By ReShonda Tate, The Defender Network Bishop T. D. Jakes has surprised his daughter by handing over the giant Woman, Thou Art Loosed ministry to her. Jakes passed the symbolic torch to Pastor Sarah Jakes Roberts at the culmination of the recent Woman, Thou Art Loosed!: Homecoming! conference. The popular minister said that it is […]
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Posted inNational News
Michelle Obama’s initiative launches youth voter campaign
By Raquel Rogers, The Defender Network Former First Lady Michelle Obama’s When We All Vote launched a nonpartisan campaign that aims to boost youth voter participation ahead of the 2022 midterm election. On Sept. 14, she launched the Vote Future campaign alongside Climate Power. The organization uses research and polling data to influence the national […]
Posted inHealth
US government to end free at home COVID-19 test program this week
By Raquel Rogers, Houston Defender Network The federal government is ending its free at-home Covid-19 test program this week, citing a lack of funding and efforts to preserve supply ahead of an anticipated fall surge in cases, a White House official told CNN on Sunday. Both the White House and the website where people can […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Inflation slamming Blacks in US- here’s how to slam back
By ReShonda Tate, Defender News Network With prices rising to the highest rates the U.S. has seen in more than 40 years, Black families are bearing the brunt of inflation. Researchers say Black families will suffer the worst because they lag behind their White counterparts in income, wealth, financial savings and home ownership. However, with […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Brandon Calloway police beating and why we run
by Aswad Walker, defendernetwork.com Brandon Calloway, we feel your pain. Those cop car lights came on after you allegedly ran a stop sign (not a violent crime, by the way), and you panicked and ran. Bruh. We feel you. And if you’re reading these words, and are unfamiliar with the brutal ass-whipping Oakland, Tennessee police put on Calloway […]
Posted inNational News
Senate poised to confirm Marines’ first Black four-star general
by NNPA via DefenderNetwork.com Thursday, July 28, could mark a historic day for the U.S. Marines. For the first time in its 246-year history, the Marines could have a Black four-star general. Lt. Gen. Michael Langley faces a confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee. If confirmed, he would lead all U.S. military forces […]
Posted inHealth
Monkeypox cases rise, leaders want more vaccines
by Houston Public Media The city of Houston and Harris County are asking the White House for more Monkeypox vaccines as the number of cases in the Houston area rises to 57. In a Monday press conference, Mayor Sylvester Turner and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said that as of now there are 47 cases […]
Posted in#FaithWorks
#FaithWorks: Pastor John Gray fighting for his life
by ReShonda Tate John Gray, a former pastor at Houston’s Lakewood Church who now leads his own congregation in South Carolina, is in the hospital battling a rare type of blockage in his lungs, according to his wife, Aventer. She has since posted an update that one blood clot is gone, but he’s still fighting […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Pastor Ronald Mouton Sr. killed in road rage incident
by ReShonda Tate, Defender Network A highly revered pastor and staple in the Houston community was killed during a possible road-rage incident on the Gulf Freeway at Gould Road Friday afternoon. According to those who knew him, Reverend Dr. Ronald K. Mouton Sr. of the East Bethel Missionary Baptist Church was shot and killed by […]
Posted inBooks
Top five books written by Black women
By Laura Onyeneho for the Houston Defender This is a new year and what better way to kick it off than to find things to do that stimulate the mind. Many of us need an escape from what’s happening in the world and pour into yourselves intellectually, emotionally, and mentally. So why not pick a […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Megan Thee Stallion receives Humanitarian Award
By Defender News Service Megan Pete, also known as Megan Thee Stallion, recently received the 18th Congressional District Humanitarian Award. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee presented Megan with the award and shared her gratitude to have a young woman like her give back to the community. “This award has not been given out often, or to […]
Posted inBooks
#WordinBlack: Racist much? Katy ISD bans another Black book
Jerry Craft. (Photo courtesy Harper Collins) By Houston Defender This post was originally published on Defender Network The Katy Independent School District is at it again – banning a Black book because of its ‘racial’ content. Award-winning children’s author Jerry Craft was scheduled to visit students virtually on Oct. 4 to discuss his books. But 500 Katy ISD parents protested […]