04.30.2026_Defender-e-FULL

Game Changers

Black women ministers breaking barriers NEWS

PROFILE

ASHLEY GONZALEZ

CHEF YO The Houston entrepreneur is turning her Louisiana roots into a culinary empire.

History shows the fired ‘N-word’ ranting cop will get rehired.

Volume 95, issue 28 April 30, 2026

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DN To the POINT CONCERTS

THEATER

This week, TSU unveiled a Spaceport campus, Megan Thee Stallion announced her breakup with Klay Thompson, and a Rice University study explained why Houston’s booming growth is not filling up classrooms. Credit: Aswad Walker/Houston Defender

Message from the Reporter Texas Southern University just got its own Spaceport campus

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GALAS

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issues around trust and emotional treatment, a moment that clearly struck a chord with fans who have followed her journey through her relationships.

Texas Southern University officially opened a new aviation facility at the Houston Spaceport recently.

The 20,000-square-foot hangar at EllingHouston is growing, but not the ton Field serves as a satellite campus and way school districts hoped houses a fleet of 12 Cirrus SR20 aircraft purHouston has boomed over the past two chased by the university in 2025. There’s also decades, jumping from 5.2 million people in 4,500 square feet of classroom and office 2005 to 7.5 million by 2023. However, accordspace, plus an 8,000-gallon fuel tank that’s ing to a study conducted by Rice University, expected to save the program hundreds of Tannistha Sinha the growth has not been reflected in public thousands of dollars in fuel costs each year. school enrollment.

The City of Houston invested $5.5 million to build the Leaders have expressed concern about the slow recovery facility. of enrollment in Houston’s public schools after the COVID“The opening of Texas Southern University at Houston 19 pandemic, with some grappling with enrollment declines Spaceport underscores our commitment to innovation, and the consequent decreases in funding. workforce development, and academic excellence,” said TSU Per the report, birth rates have actually stayed pretty flat, President James W. Crawford, III. “This partnership enhances from about 91,000 babies born in 2005 to 96,500 in 2023. our aviation program for current students and future aviators Most of the region’s growth is coming from adults relocatwho choose to pursue their degree at Texas Southern. It also ing for jobs and opportunities, but not from families having strengthens our role in preparing a diverse pipeline of highly more children. The population, in simple terms, is aging, skilled professionals for careers in aviation, aerospace, and with the percentage of people below age 50 decreasing and beyond.” the population of people over age 50 increasing.

United Airlines has been offering scholarships to TSU The real action is happening in the suburbs. Districts like aviation students since 2022 and brought the program into Lamar CISD and Willis ISD saw population jumps of nearly its United Aviate pilot pipeline in 2024. Southwest Airlines 70% and 42%, respectively, between 2013 and 2023, while has also accepted five TSU students into its Destination 225 urban core districts like Pasadena ISD barely budged at 1.9% pipeline program. And this spring, Delta added TSU to its growth. Meanwhile, the population within Houston ISD’s Propel pilot career path program. boundaries grew about 11% during this time frame.

For districts that grew by at least 40%, they also saw a Megan Thee Stallion announces breakup rise in enrollment, with 164 kindergartners for every 100 It’s been a headline-heavy few weeks for Megan Thee Stal- babies born there five years earlier, due to families moving lion, and this time, it’s all about matters of the heart. in with kids.

The Houston rapper recently announced her breakup with Charter schools add another layer to the equation. DisNBA star Klay Thompson. tricts with more charters consistently enrolled fewer public “I’ve made the decision to end my relationship with Klay,” school kindergartners than expected. she said. “Trust, fidelity, and respect are non-negotiable for The report suggested that school districts must track me in a relationship, and when those values are compro- migration and school choices in addition to birth rates, as mised, there’s no real path forward. I’m taking this time to these factors are reshaping enrollment in Houston’s public prioritize myself and move ahead with peace and clarity.” schools.

The pair reportedly started dating in 2025, quickly becoming one of those celebrity couples fans couldn’t stop watching. On The Web They showed up together publicly and shared glimpses of • Why Black community needs Black Women’s History their relationship online.

Month.

They even appeared to be building a life together. Accord• What Black women want: 10 things we’re manifesting ing to TMZ, she posted a photo of herself and Thompson beyond romance. holding keys to a new home.

• Uxoricide: When love becomes a death sentence to Black But by April 2026, Megan confirmed the split, pointing to women.

April 30, 2026 |

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DN News LONG RACIST HISTORY SHOWS

Fired police get rehired

By Aswad Walker

When Ashley Gonzalez was fired by the Houston Police Department (HPD) for her N-word-laced social media rant, some members of Houston’s Black community met the news with a shrug that screamed “And?” Their skepticism is rooted in history. They remember HPD Officer Scott Tschirhart, who shot and killed 24-year-old Byron Gillum in 1989. Despite several questionable “encounters” with Black Houstonians, Tschirhart was never charged. Though he was eventually dismissed from HPD following intense community activism, he simply moved west of San Antonio to Medina County, where he was hired as a sheriff ’s deputy—only to be involved in multiple violent incidents involving Mexican Americans.

Bigger than the Gonzalez rant

While Gonzalez has since apologized for the rant, local activists contend that the incident speaks to a systemic failure: the need for laws that prevent officers fired for misconduct from being “recycled” by other agencies.

“Let’s be clear—this is not just about one officer using a racial slur,” said activist and author Candice Matthews. “This is about a broken system that continues to recycle officers who have already demonstrated bias, misconduct, and a disregard for the communities they are sworn to serve.”

Matthews noted that when departments allow officers to quietly resign instead of being terminated and decertified, they are “relocating” the problem rather than solving it.

Gonzalez, however, did not resign quietly.

In her viral rant, she stated multiple times how much she hated “f*cking n*ggers,” adding that if she encountered one the day after her rant, “He’s going to jail.”

In a statement posted to Instagram, Houston Mayor John Whitmire confirmed her termination: “Ashley Gonzalez... has been terminated.

She will no longer be a part of HPD.” Whitmire added that the city would seek her decertification through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, asserting a “zero tolerance” policy for racism.

Yet, Kofi Taharka, national chairman of the National Black United Front, views the rant as a verbal acknowledgment of a deeper, institutional doctrine.

“The applied myth of global white supremacy and racism is the doctrine that is foundational and institutional in this society, including the police,” Taharka said. “Her rant spoke out loud this foundation.”

Movement for stronger consequences

For decades, the reform movement has pushed for a national database to track police

In 2022, President Joe Biden established the National Law Enforcement Accountability Database (NLEAD), which launched in late 2023. However, the system was limited to federal officers and did not track local or state misconduct. Furthermore, on Jan. 20, 2025, President Donald Trump’s first day of his second term, he ordered the shutdown and deletion of NLEAD, removing the only centralized federal tool for tracking such misconduct.

Read more of this story.

Ashley Gonzalez was recently fired from HPD for her N-word-filled social media rant. Credit: Instagram.

misconduct—including excessive force and dishonest behavior—to prevent “wandering officers” from moving between agencies.

“If law enforcement agencies are serious about accountability, then termination is not enough,” argued Matthews. “There must be permanent decertification, a national database that prevents rehiring, and real consequences for departments that continue to recycle these individuals.”

Gonzalez’s career and the public safety risk

Before her termination, Gonzalez had logged over 1,600 hours of coursework and was assigned to the South Gessner Patrol Division.

She previously served in the U.S. Marines—a background she cited during her viral outburst.

“Y’all don’t know how good it felt to say ‘N*gger’ out loud,” Gonzalez said during her rant. “I felt like I was back in the Marine Corps... I felt like the world just stopped. It was just peace.”

To activists like Matthews, this mindset is more than just personal ignorance; it is a direct threat to the public.

“An officer who is comfortable using the N-word is signaling a dangerous mindset that can and does impact policing decisions, arrests, use of force, and ultimately, lives,” Matthews said. “That is a public safety issue.”

JUSTICE DELAYED

Update on the Darius Elam case Campbell’s words capture the central tension: A justice system acknowledging potential injustice in Elam’s case, yet without resolution or relief.

By Aswad Walker

For more than four decades, Darius Elam has maintained his innocence from behind prison walls. Today, his case—long cited by advocates as emblematic of systemic failure—is again under scrutiny, offering a fragile but significant glimmer of hope for justice long denied.

The most recent development centers on the Harris County District Attorney’s Conviction Integrity Division (CID), which has officially taken up Elam’s claim of actual innocence. For supporters, this review represents both progress and an urgent test of the system’s willingness to correct itself.

“The Harris County District Attorney’s Conviction Integrity Division, led by Chief Scott Pope, is currently reviewing Darius Elam’s claim of actual innocence,” said Tammie Lang Campbell, founder of the Honey Brown Hope Foundation, the organization that has been at the forefront of seeking Elam’s release from prison. “While we are encouraged that the department is investigating, we

Darius Elam has been in prison for over 40 years with no evidence linking him to his supposed crime.

But a current review provides advocates with some hope. Credit: Aswad Walker/Defender.

are pleading for a swift resolution. After 40 years of wrongful incarceration, justice and freedom are a lifetime overdue.”

Legal setbacks persist

Despite growing public awareness and mounting concerns about the evidence, This latest milestone did not emerge in Elam’s legal path remains a steep climb. isolation. It is the product of sustained grassAccording to a statement from the Harris roots pressure, investigative persistence, and County District Attorney’s Office, “Mr. Elam community storytelling. filed his 10th application for writ of habeas “This milestone follows seven years of corpus in May 2025. The trial court recomadvocacy by the Honey Brown mended dismissal. The Court Hope Foundation, including of Criminal Appeals concurred media coverage from the Housand dismissed the writ applicaton Defender, independent tion on July 16, 2025. Mr. Elam investigations that led a key jailcurrently has no pending cases house informant to recant, and and is in TDCJ custody serving the documentary The Journey of a life sentence.”

Truth: The Story of Darius Elam,” The statement further notes Read the Campbell added. that Elam is now in the parole rest of the That recantation has been review process, with his next story. particularly significant. Jailhouse review scheduled for May 2026. informant testimony—often This reality underscores a criticized as unreliable and incentivized— painful contradiction: while questions about played a key role in Elam’s original con- his conviction intensify, the legal system conviction. Its unraveling has raised serious tinues to uphold it.

Advocacy fuels momentum

A case under review—again

questions about the integrity of the case against Elam.

4 | April 30, 2026 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN News DISTRICT 18

Redistricting reshapes political power

citizens in the district as it was a “coalition district.”

Under the redrawn maps, the TX-18 would have a 50.8% Black electorate, with Black residents from the 9th Congressional District redistricted into the new TX-18.

Edna Griggs, 75, a lifelong resident of the 18th Congressional District, has been redistricted into the 29th Congressional District.

She argued that the redistricting was a deliberate effort to break up that voting power.

“This is where anyone who wanted to run for office came to the 18th Congressional District to win an election,” Griggs said.

“Now, the community has changed…no longer a total Black community as it was before.”

By Tannistha Sinha

Since Barbara Jordan walked into Congress in 1973 as the first Black woman elected from the South, Texas’ 18th Congressional District has been a pillar of Black political power in Houston.

But after two rounds of redistricting in less than four years and the deaths of U.S. Representatives Sheila Jackson Lee and Sylvester Turner, TX-18 is headed for yet another election cycle in May. After a special election and a runoff, Congressman Christian Menefee is currently at the helm of the district, but only until the end of the year, when the term concludes.

For the next full term, he is running against longtime 9th Congressional District representative Al Green.

After more than two decades serving TX-9, redistricting efforts redrew his home into the 18th.

The question facing voters and civic leaders in Houston’s historically Black communities is whether the district can remain a vehicle for Black political representation.

Per voting rights activist Pamiel Gaskin, 79, the redistricting saga was a way of impacting minority voter participation. She said the Texas redistricting has diluted Black voting power by “packing” Black voters into fewer districts (like Congressional District 18) while scattering others into heavily white, Republican districts. She argues this is intentional and has weakened Black political representation statewide.

“You either crack them, which means you split them up, or you pack them into a small area,” Gaskin told the Defender. “They packed the Black district so that they don’t have as much power.”

She contrasts today’s declining Black voter turnout with the 90-95% turnout she witnessed in her youth and called for Black voters to mobilize in the midterms.

“The net effect is that Black citizens and voters don’t get the representation,” Gaskin said. “We are with 12-14% of the population…nobody’s gonna be on the ballot that’s

Texas Republicans redrew the 18th Congressional District twice in four years, each time reshuffling which neighborhoods, universities, and historically Black communities fell inside its boundaries. Credit: Getty Images

gonna save us. What’s gonna save us is us and we have to vote. We are the last guardrail to protect the democracy that we were promised.”

New maps In August 2025, Texas Republicans pushed through a new mid-decade map at the urging of President Donald Trump, who wanted five additional Republican seats ahead of the 2026 midterms.

According to a study by Texas Southern University, only five congressional districts have fewer than 40% of their former (2021 map) residents under the new map.

Three of these districts are located in the Houston metro area, including TX-29, TX-18, and TX-9, and differ “dramatically” from the old maps.

The revised plan, in particular, reshaped the 18th Congressional District, stretching it from the suburbs southwest of Houston diagonally across the city to its northeast limits.

According to that map, roughly 45% of the voting-age population would be Black,

32% Hispanic, 15% white, and 8% Asian.

Green’s district moved to the 18th-CD and remained unchanged.

“Most of the Black and Brown voters were moved out of those districts, and most of them landed in the 18th congressional district,” said Michael O. Adams, director of the Master of Public Affairs Graduate Program at TSU’s Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs.

The consolidation, he explained, turned CD-18 into what redistricting analysts call a “minority opportunity district,” a seat designed to concentrate rather than expand minority political influence.

A court blocked the 2025 map in November 2025, but the U.S. Supreme Court formally overturned the lower court’s ruling and cleared them for use.

What the data says The demographic transformation of the 18th Congressional District is documented in the numbers.

Under the 2021 map, no single racial group held a majority among voting-age

Turnout, a hidden variable Primary turnout in TX-18 has historically been low, a pattern that has allowed organized blocs to determine outcomes with outsized consequences.

Adams pointed to Sheila Jackson Lee’s first primary victory as a cautionary tale. Fewer than 40,000 votes were cast in the race that launched her 29-year congressional career.

“We saw in this cycle a tremendous increase in voter turnout on both sides of the aisle in terms of the Republicans having a competitive U.S. Senate primary, and also we had Talarico running and Jasmine Crockett,” Adams said. “It’s a midterm election, and the voters may be trying to send the current administration a message. That always happens with the power of the party that controls the White House. Normally, they tend to lose the midterm elections.”

With the 2026 primary runoff set for May 26, the precincts in Third Ward, Sunnyside, and the historically Black northeast Houston corridor are the battlegrounds that will define what kind of district the 18th truly becomes.

Residents weigh in.

Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles

Content Manager Terrance Harris

Special Assignments Reporter Tannistha Sinha

VOLUME 95, NUMBER 28 - APRIL 30, 2026

Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles

Community Reporter Aswad Walker

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender News- paper Inc. and audited by Alliance for Audited Media (AAM). Only digital subscriptions are available at: www.defendernetwork.com/subscribe No paper subscriptions available. All materials covered by 2025 copyright. No materials herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the Publisher.

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Managing Editor ReShonda Tate

Culture/Lifestyle Reporter Laura Onyeneho

Sports Terrance Harris Jimmie Aggison Video Editor Bryan Erdy

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DN InFocus

Teneshia Hudspeth

Martha Castex Thomas

Rep. Lauren Simmons

Jolanda Jones

Dr. Serita R. Whiting

Dr. LaTanya Jones Love Dr. Margaret Ford Fisher Cynthia Lenton-Gary

Tiffany Thomas

Melinda Spaulding Chevalier

Black Women Game Changers Impact education, politics

B

By Tannistha Sinha

lack Women’s History Month is an opportunity to celebrate the women creating meaningful change while also acknowledging the resilience it has taken to succeed in systems not designed for them.

Across education and politics, Black women continue to serve as architects of opportunity—leading institutions, shaping policy and opening doors for future generations.

Education Leaders Dr. Serita R. Whiting

An assistant professor in the Department of Justice Studies at Prairie View A&M University, Whiting’s work focuses on juvenile justice, reentry, and social inequality. Her research—published in leading academic journals—explores how marginalized youth experience the justice system. Through projects on school discipline reform, homelessness, and sentencing disparities, she advances evidence-based, equity-centered approaches to justice and education.

Melinda Spaulding Chevalier

As Vice President for Public Affairs at Rice University, Spaulding Chevalier

leads initiatives that connect the institution with stakeholders ranging from policymakers to the broader community. An Emmy Award-winning communicator, she previously spent more than two decades in journalism, including 13 years as a news anchor in Houston. Her work bridges storytelling, strategy and public engagement.

Dr. Margaret Ford Fisher

The ninth chancellor of Houston City College, Fisher oversees a system serving more than 88,000 students across 22 campuses. She previously led the creation of HCC’s Online College, expanding access through dozens of fully online and hybrid programs. A recognized leader in education, Fisher has authored more than 50 publications and earned numerous honors for her contributions to global education and institutional leadership.

Dr. Cynthia Lenton-Gary

A Houston City College trustee and longtime civic leader, Lenton-Gary made history as the first African American woman to serve in city government for Missouri City and on the Fort Bend ISD Board. A former chemist turned advocate, she has championed youth employment initiatives and community development, earning widespread recognition for her service and leadership.

Dr. LaTanya J. Love

Lauren Ashley Simmons

Executive Vice President of Student and University Affairs and dean of McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, Love is a double board-certified physician who has spent more than two decades advancing student success and healthcare education.

She has led mentorship initiatives, expanded access to care, and held national leadership roles shaping medical education standards.

A first-term Texas State Representative from Houston, Simmons entered politics after advocating for her community during the Houston ISD state takeover. A former union organizer, she now serves as chair of the Labor & Workforce Caucus and continues to push for workers’ rights, education equity, and protections for marginalized communities.

Political Leaders

Martha Castex-Tatum

Teneshia Hudspeth

As Harris County Clerk, Hudspeth made history as the first African American woman elected to the role. She oversees elections for a county of more than 4.9 million residents and has worked to modernize operations, improve accessibility, and digitize records.

She also co-founded the Houston Black Leadership Institute, helping prepare the next generation of leaders.

Jolanda Jones

A Texas State Representative and former Houston City Councilmember, Jones brings her experience as an attorney and former judge to her legislative work. Representing House District 147, she has focused on criminal justice reform, education equity, and healthcare access. A survivor of domestic violence, she has also championed legislation centered on prevention and accountability.

In Celebration of Black Women's History Month

Houston’s Mayor Pro Tem and District K City Council Member, Castex-Tatum has prioritized public safety, infrastructure, and housing. She has led efforts to address substandard housing conditions and expand affordable housing while serving on key city committees that shape fiscal and economic policy.

Tiffany D. Thomas

Representing District F on Houston City Council, Thomas has centered her work on housing, infrastructure, and community development. She has led initiatives to improve neighborhood safety and secured major funding for housing recovery programs. Through programs focused on heirs’ property and affordable housing, she continues to advocate for preserving generational wealth in Black and Brown communities.

Read more about these women

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DN InFocus

Game Changers Houston-area Black women ministers

By Aswad Walker

Black women have long stood as the spiritual backbone and moral compass of a people forged through struggle and sustained by faith.

From the hush harbors of enslavement to the pulpits of modern megachurches, and before all that, as we birthed civilizations, Black women have nurtured, taught, organized, and led—often without recognition or full authority.

In the Black Church, barriers rooted in sexism and male-centered interpretations of scripture have historically limited women’s ascent to senior leadership. Yet, like the walls of Jericho, those barriers are coming down.

Trailblazers such as Bishop Vashti McKenzie and the late Cardinal Barbara Nandi Martin have helped crack the ceiling wide open.

Today, in Houston and beyond, a new generation of Black women ministers is not only answering the call but also redefining leadership, expanding ministry, and lighting the path for others. Their journeys offer both testimony and instruction for those who seek to honor their own divine assignments.

Dr. Ruth Allen Ollison Dr. Mia K. Wright

Dr. Ruth Allen Ollison’s journey reflects a life of reinvention guided by faith. Raised in northeast Texas, she initially pursued a career in broadcast journalism, earning a degree in Radio, TV, and Film from the University of North Texas. Her career spanned more than 25 years, during which she broke barriers as the first Black female television news director in a top-10 U.S. market.

Her call to ministry came in 1992 while working in Washington, D.C. Responding to that call, she pursued theological education and later earned a doctorate in Spiritual Disciplines and Transforming Communities. Her transition into ministry was marked by bold, community-centered action—relocating to Houston’s Third Ward, purchasing a former drug house, and transforming it into a church.

Today, her ministry at Beulah Land Community Church remains focused on urban outreach and community development, including efforts to establish a community center. Her work reflects a commitment to meeting both spiritual and practical needs.

Dr. Mia K. Wright’s path to ministry began in the corporate world, where she built a successful 12-year career in the pharmaceutical industry. As a sales representative and corporate trainer, she excelled professionally, but felt a persistent call to something deeper. Answering that call required a leap of faith—leaving behind a thriving career to pursue vocational ministry.

Before stepping fully into preaching, Wright was already serving in leadership within her church, managing administrative functions and leading training initiatives. As her call deepened, she pursued theological education, earning a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She later expanded her leadership capacity by earning a doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California.

Her ministry focuses on transformation—both individual and collective. Through her nonprofit organization, Metamorphosis, she has spent more than two decades empowering women and cultivating leadership development. Her work bridges faith, leadership, and community impact.

Tiffany Tarrant

Maria Mallory White

I have been blessed to witness Black women lead in ministry since I was seven years old through the powerful examples of Pastor Juanita Rasmus and my mother, Yvette Tarrant, who was first a youth pastor and late er retired ed as executive pastor. pastor Watching them lead d with strength, grace, wisdom, and faith made me m feel seen in ways I did not yett have la anguage for and showed me whatt was possible p for my own life. I carry a deep responsibility to do the same for young Black women by reminding them m that iff God has called and equipped tthem, they do not have to shrink k back but b can walk boldly and faithffully in who G God cre eated the em to be e.”

Prayerfully follow God’s calling—and trust God to make a way. Don’t allow anyone—other than the Lord—to define who you are and what you do in ministry. Use the gifts God gave you—and be your authentic entic self. self ”

Tiffany Tarrant’s call to ministry was nurtured in the very place she now leads. Having grown up at St. John United Methodist Church, she experienced the church as both a spiritual home and a formative training ground. Surrounded by mentors and deeply engaged in youth ministry, she developed a strong foundation that ultimately led her to formally accept her call in 2011.

Her journey reflects steady preparation and growth. She served as a youth pastor, became a licensed local pastor, and later earned a Master of Divinity from SMU Perkins School of Theology. In 2023, she was appointed senior pastor, continuing a legacy of leadership rooted in community and discipleship. Before entering full-time ministry, Tarrant worked with youth-serving organizations, experiences that continue to shape her pastoral focus.

Her ministry centers on helping individuals discover and fulfill their God-given purpose, with an emphasis on leadership development and multigenerational inclusion.

Rev. Maria Mallory White’s ministry is deeply rooted in both legacy and scholarship. As a second-generation preacher in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, she carries forward a rich spiritual heritage while forging her own path in ministry. She earned both a Master of Divinity and a Master of Theology from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, equipping her with a strong theological foundation.

Before answering her call to ministry, Mallory White built an accomplished career in journalism. She worked for major national publications, including Business Week and U.S. News & World Report, and became the first African American to reach editorial management at the latter.

Her background in storytelling and communication continues to inform her preaching and teaching.

Her ministry focuses on spiritual formation and discipleship, with a particular emphasis on empowering Black women. Through teaching, writing, and leading conferences and retreats, she creates spaces for growth, healing, and connection.

Words of wisdom Words of Wisdom from my mom:

Baby, do whatever God tells you to do.

To my sisters in ministry:

I encourage you to continually deepen your relations l ti ship with God so you can clearly discern His voice e, His timing, and His p placement for your w work in the Kingdom.

K Trust that the calling on yo our life is both inte entional and divinely appointe ed. Remembe er—you were cho osen for such h a time as this. Whe en God has prepared p a place forr you, He will open the doors, m make room forr your gifts, and d empower yo ou to walk in nto that spac ce with b boldness, grrace, and confidence.

In Celebration of Black Women's History Month

Read more about the Game Changers in Politics & Education.

8 | April 30, 2026 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Feature Celebrating a decade of impact

Black Maternal Health Week

Community advocates, midwives, and physicians across Houston are marking the 10th anniversary of Black Maternal Health Week with events, education, and a renewed call for systemic change. Credit: ChatGPT AI

ethnic groups, specifically 83.4 deaths per When the Black Mamas Matter Alliance 100,000 live births. launched Black Maternal Health Week a Dr. Erica Giwa has delivered babies in decade ago, it was a rallying cry against sys- Houston for 15 years. The Medical Director temic oppression, reproductive injustices, of OB-GYN at Legacy Community Health, and health inequities that continue to impact the largest federally qualified health cenBlack mothers and birthing people. ter in Texas, said she spent the first years Ten years later, as the nation observes the of her career unaware of a Black maternal 10th annual Black Maternal Health Week, health crisis. under the theme “Rooted in Justice & Joy,” “I had been in practice five to seven years advocates, physicians, and birth workers before I knew there was any issue,” Giwa said. across Houston say the movement “When I learned about it, I joined a work has grown from a grassroots group to evaluate the first set of data, campaign into a national and the data was astounding.” force, but the crisis that What the data revealed created it remains stubchallenged the prevailing bornly alive. assumptions in medicine In the United States, regarding the demographBlack, non-Hispanic ics of women who are women experienced the dying at alarming rates. highest rates of pregnanInitially, it was believed cy-related deaths, being that these were low sociothree times more likely economic women lacking to die from such causes Founder of The Mommy access to healthcare. Howcompared to white, Room Lactation Suites ever, further investigation non-Hispanic women. and Mommy’s Sweet shows that this is not the This trend is also evident Treats, Dr. Charlee case; educated women with in Harris County, where King has dedicated her college degrees and good from 2016 to 2020, Black career to empowering salaries are dying at a rate women had the highest mothers and advancing three times higher than pregnancy-related death health equity. Courtesy: their white and Hispanic rate across all racial and Dr. Charlee King counterparts.

By Laura Onyeneho

“I think one of the successes of the last decade is that we’re more comfortable saying implicit bias is a factor, in casual conversation, in professional conversation,” Giwa said.

“Everyone knows this is something we have to address.”

The extension of Medicaid postpartum coverage from six weeks to 12 months was a landmark policy win. But she pointed to two critical gaps that remain: The sustainability of community programs when grant funding runs out, and the urgent need for cardiology and obstetrics to work more closely together.

“The number one cause of maternal death is cardiovascular disease,” Giwa said. “We are identifying high-risk patients in ways we never could before, but these two specialties need to come together more.”

Community advocates fight for mothers Dr. Charlee King knows the system’s failures firsthand as a patient. The Houston-based certified lactation consultant and founder of Mommy’s Sweet Treats launched her business after her own hospital experience following childbirth left her without a

single conversation about breastfeeding.

“I had tons of nurses come in and out of my room, but not one talked to me about breastfeeding and its benefits,” King said. “It made me feel like a horrible mother.”

That experience sent her back to school to earn lactation certification and ultimately led her to launch a company dedicated to filling the void. But beyond her business, King offered a pointed critique of where the movement still falls short.

“Houston still has the highest mortality rate of Black women dying during childbirth,” she said. “A lot of the assessments being used are not based on Black women; they’re based on a different demographic. I always say they use a ruler to measure Black women, where we need a yardstick.”

King also raised concerns about the commercialization of Black maternal health advocacy. “I’ve seen a whole bunch of businesses pop up. Are you doing this because you want to advocate for the community, or is this for profit?” she said. “If we can continue to lead with advocacy and the results, I’m all for it.

But I don’t want us to lose the real goal.”

Doula shares her thoughts on Black Maternal Health.

April 30, 2026 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

| 9

DN Profile

Chef Yo

Turns Louisiana roots into culinary empire

By ReShonda Tate

For Yolanda “Chef Yo” Henry, food has never just been about feeding people. It’s about legacy, creativity, and building something that lasts.

The Houston entrepreneur has spent more than two decades transforming her passion for cooking into a thriving culinary brand.

As the CEO of Nuksy’s Fine Catering and Events, Henry has built a reputation for delivering high-end dining experiences for corporate clients, weddings, private celebrations, and celebrity events across Texas and Louisiana.

Today, her company is a fixture on more than 75% of venue preferred vendor lists in the region, a milestone largely fueled by word-of-mouth referrals and consistent service and the buzz generated through social media.

“Our primary focus right now is full-service catering and event management,” Henry said. “We do events for corporate clients, social clients, and weddings. We’ve been in business for over 25 years with about 30 years of experience. We’re just continuing to build the brand.”

A Louisiana legacy

Henry’s culinary journey began long before she launched a business.

Raised in Louisiana, she grew up surrounded by food, family, and community gatherings led by two talented grandmothers. One of them - affectionately known as “Nooksy” - would ultimately inspire both her company’s name and its mission.

“Nooksy was a phenomenal cook and a community activist,” Henry said. “No one ever went unfed in our community, and that’s really the concept we wanted to bring to everything we do.”

As a child, Henry helped with food preparation at family functions, cutting crusts off bread and assisting in the kitchen during community meetings hosted by her grandmother.

“I’ve been cooking as long as I can remember,” she said. “Back then, I loved eating more than cooking, but I definitely developed a palate.”

Though she eventually earned a degree in finance and moved to Houston to work as a financial analyst for an insurance company, cooking never stopped calling her.

“I was working in finance, but the whole time I was still cooking,” she said. “Finally, I told my husband, ‘I think I want to be a chef.’

He said he could see that, so I went to culinary school at the Art Institute of Houston

and started my journey.”

Turning passion into a brand

That journey eventually evolved into Nuksy’s Fine Catering and Events - a full-service catering and event management company known for its scratch-made menus and customized dining experiences.

Henry has expanded the business well beyond catering.

Her company now also includes a bar service and a growing product line. Recently, Nuksy’s launched a gourmet spice collection featuring a chicken seasoning blend, steak rub, and vegetable seasoning. The products are now sold in HomeGoods stores across nine states and online.

Henry also plans to expand into the restaurant space with a new concept at Houston’s Edison Cultural Arts Center.

“We’re always thinking about what’s next,” she said. “It’s about staying creative and staying relevant.”

Building excellence — and training it

Like many service-based businesses, Henry has faced one of the biggest challenges: Staffing.

Maintaining the high standards expected at luxury events requires trained, reliable personnel, something that can be difficult to find in the hospitality industry.

So Henry created her own solution.

Through the J. Louise Institute, she trains staff in professional etiquette and hospitality service to ensure every event reflects the level of excellence associated with her brand.

“I actually became certified as an etiquette trainer,” she said. “Now I train all of my staff to perform with excellence, in uniform, and leave with a skill they can use beyond our events.”

A reputation for professionalism

For clients and collaborators, Henry’s commitment to quality is evident in every event she produces.

Charity Carter, who has worked with Henry on multiple occasions, said her professionalism and culinary expertise consistently stand out.

“Chef Yo brings a level of professionalism and creativity that makes every event feel seamless,” Carter said. “Her food is exceptional, but it’s also the experience she creates.

You know when she’s involved, everything will be done with excellence.”

Over the years, Henry’s business has weathered everything from economic

downturns to natural disasters - challenges that required her to constantly adapt.

“Perseverance, thick skin, and resilience,” she said. “Those are probably the three things I’ve had to learn the most.”

Each setback required rebuilding, restructuring, or pivoting the business in new directions.

“Every natural disaster that’s happened, we’ve been a part of it in some way,” Henry said. “You just have to start over, redesign, rethink how you stay relevant.”

Her advice for aspiring chefs and entrepreneurs is simple: Stay creative and stay consistent.

“People want to remember you and get the same level of experience every time,” she said.

“Consistency is what builds your brand.”

What’s next?

As Nuksy’s Fine Catering continues to grow, Henry says the goal remains the same: Creating unforgettable experiences rooted

CHEF YO’S ADVICE FOR ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS Stay consistent.

People return when they know they’ll receive the same level of excellence every time.

Develop thick skin.

Entrepreneurship comes with setbacks. Learning to keep moving forward is critical.

Be willing to pivot.

Economic shifts, disasters, and industry changes require creativity and flexibility.

Invest in training.

Great service is built through preparation, professionalism, and high standards.

Think outside the box.

Innovation and creativity help businesses stay relevant in competitive markets.

in community and creativity.

And it all goes back to the lessons she learned in her grandmother’s kitchen.

“At the end of the day, food brings people together,” she said. “That’s what this has always been about.”

For more information about Nuksy’s Fine Catering and Events, visit nuksys.com or follow the company on social media at @ NuksysCatering.

10 | April 30, 2026 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports New faces, same dominant

Prairie View softball team

By Terrance Harris

It’s not even mid-April, and Prairie View senior infielder Dyani McKinley already has the Panthers’ softball team postseason plans for May on lock.

“We are going to go all the way,” said McKinley, referencing winning the SWAC Championship and advancing to the NCAA Softball Regionals. “So, look forward to seeing Vernon Bland us play May 9 in the SWAC [tournament] Championship and being in Regionals on May 15, definitely.

“I’m dreaming it with my eyes open.”

There is a subtle difference between being cocky and being confident, and Joseph Lane these Panthers believe in themselves. And for good reasons.

As the regular season winds down to the final couple of series, no team has been as dominant in the SWAC West and arguably the entire conference this season.

The Panthers recently clinched their fourth-straight SWAC West title and took a dominant 19-4 conference record and 27-17overall into their regular-season finale at Arkansas-Pine Bluff. PV starts SWAC Tournament play on May 5.

“I think we can go all the way,” said Prairie View coach Vernon Bland, who is in his 15th season at the helm of the program. “I really think we can win the tournament and win a game in the Regionals, if we play up to our potential.”

The Panthers have a high ceiling, which is nothing new for a program that has been among the SWAC’s strongest since 2018.

The faces may change from year to year, but the Panthers remain in the SWAC Championship conversation and have the chance to advance to Regionals.

It’s part of Bland and his assistant coach Joseph Lane’s carefully crafted system.

“We don’t change a lot,” said Bland, whose teams won SWAC championships in 2018, 2022, and 2023, and in 2019 crafted the school’s first 30-win season. “Our practice plans are basically the same, our itinerary when we are on the road is basically the same.

“When girls come in, we don’t do a lot of changing. We just try to stay consistent and get the type of players who want to be at Prairie View.”

Junior pitcher Kayla Adams used to watch the Prairie View Panthers from the opposing dugout when she played for Arkansas-Pine Bluff, but now she is starring on the mound for the Panthers this season. Credit: Prairie View athletics

The key to it, honestly, is just having our main people who know the culture to pass that to the new people coming in, and then they accept that culture and learn our standards. We set new standards every year, so making sure everybody is on the same page and then get it going from there. If something goes wrong, we are mature adults and talk about it and get going.”

INFIELDER KEARSTIN TINSLEY

Kayla Adams

Dyani McKinley

Players like freshman Morgan Smith and transfer pitchers Yasmyn Stewart and Kayla Adams chose the Panthers because of the reputation. Adams observed Prairie View from the opposing dugout as a member of Arkansas-Pine Bluff for a couple of years before deciding last offseason to make the jump.

She saw something in the Panthers that she wanted to be a part of.

“I saw professionalism,” said Adams, who is the third-ranked pitcher in the SWAC with a 2.74 ERA and a 15-7 record. “Like they wanted to be here, were ready to be here, and they were going to take the win. This is what we do, everybody knows who we are.”

And the view hasn’t changed at all from the inside, where the Panthers have put together an impressive season. They have been dominant in SWAC play but have also notched non-conference wins against the University of Houston, University of Louisiana, Austin Peay State, Houston Christian, and played respectably in an 8-0 loss

Morgan Smith

Kearstin Tinsley

to defending national champion University of Texas.

The hope is that the wins against bigger programs will send the message that the Panthers can compete and win in the upcoming postseason.

“It helps a lot because I keep telling them when we play our game, we see what can happen,” said Bland. “We can beat other teams. We beat Austin Peay, and then they beat McNeese.

“All we’ve got to do is compete. If we compete, we can win big games.”

After a disappointing last couple of seasons that included division titles followed by third-round exits in the SWAC Tournament, the Panthers seemed poised to get back on top.

Lane, who is known by the players as Coach Rollo, says they tweaked some things offensively this season to manufacture more runs. It seems to work: Prairie View ranks No.2 in the SWAC in hitting with a .339 average, while Smith ranks 12th at the plate with

a .407 average and 18 RBI, and four other Panthers rank in the top 26 in batting.

The Panthers aren’t a power-hitting team, but are consistent with getting runners on base and then moving them around with hitting and stealing bases. Players like senior outfielder Mia Nunez and junior infielder Jade Uresti have been a big part of manufacturing offense.

It’s all led to better offensive production with Prairie View averaging 10 runs per game.

“The goal is to understand which pitch we should be hitting and making sure when we swing, we get a high level of bat-to-ball ratios,” Lane said. “So we are not just swinging just to be swinging. They are more intentional when they do commit to attacking the ball.

“We want to make sure whatever ball they hit helps us execute whatever we are trying to do. So if we are doing a hit and run or we are trying to bunt or whatever, we are trying to make sure that that ball gives us the best opportunity to be able to execute that.”

April 30, 2026 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

| 11

DN Sports Jack Yates’ siblings

Karneshia & Lamar Smith Defend titles, set sights on bigger stage

By Jimmie Aggison

On a day filled with pressure and expectations, Karneshia and Lamar Smith, siblings from Jack Yates High School, did what champions do: They finished first.

With district titles at stake in the 800 meters, the duo didn’t just compete; they defended their titles, showing they’re not finished yet. Now, with the Area round coming up, the Smiths aren’t chasing history; they’re protecting it.

“During the last 200 meters, the only thing going through my head was I have to finish strong and leave it all on the track,” said Karneshia, who crossed the finish line in 2:29.94.

Moments after Karneshia powered through her final stretch, her brother Lamar delivered a performance that echoed the same discipline and confidence.

“I didn’t feel any pressure coming into the race, I just executed the race plan my coach and I put together,” said Lamar, who finished in 2:01.51.

Together, their races showcased not just individual strength, but a shared strategy that didn’t go unnoticed by their coach.

“The thing that stood out to me while watching them run the 800 meters was seeing them execute the race on their own terms,” said Yates boys’ head track coach James Banks. “They did just enough to win while keeping a little in reserve to double back and run the 400 meters later.”

For the Smith siblings, winning wasn’t a surprise; it was expected. Both advanced to the regional round in the 800 meters last season, setting the standard they now continue to meet.

“The only difference between winning a title and defending it is that now people know you and understand what you are capable of,” said Lamar.

“I feel like people race me differently now compared to when I was a freshman,” said

I didn’t feel any pressure coming into the race, I just executed the race plan my coach and I put together here.”

LAMAR SMITH

Jack Yates sophomore Karneshia Smith (left) and senior Lamar Smith Jr. (right) celebrate after winning the 4A district 800-meter run. Credit: Jimmie Aggison/Defender

Karneshia. “I feel now they try to push the pace of the race to beat me, but I know that I must stay locked in and run my race while trusting the work I’ve been putting in all year.”

“They both work hard and prepare well, which gives them confidence when the lights come on in big races,” said Banks.

That confidence didn’t develop overnight; it had been growing long before track season. Both runners gained momentum from cross country, where they broke long-standing school records. Karneshia broke a 12-year-old 2-mile school record (13:22.70), while Lamar set a new 5K record (16:34.90), a mark that had stood for 42 years.

“Running cross country prepared me for the 800 meters by helping me build my endurance and become mentally stronger for the 800 meters,” said Karneshia.

Now, that endurance is coming through when it matters most, in the final lap of the 800.

“Some people say the 400 meters is the hardest race, but the 800 meters is the 400 twice, so I just stay focused and relaxed,” said Lamar.

“I feel strongest in the middle of the race, especially around the second 200 meters, because that’s where I can maintain my pace while others start to slow down,” said Karneshia.

“Their willingness to put in the work makes them dangerous in the 800 meters.

Both parents instilled that in them at an early age,” said Banks.

Although their races are individual, they have always shared the journey.

“My brother has taught me so much about competing, staying confident, and never backing down from a challenge,” said Karneshia. “He showed me that competing isn’t just about winning, but about giving your best effort, staying focused, and pushing through even when it gets tough.”

That bond extends into practice, where competition drives growth.

“We compete against each other every day in practice because we want to see each other get better and push each other to our limits,” said Karneshia.

Now, with another district title secured, the focus shifts to the Area round, where

execution becomes even more critical.

“Survive and advance,” said Lamar. “Do enough just to get to the next round.”

In the area round, only the top four finishers advance to regionals. Last season, both runners qualified in the 800 meters; Karneshia’s run ended there, while Lamar continued to the state meet, where he was one of two athletes to represent his school as a junior.

“I made it to the UIL 4A State Meet but didn’t finish the way I wanted. This senior season is all about revenge, going back to state and finishing what my junior self couldn’t. My senior self should do that now,” said Lamar.

For now, the Smiths stay ahead, but their season is still in progress. And if their history tells us anything, it’s that they’re only getting started.

For Karneshia and Lamar Smith, winning the district was the standard, not just a goal.

“For them to keep advancing, they will need to continue working hard, run smart, and execute when the time comes, because they’re both physically ready,” said Banks.

12 | April 30, 2026 |

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