All results / Stories / Jo-Carolyn Goode
Midterm Elections 2018: The Year of Women
“Make America Great Again” was the promise Donald Trump made two years ago when he became the leader of the free world. Improved health care, a better economy, and a border wall paid for by Mexico were on our horizon. What we got was scandalous investigations, corrupt international relations, and a flood of offensives that would have caused the start of impeachment hearings for any other seating US President. Trump’s racist rants and loathly lies have divided America versus bringing us together. America’s outlook was bleak rather than bright. Then midterms roll around and Americans who had enough of Trump ran, not walked, to the polls to turn lands that were once red, blue (or almost blue) again. Now with this shift in power, will America rise from the ashes of hate and stagnation to finally allow love and progress to prevail? If that happens then America can truly be great.
New Bill Proposes Separation of Law School From TSU
Texas Southern University alums and supporters are raising concerns on both sides of a major issue that calls for the separation of the Thurgood Marshall School of Law as an independent entity from the university. It is a new bill, HB 2383, proposed by State Representative Harold Dutton.
The Changing Definition of Beauty
Pulling the naps out of our hair with a comb that is blazing at 149 degrees Fahrenheit. Starving ourselves, going under the knife, duck taping our body parts just to minimize the size of our breasts, butt, and hips so we could be looked at as the perfect sized woman as defined by America culture. Looking in the mirror trying to find the beauty in the face staring back when we have been brainwashed to think that beauty is everything but what we see reflected in the mirror. This is just some of what little Black girls go through growing up that results in low self-confidence and a lack of self-love.
Presidential Troubles Swirl at TSU
Students, faculty, and alumni know all roads lead to Texas Southern University but apparently not for ousted university president Dr. Austin Lane. After a five hour closed door meeting, the Board of Regents voted 6-1 to remove Lane from office early Wednesday morning.
Houston Native Lands Role in Tracy Morgan’s The Last O.G.
During the wee hours of the morning on June 7, 2014, Tracy Morgan almost lost his life after a Walmart trucker collided with his limo. But God was not ready for Morgan just yet. After eight days in a coma, many shattered and crack bones, severe brain injury, and a long recovery Morgan made his way back to life and back to the career he loves, comedy. Now he is set to star in his first major television role since that tragic accident and a Houstonian will be right along with him on set.
The Emergence of Butterfly Ali
Butterflies are some of nature’s most beautiful creatures mainly for their various phases of life that allow them to transform through a process called metamorphosis. Humans are like butterflies too constantly changing to reinvent themselves.
Justice Served: Louisiana Man Receives Life Sentence for Double Shooting Tragedy
In a somber culmination of a tragic case, a Louisiana man has been sentenced to life in prison for a heinous act that resulted in the death of an innocent woman and left another victim seriously injured. Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced the verdict on Wednesday, underscoring the gravity of the crime and the pursuit of justice for the victims.
#CAP Dow Promise Virtual Summit Gives Students a Head Start On College Admissions
Dow knows how to keeps its promises. In 2000, they took their original promise and expanded it to make a broaden stance of their support to the community with an initiative called The Dow Promise Program. The annual competitive grant program allows organizations to obtain a grant up to $10,000 for use for a sustainable project with longevity in the community. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter was a proud recipient of a $5,000 grant that they used to host the #CAP Dow Promise Virtual Summit.
Crystle Stewart: Homegrown Talent Stars in Tyler Perry’s 'Acrimony'
What would happen if …? How many times in a lifetimes does one pose this question to themselves? What if this path was taken? What if I had taken this or that opportunity? What if my path hadn’t crossed with that person? What if I had given that person a chance? Sometimes we are grateful that we moved quickly for the things we leaped on. But at other times we live in regret for things we let go because we ran out of patience. So many questions that go unanswered and hang on in our thoughts is enough to make a person go crazy if one lets it. Living in regret or being grateful is the basic premise behind the new Tyler Perry film ‘Acrimony. ‘
Lizzo Winning On All Levels
In a race, everyone sets out to be the winner. Although there is only one official winner once the race is done there are many ways to win a race. One can win by beating their previous score or time. One can win because they never gave up. Winning can be as simple as entering the race in the first place. However, you define a win makes you are a winner. R&B rap artist Lizzo is having one winning year racking up awards, accolades, and acclaims everywhere she goes.
Houston Style Magazine Honoring the Influence of Women Educators
Education has always been of the utmost importance for generations of African Americans. It is something that once obtained can never be taken from. It is the passport to a successful life. Many Americans can thank a woman for having such an influence. There once was a time when it was against the law for African Americans to read and write. Yet, instill, brave souls risked life itself to learn and to teach others like them. For many people, their first teacher was probably their mother.
Houston Teen Lives Out Her Dreams With Lizzo at the Grammy’s
What were you doing at 17? Certainly not dancing on the stage at the Grammy’s for one of today’s hottest stars. That was the reality for a Sugar Land teen this past Sunday at the 62nd Grammy Awards held in Los Angeles, CA. Now she is trying to climb down from the cloud she has been floating on ever since her big moment. One day she is an average teen chasing her dreams and the next she is living them.
President Joe Biden Takes Executive Action On Day One – With The Stroke Of His Pen
Every president has their own agenda with their pressing issues in rank order. Each one comes to the office ready to get to work immediately but they do take time to enjoy the spoils of their inauguration participating in parades, attending countless balls, and taking in every unbelievable moment as it sinks in that they are the leader of the free world. However, Joe Biden didn’t have that luxury. He had the misfortune to have to fix everything that Donald Trump destroyed immediately while also executing his own agenda to make America better. Never before has a president come into office with so many problems and so much pressure to do what is right in government and what is right by the citizens of the country. Good thing is this is something Biden knew when he declared his candidacy and its something that he has prepared for taking executive action on his first day in office.
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?
First Ladies Acting First Class
Upon their husbands answering the call to minister, preachers’ wives stood alongside their husband in a supportive role. Even when their husbands would further follow the path as a shepherd of God by heading a church, wives remained supportive in their new role as First Lady.
Christina Morales: Proud of Her Heritage, Proud of Her Story
Being told that you are not good enough just because of your skin color is damaging to anyone no matter their race or age. It leads to far greater issues down the line. Having pride in your cultural heritage helps to build self-confidence and self-love while also claiming ownership of your ancestry and honoring the sacrifices, work, and love of those who came before you.
Hundreds of Students Get Academic Enrichment at AKA ASCEND Summit
The Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA) and other Houston area AKA chapters in partnership with The Dow Chemical Company hosted hundreds of high school girls and boys at an ASCEND℠ Summit where students had the opportunity to receive academic enrichment and life skills training to support their journey to college or vocational employment.
Don’t Suffer Alone: STOP Domestic Violence
This time last year domestic violence was on the rise in Houston. Increasing by almost 10%, victims were now trapped in an enclosed space 24/7 with their abuser. No help from family and friends was available as all were practicing being socially distance while quarantining. Although staying at home to stay safe was enacted to keep everyone was safe from catching the coronavirus, it gave abusers the opportunity to take total control over their defenseless victim(s). Through various community partnerships with the city of Houston, a message was sent out to let survivors know that they don’t have to suffer in silence.
Alpha Kappa Omega Presents 21 Young Ladies in Society Debut
The energy was electric as 21 young ladies jubilantly twirled in circles, nervously practiced their curtseys and carefully walked to ensure no missteps would be taken before they made their official debut at the biennial debutante ball hosted by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. – Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter. Each debutante’s brains, beauty, and benevolence were celebrated as “Royal Roses of Excellence” before a wall-to-wall crowd of onlookers and well wishers.
Improving the Lives of Mothers Through Health and Wellness
Falling is a part of life. Staying down is not. Before 2013, LoRon White was always in the game despite his small stature. He had big dreams of playing basketball professionally. However, an injury of a ruptured tendon in his leg would stifle those dreams. That could have taken him out but White turned tragedy into triumph. After his surgery to repair his leg, White began intense therapy and started working on his physique.

