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Jewels & Gems: Mamas’ Best Advice

There is ONLY one person who can be credited with carrying each one of us in their womb for almost 9 months, and there is ONLY one person who can be credited with bringing us into this world—that person is our mother. Mothers are jewels! According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a “jewel” is “one that […]
The post Jewels & Gems: Mamas’ Best Advice first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

12 months ago

May 10, 2023

Forward Times Staff

Mothers are jewels!

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a “jewel” is “one that is highly esteemed,” meaning they are beyond average and more special than anything.

There is absolutely nothing like having a good mother in your life, but in addition to that, there is absolutely nothing like receiving sound advice from your mother. We call those “gems” and they are quality, high-value words of wisdom that come from someone we cherish and value—our mother.

There is a phrase that each of us has probably heard at least once in our lives, and that phrase is:

Mother Knows Best!

It is kind of hard to refute that statement, especially when we take a moment to reflect on the times our mother shared something with us that we possibly shunned or disagreed with, only to realize that her words of wisdom were the best advice we could have ever received—if, in fact, we would have actually listened to our mother.

Being a mother constitutes more than just birthing a child, although that is an important component. From the womb to birth, a mother serves as the selfless, sacrificial, and loving individual who God has given the unique responsibility of nurturing, providing for, educating, empowering, and protecting their child(ren) as they grow and learn how to navigate in life.

A mother may not be perfect, but their sacrifices and love, coupled with their impartation of their wisdom, knowledge, experience, and learned skills, stay with all of us as we mature.

So, whether your mother is still here on Earth to celebrate this Mother’s Day, or not, it is important that all the knowledge, wisdom, skills, experience, education, lessons, and advice she poured into you is NEVER forgotten.

The Forward Times attended the recent Audrey H. Lawson Impact Awards Luncheon and Fashion Show, where they celebrated 60 years since inception.

Chaney Ledet, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson and Diedra Fontaine, Wheeler Avenue Women’s Guild

This year’s annual event, with a theme of “A Diamond Jubilee: Celebrating Sixty Years of Scholarship, Service and Style,” was presented by Together for Good Ministries and the Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church Women’s Guild. The event, which also included a grand fashion show featuring fashions from Dillard’s Post Oak, honored seven individuals and their impact and work in the Greater Houston community, including male honorees for the first time.

Those honorees were: Mayor Sylvester Turner, City of Houston; Dr. Reagan Flowers, HCC Trustee; Attorney Chris Hollins, Esq.; Danielle Keys Bess; Attorney Mary A. Daffin, Esq.; Dr. Aziza Glass; and Angela Veale Joubert.

In honor of Mother’s Day, the Forward Times asked several different people at the event, as well as in the community, to share the best “gems’ that they ever received from their “jewel” of a mother.

We hope you enjoy all of these “gems” and nuggets of wisdom that these “jewels” have imparted to those who continue to be inspired and motivated by them each day and Happy Mother’s Day to all of our subscribers, readers, advertisers, and the community at-large.

BEST ADVICE MAMA GAVE YOU:

Mayor Sylvester Turner, City of Houston

“Son, tomorrow will be better than today.”

“Life is not fair, but you have to learn how to navigate.”

– Ruby Mae Turner, mother

U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, TX-18

“You can do anything Sheila, that you want to do. Do it right, do it with kindness. If you can’t do anything else, just be good.”

– Ivalita Bennett Jackson, mother

Attorney Chris Hollins, Mayor Sylvester Turner and Rev. Alexander E.M. Johnson

Texas State Representative Ron Reynolds

“Always put God first in everything that you do.”

“No matter how many times you fail, never ever quit.”

– Glenda Brown, mother

Councilmember Martha Castex-Tatum, Vice Mayor Pro Tem, City of Houston

“Be kind in all that you do.”

“Never miss an opportunity to be compassionate and ALWAYS be grateful.”

– Earline Castex, mother

Angel Jones, City Manager, City of Missouri City

“Don’t let your circumstances define you.”

– Laura Moment, mother

Attorney Chris Hollins, Esq., Impact Awards Honoree

“Listen more than you talk.”

“Never think you’re better than anybody.”

“Always take the opportunity to learn something.”

– Mary Lee Hollins, grandmother, and member of Wheeler Avenue for over 50 years before her passing.

H-E-B, Presenting Sponsor, presents check

Danielle Keys Bess, Impact Awards Honoree

“When you are presented with an opportunity to help someone…do it, because you never know when someone you love will need help when you’re not around and you will want God to honor your act of charity.”

– Patricia Keys, mother

Jazton Heard – Police Captain, City of Missouri City

“You should only look at women in three ways: As a mother figure, your sister, or your wife.”

– Louchell Heard-Davis, mother

Rosalind Renee’ Gary, District Director for State Representative Ron Reynolds

“Always treat others like you want to be treated.”

“The Good Lord will never put anything on you that you cannot bear.”

– Juanita Corinne Ellis, mother

Linda K. Brown

“My mother advised me to treat others as I want to be treated and always give back to help those in need. – Cecil Brown, mother

Women’s Guild President, Dr. Pamela Cormier; Women’s Guild Luncheon Tri-Chairs – Dr. Rose Harper Austin, Kandyace Mayberry, Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church Member of the Year and Karen Aubrey

Kelly P. Hodges

“Stop expecting you out of other people.”

– Linda L. Burton, mother

Karen Carter Richards

“Don’t ever start believing your own press.”

“When everybody knows your business, you don’t have none.”

“In business, learn everything from the front door to the back door.”

– Lenora “Doll” Carter, mother

Valecia Weeks

“Never let the right hand know what the left hand is doing.”

“Im’ma go through your behind to get to your mind.”

– Earlene Turner, mother

Sharwin Wiltz-Boney

“Love unconditionally while setting boundaries for discipline that leads to growth.”

“They may not like the discipline in the moment but keep on mothering. They will come back to thank you one day.”

– Geneva Wiltz, mother

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee

Roosevelt Weeks

“Always dress your best. Keep a clean haircut and keep your shoes shined.”

– Emma C. Weeks, mother

Gerald Womack – “Always give back.”

– Stella Marie Jackquet, mother

Layle McKelvey

“Believe in yourself, because you are smart, and you are beautiful.”

“I don’t want you to be insecure about making your way in the world. Be confident to know you can be successful.”

– Artie O’Neill, mother

Rozzy Shorter

“Always love and be true to yourself.”

– Catherine Shorter, mother

Anthony Frazier

“Tony, when you start driving, don’t be running all over town picking people up, running them here and there, and don’t drive around with a bunch of people in your truck.”

– Helen Mae Frazier, mother (This is the clean version)

Rhonda Newhouse, Laolu Davies, Karen Carter Richards, Kelly P. Hodges, and Mary Benton

Rhonda Newhouse

“It ain’t so bad that it couldn’t be worse.”

– Willie Jean Birmingham, mother

Hazel Tyler Ramsey

“Go to school and get an education, so you never have to depend on anyone else to take care of you and your needs/wants.”

– Lucy Shephard, mother

Sandra Green

“Somethings in life, you may need the skills of improvising. Come, sit down, let me show you.”

– Dorthy Pearl Brewer, mother

Jared Gilmore

“Never have more going out than you have coming in.”

– Army Vaughns, mother

Janice Beal, Diedra Fontaine, Dr.. Melanie Bibb, Deirdre Barrett, Vivian Lynn Porche, Licia Green Ellis, Rhonda Newhouse

Cosby Family

Melanie Lawson and Pastor Marcus Cosby

Ron John and Karen Carter Richards

Rev. William Lawson, Councilmember Carolyn Evans Shabazz and Cheryl Lawson

Impact Awards Honoree Dr. Reagan Flowers and Pastor Marcus Cosby

Impact Award Honoree Attorney Chris Hollins, Esq.

Impact Awards Honoree Dr. Aziza Glass

Impact Awards Honoree Angela Veale

The post Jewels & Gems: Mamas’ Best Advice appeared first on Houston Forward Times.

The post Jewels & Gems: Mamas’ Best Advice first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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IN MEMORIAM: Ramona Edelin, Influential Activist and Education Advocate, Dies at 78

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Born on September 4, 1945, in Los Angeles, California, activist Ramona Edelin’s early years were marked by a commitment to education and social justice. According to her HistoryMakers biography, after graduating from Fisk University with a Bachelor’s degree in 1967, she pursued further studies at the University of East Anglia in England. She earned her master’s degree before completing her Ph.D. at Boston University in 1981.
The post IN MEMORIAM: Ramona Edelin, Influential Activist and Education Advocate, Dies at 78 first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

1 month ago

April 3, 2024

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

Once upon a time, Black Americans were simply known as colored people, or Negroes. That is until Ramona Edelin came along. The activist, renowned for her pivotal roles in advancing civil rights, education reform, and community empowerment, died at her D.C. residence last month at the age of 78. Her death, finally confirmed this week by Barnaby Towns, a communications strategist who collaborated with Dr. Edelin, was attributed to cancer.

Born on September 4, 1945, in Los Angeles, California, Edelin’s early years were marked by a commitment to education and social justice. According to her HistoryMakers biography, after graduating from Fisk University with a Bachelor’s degree in 1967, she pursued further studies at the University of East Anglia in England. She earned her master’s degree before completing her Ph.D. at Boston University in 1981.

Edelin’s contributions to academia and activism were manifold. She was pivotal in popularizing the term “African American” alongside Rev. Jesse L. Jackson in the late 1980s.

Jackson had announced the preference for “African American,” speaking for summit organizers that included Dr. Edelin. “Just as we were called Colored, but were not that, and then Negro, but not that, to be called Black is just as baseless,” he said, adding that “African American” “has cultural integrity” and “puts us in our proper historical context.”

Later, Edelin told Ebony magazine, “Calling ourselves African Americans is the first step in the cultural offensive,” while linking the name change to a “cultural renaissance” in which Black Americans reconnected with their history and heritage.

“Who are we if we don’t acknowledge our motherland?” she asked later. “When a child in a ghetto calls himself African American, immediately he’s international. You’ve taken him from the ghetto and put him on the globe.”

The HistoryMakers bio noted that Edelin’s academic pursuits led her to found and chair the Department of African American Studies at Northeastern University, where she established herself as a leading voice.

Transitioning from academia to advocacy, Edelin joined the National Urban Coalition in 1977, eventually ascending to president and CEO. During her tenure, she spearheaded initiatives such as the “Say Yes to a Youngster’s Future” program, which provided crucial support in math, science, and technology to youth and teachers of color in urban areas. Her biography noted that Edelin’s efforts extended nationwide through partnerships with organizations like the National Science Foundation and the United States Department of Education.

President Bill Clinton recognized Edelin’s expertise by appointing her to the Presidential Board on Historically Black Colleges and Universities in 1998. She also co-founded and served as treasurer of the Black Leadership Forum, solidifying her standing as a respected leader in African American communities.

Beyond her professional achievements, Edelin dedicated herself to numerous boards and committees, including chairing the District of Columbia Educational Goals 2000 Panel and contributing to the Federal Advisory Committee for the Black Community Crusade for Children.

Throughout her life, Edelin received widespread recognition for her contributions. Ebony magazine honored her as one of the 100 Most Influential Black Americans, and she received prestigious awards such as the Southern Christian Leadership Award for Progressive Leadership and the IBM Community Executive Program Award.

The post IN MEMORIAM: Ramona Edelin, Influential Activist and Education Advocate, Dies at 78 first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Stacy M. Brown

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Tennessee State University Board Disbanded by MAGA Loyalists as Assault on DE&I Continues

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Recent legislative actions in Tennessee, such as repealing police reform measures enacted after the killing of Tyre Nichols, underscore a troubling trend of undermining local control and perpetuating racist agendas. The new law preventing local governments from restricting police officers’ authority disregards community efforts to address systemic issues of police violence and racial profiling.
The post Tennessee State University Board Disbanded by MAGA Loyalists as Assault on DE&I Continues first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

1 month ago

April 3, 2024

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

Tennessee State University (TSU), the state’s only public historically Black college and university (HBCU), faces a tumultuous future as Gov. Bill Lee dissolved its board, a move supported by racist conservatives and MAGA Republicans in the Tennessee General Assembly, who follow the lead of the twice-impeached, four-times indicted, alleged sexual predator former President Donald Trump. Educators and others have denounced the move as an attack on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) and a grave setback for higher education.

Critics argue that TSU’s purported financial mismanagement is a manufactured crisis rooted in decades of underinvestment by the state government. They’ve noted that it continues a trend by conservatives and the racist MAGA movement to eliminate opportunities for Blacks in education, corporate America, and the public sector.

Gevin Reynolds, a former speechwriter for Vice President Kamala Harris, emphasizes in an op-ed that TSU’s financial difficulties are not the result of university leadership because a recent audit found no evidence of fraud or malfeasance.

Reynolds noted that the disbanding of TSU’s board is not an isolated incident but part of a broader assault on DE&I initiatives nationwide. Ten states, including Tennessee, have enacted laws banning DE&I policies on college campuses, while governors appointing MAGA loyalists to university trustee positions further undermine efforts to promote inclusivity and equality.

Moreover, recent legislative actions in Tennessee, such as repealing police reform measures enacted after the killing of Tyre Nichols, underscore a troubling trend of undermining local control and perpetuating racist agendas. The new law preventing local governments from restricting police officers’ authority disregards community efforts to address systemic issues of police violence and racial profiling.

The actions echo historical efforts to suppress Black progress, reminiscent of the violent backlash against gains made during the Reconstruction era. President Joe Biden warned during an appearance in New York last month that Trump desires to bring the nation back to the 18th and 19th centuries – in other words, to see, among other things, African Americans back in the chains of slavery, women subservient to men without any say over their bodies, and all voting rights restricted to white men.

The parallels are stark, with white supremacist ideologies used to justify attacks on Black institutions and disenfranchise marginalized communities, Reynolds argued.

In response to these challenges, advocates stress the urgency of collective action to defend democracy and combat systemic racism. Understanding that attacks on institutions like TSU are symptomatic of broader threats to democratic norms, they call for increased civic engagement and voting at all levels of government.

The actions of people dedicated to upholding the principles of inclusivity, equity, and justice for all will determine the outcome of the ongoing fight for democracy, Reynolds noted. “We are in a war for our democracy, one whose outcome will be determined by every line on every ballot at every precinct,” he stated.

The post Tennessee State University Board Disbanded by MAGA Loyalists as Assault on DE&I Continues first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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Braxton Haulcy and the Expansion of Walker|West Music Academy

May 24, 2023 – Walker West Music Academy gets an early start on expansion. Join us for a Wednesday episode of The …
The post Braxton Haulcy and the Expansion of Walker|West Music Academy first appeared on BlackPressUSA.