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Dr. Gena Jerkins Dr. Gena L. Jerkins is Black History because her life’s work proves that leadership and wellness are not separate pursuits. They are inseparable. She has dedicated her career to ensuring that those who carry great responsibility do not lose themselves in the process of serving others. From being labeled “at risk” in third grade to becoming a licensed therapist, executive strategist, and visionary founder, Dr. Gena’s journey is a testament to resilience, faith, scholarship, and purpose. She is a lifelong educator, humanitarian, and empowerment enthusiast who has spent more than 25 years serving across public education, higher education, philanthropy, business, and faith based sectors. Dr. Gena is the Founder and CEO of The /SEN(T)R/, a Houston based leadership wellness firm certified as an MBE, WBE, SBE, and HUB entity by the City of Houston. Through The /SEN(T)R/, she curates intentional spaces where leadership and wellness converge. Her mission is clear. She empowers high impact leaders in demand driven roles to align their values, optimize performance, and thrive personally and professionally. Her work transforms pressure into purposeful, sustainable leadership. At the core of her philosophy is a powerful belief. When leaders are well, the systems, teams, and communities they influence thrive as well. When leaders are neglected, the systems they oversee begin to fracture. Leadership wellness is not a luxury. It is a strategic imperative. Through customized programs, executive coaching, and evidence based strategies, Dr. Gena helps leaders cultivate clarity, strengthen collaborative culture, and sustain meaningful transformation. Her academic preparation reflects the depth of her calling. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Curriculum and Instruction from Texas A&M University, a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Houston, a Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Houston, and a Master of Christian Leadership from Dallas Theological Seminary. She is also a Licensed Professional Counselor. Her scholarship and professional certifications equip her to bridge therapy, strategy, and organizational leadership in a way few can. In addition to leading The /SEN(T)R/, Dr. Gena serves as Executive Director of the Houston Fund for Social Justice and Economic Equity. In this role, she advances initiatives that address historic inequities and expand access to opportunity across Houston. She has also served as teacher, assistant principal, principal, adjunct professor, nonprofit consultant, and executive coach. Across every space, her signature remains the same. She adds value to humanity one tangible, actionable step at a time. Dr. Gena is also the author of Silencing The Silence, a work that challenges individuals to confront and quiet the negative internal narratives that limit growth. Her voice as a speaker, facilitator, and strategist continues to inspire leaders to explore the breadth of their inner greatness without predetermined limitations. Dr. Gena L. Jerkins is Black History because she redefines what strength looks like. She shows that healing is leadership. That clarity is power. That wholeness fuels impact. She is building healthier leaders, stronger organizations, and more resilient communities across Houston and beyond. Black History is not only about overcoming barriers. It is about building better systems. It is about leading with integrity, faith, and wholeness. And Dr. Gena L. Jerkins is doing exactly that.

John Guess Jr. John Guess Jr. is Black History because he has dedicated his life to preserving culture, elevating truth, and using art as a bridge between history and the present. As a native Houstonian and the Chief Executive Officer of the Houston Museum of African American Culture, he has played a defining role in shaping how Houston understands Black history, identity, and creativity. Since taking the helm of HMAAC, John Guess Jr. has transformed the museum into far more than an exhibition space. Under his leadership, it has become a cultural anchor and a community hub that explores the diverse experiences of people of color while remaining rooted in Houston’s neighborhoods. Major exhibitions like the Kinsey Collection brought national attention to the institution, while community focused initiatives ensured that art and dialogue reached people where they live. John is widely respected for his belief that art should spark conversation, even when those conversations are uncomfortable. In 2020, HMAAC accepted the Confederate monument Spirit of the Confederacy from the City of Houston. Rather than erasing history, John chose to contextualize it. By placing the monument within a multicultural framework, he created space for education, reflection, and honest dialogue about race, power, and memory in America. The decision made national headlines and reinforced the museum’s role as a place for truth, not avoidance. Beyond his work at HMAAC, John is a dedicated art patron and collector. Alongside his wife, longtime ABC13 anchor Melanie Lawson, he has built the Guess Lawson Collection, a private collection focused on works that challenge narratives and spark social conversation. Their shared commitment to Black artists and contemporary voices reflects a belief that art has both cultural and civic responsibility. John’s leadership has been recognized across the city and beyond. He has been honored by Art League Houston for his impact on the local arts scene and received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Johns Hopkins University, his alma mater. Yet his most lasting contributions are not measured in titles or awards, but in the institutions strengthened, the conversations opened, and the generations inspired. John Guess Jr. is Black History because he understands that culture must be protected, challenged, and shared. He proves that museums are not static spaces, but living institutions that can help communities reckon with the past while shaping a more honest future. Black History is not only what we remember. It is what we choose to engage. It is what we are brave enough to tell the truth about. And John Guess Jr. continues to lead that work in Houston every day.

Jerome Love Jerome D. Love  is Black History because he has spent his life helping people move from survival to ownership, from being liked to being chosen, and from working inside systems to building their own. Known nationally as America’s Small Business Expert , Jerome D. Love is an entrepreneur, ecosystem builder, investor, media creator, and strategic advisor whose work centers one powerful belief: economic control is the foundation of freedom. That belief was crystallized in a deeply personal moment. In 2015, while Jerome’s father was battling cancer, a hospital procedure required someone to be present to take him home. Jerome packed his laptop, arrived within minutes, worked from the hospital lobby, and spent the rest of the day with his father. Nothing about that moment showed up on a balance sheet. But it redefined success forever. Not titles. Not income. Not assets. Success was the ability to be present without asking permission or risking his livelihood. That moment reshaped how Jerome defines wealth, ownership, and control, and it fuels the work he does today. Jerome is the Founder and CEO of Texas Black Expo , one of the nation’s most impactful economic empowerment organizations. For more than 20 years, Texas Black Expo has served hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs and youth through business development programs, corporate partnerships, and statewide initiatives focused on access to capital, education, and opportunity. Under Jerome’s leadership, the organization earned national recognition, including an NAACP Image Award for The Black Money Tree Podcast . As a real estate developer and investor, Jerome leads JDL Equity Partners , a firm dedicated to revitalizing underserved communities through master planned projects that generate both financial returns and economic mobility. His portfolio includes mixed use developments, residential communities, and collaborations with national builders and institutional capital, all guided by a commitment to ownership and long term impact. Jerome is also a trusted voice in media and storytelling. As host of the award winning Black Money Tree Podcast  and executive producer of the docuseries What Is Rich? , he challenges conventional definitions of wealth and elevates stories that reflect freedom, presence, and legacy. His work has been featured on national platforms, with an upcoming appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show . As a speaker and advisor, Jerome brings more than two decades of experience training entrepreneurs, guiding small business owners, and designing pathways for communities to thrive. His approach blends practical financial literacy, real estate strategy, and entrepreneurial development, giving people tools to build wealth without relying on gatekeepers or external systems. Jerome D. Love is Black History because he understands that prosperity is not about excess. It is about options. It is about control. It is about being able to show up for your people when it matters most. Black History is not only about what we overcome. It is about what we build. It is about who we are free enough to be present for. And Jerome D. Love is building that future every day.

Gloria Harris Gloria Harris  is Black History because her life represents service, faith, and quiet courage that changed the course of a community. While the I Am Black History series is dedicated to honoring living leaders, today we pause to give flowers to a woman whose legacy deserves to be named and remembered. We travel 72 miles southwest of Houston to El Campo, Texas, to honor Gloria Harris, elder cousin of Black Book’s COO, Jeremy Craft, and a trailblazer whose impact continues to ripple across generations. In 1987, Gloria Harris made history as the first Black person elected to El Campo City Council. At a time when representation was rare and resistance was real, she stepped forward with resolve and humility. She went on to serve District 2 for an extraordinary 30 years, becoming a steady voice for the people and a trusted steward of her city. Gloria did not seek attention or accolades. She sought progress. Before her long tenure on City Council, Gloria served the El Campo Independent School District for decades as a secretary. Her career spanned a critical chapter in Texas history, beginning on a segregated campus and continuing through integration. Through every transition, she remained grounded in service, dignity, and care for the people around her. She witnessed change and helped shape it, not through force, but through consistency and character. Gloria Harris was more than a public official. She was a woman of God who lived her faith through action. She supported countless individuals, encouraged young people to dream bigger than their circumstances, and modeled what it truly means to be a servant leader. She showed that leadership is not defined by titles or power, but by how much you are willing to do for others. Her legacy is etched into the city she loved. In December 2025, the El Campo City Council unanimously approved naming the pavilion at Willie Bell Park in her honor. The Gloria Harris Pavilion stands as a testament to her role in bringing the project to life and her lasting impact on public spaces that bring people together. Her influence will also continue through education. Gloria’s children will soon establish a scholarship in her name through Black Book Empowerment, ensuring that her commitment to opportunity and service lives on through future generations. More details will be shared as that legacy unfolds. Gloria Harris passed away just days ago, but her spirit remains present in every life she touched, every door she opened, and every standard she set. She broke barriers so others could walk forward with confidence. She taught by example that service is sacred and that community comes first. Black History is not only written in headlines. It is written in decades of dedication. It is written in faith lived out loud. Gloria Harris is Black History.

Christian Menefee Christian Menefee  is Black History because his journey reflects service over self, courage over comfort, and a deep commitment to protecting everyday people through action, not rhetoric. Raised in Houston’s historic 18th Congressional District by two military parents, Christian Menefee was taught early the values of discipline, service, and standing up for what is right. He attended Houston public schools and, with the help of a Pell Grant, became the first in his family to graduate college. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio and went on to law school at Washington University in St. Louis. After law school, Christian made a deliberate decision to return home to Houston. While building a career as a commercial litigator, he devoted his time to service, volunteering at the hospital where his older brother had beaten cancer, leading civic organizations advocating for working families, and providing pro bono legal support to those harmed by injustice. He worked alongside the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, advised immigrant families impacted by the Muslim Ban, and challenged government overreach wherever it appeared. In 2020, Christian unseated a three term incumbent to become the youngest and first Black Harris County Attorney. From his first day in office, he used the law as a tool to protect people. When Texas leaders attempted to restrict voting rights and undermine election results, he fought them in court and won. When corporations polluted Black and Brown neighborhoods, he forced accountability and cleanup. When businesses price gouged families during natural disasters, he held them responsible. Christian also played a role in national legal efforts pushing back against Trump era policies, including attempts to cut funding for life saving medical research and deny birthright citizenship. While others talked about resistance, Christian built a record of results. Following the passing of Congressman Sylvester Turner, Christian Menefee was sworn into Congress to represent Texas’s 18th District. For the ceremony, he placed his hand on the same Bible his mother gave him as a child, a quiet reminder that his leadership is rooted in faith, family, and responsibility. His transition to Washington comes with urgency, balancing congressional duties with a rapidly approaching primary election, but his office has made clear he is prepared for the demands of the moment. Christian is running for Congress because he believes working people deserve a government that truly has their back. He has made clear commitments to raise wages, expand access to healthcare, protect reproductive rights, strengthen public education, safeguard voting rights, address environmental injustice, support labor and career pipelines, and rebuild neglected communities. His vision centers dignity, fairness, and opportunity for all. Christian Menefee is Black History because he represents a new generation of leadership grounded in preparation, courage, and accountability. He did not inherit power. He earned trust through service and action. Black History is not only about who came before us. It is about who is willing to stand up now. And Christian Menefee is doing exactly that.

Houston’s Date Night Scene Is Romantic, Bold, and Rooted in Culture Houston’s date night scene is vibrant, intimate, and deeply rooted in culture. Across the city, Black Owned restaurants and lounges continue to create spaces that celebrate love, connection, and unforgettable experiences, one dinner, one vibe, and one moment at a time. Whether you’re planning a Valentine’s Day date, a cozy night out, or an upscale evening to impress, this curated list highlights Black Owned date night spots in Houston that set the mood and leave a lasting impression. Juliet Juliet is a stylish dining experience known for its chic ambiance, flavorful dishes, and romantic atmosphere. Perfect for couples looking to enjoy elevated dining with a modern twist, Juliet delivers both vibes and visual appeal. Davis St. at Hermann Park Davis St. offers a refined dining experience with a warm, intimate setting. Known for its thoughtful menu and elegant presentation, this spot is ideal for couples who appreciate classic flavors and a sophisticated date night. Provarè Provarè blends luxury, nightlife, and dining into one unforgettable experience. With upscale décor and a lively atmosphere, it’s perfect for couples who want a date night that feels glamorous and high energy. Confessions Confessions is bold, stylish, and designed for late-night romance. This lounge-style experience is ideal for couples who enjoy sultry vibes, great music, and an environment that encourages connection after dark. FRNDS FRNDS offers a trendy, social-forward atmosphere that’s perfect for modern couples. Known for its inviting energy and creative cocktails, this spot is great for relaxed conversation and effortless chemistry. Rhay’s Rhay’s is an intimate dining destination with a cozy, romantic feel. Its warm ambiance and thoughtfully prepared dishes make it a great choice for couples looking for a more personal and intentional date night. Bungalow Bungalow delivers a stylish dining and lounge experience with a playful yet upscale vibe. Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day or just love a good aesthetic moment, this spot brings energy and charm. LOV3 Houston LOV3 Houston is a romantic concept centered around love, connection, and ambiance. With mood lighting and an intimate atmosphere, it’s an ideal destination for couples wanting a heartfelt and memorable evening. Winsome Prime Winsome Prime is an upscale steakhouse experience that exudes luxury and elegance. Perfect for milestone celebrations or Valentine’s dinner, this spot offers premium dining with an unforgettable atmosphere. Peachez Peachez combines soulful flavors with a fun and inviting vibe. Known for its lively energy and comforting dishes, it’s a great option for couples who enjoy good food, good music, and genuine connection. Support Black Owned Date Night Spots in Houston Supporting Black Owned businesses helps strengthen Houston’s local economy while preserving the culture and creativity that make the city special. Whether you’re booking a reservation, sharing this list, or planning your next date night, every choice makes an impact. For more curated lists, local business features, and community spotlights, follow Black Book Houston and continue discovering Black-owned businesses across the city.

Wellness is more than a trend; it’s a tradition rooted in rest, restoration, and intentional care. For generations, Black communities have prioritized healing through practices that nurture the mind, body, and spirit. This Black History Month, Black Book Houston is spotlighting 10 Black Owned wellness experiences that encourage balance, self care, and holistic well being. From spa treatments to herbal remedies and beauty focused wellness, these spaces are redefining what it means to slow down and pour back into yourself. Camellia Alise Camellia Alise offers a wellness experience centered on intentional care and self-renewal. Known for its calming approach and thoughtfully curated services, this space encourages relaxation and mindful restoration. Escape Escape provides a serene environment designed to help clients disconnect and recharge. With a focus on stress relief and self-care, this wellness space offers an experience rooted in relaxation and renewal. Renu Herbs Renu Herbs focuses on natural wellness through herbal remedies and holistic practices. This space supports healing from the inside out, offering plant-based solutions rooted in tradition and intentional living. Tight Squeeze Tight Squeeze specializes in body-focused wellness designed to support recovery and relaxation. Known for its targeted approach, this space helps clients feel restored, refreshed, and rebalanced. Cheat Sheet Wellness Spa Cheat Sheet Wellness Spa blends modern spa treatments with intentional self-care practices. This space is dedicated to helping clients prioritize wellness through personalized and rejuvenating experiences. Blossom & Sol Blossom & Sol offers holistic wellness services centered on balance, energy, and self-awareness. With a calming atmosphere and intentional practices, this space supports both inner and outer well being. Come Bee Well House Come Bee Well House creates a nurturing environment focused on rest, healing, and holistic care. This wellness space encourages slowing down and reconnecting with yourself in a supportive setting. River Oaks Galleria Medspa River Oaks Galleria Medspa delivers beauty-forward wellness experiences designed to enhance confidence and self care. This space blends aesthetics with wellness for an elevated, restorative experience. Dranny Dream Wellness Dranny Dream Wellness focuses on mind-body wellness through services designed to promote relaxation and balance. This space supports intentional rest and self-care as part of everyday living. Queen Aesthetics Queen Aesthetics offers wellness and beauty services rooted in confidence, care, and empowerment. With an emphasis on self-investment, this space encourages clients to prioritize themselves unapologetically. Support Black Owned Wellness Experiences Supporting Black Owned wellness businesses helps sustain spaces that center rest, healing, and community care. Whether you’re booking a service, sharing these experiences, or simply exploring new ways to prioritize wellness, your support matters. For more curated wellness lists, local features, and community spotlights, follow Black Book Houston  and continue supporting Black Owned businesses.

Mental health is an essential part of our legacy. For generations, Black communities have created spaces for healing, restoration, and emotional well being, often in the face of systems that did not make room for our experiences. This Black History Month, Black Book Houston is spotlighting 10 Black Owned mental health spaces that are doing the work of supporting individuals, families, and communities through therapy, wellness, and intentional care. These spaces offer more than services; they provide safety, understanding, and culturally responsive healing. Real WorX Therapy Real WorX Therapy focuses on practical, client-centered mental health support rooted in real-life experiences. With an emphasis on growth, accountability, and emotional wellness, this practice creates space for healing that feels relatable and grounded. Therapy With Dr. Jones Therapy With Dr. Jones offers thoughtful, professional care designed to support emotional clarity and personal development. Known for an intentional and affirming approach, this space prioritizes mental wellness through compassion and expertise. Aligned Mastery Group Aligned Mastery Group centers holistic healing and personal alignment. Through therapy and wellness-focused services, this group supports individuals seeking balance, clarity, and intentional growth. Healing Girl Season Healing Girl Season creates a nurturing environment focused on emotional restoration and self-awareness. This space is dedicated to helping individuals—especially women—navigate healing journeys with intention and care. iWin Counseling I Win Counseling empowers clients to take ownership of their mental health and personal growth. With a strength-based approach, this practice supports individuals in building resilience and emotional well-being. Intimate Connections Intimate Connections focuses on relationships, communication, and emotional intimacy. Through therapeutic support, this space helps individuals and couples foster healthier connections with themselves and others. Elle Ross Speaks Elle Ross Speaks blends mental health advocacy with emotional wellness education. Known for impactful conversations and intentional guidance, this space encourages healing through self-reflection and empowerment. Beatrice Speaks Beatrice Speaks offers compassionate mental health support rooted in understanding and authenticity. This space emphasizes emotional awareness, personal growth, and culturally responsive care. Missing Piece Foundation Missing Piece Foundation is dedicated to supporting mental wellness through community-focused initiatives and resources. Their work centers healing, education, and access to mental health support for underserved communities. Truth Therapy & Wellness Truth Therapy & Wellness provides a holistic approach to mental health, blending therapeutic services with wellness practices. This space focuses on helping clients find clarity, balance, and emotional alignment. Support Black Owned Mental Health Spaces Supporting Black Owned mental health professionals helps strengthen our communities and normalize conversations around healing and wellness. Whether you’re seeking therapy, sharing resources, or amplifying these spaces, your support makes a difference. For more curated lists, wellness features, and community spotlights, follow Black Book Houston  and continue exploring Black Owned businesses making an impact.

Houston’s sports bar scene is loud, proud, and deeply rooted in culture. Across the city, Black Owned sports bars continue to create spaces where community, good food, and game day energy come together; making every watch party feel like home. Whether you’re looking for big screens, strong drinks, or a crowd that actually knows football, this curated list highlights Black Owned sports bars in Houston where the Super Bowl experience goes beyond the game. Prospect Park Prospect Park is known for its high-energy atmosphere, large screens, and consistent crowd. With multiple locations across Houston, it’s a go-to spot for watching major games while enjoying great food, music, and a lively social scene. Bar 5015 Bar 5015 offers a neighborhood sports bar feel with a laid-back vibe. It’s a solid option for catching the game, grabbing drinks, and enjoying a relaxed environment without sacrificing the fun. 3D’s Krazy Kitchen Bar + Lounge 3D’s Krazy Kitchen Bar + Lounge blends comfort food, cocktails, and a party-ready atmosphere. Known for its flavorful menu and upbeat energy, it’s a great spot to watch the game and keep the celebration going. Faces Faces is a staple in Houston’s nightlife and sports bar scene. With a vibrant crowd, strong drinks, and a lively environment, it’s a popular destination for big game days and social gatherings. The Spot Eado The Spot Eado combines a sports bar vibe with a community-centered atmosphere. With plenty of screens and an energetic crowd, it’s a solid choice for watching the Super Bowl while enjoying good food and drinks. Kamp Kamp delivers a high end sports lounge experience with a stylish setting, premium drinks, and top-tier entertainment. It’s perfect for those who want to watch the game in an elevated, upscale environment. The Quad The Quad is a social hub known for its outdoor space, DJs, and energetic crowd. On game day, it transforms into a lively destination where sports, music, and community intersect. Taste Budzzz Sports Bar Taste Budzzz Sports Bar is all about good food and good vibes. Known for its flavorful menu and welcoming atmosphere, it’s a great place to enjoy the Super Bowl while supporting a Black Owned establishment. Paradise HTX Paradise HTX offers a fun, upbeat sports bar experience with strong drinks and a lively crowd. It’s a popular spot for game days, celebrations, and connecting with the Houston community. Daiqs Daiqs is known for its frozen drinks, casual vibe, and social atmosphere. It’s an easygoing option for watching the game while enjoying signature daiquiris and a relaxed crowd. Support Black Owned Sports Bars in Houston Supporting Black Owned businesses helps strengthen Houston’s local economy and preserves the culture that makes the city unique. Whether you’re pulling up for the Super Bowl, stopping by for drinks, or sharing these spots with friends, every show of support matters. For more curated lists, local business features, and community spotlights, follow Black Book Houston  and continue exploring Black Owned Businesses across the city.

Angel Cornelius Angel Cornelius  is Black History because she proves that innovation does not have an age limit and that lived experience can be the most powerful research and development tool of all. Her journey reflects courage, reinvention, and the ability to build national impact from the most humble beginnings. Angel Cornelius is a New Orleans native whose love for beauty began early. As a child, she spent time in the kitchen mixing elixirs and experimenting with ingredients, never imagining that those moments would later shape a thriving beauty brand. Years later, after deciding to step away from chemical relaxers and toxic beauty products in 2012, she became frustrated with an industry that failed to serve women like her with products that were both clean and effective. Rather than settle, Angel returned to the kitchen. She began blending multi purpose body butters and creams using simple, pure ingredients that performed across climates without leaving oily residue or stickiness. Her signature Pomegranate Kiss Body Butter quickly gained attention through her church community in Sugar Land, Texas. Word spread organically, and what started as a personal solution soon became a movement. In 2016, Angel’s products reached nearly 15,000 ESSENCE BeautyBox subscribers. That moment officially launched Maison 276  and catapulted the brand to national recognition. The name Maison 276 pays homage to her New Orleans roots while signaling craftsmanship, intention, and care. Angel continued to innovate, introducing the Maison 276 3 Step System for silver and blonde hair. This groundbreaking system brightens and hydrates hair without harsh purple dyes, addressing the unique needs of mature hair with respect and science. True to her process, Angel personally hand blends each formula before taking it to the lab for mass production, ensuring quality and integrity remain central. At 57 years old, Angel made the bold decision to leave her lifelong career in healthcare management to pursue entrepreneurship full time. What followed was a rapid education in manufacturing, formulation, and scaling. From learning that manufacturers would not turn machines on for small batches to navigating national retail opportunities, Angel adapted quickly while staying rooted in authenticity. Her next major breakthrough came through televised retail. After a successful appearance on a home shopping network, Angel went on to win a competition on QVC, expanding Maison 276’s reach even further. Today, the brand is nationally distributed and widely respected for its clean formulations and honest messaging. At the heart of Angel’s work is a commitment to middle aged women. She rejects narratives centered on age correction and instead celebrates evolution, confidence, and vitality. Maison 276 reflects the belief that midlife is not a decline but a powerful chapter filled with clarity, strength, and beauty. Angel Cornelius is Black History because she built a brand that honors truth, experience, and community. She turned personal pain points into products that serve thousands. She chose evolution over fear and proved that it is never too late to create something extraordinary. Black History is not only about where we start. It is about the courage to begin again. And Angel Cornelius did exactly that.

J. Prince J. Prince  is Black History because his life reflects ownership, resilience, and the power of building institutions from the ground up. Raised in Houston’s Fifth Ward, J. Prince transformed adversity into opportunity and helped shape the sound, business, and independence of Southern hip hop. In 1986, he founded Rap-A-Lot Records , a label that would forever change music history. At a time when Southern artists were often overlooked by the industry, Rap-A-Lot became a platform for authentic voices rooted in lived experience. Through artists such as the Geto Boys, Scarface, UGK, Bun B, Pimp C, Devin the Dude, Z-Ro, and Trae tha Truth, J. Prince proved that Houston could lead culture on its own terms. J. Prince was more than a label head. He was a strategist and executive producer who helped deliver some of hip hop’s most influential albums. Projects like We Can’t Be Stopped , The Diary , The World Is Yours , and My Homies  became cultural cornerstones, shaping how the South was heard and respected worldwide. His early belief in independence and ownership inspired a generation of music executives, including leaders behind Cash Money and No Limit Records. His influence also extended beyond music. J. Prince played a pivotal role in bridging relationships across the industry, including mentoring and advising artists during critical moments. Alongside his sons, he helped connect Drake with Lil Wayne, a move that helped launch one of the most impactful careers in modern music. His guidance has often been sought not just for business, but for conflict resolution and respect driven leadership. Outside the studio, J. Prince built success in boxing, managing and advising world class fighters such as Floyd Mayweather Jr., Andre Ward, and Shakur Stevenson. He also invested heavily in community infrastructure, opening boxing gyms and recreation spaces in Houston’s Fifth Ward to provide opportunity and structure for young people. His entrepreneurial reach includes ventures in health education, agriculture, and spirits, all anchored by a commitment to reinvestment. Through initiatives like his HIV prevention efforts, youth programs, and charitable giving, J. Prince consistently redirected success back into the community that raised him. In recognition of his impact, the City of Houston honored him with an official James Prince Day for decades of service and dedication. J. Prince is widely regarded as one of the godfathers of the rap industry, but his legacy goes beyond music. He demonstrated that Black ownership, when paired with discipline and vision, can build lasting institutions. He showed that power does not have to abandon responsibility and that respect, when practiced intentionally, can shape culture across generations. Black History is not only about breaking into rooms. It is about building rooms others can stand in. And J. Prince did exactly that for Houston and the world.

Nia Gilliam Nia Gilliam  is Black History because her life represents courage, vision, and the relentless pursuit of access where none existed. She did not wait to see herself reflected in the aviation industry. She built a runway for others to follow. Nia knew she wanted to become a pilot at just ten years old, despite never having seen a Black pilot and being told, directly and indirectly, that women did not belong in the cockpit. Supported by a determined mother and fueled by curiosity found in books at the local library, she held onto a dream few around her believed was possible. That dream carried her from flight training to becoming one of the few Black female airline pilots in the United States. In 2016, a single question changed everything. When Nia and fellow aviator Angel Jean Charles asked how many Black women were actively flying in commercial or military aviation, they could only name about twenty. That realization sparked the creation of Sisters of the Skies , a nonprofit dedicated to increasing the number of women of color in professional flight decks through fellowship, mentorship, and scholarships. What began as an informal gathering of Black female pilots near Chicago quickly grew into a nationally recognized organization. Sisters of the Skies officially became a nonprofit in 2017 and has since awarded more than one million dollars in flight training scholarships to over fifty women. Through its Girls Rock Wings outreach program, hundreds of young girls have experienced discovery flights, toured control towers, flown simulators, and seen firsthand that aviation is a space where they belong. Nia’s impact extends far beyond organizational leadership. As an Airline Transport Pilot, she has flown multiple aircraft types on domestic and international routes. Her career includes moments of profound history, including witnessing the events of September 11, 2001 from the flight deck. That experience is central to her forthcoming memoir, which reflects on resilience, responsibility, and the weight of being present in pivotal moments of history. Her journey has also included deeply personal battles. As a breast cancer survivor, Nia faced years of surgeries, recovery, and uncertainty while continuing to lead, mentor, and advocate for others. Through that experience, she became an even stronger voice for health awareness, wellness, and perseverance among women, particularly Black women who often face disparities in care and outcomes. Sisters of the Skies has earned national recognition, including the prestigious Henderson Trophy from the National Aeronautic Association, with the award displayed at the National Air and Space Museum. The organization and Nia’s personal story have been featured on Good Morning America, PBS American Masters, Bloomberg, The Kelly Clarkson Show, and numerous other platforms highlighting the importance of representation in aviation. Now based in Houston, Nia continues to serve as a leader, mentor, and advocate while raising the next generation. She is a proud mother whose influence reaches both her children and countless young women who now see a future in the skies because she chose to act. Nia Gilliam is Black History because she transformed isolation into sisterhood and adversity into access. She proved that representation is not symbolic. It is life changing. Black History is not only about breaking ceilings. It is about lifting others as you climb. And Nia Gilliam continues to do exactly that.