To the POINT DN
Message from the Reporter
Line dancing is trending during rodeo season
It’s that time of year again. The Houston Rodeo is back, and with it comes a resurgence of a beloved cultural staple–line dancing. Recently, I went to a networking event at the Rodeo and I witnessed something beautiful—Black folks of all shades, rocking their cowboy hats, boots and fans, rushing to the center of the dance floor when the Zydeco music hit. In perfect synchronization, they stepped, swayed and stomped, turning the event into an impromptu family reunion.
Line dancing is more than just a fun party activity; it’s a deep-rooted tradition that connects us to our ancestors. From the Motherland of Africa to the Caribbean, communal dancing has always been a way for Black people to bond, celebrate and strengthen community ties. Whether at weddings, graduations, birthday parties or even in public parks, the unspoken invitation to join in brings a sense of pride, comfort and unity. So, as we see country line dancing making a comeback, let’s embrace it for what it is—another example of how we keep culture alive.
Toxic chemicals found in popular braiding hair brands
First, it was relaxers, now it’s braiding hair—Black women can’t seem to catch a break when it comes to beauty products. A recent Consumer Reports investigation revealed that 10 popular synthetic braiding hair brands contain chemicals linked to cancer, reproductive issues and developmental disabilities in children.
For many of us, protective styles are necessary, not just an aesthetic choice. They shield our natural hair from damage, reduce styling time and give us the freedom to switch up our looks. But now, knowing that the very hair we use to protect our crowns may be harming our health, we’re left
asking—what’s safe anymore? Many Black women have shared stories of scalp irritation, itching and allergic reactions after installing synthetic braids, but now we know there’s more at stake than just discomfort. It’s exhausting to always be on guard, questioning if everyday products are putting us at risk. The beauty industry must do better, and until then, we need to push for transparency and safer alternatives. After all, we should be able to wear our culture with pride, not fear.
Jay-Z fights for his reputation
They say karma never misses. Jay-Z is taking legal action against an anonymous woman who accused him and Sean “Diddy” Combs of sexual assault in a lawsuit that has since been dismissed. Now, Hov is fighting back, suing the accuser and her attorney, Tony Buzbee, to restore his character.
Sexual assault allegations are serious, and every claim should be thoroughly investigated. But when false accusations enter the mix, it not only damages reputations but also makes it harder for real victims to be believed. If Jay-Z is innocent—as the lawsuit dismissal and his counterclaims suggest—then the backlash he and his family have faced is unjust. The same scrutiny and accountability he’s endured should apply to those who made the claims.
False accusations don’t just hurt the accused—they weaken the fight for real survivors seeking justice. Accountability should cut both ways.
Editor’s Note: There has been some concern over the photo used on our cover last week for Sylvester Turner. We used the latest photo taken by Getty Images at his Congressional photo shoot. The former mayor has always been a friend to the Defender and a champion for Black voices. We remain committed to shining a light on his legacy in the best possible way.
Zydeco music and line dancing are making a major comeback during the Houston rodeo season. Credit: Philip Gould/Getty Images
Laura Onyeneho
TRUMP FUNDING FREEZE
County could lose $600m
By ReShonda Tate
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo is raising the alarm over a potential $600 million loss in federal grants as President Donald Trump’s sweeping freeze on federal spending remains tied up in legal battles. The freeze, which temporarily halts the disbursement of federal grant funds, could disrupt critical county services, including infrastructure, disaster relief, healthcare and public safety.
“The administration’s decision to halt federal grant funds has the potential to directly impact essential services the county provides,” Hidalgo said.
While awaiting legal clarity, county officials are looking at ways to fast-track spending on federal grants already awarded, such as the Solar for All initiative, which expands solar energy access to low-income households. However, Hidalgo warned that rushing these projects could compromise quality and compliance with federal guidelines.
Disaster relief and infrastructure funding at stake
The largest chunk of at-risk funding is earmarked for flood resiliency, infrastructure, and disaster relief initiatives—projects vital to a region still recovering from past hurricanes and severe weather events.
Last month, the White House announced a temporary freeze on federal grants and loans under Trump’s directive, a move quickly challenged in court. This week, a U.S. District Judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking the administration from enforcing the freeze. Despite this legal victory, Hidalgo said the county is already experiencing delays in federal reimbursements.
“We’re not sure whether or not we’re going to be reimbursed for the funds we’re
spending, and those reimbursements are critical for our budget to remain sustainable,” Hidalgo said.
Ripple effects on public safety and healthcare
Hidalgo warned that the funding freeze could jeopardize medical and health services, as well as delay public safety initiatives, including grants that support law enforcement.
“We’re not going to return funds voluntarily that we do not believe need to be returned,” she said. “We’re going to fight this
in the courts.”
Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis echoed her concerns, noting that the county receives roughly $600 million in federal funds each year and spends about $15 million a month from those grants to operate essential programs.
“That $15 million—if it’s not there—will have a ripple effect throughout our budget, impacting numerous programs,” Ellis said.
County prepares for budget shortfalls
In preparation for potential funding gaps, county commissioners have voted to move $30 million from the general fund into reserves as a temporary safeguard.
“Once we get past that $30 million, we’ll either need an emergency meeting or emergency measures—because we’ll be at the end of the road,” Ellis warned.
With federal funding in limbo, county officials are bracing for tough decisions ahead, hoping the courts will ultimately rule in their favor before essential services take a hit.
Funeral services posted for the Late Congressman Sylvester Turner
By Tannistha Sinha
Funeral services were announced for the late 18th District Congressman and former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. He died last week at 70.
Turner was in Washington, D.C. and had attended President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress. He died later that night after being treated at a hospital.
On March 7, Turner was brought home from Washington, D.C., to Acres Homes in Houston, the neighborhood where he grew up.
Here is a list of funeral services this week where Turner will be honored this week.
Austin Turner will lie in honor at the Texas State Capitol in Austin.
Location: 1100 Congress Ave., Rotunda
Date: Thursday, March 13 at noon until Friday, March 14 at noon
The Church Without Walls
His funeral will be held in his church, The Church Without Walls.
Location: 5725 Queenston Blvd.
Date: Saturday, March 15
Time: 1-2:30pm
County Judge Lina Hidalgo stands with Commissioner Rodney Ellis at a press conference. Credit: Harris County X
FILE: An HISD worker moves desks out of a classroom.
Houstonians are expected to gather to pay their respects to the late Congressman Sylvester Turner. Credit: Getty
PROTEST CENSURESHIP
Rep. Al Green stands strong
By Tannistha Sinha
“You have to be disruptive, but you also have to be prepared to suffer the consequences for the actions that you take,” said Houston Congressman Al Green, responding to the U.S. House of Representatives voting to censure him for vocally protesting during President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress.
According to Green, he stood in the well of the House chamber with his colleagues and began singing “We Shall Overcome” when the censure resolution was being read.
The Republican-led House voted 224-198 to censure Green, a Democrat, including votes from 10 Democrats. No Republicans voted against the censure.
Cause for the censure
Green stated that Trump called Democrats “lunatics” during the joint address without facing repercussions, arguing his protest was beyond personal defiance but was an act of advocacy for his constituents’ health care.
“That act of incivility that he [Trump] imposed upon my
colleagues, and they behaved with extreme civility,” Green said. “I’m gonna stand up for my constituents because it’s the only insurance they have. Medicaid is important, it saves lives…We cannot allow healthcare to become wealthcare, not in this country.”
Green’s outburst, when he yelled Trump had “no mandate” to cut Medicaid—a program used by 72 million Americans, drew Republicans’ chants of “USA! USA!” and an order from House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to remove him from the chamber.
“There will be times when you may have to stand alone, which is what I do from time to time…It is better to stand alone than not stand at all,” Green said to the Houston Defender in an interview after he was censured.
10 Democratic colleagues vote against Green
Prior to the vote, Green told his colleagues to “vote your conscience,” clarifying he voted “present” to avoid influencing their decisions.
“I have no animus toward them, nor do I have any animus toward
the speaker for having me removed from the chamber,” he said.
When asked if there were double standards referring to Republican House members Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Rep. Lauren Boebert repeatedly interrupting President Joe Biden during his State of the Union address but not being ejected during the speech, Green said the censure reminded him of the “invidious discrimination” he has experienced for years.
Green’s intentions on Trump’s impeachment
A few weeks ago, Green said he would file articles of impeachment against the President after Trump suggested that the United States take over the Gaza Strip. This will be his fourth attempt since his first three unsuccessful ones dating back to the President’s first term in the White House.
When asked what grounds his new impeachment attempt is based on, Green said he “will reveal them at the appropriate time,” which is “soon and very soon.”
Allegedly, some of Green’s colleagues in the House want to remove him from the House
Financial Services Committee, headed by U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters and chair of Oversight Subcommittee.
“If they are successful with my removal, it will give me more time to work on my articles of impeachment,” Green said.
On DEI
Speaking about the threat to
diversity, equity and inclusion, Green said, “There are throngs of people, many of whom have been elected to Congress and have this desire to eliminate DEI…The same people who would have us believe that slavery was involuntary relocation…DEI is not about giving anybody any advantage. It is simply about giving people opportunities to be in the mix.”
Rep. Al Green protested during President Donald Trump’s joint session of Congress at the Capitol, after which he was removed from the chamber.
Credit: Getty
Newsbriefs DN
HISD could close schools amid budget woes
Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles is laying the groundwork for school closures in the summer of 2026, citing a shrinking budget and declining enrollment. The district has lost over 30,000 students in the past five years, with another 8,000-student drop expected next year—bringing total enrollment down to 170,000 students. Miles said the district can’t afford to keep schools with fewer than 300 students open. HISD has 36 schools operating below 50% capacity and another 46 schools between 50%-67% capacity, meaning closures may be inevitable. However, no schools will be shuttered before the 2025-26 school year, and any closures must be approved by the state-appointed school board. With families pulling out of HISD for charter schools, declining birth rates, and backlash against Miles’ leadership, the district’s future remains uncertain.
CITY approves Mayor’s homelessness initiative
Houston City Council has approved a fund to support Mayor John Whitmire’s ambitious plan to end homelessness—but right now, the fund is empty. Designed to pull money from multiple sources, the initiative focuses on relocating homeless individuals from encampments, creating rehousing hubs, and
restoring public spaces. The city hopes to raise $70m in its first year, ($4.2m from the City of Houston; $8-$18m from Harris County; $2.6m from Houston First; $10m from METRO; Up to $20m from corporations and philanthropy). Whitmire has also doubled down on his call for a ban on sleeping outside, signaling a tough approach to addressing homelessness. Housing Director
Mike Nichols says the key difference in this plan is creating sustainable, long-term funding instead of relying solely on federal dollars.
Former Arcola mayor to run again
In Arcola, a political battle is brewing as former mayor Fred Burton launches a campaign for city council—against the woman he tried to remove from office last year. Burton, who lost his mayoral re-election bid by just 15 votes, is now challenging Councilwoman Ebony Sanco in the May 3 election. Sanco, elected in 2019, says Burton’s return would be a “setback” for the city. Their feud runs deep. Last year, Burton hired a private investigator—without council approval—to follow Sanco, allegedly spending $7,500 in public funds to prove she lived outside city limits.
A judge ruled in Sanco’s favor, and she later filed a federal lawsuit against Burton, two former city attorneys, the police chief, and others involved.
The Mayor’s plan would prevent Houston’s homeless from sleeping on the street. CREDIT: Getty
InFocus DN
Black ut Do boycotts work?
By ReShonda Tate
Inthe wake of corporations scaling back their diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, Black activists, clergy, and consumers are turning to boycotts for economic resistance. Major companies, including Target, Disney and Wells Fargo have quietly retreated from commitments made after the racial reckoning of 2020, sparking frustration and calls for accountability. But do Black-led boycotts have the power to effect lasting change?
Why are companies retreating?
For many companies, the retreat from DEI programs is often attributed to political pressure, financial concerns and shifting corporate priorities. Conservative pushback, including lawsuits challenging race-conscious programs, has made some companies cautious. Others cite economic downturns as a reason to deprioritize DEI funding. But for many Black consumers, these shifts feel like broken promises.
“Corporations saw DEI as a public relations strategy, not a core value,” says Houston business analyst Angela Matthews. “Once the heat died down, many chose to scale back. That’s where consumer power comes in.”
Target Fast
Target once touted its commitment to DEI, a promise that seemed particularly important to a company headquartered in the city where the police killing of George Floyd set off a wave of protests around the world. In 2022, the company set a goal of making a financial commitment of more than $2 billion to Black-owned businesses by 2025 and to have more than 500 Black-owned brands in its stores. The company has said it was on track to meet its goals.
Missionary Baptist Church, are calling for a 40-day boycott of Target beginning March 5, during the Christian observance of Lent.
DATES
However, not all boycotts succeed. Some fizzle due to lack of coordination or unintended consequences.
The Rev. Al Sharpton and the National Action Network have also organized “buycotts,” directing supporters to companies like Costco, which has upheld its DEI commitments. Meanwhile, the NAACP is tracking corporate compliance with DEI pledges and urging Black consumers to support brands that honor their promises.
Influencer Danisha Carter criticized shortterm boycotts.
“Staging a boycott for three days just tells the company to move money around temporarily,” she said in an Instagram video. “We need longer commitments.”
The People’s Union USA, which advocates economic resistance, argues that collective action over time is key.
“If we disrupt the economy for just ONE day, it sends a powerful message,” the organization stated. “But sustained action is where real change happens.”
Will boycotts work?
“Black people spend $12 million a day at Target,” Bryant said. “If 100,000 people pull their spending, the financial impact will be real. We have to send a message.”
“We’ve got to tell corporate America that there’s a consequence for turning their back on diversity,” added Bishop Reginald T. Jackson. “So let us send the message that if corporate America can’t stand with us, we’re not going to stand with corporate America.”
Target: March 5 – April 13
(40-day
Brown said. “So many of us—Black, women-owned businesses—worked hard to be in retail. When a corporation steps back, it impacts us all.”
“As disheartening as it is for me, I’m not the only one affected by this,” said Brown, who has dropped multiple collections with Target since 2022, from swimwear to home goods to haircare to cookware to food. “I’m not the only one affected by this.
With companies rolling back DEI initiatives under conservative pressure, the NAACP urges Black consumers to support brands that remain committed. The civil rights group is tracking which companies honor their promises—and which don’t — as calls for economic resistance grow.
That was until Trump. Now, Target has joined others in scaling back its DEI efforts.
The move prompted one of the most vocal calls for a boycott. On February 1, a national boycott of Target launched to coincide with Black History Month.
Clergy across the country, including Pastor Jamal Bryant of Atlanta’s New Birth
And it appears, their efforts are paying off. Target just reported fourth quarter net sales declined 3% and warned that February topline performance was “soft,” after a sharp drop in traffic to Target stores and website during the Feb. 28 Economic Blackout. In fact, according to locations analytics firm Placer.ai., Target greeted 11% fewer customers on Feb. 28 compared with the average number of visits for the previous five Fridays.
Target is under more pressure than companies like Walmart, John Deere or Tractor Supply, because Target went further in its DEI efforts, and it has a more pro gressive base of customers.
Hurting more than just Target Tabitha Brown, a Black entrepreneur whose lifestyle brand launched multiple collections at Target, took to Instagram to express her disappointment in calls for a boycott.
“I’m not the only one affected by this,”
“It’s for everyone who is a woman-owned business, minority-owned businesses, Blackowned businesses,” she said on Instagram. “It’s for so many of us who work so very hard to be placed in retail, to finally be seen and approved for retail because, contrary to whatever the world might tell you, it has been very hard for Black-owned businesses to hit shelves. Those who are calling for a boycott say Brown and others need to take their businesses online. Brown, however, pushes back on that line of thinking.
“Everyone does not have the funds or the means or the availability, the space, to house
their own products,” Brown said. “But the thing that concerns me the most, if we all decide to stop supporting said businesses and say, you know, ‘I can’t buy nothing from there.’Even the businesses who were affected by the DEI ban, what that does is you take all our sales and they dwindle down and then those companies get to say, ‘Oh, your products are not performing.’ And they can remove them from the shelves and then put their preferred businesses on the shelves.”
“I understand the desire to boycott, but it’s going to hurt a lot of Black businesses,” said Victoria Christopher Murray, whose book
“The First Ladies” was a Target Book of the Year. “Target is a major distributor of Black books and products. When those sales are gone, it will have a minimal blip on the Target radar and leave tons of Black entrepreneurs in its destructive wake.”
Limitations of boycotts
Black consumer activism has historically yielded results. The Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955–56 desegregated public transportation, and more recently the backlash against brands like Gucci and H&M led to public apologies and increased DEI commitments.
However, not all boycotts have succeeded. Some have unintended fallout, especially for Black-owned brands stocked in major retailers. When Nike faced conservative-led boycotts over its support of Colin Kaepernick, Black business owners selling Nike products saw their sales impacted, as well. Some have fizzled due to lack of coordination or unintended consequences, like harming Black employees and entrepreneurs who rely on these corporations for their livelihoods. Research supports that organization is key to successful boycotts. A study from the Kellogg School of Management found that boycotts don’t necessarily need to hurt sales to be impactful. Instead, they succeed when they generate negative press and shift public perception.
“It’s a different time, a different day. Boycotts don’t work as much as bad press. Boycotts are meant to hit their bottom line. With us
representing such a small part of the population, there is very little chance of us affecting the bottom line. Bad press crosses color lines. Also, who do you boycott? Do people quit their jobs, too? In the past, boycotts worked because we weren’t hurting Black people too much. Not many had jobs in these places. But now? We’d destroy Black businesses and not touch the white bottom line. We make changes with our votes more than with boycotts,” she said.
While corporate America’s retreat from DEI disappoints many, it has also ignited a renewed commitment to Black economic independence.
Pastor Bryant points to recent revenue loss due to McDonald’s and Starbucks boycotts as examples of how the boycotts can succeed.
“You’re seeing a great awakening in America, and corporate communities are going to have to really show their responsibility,” he said.
Peaceful protesters, wearing plastic raincoats, marching to Montgomery in the pouring rain, Alabama, US, 25th March 1965. (Photo by Daily Express/ Pictorial Parade/Archive Photos/Getty Images)
Target stock is down despite doing well during the holiday season. Credit: NYSE
Juleana Frierson shouts at concert goers urging them to boycott. (Photo by Mike Simons/Getty Images)
Tabitha Brown
Jamal Bryant
THROUGH EDUCATION, ARTS
Foundation uplifts community
By Laura Onyeneho
Richard Andrews stood before the Shrine Bookstore in Houston for the first time, watching Black men and women engage in deep discussions about history and culture until something clicked.
This wasn’t just a place to buy books; it was a hub of knowledge, empowerment, and transformation. That moment sparked a passion in Andrews, eventually leading to founding the Foundation of Black Heritage and Culture (FBHC).
One of the organization’s most impactful efforts is its commitment to health equity. Rather than simply hosting seminars and distributing informational brochures, Andrews wanted to take direct action.
“Providing fresh fruits and vegetables is one of the key things missing in our community,” he said.
Partnering with the Houston Food Bank, the foundation launched a mobile food pantry to ensure Black Houstonians have access to nutritious food.
The need for such an initiative is urgent.
The FBHC has been at the forefront of empowering Black Houstonians for over a decade. At the heart of this organization is Andrews, a Louisiana native who found his calling in Houston and is determined to uplift and empower his people.
He arrived in Houston in 1990, searching for direction. After multiple starts and stops in his education, he finally earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees in kinesiology from Texas Southern University in 2012. But before that milestone, his exposure to the Shrine Bookstore and a life-changing trip to Harlem solidified his vision for what would become the Foundation of Black Heritage and Culture.
“I went on a Malcolm X tour in Harlem, and it changed my perspective,” Andrews said. “It made me want to bring all the goodness of Black culture to Houston in the form of a festival.”
The FBHC has three core pillars: education, health equity and cultural arts. Each initiative is designed to tackle systemic challenges faced by Houston’s Black community while preserving and celebrating its rich heritage.
“The infant mortality rate in the MLK corridor is higher than in Afghanistan,” Andrews shared. “We have to start solving these problems in our communities.”
Educating the Next Generation
Johnelle Sayee, a junior at Texas Southern University, has been volunteering at the food distribution initiative for seven consecutive weeks. She first discovered the program while driving through her neighborhood.
“We saw a long line and got curious. The next day, we followed their Instagram page and decided to come out on a Saturday,” Sayee said. “It warms my heart to see how people can come out and get food without the stress of wondering where their next meal will come from. I don’t have a lot to give in life, but I try to give back where I can.”
Her cousin, Mercy Zelee, has been volunteering alongside her for seven weeks. For Zelee, the mission is deeply personal.
“My parents are refugees [from Liberia], and when they came here, we didn’t have much. Being able to help others who are in a similar situation as I once was is important to me,” she said. “Giving back is crucial, and I believe we
CLASSIFIED
Notice for Subcontractors
PowerSchool Group, LLC is bidding on project RFP 21-06-05-C College and Career Readiness Materials and Services for the Houston Independent School District. We are looking for subcontractors who can provide the following services: implementation project management and product training. If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Rachael Frum, Sr. Manager, Bids & Proposals, at Rachael. Frum@powerschool.com no later than March 20, 2025.
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS HOUSTON DOWNTOWN MANAGEMENT DISTRICT MAIN STREET PROMENADE PROJECT
The Houston Downtown Management District (HDMD) will receive bids for the Main Street Promenade project, located in Downtown Houston, primarily the 100 – 1100 blocks of Main Street from Commerce Street to Dallas Street. Bids will be received until 11:00 AM, local time on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, online in CivCast. Bids received after this time will not be accepted.
Beginning Thursday, March 13, 2025. Bidding Documents will be available at www.civcastusa.com. Any addenda will be distributed online at www.civcastusa.com.
A MANDATORY pre-bid conference will be held online at 11:00 AM local time, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. All prospective bidders are invited to attend. Bids will be ruled non-responsive if received from a bidder who did not attend the pre-bid conference.
Bidders shall comply with City Ordinance 95-336 (March 29, 1995) and Exec. Order No.1-2 (June 14, 1995), and City of Houston Affirmative Action and Contract Compliance Division Minority/Women Business Enterprise (M/WBE) Procedures (June 1995). The successful Bidder will be required to make good faith efforts to achieve an M/W/ DBE participation goal of 8 percent.
should establish a foundation of helping others who cannot help themselves.”
Mentorship and youth engagement are crucial to the foundation’s mission. One of the standout programs, the Kids Cafe, provided hot meals to children in Third Ward in partnership with the Houston Food Bank. “We adopted seven apartment complexes to provide meals,”
Andrews said. “But it wasn’t just about feeding them. We wanted them to understand the importance of healthy eating and caring for their bodies.”
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The FBHC has been at the forefront of empowering Black Houstonians for over a decade. Credit: Jimmie Aggison
Richard Andrews
How the foundation mobilizes volunteers.
Houston Rodeo
Black royalty represents for the culture
By Aswad Walker
Beyoncé’s Grammy-winning masterpiece “Cowboy Carter” (Album of the Year), has inspired legions of people to discover Black people’s deep Western roots. And it’s no stretch of the imagination to say that the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s (HLSR) Black Heritage Committee facilitated in a big way Mrs. Carter’s cowboy and cowgirl connections.
Why? Because Queen Bey readily credits annual attendance at the HLSR for grounding her in that tradition.
So, as society’s recognition of the historical presence of Black people in all aspects of Western (cowboy and cowgirl) culture grows, it only makes sense that the spotlight turns to those longstanding participants in HLSR’s Black Heritage Committee (BHC).
The HLSR is a family of 35,000 volunteers and 110 committees. The BHC makes up approximately 185 of those volunteers.
BHC members, who are civic leaders and change agents in their various “day jobs,” are surely worthy of the title “Black Rodeo Royalty.”
For the culture
And they are absolutely about representing for the culture.
“We make sure that we reach out to the African American community to showcase and talk about the rodeo through awareness and participation,” said Gina Goosby-Harris, former chairman of the BHC which was founded in 1993. “We make sure that we
Know before you go
Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo’s Black Heritage Committee members and HLSR Executive Committee member Warner and Melba Ervin, who proudly showcase Black culture and community involvement. Credit: Defender Network.
highlight that information to the young students. We also host scholarship showcases and participations to inform them about the rodeo and the scholarship opportunities.”
“In 2017, I became the third Black to
become a vice president at the HLSR in the 85 years of the show’s history,” said Terence Fontaine, who was preceded by Warner Ervin (Executive Board) and Curtis Clerkley (Lifetime Vice President) in receiving that honor.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BHC’S MISSION AND PROGRAMS.
Defender News Service
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is back, bringing rodeo action, live music, a carnival, and plenty of Texas-sized fun! Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned rodeo-goer, here’s everything you need to know before heading to NRG Park.
Dates
This year’s rodeo runs from March 4 to March 23
• The grounds open daily at 8 a.m., though some attractions start later.
• Each evening, RODEOHOUSTON events take place inside NRG Stadium, followed by a star-studded concert.
Grounds admission tickets
These give you access to the carnival, livestock shows, horse shows, and shopping, but do not include entry to RODEOHOUSTON or concerts.
• Adults: $21
• Children (3-12): $10
• Carnival rides require additional tickets. Ticket sales end daily at 9 p.m. (onsite) and 8:30 p.m. (online).
Rodeo/Concert Tickets
These tickets include entry to: NRG Stadium for the rodeo & concert; Carnival, livestock shows, and horse shows.
• Prices start at $25 and vary based on seating.
Carnival Tickets, times
Carnival admission is included with a rodeo/concert or NRG Park admission ticket.
• Carnival ride & game tickets: $1.25 each
• Most rides & games require five tickets or less
• No all-you-can-ride wristbands available
Fontaine also “highly recommended” a current vice president and Black cowgirl, Wendy Lewis Armstrong, who is serving in her final year.
“Blacks at the rodeo have made many contributions to the HLSR and typically are a significant part of the operation of the three-week show,” added Fontaine, whose wife Deidra serves on the HLSR’s Trailblazer Committee.
Former Houston City Councilmember Dwight Boykins, too, has been a longtime HLSR participant.
“For over 20 years I have participated in the HLSR Annual Trailride with the Southwest Trailride Association (SWTA),” said Boykins. “While serving as a member of the Houston City Council, I would camp out all seven days only to leave the campsite to go back to City Hall, vote and return to the campground. Black cowboys and cowgirls are a growing number of people in the Western culture.”
The BHC hosts two annual premier events, Fall Roundup Day in October and the Black Heritage Gala, which took place this year on Feb. 1. Both events raise money for youth scholarships.
“Our members are responsible for the table sales. We had a sold-out event (in 2024). We had over 2,900 people who participated—our largest ever,” added Goosby-Harris.
“The Black community has contributed substantially to the over $500 million given to students for educational programs. This year alone, the HLSR pledged $28 million to support educational programs in Texas,” shared Fontaine.
Midway hours
• March 13-21: 12 p.m. – 12 a.m.
• March 22-23: 10 a.m. – 12 a.m.
Parking & Transportation
• Paid lots within walking distance of NRG
• Tram service available for closer access
• Satellite lots with shuttle service to the rodeo
What can I bring?
• Small purses and backpacks are allowed.
• Prohibited items: Guns, fireworks, and pets.
Discount Days & Deals
Free Family Wednesdays (March 19):
• Free admission for seniors (60+) and children (12 & under) until noon.
Community Day (March 12):
• All attendees get free admission to NRG Park until noon.
Sports DN
ONCE TRANSFERS GO BLACK, THEY DON’T GO BACK PWI TO HBCU
By Terrance Harris
Texas Southern sophomore guard Aylasia Fantroy had heard all about Hump Days on the yard when she transferred in this fall from Ohio University.
Hump Days are like an on-campus day party on Wednesdays where the fraternities are stepping and sororities are strolling and a good time is definitely being had. The only problem for Fantroy is the 12 to 2 p.m. festivities were in direct conflict with basketball practice each day.
But then she got introduced to Hump Nights when the turn-up is even livelier. It was night and day from Athens, Ohio where Baker Student Center was much more sterile and parties took place on the weekend, if at all.
“I was like, I ain’t leaving,” Fantroy said with a thousand-watt smile while pondering Hump Nights. “This is it.”
The cultural shift for Fantroy isn’t that much different from other student-athletes who make the transition from predominantly white institutions (PWIs) to HBCUs. Moving from being part of a small minority to being a member of the overwhelming majority represents a seismic change in culture and environment that most embrace.
“It’s definitely different. It’s rowdy over here, it’s fun—everything is just fun over here--at the MSC (Memorial Student Center) and Homecoming for sure,” said Prairie View softball player Ja’Naiya Thomas, who transferred from the University of Houston last summer. “It’s a lot of fun. Everybody needs to experience this at least once, whether it’s like a Homecoming, an event or a pep rally. Everything about this place is just fun.”
schools without sitting out for a year or losing eligibility. While student-athletes from FBS schools have long been able to shift to FCS and lower schools without losing eligibility or sitting out, having a chance for a cultural change has become a reason why kids are moving more now. In the past, the changes used to be solely for more playing time.
Prairie View senior defensive end CJ Pressley, who is from the Philadelphia area, initially played at nearby Villanova for two seasons before moving across the country to Texas. He says the transition was easy and a welcomed change.
“I’m always going to be myself wherever I’m at,” Pressley said. “I’m from Germantown and that was my biggest culture shock. Then I came here and I was at home. I can relate to so many people and so many people can relate to me. I’m with the guys doing what I love and I can’t ask for anything better than that. I really can’t.”
Student-athletes are taking advantage of the NCAA Transfer Portal to change
“I just felt like after that year, it was time for a new scenery, a new place, a new home,” said TSU senior post player Kenny Hunter, who transferred from Louisiana Tech last year after a successful run. “I had all of the other offers like Arkansas, LSU, BYU and Murray State. I had a lot of different offers but when I came here, it just felt like family. Getting a lot of love coming to an HBCU. Texas Southern basketball has a lot of history of winning and they hang a lot of banners. So when Coach Johnny (Jones) reached out to me, I was all ears and ready to go.”
Prairie View softball coach Vernon Bland says the student-athlete transfers he has had over the years seem to appreciate that they mean more to the school and the coaching staff than their athletic ability.
“It’s about more than softball with me
and (assistant coach Joseph Lane),” Bland said. “We talk to them about life.
“That HBCU experience is just something different. You have to experience to understand it.”
There are some relatable cultural differences that Black students can have at an HBCU, which might cause them to fall out of favor at PWIs where chances are the coaches are white and don’t understand how to connect.
Bland, who has four daughters, can understand the mood swings of his players, whereas his white counterparts might not.
“I hate to talk about another program but we care about them more than players,” he said. “One of the things with Black young ladies is a lot of the coaches don’t know how to deal with Black girls. Just because a Black girl isn’t smiling or happy all of the time, doesn’t mean that she has an attitude or doesn’t mean that she is mad.
Cox was excited to play for TSU this past football season after not logging in game tape in previous stops at the University of Alabama and Wyoming.
Cox had a breakout season with the Tigers in the fall, earning second-team AllSWAC honors after starting 11 games and accumulating 37 tackles, nine tackles for loss, six sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception. He has since moved on to Sam Houston State where he will play this fall.
“This is breath-taking, honestly,” Cox said of TSU prior to his decision to leave for Sam Houston State.
“I have four daughters so I have seen that for the last 25 years.”
But sometimes student-athletes leave a PWI for an HBCU only to return to a PWI once they have established themselves and had some success. Defensive end Keelan
“It’s more family-oriented than the other schools I’ve been at. We play for each other here. It’s not about the politics, the big money, the cameras or the lights. It’s just us and being a family and working hard for each other.
“It’s more of a real feeling.” Thomas said the family feeling both on the Panthers’ team and around campus is what sold her to come finish up her college career on The Hill.
“The difference between here and UH is it feels like a family out here,” Thomas said. “Even though you might not know a lot of people, everybody is more welcoming here.”
When student-athletes transfer from predominantly white institutions to a HBCU they quickly realize they are in a different world that is often more relatable. Credit: Texas Southern University
Ja’Naiya Thomas
Kenny Hunter
Sports DN
SAMUEL JOHNSON
Balances basketball, academics
By Jimmie Aggison
The Booker T. Washington Eagles basketball team gave their all in pursuit of the state championship. And one player stood out—not just for his skills on the court, but for his dedication to excellence in every aspect of his life.
Despite the outcome, Samuel Johnson, the Eagles’ star forward, led his team to success and making history as the school’s valedictorian.
“Honor, pride and discipline are what Sam displays each and every day,” said Booker T. Washington Principal Dr. Carlos Phillips II. “He makes good decisions academically. He has always been the first one in the gym and the first one in the classroom. He’s a model student raised by great parents and he displays excellence in everything that he does. I’m very proud to have him as a student. I’m very proud to be his principal.”
Johnson’s road to success hasn’t been easy. Reflecting on his journey, he recalls how Booker T. Washington assistant coach Perry Freeman pushed him to excel academically from the very beginning.
“When I first got to Booker T. Coach Freeman always pushed me to get all high A’s, so I stuck to that plan,” says Johnson, whose team lost to Kimball in the Division II state championship game on March 8. “Focusing on schooling came with many sacrifices, I had to structure my life around discipline. I couldn’t afford to waste time on parties, chasing girls, or staying up late on the game. The focus was always keeping the main thing the main thing—handle business in the classroom and handle business on the court.”
For Johnson, discipline is the foundation of his success. His approach to life is simple yet effective:
“The way you do one thing is the way you do everything,” he explains. That mentality has served him well, not only in his academic pursuits but also in basketball.
His hard work in the classroom directly translates to his performance on the court, where, according to the MaxPreps website, he is shooting 60% from the floor, averaging 10.4 rebounds per game, leading his team with 39 blocks, second in scoring with 414 points and second in rebounds with 280.
“I’m proud of my team and what I’ve
ABOUT SAMUEL JOHNSON
Class: 2025
Twitter: @SamJohnson2025
Position: Forward
Height & weight: 6-feet-7, 205 pounds
Favorite artist: Lil Wayne
Status: Uncommitted
Favorite subject: Engineering
Shout-outs: God, Teammates, Coaches, Family
accomplished, especially with everything that has happened over the past few years,” said Johnson. “Through all the ups and downs, I kept my eyes on God and not the distractions.”
Despite being teased early on for his academic success, Johnson never let it bother him.
“At first, I was called a nerd, but it never really bothered me,” said Johnson. “Eventually, they just accepted me for me, and realized I wasn’t changing.”
That resilience allowed Johnson to remain true to himself and fully embrace his unique journey. His advice to others reflects the guidance that has helped him along the way.
“The most important thing is being your authentic self. You don’t have to be like anyone else on the planet. God only made one of you for a reason,” said Johnson.
Johnson’s authenticity stands out both on and off the court. He is a role model for others and proves that academic and athletic success can go hand in hand.
“Samuel is a real special player,” said senior point guard Robert Jones. “Every time I need him to make a big shot, he is going to make it. When I’m lollygagging, he tells me to pick it up. He always challenges me in practice to be a better person.”
With colleges taking notice of Johnson’s on-court abilities, Johnson has yet to make a college selection; however, he plans to major in mechanical engineering.
“I chose mechanical engineering because I love the engineering projects at my school,” said Johnson. “The engineering process helps you with problem-solving and critical thinking skills. One day I want to have my own company that designs and makes
cars or designs and makes medical devices.”
In addition to his academic and athletic achievements, Johnson has also thrived in Booker T. Washington’s renowned magnet program. The program has provided him with incredible opportunities, including a partnership with NASA.
“We’re actually doing a NASA project right now,” Johnson says with excitement.
“I’ve been able to collaborate with students from Rydings College in Zimbabwe to learn more about alternative energy, tour HP, tour
NASA, and even host the STEM part of the annual OMEGA STEM conference at our school. It’s been an incredible experience.”
As Johnson leds the Eagles on their quest for a state championship and prepares to take the next step in his academic and professional career, his journey reminds us that greatness isn’t just about talent—it’s about hard work, discipline and staying true to who you are. With his focus and determination, the sky is the limit for this exceptional student-athlete.
DN Health
Don’t Let Kidney Disease Surprise You
By TOLULOPE FANNON, MPAS, PA-C
Did you know your kidneys filter all the blood in your body every 30 minutes? These two hardworking organs are essential for keeping your body functioning, but kidney disease often develops without noticeable symptoms until serious damage has been done.
Kidney Health and Black Americans
The kidneys are vital organs that filter waste and excess fluids from your blood, maintain electrolyte balance, and help regulate blood pressure. But conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes, which are more common in the Black community, can damage the kidneys. According to the National Kidney Foundation, Black Americans are more than three times more likely to develop kidney disease compared to White Americans, largely due to these underlying conditions.
Tolulope cares for patients at our Cypress Clinic, North Houston Campus, and Springwoods Village Campus.
How To Protect Your Kidneys
Small, consistent changes to your daily habits can significantly improve kidney health:
• Manage Diabetes: Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease, so follow your doctor’s recommendations for medication, diet, and exercise to keep your blood sugar under control.
• Don’t Let Blood Pressure Spiral out of Control: High blood pressure is a major risk factor for kidney disease. Kidney disease, in turn, can make controlling high blood pressure more difficult, creating a cycle that worsens both conditions.
• Stay Hydrated: Drinking 6 – 8 cups of water daily will support your kidneys’ ability to filter waste effectively.
Care
• Limit Sodium and Processed Foods: High sodium intake contributes to elevated blood pressure, which increases strain on the kidneys. Cutting back on salty snacks, frozen meals, and fast food is a simple but effective first step.
• Know Your Risk Factors: Family history, obesity, and certain medications can increase your risk for kidney disease. Regular checkups and screenings can help catch problems early and allow for adjustments before significant damage occurs.
At Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, we’re here to help you safeguard your kidney health. Call 713-442-0000 or visit kelsey-seybold. com to schedule an appointment today.
