Volume 30 Issue 41

October 31, 2025

GREATER HOUSTON EDITION

Vol.30, Issue 41

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African-American News&Issues

“Addressing Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community”

THE HONORABLE REVEREND FRANK “JOE” LANDRY By: Family

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” A remarkable figure in the Old River-Winfree community, Frank Joe Landry dedicated 32 years of his life to both spiritual and civic service.

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WILLIE C. JORDAN JR. (1938-2025) By: Family

REPUBLICANS FACE BACKLASH By: Roy Douglas Malonson

A shocking political scandal is sending tremors through the Republican Party after thousands of private chat messages from its youth wing were leaked—revealing an undercurrent of racism, white supremacy, and hate speech that many say reflects a deeper cultural rot inside the organization.

The 2,900 pages of Telegram messages—shared among members of the Young Republican National

Federation (YRNF) and state chapters across New York, Kansas, Vermont, and Arizona—contain some of the most disturbing language seen in modern politics. Participants in the group glorified Adolf Hitler, mocked rape victims, used the n-word more than 250 times, and referred to Black Americans as “monkeys” Backlash on pg. 3 and “watermelon people.”

It is with profound sadness that we commemorate the life and legacy of Willie C. Jordan, who passed away at the age of 87. Mr. Jordan was a pioneering architect and a transformative presence in our community whose influence extended far beyond his remarkable professional achievements.

As a member of the first class of Black undergraduate students at the University of Texas, Mr. Jordan broke barriers with determination and grace. He went on to become only the third licensed Black architect in the state of Texas, establishing a legacy of excellence and leadership that continues to inspire future generations of architects and AA designers.

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October 31, 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.

TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY UPSIDE DOWN

STORIES, PICTURES, LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, EMAIL TO

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

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GREATER HOUSTON EDITION

Historically, since 1927 Texas Southern University as well as other HBCUs have not been equitably state funded as institutions of higher learning. Economic injustice started with slavery and was not resolved by the Emancipation Proclamation, as Blacks never received the promised reparations of forty acres and a mule. Even the notion of “separate but equal”, was not equal, just or fair, and to this date it is still not equal. Even in 2025, America is engaged in a new form of Civil War called “Make America Great Again”. A code acronym for “Make America White Again”. Yet, we are in an enlightened 21st century period, and supposedly, we have integrated as a multi-cultural democratic society. Yet, Black individuals continue to face institutional barriers to full equality and citizenship. What an ungodly shame. Texas Southern was founded to educate Black students and support their community’s socio-economic progress. Blacks are not racists, they are the ungodly victims of institutional racism, not the propagators of racism.

Blacks have a God conscience mentality, because they know that “death” is the universal equalizer. Texas recently established a $4 billion Texas University Fund (TUF) for

four major universities: University of North Texas, Texas State University, University of Houston, and Texas Tech. TSU was not even considered for equity inclusion funding! Never let it be said that Blacks are not patriotic, patient, and fair-minded, because Blacks are not hating on the four (4) predominantly White institutions that are a part of the newly created (4) Texas University Fund TUF. Blacks only desire higher education equity funding (fairness). Socio-economic fairness is not Black or White.

Neither is economic-justice Republican or Democrat.

More importantly, God does not pervert justice, only the devil and his IMPS are unjust.

Therefore, when individuals desire to play God, they should make sure they have a Godly mindset. Hence, Texas State Officials need to spiritually understand that Black Texans also desire a quality education by learning how to read, because it is written: “Blessed is he that readeth, and thy that hear the words of the prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” (Revelation 1: 2-3). Let’s pray that the Texas Legislature realizes that the time is long overdue for TSU to be equitably funded.

Knowledge is neither Black or White. Knowledge is knowledge, it’s empirical.

Therefore, knowledge must be shared and used to create more knowledge for future generations: “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:” (Proverbs 23: 7a).

Read more at aframnews.com

We Must Understand Roy Douglas Malonson, Publisher

WHY YOUNG BLACK AMERICANS ARE LEAVING THE CHURCH For generations, the Black Church was more than a place of worship — it was the heartbeat of the community.

It was where freedom songs were born, where leaders were molded, and where movements began. From the pulpit to the protest line, the church carried us through centuries of oppression with faith as our weapon and hope as our shield.

But today, something has changed. A growing number of young Black Americans are walking away from the very institution that once defined their grandparents’ lives.

This isn’t a rejection of God — it’s a reckoning with tradition. Young people still believe in spirituality, but many say the church no longer feels like home. They see hypocrisy in leadership, outdated views on social issues, and a lack of transparency about money and power. In an age where truth is shared in seconds, blind faith has been replaced by questioning — and for

many, the answers from the pulpit no longer satisfy.

Social media has also created a new kind of faith community. Online, young Black voices talk openly about crystals, meditation, and ancestral energy. They aren’t turning from God — they’re searching for Him beyond the walls of organized religion.

What older generations call rebellion, the younger ones call evolution.

Meanwhile, the Black Church faces an identity crisis. Some leaders are adapting — embracing technology, addressing mental health, and connecting sermons to social justice. Others are holding tight to tradition, fearful of losing authority. The result? A widening gap between generations who both love God but no longer speak the same spiritual language.

This moment isn’t about destruction — it’s about transformation. The Black Church must evolve or risk irrelevance. The next generation isn’t looking for perfection; they’re looking for honesty, purpose, and connection. Faith doesn’t have to die for change to live — but if the church refuses to listen, it might lose the very people it was built to guide.

The question now isn’t whether young Black Americans believe in God — it’s whether the church still believes in them.

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GREATER HOUSTON EDITION Backlash Cont.

The leak, verified by multiple outlets, has forced resignations, suspensions, and public outrage from leaders nationwide.

But for African Americans, this is more than a scandal about online messages—it’s an alarming confirmation of what many have long suspected: that behind the political polish, deep-seated racism still festers within parts of America’s conservative movement.

In one message, members joked about putting political opponents “in gas chambers.” Others shared memes comparing Black people to apes and made fun of the LGBTQ+ community.

Vermont State Senator Samuel Douglass, a Republican, was identified in the chat and later resigned after his involvement became public. In New York, the state’s GOP leadership suspended its Young Republicans chapter entirely, citing “language that has no place in our party or society.”

Yet the response from top national figures has been mixed. Some condemned the comments outright, but others—like Vice President J.D. Vance—dismissed the group’s words as “edgy, stupid jokes made by kids.” That defense outraged civil rights leaders and community advocates who see the remarks not as childish, but as evidence of systemic bias among a generation that will one day seek elected office.

“This isn’t kids being kids,” said one political analyst. “These are young adults, many already holding party positions, showing us exactly what kind of culture they’ve been taught to normalize.”

For Black America, the questions now run deep. How many of tomorrow’s policymakers share these private beliefs?

How can any political party claim to champion opportunity for all while tolerating racial hatred behind closed doors?

The leak has reignited calls for accountability, transparency, and reform—not just inside the GOP, but across the broader political landscape where hate has too often been shrugged off as humor.

The scandal also underscores the widening gap between rhetoric and reality. For years, the Republican Party has talked about “minority outreach” and “big tent inclusion.” But when the youth ranks of that same party are caught trading Nazi imagery and racial epithets, it sends a different message—one that erodes trust among voters of color and reveals the hypocrisy that continues to plague American politics.

The fallout has already begun.

Chapters in Kansas and Vermont have been deactivated. Sponsors have withdrawn. And Republican leaders in multiple states have quietly begun internal reviews to assess whether more members were involved.

October 31, 2025 Still, many African Americans see the damage as already done.

It’s not just about words—it’s about what those words represent.

They reveal how racism is still being passed down through political generations, often behind the comfort of screens and closed groups. They remind us that the fight against hate is far from over, and that silence or excuses only strengthen it.

Black voters have long been America’s conscience—pushing for justice, equality, and truth even when the system resists change.

This moment is no different. What we do with this exposure will determine whether this is just another scandal or a turning point in the nation’s moral direction.

Accountability must not stop at condemnation. It must mean restructuring leadership, reforming training, and removing anyone who treats racism as a joke. Because what starts as a “private chat” too often becomes public policy that hurts communities like ours.

As the dust settles, one truth remains: racism, no matter how young or digital its face, is still the same old disease—and it’s up to every one of us to call it out before it spreads again.

African American News & Issues – Where Truth and Accountability Meet.

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GREATER HOUSTON EDITION

THROUGH THE LENS OF TIME: BLACK HISTORY IS 24/7/365 1607

1619

1650

1865

1868

1870

1607. Jamestown, Virginia, the first permanent English settlement in the Americas, is founded.

1619. Slavery in America begins in Jamestown for the labor-intensive but lucrative tobacco crop.

1650. Approximately five hundred persons of African origin or descent are now slaves in the Virginia colony.

1865. On June 19, Union soldiers arrive in Galveston, Texas to spread the news of the Civil War end and subsequent freedom of slavery.

1868. The fourteenth amendment is passed, guaranteeing citizenship rights and equal protection under law.

1870. The fifteenth amendment is passed, guaranteeing that a citizen’s right to vote would not be denied on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

TEXAS

PFLUGERVILLE

The Houston City Council on Wednesday approved a $16 million homeless “superhub.”

The Pflugerville City Council on Tuesday officially approved the appointment of a new Police Chief.

Willie Richards was chosen from a pool of more than 65 candidates to lead the department. He is set to begin his duties in December, with a swearingin ceremony to be held at a later date, according to a city news release.

FORT WORTH The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced this week that if the federal government shutdown continues, SNAP benefits will stop being distributed starting Nov. 1. More than 3 million Texans rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to meet their food needs, many are expected to turn to nonprofit organizations for support. ________________________________

SAN ANTONIO North Texas GOP Chairman faces backlash again after seemingly referring to Black Americans as “chimps.”

1978. In Regents of the University of California v. Bakke, the Supreme Court rules that the use of strict racial quotas is unconstitutional.

TAKEAWAY

HOUSTON

________________________________

1978

_______________________________

CONROE Conroe ISD approves districtwide prohibition on student cellphone use during the school day. _______________________________

LUBBOCK Thunder Sun Homes company facing numerous tenant complaints and city violations has filed for bankruptcy.

LENA HORNE Lena Horne was an iconic American singer, actress, and civil rights activist who spent over 70 years in the entertainment industry. Starting her career as a chorus dancer at Harlem’s Cotton Club at age 16, Horne rose to national stardom, becoming the first African-American woman to sign a longterm contract with a major Hollywood studio, MGM.

READ MORE AT AFRAMNEWS.COM

GREATER HOUSTON EDITION

October 31, 2025

AFRAMNEWS.COM

My journey has been one of continuous growth and learning.

Ryan P. Retail Banking Team Manager 11 years with BofA Bank of America didn’t just recognize my potential. It actively nurtured it. Here I’ve had the chance to take ownership of my career and shape my trajectory thanks to the resources, training and mentorship that are available to me.

What would you like the power to do? ®

See how we’re helping our employees and communities thrive at BofA.com/GreatPlaceToWork Equal employment opportunity for persons with disabilities and veterans. ©2025 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

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CHURCH

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Request for Qualifications will be received by Lone Star College for: RFQ #25-10-07 Bond Counsel and Disclosure Counsel Services for Lone Star College System. Electronic submittals due by 2:00PM, Thursday, November 20, 2025.

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October 31, 2025

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APPROACHING A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE IN THIRD WARD By: Fred Smith

A long-standing pillar of Houston’s historic Third Ward, Greater Rose Hill Missionary Baptist Church is approaching a significant milestone. Founded in 1902 and relocated to its Holman Street home in 1925, the church has served as a center of faith and community for more than a century. In November, it could be officially recognized as a “Protected Landmark” — the highest level of historic designation the city of Houston can grant. Such recognition would formally preserve the church as both an architectural treasure and a cultural landmark for future generations.

The push for landmark status comes amid rapid changes in the Third Ward, a neighborhood experiencing shifts in demographics, development, and affordability. Over the past two decades, the area has seen long-time Black residents displaced as new populations move in, reshaping the community’s identity. Church leaders see the proposed designation not simply as a way to preserve a building, but as a vital effort to safeguard a piece of Third Ward’s history — a space that has long represented resilience, unity, and spiritual strength in the face of change.

Throughout its history, the church has hosted voter registration drives, health outreach events, and civil rights activities — including a 1968 news conference led by hospital workers protesting racial discrimination.

Architecturally, the church retains much of its historic charm, from its red-painted concrete steps and rose-patterned glass doors to its crosstopped tower — all features that have remained largely unchanged for decades. These elements reflect both the endurance of the building and the devotion of the community that maintains it.

If Houston’s City Council approves the landmark designation following its November hearing, Greater Rose Hill Missionary Baptist Church will gain lasting protection against demolition or major alteration.

For its congregation of roughly one hundred members, the decision would ensure that the church remains not just a place of worship, but a living testament to faith, history, and perseverance. More than a preservation effort, it would stand as a powerful acknowledgment of the cultural and spiritual heritage that continues to shape Houston’s Third Ward.

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