February 8, 2024

Busting

Dieting Myths

The real deal on all the weight loss fads.

NEWS

NEWS

FREDDIE HAYNES, JR.

TURKEY LEG HUT

The Dallas pastor has officially taken the reins of the Rainbow Push Coalition.

Volume 93, issue 15 February 8, 2024

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The popular Third Ward restaurant has reportedly fired half its staff, including the co-owner. instagram.com/defendernetwork defendernetwork.com

FREE

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DN To the POINT

Jay-Z, left, accepts the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award as daughter Blue Ivy Carter, looks on during the 66th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, in Los Angeles. AP Photo/Chris Pizzello

Associate Editor’s Message Post-Grammys Jay-Z Flack

all this hairstyle gentrifying and colonizIn the modern-day world of 24-hour ing, you quickly found out this past week, news cycles, Jay-Z’s Grammy speech is no area of life is safe from folk trying to ancient news. Still, I really think we should Columbus our flow. The New York Times pause to reflect on what went down. And wrote a whole article on the “Travis Kelce I’m really just talking about one aspect Cut” and how it has inspired an army of of Hova’s words. Brotherman stood up white boys to rock Kelce’s unique doo. The in front of the world and said what darn problem is, that so-called “Kelce Cut” ain’t near every Black person I know has said a nothin’ but a fade – the oldest hairstyle thousand times – Beyoncé has won more in Blackworld. No shade on Kelce. He Grammys than any other human being never claimed to invent the cut. Rather, Aswad Walker ever, but has never won Album of the it was/is the clueless hair colonizers at Year, and that makes no sense. Some have criticized Jay-Z the NYT who are keeping this shameful, white-washing for other parts of his speech. Others had issue with his tradition alive. words about his wife’s missing Grammy. But why; especially when there have been cries for Black men to step up and Black History Close to Home defend the honor of Black womanhood? With every attack The other day I heard social commentator Jeff Johnson or slight or disrespect of the brilliance and excellence of share with the Rickey Smiley Morning Show audience a Black women (former Harvard president Claudine Gay, for powerful idea for Black History Month, and one I’ve shared example), the chant has been, “Where are the brothers to with my students and others for years – start at home. Have defend her?” Well, Jay-Z was right there, on an international conversations with the older members of your family. Take stage, standing on business for the sister in his life. Can we notes. Record their stories. We often overlook the incredible just appreciate that, and keep it moving? acts of bravery, valor, grit, and determination displayed by our own people. But just because their names aren’t in the The Hair Colonizing Tradition Continues history books doesn’t mean their contributions and impact The world has actress Bo Derek to thank for “introduc- are less valid. Our parents, grandparents, aunties, granding” us to braids via the 1979 film “10.” Global citizens fathers, Uncs, and others made a way out of no way – in were blessed, a few years ago, to “learn about” cornrows ways big and small, ordinary and extraordinary, known and via the cutting-edge trend-setter Kim Kardashian. And in unknown. Let’s collect those tales so we can pass them on 2016, Gilan Sharafani, a vlogger based in Norway, gave us to generations to come of our families. a new hairstyle and did so via a video tutorial she posted.

Sharafani called them “big heatless curls.” Them “innernets,” ON THE WEB however, schooled her to the truth; they were/are bantu • Check out these historic Black business districts. knots. And just like cornrows and braids, Black women have • It’s tax season. Don’t move forward without these essential been rocking bantu knots since forever. And if you thought tax prep tips. you could retreat to the world of sports to get away from • Ft. Bend Austin guard Crystal Schultz shoots her shot.

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| 3

DN News

An Arkansas case threatening voter rights could impact Harris County Black and Brown voters. Pictured here are Ida Gary and Dr. Melinee Calhoun of Black Voters Matter.

(Jenni Girtman/ AP Images for Center for Popular Democracy Action)

Turkey Leg Hut reportedly fires staff, co-owner husband Defender News Service

Financial turmoil and internal strife have rocked a beloved establishment in Third Ward, resulting in the dismissal of numerous employees, including one of its founders.

Reports indicate that The Turkey Leg Hut has been grappling with significant financial difficulties. This culminated in the sudden termination of over half of its workforce, including Lynn Price, one of the co-founders. The news of terminations follows closely on the heels of the public separation of the restaurant’s married owners.

Price took to Instagram recently to announce his abrupt termination, revealing that he and others received notification via email. Some employees have alleged that they have not been compensated for several months. In the email notification, a consultant cited the necessity to realign operational expenses with the restaurant’s financial circumstances as the reason behind the decision.

In response to his termination, Price expressed disbelief. “I can’t make this sh*t up,” he posted on social media. He co-founded The Turkey Leg Hut with his now-estranged wife, Nakia Holmes (formerly Nakia Price), in 2017.

Last year, Nakia revealed marital discord between herself and Lynn, asserting that she had endured emotional and mental abuse from him. She described him as “cruel, emotionally abusive, and devoid of any empathy” in a social media post, adding that she looked forward to finding peace after overcoming these challenges.

In the wake of the terminations, some former employees have banded together to create a GoFundMe account to assist with their living expenses, including rent, food, and bills.

Harris County could be impacted by Arkansas voting rights legal battle

By Aswad Walker

What does a legal battle in Arkansas have to do with Blacks in Harris County and the Greater Houston area? Literally everything, because the case involves a fight to make sure voter suppression efforts get stopped.

The way the law works, a legal victory for voter suppression efforts in Arkansas can serve as a blueprint for similar actions nationwide.

That’s why over 40 local government leaders from cities and counties across the country, including Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee, signed onto an amicus brief in Arkansas State Conference NAACP v. Arkansas Board of Apportionment.

Each of the 40-plus lawmakers view this Arkansas case as a national fight.

The case challenges Arkansas’s state House map for violating Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA) by undermining the voting strength of Black Arkansans. In November 2023, a threejudge panel of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court ruling that concluded voters may not sue to protect their voting rights under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, leaving countless Black and Brown voters in Arkansas, and potentially, across the U.S., in the position of being legally blocked from fighting for and protecting their right to vote.

If this sounds like an undemocratic

move to you, that’s because it is.

“The Voting Rights Act is critical to ensuring equal access to the ballot box, and the Court’s ruling undoes years of precedent affirming folks’ ability to challenge discriminatory redistricting practices in court,” said Menefee. “The results of this fight will have wide-reaching implications, potentially closing the path that has been used to protect voting rights for decades.

We cannot sit by and let the courts neuter the VRA and put our right to fair representation on the chopping block.”

The brief has been filed in support of a petition for a rehearing in front of the entire Eight Circuit Court of Appeals.

Stay tuned.

Madison HS under fire for new cell phone policy

By ReShonda Tate

HISD’s Madison High School has implemented a strict no-exceptions policy on cell phone usage, sparking protests among students and parents. This new rule bars students from bringing cell phones onto the school premises.

Principal Edgar Contreras said the policy aims to ensure the safety of students and staff. Under this policy, any student found with a cell phone upon arrival must surrender it to the front office until the end of the school day.

Contreras justified the stringent measure by citing the necessity to quell the occurrence of fights within the school. The school recently went into lockdown mode as a precautionary measure in response to protests, which Contreras stated were instigated by some disgruntled students.

HISD had reinforced its district-wide cell phone policy in August, mandating that students either leave their cell phones at home or stow them away in their backpacks during school hours. The rationale behind this policy, according to

the school district, is that student phone usage during the academic day disrupts learning, fosters conflicts among students, and undermines the desired school culture.

Under the newly implemented policy, a first-time offense across the school district entails the confiscation of the student’s phone, which they can retrieve at the end of the day. A second offense will result in the phone being returned to a parent or guardian, who must personally collect it from the school.

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DN News

Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III Takes helm of Rainbow Push

By Aswad Walker

The historic civil rights organization, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, a Chicago-based nonprofit organization formed as a merger of two nonprofit organizations founded by Reverend Jesse Jackson – Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity) and the National Rainbow Coalition – now has a new president and CEO. Dr. Frederick D. Haynes, III, senior pastor of the Dallas mega-church Friendship-West Baptist Church which boasts more than 13,000 members, was formally installed as the president and CEO of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition on Feb. 1.

The installation took place at the Black Academy of Arts and Letters (1323 Canton St, Dallas, TX 75202) amid a soldout gathering six months after the announcement of Haynes as Jackson’s successor was made during the Rainbow PUSH Coalition’s national convention.

VIP program participants and attendees descended upon Dallas, the state’s fifth best city (after Houston, Austin, Missouri City, and Galveston), from all over the country, including Roland

Martin, Rev. Al Sharpton (National Action Network), Shavonne Arline-Bradley (National Council of Negro Women), Dr. Michael Sorrell, Dr. Amos Brown, and Dr. Ron Daniels, among others.

Tashara Parker, a four-time Emmy award-winning journalist, served as the mistress of ceremonies.

The very next day, Feb. 2, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition hosted the President’s Inaugural Social Justice Conference at Paul Quinn College (3837 Simpson Stuart Road, Dallas, TX 75241). And in an effort to support Black business, the formal installation ceremony and the President’s Inaugural Social Justice Conference

were presented by Sound Design Studios, a Dallas-based Black owned production company.

The Rainbow PUSH Coalition President’s Inaugural Social Justice Conference, the first event convened by Haynes, the organization’s newly installed leader, was described by the organization as “a call to action as well as a reminder that the fight for social justice is far from over and requires the collective effort of every individual to bring about meaningful change.”

Speakers included author and activist Tamika Mallory; Pastor Mike McBride; preacher, scholar and researcher Rev. Dr. Brianna K. Parker; pastor, author, and activist Rev. Tisha Dixon Williams; civil

How appropriate on the first day of Black History Month that we look back, we retrieve from within us an egg of possibility, but we look forward to a great future.”

DR. FREDERICK D. HAYNES III

rights and social policy advocate, attorney, and CEO Mrs. Jennifer Jones Austin; author, activist, and educator Former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr.; and Haynes himself.

Sessions included the “Social Justice Master Class,” “Creating Economic Structures that are Just,” the “Disinherited Conference,” and “Curriculum for the 2024 Election.”

Haynes’ connection with Paul Quinn College, the site of the conference, runs deep. Haynes teaches college courses and workshops at several institutions of higher learning, including Paul Quinn College.

He also serves on the Board of Trustees for Paul Quinn College as well as various other boards. Additionally, he is the namesake of the Dr. Frederick D. Haynes, III Global Preparatory School, located on the campus of Paul Quinn College, which serves students grades 6-12 who seek to enter the International Baccalaureate program.

Haynes, a 2016 inductee to the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame, is said to be already focused on making positive change in his new role, with a national agenda to address issues with courts, the end of affirmative action, economic justice, educational equity and justice, and the effects of climate change on communities of color.

Haynes is best known as a social justice pastor and advocate for marginalized communities, modeling his ministry and leadership after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; one focused on the intersections of faith and justice.

VOLUME 93, NUMBER 15 - FEBRUARY 8, 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

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DN Education

New HISD schools join Miles’ NES SCHOOLS THAT MAY JOIN HISD NES IN 2024-25 Among these 24 schools, up to 14 can choose to be considered for the NES program and join other schools in the upcoming school year.

Source: HISD

By Tannistha Sinha

The Houston Independent School District (HISD) announced individual school ratings, which could mean the addition of up to 40 new school campuses to Superintendent Mike Miles’ overhaul program in the 2024-25 school year, the school district announced this week.

These schools will now join the 85 schools that are already part of the New Education System (NES) that Miles introduced in 2023, among changes that triggered a public outcry. The recently announced school ratings will be used to determine which schools will join the district’s NES system in the coming school year.

Unlike last year, HISD will not distinguish between NES and NES-aligned schools.

However, there will be two kinds of campus distinctions: NES (comprising existing NES, NESAligned, and new NES schools), andNon-NES schools.

The district termed this arrangement “the largest and most significant effort to transform K-12 education in the United States,” a wholesale, systemic reform to “dramatically improve academic performance, close achievement gaps, and ensure Houston’s students graduate prepared for the modern workplace and world.”

WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR AT HISD HISD launched the NES schools at 28 “underperforming campuses” in the fall of 2023. The Black-majority high schools included Worthing, Yates, Madison, Sterling, Wheatley, Kashmere, Jones Future Academy, and Booker T. Washington High Schools.

Additionally, 57 schools were added to the list as NESAligned campuses.

The expansion of NES is a testament to the district’s shift WHAT from a decentralHAPPENS TO ized model, where THE STAFF? campuses could exercise autonomy in staffing and instruction to an extent. In the coming school year, around 40% of school districts will have to conform to centralized schedules, standardized curricula, and pre-prepared lesson plans, among other changes.

In a press release, HISD enlisted a “better work-life harmony” for teachers, salary increments based on the subject taught and scores on evaluations, a curriculum to improve academic performance “dramatically,” critical thinking courses, a Dyad and magnet programs, and “free trips” for students.

HISD has undergone a slew of other changes since the TEA takeover, especially in NES schools located mainly in Black and Brown neighborhoods of Houston. Teachers,

SIX SCHOOLS THAT RECIEVED A LOW D [60-64] These schools are not NES or NES-aligned campuses and will join the NES in fall 2024.

Hattie Mae White Building. Courtesy HISD.

staff members, and principals in these schools had to reapply for their positions and were offered a higher salary. Miles had earlier expressed plans to encompass 150 campuses under this system by 2030. He had also implemented the Dyad program, where students would be taught ‘enrichment skills’ like photography, guitar, golf, yoga, etc.

“Preliminary data from our mid-year exams this year indicate that achievement is improving,” Miles said. “Additionally, the data from mid-year exams indicate that NES and NES-aligned campuses experienced higher academic growth than our non-NES campuses. This is especially important because, on the whole, our NES and NES-aligned schools are further behind academically.

HISD won’t turn things around overnight, but we are on the right path.”

THE NEW SCHOOL RATINGS: WHAT DO THEY SAY? The new ratings are based on state accountability data for the 2022-2023 school year.

Due to an ongoing litigation, where several school districts sued the Texas Education Agency (TEA) last fall to halt changes to the state’s accountability system to minimize the repercussions of stricter rules on districts, the TEA has not issued statewide accountability ratings.

The agency appealed the decision and the trial, which were postponed. Ratings on school performances will be released once the case proceedings are concluded.

“While there were bright spots, the ratings generally show declining achievement,” Miles said. “The good news, though, is that this school year we are seeing encouraging signs of progress.”

However, the TEA gave school districts the data and methodology to do their own calculations. Using this information and

the state data HISD had requested, the district’s Assessment, Accountability, and Compliance Department performed the calculations.

HISD used the previous year’s STAAR scores to decide which schools need to be added to the NES system — a score the schools would have received from TEA if the agency had released the grades themselves.

According to these calculations, HISD has: 35 A-rated schools, 58 B-rated schools, 52 C-rated schools, 65 D-rated schools, and 58 F-rated schools.

Six schools that received a rating of “D” [score of 60-64] and 20 schools that were rated “F” [>59] based on last year’s tests, which were not a part of NES or NESaligned campuses, have to join the NES group in fall 2024.

Therefore, these 26 low-performing schools, which include Black majority schools like Thomas Middle, School and Wesley Elementary School, will join Miles’ overhaul program.

SCHOOLS THAT WILL JOIN HISD’S NES IN 2024-25 Twenty-six low-performing schools will join Miles’ NES overhaul program in the coming school year.

Moreover, an additional 24 schools with a high “D” rating [65-69] can choose to be considered for the NES. For this, the principals of these schools will need to consult their staff, families, and members of their respective decision-making committees and inform the district of their decision by Feb. 7.

HISD estimates that it will be able to accept up to 14 high-D campuses for the NES in the coming school year and will select them by Feb. 9.

HISD 2024-2025 TEACHER SALARIES

Accountability Rating

Letter Grade

Almeda Elementary School

64

D

Crockett Elementary School

63

D

Golfcrest Elementary School

64

D

Northside High School

63

D

Peck Elementary School

60

D

Westbury High School

64

D

School

Table: Tannistha Sinha • Source: HISD • Created with Datawrapper

SCHOOLS THAT RECIEVED AN F [59 or below] These schools are not NES or NES-A campuses and will join the NES in fall 2024.

Accountability Rating

Letter Grade

Anderson Elementary School

56

F

Askew Elementary School

54

F

Browning Elementary School

59

F

Clifton Middle School

57

F

Codwell Elementary School

51

F

Fonville Middle School

55

F

Gregory-Lincoln PK-8

59

F

Grissom Elementary School

59

F

Kelso Elementary School

58

F

Longfellow Elementary School

59

F

Milne Elementary School

47

F

Mitchell Elementary School

55

F

Ortiz Middle School

59

F

Sharpstown High School

50

F

Stevens Elementary School

54

F

Thomas Middle School

56

F

School

Starting Salary

5-Year Salary

Walnut Bend Elementary School

58

F

Non-NES schools

$64,000

$67,000

Welch Middle School

59

F

NES-Elementary School

$75,435

$81,435

NES-Middle School

$80,059

$86,059

Wesley Elementary School

45

F

NES-High School

$82,816

$88,816

Woodson Leadership Academy

57

F

Source: HISD

Table: Tannistha Sinha • Source: HISD • Created with Datawrapper

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DEFENDER NETWORK

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DN InFocus FOCUS SOCIAL

Busting

have the willpower and discipline around UNDERSTANDING DIET FADS Diet culture values weight and physical food. Toomer focused on treating her postappearance more than overall health. It cul- partum and cardiac depression and docutivates that abstaining from certain foods mented the process until she lost 60 pounds and exercising control over one’s body is in six months. When medications such as acceptable and moral. By promoting fre- Ozempic and Manjaro came out, it made her quently accepted beliefs without inquiry, weight loss journey easier, especially as she this culture constantly raises awareness and got older. The medication was designed to guilt and changes eating behaviors. control her diabetes.

Fad diets are eating regimens that are fre“Most of my weight loss was lost without quently marketed as the “fastest” or “best” medication by getting my diabetes under ways to reduce weight. They might seem like control. Then the rest was more controlled a brand-new “trick” that guarantees a more by medication,” she said. “I’m 58 years old. I positive well-being. can exercise and do all the things I need to Diets like these usually gain popularity do because it’s a protective medication. I’m quickly and then fade away as people real- a huge proponent of their use.” ize that promises are unachievable and the results are not long-lasting. These diets are DEBUNKING COMMON often promoted with celebrity endorsements DIET MYTHS or the promise of a magic ingredient.

Not all diets are created equal for individAccording to the Academy of Nutrition uals trying to lose weight and considering and Dietetics, there are a few red flags to many diet fads. Some of these trending diets decipher what a nutritious diet is versus an promote misconceptions about weight loss. unhealthy one.

Toomer said she often addresses three comShort-term results: While some people mon diet myths in her profession. may experience initial weight loss, fad diets Attributing complications of weight loss are generally not effective for long-term medication to Ozempic: “The drugs themweight management. The weight is often selves are actually quite safe. Complications quickly regained once standard eating pat- are caused by misuse or mismanagement.” terns resume.

People using weight loss medication No need for exercise: Many fad diets are taking away from diabetics: “If somesuggest that you can lose weight without one takes weight loss medication and loses exercising, which contradicts the principles weight, it’s because there was an underlying of healthy weight management. issue with metabolism that caused weight Promises of rapid weight loss: Fad diets gain. Medication that’s not treating anything often claim to help you lose a significant doesn’t do anything.”

By Laura Onyeneho amount of weight quickly. These claims are The shortage issue: “Shortages are made eight reduction strategies, usually unrealistic and unhealthy. by manufacturing, not by the use of other fitness applications, and diet It’s important to critically evaluate com- people.” foods return on social media mon diet fallacies as millions of Americans Tanya Brooks, a Houston area educator, every new year. The intermake weight loss resolutions for the new was prescribed Ozempic because of pre-dinet has become a battlefield, with each fad diet year. With a staggering number of alter- abetes but opted for another medication promising the answer to losing those excess natives, each promising the ideal solution, because of the costs with and without pounds. One could find many possibilities for the $72 billion weight-loss market is insurance coverage. She took “diets” or “fad diets” online, including high-properplexing. action to turn her health around tein, low-carb, and liquid diets. It’s important to Dr. Catherine Toomer is a when her mother suffered an understand the dangers of these quick cures, Community Health and Famaneurysm and was incaeven though there is no denying the appeal of ily Medicine physician who pacitated. Not only was her rapid weight loss. The rebound effect is often shed 100 pounds while battling mother diagnosed as obese, experienced after returning to regular diabetes and congestive but also had other pre-existing eating habits, and sustainable weight heart failure. In her 30s, health conditions. loss is not always equated with quick she noticed an increase in “I didn’t want to end up like my Brooks results. her stress levels and genetmom. I already deal with a lot of stress With so many options available ics and a decrease in physical as a teacher and a caretaker of my mother to people starting their weight activity, which contributed to and children, all while managing hypertenreduction journeys, it is important her weight gain. At the time, sion,” she said. “I had to control my weight, to look closely at diet culture. It’s a she weighed 220 pounds and go to the gym, destress, and monitor my cultural phenomenon rooted in socisoci stood at 5 feet. With her medical eating.” ety’s standards and emphasizes weight and Toomer background, she knew she had a 50% Brooks said she tried different ways to physical shape more than overall well-being. Diet chance of survival and a 50% chance of living stay healthy, including juicing and steaming culture is so prevalent that it spreads false beliefs, through the next five years. saunas for detoxification. She didn’t want to which many people embrace without question.

“I was desperate and scared. I had to get focus solely on the use of medication to solve As millions of people make the decision to lose my diabetes under control so that my weight her problems but to focus on her mental and weight to improve their health in the New Year, would come down as well,” she said. “No one emotional health around food. it is important to examine the $72 billion weightwould touch me because of my heart. So I “I’m doing better now. I’m going through loss market. created a program with the help of my hus- menopause now, and a lot of my weight gain Dispelling myths that frequently lead people band, who is also a physician, and used the over the past three years has been attributed into a vicious circle of exaggerated expectations basic information of our med school training to that,” she said. “What I’ve learned in this is crucial to understanding the complexities of in a way we were never taught.” process is as your body starts to change, your diet culture.

She learned very quickly that she didn’t mindset and defeat those poor habits.”

Dieting Myths

The real deal on all the weight loss fads.

W

ADVICE ON WEIGHT LOSS It’s important to safely and effectively achieve your goals of eating healthier and feeling better. Talk with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian about which eating plan might work best for you. From Ketogenic diets to intermittent fasting, there are many pros and cons. Toomer said the best way to eat is plant-based and limit processed food as much as possible. Eat balanced meals, build muscle, reduce stress, and sleep. Toomer shares her top 5 advice to navigate weight loss effectively.

SELF-LOVE If you can’t love yourself at the size you’re at now, no amount of weight loss will create that love.

Don’t tie your worth to a number on a scale. Health is not an endpoint. It’s a lifelong journey.

EAT ENOUGH FOOD Ensure you eat enough when calories drop too low because it affects metabolism. If your body thinks you’re starving, it takes every calorie and tries to make fat. Your brain and body love patterns. When it receives nutrients, it will burn up what it gets.

EAT ENOUGH PROTEIN When you don’t eat enough protein, your body will go after muscles for it. Muscle is the only thing we have to maintain metabolism as we age. Eating protein and then using it to build muscle will determine long-term health.

DESTRESS Do this daily. Focus on gratitude. We tend to look for things to be grateful for throughout the day. It helps to reduce the cortisol level, our stress hormone that drives the body to make fat. Journal, try yoga or deep breathing.

SLEEP Our body makes certain hormones while we’re awake and other hormones when we’re asleep. Hormones are the ones that help control appetite. When you don’t get enough sleep, the hormones that help with appetite are low.

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DN Education

Record number of Texans signed up for ACA health plans in 2024

By Tannistha Sinha

The number of Texans who have signed up for health care coverage through HealthCare.gov has been higher than ever, per new data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

To date, more than 20 million Americans, including 3.3 million Texans, have signed up for the health care program.

Enrollment numbers increased 24% across the country and 36.5% in Texas since the last open enrollment period. The state has seen these enrollment numbers nearly triple in the last three years.

“We’ve made record-breaking progress in expanding coverage and lowering health care costs for American families, saving them money and giving more Americans the peace of mind that comes with affordable health insurance,” said President Joe Biden in a statement.

The statistics are especially important because Texas has the largest number of uninsured people in the U.S. Hence, becoming one of the states with the highest

rate of enrollment over the last three years is a welcomed trend.

“We’re on track for another year of record breaking enrollment, making it clear that Texans want and value comprehensive health care coverage when the price is affordable,” said Karla Martinez, senior policy analyst at Every Texan. “Clearly our elected officials can improve access to affordable health care when they make it a priority.”

Some state health care policy watchers attribute the high turnout to the release of around 2 million Texans from the Medicaid rolls, a countrywide initiative to restore the program to pre-pandemic levels. According to CMS, nearly 2.4 million ACA enrollees were in Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Programs previously.

Around 95% of Texas consumers get financial help getting health care coverage, and four in five customers can find health coverage for $10 or less per month. The plans on HealthCare.gov cover prescription drugs, doctor visits, urgent care, and hospital visits, among other things.

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.

THE HARRIS CENTER For MENTAL HEALTH And IDD will be accepting responses to a Request for Proposal for the following service: 6168 Supportive Living Apartments- Property Management Agent Services Specifications may be secured from The Harris Center’s, Purchasing Department, via The Harris Center’s website www.theharriscenter.org or the Electronic State Business Dailey Site https://portal. cpa.state.tx.us/ beginning Tuesday, February 13, 2024. The deadline for prospective vendors to submit questions to this RFP is Wednesday, February 21, 2024. Responses to the Request for Proposal (RFP) must be submitted to Purchasing Department by 10:00 a.m., on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, delivered to 9401 Southwest Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074 in a sealed envelope marked "RFP -6168 Supportive Living Apartments-Property Management Agent Services - DO NOT OPEN UNTIL WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2024 @ 10 :00 A.M. " . Any questions pertaining to this request for proposal should be addressed in writing to Sharon Brauner cc: Nina Cook via email to Sharon.brauner@ theharriscenter.org cc: Nina.cook@theharriscenter.org. The HARRIS CENTER reserves the rights to reject any and/or all responses to the Request for Proposal deemed to be in its best interests, to waive formalities and reasonable irregularities in submitted documents and are not obligated to accept all responses to the Request for Proposal.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FARMERS MARKET PRODUCER FOR MARKET SQUARE PARK IN DOWNTOWN HOUSTON Downtown Houston+ on behalf of the Houston Downtown Management District (HDMD) will receive responses to this Request for Proposal (RFP), for a Farmers Market Producer to recruit and manage local growers, vendors and makers for a seasonal Saturday farmers market. Proposals will be received until 12 pm NOON local time on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 by email submission to RFP@DowntownHouston.org with the Subject Line: Farmers Market RFP. Proposals submitted to Downtown Houston+ after the submission deadline, or by any method other than digital proposals submitted by email, will not be accepted. Respective of this advertisement, telephone or mail queries or requests for information will not be addressed by Downtown Houston+. Beginning Friday, February 2, 2024 this Request for Proposal (RFP) may be reviewed and downloaded as an electronic file from the Downtown Houston+ website: https://downtownhouston.org/do-business/procurement-rfp Based on the Proposals submitted, a review and selection committee will identify the highest-ranked proposal. Staff will negotiate and recommend to the HDMD Board for authorization to contract with the selected consultant based on the evaluation criteria. Proposers shall comply with City of Houston Code of Ordinances, Chapter 15, Articles II, V, VI, and XI and the Mayor’s Executive Orders No.1-7 Pay or Play (POP) Program for Houston Public Works for the public procurement procedures of the City of Houston Office of Business Opportunity (OBO) established in March 2008 and the entity responsible for the administration of the Minority/ Women-Owned (M/WBE), Persons with Disabilities Enterprises (PDBE), and Hire Houston First programs. The successful Proposer will be required to make good faith efforts to achieve an M/WBE and PDBE participation goal of twenty-five percent (25%).

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS ENGINEERING AND DESIGN CONSULTANTS FOR MAIN STREET PROMENADE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS IN DOWNTOWN, HOUSTON FOR THE DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY / TIRZ NO.3 The Downtown Redevelopment Authority (the “Authority”) will receive Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) from engineering and design consultants for the preparation and issuance of engineered construction and bidding documents for capital improvements to be constructed on Main Street in Downtown Houston, Texas. Statements of Qualifications will be received until 2:00 P.M., local time on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, by Allen Douglas, Executive Director, Downtown Redevelopment Authority, 1221 McKinney Street, Suite 4250, Houston, Texas 77010. Qualifications received after this time will not be accepted.

Beginning Wednesday, January 31, 2024, this project’s Request for Qualifications (RFQ) may be reviewed and downloaded as an electronic file from the Organization’s website: https://www.downtownhouston.org/do-business/procurement-rfp Only queries or requests for information submitted via email will be addressed by the Authority. Please submit written queries or requests for information directly to the Director of Planning & Economic Development Cassie Hoeprich at cassie.hoeprich@downtownhouston.org on or before 2:00 PM, Wednesday, February 21, 2024. Please note that telephone or mail queries or requests for information will not be addressed by the Authority.

Additionally, a qualifications pre-submittal conference is scheduled for 2:00 PM, Wednesday, February 14, 2024, to be held at the Authority’s offices at 1221 McKinney Street, Suite 4250, Houston, Texas 77010.

Based on the Qualifications submitted, an evaluation and selection committee will identify up to three qualifying consultants for a second-stage interview to be held in mid-March. The Authority will award the contract to the selected consultant based on the qualifications and interview performance.

Texas has seen health care coverage enrollment numbers nearly triple in the last three years. Credit: Getty

More on just who is uninsured?

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February 8, 2024 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

| 9

DN Profile Dr. Jennifer Hatchett Stover Strives to make sure she is ‘Counseling in Color’

By Aswad Walker

Dr. Jennifer Hatchett Stover, a licensed professional counselor and registered yoga teacher, is here for the culture, making sure Black people, especially youth, receive the mental health support needed for the ongoing traumas befalling Blacks.

With a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in teaching education from Texas Woman’s University, Hatchett Stover went on to earn her master’s degree in counseling from Prairie View A&M University and a doctorate in counselor education and supervision from Sam Houston State University.

Hatchett Stover brings with her more than 17 years of service in public education supporting the mental health and crisis needs of students and families. She also has experience as a clinician and specializes in working with adolescents and young adults, with an emphasis on trauma, behavior, and multicultural issues.

The Defender spoke with Hatchett Stover, owner of Counseling in Color, about her dedication to serving her community, and sharing knowledge and tools to empower healing, wellness, and success for others.

DEFENDER: Counseling in color. What’s up with the name?

HATCHETT STOVER: One of the trainings I went to as a nationally certified counselor, talked about reaching different marginalized populations outside of the traditional counseling setting. So, what I wanted to create was counseling in a different or outside the norm capacity. I try to incorporate different types of healing practices that are authentic to a lot of cultures, specifically my culture and the African American community, and wanted it to be non-restrictive. Many times we go to counselors and we think about this therapy box. And I really wanted to reach communities and think outside the box. So, within my practice we do yoga, we incorporate other types of healing practices, and spirituality. I didn’t want it to be this bland experience. So, that’s where color came from. I wanted to do it in living color, but that name was already taken.

DEFENDER: Can you speak to the importance of the mind, body, and spirit health dynamic?

HATCHETT STOVER: I’m a survivor of trauma

and one of the things that I have learned is that trauma does a lot of damage to the body, specifically the vagus nerve. One of the things we have done first centuries ago is work on healing the spirit, the mind, and the

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body. So, yoga for me incorporates all of that.

And it is very important to heal the body as well as the mind, and of course, we also know the spirit. One of my clients actually said we can do a whole lot of relaxation.

We go to spas and that helps the body relax. But what we need is rest. And in order for us to be at rest, the body needs to be at rest, the spirit needs to be at rest, and the mind needs to be at rest. Mindfulness practices and yoga practice help us learn how to rest our body, how to get your body to regulate on its own without it feeling dysregulated. Your heart rate is going a hundred miles an hour, your blood pressure, all of those things are affected and can be affected by trauma. So, it’s really important to incorporate some of those practices that actually reverse some of the damage that has been caused through generations of experiences within the community.

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10 | February 8, 2024 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports Prairie View senior guard Ryann Payne was named SWAC Impact Player of the Week after averaging 22 points and four assists last week.

Sports Briefs C.J. Stroud impressive during Pro Bowl

Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud perhaps gained even more fans following his performance during last weekend’s Pro Bowl C.J. 7-on-7 flag footStroud ball game. Stroud was easily the best of the AFC quarterbacks while leading the conference to a 50-34 win over the NFC. He passed for a game-high 173 yards and two touchdowns, which included an impressive touchdown throw to Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase in the second quarter.

Houston to host seven matches FIFA World Cup games in 2026

We found out this week that NRG Stadium will be the host site for seven FIFA World Cup matches in 2026.

The soccer matches will take place June 14, 17, 20, 23, FIFA World 26, 30 and July 4.

Cup Houston, one of 16 cities across the US, Mexico and Canada to host games during the five-week international soccer championships, will be part of sports history because the World Cup has not been to the U.S. in 32 years.

Jabari Smith Jr. picked for Rising Stars event

Rockets second-year power forward Jabari Smith Jr. has been named to the Rising Stars game during NBA AllStar Weekend for the second year in Jabari Smith Jr. a row. Smith, who has started every game for the Rockets this season, was averaging 13.1 points and 8.3 rebounds coming out of last weekend. Surprisingly, Rockets rookies Cam Whitmore and Amen Thompson were not among the 28 players selected to play on the four seven-player teams that will play in the tournament event. The event will be held Feb. 16 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Texas Southern guard P.J. Henry scored a game-high 26 points to go along with four steals during the Tigers’ 80-69 win over Prairie View.

ROCKETS

Accelerate playoff push after All-Star break

By Terrance Harris

Rockets coach Ime Udoka doesn’t mince words when describing the state of his team as the All-Star break and the all-important second half of the season approaches.

“I’d say inconsistent,” Udoka said to the Defender when asked about the play of his team so far this season. “You want to be better, but the growth and the leap we took earlier in the year was impressive. But we kind of plateaued and have been up and down since.”

The question is can the Rockets get up enough to make a playoff push in the second half of the season? And if so, how?

After existing as a bottom-feeder, NBA Draft Lottery-bound team the last few seasons, the Rockets as an organization made the concerted decision this season to accelerate the rebuilding process and become a playoff-contending team in Udoka’s first season at the helm.

Veterans Fred VanVleet, Jeff Green and Dillon Brooks were brought in to infuse some maturity into a young, talented core that includes Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith, Jr. and Tari Eason.

The results so far are the Rockets are far more talented and capable of making a playoff push. They are winning some impressive games, but they are also still allowing too many games to slip away down the stretch.

The reality is they aren’t quite there yet.

“I want to get back to what we were doing so well at the start of the year,” said Udoka, who got the Celtics to the NBA Finals in his one and only season in Boston. “I think that defensively we have been No.2 to 5 most of the year and we are eighth right now so we have to get back to that first and foremost.

“I think we are figuring out who we are offensively, as well. Guys are kind of filling into their roles there and other guys are growing. So if we can catch up offensively to where we were defensively, then I think we have a chance going down the stretch.”

As the Feb. 16 All-Star Weekend moves closer, the Rockets sit just outside of the Top 10 in the Western Conference, which means if the playoffs started now, they wouldn’t make the play-in round of the postseason.

But with plenty of season remaining and teams just ahead of them like the Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks, the Rockets have time to make up ground and earn a playoff spot.

The Rockets are positioning themselves to make a playoff push in this second half of the season; the question is, will young star Jalen Green (4) be a part of the run, or will trading him bring the missing pieces to the puzzle? AP

“Just consistency,” AT&T Sportsnet analyst and former Rockets great Calvin Murphy said when asked what it takes for the team to break into the Top 10. “They’ve lost a lot of games they had control of because of being a new team and trying to still feel their way as a unit. But after the All-Star Break, I expect to see that issue resolved.

They are definitely a contender for the playoffs without a doubt.”

To make that leap, the Rockets may have to do some dramatic shifting in makeup prior to the Feb. 8 NBA trade deadline. In the days leading up to the trade deadline, there have been rumors that young stars like Green and Eason could be moved as the team seems committed to making a playoff push and that could mean being in the market for another big-name player.

The Rockets unsuccessfully tried to make a trade for Brooklyn’s Mikal Bridges, offering the Nets a good amount of the first-round draft picks they acquired from them in the James Harden trade a few seasons ago. There is also speculation the Rockets could be in

the market for Atlanta’s Dejounte Murray or Chicago’s Zach LaVine ahead of the trade deadline.

Udoka, who admitted the team needs some backcourt 3-point shooting and more versatility in the front court, believes the Rockets can make a run with the collection of players already on the roster. The team did kind of address its front-court weakness during last week’s trade for veteran center Steven Adams, but he hasn’t played all season for Memphis and the anticipation is he won’t be available until next season.

“We mainly want to rely on what we have and get healthy first and see what this whole group looks like,” Udoka said. “We’ve had that for maybe 10 games with Tari, Dillon, Jabari, and everybody healthy at the same time. And now, with the improvement of the young guys, we’ve got real depth. Guys will be fighting for minutes and opportunities.

“So, we’ll see what we have going forward, when healthy. If we roll with that, so be it. I think we’ve got a good team that can do a lot of good things moving forward.”

February 8, 2024 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

| 11

DN Sports FORT BEND CLEMENTS HS SEVEN-FOOTER

JOSH CLARK Dominates from inside

By Jimmie Aggison

Fort Bend Clements’ Josh Clark has displayed considerable growth in his game. With a high motor, long wingspan, impressive footwork, and a delicate scoring touch around the basket, he has shown notable improvement.

His ability to secure rebounds above the rim is exceptional, and he excels in blocking and altering shots in the paint on the defensive end. As a reliable finisher, Clark is a prospect that college coaches across the country should take notice of.

“I’ve worked and I’ve improved over the summer. I made it a big point this year to block shots and rebound. I feel that is something I will need at the next level,” said Clark.

Clark finds inspiration by watching J’wan Roberts, the University of Houston Cougars forward who during the 2022-2023 season was one of the three Cougars to participate in all 37 games and maintained an average of 10.0 points per game. Additionally, Roberts excelled in rebounding with 7.7 rebounds and showcased strong defensive skills, recording 1.32 blocks per game while securing the third position in The American League with an impressive 61.3 field goal percentage.

“When it comes to rebounding he’s always there. He does the extra work that you wouldn’t notice until you take a deeper look into his game. He takes every rebound seriously and he plays hard. I look up to that and am inspired to be like that,” said Clark.

Clark also draws motivation from Marcus Sasser, point guard for the Detroit Pistons who while in college achieved the remarkable feat of being named the first Houston Consensus First-Team All-American since Hakeem Olajuwon in 1984. Notably, Sasser became the 50th Cougar to surpass 1,000 career points, finishing 15th in Houston’s history with a total of 1,458 points while setting a career three-point record with 276 made treys out of 748 attempts.

“I like how he can get to the rim.

His offensive presence is there, but when it comes to playing defense he is on the next level with that, for sure,” said Clark.

With Clark being a tall child, and having a father who shared a love for the game, Clark’s basketball journey began at five years old. However, he didn’t start playing AAU basketball until five years later.

“My dad coached our youth league team when I was younger,” said Clark.

“We changed names every year but the first year we were the Thunder.

Once I turned 10 years old, I started to play AAU. My first AAU team I played for was with Boo Williams.”

Clark was raised in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he played for Brandon Middle School and completed his freshman season at Kempsville High School.

During his 8th grade year, Clark realized he had something special.

He had the height and the ability to block shots and rebounding wasn’t a hard task. Unfortunately, his ninthgrade year was affected by COVID19 disruptions. Subsequently, in his tenth-grade season, Clark’s family relocated to Houston, Texas, and he enrolled at Klein Cain.

“I have an aunt and uncle that live in Houston. My family and I visited Houston and we liked the city. Before moving we had a garage that caught fire, so once all those things came

ABOUT JOSH CLARK Class: 2024 IG: @jclark.8 Twitter: @jcl8rk Position: Power Forward Height & weight: 7-feet, 215 pounds Players he studies: J’wan Roberts (University of Houston), Marcus Sasser (Detroit Pistons) Status: Uncommitted Favorite artists: Lil Baby, Kid Carson, Huncho Favorite subject: Forensic Science Shout-outs: Hakeem Olajuwon, Coach Frank, Coach Price, TJ, Tim Ford

together it was the perfect time to just make the move,” said Clark.

Whi le at Klein Cain Clark played on the JV team. In a game against Clements Clark was noticed and invited to play for Dream Elite, a summer developmental basketball program in Ft. Bend County.

After the family moved to Ft. Bend, the closest school to attend was Clements High School.

Clark’s junior season didn’t end with him receiving awards. It ended with a young man fueled with motivation to work on his game. Guided

by TJ Ford, Clark’s off-season is proving to have been a success. As a senior, Clark leads his Ft. Bend Clements basketball team with a 67% field goal percentage, 189 rebounds, and 86 blocks this season.

“The goal this season is to win defensive MVP and First-team All-District,” said Clark.

Last season Clark sat behind Bukola Obeye, a senior who had the same playing style as Clark but was older and more knowledgeable about the game.

“I learned a lot playing behind him. It made me go harder. I liked how he kept the ball high and scored it with every opportunity,” said Clark.

Reflecting on the best piece of advice he’s received in regards to his game, Clark remembers the advice given by two-time NBA champion, 12-time NBA All-Star, six-time All-NBA First Team, two-time NBA rebounding leader, and threetime NBA blocks leader, Hakeem Olajuwon.

“He’s always telling me to keep my hands up, leave my man and go block the shot at all times,” said Clark.

Clark has not committed to a program yet, but hopes to find a team where he can use his abilities to help the team compete. While in college, Clark plans to major in something dealing with law.

12 | February 8, 2024 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

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