AframNews.com
“Addressing
Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community”
BIRTHRIGHT
CITIZENSHIP
HOW FAR COULD IT REALLY GO?
By: Roy Douglas Malonson
What begins as a political talking point has the potential to reshape the foundation of American identity itself. Birthright citizenship—guaranteed under the 14th Amendment—was not created by accident. It was written into the Constitution in 1868 to ensure that formerly enslaved Black Americans would be recognized as full citizens a er centuries of exclusion. Today, that same protection is once again being debated, and the implications are raising serious concern across Black, Hispanic, and minority communities nationwide.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly argued that birthright citizenship should be ended or restricted, particularly for children born to undocumented
immigrants. While supporters say this is about border control, the numbers tell a broader story. According to the Pew Research Center, approximately 4.4 million U.S.-born children have at least one undocumented parent. ese children are citizens under current law. Any major reinterpretation of birthright citizenship would directly impact millions of families—many of whom are Latino—and could create long-term ripple e ects across generations. But the concern does not stop there. e United States has a long history of rede ning who quali es as “American,” o en with devastating consequences. e 1857 Supreme Court decision in Dred Scott v. Sandford ruled that Citizenship on pg. 3
By: Hobley Family
Charles Walter Hobley Gamble, born on December 23, 1938, to Keary Hobley, Sr and Pearl Ponder Hobley. Charles was the youngest of ve children in the family. He was educated in the Aldine Independent School District. He stood out as a student at G. W. Carver High school and excelled in athletics.
Charles Walter Hobley served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, holding the rank of Private Second Class (PV2). Charles showed an early passion for electronics and eventually transitioned this interest into a technology career. Charles worked in education as Automotive Trade Instructor for the Aldine and Klein Independent School Districts. He loved technology and was always on the cutting edge of new advancements in the eld. He retired as a supervisor for Harris County at the LBJ Medical Center.
Charles Hobley married Cornelia Hunter in December 1959. ey were married for y-eight years. Charles departed this life on April 7, 2026. Also preceding him in death are his parents, Keary Hobley, Sr and Pearl Ponder Hobley; brothers, Keary Hobley, Jr., Rev. Robert McGowen Hobley and sister, Jessie Lee Hobley Phlegm; Charles, Roderick and Leslie Kay (Gregory); grandchildren; great grandchildren and one sister, Alpha Mae Gamble and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
EDITORIAL
A Revival of God Consciousness
Bobby Mills, Ph.D.
TALK IS CHEAP
President Trump talks boldly and loudly without truth or eternal conviction, only self-service motives. In fact, President Trump talks primarily about what Biden did and did not do, not about what he is doing. All Godly Americans know why! Sadly, everything President Trump does is self-serving/ self-bene cial, not public service oriented. For example, Trump’s family wealth has increased exponentially since becoming President for the second time. What an ungodly shame! Americans urgently need honesty and reconciliation in public discourse and politics, before it’s too late. Multicultural Democracy requires civility in its politics, not vulgarity. Civility demands that all citizens embrace truth. Minneapolis is a perfect example of truth and reconciliation in political discourse. erefore, on November 3rd, 2026, let’s take our country back from the no moral conscience ungodly, before it is too late. e President Trump does not believe in constitutional order, and neither does his governing cabinet. ey provide no check and balance truth on President Trump’s self-centered “lying” governance impulses. Hence, Trump’s cabinet o cials know that no one is safe in President Trump’s Cabinet a er Pam
A NEW CHIEF IN TOWN
By:Fred Smith
Former Houston Police Chief Troy Finner has been named the new chief of the Missouri City Police Department, marking his return to law enforcement leadership nearly two years a er his departure from Houston. City o cials announced that Finner will o cially begin his new role on April 20, citing his more than three decades of experience and leadership within one of the nation’s largest police departments. Finner previously served as Houston’s police chief before retiring in 2024. His extensive experience, professionalism, and
ability to lead the department forward were some of the key points in the decision.
City o cials, including Mayor Robin Elackatt and City Manager Angel Jones, expressed con dence that Finner’s leadership will strengthen public safety and rebuild community trust. ey highlighted his commitment to public service and vision for community engagement as key factors in his selection, signaling optimism about the direction of the Missouri City Police Department under his leadership.
Bondi’s bold ring. President Trump would tell Pam Bondi to jump, and she would say how high. Additionally, and to America’s demise there has been zero governance accountability from the GOP controlled Senate and House of Representatives. Sadly, President Trump’s warmongering mentality and self-centered vulgar governing policies have largely been overlooked by both the GOP controlled House and the Senate. War is hell. Moreover, we should be spending our time, talents, and resources creating heaven on earth as it is in God’s heaven. Of course, if individuals do not have a God conscience, they do not know that heaven is a spiritualmental state of being. Hell, and destruction remain unful lled due to greed, envy, and jealousy. America, never forget war is hell. e Trump Administration has a governing philosophical covenant that is devilishly self-dealing, self-enriching, and self-serving. “You get yours and I’m going to get mine”. is is why President Trump’s cabinet o cials, by and large, are individuals who are self-centered and selfserving billionaire loyalists. Contrarily, the GOP seeks to enforce spiritual-moral codes of conduct upon others that they are not willing to subscribe to themselves. What shameful hypocrites. America, hypocrites are pros at judging others. However, know this: “Be not deceived: God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his esh shall of his esh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the
Citizenship Cont. even being asked reveals a deeper fear: once the de nition of citizenship becomes exible, it can be politicized, challenged, and potentially applied unevenly. at uncertainty is what makes this moment feel di erent—and more urgent.
Black people, even if born in the United States, were not citizens. at decision was later overturned by the 14th Amendment— but it remains a warning of how fragile rights can be when political will shi s. For many in the African American community, the idea of reopening the de nition of citizenship raises a chilling question: if it was taken once, could it be challenged again?
Data also shows how deeply birthright citizenship is tied to minority communities.
e U.S. Census Bureau reports that Hispanic Americans make up nearly 19% of the U.S. population, with a signi cant portion being rst- or secondgeneration citizens. Black Americans, who represent about 13% of the population, have a unique historical connection to the 14th Amendment, as it was originally designed to secure their citizenship. Any attempt to weaken or reinterpret this amendment could disproportionately a ect these communities, even if indirectly.
ere is also the question of scale. e Migration Policy Institute
advocates, the concern is not just about what is being proposed— but what could follow. If the constitutional guarantee of citizenship by birth is weakened, it could open the door to further challenges around voting rights, access to public services, and legal protections. Even the perception of instability can have real consequences, creating fear, discouraging civic participation, and deepening divisions across communities.
By: Danica Lloyd
Hip-hop icon Dr. Dre has o cially joined JayZ as one of the genre’s only billionaires, marking a historic moment for the culture’s continued evolution from music to global business dominance.
MUSIC
Some have pointed to symbolic gures like former President Barack Obama when discussing how far such debates could stretch. While there is no legal movement targeting Obama or others born under established law, the fact that these questions are
estimates that mixedstatus households— where at least one family member is undocumented—include more than 16 million people in the United States. Policy shi s a ecting citizenship rules could create confusion, legal battles, and longterm instability for millions of children who have only ever known America as home. Historically, policies that begin with one targeted group have o en expanded in scope over time, especially when tied to broader political agendas.
For many community leaders and civil rights
At its core, this debate is about more than immigration—it is about permanence. It is about whether being born in America will continue to mean something absolute, or something conditional. For Black Americans, whose citizenship was once denied despite generations of labor and sacri ce, this conversation is deeply personal. For Hispanic families, whose children are directly tied to this policy, it is immediate and urgent.
History has shown that rights are rarely lost all at once. ey are questioned, narrowed, and rede ned over time. e current debate over birthright citizenship may seem focused on one issue, but its impact could extend far beyond it. As the nation watches closely, one thing is clear: the outcome of this conversation will shape not just policy, but the future de nition of who gets to belong in America—and who might be le questioning it.
acumen beyond music. While he is widely respected as a pioneering producer and co-founder of N.W.A, much of his wealth stems from the massive success of Beats by Dre, which was sold to Apple in a multibillion-dollar deal. Over the years, he has also expanded into music catalog deals, partnerships, and other investments, turning his in uence into long-term nancial power.
perceptions of what artists could accomplish nancially, but also opened the door for gures like Dr. Dre to follow.
Together, their inclusion on Forbes’ billionaire list highlights a broader shi in hiphop—from a cultural movement rooted in expression to a global economic force. With moguls like Dre and Jay-Z leading the way, the genre continues to rede ne success, proving that in uence him alongside Jay-Z, who rst broke the barrier in 2019 and has since grown his fortune into the multi-billion-
According to recent reporting tied to Forbes’ billionaire rankings, Dr. Dre has reached billionaire status, becoming just the **second hip-hop artist ever** to achieve the milestone. is places him alongside Jay-Z, who rst broke the barrier in 2019 and has since grown his fortune into the multi-billiondollar range.
Dre’s rise to billionaire
Jay-Z, meanwhile, set the blueprint
set the blueprint for hip-hop wealth by diversifying into industries like liquor, streaming, real estate, and art. His early
status has been driven largely by his business
largely by his business
proving that in uence in hip-hop now extends far beyond the studio and into boardrooms worldwide.
hop’s rst billionaire not only reshaped
1565 1650 1760 1777 1746 1770 1619
1565. e Spanish take enslaved people to St. Augustine, the rst permanent settlement in what would later be the state of Florida.
1619. A Dutch ship with 20 enslaved Africans aboard arrives at the English colony of Jamestown, Virginia.
1650. e Yoruba Oyo Empire begins growing powerful in what would later be southwestern Nigeria. e empire reaches its height in the rst part of the 18th century.
1746. Poet and storyteller Lucy Terry, a enslaved teenager, composes the poem “Bars Fight,” the earliest existing poem by an African American.
1760. Jupiter Hammon, an enslaved man from Connecticut, writes an autobiography o en considered to be the rst slave narrative.
1770. Crispus Attucks, who had formerly been enslaved, is killed by British soldiers in the Boston Massacre.
1777. Vermont, not yet part of the United States, becomes the rst colony to abolish slavery in its constitution.
HOUSTON
DALLAS
TEXAS TAKEAWAY
A er more than a decade as NRG Stadium, Houston’s iconic venue will soon reclaim a familiar identity. O cials have approved a name change that will bring back “Reliant Stadium” in 2026, reviving a title that many longtime residents still associate with the city’s sports and entertainment history. Originally named a er Reliant Energy, the stadium carried the Reliant name from its opening in 2002 until 2014, when NRG Energy secured naming rights. e decision to return to the Reliant name re ects a broader sense of nostalgia among fans and community leaders, reconnecting Houston with a cherished era while preserving the stadium’s role as a premier destination for major events.
EL PASO
e Motorcycle Safety Foundation is bringing attention to Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in El Paso, encouraging both riders and drivers to prioritize safety on the road. rough education campaigns and community outreach, MSF is emphasizing the importance of sharing the road, staying alert, and following tra c laws to reduce accidents involving motorcycles. e initiative serves as a reminder that increased awareness and responsible behavior from all motorists can help prevent injuries and save lives throughout the region.
AUSTIN
Arlington contributed $325 million toward the construction of AT&T Stadium for the Dallas Cowboys, and now the City Council is considering a new vote on whether to invest hundreds of millions more to keep the team in place.
Red River Cultural District in Austin has released its inaugural economic impact report, revealing a striking $529 million contribution to the local economy. e report highlights the district’s vital role in supporting live music, small businesses, and tourism, reinforcing its reputation as a cornerstone of Austin’s cultural identity. Leaders say the ndings underscore the importance of continued investment in the district as it drives economic growth.
Dr. Patricia Bath (1942–2019) was a trailblazing American ophthalmologist, inventor, and academic who revolutionized cataract surgery with her 1986 invention of the laserphaco probe. As the first African American woman to receive a medical patent and the first woman to chair an ophthalmology residency program, she championed community ophthalmology to reduce preventable blindness.
DR. PATRICIA BATH
EDUCATION
FORMERLY INCARCERATED MEN FIND HOPE
By: Danica Lloyd
Joseph “Smitty” Smith was determined to nd a job to support his family. But a er spending nearly 30 years in prison, he found himself with an 11th-grade education, no work experience and no knowledge of modern technology.
learning basic computer skills at Lone Star College System this March and are working toward earning a Microso Excel Associate Certi cation by the end of the summer. e classes are free to students and funded by a federal grant.
for work locally, employers seeking to upskill their teams and individuals who have been released from the prison system.
for the rst time at age 60.
“I had some anxiety going in, but the teacher was enthusiastic and excited to help us,” Ramos said. “She didn’t say, ‘Some of y’all aren’t going to make it’—she said we’re all going to do good.”
Shortly a er being released from prison and moving into the CrossWalk Center residential re-entry program in 2017, Smith was connected to a stable job at Re ned Technologies (RTI), a Houston-based global solutions provider where about 5% of the full-time workforce has spent time in prison and now maintains RTI’s mechanical rental eet. Smith and about 30 of his RTI colleagues started
“For the rst time in my life, I’m looking forward to going to school,” Smith said. “ ere are a lot of reasons why I want to see this through, but most of all because I’m going to better myself.”
e Adult Education and Literacy program at LSCS primarily consists of ESOL and GED classes, but also o ers intensive services for about 145 students annually. is includes immigrants with post-secondary degrees from outside the country looking
“Students who have been in jail for a while typically haven’t been a orded any opportunities to develop computer skills,” said Connor O’Sullivan, LSCS executive director, Adult Education. “Some of them missed the entire adoption of the internet. ey know they need to catch up, but don’t have the resources to do it themselves. Expecting them to conduct a modern job search without any further guidance is like expecting them to do a back ip.”
Ruben Ramos spent nearly half of his life in prison and is learning to operate computers
According to the Prison Policy Institute, about 600,000 Americans transition out of prison each year, and the unemployment rate for this group is about ve times larger than the general population. Additionally, roughly 44% are re-arrested within one year of release due to housing instability, employment challenges, health issues and educational barriers.
his RTI colleagues started learning to operate computers outside the country looking reintegrate into society at the
In 2018, the men striving to reintegrate into society at the di cult as they
CrossWalk Center needed work, and RTI was struggling with turnover in hourly positions. Cody Nath, RTI CEO and CrossWalk Center co-founder, established a second-chance hiring initiative that has increased retention rates at RTI and given formerly incarcerated individuals a life-changing opportunity to have jobs that bring dignity and pride. is partnership continues today, with 80 second-chance hires working at RTI. Most of the second-chance hires at RTI are in physically demanding roles that involve handling equipment, which becomes more di cult as they
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE TO PROPOSERS
Request for Proposal will be received by Lone Star College for:
RFP #26-03-09 – Digital Content Delivery Solution. Electronic submittals due by 3:00PM, Monday, May 11, 2026.
Contact: clave@lonestar. edu or (832)813-6723. Must Register to Bid: https://lonestar.ionwave. net/Login.aspx. If registered, please ensure your registration is up to date. For assistance with the online registration process, contact MC-vendors@lonestar.edu.
e Houston Independent School District Purchasing Services Department located at 4400 West 18th Street, Houston, TX 77092 is soliciting Request for Quali cations (RFQ) via the District’s electronic bidding portal. Proposers may login to view speci cations and submit their responses at the following link https:// houstonisd.ionwave.net/ Login.aspx until 11:00 a.m. (CST) Friday, April 24, 2026, for the following so-
RFQ 26-04-02 Independent Auditor For Annual Financial Audit
Pre-proposal conferences via Microso Teams will be held in conjunction with this RFQ. Information regarding dates, times, and instructions to receive a link to join the meeting can be located within the electronic bidding portal under the “Event Details” tab speci c to this solicitation.
OF SAVINGS AISLES AISLES and
