August 14, 2026
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
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Vol.31, Issue 28
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African-American News&Issues
“Addressing Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community”
1941 – 2026 HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF GEORGIA D. PROVOST
By: Andre Mitchell
LEFT TO RIGHT: VIOLA LIUZZO, ANDREW GOODMAN, MEDGAR EVERS, MARTIN LUTHER KING JR, EMMETT TILL, FRED HAMPTON, MALCOLM X, JAMES CHANEY, MICHAEL SCHWERNER
BLACK AUGUST SACRIFICE
By: Roy Douglas Malonson
BLACK AUGUST. The Fight for Black Liberation. The history of Black liberation is a story of immense courage, deep struggle, and profound sacrifice. For hundreds of years, brave individuals stood up against systems of oppression like slavery, unfair segregation, and racial prejudice. Many of these freedom fighters lost their lives while demanding equality, dignity, and justice for all Black people. Understanding their sacrifices helps us honor their historical legacy and inspires us to continue working toward a truly fair world today.For centuries, millions of Black people were legally enslaved in the Americas and treated as property instead of human beings. Despite the constant threat of violence, many chose to launch a dangerous rebellion to
win back their freedom. One famous uprising happened in Virginia in 1831, led by Nat Turner. Turner organized a group to free enslaved workers across local plantations. Though he was eventually captured and executed, his actions proved that oppressed people would never stop fighting for their basic human rights.Around the same time in the Caribbean, a brilliant military leader named Toussaint Louverture fought against colonial rule. He led the historic Haitian Revolution, which successfully created the world’s very first free, Blackled republic. Louverture was eventually captured by trickery and died in a cold French prison cell, but his leadership changed world history August on pg. 3 forever and proved that liberation
Houston is mourning the passing of Georgia D. Provost, a beloved photographer, educator, community activist and longtime champion of Third Ward. Affectionately known by many as the “Mayor of Third Ward,” Provost became a familiar and respected presence throughout the historic Houston community. Her life was defined by service, mentorship and a determination to create opportunities for others. Provost’s connection to Texas Southern University was especially meaningful. A proud alumna and lifelong member of the Tiger family, she remained a steadfast supporter of the university, its students and alumni. Her dedication was formally recognized in May 2026, when she received the university’s Presidential Service Award during its spring commencement. The honor reflected her decades of commitment to TSU and the surrounding community. Her influence reached far beyond the university campus. Provost was known for taking young people and emerging leaders under her wing, connecting them with opportunities and encouraging them to become active participants in their communities. She believed strongly in mentorship and understood the importance of helping the next generation find its voice and purpose. Those who knew Provost remember more than her community involvement. They remember her warmth, Provost on pg. 3
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August 14, 2026
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GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
Across generations, protest music has inspired social change, especially in the struggle for civil rights and racial justice. Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On? remains a timeless classic, while Billie Holiday’s “Strange Fruit” and Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power” challenged injustice and demanded racial equality. During the Civil Rights Movement, led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “We Shall Overcome” became its defining anthem. Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” also stands as a civil rights classic. In this era of MAGA-cult Trumpism, we need the old civil rights protest songs, but we also need the old spiritual and scriptural songs to inspire lost generations. As Scripture says, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). Some people find it hard to imagine what God has
in store for us, both in this earthly life and in eternity. America, this world is not all there is; the best comes after physical death. On November 3, 2026, we need to usher in a new public-service song of hope and vote self-centered despair out of public office in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Hope and despair cannot occupy the same space. Hence, God never makes commitments that He is not willing to keep. Therefore: “we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why does he yet hope for? But if we hope for that which we see not, then do we with patient wait for it.” (Romans 8: 24-25). Protest music is about Hope for a better future. Just maybe President Trump should have listened to the lyrics of the song War, before initiating an unnecessary War with Iran, and then asked himself the spiritual question: “war what is it good for?” Just maybe, had Trump asked this spiritual question he might have realized that initiating a war with Iran was not worth the cost in lives and treasure. Music and Civil Rights protest have always been inexorably linked together, especially for marginalized citizens in American society. This is why there are at least (100) protest songs that span nearly a century. Protest Music decries the
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Culture Commission Coalition By Robert Slater,
Community Activist, Chairman of The Culture Commission Coalition
LIVING CHECK TO CHECK A new survey from SurveyMonkey confirms what many Black families already know in their bones. Sixty three percent of Americans are now living check to check, with most holding less than five hundred dollars each month after the bills are paid. Twenty percent break even. Seventeen percent spend more than they earn. For Black America, these numbers are not a new crisis. They are the latest chapter of a much older story. The Census Bureau reports that the median Black household earned fifty six thousand two hundred ninety dollars in 2024, compared with ninety two thousand five hundred thirty dollars for white households. Black wages actually fell that year by more than three percent while white incomes held steady. The Bureau of Labor Statistics places Black unemployment at seven point two percent nationally, nearly double the white rate, and in cities such as Detroit and Washington D.C. that figure climbs above ten percent. Wealth tells an even harder truth. Federal Reserve data show median Black family net worth near
forty four thousand nine hundred dollars, compared with two hundred eighty five thousand dollars for white families. A Black household earning in the sixtieth to eightieth income percentile holds roughly the same wealth as a white household earning far less. Income alone will not close a gap this wide. So when a national survey says most Americans have little cushion left each month, understand what that means for us specifically. It means fewer Black families can absorb a missed paycheck, a medical bill, or a rent increase. It means retirement, homeownership, and small business dreams keep getting pushed further down the road. Sixty one percent of survey respondents said money pressure forced them to delay major life decisions. In Black households, that delay often began a generation earlier. This is not a moment for despair. It is a moment for organized economic power. Support Black owned banks and credit unions. Push local leaders for wage transparency and hiring accountability. Teach our children to build credit and equity, not just income. Hold elected officials accountable for policy that widens these gaps instead of closing them. The paycheck crisis is national. The wealth gap is generational. Closing it will require both urgency and unity. AA
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION August Cont.
was worth fighting for at any cost.Long after slavery was abolished, Black Americans still faced a system of legal separation called segregation. These unjust laws treated Black citizens as second-class people and kept them apart from white citizens. In the 1950s and 1960s, a new generation of civil rights leaders stepped forward to demand absolute equality. Medgar Evers was an important activist in Mississippi who worked tirelessly to help Black residents register to vote. Because his work was so powerful, he was tragically assassinated outside his home in 1963, a loss that shocked the nation and pushed more citizens to join the movement.Voting rights became a major battlefield in the fight for true democracy, drawing volunteers of different races together. During the “Freedom Summer” campaign of 1964, hundreds of volunteers went to the South to help Black citizens register to vote. In June of that year, three young civil rights workers—James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner—were brutally murdered by a white supremacist mob in Mississippi. Chaney was a local Black activist, while Goodman and Schwerner were white students from New York who traveled south to help.The dangerous fight for the ballot continued into the next year. In March 1965, a 39-year-old white housewife from Detroit named Viola Liuzzo traveled to Alabama to participate in the famous Selma to Montgomery march for voting rights. After the peaceful march ended, she was driving a young Black activist named Leroy Moton between cities when members of the Ku Klux Klan shot and killed her. The tragic deaths of Chaney, Goodman, Schwerner, and Liuzzo exposed the extreme violence used to block Black voters, heavily pressuring the government to pass the historic Voting Rights Act of 1965. Another influential voice during this era was Malcolm X, a powerful speaker who taught Black pride, self-reliance, and the right to self-defense against racial violence. He traveled the world to expose the horrors of racism and inspired millions to stand tall. In 1965,
August 14, 2026 he was shot and killed while giving a speech in New York City, leaving behind an enduring legacy of strength and pride.Perhaps the most famous leader of the Civil Rights Movement was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who believed in using peaceful protests, marches, and speeches to change unfair laws. He successfully helped pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed discrimination. Even though he preached peace, he was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1968. Though his life was cut short, his dream of a just world continues to guide people everywhere.Young people and student leaders also risked everything on the front lines of freedom. In 1955, a fourteen-year-old boy named Emmett Till was brutally murdered in Mississippi after being falsely accused of offending a white woman. His mother, Mamie TillMobley, made the brave choice to hold an open-casket funeral so the entire world could see the ugly truth of American racism. Emmett’s tragic death became the spark that ignited the modern Civil Rights Movement.Years later, a young man named Fred Hampton became a dynamic leader for the Black Panther Party in Chicago. At just twenty-one years old, he was incredibly smart at uniting different communities to fight poverty. He organized free breakfast programs for hungry children and set up medical clinics. Fearing his ability to organize and inspire people, police raided his apartment in 1969 and killed him while he slept.We remember these heroes not just to feel sad about the past, but to understand the high price of the freedom we enjoy today. Rights that seem normal now—like voting, going to the same schools, and sitting anywhere on a bus—were paid for with the lives of these individuals. Their inspiring stories teach us that one person truly can make a massive difference. By continuing to learn about their lives, we keep their memories alive and carry their torches of freedom forward into the future.
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Provost Cont.
honesty, generosity and unmistakable personality. She had a way of making people feel welcomed while encouraging them to become better versions of themselves. For students, artists, community leaders and residents, she was a trusted mentor, advocate and connector who believed that opening a door for another person could change a life. Georgia D. Provost leaves behind a legacy deeply woven into the history and spirit of Third Ward and Texas Southern University. Her passing represents the loss of a woman who devoted much of her life to lifting others, preserving community history and celebrating Houston’s Black culture and heritage. Her presence will be deeply missed, but the people she mentored, the opportunities she helped create and the community she served will continue to carry her legacy forward. Provost’s accomplishments also included her work as a photographer and visual storyteller, using her camera to document people, events and important moments within Houston’s Black community. Her photography helped preserve memories of Third Ward and the people who shaped its cultural and civic identity. Through her work, she captured not only images but pieces of Houston’s history for future generations. Another important part of her legacy was her commitment to Texas Southern University and its students. Provost remained a visible and enthusiastic supporter of the university, frequently attending campus events and encouraging students to pursue their goals. Her dedication was recognized by TSU with the Presidential Service Award, an honor that reflected the significance of her contributions and longtime relationship with the university. Perhaps her greatest accomplishment was the community she built around her. Provost became a trusted mentor and advocate for generations of residents, students and emerging leaders. Her ability to connect people, encourage young
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professionals and champion Third Ward earned her the affectionate title of “Mayor of Third Ward.” Her legacy will continue through the people she inspired and the community institutions she supported throughout her life. Georgia D. Provost’s relationship with Texas Southern University (TSU) stretched across decades and became one of the defining parts of her life. A proud TSU graduate, she studied education and later returned to the university as an educator, teaching photography. Her professional life also remained closely connected to the university through her work with Provost Studios, which documented generations of students, graduates and important moments in the history of TSU and other historically Black colleges and universities. Provost’s devotion to TSU went far beyond being an alumna. She became one of the university’s most recognizable ambassadors and advocates, encouraging alumni and members of the Houston community to support the institution and its students. She was affectionately known as “Miss TSU,” a reflection of the pride and enthusiasm she carried for her alma mater. She also championed scholarships and student-support initiatives, believing strongly that education could transform lives and strengthen the surrounding community. Her commitment was recognized in May 2026, when TSU presented Provost with its first-ever Presidential Service Award during spring commencement. The honor recognized her lifelong dedication to the university, its students, alumni and the Third Ward community. Her connection to TSU ultimately became an important part of the legacy she leaves behind, representing decades of service, pride and unwavering support for the institution she loved.
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August 14, 2026
AFRAMNEWS.COM
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
THROUGH THE LENS OF TIME: BLACK HISTORY IS 24/7/365 1948
1954
1955
1965
1913
1959
July 26, 1948: President Harry Truman issues Executive Order 9981. It stated that “there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed forces without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin.”
May 17, 1954: Brown v. Board of Education, a consolidation of five cases into one, is decided by the Supreme Court, effectively ending racial segregation in public schools. Many schools, however, remained segregated.
August 28, 1955: Emmett Till, a 14-year-old from Chicago is brutally murdered in Mississippi for allegedly flirting with a white woman. His murderers are acquitted, and the case bring international attention to the civil rights movement.
March 9th, 1965: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led a group of protestors from Brown Chapel to Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama.
March 10th, 1913: Harriet Tubman died in Auburn, New York. March 10th is observed as Harriet Tubman day in the United States, to remember the contributions she made.
March 11th, 1959: A Raisin in the Sun, the first Broadway play produced by a Black woman, Lorraine Hansberry, debuted at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre.
TEXAS
DALLAS
esidents in Houston’s East Downtown (EaDo) are calling for the restoration of green space that was altered during preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. While the makeover brought improvements and helped transform the area for international visitors, residents say some of the changes came at the expense of parks, trees and open spaces that are important to the community.
The Dallas City Council has moved forward with a public safety bond proposition for the November 3 ballot, giving voters a chance to weigh in on major investments in the city’s public safety infrastructure. The proposal would provide roughly $441 million for facilities and improvements, including funding connected to Dallas Police Department training facilities and other critical public safety needs. The measure is part of a larger bond package that city leaders are considering to address infrastructure and other priorities across Dallas.
WACO A longtime connection between Valley Mills Drive and northbound Interstate 35 in Waco has been demolished as part of the ongoing I-35 reconstruction project. The flyover, which had served drivers for decades, is being removed as transportation officials reshape the highway corridor and build a modern roadway system designed to improve traffic flow and safety.
March 12th, 1917: The first Black Girl Scouts troop was formed in the New York area.
TAKEAWAY
HOUSTON
________________________________
1917
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SAN ANTONIO Oxbow Development Group, the development arm of Pearl owner Silver Ventures, has submitted plans for 10 new retail buildings on both sides of Avenue A in San Antonio’s Pearl district.
THURGOOD MARSHALL Thurgood Marshall (1908–1993) was a monumental American civil rights lawyer and the first African American to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. As lead counsel for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, he orchestrated the legal strategy that dismantled state-sponsored segregation, famously winning the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case in 1954.
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GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
August 14, 2026
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STATE
Music Cont. kind of
THE BIRTH OF BLACK JOURNALISM IN TEXAS By: Aisha Robinson
August arked an important moment in Texas history with the publication of the third issue of The Free Man’s Press, an Austin newspaper regarded as the first known African American newspaper in Texas. Published during Reconstruction, the paper emerged at a time when formerly enslaved Texans were seeking political representation, education, economic independence and greater control over their communities. The weekly publication provided a platform for issues affecting Black Texans while also covering local, state and national news. The newspaper was published by the Free Man’s Press Publishing Company in Austin. Its pages were devoted largely to politics, particularly Republican politics during Reconstruction, but the publication also addressed education, religion, agriculture and economic opportunities. The newspaper’s stated purpose was to provide freed people with information that could
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help them navigate the major political and social changes taking place after the Civil War. The August 1 edition also highlighted the importance of Black participation in the newspaper industry itself. One article called attention to the fact that portions of the paper had been “Set By Black Hands,” emphasizing that Black workers were contributing directly to the production of the publication. The paper argued against racial prejudice in skilled trades and used Black labor in printing as an example of the capabilities and contributions of African Americans during Reconstruction. The Free Man’s Press had a brief run, publishing from July through October 1868, but its historical importance far outlasted its short existence. Its pages provide a firsthand window into the aspirations, political concerns and economic priorities of Black Texans shortly after emancipation. The August 1, 1868, front page
Journalism on pg. 7
injustice that God hates, and demands the kind of justice the Bible references, because God: “Hath shewed thee, O man, what is good, and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6: 8). God demands that individuals be fair, merciful, and just with each other. Prayerful, let’s hope that President Trump’s MAGA-Cult learn how to express humility in their public/ private dealings with others, and allow justice to roll down from heaven like a mighty stream, because: “surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.” (Job 34: 12). America, now we all know why President Trump employs thuggery to execute his governing exclusionary agenda. Life is about balance; not about extremes, because God is found at the center of life. Now run and tell that, because protest music has played an important role in the struggle for a just, fair, and Godly equitable American society. Finally, thanks to James Brown, we can proudly sing: “Say it loud! I’m Black, and I’m Proud! Glory to God in the highest.
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August 14, 2026
EDUCATION
Journalism Cont.
THE INAUGURAL DON’T WORRY WILLY WEEKEND By: Eisani Apedemak-Saba
The Ensemble Theatre has long been a beacon of artistic expression, inclusion, and exemplary arts education. Continuing this tradition as the theatre moves into its 50th Artistic Season, The Ensemble Theatre has partnered with the Don’t Worry Willy Foundation to present the inaugural Don’t Worry Willy Weekend, an initiative that uses the performing arts to increase understanding of neurodivergence and varied learning styles in children, strengthen family support systems, and create welcoming experiences where children can learn, connect, and thrive.
Inspired by the original characters of the children’s play, ‘Don’t Worry Willy’ by Author, Playwright, and Founder of the Don’t Worry Willy Foundation, Liz Unaeze, Don’t Worry Willy Weekend expands beyond a theatrical performance into a full day of education, creativity, and advocacy. The experience includes a live performance of the play ‘Don’t Worry Willy,’ sensory-friendly spaces, a family resource fair, informational panels with experts, creative activities, and plenty of opportunities for families to connect with community partners.
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“Don’t Worry Willy was created to help children recognize that their feelings matter and to remind the children we once were that healing is always possible... When we create spaces where families can laugh, learn, ask questions, and experience joy together, we help build communities where every child feels seen, valued, and understood.” Liz Unaeze, Creator of Don’t Worry Willy and Founder of the Don’t Worry Willy Foundation Accessibility is at the heart of this experience. The Ensemble Theatre and the Don’t Worry Willy Foundation seeks to lower the barriers of access and promote understanding surrounding mental health. This event demonstrates how the arts can serve as a powerful bridge between education, mental wellness, and community connection. Don’t Worry Willy Weekend represents the beginning of a longterm vision to establish an annual community tradition that combines theatre, education, advocacy, and family engagement. Don’t Worry Willy Weekend takes place on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at The Ensemble Theatre. AA
therefore represents more than an old newspaper—it stands as an early foundation of Black journalism in Texas and an example of how the press became a tool for education, advocacy and community
empowerment. The Free Man’s Press was deeply rooted in Austin, Texas, where it was established during the Reconstruction era following the Civil War. The August 1, 1868 edition was published by the Free Man’s Press Publishing Company in Austin and represented
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an important effort to provide newly freed African Americans with information relevant to their changing lives. The paper covered local, state and national news while giving particular attention to politics, education, agriculture and economic AA independence.
U.S. Congressman Al Green Hosts the
5th Annual
SLAVERY REMEMBRANCE LEGISLATIVE UPDATE BREAKFAST MEETING
Highlighting Congressional Resolutions Honoring
Nat Turner, Harriet Tubman and
Congressman Craig Anthony Washington Theme: “Harder Yet May Be The Fight” With Special Invited Guests to Include Prominent Clergy, Public Officials, and Civic Organizations
Saturday August 22, 2026 9:00 AM Registration QRCode
Wyndham Hotel near NRG Park
8686 Kirby Drive Houston, TX 77054 FREE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC BY REGISTERING https://2026-Slavery-Remembrance-Day-Houston.eventbrite.com Eventbrite Registration Required – Arrive Early – Limited Seating For more information, please call (713) 383-9234 or visit https://algreen.house.gov/
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August 14, 2026
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