Is Mama Tina’s gumbo at the Houston Rodeo really too expensive?
Beyoncé and Solange fans are flocking to the Houston Rodeo, eager to taste Tina Knowles’ seafood gumbo, and the reactions are as mixed as a good roux. Some are walking away raving. Others have walked away with their wallets feeling lighter and their expectations unmet, frustrated after paying about $25 for a cup.
Mama Tina has been perfecting this recipe for 40 years. Now she’s introducing it at one of the largest rodeos in the world, an event that draws millions of people across an entire month. Scaling a beloved family recipe to feed those crowds is no small feat, and the pricing reflects that reality.
A standard turkey leg at the rodeo runs between $20 and $24. There are so many other delicacies at the Rodeo to choose from that are around that same price or more. Before the critiques go viral, apply some critical thinking. Mama Tina’s gumbo deserves the same grace we give every other vendor on the fairgrounds.
Former Presidents bring decorum to Rev. Jesse Jackson’s homegoing
When the nation gathered to say farewell to the Reverend Jesse Jackson, what unfolded at the House of Hope, a 10,000-seat sanctuary in Chicago’s Pullman neighborhood, was nothing short of a celebration of Black excellence and political dignity. Former Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and Joe Biden, former Vice President Kamala Harris, and former first ladies Hillary Clinton and Jill Biden joined thousands of mourners for a five-hour public homegoing service at 752 E. 114th Street.
Leaders waving and shaking hands with everyday people, the air filled with joy and reverence. The essence of the service felt deeply nostalgic, full of grace, decorum, and genuine celebration. It wasn’t tense. It wasn’t political theater. It was a gathering rooted in love and legacy. Plus, Trump wasn’t in attendance, so that would also be a big reason.
Compare it to the last time all five living U.S. presidents shared the same room during President Jimmy Carter’s funeral on January 9, 2025, at Washington National Cathedral. That gathering was described as polite but visibly strained, a rare and awkward convergence of political rivals.
Federal workers impacted by government shutdown…again!
For generations, federal employment has been one of the most reliable pathways to the Black middle class, stable pay, benefits, and a measure of security that the private sector too often denied. But as another government shutdown drags on, that lifeline is fraying in real time.
Funding for the Department of Homeland Security has expired, and Democrats say they won’t support renewed appropriations until restrictions are placed on federal immigration operations, a push that gained urgency following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis in January.
Meanwhile, federal workers are caught in the crossfire…again. Many are still recovering from the last shutdown. TSA workers, who keep our airports functioning, are increasingly calling in sick or stopping reporting altogether as missed paychecks made it impossible to cover rent, groceries, and childcare. Washington needs to end this standoff before more families pay the price.
On the web
Is co-buying a good idea?
Honoring Houston’s Black Trail Riders: A legacy that rides on.
Defender Book Corner: Must-read historical fiction novels about Black women.
