Another year has passed. Can you imagine how fast this year went? The lesson I took away from 2024 is, “If they show you the first time, believe them.” We learned a lot from the efforts of Black people everywhere during this historic presidential election.
Not everybody is going to be for you. That’s a tough pill to swallow, but it’s reality. Everyone will stand by their version of the truth, and you’ve got to take it for what it is. All you’ve got to do is dust yourself off, rest, re-strategize, and try again. This goes for everything else we do in life. We’ve seen the strength of collective action.
I’ve been excited to tap into Black joy through art, music, culture, and the groundbreaking achievements of local trailblazers who put Houston on the map. I’d rather maintain that same energy going into the next year because if we can survive this year with all the ups and downs, I can’t wait to see what we can do going forward.
Let’s keep building, dreaming, and striving for a better future. The Defender is here for you, always. Let’s make the next chapter one to remember.
