08.13.2026_defender-e-full

Georgia Provost

Houston remembers the one-of-a-kind icon

IN FOCUS

FEATURE

Young Grant SUPER NEIGHBORHOODS

Rodgers

MADD HATTA The longtime DJ celebrates son, entrepreneurship with debut book.

What are they? And how do they impact your quality of life?

Bell

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Volume 95, issue 43 August 13, 2026

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Prairie View A&M earned national recognition as one of the country’s top public HBCUs. Credit: Defender.

Message from the Reporter Black likely voters, compared with 12% for Republican Ken Paxton. Statewide, however, A new monument near NASA’s Johnson Talarico holds a narrow 2% advantage.

Space Center will honor Black pioneers Black voters also favor Democrat Gina whose contributions helped shape AmeriHinojosa over Republican Gov. Greg Abbott ca’s space program. by 74%-15%, although Abbott leads the overEarthRise recognizes eight individuals all electorate. and groups, including Ed Dwight, Robert The pattern extends down the ballot.

Henry Lawrence Jr., George Robert CarAmong Black likely voters, Democrat Vikki ruthers, Ruth Bates Harris, NASA AstroGoodwin leads Dan Patrick 69%-14% for naut Group 8, Dr. Bernard Harris Jr., Sunita lieutenant governor, while Nathan Johnson Tannistha Sinha Williams, and former NASA Administrator leads Mayes Middleton 73%-12% for attorney Charles Bolden Jr. general.

The EarthRise installation will be dedicated at 11 a.m. SunThe results show Black voters remain a strongly Demoday, Aug. 16, at St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church in Nassau Bay. cratic constituency heading into November, despite RepubThe project, funded with more than $125,000 through lican advantages in most statewide races. the Talbot Foundation of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, was designed by Genesis Art Collaborative following an Houston-area HBCU earns national recognition international competition. It will be the Houston area’s first Prairie View A&M University, located northwest of Houspermanent public monument dedicated to African Amer- ton, has been ranked No. 3 among the nation’s top public ican trailblazers connected to the nation’s space efforts. Historically Black Colleges and Universities on Forbes’ inauThe monument will remain free and open to the public gural “Top HBCUs” list. year-round.

Founded in 1876, Prairie View A&M is Texas’ oldest pub“EarthRise reminds us that history is strongest when lic HBCU and the state’s second-oldest public institution of every story is told,” said the Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, IX higher education. The university is part of the Texas A&M Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. “The discoveries, University System. leadership, advocacy, and service of these pioneers helped Prairie View has more than 9,000 undergraduate stutransform America’s space program, and recognizing their dents and about 1,000 graduate students. It is known for legacy reflects our commitment to truth, justice, and the programs in engineering, nursing, business, agriculture, and inherent dignity of every human being.” architecture, as well as research in renewable energy and The location carries special significance. Nassau Bay cybersecurity. developed alongside what was then NASA’s Manned SpaceThe ranking also points to strong earnings for Prairie View craft Center in the 1960s and became closely associated graduates. Median early-career pay is $72,300, while median with the space program. St. Thomas’, founded in 1964, mid-career earnings reach $117,900. has also counted astronauts and NASA leaders among its Forbes evaluated schools using measures including gradcongregation. uation rates, graduate earnings, student debt, and outcomes for Pell Grant recipients.

Black voters back Texas Democrats in 2026 poll We look, for example, at how likely students are to graduBlack voters are showing support for Democratic candi- ate, what they earn, and how much student debt they carry, dates in Texas’ 2026 statewide races, even as Republicans lead giving extra credit to schools that achieve good outcomes most contests statewide, according to a new Texas Southern for students receiving Pell Grants.

University poll.

The Barbara Jordan Public Policy Research and Survey ON THE WEB Center surveyed 1,200 likely Texas voters, of whom Black • AfriRock Dance Company celebrates 10 years in Houston Texans accounted for 12% of the likely-voter population.

• Incarceration impacts entire families, communities The sharpest divide appears in the U.S. Senate race.

• More than basketball: Ma’Ryiah Alfred is building her Democrat James Talarico receives support from 79% of future Nassau Bay monument honors Black space pioneers

August 13, 2026 |

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| 3

DN News

TSU reports $1.6 billion impact

By Tannistha Sinha

As Texas Southern University approaches its centennial in 2027, a new economic impact report shows the university generates $1.6 billion annually and supports 15,676 jobs across Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, and Harris counties.

The report provides a baseline for TSU’s efforts to expand workforce development and economic mobility through its Ascend 2030 strategic plan.

“This report demonstrates that our impact extends far beyond the classroom,” said TSU President J.W. Crawford III. “Every graduate, every research breakthrough, and every partnership contributes to a stronger workforce, a more competitive economy, and a talent-strong Texas.”

The report comes as TSU works to rebuild trust following a December 2025 state audit that identified weaknesses in procurement and financial reporting. The university is addressing those issues through its Operation Tiger Reset initiative.

Where the impact comes from TSU’s $1.6 billion economic footprint

The Texas Southern University report says its graduates remain the institution’s greatest economic driver across the Houston region. Credit: TSU,

includes Alumni: $1.3 billion; University operations: $174 million; Student spending: $62 million; Research: $21 million; Visitor spending: $19 million; and Construction: $2 million.Raijanel S. Crockem, TSU’s senior associate vice president, said graduates in fields including business, computer science, law, education and health care contribute significantly to the region’s professional and technical workforce.

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The university’s impact supports about 2,000 professional and technical services jobs, 1,750 in health care and social assistance, and more than 1,200 in arts, entertainment, and recreation.

A strong return on investment For students, the report estimates $7 in higher future earnings for every dollar invested. Taxpayers receive an estimated

$3.40 for every public dollar invested, while society receives about $13 in benefits.

Crockem said education can help reduce income gaps in underserved communities.

“Education can be the resource to reduce income gaps of those who are from traditionally underserved communities,” she said.

TSU plans to strengthen its data collection while continuing its Ascend 2030 strategy as it moves toward its 100th anniversary.

4 | August 13, 2026 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Obits HOUSTON COMMUNITY ICON

Georgia Provost dead at 85 years old

By Marilyn Marshall

Georgia Provost is being remembered as a beloved Houston entrepreneur, photographer, mentor, and supporter of Texas Southern University. She died Aug. 9 at the age of 85.

She was active in the Third Ward community but touched lives throughout Houston and beyond. She and her son, Jerome Provost, operated Provost Studios, founded by her late husband, Herbert, in 1948, located on North MacGregor Way. She photographed thousands of subjects over the years, from pastors to politicians to public school and college students.

As a TSU photography graduate and proud alumna, she worked tirelessly to advocate for the university and received the university’s first Presidential Service Award at the Spring 2026 Commencement.

Provost stood out in other ways. She was the Defender church editor in the 1980s, and manager of field operations for Gulf Coast Community Services Association (1990 to 1994 and 2000 to 2004). Provost also made several unsuccessful bids for political office and regularly appeared in light-hearted TV

commercials with Alan Helfman, owner of River Oaks Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram. Provost was a native of Lafayette, La, but later moved to Crosby and attended high school there. She decided to enroll in TSU after hearing legendary debate coach Dr. Thomas F. Freeman deliver her high school commencement speech. Her husband was also a TSU graduate and TSU’s championship-winning tennis coach from 1966 to 1980.

Noted photographer Earlie Hudnall knew Mrs. Provost for more than 55 years and met her while he was a student at TSU. “One of her favorite sayings was ‘TSU is my university, and there ain’t nothing you can do about it,’” he said.

He added that she considered countless students her “sons and daughters,” and they considered her “mama.”

Hudnall said she will be remembered as nurturing, hard-working, and inspiring.

“Mrs. Provost never had a negative word to say,” he recalled. “She had a positive attitude and impeccable work ethic and still found time to cook for the TSU tennis team on a regular basis.”

Remembering ‘Ms. P’

By Aswad Walker

Here are just some of the many community remembrances of Georgia Provost.

She was always very supportive during the 36 years that I served on the TSU faculty, especially during my most challenging years in faculty leadership positions.

DANIEL ADAMS

A genuine, beautiful, graceful, and helpful individual. When I was writing the book Requiem for a Classic, she allowed me to plow through hundreds of Provost’s photos and gave me permission to publish them in the book. She was always willing to help. There is no one like Georgia. The first thing she would say when I greeted her was, “How is your beautiful wife? I will truly miss her.

A look back at the life and lasting impact of Georgia Provost, a pioneering Houston photographer and devoted Texas Southern University supporter.

Credit: Provost Photography.

My favorite thing about Mrs. Provost was that her personality was larger than life. She’d give you her thoughts straight up, regardless of whether you’d known her for 20 years or two weeks. You’d look surprised, and she’d let out her famous laugh, then you couldn’t help but laugh back. She made you feel comfortable being your complete self. She sharpened you. And when she adopted you, she looked out for you every step of the way.

CONGRESSMAN CHRISTIAN MENEFEE

A Houston, Texas, national and international icon, Georgia Provost mentored students who were local and international.

Her reach was far, wide, compassionate, and uncompromising.

Filled with excellence. She will be missed on the front lines and as a quiet advisor to many. Rest in power, Mama Georgia!

DONETTE WALKER

THURMAN ROBINS

Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles

Content Manager Terrance Harris

Special Assignments Reporter Tannistha Sinha

VOLUME 95, NUMBER 43 - AUGUST 13, 2026

Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles

Associate Editor Aswad Walker

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

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Managing Editor ReShonda Tate

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August 13, 2026 |

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| 5

DN News

Edgewood upgrade enhances South Park

Residents and city officials envision a revitalized neighborhood destination where youth programs, senior activities, community events and safer public spaces flourish year-round. Credit: Harris County Constable Precinct 7.

Evans-Shabazz said the project reflects an investment in the people who call South Park home.

“This groundbreaking is about more than concrete, equipment, and construction,” Evans-Shabazz said. “It is about quality of life. It is about safety. It is about pride. It is about giving our young people a place to grow, and giving our elders a place to enjoy the community they helped to build.”

She added that the project reinforces the City’s commitment to neighborhoods that have long deserved greater public investment.

“Edgewood Park has always been more than a park,” Evans-Shabazz said. “It is a gathering place... where community is built one conversation, one event, and one shared memory at a time.”

Pharms envisions the revitalized park serving as the hub for year-round events, including back-to-school drives, holiday celebrations, food and toy giveaways, senior activities, and Easter egg hunts. She also noted the facility will continue to serve residents during emergencies.

Built for the future City officials said the center was designed with neighborhood input, accessibility, and resilience in mind. The building will be elevated above the floodplain while remaining ADA accessible through a pedestrian ramp and covered drop-off area.

By Aswad Walker

For South Park residents, the new Edgewood Park Community Center represents far more than a new building. It marks a long-awaited investment in a neighborhood gathering place where children can play, seniors can connect, families can celebrate, and community bonds can grow.

City leaders recently broke ground on the new 12,000-square-foot Edgewood Park Community Center at 5803 Bellfort Ave., launching a project that also includes major park improvements and flood-mitigation upgrades designed to create a safer, more resilient destination for one of Houston’s historic neighborhoods.

A lasting community legacy Precinct 239 Neighborhood Civic Club President Cynthia Pharms believes the center’s greatest impact will come through the people it serves.

“We have at least 150 to 200 Little League football players who play and practice at Edgewood Park daily,” Pharms said. “We have a daily after-school program for neighborhood children, and our own seniors program.”

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The City’s $9.5 million community center project, combined with the park improvements, represents one of the largest recent public investments in South Park.

Investing in people District D Council Member Dr. Carolyn

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DN InFocus

Super Neighborhoods

Protect, improve quality of life

W

By Aswad Walker

hen Lee P. Brown served as Houston’s mayor, he envisioned a system to bridge the gap between residents and City Hall. His solution was the creation of 88 geographically bound and culturally similar areas known as Super Neighborhoods (SN).

These groups were designed to serve as a direct line of communication, ensuring community needs weren’t lost in a massive municipal bureaucracy.

Today, these groups confront complex issues: holding the city accountable for services, combating illegal dumping, improving public transit, fostering local business, and fending off the gentrification threatening the fabric of Houston’s most storied wards.

However, the road has not always been smooth. As of April 2025, 42 SNs were no longer in operation. Those that remain active face significant attendance challenges. While official statistics are unavailable, nearly all SN presidents interviewed by the Defender noted that most attendees are seniors aged 60 and older—dedicated individuals often pulling double-duty as active members of area civic clubs.

Bridge to power

Latisha Grant, president of the Super Neighborhood Alliance (SNA) and chair of the Acres Homes SN 6, emphasizes that this structure is intentional. The SNA holds monthly televised meetings where presidents share resources and strategies.

Houston’s Super Neighborhoods are a grounded force working to address residents’ issues in Fifth Ward and across Houston while serving as a communication bridge between residents and elected officials. Credit: Aswad Walker/Defender.

Many Precinct 239 Neighborhood Civic Club members (seen here) are also participants in South Park’s SN 72. Credit: Aswad Walker/Defender.

“We bring in different governmental officials, and each of the SNs is able to discuss the issues they’re having within their communities, so we can work collaboratively to solve them,” Grant said. “The SN itself was created to be the bridge between the community and the city of Houston.”

Demystifying government

Ken Rodgers, president of SN 67 in the Third Ward, views his role as a provider of civic education. He believes the primary mission is to demystify local government for the average resident. His work often extends beyond city limits to Harris County and even

The SN is there to help you protect what you have invested in for free. I don’t get paid shit. I don’t get free parking. I don’t get any snacks. Ain’t no vacation. Ain’t no 401k. I don’t get a damn thing. I don’t even get a damn thank you. But it’s my passion because I love my community.”

TOMARO BELL President of SN 83, MacGregor

state officials.

Rodgers recalled a time when the SN stood alongside Trinity East Lutheran Church as it struggled with city and state hurdles while building affordable housing.

“I went, and as the SN president, stood alongside them to let the city know that we were there and in support,” Rodgers stated.

“They later ran into another problem with the state, and we got in the van, and we rode with them to Austin. Those are the things we do.”

Tackling quality of life

Many issues addressed by SNs revolve around the daily realities of safety and

sanitation. Grant cited a joint effort to challenge the use of sheet-metal fencing, which residents complained blocked visibility and enabled unlawful activity. By writing a collective letter to the mayor’s office, the SNs effected change.

Other persistent frustrations include: Illegal Dumping: “Where there are vacant properties, there is an opportunity for illegal dumping,” Grant noted. Trash Pickup: Communicating changes in heavy trash schedules is vital to prevent neighborhood disrepair.

Noise and Encroachment: Tomaro Bell, president of MacGregor’s SN 83, cited commercial trucks idling in residential areas and the

The SN itself was created to be the bridge between the community and the city of Houston.

Information is exchanged through the SN presidents and taken down to the community.”

LATISHA GRANT President of Houston’s Super Neighborhood Alliance

Since we started meeting in 2024, the SN meetings average about 50 people in person and maybe another 22 online. When there’s progress and small wins… people show back up.”

Nobody in the United States has defeated gentrification. My thought process is if we can stave it off long enough, then we can maintain our flavor here in Third Ward.”

MELANIE YOUNG President of SN 71, Sunnyside

KEN RODGERS President of SN 67, Third Ward

influx of bars as major concerns. “Residents are deeply concerned,” Bell said regarding the noise ordinance. “All [it] did was make what was illegal before the ordinance, legal.”

Historical victories

The power of the SN is most visible when tackling large-scale environmental or developmental threats. Kathy Blueford-Daniels, a former leader within the Greater Fifth Ward SN 55, recalls how the organization identified a health crisis now known as a “cancer cluster.”

“When I was president... we initiated the interest in the creosote. At that time, nobody was talking about it,” Blueford-Daniels recalled. “I brought forth that question to various entities, and it just sort of caught hold. The engagement of the SN is very, very important.”

Bell also remembers a high-stakes battle

from the 1990s when the University of Texas planned an outpatient mental clinic at the Wright Morrow mansion site. The community organized a massive opposition.

“We went to their board and killed that,” Bell said.

“I think that’s just a testament to people caring. Also, when you get the information out, when there’s structure to the way that you meet, when there’s progress and small wins, and people taking personal responsibility, people show back up,” Young said.

Sunnyside resurrection

Battle against gentrification

While some SNs struggle, others are experiencing a renaissance. Sunnyside’s SN 71, which went dormant during the pandemic, was reactivated under the leadership of Melanie Young. As a millennial, Young felt a responsibility to bridge the generational gap.

“I noticed low participation from residents, and an alarming lack of young adults,” Young explained. “When you notice there’s an issue, that means you’re supposed to fix it.”

Since 2024, her meetings have averaged 70 participants between in-person and online attendance.

For many, the work is about preserving the soul of historic Black neighborhoods. Rodgers views protecting the Third Ward as a personal mission, citing the gentrification of the Fourth Ward as his “wake-up call.”

“Nobody in the United States has defeated gentrification,” Rodgers noted. “My thought process is if we can stave it off long enough, then we can maintain our flavor here in Third Ward.”

Call to action

Bell stresses that while this work is often

thankless, it is vital for protecting one’s community investment.

“The SN is there to help you protect what you have invested in for free,” said Bell. “I don’t get paid shit. I don’t get free parking. I don’t get any snacks. Ain’t no vacation. Ain’t no 401k. I don’t get a damn thing. I don’t even get barely a damn thank you. But it’s my passion because I love my community.”

The consensus among these leaders is clear: the system is only as strong as the people who participate. Whether fighting a corporation over environmental hazards or ensuring heavy trash is picked up, the SN remains a primary tool for Houstonians to reclaim their voice.

“Gone are the days of us sitting back, complaining, and waiting for somebody to address our needs,” Grant said. “If your SN is hosting monthly meetings… make it to at least one.

For more information about Houston’s SNs and to find your local group, visit www.houstontx.gov/superneighborhoods/.

8 | August 13, 2026 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Feature

Madd Hatta

Celebrates entrepreneurship with children’s book Bringing families back to libraries

By Aswad Walker

For decades, Houston has known Benjamin Thompson III as The Madd Hatta—the unmistakable voice behind Majic 102.1’s The Madd Hatta Show and a Texas Radio Hall of Famer.

Now, he’s adding another title to his resume: Children’s book author.

His debut, Kase’s Little Adventures, grew from a family moment into a project promoting literacy, representation, and entrepreneurship, especially for Black and Brown children.

Those themes are also at the heart of Storytime with Madd Hatta, a three-stop Houston Public Library tour. Two events have already taken place, with the final stop scheduled for Aug. 15.

From a rhyme to a children’s book

Though this is his first published book, Madd Hatta says it wasn’t his first writing project.

“I’ve written books before... but I never published anything,” he said. “The one about my son moved differently.”

The inspiration came while his wife, Ashley Thompson, was pregnant.

“I was just rhyming,” he said. “The first four pages are really the rhyme I said to my wife’s belly.”

His wife suggested turning it into a children’s book, Hatta believes in jest, but the idea stuck.

“The book starts off with this rap about my son... and being an entrepreneur,” he said.

Power of representation

Before Kase was born, Madd Hatta filled his home with books, continuing a tradition his parents started.

“I wanted books everywhere,” he said.

“That’s how it was when I was growing up.”

He also wanted his son to see himself reflected in what he read.

“I wanted a children’s book... that looks

Though Madd Hatta has written several books, Kase’s Little Adventures, a children’s book about his son, is the first one he’s published. Courtesy: The Madd Hatta.

like him.”

The project paused after Madd Hatta returned to radio full-time, but he completed it piece by piece. Illustrator Adam Bailey brought the vision to life using a photo of Kase.

“I looked at his work and said, ‘Man, he really does look like my son.’”

When Kase, then 2, saw the illustration, he immediately recognized himself.

“He said, ‘Oo, me.’”

Bailey later updated the parents in the story to resemble Madd Hatta and his wife, making the project even more personal.

Friend Holly Charles-Pearson also gave him the push to publish.

“She immediately said, ‘You’re an author.

We’ve got to do something with this,’” he recalled.

Literacy and entrepreneurship

While Kase’s Little Adventures encourages children to read, it also introduces them to entrepreneurship.

“It was important for me to have my son... be an entrepreneur,” Madd Hatta said. “I want him to grow into that mindset.”

He hopes the book inspires other children similarly.

“You have to start planting these seeds early... ‘I’m supposed to work for self. I’m supposed to be independent.’”

Those messages continue through Storytime with Madd Hatta, a three-stop Houston Public Library tour celebrating Back-toSchool season and National Black Business Month. The first two events have already been held, with the final stop remaining on Saturday, Aug. 15, at McGovern-Stella Link Neighborhood Library from 3-4:30 p.m.

The free event includes a book reading, audience Q&A, photo opportunities, book signings, and giveaways.

Books will be available through CLASS Bookstore.

The partnership with Houston Public Library is especially meaningful because libraries played a major role in Madd Hatta’s own life. His father regularly took him to the library as a child, and during college, it became one of his favorite places to study.

Despite today’s digital world, he believes libraries remain essential.

“I don’t think people see the local library as the resource it is,” he said. “This book tour is an opportunity to get people back into libraries... right there in their communities. And it’s absolutely free.”

The event is also a family affair, with his wife interviewing him before opening the floor for audience questions.

His goal extends beyond selling books.

“I want people to have a good time, ask questions, and learn about entrepreneurship,” he said. “Even if you work for somebody else, I think you should always have something of your own because... ‘You never, never, never, never know.’”

Families interested in attending the final Storytime with Madd Hatta event on Aug. 15 can register through the Houston Public Library to reserve a spot.

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LEGAL NOTICE

Application has been made with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a Retail Dealer’s OnPremise License (BE) by New Vibes Holdings, LLC dba MOD Pizza, to be located at 6535 N Grand Pkwy W, Ste 225, Spring, TX, United States, Harris County 77389. Officers of said corporation are Yogesh Kumar - Owner and Sanjay Bhatnagar - Vice President.

Application has been made with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a Retail Dealer’s OnPremise License (BE) by New Vibes Holdings, LLC dba MOD Pizza, to be located at 3351 Clear Lake City Blvd, Ste 100, Houston, TX, United States, Harris County 77059. Officers of said corporation are Yogesh Kumar - Owner and Sanjay Bhatnagar - Vice President.

BID NOTICE Really Good Stuff, LLC is bidding on RFP # 26-04-46, Instructional Curriculum Materials, Supplies, and Digital Resources, for the Houston Independent School District. We are looking for possible HUB subcontractors to provide the following products and/or services - 1. Assembly, Installation, and debris removal for Playground Equipment and/or Furniture. 2. Instructional curriculum materials, supplies, and digital resources for grade PreK-12 Schools. If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Arsalan Ahmad, Bid Coordinator, by August 31st, 2026.

BID NOTICE Capstone, a leading children’s book publisher, is bidding on the following RFP for Houston ISD, RFP 26-0446 Instruction Curriculum Materials, Supplies, and Digital Resources. Our company is looking for possible HUB subcontractors to potentially provide the following services children’s book authors, children’s book illustrators, and translation experts. If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact our Bids & Proposals team at bids@capstonepub.com by August 26, 2026.

August 13, 2026 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

| 9

DN Profile

Ashia Johnson Empowers ‘Sistahz Full Circle’

By Aswad Walker

From Louisiana to Houston, Ashia Johnson made a move that paid off both professionally and communally. Relocating to advance her healthcare career, Johnson has spent more than two decades navigating a demanding field while maintaining a strong commitment to service and community uplift.

Beyond her professional achievements, Johnson has become a force for empowerment, particularly for Black women seeking support, opportunity, and personal growth.

As a child, Johnson dreamed of becoming a politician. Though her career took a different direction, the motivation to serve remained. Today, she channels that drive into improving healthcare outcomes across the Houston area and into uplifting women at various stages of life.

In 2022, she founded Sistahz Full Circle, a nonprofit created to provide women with space, resources, and encouragement.

Though part-time in structure, the organization’s impact is non-stop.

Birth of Sistahz Full Circle

Johnson’s full-time work focuses on reducing health disparities in underserved rural communities. She often reflects on how healthcare advocates can ensure that people outside major metropolitan areas receive “adequate yet quality healthcare close to home.”

The idea for Sistahz Full Circle, however, was born closer to home—inspired by her daughters, Brooklyn and Addison.

“I recognized that as they were getting older, where were spaces in which they could learn more about personal professional development?” Johnson said, noting she observed the same gap among her peers.

Not finding an existing space, she decided to create one.

“How do we network and work with other women who want to continue to perform at their highest,” she asked, “whether it’s in a personal or professional capacity?”

Those questions led to Sistahz Full Circle.

Focus and mission

Sistahz Full Circle is a registered 501(c) (3) that supports women ages 18 to 55.

“The organization works with women who want to enhance their personal and/ or professional development,” Johnson said.

“Whether a woman wants to earn a cosmetology license, return to school, or pursue a creative passion, the organization seeks ways to partner with her journey.”

That support includes mentorship, guidance, and occasional stipends to help offset costs. The organization also prioritizes volunteerism and outreach, reinforcing the belief that empowerment extends beyond the individual.

Programs in action

Sistahz Full Circle currently operates two ongoing initiatives: Be Kind to Myself and Ladies First.

Be Kind to Myself focuses on collecting and distributing feminine hygiene products to Houston-area organizations.

Johnson emphasizes collaboration, noting that many nonprofits lack access to these essential items.

“With Ladies First, we ask the community to provide undergarments for women,” she said. “We recognize that there’s a need, so Sistahz Full Circle collaborates with other non-profits to provide essential products that make women feel confident and strong.”

Impact and testimony

One example of the organization’s impact is its partnership with Whitney B., known as “The Dopest Historian.”

A Texas Southern University (TSU) graduate and Houston-based public historian, Whitney B. has collaborated with Sistahz Full Circle on multiple Black history tours, including an upcoming project exploring TSU’s history.

Johnson described watching Whitney B. “blossom and develop” as a reflection of the organization’s purpose.

Others have noticed Johnson’s leadership, as well.

“Ashia Johnson is the kind of leader who doesn’t just talk about community, she actively builds it,” said Christina Meade of Nerdy Girl Success. “Her commitment to uplifting others is both genuine and impactful.”

Ashia Johnson is all about finding ways to empower Black women for success in every avenue of life. Credit: Aswad Walker/Defender.

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While Johnson values her healthcare career, she says Sistahz Full Circle fulfills her on a deeper level.

“I do feel as if there’s some source of spiritual guidance. I have a purpose here,” she said. “I enjoy serving as a vessel.”

She also mentors young women entering healthcare, along with MHA and MBA students, often connecting with HBCUs. The organization’s guiding principle is simple: uplift others and pay it forward.

For Johnson, watching that cycle continue is the ultimate reward.

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DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports

Malik Gucake PRAIRIE VIEW DEFENSIVE END

Channels loss of father into on-field success

By Terrance Harris

As a Preseason All-SWAC defensive end, Prairie View senior Malik Gucake isn’t about to fly under the radar as he did a year ago as a virtual unknown.

The 6-foot-3, 250pound pass rusher will be accounted for on every scouting report this season.

But that isn’t what fuels Gucake the most, as he and the Panthers get set to embark on Malik Gucake this season of great expectations. He is still being fueled by the devastation that struck him just days before last season’s kickoff against Texas Southern when he learned that his father had unexpectedly passed away.

“It’s really been hard for me just as a person, personally,” Gucake said. “It’s been hard for me to keep going, knowing that my dad is not there because he was really my No.1 supporter ever since I was a young kid playing football until college.”

His parents, being from the Fiji Islands, weren’t necessarily big fans of football. But his family, particularly his father, were huge fans of their seventh and youngest child, who was growing and developing as a player before their eyes in Sacramento, Calif.

Gucake’s college journey began locally at Sacramento City College, then landed him at San Diego State before he jumped in the portal and ended up at Prairie View last year. His parents knew nothing of Prairie View, but his father sensed it was a great opportunity and therefore supported his

My close friends and family keep telling me, ‘Your dad is gone, but you’ve got to keep going and pushing on.’ Not to take the focus off of my dad being gone, but to focus on what’s in front of me and to put my faith in God.” MALIK GUCAKE Prairie View defensive end

Prairie View defensive end Malik Gucake (6) had a breakout season with the Panthers last year despite losing his father days before the season opener. Credit: Prairie View Athletics.

son’s decision to take his talents to Texas.

“They didn’t know much about football at all,” Gucake said. “They just knew their youngest kid, No. 7, wanted to play. So I kind of navigated it all by myself and ended up getting my full scholarship to San Diego State through Sacramento City College.”

The final stop has been the most rewarding but has also come with some life-altering challenges. After returning home briefly to bury his father and be with his family, to everyone’s surprise, including head coach Tremaine Jackson, Gucake was back and ready to play in the season-opening Labor Day Classic.

Gucake channeled the pain of losing his father into a strong debut in the stunning win over TSU and put together a breakout season, making Second-Team All-SWAC and being a key part of an unprecedented run that culminated in the Panthers playing for the Black College Football national championship.

Gucake attributes his role in last season to the motivation his father gave him after he arrived at Prairie View.

“He was telling me that Prairie View was the place for me to come and grow and shine, like he would say,” Gucake said. “Really, my big motivation is my father. Losing my father

has really pushed me to give it all that I’ve got.”

When Jackson thinks about Gucake, he is inspired by how he processed the tragedy of losing his father, went home for a few days to be with his family, and then made it back in time to be on the field with his new teammates.

“That dude came and played. That’s special,” Jackson said. “He didn’t have to do that. He didn’t have to play. That’s special.”

It’s not just his abilities on the football field that make Gucake special. It’s the focus and commitment to being the best version of himself that sets Gucake apart.

“Dude is about to graduate. He is the complete package,” Jackson said. “My daughter ain’t dating, but if she was, I would want her to date somebody like Malik Gucake. I think he is an all-around dude.”

But Gucake has a deeper motivation that’s guiding him, especially as he heads into his final college football season.

“When I got the news, it was really tough,” Gucake said. “I didn’t really want to show up to practice that day, but I knew what my dad would be telling me to do. He would be like, `Just get up and go to work. You have nothing

to lose. Just keep grinding. You’re just that Fijian kid from Sacramento,’ he would always tell me. So, I just listened to those words that I knew he would tell me.”

When Jackson talks about Gucake, it is less about him as a player and far more about his makeup as a man and his desire to always show up the right way.

After the successful season Gucake had in 2025 – 42 total tackles, including 16 solo, second on the team in tackles for loss with 10.5 for -36 yards, two sacks, nine quarterback hurries, and led the Panthers with three forced fumbles – he could have jumped in the transfer portal again and chased the NIL and revenue-sharing money at the FBS level. But he chose to remain loyal to Prairie View, and that means a lot to Jackson.

“Dude ain’t never made an excuse,” Jackson said. “He missed one thing in the year that he has been here, and he was distraught about it until I felt bad and damn near didn’t punish him. I felt bad because he don’t miss. But he handled his business, took care of it, and he moved on.

“I’m looking forward to his future. I think his best is yet to come. I think the Panther nation should be glad that he is a Panther.”

August 13, 2026 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

| 11

DN Sports JORDAN HIGH SCHOOL

Marwane Fadika Uses offseason to elevate game

By Jimmie Aggison

Most players would have spent the offseason celebrating a record-setting 38-point game during his junior season.

Marwane Fadika spent it trying to improve.

After earning District 19-6A Offensive MVP honors, Marwane spent the summer training with his older brother, Mohammed Fadika, to take his game to the next level and prepare for an explosive senior year.

“I was proud of what I accomplished, but I knew I could still get a lot better,” said Marwane. “After the season ended, I started watching my film and playing against better competition. That’s when I realized I still had another level I could reach if I kept putting in the work.”

Despite averaging 25.5 points, five assists, and five rebounds per game and earning First Team All-District and TABC All-Region honors, Marwane saw the offseason not as a time to celebrate but as an opportunity to improve.

“My brother and I wanted to improve every part of my game, but we mainly focused on tightening my ball handling, becoming more explosive, adding upperbody strength, and becoming a more consistent shooter,” said Marwane.

Those goals weren’t chosen at random.

Mohammed had already identified the biggest gap between his younger brother and reaching another level.

“After junior season, I felt the biggest area for Marwane’s growth was developing a more consistent motor,” said Mohammed.

“During his 38-point game, he shot 11 for 15 from the field, which was incredibly efficient, but I felt he could have put the game away much earlier by maintaining consistent pressure and aggression throughout all four quarters.”

Rather than searching for outside trainers, Marwane placed his trust in the person who had invested in his development from the start.

“Training with Mo was the right fit because he’s my brother and knows my game better than anyone,” said Marwane. “He pushed me every day and personalized every workout for what I needed to improve.”

Their offseason sessions centered on repetition and accountability. In the gym, Mohammed pushed Marwane through ball-handling drills, strength training, and game situations designed to challenge him as fatigue set in. Every workout had a purpose: to prepare Marwane to stay aggressive and consistent when the pressure of a game arrived.

That shared vision shaped every workout. At 6-foot-5 and 180 pounds, Marwane believes that improving his explosiveness has been the most challenging part of his development because it can’t be achieved overnight. Instead, it requires months of patience, consistency, and repetition to build the motor needed to impact the game from start to finish.

Throughout the summer, those workouts focused on building the consistency needed to sustain that level of play for an entire game.

“We’ve emphasized playing with the same level of energy and aggression every possession, whether he’s scoring or not,” said Mohammed. “A lot of our workouts have been designed to simulate game fatigue so he can maintain good intensity throughout the game, while also continuing to sharpen the skill work that complements it.”

As Jordan’s primary ball handler and go-to scorer, Marwane is often the focal point of opposing defenses, forcing him to create offense against defenders who are specifically game-planning to stop him.

“Over time, he’s developed his shot-making ability,” said Mohammed. “That growth has been huge for his school team because when they need a bucket in a key moment, he’s become someone who can create something out of nothing and help them win games.”

The results of that offseason work began to show as soon as competition returned.

At the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC) Showcase, Marwane scored 27 points and added five assists, four rebounds, and one steal against Frisco Memorial.

“I feel a lot more confident and in control now,” said Marwane. “The game has slowed

Scoring machine Marwane Fadika is poised to have a stellar senior season. Credit: Jimmie Aggison/Defender.

down for me, and I’m making better decisions while playing at my own pace. The biggest difference is that I’m making the game a lot simpler. I’m reading defenses better, taking smarter shots, and doing a better job of getting my teammates involved.”

For Marwane, however, a strong summer is only the foundation for what he hopes to accomplish in his final high school season.

“To me, a successful senior season goes beyond stats and means winning games, being a good leader, helping my teammates improve, and doing whatever it takes to give us a chance to win every night,” said Marwane. “I want to be more vocal while still

leading by example, hold everyone accountable, including myself, and help keep the team together through everything.”

Jordan finished fourth in District 19-6A during the 2025-26 season, then advanced to the fourth round of the UIL Class 6A Division I playoffs, where the Warriors fell 64-49 to Cypress Falls. The loss came a year after Jordan reached the state championship game, with Marwane contributing as a sophomore.

“Our biggest goal is to win a state championship,” said Marwane. “We all have to buy in, trust each other, and do whatever it takes to reach that goal.”

12 | August 13, 2026 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Profile

Phill Wade HOUSTON PERFORMER

Showcases creative genius on every stage

By Laura Onyeneho

Phill Wade taught for 12 years. He had an engineering degree, an Army ROTC background, two educator parents, and a classroom full of students counting on him every morning.

By every measure, he was exactly where he was supposed to be.

Then a video he made for fun went viral, and everything changed.

During the early days of YouTube, Wade posted a clip impersonating R&B artist Trey Songz, which landed on WorldStar and caught Songz’s attention, prompting a tweet calling it hilarious. Wade, still in the classroom, was blindsided.

“I was like, I don’t even know what viral means,” he said. “What is this? I ain’t got no virus.”

The clip opened doors, music, merchandise, hosting gigs, and performances in front of U.S. military troops abroad. The school absences mounted. Eventually, Wade made the call.

“I had to reclaim my time,” he said. “I needed those hours back.”

The real challenge was not the performance. It was monetizing it. Without a single guiding mentor, Wade studied artists who embodied his full range, and Jamie Foxx became his north star as a comedian, singer, and actor. It is a comparison that Dave Anderson, co-owner of the Heist Agency, which represents Wade, makes without hesitation.

Anderson first connected with Wade through a mutual friend from Prairie View A&M. Their professional relationship solidified after Wade hosted a Doritos tour, the moment Anderson witnessed his client’s talent in full.

“He is not a one-act talent,” Anderson said. “Imagine a young, more talented Jamie Foxx in his prime. He is an actor, he is a comedian, and a singer. He is too gifted for what he does; it is unreal.”

Building a brand in Houston When many artists reach Wade’s level of recognition, the conversation turns to Los Angeles, Atlanta, or New York. That wasn’t in Wade’s plans. He watched Houston’s film infrastructure grow, its music production deepen, and its creative economy expand, and chose to stay.

“Anytime it’s a project in Houston, look home first,” he said. “Eyes are on Houston.

People are moving here in waves.”

That conviction lives in “The Phill Wade

Show,” a live sketch comedy and music experience anchored at the historic El Dorado Ballroom in the Third Ward. Inspired by “In Living Color” and “Saturday Night Live,” the show spotlights Houston’s most gifted performing artists in a venue that once hosted Ella Fitzgerald and James Brown.

“That same wood floor is still in there,” Wade said. “It just gave great energy. It meant so much to the community.”

Off the stage, Wade spent eight years as vocal director for the Motown and More Dancing in the Streets Revue at Miller Outdoor Theater before building a full-time performance coaching practice. The teacher, it turns out, never left.

Running a live show also demanded a skill Wade developed long before any stage: Managing people. He credits his Army ROTC background and college group projects with teaching him how to navigate egos, communication, and energy within a creative team.

“Managing people and their energy and their communication, those things can get in the way of the creative process if you let it,” he said. “Iron sharpens iron. Every rehearsal, you are allowing yourself to be inspired by the talent around you.”

Anderson credits Wade’s longevity to a quality increasingly rare in the industry.

“He’s consistently been putting out good work, and he hasn’t switched up,” Anderson said. “When you want to see Phill Wade, you know exactly what you’re getting.”

Wade has a pointed message for Houston’s growing creative community, and it starts with the artist already standing next to you.

“People sleep on 1,000 followers,” he said.

“Look to your left and your right. Connect with those people.”

He pointed to HBCU networks, Prairie View, Texas Southern University, and others, as models of the community-driven collaboration the arts scene needs more of. And with rapper 50 Cent recently establishing a studio presence in Louisiana and people relocating to Houston in growing numbers, Wade said artists need to be sharp when opportunity knocks.

“Fine-tune your microphone etiquette, your studio etiquette, your interviewing skills,” he said. “This is the time for refining. Don’t leave. Stay in Houston because a lot is about to be happening on all scales, on all platforms.”

What is ahead Wade enters 2026 on several fronts. The boxing film “Rage,”

directed by Joseph Elmore and co-starring actress and television personality Claudia Jordan, drops this month alongside a live album with Grammy Award-winning producer Nate Robinson, known as Nate the Beatbreaker.

A comedy R&B album featuring his alter ego, K. Relly, follows this summer. Currently splitting time between Louisiana and

Anytime it’s a project in Houston, look home first.

Eyes are on Houston.

People are moving here in waves.”

PHILL WADE

Houston, he remains tethered to the city by roots and ambition in equal measure.

Away from the spotlight, Wade is a father of two, Paxton, 7, and Aubrey, 2. The dimension of his life is inseparable from the performer the world sees.

“He is an amazing father and husband,” Anderson said. “We all know he’s a creative genius, but that’s what’s awesome about working with him, you get to see all of it.”