Despite historic highs in college graduation rates and professional certifications, Black Americans are still being pushed to the bottom of the employment ladder—hired last, promoted slower, and fired first. Let the numbers speak for themselves:
• Black men earn just 71 cents and Black women only 63 cents for every dollar paid to white men, according to the National Women’s Law Center.
• In executive roles, only 3.2% are held by Black professionals, despite making up over 13% of the U.S. population (McKinsey & Co., 2023).
• A March 2025 report from the Economic Policy Institute shows Black unemployment remains double that of whites—7.1% vs 3.5%, even in a “strong” economy.
So why, after decades of “progress,” are Black workers still losing?
Diversity Talk, No Action
When companies made bold diversity promises after George Floyd’s murder in 2020, Black
DR. LUCKETT JOHNSON’S JOURNEY .com
BLACKS IN THE JOB MARKET
professionals hoped for real change. But by 2025, most of those pledges have quietly disappeared. A LinkedIn study revealed that more than 40% of DEI roles created post-2020 have been cut in the last two years.
Even worse? Tech and media companies, once eager to showcase Black talent, are now laying off those very workers. A 2024 analysis by Revelio Labs found that Black employees were 18% more likely to be laid off during corporate downsizing than their white counterparts.
Overqualified, Underpaid, and Overlooked Black professionals aren’t just showing up— they’re overperforming. The National Center for Education Statistics reports Black women have the highest college enrollment rate among all racial and gender groups. But degrees aren’t translating into promotions.
By Sharon C. Jenkins
In a world where adversity can often define a person, Dr. Luckett Johnson chose to let it refine him instead. From the humble beginnings of rural Mississippi to the halls of medical academia, Dr. Johnson’s life is a testament to survival, perseverance, and the unwavering will to make a difference. His story, rich with history, hardship, and hope, is a powerful narrative of what it means to rise above your circumstances while staying rooted in purpose.
A Name, A Beginning
Born weighing only three pounds, Dr. Johnson’s life began against steep odds. “My mother named me Luckett because I was lucky to live,” he explains.
“I had to drink goat’s milk to survive, and my first bed was a shoebox—I was so small.” In a time when premature babies often didn’t survive, his life began with a miracle, one that instilled in him a deep appreciation for the very act of living.
Roots in Rural Mississippi
Growing up in rural Mississippi during the 1950s shaped Dr. Johnson’s identity in profound ways.
“I have two master’s degrees and ten years of experience,” said Dr. Angelica Coleman, a healthcare administrator Market on pg. 3 Johnson on pg. 7
The heart of blues country was filled with song, hardship, and
EDITORIAL
A Revival of God Consciousness
Bobby Mills, Ph.D.
The reelection of President Donald J. Trump codified and normalized abnormality. America, never forget, abnormality and insanity are flip sides of the same coin, because both seek to make wrong right, right wrong, and make it work. It is commonly accepted that right is right, and wrong is wrong. They are not the same, because there are different behavioral consequences and outcomes. Right (righteousness) belongs to God. Wrong (unrighteousness) belongs to the devil. Right is based upon truth (God). Wrong is based upon a lie (devil). The Trump Administration is publicly positioning/promoting wrongdoing, and making it appear as though wrong is right, and consequently, we now have a new dimension of the “art of the deal”. In contradiction to the time honored spiritualmoral principle that no one is above the law, The Supreme Court, has constitutionally decreed that anything Donald J. Trump does as President is lawful. What an ungodly shame! Personally, monetizing the Presidency is not subject to legal regulations. Therefore, open transactional corruption and personally monetizing the Presidency is legal. Sadly, what was once illegal is now legal. The focus of MAGA is to manipulate facts to serve their ungodly anti-multi-cultural democ-
racy purposes. Attempting to justify misdeeds is the MAGA-Cult Agenda. Therefore, it is important to remind President Trump and his MAGA-Cult followers that the constitution is a binding spiritual-moral declaration, not a suggestion. President Trump and his MAGA-Cult followers believe that the spiritual tenets of the constitution are binding on others, but not them. President Trump says he trusts no one, which in turn, simply means no one should trust him, but trust God’s Word, because: “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” (Matthew 24: 35). Evil thoughts are an abomination to God. Sin begins with evil thoughts, because as a man thinketh, so is he. This is why thoughtful individuals think before speaking, because: “The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.” (Proverbs 15: 28). More importantly, will some please tell Christian Right Evangelicals as well as the Trump MAGACult that “the fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom: and before honour is humility.” (Proverbs 15: 33). Pride always goes before failure. Wise living is about Godly thinking, because God is the source of wisdom, and the Bible is a book concerning wise living. No doubt about it, the earth is the Lord’s. God does not die. God has the last word, and He always punishes the wicked. America, fret not evil doers, because sooner or later judgment day comes. In the meantime, fret not, nor become dismayed, because: “I have been
We Must Understand
Roy Douglas Malonson, Publisher
WALL
They tell us to go to school, work hard, and stay out of trouble—and still, it’s not enough. Across America, highly qualified Black professionals are hitting an invisible wall long before they reach the corner office. In fact, many can’t even get in the door.
Despite record levels of Black college enrollment, graduate degrees, and job certifications, Black professionals remain vastly underrepresented in leadership roles across nearly every industry. While companies post statements about diversity and equity, their boardrooms remain overwhelmingly white. And the truth is, the system was never truly designed to include us—it was only adjusted to tolerate us.
You can’t tell us it’s a pipeline problem when the talent is here, ready, and proven. Black candidates often outperform their peers in education, resilience, and adaptability—yet get passed over for interviews, mentorships, and promotions. What’s standing in our way isn’t a lack of skill. It’s a lack of access, trust, and opportunity.
We’re dealing with something deeper than just hiring bias. We’re dealing with cultural exclusion. Office politics, informal networks, and “cultural fit” conversations often work against us. We Read more at aframnews.com
speak too passionately, we dress too boldly, or we don’t play golf. And for that—we’re seen as a risk, not a resource. Meanwhile, we’re expected to keep proving ourselves twice over while being paid less and promoted slower. The result? Burnout. Frustration. And too often, giving up on careers that should have led to the top. This is more than personal disappointment—it’s economic sabotage. When Black professionals are locked out of leadership, our families lose income. Our communities lose influence. Our children lose role models.
Corporate America must be held accountable—not just for who they hire, but who they empower. True diversity isn’t just about numbers on a brochure. It’s about decisionmaking power. It’s about mentorship. It’s about trust. We’ve done our part. Now it’s time for real change—not symbolic gestures. We’re not asking for handouts. We’re demanding a seat at the table we helped build. Because being qualified should be enough.
EDITORIAL
WHO TOLD YOU?
By: Bobby Mills, Ph.D.
The question “Who told you?” addresses the spiritual inquiry into distinguishing between truths and deception. The question regarding who informed you also pertains to the reasons and motives of the informant(s). Of course, only God can discern motives. God sees all and God knows all. This is precisely why individuals must be extremely careful who they listen to, because listening is a Godly quality. It is imperative to heed one’s conscience and act with intellectual integrity. Therefore: “Take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure it shall measured to you; and more shall be given you besides.” (Mark 4: 24). Who told you is the question God asked Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden when God asked: “why are you hiding”? Adam and Eve replied because we were naked. They were without clothing from the beginning. Therefore, the reference to nakedness was lost of sacredness, spiritual, and mental fellowship with God because of disobedience regarding God’s command edit (will): “don’t mess with the apples”. Of course, Adam blamed
Eve. Eve blamed the snake. God cursed all three. Eve, with childbirth pain. Adam, with hard work by the sweat of his brow. The snake was cursed to crawl on his belly and to eat dust. In 21st century America, especially in politics, the blame game remains prevalent. Republicans blaming Democrats. Democrats blaming Republicans. At the same time, President Donald J. Trump blaming everyone; except himself, while creating untold confusion and accepting absolutely no responsibility for any of his Presidential decisions, missteps, and ungodly/immoral actions. What A Shame! America, if the devil told you or one of the devil’s Imps, it is a lie straight from the pit-of-hell. It is widely acknowledged that actions have consequences. For example, the Trump Administration is rounding-up illegal immigrants who are the essential farm workers and sending them back to where they came from or anywhere. Farm owners are now seeking essential farm workers, offering compensation at the rate of eleven dollars per hour. America, behold an increase in food prices. The “I, and I alone
in Atlanta. “But I’ve trained managers who now outrank me.”
President” just increased the food prices on American families. It is spiritually written that the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Christian Right Evangelicals, be careful what you vote for, because it might be to your own detriment, because: “According to what I have seen, those who plow iniquity. And those who sow trouble harvest it, by the breath of God they perish, and by the blast of His anger they come to an end.” (Job 4: 8-9).
Christian Right Evangelicals, Trumpism is not a good example to follow. Following in the image and likeness of Jesus Christ is a much more eternally rewarding example, because it is written: “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath entered the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (1 Corinthians 2: 9).
Unfortunately, worldly individuals cannot spiritually comprehend nor receive the things that are of the Spirit of God, TRUTH. They would rather live a lie, devilishly. Hating, hooking, and crooking, only to die, and leave it all behind for relatives to hook and crook.
Amen!
That quote is real— and it echoes a larger truth: Black excellence is often invisible in the boardroom.
Student Debt Keeps Us Shackled
Even when we play by the rules, the game is rigged.
Twelve years after graduation, the average Black borrower owes 113% of their original loan, compared to 65% for white graduates (Education Trust, 2023). This means Black professionals are not only paid less—they’re paying more, for longer, just to access the same job market.
Government Jobs? Not So Safe Anymore For decades, federal employment was one of the few sectors where
Black workers found stability. But Trumpera layoffs in 2024 and 2025 disproportionately hit Black employees in departments like Veterans Affairs, Education, and Health and Human Services (Minnesota SpokesmanRecorder, March 2025).
And the silence from Washington? Deafening. What’s the Fix?
Experts and advocates say it’s going to take more than feel-good hashtags. Here’s what they’re pushing for:
• Legally mandated pay transparency to expose hidden wage gaps.
• Equity audits with teeth—not just reports that sit on shelves.
• Incentives for companies that promote AND retain Black talent.
• Student loan forgiveness programs targeting the racial wealth gap.
“The data doesn’t lie,”
said Dr. Valerie Wilson, director at the Economic Policy Institute. “If Black workers continue to be underpaid and underpromoted, it’s not a talent gap—it’s a trust gap in the system itself.” The Bottom Line In 2025, we’re still fighting for the same workplace equity our grandparents demanded during the civil rights era. Except now, the discrimination wears a suit and hides behind performance reviews, algorithmic bias, and culture-fit excuses. America’s job market doesn’t just need diversity—it needs accountability. Because as long as Black workers remain last hired and first fired, we’ll never truly call this a land of equal opportunity.
LEGAL NOTICE
THROUGH THE LENS OF TIME: BLACK HISTORY IS 24/7/365
1887 1896 1905
1916 1900 1909 1918
1896. Plessy v. Ferguson legitimizes state laws reestablishing racial segregation in Southern states.
1900. A majority of Southern states pass laws that required African Americans to be separated from white citizens in railroad cars.
1905. W.E.B. Du Bois calls for social and political change for African Americans during the Niagara Movement.
1909. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is founded.
HOUSTON
1916. The Great Migration begins, where more than six million African Americans move from the rural South to various urban metropolitan areas
TEXAS TAKEAWAY
Wednesday marked the last day of school for the Houston Independent School District, and for many students, it couldn’t have come soon enough— they’ve spent recent weeks sweating through classes. In fact, air conditioning issues became so severe at Heights High School last month that students were released early. That prompted investigators to look into how frequently Heights and other HISD schools have dealt with air conditioning problems.
MONTGOMERY
Conroe has collected $24 million in increased fees from customers but has placed the funds in an escrow account rather than forwarding them to the river authority.
FORT WORTH
Driving between North Texas suburbs will become slightly more expensive. The North Texas Tollway Authority announced Tuesday that toll rates for TollTag users will increase by one cent per mile—from 21 cents to 22 cents. Crews will begin updating road signs in the coming weeks.
AUSTIN
A microburst linked to a supercell thunderstorm swept through Austin on Wednesday, May 28. After surveying the storm damage, the National Weather Service in Austin/ San Antonio concluded that a “longtrack microburst” had impacted parts of the city, identifying both its cause and intensity.
Coretta Scott King was a prominent civil rights leader, author, and activist who played a vital role in the American Civil Rights Movement alongside her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. After his assassination in 1968, she carried on his legacy, advocating tirelessly for racial equality, nonviolence, and social justice. Beyond civil rights, she was also a passionate supporter of women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and world peace. Coretta Scott King founded the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change in Atlanta, which continues to promote her husband’s philosophy. Her lifelong commitment to justice and dignity for all people made her a powerful voice for change and a respected leader in her own right.
1887. The Thibodaux massacre occurs in Louisiana.
1918. The Dyer Antilynching Bill is first introduced, intending to establish lynching as a federal crime.
CORETTA SCOTT KING
As the Official Bank of FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, Bank of America is on your corner and in your corner. Because with the right team, Houston businesses thrive and communities prosper.
Hong Ogle President, Bank of America Houston
Let’s get to work on your next goal. Contact one of our business specialists in Houston at bankofamerica.com/localbusiness
NOTICE TO PROPOSERS Request for Proposal will be received by Lone Star College for: RFP #25-04-07 Student Accommodation Management Database for Lone Star College System. Electronic submittals due by 2:00PM, Monday, June 23, 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.
Project Name: Emancipation Ave Asphalt Milling and Overlay from McGowen Street to Pierce Street, CIP# T-0711-A, WBS N-T070000-0004-7 Project Location: Northern Third Ward, Houston, TX Estimated Construction Cost: $1.5 Million Bid Date and Time: 07/08/2025 Proposals will be accepted until 2:00 PM on the proposed date shown above only on the CivcastUSA.com website. Proposals received after the deadline will not be accepted. Accepted proposals will be posted on CivCastUSA.com by 07/11/2025 after the bid opening. A full bid tabulation will be posted after bids are reviewed and confirmed by the Owner. Although cost is a factor, proposals will be evaluated by other factors in addition to the cost. Lowest cost proposal does not guarantee selection of the proposer. Copies of the CSP Documents may be obtained online from www.civcastusa.com; search OST/Almeda Corridors Redevelopment Authority TIRZ #7. Contractors and the public must register on this website to view and/or download specifications and plans for this project. There is NO charge to view or download documents.
Proposers may submit questions online through CivcastUSA. Addenda and other documents will be addressed and posted on the CivcastUSA website. Project consists of the mill and asphalt overlay resurfacing of Emancipation Avenue between the McGowan Street and Pierce Street intersections, the replacement of the concrete curb, and the replacement of the concrete sidewalks and ADA ramps along Emancipation Avenue within the said project limits. The Project includes City of Houston Standard Construction Specifications for Storm Drainage, Street Paving and Traffic Control, which are incorporated into the Project. These Standard Specifications, along with Standard Details, may be acquired at no cost on the City’s website at https://www. houstonpermittingcenter.org/office-city- engineer/design-and-constructionstandards . Proposers shall comply with City Ordinance 2013-0428, Chapter 12, Article C, City of Houston Code of Ordinance’s, as amended, and City of Houston Office of Business Opportunity Minority, Women, and Small Business Enterprise (MWSBE) Procedures.
Bid bond in the amount not less than ten percent ( 10 %) of the total amount of the cost proposal must accompany each proposal as a guarantee that the selected proposer will enter into a proper contract and execute bonds and guaranties on the forms provided within ( 10) days after the date contract documents are received by the selected proposer. Proposal security shall be in accordance with Section 00200– Instruction to Proposers and Section 11.6 of the General Conditions of the Contract (Document 00700).
Pre-proposal Meeting: A MANDATORY in-person (virtual option provided upon request) pre-proposal meeting will be held on 06/16/2025 at 10:00 AM CST at 3131 Emancipation Ave., Suite 225, Houston, TX 77004. Contact with Authority staff or engineers/consultants with regards this project is not permitted and will disqualify the bidder. All communications should be by email: Projects@AgilityEngg.com.
Mr. Hexser Holliday Director of Capital Projects Planning and Development OST/Almeda Corridors Redevelopment Authority TIRZ #7 Email: Projects@ AgilityEngineering.com
Rev. Dayle Perry, Pastor
resilience. From the age of seven, he worked in cotton fields, first as a water boy, walking miles to deliver water to laborers under the scorching sun. “That experience taught me that people depend on you to carry out your duties,” he says.
The land around him, scarred by dust storms and change, mirrored the societal upheaval of the era. The Great Migration was in motion, families leaving the South in search of better futures.
Amid these winds of change, young Luckett found joy and purpose in tinkering with electronics. He repaired radios and televisions and developed a passion for understanding how things worked. “I identify as a scientist,” he shares. “I wanted to use the environment to make life better. I was curious and confident in my ability to do anything I set my mind to.”
Echoes of the Freedom Riders
Among his most vivid childhood memories
are the Freedom Riders who braved Mississippi’s roads to challenge segregation. “I was young, but I was impressed by their protest and also the danger they faced. It was a time of great pride but also great fear.” That experience planted a seed of awareness and social consciousness that would grow with him.
A Mother’s In uence
The greatest influence in Dr. Johnson’s life was his mother. A strong believer in education, she made it her mission to see all five of her children educated despite extreme poverty.
“Survival was our daily challenge,” he recalls. “We didn’t have money. I had to wire my shoes together when they wore out and patch the same pair of pants over and over.”
The family often relied on governmentissued commodities like flour, dried milk, and cheese. Even in these conditions, his mother’s insistence on education became
a beacon that guided him through tough times and into greater opportunity. Faith, Culture, and Critical ought
Dr. Johnson credits his faith to belief in his own abilities. “I had faith that I could achieve whatever I wanted,” he says. That self-reliance, however, came with a critical view of the cultural norms he saw growing up. “For me, Black culture, as I saw it in my youth, was a hindrance. Too many were content to sit on the sidelines. That culture of survival made me want more—to insist on more.”
His mind was opened further by reading and dedicated teachers who exposed him to possibilities far beyond the small farm of his upbringing. Battling Discrimination in Academia
Despite his achievements, Dr. Johnson’s journey through higher education was fraught with racism and injustice. While attending Baylor College of Medicine, he was denied a course
certificate because test administrators claimed not to recognize him as a student. In another instance, he was given an “Incomplete” in a genetics course because a professor questioned whether a paper he submitted was his own. “He agreed to re-test me, and I earned the second highest score in the class,” Dr. Johnson says. “Still, I was given only a ‘Pass’ rather than the ‘High Pass’ I deserved.”
These experiences didn’t break him. Instead, they fueled his resolve to continue excelling and to break down barriers— not just for himself, but for others as well.
A Doctor with a Mission
believes, should guide the Black community. “Success is about progress, about moving forward. Education is what our people need most right now.”
A Message to the Next Generation
Dr. Johnson has a clear message for young Black leaders: “The struggle never ends. You must keep pushing for high achievement, equal rights, voting equality, and justice. Be forever committed to doing what needs to be done, without waiting for a committee. Believe in the power of one.”
A Legacy of Persistence
Asked how he would
like to be remembered, Dr. Johnson’s answer is profoundly humble yet deeply impactful: “He did his best. He always showed up.” His story is one of fierce determination, intellect, and moral courage. It’s about rising from poverty and discrimination not just to survive, but to contribute meaningfully to the world. His life serves as a vivid reminder that while the journey may be filled with injustice and struggle, the power of persistence and purpose can shape a legacy that endures.
SATURDAY FROM11AMTO4PM
Of all his accomplishments, Dr. Johnson is most proud of becoming a doctor. “It’s such a great opportunity to help people,” he says. His work has always been more than just a career—it’s a calling to alleviate suffering and to be a light in the often dark world of inequality and injustice.
to be a light in the often dark world of inequality we had overcome, only futures of and grandchildren. They
De ning Success
Even while battling a debilitating illness, his commitment to his community and his people remains steadfast. “I stay motivated because our people are still suffering. We thought we had overcome, only to face setbacks that threaten the lives and futures of our children and grandchildren. They are my inspiration.”
For Dr. Johnson, success is simple: setting goals
For Dr. Johnson, success is simple: setting goals and achieving them. That same principle, he
