57MUSIC MONDAY: That’s What Friends Are For: Stevie Wonder Duets (LISTEN)
As Good Black News continues its month-long tribute to Stevie Wonder in his 70th year on planet Earth, Marlon West has compiled a new Spotify playlist celebrating the times Wonder has graciously and successfully shared the spotlight with other artistsAs Good Black News continues its month-long tribute to Stevie Wonder in his 70th year on planet Earth, Marlon West has compiled a new Spotify playlist celebrating the times Wonder has graciously and successfully shared the spotlight with other artists.
Wireless Spending on a Recession Budget
The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken the worldwide economy. People have lost or been furloughed from their jobs, and U.S. unemployment continue to rise. As personal and business budgets tighten across the country, many Americans are evaluating what they're paying for each month and where they might be able to save a few extra dollars.
What Small Business Owners Can Do To Steer Their Way Through A Crisis
As the nation’s economy continues to struggle because of the impact of COVID-19, small business owners and their leadership skills are being put to the test.
25-year-old who launched now $10M Carrier, launches smartphone brand
Chaymeriyia Moncrief is a tech entrepreneur from Alabama who is the founder and CEO of prepaid wireless carrier, Tesix Wireless™ Network. She turned down a $4.4M takeover offer, raised over $5M, and ended the 2019 year with a $10M valuation. Now, she is taking on an even bigger technology sector: smartphones and electronics.
A Slab Ride for Justice in the Ahmaud Arbery Killing "We Ride with Ahmaud" Postponed
25 new campus sites also announced for week of May 18
Officials of Houston, The State of Texas and the United States join Faith/Social Justice Leader Bishop James Dixon, II and Houston Rapper Paul Wall in a “Slab Ride” of Unity on Saturday, May 16,2020. Motorcycle escorts will lead more than 50 custom car “Slab” owners riding in support of justice for the heinous killing of Ahmaud Arbery. The demonstrators say they’re joining the national movement to shed light on facts disregarded that marginalized the killing. Supporters are creating a parade of solidarity while demanding the following factors of truth to be revealed and legally addressed:
Overlay Scheduled for Oak Meadows Neighborhood
Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin is pleased to announce Houston Public Works will be performing an asphalt overlay project in the Oak Meadows subdivision. Construction is scheduled to begin tomorrow, May 15, and is expected to be completed by the middle of July 2020, weather permitting. The project is approximately $1,875,000 and will be paid for using dollars from the Dedicated Drainage and Street Renewal Fund.
Vegan BBQ Food Truck Sees More Customers Exploring Meatless Options Amid Shortages, Rising Cost of Beef
Houston Sauce Pit (HSP), the city’s first Vegan BBQ Food Truck, is seeing a rise in customers trying meatless options amid rising beef prices and shortages affecting restaurants and grocers.
PVAMU Police to host surprise birthday parade for 7-year-old in Magnolia
Mom hopes to lift the spirits of her son, who wants to be an officer when he “gets big.”
Kim Browning is a mom who is challenged with how to celebrate her son Jackson’s 7th birthday during a global pandemic. He loves all things baseball and transformers, and he also adores police.
10-Minute Top-Off: Mustang Mach-E Can Add Estimated Average 61 Miles of Driving Range Faster Than You Can Get a Pizza
Latest testing shows Mustang Mach-E charge time has improved by approximately 30 percent from early estimates, adding an estimated average of 61 miles of range in 10 minutes using Electrify America’s DC fast charging station with extended-range battery and rear-wheel drive
Doctors consider possible stroke and COVID-19 connection
The first thing to know about the possible links between COVID-19 and stroke is simple, say doctors: We just don't know.
Governor Abbott Prepares State Resources As Severe Weather Threatens Parts Of Texas
Governor Greg Abbott today placed numerous resources on standby across the state in anticipation of severe weather — including straight-line wind, large hail, and flash flooding — expected to impact several parts of Texas today through the weekend.
Chestet Pitts Spring Cleaning 4 A Cause
Benefiting Mission of Yahweh and Carson Parke
During this unprecedented time, non-profits are experiencing a loss of funding and donations, and have had to cancel fundraising events. Thousands of Houstonians rely on these organizations for food, shelter and day to day living essentials.
Governor Abbott, TDEM Announce Partnership With Local Fire Departments To Expand Testing In Nursing Homes
Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) today announced that local fire departments in Texas are partnering with local public health authorities to provide testing in nursing homes throughout the state.
Allergy season is here
For the best chance of minimizing symptoms, prominent alternative health expert Bryce Wylde advises allergy sufferers to start making changes now
If just thinking about spring makes your eyes burn, itch and water then you may still have time to get prepared. Experts say that last winter’s snowfall is causing trees and grasses to erupt with very high pollen levels. This year’s pollen forecasts are also high in the southern parts of the country.
Tools for space are food for thought on Earth
Rice engineering students create 3D-printed devices, databases for Mars and beyond
High praise from NASA brought attention to two teams of Rice University students working to make settlements on the moon and Mars more practical.
Temporary Closure of All Fort Bend County Testing Sites Due to Anticipated Inclement Weather From: "Patel, Taral" <Taral.Patel@fortbendcoun
Fort Bend County Judge KP George announced the closure of all County Covid-19 testing sites for the rest of today, Friday, May 15th & tomorrow, Saturday, May 16, 2020 due to the anticipated upcoming inclement weather.
METRO Reminds Riders Social Distancing Key to Preventing COVID-19 Spread
Community Expresses Gratitude for Frontline Workers
METRO continues to echo public health officials' recommendations to avoid close contact with people by maintaining a social distance of at least six feet, which is about the equivalent of two arms' length.
ACLU Files Lawsuit to Block Tennessee Requirement That Puts Voters at Risk During COVID-19
The American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Tennessee, and Dechert LLP filed a lawsuit today seeking to make absentee voting available to all eligible Tennessee voters during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Local Mercedes-Benz Dealership to Donates 10,000 Face Masks across Woodlands
Mercedes-Benz of The Woodlands will be giving 10,000 FDA-approved masks to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department during the Covid-19 pandemic.
COVID-19: Protecting the Right to Vote
There is a long history of voting rights inequality and blatant voter suppression in Texas. From the number of polling locations available in low-income communities to poll taxes to voter intimidation tactics focused on communities of color, we have had to fight to perform our constitutional duty to cast ballots.
Four HISD students receive National Merit scholarship awards
Four Houston Independent School District graduating seniors have received $2,500 each from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, which selected them from a pool of more than 15,000 outstanding students nationwide.
PVAMU secures $110K emergency grant for graduating seniors amid COVID-19 crisis
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has awarded Prairie View A&M University a $110,000 emergency grant to provide relief for seniors on the verge of graduating who have suffered economic hardships due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The Energy Industry Was Ready For COVID-19
The COVID-19 outbreak has made a lot of things uncertain. Americans don't know the next time they'll see toilet paper in a grocery store, let alone whether or not they'll stay healthy or have a job in a week.
Westbury HS among winners in Michelle Obama, MTV voting challenge
Westbury High School graduating seniors learned during a video call with Michelle Obama that they are one of only 20 campuses in the nation and the only one in Texas to be named winners in a voter registration challenge co-chaired by the former first lady.
Congressman Al Green Commends House Passage of HEROES Act
On Friday, May 15, 2020, Congressman Al Green voted in support of the most recent coronavirus relief legislation – H.R. 6800, the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act. He released the following statement:
Increased SNAP Funding in House “Heroes Act” Would Give Struggling Texas Families More Than $900 Million for Groceries
Even Before Crisis, More Than 1.4 Million Texas Kids – Nearly 1 in 5 – Lived in Food Insecure Homes
The newest COVID-19 relief bill (the “Heroes Act”) that passed the U.S. House of Representatives last night would – if passed by the U.S. Senate and signed into law by President Trump – provide low-income Texas families and individuals with more than $900 million extra over the next 16 months to purchase groceries or food at farmers markets, thereby both reducing hunger and stimulating the state’s economy.
COVID Testing Sites
As of Friday, May 15, the City of Houston reported 5,340 COVID-19 cases and 114 deaths. Statewide, there are 45,466 confirmed cases, and over 1.4 million cases across the country.
Governor Abbott Releases Statement, Provides Details On Increased Cases In Amarillo
Rise In Cases Comes As State Employs Targeted Testing Strategy
Governor Greg Abbott today released a statement and detailed the ongoing containment plan for the COVID-19 outbreak in Amarillo that is reporting over 700 positive cases today. On Monday, May 4th, Governor Abbott deployed a Surge Response Team (SRT) to Amarillo consisting of Medical Incident Support Team personnel from the Texas Emergency Medical Task Force (EMTF) and 70 members of the Texas National Guard.
We Shouldn't Try to Hold Biden Hostage on This One
Seven prominent Black women activists have made a strong case, and a bit of stir, in a Washington Post Op-Ed, "Biden Still Needs Black Women. Here are 3 Things He Needs to Do." Tiffany Cross, Lotosha Cross, and Sunny Hostin were among the writers who strongly suggested Biden's running mate be a Black woman. Their argument is quite clear: Black women are first in the voting booth to elect Democratic presidents, and now first in line risking their lives as essential workers, therefore, we should be rewarded for that. In addition, a Black woman could electrify the base in a way that others may not.
Harmony School of Innovation - Houston named prestigious National School of Character
Harmony School of Innovation - Houston has been named a National School of Character by Character.org, a nationwide education advocacy organization.
Many Questions Unanswered About School Calendar Proposals Driven by COVID-19, says Association for Texas Professional Educators
State’s largest educator association shares member concerns about potential changes
The Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE), the largest educator association in Texas, is actively monitoring discussions surrounding proposed recommendations for school calendars from the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
MAGLITE® Joins National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum as Partner for Honoring American Law Enforcement
Mag Instrument, Inc., the leading flashlight company in the world for 40 years, has committed to a partnership engagement with the National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum in Washington, DC. The new partnership represents a financial commitment in support of the organization’s national programs and operations, and is the first such commitment from the manufacturing sector.
Economic benefits of illegal immigration outweigh the costs, Baker Institute study shows
New research paper focuses on impact in Texas
The economic benefits of illegal immigration are greater than the costs of the public services utilized, according to an expert at Rice University’s Baker Institute of Public Policy.
A Survivor's Story: Rapper is earning master’s degree after being declared dead 3 times and taking GED 5 times
After rap artist Kirk Williams received his master’s degree recently from JSU it marked another Cinderella story for a man who at age 14 had been a drug dealer, homeless and was once declared dead three times by medical personnel after being shot while protecting his sister in an assault.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston and Houston Texans partner for virtual graduation ceremony for senior Club members
The annual Houston Texans graduation ceremony for Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston (BGCGH) high school seniors went virtual this year to ensure the health and safety of all participants. The event takes place each May at the Houston Texans Teen Club in the Heights area, but the celebration on May 15 was all done via Zoom with 38 graduates and several Club directors joining in the video conference from their homes. Additionally, representatives from corporate partner Chevron and the Texans public relations staff joined in the conference, along with mascot TORO and members of the cheer team.
AFL-CIO Sues OSHA for Emergency Temporary Standard to Protect Workers
This morning, the AFL-CIO filed a petition for a writ of mandamus in the U.S. Court of Appeals to compel the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to issue an emergency temporary standard (ETS) protecting U.S. workers against the coronavirus.
Master Herbalist and Herbal Tea Connoisseur Launches the ZabicoLife Brand and Transforms the Luxury Herbal Tea Experience
Gladstone St. Auburn Etienne said his lifelong love and knowledge of herbs, herbalism, natural eating, and healthy living inspired him to launch his tea company ZABICOLife, a curious brand identity that stems from the French Creole word for apricot. He said the premier brand of luxury tisanes (herbal teas) is taking off nationally and fulfilling its mission to provide sublime enjoyment and foster vibrant health.
First Presbyterian Church of Houston to Host “Feeding Houston’s Heroes” Event
First responders will line up for the drive thru event on Tuesday, May 20, 11am until noon
First Presbyterian Church of Houston is expecting a parade of vehicles Tuesday morning as it hosts one of the biggest Feeding Houston’s Heroes (FHH) events yet. FHH Volunteers will turn the FPC parking lot into a drive-thru, distributing hundreds of meals to Houston’s EMS crews, firefighters, police officers and other first responders.
COVID-19 Will Change Job Recruiting; Here’s How Companies Need To Adapt
The COVID-19 pandemic has upended the business world and put tens of millions out of work in the U.S. At the same time, it’s caused a seismic shift in the way many companies operate, the biggest change being that more business functions are done while working remotely.
New Poll Reveals COVID-19’s Impacts on African American Communities
Tomorrow, May 19th at 12:00 pm ET, the African American Research Collaborative (AARC) in partnership with the NAACP and the Equity Research and Innovation Center (ERIC) at Yale School of Medicine will present new polling detailing the impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic on African American communities. Given that COVID-19 is having a disproportionate impact on black Americans across a range of indicators - infection rates, deaths, unemployment, access to care, access to education, etc. - this is the first national poll to take a deep dive into how African Americans are responding.
New Horror Thriller from Gravitas Ventures and 3RD Fathom Films to Premier on Multiple Nationwide Cable and Video Streaming Platforms June 2, 2020
Written and Directed by Black Filmmaker Taylor Ri’chard, “Hallowed Be Thy Name” Features Spinetingling Scares with a Creole Flavor
Filmmaker Taylor Ri’chard of 3RD Fathom Films announced that Gravitas Ventures will release his latest horror thriller, “Hallowed Be Thy Name,” nationwide on Video on Demand, DVD, cable, and video streaming platforms on June 2, 2020. Guaranteed to bring chills this Spring, the film follows the supernatural events after a group of teens explore a magical cave that supposedly grants a wish to those who dare to enter. Instead of their dreams coming true, the teens disturb the rest of an ancient demon who terrorizes the community.
All The Things We Never Knew
A Novel by Liara Tamani
Eleanor & Park meets “Love & Basketball” in ALL THE THINGS WE NEVER KNEW: A Novel by Liara Tamani(Greenwillow/HarperCollins, on sale June 9 2020; Hardcover, eBook), a tumultuous, lyrical teen romance about two African American, high school basketball stars who fall in love hard and fast but struggle while navigating their own tough family issues.
Comcast Xfinity X1 and Flex Customers Can Now Access Black News Channel For Free
Black News Channel, America’s first and only African American-focused 24/7 news network, is now free through the end of the year to Xfinity X1 and Flex customers, giving even more Xfinity customers access to hundreds of hours of informative, educational, and empowering programming geared toward African American audiences.
Texas A&M System Brands Landmark Campus in Texas Medical Center
Today, the Texas A&M University System announced the name of its landmark 5-acre campus in Houston, TX at the prominent intersection of Holcombe Blvd and Main St. near the Texas Medical Center (“TMC”). Setting a new standard for collaboration in engineering, medicine, research and education is the first all-new mixed-use campus for the Texas A&M System in Houston: Texas A&M Innovation Plaza.
Church Space Founder Day Edwards Launches Free Streaming Program for Churches, Ministries Across the Nation
Day Edwards is no stranger to finding innovative solutions to meet the needs of today’s churches. In 2019, the Houston-based entrepreneur and CEO made a name for herself when she founded a first-of-its- kind, digital platform for churches called Church Space. Known as “the Airbnb for churches,” Church Space is an online marketplace that helps churches earn income by renting out space for weekly worship services in addition to a variety of one-time events and gatherings.
Pandemic Thinking: How To Keep Your Head In The (Long) Game
The COVID-19 pandemic is crippling and toppling many U.S. small businesses. Often called “the backbone of the economy,” small businesses that are managing to survive face an uncertain future.
Early Bird uses 10 times less energy to train deep neural networks
Novel training method could shrink carbon footprint for greener deep learning
Rice University's Early Bird could care less about the worm; it's looking for megatons of greenhouse gas emissions.
Mayor Turner›s Proposed FY 2021 Budget Includes Tough Cuts, Preserves Public Safety and Maintains City Services
This week, Mayor Sylvester Turner presented his proposed FY 2021 budget closing a $169 million gap caused in part by the COVID-19 pandemic.
HISD names Houston law enforcement veteran as new police chief
The Houston Independent School District has named Pedro Lopez Jr., a Houston Police Department assistant chief with 32 years of experience, as the new chief of the HISD Police Department.
Congressman Al Green Signs On As A Co-Sponsor Of The Coronavirus Immigration Families Protection Act – To Combat COVID-19
On Tuesday, May 12, 2020, Congressman Al Green became a cosponsor of H.R. 6437, the Coronavirus Immigrant Families Protection Act. He also joined a bicameral letter with CAPAC Chairwoman Judy Chu and Senator Mazie Hironolast month calling on House and Senate leadership to include these same protections in the next coronavirus relief package.