A Black woman protesting against the Palestinian genocide was verbally attacked by a ravenous pack of ‘Ole Miss’ students, several of whom were heard making ‘monkey’ noises and gestures at her. Credit: X.
A real motha for ya
With Mother’s Day literally upon us, a recent incident revealed a symbolic clash of mothers. A 24-year-old Black woman, Jaylen R. Smith, was participating in protests against the genocide of Palestinian people on the campus of the University of Mississippi (UM). Standing alone, outside the space railed of for the group, Smith was confronted by what looked like a lynch mob of hundreds of UM students harassing and verbally accosting her. Several could be seen and heard making “monkey” noises, a common racist antic. FYI, UM’s nickname is “Ole Miss,” a term created by enslaved Blacks used to describe “Ole Massa’s” wife, who our ancestors knew to be just as mean, vicious, cruel and heartless as her husband. Smith, symbolized all Black women, mothers of the universe, who have stood against all manner of indignities. Tose Ole Miss students represented something too – the legacy of “Ole Miss.”
Another reason to support Black media
When an onslaught of tornados recently ravaged Oklahoma, the Weather Channel wasn’t allowed to use the word “tornado,” meaning they couldn’t name the thing that was actually happening. Similarly, when Te Intercept reported that New York Times writers were instructed not to use the words “genocide” or “ethnic cleansing” to describe the genocide and ethnic cleansing going on in Gaza, they couldn’t name the thing that was actually happening, thus misshaping public perception of the “confict.” Brother Toussaint Morrison recently spoke about this on Instagram, comparing this craziness to the purposefully deceptive move used by “mayostream media” and police departments across the country called DARVO (defect and reverse victim order), i.e. when the police kill someone, “mayo-stream media” publicly label him or her a “suspect,” framing them as a criminal, when they really weren’t. Tis is just another reason to support Black media; the folk who will share news from our perspective.
While a freshman at the University of Texas, attending my frst Probate Show, I’ll never forget when the members of
Phi Beta Sigma made their entrance. Each member of the line had their nickname on the back of their shirt, and the last brother’s back was emblazoned with the name “Mr. Excitement.” And it was quickly apparent that the nickname was purposely ironic. Because out of an auditorium full of young, hormonal Black sisters and brothers, excited out of our minds just to be in a space where it was just us, away from the lily-whiteness of campus, “Mr. Excitement” was far and away the most low-energy, chill, excitement-less person in the room. But dude’s zero energy didn’t stop us from being all in on the festivities and having a good time. Tat experience provides the perfect example of how we should approach the November 2024 election. No one’s excited about the BidenTrump rematch. It’s mos def not Kendrick vs. Drake. But just like that 1983 Probate Show, there are countless other things to turn our excitement level all the way up. Living should excite Blackfolk. One party’s presidential candidate has promised “retribution and revenge” upon his enemies (hint: us). Protecting women’s access to healthcare and the right to say what happens to her body; that should excite us. Te alternative is the Handmaid’s Tale. Breathing may not seem all that exciting, but just ask the person who’s cut of from oxygen how excited they are to get some. One presidential candidate plans to let mega-polluting industries pollute even more, with zero restrictions or guardrails. Common sense gun reform, voting rights protections, holding cops and wanna-be cops who beat and kill Blacks indiscriminately accountable – those things excite me. Being able to have a say in who my elected representatives are excites me way more than having some man-child, sex-ofender, six-time bankrupt, insurrectionist-leading, whiney, farty, entitled racist as dictator running the entire show. We don’t need to be personally excited by the presidential candidates to know we must vote.
•Eagles QB Jalen Hurts donated $200K to Philadelphia schools.
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James W. Crawford III has been named the sole fnalist to become the next president of Texas Southern University (TSU). Tus, the university is now ready to move forward into its next chapter afer the departure of the school’s last CEO, Dr. Lesia Crumpton-Young.
“Texas Southern University will be a place that’s enduring, vibrant, inclusive, welcoming and a resilient place of creativity and learning that will be fostered by excellence in teaching, scholarship and research,” said Crawford. “We will be focused on using a defned framework of experimentation and a culture of action so that we are moving with speed to achieve excellence in our decision-making in what we do to make the lives of students better. All of that is to create a tailored and immersive educational developmental experience for the students.”
Crawford comes to Texas Southern from Felician University, where he served as president for nearly two years afer flling the role of interim president of the university for nine months. Since his appointment in June 2021, Crawford made numerous contributions to Felician including overseeing the completion of the Wellness and Recreation Center, creation of a STEM Center, and other large capital projects. Crawford’s higher education experience includes service on the Board of Trustees of his alma mater, Belmont Abbey College.
An experienced leader, Crawford served in the United States Navy for more than 30 years, retiring as a Vice Admiral and its 43rd Judge Advocate General (JAG). He has served as the head of the Naval Legal Service Command, legal counsel to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staf, and commander of NATO Rule of Law Field Support, Afghanistan. Crawford served under six presidents, including George Bush and Barack Obama. He was a trusted
voice for the National Security Council, the Homeland Security Council, and Secretaries of Defense Robert M. Gates and Leon Panetta.
As the Judge Advocate General of the Navy, Crawford led 2,400 judge advocates, enlisted employees, and civilian employees of the Navy’s global legal organization. He is the recipient of numerous military awards, including two Distinguished Service Medals.
Crawford balked on giving his projection for where he sees TSU headed in the near future, choosing rather to focus on integrating himself into the TSU family and collaborating with the school’s board afer picking the brains of TSU students for their ideas and perspectives.
Crawford told one TSU student: “I like to
sit down and talk with students and have meals with you and collaborate. Because you’ve got ideas. You think diferently than I do. You come from a diferent generation. You’ve experienced diferent things than I’ve experienced. So, you see through a diferent lens than I do. And I want to leverage that diference. Because there’s goodness in that. And I want to leverage that favor, how I think and how we think as an institutional family about progress and enduring excellence.”
LEARN MORE ABOUT CRAWFORD AND HEAR THE MANY WORDS OF ENDORSEMENTS HE’S RECEIVED
Crawford, a native of Charlotte, NC, told
Tough emergency room nurse Molly Cook secured a victory in the Texas Senate special election, defeating state Representative Jarvis Johnson, the fnal race is far from over. Cook, who won 57% to 43% to complete the remainder of John Whitmire’s term, must once again face Johnson in the crucial May 28 Democratic primary runof.
With the Special Election win, Cook will represent Senate District 15 until the end of the year, becoming the frst individual other than Whitmire to hold the seat since 1983. Te vacancy arose in January when Whitmire resigned to assume the role of Houston mayor.
This outcome marks a significant
turnaround from the March 5 primary, where Johnson, Cook, and four other Democrats vied for a full term beginning in January 2025. Now, the focus shifs to the runof between Johnson and Cook, which will determine the Democratic nominee for the subsequent term.
While the current contest may seem symbolic, the winner gains the advantage of incumbency and potentially increased fundraising for the crucial May 28 Democratic primary runof. Tis special election ofers insights into the dynamics of the district and could foreshadow the outcome of the runof, which will shape representation in the district
for years to come.
COOK
Both candidates emphasize similar platforms, focusing on issues like abortion rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and education funding. Te race hinges on diferences in style and approach, with Johnson highlighting his legislative experience and Cook emphasizing her grassroots organizing background and direct interactions with patients in the emergency room. Despite Johnson’s lead in the March primary, the current contest involved a smaller electorate, with early voting turnout indicating a modest participation rate. Cook’s fnancial advantage, coupled with her fundraising
one TSU student there’s no place he’d rather be than TSU for personal reasons.
“I see echoes of myself when I look at this student body. And I can look in your face and I can tell you’ve got big dreams. You know where you want to go. It’s up to us to help you get there… And that’s what brings me here, to be a part of seeing you turn that dream into a reality. And to be there and see that, that will bring joy to me.”
Te TSU Board will vote to ofcially name Crawford TSU’s next president on Tursday, May 16.
lead since the primary, added to the dynamics of the race.
Senate District 15, encompassing a diverse population in Harris County, holds signifcance for Democrats, encompassing key liberal strongholds and areas crucial for the party’s electoral aspirations in Texas. Te runof between Johnson and Cook will shape the district’s representation and contribute to broader political trends in the state.
Tough the person who will serve as the Houston Police Department’s acting chief in the wake of Troy Finner’s May 7 retirement has already manned the position, the machinations behind that retirement are still quite murky.
And potentially disturbing.
Executive Assistant Chief Larry Satterwhite became acting HPD chief as of 10:31 p.m. on May 7 afer Finner retired from the position, according to an email sent to city employees that same evening by Mayor John Whitmire. But, according to one local activist, the plan to “retire” Finner was in the works well before last November’s mayoral election.
“I have accepted the retirement of Troy Finner as Chief of Police, and have appointed Larry Satterwhite Acting Chief of Police efective 10:31pm tonight [May 8]. Tis decision comes with full confidence in acting Chief Satterwhite’s abilities to lead and uphold the high standards of the department,” said Whitmire via email.
At the May 8 Houston City Council meeting, Whitmire said he intends to discuss how the retirement took place during a press briefng at a later time.
“I want to thank Chief Finner for his many years of public service,” the mayor said at the meeting. “It’s my responsibility to provide
Arcola mayor voted out
public safety for all Houstonians and the decision was made.”
Finner’s resignation follows months of public outcry regarding worries of rising crime and 260,000 police cases that were suspended by an internal lack of personnel code—a code Finner ordered subordinates to stop using. However, use of the controversial code continued and, when uncovered, called into question the level of trust the general public could have in HPD’s words and work.
HPD recently concluded an investigation into its own personal code / case suspension
controversy, though the fndings have yet to be publicly released.
However, an internal Houston police memo obtained by KHOU 11 Investigates suggests Finner knew about the clearance code in 2018, more than three years earlier than he publicly claimed.
“At that time, I told them the code was unacceptable and never use it again,” said Finner during a March press conference.
Still, a Houston-area activist claimed months ago that Whitmire wanted to replace Finner before the November 2023 election but chose
not to do so to avoid losing potential Black votes in his contest against then-mayoral challenger U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.
According to the activist, an individual on Whitmire’s shortlist for new HPD chief was told to suspend the use of that now controversial code by Finner, assuring the 34-year HPD veteran and Madison High School alum that the code would no longer be used. However, the individual continued to use it, knowing it would later create a stain on Finner’s tenure and reputation.
Because none of those allegations coming from the activist could be confrmed, the Defender did not report them. However, in the afermath of Finner’s resignation, which that same activist predicted, several members of Houston’s Black community have questions.
Tough Finner has provided no comment on his resignation, he did post on X on the evening of May 7 that he had no recollection of a 2018 email exchange obtained by several Houston TV stations in which he took issue with a road rage case suspended because of a lack of personnel.
“Even though the phrase ‘suspended lack of personnel’ was included in this 2018 email, there is nothing that alerted me to its existence as a code or how it was applied within the department,” said Finner on X.
Veeda Williams has been elected as the new mayor of Arcola, bringing an end to Fred Burton’s six-year run as mayor and a contentious campaign season. Williams’ victory comes afer months of political turmoil in the city flled with a legal battle over a council member’s residency and criticism over Burton’s use of public funds. Williams, an Arcola native, is Burton’s frst challenger since 2022. She ran on a platform of bringing “common-sense solutions” to City Hall and making Arcola a destination city. Williams also founded Community Express, a summer youth program focused on the social well-being of children in Arcola. During the campaign season, Williams was ofen targeted by the former mayor. Te path to this election has been surrounded by drama and scandal. Conficts between city ofcials and council members have stopped city business. Arcola has not had a full city council meeting since January.
opened; last summer, the city was able to open 23 pools for three days a week. Tis year, the Houston Parks and Recreation Department has set a goal to open 37 aquatic centers around the city.
“It’s crucial to do this,” said City Council Member Letitia Plummer, who was outspoken about the need to open more pools last summer. “A lot of Black and Brown communities don’t have access. And it’s going to be really hot this summer. Tey’re already saying we’re going to see temperatures higher than normal.”
Houston parks department to open all city pools afer years of closures
After shutting down public pools in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the city of Houston has struggled to reopen these summertime staples during record-breaking heatwaves. In 2022, only 12 out of 38
Is the Houston Library Foundation bouncing checks?
Te Houston Public Library Foundation issued at least a dozen checks that city employees and vendors were unable to cash in 2023 — a problem that lef people scrambling for answers as the foundation and the city’s beleaguered public library system point fngers at each other. Te returned checks include at least nine reimbursement payments
to Houston Public Library employees who had pre-paid for event costs and travel funded by the foundation, a nonproft organization that funds library programming and events. One employee was issued two checks that would not clear over the course of the year. In total, the returned checks accounted for thousands of dollars due to employees and vendors. Ofcials say the faulty checks didn’t “bounce”. According to Licia Green-Ellis, the foundation’s longtime board chair until last month when Mayor John Whitmire elected not to extend her expiring term, the checks were returned due to clerical issues stemming from the city library’s fnance team.
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Hong Ogle President, Bank of America Houston
HISD Superintendent Mike Miles announced a last-minute two-week delay for the district-wide MAP (Measure of Academic Success) Growth assessments.
Te standardized tests will now be administered during the final stretch of the school year, from May 28 to 30, rather than earlier in the month. Tis news has frustrated parents and students because endof-the-year feld trips, celebrations and graduations happen during this time.
While the value of monitoring student achievement is acknowledged, the timing of the date change frustrates many parents.
“This is incredibly disruptive,” said one HISD parent on a parent forum. “Our son has been counting down the days to our family road trip. Now, it might be canceled because of testing?
“It’s not fair to the kids. These end-of-year activities allow them to relax and have some fun after working hard all year.”
Te MAP Growth assessments, a new addition to HISD’s curriculum this year, are designed to measure student academic progress throughout the school year. Students have already taken the beginning-of-year exams in September and the middle-of-year exams in January. Te May administration marks the fnal assessment for the current academic year.
According to HISD, the delay stems from unforeseen logistical challenges. Te district still needs to elaborate on the exact nature of
Houston is one of the largest spots for human trafcking in the nation. And schools are ground zero for a lion’s share of the “recruiting” and grooming of potential human trafcking victims.
So, it is quite signifcant that several Houston-area high schoolers from Spring ISD took it upon themselves to get involved with fghting against this horrible crime.
these challenges, but they reportedly involve test materials and proctor availability.
Te late notice has forced some schools to scramble and reschedule pre-planned end-of-year activities. Field trips, class parties, award ceremonies and even early dismissals scheduled for the last week of May must be adjusted to accommodate testing. Te district acknowledges this potential disruption and states that schools will have some days after the testing window to hold their end-of-year events.
Schools with events planned for the newly designated testing window will need to work with their division superintendents to find alternative solutions. This could involve rescheduling events, combining them with other activities, or exploring virtual alternatives where applicable.
Te last-minute testing shif has also reignited the ongoing debate about standardized testing in education. Critics argue that these tests place a burden on both students and teachers. Tey disrupt instructional time, create a culture of test-taking over genuine learning, and do not necessarily provide a holistic picture of student progress.
The district has not disclosed whether it explored alternative testing dates that would minimize disruption to end-of-year activities. In the coming days, schools will be responsible for communicating the changes to their respective communities and working on solutions to accommodate testing and planned activities.
Several members of the Spring ISD Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council were recognized by a national nonproft organization — as well as by President Joe Biden and Texas Governor Greg Abbott — for their work in spreading awareness of human trafcking.
Several district officials, including Superintendent Lupita Hinojosa, were in attendance, along with staff representatives from all six district high schools, as well as Lawrence Bell, who was representing Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey, and Denise Mears, the founder and CEO of Project Protect Our Children.
“We are here today to see all of your amazing smiling faces and to thank you for the role in bringing human trafcking awareness to your peers, the school staf, and your communities,” said Mears, who presented members of the council with special awards recognizing their work on their respective campuses to raise awareness around human trafficking, including resources and signs of human trafcking.
She also brought along recognitions and awards from Biden and Abbott.
“We strongly believe in the power of the youth voice,” Mears said. “Our youth are champions in the fight. We didn’t want to talk to you or at you. We wanted to talk with you. To give you a seat at the table.”
Te awards were part of the last meeting of the school year for the self-governed Student
Spring ISD Superintendent Lupita Hinojosa presents the Champion Award to Spring HS student Jaylah Lumar for her work fghting against human trafcking. Credit: Spring ISD.
Advisory Council, which are held monthly and aimed at providing student leaders in the district an avenue to share their feedback and ideas from their respective schools.
Earlier this school year, the group got involved with Project Protect Our Children, which was founded in 2019 to prevent child sex trafcking, exploitation and abuse through proactive community engagement, preventative educational programs, awareness and empowerment opportunities.
Over the course of this school year, students used social media, fyers and posters around their campuses, collaborations with other student organizations, tables at lunchtime with information, and more to spread awareness of human trafcking, including the signs of human traffcking to look out for and to clear up any misinformation on the topic. Tey also shared a hotline number with resources
for students who may suspect they know someone who is vulnerable or a victim of human trafcking.
“We want to thank Project Protect Our Children for the opportunity,” said Hinojosa said. “Our students have worked really hard in educating the other students on their campus — getting the word out on what it is, what the signs are, and how anyone can help.”
Two students were also recognized with the President’s Volunteer Service Award, awarded by Biden.
Sharly Manzanares Guzman, a senior at Dekaney High School took home the bronze award, while Camilo Huerta, a senior at Carl Wunsche Sr. High School, took home the gold award.
“We truly believe that these students can be champions in this fght,” shared Mears. “Tey truly are and can be a major part of the solution to end human trafcking.”
University of Houston-Downtown’s Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence (MSAI) program was recently named a “Top Pick for the Very Best Master’s and Graduate Certificate Programs in Artificial Intelligence” by AI Degree Guide. UHD was listed alongside some of the nation’s top tech and/or research universities, including Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Rochester Institute of Technology, Duke University, Carnegie Mellon University, and Johns Hopkins University.
TechGuide recently ranked UHD’s program No. 30 in the Best Master’s in Artificial Intelligence Programs for 2024.
That said, what does an Artificial Intelligence (AI) degree offer Black students? And what are the challenges posed by AI that need to be addressed for AI to serve as a positive tool for Blacks seeking an AI degree and the Black general public who use and are impacted by AI?
According to Abdul Alkalimat, professor emeritus, Department of African American Studies and School of Information Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, those challenges are many in academia.
“AI reflects the way the world is structured, so it carries all the bad stuff with it - racism,
patriarchy and classism,” said Alkalimat. “How should Black Studies deal with it? It is in all our classrooms right now. Our students are using ChatGPT. Do we fight it, and if so, how? Do we prepare our students to use it, and if so, how?”
New York University data journalist Meredith Broussard labels bias in AI the “civil rights issue of our time.”
Why?
Because, in modern society, artificial-intelligence systems increasingly govern and surveil people’s lives—algorithms now routinely make decisions about health care, housing, insurance, education, employment, banking, and policing—yet racial and gender biases are deeply embedded in many of these AI systems.
In fact, a growing body of research, including that done by Latanya Sweeney, computer scientist and Harvard professor in the practice of government and technology, has shown that AI facial recognition programs do not accurately see dark-skinned faces.
Columbia University professor Eli Joseph suggested AI perpetuates colorism, sharing that even when using filters to darken his images, his AI pictures come out lighter.
As a result, a growing body of scientists, scholars and members of the general public
are concluding that AI is “anti-Black.”
These negatives, however, are viewed by some as even stronger reasons for Blacks to study and pursue AI degrees – to confront and dismantle any existing biases.
The Hurston/Wright Foundation recently hosted a virtual panel discussion titled “Securing the Black Voice in the World of AI.” This was a gathering a writers and creatives, discussing ways to make sure the “Black voice” remains strong in the AI space.
And panelists agreed that more Blacks need to gain all the AI expertise, training and
credentials available.
And now is the perfect time. According to the Georgetown University Center for Security and Emerging Technology, AI-related degree awards, in particular, grew even faster than STEM degrees as a general category at bachelor’s, master’s and PhD levels.
Government data and other sources on the higher education market describe the growth of AI degree conferrals as “dramatic,” increasing 120% since 2011 at both bachelor’s and master’s levels.
UHD’s MSAI program began fall 2022, and offers a local space for Black students open to mastering AI.
“Our MSAI is one of six graduate-level AI programs offered in Texas,” said Dr. Hong Lin, MSAI director and professor of Computer Science and Engineering Technology. “Our program came just at the right time when the entire world saw a growing demand for AI professionals.”
UHD’s MSAI program trains graduate students in specific skills for AI applications in the industrial, business, and educational sectors. Demand for AI-skilled employees is especially increasing in such areas as machine learning, game theory, and cybersecurity.
We need to talk.
At two and a half years old, he was not speaking; he did not provide direct eye contact.”
By Aswad WalkerThese are testimonies from parents of children diagnosed with autism; more specifically, Black autistic children. Children with autism and their parents face special challenges related to their reality. When those children and parents are Black, additional hurdles must be cleared.
What is autism?
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition of variable severity with lifelong effects that can be recognized from early childhood, chiefly characterized by difficulties with social interaction and communication and by restricted or repetitive patterns of thought and behavior.
A child with a diagnosis of autism can have interests that seem very narrow or unusual, like lining up their toys or just staring at an object. They often insist on following specific routines and small changes will upset them. They may be very sensitive
“She didn’t like being held very much. I noticed she didn’t interact with other kids.”
“The other kids in his classroom would be playing and he would just kind of be off in the corner.”
to noise and other sensory issues. These symptoms of autism can range from severe to mild, and that is why doctors now call it autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
In other words, an autism diagnosis is not a one-size-fits-all reality.
High-functioning ASD-diagnosed persons can perform their activities of daily living (ADL), bathe themselves, dress themselves and become adults with successful careers and traditionally normal lives. Those on the lower end of the spectrum might suffer from regular seizures that don’t allow them to attend school. Some require 24-hour care and may even need to be medicated.
“Only about one-third of the people
“When you would call him, he wouldn’t turn around.”
diagnosed with autism have an intellectual disability. The remaining two-thirds have normal intelligence or high intelligence,” said psychiatrist Dr. Israel Sokeye. But how does ASD impact Black children and parents in particular?
Diagnosis drama
“You don’t wanna at that point say, ‘Is there something wrong with my kid? Is there a problem?’ And I think that that’s a lot of what it was at the time, that you hear these different words and they start putting on labels and you wonder how you’re gonna move forward.”
“Looking back to when I first got my diagnosis, I wish somebody would’ve told me that
“During family gatherings, he would isolate himself, turn his back away from the family, and begin to line up toys.”
it’s okay to be scared and it’s okay to not have all of the answers.”
Yovanna Madhere, a master social worker and personal development and evolution coach who works primarily with high-achieving women, is also an AfroLatina mother of an autistic Gen Z son.
“My son was nonverbal until he was almost eight,” said Madhere, whose son was diagnosed at 2 ½ years old, an atypical reality for Black youth who are generally diagnosed with ASD an average of more than three years after their parents expressed concerns about their development according to a study cited by the American Academy of Pediatrics. In fact, a lot of Blacks don’t get
HOUSTON/HARRIS COUNTY/TEXAS AUTISM SUPPORT SERVICES
The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD (Intellectual and Developmental Disability Services)
Website: www.theharriscenter.org/ services/idd-services
Phone: 713-970-7000
Address: 9401 Southwest Freeway, Houston 77074
Texas Health and Human Services’ Children’s Autism Program
diagnosed until they’re adults, like former NBA star Tony Snell, who received his diagnosis at 31.
Delayed treatment
The Autism and Developmental Disability Network (ADDN) reports have noted that more white children are identified with ASD than Black or Hispanic children, even though research shows ASD affects Black, Hispanic and white children equally. Previous studies have shown that stigma, lack of access to healthcare services or low-income are potential barriers to identifying children with ASD.
Hispanic children are 65% less likely and Black children 19% less likely than white children to be diagnosed with autism. This difference means Black and Hispanic children with ASD may not be getting the services they need to reach their full potential. And don’t forget racist biases.
A 2007 University of Pennsylvania study found that Black children on the autism spectrum are 5.1 times more likely to be misdiagnosed with behavior disorders before they are correctly diagnosed with autism. In other words, Black boys said to exhibit “bad behavior” often have ASD.
Cultural frustration
Being an Afro-Latina, Madhere says she sees one of the biggest challenges
coming from both the Black and Hispanic communities – a lack of cultural acceptance.
“People of color in the diaspora tend to not want to accept mental health challenges, generally. It’s like if there’s an aunt that’s loca (crazy), she’s just loca. But the aunt needs some help. That’s a big cultural thing. I think that has been a challenge for us. And the fact that we are hypervigilant about how our children are treated in spaces to begin with. I know for me, it was very challenging when I would take my son places and he would just throw these uncontrollable tantrums, these outbursts. And you hear, ‘That child’s bad.’ Just kind of having that social stigma of you already being in this frustrated place of like, ‘I don’t know what to do with my child.’”
School challenges
“And then, on top of that, a Black child in the educational space, you definitely have to be on top of educators, on top of administrators, so they understand that these are the needs that my child has. ‘This is not a behavioral issue. My child is not a distraction in the classroom. My child is not a problematic child. My child just thinks differently and has different needs,’” shared Madhere, who added that an IEP (individual education program) was huge for her son.
For parents, receiving the diagnosis that their child has ASD brings about multiple feelings, including confusion, stress, shame and avoidance (not accepting or dealing with the reality of the diagnosis).
“I was in denial,” said Denise McKizzie, parent of an ASD child. “And it’s okay; it’s not a negative thing if they have this label that they learn differently.”
Madhere says once informed of a situation, she can deal with it. This attitude allowed her to accept the reality of her son’s ASD diagnosis and move into figuring out next steps.
“I know that’s not the same experience for a lot of people. And I think that mothers do ask themselves, ‘What can I have done differently? Is it partly my fault?’ I certainly did go through that emotional journey with myself, like how much of this did I contribute to. But again, the more I educated myself, I was like, ‘It’s not my fault.’ So, that emotional journey, I had to go on.”
Website: www.hhs.texas. gov/services/disability/ childrens-autism-program Phone: 512-438-5356
Email: Childrens.Autism.Program@ hhs.texas.gov Hours of Operation: M-F, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Easter Seals Greater Houston Website: www.eastersealshouston. org/services/autism/ Phone: 713-838-9050
Address: 4888 Loop Central Drive, Suite 200, Houston, 77081
Houston Autism Resources & Support – HARS Meetup Group
Website: https://www. navigatelifetexas.org/en/servicesgroups-events/parent-groups/ houston-autism-resourcessupport-hars-meetup-group
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ houstonautismresourcesandsupport X (Twitter): twitter.com/ harsgroup2015LinkedIn: www. linkedin.com/in/marandamarvin/
Listing of Additional Harris County Autism Support Groups
Website: www.psychologytoday. com/us/groups/tx/ harris-county?category=autism
In news that may be surprising to many, unprecedented national research released recently suggests that most Americans are willing to pay a premium price for products and services if they know that they are helping to reduce the racial wealth gap in the U.S.
Te study was cited by Fund for Social Equity, a new nonproft that works to change the reality of the ongoing racial wealth gap through research-first, marketing-based solutions.
That gap between Black and white households continues to widen in the U.S. and now stands at $44,890 and $285,010, respectively, according to the latest research from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve.
Fund for Social Equity has tested a seal to identify businesses owned and operated by Blacks as a way to reduce the wealth disparity between Black and white Americans.
When asked about their purchase likelihood of a product or service at a premium price with an identifying seal:
47% of all Americans surveyed defnitely or probably would buy, and that rises to 78% among Black Americans,
• 77% were neutral to positive on the concept, and,
• Alienation (rejection of the concept) at 23% was low.
“We approach the racial wealth gap with a marketing-frst mindset and our research fnds that nearly half of all Americans defnitely or probably – top two boxes - would purchase at a higher price products and services identifed as Black-owned,” said Mark Koide, co-founder of the Fund for Social Equity (FSE) and a life-long marketeer. “Tis is a potential game-changer for any business that is Black-owned and seeks to diferentiate itself.”
FSE is led by an inclusive Board of Advisors also available at https://fundforsocialequity.com, which is comprised largely of marketing and nonproft leaders who are committed to ending the racial wealth gap.
“In addition to fnding large and scalable subgroups within the national general population panel which supported the distinguishing seal with top two box scores of 47%, there were very few concept rejectors,” said April Jefries, who led the FSE team at global researcher Ipsos and serves as its global president of ethnography and
M/WBE Supplier Opportunity
Authentica Solutions is bidding on Project RFP Project #24-01-05 Special Education Services: Individual Education Program (IEP) and Special Management Tools for the HISD District. We are looking for possible M/WBE subcontractors to provide the following services: .NET technical support and professional services. If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Kisha Pinkney at kisha@authenticasolutions.com by May 10, 2024.
The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD will be accepting proposals for the following: Pharmacy Inventory Services
Specifcations may be secured from The Harris Center website www.theharriscenter.org beginning Wednesday, May 15, 2024. The Harris Center utilizes Bonfre for their solicitations https://theharriscenter. bonfrehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities . Deadline for prospective vendors to submit questions to this RFP is Wednesday, May 22, 2024. Proposals must be submitted by 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 12, 2024. Historically Underutilized Businesses, including Minority-Owned Businesses and WomenOwned Businesses are encouraged to participate. The Harris Center reserves all rights to reject any and/ or all proposals, to waive formalities and reasonable irregularities in submitted documents as it deems to be in its best interests and is not obligated to accept the lowest proposal.
The Houston Independent School District Purchasing Services Department located at 4400 West 18th Street, Houston, TX 77092 is soliciting Request for Qualifcations (RFQ) via the District’s electronic bidding portal. Proposers may login to view specifcations and submit their responses at the following link https://houstonisd.ionwave.net/Login.aspx until 10:00 a.m. (CST) Tuesday, June 4, 2024, for the following solicitations: RFQ / 24-04-10 Program Management Services for Bond Program RFQ / 24-10-13 Professional Services - Survey/Platting, Geotechnical, and Other Related Services for Bond Program
Proposers may login to view specifcations and submit their responses at the following link https:// houstonisd.ionwave.net/Login.aspx until 10:00 a.m. (CST) Thursday, May 16, 2024, for the following solicitation: RFQ / 24-10-14 Architectural and Engineering Services for Bond Program
Pre-proposal conference will be held Thursday, May 2, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. (CST) at 4400 W. 18th Street, Houston, TX 77092 in conjunction with all RFQs.
immersion. “Te bottom two boxes account for less than 25%. Te concept is much less polarizing than we initially expected.”
Arva R. Rice, CEO of the New York Urban League, added, “Te New York Urban League commends the Fund for Social Equity on its commitment to decreasing the wealth gap between Black and other Americans.”
Mark Winston Grifth, an advisor to FSE who is an award-winning journalist, professor of Community Economic Development at Pratt Institute, and co-founder of several New York-based consumer cooperatives, said, “Te FSE is sharing our research and is interested in collaborating with like-minded
partners who believe the racial wealth gap can be addressed from a community-up perspective by driving more dollars to Blackowned businesses.
More than 15 business sectors were tested and everyday purchases in food and consumer products scored the highest in appeal across expenditure categories. Additional analysis provides detailed breakdowns by regions and demographics of the U.S. By region, the West South Central, Middle Atlantic, South Atlantic, Pacifc, and East North Central Census divisions demonstrated greatest appeal. And among demographics, Millennials, Blacks and Democrats demonstrated the strongest interest. To read and download the research summary, please visit: https://fundforsocialequity. com/#research.
Te label is envisioned for use in all industries - B2B and B2C. It will also be featured at retail and employer sites as a badge indicating fulfllment and ongoing verifcation of the stringent FSE standards, which as tested include: Black American ownership of more than 50% of the company, and operated with more than 25% in all management positions identifying as Black American.
for every type
Our
Pastor Keion Henderson’s viral ‘hushing’
Houston Pastor Keion Henderson is trending after a clip of him admonishing a woman who was yelling out during church surfaced on social media. Henderson stops his prayer to tell the woman, who is loudly worshipping, to “hush.”
Which she immediately does. But the move drew an outpouring of opinions from some who say that’s ‘why people stay away from the church’ and others who say they don’t blame the pastor. The pastor recently appeared on “The Tamron Hall show to set the record straight.
“Social media is into cuts not context....This is a 4-year battle. Every suggestion I’ve gotten from every naysayer, I’ve already done. I’ve talked to her personally. I’d already had ushers talk to her, prayer warriors, everything....As a pastor, I know the difference between disturbance and worship. What people have to understand is that
every time you hear a noise in church, it isn’t worship. There has to be order. I brought order to the room so people could hear God and not her and I’d do it again if I needed to.”
Brian McKnight
‘starts back at one’
R&B Crooner has learned the hard way, you can’t make Black mamas mad. Since Black women are the heart of his fan base, we’re not sure how he thought he could call his biological children “products of sin” and think they wouldn’t do exactly what they did - vocally oppose his upcoming concert.
McKnight angered many when he took to social media to express his love of his new wife, her children and their newborn, while disparaging his Black children and their mother. The crooner was set to appear the week before Father’s Day in Detroit. Well, when news of the concert broke, so many people voiced their disdain that the venue
turned off comments. Then, they canceled the concert altogether.
Black celebs shine at Met Gala
Whether you love fashion or not, chances are something on the grand staircase of the Met Gala caught your eye. Staged each year on the famed steps of New York City’s Metropolitan
Museum of Art, the 56-year-old event entered its current iteration as an annual themed gala in 1973. Since that time, the annual showcase has aligned with showstopping exhibitions — and equally memorable fashion moments. Some of our biggest Black celebs have gone viral for their outfits - and not all of it is good. See more photos online.
Follow us on Social and weigh in on the conversations.
Whatever happens in our community, we’re here, ready to serve.
Providing Level I trauma care at Ben Taub Hospital for people experiencing the worst day of their lives.
Reaching out to families struggling to find or afford healthy food.
Offering the gold standard in nursing at our Magnet®-recognized Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital.
Treating everyone with respect, compassion and gratitude for giving us the opportunity to care for them, work with them, know them.
You may not know our name. And that’s okay.
YOU’LL KNOW US BY THE WORK WE DO.
With all that Houston and the nation have in terms of resources, the Bayou City still has a way too large population of unhoused (homeless) individuals and families. One person who answered a divine call to minister to this segment of society is Demetria Qualls. She founded Hearts of Rescue in 2009. Originally, it collected items for the homeless and delivered them to various shelters. But the ministry was repurposed after the COVID19 pandemic – offering them the opportunity to shower.
The Defender spoke with Qualls, a mother, wife, and associate minister at The Luke Humble who works a full-time job as an IT director, about her unique ministry, Hearts of Rescue, a nonprofit organization that offers mobile showers to Houston’s unhoused homeless community.
DEFENDER: What inspired the repurposingofyourministry?
Qualls: A lot of people had a turnaround during the pandemic, and it was a turnaround for Hearts to Rescue during that time that God shut down the world and shut down Hearts of Rescue. There was a renewing of the direction that I believe he had for me to go. Through prayer and meditation, God gave me the vision to clean his people. That was the directive: “I want you to clean my people.” I didn’t truly understand what that meant from the first vision he gave me. And I just kept saying, God, “What do you mean clean your people?”
So, through a lot of prayer and meditation, he wanted me to provide showers for them. People will pass down the street and give them a dollar here, a dollar there; food here, food there. But the one essential thing that they miss so much is the cleansing of their bodies, to be able to have a shower, to be able to be clean. And I believe that every time we provide those showers, God gives them an opportunity to be clean from the inside out. We minister to them while they’re there, and provide them with some food and clothing. But it evolved around just me saying yes to God.
DEFENDER: Logistically,howdoesthis work?
Qualls: There’s a church by the name of Church Project, which is in the Woodlands. They loan us their two-shower unit trailer. Through conversation, prior to all of my ministry coming together, God connected people and connected those things that were necessary. And I connected with them and they allow me to come out every other Saturday. My husband takes his truck out. We hook the trailer up, we bring it out to the FM 1960 and Kuykendahl area over at Manna Food Pantry
I believe that every time we provide those showers, God gives them an opportunity to be clean from the inside out.”
Demetria Qualls during Hearts of Rescue Thanksgiving meal
(2700 Cypress Creek Parkway, Houston TX 77068), which is associated with Bammel Church of Christ. We park it there at about 7:30 a.m. every other Saturday morning. I have a team of volunteers that come out. We have the shower prepared. It has cold and hot water. I rent a U-Haul van and label it Hearts of Rescue. I go up and down FM 1960 and Kurkendal, and I pick up the homeless and the unhoused. I let them know where I pick them up, I’ll bring them back. I take them back to the showers. There, they register. We provide them with a bathing towel, a dry towel, a shower packet (razor, soap, deodorant, etc.) to go in and take care of all of the necessities when they’re in the shower.
DEFENDER: What’smostrewarding?
Qualls: That I am helping them during that moment. I’m giving them a new opportunity to feel better, to look better, to have an understanding that someone does care about them. I’ve had a couple of opportunities to have people say directly to me, “You saved my life today. Today was the day that I was going to say, ‘I’m done.’” A young lady looked at me in my face and she told me, “I didn’t know who or what was going to save me, or if it was anybody that was, but if it wasn’t today, I was done because I had done everything that I could possibly do. I’ve tried every avenue, and no one sees me or cares. And today you showed up.” Those moments are ones that make me say, “I have a reason to do what I do.” If I save one, I’ve done what God asked me to do.
the perennial
WNBA
All-Star, is steadily readjusting to everyday life after her release from a Russian prison 17 months ago. However, life for the 6-foot-8 center has undergone sig nificant changes, including the loss of her familiar dreadlocks due to maintenance challenges during her incarceration. Griner now regularly attends therapy sessions to help her cope with the 10-month imprisonment ordeal and is chronicling her journey in a new book, “Coming Home.”
Moscow, where she was met with deplorable conditions. For breakfast, she ate porridge that was like cement. For dinner, she ate small pieces of fish that had all the bones in it. There were 50-60 women and one bathroom. Three toilets. No hot water. A communal sink.
Griner was detained at a Moscow airport in February 2022. Russian authorities said a search of her luggage revealed vape cartridges containing oil derived from cannabis. Griner, who maintains that she wasn’t trying to sneak drugs into the country as some critics have said, admits that the hate and criticism she received was mindblowing.
Brittney Griner“Have you ever forgot your keys in your car?” Griner said in an interview with ABC. “Left your car running? Have you ever, you know, said ‘Where’s my glasses?’ They’re on top of your head. ‘Where’s my phone? Oh, it’s in my pocket.’ It’s just so easy to have a mental lapse. Granted my mental lapse was on a more grand scale, but it doesn’t take away from how that can happen.”
Griner felt extreme guilt over the entire ordeal, and got emotional as she recalled her detainment. “I could just visualize everything I worked hard for crumbling and just going away.”
Griner, who says she contemplated taking her own life, was eventually transferred to a penal colony hundreds of miles outside of
“The mattress had a huge blood stain on it,” Griner said, “and they give you these thin two sheets, so you’re basically laying on bars.”
Her legs, from the middle of her shin, down to her feet, stuck through the bars.
“Which in prison,” she said, “you don’t really want to stick your leg and arm through bars. You know, because someone (could) go up and grab it, break it, twist it, and that’s what was going through my mind.”
Griner hopes her book will raise awareness about the conditions endured by detainees. She emphasized the need for a clear understanding of these experiences to support ongoing efforts to bring detainees back home, including individuals like Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich.
Since her release, she has emerged as an advocate for the return of other Americans detained overseas. She’s had two meetings with President Joe Biden, including one last month in Phoenix, where they discussed ongoing efforts to bring home detained Americans. Reflecting on her advocacy work, Griner emphasized the importance of keeping these cases in the public eye to hold government officials accountable and maintain momentum for their release.
While she’s promoting the book, she’s staying steadfast on her future plans - which DON’T include playing any more basketball overseas during the WNBA offseason. Though many WNBA players still play in international leagues to supplement their league salaries, Griner said she is done, except with USA Basketball. She hopes to be on the Olympic team at the Paris Games this summer, and the odds are in her favor that will happen.
“The only time I’ll go overseas is with Team USA,” said Griner, who is expecting her first child with her wife Cherelle. “I need to be in the states. About to be a parent. Last thing I want to do is be in and out of my kid’s life. I want to be there for everything. I don’t want to uproot my family and take them overseas with me. It’s too much.”
The 33-year-old took a mental health break for several days last year during the WNBA season, missing three games. She’ll begin her 12th year in the league May 14 and plans to continue her therapy sessions.
“They are instrumental to my mental health,” Griner said. “Everyone can benefit from having someone to talk to. Someone outside of their every day life. It just helps to have a different perspective on life from someone. That way if you do feel nervous or struggling with something, it’s very beneficial.”
Griner is looking forward to it after the welcome she received in her return last
year. One of the only positives that Griner will take away from her ordeal was the outpouring of support she received from people in the form of letters they wrote to her in prison.
“The letters were amazing from the fans, teammates, opponents, GMs, they all meant so much to me,” she said. “It was very dark at times, especially going through the trial. When I was in isolation for weeks, it was an emotional rollercoaster and those letters made me remember that I wasn’t forgotten.”
posted a
in the 100 meters, placing first with a time of 11.34 in the SWAC Championships, which ranks her 29th in the nation.
C.J. Stroud and Micah Parsons hold football camps in Asia
Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud and Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons recently held a 10-day youth football camp in three cities in Asia, which included stops in Beijing and Shanghai. The Asia Tour, which is sponsored by Gridiron Imports, is a non-profit organization that gives high school and college-level football players a chance to play American football. Stroud and Parson also went to Tokyo where they got in some sumo wrestling training.
Texas Southern men’s track team completes trifecta
The Texas Southern men’s track & field team completed the trifecta as they won the 2024 SWAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Southern University on Saturday. The win marked the first time since 2011 that one SWAC men’s program has won all three track & field seasons in a calendar year as TSU claimed titles in cross country, indoor and outdoor track & field. Head coach Clyde Duncan, Sr. also completed the sweep as his trophy case will feature three SWAC Coach of the Year awards.
Joshua Cephus picked up by Jacksonville Jaguars
Former DeKaney and UTSA standout receiver Joshua Cephus has signed a college free-agent deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 6-foot-3 Cephus ended his college career as UTSA’s all-time leader in receptions (313), receiving yards (3639) and starts (56). The First-Team All-American Athletic Conference receiver set a single-season school record last season with 1,151 receiving yards to go along with 10 touchdowns.
Nick Anderson signs minor league baseball deal
Houston native Nick Anderson has re-signed with the Lincoln Saltdogs minor league baseball team. Anderson, an allstar outfielder, put together a career year with the Saltdogs last season, hitting .276 with a career-high 20 home runs and 58 RBI. It was considered a breakthrough year for the fourth-year pro and former standout at Fort Bend Kempner and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
Texas Southern senior linebacker Jacob Williams makes it clear that he had two mothers really since the age of 3.
There is his real mom, Rachel, who unfortunately passed away in 2013.
Then there is Desiree, his dad’s wife, who he and his siblings lovingly and loyally refer to as second mom. Stepmom, as far as they are concerned, isn’t a fitting title.
“I call her my second mom, not my stepmom,” Jacob said in a recent conversation ahead of Mother’s Day. “She and my dad got together when I was 3 years old when my real mom was still around. It was never any bitterness or anything. It was always just co-parenting. I had three parents, her, my dad and my real mom.”
It’s always been said that it takes a special woman to be a mother. In that case, it takes an extremely special woman to do what Desiree Barnes-Williams has done over the years, and that is step in and be the loving, thoughtful and always present motherly presence in the lives of the six children she inherited when she married Jimmy Williams, Jr.
It was that way years before Rachel passed. Then Desiree stepped up even more in their lives once their real mom was no longer physically there. She was
there to offer a hug, sound life and career advice and even to offer a bit of tough love and reality when necessary.
“She is a very loving mother,” said Isaac, who is Jacob’s twin brother and student coach at TSU. “She always had our backs on everything, harped on accountability, doing the right thing. She is big on character. She instilled that in us as well, to always do the right thing even when nobody is looking and nobody is around and just being a standup individual not just in sports but all around.”
“She took us in like we were her own kids. That’s a big thing. You couldn’t tell she was our second mom just by how she treated us and how we treated her, as well.”
It was a promise Desiree made to Rachel. It’s a promise she has kept.
A product of Texas Southern and a current professor of sociology at the HBCU, Desiree made sure to instill the importance of an education in all of the Williams children. Desiree received her undergraduate and master’s degrees from Texas Southern University and is currently working on her doctorate.
She was instrumental in both Jacob and Isaac coming to TSU, where Jacob has thrived as a one-time walk-on to a star defensive player for the Tigers. Isaac,
who is a sports management major, is well on the path to his desired career as a football coach.
Desiree couldn’t be more proud of them both.
“I know that I’m not their biological mom but seeing them grow into the young men that they are … I know that their mother is so proud and she is smiling down from heaven,” Desiree said while fighting back tears. “I made a promise to her while she was here that I would look after them and take care of them.
“So, seeing them grow into the men that they are, I feel that I have fulfilled a promise to their mom.”
Isaac and Jacob give their second mom a great deal of credit for their success and the great memories she was instrumental in giving them. When asked about some of his favorite memories with Desiree growing up, the first that comes to Jacob’s mind is how Desiree, his mom and dad all came together as a unit for their benefit.
“The things I remember is them having a great relationship,” Jacob said. “They were more like sisters. There was no bitterness at all. It was always like a threeteam partnership. That’s why I have never called her my stepmom, I’ve always called her my second mom.”
Ft. Bend Marshall senior William Mitchell is the new UIL 5A State track meet champion in the 100meter dash. Mitchell was elated after running 10.43 at the state track meet.
“It feels amazing; like a dream come true. Everyone who says they’re fast wants to win state in the 100meter dash and I’m the guy that won it. This accomplishment has my confidence all the way into space right now,” said Mitchell.
Mitchell began running track in the third grade for Dave Bethany Elite. He did the running events but he was never the star of the show. He was better at the field events. However, after one season he and his family decided to stop running and explore other activities.
“At that time I was also playing football, but I was on the verge of quitting because I had a bad little league experience,” said Mitchell. “I was smaller than everyone else and didn’t have much confidence. I was continuously overlooked because I didn’t meet the eye test, so I began to believe that maybe football wasn’t really for me anymore.”
After switching football teams, Mitchell found himself on the Southwest Jr. Marlins where he met Coach D who, along with his father, helped to rebuild his confidence.
“I regained my confidence. It was just me, the ball and the guy in front of me who was going to have to prove to me that he was better than me in every category,” said Mitchell.
Mitchell stayed with the Southwest Jr. Marlins until he entered high school. While making a name for himself, Mitchell realized that running track could help better him as an athlete and improve his recruiting.
“I felt that I could use track to help me run more efficiently. Then I’d be able to use my weight room strength while running,” said Mitchell. “Eventually, I fell in love with it again and it became another escape from life similar to how football made me feel.”
Mitchell’s freshman year showed that he had the talent, but lacked the experience needed to perform at a high level.
“Coach Banks told me I had no form; I just wanted to outwork everybody. That year I ran on the junior varsity team,” said Mitchell.
Sophomore year, Mitchell began to show progress. As an alternate in the 4x200-meter relay, Mitchell ran the first leg at the area meet while Michael Patterson was injured. By the end of the season, he ran 10.9 seconds in the 100-meter dash but was unable to make it out of district.
Junior year, Mitchell was no longer an alternate but had earned his spot on the 4x100-meter relay team.
“That’s when people began to notice. We ran 39.8 on the 4x100-meter relay. I was magic on that curve as the third leg,” said Mitchell. “Going from being
the smallest guy on the little league football team to the biggest guy on my track relay team, people didn’t expect me to do much, but I performed. I ran 10.7 in the 100-meter dash that year.”
This year marked Mitchell’s third trip to the UIL 5A state meet, however, it was his first time competing in a singles event. Mitchell qualified for the 100-meter dash after running 10.42 in the district meet and came in with the fastest time in the state for 5A.
Next season Mitchell will be attending Texas State University on a football scholarship with hopes of walking onto the track program as well while studying kinesiology.
“The way Coach GJ Kienne turned the program around and the way they genu inely recruited me made me feel this school was the best fit for me,” said Mitchell.
Mitchell recalls the encouragement given to him by his community of care that kept him going when he didn’t feel he was worthy of the opportunities being presented.
“My support system was different. It really does take a village and all the small things helped, from just saying you’re enough to the pep talks about keeping your head down and working, focusing on proving yourself right instead of proving others wrong.”
Not only did Mitchell take home the gold his senior season, but he was also crowned athlete of the meet as he tallied 20 individual points.
“I didn’t even know that was something to win, I just focused on serving my purpose for the team on getting points on the board,” said Mitchell. “For the next upcoming athletes, keep your head down and stay on your path. Your time is coming; stay true to yourself.”
Class: 2024
IG: @Willthematrix
Twitter: @Willthematrixx
Races: 100-meter, 4x100-meter relay, 4x200-meter relay
Height & weight: 5-feet-10, 178 pounds
Runners he studies:
(Pro), Kalen Walker (University of Iowa)
Status: Committed to Texas State
Favorite artists: Baby Kia
Favorite subject: Science / Human anat
omy
Shout-outs: God, Family, Danny McCray and the athletic program at Marshall High School.
Top-tier athletes readily say coaching can make the diference between being a player/ team and being a champion. Individuals committed to becoming their best selves ofen swear by the guidance of their life coaches. With the explosion of new entrepreneurs on the scene, spurred on by the COVID-19 pandemic and its afermath, business coaches have become all the rage.
But achieving accolades in sports, reaching various life goals or becoming a successful captain of industry can’t happen if your health is in the toilet.
Enter the latest coaches ofering guidance for improved lives – health and wellness coaches. And a new program at the University of Houston will be training and producing them for any and all who recognize the wisdom in the words, “Your health is your wealth.”
Aspiring health coaches can look to the University of Houston Population Health program to prepare them for successful careers in this growing feld, a feld where these health professionals form collaborative working relationships, so their clients identify their own challenges and pathways toward healthy
lifestyle changes.
Health and wellness coaches provide motivation and encouragement along with support and practical guidance to lead individuals toward positive and lasting change.
Although they are not physicians, health coaches impact the lives of others each day. Currently, they can be found in clinics, community centers, gyms and other locations across the country. And demand for their services nationally is said to be so high, the feld has been described as “a booming industry.”
This June, UH Population Health will
launch its Center for Excellence in Health Coaching ofering an Integrative Health and Well-Being Certifcate. Enrolled students will complete an online 10-month program that includes coursework and the development of coaching skills in the feld.
“During the program, students will gain knowledge in the foundations of health coaching, positive psychology, social determinants of health and other pragmatic applications of the discipline,” according to a UH statement. “Ultimately, they will apply what they have learned to feld practice with faculty
mentors and actual clients. Curriculum is guided by the standards and competencies of the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC).”
Students successfully completing this program will be eligible to take NBHWC’s exam, which is the gold standard for all certifed health coaches. Successful completion of this exam will provide the credentials necessary for professional opportunities as coaches.
Adam Martinez, administrative director of population health education at UH said guidance and mentorship the program’s faculty members will provide – faculty members who have all met NBHWC’s requirements and are certifed health coaches – is what separates UH Population Health’s program from others.
According to Martinez, graduates of many other programs must seek out and complete practice sessions before applying for the national exam. UH Population Health’s program, however, will provide students with the practice hours needed to sit for NBHWC exam.
“Tis is an incredible value to our students,” he said. “Tey are exposed to rich content and receive mentored support as they work to become certifed health coaches.”