Prairie View City Council Elections Completed

Today, May 18, the Houston FoodBank Mobile Unit and the St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church will hold its monthly distribution from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the church on 204 Dooley Street in Prairie View. There are no qualifications necessary, and persons may sign up for SNAP, Children’s Medicaid/CHIP and TANF programs. Patrons must be present and signed to receive the food. Patrons are urged to PLEASE bring bags and boxes for the items. For information and future schedules, contact - smtfrancispv@sbcglobal.net or call 936-857-3272.

The City of Prairie View held a special meeting on May 16 to address several pertinent items to include the selection of an accounting firm to conduct a forensic audit of certain city financial funds and accounts and approval of other changes. The council approved the changes with Prosperity Bank removing the signature of Shannon Smith as City Treasurer and adding Terry Tuck as Acting City Treasurer. Mayor David Allen released a city statement regarding the need for the change as it relate to the removal of Ms. Smith’s name.

The council also met in a special session on May 17 in the council chambers to canvas and validate the election results of May 6, 2017. The results of the election revealed: Position 1 – Brian Rowland (222) and Veda Brown (215), Position 2 – Jonathan Randle (incumbent - 198), Chandra Adams (93) and Maduforo Eze (15) and Position 3 – Marie Herndon (incumbent - 114), Darryl Johnson (128) and Kendric Jones (202). Rowland narrowly defeated Brown for a third term, while Herndon lost to newcomer Jones who is also the President of the Student Government Association at Prairie View A&M University. Following the canvas, the newly elected council members Brian Rowland, Position 1, Jonathan Randle (incumbent), Position 2 and Kendric Jones, Position 3. The new council members will be sworn in at the May 22 council meeting at City Hall on 44480 US Business 290. For more information, visit www.prairieviewtexas.gov.

The men of St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Prairie View will host its Men’s Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, May 20 at 8:30 a.m. -10:30 a.m. in the church’s Parish Hall at 204 Dooley Street. Mr. Kevin Riles, President and CEO of Kevin Riles Inc., – A Real Estate Services & Development Company. The Free breakfast is open to all men in the community. We ask that you confirm your attendance by calling 936-857-3272 or email: stfrancispv@sbcglobal.net.

Riles began his professional career as a systems analyst with ExxonMobil Corporation and furthered his employment with Clear Channel Communications (KMJQ), and Managed Information Systems. His wide array of business experience, coupled with his strong entrepreneurial desires lead him to form his own real estate and mortgage companies in 2000.

Riles is an author, adjunct professor at Prairie View A&M University, motivational speaker and radio and television talk show host. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Morehouse College and a Masters of Business Administration in Finance from University of Saint Thomas. He is a member of the Greater Houston Association of Mortgage Brokers, The Better Businesses Bureau, National Association of Realtors, Houston Association of Realtors, the National Association of Real Estate Brokers, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Kevin’s personal mission is to positively impact the lives of people socially, economically, and spiritually. He and his business partner/wife, Cher and daughter, Madison, resides in Houston.

 The Prairie View A&M University National Alumni Association is gearing up for its 43rd National Convention on July 20-22, 2017 in Houston, Texas. More than 500 alumni and friends of PVAMU are expected to attend the four-day event, featuring workshops, seminars, class meetings and the awards ceremonies. For information visit: www.pvualumni.org or call 936-857-5817. Plans are underway for the 11th Annual Red Hot Summer Ball, sponsored by the Prairie View Volunteer Fire Fighting Association, Inc. on August 5, 2017. This year’s honorees include Administrative Assistants and two dedicated employees who have gone above and beyond their call of duty in the city. The distinguished event is open to the public, with tickets priced at $35.00. Table sponsorships are available. The committee also encourage the patrons to purchase advertisement in the Souvenir Booklet. Monetary donations and Items for the Silent Auction are welcome.

For additional questions, please contact Belinda Lewis at lewisbelinda@hotmail.com. Just thought you ought to know . . . It was a pleasant surprise to see Calvin Lewis, Jr. at the celebration on campus for his Aunt Irma Kendrick. Calvin is a former student and is now a Manager with American Airlines in Dallas. He’s been with the company for 20 years. Incidentally, Calvin’s father is a famous songwriter who wrote “When A Man Loves a Woman.” Also in town for the event was Genora Kendrick Boykins, Irma’s daughter.

Your prayers and encouragement are welcomed for Ada Beal, Irene Davis, B. J. Freeman, Shirley Fritzsching, Evelyn Jones, The Sidney Johnson Family, Jerry Kellum, David Kirkpatrick Family, Edward and Pearl Martin, Willie Smith, Mary Ann Stubblefield, Otelia Watson and Sandra Watson. May God’s peace be with you!

HAPPY MAY BIRTHDAY TO: Harold S. Franklin, Jr. (18), Kedrick Hayes (19), Michael Prince (19), Jurah Kromah (24), Elaine Ward (28), Mary Manual (29), Samuel E. Brown (30), Norman Hunter (30) and Iantha Watson Lang (31). May Wedding Anniversary - C. Andrew & JoAnne Doyle (21) and Cornelio & Deynese (Kirkpatrick) Guibunda (23).

A VIEW FROM THE HILL: The 2017 Spring Commencement exercises of Prairie View A&M University held on May 13 and 14 are now history. At the commencement on May 12, more than 300 graduates received their Masters and PhD. Degrees. At May 13 exercise, more than 5At May 13 exercise, more than 500 candidates received their Bachelor’s Degrees.

The University paid special tribute to the Golden Anniversary Class, which included some forty representatives who marched in all decked out in their Gold Jackets along with the Faculty.\ The Whitlowe Green College of Education paid tribute to Mr. Lee Coleman, Mrs. Irma Kendrick, Mrs. Johnie Walker and Dr. Willie Trotty, who recently retired from the university. The families of the retirees were on hand to congratulate them for their combined 200 years of service to educating the people of the state of Texas. Until next week, in the words of Malcolm X, "Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today." Keep the news and achievements coming to prairieviewtoday@yahoo.com or P. O. Box 2906, Prairie View, TX 77446.

Kevin Riles is Men’s Prayer Breakfast Spekaer at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church

Kevin Riles is the speaker for the Men’s Prayer Breakfast at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church on May 20, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the Parish Hall of the Church on 204 Dooley Street.

The breakfast is open to all of men of the community and those attending are asked to call 936-857-3272 or email: stfrancispv@sbcglobal.net.

Riles is President & CEO of Kevin Riles, Inc – A Real Estate Services & Development Company. He is also the author of two books Confessions of a Top Producer: 9 Tools for Sales Success & Abundance and 40 Acres & a Mule: The African American Guide to Building Wealth through Real Estate.

Kevin began his professional career as a systems analyst with ExxonMobil. During his business career, Mr. Riles has worked for ExxonMobil Corporation, Clear Channel Communications (KMJQ), and Managed Information Systems. His wide array of business experience, coupled with his strong entrepreneurial desires lead him to form his own real estate and mortgage companies in October 2000 with a focus on helping to provide mortgage financing and real estate brokerage services to the Greater Houston Area.

In early 2005, Kevin was named the Broad Listing Broker for HUD Foreclosures in the greater Houston Area. With this contract, he had the responsibility of listing HUD Foreclosures in an 18 County Area. In 2007, Kevin sold 1104 Homes! He went on to sell more than 3,500 homes from 2007 – 2010. In June 2007 his real estate company was named the #22nd Largest Residential Real Estate Brokerage in Houston and subsequently was named 21st & 23rd in 2008 & 2009 by the Houston Business Journal. His TourHoustonForclosures.com Bus Tours have been featured locally by CBS Channel 11, ABC Channel 13, FOX Channel 26 and CW Channel 39. TLC’s Reality Show “Deals on the Bus” featured his foreclosure tours in March of 2009.

A highly sought after motivational speaker, Kevin has hosted his own radio show on Business Radio 650 entitled, “Real Estate Matters with Kevin Riles”. He has motivated people on his views of success to corporations and organizations such as ExxonMobil, INROADS Houston, Fort Bend Independent School District, CAN Academy and many others. Kevin’s “Tools for Success” have inspired countless adults and youth to reach for a higher purpose.

This Houston native received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with cum laude honors from Morehouse College in 1995. Kevin attended Morehouse College on a full $75,000 Ronald E. McNair NASA Scholarship due to his academic accomplishments at Willowridge High School in suburbia Houston, Texas. With its tradition of producing leaders, Morehouse helped Kevin tap his leadership potential. He went on to hold leadership positions in a variety of campus organizations. As a further testament to Kevin’s academic achievements, he received his Masters of Business Administration in Finance from University of Saint Thomas in July 2000.

In addition to his professional career, Kevin finds time to provide service to the community through his membership in the Greater Houston Association of Mortgage Brokers, The Better Businesses Bureau, National Association of Realtors, Houston Association of Realtors, the National Association of Real Estate Brokers, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Kevin’s personal mission is to positively impact the lives of people socially, economically, and spiritually. With the help of God, his supportive business partner/wife, Cher, and daughter, Madison, Kevin will realize his mission.

PVAMU Alumnus Peter K. Turnquest installed as Deputy Prime Minister of the Bahamas

PRAIRIE VIEW: The Honorable Peter K. Turnquest was recently installed as the Deputy Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas on May 12, 2017.

Turnquest, representing East Grand Bahama as a member of the FNM (Free National Movement Party), was first elected as a Member of Parliament in 2012 and reelected on May 10, 2017 in a party landslide. According to unofficial results, the FNM was able to pull off a stunning defeat of the PLP, securing a massive 34 of 39 constituencies. As the deputy party leader, that person usually becomes the Deputy Prime Minister, and there is no reason why Turnquest would not get the appointment.

Turnquest is a 1984 graduate of Prairie View A&M University with a Bachelors of Business Administration in Accounting. He is one of seven siblings who attended or graduated(Donovan, Gerron, Stacey, Trevor, Dexter (Peter's twin) and Lionel [brother Wade attended]) from the university. Peter later earned the MBA from Nova Southeastern University.

A licensed certified public accountant in Texas and a chartered accountant in The Bahamas, Peter spent most of his career straddling Nassau and Freeport, with intermittent one and two-year stints in Charlotte, North Carolina; London, England; and Sydney, Australia.

While at Prairie View A&M University, Peter was active in several organizations to include National Association of Black Accountants, SGA and the Eta Gamma Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. His ambition and drive was to graduate from PVAMU, become a Chartered Accountant and return to the Bahamas to make a difference in government.

Turnquest last visited the university in 2015. His election to this position is a testament and manifestation that "Prairie View Produces Productive People" indeed.

PVAMU Co-ed is Miss Missouri City USA

When Nikisha Ruby Francois was a student at L. V. Hightower High School in Missouri City, Texas, her family and fellow students knew that she would become a star someday. Well, the 21 year old senior majoring in biology at Prairie View A&M University moved into stardom as the new Miss Missouri City USA. Nikisha is the lovely daughter of Anthony and Ruby Francois. While at Hightower she served on the student council and was a member of the Choir.

As Miss Missouri City-USA, she will be competing in the 2017 Miss Texas USA Pageant at the Hilton Post Oak Hotel located in uptown Houston, Texas. The preliminary pageant will be held on Saturday, September 2nd at 7:30p.m., with the finals on Sunday, September 3rd at 2:00 p.m. The Miss Texas USA is an official preliminary to the Miss USA® pageant independently conducted and produced by The Crystal Group, Inc., under license by the Miss Universe L.P.

At Prairie View A&M University, some of her achievements include being an honor student on the Dean’s List and holding membership and participation in several organizations to include Minority Association for Pre-medical Students (M.A.P.S) and the Student Outreach and Partnership Team (S.P.O.T). She is also the 2017 Miss Black & Gold-Eta Gamma Chapter and the winner of the talent, evening wear and onstage question competitions in the pageant. Some of her favorites include the songstress Jazmine Sullivan, singing, having a sumptuous seafood meal and spending time with family and friends.

Nikisha's ambition is to become a Medical Doctor and a practicing Cardiologist which is guided by the philosophy of Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengths me.”

In her quest to inspire youth to great heights, she has adopted the platform - FULL S.T.E.A.M AHEAD. With this platform, she will encourage young minds to take a stronger interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. She will be an advocate for cultivating young individuals to scratch deeper than the surface when faced with challenges, as well as providing the proper tools to help our youth think in the abstract. She plans on helping to inspire the young scholars to be their best self and to aspire to great things despite what others think.

Part of my giving back is to speak to high school students on the importance of enjoying their youth. I would advise them to take their time because life is not running away from them and that high school is the beginning of the extensive journey of finding themselves. I want them to know that rushing through their journey they will miss out on the important lessons and even hurt themselves in the process.

Participating in the Miss Texas/USA pageant, as in most instances, come with a cost both financial and personal. Nikisha is humbly seeking some financial support to cover her registration and preparation for the pageant. She would be grateful for any amount you can provide. All contributions are tax deductible to the extent of the law and will be acknowledged in the pageant booklet.

Nikisha expresses her thanks in advance and looks forward for positive support as she plans to do her best to represent the residents of Missouri City in the Miss Texas USA Pageant and other activities throughout the year. Her goal is to bring another Miss USA title back to Missouri City as Crystal Stewart did in 2008 and hopefully the Miss Universe title also.

Contact: Nikisha Francois P. O. Box 5433 Prairie View, TX 77446 Email: nikisha.francois@gmail.com

Dr. David Andrew Kirkpatrick to Eulogized on May 10 in Prairie View

Funeral services for Dr. David Andrew Kirkpatrick, Sr., who passed away at his home on May 2, 2017, is set for May 10 at 11:00 a.m. at the Johnson Phillip All Faiths Chapel at Prairie View A&M University. Public viewing is set for May 9 from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m., followed by the Omega Service conducted by the members of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the Singleton & Sons Funeral Home, Inc., 527 New Orleans Street, Hempstead, Texas 77445-0344, Phone: 979-826-2425.

David was born September 27, 1943 in Chicago, Illinois and graduated high school in 1958. After graduation, he enrolled at Prairie View A&M University and joined the Football team. After lettering in football and becoming a great scholar-athlete, David received his Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering Technology from the university in 1963. He then went on to earn a Master of Science degree from Kansas State College and a Ph.D. from Purdue University.

In his quest to give back to his community, Kirkpatrick began his teaching career at Prairie View A&M University in 1968 and moved through the ranks as a tenured Associate Professor Department of Engineering Technology and Head of Department. He retired in 2016 after forty-eight years of distinguished service.

Kirkpatrick lived in Prairie View for more than 40 years, where he raised his four children. His concern for academic excellence for the children of the community caused him to seek public office as a member fo the Waller ISD Board of Trustees. He was elected in 1996 and served in various positions to include Secretary, Vice-President, and President of the Board. He was later awarded a distinguished service award for his commitment and dedication to the advancement of education throughout the district.

Dr. Kirkpatrick and his wife are members of St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Prairie View where he served as Superintendent of the Sunday School, member of the Vestry, Junior Warden, Lay Minister and Reader, and coordinator for the Brotherhood of St. Andrews.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife Loraine, two sons - David Jr. and Dwight, two daughters - Deneyse and Deleanor and seven grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends.