Volume 31 Issue 32

September 11, 2026

GREATER HOUSTON EDITION

Vol.31, Issue 32

FREE

“Addressing Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community”

WHICH SIDE IS HE PLAYING? By: Tj Baker, Literature Elegist

BLACK MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH By: Roy Douglas Malonson

Houston holds a unique distinction as one of the preeminent capitals of African American economic power, cultural influence, and civic leadership in the United States. Unlike older northern enclaves where Black prosperity was historically constrained by rigid zoning and legacy institutional redlining, Houston’s rapid twentieth-century growth, combined with its lack of formal municipal zoning, enabled Black enterprise to flourish alongside the city’s broader economic boom. From the oil and gas

trading desks of the Energy Corridor to the surgical suites of the Texas Medical Center, Houston’s affluent Black demographic is defined by multi-industry mobility, entrepreneurial ambition, and distinct geographic footholds that span from historic inner-loop enclaves to sprawling master-planned suburbs.

The geographic epicenter of historic Black affluence in Houston is Riverside Terrace, Mental Health situated in the Third Ward along the gentle bends of Brays Bayou. on pg. 3

Ladies and gentlemen, grab your peanuts, popcorn, and political scorecards. Senator Ted Cruz has entered the ballpark, and apparently nobody told him he only gets to play one position.

Pitcher? Cruz.

Catcher? Cruz.

First base? Cruz.

Outfield? Cruz.

Baseball manager, standing in the dugout arguing with the umpire?

Oh, Lord... Cruz again.

Political commentator in the broadcast booth?

Somebody check the press box, because Cruz is up there too!

At this point, Senator Ted Cruz is not merely playing in the political ballgame...

The man appears to be trying to own the damn stadium!

With November approaching, Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico are battling for Texas’ United States Senate seat, and Cruz is sounding the alarm.

Cruz calls the race “effectively tied.”

And the scoreboard agrees. One recent Texas poll produced something almost too perfect for this baseball story: 50 percent Paxton, 50 percent Talarico.

Not close.

Not almost tied.

Tied. Somebody bring extra innings.

Cruz predicts Paxton will win, but he says this could become a staggering $200 Cruz on million fight. A super PAC linked to pg. 5

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EDITORIAL

President/Chief Editor

Contributing Writers Dr. Bobby Mills, Travis McGee, Rachel Thompson, Fred Smith, Nicole Washington, Aisha Robinson, Marcus Williams, TJ Baker Meeko Graphics Social Media Houston Minority business marketing website JG Design Layout Design Blue Star Web Printing Printer

STORIES, PICTURES, LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, EMAIL TO

aframnews1982@gmail.com

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PO BOX 206 Prairie View, TX 77446

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

PLEASE SEND YOUR INQUIRIES TO

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GREATER HOUSTON EDITION

A Revival of God Consciousness Bobby Mills, Ph.D.

DAWN BUCKINGHAM: TEXAS LAND COMMISSIONER I met Commissioner Buckingham nearly four years ago through Perry L. Wooten, a former constable and political consultant to the Baptist Ministers’ Association under Dr. Max A. Miller’s leadership. She attended the event with her son, a Texas State University business student who was preparing to attend medical school at UT. Robert Mohammed was one of the speakers. Her son was not troubled by the message; instead, he listened with an open mind. Afterward, I spoke with him and shared several of my books.

The point I want readers to remember is this: mothers are our first teachers, and they help shape our value systems.

In that moment, I saw Dawn Buckingham as a decent, God-fearing, honorable, and open-minded person because her son reflected those values.

Recently, my wife and I also met the Commissioner’s husband during church services at Covenant Glen Methodist Church. Just as men choose women, women also choose men. Dawn’s husband is a first-class, God-fearing professional. Therefore, I can honestly say Texas is blessed to have a Godly professional serving as Land Commissioner—one who serves all Texans without fear or favor. For example, Perry and I attended an open-forum testimonial event for Harris County residents whose homes were destroyed by Hurricane Harvey. Most of the homeowners in attendance were Black and Brown. I witnessed first-hand

Commissioner on pg. 3

We Must Understand Roy Douglas Malonson, Publisher

A NATION CHANGED FOREVER Life after September 11, 2001, changed dramatically for Americans and people around the world. The terrorist attacks created a lasting sense of fear and uncertainty while changing how people viewed travel, security, and national safety. Airports introduced stricter security procedures, and government agencies expanded efforts to prevent future attacks. Military operations overseas also became a major part of American life and politics.

Communities responded with remarkable acts of courage and compassion.

First responders, healthcare workers, volunteers, and ordinary citizens helped families affected by the tragedy. Memorials and anniversaries became opportunities to remember those who lost their lives and honor the people who helped others.

However, the years following 9/11 also brought challenges involving discrimination, racial profiling, privacy, and civil liberties. Muslim Americans and other communities sometimes faced suspicion and hostility.

Ultimately, life after 9/11 demonstrated both the vulnerability and resilience of American society, while reminding future generations of the importance of unity, compassion, and protecting democratic values.

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GREATER HOUSTON EDITION Developed in the 1920s and 1930s as Mental a secluded haven for wealthy Jewish Health Cont. merchants and industrialists barred

from River Oaks, Riverside Terrace transformed in the late 1950s and 1960s as affluent Black professionals—most notably physician Dr. Anthony Beale—integrated the neighborhood.

Despite early blockbusting tactics by real estate agents, prominent Black doctors, attorneys, academics from Texas Southern University, and civic architects anchored themselves in the area, earning it the moniker “the Black River Oaks.”

Characterized by stately mid-century modern residences, Art Deco gems, and sprawling Mediterranean villas, Riverside Terrace established a blueprint for visible, self-sustained Black prosperity in Houston, serving as a generational home for leaders such as music executive Mathew Knowles and civic pioneer Judson Robinson Jr. As the city expanded outward in the late twentieth century, the epicenter of Black wealth shifted south and west into Fort Bend County, transforming Missouri City into one of the nation’s premier suburban hubs of Black prosperity. Often recognized nationally for having one of the highest median household incomes among majorityBlack municipalities, Missouri City became the residential destination of choice for high-earning corporate executives, enterprise founders, and medical leaders. Neighborhoods like Lake Olympia, defined by custom waterfront homes, and masterplanned mega-communities like Sienna provided private golf courses, top-tier public school feeder patterns, and expansive estates. This southwest corridor demonstrated a deliberate model of wealth accumulation, where affluent Black families clustered to build collective political clout, civic stewardship, and generational capital.

A parallel surge emerged directly south of the Texas Medical Center in northern Pearland, particularly around Shadow Creek Ranch. The Texas Medical Center—the largest medical complex in the world—functions as a powerful engine

September 11, 2026

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for high-net-worth Black Houstonians, employing thousands of Black surgeons, specialized researchers, and biotech executives. The short commute along Highway 288 catalyzed an influx of affluent families into Shadow Creek Ranch, where master-planned amenities, expansive lakefront properties, and high-performing schools offered an ideal suburban foundation. Further west and north, master-planned enclaves such as Cinco Ranch in Katy, the Energy Corridor, and The Woodlands have attracted highearning Black geoscientists, petroleum engineers, and corporate attorneys drawn to luxury housing and corporate campuses.

Underpinning these affluent neighborhoods is an elite cadre of business leaders whose enterprises reshaped Houston’s economy. In global commodities, Kase Lawal founded CAMAC Holdings, which expanded into one of the largest Black-owned energy and exploration corporations in the world, proving that Black capital could operate at scale within the hyper-competitive international oil market. In real estate and venture capital, Anthony “Tony” Chase established telecommunications and investment platforms while chairing the Greater Houston Partnership, integrating Black enterprise into the highest levels of civic infrastructure. In sports and development, NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon pioneered large-scale commercial real estate investments across Houston, acquiring high-profile parcels and downtown landmarks entirely through cash transactions. In media and entertainment, J. Prince built an independent empire with Rap-A-Lot Records before diversifying into commercial real estate, ranching, and sports management, while Beyoncé Knowles-Carter transformed Third Ward artistic foundations into an international corporate and philanthropic empire.

The landscape of wealthy Black Houston represents far more than luxury real estate and executive titles; it represents a durable ecosystem of self-determination, institutional leadership, and community reinvestment.

Anchored by historic landmarks like Riverside Terrace and expanded through modern power corridors like Missouri City and Pearland, affluent Black Houstonians continue to leverage real estate, healthcare, energy, and entrepreneurship to expand what economic autonomy and generational wealth look like in the modern American South.

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testifying how CommisCommissioner individuals sioner Buckingham came to their Cont. homes went through the “val-

ley” with them, refurbished their homes and in many cases rebuilt their homes. Most of these individuals were elderly Black and Brown homeowners who could not afford Federal Flood Insurance. We should never forget that leadership is about setting positive examples. Above all, leadership is not about Party Labels. Leadership is about personal responsibility. My wife and I are voting for Commissioner Buckingham, and if you cast your vote for her “all” Texans will be blessed. After all, is said and done, Dawn Buckingham is a Godly leader that all Texans can wholeheartedly embrace and be proud of. Listed below are some of the accomplishments of Commissioner Dawn Buckingham: Veterans: Delivered more than $1.5 billion dollars in Veterans home Loans. Helping thousands of Veterans and their families achieve homeownership.

Public Schools: Generated more than 6 billion dollars for Public Schools without raising taxes through responsible stewardship of state lands and the Permanent School Fund.

Disaster Recovery: completed the Hurricane Harvey homeowner recovery mission, rebuilding 8,750 homes and helping more than 13,000 families, while delivering 3.7 billion for disaster recovery and flood mitigation.

Protecting the Coast Line: Leading the Texas Coastal Project, the largest coastal protection project in U. S. history, including a world-leading storm surge barrier system protecting critical communities, ports and industry.

Preserving our Shoreline. Completed the largest beach nourishment project in Texas history, restoring 14.5 miles of beaches and dunes at McFaddin Beach, while investing millions more to combat erosion, restore marshlands, and protect Texas’ 3,400 miles of shoreline. A Godly Reminder: if you are a member of The Jesus Party, I do not have to remind you that it’s not about the political party, but the PERSON. AA

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GREATER HOUSTON EDITION

THROUGH THE LENS OF TIME: BLACK HISTORY IS 24/7/365 1887

1896

1900

1905

1906

1909

1916

1887. The Thibodaux massacre occurs in Louisiana. An episode of white supremacist violence that occurred.

It followed a three-week strike during the critical harvest season.

1896. Plessy v. Ferguson legitimizes state laws reestablishing racial segregation in Southern states.

1900. A majority of Southern states pass laws that required African Americans to be separated from white citizens in railroad cars and depots, and other establishments.

1905. W.E.B. Du Bois calls for social and political change for African Americans during the Niagara Movement.

1906. The Atlanta Race Riot of 1906 was a significant episode of violence in Atlanta, Georgia, during which at least 12, and possibly up to 25, African Americans were killed.

1909. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is founded.

1916. The Great Migration begins, where more than six million African Americans move from the rural South to various urban metropolitan areas.

TEXAS

TAKEAWAY

HOUSTON

DALLAS

Margaritaville at Sea is set to bring its newest and largest vessel, Beachcomber, to Galveston, creating a convenient new cruise option for Houston-area travelers. The ship is expected to begin sailing from the Port of Galveston in October 2027, offering four- to sevennight voyages. The addition will make Margaritaville at Sea the seventh cruise line to establish a homeport in Galveston, further expanding the area’s cruise and vacation offerings. ________________________________

The Fort Worth Zoo is celebrating the arrival of eight critically endangered gharial hatchlings, continuing a fouryear streak of successful breeding for the rare crocodilian species. The young reptiles hatched between June 3 and June 26, bringing the zoo’s total number of juvenile gharials from five to 13.

AUSTIN H-E-B has announced plans to close its Spicewood Springs store in Austin, marking the end of operations at the location after serving area residents. The closure is expected to affect customers who have relied on the store for groceries and other everyday essentials.

________________________________

SAN ANTONIO Plans are moving ahead to transform a warehouse on San Antonio’s East Side into an ICE immigration detention and processing facility after federal officials awarded a $17.3 million renovation contract. The project has faced strong opposition from local officials and community members, who have expressed concerns about the facility’s potential impact on the neighborhood, development and city resources.

NAT TURNER Nat Turner (1800–1831) was an enslaved man who led the most violent slave uprising in U.S. history in 1831. A deeply religious and charismatic leader, Turner believed he was divinely chosen to fight for the freedom of enslaved people. In Southampton County, Virginia, he organized a group of fellow enslaved men and launched a revolt that resulted in the deaths of at least 55 white individuals.

The rebellion was quickly crushed, and Turner was eventually captured, put on trial, and executed. His actions and subsequent “Confessions,” recorded by a lawyer, became a powerful symbol of resistance against slavery.

READ MORE AT AFRAMNEWS.COM

GREATER HOUSTON EDITION Cruz Cont.

Cruz has already jumped into the game with more than $1.7 million in advertising supporting Paxton.

So, Cruz is campaigning, fundraising, coaching, and calling the play by play.

Then comes another political pitch: birthright citizenship.

President Donald Trump has attempted to restrict automatic citizenship for some children born in the United States.

And here the record deserves clarity.

Cruz did not oppose Trump on the central issue.

Cruz led a Supreme Court brief supporting Trump’s position, arguing that the Fourteenth Amendment does not

automatically grant citizenship to children born here when their parents are unlawfully present.

The Supreme Court disagreed with that interpretation in June.

And on September 2, a federal judge blocked Trump’s newer attempt to restrict birthright citizenship, citing Supreme Court precedent protecting citizenship for children born on American soil.

Cruz, however, has not left the stadium.

In fact, during a recent interview promoting his new book about Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, Cruz was still defending his interpretation of the Constitution after the Court’s birthright citizenship ruling.

Now comes the million

September 11, 2026 dollar political question: Why is Ted Cruz suddenly everywhere?

Perhaps the answer is simple. He is Texas’ senior Republican senator trying to protect another Republican Senate seat.

Fair enough.

But politics has extra innings.

Because while everybody watches November’s scoreboard, Cruz appears to be glancing toward another season: 2028.

Recent reporting says Cruz has made multiple visits to Iowa and is laying groundwork that could support another presidential campaign.

And standing near home plate is Vice President JD Vance.

Cruz has demonstrated that he is willing to disagree publicly with Vance, particularly on foreign policy.

So perhaps the question is not whether Cruz wants to become Vance’s vice president.

Maybe it is: What if Ted Cruz wants Vance’s spot at the top of the ticket?

Nobody has announced that ballgame.

And Cruz may need some batting practice first.

A recent Texas poll testing a hypothetical

AFRAMNEWS.COM

2028 Republican presidential primary placed Cruz at just 6.5 percent, behind Marco Rubio, JD Vance and Ron DeSantis.

In other words...

The senator may be warming up, but the crowd ain’t doing the wave yet.

Still, seasoned baseball fans know better than to leave early.

You watch the bullpen.

You watch who is warming up.

You watch who suddenly starts traveling to Iowa.

And you definitely watch the player who keeps appearing on television.

For now, Cruz’s immediate game is Paxton versus Talarico.

But between birthright citizenship, Trump, Paxton, Talarico, Vance and Iowa, Cruz appears to have one eye on another scoreboard.

So, keep your ticket stub.

November may only be the seventh inning.

Because Senator Ted Cruz might already be warming up for 2028.

And if that pitch comes?

Batter up!

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LOCAL

WHY GRIMES PARK? By: Travis McGee

Why our park? Grimes Park is the namesake of B.H. Grimes Elementary school which was named out of Buchanan H. Grimes, A former janitor who later became a principal. He also became the first Black person to retire as a public-school principal in Houston, Tx. The school itself opened in 1952 and moved to the current location @ 9220 Jutland St in 1960.

Grimes was closed in May 2011 under false pretenses claiming the enrollment was too low even though the principal was instructed not to accept any more kids.

Grimes Park was established in 1977 @ 5150 Rd as a city park that has served our community for almost 50 years that started as a softball field, basketball court, and

tennis court. As the Civic President for Sunnyside Garden/ Bayou Estates Civic Association we submitted Capital Improvement Request for years along with various other partnerships and donors until we finally received our Newly renovated park October 20,2023.

The park was being used by the Southeast Lions Little League football team lead by Eugene “Coach Boo” Dixon therefore it was only right to convert the softball portion into a brand-new football field, along with new tennis court, basketball court,

walking trail, playground equipment etc. For almost 25years this was home for the Lions where thousands of young men were mentored and coached into being good people as well as athletes, some have even made it to the pros like De’Von Achane the Miami Dolphin’s running back one of the best in the league.

It’s a damn shame the city nor HISD aka T.E.A never bothered to come to the community

instead the coach had to find out while trying to renew his park permit.

No proactive warning, no time to plan, no consideration, and No park to play at.

The formal notice was just put out on social media Thursday August 27, 2026 by City of Houston Parks Dept. stating the park would be closing September 1, 2026 however the destruction of the park and the undetermined and uncertainty of where the team would practice started weigh before that.

Further research determined that the City of Houston nor HISD aka T.E.A cared enough to come to the community for input, consideration, or information where the New CTE building and the park could’ve coexisted or built some

where else on surplus property with more square footage that doesn’t have a park attached to it. We not against trades or a trade school, however we don’t want OUR park to be apart of the TRADE OFF. Believe it or not HISD aka T.E.A. knew for almost 3 years and the city had to have a clue also because, Grimes was part of the 2024 Bond Proposal in which the T.E.A. started promoting shortly after their arrival in June 2023 here in Houston ISD however the bond failed, but they ignored the voters wishes and borrowed the money anyway for CTE programs etc. If the voters said NO doesn’t mean do it anyway, especially when the district can’t keep the grass cut or HVAC functioning to insure safe learning environments.

After the bond failed, they tried to sale multiple properties including Grimes. After the Closures in 2011 this should have been another attempt for the city to purchase or swap property they been leasing for decades.

The city is big on greenspace and parks so they say, I guess just not in Grimes Park. Why wasn’t the community notified?

Did the City ever offer to buy or swap property with another government entity?

Why spend so much money and not try to own something so valuable to the Community and the City?

Why wasn’t eminent domain used?

In our area we have to fight for everything, nothing is given however everything is often taken away.

We have to hold our ELECTED EMPLOYEES accountable and look at the BIG picture vs always just allowing them to come out to take pictures. If they aren’t willing to fight for us, they should at least give us notice so we can fight for ourselves.

Where will the Southeast Lion go from here? Hopefully back home to Grimes Park after they when another Superbowl.

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