It is the last #MediaMonday of 2024. I am staying in my hometown of Houston, Texas to start my highlight of the Black Press this week. Bayou Beat News was started in 2020, to give a voice to the true culture of Houston and surrounding areas. The publisher is none other than the dynamic Nakia Cooper. Ms. Nakia, as she is affectionately called, not only has 30 years of broadcast media under her belt, she currently serves as Houston’s Association of Black Journalists (HABJ) President. Madam President’s local chapter made history this year when they honored those “behind the mic” at their Sneaker Ball Gala. Ms. Nakia currently runs Bayou Beat News with her son and daughter.
This week they are reporting on the Netflix event that had over 27 million viewers: Beyonce Bowl! The headline: ‘They certainly delivered’: TSU’s Ocean of Soul dazzles crowd with Beyoncé in NFL Halftime spectacle. he campus of Texas Southern University was abuzz with excitement this Christmas Day as the Ocean of Soul Marching Band delivered a performance for the ages alongside global superstar Beyoncé. The jaw-dropping halftime show took center stage during Netflix’s inaugural NFL Christmas Gameday, as the Houston Texans hosted the Baltimore Ravens at NRG Stadium.
For weeks leading up to the big day, members of the Ocean of Soul set aside their winter break to hone their craft, determined to match the star power of their legendary collaborator. Under the visionary leadership of Director Brian K. Simmons, the band showcased the excellence, discipline, and talent that have become synonymous with Texas Southern University. For Texas Southern University, this milestone is yet another example of the institution’s enduring legacy of excellence. As TSU approaches its centennial in 2027, moments like these serve as reminders of the university’s impact on a global scale. Read More at BayouBeatNews.com
Next, let’s go to the Windy City where there are many Black Press publications, but we are highlighting one that has been amplifying the voices of Chicago for 119 years. Currently, under publisher Hiram Jackson, a media mogul, The Chicago Defender reports how More Trump Supporters are Going Viral for Learning the Consequences of Their Vote.
Voters who supported Donald Trump continue to learn the potential consequences of electing him for a second term and their stories are going viral. This is aside from the H-1B Visa meltdown MAGA supporters had with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. One South Dakota farmer, who voted for Trump and “employs many undocumented workers,” said he hopes the president-elect won’t carry out mass deportations as promised. “If they round them up within 2 days, we will not have food…” the farmer remarked, per the Republicans Against Trump social media account. Read More at ChicagoDefender.com
Finally, do you celebrate Kwanzaa? Do you even know what it is? The celebration of African-American and Pan African Culture takes place December 26th-January 1st. Our Director of Digital Transformation and host of Make it Plain, Mark Thompson, is breaking it down day by day on the Black Press of America’s Instagram Page. Click Here to watch!
Do you know the Black Press in your City? Meet me back here for the first Monday of 2025!
Be safe and I’ll see you next year!