Three Black Quarterbacks Make History as the Top NFL Draft Picks
Trying to figure out who will be #1 in the NFL draft is always a very opinionated conversation. With bona fide sports aficionados giving their expert opinions and the avid Monday night fan weighing in with his thoughts.
Texas Southern Cheerleaders Make History As the First HBCU to Win the NCAA National NCA Cheer Competition Title in 75 Years
TS, TS, TS, TSU, U,U, U, I thought you knew! If you didn’t know, now you do. The Texas Southern University (TSU) cheerleaders have put Texas Southern University and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) on the map as the first HBCU to win the 2023 NCAA collegiate National Cheer Association Championship title. In NCA’s 75-year history, no HBCU has ever won the national cheer competition.
Comcast Texas Commits More Than $1M to Shrink Local Digital Divide in 2023
Any home without some sort of electronic device to connect with the internet or a way to access the internet is a household that is at a serious economic, social, and mental disadvantage. Various studies have proven this. The internet opens an entirely new world that can connect people in surmountable ways. It can open worlds unseen by the human eye, broadening one’s mind and educational scope.
Ruth E. Carter: Shining the Light on Superheroes
Imagination would have us believe that superheroes are fictional characters in capes, masks, and elaborate costumes with superhuman powers that either come to destroy or save life.
City Council Votes Against Pappas at Hobby Airport
Money is one of the quickest ways allies can become foes. For over two decades, the Pappas family restaurant chain has considered itself a friend of Houston. However, bonds are being tested and may break in the latest battle of contract negotiations over who will reign as ‘king’ concessionaire at Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport.
Mayor Turner Alarm By State to Takeover HISD
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner ran late on Wednesday morning, March 1, 2022, for the Houston City Council. Over the weekend, he met with several people, including legislators and Commissioner of Education Mike Morath, to discuss the future of the Houston Independent School District (HISD). The commissioner did not give him a definitive answer. However, the legislators did inform him of the state's intention to takeover HISD. According to Turner, Texas Education Agency (TEA) has intentions of replacing the Board of Education, Superintendent Millard House, and taking over the entire school district.
Is There A Black Doctor in the House?
Where are all the Black doctors? They are hard to find. On average, about 5.7% of all the doctors in the US are Black according to data from the Association of American Medical Colleges. Although enrollment of African Americans in medical school is on the rise, 5.7% is still low when considering that there are 66.1% of active physicians with a US Doctor of Medicine degree.Where are all the Black doctors? They are hard to find. On average, about 5.7% of all the doctors in the US are Black according to data from the Association of American Medical Colleges. Although enrollment of African Americans in medical school is on the rise, 5.7% is still low when considering that there are 66.1% of active physicians with a US Doctor of Medicine degree. Looking back at the history of Blacks in medicine, it's easy to see why the numbers are so low. However, new data suggests that more black doctors are needed now than ever, and for some, it could mean the difference between life and death. On average, when put in a crowd of a diverse population with no identifying connections, a person will gravitate toward those of their own race. It's a natural behavior because people are more at ease with who or what they know. Generally, being of the same race is an easy commonality to draw towards. This same kind of thinking works in medicine as well. According to studies, Black Americans who have black doctors have more trust in them, practice preventative care, and ultimately live longer lives. "I think we as blacks relate more to people who look like us. Often, we have unspoken similar backgrounds that bring us to a common place of understanding when we have difficulties in our quests for higher education," said Dr. Creaque Charles, Pharm. D. at an accredited HBCU school of pharmacy. How to Improve Representation of African Americans in Medicine? The answer to that question lies in the problems that Blacks have with medicine. To understand the concerns, one must go way back in history to when enslaved men and women were forcibly brought over on ships to America. Those men and women were treated less than humans and stacked on top of each other like property. On that journey, they had to exist in deplorable conditions that were filled with human fecal matter, urine, and other forms of human waste. This resulted in them becoming gravely ill, and some died. None received medical care. The feeling continued when slave owners subjected their Black female slaves to forced sterilization to stop reproduction. Women were also exploited for their bodies to produce more strong slave labor. These women did not also receive any medical care. When the truth about an unethical experiment with Tuskegee men and Syphilis (dubbed the Tuskegee Study of Untreated Syphilis) came to light in 1972, prejudices grew.vDuring the era of the Civil War, Blacks were "doomed to extinction" by the medical community of the time, which thought the mental, moral, and physical deterioration of Blacks would send them to an early grave. The distrust of the medical community continues to this day as some doctors of other races may have prior biological beliefs about Blacks that can result in doctors thinking Blacks have a high tolerance for pain, so they may undertreat them for pain. Incidents like the above led some Blacks to believe that they receive better treatment than their own because they know the point of view from which they are coming. They understand it. "When people look at me and they can see themselves in me, that commonality serves as the foundation for a bond of trust," said Dr. Robbyn Traylor, chief medical officer of an urgent medical care clinic, who knows that any doctor can be excellent no matter their race. "There is a level of comfort that is understood and that can remain unspoken when brown and Black patients are treated by brown and Black doctors." A CNN article dives further into the issue of why there is not a surge of Black doctors. Those reasons include factors like the race being excluded from medicine, systematic racism, institutional racism, not being exposed to STEM or STEM careers as a child, and a lack of Black doctors as mentors are among the top reasons. History supports this when looking at the first Black person to earn a medical degree. Dr. James McCune Smith had to go all the way to Scotland to receive his degree in 1837 from the University of Glasgow. Dr. Traylor was fortunate as a child to be heavily exposed to the life of a Black doctor as both of her parents worked in the medical field. She was often at their heels as a child while they worked at one of the best trauma centers in the Texas Medical Center. "I was lucky enough to grow up in a community of people who made me believe that I had the intellect and attitude for medicine." Diversity Matters Diversity Matters After Arizona, California, Florida, Michigan, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and Washington enacted bans on affirmative action, the diversity of the medical schools in those states dropped by a third. Before Black students were wholeheartedly welcomed at these schools in the 1800s and 1900s, they had a choice of seven medical schools, according to research by the Duke University Medical Center Library and Archives. Now only two remain: Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, D.C., and Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. Black students are more likely to attend black medical schools to seek out those who look like them and have proven that their dreams are achievable. Future Black doctors want to attend schools where they don’t have to feel as if they don’t belong. They want to go to schools where they are encouraged to do well, and those who are instructors and mentors truly believe that THEY can do well. Dr. Tamiya Sam, who is a registered pharmacist and holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, knows that whether it is medical, pharmacy, dental, or nurse practitioner school, having a Black mentor matters. "The face of pharmacy is increasingly non-Black. I believe if there were more hands on and dedicated Black pharmacists who truly mentored Black pharmacy students, it would have a higher impact on their completion because they would serve as someone who has been there and genuinely wants to help them succeed." Rosa Terrance, DNP, APRN, GNP-C, agrees with Dr. Sam. "Mentorship absolutely matters and is influential in producing more providers of color. At all times, I make sure of two things: 1) I have a mentor who looks like me, and 2) I am acting as a mentor to someone else. There is a degree of comfort and trust that is birthed out of just being present with someone of your likeness in an otherwise underrepresented space." The Next Generation of Doctors African Americans have a responsibility to expose our children to all the world can offer them. African Americans have a responsibility as a race to step up and be mentors for brown and black children in all fields, not just the medical field. To improve race relations, Blacks must educate our non-Black counterparts. A change must come, and it must start now with each of us.
Houston’s Third Gun Buyback Scheduled for Feb. 18th at Deussen Park
Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis and Sheriff Ed Gonzalez have announced a gun buyback at Deussen Park on Saturday, Feb. 18, from 8 a.m. to noon. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner also attended the news conference. The event is part of Harris County’s initiatives to prevent gun violence. This is the third gun buyback co-sponsored by Harris County Precinct One in seven months, resulting in about 2,000 firearms being taken off the street. Residents will be able to turn in firearms in exchange for gift cards worth $50, $100, $150, or $200 at the upcoming buyback, with no questions asked.
From Courting to Dating: What Makes the Perfect Date?
The way we meet and date on our quest for that one true love today is vastly different than it was 100 years ago. Back then, a couple didn’t find a mate by swiping left or right. A guy didn’t send a text to a lady to let her know he was outside to pick her up. Of course, it is because cell phones, apps, and advanced technology were not even figments of our imaginations. But that is not the only reason. Before couples were even allowed to "court," as it was called in the early days, a gentleman had to meet the family first to get approval to court a lady. Courting was very formal, as the man would be given approval to come into the family’s parlor after being vetted. In the parlor, the lady sat waiting to greet the gentleman.
Black Women Rule the Grammys
Bow down for Queen Bey! The Houston entertainer has just sent herself into the superstar stratosphere by winning the most Grammys in history! With a record 32 wins, she received her latest Grammy for best dance/electronic album for the record "Renaissance." Beyonce also took home Grammys for best traditional R&B performance for "Plastic Off the Sofa," best electronic dance for "Break My Soul," and best R&B performance for "Cuff It," respectively. She is, without a doubt, the GOAT of music!
Early Voting Comes to a Close As Election Day Approaches
The pavement is being worn out with campaign workers hitting the streets to knock on doors and voters standing up for what they believe in at the polls. Only a few more days are left to vote before the November 8th Election when we find if Texas will remain a red state under the Greg Abbott administration or if the tide will turn blue with Beto O’Rourke at the helm.E
Dr. Baxter Montgomery Hosts Star Studded Celebrity Heart & Soul of a Champion Gala and Symposium for Heart Health
You want a wake-up call about your health? How about the fact that the life expectancy of Americans has decreased by 2.6 years due to the way we live, and this is the number before COVID-19. Why has this happened? According to board certified cardiologist Dr. Baxter Montgomery, it is because of the food we eat. He is surprised that we are not sicker than we are with all the food we consume that is loaded with preservatives and chemicals. It all is enough to make you sick just thinking about.
Five Places to Get Your Coffee Fix and Work
A hot, rich coffee is the morning wake up cup for many Americans. Some can make a masterful brew in their own homes complete with flavorings and whipped cream. However, there is nothing like going into a coffee house and having that smell of coffee beans being grind and brewed. Coffee houses have grown in popularity because of the smell but also because of the space itself.
Kizik: The Last Tennis Shoes You’ll Ever What to Buy
At one point in time, tennis shoes were not always as high tech and complicated as they are today. However, advancements in technology have motivated shoe designers to push the envelope when it comes to comfort, style, and functionality. Now tennis shoes are just as acceptable at work and formal occasion as they are at the gym. Even with this new range of acceptability has not cause shoe designers to stop pushing to continue to create some of the most innovative shoes of our time. In steps Kizik taking their shot to make sneaker culture history with their patented hands-free technology.
Sex Trafficking in Houston: Hidden in Plain Sight
Sex trafficking has always been one of those silent problems within a city. Victims are often scared to secrecy over threats to harm them, their families, and friends. Or they remain silent because they lost hope of ever being rescued. And there are even more reasons that we may never know. It is because of this restraint to speak that so many victims just drift away in the darkness and suffer in silence.
Toni V. Smith: 14 Years Later and Still Fighting
A boxer never steps into any ring ill-prepared. Muscles in their body must be trained for weeks to condition the body, build endurance, and enhance speed. The mind must be trained to focus. If a boxer believes they are stronger and faster than their opponent, they have already lost the fight. But how do you prepare for a fight when you know nothing about your opponent? There is no time to plan a strategy. It’s as if you are being sucker-punched from the get-go, leaving you confused – Is your on-the-defense mechanism to bob and weave or duck and jab? How does you prepare for the fight of your life?
Texas Southern University Celebrates 95 Years of Excellence in Achievement
When people of color went out to discover more for themselves in the early 1920s, there weren’t a lot of open doors but closed ones. Opportunities were few, and there weren’t many individuals with extended hands to show them the way. However, a courageous few found opportunity tucked away in the heart of Third Ward at a place to be called Texas Southern University.
Top Places to Get Your French Fry Fix On
Easily one of the weaknesses of any food lover must be a batch of hot, golden, crispy French fries. That’s one of the ways McDonald’s rosed in popularity. But that was kids’ stuff (no shade McDonald’s you will always be the original king of fries) compared to the gourmet delicacies being served today. Fries are not merge side dishes adding to the shine of entrees.
Plumshuga: The Rise of Lauren Anderson
The lights and glitz of a celebrity's life can have one blinded to the hard times that happen when the lights off. We don't see their struggles, temptations, and the downside to fame. Prima ballerina Lauren Anderson twirled and leaped on some of the world's most renowned stages all while hiding behind dark clouds of body shaming, discrimination, and her personal demon, alcoholism. In Stages Theatre's groundbreaking production, they explore Anderson's secret addition to alcohol that almost ended her career and took her life.
Female Sneakerhead Says All Soles Matter When It Comes to Sneakers and Style
Women are tall, short, voluptuous, skinny, sassy, classy, smart…in other words multifaceted individuals who don’t fit a certain mold and can’t be boxed, so why try? Just continue to make spaces where she always has a seat at the head of the table (Yall, caught that?), her voice is never silence and her opinion never ignored.
5 Spas to Destress Your Life and Bring You Peace
You only get one body so you should treat it good. Taking care of your body is more than just eating the right foods and exercising. It means protecting your mental health and trying to decrease or limit all stress factors in your life. Massages and other relaxation services have proven to be key in destressing your life and obtaining better health. Houston has some of the best spas to ease the mind, body, and soul.
Pamper Your Pooch at the Park
Top Dog Parks in Houston for National Dog Month
Houston has some of the best parks for dogs to enjoy all forms of play with your furry friend(s). Houston Style Magazine invites you to check out these top rated parks approved by dogs!
Celebrate National Fajita Day Eating at the Top 10 Beat Places in Houston
Cilantro, sour cream, grilled onions, jalapenos, black beams, cheese, and a squeeze of lime juice are the best ways to top any fajita. People will be devouring plenty of this authentic Southwest dish. August 19th is National Fajita Day!
Top 5 Places To Go When You Want the Best Chicken & Waffles
People from the South have a touch of salty and a whole lot of sweet which makes chicken and waffles one of the most Southern dishes one can eat. The mix of salty and sweet has always been one to make tongues dance but the way it is served at the below restaurants is so mouthwatering. The perfect entrée for those who have split decisions on whether they want breakfast or lunch at mealtime.
Clifford Tatum Named New Harris County Elections Administrator
By a vote of 5-0, Harris County now has a new elections administrator, and his name is Clifford Tatum. Judge Lina Hidalgo made the announced on late Tuesday evening. The five-member bipartisan Harris County Elections Commission will make the official appointment of Tatum once he moves to Harris County and becomes a registered voter.
Houston’s First Hip-Hop Party Bike Tour Gives Third Ward A Well-Deserved Platform
Everyone loves a good party. Planning is needed to make sure everyone has a great time. The key elements to a successful party are people, drinks, snacks, and music. The right music can set the vibe and put everyone in a party frame of mind. However, nowadays, partygoers want all those things and more to have the ultimate party experience. Johnathan Marks is taking partying to the next level with Trills On Wheels, Houston’s first hip-hop party bike tour.
MLS Forms Historic Partnership with Black-Owned Banks
Soccer is not high on the list of sports that African Americans gravitate towards. Whites dominate the sport followed by those with a Latino background. Even though Major League Soccer (MLS) is considered to be the most diverse professional sport, African Americans participation soccer is still extremely low. Just look at the numbers of African Americans in professional sports. In the National Football League, which has the highest number of African American players with nearly 70%., there are only 5 head coaches and 0 majority owned teams.
Alopecia Is No Joking Matter
For most women, their hair is their crowning glory. They take meticulously care of it making sure no one strand is out of place. Onlookers need not dare to touch it for fear of the backlash they would be sure to receive. Some women’s identity is even connected to their hair making it their crowning glory.
The Biden Pick: Representation Matters
It is time for African American Woman on the Supreme Court
President Joe Biden made many promises to Americans on the campaign trail in 2020. One of which was to ensure that appointments he made would reflect the diverse nature of these united states. A more specific nod to diversify was his commitment to nominate an African American woman to the Supreme Court. With the announcement of Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer’s retirement, President Biden is posed to stand by his word and make history while doing so.
Preserving the Black Church Is a Job for All Americans
Black churches have a long history of being the central focus of the community. More than a religious institution, Black churches are safe spaces where people can come to seek shelter from a storm, fill their empty belly, educate their children, find employment opportunities, and have their mind, body, and soul blessed. The church is a place where one can come broken and be made whole. These institutions represent so much good it is puzzling why so much bad happens to their structure and people.
Sixty-five Years Later & We Are Still Fighting to Vote
In 1957, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave an historic speech to advocate for the voting rights of African Americans in the United States. Calling the denial of African Americans’ right to vote a “tragic betrayal of the highest mandates of our democratic tradition,” Dr. King laid out what would happen if African Americans could vote. Below are excerpts from his “Give Us the Ballot” speech.
It’s Getting Nasty: How Sickness Is Spreading Across Houston
Today, a simple cough can clear a room. With the rise of positive COVID cases, Houston streets are getting nasty. People have become less concerned about wearing masks and social distancing. Many Houstonians have a false sense of security that the COVID vaccine is the ultimate protection against the coronavirus. Although the vaccine does provide protection against getting the virus, it does not mean a vaccinated individual can’t get COVID. The vaccine can lessen the severity of symptoms. People must continue practicing safety precautions, especially in a population where there are so many unvaccinated individuals.
Celebrate the New Year with a Plan Before You Drink
Damien House never imagined his 2021 would end with him being alone. His entire family was wiped out in an instant in a fiery car crash when a drunken Daniel Canada carelessly got behind the wheel of a vehicle after drinking. He then smashed his vehicle into the back of House's wife sedan. Canada hit the car so hard that the entire front end of House's wife vehicle was crushed and burst into flames. House's wife and three sons were all killed.
Megan Thee Graduate: Using Her Education to Give Back to Houston
Having an education can help elevate you to heights unknown and take you places beyond your imagination. Gaining knowledge can be a dream achieved driven by many reasons. You may pursue your education to increase financial wealth, honor a family legacy, and/or support your community. Education has the potential to provide you with endless opportunities. The class of 2021 armed with their education can now take their chance to change the world.
CrysTales Taking Chancing to Bring the Funny
How amazing would it be if you could see yourself the way God sees you? This became a repetitious prayer for Crystal Holmes-Montgomery. When she couldn't see herself as God did it made her view narrow and not able to the full picture. For the longest time it seemed God had been sending her a message to add another dimension to herself.
Houston Concerts Are Cancelled in the Wake of the Astroworld Festival Tragedy
Houstonians and Travis Scott fans are still mourning the loss of the ten victims who tragically died at the Astroworld Festival concert. Many performers, as well as concert producers and promoters, are closely examining the ways in which they put on concerts and how to make them safer for concertgoers.
Michael Strahan Return to Texas to Lift-Off
What's beyond the big blanket that covers the sky, sprinkled with the stars has always been a great mystery and a sense of wonderment for most Americans. More than 600 people have already gone on an adventure to the stars, and Michael Strahan is about to join that number.
Reginald DesRoches Named 8th President of Rice University
One hundred and nine years after its founding and 56 years after the first African American graduate, the prestigious Rice University has named its first African American president. How ironic that a university established by a white rich slave owner would now have at the head an African American from one of the poorest countries in our nation. Talk about progress and achieving the American dream.
Kyle Rittenhouse's homicide trial for Kenosha shootings opens with jury selection
Kyle Rittenhouse, the armed Illinois teenager who killed two people and wounded another during unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, last summer, went on trial Monday on homicide charges in a case that will test the distinction between self-defense and vigilante killings.
Houston Honors Texas Legend Barbara Jordan with Monumental Artwork
Say the name Barbara Jordan with dignity and respect. As the lady of many firsts including the first African American woman in Congress, she demands it. Honoring her and the legacy she created is monumental in commemorating the history she made, the work she did, and the example her life still serves people of today, There is a U.S. Post Office named in her honor and a building in the business school at Texas Southern University too.
AKA Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter Donates Over $12,000 for Mammograms for Underserved Communities
One in every ten million women worldwide will be affected by breast cancer. It is one of the most common cancers with the highest number of deaths. Although causian women account for the most new cases per year, their rate of death is lower than that of African American and Hispanic women. With more research breast cancer death rates have decreased overall but still remain higher for African American and Hispanic women. The ladies of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.®
Celebrate the Richness of Hispanic Heritage
America would not be the country it is today without the contributions of Hispanic Americans. Every year from September 15 to October 15 we remember the achievements of Hispanic Americans and how they have made America the country that it is. The influential touches of their rich culture can be seen all over Houston and around the world. A greater grasp of the culture can be gained when visiting the Institute of Hispanic Culture of Houston (IHCH). Houston Style got a chance to speak with the president and chairman of the board Mayte Sera Weitzman to learn more about the culture and the institute.
The Battles Is On: Stop COP Pitting Our Leaders Against Each Other
The Republicans already hold political power and they want to keep it that way by any means necessary. The first draft of redrawn district maps stacks everything in their favor despite the surge in the minority population in Texas, overlapping of districts, and Texas gaining two new seats. The Republicans are doing all sorts of things in their attempt to keep the power in their hands. If they are successful, they would retain political power for the next decade.
Blck Market Gives Black Business Owners A Place of Their Own
A true sign that something is valuable is if everyone is chasing it. That could not be truer for the all mighty dollar. Everyone wants some mean green especially the black community. With money comes power. The power to build your community up, shape the lives of those who live there, and set everyone on a path for success. Every opportunity to catch that dollar must be seized.
Chef Beverley Kellman Is Serving Up Food Good to the PVAMU Students' Soul
Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) students may not know how lucky they are to eat dishes prepared by the award-winning Chef Beverley Kellman. The 2017 Brazos County Chef of the Year and 2019 American Culinary Federation Texas Chef Association Pastry Chef of the Year is highly respected in the culinary field with a resume that reads like a seasoned chef, even though her years are far more youthful. The former Food Network "Cutthroat Kitchen" contestant has cooked everywhere from the greatest place on earth, the Disneyland Hotel at Disneyland, California, to now serving it up on the hill as Sodexo Executive Chef at Prairie View A&M Dining Services.
Million Dollar Contract Increase COVID Vaccination Cancel By Harris County Court After Controversy
A contract to help increase COVID-19 vaccination has been canceled by Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo over controversy brought on by Republican commissioners.
Laying Down the Law
666 New State Laws Approved at the 87th Texas Legislature
September 1st marks a new day in the state capitol with the passage of new state laws approved at the 87th Texas Legislature. State legislators have been busy orchestrating changes to such issues as gun control, abortion, medical marijuana, buying sex, alcohol, vaccinations, and a myriad of other subjects with the new bills.
Judge Hidalgo Defends the $11 Million Contract for Targeted Community Vaccine
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo is facing heat over an $11 million contract to help certain communities get COVID vaccinated.
The Reset of TSU with Dr. Lesia L. Crumpton-Young
"What is the transformative thing that I am going to do today?" is the question that Texas Southern University President Dr. Lesia L. Crumpton-Young asks herself at the start of each day. It's a question that causes her to act intentionally for a defined purpose. This is how she will approach each day of the presidency of Texas Southern University.
Remembering Yolanda Pope: Houston Style's Resident Foodie
Writers are usually the ones who are never at a lost for words. However, this writer is finding it hard to use words to adequately describe Yolanda Pope. Her personality was welcoming. She didn't mind sharing her knowledge. The entire staff knew food, especially good food, was her weakness. Yolanda has had her last dish as she passed away peacefully in her sleep on August 16, 2021.
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