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Mayoral Game Changer —Why Nigerians Are Embracing John Whitmire for Houston’s Next Mayor

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7 months ago

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There are substantial reasons why this community is channeling its entire support to Sen. Whitmire. Mayor Brown’s endorsement may have triggered a wave of support and interest in the candidate by Africans and African Americans. Yet, there might be more reasons.

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The last time major African communities, dominated by Nigerians, united to support a mayoral candidate was during the electioneering campaign that ushered in the first African-American mayor of Houston, Dr. Lee Patrick Brown. Mayor Brown was re-elected twice to serve a maximum of three terms from 1998 to 2004. In each reelection bid, Africans campaigned vigorously on his behalf.   

Electioneering candidates for Houston elections can always count on the Nigerian community when it comes to grassroots poll support. The likes of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, outgoing mayor Sylvester Turner, Congressman Al Green, former Mayor Brown, and a long list of others have enjoyed such unprecedented support from the Nigerian community.  

Nigerians in Houston celebrating the Nigeria Independence Day. The Nigerians in Houston (NIH) for John Whitmire are rallying Nigerians and other African communities to galvanize city-wide support for Sen. Whitmire.

Consequently, in the upcoming mayoral race, some African community leaders are rallying decisive support for Houston’s Mayoral Candidate, John Whitmire. Led by business owners and community advocates, including Tony Nwadei, Ike Anya, Sylvan Odobulu, and Suzani Asmelash Grant, a group called Nigerians in Houston (NIH) for John Whitmire has concluded strategies for a grassroots vote-mobilization for the candidate. For weeks, they met day and night through both face-to-face collaborative meetings and Zoom. Now they are ready to hit the campaign ground and it appears they are not kidding.

There are substantial reasons why this community is channeling its entire support to Sen. Whitmire. Mayor Brown’s endorsement may have triggered a wave of support and interest in the candidate by Africans and African Americans. Yet, there might be more reasons.

Predominantly successful entrepreneurs, these prominent Nigerian community leaders, and influencers have always rallied financial and field support for candidates with vested interests in collaborating with the populace for development opportunities. Unfortunately, the community remains the least to be considered in significant matters of the government. An International Guardian’s previous editorial cited how most of those leaders visit the African communities to attend events and take photos with excited guests whereas significant matters of governance are totally snubbed. For instance, Mayor Turner just concluded a controversial trip to Africa where he spent only one day in Nigeria – Africa’s most populous country and the United States’ most viable trade partner in the continent. To make it unacceptably ridiculous, no Nigerian made his long list of delegates.

Consequently, in August 2022, Mayor Turner hosted the City’s first-ever Houston-Africa Energy Summit, featuring African Heads of State, African Ministers, Houston-based energy CEOs, and business leaders from the African continent and the Greater Houston Area. Unfortunately, and more disappointedly, Nigeria, Africa’s largest crude oil producer was not represented at this event.

 

 

“That was ridiculous,” said John Oladapo Awoola, an oil and gas entrepreneur based in Houston and Lagos. I actually read about that event on the Internet, and I tell you that these folks are taking us for granted. How can this City host such a conference without fairly engaging those that matter?”, he said. He continued, “It boils down to aligning ourselves with leaders that respect our interests, not those that would come here to party with us.”

Nigeria remained the leading oil producer in Africa as of 2022. Oil production amounted to roughly 69 million metric tons in the country. Libya, Algeria, and Angola followed, each with an above 50 million metric tons output. In the same year, the overall production of oil in Africa, including crude oil, shale oil, oil sands, and NGLs, reached 332.3 million metric tons, 3.76 percent less than in 2021. Therefore, any meaningful city leadership must be familiar with these trends.

“We are looking for something very different this time,” said a Houston-based Nigerian healthcare worker, Ephraim who identified himself as a Whitmire supporter. “We are sick and tired of our politicians coming here to take photos with us. I have lots of photos taken with the Jackson-Lees, the Turners, Garcias, and so on. Honestly, I am now realizing that those are completely unimportant. We need those who would take us seriously. If you go to Bellaire and Sharpstown, you see how they pay much attention to the Asian communities – then when you come to Bissonnette, all you see is crime and prostitution. We want solutions. What drove me away from Jackson Lee to Sen. Whitmire was Whitmire’s position on fighting crime. You won’t understand until you come to the Bissonnet area where we have our businesses,” he said.

 

Mayor Brown’s endorsement may have triggered a wave of support and interest in the candidate by Africans and African Americans. Yet, there might be more reasons.

Africans in Houston, especially in the Southwest are concerned about an alarming crime rate. Not just crime – they are also dealing with street prostitution, which has persisted for years unchallenged. As chair of the Texas Senate Criminal Justice Committee, who has championed strong, anti-crime measures, Sen. Whitmire has vowed to increase the number of police officers on the street and strengthen Houston’s Community Policing Program while keeping violent criminals behind bars and illegal guns off the streets.

The consistent governance lapses and the scorn of the African community, in general, are what inspired the Nigerians in Houston (NIH) for John Whitmire. The purpose according to handlers, is to rally around Nigerians and other African communities to galvanize city-wide support for Sen. Whitmire. They are raising funds, they are gathering volunteers to walk the streets, and they have vowed to carry their campaign beyond the electoral finishing lines.

The last time there was a major collaboration between the City of Houston and the African community was during Mayor Brown’s regime. He was not interested in coming to social events and taking photos but focused on economic empowerment and development possibilities. Nigerians and members of other African countries were appointed to key city government positions and parastatals. In addition, Mayor Brown’s trip to Africa was economically lucrative. He didn’t go for sightseeing. He took business folks who invested in the continent. 

This might explain why his endorsement of Sen. Whitmire inspired a population of African and African-American voters into action. Brown in his own words, stated, “As Houston’s first African-American police chief and mayor, I am proud to endorse Senator John Sen. Whitmire to be Houston’s next mayor… He was always someone I could count on to help, whether it was during my campaigns or during my tenure in office. Sen. Whitmire has always fought for public safety and equality. I will be voting for Senator Sen. Whitmire for mayor, and I ask all Houstonians to join me.”

Whitmire, who served as a State Representative for 10 years and State Senator for 40, has vowed to promote the growth of minority and women-owned businesses, ensure that historically forgotten neighborhoods receive desired services, protect the laws and ordinances that encourage diversity and equity, and create strategies to facilitate an open dialogue with people from all parts of our city to truly understand their concerns.

The Nigerians in Houston (NIH) for Sen. Whitmire, armed with a constructive message about how this candidate will make a difference, not just in Houston but also in the African community, has taken their gospel to the streets to woo voters. They are rallying community leaders and influencers not just to vote for their candidate but also to work the polls. “We did it for Mayor Brown, and it worked for our businesses and families, and we are ready to do it for Sen. Whitmire,” said Thankgod, a Nigerian entrepreneur who owns a real estate company.

Currently, it appears all fingers point to Sen. Whitmire as Houston’s next mayor. In the latest poll conducted by the Hobby School Survey of the University of Houston, the race will be close, with about one-third of likely voters opting to vote for state Sen. Whitmire whereas another third expecting to vote for U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee. However, in the event of a runoff in December, the gap widens dramatically, with Sen. Whitmire holding an 18-point lead in a one-to-one matchup.

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Houston’s Mayor Admits His City Is Broke, Even Firefighters Aren’t Being Paid

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2 weeks ago

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April 16, 2024

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The Democratic mayor of Houston recently admitted that his city is suffering from a large deficit because of overspending done by previous administrations. To address the $160 million shortfall, the mayor has proposed 5% spending cuts to all non-essential city services while maintaining funding for police and fire departments.

During a recent City Council meeting, Mayor John Whitmire openly acknowledged the severe financial situation, stating, “I think we can all agree on that, we are broke.”

This admission highlights the severity of Houston’s budget deficit, showing the urgent need to take decisive action and address the city’s financial struggles.

The city of Houston is struggling with the serious budget deficit, the new Democratic Mayor underscores the seriousness of this concern. The reality of the seriousness of Houston’s financial challenges has ignited discussions regarding potential solutions and the broader implications for the city’s fiscal health. Mayor Sylvester Turner, the previous mayor, had established that he was leaving the city with a $420 million budget surplus.

Despite this, subsequent assessments have shown that Houston is faced with a $160 million deficit due to sustained overspending. Chris Hollins, the city’s Comptroller, gave insight on the ongoing financial challenges,

Saying that Houston is spending between $150 million to $200 million more annually than  it is generating in revenue. Mayor John Whitmire said, “It was broken when I got here.” He has also alluded that there may be a possible tax increase and fees to help make up the budget gap. Whitmire recently promised to give “$650 million for seven years of back pay,” to Houston firefighters.

He said, “I don’t like a 5 percent cut now, but you have to make tough decisions and the folks put me in this position to make tough decisions, and I’m going to do my job.”

Whitmire said, “I’m not going to play games with people’s lives,”  “I’m not going to play politics with people’s lives. So we have a responsibility to settle with the firefighters and protect Houstonians.”

Councilman Willie Davis said, “This is going to come down to a financial sacrifice by the city. Now we can either be $1.2 billion broke, or we can be $650 million broke.”

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11 Communication Students Awarded Scholarships at TSU’s Commweek

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2 weeks ago

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April 16, 2024

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Each student received $1,000 through the SOC scholarship initiative.

Scholarships alleviate financial stress and contribute to academic success, diversity, and equitable access to education. They are a valuable resource for college students, opening doors that might otherwise remain closed due to financial barriers. The 2024 Commweek – the 42nd Intercultural and Communication Conference of the School of Communication (SOC) at Texas Southern University ended Friday, April 12 with a cheerful outcome. 11 communication students walked away with a fat check as beneficiaries of the SOC Commweek Scholarship initiative.

The recipients of the 2024 Commweek scholarships are Christopher Jarmon, Rachel Frank, Benjamin Clark, Racheal Lewis, Briannah Dilworth, Courtney Roberts, Precious Johnson, Douglas Gordon, Briana Williams, Zoria Goodley, and Erin Slaughter. Each student received $1,000 from the SOC scholarship initiative, aimed at helping students overcome financial obstacles while pursuing their academic goals. The funds can be used to cover tuition, textbooks, other educational expenses, and living costs like housing, transportation, and food.

Dr. Chris Ulasi, the Interim Dean of the School of Communication, explained that the scholarship funds were made possible through grants and donations from corporate and local businesses. These contributions were specifically designated for talented and economically disadvantaged students within the School of Communication. “Many of these students rely on financial aid to support their education. Therefore, we prioritized collaborating with private and corporate partners to support this initiative,” Dr. Ulasi stated.

Themed “Amplifying Diverse Voices in Media and Communication,” Commweek kicked off on April 8 and concluded with an Awards Gala on Friday, April 12, 2024, where scholarships were presented. Throughout the week, scholars, students, professionals, and civic leaders engaged in discussions on topics with cultural, political, economic, and social significance, as well as communication dynamics.

The School of Communication (SOC) at Texas Southern University is a dynamic academic institution that fosters interdisciplinary learning. With four departments and two graduate programs – Communication Studies, Entertainment Recording Industry Management (ERIM), Journalism, and Radio, Television, and Film (RTF), along with a Master of Arts (MA) in Communication and Master of Arts (M.A.) in Professional Communication and Digital Media (PCDM) – SOC has been a leader in training culturally responsive professionals and scholars for nearly five decades. Graduates are equipped to navigate diverse urban and international environments with inclusivity and a deep understanding of historical context.

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TSU Announces 2024 Annual Communication Week

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1 month ago

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March 25, 2024

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TEXAS INTERNATIONAL GUARDIAN, HOUSTON, TX – The representation of diverse racial and ethnic groups, as well as sexual and gender identities in the media, is critically important because it accurately shapes decency, fairness, and unity in the community. When media lacks or portrays insensitive representations, it can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and discrimination, further marginalizing these identities.

The School of Communication (SOC) at the Texas Southern University (TSU) has announced its 2024 Commweek, signifying the 42nd Intercultural and Communication Conference. Themed “Amplifying Diverse Voices in Media and Communication”, the conference will be held April 8 – 12, 2024, and will culminate with an Awards Gala on Friday, April 12, 2024, at the University’s Tiger Room.

Ensuring a diversity of voices in the media requires holistic monitoring systems and the wider application of target-based measures for both public and private media. Amplifying diverse perspectives can instigate a richer and more inclusive media landscape that benefits the entire populace. The Intercultural Communication Conference provides a forum for scholars, students, professionals, and civic-minded leaders to explore topics with cultural, political, economic, and social implications as well as communication dynamics. But the theme is necessary and also, it is coming at the right time.

The challenges posed by a lack of diverse voices in media and communication can be seen across social, political, economic, and cultural spheres of influence. These issues can influence the views represented in news coverage and dissemination. Indeed, the diversity of perspectives is key to creating a more inclusive and equitable society.

According to Dr. Chris Ulasi, the Interim Dean of the School of Communication, “The 2024 event will be special because we are equally raising scholarship funds for gifted and economically disadvantaged students in the School of Communication.  Traditionally, a majority of our students rely on some form of financial assistance to fund their education. This is why I am using this opportunity to appeal to individuals, corporations, and community organizations to support this cause.”

According to a release made available to our newsroom, proceeds from this event will,

  • Help SOC students break down financial barriers while pursuing their academic prospects.
  • Help SOC students cover the cost of tuition, textbooks, and other educational expenses.
  • Help SOC students supplement the cost-of-living expenses such as housing, transportation, and food.
  • Create retention possibilities for students who might drop out for financial reasons.
  • Act as incentives and encouragement to students in general.
  • This financial sponsorship will be a catalyst for expanding SOC’s ongoing professional relationship with corporate businesses, community organizations, and individual sponsors.

Dr. Anthony Ogbo, co-chaired by Professor Ladonia Randle, and Ms. Michele Jones, is joined by a team of very engaging and supportive members who meet regularly to finalize the machinery for a successful event.  According to Dr. Ogbo, “The 2024 Commweek is expected to draw a line-up of dignitaries from the business, academic, and government sectors. For instance, the City of Houston’s Vice Mayor Pro-Tem, Council Member Martha Castex-Tatum will lead the conference opening ceremony on Monday, April 8. Also, Dr. Kathleen McElroy, renowned Journalist and Professor at the School of Journalism and Media at The University of Texas at Austin will lead the opening session of the intercultural conference on Thursday, April 10.”

The School of Communication (SOC) at Texas Southern University is a transformational, interdisciplinary academic school with four departments and two graduate programs: Communication Studies; Entertainment Recording Industry Management (ERIM); Journalism; Radio, Television, and Film (RTF); and Master of Arts (MA) in Communication and Master of Arts (M.A.) in Professional Communication and Digital Media (PCDM). For 48 years, the school has been at the forefront of training culturally responsive professionals and scholars who can navigate urban and international settings with a deep sense of inclusivity and an understanding of historical legacy.

Texas Southern University possesses an impressive array of more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs and concentrations, a diverse faculty, 80-plus student organizations, and an extensive alumni network comprised of educators, entrepreneurs, public servants, lawyers, pilots, artists, and more, many of whom are change agents on the local, national and international stage. Nestled upon a sprawling 150-acre campus, Texas Southern University is one of the nation’s largest historically black universities.

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