Volume 30 Issue 27

July 25, 2025

GREATER HOUSTON EDITION

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Vol.30, Issue 27

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African-American News&Issues

“Addressing Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community”

THEO HUXTABLE

MALCOLMJAMAL WARNER PASSES AT 54

Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for his role as Theo Huxtable on *The Cosby Show*, tragically passed away at the age of 54 on July 20, 2025, while vacationing with his family in Costa Rica. According to local reports, Warner was caught in a powerful rip current off Playa Grande/Manañez Beach in the Limón province. Despite efforts to save him, he drowned due to asphyxiation. He is survived by his wife and their young daughter, whose identities he intentionally kept private throughout his life.

Warner on pg. 3

GERRYMANDERING - PACKING - DILUTION

THEY’RE ERASING US FROM THE MAP By: Roy Douglas Malonson

They’re doing it again—just like they always have.

Quietly, behind closed doors, and in the middle of summer when they think nobody’s paying attention.

Only this time, it’s not poll taxes or literacy tests. It’s lines on a map. And if we’re not careful, those lines are going to erase Black political power in Houston for the next decade.

Last week, Governor Greg Abbott called a special session of the Texas Legislature. The goal? Redraw the state’s congressional maps years before the next census. That’s not normal—and it’s not a coincidence. It’s a targeted move to shake up districts in and around Houston where Black voters have his-

torically had the power to elect leaders who look like us and fight for us.

Let’s be real: this isn’t just redistricting. It’s modernday voter suppression dressed up in legal language.

Why They’re Coming for Houston Houston has long been a political stronghold for Black leadership. From Third Ward to Acres Homes, we’ve built neighborhoods, raised families, and organized movements. Our communities have sent representatives to Austin and D.C. who’ve fought for civil rights, criminal justice reform, healthcare access, and fair funding for our schools.

Map on pg. 3

KENNETH WAYNE NEWMAN APRIL 2, 1954 - JULY 13, 2025

We are deeply saddened to share the passing of a beloved individual whose life touched so many. Their kindness, strength, and unwavering spirit will be remembered by all who knew them. A true legend in Houston’s car scene, his spirit, dedication, and legacy will always be remembered. Though they are no longer with us, their memory will live on in the hearts and stories of those they leave behind.

AA

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July 25, 2025

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EDITORIAL

President/Chief Editor Contributing Writers Dr. Bobby Mills Travis McGee Rachel Thompson Jazz Pazz Dr. Shelley McKinley Meeko Graphics Social Media Houston Minority business marketing website JG Design Layout Design Blue Star Web Printing Printer

A Revival of God Consciousness Bobby Mills, Ph.D.

CHARACTER AND CULTURE

STORIES, PICTURES, LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, EMAIL TO

news@aframnews.com

713-682-1892

PO BOX 41820 Houston, TX 77241

We are looking for historical writers That can produce stories that address current and historical realities affecting our community.

PLEASE SEND YOUR INQUIRIES TO PROD@AFRAMNEWS.COM

GREATER HOUSTON EDITION

Character matters, because character is about values and lifestyles. More importantly, values inform and delineate institutional structures.

Hence, if an individual has Godly character, he/she needs to prepare for persecution, but: “Fear not them which can kill the body, but not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

(Matthew 10: 28). America, fear of God is wisdom. Fear of ungodly individuals is foolishness, because fear is the only tool the ungodly has. The Trump Administration lacks spiritual-moral leadership character because there are no independent thought processes operating, only devilish groupthink. Therefore, with President Donald J. Trump it is simply “my way or the highway”. Or take it or leave it approach. America faces a crucial moral crossroads. Chaos or multi-cultural democracy.

The spiritual and moral character of leaders have a significant impact on shaping and organizing culture. President Trump’s Playbook “it’s a hoax is not working with his MAGA-Cult base concerning the Epstein Files. Pedophilia is a bridge too far even for President Trump’s ardent Christian Right Evangelical supporters, because they even know that: “Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.”

(Psalm 127: 3). Children are assets (rewards), not liabilities, because death is certain for all individuals regardless of socio-economic statuses. In fact, parents can learn valuable spiritual lessons from the inquisitive and trusting minds of their children. Children can teach adults effective future planning. America the past belongs to the devil, because it was imperfect. The present belongs to all of us.

The future belongs to God. Consequently, we can avoid repeating past mistakes as we spiritually and morally understand that “if it had not been for the Lord who was on our side, where would we be”.

Unfortunately, we have some Americans who only have contempt for God and absolute disregard for the universal human dignity declaration pronounced in the Preamble to the U. S. Constitution.

President Trump’s universalized playbook: “It’s A Hoax” as it relates to the Epstein Files is not working with his MAGA-Cult Followers. The MAGA-Cult is not buying what President Trump is selling in the Epstein File. Pedophilia is a bridge too far even for the Trump MAGA-Cult.

Hence, President Trump’s “Deep-State Conspiracy” has backfired on his Presidency.

Now it is put up time; not shut up time, because the “chickens have come home to roost”, and they will continue to crow, loudly. Even President Trump’s tyrannical tool of fear is not working with the Epstein file issue, because some of his Christian Right Evangelical followers know that: “The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and Read more at before honour is aframnews.com

We Must Understand Roy Douglas Malonson, Publisher

VOTER SUPPRESSION AIN’T ALWAYS LOUD

They didn’t march into our neighborhoods with batons or barking dogs. They didn’t shut down polling places or burn ballots. No, this time they came with pens, data, and political strategy. And just like that—without a single siren or headline—they began erasing Black political power in Houston.

That’s the danger of redistricting in 2025. It’s quiet. It’s technical. And unless you’re paying attention, you might not realize what’s been taken until it’s too late.

Governor Greg Abbott’s mid-decade push to redraw Texas congressional maps is more than suspicious—it’s strategic. Houston’s Blackmajority districts, including TX-9, TX-18, and TX-29, are on the chopping block. They want to slice up our neighborhoods and merge us with suburbs that don’t look like us, vote like us, or fight for what we need.

And they’re calling it “raceneutral.” As if pretending not to see color justifies erasing our representation.

But we know the game.

We’ve seen it before. Gerrymandering may not make noise like voter ID laws or polling place closures, but it hits just as hard. Because when our votes are spread thin, our voices are silenced.

And when our communities are split, so is our power.

This isn’t about party politics. This is about us—our schools, our healthcare, our justice, our survival.

The truth is, voter suppression doesn’t always come with flashing lights. Sometimes it comes in the form of a map, carefully drawn to make sure we don’t matter.

And we have a choice: we can ignore it until the next election rolls around and wonder why nothing changed… or we can act now—loudly, boldly, together.

We didn’t fight this hard to be erased quietly.

Not now.

Not ever.

AA

GREATER HOUSTON EDITION But now, the state is proposing to redraw districts like TX-9, TX-18, and TX-29—breaking up our communities and merging them with whiter, wealthier suburbs that don’t share our struggles or our priorities. That’s not just shady—it’s strategic. They want to dilute the Black vote.

They want to make it harder for us to elect people who actually care about our neighbor-

Map Cont.

hoods.

They want our political voice gone.

And they’re doing it under the false banner of “race-blind” redistricting. But come on—we know what it is.

The Real-Life Impact When they change the district lines, they don’t just shift boundaries— they shift power. And that affects real people in real ways.

It affects whether your kids’ schools get the

July 25, 2025

resources they need.

Whether your streetlights work. Whether your community clinic stays open. Whether your neighborhood is protected or over-policed. Whether you have someone in office who knows your struggle—or someone who’s never set foot in your part of town.

“If they take away our representation,” says retired educator Linda Moore from Sunnyside, “they take away our ability to fight for ourselves.

And if we

this country’s history of suppressing Black voices whenever we get too loud, too organized, or too powerful.

Let’s not forget: back in 2021, when Texas gained two new congressional seats, they gave both of them to white-majority areas—even though 95% of the state’s population growth came from people of color. That wasn’t just an oversight.

That was a message.

Now in 2025, instead of fixing the injustice, they’re making it worse—by going after the few districts

can’t fight, they’ll forget us.”

This isn’t speculation.

This is what has happened time and time again. When Black communities lose political representation, we also lose access—access to funding, access to protections, access to change.

This Is a Pattern—And We Know It This move didn’t come out of nowhere. It’s part of a pattern—one that’s deeply rooted in

where Black and Hispanic voters still hold influence. It’s a strategy.

It’s a setup. And if we don’t fight back, it’s going to work.

But We’re Not Powerless Here’s the part they always forget: Black people don’t back down.

Faith leaders, community organizers, and everyday folks are stepping up. Lawsuits are already in the works. Churches are hosting town halls.

Activists are holding rallies and knocking on

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doors. Because we’ve seen this before, and we’re not going to sit back and let it happen again.

“This ain’t the first time they’ve tried to silence us,” says Reverend Marcus Hayes of Fifth Ward.

“But every time they try, we get louder.”

Now is not the time for silence. Now is the time to speak out, show up, and stay informed.

Because once those new maps are locked in, they’ll be in place until 2031. That’s six more elections.

That’s six more years of being ignored if we don’t act.

We Built This City. Don’t Let Them Redraw Us Out of It. At the end of the day, this is about more than politics.

It’s about power.

It’s about presence. It’s about being seen, heard, and respected in the city we helped build.

We’ve marched, voted, organized, and sacrificed too much to let them erase us now. So here’s the question: Are we going to let them redraw us out of existence? Or are we going to draw the line— and fight back?

Because history is watching. And so are our children.

AA

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as Dr. AJ “The Raptor” Austin in *The Resident*, earning a devoted August fan base. Even amid 18, 1970, in Jersey City, New Jersey, Warner was controversy surrounding named in honor of Mal- *The Cosby Show*, Warner remained proud of colm X and jazz pianist the show’s cultural conAhmad Jamal. Encourtributions and its place aged by his mother Pamela, he began acting in television history.

Beyond the screen, at an early age and enrolled in the Professional Warner was a gifted musician, poet, and speaker.

Children’s School in New York. His early TV He formed the jazz-funk band Miles Long and appearances on *Matt played bass with the Houston* and *Fame* Atlanta-based Biological led to his breakout role Misfits. His 2022 album as Theo Huxtable in *Hiding in Plain View* 1984. His performance earned him a Primetime earned a Grammy nomination, and in 2015 he Emmy nomination at just 16 years old, making won a Grammy alonghim one of the most rec- side Lalah Hathaway and the Robert Glasper ognizable young talents Experiment for “Jesus of the era.

Children.” Based in While Theo made him a household name, War- Atlanta with his wife and daughter, Warner valued ner’s creative pursuits privacy, family, and purexpanded far beyond pose. His sudden loss acting. He directed music videos in the late ‘80s left an undeniable void, with tributes pouring in and early ‘90s, includfrom figures across the ing notable projects for New Edition and Special entertainment world, remembering him as a Ed. He also directed thoughtful, multi-talentepisodes of hit shows like *The Fresh Prince of ed, and deeply respected Bel-Air*, *Kenan & Kel*, artist.

Malcolm-Jamal and *All That*. Warner Warner’s family life starred in and cowas defined by deep produced *Malcolm & affection and a strong Eddie* and later led the series *Reed Between the commitment to privacy.

Around 2016 or 2017, Lines*, showcasing his he married a woman range as both an actor and a behind-the-scenes who worked as an attorney in Connecticut, talent. whom he met through a His television career mutual friend. Honorremained strong over the years, with acclaimed ing her preference for a low profile, Warner performances in series chose never to share such as *Community*, her name or show her *Sons of Anarchy*, *Suits*, *Major Crimes*, publicly. and *American Crime Story*, where he portrayed Al Cowlings.

From 2018 onward, he captivated audiences AA

Warner Cont. Born on

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July 25, 2025

AFRAMNEWS.COM

GREATER HOUSTON EDITION

THROUGH THE LENS OF TIME: BLACK HISTORY IS 24/7/365 1964

1965

1952

1965

1966

1962

1967

Civil Rights Act of 1964.

This landmark legislation outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Voting Rights Act of 1965 Signed into law by Lyndon B. Johnson, this act aimed to overcome legal barriers at the state and local levels that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote.

March on Washington (1963). Over 250,000 people gathered in Washington, D.C., for jobs and freedom. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech.

Malcolm X’s Assassination (1965). A prominent Black nationalist and former Nation of Islam leader, Malcolm X was assassinated in Harlem while speaking at the Audubon Ballroom.

Founding of the Black Panther Party (1966.

Founded by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale in Oakland, California, the Black Panther Party aimed to combat police brutality.

Integration of the University of Mississippi (1962). James Meredith became the first African American admitted to the segregated university, under federal protection after violent riots.

Loving v. Virginia (1967) The U.S. Supreme Court struck down laws banning interracial marriage, ruling them unconstitutional.

TEXAS

TAKEAWAY

CONROE

HOUSTON

With additional support from the state, Conroe ISD has greenlit a $33 million compensation plan for its workforce.

Conroe ISD Chief Financial Officer Karen Garza announced that the preliminary budget for 2026 is set at $761.05 million, an increase from the current $711.97 million. ________________________________

This fall, life is about to get a lot easier for San Antonio residents. H-E-B, Texas’ beloved grocery chain, has officially announced the grand opening date for its new store on the city’s Northwest side. _______________________________

AUSTIN

Texas Athletics revealed the 10 inductees for its 2025 Hall of Honor class on Wednesday. The induction ceremony is scheduled for 7 p.m. on September 12 at the LBJ Auditorium and Conference Center. _______________________________

A resolution set for a vote by the Austin City Council on Thursday would initiate a study into creating a local air traffic controller academy ________________________________

ARLINGTON Barber receives unexpected support and opens up about how his life and business were affected after witnessing a tragic salon murder-suicide.

SAN ANTONIO

DALLAS A Stanley Cup champion and the voice who brought the moment to life are set to be inducted into the Dallas Stars Hall of Fame.

ETTA JAMES Etta James, born Jamesetta Hawkins, was a highly influential American singer known for her powerful vocals and versatility across genres like blues, R&B, soul, and jazz. She rose to fame with hits like “At Last” and “Something’s Got a Hold on Me,” and despite personal struggles with addiction and tumultuous relationships, she achieved significant success and recognition, including multiple Grammy Awards and inductions into various Halls of Fame.

Her music has influenced countless artists and continues to be celebrated for its emotional depth and raw power.

READ MORE AT AFRAMNEWS.COM

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July 25, 2025

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POLITICAL

SENATOR BORRIS L. MILES NAMED TO THE TEXAS SENATE REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE

By: Justin Concepcion

I did not ask for this fight, but I will not back down from it. Being appointed to the Texas Senate Redistricting Committee is a monumental responsibility, and I intend to meet that responsibility head-on.

Let me be clear: Donald Trump is orchestrating a coordinated and dangerous attempt to strip power away from Black and Brown voters in this state. They are targeting congressional districts right here at home with strong Black and Brown

representation, not because it’s right, not because it’s constitutional, but because it’s politically convenient.

This is nothing more than a blatant, shameful and racist power grab, rooted in fear of changing demographics and the growing political voice of Black and Brown folks.

This isn’t redistricting, it’s RIGDISTRICTING. The Trump Administration has put a target on the backs of those who have dared to speak the truth. And now, the MAGA machine is hell-bent on silencing historically Black and Brown communities by drawing lines that cut through our neighborhoods and our voices. That is a violation of the Voting Rights Act. That is a violation of our democracy, and I will not stand for it.

Senate District 13, the one of the largest minority-majority Senate districts in Texas—includes two of the congressional districts directly in their crosshairs: Congressional Districts 9 and 18 are steeped in a rich history.

There is nothing legal about this; this is a political attack against Democracy.

A strategic assault to steal the 2026 Election and flip control of Congress, even if it means gutting Black and Brown political power in Texas. They may have rigged the game, but I refuse

to make it easy for them.

I will be the voice in that room fighting to protect what we, as a community, have built. I will stand in the gap for my constituents and for every voter who refuses to be silenced.

But I need the community’s help; I cannot do this alone. It’s time to beat the drums and sound the alarm.

Republicans have stacked the deck against us.

Remember, this isn’t redistricting. It’s RIG-DISTRICTING. In 2006, I ran for office to serve the people, to give voice to the voiceless, to fight against injustices and fight for what’s right. I will fight against all of the schemes to redraw the future of Texas into an image of hate, into an image not representative of the people who live here. We AA will not be erased.

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July 25, 2025

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HISTORY

ECHOES OF THE PAST: A DEFINING MOMENT IN HISTORY Emmett Till was a 14-year-old African American boy from Chicago who traveled to Money, Mississippi, in August 1955 to visit relatives. Raised in the North, Emmett was unfamiliar with the strict racial codes of the Jim Crow South. While in Mississippi, he reportedly whistled at or spoke flirtatiously to Carolyn Bryant, a white woman working at a grocery store. Though the exact nature of the interaction remains debated, this alleged breach of racial etiquette set off a tragic chain of events.

Several nights later, Emmett was abducted from his great-uncle’s home by Roy Bryant, Carolyn’s husband, and his half-brother, J.W. Milam. The two men beat, tortured, and ultimately killed Emmett, dumping his body into the Tallahatchie River, weighed down by a fan tied around his neck with barbed wire.

When his body was discovered days later, it was so mutilated it was barely recognizable. His mother, Mamie TillMobley, insisted on an open-casket funeral in Chicago to show the world the horror of what had been done to her son.

The case quickly gained national and international

attention. Photographs of Emmett’s body published in Jet magazine shocked the public and highlighted the brutal reality of racism in America.

Despite compelling evidence, including eyewitness testimony and the identification of Emmett’s body, an all-white, all-male jury acquitted Bryant and Milam after just over an hour of deliberation.

A few months later, protected by double jeopardy, the two men admitted in a paid magazine interview that they had indeed murdered Till.

Emmett Till’s murder became a turning point in American history, sparking outrage and mobilizing the Civil Rights Movement.

His death inspired

countless activists, including Rosa Parks, who cited Till when refusing to give up her bus seat later that year.

Mamie Till-Mobley went on to become an educator and civil rights advocate, dedicating her life to seeking justice and sharing her son’s story. Emmett Till’s legacy lives on as a symbol of the deep racial injustices of the past and the continued fight for equality.

AA

A DAY THAT SHAPED OUR FUTURE Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, delivered on August 28, 1963, during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, stands as one of the most iconic and powerful moments in American history. Speaking from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, King addressed a crowd of over 250,000 civil rights supporters, calling for an end to racism and urging for equality and justice. His vision of a future where people “will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character” resonated deeply across the nation and around the world.

The speech was a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement,

capturing the hopes and frustrations of millions who faced systemic discrimination and segregation. King’s eloquence and moral clarity inspired activists and ordinary citizens alike, galvanizing efforts to challenge segregation laws and fight for voting rights. His reference to the Declaration of Independence and the Emancipation Proclamation underscored the unfulfilled promises of freedom and equality for African Americans.

King’s words were not just a call for racial justice, but also a plea for nonviolent resistance and brotherhood among all people. The speech emphasized unity and peaceful protest, reflecting King’s

philosophy shaped by Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings. The phrase “I have a dream” was repeated as a hopeful refrain, painting vivid pictures of an America where racial harmony and equal opportunity were realities.

Over the decades, the “I Have a Dream” speech has been studied, celebrated, and commemorated as a milestone in the struggle for civil rights.

It helped pave the way for landmark legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech remains a timeless reminder of the ongoing pursuit of justice and the enduring power AA of hope.

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