Community News

TwiliteZone.com—Although free public schools are taken for granted by kids, who are wont to dropout as soon as possible, but from the early 1800s until the first half of the 20th century, Washington, DC was seen as a leader in education. The earliest free Black population stressed education, and the first known private school for African Americans in Washington was founded in 1807 to educate children and adults. Families migrated to Washington for its educational opportunities. In 1862, Congress passed legislation to establish public schools for African Americans. -Bud Johnson.

GoodNeighbor—A posthumous Good Neighbor tribute and complimentary memoriam is due the family and love ones of Robert Charles Brown Sr.,whose very very productive life was celebrated at New Bethel Baptist Church, 3535 Brewster street, on Oct. 1, 2004, with Rev. Caleb Anderson officiating. Rev. Previn Jones, Jasper Victoria, George McGowan. Rev. Moran Collier Sr. and Praise Dancers Krystala, Karetta and Kareena Lux participated in the order of service. Jimmie Collier III, Jasper Victoria, Dorian Carter Sr., Willie Brown Jr., DaVonte Carter, Moran Collier Sr., V. T. Simmons, Lonnie Brown, Dante Carter, Jonathan Brown & Dorian Carter Jr. were active pallbearers. Willie Collier, Demond Grant, Isaac Scott, Jose Guarbado, Glenn Adams, Melvin Wilson Jr., Moran Collier Jr. and Cedric Scott were honorary pallbearers for Robert Charles, was born on November 2, 1945 in Galveston, Texas. He was the Collier’s sixth who was adopted as an infant by Roberta and Lonnie Brown. Robert grew up in Houston, Texas’ Fifth Ward and graduated from Phyllis Wheatley High School. He served in the U. S. Army, returned, and attended Texas Southern University. On June 25, 1977, Willie married Linda Carter and raised three sons: Dorian, Lonnie, and Robert Jr. Willie loved to fish and did whenever the opportunity presented itself. His birth parents; his adopted parents; and a brother, Aaron Collier, preceded Willie in death. Willie, who finished his course on Sept. 25, 2004, leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 29-twenty years; his sons: Dorian (Mary), Lonnie (Leah) and Robert Jr. (Geavonnie); grandchildren: Dante, DaVonte, Jeneya, Dorian, Jr. and Jonathan; sisters: Dorothy Victoria (Jasper) and; two brothers: Jimmie Collier, III (Doris) and Rev. Moran, Collier (Betty); Sister- in- Law: Jerri Collier and other relatives and friends. Well-done Good Neighbor Robert Charles Sr.

M’StonesInDaHood—Belated congrats to Cynthia Casher and Carlton Buckner I, who jumped the broom on Sept. 4, 2004 (See front page feature), during a elaborate ceremony that included: Demetrius Buckner (Best Man), Tamila Alfred-Higgins (Matron of Honor), Joyce Thomas, Rhonda Buckner, Melissa Dubose, Neshell Williams, Ray Hamilton, Michael Greer, James Williams, Joseph Beasley, Jeremy Payton Rice, Dorzelle Rice, Carryssa Buckner, Carlton Buckner II, Kimia Amos, Andrea John, Dee Williams, Michael Finley, Lewis Jefferson, John Jefferson, Antoinette Roberson, Clarice Gatlin and J. C. Coats….”Where Are The Men?” Rev. Robert Staggers Jr., Senior Pastor of Northside Antioch BC, 1814 Carr St. invites the general public to come out to hear the answer to that salient question during the 500 Men Conference from 9 a.m.-12:30 on Nov. 13, 2004.
The event, that’s sponsored by State (Rally) of Louisiana will feature State Rep. (Rev.) Al Edwards as the Institute speaker and Rev. Norman Lawrence as the keynote speaker. For info, call (713) 227-9516…. On Saturday, November 13, 2004, between the hours of 11:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m., the members of the Greater Zion MBC, 3202 Trulley, will join together to honor Reverend L. David Punch, "A Man On A Mission," for 18 years of dedicated service in the ministry, and his endless contributions towards community revitalization. The luncheon will be held at the Park Plaza Hotel (formerly Radisson Astrodome), 8686 Kirby Drive. The event will begin with a Silent Auction with musical entertainment provided by gospel artist and Grammy Award nominee, Hanq Neal.

The highlight of the afternoon will be a dynamic fashion show. For additional information, contact Rhonda Wiggins at (713) 649-7442…. As amazing as Jamie Foxx’s was in the role of Ray Charles, Darryl Ardison, a former Houston Post sportswriter and HISD coach, who also writes for the Houston Defender and is a co-host on the Sunday evening youth sports call-in talk show Prep Talk, that’s aired from 6-7 p.m. (on 1070 AM) and many other Houstonians will have their eyes on the foxy Raylettes, who became popular in Charles’s Pepsi Cola TV ads. They will be watching Darryl’s daughter, Kim Ardison, a product of Ross Sterling H.S. Kim, who can really sing,grad, is making her debut on the silver screen in the role of Ethel McRay, one of the Raylettes. Ardison sings in the movie on some songs, including "Tell Me What I Say.” The movie, Ray, that everybody is raving about opened nationwide on October 29 and came in second on the money chart with $20.1 million, behind The Grudge’s $22. 4 million....The Houston Citywide Baptist Brotherhood and Women’s Uplift will hold its Annual Fellowship Banquet being held on Friday, November 5th at the Mount Hebron BC fellowship Hall, 7817 Calhoun Street. Rev. Calvin J. Abraham from the Bella Vista Baptist Church will be the guest speaker. For information pleased call Sister James Rosetta Rausaw, chair person of the Publicity Committee @ (713) 433-3575.