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Is Texas Southern University in Good Hands?

After the constant changes in leadership, takeover rumors, lack of equitable funding, and other disparate treatment, many in the community really want to know: Is Texas Southern University in good hands? Texas Southern University (TSU) is a prized institution, located in the heart of Houston’s Third Ward community, but with its continued success has also […]
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After the constant changes in leadership, takeover rumors, lack of equitable funding, and other disparate treatment, many in the community really want to know:

Is Texas Southern University in good hands?

Texas Southern University (TSU) is a prized institution, located in the heart of Houston’s Third Ward community, but with its continued success has also come many challenges—both internally and externally.

Most recently, Dr. Lesia L. Crumpton-Young, who was selected as the 13th President of TSU in 2021, submitted a letter to the TSU Board of Regents announcing her abrupt departure from the University last month. The surprising resignation announcement came less than two years from the date of her being hired following the publicly controversial termination of former TSU President Dr. Austin Lane by the TSU Board of Regents in 2020.

As of this article, there have been no other specific details given as to why Dr. Crumpton-Young chose to abruptly resign from TSU, but it has caused yet another change at the top of the burgeoning HBCU and historic institution.

After a special called meeting of the TSU Board of Regents on May 26th, TSU Board Chair Albert Myres released a statement announcing that the TSU Board had “unanimously agreed with the request and the mutually beneficial timing that will ultimately lead to the best outcome for Texas Southern University” and that “a board Transition Oversight Committee, chaired by Dr. Mary Sias” would be formed.

Dr. Mary Evans Sias was appointed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott in October 2020, to serve as a member of the TSU Board of Regents.

After that statement was released, there were many calls for an experienced interim president to be appointed by the TSU Board of Regents to ensure there would be a level of stability as they searched for a permanent new leader to lead the University into the future.

In response to those calls to act, the TSU Board of Regents called a special meeting on June 15th to discuss the matter of leadership and other things in closed executive session.

After roughly six hours, the TSU Board of Regents came out having unanimously appointed Dr. Sias to assume the role of interim president at TSU, effective June 30, 2023.

By taking on this role as interim president, Dr. Sias had to resign from her board role during this interim period. During her time as a member of the TSU Board of Regents, she chaired the Administration and Finance Committee.

Dr. Sias received a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Tougaloo College, a Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin Madison. Still, she earned a Master of Business Administration from Abilene Christian University. She was bestowed an honorary Doctor of Public Service from Central Michigan University.

Texas Southern University

According to a statement released by the University, Dr. Sias is nationally recognized as a higher education thought leader, a longtime university president, and an administrator.

“Dr. Sias brings a fresh perspective along with a nationally recognized reputation built on experience, success, and a proven track record of leadership as a chief executive officer and longtime university president,” TSU Board Chair Myres said in the statement. “She is committed to using her wisdom and experience for navigating internal and external opportunities to ensure all our stakeholders: students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community supporters…remain TSU Proud. She has 100 percent support from the board.”

Prior to her appointment to the TSU Board of Regents, Dr. Sias spent more than three decades serving respectively as president of Kentucky State University (2004-2014), senior vice president for student affairs and external relations at the University of Texas Dallas (1995-2004) and chief executive officer of the YWCA of Metropolitan Dallas (1984-1995). During her career in academia, Dr. Sias has been an associate provost, associate professor, and assistant professor at both Grambling State University and Southern Methodist University.

Dr. Sias most recently served as the director of the Millennium Leadership Institute (MLI), the premier professional development program for senior higher education leaders who desire to become university presidents and chancellors. Additionally, she served as assistant to the president for the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU).

Dr. Sias brings a broad range of administrative proficiencies on a state and national level. She has served as chairperson of two of the big six national organizations in higher education: the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU). Additional board experiences include service as chairperson of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAC), the Educational Testing Service Advisory Board for HBCUs and president of both the Tejas Council of Girl Scouts and The Dallas Summit. Dr. Sias has also amassed a range of community engagement competencies serving on the board of directors for the Frankfort Chamber of Commerce, the Oaks Bank and Trust Company, The Dallas Foundation, Dallas Zoological Society, The Dallas Museum, Children’s Health Services of Texas, Children’s Medical Foundation and Leadership Women.

According to the University, the Acting Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Dakota Doman, will remain in place until the beginning of the interim presidency term on June 30th.

The decision to appoint Dr. Sias is a much-needed bandaid but concerns still remain as the TSU Board of Regents seeks to hire their 4th president in less than 10 years.

Corrie Williams, President of Texas Southern University National Alumni Association, addressed the TSU Board of Regents at the special called meeting, regarding some of the TSU alumni’s pressing concerns and demands, which include:

Having one person or one department designated to answer questions from incoming freshman students, so that those students don’t have to call multiple departments and oftentimes wait on hold for extended periods of time to have their questions answered.

Wanting the TSU Board of Regents to have the University put out a statement to clear up current housing miscommunications with students and parents and work on securing and/or building additional on-campus housing.

Hiring adequate faculty and staff to improve customer service and student services in all capacities of the University.

Not having too many staff members serving in multiple roles because they are stretched too thinly and unable to give 100% to the role they were hired to do.

Requesting that each college at the University be fully staffed with deans by the end of the 2023-2024 academic year, and not continue to have as many interim deans as the University currently has.

Guaranteeing that TSU traditions will remain intact regardless of who the TSU Board chooses to hire as the next president.

Keeping an adequate number of alumni on the TSU Presidential Search Committee.

Allowing any presidential finalists to meet with TSU students and TSU alumni prior to being chosen as president.

Ensuring a well-planned, well-executed, and well-funded Homecoming celebration every year, for the purpose of reconnecting and reengaging TSU alumni, so that they can return and give back to the University and its students.

An interim president (as stated earlier in the article, the TSU Board made that decision on the same day of the special called meeting).

Refusing and protesting any plan by the TSU Board of Regents to place TSU under a system by the state of Texas.

It is no secret that there have long been discussions among state legislators in Texas, and other key players across the state of Texas, regarding Texas Southern University (TSU) being potentially taken over and becoming part of a state university system.

There are currently 38 public colleges and universities in the state of Texas, and out of those, only TSU remains as the only independent public university that is not a part of one of the seven (7) state university systems. Prairie View A&M University, the only other public HBCU in Texas, is currently under the Texas A&M University system.

This proposed idea has always been balked against by TSU alumni, faculty members, previous administrations at the University, as well as community stakeholders and education advocates. However, year after year, those conversations continue to bubble and cause the community to rise up and come to TSU’s defense to remain the independent institution it was founded as.

These concerns became even more intense after Texas State Senator Borris L. Miles (D) issued a statement about TSU remaining an independent HBCU on June 15th.  The statement read:

“Last month, members of the Texas Southern University (TSU) Board of Regents met with members and leadership of the Texas House of Representatives to discuss the possibility of TSU joining one of the state’s university systems. I was not aware of the meeting until after it took place. I cannot support TSU joining a system now and I will not support TSU joining a system in the future. TSU was founded to be an independent Historically Black College and University (HBCU) for African American students. Putting TSU under the flag of another university system would go against the very reason this university was created. More importantly, under the leadership of another university system, TSU would be subjected to another system’s priorities that might not be in tune with this HBCU’s unique mission or its priorities. It is crucial that TSU maintain its independence in order for the school and more importantly, its diverse student body, to grow and thrive. I am committed to making TSU a great, independent HBCU, that is fully funded with the resources to ensure its success. Keep the Faith, Keep the Fight!”

In response to the outcry from many stakeholders, the following statement was sent to the Forward Times from the TSU Board of Regents:

“The Texas Southern University Board of Regents has shared publicly on multiple occasions the expressed desire for our great institution to remain an independent, public university. The board believes the unique history, talent incubation for a diverse Texas, and growing research and academic offerings are just some of the reasons to support the case for independence for TSU. We recognize that no actions on the state level take place without the consent and approval of our esteemed elected officials,” the statement continues. “We look forward to joining our state legislators to ensure the continued and collaborative path of independent success for Texas Southern University.”

Founded in 1927, TSU has a tremendous historical significance, as well as the distinction of being designated a special-purpose institution for urban programming and research.  TSU was birthed during a time in American history, where the racist and segregationist challenges that African Americans were facing in Texas, made it difficult for Blacks to further their education.

Since its founding, TSU has not only become one of the most diverse and respected institutions in Texas, but TSU has provided higher education access to many underserved communities with academic and research programs that address critical urban issues and prepares its diverse student population to become a force for positive change in a global society.

It is important that this important, historic, and independent HBCU be protected and preserved at all costs, and that everyone is assured that the question regarding whether TSU is in good hands is a resounding…. YES!

The post Is Texas Southern University in Good Hands? appeared first on Forward Times.

The post Is Texas Southern University in Good Hands? first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Forward Times Staff

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COMMENTARY: Jim Crow 2.0 at the Pentagon

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The American people are expected to believe that one extraordinary officer after another suddenly fails to meet some undefined standard of excellence. We are expected to ignore impeccable service records while accepting that political appointees alone possess the wisdom to determine who is worthy of advancement.

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Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA.

Pete Hegseth insists that he is restoring “merit” to the United States military. But after months of dismissals, blocked promotions, and ideological purges, the evidence tells a different story. His campaign against so-called “diversity, equity, and inclusion” has become something far more dangerous: an assault on equal opportunity that falls with particular force on African Americans, while also targeting women, Latinos, gay Americans, and transgender service members.

The latest example is both troubling and infuriating.

Once again, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has reportedly blocked the promotion of an exceptionally qualified woman—Rear Admiral Amy Bauernschmidt. Bauernschmidt is no ordinary officer. She became the Navy’s first woman to command a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, one of the most demanding leadership assignments in the world. Her career reflects decades of exemplary performance, operational excellence, and leadership under extraordinary pressure.

Yet once again, a distinguished military career appears to have been subordinated to an ideological agenda masquerading as “merit.”

I call BS!

The American people are expected to believe that one extraordinary officer after another suddenly fails to meet some undefined standard of excellence. We are expected to ignore impeccable service records while accepting that political appointees alone possess the wisdom to determine who is worthy of advancement.

The pattern has become impossible to ignore.

General Charles Q. Brown Jr., only the second African American to serve as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was dismissed despite a career that placed him among the most accomplished military leaders of his generation.

Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the first woman ever to serve as Chief of Naval Operations, was removed despite decades of distinguished command experience.

Reports have documented interventions that blocked or delayed the promotions of Black officers and women selected through the military’s rigorous promotion system.

Now Rear Admiral Amy Bauernschmidt joins the growing list of highly accomplished officers whose careers have been derailed for reasons that have never been persuasively explained.

Where is Congress?

Its silence has become deafening.

Congress has an independent constitutional responsibility to oversee the armed forces. Instead, too many lawmakers have watched silently while one of the nation’s most respected institutions is subjected to ideological litmus tests and political interference.

This is not military reform.  It is testosterone-fueled performative masculinity disguised as a philosophy of military excellence.

The irony is impossible to miss. Hegseth repeatedly invokes “merit,” yet his rhetoric begins with the assumption that Black officers, women, and other historically excluded Americans must somehow justify their achievements in ways that white male officers are rarely required to do.

That is not meritocracy.  It is prejudice wrapped in patriotic language.

No one is asking that anyone be promoted because of race or gender. Americans simply expect that promotions be based on demonstrated competence, leadership, integrity, and service. The officers being targeted have already proven themselves repeatedly under one of the world’s most demanding evaluation systems.

Their records speak for themselves.

The attack on African American military leadership has been especially pernicious.

For generations, Black Americans fought in segregated units, earned decorations while denied equal treatment, and repeatedly demonstrated loyalty to a nation that often failed to extend them full citizenship. They broke barriers not because standards were lowered but because excellence finally overcame institutional discrimination.

Today’s campaign against “diversity” threatens to revive old assumptions under new slogans.

The implication that Black generals and admirals somehow owe their success to affirmative action rather than extraordinary performance echoes some of the ugliest stereotypes of the Jim Crow era. Yesterday’s segregationists claimed Black Americans were inherently less qualified. Today’s culture warriors simply employ more politically acceptable language while inviting the same suspicion about Black achievement.

That is why Hegseth’s campaign increasingly resembles Jim Crow 2.0.

The targets may now wear stars on their shoulders instead of military patches on segregated uniforms, but the underlying message is hauntingly familiar: Black excellence is presumed suspect, while white excellence is presumed earned.

America’s military became the finest fighting force in history because it opened its doors to talent wherever it could be found. It grew stronger after President Truman desegregated the armed forces. It became stronger when women assumed greater command responsibilities. It became stronger when every qualified American was given the opportunity to serve to the fullest extent of their abilities.

Diversity is not a concession.  It is a strategic advantage.

The nation’s adversaries do not fear an American military because it is racially homogeneous. They fear it because it draws upon the talents of more than 340 million Americans whose diverse experiences, perspectives, and abilities make our armed forces unmatched anywhere in the world.

Every politically motivated dismissal of a distinguished officer sends a chilling message throughout the ranks: excellence alone may no longer be enough if you belong to the wrong demographic group.

That weakens morale.  It weakens recruitment.  It weakens retention.

And ultimately, it weakens national security.

Pete Hegseth has every right to pursue military readiness. He has no right to redefine merit in ways that repeatedly cast suspicion upon the accomplishments of Black officers, women, and others who have devoted their lives to defending this nation.

America deserves better.  The men and women who wear the uniform deserve better.  The Constitution deserves better.

And unless Congress finds the courage to exercise meaningful oversight, history may well remember this period not as a restoration of military excellence, but as the moment political ideology attempted to resurrect, in modern form, the old poison of exclusion.

Jim Crow did not strengthen America.  Jim Crow 2.0 will not strengthen America’s military.  It will only diminish it

Wade Henderson
Strategic Advisor
Civil and Human Rights
wade@wadejhenderson.com

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New Judge Could Decide if Karmelo Anthony Gets a New Trial

By Emilie St. John (Contributor) Karmelo Anthony will return to court next month in his first step to overturn his murder conviction. Anthony was found guilty last month in the stabbing death of Austin Metcalf and sentenced to 35 years in prison. His new legal team has filed motions seeking the recusal of State District […]
The post New Judge Could Decide if Karmelo Anthony Gets a New Trial appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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By Emilie St. John
(Contributor)

Karmelo Anthony will return to court next month in his first step to overturn his murder conviction.

Anthony was found guilty last month in the stabbing death of Austin Metcalf and sentenced to 35 years in prison. His new legal team has filed motions seeking the recusal of State District Judge John Roach Jr. from overseeing the appeals process.

Two hearings have been scheduled on the motion for Aug. 9 and 10 in the Collin County Courthouse in McKinney, Texas, according to Fox4 News.

On July 14, Senior Judge Sid L. Harle of the 226th District Court was assigned to preside over the defense’s motion to recuse Collin County Judge John Roach. The assignment took effect immediately and authorized Harle to handle all matters related to the recusal request, the filing read. 

The Collin County District Attorney’s Office continues to defend its handling of the case by issuing a statement to NBC 5 DFW.

“The defendant’s new lawyers have filed a motion containing several inaccurate characterizations of the trial proceedings. The entire prosecution team and I conducted this trial ethically and in full compliance with the Court’s rulings and any agreements with defense counsel. We look forward to addressing these claims thoroughly in a Court of law in the coming weeks. The jury heard extensive evidence over the course of the trial and returned a unanimous verdict. We remain confident in that verdict and the fairness of the proceedings.” 

Anthony’s new legal team, made up of appellate, civil rights, and criminal defense attorneys, was retained following Anthony’s conviction.

“Our responsibility is to determine whether a legal error occurred and to ensure that every issue supported by the record is fully and vigorously presented on appeal,” the team said in a statement.

“We recognize the profound loss suffered by one young man’s family and the uncertainty facing another, and we extend our respect to everyone whose lives have been forever changed by these events,” the release reads.

Anthony was charged with the stabbing death of Austin Metcalf during a track meet in Frisco, Texas, April 2, 2025. Anthony has long maintained it was an act of self-defense.

The attorneys are representing Anthony pro bono. The nearly 200-page notice of appeal seeks a new trial because his Sixth Amendment right to a public trial was violated.

“The cumulative and practical effect of these provisions was to exclude members of the public from proceedings at every stage,” the filing reads. 

The filing also focused on an alleged “handshake deal” that kept Anthony from taking the stand in his defense.

The defense filing said the agreement was that the jury would not hear that Metcalf and his twin brother had been accused of racism and bullying in the past. In exchange, they also would not see Anthony’s cellphone records or his school disciplinary record, according to court documents reported by the Dallas Morning News.

Anthony’s former defense attorney, Mike Howard, said the defense relied heavily on that deal. The team chose not to ask certain questions of witnesses or call on a separate expert witness based on that agreement. It also abandoned plans to introduce testimony and evidence about the allegations against Metcalf and his brother.

Appellate attorney Russell Wilson is now handling post-trial proceedings and Anthony’s appeal.  He recently sat down for an interview, stating, “The court committed multiple errors during the June murder trial, preventing him from receiving a fair trial.”

“You know, we file motions that we expect to prevail on, but we understand that there’s two sides to every story. And at the end of the day, it’ll be a judge that has to make these decisions, but we feel confident in the positions that we’re taking,” Wilson said during an interview with WFAA. “There were substantial issues that we thought a reviewing court needed to look at. We thought these were constitutional irregularities, and we could have them addressed now. And so, we put them into a motion for a new trial.”

Bree West, a former Dallas County Assistant District Attorney, found it startling that so little time was given to Anthony’s team for such a serious “life or death” situation.

“I do think that it’s really challenging that potentially a court decided that you have 10 minutes to make that level of decision when it has the potential of being life-altering,” said West during an interview with Fox 4 News.

Judge Harle is no stranger to high-profile cases, having presided over the prosecution of a police officer charged in connection with the 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde.   

Anthony was convicted on June 9 of the murder of Austin Metcalf and sentenced to 35 years in prison.

The post New Judge Could Decide if Karmelo Anthony Gets a New Trial appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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COMMENTARY: LSMFT! Lord Save Me from Trump!

WESTSIDE GAZETTE — The author criticizes Donald Trump’s rhetoric, noting his use of terms like “Dumbocrats” and “Communist” to describe Democrats and democracy. The column asserts that Trump’s current strategy involves creating doubt about midterm elections due to a lack of Republican agenda.
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Frankly Speaking

Wow! Wow! Wow! The swamp drainers have truly stepped down to new levels of stupidity. You remember Weapons of Mass Destruction? We now have Weapons of Mass Distraction. Trump has introduced Dumbocrats and Communists into the conversation about Democrats and Democracy.

Trump lies so much, and his current strategy is to set up doubt about midterm elections because he and Republicans have no agenda!

He has no “Trump “ card, but Iran has a strait! He called it a skirmish; it’s now a War. He said five days; now it’s five months. He said few casualties; now it’s 18 deaths. He knew nothing about Project 2025 but hired its architects! Trump lies about the lies and often forgets these little inventions called cameras and phones

We see and hear and then see and hear the inconsistencies.

I didn’t like 45 and dislike 47 even more!

The post LSMFT! Lord Save Me From Trump! appeared first on The Westside Gazette.

Based on reporting by Westside Gazette.



The post COMMENTARY: LSMFT! Lord Save Me from Trump! appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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