Dr. Johné Battle, Dollar General’s former Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, is suing the company after being fired, alleging that his termination was a retaliation for his efforts to uncover systemic discrimination in the company.
Author Archives: Houston Defender
Posted inHomepage
Federal Job Cuts Threaten Black Middle Class
The federal government has been a pillar of economic security for Black workers, but recent job cuts and layoffs under the Trump administration are rapidly dismantling this pathway to the middle class, disproportionately affecting Black employees across multiple federal agencies.
Posted inHomepage
The Braid Debate: The Rising Costs of Hair Braiding
Braids are a cultural tradition and practical hair care solution for Black women, but the rising cost of braiding services has made them less affordable and driven many to learn how to braid their own hair.
Posted inNational
Understand Your Rights During Police Encounters
Parents of Black children in the U.S. prepare them for police interactions, due to historical distrust and racial bias in policing, which can lead to deadly consequences.
Posted inHomepage
Black DACA Recipients Face Uncertainty: What’s Next?
Black undocumented immigrants in the U.S. are facing uncertainty as the DACA program is under legal attack, with the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling it unlawful and blocking new applicants.
Posted inThis Week
Trump Orders Construction of Massive Migrant Detention Facility at Guantánamo
President Donald Trump signed a memo directing federal agencies to prepare a massive detention facility at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, to house deported migrants, marking a dramatic escalation in his aggressive immigration crackdown.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Profiting From Injustice: How the Prison Industrial Complex Exploits Black Communities for Big Business in 2025
The prison industrial complex continues to disproportionately impact Black communities in Houston, Texas, with Black men making up nearly half of the incarcerated population, despite making up only 19% of the city’s population.
Posted inEducation
Here’s Why Math Is Critical to Young Black Students
Despite the disappointing math proficiency of Black students, the history of African math and science achievements should inspire them to excel in math and problem-solving skills.
Posted inCulture
Reclaiming Black Femininity
Black women are reclaiming their vulnerability and rejecting the stereotype of being “strong” as an expectation, acknowledging the complexity of their identities and embracing their multifaceted humanity.
Posted inHealth
Black Men Support the Fight Against Breast Cancer
By Laura Onyeneho In the battle against breast cancer, it’s often viewed as a women’s issue, but many Black men in Houston are actively involved in raising awareness and supporting the […]