High school students in San Jose form swastika on football field, post image with Hitler quote on social media

By Tim Fang

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    SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX) — Authorities in San Jose have launched a hate crime investigation after students at a high school formed what was described as a “human swastika” on the school’s football field.

San Jose police told CBS News Bay Area that officers responded to the campus of Branham High School Friday morning for a hate crime that allegedly happened two days prior.

“Students shared a photo via social media of a ‘human swastika’ made with their persons,” police said Monday.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, a group of students formed a swastika with their bodies on the school’s football field. The students then posted a photo on social media with an antisemitic quote from Adolf Hitler.

The incident was denounced by school and local leaders.

“Our message to the community is clear: this was a disturbing and unacceptable act of antisemitism. Actions that target, demean, or threaten Jewish students have no place at Branham,” said principal Beth Silbergeld. “Many in our community were rightly appalled by the image. Personally, I am horrified by this act. Professionally, I am confident and hopeful that our school community can learn from this moment and emerge stronger and more united.”

Silbergeld said the photo was shared via an anonymous tip line on Wednesday evening and school staff worked quickly to identify the students involved. Citing the Family Rights and Privacy Acts, the principal said the school is prohibited from sharing the names and details of discipline actions for the involved students.

The principal added that the school was “implementing multiple educational approaches” to help students understand the history of the Holocaust and impact of hate symbols, hate speech and antisemitism.

Silbergeld said Branham also will be partnering with the Anti-Defamation League, Bay Area Jewish Coalition and the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Bay Area “to ensure we have the appropriate support and resources as we work to repair the harm caused.”

State Sen. Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) said in a statement that he was “deeply disturbed” by the incident.

“Acts of hatred—no matter where they occur—have a profound impact on our young people, our families, and our broader community. There is absolutely no place for anti-Semitism, or any form of bigotry, in our schools or in our society,” Cortese said.

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Remains found near Roseville in 1986 identified as missing Sacramento County woman

By Cecilio Padilla

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    SACRAMENTO (KOVR) — Remains found nearly four decades ago have finally been identified as those of a woman reported missing in 1982.

Marjorie Linehan was reported missing in October 1982 out of Sacramento County. She was 49 years old at the time.

Part of a human skull was later found along Dry Creek near Booth Road outside of Roseville in February 1986. Investigators weren’t able to identify the remains with the technology available at the time.

The Placer County Cold Case Team has since been taking advantage of advancements in DNA technology to re-examine old cases.

On Tuesday, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office announced that DNA analysis found the remains belonged to Linehan.

No foul play was suspected at the time of Linehan’s disappearance, and no cause of death can be determined from the partial remains.

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Vigilante volunteer who paints crosswalks at dangerous LA intersections arrested for vandalism

By Laurie Perez, Dean Fioresi

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    LOS ANGELES (KCAL, KCBS) — A Los Angeles man who has gained popularity in recent months for his volunteer vigilantism by painting crosswalks at busy and dangerous intersections across the city was arrested over the weekend for alleged vandalism.

Jonathan Hale, who says his work is an act of civil disobedience and a protest with paint brushes, says that he’s just doing the work that the city isn’t.

“Too many people die for us to not act with urgency on this,” Hale said.

He was inspired by a nonprofit organization called Crosswalk Collective, which similarly paints crosswalks across Los Angeles to create safer conditions for pedestrians and drivers. They target intersections or areas where pedestrians have been hit or killed, but only after first asking the city to take action. After a few months without help, they take matters into their own hands.

He was with a group of other vigilante volunteers on Sunday at the corner of Kelton Avenue and Wilton Avenue in Westwood, painting another set of crosswalks, when he was arrested by Los Angeles police.

Though the crowd of volunteers tried to defend him, an LAPD officer can be heard explaining the arrest in cellphone video captured during his detainment.

“Vandalizing city property without a permit, so I’m gonna ask you all nicely,” the officer says. “You can record all you want, but back up, or I will take everybody to jail.”

Hale’s group has taken street safety into their own hands since July, when they took to the intersections surrounding Stoner Park in the Sawtelle neighborhood of West LA. In that instance, city crews responded to the area days after the volunteer’s work first appeared. They removed the community-painted sections and replaced them with the official white paint.

The city also installed a roundabout in the area to slow traffic around the busy park. Hale applauds the city for that, but says that their work, permitted or not, will continue.

“I saw this ad on a bus stop mention, it said that guns are the leading cause of death for kids in the United States,” Hale said. “I realized that’s not true in Los Angeles, I believe cars are the leading cause for kids.”

Mayor Karen Bass’ office responded to a request for comment from CBS Los Angeles, sharing a statement that said, in part: “Despite communication about City, State and Federal laws and parameters, Jonathan has chosen to continue to pursue his own course of action. Our office called him again today to offer to work together.”

Hale says he’s open to the idea and that his group would only stop if Mayor Bass’ office publicly condemns them or makes safer streets an urgent priority.

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Colorado man pleads guilty to killing champion dog breeder, aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon

By Austen Erblat

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    COLORADO (KCNC) — A 37-year-old Colorado man pleaded guilty on Monday to the murder of a champion dog breeder and robbery after stealing his puppies in Idaho Springs last year.

Sergio Ferrer pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon, both felonies. Police say he killed 57-year-old Paul Peavey and stole several Dobermann pinscher puppies that Peavey bred.

Ferrer was also charged with first-degree murder, tampering with a dead body, burglary, and theft valued between $20,000 and $100,000, but those charges were dismissed as part of a plea deal, court records show.

Peavey was discovered dead at his home in late August 2024, several days after friends said they couldn’t reach him. Friends and neighbors told CBS News Colorado at the time that four adult Dobermanns were on his property in the 1000 block of Two Brothers Road in Idaho Springs, but the 10 puppies he was raising were gone.

The Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office admitted to not initially handling the investigation with as much care as it should have.

“There were some missteps in our initial reaction and response to the reports that came in on Wednesday evening,” sheriff’s office spokesperson Jenny Fulton said at the time. “There were some additional things that we should have done, including push information out on Mr. Peavey while he was reported missing on our social media sites.”

Days later, after more friends called the sheriff’s office, a deputy came to Peavey’s property to investigate, but “he didn’t have reason to believe there was foul play,” Fulton said.

Several more days went by before a deputy returned and found Peavey’s body in “about 4 minutes,” Bruce Boynton, a friend of Peavey’s and organizer of a volunteer search party, told CBS Colorado.

It was another blemish on the department, still in the spotlight from the killing of Christian Glass by a Clear Creek deputy in 2022.

Ferrer was arrested on an unrelated warrant for a weapons charge out of Hamilton County, Nebraska, on Aug. 24, 2024.

The existence of some of the stolen puppies was reported to law enforcement by the mother of a friend of one of Ferrer’s children, who said she heard her daughter talking with a friend about puppies for sale.

After interviews with several witnesses and acquaintances of Ferrer, law enforcement from multiple agencies served a search warrant on the home Ferrer was staying at, where they found items stolen from Peavey’s property, a 9mm handgun, clothing with blood on it, and other items.

Ferrer was interviewed at the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office. Officials say he changed his story multiple times, initially saying he bought a puppy from Peavey. He also said that, at one point, Peavey shot at him, that he shot Peavey in self-defense, and that he later covered Peavey’s body, “out of respect,” according to an arrest warrant. He told investigators he couldn’t remember if he stole any items from Peavey’s property.

He later admitted to taking the puppies and giving them away in Denver.

Ferrer is set to be sentenced on Jan. 12, court records show, and he faces the possibility of 16 to 48 years in prison. He was represented by the Public Defender’s Office.

His wife, Ana Ferrer, was arrested in connection with the case on April 4 of this year and pleaded guilty in September to felony accessory to a crime and misdemeanor theft. As part of her plea deal, an additional accessory charge and a tampering with evidence charge were dismissed, and she received a deferred sentence.

Three of the puppies have since been located. The Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office on Monday told CBS Colorado that the other seven are still unaccounted for. Of the four adult Dobermanns that were taken to the shelter, three were released to a friend and family members of Peavey’s, and the fourth was given to a rescue.

Peavey’s friend Boynton described him as “a phenomenal dog trainer,” going on to say that Peavey trained service dogs, often walking them through town without a leash. “He was better than the rest of us.”

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8 critically endangered African penguin chicks born at Maryland Zoo

By JT Moodee Lockman

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    BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Eight African penguins hatched at the Maryland Zoo during the recent breeding season, adding to the population of the critically endangered animal, officials said Monday.

The zookeepers have chosen to name the birds after fruits and vegetables. The first two names – Kiwi and Cayenne – were announced Monday. More names will be announced in the coming weeks, according to zoo officials.

Maryland Zoo Bird Curator Jen Kottyan said the number of wild African penguins is declining dramatically, despite their classification as a protected species.

Data shows African penguins could become extinct within the next ten years.

“If we can fix the issues these birds face in the wild, such as overfishing and habitat loss, one day penguins from our highly managed SSP could be sent to their native South Africa and Namibia to repopulate the wild colonies, which means every chick hatched here is important to this species’ global survival,” Kottyan said.

Breeding season for African penguins at the zoo is between mid-September and the end of February, according to zoo officials. The timeline mimics the spring to summer breeding season that African penguins follow in their native habitats in South Africa and Namibia.

The Maryland Zoo has the largest collection of African penguins in North America, with more than 1,000 chicks hatched in the past 50 years.

While some of the chicks stay at the zoo in Baltimore, some have been sent to help establish new colonies at zoos and aquariums in 35 states and in Canada, according to zoo officials.

African penguins at the Maryland Zoo At the end of the previous breeding season, a new female penguin – Gerry from the Monterey Bay Aquarium – joined the Maryland Zoo to breed with a genetically matched male after a recommendation by the African Penguin Species Survival Plan.

In 2024, two African penguin chicks hatched during the breeding season.

In September 2024, the Maryland Zoo euthanized its oldest African penguin, known as Mr. Greedy.

Mr. Greedy outlived the median life expectancy for his species at 33 years old, and he left behind 230 descendants.

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South Florida man detained at “Alligator Alcatraz” says he wants to be deported: “Allow me to leave this country”

By Ivan Taylor

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    MIAMI (WFOR) — A South Florida man being held at the immigration detention site known as “Alligator Alcatraz” told CBS News Miami he wants to be deported, as international human rights advocates raise concerns over conditions inside the facility deep in the Florida Everglades.

Alexis Rodriguez, 59, a Cuban national, was detained last month after reporting for what his family says was a routine appointment at the Miramar immigration office — something he’s done for 25 years.

His wife, Magda Berge, said Rodriguez appeared at the center on Nov. 5, when officers informed him he would not be returning home.

“In Miramar they told him, ‘you’re going to be detained because we’re going to execute your deportation order,'” Berge said.

Federal records show Rodriguez was convicted in the late 1990s on cocaine trafficking and smuggling charges. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lists his case – including a two-year federal sentence – on a recently launched public website.

“I know he made a mistake, and he made it more than 25 years ago. He paid for that mistake,” Berge said.

While CBS News Miami interviewed her, Rodriguez called from detention. Speaking in Spanish, he pleaded for one thing:

“The only thing I am asking for is to allow me to leave this country,” he said.

Rodriguez said he has been held at the facility for more than a month. He described food that arrives cold, in small portions, and says detainees are allowed to shower once every three days.

He says he stopped taking medication because of conditions “The food is terrible – very little, and they give it to you cold,” he said, adding that 32 detainees share three bathrooms located beside their living area.

He also claims he has stopped eating and taking medication despite being diabetic, saying he cannot tolerate the conditions.

A 61-page report released last week by Amnesty International includes accounts from four immigrants held at the Krome Detention Center who said they spent time at the Everglades facility. The report alleges:

People detained in “Alligator Alcatraz” are being held in inhumane conditions, including overflowing toilets leaking fecal matter, restricted shower access, insect exposure, constant overnight lighting, poor food quality, limited clean water, and lack of privacy.

CBS News Miami contacted the Florida Division of Emergency Management – the state agency overseeing the facility. A spokesperson pushed back strongly against Amnesty International’s claims.

“This ‘report’ is nothing more than a politically motivated attack. None of these fabrications are true,” said Molly Best, Press Secretary of the Executive Office of the Governor, in a statement.

Berge says her husband’s health is deteriorating, and she hopes speaking publicly will bring attention to the conditions.

“Obviously we want people to hear what we’re experiencing, because it’s really bad,” she said.

ICE states that only foreign governments – not detainees – decide whether they will accept a person facing removal.

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TDECU Welcomes Two New Leaders to Board as Credit Union Enters a New Era

By Francis Page, Jr.

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    December 8, 2025 (Houston Style Magazine) — Since 1955, TDECU has served communities across Houston and the Gulf Coast as a member-owned financial cooperative focused on access, service, and financial empowerment. Now, as the region’s largest credit union positions itself for a more technology-driven future, TDECU has added two new members to its Board of Directors: Retired U.S. Army General Charles R. Hamilton and entrepreneur and financial strategist Rushi Patel.

Their appointments reflect the credit union’s continued emphasis on strong governance, strategic leadership, and long-term growth for its more than 380,000 members.

A New Era of Strategic Excellence

Board Chair Roland Hendricks described the appointments as a significant step in shaping TDECU’s direction and strengthening its ability to anticipate change and deliver innovative solutions for members and communities.

General Charles R. Hamilton (Ret.): Global Operational Leader with Houston Roots

Retired U.S. Army General Charles R. Hamilton brings more than four decades of military leadership and organizational command experience. Hamilton previously served as the 21st Commanding General of the U.S. Army Materiel Command, one of the Army’s largest logistics and sustainment organizations. In that role, he oversaw a global workforce spread across all 50 states and more than 150 countries and directed a multibillion-dollar operational portfolio.

Hamilton is also the founder of C3R Hamilton Consulting Group, advising organizations on strategy, operational readiness, and risk mitigation.

His academic background includes:

B.S. in Business Administration – Virginia State University Master’s degrees in Public Administration and Military Studies Executive programs completed at Harvard Business School and the Center for Creative Leadership

His expertise in large-scale logistics, cybersecurity preparedness, and enterprise planning aligns with TDECU’s increasing focus on technology, operational efficiency, and organizational resilience.

Rushi Patel: Entrepreneur, Financial Strategist & Community Leader

Rushi Patel adds extensive experience in business development, financial planning, and operations management. As co-founder of Omkar Enterprises, LLC, Patel has been involved in real-estate development and commercial projects in Brazoria County, including hotel and hospitality properties.

His academic credentials include:

B.S. in Accounting – University of South Carolina Master’s in Taxation – University of South Carolina Patel has also held civic and advisory roles with:

City of Pearland Council HCA Houston Healthcare Pearland Pearland Municipal Management District No. 2 Moody National Bank (Advisory capacity) His background in finance and community-based leadership complements the board’s focus on member service and local economic growth.

Leadership Aligned with TDECU’s Mission

TDECU President & CEO Isaac Johnson emphasized that both board members bring experience that will strengthen the credit union’s ability to navigate evolving financial, technological, and operational challenges.

Their combined expertise supports TDECU’s priorities in:

Community investment and financial literacy Digital banking modernization and cybersecurity Strategic expansion and service enhancements Long-term planning responsive to Houston’s economic landscape What This Means for TDECU Members

The addition of Hamilton and Patel reinforces TDECU’s member-focused strategy, supporting initiatives that include:

Enhanced digital tools and security capabilities Growth in service offerings and branch accessibility Continued investment in community partnerships Forward-looking leadership to support regional development A Continued Commitment to Community Financial Empowerment

For seven decades, TDECU has focused on expanding financial opportunity across Houston and surrounding regions. With General Hamilton and Rushi Patel joining the Board of Directors, the credit union enters its next chapter with strengthened leadership and a renewed commitment to service, strategy, and community impact.

Two leaders. One credit union. A future built on expertise and member-first vision.

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Airbnb Unveils Historic $1M+ Investment to Elevate Houston Ahead of FIFA World Cup 26™

By Francis Page, Jr.

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    December 8, 2025 (Houston Style Magazine) — Houston took center stage this morning as Airbnb announced its largest-ever investment in the Houston community—a transformative commitment of more than $1 million designed to strengthen neighborhoods, expand sustainable infrastructure, and open new pathways for youth soccer ahead of FIFA World Cup 26™. Held at the Columbia Tap Rail-Trail & Blodgett Street, the announcement underscored Houston’s growing global relevance as a World Cup host and community innovator.

Surrounded by city and county leaders, community champions, and FIFA Legend DaMarcus Beasley, Airbnb introduced its ambitious Host City Impact Program initiatives with a clear message: Houston deserves investments that last long after the final match.

A Major Milestone for Houston’s World Cup Legacy

The $1M+ commitment marks the largest Houston investment in Airbnb’s history and reinforces the company’s pledge to ensure that major global events leave meaningful, lasting benefits for local residents. Today’s announcement centered on two cornerstone efforts:

The Green Corridor – A 14-Mile Sustainability Loop for Houston

A highlight of the Impact Houston 26 sustainability pillar, the Green Corridor will create a connected mobility network linking key World Cup venues from EaDo to NRG Stadium. This 14-mile loop will offer shaded pathways, water stations, native plantings, interactive wayfinding, and biodiversity education. Designed for both residents and global visitors, the project promotes walkability, heat relief, connectivity, and environmental resilience. Long after fans depart, the Green Corridor will remain a gift to Houstonians, enriching daily life and elevating green public spaces.

Grow the Game – Expanding Soccer Access for Houston Youth

A citywide initiative committed to opening doors for children of all backgrounds, Grow the Game will use Airbnb’s investment to renovate fields, provide free and low-cost soccer clinics, supply uniforms and equipment, and build certification pathways for coaches and referees. Hundreds of young Houstonians will have access to year-round opportunities to learn, compete, and thrive through the world’s most beloved sport.

Key Voices Celebrate a New Chapter for Houston

From civic leaders to world-class athletes, the message was unified: the World Cup is about people, pride, and progress.

Laura Spanjian, Airbnb’s Director of Global Policy, emphasized both economic impact and community benefit. “Airbnb guests alone are projected to generate $372 million in GDP next summer,” she said. “Our investment ensures that this momentum directly strengthens Houston neighborhoods.”

Chris Canetti, President of the FIFA World Cup 26™ Houston Host Committee, called the partnership “a generational opportunity” to uplift the city.

Councilmember Julian Ramirez highlighted the citywide impact: “The Green Corridor and Grow the Game initiatives make Houston more accessible, more connected, and more equitable.”

Jerry Davis, Former Vice Mayor Pro-Tem, noted the investment’s long-term effects on youth and neighborhood vitality.

DaMarcus Beasley, former USMNT and Houston Dynamo standout, added heart to the moment: “Every soccer dream starts with access. Today brings that dream closer for Houston’s kids.”

Kimberly Phipps-Nichol of Friends of Columbia Tap Trail celebrated the recognition of the historic trail as a vital mobility lifeline for World Cup travel.

A Houston Legacy That Extends Beyond 2026

Houston Style Magazine readers, today’s announcement proves what Houstonians already know: our city isn’t just hosting the world—we’re preparing for a brighter, greener, more connected future. With Airbnb’s historic investment, Houston’s World Cup legacy will be measured not only in matches played, but in communities strengthened and opportunities created for generations.

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Mardi Gras! Galveston 2026 Doubles the Entertainment Lineup, Ushers In a New Era of Coastal Celebration

By Francis Page, Jr.

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    December 8, 2025 (Houston Style Magazine) — For more than a century, Mardi Gras! Galveston has stood as one of Texas’ most vibrant cultural traditions—an island celebration where history, music, pageantry, and Gulf Coast flavor collide in spectacular fashion. Now, as the festival prepares to launch its 115th anniversary season from Friday, February 6 through Tuesday, February 17, 2026, organizers are turning up the volume with double the entertainment, double the energy, and a renewed commitment to preserving the rich legacy of Mardi Gras on the Texas coast.

This year’s theme is simple: bigger beats, brighter colors, and a bolder lineup than ever before.

Mardi Gras! Galveston, the third-largest Mardi Gras celebration in the United States, is raising the bar for 2026 with a high-powered slate of performers including Logan Ryan, Wade Bowen, Gym Class Heroes, and Houston’s own Lil’ Keke—a lineup designed to bring together fans of country, rock, pop, hip-hop, and Texas culture under one glittering Gulf Coast sky.

“Mardi Gras! Galveston has grown into one of the most diverse and exciting music celebrations in the entire state,” said organizer Mike Dean, noting that more than 3 million beads, 20+ parades, iconic balcony parties, and nonstop live entertainment make this festival a true regional powerhouse.

A Texas-Sized Opening Weekend

The festivities kick off on Friday, February 6, when red dirt country sensation Logan Ryan transforms The Strand into a beachside honky-tonk. With storytelling hits like “Signed, Love Wynonna,” “Tecovas,” and “Cigarettes and Alcohol,” Ryan’s coastal country sound is set to electrify the night and set the tone for an unforgettable opening weekend.

The excitement continues on Saturday, February 7, with Texas country mainstay Wade Bowen, known for his soulful Americana roots and dynamic stage presence. Bowen’s ability to captivate audiences with both high-energy anthems and heartfelt ballads ensures a standout performance tailor-made for Texas music lovers.

National Acts Ignite Week Two

As week two unfolds, Mardi Gras! Galveston pivots to national-charting talent beginning Thursday, February 13, when multi-platinum group Gym Class Heroes hit the stage. Their signature fusion of pop, rock, and hip-hop promises a lively, genre-blending performance perfect for Mardi Gras crowds ready to dance.

Then on Friday, February 14, Houston takes center stage as Lil’ Keke—a pioneering figure of the city’s legendary Screwed Up Click—brings his smooth Southern flow and defining Houston sound to the island. His Valentine’s Day performance is expected to draw one of the festival’s largest and most enthusiastic audiences.

Electric Mardi Gras Returns With Star DJs

For fans of nightlife and dance culture, Electric Mardi Gras returns with nationally recognized DJs straight from New York and Los Angeles.

Four Color Zack, a world champion turntablist, headlines on February 7 at 10 PM, bringing razor-sharp technical skill and unmatched energy. Angie Vee, one of L.A.’s most sought-after party DJs, takes the stage on February 13, infusing the island with a West Coast house-party vibe. More regional performers, stage schedules, and special appearances will be announced soon, further expanding the entertainment landscape.

A Festival That Honors Tradition While Embracing the Future

Houston Style Magazine readers, from family-friendly parades and dazzling costumes to balcony parties, marching bands, gourmet food, and unforgettable concerts, Mardi Gras! Galveston continues to honor its roots while evolving into a modern cultural experience tailored to visitors across generations.

Celebrating Mardi Gras in Galveston means celebrating vibrancy, diversity, and the enduring spirit of the Gulf Coast.

Discounted ticket packages are available now for a limited time. For tickets, parade maps, performer lineup updates, and full event details, visit MardiGrasGalveston.com.

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Francis Page, Jr
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Texas Southern University’s Global Future Expands: New NBEC Partnership Ignites Innovation, Cultural Exchange & Worldwide Academic Pathways

By Francis Page, Jr.

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    December 8, 2025 (Houston Style Magazine) — Texas Southern University, one of America’s most storied and influential Historically Black Colleges and Universities, has officially stepped onto an even larger global stage. With the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Black Empowerment Council (NBEC), TSU has unlocked a historic gateway to international academic partnerships, leadership exchanges, cultural diplomacy, and cutting-edge innovation opportunities that will elevate the next generation of Texas Southern scholars.

For an institution that has shaped leaders since 1927—from lawyers who fought landmark civil rights battles to scientists and creatives shaping today’s modern world—this agreement signals more than a collaboration. It signals a moment. A declaration that Houston’s HBCU powerhouse is ready to guide its students into the global future.

“Our mission is manifold,” said TSU President J.W. Crawford III, reflecting the University’s bold commitment. “We’re here to empower our students, faculty, staff, and community. This partnership connects TSU to academic exchanges, cultural dialogues, and leadership pipelines reaching from Houston to Israel and far beyond. It affirms the global significance of historically Black institutions.”

And significance is exactly the point.

This MOU draws a vibrant bridge between Texas Southern and NBEC—a national organization dedicated to strengthening Black communities through leadership, global engagement, and strategic partnerships. Together, the two institutions are weaving a new academic and cultural horizon that expands opportunity far beyond the traditional classroom.

NBEC Founder and President Darius Jones captured the gravity of this moment elegantly: “This partnership widens a world that young people will be able to step into—giving them access and networks that can’t be replicated on campus alone. And it strengthens the long-standing ties between Black and Jewish communities, whose shared history includes some of America’s most meaningful civil rights victories. At a time when rhetoric can divide, this collaboration reminds us what’s still possible when we build together.”

A Partnership Rooted in Legacy, Aiming for Global Leadership

Under the agreement, Texas Southern and NBEC will co-develop transformative initiatives designed to prepare TSU students to become global competitors and community-centered innovators.

Key Areas of Collaboration Include:

1. Global Academic Pathways & Innovation Hubs

Joint academic programs, international research collaborations, exchange opportunities, and innovation ecosystems tied to NBEC’s global partner network—opening new avenues in fields such as clean energy, artificial intelligence, fintech, and sustainable agriculture.

2. Strengthening Black-Jewish Alliances

Cultural diplomacy efforts, leadership forums, and historical dialogues that uplift the shared legacy—and future—of collaboration between Black and Jewish communities.

3. Expanding International Engagement for TSU Students & Faculty

Delegations, exchange programs, and global convenings—particularly through NBEC’s partnerships with Israeli universities—position TSU as a premier HBCU for international scholarship and innovation.

A Global Vision Rooted in Houston’s Core

As a special-purpose institution dedicated to urban programming, research, and access for underserved communities, Texas Southern University continues to honor its 98-year legacy while boldly reshaping what an HBCU can offer in the 21st century. This MOU is both a reflection of TSU’s past excellence and a catalyst for its global future.

For Houston—the most diverse city in America and a flourishing international hub—this partnership signals yet another example of how our institutions are shaping the world, not simply responding to it.

Texas Southern University is not just participating in the global conversation. It is leading it.

And for students dreaming boldly, innovating bravely, and preparing to change the world—this MOU is the door opening wide. More info: TSU.edu

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Francis Page, Jr
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