DALLAS- Curtis King, the founder of The Black Academy of Arts and Letters, Incorporated (TBAAL) of Dallas, Texas was born December 20, 1951 in Coldwater, Mississippi. His love for theatre and the arts began while a student at Tate County High School.   He followed that passion and attended Jackson State University where he was mentored by poet Margaret Walker Alexander, who sent him to Chicago in 1972 for the historic Black Academy of Arts and Letters (BAAL) National Conference to Assess the State of Black Arts and Letters in the United States of America.

The Honorees will include from the left: ReShonda Tate-Billingsley, Dr. John M. Rudley, Linda Etuk and Dr. Camille Cash

HOUSTON- Just a short few weeks after the month dedicated to riveting achievements in the Black community, the YMCA of Greater Houston extends the celebration with its annual Minority Achievers Gala, now in its 41st year.  Attendees will dine at the Houston Marriott Westchase, 2900 Briarpark Dr. on March 27, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. while enjoying an array of talent and recognizing a host of outstanding individuals.  The evening’s theme honoring the timeless visionary and program Founder, Mr. Quentin R. Mease, is “The Legacy Continues… .” Mease passed away last month at the age of 100.

HOUSTON- Recently, John and Mandura Ellis both celebrated their 78th birthday at the Oakton Place with a lavish party. The event was attended by many members of their family, friends and church members. There were plenty of food and live music for everyone to enjoy. First photo: John and Mandura with their daughter Gail Taylor. Photo on right: Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Gaines were among the well-wishers at the double-birthday celebration.
    

HOUSTON- One year ago, legislators at the national, state and local levels wore black “Got AIDS?” T-shirts as part of a campaign to raise awareness of the AIDS epidemic in the Black community. Delivered by The Black AIDS Institute, of Los Angeles, the shirts also asked on the back, “How do you know?” The “Got AIDS” campaign, which is a takeoff on the popular “Got Milk” campaign created by the California Milk Processor Board in 1993 and credited with increasing milk sales nationwide—after a 20-year slump.

Lavonda Fletcher (State Farm) and Anita Williams (Weichert Realtors-Wayne Murray Properties)

The Houston Social Network hosted a fundraiser at Spencer’s for Steaks and Chops at the Hilton Americas Hotel on Thursday, February 12, 2009.

Bernard Harris

A native Texan born in 1956, Bernard Harris earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Houston and later obtained a doctorate of medicine from Texas Tech University School of Medicine. He completed his residency at the Mayo Clinic and fellowship at the NASA Ames Research Center. Other degrees include a Master of Medical Science from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Houston Clear Lake and two Honorary Doctorate of Science degrees from Morehouse School of Medicine and Stony Brook University (SUNY).

The 7th Annual Miss Black Texas USA Pageant was held last month at the Hilton Houston Southwest. The event also introduced the first Annual Ms. Black Texas USA Pageant.

Kenny Love Outsted As CEO of BS, Inc.

Author/Writer Kenny Love expounds on how NOT to unclog stuffed nostrils during this cold and winter flu season.

Meet Pat Tucker, mom, author, award winning journalist, radio talk show host and award winning Journalist who currently serves as News Director for a Houston Radio Station. If that were not enough, she is married to Coach Lydell Wilson, one of Houston's brightest stars in football history. How does this author of her fifth novel manage all of this and make it seem so effortless?