Houston Defender: March 3, 2022

Deion Sanders CHANGING THE RECRUITING GAME FOR HBCUS.

NEWS

PROFILE

REV. BILL LAWSON

Texas Southern University recently honored the life and legacy of the community trailblazer.

Volume 91, issue 17 March 3, 2022

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The Defender talks with the founder of the Blossoms and Sol Hair Fest.

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UKRAINE IN THE MEMBRANE

let’s not forget the conflicts in Ethiopia and InWe see little Ukraine being bullied by the dicdia. But we can’t ignore what’s happening in our own back yard. Hopefully, at some point, we’ll tator-state Russia, and we are rightfully appalled. make up our minds to do something about it.

An attack on the Ukraine is an attack on democracy, the rule of law and much more. Still, Ukrainians aren’t without their issues, as we watched WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH them push Africans to the back of the line when March is Women’s History Month, that time the “get the hell outta Dodge” busses were loadof year when various women-led organizaAswad Walker ing. So, I understand the hesitancy by some to tions facilitate programs, discussions, etc. on sign up for Team Ukraine. However, some of women’s accomplishments, challenges and our cousins are praising Putin for tweeting about Blackfolk perseverance. But quiet as it’s kept, Women’s History being exploited by various Western nations. Really, y’all? Month isn’t just for women. Men need the information Trump, Fox News, the GOP and other white nationalists shared this month too. Sexism is still a thing. Gender pay went from hating Russia to worshipping it as a white heav- inequity is alive and well. The human trafficking of women--an all-white, global power with nukes--amid a world en and girls is still a horrible reality. Maybe if men chalthat demographically is growing darker, younger and more lenged other men to pay attention to Herstory, more of us progressive by the day. Putin ain’t thinking about us. Hell, would be committed to creating a society where women, his spiritual advisor (Bishop Tikhon) has called for a global, especially Black women, receive the honor and respect white nationalist power alliance (a call Trump and crew an- due. So, for all you bruhs out there who have mothers, sisswered). So, being Team Russia makes less sense. Especially ters, daughters, nieces, aunties, wives and female friends, since Putin is flirting with blowing up the entire planet. This let’s be all-in this Women’s History Month. conflict reminds Blackfolk that we need to be Team Wakanda, and bring humanity back to this planet.

IN THIS WEEK’S DEFENDER • Read up on the trailblazing SCOTUS nominee Ketanji THE WAR AT HOME Brown Jackson.

While all eyes are on the Ukraine and the world’s response, • The Ensemble and Houston Methodist have teamed up to we can’t afford to take our eyes off the war at home. In case provide healthcare to fine arts professionals. you missed it, there’s an all-out attack on Blackness. Voter • Let the People Be Heard: Find out what makes Houston suppression. Bogus gerrymandering. Burning and banning one of the top cities for Black professionals.

Black books. Attacking Black history, Black views, Black classes, all under the guise of the CRT Boogey-man. And ON THE WEB even with a few convictions of cops and others who killed • Check out ‘Jimmie’s Journey,’ pics by award-winning phounarmed Blackfolk, we’re still being screwed by the entire tographer Jimmie Aggison. criminal injustice system. And I haven’t even mentioned the • You’ve got to see the Defender’s mini-publishers: Black ongoing medical apartheid or educational savage inequaliWomen, Under 40 & Community Central. ties. Yes, we should be concerned with Russia’s invasion of • The Essentially Ellington Jazz Band Festival for high the Ukraine. And while we’re sending our prayers overseas, schoolers is coming soon.

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DN News

Republican Wesley Hunt will lead the newly created 38th District.

No big surprises in March primary Defender News Service

Texas voters chose party nominees for statewide seats, including governor, and newly drawn, district-based congressional and legislative seats. Those nominees will face off in the general election in November.

Former Army captain and Iraq war veteran Wesley Hunt won the Republican nomination for Houston’s newest congressional district. He beat a field of nine rivals with well over 50% of the vote, avoiding a runoff.

Hunt came within four points of beating Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher in 2020.

Since then, state GOP lawmakers carved out a new district, Texas’ 38th, specifically with him in mind. TX-38 stretches from the Energy Corridor in western Harris County northwards to Cypress and Tomball. It includes the most conservative portions of Fletcher’s former 7th district with portions of the deep red 8th district, from which Congressman Kevin Brady is retiring.

“Wesley Hunt grew up in the district,” said political analyst Jacquie Baly. “He has over $1 million. His endorsements include heavy hitters like (U.S. House) Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Sen. Ted Cruz.”

Add to that the endorsement last month by former President Donald Trump, and Hunt proved unbeatable.

Meanwhile, the Democratic primary is likely heading for a runoff between Diana Martinez Alexander and Duncan F. Klussman. Neither of these Democrats are likely to fare well against Hunt because of the way

POLL REVEALS BLACKS’ CONCERNS REGARDING STATE OF NATION

81%

Federal government responsible for reducing impact of racism and discrimination on Blacks.

76%

Call for forgiving all student debt.

51%

Disapprove of job federal government is doing on reducing impact of racism.

68%

Approve of Democrats’ job in Congress.

21%

Approve of Republicans’ job in Congress.

Over 66%

Consider it important for President Biden to prioritize appointing Black people to important government positions, supporting Black businesses, closing the gap between the rich and the poor and providing Blacks with better access to credit.

65%

respondents rated the state of the economy as just fair or poor, with 61% reporting their personal economic situations to be just fair or poor, as well.

*Source: Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, www.JointCenter.org

the GOP-led Legislature drew the district.

“Republicans start off with a 25 point advantage, which is unbeatable in any general election,” Rice University political scientist Mark Jones said.

The activist wings of both major political parties entered the Texas primary hoping to

shake up state leadership. But as the votes kept rolling in, it became clear the results would fall short of ushering in a sea change.

Texas’ top Republicans mostly fended off challengers in the GOP primary.

Meanwhile, a slate of progressives made inroads in Democratic primaries for Con-

gress — but fell short of their goal of an immediate sweep that would reshape the Texas U.S. House delegation.

Gov. Greg Abbott decidedly trounced right-wing opponents Don Huffines, a former state senator, and Allen West, former head of the Texas GOP and oneterm Florida congressman — solidifying his hold on the Texas Republican base.

Abbott will face Democratic challenger Beto O’Rourke, a former El Paso congressman, in the general election after O’Rourke easily won his party’s nomination for governor.

At least one sitting GOP statewide incumbent didn’t avoid a runoff: Attorney General Ken Paxton, who has been under indictment since 2015 and is under investigation by the FBI for accusations that he abused his office to help a campaign donor.

Democratic races for lieutenant governor, attorney general and land commissioner are all headed to runoffs because no candidate gained a majority of votes.

As the state’s streak of low voter turnout during the primaries continued, the first statewide election since Texas enacted sweeping restrictions on voting access was marked by widespread rejection of mail-in ballots and considerable confusion at polls in the state’s large urban areas like Harris County.

The runoff will take place in May. *The Texas Tribune and Houston Public Media contributed to this report.

4 | March 3, 2022 |

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DN News Lone Star College offers police academy

By Laura Onyeneho

Walter Hutchins’ family has enlisted the help of Ben Crump to seek justice.

Family demands justice after bounty hunter shooting

Defender News Service

that Hutchins fired at them first.

Nationally renowned civil rights and “When they approached, this individual personal injury attorneys Ben Crump and shot numerous times from inside his vehicle Bob Hilliard are representing the family of out toward these investigators. One of the Walter Hutchins, the man who was shot investigators fired a rifle only a couple of and killed by bounty hunters in Houston’s times, which struck this male and grazed Fifth Ward in late February. him across the top of the head,” Willkens Crump and Hilliard led the family in said. “Our suspect backed up, crashed into a press conference recently, demanding a wall. Officers heard the shots, they were that those who fired the shots, ending close in the area. They came and gave first Hutchins’ life, be held accountable. aid immediately to our gunshot victim and Walter Hutchins According to a Houston Police Departsecured the scene.” ment spokesperson, around 10:30 p.m. on Hutchins was rushed in critical condition Feb. 23, a group of men, who identified themselves to to the hospital, where he later died. police as bounty hunters, were attempting to execute a Hutchins had several warrants out of Harris County. warrant when things took a dangerous turn. It was four According to Crump, video of the shooting, of them, and investigators said they work for an insurance released on Instagram by Rap-A-Lot Records founder company that funds private bail bond companies.

James Prince, indicates that the men were dressed Hutchins was their target. in plain clothes and did not identify themselves “They were here looking for an individual that they before rushing up to Hutchins and shooting him in did spot. They found him over here inside of a vehicle. the head.

They approached the individual; the guy that was sitting The family says Hutchins was ambushed, and that his in the car,” said Lt. R. Willkens, HPD. killers acted as judge, jury, and executioner.

Willkens said the bounty hunters initially reported

Lone Star Community College (LSC) is offering a program for Texans who want to become a licensed police officer.

The Lone Star College Law Enforcement Academy provides the skills and competencies that will prepare students for a career in law enforcement. Day and night classes will be offered at the LSC-East Aldine Center and requires 775 contact hours (full-time six months and part-time 11 months to complete).

“We had the academy on and off for about 20 years previously. We were approached by a number of area law enforcement agencies to consider relaunching for a couple of reasons,” said Dr. Stephen C. Head, LSC chancellor. “At the time, they had trouble tracking qualified candidates and the training centers had limited enrollment.”

Law enforcement is facing some unprecedented challenges, including the need to rebuild community trust and reputation, recruitment of new officers and maintaining the highest standards of professionalism while meeting the needs of the communities they serve.

And amid the national reckoning on policing, with mass protests calling for reform or defunding the police, the morale of some police forces has taken a major

hit, especially after the killing of George Floyd.

Research conducted by the Washington-based Police Executive Research Forum showed that out of nearly 200 law enforcement agencies the rate of retirement at some departments rose 45% and hiring slowed down by 5% in 2021.

“The basic curriculum and guidelines are set by the Texas commission on law enforcement and then we add important pieces as well,” Head said. “For example, we’ve added de-escalation procedures. We used to have eight required hours but now it has increased to 32. Also, there will be a course that will focus on use of force and that is in response to the current state of affairs happening nationwide.”

Visit https://www.lonestar. edu/programs-of-study/law-enforcement-academy.htm for more information.

ACADEMY REQUIREMENTS To participate students must: • Be 21 years of age • Have a valid driver’s license • Be a U.S citizen • Have a high school diploma or GED • Submit to a criminal background check

VOLUME 91 - NUMBER 17 - MARCH 3, 2022 Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles

Managing Editor ReShonda Tate

Chief Development Officer Emelda Douglas

Associate Editor Aswad Walker

Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles

Education Reporter Laura Onyeneho

Creative Director Michael Grant

Sports Terrance Harris Jodie B. Jiles

Administrative Asst.

Stacey Palmer

Photographers Jimmie Aggison

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Newspaper Inc. and audited by Alliance for Audited Media (AAM). Only digital subscriptions are available at: www.defendernetwork.com/subscribe No paper subscriptions available. All materials covered by 2020 copyright.

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

March 3, 2022 |

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DN News TSU honors a legend: Rev. William A. Lawson Defender News Service

As part of its Black History Month celebration, Texas Southern University recently honored the life and legacy of Rev. William A. Lawson, a community trailblazer who helped transform TSU, the Third Ward and countless lives as founding pastor of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church.

He and his family – including daughters Melanie, Roxanne and Cheryl – as well as the church he founded, were celebrated during TSU’s first-ever Black History Month Convocation and tribute luncheon. While Rev. Lawson was unable to attend, he did watch the livestream from his home.

“We have the privilege of honoring one of our own, who is truly a pillar of the community,” said TSU President Dr. Lesia Crumpton-Young. “He is a living example of Black excellence. He is someone who, as our history book says, was ‘born to serve.’”

During the convocation, the world-renowned TSU Debate Team gave a performance highlighting the Civil Rights Movement and Lawson’s role in guiding Houston and TSU through the period of desegregation.

At the tribute luncheon, the university announced the establishment of the William

The daughters of Rev. William D. Lawson – Melanie, Cheryl and Roxanne – accept a check establishing a $100,000 endowed scholarship for the Rev. William D. Lawson Leadership Institute at Texas Southern University, as well as an honorary street sign naming a section along the Tiger Walk as “Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church Way.”

A. Lawson Leadership Institute endowed scholarship, initially set at $100,000, as well as the naming of “Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church Way” along the Tiger Walk. The street sign will be placed in the vicinity the H&PE Arena, which is now located where the Lawson family lived in the 1950s and ‘60s.

Albert Myres, chair of the TSU Board of Regents, was instrumental in making the event a reality.

“It is so important that this university, at this time, for the right reason, honor Rev. Lawson today,” said Myres. “I wanted this event to happen as fast as SEE THE it could. We needed to do this PHOTO GALLERY. now. We have to honor those while we can, while they can appreciate it and taste it.”

The convocation also included musical performances by the TSU Concert Chorale and University Band, and special remarks from each of the Lawson daughters. They recalled

memories of growing up in the midst of TSU – and how the life and growth of the church was closely intertwined with that of the university.

“This is the university where he planted his church, his family and his community,” said Cheryl Lawson. Added Melanie, “Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church and TSU have been neighbors and allies for almost 60 years.”

“Daddy established a neighborly and harmonious relationship with TSU,” said Roxanne.

“He went out of his way to meet, greet and keep good rapport with every TSU president since 1955.”

Lawson served as the director of the Baptist Student Union and was a professor of Bible at TSU from 1960-70, during which he also founded Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. He also became a civil rights leader and befriended Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who would stay with the Lawsons during visits to Houston.

At the tribute luncheon, President Lesia bestowed the President’s Award for People Who Mean Business to Rev. Lawson.

“It is a coveted award,” said Crumpton-Young. “We don’t give very many out, so we are very excited to present it today. I can think of no one more deserving of this honor than Rev. Lawson.”

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DN News SUPREME COURT NOMINEE

Sheila Jackson Lee

Congresswoman: House has votes to pass Reparations bill

Ketanji Brown Jackson An experienced trailblazer

NNPA

For several years Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee has picked up the mantle to lead efforts to create a commission to study reparations for African Americans, and now the Democrat from Texas and others believe they finally have the votes for passage in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“This has been a 30-plus year journey,” Jackson Lee declared. “We had to take a different approach. We had to go one by one to members explaining this does not generate a check.”

Jackson Lee said this week that there’s now enough votes in the House for passage of the historic piece of legislation.If the measure passes and ultimately becomes law, it will create a commission that would hold hearings with testimony from those who support and oppose the idea.

“Reparations is about repair and when you repair the damage that has been done, you do so much to move a society forward.

This commission can be a healing process.

Telling the truth can heal America,” she said.

If the Senate doesn’t join the House in passing the bill, the congresswoman said she and others would push President Biden to sign an executive order to create the commission.

While the bill doesn’t place a monetary value on reparations, it does focus on truth, racial healing, and transformation. The bill would fund a commission to study and develop proposals for providing reparations to African Americans.

Jackson Lee, who sits on numerous House committees, including the Judiciary, Budget, and Homeland Security, has made the reparations legislation her top priority during the 117th Congress.

“I think if people begin to associate this legislation with what happened to the descendants of enslaved Africans as a human rights violation, the sordid past that violated the human rights of all of us who are descendants of enslaved Africans, I think that we can find common ground to pass this legislation,” Congresswoman Jackson Lee pronounced.

Defender News Service

President Biden has selected Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as his Supreme Court nominee to fill the seat left when Judge Stephen Breyer retires this summer.

Brown Jackson, 51, has led an amazing professional and personal life. Unlike most judges, her background is not as a prosecutor or major corporate lawyer, and her personal life also defies stereotypes.

Professionally, she is an experienced judge. Her legal experience is extensive and varied. While four members of the current court were at one time prosecutors, Jackson, if nominated, would be the first Supreme Court justice since Thurgood Marshall to have represented indigent criminal defendants.

She served as vice chairman of the U.S. Sentencing Commission at a time when it sought to reduce the draconian penalties for crack cocaine, penalties that were 100 times more severe than for powder cocaine. At the Sentencing Commission, she earned a reputation for building

consensus, and most of the panel’s decisions were unanimous.

For Jackson, sentencing was not an abstract matter. One uncle is a former Miami police chief; another was a sex crimes detective; and her younger brother was a Baltimore police undercover agent.

But her family also has had experience with the scourge of drugs. Her father’s older brother was sentenced to life in prison under a federal three-strikes law aimed at repeat drug offenders.

In 2012, Jackson was nominated for a seat on the federal trial court. Her confirmation went smoothly with numerous lawyers on the right, as well as the left, supporting the nomination. She was confirmed for the trial court by a voice vote in 2013.

As a trial judge, Jackson earned a reputation for hard work, a raucous laugh and more than 500 opinions, some of them noteworthy not just for the outcome but their length.

ABOUT JACKSON

• Federal trial court judge (eight years).

• Confirmed for a seat on U.S. Court of Appeals for District of Columbia in 2021.

• Born in Washington, D.C., where her parents were school teachers.

• Moved to Miami where her father went to law school and rose to become the school board’s top lawyer, while her mother became a school principal.

• Graduated with honors from Harvard College and Harvard Law School, where she was an editor on the law review.

• Clerked for three federal judges, including Justice Breyer, the man she will replace.

• Married to Dr. Patrick Jackson with two daughters.

March 3, 2022 |

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DN InFocus FOCUS SOCIAL

Deion Sanders

Changing the recruiting game for HBCUs

By Terrance Harris

A visible ripple was sent across college football in December when Jackson State coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders did the unheard of, getting the No. 1 recruit in the nation to flip from his alma mater – Florida State – to his current place of employment.

After committing to the Seminoles nearly two years ago, cornerback prospect Travis Hunter stunned the nation during December’s early signing day period when he picked the Tigers over the Power 5 powerhouse. Never had a top-ranked recruit flipped from an elite FBS school to play for a FCS program, much less an HBCU. Hunter’s decision has stoked emotions from both sides of the aisle.

On one side, you have Jackson State and other HBCUs that now hope Hunter has opened the door for other elite high school athletes to take their talents to the more nurturing historically Black colleges across the nation.

Power 5 programs, which are all predominantly white universities, are hoping quite the opposite as the trend could eventually cut into their billion-dollar monopoly that has made coaches millions while many student-athletes barely have enough money to hit a party on campus.

Count Texas Southern Athletic Director Kevin

What Deion is doing and proving is if you get the right people in front of these student-athletes to be able to explain all of the advantages of going to an HBCU then you may get an opportunity to flip one or two of them, and if you flip one or two, maybe you can flip three or four.

Then the next year after that you can flip four or five. You hope that the domino effect continues to happen.”

Kevin Granger

Count Texas Southern Athletic director AP

Granger, whose football program competes against Jackson State in the SWAC, among those who are excited about the possibilities Sanders’ recruiting coup may have created for Black college football.

“I think it’s going to open it up not only for Jackson State, but what he is doing is going to open it up for the whole entire conference,” Granger said to The Defender. “Now, people are going to be able to look into the conference and say, `Hey, the conference ain’t that bad. And we can actually go to the conference.’

“I think it’s upon us too, once we get them to commit and come to the conference, that we do things, starting to win. If one or two of them can get drafted from this, it will blow up. That’s what the people are looking for, places they can go to get drafted. Once somebody gets drafted it’s over.”

Could HBCUs become a legit threat to the Big Ten, SEC, ACC, Pac-12 and Big 12 when it comes to competing for elite African-American athletes? Experts say, sure.

But that would require an unprecedented financial investment from the HBCUs and their alumni to upgrade facilities and other amenities that the Power 5 schools and even many of the mid-major FBS programs have.

“I can’t speak for all of those young men, but I would think they would need an investment in those programs from the alums, just the same as the Notre Dame alum or the Texas A&M alum invests,” 247sports.com Director of Recruiter Steve Wiltfong said. “I don’t know what alum investments is like in their sports teams at HBCUs.”

Hunter, who is considered the best two-way player to come out of Georgia since Champ Bailey, has become huge for HBCUs and has challenged others to follow him. And another did, when the nation’s top slot receiver Kevin Coleman also signed with Jackson State, paving the way for the Tigers to have a Top 80 national recruiting class last month.

JSU’s 2022 recruiting class ranked ahead of several Power 5 programs, which is unheard of for an HBCU. “I’m so grateful for the massive support. I’m honored.

Thank you,” he wrote on his Twitter account. “But while you are all here…let me nudge the spotlight over to HBCUs. Let’s massively support them…Alumni, grantors, athletes – it’s going to take all of us. Who’s with me?

This is our moment.”

Apparently, athletes are listening. Wiltfong says many of the elite recruits are now including at least one HBCU on their finalist list. For instance, 5-star recruit Richard Young, who is the No. 1 running back in the junior class, has vowed that he will take visits to Florida A&M and Jackson State.

HBCU programs have seemed to benefit from an awakening of consciousness that started with the murder of George Floyd in 2020 and the subsequent Black Lives Matter Movement. There has been a movement of self-support among the Black community and that has spilled over to HBCU athletics where a top basketball recruit decided to attend Howard University and several Black celebrities have chosen to send their kids to play for schools like TSU

Tennessee State head coach Eddie George gestures as his team takes the field during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi State, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. Hiring Eddie George has had a similar effect at Tennessee State. AP

and Tennessee State.

Sanders, a Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback, has now made it okay for other high-profile coaches to turn to HBCUs with Eddie George taking over at Tennessee State, Hue Jackson assuming control at Grambling State and former players like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed reportedly looking for HBCU opportunities.

Criticism of Travis Hunter’s JSU decision plentiful

By Terrance Harris

program in year No. 2 with an undefeated SWAC ChampionA surprising fallout from Travis Hunter’s decision to flip ship season and an appearance in the Celebration Bowl, found his commitment from Florida State to Jackson State has been the accusations amusing. the backlash both the student-athlete and the Tigers’ program “We ain’t got no money, we ain’t got no money,” Sanders have received. said during an interview on Tiger Talk With The 1400 On any given day, you can scroll through HuntKlub. “A million-and-a-half [dollars]? I heard a miler’s Twitter page, see comments questioning his lion-and-a-half. And I heard Dave Portnoy over at wisdom of choosing to play in front of smaller Barstool [company president]. That’s the biggest crowds versus Doak Campbell Stadium laugh I ever heard. where 80,000 routinely pack the house on fall “You know what that is, that means we kicked Saturdays. your butt. We took what was ours, and now “I am making this decision so that I can light you’ve got to make an excuse why. Ain’t nobody the way for others to follow, make it a little easier getting no million-and-a-half. I wouldn’t pay my for the next player to recognize that HBCU’s may son a million-and-a-half NIL [deal]. How am I going be everything you want and more,” Hunter said on Travis Hunter to coach a guy that’s making more than me?” his Twitter page.

Coaches like Clemson’s Dabo Swinney have taken But criticism hasn’t been limited to Hunter. Sanders and hidden shots at what Sanders has been able to do in a short Jackson State have been accused of luring Hunter with millions time at Jackson State like claiming Power 5 players from the of dollars and an exclusive Name Image and Likeness deal transfer portal and then luring Hunter away from Florida State. with Barstool Sports. Sanders, who turned around the Tigers Alabama coach Nick Saban, who stars in Aflac commercials

with Sanders, will barely acknowledge the impact Sanders is having on college football. Sanders won the Eddie Robinson Award this season, given to the best head coach in FCS each year.

“I have a lot of respect for Deion Sanders…and I enjoy doing commercials with him,” said Saban, who declined to comment further.

But those who have experienced Sanders in action, know that nobody can promote what he is accomplishing at Jackson State better than the man himself. Sanders has been one of the most flamboyant and outspoken athletes since his days at Florida State and throughout his career. That hasn’t changed in his role as Coach Prime.

“He never belonged to them,” Sanders said of taking Hunter away from his alma mater. “I don’t think I took him. I saw the burning of the jerseys. I saw all of that foolishness. I laughed my butt off, first of all.

“I think it was either the year before or the year before that, your head coach, who I am very fond of and I think is a great coach and who I think will do tremendous feats for my alma mater, called me to help him recruit a kid from Louisiana.”

10 | March 3, 2022 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Feature TRAYVON MARTIN’S MOTHER

‘Don’t give up’ fight for justice

Associated Press

The mother of Trayvon Martin used the 10th anniversary of her son’s death recently to urge those who sought justice for her family to continue to fight.

“I never do anything on the 26th, I never even plan anything on the 26th of February,” Sybrina Fulton said at the weekly meeting of the National Action Network, the civil rights organization founded by the Rev. Al Sharpton in Harlem.

She told an audience that included Sharpton and Mayor Eric Adams that she wanted to be there to support her supporters. Adams, a New York state senator at the time, was among several Black lawmakers who wore hooded sweatshirts to a 2012 legislative session to call attention to the 17-year-old’s death in Sanford, Fla. Trayvon Martin had been wearing a similar sweatshirt when he was fatally shot on his way back from a store while visiting his father in a gated community in the Orlando suburb. George Zimmerman, a member of the community’s neighborhood watch, confronted the teenager and shot him after reporting him to authorities as a suspicious person.

Zimmerman, who told authorities that Martin had attacked him, was acquitted of second-degree murder in 2013. The shooting refocused attention on race and justice in the United States. Sharpton, who early on met with Martin’s family and their attorney Ben Crump as they worked

Protestors, Lakesha Hall, of Sanford, center, and her son, Calvin Simms, right, participate in a rally for Trayvon Martin. AP

to draw attention to his death, on Saturday compared Martin’s legacy to that of Emmett Till, the Chicago teen whose lynching in Mississippi in 1955 stoked the Civil Rights Movement.

“Today is a bittersweet day,” said Fulton, who with her family created the Trayvon

Martin Foundation to raise awareness of gun violence. “I thank God for all the Trayvon Martins that you don’t know, all the young ladies who have been shot and killed and our Black and Brown boys who have been shot and killed and you don’t know their names. Thank you for stand-

ing up for them. Thank you for praying for them. Thank you for supporting them.

They need you. They need your voice.

And if you don’t do anything else, don’t give up.”

Adams praised Fulton for “turning pain into purpose.”

Race and the George Floyd cop trial Defender News Service

Floyd, 46, died in May 2020 after Officer Derek Chauvin placed his knee on Floyd’s neck and pinned him to the street, facedown and gasping for air, for almost 10 minutes. Kueng knelt on Floyd’s back, Lane held down Floyd’s legs and Thao kept bystanders from intervening.

Chauvin was convicted last year of state murder and manslaughter charges and was sentenced to 22 1/2 years in prison. In December, he pleaded guilty to a federal charge of violating Floyd’s civil rights, including using unreasonable force, by kneeling on Floyd’s neck even though he was handcuffed and not resisting — a scene a bystander captured on cellphone video.

Kueng (Black), Lane (white) and Thao (Hmong American) were convicted on federal charges that they willfully deprived Floyd of his constitutional rights while acting under “color of law,” or government authority. They also are scheduled to go on trial in state court in June on charges of aiding and abetting both murder and manslaughter.

Federal prosecutors argued at the men’s killed Floyd in front of them. Defense attrial in a St. Paul courtroom that the offi- torneys argued that Chauvin was the most cers saw Floyd needed medical care andT:4.79"senior officer on the scene and was calling did nothing to help as Chauvin slowly the shots.

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For people around the world, the killing of George Floyd was about race. A white police officer, with three other officers nearby, kneeled on the neck of a Black man until he stopped breathing, and protests erupted across the country. Corporations and governments promised change, and a new generation of civil rights leaders rose up.

Yet in the courtrooms where those officers recently faced trial for their roles in Floyd’s killing — including the three who were convicted last week — race was rarely mentioned, at least explicitly, and lawyers and judges told jurors not to consider it.

The disconnect between the public prism through which the case was viewed and its handling in court is due partly to the specific charges federal prosecutors pursued, which didn’t include a hate crime. But to some, it also reflected the failure of the legal system to confront issues of race, and how a justice system that often seeks to be colorblind may be stacked against people of color.

March 3, 2022 |

| 11

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Feature Houston Methodist, Ensemble partnership provides artists health care access

Discover primary care centered on seniors • Dr. Karen Millender is a leader in senior primary care • She completed her residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center • She is Board Certified in Family Medicine with 15 years of Dr. Karen Millender experience CenterWell Emancipation

Ensemble Theatre production of Josephine. Ensemble Theatre.

By Aswad Walker

stories of African Americans...It felt like a perHouston Methodist (HM) and the Ensemble fect hybrid of a partnership.”

Theatre are teaming to bring some healing to Though the initiative is new, talks of a posthe arts. The collaboration is currently oper- sible Houston Methodist/Ensemble team-up ating under a temporary name, the Houston have been in the works for years, according to Methodist Performing Artists Initiative, but the Ensemble’s artistic director, Eileen Morris. the impact of the unique program “This conversation with Houscould be long-lasting. ton Methodist has been ongoing for Artists, dancers and other creat least five to seven years, regarding ative professionals often don’t have how we can partner,” said Morris. traditional health care resources.

Now that this partnership has So, Houston Methodist’s Center for come to fruition, it should be Performing Arts Medicine (CPAM) noted it is not a merely benefitting and Office of Benefits have teamed the Ensemble and its actors, stage with the Ensemble to make sure managers, designers and backstage their on- and off-stage artists can Eileen Morris crew who will receive a Black Card access the care they need. enabling them, if any type of mediAccording to Ryane Jackson, Houston Meth- cal issue arises, to access care from a designated odists’ vice president of community benefits, HM location. the partnership came about as HM sought to “HM is going to be bringing their commuexpand its impact. nity of employees to attend Ensemble produc“We have been working with a lot of local tions. Having another audience that’s designated nonprofit and community organizations for specifically to come and see shows elevates many years, and historically a lot of our work the performances and what we’re doing,” said has centered more on health care access issues Morris. that disproportionately impact people of color,” “We are focused on raising awareness of the said Jackson. “However, in 2020 we realized that unique contributions of the Black community something was missing.” to Houston and raising that awareness within That “something,” according to Jackson, our own employee population. So, we also have involved confronting “the root cause of access a relationship with the Ensemble where we’re issues” (i.e. social determinants like race, eco- able to promote some of their amazing shows nomic status, place of birth, etc). during this season to our employJackson said HM’s CPAM, the ees, encouraging them to go and only center of its kind in the counhear these stories for themselves.” try dedicated to helping performJackson said the HM/Ensemble ing artists, was the perfect vehicle partnership is just the first of many to deliver healthcare to a group that to come regarding serving the arts has traditionally been uninsured or community. under-insured.

“This is actually the first of what “The work that CPAM does, couwe hope to be many partnerships pled with our interest in not only with additional arts or performhealth care access issues, but also ing arts groups, whether they’re looking at the unique challenges Ryane Jackson focused on African Americans and that racial and ethnic minorities their stories, or Hispanic and Latino have, root cause issues, the Ensemble Theatre or Asian, or even LGBTQ, which is broader, in came to mind for many reasons. The Ensemble the future.” is a mainstay in Houston. They are a wonderful For more info on CPAM, visit www.Houscontributor to the arts when it comes to telling tonMethodist.org/performing-arts/services/.

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12 | March 3, 2022 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Opinion

LET THE PEOPLE BE HEARD

Houston one of best cities for Black professionals?

By Aswad Walker

According to ApartmentList.com’s “Best Cities for Black Professionals 2022,” Houston comes in at a very respectable No. 4. So, the Defender issued a call to the community to find out what makes H-Town one of the top places for Black professionals of all ages to reside.

Here’s what y’all said:

imaginable. I am always amazed at the amount of wonderful restaurants, churches and spiritual centers, music venues, clothing and beauty spots, yoga/Pilates/meditation spaces, and just all around great people this city has to offer. If you can go from delicious vegan to hearty bbq in one day, man, your city is about something!” (PW Way)

“H-Town’s multi-cultural diversity and inclusion within educational institutions encourage respect for differences and promotes humanity.” (Lucrecia Brown)

“Diversity, quality and emphasis on infrastructure; cost of living relative to other major U.S. cities.” (Joyce Taylor ‘Karimah’ Johnson)

“Houston is filled with a wonderful blend of diversity! There is every ethnicity, culture, lifestyle, and group

“Diversity in arts and culture, accessibility to arts and culture, and affordability. I think it is a great place for young

Black Professionals to raise a family.” (Dr. Deborah Wilson) “As a STEM influencer and leadership strategist for more than 20 years [and founder of SUPERGirls SHINE Foundation] I find the ability to provide access and equity through ecosystems where representation mirrors Houston’s lmi communities, organically and strategically positions rising leaders to advance and disrupt the socioeconomics from the communities in which they live in or lived in. Through education, opportunities and allyship, disparities are exposed so solutions through collaborations and resources can be shared.” (Loretta Williams Gurnell)

GHBC’s 25th Annual Pinnacle Awards 2019 attendees Paul Cannings, Tanishia Cannings, Bernard Harris and Valene Mosley. Photo by Aswad Walker Check out more responses at DefenderNetwork.com

CLASSIFIED STATE OF INDIANA) COUNTY OF MARION )

IN THE MARION SUPERIOR COURT) SS: CAUSE NUMBER: 49D10-2109-JC-008185

IN THE MATTER OF: ZB - DOB 7/14/2005 A CHILD ALLEGED TO BE A CHILD IN NEED OF SERVICES AND CHARLIE BROOKS (FATHER) MICHELE COX (MOTHER) AND ANY UNKNOWN ALLEGED FATHERS SUMMONS FOR SERVICE BY PUBLICATION & NOTICE OF CHILD IN NEED OF SERVICES HEARING TO: Michele Cox and Any Unknown Alleged Father Whereabouts unknown NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to the above noted parent whose whereabouts are unknown, as well as Any Unknown Alleged Fathers, whose whereabouts are also unknown, that the Indiana Department of Child Services has filed its Verified Petition Alleging the child to be in Need of Services, in accordance with I.C. 31-34-9-3, and that an adjudication hearing has been scheduled with the Court.

YOU ARE HEREBY COMMANDED to appear before the Judge of the Marion Superior Court, for a(n) Default Hearing on 5/4/2022 at 2:00 PM. If the cause number listed above for your case starts with D09 or D15, the location for your hearing is 2451 N. Keystone Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46218, (317) 327-8300. If the cause number listed above for your case starts with D10, D14, or D16, the location for your hearing is 200 E. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204, (317) 327-4740. Most hearings in Marion County are being held virtually at this time. If virtual hearing information is included below you should follow the instructions to attend your hearing virtually and should not go to the Court’s address.

At said hearing, the Court will consider the Petition and evidence thereon and will render its decision as to whether the above named minor child is child in need of services and shall enter adjudication accordingly.

Your failure to appear after lawful notice will be deemed as your default and waiver to be present at said hearing.

UPON ENTRY OF SAID ADJUDICATION, A DISPOSITIONAL HEARING will be held in which the Court will consider (1) Alternatives for the care, treatment, or rehabilitation for the child; (2) The necessity, nature, and extent of your participation in the program of care, treatment, or rehabilitation for the child; and (3) Your financial responsibility for any services provided for the parent, guardian or custodian of the child including child support.

YOU MUST RESPOND by appearing in person or by an attorney within thirty (30) days after the last publication of this notice, and in the event you fail to do so, an adjudication on said petition, judgment by default may be entered against you, or the court may proceed in your absence, without further notice.

Clerk Emily Gruener, 30336-49 Attorney, Indiana Department of Child Services

NOTICE TO BIDDERS The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas (METRO) is planning to issue the procurement documents listed in this advertisement.

RFP No. 4022000048: Maintenance, Installation, and Integration Services for Metro’s Intelligent Transportation System. Solicitation will be available on or about 02/21/2022

RFP for Social Housing Partner The Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County (“CFTH”) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to seek and select a social housing partner to support, manage, and operate a 100+ unit residence known as the Navigation Center located at 2903 Jensen in Houston. The Center will provide approximately 100 semi-private “bridge beds,” with an additional overflow bunk space for approximately 26 individuals.

The Center will be open 24/7 and will operate 7 days a week, providing access to housing and employment programs as well as supportive services. We welcome proposals that include innovative operation and support models that improve the long-term stability of tenants and contribute to creating a balanced community of tenants within the building and in the area.

The focus will be on short- to long-term low-barrier residence for individuals experiencing homelessness, with the ultimate outcome of moving them out of the Navigation Center and into permanent housing.

This provider will bring the experience of running a large housing operation while supporting a very vulnerable population.

The selected agency will work closely with leadership of CFTH and The Way Home Continuum of Care. The agency will be able to provide input while the Center is being built out, with the expectation of beginning operations in the Center by August 2022. The term for proposed services will be a two-year period, subject to negotiation of a final agreement.

This project is contingent upon funding. In addition to 2 CFR 200 rules, the selected partner is subject to compliance requirements (i.e., monitoring, insurance, etc.).

If interested in applying, contact Sarah Holmes or Ryan Clay for a full version of this RFP at contracts@homelesshouston.org. All questions regarding any aspect of this RFP should follow the same process.

Responses to this RFP should be submitted electronically to contracts@homelesshouston.org no later than 12PM CDT on March 13, 2022.

The HARRIS CENTER for Mental Health and IDD (formerly known as MENTAL HEALTH MENTAL RETARDATION AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY) will be accepting Competitive Sealed Proposals (CSP) for the following:

NEUROPSYCHIATRIC CENTER (NPC) SITE RENOVATION

Specifications may be secured from The HARRIS CENTER, Purchasing Services located at 9401 SW Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074; telephone (713) 970-7279, The HARRIS CENTER website www.theharriscenter.org beginning Monday, March 7, 2022. A Non-Mandatory Pre-Proposal Conference will be held on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. via Lifesize https://call.lifesizecloud.com/13509797.

Deadline for prospective vendors to submit questions to this CSP is Monday, March 21, 2022. CSP responses must be submitted to Purchasing Services, 9401 SW Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074 by 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 6, 2022, in a sealed envelope marked “CSP - DO NOT OPEN UNTIL – Wednesday, April 6, 2022, NeuroPsychiatric Center (NPC) Site Renovation”. A public opening of the proposals will occur immediately following the proposal submission deadline at 9401 SW Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074. Any questions pertaining to this solicitation should be addressed in writing to Sharon Brauner, C.P.M., Purchasing Manager and Nina Cook, MBA, CTPM, Director of Purchasing. E-mail questions to Sharon.brauner@theharriscenter.org cc: Nina.cook@theharriscenter.org or fax to (713) 970-7682. Historically Underutilized Businesses, including Minority-Owned Businesses and WomenOwned Businesses are encouraged to participate. The HARRIS CENTER reserves all rights to reject any and/or all proposals, to waive formalities and reasonable irregularities in submitted documents as it deems to be in its best interests, and is not obligated to accept the lowest proposal. This CSP is subject to addenda, including but not limited to, an extension of the submission deadline, communicated via www.theharriscenter.org.

March 3, 2022 |

| 13

DEFENDER NETWORK

OK, who celebrates fifth?

Bank of America does.

For the fifth year in a row, Bank of America has shared the success of our company with our employees with a valuable Sharing Success compensation award.

To recognize the team’s hard work, this award is over and above regular compensation. And this year, we’re proud to commemorate a first — nearly all these awards are in Bank of America stock.

That means 97% of our employees shared $1 billion worth of Bank of America stock this year, above regular compensation.

“I want to thank my teammates here in Houston for their continued hard work and dedication.

While other banks might make awards like ours every once in a while, I’m proud to work for an organization that has rewarded our employees for five years in a row.

Because success is better when it’s shared.”

Hong Ogle President, Bank of America Houston

What would you like the power to do?® Learn more about how we’re investing in our local communities at bankofamerica.com/houston

Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Credit Opportunity Lender © 2022 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

14 | March 3, 2022 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports

Rockets recently acquired point guard Dennis Schroeder scored 11 points, dished a season-high 10 assists and a season-tying eight rebounds in a loss to the L.A. Clippers.

University of Houston guard Britney Onyeje was honored for senior night then scored a game-high 17 points to go with three steals and two blocks in the home win over SMU.

BUBBA MCDOWELL Ex-Oiler great excited about PVAMU

By Terrance Harris

If always a groomsman but never a groom was a person, it seemed like Bubba McDowell was the fitting person.

For 11 years, the former Houston Oilers All-Pro safety had been the trusty Prairie View A&M assistant coach who had gone through a few coaching changes, holding the interim head coaching title in between hires but he never ended up with the Panthers coveted job.

But that all changed in January after rumors had former Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin in the mix along with future Pro Football Hall of Famers Ed Reed and Ray Lewis, and PVAMU athletic director Donald Reed tabbed McDowell as the Panthers’ next head coach.

Instead of dwelling on what might have been different this time, he is focused on the journey that has finally landed his first head coaching opportunity after nearly 20 years as an assistant.

“Like I tell everybody, the difference is God’s time,” said McDowell, who has replaced departed Eric Dooley. “That’s what I rely on, that’s what I’m standing on.

“At those particular times it just wasn’t my time to step into that role. There were things I had to learn throughout this process. I’ve learned by taking bits and pieces from different schools, different coaches and that kind of helped me be ready for the job right now.”

McDowell is heading up the Panthers Bubba during a time that is a McDowell bit of a renaissance for Historically Black College football. Since powerhouse programs started actively recruiting Black athletes in the 1960s and 1970s, Black college football had become a bit of an afterthought.

But Jackson State’s hiring of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders in 2020 almost immediately changed the outlook. Suddenly, the outlook began to change as ESPN began televising more SWAC football games, bigtime recruits are signing with HBCU programs and the NFL is paying more attention than ever before.

McDowell now joins a list of coaches of

Sports Briefs TSU legend, NFL star receiver Burrough dies

Texas Southern football and track great Kenny Burrough has passed away. He was 73. Burrough was a two-sport standstand out from 1967-69.

He remains one of the top receivers Kenny in TSU history Burrough with 138 catches, 1,912 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns. He went on to play for the Saints and Oilers.

PVAMU’s Gambrell honored again

PVAMU guard Jeremiah Gambrell has been named SWAC Player of the Week in back-toback weeks. He led the Panthers to wins with UAPB and Mississippi Jeremiah Gambrell Valley State with 31 points and 22, respectively. He averaged 26.5 pts, 5 rebounds and 3 assists for the week.

Photo by Florida Today

NFL-pedigree coaching at HBCUs, including Hue Jackson at Grambling State, Eddie George at Tennessee State, Sanders at JSU and several more who have made it known they want in.

McDowell played at the University of Miami, spent six seasons with the Oilers after being drafted in the third round in 1989 and retired after playing his final season with the Carolina Panthers in 1995. He has been coaching since 2003.

Being the picture of what many young players want to be, helped McDowell land a solid 2022 recruiting class last month.

“I think it helps quite a bit,” McDowell said of how having the NFL background helps in recruiting players. “You see what Deion is doing over at Jackson State getting a lot of these top transfers in. That’s what I hopefully will do the same as well. I have to get out there and be visible and if guys know what I’m about, where I come from, what we can do and the success we’ve had at PV, they will be willing to join us as well.

“It all plays a big role. Kids want to be

able to relate to some type of pro guy at some point in their lives. They know them, seen them be successful at it, and what better guy or person that they can talk to to help them get to that next level.”

McDowell’s takeover could be the smoothest of his contemporaries because he is assuming control of a Panthers program that had been on the uptick under Dooley, even making it to the SWAC Championship Game this past season. PVAMU at one point won seven straight and even made a rare appearance in the FCS Top 25 prior to Dooley leaving to head up Southern.

“Winning helps. We’ve been winning at Prairie View since I’ve been there,” McDowell said. “We haven’t had a chance to win the championship but we’ve had many opportunities to go to the championship or get in position to play for the SWAC Championship but things fell differently. That helps. And in that process we are learning as coaches what to do and what not to do, how to get better from year to year. That alone helped me out tremendously.”

Art Briles reverses field on Grambling

With criticism mounting, former UH and Baylor head coach Art Briles has told Grambling State he will not accept the offensive coordinator position after all. Briles, who Hue Jackson is white, has not been in coaching since mishandling rape claims against his Baylor players forced his suspension in 2016. First-year Grambling coach Hue Jackson had enraged many, including the Tigers legendary quarterback and former head coach Doug Williams, with the announcement last week that Briles had been hired. Williams went as far as to say he was done supporting the program. No other colleges or professional football leagues have been willing to touch Briles since he was fired at Baylor.

March 3, 2022 |

| 15

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports FT. BEND MARSHALL PG

JAYLAND LOWE PICKS APART DEFENSES

By Jodie B. Jiles

Fort Bend Marshall junior Jayland Lowe is as pure a point guard as they come. In the first-round Marshall victory over Foster, Lowe scored 47 points, maneuvering through defenses with ease.

Despite a second-round playoff exit by P.J. Haggerty and crew versus Crosby High School, Lowe’s game is expected to make significant strides this upcoming offseason.

Lowe is a bigger than average point guard at 6-feet-2 and has the arm length that allows easy steals and layups over defenders when he releases the ball at the highest point. Over the last three years, Lowe has progressed into a threat from three-point land, shooting better than ever this season. If scoring, handles and setting players up to succeed is the name of the point guard game, Lowe does it all beyond half court.

Ft. Bend Marshall head basketball coach James Bailey is impressed by his playmaker.

“He brings a lot of stuff that I haven’t seen in a long time,” Bailey said. “He is a two-way player that plays tremendous defense and can play offense as well.”

The Defender spoke with Lowe about his style of play, playmaking abilities, leadership and more.

ABOUT JAYLAND LOWE

Instagram: @j15lowe AAU: Houston Hoops Current offers: Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, Texas State Favorite artist: J. Cole Favorite subject: Math World problem he would solve: Justice system Shout-outs: “My family”

STYLE OF PLAY

“Smooth and aggressive. I try to combine both of those to win.”

PLAYMAKING

“I am a point guard and facilitator. I have to get my guys involved and make sure everybody is good.”

THREE-POINT GAME

“It has really developed a lot since last year and that is what I have been focusing on this year to get up better shots.”

LEADERSHIP

“I just try to stay positive. When they see their leader is positive they stay positive also.”

Kashmere’s Samyra Thomas finishes 2nd at state

Summer Creek advances to state tournament

Since Samyra Thomas was a freshman, she has left her mark on the UIL wrestling state tournament. And during her senior campaign, Thomas returned to the state tournament finishing second best in the

After beating Pearland High School by a score of 59-42, the Summer Creek Lady Bulldogs are headed to the state tournament. Summer Creek All-American senior forward Kaitlyn Duhon, an Auburn

state of Texas.

Thomas will take her talents to Paul Quinn College in Dallas, where she intends to wrestle and play basketball.

commit, led her team with 20 points.

Summer Creek has a 38-2 overall record this season and is currently riding a 20-game win streak through the playoffs.

16 | March 3, 2022 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Profile

COCO BATES

Meet the founder of Blossoms & Sol Hair Fest

By Laura Onyeneho

Have you ever wanted to be in a space where you can comfortably embrace your natural kinks and curls without your “professionalism” being questioned? On March 11-12, Blossoms & Sol Hair Festival will be held in Houston and will allow Black women to connect with themselves, fellowship among their peers and celebrate their cultural identities.

Coco Bates is a digital creative, influencer and the brains behind the festival. The Waller, Texas native says it’s the first time they’ve hosted the festival in Houston since its inception three years ago in Austin and that celebrating “our cultural identity and our diverse beauty while being free to be as bold and as unapologetic as we would like to be is crucial to our collective healing journey.”

The Defender spoke with Bates to learn about her journey as a creative and what Houston should look forward to ahead of the festival.

Defender: Tell us more about yourself. Who is CoCo Bates?

Coco Bates: [I am] someone who likes to live life unapologetically

and to the fullest potential. I don’t believe in conforming to any kind of stereotypes. I’m a blogger, and I’ve been blogging for about 10 years. I used to live in New York for five years and took street fashion photography and needed a platform to put all my material. I started a blog and got invited to different fashion shows and wrote about the events and over time it is what led me to where I am today.

Defender: What influenced your interest into the beauty and wellness space?

Bates: My family takes so much pride into their physical presence and how

they present themselves to the world. It wasn’t about the makeup, but preserving the beauty that was naturally given to them. They exuded Black pride and they took care of themselves and that is what led me into the field. As far as wellness, I’ve been on a journey to self-improvement. There is always room for improvement. If you understand Black history and what Black people especially women have been through, we tend to put our mental health in the back seat and pour from an empty cup to service others.

Defender: Did you have a traditional career before entering into content producing full time?

Bates: I guess my job history is like a millennial. I’ve always bounced

around from one job to the other to see what I could get as the best offer.

I started doing public relations for a little bit. I was doing influencer marketing but on the brand end as well as some freelance work but I wasn’t really fulfilled because it wasn’t my true purpose.

READ WHAT YOU’LL BE SEEING AT THE BLOSSOM AND SOL HAIR FEST

Attendees show off their natural tresses. Photo: Blossom and Sol Team