Featured
Houston City Controller’s Office Has Commitment to Diversity
HOUSTON FORWARD TIMES — The Houston City Controller’s Office currently has 61 full-time employees. Of those 61 employees, 52% are African American, 16% are Hispanic, 18% are Asian, and 11% are Caucasian. The Controller’s Office is also comprised of 64% women and 36% men.
The Houston City Controller’s Office currently has 61 full-time employees. Of those 61 employees, 52% are African American, 16% are Hispanic, 18% are Asian, and 11% are Caucasian. The Controller’s Office is also comprised of 64% women and 36% men.
With the recent appointment of Beverly Riggans as Interim Deputy Controller for the Financial Reporting Division, four out of five Executive Level employees are African American and one is Hispanic. Those employees are:
- Shannan Nobles; Chief Deputy Controller
- Courtney Smith; City Auditor
- Charisse Mosely; Deputy City Controller, Treasury
- Beverly Riggans; Interim Deputy Controller, Financial Reporting
- Alexander Obregon; Deputy Controller, Operations & Technical Services
“The Controller’s Office is fortunate to have such a hard-working, talented team,” added Controller Brown. “While diversity is important, it is not diversity for diversity’s sake – we aim to hire the most qualified, committed candidates for any role. Every employee in the Controller’s Office comes to work with the same goal – keeping an eye on your hard-earned tax dollars. That’s our responsibility to the Controller’s Office and, most importantly, that is our responsibility to City of Houston taxpayers.”
Since being sworn into office in January 2016, Houston City Controller Chris Brown has made diversity a priority in the Controller’s Office. This commitment was born out of Controller Brown’s desire to reflect the diversity of the City of Houston in the makeup of his staff.
“Diversity is one of our city’s biggest strengths,” said Controller Brown. “It’s important to me that the Controller’s Office is representative of that diversity, and accurately portrays the makeup of all of our communities.”
Prior to being elected, Brown served as Chief Deputy City Controller for six years, where he managed the day-to-day operations of the Controller’s Office and oversaw the Executive Division. Prior to being appointed Chief Deputy City Controller in 2009, Brown served as City Council Chief of Staff. Controller Brown began his career two decades ago, as a trader for Coastal Securities, an investment bank, where he focused on analysis of equities. He later co-founded an equity trading firm. He attended Texas Christian University and obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and later a Master in Business Administration from the University of Houston. Brown is also a licensed real estate broker.
This article originally appeared in the Houston Forward Times
Featured
Style Takes Center Stage at the 39th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education
Style reigns supreme at Salute 39! From classic silhouettes to dazzling accessories, this year’s event is a celebration of Black excellence and timeless elegance.
✨ Style is taking center stage at Salute 39.
From classic silhouettes and jewel tones to statement accessories, the 39th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education will celebrate Black excellence with glamour to match. This year’s fashion editorial proves elegance has no price, size or age.
🖊️ Kenya Vaughn
📷 Lawrence Bryant
Read more: https://www.stlamerican.com/salute-to-excellence/style-will-take-center-stage-at-39th-annual-education-salute/
#Salute39 #StLouisAmerican #stlamerican #BlackExcellence #StLouis
Featured
Dr. Earleen Patterson’s 30 Year Legacy of Education and Service at SIUE
Dr. Earleen Patterson’s 30-year legacy at SIUE is celebrated for empowering students. Honored at the Salute to Excellence Gala, her impact extends far beyond the classroom.
For 30 years, Dr. Earleen Patterson has helped students at SIUE find their path, build confidence and create opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom. Her dedication to education and service will be honored at the St. Louis American Foundation’s 39th annual Salute to Excellence in Education Scholarship & Awards Gala on Oct. 17. 🎓👏🏾
Read her story: https://www.stlamerican.com/salute-to-excellence/earleen-pattersons-legacy-rooted-in-education-service/
✒️ Na’Porsha Williams
📷 Lawrence Bryant
#STLAmerican #Salute39 #Education #BlackExcellence #SIUE
Featured
Defender ONE-on-ONE: U.S. Rep. Christian Menefee
Rep. Christian Menefee shares insights on his first 250 days in Congress, key legislation, and the challenges of serving in the minority. Don’t miss this exclusive interview!
In an exclusive interview with The Defender, Texas Congressman Christian Menefee sits down to reflect on his first 250 days serving in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Congressman Menefee shares key insights into his legislative priorities, introducing new bills, and navigating the day-to-day challenges of serving in the house minority. He breaks down why every vote matters in shaping our communities and offers a preview of the urgent legislative issues he plans to tackle next.

In this video, you’ll hear about: • Reflections on his first 250 days in Congress • Key legislation introduced and priority bills • Navigating the realities and strategy of serving in the house minority • Why civic engagement and voter participation remain critical • What lies ahead on his legislative agenda

Subscribe to The Defender for more exclusive political coverage, interviews, and community insights!
Sign-up for the Top 5 newsletter
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#ChristianMenefee #USCongress #TexasPolitics #TheDefender #CommunityNews #CivicEngagement #houseofrepresentativeselection2026
Chapters
0:00 Introduction and the Importance of Voting
1:12 First 250 Days and Improving Constituent Services
2:40 Oversight Committee and Environmental Justice
4:05 Rebuilding an Empty Congressional Office
6:10 The SET Act: Ending Vacancies in Representation
8:25 Life in the Minority and Playing Defense
10:45 Foreign Policy, Inflation, and Gas Prices
12:50 Economic Goals: Child Care and Housing
14:20 Redistricting and Respecting Leadership
16:15 The Rotisserie Chicken Vote and SNAP Benefits
18:20 Congressional Black Caucus Highlights
19:45 Final Call to Action for Texas Voters
Make sure to check your voter registration status and head to the polls to make your voice heard in the upcoming election. If you found this update helpful, please like this video and subscribe to stay informed on the issues that matter most to your community. 📢
#TexasPolitics #Congress #Houston #VotingRights #ChristianMenefee
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Bakersfield News Observer
News Observer Weekly — October 7, 2026 | Top 5 Stories of the Week
Nolan Wells’ mysterious death remains unsolved, while Kern County ballots are now in voters’ hands. This week’s top 5 stories, up now on News Observer Weekly.
Nolan Wells was eighteen. A Mississippi grand jury says nobody is responsible for his death. The state medical examiner says she can’t tell you how he died. The district attorney’s message to the family was, we’ll never know. The family’s answer was, we’ll never stop.
This week on News Observer Weekly, Marcus and Nia break down the five stories that mattered most to our readers — from Observer Group Newspapers, publishers of the Bakersfield News Observer, the Los Angeles News Observer and Valley’s News Observer, serving Kern County, Los Angeles, and the San Fernando and Antelope valleys.
ONE THING THIS WEEK
Kern County ballots started going out Oct. 5. When yours arrives: fill it out,
SIGN AND DATE THE ENVELOPE (unsigned ballots cannot be processed), and return it
by mail (no stamp, postmarked by Nov. 3) or to a 24-hour drop box by 8 p.m. on
Nov. 3. Not registered? The regular deadline is Oct. 19; same-day registration
is available in person after that through Election Day. Track your ballot with
“Where’s My Ballot” at kernvote.com. Kern County Elections: 661-868-3590.
NOW LAW
AB 2599, the Truth in Disclosure Act, signed Sept. 30. California is the first
state to require companies with $100 million or more in worldwide receipts to
disclose, under penalty of perjury, whether they or their predecessors profited
from chattel slavery.
CHAPTERS
0:00 Cold open
0:37 Justice: Rulings Leave Questions Lingering in Nolan Wells Case
3:25 Sacramento: Gov. Newsom Signs Bill Requiring Large Corporations to Disclose Profits From Chattel Slavery
5:55 Inglewood: Inglewood Shifts $2.8 Million in HOME-ARP Funds to Sankofa Place Affordable Housing Project
8:34 Kern County: Your Ballot Is in the Mail: Here Is What Kern County Voters Need to Know
10:21 Los Angeles: Mayor Bass Hosts 3rd Annual Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Procurement Summit to Prepare Small Businesses for LA28 Contracts
12:22 What to do this week
THE FULL STORIES
Rulings Leave Questions Lingering in Nolan Wells Case
2. Gov. Newsom Signs Bill Requiring Large Corporations to Disclose Profits From Chattel Slavery
Gov. Newsom Signs Bill Requiring Large Corporations to Disclose Profits From Chattel Slavery
3. Inglewood Shifts $2.8 Million in HOME-ARP Funds to Sankofa Place Affordable Housing Project
Inglewood Shifts $2.8 Million in HOME-ARP Funds to Sankofa Place Affordable Housing Project
4. Your Ballot Is in the Mail: Here Is What Kern County Voters Need to Know
Your ballot is in the mail. Here is what Kern County voters need to know
5. Mayor Bass Hosts 3rd Annual Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Procurement Summit to Prepare Small Businesses for LA28 Contracts
If you are in crisis, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is free and available 24 hours a day, by call or text.
Read everything at ognsc.com
Subscribe for the top five, every week.
Featured
Antron Brown Takes His Impact Beyond the Racetrack
Antron Brown’s influence extends far beyond the racetrack. Discover how this racing legend is making a difference off the track.
Antron Brown’s impact reaches beyond the finish line. See how the racing star is taking his success beyond the track.
Read more: https://www.stlamerican.com/sports/antron-brown-takes-racing-success-beyond-the-track/
#stlamerican #AntronBrown #Motorsports
Featured
Headlines and Hot Topics with Rodney Perry
Get the scoop on today’s hottest stories with Rodney Perry on Black Press USA’s Morning Show. Don’t miss the conversation behind the headlines!
Today on Black Press USA’s Morning Show, we’re breaking down the stories driving the conversation.
Watch Black Press USA’s Morning Show for the headlines, the context, and the conversation behind the news.
#BlackPressUSA #MorningShow #BlackNews
Style Takes Center Stage at the 39th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education
Car Review: Seat Comfort & Dashboard Glare Issues #shorts
134 Black-Owned Banks Founded: See How Many Remain Today! #shorts
Dr. Earleen Patterson’s 30 Year Legacy of Education and Service at SIUE
Latinas Deserve Equal Pay. Unions Help Make It Happen.
Defender ONE-on-ONE: U.S. Rep. Christian Menefee
Unlock Your Best Auto Loan: Ask These Questions! #shorts
News Observer Weekly — October 7, 2026 | Top 5 Stories of the Week
Atlas Family Comfort: Worth the Extra Cash? #shorts
Antron Brown Takes His Impact Beyond the Racetrack
Latest Massacre in Haiti Reveals Cruelty U.S. Deportations
The Youngest American Killed in the Vietnam War
Booked and Unbound: The Legacy of Black Women’s Literary Circles
Passing for White, Fighting for Black America: The Courage of Walter White
OPINION: Nolan Wells’ Death One of Several Signifying Racial Terror Lives on in U.S. South
Prostate Cancer is Twice as Likely to Kill Black Men. Talking to Your Doctor Could Help Save Your Life
OP-ED: Haiti TPS: Have We Lost Sense of Humanity?
OP-ED: If AI Is the New Language of Power, Then NAN Wants Black Communities Fluent
OP-ED: How Does Your State Rank for Pre-K?
Henry O. Flipper: A Trailblazer at West Point and Beyond
Style Takes Center Stage at the 39th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education
Car Review: Seat Comfort & Dashboard Glare Issues #shorts
134 Black-Owned Banks Founded: See How Many Remain Today! #shorts
Dr. Earleen Patterson’s 30 Year Legacy of Education and Service at SIUE
Defender ONE-on-ONE: U.S. Rep. Christian Menefee
Unlock Your Best Auto Loan: Ask These Questions! #shorts
News Observer Weekly — October 7, 2026 | Top 5 Stories of the Week
Atlas Family Comfort: Worth the Extra Cash? #shorts
Antron Brown Takes His Impact Beyond the Racetrack
Headlines and Hot Topics with Rodney Perry
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