To the POINT DN
Message from theAssociate Editor Bombs and bombshells
End of African Stream
Ahmed Kaballo, editor-in-chief of the ultra-popular African Stream, recently announced that the entity relied on by hundreds of thousands of Black people across the Pan African diaspora is shutting down. He said the following: “Tis is, sadly, a farewell to you, our loyal followers and supporters. Under relentless attack, we’ve made the painful decision to shut down African Stream—a platform that many of you’ve come to trust and love. Tis decision was not made lightly. Te smear by then–US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sept. 13, 2024, labeling African Stream ‘Kremlin propagandists’—triggered a wave of censorship. Within days, YouTube, Meta, Google, and TikTok removed our accounts, and we were demonetized on X. Tese actions shattered our ability to survive fnancially. Personal accounts were restricted. What followed was a daily uphill battle. Now, we’re lef with only one path: closure.” Kaballo asked folk not to feel sorry for African Stream, but to celebrate how their work inspired other content creators to birth vehicles that report on Pan African issues from our own perspectives. Still, we must challenge ourselves to better support our own vehicles so they can survive future nonsensical attacks.
bombing of Iran without the Congressional authorization required by the U.S. Constitution. And who’s going to check Trump? His party controls the U.S. House, Senate and Supreme Court. Yet, his move to fall for Netanyahu’s lines could potentially place us all in danger. Because bombs dropped don’t discriminate. So, can you remind me again why some of y’all said voting doesn’t matter?
Enemy of the state
Netanyahu’s rap didn’t bomb on Trump
Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu is like a playa with one rap that never works. But he keeps on spittin’ his weak lines anyway, in hopes someone will be stupid enough to fall for his lack of game. For roughly 30 years, Netanyahu has told U.S. presidents the same thing: Iran is just years away, maybe months away, maybe just weeks away from having all the materials needed to create an entire arsenal of atomic and/ or nuclear weapons. His rap, given since 1995, has been an attempt to get a U.S. president to join Israel in a war on Iran. For 30 years, presidents chose another path. Tat is, until the current occupant of the White House authorized the
Tere’s a good reason why most government jobs and military positions have done everything possible to remain politically neutral. Whether working for the Post Ofce, Department of Education or the U.S. Marines, choosing a political side (and demonizing the other side) places roughly 40-60% (or more) of the U.S. population in danger of being declared enemies of the state. According to multiple news reports, during Trump’s recent visit to Fort Bragg to commemorate the Army’s 250th anniversary, and address the troops, an internal 82nd Airborne Division communications reportedly revealed directives that requested 1) all soldiers with opposing political views be excluded from the “opportunity” to stand behind him during his presentation. Te memo also stated “No fat soldiers” were to appear in the audience behind him. During that address, when Trump mentioned elected ofcials who were Democrats, the supposedly non-partisan troops behind Trump booed them as if they were anti-U.S. terrorists. Tis is a very dangerous precedent being set. And it begs the question, who is the real enemy of the state?
On the web
• Houston’s rising R&B queens carve out their own lanes.
• Nominate for Defender’s Inaugural Best of Black Houston.
• Prairie View Athletic Director Anton Gof: Opting into NCAA revenue sharing.
Ahmed Kaballo (center), editor-in-chief of African Stream, laments the end of the globally popular source of Pan African news, culture and perspectives. Credit: African Stream.
Aswad Walker
Houston adds $50M for housing
By Tannistha Sinha
The Houston City Council will soon vote on a plan that would allocate $314.6 million in federal recovery funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to help the city rebound from the 2024 derecho and Hurricane Beryl. The proposed plan, which council members are expected to vote on in the coming weeks, prioritizes spending on administration, housing, and disaster mitigation efforts.
The funding, which is contingent on the city using it for eligible recovery-related initiatives, comes after the city already added $50 million for housing. That came from the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) and kicks in when other assistance means are exhausted.
“If you remember those times…we had trucks full of debris and an inefficient way of doing away with those debris,” said Michael C. Nichols, director of the Housing and Community Development Department (HCD). “There was a time when we had inadequate public safety vehicles and ambulances. The key problem during those times was the loss of power, including power in our most critical public facilities.”
The city’s plan
Mayor John Whitmire’s administration released a draft plan outlining how to spend the HUD funds.
The city’s original plan, released in early June, initially allocated $0 toward housing and economic revitalization. However, during a public comment session, residents immediately resisted the proposal. Following public outcry, the administration revised its proposal to
Student
By ReShonda Tate
A new report from the Federal Reserve reveals a troubling financial trend: U.S. household debt hit a record $18.2 trillion in the first quarter of 2025, with student loan delinquencies skyrocketing after years of paused payments.
The report shows student loan balances jumped by $16 billion, totaling $1.63 trillion nationwide. But the bigger issue? Nearly 6 million borrowers—about 14%—are now more than 90 days behind on payments or in default. These rising delinquencies are hitting Black borrowers and Houston residents particularly hard.
From pause to panic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, federal student loan payments were paused for 43 months. That relief ended in October 2023, followed by a 12-month grace period where
include $50 million in housing recovery funds.
“It’s important to emphasize that this change is a direct result of the feedback that we, our department and the mayor received from community members and stakeholders like you,” Nichols said. “Your voices are being heard… many times we feel like maybe we’re not being heard by our government leaders.”
The allocated dollars act as a reimbursement grant, rather than a “big check.” The Houston city government is required to spend the funding on eligible activities, obtain approval of the action plan from HUD, implement the plan and then seek reimbursement.
For context, eligible activities include planning, administration, housing infrastructure, public services, economic revitalization and mitigation.
Public pressure spurs housing funding
The city now has to adjust the new
plan after taking residents’ concerns into account, which includes:
• $15.7M: Administration costs, staff time and management of the grant
• $151.3M Power generation resilience program, including the installation of natural gas generators
• $8.8M FEMA assistance
• $56.5M Emergency response and public safety equipment
• $41M Homeless services
• $32.8M Debris repository acquisition and development
• $8.25M Vegetation management Northeast Houston resident Shanza Branch emphasized the need for home repair funding, especially for those still recuperating from previous natural disasters like Hurricane Harvey.
“The City should prioritize programs that support the recovery efforts of community members, ‘cause my house still has a leak,
cracks and crevices from the storm [Hurricane Beryl],” Branch said. “It [the city] should cut the programs that are not responding to the direct disaster recovery needs, like purchasing cop cars and ambulances and buying gas generators for public facilities that are not used for mass sheltering during a storm.”
Although the city has identified core capability gaps exposed by the 2024 storms, some believe $50 million is not enough to address residents’ housing needs.
While appreciating Whitmire’s adjustment to the plan, Noel Denison, a representative from the Metropolitan Organization of Houston, said an additional $50 million is needed that can be carved out from the Power Generation Resilience Program.
“We support keeping the funding at multi-service centers and water facilities, but we don’t believe that generators are needed at every fire station and other city facilities,” Denison suggested. “We should cut from emergency response vehicles and…the homeless program and put that additional funding into repairing homes of people who, if their homes are not repaired, will be homeless.”
What’s next?
The proposed budget was presented to the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee. The city’s application for disaster recovery funding must have the City Council’s approval before it can be submitted to HUD by July 20. Following this, HUD will review and approve the application by Sept. 3.
For now, advocates say the shift toward housing recovery is an important, if overdue, step toward rebuilding storm-battered neighborhoods.
missed payments didn’t hurt borrowers’ credit.
But when that “on-ramp” period expired at the end of 2024, a wave of credit damage followed.
Now, more than 2.2 million Americans have seen their credit scores drop by over 100 points. More than 1 million of them saw a drop of at least 150 points, according to the New York Fed.
“Your credit score is one of the most important numbers in your financial life,” said Ted Rossman, senior industry analyst at Bankrate. “It affects whether you qualify for loans, what interest rates you pay and even your ability to rent an apartment or get a job in some industries.”
For borrowers who had good credit before— scores above 720—the average drop was 177 points. Those with scores between 620 and 719 saw drops of around 140 points. That shift can make the difference between being approved for a mortgage and being denied.
Houston’s hit
Tens of thousands of Houston residents are still struggling with student loan debt, and the effects are real and immediate.
“People are getting denial letters for apartments, higher car insurance premiums, and rejections for home loans—all because of their student loan history,” said David Anderson, a Houston credit repair specialist. “Many of these folks are first-generation college students, trying to build wealth and stability. This is a huge step backward.”
Anderson says he’s seen an uptick in clients—especially Black women and older borrowers—seeking help to avoid default or repair their credit.
The age of borrowers in trouble is rising, too.
The New York Fed reports that the average age of a delinquent borrower has gone from 38.6 to 40.4 years. That signals that older millennials
and Gen Xers—many juggling mortgages, kids and aging parents—are struggling most with resumed payments. Recent grads say they’re being hit hard as well, as they face serious delinquency from unaffordable payments.
“My payment went from $25 a month to $695 a month and they would not work with me in any shape, form or fashion,” said Simone, a first-year teacher’s aide in HISD. “I just graduated and am barely making ends meet. I can’t afford such a significant increase and when I called the student loan people, they told me to ‘borrow the money from a family member.”
NNPA contributed to this report.
Menifee Lucy, 60, sits on her front porch for air after her house lost power during Hurricane Beryl in the Kashmere Gardens neighborhood on July 11, 2024, in Houston. Credit: Getty Images
News
HARRIS COUNTY LEADERS SERIES
Teneshia Hudspeth
By Tannistha Sinha
Teneshia Hudspeth’s rise to become the first African-American Harris County Clerk and Chief Election Official marks a historic milestone in Texas government. Today, she oversees special, primary and general elections for the county with a diverse population of more than 4.9 million.
Born and raised in Austin, Hudspeth moved to Houston in 1999 to attend Texas Southern University, where she majored in communications. She is also a graduate of Leadership Houston and the Women’s Campaign School at Yale University.
It was during her junior year, while interning for Congressman Chet Edwards in Washington, D.C., when she was “bit by the political bug.” The experience, coupled with her interest in voting rights and a Mickey Leland Congressional internship, propelled her toward a career in public service.
Role as a County Clerk
In 2005, Hudspeth joined the former County Clerk Beverly Kaufman’s office as an administrative assistant. Over the next 15 years, Hudspeth served under four county clerks while rising through the ranks.
“These years were actually spent in the elections division, learning all the nuts and bolts of how elections really worked,” she said. “Being someone who knows how the office ticks is definitely not just a labor of love for me. It is a passion and a calling.”
In 2020, a historic election year, Hudspeth was elected County Clerk after running against her boss, Stan Stanart who was the former County Clerk and under whom she had worked for seven years, and became the youngest to hold this role. Today,
Runs Harris County elections
she is the only Black woman serving as a county clerk in Texas’ 254 counties.
Her leadership is shaped by years of hands-on experience in elections and records and work in civic organizations, equipping her to lead Harris County through its challenging election cycles.
“A lot of the work was being a community person, going out and sharing the importance of the [voting] process for all communities.
Especially the African American community,” she said. “Here was a history of suppression when it came to the voting process and in some ways it still exists today.”
Building civic trust
Hudspeth believes that building trust with voters through transparency is key to winning elections. This includes knocking on people’s doors and educating them about the election process.
“Especially with the political climate today, instilling trust is
important because there is so much negative rhetoric that is played out each and every day, especially on social media,” she said. “I run as a Democrat but serve with a nonpartisan spirit.”
Maintaining public records and vital statistics is a necessity in the quieter, often overlooked functions of the County Clerk’s office. Since
and labor-intensive process of election management.
Hudspeth’s commitment to civic trust has translated into community-focused events like the back-toschool birth certificate drive, held on a Saturday every July or August. This drive allows parents to obtain birth certificates needed for school registration and school supplies.
Hudspeth’s upbringing inspired the program. Her mother was a single parent who worked multiple jobs and could not always access government services during business hours.
The legacy Hudspeth wants Hudspeth pointed out that running elections goes beyond ballots. She is particularly concerned about her office’s deliverables, which do not match the funding it receives. Despite the challenges, Hudspeth
“I want people to remember me for being proactive, bold and unapologetic, being respectful to all folks in the voting process, regardless of their political stance, gies,” she said. “I want to be held up as ‘she might not have been my bestie or I might not have liked her, but boy did she
Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth is the first AfricanAmerican woman to be elected in this role. Credit: Hudspeth’s office
Profle DN
Damian Valentine Shapes leaders through Young Kings Mentoring Organization
By Laura Onyeneho
Before Damian Valentine was mentoring boys across Houston, he was just a young father trying to lead by example.
Raised on James Franklin Street in Acres Homes, Valentine grew up in a home grounded in faith, responsibility, and strong fatherhood. His father, David, was a leader in their family and the community. And like his father, Damian attended George Washington Carver High School and Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU).
It was at PVAMU that Valentine became a father himself. And in 2010, when he gained full custody of his 10-year-old son Devante, everything changed.
“We live in a society where a father or a man could just say, ‘Go be raised with your mom,’” he said. “But my dad took on that responsibility. So I already had the blueprint on how to be a strong Christian father and that’s something I’m grateful for.”
What began as personal responsibility quickly became a larger mission. To his friends, family and community, Valentine is known as the “Man of Many Hats.” He’s a music artist, author, actor, and fashion enthusiast and each role is part of the toolkit he brings to his real
purpose: mentoring the next generation.
Tat led him to create Young Kings Mentoring Organization, a Houston-based nonproft focused on empowering young men through education, sports, and entertainment. By aligning his passions with what the youth already gravitated toward, Valentine built a program where growth doesn’t just feel like guidance, it feels like inspiration.
Many of his son’s friends didn’t have father fgures or mentors. Tese young men called him “Dad.” Valentine was committed to being that support system for young men in this city.
The K.I.N.G. blueprint
At the core of the Young Kings Mentoring Organization is the K.I.N.G. principle: Knowledge, Integrity, Nobility and Gentleman. He created this curriculum, symbolized in a crown worn by a cartoon version of his son in the book titled I Am A King. Mentees earn a stone for each trait, culminating in a crowning ceremony that afrms their growth.
“I look at the education system and I say, ‘What did we leave out?’ We’re doing so much, but what did we leave out? When they walk across that stage, they still don’t know who
they are,” Valentine said. “I applaud everybody in the education system, all the teachers. I call the teacher, superheroes, the principals, the assistants, the counselors, so I work with them and collaborate, but I know that there needs to be more.”
Te Young Kings’ space in Houston isn’t just for discussion, it’s for creation and healing. From recording studios to media rooms, it ofers young people a place to develop real skills and safe expression.
“I want to put a young man in the room, a young lady in the room that says [who wants to] pursue music and do it in a loving and encouraging atmosphere. Because Hollywood and the entertainment industry are dangerous,” Valentine said. “We’re experiencing a time where one of the biggest music moguls is on trial. And a lot of people think that this is what I have to do to get studio time. God is the center and the core of everything that we do.”
The power of brotherhood
Tis ecosystem of mentorship and creativity attracted like-minded leaders like Terrance Wright, a fellow father and Royal King mentor, who brings a ftness and mental health background to the organization.
Wright, also an actor and community advocate, first connected with Valentine through Houston’s creative circles. But what bonded them wasn’t just shared auditions but shared purpose.
“We were both in our communities, me in health and wellness, Damian in entertainment,” Wright said. “But we realized we had the same heart. Te same mission.”
Wright’s story brings a powerful contrast to Valentine’s childhood.
“I didn’t have someone showing up to games or giving me pep talks,” he said. “So now, I do for others what I wish someone had done for me.”
He believes the key to real change starts with conversation.
“A lot of young men just need a safe space to talk about stress, relationships, pressure. They’re dealing with more than people think,” Wright said. “And we normalize that. We show them it’s okay to say, ‘I need help.’”
Tough Valentine and his team are frmly rooted in Houston, their vision stretches beyond the city limits. Messages worldwide, such as Brazil, Japan and Africa, are pouring in from people moved by their videos, content, and presence.
Damian Valentine is the founder of Young Kings Organization, a non-profit organization that mentors young men to become leaders in education, sports, entertainment and communities. Credit: Jimmie Aggison
Black Male Murders
Are we numb to gun violence in Houston?
By ReShonda Tate
Gun violence is tearing through Houston’s Black communities with devastating impact, claiming young lives, shattering families and leaving neighborhoods in a state of collective trauma.
But now, in addition to the grief, there’s another, more haunting consequence: Numbness.
From Tird Ward to Missouri City, families are mourning sons, nephews and classmates lost to bullets. Te pain is sharp, but
so is the growing sense that, for many, this crisis has become commonplace.
“We’ve been going to candlelight vigils for so long, they feel like a routine,” said Tanisha Brooks, a mother of three and longtime Sunnyside resident. “We cry, we pray, we light candles—and then it happens all over again.”
Across the country, statistics confrm what many in Houston already know: young Black men are dying at epidemic rates. And many feel like their deaths are met with silence.
By the numbers
• Gun violence is the leading cause of death for Black males ages 15 to 34.
• Black men ages 18 to 24 are nearly 23 times more likely to die by firearm homicide than their white peers.
• Although Black Americans make up 14% of the U.S. population, they account for 60% of annual frearm homicides.
• Black youth under 18 are 14.5 times more likely to die by gun homicide than white youth. (Source: Brady United, CDC)
According to the Houston Police Department, the city recorded more than 400 homicides in 2023. More than 70% of the homicide victims in Harris County were Black, despite Black residents making up just 20% of the county’s population.
It’s all too much
with the locations, circumstances and victims’ names blending into what feels like an endless trail of bloodshed and grief.
“Unfortunately, I think we’ve become immune to it,” said Dr. Howard Henderson, executive director of the Center for Justice Research at Texas Southern University. “It’s become a part of life.”
But mental health professionals are divided on whether Americans have truly accepted the violence.
“Te numbness is not even just desensitization. It’s become a survival instinct,” said Vaile Wright, director of research and special projects at the American Psychological Association.
Just keeping track of all the shootings has become overwhelming,
Demonstrators attend a March for Our Lives rally against gun violence on the National Mall. Credit: Getty
“Because over time, something that is shocking or stressful or terrible becomes less so because you do start to get kind of used to it. With the way that we consume news and consume information right now and how visual it is, it does feel like it’s happening all the time.”
Houston mental health therapist Dauphney Lockridge agreed, but said what looks like numbness may actually be a form of self-protection.
“You develop a certain set of skills to cope,” she said. “Maybe it’s turning of the television or choosing not to talk about it. But those are all protective factors. It doesn’t necessarily mean people are numb.”
A crisis rooted in trauma
“It’s not just a public safety issue—it’s a public health crisis,” said Henderson. “Unless you’re talking to the young men and women directly affected, it’s hard to understand how deeply embedded this is in their lives.”
Henderson co-authored a study last
year that surveyed 100 Black boys and young men in Houston, as well as in Wilmington, Delaware; Jackson, Mississippi and Baltimore, Maryland. Te fndings point to a cultural and psychological normalization of violence, ofen reinforced by music,
generational trauma and lack of opportunity.
“Some of these young men told us, ‘We get it from the music,’” Henderson said.
“Tey listen to songs that glorify violence and, unlike previous generations who knew it was metaphorical, they take it literally.”
Te study also revealed that many young men frst encountered guns before age 15, some as young as 8. And in most cases, the weapon was handed to them by a younger relative, such as an uncle or cousin, who believed it was necessary for protection.
“Tey’re not getting them from older relatives,” Henderson said.
“It’s usually someone just a little older who thinks they’re helping.”
The trauma beneath the trigger Henderson said untreated trauma, compounded by systemic neglect, is driving much of the violence.
“There’s a school of thought, like that proposed by the late Amon Wilson, that argues homicide is a Black response to government disenfranchisement,” Henderson said. “Wherever you see disinvestment in Black communities, you see rising homicide rates. People are frustrated, and they take it out on each other.”
He also referenced the work of Dr. Joy DeGruy, author of Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome noting that the unique historical and generational trauma experienced by Black Americans cannot be overlooked.
“It’s not just about guns— it’s about survival, hopelessness and legacy trauma,” Henderson said. “No matter where you go in this country,
the homicide rate is highest in our community. Even compared to other marginalized groups with similar socioeconomic status, like Latinos, the rates are strikingly higher. So we have to ask: What’s unique about the Black experience in America that produces these outcomes?”
A generation desensitized Youth advocates say the normalization of violence is among the most dangerous consequences of the crisis.
“When the violence becomes background noise, when we stop crying, stop marching, stop caring—it means the system has succeeded in numbing us to our own genocide,” said activist Crystal Campbell, who leads youth healing circles across the city.
She said some teens scroll past news of a shooting like it’s celebrity gossip.
“Tey don’t finch when a classmate dies,” Campbell said. “Tat’s not normal. Tat’s trauma.”
Asa Singleton, 24, a violence prevention specialist with Te Forgotten Tird, said many youth he mentors carry guns out of fear, not aggression.
“Tey’re not trying to be shooters,” Singleton said. “Tey’re trying to stay alive.”
New solutions, ongoing struggles
To address the crisis, Harris County launched the R.I.S.E. Empowerment Center in Cypress Station—a one-stop hub for people at risk of committing or becoming victims of violence. Te center ofers mental health services, trauma counseling, confict resolution and job training.
“This is about systemic change,” said Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis. “You can’t police your way out of trauma. You have to provide hope and opportunity.” Te county’s gun buyback program, part of the broader One Safe Houston initiative, has already removed more than 4,200 frearms, making it one of the most efective in the nation.
Still, Henderson says other systems must also be held accountable, which includes property owners. He pointed to the emerging use of “premises liability” lawsuits, where families sue apartment complexes for failing to provide adequate safety measures despite high crime rates.
“It’s no diferent than when big box retailers got sued for not ensuring customer safety,” Henderson said. “Now landlords and property owners are on notice, too.”
HOW THE CITY IS WORKING TO COMBAT THE PROBLEM
Howard Henderson
‘I Want People to Remember Alex’
A Mother’s gun violence story
By ReShonda Tate
When Addie Heyliger remembers her son, Alex, she thinks of laughter echoing through their home, his playful fights with friends and a bright future suddenly stolen.
Now, a year after his tragic death, Heyliger is speaking out—not just to honor her son’s memory, but to call attention to the epidemic of gun violence stealing the lives of young Black men.
The night that changed her life
Alex Heyliger, a graduate of Hightower High School in Missouri City, was shot and killed at a pool party on Houston’s north side last summer. What started as a normal evening quickly spiraled into a nightmare.
“Alex was in the house, and he wanted to go to a party,” Heyliger recalled. “I actually told him no at first because he hadn’t washed his clothes. We compromised. He said he’d do it later. So he went.”
Later that night, she felt a tug in her spirit. Normally asleep by 10 p.m., she turned on her phone. Moments later, the call from one of his friends came.
“All I heard was ‘Mom, come quick. Alex got shot’ (his friends called me mom),” Heyliger said. “And then I heard my other son screaming in the background. We raced to the north side, but they wouldn’t let me see him. They said he was taken to Ben Taub. That’s when I knew it was bad. Ben Taub is the trauma hospital.”
Hours passed. Then came the news no mother should ever hear.
“They took us to a cold, empty conference room. That’s how I found out Alex was gone,” she said quietly. “I didn’t even get to see my baby until days later. It didn’t feel real.”
Alex had been shot twice. Apparently over a social media beef.
A mother’s message
Heyliger is using the anniversary of Alex’s death to share her story in hopes of advocating for change. She’s urging parents, policymakers and peers to take a hard look at the culture of gun access and emotional impulse.
“Our kids don’t have the same kind of critical thinking anymore. They get mad and reach for a gun. When I was growing up, if someone had a problem with you, you fought it out and moved on. But now, the first instinct is to shoot,” she said.
She continues to attend monthly court hearings as the case progresses, each appearance a painful reminder but also a symbol of her resolve.
“I just want people to remember Alex. He was funny, loyal and loved to laugh. He deserved more life.”
As she reflects on the boy she raised and the man he was becoming, her voice steadies with purpose.
“I don’t want another mother to sit in that cold hospital room. I want people to hear our stories and wake up.”
Strength of a mother
As if Heyliger didn’t experience the ultimate heartbreak of burying a child, her grief was compounded by a second tragedy. Just as she was laying Alex to rest, Heyliger found herself back in a courtroom, this time fighting for the future of her other son, Milton.
Milton, 28, had taken a security job at a hookah lounge in San Marcos while attending school. One night, a belligerent patron— already drunk—was denied entry. When the man became aggressive and put his hands on Milton, things escalated. Milton hit him. The man stumbled and hit his head on some stairs. He later died from his injuries and Milton was charged—first with assault, then with manslaughter.
“It was like being thrown into another storm while you’re still drowning from the last one,” Heyliger said.
During that time, their lives were on hold.
“I prayed every single day: ‘God, don’t take another child from me,’” she recalled. “My faith was tested in every way imaginable.”
Throughout the trial, Heyliger sat alone in the courtroom. Because Milton faced possible conviction, character witnesses were not allowed inside until sentencing. But she never wavered in her support, even as she mourned Alex and carried the weight of what could happen to Milton.
“I had never cried so much in my life,” she said. “And I’m a strong woman. But this… this broke me.”
The trial itself revealed inconsistencies: police failed to measure the stairwell where the patron fell, and medical examiners couldn’t definitively say the man died from a punch. There were no broken bones on his face—only injuries to the back of his head from the fall. Witnesses, including the bar owner’s own staff, testified that the man had raised a fist at Milton.
Even the prosecution’s own narrative began to unravel.
Yet still, it all came down to a jury. “You hear ‘jury of your peers,’” Addie said. “But Milton is a young Black man. His peers weren’t in that jury box.”
The trial ended a month after Alex’s funeral. When the verdict came down— not guilty on all charges—she could hardly breathe.
“They had been argu ing about something, it escalated on social media and Alex posted that he was going to this party, and the guy who shot him, rolled up, called Alex outside and opened fire,” Heyliger said.
The alleged shooter, a former friend who had recently been released from jail on a misde meanor gun charge, fled the scene. When he was arrested weeks later, he was reportedly found with two more firearms.
“I almost passed out,” she said. “It was just overwhelming relief. My son was getting his life back after three years of limbo.”
three years— -
Today, Milton is rebuilding. He’s nearly finished with electrician trade school and finding his footing after years of being in
“I used to tell Milton, because of your size, you’re always going to be seen as the aggressor,” she said. “I’d tell him not to fight, not because he was weak, but because I knew the world wouldn’t see the whole picture.”
Her story is a painful reminder that even when our sons do everything right—work hard, stay in school, avoid trouble—they are still vulnerable in a system quick to criminalize them and slow to show mercy.
“This could happen to any of our children,” she said. “We raise them right, we pray over them, and still, we find ourselves in situations like this. The only way through it is with love and strength—and sometimes, just sheer
After burying one child and nearly losing another to the system, Heyliger is still standing, leaning on her faith, her family and a growing community of mothers who’ve experienced the same heartbreak.
“My faith in God is stronger than it’s ever been,” she said. “You’ve got to focus on what really matters—family, relationships, self-care.”
Alex was a 2021 graduate of Hightower High School.
Milton just completed his electrician apprenticeship licensing program from HBI and is now looking for an apprenticeship program to start work.
Courtesy: Addie Heyliger
Addie Heyliger lost her son Alex to gun violence last August.
Feature DN CLASSIFIED
Top 5 cities where Black families are thriving
Defender News Service
When it comes to finding the best places in America for Black people to live, work, and raise a family, factors like economic opportunity, education, homeownership and community support matter. According to LendingTree’s latest report, five cities across the country stand out for their ability to foster Black success and upward mobility - and one Texas city is in the ranks.
Here are the top five cities where Black families are building wealth, securing degrees, owning homes—and shaping the future.
1. Washington, D.C.
Long known as “Chocolate City,” Washington, D.C. remains a hub for Black culture, leadership, and prosperity. When combined with the neighboring areas of Maryland and Northern Virginia, the region boasts one of the largest and most educated Black populations in the country. Black households in D.C. earn a median income of $82,045—the highest on the list—with over 40% making more than $100,000 annually.
2. Austin, Texas
Austin, known for its booming tech industry
and vibrant music scene, is also an increasingly attractive city for Black families. Black residents here earn a median income of $61,272, with 26.8% surpassing the six-figure mark.
3. Provo, Utah
While Provo, Utah may not be the first city that comes to mind, it ranks high in economic and educational metrics for Black residents. Just under an hour from Salt Lake City, Provo offers a median Black household income of $59,471, with 27% earning over $100,000.
4. Poughkeepsie, New York
Situated along the Hudson River, Poughkeepsie combines small-city charm with economic stability. Black families here earn a median income of $66,894, with 33.6% bringing in over $100,000 annually.
5. Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta remains a powerhouse for Black culture, business, and education. With deep roots in civil rights history and a thriving creative economy, the city is a magnet for Black professionals and families. Black households in Atlanta have a median income of $58,684, and nearly a quarter (24.9%) earn over $100,000.
Employment Opportunity
Communications Manager
Seacor Marine Payroll Management in Houston, TX (Travel to various unanticipated company worksite locations throughout the U.S.) (May work from home) seeks a Communications Manager responsible for managing and overseeing the support, implementation, maintenance and project work associated with Telecoms, Radio (VHF/UHF/Microwave), Vessel Information Technology (IT). Up to 10% international travel required. To apply, please email resume to careers@seacormarine.com. Must put job code Communications Manager on resume.
Employment Opportunity
CRANE MONSTERS CORP seeks CRANE SERVICE ENGINEER (Houston, TX). Duties: Eval, install, operate, and repair telescopic mobile cranes and heavy equipment (incl: inspect, diag, repair, maint, & mods in hydraulic/ mech/ electric cysts + tests after repairs/ mods). Conform w./ design & perform specs+ safety reqs/ regs. Invest equip fails to diag & rec soluts. Read & interp op/ parts manuals, blueprints, tech drawings. Tech customer service. Reqs: 24mo exp + bachelors mech engnr or equiv. + knowledge & exp w/ Hydraulic Suspensions, Electrical Systems, Grove and Manitowoc Cranes. Resume: PRESIDENT: Crane Monsters Corp 7455 Cullen Blvd Houston TX 77051
NOTICE TO BIDDERS
The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas (METRO) is planning to issue the procurement documents listed in this advertisement.
IFB No. Doc1606561928: Doghouse Equipment. Solicitation will be available on or about 06/16/2025.
Prospective bidders/proposers can view and download these solicitations by visiting METRO's website at ridemetro.org/Open Procurements. If you are unable to download the documents or are having difficulty, please contact 713-615-6125 or email Contracts/Property Services at propertyservices@ ridemetro.org.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
Houston Downtown Management District (HDMD) will receive responses to this Request for Proposal (RFP), for a vendor to provide turnkey decoration services for the 2025 holiday season. Proposals will be received until 5:00 PM (CST), Friday, July 11, 2025, by email submission to RFP@ DowntownHouston.org; subject line: 2025 Holiday Décor. Proposals submitted after the submission deadline will not be accepted. Respective of this advertisement, telephone or mail queries or requests for information will not be addressed by the HDMD.
Beginning Friday, June 13, 2025, this Request for Proposal (RFP) may be reviewed and downloaded as an electronic file from the HDMD’s website: http://www.downtowndistrict.org/procurement-rfp-opportunities/ Based on the Proposals submitted, an evaluation and selection committee will identify the highest-ranked winning proposal. Staff will negotiate and recommend to the HDMD Board for authorization to contract with the selected vendor based on the evaluation criteria.
Proposers shall comply with City of Houston Code of Ordinances, Chapter 15, Articles II, V, VI, and XI and the Mayor’s Executive Orders No.1-7 Pay or Play (POP) Program for Houston Public Works for the public procurement procedures of the City of Houston Office of Business Opportunity (OBO) established in March 2008 and the entity responsible for the administration of the Minority/ Women-Owned (M/WBE), Persons with Disabilities Enterprises (PDBE), and Hire Houston First programs. The successful Proposer will be required to make good faith efforts to achieve an M/WBE and PDBE participation goal of twenty percent (20%).
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR CONSULTANT FOR COOL & CONNECTED CORRIDORS 2025/2026 IMPLEMENTATION FOR THE HOUSTON DOWNTOWN MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
The Houston Downtown Management District (the “Downtown District”) will receive Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) for the preparation and issuance of construction and bidding documents for capital improvements to be constructed in Downtown Houston, Texas. Statements of Qualifications will be received until 2:00 P.M. CDT, on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, by Cassie Hoeprich, Director of Planning & Economic Development, at cassie.hoeprich@downtownhouston.org per instructions outlined in this project’s RFQ document. Qualifications received after this time will not be accepted.
Beginning Thursday, June 26, 2025, this project’s Request for Qualifications (RFQ) may be reviewed and downloaded from the Organization’s website: https://downtownhouston.org/do-business/procurement-RFQ
Only queries or requests for information submitted via email will be addressed by the Downtown District. Please submit written queries or requests for information directly to the Director of Planning & Economic Development Cassie Hoeprich at cassie.hoeprich@downtownhouston.org on or before 2:00 P.M. CDT, Tuesday, July 15, 2025. Please note that telephone or mail queries or requests for information will not be addressed by the Downtown District.
Additionally, a mandatory proposal pre-submittal conference via Zoom is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. CDT, Monday, July 07, 2025. The link to the conference will be available on the Organization’s website: https://downtownhouston.org/do-business/procurement-RFQ
Based on the Proposals submitted, an evaluation and selection committee will identify up to three qualifying consultants for a second-stage interview to be held in early-August. The Downtown District will award the contract to the selected consultant based on the qualifications and interview performance.
Sports DN
Texans QB Coach
Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl-winning quarterback and former Channelview standout Jalen Hurts has announced plans to release a children's book, Better Than a Touchdown.
JERROD JOHNSON
Thrives in post-playing
career
By Terrance Harris
Jerrod Johnson spent a good amount of his post-Texas A&M career chasing playing football at the next level.
But when he realized that playing might not work out as he had hoped, the former Humble High School and Texas A&M quarterback turned to a dream that had been in his plans at some point— coaching. So Johnson went about the business of building his coaching career one strategic move at a time, and now he is about to embark on his third season as the Texans’ quarterbacks coach.
In Johnson’s mind, it doesn’t get much better.
“Of course, my dream was always set on playing,” Johnson said in a recent conversation with the Defender. “I got a couple of opportunities, but it didn’t go as long as I would have liked. It wasn’t in the cards for me; it wasn’t God’s plan.
“But I think I always wanted to coach. My dad was a coach, my brother is a coach and my mom coached; so I knew I wanted to coach, but I didn’t have my sights set on exactly what level.”
Johnson was honestly thinking he would coach high school football, following in the footsteps of his late father and mentor, Larry Johnson. A set of circumstances, however, led to opportunities that landed Johnson in the role of quarterbacks coach not long after DeMeco Ryans was hired by the Texans in 2023.
Not long after his final NFL playing opportunity ended, Johnson got his first taste of coaching in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers as part of the Bill Walsh Diversity Fellowship, an initiative to help minority coaches gain coaching opportunities.
The game-changing opportunity came a couple of years later when Johnson bumped into Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard while working a Pro Day at Tulane. Ballard told him that head coach Frank Reich was looking to fill an internship position with somebody with a quarterback background.
opportunity to work with a high school rising senior quarterback who had a lot of promise. The kid, who played on Johnson’s team, entered the camp in Dallas that summer ranked as the 20th-best quarterback in the country. But once the camp was over, the kid from Rancho Cucamonga High School left as the No.1 quarterback in the country.
Little did Johnson know that time with a young C.J. Stroud would become a full-circle moment because a couple of months after joining the Texans’ coaching staff, Stroud was drafted by the team No.2 overall.
of came back now. And he does a great job of trying to give his twist on things and how he likes to coach.”
The focus will be on Stroud’s growth in Year 3 under Johnson. Stroud had a record-shattering rookie season under Johnson’s tutelage, taking home AFC Offensive Rookie of the Year accolades and earning a spot on the Pro Bowl team after the 2023 campaign. But Stroud’s sophomore season wasn’t quite as crisp, which is part of the reason why Nick Caley is the new offensive coordinator.
I think not only getting an opportunity to come coach in my hometown, but getting to work with DeMeco (Ryans) and learn from him and the staf we’ve put in place, and to coach C.J. (Stroud) and all the things. This Texas organization is top-notch and has been great to me.”
JERROD JOHNSON
Before long, the internship turned into a full-time offensive quality control coaching position with the Colts in 2020.
“He gives me a call and he kind of scouted me when I was at A&M and gave me my first shot to coach in the NFL,” said Johnson, who started ahead of future NFL quarterback Ryan Tannehill when they were at Texas A&M. “I kind of knew at that point the dream of playing was done and I set my sights on the next dream of just trying to make it as an NFL coach.”
Before arriving at that decision, while still chasing football and working Nike Elite 11 football camps with former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer, Johnson had the
“For me to grow and him to grow and life comes back full circle four years after that and for me to get the job with the Texans and for us to get the opportunity to draft him it’s kind of God sent,” Johnson said. “It’s definitely been special. We are both very fortunate. I’m fortunate to get to coach a young man like C.J.”
The feeling is mutual. The two have grown close while challenging each other to be their absolute best as they get ready to enter Season 3 together.
“Yeah, Jerrod has been in my corner since I’ve been 16 years old, since I was a young kid in high school,” Stroud said to the Defender. “He fed a lot of confidence into me then. And it’s kind of cool that we kind
It’s Johnson’s job to help one of the NFL’s best young quarterbacks get back on track this season. Ryans believes in Johnson, whom he hired off the Minnesota Vikings’ staff in 2023.
“Jerrod is doing a great job. Jerrod has grown as a coach, after being a first-time position coach a couple of years ago,” Ryans said. “I think him getting a rookie quarterback, they’re both growing together, and Jerrod is heading in the right direction as a coach.”
Check out the full interview.
Jerrod Johnson started at Texas A&M from 2008-2010. Credit: TexAgs Johnson
Sports DN
PARENT FOOTBALL CAMP TIPS
By Jimmie Aggison
Before you load up the car, pay the registration fee and head to the next football camp hoping your child gets “discovered,” stop and ask yourself one simple question: What’s the plan?
For parents of aspiring college athletes, camps can feel like golden opportunities—but without a clear plan and the right approach, they can quickly become expensive, exhausting and inefective.
“Recruiting must be a team efort,” said Domonique Johnson, an assistant football coach at La Porte High School. “It must involve the athlete, the parent and the coach.”
And that team needs a game plan long before cleats hit the turf.
Nearly every parent asks when to start attending camps, but there’s no universal answer.
“I don’t have an easy answer to that,” said Prairie View A&M University Assistant Coach Brandon Andersen. “As a freshman, you can learn a lot from camps. You’re getting to compete, which is always good. As a sophomore, I think you’ll start to get noticed by bigger schools. As a junior, I think you’ll get more of the FCS, G5 and D2 attention.”
Durand Smith, father of junior Westfeld linebacker Davon Smith, agrees that early exposure is important, but for a diferent reason.
“Younger kids should go to a few camps so they learn how to camp,” said Smith.
Smith began having his son attend camps in the eighth grade, focusing on learning what to expect later once in high school. Learning how to camp is a skill in itself— something many athletes overlook until it’s too late.
Before registering for any football camp, parents should pause and consider three critical factors that can make or break their athlete’s experience: Who will be there, where it’s held and what type of camp it is.
First, evaluate your athlete by taking a close look at the schools expected to attend the camp. If a camp doesn’t have college coaches present, particularly from programs your athlete is targeting, it may not be worth the investment. Exposure only matters if the right eyes are watching.
Next, consider the camp’s location. Camps in larger recruiting hotbeds like Houston, Dallas, or San Antonio tend to draw more talent and more college coaches. Tese cities naturally ofer deeper talent pools and greater competition, which ofen leads to increased attention from recruiters looking for elite prospects. Don’t shy away from going to smaller school camps that may ofer more opportunities for your athlete to get reps.
Finally, understand the type of camp you’re signing up for. Not all camps serve the same purpose. Prospect camps, typically hosted by colleges, are designed for athletes who are actively seeking scholarship ofers.
Mega camps bring together dozens—sometimes hundreds—of coaches in one place, but they also attract massive numbers of players, making it harder to stand out.
Ten there are skill development camps. Tese focus less on recruitment and more on building fundamentals, techniques and positional mastery. Tey’re especially benefcial for younger athletes or those still refning their game.
Hard Truths and Missed Opportunities
Domonique knows the highs and lows of camp life all too well. His son, Marquis Johnson, an explosive athlete with jaw-dropping speed, once missed a scholarship ofer from Marshall because he skipped school the day the coach visited.
“I was sick to my stomach,” Domonique recalled. “Like I let him down.”
Still, that lesson turned into a turning point. Te next summer, his son attended mega camps at SMU and TCU—only afer he’d learned how to dominate a camp.
Te result? Twenty-three ofers in one weekend.
“My son had to learn how to camp. Don’t just stand around watching, cut others in line, be eager to learn, be aggressive, show you have the stamina and the dog in you to get repeated reps,” said Domonique.
Marquis became a textbook example of what it looks like to camp the right way. As
a junior, he picked a camp that aligned with his goals and had the measurables to back it up. He stayed aggressive throughout, maximizing his reps and drawing more attention from coaches. He showed a genuine eagerness to learn and instead of leaving once drills ended, he stuck around to network, leaving a lasting impression that went beyond the feld.
“Darrell Dickey (former Texas A&M ofensive coordinator) saw him and put him in the ‘elite’ group. He got 10 one-on-one reps each day at Mega camps and lef that weekend with 23 ofers,” said Domonique.
Travis Johnson, another coach and parent, summed it up clearly: “Nobody cares that you work hard, you’re a dawg, or what kind of stats you have. Measurables, athleticism and speed matter.”
The Bottom Line: Know Your Athlete, Know Your Strategy
“If he doesn’t have a skill or measurable that sets him apart from the rest,” said coach Will Coleman, “it won’t matter what camp he goes to.”
College camps hosted on campus still ofer the best chance at real evaluations. But every parent should enter this world with clarity, realism and an understanding that camping isn’t just about being seen—it’s about standing out.
So before you hit the road, ask yourself again: Are we ready—or just showing up?
The 17th Annual Senior Football Showcase was held at NRG on February 1st, 2025. Credit Jimmie Aggison/Defender.
DN Goodbye ‘Graffiti Park’ Houston artists plan what’s next
By ReShonda Tate
Despite a $500,000 pledge from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to help artists relocate and rebuild, the loss of Houston’s iconic “Graffiti Park” still hits hard for the community that created it.
Many of the artists plan to take advantage of the funding, but they say what was destroyed can’t simply be replaced.
“This was an interactive piece. People came here for graduations, for weddings, for memories,” said Daniel Anguilu, one of the park’s original creators. “Sometimes you create things that you don’t know how they’ll take on a life of their own. That’s what this was.”
Now, the warehouse at 2011 Leeland Street—once covered in colorful murals of George Floyd, Selena Quintanilla and tributes to Houston’s rap scene—has been reduced to rubble as part of TxDOT’s I-45 expansion project. For many, it was a creative sanctuary and cultural landmark.
A plan for what’s next Anguilu, who also runs the Harrisburg Art Museum, said he has submitted a proposal to TxDOT for a new initiative that would preserve Houston’s street art history while serving as an educational and cultural hub. But he stressed that any future project must include deeper collaboration with the artists who helped shape the city’s creative identity.
“I’m hopeful now that they know who I am, we can work together,” he said. “But we need local input. That can’t be skipped next time.”
TxDOT has confirmed it will allocate $500,000 to support future art and culture initiatives, though details on how that money will be distributed have not yet been finalized.
A cultural landmark lost
The Leeland Street building was part of Houston’s thriving street art scene for more than a decade. Created by Anguilu and two others, it evolved into a global attraction, drawing tourists, photographers and fellow creatives from around the world.
Anguilu, who immigrated from Mexico City, was the first to paint the warehouse’s walls more than 12 years ago. His murals became known for their vibrant color, abstract shapes and powerful cultural themes. Over time, the building became a living canvas that honored Houston’s music legends, social justice movements and community pride.
“We didn’t have a place to paint,” he recalled. “We had a friend renting the building, and he gave us the opportunity. We started something that didn’t exist— and built culture around it.”
Artists speak out
On social media, the reaction to the demolition was swift. Many shared memories, photos and expressions of grief, including Anguilu. He posted a message to Instagram calling the site “one of the largest and oldest art initiatives in Houston, purely run from artist to artist.”
“It has become a site visited by thousands,” he wrote, “and unfortunately, there was no conversation with us about the future or documentation of this iconic place for creativity.”
The site was also home to the widely recognized “Houston is Inspired” mural, created by artist GONZO247 in 2013.
Commissioned as part of a national campaign to promote Houston as a cultural capital, it remains the most photographed mural in the city, according to Downtown Houston.
On Reddit, Houstonians mourned the loss.
“This is actually so tragic. A Houston staple,” one user wrote. “I used to love going to the hip-hop vintage flea market here. Felt like I was a true part of Houston.”
Another added, “The artwork was amazing. I wish some of it could’ve been preserved. Houston is fortunate to have such talented artists, and so many of their efforts should be around for years to come.”
A larger conversation
The I-45 expansion project, also known as the North Houston Highway Improvement Project, is expected to reshape major parts of the city’s landscape by realigning the freeway and removing dozens of structures in its path, which includes the building that housed Graffiti Park.
The loss of Graffiti Park comes shortly
after the demolition of a Third Ward building that featured a mural of George Floyd, Black Lives Matter messaging and tributes to Sandra Bland and Breonna Taylor.
While TxDOT defends the I-45 project as necessary infrastructure development, artists and community advocates argue that Houston’s growth is coming at a steep cultural cost.
Malyrik Musik, founder of 7Th1rt3en Culture—a platform that documents Houston’s creative history—acknowledged the state’s gesture of support but said the damage has already been done.
“I don’t think it was ill-intended by the city because they offered $500K to artists to repaint elsewhere,” Musik said. “I think we’ll eventually find somewhere else to paint our legends, but it doesn’t take away from the fact that it hurt the community. Those murals were like landmarks.”
The popular ‘Graffitti Park’ was demolished to make way for the expansion of I-45. Courtesy: 7Th1rt3en Culture
This I love Houston mural became a favorite for picture-taking. Courtesy: 7Th1rt3en Culture