11.27.2025_Defender-e-FULL

Houston Black farmers Lead fight for food justice

NEWS

NEWS

AL GREEN

MICKEY LELAND

The US.. Congressman talks about what’s next for him in the redistricting debacle.

Volume 95, issue 6 November 27, 2025

Where does the legacy of the late U.S. Rep stand in 2025?

facebook.com/defendernetwork twitter.com/defendernetwork

instagram.com/defendernetwork defendernetwork.com

FREE

2 | November 27, 2025 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN To the POINT

YES Prep staffers provide snacks for youth during their recent Community Recovery Fair. Credit: Vannessa Wade.

Message from the Reporter by the administration for failing to produce a restructured SGA constitution as Even though the government shutdown demanded by the administration. Without ended over a week ago, furloughed workan SGA, by state law, those students who are ers and others are still hurting, playing to be appointed to that important commitcatch-up, and in need of support. Two tee must be chosen through a campuswide recent events show how Houstonians are student vote. UH didn’t do that. Students stepping up to help those in need. YES Prep and alumni are charging foul via a deliberrecently hosted a Community Recovery Fair ate move to silence all-important student at the Alief Neighborhood Center to supvoices and remove students from having port families affected by the government agency over funding that directly impacts Aswad Walker shutdown and SNAP benefit delays. YES them. UH students who have protested the Prep staff member Cynthia Rubio said the event they spon- administration’s move, and sympathetic faculty, say this is an sored provided 275-300 bags of food and various supplies. issue much bigger than just one campus. It’s about democratic Rubio said, according to parents and caregivers, the biggest ideals and how easily they can be taken away if not fought needs have been hygiene products and shelf-stable items. for. Stay tuned for more on this story as it develops.

Richard Andrews, founder of the Foundation of Black Heritage and Culture and the One Mobile Food Pantry, said many Thanksgiving to Gratitude workers are still digging out from weeks of missed paychecks.

Certainly, we know that Thanksgiving, the act of giving “Postal employees, we even got a call from somebody with the thanks, extends far beyond just a holiday. But even that can IRS. Everybody is affected by the shutdown,” said Andrews. be extended. See, being thankful is a feeling. But gratitude is a Luckily, Andrews has a regular army of volunteers from his practice. The feeling of being thankful can come and go. But organization, the community at large, and the Shrine Cultural gratitude, by definition, means doing things daily to identify, and Events Center. They recently added an additional food name, share, and proclaim those things for which you are and resource giveaway to their already established weekly grateful. The effects of practicing gratitude are profound. food giveaway that takes place every Saturday. It’s encour- Gratitude improves mental well-being, reduces stress and aging to see Houstonians showing up and showing out for depression, lowers blood pressure, improves sleep, strengththeir neighbors in need. ens social connections, boosts feelings of positivity, fosters emotional resilience, and more. And FYI, gratitude provides Is UH silencing student voices? the fuel needed to power through challenging times. So, start Student Government Associations (SGA) at public uni- writing down daily things for which you are grateful and versities across the state and country are not just for students access those life-changing benefits. who want to “play politics.” These bodies, and the young people who hold elected positions in them, provide a mul- On the web titude of serious and impactful functions. Case in point, • Hip-Hop’s fall from the Top 40 isn’t the problem; it’s a at the University of Houston, the SGA is responsible for symptom. appointing students to a university committee that oversees • North Forest’s La’Shun Gray returns from injury but the allocation of over $25 million in student fees for various comes up short in final game. activities, including athletics, counseling, and psychological • Love in every culture: 12 wedding traditions that cross services, among others. Last year, UH’s SGA was dissolved borders.

Support for furloughed workers still needed

November 27, 2025 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

| 3

DN News

Congressman Al Green Talks about his future with Dist. 18/9

By ReShonda Tate

U.S. Rep. Al Green says he’s waiting on the U.S. Supreme Court before locking in his 2026 reelection plans, but he’s clear on one thing: he’ll be on the ballot, running “from the place where my home is,” whether that ends up being Texas’ 9th or 18th Congressional District.

A three-judge federal panel in El Paso recently ruled that Texas’ new Trump-backed congressional map is an unconstitutional racial gerrymander and ordered the state to use its 2021 map for the 2026 midterms.

Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton have already appealed to the Supreme Court. By Defender press time, SCOTUS had not made a ruling.

Green, a Houston Democrat who has represented the 9th Congressional District since 2005, filed earlier this month to run in the newly drawn 18th District after Republicans dismantled his current seat and pushed the “9” label to a new district based in conservative Liberty County. Under the blocked map, most of the people he currently represents — and his home — were drawn into the new 18th.

“I’m not moving, I’ve never moved,” Green said in an interview. “I’m staying where I’ve been for decades.”

‘The lines have moved, not me’

Green says the map is deliberately confusing. In the 2025 plan, lawmakers stripped out Brazoria County and other areas from his current 9th District and then redrew the 18th to come down into his southwest Houston base. Roughly two-thirds of the new 18th’s population came from the old 9th, while less than one-third came from the historic 18th.

“They labeled it 18. When they labeled it 18, my house didn’t move. So I didn’t move to 18 — 18 moved to me and about 500,000 of the people I represent,” Green said.

At the same time, the number “9” was shipped east to a Liberty County–anchored district that shares almost none of its voters with the current 9th. Less than 3% of the voters in the new 9th overlapped with the old one, a shift Green points to as proof lawmakers were moving lines, not people, and targeting communities of color.

“That’s gonna give you some sense of how they can move the lines, but not the people,” he said. “And the people that were in the 9th are now in the 18th.”

For Green, that was evidence that race — not traditional districting principles — drove the map.

“What they did was racist. It was racial discrimination. That’s why I won the lawsuit,” he said, noting that he is listed as “Alexander Green et al.” as a plaintiff-intervener in the case. “If it was a power grab, it was a racist

power grab. If it was politics, it was racist politics.”

Longtime defender of the 9th and 18th

Green stressed that his decision to file in the new 18th was about staying with the communities he’s represented for years while continuing a legal fight he’s been waging inside and outside of court.

“I’ve been fighting to protect the 18th and 9th congressional districts since I’ve been in Congress,” he said. “Sheila [Jackson Lee] and I did it together. After she left us, I continued that fight.”

He said he has “spent tens of thousands of dollars” over the years on redistricting lawsuits and views the latest ruling as a vindication — not just for him, but for Black voters in Houston whose political power was at risk of being diluted.

“There is nobody else in the city of Houston, in the 18th congressional district, that has been associated with this longer than I have,” Green said. “I’m very knowledgeable about what’s been happening and what is happening now because I’m a party to the lawsuit.”

He also urged Democrats and civil rights advocates to stop soft-pedaling the language around race.

“We’re dealing with racism, and too many of us are afraid to say the word,” Green said.

“Do not let comfort be confused with freedom. Our failure to stand up for ourselves is what’s going to cause the clock to be rolled back on us.”

Special election now, primary fight later

The El Paso ruling has ripple effects across Harris County. If it stands, it would preserve the four Democratic-held House seats anchored in the county instead of cutting them down to three, a major win for Houston-area Democrats.

It also reshapes the stakes in the race to replace the late U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner in the current 18th District. Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee and former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards are headed to a Jan. 31 runoff to fill out the remainder of Turner’s term, which ends Jan. 3, 2027.

That special election is separate from the March 3, 2026 primary, which will decide who serves the next full twoyear term under whichever map ultimately governs the 2026 elections.

Green said he has been

careful not to step on the ongoing special election.

“What I’m trying to do is respect what’s happening with the people who have been running to fulfill the unexpired term of Congressman Sylvester Turner,” he said. “This runoff is about that race. That race is separate and apart from what will happen after January.”

Waiting on the Supreme Court — and ready either way

Under current law, candidates have until Dec. 8 to file for the March primaries. Green has already filed for the new 18th District. If the Supreme Court lets the lower court ruling stand and orders Texas to use the 2021 map, Green said he

Al Green

will simply refile in the restored 9th District, which again would contain his home and longtime base.

“If the Supreme Court upholds the decision issued yesterday … I’m going to remain where I am and I’m going to run in the 18th congressional district,” he said. “If the court says the 18th is not good [and reverts to the old lines], I’m in the 9th district. Then I’m going to run from the 9th congressional district. All I have to do is refile.”

Green noted that if the Supreme Court rules after the current Dec. 8 deadline, the lower court could extend the filing window to allow candidates to adjust — something he said has happened in past redistricting fights.

“I’ve been down this road before,” he said.

“Either way, I will be on the ballot. I have never said that I wouldn’t be on the ballot.”

4 | November 27, 2025 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN News

Mickey Leland legacy Where does it stand in 2025?

By Aswad Walker

Because legendary Congressman George Thomas “Mickey” Leland’s birthday is Nov. 27, the Defender thought it fitting to look at the life and legacy of the iconic Congressman who proudly represented Texas’s historic 18th Congressional District until the unfortunate plane crash over Ethiopia in 1989 that took his life.

Leland, born Nov. 27, 1944, in Lubbock and raised in Houston’s Fifth Ward, emerged as a trailblazer whose work transcended politics.

A grassroots orga- Mickey Leland nizer at his core, Leland was reluctant to run for office until persuaded that his impact could stretch further from the halls of government.

He ultimately served as a State Representative in Texas from 1973 to 1979. He then went on to serve in the U.S. Congress as the representative for the historic District 18, a position he held from 1979 until his death in 1989.

Once he stepped into public life, he became a global force for good, battling hunger, poverty, and racial injustice across the U.S. and the world.

Yet in 2025, his standing is complicated.

Many Houstonians, especially Millennials and Gen Z, know little to nothing about one of the most influential leaders the city has ever produced. While Leland died tragically in 1989 during a humanitarian mission to Ethiopia, the potential loss of his legacy today could be a tragedy of its own.

So, where does the Leland legacy stand? It depends on whom you ask.

Remembered and appreciated For many Houstonians, Leland is still a giant.

I have a simple message: hunger is the enemy, not people.”

MICKEY LELAND

LELAND’S POLITICAL HIGHLIGHTS Served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1973– 1979, building a reputation as a committed advocate for the underserved.

Elected to the U.S. House in 1978 to represent Texas’s 18th District, succeeding Barbara Jordan and serving until his death in 1989.

Mickey Leland, shown here in 1984 with a group of Ethiopian children, fought for food, economic, and social justice locally and globally. Credit: Jeff Clark, The Mickey Leland Papers and Collection Addendum.

Re-elected five times, recognized early as Freshman Majority Whip and later At-Large Majority Whip.

Alison Leland, Mickey’s widow and a University of Houston law and politics professor, notes that the love for her late husband continues to surface in unexpected places.

She recalls her brother visiting a barbershop on Almeda where photos of her family hang beside images of Dr. King.

“There is enormous love in Houston, and I feel it… for me, for my family, for Mickey,” she shared.

She adds that the monuments matter— the federal building, the airport terminal, the statue in Hermann Park—but what brings her the greatest pride are her and Mickey’s three sons, along with “the students who bear his name as Leland interns.”

Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis agrees.

“The fact that Mickey Leland died in 1989… for him to still reverberate with people is really pretty amazing.”

Founded and chaired the House Select Committee on Hunger, driving national and global action on hunger, homelessness, and infant mortality.

Unknown to some But familiarity is not universal.

Rev. Darla Bolden knows Leland as a fighter for Black people and a member of Congress who died during a mission.

Barry Coe, who moved to Houston in 2017, admits, “I have not heard that name before.”

Millennial Houstonian Maurice Blandon echoed the same: “Nothing. I never heard the name before today.”

Others have fragments. Psychologist Karen Hickman, a Houston transplant

from Chicago, remembers him vaguely as “a fighter who was taken way too soon.”

These mixed levels of awareness highlight a truth: legacy does not preserve itself.

It must be taught, cultivated, and renewed.

Change agent at heart Leland’s path was never meant to be contained within politics. As chronicled by historian Benjamin Talton in his book In the Land of Plenty: Mickey Leland and Africa in American Politics, Leland initially rejected the call to run for office, believing real change grew from grassroots organizing.

Eventually, he was convinced to bring his passion for health care, social justice (which extended from the U.S. to fighting against South African apartheid), and human dignity to the political arena.

Alison Leland reflects on how her husband helped bridge divides on Capitol Hill and wonders where he would stand amid today’s polarized debates. Still, she believes “his voice is not silent,” because his name continues to circulate among colleagues and interns who carry his story forward.

What can be done to strengthen the legacy?

Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles

VOLUME 95, NUMBER 6 - NOVEMBER 27, 2025

Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles

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.

713-663-6996 | P.O. Box 8005, Houston, TX 77288

Managing Editor ReShonda Tate

Led bipartisan famine-relief efforts in Africa, inspiring major humanitarian legislation and international cooperation.

Chaired the Congressional Black Caucus.

Chaired key committees, championing health, children, the elderly, and marginalized communities.

Dr. Calvin Johnson, dean of TSU’s Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs (BJ-ML SOPA), believes BJ-ML SOPA can expand awareness by partnering with HISD to create K–12 essay contests centered on Leland’s activism. Judges could include leaders and elected officials, providing “secondary exposure” to those unaware of their contributions.

Bolden suggests community-led Freedom Schools to teach Leland’s history since “it’s not going to be taught in school.”

More about the challenges with the Barbara Jordan– Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs (TSU)

Content Manager Terrance Harris Community Reporter Aswad Walker Culture/Lifestyle Reporter Laura Onyeneho

Special Assignments Reporter Tannistha Sinha Sports Terrance Harris Jimmie Aggison Video Editor Bryan Erdy

November 27, 2025 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

| 5

My doctor is an excellent listener. They don’t rush me through my visit.

Beulah | Actual patient

Adults 65+

At CenterWell®, you can count on our seniorfocused primary care team to spend more time getting to know you. It’s all part of our proactive approach to keep you at your healthiest. Because the more we understand your unique needs, the more we can deliver personalized healthcare, so you can keep doing what you love.

50% more one-on-one time with your doctor*

Same-day appointments for current patients

Schedule a tour

832-835-6608 MyCenterWellHouston.com We’re Medicare-friendly! We accept Medicare plans from many providers, including Aetna, Amerigroup/Wellpoint, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas,

Senior-focused primary care

Dedicated care team

Cigna, Devoted Health, Humana and Wellcare.

* Comparison based on a study published by the Oxford Academic in June 2023 stating that the average primary care exam was approximately 21 minutes. Times vary based on services performed.

CenterWell does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, disability, age or religion in their programs and activities, including in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, their programs and activities.

6 | November 27, 2025 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

| 7

DN InFocus

W

By Aswad Walker

hen it comes to fighting against food deserts and seeking food justice, Houston-area Black farmers are literally on the front lines.

Food deserts are urban areas where affordable, good-quality fresh food is hard to find.

In Houston, more than 500,000 residents live in food deserts, many in predominantly Black neighborhoods like Acres Homes and Third Ward.

According to a Kinder Institute study, over half (53%) of Black households in Harris County experience food insecurity, and one in five Black residents lack easy access to fresh food.

Some advocates reject the term food desert, preferring food apartheid—a phrase coined by activist Karen Washington to describe the racially and economically driven systems that determine who gets access to healthy food and who doesn’t. Whether one says “desert” or “apartheid,” Black people are catching the short end of the stick when it comes to food access and the illnesses that result.

Though only 1.3% of Americans grow food for the rest, Black farmers are disproportionately few. They make up just 3% of all Texas farmers, yet Texas leads the nation with 11,741 Black producers—nearly a quarter of all Black farmers in the U.S. The Defender spoke with some local Black farmers to hear what food justice means to them, and how they’re working to achieve it.

Food Justice defined “For me, food justice is about people knowing where their food comes from, being able to see a farmer who looks like them, and having equitable access to fresh food,” said DeShaun Taylor, a licensed midwife who co-owns Taylor Made Farms with her husband, Jazzyyy. “We shouldn’t have to drive from Acres Homes to The Woodlands for a tomato. That’s injustice.”

First-generation farmers DeShaun and Jazzyyy Taylor hit the ground running with Taylor Made Farms.

Courtesy the Taylors.

Houston Black farmers

Jeremy Peaches and Ivy Walls head Fresh Houwse Grocery, a hub for Black food growers in the Houston area. Courtesy Fresh Houwse Grocery.

Lead fight for food justice Taylor’s understanding of food justice is deeply tied to her profession and scholarship.

In her master’s program thesis on the topic, she listed several examples, including the impact of Black male malnourishment.

“When a man is malnourished because he’s in a food desert, that affects our children—obesity, cancer, learning disabilities— it becomes a cycle.”

Her husband added that access to clean, healthy food isn’t just about survival, it’s about breaking intergenerational patterns.

“We’re growing and keeping things as organic as possible, and connecting with other farmers around the city to get our food to local farmers’ markets,” said Jazzyyy. “We’re working to become a CSA—community-supported agriculture farm.”

For Della Holden, founder of The Socialites Riding Network and Socialites AgriVersity, food justice means self-reliance.

“We’re taking back the responsibility of growing our own food for our own people,” she said. “You don’t have to wait for grocery stores to produce it. That’s where the justice comes in; being able to survive and stay alive in these economies.”

Holden’s AgriVersity, located on land her family has owned for decades in Sunnyside/ South Park, serves as both a community garden and a training space.

“We have different organizations we partner with. They get hands-on training on sowing their own seeds. Within that growing season, they’re responsible for their box,” she said. “We educate them on how to live off the land and grow their own food.”

Shaka Von Thomas, who heads the Houston Board of Food Security and The Happy Camper Houston, offers another layer to the definition.

“Food justice is knowing the history of your food,” said Thomas. “When food is sprayed with chemical compounds, you don’t truly know what you’re eating—or how it’s affecting you over time.”

Taylor Made Farms: Healing from the ground up The Taylors, both military veterans, purchased 4.24 acres in Conroe in March. By May, they had moved in and begun growing.

For DeShaun, the calling began during her first pregnancy.

Regarding food injustices, Houston, we have a solution.

Black farmers like Della Holden (pictured here) are collaborating to fight for food justice. Credit: Aswad Walker.

“I just wanted the best for my baby,” she said.

Now, the Taylors not only cultivate produce, but also host youth field trips and collaborate with other Black farmers. They recently added a mobile home on the property to serve as an Airbnb and classroom for doula trainings and youth farming workshops.

“We want to teach kids that farming is not just about food—it’s about freedom,” said DeShaun.

Socialites AgriVersity: Returning to roots Holden describes herself as a “countryturned-city girl returning to her roots.” Her reentry into agriculture began when her elderly relatives, who owned the family’s Sunnyside property, fell ill.

“God put it on my heart to help them,” she said.

Holden now raises horses, chickens, and pigs, while overseeing a community garden, and invites the community to learn alongside her.

“Just schedule a time with me,” she said.

“We have events where the community comes out to see what we do.”

Holden’s collaborations with other farmers

BY THE NUMBERS Number of Black Farmers (approx.) by County

132 Harris

251 Fort Bend

Shaka Von Thomas helps area Black farmers, urban gardeners and others connect and collaborate through his work at the Houston Board of Food Security. Credit: Aswad Walker.

and groups like the Houston Tool Bank and Shaka Von Thomas’s Board of Food Security are part of her mission to make farming communal, not competitive.

376 Brazoria

106

Montgomery

Source: USDA

Fresh Houwse Grocery. Credit: Aswad Walker.

Houston Board of Food Security: Data for the people Thomas and the Board are working to merge technology and agriculture to better meet community food needs.

“We’re partnering with community gardens to facilitate consumer-supported agriculture,” Thomas said. “We’ll hand out QR codes people can scan to tell us what they need planted.

That data helps us know what to grow for families who can pay, and those who need donations.”

He says the project will eventually map the city’s food needs in real time.

“As we build that data, we can start to supply the market with more and more farm-fresh foods.”

Fresh Houwse Grocery: Hub for Black food power Perhaps the most visible face of Houston’s Black food movement is Fresh Houwse Grocery, co-founded by Jeremy Peaches and Ivy Walls.

Located at 9441 Cullen Blvd., the store is one of Houston’s few Black-owned groceries, and a hub for Black farmers and product makers.

“There’s a whole collective of young Black farmers here in Houston,” said Peaches. “From gardening and food processing to creating products—it’s a great ecosystem.”

For Peaches, food justice is multi-layered.

“It’s the hands-on work—starting a garden, no matter how small—but also the advocacy.

That’s the most important part because it involves politics,” shared Peaches.

He emphasizes the economic side too.

“One percent of people control 99% of food production,” he stated. “We’ve been growing for thousands of years, but now that we have the product, what are we going to do with it?

That’s the lingering question.”

Peaches sees a positive cultural shift happening.

“People are being product makers, putting out fresh food, and creating a culture we haven’t seen much in Houston—agriculture on front street,” he added.

Learn about the support needed and the message to youth about farming.

8 | November 27, 2025 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Feature REPORT

Married couples keeping finances separate

By Laura Onyeneho

According to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau, a growing number of married couples are saying “I do” to keeping their finances separate.

In 2023, 23% of married couples reported having no joint bank account, a significant jump from 15% in 1996. Experts say the shift reflects broader cultural and economic changes and reshapes how couples think about money and marriage.

Couples cite various reasons for keeping their finances apart. Some want to avoid conflict caused by differing money styles. Others enter marriage with significant debt such as student loans or credit cards and prefer not to tie those liabilities to their partner.

People are getting married later, often when they already have careers, savings and financial habits. They’re less inclined to merge everything and more focused on protecting their independence.

D r. S t e p h a n i e Zepeda, a Houston marriage and family therapist who specializes in financial conflict, said some of her Dr. Stephanie clients turn to separate Zepeda accounts after struggling with “financial infidelity” hiding debt, secret credit cards, or gambling losses.

“Texas is a community property state, so even if one person racks up debt, it can legally become both partners’ debt,” Zepeda explained. “For some couples, the solution is keeping finances separate and signing a prenup that clearly delineates what belongs to whom.”

She added that blended families often benefit from separation. “In second marriages where children are involved, it keeps things clear. If you’re paying tuition or child support, separate accounts prevent one partner from feeling like they’re carrying the other’s responsibilities.”

Hybrid approaches Rather than an all-or-nothing choice,

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

FOR PROPOSED SERVICE CHANGES

Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas (METRO) Notice is hereby given that the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas (METRO), will hold a public hearing on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. to receive public comment on the proposed February 2026 changes to METRO service. The public is invited to attend the hearing and provide comments in person.

The public may also join the hearing and provide comments virtually on Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85898588368 or by dialing: 346-248-7799 or 888-475-4499 (toll-free), meeting ID: 858 9858 8368. Additionally, if you do not want to provide comments during the public hearing, visit RideMETRO.org/LiveStream to view a livestream of the event.

A video recording of the hearing will also be archived on the same page.

Fewer couples are combining their bank accounts. But that trend may not promote partners’ overall financial health, experts say. Credit: Getty

couples are increasingly experimenting with hybrid systems. That might mean each partner keeps their own account for personal spending while maintaining a joint account for household bills, groceries, or long-term goals like saving for a home.

Zepeda said many of her clients use proportional contributions splitting expenses based on income rather than 50/50. “If one person earns double the other might cover 75% of the rent while the other pays 25%. It feels fairer and avoids resentment.”

She recommends couples set aside “fun money” each month in separate debit accounts. “When it’s gone, it’s gone. It keeps discretionary spending under control and prevents arguments over things like Amazon purchases or brunches.”

The communication factor Financial experts stress that the method itself matters less than the conversations couples have around money. Transparency and regular check-ins can help prevent misunderstandings and resentment.

Dave Ramsey, radio personality and financial guru is popularly known for his tough strategies around debt and money management. In one of his episodes he strongly advises that married couples combine all finances into joint accounts to foster unity, teamwork and shared goals, rather than keeping separate finances which he equates to being “roommates with wedding rings”.

The proposed service changes may include: Route changes to bus route 500; schedule changes to bus routes 6, 9, 28, 56, 82, 99, 153, 217, 221, 222, 228, 265, and 270; and elimination of bus routes 64, 402, and Z-Trip.

Copies of proposed route maps and available timetables will be available beginning on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, for public review both online and in the lobby of the METRO RideStore located in the Lee P. Brown METRO Administration Building at 1900 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77002, weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The public hearing on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. will be held in the 2nd floor boardroom at 1900 Main Street, Houston, Texas (served by bus routes 6, 11, 35, 44, 51, 52, 54, 82, 85, 102, 137, 161, 162, and METRORail).

HOW TO COMMENT ABOUT THE SERVICE CHANGES

If you would like to make public comments in person or virtually, please register as a public speaker with the METRO Board Office at least 48 hours in advance of the hearing. Call 713-739-4834 or send an email to BoardOffice@RideMETRO.org and provide your name, address and telephone number. As explained above, you may attend the public hearing in person or virtually on Thursday, December 4, 2025, to provide comments. If you pre-register, your comments will be heard first at the public hearing. Your name will be called at the appropriate time to make your comments.

You may also provide comments by: • Writing to us at METRO, ATTN: February 2026 Service Changes, 1900 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002 • Faxing comments with a subject line referencing "February 2026 Service Changes" to 713-652-7956 • Calling or texting METRO Customer Contact Center at 713-635-4000 • Submitting comments on the METRO website at RideMETRO.org All comments should be submitted to METRO by 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 4, 2025.

HELP FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

For individuals with disabilities, assistive services or copies of public documents in an alternate format can be provided. Individuals with impairments may call 713-750-4271 a minimum of five (5) working days prior to the public hearing.

LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE

Upon request, METRO provides free language assistance to help patrons who have a limited ability to read, write, speak or understand English, in accordance with its language assistance plan. Please call 713-739-4018 or email METROPublicAffairs@RideMETRO.org to request language assistance or other accommodations at least 48 hours in advance of the hearing.

OTHER

Dr. Stephanie Zepeda’s Top Money & Marriage Tips

CLASSIFIED NOTICE OF HEARING NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO DISCUSS ACADEMY OF ACCELERATED LEARNING, INC. 20242025 Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) Academy of Accelerated Learning, Inc. will hold a public hearing at 6:30 P.M. CST, on December 16, 2025, located at 5857 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77057. The purpose of this hearing is to discuss the Academy of Accelerated Learning, Inc. 2024-2025 rating on the state's financial accountability system based on 2024-2025 data.

1. This public hearing conforms to requirements described in the Federal Transit Administration's Circular 9030.1E, published January 16, 2014, page VI-7.

2. METRO does not discriminate based on disability in the admission or access to, or in treatment or employment in, its services, programs, and activities.

3. METRO is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, its transit services based on race, color, or national origin, as protected by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

RideMETRO.org • Call or text 713-635-4000

November 27, 2025 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

| 9

DN Feature

1866 Coffee

Redefines Black entrepreneurship for Fifth Ward youth

By Laura Onyeneho

Houston’s next generation of coffee industry leaders aren’t waiting for an opportunity; they’re brewing it.

The Color of Coffee Collective, a Houston-based nonprofit dedicated to bringing equity and representation to the specialty coffee industry launched 1866 Coffee, a student-created coffee brand developed through the organization’s Coffee Camp program.

The new roast made its debut on Nov. 5, showcasing the creativity, talentand entrepreneurial spirit of Houston’s next generation of coffee leaders.

Behind the project is Keith Hawkins, founder and CEO of the Color of Coffee Collective. He is a 28-year veteran of the specialty coffee industry. The new student-led brand is named for the year formerly enslaved Texans began building lives, businesses, and legacies in the aftermath of emancipation.

Idea brewed from a gap Hawkins began his career as a route driver before elevating to a Starbucks manager and entrepreneur. Along the way, he saw firsthand how rarely people who looked like him were represented at the decision-making level.

“I’ve had a great career in coffee,” he says, “but I didn’t see throughout this journey people who looked like me in rooms that made a difference. By 2020, it was clear that while everyone was talking about diversity, there was still very little action.”

According to the National Coffee Association, the total U.S. coffee industry contributes an estimated $343 billion in economic output and supports over 2.2 million jobs.

Around 3% of coffee shop owners are Blackand approximately 10% of baristas are Black American, according to analyses of US

Census data. Most coffee industry career pipelines, from roasting apprenticeships to green coffee importing, remain dominated by white professionals.

At the same time, the youth unemployment rate for ages 16-24 was 10.8% in July 2025, up from 9.8% the previous summer. The rate for Black youth was 14.3%, significantly higher than the overall youth rate, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Programs like Coffee Camp are closing that gap by providing access to real-world, transferable skills in a growing industry.

“It’s the second largest traded commodity in the world, only behind oil and gas. The revenue stream is absolutely incredible,” Hawkins says. “It’s just a matter of being able to tap into that revenue. And that’s what my goal here.”

Coffee Camp: Where skills meet purpose Out of that mission came Coffee Camp, a hands-on program teaching students ages 14 to 19 everything from brewing techniques to business management.

“Coffee is the vehicle,” Hawkins says. “The real goal is workforce development.”

When students come to class, they’re learning more than how to steam milk or pull espresso. They’re learning how to show up, communicate, and see themselves as capable of leadership.

“They come in, we greet each other, we brew coffee and we talk,” Hawkins says. “Then we get into the week’s topic. This week, it’s customer service. Because serving coffee isn’t just about a drink; it’s about creating an experience.”

That approach has helped students like Paul Lewis-Snell,16, see new possibilities.

“I wanted to come to the class not just

to make coffee, but to learn more about it.

Where it’s from, how it works and how it’s part of business,” Lewis-Snell says. “We visit coffee shops and see what to do and what not to do.

You can learn from your mistakes.”

1866: The spirit of Fifth Ward Anchoring 1866 Coffee in Houston’s Fifth Ward is deeply personal for Hawkins. He grew up nearby on Lyons Avenue, watching his parents work and serve their community.

“Fifth Ward has always been part of my life,” he says. “When the opportunity came to bring specialty coffee here, it was clear this was a God-designed moment.”

The name 1866 pays tribute to the era immediately following emancipation, when newly freed Texans laid the foundation for Black economic independence. Fifth Ward was one of those places, known for its culture of entrepreneurship.

Thirteen-year-old Carsen Henry says that history inspired him.

“It makes me so proud to learn about our history this way,” he says. “We’re making this coffee to represent that and bring people out to learn about it.”

Henry’s favorite part of the program is learning how to serve the community. “It makes me feel good because I get to talk to people and give them a good first impression,” he says. “You can show your kindness, and it works the same way in the real world.”

Beyond coffee-making, Hawkins wants students to understand the full ecosystem of the industry, from accounting and logistics to importing and exporting.

“Just because you don’t see yourself in a space today doesn’t mean you can’t get there,” Hawkins says. “And if you can’t see yourself there, create the space you want to see.”

Keith Hawkins, Founder and CEO of The Color of Coffee Collective, worked in the specialty coffee business for nearly three decades.

The name 1866 honors the resilience and entrepreneurship of Black communities in the post-Emancipation era. Credit: Jimmie Aggison

10 | November 27, 2025 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports Tampa Bay wide receiver Mike Evans, a product of Galveston Ball and Texas A&M, is putting together a Hall of Fame-worthy career with the Buccaneers. Credit: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mike Evans, a product of Galveston Ball and Texas A&M, has been spectacular for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when he has been healthy.

Credit: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

GALVESTON NATIVE & TAMPA BAY WIDE RECEIVER

Mike Evans

Puts together a Hall of Fame career

By Jodie B. Jiles

With over a hundred personal guests in NRG Stadium for a recent Monday Night Football showdown, Galveston’s future Hall of Fame wide receiver Mike Evans balled out of control for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Evans led receivers in the game with 56 yards off five tough catches in the Buccaneers’ 20-19 victory over the Houston Texans.

In 2024, Evans broke the NFL’s record for the most consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons with 11 straight. Evans has currently held nearly every record a wide receiver can hold with the Buccaneers since being drafted by the franchise as a seventh overall pick in 2014.

Mike Evans and Texans All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. went back and forth all night and spoke about their primetime matchup.

When Stingley Jr. was asked about the

MIKE EVANS ACCOMPLISHMENTS • Ranked 24th in NFL Receiving Yards - 12,791 Career yards • Ranked 9th in NFL Receiving Touchdowns - 105 Career Touchdowns • 1st Player to Have 11 Consecutive 1,000-yard Receiving Seasons • 2x Associated Press (AP) All-Pro Selection (2016 and 2023) • 6x Pro Bowl Selection

matchup, Stingley Jr. stated, “It was fun. We were going at it today with a lot of opportunities, and it was a fun game.”

Stingley Jr. later described Evans when Stingley Jr. said, “He’s a vet. And like most vets that have played a long time, they know how to do certain things that knock you off just a little bit……He’s a great, and one day when he is done playing, he will get some awards.”

When Evans was asked about his oneon-one contest with Stingley Jr., Evans responded, “He’s a great player. One of the best corners in the league, who was pressing most of the night, and it was a good battle.”

The Defender spoke with Mike Evans, who has since been sidelined with injuries this season, about his approach to catching passes, his legacy, advice to the next generation, and more.

Playing in Front of Hometown Crowd “It means a lot. This is most likely my last time playing in Houston ever, and I am an hour down the road; I had a lot of family and

friends come to see this electrifying win. It was loud for the Texans, but I felt the love in the stands.”

Game Winning Drive vs. Texans “Everybody was calm, and obviously we did it last week (vs. Atlanta Falcons) in a little bit of a different scenario, but we practice two-minute religiously, and it was great for our preparation to come full circle tonight.”

Pass-Catching Process “Just keep going. That’s all you can do.

Worry about what you can control and work hard.”

Mike Evans Legacy in NFL “A guy that played hard, made plays, and is a winner.”

Advice for Next Generation “Be coachable, be a good teammate, work your ass off, and anything is possible.”

November 27, 2025 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

| 11

DN Sports

2025 Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy volleyball from left to right - Naila Coleman (11), Loren Smith (4), Pearce Aycox (1), Nyra Gnagbe (7), Kenndi Fowler (5), Citlali Casique (10), MIA Pol (6), Sydnee Hampton (3), Aniya Pendleton (9), Summer Spiller (8), Isis Rhone (2) and Fadwa Hassan (12).

Credit: Jimmie Aggison/Defender

THIRD YEAR STRAIGHT

YWCPA DISTRICT CHAMPS

By Jimmie Aggison

In just six short years, the Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy volleyball program has grown from a newly formed team into a dominant force in 4A Region III District 20.

Under the leadership of Coach Tala’Shandria Allen, now in her fifth year as head coach, YWCPA has not only made the playoffs for four consecutive seasons but also secured the district championship three years in a row, a notable achievement for such a young program.

When Allen started her role as head volleyball coach at YWCPA, she aimed to create a program that would be both successful and competitive.

“I dreamed about it and I knew with hard work and dedication that the dream could become a reality,” said Allen.

Her players quickly bought into her vision for success.

“I really didn’t face any challenges because the girls were ready to work hard, which is something they do daily in the classroom,” said Allen. “They were ready to learn the game, develop their skills and build a winning program.”

While the program’s record speaks volumes, the people behind the success reveal the dedication and grit that drive each victory.

Allen motivates her players to perform at a high level each season by emphasizing skill development and analyzing game situations through detailed practice drills.

Unlike other schools in the 4A Region III District 20, YWCPA is an all-girls college preparatory magnet school serving grades 6–12.

Having both middle and high school students under one roof allows Allen to directly work with younger athletes while developing the high school program.

“I share my former collegiate playing experiences with them,” said Allen. “Performing at this level is now an expectation that has become an integral part of our campus. We strive for excellence in the classroom and on the court.”

But even the strongest leadership wouldn’t matter without athletes willing to accept the challenge and put in the effort.

Junior setter Sydnee Hampton understands what it’s like to be part of a team that has won three straight district championships.

“It feels amazing,” said Hampton. “There’s a lot of pride in knowing the work we’ve put in has paid off, but it also motivates us to keep pushing. Every year is a new challenge, so it’s not just about the wins, it’s about the growth we experience as a team.”

Sophomore right-side hitter Citlali Casique, who began on varsity as a freshman, also understands what it means to be part of a championship legacy.

“From the beginning, I looked up to the older players and was inspired by their dedication and teamwork,” said Casique. “Over time, the bond I’ve built with my teammates has become like no other. We’ve grown together both on and off the court, pushed

each other to improve and created memories that will last far beyond the season.

“The pride I feel in representing my team and school continues to motivate me every time I step on the court.”

Players say that improvement comes from holding each other accountable and competing hard during practice.

“We hold each other accountable,” said Hampton. “If someone slacks or doesn’t give full effort, the rest of us aren’t afraid to speak up. At the same time, we cheer on each other’s successes and share tips. It’s competitive but supportive at the same time.”

Teamwork continues to be the key to their success.

“A volleyball team without teamwork isn’t a team at all,” said Casique. “Teamwork is the foundation of the game. It’s what keeps everything running smoothly. Every point depends on communication, trust and support among teammates. No matter how talented individual players are, success only comes when everyone works together toward the same goal.”

While talent and teamwork drive wins, the journey to district dominance hasn’t been without challenges. Last season, the 2024 YWCPA volleyball team graduated five seniors who were three- and four-year varsity letter winners, leaving the 2025 squad with mostly younger players. Coupled with some injuries and unexpected losses, the new team had to quickly adapt and find its rhythm.

Though Allen never doubted her team’s

ability to repeat as champions, some players admitted to moments of uncertainty.

“Every season comes with its own obstacles and sometimes it felt like the odds were against us,” said Hampton. “Reminding ourselves of our work ethic and trust in each other is what kept us going.”

Those trials only enhanced the program’s reputation and laid the foundation for a lasting legacy at YWCPA. After finishing the 2025 season, the YWCPA volleyball team faced a tough Livingston squad in the first round of the playoffs, losing in three straight sets. While some might see the loss as a setback, Allen views it differently.

“Next season, the goal is to continue the winning tradition and win a bi-district match,” said Allen. “I encourage them to play outside of school, go to open gyms and work out during the summer. Champions are built during the offseason.”

With a solid foundation, inspired leadership and a culture built on hard work, YWCPA volleyball isn’t just a team at the top; it’s a program setting the standard for years to come.

For younger athletes aiming to join a successful program, dedication and mental resilience are essential.

“Work hard every day, even when no one’s watching,” said Hampton. “Be coachable, communicate and respect your teammates.

Talent helps, but attitude and consistency are what make a program truly successful.”

12 | November 27, 2025 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

FINAL DAYS! ENDS MONDAY, DEC 1st!

Pick your Houston favorites – from pioneering entrepreneurs and influential leaders to outstanding artists and beloved restaurants. This isn't just a celebration; it's a platform to recognize success.

Best of

BLACK

HOUSTON 2025