03.05.2026_Defender-e-FULL

ELECTION RECAP

Winners, losers & runoffs in the March primary INFOCUS

SPORTS

TEXAS BLACK DESIGNERS

NICK ANDERSON

These stylists are moving western culture to front and center.

Volume 95, issue 20 March 5, 2026

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Thrives in going from PVAMU to Rice.

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DN To the Point

(L-R) Ryan Coogler, Jayme Lawson, Delroy Lindo, winner of the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture award for “Sinners.” Credit: Getty Images

Reporter’s Message Houston’s own Ali Siddiq makes NAACP Image Award history

actors on stage. Black excellence on display while navigating racial discomfort in real time is nothing new. I, for one, am here for every moment of this winning streak.

I can’t wait to see the cast shine during the Oscars.

I am not surprised that Houston comedian Ali Siddiq took home the 57th NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Variety (Series or Special) for My Two Sons. This victory is groundbreaking because Siddiq won the award for an independently proBlack folk cannot afford duced project released directly to fans on to ignore the war in Iran his YouTube channel. He is the first artist to I was scrolling through Facebook win a major variety award for a self-funded, recently, and I saw posts of Black women, Laura Onyeneho self-distributed special, bypassing tradispouses of soldiers, terrified about the postional platforms like Netflix, HBO, and Comedy Central. sibility of deployment. I need us to understand something What moves me most is that you do not have to compromise that history has made painfully clear. When America goes to who you are to be recognized for your greatness. Ali proved war, Black and Brown people bleed first. Black people have that stories rooted in his roots in the Third Ward, the real long made up a disproportionate share of frontline troops, ones, the hard ones, are worthy of the highest honors. We the ones closest to the fire. And when the wars ended, it should celebrate this loudly. He is not just a comedian. He was Black veterans who were most often denied access to is a mirror reflecting the resilience of this city back to us. GI Bill benefits, left behind while others rebuilt their lives.

Congratulations, Ali. You did that.

The war in Iran is not a distant news story. It is knocking on the doors of families in our neighborhoods right now.

Sinners is sweeping awards season Bombs do not discriminate by race, but American policy Ryan Coogler’s 2025 masterpiece, Sinners, is doing has always known exactly who to send into harm’s way. It something we rarely see: a Black-led, Black-centered orig- might not directly impact you, but we can’t forget those inal horror film is dominating awards season like nothing whose family members are sacrificing their lives in these before it. 16 Oscar nominations, the most in history, and wars for our safety and freedom. We must demand accountthe film just claimed Best Ensemble and Actor for Michael ability, advocate for our military families. Stay informed.

B. Jordan at the 32nd Screen Actors Guild Awards. This Stay engaged. Our lives depend on it. was an awesome moment considering what happened at the BAFTA Film Awards. While Michael B. Jordan and Delroy On the web Lindo stood on that stage with grace and dignity, a Tourette’s • The Divorce Doula: Chantay Sanders helps women turn campaigner in the audience involuntarily shouted a racial endings into launchpads. slur. The world watched. And those two Black men held • Demystifying the End: Hospice care impact on the Black their composure beautifully, even as the moment almost discommunity. tracted the global audience from the greatness of these two • Smart ways to bounce back financially after a job loss.

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DN News ELECTION RECAP

Winners, losers & runoffs in the March primary p

By ReShonda Tate

The outcome of several closely watched Texas races on Election Day could reshape the state’s political landscape heading into November.

One of the most closely watched races was for Congressional District 18, where voters weighed the decades-long tenure of U.S. Rep. Al Green against U.S. Rep Christian Menefee’s call for a new generation of leadership. Since neither candidate received 50% of the vote, Green and Menefee will advance to a May 26 runoff.

“I didn’t ask for these new maps, Congressman Green didn’t ask for this, and the voters of this district certainly didn’t ask for this,” said Menefee in a statement after the vote.

“But I want to be clear about one thing: we are not going to let Donald Trump and Greg Abbott use this gerrymandering scheme as a distraction from the real issues facing the people of this country. The 18th Congressional District has shown loud and clear that they want a fighter who can deliver real results, and I’m focused on continuing to deliver that.”

The contest drew significant attention across Houston and nationally.

Speaking at a watch party Tuesday night, Menefee celebrated his slight lead over Green.“I’m focused on taking this district to the future,” Menefee said.

Green, speaking at his Election Night watch party, said he hopes to continue serving his constituents.

“The 18th Congressional District has been without representation for almost a year, and I want people to know that I plan to maintain my high voting record, and that I’m on the job,” Green said. “And hopefully people will understand and realize that this is what they have elected me to do.”

At the statewide level, U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett mounted a competitive campaign for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, but she ultimately fell short, 46% to Talarico’s 53%.

Voting was extended in Dallas County and

Letitia Plummer

Christian D. Menefee

Al Green

James Talarico

Jasmine Crockett

Williamson County, outside Austin, after voters reported being turned away and directed to different voting precincts because of new primary rules. Paxton’s office later challenged a decision keeping the polls open longer, and the state Supreme Court ruled that ballots cast by people not in line by 7 p.m. should be separated from others. But even if all of those votes were in favor of Crockett, it would not be enough to hand her the victory. She conceded early the day after the election.

“Texas is primed to turn blue and we must remain united because this is bigger than any one person,” Crockett said in a statement on X. “This is about the future of all 30 million Texans and getting America back on track.”

Longtime Sen. John Cornyn and MAGA favorite Ken Paxton are heading to a May runoff in Texas’ Republican Senate primary, setting up what’s expected to be a nasty and expensive second round and a renewed push to win the endorsement of President Donald

Annise Parker

Jarvis Johnson

Trump. Wesley Hunt came in a distant third.

Talarico will face the winner of the Paxton-Cornyn runoff.

Several other races also produced notable outcomes.

Former Houston Mayor Annise Parker held a substantial lead in her bid for the Harris County Judge’s seat in the Democratic primary election, according to initial results.

But she was not quite in a position to avoid a runoff. That race also had not been called by press time.

If either candidate fails to gain 50% of the vote, the top two vote-getters will advance to a May 26 runoff election.

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia won the primary race against Jarvis Johnson in the 29th Congressional District, despite the Houston district being redrawn by the state’s Republican lawmakers last year. Garcia received 58.2% to Johnson’s 35.7%.

Beyond the individual contests, turnout numbers were among the most significant storylines of the election.

For the first time in more than two decades, Democrats outnumbered Republicans in early voting across Texas, a development that has energized the party ahead of what many expect to be a pivotal election cycle.

Statewide, 1.33 million Democrats cast early ballots, compared with 1.1 million Republicans.

Democratic turnout surged 126% compared with 2024 and 35% compared with 2020, both presidential primary years that historically drive higher voter participation.

Texas has long remained a Republican stronghold. No Democrat has won statewide office in Texas since 1994, and the state has not sent a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1988.

Still, early voting numbers are fueling optimism among Democrats who believe this election cycle could signal a shift in political momentum in the state.

Election officials are expected to release additional turnout and voting data.

Sylvia Garcia

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DN Education Black collegians

Navigate policy, politics, purpose

By Aswad Walker

For many Black college students, 2025 was not just another academic year, it was a pivotal moment and a crash course in how politics can reshape access, belonging, and opportunity in real time.

From financial aid changes to the rollback of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, federal and state policy decisions reverberated across campuses, especially at predominantly white institutions (PWIs). The result has been heightened stress, declining enrollment at so-called “elite” universities, and a growing push toward historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

Nationally, Black student enrollment at top PWIs declined following the 2023 affirmative action ruling, a trend that continued through 2025. At the same time, HBCUs saw enrollment increases as Black students sought culturally affirming environments where they felt more supported and secure.

Financial strain, unmet mental health needs, and rising micro- and macroaggressions compounded pressure for those who remained at PWIs. Locally, Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) reached a record enrollment of 10,085 students in Fall 2025, continuing growth from 9,400 in 2023. Texas Southern University (TSU) experienced a slight decline to approximately 8,137 students in Fall 2024, down from 8,469 in Fall 2023, though both institutions have generally trended upward over recent years.

To understand how these shifts are playing out on the ground, The Defender spoke with Black collegians from the Houston area about their lived experiences during what many describe as the “age of Trump.”

Jackson Swinton (left) and mom Nicque Montgomery. Courtesy Nicque Montgomery.

Politics in the classroom and beyond For Lacey Reynolds, a May 2025 University of Texas graduate with a government degree now applying to law school, politics were unavoidable.

“With the Texas Capitol Building being just five minutes away from campus, the environment at UT is naturally political,” Reynolds said. “The policies of Trump’s second term were something we talked about a lot, especially being Black students at a PWI.” Reynolds said UT quickly became a testing ground for policy shifts.

“Texas legislative policies are immediately adopted on our campus,” she said.

That reality was especially clear during the 2024 election cycle.

“I volunteered for a campaign, and at the presidential election watch party, I remember the environment—and that whole week afterwards—people were really down,” Reynolds said.

At PVAMU, freshman biology major Nasya Levi said conversations felt different but carried similar urgency.

“Even attending an HBCU, some of the financial laws Trump is implementing impact our aid and what’s happening on campus,” Levi said. “We comment on those pretty often.”

Jackson Swinton, a UT sophomore double-majoring in theater and sports management, said political discussions happen, but cautiously.

“Some people are uncomfortable talking about it,” he said. “But this is a topic we need to talk about more.”

Financial strain and policy whiplash Among the most immediate impacts were changes to student aid. Reynolds described the fallout bluntly.

“His policies were detrimental,” she said.

“That put a cap on financial aid for college and grad students. There were students losing funding immediately.”

She noted that Texas students felt the effects early.

“We had already started to see it in Texas with the anti-DEI bills,” Reynolds said. “We’ll see these impacts beyond Texas in funding, scholarships, and loans.”

Lacey Reynolds (center) with father State Rep. Ron Reynolds (left) and mother Pamela D. Reynolds. Courtesy Lacey Reynolds.

Levi echoed those concerns.

“Some of my friends are getting less money through scholarships, grants, and loans because of changes to student aid and FAFSA,” she said.

For Swinton, the uncertainty piled up.

“The last semester was a lot of juggling pressure and uncertainty,” he said, citing financial aid, academics, and social stress colliding at once.

Disappearing safe spaces The dismantling of DEI programs reshaped campus culture, particularly at PWIs. “With DEI being taken down, that really affected clubs and organizations,” Swinton said.

“Those safe spaces were eliminated, and it made campus feel more unstable and unwelcoming.”

He watched organizations that once centered Black and Brown students get renamed, reduced, or eliminated altogether. One group he belonged to shifted from an all-Black male organization to a race-neutral structure.

“The best thing we can do is adapt and keep moving forward,” he said.

At PVAMU, Levi noticed similar effects through tighter budgets.

“Organizations have less money to create events and plan things we benefit from as students,” she said.

Texas as a testing ground Reynolds described Texas as an early warning system.

“Texas was one of the first states to hit hard against DEI,” she said, referencing Senate Bills 17 and 18. “We saw faculty let go because

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VOLUME 95, NUMBER 20 - MARCH 5, 2026

Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender News- paper 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 2025 copyright. No materials herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the Publisher.

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Managing Editor ReShonda Tate

Content Manager Terrance Harris Community Reporter Aswad Walker Culture/Lifestyle Reporter Laura Onyeneho

Nasya Levi (right) with mom, Chisa Sallah. Credit: Aswad Walker.

programs were shut down. Friends in other states called to ask how we were dealing with it.”

Parents carry the weight The stress extends beyond students. Levi’s mother, Chisa Sallah, said she is proud but concerned.

“I’m grateful we haven’t had problems securing funds,” Sallah said, “but I’m concerned it won’t be as easily available without stress.”

Nicque Montgomery, Swinton’s mother, described the toll as heavier.

“The feelings are stressful and downright traumatic because we’re digressing as a country,” she said. “Our kids have to be almost near perfect.”

She described weekly check-ins to manage deadlines, taxes, and policy changes.

“It’s a full-time job,” Montgomery said. “I can’t afford financially or mentally to let him figure everything out alone.”

Special Assignments Reporter Tannistha Sinha Sports Terrance Harris Jimmie Aggison Video Editor Bryan Erdy

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DN Feature

Manna House Confronts Houston food deserts

By Aswad Walker

In a city full of hidden gems, there is one that Houstonians can’t afford to sleep on any longer.

Tucked away near the corner of Ennis and Blodgett, and surrounded by neighborhoods that are the very definition of food deserts, Manna House Third Ward Food Pantry quietly but consistently meets a critical need.

A food desert is a geographic area where it is difficult to buy healthy, nutritious food at an affordable price. That difficulty may stem from limited access to grocery stores or from prices that make fresh food unaffordable. Manna House focuses its efforts on food-insecure households in the 77004 and 77021 zip codes, two areas that frequently rank among the Houston-area food deserts.

The need is significant. A recent study from Rice University’s Kinder Institute found that about two out of five households in Houston and Harris County are food-insecure — roughly 40%. On any given weekend, families often visit multiple food pantries, not out of greed, but out of need.

Despite this reality, Manna House remains under the radar, even as its volunteers and board members push for broader awareness and use of its services.

Meeting a great need Although it is charged to serve the 77004 and 77021 zip codes, Manna House, located at 3118 ½ Blodgett St., 77004, provides food to any Harris County resident in need.

The pantry operates through a partnership with the Houston Food Bank and is managed by four churches: Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ, St. Mary of the Purification Catholic Church, St. Luke Episcopal

Church, and Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church.

“We serve at least 100 people on a weekly basis,” said Manna House volunteer and board member Jene Washington. “We’re open on Thursdays and Fridays, and the third Saturday of every month, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.”

Those numbers represent families, seniors, and individuals navigating rising food costs and limited access, as well as a community-based response grounded in cooperation and faith.

Answering a call to serve For many at Manna House, volunteering is not just an act of charity, but a calling.

“Jesus called us to feed his people, and this is an opportunity for me to answer that call and to obey that command to feed his people,” said Pantry Manager Kathy Dale. “And I love it.”

Dale is joined by volunteers from across Houston and beyond, many of whom describe their service as mutually enriching.

“I’ve been volunteering here off and on for a few years. I love serving my community,” said Angie Meus, a volunteer originally from Chicago. “I think it’s important to give back, and the people that we serve are so appreciative of the time that we spend here.”

Mary Williams, a Gary, Indiana native who relocated to Houston to attend Texas Southern University, has volunteered at Manna House for three years with an unmistakable energy and joy.

“The Bible says if ye are able to help, help your sister, help your brother come along,” Williams said. “So, I cannot rest aside and know that I have neighbors, friends, relatives who are in need and not offer a helping hand.”

Manna House provides food for roughly 100 people each week.

Credit: Aswad Walker.

CLASSIFIED

Kathy Dale

Mary Williams

Rooted in community and faith Houston native Margaret Samuel, a Lamar High School alumna and Third Ward resident, sees her volunteer work as deeply tied to purpose and faith.

“I’m volunteering my time because that’s what God calls us to do,” Samuel said. “And it makes me feel like I have a purpose. When I come here, I feel blessed because I’m able to do something that helps somebody else.”

A vehicle for generosity Manna House serves community by not only distributing food, but also receiving it through donations from Houstonians like Cheri Church.

“During the SNAP issues, my family had stocked up on some goods,” said Church.

“This is a time when people have real needs, and food is just not something that people should be going without.”

Margaret Samuel

Cheri Church

Angie Meus

Jene Washington

Blessings on both sides of service Washington believes the impact of Manna House extends beyond the pantry walls.

“You don’t get paid, but you get paid,” said Washington. “Payment is in your spirit to give back. And when you give back, they give back to you because they’re so grateful.”

For more information, call 713-529-3381 or email mannahouse3rd@gmail.com.

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DN InFocus

Texas Black designers Stylists expand Western fashion culture

T

said Taylor, founder of BStone Western he cowboy hat. The leather Wear. “To bridge the gap of what wasn’t boots. The fringe jacket and being represented.” earthy, sun-baked palette. For Taylor spent a full year researching before more than a century, Western launching her online store in 2023, attendfashion has conjured a very ing trade events such as WESA (Western & specific image in the American imagination, English Sales Association) and visiting Westone drawn from Hollywood’s “Wild West” ern marketplaces. She spent months building mythology. a social media community before she had a The American cowboy image includes single product to sell, growing to roughly significant, often overlooked contributions 40,000 followers before her launch. And then from Black, Indigenous, and Mexican cultures, Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” era arrived, acceloften portrayed exclusively as white. erating everything she had built.

But that image is being actively dismantled.

Her brand name, BStone, carries a dual And in Texas, Black designers and stylists are identity in its very letters. The “B” stands among those doing the most intentional work for Black, a deliberate declaration of ownerto replace it with something truer to history ship. The “Stone” comes from her own name, and more expansive in its vision of who the Dymond. She has since dressed celebrity cowboy actually was. clients, including Bun B, K. Michelle, and The American West’s revisionist narrative GloRilla, and was featured in the New York often overlooks that one in four cowboys was Times in connection with the Met Gala’s WestBlack. In the 19th-century frontier economy, ern-themed coverage.

Black cowhands contributed significantly Her signature design philosophy she calls to building the West by creating a practical “urban Western”, is a deliberate fusion that wardrobe suited to their demanding work, layers streetwear sensibility onto traditional including wide-brimmed hats, leather chaps, silhouettes. The results are pieces that work sturdy boots, and durable denim. as naturally on a Houston city block as they Beyond utility, this attire carried a deeper do at a rodeo. Her ready-to-wear line is also meaning. For men who priced accessibly, a pointed response to had recently emerged from an industry where quality Western hats enslavement, the gear of a alone can exceed a thousand dollars. skilled cowhand was a sym“I think you have the idea of the bol of freedom, competence, traditional Western and my idea of and self-determination. urban Western, and then we just mesh Many Black cowboys wore it together,” Taylor said. “I love the idea distinctively high-qualof keeping it traditional, but kind of LEARN MORE ity clothing precisely to adding that urban flair.”

ABOUT HOW announce that status, to FASHION distinguish themselves in a The vision of Western GQ KEEPS world that tried to render Dallas-based stylist and Western RODEO HISTORY them invisible.

GQ founder D. Rich has been making ALIVE the same argument with his wardrobe Filling the gap for more than 25 years.

When Dymond Taylor Growing up, he spent weekends walked into Western fashion trade shows with his father driving to Malakoff, Texas, to years ago, she was often the only one who reconnect with family roots going back multilooked like her. No Black-owned brands ple generations. As a city kid toggling between lined the aisles. No designs that reflected the “good clothes” for the country and back to urban-Western fusion she had been develop- streetwear at home, he eventually rejected the ing for years. false choice entirely.

“I knew I wanted to create a niche brand “I found a really clever way to combine both in Houston that would fill these spaces,” fashion, both styles, even at a young age,” he

By Laura Onyeneho

Dymond is the owner of BStone Western Wear, the first Black woman-owned urban Western Wear store in Houston. Credit: Jimmie Aggison

said. “As I got older, it became more stylish and luxurious.”

The result is Western GQ, what D. Rich describes as “a combination of modern fashion combined with the luxury style of Western fashion.” Where traditional Western wear defaulted to muted earth tones and utilitarian cuts, his approach weaponizes color, accessorizes boldly with scarves he calls “ties,” feathered hats, pendants, and luxury boots, and layers high-fashion sensibility over recognizably Western foundations.

He draws inspiration from Black trailblazers across history, entrepreneurs, engineers, and freedom fighters, and sees his Western aesthetic as continuous with that tradition of excellence dressed with intention.

“Your fashion says a whole lot before you

even say a word,” D. Rich said. “Whenever somebody sees me, I’m dressed. I’m speaking to you, letting you know that I’m confident, that I’m sure about myself.”

His primary audience skews toward the 37-to-70 age range, established men and women who understand that appearance is a statement, not a costume. But younger audiences are watching. The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, the nation’s premier touring Black rodeo, has been selling out events faster than ever, with D. Rich appearing as a style ambassador and videographer, helping document and excite communities about dressing the part.

“Every event is sold out,” he said. “The interest of Western culture is growing, and you can see it in how people show up to these events.”

The museum keeps the roots alive

The cultural and commercial resurgence did not emerge from a vacuum. It is the product of decades of preservation work by people like James Austin, founder and executive director of the National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum and Hall of Fame.

Now 24 years old and recently relocated to a new facility on Dottie Lynn Parkway near Arlington, the museum has spent a generation documenting what most American history curricula omit: That one-fourth of all cowboys were Black Americans. Its 140 Hall of Fame inductees represent the full, diverse architecture of the American West.

“It was a history that I didn’t learn as a young man, and I wish I had known about it,” Austin said. “We teach and educate our kids

I knew I wanted to create a niche brand in Houston that would fill these spaces.

To bridge the gap of what wasn’t being represented.”

DYMOND TAYLOR

and the nation in regards to the importance of celebrating the first cowboys, African-American cowboys.”

Western GQ (D. Rich) is a Dallas-based celebrity barber, stylist, and digital creator redefining classic Western wear with vibrant colors and bold, fashionable styling. Credit: D.Rich

Austin sees what fashion designers and stylists are doing as a natural extension of the museum’s mission, fashion as a living, wearable form of historical education. Where a museum exhibit reaches visitors who seek it out, a bold Western look on a Houston street corner, or a celebrity’s back reaches millions who never would have gone looking.

He has spent years pushing that logic into corporate boardrooms as well. Five years ago, he convinced Wrangler to sponsor his

Juneteenth Festival by making a straightforward business case that when “African Americans and Hispanics dress up Western, you’re missing a market by not supporting this program.”

Wrangler came in as a title sponsor. The point was proof that Black Western culture has spending power the industry had long ignored, and that legacy brands were leaving money on the table by treating Western fashion as a whites-only aesthetic.

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DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Feature

YWCA: 116 years old Celebrates community impact, service

serves an average of 300,000 meals each year to vulnerable homebound seniors. The organization is the second-largest provider of home-delivered meals in Houston and the largest provider of congregate meals.

By Aswad Walker

For 116 years, YWCA Houston has stood as a steady force for racial justice, women’s empowerment, and community care — work rooted deeply in the city’s history and still shaping its future.

Founded in January 1907 after a City Hall meeting attended by 80 women, YWCA Houston was the first YWCA branch established in Texas and has remained committed to serving women and girls across generations.

From its earliest days, the organization focused on empowering women and girls.

That commitment expanded in 1920 with the creation of the Blue Triangle Branch, established specifically to serve African American women at a time when few national organizations were willing to do so.

According to its mission, YWCA Houston “is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.”

Its vision is equally bold: women and girls thriving without barriers and transforming their communities.

Building community

That vision has long been reflected not only in programs but also in physical spaces and institutional courage.

“The YWCA is an institution to be supported because of its legacy of openness and willingness to be involved in the African American community before other national organizations dared to do so,” said Algenita Scott Davis, a longtime supporter.

In Houston, the YWCA constructed a community facility on land purchased by Black women themselves, offering a library, gymnasium, swimming pool, event space and restaurant services that supported the

Programs serving women, girls and families

YWCA Board Chair Janice Beal (front row, center) is joined by several YWCA Houston members and supporters. Credit: www.ywcahouston.org.

375k+ Meals delivered to seniors through our Meals on Wheels program

85%

Of our families achieve self-sufficiency upon their departure from the housing program

community for decades. The organization became a safe and affirming place for Black women and families when segregation limited access elsewhere.

Serving youth, demanding equity

During the 1950s and 1960s, YWCA Houston established youth branches for young women attending segregated junior and senior high schools in HISD. Known as

The story of YWCA Houston is one worth telling as they continue working to help women and girls educate, empower, advance, lead, serve, and thrive.

Seen here are Dr. Janice Beal (right) with Sharon Murphy and Judge Vanessa Gilmore.

Credit: www. ywcahouston.org.

170k+

Women have participated in the Womens Entrepreneurship Program

Today, YWCA Houston operates four core program areas.

Its housing program uses the evidence-based Transition to Independence Process (TIP) Model to help youth and young adults achieve long-term self-sufficiency. The “Y” She Can Series offers community events designed to educate women and raise awareness about pressing issues.

The TechGYRLS® program empowers girls — particularly those underrepresented — to explore STEM education and careers.

Women’s Empowerment 360° (WE360) supports minority women entrepreneurs working to launch and sustain successful businesses.

YWCA Houston also collaborates with community partners. Davis noted the organization recently hosted the Associates Committee of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., which collected gift cards to support families fleeing domestic violence.

Shaping generations

Y-Teens, these branches created opportuni“For 116 years, YWCA Houston has been ties for leadership and social engagement. a cornerstone of this community — empowDavis recalled campus programs and activ- ering women, serving seniors, and providing ities held both at schools and at the Blue stability for families,” said Dr. Janice Beal, Triangle Y on McGowan. board chair.

The YWCA also hosted luncheons, garShe noted that at its peak, the organizaden and home shows, quilting projects, tion delivered more than 1,000 meals a day and meetings for organizations such as and now provides housing assistance to 28 the Houston Chapter of The families, along with STEM and Links. In the 1980s, advocacy entrepreneurship programs.

by Black leadership led to a “The Y doesn’t just serve major turning point: the creHouston — it has helped shape ation of the dedicated Blue generations of women and famTriangle Community Center, ilies,” said Beal. born from a demand for equity For Beal, that impact is Read more and representation within the personal.

Women’s institution.

“My relationship with the History YWCA didn’t begin in a boardMonth Expanding reach and room — it began as a little girl articles. meeting essential needs at the Blue Triangle,” she said, YWCA Houston later purrecalling lessons in confidence chased its current location at 6309 Martin and belonging.

Luther King Jr. Blvd., expanding its ability As YWCA Houston celebrates 116 years, to meet growing needs. Today, the MLK it honors its past and renews its commitcampus houses national YWCA programs, ment to a future of service, justice and includes housing, and serves as a hub for empowerment. critical services.

For more information, call 713-868-9922, Among those services is Meals on email ywca@ywcahouston.org, or visit www.

Wheels, through which YWCA Houston ywcahouston.org

March 5, 2026 |

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| 9

DN Feature Home co-buying: Good or bad?

By Laura Onyeneho

You’ve been saving.

You’ve been budgeting.

You’ve cut back on brunch, skipped the vacation, and maybe even moved back in with your parents for a year. But every time you check Zillow, the houses you can afford are further out, smaller, or in neighborhoods you don’t want to live in. And the ones you actually want? They’re expensive.

So homebuyers are pooling money with friends, siblings, and people they trust to buy property together.

Welcome to the era of co-buying, where homeownership is less about waiting for “the one” and more about refusing to wait at all.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. The Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University released the 2025 State of Housing in Harris County and Houston research, which examines a range of issues influencing housing affordability and the residential options available to locals.

It shows that families with a median income can only buy homes close to $195,000, while the median property price in Harris County has increased to almost $325,000. For many families, homeownership is becoming increasingly unaffordable due to this stark

affordability gap.

Co-buying is the practice of purchasing property with friends, siblings, or other non-romantic partners. According to a recent study by JW Surety Bonds, nearly 15% of Americans have co-purchased a home with someone other than a romantic partner, and another 48% would consider it.

Society historically viewed homeownership as a post-marriage goal. Co-buying breaks this norm, making it acceptable to enter the market with a “platonic” or “romantic-but-unmarried” partner.

Buyers typically choose between joint tenancy with automatic rights of survivorship (also called Tenancy in Common) and equal shares with automatic rights of survivorship, which means buyers can have unequal shares, with each party able to sell or pass on their share.

“Younger people are absolutely being shut out of home buying due to unaffordability and inaccessibility,” says Ayesha Shelton, co-founder of Park Street Homes in Houston.

“The ability to co-purchase property is one way that millennials have the ability to access homeownership and investing.”

Gen-Z and Millennials are leading a surge in co-buying, with roughly 32% of Gen Z and

Many Gen Z buyers are already purchasing homes with parents or siblings, a trend that has grown rapidly in recent years. Credit: Chat GPT images

18% of Millennials considering purchasing homes with friends, family, or partners to combat high interest rates and low affordability.

The benefits and the risks

Shared down payments, split monthly costs, and earlier market entry are just a few of the benefits. Houston’s abundance of duplexes makes the city particularly well-suited for co-buying.

“I think it’s an amazing idea for two people to come together and buy a duplex together.”

The piece that’s most easily overlooked is we are in agreement at this time,” Shelton says.

“It’s important to evaluate what your steps will be if there ever comes a time when you all are not in agreement.”

Kristina Modares, a co-buying strategist at Joynt who has co-purchased property 10 times, sees it as a natural evolution. “This is just like another thing that’s being introduced to them that’s maybe not so crazy as it may have been to their parents,” she says.

Legal agreements are essential. Modares recounts helping a woman who bought with her boyfriend, only to have him unexpectedly end the relationship and demand that they sell.

“She was like, I wish I had known my options,” Modares says.

Operating agreements should spell out ownership percentages, exit strategies, and what happens if someone wants out early.

Shelton recommends involving an attorney from the start because “If you don’t, then it can get pretty messy.”

While some see co-buying as a temporary workaround for high rates, Modares believes it’s a long-term solution. “As things get more expensive, this is still going to be a really popular idea,” she says. “It all depends on how the market moves.”

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10 | March 5, 2026 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports

NICK ANDERSON Thrives in journey from Prairie View to Rice

Nick Anderson has given Rice another much-needed scoring presence this season. Credit: Maria Lysaker | Rice Athletics

By Terrance Harris

Nick Anderson has always been about three things: His family, academics, and basketball.

So it all kind of made sense when, after putting his name in the transfer portal last spring after a couple of months at Prairie View, he answered the phone and Rice was on the other end offering a scholarship.

“My house is right down the street, my family is here,” said Anderson, who starred for Prairie View for 12 games before an injury derailed his 204-2025 season. “We’re a super tight-knit family, and they’ve been at pretty much all of my games. I have 10 to 20 people showing up at every game, so just that support system, and also the coaching staff. They made me feel super welcome when I came on my visit, and from the day I went in the portal, they were calling me every day. They were pretty much the frontrunners from Day 1.”

It’s been nothing but harmonic since. Rice coach Rob Lanier was looking for a scoring guard to pair up with Trae Broadnax in the backcourt. Anderson was seeking a fresh start after spending the first two seasons of his college career at Division III University of St. Thomas and then last year at Prairie View.

The two sides have gotten what they’ve wanted. Anderson and Broadnax have become the dynamic backcourt Lanier envisioned, with both essentially serving as co-leading scorers for the Owls. Anderson has landed a prominent role at a Division I school, something that seemed out of reach when he came out of Clear Creek High School with few options before landing at St. Thomas.

“It’s been pretty good,” Anderson said of his transition to Rice this season. “I’ve been very grateful for a lot of things that I’ve been able to do this year, and a lot of things that Rice has done for me.”

While Anderson has certainly landed in a role that suits him, there was controversy about how things went down in his one and only season at Prairie View under head coach Byron Smith. He appeared in just 12 games for the Panthers, leading the SWAC and ranking inside the nation’s top with 19.1 points per game. Anderson then suffered a foot injury that derailed the rest of his season before even getting to SWAC play.

Next thing anyone knew, the 6-foot-3 guard entered the transfer portal last spring and ended up at Rice with two years of eligibility after the NCAA granted him a redshirt

because he didn’t exceed the maximum games played to redshirt.

“Just an unfortunate circumstance going down with the injury like I did. I think we could have accomplished a lot in conference.

I think Coach knew that,” said Anderson, who is a senior academically but a junior in terms of playing eligibility. “We all knew that, and that’s why he was pretty upset when I went down. There just wasn’t anything we could really do about it, and I was just blessed to have the NCAA give me the year back so I get to have another year to play.”

Anderson has kept that good thing going this season, with his reputation as a dynamic scorer continuing at Rice. But he has been asked to do more this season, which is where the challenge has sometimes come.

As Lanier puts it, Anderson can score the basketball in his sleep. He is pushing him, however, to become more of a complete player who also plays good team and individual defense, who instinctively knows when to go over or under a screen, and who dissects a scouting report with precision.

“What’s unique is this year, as we’ve gone through the year, his production has been relatively consistent, but he is starting to understand what it means to be a complete player,” said Lanier, who is in his second season leading the Owls.

“As that picture is crystallizing for him, he’s trying. He can score in his sleep, so he is always going to be able to do that. But there is a difference between being productive

and really having a high impact on winning.

He’s putting that together, and it’s fun seeing him No.1 become more cognizant of what it even

means to be complete and all the other things that go into a game.”

Anderson sees this new opportunity as another step in a journey that started in almost obscurity at St. Thomas, took a brief stop at Prairie View, and now has him on a bigger stage than he could have imagined when he came out of Clear Creek.

“I’m very blessed to be where I am,” he said. “I’ve been to several schools, and at this point, I’ve had a lot of experiences to play with a lot of guys and for a lot of good coaches. I’ve kind of been all over the place, and it’s been pretty cool.”

Nick Anderson has gone from being virtually unrecruited out of Clear Creek High School to playing starring roles at the University of St. Thomas, Prairie View, and now Rice.

Credit: Maria Lysaker | Rice Athletics

At my D-III, I thought I was a good player; I was playing well.

I never expected it to really go anywhere. It’s been a journey for sure.”

NICK ANDERSON

March 5, 2026 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

| 11

DN Sports New names, same hunger at the

18th Annual Senior Football Showcase

By Jimmie Aggison

More than 700 unsigned senior football players took the field at NRG Stadium on Jan. 31, driven by the same goal and the same urgency: to be seen.

At the 18th Annual Senior Football Showcase, college dreams didn’t hinge on Friday night highlights or season-long stat lines, but on technique, effort, and how players carried themselves during a few critical hours in front of college coaches searching for their next opportunity.

The Senior Football Showcase allowed unsigned athletes to display their skills in front of over 40 Division II, Division III, and NAIA programs.

“During the one-on-ones, we’re just looking for guys competing and making plays on the football,” said Matt Henning, defensive coordinator at Rockford University in Rockford, Illinois. “With the big guys, we’re making sure they’re getting off the ball, going through the drill work, working on their speed and footwork, and ultimately making sure the guys are able to follow the direction that’s being taught to them by the coaches at those drills.”

EJ Valentine, Central Methodist University’s defensive coordinator, was also in attendance and emphasized the importance of showcases of this magnitude in today’s recruiting landscape.

“I’ve been coming to Houston Showcase for 18 years, and I haven’t missed any of them,” said Valentine. “I think this is a great thing because in the city of Houston, there are a lot of football players with talent who get overlooked, so this is a second chance for those kids to showcase their talent in front of different coaches.”

Everybody wants to get a product that’s already ready to go. The portal allows coaches to know what they’re getting and to get that fixed right away.”

EJ VALENTINE Defensive Coordinator for Central Methodist University

The 18th Annual Senior Football Showcase was held at NRG on Jan. 31, 2026. Credit: Jimmie Aggison/Defender.

Within that controlled environment, a handful of players began to separate themselves, not through words but through performance.

Blake Dickerson, a 6-foot, 210-pound quarterback from Kashmere High School, came to showcase his offensive skills for colleges.

“My focus was on showing that I can command the offense, maintain consistent mechanics, and deliver the ball accurately on every throw,” said Dickerson. “I wanted coaches to see how I operate as a quarterback, not just my arm strength.”

North Forest wide receiver La’Shun Gray, listed at 5-foot-10 and 155 pounds, felt that the wide receiver drills best showcased his skill set.

“Going through the route tree allowed me to warm up my hands by going through every route multiple times while staying calm,” said Gray.

In an environment where composure is essential and every rep counts, Shadow Creek’s 6-foot-5, 310-pound offensive lineman Chaz Oliver understood the mission.

“I stayed composed by looking around and seeing all those coaches taking notice, which let me know there’s an opportunity out there somewhere,” said Oliver. “During preparation, I focused on taking the best first step and slowing everything down, one by one.”

While some players stand out for their physical presence, others separate themselves

in quieter, more technical ways.

“I put a lot of emphasis on my technique, taking the time to go through every step of the motion before moving on to the next step,” said 5-foot-9, 160-pound Madison High School wide receiver/safety Damien Duckworth. “My safeties coach, Coach Simon, helped me learn the technique the right way.”

“I call him a technician,” said Madison head coach James Soria. “He does a good job watching film, sits with his position coach regularly to learn the scheme, then applies what he learned on the field.”

Last season, Duckworth played on both sides of the ball.

“Some view him as an undersized safety at the college level, but he plays bigger than his size,” said Soria. “He’s not afraid to lower his shoulder and hit, but he’s also the kid we can put in the slot. If you get the ball in his hands, he can go make a play. Because he’s versatile and flexible, he will do a great job on either side of the ball at the next level.”

For many of these seniors, strong fundamentals aren’t just a strength; they’re a necessity in a competitive recruiting environment.

“When you look at it now, a lot of coaches don’t want to recruit high school kids and develop them,” said Valentine. “Everybody wants to get a product that’s already ready to go. The portal allows coaches to know what they’re getting and to get that fixed right away.”

To remain competitive in today’s recruiting landscape, high school athletes need

more than just film.

“You have your film, you have your talent, but also make sure you’re a great person,” said Valentine. “When the coaches come talk to you, look them in the eyes, speak louder, have confidence in yourself and who you are, and just keep doing the right thing. Make sure you have grades because at the end of the day, if you don’t have grades, we can’t help you.”

Understanding those realities doesn’t ease the pressure; it sharpens it for players chasing one more chance.

“This opportunity means a lot,” said Chaz Oliver’s father, Kim Bowmen. “My son had a lot of interest before he tore his ACL in the third game of his junior season. After his injury, much of that interest faded. Events like these are needed because we watch these kids grind every day throughout the year. When my son suffered the injury, he remained in high spirits until he saw the offers weren’t really coming in, and that’s when he started feeling the frustration. But events like this allow him to be seen again by multiple schools.”

As the showcase moved from drill to drill, every rep carried weight, whether noticed immediately or not. While offers weren’t guaranteed, exposure was, and for some in attendance, that exposure became the turning point.

“You have to want it,” said Bowmen. “In life, it’s always going to be competition, but you can only control the controllables.”

12 | March 5, 2026 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Profile

Joy Woodson Keeps businesses afloat amid challenges

By Aswad Walker

Financial literacy

Lifelong entrepreneur Joy Woodson faced serious challenges to her livelihood, including keeping the doors of her two businesses open.

Complicating matters was an even more daunting threat. Woodson was scheduled for major, potentially life-or-death surgery. It was a procedure from which her father died of post-surgery complications just weeks before Woodson was to go under the knife.

Thankfully, Woodson not only survived the surgery, but her two businesses—7 Degrees Natural Hair Studio and Pocket Full of Stones—miraculously stayed open even after six months without income.

Woodson credits two things for these blessings: Relationships and financial literacy.

Before her health scare, Woodson spent years successfully moving beyond the checkto-check existence. Thus, her commitment to saving rather than careless spending gave Woodson a financial cushion she didn’t know she’d need—until she did.

Woodson credits another tool many use as a financial instrument—whole life insurance.

“I encourage every entrepreneur, and even if you’re not an entrepreneur, to have whole life insurance. It allows you to borrow from it,” said Woodson. “It approves a cash value… I was able to borrow money from my own life insurance that I’ve been paying for at no cost.

“That helped me get through, as well.”

Relationships

Entrepreneurial beginnings

This August, Woodson’s first business, 7 Degrees Natural Hair Studio, will celebrate 16 years in existence. But to let Woodson tell it, she came out of the womb ready to start that business.

Not only was she raised to embrace her natural hair, but self-reliance was another lesson she picked up.

“Some kids sell candy or cut grass, but I learned how to braid hair,” said Woodson, about her childhood hustle.

In 1992, Woodson, then 12, saw family friend Jameela Tally open Strictly Roots, Houston’s first natural hair salon.

“I never imagined that this could be a thing just for natural hair, just a beautiful, safe space for our people to embrace their natural beauty,” said Woodson. “That stayed with me for years. I was inspired. And later on, I ended up opening one.”

Joy Woodson stands in front of her business artwork. Credit: Aswad Walker.

Challenges

For years, business went well, even with the ups and downs experienced by most entrepreneurs. Then COVID happened.

But because Woodson has always been a disciplined saver, she survived that storm even when many other businesses couldn’t.

Then came another storm.

“I got sick, diagnosed with a colon condition, and I was hospitalized for six months.

I had three surgeries,” shared Woodson. “It was almost a two-year situation.

However, the bulk of it happened within six months.”

A forever father’s girl, Woodson’s dad, Darryel A. Woodson, had been diagnosed with the same colon condition and underwent the suggested surgery, which called for

Some of the stones available at Pocket Full of Stones. Credit: Aswad Walker.

the removal of part of his colon.

Woodson didn’t want to go that route, but her father helped guide her through the pre-operation process. The stress of facing a major operation only intensified when Woodson says her father died from complications of the surgery she was about to have.

Making matters worse, though Woodson had the will to work during that time, her body wouldn’t allow it.

The loss of six months’ income drained her bank account while she fought for her life and to keep her business open.

Thankfully, Woodson’s commitment to financial literacy helped keep the doors of her businesses open, giving her a chance to regain clients she lost during her absence.

Another saving grace for Woodson during her trials was her relationships with suppliers and customers.

“I can’t say enough good things about the incredible work of the best loctician in Houston,” said client Chase Martin. “From the moment I walked into her salon, I was met with professionalism, warmth and a genuine passion for her craft.”

Suppliers with whom Woodson cultivated strong relationships offered tangible support during her health battle. Multiple global suppliers shipped Woodson valuable crystals and told her, “Pay whenever you get back on your feet.” Several hair clients did similarly, with a few giving her $3,000 as support and pre-payment for future hair appointments.

“Those types of things don’t come just from being a great hairstylist,” said Woodson. “That comes from making a client feel valued.”

Joy Woodson works on a customer’s hair in Woodson’s 7 Degrees Natural Hair Studio. Credit: Aswad Walker.