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Black on Black Success
Acres Home Center contradicts racist myth

 In light of the fact that Community Development, gentrification, Faith Based Funding and, of course, war on drugs, crime, poverty, etc., have become political catch phrases that give disenfranchised Black Americans cause to pause and ponder whether the land of the frees’ largess hurts more than it helps underserved minority communities, it was especially rewarding when the City of Houston Housing & Community Development Department culminated its observance of National Community Development Week at a facility in a predominately Black community, that was named for a Black woman, which was made possible by a Black organization that is headed by a Black man.

Translation: The Acres Center contradicts the racist myth that grassroots Black people can only handle “booty butt,” or “chump change’’ projects. Thus, it was only fitting that Houston chose the Beulah Shepard Center for Business & Economic Development, that’s located in the 6100 block of Wheatley, next to Malonson Company, Inc. compound which has become the nerve center of the Acres Home community and a role model for Black Americans who aren’t cracking, but facting when they say, “We don’t want a handout, but a hand-up.” The imposing, state-of-the art faculty (designed by Cliff Ward, of Black owned WP & Associates), that will serve as the hub of a business resource and computer training center, was made possible by the donation of land by Roy Douglas Malonson, of Malonson Company, Inc., chairman of the AHCCC, who also happens to be publisher of African-American News & Issues.

It’s presumptuous, however, for African-American News & Issues to preclude that all of our estimated 2 million readers have the slightest concern about designated national week, thus, it’s our obligation (as Texas’ widest circulated and read newspaper with a Black perspective) to keep our readers abreast of all news, including feel good, special interest data. So pleased be edified that during the week of April 12 - 18, cities, counties and states celebrated the outstanding achievement of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. This is especially an noteworthy year for the celebration, insofar as it’s CDBG 30th anniversary. Many cities and national organizations, including Houston, Texas planned special events to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the program.

As in past years, some 600 - 700 jurisdictions paid tribute to CDBG in April when congressional delegations are available for the many planned events. It was critical for the mayors and their cities take part in National Community Development Week this year, because of the administration's budget cuts that will greatly impact Community Development Funds. And we’re happy to report that the City of Houston did a yeoman job of celebrating NCDW’s 30th birthday. Especially, since their celebration focused on minority communities. But the story behind the story, that probably won’t be told by the mainstream media, is how effectively and the very successful way that the Acres Home Citizens Chamber of Commerce uses block grants and other government funding.

“My wife (Shirley Ann, whose Black Arts & Kollectible’s Showroom has also won several national awards) thought I was going crazy when I told her that we were going to give away land,” Malonson admitted when Daisy A. Stiner, director of Houston’s Housing and Community Development Department, insisted that he say a few words. You can be sure, once he got started, Malonson had a whole lot more than just a few words to say. Without giving up too many trade secrets he hinted that there are ways to make a system, that’s geared to allow African Americans just enough to fail, work for you. Ironically he alluded to faith based funding as one of the three Trojan horses, which keep minority communities divided and confused.
“African Americans must learn to read between the lines-- like we use to-- again, instead of wasting too much time reading the fine print, that comes with block grants and other government funded contracts, that is subject to change every time a new administration comes to power in Washington, D. C., Malonson explained. And the rapt audience can be sure that Malonson knew what he was talking about, because it so happens that Rev. Floyd Flakes, who fine tuned many of the redevelopment programs to make them work (for progressive Black entrepreneurs while he was a U. S. Congressman), was his childhood friend and school mate at Aldine’s G. W. Carver. There were also moments of levity during the event, when Malonson and Carol Mims Galloway, District B’s City Councilmember renewed their long friendship, that became fractious during the mayoralty race.

They actually kissed and made up, although Carol had too much Fifth Ward in her to not take advantage of an opportunity to drop a few lugs on Malonson, who got very serious when he said, “This is how it’s going to have to be, if we’re ever going to get our communities together,” as he hugged Galloway. “We must learn how to disagree without becoming so disagreeable until we can’t work together in the best interest of our people. You can talk about my overalls and straw hat; you can also talk about how you don’t particular like how I express myself, but to make this thing work, you must learn to put personalities aside and find a way to work with me when it comes to community business. Even if you don’t like my style, or even how I look.
“As we editorialize in our newspaper all the time, we must learn to separate business from b.s, because until we do, we won’t be able to demand enough respect to-- not only name institutions for people like Ms. Shepard (the Chamber’s matriarch who delighted the crowd with her wit)-- but also make sure that anything that is built in our community creates jobs for our people.” In essence, if nothing else good came out of the event, that was very well attended-- by a wide diversity of citizens and businesses that support the Acres Home community—it showcased a prime example of how African Americans must overcome what Malonson calls “Black on Black success.” He says that a little success all too often turns African Americans into competitors that work against each other, rather than uniting them to work together for the betterment of their underserved communities.

Fact is, success is one of the three deadly sins that also works against African Americans politically, according to Malonson, who says when far too many Black faces ascend to high places and get in a position to make a little money, they allow their success to separate them from their roots. The amen’s were unanimous among those attending the reception that was sponsored by Frost and Comerica Bank. Enjoying the event were: Angel Perry, who read a proclamation from Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee; Rev. Lewis Rogers, of New Jerusalem Ministries; Dr. Robert Mulcahy, Josie Rivera, and President Margaret Forde (HCCS-NE); Tom Jarvis (H-E-B); Yotarsha Lee (Doctor’s Hospital); Thaddeus Lott (Keys to Learning); HISD educators James Henderson, Felicia German, Janet Moseley and Tammie Daily.
A very supportive Marcus Milburn (Sheraton Suites-Houston); Georgia Provost, of Provost & Associates Boys & Girls Club’s Christopher Burns: Councilmemember Galloway’s John Pore; Sen. Whitmire’s Shareen Larmond; Barbara Stephens (HMCU); Preston Allen (Health care consultant); Keilone Gordon (VP Infinity Ser.); CPA and investment expert Rodney Dow; Paralee Shivers, Carolyn Kenner and Sherronda Murray (Metro); Joyce Tyler (Frost Bank); Jacqueline Thomas and Darry Thomas (Metro lift); seniors Ida Tennessee, Callie Hector, Elnora Jones, Muriel Murray, Morine Green and Ernest Houston; Pastors Raymond Hillis, Oscar Pipkens and David Punch and NHC-Carver Center’s Dr. Joanna Mann.
Also present were: Hank Brown, Randell Nadlyia, Antoinette Boone, Edna King, Michael Halpin, Sandra Deshotel, Frances Deary. Sharon Benson, Rhonda Wimberley, Michael Dotson, Clara Johnson, Lucille Ford, Howard Pannell, Joseph Thompson, Richard Davis, Monica Johnson, K. Franklin, Elvira Gonzales, Keith Bynum and Paulette Wagner representing the City of Houston; Melanie Richard, Florence Jackson, Thelma Hatchett Lastrap, Ruben Williams, Alberta Collins, Derrick Wesley, Lester Whitening, Pat Matthews, Mary Owens, Marlise Armstrong, Richard Huebner, Decorion Jenkins, Forrest Jackson, Te’Karian Shepard, Robert Leday, Keith Silas, Owen Lakey, Diana Shepard, Michael Burton, Guy Johnson, Alicia Marcha, Angela Freeman, Sgt. Shone Segue, Felicia Parrar, Angel Tates, Brenda Lakey, Lynette Collins, Irma Johnson, Eulundia Shepard, LaShawn Burns and many others.