The Houston Sun Foundation was founded in 2014 and shortly thereafter, the Houston Sun Parade and Symposium was organized. “As we celebrate our 10th anniversary of the Foundation’s Parade and Symposium, we are establishing the African American History Circle of Honor,” said Dorris Ellis Robinson, publisher of the Houston Sun.
They will be installed on Saturday, February 15, 2025 on the campus of Texas Southern University in the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs before the Symposium. The theme for the 2025 African American History Month is African Americans and the Law.
Among those being installed are Rev. Samuel H. Smith, Captain Paul Matthews, Dr. Natalie Caroll, MD, and Claude Cummings.
Dorris Ellis Robinson, president and founder of the Houston Sun Newspaper and the Houston Sun Foundation
Dorris Ellis Robinson’s Statement
10th Annual African American History and Symposium Statement
Good morning, Houston, Media Friends, Houston Sun Foundation Steering Committee, our beloved Houston community.
Thank you for your presence and help in getting the message to our cherished community.
” Today our beloved community stand at a pivotal moment in America’s history as the Houston Sun Foundation come announcing its 10th annual African American History Parade and Symposium,” said Dorris Ellis, president and founder of the Houston Sun and the Houston Sun Foundation.
She continued, “Americans are at the intersection of African American history, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and the theme of discussion for African American History Month is “African Americans and Labor”.”
Left to right– Dr. Gilbert Rochon, Interim Dean of the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs, Dorris Ellis Robinson, Claude Cummings, Parade Grand Marshal and International President of the Communications Workers of America. Cummings is the first African American president in the organization’s 78 -year history. (Sun photo/Jerome Timmons).
The 10th Annual African American History and Parade is
Saturday, February 15, 2025
Staging at Texas and Hamilton on the Southeast corner of Daikin Park at 8 a.m.
Kickoff 10 AM
Grand Marshal, Claude Cummings, President of the International Communications Workers of America. He is the first African American to serve as its leader in the 78th years of the organization.
Immediately following the parade, the lunch and Symposium will be held at Texas Southern University in the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs.
Walter McCoy Auditorium, Room 114
12:30-4 p.m.
$10 parking or street parking
The Symposium is FREE and opened to the public and speakers will discuss African Americans and Labor. Among the speakers are Claude Cummings, International President, Communications Workers of America and others.
In 2025 America has a rich area for exploration. Here are several key points that illustrate this intersection:
Historical Context of Labor
–Slave Labor: The foundation of African American labor history is rooted in the brutal system of slavery, where enslaved Africans were forced into labor without compensation. Understanding this history is crucial for addressing ongoing disparities.
– Post-Emancipation: After the Civil War, many African Americans sought better labor conditions, often facing systemic barriers such as sharecropping, discrimination, and lack of access to education and resources.
Labor Movements and Activism
– Union Involvement: African Americans have played significant roles in labor movements, advocating for rights and better working conditions. Their contributions to unions and strikes highlight the importance of inclusivity in labor history.
– Civil Rights and Labor Rights: The fight for civil rights was often intertwined with labor rights, as activists worked to dismantle both racial and economic injustices. Understanding this connection can inform current DEI efforts.
Economic Inequality and Structural Barriers
– Disparities in Employment: African Americans have historically faced barriers to employment, wage disparities, and underrepresentation in many sectors. Addressing these inequities is essential for fostering a more inclusive workforce.
– Access to Opportunities: DEI initiatives aim to create equitable access to job opportunities, training, and advancement, which are critical for addressing the historical injustices faced by African Americans in the labor market.
The Role of Policy and Legislation
– Labor Laws: Analyzing legislation such as the Fair Labor Standards Act and its impact on African Americans can highlight ongoing challenges and the need for policies that promote equity.
– Affirmative Action: Policies designed to increase representation and support for marginalized groups in the labor market are vital for addressing historical inequalities.
Contemporary Relevance
– Workplace Diversity: Today, many organizations are recognizing the need for diverse workplaces. Understanding the historical context of African American labor can enhance DEI initiatives and promote meaningful inclusion.
– Cultural Contributions: African Americans have significantly influenced various industries, from arts and entertainment to technology and entrepreneurship. Celebrating these contributions fosters a more inclusive narrative in labor history.
Education and Awareness
– Curriculum Development: Incorporating African American labor history into educational programs can raise awareness and foster understanding of the systemic issues that have shaped the current labor landscape.
– Community Engagement: Engaging communities in discussions about African American labor history can empower individuals and promote advocacy for equity and inclusion.
In Conclusion, the intersection of African American history, DEI, and labor highlights the importance of recognizing past injustices while striving for a more equitable future. By understanding these connections, Americans can work towards creating inclusive environments that honor the contributions of African Americans in the labor force and address the systemic barriers they continue to face.
Event sponsors are EMPA, SOPA, Dept. Political Science and Public Administration, The Houston Sun, and Norma Huger.
HOUSTON – The City Council approved the designation of five historic properties, including four protected landmarks and one landmark, on Dec. 11. The properties are all located
Landmarks in Council District C: Dr. and Mrs. Robert A. Johnston House, 7 Shadow Lawn St., circa 1928, a protected landmark
Designation report within the City of Houston and spans three City Council Districts. This brings the City of Houston landmark inventory to 307 from 182 protected landmarks.
Council also approved a change of designation of the garage apartment located at 3423 White Oak Dr./540 Cortlandt St. from a contributing to a noncontributing historic structure on Dec. 18. Noncontributing structure means a building, structure, object or site that does not reinforce the cultural, architectural, or historical significance of the historic district in which it is located.
The historical properties were presented to the Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission on separate meeting dates in 2024. The Commission unanimously recommended approval of all designations and forwarded them to City Council for consideration. Following legal notification requirements, a public hearing was held on Nov. 20.
Protected landmarks and landmarks are historic properties officially recognized by the City of Houston for their outstanding historical, cultural, or architectural significance. The property owner initiates these designations.
A landmark designation protects resources in the following ways: any building design, alterations, additions, and maintenance to the building, structure, or site must follow the City of Houston Historic Preservation Ordinance. The designation does not provide significant protection from demolition or an inappropriate alteration. A protected landmark designation provides significant protection against demolition and is eligible to be nominated as a significant building. Read more about historical designations.
Swift and Company Packing Plant, 612 Waverly St., circa 1953 and 1917, protected landmark. Designation report
The John S. Stewart House, 109 Stratford St., circa 1910, protected landmark Designation report
Council District H: Delco House, 807 North Loop, circa early 1930s, protected landmark Designation report
Council District I: Battelstein’s, 806 Main St., circa 1950, landmark Designation report
HOUSTON – Due to the funeral arrangements for Houston firefighter Marcelo Garcia, the City of Houston has postponed this week’s consolidated council meeting to Thursday, Nov. 14. There will be no public session on Tuesday, Nov. 12, or meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 13.
This week’s council meeting is consolidated in observance of Veterans Day and will begin at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14. Mayor John Whitmire, city council members, and members of the public will pay their respects during a public viewing on Tuesday, Nov. 12, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home, 6900 Lawndale. Garcia’s public funeral service is scheduled for Wednesday at 9 a.m. at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 1111 St. Joseph Pkwy.
Mayor Whitmire requests that Houstonians and those who commute to the city turn on their vehicle headlights Wednesday to honor Garcia.
HOUSTON, TX – The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) has awarded the Houston Public Library (HPL) a $75,000 Special Projects Grant to expand its Career Online High School Program. The funding will provide scholarships to 40 new participants in FY25, enabling adults aged 21 and older to earn an accredited diploma online. Applicants must have completed at least the eighth grade and pass a prerequisite course with 70% or higher. To apply, potential students must take a brief survey to determine eligibility. The application deadline for scholarship funding is December 30, 2024.
This grant is part of over 40 awarded this year by TSLAC, funded through the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the Library Services and Technology Act. “TSLAC is pleased to recognize and support the important work of Texas libraries in delivering innovative information services that strengthen local literacy workforce and digital opportunity efforts,” said TSLAC Director and Librarian Gloria Meraz.
“Students who want to complete their high school diploma shouldn’t have to deal with the burden of extra costs. These funds will allow more students to achieve this milestone and gain other opportunities,” said HPL Community Engagement Division Manager Mercedes Clarke.
For more information about this program, please contact HPL’s community engagement and education team at 832-393-1737.
About Houston Public Library We are a dynamic organization that serves one of the largest service areas –both population and area – in the country. 2.3 million residents in the City of Houston are the primary beneficiaries of a comprehensive customer-focused service delivery strategy.
Our system consists of 44 public service units which include one Central Library, five Regional Libraries, 29 Neighborhood and Express Libraries, three History Research Centers, four TECHLink technology centers, one Satellite location at Children’s Museum Houston, and one Mobile Express.
About The Texas State Library and Archives Commission Formed in 1909, TSLAC is committed to giving Texans access to information and programs to improve their lives and communities. TSLAC provides historical and genealogical search assistance, federal and state government documents, electronic research, and library services to all Texans, including those who are unable to read standard print material because of physical or reading disabilities. For more information, visit www.tsl.texas.gov.
Houston — The Harris Central Appraisal District (HCAD) has been selected as a Top Workplace in the Houston metropolitan area by the Houston Chronicle for the eighth consecutive year.
“The recognition as a public-sector employer of choice only happens because of the contribution and dedication of every employee,” said Roland Altinger, chief appraiser.
“I’m so proud of everyone at HCAD. Being named a Top Workplace in the Houston area for the eighth successive year is an honor for everyone in the district because the selection is made by responses to an employee survey in which 88 percent of our employees shared their thoughts.”
The appraisal district was ranked number 6 among the large organizations participating in the Houston Metroplex this year, its fifth consecutive appearance in the top 10. The district has also received national recognition for Culture Excellence in 8 subcategories.
“The appraisal district continues to be responsive to the needs of the jurisdictions and the public we serve,” Altinger said. “We continually look at new ways to use technology to provide faster services and easier access to property owners. We are always striving to improve our customer service.”
The top workplaces are based on an employee feedback survey administered by an independent firm that provides technology-based employee engagement tools.
The anonymous survey measures several aspects of workplace culture, including engagement, organizational health and employee satisfaction with the organization and their jobs.
“Building an organization where every employee feels empowered allows us to provide first-class service to the public, and those principles have helped us remain on the Top Workplaces list for the past 8 years running,” Altinger said.
About HCAD
The Harris Central Appraisal District is a political subdivision of the State of Texas established in 1980 for the purpose of discovering and appraising property for ad valorem tax purposes for each taxing unit within the boundaries of the district. The district has approximately 1.8 million parcels of property to assess each year with a total market value of approximately $895 billion. The appraisal district in Harris County is the largest in Texas, serving more than 500 taxing units, and one of the largest appraisal districts in the United States. For further information, visit www.hcad.org.
The University of Houston-Downtown Mourns the Loss of Visionary Art Professor Floyd Newsum
HOUSTON (Aug. 20, 2024) – The news of the unexpected passing of Art Professor Floyd Newsum on Wednesday, Aug. 14, sent a shockwave throughout the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) community. Through 48 years of service to the university, Professor Newsum touched thousands of lives, not only as an exceptional art teacher, but also as a mentor, colleague, friend, and tremendous supporter of the university beyond the classroom and into almost every aspect of the life of the greater community.
“Professor Newsum was more than an artist, more than a teacher,” said UHD President Loren J. Blanchard. “He was a connector, a motivating force who worked to touch lives every day and who brought people together in remarkable ways. His art was intricately linked with his desire to nurture young artists and invest in the next generation of change agents, not only here at UHD but also in the historic Third Ward of Houston and even in communities he visited when his art was on view.”
Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Professor Newsum graduated from Memphis College of Art with a BFA in 1973 and from Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with an MFA in 1975. He joined the UHD faculty in 1976, and over the years taught a variety of courses, including drawing, painting, printmaking and art appreciation, among others, in addition to coordinating the studio sections for UHD’s Art Department. In 2003, Professor Newsum received UHD’s Scholarship/Creativity Award in recognition of his contributions to visual art across a variety of media and thematic investigations. During his tenure at UHD, Professor Newsum created a wide range of work as a major local artist with a profound impact on the national contemporary visual arts scene.
His work is part of permanent collections at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C., the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.His numerous public art commissions include two Houston Metro Light Rail Station art designs, seven sculptures for Houston’s Main Street Square Station, four paintings in the UHD Commerce Street Building, a suspended sculpture for the lobby of the Acres Home Multi-Service Center in Houston, a relief sculpture in the Cathedral Atrium at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Houston and five suspended sculptures for the lobby of the Hazel Harvey Peace Building in Fort Worth, Texas.
His work has been displayed in more than 100 exhibitions across the United States, including the University of Maryland College Park, Taft Museum in Cincinnati, the Contemporary Arts Center in New Orleans, the Studio Museum in Harlem, and the Museum of Fine Arts Houston. Professor Newsum was one of seven visionary African American artists who founded Project Row Houses (PRH) in the Third Ward in 1993. PRH is the nationally known nonprofit organization originally comprised of 22 Row Houses that “succeeds as a social sculpture when Black art, culture, and community are protected, promoted, elevated, and celebrated in new and vibrant ways.”As a co-founder of PRH, Professor Newsum worked with James Bettison, Bert Long Jr., Jesse Lott, Rick Lowe, Bert Samples, and George Smith to build an integral part of the arts community in the Third Ward, using row houses that were once modest homes for a rising affluent Black community. The co-founders established programs that not only supported Black art and culture but also built community.
Professor Newsum’s dedication to community engagement remained a central part of his personal mission throughout his career.From May through October 2023, Professor Newsum received his first large-scale retrospective, “Evolution of Sight,” at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art in Madison, Wisconsin. The exhibition was organized by guest curators Dr. Lauren Cross, Gail-Oxford Associate Curator of American Decorative Arts at The Huntington in San Marino, California, and Mark Cervenka, UHD Professor of Art and O’Kane Gallery Director.
“Evolution of Sight” reflected on the artist’s entire practice, including paintings and models of public art commissions such as sculptures and relief installations, with each work transmitting the deeply personal history of the artist including symbolic references and often family photographs—all veiled by richly layered color and textures that create tactile surfaces. Newsum explained: “My career covers 50-plus years of creating works of art that are exploring color, marks, and surfaces in various mediums. I call my evolution in creativity a problem-solving event of expression of the soul.”UHD is planning a number of tributes in his memory, including an endowed scholarship: the Floyd Newsum Visionary Artist and Humanitarian Scholarship with a focus on art and social justice that will be available to students pursuing Art or Social Work degrees. Contributions for this scholarship may be made at https://giving.uh.edu/UHD/Newsum-Scholarship.
At the time of the “Evolution of Sight” exhibition, co-curator Mark Cervenka stated, “A comprehensive museum exhibition of Floyd Newsum’s art is long overdue. With a career emerging from the heart of the Civil Rights Movement in Memphis in the 1960s, Newsum’s layered works have consistently included both overt and subtle responses to civil rights issues. Newsum’s father, one of the first African American firefighters in the South, set an example and provided the impetus for one of Newsum’s primary symbols in the form of a ladder.”
“A bold often intensely colored palette, sometimes offset with collaged elements,” continued Cervenka, “provides a foundation both for works addressing broad cultural observations and those seeking the more intimate focus of spiritual awareness and a profound recognition of love and family.”In keeping with that description of his artistic vision, Professor Newsum will be best remembered by his colleagues, friends and students at the University of Houston-Downtown for his deep spirituality, sense of joyful purpose, and the love that he unselfishly shared with all who knew him. For more information, please visit uhd.edu.
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON-DOWNTOWNCelebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024, the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is the second-largest university in Houston and has served the educational needs of the nation’s fourth-largest city since 1974. As one of four distinct public universities in the University of Houston System, UHD is a comprehensive, four-year university led by President Loren J. Blanchard.UHD educates approximately 12,000 students annually, boasts more than 67,000 alumni, and offers 45 bachelor’s degrees, 12 master’s degrees, and 19 online programs within four colleges: Marilyn Davies College of Business, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Public Service, and College of Sciences and Technology. UHD has one of the lowest tuition rates in Texas.U.S. News and World Report ranked UHD among the nation’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Applied Administration and Best Online Master’s Programs in Criminal Justice, as well as a Top Performer in Social Mobility. The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranked UHD one of the best colleges in the U.S. for its 2024 rankings, with notable distinctions: No. 1 for diversity (tied) and No. 3 for student experience. TheStockWatcher.com called UHD a “notable institution providing high-quality online MBA programs. … UHD ensures that its graduates are well-prepared to succeed in their chosen career paths.”The University is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, a Minority-Serving Institution, and a Military Friendly School. For more information on the University of Houston-Downtown, visit uhd.edu.
Floyd Newsum and UHD art student AAliyah Norfleet, Photo Credit Mitchell LoperThird photo: Floyd Newsum, Photo Courtesy of the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
The 40-year-old neighboring town 30 miles South of Houston started the day with a tragic domestic terrorist attack allegedly by a 17-year old student at his Santa Fe High School of about 1,400 students. The high school serves a population of about 12,200 (US 2010 Census) residents in the rural town of Santa Fe, (Holy Faith in Spanish) in Galveston County. Police sources have stated that a young man has been placed in custody and nine people are dead while others have been taken to the League City Hospital and the UT Medical Center in Galveston.
Students report that there was a shooting threat in February at the high school and that they were in lockdown mode for two hours. A freshman student reported that he heard two bombs and the gunshots and a weeping 10th graders speaking through tears said that her friend was shot in the leg.
Students were evacuated to the Alamo Gymnasium at 13360 off Highway TX 6.
Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis applauded a federal appeals court that ruled Wednesday the county’s wealth-based bail policy violates the Constitution because it jails misdemeanor defendants simply because they cannot pay money bail.
A three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals largely ruled against Harris County in an appeal that the county brought in O’Donnell v. Harris County. In an opinion drafted by Judge Edith Brown Clement, the appellate court held, “We are satisfied that the court had sufficient evidence to conclude that Harris County’s use of secured bail violated equal protection.”
The panel also dismissed Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez from the lawsuit and directed U.S. District Judge Lee Rosenthal to craft a narrower injunction. However, the appeals court judges held that the county must follow Judge Rosenthal’s injunctive procedures until she crafts new procedures that more directly address the constitutional violations.
“With this decision, the conservative 5th Circuit is telling Harris County that it’s unconstitutional to have two justice systems: one for the rich and one for the poor,” Commissioner Ellis said. “Yet Harris County has already spent more than $5 million defending a morally and legally indefensible bail system that violates the Constitution and punishes people simply because they are poor. The ruling is a significant victory for justice and offers further proof that it is time for Harris County to settle this lawsuit and enact meaningful reforms that treat all people equally and fairly under the law.”
Judge Rosenthal entered a preliminary injunction against Harris County last April after finding that the county treats indigent misdemeanor defendants unequally solely because they cannot afford money bail. She further found that Harris County’s pretrial detention procedures for misdemeanor cases lack due process because defendants are not informed of the significance of being able to afford money bail. Her preliminary injunction required Sheriff Gonzalez to release indigent misdemeanor defendants within 24 hours of arrest if they could not afford to post a money bond.
The bail lawsuit was filed in May 2016 by Maranda Lynn O’Donnell, who spent more than two days in jail because she could not afford $2,500 bond after being arrested on charges of driving with an invalid license. Her lawsuit was merged with another lawsuit filed by two misdemeanor defendants, Loetha Shanta McGruder and Robert Ryan Ford, who were locked up when they could not afford money bail.
Last year, Commissioner Ellis filed an amicus brief in Judge Rosenthal’s court that discussed Harris County’s history of discriminatory treatment of poor defendants of color and that agreed with the O’Donnell plaintiffs’ assertions that the bail scheme is unconstitutional.
In addition to Judge Clement, the three-judge panel that ruled on the county’s appeal also consisted of Edward Prado and Catharina Haynes. The county now can seek permission for rehearing of its appeal by that panel or to have its appeal heard by all the judges on the 5th Circuit. It also can seek permission to have the 5th Circuit’s decision reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Judge Rosenthal stated in her April order that she would schedule a trial on the merits of the lawsuit, but also warned that the plaintiffs have a great likelihood of winning that trial. The trial is expected to be scheduled soon.
Commissioner Ellis stated, “With regard to the remedy, I am confident that once additional evidence has been presented, the federal courts will implement a bail system in Harris County that protects the constitutional rights of everyone.”
The 40-year-old neighboring town 30 miles South of Houston started the day with a tragic domestic terrorist attack allegedly by a 17-year old student at his Santa Fe High School of about 1,400 students. The high school serves a population of about 12,200 (US 2010 Census) residents in the rural town of Santa Fe, (Holy Faith in Spanish) in Galveston County. Police sources have stated that a young man has been placed in custody and nine people are dead while others have been taken to the League City Hospital and the UT Medical Center in Galveston.