Black Texans, Inc.

  RAISING THE BARS: The Military Over Penitentiary or Cemetery Project. Proposed by Pastor Kyev Tatum, Sr Deuteronomy 30:19: “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.” Mission Statement To redeem, redirect, and restore young people in the inner city, ages 18 to 24, by lifting the standard and offering military service as a pathway of discipline, dignity, and destiny—so they may choose life over death, service over sin, and purpose over prison. The Proposal Which Bars Will You Choose? Officer’s Bars, Penitentiary Bars, or Casket Bars. For every young man or woman between 18 and 24 who commits a felony, a choice must be given: four years of honorable service in any branch of the United States military—or the full weight of the criminal justice system. The choice belongs to the individual, but so do the consequences. If the four years are not completed, then the penalties of their actions will return. This...

THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY STORY: A LEGACY OF FAITH, FAMILY, AND AMERICAN FREEDOM (1855–2025) “Cast your bread upon the waters, For you will find it after many days.” – Ecclesiastes 11:1 “This, We’ll Defend.” – Honoring 250 Years of the U.S. Army TYLER, TEXAS – Few families embody the enduring spirit of Texas and America quite like the Christian family of East Texas. From the antebellum era to the present day, their story is one of faith, resilience, community leadership, and patriotic service—a story that spans over 170 years, from the Civil War to the 21st century. Guided by the principle of Ecclesiastes 11:1, the Christians have sown seeds of faith, service, and education across generations, trusting that their efforts would bear fruit in time. The Brothers: Gideon and Butcher Christian The Christian family’s Texas legacy begins with two brothers, Gideon and Butcher Christian. Gideon, a South Carolinian who settled in East Texas in the 1850s, owned thirty-two enslaved people, including hi...

GOLD FOR THE SOUL: Honoring the 6888th and 369th Infantry Regiments with Congressional Gold Medals.  WASHINGTON, D.C. – On September 3, 2025, Emancipation Hall at the U.S. Capitol became a historic stage as the 369th Infantry Regiment, the Harlem Hellfighters, received the Congressional Gold Medal. “Heart work pays off,” reflected Pastor Kyev Tatum, citing Matthew 5:16 as a guiding principle. Pastor Tatum, of New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Worth and the Ministers Justice Coalition of Texas, led Texas delegations to two landmark Congressional Gold Medal ceremonies in 2025. The first honored the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion of WWII on April 29, and the second recognized the 369th Infantry Regiment of WWI. Both official invitations came directly from the Speaker of the House, a recognition Pastor Tatum calls “humbling and sacred.” These ceremonies marked the culmination of his lifelong mission: to preserve history, honor sacrifice, and inspire generation...

THE PROPOSED LULING LINKFEST: Discovering the Best Smoked Link Sausage in Texas. Honoring Luling, Links, and the Joseph Ulyses Lamkin Legacy in 2026. Luling, Texas – When people think of Luling, they think of smoke, spice, and sausage. For generations, this Central Texas town has been a crossroads of barbecue culture, with pitmasters perfecting the art of the smoked link sausage—a tradition so iconic that travelers from around the globe make the pilgrimage just to taste it. In Summer 2026, Luling will pair its culinary fame with a proud new chapter in American history as the hometown of Private Joseph Ulyses Lamkin, a World War I soldier of the famed 369th Infantry Regiment—the Harlem Hellfighters— and the city’s first Congressional Gold Medal recipient. To honor both traditions of smoke and sacrifice, community leaders are launching Luling LinkFest: Luling, Links, and the Lamkin Legacy—a one-of-a-kind street festival and parade built around one burning question: 👉 Who makes the best ...

A JOURNEY WORTH JOURNALING: Two Brothers, Two Pilgrimages, Two Gold Medals — A Texas Story of Black Military Legacy. By Black Texans, Inc. A JOURNEY TO WORLD HISTORY:  https://youtu.be/Tc3TYuMAjZY?si=soRe-ASVPbWoee1- Washington, D.C., is a city of monuments. Marble and granite rise in honor of men who shaped America. Yet for far too long, the truest shapers—the men and women of African descent who bled, sacrificed, and persevered—were left unrecognized, their contributions invisible in the nation’s memory. In 2025, that began to change. Twice in a single year, two Black military units—once dismissed, segregated, and dishonored—were raised to their rightful place in the annals of American history. Twice in a single year, Emancipation Hall at the U.S. Capitol became a sanctuary of truth. And twice in that single year, Derrick Johnson of Fort Worth, Texas, found himself in that hall, bearing witness. In April, he traveled with Pastor Kyev Tatum and a North Texas delegation for the Con...