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Jada Johnson Becomes Miss Prairie View A&M University 2020-2021 Following First-Ever Virtual Pageant Competition
Joshua Lewis, a biology major from Houston, was named Mr. Prairie View A&M University 2020-2021.
Jada Marie Johnson becomes the 88th Miss Prairie View A&M University*.
HMAAC and Pink & Green Foundation: A Charitable Art Auction
HMAAC in partnership with the Pink & Green Charitable Foundation is bringing to you a Zoom Art Auction you definitely don't want to miss. Buy original art online from top artists while making a donation to two great cultural organizations.
NALEO Educational Fund Applauds Federal Ruling That Stays Rushed Census Deadlines
Judge’s preliminary injunction is a positive step toward saving the census
The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund released a statement from CEO Arturo Vargas on last night’s federal court ruling that both stops the 2020 Census count from ending early and suspends the end-of-year deadline for delivering apportionment data:
New Report Shows State Rep. Sarah Davis has Consistently Voted Against Hurricane Relief for Her Houston-Area Constituents
Sarah Davis Votes for Her Own Political Benefit Over the Needs of Her Constituents
Yesterday, a report published by the Texas Signal shows State Rep. Sarah Davis’ voted against helping storm survivors like those impacted by 2017’s Hurricane Harvey as she racked up campaign donations from groups like Texans for Lawsuit Reform.
Top Universities Collaborate with Listeners On Call to Address Student Needs for Accessible Mental Health Support
Student Body Presidents at Texas A&M, Syracuse, Purdue, and Vanderbilt to Offer Affordable, Anonymous Phone-Based Listening Services for Students
Listeners On Call, the pioneer in Consumer Listening Services, partners with student body presidents of four top universities representing over 140,000 students, Texas A&M, Syracuse, Purdue, and Vanderbilt, to provide mental health and well-being support to students. The students can access subsidized and low-cost calls with trained Listeners who can relate to students based on shared experiences. This move by the student body presidents of each school in support of student mental health will help to reduce stigma and provide support to young people navigating an unprecedented back-to-school season.
Nation’s Largest Historically Black Boarding School Adding Students
Woodson Center – and partners will Host a Virtual Fundraiser for Piney Woods School
The Piney Woods School, one of America’s oldest independent, historically black boarding schools, is partnering with the Woodson Center for a virtual fundraising event that will enable the school to provide scholarships and tuition assistance to up to 200 low-income students.
Mayor Turner Honoring Five Houstonians During Hispanic Heritage Month
In recognition of this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month, Mayor Sylvester Turner and the Mayor’s Hispanic Advisory Board are honoring five exemplary Houstonians.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® Does It Again and Raises $1 Million in Support of HBCUs
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® isproud to announce that for the third consecutive year, the sorority has successfully raised $1 million in 24 hours for the benefit of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The sorority's annual HBCU Impact Day on September 21 exceeded its $1 million goal in online donations alone from local AKA chapters, private donors and corporate matching dollars from across the globe.
Sickle Cell: Minimize Your Crisis by Staying One Step Ahead
When you are someone living with sickle cell disease, there are times in your life you go through tremendous pain…unbearable pain. You want to do everything you can to avoid that pain, that crisis.
HISD Receives $1 Million Grant From Moody Foundation to Help Close Digital Divide
The Houston Independent School District will receive $1 million from the Moody Foundation to help close the digital divide by purchasing computers for HISD’s Achieve 180 students on some of the district’s underperforming campuses.
6th Annual Houston Humanitarian Awards Honors
Shaquille O’Neal, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, 13 Others
Many gathered for an evening to honor some of the biggest hearts in Houston and across the country at the 6th Annual Houston Humanitarian Awards. The awards gala was held at the beautiful Royal Sonesta Houston with an abundance of safety precautions in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Adding Fuel to the Fire of Our Pandemics
Nero, the Roman Emperor who legendarily fiddled while Rome burned is a symbol for an irresponsible, ineffective, and callous leader who shows indifference to people in crisis. The great Rome fire took place in the first century AD. The fiddle wasn’t invented until the eleventh century, so it is unlikely that the hedonistic emperor played the fiddle while his city was burning. More likely, he was engaged in some trivial or sybaritic act, regardless of the crisis.
Congressman Al Green’s Statement o n the Passing of Justice Ginsburg and the Crossroads Our Nation Approaches in Select ing a Successor
On Saturday, September 19, 2020, Congressman Al Green released the following statement:
Black Women for Biden/Harris Texas Presents: Soul Fusion Live: A fundraiser for the Biden-Harris Campaign
You are cordially invited to a Virtual Fundraiser Concert and Voter Registration Event on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at: 7:00PM EDT. 6:00PM CDT, 5:00PM MDT, 4:00PM PDT.
LWV-Houston Complaint Leads to Reversal of USPS Decision to Prevent Distribution of Voter Registration Material at Post Offices
Voter registration cards and absentee ballot applications are once again available at Houston-area U.S. Post Offices, officials with the League of Women Voters of Houston announced today.
HISD Statement: Presumed positive COVID-19 cases at Houston Independent School District Facilities
The following HISD locations had reports of presumed positive COVID-19 cases this week:
Let's Talk About Clean Energy
GREENTOWN LABS is a community of clean tech pioneers collaborating to design a more sustainable world. It is a clean tech startup incubator founded by entrepreneurs, to bring together startups, corporations, investors, government leaders, and many others to shape our best future. Recently, they announced their expansion to Houston—an energy hub unlike any other that’s capable of leading the way in renewable energy and the decarbonization of our planet, to define Houston as the Energy Transition capital of the World.
Stomp Wars to Launch HBCU-Know Virttual Homecoming Ecperience
Celebrated national stepping competition and cultural institution Stomp Wars insisted the show must go on for 2020, and that’s exactly what’s going to happen!
Find the Career that Fits Perfectly: The Tools are at Your Fingertips
Why do so many people stay in unrewarding careers? Fear of change? Lack of updated skills? Whatever the case, staying in an unfulfilling job prevents you from doing what you really want to do. The pandemic taught us that we can pivot and innovate faster than we ever thought possible, so why not restart your career with a renewed vision and a clearer path forward?
HCDE Reduces Tax Rate & Increases Services
"During these unprecedented times, I think it is important for residents of Harris County to know that we are in this together," said HCDE Board President Eric Dick. "Many business are struggling due to the coronavirus pandemic. Harris County Department of Education is going to tighten its belt and lead fellow school districts by example."
Apple Music's Rap Life Presents Exclusive Event Filmed at Howard University in Washington, DC
Join us for music and meaningful cultural conversations with artists and students and featuring special performances by rappers Lil Baby, Nas, Rapsody and Wale
Rap Life, Apple Music's industry leading hip-hop playlist, will feature an important and meaningful live event captured on the campus of Howard University - one of the most historic and prestigious HBCU (historically Black colleges and Universities) in the world. This special live-streamed event aims to further extend the discussion around the many important issues impacting the Black community through open dialogue, important conversations, and the power of music.
Bowl & Barrel Supports Local Children with Big Hearts, Full Tummies Promotion
For every burger purchased for a child in need, Bowl & Barrel will match it with another from Sept. 17 – Oct. 15
During these trying times, distanced learning has made it increasingly difficult for many children who rely on meals served at public schools to be regularly fed.
How employers can soften the blow of furloughs and layoffs
Furloughs and layoffs are traumatic — especially during a pandemic —but new research from Rice University offers ways employers can ease the emotional impact when they deliver the bad news to their workers.
FedEx Praises Redskins Name Change Against Will of Native Americans
Free Enterprise Project Urges FedEx to Focus on Business, Get Out of Picking Names for Professional Sports Teams
Despite evidence that Native Americans approve of the Washington Redskins moniker, FedEx today defended its role in pushing the National Football League team to change its name.
Tell Republicans: Stop Trump from Trashing Our Post Office
The post office is one of the most respected institutions in America, a lifeline for millions of Americans, and a source of good jobs for thousands of Black people—and the Trump administration is trying to destroy it. Senate Republicans have a choice to make right now: are they going to side with the Trump administration’s political corruption, or with Americans who rely on the post office?
City of Houston Releases Climate Impact Assessment Projecting Future Houston Climate Trends
The City of Houston’s Mayor’s Office released the Houston Climate Impact Assessment, to better illustrate how climate change will impact Houston’s future based on lower and higher scenarios of future climate change. The assessment, conducted by Anne Stoner and Katharine Hayhoe of ATMOS Research & Consulting, studied 25 separate future climate indicators, including the number of days with temperatures above 100 degrees, the number of nights above 80 degrees, total annual precipitation, days with precipitation above 4 inches, and the annual number of dry days.
Hundreds of Harmony Public Schools Teachers to Receive up to Additional $32k
The Texas Education Agency has announced that Harmony Public Schools is one of the state’s rare first recipients of the new Teacher Incentive Allotment, a special fund created to reward the state’s highest-performing teachers. The recognition means that hundreds of Harmony teachers across the state will receive up to $32,000 in additional salary starting this fall.
Celebrity weed brands worth trying
Now that weed has been deemed socially acceptable by pop culture and society at large, celebrity involvement in the cannabis industry is at an all time high. As this burgeoning new market continues to evolve, serious ventures from passionate celebrity stoners are beginning to eclipse brands or collabs where a celebrity (who may not even smoke) simply slaps their name on a preexisting strain and calls it a day.
Apple Announces New Watch and New iPad
Creativity This week Apple unveiled Apple Watch Series 6 and Apple Watch SE, two new iPad models, and the first fitness experience built for Apple Watch that brings significant developments in health and wellness fea- tures to iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV. From innovative chip developments with A14 Bionic to new apps and software, and the debut of Apple One subscription plans, here are some of Apple’s biggest reveals today.
Eight of Houston’s Finest to be Recognized during Hispanic Heritage Month
In celebration of this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month, Comcast will honor eight community volunteers for the fifth year since the Comcast Hispanic Hero Awards began. This year’s honorees will be celebrated through a series of vignettes, that will be featured on Comcast social platforms beginning September 15. Comcast will also donate $1,000 to the nonprofit organization of each honoree’s choice.
Mayor Sylvester Turner Creates New Office Of Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence
Program Launched To Empower Survivors With A Safe And A Financial Path Forward
Effective immediately, the Mayor’s Office of Human Trafficking will expand to include Domestic Violence and focus on services and policies to address gender-based violence. The new Office of Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence (MOHT&DV) will be led by Minal Patel Davis.
Black adults aren't getting right medications for trickiest cases of high blood pressure
Black adults with hard-to-treat high blood pressure often don't get the right medications or receive counseling about the use of healthy behaviors to lower blood pressure, according to a new study.
When it comes to healthy protein, fish is the dish
When it comes to healthy sources of protein, fish is the dish. An entrée like grilled white fish with avocado relish is tasty, easy to cook and good for your heart.
Heritage Action Unveils “No Police, No Peace” Billboards in New York, Dallas, and Atlanta
Heritage Action for America September 14, 2020 https://heritageaction.
Heritage Action today announced their new “No Police, No Peace” billboards in New York City, Dallas, and Atlanta. Jessica Anderson, Executive Director of Heritage Action, first announced the billboards on Fox & Friends this morning.
Candace “Six Figure Spa Chick” Holyfield to host The Queen Spa Expo, September 18-19, 2020
THE ONLY AFRICAN AMERICAN SPA EXPO IN THE COUNTRY
Candace “The Six Figure Spa Chick”, Holyfield is the founder and the creative mind behind the Queen Spa Expo (specifically created for minority spa professionals) and The Black Spa Magazine. She is best known for her Award-Winning spa parties and her business instructional classes designed to empower millenial business owners. She has written over 30 e-books (for spa professionals) and has been invited to speak on mainstages internationally. A trailblazer in her own right, Holyfield has assisted over 500 spa owners not only launch their salon but create a six-figure income while doing so. Her work in the industry has not gone unnoticed.
National Hockey League to support criminal justice research at TSU
Historic pledge begins NHL’s initiative to battle racism and foster equality
The Center for Justice Research (CJR) at Texas Southern University (TSU) has received a pledge of financial support from the National Hockey League (NHL) to work toward creating “a procedurally just criminal justice system.” The Center focuses on research in racial disparities within America’s criminal justice system.
Exhibit Opening: GEAR UP: The Science of Bikes
On Tuesday, September 15, 2020, members of the media are invited to the Opening of The Health Museum’s latest exhibition GEAR UP:
Jerry Philips named Political Advisor for Texas for Biden-Harris Campaign
I’m pleased to forward the announcement of the selection of Jerry Philips (my executive director when I co-chaired the Texas House Democratic Campaign Committee) as Political Advisor for Texas for the Biden-Harris Presidential Campaign.
N.C. A&T Speaker Series to Feature Activist/Actress Amanda Seales Discussing Power of Your Voice
Continuing a three-part series, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University will host the Chancellor’s Speaker Series, “The Power of Your Voice,” Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, at 6 p.m. The virtual event will feature actress and activist Amanda Seales, moderated by Pandora senior sales executive and alumna Kelly Mayfield, via ncatchancellorsspeakerseries.com.
GMC HUMMER EV to be Revealed Oct. 20
All-electric supertruck to feature industry-leading Crab Mode
The revolutionary GMC HUMMER EV will be revealed to the world on Tuesday, Oct. 20.
Urban Tech Connect // Forward 2020 Conference Goes Virtual Next Week
Plug In hosts conference for African American & LatinX communities Sept. 15-17
Plug In South LA will host its 3rd annual tech conference, Urban Tech Connect, in a virtual setting next week from September 15 to 17. Urban Tech Connect // Forward 2020 will equip tech company founders from African American and LatinX communities in Los Angeles and beyond with the knowledge and expertise to build competitive and successful tech enterprises and platforms. The virtual conference also is helping founders push forward in scaling and growing their businesses amidst the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Registration is at https://utc.pluginsouthla.com; ticket packages range in price up to $225, and scholarships are available via this form. Virtual sponsorships are available starting at $1,000.
Governor Abbott Appoints Betancourt To Texas Facilities Commission
Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Eddy Betancourt to the Texas Facilities Commission for a term set to expire on January 31, 2023. The commission controls state buildings, grounds, or property and responsibility for maintenance, repair and construction of state buildings for the state.
Hyundai Motor Launches 'Channel Hyundai' for Smart TVs to Provide Enhanced Digital Customer Experience
The smart TV app features multimedia content and digital interface for new customer experience amid pandemic World premiere of the all-new 2021 Tucson will be broadcast on the app on September 15 The app is available on LG and Samsung smart TVs
Houston Health Department, partners announce free COVID-19 testing schedule for week of September 14
The Houston Health Department and its agency partners are announcing the schedule for sites offering free COVID-19 tests the week of Sept. 14, 2020. The week will offer more than 20 free testing sites across Houston, including four mega sites.
Mayor Turner and Houston City Council Approves Additional $5 Million SBERP Infusion
Mayor Sylvester Turner and City Council approved $5 million in additional funding for the City’s Small Business Economic Relief Program (SBERP), which was created to provide grant assistance to small businesses and chambers of commerce that have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
City Of Houston Wins Award Honoring The Very Best In The Recycling Industry
The City of Houston’s Solid Waste Management Department recycling processing partnership with Fomento de Construcciones y Contractas (FCC) has been named the “Best U.S. Recycling Facility of the Year - 2020” by the National Waste and Recycling Association (NWRA).
Juanita Campbell Rasmus To Release New Powerful Book, “Learning To Be” Finding Your Center After The Bottom Falls Out, on September 15th
Tina Knowles Lawson Pens A Personal And Moving Foreword For The Book
Juanita Campbell Rasmus will release her 1st highly anticipated book, “Learning to Be” Finding Your Center after the Bottom Falls Out. It will be released on September 15, 2020 by InterVarsity Press. Juanita Campbell Rasmus, is an author, speaker, spiritual director, pastor and cancer survivor.
H-E-B deploys Mobile Kitchen to SE Texas, sends aid to Louisiana food banks
H-E-B disaster response teams have mobilized to provide food, water, and other means of support to those in need
After negotiations falter, Senate fails to advance Republican bill addressing coronavirus pandemic
The Senate failed Thursday to advance a Republican proposal to address the health and economic crises caused by the coronavirus pandemic, four months after House Democrats passed their $3 trillion plan. But the narrower Senate bill could help Republican senators in tough reelection races by giving them a rebuttal to Democratic challengers attacking their delayed response.
Hyundai’s Chief Communications Officer – Dana W. White Named to Women in Automotive Board
Dana W. White, Chief Communications Officer, Hyundai Motor North America, has been named to the Women in Automotive board. In this role, White will be a resource and advocate for the organizations’ mission to empower and develop women in the automotive industry as thought leaders, industry executives and mentors for other females seeking career advancement and growth opportunities. The Women in Automotive organization currently has 20 executive-level board representatives from a variety of automotive technology, supplier, media outlets and dealerships.