Community Newspaper Celebrates 50 Years of Reporting the Truth and Affecting Change

Hundreds of  people attended the 50 Years and Beyond Black Tie Scholarship Gala Saturday night to honor the legacy of  the Houston Forward Times.

The Houston Forward Times was founded in January, 1960, by Julius and Lenora “Doll”Carter and the newspaper is currently the largest independently owned and operated African-American weekly publication in the Southern region.

Karen Carter Richards currently serves as the publisher of the newspaper founded by her late parents.

During the celebration several people were honored for their demonstrated excellence and committment in their respective areas of expertise and public service. 

The honorees were: Director/choreographer/native Houstonian Debbie Allen and Houston’s first African American Police Chief, Dr. Lee P. Brown.  

Other honorees included: Xernona Clayton, Dr. Edith Irby Jones, Rev. William A. Lawson, Rev. Ray Martin and Michael Petrizzo.

Meanwhile, the A list crowd included: U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, Congressman Al Green, State Senator Rodney Ellis, Mayor Annise Parker,  Cary and Judge Clarice Rankin Yates,  Houston City Council member Clarence C.O. Bradford,Houston City Council member Wanda Adams, Fort Bend County Constable Ruben Davis and wife Sharon, State Rep. Ron Reynolds and Dr. Jonita Reynolds, Judy Faston, Merle Yarborough, Wash Allen, Mollie Stevenson, Cindy George and Sherea Cary.