The Great Resignation
Millions of workers are leaving corporate America and might not return. NEWS
SPOTLIGHT
KAMALA HARRIS
LATANYA BROOKS
The Vice President is vowing to continue the fight for voting rights.
Volume 90, issue 11 January 20, 2022
How the educator is trying to change the future of learning for young people.
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David Culley was fired from the Texans after one season. Getty
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TEXANS ARE JACKED-UP, BUT DON’T WEEP FOR CULLEY
supply chain issues led to a shortage of paper forms prior to 2022 state elections. The voter I’ll admit, I’m not a die-hard sports fan, registration application changed this year for but I do root for the Texans. And their latest one reason: the legislature decided to increase move in firing head coach David Culley had the penalty for illegal voter registration from a me ready to move to the former fan category. class B misdemeanor to a class A misdemeanor. After all, many of us stood by as quarterback And that has to be reflected on the new voter Deshaun Watson become disillusioned and registration application. Applications that don’t demanded a trade—only for his career to comply with the new law will have to be rejected, completely unravel months later after being meaning old forms are no longer viable for voter accused of sexually inappropriate behavior registration. Due to the shortage, the office will ReShonda Tate by over 20 women. We stood by as the roster limit registration forms to 1,000 - 2,000 per was transformed into something out of a Pop requesting voter registration groups. Sigh. If it Warner League (no disrespect to Pop Warner). We stood by ain’t one thing, it’s another. as idiotic decision after decision was made in regard to the team. And we stood by as the team went 4-13. WHAT WOULD JESUS DO? NOT THIS! So the recent firing of David Culley had us throwing up our When I hear all the recommendations to ‘Wash your arms. We knew Culley took a crappy five-year deal (with only hands,’ I often find myself thinking, ‘Do people really have two of those guaranteed) to be the team’s fourth head coach to be told that?’ But an Oklahoma pastor proves that even in franchise history. Let’s be real. Culley was a lame-duck hire the most insane things bear repeating. Like, ‘Don’t wipe your who ownership put exactly zero effort into seeing him succeed. spit on another person.’ Ever. But especially in a pandemic. This after giving Bill O’Brien six seasons to turn things around. I don’t know what message Pastor Mike Todd was trying to BUT, Defender sports reporter Terrence Harris broke things prove when he snorted, spit in his hand, then wiped it across down for me. He let me know we don’t need to weep for Cul- a parishioner’s face ‘in the name of Jesus’. I cringed…nearly ley just yet. Yes, Black coaches get screwed over and never given threw up myself so I completely missed the message. But word enough time to build. But Culley was always a placeholder until is, the point of his demonstrative sermon was to show that the Texans got their guy. At 65, Culley had never been an offensive “receiving God’s vision can sometimes be nasty.” Unfortucoordinator nor had he even interviewed for a head coaching job. nately, the only message he got across was that he is nasty. What he essentially got is a $22 million retirement parachute. If You can hear gasps when Todd gave the member a face Culley were 40 years old, the narrative would be way different. I’d bath. Todd responded with, “How you just reacted, is how the be willing to bet he ain’t mad. He came up. Now we are giving a people in your life will react when God is doing what it takes serious side-eye to owner Bob McNair, who was willing to write for the miracle.” Whatever. Just ewww. a $17 million check to make Culley go away, then turn around Todd posted a video on Twitter apologizing for being and write another $25 mil for another new head coach. But hey, “extreme” and “disgusting.” He wrote, “It was never my intenif Defender CEO Sonny Messiah Jiles EVER feels like she wants tion to distract others from God’s Word and the message of to give me, even one million to leave the game....I’ll throw my Jesus.” Pastor needs to go have a Come to Jesus meeting. own going away pizza party with a big cheesy grin! VOTER SUPPRESSION
Voter suppression is on full display in Texas. Not just from everything the GOP is doing with Senate Bill 1, but now, even supply chain issues are affecting voters. Fewer voter registration forms will be available to voting groups in the Lone Star State after
ON THE WEB
• New global hub for HBCUs levels the playing field. • Check out our DN+ channels featuring stories for Black women, Community Central and Under 40. • In sports, Terrance Harris goes one-on-one with WNBA player, DiDi Richards.
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DN News NBUF
FBISD still desecrating Sugar Land 95, descendants By Aswad Walker
Though members of the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees are making plans to “further memorialize the Sugar Land 95,” Kofi Taharka, national chairman of the National Black United Front (NBUF), and others contend that not only has the Sugar Land 95 yet to be properly memorialized, but they and their descendants are being further disrespected and dishonored. “FBISD continues with its damage control project, and they continue to desecrate the memory of those ancestors who have been called the Sugar Land 95,” said Taharka. The Sugar Land 95 is a moniker coined by local activist Deric Muhammad to describe the remains of individuals discovered during construction of the Reese Center in February 2018. The late activist Reginald Moore warned FBISD officials the remains would be unceremoniously disturbed if their construction project were to move forward. Moore’s pleas for the district to halt the start of the Reese Center project and investigate what research told him was a burial ground for deceased inmates of the former Sugar Land prison’s convict leasing program, were ignored. That’s when body after body was “discovered.” In November 2021, FBISD’s board, at its Agenda Review meeting, discussed a possible agreement with MASS Design Group to plan an outdoor learning space and revitalized cemetery area to “further memorialize the Sugar Land 95 at the District’s James Reese Career and Technical Center.” FBISD acknowledged that many of the individuals discovered, with the youngest being 14 years old, had been
Sugar Land 95. Photo by Elizabeth Trovall/Houston Public Media.
sentenced to unjust and dent Dr. Christie Whitbeck said lengthy prison sentences, rein an official statement: “Fort duced to slave labor and literBend ISD is a public school sysally worked to death. tem with teaching and learning Moore, NBUF and others at its core, and the discovery of pushed to have the site declared the Sugar Land 95 provides the a sacred burial ground and to District with an extraordinary have the remains studied so as to opportunity to educate our stuKofi Taharka be able to trace and contact any dents, community, and future living relatives of the deceased. generations about the discovery Taharka said the expertise and con- and its historical importance. It is our goal sultants NBUF, Moore and others sug- to ensure that the District works to educate gested FBISD use, were ignored, further our students and memorialize with respect adding to the desecration of the Sugar and dignity the individuals who are laid to Land 95 and their descendants. rest in the cemetery.” “If you [FBISD] don’t respect the peo“Since the discovery, the District ple who are living, who are what we call has put forth time, funds, and effort to communal descendants, who have told properly memorialize the cemetery with you that there is expertise in this area the care and concern that it deserves,” and you don’t consult with them, but FBISD Board President Dave Rosenyou continue to put out PR, then you are thal said. “We view the Bullhead Camp desecrating their memory,” he added. Cemetery and the history surrounding Immediately following the FBISD board its discovery as a great site-based learnmeeting last November, FBISD Superinten- ing experience in our community.”
2022 TEXAS PRIMARY KEY DATES Defender News Service Texans will head back to the polls — from Feb. 14-25 for early voting and on election day, March 1 — for the 2022 primary election. Here’s an overview of what Texans need to know about casting a ballot. In addition to the district-level elections, each party will choose its candidate for seven statewide seats — governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, land commissioner, agriculture commissioner, comptroller and one of three seats on the Railroad Commission.
Jan 31: Deadline to register to vote Feb 14: Early voting starts. Early voting ends Feb. 25 Feb 18: Deadline for counties to receive mail-in ballot requests March 1: Texas primary
DEFEND THE DEAD
Across the United States, the remains of thousands of Black people have been discovered in unmarked graves or unofficial cemeteries. These sites are often razed by development. Only a few have been granted protection. There could be many more.
4 | January 20, 2022 |
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DN News
Mother Emanuel Church in Charleston SC. AP Photo/Chuck Burton.
$20M donation helps historic Black churches Defender News Service
VP Kamala Harris vows to keep up fight for voting rights. NNPA
Kamala Harris vows continued fight for voting rights NNPA
in the shoes and in the legacy of the Republicans who, Vice President Kamala Harris provided a message of in 2006 in that chamber in the U.S. Senate, voted 98-0 in hope while striking an encouraging tone during an exclu- favor of the extension to the Voting Rights Act. Let us be sive interview with the Black Press of America. The Vice clear about the challenge here and who the protagonists President, who cut her teeth as a California prosecutor, and the antagonists are. The bottom line is that we must State Attorney General, and later as an influential U.S. march on and fight on. It’s not new to us. We can’t be tired Senator, said that despite many setbacks to voting rights, even though we are frustrated, and yes, disappointed, if she and the entire Biden-Harris administration haven’t not angered that we’re continuing to have this fight.” and won’t stop fighting. Harris noted that her first year in office had kept her “I will tell you that I gave a speech with President Biden busy. She has met with heads of state, prime ministers, at Morehouse College, and afterward, I had a quiet visit and other dignitaries. When discussing the adminiswith Ambassador Andrew Young because I was looking tration’s success, Harris noted the massive bipartisan to him for inspiration,” Harris told the National Newspa- infrastructure bill that passed last year. She pointed out per Publishers Association that the bill contains sig(NNPA). nificant funding for public “Based on what history transportation, a vital issue Read how Harris is fighting has taught us, Ambassador for people of color and the for Black maternal mortality Young said in a nutshell poor. and exclusive details on the National Roadway that freedom is a constant “African American workSafety Strategy. at struggle. But we don’t give ers are four times more www.DefenderNetwork.com. up. That’s where I am. I’m likely to take public transit not giving up,” the Vice than white workers,” Harris President asserted. “We are noted. “If we’re not putting going to keep on. This is a movement for voting rights. funding in public transportation – $90 billion specifically Coretta Scott King said the fight must be fought and won – it means that if you miss your bus, you might lose an with each generation. This is certainly a moment that we hour waiting for the next, and you could lose your job. should not have to be in, which is fighting against blatant So, it’s a big deal.” laws that are designed to target specific communities that She said that the bill funds broadband in areas where obstruct access to the ballot box.” none exist, and many find it hard to afford. Additionally, With Democrat Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia the infrastructure bill removes lead pipes and lead from and Krysten Sinema of Arizona dealing death blows to paint, a serious problem facing many African American any hopes of passing the John Lewis Voting Rights Ad- and low-income households. vancement Act and the Freedom to Vote measure, Harris When the administration began, the pandemic had declined to place blame alone on those renegade party taken its toll on much of the country and the globe. Since members. taking office, Harris said more than 200 million Ameri“We have a fight in front of us. I will emphasize that cans had received COVID vaccines, and 75 million have there also are 50 Republicans who took an oath to sup- gotten booster shots. She noted the economic bounce port and defend the Constitution,” Harris said. “I’m not back in the 6 million jobs the administration has created prepared to absolve them of their responsibility to stand and the near-record-low 3.9% unemployment.
Lilly Endowment Inc., (LE) which supports religious, educational and charitable causes, has launched a new initiative to preserve historic Black churches in the United States. LE recently contributed a $20 million donation to the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund as seed money to fund the Preserving Black Churches Project. The money will be directed toward helping various U.S. Black churches facing a myriad of challenges, including one slammed during the recent tornado that killed more than 20 people in Mayfield, Ken. The Cultural Heritage Action Fund was launched by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. According to Brett Leggs, executive director of the fund, the project will provide churches assistance with asset management and telling their own stories rather than using the funds to simply replace broken windows or polish pews. The Action Fund, which has raised more than $70 million, has assisted with more than 200 preservation projects nationally. It was started by the National Trust for Historic Preservation after clashes between white supremacists and protesters during the “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Va., in 2017. The fund is touted as the largest-ever attempt to preserve sites linked to African American history.
VOLUME 91 - NUMBER 11 - JANUARY 20, 2022 Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles
Managing Editor ReShonda Tate
Chief Development Officer Emelda Douglas
Associate Editor Aswad Walker
Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles Creative Director Michael Grant
Education Reporter Laura Onyeneho Sports Terrance Harris Jodie B. Jiles Photographers Jimmie Aggison
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 2020 copyright. No materials herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the Publisher. 713-663-6996 | P.O. Box 8005, Houston, Tx 77288
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DN Education
U.S Secretary of Education announced $182 million in new grants awarded to 30 school districts, non-profit organizations, and institutions of higher education across the nation as part of the Education, Innovation and Research (EIR) program. Adobe Stock Images
Department of Education awards $182M in grants
By Laura Onyeneho
U.S Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced $182 million in grants awarded to 30 school districts, non-profit organizations, and institutions of higher education across the nation as part of the Education Innovation and Research (EIR) program. Four Texas institutions are among the recipients. The grants will be used to develop, implement and scale entrepreneurial and evidence-based projects to address education’s most pressing problems. “Especially as students, educators, and school communities continue to
heal and recover from the pandemic, we must invest in programs that are innovative and backed by evidence of what works to ensure that our education system can fully and effectively address the academic and social-emotional needs of our children,” said Cardona. “These grants will help to offer rich opportunities to accelerate students’ learning and nurture their development. I look forward to seeing how Education Innovation and Research Grants help take promising practices to scale.” E I R g r a nt e e s w i l l e x p l ore
innovations for potential models focusing on the impact of school closures and lost instructional time due to the COVID-19 pandemic including: • Increase student learning in S.T.E.M by providing school-based tutoring programs with volunteer tutors. • Utilize literacy intervention for kindergarten through third grade. • Support second-graders’ literacy learning recovery among underserved and rural populations. • Increase positive relationships through social emotional learning 9SEL) instruction and enhanced family therapy and health services.
Texas based organizations that will receive the award: 1. Texas A&M Research Foundation College Station Total expected funding:
$14,803,166 2. South Methodist University Dallas Total expected funding:
$7,996,477 3. Intercultural Development Research Association San Antonio Total expected funding:
$3,999,807 4. Uplift Education Dallas Total expected funding:
$4,000,000
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DN InFocus
The Great Resignation
Millions of workers are leaving corporate America. And might not return. By Laura Onyeneho
The COVID-19 pandemic led to the worst U.S. recession since the Great Depression. Many felt the brunt of layoffs, budget cuts, hiring freezes and pay cuts. For some, collecting unemployment and stimulus checks were more sustainable than working a 9-to-5 job. The pandemic was also an opportunity for many families to reflect on their identities outside of the workplace and whether it was fulfilling their needs financially and emotionally. People are leaving their jobs in masses in search of flexible work schedules, better salaries and happiness. Millions of people are still unemployed yet employers are struggling to fill staffing shortages. The term “The Great Resignation” was coined by Texas A&M University organizational psychologist Anthony Klotz in the prediction of the mass voluntary exodus of the American workforce. It has only worsened since government support dried up along with lingering gender and socioeconomic problems. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, a record $4.3 million people – about 2.9% of the U.S. workforce – quit in August 2021. That September, the nation’s jobless rate fell to 4.8%, a pandemic low, but the decline was partly driven by people leaving the labor force. It’s only the beginning. While all sectors of the job market are feeling the impact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that education, food and service, and wholesale trade industries are seeing the most people leave. “It is important that we put things into context. COVID-19 has created some massive, unexpected forces in the U.S. economy such as the turmoil in the labor market, increased inequality in income and wealth, supply chain issues, increases in the savings
FIND OUT WHY THESE FORMER EMPLOYEES AREN’T RETURNING TO WORK.
corporate America. People are starting businesses and entering into the gig economy where they have more control and no boss to report to.” Two share their stories
Deseré Cross Ward, Co-Founder & CEO of TwoWards Solutions. Photo: Marsha Miller
rate, huge increases in government spending, and massive and creative changes in central banks role,” said Munir Quddus, dean and professor of Economics at the College of Business at Prairie View A&M University. “Workers are more aware of the options they have outside of
Deseré Cross Ward is CEO and co-founder of TwoWards Solutions, a communications consulting company built with more than seven years of experience in social media marketing at both the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and the University of Texas at Austin. She left her job at UT in August this year due to an accumulation of factors that took place surrounding the death of George Floyd. She was proud to have a seat at the table with university leadership until things took a drastic turn during the protests in 2020. “I was the only Black employee in my office. I started to feel isolated and there was a transition of university leadership so I felt that my contributions at the school were slipping through the cracks, Ward said. “I had to take some mental days off because I felt like I was the only one grieving, plus there was a misalignment with my morals and values at the school.” Ward felt the school didn’t do enough to address the diversity, equity and inclusion issues for Black students in the aftermath of the protests. Employees had to return to the office three days a week, Ward preferred to work remotely due to better productivity and to avoid office microaggressions. “I’m not wasting my time, money, and talents on the status quo, when I can build my empire,” Ward said. Houston resident Jessica (who requests anonymity) said she worked in the news industry for a few years. Smith left the news business in 2020 when her newsroom experienced job cuts. She had to take on more responsibilities, which led to burnout.
She decided to transition into social media consulting making twice her previous salary along with a flexible schedule. “With the 24-hour news cycle, the constant pressures to perform multiple jobs for ridiculously low pay, being the youngest and at times one out of a handful of Black journalists in a room full of white traditional-thinking news staff, put a lot of things in perspective for me,”w she said. “During the pandemic, I began to think of my work-life balance, I had none. This life is so fragile. I want to one day get married and start a family, and make a dent in my student loan payments, but the demands of the business took a toll on me, and as much as I loved what I did, I couldn’t afford to be in the industry anymore.” What employers should do
Ijeoma Oguh, a Houston human resources business partner for a Fortune 500 company, said the workforce, specifically Corporate America, has to pivot with the times and rework company structure. “There are a few things employers need to change if they want to retain quality talent,” she said. Consider a remote work model. What do vacation times look like? What roles must be in the office and what roles aren’t necessary? Develop a compensation strategy. Employees aren’t keeping their eggs in one basket. Invest in a flexible workspace for mental health and wellness activities if you are downsizing from a traditional office building. Decide what is going to get employees to stay that involves more than just a salary and 15 days of vacation a year. Everybody wants top talent until they understand their worth and leave. Break the glass ceiling. Black professionals often only go so high in a company and some believe they are expected to work twice as hard for less money compared to their white counterparts. Executives should adapt a cultural way of thinking and open the pipeline of promotion and leadership within their companies. Laura Onyeneho covers the city’s education system as it relates to Black children for the Defender Network as a Report For America Corps member. Email her at laura@defendernetwork.com
U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS 2021
4.3 million
Americans, or 2.9% of the entire workforce, quit their jobs in August.
309,000
women older than 20 dropped out of the workforce in September; in contrast, 182,000 men were added.
In August, there were more than
10.4 million unfilled jobs in the U.S. workforce.
TIPS EMPLOYERS SHOULD CONSIDER TO RETAIN STAFF.
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DN InFocus FOCUS SOCIAL LET THE PEOPLE BE HEARD The Defender asked the community their thoughts behind this topic and what tangible solutions they have.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING:
Ndidi A “I think it really starts with a policy from the top down. We need on a national level to increase the salary for teachers. I don’t know why educators are so underpaid in this country. In my estimation they should be paid as doctors and lawyers. Increasing pay will attract more people and help with retention. Increasing pay will also help to bring in more of the historically underrepresented candidates who will need higher salaries to level the playing field. When it comes to curriculum, this needs to be handled on a local level where school boards are looking to see what is relevant. The only time Black people are discussed should not be about slavery. Access to quality education shouldn’t be determined by zip codes. Students in urban areas do not have necessarily the best of everything as if they are going to a private school or charter school. There needs to be an increased budget for counseling services. Because when there are counselors on site it makes the teachers’ job easier. Often times teachers are playing the roles of counselors as well. Then it boils down to a morals issue; parents need to [teach their children] how to be respectful.”
The COVID-19 pandemic is creating a nationwide shortage of educators.
Why Texas teachers are leaving classrooms
By Laura Onyeneho
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a dire nationwide shortage of educators and school staff. The issue has been long drawn out even before the pandemic started and teachers continue to leave the education sector in droves. According to data from the Texas Education Agency, Texas has seen about a 27% decrease in the number of newly certified teachers. The future of a quality education for students is at stake as school districts struggle to find quality candidates to fill the roles. The shortage disproportionately impacts students from Black and Brown communities, pivoting far from the country’s goal of providing equitable education to all children. Frontline Education, an education software
company, conducted a survey pinpointing three major reasons for the national teacher shortage. 1. Lack of fully-qualified applicants 2. Salary and benefits fall short of other careers 3. Fewer new education school graduates The pandemic also added stress and anxiety for teachers and other education employees who had fears of returning to a public school setting considering the 52,000 positive COVID-19 cases reported among Texas students as of August 2021. This trickles down to an even smaller pool of substitute teachers who are retired and choose not to return for the same reason.
Sheena Fox “I used to be a teacher. I taught middle school English, language, arts and reading. I could write a book as to why teachers leave the classroom...Too many unrealistic expectations are imposed upon teachers...Teachers are overworked and overwhelmed...I felt it daily on top of dealing with public school district/campus politics... oversized classrooms… Being expected to produce ideal outcomes despite not being provided ideal conditions...The list goes on and on.” Kamau Mason “Any number of answers. Changes in curriculum and expectations that don’t match the realities of teaching at all phases. Class sizes that have been impacted both literally and virtually. COVID 19 has changed the expectations for teaching and learning. And then there is the factor of wanting more money; notwithstanding actually being paid for the time spent on dealing with the school house issues. Some districts have opted in for pay by performance contracts, which means that your salary and growth potential are impacted by the academic growth of the students. That’s a recipe for stalling the economic growth of the teachers who teach in the poorest settings who have to teach with fewer resources. But here’s the reality. Great teachers are supposed to leave the classroom. They are supposed to want to do more. And so the innate desire to grow is always a factor....I did it for 17 years in Georgia. And the issue is not exclusive to just one state. It’s the state of the union.” Kamaria Speaks “Our class sizes are over max capacity. Last year I had 156 students, six classes (and two classes of 50 students in a Zoom…that ratio is not even legal.) We get two administrators giving us different answers to the same problem and then punishing us for choosing one of the two solutions. Make it make sense.” Jeremy Smith Mba “Student behavior, added responsibilities outside the normal requirements due to shortage in personnel. More paperwork and training requirements added by the states and districts. Diminished support from the district or at the school level. Just complete burnout and stress.”
January 20, 2022 |
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DN Sports Rockets forward Christian Wood posted his 20th double-double of the season with 23 points and 14 rebounds during the 118-112 win over the Sacramento Kings.
Prairie View women’s track and field senior Dinah Murphy, a former standout at George Bush High School, had a record-breaking performance in the 800-meter run while dominating the field with a time of 2:18.54 at the HBCU Showcase in Harlem, N.Y.
SportsBriefs Texans interview Brian Flores
Less than 24 hours after firing firstyear coach David Culley, the Texans interviewed Brian Flores for the head coaching job. Flores, who is African American, Brian had been fired earlier Flores in the week after a few successful years as the Dolphins head coach. Texans general manager Nick Caserio says Culley wasn’t suddenly fired because of who is available but the quick interview along with the New England Patriots’ connection Caserio and Flores share makes that a hard sell.
TSU volleyball coach steps down
TSU volleyball coach Gabrielle Floyd has resigned after two seasons, the school announced. Floyd, a Gabrielle Floyd former player at TSU, led the Lady Tigers last spring and also this past fall. TSU says it will immediately begin a search for Floyd’s replacement.
Lady Tigers fighting through adversity
It’s been a difficult couple of weeks for the TSU women’s basketball program, being forced to play with the SWAC minimum of seven players due to Alisa COVID-19 protocols Knight and without head coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke, who has been out with an illness. But that hasn’t stopped the Lady Tigers. They put together back-to-back wins against Mississippi Valley State (100-66) and Alcorn State (63-60) heading into Monday’s game at Jackson State. In the Mississippi Valley State win, five players played 33 minutes or more with Alisa Knight leading the way with 26 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocked shots in 39 minutes. Shalexxus Aaron contributed 25 points and 10 rebounds in 37 minutes and Ataiya Bridges came through with 22 points and 10 assists in 33 minutes.
Joirdon Karl Nicholas (5) is one of the Tigers emotional leaders and a glue guy for the team.
Joirdon Karl Nicholas has enjoyed the journey at TSU By Terrance Harris
As a young man coming out Glenda Dawson High School in Pearland, Joirdon Karl Nicholas looked forward to experiencing a place different than Houston, playing college basketball and bringing his mom home a degree. Nearly five years later, Nicholas has played a lot of basketball and delivered on his primary job of obtaining his college degree but he has accomplished much of that right here in Houston. His trek began at University of Montana, diverted to Stephen F. Austin and finally made it home to Texas Southern. “It’s been a long journey,” said Nicholas, who was Montana’s first signee ever from Texas and played in 30 games for the Grizzlies Joirdon Nichols as a freshman. “It’s been hard, it’s been a lot of trials and tribulations. It’s been a lot of ups and downs. But I’ve always told myself, `You are built for this. This is what you want to do.’” The 6-foot-9 power forward’s journey has taken him to some intriguing places while creating a lifetime of memories. Nicholas, is the 17th-ranked player in Texas. As a senior at Dawson, he won a Big Sky Conference championship and made his first NCAA Tournament season in his lone season with the Grizzlies and then with the Tigers has won a SWAC championship, made it to the NCAA Tournament where TSU won a game and then this season was a major part of the HBCU program making history when it knocked off 20th-ranked Florida. The best part is it isn’t quite over yet. “It means a lot,” said Nicholas, who graduated last month with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Health Studies and is now in graduate school working toward a Master’s in Sports Management. “I’m from Houston, I rep Houston. Everything I do is for me and my people. I love to represent where I come from and who I am. “So it’s just big because I have kids from where I went to school and nephews that look up to what I’m doing. That’s big. With me, it’s
all about what you leave behind. It’s big to me. It’s no better feeling than just knowing I was a part of something.” He was a part of history last month when the winless Tigers, fresh off a 27-point loss at Louisiana Tech, went into Gainesville, Fla. and knocked off the Gators, 69-54. Nicholas was unstoppable in the paint, going 7-for-7 from the floor to finish with 14 points in helping power the Tigers to the SWAC’s first win over a ranked SEC school in the AP poll era dating back to 1936. SEC teams had been 51-0 against SWAC opponents before Dec. 6. “That right there just changed the momentum,” said Nicholas, whose team was 5-10, 3-3 in SWAC play. “I would like to say it changed the momentum for the whole team. Guys see you doing that and they are going to turn up. “I definitely felt like it was a tone setter.” The Tigers haven’t gotten off to the start in the conference season they had hoped after dropping games against Southern and Alcorn State, but the nucleus of last season’s team is still intact, there is a belief things will smooth out as the season goes and into tournament time. The Tigers’ motto this season is “Run it Back.” “We have the same guys that won a ring last year, but we added a few more great pieces,” said Nicholas, who is averaging 10.4 points and 5.8 steals while coming through with 11 blocks as the Tigers energy leader and glue guy. “Nothing less than what we did last year. Everything we did last year, we need to double up on and do better.” In the meantime, Nicholas is enjoying his journey and where it has touched down. “It literally took me two schools to get into the right situation,” he said. “I wouldn’t trade it for nothing. “When I got to TSU, I felt everything that I had been missing, the family feel, every coach on the coaching staff wants you, every coach on the coaching staff talks to you, they are there for you, they want to see you shine, they want to see you succeed. It was like an easy no-brainer.”
January 20, 2022 |
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DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Sports ELKINS SENIOR FORWARD
JACKSON FIELDS BRINGS IT Jodie B. Jiles
Elkins senior forward Jackson Fields is an athletic 6-foot-7 forward who can run the floor, rebound, block and make plays on both ends of the basketball court. While Fields is still adjusting to the basketball court after playing tight end during the football season, Elkins continues to get better and better with more reps in practice and games. As a natural slasher, Fields makes it easy for teammates to him as he makes cuts down the baseline for easy baskets. Fields is also capable of stretching the floor with a formidable 3-point shot. Elkins has potential to be the district title winner out of the 6A Region III District 20 with a huge 83-62 win over Ridge Point High School, the only undefeated district opponent left to play. Elkins will play Ridge Point in a rematch on Feb. 8 to most likely decide the regular season district champion. Elkins head coach Albert Thomas discussed what Fields adds to the roster. “Jackson adds...size and athleticism,” Thomas said. “He adds as a shot blocker, he is our leading rebounder, and he is somebody who can finish around the rim.” The Defender spoke with Fields about his style of play, inside presence on defense and his enforcer role on the team.
DN Online: Read the full article.
5
TOP Musical
artists athletes listen to
Jodie B. Jiles
Based on a Defender High School Sports survey where we asked area athletes what musicians they like to listen to, here are the results, starting with No. 5:
5. Megan Thee Stallion
Every single female athlete surveyed put Megan Thee Stallion at the top of their Megan list. While the Queen Thee Stallion B Beyoncé did have a vote or two with the athletes, Megan stood out the most across the board.
4. Drake
You can say what you want about Drake being caught up in his feelings with his music, but at the same Drake time Drake can move listeners too. Many of the votes for Drake came from the suburbs and oh yeah, the ladies still love him.
3. Lil Durk
To be honest Lil Durk was a surprise with a No. 3 finish, nearly doubling the votes Lil Durk Drake received. The numbers don’t lie. Durk is a legit contender in high school playlists across the city right now.
2. Lil Baby
Lil Baby has consistently been the voice that keeps playing Lil Baby in high school circles. From the hood classics he performed with Lil Durk on their “Voice of the Heroes” project to the impactful “Bigger Picture” song Lil Baby dropped after the George Floyd killing, this guy just gets it.
1. NBA YoungBoy
Without a doubt, YoungBoy is the hottest musical artist with high school audiences period. NBA YoungBoy No matter where you go, YoungBoy is there. You can hear YoungBoy in the football locker rooms, weight rooms and everywhere else except during games due to his explicit content.
12 | January 20, 2022 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Spotlight
EDUCATOR, SPEAKER, AUTHOR, GROW WITH STEM CEO
LATANYA BROOKS
By Laura Onyeneho
Educators are finding creative and engaging ways to prepare the future generation of youth to be the next innovators and inventors with STEM education programs. Student boredom can be a huge challenge faced by teachers yet STEM lessons can be integrated into daily curriculum. For example, children learn the laws of physics by stacking playing blocks together. LaTanya Brooks is an educator, speaker and CEO of Grow With STEM, a platform dedicated to promoting awareness and learning by designing books that inspire children to pursue stem-related careers. She teaches in HISD and has launched two new books to inspire at-risk youth to pursue STEM-related careers. Brooks spoke to the Defender about her work: Defender: Where did your passion for education begin? Brooks: I landed in education by acci-
dent. I was transitioning into another career and teaching was something I figured would allow me to work while I studied to earn my MBA in Management. I get such gratification from helping others. I’m certified to teach business as well as technology. So, I’ve been an educator since 2007 and I love every minute of it. Defender: What about your work with Grow With STEM? Brooks: The reason why I decided to
write books about STEM is because I was part of an initiative where [HISD was] focusing on how we can expose minority communities to STEM. Black and Brown people have to see themselves in the books I write.
LaTonya Brooks, CEO/Founder, Grow with STEM (center) with students. Photo: Jesus S. Azuara Photography
FACTS ABOUT LATONYA BROOKS
• She runs four side businesses • Mentors minority youth on business and entrepreneurship • Learned to type with a typewriter at age 7
I felt that writing these books will allow me to not just educate my school and my district but impact the world. My books have glossary of terms activities and workbooks to go with them. I want to inspire kids to consider a career in STEM. I cover core competencies. My book “Marisol: A Little Girl with a Big Dream” talks about math and science terms. My other book “Adam Baum: The
Autistic Engineer” talks about simple machines and pulley systems. It also covers social emotional learning components as well, because the main character Adam is autistic and the things that make him different are a gift despite being bullied, which is another topic that is discussed . Defender: You modeled your book after ABC’s “The Good Doctor” character Shaun Murphy, an autistic surgeon. Why? Brooks: I started to jot down all the
characteristics of “The Good Doctor” that helped me shape my character for the book. The [show’s] main character is very systematic, nonchalant, very tactile, and loves working with his hands. Then I looked at different job listings and different type of engineer jobs that would fit the personality of my character. Laura Onyeneho covers the city’s education system as it relates to Black children for the Defender Network as a Report For America Corps member. Email her at laura@defendernetwork.com.
READ ABOUT THE RESOURCES SHE USES TO TEACH STEM TO STUDENTS