February 1, 2024

Fighting White

Domestic Terrorism What’s being done to battle the threat to Black America?

NEWS

PROFILE

TIFFANY THOMAS

PLAYY The Grammynominated rapper talks about his Missouri City roots.

The city council member refutes Mayor’s claim she called an ‘unauthorized’ housing meeting.

Volume 93, issue 14 February 1, 2024

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DN To the POINT

Barber’s Hill ISD superintendent Greg Poole paid for a full-page ad to attack high school junior Darryl George. Photo by Lucio Vasquez/Houston Public Media.

Associate Editor’s Message BARBERS HILL MADNESS CONTINUES

was a vile practice used by “owners” of the enslaved when they wanted to punish Black men for standing up as Black men.

To “take their manhood,” these “owners” would rape the brother in front of everyone to “break” the spirit of the “buck.”

But in Scott’s case, is it buck-breaking if the “buck” openly seeks to be “broken” and responds by saying “I just love you”?

Ni**a.

A grown man in a position of incredible power and influence, making well over six figures, took time out of his life to pay for a full-page ad in the Houston Chronicle to attack a Black high school junior, Darryl George. All because this dude, Greg Poole, the superintendent of Barbers Hill ISD, didn’t like the way God ordained the hair to grow out of George’s head. As if Aswad Walker suspending George multiple times wasn’t BROTHER, BROTHER, BROTHER enough. As if making George miss over 80% of his school Over the many decades of our time in this Babylon, days outside his school wasn’t enough. As if the fact that we’ve seen every shade and shape of oppression and abuse the rule Poole cited for the suspension wasn’t even broken from every kind of U.S. institution (religious, academic,

by George, but is broken daily by white students, wasn’t judicial, etc.). And with the rise in hate crimes and hate enough. This dude takes out a full-page ad to shame George speech aimed at Blacks, and the deepening of the racial/ and states, “Being an American requires conformity.” How political divide, one refrain shared often by Blackfolk over inadequate must Poole feel about himself, to the very core the past two years has been, “Oh, we’ve been here before. of his insecure being, to take policing Black bodies to that We’ve seen oppression like this in the past.” Wrong. We over-the-top level? have not seen this before. Over the past two years one of the country’s two main political parties (Republicans) TIM SCOTT… REALLY??? has openly endorsed 1) political violence, including jailing Last week South Carolina US Senator Tim Scott made and assassinating political opponents, 2) a dictator form what many are calling one of the most shameful displays of government over democracy (see Project2025.org), and of kissing a** in the history of a**ess available to be kissed. 3) declaring Democrats enemies of the state who deserve Appointed to his current position in 2013 by Republican violent attacks. Yet, daily, we hear reports that more young presidential candidate Nikki Haley, and a long-time sup- and middle-aged Black men are talking about voting for porter of hers, when Trump won the South Carolina caucus the party of Trump? Either someone’s lying about Black few expected Scott to be in attendance at the victory party. men and their 2024 political intentions, or we’ve reduced He was not only present, he was on stage, standing over ourselves to a generation full of Tim Scotts openly seeking Trump’s left shoulder, offering some Olympic-level skin- to be broken for all the world to see. nin’ & grinnin’. Then, Trump went all the way in on Scott, essentially calling him a no backbone, disloyal, punk, to ON THE WEB which Scott responded by interrupting Trump’s rant to • Why is ‘The Color Purple’ tanking at the box office? take the mic and say, while looking deeply into Trump’s • Kim Burrell addresses outcry over clowning singing eyes: “I just love you.” Ni**a! Thousands of Blackfolk church member. immediately interpreted the act the same way – Scott just • Terrance Harris keeps us up to date on pro and college got “buck-broken” in front of the world. “Buck-breaking” sports.

February 1, 2024 |

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DN News 5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Harris County Jail changes?

By Aswad Walker

Has the new year brought with it new realities to the Harris County Jail (HCJ)?

According to some state officials and criminal justice reform advocates, the answer is no. Thus far, 2024 has offered more of the same.

And that can’t be good because since 2022, the Harris County Jail has made national news with its myriad of issues, including a record number of in-custody deaths. And even though 2023 saw millions of dollars directed to the jail, issues of beatings, “band-aid” fixes, a lack of public transparency, and a rising death toll, remain.

Here are five things to know about HCJ’s recent history, current reality, and future direction.

1

DEATHS If the past is prologue, then the New Year’s Day 2023 death of Jacoby Pillow, who was jailed for trespassing, and scheduled to be released on a $100 personal bond just two days later, should not have been a surprise. As of Dec. 19, 2023, at least 19 people died while in custody, following the mind-numbing record number of 27 in-custody deaths in 2022.

Last year, the FBI opened an investigation into Pillow’s death, along with Jaquaree Simmons’ 2021 death, that potentially came from a beating at the hands of multiple detention officers. By the way, one of those officers was charged with manslaughter.

The Defender reported on several lawsuits spotlighting the beatings and deaths in HCJ, including a federal suit filed in August 2023 headed by Attorney Ben Crump and family members of individuals jailed and some who were formerly incarcerated, but all offering similar reports of violent mistreatment and a lack of timely medical care, with some outright reporting being denied access to crucial medications.

2

VIOLATION CITY The year 2022 saw HCJ accused of continuously violating statewide safety standards. The violations focused on breaking the law via keeping people in holding cells for longer than the legal limit, the aforementioned lack of timely medical care, and gross staffing shortages.

3

UNDER-STAFFED Several entities have sounded the alarm about HCJ understaffing. Houston Public Media reported that during the Texas Commission on Jail Standards’ quarterly meeting in November 2023, the commission threatened to reduce the jail’s capacity if staffing levels weren’t stabilized.

Harris County Jail. Photo by Lucio Vasquez/Houston Public Media.

Commissioners Court invested more money last September into the sheriff ’s office, hoping a 12% salary increase for detention officers would produce improved recruiting and retention numbers. Though nearly three months have passed since the pay raise, the Harris County Sheriff ’s Office says it’s too early to know if that strategy is a winner. What is known is roughly 150 detention officer vacancies still remain in HCJ.

4

CAPACITY ISSUES While local and state officials blame insufficient staffing levels for HCJ issues, criminal justice reform advocates place the blame on the incarceration profit motive which invites overcrowding, and an unsafe number of people being jailed, considered innocent, yet waiting on average 200 days in jail before appearing before a judge. And just for context, that 200 days blows away the national average 30 days, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

A 2020 Justice Management Institute report called for the Harris County District Attorney’s Office to make “uncomfortable, but necessary changes” by dismissing “all

non-violent felony cases older than nine months.” The goal: alleviating the growing number of pending cases.

Krishnaveni Gundu, the executive director of the Texas Jail Project, cited that report when calling for the same thing: for county officials to lower the jail population by dismissing nonviolent low-level charges.

Deeming that suggestion as “unrealistic,” District Attorney Kim Ogg advocated for more prosecutors and courts to expedite the county’s 100K-plus lingering criminal and civil court cases.

More money was also directed to the sheriff ’s office to hire five Jail Population Specialists. Their mission: to identify stagnant cases to speed up cases and lower detainee numbers.

5

OUTSOURCING BAND-AID As of mid-December 2023, HCJ listed 9,024 people in

custody. However, nearly 15% of that number (1,330) were outsourced to private facilities in Louisiana, Northwest Texas and Beaumont, according to the county’s jail dashboard. Hundreds more have been or will soon be jailed in the Tallahatchie County Correctional Facility in Mississippi, a privately owned medium-security prison located 500 miles from Houston – a reality considered cruel and unusual to family members of those “outsourced” souls.

According to County Judge Lina Hidalgo, whose Commissioner’s Court approved in November 2023 another outsourcing contract – even though commissioners say outsourcing isn’t a solution, the tactic is used in order to comply with state safety standards. Activist Gundu agrees with commissioners that outsourcing isn’t the answer, but went a step further, comparing the strategy to putting “a Band-Aid on cancer.”

Read about more things to know about the current state of HCJ

4 | February 1, 2024 |

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DN News

Thomas, Whitmire navigate controversy over housing meeting

By Aswad Walker

At the Feb. 7 Houston City Council Meeting, Houston’s Mayor John Whitmire is expected to present a proposal regarding this year’s 9% tax credit program applications, a program said to be a huge part of the city’s affordable housing matrix. Whitmire’s move breaks with the at least four-year tradition of developers, community residents, city council members, and others meeting first to discuss and plan for winning outcomes.

Such a meeting – a housing committee meeting – was scheduled for Jan. 30 and organized by District F City Council Member Tiffany Thomas, who has led this gathering for the past four years as chair of the city’s Housing and Community Affairs Committee, during which time she “developed a relationship with [her] colleagues as an expert.”

However, on the evening of Jan. 29, Thomas got word about Whitmire choosing to take the issue directly to City Council on Feb. 7.

On Jan. 30 Thomas read where Whitmire blocked what he described as an “unauthorized” meeting.

“No, the meeting wasn’t unauthorized,” said Thomas.

“Actually, the administration posted the item online. My chief of staff posted the physical notice last Friday. I noticed that the agenda was online because we had a briefing with the committee and a member of [Whitmire’s] administration where they presented the proposed timeline.”

However, according to Whitmire, protocols weren’t followed. “[The mayor] does respect Council Member Thomas and her housing expertise, but this is not the way to do it,” said Mary Benton, a mayor’s office spokesperson.

Thomas describes the tax credit program as “the Super Bowl of multifamily affordable housing in the city” because most of Houston’s funds for such projects come through state or federal funding as the City of Houston does not designate general fund dollars to housing projects.

“So, every top of the year, as long as this program has been operating, we have a special called meeting for community members, council members, developers, and the like, to state on record if they like it, if they support it, and to get more information,” stated Thomas.

Currently, Thomas is not chair of Whitmire the city’s Housing and Community Affairs Committee, as Whitmire has yet to announce any council committee chairs. However, Thomas says the issue of housing is not only close to her heart, but it’s literally her expertise.

“I teach this at a historically Black college; Prairie View A&M, the only HBCU with an academic community development program in the nation. I serve at the national level of the National League of Cities,” she said.

According to Thomas, she called Whitmire, recognizing that he was in the early stages of transitioning into his new position as mayor of the nation’s fourth largest city, to inform him of the annual meeting and stress its importance.

And in Thomas’s mind, after multiple communications with Whitmire’s staff members, everything was a go, until it wasn’t.

Counted in those communications were three calls with

Houston City Council Member Tiffany Thomas, who represents District F, is refuting Mayor Whitmire’s claim that she attempted to run an ‘unauthorized’ meeting. Thomas is pictured here during last year’s National Urban League Conference. Photo by Aswad Walker.

Whitmire’s administration and a regular committee briefing with a member of his administration, present where the timeline was presented for a special call meeting for Jan. 30, a City Council vote slated for Feb. 14, and a built-in backup date for the vote on Feb. 21, in case council members had additional questions.

“Our Vice Mayor Pro Tem, Amy Peck, is known for requesting that developers of senior deals add extra generators on their property. Those are the types of things that happen. The concessions. ‘Can you add another classroom? What programs do you have for seniors and for families,’” added Thomas.

Thomas said she thought all was well with the Jan. 30 meeting as one-on-one meetings with new council members and the housing department were taking place, briefing them about their projects.

“I received an email Jan. 29 at 5:30 p.m. from the mayor.

He wanted to get his bearings around it and put it on as an agenda item on Feb. 7. I communicated my disagreement with the decision. We had a good conversation. He expressed respect for my knowledge, wants to work with me, says, ‘I know you know more about this than any of us,’ but he wants to do it on a council agenda item,” shared Thomas.

The next morning she awoke to a Houston Chronicle article reporting that Whitmire blocked Thomas’s “unauthorized” meeting.

Thomas said her issue with the “unauthorized meeting” accusation is that she’s being mischaracterized as a “rogue” operating outside City Council parameters. She’s also worried about a lack of robust, public dialogue on such an important issue – affordable housing projects.

“At the end of the day, I believe that Houstonians should

have information openly and often. And we should never restrict a public opportunity to talk about projects or issues. So, I was shocked to see the Chronicle article that frames me out of integrity, a rogue, that I am operating without guidance or operating without support.”

To address the pressing timeline, Benton said Whitmire directed the housing department to publicize the initial list of recommended projects and arrange one-on-one meetings with council members to go over the list. Benton added that Whitmire plans to announce committee appointments by the end of February.

VOLUME 93, NUMBER 14 - FEBRUARY 1, 2024 Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles

Education Reporter Laura Onyeneho

Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles

Sports Terrance Harris Jimmie Aggison

Digital Content Manager Terrance Harris Managing Editor ReShonda Tate Associate Editor Aswad Walker

Social Media Jordan Hockett Ad Executive Jodie B. Jiles

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 2024 copyright.

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

February 1, 2024 |

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| 5

DN Education

TSU gets $50M grant for climate justice

By Aswad Walker

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice at Texas Southern University was selected as one of the 11 “Grantmakers” under its $600 billion Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking (EJ TCGM) program.

The program was created by President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the largest investment in climate action in history.

“I am proud to say Texas Southern University is the HBCU that served as the launching pad for my environmental justice career way back in 1979—before EJ had a name or initials,” said Dr. Robert D. Bullard, the Center’s namesake who is often referred to as the “father of environmental justice.”

“And today, 44 years later, TSU was selected to serve as a Regional Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaker,” Bullard added.

It makes perfect sense that a Center located in the Bayou City would be a recipient of this EPA grant. Why? Because of all of Houston’s national accolades, including being the most diverse city in the nation, one area the city leads the country in could be the death of us – air pollution.

Along with the Bullard Center, the city is home to Air Alliance Houston, founded in the late 1980s to reduce the public health impacts of air pollution and advance environmental justice through research, education and advocacy.

TSU’s Bullard Center, located in the Barbara Jordan/Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs Building, just received major funding support to help in its mission. Photo courtesy TSU.

Additionally, Houston’s Furr High School is the first environmental justice magnet high school in the U.S. Houston’s Fifth Ward has made national news for being smack dab in the middle of a major cancer cluster so toxic that the city is investing $5 million to relocate residents.

The Center will work closely with its community-based organization partner, Achieving Community Tasks Successfully (ACTS), led by Bridgette Murray, focused on engaging, educating, and empowering communities impacted by industrial sources of pollution.

“ACTS is honored to serve as a partner for the Bullard Center. Our success as a community-based organization is a result of the mentorship of the HBCU-CBO Gulf Coast Equity Consortium and the Houston Data to Action Project, which provided both technical and financial assistance. It is our desire to assist other nonprofit organizations in the environmental justice space to lead mitigation efforts in their own communities. It is our belief this award will assist other communities to thrive in their desire to improve their own quality of life and health,” said Murray, who is a native Houstonian.

Virtual Public Meeting: Available starting on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, at 5 p.m. www.txdot.gov/projects/hearings-meetings.html

YOU’RE INVITED

PUBLIC MEETING I-610 SOUTH Feasibility Study

First In-Person Open House: Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Worthing High School 9215 Scott Street, Houston, TX 77051 Second In-Person Open House: Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Houston Texans YMCA 5202 Griggs Road, Houston, TX 77021 The information presented in the virtual public meeting and both in-person open house locations is identical, and the opportunities to comment do not differ.

ALL COMMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED ON OR BEFORE FRIDAY, MARCH �, ����

Control Section Job: 0271-16-158 & 0271-16-159

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is studying Interstate (I)-610 South from Farm-to-Market (FM) 521 (Almeda Rd) to Telephone Road in Harris County, Texas, a distance of approximately six (6) miles. TxDOT will be conducting a virtual public meeting regarding the study with two in-person open houses. The public meeting will consist of a pre-recorded video presentation and will include both audio and visual components.

The purpose of this meeting is to provide an opportunity for the community to review and comment on the Needs and Goals and the conceptual alternatives developed for this section of I-610 South. Conceptual alternatives are high level solutions that address the transportation needs in the study area. Input received at this public meeting will assist in identifying a preferred alternative. The preferred alternative would then move forward in to project development, which includes preliminary design and environmental review. Potential impacts and displacements would be determined as the proposed project progresses and would be presented at future public meetings.

The public meeting will be conducted in English and Spanish. If you need an interpreter or document translator because English or Spanish is not your primary language or you have difficulty communicating effectively in English or Spanish, one will be provided to you free-of-charge. If you have a disability and need assistance, special arrangements can be made to accommodate most needs. If you need interpretation or translation

services or you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation to attend and participate in the public meeting, please contact Gabriel Adame, at (713) 802-5199 or Gabriel.Adame@txtdot.gov no later than 4 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024. Please be aware that advance notice is required as some services and accommodations may require time for the study team to arrange.

To submit comments: Mail: TxDOT Houston District Advanced Project Development Director P.O. Box 1386, Houston, Texas 77251-1386 Email: HOU-PIOwebmail@txdot.gov In-Person: At each meeting location

Preguntas o Comentarios: Gabriel Adame (713) 802-5199 Gabriel.Adame@txdot.gov

6 | February 1, 2024 |

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DN Education

HISD weighs options for 2024-25 academic calendar

By Amaka Watson

The Houston Independent School District (HISD) is gearing up for potential changes to its academic calendar for the 2024-25 school year, presenting four options that could see an earlier start date, an extended academic year, and increased staff workdays.

One of the key proposals across all four drafts is the augmentation of the number of school days from the current 172 to 180, signaling a commitment to provide students with more instructional time. The potential start dates for the upcoming academic year are under discussion, with August 7, 12, or 14 being the options on the table.

While the district officials have not yet finalized the dayby-day calendars, they seek input from the community in the coming week.

The four calendar options also suggest adjustments to various aspects of the school year. These include variations in the dates for the beginning and end of the school year, spring break, and staff induction and preparation.

Furthermore, the proposals introduce changes to the distribution of holidays and professional development dates throughout the academic year.

One notable aspect of the draft calendars is the consideration for an increase in the number of workdays for staff. Compared to the current academic year, where teachers are scheduled to work 187 days (including 15 days for training), the proposed 2024-25 calendars suggest a range of 195 to 196 total workdays for returning staff. This

HISD 2024-2025 CALENDAR PROPOSAL Version

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Student class days

180

180

180

180

First day for returning educators

July 29

Aug 1

Aug 5

Aug 1

First day for students

Aug 7

Aug 12

Aug 14

Aug 12

Last day for students

June 3

June 4

June 6

June 4

Staff induction, preparation, professional development days

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16 Source: HISD

includes 15 to 16 days designated for training purposes.

New staff members joining the district are also expected to undergo an additional two days of training.

Community members were informed in mid-December about the district’s intent to start the 2024-25 school year during the first or second week of August. This announcement was coupled with the assurance of a 180-day academic calendar.

As HISD proceeds with the deliberation on these

proposed calendar changes, the district encourages parents, teachers, and other stakeholders to participate in the decision-making process. The collective input gathered from the community will play a crucial role in shaping the final academic calendar for the 2024-25 school year.

HISD officials will present a final calendar choice by Feb. 8 to the district’s board of managers, which must approve the schedule.

HISD school choice application now open

By Amaka Watson

School Choice Bus Stops, and Afterschool Mini Clinics in the last two weeks of the application window.

HISD is now offering a zoned pre-K option, reducing the need for families to apply through the lottery for pre-K enrollment at their zoned school. Details for the 2024-2025 academic year will be announced later this month.

For those seeking personalized assistance, a School Choice Customer Service hotline will be available throughout the application period.

Are you a parent who is considering school choice options for your children?

HISD is opening its annual school choice application for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Families eager to explore magnet or alternative school options can mark their calendars with key dates released by HISD. Here’s everything you need to know: KEY DATES Phase One Application (Open Now Feb. 23, 2024): Families can now apply for magnet or alternative schools through the streamlined Phase One Application process.

Phase One Lottery Notification (March 26, 2024): Applicants will be notified of the lottery results, providing an early glimpse into their school options.

Phase Two Application Opens (March 26, 2024): For students who participated in Phase One but did not secure a spot, Phase Two allows them to apply to schools with available spaces.

Phase One School Acceptance (April 9, 2024): Accepted students must confirm their match by this date.

Phase Two Application Due (to be announced): Details for the Phase Two deadline will be communicated soon.

WHAT’S NEW HISD is providing a wealth of online resources, including:

Families eager to explore magnet or alternative school options can mark their calendars with key dates released by HISD.

School Choice Parent Handbook: A guide for families on what to expect from the school choice process.

Family Program Guide: A comprehensive list of schools categorized by program type.

Informational Videos and Overview: Supporting parents in completing the

application.

Updated School Finder: Providing detailed information about each campus, from specialized programs to extracurricular offerings.

In-Person Support: HISD is going the extra mile to assist families through in-person events, including Saturday sessions,

DEBATE ON EDUCATION FREEDOM This comes as Gov. Greg Abbott declared the week of Jan. 21 “National School Choice Week.” The state legislators are in an ongoing debate over education freedom and funding.

Abbott, a staunch advocate for subsidizing private education using state funds, faces a divided Republican front in the primary races for the Texas House. He is urging voters to support candidates aligned with his vision which includes “universal” education savings accounts to give families options outside of public education.

Abbott endorsed candidates in House races late last year, explicitly excluding Republicans who opposed education savings accounts from his list of endorsements. He lost a yearlong battle to create school vouchers with his failure to convince 21 House Republicans on the vote last December.

February 1, 2024 |

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DN Profile

Playy GRAMMY-NOMINATED ARTIST

Tributes new song to Houston

EXCLUSIVE

By Laura Onyeneho

Houston’s own Grammy-nominated songwriter, Playy, holds it down for Houston hip-hop with his latest anthem, “Gold On My Lip” (G.O.M.L).

This anthem captures the city’s energy and marks the latest milestone in Playy’s career. The song features artists, including Texas legend E.S.G and Spark Dawg, with beats created by multi-platinum producer NickEBeats and directed by Texas-based director DGreen.

Renowned for crafting chart-toppers for Ludacris and Nicki Minaj, Playy emerges not just as a songwriter and artist but as an architect of infectious beats.

Join the Defender in this exclusive interview, where Playy invites us into the journey that brought him from Missouri City to a Grammy nomination.

DEFENDER: Growing up in Houston, what influenced your interest in music?

Playy: “106 and Park” was really big at

the time. I was watching it every day after school. I saw Lil’ Flip, Bun B, Pimp C, and Slim Thug, all doing their thing and I just wanted it. My cousins walked around freestyling all day, and I just got into it. My mom built me a studio in my backyard in high school. So, once she did that, it was a wrap. I was locked in. It started with me just freestyling and everyone reacting to me. I was so young, and people were surprised at my skills. That gave me the confidence to keep going.

DEFENDER: What inspired you to create “Gold On My Lip” and how does it pay tribute to Houston’s grill culture?

Playy: Texas is one of the places where

we do gold grills… that’s what we do. I thought it was smart, especially if I got the right people on it. ESG is a legend.

Shout out to Swishahouse. I ran into him in Atlanta. He came to my hotel. I had the studio set up in my hotel. He came, heard the record, and laid the verse down within minutes. That was just incredible on his part. And then Spark Dawg, he’s also from Killeen, Texas. I got him on it because he’s known as the Hood dentist. He’s pulling up to gas stations, molding you up, and getting you out of there. It was only right for me to get those two on it to make it a classic.

DEFENDER: Can you share more about the creative process behind the track?

Playy: I don’t have one particular pro-

cess, but when I’m going through beats, and it catches my attention, I try to load it up right then and just get my ideas out.

Even if it ain’t a full song, I at least load up the beat, get my ideas out and then build off that. But if I’m just out and about and think of an idea, Voice Note is my best friend.

DEFENDER: How does it feel to be a Grammy-nominated artist?

Playy: It’s amazing. I’ve been doing this

a long time and that’s the only thing I have to show I can say I got nominated for a Grammy. Being nominated for a Grammy is a real big thing. Even if you don’t win, being nominated is amazing.

DEFENDER: What can fans anticipate from your upcoming releases?

Playy: I have a lot of albums on hold

that are ready to drop. We are just trying to figure out the right times. Same with singles. I got a lot of singles ready to drop.

We’re just trying to figure out the right times to drop it. I shoot my videos with DGreen films. He’s really popping right now, especially in the Texas area. And, I have many videos with him already done, too. I’m performing at South by Southwest this year, so that’s gonna be dope.

Check out the full interview at DefenderNetwork.com

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8 | February 1, 2024 |

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DN InFocus HISTORIC EXAMPLES

Fighting white domestic terrorism

W

By Aswad Walker

hen President Joe Biden gave the Howard University commencement address last year and said, “White supremacy … is the single most dangerous terrorist threat in our homeland,” white conservatives lost their minds. Black people yawned.

In March 2021, when FBI Director Christopher Wray testified before Congress, labeling the Jan. 6 insurrection as “domestic terrorism” and warning that white nationalist-led “homegrown violent extremism” was the nation’s number one threat, Blacks responded, “Duh.” And when the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in 2020 stated that white supremacy was an emerging domestic terrorism threat, Blackfolk said, “We agree, if by ‘emerging’ you mean it emerged 400 years ago, when they started enslaving, raping, torturing and lynching us.”

Black people have always recognized the dangerous reality of white domestic terrorism, even while the majority of white America and its political and law enforcement institutions feigned ignorance. It took over 100 years of Congressional attempts to finally get an anti-lynching law.

And that only happened in 2022! But has this recent awakening of the U.S. government to the presence of this longstanding threat come too late? For, now there is overwhelming evidence that white nationalists – the main instigators of white domestic terrorist violence – have infiltrated every level of law enforcement, branch of the military and level of political offices.

This historic threat remains a clear and present danger to Black American life.

The long history of white mobs terrorizing Black neighborhoods (e.g., Tulsa/ Black Wall Street, Rosewood FL, and the many nationwide incidents during the “Red Summer of 1919”) is as American as baseball, hot dogs and apple pie. Here are just a few of thousands of historical accounts of such violence.

New York City Draft Riots/ Massacre (July 13, 1863)

The New York City Draft Riots/Massacre was the largest civil insurrection in U.S. history besides the Civil War itself. White mobs attacked the African-American community — committing murder and burning homes and institutions, including an orphanage.

CURRENT ATROCITIES Beyond the Charlottesville, VA white supremacist rally (Aug 13, 2017), Charleston, S.C. St. Emanuel AME Church mass murder

by Dylann Roof (June 17, 2015) and the Jan. 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol Insurrection in Washington DC, there have been far too many other modern-day acts of white domestic terrorism. Here are a few.

Jacksonville, FL Dollar General (Aug. 26, 2023)

Last summer, 21-year-old white supremacist Ryan Christopher Palmeter murdered three Black people in a hate-motivated attack at a Dollar General store in Jacksonville, Florida, before killing himself. The gunman used racial slurs, drew swastikas on his firearm, and left behind racist manifestos. Earlier in the day, he attempted to enter the campus of a historically Black university but was turned away by security when he would not identify himself.

“As we mourn those we lost in yet another white supremacist terrorist attack, we recognize that it is further evidence of a national crisis of hate and extremism,” said Michael Breen, president and CEO at Human Rights First as reported by HumanRightsFirst.org.

“When extremists perpetrate crimes like this one against Black Americans, they attack everyone who believes in a fair, just, and pluralistic society. As a nation, we must address white supremacy in all its forms. We must hold accountable those who mainstream hate and redouble our efforts to prevent attacks against Black and Brown people, as well as those targeting members of the LGBTQ+ community, refugees, women, and other groups extremists target.”

Wilmington Massacre (Nov. 10, 1898)

The elected and interracial Reconstruction-era local government was deposed via mob violence and murder in the only successful coup d’etat in America.

Elaine Massacre (Sept. 30, 1919)

Black farmers were massacred for their efforts to fight for better pay and higher cotton prices. A white mob shot at them, and the farmers returned fire in self-defense. Estimates range from 100-800 killed, and 67 Black survivors were indicted for inciting violence.

Ocoee Massacre (Nov. 2, 1920)

More than 50 African Americans were killed after going to vote in Florida. (source: zinnedproject.org)

Buffalo, NY Tops Friendly Market (May 14, 2022)

Ten Black people were killed by 18-yearold white supremacist Payton Gendron, who live-streamed his attack which took place at a Buffalo, NY Tops Friendly Market. Gendron drove his parents’ car over 200 miles from Conklin, NY to target Blacks. Gendron filmed himself shooting 13 people (11 Black and two white), killing 10, including a retired police officer and an 86-year-old woman who had recently visited her husband in a nursing home. During his domestic terrorist act, Gendron took time to apologize to a white man for pointing a gun at him. Gendron wrote the N-word and “Here’s your reparations” on his gun, along with the number 14 which is used to symbolize the white supremacist slogan “We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children.” (source: Brookings.edu)

Two-State Close Call (Jan. 2020)

In Jan. 2020, members of “The Base,” a neo-Nazi white separatist group aiming to start a race war, were apprehended in Maryland and Georgia (two states with large affluent Black communities) thanks to tipped law enforcement work.

Portland, OR Anti-Black/Muslim Murders (May 26, 2017)

On a Portland MAX Light Rail, Jeremy Joseph Christian, a 35-year-old white supremacist with a criminal record, fatally stabbed two men and injured a third after he was confronted for shouting racist and anti-Muslim slurs at two Black teenagers, Destinee Mangum and Walia Mohamed. The men Christian killed and seriously injured sought to protect the Black teens from Christian who hurled racial slurs and anti-Muslim epithets at the two women, one whom was wearing a hijab.

A memorial for the supermarket shooting victims is set up outside the Tops Friendly Market on Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Buffalo, N.Y. N.Y. The Buffalo supermarket where 10 Black people were killed by a white gunman is set to reopen its doors, two months after the racist attack. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex)

STRATEGIES TO FIGHT WHITE DOMESTIC TERRORISM There are several entities and individuals offering strategies to fight white domestic terrorism, including the Biden/Harris Administration.

Here are a few offered by the Center for American Progress and U.S. Senator and University of Houston alum Elizabeth Warren: Improve data collection, research and reporting. Collecting better data can aid other efforts to halt white domestic terrorism.

Make it a federal case as state and local jurisdictions often lack the resources, training, and expertise to take on bias-motivated crimes.

Standardize and consistently designate hate crimes as domestic terrorism when the offense meets the threshold, regardless of the alleged perpetrator’s race, beliefs, or ethnicity.

Disrupt international networks by multiple methods including

1

2 3

4

employing financial and technological tools and authorities.

Address and counter white nationalism recruiting and infiltration in law enforcement and the U.S. military.

Prevent convicted hate-inspired criminals from owning a gun.

Teach tolerance at K-12 level, as 17% of hate crimes reported to the FBI in 2017 were committed by minors.

Address incitement to violence on the internet.

Create an interagency task force to combat white nationalist crime and enhance its power by leveraging the actions and responsibilities of the executive branch (POTUS).

Though the U.S. President doesn’t make laws, the office wields incredible power in terms of defining the priorities of the nation.

Restrict qualified immunity to hold police officers accountable, especially since police forces nationally have been infiltrated by white nationalists.

5

6 7 8 9

10

Corner of Greenwood and Archer devastated in Tulsa, Okla., on June 1, 1921.

Department of Special Collections, McFarlin Library, The University of Tulsa.

SPOTLIGHT ON TEXAS INCIDENTS OF WHITE DOMESTIC TERRORISM

Harper’s Weekly illustration of the burning of the orphanage during the Draft Riots. Source: Digital Public Library of America

10 | February 1, 2024 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Feature

LEAD participants engaging in summer activities in Jackson, Wyoming. Courtesy LEAD.

LEAD Program helps Black, Hispanic youth achieve their dreams

By Aswad Walker

With public education seemingly under attack nationwide and efforts proven to reduce the academic achievement gap (i.e., the use of books that feature and highlight Black and Hispanic history) being banned, students traditionally on the wrong side of longstanding “savage inequalities” need support now more than ever.

Enter LEAD, a local organization that announces what it’s all about in its name – Letting Everyone Achieve Dreams.

The Defender spoke with LEAD Houston’s executive director Dejon Hawthorne, to learn more about the students LEAD serves, the programs they offer, and their plans for 2024.

DEFENDER: What is LEAD all about?

HAWTHORNE: LEAD was

started 20 years ago and we really believe that a zip code should not determine a child’s future.

So, LEAD prepares students for success by providing life skills and exposure to new opportunities. We do that by going into schools and teaching life skills,

character development, how to deal with anger, how to deal with your emotions, preparing for life, how to not procrastinate; all these basic skills that we need in order to be more successful. In addition to our work in the classroom and our proven curriculum, we have Saturday sessions that give students the opportunity to expand beyond their neighborhoods.

We’ve learned that so many of our students just have a 10-mile radius that they repeat over and over, from home to school, home to school, and sometimes a few other places. But we’re really trying to extend their horizons.

DEFENDER: What places does LEAD take its students to expand their horizons?

HAWTHORNE: We go to fi-

nancial literacy courses at wealth management firms. We visit other of our sponsors and friends and community members in town to see what they’re doing. We want our students to envision themselves in other neighborhoods, in other communities, making a difference. Just because they haven’t been there, doesn’t mean

that they can’t thrive and that says yes, we can have 45 minutes they don’t belong. Saturdays are each week with every single stualso about exposure and service. dent. We’re currently partnering We really believe in giving back with Yes Preps Southside and so to the community. So, communi- delighted to be part of that family. ty service is really big for us. And We have more than 450 students during the summer we have two in the classroom, which is excitsummer camps; one in Texas, an ing because 20 years ago we startovernight camp and if you stay in ed with just 16 students. We have our program for the full expanse scaled and grown, and the beauof the middle school experience, ty of our scaling is we have data. sixth, seventh We are an eviand eighth denced-based Follow on IG and FB at grade, we fly program and LEADHTX to Jackson, we’re so honored Wyoming and to work with we go climb mountains. Through amazing universities: The Unithese three different programs, in versity of Houston, the University school, Saturday, and summer, of Houston Clear Lake, and Texwe’re building vision, we’re build- as A&M are all research practice ing empathy, and we’re strength- partners. ening students’ tenacity. We realize they’re going to overcome DEFENDER: What are the some obstacles in life, but we plans for 2024? Any special think with these three tools that programs? they can overcome anything.

HAWTHORNE: We are having a 20th anniversary Mardi DEFENDER: Who does Gras celebration. We’re honorLEAD work with? Are there ing Sonny and Jodie Jiles. We’re specific ages and specific thrilled about this opportunity to school districts? honor such deserving and amazHAWTHORNE: Our in- ing people who’ve made such an school program, if the principal impact on our community. We

are also celebrating all year long, so don’t worry if you can’t make it to our Mardi Gras. We’re gonna be celebrating all year long and really sharing our story, asking for others to come and help us in partnering for our children’s future.

DEFENDER: What’s your favorite part of the job?

HAWTHORNE: Spending

time with the students, watching their growth journeys, watching and listening to their stories, writing college application letters for students who years ago had no thoughts, dreams or hope of even talking about college. It’s really quite amazing and really a heartwarming thing to be able to grow with students and their families.

DEFENDER: How can the community support LEAD? HAWTHORNE: There are

so many ways to support: financial contributions, giving of your time, partnering, mentorship in so many different kinds of ways.

We really believe that gracious individuals and conscientious companies help us do our work.

February 1, 2024 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

| 11

DN Feature

Christian Khammany cutting heads in downtown Houston. Screenshot courtesy KHOU-TV.

HOUSTON BARBER

Christian Khammany Gives free haircuts to the homeless

By Aswad Walker

For brothers, getting a fresh cut on the regular is part of our standard operating procedure. Whether you go to Midtown Barbershop (6406 Tierwester St, Houston, 77021), Exquisite Barber & Beauty Bar (21502 Aldine Westfield Rd., Humble, 77338), BlackStar Barbers & Books (17675 TX-249, Houston, 77064), where Defender Sports Editor Terrance Harris gets his doo done, or any of the Houston-area Black barbershops, getting your stuff lined up, freshening up that fade, or making sure your beard is on point, is almost as essential as water.

But what about the brothers who can’t enjoy that experience so many of us take for granted?

Take, for instance, Black men who are currently and/or chronically unhoused (homeless). Lost in the reality of these brothers lacking a roof over their heads

and regular access to food, along with a myriad of other challenges, is the fact that a simple haircut that does so much to lift Black men’s spirits, is another casualty to their unhoused reality.

Enter Christian Khammany, a local barber who dedicates much of his time off the clock to cutting heads on the streets of downtown Houston.

For the past year, Khammany literally sets up a table with all his head-cutting equipment and chair in Houston’s downtown just about every Monday and Tuesday.

The Gen Zer has been cutting heads for a decade now, with his training coming from self-taught lessons of trial and error, which began when he was 14. The Houston transplant got the idea to serve the homeless with his head-cutting skills in the midst of some soul-searching, that had him seeking ways he could become a

better person. Then, while driving through Houston’s downtown, he found his answer.

Knowing how important the barbershop experience is for Black men, and seeing homeless brothers on the streets simply trying to survive, Khammany surmised he could use his clipper skills to add a bright spot to the tough days the unhoused experience on the regular.

“I don’t always carry cash on me. So, one thing I do always carry on me is my clippers,” Khammany told KHOU. “That’s where I thought about it. I was, like, yeah, maybe I should start cutting their hair.”

One thing Black barbers and their customers have said since clippers first started making fades pop is, a haircut makes a brother feel like a new man. And it was with that spirit that Khammany began his unique “giving back” journey.

“Maybe I can make a change in the homeless community, you know, with the

gift that God gave me, which is cutting hair,” he said.

So, even though Khammany cuts hair seven days a week, he still dedicates time on two of those days to venture downtown and offer edge-ups or whatever those downtown residents request, and does so until the clippers run out of juice.

“God gave me everything that I can ask for as far as success, family, love, happiness and everything else. So, I felt the need to give back to the community,” Khammany said, who hopes his example will inspire others to use whatever talents they have to bring light to someone in need.

“I want to influence the younger people to do something good for the community and do something to be a better person themselves… [It] makes me feel good that I can change lives one haircut at a time.”

Source: www.KHOU.com

12 | February 1, 2024 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Feature

Dr. Jeremiah Pearcey Leads ‘A Journey Through Black History’

By Aswad Walker

Dr. Jeremiah “Jei” Pearcey is on a unique kind of Black history mission that’s less about exposing people to important names and dates than it is about getting them to feel and experience our journey from 1619 to the present day.

Pearcey utilizes every aspect of his background as a cognitive psychologist, Black history scholar, Air Force veteran, poet, musician, and adopted child who grew up in a predominantly white environment, to offer “A Journey Through Black History,” an event that offers a totally immersive experience.

The Defender spoke with Pearcey about the event which takes place on Feb. 24 at St. John’s Downtown, 2019 Crawford, Houston, 77002, and his personal life journey.

DEFENDER: What can “A Journey Through Black History” participants expect?

Pearcey: This is going to be a very dif-

ferent experience from traditional kinds of Black history events. What I’ve seen in the past is there’s a lot of focus on details, historical dates, specific names, and specific events that happened… [spending] less time focusing on the actual experiences of the people of those times. I worked with Larry Payne, who passed away recently but was a great mentor of mine. He had this focus on not just providing facts, but providing methods to garner empathy. What I took out of that was the development of a program around guided meditations and telling Black stories. That was in 2020, right before the pandemic. I’ve since evolved it over the years to include things like poetry, original music of mine and others, and most importantly, the authentic dialogue of slaves. We have them recorded in the Library of Congress. I play these stories and recount these stories in the best way I can and try to give an experience of Black individuals during that time versus me just giving details. It’s more about living through the story of going from the west coast of Africa to North America to understanding how these laws were set up as a consequence of what happened early on and they have persisted into modern day.

DEFENDER: What periods of history will be covered in “A Journey Through Black History”?

Pearcey: From 1619 to the current day.

That said, there’s going to be differences in timing and the amount of space I give certain stories because I feel that there are stories that will resonate with people a little bit more. I incorporate music and other elements to really encapsulate the Black

experience in this country because it’s been nearly 400 years of dealing with slavery, bringing people to the colonies that developed into a country, and all these different factors. It’s really trying to get the essence of that. And I think you can do that really well through music and emotion. Despite almost every society in existence having music of some capacity, we have not given music and art the importance on mental health that it deserves. So, I weave these together to create an experience.

DEFENDER: What’s the goal of “Journey”?

Pearcey: I want them to leave out going,

“Wow. I had never thought about it that way.”

I want people to go through this journey with an open mind and open heart. Then I want them to really contemplate “What does that mean to me as a Black person living in the United States?” “What does that mean to me as a white person living in the United States” or an indigenous person or an Asian person?

DEFENDER: Why is history something Black people should care about?

Pearcey: It’s most important to Black

people because our ancestors were forced to pass on their genetic DNA. So, no matter what experiences they had, no matter who they were, they were forced to a large extent, to breed and to create the population

that is now African Americans. They had no choice. The women that were sexually assaulted, the men that were forced to breed because they were bigger, stronger, whatever it had been at the time that they wanted out of those people, they were forced to do that… If you are a person that had a family, and then you were taken away from your family and now you’re forced to breed like cattle with other people and start other families, but then you’re taken away from those families or those kids are taken away, or your wife is taken away. So much trauma.

At some point, people had to either go, “I’m just going to live with this” or “I’m gonna rise up against it.” So, I think there is a genetic component there that is still in our DNA. For African Americans, specifically, descendants of slaves, it’s extremely important to understand where you came from so you can understand what’s influencing your thoughts, feelings, and emotions today.

I want people to go through this journey with an open mind and open heart.

Then I want them to really contemplate, ‘What does that mean to me as a Black person living in the United States?’”

DR. JEREMIAH PEARCEY

February 1, 2024 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

| 13

DN Business BLACK BOOK HOUSTON

Guide paves the way for Black business owners

By Laura Onyeneho

Rashika and Jeremy Craft have created more than just a business; they’ve woven a lifeline for Houston’s Black-owned enterprises. They are the power couple behind the creation of Black Book Houston, the city’s largest directory of Black-owned businesses.

It’s an innovative platform nurturing economic growth, fostering community, and making waves in the fight against the racial wealth gap.

These high school sweethearts began their journey with a dream to make a difference in their community. Little did they know, their passion for change would blossom into a beacon for more than 1,400 Black-owned businesses across 100 categories.

Black Book Houston transcends the traditional role of a business directory. It’s a dynamic force, offering not just listings but an entire ecosystem for entrepreneurs.

From physical and online directories to robust social media engagement, Black Book Houston is more than a guide; it’s a community hub.

The Defender spoke with Rashika Craft, the Founder, and Jeremy Craft the Co-Founder, to talk about their community advocacy work and the latest updates coming up this year.

community service and 300 hours of anger management and counseling. I just kind of matured faster by doing that. I always had a forward outlook in mind. So, I started seeing the end in every situation at the very beginning. I started mentoring kids who were on probation while I was on probation. So that started right when I was 12 or 13 years old.

That’s something that I still do to this day.

As I continued to grow, I went to college and majored in civil engineering. I was a senator for the National Society of Black Engineers. I joined Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated and several other organizations. We would go back and mentor youth. started an educational and enrichment program in partnership with Harris County Juvenile Probation Department, an admonishment program to help kids on probation who may have violated or committed another offense while on probation. My wife, for example, is a part of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. Leadership has always been at the forefront of our lives.

DEFENDER: How were you able to grow this platform over time?

Rashika: We were definitely in the

CLASSIFIED Anyone knowing the whereabouts of ALVINNEKKA FREEMONT last known address 12345 BOB WHITE DRIVE, APT 803, HOUSTON, TX 77035, please contact Attorney Kourtnee Jones at 318-801-2572.

already had the platform set up, which gave us a boost. They had that blackout Tuesday, and everybody was trying to ensure they supported Black-owned businesses. It’s been growing ever since.

felt like we were the only people who started doing it, but then we noticed that there were people before us. I’m doing my research, and seeing people before us, I started looking at it from a customer standpoint. If I’m looking for a business, I want to be able to have all DEFENDER: Black Book Houston the information there for me. When I go transcends the traditional role to the other directory, it’ll just be a name, a of a business directory. What number, and maybe an address. That’s not makes this platform the go-to enough. We’re in the realm of social media. platform that we see today?

I want to make sure that everything is linked Rashika: My mindset really wasn’t nec- there. I’m putting these things on a website, essarily on what we’re doing differently. I feel and then I started thinking about those like God has just been speaking to me, and who are not tech-savvy. I created a physical I just wake up and do whatever he says to black book. I put QR codes in the listing of do. I was making cakes (as a business). Black the Black book that would connect it to the Book Houston is a totally different path from actual platform. This is an idea that’ll help making cakes. One thing I did notice was T:4.79" I take Black folks to the next level.

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streets. We had quite a bit of expenses, like research. We were on Instagram searching for anybody who was Black. We would go out DEFENDER: As Houston natives, to different restaurants and different Blackhow has growing up here contribowned businesses. And we would make a uted to your personal and video telling everybody about professional growth?

Black-owned spots they should Jeremy: My wife and I are check out. We would give our actually high school sweetreview, and people would just hearts. We went to the same show up. high school and grew up here We started hosting different in Houston. I guess I got into events, like networking events, being a community leader when READ to get people to come out so we WHAT’S I was 12 years old. I got into a could meet more Black-owned COMING fight. I almost killed one of my businesses. We started going to UP WITH classmates, and I was charged different Black vendor markets BLACK with aggravated assault with a to talk to them, connect with BOOK deadly weapon. So, from the age them, and let everybody know HOUSTON of 12 to 17, I was on probation. what we were doing. Once the THIS But while I was on probation, George Floyd tragedy happened, YEAR. part of my stipulations was to everybody wanted to stick complete over 300 hours of together to support our own. We

Black Book Houston is Houston’s Largest Directory of Black Owned Businesses.

Photographer: Rasco Green Jr. Instagram: @rg2pro

14 | February 1, 2024 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports Texas Southern sophomore post player Jaida Belton had a career night with 24 points and 18 rebounds during the Tigers’ 61-55 win over Alabama A&M.

Sports Briefs C.J. Stroud helps send father-son to Super Bowl

Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, USAA and the Air & Space Forces Association have joined forces to surprise retired U.S. Marine Craig Mazeska and his son C.J. with a trip to this Stroud month’s Super Bowl in Las Vegas. Stroud, who has already won the AP and Pro Football Writers Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, is the favorite to win the NFL’s Rookie of the Year award during the Super Bowl festivities in Las Vegas.

Brittney Griner’s No.42 jersey to be retired by Baylor

WNBA star and native Houstonian Brittney Griner is having her No.42 jersey retired by Baylor this month.

Brittney Griner, who starred Griner for the Bears from 2009 to 2013, is still the NCAA leader in blocked shots with 748 and she scored 3,283 points and grabbed 1,305 rebounds during her career with the Baylor Bears. The Phoenix Mercury center will have her jersey retired when the Bears host Texas Tech on Feb. 8 at the Foster Pavilion in Waco.

Prairie View’s Bubba McDowell to coach in All-Star HBCU Legacy Bowl Prairie View coach Bubba McDowell has replaced departed Florida A&M coach Willie Simmons on the coaching staff as a 2024 All-Star Bubba HBCU Legacy Bowl McDowell coach, joining new South Carolina State coach Chennis Berry for Team Robinson. “Definitely excited/ honored along with some of my staff to help coach these young men/players with other awesome coaches from other HBCUs,” McDowell tweeted. “Blessing…!!!”

Howard’s coach Larry Scott and Virginia Union’s Alvin Parker will coach Team Gaither. The HBCU Legacy Bowl game will be played Feb. 24 in New Orleans.

Rockets rookie swingman Cam Whitmore has been on fire off the bench, scoring 19 against the Nets and 20 against the Lakers in back-to-back games.

TEXAS SOUTHERN COACH

Cris Dishman Loves coaching, ready to get started

By Terrance Harris

Bubba McDowell can’t help but find the humor in it now, but as a rookie safety with the Oilers in 1989 his initial impression of the second-year cornerback Cris Dishman wasn’t too flattering.

“I thought he was cocky,” recalls McDowell, who’s now the Prairie View head football coach. “He was Deion (Sanders) all over because he would get in your face and he would say stuff. Many guys can do that and back it up and that’s what he did.”

For those who say that a first impression is a lasting impression, they couldn’t have been more wrong in this instance. McDowell not only gained respect for his brash secondary mate, but a friendship and bond developed that grew into a brotherhood that has endured a few decades.

Now the two have a new layer to their relationship and that is SWAC rivals after the man McDowell still calls by his nicknames Rag or DishRag was hired earlier this month as Texas Southern’s new head coach.

It’s a different dynamic to their relationship and one they both welcome.

“I’m just excited for him,” McDowell said.

“This is something that he has wanted and I know he is going to do great because he is passionate about what he does.”

After 13 seasons in the NFL and spending the last 19 years as a defensive assistant in NFL Europe, the NFL, major college football and most recently the XFL, that passion has led Dishman to the doorsteps of what is sure to be his most challenging role yet.

Dishman has taken over a football program that has long underachieved and hasn’t had an NCAA-recognized winning season since 2000. But the 58-year-old firsttime head coach is thrilled about the opportunity to assume control of the program and put his stamp on the Tigers.

“I’m feeling real excited,” Dishman said to the Defender shortly after being introduced as the Tigers’ 18th head coach. “I’m ready to get started. I’m ready to recruit.

My coaches have just landed here, so it’s an exciting moment for TSU football, this is exciting for me. This is my first head coaching job. I just want to do the best job possible that I know how to do.”

Cris Dishman’s career has brought him full circle from the Houston Oilers’ fifth-round draft pick in 1988 to now Texas Southern’s head football coach where this hope that No. 28 can make an impact like he did for the Oilers.

Credit: Jimmie Aggison

FALLING IN LOVE WITH COACHING As passionate as Dishman is about this opportunity and coaching in general, the former All-Pro and Pro Bowl cornerback never even considered a career in coaching until well after his NFL career was over in 2000. It was his friend and former teammate, Alonzo Highsmith, who first gave the nudge in 2005 while Dishman was working the rodeo circuit.

Highsmith had a couple of players he asked Dishman to work with. Dishman quickly saw the difference he was able to make in the players. So did Highsmith.

“So I started training and then I got the coaching bug,” Dishman said. “Then my first coaching job was in NFL Europe in 2005. I went over there coaching. From that point, I couldn’t put it down.”

The love Dishman found in coaching was clearly mutual. The Louisville, Ky. native has coached defensive backs in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers, Oakland Raiders, Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals. Dishman has spent time coaching in the Canadian Football League (Montreal Alouettes), college

football (Baylor and McNeese State) and in recent years has spent time in the XFL and USFL where he held defensive coordinator titles the last two years with the New Jersey Generals and Las Vegas Vipers.

TSU FOUND AN EXPERIENCED LEADER His vast experience in college football and professional football should be a draw for high school recruits and student-athletes in the NCAA transfer portal who are looking for a better opportunity. That fact wasn’t lost on TSU athletic director Kevin Granger, who delivered Dishman to the Board of Regents for approval earlier this month after a messy hiring process left him scrambling for a candidate who could energize the program and excite a growingly apathetic alumni base.

“He had 19 years of coaching experience and he played at the highest level,” Granger said to the Defender. “Many of the student-athletes now want somebody who can kind of guide them and show them how to get to the next level. Whether they make it or not, they want somebody who can kind of guide them because they’ve been there before.

February 1, 2024 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports WESTSIDE HOOPER

| 15

TELYNN LEE-ROSE Strives to move from ACL injury to victory

By Jimmie Aggison

ABOUT TELYNN LEE-ROSE

Class: 2024 IG: @TelynnMichelle Twitter: @TelynnMichelle Position: Power Forward Height & weight: 5-feet-11, 142 pounds Player she studies: A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces) Status: Uncommitted Favorite artist: SZA Favorite subject: History Shout-outs: Mom, Dad, Coach Gillespie and my brother

recover from an ACL tear, and those who do The Westside Wolves girls varsity basket- often return, but not at the same peak level ball program is running on all cylinders. With they once achieved. an unbeaten record of 9-0 in the 6A Region “At the beginning, I didn’t want to play III District 18 girls’ basketball standings, the basketball anymore. I wanted to quit,” said Wolves hope to make a deep playoff run. Lee-Rose. “When I had the surgery I spent Leading the Wolves is senior power forward time in my room thinking, what am I going Telynn Lee-Rose. to do? Then it dawned on me, I have to play.”

“From her freshman year to now, there are After summer workouts, and observing the so many admirable qualities that she brings to team’s gameplay, Lee-Rose was fueled by her the table. Overall, her leadership has been the determination to join her teammates during most impressive. She has turned that up from practice. Unlike many peers who engaged in probably about a ten when I met her to 110, AAU basketball from a young age, Lee-Rose and without that, we wouldn’t be where we’re didn’t get involved with AAU until her junior at,” said Wolves head coach Troy Gillespie. season after overcoming her ACL injury.

Lee-Rose currently leads the Wolves in Inspired by witnessing practice sessions blocks and rebounds. Her basketball jour- and participating in summer workouts, Leeney is a tale of determination, resilience, and Rose was driven to unite with her teammates. continuous improvement. She is inspired by Though being on the sidelines was disheartenwatching the playing style of Las Vegas Ace’s, ing, the camaraderie and dynamic gameplay A’ja Wilson, who is one of seven WNBA play- fueled her determination to persist and eagerly ers who has two MVPs, two Defensive Player look forward to playing alongside them. of the Year awards, and a Finals MVP. “The more I looked at them, the more “Aside from her being good, I’m left- I pushed to get back on the court,” said handed and she’s also left-handed and I don’t Lee-Rose. usually see that many left-handed people that Continuing her momentum from junior play the same position as me,” said Lee-Rose. season, Lee-Rose secured the Defensive Her introduction to sports in middle Player of the Year award that year. In her school involved track and volleyball, but it senior season, she further excelled by clinchwasn’t until the 7th grade that Lee-Rose began ing the HISD tournament MVP in the plather basketball journey while at West Briar inum division.

Middle School.

“It felt great. It felt like I could do Lee-Rose’s freshman season at anything,” said Lee-Rose.

Westside High School was impacted In her senior season, Lee-Rose is

by COVID-19, but by her sophostill working to improve her game. more season, she was able to play “I’m working on my box out, but varsity basketball and earned her spot I’m trying to get my shot together in the starting lineup. too. It’s been a struggle for me “Playing as a sophomore to improve my shooting, was kind of nerve-racking but now it’s time to get that because I improved a lot that ready,” said Lee-Rose. summer. Coach saw someLee-Rose recognizes the thing in me that I didn’t see significance of aspiring to in myself at the time. The excel and guides fellow athletes more minutes he gave on their respective journeys. me, the more I felt like “Strive to be the best and lead I improved as a player,” as much as you can, even if your said Lee-Rose. teammates don’t want to hear it, Lee-Rose’s second keep pushing them no matter year on the court was what,” said Lee-Rose. abruptly halted by a seaLee-Rose has not yet comson-ending ACL injury. mitted to a college program This type of injury has but expresses a desire to purWestside Wolves senior sidelined numerous bassue kinesiology during her Telynn Lee-Rose, poses ketball greats, including academic tenure. Beyond her after a win at Delmar Derrick Rose, John Wall, basketball career, she hopes to Stadium. Credit Jimmie and Rajon Rondo. Many transition into the field of physAggison/Defender athletes struggle to fully ical therapy.

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16 | February 1, 2024 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

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It’s more than just the big screen—it’s a celebration where diverse stories and untapped brilliance in our community take center stage.

Just say ‘Black Experience’ into your Xfinity Voice Remote and embark through a curated content collection of movies, TV shows, original documentaries and much more that pays homage to Black culture, amplifies our narratives, and illuminates our imagination.

Learn more at xfinity.com/blackexperience The Black Experience on Xfinity can also be watched on the Xumo Play app and Xfinity Stream.

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