WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
March 8, 2025
We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.
The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ...
Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.
Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.
Acres Home native Sylvester Turner went from labor to reward on Wednesday, March 5th, 2025, he was 70 years old. He diligently served the Houston com- munity in various capacities for over 40 years. His impact last not only in politics but in the lives of ev- eryone he served, he was more than...
For over two decades, Kenan Thompson has been a cornerstone of Saturday Night Live, redefining what longevity and consistency mean in sketch comedy. Since joining the cast in 2003, Thompson has evolved from a fresh-faced newcomer to the longest-tenured performer in SNL history. His versatility, impeccable timing, and undeniable charm have cemented him as...
Submit Your Event
By: Shelley McKinley Kristi Rangel, the 2025 Buffalo Bayou Partner- ship Artist in Residence, has expanded the Witness Series in green spaces from four parts that occurred in 2024 to an eight-part series for 2025 that will explore the many profound experiences that people of color have in Southeast Texas and along Houston’s Buffalo...
On March 6th, 2025, Congressman Al Green attended President Trump’s address to Congress. President Trump spoke on his plans to cut Medicaid and Congressman Green interrupted and began to protest. Green represents Texas’s 9th Congressional District, which includes parts of Houston, and has spent years fighting for civil rights and social justice. His outburst...
[Photo: YouTube] Harris Health has named Glorimar Medina, MD, as CEO of the newly created position for Hospital Campuses, which assumes leadership and oversight of both Harris Health Ben Taub Hospital and Harris Health Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital. “During her Harris Heath career, Glorimar has excelled in progressive leadership roles that include medical director, Ambulatory Surgical Center at LBJ Hospital; executive vice president and administrator, Ambulatory Care Services; and most recently, executive vice president and administrator, Ben Taub Hospital,” says Louis Smith, chief operations officer (COO), Harris Health. “As the first leader to assume responsibilities for both hospital campuses, I’m excited about the opportunity and experience she brings to the position.” In addition to Medina, Harris Health has promoted Jennifer Small, AuD, executive vice president and administrator, Ambulatory Care Services (ACS), to the position of CEO, Ambulatory Care Services, and likewise promoted Kiki Teal, vice president, Correctional Health, to the position of CEO, Correctional Health. For Small, the newly named position best reflects her scope of responsibilities to best help Harris Health achieve its strategic goals, Smith adds. “Jennifer has been with Harris Health for more than 20 years serving as a director, administrative director and vice president of primary care, specialty and ancillary services and is coming upon her third anniversary as the leader of ACS,” he says. “She continues to bring her strong experience and passion to the benefit of our ambulatory platform and our patients.” For Teal, the promotion adds to her existing duties of operational oversight of correctional health by expanding them to include broader responsibilities involving the Harris County Sherriff’s Office and leading correctional health’s overall strategic direction. “Kiki has been with Harris Health since our first engagement with Harris County in managing the medical services at the Harris County Jail and brings a wealth of clinical and operational experience to this role,” Smith says. The new leadership positions are created by Harris Health to align with its strategic goals and employ a leadership organizational model used by other major health systems in the Texas Medical Center and across the U.S.
...
Every March, we take time to honor women’s contributions to his- tory, culture, and society. But have you ever wondered why Women’s History Month happens in March? Or why we even celebrate it at all? The idea of celebrating women’s history wasn’t always around. In fact, for most of history, women’s achievements were overlooked or erased. But in the 1970s, a group of women in California decided that needed to change. In 1978, the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Com- mission on the Status of Women organized the first Women’s His- tory Week. They chose to hold it in March to include International Women’s Day on March 8 a day that had been recognized around the world since 1911. The idea caught on, and in 1980, President Jimmy Carter declared the first official National Women’s History Week. Seven years later, in 1987, Congress expanded the celebration to a whole month. Now, every March, we recognize the contributions of women who have shaped history, often without receiving the credit they deserve. Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate all women, but Black women’s contributions are often left out of the story. There are some incredible Black women who made his- tory but aren’t always talked about in school. Claudia Jones was born in Trinidad but moved to the United States as a child. She was smart and outspoken, and she quickly became a leader in the fight for racial and gender equality. However, because of her activism, the U.S. government saw her as a threat and deported her to England. Instead of giving up, she started The West Indian Gazet the first major Black newspaper in Britain. She also helped organize what would later become London’s Notting Hill Carnival, a celebration of Caribbean culture that still happens today. Bessie Stringfield became the first Black woman to ride solo across the country on a motorcycle. She even worked as a military dispatch rider during World War II, delivering important messages on her bike. Dorothy Bolden worked as a housekeeper for white families in Atlanta, Georgia, starting when she was...
[Photo: Mike Segar/Reuters] Houston native Jalen Hurts, quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles made history last night in Superbowl LIX with an amazing performance against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. Hurts became the first Eagles quarterback to make multiple Super Bowl appearances and joined three others as the fourth Black quarterback to win a Super Bowl. He also became the third Black quarterback to earn the Super Bowl MVP award. He led the Eagles to a 40-22 win over the Chiefs, completing 17 of 22 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns, he also rushed for 72 yards and a touchdown. The Eagles previously lost to the Chiefs in Superbowl LVII in 2023, with a final score of 38-35. Before last night’s game, only three Black quarterbacks had ever won a Super Bowl. Doug Williams was the first, leading Washington Redskins (now called the Commanders) to a 42-10 win over the Denver Broncos in 1988. It took 26 more years before another Black quarterback won Russell Wilson, who led the Seattle Seahawks in beating the Broncos 43-8 in 2014. Patrick Mahomes has won multiple Super Bowls, leading the Kansas City Chiefs to victory in 2020 (Super Bowl LIV), 2023 (Super Bowl LVII), and 2024 (Super Bowl LVIII). One of those wins was against Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles. Mahomes also played in the 2021 Super Bowl (Super Bowl LV) but lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Steve McNair led the Tennessee Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV (2000), but they lost to the St. Louis Rams 23-16. Donovan McNabb took the Philadelphia Eagles to Super Bowl XXXIX (2005), but they fell just short against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, losing 24-21. In 2013, Colin Kaepernick and the San Francisco 49ers played in Super Bowl XLVII but lost 34-31 to the Baltimore Ravens. Cam Newton led the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 (2016) but was defeated by Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos 24-10. Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles made it to Super Bowl LVII (2023), but Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs...
LUCRETIA ELIZABETH GRANT AUGUST 6, 1925 – JANUARY 4, 2025 Born on August 6, 1925, in Houston, Texas, Lucretia Elizabeth McGartha was the third of eleven children born to John Preston McGartha and Beatrice Thomas McGartha. A lifelong member of St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church, she was baptized at an early age and carried her faith with her throughout her entire life. Lucretia attended Woodcrest Elementary School, Harper Middle School, and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School. On November 3, 1941, Lucretia was united in holy matrimony to James Astor Grant, beginning a beautiful union that spanned over 71 years. Together, they raised 14 children, 9 boys and 5 girls, creating a family foundation built on love, respect, hard work, and devotion. Lucretia was the epitome of the Proverbs 31 Woman- quiet yet strong, patient yet profound. Her nurturing spirit, soft spoken demeanor, and calming presence left an indelible mark on all who knew her. Lucretia’s greatest joy was her family. She was a natural matriarch, creating lasting bonds with every member of her large family.
...
By: Travis McGee All across our city we often hear the term “Affordable Housing” and you also see so- called affordable hous- ing projects thrown up overnight. Affordable means a lot of different things to a lot of differ- ent people. To the Haves it means that they could afford to build, invest in, and even pay the mortgage, if need be, but to the HAVE NOTS it means it has been the largest part of the budget which includes mortgage/rent, taxes, insurance(s), groceries, transportation, a family, and overall cost of living. This irresponsible construction is called Gentrification, but it’s the kind that’s on steroids due to very bad ordinance written by our City Council. All underserved, under developed, poor communities that set below the poverty level are all experiencing the same thing. ThThe passage of Chapter 42 Ordinance in 2013 by a vote of 14-3 on Houston City Council made this type of Unaffordable development legal. What is Chapter 42, you may ask? Well, it basically decreases the minimum lot size to build on and allows developers to replat one residential lots into multiple sections /lots to build multiple structures on that one lot. NOTE: If they combine two or more of the said lots that property can become another whole subdivision within an already pre-existing subdivision. This ordinance was said to be used to increase the density here in the city of Houston (basically to fit more people) here by any means necessary. Even if that means putting $2,000,000.00 worth of property up to 75 ft high next to traditional single family 1 story dwellings on top of a prehistoric $2.00 infrastructure system. The ordinance only benefits the city through tax revenue and fees as well as the developers through unaffordable housing and landgrabs. You would think the ordinances would protect the residents / taxpayers, but it doesn’t. It really doesn’t matter if you have deed restrictions or not if the city is issuing the permits and approving the construction. You are extremely lucky if you get a variance/ notice of construction these days. Once the city writes...
We are inviting the public and diverse leaders and organizations to protest. The protest will be held at Houston City Hall, 901 Bagby on Sunday, March 2nd at 3 P.M. This will be a demonstration of commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting justice for all victims of the dehumanizing, insulting, and undemocratic policies of the present administration. Houston United for Justice Rally, Sunday, March 2, 3PM
...An individual’s gifts will always make room for them and will bring them into the presence of greatness. Congressman Sylvester Turner has been in the presence of greatness. Sylvester grew up in the Acres Home community, the sixth child of nine siblings, and because of family size Congressman Turner’s family had to take turns...
The USDA’s 1890 Scholars Program is a scholarship program that helps students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) study agriculture, food science, and natural resources. This program started in 1992, and it provides full scholarships that cover tuition, books, fees, and room and board at 19 universities known as 1890 land-grant universities. These...
By Taalib Saber, attorney and owner of The Saber Firm As Black History Month reminds us of our legacy of resilience and economic power, recent federal rollbacks of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs have sent shockwaves through corporate America. While these policy changes may feel like a setback, they present a unique...
African American News & Issues
(713) 692-1892
P.O. Box 41820
Houston, TX 77241
Copyright © 2025. African American News & Issues. All rights reserved. | Private Policy | Terms of Use 
October 16, 2023, HOUSTON, TX – Congressional Candidate Amanda Edwards has raised over $1 million in less than 4 months, a substantial sum that helps bolster the frontrunner status of the former At-Large Houston City Council Member in her bid for U.S. Congress. Edwards raised over $433,000 in Q3 of 2023. This strong Q3 report expands on a successful Q2 where Edwards announced just 11 days after declaring her candidacy that she had raised over $600,000. With over $829,000 in cash-on-hand at the end of the September 30th financial reporting period, Edwards proves again that she is the clear frontrunner in the race. “I am beyond grateful for the strong outpouring of support that will help me to win this race and serve the incredible people of the 18th Congressional District,” said Edwards. “We are at a critical juncture in our nation’s trajectory, and we need to send servant leaders to Congress who can deliver the results the community deserves. The strong support from our supporters will help us to cultivate an 18th Congressional District where everyone in it can thrive.” Edwards said. “Amanda understands the challenges that the hard-working folks of the 18th Congressional District face because she has never lost sight of who she is or where she comes from; she was born and raised right here in the 18th Congressional District of Houston,” said Kathryn McNiel, spokesperson for Edwards’ campaign. Edwards has been endorsed by Higher Heights PAC, Collective PAC, Krimson PAC, and the Brady PAC. She has also been supported by Beto O’Rourke, among many others. About Amanda: Amanda is a native Houstonian, attorney and former At-Large Houston City Council Member. Amanda is a graduate of Eisenhower High School in Aldine ISD. Edwards earned a B.A. from Emory University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. Edwards practiced law at Vinson & Elkins LLP and Bracewell LLP before entering public service. Edwards is a life-long member of St. Monica Catholic Church in Acres Homes. For more information, please visit www.edwardsforhouston.com
As September 13th rolls around, we extend our warmest birthday wishes to the creative powerhouse, Tyler Perry, a man whose indomitable spirit and groundbreaking work have left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment. With his multifaceted talents as an actor, playwright, screenwriter, producer, and director, Tyler Perry has not only entertained but also inspired audiences worldwide, particularly within the African-American community, where his influence and role have been nothing short of powerful. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1969, Tyler Perry’s journey to stardom was a path riddled with adversity. Raised in a turbulent household, he found refuge in writing, using it as a therapeutic outlet. This period of introspection gave rise to one of his most iconic creations, Madea, a vivacious, no-nonsense grandmother who would later become a beloved figure in Perry’s works, offering a unique blend of humor and profound life lessons. Despite facing numerous challenges, including rejection and financial struggles, Perry’s determination and unwavering belief in his abilities propelled him forward. In 1992, he staged his first play, “I Know I’ve Been Changed,” which, although met with limited success, was a pivotal moment in his career. Unfazed by initial setbacks, Perry continued to hone his craft, and by 1998, he had successfully produced a string of stage plays that showcased his storytelling prowess.
Calling all teenage student-athletes! If you have dreams of playing college soccer and wish to represent an HBCU, the HBCU ID Camp is your golden opportunity. From 8 am to 5 pm on November 11-12, Houston Sports Park will transform into a hub for aspiring male and female soccer players. Coaches from HBCUs across the nation will be present to evaluate, scout, and offer valuable feedback. Moreover, they might even spot the next soccer prodigy to join their collegiate soccer programs. This camp is not just about honing your soccer skills but also a chance to connect with the HBCU soccer community. You’ll learn the ins and outs of what it takes to excel on the field and in the classroom, which is crucial for a college athlete. The HBCU ID Camp is an excellent platform to network with coaches, learn from experienced athletes, and take the first steps toward your college soccer journey. To secure your spot at this incredible event, don’t forget to register [here](insert registration link). Space is limited to 120 participants, so make sure to reserve your place before it’s too late. It’s time to turn your dreams of playing college soccer into a reality.