Pearland and Brazoria County marked a historic milestone Thursday evening with their first-ever Juneteenth Gala, celebrating freedom and inclusion at the Pearland Recreational Center.

Eugene Howard and his family have a deep connection to Juneteenth, as it marks the day their ancestors were freed.

A Houston Police Department officer and several Harris County Sheriff deputies are being investigated after videos were shared on social media.

A push to preserve a burial site on land purchased by a freed Black man after the Civil War has garnered the attention of Fort Bend County officials.

ALVIN, Texas – Julie Pickren has been a trustee with the Alvin Independent School District Board since 2015. She traveled to Washington in January to take part in former President Donald Trump’s rally and documented it on FaceBook. “We ask that Ms. Pickren explain what the process was for her being there,” said chapter president Eugene Howard. “We’re not asking for ms Pickren to resign. we’re letting the community know that ms Pickren is up for reelection.”KPRC 2 asked Pickren for comment, she declined.

The insurrection in Washington D.C. Wednesday has raised questions about how police reacted to the crowd that stormed the U.S. Capitol, with some critiquing law enforcement’s response as a double standard of justice. At issue is the question if rioters were Black, or of color, would the police have handled their response differently? Howard raised the question Thursday during a forum hosted by the Texas NAACP on day one of its statewide convention, which is being held virtually. Linder, Howard, and other leaders from Texas NAACP compared law enforcement’s response Wednesday to how it handled Black Lives Matter protesters over the summer. “I think a big part of my response to you is trust,” Randall said, in response to a question raised by Howard.

The security of our children,” exclaimed Harvey Wolff, a parent of two students enrolled in Pearland High School. Yet, despite what they allege were obvious intentions among the group, parents said the administration at Pearland High School didn’t act soon enough. KPRC 2 received a response from the school district Friday afternoon, confirming the clothing violated the dress code. “Per the Pearland ISD dress code, apparel or accessories which include cultural divisiveness and racial intolerance may not be worn. “That’s what started that whole dress code revolution, which is great," said Melissa Wilson, a parent.

PEARLAND – A Pearland councilmember Woody Owens is sharing his response to controversial posts he shared on his Facebook page. That bigotry, hatred, those dog whistles are just unacceptable.”The Brazoria County NAACP alerted KPRC 2 of the posts and sent them in. The screenshots showed Owens' shared posts, which were mostly memes. During the interview, Owens shared the sentiments of the Confederacy during the Civil War era. Owens maintains they have shared posts, not commenting on right or wrong.

HOUSTON – An Alvin High School football coach resigned Thursday after players said he used the n-word and other racial slurs before a game. Just hours before last Friday night’s football game, two Alvin High School football players said a coach used derogatory terms they won’t soon forget. “I told him that wasn’t cool and then he told me, ‘Do I want to play?’ I just start walking away. A spokeswoman for the Alvin Independent School District said the school district has launched an investigation and a staff member has been placed on administrative leave, though the district did not name the employee. They work hard and they go to practice every day and for him to downgrade them like that it’s just horrible,” said April Bell, the players' mother.

PEARLAND, Texas – The NAACP of Brazoria County has called on the Pearland Independent School District to give special needs teacher, Holly Hardwicke Kanipes, 57, diversity training before she gets back in the classroom. Kanipes is under fire for a Facebook post, which has since been deleted, that said “White slaves were treated worse than any other race in the US. You won’t.”Many people quickly commented, telling Kanipes she should not be a teacher. Parent Dara Hooker-Williams said she was disappointed with the post but says this can be a teaching moment. This is a personnel matter and the district will work with the employee on training with our district Culturally Responsive Council.”The NAACP has filed a grievance with the school, the school district has ten days to respond.