Category Archives: Lifestyle

African American History, Business, Community, Entertainment, Front, Lifestyle, News

Houston Sun Foundation Presents its 10th Annual African American Parade and Symposium

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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”.”

Dr. Gilbert Rochon, interim Dean of the Barbara Jordan -Mickey Leland School of Public, Dorris Ellis Robinson, political science professor at TSU and publisher -editor of the Houston Sun and founder of the African American History Parade and Symposium and Claude Cummings, Grand Marshal for the 10th Annual African American History Parade. Cummings is the frist African America President of the International Communications of America, a 78-year-old organization.

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:

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

(AI was used in the research of this statement).

 

Entertainment, Lifestyle

ENJOY LIVE MUSIC AND FIREWORKS THIS WEEKEND AT MOODY GARDENS “BEATS ON THE BEACH”

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Houston-based Band, A Sure Thing, is set to take the Palm Beach Stage on Saturday, July 6

GALVESTON, Texas — Enjoy live music and fireworks this weekend at Moody Gardens “Beats on the Beach”. A great night is something you can count on when the Houston-based band, A Sure Thing, takes the Palm Beach stage.  Know for their energetic and eclectic mix of rock, pop, funk, soul, and more will have guests dancing to favorites from the 50’s to today’s current hits.  

“Beats on the Beach” is a family-friendly event featuring live music suitable for all ages every Saturday night from June 15 to August 3, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Located at Palm Beach, guests will enjoy live entertainment while taking in the refreshing Gulf breeze and the mesmerizing water view of Offatts Bayou. The evening will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display, making it the perfect summer celebration. Admission is $10 for adults and $15 for children, with free entry for children three and younger.

At Palm Beach, guests will enjoy the only white sand beach on Galveston Island and a variety of attractions. There’s something for everyone, from lounging beneath palm trees to cooling off in the 650-foot Lazy River, wave pool, or two 18-foot tower slides.

Palm Beach also features the popular Aquarium Adventure play area and interactive water games. The splash pad, an automated aquatic feature, provides endless fun with interactive dump buckets, spray arches, and fountains. For maximum relaxation, cabanas and loungers are available for rent.

Palm Beach is open daily through August 18, with weekend openings from August 24 to September 19. It 

offers Individual Tickets, Season Passes, and Annual Pass Plus Memberships. Children aged three and younger enter free. New this year, Palm Beach is included in the One-Day Value Pass. Visitors can also enjoy special savings:

  • Fun Day Monday: One free child admission with each adult admission. Valid: June 3 – August 12.
  • Taco Tuesday: $2 Tacos all Day. Valid: June 4 – August 13.
  • Wild Wednesday: $15 Palm Beach admission. Valid: June 5 – August 15.
Business, Education, Entertainment, Lifestyle

At the Theatre: Front Porch Society plays at the Ensemble

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By Dorris Ellis

The Houston Sun

Front Porch Society is now playing at the Ensemble Theatre through June 4. Setting in a delta county of Quittman, Mississippi in the city of Marks, seven families come-and-go to the front porches of two delta homes where ladies ages 95-50s bring the world to the audience.

The Ensemble’s Saturday night audience was delighted to become a part of the Front Porch Society’s amen corner, for they responded to the cast as if they were invited to participated. Directed by the Ensemble’s theatre Artistic Director, Eileen J. Morris, she took the Chicago playwright, Melda Beaty’s script and rapt a world premiere opening for the Houston market where it is bound to be a success. The time of the show’s setting is November 2008 on the front porch of Carrie Honey’s, home, played by Michelle Harrell, where the ladies discuss news and information and find solutions to problems as they provide hope and guidance to the old-and-young.

Yes, the content is serious, but this cast of professionals which included Jason E. Carmichael (Towner),  the mail carrier, brought much laughter to the audience with its suspense, drama, storytelling and comedy.

Moreover, this play shows a line of compassion for the elderly as the community took care of Miss Martha, the former educator and three-times widower, and it helped to heal the pain and hurt of the 41-years of suffering of Miss Honey.

Supporting cast were: Kendrick “Kayb” Brown (Terrance), the determined high school senior; Gwen Harris (Ms. Maratha), the glue that kept the conversation civil who sat on the porch daily, Rachel Hemphill Dickson (Sister Stallworth) the spirited first lady of the church, Dannette Mcelory-Davis, (Alberta) the connected traveler and Tamara Siler (Winnie) the superstitious loquacious neighbor. This lively cast will amuse Houston audiences as it will make them think, reflect and project into the future.

African American History, Community, Lifestyle

THS African American History Parade 2017

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Left to right; top row:   President Austin Lane, Texas Southern University is the Grand Marshall, sitting on the top.  Mrs. Lane, passenger, and the Houston National Association of Corvette Association is the driver,  Deloyd Parker, Ex. Dir. Shape Community Center

Below: Parade participants are: Houston Southwest Can Academy and Dr. Ruth Hoffman-Lach

Photo Credit Tanuke Smith

African American History, Community, Lifestyle

Honoring History through the Streets of 3rd Ward

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By Tanuke Smith

The Houston Sun foundation held its 2nd annual Black History parade, near the newly renovated and historic Emancipation park. On Saturday morning at approximately 10:30 am, parade participants formed a line on Tuam street facing Dowling.  Texas Southern University’s president Dr. Austin A. Lane, was the Grand Marshall. Mr. And Mrs. Lane greeted bystanders with smiles in an alluringly bright red convertible corvette.

Dozens of people flocked to the streets when they heard the music coming from the loudspeakers of the float, presented by the Houston Southwest Can Academy’s drill team.

 

Dressed in Pan African attire, community leader Deloyd Parker proudly raised his left fist and smiled as he optimistically greeted the crowd; members of the community clapped and whistled and cheered him on as he walked by.

“I lived in this community for over 25 years, and I am proud to say that brother Deloyd is a good man,” said Brenda Williams.

Bystanders near Dowling and Alabama removed their caps, hats, and other headgear as the grayish white van, pulling the trailer representing the Buffalo SoldiersMmuseum slowly rolled by. Douglass Johnson, and Calvin Woods high-fived one another as they spoke to the crowd saying” it’s been years’ scene we saw a real parade coming down Dowling.” Douglass shifted his eyes to the ground as he pondered on the last time he saw a parade routed down Dowling St.

 

 

 

 

 

Community, Lifestyle

The Black Church & HIV Initiative Launches Newly Updated Pastoral Resources for Faith Leaders, Empowering Them to Incorporate HIV into Ministry

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(Black PR Wire) WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Today, The Black Church & HIV: The Social Justice Imperative announced the release of its newly updated pastoral resources for faith leaders in honor of Minority Health Month. The Pastoral Brief and the Activity Manual offer a foundational approach for faith leaders to address HIV within the Black community from a social justice perspective.

The Black Church & HIV initiative, a partnership between the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and Gilead Sciences, Inc. that aims to address the urgent need for action A the HIV epidemic within the Black community, believes the faith community is part of the solution, just as it has been in addressing equity issues affecting African Americans for decades.

The Pastoral Brief is an introduction to The Black Church & HIV, along with first-hand stories of how faith leaders can preach about HIV as a social justice issue and impact the lives of those living with HIV. Complementing the brief is an Activity Manual that provides faith leaders and lay persons who lead ministries in their church with more detailed information about HIV, as well as specific recommendations on activities that combat HIV and AIDS in the African-American community.

“Historically, the Black Church has been instrumental in driving change on social justice issues,” says Dr. Marjorie Innocent, NAACP’s Senior Director of Health Programs. “There is a growing need for pastors and the faith community to help address the alarming rates of HIV among African Americans. These comprehensive tools will empower pastors and lay leaders, giving them the resources they need to bring HIV awareness and prevention into their ministry.”

The African-American community, bearing the heaviest burden of HIV within the United States, is on the front lines of the fight against HIV. While they represent 12 percent of the total United States population, they account for 41 percent of all people living with HIV and 44 percent of all new infections. Additionally, on average, African Americans are likely to experience worse health outcomes than any other racial or ethnic group. Addressing the HIV epidemic is crucial in lowering these statistics and advancing health equity among African Americans, who historically have experienced unequal access to healthcare and been economically and socially disadvantaged, leading to a disproportionate burden of disease.

The Pastoral Brief and Activity Manual, which are an update to the original documents released in 2012, are reflective of the initiative’s learnings over the past five years, as well as current statistics and positions on the issue. They were developed under the guidance and support of an Advisory Committee of bishops, ministers and thought leaders who have worked in HIV ministry for decades.

The timely launch of the Pastoral Brief and Activity Manual allows faith leaders to incorporate HIV education into their sermons in observance of Minority Health Month. This month is dedicated to bringing national attention to the issue of health disparities that continue to affect racial and ethnic minorities, including HIV in the black community.

To download a copy of the Pastoral Brief or Activity Manual or learn more about NAACP’s The Black Church & HIV: The Social Justice Imperative initiative, visit http://theblackchurchandhiv.org/take-action/.

About The Black Church & HIV: The Social Justice Imperative

The Black Church & HIV: The Social Justice Imperative initiative was created in 2013 as a Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Commitment to Action through the NAACP in partnership with Gilead Sciences, Inc. The initiative joins faith leaders, religious institutions and community members committed to ending the HIV epidemic in Black America, while also working to overcome stigma and address HIV as an issue of social justice. For more information, please visit http://theblackchurchandhiv.org/.

About the NAACP

Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities. You can read more about the NAACP’s work and our six “Game Changer” issue areas here.