Issuu

Solange

Revealing her fears ON SOCIAL

SPORTS

CARLOTTA BROWN

The Madison High School Principal returns after investigation.

Volume 89, issue 19 March 5, 2020

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DARIUS FULGHUM

What a combination of nursing and boxing. Read more!

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DN On the web

FIT & FINE Ian Buchanan Age: 39 Occupation: Gym Co-Owner, The Body Shop HTX Fitness Education: Baylor University/ Fuller Theological Seminary/ Dallas Baptist University Major: Communications/Divinity/ Education Motto: “It’s hard to beat a man who never gives up.”

Women’s History Month is celebrated each March.

LEARN… The three things Ian does daily to create balance.

Message from the Publisher Thank you for VOTING

The importance of each vote cannot be overemphasized especially in a presidential election year. Granted, the person at the top is important but the folks who impact our lives the most are the local, county and state elected officials. While we are talking about the elections, when it comes to the judicial positions, the reality is Texas needs a better method of selecting judges. Any suggestions?

worthy of mentioning. The leadership and community involvement of this Houston rapper goes beyond his lyrics and music and demonstrates the actions of how one man can make a diﬀerence. I hope other local artists learn from his eﬀorts to give back to the community. Sonny Messiah Jiles

March is Women’s History Month

The power of Black Women is remarkable and the month of March is designated to recognize the strength and tenacity of our sisters. Give a sister a hug and let her know you appreciate all she does. Congratulations Solange

IG: @JamaicanMuscle Read more on Friday about Ian at defendernetwork.com If you are Fit & Fine email: ﬁtnﬁne@defendernetwork.com

We are so proud of native Houstonian Solange as the recipient of the Lena Horne Prize but more so for her courage in sharing her inner feelings that so many us struggle with. The maturity and boldness of her message deserves a round of applause. Thank you for being so transparent and know that you are not alone in your journey. Great project, Trae The Truth

The least, the lost and the lonely are often overlooked or simply neglected. The program Trae the Truth is supporting is

Join us on social media

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube are among the avenues in which news is distributed today. These powerful resources allow us to share information and opinions about issues confronting our community and the Defender invites you to join us at defendernetwork.com to let us know what you think. Take a look at our centerfold “On Social” and see what folks are saying and join the conversation. In closing…

Last week we did a few shout-outs to some of our newspaper distribution locations on the Northside and the Southside. Well, this week we want to mention some of our central distribution locations like the OST Food Store, 3821 Old Spanish Trail managed by Abraham and the many gas stations where the Defender is available: Manager Mike at the Chevron, 4919 Main; Manager Ali at the Chevron, 6850 MLK; Manager Maria at the Gulf station, 8000 Broadway and Manager Amin at the Shell, 9954 Stella Link. Pick up a copy of the Defender today. Love Ya!

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DEFENDER NETWORK

DN News Catherine Pugh... The former Baltimore mayor received three years in federal prison for fraud after using her self-published children’s book as a promotional item for her 2016 mayoral run.

Gerald Goines... 14,000 cases are under review and an additional 69 convictions may be based on false evidence provided by former HPD officer Gerald Goines, who allegedly lied to conduct a home raid resulting in two people being killed.

UNION PACIFIC CLEAN-UP FIFTH WARD, KASHMERE GARDEN PLAN DUE AUG. 31

Houston Public Media

he company that owns a contaminated Kashmere Gardens railyard will submit a cleanup plan to the city this summer, after higher rates of cancer were found in the community last year. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is asking for the cleanup plan along with a revised permit application from Union Pacific, which owns the yard formerly known as the Houston Woods Preresidents serving Works site, by have filed Aug. 31. a lawsuit “There is still more for $100 work to be done in this area to clean up million in what I consider envidamages ronmental racism,” said Houston State Sen. Borris Miles. “The state of Texas is not going to allow Union Pacific to ignore this site that has been plaguing our community for three decades.” Miles was joined by Mayor Sylvester Turner, alongside officials from the TCEQ, the Texas Department of State Health Services and community members to provide the update on the site, after Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens’ high rates of cancer cases were reported last year. Epidemiologists found more cases of adult cancers on lung, esophagus and throat than expected at the site, and the confirmed rate of cases was also higher

State Sen. Borris Miles at a press conference at the railyard.

than the state’s, according to an investigation last year. Creosote, a wood preservative frequently used in railroad ties and utility poles, was found at the site, and has been identified by the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry as a probable

human carcinogen. A spokesperson for Union Pacific said the company requested the deadline to collect and evaluate data before determining its next steps. “We understand the health concerns of those living in this industrial area, and

support fair, objective, scientific investigation of this issue,” read a statement from the company. “Decades of testing found no scientific evidence of a creosote exposure pathway to residents. We continue monitoring the situation in accordance with the [TCEQ’s] rules and regulations.”

NEWSBRIEFS CHICAGO MAYOR RATTLED BY POLICE SHOOTING VIDEO Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfood said video footage of police shooting and wounding a suspect inside a downtown Chicago train station is “extremely disturbing” and she supports the interim police superintendent’s request for prosecutors to be sent directly to the scene — an unusual or perhaps unprecedented action in the nation’s third largest city. After watching footage of the shooting inside the Red Line L station, Lightfoot tweeted that although “one perspective does not depict the entirety of the incident, the video is extremely disturbing and the actions by these officers are deeply concerning.”

SUPREME COURT WILL DECIDE FATE OF OBAMACARE The Supreme Court will decide a lawsuit that threatens the Obama-era health care law, but the decision is expected after the 2020 election. The court said it would hear an appeal by 20 mainly Democratic states of a lower court ruling that declared part of the statute unconstitutional and cast a cloud over the rest. For the more than 20 million people covered under “Obamacare,” nothing changes while the Supreme Court deliberates.

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DEFENDER NETWORK

DN News

BLACK VOTERS FLEX POLITICAL MUSCLE

Defender News Service In a stunning turnaround, former Vice President Joe Biden swept to victories across southern states — including Texas — on Super Tuesday and Black voters are being credited with the wins. Biden won a majority of Black voters in states like Virginia, North Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee, and handily defeated Sen. Bernie Sanders among older and more moderate voters there. Black voters had earlier propelled Biden to victory in the South Carolina primary. But Sanders opened up a wide lead among Latino voters in California, winning a majority in preliminary exit polls compared to only 2 in 10 for Biden. Latinos made up 3 in 10 voters in the state. Sanders also led among white voters in California, who made up a majority of the voters statewide. Biden won Black voters, but they made up fewer than 1 in 10 voters in California. The 415 delegates at stake in California make up more than 10% of all the delegates available nationwide in the entire primary season. As of press time, the final California numbers weren’t in. Biden also drew large majorities of those who want a rewind. Around half of voters in Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Alabama said they wanted to return to the policies of former President Barack Obama, and

LOCAL, STATE ELECTION RESULTS

Here are the results of some of the major races of concern to African Americans. U.S. Senate M.J. Hegar Royce West *Runoff Texas House, District 142 Harold Dutton Jerry Davis *Runoff

22.5% 13.9%

Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee 50.45% Vince Ryan 25.05%

45% 25%

Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector Ann Harris Bennet 58% Jolanda “Jo” Jones 38%

Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee 50.1% Vince Ryan 25.2% Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg 55% Audia Jones 24%

Harris County JP Pct 1 Place 1 Wanda Adams 68% Jereme L. Brown 32% Fort Bend County Attorney Brigitte Smith-Lawson 45% Sonia Rash 38% *Runoff

MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks during a primary election night rally Tuesday, March 3, 2020. Fellow candidate Mike Bloomberg later dropped out of the race.

Harris County Commissioner Precinct 1 Rodney Ellis Maria T. Ellis

Biden won three-quarters of those voters in Virginia and Alabama, as well as nearly 6 in 10 of them in Tennessee and North Carolina. At last count, Biden was leading or had won 10 states on Super Tuesday, while Sanders looked likely to win four.

In other races, incumbents Congressman Al Green and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee easily won in the primary, as did State Sen. Borris Miles and State Reps. Alma Allen, Garnet Coleman, Jarvis Johnson, Ron Reynolds, Shawn Thierry and Senfronia Thompson.

How the 228 delegates Texas awarded on primary election day will be divvied up remains to be seen. In Texas, Michael Bloomberg, the New York City billionaire, was a distant third, followed by Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.

67% 33%

Fort Bend County Sheriff Geneane Hughes 35% Eric Fagan 35% *Runoff

Long lines plague voters As polls closed Tuesday, hundreds of voters still stood in line at polling places across Harris County — some for hours — as a mixture of technical failures, higher turnout and fewer voting locations drove longer-than-normal wait times for voters across the county. At Texas Southern University, five of 10 voting machines were out and some voters say they waited more than five hours to vote. Some of the problems arose when a poll worker removed a unit to take outside for someone to vote curbside, disconnecting a row of the machines, according to the Harris County Clerk’s Office. Technical problems added to the crowding issues in the county. Overall, primary turnout was up in 2020,

VOLUME 89 - NUMBER 19 - MARCH 5, 2020

JON SHAPLEY Voters waited in a long line to cast their ballots at Texas Southern University.

with 265,300 votes cast in Harris County as of 8:20 p.m., according to County Clerk Diane Trautman. Democrats had the highest turnout since 2008. That followed the trend

of early voting in the county, which was also up from past years. The number of polling places in Texas also shrunk. In Harris County alone there were 52 fewer polling places.

Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles

Managing Editor ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Ad/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler

Associate Editor Marilyn Marshall

Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles

People Editor Aswad Walker

Creative Director Michael Grant

Sports Terrance Harris Jodie B. Jiles

Photographers Ray Carrington III Jimmie Aggison

Engagement Manager Margo Williams Hubbard

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 5, 2020 |

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MIKE BLOOMBERG DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE

As someone who has been very lucky in life, I often say my story would have only been possible in America – and that’s true. But I also know that because of the barriers of discrimination, my story likely would have turned out very differently if I had been Black, and that more Black Americans of my generation would have ended up with far more wealth, had they been white. That’s why as President, I’m committed to act to build generational wealth for Black Families.

THE MIKE BLOOMBERG GREENWOOD INITIATIVE PLAN: Create 1 Million New Black Homeowners Double The Number of New Black-Owned Businesses Invest $70 Billion In The Country’s 100 Most Disadvantaged Neighborhoods

MIKE BLOOMBERG HAS THE BEST PLAN FOR CREATING WEALTH FOR BLACK AMERICA

For more information visit

MikeForBlackAmerica.com Paid for by Mike Bloomberg 2020

March 5, 2020 |

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DN Feature

UH GIVING INCOME-ELIGIBLE STUDENTS FREE TUITION

Defender News Service

The University of Houston is expanding a program that will allow students with a family income under $65,000 to get free tuition starting in the Fall 2020 semester. “Starting this fall, the University guarantees tuition and mandatory fees will be covered by grant assistance and other sources for eligible freshmen from families with adjusted gross incomes up to $65,000 — raising the [Cougar Promise] program’s income threshold by $15,000,” the school announced.

“In an eﬀort to impact even more students who have a ﬁnancial need, eligible freshmen from families with adjusted gross incomes between $65,001 and $125,000 will be eligible for tuition support ranging from $500 to $2,000 per year.” The Cougar Promise program, created in 2008, is the school’s commitment to ensure college education is accessible to its students. Before the expansion, the program only helped those with family incomes of up to $50,000. In 2008, only those with a family

income of up to $30,000 were eligible. “Your family’s income bracket shouldn’t limit your ability to achieve a college degree,” said Tilman Fertitta, chairman of the UH System Board of Regents. “Talented people come from all socioeconomic backgrounds, so I’m thrilled there will be more ﬁnancial aid available for those UH students who need it most.” In order to qualify, students must be ﬁrst-time freshmen and meet other requirements.

Metro gets grant for new transit center The federal government is rewarding Metro and the Houston region with up to $18.5 million in grant money for the construction of a new transit center. The money was originally part of the ﬁnancing for the MetroRail Northline extension. When that project was completed early and signiﬁcantly under budget, Metro sought to utilize those sav-

ings for additional transit improvements.. The money will be used to help build a new Northline Transit Center at the end of the Red Line. It will have seven bus bays and a 660-space parking garage. The total cost for the project is estimated at $37 million. As part of the MetroNext Moving Forward Plan approved by nearly 70 percent of

voters last fall, the agency is building or improving 21 transit centers and Park & Rides. “We are very pleased with the federal government’s decision. As Metro continues to look for opportunities to improve mobility throughout our region, federal participation will be critical,” said Metro President & CEO Tom Lambert.

If I could do one thing, I’d tell the world she counts. Communities are as rich and diverse as their needs. That’s why completing the 2020 Census matters. It’s a safe and confidential step toward having an impact on how public funds flow through our communities. That could mean more resources in your area for special needs. It’s within your control.

Learn more at:

2020CENSUS.GOV Paid for by U.S. Census Bureau.

2019_Census_Braile_Newspaper_HalfPage_SizeA_9_75x6.indd 1

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| 9

DN OnSocial See the unbelievable UCLA gymnast Nia Dennis’

Mike Singletary

Vince Young

Michael Strahan

MADISON HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL PLACED ON LEAVE

perform an incredible ﬂoor exercise which shows oﬀ her power and energy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4ZuPBi2bJQ

Carlotta Brown was temporarily relieved of her duties along with two other HISD administrators pending an investigation into allegations staﬀ members “were not appropriately dresses and behaved in a manner that lacked decorum” during a holiday party. She returned to work on March 2.

Nia Dennis of UCLA during an NCAA college gymnastics match, Friday, Jan. 4, 2019, in Los Angeles. Anthony Young

Zina Garrison

Carl Crawford

MOST SHARED

Delta’s donation

Clyde Drexler

Moran Norris

Joseph Addai

GREATEST OF ALL TIME Who gets your vote for the greatest HISD athlete of all time? Is it one of these greats or someone else?

WHAT OTHERS SAY...

WE LOVE SEEING SORORITIES DOING GOOD!

Why? Because adults were having grown folks fun. Hell after dealing with folks kids all semester they deserve to let their hair down and get wild.

Thank you Houston Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for your generous scholarship endowment to TSU. Now, in honor of Houston notable Anna Pearl Barrett, some students will get to see the world! #TSU#DeltaSigmaTheta

Darrell Williams

#GreatestHISDAthlete

Waste of MF time! Go teach those children! For crying out loud! I swear those same bonnet head ass parents was the probably the ones who made sure to report this stupid mess.

TOP VOTE-GETTER: Anthony “AY” Young from Furr HS.

YOU CAN STILL VOTE!

Eula Wwm Smith

Yes . Without them... there would have never been him. Such a sad and undeserving situation.

Cassandra Jarvis Cooper

Since it is opinion then yes. Regardless of the relationship they may have had they still shaped him and his values

Demetric Kegler

I feel that they should’ve been recognized regardless of the situation and his wife should’ve put herself in his mother shoes for that moment.

Maudie Reesie

It’s not for us to judge maybe there’s more to this them we know. Im sorry they weren’t reconized it’s over now time to heal

Diana Devereaux

SHOULD KOBE’S FAMILY HAVE BEEN MENTIONED AT THE MEMORIAL?

Kobe Bryant’s parents Joe and Pam Bryant arrive for a celebration of life for Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Los Angeles.

It was after school but children were still there in afterschool programs and knew what they were doing. I was surprised b/c this was the same principal that had a ﬁt when parents came checking on their children looking any kind of way. (As they should of).

Beverly Modique

This is so silly and pointless. And they wonder why HISD is being taken over .

Terrance Baty

ONCE UPON A TIME, THERE WAS A YOUNG BASKETBALL PLAYER WHO HAD DREAMS OF BECOMING ONE OF THE GREATEST BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF ALL TIME….” REMEMBERING KOBE BRYANT…. See Kobe Bryant’s “Dear Basketball” www.dailymotion.com/video/x7r5ghk

10 | March 5, 2020 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Feature

Coronavirus is affecting Black haircare businesses By Defender News Service

Black hair care businesses in the United States may soon struggle to fill customer orders on wigs and weaves. The hair shortage is reportedly from China and other areas heavily impacted by the global coronavirus. Shannel Wallace, who runs District Cheveux in Bowie, Maryland, told WUSA 9 that she’s already seeing it firsthand. Wallace said she ordered hair extensions in January but has yet to receive her order from China. “I just never imagined coronavirus would affect me, being in the states,” Wallace told the station. “Not directly as far as being sick, but my business.” Wallace said her vendor is blaming the delay on the coronavirus. “They finally reached back out to me and said due to the virus, everyone, I’m guessing, is quarantined and they’re not able to go to work,” Wallace told WUSA 9. Plus, she said customers are starting to express their wariness of hair coming from China. “When they get their hair, (they ask) is it going to be contaminated?” she added. The coronavirus, also known as COVID19, has already killed six people in the United States and more than 3,000 globally. A top virus expert told CBS News on Monday that the pandemic could spread to 70 percent of the world’s population.

In addition to the sickness and death, it’s leaving in its path, COVID-19 is also heavily impacting travel, the stock market and numerous businesses that rely on products from devastated areas. Stephanie Nolan, who lives in Prince George’s County, Maryland, told WUSA 9 that her company, XOXO Virgin Hair, is also feeling the effects of the deadly disease. “Due to the coronavirus, and the measures taken to cut down on the virus in China, people aren’t allowed to go to, or really return to, work,” Nolan told WUSA 9. This is affecting her bottom line as the laws of supply and demand come into play. Some areas not hit as hard as China are taking advantage of the hair shortage by jacking up prices, Wallace said. “I can get (hair) elsewhere, but the price point is just much higher,” Wallace told WUSA 9. As to the customers’ worries that hair from China —when it does come — could be contaminated, information on the Centers for Disease Control’s website seems to allay those fears. The CDC says, for the most part, the virus dies on surfaces. “There is likely very low risk of spread from products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient temperatures,” the agency wrote on its website. “Coronaviruses are generally thought to be spread most often by respiratory droplets.”

As coronavirus fears continue to spread across the Houston area and the country, Mayor Sylvester Turner is focused on quelling social media rumors circulating falsehoods about the reality in Houston. “It’s the rumors that will kill you,” Turner said. “There are no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Houston. None. Zero. And if there is a confirmed case I will be the first to tell you.” Turner said the city is taking steps to keep it that way. One of the biggest precautions announced recently when organizers canceled CERAWeek, the giant U.S. oil conference scheduled for later this month in Houston. “The concern with so much uncertainty, whether it would be prudent to bring representatives from 85 different countries and countries where there is a noticeable presence of the virus,” Turner

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Mayor Turner issues message to Houstonians about coronavirus

T:4.79"

said. “Quite frankly in my conversations with them I too agreed, not right now. It’s just an Txlottery.org is the official source for all pertinent game information. Game closing procedures may be initiated for documented business reasons. These games may have prizes unclaimed, including top prizes. In addition, game closing procedures will be initiated added layer of precaution and safety.” when all top prizes have been claimed. During closing, games may be sold even after all top prizes have been claimed. Must be 18 or older to purchase a ticket. For help with a gambling problem, ncpgambling.org. © 2020 Texas Lottery Commission. PLAY RESPONSIBLY. Turner encouraged residents to take simple steps to keep themselves and their communities healthy. “People need to exercise proper hygiene,” Turner said. “They do need to wash their hands. They do need to use sanitizer. 1 W96476_HNDF_EOG_AFAM_0305.indd I’m going to encourage people to None printed at 2-26-2020 tsalazar-mbp15 from by Tommy Salazar / Tommy saved at keep some in your pocket, your 1:29 PM purse, wherever you are. If you’re approvals fonts & images job info not feeling well, stay home. ” None job # creative dir W96476 Fonts According toTEXAS theLOTTERY client Helvetica Neue LT Std (95 Black, 77 Bold Conden None art director headline/tag MAR EOG AD Condensed), Times (Regular) None copywriter mayor,trimpreparations 4.79" x 3.25" account mgr MICAELA ACOSTA bleed None Images are underway should live None None a confirmed color setup case BW of notes vendor/pub HOUSTON DEFENDER Inks coronavirus arrive Black media type NEWSPAPER DUE: 02/27 die cut None in Houston. Turner PUB: 03/05 reiterated all the relevant public health professionals in the 410 BAYLOR ST • ATX 78703 t 512.479.6200 County f 512.479.6024 city and Harris are working together to ensure the public’s health and to keep people safe.

CLASSIFIED

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DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Entertainment Roland Martin named to Ebony Power 100

Debbie Allen among Black Enterprise Women of Power honorees

Solange accepts Lena Horne Prize, talks fear Solange Knowles was recently honored Four facts about Solange with the first Lena Horne Prize for Artists Piaget Knowles Creating Social Impact at the Town Hall in • Married first husband at 17; has son, Daniel New York City. A number of stars were in attendance to • Owns her own record label witness the event and share words about • Sang the theme song for “The Proud Family,” while the singer, including Solange’s mother Tina Destiny’s Child sang backKnowles Lawson, Horne’s daughter Gail up for her. Lumet Buckley and her granddaughter Jenny • Paints as a hobby Lumet, Rapsody, Tamron Hall, Common, Andra Day and BJ the Chicago Kid. While accepting the honor, the singer opened up about the lessons she learned when her “life changed drastically” during the making of her recent album, “When I Get Home.” “This album marked a colossal pivot moment in my life that I’m still in the thick of the lessons today,” Solange said. “Suddenly there came a great, great fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of trust, fear of love, fear of silence, fear of having to confront things and pain that I have buried too deep, deep inside. It was easy for me to show up and be the unstoppable woman for everyone else, but terrifying for me to be that woman for myself.” The singer thanked her mother and friends for uplifting her and “checking on me daily, coming over to my house just to lay and laugh with me.” “My mother made me feel a little less afraid during those days and brought home to me,” Solange said. “She came over every day for a few weeks to cook me okra and brown rice and cornbread with her little book of prayers. My beautiful hometown and neighborhood of Third Ward Houston held me...My dear friends, all of which are here tonight. They lifted me so high with so much love and so much hope.” During her speech, the singer also acknowledged the importance of allowing yourself space to grow and become “all the things.” “I know that these speeches are meant to be aspirational, leaving you feeling warm and fuzzy and inspiring you to be yourself,” she added. “But I’d like to have the space right now to be all of these things. I’m honored to be all the things that my mother and my dear friend Toyin [Oijih Odutola, a visual artist] have said, but I’m also in a moment of great transition and transformation and we all deserve the space to be all of those things — the space to love my people, to vow to continue fighting for us, for our peace, uplift us, make us seen and heard, celebrate our undeniable supreme light while trying really hard to find my own.”

ENTERTAINMENT

BRIEFS Public Enemy has booted its legendary hype man, Flavor Flav, from the group. The move came days after Flavor Flav sent a cease-anddesist letter to Bernie Sanders to force the presidential hopeful to stop using his “unauthorized likeness, image and trademarked clock” to promote a campaign rally in which Public Enemy performed. But Chuck D said their problems were brewing for years. “It’s not about Bernie with Flav…he [doesn’t] know the difference between Barry Sanders or Bernie Sanders...Flav refused to support Sankofa after Harry Belafonte inducted us,” Chuck D. said. Tyler Perry confirmed that there was “no foul play” in the death of his nephew Gavin Porter. The filmmaker ordered a second autopsy following the passing of his nephew after Porter was found dead in his cell. Porter was serving a 20-year sentence for the fatal shooting of his father. Perry sought a second autopsy, saying, “unfortunately, our criminal justice system and prisons have been notorious for cover-ups and/or getting it wrong.” Perry said the second autopsy confirmed suicide. Last year, Lizzo sued Jeremiah and Justin Raisen, two brothers who were taking credit for helping write her breakout hit, “Truth Hurts.” They claim they wrote the opening line about the singer’s DNA during a songwriting session in April 2017. However, Lizzo claims she got the line from a tweet. The Raisen brothers recently filed their own countersuit, asking for royalties and writing credits. They also claim that “Truth Hurts” is too similar to their own song called “Healthy,” and added that “Lizzo would never have collected her Grammy Award” if it wasn’t for their writing and production during that session almost three years ago. Lizzo claimed that they came out of nowhere after the song, which was released two years before it was noticed, became a success.

12 | March 5, 2020 |

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DN Entertainment

Tracee Ellis Ross sings in new film Tracee Ellis Ross is stepping into the spotand a different genre. light as a singer in her new film “The High It was also terrifying for Note.” me to face my dreams, I The story follows singer Grace Davis, who was so scared to sing! I really It was initially shies away from making new music wanted this script for so long in favor of playing her older music at conand I wanted this role. I went after terrifying for certs. However, when her assistant Maggie it and I’m so happy with how it all me to face (portrayed by Dakota Johnson) suggests turned out.” she records new music, Davis has a change When it comes to inspiration my dreams.” of heart and attempts to catapult herself to for the upcoming film, she said Tracee Ellis Ross higher levels. her famous mother, Diana Ross, did The “Black-ish” star spoke with Entertainand did not have a major impact on ment Weekly about the upcoming film. her acting and singing. “Grace Davis is one of those women who has spent her life “In all honesty, none of this is taken from the world I being what she thought everybody wanted her to be so that she know of being my mom’s child,” she said. “The only thing could make her dreams come true,” Ross explained. “And she’s at is that I always had the dream of being able to sing. But that point in her career and her life where that crossroad happens. this character was so beautifully and wonderfully written, Where I can keep doing what I’ve been doing because it works and and the story really has nothing to do with any of the this is what everyone wants me to do or I can be who I am and let things that I know from my mom’s experience -- except my real Grace Davis fly.” for the fact that there’s a real humanity to this woman...” She continued, “That’s what the movie is about. It’s about the Could “The High Note” springboard Tracee Ellis relationship between my assistant and me, and my assistant also Ross to a career in music? has dreams. It’s such a fun story.” “I have no idea. I mean, who knows? Maybe? It Ross will sing six original songs, fulfilling a dream she always was really fun. We’ll see...” had but never followed. “The High Note” hits theaters on May 8. It also “Working on this film was a really great experience for me,” said stars Kelvin Harrison Jr., Zoë Chao, Bill Pullman, Ross. “And it was so much fun to be working in a different world Eddie Izzard and Ice Cube.

Mother creates teddy bears for special kids

Dr. Tameka Maiden

A Houston mother has partnered with rap artist Trae Tha Truth to build special teddy bears that she says helps non-verbal children with autism better communicate with their parents and caregivers. Cubby Love Bears is a special line of Spanish-English speaking plush bears designed to teach children colors, numbers, the alphabet and other primary skills. The toys also help non-verbal children express hunger and other feelings or needs through pressing the bear’s pre-programmed paws and ears. Dr. Tameka Maiden is a Houston-born pharmacist and former teacher who created Cubby Love Bears after recognizing how frustrating expressing even simple needs can be for children on the nonverbal autism spectrum. “Our mission with this special bear

is to ease that frustration and make life and communication a little easier for autistic and special needs kids and their families,” Maiden said. The line features a bear called “U’Neek The Gifted Bear.” It’s named after the rapper’s 16-year-old son, D’Neeko, and his non-profit foundation, U’Neek & Gifted. “U’Neek”

Bear is designed to help children who have autism, or are non-verbal, audibly tell their parents and caregivers when they are hungry, feeling bad or need help with something, simply by pressing the bear’s pre-programmed paws and ears. Maiden hopes to partner with more local business and organizations to provide “U’Neek” bears for free to parents of special needs and non-verbal children in observance of Autism Awareness Month in April. Other bears include “Zoli,” which can hold mobile devices, and the bilingual bears “Yancy the Time Bear” and “Ory the ABC and Number Bear.” The adaptive toys can be purchased, including in a four-bear set, at the Cubby Love Bears website. For more information visit https:// cubbylovebears.com.

March 5, 2020 |

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DN Sports PVAMU nursing grad pursues Olympic boxing dream Darius Fulghum stands 6-feet-1, weighs 201 pounds, and as of December 2019, fought his way onto the USA boxing Olympic qualification team and is now one of 13 athletes on the team consisting of eight men and five women in each respective weight class. “I started boxing in 2015 and throughout all my experiences through life, I would say that getting my degree is probably the hardest thing I’ve done,” the 23-year-old boxer said. “I’m going to the Olympics and I’m still saying it was hard, actually trying to manage both careers was hard. But, oh man! PV challenged me!” Fulghum’s confidence in his ability to achieve his goals is in his nature. The El Paso-born son of a retired Army first sergeant is likely the first registered nurse who graduated from an HBCU -- Prairie View A&M University -- to make the USA Olympic team. Darius’s brother, DeJuan, is well-known throughout the Southwest Athletic Conference (SWAC). In 2010, as a star linebacker at Texas Southern University, he helped lead

Darius Fulghum

TSU to a SWAC football championship title. DeJuan recalled his brother’s skills in another sport. “When Darius was wrestling, he wasn’t [that] good when he started off. But in his junior year, something took off. He ended

going to state in his junior and senior year in wrestling.” After graduating from high school in 2015, Darius left wrestling and focused on boxing. “I started getting serious about my health

and being fascinated by the human body and learning about it, and that’s how I got more into science, and it’s why I chose nursing,” he said. Though his boxing-nursing plan took him from Central Texas College in Killeen, he knew Houston was where he needed to be. “There were more opportunities in Houston than there were in Killeen,” his brother said. “He moved in with me, and he applied to the University of Texas’ nursing program in Houston and, of course, Prairie View. UT did not accept him, but Prairie View did. He would fight when he could and when his schedule at Prairie View allowed him to.” While at PVAMU, Darius won the 2018 Golden Gloves for his division. He graduated from the College of Nursing with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in May 2019. In June, he passed the exam to become a registered nurse. For the rest of 2019, he focused on making the USA boxing team. He will now head to the training facility in Colorado. Team USA will depart Colorado bound for Buenos Aires, Argentina on March 21.

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DN Sports Jeﬀ Green is OFFICIAL! The Houston Rockets signed the center/forward, who is expected to bolster the defense for the remainder of the season.

DID YOU KNOW...

The last time the Prairie View men’s basketball team lost a home game was Feb. 12, 2018.

PVAMU PANTHERS

PV EYES CHAMPIONSHIP TERRANCE TOURNEY PREDICTIONS

MEN Favorite Prairie View Upset special Texas Southern Players to watch G. Andrus – Prairie View T. Armstrong – Texas Southern M. Howard – Alcorn State T. Jarrett – Jackson State Tourney MVP D. Patterson WOMEN Favorite J. State Upset special Texas Southern Players to watch J. Coleman – Grambling State C. Cryor – Texas Southern D. Lewis – Alabama A&M N. Mitchell – Texas Southern Tourney MVP N. Mitchell

By Terrance Harris

t would seem the Prairie View A&M University men’s basketball team is on the path to be right back where it was a season ago – doubling up as SWAC regular-season and conference tournament champs. Head coach Byron Smith has managed to convince his team to take nothing for granted as it gets set for SWAC Tournament that tips off March 10 with a chance to make the NCAA Tournament hanging in the balance. The first-place Panthers, the defending regular-season and tournament champs a year ago, are riding a eight-game league winning streak and appear on the way to repeating as the No. 1 seed. One difference is that PVAMU’s top two guards from last season are now playing ball overseas. “Our guys came back with something to prove, saying hey we can get back and win this thing again,” Smith said. “We are good enough. Those guys were good and we miss them but the mentality is next man up.” Led by Devonte Patterson and Gerard Andrus this season, the Panthers have been dominant and have their sights on more than just a first-round exit in the NCAA Tournament. But they know first they have to get through the SWAC Tournament, which starts with a firstround game at home before moving to Birmingham, Ala. March 13-14 for the semifinals and championship rounds for both the men and women. “We can really push far in the NCAA

Tournament,” Patterson said. “But I’m not trying to look ahead because the man upstairs always says, `Stay focused in the moment, stay attached to me.’ But we are going to win SWAC again.” The SWAC women’s bracket could be even more exciting with Jackson State and Texas Southern as the top two teams. Jackson State, which has just one loss in conference with one game remaining in the regular season has won both meetings with TSU this season. But the ﬁrst one was a two-point decision when they met most recently in February. Then TSU had three players missing due to suspension including st ar for ward Niya Mitchell. Follow Terrance Harris on Twitter @terranceharris.

Prairie View A&M head coach Byron Smith -AP Photo/Sam Craft

Sports Briefs Roughnecks leading XFL The Roughnecks return home after two weeks on the road to face Seattle. The 4-0 Roughnecks are the lone undefeated team remaining in the XFL after defeating Dallas 27-20. The Roughnecks are proving to be one of the hardest teams in the XFL to pass on. They have nine interceptions on the season after picking oﬀ Dallas quarterback Landy Jones four times. Cody Brown recorded his second interception of the season then Deatrick Nichols notched his second and third picks of the year to lead Houston. Nichols leads the team with three picks on the season.

TSU beats No. 4 Mississippi State After a slow start to the season, the TSU Tigers baseball team is moving in the right direction as they get into the thick of the SWAC season. Prior to losing the series finale to Arkansas-Pine Bluff, the Tigers had won three straight, which included knocking off No. 4 Mississippi State for the first win of the season.

UH freshman recognized UH guard Marcus Sasser continues to turn heads. After scoring a game-high 21 points in a win over Cincinnati over the weekend, Sasser has been named the American Athletic Conference’s Freshman of the Week.

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March 5, 2020 |

DN Sports MARK & WILLIAMS The duo to watch at Dickinson

By JODIE B. JILES Defender

Dickinson High School senior shooting guard Tramon Mark, a University of Houston commit, and senior point guard Marcus Williams, a Northern Colorado commit, have been balling out of control in the playoffs. From start to finish the duo runs in max gear creating turnovers and scoring points in bunches. While Mark is a quiet playmaker who finds his spots to pull up shots wherever he chooses, Williams is the sparkplug that keeps the momentum up throughout the game. With only a few games remaining before the state tournament, look for Dickinson to make some noise moving forward in the playoffs. Dickinson head coach Jason Wilson praised his duo’s impact on and off the court. “They both are a special talent,” Wilson said. “Along with that their leadership is more than just in their game-time performances. It is their day-to-day preparation that sets the tone in practice and carries over to the game.” Here is the one-on-one with Mark and Williams. Style of play (Mark) “Very versatile. I can score and pass whenever I want to. I am going to come at you consistently...” Finding spots on the floor (Mark) “I feel like I can get to my spots with any defender at any time. Once I make a hard

move and find my spots the ball is going up and probably going in.” Confidence (Mark) “This year I really trusted all my abilities and skills. Last year I was more laid back and didn’t really make myself a force, but this year I have made myself a force and I am where I am today.” UH commitment (Mark) “They let their guards rock out. So, if I go up there and do what I need to do, take care of myself and my body, I think I will do good.” Kobe Bryant influence (Mark) “Kobe was my favorite player growing up...I used to watch all of his highlights, I would study his game and he will always be my favorite player of all time.” Game (Williams) “I look to get my shot off. When I am coming down the court and the defender’s hand is down I look to pull up on them because for me that is an open shot. Then when I get in the lane. I am looking for Mark for the alley opp or one of my teammates because you can’t stay in front of me.” Showmanship (Williams) “Every day in practice we work hard and I feel like I am the energy source. So, if I am playing hard and doing my thing the team will play even harder.” Next round (Williams) “Just keep doing what we have been doing. We have to go out play hard and play defense, and when we [do] you can’t really stop us.”

ABOUT TRAMON MARK Class: 2020 Twitter: @RealBuckets11 National Ranking (Rivals.com): No. 85 Other NBA players he studies: Kyrie Irving Stephen Curry

ABOUT MARCUS WILLIAMS Twitter: @bucketMarcus NBA players he studies: Damian Lillard Russell Westbrook Favorite Artist: Gunna Lil Baby Shout-outs: Back court Photos by: Jimmie Aggison

Eddie Lampkin stands out at Morton Ranch ABOUT EDDIE LAMPKIN Instagram: @lileeball Twitter: @EddieLampkin25 NBA players he studies: Shaquille O’Neal, Joel Embid, Andre Drummond Favorite food: Crab Shout-outs: Mom, dad and God

By JODIE B. JILES Defender

At 6-feet-11 and 300 pounds, Morton Ranch High School senior big man Eddie Lampkin, a Texas Christian University commit, is a rare combination of size and power in the paint. Despite suffering an ankle injury early this season, Lampkin has returned to the court stronger than ever. In the playoffs, Lampkin has averaged a double-double and seems to be the one player no one has an answer for offensively or defensively. Since Morton Ranch was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Fort Bend Elkins last season, Lamkin and his McDonalds All-American teammate L.J. Cryer, a Baylor commit, are on a mission to push Morton Ranch farther than years past as they inch closer to a state championship bid in the UIL state tournament. Morton Ranch head coach Kris

Turner explained what makes Lampkin special. “He is one of the best passing big men I have ever seen...He also has the ability to bounce back from injury which makes him special as a comeback story,” Turner said. Here is the one-on-one with Lampkin. Size advantage “I have always been able to use my weight to my advantage. Some people say I am too big but I can run the floor really well, go into somebody and distribute the ball.” Quickness “I always worked on my quickness doing ladder drills and working out in the pool.” Leadership “I have always been that leader whether I was the best player on the team or just a freshman or sophomore. I always try to be the vocal leader and leadership has always been natural for me.”

Playoff success so far “I don’t want to go home…I just want to score the ball, talk to my teammates on defense, defend the ball and get rebounds.” Comeback after injury “It really was just mental for me. At first I was thinking I wasn’t going to come back this season then I talked with my coach, mom and dad, and they said to just keep working. I never stopped working. Even when I wasn’t playing in the games I was still shooting even though I couldn’t even jump. So now I have just come back to win a state championship.” Playing with L.J. Cryer “Its crazy, but I like it. I’m going be mad when I have to play against him when he goes to Baylor next year.” TCU commitment “I liked their coaching staff and Fort Worth because it fits me. The Big 12 next year is going to be really good and it should give me a better chance to get to the NBA or overseas.

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DN Faces

7 ANNUAL MAYOR’S HISTORY MAKERS AWARDS: Comcast again celebrated Black History Month by partnering with Mayor Sylvester Turner to honor community volunteers at the third Annual Mayor’s History Makers Awards held at the Post Oak Hotel. Honorees recognized for their civic engagement included Dr. Anastasia Anderson, Jacqueline Bostic, Donald Bowers, Charlotte Bryant, Argentina James, Marvin Pierre and Khambrel Marshall. Zinetta Burney received the Mayor’s Living Legend Award. In addition to being recognized, Comcast donated $1,000 to the nonprofit organization of the honoree’s choice. Attendees included Janette Cosley, Joy Sewing, Andy Canales, Kenneth Huewitt, Jodie Jiles, Jamey Rootes and scores more. Photos: 1) Mayor Sylvester Turner, Khambrel Marshall, Ray Purser 2) Kimberlyn Clarkson, Kimberly Anderson 3) Belinda Everette, Argentina James, Yolanda Smith. TARGET HUNGER 2020 GALA: Target Hunger hosted its 2020 gala, the organization’s signature fundraising event. Held at the Junior League of Houston, the event celebrated another year of individuals, businesses and organizations that support the TH mission to feed families and provide healthy food options for underserved and under-resourced communities. Attendees includ-

ed Charles & Linda Cade, Eddie Washington, Melissa O’Connel, Trisha Bradley, Cheryl Relerford, Shuranda Steward, Melodi Harrison, Vashti Padmore, Oni Blair, Chris Hensman and many others. Photos: 4) Sam Louis, Melanie Louis 5) Crawford Bunkley, Anita Bunkley 6) Sandra Wicoff, Demethra Orion (event chair), Gladys Goffney. KASHMERE FAA’s ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP GALA BANQUET: The Kashmere Former Athletes Association recently held its seventh Annual Scholarship Gala Banquet, recognizing past scholarship recipients and their universities, while also inducting new members into the Kashmere High School Ring of Honor. The new inductees included Keith Downey, Kevinn Robinson, Anthony Quarles, Jesse Lamb Jr., Ruben Moore, Karl Godine, Linda Richard-Haskett, Luster Goodwin and many more. Other attendees included Johnny Robinson, Roy Cook, Amaka Okeke-Oraeki and many more. Photos: 7) Luster Goodwin, Marvin Foster, Arthur Mitchell, Russell Charles 8) Brenda Compton, Evelyn Beal, Jewell McGowen Maddox (MC) 9) Pauline Allen, Charles Allen, Audrey Crawford-Sumpter. By Aswad Walker

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