Houston Style Magazine vol 30 No 29

July 18 – July 24, 2019

Houston’s Premiere Weekly Publication

Volume 30 | Number 29

Complimentary

Jesse Jackson

Jesse Jackson-Trump’s Racist Behavior Is Infamous and Longstanding

HEB

H-E-B to Test Self-Driving Vehicle for Delivery z z

Houston’s Own Chandler Foreman Is Miss Texas 2019

By Jo-Carolyn Goode, Managing Editor

Lucy Bremond

Talks About Goals of the New Emancipation Park

St. Kitts: Not Just Another Island

2019 SWAC Media Day

Impeachment

N E W S | C O M M E N TA R I E S | S P O R T S | H E A LT H | E N T E R TA I N M E N T Support Black Owned Businesses

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Addison White Stars in TUT’s Seussical

Associate Publisher Lisa Valadez

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Managing Editor Jo-Carolyn Goode editorial@stylemagazine.com Social Media Editor/Videographer Reginald Dominique reggiedominique@me.com

NATIONAL WRITERS

Jesse Jackson jjackson@rainbowpush.org Roland Martin www.rolandmartin.com Judge Greg Mathis www.askjudgemathis.com

A Buddhist Temple and a Fine Tea House

PHOTOGRAPHERS Vicky Pink vhpink@gmail.com

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William Ealy Williamealy1906@gmail.com Semetra Samuel semetra@artistikrebelcreative.com Mike Munoz artrepreneur91@gmail.com Robert Franklin editorial@stylemagazine.com

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July 18 – July 24, 2019

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COMMENTARY

Trump’s Racist Behavior Is Infamous and Longstanding

By Jesse Jackson, National Political Writer to their countries, he reaffirms his plan to ‘Make America Great Again’ has always been about making America white again,” Pelosi tweeted. “Our diversity is our strength and our unity is our power.”

As condemnations poured in for his racist jibes, Trump -- as is his pattern -- did not apologize. Instead he escalated, accusing the four legislators of “racist hatred” and calling on them to apologize. He criticized Democrats for coming to the defense of the congresswomen, who he claimed are “very unpopular & unrepresentative.”

So unpopular and unrepresentative that they were literally popularly elected to represent their districts.

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Congressional women ‘Squad’

here he goes again. On Sunday, just before he headed off to his golf club in Sterling, Virginia, Donald Trump once more played the race card. It wasn’t enough that he was terrorizing millions of undocumented fathers, mothers and children with the threat of sweeping raids, mass roundups and deportations.

This time, he turned his attention to four popularly elected Democratic first-term legislators of color, suggesting that they “go back” to the “totally broken and crime-infested places from which they come.”

This vile racist trope was aimed at

POLITICAL

Rep. Ayanna Pressley, who was born in Cincinnati, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, who was born in Detroit, Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, who was born in New York and Rep. Ilhan Omar, who was born in Somalia and became a U.S. citizen as a teenager. Trump smeared them as alien or not real Americans. They are, in fact, popularly elected leaders of the country.

Trump assailed them while pretending to come to the defense of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Pelosi immediately called him out:

Trump uses charged racist rhetoric and posturing to distract us from the chaos and corruption of his administration and his own crimes and misdemeanors. It isn’t surprising that this latest outburst comes on the eve of the public testimony of Special Counsel Robert Mueller before the House Judiciary Committee.

“When @realDonaldTrump tells four American congresswomen to go back

Trump appears to have a particular animus for strong women of color,

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Trump’s racial jibes are an insult to his office and to the country. Even if we have come to expect it from him, we cannot become inured to it. America is a diverse country; a politician who uses race to divide us for political gain is spewing a poison that weakens us all.

It is simply pathetic that Republicans have, with rare exceptions, once more remained silent in the face of Trump’s provocations. We know what Trump is -- and the ugliness and division that he wields as a club. The question now is what are Republicans? Their silence suggests that they either embrace the president’s cynical racism or are too cowed to stand up for basic decency.

Trump has the biggest megaphone in the country, if not the world. But America is a better country than he seems to think. Trump clearly believes he and his party profit politically from fanning racial divisions. In 2020, we can demonstrate that he is wrong.

(You can write to the Rev. Jesse Jackson in care of this newspaper or by email at jjackson@rainbowpush.org. Follow him on Twitter @RevJJackson.)

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Congresswomen ‘Squad’ Respond to Trump’s Attacks: The US ‘Belongs to Everyone’

By Ashley Killough and Clare Foran, CNN/StyleMagazine.com

Congressional women ‘Squad’

fter the President of the United States szent the day openly encouraging a group of critical congresswomen of color to leave the country, the four Democratic lawmakers made clear Monday they’re here to stay.

“I want to tell children across this country is that no matter what the President says, this country belongs to you,” said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York at a news conference on Capitol Hill on Monday. “And it belongs to everyone and today that notion, that very notion was

Trump’s racist behavior is infamous and longstanding, from his discriminatory record as a real estate developer, his libels of the Central Park Five, his false “birther” attacks on Barack Obama, his defense of pro-Nazi demonstrators in Charlottesville, his dismissal of socalled “s---hole countries, to his libel of Mexican immigrants as “rapists,” and his call for a ban on Muslims.

whether it is Rep. Maxine Waters, the four first-term legislators, national political reporters like CNN’s April Ryan and Abby Phillip or PBS correspondent Yamiche Alcindor. He smears them as “a loser” or “stupid” or for “having low intelligence.”

challenged.”

Ocasio-Cortez was joined by Reps.

Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, a group short handedly referred to on Capitol Hill as the “squad,” a quartet of lawmakers who throughout their first months in Congress have found themselves at odds with leaders in their own party as well as sharply criticizing the President.

Most recently the four lawmakers have sharply rebuked the administration for the conditions at migrant detention facilities

July 18 – July 24, 2019

as part of the overall humanitarian crisis at the US southern border, part of a point Pressley made clear that should not be lost in the coverage of Trump’s tweets.

“I encourage the American people and all of us in this room and beyond, to not take the bait,” Pressley said at the opening of the news conference. “This is a disruptive distraction from the issues of care, concern and consequence to the American people.”

The four lawmakers’ response Monday was a serious condemnation of a President who through a series of racist tweets and remarks made false allegations about the Democratic women and said that if they were going to criticize his policies, then they can remove themselves from the country. The squad’s unified reply Monday night was one of defiance.

“Our squad is big,” Pressley said. “Our squad includes any person committed to building a more equitable and just world, and that is the work that we want to get back to and given the size of this squad and this great nation, we cannot, we will not be silenced.”

Omar condemned the President’s Twitter attack against the freshmen congresswomen as “a blatantly racist attack on four duly elected members of the United States of

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House of Representatives, all of whom are women of color.”

Omar went on to say, “This is the agenda of white nationalists, whether it is happening in chat rooms or it’s happening on national TV, and now it’s reached the White House garden.”

On Sunday, the President used racist language to attack progressive Democratic congresswomen, falsely implying they weren’t natural-born American citizens; Omar was the only member of the four not born in the United States. On Monday, Trump stood by his racist attacks on the quartet of Democratic congresswomen, insisting they leave the United States if they continue complaining about his policies.

Omar, who along with Tlaib, made history in January as becoming the first two Muslim women in Congress, said Trump’s comments evoke a familiar sentiment made to people of color.

“You might have noticed how when he said go back to where you came from there was an uproar through all of our communities, because every single person who is brown or black, at some point in their life in this country, heard that,” Omar said.

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BRIEFS

H-E-B to Test Self-Driving Vehicle for Delivery in San Antonio

sacurrent.com H-E-B announced plans to launch an Autonomous Delivery Vehicle (ADV) pilot program in San Antonio later this year. The company is working with Udelv – a California-based company that specializes in building ADVs – to test driverless technology, and potentially expand their tech-based delivery services, which include Favor, H-E-B Curbside and H-E-B Home Delivery. A driver will be present in the ADV during the initial testing phase, and will deliver groceries to Olmos Park area customers who sign up for the ADV pilot program. Despite the drive toward automation services, the company is dedicated to working with people, said Craig Boyan, H-E-B President, in a recent press release. “We’re adding necessary skills to become both a better tech company and even stronger brick-and-mortar retailer.” If the pilot is a success, H-E-B will begin rolling out additional testing phases to improve safety and efficiency, before the ADVs become fully driverless.

Representative Al Green and Speaker Pelosi

House Kills Solo Democrat’s Bid to Impeach Trump CNN/StyleMagazine.com Newswire The House on Wednesday easily defeated an effort from a Texas Democrat to impeach President Donald Trump in a vote that highlighted the Democratic fissures when it comes to impeachment.

Rep. Al Green was able to force the vote under House rules — the first that Congress has taken related to impeachment since Democrats took control of the chamber this year — in what amounted to the most direct challenge yet to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s handling of impeachment. The 332-95 vote divided Democrats, with 95 — a little more than 40% of the Democratic caucus -- voting against tabling it, or voting to keep it alive. There were 137 Democrats who joined all Republicans in voting to defeat the measure. Of the 85 Democrats publicly calling for an impeachment inquiry, 14 joined with Republicans to defeat Green’s impeachment resolution.

Sixteen Year Old Houstonian takes Sock Out Poverty Campaign to NY

StyleMagazine.com Newswire Sixteen-year old Houstonian, Princess Jackson is the founder of nonprofit organization Sock Out Poverty, Inc. Jackson is hosting her out of state sock campaign in New York, NY on July 19, 2019, at The Bowery Mission located at 227 Bowery, New York, NY 10002 from 6pm-7pm. She will be passing out new socks to more than 300 homeless men and women housed at the shelter. Her mission is to reduce poverty and restore lives all over the world. Sock Out Poverty, Inc. has been in existence for five years. While on a blanket drive with her mom, Jackson noticed the homeless didn’t have socks to keep them warm.

Because of her passion to give back to the community and her fondness for socks, Sock Out Poverty was created.

Jackson gives the most needed yet overlooked item to the less fortunate, and that’s a new pair of socks.

House Kills Solo Democrat’s Bid to Impeach Trump

Migrant Children Moved From Border Patrol Facility After Reports of Unsafe Conditions

TexasTribune.org undreds of children have been moved from a Border Patrol facility near El Paso after reports surfaced that they spent nearly a month living with substandard food, water and sanitation. Many of the children were sent to another El Paso facility, Border Patrol Station 1, where they remain in Border Patrol custody until they can be placed with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, according to NBC News. U.S. Rep.Veronica Escobar told the Associated Press, which first reported about the conditions in Clint, that just 30 children remain there. Several attorneys who visited the station said they found at least 15 children sick with the flu, some of whom were being kept in medical quarantine. They described seeing a sick and diaperless 2-year-old boy whose “shirt was smeared in mucus.”

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Huggies Uses Black Father and Daughter in Packaging

Metro.co.uk Nappy bran brand Huggies has released a new line of diapers that features a black family in its packaging. The move is said to be the ‘first in history’ as the company has exclusively shown white babies and parents in its advertising in the past. The dad and daughter displayed on the box come as part of the new line of eco-friendly nappies. Huggies Special Delivery diapers are made from plant-based materials derived from sugarcane. The baby-side liner and the diaper waistband are made from the stuff and it also boasts no parabens, fragrance and elemental chlorine. Perfect for parents who are looking for more natural disposable options for their kids. The new packaging won a tonne of praise on social media where many other users shared the news. Some, however, did have some complaints that Huggies isn’t a black-owned business and could be cashing in on a diversity gimmick.

Migrant Children Moved From

Hispanics Set to Replace Whites as Largest Group in Texas By 2022: Census

NBCDFW.com ispanics are poised to become the largest segment of the Texas population in the next three years, according to the latest numbers from the U.S. Census Bur. The figures, first reported by the Texas Tribune, show 1.9 million Latinos moved to Texas from 2010 to 2018 -- more than whites, blacks and Asians combined. The numbers showed, in 2018, nine Hispanics moved to Texas for every white person, the Tribune reported. The booming Latino population will likely affect Texas politics for years to come. After the 2020 census, for example, Fort Worth is planning to add two council seats and redraw district maps, which could usher in a more diverse group of leaders. The 2018 Texas census counts 11.9 million whites, 11.4 million Hispanics, 3.4 million blacks and 960,000 Asians.

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Big Freedia’s Ice Cream

Big Freedia Teams With Ben & Jerry’s For “Big Freedia’s Bouncing Beignets” Flavored Ice Cream

BlackAmericaWeb.com en & Jerry’s recently joined forces with Queen of Bounce Big Freedia for a one-time-only epic batch of a custom flavor dubbed, “Big Freedia’s Bouncing Beignets.” The flavor was unveiled on Saturday, July 6 at Republic, one of Freedia’s favorite hot spots. The flavor consisted of sundaes made with custom flavor Bouncing Beignets, a vanilla ice cream with a bourbon caramel swirl, served atop a fresh beignet. In addition to sampling the tasty treat, fans learned more about No Kid Hungry, a non-profit organization whose goal is to feed underserved children in New Orleans and got a first-listen of Big Freedia’s newest song “Chasing Rainbows” featuring Ke$ha, set to be released in August. Stay tuned for more from our fave Louisiana bounce legend!

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McDonald’s Adds DoorDash as U.S. McDelivery Partner Beginning with Houston-Area Pilot

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cDonald’s USA and DoorDash announced a new partnership to expand the availability and accessibility of McDelivery beyond its current offering, launching first in the Houston, Texas area across more than 200 restaurants beginning July 29.

McDonald’s will also be a part of DashPass, DoorDash’s subscription program.

DashPass offers its members unlimited $0 delivery fees on orders of $12 dollars or more to select DoorDash merchants and is among the fastest growing subscription services in the industry, approaching one million members. McDonald’s and DoorDash have integrated their systems so that DoorDash orders are sent directly to the McDonald’s point-of-sale (POS) system, ensuring a smooth experience for customers and franchise operating partners. McDelivery launched in the US in 2017, with partners including Uber Eats.

July 18 – July 24, 2019

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LOCAL STYLE

Emancipation Park: An Historical Treasure of Houston

By Jo-Carolyn Goode, Managing Editor

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ired of feeling captive, a group of former slaves utilized their resources and talents to raised $1,000 to buy 10 acres of land in Houston 147 years ago to create a space where they could just be free. The space would become Emancipation Park, the central hub of generations coming together with a sense of community. Passing years has seen the park at its ups and downs causing it to be revitalized in 2006 by TIRZ7 and again this year with a $33 million renovation.

The rich history of this Texas’ treasure is once again a welcoming space in Third and Fourth Ward where all can be free to eat, live and play. Overseeing that the park maintains its purpose and meets the needs of the community is Lucy Bremond, Emancipation Park Conservatory Executive Director. The conservatory in partnership with the city of Houston is the body responsible for the maintenance, operation, and programming of activities.

contributions of African Americans in the city of Houston. A wealth of information can be found on the park’s website at www.emancipationparkconservancy.org.

“If people are informed and educated on the park’s history, the more connected they will feel to this sacred space. We hope this translates to them then taking advantage of this beautiful place and all the activities, programming and events it has to offer,” Bremond added.

Speaking of events, the park’s activity calendar is getting full of engaging activities for the young and old. Upcoming events include: *Movie in the Tre – Enjoy a movie, food trucks and a community marketplace in collaboration with Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas. Hidden Figures will be showing at 7 pm on Friday, 8/2/19.

Bring your blankets and lawn chairs! *Get Fit in the Tre – Various workout classes for all ages and levels will be offered throughout the week and free pop-up health screenings and health education resources from Avenue360.

Mondays & Wednesdays – Hip Hop Step Aerobics Wednesdays – Senior Line Dancing Thursdays – Tai Chi in the Tre with Four Dragons Institute Register online at the conservatory website. *Bridging the Gap Financial Literacy Program sponsored by Coca-Cola – Attend monthly events geared towards economic empowerment and financial education.

Homebuyer’s Education Courses – 7/27/19

Emancipation Park is intricately part of Houston’s and Texas History. It is the first public park in Texas and became an Official Texas Historical Marker in 2009. Home to many celebrations, the park is gaining a new outlook with Bremond at the helm.

“In one short year, we have made great strides,” said Bremond as she spoke about the Conservancy having a full staff of talented and dedicated individuals for the first time. Combing their skill sets and professional backgrounds they are helping to catapult the organization to greater heights. Iris Garcia serves as the Administrative Assistant, Iman Garrett-Price is our Manager of Programs & Strategic Partnerships, Patrina Johnson serves as Development Associate, Kynetta Moore serves as Special Events & Marketing Manager and Aysha Steward serves as the Volunteer Service Coordinator. In addition, the team has completed and is implementing a stra-

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tegic plan that they are already seeing positive results. “(The plan) helped to streamline processes, improved working relationships, and increase programming, partnerships, and events. “ Bremond continued, “Bringing people together from all walks of life to work collaboratively to establish and achieve common goals motivates me. So, when I seek change, I do it by bringing people together and inspiring them to take action.”

Bremond and her team are just getting started. Future goals are continuing to be planned and mapped out to truly showcase the beauty and functionality of the park. Bremond tells of innovative, educational and culturally relevant programming and events that will grow Emancipation Park into a local, state, national, and international cultural landmark and destination with more public gathering to celebrate the heritage and

July 18 – July 24, 2019

traditions of the area.

Although Bremond and her staff are the overseers of the park, community involvement is always welcomed.

“Emancipation Park Conservancy is always looking for like-minded community organizations and individuals who share the same programming/partnership focus areas of education, health and wellness, and economic empowerment.”

Those interested can learn about EPC volunteer opportunities by attending one of our monthly volunteer informationals/orientations and completing the volunteer application available at www.emancipationparkconservancy. org, emailing volunteers@emancipationparkconservancy.org,” commented Bremond.

She also encourages people to educate themselves on the rich cultural history and significance of Emancipation Park, along with how that relates to the early

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Savings, Investments & Estate Planning – 7/23/19 *All Skills Sports & Education Camp – Powered by Plex, boys and girls ages 8-17 are invited to the FREE camp on Saturday, July 27th from 9a-1p at Emancipation Park. Register online at www. allskillscamp.com. More programming and events can be found at www.emancipationparkconservancy.org and also follow them on Facebook and Instagram @epconservancy!

As you can see Emancipation Park has a lot of offer to the residents of Houston.

Spend some time taking advantage of all its amenities including the sprawling green space, a saltwater pool, tennis courts, a baseball field, two splash pads, a recreation center, and cultural center.

And when you are tell Bremond and her crew what you think. They are always all ears to hear feedback to make the park meet the needs and demands of all.

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July 18 – July 24, 2019

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6/26/19 5:20 PM

OBITUARY

Renowned Architect of Historic Projects Leaves Profound Legacy Which Had Houston Connection

By StyleMagazine.com Newswire

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he renowned architect, Phillip (Phil) Freelon, who was the lead designer of the Smithsonian National African American Museum of History & Culture in Washington D.C., died last week. Freelon had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or better known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease.

and landscape has to be of its time and of its place. The historical context is a major driver in our design process and we were blown away by the story here of Emancipation Park.” he land for Emancipation Park was purchased by former enslaved African Americans in 1872 who had the fortitude to pool together $800 to purchase the 10 acres of land to celebrate their freedom. It has been a community hub for generations especially during the Jim Crow era when it contained the only swimming pool and public park in the city open to African Americans until the 1950s. The renovation was made possible with funding from the OST/Almeda Corridors Redevelopment Authority – TIRZ #7 in partnership with the City of Houston, Parks & Recreation Department (HPARD) along with other funding sources. The park officially reopened in June, 2017.

Theola Petteway, Executive Director of the OST/Almeda Corridors Redevelopment Authority said, “On behalf of the OST/Almeda Redevelopment Authority and the Greater Southeast Management District, we offer our sincerest condolences to the Freelon family for their tremendous loss. We mourn with them as we continue to honor and celebrate Phil for his award-winning talent of capturing the essence of the history of Emancipation Park. His contributions will live on forever.”

Freelon also had a significant Houston connection as lead designer and architect for the $33.5 million renovation of Emancipation Park, a historic public space in Houston’s Third Ward and the first public park in Texas. He was deeply moved by the story of the creation of the park. He understood the park’s historical context and was able to capture its rich history in the design process. He said, “We believe that the design, structure

Freelon was known for his community awareness and inspirational designs coupled with his humanitarian spirit.

Some of his other historic designs include Atlanta’s National Center for Civil and Human Rights and San Francisco’s Museum of the African Diaspora. The Emancipation Park project expresses the unique ideals of the community for which he championed.

Legendary Medical Doctor and Civil Rights Leader Edith Irby Jones Dies at 91

By StyleMagazine.com Newswire egendary Medical Doctor and Civil Rights Leader Edith Irby Jones Dies at 91

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By StyleMagazine.com Newswire

Dr. Edith Irby Jones led a life of firsts.

She was the first black intern at the Baylor College of Medicine and the first woman to be president of the National Medical Association. She was also the first African American student in her entire medical school at the University of Arkansas. The legendary figured passed away on Monday at the age of 91.

She is best known as a pioneer in the medical field who had a passion for ensuring all received proper health care.

However, doing this did not go without

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July 18 – July 24, 2019

a fight. She experienced segregation as she tried to work at different hospitals.

Finally, she opened her own practice in her hometown in Arkansas. Later she would to Houston and did it again. In the heart of Third Ward, Jones opened her private practice in 1960s.

Jones was inspired by the death of her older sister to become a doctor to help the underserved. Her older sister died because the family couldn’t afford medical care. After receiving her medical degree, she had successful careers in Arkansas and right here in Texas.

She worked in line with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. fighting injustices.

Working with the Freedom Four to urge people to registered to vote, Jones also encourage people to fight for justice.

In 1986, the City of Houston honored her with her very own day.

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Mayor Sylvester Turner stated about her death, “Despite receiving numerous accolades throughout her life, Dr. Jones practiced medicine with humility. She was gracious, warm, and personable with a knack for making each of her patients feel special. She also treated everyone with respect.

“She insisted on educating the broader community about the importance of maintaining their health and living their best lives.

“Houston will remember Dr. Jones as a pioneer and an icon.

“Her legacy will endure through the many contributions in her medical practice and in the generations of Houstonians whose lives she touched.”

Funeral arrangements are pending.

COMMENTARY

Love It Or Leave It: Is This Our Nation’s New Slogan?

By Nicole Lynne Gray

on the promise to “Make America Great Again.” So, according to his own logic shouldn’t his slogan have been something more like, “We’re Leaving!” But, that wasn’t the case. In fact, the same people who rallied behind President Trump and his campaign in 2016 are the same who agree with his statements now. They feel America is for them and others who do not identify with them should be excluded. That’s racist.

The Democratic-led House of Representatives felt the same way and voted Tuesday on a resolution condemning the president’s remarks as “racist comments that have legitimized increased fear and hatred of new Americans and people of color.” The resolution came a day before the president held a rally in North Carolina again attacking the

four representatives, New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley, and Minnesota Rep. Illhan Omar. At the rally, the president launched a more protracted attack against the Muslim Somali-born Omar which was met with chants from his supporters of “send her back.” The coverage of the event was chilling and solidified that many Americans share the president’s sentiment. In fact, a recent USA Today/Ipsos Poll of 1,005 people taken on Monday and Tuesday showed that only 59% of them felt that the president’s tweets were “un-American.”

So, to be crystal clear, the upcoming presidential election is a defining moment. What is American? What do we value?

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o be clear: I have given my share of benedictions. I have told people where they can go and how fast they can get there. My benedictions normally followed something hurtful that was done or said to me and the dismissal was for self-preservation. However, I have never told anyone to go back where they came from or that they don’t belong in this country because my ‘beefs’ have always been personal, never based on anyone’s identity.

Unfortunately, I’ve been called a monkey and been told to “go back to Africa” and I would never want anyone else to feel the dismay that I felt in hearing those words.

For just as proud as I am of being black, I am proud to be an American. Being born and raised here in Houston, Texas, I am more American than baseball or apple pie even, which both have English origins.

So, imagine my disbelief as this week began with the president’s tweets telling four liberal congresswomen of color to “go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came.” I was floored especially since all four congresswomen are United States citizens, three born here and the other a

citizen since she was ten. I immediately thought the comments were racist and swiftly learned that half of the country felt the same way as I watched Sunday’s news coverage. But, when questioned about the tweets, the president denied they were racist but doubled down on his sentiment stating, “If they don’t like it here, they can leave.” Is that really how this works? Is that the American way?

I seem to recall in 2016, President Trump himself campaigned on all of the things that were wrong with America. He lambasted the nation for its bad deal-making and economic policies, its weak international front, its road and airports, and repeatedly called our county a “laughingstock.”

He even sided with Vladimir Putin taking issue with the use of the term “American exceptionalism,” justifying that with all the mistakes America has made over the years, “it’s sort of a hard term to use.” His criticism rallied other Americans who felt American policies were outdated and that America had basically become a loser, he actually ran

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July 18 – July 24, 2019

9

FEATURE

Houston’s Own Chandler Foreman Is Miss Texas 2019

By Jo-Carolyn Goode, Managing Editor

A

win for the US is how Miss Texas 2019 Chandler Foreman describes her historic crowning as the first reigning queen of the Miss America system to wear the crown with natural hair. For years beauty queens were put in a box to be thought of as thin, with straight long blonde hair and blue eyes.

That was America’s definition of beauty.

So constricted! Beauty, as we all know, comes in many shades, shapes, and can’t be boxed. Finally, America is getting the picture with the wave of new queens that really look like the makeup of the country from the lightest to the darkest of hues to the straightest to the curliest of hair to the skinny to the thicker than a snicker body, all women are beautiful.

“It’s empowering yes, yet the fact that it is uncommon to see black women be the representative for such a prestigious title proves that there is still work to be done. I’m happy that we are widening our range of beauty and most impor-

While serving as an ambassador for MAO’s programs and mission, Chandler also hopes to grow her KweentoQueen program that she started with her sister, Klarke. The pair hopes to expand the mentoring program for young girls into schools throughout Texas.

Chandler feels extremely grateful to have had great mentors in life. Starting with her first mentors, her parents, Dexter and Courtenay Foreman, followed by her partners in crime, her siblings Klarke and Dexter Forman Jr. Without their love and support with her faith in God, Chandler says she would never have achieved as much as she has in life.

knew the importance of young black leadership and community involvement and would essentially ignite my passion for people,” recalled Chandler.

Knowing her purpose to inspire people made joining the Miss America Organization a clear choice for her. “I knew the Miss America.Org (MAO) would allow me to tackle my mission on a bigger platform.”

tantly prove that excellence comes in all colors,” said the newly crowned Miss Texas 2019 Chandler Foreman. “Young girls who look like me need to see various women of color in these positions so that they are determined to achieve the things they put their mind to.”

Chandler is not short on her determination as it took years for her to live in the moment she now finds herself. First introduce to pageantry by her mother, Courtenay Foreman, Chandler’s first pageant was the Miss Black Texas Talented Teen Pageant under the direction of Candace Cooper and JC Goode.

Young and inexperienced in the field, Chandler’s bubbly personality and amazing talent won the judges over and she was named Miss Black Texas Talented Teen 2013. She then went on to the national pageant Miss Black Talented Teen Pageant where she was named 2nd runner up.

“I am so grateful to the Miss Black Texas USA pageant system for exposing me to service at such a young age and for giving me a voice. My directors

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During her first year with MAO as a teen, Chandler placed 2nd runner up.

The placement devastated her because she wanted so badly to represent Texas on the national stage. She began to question her performance and what she could have done differently totally missing everything she had gained from the experience which was confidence in herself and an amazing sisterhood of supportive girls and women.

As she kept competing year after year with MAO Chandler learned to be selfless. “You cannot take on this job with a mindset and heart of solely self-satisfaction. God’s will for any of us is to be the salt of the earth, to be like He is, giving, caring, sharing. None of those entail being selfish and I’m so grateful that I was able to let go of that sin of being “selfish” at the age of 16.”

The act of being selfless is just one of many lessons that she passes on to young girls, especially to those she mentors through the MAO’s Lone Star Princess program. Chandler said its purpose coincides with her “why.” “It introduces two of the four points of the crown, sisterhood, and success, to our little ones. From ages 5-12, girls are mentored by their local titleholder, spend a week with other princesses and get to witness each titleholder compete on the Miss Texas stage.”

In Chandler’s case, her little princesses got to see her not just compete but

July 18 – July 24, 2019

win. Beating out a field of 47 beauties from across Texas, Chandler won the overall title plus was the overall talent and interview winner. The trained flutist, who first played the violin, played a medley of “Theme from ‘Mahogany’ (Do You Know Where You’re Going To?)” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”

A month after her crowning, Chandler still has to pinch herself and can’t believe that she is Miss Texas 2019.

“That was the first time I experienced an overwhelming amount of emotions at once that the only thing left for me to do was fall,” she said recalling the moment she knew she had won the coveted title.

“I kept thanking God, I thought of my mother & Godmother who tirelessly invested in me, my city Houston, Texas, my girl gang KweentoQueen and all of the things I want to accomplish in just 365 days.”

She didn’t have much time to dwell on what her yearlong reign would be like as she had to immediately shift her focus from the future to the right now.

“The job quickly started when I had a makeup appointment at 2 A.M. and a photoshoot that ended at 5 A.M.,” said Chandler. Since then she has been on a nonstop schedule full of interviews and appearances while she trying to get ready for another year of college at the University of North Texas.

As the new Miss Texas, Chandler received a $20,000 cash scholarship, a QX60 Infiniti, appearance wardrobe and more. Over the course of time with MAO, Chandler has racked up $40,000 in scholarship. That money coupled with prize money from her previous pageant will allow the college coed to graduate debt free and even go on to get her master’s degree debt free. What a blessing!

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“My parents did an awesome job establishing the importance of support and encouragement from family. “ Chandler continued, “Kids need to know that they are supported by their loved ones because that is what keeps us motivated. That’s what reassures us that we are loved.”

The foundation her parents built in Chandler has made her purpose clear and she feels that it is her duty to connect, share stories with, and uplift people. Comfortable in the skin she is in with her distinctive features of a gap in her teeth, thick eyebrows, curves, and poofy hair; Chandler believes God is using her g.a.p. to stand for “God’s Anointed Purpose” where she is using her gifts to bridge the gaps in our society.

Chandler Foreman is one remarkable young lady that is a wonderful representative for Texas and young girls of all ethnicities. Her next step is to get ready for Miss America 2020. The official pageant dates and location have not been announced yet. Pageant watcher can stay in the know by following Chandler’s journey on Instagram @ missamericatx and her personal page @Queenchandler.

Good luck at Miss America 2020 Chandler!

ENTERTAINMENT

JaeRene Shoots for the Stars with Budding Music Career

By Jo-Carolyn Goode, Managing Editor

T

Addison White

ap into a child’s imagination and there is no wonder what they might conjure. An oversized oneeyed yellow monster with feet for hands, people with orange Mohawks, blue faces, and green fangs instead of teeth or maybe a dog that meows instead of barks while his tail gets longer. That’s the beauty of a child.

Dr. Seuss, like no other, was able to tap into that magical world of a child’s

mind in his highly popular books full of fantabulous words and whimsical scenes. Now his creations leap from the page to the stage in a musical theatre production Seussical presented by Theatre Under the Stars in partnership with Public Works Houston. The show runs now through Sunday, July 21st at 8:15 pm at the Miller Outdoor Theatre where admission is always free.

Starring in the principal role of Young Kangaroovv is native cutie, Miss Addison White. We caught up with the fifth-grader to talk about performing in Seussical and her future plans.

White developed an interest in musical theater at two years old after watching Chitty Chitty Bang Bang musical movie over and over again. Seeing how excited she was watching it on television, her parents began to take White to some live shows making her wanting to learn all that she could about acting. She enrolled in classes with Christian Youth Theater Houston when she was five years old and was cast in her first musical theater show when she was eight years old as Lost Boy in Peter Pan. Four productions later, White has snagged one of the principal roles in Seussical.

Tony Award® winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Once on This Island, Ragtime) created Seussical according to TUT’s website. Narrated

by The Cat in the Hat, who weaves all your favorite Seuss characters into the whimsical tale of Horton the Elephant and his quest to protect the people of Who-ville. Seussical™ brings out the imagination in all of us by reminding us to always believe.

Although White has performed in four productions previously, she admits her nerves still tingle on opening night giving her the jitters. After that initial scare, White regroups and allows the character to take over her for a stellar performance.

“This is a special show that is different than the regular TUTS shows,” explained White. “I really like this show because it has people from all over the city of Houston, not just those who are musical theater performers like me. I have enjoyed meeting and getting to know all of my castmates.” A lot of new people she has met indeed. Seussical™ features a cast of over 75 professional and community actors from across Houston.

“It felt AMAZING to be chosen for this cast,” said White when she was notified that she got the part. Auditioning for this production is a perk that White gets as a student at TUTS Humphreys School of Musical Theatre. The biggest bonus for White is the multitalented performers that she gets to learn from to make her a better well-rounded actress.

“I like to perform for God and other people. I have fun when I perform on stage. One of my favorite things about performing is meeting new friends that also perform in the same show,” said White.

Whether White will be an actress or something else when she grows up has yet to be determined. She sure has her options open, as acting is not this young thespian only area of interest. She is interested in Marine Biology and Marine Animal Psychology. Whether she will be acting on stages across America or under the sea getting closer to nature, she will be a great success for the investments she is making. For now, White will just continue to follow the path her interests take her on.

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July 18 – July 24, 2019

11

EAT WITH STYLE A Buddhist Temple and a Fine Tea House

By Yolanda Pope, Culinary Writer

etarian restaurant serving a selection of Asian style soups, appetizers, and teas. “The origin of the name is based on the generous mindset of the founder Venerable Master Hsing Yun, who vows to repay a drop of water’s worth of kindness with a gushing spring; only a grateful life can become a rich life.” The cafe is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.

The restaurant is operated by volunteers from the temple and has a warm peaceful atmosphere that is an excellent spot for eating light and relaxing the mind and body. The grounds of the temple are immaculately kept and can be partially viewed while sitting in the Tea House.

S

ince 2001, The Chung Mei Buddhist Temple has sat quietly on a little road off West Airport in Stafford, Texas. According to their website, they are a part of The Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Society and their purpose is to “promote

12

Buddhism through cultural exchange and to serve the community of greater Houston.”

This was our first visit and since we both love noodles we decided on the Thai Style Hot & Sour Noodles and Sauteed Grounded Bean Curd Noodle Soup.

We elected to share some potstickers, which are the pan-fried vegetarian dumplings. For our tea selection, we decided on the lavender hot tea.

Nestled inside of the Temple is The Water Drop Tea House, which is a veg-

The dumplings came out first, and they were seared perfectly, slightly

July 18 – July 24, 2019

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crispy and filled with a medley of vegetables that were seasoned beautifully.

It wasn’t that we had low expectations, however, the flavors were bursting thru these small bites of food that had a plethora of well-balanced seasonings.

The dumplings were garnished with raw cabbage and a soy-based sauce for dipping.

The soups made their entrance shortly after the appetizers and they were colorful bowls of noodles, bean curd, bok choy, and sliced carrots. The broth on the Thai Hot and Sour soup was a slightly tart blend of Thai peppers, vinegar, and salt. My guest had the bean curd soup which had a lighter broth and contained grounded bean curd with bok choy and carrot slices.

We enjoyed our dishes while sipping the lavender tea which was aromatic, slightly sweetened and had a hint of lemon flavor. The service was great, we had attentive volunteers who constantly smiled as they waited on us. Go see for yourself, plan your visit by going to http://www.houstonbuddhism.org/ tea-house/ look over the menu and take a friend.

HEALTH

Dark Skin Isn’t Protection From Deadly Skin Cancer

By BlackDoctor.org

incidence is higher in whites, death rates from the cancer are higher among people of color.

“Far too often, black, Hispanic, and Asian patients with melanoma cancer tell us they believed that melanoma was only a danger for sun-seeking whites,” the study authors wrote. “But anyone — regardless of skin color — may develop melanoma, in both sun-exposed and sun-protected sites. Not noticing or ignoring a new or changing mole in a sun-protected site can be fatal.”

C

ontrary to what many believe, dark skin doesn’t offer protection against deadly melanomas, an expert warns.

This type of skin cancer can be affected by genetics and is far more likely to develop on sun-protected areas of the body in blacks, Hispanics and even Asians, according to researcher Dr. Arthur Rhodes. He’s director of the Melanoma Surveillance Clinic at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.

“The misconception that the sun is responsible for all cases of melanoma leads to lower survival rates because of delayed diagnosis, particularly among people of color,” Rhodes said in a Rush news release.

Only 10 to 15 percent of melanomas are caused by excessive sun exposure, typically in heavily freckled and sun-damaged skin, he noted.

A 2016 American Academy of Dermatology study found that while melanoma

Early detection is crucial for melanoma survival. Rhodes stressed the need for monthly self-examinations and checks of difficult-to-see areas on the body to look for new moles or changes in size, shape or color of a pre-existing mole.

“Half of all melanomas in non-whites occur on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, nailbeds, mucous membranes, perianal area, genitalia, and other areas that are not exposed to the sun, areas that are difficult-to-self-examine and commonly ignored,” he said.

for people of color, he added.

Risk factors for melanoma include a personal or family history of melanoma or other skin cancer, a mole that’s present within two weeks of birth, having a lot of moles or having unusual moles, having a lot of freckles or red hair, and having multiple sunburns as a child, according to the Rush University dermatology department.

SOURCE: Rush University, news release, May 23, 2017 Advertise Your Business with

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Melanoma in a hidden site can progress without symptoms or signs, leading to a delayed diagnosis that may result in an increased risk of death, especially

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July 18 – July 24, 2019

13

BOOK

“The God Groove: A Blues Journey to Faith” by David Ritz ©.2019, Atria

$26.00 / $35.00 Canada

By Terri Schlichenmeyer, Book Reviewer

O

243 pages

ne thing leads to another.

inherent in Christianity.

Isn’t that how it goes? You start somewhere and a door is opened. You enter that door and see a window. The window takes you elsewhere and each new place teaches you something different. Isn’t that the way life is – and in the new book “The God Groove” by David Ritz, isn’t that the way faith is?

As he was ministered to, Ritz began to listen, and he began to think. He started to see Christ in a different way, and he visited churches. And yet, he still wasn’t ready to call himself a Christian…

For a lot of reasons, “The God Groove” is a challenge to read.

Growing up in New York City, David Ritz fell in love with music. Finding it was “as easy as walking down Fifty-Second Street,” or just to his parents’ living room: Ritz’s father loved classical music and shared his passion with his son.

For Ritz, though, jazz was the thing. It was always there in New York but when he was a teen, his family moved to Dallas, where hearing jazz meant a lengthy search and at least a “ninety-minute bus trip.” One day, in his quest for good music, he stumbled upon an open door from which emanated tight harmonies and soaring voices.

He’d found a Black church, but he was reluctant to enter. Though his family had

never been all that religious, the fact remained that Ritz was white and Jewish.

God was a distant thought. Jesus was someone he barely knew about.

And so it continued through most of his life, until he was a married father of twin girls. He was thirty-two years old then, and desperate for a career change

so, because he’d “become obsessed with Ray Charles’ voice,” Ritz pestered Charles to let him write the singer’s biography. That led to an opportunity with Marvin Gaye and an introduction to Aretha Franklin, who led Ritz to another jazz-and-blues singer and another and another. As each person sat down with him in interviews, the conversation often turned to religion, God, and the love

The name-dropping is first on the list: author David Ritz worked with many premiere performers and they’re all in this book, which is impressive, initially, but becomes like background noise after awhile. Alas, those star-stories get tangled up in Ritz’ own tale, which can drown out his fascinating memoir; and the back-and-forth, does-he-or-doesn’the religious argument also goes on too long.

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July 18 – July 24, 2019

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SPORTS

By Brian Barefield, Sports Editor

B

irmingham, Ala. – The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) held its annual Media Day with one of the biggest issues being addressed

by SWAC Commissioner Dr. Charles McClelland. The conference has announced the permanent future of its football championship game which will be played at the home site of the highest ranked team at the conclusion of the regular season.

“Hosting the game on campus last year gave us a great level of insight and understanding as it relates to the overall worth and value the game brings to our conference. We look forward to the future of the game on campus in what should undoubtedly bring exciting atmospheres and memorable performances,” said SWAC Commissioner Dr. Charles McClelland who took over the job in August 2018.

Putting that issue to rest early help set the tone as all teams in the conference were represented by their head coach and two players. All eyes were focused on the center table where the Alcorn State University Braves were sitting.

The Braves have won the East Division five years in a row and completed one of

winning ways at TSU but knows that it starts and stops with the young men he has been hired to lead.

“The first thing we talked about to our guys about was being competitive,” said Mckinney. “The next thing we try to do is teach them about playing hard and don’t worry about making mistakes. Just play at the highest level that you can.” their goals they set at the beginning of the year by becoming the 2018 SWAC Champions.

They are prepared to be challenged more this year as they are the perineal favorites to win it all again being led by First Team All-Conference and SWAC Offensive Player of the Year quarterback Noah Johnson. The senior from Tampa, Florida is looking forward to repeating as a SWAC Champion but knows the task won’t be easy.

“I work hard on my body to stay durable throughout the season. I am constantly in the weight room and watching a lot of film trying to get better each and every day,” said Johnson.

Prairie View A&M University and

Texas Southern University were also in attendance representing the state of Texas. The in-state rivals who reside just 51.3 miles away from each other kick off the season in the annual Labor Day Classic on August 31st. Both teams are looking to bounce back from what is considered a down but encouraging year as TSU finished the season behind PV in the West Division.

Texas Southern hired Houston native Clarence McKinney who is a product of Jack Yates High School and served as their head football coach for three years before heading to the college ranks to serve as an assistant coach to Kevin Sumlin at the University of Houston, Texas A&M, and the University of Arizona. McKinney is looking to restore the

Head coach Eric Dooley of the Prairie View A&M Panthers learned a lot about his team this past year. After serving as the offensive coordinator from 2014-17 at Grambling State University, Dooley took over as the head coach of the Panthers in 2018 and under his offensive system PV lead the SWAC in scoring and passing yards per game. They ended their season by outscoring their opponents 154-61 as they put up 60-plus points in back-to-back games against Alabama State and Texas Southern.

“We had a new team that started to come together at the end of the season,” Dooley said when asked about the end of season offensive outburst. “We talked about the excitement of finishing the season strong and allowing that to carry over into this season.”

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July 18 – July 24, 2019

15

TRAVEL

St. Kitts: Not Just Another Island By: Lisa Valadez

made a major contribution to medical research. “If you have ever received a polio vaccine, it was almost certainly grown in cells from St. Kitts- Nevis monkeys”.

F

or the past year I have had the pleasure of sharing domestic travel idea vacation destinations with Houston Style readers. And while it has been an amazing adventure, it is time to go international! So don’t put away your beachwear just yet! After all, who says that your summer vacation has to come to an end?

portunity to experience the breathtaking culture of this unspoiled country (and plenty of Instagram worthy photo ops) the railway staff will treat you to some very interesting historical facts, accapella singing, along with some tasty refreshments (rum punch!) to keep you cool.

Let’s take a journey to St. Kitts. Not just another island, St. Kitts boasts beaches of white and black sands, rain forested mountains, and a towering volcano. This is the perfect destination for exploration, adventure, and unforgettable cultural experiences.

St Kitts is the larger of 2 Caribbean islands (with the smaller being Nevis).

The island’s lush rolling landscapes and secret beaches of shimmering waters in every shade of blue and emerald green that your mind can imagine is waiting for you to discover all of its wonders.

And while the beach may be your top reason to visit this beautiful island, don’t miss out on these great adventures that will allow you to experience the different topography that St Kitts has to offer.

Wingfield Estate From the beach to a fortress and now to the Wingfield Estate, set upon the picturesque foothills of the island’s central mountain range,

Brimstone Hill National Fortress Worth adding to your “sites to see” itinerary, Brimstone Hill is a mind-blowing architectural feature; a window into the past that makes you pause for thought to consider the workmanship of this mind-blowing monument engineered by the British military and built by the hands of African slaves.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, the remains of this fort sits perched atop of the island’s tallest points. (Note: wear comfortable clothing and good walking shoes when visiting). On a clear day, you are able to see up to six other islands and the panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea.

St Kitts Scenic Railway Tour All aboard! One of the best and most scenic ways to view the island of St. Kitts is via the 3-hour railway tour.

Known as the “Last Railway in the West Indies”, the train, originally built between 1913 and 1926 for transporting sugar cane, makes a 30- mile circle around the beautiful Eastern Caribbean Island. Along with an unsurpassed op-

16

Lodging

For you history buffs, Brimstone Hill has much to offer. The fort exhibits a museum that details many historical factors including a timeline on the construction of the fortress, sleeping quarters exhibit, information on what life was like at the fort, how slavery came about on the island, different methods of punishment, and much more. One of the most notable tidbits I learned while visiting Brimstone is that the St. Kitts monkey, imported during the slave trade from West Africa, although unpopular due to its raiding of the island crops,

July 18 – July 24, 2019

Wingfield is host to about 170,000+ visitors each year. This tourist-friendly destination is one of the four places on the island of St. Kitts that has 17th century Amerindian petroglyphs. The estate’s remarkable masonry includes aqueducts, a mill house, limekiln, and even a subterranean tunnel! There is signage at almost every spot at Wingfield to educate visitors on its extraordinary history. Archaeological digs are an ongoing process at Wingfield with a rum distillery being the most recent major discovery (2013).

For the adventurist, Wingfield is also home to the island’s popular zip line; however, for the true wanderlust, ask around for O’Neil and take a journey into the rainforest that is anxiously waiting for you to explore! O’Neil and son are the best way to get to know the history and healing powers of St. Kitt’s rainforest. Over 400 species of flora can be found per acre and O’Neil’s extensive knowledge on these varieties of plants and their healing uses will take you by surprise. This tour can range from one of a leisurely hike to somewhat of a workout (climbing the ravine was not an easy task for me but I did it and you should too!).

The best part was taking my shoes off and splashing about in the clear shallow “pools” within this lush rainforest – just nature and me. It was surreal, mesmerizing, and cathartic.

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Located on the edge of the island capital of BasseterreIl, and only a pleasant 10-minute walk along the sea front into town is Ocean Terrace Inn. This 50-room boutique hotel, equipped with generously spacious rooms and bathrooms, mini fridge, coffee maker, free Wi-Fi, and large furnished patios to enjoy the scenery and fresh Caribbean air is the perfect lodging choice for anyone looking for a more local feel.

The lagoon style pool with waterfall makes for a great day of relaxation while sipping on tasty rum infused libations.

The hotel’s Verandah restaurant offers a tasty menu of Afro-Caribbean fusion dishes (yum!).

And while all of the amenities make for a great reason to lodge at OTC, it’s the friendly staff that gives reason for my high recommendation.

Dining and Nightlife For a lively lunch spot with beach front views, head over to Reggae Beach Bar & Grill located on Cockleshell Beach.

This popular Caribbean beachside café/ watering hole offers an array of tasty tropical cocktails to pair with coconut shrimp, grilled lobster, or even their bbq ribs (the best on the island!). Make sure

TRAVEL

St. Kitts: Not Just Another Island By: Lisa Valadez

in the calm, crystal clear waters while sipping on your cocktail!

A great place for fine dining during the sunset hour is Marshalls; serving dishes with local ingredients and native flair. As the crowd varies, Marshalls can range from romantic and cozy to sometimes busy with large groups celebrating a milestone or gathering for an evening out so make sure to call ahead for a reservation. Oh, and request a table by the windows for the best oceanside views. Being the adventurous person that I am and wanting to try something for the very first time, my menu option of choice was the Ackee & Salt Fish.

Very satisfactory! And don’t forget to save room for dessert because their Bread & Butter Pudding is a mouthful of heavenly bliss!

to have your swimming attire handy be-

cause you’ll definitely want to cool off

If you’re looking for a fuss-free fun evening out, then SpratNet is just the place you’re looking for. The menu is quite simple: lobster, fish, chicken, bbq ribs, or pizza. (Trust me, the lobster and bbq ribs are the way to go. Oh, and order a pizza to go!). The open-air concept restaurant sits right on the water in a small Kittitian community, with

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big picnic style tables to sit alongside other diners. Cheap drinks, live music, authentic Caribbean flavor; what more can you ask for?

Best place for an evening cocktail and an unforgettable sunset? Salt Plage.

Described as “serving the island’s finest craft cocktails and delightful Caribbean menu”, Salt Plage is one of the top bars on the island. Whether seated at one of the hammocks suspended over water, a daybed on the pier, or closest to the bar where live music entertains patrons, the magical colors of the picturesque sunset are worth every second of visiting this establishment.

Ready, Set, Pack!

St. Kitts will transform how you look at tropical island vacation getaways.

I honestly do not believe that there is another place that offers everything St. Kitts has to offer. So stop reading, stop daydreaming, and pack your bags to set forth on an unforgettable journey to pristine beaches, rain forest hikes, impeccable Caribbean cuisine, and most of all her people, the enchanting people of St. Kitts.

July 18 – July 24, 2019

17

HEALTH

5 Wellness Vacation Ideas You Should Explore This Year

By BlackDoctor.Org

A

re you ready to discover the best of you this year? Consider taking a wellness vacation! There’s nothing like receiving a personalized wellness experience in a new place that puts your mind and body at the core of everything you do.

creek on the property to reflect the healing properties of water and a wellness spa for another level of relaxation. If you’re wondering what’s on the menu, you’ll be delighted with a selection of organic, gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian cuisine options.

When you’re ready to pack your bags and go, consider adding these five wellness vacation ideas to your travel list.

Music and art are just what you’ll need to replenish your soul. The spa offers a curated wellness experience with entertainment catered to your cultural preference.

BDO Wellness & Waves Cruise Surprise! BDO is hosting a 7-day Caribbean Cruise from April 12-19th, 2020 and you’re invited! Get a combination of wellness and fitness under one roof as you connect with other travelers who look like you.

Join us as we cruise to the following destinations: • • • •

Half-Moon Cay, BH Ocho Rios, Jamaica Georgetown, Cayman Islands Cozumel, Mexico It’s all about exploration, mindfulness, and transformation. So, grab your tribe (or come solo) and indulge in an experience unlike any other. If you sign up for our VIP guest package, you’ll

be able to customize your experience around what matters most to you.

BDO Wellness & Waves Cruise here and review the itinerary. This is your chance to live your best life in 2020!

Wellspring Manor & Spa There’s a new luxurious, black-owned hotel in Maryland that was designed to cater to your wellness needs and cultural desires. Meet Wellspring Manor & Spa located in the Maryland suburb of Prince George’s County! It was opened in Fall 2018 and has already received attention from a wide range of publications all over the web.

The Wellspring Manor & Spa caters to health-conscious travelers. There’s a

Get quality, comfort, and luxury when you visit Wellspring Manor & Spa. Be one of the first to experience this luxurious space when you book your stay here!

The Spa at Camelback Inn in Scottsdale Everyone deserves a serene, mentally-rejuvenating spa experience that will make you inhale life with fresh eyes. If you’re looking for the best of the best, you should check out The Spa at Camelback Inn in Scottsdale. It’s located in the lush Sonoran Desert and is one of the premier day spas in Arizona.

This spa offers Turkish steam baths,

whirlpools, heated outdoor pools, Finnish saunas, solariums and relaxation lounges. It’s a spa treat that your body will love! You can also get exercise classes, healing facials, salon services, and a citrus conditioner body treatment.

Sounds tasty right? Well, you’ll also have to check out the food menu filled with the freshest ingredients and most creative blends of spices and citrus sauces.

Enjoy your spa experience at The Spa at Camelback Inn in Scottsdale by booking your appointment here or calling The Spa at 1-480-596-7040.

Golden Door Spa – California From private hiking trails to tranquil gardens, the Golden Door Spa provides you with a high level of calming activities and relaxing experiences to put your body at ease. Get a massage from a certified therapist who is qualified to deliver top-notch Deep Tissue, Swedish, and Thai massages.

During a 7-day program, you’ll get a manicure, pedicure, skin analysis, body treatment, 2 herbal wraps, and daily in-room massages. You deserve it all!

SISTERCITIES INT. AFRICA FORUM TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY

SISTERCITIES INT. AFRICA FORUM

Z

Photography by Vicky Pink

Texas Southern University’s Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs was the host site for the 2019 SisterCities International Annual Conference 2019 Africa Forum. The forum increased the awareness of how the U.S. and Africa cities worked together to strengthen economic ties, networking growth of African sister cities and to learn the best practices for an effective African sister partnership.

Jerome Ringo, Goodwill Ambassador for the Pan African Parliament was the keynote speaker. Elders from Ghana, Morocco, and Houston were honored.

18

July 18 – July 24, 2019

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2019

MARVIN GAYE STAMP UNVEILING SOUTHMORE POST OFFICE

MARVIN GAYE STAMP UNVEILING

M

Photography by Vicky Pink

any gathering for the Marvin Gaye Unveiling Celebration that was held at SHAPE Center, Southmore Post Office, Cafe 4212, and The Pop Up Place as event organizers worked together to give a memorable night of the Marvin Gaye soul experience. This family-friendly, community event, that is part of our Almeda Rising community engagement, had lots of entertainment all throughout Almeda. At the post office stop, attendees had the chance to take a commemorative stamp in memory of Marvin Gaye, vinyl records, and so much more to remember the day while they enjoyed food and drinks.

2019

PRAYER, PRAISE AND PURSUIT THE POWER CENTER

PRAYER, PRAISE AND PURSUIT

S

Photography by Vicky Pink

unArise International Ministries hosted a POP-UP” Prayer, Praise and Pursuit gathering featuring Prophetess Grace Kapswara from Zimbabwe and Minister Marina Coryato invite her for a “POP-UP” Prayer, Praise and Pursuit. Attendees worship God and felt resurrected, resuscitated, rejuvenated to finish the 2nd half of the year strong to move you into 2020!!!

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July 18 – July 24, 2019

19

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