African-American News&Issue

Vol. 19 Issue 27

Greater Houston

July 28 - Aug 3, 2014 | FREE ®

Aframnews.com ~ The #1 100% Black-Owned Worldwide Digital News Source

“Choose wisely who you allow to control Your Mind; Your Money & Your Vote these are the most powerful things you have; Be careful who you give them to.” ~Roy Douglas Malonson, Publisher~

Leticia Van de Putte

Taking Her Fight Directly to the People in the Name of Children, Families and Texas’ Future See VAN DE PUTTE pg. 4

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Texas R und-Up

www.aframnews.com Austin - Is Austin unwelcoming to African Americans?A study by the University of Texas at Austin indicates that Austin is the only U.S. city with a shrinking African-American population.

The African-American population dipped by 5 percent from 2000 to 2010, even while Austin’s general population grew by roughly 20 percent. Eric Tang, a UT professor who co-authored the report, gave reasons for the decline. Tang said African-Americans are leaving Austin because of disparities in public schools, a distrust of the Austin Police Department and roadblocks to snagging jobs in the fields of technology and construction — and relocating in suburbs such as Pflugerville.

On the Go? Just download a QRB Reader and scan our code to visit our website!

R.D. Malonson Chairman S.A. Malonson President/C.E.O. Darwin Campbell Editor Chandra Jarmon Production/ Sales Ruth Randle Distribution Manager General: news@aframnews.com Ads: sales@aframnews.com Website: www.aframnews.com African-American News&Issues is published

by African-American News & Issues, Inc., 6130 Wheatley Street, Houston, Texas 77091, (713) 692-1892. Our office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:15am - 5pm. The entire contents of the paper are copyrighted by African-American News & Issues, Inc. All rights reserved. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without the expressed written consent of the publisher. African-American News&Issues is not responsible for any claims made by advertisers.

The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the publisher.

TX-2

Beaumont - Beaumont waits to see if ousted BISD Superintendent Timothy Chargois will file a request to appeal his termination.

By law he has 15 days to file the written request for a hearing with an independent officer, but it must be done within that period after receiving notice of his termination, according to state education law.

The BISD board of manager fired Chargois for just cause last week after the cheating scandals, financial mismanagement and thefts rocked the district and hurt the image of the district with the community.

TEA moved in and replaced the board and installed a new interim superintendent. District policy now requires the board to also provide Chargois a written explanation of the good cause charges against him so that he has the chance to review the evidence for his termination and point out any errors.

www.aframnews.com Dallas - A Dallas City Council member has received death threats.

Carolyn Davis serves District 7, and she’s been trying to get rid of loitering. She asked police to crack down.

Davis and others believe many of those standing on street corners are dealing drugs and committing other crimes. The councilwoman is undaunted by the threats and has community support. Davis and police say they aren’t backing down contending the community deserves better.

San Antonio - Ivy Taylor made history in San Antonio on Tuesday, becoming the first African-American woman to be mayor of the city.

She was appointed to fulfill the remainder of Julian Castro’s term.

Castro left the office to become the to join President Barack Obama’s Administration as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

Taylor grew up in New York and attended Yale University.

Her background is in urban planning, and she worked for the city as an urban planner before running for council in 2009. She was elected to her District 2 seat in 2009, and re-elected in 2011 and 2013.

Letter from the Editor “The Fight is Not Fixed” –

Power To Change is in Community’s Hands

After reading a variety of comments and responses from the story about Superintendent Terry Grier, I am compelled to be blunt and forward in defending the role of the Black Press.

One such comment in particular that caught my attention said, “After reading this article. All I can do is shake my head in disgust. You could have taken African-American News&Issues off the header and placed from the desk of Terry Grier.

Nobody would ever know the difference. This my friends is when you know the fight is fixed.”

The African-American News&Issues was founded with the sole goal of giving the community a voice. For nearly 20 years, week in and week out we have done this without fear or favor.

We have taken on tough issues and met with difficult individuals and found ourselves in tough situations all with the goal of providing you with the best uncut, unbiased review of issues and addressing those perspectives from a Black point of view.

It is purely asinine for people to attack the hard work and sacrifices of this newspaper and its staff without understanding the true meaning of journalism.

We don’t ask people to love or agree with everything we write or do, but we always write with the goal in mind to give the public enough information or as much as possible to be able to make an educated unbiased decision about any issue.

Contrary to popular belief, we do not tell anyone what to do or think. However, it is our obligation to record Black history and tell every story in a balanced way, giving full and undivided attention and complete respect to the individual or groups, whether we believe or support it or not.

A journalist task in simple when it comes to news: Report News, be objective and use hard, verifiable facts, good sources and information.

News, incidents and issues are reported fairly and without bias. It can occur or break without warning at anytime and everything that hap-

pens behind it supports or surrounds the original event or story.

I will make this short and sweet for those who like to bad mouth the true Black Press for its efforts to inform the Black community. These are the same do-nothing cowards that run to places like the Houston Chronicle and other Non-Black, Non-Community supporting newspapers with announcements and business and totally support them with no questions asked.

With that, said let me make clear that those who are disgusted and think the “deck is stacked” or the “fight is fixed” do not know the Chairman, Roy Douglas Malonson or the staff at African-American News&Issues very well nor have they been awake and conscious enough to follow Black issues in this newspapers over the past two decades.

Growing up during the turbulence of the 1960’s and experiencing separate but equal firsthand, I have lived and seen the failures and damage the education system has inflicted on generations of children since integration, and I have fought tooth and nail to educate and change a system that is destroying our schools, neighborhoods and our children.

However, some Blacks from our own communities have been our own worst enemy. We are still fighting equality today because of “Black flight” from our own neighborhoods.

In these communities we have forsaken, we have helped to write the epitaphs and eulogies for schools that have closed.

We need to realize and accept our responsibility in this failed education system.

We Must ask ourselves how much have I been involved helping to build pride in my neighborhood school and how many times have I volunteered to spend time in that school.

Vouchers and transfers have been the bond that we have used to bail our own children out of our neighborhood schools and into charter schools, academies and other public schools in affluent neighborhoods,

Texas 28 - Aug 3, 2014 Texas• •July August 12-18, 2013

Darwin L Campbell Editor

rather than stand and fight to the last man demanding that neighborhood schools be just as equal in facilities, teachers, resources, books and budget as the affluent school that your child now attends.

It can only get better when we stop “farming” our children out to charter schools and using transfer vouchers.

No one school should be better than another. They all deserve to be equal.

Taxpayers Must Understand that our schools belong to us.

Superintendents, board members and administrators work for us. That is what has been lost on us and we have ourselves to blame.

What we see today did not happen because of the AfricanAmerican News&Issues interviewed Terry Grier.

This mess is the fallout from the African-Americans failing to deal with inequality!!!

If the fight is fixed, we ask who made the bet?

Seems many of us made bets against our own neighborhood schools.

Business Card for Paper_Layout 1 6/3/14 We need to stop playing with our kids futures.

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Edit rial & Opini n Police Abuse Must End Rev. Al Sharpton President, National Action Network

Every time I comfort a grieving family member who has lost a loved one to police brutality, I hope and pray that it will be the last time. But deep down, I know it won’t be.

Saturday morning, I was joined at National Action Network’s (NAN) weekly rally by relatives of the late Eric Garner, a father of six who died as police officers in Staten Island placed him in an illegal chokehold.

At our rally, Garner’s widow was so overcome with grief that she collapsed on stage right near me as several of us then rushed to assist her. NAN also held a march in Staten Island over the weekend after family members came to us for help, and I preached at Riverside Church in Manhattan yesterday to call for a restoration of humanity. As Garner’s children have to face the harsh reality of living without their father for the rest of their lives, we must demand that they receive justice. At the same time, NAN’s Los Angeles chapter has rallied with others for Marlene Pinnock, a 51-year-old grandmother, who was repeatedly pummeled in the face reportedly by a California Highway Patrol officer. Both outrageous incidents were caught on videotape, and both cases demand swift action. But after watching continuous acts of police abuse and brutality from coast-to-coast, perhaps the real question is, have we reached a point where federal authorities need to step in?

The video footage that emerged of Eric Garner’s encounter with police is disturbing on multiple levels and very difficult to watch. I caution anyone who is about to view it to be prepared to witness a level of disregard for human life that should disgust and outrage us all. I cannot understand how anyone can choke an unarmed man, and continue to do so despite the fact that he is saying

he cannot breathe over and over and over again. Let’s put aside the fact that chokeholds are illegal; where is the humanity? This man is literally telling you he cannot breathe. And to add insult to injury, EMS workers and others that arrive on the scene also fail to do anything to revive or assist Garner as this footage shows.

The level of disregard is utterly frightening. And what might you ask was Eric Garner’s alleged crime?

Selling loose cigarettes.

On the other side of the country, NAN’s LA chapter leader Rev. K.W. Tullos worked with other leaders to organize demonstrations to call for justice in the case of Marlene Pinnock. The videotape in this outrageous case shows a CHP officer punching this unarmed woman in the face and head 10 to 15 times as she lay on the ground according to numerous reports. The excuse in this incident is that Pinnock wasn’t listening to the officer’s commands.

In Garner’s case, the excuse is that he was trying to sell loose cigarettes?

Are we serious? Are we even having a serious discussion at this point when such ridiculous excuses are being thrown around? There are gangsters and murders that never get placed in a chokehold. The truth is, there is absolutely no more room for excuses anymore, period. Excessive police brutality must end and those hired to protect and serve us must be re-trained as to what exactly that means.

If there is any silver lining out of these two horrific incidents, it’s that others made a conscious decision to tape the interactions.

In both the Garner case and the Pinnock case, individuals of a different race sensed that something was wrong and recorded the events.

Let’s not fool ourselves, if it weren’t for these videos, would we have even known about the tragic death of Garner, or the vicious abuse against Pinnock? These aren’t isolated incidents; all across this nation police brutality is very much alive and impacting people who aren’t lucky enough to have it caught on tape.

Source: Huffington Post

American News&Issues

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“We MUST never forget slavery, lynching, Jim Crow Laws, the disrespect of the Black race and the first Black president.”

Leticia Van De Putte –

Shows Refreshing Touch Coming into Hood

P

oliticians should be judged by what they do and not for what they say. Getting out the Black vote and expecting support from the Black community for the upcoming midterm election is something no Texas candidate can afford to take for granted in such vital races coming in November.

There were two previous gubernatorial campaigns that did not get the memo that if you want to win, you must go directly to the people and stimulate and motivate the base to get excited and involved.

You cannot take the Black vote for granted – If you want big turnout numbers similar to numbers for 2008 and 2012 presidential elections - You must earn it by talking to the Black Press and going to the people and asking for their support personally. Otherwise, how serious are you really?

(D) Leticia Van De Putte, who is from San Antonio, is running for Lt. Governor is doing it the right way. She came to the headquarters of the African-American News&Issues and sat down with me to talk politics, the issues and asked about the concerns of the community. After a discussion with her, she shared her vision for a Texas that includes focusing on equality for all children, students and preparing the next generation from Pre-K to college for future leadership and the workforce.

Her heart is truly in her campaign and her record working for Texans since 1991 in Austin proves her sincerity to make a difference.

Over the past 20 years, she has built a Texas-size reputation as a

strong advocate for children, active duty military, veterans and their families and has fought tirelessly for strong Texas schools and a vibrant economy that supports jobs.

In an age where politicians will promise the moon and blow enough hot air during campaigns to fill a thousand balloons, Van De Putte brings a new look to the political game. She came not making promises, but offering her service. She was sensitive enough to us to show up, sit down, listen and talk to the Black Press. It is very impressive that she also spends real time talking to the people living in the hood.

This is a woman who wants to be the next Lieutenant Governor – the most powerful position in Texas politics. She is up against a White racist and (R) Dan Patrick who cares nothing about Blacks or Hispanics.

The Lt. Governor appoints the Senate Finance Committee which controls the budget process; controls the floor agenda determining which bills make it for debate or not and assigns committees and chairs in a way to ensure strong leadership. The position in Texas is powerful because it sets the focus and direction of law making in Texas and set the course for any and all issues facing every Texan.

Van de Putte said what sets her apart from Patrick is her ability to be a compassionate coalition builder and problem solver who cares, understands and listens.

Unlike, (R) Greg Abbott and other candidates running for higher offices, Van de Putte is bold and in a class about the rest, because she cared enough to show up.

- Roy Douglas

We MUST Understand

By Roy Douglas Malonson, Chairman

Van de Putte came with her team to Acres Homes without an exclusive special event or invitation.

All candidates and elected officials should come to the community. It is right and if you care about the people, come in and sit down to discuss needs, concerns or issues in our own communities.

You must show the people you care and are not interested in “pimping them” for votes and support as so many politicians do.

Leticia Van De Putte’s plan is simple. Take herself and her message to individuals in churches, shops, businesses and communities and let the people know that she cares and why she is in the race.

I enjoyed the freshness and genuineness of humility and the sincerity of her message to Blacks and Hispanics.

She is seeking support not because of votes alone, but for the future of children and families.

To win, she will need to generate energy and excitement and hope that translates into participation, action and turnout from Black and Hispanic communities.

We Must Understand that when people come to see you, it speaks volumes about their sincerity, character and where their heart is.

Van de Putte truly respects the Black Press and the Community.

Coming to the hood and showing love for all our people is a leader worth supporting.

e welcome all original responses Letter to the Editor W from our readers to content found in the African-American News&Issues.

Letters to the Publisher may be sent via e-mail to news@aframnews.com. Please keep all letters under 300 words. Be sure to include the author’s name, area of residence. All letters and articles may be verified before they are published. All letters are subjected to editing or being cut for spacing purposes. Thank you in advance for your submission.

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C ver St ry

Leticia Van de Putte takes her message directly to the African-American communities

VAN DE PUTTE from pg. 1

Houston - It is one of the most powerful elected office in the country and one of the highest respected in Texas.

The question is whether Blacks in Texas turnout and vote or once again concede that power in the Lt. Governor’s office to the Republicans and Dan Patrick.

Democrat Leticia Van De Putte is in the race to give Democrats a fighting chance at taking back a seat that has been held by Republicans for decades. But first, she wants African-American and Hispanic voters to understand what this political race is all about.

On Children and the Future of Texas “The most important thing state government can do is provide for a solid education,” Van de Putte said in an exclusive visit to 6130 Wheatley Street with members of the African-American News&Issues Editorial Board.

“Our children, students and the next generation are our workforce. You gotta get kids to and thru our public school systems so that they can be ready for that next step, whether it’s technical programs, vocational education, community college or the 4-year institutions. You must prepare each to live a life of dignity, but first they must get through school.”

This self made businesswoman is a 6th generation Texan TX- 4

that visited African-American News&Issues offices to sit down and share her visions and ideas for the Texas, its people, its future workforce and its children.

“I am in this race because for me, it’s all about children and families,” Van de Putte said. “I care about the community, its schools, it’s parents and children and am focused and determined to be a true voice for them.”

Key Position The Lt. Governor appoints the Senate Finance Committee which controls the budget process; controls the floor agenda determining which bills make it for debate or not and assigns committees and chairs in a way to ensure strong leadership. The position in Texas is powerful because it sets the focus and direction of law making in Texas and set the course for any and all issues facing every Texan.

Van De Putte Mini-Bio She is a practicing pharmacist and has operated her small business since 1980. She currently represents Texas Senate District 26, which included a large portion of San Antonio – the seventh largest city in the United States- and Bexar County. She graduated from the University of Texas and was a fellow at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. Her legislative service and representation to the people of

Texas in the legislature goes back to 1991.

Over the past 20 years, she has built a Texas-size reputation as a strong advocate for children, active duty military, veterans and their families and has fought tirelessly for strong Texas schools and a vibrant economy that supports jobs.

She has been married to her husband Pete for 37 years and they have six children and six grandchildren.

Why Dan is Not the Man Van de Putte made it clear that she is in the race to move Texas forward and decided to run because of the poisonous divisive campaign rhetoric and politics based on race and fear coming from the Republicans and opponent Dan Patrick.

“Dan Patrick is about taking us back to a time that none of us want to think about,” she said. “Texas doesn’t deserve to go back to a time when it was an “us versus them” world.”

Van de Putte made it clear that Patrick is thinking backward and looking to turn back the clock and take Texas back to the days of Jim Crow segregation and separate but equal ideals.

“Dan Patrick is for divisiveness and focuses on issues that divide us rather than provide a structure for what unites us,” she said. “He is a fan of going back to a past that

Texas• •July August 12-18, 2013 Texas 28 - Aug 3, 2014

Texas is not proud of. He does not support voting rights and wanted the Voter Photo I.D. Law. A Dan Patrick Texas is not the type of Texas I want for my grand children or for the next generation.”

She said his record is clear that he is not right for Texas because he is out of step with people who are not like him and supports controlling access to ballot box rather than giving people the ability to let their voices be heard and wishes made known by voting and being civilly engaged.

She also noted that Patrick fought and voted for budget cuts in 2011 that hurt children in Pre-K, public schools and secondary schools and colleges and universities.

“Dan Patrick voted for $5 billion in cuts and worse he bragged about it and he still brags about the cuts - hundred of millions in cuts for our children,” she said. “We know for African-American students and Latino students the strongest thing we can do to ensure their success is to provide the power of an early childhood education. Dan Patrick took pride in ripping those funds from our three and four year olds.”

Patrick also has also attacked veterans and small business voting against a veteran entrepreneur program and not supporting the HUBS program. He also voted NO on water and transportation projects for better Texas highways.

“It is important to make the connection for the community and children. This election is important because state government will determine the opportunities that will be there for our children,” she said. “Working as pharmacist for 34 years, I know most people care about their health enough to do what is best to keep their health.

Much more, I believe they will do what it takes to come out with the understanding that the election is not about them, but to it’s about making the connection that voting in this election is about their children.

If I know anything, its about the family.”

On Voting and Turnout She said there are things people should know when it comes to voting in a mid-term election.

She intends to change the course of past Democrats, who failed by using television and radio spots to take the place of personally visiting with voters and sharing that message with the people in person.

“African-American and Latinos do care about their children and care about schools and communities,” she said. “Candidate and politicians must be there to show they care and will work the families and neighborhoods.”

Her plan is simple. Take her fight to individual churches and communities and let the people know that she cares and why she is in the race. She admits that she needs the voter support and turnout, but want voters to understand that it is important that showing up at the ballot box is not for her, but for the future of children and families.

Here message to Blacks and Hispanics is simple. I will come to you because you are most important.

“We need that energy and that participation and influence from Black and Hispanic communities, but we will go work for it and ask for it,” she said.

Van de Putte said what sets her apart with voters is her ability to be a coalition builder and problem solver who cares, understands and listens.

“I am someone who understands incarceration, justice and victims of the system,” she said. “I understand and can work both sides of isle and know the values of having strong schools and more opportunities.”

She said getting rid of abject poverty, lack of opportunities and the inability to succeed goes a long way in building better lives for citizens.

“Proving opportunities to live in dignity and take pride in where you live helps reduce the symptoms of social ills and crimes plaguing society,” she said. “Nobody wakes up and says my dream is to be in prison or says my dream is for my children to work minimum wage jobs all their lives. It’s not about asking for handouts, it’s about getting a hand up and using a strong structure to help guide people towards making good decisions.”

Story By: Darwin Campbell, African-American News&Issues

C mmunity

Texas • July 28 - Aug 3, 2014

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How Do You Spend a Million Dollars? District B To Use Budget to Empower Communities

Houston - The good news is District B has $1milion to make improvements and empower communities, but tough decisions are ahead about how to use it.

That is why Vice Mayor ProTem and District B Councilman Jerry Davis is calling together civic groups and community leaders to talk about the new infusion of dollars and the need to develop an action plan for the community.

“This is a very important thing for our communities and neighborhoods,” Davis said at a breakfast announcing the program. “We are encouraging people to get involved and share ideas and ways we can make improvements and address immediate issues facing the communities.” Other council districts also received a budget for its neighborhoods and communities, but Davis is one of the first to hold a public meetings inviting public input and participation in the process.

Davis also made the call for the community to join in supporting the revitalizing of the District B Neighborhood Advisory Council

(DBNAC). The council is made up of civic groups, citizens and representative from every sector of District B. The district, serves areas in northern Houston and northeast Houston and also strings together African-American strongholds such as Fifth Ward and Acres Home, also stretches and covers part of IAH, Clinton Park, Fontane Place, Kashmere Gardens, Scenic Woods, Settegast, Songwood, and Trinity Gardens and Lake Houston.

The first meeting is scheduled for September 2 at 6:30 p.m at Acres Home Multi-Service Center located at 6719 W. Montgomery.

The meetings will be led by Davis and held every other month.

“We are also requesting that residents have addresses for vacant and weeded lots in their neighborhoods ready to submit,” Davis said.

“We look forward to working for you and with you to help improve the quality of life for District B.” According to Davis, the goals of the program will be to get some more immediate need issues in the community taken care of. Some of

the projects that could fall under the funding includes the upgrade and repairs at youth league fields, street lighting, sidewalk repairs, culvert repairs or any smaller maintenance issue that may affect health and safety of a neighborhood.

The process started two and a half years ago when Vice Mayor Pro-Tem Jerry Davis initiated the District B Neighborhood Advisory Council to engage, educate, and empower the constituents of District B. One of the lessons that Councilman Davis learned was that without input from the citizens in the Capital Improvement Plan and other City of Houston Department decisions, good government could not be achieved.

With this in mind, Davis authored and supported several amendments to the City of Houston Fiscal Year 2015 budget and Fiscal Year 2015 CIP. This gives District B constituents an opportunity to voice how tax dollars are being spent.

Here is what the initiative helps

to achieve: 1. $1,000,000 for the Council District Service Budget that will be dedicated to fund minor immediate needs in District B that will better the quality of life of the community.

2. $50,000 for the Neighborhood Matching Grant Program, which will provide reimbursement matching funds for neighborhood initiated projects between $250 to $2500.

3. Increase in funds for the City Mow Down Program from $9,000 to $212,850 to allow more neighborhood organizations to cut weeded lots in their respective neighborhoods. The funds can be used for equipment, support staffing, and pay of organizations that participate in the program.

Davis also authored and rallied support in the passage of a budget amendment that will purchase 25 illegal dumping cameras to be placed in areas most affected by chronic illegal dumping.

It will allow constables and other law enforcement agencies to partner with the city of Houston to

Councilman Jerry Davis

monitor and enforce illegal dumping laws. This partnership is a great step forward in the enforcement and fight against illegal dumping.

“This is good and we are pleased that this is happening,” said Acres Home Community activist Ruby Mosely. “This is our community and now, it is up to us to participate and see that the things we come up with are done and followed through.”

Darwin Campbell, African-American News&Issues

Housing Authority Launches Education Fund to Honor Retiring President, CEO

Barbara Houston

Fort Worth - The Fort Worth Housing Authority (FWHA) is establishing the Barbara Houston Education Fund (BHEF) to honor the agency’s recently retired

President and CEO, Barbara Houston. Houston retired from FWHA in June 2014, after 24 years of service as the agency’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

She is credited with changing the focus of the agency from merely being a provider of public housing to being a creator of quality affordable housing options for the citizens of Fort Worth. Houston also implemented a variety of resident education and support programs that assist them in acquiring job skills and the training necessary to become self-sufficient and even achieve homeownership.

“During Barbara Houston’s 24 years of service at FWHA, she helped thousands of program participants take their lives to new levels of success through self-sufficiency,” said Terri Castaway, FWHA Board Chair. “The education fund is welldeserved recognition in honor of her

longstanding and impaction legacy of improving the living environment and quality of life for individuals and families in our community.”

The Fund is a nonprofit organization that recognizes Houston’s long history of service and dedication to personal achievement by providing financial assistance through scholarships and grants to FWHA clients that will help them cover the expenses of academic studies and vocational training. Eligible expenses include tuition, books and materials, course fees, supplies and tools.

“The Barbara Houston Education Fund is a living tribute to Barbara’s dedication to helping people help themselves by supporting their efforts to acquire the education and skills to achieve a better life,” said

Naomi W. Byrne, FWHA President and CEO. “She has inspired many individuals; and, families over the years and now her legacy will continue to help the next generation of participants achieve their personal and professional goals.”

FWHA develops, owns and operates quality affordable and accessible housing that provides assistance to citizens of Fort Worth utilizing various federal, state and local programs. Currently, FWHA owns 1,145 public housing units, 3,126 affordable housing units, 525 market-rate units; administers more than 6,100 housing vouchers;

and operates 2 homeownership programs.

The launch of the fund was July 10th at a formal a celebratory retirement dinner for Houston on at the Ashton Depot in downtown Fort Worth.

For more information about the Fund and how to contribute are available on FWHA’s Web site, Watergate or write to: P. O. Box 430 Fort Worth, TX 76101-0430.

You may also call or fax the office : 817.333.3400 Fax: 817.332-4830.

Darwin Campbell, African-American News&Issues

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Texas • July 28 - Aug 3, 2014

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African

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Religion

Texas • July 28 - Aug 3, 2014

St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church ABOUT THE PASTOR Roderick D. Dawson is a native of Houston, Texas. He attended public schools in the Houston Independent School District and is a graduate of Waltrip Senior High School.

Rev. Dawson received his undergraduate degree from Texas Southern University and attended Houston Graduate School of Theology. Rev. Dawson hails from a family line of Gospel ministers, following the examples set forth by his father and grandfather.

He received his call in the ministry at the age of seventeen (17).

Through the African Methodist Episcopal church, he has had oppor- Pastor Roderick D. & First Lady Satcey Dawson needs of every man, woman, and tunities to serve in numerous pastoral child through the teaching of Biblical capacities. principles that enlighten and enhance He served at Stearne Chapel, one’s personal life to exemplify Jesus Bryan, Tx.; St. Luke, Houston, Tx.; Christ in every way.”

First Community, Missouri City, Tx. HISTORY and Zion Temple, Brazoria, Tx. With over 145 years of service His most recent pastoral charge to Houston’s faith community, St. began November 15, 1997 with St. Paul was founded in 1869 as the first Paul AME Church in Houston, Texas.

African Methodist Episcopal church In June 2002, under the leadership in Houston. The church was named in of Pastor Dawson, St. Paul opened a honor of St. Paul, who was among the new 10,000 sq. ft. sanctuary, daycare first freed black people. The first worfacility, and community projects offices at its current location, 1554 Gears ship services were held under the leafy shade of an arbor. However, God’s Road in Houston, Texas. grace and determination led founding Our goal is to eradicate social injustice and to rebuild broken lives by pastor, Rev. David Wren, and two founding families, the Richard Brock actively encouraging involvement and and Henry Fields families, to begin developing projects to meet the needs work on the original worship edifice identified within the community. at 1710 Edward Street located within In 2012 completion of a 30,000 the Houston Central Business District, sq. ft. Multi-Purpose Building which First Ward. Pastor Wren and his group includes expansion of a Daycare, of trailblazers completed construction Gymnatorium, classrooms and a of the first St. Paul A.M.E. worship commercial kitchen under Pastor center in 1873. In 1875, St. Paul Dawson’s leadership. completed expansion of this project to Pastor Dawson other affiliations, include Board Member of Greenspoint include pastoral housing.

St. Paul has successfully handled Redevelopment Authority Board and the oversight for additional renovaBoard Member of the Tax Increment tions and reconstruction required due Reinvestment Zone with the City of to the Texas Gulf Coast storm of 1900, Houston. other catastrophic events, and general Pastor Dawson is married to facility maintenance.

Stacey Lynn Pryor, and they have St. Paul has not only protwo sons: Marsalis and Madison. vided a solid foundation of service God has charged Pastor Dawson with to Houston’s faith community, it’s restoration of the traditional family as dedication to social, educational and described in the book of Genesis. community services began in 1927 Through God’s leading, he has with the establishment of Richard J. established the mission of St. Paul Brock Elementary School. Founded AME Church, “To minister to the in honor of a pioneer St. Paul member intellectual, spiritual, and physical TX-8

and Trustee, Mr. Richard J. Brock, Brock Elementary currently stands as one of 185 elementary schools within the Houston Independent School District.

A total of fourteen (14) Pastors have served St. Paul in its 145 years of existence. On November 15, 1997, Rev. Roderick D. Dawson, the fourteenth Pastor, was assigned to lead St. Paul. He is a dynamic blessing to the St. Paul family and its vision for God’s people.

Under his leadership, St. Paul has begun to delve further into the call to “nurture and meet the needs of the community”. In 1998, Pastor Dawson was instrumental in the establishment of the St. Paul A.M.E. Church Community Development Corporation. St. Paul’s CDC collaborated to provide Day Care and After-school Program services to children in Houston’s First Ward community. Collaborative partnerships included projects with Avenue CDC. A June 2000 community growth and expansion feasibility study of the First Ward area, led to a transitional move for the church and the CDC, targeting Northwest Houston.

In June 2001, relocation was completed to the Greenspoint area, a Northwest Suburb of Houston.

St. Paul A.M.E. and its community projects began their grounding within the new community through Thomas Gray Elementary School in Aldine Independent School District.

In June 2002, St. Paul opened a new worship center, day care facility, and community projects offices at its current location, 1554 Gears Road in Houston.

In November 2002, The Master’s Anvil Community Development Corporation became the official operating name of the CDC project.

In keeping with values established through God’s Word and the elemental founding principles of the A.M.E. Church, The Master’s Anvil CDC as a community outreach and social ministry endeavors to serve all people with freedom from discrimination and prejudice.

St. Paul AME is located at 1554 Gears Road, Houston.

To continue reading visit us online www.aframnews.com

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Texas • July 28 - Aug 3, 2014

L cal & State

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9

Domestic Violence Focus Gives Birth to “Candace Way Out” Houston - Church leaders, civic leaders and a Congresswoman wrapped loving arms around a family of Candace Williams stricken with grief over the pain of losing a loved one to senseless domestic violence.

But out of the prayers and cries of sorrow comes hope of a new movement to raise awareness about the issue in hopes of saving another from suffering the same violent end.

Candace Williams was shot and killed by her husband of five months last week. It was a horrific night that her children will never forget because not only did they lose a mother, they also lost a father. Only the quick thinking of the 7-year old who was awakened after hearing the shots and ran out the home at 3 a.m. to get help from a neighbor after discovering her mother’s dead body. It has changed her life and the lives of her 6-year old brother and 1-year old sister forever.

Williams had been under siege by her husband and was trying to stay and make peace and do what she thought was best for her children in staying with a man who had an alleged appetite for intimidation, control and violent tendencies. Before her death, she had just started a new job. She was a good mother that loved and cared her children.

“We are here with the family to speak out against gun violence,” said Bishop James W. E. Dixon II, pastor of The Community of Faith. “We are here to say that threats to do harm should be taken seriously. If your life has been threatened, our message is “Vacate before it is too late.”

The group stood tall in the foyer of the church to declare war on domestic violence and say “Enough

is Enough”!

Dixon and family spokeswoman Pastor Rossalyn Gibson said the family speaks in one voice and plans to be active in trying to prevent this type of tragedy from happening to anyone else.

They have designed a campaign called “Candace Way Out” to help nurture and encourage women to get out of situations and leave abusive relationships before it is too late.

“We have come together as one voice to embrace and inspire people in this city and across the state and nation to call someone, reach out and get out,” she said. “We don’t want this to happen to anyone else. We will spreading the message to educate, motivate and vacate before it is too late.”

Domestic violence is defined at the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, an or abusive behavior perpetuated by an intimate partner against another.

Harris County, Houston, Dallas and other urban areas and suburbs appears to be havens for domestic violence.

According to statistics from the Department of Justice, one in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.

About 1.3 million women will be victims of a physical assault by an intimate partner and most will range in age from 20 to 24 years of age - the greatest of the risk groups.

In Texas, there are 187,811 incidents of family violence, ac-

Candace Williams

cording to 2010 crime statistics. Of those, there were 120 homicides as a result of that violence of which 43-percent was committed by a spouse and 24-percent by a dating partner. In the same period, six children lost their lives as a result.

“We must put an end to this to violence against women and do everything we can to be sure that women are safe and healthy in their homes and schools by improving our response to domestic violence,” said District 18 Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. “It is imperative that we come together in strong support of a broad and comprehensive strategy to address the causes and effects of gun violence when domestic violence is involved.”

Jackson Lee said her hearts go out to the Williams family and to Cassidy Stay, another young victim

and survivor of gun violence in Houston. Six members of her entire family was shot to death in Spring by a lone gunman. She survived by playing dead while lying amongst the bodies of family members.

Leaders are concerned about the senseless violence that leaves orphaned children without support and uncertain futures.

An estimated 46 million children in the U.S. are exposed to violence each year because of crime, abuse or trauma.

“Violence against women is often accompanied by emotional abusive and controlling behavior and a systematic pattern of dominance and control that often ends in physical injury and psychological trauma - and sometime death,” she said. “It is epidemic affecting all of us, regardless of age, economic status, race, religion, nationality or educational background... the consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and truly last a lifetime.”

Because of the vicious nature of the crimes, Pastors are being asked to start programs in their churches to help teach the warning signs of domestic violence and take a more active role in dealing with the issue.

Jackson Lee said she is stepping up efforts to ensure woman have equal opportunity and treated fairly and increase access and funding to make shelters and supportive services more accessible to victims of family and domestic violence.

She also will work to make it

easier for employers to report alleged domestic problems and issues secretly. The program would be similar in nature to the Good Samaritan and mandated reporter programs involving abused children and people in need.

Shocking number indicate that over one million people have been killed with guns in the United States since 1968 and homicide rates in this country are 6.9 times higher that rates in 22 other populous countries.

According to Lee, she introduced HR 65, the Child Gun Safety and Gun Access Prevention Act and other legislation pertaining to gun safety. She also is a member of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force.

Pastor William Lawson said the focus must be on supporting the children and helping them prepare to a brighter future.

“Our plans are to help this family with immediate and future needs,” he said. “There is no quick fix for this but these children deserve better and we call on the community to donate to help this family.”

An account has been established at Wells Fargo Bank for the purpose of helping the family with immediate expenses.

Please make donations to the Candace Williams Memorial Fund, at any Wells Fargo Bank or bank branch.

Also, in a few days, information regarding a Compassion Concert for Candace Kids will be announced.

“These children’s lives have changed forever,” Dixon said. “We pray that our city and others will embrace these deserving children.”

Story By: Darwin Campbell, African-American News&Issues TX-9

10

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Educati n/Y uth

Texas • July 28 - Aug 3, 2014

Board Change Spells New Day In Beaumont ISD

Beaumont - It did not take long for the new Board of Managers for Beaumont Independent School District to make swift changes and get down to business Monday.

TEA Commissioner Michael Williams made an appearance and gave his blessing and charge for the new board to lead the district out of a deep financial sinkhole that not only claimed the ousted superintendent and school board, but also took teachers down with it and endangered key education programs that help children.

“This board of managers has been placed in a tough position where a number of large financial decisions must be made in a very short period of time,” Commissioner Williams said. “The district’s road back to true stability and credibility will be a long one, but it will be trusted community members from Beaumont who will successfully map out the path.”

BISD interim Superintendent Vern Butler made it clear to the

packed house of citizens and community leaders that the number one goal he has for the district is to do things right and get the district ready quickly for the upcoming school year.

Some of those initial decisions including severing ties with former superintendent Timothy Chargois, finding a new legal team in place, hiring a part-time chief financial officer, advertising for a new CFO and getting their feet wet about the state of finances in the district.

“We have some new challenges and tough decisions,” Butler told the group. “We look forward to working for you and with you and promise to do that with professionalism.”

Butler has 40 years of experience in education and has been involved in helping many districts that suffered various problems ranging from financial difficulty to testing and cheating issues.

During public comments, citizens were optimistic about the

new board and day dawning in the district.

“We are pleased that Commissioner Williams has come in here and set something in place that means business and finally will help our kids,” said Texas activist and Beaumont resident Ricky Jason. “It is my prayer that community can unite together with the new board and move forward in support of the education of our children.”

The districts is tens of millions in the hole because of financial mismanagement, poor business practices, a lack of oversight and alleged theft by several employees who worked for the district.

Jason said he hopes the expanded TEA and FBI investigations will also snare others who stole from children, taxpayers and teachers.

Joining Butler is a new seven member team put in place

by Williams to help Butler start the healing process.

According to Williams, the new board came from the Beaumont community and was selected from a group of about 60 names. Each chosen were chose for their experience and success and leadership in their respective fields.

He made it a point to say he does not see this as a state takeover, but more of a handoff to local folks to fix the financial problems and mismanagement that have plagued the district.

Williams believes that in time Beaumont and its district can heal itself.

“This team will have a chance to restore the confidence and trust of taxpayers and citizens lost because of the the things that took place in the district,” Williams said. “This has been handed from one group of eight to another group of eight Beaumont citizens who will take ownership and wrap their arms around what finances are and what decisions that need to be made.”

Commissioner Michael Williams

Jason said that he will continue to monitor the progress of the district and is planning a documentary he is tentatively calling “Crooks and Criminals - The Rise and Fall of Beaumont ISD”.

Production will begin immediately.

By: Darwin Campbell, African-American News&Issues

Shoot 2 Score Hoops Basketball Camp Teaches Life Skills, Not Just Basketball

HOUSTON - When 15 year old Kanai Adams started attending Shoot 2 Score Hoops Summer Basketball Camp 8 years ago, he wanted to improve his dribbling

and shooting skills. What he didn’t expect as a result of attending the camp was for his grades to improve and to learn the importance of being a team player, both

on and off the court.

“Shoot 2 Score has helped me develop as a player and it’s showed me the importance of how little things can get you very far,” the Westside sophomore said.

“Little things like encouragement and being a positive team player can really make a difference.”

Adams is one of hundreds of children who attend the Shoot 2 Score Hoops Summer Basketball Camp where they focus extensive training on shooting, dribbling, rebounding and playing sound defense. The 6th annual summer basketball camp began June 9th and will run until August 11sth at Christian Bible Church Gym; 3222 Texas Parkway from 7 a.m.

– 6 p.m. daily.

The emphasis on maintaining physical activity, coupled with developing team building skills, makes Shoot 2 Score Hoops’ Basketball Camps in a class of its own. S2S’s mission statement emphasizes its desire to provide “positive development of

underprivileged boys and girls in Houston through basketball and character building programs.”

“Shoot 2 Score helped me realized that my activities off the court comes first,” Adams said.

“School and grades are more important.”

Since Adams began attending the camp, his grades have improved and he’s become a leader on his high school’s basketball team.

Shoot 2 Score Hoops founder Marcus Sloan wants all camp attendees to recognize that while basketball and other extracurricular activities are important, excelling academically takes priority.

“It is our hope that participants grow not only academically, but also athletically,” Sloan said.

“Student athletes will be able to take these skills and apply them to all of life’s challenges, showing our participants that there is a new avenue towards their dreams!”

Through the weekly four day camp, Sloan said he wants to

prepare the athletes to develop in areas other than basketball.

“I want the kids to understand that they can use basketball to facilitate what they want to do in life,” Sloan said. “Whether they want to be an engineer or a teacher, they can use the skills they learn here to achieve those goals.”

In addition to having the opportunity to be seen by AAU and high school coaches each day the kids will have the opportunity to work with camp mentors, comprised of high school coaches, college and professional basketball players.

All camp participants will receive a camp T-shirt, a photo, basketball certificate and other prizes.

To sign-up for Shoot 2 Score’s summer basketball camp or to contribute to youth sponsorship for the camp, please visit www. shoot2scorehoops.com, or e-mail your questions to info@shoot2scorehoops.com

Health

Texas • July 28 - Aug 3, 2014

Health Officials Warn Syphilis Cases Growing in Texas Black Community in Crosshairs & Faces Grim Statistics

Houston - Texas ranks among the five top states facing higher rates of syphilis in the United States, according to the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.

Syphilis a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It has often been called “the great imitator” because so many of the signs and symptoms are indistinguishable from those of other diseases.

The rate of syphilis infection for the whole United States and its regional territories began rising for the first time in a decade after steadily declining every year since 1990.

In the United States, health officials reported 49,903 cases of syphilis in 2012, including 15,667 cases of primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis. The incidence of P&S syphilis was highest in women 20 to 24 years of age and in men 20 to 24 years of age.

According to the Centers for Disease Control’s 2012 report, Texas is reporting 6.3 infections per 100,000 people.

Of those Texas counties, Harris County leads the state having the greatest and fastest growing number of syphilis cases per 100,000 population.

According to the Texas Department of State Health Services HIV/STD reports, in 2005, there were 257 syphilis cases at a 7-percent rate. That number has climbed steadily since to a whopping 496 cases in 2012 and an alarming 11.7-percent rate, almost twice the national average.

Contained within the statistics are the grim impacts on the AfricanAmerican health.

The overall 2010 rate for blacks was eight times the rate for Whites, while the 2009 rate was 9.2 times the rate for Whites. In 2010, the rate of P&S syphilis among Blackmen was 7.1 times the rate among White men; the rate among Blackwomen was 21 times the rate among White women.

In the same report, 47.4% of all cases reported to CDC were among blacks and 31.0% of all cases were among Whites.

In response to alarming rates found nationwide, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is taking a stand to raise awareness about the prevalence of this disease, its drastic medical impacts, and the simple – and only – way to completely avoid infection: condom use and routine STD testing.

“There is no pill to prevent syphilis, or gonorrhea or any other sexually transmitted infection besides HIV,” said Michael Weinstein, President of AHF. “These infections spread easily and can be detrimental to public health if they are not mitigated by responsible health practices like regular condom use … Our goal with this campaign is that people will be driven to contribute to decreasing these rates by preventing transmission in their own lives, and also to remind people that syphilis is a serious health risk that they need to be tested for to catch it before it causes significant damage to their organs.”

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is the largest non-profit HIV/AIDS healthcare provider in the USA. AHF currently provides medical care and/or services to over 319,000 individuals in 34 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, Eastern Europe, and Asia.

“At Dallas County Health and Human Services, disease intervention services include one-on-one education and counseling, confi-

dential notifications, prevention counseling and public educational presentations,” said Erikka Neroes, spokesperson for DCHHS. “Once a client has been diagnosed with an STD, DCHHS’ Disease Intervention staff educates and interviews clients about their exposure. The staff also provides confidential partner notifications and referrals to DCHHS services.”

Dallas County’s which leads the state in HIV cases, also has seen syphilis cases fluctuate. Since 2005, case have gone from 173 to as high as 293 cases and a 12.5-percent rate.

Data shows the county reported 188 cases in 2012 and that now is rising again.

Neroes said counseling concerning transmission and prevention of STDs is provided to reduce the likelihood of clients acquiring future STD infections. The disease Intervention staff is available upon request to educate the public with presentations that include information regarding risk reduction techniques, available community STD services, printed materials on the most common STDs and how to access services, she said.

Bexar County has seen a steady climb in cases from a mere 127 at an 8.3-percent rate in 2005 to more than double that amount in 2012 at 308 cases and a 17.2-percent rate.

In Travis County, the number of cases went from a measly 37 cases in 2005 to 132 cases and a 12-percent rate in 2012.

Other states also with high rates on the disease include New York at 6.3 infections per 100,000 people; Louisiana has a statewide rate of 7.4, in addition to carrying the nation’s highest burden of congenital syphilis with 49.3 cases diagnosed per 100,000 live births in 2012, nearly seven times the national rate of 7.8 that year; Mississippi, where the statewide rate is 5.9 per 100,000 population and where more than

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half of the primary and secondary syphilis cases in 2012 affected young people between the ages of 15-24; and finally Ohio, recording a rate of 3.7 per 100,000.

According to health officials, one of the main issues is getting people to understand the seriousness of the disease and to take precautions to protect themselves.

Between 2001 and 2009, the rate steadily climbed from 2.1 to 4.6 infections per 100,000 people before finally showing its first decrease in 2010 when it dropped to 4.5. The national rate held steady at 4.5 in 2011, but the CDC’s most recent data shows that in 2012 the national syphilis rate again began to rise with a jump back to 4.6.

Syphilis is an STD that can cause long-term complications if not treated correctly. Symptoms in adults are divided into stages.

These stages are primary, secondary, latent, and late syphilis.

How is syphilis spread?

You can get syphilis by direct contact with a syphilis sore during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Sores can be found on the penis, vagina, anus, in the rectum, or on the lips and in the mouth. Syphilis can also be spread from an infected mother to her unborn baby.

In 2010, the rate of congenital syphilis was 33.1 cases per 100,000 live births among blacks. Race/ ethnicity for cases of congenital syphilis is based on the mother’s race/ethnicity. This rates was 12.3 times the rate among Whites (2.7 cases per 100,000 live births).

What does syphilis look like?

Syphilis has been called ‘the great imitator’ because it has so many possible symptoms, many of which look like symptoms from other diseases. The painless syphilis sore that you would get after you are first infected can be confused for an ingrown hair, zipper cut, or other seemingly harmless bump. The nonitchy body rash that develops during the second stage of syphilis can show up on the palms of your hands

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and soles of your feet, all over your body, or in just a few places. You could also be infected with syphilis and have very mild symptoms or none at all.

How can I reduce my risk of getting syphilis?

The only way to avoid STDs is to not have vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

If you are sexually active, you can do the following things to lower your chances of getting syphilis: Being in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and has negative STD test results; Using latex condoms the right way every time you have sex.

Condoms prevent transmission of syphilis by preventing contact with a sore.

Sometimes sores occur in areas not covered by a condom. Contact with these sores can still transmit syphilis.

“We are able to offer affordable testing and treatment for this needlessly devastating disease in six of the top ten most impacted states in the nation,” said Albert Ruiz, AHF’s Director of Wellness Center Programs. “We sincerely hope that once people realize how prominently syphilis is still impacting the lives of men, women, and children throughout the country, they will all be motivated to remain more aware of how their actions can either help prevent – or spread – a terrible infection that is en route to becoming a major public health crisis if we don’t turn the tides.”

For more information about syphilis, visit www.aidshealth.org or http://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/ default.htm.

To continue reading visit us online @ www.aframnews.com 1213_FAST_Ad_2x2.pdf 1 6/21/2013 9:30:31 AM By: Darwin Campbell,

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