AframNews.com
Issue 18
“Addressing Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community”
CULTURAL LEGACY
By: Roy Douglas Malonson
Black Music Month, observed annually in June, is a national recognition of the profound contributions African Americans have made to the development of music in the United States and around the world.
e observance highlights the creativity, innovation, and cultural in uence of Black musicians whose work has shaped countless musical genres and enriched the nation’s artistic heritage. It serves as both a celebration of achievement and an opportunity to re ect on the historical signi cance of Black music.
e origins of Black Music Month date back to 1979, when music industry leaders and advocates sought greater recognition for the contributions
of African American artists. eir e orts led to a presidential proclamation establishing June as a time to honor the achievements of Black musicians, composers, producers, and performers. Since then, the observance has become an important annual tribute to the enduring impact of Black artistry on American culture.
African American musicians have played a foundational role in the creation and evolution of numerous musical genres, including blues, jazz, gospel, rhythm and blues, soul, rock and roll, funk, hip-hop, and contemporary popular music. ese genres Legacy on pg. 3
REV. GEORGE T. CURRY, SR 1933 – 2026
By: Family
A native Texan, George T. Curry, Sr. was born in Ledbetter, Texas on December 30, 1933, to the late Milton and Earlie Curry, the fourth of four children. From humble beginnings, his life would rise as a testimony of faith, leadership, and unwavering devotion to God and His people.
During his early years, he lived in Midland, Texas and Denver, Colorado, with experiences that helped shape the resilience and character that would define his ministry. He was united in holy matrimony for 64 years to the late Mrs. Christine N. Curry, a union rooted in enduring love, faith, and shared purpose.
Pastor Curry was educated in Ledbetter, Texas, and was called to the ministry at an early age. He pursued theological training through several seminaries, including the Rocky Mountain Bible Institute, and later earned a Bachelor of Arts in eology from Union Baptist Bible College and Seminary in Denver, Colorado. Pastor Curry Sr. preached his first sermon at Union Baptist Church.
In 1960, Pastor Curry accepted the call to serve as Pastor of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Midland, Texas until January 1975. Pastor Curry Sr was known as the community pastor. He served within the community as an activist and served as a community gure in Midland ISD. During his tenure at Antioch Pastor Curry Sr. led the congregation to relocate, and build a new Sanctuary, Educational Building and Fellowship Hall, all paid off before his new journey in Houston, Texas.
In 1975, Pastor Curry accepted the call to serve as Pastor of Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church in Independence Heights. For 46 years, he provided faithful and divinely inspired leadership, later serving as Pastor Emeritus until his passing. Under his leadership, a multi-purpose building and an educational building, now named
Rap-A-Lot Records founder James Prince • Duke-Peacock Records Don Deadric Robey
EDITORIAL
A Revival of God Consciousness
Bobby Mills, Ph.D.
SERVANTHOOD LEADERSHIP
America, let us pray for the day when we choose the best among us for public o ce rather than the worst. Resolving socio-economic con icts require godly character and a willingness to make godly compromises. Civic sanity is a spiritual and moral virtue rooted in earlier generations, not the MAGA-Cult 21st century. Yet, in the author’s view, today’s GOP shows little regard for truth, justice, or multicultural democracy. For many, the nomination of former Attorney General Ken Paxton as the GOP candidate for the Texas Senate re ects that failure. What a shameful and ungodly example. e author argues that President Trump has transformed the GOP into a personality cult rather than a viable
political party committed to multicultural democracy. Instead of modeling servant leadership, the Grand Old Party has become skilled at moral inversion. Reasonable people understand that civic responsibility and sound judgment are moral values. erefore, in the author’s view, the Trump MAGA movement within the GOP is driven by power, money, and sex. Sadly, the GOP party has become so spiritually unbalanced that it no longer re ects the moral seriousness required for responsible public leadership. Consequently, America is in spiritual free-fall and moral decline. Of course, President Trump is only symptomatic of America’s spiritual moral decline. Texas GOP Senatorial Candidate Ken Paxton is a living breathing bold example that racism and sexism drives individuals insane. erefore, it is not about President Trump nor former Attorney General Ken Paxton, it’s about the individuals who are willing to vote for what they represent, anti-multi-cultural democracy.
President Trump is openly erecting monuments to self-glori cation,
Roy Douglas Malonson, Publisher
POLITICIANS
buying so ware, they are routinely le o the budget. Taking the Base for Granted A common complaint among Black publishers is that political parties and candidates engage in “tactical negligence” when it comes to the Black electorate.
e “Locked-In” Vote Myth: Because Black voters consistently vote overwhelmingly for one political party in general elections, consultants o en operate under the assumption that they do not need to spend money to convert these voters.
Swing-Voter Priority: Campaign dollars are disproportionately funneled toward undecided or “swing” voters, who tend to skew white and suburban. Consequently, the media outlets serving those demographics receive the lion’s share of the advertising budget.
Leadership on pg. 5
e tension between Black politicians and the Black press regarding campaign spending is a persistent, frustrating issue for publishers across the country. Groups like the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA)— which represents hundreds of African American-owned media companies—frequently highlight that even when local or national races spend tens of millions of dollars, a tiny fraction (o en less than 1%) reaches Black-owned outlets. is disconnect happens for several key strategic, institutional, and systemic reasons. Modern political campaigns are rarely run directly by the politicians themselves; they are managed by specialized political consulting rms and media-buying agencies. Algorithmic and Digital Bias: ese consulting rms rely heavily on standardized data metrics, programmatic digital advertising, and large-scale television buys to reach massive audiences quickly. Lack of Cultural Competency: Many mainstream consulting rms lack deep roots in local Black communities and do not understand the historical trust and hyperlocal in uence that Blackowned newspapers, radio stations, and digital sites possess. Because Black media platforms o en don’t t into standard automated media-
Structural Demands for Direct Voter Contact When campaigns do allocate money to engage minority communities, they frequently favor direct voter contact over traditional print or display advertising. Money is prioritized for:
Direct mail pieces.
Paid canvassing teams and “Get Out e Vote” (GOTV) operations.
Phone banking and peer-topeer text messaging platforms.
Consultants o en view these methods as more measurable because they can track direct interactions back to a speci c voter le, whereas the longtail communal impact of an editorial or ad in a legacy Black publication is harder to quantify using standard campaign metrics.
June 5, 2026
emerged from the experiences, traditions, and resilience of Black communities, o en serving as powerful expressions of identity, faith, struggle, and hope. eir in uence continues to resonate across generations and throughout the global music industry.
Don Deadric Robey, music entrepreneur, was born on November 1, 1903, in Houston. A life-long passion for music led Robey into promotional work for ballroom dances in the Houston area. In the late 1930s he spent three years in Los Angeles, where he operated a nightclub called the Harlem Grill. A er returning to Houston, he opened the famous Bronze Peacock Dinner Club in 1945. He booked top jazz bands and orchestras to play the club, which became a huge success.
James “J. Prince” Prince is a pioneering gure in Houston’s music industry and the founder of Rap-A-Lot Records. Born and raised in Houston’s Fi h Ward, Prince established the label in the mid-1980s, helping create a platform for Southern hiphop artists at a time when the genre received little national attention. rough Rap-ALot Records, he played a major role in launching and developing the careers of in uential artists such as the Geto Boys, as well as artists including Scarface and UGK. His business vision helped elevate Houston as a major center of hip-hop culture and expanded the in uence of Southern rap across the United States.
Beyond music, Prince has built a reputation as an entrepreneur, talent manager, and community
COMMUNITY
A TRANSFORMATIVE GREENSPACE FOR SUNNYSIDE
By: Al Green Press
e Houston Parks Board and the O ce of Commissioner Rodney Ellis honored Congressman Al Green by naming a new pavilion within Hill at Sims Park in Sunnyside in his honor during the park’s community celebration and grand opening. Public o cials, community leaders, and residents joined the celebration of the new naturebased park, a collaborative project that transformed a 100-acre Harris County Flood Control District detention basin into a regional destination for recreation, connectivity, and environmental sustainability. During the Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations process, Congressman Green secured a $1 million federal grant to support the construction of the Hill at Sims/Scott Street Greenway Multi-Use Trail, which connects local schools and surrounding community facilities.
Congressman Al Green stated, “I am honored to be recognized in Sunnyside, a community with a rich history. Hill at Sims Park repre-
sents the power of partnership, public investment, and community vision. I trust that families from Sunnyside, the Greater Houston area, and visitors from across the globe will enjoy this park, the Scott Street Greenway, and the opportunities they create for recreation, connection, and community for many years to come.”
e grand opening of the Hill at Sims Regional Park on Saturday, May 30, 2026, marked a historic moment for South Houston’s Sunnyside neighborhood. For y years, this historic community went without a single new park. e opening of this 100-acre greenspace changes that narrative completely. More than just a collection of walking trails and open grass, the Hill at Sims is a powerful example of how smart engineering and teamwork can li up a neighborhood. By combining vital ood protection with beautiful recreational spaces, the park delivers a profound impact on the Sunnyside community, addressing long-standing needs for safety, physical
health, neighborhood pride, and equal investment.
First and foremost, the park provides an immediate and crucial safety bene t through modern ood protection. Sunnyside and its surrounding areas have historically faced severe ood risks during heavy Texas rainstorms.
e Hill at Sims directly addresses this vulnerability because it is built around a massive stormwater detention basin managed by the Harris County Flood Control District. is engineered basin can hold up to 325 million gallons of stormwater pumped out of nearby Sims Bayou, keeping that water out of local streets and living rooms.
In the past, infrastructure projects like detention basins were o en treated as fencedo , ugly concrete holes in the ground. By turning this vital safety feature into a beautiful public park, the county proved that protecting a neighborhood from natural disasters does not mean ruining its visual landscape.
e project gives residents peace of mind during storm
season while providing an asset they can enjoy every single day.
Building a project this large and unique required a massive nancial team e ort called a public-private partnership. e entire project cost $30 million, which was pulled together using a blend of public tax dollars and private donations. e bulk of the money, totaling $22 million, came from public funding. is e ort was led by Harris County Precinct One Commissioner Rodney Ellis, alongside federal and state grants championed by U.S. Congressman Al Green and Texas State Representative Dr. Alma Allen. e remaining $8 million was contributed through private philanthropy, highlighted by a generous lead gi from e Brown Foundation.
Other dedicated organizations joined the e ort too, including the Houston Parks Board, Trees for Houston, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Congressman Al Green, Lina Hidalgo, Rodney Ellis
1861 1863
1861. e American Civil War began on April 12, 1861, when Confederate forces red on Fort Sumter, a federal fort in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina.
1863 . Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation goes into e ect, changing the legal status of 3 million slaves in designated areas of the Confederacy from “slave” to “free.”
1870 1865 1868 1885
1865. e thirteenth amendment passed, abolishing slavery throughout the United States.
1865
1865. On June 19, Union soldiers arrive in Galveston, Texas to spread the news of the Civil War end and subsequent freedom of slavery. is will eventually be celebrated as “Juneteenth”.
1868. e fourteenth amendment is passed, guaranteeing citizenship rights and equal protection under law.
1870. e eenth 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.
1885. A majority of Southern states pass individual state laws requiring separate schools for black and white students.
HOUSTON
SAN ANTONIO
TEXAS TAKEAWAY
Houston is making final preparations to welcome the world as one of the host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. City leaders, transportation agencies, and event organizers have invested in infrastructure improvements, enhanced public safety measures, and fan experiences to accommodate hundreds of thousands of visitors expected during the tournament. The tournament is expected to showcase Houston’s diversity, hospitality, and international appeal.
AUSTIN
A nonprofit organization is preparing to open a new homeless services facility in North Austin, expanding resources for individuals experiencing housing insecurity. The center is expected to provide temporary shelter, supportive services, case management, and connections to employment and healthcare programs. Community leaders say the facility will help address growing demand for homeless assistance while offering a pathway toward long-term housing stability.
ARMARILLO
The San Antonio Spurs have returned to the NBA Finals, marking another significant chapter in the franchise’s storied history. The Finals appearance has generated excitement throughout South Texas, with supporters hoping the Spurs can add another NBA championship banner to their legacy.
A planned data center expansion in Childress is expected to bring new jobs and economic investment to the community while incorporating measures to reduce water consumption. could help students who experience discomfort with traditional milk.
Barbara Jordan was born in Houston, Texas, in 1936 and became one of the most influential political figures in American history. In 1966, she became the first African American woman elected to the Texas Senate since Reconstruction. Jordan later made history as the first Southern African American woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
BARBARA JORDAN
EDUCATION
NEW TSU CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
By: TSU
Texas Southern University has appointed
J’Maine Chubb as Chief Financial O cer and Vice President of Business & Administration. Chubb is recognized for aligning nancial strategy with operational realities, strengthening institutional resilience, and delivering longterm value for boards, stakeholders, and communities.
He brings more than 20 years of experience leading complex, capital-intensive organizations through nancial transformation, governance modernization, and large-scale infrastructure investment. roughout his career, Chubb has served as a trusted advisor to boards, CEOs, elected o cials, regulators, ratings agencies, and external partners. He is particularly respected for translating complex nancial issues into clear, actionable strategies that support sound decision-making and institutional sustainability.
“Texas Southern University has a strong legacy and an important future,” Chubb said. “I am excited to join the University and work alongside leadership, faculty, sta , and students to strengthen
the institution and support its continued growth and impact.”
He has held senior executive nance roles across transit, aviation, telecommunications and technology, and infrastructure, including Chief Financial O cer positions at VIA Metropolitan Transit in San Antonio, the Houston Airport System, the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, and TravelWi . His experience includes overseeing multi-billiondollar capital programs, optimizing long-term funding strategies, modernizing nancial systems and controls, and leading enterprise transformation initiatives.
and fostering cultures of accountability and continuous improvement, Chubb emphasizes disciplined execution, strategic thinking, and operational alignment in advancing organizational mission and public value. He has delivered measurable impact through accelerated nancial reporting, signi cant cost savings, strengthened governance frameworks, and improved long-term nancial positioning.
“As you look at Mr. Chubb’s 20 years of deep experience in the corporate sector, he has demonstrated the ability to adapt himself to mission,” said Texas Southern University President J.W. Crawford III. “It is incumbent upon the University to operate like a business. He will bring a disciplined nancial mindset to the institution that I believe will be extremely valuable.”
Known for building high-performing teams
seemingly unaware of Scripture’s warning: “For what shall it pro t a man, if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36–37). Consider the rich farmer in Luke 12 who, a er a plentiful harvest, decided to tear down his barns and build larger ones to store his abundance. But that very night, his life was required of him, and all he had accumulated was left behind. In this sense, the barn builder was a rich fool (Luke 12:16–21). Sadly, America has many such 21st-century rich fools. Too many people devote themselves to power, wealth, and sexual gratification while neglecting collective responsibility. As a result, the nation
Cont. is in spiritual and moral decline. For this reason, the 2026 midterm election is, in the author’s view, a moral and spiritual test for multicultural democracy. The vast majority of Black Americans, along with many other minority groups, hold conservative values grounded in Christian faith and moral conviction— not in racial identity or materialistic self-interest: “Take heed and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15). In the end, we reap what we sow, because God is not mocked nor fooled. Trumpism is not conservatism. Trumpism is bold in your face gangsterism. Therefore, if you voted for President
Chubb earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance from Wayne State University. In addition, he has demonstrated a commitment to continuous learning and executive development, having completed advanced executive education programs at Columbia Business School and e Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Trump because you believed he was a successful businessman you tricked yourself, because Trump had six bankruptcies. You could not have voted for him because you thought he was a spiritual-moral man, because payments to prostitutes would refute that belief. Christian Right Evangelicals did not vote for President Trump because they believed that he was a religious moral individual. President Trump never attends Sunday worship services, he’s always golfing. However, the one thing the entire world knew about President Trump is that he is a White Privilege Autocrat, and to place icing on the cake, Trump is a bold moneycrat.
Read more at aframnews.com
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE TO PROPOSERS
NOTICE TO
RESPONDENTS:
e Houston Independent School District is soliciting Request for Proposals (RFP) via the District’s electronic bidding portal. Proposers may log in to view specications and submit their responses at the following link https://houstonisd.ionwave.net/Login.aspx until 10:00 a.m. (CST) Wednesday, September 30, 2026, for the following supplemental solicitation for the following projects:
RFP / 26-04-46 Instructional Curriculum Materials, Supplies, and Digital Resources
RFP / 26-04-36 Student Services, Enrichment, Tutorials, and Mentoring
RFP / 26-04-47 Leadership, Teacher, and Sta Development
RFP / 26-10-10 College, Career, and Military Readiness: Materials and Services
Pre-proposal conferences via Microso Teams will be held in conjunction with this RFP. Information regarding dates, times, and a link to join the meeting can be located within the electronic bidding portal under the “Event Details” tab speci c to this solicitation.
Lone Star College will receive Competitive Sealed Proposals for:
CSP 26-05-04 LSC-NH Star of Tomorrow Exterior Signage
Electronic responses are due by 9:00 AM on 6-22-2026
Contact: Lydia Sterling, Sr Commodity Manager @ Lydia.Sterling@lonestar.edu
Must Register to Bid at: http://lonestar.ionwave.net/ Login.aspx.
If registered, please log in to Ion Wave for additional information.
For assistance with the online registration process, contact MC-Vendors@lonestar.edu.
ALUMNI BROTHER OF THE YEAR
By: UNITAN News
Frederick V. Roberts of the Epsilon Tau Lambda Chapter of Alpha
Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has been named Alumni Brother of the Year for the Southwest Region. The honor was presented at the regional convention held March 5–6, 2026, in Oklahoma City. Roberts advanced to the regional level a er being named District Brother of the Year by the Texas Council of
convention in College Station.
LOCAL
CARMEN WATKINS, CEO
By: American Red Cross
rate Secretary for the ETL Charitable Education Foundation, Inc. (501 c3), and Chairman and Producer of the Miss Old Gold and Black Scholarship Pageant, a position he has held for over 40 years, member of the Collegiate Advisory Committee for the Eta Gamma Chapter, and Troop Committee Chair for Troop 1906, Scouting America, Inc.
e American Red Cross Texas Gulf Coast Region has named Carmen Watkins as its new Chief Executive O cer, bringing decades of leadership experience in community advocacy, nonpro t management, and disaster response.
Alpha Chapters at its February 12–14, 2026
levels of the fraternity, community service, civic engagement, to brotherhood development.
Parliamentarian for EpChapter, Corpo-
A member of Alpha Phi Alpha since his initiation at Prairie View A&M University’s Eta Gamma Chapter in 1974, Roberts has demonstrated more than ve decades of sustained service and leadership. is recognition marks his h major award within the fraternity. e award honors outstanding contributions at all levels of the fraternity, including leadership, community service, and commitment development. Roberts serves as Parliamentarian for Epsilon Tau Lambda Chapter, Corpo-
Beyond the fraternity, Roberts holds several leadership positions, including Parliamentarian for the Prairie View A&M National Alumni Association, Prairie View Local Alumni Chapter, Prairie View City Chamber of Commerce, and the Prairie View Retired Teachers and School Personnel Association. He also serves as Communications Director for the One Hundred Black Men of America, Metropolitan Houston Chapter. His professional and civic a liations include former Secretary of the Prairie View Economic Development Corporation 4B, and memberships in Phi Delta Kappa Education Fraternity, the National Association of Black MBAs, and the National
“ is role is the perfect alignment of my experience and passion for service, and I look forward to strengthening the Red Cross mission by mobilizing volunteers, supporting communities, and ensuring we are prepared when disasters strike,” said Watkins.
A respected
partnerships dating back to 2005 and multiple disaster deployments.
She has played key roles in recovery e orts following major disasters such as Tropical Storm Allison and Hurricane Katrina, consistently advocating for equitable access to resources for impacted communities.
League, and national civic organizations. Her experience also includes work in media, higher education, and public a airs.
An accomplished leader and recognized advocate, Watkins holds degrees from Oberlin College, Prairie View A&M University and attended the urgood Marshall School of Law.
A respected community leader and longtime Houston resident, Watkins brings nearly 20 years of engagement with the Red Cross, including
Watkins’ distinguished career spans leadership roles in civil rights organizations, nonpro t institutions, and civic engagement. She has held senior positions with the NAACP, the African American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston, the Houston Area Urban
As CEO, Watkins will focus on advancing community preparedness, strengthening volunteer engagement, and supporting the sta who carry out the Red Cross mission across the Texas Gulf Coast.
She emphasized the vital role volunteers play in disaster readiness and response throughout the region.
Frederick V. Roberts
Carmen Watkins
