An Activist That Fights For Us!: Quanell X Stands for The Future of African-Americans

HOUSTON – Marcus Garvey once stated that “Leadership means everything, pain, blood and death.” If anyone can attest to the sentiments expressed by Garvey, then certainly Leader of the New Black Panther Party, Quanell X, can. For he has seen pain, blood and death as it relates to injustices that have plagued the African-American community for years on all sides of the fence. From his own personal experience as well as outreaches, from family members of victims that have had encounters with police officials, Quanell has vigorously and consistently provided a voice to those whose voices were not heard loud and clear by their own persuasions. However, his destination to attain such a platform did not come without these three elements: pain, blood and death.

Quanell X was born Quanell Ralph Evans in the infamous celebrity culture and second largest city in the nation known as, Los Angeles, California in 1970. His mother moved to Houston’s South Acres when Quanell and his brother were just lads. His grandmother was primarily responsible for raising him. He attended Worthing High School during his adolescent years. Nonetheless, being the product of a single parent environment by choice of his mother, Quanell soon found himself wrapped up with the influences that plague young men across the country in predominately Black neighborhoods. As a teenager, he saw first hand the ill-treatment of Black men within the judicial system when he was arrested for peddling drugs. From his experience, he came to the conclusion that the “system” that was designed to serve and protect its’ citizens were targeting Black men for harassment. This factor did not sit well with him even as a young man and he vowed within himself to make a personal commitment to change those odds.

As life has the tendency to allow people to cross paths with other influential characters, so became the introduction to a life of activism for Quanell; when he took out time to attend a speech delivered by the leader of the Nation of IslamMinister Louis Farrakhan, at the Sam Houston Coliseum. It was from this episode that Quanell took to the Nation of Islam and became a student of its’ teachings. He was a student of the Minister Robert Muhammad. Hence Quanell X emerged! He was apprised of the world as viewed by the Nation of Islam, which opened his eyes to many issues that he had not readily been made aware of previously. It was not much long after his affiliation with Minister Farrakhan that Quanell soared through the ranks and became a national youth minister for the Nation of Islam. Soon after, he developed a reputation from his roles as a speaker, rapper and writer that would establish him years later as a true voice for the African-American people. His charisma, demeanor, stance and gift of gab all served as compliments that made it easy for members of the Black community to follow him and believe in what he stood for.

In July of 1992, Quanell had the burdensome task of finding his youngera brother Quinten Evans dead in his apartment. He was one of four men that were found with bullets to their heads. Although it took nearly two decades, three men were charged with capital murder in connection with their deaths. Not long after his brother’s killing, Quanell met Representative Ron Wilson, a Democrat in the city. After being asked to speak by Representative Wilson, a relationship was built and he began working as an administrative aide. This position gave Quanell a glance at how the internal part of the “system”works. At which point, he knew that he would best serve the public as an activist.

Having a vision to organize his own cause for young Black men, Quanell eventually departed from the Nation of Islam and sought to dedicate his time to pioneer Mental Freedom Obtains Independence (MFOI). This organization was one that was engineered to provide African-American men the tools, knowledge and power to “combat police brutality and other manifestations of White oppression.” Their main goal was to highlight incidents of police brutality caught on film by the video cameras they carried.

After toiling with this organization for a while, Quanell began a journey with Khalid Abdul Muhammad, a former member of the Nation of Islam as well. He became one of the top lieutenants for the New Black Panther Party under Muhammad. Since then, he has become the primary leader of the New Black Panther Party in Houston and also works closely with the Nation of Islam’s chapter in the city. Together these powerful forces rise to the occasion any and every time injustices are imposed upon members of the African-American society.

Undoubtably, Quanell’s role in activism has ruffled many feathers of his White counterparts and has not made him very many allies. Nevertheless, his persona is one that demands respect and attention every time he steps on the scene. A position that has labeled and classified him as an “Activist that Fights for Us” for members all over the African-American community. From mayors, to city council members, to police officials, to television commentators and many branches in between; Quanell has boisterously spoke out against the discriminations and unbalances that continue to invade the Black community. He has suffered vicariously for the causes that he believes in and has endured arrests as a result of the battle that he continues to fight for. Nevertheless, he chooses to turn each stumbling block into a stepping stone, which yields him with even more momentum to tackle the next time that he is called for duty.

An attempt to list all of Quanell’s accomplishments and involvements in one simple article would be a true injustice to his fight for equality, as one edition could not contain all of his efforts and works. Howbeit, there are several cases that he has been a part of that through his affiliation, greater success has been achieved by his mere presence. In 1999, Quanell and a gallery of supporters and followers interrupted the proceedings of John William King, who was on trial for the brutal killing of James Byrd, Jr. in 1998. Nine years later, he was a key player in the murder investigation of Tynesha Stewart, a student of Texas A&M University. He was able to secure a confession from Timothy Wayne Shepherd, who was convicted of murdering Stewart. The very next year, Quanell was found once again in the spotlight for demanding the resignation of Chuck Rosenthal. Rosenthal was involved in an email scandal that exhibited racist messages about members of the Black community. Quanell led a protest outside of the courthouse. He was also an integral part in the search for the missing children of Randy Sylvester, Sr. He was able to convince Sylvester to lead him to the location of his missing children, which ultimately uncovered the gruesome discovery of their burned remains.

Quanell was also on the scene with protesters following the acquittal of George Zimmerman, who unlawfully gunned down 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida. Quanell and his entourage blocked Texas State Highway 288 to show the outrage of the Houston African-American community against the verdict. Numerous other accounts of Quanell standing at the fore-front of inequality exists, and he is always at the beckoning call of those that need an“Activist that Fights for Us” to state the least.

Concluding, Quanell’s comments reveal a brief insight into the thought that he is in no shape, form or fashion tired of fighting for his people. By his own admission he stated, “My commitment to seeking justice has brought many families with heartaches some comfort. I stand devoted and steadfast to my mission to bring the scales of justice to an equal balance for all.”

October 16, 2023, HOUSTON, TX – Congressional Candidate Amanda Edwards has raised over $1 million in less than 4 months, a substantial sum that helps bolster the frontrunner status of the former At-Large Houston City Council Member in her bid for U.S. Congress. Edwards raised over $433,000 in Q3 of 2023. This strong Q3 report expands on a successful Q2 where Edwards announced just 11 days after declaring her candidacy that she had raised over $600,000. With over $829,000 in cash-on-hand at the end of the September 30th financial reporting period, Edwards proves again that she is the clear frontrunner in the race. “I am beyond grateful for the strong outpouring of support that will help me to win this race and serve the incredible people of the 18th Congressional District,” said Edwards. “We are at a critical juncture in our nation’s trajectory, and we need to send servant leaders to Congress who can deliver the results the community deserves. The strong support from our supporters will help us to cultivate an 18th Congressional District where everyone in it can thrive.” Edwards said. “Amanda understands the challenges that the hard-working folks of the 18th Congressional District face because she has never lost sight of who she is or where she comes from; she was born and raised right here in the 18th Congressional District of Houston,” said Kathryn McNiel, spokesperson for Edwards’ campaign. Edwards has been endorsed by Higher Heights PAC, Collective PAC, Krimson PAC, and the Brady PAC. She has also been supported by Beto O’Rourke, among many others. About Amanda: Amanda is a native Houstonian, attorney and former At-Large Houston City Council Member. Amanda is a graduate of Eisenhower High School in Aldine ISD. Edwards earned a B.A. from Emory University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. Edwards practiced law at Vinson & Elkins LLP and Bracewell LLP before entering public service. Edwards is a life-long member of St. Monica Catholic Church in Acres Homes. For more information, please visit www.edwardsforhouston.com

As September 13th rolls around, we extend our warmest birthday wishes to the creative powerhouse, Tyler Perry, a man whose indomitable spirit and groundbreaking work have left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment. With his multifaceted talents as an actor, playwright, screenwriter, producer, and director, Tyler Perry has not only entertained but also inspired audiences worldwide, particularly within the African-American community, where his influence and role have been nothing short of powerful. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1969, Tyler Perry’s journey to stardom was a path riddled with adversity. Raised in a turbulent household, he found refuge in writing, using it as a therapeutic outlet. This period of introspection gave rise to one of his most iconic creations, Madea, a vivacious, no-nonsense grandmother who would later become a beloved figure in Perry’s works, offering a unique blend of humor and profound life lessons. Despite facing numerous challenges, including rejection and financial struggles, Perry’s determination and unwavering belief in his abilities propelled him forward. In 1992, he staged his first play, “I Know I’ve Been Changed,” which, although met with limited success, was a pivotal moment in his career. Unfazed by initial setbacks, Perry continued to hone his craft, and by 1998, he had successfully produced a string of stage plays that showcased his storytelling prowess.

Calling all teenage student-athletes! If you have dreams of playing college soccer and wish to represent an HBCU, the HBCU ID Camp is your golden opportunity. From 8 am to 5 pm on November 11-12, Houston Sports Park will transform into a hub for aspiring male and female soccer players. Coaches from HBCUs across the nation will be present to evaluate, scout, and offer valuable feedback. Moreover, they might even spot the next soccer prodigy to join their collegiate soccer programs. This camp is not just about honing your soccer skills but also a chance to connect with the HBCU soccer community. You’ll learn the ins and outs of what it takes to excel on the field and in the classroom, which is crucial for a college athlete. The HBCU ID Camp is an excellent platform to network with coaches, learn from experienced athletes, and take the first steps toward your college soccer journey. To secure your spot at this incredible event, don’t forget to register [here](insert registration link). Space is limited to 120 participants, so make sure to reserve your place before it’s too late. It’s time to turn your dreams of playing college soccer into a reality.

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