02.19.2026_Defender-e-FULL

HOUSTON REMEMBERS THE CIVIL RIGHTS ICON

Jesse Jackson INFOCUS

HISD Closures

Reshape Black neighborhoods Schools slated for closure/combination:

Alcott • Briscoe • Burrus • Franklin • Henderson • Port Houston • Ross C. Martinez • Cage • Fleming • McReynolds • Hobby • Gulfton Volume 95, issue 18 February 19, 2026

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DN To the POINT

Current local and national happenings show just how vital Black Press is to our community and the nation, especially in the way it covers issues like ICE. Credit: John Moore/Getty Images.

Community Reporter Message firsthand. The Defender is experiencing After all that yakkity-dock about savthe same challenges. We’re tired of seeing ing the country from “them illegals,” ICE our fellow Black media outlets close when efforts are being exposed as the very thing the work they (we) do is even more vital the Black Press said it was—institutionaltoday than ever before. So, if you (readers, ized and militarized anti-Blackness and community members, corporate Houston) anti-Brownness. And they’re costing us, appreciate the educating, entertaining, taxpayers, a pretty ugly penny. The Minneand empowering work produced by the sota ICE operation alone paints the picture.

Defender, show your support by making a That operation resulted in 4,000 detainees. financial contribution or by committing to At the cost of roughly $70,000 per detainee, advertise to one of the nation’s largest AfriAswad Walker taxpayers spent $280,000,000 on this madcan American populations. ness. By the way, of those 4,000 detainees, only 14% (560) had criminal records. And most of those were for minor State-run media? infractions like running a stop sign or speeding. Of the 560 One of the tried-and-true moves in the dictator’s playwith criminal records, some reports say that maybe 30 of book is to control information. This is done by attacking them were accused of violent crimes or dealing drugs. So, and/or silencing university scholars, banning books, and we get a $280,000,000 bill paid by me and you to terrorize destroying the free press (arresting journalists, etc.), then an entire city to detain “maybe” 30 individuals accused of replacing it with state-run media. Dictators are empowered committing a crime. (i.e., less than 1% of the 4,000 detained). by an uninformed citizenry. I thought about this again when The Trump Administration’s “Non-Diversity, Inequity, and I recently discovered that Gallup, which has been responsible Exclusion” (N-DIE), already a morally bankrupt initiative, for the official Presidential Approval Rating for 88 years, will bankrupt this nation financially if not stopped. announced it would no longer produce that information.

This announcement comes on the heels of the December Support the Black Press 2025 report, which showed Donald Trump’s approval rating For 199 years, the Black Press has told our story, chron- at 36%, the lowest recorded in polling history. That move icled our history, and interpreted world happenings from was pure Trump. On Aug. 1, 2025, he fired the Bureau of our perspective. A perspective that remains absent to this Labor Statistics commissioner, hours after the agency issued day from the so-called “mainstream” media. That’s why it a jobs (non) growth report that wasn’t to Trump’s liking. is beyond heartbreaking to see Black-owned media outlets He also shut down reporting on civil rights violations and shuttering their doors. But on Feb. 12, one of those publi- racial discrimination, and the national police misconduct cations, The Richmond Free Press, announced it will cease database. He even sued multiple major TV and print news publication after more than 30 years in business. The free outlets into relative submission for reporting things he didn’t weekly newspaper, which focused primarily on Richmond’s like. Combined, these moves create a situation where nearly African American community, was founded in 1992 by vet- all information (news and scholarly research) comes from an eran journalist, editor, and professor Raymond Boone and administration with an aggressively anti-Black, anti-women, his wife, Jean Patterson Boone. “Thank you for being part of anti-science, anti-democracy slant. Lord, Lord, we need our journey as we persevered through harsh economic times,” Black-owned media now more than ever. wrote Jean Boone to Richmond Press readers. “All goodbyes are not forever. And this may be. Or not. We know for sure that we do not have the advertising support to continue.”

Support the And it’s that last line that’s the killer. As much as businesses in U.S. cities depend upon the financial support of Blackfolk, Black Press. you’d think Black media outlets would have their pick of advertisers. Not so. We at the Defender know this reality Racism is expensive as hell

February 19, 2026 |

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DN News STATE OF THE CITY

Mayor addresses future growth

By Tannistha Sinha

As Houston enters a pivotal year marked by rapid growth, looming budget challenges, and global attention from the FIFA World Cup, Mayor John Whitmire said the city is “moving in the right direction” in his State of the City address.

“Houston is a strong city, and it’s getting stronger every day because we’re working together in collaboration,” Whitmire said, touting bringing his 40-year career at the Texas legislature to Houston.

During the address, Whitmire said he merged two Martin Luther King Jr. Day parades as an accomplishment despite being warned not to.

“Who thought we could ever combine the two Martin Luther King parades?”

Whitmire said. “Other white mayors have tried. Black mayors couldn’t get it done.

The neat thing is…I just want to get things done. I’m not even worried about the next election.“The African American community is so excited because I’ve merged those institutions,” he said in his address.

The state of Black Houston: Gentrification, housing, immigration When asked about gentrification in Black-majority neighborhoods, including Fifth Ward, Third Ward, Independence Heights, and Sunnyside, Whitmire

Houston is a strong city, and it’s getting stronger every day because we’re working together in collaboration.”

JOHN WHITMIRE Houston Mayor

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acknowledged it as “obviously a concern across Houston” and specifically within the African American community.

“There’s been a lot of mobility, and it’s a fact of life,” Whitmire told the Defender.

“Affordability…we’ve got to address that.

We want people to be able to stay in their homes, in our communities. But if you go into the communities that you’re concerned about, that I’m concerned about, there is still a very strong, diverse group of residents.”

Council member and Mayor Pro Tem Martha Castex-Tatum, who attended the address, offered a broader perspective on the issues impacting Black Houstonians.

“Blacks in the city of Houston are continually looking for economic opportunities,” she said. “We are looking for chances to pull each other together and rise together. I’m honored to be a policymaker in the city of Houston, but while I sit on the Houston City Council, I know that it is important that we continue to create economic opportunities for people in the Black community.”

Castex-Tatum emphasized certification through the city’s Office of Business Opportunity as a pathway to close economic gaps.

Other issues: Economic development, infrastructure, public safety Houston’s economic engine is accelerating.

President and CEO of the Greater Houston Partnership, Steve Kean, said companies are choosing Houston to expand and establish headquarters, including Devon Energy, Houston’s 27th Fortune 500 company, Fervo Energy, and Tesla.

“Houston is helping to build the infrastructure behind AI, data centers, power equipment, and the technologies that are saving the future, creating construction jobs, manufacturing jobs, and long-term opportunities,” Kean said. “Houston is winning.”

The metro also added 200,000 residents in 2024 and saw GDP grow to $700 billion after a 25% increase from 2021 to 2023, Kean added.

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Mayor John Whitmire pledged infrastructure upgrades, fiscal restraint, and expanded public safety investments in his State of the City address.

Credit: Tannistha Sinha/Houston Defender

Whitmire said the city is “moving in the right direction” and added that he is prepared to give six years, “the remaining best years” of his life for Houston, working “18-hour days with a team that is the best in America.”

While a budget deficit looms, he announced that the city will not see a property tax increase in the upcoming June budget season. In his two years in office, Whitmire has not advocated for such a tax hike.

“We’re going to look for efficiency, collaboration, and eliminate corruption, conflicts of interest. It can be done, and it will be done…These taxes impact affordability,” he said.

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This year, the administration plans to pave 1,000 road miles and spend $500 million on road improvements, while replacing 200 miles of water pipes. Whitmire also aspires to establish a METRO light rail line to George Bush Intercontinental Airport and a water taxi service on Buffalo Bayou.

“This is a good time for me to go ahead and talk about working across the aisle,” Whitmire said. “If somebody wants to work with me to fix and improve Houston, I will go anywhere, anytime. We don’t have time for politics.”

Michael Heckman, president and CEO of Houston First, also emphasized a $2 billion transformation of the George R. Brown Convention Center.

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DN News HOUSTON REMEMBERS

Jesse Jackson legacy will endure for generations,” Ellis said.

In Houston, where Black churches and civic organizations remain central pillars of community life, Jackson is being remembered not only as a national figure, but as a symbol of a generation that fought to ensure Black Americans were seen, heard and counted — in the workplace, at the ballot box and in the halls of power.

His death has prompted renewed reflection among many local leaders and activists about the unfinished work he spent his life pursuing: equal access, equal justice and the full recognition of Black humanity.

By ReShonda Tate

Houstonians are mourning the death of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, a towering figure in American public life whose activism, organizing and preaching helped shape modern Black political power and gave voice to generations of people demanding dignity and equal treatment.

Jackson, a minister and longtime head of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, spent decades at the forefront of the civil rights movement, advocating for voting rights, economic justice, labor protections and equal opportunity. His influence stretched far beyond the pulpit, reaching into city halls, union halls and college campuses across the country — including in Houston, where he made repeated visits and built relationships with local political and community leaders.

Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis called Jackson “one of the greatest moral leaders of our time,” crediting him with shaping the political consciousness of an entire era.

“Reverend Jesse Jackson was a dear friend and one of the greatest moral leaders of our time,” Ellis said in a statement. “His ‘I Am Somebody’ speech awakened a generation, including me, to the urgent work of justice and human dignity.”

Ellis said Jackson remained a consistent presence in the struggle for systemic reform, even as his health declined.

“Over the decades, we found ourselves side-by-side in that work: pushing to end discriminatory cash bail, defending voting

Even as his health declined, he challenged us to keep fighting for fairness, for opportunity, and for the inherent worth of every person.”

RODNEY ELLIS Harris County Commissioner

Rev. Jesse Jackson looks on during an election night gathering in Grant Park on Novem mber 4, 2008 after Barack Obama was elected president. Credit: Getty

rights, and standing with communities too often ignored or written off,” Ellis said.

Jackson, who rose to national prominence as a protégé of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., became one of the most recognizable civil rights voices of the post-King era. He was known for blending preaching with protest, often framing political struggle as a moral obligation and urging communities to demand respect from institutions that historically excluded them.

His “I Am Somebody” speech became a defining cultural message, repeated in churches, schools and rallies across the country, particularly in Black communities where the affirmation resonated as both spiritual encouragement and political declaration.

Over time, Jackson expanded his advocacy beyond civil rights demonstrations, pushing for economic inclusion and corporate accountability while also drawing attention to international human rights issues. His work frequently intersected with labor unions and community organizers fighting poverty, discrimination and unequal access to opportunity.

In Houston, a city shaped by both civil rights history and

ongoing debates about equity, Jackson’s legacy has been repeatedly invoked by leaders who credit him with helping broaden the idea of what Black political engagement could look like — not just protest, but sustained influence in elections, policy and community institutions.

Ellis said Jackson challenged Americans to keep moving forward even when progress was slow.

“He lived his values with courage and conviction,” Ellis said. “Even as his health declined, he challenged us to keep fighting for fairness, for opportunity, and for the inherent worth of every person.”

Jackson also ran for president twice in the 1980s, campaigns that were viewed as groundbreaking efforts to expand Black political participation and demonstrate that Black voters could be a decisive national force. Though he did not win the Democratic nomination, his campaigns helped shape future political organizing strategies and were seen as paving the way for later candidates of color on the national stage.

Ellis said Jackson’s impact reached far beyond politics.

“He improved life for people across the nation and the world,” he said. “My thoughts are with his family, the Rainbow PUSH

community, and everyy person whose life he touched.”

Jackson’s later years werre marked by health challenges, but his name remained synonymous w with activism rooted in faith, moraal urgency and public accountabilityy.

“Reverend Jackson taaught us to believe in our power — and in each other — and that

VOLUME 95, NUMBER 18 - FEBRUARY 19, 2026 Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles Managing Editor ReShonda Tate Content Manager Terrance Harris Community Reporter Aswad Walker

Culture/Lifestyle Reporter Laura Onyeneho Special Assignments Reporter Tannistha Sinha Sports Terrance Harris Jimmie Aggison Video Editor Bryan Erdy

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Newspaper Inc. and audited by Alliance for Audited Media (AAM). Only digital subscriptions are available at: www.defendernetwork.com/subscribe No paper subscriptions available. All materials covered by 2026 copyright. No materials herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the Publisher. 713-663-6996 | P.O. Box 8005, Houston, TX 77288

February 19, 2026 |

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DN Education TEXAS SCHOOL TAKEOVER

Spotlight on poverty, race, accountability The Texas Education Agency (TEA) last year moved to take over four school districts after six campuses received failing grades for five consecutive years, triggering a state mandate that allows the education commissioner to close schools or replace locally elected leadership.

The six campuses share striking similarities. Between 80% and 97% of students come from low-income households, far above the state average. Black and Hispanic students make up nearly all enrolled children, and large portions of students are considered at high risk of dropping out.

school boards and appoint new leadership in Fort Worth, Beaumont, Connally, and Lake Worth. Beaumont and Connally each had two campuses that met the take- Mike Morath. over threshold. Mor- Credit: OneStar ath said the districts Foundation. failed to make effective changes and showed widespread academic underperformance beyond the trigger schools.

District interventions

Critics cite poverty, inequality

By Gregory Stevenson

Under a 2015 accountability law, Education Commissioner Mike Morath must intervene when a school earns five straight F ratings. Since taking office in 2016, Morath has ordered two campus closures and seven district takeovers, arguing that persistent failure reflects ineffective governance that denies students a quality education.

Morath announced plans to replace

Critics argue the accountability system disproportionately targets districts serving low-income Black and Hispanic students while overlooking deeper inequities tied to poverty, segregation, and limited resources.

Connally ISD Superintendent Jill Bottelberghe said many students face housing instability, transportation barriers, or must care for themselves at home.

“What good is it to have moderately improved reading levels that come from a state takeover when the children are being called the N-word every day and cannot have a peaceful environment in which they learn and seek to grow?” said Andrew Hairston, director of Texas Appleseed’s Education Justice Project.

Differing conclusions

TEA is being called out for unduly targeting poorer school districts of color for takeover. Credit: Gemini AI.

“Not everybody gets a hot breakfast and mom taking them to school,” said Bottelberghe.

Additionally, students of color face disciplinary attacks on their natural hairstyles.

Most have endured lessons that downplay or ignore their history. Many have reported incidents of overt racism.

TEA officials maintain that the A–F system fairly measures academic outcomes. An F rating means at least 65% of tested students scored below grade level.

While social factors matter, agency leaders say chronic academic failure requires intervention.

Houston ISD, taken over in 2023, is cited

by TEA as proof that state control can raise test scores.

Critics counter that teacher turnover, community distrust, and sustainability concerns remain unresolved. National research shows that takeovers most often affect high-poverty districts, with mixed academic results.

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DN InFocus

Superintendent Mike Miles said nearly a quarter of Houston ISD schools operate at less than half capacity.

HISD Closures:

By Tannistha Sinha & ReShonda Tate

S

tate-appointed leadership of the Houston Independent School District is moving forward with a sweeping consolidation plan that would close 12 schools across the district, a decision that community leaders warn could ripple far beyond classrooms and reshape already vulnerable neighborhoods.

Superintendent Mike Miles says the proposal is driven by declining enrollment and aging facilities after years of infrastructure neglect. But critics argue the closures reflect a deeper crisis: A public education system where Black and working-class communities have long been asked to do more with less, and are now being asked to absorb the disruption.

The district’s Board of Managers is expected to vote on the closures Feb. 26.

While HISD leaders describe the plan as a necessary correction to financial and operational realities, the proposal has triggered growing fears among families and advocates that school closures will accelerate neighborhood disinvestment, increase student instability and reduce the presence of Black educators in communities where schools have historically served as anchors.

“It’s hard to be a principal of a school with 150 kids,” Miles said, noting that such campuses still face the same staffing and compliance requirements as larger schools. “At some point, you can’t replace the plumbing… or the air conditioning unit and things like that.”

A closure vote and a community disruption

Under the plan, 11 physical campuses will be shuttered, affecting elementary and middle schools across Houston. Seven campuses will close outright, while four will be consolidated through co-location, meaning two schools will operate in one building.

The 12 schools recommended for closure are:

Alcott ES Students will transition to Mading ES

Briscoe ES Students will transition to Carrillo ES

Burrus ES Students will transition to Kennedy ES

Franklin ES Students will transition to Gallegos ES

Henderson NQ ES Students will transition to Bruce ES

Port Houston ES

Students will transition to Pleasantville ES

Ross ES Students will transition to Roosevelt ES or C. Martinez ES (family choice)

Cage ES School and students will move to the Lantrip ES facility (co-location)

Fleming MS School and students will consolidate with McReynolds MS and move to the Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men facility (co-location)

McReynolds MS School and students will consolidate with Fleming MS and move to the Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men facility (co-location)

Hobby ES Grades 1-5 will move to the Lawson MS facility (co-location); Pre-K and Kinder will move to MLK Early Childhood Center

Gulfton Middle College Students will be absorbed into Liberty HS* Gulfton Middle College’s unique campus number will be closed, and students will now attend Liberty High School. Both campuses are currently co-located at the HCC Gulfton Campus, which is a non-HISD facility.

Two campuses, Gregg Elementary and Clemente Martinez Elementary, will instead be repurposed as “Future 2” pilot schools rather than closed.

Declining enrollment is real — but critics say the burden is not shared equally

Miles said enrollment declines have been accelerating, pointing to Texas Education Agency data showing Houston ranks fifth among major urban districts in enrollment loss since 2018.

“Enrollment has declined even faster than after the intervention, but it has still been declining,” Miles said.

He added that other Texas districts, including Ysleta, Pasadena and Alief, are facing similar trends.

But opponents of the plan argue that enrollment numbers don’t tell the full story, especially in communities where families have long raised concerns about inequitable funding, deteriorating buildings and chronic underinvestment.

Miles acknowledged the disproportionate

impact on historically underser ved neighborhoods.

“What bothers me most now is that our schools that have the highest FCI, the poorest facilities, are our underserved populations,” he said. “That breaks my heart.”

For many families, the question isn’t simply why enrollment is dropping, it’s why the campuses in their neighborhoods have been allowed to crumble in the first place, while schools in more affluent parts of the city remain stable and well-resourced.

Only the beginning?

According to the district, nearly 23% of HISD schools are operating below 50% capacity. At the same time, 96 school buildings have a Facility Condition Index (FCI) over 65%, indicating critical facility needs.

Rebuilding a single elementary school is estimated at $75 million, while a full renovation is estimated at $40 million.

MORE CLOSURES Miles said HISD cannot COMING? continue to operate severely under-enrolled campuses w it h m aj or s t r u c tu r a l of HISD campuses problems. operate below 50% But education advocates capacity warn the district’s own data suggests the closure list may expand in the future. buildings have an FCI If nearly one in four camabove 65% (critical puses are underutilized and facility needs) dozens of facilities are in critical condition, some community leaders fear Feb. 26 to rebuild one could become a precedent, elementary school not an isolated decision.

For families in neighboracross major roadways to renovate one hoods already dealing with or unfamiliar areas. elementary school instability and distrust fol“That was our family lowing the state takeover of school,” said James Cox, HISD, the closures feel less who attended Fleming. like a one-time restructuring “I had some really good and more like a signal of what’s coming next. memories at that school.A lot of kids need this guidance. A lot of kids depend on these The cost of closing schools schools around here — especially when some In many Black and working-class Houston parents don’t have transportation.” neighborhoods, schools are more than places Beyond the immediate disruption, some where children learn. They are community advocates worry the closures could contribute institutions, spaces where grandparents vol- to a familiar pattern seen across the country: unteer, where churches host events, where Once schools close, neighborhoods often families gather for sports, performances and struggle to attract investment, and abandoned parent meetings. campuses can become symbols of decline Closing a school can create a chain reac- rather than renewal. tion: Longer commutes, disrupted routines, increased transportation challenges, and a “Disinvestment disguised as reform” weakening of the neighborhood’s identity.

Criticism of the proposal has been swift, Parents have also raised concerns about particularly because many of the campuses how closures could affect student safety, espe- targeted for closure are located in historically cially if children are forced to travel farther underserved areas.

23% 96

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Reshape Black neighborhoods meaningful community input. “Community members need to know about this. They need to have the opportunity to give their two cents about it.”

For many residents, that frustration is tied to the reality that HISD is no longer governed by an elected school board.

Instead, the district is controlled by a state-appointed superintendent and Board of Managers following the Texas Education Agency takeover — a shift that critics say has weakened local accountability and community voice.

“Folks across our communities need to know that our education system right now is run by Governor Abbott in the state of Texas,” Menefee said.

What happens to Black educators and school leadership?

Beyond students and families, school closures can also reshape the workforce inside HISD. Each closure or consolidation can trigger teacher reassignments, job losses and leadership reshuffling — raising concerns about how many Black educators and administrators may be displaced from the communities where they have served as trusted mentors and cultural anchors.

In a district where Black teachers and principals have historically played a critical role in student support and community stability, advocates warn that closures can unintentionally shrink the pipeline of Black leadership inside public education.

Michelle Williams, president of the Houston Education Association, expressed mixed feelings about HISD school closures, arguing Christian Menefee, who represents Texas’ that declining enrollment stems from Hur18th Congressional District, said the proposal ricane Harvey and COVID, not solely from highlights the long-standing inequities that current leadership. She questioned why camhave shaped public education in Houston. puses were targeted and Black student enroll“I think it’s a travesty that our public edu- ment has declined significantly. Williams cation system hasn’t been better invested also criticized Miles’ leadership and added in,” Menefee told the she was surprised that FlemDefender. “Kids who ing MS was recommended for live in Denver Harbor co-location.

KEY DATES or in Fifth Ward should “I don’t think he should TO KNOW have buildings that look have the power to do it,” Feb. 17–Feb. 25: HISD just as nice as kids who Williams said. “And I think transition meetings, go to school in River the public needs to push back FAQs and family Oaks.” on it.” engagement timeline Menefee also Even when educ ators Feb. 26: Board of c r it ic i z e d w h at he are reassigned, the loss of a Managers vote described as a lack of neighborhood campus can on closures transparency. mean the loss of relationships “I just learned about built over years — relationJune 4: Final day of school; closures this a couple of hours ships that often make the scheduled to ago… you gotta have a difference for students navtake effect process,” he said, urging igating poverty, trauma and district leaders to allow instability.

What parents need to know

If your child attends one of the campuses proposed for closure or consolidation, here are the key issues to track before the Feb. 26 vote:

1. Where will students go next year?

HISD has identified receiving campuses for each school, but families should confirm: ° the new campus assignment ° whether siblings will be placed together ° whether parents can request a different campus 2. Will transportation be provided?

Families should ask whether bus routes will change and whether transportation will be guaranteed, especially for: ° students who live outside walking distance ° students with disabilities ° families without reliable transportation 3. What happens to special education services?

Parents of students receiving special education services should request clarity on: ° whether IEP services will remain consistent ° whether students will keep the same support staff ° how therapy services and accommodations will transfer 4. Will students keep their teachers or programs?

Many families want to know whether educators will be reassigned and whether key programs will follow students, including: ° gifted and talented programs ° after-school tutoring ° athletics and extracurriculars ° counseling and wraparound services 5. What happens to campus staff?

Closures often lead to staff reassignments or job losses. Parents may want to ask: ° how many staff positions are being cut ° whether teachers and principals will be reassigned ° what happens to counselors, librarians, and support staff 6. What happens to the school buildings?

Parents and community leaders are also raising questions about the long-term future of closed campuses, including whether buildings will be: ° sold, repurposed, leased, demolished, converted into alternative programs 7. How can families make their voices heard?

The district says it will hold campus meetings and provide FAQs, but parents can also monitor: ° Board of Managers meeting details and public comment procedures ° campus-level transition meetings ° timelines and posted district documents

8 | February 19, 2026 |

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DN Feature Houston Black Press lives on in archives

Other publications captured the city’s revolutionary spirit. In the 1960s, Reverend L. Earl Hope, a prominent civil rights leader and minister in Houston, founded the Hope Development. Out of that organization, the Voice of Hope newspaper was born. It reported on police brutality, apartheid, and the Black Panther movement. Its coverage of Carl Hampton’s 1970 killing offered a raw, unfiltered view of Black political activism in Houston during a turbulent decade.

By Tannistha Sinha

Inside the African American Library at the Gregory School, rows of bound newspapers, reels of microfilm, and glowing screens tell the story of Houston’s Black Press. These archives preserve the history of a people who refused to be silenced, documenting the struggles and triumphs of Black lives across generations.

A legacy written in ink

The Black Press in Houston began with the Houston Informer, founded in 1919 by C.F. Richardson with support from Hobart Taylor, a local Black millionaire. The weekly newspaper became a vital voice for African Americans during the era of segregation, covering issues ranging from education to voting rights. It merged with the Texas Freeman in 1930, continuing a mission of truth and justice that extended to Louisiana and Alabama before ceasing publication in the 1990s.

When Richardson left the Informer, he founded the Houston Defender in 1930. The Defender stood against lynching, disenfranchisement, and inequality, urging legislative reforms and amplifying civic voices. Under the current publisher and CEO, Sonceria

Faith and everyday life

The Houston Defender, founded in 1930 and still publishing today under the leadership of Sonny Messiah Jiles, stands as one of the nation’s longest-running Black newspapers, championing civic engagement, equity, and community storytelling across generations. Credit: Tannistha Sinha/Houston Defender

“Sonny” Messiah Jiles, the paper continues to highlight community priorities, from police accountability to infrastructure equity, marking its 95-year run as a mainstay of Black journalism.

Voices of empowerment and protest

In 1960, Julius P. Carter launched the

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Houston Forward Times to unite and uplift the city’s Black community. After Carter’s death, his wife, Lenora, and daughter, Karen Carter Richards, carried on his mission. It chronicled not only civil rights milestones but also economic advocacy, like a 1974 article about the National Black Media Coalition petitioning the FCC to demand more Black reporters on air.

The Negro Labor News, founded by C.W. Rice in 1931, focused on labor patterns and race relations in the workforce.

Though Rice’s ties with white businessmen sometimes led to criticism from his peers, his reporting painted a complex picture of Black labor struggles during World War II and beyond.

Faith-based journalism also flourished.

Reverend Floyd Nathaniel Williams, Sr. edited The Globe Advocate, a 1970s-1980s publication devoted to church news and spiritual education. Its Sunday school lessons and church directories documented Houston’s religious life while reinforcing Black moral and communal foundations.

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DN Profile

Cream Burger has been a beloved Houston institution since 1961.

Credit: Aswad Walker.

Cream Burger’s loyal customers come early for the goodness.

Credit: Aswad Walker.

CREAM BURGER Serves up generations of flavor and attitude

something for the community and the community recognizes us,” Beverly said. “In this day and age, it’s hard to find love everywhere.

When they come up here, they see the love that we are giving.”

Is it possible for a Houston eating spot that’s been around for more than six decades to be both famous and little-known at the same time? Yes—and Cream Burger is that place.

Third generation steps up

By Aswad Walker

Beloved by generations of Houstonians— especially students, faculty, and staff of Texas Southern University and the University of Houston—Cream Burger has been featured

by KHOU, the Texas Bucket List, and highlighted by food lovers online, including national influencer Mr. Chime Time. Yet many native Houstonians are only now discovering this affordable, family-owned institution rooted in the heart of Third Ward.

Founded in 1961 by Willie and Verna Lee Greenwood, a husband-and-wife duo from Hungerford, Texas, Cream Burger was passed to their children in 1974. That second generation continues to run the business today while preparing a third generation to carry the legacy forward.

“My mom and dad started this business in 1961,” says Beverly Ann Greenwood, a second-generation owner and the unmistakable face at the Cream Burger window.

“If they were alive today, they’d be surprised because we’ve been going for 64 years. I bet they would be so proud of us. And we’re trying to get a third generation in to continue the legacy.”

A lifetime at the window

Beverly’s connection to Cream Burger runs as deep as the stand’s history.

“I’ve been working at Cream Burger ever since 1961,” she said. “We didn’t cook hamburgers or make French fries when we were children, but we cleaned up the place. We

Since 1961, Cream Burger has been serving its customers goodness, and is now under the third generation of Greenwood family ownership. Seen here are Corey Greenwood and his aunt, Beverly Ann Greenwood. Credit: Aswad Walker.

picked up paper and swept the yard.”

Ask Beverly her favorite menu item and she laughs.

“That’s what everybody asks, and I tell them everything,” she said. “I’ve eaten more hamburgers, more chili dogs, more French fries than anybody who has come up to the window.”

Her childhood memories are seasoned with meals straight off the grill.

“It was a hamburger in the morning for breakfast, a hamburger at lunch, a hamburger at dinner,” she said. “We might switch it up—chili burger, cheeseburger, chili dog— but yes, I ate more hamburgers here than anybody.”

A customer-service legend

Cream Burger’s food has a cult following, but so does Beverly herself.

Some describe her as stern or direct; others say she’s loving. Beverly has heard it all.

“I interact with customers the way I want to be treated,” she explained. “Some say I’m hard—‘that crazy lady up there at Cream Burger.’ But if you treat me kind and respectful, I’ll treat you kind and respectful.”

She adds with a grin, “I used to curse, but I don’t curse anymore. I just say, ‘God bless you’ and keep you going on your way.”

When the Defender visited, customers lined up 30 minutes before opening.

“It makes me feel good that we are doing

After years in corporate America, Beverly’s nephew Corey Greenwood now manages Cream Burger as part of the third generation.

“It’s my grandmother and grandfather’s business,” Corey said. “They started it in 1961. So it’s a family tradition.”

He joined full-time after being laid off during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It was like God preparing me for what my family needed from me,” he said. “Honestly, I’m no longer stressed.”

He recalls visiting the stand as a child.

“Walking in the same space she walked, and now I’m walking—it uplifts me,” Corey said.

Beverly beams with pride. “My nephew is the same way my daddy was. He gets on the grill, cooks hamburgers, cooks French fries.

If anything breaks, we call him.”

Corey reflects that love back. “My aunt Beverly is one of the five women who raised me. Helping here is a blessing.”

Moving forward

Cream Burger’s future, they say, is built on love, loyalty, and affordability.

“It’s the love and the support,” Corey said. “Everything is going up but the wages, so we try our best to do our part for the community.”

They’ve modernized by accepting credit and debit cards and adding new shake flavors, while keeping prices accessible.

Through it all, Beverly sums it up simply: “We just appreciate our customers, and we want to make them happy and make them smile.”

10 | February 19, 2026 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports A YEAR LATER

ROCKETS LACK ‘EDGE’ In Kevin Durant era

By Terrance Harris

Seven months ago, the Rockets set out to speed up their playoff success and become serious NBA Finals contenders when they pulled off the blockbuster trade that landed perennial veteran All-Star Kevin Durant.

But the Rockets had to mortgage their future to acquire the 37-year-old veteran, shipping young star Jalen Green and defensive stopper Dillon Brooks to Phoenix in exchange for Durant. With the season at the All-Star Break, the question is: Are the Rockets in a better position in the Western Conference to take that next step, or should they stay the course of a steady rebuild with their young core?

The wins, losses, and positioning in the Western Conference seem about a wash when comparing where the Rockets were last season to now. But the difference lies in the toughness and hustle that have seemed to take a step back so far this season.

“The edge is missing,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said recently to the Defender. “We don’t have that on a nightly basis, so we’re toughing out wins whereas we used to be able to kind of lock down and take over games.

We’re going through the motions at times.

“I would say overall, the energy and toughness of the team to start games is not there.”

It’s all worked to put the Rockets in an interesting spot as they look to break through last season’s ceiling, which ended in the first round of the playoffs despite entering as the No.2 in the Western Conference. Like last season, the Rockets entered the All-Star Break as a top-four team in the West with Green leading the way in his fourth season.

But the Rockets seem to have less margin for errors and more weaknesses than they had a year ago. Coming out of the All-Star Break, the third through seventh seeds in the Western Conference are bunched up with the Nuggets, Rockets, Lakers, Timberwolves, and Suns. A bad run of games could have the Rockets on the wrong side of the playoff bracket in the second half of the season.

That realization has led to questions about how much better the Rockets are now than they were a year ago.

General Manager Rafael Stone pulled off the blockbuster trade of this last offseason to bring in more scoring after the Rockets went flat in the first round against the Golden State Warriors, and Green all but disappeared. The Rockets have clearly fixed their scoring lulls with the addition of one of the game’s most prolific scorers, but they

Kevin Durant has been everything the Rockets thought he would be when they pulled off the blockbuster trade last summer that brought him to Houston and sent young talent, Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, to the Phoenix Suns.

But has he been enough to elevate the Rockets towards an NBA title? Credit: Getty Images

have seemed to leave themselves vulnerable in some other key areas.

Udoka has at times expressed concerns about his young players sitting back and relying too heavily on Durant to save them.

The Rockets are still without a consistent No. 2 scorer, with players like Jabari Smith, Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, and second-year guard Reed Sheppard taking turns, all averaging in double figures.

But they have been anything but consistent, prompting Udoka to call out players like Sengun, who had a 39-point effort against the Indiana Pacers only to follow that up with a seven-point output a few nights later in a loss to the Charlotte Hornets.

A big part of the problem, however, has been injuries to key players. The biggest being the season-ending injury that veteran point guard and floor general Fred VanVleet suffered before the season began. Veteran big man and enforcer Steven Adams has also been lost for the season.

“Some personnel went out the door that brings that on a nightly basis. Dillon does that, Fred does that. Steven is out, and he is one of our tougher energy guys,” Udoka said to the Defender. “But we have enough without that.”

Given the voids, the Rockets’ non-activity at the trade deadline was made all the more curious. They were believed to have been in

trade conversations with the Chicago Bulls for Coby White, but once that fell through, nothing else substantial turned up.

Stone has said that the team could get involved in the buyout market once teams start discarding unwanted trade pieces, but the Rockets are hard-capped at the first apron, which gives them little flexibility to add salaries.

“We like this group. And credit to Tilman Fertitta (team owner), he didn’t have an appetite for taking a step back,” Stone said of the team’s activity around the trade deadline. “He definitely wanted to spend the money and give this group a chance to be as good as it can be.”

February 19, 2026 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

| 11

DN Sports WORTHING HS

Jacardeon Terrell Changes basketball trajectory with maturity

By Jimmie Aggison

Jacardeon Terrell didn’t lose his love for basketball when the game was taken away from him.

He learned how to earn it back.

Once labeled “too talkative” and repeatedly sidelined from the sport he loved, the Worthing junior used those setbacks as a mirror, not a crutch. Today, the 6-foot combo guard isn’t just on the varsity floor; he’s leading it, proving that growth, not raw talent, was the missing piece all along.

Before playing organized basketball, Terrell grew up playing pickup games with his friends in Third Ward off Trulley Street.

“It wasn’t about rules or teams, just about competing, trash talk, and trying to be better than the next person,” said Terrell.

From daily court time and constant trash talk, Terrell learned the toughness required to excel in the game.

“Playing at parks like Emancipation taught me toughness, and that gave me confidence,” said Terrell. “You had to earn respect every game, and that mindset still helps me compete today.”

That freedom on the blacktop came without whistles or consequences, but it quickly changed once Terrell stepped into organized basketball.

“The hardest adjustment to organized basketball was learning the structure,” said Terrell. “I had to listen to coaches, run plays, and understand that effort and discipline mattered as much as talent.”

Since Terrell attended schools where sports weren’t the primary focus, Yellowstone Academy for elementary school and Baylor College of Medicine at James D. Ryan for middle school, his freshman year of high school was his first experience with organized basketball.

The experience was new and fun, but it came with rules. Terrell wasn’t a bad kid, but he talked far too much for the teachers’ liking. That excessive talking led to several in-class confrontations and ultimately prevented him from playing the game he wanted to play.

“At the time, I didn’t fully realize it,” said Terrell. “I thought what I did off the court didn’t matter, but I learned it affects how coaches trust you and how many chances you get.”

A cell phone dispute, in which Terrell refused to surrender his phone in class, sidelined him for most of his freshman season.

Being benched hurt, but it also planted a seed. Terrell soon realized he needed to grow up and mature if he wanted to stay on the court.

“My sophomore year, I transferred to Worthing, and it felt like a fresh start because I could rewrite my story,” said Terrell. “I wasn’t being judged on my past, just on how hard I worked and how I acted now.”

A more mature Terrell began talking less in class and focusing more on basketball. As a sophomore, he earned a spot on the junior varsity team.

“On JV, I took basketball more seriously,” said Terrell. “I focused on being coachable, playing my role, and improving every day rather than simply trying to score.”

By the time varsity became an option, Terrell wasn’t seeking opportunity; he was ready for responsibility.

“What earned Jacardeon his varsity role began in the offseason, when he improved his game from his sophomore to his junior year,” said Worthing coach Savalace Townsend. “He became more athletic and more creative with his shot-making. Although he is still young, I have seen significant improvements since his sophomore year. He is now beginning to understand that success in games is earned through practice.”

Although he is a junior, Terrell leads the team in scoring and blocks and ranks second in assists, rebounds, and steals.

“Leading the team means I impact the game in more than one way,” said Terrell. “I can score and protect the rim, and I also help with rebounds, defense, and energy.”

But stats tell only part of the story. Terrell’s biggest impact shows up in moments you can’t chart.

“Jacardeon has high energy. Before games, he always gets us going,” said junior guard Boston Greenwood.

Now, Terrell has learned how to balance being vocal, the very thing that once kept him off the court.

“Now I think before I speak,” said Terrell. “I try to be positive and encouraging rather than emotional, so my voice helps the team rather than hurts it.”

With growth comes vision, and Terrell’s eyes are already fixed on what’s ahead.

“A state-title run in 2026 would mean everything to me and the Worthing basketball program,” said Terrell.

“It would show how far I’ve come and help put Worthing basketball back on the map.”

From his journey, Terrell hopes younger athletes understand that their past doesn’t have to define them.

“If you stay focused, work hard, and grow as a person, you can change your future,” said Terrell.

For Terrell, maturity didn’t just change his game; it gave him a game.

“Jacardeon’s story is important to this program because we want our kids to know that the opportunity is there and that it’s on them to take advantage,” said Townsend.

“No matter your basketball background, if you can play, you can play. As a coach, I will mold you into a better player and, more importantly, a better person. Jacardeon has stormed onto the HISD basketball scene as a prolific scorer, and he is only going to get better as the days go by if he keeps his head down and continues to grind.”

ABOUT JACARDEON TERRELL

Class: 2027 IG: @0canhoop_ Twitter: @0canhoop Position: Guard Height & weight: 6-feet-1, 143 pounds Favorite artist: Lil Baby Status: Uncommitted Favorite subject: Avid Shout outs: My pops, mom, oldest two sisters, dad side of family and coaches

12 | February 19, 2026 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Health

A DEFENDER AND KELSEY-SEYBOLD CLINIC ALLIANCE

Acting Early to Protect Your Heart

By MOSES OSORO, MD

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and heart health is shaped by factors in and out of your control. Because Black adults are more likely to develop high blood pressure at younger ages, knowing where you stand early can help lower your risk of heart disease, chronic kidney disease, and stroke.

February is National Heart Month, a good time to plan a heart checkup. To prepare for your appointment, write down symptoms you want to discuss, such as chest discomfort or shortness of breath. Be ready to share family history of heart disease or stroke in a parent or sibling. Bring an up-to-date medication list and home blood pressure readings if you have them.

The Important Measurements In a heart checkup, we often review a few measurements. Your blood pressure shows how hard your heart is working.

Over time, high readings can damage your blood vessels. Your fasting blood sugar shows how your body handles glucose. When it stays high, it can also injure your blood vessels. Cholesterol is a group of blood fats, and higher levels can add to plaque that narrows your arteries.

Protecting Your Heart Focus on the steps you can control.

Track blood pressure at home. Aim to move more across the week, even in short sessions. Build meals around vegetables, fruit, beans, and whole

Get Care NOW! With Same Day, Next Day In-Person and Video Visit Primary Care Appointments.

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713-442-7025

grains, and limit salty packaged foods and restaurant meals. Keep portions in mind for fried foods and sweets. Take prescribed medicine as directed. Speak up if cost concerns or side effects make it hard to stay on track. Protect sleep and get support for stress when it feels constant.

Acting in an Emergency Call 911 for lasting chest pressure, sudden shortness of breath, fainting, or weakness on one side of the body.

At Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, we review your results, symptoms, and goals, then work with you on next steps.

Call 713-442-7025 or visit kelsey-seybold.com to schedule an appointment.

Moses Osoro, MD, Cardiology Kelsey-Seybold Clinic – Conroe Clinic and Springwoods Village Campus Scan to view his online profile.