To thePOINT DN
Comedian Druski’slatestskit hassparked praise,backlash, and deeper questionsabout faith, money, andperformanceinthe modern Black church. Credit:X
Message from theManaging Editor
Druski Megachurch backlash
Comedy hasalwaysbeenamirror, and sometimesthereflectionmakesusuncomfortable.That’sexactlywhathappenedwhen Druski released hismegachurchparody, an over-the-top,high-productionskitthat sparkedlaughter, outrage, andrelentless commentary acrosssocialmedia.Druski madefunofpastorsluxuryattire, “money grabs,”and failuretohelpthose in need, amongother things
What’sstrikingisn’tjustthebacklash,buttherecognition Theexaggeratedpastor,thespectacle,thefixationonsowing seedsandstatus-noneofitfeelsunfamiliar.Theskitworks becauseitmagnifiestruthspeoplehavewhisperedaboutfor years,whichexplainswhytheresponsehasbeensointense.
Forsomebelievers,the parody crosseda line,mocking sacred spaces andfaith traditions that have long anchored Blackcommunities.Forothers,itcrackedopenaconversation often avoided: The blurredboundarybetween ministryand business,worshipandperformance.Whensanctuariesresemblestadiumsandsermonsdoubleasfundraisingpitches,satire feelslesslikeanattackand more like commentary
The viralreach,tensofmillions of viewswithinhours, ensuredthiswasn’tjustcomedy.Itbecameaculturalmoment, spillingintochurchgroup chatsand family conversations wherethe questionsfeelpersonal.
Satire doesn’t create tension, it exposes it.Druskididn’t inventthedebate-heamplifiedit.Thediscomfortunfolding nowisn’t aboutajoke. It’s aboutwhathappens when faith, power,andprofitsharethesamestage,andsomeonefinally turnsthe lightsup.
MoreTexans signedupfor Obamacare
As federalsubsidies tied to AffordableCareAct premiumsexpireandnationalenrollmentsoftens,Texasismoving in theopposite direction. More than 4.11million Texans selectedahealthplanthroughtheACAmarketplacebyearly January, alreadysurpassinglastyear’stotal andmarking a 6.5%increaseatacomparablepointintheenrollmentcycle
Fora statethathas often resisted expandinghealthcare access,thismomentdeservesattention.Texansareenrolling notbecause coverage is suddenlycheaper or simpler,but becausethe need is undeniable. Rising medicalcosts,lingering pandemic impacts, andeconomicuncertainty have madehealthinsurancelessofaluxuryandmoreofalifeline. ForBlack andBrown communities,where chronicillness andgapsinemployer-basedcoverageremainpersistent,the
ACAcontinuestoserveasacrucialbridge. This moment underscoresafamiliar truth:accessonpaperdoesnotalwaysequal accessinpractice. The surgeinenrollment reflects resilience andawareness among Texans,but it also exposes thefragility of a system that hingescoverageontemporary policy decisions. As enrollment closes, the real test will notbehow many signedup, buthow many areabletokeeptheir care.
Scammersbescamming
ThecallsfloodingintoHarrisCountyConstablePrecinct 4tellatroublingstory.Moreresidents arebeingtargeted by bank scamsthatfeelpersonal, urgent,and frighteningly real.Spoofedphonenumbers.Textalertsthatlookidentical toofficialbankmessages.Languagedesignedtopushpanic before logic has achancetocatch up
The goal is simple: Catch people off guard. When amessageclaimssuspiciousactivityonyouraccount,instinctkicks in. Youwanttoprotect what’s yours. Scammers know this Theycount on fear andspeed,hopingyou’llclick alink, respondtoatext, or hand over just enough informationto open thedoortoyourfinances, andsometimes your entire phone.
These scamsare notnew,but theirsophisticationis. The technologyusedtoimpersonatebanksmirrorsthesamedigitaltoolsreshapingeverydaylife,andit’shittingcommunities alreadynavigatingeconomicpressure. Formanyfamilies, losingevenasmallamountofmoneycantriggercascading consequences:Overdrafts,missedrent,andfoodinsecurity. What makesthisespeciallydangerous is familiarity. The messages look right. The numbersmatch.And once you’re engaged,itfeelsrude,orrisky,nottorespond.That’sthetrap. Lawenforcement’swarningisclear:Banksdonotaskfor personalinformationthroughunsolicitedtextsorcalls.The safest move is often thehardestone in themoment: Pause, don’tclick,and contactyourbankdirectlyusing anumber youtrust
In adigital economy, vigilancehas become aformof self-defense. Awarenessisn’t paranoia.It’sprotection.
On theWeb
•Houstonjudgesunitetobridgegapbetweencourtsand community.
•Top7mostsanctifiedmomentsinBlackchurchhistory
•Terrance’sTake:TexansmustfixgrowingperceptionC.J Stroud isn’tthe franchiseQB.
ReShondaTate
Harris County elections takeover GOP proposes separate primaries
By Aswad Walker
A push by the Texas GOP to reshape the March primary voting process could have severe, long-term consequences for Harris County voters, particularly those who lean Democratic.
Harris County Democratic Party Chair MikeDoyledescribestheeffortas“aslightly different Republican tactic to blow up orderly and transparent voting during the primary.”
Central to the GOP’s plan, according to Doyle, is its refusal to hold a joint primary, like the one both parties successfully conducted in 2024 under Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth
The GOPcall
OnJan.8,Gov.GregAbbottagainthreatenedastatetakeoverofHoustonandHarris County elections, reviving a long-standing Republican effort to seize control of voting in the region
“They should be stripped of operating elections, and state officials should take over,”Abbottpostedonsocialmedia.Abbott called Harris County a “repeat violator of election integrity.”
Some link Abbott’s renewed push to allegationsfromRepublicanStateSen.Paul Bettencourtthatvoterswereunlawfullyregisteredusingcommercialpostofficeboxes. But critics argue the effort is less about election integrity and more about political power in Texas’ most populous—and Democratic-leaning—county
Pushback
HarrisCountyCommissionerLesleyBriones sharply disputed Abbott’s claims
“Harris County is committed to the integrity of our voter rollsandhasbeendiligent about following the law a fact that has been acknowledged by the Texas Secretary of State,” Briones told Democracy Docket
She added that Abbott is either “intentionally misrepresenting the law” or “doesn’t understand this issue,” and accusedhimofundermining democracy.
“Texans deserve better,”Brionessaid,emphasizingthecounty’s commitment to fairness, transparency, and excellence in elections.
Fighting SB 1933
Doyle points to Senate Bill 1933, passed in 2023, as the real mechanism behind the GOP’s strategy Authored by Bettencourt, the law allows the state to impose “administrative oversight” of local election offices. Whilewrittentoapplytocountieswithpopulationsoverfourmillion,itappliesonlyto Harris County
LastNovember,BettencourtfiledacomplaintwithSecretaryofStateJaneNelson an Abbott appointee—alleging more than 100 invalid voter registrations in Houston.
“SB1933istheRepublicanstryingtoclaw the clock back,” Doyle said, calling it “kind of like a Titanic waiting there for voters in Harris County.”
Hearguesthatforcingseparateprimaries would create the very problems the GOP could then cite to justify a state takeover
“Thiswholeideathatwe’regoingtohave separateprimaries…costingmillionsofdollars to the taxpayers, is going to be a great pretextfortheRepublicanstotakeoverthe election,” Doyle said
Jointvs.separate primaries
Underjoint(orclosed)primaries,voters gotothesamepollinglocationsandchoose
which party’s ballot they want, with shared election workers and infrastructure
“Theydidagreatjob,andeverybodygot tovote,”Doylesaidofthe2024jointprimary.
Separate primaries, by contrast, require different locations for each party—something Doyle says will cause widespread confusion.
“You may have to go find a Democrat locationandaRepublicanlocation,”hesaid “It may be different than where you normally vote. What do you think that’s going to do, confusion-wise?”
Doyle estimates the switch could cost Harris County “millions and millions,” money he says could otherwise go to sidewalks, flood mitigation, or public services.
The change would also end countywide voting, forcing many voters to cast ballots only at their local precincts.
“If it’s easy to vote, more people vote,” Doyle said. “That’s a massive change.”
Broaderimpact
Doyle believes SB 1933 could ultimately beusedtoclosepollinglocationsinheavily Democratic areas.
“They’ve got no limits on what they can dowhentheyareincharge,”hesaid,warning
thatfewerpollingplacesandgreaterconfusion would suppress turnout.
He also sees national implications
“We’re the swing county in the entire country,”Doylesaid “Whenourvotersshow up wewillneverhaveanotherRepublican president or governor again.
“So, they know the one place they need toattacktostayinpowerisHarrisCounty.”
The longtime Texas GOP aim of controlling Harris County elections could use potential March primary election confusion as a pretext to make it happen. Credit: Gemini AI.
Doyle
Briones
News DN
Are white Democratic judges targeting Black women candidates again?
By Aswad Walker
With two Black women judicial candidates having their bids derailed by legal challenges brought by white Democratic judges, many in Harris County’s Blackcommunityareagainasking whetherhistoryisrepeatingitself
Similar lawsuits were filed againstBlackwomencandidatesin 2024, but those efforts failed. This time,theoutcomewasdifferent— and, for critics, more troubling.
Overview
In recent weeks, four judicial candidates withdrew from the 2026 election after incumbent judges and other Democratic opponents filed lawsuits alleging procedural irregularities. Two were Black women: Angela McKinnon, who was running for the 295th District Court, and Velda Faulkner, a candidate for the 190th District Court. Neither will appear on the March 2026 primary ballot or the November general election ballot
The other two candidates— Allison Mathis, a candidate for the 180th District Court, and AnnaEady,acandidateforHarris CountyCriminalCourtatLawNo 3—arewhitewomen.Partyleaders cite that fact as evidence race was not the determining factor. Still, the removal of two Black women has reignited concerns about equity, power, and access within the Democratic Party.
The challenge against Faulkner focused on procedural issues, including an allegation that her originalfilingfailedtolisttheoffice shesought McKinnon’scandidacy waschallengedoverclaimsshedid notsubmittherequirednumberof valid signatures.
Past as prologue
For many observers, the controversy feels familiar Ahead of the 2024 election, several Black women judicial candidates faced similar challenges under House Bill 2384. Those candidates ultimately prevailed.
Judge Erica Hughes fought a lawsuit that reached the Texas SupremeCourt,whichdeclinedto remove her from the ballot Judge TaKasha Francis remained on the ballot after a trial court ruling Amber Boyd-Cora also prevailed attheSupremeCourt,thoughshe laterlosthergeneralelectionrace. Those challenges followed the historic 2018 election, when 19 Blackwomenranforjudicialoffice in Harris County and 17 won, reshaping the bench and drawing national attention. The 2024 lawsuits went viral as examples of targeted attacks. Many now see the 2026 challenges through that same lens.
‘It’s painful’ StateRep.JolandaJones,avocal defender of Black women candidates in 2024, said the pattern is unmistakable
“What disappoints me most is that Black women judicial
candidates are being targeted by white Democratic judges,” Jones said “They are being removed from the ballot without voters ever being allowed to decide It’s painful,butI’vebeenBlackallmy life. I know we are forced to fight through things others never face.”
Harris County Democratic PartyChairMikeDoyledisagreed.
“There’sactuallyfourcandidates who withdrew after lawsuits were filed—twoAnglowomenandtwo Black women, ” Doyle said “We have more Black female judicial candidates than anybody.”
Doyle said Texas law allows opponentstochallengefilingsthey believe are improper and insisted the process—not race—drove the outcomes.
‘I can read between the lines’ Faulknerremainsunconvinced. With more than 30 years of legal experience, she believes she and McKinnon were targeted.
“We’re knowledgeable, we have fortitude, and we’ll be fair,” Faulknersaid “Blackwomenhavebeen thebackboneofthiscountry.Isee incumbents who want to run the table.”
Judge Beau Miller of the 190th
District Court filed the lawsuit challenging Faulkner She said financial realities also shaped her decision to withdraw.
“Forensics experts are expensive,” she said, estimating costs between $75,000 and $150,000. “I had to make a business decision.”
A system without notice
McKinnon’s case exposed another vulnerability Judge Donna Roth sought a temporary
restrainingorderonDec.29,2025, barring McKinnon’s name from theballot Becausepartyofficials— not McKinnon—were named in the suit, she was not notified until aftertheorderwasgranted,ending hercandidacywithoutameaningful opportunity to respond.
Party responsibility
Doyle rejected claims the party playsfavorites.TSUprofessorand formerCityCouncilmemberCarroll Robinson disagreed.
“The HCDP continues to demonstrate a lack of proficiency in assisting judicial candidates,” Robinson said “The Party’s job is running a fair filing and primary process. ”
Jones offered a final warning: “I hope Black voters remember exactly which white Democratic judgessuedtogetusofftheballot, and vote accordingly.”
“Attheendoftheday,”shesaid, “it is hell to be a Black woman. ”
History-making 17 Black women judges who won their judicial seats in 2018. Credit: harrisblackgirlmagic.com
State Rep. Jolanda Jones. Courtesy Jolanda Jones.
Mike Doyle. Credit: Harris County Democratic Party.
Velda Faulkner Credit: Aswad Walker
Education DN
HISDoverhauls 10 magnet high schools
ByTannisthaSinha
HoustonISD unanimouslyapproveda plantoformallyeliminatethegraphicdesign anddigital communications magnet programsat10highschools.Students,whoare nowintheeighthgrade,wouldberedirected totheBarbaraJordanCareerCenter(BJCC), wheretheycanaccess16programsofstudy leadingto“high-wage”and“high-demand” jobs, perHISD.
Starting next school year,studentsfrom Furr,Heights,SamHoustonMath,Science, andTechnologyCenter, Kashmere,North Forest,Northside,Waltrip,BookerT Washington,MickeyLeland,andWheatleyHigh Schoolswillhavetheoptiontochoosefrom 16 programs of studyatBJCC.
School officialsalsoreassured theboard andthe community that no currentstudentswillbeimpactedandtheycanchoose whethertoenrollin theseprograms.
SuperintendentMike Miles said thechanges areapartof“HISD 2026,” aimedatpreparingstudents to be “college-ready.” He added that school sizes determine thenumberof programs studentshave accessto. Thisiswhy schoolslikeWheatley, Kashmere,and North Forest have fewerprogramsthanLamar High School
Historical context
Houston’smagnethighschoolsystem traces itsorigins to themid-1970s, when HISD beganopeningmagnetschools as part of avoluntary approach to desegregation after decades of segregatedschooling. HISD’sfirstmagnetschools opened in 1975, offeringthemedacademicprograms to studentsfromacrossthe district
Therefore,the proposed changesto theseprograms, includingthe relocation or phasingout of certain tracks, have drawnstrongresponses from families and communitymembers
Whatparentssaid
WhileMiles defendedthe measure, parentsand community membersargued againstit.
“We’redoingitinawaythatmakessense, andthatwillhelpusbecomewaymoreefficient,justlikeeveryotherindustryandbusiness in thecountry,” Miles said.“Wheatley kids should have accessto16programs, at least12.”
HISDexpectsitsenrollmentattheBJCC togrowfromits906studentstonearly4,000 in the2028-29 school year.Thecenterwill operate in shiftswith900 to 1,000 students on campus at atime.
What’sthe proposal?
Theproposalfollows afall2025 labor-market studythatanalyzedHouston-areaemploymentdatafromthe U.S. Bureau of LaborStatistics’ QuarterlyCensusofEmploymentandWages.Districtofficialsconcludedthatcareerstiedtothearts, audio-visual, andcommunicationscluster, includinggraphicdesignanddigitalmedia, did notmeetHISD’sthresholdsfor wages andemployerdemand.
As aresult, HISDrecommendedthat thoseprogramsbephasedout.Under the plan,the programs will closeone grade levelatatimebeginningin2026-27,allowingcurrent magnet students to complete their tracks, with thefinalclass graduating in 2029-30
ParentsarguedthatHISDdid not engage thecommunity in itsdecision-making processasthe information sessions organized by theschooldistrict were poorly attended They also expressed concerns abouttransportingtheir children to andfromtheir campusestoBJCC. They said thelogistics may coststudents their classroomand lunch time
AnthonyCollier,aspeaker,opposed theCTE overhaul plan andHISD’splan to expandits facilities with anew center on thesouthside,using $180 millionin lease-revenue bonds.
“It[CTEchanges]will forcestudents to spenduptoanhouronbuses twoto threetimes aweektoaccessclasses that areoftenalready availableoncampus,” Collier said,addingthe district should usethe moneytofixHVACissues instead.
Whileacknowledging that providing more opportunitiesfor students through BJCC “isagreat idea,”parents said it should notrequirereducingexistingpathways at localschools
“Engagementstartsbeforedecisions are made,informingcommunities earlyand bringing together arepresentativegroup of parentsand teachers to meet periodicallytodiscuss options, gather input, and shapeaplanthatfits theirschool, working together towardssuccessfulimplementation,” said KimHoyle,aparent.
HISDdisagreed.
GillianQuinn, HISD’sexecutive directorofCTE, said thedistrictaccommodatedextensive communityfeedback, including300+ businesspartners, 560 parent surveys, leadershipfromthe 10 schools, andcommunity meetings
InFocus DN
Fact Check:
Fiction
A serial killer is
Why are Black Men Leading Houston’s Rising Body Count?
By ReShonda Tate
The discovery of a Black man’s body in a Houston bayou on Jan. 6, the first recovery of the year, has renewed public scrutiny of a troubling pattern unfolding across the city’s waterways.
As officials work to dispel viral claims of a serial killer, data shows Black men make up more than half of those found dead in local bayous, fueling community demands for answers beyond social media speculation
The victim, identified by his mother on socialmediaas32-year-oldKeyoKingsley,was foundfullyclothedwithnoimmediatesignsof trauma accordingtoinvestigatorswhobelieve he had been in the water only a short time Kingsley’s death comes amid a sharp rise in bayou recoveries. Records from the Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office show 35 bodies were pulled from Houston’s bayous in 2025, matching the tota from 2024 and marking a significant increase from previous years, when annual counts typically ranged from 12 to 20.
The racial disparity
Themostdisturbingaspectoftheserecoveriesistheracialbreakdown.Accordingtothe
City of Houston Forensics Department the victims found in the bayous are overwhelmingly Black men—a fact that stands in stark contrast to the city’s overall population
2025
15
uponlyapproximately22%ofHouston’stota population Despite representing less than a quarter of the city, Black men are leading the body count in the bayous
FormerCityCouncilwomanLetitiaPlummer, a mother of three Black boys notes that the “body count” isn’t just a number—it’s a demographic crisis
“African-American men are leading in the deaths,” Plummer said in a recent interview “In 2025, I feel like there are mostly African-American men out of the 35. That is something that I do believe should be a conversationeitherfromapublichealthperspective or an urban research perspective.”
Plummersaysthecityneedstoaddressthe environmentalfactorsthatmakethesespaces death traps for some “Iwouldliketoknowpersonally asamom of three boys, why so many Black men are being found in the bayous,” she said
Rumors vs. reality
The sheer frequency of the discoveries—fourbodies in a recent two-week period—has fueled a “true crime” frenzy online. TikTok theorists and Facebook sleuths have been quick to link the cases, creating a climate of fear that city leaders are working overtime to suppress
“Thereisnothing,nothing,andIwanttobe crystalclear,toindicatethatthereissomeone operating here as a serial killer,” said Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare. “There are many reasons for these deaths None of them are a serial killer.”
Plummeragreesthattheforensicevidence doesn’t support the “Boogeyman” narrative, noting that serial killings usually involve
signaturesorsimilaritiesthatareabsenthere
Instead,sheattributesthevisibilityofthebodies to environmental factors
“Duringthesummertime thewaterinthe bayou was really low, so it was easy to see the bodies,” Plummer explained “Finding them back-to-back has been the challenge, but the medical examiners have assured me there is no serial killer.”
However, for the families of the deceased the “no foul play” determination is often a bitter pill to swallow when 40% of bayou casessince2017remainclassifiedas“undetermined.”Withoutaclearcauseofdeath,rumors fill the vacuum of information
A lethal landscape
If there is no killer what is claiming these lives?Officialspointtoa“multifaceted”crisis involving homelessness, mental health, and the physical danger of Houston’s 2,500-mile bayou system.
The bayous serve a dual purpose: They are beautiful greenways for recreation but they are primarily massive flood mitigation tools designed to move water rapidly.
“The purpose of the bayou is to collect water, which means water rises very rapidly, and there’s a very deep undercurrent there,” Plummer warned “Falling in there could be dangerousbecausesometimesit’sverydifficult to get back to the top.”
The lack of infrastructure in certain stretches of the bayous—specifically those running through underserved neighborhoods—exacerbates the risk Many areas lack adequate lighting, emergency call boxes, or water-leve sensors.
The call for a ‘Safety Czar Plummer is proposing a radical shift in howthecityandcountymanagethesewaterways She is calling for the appointment of a “safety czar,” specifically suggesting an
Fact
Fiction
The
Fiction
“Undetermined”
Thirty-five bodies were recovered in or near Houstonarea bayous in
Credit: Getty Images vehicles that have yet to be discovered For now, the wait for justice—or even just an answer—remains long Autopsies in Harris County can take six to seven months Unti thoseresultscomein familieslikeKeyo Kingsley’s are left in a painful limbo caught between official denials and the undeniable reality of a rising body count.
African-American male for the role to better understand how Black communities interact with these spaces.
“I think that if we had a safety czar that couldkindofbringal thesegroupstogether... we can at least let the public know and keep them abreast of what’s going on so the information isn’t so delayed and incomplete,” she said
The responsibility is currently divided among the City of Houston, Harris County Flood Control, the Parks Board, and private entities, such as the Kinder Foundation This bureaucracy, Plummer argues, leads to a lack of accountability.
Waiting for answers
Whilethecitypushesbackagainsttheserial killer narrative, the human cost continues to climb.TimMillerofTexasEquuSearchbelieves the count could be even higher, suggesting more bodies may be trapped in submerged
“Until we know if it’s drugs or alcohol or whatever that causation is I believe that as people of color, we need to look a bit deeper into that,” Plummer said
Bayou recoveries by the numbers
ThefollowingdatafromtheHarrisCounty ForensicsOfficeillustratesthesteadyincrease in bodies recovered from the bayou system over the last decade
Fiction
The
Fact
Fiction
The
Every recovery undergoes a complete autopsy, and the District Attorney’s office maintains a dedicated cold case squad for unresolved files.
Mildred Amos (center) says her son Kino (far right) was the latest victim found in the bayou. Courtesy: Mildred Amos Facebook
Te’vion Quinton Antonio Bass, whose body was recovered from the San Jacinto River in 2022, is one of more than 60 victims found in Houston waterways in recent
Former City Councilmember Letitia Plummer (pictured at a press conference in 2025) has been working to dispe rumors of a serial killer.
Credit: ReShonda Tate
HOUSTON’S BAYOU DEATHS
Feature DN
Build a professional pipeline BLACKWOMENINMEDICINE
By Laura Onyeneho
Dr Ashley Patterson, founder of Phoenix Medical Center, has wanted a career in medicineforaslongasshecanremember.
Although she had no immediate family membersinmedicine,herpositiveexperiences withherpediatricianandherinnateinterestin scienceandcaringforotherssetheronthispath
It wasn’t until college, however, that she encounteredadevastatingandmotivatingforce, theconceptofhealthdisparities.
“Itjustblewmymindanddevastatedme thathappenstoBlackpeopleallthetime,”she recalls.
Thisrealizationfueledhercommitmentto medicine,pushinghertofocusonpreventative caretoaddresschronicillnessesdisproportionatelyaffectingtheBlackcommunity Patterson’s journey is a vivid example of a profoundnationalchallenge.BlackAmericans makeupabout13%oftheU.S.population,but only 7% of U.S. medical students are Black. Among those students, 61% are women. For aspiringBlackwomenphysicians,thepathto medicine is often steep, shaped by systemic barriers,financialhurdlesandalackofvisible rolemodels
In Houston, community leaders and healthcare executives are working to change those barriers by widening access to education, increasing mentorship opportunities andensuringrepresentationinmedicalspaces where Black women have historically been underrepresented.
Wanda Harris, senior vice president and Houston market president at VillageMD, has spentover25yearsinthehealthcareindustry SheseesthelackofBlackwomeninmedicine as a problem that starts long before medical school
“Inelementaryandhighschool,thefirstbarrier is visibility,” Harris says. “If you don’t see people who look like you in medicine, you’re lesslikelytopictureyourselfthere.”
Shepointstounder-resourcedschools,limitedaccesstoadvancedSTEMcoursesandstandardizedtestingasobstaclesthatcandiscourage youngstudentsearlyon
When students reach college or consider medical school, costs and admissions criteria cannarrowthefieldevenfurther.Thepriceof medicaleducationcaneasilyexceed$200,000 andadmissionsprocessesoftengiveweightto factors such as legacy connections or expensiveprepresourcesthatmanyfirst-generation studentslack.
Harrisbelievesthesolutionmuststartearlier
Through her non-profit Porter Billups LeadershipAcademy,sheconnectsfourthgraders through high school seniors with hands-on STEMexperiences,hospitalvisitsandmentorshipfromhealthcareprofessionalswhoshare theirculturalbackgrounds.
When people see someone who looks like them, they feel more comfortable sharing their concerns and fears.”
DR. LUTRICIA HARRISON
President of Houston Community College (HCC) Coleman College for Health Sciences
If you don’t see people who look like you in medicine, you’re less likely to picture yourself there.”
WANDA HARRIS Senior Vice President and Houston Market President at VillageMD
between patients and providers.
Harrison’s approach is focused on making healthcarecareersfinanciallyaccessible.
“I had to work and go to school because myfamilycouldn’tpayformyeducation,”she recalls.
Thatexperienceshapedhowshenowhelps students navigate career pathways that avoid overwhelmingdebt
AtHCCColeman,studentscanstartinhigh schoolwithdualcreditprograms,earnacertifiednursingassistant(CNA)licenseandbuild toward higher credentials like licensed vocational nurse (LVN), registered nurse (RN) or evenadvancedpracticedegrees.Hospitalsoften providetuitionreimbursement,allowingstudentstoadvancewithouttakingonlargeloans.
“Therearesomanyrolesinhealthcarethat people don’t think about,” Harrison says “It might be radiography, surgical technology, anesthesiatechnologyorjobsthatpaywellwith two-yeardegrees.Studentscanstartworking, getexperienceandgettheireducationpaidfor.” Harrisoncreditshersuccesstomentorswho encouraged her through advanced nursing training.Now,shemakesitapointtoserveas thatexampleforyoungerstudents.
Many of us are dedicated to mentoring or just being accessible to pre-med people, especially in a changing political landscape where diversity and inclusion initiatives are being challenged.”
DR.
ASHLEY
PATTERSON
Founder of Phoenix Medical Center
“Theyneedtoseepeoplewholooklikethem intheseroles,”shesays.
Thislackofvisiblerolemodelswasasignificant challenge for Patterson. She had to seek outresourcesspecificallyforstudentsofcolor. ThisledhertotheMinorityAssociationofPreHealthStudents(MAPS)inundergrad.
Through MAPS, she met a Black pediatricianwhobecamehermentor,helpinghernavigatethecomplexprerequisitesandapplication process.
“Iwasinherofficeoffandonforeightyears,” Pattersonsays,highlightingthesustainedguidanceshereceived.
Representationandtrustin patientcare
Dr.LutriciaHarrison,presidentofHouston CommunityCollege(HCC)ColemanCollege forHealthSciences,worksatthepointwhere studentsaredecidinghowtoenterthehealthcareworkforce.
Harrison’s passion for healthcare began in childhood;hermother,anurse,wastheprimary influencer She started her career in nursing,
ultimatelybecomingafamilynursepractitioner beforemovingintoeducationleadership
She says representation is not just about workforcediversity;itdirectlyimpactspatient care
“Peopletrustpeoplewhomthey’refamiliar with,” Harrison explains. “When patients see someonewholookslikethem,theyfeelmore comfortablesharingtheirconcernsandfears. Theyfeelvalued.”
This trust, she says, can lead to better healthoutcomesandastrongerconnection
“Iwanttobethatpersonwhoayounggirl canseeandsay,‘Icandothattoo,’”shesays “ Harrisuseshernetworktoconnectstudents with shadowing opportunities, internships and leadership exposure She emphasizes the importanceofsponsorshipandadvocatesfor studentsbehindcloseddoorsalongsidetraditionalmentorship.
Patterson is the secretary of the Houston Medical Forum (HMF), a chapter of the National Medical Association (NMA), an organizationforBlackphysicians.HMFoffers mentoringevents,mockinterviewsandopportunitiesforstudentstoconnectwithdoctors.
“Manyofusarededicatedtomentoringor justbeingaccessibletopre-medpeople,especiallyinachangingpoliticallandscapewhere diversity and inclusion initiatives are being challenged,Pattersonsays.“That’swhatIsought out.That’showIgotthrough.Theseorganizations provide essential, dedicated support for studentswhomaynotfinditelsewhere.”
CLASSIFIED
Spotlights HazelScott in ‘With Love From Harlem’ ReShonda Tate
ByAswadWalker
ReShondaTateisnostrangertobest-selling,award-winningliteraryworks.Still,she enteredhistoricalfictionassomethingofa newcomer.You wouldn’t know it by the reception to herfirstforay into thegenre, The QueenofSugar Hill,which brought long-overdue attentiontothe lifeofHattie McDaniel,the first Blackpersontowin an AcademyAward
With herlatestnovel,Tategoeseven further. With Love From Harlem immerses readersinthe culturalheartbeat of 1940s Harlem throughthe lifeofjazz prodigy, activist,and global star HazelScott—a womanwhose fame rivaled, andattimes surpassed, that of themosticonicnames in music.
Genius nearlyerased from history
“Thisisawoman Ididn’t know much about,”Tatesaid. “And once Ibegan researching,I’mlike,whydoesn’ttheworld know her?”
At theheight of hercareer, Scottwas a virtuosopianist,amagneticperformer,and agroundbreakingmedia figure.According toTate,shewas“thebiggeststarinthecountry, thebiggest jazz entertainer… rivaling Billie Holiday [and]Sarah Vaughanather time,” before heroutspoken activism ledto devastatingconsequences.
“She wasbasically erasedfromhistory becauseshedecidedtospeakout,”Tatesaid.
The cost ofspeaking truth to power
Scott’spolitical courage came at asteep price.Acivil rights pioneer, sherefused to remain silentinthe face of racismand inequality.Thatdefianceled toherbeinglabeledacommunistduringtheheightof Cold Warparanoia.
“Theydeemedher a communist andbasically ranher outofthe country,” Tate said.“It wasverydifficultforherbecauseshewas so vocal… andthentobe deemed acommunist in a countrythatyou were giving your allfor.”
Forced to leavethe U.S.,Scott foundrefugeand creative kinshipabroad.
“She endedupgoing to Pariswiththe likesofJames Baldwin, Billie Holiday, and LangstonHughes,”Tateexplained.“Andthey createda community there. Italk aboutall of that in thebook.”
Ancestralassist
While With Love From Harlem is deeply researched,Tatedescribes thewriting processasspirituallyguided.
“Hazelspoketomethroughoutthisjourney,”Tatesaid.
Thatguidance proved especiallyimportant when addressing themorecomplicated partsofScott’slife,includingherrelationship with Adam ClaytonPowellJr.,a famous HarlempastorandU.S.Congressman.
Tate initiallyhesitated to explorethat issuebecauseofthewell-knownrumors of infidelitywithone of thecountry’s well-knownBlackleaders.
“You know howyou don’twantto digupthe dirtonpeopleinour history,”shesaid
ButTatesaidScott insisted it wasimportant to show thesepeopleasraw,real, and relatable.
“TellingHazel’sstory meanttellingthe things shewasn’talwaysproud of,” Tate recalled from herancestral conversationwithScott, “because maybepeople won’trepeatthose same mistakes.”
Joysandchallenges
WhatTateenjoyedmostabout writing With Love From Harlem wasfullyinhabitingtheworldshe wasrecreating.
“AsI’m writing, Iwould play themusic.Ifelttransported,”she said.“Thecommunity of that time wassomethingthatIwish wecouldgetbacktoday… Ifeltthecommunityinwritingandresearchingthisbook.”
As alongtimejournalistand currentmanagingeditorofThe Defender,Tateadmits historical fictionrequiredamindsetshift.
“Everythinginmybooks is rooted in fact,” sheexplained,“but youhavetokindofchangesome timelinesaround.Andthatwaskind ofdifficultbecauseI’majournalist.”
OneexampleinvolvedScott’smentorship ofNinaSimone
“Iwantedthattobepartofthebook,”Tate said,“butthatdidn’t happen untilafterthe timelineofmybook.So,Ihadtoadjustand be creative with thetimelineofhistory,and that’swherethefictioncomesin.”
Readertakeawaysandcritics praise
Tateisclearaboutherultimategoal
“I want readers to have athirst to say, ‘Who else don’tI know about?’” shesaid. “I wantthemtowant tolearnmore.”
Andreader sa re already doingjust that
“OneofthebiggestthingsIloveispeople saying,‘Iwentdownarabbitholeofresearch.’ Thattellsyouthatyou’vedoneyourjob.”
Thenovelhasearnedstrongearlyacclaim NewYorkTimesbest-sellingauthorSadeqa Johnsoncallsit“vibrant,richlydetailed,and emotionallyresonant,”addingthatit“illuminatesaremarkablewoman whoselegacy deservestobeknownbyall.”
Reader WhitneyDaniell praisedthe immersive qualityofthe writing, saying it makesyoufeel“likeyou’rerightthereinthe roomwithBillieHoliday,LangstonHughes, andothericons.”
Nationwidetour
To promotethe book,Tateisembarking on a28-city tour beginninginHarlemat Abyssinian BaptistChurch, wherePowell Jr.oncepastored.
“Thatiswherewehaveourinitialbook launchonJan.24,”Tatesaid.
In conjunctionthe grandopening of theEdisonCulturalArtsCenter on Jan. 27,Tateishosting aHouston booklaunch
Thenextday,TatewillbeinKaty, TX,tocut theribbonona brandnewBarnes&Noblebeforeheading toAustinandbeyond.
Formoreinformation visitwww. ReShondaTate.com
Sports DN
TremaineJackson
Prairie View A&M’sgamble pays off
ByTerranceHarris
PrairieViewA&M athletic director AntonGoffstill chuckles when he thinks abouthow ahotel shortage ledhim to the coachwhowouldhelptransformPanthers football
During the2023 season,Prairie View traveledeasttoTallahassee, Florida, to face Florida A&M forthe Rattlers’ homecoming. With no nearby hotelcapable of accommodating thePanthers’ full travel party, theteamwas forced to stay nearly 90 minutes away in Valdosta,Georgia
That inconvenience proved pivotal.
Drivingthrough Valdosta,Goffnoticed abillboardforValdostaStatefootball.Curiosity kicked in. Alittleresearchrevealed theBulldogs’headcoach wasTremaine Jackson—aHoustonnative,formerTexas Southern player andassistant coach, and arisingnameleadingone of DivisionII’s most successful programs.
At thetime, PrairieViewhad no coachingvacancy.ThePantherswereinthemiddleofaSWACWesttitle rununder Bubba McDowell.Goffsimplyfiledthenameaway in hismentalRolodex.
“Iwasn’tthinkingaboutTremaineJacksonatall,”Goffsaid.“Iwasfocusedonwhat we were doing.”
Ayearlater,everythingchanged Followingadisappointing season,Goff made thedifficult decisiontomoveon from McDowell.Suddenly,Prairie View wasinthe market fora newheadcoach —andGoffrememberedthenamehehad tucked away during that long busride in Georgia.
Through back channels, Goff reached outtoJackson,whose Valdosta Stateteam hadjustcompleted an undefeatedregular season andwas deep in theDivisionII playoffs. Goff wascareful nottobecomea distraction,buttheinterestquicklybecame mutual
Late-nightphonecallsfollowed.Atfirst, they talked footballphilosophy. Thenlife —raisingdaughters,leadership,andbeing membersofdifferentfraternitiesthatshare thesame1911 foundingyear.
“Wegot to thepoint whereweweren’t even talkingabout thejob,” Goff said.“We were just talking.”
ButGofflikes to play cardsfaceup, so he showedJackson hishand.
“I told him, ‘You’remyguy.If youwant this job, I’mgoing to offerittoyou,’”Goff said.“Hetoldme,‘ADGoff,you’remyguy too.’Hehad alreadytoldhis agenthewas taking this joband nottomessitup. He wantedtocomehome.Hefeltlikewecould
do somethingspecial.”
They agreed to gamble on each other.
AndlastJanuary,Jackson wasintroduced asthePanthers’newcoach.Withinseconds ofhisintroduction,Jacksontoldthemedia andalumniinattendanceofhisimmediate
plan to theSWACWest, SWAC Championship,and then onto Atlantafor theCelebration Bowl
Oneyearlater,thatgamblehas paid off in historic fashion.
Firstand foremost, Ithink he didaheckof ajob.Iknewhewould do agreat job here.I hadno doubt.That’s whyIhired him, theman.”
fer
PRAIRIEVIEWADANTON GOFF ON TREMAINE JACKSON
In hisfirst season,Jackson ledPrairie ViewtoaSWACWesttitle,aSWACchampionship,the program’sfirst Celebration Bowl appearance,and itsfirst 10-win season.Aprogramoncefightingforrelevance hassuddenly become ablueprint forwinningatanHBCUintheNIL,revenue-sharing, andtransferportalera Jacksonwastednotimereshaping the roster,aggressivelyattacking thetransferportaland bringing in more than 70 playerswhile retainingkey holdovers. He’sdoingitagainthisoffseason,with PrairieViewnow viewed as adestination rather than arebuildingstop.
“Whenyou’re10-4,wontheSWAC andplayedinthe national championship game,you’rea lotmoreattractive than when you’re 5-7, andthe coachgets fired,”Jackson told theDefender aheadof theJan.2transferportalopening. “People
arealready reachingout.Wejusthaveto be readyfor theattraction.”
Fromdayone,Jacksonsaidhisgoalwas to dominatethe SWAC,thenHBCUfootball,and eventually competewiththe FCS elite.Evenafteraheartbreakingfour-overtimelosstoSouthCarolinaStateintheCelebration Bowl,thatvisionhasn’twavered.
“Itoldeverybodywe’llbeback,”Jackson said.“Idon’tcarewho’sbeenhiredorwhat playerspeoplehave—wewillbeback,and we’llbeready to win.”
Goff,meanwhile,understands exactly whatwasatstakewhenhemadethechange.
“I prayed over it.I prayed with Bubba,” Goff said.“We stilltalk.But in my heart, I knewIneededtomakeachange.Thiswas aboutthe business.”
HiringJacksonmeantbettingonabrash, confidentyoung coachmakingthe jump fromDivisionIItoFCS—amovethatcan defineorderailanathleticdirector’scareer.
“A lotofADs areeitherpraised or fired basedonfootballhires,” Goff said.“It’s themostvisible sport. Everymovegets scrutinized.”
In hisfirst season at thehelm, TremaineJacksonled the Panthers to theSWACChampionship,a Celebration Bowl appearance, andthe program’sfirst 10-win season Credit:Prairie View A&MAthletics.
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Sports DN
Richmond Randle
Falls short in title rematch, learns a valuable lesson
ByJimmieAggison
WhenRichmondRandlefacedSouthOak CliffforasecondtimeintheUIL5ADivision IIStateChampionshipgame,manyexpected theLionstowalkawayasback-to-backchampions. As the night unfolded at AT&T Stadium, however, fate had a different ending in store, as Randle would lose to South Oak Cliff35-19.
Insideaquietlockerroom,theLionsconfronted a reality they hadn’t faced since Nov. 24, 2023, a loss. What followed wasn’t panic or finger-pointing, but something far more revealing: The first true test of how a championshipprogramrespondstoadversity.
Immediately after the game, head coach Brian Randle understood the emotions his playerscarriedastheyreturnedtothelocker room Asheconsoledthem,heremindedthe teamthatthismomentdidnotdefineRandle football
“Chin up, this is life,” said Randle “The beautiful thing about football is all the life lessons you learn. You win, you lose, you get up. The biggest thing is to keep pushing and keepgoingforward.”
PriortotherematchwithSouthOakCliff, theLionshadbeenridinga31-gamewinning streak That streak came to an end at AT&T StadiumonTexashighschoolfootball’sbiggest stage,andrawemotionfilledthelockerroom asplayersbeganprocessingtheloss.
“We didn’t accomplish what we were
supposed to,” said Landen Williams-Callis, Randle’sfive-starrunningback
Three-star middle linebacker and TCU commitNoriel“Pac-Man”Dominguezoffered encouragement even as emotions were still rawduringthegame
“Iremindedthemwe’vebeendownbefore,” saidDominguez “Wethoughtwecouldmake acomeback Itriedtomaintaintheenergyon defenseandcheckinwithmyteammates.As adefense,webelievedwecouldgetastopand dowhatweneededtodo.”
Dominguezisnostrangertomotivational moments. During the Lions’ 2024–2025 title run, he was forced to sit out due to transfer rules. Although he couldn’t play, he never let that setback affect the positive energy he broughttohisteammatesonthesidelines.
TheRandlefootballprogramhasbeenbuilt towithstandsetbacks.Sometimesthingsdon’t goyourway,butbeliefanddisciplinearewhat carryteamsthroughdifficulttimes.
“The devil is in the details, but tonight we werenotdetail-oriented,”saidRandle “When you’reusedtohavingalotofsuccess,youbegin toexpectthingstohappenautomatically.”
Randlemovedtheballonseveraldrives,but lapses in discipline proved costly. The Lions were flagged for eight penalties totaling 45 yardsandthrewtwointerceptions,oneinthe thirdquarterandanotherlaterinthegame
“Wegotoutcoached,youknow,wegotoutcoached,”saidRandle
“This is just life Football is life,” said Dominguez. “You can’t complain We did what we could. We came out here, tried to do what we do, but there are going to be times when you think you have the upper hand and you fall short That’s just life. Don’t take every L as a loss; take it as a learning experience That’s a lesson.”
Junior running back Amari Louisville saidhelearnedtheimportanceofdiscipline bywatchingtheteam’sveteranshandlethe moment
“During the off-season, we were locked in, but during this week, we didn’t stay locked in,” said Louisville.
That Richmond Randle standard was established long before this championship run. After winning the UIL 5A Division II state title in 2024, the Lions became the program every opponent wanted to dethrone That success brought pressure and significant turnover Randle lost 34 seniorsandfivecoachesfollowingthetitle season
“You don’t want people to think everything’s a fluke,” said Randle. “So getting back to the state championship game was important. But winning it would’ve been the icing on the cake We just fell short.”
Evenindefeat,theprogram’sfoundation remainsintact Dominguezhopesyounger playerswilltakethisexperienceasmotivation moving forward.
“Take it as fuel for the fire,” said Dominguez. “Next year, go win one. Do what we couldn’t do We fell short and lost, but your season starts right now when we get on the bus.”
Senior wide receiver Cedrick McClintock echoedthosesentiments.
“Knowthefeeling,”saidMcClintock “You seeitfirsthand.Hopefully,theyseehowitfeels and have a chip on their shoulder, the same way South Oak Cliff did and came out and gotthedubbecausewebeatthemlastyear.”
Coach Randle accepted full responsibility fortheloss.
“November2023wasthelasttimewelost afootballgame,”saidcoachRandle.“Weleft alotoutthere.Tonightwassimilar Welefta lot out there. We didn’t throw the playbook atthem.Wedidn’thavetheboysreadytogo Coach Todd had their boys ready to go, and wedidn’t Itakefullresponsibilityfortheloss.”
With Williams-Callis returning for his seniorseason,hisoffseasonmindsetisalready evident.
“Everyday,allday,I’mworking,”saidWilliams-Callis. “I’m not doing no playing. The whole team, I’m going to make them work too.”
Foraprogrambuiltonbelief,theresponse mattersmorethantheoutcome.
“We have 14 kids coming back next year, sowe’llbeback Wejustranoutofgas.It’son me It’soncoachRandle,”saidRandle
Richmond Randle walks to the locker room down 28-10 at halftime during the UIL 5A Division II football State Championship game against South Oak Cliff. Credit: Jimmie Aggison/Defender
DN Health
FeelingOkayDoesn’t Mean Everything’sOkay.
ByERICNEZERWA,MD
Someofthe most serioushealth changes canfeel likenothingatfirst. Blood pressure cancreep up without symptoms. Cholesterol canbuildin your arteries quietly. Blood sugar can rise overtime, and youmay not know it without alab test.Ifyou’renoticing newaches, tiredness youcan’t get over, or getting winded moreeasily,a condition mayhavebeen developing in the background.
The best waytocatchproblemslike theseearly is by scheduling avisit even when youfeel OK.Waiting forsymptoms canmakecarefeel morecomplicated and moreinvasive versus catching and intervening on diseasesearly.
If you’ve been putting off awellness checkup,you’renot alone. Apast bad experience, concern about cost, or a packedschedule canmakeiteasy to wait. If youhavebeen delaying your care,now is thetimetoschedule your annual wellness visit,which will give you aclear,morecompletepictureof your health goingintothisnew year
Whattoexpectatyourvisit What to expec
Youand your doctorstart with the basics andfocus on what matters mostright now. It beginswithyou describing what you’ve noticedlately, like changesinenergy,sleep,breathing, pain, or weight.Iffamilyhistory has been on your mind, sayso. It’s also a good time to reviewyourmedications andcheck whether you’re due forany immunizations.
Your doctorwill check your blood pressure andother vitalsigns, then explainwhatthe numbersmeanfor you. Theymay recommend labworkthat looksatheart and diabetes risk.They mayalso discuss screeningtests based on your ageand risk,suchascolon cancer screening or amammogram
Don’twait forahealthissue to pick thetimingfor you. With 45+KelseySeyboldClinic locationsacross Greater Houston,you canfind an appointment that worksfor you– includingsame-day options. Schedule
Eric Nezerwa, MD Eric Nezerwa, MD,isa board-certifiedfamily medicine and primary care physicianwho cares forpatientsatKelseySeybold’sSouth Shore Harbour Clinic.