II.
1942. Civil-rights leader, James Farmer, founds the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE).
TEXAS TAKEAWAY
HOUSTON
Houston Native Contributes to National Defense Through Life-Saving Work at Naval Base Kitsap. While stationed, Smith took part in a U.S. Navy-led blood drive. An initiative designed to support ongoing military missions and bolster emergency preparedness.
FORT WORTH
Fort Worth ISD officials say that closing and consolidating over a dozen campuses could save the district millions of dollars over the next five years, enabling them to shift more funding toward academic priorities.
MONTGOMERY
Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough has announced his bid for a third term in office.
AUSTIN
American Red Cross Discusses Response to Severe Weather. Central Texas is bracing for the potential return of severe fire weather this summer. In the past, the Red Cross has assisted by establishing emergency shelters for those displaced by wildfires.
SAN ANTONIO
Texas Bill Aimed at Keeping Toxic ‘Forever Chemicals’ Off Farms Misses Critical Deadline. Supporters argue the measure would safeguard Texas farmland, while opponents claim restricting PFAS in biosolids would push water utilities to seek alternative disposal methods, potentially driving up utility costs.
Fannie Lou Hamer was a prominent civil rights activist best known for her tireless efforts to secure voting rights for African Americans in the American South. Born in 1917 in Mississippi to a family of sharecroppers, Hamer rose to national prominence in the 1960s as a leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and a co-founder of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP). She famously challenged the all-white Mississippi delegation at the 1964 Democratic National Convention, delivering a powerful televised speech that exposed the brutal realities of racism and voter suppression.
1947. Jackie Robinson becomes the first African American to play on a Major League Baseball team.
FANNIE LOU HAMER
NOTICE TO PROPOSERS Request for Proposal will be received by Lone Star College for: RFQ #25-04-08 – Investment Broker Dealer Services for Lone Star College System. Electronic submittals due by 2:00PM, Tuesday, June 3, 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.
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Rev. Dayle Perry, Pastor
LOCAL
KIPP PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS HONORED WITH $10,000 AWARD
By: Debra Wexler
Ten outstanding KIPP educators have been named winners of the 2025 Harriett Ball Excellence in Teaching Award, each receiving $10,000 in recognition of their impact in the classroom. Selected from nearly 8,000 teachers across the national network of KIPP Public Schools, these honorees embody the highest standards of instructional excellence and community-centered leadership. This year’s winners were announced as part of celebrations marking Teacher Appreciation Week.
“At KIPP, we know that great teaching is critical to our students’ success,” said KIPP Foundation CEO Shavar Jeffries.
“This year’s Harriett Ball winners show us what that looks like every day. They create classrooms that are joyful, rigorous, and rooted in an unshakeable commitment to nurturing the brilliance of every child — and the results can be seen in the remarkable academic growth of their students.”
The Harriett Ball Excellence in Teaching Award is given annually to 10 outstanding K-12 teachers from KIPP schools around the country. Teachers are chosen based on their track record of improving student achievement, their school and classroom leadership, and their commitment to prepar-
ing all students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to pursue any path they choose — college, career, and beyond.
This year’s winners include:
Katia Booker (KIPP NYC), a math teacher at KIPP AMP Middle School in Brooklyn, launched a transformative eighthgrade Algebra program and consistently supports 80% of her students to pass the Regents exam— well above pass rates in New York City. As grade-level chair and dean, she balances high expectations with deep support for colleagues and an unwavering commitment to student success.
TreAnna Buchanan (KIPP Nashville), a fourth-grade humanities teacher at KIPP Antioch College Prep Elementary, is known for her innovative, high-impact instruction that led to 74% of students reading on grade level. She mentors colleagues as gradelevel chair, content lead and master teacher, and is also known for fostering strong relationships with families and the local community.
Shaunnel David (KIPP NYC), a second-grade lead teacher at KIPP Washington Heights Elementary, accelerates academic growth with rigorous instruction, strong support, and a focus on cultivating student agency. During the 2023-24 school year, nearly all her students met target growth levels in reading and math, with most also exceeding stretch benchmarks.
Ricardo Henry (KIPP DC), a middle school math teacher and case manager at KIPP DC’s The Learning Center, supports students with behavioral and socioemotional challenges
through innovative, personalized instruction, including integration of AI tools and creative projects. Under Ricardo’s instruction, 89% of students met growth goals in 2023-24, up from just 35% two years earlier.
Nnenna Kpando (KIPP Texas), a biology teacher at KIPP Academy West in Houston, delivers region-leading academic outcomes through a teaching style that combines rigorous lab-based learning with personalized support. During the 2023-24 school year, 92% of her students met academic standards, with 99% percent approaching proficiency
both well above statewide averages.
Chasitee Letts (KIPP Texas), a reading teacher at KIPP CONNECT Primary in Houston, led KIPP Texas in performance on fifth-grade STAAR assessments, with her students outperforming peers statewide. As Reading Department Chair, Chasitee also coaches colleagues to deliver rigorous, joyful instruction that elevates achievement across her entire school.
Mattie Lucas (KIPP St. Louis), a second-grade teacher at KIPP Wisdom Academy, accelerates student learn-
ing through a joyful, structured classroom. In 2023-24, 64% of her students achieved at-or-above grade level benchmarks on DIBELS literacy assessments, outperforming national outcomes for growth and performance.
Deadra Nelson-Mason (KIPP NYC), a social studies teacher at KIPP NYC College Prep high school in the Bronx, is known for creating classrooms where students analyze history deeply and critically. In 2024, 100% of her AP African American Studies stu-
GREAT EDUCAT RS THE HEART OF LEARNING STARTS WITH
Nominate a deserving teacher, counselor, principal, early childhood learning center, school board or school district.
Created in 2002, the H‑E‑B Excellence in Education Awards was designed to honor and thank outstanding public school professionals. Through this program, H‑E‑B awards over $780,000 annually to deserving educators who go the extra mile to serve their students and communities. To submit a nomination or application, go to HEBLovesTeachers.com Deadline for nominations September 30