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PVAMU secures $110K emergency grant for graduating seniors amid COVID-19 crisis
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has awarded Prairie View A&M University a $110,000 emergency grant to provide relief for seniors on the verge of graduating who have suffered economic hardships due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
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Congressman Al Green Commends House Passage of HEROES Act
On Friday, May 15, 2020, Congressman Al Green voted in support of the most recent coronavirus relief legislation – H.R. 6800, the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act. He released the following statement:
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COVID Testing Sites
As of Friday, May 15, the City of Houston reported 5,340 COVID-19 cases and 114 deaths. Statewide, there are 45,466 confirmed cases, and over 1.4 million cases across the country.
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Governor Abbott Releases Statement, Provides Details On Increased Cases In Amarillo
Rise In Cases Comes As State Employs Targeted Testing Strategy
Governor Greg Abbott today released a statement and detailed the ongoing containment plan for the COVID-19 outbreak in Amarillo that is reporting over 700 positive cases today. On Monday, May 4th, Governor Abbott deployed a Surge Response Team (SRT) to Amarillo consisting of Medical Incident Support Team personnel from the Texas Emergency Medical Task Force (EMTF) and 70 members of the Texas National Guard.
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We Shouldn't Try to Hold Biden Hostage on This One
Seven prominent Black women activists have made a strong case, and a bit of stir, in a Washington Post Op-Ed, "Biden Still Needs Black Women. Here are 3 Things He Needs to Do." Tiffany Cross, Lotosha Cross, and Sunny Hostin were among the writers who strongly suggested Biden's running mate be a Black woman. Their argument is quite clear: Black women are first in the voting booth to elect Democratic presidents, and now first in line risking their lives as essential workers, therefore, we should be rewarded for that. In addition, a Black woman could electrify the base in a way that others may not.
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Harmony School of Innovation - Houston named prestigious National School of Character
Harmony School of Innovation - Houston has been named a National School of Character by Character.org, a nationwide education advocacy organization.
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Many Questions Unanswered About School Calendar Proposals Driven by COVID-19, says Association for Texas Professional Educators
State’s largest educator association shares member concerns about potential changes
The Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE), the largest educator association in Texas, is actively monitoring discussions surrounding proposed recommendations for school calendars from the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
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Economic benefits of illegal immigration outweigh the costs, Baker Institute study shows
New research paper focuses on impact in Texas
The economic benefits of illegal immigration are greater than the costs of the public services utilized, according to an expert at Rice University’s Baker Institute of Public Policy.
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A Survivor's Story: Rapper is earning master’s degree after being declared dead 3 times and taking GED 5 times
After rap artist Kirk Williams received his master’s degree recently from JSU it marked another Cinderella story for a man who at age 14 had been a drug dealer, homeless and was once declared dead three times by medical personnel after being shot while protecting his sister in an assault.
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Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston and Houston Texans partner for virtual graduation ceremony for senior Club members
The annual Houston Texans graduation ceremony for Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston (BGCGH) high school seniors went virtual this year to ensure the health and safety of all participants. The event takes place each May at the Houston Texans Teen Club in the Heights area, but the celebration on May 15 was all done via Zoom with 38 graduates and several Club directors joining in the video conference from their homes. Additionally, representatives from corporate partner Chevron and the Texans public relations staff joined in the conference, along with mascot TORO and members of the cheer team.
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HTTC 1st place_Antonia Villanueva - Three teen Club members received Chevron Service Pantry Awards for their dedicated community service in leading the Houston Texans Teen …
Published on May 18, 2020
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HTTC 3rd place Julian Davenport - Three teen Club members received Chevron Service Pantry Awards for their dedicated community service in leading the Houston Texans …
Published on May 18, 2020
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HTTC 2nd place Elijah Silas - Three teen Club members received Chevron Service Pantry Awards for their dedicated community service in leading the Houston Texans …
Published on May 18, 2020
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AFL-CIO Sues OSHA for Emergency Temporary Standard to Protect Workers
This morning, the AFL-CIO filed a petition for a writ of mandamus in the U.S. Court of Appeals to compel the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to issue an emergency temporary standard (ETS) protecting U.S. workers against the coronavirus.
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First Presbyterian Church of Houston to Host “Feeding Houston’s Heroes” Event
First responders will line up for the drive thru event on Tuesday, May 20, 11am until noon
First Presbyterian Church of Houston is expecting a parade of vehicles Tuesday morning as it hosts one of the biggest Feeding Houston’s Heroes (FHH) events yet. FHH Volunteers will turn the FPC parking lot into a drive-thru, distributing hundreds of meals to Houston’s EMS crews, firefighters, police officers and other first responders.
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New Poll Reveals COVID-19’s Impacts on African American Communities
Tomorrow, May 19th at 12:00 pm ET, the African American Research Collaborative (AARC) in partnership with the NAACP and the Equity Research and Innovation Center (ERIC) at Yale School of Medicine will present new polling detailing the impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic on African American communities. Given that COVID-19 is having a disproportionate impact on black Americans across a range of indicators - infection rates, deaths, unemployment, access to care, access to education, etc. - this is the first national poll to take a deep dive into how African Americans are responding.
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All The Things We Never Knew
A Novel by Liara Tamani
Eleanor & Park meets “Love & Basketball” in ALL THE THINGS WE NEVER KNEW: A Novel by Liara Tamani(Greenwillow/HarperCollins, on sale June 9 2020; Hardcover, eBook), a tumultuous, lyrical teen romance about two African American, high school basketball stars who fall in love hard and fast but struggle while navigating their own tough family issues.
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Texas A&M System Brands Landmark Campus in Texas Medical Center
Today, the Texas A&M University System announced the name of its landmark 5-acre campus in Houston, TX at the prominent intersection of Holcombe Blvd and Main St. near the Texas Medical Center (“TMC”). Setting a new standard for collaboration in engineering, medicine, research and education is the first all-new mixed-use campus for the Texas A&M System in Houston: Texas A&M Innovation Plaza.
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Church Space Founder Day Edwards Launches Free Streaming Program for Churches, Ministries Across the Nation
Day Edwards is no stranger to finding innovative solutions to meet the needs of today’s churches. In 2019, the Houston-based entrepreneur and CEO made a name for herself when she founded a first-of-its- kind, digital platform for churches called Church Space. Known as “the Airbnb for churches,” Church Space is an online marketplace that helps churches earn income by renting out space for weekly worship services in addition to a variety of one-time events and gatherings.
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Pandemic Thinking: How To Keep Your Head In The (Long) Game
The COVID-19 pandemic is crippling and toppling many U.S. small businesses. Often called “the backbone of the economy,” small businesses that are managing to survive face an uncertain future.

