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Houston ISD Board Blocks Lathan From Top Spot
No surprises were made by the way the Houston ISD School Board voted 6-3 to decline interim superintendent Dr. Grenita Lathan the permanent job to run the largest district in Texas.
Kamala Harris: Visualizing a Future Never Once Imagined
Barriers are meant to block someone or something from occurring. Just as they are meant to deter, barriers also can serve as motivation for someone to do what has never be done before. For years women have encounter roadblocks in the climb up the political ladder. Despite what was in their way they kept pressing forward, pushing the mark, never losing their focus. Never underestimate a woman who has ever been doubted. She will just smile in your face and say ‘Watch me work.’
Chris Hollins: Defender of the Right to Vote
Proper preparation warrants productive possibilities. When Chris Hollins assumed the office of Harris County Clerk, after a 3-2 party vote of the Harris County Commissioners Court, he had three priorities in mind. His goal was to ensure that every resident of Harris County, regardless of party, race, creed, religion, or area of town in which they live, could vote in a safe, peaceful and convenient manner. Having shattered all previous Harris County voting turnout records, Hollins has blown even his own mind with Election 2020.
How Young and Black Voters Can Flip Election 2020
Voting has always been the greatest power any American can ever hold. Unfortunately, it is also one of the greatest power that is least used, especially by Black and young voters.
Why the GOP Wants to Steal Your Vote?
Trick or treat is the time old tradition where children put on costumes and knock on doors in hopes of getting a treat of candy and not a trick. For the last four years, Americans have been in a sort of a game of Halloween minus the costumes. Donald Trump has been supplying all the tricks of lies, policy changes, and false claims but no treats!
Be Fearless and Fierce in the Face of Breast Cancer
Angela Wright shares her story as a breast cancer survivor
We all know that life can throw some twists and turns then there are a few times life throws a curve that almost takes our breath away.
Don’t Be Discouraged – Vote
For months now we have heard how this would not be an ordinary election. Beyond the candidates and the issues, the hot topic has been how we would vote and be safe at the same time. All across the nation, there have been court hearings, lawsuits, protests, and marches with people interpreting laws to favor their side to either take away or add more voting restrictions all to discourage minorities from voting.
What to Expect at the Polls
With predictions of this election having extremely high voter turnout Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins and his office are making sure everything is in order before election day. The goal is to make sure that every voter can have the accessibility, safety, and convenience to vote their way.
All of Trump Men: Positive for COVID-19
“Don’t be afraid of COVID. Don’t let it dominate your life,” said President Donald Truth as he left Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. After contracting COVID and having had a 72-hour hospital stay this is what he had to say. Not the slightness bit of humbleness or gratefulness was in his words.
Are You Registered to Vote?
My vote won’t count. I missed the deadline. The process is too hard. What are these statements? Excuses used by Americans as reasons why they don’t vote. And there are more than that with regards to black and brown people faced with lack of transportation, voter IDs laws, distrust of the system, and a lack of education of the process. However, I am of the belief that for every excuse there is a solution to resolve it. Stop thinking you won’t be heard.
Are You Registered to Vote?
My vote won’t count. I missed the deadline. The process is too hard. What are these statements? Excuses used by Americans as reasons why they don’t vote. And there are more than that with regards to black and brown people faced with lack of transportation, voter IDs laws, distrust of the system, and a lack of education of the process. However, I am of the belief that for every excuse there is a solution to resolve it.
Notorious RBG: Protector of the Right to Be Treated Equally
Hours after learning of the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg President Donald Trump said, “She led an amazing life. What else can you say?" There is a lot more that can be said because of the long-standing legacy she forged as a warrior for justice.
Latinos Power Up to Vote
The U.S. Census Bureau predicts that in the next six months Latinos will no longer be the minority but the majority. A static that excites the members of Jolt, the largest Latino progressive organization in Texas, since with greater numbers comes greater power. However, legislators are not utilizing Latinos' political power. Latinos across the country are expected to support different agendas, show up at the ballot box, and check this and that box but no one is really listening to what they want. No one is taking the time to invest in the community but expects the community to invest in them. Antonio Arellano, Interim Executive Director of Jolt, thinks it is time out for that. If any political party wants to capture Latinos they must first invite them to the party.
Protecting the Safety and Rights of Voters
A safe, secure, efficient, accessible, and fair voting process for every registered voter has always been the goal of Chris Hollins since he was appointed as Harris County Clerk. His office is committed to inclusivity because he believes the “right to vote is fundamental to what it means to be free and have a voice in our democracy.” With that in mind, Hollins has proposed mailing applications to vote by mail to all registered voters that are 65 years old and up regardless if they requested the application or not. Republicans have a big problem with that and have filed two lawsuits to put a stop to it.
Vote: It Is Up to All of Us
These are critical times in which we find ourselves. Besides living during this global pandemic, race relations are boiling over, immigrations issues continue to rip families apart, healthcare is not available for all, and issue after issue keeps mounting with more frustrations and less of viable solutions. America is in deep turmoil.
Why We Still Love Michelle Obama
Former First Lady Michelle Obama grabbed us by the heart the minute she stepped on to the national stage. She became a role model for little girls and grown women too. Her presence just commands a certain type of respect when she enters any room. Her words gripped you right from the start and don’t let go until she is finished speaking. Her style is impeccable. Add on her love for Barack Obama and she has the full package. Here are just a few reasons we are still in love with Michelle Obama.
Harris County Commissioners Earmark $32 Million to Give Students Digital Access for New School Year
Having a good education can set an individual up to handle all kinds of opportunities in life. Access to this type of education is not always readily available to all students for a variety of reasons. Obstacles are unique for each generation. For students of today, the biggest problem is the lack of Internet access and/or digital devices.
America’s Problem: Protecting Students in Schools
School administrators across the nation are grappling with questions about one of the toughest decisions they have had to make in their educational careers, “How can they safety educate students amid a global pandemic?” Beyond student safety, they also have to consider the safety of faculty and staff.
Joya T. Hayes Takes Office As South Central Regional Director for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® has always been an organization that of times of crisis, the members respond by stepping up, serving, and continuing the business at hand. The global pandemic of COVID-19 might have delayed their efforts but did not stop them. Treading in uncharted waters, the sorority used its virtual platforms to hold the first virtual election where Joya T. Hayes was declared the South Central Regional Director and installed into office at the 69th international convention of the 112-year-old organization. Hayes now leads 10,000+ members in more than 120 undergraduate and graduate chapters in the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Texas in the second largest region of the sorority.
Evictions: Millions of Families in Financial Turmoil
The COVID-19 global pandemic is scary enough with just trying to stay healthy. Adding stress to that problem for many Americans is the lost of income as a result of layoffs and furloughs since many businesses had to close their doors. Lack of money on an already low-income family is compounded stress making the first of the month one of the scariest days ever.
Buffalo Soldiers National Museum Building Vandalized
The Buffalo Soldiers seeking answers in the wake of the defacing of the building that houses the national museum.
The Life and Legacy of Earl Lewis Thomas
BOOM! Earl Lewis Thomas was a force that no one wanted to challenge on the football field. The NFL defensive man was one of six that encompass the Seattle Seahawks’ Legion of Boom that put the team in the history books for their six consecutive seasons. The NFL, family, and friends are mourning the powerful wide receiver as Thomas passed away in Houston at the age of 71 succumbing to COVID-19 virus.
Will Texas Shut Down Again?
Several businesses have signs that require a shirt and shoes for service. Other businesses with drive-thru windows require one to be in a vehicle for service. Schools required visitors to check in the front office before visiting other parts of the school.
COVID-10 Stays In the Air Longer Than First Believe
For four months we have been glued to any news source trying to learn everything about what COVID-19 is, what are the symptoms, how it is treated, and most importantly, how to prevent it from getting infected by it. Wearing a mask has become our new fashion statement. Staying six-feet apart from the next person is second nature. Washing our hands is now a ritual. And touching our face is strictly forbidden.
Turner Requests the Shut Down of the Republican Convention
Mayor Sylvester Turner, in his quest to reduce the spread of COVID-19, has requested that the Texas Republican Convention scheduled in Houston at the George R. Brown Convention for July 16-18th be shut down.
Why You Should Want to Vote
George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Elijah McClain, Sandra Bland, Trayvon Martin, just the mention of their names alone ought to be enough to make you want to vote. When there are areas of town populated by Black and Brown people that lack adequate places to grocery shop, obtain healthcare, and play in parks than other areas of town populated by mainly Caucasian ought to be enough to make you want to vote.
Mayor Turner And 8 Texans Mayors Demand Mask Requirements From Gov. Abbott
Over the past few days Houston has set records and not the good kind. The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city has been on a rise. The Memorial Day weekend and numerous protests have blamed in the spike. Social distancing and wearing masks has proven to be the most efficient way of combating the coronavirus. Governor Greg Abbott confirmed he supports such precautions in a press conference held earlier this week.
Black Fathers: The Heavy Weight On Their Minds
“Dad changed the world,” said a proud six-year-old Gianna, the youngest daughter of George Floyd, the Houston man who was killed by a former Minnesota police officer after he put his knee on the neck of Floyd for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. Most children are like Gianna in putting their dads on pedestals believing that they are fearless, strong, and will protect them at all cost. However, in the eyes of America, Black fathers are viewed in a different light making them have a bad wrap.
Remembering the Legend Dr. Thomas F. Freeman
Talk about a life well lived, Dr. Thomas F. Freeman did just that. Traversing on this earth for 100 years, the impact that he made on students, the community, and the world is long lasting. He was the epitome of a living, walking, legend.
Salute to the Class of 2020: Nothing Will Stand In Their Way
2020 has proven to be a year we will never forget. From the onset of a global pandemic to being quarantine for months to the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, 2020 has worn us out and we still have half a year left. The very way we have live our lives has been drastically altered.
Black America Is Burning With Pain
Before any fire can start, there must first be a stimulant. A fire is the result of a chemical reaction after carbon dioxide, water vapor, oxygen and nitrogen come together in a process called combustion. When a fire roars our bodies feel an intense burn from the heat it gives off. Our eyes are mesmerized by the orange and yellow colors that are reflected by a fire’s sparks and flames.
“We Got All Four”
“We got all four. We got all four,” was the rally cry that rang out around the world by protestors in Minneapolis, Minnesota as the four former officers involved in the death of George Floyd were finally arrested and charged with his murder. Derek Chauvin, Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane are all in custody awaiting trial.
Millions Show Selfishness By Not Social Distancing
How selfish can you be? There are 5.64 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide with the United States accounting for 1.72 million of them. Still you choose not to follow the rules. The US leads the world in the number of coronavirus deaths toppling over 100,000. Yet, still you choose not to follow the rules. Even though you know the coronavirus is a respiratory disease that is highly contagious and does not discriminate or show any mercy to those who are infected.
Contact Tracing: The New Tool in Fighting COVID-19
As a child, I remember playing a game called Connect the Dots. It was a game with the concept of drawing a line from one dot to another in chronically order to form a picture. What was just something for me to do is now a leading tool in the battle to flatten the curve and stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Friends vs. Foes: Know the Difference to Protect Yourself Against COVID-19
Whodini’s 1984 #4 single on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart questioned what a friend is. The group goes on to say that some use the word in the wrong way and even the dictionary doesn’t know the true meaning of the word. Perhaps, many of us don’t know the meaning of friends either.
Jogging While Black: Justice for Ahmaud Arbery
Imagine waking up energized and refreshed and you think it is a great day for a jog. You grab your workout gear to hit the ground running. After a quick warm-up, you pick up the pace, breathing in and out, and enjoy the peace. While running a father eyes you suspiciously, thinking you are the serial burglar terrorizing their “good community.” The father yells for his son to issue their brand of justice. Thirty-six seconds later, you lay on the ground in a pool of blood and take your last breath.
Mandatory Masks: Living the New Normal
“We are still in the thick of it,” said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo at a press conference where she gave updates about the state of the county during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the curve seems to be flattening, Houston has yet to reach its peak and new admissions of patients with the coronavirus are still occurring. This information coupled with research from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and others is of great concern for Judge Hidalgo and other leaders to the point that they can’t comfortably relax any precautionary measures that they have already taken. Saving lives is always at the forefront of Judge Hidalgo’s mind in every decision made in this crisis and why she issued a mandatory mask order on April 22nd.
Risky Behavior: What Is Proper Social Distancing?
Taking risks involves belief in a plan and courage to follow it up with action. Then there are times when taking risks means ignoring information and living life carelessly. Tons of people are adhering to the Stay Home Order, wearing masks in public, and washing your hands frequently. But then there are those who don’t follow the rules, who questioned authority, and always do what they want regardless.
The Good From COVID-19 Social Distancing
No need to pinch yourself or splash cold water on your face. You are not dreaming but are living in an altered reality. We are in the middle of a worldwide pandemic that is wreaking havoc in the world, taking millions of lives, draining the economy, and keeping us indoors. By now you are well aware of what COVID-19 is, the symptoms, and how it spreads. All the negatives are out there but how about a dose of positivity?
Mayor Turner Calls for a Day of Prayer in Houston
In times of crisis, no one wants to be along. We find comfort in leaning on each other. A sense of peace and protection comes over our bodies when we feel we are not alone. As more questions than answers fill our head we can become stressed, unglued, and lose our focus.
Census 2020: Yes, I’m In
In the wake of seeing if we have a temperature with a prolonged cough, trying to find water and supplies and ensuring we are wearing masks in public, something may have slipped your mind, the 2020 Census. Earlier this month residents across the country received an invitation to participate in the 2020 U.S. Census. It is the population count that occurs every 10 years that counts every living person in the country.
Coronavirus: The Background, The Spread, And The Pandemic
In 2019, Americans were still on a holly high and jolly joy as we put away gifts that were once under the tree and took down our Christmas trimmings to welcome in a New Year. We were preparing to sweep out the old and welcome in the new with visions of peace and prosperity because this was our year! Little did we know that soon our world would be flipped upside down filled with worldwide panic and fear unlike any of us have seen in our lifetime with the coronavirus pandemic.
Turning Problems Into Purpose: Teen Entrepreneur Celebrates 10 Years of Business Success
On a hot day, nothing beats a nice tall glass of ice cold lemonade. That perfect blend of lemony tartness with the right amount of sweetness is the best pop to any day. Now take that combination and pair it with a child's curiosity and an unfortunate experience and you get a million dollar idea.
The Emergence of Butterfly Ali
Butterflies are some of nature’s most beautiful creatures mainly for their various phases of life that allow them to transform through a process called metamorphosis. Humans are like butterflies too constantly changing to reinvent themselves.
Remembering A Giant Amongst Us: Faye B. Bryant
One of Houston's luminary figures in education and service to others has passed away at the age of 82.
Don’t Waste Your Right to Vote
American men have always had the right to vote. Even though some women were able to vote starting in 1869 in a few states, females didn’t officially get the right to vote across the U.S. until 1919 with the passage of the 19th amendment. African Americans, who were once thought of as property and not people, wouldn’t get certain rights until the passage of the 14th and 15th amendments.
Presidential Troubles Swirl at TSU
Students, faculty, and alumni know all roads lead to Texas Southern University but apparently not for ousted university president Dr. Austin Lane. After a five hour closed door meeting, the Board of Regents voted 6-1 to remove Lane from office early Wednesday morning.
Coming Out of the Shadows of Human Trafficking
Human trafficking affects the most vulnerable among us. Potential victims could be the waitress who serves you at your favorite restaurant, the nurse who drew your blood at the doctor, or even your daughter’s friend on the cheerleading team. Traffickers exert such control and psychological manipulation that victims think they are nothing without their abuser. However, with the right help, victims can emerge from the shadows and reclaim their life and worth.
Houston Teen Lives Out Her Dreams With Lizzo at the Grammy’s
What were you doing at 17? Certainly not dancing on the stage at the Grammy’s for one of today’s hottest stars. That was the reality for a Sugar Land teen this past Sunday at the 62nd Grammy Awards held in Los Angeles, CA. Now she is trying to climb down from the cloud she has been floating on ever since her big moment. One day she is an average teen chasing her dreams and the next she is living them.
Inspiring Millions Giving Voice to the Diversity of Opera
A party is always better when surrounded by friends. American born tenor Lawrence Brownlee returned to Houston to share his talent along with a few of his friends. International stars J’Nai Bridges, Nicole Heaston, Reginald Smith Jr., Russell Thomas, Nicholas Newton and Kevin Miller (piano) joined Brownlee on the Wortham Theater stage for Giving Voice: Lawrence Brownlee and Friends Sing Opera, Gospel, and Standards showcased the power of voice and song.