AframNews.com
“Addressing
Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community”
THE SILENT CRISIS
By: Roy Douglas Malonson
September is Suicide Prevention Month, and while the nation highlights the importance of mental health, too o en the Black community is le out of the conversation. But the numbers don’t lie—our people are hurting. Suicide rates among African Americans, especially our youth, are rising at a frightening pace. Behind those statistics are families torn apart, lives cut short, and a community that’s been told for generations to keep quiet about pain that runs deep.
We don’t like to talk about mental health. We were raised to “pray it away,” to “be strong,” to keep our business in the family. But silence has become deadly. When our sons and daughters are leaving this world before their time, when our brothers
are drowning in depression, when our sisters carry unbearable weight alone, ignoring this issue is no longer an option.
e Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that suicide is now the third leading cause of death for Black youth ages 15 to 24. Even more alarming, research published by the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that suicide rates among Black children ages 5 to 12 are nearly twice as high as those of White children in the same age group. From 2018 to 2021, the rate of suicide among Black youth increased by almost 37%, one of the steepest rises of any racial group. And it’s not just the kids.
THE POLITICAL POWER OF THE BLACK PURSE
By: Roy Douglas Malonson
ey don’t fear our protests. ey don’t fear our hashtags. What they fear most is our money. In 2025, the Black community holds an estimated $1.6 trillion in annual buying power—a number so massive it could rival entire nations. Yet, instead of building power, our dollars are being weaponized against us. Every time we pour money into corporations that don’t hire us, don’t bank with us, and don’t reinvest in our neighborhoods, we are nancing our own oppression. And that’s exactly how they like it.
Look around at today’s economy. Companies rush to drop Black Lives Matter ads in election years but quietly cut diversity budgets when the cameras turn o . Politicians beg for our votes but refuse to ght for Black business protections, banking reform, or the racial wealth gap. ey love our loyalty at the polls and in the checkout lines—so long as we never wake up to how much leverage we really have. History taught us this lesson before. e Montgomery Bus Boycott wasn’t just a civil rights story—it was an economic revolution. ey didn’t fold because of speeches; they folded because Black dollars stopped owing. Imagine if today we boycotted one major corporation that pro ts o our culture while giving nothing back. e stock market would shake, and Washington would notice. at’s why they work overtime to keep us distracted with gossip, division, and consumer traps.
Here’s the raw truth: they fear a conscious Black dollar. ey fear us asking why luxury brands charge us thousands Crisis on pg. 3
A Revival of God Consciousness
America we were forewarned, and forewarned is foretold. President Trump told us precisely what he was going to do if he became President. Crucially, his partners provided the blueprint document: Project 2025. erefore, if an individual tells you who and what he is; believe him, because: “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.” (Proverbs 23: 7). Spiritually eating and drinking with devilish individuals can only lead to self-destruction. erefore: “when thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee: And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.” (Proverbs 23: 1-2). e 21st century, spiritual moral admonishment of the Proverb is this: individuals who voted for President Trump invariably cut their own throats. Voting is a sacred political act because voting is about leadership and followership. is is why we should never: “Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be a partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.” (1 Timothy 5: 22). Simply put, America should not follow nor be in a hurry to embrace so-called Presidential leaders quickly. Christian Right Evangelicals this is God’s spiritual advice to the Faithful, because God is not fooled, nor mocked. Individuals reap
what they sow. If individuals sow to the whirlwind, they shall reap utter destruction. Sadly, the politics of revenge is on full display in America’s political arena. America, we deserve better, and we can be better, not bitter. President Trump is attempting to change and alter America’s multi-cultural narrative. Changing the narrative does not change the empirical facts. America is not a White country. Never has it been. Never shall it become. Sadly, President Trump has a criminal mind, not a Godly mindset. Unfortunately, Donald J. Trump is the only President that is or ever was a convicted criminal felon. Shame on US! is is precisely why President Trump has one of the lowest approval ratings of any President in America’s (250) year history.
We Must Understand
Roy Douglas Malonson, Publisher
shaping public opinion to associate Blackness with criminality.
On the one hand, President Trump is breaking everything rather than demonstrating and ful lling his bold devilish motto: “I, and I alone can x it”. While, on the other hand, Godfearing individuals know that only God can really x it, because: “ e earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” (Psalm 24: 1). President Trump is breaking everything and xing nothing both at home as well as abroad. President Trump is seeking to militarize America, and at the same time Chairman Xi of China, Dictator Putin of Russia, and Prime Minster Modi of India are meeting in China to realign the world’s governing ideology as well as world trade.
Turn on the evening news and a troubling pattern emerges: Black suspects dominate crime coverage, while White suspects are o en minimized or framed more sympathetically. When a Black person is arrested, their mugshot is broadcast instantly. When the suspect is White, the media leans toward so er portrayals — a smiling yearbook photo, a note about mental health struggles, or a sympathetic quote from family. This isn’t just perception; it’s proven. A 2015 study cited by The Washington Post found that African Americans made up 37% of criminals shown in media reports, though they accounted for just 26% of arrests. White suspects, meanwhile, were depicted as criminals 28% of the time on television, despite being 77% of arrestees. In other words, viewers are shown far more Black crime than reality supports — and far less White crime than actually occurs.
Another report from The Sentencing Project confirmed that African Americans and Latinos are far more likely to appear in crime coverage as threatening figures — unnamed, in custody, or portrayed as dangerous. White individuals, however, appear more often as victims. This racial imbalance reinforces stereotypes,
The distortion doesn’t stop there. A 2017 study from Color of Change and Family Story revealed how news outlets depict Black families: disproportionately connected to poverty and crime, even when data doesn’t justify those portrayals. White families, in contrast, are often shown as stable and deserving of compassion. The result is a dangerous cycle. When the public constantly sees Black suspects on the news, it fuels fear, stigma, and punitive policies like harsher sentencing or overpolicing. At the same time, White suspects committing equally serious crimes — from violent offenses to white-collar fraud — slip under the radar or are excused as individuals who “lost their way.”
This bias has real consequences in Houston and across America. It shapes jury perceptions, drives voting behavior, and influences how young Black children see themselves. The media has the power to balance the narrative — but instead, too often it profits from fear. That’s why Black newspapers and independent outlets remain essential. We must tell the stories others won’t — not just our struggles, but our triumphs, resilience, and brilliance. Because until the headlines reflect the truth, we’ll continue fighting not just crime itself, but the distorted image of who America believes the criminal really is.
Bobby Mills, Ph.D.
Between 2010 and 2020, suicide rates among Black men increased by nearly 30%, while rates among Black women rose by about 20%, according to data from the National Institute of Mental Health. ese aren’t just statistics— these are our fathers, our daughters, our cousins, our classmates.
Part of the problem is access. About 20% of Black Americans are more likely to experience serious psychological distress compared to White Americans, yet they are 50% less likely to receive mental health treatment, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. And when they do seek care, only about 4% of psychologists in the U.S. are Black, which means many patients never see someone who looks like them or understands their lived experience. at lack of cultural connection creates mistrust and discourages people from seeking help again. en there’s stigma. In our culture, admitting you need help can be seen as weakness. How many of us have heard, “Man up,” “Don’t cry,” or “You’ll be alright”? ose words may seem small, but they push our pain deeper inside, where it festers. Too o en, it explodes in silence— through suicide. And let’s not forget the church. e Black church has been a cornerstone of our community, a place of strength, faith, and resilience. But sometimes, the message
has been that prayer alone is the answer. Prayer is powerful, but prayer without action leaves gaps. God gave us therapists, counselors, doctors, and hotlines for a reason. Faith and professional help can work hand-in-hand to save lives.
So what can we do? First, we have to break the silence. It starts at the dinner table, at barbershops, in beauty salons, in church pews. We need to normalize saying, “I’m not okay,” without shame. Parents must listen to their children—not dismiss them when they talk about being stressed, sad, or overwhelmed. Friends have to check in on each other, not just with “What’s up?” but with real questions like, “How are you really doing?”
Second, we need to demand access. Our tax dollars should fund culturally competent mental health programs in our schools and neighborhoods. We should push for more Black therapists, counselors, and crisis workers who understand the unique challenges we face. Representation saves lives.
ird, we need to spread resources. Too many people don’t even know where to turn when they’re in crisis.
e 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available nationwide, and it doesn’t cost a dime to call. Community organizations, churches, and schools should plaster that number everywhere—on yers, social media, and
billboards—because one phone call can make the di erence between life and death.
And nally, we need to love out loud. We can’t just celebrate our culture, our music, our resilience—we have to care for the souls behind the smiles. Suicide prevention is not just about stopping death. It’s about building a life worth living for every member of our community.
September is Suicide Prevention Month, but this conversation cannot end when the calendar ips to October. Black lives are at stake, and silence is no longer an option. We’ve buried too many young people, too many mothers, too many brothers who thought they had to carry their pain alone.
If you’re reading this, know that you are not weak for needing help. You are not broken. You are not alone. Your life matters, your story matters, and this community needs you here.
e silent crisis in Black America doesn’t have to stay silent. But it will take all of us—families, churches, schools, policymakers, and neighbors—to face it head-on. e time to act is now.
If you or someone you know is struggling, dial 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Help is here. Hope is here. And you are not alone.
HEALTH
NEW FDA RULE COULD PUT PREMATURE BABIES AT RISK
By: Katelyn Moon
One of the great triumphs of health policy is America’s generic drug market. Nine out of ten U.S. prescriptions are lled with generics. at overwhelming share saves patients and taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars annually -- and fuels innovation. Pharmaceutical companies know that their exclusivity on new therapies won’t last forever -- typically only 12 to 14 years -- which incentivizes them to keep developing new treatments instead of relying on older ones. is achievement rests on one crucial principle: generics compete on cost, not by cutting corners on safety or e ectiveness. Patients and providers trust these medicines because the law requires them to be clinically equivalent to their branded counterparts in every meaningful way -- from active ingredients and dosage to method of administration, therapeutic outcome, and safety. e 1984 Hatch-Waxman Act cemented this balance, ensuring that American generics are world-leading in a ordability, access, and quality. But the FDA is now threatening that trust.
e agency recently issued new dra rules regarding aluminum contamination in certain injectable drugs, which are the foundation of intravenous nutrition for premature infants who cannot yet feed normally. For these newborns, high aluminum exposure isn’t a minor issue -- it can slow bone growth and impede brain development. For decades, the FDA has insisted that aluminum levels be kept as low as possible -- but its new proposal loosens those standards. It grants wide allowances for each ingredient, even if the cumulative total comes perilously close to the danger line. e dra also permits so-called “skinny labels” -- narrow instructions that assume hospitals will use the drugs only as directed. Yet the FDA knows it can’t control
how medications are used in realworld hospital settings. e reality is that some manufacturers could market products with substantially more aluminum than the safest options currently available. is shi opens the door to two major problems.
First, premature babies o en require more than a handful of these nutritional components. When combined, the FDA’s calculations don’t hold -- total exposure can easily exceed safe thresholds. Worse still, neither physicians nor parents will know the true aluminum levels these infants are exposed to -- the kind of detail critical to providing safe care. Second, it undermines drugmakers committed to safer manufacturing. One brand-name producer has proven it can slash aluminum levels by nearly 98%. Instead of rewarding such advances, the FDA’s approach tilts the playing eld toward less responsible competitors. e agency defends its plan as a way to stave o shortages. But its own analysis has shown that shortages are driven by razor-thin pro t margins and subpar manufacturing practices -- not by safety standards. Lowering the bar won’t solve those issues. It will, however, drive responsible manufacturers out of the market and put fragile infants at risk. And the implications extend far beyond neonatal care. If regulators are willing to compromise protections here, what’s to prevent similar moves elsewhere? e genius of HatchWaxman was its clarity: generics had to match brand drugs in safety and e cacy. Once that line is blurred, trust begins to unravel. Physicians grow reluctant to prescribe, patients hesitate to switch, and costs climb for all.
1831. William Lloyd Garrison, a white man, begins publishing the antislavery newspaper e Liberator.
THROUGH THE LENS OF TIME: BLACK HISTORY IS 24/7/365
1833. e American Anti-Slavery Society, the main activist arm of the abolitionist movement, is founded under the leadership of William Lloyd Garrison.
1839. Enslaved Africans revolt on the Spanish slave ship Amistad near the coast of Cuba.
1840. e Liberty Party holds its rst national convention in Albany, New York. In opposition to fellow abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison, members believe in political action to further antislavery goals.
1843. Henry Highland Garnet, African American abolitionist and clergyman, makes a controversial speech at the national convention of free
1848. e Free-Soil Party, a minor but in uential political party, nominates former U.S. president Martin Van Buren to head its ticket.
1850. Speaking on behalf of the abolitionist movement, Sojourner Truth, a Black evangelist and reformer, travels throughout the American
HOUSTON
AUSTIN
TEXAS TAKEAWAY
WACO
In an executive order, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has banned hemp product sales to minors and directed state agencies to implement stricter rules on product testing, labeling, and enforcement.
Austin unveils renovated shelter for domestic violence survivors. The SAFE Alliance CEO reports the new shelter will be open in about two weeks
SAN ANTONIO
More than a year after shutting down 15 campuses due to budget shortfalls and declining enrollment, the San Antonio Independent School District has unveiled a plan to repurpose several of those school buildings.
Free parking at Waco Regional Airport will soon be a thing of the past, with a new $5-per-day fee taking effect on October 1st. The change comes as part of a push for financial self-sufficiency, after an interim airport manager recently identified funding shortfalls. New airport director James Harris noted that, as an enterprise fund, the airport is expected to operate without relying on general city funds.
DALLAS
The Dallas City Council is convening to address growing concerns about water safety, with a particular focus on the presence of potentially harmful contaminants such as PFAS— also known as “forever chemicals.” Among the items on the agenda is the possibility of hiring an external firm to conduct specialized testing for PFAS in the city’s water supply.
Claudette Colvin was a civil rights pioneer, notable for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white passenger in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1955 at the age of 15, nine months before Rosa Parks’ similar act of de ance. Despite her early stand and arrest, her pregnancy and working-class background led civil rights leaders to choose Parks as a more broadly appealing symbol for the upcoming Montgomery Bus Boycott. However, Colvin’s activism continued, as she was a key plainti in the Browder v. Gayle lawsuit, which ultimately desegregated Montgomery’s buses, and her record was nally cleared in 2021.
Black people.
Midwest. She draws large crowds.
CLAUDETTE COLVIN
MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION
STUDENT SUCCESS THROUGH NEW SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS
By: TSU Media
Texas Southern University (TSU) announces the establishment of two new scholarship funds, generously supported by dedicated alumni whose unwavering commitment to the success of Texas Southern students continues to shape futures and transform lives.
e O.D. & Jewel C. Curtis Scholarship Fund, endowed by an alumni family that has opted to remain anonymous, will provide full tuition scholarships to ve male students. e preference for this $50,000 fund will be on those pursuing degrees in STEM or Education. is gi re ects the family’s deep belief in the power of education to unlock opportunity and upli communities.
Recipients in the initial cohort of O.D. & Jewel C. Curtis Scholars are:
Dione Johnson, Computer Science, Sophomore
Bruce Prince, Mathematics, Sophomore
Justin Griggs Ellis, Biology, Sophomore
Blaise Bellard, Aviation
Science Management, Junior Folahan Odewabi, Aviation Science Management, Senior Jesiah Owens, Interdisciplinary Studies, Sophomore
JaBraylon Turner, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Freshman
Additionally, the WilsonTaylor Purple Knight Scholarship Fund, established by 2003 graduate Aulston G. Taylor, supports incoming male freshmen from St. Augustine High School in New Orleans. Taylor, a nationally recognized educational leader and current President and CEO of St. Augustine High School, brings his visionary commitment to student achievement full circle with this initiative. His leadership has already impacted over 400 collegebound students in New Orleans. With this $25,000 scholarship fund, it now extends to the next generation of Tigers at Texas Southern.
“ e nancial support these scholarships will enable our students to focus their
attention on their studies and matriculation rather than how they will pay for their education,” said Charlie W. Coleman III, Senior Associate Vice President for Development and Alumni Engagement. “ ese scholarships are powerful testaments to the enduring commitment our alumni have to li ing as they climb. eir investment is a re ection of the values instilled in students and the remarkable loyalty of those who have walked these halls.”
Together, these scholarships not only broaden access to higher education but also spotlight the role of alumni in shaping the future of the university and the communities it serves. For more information on how to support scholarships at Texas Southern University, please contact the O ce of Development and Alumni Engagement at advancement@tsu.edu or visit www.tsu.edu/give.
BREAKING THE STIGMA AROUND MENTAL HEALTH
By: Roy Douglas Malonson
Every Sunday, the pews are lled. Black churches remain a cornerstone of hope and healing, and for generations, faith has sustained our people through trials. But when it comes to mental health, the numbers show that church alone isn’t enough.
e National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that 1 in 3 Black adults who need mental health care receive it, compared to almost half of White adults. At the same time, suicide among Black youth has climbed at alarming rates, with attempts increasing by nearly 80% in recent decades. Faith may give us strength, but it cannot replace professional care.
Too o en, depression, anxiety, or trauma are minimized in our community.
People are told to “be strong” or “just pray about it.” But mental illness is not a lack of faith—it is a health condition that needs treatment. We don’t tell someone with high blood pressure to skip the doctor. We don’t expect prayer alone to cure diabetes.
Yet when it comes to the mind, we pretend
that prayer is enough. erapy, counseling, and access to trained professionals are lifesaving. e problem is, only 4% of psychologists in the U.S. are Black, which means most patients won’t nd someone who understands their lived experiences. is lack of representation fuels mistrust and keeps many from seeking help.
e solution must be both/ and, not either/or. Our pastors can lead the way by breaking the stigma and encouraging their congregations to seek counseling alongside prayer. Communities can demand more funding for culturally competent care in schools and neighborhoods. Families can normalize talking about therapy as openly as they talk about church.
Because the truth is this: our faith is strong, but our people are still su ering. Until mental health care becomes as normal in our community as Sunday service, the crisis will only deepen.
for: CSP- # 25-02-05 LSCS University Park Garage Structural Repairs Electronic submittals due by 2:00PM, Friday October 03,2025. Contact: dina.sauser@lonestar. edu or (832) 813-6532. 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.
MISSOURI CITY NATIVE SERVES ABOARD NAVY WARSHIP IN MAYPORT LOCAL
By:(Ms. Megan S. Lemly) Navy Office of Community Outreach
Petty O cer 1st Class
Nia Henderson, a native of Missouri City, Texas, serves aboard USS John Basilone, a U.S. Navy
e skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Missouri City.
rank pretty fast.”
“Growing up, I learned
Basilone, a U.S. Navy warship operating out of Mayport, Florida. Henderson graduated from urgood Marshall High School in 2017 and is working toward a bachelor’s degree in business administration at American Military University.
that if you work hard, you play harder,” Henderson said.
“ at mindset has led me to many achievements in the Navy, things like picking up
Henderson joined the Navy six years ago. Today, Henderson serves as a personnel specialist.
a personnel specialist.
“I wasn’t exactly sure of my career path and felt the Navy would be a great foundation or stepping stone,” Henderson said. “My dad served in the Navy. It was the rst recruiter I went to.”
“I of my career path and felt the Navy would be a great foundation or stepping stone,” Henderson said. “My dad served in the Navy. It was the rst recruiter I went to.”
A Navy destroyer is a multi-mission ship that dently or as part of a larger group of ships at sea. e ship is equipped weapons system. and skill. e jobs taining engines to
A Navy destroyer is a multi-mission ship that can operate independently or as part of a larger group of ships at sea. e ship is equipped with Tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, guns and a Phalanx close-in weapons system.
More than 300 sailors serve aboard John Basilone. eir jobs are highly specialized, requiring both dedication and skill. e jobs range from maintaining engines to handling weaponry, along with a multitude of other assignments that keep the ship mission-ready at all times, according to Navy o cials.
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea ber-optic cables, Navy o cials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Henderson has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is something I do every day in my rate, which is assisting sailors with their records and pay,” Henderson said. “I’m taking care of that for them and making sure they get paid the right amount and on time.”
Henderson serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy means sacri cing for something larger than myself,” Henderson said. “In the Navy, you build skills that are applicable to both military and civilian life, things like professionalism, exibility and discipline.”
Henderson is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I’d like to thank my family for their continued support,” Henderson said.
e U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year. According to Navy o cials, “America is a for 250 years, America’s War ghting Navy has sailed the globe in de-
e U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year. According to Navy o cials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s War ghting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
HCTRA is doing more for mobility in our region - from toll roads to a new Ship Channel Bridge.
Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Andrew Hanchar
DIVERSITY
H-E-B’s Supplier Diversity Program works hard to ensure we’re selling goods and utilizing services from a wide variety of Texan businesses. We’re proud that our suppliers are as diverse as the Lone Star State itself.
As a former small business ourselves, we believe in and celebrate the value & strength that working with small businesses, local businesses, and businesses owned by diverse suppliers, women, LGBTQ+, Veterans, and disabled Texans brings to both our business and the communities we serve.
