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“You can break yo momma or you can make her rich…”

Before I Lay it Down...

By “Coach” Mark Spivey

(for our young men)

Many of us witnessed the NFL Draft a couple of weeks ago where we saw 32 first round picks become instant millionaires. Images of these young men hugging their moms as they wept openly, was a culmination of years of hard work, coaching, and prayers. Throw in hundreds of home cooked meals, wear and tear on travel vehicles, and proud

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I spent two days this week in Baltimore on the ground with young activists, veteran activists, the Baltimore chapter of National Action Network (which was involved since day one) and in

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parenting, these young men know they owe a great sense of gratitude to their parents, especially their moms.

Mommas will go broke behind their children. That’s how much they’re willing to sacrifice for their kids.

After they’re selected by their teams, these young men talk about buying their moms homes, retiring them from their jobs, and repaying them for all of the love, sacrifice, and pain spent trying to raise them. It’s a good sight to see. Everybody should be happy for them. Haters excluded.

We have all heard about how hard it is to make it into the professional ranks of any sport; only 2% of males make it to the pros. That’s like 2 outta 100. Therefore, if you

make it to the “big time”, God has smiled on you. You may attribute it to hard work, dedication, drive, and skill sets, but I’m gonna say it again: “God has smiled on you”. Let me tell you why…

The best professional athletes are not found in the pros, no-siree-bob (Bob knows). The best athletes are walking the streets. Can you imagine anybody being better than Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Adrian Peterson, JJ Watt, Richard Sherman, or Usain Bolt? They’re out there somewhere in a neighborhood near you. Some have new addresses in the correctional facilities throughout the United States. Others just made poor decisions that cost them their

opportunities to compete at the highest level. Did you ever wonder what happened to them? Do you wish to know? Well, I’m glad you asked.

Many of these young men were born with this talent; I believe that it was passed down to them genetically. You can spot them out in the pee wee leagues across America. We KNOW the ones who got IT. They excel in all levels of athletics, in all types of sports. They po mommas start getting their hopes up for these young men, especially if they are single women who have done everything to keep these boys on the “straight and narrow”. These fellers recognize their potential, too, but there are many who don’t have the

Texas • May 18 - 24, 2015

intellect, obedience, dedication, and structural ineptness to making it to the “promised land”. You guys can either break yo mommas or make them rich. It’s all about attitude…

I have coached hundreds of kids in my lifetime and I, too, have seen those stellar athletes come and go.

They have the physical prowess and unheard of ability to enter the professional ranks right outta high school, but many of them never make it. That’s why they’re walking our streets. They’re known as “hasbeens”, “what-ifs”, “chosen-ones”, “can’t-miss”, “first-rounders”, and now mostly “unemployed”. When you see them now, they got stories to tell of how “bad they USED to be”.

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Videotape of the Freddie Gray Incident Brought Us to This Moment

meetings with the Mayor of that great city. It was because of direct involvement and organizational involvement that I was cautiously elated when State Attorney Marilyn Mosby announced charges against six police officers for the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray earlier today. Elated because it shows again that if we raise issues, we are not anti-police or engaged in hallucinations but rather that there are in fact true abuses that exist -- and in many cases, criminal abuses. But I am cautious because I’ve seen charges brought against officers and defeated in court before. As we allow the process to unfold, one thing is clear: without video of this tragic

incident and people’s call for justice, we would never be here today.

Facing criminal charges ranging from murder to manslaughter and assault, the six Baltimore police officers will have their day in court and will be allowed to defend themselves in front of a jury of their peers. That is our legal system, and that is what we have always asked for: that officers be held accountable to the same standards as everyone else. Whether it was the horrific case of Abner Louima in 1997 where we helped lead a movement that brought charges against officers and led to jail time (that is ongoing), or whether it is the Freddie Gray case today, we only seek justice and fair-

Letter to the Editor

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ness. There are those that would like to demonize and denigrate us, but we will continue to do the necessary work so that true reform transpires.

I repeat that I am cautious because I have seen charges brought and defeated in court before. One need only go back to the tragic death of Sean Bell, or the non-police related death of Trayvon Martin. But I also say that it is with much interest to me that we’ve now seen in the past 60 days an officer charged and arrested in N. Charleston, South Carolina, and the six now charged in Baltimore -- both with videotape evidence critical for prosecutors to make their decisions. It is incomprehensible, however, that the video

that started an entire movement last year depicting the death of Eric Garner placed in an apparent illegal police chokehold has not yielded similar results against those officers.

The local prosecutor in Staten Island failed to prosecute the cops and is likely engaged in an election for a Congressional seat now. The Justice Department has yet to come in with a decision here, but we hope that they will do what has been done in other cases -- let a court of law determine guilt or innocence.

Lastly, what is clear to all is what we have said for quite some

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was so proud to see my son’s school, Anderson Academy, featured in your paper. But when I went on campus to eat lunch with my child I realized teacher morale is very low. I sat and listened as teachers complained. First, they are upset because they believe their new principal has already been pre-selected for months and that he’s a white male. They laughed about the fact that there are no more than 5-6 white students on campus and compared what sounded like serious behavior issues

they deal with daily. They discussed why no one on their campus gets any input regarding the selection and why they haven’t even been notified. Next they complained about having to sign a contract but not knowing their salaries until late August and the fact that new and inexperienced teachers make almost as much as they do. Then they began talking about how a new school in the district has actively recruited their entire bilingual team without even interviewing them. Next they talked about the condition of the “old school” which I assume is the part near the cafeteria. I was shocked when they talked about how some teachers have missed so many days (as many as 20 or 30!), how classes get split up every week, how hard they work, how tired they are, and how unappreciated they feel. I wish I had taken notes but I was definitely listening. I feel sad for them. Anderson has been a top school in the district for a long time even though they are right in the middle of Acres Homes. Two of my other kids went there and I loved their teachers. I think Aldine needs to treat their teachers better if they really want to produce the nation’s best. Based on what I heard they are going to lose some of the nation’s best teachers if they don’t.

A concerned Anderson parent

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By Dr. James Thomas Jones III

Why Floyd Mayweather Jr., is the Most Polarizing Sports Figure in Black America

In the wake of his recent ‘battle’ with Manny Pacquiao, there is little debate that Floyd Mayweather Jr. is Black America’s most polarizing sports figure. Such a reality is a bit unfortunate considering that Floyd’s athletic prowess alone translates into him being one of the greatest fighters of all-time.

Mayweather Jr., is an undefeated world champion whose reign has covered five-divisions, included ten world titles, saw him selected as a two-time Ring magazine Fighter of the year (1998 and 2007), earned the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) Fighter of the year (2007) and the ESPY Award for Fighter of the year in (2007, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014). Despite such unprecedented success, Floyd, or more appropriately his alter ego “Money Mayweather” has served as a polarizing agent in the AfricanAmerican community. Make no mistake about it, there is a segment of our population that is seemingly enchanted by “Money Mayweather’s” glitz, glamour, and material excesses.

While others consider the entire scene, in the words of Malcolm X, “a circus, with clowns and all.” Put simply, among African-Americans there is no middle-ground to be found regarding “Money Mayweather”, particularly among those possessing racial pride. From their perspective, “Money Mayweather” symbolizes everything that is wrong within Black America, particularly as it pertains to young African-American males.

Regardless of what he does, “Money Mayweather” will offend some segment of Black America.

For example, during a recent diatribe

aimed at claiming the mythical title of “the Greatest of All-Time”, an honor that everyone besides “Money Mayweather” and those surrounding him has understandably bestowed upon Muhammad Ali, Floyd attempted to advance an argument for why he should own that moniker. During his argument, “Money Mayweather” highlighted why many of us should never be allowed to speak into a microphone. “Money Mayweather’s” impassioned plea reflects his inability to think beyond the boxing ring.

During the alluded to plea “Money Mayweather” failed to recognize or realize that the title “Greatest of All-Time” is not bestowed upon Ali solely because of his prodigious boxing skills, rather it was a combination of his political astuteness, steadfast determination to stand on the side of right even when he was in the minority --- Ali’s stance against the Vietnam War and the exploitation of African-Americans by whites are just two examples of Ali’s ability to confront racial oppression where ever it reared its ugly head --- not to mention Ali’s consistent representation of the Race while speaking truth to a powerful white majority. Put simply, Floyd, and those that support him, have little understanding of why figures such as Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, Arthur Ashe, Walter Payton, and Gayle Sayers are revered at a level that “Money Mayweather” will never reach; not even money ‘as long as train smoke’ will allow Floyd to reach such heights of respectability.

Many question why so many within our community loathe “Money Mayweather”. Well the answer is not difficult to find, put simply “Money” is brash, arrogant, braggadocios, and very, very, very niggardly acting. It appears that “Money Mayweather’s” fight purses have served one utility, to magnify his voluminous and nearly comprehensive shortcomings. One is hard pressed to find another athlete who has publicly bathed himself in such levels of crass materialism and unadulterated consumerism.

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Please Do Not Forget Our History! Forgetting What Happened to Us Can Destroy Us! - Roy Douglas Malonson

Lynching has Become Shooting: Ain’t that a Mother For Ya?

Benjamin Spock once stated that,“Most middle-class Whites have no idea what it feels like to be subjected to police who are routinely suspicious, rude, belligerent, and brutal.” And I could not agree with him more.

Many people are familiar with the fact that there was a very grim point and time in the life of African-Americans throughout our existence in these United States. At such a time, our ancestors endured racial discrimination, enslavement, prejudicial treatments and statues which considered them as less than humans.

I often refer to a posting I saw some years ago and to this day I have framed which I keep on display in my office that states, “Congress still debating whether Negroes are human or property.”

As it is, a great number of the Black male population is being downright assassinated at the hands of law officials. The sad truth about the entire problem is that these menaces with badges are clearly walking away from these instances of injustice. Not only are they walking away but the law which was supposed to be designed to protect the American people; which includes AfricanAmericans, is guilty of justifying and upholding these repetitive forces taken by authoritative figures as well.

It appears that the more officers that get away with committing such crimes, only ignites other like-minded individuals to do the same thing. Now, ain’t that a real mother for ya? It is senseless, but is constantly proving be a norm.

When I sit back and truly think on these things then I realize there is not too much of a difference

from what used to happen to our ancestors and what is continually happening to the Black male population. So at the end of the day, all I am trying to convey is whereas our fore-fathers were lynched for crimes that resulted from crimes as simple as, just looking in the eyes of a White person and even actions that were remotely lower than that; not much has changed.

So though lynching is supposed to be null and void, the truth is that it is very much alive and well and is displayed on television networks throughout this nation.

While many people may not realize it, it’s the truth. Although, it is just in a different form, the fact remains that it is still happening.

We MUST Understand, that things though they appear to

Photo depicts residents rallying and protesting against police brutality; after five unarmed Black men were killed at the hands of police officials.

Photo: Nation of Change

change on a drastic scale, don’t really change at all, they just evolve.

As such White men are no longer walking around with White sheets over their faces’ with holes poked in them for seeing, it’s just become a little more modern.

In this present-day, many simply go to the police academy and become certified to wear a badge and tote a gun; hence, lynching begins in the mind of some, And I would like to place emphasis on some, because every White police official that a person see does not

We MUST Understand

By Roy Douglas Malonson, Chairman

make them a racist person. I am only referring to the ones that do partake in such activities.

To further confirm the point that I am trying to make, Nicole Flatow did a report which shows that, “Black Male Teens are 21 Times More Likely to be Killed by Cops than White Ones.” Within that report she found that, “The 1,217 deadly police shootings from 2010 to 2012 captured in the federal data show that Blacks, age 15 to 19, were killed at a rate of 31.17 per million, while just 1.47 per million White males in that age range died at the hands of police.”

She went on to explain that, “a new ProPublica report explains, noting that if Whites were killed at the same ratio there would have been another 185 White deaths, just during that three-year period, just of those in that narrow age range.” These numbers appear to be alarming as it relates to Black male teens.

But, We MUST Understand, that the youth of our community are supposed to be the leaders of the future. So what happens if a great majority of our young Black males are continually killed off at the hands of racist and discriminatory officials? Well, the obvious answer is that, the end result leaves very little room for more Black male leaders within the community, especially if they are all being picked off one at a time. So, this is why I state that, “Lynching has become Shooting!”

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HOUSTON - “When you come into this world, God gives you a blank check, you can fill it out for a little bit or a lot.” These words were rendered by Union Pacific’s first Black Union Representative and Railroad Conductor, Rodney Cleveland. However this entitlement did not come without much perseverance and determination.

A native Houstonian, raised on the Northeast side, Cleveland was born February 28, 1968 to Linda Faye Pitre and a father of which he declares was a deadbeat; that quit working in the 1970’s to avoid paying child support. Even as a lad, this factor always served as a reminder in his psyche that he never wanted to be a sperm donor to any seed of his, but instead he sought to be a better father to his only child versus that which was bestowed unto him. Yet, this mindset did not manifest until many years after his rearing.

As a young man, Cleveland attended Forest Brook Senior High School but dropped out and commenced to a lifestyle of criminal activity. During an interview, he explained that he would steal tailgates and spare tires off of new trucks and then resale them to chop shops for a profit. With people missing tailgates and spare tires throughout Houston, it put his services in high demand.

Eventually, his lifestyle of mischief resulted in him receiving a felony as a result of committing a robbery.

He received deferred adjudication at the age of 17. After being told that he could not become employed with Burger King because he did not have a high school diploma, he made a decision that he had to make a change in his life. Thus, he went back to school and earned his high school diploma from Forest Brook Senior High School. With an emptiness and void in his life he developed a desire to enlist in the Marine Corps. However, having a felony hanging over his head stagnated that goal. But, with determination and a newly found will to become a better person, he sought to go against the odds. Accordingly, he wrote a letter to the Commandant of the Marine Corps as well as his probation officer.

His initiative resulted in the early termination of his probation and he was able to join. While serving as a Marine, Cleveland revealed, “I fought a lot, got into a lot of trouble, ran into a lot of racism, but I still was able to excel.”

He also fine-tuned another God-given talent of humoring people by becoming a stand-up comedian.

“After having served in Desert Storm and being awarded a Good Conduct Medal surprisingly, I decided to move out West (Phoenix, Arizona) once I’d completed my time in the Marine Corps” stated Cleveland.

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His contribution to the United States covered a time span during the years of 1989 - 1993 where he actively served and four years afterwards he was on reserve.

Once he had completed his service to the country, he found that racism was not just prevalent in the South, but extended even to the West Coast. Initially, members of the Los Angeles Police Department made attempts to recruit him, but after having a bad experience with them he decided against it. Cleveland shared that he was targeted because he was in a nice flashy car with Texas plates. With a preconceived notion of who he was, police officials assumed that he was transporting drugs.

Though he displayed his military identification and credentials, he was still detained, harassed and nearly beaten. Cleveland expressed that, “This incident left a bad taste in my mouth for authority figures.” Upon returning to Phoenix he continued doing stand-up comedy. He would go on to open up for many local groups and it was at this time that his son, Kaishun Cauncas was born (who he has raised since the age of 16). Cleveland declared that, “at this point, I had to give up my dreams of becoming the next Richard Pryor, to do what was necessary to provide for my child.”

While employed at Sisco Foods in Phoenix, he experienced racism once again.

He explained that during the OJ Simpson trial, there was an incident where there was a remark on the restroom wall. The remark stayed there for three weeks and no one said a word. But once he responded, it became an issue and he was quickly identified as the person that put it there because there were only 3 Blacks working in the warehouse, with about 75 individuals. Once again, he felt that the system was trying to beat him down.

Accordingly, he returned to Houston and in 1994, enrolled at the Houston Community College with a mission to become an X-ray technician. However, he soon realized that this was not the path that he truly wanted to travel.

Once he got home he shared that he attempted to get an apartment in Greenspoint, “which is now called Gunspoint because of the crime” he jokingly stated. “But, I was denied residency because of my past - I thought that it was ironic that I could go and serve my country as a Marine. Even though I served during Desert Storm and I could have grenade launches, hand grenades, M-16’s and 9 millimeters, but I couldn’t come home and live where I please; once again, I felt that I was beaten down by the system,” said Cleveland.

On the other hand, he proudly shared that he has been blessed with two homes and many acres of land, but not willing to make a boast of himself he gives all glory and praise to God Almighty.

C ver St ry

Continuing, in 1996 he applied with Union Pacific and was able to secure employment. Since that time he has become a Railroad Conductor and has also obtained a position of serving as the first Black Union Representative in his territory. Cleveland informed, “On some days while traveling on the rail I pass by my alma mater and I see my old high school and have flashbacks of how it was in this exact spot where I used to: skip school, smoke weed, shoot dice, drink MD 20/20 and even outran HPD Officer Red. But now, I’m riding on those same tracks.” He continued, “Every since I decided to get my life together, it’s like I always wanted to win - to become a winner. I never wanted to come in second to none. Because I feel that when you come in second place, to me it means that you’re the first person to lose. So I always say I want to be first.”

Once the story got out, that he had changed his life around, he began to become active in the educational system in Houston.

He got involved in doing Career Day in different schools in North Forest. Today, he shares his story with other drop-outs. He recalled one time when they put him on a school bus to address other students that had dropped out of school He was taken to their homes,

Texas •• August May 1812-18, - 24, 2015 Texas 2013

while being escorted by school security.

Not being afraid of the environment or the children, he asked that they leave the security behind because it would make the children feel uncomfortable seeing school security pull up at their homes. As a result, he was able to effectively encourage eight children to get on the bus and come back to enroll in school. It was called the “Get on the Bus” program.

He has also spoken at the Shape Community Center. In his addresses he conveys to the youth that, they don’t have to just have a dream of turning pro by being athletic.

Nevertheless, he teaches them that there are other men of color that are doing positive things. He said, “I think that it’s funny because a lot of times when I do these events, normally I’m the only one on the stage that’s wearing overalls, dirty boots and a hat. Everybody else are in suits and ties and telling these children that the only way that they made it was by going to school and getting a college degree; but afterwards these degreed professionals are bombarding me to get them on with the railroad.” “So I explain to the children that I don’t have, a college degree; instead I have six hours and I may have gotten four of them To continue reading visit aframnews.com Story By: Rebecca S. Jones

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Texas • May 18 - 24, 2015

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BRENDA STARDIG HOSTS “DISTRICT A” FREE MOVIE NIGHT

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HOUSTON - Many residents gathered in support of their community, District A, to fulfill a goal of “Bringing Communities Together” at the White Oak Conference Center located at 7603 Antoine Drive, 77088.

Council member Brenda Stardig and her team set out to host a marvelous event. The fun filled evening included a food market, mobile zoo

provided by the Houston Zoo, bounce houses, balloon artist and face painting. Only to end with the featured movie Madagascar that played on the big screen beginning at sundown.

The special visit by the Texas Wildlife Research Center and Houston Zoo was very informative and educational to the youth in the community as well as adults. The children interacted with the animals

and received background on the displays set in place. The Eisenhower High School Booster Club opened a food market to raise money for their school band, and the children were amazed by the festivities.

This was a truly amazing family event and a nice evening enjoyed outdoors where the community networked and spent memorable times!

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T • M 18 - 24, 2015 African What’s Happenin’ EDITION DATE: PUBLIC NOTICE May 18 - 24, 2015 (Vol. 20 Issue 17) exas

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U EDITION DATE: May 18 -24, 2015 (Vol. 20 Issue 17) N May 23 - 24 I 30 T Y 19

Tuesday Saturday Project Row Ladies of the Lake Houston Community College Houses Foundation Request for Qualifications Talk No Vacancies Out(RFQ) 4th Annual Zumbathon Energy Engineering side the Tortoise Shell & Health Fair Consulting Services **speAKer** 2105 Dickinson Ave. Project No. 15-18 NAThANiel doNNeTT League City, TX 77573 2511 Holman St From 10amHeading: - 1pm Marketplace Documents can be obtained Houston, TX 77004 For more info contact Public Notice at: www.hccs.edu/district/deFrom 6:30pm 7:30pm (281) 554 1180 partments/procurement.

For more info contact Sealed qualifications will (713) 526 - 7662 GreatInformation News! be received in Procurement Contact African-American Tuesday Operations (3100 Main Street, Name: Jennifer Chiu Room No. 11A06, Houston, News&Issues now offers Project Row Phone: (713) 718-5138 Texas 77002) until 2:00PM E-Blast to over 20,000 Houses &Health Dept (local time) on Thursday, May business professionals Presentation Fax: hua.chiu@hccs.edu 28, 2015. community subcrib2521 Holman St Email:and Pre-proposal meeting will for forTearsheet/Copies: a very low price.

Houston, TX 77004 Addressers be held on May 19, 2015 at 3100 Main Let Street us promote From 6pm 7pm 10:00 am at 3100 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77002 your next event!

For more info contact Seminar Room C, Houston, For more information (713) 526 - 7662 Texas 77002.

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Property Value Matters

File Your Protest By June 1 This is the first in a series of columns to come that I hope will help property owners better understand the property appraisal and property tax system in Harris County and Texas. Come tax time, hopefully this information will help you save some money.

Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD) appraises all of the property in our county every year for property tax purposes. HCAD doesn’t set tax rates or levy taxes.

The various taxing jurisdictions in Harris County do that. HCAD’s primary job is to ensure that your property tax appraisal correctly reflects the value of what you own. The

jurisdictions decide how high or low the overall tax will be. Our second job, just as important, is to make sure you have easy access to exemptions and other remedies that can reduce the tax bite.

The first remedy I want to talk about is protesting your value. HCAD started mailing property value notices earlier this month.

Your market value is shown in the letter on the front side of your notice. Market value is the amount that the property would have sold for on the open market at the first of the year. The back side of the notice has more detail, including this year’s value after exemptions (which is the property’s taxable value), the exemptions that apply (along with a

Harris County Appraisal District

list of the exemption codes), and an estimate of taxes on the new value.

If you don’t think the property’s market value is correct, you should file a protest. In the protest process, HCAD reviews your value with you. You can also have an independent board called the appraisal review board review and determine the property’s value. It is an easy process that you can handle yourself.

A green protest form is included with the property value notice. If you need another form, you can find it on the district’s web site at www.hcad.org You can find the protest form on the website in the light blue column on the left in the box titled “Most Requested Forms.”

It is the second form on the list, and it is called

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“Notice of Protest.” You can print the form and fill it out, or you can fill it out online and print it.

Once you have filled out the form, you can bring it to HCAD’s office at 13013 Northwest Freeway or mail it to P.O. Box 922004, Houston, TX 77292-2004. The protest deadline this year is June 1, so if you put your form in the mail, it must be postmarked by June 1. If you wait until Monday, June 1 to mail your form, remember to take it to the counter and have the Post Office stamp it June 1.

The other way to submit your protest is to file it online using HCAD’s iFile system. To do this, you will have to create an HCAD Owner’s account and have your property value notice handy. On the top of your property

value notice - near your property account number is your iFile number. This is a number that is set up for your security. Without this number, you cannot use the ifile system.

If you file your protest through iFile, you may also have the opportunity to settle your value online through HCAD’s iSettle system by checking iSettle. If you do not agree with the settlement offer or you choose not to accept it, you still have the option to have a hearing.

I will provide more information about the protest process in future columns. For now, it is important that you file your protest by June 1 if you think your property value is not correct.

To learn more about the types of property tax exemptions or get an

Texas • May 18 - 24, 2015

Sands Stiefer Harris County Appraisal District

explanation of your tax bill, the appraisal district and the county Tax Assessor-Collector’s office are holding Property Tax Workshops throughout the county. A list of the upcoming workshops is available at www.hcad. org or on the tax office website at www.hctax.net .

If you have specific questions, you can email help@hcad.org or call the information center at 713.957.7800.

Sands Stiefer is the Chief Appraiser of the Harris County Appraisal District

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When asked if they had anything that they would like the readers to know about them Donwyumns exclaimed, “We are from Fifth Ward, Texas!”

These young men retrieve their latest edition at Kashmere Gardens Library located at 5411 Pardee St., 77026 on a weekly basis.

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JoeVSmartShop.com ©2015 HEB, 15-4436

Texas • May 18 - 24, 2015

Round-Up

AUSTIN – The simple, law-abiding habit of wearing a seat belt can protect thousands of Texans from serious injury or death. Yet, many people still refuse. For them, the Texas Department of Transportation is launching its 14th annual statewide “Click It or Ticket” campaign to augment the federal, stepped-up enforcement period, May 18-31. If the deadly consequences aren’t enough to motivate seat belt use, fines and court costs can total up to $200. In Texas, the law requires everyone in a vehicle to be buckled up, including back seat passengers. In 2014, 2,587 motor vehicle traffic crashes occurred in Texas in which unrestrained vehicle occupants sustained fatal or serious injuries. Wearing a seat belt helps keep occupants from being ejected in a crash and increases the chances of surviving by 45 percent. In pickup trucks, that number jumps to 60 percent, as those vehicles are twice as likely as cars to roll over in a crash. The “Click It or Ticket” campaign, combined with enforcement, is credited with motivating millions of motorists to always use their seat belts. Only 76 percent of Texans used seat belts when the campaign started in 2002. Today, 9 out of 10 Texans buckle up. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that since its inception, the “Click It or Ticket” campaign in Texas has resulted in 4,319 fewer traffic fatalities while preventing 72,926 serious injuries and saving more than $16.7 billion in related economic costs.

AUSTIN - State Representative Eric Johnson's House Bill 549 received final approval by the House today on a vote of 94 "yes" votes and 49 "nay" votes. The bill now moves to the Senate for debate and passage.

House Bill 549 requires the Texas Commission on Jail standards to adopt rules that establish a minimum standard of two in-person, non-contact visitation periods per week in county jails. In other words, a county jail would not be able to eliminate in-person visitation altogether, as some counties have started doing.

"I'm hopeful the Senate will pass this bill quickly and preserve in-person county jail visitation across Texas," said Johnson. My only regret is that we, the Legislature, didn't address this issue sooner, before any counties ever got rid of their in-person visitation. I sincerely hope the counties that have done so will reconsider their decision and bring back in-person visitation voluntarily," he added.

Read us online! w w w. aframnew s. com

9

DALLAS - The Dallas Independent School District is hosting both a 5k and 1-mile fun run to raise funds for the Superintendent’s Scholarship Fund, which annually presents scholarships to graduating seniors from every district comprehensive and magnet high school. The run is open to all members of the community who are welcome to run or walk. Registration is available at www.dallasisdscholarshiprun.org.

When:8 a.m., Saturday, May 16 Where: Woodrow Wilson High School 100 S. Glasgow Dr. Dallas, Texas 75215 Call André Riley of Dallas ISD News & Information at (214) 704-6436 for more information. The Superintendent’s Scholarship Fund has provided more than $2.2 million in scholarships to more than 1,000 students since 2000. This year, sixty-two students were awarded $155,000 in scholarships based on academic performance, community service, character and recommendations. Businesses and individuals are invited to contribute to the May 16 fundraiser by becoming sponsors.

HOUSTON - United Airlines, in partnership with Houston Mayor Annise Parker and the Houston Airport System, recentlybroke ground on the airline’s new Terminal C North concourse at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Floor -to-ceiling windows in the new concourse will offer soaring tarmac views, expansive gate-lounge areas will provide higher levels of comfort and 20 new dining and retail options near boarding gates will give Houstonians and travelers connecting through the airport more of the varied options they enjoy. The $244 million project will create a 265,000-squarefoot facility, more than 100,000 square feet larger than the existing Terminal C North, with 11 passenger boarding gates to accommodate a mix of United’s narrow-, mid- and wide-body aircraft. When construction on the new concourse is completed, the Houston Airport System will demolish the existing Terminal C North facility at Bush Intercontinental to enable the reconstruction of the Mickey Leland International Terminal D. The international terminal is critical to Bush Intercontinental’s extensive connecting air traffic, particularly for those customers connecting between United flights and flights operated by United’s international airline partners United expects to

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BRAZORIA - Brazoria County’s 33 newest Christian ministers aren’t your typical men of God. Some have been convicted of homicide, and those who aren’t murderers are locked away for other serious crimes – most of them violent. Recently, their friends and family gathered at the Darrington prison unit – once among the roughest in maximum-security units in Texas – to watch the state’s first graduating class of inmate seminarians shuffle toward redemption.

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JOHNSON’S WORK FEATURED AT NATIONAL

Prairie View A&M University Art Instructor Ann Johnson’s art work was featured at the Southern Graphics International Printmaking Conference in Knoxville, Tennessee this spring.

Johnson’s series Migration and Nesting was a part of the public art installation titled: Prints in Peculiar Places.

HBCU Corner

TEXAS • MAY 18 - 24, 2015

Migration & Nesting reflects Johnson’s personal history as a descendent of slaves, Black Indians, and Jim Crow. For this installation, she re-integrated members of her family tree, who had migrated North, back to the South by printing them on live leaves. Ironically the leaves were placed on a fence that ran adjacent to railroad tracks as the train played such a major during the great migration period in America. Images of two bewildered young slave girls also appear along the fence, viewing a life of freedom they could not possible perceive. Delicately nestled among the leaves were a collection of nests. The inhabitants of the nests are images of individuals printed on a feather or leaf. Protected by Spanish moss and wild grass each of the inhabitants may or may not be connected to the migrants, nonetheless each individual is engrossed in their own solitude, a freedom granted to them by the strength of their ancestors.

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JoeVSmartShop.com ©2015 HEB, 15-4436

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Educati n/Y uth

TEXAS • MAY 18 - 24, 2015

UNDERSTANDING SCHOOL BONDS Understanding the School Bond issue in many school districts is essential for voters.

Bonds for school projects and renovations are comparable to a mortgage home loan or a car loan. In support the necessary financing of school construction projects, a school district sells Bonds to investors who get paid principal and interest. Bonds are paid out in 30-40 years. The sale of Bonds begin with an election where the voters authorize a specific and maximum amount of bonds the School District is allowed to sell in order to finance construction projects.

The school district then sells the bonds when funds are needed to build or renovate facilities. Bids are taken to ensure the bonds are sold at the lowest possible rate. The bonds are then repaid over an extended period of time with funds from the Debt Service tax rate. The debt service covers the interest and principal on the school bonds and other debt secured by property tax revenues.

The school districts property tax rate consist of two parts: (1) Maintenance and Operations (M&O) which is used to pay for approximately 1/3 of salaries,

insurance, equipment, and all of the day to day operations of the district. (2) Debit Service (I&S) are funds used to pay for the principal and interest on a bond debt that finances a districts facilities. Only the I&S portion of the tax rate will increase, and it will only increase after bonds are sold. The amount of the increase depends on the amount of bonds sold and the interest rate they are sold. The following are I&S tax rates for area school districts: Aldine – 15.25 cents; CyFair 40 cents; Spring 47 cents; Humble 35 cents; HISD 17 cents; Klein 35 cents How can Bond money be

African

American News&Issues

used?

Proceeds from Bond sales can be used for construction and renovation of facilities, the purchase of land, and purchases of items like school buses and technology for schools.

What is the difference between a Bond Authorization and Bond sales?

A Bond Authorization specifies the amount of bonds the district is authorized by the voters to sell. Bond sales occur over a period of time with the date and amount of each sale determined by the School Board on an as needed basis for construction and renovation projects.

How will a Bond election

11

and Bond sales impact homeowners who are over 65?

School district taxes on resident homesteads are frozen for those taxpayers 65 and over.

Therefore, their taxes would not increase as a result of a Bond election or sale of Bonds.

If a Bond election is passed, does the school district immediately have to pay the debt?

No. The bonds do not cost the district anything until they are sold. Even though voters approve the Bond issue, they are not sold until funds are needed for construction or renovation projects.

CASE FOR KIDS AMERICORPS MEMBERS PROMOTE GLOBAL YOUTH SERVICE DAY KEW Learning Academy offers a wide range of programs addressing education, youth leadership development, health and workforce education. KEW Learning Academy stresses the following themes in all educational and mentoring programs, activities, and classes: • Global Awareness • Civic Literacy • Health Literacy • Environmental Literacy • Financial, Economic, Business and Entrepreneurial Literacy KEW believes that when integrating basic academic concepts with career and technical education student’s learners become engaged in the teaching and learning process and understand the relevance in learning essential education concepts. Therefore, the overall educational experience is based on S.T.E.A.A.M. (Science, Technology,

Engineering, Agriculture, Arts and Mathematics) concepts.

This concept provides a framework for teaching 21st century outcomes. KEW mission is to improve the academic achievement and career development opportunities and increase the economic potential of learners by providing engaging experiences through a variety of community, church, and educational networks. KEW is in the business of developing life-long learners.

KEW is a member of the Acres Home Chamber for Business and Economic Development.

Contact KEW today: 832567-8655, 713-672-2442; email: kewlearningacademy@hotmail. com or www.kewlearningacademy.org

MEMBER

l-rAshley Turner, Angel Cantarero, Carleicha Flowers and Cydnie Starnes CASE for Kids AmeriCorps member Ashley Turner works out to Zumba alongside students at Alief ISD’s Kennedy Elementary through a collaborative project to promote fitness during Global Youth Service Day.

HOUSTON - Affecting change can be as simple as introducing children to their first fruit smoothie or Zumba routine according to three AmeriCorps members spreading the word about fitness and health. The trio rallied for exercise and healthy eating recently, with 30 Kennedy Elementary School after school students in Alief Independent School District during Global Youth Service Day, an international volunteer effort celebrated throughout April.

Global Youth Service Day is an international celebration in 100 countries which lifts up the accomplishments of millions of children and teens who improve their communities each day of the year through service.

About a million youth across 6,000 communities participate. “We chose fitness and nutrition for our project because we know that kids live in a digital age where they are playing video games indoors,” said Ashley Turner, 23, who works for the Harris County Department of Education’s Center for Afterschool, Summer and Expanded Learning for Kids, or CASE for Kids. “We wanted students to know that it’s important to stay fit.”

About 30 AmeriCorps members work within CASE for Kids after school sites with youth and also provide community service within their communities. In return, the members receive stipends and tuition credit with a grant provided by the OneStar Foundation through the Corporation for National and Community Service.

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Texas • May 18 - 24, 2015

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