Day: April 5, 2017

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Queendom Come, Inc. Joins with Other Houston Organizations to Launch Awareness and Educational Campaign #ProtectOurDaughters Against Sex & Human Trafficking

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HOUSTON – Queendom Come, Inc. (QCI) will host a press conference Thursday, March 30, 2017, at 4 p.m. to launch its #ProtectOurDaughters campaign to address sex and human trafficking in the Houston area. Sex trafficking had become the new “slavery” and has taken national attention when a dozen of black and Latina girls went missing in Washington, D.C. this month. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Houston is one of the largest hubs for human trafficking in the nation and the largest hub in Texas Houston has over 200 active brothels, with two new openings each month. Houston is a popular entryway for internationally trafficked persons due to its two large, international airports and the Port of Houston, which is the largest international port in the United States and the thirteenth busiest in the world.

Age is the primary factor in vulnerability. We are seeing our daughters becoming victims to this modern-day slavery. Pre-teen or adolescent girls are more susceptible to the calculated advances, deception, and manipulation tactics used by traffickers/pimps – no youth is exempt from falling prey to these tactics.  Traffickers target locations youth frequent such as social media sites, schools, malls, parks, bus stops, shelters and group homes. Runaway or homeless youth, as well as those with a history of physical and sexual abuse, may have an increased risk of being trafficked.

QCI has launched an educational and awareness campaign that targets women, adolescent girls and their parents in the Houston and surrounding areas. QCI has collaborated with other organizations in the community and women leaders such as, Green House International Church Co-Pastor Sandra Deckard of Greenhouse International Church, Kathy Griffin Grinan of “We’ve Been There Done That”, Valerie Muhammad of the Nation of Islam MGT & GCC, Calandrian Simpson-Kemp of the Village of Mothers, Jinaki Muhammad of the National Black United Front, Attorney Sadiyah A. Evangelista of the Ministry of Justice Millions More Movement,  Deric Muhammad and Pastor E.A. Deckard of No More Blood Shed Movement and Deloyd Parker of SHAPE Community Center. A town hall meeting will be announced at the press conference.

WHERE:        National Black United Front 2428 Southmore Blvd. Houston, TX 77004

WHAT:           Queendom Come, Inc. Awareness and Educational Campaign #ProtectOurDaughters

WHEN:           March 30, 2017, 4:00 p.m. CST.

WHO:             Queendom Come, Inc.; Greenhouse International Church, We’ve Been There Done That; Village of Mothers, National Black United Front, Nation of Islam MGT & GCC,                                  MOJ Millions More Movement, No More Blood Shed, SHAPE Community Center

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Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee applauds the groundbreaking at the MLK, Jr. Plaza for the addition of iconic leaders Nelson Mandela, ROSA PARKS, and Barbara Jordan

“April 4th is the 49th Commemoration of the Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – a man who lived his entire life for peace and justice. And now we add more of those who fought for justice”

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a senior member of the House Committees on Judiciary and Homeland Security, Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations, and the new Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation released the following statement:

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee has been an instrumental part of building the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza and statue beginning with the securing of funding through Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood who saw the vast amount of support throughout the Houston community which caused him to push for submission of funding in President Obama’s 2010 federal budget for almost a billion dollars for Houston Metro. This was the first time in Houston’s history to be placed into the President’s budget for transportation dollars for light rail.  “We witnessed the implementation and construction on the northeast and southeast lines which included construction along Martin Luther King Street that impacted a tree planted by Daddy Martin King in 1983 to honor his son Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and to advocate for the naming of MLK Street. The tree became the nexus between Houston Metro and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza,” stated Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.

“The voice and leadership behind the historical planting of the tree was the Black Heritage Society and one of the leading Civil Right advocates in Houston, Ovide Duncantel.  Most people did not know the history behind the tree, but it was Ovide Duncantel that brought Daddy King to Houston to ensure Houston was a part of the national story and a part of history.  It was around this time that it was determined the tree would have to be moved in order to build the light rail on the prescribed path.  After discussions with the city and Metro, it was finally agreed to move the tree to a new site in McGregor Park where the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza and statue were eventually built.  The tree was successfully moved and saved even after experiencing a severe drought, and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza and statue were constructed with donations from all walks of life, including seventy-five thousand dollars secured from a major corporation.”

“Now we will add three more iconic figures who believed in Justice.  The ‘Icon Benches and Wall of Honor’saluting civil and human rights icons President Nelson Mandela, Rosa Parks, and Barbara Jordan will further showcase their revolutionary lives and works.”

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee will forever be associated with this remarkable project and memorial honoring some of our world’s greatest leaders.  “We look forward to bringing Nelson Mandela’s son Ndaba Mandela to Houston to celebrate the unveiling of these pioneers.”

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Out of Resistance – A Powerful New Movement

“To mark and build upon the first 100 days of resistance to the Donald Trump presidency, People’s Action will be in the nation’s capital, convening more than 1,000 activist leaders from around the country. The People’s Action Founding Convention is where we will unveil a new political force comprised of people united against the Trump-Ryan-McConnell agenda and for a bold vision of an economy and democracy that work for everyone, not just the rich and powerful, big corporations, or purveyors of hate.”

CHEJ merged with People’s Action this year. Rise Up 2017 is the Founding Convention, as well as our collective Action of Resistance. Come join the movement! We need you there to take action, plan actions, and resist together!

At Rise Up 2017: April 23-25th in Washington, D.C. We will…

• Build a Long-Term Agenda that points the way to transformative change and guides our campaigns now
• Go on the offense at every level – from cities to statehouses to the halls of Congress
• Commit to stopping the attacks on people of color, immigrants, women, Muslims and others.
• Gather with friends and allies to celebrate what we have won and the movement we are building together
• Visit Congressional Reps. from your area and let them know you’re there – you’re part of a larger resistance movement – watching and ready to take action.

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Keith Sweat returns for limited engagement at the Flamingo

Tickets to “Keith Sweat: Last Forever” July 5 – 22 to go on sale Saturday, April 8 at 10 a.m. PT

(Black PR Wire) Las Vegas – After his successful debut in January, Keith Sweat announced he will return for an additional run of his limited engagement, “Keith Sweat: Last Forever,” in the Donny & Marie Showroom at Flamingo Las Vegas from July 5 through July 22, 2017.

In celebration of the 30th a

R&B artist Keith Sweat performs at the Flamingo
R&B artist Keith Sweat performs at the Flamingo

nniversary of Keith’s triple-platinum album, “Make It Last Forever,” the platinum-selling R&B singer and national radio personality will take the stage in Las Vegas and perform a variety of his notable hits including “I Want Her,” “Twisted” and “Nobody.”

 

“After an incredible run earlier this year, I could not wait to return to Las Vegas,” said Keith. “Fans came from all over the country to see me perform at the legendary Flamingo, and I’m more excited than ever to bring R&B back to the heart of The Strip.”

Tickets will go on sale to the public Saturday, April 8 at 10 a.m. PT. A special presale will be held for Total Rewards members, the loyalty program of Flamingo Las Vegas’ parent company Caesars Entertainment, beginning Thursday, April 6 at 10 a.m. PT through Friday, April 7 at 10 p.m. The 12 performances going on sale are:

July: 5 – 8, 11, 13 – 15, 18, 20 – 22

Ticket prices begin at $59, plus applicable tax and fees. VIP seats including a meet and greet with Keith Sweat are also available. Tickets are available at any Las Vegas Caesars Entertainment Box Office, by phone at (702) 777-2782 or by visiting www.keithsweatvegas.com. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m.

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There is a new friend on Sesame Street

 “MEET JULIA” DEBUTS APRIL 10 ON HBO

            As an extension of Sesame Workshop’s ongoing autism initiative, Julia, a new SESAME STREET Muppet with autism, makes her first appearance during Autism Awareness Month in the episode entitled “Meet Julia,” debuting MONDAY, APRIL 10 (8:00-8:30 a.m. ET/PT) on HBO and HBO Family, and in Spanish on HBO Latino. “Meet Julia” will also be available to non-HBO subscribers, who will be able to view the full episode on hbo.com, HBO Kids’ YouTube channel, participating television and streaming partners’ platforms and free oon-demandchannels, as well as PBS KIDS.

            “F” is the letter of the day and friends are celebrated in “Meet Julia.” In the episode, Big Bird finds Elmo and Abby playing with Julia, a new friend on Sesame Street. He does not think Julia wants to play with him, but Alan helps him understand that Julia has autism and does want to be his friend. Big Bird learns that kids with autism sometimes do things in a different way, but they share many things in common with all kids – like wanting to have fun, play and be friends. Julia and the Sesame friends invent a new game and then all come together to dance and sing.

            In addition to the new episode, a special behind-the-scenes featurette available athttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yw0_KMBC9-M&feature=youtu.be provides more information about Julia, explores the background of Sesame Workshop’s autism initiative and includes an interview with Julia puppeteer Stacey Gordon.

            Julia’s arrival marks a rich new phase of Sesame Workshop’s autism awareness efforts, which can be found at See Amazing in All Children. Introduced last year in digital form, Julia comes to life as one component in a wide range of resources designed to reduce stigma and increase awareness and understanding of autism.