Black leaders like Bishop James Dixon, (second from left) Dr. Carolyn Evans Shabazz (at podium), and Dr. Rhonda Skillern Jones (far right) were front and center at "THE COALITION PRESS CONFERENCE" that was held in support of Dr. Grenita Lathan early last week. Now, according to Dr. Carolyn Evans Shabazz, the racist vote put forward by some members of the HISD School board may have just triggered what could end up evolving into serious repercussions for some local elected officials. In case you don't remember, the 6-3 vote against elevating Dr. Grenita Lathan to permanent status broke right along racial lines with the lone three Black HISD candidates being the only ones who believed that Dr. Lathan was good enough for the job. The other HISD Board members appear to have formed some sort of coalition of sorts against Dr. Grenita Lathan.
The Black/Brown Coalition Could Be In Jeopardy If A Much Needed Shift Does Not Occur at HISD, HCC, and in Local Harris County Politics
AUBREY R. TAYLOR REPORTS©
What we are seeing play out at (HISD) Houston Independent School District, (HCC) Houston Community College, and in local Harris County, Texas politics isn’t happening in a vacuum. And nope, it didn’t begin with Commissioner Rodney Ellis either. Yes, he’s the number one reason that we lost a Black judge to a Hispanic female back in the March 3, 2020, Democratic Party primary, but this tug-of-war between the Black and Brown communities has been brewing long before Commissioner Rodney Ellis did his dirty little deed – but I digress. Look, Hispanics and the African American community have been fighting together, locked arm in arm for many years – but it is clear that there’s a rift brewing right now. And it’s one that showed be of grave concern as far as Harris County, Texas is related. For the most part, over the years, the trend has been limited to the economic sector, where construction jobs, hospitality jobs, and food industry jobs vanished – almost seemingly overnight. And over the last few years, the push has become a little more sophisticated, as far as Harris County and the City of Houston is concerned. Now, don’t dare go back and say that I am race-baiting, or pouring gasoline on the race-relations nightmare that’s starting to burn in Texas as the all-important 2022 Midterm Elections come into view. I am only reporting the facts here. And the fact that what has traditionally been a case where the Black community has given ground and conceded territory must cease. Why? Well, look not naming Dr. Grenita Lathan the permanent superintendent had nothing whatsoever with her job performance. Dr. Lathan has played the hand she’s been dealt. And she’s done a damn good job under the circumstances that she’s been dealt with.
AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS
957 NASA PARKWAY #251
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039
PHONE: (832)212-8735
CELL: (281)788-3033
BLACK VERSUS BROWN
“It has always been about the Black against the Brown,” said Jolanda Jones, a former HISD Trustee whose leadership is sorely missed right now. She recently made this statement at a protest that was held in front of the HISD Administration Building earlier this week to call out the racist influences that she and other leaders believe is playing out on the HISD School Board.
DR. LATHAN WAS VICTIMIZED
“We will not allow her to be discriminated against because she is Black. We believe that if Dr. Lathan was Hispanic she would be the Superintendent today, said Bishop James Dixon representing the NAACP Houston Chapter at the “COALITION PRESS CONFERENCE” that was held to bring attention to what appears to racist actions that prohibited Dr. Lathan from being named the permanent superintendent. I think that Fox 26 Houston’s Greg Groogan did a really good job covering the press conference.
DR. LATHAN WAS MISTREATED
“If I had been dehumanized and humiliated and disregarded and disrespected in the way that she has been over this entire tenure I would have walked away and taken some of the job offers I have personally seen her gotten over this time, but she cares enough about where she is and who she serves to stay even through that. That speaks to her character, said Rhonda Skillern-Jones, a former HISD Board President at the press conference held earlier this week.
BLACK LEADERS ON BOARD
State Rep. Ron Reynolds (D-House District 27) and a host of other Black leaders believe that Dr. Grenita Lathan is being treated unfairly. A few of the other leaders (besides State Rep. Reynolds) who are standing up for Dr. Grenita Lathan is as follows: Bishop James Dixon, II, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, U.S. Rep. Alexander Green, Texas State Senator Borris L. Miles, State Rep. Harold Dutton, State Rep. Senfronia Thompson, State Rep. Ron Reynolds, Dr. Alma Allen, Dr. Max Miller, Pastor Harvey Clemmons, Bishop Johnny Tates, Pastor Carl Davis, Bishop Leroy Woodard, Dr. SJ Gilbert, II, and Activist Deric Muhammad, just to name a few.
LATINOS MUST STEP UP
“This could trigger serious political repercussions,” says Houston City Councilwoman Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, warning that Latino leaders across Houston must step up and stave off what could eventually evolve into a “POLITICAL CIVIL WAR” in Harris County, Texas at the ballot box and in other areas. “Rejection of Lathan because of her race will trigger serious political repercussions,” she says. And she’s right, and it’s not going to take long for us to start seeing these repercussions play out in Harris County, Texas, because the 2022 Midterm Election cycle has already gotten underway. And in case you don’t know, the Harris County Democratic Party is about to field one of the largest groups of Black/African Americans running for re-election than we’ve ever seen in the history of Harris County. So, please stay tuned, because this story is still developing.
AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS
957 NASA PARKWAY #251
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039
PHONE: (832)212-8735
CELL: (281)788-3033
In a stark turn of events, only the three Blacks on the HISD School Board voted to have the interim tag removed from Dr. Grenita Lathan's name. Kathy Blueford Daniels is the District II trustee. Patricia K. Allen is the District IV trustee. And Wanda Adams was the District IX trustee. Adams had to step down because the people elected her as the Harris County Justice of the Peace for Precinct 7, Place 1. Gerry Wayne Monroe has announced his plans to run for the Houston Independent School District IX seat on Tuesday, November 2, 2021. In case you don't know, HISD Trustees Elizabeth Santos, Daniela "Dani" Hernandez, Sue Deigaard, Holly Maria Flynn Vilaseca, Ann Sung, and Judith Cruz, all banded together to block Dr. Grenita Lathan from getting the job permanently.
Dr. Lathan Has Been Utterly Disrespected Says Gerry Wayne Monroe Who Plans to Run for the HISD School Board District IX on Tuesday, November 2, 2021
AUBREY R. TAYLOR©
It’s time for African Americans to become more intentional about our goals. And there’s no better time to start than on Tuesday, November 2, 2021, HISD School Board Elections by electing long-time activist and community leader Gerry Wayne Monroe in the race for HISD School Board for District IX. Why? Well, the problems at (HISD) Houston Independent School District, (HCC) Houston Community College, and the recent systematic skipping of local down-ballot Black judicial candidates in Harris County could be the signs of a major clash between the Black and Hispanic communities. Look, to be brutally honest, some of the things we are witnessing being done to African Americans are only being done because the people committing the acts believe that they have the support of the Blacks who matter as far as they are concerned from what I can see right now. That’s the only logical reason I can find at this moment – someone or someone(s) somewhere is giving a green light on this stuff – and I believe I know exactly who it is. But I digress.
AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS
957 NASA PARKWAY #251
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039
PHONE: (832)212-8735
CELL: (281)788-3033
Elizabeth Santos is the HISD Board Trustee for District I. She voted against removing the interim tag from Dr. Grenita Lathan’s name and giving her the permanent job as HISD Superintendent. In my opinion, the right candidate can beat Trustee Santos at the ballot box. Back in 2017, in case you don’t know, 78,479 registered voters were living in District I. However, only 9,784 voters cast a ballot in the race for Houston ISD, Trustee for District I.
Kathy Blueford-Daniels is the HISD Board Trustee for District II. She voted in favor of removing the interim tag from Dr. Grenita Lathan’s name and giving her the permanent job as HISD Superintendent. In my opinion, Trustee Kathy Blueford Daniels is doing a pretty good job but is only able to do so much with the numbers stacked against her. Trustee Kathy Blueford-Daniels defeated John Curtis Gibbs in a runoff election back in 2019 to win this seat. That being said, the turnout in races for this seat is typically low. For instance, back in 2019, in case you don’t know, 88,792 registered voters were living in District II, but only 18,550 voters cast a ballot in the race for Houston ISD, Trustee for District II.
Daniela “Dani” Hernandez is the HISD Board Trustee for District III. She voted against removing the interim tag from Dr. Grenita Lathan’s name and giving her the permanent job as HISD Superintendent. In my opinion, the right candidate can beat Trustee Hernandez at the ballot box. Back in 2019, in case you don’t know, 57,063 registered voters were living in District III. However, only 8,916 voters cast a ballot in the race for Houston ISD, Trustee for District III.
Patricia K. Allen is the HISD Board Trustee for District IV. She voted in favor of removing the interim tag from Dr. Grenita Lathan’s name and giving her the permanent job as HISD Superintendent. I don’t know, Trustee Patricia K. Allen, but from what I can see from a distance she appears to be trying to stand up for all HISD students. Trustee Allen defeated Matt Barns in a runoff election back in 2019 to win this seat. That being said, the turnout in races for this seat is typically extremely low. For instance, back in 2019, in case you don’t know, 106,384 registered voters were living in District IV, but only 24,904 voters cast a ballot in the race for Houston ISD, Trustee for District IV.
Sue Deigaard is the HISD Board Trustee for District V. She voted against removing the interim tag from Dr. Grenita Lathan’s name and giving her the permanent job as HISD Superintendent. At one time, I liked Trustee Deigaard. But her recent actions are cause for concern. Anyways, she could be very tough to beat at the ballot box.
Holly Maria Flynn Vilaseca is the HISD Board Trustee for District VI. She voted against removing the interim tag from Dr. Grenita Lathan’s name and giving her the permanent job as HISD Superintendent. Trustee Holly Maria Flynn Vilaseca isn’t as strong of a candidate as she thinks she is in her mind. For instance, back in 2017, in case you don’t know, she only garnered 50.42% of the vote. Also, back then, there were 73,575 registered voters living in District VI. However, only 7,399 voters cast a ballot in the race for Houston ISD, Trustee for District VI.
Anne Sung is the HISD Board Trustee for District VII. She voted against removing the interim tag from Dr. Grenita Lathan’s name and giving her the permanent job as HISD Superintendent. I had high hopes for Ann Sung, back when she got elected to the HISD Board of Trustees. But just like in the case of Trustee Deigaard, her recent actions have me kind of looking at her sideways right now. Anyways, in my opinion, she’s one of those candidates who would be hard to beat at the ballot box.
Judith Cruz is the HISD Board Trustee for District VIII. She voted against removing the interim tag from Dr. Grenita Lathan’s name and giving her the permanent job as HISD Superintendent. In my opinion, the right candidate can beat Trustee Cruz at the ballot box. Back in 2019, in case you don’t know, 80,414 registered voters were living in District VIII. However, only 16,698 voters cast a ballot in the race for Houston ISD, Trustee for District VIII.
Wanda Adams stepped down last week as the HISD Board Trustee for District IX to prepare herself to serve as the Justice of the Peace for Precinct 7, Place 1. She voted in favor of removing the interim tag from Dr. Grenita Lathan’s name and giving her the permanent job as HISD Superintendent. I think that Justice of the Peace – Elect Wanda Adams is going to do an excellent job in her new position. She unseated Judge Jeremy Brown in the 2020 Democratic Party primary to win this seat. That being said, the turnout in races for District IV is typically all that great. For instance, back in 2017, in case you don’t know, 84,185 registered voters were living in District IX, but only 8,622 voters cast a ballot in the race for Houston ISD, Trustee for District IX.
AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS
957 NASA PARKWAY #251
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039
PHONE: (832)212-8735
CELL: (281)788-3033
AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS
957 NASA PARKWAY #251
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039
PHONE: (832)212-8735
CELL: (281)788-3033
THE BADASS
Charles (BADASS) Marler worked for the FBI for 16 years learning all facets of the Bureau’s complex operations from evidence collection, radio communications, aviation surveillance, and Forward-Looking Infra-Red (FLIR). Charles was an Investigative Specialist for 12 years as a member of the Special Surveillance Group and conducted, organized, and completed thousands of surveillances on Drugs (as FLIR operator), Intelligence and Terrorism targets. He participated in joint training operations with the DIA, DEA, JCTA, and CIA. Charles was an instructor and evaluator numerous times for the FBI’s surveillance training programs.
Charles managed several FLIR System Operators while coordinating one of the FBI’s prominent FLIR programs. He provided case guidance, became an expert in the operation and maintenance of FLIR equipment, and personally trained or provided training for his operators. Under Charles's leadership and guidance, the FLIR program conducted numerous successful operations against espionage subjects, suspected terrorism subjects, drug shipments, violent crime, and kidnap searches.
Since 2008, Charles has been a co-owner of a private investigative firm based in Houston and has worked as a Private Investigator in Texas for the past four years which specializes in covert physical surveillance operations. As a P.I. he has performed criminal investigations and conducted surveillance operations involving workman’s compensation, child custody, drug use, theft, and the elusive but frequent cheating spouse.
THE BRAINS
I’m the President/CEO of Aubrey R. Taylor Communications, the publisher of Houston Business Connections Newspaper©. In case you don’t know, I have 30-years of experience in marketing, branding, investigative reporting, public relations, opposition research, and political consulting. I’ve assisted in branding Republican and Democratic candidates in statewide elections and local municipalities throughout the State of Texas. Over the years, I’ve also assisted in branding and marketing (through my various publications) such corporations and institutions as Shell Oil, The City of Houston, Texas A&M University, Texas Southern University, Prairie View A&M University, Chevron, Waste Management, Nationwide Insurance, Momentum Jaguar/BMW, Channel 11, Channel 13, State Farm Insurance, and Allstate Insurance to name a few.
EXPERIENCED REPORTER
I would have you to know that not everyone who has been accused of a crime or enters a guilty plea in connection with a crime is guilty of the crime they're accused of committing. Neither is everyone who goes to trial to fight charges that are leveled against them and get's convicted are guilty. Look, over the years, some very bad things have happened to people of color in our criminal justice system. So to this end, please understand, that during my career, I’ve gone into the Harris County Jail and Texas prisons on numerous occasions (on secret assignments) working in conjunction with the owner of one of the largest locally owned private security, and investigations firms. The man who was funding my investigations back then (who mysteriously died) also was the godfather of one of my sons, and the backer of one of my publications. That being said, I can straight-faced assure you that I’ve seen some of the injustices that are occurring in the Texas penal system up close and personal. While on the inside, I interviewed (face-to-face) some of the hardest criminals you can imagine for my research. I also discovered first-hand that many of the people who should be locked up are walking around free, and not all of those who are locked behind bars are guilty of the crimes that they, in some cases pleaded guilty to – for whatever reason. So, let me assure you that I know a criminal when I see one. And we have a handful of local elected officials who are straight-criminals and must be stopped!!!
PEOPLE OVER POLITICS
Based on my direct observations over the years, I can attest to the fact that our current criminal justice system is more about “HAVE’S AND HAVE NOT’S” to a greater degree than most people realize. That being said, sure, in some cases, the skin color of the person being accused of a crime plays a role in who gets indicted and eventually convicted of crimes and those who go free. However, at the end of the day, from observing the system from the inside, and out; having money, good legal representation, and access to influential people are unfortunately key determining factors when it comes to who will spend the rest of their life walking around with an “X” on their back and who doesn’t. So, to this end, we must endeavor to change our criminal justice system and political landscape by “TAKING POLITICS OUT” of the way our judges are selected in the Lone Star State – that’s very important to me!
AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS
957 NASA PARKWAY #251
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039
PHONE: (832)212-8735
CELL: (281)788-3033
