“I hope my ghetto pass hasn’t been revoked,” City Councilmember At-Large Position 2 Gordon Quan cracked, after apologizing for arriving at Hazel & Earl Harris Academy, 3130 Holder Forest, a bit late to address the Sept. 5, 2002 Acres Home Citizens Chamber of Commerce Network/Luncheon. If Quan, who had rushed from the Houston Minority Business Council Expo to fulfill his commitment, keeps walking what he’s talking, a lifetime pass to the ‘hood is assured and he just might become an honorary “brother.”

In all seriousness, as he spoke sincerely about solutions to many of the problems that make city contracts a small business worse nightmare, it suddenly occurred to staff members of African-American News&Issues that an Asian-Black coalition could prove to be even more economically advantageous to our community than the Black-Brown political coalition that we are working so hard to coagulate. On the other hand, chamber chairman Roy Douglas Malonson is likely to suggest that we don’t know our history, insofar as his organization has had a very strong and ongoing relationship with the Asian community for almost 20 years.

“I’ve preached an Asian-African American coalition for years,” explained Malonson, who once chaired the Texas Black Chambers of Commerce. “Our people are stuck on stupid, when it comes to understanding that time brings about a change. In fact, the Asian Chamber honored me earlier this year. Everybody is focusing on the ever-growing Hispanic community, but you only have to open your eyes to see that the Asian community is also thriving. The problem is that we buy into the misconception that their culture is so foreign to ours until we have no common ground, but the truth is that all minorities are in the same boat. Asians have been part of the Black community as long as Hispanics have, but we have always seen them as a threat because they seem to have a closed, self-serving society that excludes others.”

Quite frankly, it occurred to this writer that Quan, a native of China, had the same surname as the Chinese Grocery store on Lyons Avenue@Pannell when I was growing up in 1940s’ Fifth Ward. Meanwhile, Quan not only promised to work to make doing dealing with city contracts better for small businesses, but also suggested that Black entrepreneurs should focus more on doing business in China. He assured the rapt “Lunch Bunch” that doing business in China could prove to be as advantageous as doing business with Africa. History certainly records, that ancient Africa’s greatness was due to its proximity to China, insofar as they both had great and massive empires.

“It just makes good sense to coalesce with all minorities,” Malonson told AAN&I later. “I know, Quan earned my confidence the way he handled the reparations controversy. He admitted he didn’t see any merit to the proposal, but voted for it because it was the fair thing to do. Propaganda alienates us from the Asian community. Some of us seem to think that the government gives Asians special treatment that we don’t get. Blacks also buy into the misconception that Asians support themselves almost exclusively. But I don’t have a problem with that, even if it’s true,” Malonson continued.

“We must remember that when we say Asian, we aren’t talking about a monolithic people, but several groups. It’s the same as when we call all Spanish-speaking people Hispanics,” Malonson concluded. Meanwhile, a quick- witted Quan made friends and influenced people and won approval when he said that he was ardently against privatizing public services that provide bread and butter jobs for minority breadwinners. Others who enjoyed Quan were: Cassie Richmond and her Union Planters Bank crew that included: Daphne McIlveen, Abbie Mc Daniel and Denise Daughterly; Aldine ISD’s Nadine Kujawa, as usual headed a contingent that included: Dianne Creekmore and Margaret Byrd.

The gracious host, Connie Leday (principal of Harris Academy), was among Aldine School principals Katie Washington (Smith Academy), Nancy Olson (Carter Academy) Acquenette LeBlanc (Stovall Academy) and Ruby Allen (Carroll Academy. HISD’s Osborne was represented by: Jocelyn Dorsey, Ryan Dorsey, Marisa Green and Naomi Coleman. DEA officer Ed Collins has become a regular, along with HFD’s Rick Flanagan. Dr. David Sam (President of North Harris College) was joined by Christine Pfatt, Freddie Brown. Sherman Robinson and Curtis Doolan. Joseph Do, of the Asian community’s ANNAM CDC was also in the house, along with Marc Smith, Principal of Klein Intermediate School.

Regina Brown, Freddie Jammer and Sharon Wilson were from Judge David Patronella’s office, Shelly Thomas represented Sen. John Whitmire and Greta Molo, represented Councilmember Galloway; Christa Bob, Callie Hector, Darryl Thomas, Earnest Houston, Oneta Hunter and Corita Sweed were senior citizens invited by the Chamber’s matriarch Beulah Shephard, along with the Acres Home Clinic’s Mildred Woodard and Savannah Collier, who worked at the Houston Informer with African American News & Issues old African Warrior in 1955. Joyce Amos introduced her Big K-Kan company that plans special events in the Acres Home area (713) 695-5492.

Pastor John Gibbs, of The Olive Branch BC promoted “Dawning of A New Day,” which is what the Chamber’s network/luncheon is all about. Hosea Harris and AHCDC member Owen Lakey (OTL Properties) were all ears when Quan spoke on affordable houses, along with Danitra Frazier, of Dominion CDC. Quan’s aide, Sandra Strachan duly recorded all complaints and/or requests. Reliant as always was well represented by: Marlynn Kallina-Matthews, Harold Warner, Jr. and Janette Hammond. The Globetrotter’s “Clown Prince” Paul Gaffney also showed up to break bread with the Lunch Bunch on behalf of his Off The Court Inc. project.

Natalie Forside, of HCHD’s Acres Home Clinic was also present with Lynn Sweeden, of Simpson Adult Healthcare and Charlotte Samuel, of Charlotte’s Haven Care for the Elderly. Also enjoying the luncheon was: Yolanda Laws (Enterprise Realty), Janet Campbell (CIS/M/C. Williams) and Pat Matthews (CIS-Wesley), Willie Baker, Dianne Menard, Pastor Fred Sanders (Cliffdale BC), Yetarsha Lee (Doctor’s Hospital), Alberta Herrion (CIS-BTW), Katrina Dowdell (CIS-Highland Heights), Kerrick Henny (S. W. Bell); Allen Young, Jr. (Pee Wee’s Snack Bar); Fernell Hogan (Urban Styles) and long time community activist Thelma Hatchett LaStrap.

As always Keith Silas did a masterful job introducing the speaker and Robert Leday coordinated the monthly (first Thursday) luncheon with perfection. The Chamber’s Oct. 3, 2002 Network/Luncheon will be especially important to voters, insofar as the keynote speaker will be Michael L. Williams, chairman of Texas Railroad Commission and Harris County Clerk Beverly Kaufman. The luncheon is slated to be held at Tidwell Estates (Child & Development Center), 1126 W. Tidwell @ Wheatley. For information and directions call LaShonda Pollard at 713/290-1802 or Sharon Johnson at 713/692-7003.