Houston Defender: February 25, 2016

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HOUSTON TEXANS GIVE BACK WITH PLEDGE TO BOYS & GIRLS CLUB, P14

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Volume 85 | Number 17 FEBRUARY 25, 2016 | FREE

NEWSTALK KOFI TAHARKA being saluted by community

P2 BLACK HISTORY CAPT. PAUL MATTHEWS keeps military legacy alive

P8 H.S. ZONE

MARY MARY RETURN TO TV H PAGE 6

Super Tuesday: Vote in March 1 primary Texas is one of 10 states that will hold primaries on March 1, also known as Super Tuesday. Texas will also be a state to watch as the 2016 Republican and Democratic presidential races intensify into a struggle for the African-American vote. See why Hillary Clinton is banking on her long history of working alongside civil rights leaders. Find out about Bernie Sanders’ record of activism and see why he is attracting young people and independent voters.

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Judson Robinson III, David Ruiz and Terrence Gee at Rice University Black Alumni celebration

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DEFENDER | FEBRUARY 25 | 2016

newstalk

Kofi Taharka will be saluted for his activism on Sunday, March 6, at 3 p.m. at SHAPE Center.

Community pays tribute to Taharka Kofi Taharka, chair of the National Black United Front, will be honored with a tribute and salute to the “people’s warrior” on Sunday, March 6, at 3 pm. at SHAPE Community Center, 3903 Almeda.

Community activists, leaders and concerned citizens will gather to pay tribute to Taharka. In addition, funds will be raised to support his tireless efforts in fighting for justice. The event will include speakers, “edutainment” and testimonials.

Taharka has more than two decades of frontline work advancing the cause of people of African descent, and oppressed communities in Houston, across the country and throughout the world. He has served in various capacities of the grass-

roots formation of NBUF, which will celebrate 37 years of activism this summer.

NBUF is a broad-based organization which includes all social, political, religious and cultural sections of the Black community. Its principles of unity include struggling to eliminate racism, unifying with oppressed people in the U.S., maintaining political and financial independence and working toward selfdetermination, liberation and power for Black people.

Donations of at least $25 are suggested for the tribute to Taharka but no one will be turned away. For information email tributekofi2016@gmail.com or call 832-602-3085.

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Montalvo named interim HPD chief Mayor Sylvester Turner selected Martha Montalvo to serve as the city’s interim chief of police. Montalvo will assume the position being vacated by Charles McClelland, who is retiring. She is the first Hispanic and the second female to hold the position (Elizabeth Watson was the first from 19901992).

Montalvo has 35 years of service with the Houston Police Department. Most recently, she worked as McClelland’s chief of staff, providing administrative support to the chief while also having direct supervision of 128 officers and 60 civilians in five divisions at HPD. “Chief Montalvo has a wealth of experience that will serve the department and the citizens of Houston well,” Turner said.

“She also understands that all city departChief Martha Montalvo ments will need to pitch in to help balance the budget for the coming fiscal year.

I look forward to working with her on solutions that will generate the cost savings we need without impacting the police protection our residents need.”

Montalvo started as a beat cop in 1980. She progressed through the ranks of sergeant, lieutenant, captain and assistant chief of police. Her career highlights include coordinating the development and implementation of the Crime Analysis System Enhancement GIS mapping system that is still used today, implementation of technology upgrades and serving as incident commander for the 2004 Major League Baseball All Star Game and the 2006 NBA All Star Game.

She has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Houston/Downtown and a Master of Science from Sam Houston State University.

Montalvo will serve until Turner makes a decision on a permanent replacement for McClelland.

localbriefs STATE SEN. RODNEY ELLIS joined Dewayne Brown and his attorneys in support of Brown’s efforts to seek compensation for the 12-plus years he wrongfully spent behind bars, including nine on death row. “I am proud to stand with Dewayne Brown as he seeks the compensation he is rightfully owed under the law,” Ellis said. Brown was convicted of capital murder in 2005 for a crime he did not commit. He was wrongly accused of robbing a Southeast Houston check cashing store with two other individuals in April 2003, which left a cashier and a police officer dead. Brown’s lawyers were eventually able to secure a reversal of his conviction

and his eventual exoneration…….. PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY and the National Institute of Technology of Mexico (TecNM) signed a bilateral memorandum of understanding. Signing the historic agreement is part of a larger plan within the Texas A&M University System, of which PVAMU is a part, to strategically strengthen its educational relationships with Mexico. The agreement allows for 266 students studying at TecNM institutions to study abroad at PVAMU. “Prairie View A&M University is committed to helping all students reach their full potential,” said President George Wright. “This partnership is one step in ensuring that we continue to serve diverse

populations by providing an excellent education and a one-of-a-kind PVAMU experience,” he said……..

THE ANNUAL BLACK COLLEGE EXPO TOUR sponsored by National College Resources Foundation will be held Saturday, Feb. 27, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Power Center, 12401 South Post Oak. Black College Expo has partnered with corporations and organizations to help students gain access to college, internships and careers. Colleges and educational programs will be on site to recruit students and some colleges will offer on-the-spot acceptance, waive college fees and give away scholarships. For information visit www.thecollegeexpo.org.

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FEBRUARY 25 | 2016 | DEFENDER

Candidates in tug of war over Black vote

national

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“We’ve got to write legislation to say that money, those jobs go to the people most in need.” he Democratic presidential race The two also met separately with heads of between Hillary Clinton and Bernie nine historic Black organizations – Clinton in Sanders has intensified into a New York and Sanders in D.C. Those meetings highly anticipated struggle for the were chaired by National Urban League PresiBlack vote. dent Marc Morial.

So far, Clinton appears to be winning “We want to be fair,” Morial said at the that battle as they head for the Democratic NUL’s New York headquarters. He said the goal Primary in South Carolina on Feb. 27 and was to simply share with the two candidates the Super Tuesday on March 1, when 12 states important issues of the Black community and will hold primaries or caucuses. Black turnto hear their perspectives. out in battleground states across the South “We’ve promulgated a comprehensive will be key. agenda that covers the economic, education, The 10 states that hold Democratic and criminal justice reform, police reform, health Republican Primaries on Super Tuesday are issues and voting issues. This is a comprehenCivil rights leaders including Rev. Al Sharpton and Marc Morial gather at the National Urban Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Geor- League D.C. headquarters after a meeting with Democratic presidential candidate Bernie sive agenda…We’ll share it with every candiSanders. A separate meeting was held in New York the day before with Hillary Clinton. gia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oklahoma date who sits down with us,” Morial said.

Vermont and Virginia.

Morial said that all the organizations Clinton appears to be banking on her represented in the meetings are legally nonlong history of working alongside civil rights partisan, therefore none would be endorsing leaders, largely as a young activist, then as candidates. first lady and U.S. senator.

However, Sharpton said after the SandSanders has not received as much tracers meeting that some leaders may announce tion with Black voters so far, but had a large personal endorsements. Trayvon Martin and enough following to win New Hampshire 60 Michael Brown family lawyer Benjamin percent to Clinton’s 38 percent. Clinton won Crump, president of the National Bar AssociaIowa slimly 49.9 percent to 49.6 percent as tion, said after the Sanders meeting that he well as Nevada, 52.6 percent to 47.3 percent. intends to endorse.

The candidates discussed this tug of war Meanwhile, both candidates have received during separate televised interviews with powerful endorsements from Black community Rev. Al Sharpton. leaders.

Clinton touted her longstanding relaBernie Sanders Hillary Clinton U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) endorsed tionships with Black leaders.

Clinton as well as former NAACP President Rights Movement, has attracted youth and independent “Many of them I’ve worked with for a very long time Kweisi Mfume, enough influence to swing the South voters. tackling systemic racism, injustice and inequality but also Carolina Black vote fully in her court.

“What many African-American leaders are legitimategoing after the poor quality schools that too many of our Sanders has the endorsement of former NAACP ly concerned about is that you can get money to the states kids are trapped in,” she said.

President Ben Jealous as well as author Dr. Cornel West, – good thing – but we don’t get the money to the commuSanders, who has an affinity for the poor and ecoboth of whom also carry significant weight. nities that are most in need,” Sanders told Sharpton. nomic justice and a record of activism during the Civil

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By HAZEL TRICE EDNEY TriceEdneyWire.com

VOLUME 85 • NUMBER 17 FEBRUARY 25, 2016

Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Advertising/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Social|Online Editor LaGloria Wheatfall Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila

Print Editor Marilyn Marshall Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison Contributing writers Jasemine Knowles Amber Vernon

The Defender is published by the Houston Defender Newspaper Inc. (713-663-6996). The Defender is audited

by Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For subscription, send $60-1 year to: Defender, P.O. Box 8005, Houston TX 77288. Payment must accompany subscription request. All material covered by 2012 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).

Education plan helps students with disabilities The U.S. Department of Education is addressing widespread disparities in the treatment of students of color with disabilities by proposing a new rule to improve equity in the Individuals with Disabilities ACT (IDEA).

The nation’s special education law, IDEA aims to ensure fairness in the identification, placement, and discipline of students with disabilities. Students of color remain more likely to be identified as having a disability and face harsher discipline than their white classmates.

The proposed rule would, for the first time, require states to implement a standard approach to compare racial and ethnic groups, with reasonable thresholds for

determining when disparities have become significant.

Once identified as having a significant disproportionality, the district must set aside 15 percent of its IDEA, Part B funds to provide comprehensive coordinated early intervening services. Further, the policies, practices, and procedures of the district must be reviewed, and, if necessary, revised to ensure compliance with IDEA. “We have a moral and a civil rights obligation to ensure that all students, with and without disabilities, are provided the tools they need to succeed, regardless of background,” said Acting U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr.

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DEFENDER | FEBRUARY 25 | 2016 defendernetwork.com

HISD principals of the year named Theresa Rose and Felicia Adams were named HISD’s 2016 Principals of the Year.

Rose, principal at Bush Elementary School, was named elementary principal of the year. Adams, principal at Lanier Middle School, was named secondary principal of the year. They were among 36 principals vying for the two honors.

Rose has served as Bush’s principal since 2004.

“I love my job, the students, my faculty and staff, and the community,” she said. “I’m still passionate about what I do, and that drives me to want to be the best, do the best and see the best in our boys and girls each and every day.”

Adams has spent 20 years in education, the past two of which have been leading Lanier Middle School.

“I’m so proud of not just my work but what my teachers and students do in the classroom, because they make it happen,” Adams said. “We’re going to continue to push forward and make sure we’re number one.”

Candidates for the award are nominated by their colleagues and students. District officials then take in a number of considerations before choosing the winners.

“I am so proud of our principals and thrilled to have the chance to recognize them for all their hard work and dedication,” said Ken Huewitt, HISD deputy superintendent and chief financial officer.

“Effective principals are absolutely critical to ensuring the success of both students and teachers.”

Felicia Adams, principal of Lanier Middle School, is congratulated by Deputy Superintendent Ken Huewitt.

TWC grant benefits adult learning services Several workforce literacy projects provided

by Harris County Department of Education Adult Education are being funded by an estimated $250,000 grant with the Texas Workforce Commission.

The 14-month grant will fund contextualized instruction in reading, writing, math and English language-learning skills to support industry-specific employee development and employer operations.

Contextualized learning is aimed at developing the skills and knowledge that adult learners need to deal with specific situations or to perform specific tasks. HCDE’s role in the process is to provide materials and instruction for English language learners along with accelerated English language classes designed to improve productivity and safety in the workplace.

The grant allows HCDE to expand its

contextualized adult learning services with five companies. One of those partners will be Marek Brothers System, a large specialty construction firm in Houston.

HCDE is recruiting four additional industryspecific companies to partner with through the Texas Workforce Commission grant. About 180 employees will be screened by HCDE to be enrolled in the programs.

HCDE adult education provides classes to adult learners with a goal to “learn to earn,” including adult basic literacy and math skills, GED, English as a second language and vocational training. Classes are held in 35 community locations throughout Harris and Liberty counties.

For information about opportunities to join the project as a corporation or student email ajohnson@hcde-texas.org.

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FEBRUARY 25 | 2016 | DEFENDER

business Give your local business an

5

online tune-up

If you operate a local business (meaning one that gets most of its customers from your local area), don’t overlook the Internet as an important way to attract new customers and stay top of mind with existing customers or past customers.

According to Google research, having good online information gets more people to shop in brick-and-mortar stores and businesses.

For local businesses, there are some specific steps to take to make sure that your business can be found by searchers in your geographical area. Here is advice from the SBA. 1. Know the basics of standard SEO. Every website owner should pay attention to standard types of search engine optimization (SEO). Think of a well-optimized website as the foundation for good local search visibility.

At a minimum, this includes making sure you use relevant keywords (i.e., terms that people might search for) in your content. Your site should have enough relevant content so that you draw in visitors with informational articles, product descriptions and other types of content that prospective customers might be searching for.

Also, keep content fresh by updating it and adding to it from time to time. Pay attention to the tech-

nical fundamentals of your site. Search engine spiders need to be able to find and index all your relevant content. Speed of your site pages is also important to search engines these days.

2. Include information about your business on your website. Is it easy to find your address for each of your locations? Is all information accurate? Are there phone numbers and email addresses? Are your products and services listed? Do you have hours of operation on your site? Information that is easy to

find not only helps website visitors find you, but this information gets picked up by search engines.

3. Make your website mobile-friendly.

Many local users are looking for places on the go using a smartphone. That’s why it’s important to make your site mobile-friendly.

If someone wants to know your address and hours, they should be able to access that information effortlessly. If your site is not easily readable on a phone, or if the links or buttons are too small to navigate with fingers, you could miss out on a sale.

4. Claim and complete your Google listing. For local businesses, Google has a powerful free feature called “Google My Business.” This is a place where you can list your business. This listing helps your business show up for geographically relevant Google searches, on Google Maps and in mobile search results. Claim your listing, or if you already have done so, verify accuracy and complete any additional information.

5. Leverage Facebook’s “local” features. Facebook is a hugely popular site with 1 billion monthly users. Make sure to set up a Facebook page. Complete your address information to enable your page to be found for nearby locations. Keep your page updated from time to time.

Plan for and manage a small business staff You did it. You hired your first employee. But what about when it’s time to hire a second employee, and a third? How can you make sure to manage your employees fairly?

While following federal and state employment laws come first and foremost, they’re not the only elements to be concerned with as your company grows. As your human resources management tasks add up, consider the following tips for long-term success from the SBA. Hire by the book. Consistency is key for completing human resource management tasks smoothly. If you don’t have a human resources plan, employee handbook, or hiring task list, it’s wise to sit down and prepare these guides for your business.

Plan for staff growth. Once you move past your first employee, it’s important to more clearly define the roles for your new hires. Before you write that job description,

think of specific tasks you need help with and how a new hire might best serve the short and long-term goals of the business.

While cross-training can help your business run

seamlessly, having particular staff members dedicated to specific areas of work will streamline your dayto-day operations and help your team work better together.

Shine your “boss” badge. As a small business owner, a close relationship doesn’t mean you should be unprofessional. Set boundaries between you and your employees by adhering to company policies, limiting off-hours communication and setting a good example around your team.

As your staff grows, you may not know new employees as well as the people who helped you get started. You can still develop a personal connection with these new staffers through regular staff meetings, brown-bag lunches, and periodic one-on-one check-ins. By communicating regularly and professionally, you’ll be a leader your team looks up to.

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DEFENDER | FEBRUARY 25 | 2016

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entertainment

Stellar Awards honor gospel stars

Erica and Tina Campbell have big decisions to make on “Mary Mary.”

‘Mary Mary’ returns to reality television Gospel stars Erica and Tina Campbell – also known as the duo Mary Mary – return to reality TV in season five of WE tv’s “Mary Mary.” The show premieres Thursday, March 3 at 8 p.m.

Last season left viewers in limbo with the sisters focusing on their individual careers, forcing their duo into an indefinite hiatus. Now in direct competition with each other, they are also feeling pressure to keep the group in the game even if that means replacing a Mary.

In the premiere episode, Warryn Campbell, Erica’s husband, begins to feel pressure from Sony to deliver the next Mary Mary album. He enlists Erica to help convince Tina that it is the right time to resurrect the group. Tina, however, is focused on her solo effort.

Despite their differences, the Campbell sisters comprise one of gospel music’s most successful

groups. They first gained fame in 2000 with their hit “Shackles” from the album “Thankful.” The album was certified platinum, and their next album, “Incredible,” went gold.

Their other hits include “Go Get It,” “God in Me,” “Get Up” and “Heaven.” Explaining their success, Erica said, “It’s about making music that touches both adults and young people.”

Tina added that, “It’s about spreading good news for the world but doing it in the Mary Mary way – banging beats and melodies, intertwined voices and messages of hope.”

Ironically, Erica and Tina married men with the same last names. Tina wed Teddy Campbell, a drummer for “American Idol.” They have two daughters and two sons.

Erica married record producer Warryn Campbell. They have two daughters and one son.

Anthony Brown & group therApy won a record 10 trophies for their album “Everyday Jesus” during the 31st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards held in Las Vegas.

The two-hour taped telecast will be shown Sunday, March 6 at 5 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on TV One. It will be broadcast in syndication throughout the country from March 12 to April 10.

It is hosted by comedian and syndicated radio and TV personality Rickey and actress and TV personality Sherri Shepherd.

In a Stellar Awards first, Anthony Anthony Brown Brown & group therApy won each of its 10 nominations. The group’s awards included Artist of the Year, Song of the Year (“Worth”), Group/Duo of the Year, CD of the Year and Contemporary CD of the Year.

In accepting his award for Male Vocalist of the Year, Brown said, “As a baritone, as a lower voice, as a raspy voice person, I never felt good enough to sing, period. I always felt like my voice was a curse.

And then one day God told me, ‘I gave you what I wanted to give you. And I want you to use it for my glory.’ “ Other award-winners include Tasha Cobbs, Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago, the Rance Allen Group, Tina Campbell and Kirk Franklin.

Performers include Franklin, Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurkin, Karen Clark Sheard, Hezekiah Walker and Brian Courtney Wilson.

what’sup RIHANNA and DRAKE have released two new music videos for the single ‘Work,” which is featured on Riahanna’s album “Anti.” The first one takes place in a nightclub filled with grinding, gyrating dancers and the second one transitions to an intimate rendezvous between the couple in a pink-tinted room……..MORGAN FREEMAN and ANGELA BASSETT can be seen in “London Has Fallen,” which arrives in theaters on Friday, March 4. In the film, a Secret Service agent (GERARD BUTLER) must bring the U.S. president to safety when terrorists attack London. Freeman portrays the speaker of the house and Bassett is the tough director of the Secret Service……..IDRIS ELBA

will lend his voice to the animated film “Zootopia,” which also hits theaters on March 4. The film tells the story of a fugitive con artist fox and a rookie bunny cop who must work together to uncover a conspiracy. Elba portrays Chief Bogo, a cape buffalo and chief of the Zootopia police department……..“The BET Honors” will premiere on Monday, March 14, at 7 p.m. Hosted by comedian and actor ARSENIO HALL, the event will honor five African-Americans performing at exceptional levels in the areas of art, music, theater, technology and business. This year’s honorees are “Empire” creator LEE DANIELS, financial and entertainment executive

MELLODY HOBSON, former Attorney General ERIC HOLDER, singer PATTI LABELLE and music mogul L.A. REID……..

Former NBA stars SHAQUILLE O’NEAL and KENNY SMITH are among the judges for TBS’ tech-competition series “America’s Greatest Makers,” which begins on April 5. The show will debut close to college basketball’s March Madness. The show’s competitors, both groups and individuals, have come up with “amazing and cool” tech ideas. Their inventions range from a toothbrush equipped with a video game to encourage kids to use it to a drone that can be controlled by thought.

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FEBRUARY 25 | 2016 | DEFENDER

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T:13”

This month, XFINITY® X1 brings you iconic Black lms and the actors behind the characters we love — those that inspire, make us laugh and even those we love to hate. From the many vibrant characters of Oscar® winner Whoopi Goldberg to brand new faces, join us as we discover the next “Greatest Of All Time.”

Plus, watch “For the Love,” a special 5-part video that takes a personal look at what drives Hollywood’s best and brightest stars to do what they do. Catch this series, produced by the American Black Film Festival, and more, at CelebrateBlackTV.com and with XFINITY On Demand.™

X1 will change the way you experience Black film.

Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. © 2016 Comcast. All rights reserved.

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AFRICAN-AMERICA

DEFENDER | FEBRUARY 25 | 2016

LEGACY OF BLACK The Buffalo Soldier National Museum hosts its annual benefit gala at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26, at 3816 Caroline .

Houston museum honors contributions

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or the last 15 Military Library, Veterans years, the BufRegistry/Oral History falo Soldiers Project, Educational OutNational reach Program, and the Museum has Arts and Theatre. played a role in preserving The Leadership the legacy of the AfricanDevelopment Program American soldier. The helps disadvantaged urban museum was founded by young men develop leadCapt. Paul J. Matthews, ership skills and character a Vietnam veteran and development. It focuses military historian. on teaching discipline “The museum not through the art of military only houses the largest drilling to educate particiCapt. Paul Matthews collection of Africanpants about the importance American military memorabilia in the of precision. world, but it is also the only museum in the Through the Research Center and United States dedicated primarily to preMilitary Library, BSNM works with educaserving the legacy and honor of the Buffalo tors to develop a military library with a Soldier,” Matthews said. nationally-recognized university – in this “One of our greatest accomplishments case Texas A&M University and Prairie was having over 20,000 visitors in the first View A&M University – while training year of operation.” students for museum and performing arts The private collection of military careers with a historical perspective. artifacts that Matthews collected for more “BSNM participates in the Veterans than 30 years became the foundation for the Registry Initiative with Texas Southern museum.

University and the Library of Congress,” Currently, BSNM has permanent Matthews said. “The Veterans Registry/ exhibits covering the Revolutionary War, Oral project is designed to record the audio Civil War, Indian Wars, Spanish-American history of soldiers in America’s military War, World Wars I and II, the Vietnam War, campaigns.” women in the military, chaplains in the To date, BSNM has captured more military and astronauts. than 100 histories from veterans of WWII Matthews said that in addition to and Korea. its collection, BSNM has key programs BSNM is involved with over 20 dedicated to building pride and patriotism as schools through the Educational Outreach they highlight the contributions of both men Program, providing a variety of programs and women across all cultures and ethnicionsite and also within the schools.

Through the Arts and Theatre Program, ties who have served in America’s armed historical reenactments and dramatic presenforces.

The programs are Leadership Detations are conducted by actors, storytellers velopment Program, Research Center and and students for the public.

MILITARY

By JASEMINE KNOWLES Defender

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hroughout history, African-Americans have honorably answered the call to duty, serving with great valor and distinction in America’s armed forces.

In 1770, sailor Crispus Attucks became the first casualty of the American Revolution when he was killed during the Boston Massacre. During the War of 1812, Black Soldiers served in both integrated regiments as well as in all-black regiments.

In 1866, through an act of Congress, legislation was adopted to create six all AfricanAmerican Army units. The recruits came from varied backgrounds, including former slaves and Civil War veterans.

Today, Black men and women in the armed forces continue to serve their country with pride. In commemoration of AfricanAmerican History Month, the Defender pays tribute to Blacks in the military.

Since its opening, BSNM has partnered with Houston Community College and adopted a new location on their campus, the Houston Light Guard Armory building, to expand the exhibits space. The new space accommodates more visitors, while also serving the community, expanding its outreach programs and providing its own revenue stream.

The space also allows HCC Central students from such disciplines as history, sociology, education, math, science and even fashion design to become interns at the museum.

Dr. Camillia Rodgers, BSNM’s executive director, encourages community members to become involved with the museum’s various programs, and “show support through volunteering, spreading the word, and attending local events such as our annual galas.”

For more information call 713-942-8920 or visit buffalosoldiermuseum.com.

Gen. Benjamin O. Davis Sr. rose through the general in 1940.

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AN HISTORY MONTH

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KS IN THE

Y

Buffalo soldiers served in Calvary regiments after the Civil War.

About the original Buffalo Soldiers

• Many of the early Buffalo Soldiers were former slaves.

• Nine Buffalo Soldiers earned the second highest military decoration for bravery called the Certificate of Merit that awarded the soldier an extra $2 per month in salary.

• Part of the duties of Buffalo soldiers, aside from engaging in battle, was protecting Native American tribes on reservations.

They also were keepers of law and order in general and were active in building roads and military structures.

• Before the National Park Service was created in 1916, Buffalo Soldiers were among the first park rangers. They served in Yosemite National Park and Sequoia National Park, among others.

• The nickname Buffalo Soldiers began with Cheyenne warriors in 1867.

The actual Cheyenne translation was “Wild Buffalo.” The nickname was given out of respect for the fierce fighting ability of the 10th U.S. Cavalry.

• During the Spanish-American War in 1888, Buffalo Soldiers made significant contributions to the U.S. victory over Spain. Theodore Roosevelt and his Rough

Riders became famous during the U.S. invasion of Cuba, but key battles could not have been won without the skill and perseverance of Buffalo Soldiers. According to an eyewitness at a battle, “If it had not been for the Negro cavalry, the Rough Riders would have been exterminated.”

• Buffalo soldiers earned a reputation for bravery and service. The 9th and 10th regiments had the lowest desertion rates of any of the Cavalry units in the West.

Between 1870 and 1898, 23 Black soldiers received the Medal of Honor.

• General George Custer, best known for the Battle of the Little Big Horn in Montana in 1876, turned down an opportunity to become a commander of a Black regiment. At the time, many white officers refused to command black soldiers, even if the position offered a promotion in rank.

Still, most commanders of Buffalo Soldier regiments were white.

• The oldest Buffalo Soldier, Mark Matthews, died in 2005 at age 111. He was interred at Arlington National Cemetery.

Sources: Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, U.S. Department of the Interior

10 African-American military pioneers

ranks to become an Army

1. Cathay Williams was the first and only female Buffalo Soldier. She enlisted in the Army in 1866 and posed as a man under the pseudonym William Cathay.

2. Oliver Law was the commander of the entire Abraham Lincoln Brigade for several days and commander of its Machine Gun regiment making him the first African American to lead an integrated military force in the history of the United States.

3. Maj. Gen. Robert B. Elliott was the first African-American commanding general of the South Carolina National Guard, which as the state militia was charged with fighting the Ku Klux Klan.

4. Henry O. Flipper was an American soldier, former slave, and the first African-American to graduate from West Point in 1877, earning a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

5. Gen. Benjamin O. Davis Sr. was the first African-American

he Houston area for over 80 years

general in the United States Army (1940). He was also the father of Air Force General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. 6. Lt. Cmdr. Wesley A. Brown was the first Black graduate of the Annapolis Naval Academy in 1949.

7. Gen. Benjamin O. Davis Jr. was the first African-American general in the United States Air Force (1954) and served as commander of the World War II Tuskegee Airmen.

8. Gen. Daniel “Chappie” James was a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force who in 1975 became the first African-American to reach the rank of four-star general.

9. Gen. Hazel Johnson-Brown was the first Black woman general, and was appointed in 1979.

10. Gen. Colin Powell was an Army four-star general who became the first African-American on the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1989) and the first to serve as secretary of state (2001).

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DEFENDER | FEBRUARY 25 | 2016 defendernetwork.com

AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH

Calendar of events

Pkwy. Activities will include special performances and a variety of African dance and drum workshops for children and adults. On Friday, Feb. 26 there will be a discussion at 7 p.m. and an 8 Gospel artist Kathy Taylor Author Cydney Rax p.m. performance featuring Lucia Dargam Dance Company, A’keitha Carey This Texas Lottery Commission Scratch ticket game will be closing soon: and Saakumu Dance Troupe.

Official Close End Validations Game # Game Name / Odds $ of Game Date On Saturday, Feb. 1704 $100,000 Mega Bingo - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.81 $5 3/6/16 9/2/16 27 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., there will be dance and drum classes and Councilmember Amanda Edwards State Rep. Senfronia Thompson performances.

Admission is $10 and free The odds listed here are the overall odds of winning any prize in a game, including break-even prizes. Lottery retailers are authorized to redeem prizes of up to Monday, Feb. 29 and including $599. Prizes of $600 or more must be claimed in person at a Lottery Claim Center or by mail, with a completed Texas Lottery claim form; however, for HCC students and staff. annuity prizes or prizes over $2,500,000 must be claimed in person at the Commission Headquarters in Austin. Call Customer Service at 1-800-375-6886 or Texas Democratic visit the Lottery website at txlottery.org for more information and location of nearest Claim Center. The Texas Lottery is not responsible for lost or stolen tickets, Contact: hccs.edu/africandance or for tickets lost in the mail. Tickets, transactions, players, and winners are subject to, and players and winners agree to abide by, all applicable laws, Commission Women will present a panel rules, regulations, policies, directives, instructions, conditions, procedures, and final decisions of the Executive Director. A scratch ticket game may continue to be or 713-718-5305. sold even when all the top prizes have been claimed. Must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a ticket. PLAY RESPONSIBLY. The Texas Lottery supports Texas discussion in honor of Black education and veterans. © 2016 Texas Lottery Commission. All rights reserved.

History Month. It will be held Saturday, Feb 27 at 6:30 p.m. at Harris County The African American Democratic Party Headquarters, National Spelling Bee 1445 N. Loop West, Suite Championships, Inc. will be 110. Guests include State Rep. held at 11 a.m. at Houston Senfronia Thompson, Houston Community College Central 2715_HNDF_EOG_AFAM_0225.indd City Councilmember Amanda Heinen Theater, None printed at Campus, 2-18-2016 4:29 PM TOMMY-MB15 from

by Tommy Salazar / Eddie Jacobson Edwards and suffragette Emma 3517 Austin. Students from approvals fonts & images Primus. Contact: www.tdw.org/ more than 20 middle schools creative dir None W52715 Fonts tdwharris. art director None TEXAS LOTTERY Helvetica Neue LT Std (95 Black, 57 Condensed, 97 Black in Harris, Brazoria, Fort Bend None copywriter MAR EOG AD Condensed, 77 Bold Condensed), Arial (Regular) An exhibit titled “It Shall account mgr MEGAN TRUMETER 4.79” x 3.25” and Galveston counties will proofreader None None Images Be Done: Recent Acquisitions None None compete for scholarships BW from the Gregory School notes HOUSTON DEFENDER Inks and prizes. The competition Black NEWSPAPER DUE: 02/18 Collection Exhibition” will None PUB: 02/25 is a free community event. be on display through April Contact: www.bee-aboutit.

30 at the African American org.

Library at the Gregory School, The Houston Public 1300 Victor St. It includes Library continues its Meet photographs, documents, the Authors series. Novelist artifacts, information on Cydney Rax will present “If the inception of Houston Your Wife Only Knew,” the College for Negroes (now latest installment in her “Love Texas Southern University), and Revenge” series, at 2 p.m. rare artwork by John Biggers at Johnson Public Library, and Elizabeth Catlett and oral 3517 Reed Road. Contact: histories. Contact: 832-393-1440 832-393-2550. performances are at 8 p.m. on Friday and 2 p.m. on The Worship & Arts Saturday, Feb. 27. Contact: Ministry of Windsor Village www.kingdombuilders.com or United Methodist Church, directed by Kathy Taylor, will 713-726-2616.

The Dance Department present “MAAFA: The Black of Houston Community Holocaust” at the Kingdom College Northwest will host Builders’ Center, 6011 West the ninth annual Akwaaba Orem. A special performance Dance and Drum Festival for middle and high school students and seniors is Friday, at the Spring Branch campus, T:4.79” 1010 West Sam Houston Feb. 26 at 10 a.m. Other

Friday, Feb. 26

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FEBRUARY 25 | 2016 | DEFENDER

11

AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH

Carter G. Woodson:

Facts about ‘The father of Black history’ Carter G. Woodson was a distinguished author, editor, publisher and historian who believed that Blacks should know their past. In 1926 he developed Negro History Week. Fifty years later, the celebration was expanded to include the entire month of February. Here are more facts about the “father of Black history.”

• Woodson was born on Dec. 19, 1875 in Buckingham County, Va. to former slaves James and Anne Woodson. Although his parents could neither read nor write, Woodson credited his father for influencing the course of his life.

• Woodson was not able to attend school during his early years because helping on the family farm took priority over a formal education. He said that until the age of 17, he was educated “largely by self-instruction to master the fundamentals of common school subjects.”

• In 1895, 20-year-old Woodson entered Douglass High School in Huntington, W. Va. where he received his diploma in less than two years.

• From 1897 to 1900, Woodson taught school in Winona,

W. Va. In 1900, he returned to Huntington to become the principal of Douglass High School. He received a Bachelor of Literature degree from Berea College in 1903.

• From 1903 to 1907, Woodson was a school supervisor

in the Philippines. Later he traveled throughout Europe and Asia and studied at the Sorbonne University in Paris. In 1908, he received his M.A. from the University of Chicago, and in 1912, he received his Ph.D. in history from Harvard University.

• In 1915, he co-founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. Under his leadership, the association created research and publication outlets for Black scholars with the establishment of the Journal of Negro History (1916) and the Negro History Bulletin (1937).

• Woodson wrote more than a dozen books, including “A Century of Negro Migration” (1918), “The History of the Negro Church” (1921), “The Negro in Our History” (1922) and “Mis-Education of the Negro” (1933).

• Woodson never married and once said he could not afford a wife. He died on April 3, 1950.

Sources: NAACP, Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, Defender files

Texas Trailblazer Norris Wright Cuney paved the way African-Americans have a rich history in the Lone Star State, and a number of pioneers are included in the Texas Trailblazer Series sponsored by the Houston Place Preservation Association and edited by Patricia Smith Prather and Bob Lee. One political pioneer was Norris Wright Cuney (1846-1898). People mostly stare in disbelief when told that an African-American headed the Republican Party of Texas in 1884. But the GOP is the party of Abraham Lincoln who issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

Norris Wright Cuney was 20 years old when slavery ended and had been educated in Pittsburgh. His father, a plantation owner, and his mother, a slave, were no doubt proud of their mulatto children’s education. Cuney settled in Galveston and began studying law.

Cuney’s first political position was as president of the Galveston Loyal Union League in 1871. In 1873 Cuney was inspector of customs at Galveston. He ran for mayor in 1875 but was defeated.

He later became a Galveston alderman, chairman of the Republi-

can Party state convention, a delegate to the national convention and collector of customs.

Cuney operated a stevedore business and was the first to hire Blacks as dock workers in Galveston. He married Ade-

lina Dowdie, a native of Mississippi.

The Cuney Homes Housing Project in Houston is named for him.

12

DEFENDER | FEBRUARY 25 | 2016

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opinion

Minority voters must focus on what, not who

By REV. JESSE L. JACKSON SR.

I

n South Carolina, African-Americans will constitute a majority of Democratic voters in the primary on Feb. 27.

On March 1, Super Tuesday, people of color – Blacks, Latinos, Asian-Americans – will constitute large portions of the voters.

The press is focused on who we want. We would be far better off to focus on what we want.

Democratic candidates – not just Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton, but contenders in Senate and gubernatorial races as well – have to listen and respond.

They can no longer simply expect to inherit our votes or to ignore our concerns.

Their prospects in both the primaries and the general election depend, in significant part, on giving us a reason to vote and to vote in large numbers.

We’ve already seen the impact of this new reality.

Black Lives Matter demonstrations across the country have raised the demand for criminal justice reform – and Sanders and Clinton have responded. The dreamers and the Latino uprising raised the commitment to comprehensive immigration reform.

So what do we want? We know the goal: a level playing field, equal opportunity and a fair start. Carolina lost the Super Bowl. Clemson lost in the college football championship game. But they accepted the result because of five fundamentals: the playing field was level; the rules were public; the goals were clear; the officials were fair; the score was transparent.

If the game had started with one team 21 points down, the protests would have stopped the game.

Instead, both teams had a fair start and an equal opportunity to win. That is what we want in our society as well as our sports.

But that is not what we have. We have entrenched and often concentrated poverty. Schools that are unequal. Criminal justice systems that are biased. Our neighborhoods are red-lined by banks. We get charged

more when we finance purchase of a car.

Fraudulent mortgage brokers have targeted Blacks and Latinos for loans that they knew they could not repay. There are active efforts to suppress our right to vote. The field is not level, the start is not fair, the rules are skewed, and the officials are too often biased.

We need targeted action to overcome targeted inequity. Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina has called for a 10-20-30 plan, arguing that 10 percent of all social spending be targeted on the 474 counties where 20 percent or more of the population has lived in poverty for the last 30 years. These counties are white, Black and Latino.

That’s a good step, but not enough. We need a development bank to provide credit to communities that are written off by the big banks.

We need a fair start for every child: adequate nutrition, health care, affordable quality day care, and universal access to pre-K. We need funding to insure our schools can provide the basics: safe buildings, modern learning materials, small classes in early grades, skilled teachers, after-school programs and more. We need

advanced training and college to be tuition free, so all who qualify can pursue their dreams. We need a jobs corps, with the government serving as the employer of last resort for young people who cannot find a job.

We need a counteroffensive against the systematic efforts to make it harder for us to vote. Revival of the Voting Rights Act. A national constitutional right to vote. Universal same-day registration. A national floor on voting rights rules. Action to curb the role of big money and particularly dark money in our politics.

We need an agenda to empower workers. Lift the floor with a $15 minimum wage and a union. Guarantee paid family leave, paid sick days, paid vacation days. This isn’t a radical idea: the U.S. is the only advanced country without these guarantees.

We need universal, affordable health care. In South Carolina, the governor has turned away billions in federal funds by refusing to expand Medicaid. In the resulting crisis, even Bamberg County Memorial Hospital, where she was born, has been forced to close.

Yes, we need police reform and sentencing reform. We need to give those who have served their time their full citizenship back, including the right to vote. And we need to challenge the private prison-industrial complex, in which prisoners serve as a kind of slave labor leased out to private companies as cut rate rates. And this of course is but a beginning.

We’ve learned that a rising tide doesn’t raise all boats. Some boats are buoyant yachts, others small row boats and some are stuck at the bottom. People of color represent a rising force in American politics.

Many of our communities – as well as many white communities – are in deep distress. We need assistance targeted to those in need. So before we decide who we support, let us make certain they have heard what we support.

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FEBRUARY 25 | 2016 | DEFENDER

13

Houston hospitals develop rapid Zika test Collaboration between two Texas Medical Center institutions has resulted in the release of the country’s first hospitalbased rapid tests for the Zika virus.

Pathologists and clinical laboratory scientists at Texas Children’s Hospital and Houston Methodist Hospital developed the Zika direct test in a matter of weeks as part of the L.E. and Virginia Simmons Collaborative in Virus Detection and Surveillance.

The program was designed to facilitate rapid development of tests for virus detection in a large metropolitan area. The tests are customized to each hospital’s diagnostic laboratory and will provide results within several hours.

They can be performed on blood, amniotic fluid, urine or spinal fluid, according to James Versalovic, M.D., Ph.D. pathologist-in-chief at Texas Children’s and leader of the Texas Children’s Zika test development team along with James Dunn, Ph.D., director of medical microbiology and virology at Texas Children’s.

According to the CDC, Zika is a disease caused by a virus that is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. The

Obama asks for $1.9 billion

most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes).

The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week. People usually don’t get sick enough to go to the hospital, and they very rarely die of Zika There have been reports of a serious birth defect of the brain (in which a baby’s head is smaller than expected) and other poor pregnancy outcomes in babies of mothers who were infected with Zika virus while pregnant.

The CDC recently announced it is investigating 14 new reports of possible sexual transmission of the Zika virus. The CDC said several of these cases are among pregnant women, although it did not specify how many.

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President Obama asked Congress to set aside $1.9 billion to respond to the Zika virus abroad and to prepare for it in the United States. He said the money is necessary to stop the spread of the disease and protect the health of Americans.

“This funding would build upon ongoing preparedness efforts and provide resources for the Departments of Health and Human Services and State, and the U.S. Agency for International Development,” Obama said.

Funding would support immediate activities such as responding to virus transmission, fortifying domestic public health systems to respond to transmission and hastening research and development of vaccines.

14

DEFENDER | FEBRUARY 25 | 2016

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sports

Texans give back with new Boys & Girls Club

T

By MAX EDISON Defender

hroughout the history of the Texans’ franchise, the organization has given back to youth in the Houston area. In 2011, it was the Texan YMCA serving the needs of Third Ward residents. Now the Texans benevolence is extending to the Northside.

The Texans recently announced a $750,000 pledge to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston to build a facility designed specifically for teens. The facility will be located at 1520 Airline and will be known as the Houston Texans Teen Club.

The pledge is the largest single donation to the Boys & Girls Club by a professional sports team in Houston.

The facility will offer a wellness center, a college and career center, music and game room. The center will be Wi-Fi ready to serve teens in the Booker T. Washington and Reagan High School area. The center will be the first in the nation to be supported by an NFL team.

“We are proud to continue this longstanding partnership with the Houston Texans and extremely grateful for this gift that will allow us to build a new facility that furthers both organizations’ missions to be champions for Houston’s youth,” said Kevin Hattery, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston. “Through this donation we will be able to create an incredible new space…to serve Houston teenagers.”

Texas President Jamey Rootes hopes the center will inspire the building of similar facilities.

“We saw a need in the community for a facility and programming that is specifically designed to meet the developmental needs of Houston teenagers,” Rootes said. “Hopefully, we’re setting a trend that will be followed throughout our community.

“You never can have the second until you’ve had the first. It’s a great chance for us to impact the lives of these teens in this area that get stuck in the middle. They’re not kids [anymore] they’re not adults yet, but they still need the support to keep them on the right path.

“Leadership skills, academic skills, building confidence, characterbuilding – all the things it takes to be a productive adult we want to try and provide here at the teen center.”

At a time when some local companies are experiencing economic difficulties, Rootes said the NFL team is grateful it can make a difference.

“We’ve always lived by the adage, ‘if you can you must.’ In good times, we’re out there doing all we can,” Rootes said. “In more challenging times for our community, we’re still pushing to make a difference.

“It’s not only the dollars…but the impact of our players, our cheerleaders, our staff, the Texans’ brand and just being here. We saw that with the Houston Texans YMCA. I think it made a big difference elevating the perception of the community. We want to do the same thing here.”

Construction on the new facility will begin immediately as the new teen club is scheduled to open in July of this year.

Houstonians attend the Texans’ announcement of a $750,000 pledge for a Northside Boys & Girls Club.

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Boys & Gir

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FEBRUARY 25 | 2016 | DEFENDER

h.s.zone

sportsbriefs

Patterson everywhere for North Shore girls

N

By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender

orth Shore guard Chasity Patterson possesses a rare quality that is virtually impossible to teach. The 5-foot-5 junior is easy to spot because she impacts the game in so many ways. It’s almost as if she’s everywhere.

During an eight-minute span in a 56-30 arearound playoff victory over a stubborn Clear Falls squad, Patterson had a hand in five of six North Shore field goals that increased a six-point halftime advantage to 14 going into the fourth stanza.

Patterson’s two free throws to start the pivotal run and 3-point basket midway through the third quarter were just the tip of the iceberg. She added assists on two long jumpers by Courtnee Johnson and fed Alyssa Okoene inside to close the burst and give North Shore a 34-20 edge with eight minutes left.

“You know what you’re going to get with Chasity,” said North Shore head coach Allison Campbell.

“Her consistency is No. 1 because you know she’s going to show up. She’s a team player. She’s a great player and an even better person.

“The bottom line is she’s not out there worrying about what her stat line is,” Campbell said. “She’s trying to figure out by the end of the game how we can get a ‘W.’ She does a little bit of everything for us.

Selflessly, she provides anything we need to get a win.”

Patterson finished with a game-high 21 points against Clear Falls. Her repertoire includes offensive rebounds, defensive rebounds, steals, blocked shots, ball-handling, midrange jumpers and finishing off drives to the basket with either hand.

“My motivation as a point guard is to try and lead my team to a state championship,” Patterson said. “I’ve been training

15

defendernetwork.com Girls start march to state basketball tournament

for these types of moments since I was five years old.

My dad and my coaches have helped me. I’ve been playing up above my level to get ready for these moments.”

North Shore, 33-1, has been ranked No. 2 nearly all season to top-ranked Duncanville in the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC) Class 6A state poll. The Mustangs only loss of the season was to Duncanville (75-49) back in November.

Since then, North Shore has reeled off 23 consecutive victories.

“Everybody knows their role with this team,” Patterson said. “We sat down and talked about what each player needs to focus on for us to be successful as a team.”

When center Alyssa Okoene was forced to sit down with two early fouls against Clear Falls, Coleman says she was satisfied with what transpired from her team afterwards.

“Clear Falls gave us a fabulous game,” Coleman said.

“It was an excellent game plan in terms of well-planned and well-executed. It caused us some adversity within ourselves and we needed that.

“What I liked coming out of that was my kids stayed together and fought through it,” Coleman said.

“It showed me something I hadn’t seen in a while with them. We rely on Okoene for a lot and I think it was good for us to see and learn what we could do without her.”

Coleman’s star player agreed with her coach.

“That changed the game for us because Alyssa fills a huge role on our team, she’s our rebounder,” Patterson said. “We had to all go down and contribute by boxing out and getting rebounds until she came back.”

Former Cowboy in trouble Former Dallas Cowboy starting running back Joseph Randle was recently arrested for the fifth time in 17 months. Randle was charged with aggravated battery, possession of hallucinogens/ marijuana and criminal damage to property.

Bond was set at $100,000. Earlier this month, Randle was arrested on an outstanding warrant in Irving. In November 2015, he was arrested and booked on suspicion of criminal threat, assault of a law enforcement officer, battery, disorderly conduct, criminal trespass, disorderly conduct and interference with a law enforcement officer after an altercation at a Kansas casino. He was arrested in February 2015 in his hometown of Wichita, Kan., though police declined to pursue charges against the running back after a domestic disturbance complaint. Randle was also detained on a shoplifting charge in October 2014 at a Dallas area mall when tried to take a bottle of cologne and a pack of underwear from a department store.

Scouting Combine begins The NFL Scouting Combine begins on Feb. 26, and it is a vital event on the path to the draft.

More than 300 prospects will participate in the intense, four-day combine in their quest to achieve their NFL dreams. The workouts will be televised live from the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on the NFL Network. Top executives, coaching staffs, player personnel departments and medical personnel from all 32 pro teams will be on hand to evaluate the nation’s top college football players eligible for the upcoming NFL draft.

Tompkins giant slayer Katy Tompkins knocked off defending Class 6A state champion Cypress Woods 69-62 in arearound playoff action to ensure a new champion will be crowned in the San Antonio Alamodome.

Tompkins (28-8) avenged a 61-point loss to Cy Woods in last year’s playoffs. Kendall Rollins sparked the Falcons early with 11 in the first quarter. The senior forward had 18 points at intermission with Tompkins trailing 31-30 and finished with 22. Senior post Brittany Panetti (game-high 24 points) and guard Alison Goss (6-for-6 free throws in final seconds) carried Tompkins late to the upset win. The Falcons placed third in District 19-6A. “We fell short of our goals and expectations,” said Tompkins coach Tamatha Ray. “Once you start the playoffs, it’s a clean slate.” Cy Woods (25-7) was led by Cate Reese with 23 points and Jasmine Williams with 21.

Area wrestlers win gold Kjihla Evans of Klein High School won a gold medal and successfully defended her state wrestling crown in the 165-pound category at the state wrestling tournament held at the Berry Center. The senior finished the season unbeaten at 62-0. Cypress Falls senior Allissa Maldonado also completed an undefeated season by claiming the 102-pound gold medal. Clear Lake’s Camden Fontenot became the only Houston area boy to win a gold medal at the 2016 state wrestling championships when the junior rallied to win the 132-pound division. Foster’s Nkechinyere Nwankwo (215) and the Cinco Ranch tandem of Kayla De Leon (138) and Taylor Rosario (185) also won gold medals.

Chasity Patterson

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16

DEFENDER | FEBRUARY 25 | 2016

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Happening in Houston For event coverage email: events@defendermediagroup.com

topevents

Christine Criner Smith, Tina Marie Jones-Green, Jona Sargent, Deborah Hawkins, RICE BLACK ALUMNI CELEBRATION……..Rice University and the Association Virginia Hubbard, Debra Johnson, Bobbie Henderson, Mary Hamilton, Evelyn of Rice University Black Alumni hosted a panel of speakers who provided a historical Banks and a host of members……..KIPP DREAM HONORS BLACK HISTORY account of Rice’s desegregation and first-hand perspectives on the early years. The event, MONTH……..In honor of Black History Month, the “Dreamsters” of KIPP Dream Prep along with the Annual MLK Candlelight Vigil and Celebration hosted by the Black Student School celebrated performances from the kids and special guests, THA PHAROAHS. Texas Association, kicks off a yearlong series of events celebrating 50 years of Black undergraduate Southern University professor Dr. Kimberly Brown taught students the importance of Black life at Rice. The event was moderated by Commissioner Gene Locke. Those in attendance History Month and spoken word artist Tina B. shared an empowering included Ronald Arceneaux, Charles Szalkowski, Regina Tippens, poem. As part of Buddies, Books and Brunch, guests read to students in Jan West, Dr. Betty Sanders, Danielle Parker, Bettie Arceneaux, Defender TOP EVENTS classrooms. Guests were also judges for the Black History Month door Terrence Gee, David Ruiz, Judson Robinson III, Chavonte More photos on defendernetwork.com decoration contest. Those in attendance included Rebecca Guillory, Ian Wright, Courtney Brown, Theodore Williams, Dr. Thomas and See Events on KTRK Ch.13’s ‘Crossroads’ Morris, Andrea McCormick, Brandon Cheatham, Courtney Taylor, Clarice Estell Freeman, Algenita Davis and more……..DELTA with Melanie Lawson Sunday Morning @ 5:30 and 11:30 a.m.

Ebony Towns, Michael Lactson, Trisha Frederick, Jasmine Turner, SIGMA THETA FOUNDERS DAY……..The Houston Alumnae Frank North, Oralia Velasquez, Shellie Washington, Lois Jackson, Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. celebrated Founders Sharon Stewart, Keita Hopton, Raenel Smedley, Ashley Hoskins, Sharlyn Gentry, Eloise Day. Metro Police Chief Vera Bumpers served as the keynote speaker for the event. She Guillory, Garston Guillory, Derek Boles, Christin McQueen Armstrong, LaShawn addressed a variety of issues, including the Sandra Bland case, Black Lives Matters, and Chambers, LaRonnda Berry, Tassandra Allen, Damon Hoyle and Pastor Terrance the importance of community policing. Members of the organization performed a musical Johnson. selection. Guests included Vickia Gibbs, Linda Callaway, Dr. Betty Taylor Thompson,

Algenita Davis, Dr. Thomas and Clarice Estell Freeman

Debra Johnson, Virginia Hubbard

Jan West, Dr. Betty Sanders

Jackie Pope, Tina Marie Jones-Green

Sharlyn Gentry, Eloise Guillory, Garston Guillory

Rebecca Guillory, Ian Morris, Andrea McCormick

Judson Robinson III, David Ruiz, Terrence Gee

Vickia Gibbs, Christine Criner Smith, Chief Vera Bumpers

Damon Hoyle, Pastor Terrance Johnson

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