To thePOINT DN
Message from the Reporter
Trumpadministrationboostsfunding forHBCUsandTribalColleges
PresidentDonaldTrump administration’s decision to reallocate nearly $500 million towardhistoricallyBlackcollegesanduniversities (HBCUs)and tribal campuses marksa significantboostforinstitutionsthathavelong facedchronicunderfunding.
Theinvestmentpushestotalfederalsupport forHBCUstomorethan$1.34billionthisyear andraisesfundingfortribalcollegestomore than$108million.Forschoolsthatoftenserve asanchorsintheircommunities,thesedollars representvitalresourcesforstudentsandfacultyalike.
Theseinstitutionswillreceive this investment in addition tothe 2025 federalbudgetallocation, totaling an increase of 48.4% forHBCUs and109.3% forTribal Colleges andUniversities(TCUs).
TheDepartmentofEducation framed thereallocationas ashiftawayfromprogramsitviewsaslesseffective,directing moneyinstead to initiativesitbelieveswill deliverstronger outcomes
Alongsidethe HBCU andtribalcollege investment,the administrationannounced $500 millionincharter school grants andmorethan$160 millionfor civics andAmerican historyeducation
Theadministrationsaysthisistofocusonmerit,effectivenessandlong-termstudentsuccess.EducationSecretaryLinda McMahonsaidthe changeswillredirectmoney away “from ineffectiveanddiscriminatoryprogramstowardthosewhich supportstudentsuccess.”
NewcommissiontoexamineHISDstatetakeover
Anew Commission on theHISDTakeover, ledbyState Sen.MollyCook,StateRep.LaurenAshleySimmonsandfaith leader Collin Bossen,was createdtostudy theeffects of the state’sinterventioninTexas’largestschooldistrict
Thecommissionwill hold sessions to “address thegrowinglackoftrust in thestate takeover and[Superintendent] MikeMilesbythoroughlyinvestigatingthecurrentconditions withinHISD.”
Thefirstsessionhighlightedbothconcernsandaspirations. Communitymembers voiced unease over teacherturnover, libraryclosuresandchangestospecializedprograms.Others emphasized theneed to protectteacher collaborationand ensurepublicschoolsremainrootedincommunitypriorities
Atthesametime,Mileshaspointedtosubstantialgainsundertheschooldistrict’sNew EducationSystem. In arecentpress conference,henotedthatHISDrecordeditslargest year-to-yearimprovementintestscores,and hesetagoalforallcampusestoreachanAor Bratingby2027.
Thecommission’srolewill be to balance theseperspectives, gatheringdataand testimonybeforeissuingreportsonthetakeover’s impact.Its work underscoresanessential question:How canstudent achievementbe sustainedwhile also honoring community trustandlocaldemocraticcontrol?
Itexpectstopublishreportsontheimpactsofthetakeover, raiseawarenessabout“hostiletakeovers”andanswerquestions aboutreturningHISDtolocalcontrolandnewformsofeducationfollowingthetransitiontoanelectedboardoftrustees.
Houstonhousingmarketseessurgeinsales
Houston’shousing market continuestodefyexpectations, andAugust’snumbers provethe point. Single-familyhome salessurgednearly12%year-over-year,markingthestrongest growth of 2025 so far. At thesametime, prices held steady, withthe median unchangedat$335,000, perananalysisby theHoustonAssociationofRealtors.
Thisrarecombinationofrisingsalesandstablepricesgives bothbuyersandsellersareasontobeoptimistic.
Forbuyers, theexpandedinventory,now more than 30% higherthanlastyear,meansmorenegotiatingpowerthanthe cityhasseeninadecade.
A5.4-month supply of homesplacesHouston abovethe national average, offering opportunitiesatnearlyevery price point. Forsellers,demandremains strong,especiallyinthe $150,000to$249,999and$500,000to$999,999ranges,which sawdouble-digitsalesincreases.
Still,thebroaderpictureisencouraging.Asmortgagerates ease,Houstonfindsitselfinararesweetspot:Strongdemand, stablepricesandabundantchoice.Thechallengenowwillbe sustainingthisbalanceinacitywithagrowingpopulation.
OntheWeb
•Houstondrivers’mostignoredtrafficviolations.
•Trump’stroublewithBlackwomen.
•Whatare we doingtoraise up thenextSheila, Mickey andBarbara?
The Trump administration’s funding boost strengthens HBCUsand Tribal Colleges afteryears of chronic underinvestment. Credit:Getty Images
Tannistha Sinha
News DN
Fort Bend residentsfight forpoliticalvoice
ByAswadWalker
Withnationalredistrictingtakingholdat thecountylevelinFortBend,manyresidents arerefusingtotaketheattacksontheirpoliticalvoiceslyingdown.
In fact, at arecentCommunity Dialogue 2025, abreakfast with county stakeholders, electedofficialsand candidates,attendees promisedtoengageinthefightoftheirlives.
Days before theCommunity Dialogue, Rep.SulemanLalaniurgedFortBendCounty residentstosubmitpubliccomments,contact lawmakersandmobilizequicklyinresponse to stateGOP members’ attempts to redraw U.S.Congressionaldistricts.
“Gov.AbbottisbusygivingTexas on a silver plattertoPresidentTrump,” said Lalani. “Wedidn’thaveany otheroptionbut to denyquorum. Breaking quorum is not running away from theresponsibilities… it isoneofthetoolsputinTexaslegislationby ourforefathers. We areaccused of running away,walking out. Youknowwhat? We are notwalkingout.Wearestandingup.”
Definingthechallenges
Thatsamelevel of righteousindignation andfightwas on displayduringthe more recentCommunityDialogue,whichfeatured
Fort Bend County commissioners Grady Prestage (Precinct2)and Dexter McCoy (Precinct4), judges Monica Rawlins, RoderickGarner,TyraMcCullumandSurendran Patel,andothers.
Tosetthetoneoftheproceedings,Reynolds provideda historylesson, mentioning “BloodySunday” andthe Voting Rights Actof1965, linkingthe sacrifices of Civil RightsMovementparticipantstoamoderndaycalltoaction.
“Hereweare in 2025, andtheyare literallytryingtoturnbacktheclock.Ihopeyou realizethatthisisnotlikeahyperbolicstatement,” said Reynolds.“Literally, as Italkto youtoday,thereareforcesofevilthatwantto turnbacktheclock.They’renothappywith thisnewusherofleadership.Theywantuson themenu,buttheydon’twantusatthetable.
Speaking on thenewly drawn U.S. Congressionalmapsfor Texasasordered by PresidentDonaldTrump anddelivered by TexasGovernorGregAbbott, Reynolds didn’tmincewords
“WehavemoreAfrican Americansin Texasthaninany otherstate.Did y’allhear that?Yet,weonlyhavefourAfricanAmericanseatsinTexas,”saidReynolds.
He citedthe factthat, though Texashad four “African American”seats,and should have more duetopopulationnumbers,the Abbott/Trump mapleavesthe statewith justtwo.
“Weshouldhavelikeeight.Itshouldbea 50%increasebasedonthenumbers,butwe hada50%decrease.That’s50-freaking-percent,andI’mstillpissedoffaboutit,”shouted Reynolds.“ThisisourSelma.Thisisourcivil rightsmomentrighthere.”
JudgeRoderick Garneroutlines current attacksondemocracyfaced by Fort Bend County residents. Credit:Aswad Walker.
Mary Kelly calls forDemocratic Partypolitical unitytofight against oppressiveforces. Credit:Aswad Walker.
FORTBEND COUNTY LEADERSSERIES
JudgeKPGeorge
Charts rise, challenges,politicalshift
ByTannisthaSinha
Fort Bend County JudgeKP(Kyle Prasad) George’s journeyfroma smallvillage in southern Indiatothe helmofone of Texas’ fastest-growing counties is thestory of an immigrant whoseAmericanDream came to life.
BorninKerala,India,inavillagesoremote it didn’t receive electricity until2007, George ofteninvoked hishumblebeginnings as the root of hisempathy forworking families and immigrants.
“Thatisthe very reason whyIunderstand people’sdesiretoprovidefortheirfamilyand theimmigrant communityatlarge,” he told theDefender.
Now, thoseroots areunder mounting scrutiny as he defends hisrecordand integritywhilepreparingfora2026reelectionbid.
Enteringpubliclife
George served on theFortBendISD school boardfor more than five years. His firstcountywide race came in 2018, when he challengedRepublicanincumbentJudgeBob HebertinthewakeofHurricaneHarvey.
Fort Bend is oftendescribed as oneof America’smostdiverse counties.Its populationisroughly30%white,24%Hispanic,22% Asian, 20% Blackand 4% otherraces, with more than 100 languagesspokenacrossthe county.ForGeorge,thatdiversityisbothapersonalconnectionandagoverningchallenge
“That’swhyFortBendisauniqueplace,it’s ameltingpot,”hesaid.
Legalstruggles
George is navigating thefight of his politicallife. Once celebrated as thefirst SouthAsian electedtoleadaTexascounty, he is nowfacingmoney launderingfelony chargesthatcould derailhis future.Prosecutorsallegehemisusedcampaignfundsfor personal expenses, includingpropertytaxes andadownpayment on ahome, andconcealedthosetransactionsincampaignfinance reports.
He hasaccused theFortBendCounty
District Attorney’s office of pursuing politicallymotivatedchargestoforcehisresignation,insistedthe case is baselessand vowed to fightitincourt
George’sdefenseisaskingthecourttodismiss theindictment, callingitlegallyinsufficient. They argue that fundinga campaign with personal moneyand then reimbursing one’sselfislawfuland does notconstitute moneylaundering. George wasarrestedin April2025 on thesefelonycharges
“Thisisactuallyabsolutelyabsoluteabuse of government resources andneeds to stop Iwillget my dayincourt,” he said.“If you
remember,ourPresidenthadindictments,but thepeopleelected him to runthiscountry.”
Politicalrealignment
OneofGeorge’sdefiningthemeshas been fiscalbalance.Sincehetookoffice,thecounty budgethasgrownfromnearly$500millionin 2023 to $732 millionin2025. He says he has frequentlywarnedthatsuchrapid growth is unsustainable. Thisyear, he haspledged to delivera“nonewrevenue”budget,tightening spendingwhilemaintainingcoreserviceslike publicsafetyandfloodmitigation
That focusonfinancial restraintwas also
central to George’s dramaticpolitical shift. Although he beganhis career alignedwith Democrats, George announcedthisyearhe wasswitchingtothe Republican Party, giving theFortBendCountyCommissioners Court Republicansa3-2majority
“Whenyou talk aboutsocialissues,abortion,family, marriage,fiscalresponsibility, peoplecomingfromourbackgroundarevery conservative,” he said.“Isidedwitha party [Democratic] underthe impression that we couldworkout together forthe betterment of ourcitizens, butthatisnot exactlywhatI experienced.”
Fort Bend County is experiencing itsown redistrictingsaga,echoingthestatewidemovement.The controversialredistricting push is intricatelytiedtobroader politicalshiftsfollowingGeorge’spartyswitch,whichhappened afterhislegaltroublesarose.
Infrastructure,flooding andsafety
George’sadministrationhasprioritizedinfrastructureandfloodcontrolinacountybisected by theBrazos River, whichhecalls the“crazy river”foritsunpredictableshifts.FortBendhas secured$264millioninfundingfor25major floodcontrolprojects,whilealsoworkingwith theArmyCorpsofEngineers,TxDOTandthe stateGeneralLandOffice.
Thecountyhas also invested in disaster response,including drones andover60flood camerastoprovidereal-timedataonevacuationsandhigh-riskroads
With Fort Bend’s population andhousing costs soaring, George has acknowledged that affordabilityisbecomingapressingconcern.
Lookingahead
WhetherGeorgecanovercomethelegaland politicalchallengesaheadmaydeterminenot only hislegacybut also thedirection of Fort Benditself
“I’mnotreallyworriedaboutanylegacyand IjustwantedtodowhateverthebestIcando,” hesaid.“Godputmehereforareasonandhe hasaspecificvisionaboutme.”
VideoEditor
Feature DN Baptism comes to the homeless
ByTannistha Sinha
By late morning, the Houston heat was alreadypressingdownlikeaheavyhand Sweat beadedonbrows,backpacksclungtobacksand theairshimmeredabovetheasphalt.
Yet,attheCommunityofFaithChurch’sfirsteveroutdoorbaptismforthehomeless,“Alive byFaith,”alonglinewoundtowardtheportable baptismal pools, where one by one, men and womensteppedforward,somebarefoot,some stillclutchingtheirfewpossessions,readytobe submergedinwaterthatpromisedmorethan justashort-livedrelieffromthescorchingsun.
KeithJames,70,stoodnearthefront,awhite towel draped across his shoulders Just weeks earlier,hehadlosthisapartment,endingupon thestreets.
“IwasclosetoGodoncebeforeandIfeltlike Ineededtogetrebaptizedagain,”Jamessaid
When he emerged from the pool, water streaming down his face, James said he felt renewed,likehehadclosedadistancethathad grownovertimebetweenhimselfandhisfaith.
Jameshopesheisnotlostwithinthestatistics In2023,over23,000peopleinHarris,Fort Bend and Montgomery counties accessed a homeless service, which rises to 52,000
people when clothing or food assistance is included,accordingto the Coalition for the HomelessofHouston/ Harris County. The 2024HomelessCount & Survey shows that we can expect to see 3,280 people experiencing homelessness at any given moment intheHoustonregion
Attendees like Comlisa (pictured)
Credit: Tannistha Sinha/Houston Defender
But organizers said this was a day for second chances. Over 170 peoplewerefedhotmeals,andmorethan300 T-shirts and towels, donated by the nonprofit Hoodies 4 Healing, were handed out. For the firsttime,thechurch’sbaptismserviceextended beyond its walls to meet people where they were,atacornerofHoustonwherehomelessnessisvisibleineverydirection.
“Today is the day of new beginnings,” said BishopJamesDixonII,thepastoroftheCommunityofFaithChurch “PrayforusaswebaptiseGod’shomelesssonsanddaughters.”
Somecameforthefoodandleftwithmore
thantheyexpected.TonyBursie,38,hasbeen inHoustonsinceMarch,fleeingdomesticabuse in Detroit In the sprawling city he landed in, Bursieisstilllookingforajob.
“OnceIgetajob,I’llbeallright,”heassured himself,thesunbeatingdownonhisshirtless backandunkempthair “Igetbybythegrace ofGod.Ifitwasn’tforhim,Idon’tknowwhere
Iwouldbe…IfyouknowwhatGoddoes,then youknowHe’sgotafunnywayofdoingthings. He sends you through battles. He wanna see whatyou’regoingtodo Thisisatest,that’sall itis.”
Minister Jerri Thomas, who has been with theCommunityofFaithforyears,saidtheevent wasdesignedtobebothspiritualandpractical. Shesaidshowingupforpeopleinneedencouragesthemtofightallodds
For some, the odds are heavily stacked againstthem
Comlisa[lastnamewithheld],experiencing homelessnessforthefirsttime,describedhow difficultitistosimplyfindarestroomorasafe placetorest Withnojobandagnawinghunger accompanyinghereverymove,shesmileswhen shesays,“MaybeI’mjustbehind…it’sokay As long as you’re not taking from anybody, the Lordwillprovideforyou.”
Her words blended into the hum of praise musicandthesoftsplashofbaptismalwater. By the time the last person stepped out of thepool,thesunwashighandunforgiving But undertheshadetents,volunteerskeptserving plates,handingoutwaterbottlesandwrapping towelsarounddrippingshoulders.
Gospel Music HallofFamer
V. Michael McKay
Credit: Aswad Walker.
Gospel artistKathy Taylor.Credit: KathyTaylorLive.com.
Gospel musicisa forceofnature. It notonly dominatesBlack church gatherings andradio airwavesinthe U.S.,gospelmusic’s lyrics and melodies canbeheard around theworld.
By AswadWalker
What’sjustasamazing is that gospel music, onceconsidered “unholy” and“secular” by thegospelloversofpast generations,isnowthenorm.Houstonians like thelateCongresswoman Sheila JacksonLee,community activist Carl Davis andKTSUGeneralManagerErnestWalker were instrumental in gettingSeptember designated as Gospel MusicMonth. To that end, theDefenderchose to
celebratethegenrebyreachingouttoHouston-areamembersofthegospelmusiccommunity to gather theirperspectivesonits significancetothenationingeneralandto Blackpeopleinparticular.
Nation
Foraward-winning gospel musicartistBrian Courtney Wilson,gospelmusic impactswhichcommunities’storiesAmericaiswilling to hear.
“I thinkour countryisinthe middle of
GOSPELGREATS WITH HOUSTONROOTS
By AswadWalker
Houstonisaglobalhubforgospelmusic,producingworld-renowned artistsand institutions that keep thegenre thriving
Melanie Bivens, Fountain of Praise Credit: Aswad Walker.
James Fortune, gospel artist, producer Credit: Gabe Ginsberg/ Getty Images.
Houstonvoicessing praise of gospel musicimpact
contendingforthestories:Whogetstotell them,whogetstocontextualizethem,who getstoreadmeaningintothem,”saidWilson.“Forme,gospelmusichasalwaysbeen ameans to tellingthatstory.Ituseswords anditgoesbeyondwords.That’s whyit’s importanttome.
“AndIthinkit’simportanttothecountry thatspaceismadeforittobeheard,ifwe’re seriousabout allthe stories.”
inflation,thedeaths,theassassinationsand allthe things that’s goingon.”
GospellegendV.MichaelMcKayoffered asermonicresponsetothequestionofwhat gospel music’simportanceistothe U.S.
“First of all, gospel musicisuniversal It’sjustthegoodnewsofJesusChrist,”said McKay,aGospelMusicHallofFamer.“We sing thewordjustlikewespeak theword, we preach theword, we live theword. So it’s thewordofGod.It’sthe good news of JesusChristinsongs.”
hope,a messageofsecurity, amessage of enlightenmentfor allthe believers,”stated Bivens.“Thosewho arelistening to the musicmayhaveabadday,andtheywantto hear somethingthat’splayedonthe radio; RichardSmallwood’sTotalPraiseorifIfee like I’mall alone by myself,Never AlonebyWalter Hawkins.
notinthisworld by ourselves. Andthere is good news even outofabad situation.”
on Blackpeople.
Blackpeople
WilliamKeith Eason,the minister of musicatthe FortBendChurch, uttered similarsentiments.
“Gospelreallymeans thegoodnews. Andright now, we need alot of good news with thebad timeswe’re kind of in,” said Eason,oneofthewinnersoftheinaugural DefenderMinistersofMusicExtraordinaire Awards in 2018.“There’s nothingbetter than agospelsongorgospelmusic to help pullusthroughwhatwe’redealingwith;the
MelanieBivens, apowerfulpartofthe musicministryatthe Fountain of Praise preached aword, as well,about gospel music’snationalimpact.
“For this country, we offer gospel music to God’speople, forthe believersand the non-believers, that they cansee thegood news,theycan hear themessage that is displayedingospelmusic,amessage of
“So, what it meansfor the countryisjust good news.It’sa messageofhope. It’s amessage of deliverance
It’s amessage of assurance. It’s a messagetolet us know that we are
Localgospelgreatsemphasizedthe genre’shistory when reflectingongospel music’simportancetoBlack people “Whenyou thinkofthe Blackchurch, to me,that’skindofpartofwhere gospel musicwas birthed. Butifyou go back to slaverytime, it wasreallybackwiththe Negrospirituals,”saidWalker. “But when youthink of gospel musictoday andhow importantitisinthe Blackchurch, Ithink it’sveryrelevant.It’samusicthathashelped usgetthroughchallengesinourlives,from what we were dealingwithinthe 1960sto what we’redealing with todayin2025.”
Bivens,too,recalledBlackpeople’sexperience with enslavementwhensearching forwordstoexpressgospelmusic’simpact
“Gospelmusic,for Blackpeoplespecifically, goes back to slavery,”saidBivens. “It goes back to thespirituals, howour ancestorswouldsingsongslikeSwingLow,Sweet Chariot, ‘comingforth to carrymehome.’ WadeintheWater.Itspokeoffreedomand ‘We’re gettingout of here.We’re goingto getoutofthisthingalive.Wearenotgoing to stay here forever.’Fromthe spirituals to theblues to jazz,and nowtogospelmusic, it givesushopeand assurance. ” Wilson dialed up thepersonknown as the“Father of gospel music.”
“Thomas Dorsey wasa bluesmusician whodealt with some tragedy, andittook himtochurch,”sharedWilson. “Hewas able to integratewhathewas doinginthe blueswithwhathewas compelledtodoin thechurchashehealed. Anditwas foran audience that wasrefused entryintowhite
spaces,white neighborhoods, whiteaccess to agency.Hewas able to fuse theblues thesacredandallofthosestoriesandwhat peoplewerecontendingwith,togiveusthis legacy of gospel music.
“And notonlythat, monetize it so we couldcontinuetodoit.” McKaydescribed gospel musicasa historicalmirror.
“You couldtellsomething aboutaperson’shistory by listeningtotheir music. Andthisisone type of musicthatyou couldlistentoand youcould tell whowe are, whereweare in life,” shared McKay. “Startingwithspirituals,youcouldseeand hear theoppression. Even in good gospel musictoday,you stillhearand feel the heartofthe person singing. It’s aboutthe tellingofthe story. It’s astory beingtold, andyou just happen to putitinthe words of asong. ”
Yolanda Adams Grammy-winninggospelicon
V. Michael McKay GospelHallofFamesongwriter
JamesFortune Acclaimedsingerandproducer
Kim Burrell Renownedgospelvocalist
BrianCourtney Wilson Grammy-nominatedsinger-songwriter
KathyTaylor Houstonnativeandgospellegend
The Walls Group Multi-Grammy-nominatedsiblinggroup
Gene Moore
Grammy-nominatedsinger,featuredon HoustonMatters
Brian Dunlap Singer,songwriter
KTSU 90.9 FM
Legendaryradiostationsupportinggospel
WilliamKeith Eason, minister of music, The Fort Bend Church. Credit: The Fort Bend Church.
Gospel artist Kim Burrell. Credit: Berklee College of Music.
Ernest Walker general manager of KTSU. Credit: Aswad Walker
William Keith Eason, Pamela Davis, Leon Lewis
Hank Neal, Brenda Waters, Ronald Materre
HEAR FROM
Gospel artistBrian Dunlap Courtesy Brian Dunlap.
Gospel Music Hall of FamerYolanda Adams. Credit: Arnold Turner/ GettyImages
Gospel artistBrian Courtney Wilson. Credit:briancourtneywilson.com.
DN Health
SeptemberIsProstate CancerAwarenessMonth
ByRAMAN BAMIDELE,MD
Prostate cancer is one of themost common cancersamong men. Men over50, Black men,and those with a familyhistory of prostate cancer face higher risks. The good news?Withearly detection, it is one of the mosttreatable cancers.
ThisProstate Cancer Awareness Month, take the opportunity to understand the risksand prioritize screenings.
Understanding the GreaterRiskfor Black Men Me
Black men areabout 1.7 times more likelytobediagnosed with prostate cancer and morethan twiceaslikely to die from it comparedto White men, according to the NationalCancer Institute. Severalfactors contribute to these disparities, but early detection cansavelives
TheImportance of ProstateCancerTheImportanceofProst Screenings
Prostatecancer often develops silentlyinits early stages,making regular screeningsessential. Testslike the prostate-specificantigen(PSA) bloodtestoradigital rectal exam (DRE) arequick andsimple, and they offer valuablepeace of mind.
StepsYou andYourLoved Ones Can Steps Youand Your LovedOnesCan Take
• Talk to aDoctor: lk Discuss your risk factors anddecide when to begin regularscreenings. Forthose at higher risk,screeningsoften startat age45orearlier.
• Knowthe Signs: Kno he While earlyprostate cancer maynot show symptoms, advanced casescan include difficultyurinating,blood in the
urine, or pain in thelower backor hips.
• EncourageLoved Ones: EncourageLov Families andfriends canplaya crucialrole by supporting andencouragingthe men in their livestoprioritizetheir health andschedulea screening.
Make ThisMonth Count unt ProstateCancer Awareness Monthis atimefor everyone —men at risk and thepeoplewho care aboutthem —to focusonhealthand earlydetection. Startthe conversation todayand take action toward betterhealth.
Your Health Is WorthIt—Schedule a Wo ulea Screening Today Sc Kelsey-Seybold offers expertcare andscreenings tailoredtoyourneeds. Call 713-442-7025orvisit kelsey-seybold comm. to makeanappointment.
RamanBamidele,MD, is aboard-certified Internal Medicine primarycarephysician whocares forpatients at Kelsey-Seybold’s Pearland Clinic
Scan to viewhis online profile
Feature DN
Word in Black Survey Aims to close organ donation gap
Defender news Service
AnewnationalsurveyiscallingonGreater
Black Houston to help tackle a life-or-death disparityinorgandonation
“A 2025 report from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) highlights a sobering disparity: Black Americans make up nearly 28% of people waiting for a transplant, but only about 13% of organ donors,” said Christa T. Mahlobo,Ph.D.,WordinBlackResearchand Insights Director. “This means far too many of our brothers, sisters, and neighbors wait longer, suffer more, and sometimes don’t get thesecondchancetheydeserve Weknowthe numbers butwedon’tfullyunderstandthe why.”
That’s where the Word in Black survey comes in. In just a few minutes, Black residents can share their thoughts and feelings aboutorgandonation “Byaddingyourvoice,
you help close the gap and shape education, policy, and awareness campaigns that save lives,” Mahlobo emphasized. “It only takes a few minutes but the impact of your answerscouldbelifelong.”
HoustonDefenderPublisherSonnyMessiah Jiles underscored the urgency for local participation:
“Family, this is life-saving work We need Greater Black Houston to show up in this survey so we can uncover why and how to get more of us to say yes to organ donation Together,wecansavelives—startingtoday.”
Completingthesurveyissimpleandsecure Your perspective will inform solutions to ensure more Black patients receive the transplants they needanddeserve.
Take a moment today to make a generationalimpact Your voice could helprewritethestory oforgandonation— onelifeatatime
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Credit: Getty
Sports DN
ALL MONEYAIN’T GOOD MONEY
HBCUfootballmoneygames
ByTerranceHarris
GramblingStatecoachMickeyJosephreignited a controversial conversation recently after his Tigers suffered a 70-0 loss at No.1rankedOhioStateinanearly-seasoncollege footballgame.
For their efforts, Grambling State University received a record $1 million payday in what are known as money games. The concept of money games in HBCU football, where Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) programs receive large payouts in exchangeforhittingtheroadandsufferinga humiliatingdefeattoteamsinthetoplevelof college football who are better stocked with superiortalentandfunding,isnotnew.
But the divide has grown so much wider in this era of the transfer portal, NIL money and now revenue sharing, which has essentially allowed FBS Power 4 programs to put together teams with values that exceed most HBCUs’totalathleticdepartmentbudgets.
While praising his players and assistant coachesforavalianteffortagainsttheBuckeyes,Josephletitbeknownthathisprogram had been asked to stand at the bottom of a mountainthatwasimpossibletoclimb.
“What do they have, a $35 million roster?Idon’thavea$35millionroster,”Joseph quipped in the postgame press conference. “Maybe we could put our money together and we could come up with $35 million, but Idoubtit.”
Joseph’s words have restarted a conversationthathasgoneonforyears:whetherthese money games are fair to the HBCU student athleteswhoareoutmannedandovermatched inthesegames,wheretheyarealmostalways guaranteed to suffer humiliating defeats and
While not a FBS power, Rice is still stocked enough with scholarships and resources that it allowed the Owls to distance themselves in a recent dominant win over Prairie View Prairie View was paid $350,000 for the short trip to Houston for the game. Credit: Maria Lysaker/Rice Athletics
for an
sometimes serious injury Deion Sanders raised the point the loudest a few years ago whenhewastheheadcoachatJacksonState, when he said the games were unfair to the student athletes and questioned whether the paydays usually in the $300,000 range were enoughforthepotentialriskofinjury
HBCU athletic directors and administratorswilltellyouthatthesemoneygamesare necessarytoprovideneededdollarsnotjustto thefootballteamandotherathleticprograms butalsoforthebands,whicharealwaysapart ofthesegames,andtheschools’generalfund
Joseph questions whether the reward is worth the potential harm these games present to the psyche and health of the student-athletes.
“IguaranteeyouIdidn’twakeupandsay, IwanttoplayOhioState.Butwedouseitfor financialhelp,”saidJoseph “Wedidourpart Wehelpedfinancially.”
TexasSouthernandPrairieViewalsotake partinthemoneygames.
PrairieViewwentovertoRiceandsuffered athree-touchdownlossearlierthismonthin agameinwhichthePanthersactuallyled7-0 earlyinthefirstquarterbeforeultimatelylosing38-17fora$350,000payday PrairieView athleticdirectorAntonGoffdidnotrespond to interview requests from the Defender for thisstory.
TexasSouthernwentouttoCaloftheACC, wheretheTigerstrailedjust11-0athalftime before eventually suffering a 35-3 loss in
exchange for a $625,000 check, which will be shared with football, athletics and TSU’s world-famousOceanofSoulMarchingBand for the trip to the Bay Area Days later, TSU coachCrisDishman—withoutprompting— mentioned the $25 million roster the Bears haveincomparisontohisnonexistentroster value.TheTigers’entireathleticdepartment budgetis$15,791,738.
But when the Defender asked Dishman about whether the money games should be played, the second-year coach declined to elaborate.
“I can’t really answer that question I haven’t been in HBCUs or Texas Southern long enough to answer a question like that,” Dishman said to the Defender. “But to me, it’s whoever is on your schedule, you are supposedtowin.Yougoouttheretofightto winthegameandwhateverhappenshappens.
“They were on our schedule; we were supposed to win that game We were in that game to win it We weren’t in that game just to show up for the money. We were in it to winthegame.”
ThatislikelythecaseforeveryHBCUprogramforcedintothesemoneygames.Butthe consequencescanberough.
In a recent matchup between North Carolina A&T and the Big 12’s UCF, the Aggies took a 68-7 thumping But the Aggies’ top three quarterbacks were knocked out of the gametoaddinsulttoinjury
“For our team,” North Carolina A&T
Cal offensive lineman Jordan Spasojevic-Moko displays enthusiasm during the Bears’ recent dominant win over the Texas Southern Tigers, in which they left the Bay Area with a $625,000 payday Credit: Cal Bears Athletics
ShawnGibbsrespondedtoareporter’squestion about whether the payday was worth it, “Idon’tthinkit’sworthit Imean,wegot60+ pointsputonusandlostthreequarterbacks. Yeah,formeitwasagoodenvironment,great platform,butisthatworthit? Idon’tknow.”
The No.1-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes pummeled the Grambling State University football team, 70-0,
FCS record $1 million payday in what is known as a money game Credit: Getty Images
Kendal White
Sparksacomeback afterrejection
JimmieAggison 16, Kendal hought her ball dreams ng away hree yearsof he country ting at the with oneof Houston’stop clubs, she believed she was playing herbest volleyball. ryouts came 2024 season, ings differheraspoton team.Heartined,unsure yagain. ouragedand dWhite. “I were wrong. I nd earned a nalteam.” endingsoon rher comedleadher to a ly andastarlony’s varsity
eyball began utherfordand eteatanelite yfriendwho School before ,leftalasting nbecause she dWhite.
te attended ying outfor only didshe daspotonthe ed across the op clubs. redbecause I asjustexcited ovolleyball, icism on the rackXpress, 200, 400 meters lay. Butwhen flicting with madeachoice.
“Her dadand Irealized
that shehad real volleyball talent around age13,”saidLisaWhite,Kendal’smother. “Whatshe lacked in skillset shemade up forinspeed andagility.”
Afteryears on thenationalteam, White expectedtocontinueherrise.Butwhenher clubdeniedheranationalrosterspotheadingintothe2023–2024season,insteadofferinga lower-division placement, it cutdeep. White’smotherrecalledhow thefamily processedthe setbacktogether.
“Weacknowledgedher feelings,” said Lisa.“Wetoldherthatitwascertainlyokay forhertofeelhowshefelt.Weencouraged hertolookfor thegoodinthisexperience andthinkaboutthelessonsthisexperience hadtaughther.”
With most teamsalready full,White’s options were limited: Sitout theseasonor find anew club
“Westatedtoher that if she wanted to pursue volleyballincollege, she couldnot afford to sitout an entire year,” said Lisa.
“ForamomentIconsideredquittingvolleyballandgoingbacktotrack,”saidWhite
Thesetbackweighedheavilynotjuston White, butonher entire family
“Herjourneyhadbecomeafamilycommitment,”saidLisa. “Travelingtotournaments, practices/private lessons and personal trainers became adaily sacrifice forthe family.”
As thedisappointmentlingered, Absolute Volleyball Academycoach Marissa Stinsonstepped in andintroducedWhite to an athletic therapist
“Initially,uponreceiving thecall,Iwas dismissive,”saidWhite. “I wasstillheartbroken from my previous club experience andunsureofwhatthe future wouldhold.
At first, Idid notwanttoconsider the opportunity, butItookthe call andI’m glad Idid.”
ABOUTKENDALWHITE
Class: 2027
IG: @kendalwhite2027
Twitter: @kendalwhite_07
Position: OPP/DS/L
Height &weight: 5-feet-8,135 pounds
Favoriteartists: SZAand Drake
Status: Uncommitted
Favoritesubjects: Math and science
Shout-outs: My parents, all my previousand current coaches, my strength coach, my mental coach and God
“Hermonthlysessionswiththetherapist greatlyassistedincatapulting hergameto thenext levelwhile developing mental toughness,”saidLisa.
Aftermeeting with Stintonand playing on herclubteamatAbsoluteVolleyball Academyforaseason,Whitebecameaware ofanopeningatHoustonStellar,whereshe triedout fortheir 16 Eliteteam.
HoustonStellar coach, MairaPerez, immediately sawher potential.
“Whenwewerewatchingher tryout, shestood outwithher courtpresence,” said Perez. “She washypingevery girl on herteamduringscrimmageplayand had monsterenergyevery time shescored. We watched howshe reactedwhenshe messed up,she didn’t flinch or skip abeat. She recoveredquickly like nothinghappened andmoved on to thenextpoint.”
Whitesoonfound herselfathomewith HoustonStellar 17 Elite, this time with a newconfidenceand maturity.
“Myconfidencehasgrowntremendously becauseIwas coachedbyamazing people whohavealwayspushedmetobemybest, alongwithmytwoclosestfriendswhohave helped push me in my darkestmoments,” said White.
That renewedconfidence carried into highschool. Whitenow leadsIowaColony’s varsityteamwith67kills andsetsthe tone as aleader.
“Fromthe moment Kendal joined us at workouts,she hasconsistentlybeenone of thehardest workersinour program, ” said Iowa Colony head varsitycoach Tracy Klembus.“She’savocalleader,alwaysspeakingupduringhuddlesandofferingthoughtfulreflections on theset or thematch.In high-pressuremoments,Kendalneverbacks down.Her abilitytoembraceadversity as an opportunity to showcase herskill is invaluable,especiallyfor ayoung program like ours.”
Whitehas learnedthatrejection and resilience go hand in hand,but hergreatest takeaway hasbeenmentaltoughness
“Ilearnedthatvolleyballisamentalgame andifIwanttobethebest,Ihavetoperfect it,” said White.
Hermotherhopes thoselessons carry beyond thecourt
“Whatwehopeshe carries with her beyond volleyball is theskill of critical thinking andmentaltoughness,” said Lisa “Wehaveasayinginourhomethatlifewill notalwaysgoasyouhaveplanned,butifyou arementallytough andacriticalthinker, it should lead youtothe rightsolution.”
