January 19, 2023

4,000 JOBS! United Airlines announces massive hiring spree in Houston.

NEWS

TIFFANY GUILLORY

The beloved Yates principal will keep her job, but when will she return to campus?

Volume 92, issue 10 January 19, 2023

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ENTERTAINMENT

CHARNELE BROWN

‘A Different World’ star talks about her love of acting and training the next generation.

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2 | January 19, 2023 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN To the POINT

“The Embrace” sculpture depicts the historic moment when Dr. King hugged his wife, Coretta, following the announcement that he had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. Getty Images

Message from the Managing Editor a lack of personnel, and charges of abuse and What in the “I Didn’t Dream This” world neglect. The Jailhouse Justice Coalition, a neighis going on in Boston, MA? The city recently borhood advocacy group, held a vigil recently, unveiled a new bronze sculpture commemocalling for Harris County District Attorney Kim rating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday.

Ogg to launch a special investigation into the Maybe I’m not a true art connoisseur, but I deaths. The group also wants body cameras need someone to help me understand how this for jail staff, an end to the practice of sending sculpture, titled “The Embrace,” was ever given inmates to other correctional facilities, and the ReShonda Tate the green light. I mean, there are levels to this dismissal of charges in cases older than nine thing. Someone had to pay the $10 MILLION months. The blame game has begun but this one it cost; Someone had to sign off on the sketches; Who stood warrants some more answers as to what’s really going on? around and said, “Yeaaaah, this is nicccceeee”???

I’m not alone in my assessment. Backlash ensued soon Farewell to our favorite internet granny after the monument meant to honor King and his wife, If you never heard of Ms. Holla, you missed a treat. The Coretta Scott King‘s, legacy was unveiled. The 20-foot tall, woman who delighted internet users with her enchanting 40-foot wide monument was unveiled in the spot where personality and hilarious viral videos, has passed away at King gave a speech on April 23, 1965, to a crowd of 22,000. age 97. Social media users responded with love and prayers The statue was inspired by a photograph of King and Scott for the family after hearing about the passing of the beloved which captured them hugging after he won the Nobel Peace internet star who spent part of her life working as a special Prize in 1964. The art piece, designed by Brooklyn-based education teacher. conceptual artist Hank Willis Thomas, only features the Ms. Holla (also known as Grandma Holla), whose real couple’s arms during the embrace and not their heads, name is Helen Davis, rose to fame with her blunt comwhich has sparked criticism and mockery online. Some mentary (she reminded me of my own grandmother-curse people described it as hideous or disrespectful while others words and all). The viral sensation commented on various posted memes and said it resembled a sex act. I’m going topics, including celebrity news, relationships and advice to agree with the latter. It’s sad that Dr. King’s memory has for young people. In one of her final videos, the TikTok been regulated to joke status. This is an epic fail. star showed off her famous smile and wished her fans a Happy New Year. Google her and prepare to be entertained.

What’s going on in the Harris County jail?

And please ignore her family drama online as they beg for Jail isn’t supposed to be nice, but it’s not supposed to be contributions to their GoFundMe account. Sigh.... a death chamber either. Family members and community activists are among those demanding an investigation into On the Web the Harris County Jail in the wake of 29 deaths there in just • Why Black America needs to pay attention to Africa. over a year. Two people have reportedly already died at the • Check out original stories tailored for Black women, the jail in 2023. Last year, 27 died there — the highest number Community and those Under 40. in almost two decades — amid concerns of unsafe circum- • Sports Reporter Terrence Harris has an update on the stances at the facility, which has suffered from overcrowding, Texans coaching search.

King didn’t dream this

January 19, 2023 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN News Community voices help Yates principal keep job

By Aswad Walker

The community spoke and the HISD board listened. Tiffany Guillory will remain the principal of Jack Yates High School after H I S D ’s b o a r d recently voted (6 3) against firing the embattled leader of the historic Third Ward school.

This vote came Tiffany Guillory as a surprise to some, as Guillory was “relieved of her duties” last December for reasons that have still not been made known to the general public. As a result of this lack of public reasons given for Guillory being temporarily removed, some have speculated Guillory’s removal was based on Yates’ college and career readiness numbers being low.

Others, however, including Third Ward residents and Yates advocates, surmised the worst—the purposeful removal of Yates’s leadership to clear the way for the school’s closure.

Though not confirmed, that theory could be heard in some of the public comments during HISD’s board meeting.

And at some point, this board has to understand that Yates will never be what it used to be and what it should be unless you have stable leadership...

This community stands behind her. The graduates stand behind her. The students stand behind her.”

Roland Martin Yates alum ‘87

| 3

Texas Education Agency greenlights HISD takeover

By Laura Onyeneho

State Rep. Jolanda Jones address the HIDS board during last week’s meeting regarding Yates’ principal Tiffany Guillory.

“It’s an attack on Black education,” said activist and Yates alum, Gerry Monroe.

“Most of our Black high schools and middle schools are being quietly attacked. Our principals are being removed strategically and it’s making the schools unstable, and setting them up basically to be taken over

by TEA.” Monroe said superintendent, Millard House II, believes that HISD will lose the TEA lawsuit and believes Guillory is being offered up as a “sacrificial lamb.”

Monroe, like many other Yates advocates, sees the move to terminate Guillory as unfair on multiple levels, especially with regards to race.

“Tiffany Guillory has done everything that she’s supposed to do. She didn’t violate policy. She didn’t touch a kid. She didn’t mess with money. Nothing. They needed Guillory out of there. Here’s the question: Nick Ozuna, the Bellaire baseball coach, has been sitting in the warehouse for nine months.

How you fast-track (Guillory’s termination) in less than three weeks?” asked Monroe.

Nationally revered journalist Roland Martin Roland Martin, a Yates alum (C/O 87), flew in from Washington DC specifically to address the board in defense

of Guillory.

“I’ve met with the last four superintendents dealing with what’s happening at Yates, and finally, we’ve had stable leadership at Jack Yates,” said Martin. “I go back to 2009 dealing with these various superintendents. The reason I gave a $25,000 scholarship (to Yates) was because finally, we have a leader who is putting the necessary things into place to improve Jack Yates.”

Martin, who has been inducted into multiple halls of fame, including the halls of the National Association of Black Journalists and the Society of Professional Journalists, shared with the board that he has put his money where his mouth is regarding supporting Yates.

“I was going to have an event here in Houston celebrating that (his most recent hall of fame inductions), and I called (Guillory) and said I want to have it at Yates because I wanted those students to understand that you can go from Jack Yates to being one of the top journalists in the country. And at that event, I planned to announce a $50,000 (gift) to the School of Communications. But if this board chooses to fire Tiffany Guillory, I will pull every dollar I have given,” said Martin.

And by meeting’s end, the votes stood behind Guillory, as well, with board members voting 6-3 against terminating Guillory. No word yet on when Guillory will return to campus.

The decision for the potential takeover of the Houston Independent School District (HISD) by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) is back on the table.

The state’s highest court overruled an appellate court’s decision that blocked TEA from taking over the district. State education officials say the district’s elected school board mismanagement, its inability to appropriately govern, and low academic performances at one of its high schools are reasons for this action.

The attempt to seize control of the HISD school board began in 2019 when the TEA responded to allegations of misconduct by trustees and years of poor academic performances at Phillis Wheatley High School.

In 2015, state lawmakers passed a measure, HB 1842, that states if a public school fails state standards for five or more years, the Education Commissioner must either close the school or replace the district’s entire school board with outside managers.

A few changes were made while the takeover was stalled. All but two elected HISD board members departed, the board hired a new superintendent, Trustee Judith Cruz was elected the same week that the takeover push was announced in 2019, and Wheatley High School received a passing grade from the agency.

HISD sued in 2020 and was granted a temporary injunction by the Travis County District, but TEA took the case to the state’s supreme court, where it ultimately decided to side with the agency due to a new law passed by Texas Legislature in 2021 called Senate Bill 136 which TEA lawyers argued gave them the authority to move forward with the takeover.

“As Superintendent for the last 18 months, my team has been laser-focused on giving each one of our students the academic experience they deserve,” HISD Superintendent Millard House II said in a statement released on Jan. 13. “Guided by community input, the district developed and is executing its five-year strategic plan.

There is still much more work to be done, but we are excited about the progress we have made as a district and are looking forward to the work ahead.”

TEA has yet to comment publicly on the decision.

4 | January 19, 2023 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN News Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee introduces anti-white supremacy bill NNPA

Houston U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee has introduced a bill to broaden the definition of hate crimes, with the goal of preventing and prosecuting crimes motivated by white supremacy and conspiracy to commit such crimes.

House Resolution 61, which would amend Title 18 of the United States Code, says: “A person commits a white supremacy inspired hate crime when white supremacist ideology has motivated the planning, development, preparation, or perpetration of actions that constituted a crime or were undertaken in furtherance of activity that, if effectuated, would have constituted a crime.”

With respect to any information or evidence obtained by the Department of Justice (DOJ) of any unlawful action specified in Jackson Lee’s bill, the DOJ shall have the authority to conduct operations and activities pursuant to such crimes.

The DOJ would also be authorized to conduct investigations, intervene and take any other measures it deems necessary and appropriate to prevent, mitigate, or stop any potentially violent action. The DOJ’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program would keep track of white supremacist-inspired hate crimes and other related actions, and department officials would have the authority

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee speaks on Capitol Hill.

to prosecute those responsible for them.

Jackson Lee requested that the DOJ report its findings annually to the relevant Congressional committees. Rep. Lauren Boebert, a Republican from Colorado, claimed the legislation “makes a mockery of the First Amendment.”

While Boebert, a right-wing leader, misrepresented the legislation after reading a misleading news article, Jackson Lee schooled her on Twitter.

“First of all, it took me about 32 seconds of reading the article you cited to understand that none of you know what you are talking about,” Jackson Lee said. To be convicted of a hate crime in some jurisdictions, “H.R. 61 simply deals with adding white supremacy to a list of reasons,” the Texas Democrat explained.

“So, when the article states that ‘only white people can be charged with’ this crime, that’s flagrantly false,’ Jackson Lee said. “Your

argument assumes that only white people can hold white supremacist views and that only certain groups of people can perpetrate violence motivated by white supremacy.

“I would hope now that your argument would not shift to ‘why is white supremacy being added to this law?’ That would be egregious.

“Yes, white supremacy should be added to this law. Why? Because as [FBI Director Christopher] Wray testified, it’s a major domestic terrorist threat.”

Questions remain over Black man’s death after Memphis arrest Relatives told news outlets that the officers who pulled over Nichols were in an unmarked vehicle and that he experienced cardiac arrest

Defender News Service

The family of Tyre Nichols is continuing their quest for answers after the death of Nichols following a confrontation with police officers during a traffic stop.

A service for Nichols, 29, was recently held in Memphis. Before that, residents had gathered for protests at the National Civil Rights Museum and in front of a police station.

“I am a man! Tyre was a man!” people chanted outside the museum amid a large line to get into the facility on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Family members called for the release of body camera recordings and for the officers to be fired and charged.

“It’s just a nightmare,” said Nichols’ sister Keyana Dixson. “I just want justice for my brother. Please.”

The death has also gained the attention of civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who said in a statement that he is representing Nichols’ family.

Relatives have accused police of beating him and causing him to have a heart attack. Authorities said Nichols, who was Black, experienced

and kidney failure because of a beating by officers. Memphis police referred questions to the state bureau, which said it was still investigating.

VOLUME 92, NUMBER 10 - JANUARY 19, 2023 In this photo provided by WREG, Tyre Nichols’ stepfather Rodney Wells, right, holds a photo of Nichols in the hospital after his arrest, during a protest in Memphis, Tenn., Sat., Jan. 14, 2023.

a medical emergency.

Nichols was arrested Jan. 7 after officers stopped him for reckless driving, police said. There was a confrontation as officers approached the driver, and he ran before he was confronted again by the pursuing officers, who arrested him, authorities said. He complained of shortness of breath and was hospitalized. Officials said a cause of death has not yet been determined.

Memphis Police Chief C.J. Davis

said that the department was serving notice to the officers involved concerning policy violations.

“After reviewing various sources of information involving this incident, I have found that it is necessary to take immediate and appropriation action,” Davis said in a statement.

The statement did not indicate how many officers were involved but the bureau is conducting a use-of-force investigation.

Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles

Education Reporter Laura Onyeneho

Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles

Sports Terrance Harris Jodie B. Jiles

Digital Content Manager Michael Grant

Photographers Jimmie Aggison

Managing Editor ReShonda Tate

Social Media Manager Tia Alphonse

Associate Editor Aswad Walker

Intern Alania Bookman

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Newspaper Inc. and audited by Alliance for Audited Media (AAM). Only digital subscriptions are available at: www.defendernetwork.com/subscribe No paper subscriptions available. All materials covered by 2023 copyright.

No materials herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the Publisher. 713-663-6996 | P.O. Box 8005, Houston, TX 77288

January 19, 2023 |

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| 5

DN NewsBriefs

HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM COMMUNITY FORUMS AND PUBLIC HEARING ON REDISTRICTING Community forums regarding the redistricting of the Houston Community College System will be held in each Trustee District at the following locations and times:

State Rep. Jarvis Johnson speaks on the bill to abolish Confederate Heroes Day. Credit: Facebook REP. JARVIS JOHNSON FILES BILL TO ABOLISH CONFEDERATE HEROES’ DAY

Texas is one of 10 states that has a Confederate memorial state holiday, and sometimes it also lands on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Now, Houston area Rep. Jarvis Johnson wants to pass a bill to get rid of the holiday altogether. Confederate Heroes’ Day is not a well-known holiday, but it’s been on the state books since 1973. It’s on Jan. 19, Confederate General Robert E Lee’s birthday, often falling on MLK Day, the third Monday in January. It was established to honor the more than a quarter million Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War. This is the third time, Johnson of Harris County has filed HB 51 to abolish the state holiday and says he’s certain that this legislative session he will get the bill passed.

“I think it’s high time that we embrace that there may have been an ugly past in this state – that there have been things in this state, in this country that have harmed and hurt a lot of people, but at no point should we be sympathizers with them. To say that they did something noble and honorable when they actually were very vile to people of color,” Rep. Johnson says, calling the day divisive. He adds some may defend it in the name of heritage, but they are embracing “racism and segregation.”

HOUSING AUTHORITY OPENS APPLICATION PROCESS

For the first time since 2018, the Houston Housing Authority’s affordable housing program waitlist is accepting applications.

The HHA’s Public Housing program provides rental apartments for eligible low-moderate-income individuals, families, the elderly, and those with disabilities. There are a variety of housing options available, including a range of unit sizes and building types, such as single-story, mid-rise, and senior high-rise apartments, according to the HHA. You can apply online at https://housingforhouston.com/ residents/public-housing/public-housing-waitlist/ or go in person to their office for a paper application.

HISD BOARD OF EDUCATION ELECTS NEW OFFICERS FOR 2023

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education has elected new officers for 2023, selecting District III Trustee Dani Hernandez as Board President. Outgoing Board President Judith Cruz transferred the gavel to Hernandez, signifying the change in office. Remaining officers elected for 2023 are: First Vice President Myrna Guidry, Second Vice President Bridget Wade, Secretary Kendall Baker, and Assistant Secretary Kathy Blueford-Daniels.

• Monday, January 9, 2023, 6:30 p.m. at Southwest College – West Loop Campus, 5601 West Loop South, Room C108, Houston, Texas 77081 (District 5) • Tuesday, January 10, 2023, 6:30 p.m. at Northeast College - North Forest Campus, 6010 Little York Road, Houston, Texas 77016 (District 2) • Thursday, January 12, 2023, 6:30 p.m. at Central College – Dr. William W. Harmon Building, 1300 Holman Street, Room 100, Houston, Texas 77004 (District 3) • Tuesday, January 17, 2023, 6:30 p.m. at Emancipation Cultural Center, 3018 Emancipation Avenue, Houston, Texas 77004 (District 4) • Thursday, January 19, 2023, 6:30 p.m. at Northeast College – Northline Campus, 8001 Fulton Street, Houston, Texas 77022 (District 1) •Monday, January 23, 2023, 6:30 p.m. at Northwest College – West Houston Institute, 2811 Hayes Rd, Room 194, Houston, Texas 77082 (District 6) • Monday, January 30, 2023, 6:30 p.m. at Southwest College – Missouri City Campus, Building Lobby, 1600 Texas Parkway, Missouri City, Texas 77489 (District 7) • Tuesday, January 31, 2023, 6:30 p.m. at Southeast College – Fraga Campus, 301 North Drennan Street, Houston, Texas 77003 (District 8) • Thursday, February 2, 2023, 6:30 p.m. at Central College – South Campus, Willie Lee Gay Hall Building, 1990 Airport Blvd., Room 100, Houston, Texas 77051 (District 9) A formal public hearing will be held at the following location and time: • Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Houston Community College System Administration Building, Second Floor Auditorium, 3100 Main, Houston, Texas 77002

Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson ASH-LEE HENDERSON NAMED PVAMU’S NEW ACTIVIST-INRESIDENCE

Prairie View A&M University welcomes Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson as its 20222023 Activist-in-Residence. Henderson, a long-time community organizer and the first Black woman to serve as co-executive director of the Highlander Research and Education Center (a social justice leadership training school and cultural center in Tennessee), brings a unique perspective on the needs of rural Black communities. She’s earned a reputation as a highly respected thought leader and changemaker. As a proud, working-class Affrilachian (Black Appalachian) woman born and raised in the south, she’s an avid opponent of mountaintop removal mining and environmental racism in central and southern Appalachia.

The community forums and public hearing are intended to gain public input into the process of redrawing the single-member district boundary lines for the Houston Community College System Trustee Districts as a result of the 2020 Census. Public comment is welcomed and solicited. Current single member district maps, proposed redistricting maps, and 2020 census data will be available at the meetings, and are available now on HCC’s website (https://www.hccs. edu/about-hcc/board-of-trustees/hcc-redistricting-information/).

The forums and public hearing will be live streamed. Please visit HCC’s Redistricting Page at www.hccs.edu for the link to the live streams. Sign language and language translation services will be available at each meeting. If you require translation services in a language other than Spanish, please register at hcc.redistricting@hccs. edu. For additional information, please call HCC Board Services at 713.718.8398; email: hcc.redistricting@hccs.edu or visit HCC’s website (https://www.hccs.edu/about-hcc/board-of-trustees/hcc-redistrictinginformation/community-events/)

6 | January 19, 2023 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

| 7

DN InFocus

WHY YOUR HUSTLE MAY BE BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH

By Laura Onyeneho

Hustle culture has been an essential part of being Black in America. It’s not unusual to see Black people work multiple jobs to survive, as they fight an uphill battle for access to the middle class. The grind might seem like it eventually pays dividends but research shows it can have an adverse effect on mental health.

Hustle culture is the idea that in order to achieve success, one must continuously prioritize work. The internet era has glamorized the lifestyle, and is often used by social media influencers to feed into the necessity of grinding tirelessly now to reap the benefits later. Countless Black people are overworked and underpaid, and over time the hustling can cause burnout.

Bankrate reports that 45% [an estimated 70 million people] of working Americans report having a side hustle along with a fulltime job. Among millennials, that statistic rises to 50%. Reasons include needing to make more money to make ends meet or using the extra money for savings or additional disposable income.

In 2019, the World Health Organization chartered workplace burnout as an occupational phenomenon, describing burnout as a “syndrome” resulting from chronic workplace stress that hasn’t been successfully managed.

Research conducted in 2018 by Current Cardiology reported that people who worked more than 50 hours per week have increased risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. It also can cause high blood pressure due to excessive psychological activation and stress.

That is why the viral trend “quiet quitting” or “acting your wage”(doing only what

you are paid to do and nothing extra) is what some younger workers are doing today to address their mental health concerns.

More and more, younger workers are putting self-care first and declining additional responsibilities outside their pay grade.

Employees of all ages regularly prioritize productivity, but more and more younger workers are asking themselves when is it absolutely necessary to prioritize physical and mental health without jeopardizing the means by which an individual makes a living?

HUSTLING THROUGH HISTORY Former First Lady Michelle Obama once said that Black people had to “work twice as hard to get half as far.” Black people continue to face several financial and economic challenges due to the country’s history of systemic racism and discrimination.

The term has transformed as years pass and technology advances. A passage from Malcolm X’s 1965 autobiography reflects on this thinking: “Everyone in Harlem needed some kind of hustle to survive, or anything that could help the poor Black man make ends meet whether it be selling drugs or illegal gambling.”

Fast-forward to the early years of hip-hop (late ‘70s) all the way up to present day, and

this same “hustle mentality” still exists.

Influential artists like Jay-Z, Rick Ross and Ace Hood have all produced anthems that talk about hustling to survive and be successful in a system built against Black people. These concepts are seen in corporate America and in the gig economy. Some people are working longer, taking on more tasks and accepting multiple jobs that pay low wages which force individuals to take on side gigs to survive.

HEALTH IMPLICATIONS Ja’Vonnie Partlow is an Austin HR professional and entrepreneur. Originally from Boston, she said her journey to becoming a six-figure earner was both rewarding and challenging.

Growing up in extreme poverty meant that she had to work harder for a comfortable lifestyle. Her efforts ultimately

led to burnout.

“With hustle culture I always felt like I wasn’t doing enough with just one stream of income,” Partlow said. “I would see people making money and having a bunch of businesses and it became overwhelming. I felt guilt,” she said. “I started venturing into different things, got a second job, traded stocks.

It got overwhelming. I told myself that I had to focus less on hustling and more on moving effectively and efficiently.”

She recalled a period during the COVID-19 pandemic when she experienced daily bouts of anxiety working a job that she outgrew professionally.

“I remember saying out loud how much I hated what I do. I was a high performer, but I started to avoid doing easy tasks because I was so burnned out. I felt stuck,” Partlow said. “There were hiring freezes everywhere and I

need to be more strategic and intentional with their purpose in order to improve their More ways to avoid burnout. quality of life.

ONLINE “It comes down to people sacrificing their value to chase money and opportuhadn’t tried to learn any new skills. Not is this expectation that we should know how nity. Hustling isn’t always connected with only was I stagnant, but I wasn’t qualified to navigate these spaces when we are enjoyment,” she said. “When you for doing anything but the job I was doing. the first ones to uplift our families focus on the things you love and I developed insomnia, gained weight, out of financial struggles,” she the skills you do well, it doesn’t stopped exercising and didn’t have the said. “Feeling hyper-vigilant, feel like grunt work. That is why tools to get through it.” low mood, hypertension and I can’t stay in spaces where I’m Research has shown that increased stress headaches slowly manifest psyoverworked and not progresslevels can lead to reduced professional chologically too. Your body is in ing. I do understand some don’t productivity. Your body is wired to react a constant fight, flight or freeze have a choice,” she said.

Jessica to stress. When your body faces demands mode.”

Dr. Bettina M. Beech, a clinical Jackson, Ph.D. Licensed each day, it can treat such minor hassles as professor of population health at Psychologist threats.

HOW TO OVERCOME the University of Houston, said Dr. Jessica Jackson, PhD, a Houston As a millennial, Partlow is that young people should bridge licensed psychologist, said burnout can lead happy that many young Black professionals the gap of understanding between how they to other health complications. are in tune with prioritizing their self-care. cope with mental health challenges versus “There is a hidden curriculum in the With “quiet quitting” being a viral trend older generations. workplace for first gen Black [people]. There in corporate America, Black professionals “Young people are bold with setting

boundaries while my generation had to keep pushing through the burnout; however, the world isn’t going to change as quickly as maybe their generation has established,” said Beech.

“We don’t want young people to lose out on great opportunities that could help them advance in their careers. People will always have to unlearn and relearn. What is meaningful work for you? What does a good quality of life look like? Decide what those are and pursue them.”

Jackson said experiencing burnout doesn’t need to be dealt with alone.

“Get connected with a therapist. Find someone to help you develop a framework to get you focused and back on track,” she said. “Also, learn to check in with yourself and don’t ignore the signs. It’s a mind/body connection. Take a few minutes to breathe and check in with what’s going on with your body. Give yourself compassion.”

8 | January 19, 2023 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Feature

Members of the Willowridge Wings Dance Team along with Dance Theatre of Harlem instructors, Edison Arts Foundation members and Performing Arts Houston representatives. Photo by David Settle.

Dance Theatre of Harlem comes to Mo City, leads workshops

By Aswad Walker

The Edison Arts Foundation in partnership with Performing Arts Houston recently hosted the legendary and world-renowned Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH), along with their artistic director, Ms. Virginia Johnson, to two Missouri City institutions: Willowridge High School and Fort Bend Academy of Arts and Dance.

Charity Carter, founder and executive director of Edison Arts Foundation, was beyond excited about offering these opportunities to local young people.

“Edison Arts Foundation advocates for and creates opportunities for our youth to witness Black excellence and train with acclaimed organizations like Dance Theatre of Harlem,” said Carter. “Seeing yourself reflected in Black excellence is priceless.”

According to Carter, cultural renaissances have historically been born from the arts and creative ingenuity, the perfect avenues to communicate thousands of ideas without ever uttering a word.

“What if we can show them more? What if we can support historically impactful and highly skilled arts organizations like Dance Theatre of Harlem to meet our youth and offer unforgettable experiences? In truth we ask ourselves, why not,” added Carter.

And “why not,” indeed.

Dance Theatre of Harlem, an American

Dance Theatre of Harlem instructor Lindsay Donnell (front right) leads a masterclass workshop for participants at the Fort Bend Academy of Arts and Dance. Photo by David Settle.

professional ballet company based in Harlem, New York, was founded in 1969 under the directorship of Arthur Mitchell. DTH is the first Black classical ballet company and the first major ballet company to prioritize Black dancers. Johnson is a founding member and former principal dancer of the company.

“It was not about making a ‘Black ballet company,” said Johnson about the company’s founding. “It was to make people aware of the fact that this beautiful art form actually belongs to and can be done by anyone. Arthur Mitchell created this space for a lot of people who had been told, ‘You can’t do this,’ to give

them a chance to do what they dreamed of doing.”

Dance Theatre of Harlem continues to produce high-quality works and encourages its dancers to be activists and role models to the communities in which they travel. This was accomplished at the two free educational dance masterclass workshops sponsored by Edison Arts Foundation and Performing Arts Houston.

The first was held at Willowridge (16301 Chimney Rock Rd., Houston, TX 77053) and was led by DTH instructors Delaney Washington and Kamala Saara, with Edison Arts

Foundation instructor Lauren Burke lending her expertise.

When asked why Carter chose Willowridge to host the DTH, she stressed the power and importance of representation.

“Understanding that representation matters, we have reached out to Willowridge High School because we feel they will most benefit from this opportunity. Willowridge is minutes away from our address. The school’s demographic is primarily Black and Brown students in the lower-middle class income region with more than 80% of students in the Free Lunch Program.”

Carter agrees with the assessment of Project Zero of Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education, that there are multiple intelligences (musical, bodily-kinesthetic, visual-spatial, linguistic, and others) and fashioned the Edison Arts Foundation to engage its students in ways that highlight their unique strengths and intelligences.

Thus, hosting the DTH made perfect sense to her and PAH, an organization that exists to connect audiences with exceptional artists through diverse performances and learning experiences.

The second masterclass took place at Fort Bend Academy of Arts and Dance (1959 Texas Parkway, Missouri City, TX 77489), led by DTH instructor Lindsay Donnell and Burke of the Edison Arts Foundation.

THE DEFENDER - 4.812” X 13” January 19, 2023 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

| 9

DN Feature Feb. 28 – March 19, 2023

2023 STAR ENTERTAINER LINEUP Tuesday, Feb. 28

Nathan Pickney, Alexis Bushnell and Andy Mak during the grand opening of United’s Inflight Training Center at IAH, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. Photo by Aswad Walker.

NOW HIRING:

AT UNITED AIRINES IAH INFLIGHT TRAINING CENTER

By Aswad Walker

United has now opened in Houston its largest Inflight Training Center, a 56,000 sq. ft. facility that includes new classrooms, additional cabin and door trainers and a state-of-the-art aquatic center that features a 125,000-gallon pool and mock fuselage to practice “ditching,” the safe evacuation of the plane in the unlikely event of a water landing.

But the even bigger news is this $32 million expansion project not only more than doubles the available training space, it supports the airline’s plan to hire and train 15,000 people in 2023, including 4,000 flight attendants.

And according to Alexis Bushnell, an IAHbased flight attendant, United is the place to be.

“United is an expanding company, and we value bringing in people from all different cultures, backgrounds and different facets of life,” said Bushnell, who has been with United for almost a year. “Not only do we commute them from one place to the next, but we bring them in and make them family. So, I’d say, working here, we’re truly united.”

During the huge grand opening, with United leaders from across the country present, there was the expected hyper-positive company talk. But for Bushnell, the “rah-rah” talk about United being “family” is very real. And personal.

“My cousin, she works here at the Inflight Training Center. And if it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have known about this amazing opportunity to not only experience new people, but experience new cultures, new countries, and even in talent acquisition,” shared Bushnell, who added that she has two additional cousins who are now United employees.

“And we are all women of color—young women of color. So, that’s the best representation I can give you is home. I’m home.”

And she’s not the only one.

Nathan Pickney, an instructor evaluator specialist at the new facility, is literally Houston-born and raised. And fired up about what

Wednesday, March 1

PARKER MCCOLLUM

BROOKS & DUNN

OPENING DAY presented by Texas Capital Bank

Saturday, March 4

Sunday, March 5

WALKER HAYES Wednesday, March 8

Tuesday, March 7

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK

Thursday, March 9

Friday, March 10

Saturday, March 11

Sunday, March 12

Monday, March 13

FIRST RESPONDERS DAY presented by BHP

THE CHAINSMOKERS

CODY JINKS

GO TEJANO DAY presented by Fiesta

CHRIS STAPLETON

BUN B

BLACK HERITAGE DAY presented by Kroger

JASON ALDEAN

ASHLEY MCBRYDE

LA FIERA DE OJINAGA

Monday, March 6

Friday, March 3

ZAC BROWN BAND

JON PARDI

Thursday, March 16

the new space offers.

“We have state-of-the-art door trainers. We have a state-of-the-art service trainer where we can really hone in customer service with our new hire trainees, as well as the aquatic center where we didn’t have that for a while, when now they can participate in what’s known as a ditching that in the unlikely event that an aircraft would have to emergency evacuate in the water, our flight attendants are trained to know how to get all of the customers off of the aircraft,” he said.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner joined United CEO Scott Kirby at a ceremonial ribbon-cutting event to officially open the new training center.

“This Global Inflight Training Center is the largest of the seven that (United) has, and that bodes well for the city of Houston,” said Turner, who noted United’s economic impact on the city.

“If not the largest, it’s very close to the largest employer that we have in the city. But in an indirect sense, in terms of the benefits of the city, United supports probably about another 56,000 employees locally. So, the economic impact of United is more than a billion dollars; about $1.2 billion.”

Speaking on United’s positive earnings numbers, Kirby talked about additional impacts.

“What I’ve come to realize recently is that the good numbers really aren’t the story as much as the fact is that what United has done, is (we’re) really the only airline in the world that recognized what the recovery was going to look like, and therefore, used the pandemic to invest in the future,” said Kirby. “This state-of-the-art training center is one shining example of that, as we’re training over 4,000 flight attendants a year through this academy. Just here in Houston, we used the pandemic to build a $360 million baggage facility and built a new maintenance facility, maintenance hanger with all the jobs that go along with that.”

ARMED FORCES DAY presented by BHP

Thursday, March 2

LAUREN DAIGLE

Friday, March 17

CODY JOHNSON

Tuesday, March 14

TURNPIKE TROUBADOURS Wednesday, March 15

MACHINE GUN KELLY

KENNY CHESNEY

Saturday, March 18

Sunday, March 19

BRAD PAISLEY

LUKE BRYAN

LUKE BRYAN LAUREN DAIGLE

TURNPIKE TROUBADOURS CODY JOHNSON

BUN B

THE CHAINSMOKERS JASON ALDEAN

LA FIERA DE OJINAGA

BROOKS & DUNN

PARKER MCCOLLUM NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK

CHRIS STAPLETON KENNY CHESNEY

WALKER HAYES

JON PARDI

ASHLEY MCBRYDE

CODY JINKS ZAC BROWN BAND

BRAD PAISLEY

B

TS E K C I T R U U Y YO

MACHINE GUN KELLY

!

Y A D TO rodeohouston.com

10 | January 19, 2023 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports

University of Houston senior guard Marcus Sasser scored a career-high 31 points during the No. 1-ranked Cougars’ 83-77 win over South Florida.

Texas Southern junior bowler Cassie De La Fuente had high scores of 267 and 256 to lead the Tigers to first place in the SWAC Roundup.

Sports Briefs

PVAMU GUARD

Ex-Texan DeMeco Ryans making rounds

Former Texans star linebacker and current San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco DeMeco Ryans Ryans has had a busy week interviewing for head coaching jobs while preparing the 49ers for a playoff game.

He was scheduled to meet with the Texans, Colts, Broncos and Cardinals about their openings.

Rockets players penalized for fight

Rockets guard Jalen Green and forward Jae’Sean Tate were both suspended for one game Jae’Sean without pay Tate for leaving the bench during an on-court altercation that took place when the Rockets faced the Sacramento Kings. Rockets forward Tari Eason and guard Garrison Mathews were both fined for their parts in the altercation with Kings guard Malik Monk. Mathews was fined $35,000, Eason was fined $30,000 and Monk was fined $25,000.

C.J. Stewart to speak at Bo Porter Academy breakfast Former Major League player and bestSelling author C.J. Stewart will be the keynote C.J. speaker during Stewart the Bo Porter Academy Iron Sharpening Iron Breakfast on Friday, Jan. 20 from 6:45 a.m.-8:15 a.m. The breakfast will take place at the Bo Porter Academy at 15118 Highway 6 in Rosharon. The cost to attend is $30.

DIANA ROSENTHAL TURNS OBSTACLES INTO MOTIVATION

By Terrance Harris

You won’t ever hear Prairie View A&M senior guard Diana Rosenthal admit it but there are nights when opposing teams can’t hold her.

She locks in and is relentless on the basketball court, driving to the basket, pulling up on the perimeter and knocking down shots from mid-range – doing whatever it takes to lead the Lady Panthers to victory. On those nights, it’s like Rosenthal can’t be stopped.

“I try to stay away from the arrogant thing, however, I do feel like I am a hooper and I hold my ground,” Rosenthal said recently to The Defender. “I try my best to be a threat in all possible aspects. I won’t say that nobody can hold me, but I’m a hooper. I am one of those streetball hoopers that’s in the hood.

I’m that.”

She honed her skills playing on the rough courts with the guys in St. Petersburg, Fla. Nothing was given. Everything was earned.

Life on the concrete courts wasn’t all that much different than everyday life for Rosenthal, whose father, Charles Edward Rosenthal, raised Diana and her brother by himself.

There was a lot of love in the household.

There wasn’t a lot of money.

“My dad is my everything, my brother is, too,” she said. “They are pretty much all I’ve got. We’ve been on some hard times.”

But those times are what have shaped Rosenthal and made her the unquestioned leader of the Panthers, who sit in first place in the SWAC. Rosenthal didn’t have the benefit of playing AAU basketball with other girls her age or going home to be a normal teenager while attending Lakewood High School in St. Pete. As soon as basketball practice ended at 5 p.m., most days she headed straight to her full-time job at McDonald’s where she worked from 6 until 11.

“Then on those days I did not work, I was on the court,” Rosenthal said. “When I got out of practice, I was going to the outside court because I couldn’t afford the inside courts. So I had to hoop on those until the lights went off around 11:30.”

Rosenthal has carried that work ethic to PVAMU where she has grown from a wideeyed freshman four years ago to the Panthers’ star and leader. She leads the SWAC’s top-scoring team in scoring, averaging 16.6 points, which is fourth in the conference.

Senior Diana Rosenthal has grown into role as the Lady Panthers leading scorer and floor leader.. Credit: Prairie View Athletic Dept.

Thanks to Rosenthal’s leadership and a talented cast around her which includes TaMiracle Taylor, Nyam Thornton, Destiny Jenkins and Gerlyn Smith, the Lady Panthers (8-9 overall, 5-1 SWAC) are off to a surprising start in conference play.

Rosenthal, a preseason All-SWAC FirstTeam player, was recently named SWAC Impact Player of the Week after averaging 23 points and 6.5 rebounds in games against Grambling State and Southern.

But as good as things are going now, Rosenthal admits that it was a process for her to get to this point, especially from a leadership standpoint. She had to learn the subtle differences in how she talked to people on the courts at home versus how to talk to her current teammates so that what she is saying is being received in the right way.

“Being okay with taking criticism from your teammates, from coaches, from outside sources and from your family,” said Rosenthal, who also is averaging 2.2 steals,

2.1 three-pointers and shooting 39% from the field – all top five stats in the SWAC. “Be okay with taking criticism. It’s okay for people to tell you, `Hey, I don’t like how you talk to me. Maybe you can tone it down a little bit.’

Just stuff like that. There are learning lessons.”

Those lessons learned have resulted in better success on the basketball court for the Panthers this season. PVAMU was picked to finish seventh in the SWAC Preseason Poll, but currently sits alone in first place and that shows the Panthers are taking the respect that Rosenthal feels they have been denied for so long.

“I think the thing for me is it’s senior year so it’s more so redemption for me,” she said.

“I feel like PV does not get the recognition that we deserve. We have talented women’s basketball players and I’m willing to put Prairie View on the map, St. Petersburg on the map and especially the name Rosenthal on the map. I feel like we have a lot of talent and we don’t get a lot of recognition.”

January 19, 2023 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

| 11

DN Sports

SAMYRA THOMAS JARVIS CHRISTIAN COLLEGE WRESTLER

A HIGH-RANKING FRESHMAN

By Jodie B. Jiles

Jarvis Christian College wrestler Samyra Thomas, a recent graduate of Kashmere High School, has hit the ground running in her freshman year. After rising up in the 191-pound classification rankings this season, Thomas finished her first year ranked No. 13.

Through hard work and determination, Thomas has worked off nearly 30 pounds in her off-season and has been grinding non-stop ever since.

The Defender spoke with Thomas over the Christmas break about her journey through her freshman year, keys to success, the road to the Olympics, advice to others and more.

LOVE OF WRESTLING “Doing all the other sports in high school built me up to this moment where when it came to wrestling it just came naturally. And wrestling has brought a side out of me that wants to be and is this unapologetic dog that is willing to go a mile to be great.”

HIGH SCHOOL TO COLLEGE JOURNEY “Once I noticed that basketball was more love and hate and wrestling was all love, I knew that wrestling was where I can compete and commit to. And ever since that point, it has been nothing but a blessing…”

KEYS TO SUCCESS “Consistency, self-motivation, God and determination. Just believe in yourself. Look at it like ‘Hey there is a challenge out there, just go for it.’”

DAILY ROUTINE “Wake up and...pray to God for waking me up another day. I do an hour or two of morning workouts, I go to about two or three classes before practice, and on certain days I will work out again for about a mile or two.

And after that I do my homework or my study.”

MAINTAINING FOCUS “I have to remind myself ‘Samyra get up! You are literally in college, by yourself and no one is going to hold your hand or tell you to do this or take baby steps with you.

You need to start walking on your own.’”

ADVICE TO OTHERS “What I did was start my freshman year writing down realistic goals that only I could do every day and accomplish. Try to give yourself credit even for the little things. I try to pat myself on the back for the little things because I realized in high school I was kind of hard on myself with my weight. And it was unnecessary…When it gets hard and you are fighting with yourself just remember it is all a mental game that is built to both break you and make you.”

For the full interview with Samyra Thomas visit www.defendernetwork.com

12 | January 19, 2023 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Profile

Charnele Brown ‘A DIFFERENT WORLD’ ACTRESS TALKS ENTERTAINMENT

By Laura Onyeneho

DEFENDER: The arts and entertainment industry is tough, including rejection. What challenges did you experience?

BROWN: Rejection is my middle name. I

Many who grew up in the ‘80s and 90s can agree that the iconic sitcom “A Different World” (1987-1993) has had a lasting impact on Black culture, youth and HBCUs. It was one of the first shows on NBC to address issues such as racism, HIV, apartheid, colorism and date rape.

Thirty-six years later, the show is still relevant and ahead of its time. Charnele Brown, the actress who is best known for her role as Kimberly Reese on the sitcom, couldn’t have imagined it having such a wide reach with a mainstream audience.

Brown, who is based in Houston, continues to pass the torch to a new generation of entertainers in a city she describes as the next entertainment hub through the Charnele Brown Acting School. The school was established in 2000 and implemented in partnership with the Worksource and Jack Yates High School.

It offers a variety of classes and workshops from beginner courses to business classes.

The Defender spoke with the multi-talented actress to talk about her experience in the industry and what she’s been up to in Houston.

think because of my upbringing, my parents always taught me that I was great [but] that there is always someone better than you. I had rejection but thought, “It’s your loss that you didn’t take me.” What’s for you [will never miss you]. I teach that to my actors. It’s not that you are not great, it’s just not the part for you. It taught me to have thick skin. It’s not a kind industry.

DEFENDER: How did you get the role of Kim Reese on “A Different World?”

BROWN: I’m a theater baby. I knew

nothing about TV and didn’t care. So, when I got to “Sarafina!” it was amazing.

I had the best time of my life on Broadway. We were on our way to Africa to tour for two years. And then God said “No.” “A Different World” came. I didn’t care because I was going to Africa. And lo and behold the next thing I know I’m, flying for my screen test. Then I got [the role].

There were so many actors that were great and better than me.

DEFENDER: When did you first discover your love for acting?

CHARNELE BROWN: I was in second

grade, and we used to go to the pond every Friday to see the ducks. I was actually watching “Lassie” one time and one day [the dog who saved lives] didn’t come back [in the episode] and I started to cry. I said “Oh my God” I can make myself cry by thinking about something sad. I didn’t know that was a technique back in the day. So, what I did was, the class went back to the pond, I thought about Lassie and started crying.

My teacher Ms. White asked me what was wrong. I didn’t think it through. I said my brother died in the pond. Mind you I have no brothers. I have one sister, and they were all distraught. I said, “I got them.” They gave

DEFENDER: What is one of the greatest lessons you’ve learned about acting?

BROWN: Be authentic. Be who you

me candy, and called my mom. That’s how convincing I was. Meanwhile, I’m coming home…got the spanking of my life. I had to go back and apologize to the entire class for lying. My parents knew at that time either I was going to be a pathological liar or an actress, and they chose the latter. That’s how it started.

Actress Charnele Brown (far right) played the role of Kim Reese in the NBC popular sitcom ‘A Different World’

DEFENDER: You attended the SUNY school. How did your experience prepare you to be a working actor?

BROWN: I always said acting was my

passion. [God] gives us an assignment. I found out early on what I wanted to do. My parents were very supportive and put me in everything. The [State University of New York at New Paltz] is predominately white, and so being in the theater arts department, we had to fight because they kept saying there was nothing for us because they were doing white pieces.

This young lady, her name was Akoua, she decided with the rest of us to create the ensemble theater there. We created it for us to perform. I was so determined.

I’m aggressive when it comes to my passion. Other than that, we would have been doing stage craft, like behind the scenes.

We wanted to learn and grow like everyone else.

are. If they don’t love you for who you are, that’s their loss. A lot of times we change our stripes and then you can’t get it back. I haven’t changed since I was 15. This is who I am. I’m quirky, I’m crazy, I’m clumsy and I’m going to remain those things. I don’t know who else to be.

DEFENDER: What flair did your craft in theater bring to commercial television?

BROWN: I brought no flair because I was

READ MORE OF THE INTERVIEW WITH CHARNELE

a theater baby, so I knew nothing about cameras. Jasmine [Guy], I call her my princess, she took me aside and showed me how the camera worked. That’s how I got that flair. She saw me struggling, taught me the cameras and the rest is history.