So, Queen Bey is catching it once again. Tis time, from a new group of online haters, who claim she’s delving into an area where Blackfolk are not welcome – country music. One of the loudest critics of Beyoncé’s latest musical oferings is the “actor/ singer” (air quotes emphasized) John Schneider who played Bo Duke on “Te Dukes of Hazzard.” Schneider, who was born and raised just a stone’s throw away from New York City has the nerve to clown a sister from Texas. Regarding Beyoncé, this simple-minded Duke boy said, “Te lefies in the entertainment industry just won’t leave any area alone, right? Tey just have to seize control over every aspect, don’t they?” Ten, he took his “god complex” to “a-whole-nutha” level, comparing Mrs. Carter to a dog. “Tey’ve got to make their mark, just like a dog in a dog walk park,” he added. “You know, every dog has to mark every tree, right?” Schneider then said it was okay for country artists to make music in other genres, “But people coming in to country music” he had issues with. In other words, he, like many others, claims country music as a whites-only space. I’m not going to run down an entire history lesson, but sufce it to say, there is no country music (or rock) without Black-created music. So, Bo Duke, keep any and all of our names out’cho ignorant mouth.
the apartment window. Watching Pouncy recount those events is heart-wrenching. Waiting for anyone to be held accountable is stomach-turning. But the question we as a community must ask is, what are we going to do to put the fear of God into anyone who seeks to harm us?
As you’ve probably already heard, Eboni Pouncy (28), a Black woman (and mother of a one-year-old) here in Houston, was shot at 40 times by Harris County deputies. She was hit fve times and somehow miraculously survived, but her mobility has been damaged for only God knows how long. And FYI, Pouncy wasn’t running the streets or into anything illegal. She was merely hanging out at a friend’s apartment. Deputies shot that barrage of bullets from outside, through
Am I crazy (hush; rhetorical question), or are the ancestors having a moment? In 2018, “Black Panther” brought to the consciousness of many Blackfolk the importance of a connection with our ancestors. Legendary Dagara elder and author Malidoma Some shared in his book “Of Water and the Spirit,” the critical nature of we who are in the land of the living having an ongoing relationship with “those who have gone before.” And it seems more and more folk are waking to this cultural/spiritual imperative. Tose who watched Marvel’s series “Echo” saw the power of that ancestral connection on full display, especially in the series fnale. And most recently, fans of the series “True Detective,” who watched season four (“True Detective: Night Country”) again saw the power a community can wield when it honors its ancestors. African elders ofen say when certain stories and themes continuously show up (in TV shows, novels, movies, etc.), that’s Spirit trying to tell us something. Te message to Blackfolk: there’s incredible power available to us when we do the work of honoring those who made a way for us.
• Here’s how art education can help your struggling student.
• Houstonians are talking about the book “Black AF History.”
• Sports Reporter Jimmie Aggison profles Marshall HS coach Chris Catchings playof aspirations.
Another Houston incident of criminal “injustice” system violence is making national news, and the victim, in this case, wants the police involved fred and barred from future law enforcement employment.
Eboni Pouncy, 28, the mother of a oneyear-old, was at a friend’s apartment when police, according to Harris County Sherif’s Ofce (HCSO) statements, mistook her for an intruder and shot at her through an apartment window at least 40 times per HCSO body cam footage.
“Tis newly-released body cam footage is evidence of the unnecessary and excessive force used against her,” Pouncy’s lawyer, Ben Crump, said in a recent statement. “We demand that the deputies involved be immediately held accountable for the terrible injuries.”
Pouncy miraculously survived the barrage of law enforcement gunfre, though she was hit fve times – in the leg and torso – according to Crump, who referred to the footage of his client being shot as “evidence of the unnecessary and excessive force.”
Interviewed by ABC News, a visibly shaken Pouncy, recalled the incident, which took place on Feb. 3, 2024, and was brought to tears when refecting on how her gunshot injuries have hampered her care for her infant daughter.
“We got into the house. We’re watching TV. Tere was a knock at the door. At that time I got up and got my gun, and I went to go greet who was ever at the
door,” shared Pouncy, voice trembling, while fghting back tears, during an interview with ABC13. Pouncy said she never heard the deputies announce themselves, and wasn’t sure who was on the other side of the door at roughly 2:30 a.m. Pouncy said she walked to the door with gun in hand, “because the window was broken and I believed I was taking safety precautions at that time of night. And so I was just trying to do the right thing.”
When the deputies started their barrage of 40-plus shots, Pouncy said, “I didn’t know what was going on. I didn’t even realize that I was hit. I started seeing holes in the walls as I was standing there. And then I realized it was something coming through the apartment. I thought it was something outside.”
Afer being shot, Pouncy said, “I got up of the ground afer I had prayed. And I walked to the door, and I held onto the rails, and I just made my way down.”
Pouncy said her entire life -- breathing, laughing, and caring for her one-year old daughter -- has been impacted by the shooting.
According to the HCSO statement, ofcers were called to an apartment complex at 90 Uvalde Rd. at 2:10 a.m. to investigate an intruder in the caller’s apartment. Shortly after “deputy one” checked and found no intruder, “deputy two” arrived on the scene and was told by another resident that “someone had broken into another nearby second-foor apartment.”
Te deputies investigated and saw the front window screen removed, broken glass, and the blinds raised, then knocked on the apartment door verbally announcing themselves before seeing someone approaching the door with a gun in hand.
Tat’s when the shooting started.
The unofficial count of 40-plus shots fred through the resident’s apartment window included both ofcers emptying their clips, reloading, and shooting some more.
Crump said even though none of Pouncy’s vital organs were struck by HCSO bullets, the long-term efects of her injuries are yet to be determined.
“Te shooting of Eboni Pouncy should have never happened. Te video shows the deputies that responded to Eboni’s friend’s house shot frst and asked questions later. It is concerningly clear by the video and Eboni’s injuries that deputies were not justifed in shooting her fve times,” read Crump’s statement.
Crump then addressed the Second Amendment issue.
“We all know that every American citizen right now is keenly aware of their Second Amendment rights and their rights to bear arms,” Crump said. “Why is it a presumption that we [Black people] don’t have a right to the Second Amendment? Tis reminds you of the tragic killing of Breonna Taylor, where her boyfriend was a law-abiding gun-registered citizen. And yet, the police busted in their front door, shooting and killing Breonna.”
Mayor John Whitmire recently announced his selection of seven commissioners for the Houston Housing Authority, expressing his intent to implement changes within the organization due to concerns regarding mismanagement and perceived defciencies in leadership and operational efectiveness.
Melanie Miles
One potential appointee, Melanie Miles, says she was approached to chair the housing authority. However, she says that ofer was rescinded following apparent objections from a former political opponent now serving on the Houston City Council, Julian Ramirez. Miles raised questions about Whitmire’s handling of the situation and its implications for the housing authority, as well as his broader administration and the city as a whole.
According to Miles, Whitmire cited opposition from Ramirez and concerns about maintaining harmony with Republican-leaning council members as reasons for retracting her appointment. Miles criticized this reasoning, stressing the importance of elected ofcials representing the entire city rather than catering to specifc factions.
Whitmire’s ofce said he is simply trying to move forward with the business of the city.
“I will not get involved in a dispute between two political opponents. Campaign season is over, and it is time to go to work,” the mayor said.
Miles lamented the missed opportunity to serve her community in a volunteer capacity, expressing hope for more informed decision-making in the future and a commitment to prioritizing the city’s best interests over personal vendettas.
U.S. Congressman Colin Allred is ready to take on Ted Cruz to be Texas’ newest senator. But frst, he must defeat a crowded feld of other Senate hopefuls, even though he is considered the frontrunner. Even still, Allred believes he is best suited to take on the controversial Cruz.
“I’m somebody who brings folks together and I have the experience of doing that. I’ve shown that it’s possible,” said Allred, a former NFL linebacker turned civil rights lawyer. “I know from my experience of being both an athlete, and then as a lawyer serving the Obama administration, how to get things done. I’ve shown that in Congress too.”
Despite facing sharp criticism from opponents and the challenges of a crowded feld, Allred has maintained a dominant presence in fundraising, although a signifcant portion of voters remain undecided.
His primary opponent, State Senator Roland Gutierrez, has been actively campaigning across the state, aiming to exploit perceived vulnerabilities in Allred’s bipartisan approach. As the primary race approaches a crucial phase, Allred is intensifying his focus on key issues like abortion rights, aligning his strategy with the broader goals of the Democratic Party.
Allred, who emphasizes bipartisanship, said this election isn’t just about who’s best to defeat Ted Cruz, but who is best for the people of Texas.
“It’s about who we are as Texans,” he added. “Te election is not gonna be about who Ted Cruz is. I’m a fourth generation Texan, born and raised in Dallas. I know who we are, and we’re not who Ted Cruz says we are. And it’s gonna take all of us in the selection to make sure that we send a message about who we are so that folks around the country are introduced to the real Texas.”
Despite sharing many Democratic priorities, differences emerge between the Allred and Gutierrez,
particularly on healthcare and legislative strategy. With nine candidates vying for the nomination, each with unique backgrounds and policy stances, the primary remains unpredictable.
Allred’s signifcant fundraising advantage has bolstered his campaign, but challengers like Gutierrez are banking on grassroots support and issue-driven messaging to gain traction. As the primary date draws nearer, candidates are emphasizing their electability and ability to defeat incumbent Senator Ted Cruz in the general election.
Allred’s supporters highlight his legislative record and pragmatic approach to governance. Te primary’s outcome remains uncertain, with candidates seeking to build coalitions and appeal to diverse voter demographics, particularly Hispanic voters, who play a signifcant role in Texas politics. At a campaign event in Houston on Jan. 19, Gutierrez was recorded talking with an attendee about his candidacy and why he believes he’s best-suited to defeat Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) come the November election.
“Our freedom’s under attack right now. And I want to restore our freedoms. I want to restore our freedom to make our own healthcare decisions, including access to an abortion. I want to protect our democracy. I’ve been doing that as a voting rights lawyer before I came to Congress. We have to restore that in the United States Senate, in order protect your civil rights and allow you to live free of discrimination so you can chase your version of the American Dream. So I’ll restore your freedom in the United States Senate, and I need your help.”
With the November election looming, Democrats view Texas as a prime opportunity for a Senate seat pickup. Despite Cruz’s continued focus on Allred, candidates are working to rally support and position themselves as viable alternatives. As the primary race intensifes, the candidates are focused on mobilizing their bases and securing crucial endorsements to bolster their campaigns.
Defender News Service
Early voting is underway in the Texas Democratic and Republican primaries, marking the onset of decision-making for a multitude of races spanning from the presidency to local trusteeships.
Among the notable contenders are President Joe Biden for the Democrats and former President Donald Trump, alongside former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, representing the Republican side. Notably, ballots also feature candidates like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, despite their earlier campaign suspensions.
In the Republican sphere, incumbent Senator Ted Cruz faces minor competition, while nine Democratic hopefuls are contending for the chance to challenge him in the upcoming fall elections. Leading in polls are Dallas Congressman Colin Allred and State Senator Roland Gutierrez of San Antonio.
In Harris County, Democratic incumbent Sherif Ed Gonzalez confronts three opponents in his pursuit of a third term. Concurrently, incumbent District Attorney Kim Ogg faces a challenge from former prosecutor Sean Teare. Additionally, a competitive five-way Democratic race emerges to fll the vacancy lef by retiring county tax assessor-collector Ann Harris Bennett.
On the Republican front in Harris County, the sheriff’s race draws four candidates, including former Houston City Council Member Mike Knox and Joe Danna. Meanwhile, Dan Simons runs unopposed for the district attorney’s nomination, and Steve Radack stands as the sole Republican seeking the tax assessor-collector position.
Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth underscores the signifcant number of races in both primaries, urging voters to familiarize themselves with sample ballots. Given the presidential election year, a surge in turnout is anticipated. Hudspeth references the 2020 primaries, indicating a 21% participation rate among Harris County’s registered voters.
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Houston ISD’s spending habits are under even more scrutiny after a new report revealed a litany of issues. Superintendent Mike Miles released the 32-page report, which highlights several areas of concern regarding the district’s efficiency, including human resources, transportation, overtime, and external contracts. It also criticizes the lack of cohesion in curricula and programs, as well as a bureaucratic structure hindering progress and student outcomes.
The report, titled, HISD Efficiency Report: An analysis of the District-level systems that challenge HISD’s transformation efforts, details several key problems:
• Wasteful spending on a grand scale, even as student enrollment declines
• Extreme overtime abuse
• Contracts for work in every area of the District that could have been done by HISD’s own employees
• Broken HR and transportation systems
• Curricula and programs that were not linked to any particular standards of quality
• A bureaucracy that creates obstacles and is divorced from progress and student outcomes.
Miles said some of the issues are common in urban districts, but he was surprised at the level of problems uncovered by the HISD report.
“I think the level here was higher than what I expected,” Miles said. “I wasn’t totally surprised, but there was some level of, ‘Wow, this is worse than a typical urban district.’”
The superintendent said employees aren’t to blame for the laundry list of problems.
With the district facing a significant budget deficit, currently projected at over $250 million this year, Miles has pledged to address inefficiencies. He emphasized the importance of efficient systems not only for financial savings but also for ensuring essential services like timely transportation and maintenance of school facilities.
“I always say, ‘When big things go wrong, first look at the system,’ because that’s how people operate,” Miles said.
He said district leaders will work together to create a more efficient system overall so that they can better support teachers and schools.
“So, it’s not just about saving money, it’s about making sure we get our kids to school on time, making sure we do fix the toilet when it breaks on time, making sure our buildings, as old as they are, are as cool as they can be in the summer and as warm as they can be in the winter,” Miles said.
The financial strain on Houston ISD has worsened due to declining enrollment and the expiration of federal pandemic relief funds. Despite revenue decreases, costs are rising, particularly with Miles’ controversial “New Education System” reforms set to expand to 130 schools by August. These reforms are anticipated to cost over $100 million this year alone, contributing to the projected budget deficit for the upcoming fiscal year.
Miles aims to bolster the district’s fund balance to at least $870 million by the end of the current fiscal year, with a commitment to maintaining it above $850 million through the 2024-25 fiscal year. However,
concerns have been raised regarding discrepancies in reported staff cuts, with records indicating an increase rather than the promised reduction.
Tackling the problem
District officials say they are working diligently to address the issues.
“The transformation taking place in HISD is the nation’s largest and most significant effort to dramatically improve K-12 education,” said Miles. “In the course of this transformation, the HISD team has encountered deep and wide problems in our District operations,” Miles added. “Such dysfunction impedes the positive shift we seek to accomplish. We are sharing this report with the community so people know the major challenges in our system, how they impact what educators are working to do for kids, and how we will fix these problems to make our District more effective and efficient. Through the action steps outlined in the report, HISD will become the first urban district to serve all its students well – where excellence is the expectation and failure is not an option.”
Rental markets are cooling down with an unprecedented influx of new supply hitting decades-high levels, surpassing current demand.
However, more than a third of renters in every state in the country are cost-burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their total household income on housing, per a report.
The new study on rental housing by Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS) says a record number of people are also experiencing homelessness. Per JCHS, median rents have risen steadily since 2001 in inflation-adjusted terms and were 21% higher in 2022. During this time, a renter’s income has risen just 2%.
More than 12 million cost-burdened households had housing costs more than half their income, an all-time high. In spite of these conditions, however, strong demand from the Gen Z, millennial, and baby boom generations suggests that the rental market slowdown is temporary.
“The economy is the main challenge. With inflation, people are paying more just for food, gas, and basic living expenses,” Dr. Courtney Johnson Rose, the president of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) said.
Although rent growth slowed down recently, we are already dealing with high numbers. Rents rose during the pandemic, with the median monthly cost of rent alone increasing 12%, from $909 in 2019 to $1,015 in 2021, according to data from the Census Bureau’s 2021 American Housing Survey (AHS). The overall inflation during this time was about 6%. Therefore, renters were already cost-burdened.
In 2022, around 22.4 million renter households spent more than 30% of their income on rent and utilities — a record high. This number signifies an increase of two million households in a span of three years.
During the pandemic, resources were provided to support housing needs temporarily. Despite this assistance, there is still a significant demand for rental assistance, which is higher than before, the report says.
Existing rental properties also need investments to address structural inadequacies, inaccessibility, and climate risks, given the inflation and high interest rates.
The JCHS study says Black and Latino renters are disproportionately impacted by high rental costs and are exposed to substandard housing conditions. Black people make up 37% of all unhoused people in the United States and only 13% of the population. Latinos comprise 28% of unhoused people and less than 20% of the country’s population.
Black and Hispanic households are also more likely to inhabit inadequate housing,
just in Houston but throughout the country,” David A. Northern Sr., the president and CEO of the Houston Housing Authority, told the Defender. “To individuals with lower income, some of the community’s most vulnerable makes that effect even more troubling. With the insurance increasing and property owners having to pay higher insurance rates, they send that cost right over to the rental rates. That’s part of the increase.”
From 2019 to 2022, all income groups experienced increasing cost-burden rates, but middle-income renters making $45,000 to $74,999 saw the fastest rise with a 5.4 percentage point increase to 41%.
Moreover, the report says 8 million cost-burdened households were headed by people with full-time jobs.
only provides housing assistance to one in four eligible households.”
Federal programs like The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Housing Voucher Program, or Section 8, were implemented to provide housing for low and middle-income families. In 2022, HUD’s Housing Choice Vouchers helped 2.3 million households, which covered the difference between 30% of a household’s income and the area’s fair market rent.
However, the use of these vouchers is dependent on private-market landlords and whether they accept these vouchers. The Harvard study found that the program guidelines and timelines discourage some landlords from taking part in it. Around 40% of those who receive vouchers are not able to find a signed lease within the desired timeframe.
However, in 2022, only 7.2 million units had contract rents under $600, the maximum amount that was affordable to 26% of renters with an annual income of under $24,000. It signified the loss of 2.1 million units since 2012 (with inflation adjustments). The rent hikes during the endemic enhanced this trend, with more than half a million low-rent units lost between 2019 and 2022.
The report also states that states and cities across the country generate $3 billion annually through housing trust funds to meet local housing needs.
“All of these efforts are crucial but fall short of the growing need,” the report added.
filings dropped 58% since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic until the end of 2021, owing to federal, state, and local eviction moratoriums and the $46.55 billion Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program.
The JCHS report says that by mid-2023, most of these states “had nearly depleted their ERA funds,” which caused eviction filings to return to pre-pandemic levels.
In the 10 states and 34 cities the organization tracks, landlords filed for more than a million over the last year and around 69,000 evictions over the last month.
As evictions and housing costs rose, so did homelessness. A record of 653,100 people were unhoused on a given night in January 2023, increasing from 71,000 people in a year.
Around 58% of Houstonians and 45% of Harris County residents rent their homes, per a 2021 census data report. Black people make up the bulk of that number.
The Houston rental market, which was quite heated in 2023, ended on a cooler note in December as demand from potential homebuyers slowed due to high mortgage interest rates. These rates drove people to rent. The association says inventory and pricing have created a positive buying landscape this year.
owing to discriminatory practices that have steered them toward neighborhoods with such housing. The report quantifies this — in 2021, 10% of Black and Hispanic renter households lived in inadequate housing, compared to 7% of white households and 6% of Asian households, after accounting for income differences.
“Without affordable, available housing options and higher incomes, more than 10 million of America’s lowest-income households,
disproportionately people of color, pay at least half their income on rent and utilities,” said Diane Yentl, president and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, in a statement.
The report says that while overall cost-burden rates are high, some demographics face a higher rate than others. Households led by Black, Hispanic, or multiracial persons face disproportionately high cost-burden rates
because of discrimination in housing, employment, and education, per the report.
Because of these reasons, a household led by a Black individual in the U.S. is more likely to have a lower income than households of other ethnicities. They also represent a major share of lower-income renter households.
Around 42% of Black households earn less than $30,000 annually, compared to 30% of white households with similarly low incomes.
While Black households form a fifth of all renter households, they comprise a quarter of lower-income households, according to the JCHS report.
In 2022, more than half (57%) of Black, 54% Hispanic, and 50% of multiracial households were cost-burdened, compared to 45% of white, 44% Asian, and 44% of Native American households.
“The rental market is very unsettling not
The 14.6 million renter households that comprise the “working poor” or those households with an income of $30,000 or less each year, could save a median of $300 and had a total net wealth of $3,200. These households are also most likely to live in substandard housing with various issues.
“With so much money going to keep a roof over their heads, renters with the lowest incomes are forced to live precariously, always one unexpected expense – for a broken-down car or unreimbursed medical bill – away from housing instability, eviction, and, in the worst cases, homelessness,” Yentl said. “Yet Congress
“The instability caused by a lack of affordable housing bleeds over to other public spending, threatening the well-being of millions of people… With housing challenges growing ever more severe, now is the time to make a fuller commitment to ensuring that all people living in the US have a decent, safe, and affordable place to call home.”
Eviction filings have returned to pre-pandemic levels in 2023 as relief measures and the eviction moratorium expired.
According to the Eviction Lab, eviction
According to the Houston Association of Realtors (HAR’s), rentals of single-family homes fell 1.2% year-over-year, with the average lease price climbing 2.4% to $2,207. Around 2,986 leases were signed compared to 3,023 in December 2022.
New listings of single-family rentals rose 12.1% in December.
“Lease properties had an incredible 2023 as they provided a critical alternative to buyers that were concerned about prices and mortgage rates but still needed housing,” said HAR Chair Thomas Mouton in a statement, who predicted an uptick in activity in 2024.
Grady
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D.
By Aswad WalkerThe Black Man Project (BMP), a Houston-based non-profit with national reach, working to explore the complexity of Black mas culinity for men and boys, and also to create space spaces for healing, accountability, and brotherhood, seeks to extend its impact even further.
And it involves Healing Forward, the BMP’s mobile educational vehicle aimed at connecting with at-risk youth.
To learn how to affirm yourself is a skillset, to learn how to talk positive to yourself is a skillset,” explained Ellison.
“Healing Forward allows us the opportunity to broaden our scope and more specifically work with youth, and so the healing therapy vehicle will go to schools and we’ll be able to provide cuts, conversations and holistic curriculum,” said BMP founder Brian Ellison. “On top of that, we provide a haircut. When you look good, you feel good, the opportunity to do good is increased and so that is what Healing Forward provides.”
Founded just a few years ago, BMP has been on a mission both locally and beyond to take healing and accessibility to mental health resources directly to communities.
One way BMP accomplishes this goal is through its monthly therapy sessions.
“We provide safe spaces where we have a community of people. We have therapists on hand, where we are able to have dialogue and conversations around the things that we have to navigate on a day-to-day basis,” said Ellison.
BMP currently offers these sessions once a month at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston and has been doing so for the past three years.
“We live in a world of comparison and kids have access to technology and constantly comparing their realities, so we’re teaching kids anger management skills, coping skills.
Healing Forward allows BMP to literally deliver healing opportunities to individuals and communities in need. Additionally, BMP has teamed up with Google in Seattle, help rap sessions with brothers in Brooklyn, partnered with Black Men Smile and Emory University in Atlanta, and held healing conversations with Black men at Staple Barbershop in South Central Los Angeles.
BMP’s creative director, Anthony Suber, said the group has expanded its reach to include the Black Woman Project (BWP).
“It’s an effort for us to kind of connect to community, be inclusive of Black men and Black women, and also [to facilitate] a multi-generational conversation,” said Suber.
He added that the aim of the Black Woman Project is to show that we stand strong together as a community.
BMP and BWP will host youth workshop sessions at the MFAH in conjunction with the exhibition “Kehinde Wiley: An Archaeology of Silence” on March 9 from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
The workshop seeks to create a space for boys and girls to explore their impressions of the world-renowned exhibit and engage in conversations about healing, wholeness, leadership, and community. The workshop, led by Artist Tay Butler, is open to teens, middle school to high school, accompanied by an adult chaperone.
For more information about the March event, BMP, and BWP visit www.theblackmanproject.com.
A brief application and personal interview are required
Project LEAP is held in a hybrid format (in person and on Zoom)
RYAN WHITE PLANNING COUNCIL OFFICE OF SUPPORT
Phone 832 927 -7926 Fax 713 431-4880 http://rwpcHouston.org
is a free 17 week training course for individuals living with or affected by HIV. The purpose of the program is to train people to effectively help plan HIV prevention and care services in the Houston Area Topics covered include the history of HIV in the Houston area, local HIV trends, supportive services available for people living with HIV, and much, much more!
The class is 4 hours, one day a week (Wednesdays from 10am to 2pm) starting at the end of July and ends with a graduation ceremony in early December. Lunch and class materials are provided.
If you have questions or would like to receive an application, please contact Diane Beck at 832 927-7926 or diane.beck@ harriscountytx.gov
Pursuant to Chapter 59 Texas property Code, Neighbor Storage will hold a Public Sale of Property to satisfy Landlord's lien on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 online through Storagetreasures.com. Tenant is Randall Burns and the storage space is located at 8565 W Sam Houston Pkwy S, Houston, Texas, 77072 Property will be sold to the highest bidder (credit card payment). Property must be removed within 72 hours and space broom swept. Seller reserves the right to reject any bid and withdraw property from a
sale. Said properties are: furniture, like chairs, headboard speakers, tools and some boxes.
NOTICE TO BIDDERS
The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas (METRO) is planning to issue the procurement documents listed in this advertisement.
IFB No. 4023000183 : Addition of Second Hydraulic Elevator at West Bus Operating (BOF) Facility . Solicitation will be available on or about 02/20/2024. Prospective bidders/proposers can view and download these solicitations by visiting METRO's website at ridemetro.org/Open Procurements If you are unable to download the documents or are having difficulty, please contact 713-615-6125 or email Contracts/Property Services at propertyservices@ridemetro.org.
The heart is a fist-sized powerhouse that constantly pumps oxygen-rich blood and nutrients through your arteries and veins to sustain life. Interruption of blood flow can lead to a heart attack or other injury of the heart muscle.
What is a heart attack?
A heart attack is caused when circulation is reduced or blocked, which causes insufficient blood flow through a coronary artery and damages heart tissue. These blockages are usually caused by a buildup of plaque in the arteries. Plaque forms when cholesterol combines fat, calcium, and other substances. Jointly, these elements harden into plaque and cling to an artery, which can cause a blood clot to form. Large clots can completely block the flow of blood through an artery.
FROM THE DOC
“Heart disease is the No.1 cause of death for adults in the United States.”
Dr. Adesina is a renowned Kelsey-Seybold Clinic cardiologist.
What is cardiac arrest?
Cardiac arrest isn’t the same as a heart attack, although almost any known heart condition, including a heart attack, can cause cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest results from electrical disturbances causing the heart to suddenly stop beating. This unexpected loss of heart function results in a sudden loss of breathing and consciousness. It can sometimes be reversed if CPR is immediately performed, and a defibrillator shocks the heart to restore a normal heart rhythm. If the correct steps aren’t taken right away, the result can be tragic.
Do your part for better heart health.
By reducing risk factors, you can help prevent many types of heart disease. To help lower your risks:
• Engage in regular, but sensible, exercise most days of the week. (Check with a doctor before starting an exercise regimen.)
• Avoid nicotine usage in any form.
• Reduce salt and sugar intake, eat high-fiber grains and vegetables, and manage your weight.
• Have regular medical evaluations that include checking your blood pressure and cholesterol. If indicated, a cardiologist may perform additional tests to further assess your cardiovascular condition.
Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death for adults in the United States, but there are steps you can take to help lower your risk.
BRITTNEY
Women’s basketball star Brittney Griner saw her No. 42 Baylor jersey be retired in an emotional ceremony on Sunday.
Twelve years after leading the Bears to the national championship, the Houston native and WNBA star saw her No.42 lifted to the rafters at Foster Pavilion. Griner entered the floor to a huge standing ovation and to the fans all wearing No. 42 t-shirts. “Just full of emotion,” Griner told ESPN during the game. “As soon as it started to go up, that’s when I started to break. It just all came together at the right time.”
The Prairie View baseball team went 3-0 to claim the second-annual Cactus Jack HBCU
Classic title at Minute Maid Park over the weekend. The Panthers defeated Grambling State 10-5 in the opener, then edged Texas Southern 4-3 before defeating Alcorn State 15-14. The final game against Alcorn State was the toughest because the Panthers had to score three runs in the ninth inning to rally, winning on a walk-off two-run single by junior Tyran Norris to upend the Braves.
The Texas Southern men’s indoor track & field team concluded its season by claiming the 2024 SWAC Indoor Championship. The Tigers claimed their 11th SWAC Indoor title in dominant fashion. Jose Gonzalez cemented his legacy after winning the 3,000 (8:26.38) and helping the distance medley team win 1st place with a time of 10:27.87. Gonzalez was named the SWAC’s Most Outstanding Track Performer and head coach Clyde Duncan was named Men’s Coach of the Year.
When the knock at the door came that Andre Johnson’s prolific career had prepared him for, the former Texans receiver initially had no idea what was awaiting on the other side that Thursday afternoon.
The funny thing is it was meant to be that way.
All Johnson knew was suddenly that day he had a house full of people; his mom, brother and other friends and family members and all seemingly because his agent, Kennard McGuire, wanted to put Johnson in his will to take care of his son in the event something happened. The spontaneous gathering really wasn’t that out of the ordinary.
But then came the knock at the front door and Johnson was told specifically to answer it.
“So, I’m in the kitchen, and I walk around and look at the front door and I see a camera, but I can’t see who’s actually standing at the door,” Johnson said to The Defender. “I can tell there’s somebody standing there, and I can see him in the gold jacket, but I can’t see his face. So, right then and there, I was like, ‘I know this is not about to happen.’ So, I open the door and – I mean, you guys saw it – it was Cris [Carter] and I was just like, ‘Wow, this is really happening.’”
Just like that, Johnson crossed over into one of the most exclusive fraternities in sports, the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Johnson wouldn’t say it was a lifelong dream realized because he never dreamed of such, but it was certainly the desired exclamation point to a stellar career.
The knock finally came on the third year Johnson was eligible for enshrinement in Canton, Ohio.
“I think it was just perfect timing,” said Johnson, who was the Texans’ first-round pick in the 2003 NFL Draft. “The first two times that I was a finalist, to be honest, I knew I wasn’t getting in. To be honest, I didn’t really – I wouldn’t say ‘care’ – but I just didn’t really think about it as much.”
Johnson knew well ahead of the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame announcement during Super Bowl week, but he and his family were sworn to secrecy until the official announcement. It hit the day he found out, but it became real in Las Vegas when suddenly he was being embraced as the newest member of the gold jacket wearers.
Johnson, who is naturally quiet and laid
back, was admittedly speechless in a room that included many of the players he grew up idolizing like Jerry Rice, Marshall Faulk, Dan Marino, Jimmy Johnson, Deion Sanders, Isaac Bruce, Darrell Green, Champ Bailey, Mean Joe Green and Carter.
“For me, I don’t really have to – being around those guys – you really want to try to learn from them,” Johnson said. “There’s not really much you can say when you’re around them because those are the guys I watched growing up. So, to be in that class with them is great.”
Johnson, who was a seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro during his 12-year career with the Texans, had tried to put the selection out of his mind in the days leading up to this year’s selection process. It was so out of his mind, that it didn’t strike him as odd when Texans CEO Cal McNair out of the blue asked him if he thought he had a shot to get in this year.
Johnson’s response was, “I told myself, ‘If there’s a year for me to go in, it’s this year.’ And he was like, ‘Really? You think so?’
“And at that time, when I told him [Cal McNair] that, he already knew [laughs]. I found this out later. But he already knew that I was going in. I don’t know, it was just something about this time around. I don’t know, I could just feel it. I was like, ‘If there’s a time for me to go in, it’s this year.”
The McNairs getting their first player into the Pro Football Hall of Fame was certainly special, and that
Andre Johnson put together a stellar career with the Texans, which included seven Pro Bowls and two All-Pro seasons and for that he has been rewarded with an induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and immortality in Canton, Ohio.
(AP Photo/ Tony Gutierrez, File)
it was Johnson, who was the franchise’s first great player, made it that much more special. The bond Johnson has continued to share with owner Janice McNair and her family has remained strong.
The party started during Super Bowl week, but Janice McNair vowed to keep the party going all year long.
“What they’ve done for me and my family, you can’t really repay that,” said Johnson, who ranks 11th all-time for most career receiving yards with 14,185 yards. “Them taking a chance on me – a young, 22-year-old guy –and me being able to do what I’ve done for the organization. I know they appreciate it, and they let me know that they do. And them just telling me how happy they were – we had some emotional moments, too. It was just a great feeling to have them there and experience all this with me.”
Johnson is also honored to share his enshrinement with the city of Houston and the fans here. In fact, he has already warned the folks in Canton to be ready for the Houston fans when they show up in August for the Enshrinement Ceremony.
“Because Houston’s going to show up and show out,” he said. “Just the love I’ve received from this city and the fans, it’s truly been great. It’s been a fun time. I know that they are super, super excited for this to be happening. Honestly, I can’t wait to see what happens in
The Hightower Hurricanes girls varsity basketball program finished the 2023-2024 season with a 15-1record in 6A Region III District 20. With their only loss coming from Ft. Bend Austin, the Hurricanes feel good about the prospects of their playoff run this season. After defeating both Cinco Ranch and Cy Creek, the Hurricanes are moving on.
“We have more experience this year. Last year, we were able to return about eight players from that team. These girls have been on the big stage before. They’ve been in front of the lights and they’re bringing that experience with them,” said head coach Jasmine Brewer.
One of those returning starters is senior point guard Jaya Johnson.
“Jaya has always been a fearless, great, vocal leader. In the four years she’s been at Hightower I’ve seen her leadership transform. She’s confident, demands the floor, and has really grown in the way she handles pressure situations. Last season, she won defensive player of the year for our district and every year she’s become better at what she does,” said Brewer.
Johnson is a four-year varsity starter for Hightower.
“Through the years I learned to be humble in my position and that everything isn’t about yourself. Everything is about the team and winning and that’s what I care about the most,” said Johnson.
Johnson has had the privilege of sharing the floor with the University of Texas junior point guard, Rori Harmon, who has since gone on to become a dominant force for the Longhorns.
“My freshman year we played against her at Cy Creek. We lost, but playing against her taught me to always work and push myself,” said Johnson.
Harmon has since achieved four-time Big 12 Freshman of the week and earned multiple accolades, including Big 12 Tournament MVP.
“I study her game because she plays both sides of the ball. She runs her team and she distributes the ball to everybody. Her change of speed is unique and it’s great to have at the point guard position when trying to keep the defense on their toes,” said Johnson.
Johnson was introduced to the game of basketball through her brother, Jayden Johnson.
“He introduced me to the game of basketball and put that love and fight in me. As a child, I remember going outside and hooping every day until the lights came on,” said Johnson.
Johnson played in her first recreational league in Stafford when she was 11 years old. The following year, she played on her first AAU team with CyFair Elite. After playing with CyFair Elite, she played with the Rice Warriors, Mo City Ballers, Texas Phenoms, and lastly Houston Dream. Through playing with these organizations, Johnson was exposed to various playing styles and abilities.
“Everybody on the court in AAU can hoop. It’s not PE basketball. With college coaches watching, it’s a different type of pressure,” said Johnson.
Next season Johnson is committed to playing at Paris Junior College where she plans to study kinesiology.
“I chose that school because of the culture
“Jaya has always been a fearless, great, vocal leader. In the four years she’s been at Hightower I’ve seen her leadership transform. She’s confident, demands the floor, and has really grown in the way she handles pressure situations. Last season, she won defensive player of the year for our district and every year she’s become better at what she does.”
JASMINE BREWER HIGHTOWER HURRICANES GIRLS VARSITY BASKETBALL HEAD COACHand the family feel. When I first arrived on campus, it felt like they wanted me around and they wanted to accept me,” said Johnson. “I plan to study kinesiology because I want to become a head coach once I’m done with basketball.”
Johnson credits the greatest piece of basketball advice she has received came from Brewer.
“Never doubt yourself,” said Johnson. “Coach Brewer told me that and she’s the one who put the trust in me from freshman year. At the point guard spot, never doubt yourself because the point guard position is very hard and you never want to doubt yourself, in that position.”
ABOUT JAYA JOHNSON
Players she studies: Rori Harmon
Status: Committed to Paris Junior parents, my siblings
If you’ve happened to tune into Fox 26 News over the past few months, you may have noticed a new face on the screen –Anthony Antoine, a brother, serving as an anchor.
Antoine is doing more than holding down a seat, he’s holding it down for the culture. Born in Trinidad and raised in New Jersey, this Houston transplant – by way of professional jaunts in Richmond, VA and Champaign, IL – journeyed to discover his authentic voice, and now that he’s found it, he’s using it to speak to and speak on stories relevant to us.
Te Defender spoke with Antoine about his personal and professional journey that landed him here in H-Town.
DEFENDER: As a Black man in media, does that position come with challenges, responsibilities, opportunities?
ANTOINE: All of it, in every facet. And I’m gonna be real transparent. Early on in my career, I didn’t really understand the responsibility. So, when I frst got into news, you didn’t really see many frontline African American men and women talent. You will have a couple in some markets, but not as widespread. You would primarily see them anchoring on weekends or something. So, when I frst got into the business, I really didn’t know how to maneuver and there were some growing pains where it was like, I tried to be somebody else. I tried to deliver the news the way somebody else did it. And then, I realized that nobody can do it like me, and the best me is showing up 110% authentic to who I am.
DEFENDER: So, when did it all click for you?
ANTOINE: It wasn’t until I let go of trying to sound like someone else, do it somebody else’s way. Tat’s when I really turned that corner and became a way better journalist… And I realized that who I am, my struggles, my life story, the things I like and don’t like, all those things play a key role in the demographic that you serve. I remember times where I’ve had to advocate for stories that I know for a fact were important to the Black community, where some of my peers may not have seen it that way. And my perspective is one that I value completely, and I’m always going to bring that to the table. I’m always going to advocate or interject and say, “Hey, maybe we shouldn’t look at it this way because XYZ.” I don’t ever want
to feel like I lef a table or a conversation that I didn’t represent Black people in a way that is conducive to a healthy discussion about whatever the topic may be.
DEFENDER: And speaking of representation, do I hear some island roots in your voice?
ANTOINE: Wha-ya-mean, boy; whaya-mean [in serious island accent]? Yeah, man, I’m from Trinidad and Tobago, born and raised. Came to America when I was 10 years old. Right now, February, we’re going into Carvinale back home. That is a big thing. So, I’m in carnival mode right now. I’m listening to all the new songs. We
have something back home called Panorama [a steel pan competition]. So, I’ve been watching the prelims and the semis, and my mind and my heart is in Trinidad right now <laughs>. But, came to America when I was 10, raised by a single parent. My mom did everything, anything that she could. We moved to Jersey City, New Jersey, my home ever since I came to America. Ten, to northwest Ohio; I went to Bowling Green State University for college. But, I’m a very proud “Trinny” [Trinidad native].
DEFENDER: What’s the thing that would be most surprising to the general public about your job?
ANTOINE: Probably the workflow. I think some people think I just walk in the door at 4:45 p.m. and do the news at 5 p.m. Tat’s not the case. I’m not just reading the teleprompter. I’m working. And an adjustment I had to get used to when I got here was just the speed and the fow of the news. It’s like I walk in the door, you usually have about two meetings. From the two meetings we are then expanding into the digital space more, so we have digital responsibilities. Ten you’re writing stories. Ten you’re reading scripts. Ten you’re having meetings with your producers. Ten you do the show. Ten you have promos to shoot that’ll air at diferent times throughout the day. Ten you might get lucky, and if no breaking news happens, you get a chance to eat some food. And then you get ready for the night show. It’s busy, man. It’s a very fast-paced environment.