Volume 31 Issue 26 by AFRAMNEWS.COM

July 31, 2026

GREATER HOUSTON EDITION

Vol.31, Issue 26

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THE INAUGURAL FOUNDING CLASS OF 23 THRU ME LLC — SILAS JOSIAH COLEMAN (#52), KURT AXEL FLORES DEAN (#11), CALVIN FLOWERS (#7), SAMUEL JOHNSON (#41), ALICIA WIGGINS (#3), AND JADEN O. REED WILLIAMS (#32) — HOLD THEIR FRAMED JERSEYS FOLLOWING THE HISTORIC NIL LETTER OF INTENT SIGNING AT THE STUTTGART HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR AWARDS BANQUET, PANZER KASERNE, STUTTGART, GERMANY, MAY 16, 2026. PHOTO CREDIT: HYLA MELLOY PHOTOGRAPHY | PHOTOGRAPHY@HYLAMELLOY.COM

JOURNEY LEADS TO HISTORIC FIRST IN U.S. MILITARY SCHOOL HISTORY

By: Fred Smith

By: La’Queda Davis

La’Queda Davis wasn’t a top-rated high school recruit growing up in Houston’s Acres Homes neighborhood. Overlooked by scouts, she pressed forward anyway — playing basketball since age 4 — becoming the first woman from both S.P. Waltrip High School and LeTourneau University (MBA, 2012) to play professional basketball across five continents, including Romania, Australia, Brazil, Taiwan, and Germany — a career she continues to actively compete in today. That experience revealed a gap in recruiting support that Davis couldn’t unsee — so she founded COMMITTED — The Scholar Athlete Source to close it, now as Founder and CEO of 23 THRU ME LLC. While playing professionally in Stuttgart, Germany, Davis led what her company believes may be the first NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) Letter of Intent signing in the history of the Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA) and U.S. military schools worldwide. On

LEGACY OF RESISTANCE, HISTORY AND LIBERATION

May 16, 2026, six scholar-students at Stuttgart High School signed as the inaugural Founding Class of 23 THRU ME NIL. Davis serves globally, where 23 THRU ME LLC continues to provide opportunities and platforms — including Little Pro’s Youth Sports — for young athletes and individuals at every level, operating globally since the company’s founding in 2016 — and this is just scraping the surface of what’s to come. Davis is also the founder of The Two Three Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering communities globally. “What Breaks The Average Builds The Greats®,” said Davis. “That’s not just our company’s slogan — it’s the heartbeat behind it. It’s the story of my own path, from Houston, Texas — Acres Homes — to reaching globally and worldwide. I’m honored to be building opportunity for young people everywhere 23 THRU ME LLC reaches.” AA

Black August is observed each August as a period of remembrance, education and reflection on Black resistance, political struggle and the long pursuit of freedom. Its modern roots are generally traced to California prisons in the late 1970s, where incarcerated Black activists established the observance to honor people who died in struggles connected to racial justice and prison activism. Over time, Black August expanded beyond prison walls and became an opportunity for communities to study African American history and examine the continuing meaning of freedom and equality. The month has particular historical significance because several major events in Black history occurred in August. On August 21, 1831, Nat Turner began an uprising of enslaved people in Virginia, one of the most consequential slave revolts in United States history. Decades later, on August 30, 1856, abolitionist John Brown and his supporters fought pro-slavery forces at the Battle of Osawatomie in Kansas. These events emerged from very different circumstances, but both became Legacy on pg. 3 part of a broader history of

July 31, 2026

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VULGAR CAPITALISM

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Vulgar capitalism, fueled by presidential family selfenrichment, is clearly visible in American society. Sadly, the nation is witnessing unprecedented presidential greed that the GOP-controlled House and Senate have allowed to go unchecked. This is disgraceful. We now better understand why the presidential family favors vulgar capitalism over multicultural, inclusive democracy. Hence, under Donald J. Trump, the presidency has become a family-affair economic enterprise. Even his youngest son, Barron, reportedly is worth at least $150 million at age 20, reflecting this pattern. Thus, the Trump administration’s motto appears to be; the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer. Shame on US. Hence, if you fool me once it’s you, but if you fool me twice it’s US. More importantly, we all know that fools make a mockery of sin. Obviously, the 77 million Americans who voted for President Trump in 2024 are shameless, because they were fooled twice. However, we all know that God is never fooled; nor is He mocked, because only God can judge the heart of the human mind. This is why the Bible admonishes us to, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be

equal with God: but made of himself no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men, and being found in the fashion of a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2: 5-8). Glory hallelujah to the King of all want-to-be kings. Of course, President Trump and his GOP MAGA-cult know absolutely nothing about servanthood leadership, because they only embrace self-centered-selfserving leadership. Those who mock sin often think and act lawlessly, especially in financial matters. As the Bible states, “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:10). Free-enterprise capitalism is different from vulgar capitalism, which exploits the masses. Sin causes pain, and American history reflects that pain through the socioeconomic exploitation of enslaved Black people. Slavery left deep spiritual, social, and psychological wounds that too many White Americans— especially MAGA Trump supporters—refuse to acknowledge or confront. Too many MAGA Trumpsters deny the significance of 1619, because it exposes the harm caused by White privilege and institutional racism. Sadly, President Trump has used the presidency to punish perceived enemies, glorify himself, and enrich himself, his family, political allies, and campaign donors. That is an ungodly shame. Worse Capitalism on pg. 3 still, the

Culture Commission Coalition By Robert Slater,

Community Activist, Chairman of The Culture Commission Coalition

THE LAND WE LOST, THE FUTURE WE MUST RECLAIM In 1910, Black farmers made up fourteen percent of all farmers in the United States. Today that number has collapsed to less than two percent of the farming population. That is not a footnote in agricultural history. That is a story of stolen land, denied loans, and a federal government that built its farm programs on the backs of Black families and then locked those same families out of the wealth those programs created. Elizabeth Warren for Senate (https://elizabethwarren.com/plans/equityfarmers-of-color) The most recent Census of Agriculture confirms the trend is getting worse, not better. In the five years leading up to 2022, the nation lost seven percent of all farms, while Black farmers lost nearly thirteen percent, the steepest decline of any racial group tracked. The actual number of Black or African American farmers fell from 35,470 in 2017 to 32,653 in 2022. This is hap-

pening while white farmers operate ninety five percent of the nation’s nearly two million farms and Black farmers operate less than two percent. Capital B News (https://capitalbnews.org/black-farmsusda-report/) Land is money, and Black farmers have been bled of both. A study published by the American Economic Association found Black farmers lost 326 billion dollars in land between 1920 and 1997. Other estimates put the total land loss over the last century at roughly 16 million acres, much of it lost through discrimination carried out by the very federal agencies charged with serving these farmers. That is generational wealth that never made it to the next generation. That is inheritance that never arrived. Public Integrity (https://publicintegrity.org/inequality-poverty-opportunity/the- heist/ usda-equity-black-farmerspigford-glickman-toxic-debt/) Essence (https://www.essence. com/news/black-farmersusda-program-canceled/) The funding gap is not a relic of the past. It is happening right now. In 2022, non-Hispanic Black farms received an average of 7,774 dollars in government payments, compared to 16,417 dollars for nonHispanic white farms, a fifty three percent gap. Land During the pandemic, Black farmers on pg. 7

GREATER HOUSTON EDITION Legacy Cont.

resistance to slavery and racial oppression August is also closely connecte d to the history of the civil rights and Black freedom movements. On August 28, 1963, hundreds of thousands of people gathered in Washington, D.C., for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The demonstration became one of the defining events of the Civil Rights Movement, bringing national attention to demands for voting rights, economic opportunity and an end to racial discrimination. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech delivered that day remains one of the most recognized speeches in American history. The origins of Black August itself are also associated with George Jackson, an incarcerated Black activist and author who was killed at San Quentin State Prison on August 21, 1971. Supporters later developed Black August as a memorial tradition honoring Jackson, his brother Jonathan Jackson and other people associated with Black liberation and prison movements. Early observances often emphasized disciplined study, reflection and education about African and African American history rather than treating August simply as a month of celebration. As Black August is recognized in 2026, its history offers an

July 31, 2026 opportunity to explore the many forms Black resistance has taken across generations. Resistance has included abolitionism, voting-rights campaigns, labor organizing, journalism, education, legal challenges, community organizing and cultural expression. Figures such as Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, Ida B. Wells, W.E.B. Du Bois, Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr. and countless lesser-known organizers demonstrate that the struggle for equality has never followed a single path. Black August ultimately encourages people to connect historical memory with education. In 2026, museums, classrooms, community organizations and families can use the month to examine difficult chapters of American history while also recognizing the courage and determination of those who challenged injustice. Learning about Black August means looking beyond familiar names and dates to understand the larger movements that shaped American society. By preserving these stories, each generation gains a deeper understanding of the sacrifices, debates and achievements that helped expand the meaning of freedom in the United States.

Capitalism Cont. Supreme Court—created to guard against

lawlessness and corruption—has enabled President Trump’s capitalistic corruption. The central feature of capitalism is the profit motive, not the universal common good. In fact, some members of the Supreme Court should be held accountable for failing to uphold the time-honored principles of law, order, and the dignity of the Court. Sadly, The Supreme Court gave President Trump free rein to practice vulgar, selfish capitalism, and working-class Americans are paying the price. Shame, Shame, Shame! AA

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LOCAL

MADD HATTA LAUNCHES THREESTOP HOUSTON LIBRARY TOUR By: Nicole Washington

Houston radio personality and entertainer Madd Hatta is bringing storytelling and community engagement together through “Kase’s Little Adventures” during a three-stop tour of the Houston Public Library system. The appearances give local children and families an opportunity to connect with the longtime Houston media personality while encouraging young readers to discover the excitement that can come from books, imagination and new experiences. “Kase’s Little Adventures” introduces young audiences to stories centered around curiosity, exploration and learning. Through Kase’s experiences, children can follow adventures designed to entertain while encouraging them to think creatively about the world around them. Madd Hatta’s library tour provides an interactive setting where families can experience the story beyond the page and celebrate reading together. For Madd Hatta, who has spent decades entertaining Houston audiences through radio and community events, the tour represents another way to connect with the city. His transition into children’s storytelling highlights the importance of reaching young people early and giving them characters and stories that can inspire a lasting interest in reading. Hosting the events at Houston Public Library locations also makes the experience accessible to families across different parts of the

community. The threestop Houston Public Library tour places literacy, family and community at the center of “Kase’s Little Adventures.” Beyond introducing children to a new story, the events demonstrate how libraries continue to serve as gathering places where young people can explore books, meet creators and develop their imaginations. Madd Hatta’s latest project adds another chapter to his long relationship with Houston, this time by helping introduce a new generation to the adventures that can begin with opening a book. AA

July 31, 2026

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GREATER HOUSTON EDITION

THROUGH THE LENS OF TIME: BLACK HISTORY IS 24/7/365 1831

1833

1839

1840

1843

1848

1850

1831. William Lloyd Garrison, a white man, begins publishing the antislavery newspaper The Liberator.

1833. The 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. The Liberty Party holds its first 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 Black people.

1848. The Free-Soil Party, a minor but influential 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 Midwest. She draws large crowds.

TEXAS

TAKEAWAY

HOUSTON

LOCKHART

A federal judge has ruled that portions of Houston’s minority contracting program violate the U.S. Constitution, challenging the city’s use of race-based preferences in awarding public contracts. The ruling found that the city did not provide enough evidence to justify certain provisions intended to increase contracting opportunities for minorityowned businesses. The decision could lead Houston to revise its contracting policies and may inﬂuence how similar programs are structured in other cities. ________________________________

A Caldwell County assistant district attorney has been fired amid questions surrounding a potential land deal connected to a proposed data center development. The situation has raised concerns about possible conflicts of interest as Caldwell County faces growing interest from companies seeking land for large-scale data center projects. County officials are facing increased calls for transparency as residents closely watch how these developments and related land transactions are handled. _______________________________

WACO

SAN ANTONIO

The UIL is implementing new heat safety protocols for outdoor sports and marching band activities to better protect students from extreme temperatures. The updated measures include stronger guidelines for heat monitoring, hydration, rest periods and adjustments to outdoor practices when conditions become unsafe.

A San Antonio councilwoman is highlighting Ready to Work’s “exponential” growth and expanding impact as Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones considers defunding the city’s workforce training program amid budget concerns.

DR. EDITH IRBY JONES

Dr. Edith Irby Jones was a pioneering African American physician who broke racial and gender barriers in American medicine. After becoming the ﬁrst Black student admitted to the University of Arkansas Medical School in 1948, she later established deep roots in Houston, Texas, where she built a successful medical practice and served patients in the Third Ward community.

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July 31, 2026

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LOCAL

TEXAS CAUCUSES HONOR DR. PICHON WITH HALL OF FAME JACKET By: Aisha Robinson

Texas Claver Pride continues to represent a powerful tradition of faith, fellowship, leadership and service within the Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary. Across the Lone Star State, Clavers have worked for generations to strengthen their parishes, serve their communities and preserve the important legacy of Black Catholics. Through councils, courts, youth divisions and statewide gatherings, Texas Clavers continue to demonstrate the values of unity, charity and Christian service that have helped guide the organization for more than a century. The Texas Caucuses provide an important opportunity for Clavers from across the state to come together in fellowship while strengthening the bonds that unite the Claver family. These gatherings celebrate the accomplishments of members while providing a place to recognize leadership, service and dedication. Texas Caucuses also allow members to reflect on the organization’s history while looking toward its future, ensuring that the spirit of Claverism continues to reach new generations.

During this special gathering, we had the distinct honor and privilege of presenting our Most Worthy Supreme Knight, Dr. Christopher Pichon, with a Texas Claver Hall of Fame jacket. The presentation represented more than a ceremonial moment. It was an expression of Texas Claver Pride and recognition of Dr. Pichon’s leadership, commitment and service to the Knights of Peter Claver and the broader Claver family. The jacket serves as a visible symbol of appreciation for those whose dedication helps strengthen the organization and carry its mission forward. The Texas Claver Hall of Fame jackets represent achievement, service and a lasting connection to Claver history. For those who receive or wear them, the jackets symbolize countless hours devoted to faith, church,

family and community. They also provide younger Clavers with visible examples of leadership and remind Junior Knights and Junior Daughters that the Claver legacy is theirs to continue. Each jacket carries with it a story of commitment

and a responsibility to uphold the principles that have defined the organization. Texas Claver Pride is ultimately about honoring those who came before us, recognizing those who serve today and preparing the next

generation to lead tomorrow. From the fellowship experienced at the Texas Caucuses to the presentation of the Hall of Fame jacket to Most Worthy Dr. Pichon, these moments demonstrate the strength and unity of the Texas Claver family. The

jackets may be worn with pride, but what they represent goes much deeper: faith, service, leadership, brotherhood, sisterhood and a legacy that continues to move forward. AA

July 31, 2026

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July 31, 2026

LOCAL

Land Cont. received

HOUSTON’S BUY BLACK MARKETPLACE By: Marcus Williams

In 2026, Houston’s Buy Black Marketplace continues a tradition centered on entrepreneurship, cooperative economics and community empowerment. Held at the Shrine Cultural & Event Center on Martin Luther King Boulevard, the marketplace provides Black-owned businesses with a space to showcase products, services and ideas while connecting directly with customers. The marketplace was established as an effort to transform community support into economic action. Its mission encourages residents to intentionally support Black-owned businesses and help circulate dollars within the community. Over the years, entrepreneurs selling food, clothing, art, books, beauty products and other goods have used the marketplace to increase their visibility and build relationships

with Houston shoppers. The concept reflects a much longer history of Black entrepreneurship in America. During periods when discrimination and segregation limited economic opportunities, African Americans created their own stores, banks, newspapers and business districts. Houston also developed important centers of Black commerce and culture, particularly in historic communities such as Third Ward. The Buy Black Marketplace carries that spirit of economic independence into the 21st century. By 2026, the marketplace has become more than a shopping destination. It serves as a community gathering place where business, culture and history come together. Regular events give established entrepreneurs and new business owners opportunities to meet

customers face-to-face, promote their brands and expand their networks. The Shrine Cultural & Event Center also adds meaning to the marketplace’s mission. Located along Martin Luther King Boulevard, the center has hosted cultural and community programs focused on education, history and empowerment. As the Buy Black Marketplace continues in Houston, its story represents a broader tradition of using entrepreneurship to strengthen communities. Each purchase can become more than a simple transaction—it can help support a local entrepreneur, encourage business growth and continue a legacy of Black economic empowerment for future generations. AA

less than half of what white farmers received under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, and despite accounting for 1.7 percent of all farms, Black operated farms received just 0.17 percent of total payments under that program. As recently as 2022, USDA approved loans for seventy two percent of white applicants but only thirty six percent of Black applicants. Mysite (https://www. phantomecology.com/ post/black- farmersreceive-less-than-0-3of-federal-agriculturepayments) This is what happens when access to capital, access to contracts, and access to information are rationed along racial lines. It happened after the Pigford v. Glickman lawsuit forced the government to admit what Black farmers had said for decades. More than 15,000 farmers received lump sum payments of 50,000 dollars, and the federal government eventually returned more than two billion dollars to claimants. But less than three percent of all claimants, just 425 people, ever received the debt relief that was supposed to fix the underlying problem. The check was not the cure. The debt stayed. The land kept slipping away. Public Integrity (https://publicintegrity.org/inequalitypoverty-opportunity/ the-heist/usda-equityblack-farmers-pigfordglickman-toxic-debt/) NAACP Legal Defense Fund (https://www.

AFRAMNEWS.COM naacpldf.org/case-issue/ black-farmers-faq/) Even the recent efforts at repair have been fragile. In 2022, roughly 900 million dollars meant for Black, Native American, Latino, Asian, and Native Hawaiian farmers through the American Rescue Plan Act was blocked by the courts before it could reach a single farmer. A newer 300 million dollar program built to help underserved farmers gain access to land, capital, and markets was terminated this year, with the USDA sending cancellation notices to 49 of the 50 organizations holding those contracts. Every time Black farmers get close to structural repair, the door gets slammed shut again. Heller School (https://heller. brandeis.edu/iere/news/ press-releases/2023-0713-pigford-debt.html) Essence (https://www. essence.com/news/ black-farmers-usdaprogram-canceled/) This is where our community has to make a decision. We cannot keep waiting on Washington to fix what Washington broke. We have to build our own pipeline into agriculture, land ownership, food production, and the government contracting world that controls so much of this industry. Agriculture is not a relic of the past for Black people. It is a path to the future. Land ownership builds wealth that survives a bad job market, a bad economy, or a bad boss. Farming and agribusiness give our young people

a direct line into food policy, environmental policy, and the federal contracting apparatus that spends billions of dollars every year. Our HBCUs and land grant institutions already have the infrastructure. What is missing is the pipeline connecting our children to it, early and often. We need our churches, our civic organizations, and our schools teaching agriculture the way they teach basketball and business. We need our young people learning how to read a farm loan application the same way they learn to read a lease or a contract. We need Black owned agribusinesses competing for government contracts, not standing on the outside watching them get awarded to everyone else. Food access, food sovereignty, and land ownership are civil rights issues. They always have been. The Culture Commission Coalition will continue pushing for accountability from USDA, for restored funding for underserved farmer programs, and for real oversight of how contracts and loans get distributed. But policy change moves slowly, and our community cannot afford to wait on it alone. The land is still out there. The knowledge is still out there. What we need now is the will to reclaim both. Our ancestors farmed this land in bondage and built wealth from nothing. We can farm it in freedom and build wealth on purpose. The choice, and the work, is ours. AA

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July 31, 2026

GREATER HOUSTON EDITION

August 1st, 2026 11 am - 4 pm

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