To the POINT DN
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SCAN TO T E
Message from the Publisher
The calculated assault: Why your vote is the only shield left?
If you don’t see the roadmap being laid out to take America back to a post-Reconstruction era, you are living under a rock The assault on Black progress is calculated and multi-tiered First, they erased our history and heritage from classrooms.Second,theydismantledtheprograms designed to help Black students reach higher education Third, they turned “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion”intodirtywords,slammingthedooron fair public and private contracts Finally, they are redrawing maps to dilute our political power and ensure the status quo remains untouched. Theyaren’tfinished Thisisa21st-centurygenocide of opportunity, and complaining on social media won’t stop it Voting is our only weapon As weapproachtheMayRunoffElection(Earlyvoting runs from May 18 to May 22, 2026; Election Day is May 26), you must take action If we don’t take thisseriouslynow,thescenarioinNovembermight look very different
Follow the money:
The battle for District 18
The race for Congressional District 18 between ChristianMenefeeandAlGreenhasbecomeabitterproxywaroverindustryinfluence Theprimary catalyst?Cryptocurrency.MenefeeisbackedbymillionsinoutsidespendingfromtheProtectProgress PAC, which supports candidates favorable to the crypto industry Conversely, Al Green—a veteran of the House Financial Services Committee—has championed stricter regulation of the industry, makinghimatargetforthesedeep-pocketedSuper PACs.
Show us some respect
Projections are circulating that, based on recent court rulings, the number of Black U.S. Congress members could be slashed by one-third(Houston alreadylostonepredominantlyBlackCongressional seat due to redistricting). The effort to diminish Blackelectedofficialslocallyislooming.Yet,amysterypersists:whydoBlackpoliticiansrarelyspend theircampaigndollarswithBlackmedia?Whenthe general market ignores our issues, the Black Press sustainsthem.AdvertisingintheDefenderisarifle approach to reaching the Black electorate, while electronicmediaisashotguneffect—merelyhoping tohitthemark Whileahandfulofofficialsrespect uswiththeirdollars,weneedmorethanwords.To continueourmission,yoursupportisneededyearround—during Black History Month, Juneteenth, andbeyond It’stimeBlackpoliticiansrecognizethat supporting the Black Press is an investment in the community that keeps them in office
Amid growing debates over voting rights, education access, DEI policies, and political representation, community leaders are urging voters to stay informed and engaged ahead of the May runoff election. Credit: ChatGPT
Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Christian
CityCouncil approves $50M housing
By Tannistha Sinha
The HoustonCityCouncil approved its 2026 Annual Action Plan,amounting to $50 millioningrant funds. It is adocument submittedtotheU.S.DepartmentofHousing andUrbanDevelopmentasHouston’sformal applicationforfederalformulagrants.
The city conductedcommunity meetings andoncetheywereconcluded,the Council authorized thesubmissionofthe plan to HUD
DuringapublicmeetinginHouston’sAlief neighborhood,PastorCamelia Joseph said housingaffordabilityinHoustonisnolonger asseamlessaspeoplewouldlike.
“Withour houses sellingfor $400,000 today, thepeopleinour communitycan’t affordit,”Joseph, thefounder andCEO of CameliaJosephMinistries,said.“Theywork jobsatBurgerKing,McDonald’s,aspersonal care attendants,housekeepinginour hotels, andserve in ourrestaurants. Theycannot affordamortgageonwhatthey’remaking.”
Thatcomment landed in aroomwhere residentshadjustspentanhourarguingover astackofcolor-codeddotstickersandcharts,
The2026AnnualActionPlan
The 2026 plan,the second year of afiveyear consolidated strategy,willdirectthe $50millionfederalfundstowardexpanding affordable housingand homeownership, reducinghomelessness, supporting people with HIV/AIDS,improving neighborhood infrastructure,and boosting economic opportunities,duringtheprogramyearrunningfromJuly2026throughJune2027.
Itispartofthebroader2025-2029ConsolidatedPlan,focusingonimprovingconditions forlow-andmoderate-incomeresidents.
Eachyear,thecityreportsprogressthrough aperformancereporttotrackhowwellthese goalsarebeingmet.
andfourteenmilliondollarsseemslikealotof money,butthedamageduringthosestorms wasprobablybiggerthanthat.”
Thescaleoftheproblem
Between2018 and2023, themedian householdincomeinHoustongrewbyabout 22%. Median rentsroseabout 31%, while homevaluesincreasedroughly50%.
The plan projects agrowththatwill continuetoincreasedemand,includinganestimated400,000 additional HarrisCounty householdsby2036,nearlyhalfofwhichare expectedtobeatorbelow80%AMI.
tryingtosignaltothecitywhichsliceoffederalhousingmoneymatteredmosttothem
Thechoicesweresingle-family,multifamily, public service, public facilities,and servicesforthehomeless.
Participatorydemocracy in miniature, theworkshoptookplace becausethe City of Houstonisrequiredbyfederal lawtoask beforesubmittingitsactionplantoHUD.
Allthree itemsweresponsored by the Housingand CommunityDevelopment Department(HCD)underDirectorMichael C.Nichols.
The document’s scope, however, belies a centraltensionthatNicholsexpressedtothe Defender
“Theprogramshavetoo much redtape,” Nicholssaid. “It’sveryfrustrating to people There’s notenoughmoney.Threehundred
Nicholsnoted that thecountyhas more than 40%ofits populationwithout $400 inemergencysavings
“Wehaveapoverty plan,” he said.“We havefailed.We,asthe city,Congress, and thestate, have failed to addressthisproblem. Andweneedto changethat.”
What’s keeping you from voting?
ByAswadWalker
Despite persistent efforts to discourage Black voter participation, Black voters in Houston and Harris County continue to serveasthepolitical“engine”ofTexas.Houston consistently outpaces the state average for Black voter turnout, often by five to 10 percentage points, according to the Pew Research Center
Whilethecityisanationalleaderinmobilization,trailingonlymajorhubslikeAtlanta and Detroit, local advocates emphasize that there is still significant room for growth Politicalanalystsarguethatifthehundreds of thousands of registered Black voters who currentlystayhomeweretoheadtothepolls, the political landscape of the city, state, and nationwouldbefundamentallytransformed.
Bythenumbers
As of April 2026, Harris County holds approximately 2,702,952 registered voters Whileofficialstateagenciesdonottrackregistrationbyrace,demographicanalysisfrom the University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs estimates that Black voters make up 21% of the electorate—roughly 567,620 individuals.
The data shows a surge in engagement: Total registration has grown by over 91,000 since the 2024 general election This momentum carried into the March 3, 2026, non-presidential primary, where Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth reported a“record-breaking”turnoutofover565,000 voters Based on demographic estimates,
approximately 118,650 Black voters participated in that primary.
However, the sobering reality remains that an estimated 448,970 registered Black voters—roughly79%—didnotcastaballot
Navigatingsystemicbarriers
To increase these numbers, advocates
must navigate a complex web of laws and policiesthatdisproportionatelyimpactBlack and Brown communities. In recent years, Texas has implemented some of the most restrictive voting measures in the country.
• Restrictive State Law (SB 1): This sweeping legislation introduced stricter ID matching for mail-in ballots and expanded theauthorityofpartisanpollwatchers These technicalhurdlesoften lead to the rejection of ballots from elders andlow-incomevoters who may lack institutional support.
• Elimination of Innovations: During the pandemic, Harris County led the nationwithdrive-thru and 24-hour voting. The Texas Legislature has since banned these methods. “Limited access to transportation or flexible work schedules by hourly wage workers disproportionately affects the Black, Brown, and Asiancommunities,”notedAnnieJohnson Benifield, founder of the Houston Voting Initiative
•IdentificationandMail-InRisks:Texas maintainsstrictvoterIDrequirements,and obtaining the necessary documents, such as birth certificates, remains a hurdle for many Furthermore, mail-in voting is now “procedurallyfragile,”whereminorclerical mismatches can invalidate a vote.
• Diluted Power: Redistricting has also played a role By “packing” Black voters into fewer districts or “cracking” them across several, the collective influence of the community is weakened “It’s hard to find a place to vote for the candidates of our choice like we had before,” said Janice Woods of the Precinct 239 Neighborhood Civic Association.
•IntimidationandOversight:Withthe VotingRightsActweakened,Texasnolongerrequiresfederalpreclearanceforelection changes.Thisshift,combinedwithconcerns aboutexpandedpoll-watcherauthority,can create a climate of apprehension at polling sites.
Internalchallenges andinformationgaps
Beyond external policy, community members point to internal hurdles. Norma Thomas, an artist and advocate from Acres Homes,urgesthecommunitytoremainvigilant despite the obstacles.
“We come from a people who were vigilant enough to know when and where the goal post was being moved,” Thomas said “We’vegottobuildthe plane and fly it at the same time.”
Travis McGee, an activist in Sunnyside/ South Park, emphasizesthatalackofresearchisaprimarybarrier Hearguesthatvotersmustlookbeyond “pushcards”andcampaignpromisestoevaluate a candidate’s actual record
“Anyone you allow to buy you out now is prettymuchguaranteedtosellyououtlater,” McGee warned.
Furthermore, the sheer frequency of elections—from school board races to constitutionalamendments—canleadto“voter fatigue.”Benifieldnotesthatconstantchanges in polling locations and voting rules create confusion that naturally suppresses turnout in marginalized neighborhoods.
Black voters are Texas’s political engine, yet restrictive laws and internal challenges suppress turnout in Houston. Local activists are offering ways around the roadblocks. Credit: Gemini AI.
Benifield
McGee
Ruling hurts Black political power
By ReShonda Tate
ArecentU.S.SupremeCourtrulingweakeningkeyprotectionsundertheVotingRights ActcouldhavemajorimplicationsforTexas, where battles over congressional maps and politicalrepresentationhavealreadysparked accusations of racial gerrymandering and votersuppression.
Votingrightsadvocateswarnthedecision couldmakeitmoredifficultforBlackTexans tochallengedistrictmapsthatdiluteminority voting power, particularly in rapidly diversifying areas like Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth The ruling comes as Texas remains involvedinmultiplelegaldisputesovercongressional and legislative maps drawn after the2020Census
Inthe6-3decisioninLouisianav.Callais, the Supreme Court narrowed the circumstancesunderwhichSection2oftheVoting RightsActmaybeusedtochallengeelectoral maps that allegedly weaken minority voting strength
“Let’s call a spade a spade: This ruling essentially guts a core protection of the VotingRightsAct,”saidHarrisCountyAttorney
Jonathan Fombonne. “For decades, Section 2 helped protect communities from racial discrimination by ensuring that people of color are meaningfully represented in our democracy.”
Civilrightsgroupssaythedecisioncontinues a broader rollback of voting protections that began with the court’s 2013 ruling in Shelby County v. Holder, which eliminated key federal oversight provisions for states withhistoriesofvoterdiscrimination.
The latest case originated in Louisiana, where courts previously ruled the state’s congressional map likely violated the Voting Rights Act because it included only one majority-Blackcongressionaldistrictdespite Black residents making up nearly one-third ofthestate’spopulation
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented sharply, warning the ruling weakens long-standingprotectionsdesignedtoensure minority voters have a fair opportunity to
electcandidatesoftheirchoice
Texas congresswoman Jasmine Crockett said the ruling threatens one of the last remaining safeguards against racial gerrymandering.
“When the guardrails came off in 2013 with Shelby County v. Holder, Texas and other southern states ran amok,” Crockett said “Section2isnowthelastlineofdefense againstracialgerrymandering,butLouisiana v. Callaiscoulderasethattoo.”
Advocates say Texas could become a majortestinggroundforfutureredistricting fights, particularly in districts where Black andLatinopopulationgrowthhasoutpaced politicalrepresentation.
Louisiana and Tennessee are already facingrenewedlegalchallengesovercongressional maps critics argue weaken Black voting strength by dividing minority communities acrossmultipledistricts.
Attendees hold signs advocating for voting rights and against the SAVE America Act at a rally held outside the U.S. Capitol. Credit: Getty
REASONSTOVOTE IN THEMAY26 RUNOFF Top7
By ReShondaTate
The campaign signsmay be fewer, andthe crowds maybe smaller,butthestakesinrunoffelectionsremainhigh. Runoffelectionsoftendeterminewhowillserveoncitycouncils,schoolboards,judicialbenches,andinlegislativeseats.They directlyshapepoliciesinvolvingpublicsafety,education,housing,infrastructure,andeconomicdevelopment—issuesthatsignificantlyimpactBlackcommunitiesacrossHoustonandTexas “TheMay26PrimaryRunoffElectionisapowerfulreminder thatdemocracyworksbestwheneveryvoiceisheard.ForcommunitiesofcoloracrosstheGreaterHoustonareaandthroughoutTexas,thiselectionisanopportunity to ensure that our voices,concerns,andhopesforthefutureresonatethroughthe powerofthevote,”saidDr.AnnieJohnsonBenifield,president, HoustonVotingInitiative.
Thisisthe thirdspecial election in theareainthe last month, andelectionofficials areworried it couldfurther
1.
Runoffs areoften decided by smallmargins Runoffelectionsfrequentlyseelowervoterturnout, whichcan make closeraces even more competitive.AccordingtoBallotpedia,21electionsinTexas havebeendecidedbylessthan1
“Runoffelectionsareoften numberofpeople,whichmean matters,”Benifieldadded.“Whe colorturnouttovote,wehelp shapedecisionsthataffect ourschools,healthcare, jobs,neighborhoods public safety,and voting rights.Our participation sendsaclear message that ourcommunities will notbeignored or leftbehind.”
2.
Loca elections shape everydaylife
Local electedofficials make thegranulardecisionsthataffectyour wallet andyourdaily routine.Theysettherates forwater,garbage,and elec decide whichstreets getrep drainageprojectsareprioritize andHarrisCounty, theseleader howoftenyourtrashispickedu howyourlocaltaxdollarsarer your community.
suppress voter turnout.
“Iknowsometimesvoterssay,‘Whycan’tyoucombinethem allinoneday?’Well,becausetheconstitutiondoesn’tallowfor it.Primariescan’tbecombinedwithspecialelections.Uniform electionscan’t be combined with otherelections,” said Harris CountyClerkTeneshiaHudspeth.
Historically,voterturnoutinrunoffelectionshasbeensharply lowerthaningeneralelections.Accordingtoelectionanalysts, thatdropinparticipationcanincreasetheinfluenceofsmaller groupsofhighlyengagedvotersandmakecloseracesevenmore consequential. In some localTexas races, winnershavebeen decidedbyonlyafewhundredvotes
In Texas’ CongressionalDistrict18runoff earlierthisyear, fewerthan24,000votersdecidedaraceinadistrictwithmore than423,000registeredvoters.Asearlyvotingcontinuesforthe May26runoff election,hereare 10 reasonswhy participation inrunoffelectionsstillmatters.
3.
Congressional and Countyraces impact major policy
MembersofCongresspasslawsthatdefine healthcare access,protect voting rights, andset immigrationpolicy.Theydeterminethefundinglevelsfor andMedicare, which tseniorsreceive.They civilrightslegislation, ngRightsAct,which sets thestandards forhow easy or difficult it is for youtocastaballotinanyelection
At thecounty level, leadersact as thebridge betweenfederal resources an dy ou r frontdoor.
Harris County officialsdecide howtodistributebillionsin federal disaster recoverygrants, meaningthey choose which newdrainagesysajor hurricane. They chospitalsystems and lehousinginitiatives, lies have aplace to eceive medicalcare ga ncome.
What to Know...
By ReShondaTate
Texasvotersreturn to thepollson Tues.,May26,to decide severalhigh-stakesstatewide, congressional, and local races. These runoffs occurbecausenocandidate securedmorethan 50% of the vote in theMarch primaries
Voting Logistics
• EarlyVoting: May18– May22.
• Election Day:Tues., May26.
• Eligibility: If youvoted in theMarch primary,you must vote in that same party’srunoff. If youdid not vote in March, youmay choose either party’sballot
Statewide MarqueeRaces
• U.S.Senate (Republican):IncumbentJohn Cornyn faces AttorneyGeneral KenPaxton in anationallywatched battle. The winner facesDemocrat JamesTalarico in November
Whetherit’safederalmandateoralocalpropertytax,these decisionsdetermine if ourcommunity hasthe resourcesit needstothrive.
4.
School boardelections affect students and families
School boards overseesuperintendenthiring, districtbudgets,whatstudentsaretaughtandhow students aredisciplined
Educationresearchers have notedthatschool boardelections oftenattract significantlylower turnout than statewidecontests, despitethe broadauthority schoolboardsholdoverpubliceducation systems
5. Judicial elections carry major consequences Texasvoterselect judges at multiple levels,including
criminal,civil andfamilycourts. Judges make decisionsinvolvingbail,sentencing,childcustody,probate mattersand civildisputes.
AccordingtotheTexasJudicialBranch,judgesalso overseecases involvingvotingrights, public corruption andconstitutionalchallenges, making judicial electionsamongthemostconsequentialracesonlocal ballots.
6.
Consistent voters oftenreceivemore political attention
Politicalcampaigns aredatadriven;theyprioritizethe neighborhoodsthatshowup.Politicalscientists notethatcommunitieswithconsisten turnoutareviewedasmoreinfluentia becauseelectedofficialscloselymonitorparticipationpatterns.Byvotingin runoffs—whereturnoutislowest— your individual influence is actually amplified,forcingcandidatestolisten to your specific needs.
7.
• AttorneyGeneral: With Paxton running forSenate, theGOP runofffeaturesState Sen. MayesMiddleton vs.U.S.Rep Chip Roy.Democratswillchoose between StateSen. NathanJohnson and attorney JoeJaworski
• LieutenantGovernor (Democratic):State Rep. Vikki Goodwin faces educator MarcosVelez forthe right to challengeincumbent DanPatrick.
• RailroadCommissioner (Republican):Incumbent Jim Wright is challenged by Bo French to lead thestate’s oil and gasregulatory agency.
Houston&HarrisCountyKey Races
• U.S.House District 18 (Democratic):A heavyweight matchup betweenincumbent Rep. Christian Menefee and longtime neighboring Rep. Al Green
• Harris CountyJudge: (Democratic):Former Mayor Annise Parker vs.Council Member Letitia Plummer
Voting rightshavedeephistorical significance in Texas
BlackTexanshistoricallyfaced barriers tovoting,includingpolltaxes,literacytestsandintimidationtactics during theJim Crow era.
Historians andcivil rights organizationsnotethat runoff participationremains significantbecause voting access wassecured throughdecades of legal challenges,activismandprotectionsundertheVoting Rights Act.
“Therighttovotewashardfoughtandhardwon. Generationsbeforeusmarched,organized,andsacrificedsothatwecould fullyparticipate in democracy.Honoringthatlegacymeansshowingupatthe ballot box—not just during presidential elections, butinevery election,especiallyrunoffs whereoutcomescanbedeterminedbyonlyahandfulofvotes,” Benifieldsaid.
•
•
• Republican:Orlando
Harris Countyvoterscan find polling locations, sample ballotsand election information through the Harris County Clerk’sOffice.
Some of the persons on the ballotfor the May26electionare,starting topleftand going clockwise: Congressman ChristianMenefee, Congressman Al Green, Senator John Cornyn, TexasA.G.Ken Paxton, CityCouncilmember LetitiaPlummer,and former HoustonMayor AnniseParker
New generation Revitalizes funeral service industry
By Laura Onyeneho
Mary Domio was 16 when her mother died
At the funeral, she watched closely as the director guided her family through one of the hardest days of their lives. Weeks later, that same funeral director visited her high school for career day.
Domio walked him around campus The next morning, she told her family she was going to mortuary school
Twenty-five years later, she is a licensed funeral director and founder of Signature Memorial Chapel, a Black woman-owned funeral home she built after converting a former auto parts store into a full-service chapel and repast space.
Her entry into the profession came decades ago. Now, a new generation is following a similar path
Across the country, Gen Z and younger millennials are entering funeral service in growingnumbers,drawnbypurpose-driven work, social media visibility, and a desire to normalizeconversationsaboutdeath.
Theirarrivalcomesastheprofessionfaces aloominglaborshortage.Industryestimates indicate more than 60% of funeral directors are expected to retire within the next five years,creatingsignificantworkforcegaps
At the Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service in Houston, President Cody Lopasky said the demographic shift is evident in enrollment
“Mostofourstudentstendto bearound21upthrougharound 35,”Lopaskysaid “You’recatching both Gen Z and millennials in that group. ”
The institute draws students fromacrossthecountry.Lopasky said roughly 20% of recent graduates identify as African American and nearly 40% identify as students of color. He added that job placement rates hover around 90%, reflecting strong demandacrosstheindustry The U.S. funeral market is estimated tobewortharound$20.8billionannuallyin 2025,withapproximately3.1milliondeaths projectedfortheyear
“A large group of people come to us becausetheyhavehadadeathinthefamily,” Lopaskysaid “Eitheritwentreallywell,and they think, I can do that too, or it didn’t go
well, and they want to do better by the next family.”
Recent graduate Mikenzie Scott did not have one defining loss that pushed her into thefield.Instead,shedescribesfuneralservice asanextensionofwhoshehasalwaysbeen
“Growing up, I was always wanting to help,”Scottsaid “AnybodywhoknewMackenzieknewshewasgoingtowanttohelpwith something.”
Her parents encouraged her to pursue medicine or law. She chose a different versionofstability.
“Peoplearealwaysgoingtobesick People are always going to need lawyers,” she said “And I thought, well, everybody has to pass away And I want to be there to help people inthedarkestmomentsoftheirlives.”
HerfirstembalminglabatCommonwealth wasthemomentthatsolidifiedhercalling.
“It was definitely like, wow, ” Scott said “I didn’trealizetherewasthismuchinvolved.”
StudentsatCommonwealthperformreal embalmings under instructor supervision. Scottsaidunwrappingthebodyofsomeone’s lovedonecarriesemotionalweight
“In that bag is somebody’s whole world,” she said “You treat this person as if they are gold Theyaremeanttobecherished,loved, treatedwiththeutmostdignityandrespect.”
Historically dominated by older white men, the funeral service is seeing a rise in women and more diverse leadership. Black women,inparticular,arecarvingoutspacein afieldthatonceofferedthemlimitedvisibility.Organizationssuchas100BlackWomen of Funeral Service have emerged to provide mentorshipandsupportforwomennavigatingtheindustry
Domio represents that shift locally. She describes herself as “very traditional, very conservative” in how she serves families, butshealsoseesgenerationaldifferencesemerging
“I see a lot of new funeral homes coming up in the city,” Domio said “And the majority of them are more of the younger community,”
Younger funeral directors are often more comfortable integrating technology into services Livestreamed homegoings, digital memorial pages, and active social media accountsarebecomingmorecommon
Lopasky said online searches are now the primary way prospective students discover mortuary programs, reflecting the role of platformslikeTikTokandYouTubeindemystifyingthefield.
Over 60% of funeral directors are expected to retire within the next five years, creating unprecedented opportunities for younger, diverse professionals entering the death care industry. Credit: ChatGPT images
Mary Domio
FORMERTEACHER
Fred McBride
By ReShondaTate
On anygiven morning, before most of Houstonhashaditsfirstcupofcoffee,Captain Fred McBrideisalready on thewater Notinametaphoricalsense—butliterally. He’scastinglines,checkingtraps,pullingin blue crabs andfishthat, just hourslater, couldlandonsomeone’s plateinthe very neighborhood that raised him.
Foryears,McBride hascaughtfresh seafoodandsoldittolocalnotablechefsinthe area.Now,he’sdecidedtodoitfor himself, bringing hisnew fast-casualconcept to life with CaptainMc’sSeafood
“I’vebeenfishingfull-timeforfiveyears, whereIreallykindofhadtoperfectlearning howtocatch this stuff at abig scale, so that my eventual goal wastoopenupmyown place,”McBride said
Adifferent kind of leap of faith
Long before he wasknown as Captain Fred,hewas“Mr.McBride”intheclassroom
For18years,the classically-trained McBridetaughtorchestra —violin, viola, cello,andbass—atHoustonschools,pouringintostudents thesamedisciplineand creativity that once shaped him. Agraduateofthe High School forthe Performing andVisualArts(HSPVA), nowknown as KinderHSPVA,McBridesharedhispassion formusic with countlessareayouth as an orchestradirectorforNorthForestISDand HoustonISD
Butsomewhere around year 15, somethingshifted.
“I lovedthe studentgrowth that Isaw in teaching,but in 2019, Isortofhad amidlife crisis,”saidMcBride,reflectingonthe moment that wouldquietlyredirecthislife. “I startedaskingmyselfwhat itisthatItrulylovetodo.”
Theanswerhad been withhimsincehewasfour yearsold.Fishing,somethingthathad been introducedbyhis grandfather, an educator himselfwho spentmorethan40years shapingyoung minds.
Drawingencouragement from hiswife Juliet,McBridedidsomethingmostpeople only talk about: He followed his dreams
Learning the water, the hardway
Transitioningfroma structured classroomto theunpredictable worldof commercial fishingwasn’t easy,and therewas no blueprint.
Captain Fred McBride, aretired HISD music teacher turnedcommercial fisherman, is bringing afresh “sea-to-table” seafood concept to Houston’sGriggs Road,serving fishheoften catcheshimself Credit: ShaneDante
“Mymotherwould sit in hercar andreadwhile mybrotherandIwentfishing,”hesaid.“Sheknewthe importance of it andthat it,inadditiontoour music, wouldkeepus outoftrouble.”
“Probably thegreatestchallenge Ihad was just thelearningcurve,” he said.“Therewas no examplefor me.”
Still,the teacherin himnever left.McBride studied, watched, learned, then adapted.
Eventually,aseasoned fishermantookhim underhis wing,giving himjustenoughguidancetohelphim see whatwaspossible.Fromthere,McBridedid
Inspiredbyhis grandfather’sloveof fishing,CaptainFred McBride has turneda lifelong passioninto abusiness rooted in communityand fresh, locally sourced seafood. Courtesy Fred McBride.
reaching aplate,it’sa game changer. McBrideisintentional aboutwhathe serves,too.Everything is wild-caught. The difference, he explains, is in thediet—and ultimately,the flavor. Wild-caughtfish, feedingnaturally in theocean,carry ataste that simply can’tbe replicated
“That’s whyseafood in Galvestontastes different,”hesaid.“Becauseit’swild-caught.” Now, he’s bringing that same experience inland
Coming home to build something bigger
The restaurant sits on Griggs Road,not farfromwhere McBride grew up
what he hadalwaysdonebest: figureitout
Within afew years, he wasn’t just fishing—hewassupplying.Hiscatch—black drum,flounder,sheepshead,bluecrabs startedlanding in thekitchensofsomeof Houston’smostrespected chefs.
“IfIcansellittothem,”hesaid,eventually startingtothink,“Ineedtobetryingtosell it to myself.”
Thatideawould become thefoundation of everything that came next
Sea-to-table, forreal
At CaptainMc’sSeafood,the conceptis simple,but almost unheardofatthisscale McBrideisthefishermanandtherestaurateur.Hecatches theseafood himself— ofteninBaytown andGalveston —and brings it straight to hiskitchen,sometimes within hoursofitbeing pulled from the water.
“Our dinerswill have therealpossibility ofeatingafishorbluecrabthatwascaught earlythatmorningandfriedupjustintime fordinner,”hesaid.
Inacitywhereseafoodoftentravelshundreds— or thousands— of milesbefore
“I grew up straight down that street,” he said,recallingthebusinessesthatcameand wentlongbeforehisowndreamtookshape there.
Now, he’s adding somethingnew to that story.
“I’mjusthopingtoinvestinthiscommunity,whichisthecommunitythatIgrewup in,”hesaid.
In apartofHouston that hasn’t always been first in linefor high-profileculinary investments, CaptainMc’sisquietly shiftingthenarrativewhiledemonstratingalignment.Takingwhatyou love,whatyou’ve learned, andwhere youcomefrom-and buildingsomething that honors allthree “Iwantedtoleavesomethingformysons, that’s howI fell into fishing.Whenyou do something, andyou spendalot of hoursin it,you’d better love what youdo,”hesaid. “This hasbeenthe ultimate laboroflove, andIcouldn’tbemoreexcitedtosharewhat Icatch dailyand shareitwithmyHouston community,”McBride
CaptainMc’sislocated at 5055 Griggs Rd,Houston,Texas 77021. Visitwww.captainmcs.com
Fred McBride wanted to bring freshfood to the neighborhood he grew up in. Credit: Shane Dante
Sports DN
By Terrance Harris
When Kacey Menyoli decided to come to Prairie View A&M, some opportunities made her college choice an easy one.
It was the chance for the former Ridge Point High School standout to continue her golf career, attend a prestigious HBCU, get an education, and pursue her medical aspirations.
Making history wasn’t part of the equation.
But that is exactly what Menyoli and the Panthers have accomplishedwithan opportunity to add to history this week when the Prairie View women’s golf team competedinitsfirst-everNCAARegionals in Waco The Panthers arrived at this point after winning their first SWAC Championship in program history last month.
“Itfeelsprettyamazingtogettothispoint, especially since I’m a senior,” said Menyoli, who led the charge during the Panthers wire-to-wire SWAC Championship run in Alabama.“I’vebeenplayingonthisteamfor four years. So it’s a pretty big accomplishment to finally win the SWAC and have a chance to perform well at Regionals.”
It’s a dream the Panthers didn’t really know they could dream until this season. Witheachstrokeandeverysuccessfulround duringthethree-daySWACChampionship, realitybegantosetinthatPrairieViewcould accomplish something the program had never imagined
“I’ve never won any sort of tournament before,” said Menyoli, who was named second-team All-SWAC this season “So to performthatwellunderpressure,especially after the second round, it was really amazing, a great feeling to come back after the roundandtoseemyteammates’faces–men and women – to have all of that was really a good feeling.”
The Panthers had a chance to build on the history made at the Regionals, which ran May 11-13. It was a stacked Regional that included No.1 seed Texas A&M, Oregon, Baylor, TCU, LSU, and SMU. The top-five finishers advanced to the national championships.
First-yearcoachKortlandWarebelieved in his team’s chances to advance.
PRAIRIE VIEWA&M UNIVERSITY
Women’sGolf Eyes NCAA History
Honestly, I’m happy that we’ve even gotten to this point, because this hasn’t happened before for our school. I think I can come away with whatever we do out there. I’m just happy we are out there. We are on TV, and everyone sees our name. They know of our school now.”
KACEY MENYOLI
“You play the golf course well, add up the numbers, and there is a good chance we are going to make it to the next round.”
with the results, what was at first a challenging transition has become smoother, if not completely smooth.
“The best part about it is that we are not playing other teams. We are not playing the top teams in the nation We are just playing a golf course,” said Ware, who was named SWAC Coach of the Year “Everybodyisplayingthegolfcourse; thereisnodefense,thereisnooffense,there is no passing the ball because you’re not dribbling well It’s you, and it’s against the golf course
Arriving at that point and faced with the chance to advance further didn’t come without some nuance and change
The greatest obstacle came last summer when they learned that their coach, Mesha Levister, had left the program to become thedirectorofgolfatNorthCarolinaA&T
The next challenge came when Ware was hired to replace Levister as the head coach of the men’s and women’s teams. Ware is an accomplished coach having elevated the Lincoln University program, but he was different from what the team was accustomed to Ware’s coaching style is more hands-off and well, he is a man.
But over the course of the season, and
“It was a little (tough) because I think we really liked Coach Mesha. She was a great coach,” said junior captain Briann Briggs “But being able to achieve something this good under a new coach is also really a really good feat. That’s a positive side.”
Madison Williams, Briggs, and Menyoli. There has been steady growth among the players and consistent competition for the top five spots in each tournament
With freshman Fernanda Rendon as the only new contributor, Ware and assistant coach J.P. Thornton have relied on lineups this season that include returning players like Neveah Figueroa, Micaiah Joubert,
“It’s like night and day,” said Thornton, whowascaptainofTexasSouthern’sChampionshipteamin2007andisnowcredited bythePVplayersforprovidingthedetailed coaching they desired. “I got here probably right after their third event of the year, andlookingattheirscoringaverage,Ithink withinthefirst Whentheygotbackfrom the Bahamas, I was just looking at what theyweredoinginpractice Istarteddevelopingstats,tryingtokeepstatsonhowthey weredoing,thentrending,andfromthereI waskindofabletoindividualizetheirpractice and really hone in on certain areas of their games that they needed to work on and to improve.”
Prairie View senior Kacey Menyoli has been a big part of the women’s golf program’s historical season, where the Panthers have won the SWAC Championship for the first time and are now headed to their first-ever NCAA Regionals competition: Credit: Mylene Cannon/Prairie View
Prairie View senior
Menyoli
Briggs Ware
Sports DN
By Jimmie Aggison
EverytimeseniorpitcherGregLeonsteps ontothemoundforAustinHighSchool,he carries more than just theball.
Hepitcheswithpurpose,drivennotonly by hisown collegeambitions butalsoby thestory of hisolder brother, Xavier Leon, whoseathletic career wascut shortinsixth grade duetoa heartcondition.For Greg, baseball is no longer merely agame; it’s a duty,areminder,andapromisetonevertake asinglemomentfor granted.
“Duringbig momentswhenI’m on the mound,Itrustinmyselfandtheabilitythat Godhas givenme,”saidGreg. “I know that with him, nothingisimpossible.”
Greg has become thepitcher histeam relies on in crucial moments, whetherit’s pitchingthrough toughinningsorclosing outclosegames.Inbaseball,he’sAustin’sace
“WhenGregfaces pressure,hefinds an internal gear that helpshim getmoreout ofhimself,”saidAustinheadbaseballcoach DanReed.“Hedoesn’twithdrawfromothers; in fact, he always takestimetogive advice andhelphis teammates.”
Butthe intensityGregbringstothe moundisn’t just aboutwinning. It’s rooted in somethingdeeperthanbaseballashe is motivatedbywhathisbrotherismissingout on as aresultofhis heartcondition
“After thefirst couple of visits to the doctor,Ilearned nottotakethe game for granted, andplaytomyfullestevery game
becauseyou neverknowwhenitcould be your last,” said Greg ForXavier,walking away from thegame wasatoughreality,notonlyforhimbutfor hisentirefamily.
“Itwasdevastatingwhenthedoctorbroke thenews,”saidXavier. “Our wholefamily washeavilyinvolvedinsports.Ihadgrown upplayingforaslongasIcouldremember Iwas on acompetitive team,and to have it takenawayfromone daytothe next was heavy.”
Xavier’s diagnosiswas achallenge the family hadtolearn to handle
That perspectivedidn’t stay at home;it followedGregontothe field, shapinghow he approaches everypitch as he nowplays forsomething bigger than himself.
AustinHighSchool’s
Greg Leon Plays formore than himself
“Playing formorethanyourselfmeans givingyourallforyourfamilyandthepeople whosacrificedforyou,”saidGreg.
Over four yearsonvarsity,Coach Reed haswatchedGregdevelopintoaleader,and he believes Greg’s mindset is what sets him apartfromothers.
“Above all, he has thementality of a leader,”saidReed.“Heshowssignsofbecominga greatcoach oneday,but he also leads throughhisactionsonthefield.”
That mindset notonlyshapeshow Greg playsbut also createsopportunities forhis future.Hehasstartedattractinginterestfrom severalcolleges, includingDallasChristian College,RustCollege,andRangerCollege.
“Theseoffersmeaneverythingtomyfamilyand me,” said Greg.“They representall thesacrifices we have made andgivemea chancetolivemydream.”
true to thesamemindset that broughthim here,onebuiltonsacrifice,faith,andfamily support.
“Longroadtrips, missingwork, andhot days at thefield have become part of our journey,”saidJavier. “We’ve been througha lot, butwe’ve enjoyeditjustasmuchashe does as afamilyseeinghis siblings andhim growanddoingthethingstheylove.”
“WatchingGregsucceed meanseverything,”saidXavier.“He deservesall of it TheLordhas blessedhim with incredible talent,andI’mjusthonoredtohavehadthe privilegeofwatchinghimgrow.”
“Myfamilytaughtmehowtoseethegood inbadsituations,toletGodtakecontroland know that he is with me at alltimes,” said Greg.“Neverlet abad daybring youdown; instead, learnfromitand understandhow tobenefitfromit.”
Neverlet abad day bringyou down; instead, learn from it andunderstandhow to benefit from it.” GREG LEON
Althoughhehasnotyetcommitted,Greg is searchingfor aprogram that feelslike home,one builtonastrongfamilyatmosphere,awinningculture,and afocus on development.
“Withthe rightprogram anddrive,Greg couldgofar,”saidReed.“Idonotbelievethat hehashithisfullpotentialyet.”
“SeeingGregreach this pointinhis athleticjourney is somethingthatthe family is proudofbecause we know howmuchhe lovesandenjoysthegame,”saidJavierLeon, thefatherofGregandXavier Evenwithfutureopportunities,Gregstays
ThatgratitudekeepsGreginspiredevery timehestepsbetweenthelines
“Whatmakes Greg’s storyuniqueisthat he’s very unassuming,and it’s been like that sincehewaslittle,playingT-ball,”saidXavier. “Hemaynotlookthepart,buthesurprisesa lotofpeopleoncetheyactuallygettoplaywith him.He’snotthemostathleticguy,buthehas incrediblegamesense,andthat’sbecausehe’s beenaroundthegamehiswholelife.”
ForGregLeon, everypitch meansmore thanjustbaseball;it’sabouthonoringopportunity,family, andashareddream between brothers
Austin High School senior Greg Leon (7)throwsafastball from the moundinagame againstMilbyatButler Stadium. Credit: Jimmie Aggison/Defender
DN Health
Minutes Matter During aStroke
BySHONTE BYRD,MD
MayisStrokeAwareness Month Month, and in Houston, it arrivesastemperatures rise. Heat canaffect hydrationand blood pressure,whichraisesstroke risk forsomepeople. Knowing stroke warningsigns helps youact quickly when time matters most Astrokehappenswhenbloodflow to partofthe brain is blockedorwhen bleeding occursinthe brain. Brain cellscan be injured withinminutes,so fast treatment canlimit damageand improve the chance of recovery
Stroke Warning Signs CanBeSubtle
Some strokescause sudden weakness on oneside of the body. Other strokes affectspeech, vision,sensation,or thinking andcan be harder to recognize. Symptoms caninclude:
•Trouble speaking or findingwords
•Blurred vision or double vision
•New numbness, often on one side of the body
•Sudden confusion or trouble understanding what’s happening
Who HasHigher Stroke Risk WhoHas Hig
Stroke risk is higher forpeoplewith highblood pressure,diabetes,atrial fibrillation,orahistory of smoking.Risk riseswithage,though youngeradults canhavestrokes
In Blackcommunities, high blood pressure often starts earlier andmay cause no symptomsfor years. Regular care helps catchchangesearly,even when youfeel well
WhenToSeek EmergencyCare When To Seek
Call 911 immediately if younoticeany of thesestrokewarning signs.Ifyou can, notewhen symptomsbegin
•Face drooping or numbness on one side
Get Care
•Weakness in an arm or leg
•Speech that’sslurred or hardto understand
•Sudden vision loss or asevere headache with no clear cause
Do notwait anddonot drive yourself to thehospital.
When To Call Your Doctor
At KelseySeybold Clinic,avisit can reviewstrokerisk, discuss symptoms youweren’t sure about, andcheck bloodpressureorheart rhythm.Care teams cansharerecordswithin the system and help coordinate follow-up when needed.
To learn more or schedulea visit, call 713-442-70253-442-7025orvisit kelsey-seybold.com ol com.
ShonteByrd, MD, Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, Neurology MemorialVillages Campus
Scan to viewher online profile.