To the POINT DN
Bad Bunny led a cultural moment during Super Bowl LX while GOP protesters are blocking the building of new ICE prisons, and people debate whether Trump’s derogatory post of the Obamas is newsworthy or not
Credit: Kevin C. Cox/ Getty Images.
Community Reporter’s Message
Good Bunny
While the “Alt Wrong” alternative halftime show played somewhere else, Bad Bunnyrecreatedhishomeland,PuertoRico, in his Super Bowl halftime show. In doing so,hecelebratedhis“cultura,”gaveaglobal roll call, and declared, “Mi Patria Puerto Rico, seguimos aquí” (translation: “My homeland Puerto Rico, we are still here”). Healsobroughtoutallthe“gente”(people): Celebrities,nieces&nephews,homies,tios y tias (uncles and aunts), abuelos y abuelas (grandparents),streetvendors,sugarcanefieldworkers,and more And all while jamming. The recent Grammy winner for album of the year also featured a young boy watching the Grammy telecast on TV as Bad Bunny handed him a Grammy statuette. Some said that was a shout-out to Liam Ramos,thefive-year-oldwhowasdetainedbyICEinTexas with his father And yes, the wedding depicted during the showwasreal Theunnamedhusbandandwifehadinvited BadBunnytotheirwedding,butheinvitedthemtohis“little show”instead.HisshowendedwithBadBunnyholdingup thefootballwithamessage:“Theonlythingmorepowerful thanhateislove.”Andalmostoncue,y’all’spresidentposted onLieAnti-Socialthattheshowwas“absolutelyterrible,one of the worst, EVER!” Good Bunny.
ICE hot red rage
madness.It’stherealizationthatICEiskillingwhitefolk(ReneeGoodandAlexPretti) asifthey’reBlackfolk.So,inRedstateslike Oklahoma, Utah, Mississippi, Arizona, Georgia, and others, they’re blocking ICE from buying new prisoner space In Red city, Roxbury Township in New Jersey, Republican protesters forced their all-Republican town council to block ICE from securing a half-million square-foot warehouse. In the Red city (Hutchins) of the Red state (Texas), the mayor publicly said ICE won’t be allowed to build there. Same thing in Orange County,NY,whichisjustasall-whiteasRoxburyTownship andHutchins.Doesthismeanthesedie-hardGOPmembers will vote with the majority of U.S. voters on issues come November? I doubt it But on this issue of law enforcement killingthemlikethey’reus,whiteRepublicansarenothaving it The majority of Black GOP members, however, are still down for whatever Trump says and does.
Is Trump’s racist post news?
You know those ugly, huge, pre-fab warehouse building complexes that are popping up everywhere? The federal governmentistryingtobuythemupleftandrighttouseas immigrantdetentionfacilitiestoday,andforwhoknowswhat tomorrow In the existing prison camps, Trump is already incarcerating over 73,000 people—a national record. The Trump administration wants to build 23 more, with space to incarcerate between 5,000 – 10,000 people each But in states across the country, Republican voters are saying hell no to these mini concentration camps. Even though Red communities have a long history of celebrating the building of prisons in their towns because of the jobs they bring, these die-hard Republicans are refusing to be home to this
Folks are losing their minds over the fact that a sitting U.S. president made a social media post depicting former PresidentBarackObamaandourforeverFirstLadyMichelle Obamaasmonkeys.And,yes,that’saprettyfoulmove Still, whyonGod’sred,black,andgreeneartharewesurprised?As Grits&EggspodcasthostDeanteKylerecentlyposted,“Who givesa(care)aboutthisni@@abeingracist?Thisni@@aput ahitoutonfiveboysinthe90s.TheCentralParkFive;heput ahitoutonthemni@@asinthenewspaper.So,Trumpbeing racist is not shocking or newsworthy Him being a 34-time convictedfelonwhoisalsoallegedlyapartofasex-trafficking ring [and] a pedophile... that’s news ni@@a!”
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Aswad Walker
Amanda Edwards suspends March 3 campaign, remains on the ballot
ByTannistha Sinha
Former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards has announced she is suspending her campaign for the March 3 primary,eventhoughhernamewillremain on the ballot
In a social media post on Feb. 9, Edwards said she is stepping back from active campaigning but reaffirmed her commitment to community advocacy and voter registration.
She has not formally endorsed another candidate in the race and did not detail future electoral plans.
“Although my name will appear on the March2026Primaryballot,Ihavedecided to suspend my campaign for Congress,” Edwardswrote.“Mycommitmenttoserving and advocating for the community remains unchanged…As we all know, too muchisatstaketodisengagefromthefight
for healthcare, economic stability, and our democracy.ThatiswhyIhopeyouwilljoin measIrelaunchourDoSomethingHoustonVoterRegistrationInitiative,sowecan win the midterm elections and deliver for our community again.”
Edwards had positioned her campaign on expanding health care access and economic opportunities for Houstonians.
In her post, she reiterated that these priorities remain at the core of her public work, even if she is not actively campaigning for the 18th Congressional District seat
March 3 ballot
In the March 3 primaries, Edwards’ name will be placed alongside Congressmen Al Green and Christian Menefee, and Gretchen Brown on the Democratic side On the Republican side, voters will see Elizabeth Vences and Ronald Dwayne Whitfield on the ballot
These candidates are seeking a full twoyear term starting in January 2027.
They will be running for the 18th CongressionalDistrictredrawnbyHouseBill4 during the 89th legislative session.
Texas’ mid-decade redistricting plans were signed into law in August 2025. The new maps were challenged in court and upheld for use in the 2026 elections.
Early voting for the March 3 elections begins Feb. 17.
What happened before this?
The 18th Congressional District had gone nearly a year without representation sincethedeathsofCongresswomanSheila JacksonLeeandthenCongressmanSylvester Turner
Texas GOP Gov. Greg Abbott did not schedule the first round of voting until November 2025.
IntheNovember2025specialelections, Menefee, a former Harris County Attorney,andEdwardswerethetoptwofinishers among 16 candidates
Both fell short of the 50% threshold. Edwards came in second in the special
election to Menefee, garnering 25.6% of the vote, while Menefee received 28.9%. Bothcandidatesthenheadedtoarunoff Menefee won the runoff in January, receiving 68.4% of the vote compared to Edwards, who received 31.6% of the vote He was sworn in on Feb. 2.
Since winning the Houston City Council At-large Position 4 in 2015, where she servedfrom2016to2020,Edwardsranfor the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Texas in 2020 but lost.
She ran again in the 2024 Congressional District 18 March primaries, but lost to Sheila Jackson Lee.
Edwards also briefly ran in the 2023 Houston mayoral election but withdrew her candidacy.
Now, a new campaign round begins for theMarch3primariesunderthenewmaps
As the March 3 primary approaches, Edwards’ decision adds another unexpected turn to a race already reshaped by redistrictingandayearofpoliticalupheaval in the 18th Congressional District.
Low voter turnout plagues District 18 runoff
ByTannisthaSinha
While former Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee won the special runoff election for Texas’ 18th Congressional District, the story of the electionwasitsextraordinarilylowturnout,in
a district with a 31.5% Black and 44% Hispanicvoterpopulation
With 423,945 registered voters in CD-18, only 23,732 ballots were cast, meaning fewer than 6% of voters participated in choosing their next congressman.
Per Fair Vote, a nonpartisan organization workingonelections, thisisnormalforrunoffelections,witha69%declineintheTX-18 runoffs.
“Bothelectionwinnersreceivedfewervotes intherunoffthanthegeneralelection–effectively defeating the purpose of the runoff,” a FairVotereportssays.
Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth warnedvotersofthelowturnoutbeforeElectionDay.
“About800,000residentsliveinDistrict18. Ofthat800,000,morethan400,000areregistered,andlessthan20,000haveactuallycasta ballotduringearlyvoting,”Hudspethsaid “So thisisanalerttowakeupandcastyourballot because tomorrow is the last opportunity to
do so in the congressional district 18 runoff election.”
ARiceUniversitystudycallslowvoterturnout a “perennial concern” in Harris County, notingthat20ZIPcodeshavefewerthan80% oftheireligiblevotersregistered.
Whytheapathy?
Election officials and political observers point to several factors contributing to voter disengagement,includingweatherconditions thatledtoearly-votingclosures,lawsuitsseekingextendedvotingdays,redistrictingconfusion,andthetimingoftheelection
Special election runoffs may have particularly low turnout, according to Fair Vote, because they are scheduled on days without other elections, with low turnout and high costs being a staple of runoffs, whether they arespecialelectionsorregularlyscheduled.
ForFelisaWilson,aretiredmilitaryveteran, theelectiontiminghashadahugeimpact
“Thedistrictthatyouwereinfordecades, grewupin,thatrepresentsyouandyourpeople,yourfriends,yourfamily,yourchurch,all ofasudden…you’reoutofyourdistrict,oryou don’tknow,”saidWilson.“Itthrowseveryone intoconfusion.Itangerspeoplebecauseitwas unnecessary.”
Edwards
Hudspeth
Houston’s congressional seat is filled, but the real headline is how few voters showed up. Credit: Getty Images
Is Trump’s administration racist?
ByReShondaTate
The question of whether Donald Trump’s actions are motivated by racism has moved fromthefringesofpoliticalcommentarytothe centerofanationalfirestorm.InearlyFebruary2026,aseriesofevents-rangingfromthe snubbing of the nation’s only Black governor toadehumanizingsocialmediapost-hasleft bothcriticsandalliesgrapplingwithafamiliar, yetincreasinglysharp,controversy.
ThesnubofWesMoore
The latest friction began when Maryland Governor Wes Moore, the nation’s only current Black governor and the Vice Chair of the National Governors Association (NGA), revealedhehadbeen“uninvited”fromthetraditionalbipartisandinnerattheWhiteHouse.
While the event has historically served as a bridge between the federal government and stateleadersofbothparties,thisyear’sguestlist appearedtoundergoapartisanscrub.
Governor Moore did not mince words, callingtheexclusiona“blatantdisrespectand a snub to the spirit of bipartisan federal-state partnership.”
“Asthenation’sonlyBlackgovernor,Ican’t ignore that being singled out for exclusion fromthisbipartisantraditioncarriesanadded weight—whether that was the intent or not,” Mooresaidinastatement.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the criticism with a direct assertion of executiveprivilege.
“These are White House events and the president can invite whomever he wants,” Leavittstated.
Shelatersuggestedthatthedecisionwasnot personalorracial,notingthatMoore“didnot show up ” to the previous year’s dinner. However, the move prompted a historic boycott: All18Democraticgovernorsannouncedthey wouldskipthedinnerinsolidaritywithMoore andColoradoGovernorJaredPolis,whowas alsoexcluded.
The“Ape”memeandthestaffer defense
TheMoorecontroversyarrivedontheheels ofanevenmoreexplosiveincident.OnFeb.6, PresidentTrump’ssocialmediaaccountshared avideothatdepictedformerPresidentBarack ObamaandformerFirstLadyMichelleObama asapes Thevideo,settothetuneof“TheLion
Sleeps Tonight,” was viewed by millions and stayedupfor12hoursbeforebeingremoved.
“Most of us already know who Donald Trump is,” said Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett “We already know there are no bounds to how low he’s willing to go We knowthathehasnomoralcompass.Weknow that he is a disgrace So while his behavior is notshocking,itiscertainlydisgustinganddisturbing. But when will it be enough for those whocontinuetostandbesidehim?Whenwill RepublicansinCongresscondemnhisbehavior?Yoursilenceiscomplicity anditisvery loud.”
While the NAACP called the video “blatantly racist, disgusting, and utterly despicable,” the internal reaction from Republicans wasnotablydifferentfrompastepisodes.The imagery, a historic racist trope used to dehumanize Black Americans, triggered a rare public condemnation from Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC),astaunchTrumpally “Prayingitwas fakebecauseit’sthemostracistthingI’veseen out of this White House,” Scott wrote on X. “ThePresidentshouldremoveit.”
While maintaining support for Trump’s
policies, The Black Conservative Federation issuedararerebuke,callingtheimagery“unacceptable,offensive,andindefensible.”
The White House blamed the post on an unnamedstaffer,adefensethePresidenthimself echoed Trump told reporters he “didn’t see the entire video” and only watched the firstpart,whichfocusedonhisclaimsofvoter fraud. “No, I didn’t make a mistake,” Trump said when asked for an apology. “I looked at thebeginningofit Itwasfine.”
Ahistoryofconfrontation
For many, these incidents are not isolated “lapses” but part of a long-standing pattern. Criticspointbacktotheverystartofhispoliticalrise:
1973:TheJusticeDepartmentsuedTrump and his father, Fred Trump, for housing discriminationagainstBlacktenants.
1989: Trump took out full-page ads callingforthedeathpenaltyfortheCentralPark Five, five teenagers of color who were later exonerated.
2015:Helaunchedhiscampaignbyclaiming Mexicowassending“criminals”and“rapists.”
2017: The implementation of a travel ban targetingseveralmajority-Muslimcountries.
2024: Called African nations sh*thole countries.
Trump also maintains a lack of interest in racialdiversitywhenstaffinghisadministration and the judiciary, as about 90 percent of his nomineesforeachhavebeenwhite.Notoneof Trump’sjudgesthistermhasbeenanAfrican Americanwoman.
Thepoliticalscaffolding
PoliticalanalystssuggestthatasTrump’spoll numbersfluctuateonpolicyissuesliketheeconomyorimmigration,theseflashpointsserveto energizehiscorebase Byframingthebacklash as “fake outrage,” a phrase frequently used by KarolineLeavitt,theadministrationpivotsthe conversationawayfromracialsensitivitytoward abattleagainst“politicalcorrectness.”
While allies like CJ Pearson argue there is “notaracistboneinPresidentTrump’sbody” andpointtotheFirstStepActandHBCUfunding as proof of his commitment to the Black community,thecumulativeweightofhisrhetoriccontinuestodefinehispresidency
Credit: Getty
Feature DN
Houston Black History: Where to go
By Aswad Walker
WherecanHoustoniansgotolearnabout Blackhistoryisarelevantandpressingquestion This is especially true when realizing that the teaching of Black history is under attackinTexasandacrosstheUnitedStates.
Texas has enacted laws and policies designed to restrict how racism and Black history are taught in schools, including efforts aimed at banning so-called “critical race theory” and limiting discussions of slavery and systemic racism.
At the federal level, similar moves have included reduced funding for schools inaccurately accused of teaching CRT (a subject only taught in a minority of law schools), banning books by Black authors, andremovingoreditinghistoricaldisplays at institutions such as the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, national parks, and military cemeteries.
YetlongbeforeBlackhistorywasformally includedinK-12orcollegecurricula,itwas beingrecorded,shared,andtaughtbycommunitiesdeterminedtopreserve“ourstory.” Our ancestors made a way.
Thisyearmarksthe100thanniversaryof BlackHistoryMonth(originallyNegroHistoryWeek),foundedbyCarterG.Woodson in 1926, and the 50th anniversary of PresidentGeraldFord’sformalnationalrecognition of Black History Month in 1976. Even beforethat,formallyandself-trainedBlack scholars were documenting Pan-African struggles during eras marked by lynchings and sharecropping.
Today, many Houstonians refuse to let present-day challenges stop them from learning, teaching, and honoring Black history. Across the city, there are multiple spaces—formal and informal—where Black history is alive and accessible.
Museums and art exhibits
Houston-based artist Reginald Adams teaches Black history through murals and artistic renderings that have gainedinternationalattention. Oneofhismostnotableworks istheJuneteenthmural, Absolute Equality, in Galveston.
Reflecting on its meaning, Adams said, “ForenslavedBlacksinTexas,youcouldn’t have told them that at some point they would be on the side of a wall… It told me we have come a long way since 1865, and yet we have so much more work to be done because of the social and racial inequitiesthatareadirectresultofinstitutional slavery.”
Museums also provide powerful entry points. Veteran Donald Sparks recalls
discovering the Buffalo Soldiers National MuseuminitsoriginallocationintheThird Ward in 1991.
“I’d been in the Army three years but never knew the legacy and history of Black troops,”Sparkssaid “Thismuseumopened my eyes, and I steadfastly learned more aboutourhistoryindefendingthisnation.”
StaceyAllenisallaboutcelebratingBlack history through the arts.
“Dance and music have always been ancestralformsofcommunicationforBlack communities,” said Allen, founder of Nia’s DaughtersMovementCollective “Wecreate opportunitiesforaudiencesacrosstheGulf Coast to learn Black history by centering Texas Freedom Colonies, performance, education, and my children’s book D is for Dance: Dancing Through the Diasporaascriticalinterventions against erasure.”
Thisyear,Allen’sorganization is preparing for the 2nd Annual Official Juneteenth Return, a pilgrimage to Galveston rooted in land, memory, and liberation Allen also choreographed Suite Ms. Jewel for Houston Contemporary Dance,honoringthelifeandmusicofHouston legend Jewel Brown.
Naomi Carrier founded the Emancipation Historic Trail Association for teaching purposes
“People love the way we re-enact stories in costume, with music,” said Carrier “We re-live the Underground Railroad, a wedding, or a Pullman Porter
“We also prefer action to lecture, but we do both.”
Community centers
SHAPE Community Center has earned the nickname “the United Nations of the Hood” for its wide-ranging programming thatservesyouth,parents,elders,andactivists.ThecenterspotlightsBlackhistoryyearround, not just during February
“Thefirstthingwe’redoingislivingprogressively and positively to move forward in our struggle for liberation,” said SHAPE executive director and co-founder Deloyd Parker. “But we cannot do that unless we understandthatapeoplewithouttheknowledge of their past history… is like a tree without roots.”
Through after-school programs and weekly elder gatherings, SHAPE creates intergenerational learning spaces.
“The elders are helping the children to understand it,” Parker said “And the children are grasping it.”
The Freedom Tour
OneofSHAPE’smostimpactfuleffortsis its long-running Freedom Tour For more than30years,thecenterhastakenyouthon a journey retracing the Civil Rights Movement across the South. Participants travel from Houston to cities such as Jackson, Montgomery, and Selma, walking across the Edmund Pettus Bridge where Bloody Sunday took place on March 7, 1965.
“We don’t just march across the bridge,” Parker explained “We tell our children about what happened They were able to march in the footsteps of those who came before them.”
Festivals
Festivals also play a key role in teaching
Black history. Juneteenth celebrations from Emancipation Park to neighborhood parades—arefilledwithlearningmoments.
“My family participates in those every year,”saidretirededucatorSylviaBradshaw Bradshaw, who also attends MLK Day events, believes there is room for deeper education.
“There is little educating going on about Dr King beyond his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech,” she said “But there was so much more to him than that.”
SHAPE’s annual Pan-African Cultural Festival intentionally broadens the lens.
“Ourhistorydidn’tstarthereinBabylon, Imean,America,”Parkersaid “Ourhistory started in the motherland.”
Classes and field trips
For those seeking structured learning, community-based classes and field trips offervaluableoptions.KarenHickmanrecommends history discussions at the Shrine of the Black Madonna Cultural Center NationaldirectorNailahNelsonnotedthat theShrinehostsEntertheBlackWholeevery first and third Saturday, a class examining Black history and current global realities affecting Black people
Fieldtripsalsoleavelastingimpressions
Janey Udoewah Brown recalled visiting theEldoradoBallroomthroughtheHouston Black Leadership Institute.
“Itshowcasedthesophisticationandsuccess of the Black community during segregation,” she said
For some, history began at home
“MyfatherwasintoBlackhistoryandour roots,” said Vannessa Wade “I learned so much at home.”
READ ABOUT MORE PLACES.
InFocus
ByJimmieAggison
For more than twodecades, Jack Yatesbasketball has been synonymouswithspeed,swagger,and scoreboardsthatcanbarelykeepup
At thecenterofitall stands legendarycoach Greg Wise,the architectofa dynasty.OnJan.29, Wise earned his1,000th careerwinwitha92–55victoryoverKashmere High School at BarnettStadium, amilestone thatrepresentsfarmorethananumber.Itmarks thelatestchapter in acareerdefined by championships, record-setting offenses,and adeep bondwithHouston’sThirdWard
As thefinal buzzer sounded, thestands reflectedthe reachofWise’sinfluence.FormerplayersandlongtimesupportersBrandon “Snap” Peters,Lanny Smith, andDarius“PeeWee”Gardnerwereamongthoseinattendance, celebratingthe coachwho shaped their high schoolyears.
“Whenthe finalbuzzer soundedonwin number1,000,Iwasjusthappytoseeallofmy formerplayersinattendance,”saidWise. Themomentalsobrought Wise back to the beginningofhiscoachingjourney
“Iwasoneofthefewwhowentfrommiddle school to aheadcoachingjob in high school whichallowed me to startwinning early,”said Wise
Wise’s career beganatMarianChristian wherehecoachedfortwoyearsbeforeanopportunityopenedatPaulRevereMiddleSchool “Mymiddleschoolcoach,RobertCapers, became theathletic directorand head coachat Paul Revere,sohehired me on thespot,”said Wise AftertwoyearsatPaulRevere,Wisemoved on to LeeHighSchooland then DavisHigh School,where he coachedfutureMLB AllStarCarlCrawfordforoneseason.Twoyears later,Wiseearnedanotheropportunitywhen HightowerHighSchoolopenedin 1998. Familiaritywithhiswork,alongwithsupport fromassistantprincipalThomasMcDougal whohad previously coached Wise,helped secure theposition
Followinghis tenure at Hightower, Wise steppedawayfromcoachingfor twoyears to watchhis son, NicWise, play at theUniversity ofArizona.Oncethatchapterended,Wisewas readytoreturn.
In2008,HoustonISDhadfiveheadcoaching vacancies.
“Theywantedeverybody to interviewfor allthepositions,butIonlyinterviewedforone becauseIdidn’t want to be offeredanything else,” said Wise.“ItoldthemthatifIdidn’tget this,I wasgood, butI wasabletoget thehead coaching position,and I’ve been at Yatesever since.”
ThirdWardroots Wise’sconnectiontoYatesrunsdeeperthan basketball. He grew up in theThirdWard, attended FrederickDouglassElementaryand Ryan Middle School,and enrolledatYates beforehisfamilymovedtoHiramClarke,forcinghimtoattendMadisonHighSchool.
“WhenIwasgrowingup,mybrotherandhis best friendsweremymentors,and therewere greatplayersatYatesthatIalwayslookedupto like JimmyBlacklock,George‘Stretch’ Campbell,andGeorgeWalker,”saidWise.“Togetto this pointand seemyidols send me messages abouthow much they love me andhow much I’mdoingfortheschoolandtheneighborhood meanseverythingtome.”
Yatesassistant coachEddyBarlowrememberstheatmospheresurroundingwinNo.1,000.
“A lotofexcitementfrommeand theplayers,”saidBarlow. “Wewerelockedinand very excitedtogoout andget histhousandthwin Coach Wise hasamamba mentality. He’s big on beingdisciplined,consistent, andprepared towin.”
That disciplineforms thebackboneofthe Yatesidentity.Wise’ssystem, full-court pressure, relentless tempo, andwaves of scoring, wasinspiredbyRickPitinoatProvidence and BillyDonovanatFlorida.Overtime,itbecame anationalcallingcard.
“Itbeginswiththe discipline Iput in place beforeweevenstartplayinggames,”saidWise.
JackYates’
Head Basketball Coach Greg Wise Reaches 1,000 career
wins
“Youhavetopracticeoneway,andyouhaveto dowhatyou’resupposedtodoacademically.It doesn’t matter howgoodyou are. If youdon’t doitthewayIwantyouto,youcan’tplayhere.” Intensityisnon-negotiable.
“Withthe wayweplayand thetalentwe have,ifyou’retryingtocompeteandearnplayingtime, youstand outifyou’renot playing hard,”saidWise.“Thesystemdoesn’tallowyou to notplayhardthe wholetime. If you’re not sprintingortrappingwhere you’re supposed to be,it’seasytonotice that person,and you won’tbeplaying.”
FormerYatesguardDarius“PeeWee”Gardnerfeltthatdemanddaily from 2008 to 2010.
“Thestyleofplaywasperfectlysuitedforthe playerswehad on thoseteams,” said Gardner.
“Itpreparedustocompeteatanall-timelevel, withpracticesmuchharderthananygamewe played.”
Foropponents, preparingfor Yateswas an entirely differentchallenge
“ScoutingYates wasdifficult becausethey forcedyououtofyourcomfortzone,”saidLancasterHighSchoolheadcoachFerrinDouglas
“You pretty much hadtostart preparingfor theirstyleofplaymonthsinadvance.Oneweek ofpreparationwasn’tenough.Thepressmade teamsplayfasterthantheywould have liked, andmanytimeswebroketheirpresswithease, butthatbackfiredbecausetheyhadplayerswho couldscoreinbunches.Theydidn’tgiveyoua chancetorunanyhalf-courtsetsbecausethey doubledwhereverthe ball waspassed.”
Theblueprintperfected
The2008–09 season endedwitha34–1 recordandastatechampionshipvictoryover Dallas Kimball
“After we beat Kimball94–78 forthe 2008–09statebasketballchampionship,Iwas sittinginchurchatWheeler Avenue,listeningtoa sermon by Rev. Marcus D. Cosby,” said Wise.“He talked abouthow Godput everyonehere,nomatterwherethey’refrom, to be notjustgreat butextraordinary. After that sermon,I startedthinkingabout doing thingsnobodyhadeverdonebefore,notjust winninganother statechampionship, buta national championship.”
That vision became realityin2009–10. Yatesfinished 34–0, defeatedLancaster to winanother statetitle,and seta Texashigh school basketball attendance record with 16,755fansattheErwinCenterbeforeclaiminganationalchampionship.
“I knew howgoodwewere, andI knew theguyswerehavingfun,” said Wise.“Iwas having funcoachingthem, andInever even thoughtabout theexpectations. Ijustknew theway we were playingand thetalentwe had. Ifeltlikenobodycould beat us.”
Chemistry defined that team “Theyweresocloseand well knit,” said
Wise.“They grew up together,and nobody caredwho scored.The systemfit them perfectly.”
“Practices were more legendarythan gamesbecauseofthedailycompetition,”said Gardner.“Therewasn’tanypressurebecause weallgrewupinpressure-filledhouseholds.”
That season included 26 gamesof100 points or more,and theimpactextended beyond basketball
“Whenyou’rewinninglikethatinthe community,it’salmostadefacto crime stopper,”saidRCS Sports ownerJim Hicks.
“Those kids’self-esteem grew,attendance spiked,and as aresult, more kids wanted to [come] to Yates.”
“Thatteamisstill talked abouttoday becausetheydidn’tjustbecomestate champions;theywerenationalchampions,”Hicks added.
Beyond the hardwood Wise’sinfluenceisperhapsmostevidentin theplayers whocarried hislessons forward.
Former Yatesguard DamyeanDotsonnow playsprofessionallyinJapan,while Joseph YoungcompetesinChina
“CoachWisetaughtmehowtobeaprofessionalbeforeIeverbecameone,”saidDotson
It begins with thediscipline Iput in place before we even start playing games.”
GREG WISE
AftercollegestintsatOregonand HoustonandtimeintheNBA,Dotsonstillcredits Wise as unique amonghis coaches.
“Coach Wise held youaccountablewhile alsogivingyouthesensethathetrulytrusted youtobegreat,” said Dotson Dotson’s mother,Lorie,saw that impact early.
“Coach Wise doesn’t just standthere;he talkstohisplayersandtellsthemwherethey went wrongwhile also building their confidence,” shesaid.
Wise’s commitmenttoYates hasnever been aboutclimbingthe coaching ladder
“WhenI look back at howIgot thejob,I don’tthink it wasbyaccident,”saidWise. “I thinkI wasput here forareason.”
“Heemphasizedpreparation,accountability andattention to detailevery day.”
“Therewerenoshortcuts,”Dotsonadded. “Hecoachedeverypossessionwithpurpose.”
YatesprincipalStephanieSquareseesthat daily.
“Whenour students feel successful, it showsinhow they carrythemselves,”said Square.
LongtimefanRodneyWellsbelievesWise’s legacyreaches even further.
“CoachWisehasbeenthereforhisstudent athletes throughgoodand turbulenttimes,” said Wells. “The coachingjob description might saybasketballcoach,but he goes beyondhiscoachingdutieswithlifelessons.”
Jack YatesHigh School varsity basketball coach Greg Wisestrategizes in thehuddle duringatime out
Credit:Jimmie Aggison/Defender
Feature DN
GEN Z
Remains at center of growing literacy crisis
By Laura Onyeneho
When Dr Margaret Hale questions her University of Houston students about their reading habits, the responses are alarming.
Inherfallundergraduatecourseonadolescent literature for future teachers, about halfreportedthattheydon’treallyreadand don’t enjoy reading.
“That is up from past years, ” said Hale, a professor in UH’s College of Education DepartmentofCurriculumandInstruction.
Herobservationreflectsanationaltrend that’s hitting Houston’s Black communities particularlyhard:GenZstudentsarearriving at college unable to meet basic reading expectations.
Recentreportsfoundthatnearlyhalfofall Americansdidn’treadasinglebookin2025, and Gen Z’s reading habits lagged behind those of other generations. College professors nationwide report that students can’t comprehend complete sentences.
Houston education advocates are warning that without intervention, it threatens the economic future of the city’s Black community
“Studentscanrecognizewordsbutstrugglewiththecomprehensionpartofit,critical thinking, and just the reading stamina,” said Jacklyn Minimah-Wilson, CEO of Houston-basedLiteracyNow.“IntheBlack community in Houston, where systematic inequities have long impacted educational access, the lack of reading preparedness becomes a significant barrier to longterm success if we’re not able to address it earlier on.”
Theconsequencesextendfarbeyondthe classroom.
“Ifwedon’tdothat,it’sgoingtoimpactthe workforceinthelonghaul,”Minimah-Wilson warned, noting that literacy challenges create barriers to career advancement and economic mobility for Black professionals
Hale traces the problem to Texas’s highstakes testing environment, which has fundamentally changed how students learn to read.
“We have seen over the years a decrease in the amount of time that we invest in students reading for enjoyment and more time focused on reading test preparation material,” she explained. “Teachers often fall prey to teaching to the test instead of teaching students how to become a critical
thinker, a critical reader, somebody who readstobecomeabetterpersonandtolearn new things.”
Theissueiscompoundedbyalackofculturally relevant reading material.
“If we’re not putting books in front of them that they can see themselves in, then we are providing a disparity of resources, ” Hale said “If I’m a Black child and I only ever read books with white protagonists, I don’t see myself.”
That disparity may worsen The Texas State Board of Education will hold a first reading this month on a proposed list of requiredtitlesforkindergartenthrough12th grade,alistHaledescribesasdominatedby “deadwhitemen”andclassicliteraturefrom the 1970s and 80s, with little diversity.
“HowishavingBlackstudentsreadsome oftheseclassictextsgoingtoallowBlackstudents to see themselves? Hispanic students to see themselves, Muslim students to see themselves?” Hale asked. “It is not.”
Literacy Now’s flagship reading intervention program focuses on small-group instruction with evidence-based, culturally responsive curriculum.
“I just received an email from a principalwhowaslike,‘Wejustdidourmid-year assessmentandalmost75or85%ofthestudentsyouguysaretouchinghaveshownso muchgrowth,’”Minimah-Wilsonsaid “And westillhave13weeksleftwiththemforthe spring semester.”
Thekeyistostartearlyandmakereading culturallyrelevantandenjoyableratherthan test-focused
“Ten to 15 minutes a day, whether it be parents, your uncles and aunts, and grandmas, just the exposure to different types of textswillbeveryhelpful,”Minimah-Wilson said “Thatincludesnewspapers,magazines, shortarticles,andconversationsduringcar ridesorgroceryshopping Theexposureand different types of texts will be very helpful for young children as they move up in life.”
Ten to 15 minutes a day, whether it be parents, your uncles and aunts, and grandmas, just the exposure to different types of texts will be very helpful. That includes newspapers, magazines, short articles, and conversations during car rides or grocery shopping. The exposure and different types of texts will be very helpful for young children as they move up in life.”
JACKLYN MINIMAH-WILSON CEO of Houston-based Literacy Now
College professors report that students struggle with long texts, leading to reliance on AI-generated summaries and a decline in critical thinking. Credit: Getty Images
Christa Stoneham Profile DN
Builds homes, communities, legacies
By Aswad Walker
As president and CEO of the Houston LandBank(HLB),ChristaStonehamleads with vision and conviction, transforming more than $100 million worth of vacant andunderutilizedlandintoaffordablehousing and vibrant community spaces across Houston.
Hermissionisclear:Tomakelandserve the people, especially those long shut out of opportunity
Receipts
With over 15 years of experience in architecture, urban planning, and community development, Stoneham has become a trailblazerinequitablelanduse.Whilewith the City of Houston, she helped advance $30 million across 600 projects that benefited more than 20,000 residents in 10 neighborhoods.
NowatHLB,she’sexpandedthatimpact, securingover$5.5millioninfederalgrants to address environmental challenges and create opportunities for historically marginalized communities.
But transformation, she says, begins within. Before reshaping neighborhoods, shehadtodesignaspaceforherself,where authenticity, culture, and purpose could coexist
Safe space
Originally from Dublin, California, a suburb outside Oakland/ San Francisco, Stoneham remembers standing out.
“We were probably one of the first Black families in that neighborhood,” she recalls. “I didn’t necessarily feel racism, but I did feel different… me trying to find my way ended with me going to Prairie View A&M University.”
At Prairie View, surroundedbyher people, she found her calling.
“I ended up in architecturejustoff a hunch,” she says.
“But walking the grounds of a former slave plantation gave me a different level of honor and responsibility when I’m stepping
into spaces.”
ThatawarenesshasallowedStonehamto walkintowhitemale–dominatedrealestate rooms and “own them.”
Architect skills meet community commitment
Stoneham’s architecture training gave her both technical mastery and visionary range
“I’m a trained architect,” she explains. “That means I can draw and create solutions for people who may not even knowwho’sbehindthose decisions Icallthatthe power of the pen. ”
At HLB, she designs both systems and spaces.
“Idon’tconsidermyselfanarchitectinthe traditionalsense,”saysStoneham “Idesign systemschange,leveragingassets,resources, and partnerships to build a strong foundation that can sustain generations.”
Real estate roots expand family legacy
Stoneham’sconnectiontolandrunsdeep
“My grandfather was born in Third Ward on Alabama Street,” she shares. “He migratedtoSanFrancisco,becamethefirst Black dentist there, and began purchasing real estate so our family could have generational wealth.”
That legacy of self-determination shapes her approach today.
“As I learned more about how decisions weremadetoexcludeus,Irealizedthebest way to combat hate is with love,” she says. “You can still be empathetic while being a businessperson.Iwanttobringhumanelements back into real estate.”
Proudest HLB accomplishments
Underherleadership,HLBevolvedfrom a city department to a “governmental nonprofit,” a rare hybrid
“Becoming a 501(c)(3) is a major milestone,” she notes. “We’re the only organization in Houston that’s both governmental andnonprofitandthatservestheentirecity And now Harris County.”
Her team also secured the largest EPA cleanup grant in the region’s history: $5 million to remediate land and restore communities.
“We’veacceleratedhowwedoourwork,” shesays.“Nowwe’remasterplanningcommunitiesandcreatingcatalogsofenergy-efficient, resilient floor plans.”
Yet her proudest accomplishment is personal
“Being brave enough to go for this role, being the youngest CEO in the country to leadalandbank,andbettingonmyself,”she says. “Leading with humility, knowing I’m makingdecisionsforpeoplewhomaynever even know my name.”
Inspiring impact
Pastor Rudy Rasmus, CEO of Bread of Life, Inc., is among those who celebrate Stoneham’s impact
“I’ve watched Christa lead the Houston Land Bank with courage, clarity, and compassion,” said Rasmus “She’s building a futurewhereeveryneighborhoodhasaplace to call home.”
Future vision
Stoneham’s next chapter is as bold as her beginnings.
“MyvisionisforHLBtoserveasaregional land bank,” she says. “Affordable housing shouldn’tstopatcountylines We’repartneringwithcities,counties,andschooldistricts tobringthebestsolutionstoneighborhoods.”
Pastor Rudy Rasmus (right) testifies to the impact Christa Stoneham has had on the Greater Houston area. Credit: Medley Inc.
Christa Stoneham transforms Houston by building affordable housing and vibrant community spaces through the Houston Land Bank. Credit: Aswad Walker.
Christa Stoneham (third from right) seeks to bring humanity back to real estate. Credit: Medley Inc.
LEARN MORE ABOUT STONEHAM’S JOURNEY AND IMPACT.
Sports DN
TAI’REONJOSEPH
Makesthe best of PVAMU stop
By Terrance Harris
PRAIRIEVIEW--Fromthe moment
Tai’ReonJosephdecidedcollegebasketball wasthe next step in hiscareer, theBaton Rougenativewas fullyexpecting it to be ajourney
Hejusthadnoideahowmuchofajourneyitwouldbe.Fiveyearsandfivedifferent colleges.
PrairieViewisthe latest andfinalstop in Joseph’s collegecareer, andit’slooking like hisbestmoveyet
“IputeverythinginGod’shandsandlet it happen,”saidJoseph, whocametoPV after entering thetransferportalfollowingone season at UTSA.“My first year Whenyourcoachesleave,youneverknow what’s goingtohappen. Thatwas acouple of my situations,justnew coaching staffs, andtheybring theirown guys in.
“Butit’sbeenajourney.Everyplacethat Istopped at,Ilearned something. Everythingisalearningstep, so Ijusttakeitas that.Idon’t take it as nothingbad.With theportal, that’s kind of theworld that we live in today.”
Joseph’scollegejourneybeganatRadford in 2021,and then he transferredtoAustin Peay.NexthestayedclosetohomeatSouthernbeforelanding at UTSA in 2024.For sure,hehasplayedalotofbasketball,filled manydifferentroles,andgainedagreatdeal of experience alongthe way.
Joseph,known as Scootah, hasbrought allthathehasenduredandlearnedoverthe yearswithhimtoPrairieView.Andfinally, it allseems to be clicking forthe dynamic scoringguard whoranks second in the SWAC and20thinthe nation in scoring
thisseason,averaging21.0pointspergame.
PrairieViewcoach ByronSmith wasin themarketfor aversatile scorer when he sawJoseph’snameinthetransferportallast spring.Smith hadtried to recruitJoseph before,sohewasfamiliarwithhisstoryand abilitiesonthe basketball court.
Some people mightthink it’s allabout just scoringand stuff.Iscore becausemy coachesand playersput me in position to,but it’s allbout winning. If youwin,the whole team is happy. That’s what we areheretodo, win.”
TAI’REON JOSEPH
“Obviously,hehas been around afew places,and Ithink he wouldbethe first to admithehas notalwayshandled adverse situationsaswellasheshould,”saidSmith, whoalsohas anotherdynamic scorer in Dontae Horne. “But Ithink he hasgrown so much as ayoung man. He is ajoy to be around.Histeammateslovehim.Heisvery pleasant
“IjustthinkGod’sgraceandmercygave us an opportunitybecause we desperately needed someonelikehim.”
In alot of ways,the Panthers have been exactlywhatJosephneeded, as well.He
hasfound ateamand acoachingstaffthat allows himtobehimself
“Theteamisgood. We have allgelled together,”saidJoseph,whoearnedhisbachelor’sdegreeinMultidisciplinaryStudiesat UTSA andispursuinga graduate degree inPhysicalEducationatPrairieView.“We mightbumpheads,but at theend of the day,it’sstilloneteam,andwe’vestillgotto go outand getthe wintogether.”
Joseph’s abilitytocreateinstant offense hasgiven thePanthersthe confidencethat they canbesuccessfulwhenheisonthe floor.Duringlastweekend’s rivalrygame againstTexas Southern at theBabyDome, Joseph brokeopenwhathad been aclose game with some big3-pointersand drives tothebasketdownthestretchtodeliverthe Panthers an 85-78homewin.Josephfinishedwithagame-high 31 points,which included 11-of-23 shooting from thefloor,
ABOUTTAI’REON JOSEPH
Position: Guard
Height: 6-3Weight: 180
Class: GraduateStudent
The Numbers: Rankssecond in the SWAC and fourth in the nation in scoring witha 21 pointsper game average.
5-of-12fromthe3-pointrange,togoalong with four rebounds andtwo assistsin40 minutes.
Josephwasstillbattlinganinjuryagainst theTigers, buthis effortwas good enough to breakafour-game losing skid in which hemissedonegameandscoredwellbelow hisaverage in theother threelosses.
“ThesearethegameshecametoPrairie View for, hearingabout thePrairie ViewTexasSouthernisobviouslyreallybig,”said Smith, whohas expressedsomeconcerns abouthow Joseph’s injury hasbeendealt withbytheschool.“Itwasthebiggestcrowd we’vehad this year.Itwas bigfor himto knockdownshots.Weneededhim to win this game.”
Histeammates have not just enjoyed Joseph butalsoseemgenuinely to appreciatewhathebringstothe table. During a three-week stretchfromDec.23toJan.6, JosephwasrecognizedastheSWACPlayer of theWeekfor threeconsecutive weeks afterhavingbiggamesagainstTexasA&M, alongwithGrambling andSouthern.
“Seeinghimdoingitthefirsttime,you’re like `Wow,heisreallygood.’Then he did it againand againand again,”saidPrairie View forwardJoeyMadimba.“Thisguy is thebestplayerinthe SWAC.Ithink he shouldbetheplayeroftheyear.Heiselite.”
ButasprolificofascorerasJosephis,he is an even better teammate
“He’sagreatteammate,”Madimbasaid. “Heisalwaysgetting us energized, he’s always talkingtous, he’s always laughing andtalkingtothequietplayersontheteam He’sareallygooddude,andheisoneofmy closestfriends on theteam.”
Fifth-year senior guardTai’ReonJoseph hasbeenthe instant offensePrairie View needed this season while alsobeingthe consummateteammate: Credit:Taneal Coleman, courtesy of Prairie View
FURR HIGHSCHOOLFORWARD
LUTHERRAGSTON
DrawsDennisRodmancomparisons
By Jimmie Aggison
Atfirst,LutherRagstondidn’tknowwho DennisRodmanwas
The 6-foot-2 junioratFurrHighSchool, knownfor hiselectrifyingbluehairand relentlessenergy, hadonlyrecentlybegun drawing comparisonstothe Hall of Fame rebounder.Curious aboutthe connection, RagstonstartedwatchingRodman’sgames, studying hishustle, speed, andinstinctive rebounding.
What he discovered begantotransform hisapproach, shapinghim into ahybrid athlete: Adefensive forcewitha growing offensive edge,carving hisown path while honoring thelegendwho inspired him
“Whenpeoplebegan comparingme to DennisRodman, Iwondered whothis personwas,whattheywereknownfor,and what effecthehad on people untilI looked himupandsawthecomparisonsformyself,” said Ragston.
Rodman,aseven-timeconsecutiveNBA reboundingchampionandafive-timeNBA champion,playedwithrelentlessenergy. Thatmotorwaswhatfirstsparkedcomparisonsbetween Rodman andRagston
“Earlyon,Lutherstoodoutforhisrelentlessenergyand motor, physical,disruptive defense,ability to crash theboardswhile fightingforlooseballs,andfordoingwhatevertheteamneededwithoutneedingplays called forhim,”saidFurrheadbasketball coachRodneyLewis
Thatwillingnesstodefendmultiplepositions, reboundaggressively, andembrace a grind-it-outroledidn’tgounnoticed.While thecomparisons initiallyfeltstrange,curiosity soon turned into inspiration
“WhenIfirstsawRodmanplay,Inoticed he played at hisown pace andlet thegame cometohim,”saidRagston.“Onthedefensive end, he didn’t let theoffense setup easily.Hefoughtfor looseballs, rebounds, and steals.That made hima reliable threat at both ends.”
Ragstoncontinued studying Rodman’s game,focusingonhis defensiveinstincts andrebounding.
“Ibelievedefenseisakeycornerstonefor anyall-aroundplayer, so Istarted working with my cousin, coachSugar RayLark, to become abetterrebounder anddefensive player,” said Ragston.
Astheworkintensified,teammatesbegan to notice thedifference
“His game changedcompletely,”said juniorpointguardJayvionWolfe.“Hehustledmoreonbothendsofthecourt,diving forloose ballsand grabbing bigrebounds.”
As Ragstonbeganmimicking Rodman’s techniques, hisgameevolved,combining defensewithquickbounces,floorrunning, hustle plays, shot blocking,and eventually scoring.
“I adaptedRodman’sdefensive skills andincorporatedthe sive strategy whilefoc keyaspects that couldh my game to thenext Ragston.
“Ontheoffensiveen itytoreboundandfind kickouthelps exten sessions,” said Lewis. abilitytoguard everyo as he switches on defen followed by arecov contest, disrupts offe sive rhythms. Tracki down looseballs,box out, andplaying physic defensewithoutfoulin thingsthatdon’tshowu points in aquarter bu definitelyinfluences in game.”
WhileRodmanm name as adefensive Ragstonaddedscori repertoire,developin style rarely seen in th Thatbalancehasallow lead histeaminboths andrebounding, avera 15 points andsix rebo pergame.
However, theRod comparisonsextendbey thecourt.EboneeRag aformercosmetology dent at Furr High Sc andRagston’s olders boldly dyed hishairblu
“Ilovedit,”saidEbone “Lutherlikes to showh confidenceanddifferen ationfromothersinc ativeways.JustasRodm did when he wasplayi withvarious hair co anddesigns. Ibelieve youlookdifferent,y play differently.”
With hisbluehaira adeepunderstandingo Rodman’s defensive approachblended into hisown offensivegrowth,
Ragston’sdevelopment hasbeenfully supported by hisfamily, especially hismother. “I woulddrive 45 minutestwo or three timesaweekfortrainingduringtheoff-season,”saidDaphneJackson “Whenwelackedtranspivot andfind himatrainer closer to wherewe stayed.The endlessfundraising, out-oftowntournaments,andmoneyfortraining were nothingcomparedtothe time we got to watchhim play thesport he loved. That waspriceless.Theentirefamilyisproud of hisbasketballaccolades, butevenmoreso of theman he hasbecome. We will always be his#1fans.”
Withthatencouragementandagrowing senseofidentity, Ragston’sconfidence on andoffthe courtbegantoflourish
“Effortbecamethebaseline,notabonus,” saidLewis.“Itresetexpectations,andteammatesunderstood that coasting wasn’t acceptablebecause someonewas always goingfullspeed.Hishabitscarriedintopractice.Whenone player treats practice like a game,itforces others to matchthatintensity or standout forthe wrongreasons.By embracingthe dirty work,accepting roles, andcelebrating teammates’ success, he reinforcedthe ideathatimpactisn’t tied to scoring,andyoungerplayersbeganvaluing winningplays over individual stats.”
From acurious juniorunfamiliar with DennisRodmantoablue-hairedforce blending defenseand offense,LutherRagston hascrafteda styleuniquely hisown, provingthatinspiration canigniteinnovation,one hustle play at atime.
“Iwanttobethebest,”saidRagston.“I’ve workedmywayuptobeingamongthebest 2-wayplayers in thedistrict.”
“Luther’spotentialatthecollegiatelevelis real,especiallybecause hisgameisbuilt on traitsthattranslateupwardratherthandisappearintoughercompetition,”saidLewis.
ABOUT LUTHERRAGSTON
Class: 2027
IG: @2xclusive_.lj
Twitter: @l_ragston
Position: Small forward
Height& weight: 6-feet-2, 160 pounds
Favoriteartist: SZA
Status: Uncommitted
Favoritesubject: AP Precalculus
Whatisrich?
Measuring wealth beyond money
By AswadWalker
When Houstonentrepreneur Jerome D. Loveappearedrecentlyon“TheKellyClarksonShow,”hewasn’ttheretopromoteanew app, book,orinvestmentproduct
He wasthere to askadeceptively simplequestion—one that sitsatthe heartof Americanambitionandanxietyalike:What is rich?
Thatquestion anchorsLove’snew YouTube docuseries, “WhatIsRich?”, which exploreshow Americansdefinewealth beyond moneythrough candid conversationsabout purpose, health,faith,family, andcommunity ExecutiveproducedbyEmmyAward–winningproducer RushionMcDonald— best knownfor hislong-runningroleon “The SteveHarveyShow”—the series is co-createdbyLove, an NAACPImage Awardwinnerashostof“TheBlackMoney Tree”podcast.Inthe process, Love andthe city of Houstoncontinuetohelpshape a national conversation aboutentrepreneurship andmodernsuccess
Thetimingistelling. Accordingto CharlesSchwab’s2025ModernWealthSurvey, Americansbelieve it takesabout $2.3 millioninnet worthtobeconsidered rich Financial advisors often define“high-networth” as $1 millioninliquid assets, with highertiersbeginningat$5–10millionand $30 million-plus.Perception varies widely: Boomerssetthebarataround$2.8million, whileGen Ziscloser to $1.7 million. In high-costcitieslikeSanFrancisco,residents believe it takesmorethan$4milliontobe wealthy, whileHouston andDallashover near thenationalaverage
Yet, Love’s docuseries suggests that even thosenumbers miss thepoint.
Amoment that changedthe question
Thegenesisof“WhatIsRich?”tracesback to adeeply personal experience.In2014, Love’s father wasdiagnosed with cancer andcalledhis sonone morning, asking for helpgettingtoamedicalprocedure.Loveleft workimmediatelyandwasabletobethere.
“Later on,I thoughtabout it,and Ijust couldn’t stop thinking,” Love recalled.“I said,‘Man, what if Ihad atraditional job andIasked my boss andhe told me no?’”
Thatrealization stayed with him
“Alotoftimes,peoplesaythattheywant to be rich or they want money, butreally, what they want is what moneybrings— security,freedom,and theability to choose
yourowndestiny,”Lovesaid.“So many people don’thavethat God-givenrightbecausethey don’thavethe resources. ”
Thatinsightpushedhimto createsomethingeducational, designedtohelppeopleunderstandmoney notasanend in itself,butasatoolforbuildinglives, businesses, andcommunities.
Redefining ‘rich’
ForLove,thedefiningmomentcamelater that same day, over adinner conversation with hisfatherabout their viewsonwhat constitutessuccess.
“Youneededme,andIwasabletobethere foryou,”hesaid.“Withthat,Ithinkthisright hereissuccess.Everyonewantstocreatebetterlives fortheir families, andyou can’tdo that withoutthe financial means. ”
Butthe series argues that financial means areonlyone layer.
CarolGuess,chairoftheTexasAssociation ofAfricanAmericanChambers,definesrich as somethingfar more profound
“Idefinerichasbeing at peacewithyourselfandwithGod,”shesaid.“Shalompeace— fullness in everyareaofyourlife.”
BriaFuller, apersonaltrainer andhealthcareprofessional,viewsrichnessthroughthe lensofhealth.
“I’m goingtodefinerichasthe care we give ourbodiesand thebenefits we receive fromthatcare,”shesaid,notingthatlongevity, mobility,andfreedommattermorewithtime than material possessions
For Jene Washington,Ph.D., aretiree and boardmemberofManna House(afood pantry locatedacrossthe street from Texas
Southern University), richness is rooted in service andhuman connection
“Richisnotjustaboutmoney,” shesaid. “It’sabout giving back, accepting people wheretheyare There arepeoplewithnomoney whoare just as rich as abillionaire.”
Washington sees that richness every timeshevolunteersattheMannaHouse.
“PeopledriveuptoourMannaHouseand thankusjustfor beingthere,and they considerthemselvesrich,”she said MarcusDavis,ownerofthebreakfastklub andtbk Holdings,expands thedefinition to collective power.
“Whenacommunity cansustain itself— investinginour businesses, banks, HBCUs, andinstitutions—that’s what’s rich,” he said “Whena communitycan dependonitself.”
Even NBAstarC.J.McCollumdraws a distinction.
“Richismoreshort-term,”hesaid.“Wealth is along-termstrategy.”
Myths about money
Severalvoicesinthe series andwithin theHouston community cautionagainst confusingmoney with fulfillment.Fuller notesthatinlateryears,whatmattersmostis health.Guess,whoworkscloselywithhighnet-worthindividuals,isevenmoredirect.
“Things cannot bringfullness,”said Guess. “Thereare people with moneywho stillfeelinsecure,unsettled,oremotionally unstable.”
Guesspointstopublicexamples—wealthy influencers, entertainers,and executives undone by pressure or despair
“Mo’ money, mo’problems,”she said,
quotingBiggieSmalls.“Unlessit’sobtained throughpurpose.”
Withoutspiritualandemotionalgrounding,sheargues,moneycanamplifyparanoia andmistrustinstead of peace
Road to real riches
Across theseries, acommontruth emerges.
“You’renot rich becauseofwhatyou have,”Lovesaid.“You’rerichbecauseofthe choices youcan make.”
He emphasizes systems over windfalls.
“IfI give you$10 millionwithout a framework, it’llbegone,”hesaid. Hisown wealth-buildingphilosophy—“Attitude, Action,and Achievement”—focuseson mindset, movement,and maintenance.
Forothers, thepathincludes faith, service,anddiscipline.Washingtoncreditsher churchcommunity(PilgrimCongregational United Church of Christ)for reinforcinga lifeofgiving. Fuller advocatesconsistency over extremes—30 to 45 minutes of daily movement,pairedwithpropernutritionand hydration
Wheretowatch
“WhatIsRich?”premiered on YouTube on Jan. 12 andisavailable via TheBlack MoneyTreechannel by searching“What Is Rich.” Love says larger distribution deals areinprogress, with thepotential to reach nearly 100 millionhouseholds.
In themeantime, theseriesoffers somethingmorevaluablethana dollar figure. It reframes successasfreedom,purpose, health,peace,and community—measures ofwealththatcompoundovertimeandcan’t be lostinamarketdownturn.
Jerome D. Love. Courtesy WhatIsRich.
Bria Fuller