04.24.2025_Defender-e-FULL

Game Changers BLACK WOMEN

Meet those who are transforming Houston NEWS

SPORTS

BORRIS MILES

JA’NAIYA THOMAS

The Texas Senator continues to forge through the partisan tensions at the capitol.

The former University of Houston softball player is starting fresh at PVAMU.

Volume 94, issue 27 April 24, 2025

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DN To the POINT

Flooded streets in Houston are common after rain hits the city every year. Credit: Joel Martinez/AP

Message from the Reporter the rest by 2028. The plaintiffs seem on board, Accountability is important in all our public but not everyone is sold. Councilmembers Amy sectors, especially our school districts. I have Peck and Edward Pollard are raising valid quesbeen closely following the HISD trial against tions: With Houston’s current financial strain, former district vendor Anthony Hutchison and could the city allocate the said amounts to the Chief Operating Officer Brian Busby. After a drainage funds? month of deliberations, both men were found As budget season heats up, one thing is clear: guilty of committing fraud through bribthe city’s bookkeeping is under the microscope, ery, false tax returns, witness tampering and and Houstonians should be watching closely. overbilling.

After all, it shouldn’t take a lawsuit to make sure On July 28, U.S. District Judge Andrew our streets don’t turn into rivers every time it Hanen will formally sentence Hutchison and Tannistha Sinha rains.

Busby. They face decades in jail.

Douglas Williams, who is FBI Houston’s special agent in “Sinners” taking reviews by storm charge, said Busby and Hutchison “defrauded” the largest public Everyone is raving about Ryan Coogler’s 2025 film “Sinners.” school system and taxpayers in Texas out of millions of dollars aaThe genre-defying Southern Gothic vampire epic combines that could have benefited HISD students. supernatural horror with social commentary and has made $48 This case highlighted the importance of accountability from million at the domestic box office and $63 million worldwide. people in positions of power and raised questions about mone- In short, it has been a very good week for the “Sinners” team. tary oversight at the school district.

Variety reported that nearly 40% of the initial ticket buyers Although HISD already has an Office of Budgeting and Finan- were Black, 35% were white, 18% were Hispanic and 5% were cial Planning in place for oversight, other lapses have occurred Asian, suggesting a diverse pool of moviegoers. in the past. Earlier this year, the board of managers retroactively Some headlines got flak for undermining the film’s win by approved cooperative vendor awards spanning 16 months, total- pointing out that it’s still in the red with it’s $90 million-plus ing up to $870 million. Superintendent Mike Miles admitted budget. But this is not the only thing people are discussing. that his administration did not get prior board approval for the It just so happens that Coogler struck a deal with Warner contracts and called it a “good faith error” with no “mal intent.” Bros. studios, securing first-dollar gross points, final cut and Until a more robust system is in place, a pertinent question ownership of Sinners 25 years after its release. The film was in a remains—how will HISD provide such oversight in the future? bidding war with studios until Warner Bros. agreed.

In an interview with Business Insider, Coogler explained that Houston’s drainage lawsuit comes to an end his decision was not a strategic power move because of his bilAfter years of neglecting its own rules, Houston is finally being lion-dollar box office track record but rather a symbolic gesture. forced to pay up—and the city’s drainage system might actually “That was the only motivation,” he told Business Insider. benefit. Two engineers filed a lawsuit against the city for not alloCoogler also told Indiewire that he would not necessarily ask cating enough property tax revenue to the Dedicated Drainage for rights to future films, but “Sinners” is different. It’s about and Street Renewal Fund (DDSRF), and in January, the Texas twin brothers, Smoke and Stack—both portrayed by Michael B. Supreme Court agreed. The ruling? Clear as Houston floodwater: Jordan, who start their business in a sharecropping community the city must resume setting aside drainage money as required. set in Jim Crow-era Mississippi.

That one decision just made Houston’s already-strained budMaybe to Coogler, ownership was not just about profit but get a whole lot messier. The city owed an additional $100 million a way to choose how he is remembered. His deal may be a sign in flood mitigation funding, pushing its deficit from $220 million of a shift in the entertainment industry. In a way, he said, “ownto well over $300 million. ership is power.”

Let’s rewind. Back in 2010, voters passed a charter amendment to fix streets and drainage. Had the city followed that ordinance, On the Web we’d be looking at a $420 million fund ready to tackle everything • Why a 4/20 martial law order would be so on brand for from potholes to post-storm backups. Instead, the can was kicked Trump. down the road, and now it’s come back with interest.

• The Shannon Sharpe/Tony Buzbee case heats up.

Mayor John Whitmire is trying to clean up the mess with a • New era, familiar fight: Black Press prepares for tariff payment plan: $16 million this year, $48 million in 2026, and impacts.

COO of HISD found guilty

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DN News Humble ISD Superintendent blasted for ‘lynching’ remarks

By Tannistha Sinha

Members of the Humble Independent School District Black community, elected officials and leaders are calling for the removal of the newly appointed Superintendent Roger Brown for using a racially-charged word.

The incident was brought forth

by Humble ISD’s chief education support service officer Henry Phipps during a public hearing. Phipps said he was one of the 100 employees who heard Brown say he wanted to “lynch the mayor,” and “hang him from a tree” for how he dealt with electricity issues during Hurricane Beryl.

Brown, who leads a district with Dr. Roger Brown more than 48,000 students (26% Black and 38.3% Hispanic students), has apologized for the remark. During a school board meeting, he explained how a photo showing “the struggles of daily living” in the Old West caught his eye, which is when he said, “Do you remember when Hurricane Beryl hit last summer and how we wanted to lynch CenterPoint and the mayor?”

“No one, including myself, was actually wanting to harm CenterPoint or (Houston) Mayor Whitmire or (Humble) Mayor Thunderberg,” Brown clarified.

“This was in reference to being without power and air for days but then I turned to this picture and I said ‘But they never had it,’” Brown added. “I then made a comment about how blessed we are and I never meant for this exaggerated comment to be taken literally.”

Call to action Brown’s remarks prompted the Houston NAACP to organize a town hall at The Luke Church, where community leaders condemned the superintendent’s use of a term rooted in racial violence.

Bishop James Dixon II said Brown used his influence in racially derogatory ways and asked for his removal through a legal procedure. He tied the incident to a nationwide rollback on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

“The leader of the Humble ISD has made some of the most egregious, insulting, offensive, derogatory comments possible,” Dixon said. “The language of someone who absolutely has no self-control, self-awareness, no socioeconomic reality.”

Calling for accountability, Jackie Anderson, chair of the Houston NAACP education committee and president of the Houston Federation of Teachers, believes that if Brown could use the word “lynch,” it was in his heart.

“When we hear about egregious acts of things that are said by people who are leading us and leading our district and our children, we need to be upset about it,” Anderson said. “I’ve never used such a word about anybody at any time, and I think it’s highly inappropriate.”

Community members weigh in.

Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, is removed from the chamber as President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress at the Capitol in Washington in March. (Win McNamee/Pool Photo via AP)

Officials blast racist remarks against Rep. Al Green

By ReShonda Tate

U.S. Representative Al Green of Houston is blasting derogatory remarks from fellow Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger, a 65-year-old Republican from Tennessee, who referred to him as “boy” during a recent interview on a Christian podcast.

The comments, which Green has condemned as racist, have drawn widespread criticism and ignited a broader conversation about race and respect in American politics.

Harshbarger’s remarks, made during her appearance on the F.A.M.E. Ministries Rep. Diana podcast recently, were directed at Green, a Harshbarger 77-year-old Black Democrat, following his protest during President Donald Trump’s address to Congress in March. Green, using a cane for support after multiple surgeries, pointed the cane at Trump while shouting, “You have no mandate!”

Harshbarger, mocking Green’s actions, quipped, “Gosh dang it, boy! Put that … he does not need that cane.” She then went on to describe the cane as a prop, suggest- Reynolds ing that it might be hiding a weapon, even stating that one of her colleagues joked about removing the gold part of the cane to “see if there’s a gun in there.”

Rooted in racism

The term “boy” has long been considered a racial slur, used to belittle and infantilize Black men, particularly in the South.

Martin Luther King Jr. called it one of the daily “humiliations” faced by Black people in his famous Letter from Birmingham Jail. For many, it evokes a dark history of racist oppression and dehumanization.

“It’s not a joke,” Green said in response to the comments. “This is not something people of African ancestry, knowing our history, that we can receive with any degree of notion that it is funny. It is not funny to us.”

Green was joined at a recent press conference by civil rights leaders and local officials from Houston, including city council members and organizations like the NAACP and LULAC, where he called on Harshbarger to acknowledge her mistake.

“I am not asking her to apologize. I never ask people to apologize. I ask people to tell the truth,” Green said. “The truth is these slurs are nothing to joke about.”

State Representative Ron Reynolds of Texas condemned Harshbarger’s words, saying, “I am deeply outraged—but sadly, not surprised. For a white Republican Congresswoman to go on a so-called Christian podcast and refer to Congressman Green— a 77-year-old civil rights icon, statesman, and man of God—as ‘boy,’ is not just offensive. It is racist. Period.”

Reynolds, a mentor and close friend of Green, continued, “This kind of language is rooted in a dark history—a deliberate attempt to diminish Black men, especially those who dare to stand up and speak truth to power.”

Reynolds also highlighted the danger of Harshbarger’s rhetoric, pointing out that such language has historically been used to demonize and dehumanize Black men.

“Rep. Harshbarger insinuated that Congressman Green, who uses a cane for medical reasons, might be hiding a weapon. Let’s be honest: that’s not just disrespectful — it’s dangerous,” Reynolds said. “It’s the kind of rhetoric that’s gotten Black men killed.”

Green’s protest, where he disrupted Trump’s speech, was part of his long-standing criticism of Trump, which included filing articles of impeachment against him three times during Trump’s presidency. Following the incident, Green was removed from the House chamber and censured by the Republican-led House, with ten Democrats also voting in favor of the resolution. Green expressed frustration with the ongoing attacks, stating, “They already censured me. Now they are going to censure my cane.

At some point, this has to be silly to somebody.”

The interview also saw Harshbarger make controversial remarks about LGBT+ individuals, calling them “fairies” in reference to the Biden administration’s support for LGBT+ rights.

Harshbarger laughed as she made the comments, further fueling backlash against her.

Harshbarger’s controversial comments also drew attention to her personal history. Her husband, Robert Harshbarger, was sentenced to four years in prison in 2013 for distributing misbranded drugs to kidney dialysis patients, raising questions about her character and values.

As the controversy continues to unfold, Green’s allies are calling for Harshbarger to be held accountable for her language.

“We will not let bigotry dress itself up as patriotism or piety.

We see you—and we will not let this slide,” Reynolds said.

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DN News TEXAS STATE LEADERS SERIES

Borris Miles

Advances bills as a Senator amid partisan tensions

By Tannistha Sinha

In what he calls “the most hostile” legislative session in the last 18 years, Texas Senator Borris L. Miles (D-Houston) has filed legislation on public education, healthcare, policing, environmental justice and the preservation of Black history.

Miles warns that Republican-backed policies are gutting protections for communities of color and pushing Texas toward a future that does not include them.

“This is the most difficult session that I’ve been in. They [Republicans] are serving in an arrogant tone,” Miles told the Defender.

Miles believes lawmakers are pushing for policies that hurt urban communities of color, particularly Black Texans. These include school vouchers, the dismantling of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs and environmental deregulation.

Public education Expressing concerns about public education legislation, Miles said he strongly opposes the school voucher system proposed through Senate Bill 2 which will allow families to use taxpayer dollars to fund a private school education.

“It’s not a school choice, it’s a private school choice,” he explained. “It is a system that’s going to benefit the elite and…skim off the

The MAGA [Make America Great Again] platform is definitely not intended to provide any type of benefits or any type of help or assistance to urban communities of color.”

STATE SENATOR BORRIS L. MILES

first 3% of our premier students in Black communities…They’re trying to knock out all of the minority excellence that we’ve been able to achieve in the last two decades.”

Miles, a Sam Houston State University graduate in Criminal Justice and Criminal Science, also filed bills (SB 285 and SB 286) dealing with “money received for an open-enrollment charter school to support an out-ofstate school” and “financial benefits” that a superintendent gets for the services they provide. Miles clarified that these bills pertain to Houston ISD. Speaking on the discourse on DEI, Miles said the initiatives created a safe haven and opened doors for minority students to attend predominantly white universities. He fears that the only persons accepted to these universities are Black athletes.

“Let’s face it, if you’re not a star athlete, most of these large universities in the state of Texas are not interested in having you at their campuses,” Miles said. “Now that the Texans and Republicans across the country have seen that it works and it helps produce Black and minority excellence, they want to get rid of it now…they have completely demonized DEI.”

we try to balance the healthcare system and the education system and bring in equity and equality to both of those institutions,” he added.

Air quality and environmental racism Environmental racism is another battlefront for Miles, who has been a vocal critic of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). This session, he has filed “over a dozen bills” focused on air quality permitting and batch plant facilities, pushing Gov. Greg Abbott to include minority lawmakers in selecting a new TCEQ leader.

Miles argues the state has consistently permitted polluting facilities like concrete batch plants and industries in communities of color, thereby committing “environmental racism.”

“A Texas agency [TCEQ] that should be working for its constituents and their primary purpose is to keep us healthy and safe…It is not doing that,” he said. “Communities of color are having to carry the burden for all Texans.”

Sen. Borris Miles proposed targeting certain tax credit developments for neglecting essential safeguards like backup power generators and water pressure systems.

Credit: Sen. Borris Miles’ office

Health care gaps The senator said he secured $8 billion for indigent health care, a system providing free or low-cost medical care to individuals who cannot afford it, in Houston and Harris County to a d d re s s the challenges faced by District 13 residents. This session, Miles’ bill puts another $2 billion on the table for “people of color who don’t necessarily have access to quality healthcare” that he expects will pass at the Capitol.

“I’ve been working hard to make sure that

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VOLUME 94, NUMBER 27 - APRIL 24, 2025

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DN News Council delays decision on MWBE program amid legal battle

By Tannistha Sinha

Houston’s Minority/Women-owned business enterprise program (M/WBE) may soon be changing.

In a few days, the Houston City Council will decide whether to accept the recommendations of a 2024 disparity study. The findings revealed contractors, such as Asian Americans in professional service, Hispanics in construction and professional service and white women in goods, reached the target goals and could not be categorized as facing disparities anymore.

The Office of Business Opportunity (OBO) recommended businesses that no longer face disparities graduate to the race-neutral small-business enterprise program. OBO Director Cylenthia Hoyrd said that if the city does not follow the study’s findings, the M/ WBE program will be jeopardized.

“I’d like to say without adopting the updated ordinance that supports the findings in the study, we do risk a 40-year setback,” said Hoyrd. “We are at a kind of crossroads of having the study and going to litigation.”

Some business owners raised concerns about the study’s findings, citing a low response rate to the study survey at an Economic Development Committee meeting. While the city reached out to more than 30,000 businesses to participate in the survey, only 800 owners responded.

Hoyrd

Castex-Tatum

On another front, the city’s M/WBE program is dealing with the lawsuit Landscape Consultants of Texas, Inc. v. Harris County, Texas, et al. Jerry and Theresa Thompson, white contractors from Spring, alleged that the city hired businesses based on race and sought to end the program that has existed since 1984.

Houston City Attorney Arturo Michel indicated that the 2024 disparity study, instead of the 2006 disparity study that the city’s M/WBE program currently runs on, will help the city defend itself in the lawsuit.

Where do Black businesses stand?

The 2024 disparity study conducted by the city found that disparities existed among all racial and ethnic groups, particularly among Black-owned businesses, which

Castillo

Thomas

faced disparity across all contract types and procurement categories. They also faced financial barriers, including higher rates of loan denials and paying higher interest rates compared to non-minority firms. Based on the findings from the study, Black American-owned businesses are underutilized in several areas, specifically: • Black American firms accounted for only 5.55% of the total dollar amount spent in all procurement categories, which is below their availability in the market.

• In construction contracts, Black American firms received 5.28% of the total spending.

• In professional services, Black American firms received 7.57% of contracts, showing substantial underutilization.

“It [study] still shows Black business is at the bottom…deep disparity, professional

services, construction. We’re not getting the bids,” Councilmember Tiffany Thomas told the Defender. “Black Houstonians led to create this program in the city. It started out with our Black Chamber saying that Black people need an opportunity to compete because, in the private sector, it was not happening…to see the results where we’re still at the bottom is very disheartening.”

What Houston City Councilmembers said According to Councilmember Mario Castillo, the delay in the ordinance vote will allow stakeholders more time to participate in feedback sessions.

“Hearing from all the stakeholders at the Economic Development Committee hearing showed that while the data that was collected provided a snapshot, a lot of stakeholders for whatever reason, weren’t a part of that process and had ideas to share that we need to consider as we think about these recommendations,” said Castillo.

Mayor Pro Tem and City Councilmember Martha Castex-Tatum stated that the 2024 disparity study validated the findings of the Ernst & Young efficiency study.

“These programs were not meant to be programs in perpetuity,” she said. “This is our time now to continue the engagement.”

IAH Terminal renamed after Sheila Jackson Lee

By Tannistha Sinha

George Bush Intercontinental Airport’s Terminal E will now be renamed “Sheila Jackson Lee Terminal E” in honor of the late congresswoman. Lee represented the 18th Congressional District until her death in November 2024.

The Houston City Council voted unanimously to rename the terminal after the legendary congresswoman.

Lee’s daughter Erica Lee Carter, who also represented the 18th Congressional District briefly after Lee’s death, thanked Mayor John Whitmire for his support in the process and Councilmembers Edward Pollard and Tiffany Thomas for taking the renaming initiative. Lee Carter also recounted her mother’s achievements in bringing in funding and advocacy for the airport.

“She knew that our airport was not just a transit hub of commerce, but it connected us to our global friends, like our sister cities,” Lee Carter said. “We are not just affixing a name to a building, we are telling the world that Sheila Jackson Lee mattered to Houston, and that her legacy lives on boldly, visibly and permanently.”

Late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee’s family and city leaders spoke in favor of renaming IAH Terminal E to honor Lee’s legacy. Credit: Tannistha Sinha/Houston Defender

In December 2024, the Houston City Council voted to initiate the terminal’s renaming. Public speakers discussed Lee’s advocacy for her constituents and her role in securing $125 million worth of federal funding for the Houston Airport System.

They extended their support behind this decision.

Due to administrative processes, including public comments, the council waited to

rename the terminal when the proposal was first introduced. Following this, it received more than 2,000 comments, with 80% voicing support for renaming the terminal, according to the agenda item.

Houston has a history of honoring political leaders who served the city. Terminal C is named after Houston’s former Mayor Lewis Wesley Cutrer and Terminal D after former U.S. Rep. Mickey Leland.

Lee’s family members remember her legacy Lee’s husband, Elwyn Lee, reminisced about her passion for the airport.

“She became a fierce advocate for the airport and other transformation needs of this city, which she did love,” he said. “She fiercely and effectively (brought) millions for the airport and other construction needs.”

Jason Lee, Lee’s son, recalled his personal relationship with his mother.

“I’m really gonna have a tall task trying to explain who my mother was,” he said.

“It would be easier for me to explain who she was to me, but I have to really work to explain all she meant to everyone else. With the honor of this terminal being named after her, it makes that a lot easier. That honor will itself explain to some extent who she was and what she meant.”

Councilmembers weigh in

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DN InFocus

In

By ReShonda Tate

honor of Black Women’s History Month, we’re raising a glass— and a megaphone—to the women who aren’t just changing the game, they’re building the whole arena.

Across Houston, dynamic Black women are taking the lead in boardrooms, bookstores, legislative halls and community centers. They’re not waiting for permission or following someone else’s playbook. These women are architects of progress, using purpose, power and persistence to shape a future rooted in equity, creativity, and culture.

From launching platforms that center Black voices to passing legislation that honors women veterans, these changemakers are proof that when Black women lead, the community rises.

These women may come from different industries, but their journeys are bound by shared truths: the challenge of being “the only,” the weight of high expectations and the grace it takes to lead while mentoring others. They’ve sacrificed comfort for purpose, created opportunity where there was none and carried whole communities on their shoulders.

In doing so, they’ve proven that Black women in Houston aren’t just game changers—they are the game. Meet 10 of Houston’s most formidable forces.

Terri Hamm

BLACK WOMEN

Game Changers Meet those who are transforming Houston

Julie O. Griffith turned a lifestyle into a movement. Her brand, Champagne & Melanin™, is a celebration of self-care, entrepreneurship and sisterhood. What began in 2018 as a platform for Black women entrepreneurs has blossomed into a space that cultivates community and confidence.

Champagne & Melanin™ now curates monthly women-only networking events, workshops with robust panels, an annual brunch, a monthly community-only newsletter, and a strong digital community designed to build partnership, resources and access to funding, support and information to help Black female founders.

“As women of color, we’re leading in

Vice President, Enterprise Systems and Platform Solutions

With more than 600 employees under her leadership, Shachella James is redefining corporate culture at CenterPoint Energy.

She brings humanity and strategy to every boardroom, ensuring that diversity, equity, and inclusion aren’t just buzzwords—they’re baked into the structure.

“I am driven to sharpen the lens of opportunity—amplifying the promise of women and underserved youth—by transforming belief into a blueprint and accountability into lasting action,” James said. “Rooted in the conviction that believing is seeing, I envision a future where every student not only imagines their place in STEM, but confidently claims it.”

CEO, Speaker, Nonprofit Founder

Terri Hamm

Julie O. Griffith

Winell Herron

Dr. LaShondra Jones

Argentina James

When Terri Hamm opened Kindred Stories in Houston’s Third Ward, she wasn’t just selling books—she was building literary equity.

Her Black-owned bookstore offers more than curated shelves; it’s a sacred space for Black authors, readers, and children to see themselves reflected in stories. Hamm has made Kindred Stories a national literary go-to spot for authors visiting Houston.

“Providing access to marginalized voices is even more important in our state’s current climate of book bans,” Hamm said. “The reason we exist is to make sure that there’s another option for access to the stories that kids see themselves in.”

Publicist, Founder, Champagne & Melanin™

Shachella James

LaToshia Norwood

Founder, Kindred Stories

Julie O. Griffith

heard and respected,” she said. “In a vibrant city like Houston, it is important to champion community engagement to cultivate diverse perspectives and drive meaningful change.

I am committed to empowering individuals and communities, fostering environments where they can thrive and inspire progress and economic inclusivity.”

Shachella James

LaToshia Norwood

business—but we often find ourselves navigating it alone. After a few lonely years as a solopreneur, I built Champagne & Melanin™ as a safe space for Black female founders that reminds us we don’t have to.”

positive impact on the community – especially in the areas of education and empowerment.

A long-time champion of the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce, Dress for Success, Girls, Inc., the NAACP, Houston Area Urban League and the Girl Scouts among others, Herron is also a founding board member of the Houston Equity Fund. She has been a steady advocate for equity, education, and disaster recovery, directing philanthropic dollars to where they’re needed most.

It’s not just about the financial contributions we make to nonprofit organizations in Houston and across the state, but I’m also a big believer in rolling up our sleeves and sweat equity,” Herron said.

Winell Herron

Group VP of Public Affairs, Diversity and Environmental Affairs, H-E-B

For years, Winell Herron has been a quiet storm behind some of Houston’s most meaningful community investments. As a leader at H-EB, Herron regularly travels the state to engage with communities, customers and over 116,000 store partners, or employees. She is a strong supporter of organizations that are making a

La Chanda Ricks

Dr. LaShondra Jones

Marine Veteran & Legislative Advocate

Dr. LaShondra Jones fought for her country—and then fought for its women veterans.

A decorated Marine, Jones is now a legislative trailblazer who continues to amplify veterans’ needs at the Capitol. One of her proudest moments in advocacy was House Bill 867, which created the Texas Women Veterans Program and her efforts for Senate Bill 805 which created Texas Women Veterans Day. Dr. Jones through both her voluntarism and non-profit executive management background has supported hundreds of women Veterans through peer support, mental health coaching, financial resources, housing and

Dr. Sonia White

NaKeitha Ross

most importantly, by being there.

“My favorite quote is ‘To whom much is given, much is required. I’ve been given so much and afforded so much, not only as a veteran, but in the community,” she said. “So its been my role and my life’s mission to give back to others.”

fair share of city and state contracts, James’ work goes far beyond press releases and red carpets.

As the powerhouse behind HillDay, her boutique agency specializes in helping Blackowned brands, nonprofits, and thought leaders tell their stories on their own terms.

Whether she’s securing national coverage, shaping brand strategies, or offering media training, James is in the business of building legacy. Through her tireless efforts, James isn’t just managing media—she’s rewriting the rules of visibility and impact for Houston’s Black community.

“I am dedicated to amplifying community voices and ensuring their perspectives are

Argentina James

Founder, HillDay Public Relations

If there’s a major event happening in Houston—chances are, Argentina James has a hand in it. From Texas Southern University’s Tiger Ball (where she helped raise over $1.2 million) to the NAACP Image Awards gala, to ensuring Black entrepreneurs get their

LaToshia Norwood is a dynamic project management executive, speaker, philanthropist, and advocate for women in business. As the CEO of L’Renee & Associates, she leads a top-tier consulting firm dedicated to helping organizations optimize their operations through strategic planning, training, and innovative project management solutions that deliver measurable success. Through her nonprofit, She Said Foundation, Norwood works to elevate voices, cultivate leadership, and provide mentorship opportunities that equip individuals with the tools to spark meaningful change.

A former president of PMI Houston, LaToshia continues to champion excellence in project management, using her platform to inspire action, build resilience, and advocate for equity. Whether coaching executives, leading impactful initiatives, or advocating for women in business, Norwood is committed to helping others take charge of their journeys—one bold step at a time.

“When we bring strong women together to support and lift up one another, we can drive meaningful change and make history–personally and professionally,” Norwood said.

La Chanda Ricks

Engagement Director, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Global Events Producer

La Chanda Ricks is the secret weapon behind many of Houston’s top Black professional events. She’s not just planning

events—she’s designing blueprints for how Black organizations gather, fundraise, and thrive. Whether it’s launching the first international festival for HBCU alumni in Barbados, or pulling together global events, she uses precision and passion to help organizations evolve and pull off events that impact the entire community.

“Every project is a chance to create something meaningful—an experience that not only inspires, but uplifts,” Ricks said.

“Whether I’m producing an event, curating an international travel experience, or building a partnership, I’m driven by the power of impact. I don’t just want events to be pretty or fun—I want them to matter. My goal is to create lasting moments and be part of a legacy that moves our community forward.”

Dr. Sonia White

Author, Entreprenuer

From the Air Force to authorship, healthcare to humanitarianism, Dr. Sonia Renay White wears many hats—but her mission is singular: to serve with purpose and faith.

Recently named one of Sheen Magazine’s Women to Watch in 2025, White is blazing trails as a best-selling author, radiology professional, nonprofit founder and a proud USAF veteran. Yet it’s not the accolades she focuses on. It’s the impact. As the visionary of “Still She Rises,” White recently used her platform to honor other Black and Brown women making a difference in Houston.

“I honored these remarkable women because no matter the storms they’ve faced— still, she rises,” White said. Their strength uplifts us all, and through Winners of the World Magazine, we celebrate their unstoppable light.”

NaKeitha Ross

Entreprenuer, Nonprofit Founder

As the owner of 360 Degrees Hair Studio, NaKeitha Ross has spent years listening to candid conversation which inspired her to create something bigger—a movement grounded in empowerment, education and sisterhood. Ross is co-founder of Houston’s I.C.O.N. Women’s Organization, a nonprofit dedicated to uplifting women and youth through service, wellness and leadership development. She also started the Fearless Female Forum, an empowerment movement and educational platform designed to help women conquer fear and embrace their full potential. Focused on building confidence, courage and capital, the Forum offers monthly masterclasses featuring experts in personal development, entrepreneurship, branding, investing, self-care and more.

“So many women are doing the work, grinding every day, but they rarely get the chance to shine,” Ross said. “We created this space to pour into them—to celebrate them.”

Let us know other Black Women Game Changers.

Email: reshonda@defendernetwork.com

8 | April 24, 2025 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Feature ZINETTA BURNEY, SHEILA JACKSON LEE

Third Ward mural honors legends

By Laura Onyeneho

At the corner of Almeda Road and Ruth Street in Third Ward, a vibrant mural honors the legacies of two of Houston’s impactful leaders: Judge Zinetta Burney and Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee. This powerful piece of public art is part of Up Art Studio’s Big Walls, Big Dreams Festival, sponsored by Greater Southeast Management District (Houston Southeast). It transformed one side of The Den Cigar and Lounge into a canvas celebrating two extraordinary Black women who profoundly impacted the Third Ward community and beyond.

Elia Quiles, co-founder of Up Art Studio, explained that the mural was a collaborative community effort.

“We have a relationship with Houston Southeast, and they decided to sponsor a mural. They coordinated with The Den’s owner and had the idea of honoring Sheila Jackson Lee and Zinetta Burney,” Quiles said. “The goal was to ensure we honored women in this time.

Judge Burney and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee were the icons selected.”

Nikki Knight, Project Manager of Houston Southeast detailed the process of choosing the artist and approving the design.

“Up Art Studio selects artists from the area or receives proposals. Once an artist is chosen, they create a rendering that’s sent to our board and committee for review and approval,” she said. “We collectively decide on the direction of the mural, including colors and design, working closely with the artist.”

Muralist Devona Stimpson was chosen for her exceptional portrait work and felt a deep connection to the project.

“I felt truly honored to paint such powerhouse women and was excited to create something that would leave a lasting impact on their families, friends and the community,” she said.

The intricate details of the mural show Stimpson’s dedication to capturing the essence of these women. She meticulously handpainted the piece over 60.5 hours and 10 days using latex paint and brushes, a technique she

A vibrant mural featuring Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee and Judge Zinetta Burney is now on the side of The Den cigar bar in Third Ward. Credit Jimmie Aggison

prefers over spray paint.

The mural is rich in symbolism.

“The doves represent hope, renewal, compassion, and unity, while the scales of justice reflect their roles as lawyers and their commitment to fairness,” Stimpson explained. “The flowing fabric symbolizes both the fabric of the community and the idea of diversity and change. And then there are the roses, representing all the seeds they’ve planted throughout their lifetimes.”

The location in Third Ward, a historically significant area, shaped Stimpson’s approach.

“Both Zinetta and Sheila moved mountains for the people of Third Ward, so I really wanted this mural to celebrate their impact— especially their contributions to the justice system, activism, and the communities they served,” she said.

Stimpson hopes the mural will contribute to the ongoing conversation about representation in public art.

“I’ve always noticed that when it comes to public art, white males tend to be the default— what’s considered ‘neutral’ or what people are used to seeing in more commercial/public spaces. If a piece only features women, it’s seen as too feminine,” she said. “If it only features people of color, sometimes there’s pressure

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to add a white person to ‘balance it out.’ I’ve always hated that mindset—it’s strange to me. Especially since, in my personal work, I mostly paint women.”

Diahron Myers, co-owner of The Den Cigar Lounge, witnessed the community’s reaction firsthand.

“It’s great for the neighborhood. We get people come by every day taking pictures of the mural,” he said. “It shows our youth that these same people come from the same area.

It doesn’t matter where you come from. It just matters how hard you strive to get outta here and do better.”

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April 24, 2025 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

| 9

DN Profile

Shearone Lewis Serves as a global wine player

By Aswad Walker

The rapidly growing wine business has taken Shearone Lewis to every wine-growing corner of the U.S. and most wine regions globally. Still, she remains a fixture of Houston’s Almeda business corridor community (Third Ward).

Lewis owns UnWine on Almeda (4420 Almeda Rd., Houston 77004), a wine bar offering housemade sangria, mimosas, craft beer and light bites in an upscale setting.

But her road to entrepreneurship began as an employee.

Road to ownership In 2014, the location that was once the popular G’s & Z’s was erected as UnWine by Lawrence McQueen, a local entrepreneur.

Lewis came in as UnWine’s event planner and wine shepherd (sommelier), helping them formulate their wine list. Before her conversation with McQueen, Lewis had been “studying and playing with wine” and working in the industry for years.

Though Lewis moved away for about a year and a half, McQueen and his associates recognized the gifts Lewis brought to the table. And upon her return to Houston, McQueen came to her with a different proposal.

“Mr. McQueen called me and asked me if I was still interested in purchasing UnWine.

I had no idea what he was talking about because I had never said that to him,” said Lewis, who ended up taking the inquiry seriously.

After working at UnWine for a few years, she relaunched the business as owner and under a new name, UnWine on Almeda, on Juneteenth of 2019.

It’s just a passion of mine, loving wine and it’s a great travel opportunity because there’s wine everywhere in the world.”

SHEARONE LEWIS

Entrepreneur Shearone Lewis fiercely celebrates Houston and the global wine world simultaneously. Credit: Aswad Walker.

Meant to be In truth, though, Lewis was introduced to the wine world as a teenager in New Orleans, where she grew up.

“When I grew up, we didn’t have computers or the internet. So, I just read, read, read all the time and learned about wine via encyclopedias and working in the family restaurant. For me it was just a way to be able to have some money in my pocket. I didn’t ever think it would go to this extent. It wasn’t my plan,” shared Lewis, who studied business in college.

But wherever she lived, and whatever career paths she took, wine remained part of her DNA. “I’ve always dabbled in the industry because it was always a fun way, a great way to earn extra income… I just continued to study no matter where I worked or what I did. I ended up retiring from UPS in 2001, and I went into dabbling again full-time in the restaurant, food, and beverage industry.

“Periodically I would do some other things, but I always bounced back to the food and beverage industry. And then, I moved back to Houston in 2009 for my

mother, who was losing my stepfather. And I said, what can I do to be available for them?

That’s how I came back here to UnWine. It’s just a passion of mine, loving wine and it’s a great travel opportunity because there’s wine everywhere in the world.”

Community fixture Returning home to Houston (her grandmother’s home, Lewis’s first home, is just two blocks from her business), it didn’t take Lewis long to re-establish her Houston community cred.

“Shearone Lewis has been in business for the last 11 years due to her commitment to upholding a standard of elegance, sophistication, and community-focused experience,” said educator, yoga instructor and UnWine employee Aisha Shahid. “She has gained attention for her commitment to creating an inclusive space where patrons can enjoy wine education and tasting experiences.”

Part of Lewis’s charm, besides being a person people seem to gravitate to, is her commitment to supporting and promoting fellow local businesspersons, those in the wine industry, the arts, retail, etc.

Working in collaboration with Branwar Wine Distributing Co.’s Wayne Luckett and his son Warren, Lewis has become the go-to person for local Black wine producers to introduce their products to the public.

“Shearone has always impressed me with her in depth knowledge of wines,” said Luckett. “As a high level sommelier, her wine expertise is always on spot.

“Aside from her entrepreneurial acumen, she has a passion for supporting our community by hosting wine tasting events and introducing new wines for wine lovers in the area.”

Though Lewis has witnessed the dramatic demographic shift in her community’s makeup, she and her neighbors are committed to helping the area retain its historic flavor.

“I think those of us that are here are still hoping to be able to hold on to that and revive that. All that I’m involved with here in the community, that’s what we do.

We don’t want to go anywhere else permanently. We visit, we learn, but there’s a fiber here that keeps us all together.”

10 | April 24, 2025 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports

Ja’Naiya Thomas

Starts fresh with the Prairie View softball team

By Terrance Harris

Prairie View senior centerfielder Ja’Naiya Thomas won’t complain about her years playing for the University of Houston.

But Thomas was missing something, and she set out to find it after entering the transfer portal last spring. A conversation with a friend, an email, and a campus visit to The Hill made it clear Ja’Naiya to Thomas that the Thomas Prairie View softball program was what she needed.

“Whenever players are getting recruited, they expect a certain thing when they get to the school that they are going to,” Thomas said. “I pretty much figured out that UH wasn’t the place for me. I needed a better culture, just a family environment.

“I just wanted to feel welcomed, and what this team has given me is all of those things.

I really can’t ask for anything more than that.

That’s all I wanted out of this experience.”

Thomas also wanted to be part of a winning culture, and that is something else the Panthers could provide as consistently one of the top SWAC teams that competes each spring for the league titles and a spot in the NCAA Regionals. It was like Prairie View and Coach Vernon Bland’s program checked all of the boxes.

Coming into this environment and knowing it’s been successful in the past, it definitely puts a chip on all of our shoulders because everybody expects to keep winning. So it definitely gives all of us a chip on our shoulders.

JA’NAIYA THOMAS

ABOUT JA’NAIYA THOMAS

Class: Senior Position: Centerfield Major: General Studies with a concentration in Health/ Kinesiology High School: Cypress Creek Previous school: University of Houston Key stats: Thomas leads the Panthers in batting (.349). RBI (36), Slugging% (.628) and she has been successful in 9 of 11 stolen base attempts.

Reaching out to friend Jaylyn Davis, who was a senior with the Panthers last season, got the ball rolling.

“Over the years, when I was at UH, I would always see Prairie View winning SWAC championships and Prairie View making it to the NCAA Regionals and I really wanted to be a part of that,” said Thomas, whose nickname around the team is JT. “So that was a pretty easy decision for me.

“I knew if my old school didn’t work out, I knew where I wanted to be. And I wanted to get the HBCU experience in my life.”

So far, the transition for the Cypress Creek product has been smooth. Thomas has come in and been the bat that Bland needed while also being the base runner and stealer who was missing in the lineup last season.

She leads the team in batting (.354) from the middle of the lineup and is also pacing the Panthers with 40 RBI, while she has been successful on 9 of 11 stolen base attempts.

Ja’Naiya Thomas has been a big addition at the plate for the Panthers this season. Credit: Prairie View

Thomas also has 35 hits and a team-leading 11 doubles.

Thomas has been the addition Bland was looking for as he transitions his team from being stocked with power home run hitters to a team that puts the ball in play, moves runners and forces opponents to play errorfree softball.

“She has been a solid bat, somebody I can count on to come through,” Bland said.

Even bigger, Thomas was the leader the Panthers needed, and Bland had no problem putting her in that role almost immediately this season.

“I made her a captain kind of early but I just wanted for them to have a different voice, somebody who has played at a higher level and played against the Oklahomas on a regular basis,” said Bland, whose Panthers lead the SWAC West with a 14-3 league record and 20-18 overall. “We played them in regionals, but she played the bigger schools on a regular basis.”

Admittedly, Thomas says the leadership part has been her biggest learning curve and a part of her game she has to work at daily.

“Just being a great leader, being vocal is one of the things I want to work on and knowing how to say things without it being an aggressive tone,” said Thomas, who was named SWAC Newcomer of the Week after an impressive showing in February’s HBCU Softball Tournament. “That’s my biggest thing, just knowing that and letting everybody know whatever I say, it just comes from the heart.”

But overall, Thomas says coming into a new team and blending with the Panthers has been relatively easy.

“Honestly, the transition has been really smooth, especially with this team,” Thomas said. “They make everything a whole lot easier, especially mentally and physically and things like that.

“Just being with this school and this team, period, has just been easy.”

April 24, 2025 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

| 11

DN Sports

Fort Bend Marshall girls’ track team gathers after winning the Region III 5A Regional track meet. Credit Jimmie Aggison/Defender.

FORT BEND MARSHALL GIRLS TRACK TEAM Returns to state meet after regional victory

By Jimmie Aggison

The Fort Bend Marshall girls’ track team is headed back to the UIL 5A State track meet after dominating the Region III meet with 74 points and reclaiming the regional crown for the first time since its back-to-back 5A State title wins in 2021 and 2022.

With three relay teams qualifying and two individuals advancing through the wild card, the Buffs are back on a mission.

“We’re back again in 2025 and chasing another championship this year,” said head coach Shahira Ehiemua, who leads a program built on discipline, heart and a culture of relentless effort.

Marshall’s 4x100-meter relay team— Phoenix Glover, Amira Mopkins, Megan Thomas and Dior Williams—secured a state berth after finishing second with a 46.14 time, narrowly behind Iowa Colony’s 46.11.

In the 4x200-meter relay, Glover, Jasmine Harris, Thomas and Williams claimed

gold with a time of 1:38.05, continuing a season-long trend of improvement and dominance.

The 4x400-meter relay team—Corie Wilmington, Thomas, Alaya Stewart and Brianna Brinkley—also finished second, clocking in at 3:46.13, just behind Iowa Colony’s 3:45.11.

Dior Williams, a senior, ran 13.79 in the 100-meter hurdles while Corie Wilmington, a sophomore, ran 44.05 in the 300-meter hurdles. Williams and Wilmington placed third in their respective events, leaving their hopes of advancing to the UIL State Championship in the hands of the wild card selection.

“When they crossed the line as 1 and 2, I felt heartbroken,” said Williams. “I worked so hard to get to the Regional meet, finishing third and only having a 50/50 chance of making it to the state meet didn’t feel pleasing.”

Williams and Wilmington ultimately

earned a wild card bid to keep their seasons alive and advance to the state meet in Austin, Texas.

“I was soooo happy, I immediately thanked God,” said Williams. “I felt blessed because I definitely thought I deserved to be there, running in Austin.”

The Marshall relay teams are fast, with personal record bests of 46.05 in the 4x100-meter relay, 1:37.61 in the 4x200-meter relay, and 3:46.13 in the 4x400-meter relay. However, it’s not just talent that propels them—it’s the culture.

“Our coaches are very motivating,” said Thomas. “They love the competition we bring every day. As we push each other, we prepare each other at the highest level.”

“Effort is never up for discussion—it’s expected,” said Ehiemua. “Our athletes give 100% every single day, whether they’re on the track or in the weight room.”

That mindset is embedded in the

program’s DNA, with coaches who all share track backgrounds and a passion for developing young athletes.

“I believe iron sharpens iron,” Ehiemua said. “You have to compete against your teammates in practice before you can compete against anyone else. We’re built on work and heart, not talent. We choose toughness over talent every time.”

“During practice, we all have a mindset to be the best we can be,” said Glover. “Having that determination to get through practice, we uplift each other by speaking positively and going all out.”

That toughness has brought them back to the UIL 5A State track meet, with momentum and pride fueling their journey.

“As a proud Marshall alum, I know firsthand what it means to represent the black and gold,” Ehiemua added. “I understand the pride, hard work and dedication it takes to stay on top.”

12 | April 24, 2025 |

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