Houston Defender: March 16, 2017

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CYPRESS FALLS BOYS’ BASKETBALL TEAM WINS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP P15

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Houston’s Leading Black Information Source

Volume 86 | Number 20

MARCH 16, 2017 |FREE

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NEWSTALK DWIGHT BOYKINS working to end Third Ward food desert

P2 NATIONAL PAUL RYAN health plan impacts millions

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‘GET OUT’

SPORTS

soars past $100 million mark

TEXAS SOUTHERN men and women’s teams heading to championships

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Black Restaurant Week April 17-30, 2017

P14 TOP EVENTS

It’s a tasty way to celebrate Black-owned businesses, and this year, Black Restaurant Week has added an additional week to their lineup where events will take place between April 17-30.

Chef D.C. Williams is among the people featured at the culinary showcase, which extends an invitation to Houstonians to enjoy a meal from participating restaurants for two weeks at a discounted rate, either fine dining for $35 - $45 or casual dining $15 - $25. Find out more about events showcasing caterers, food trucks and bartenders.

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Yolanda Smith and Wash Allen at the NAACP Black Media luncheon.

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DEFENDER | MARCH 16 | 2017

newstalk

New store to combat food desert in Third Ward Defender News Service

Houston City Council voted in favor of the purchase/sale agreement of property to build a grocery store to combat the food desert problem in District D. The property will be leased to Houston Housing Finance Corp.

(HHFC), which will sublease it to H-E-B. “I am pleased with the opportunity to address the lack of quality food within my district,” said Councilmember Dwight A new grocery store is coming to Hwy 288 and MacGregor.

Boykins, who represents the process of identifying grocery store retailDistrict D. ers that would be willing to partner with the “I want to thank the team behind this City of Houston by making the commitment project who has been working over the past to bring “fresh food options” to the District D two and half years to make this a reality. We community. are moving forward on this step in the process The city held a public hearing in 2016 about of eliminating food deserts within the city of the proposed project. Boykins said the communiHouston.” ty overwhelmingly supported the concept, which Boykins said the agreement for $13.8 milwould not only address the food desert challenge lion for the land at Hwy. 288 and MacGregor but provide more than 250 jobs and serve as a “is just one step in ensuring that this commucatalyst for revitalization. nity has access to a 72,000-square foot, fullBoykins stressed that there will be no local service, state-of-the-art grocery store.” funds used for the project. “All of the funds are He listed limited site selection, lack of coming from the federal government to the City interest by retailers and insufficient funding of Houston…,” he said. as some of the obstacles in meeting the area’s In addition, H-E-B will not receive any sublong-term grocery needs. sidies, low-interest loans or economic incentives.

According to Boykins, in 2014, he began

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CWA, AT&T bring 3,000 jobs, raises Singapore and Vietnam) critics said would send more U.S. jobs overseas,” said The Communications Cummings.

Workers of America (CWA) “However, the CWA District 6 bargaining comtook the lead on this ismittee has reached a tentasue for years, way before tive jobs agreement with Trump.”

AT&T Southwest that will Years of talks between potentially impact 23,000 the CWA and AT&T became current and fuserious in 2016 ture workers. with both entiThe tentaties agreeing on tive four-year the need to bring settlement jobs back to the provides for U.S., leading to pay raises, their agreement. paid parental “When I leave, affordwatched footage able healthcare from Ferguson, and enhanced with Michael benefits for the Brown’s body 20,000 AT&T lying in the Claude Cummings, Jr. workers in the street for hours, five states belonging to and Black men being inCWA District 6: Arkansas, terviewed and asked ‘Why Kansas, Missouri, Oklaso much crime?’ Because homa and Texas. there’re no jobs. Folk will find A key provision of the a way to feed their families if proposed settlement, accord- no jobs exist.” ing to Claude Cummings Cummings, who is also Jr., vice president of CWA the NAACP Houston Branch’s District 6, involves AT&T’s second vice president, stated commitment to bring 3,000 the agreement with AT&T is jobs to the five states, jobs a direct response to “all the that had previously been Fergusons across the country.” sourced offshore.

“It’s about economic “President Donald empowerment. And these Trump takes credit for killjobs coming back are not just ing the Trans-Pacific Partany jobs, but 3,000 good jobs nership [TPP], a trade agree- paying good wages, benefits, ment (between the U.S., healthcare and pensions.”

Australia, Brunei, Canada, Cummings expects Texas Chile, Japan, Malaysia, to see its first jobs from this Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, agreement in late 2018.

By ASWAD WALKER Defender

localbriefs A STATE SENATE PANEL CLEARED LEGISLATION that would overhaul the state’s voter identification rules, an effort to comply with court rulings that the current law discriminates against Black and Latino voters. The Senate State Affairs Committee voted 7-0 to send the legislation to the full chamber. Among other things, Senate Bill 5 would add options for Texas voters who say they cannot “reasonably” obtain one of seven forms of ID currently required at the polls. …….HISD HAS APPROVED A PROPOSAL to establish an internal disciplinary alternative education program (DAEP) for secondary students for the 2017-2018 school year based on

a timeline and benchmarks prepared by district administration. Bringing the program in-house would allow the district to align academic and behavioral interventions among campuses, improve transitional support for students between their enrolled school and the secondary DAEP, and improve efficiency by deploying staff members to schools when the DAEP is not at capacity…….THE CITY OF HOUSTON IS GETTING CREATIVE with flood control within the White Oak Bayou watershed by converting the Inwood Forest Golf Course, a 223-acre site closed since 2007, into a series of 10 connected detention basins. Once complete the new detention basins will be

able to hold 350 million gallons of storm water, almost 530 Olympic size pools worth of water, which is more water than the Astrodome could hold…….

HIRE HOUSTON MARCH 27 DEADLINE APPROACHES and Mayor Sylvester Turner has called on Houston corporations to join his summer jobs program. The mayor has set a goal of providing 5,000 jobs for Houston youth this summer, yet has only received pledges from 3,000 companies.

HHY provides young people, 16-24 with a sevenweek summer internship or job, earning at least $8 an hour. To sign up as an employer, visit www. hirehoustonyouth.org.

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MARCH 16 | 2017 | DEFENDER

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DEFENDER | MARCH 16 | 2017

national

Millions would lose health insurance with GOP plan

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Defender News Service

wenty-four million more Americans would be uninsured by 2026 under the House Republican health care bill than under the Affordable Care Act (ACA or Obamacare), including 14 million by next year, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) said.

The long-anticipated report immediately puts the writers and supporters of the GOP Obamacare repeal bill on the defenHouse Speaker Paul Ryan explained the Republicans’ American Health Care Act. sive. It is also certain to compliSpeaker Paul Ryan, has sparked deep concate the party’s already troubled cern among some Republican lawmakers in efforts to repeal and replace the ACA. both the House and the Senate. The sources The CBO, along with the Joint Commitof unease are wide-ranging. tee on Taxation, found that 5 million fewer Prominent conservatives on Capitol people would be covered under Medicaid Hill, for example, have argued that the bill by 2018, and 14 million fewer people would doesn’t go far enough, labeling it “Obamenroll in the program by 2026. acare Lite.” One element of the legislation In total, an estimated 52 million people that has drawn fierce scorn is the refundable would be uninsured by 2026 under the GOP tax credits, which conservative Republicans plan, compared to 28 million who would say amounts to an entitlement program. lack insurance under the current law.

Moderate Republicans are also uneasy, The Republican bill, titled the American particularly when it comes to the proposal’s Health Care Act, would reduce the federal impact on Medicaid expansion. Thirty-one deficit by $337 billion over 10 years, the states – including 16 with Republican govCBO said. ernors – elected to expand Medicaid under The Trump administration immediately Obamacare and have found it to be a successdownplayed the report’s findings.

“We disagree strenuously with the report ful way of insuring low-income adults at little cost to their states. that was put out,” Health and Human SerThe House GOP bill proposes scrapping vices Secretary Tom Price said.

Price argued the CBO ignored regulatory the enhanced federal funding for Medicaid expansion in 2020 and overhauls the entire changes and grants to states the administraprogram so that states receive a fixed amount tion believes will lead to an expansion of of money per enrollee. health care coverage, although those plans Premiums are expected to jump up to 20 have not been released. percent in the individual market in 2018 and Democrats blasted the bill based on the 2019, but after that, they would decrease. By report’s findings.

2026, average premiums would be roughly 10 “I think that throwing 24 million Ameripercent lower than under the current system. cans off of health insurance, raising premiBut the increase in premiums would be ums for older low-income Americans, while giving $285 billion in tax breaks to the top 2 much steeper for some Americans in the individual market, particularly older people with percent is a disgusting and immoral prolower incomes. posal,” Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont told A 64-year-old making $26,500 would pay reporters. $1,700 for coverage in 2026 under Obam“Thousands of Americans will die if this acare, thanks to its subsidies. But under the legislation is passed and we have to do evGOP plan, that person would get hit with an erything that we can to see that is defeated.” annual premium bill of $14,600.

The legislation, introduced by House

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U.S.briefs VIDEO THAT A FILMMAKER SAYS SHOWS MICHAEL BROWN in a Ferguson, Missouri store engaging in a purported drug exchange hours before he was killed is nothing more than a “poorly edited snippet,” the prosecutor who investigated the case said. Director Jason Pollock, whose film “Stranger Fruit” debuted at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, over the weekend, claimed the video shows that Brown did not rob the store before his deadly confrontation with Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson. Rather, it shows the 18-year-old exchanged marijuana for cigarillos with the clerks.

St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Robert McCulloch called Pollock’s assertions “just stupid”…..FORMER PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA is reportedly just as “irked and exasperated” when President Donald Trump accused him of wiretapping. Sources close to the former president didn’t characterize his reaction as outright fury, but they did say that he was frustrated by the president’s accusations, despite the fact that the White House is now trying to walk back the wire tapping claim….MOREHOUSE COLLEGE PRESIDENT JOHN WILSON JR. is officially the former president of the HBCU, three months earlier than anticipated. The move comes just days after Wilson penned a letter in reaction to his White House meeting with President Donald Trump and other HBCU presidents.

In a letter from Morehouse Board Chairman Robert Davidson, William Taggart is named as the person in charge of day-to-day operations at Morehouse…..A BILL ROLLING THROUGH CONGRESS would allow companies to require employees to undergo genetic testing and have access to employee health information. Currently, giving employers that kind of power and information is prohibited under a 2008 genetic privacy and nondiscrimination law known as GINA, but STAT reports that the new bill gets around that legislation by saying GINA does not apply when genetic tests are part of a “workplace wellness” program.

VOLUME 86 • NUMBER 20 MARCH 16, 2017 Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Ad/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Digital Editor LaGloria Wheatfall Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila Proofer Maia Shelby

Editors ReShonda Billingsley Marilyn Marshall Contributing Writers Aswad Walker Jasemine Knowles Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (713-663-6996.. The Defender is audited by Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For subscription, send $60-1 year to: Defender, P.O. Box 8005, Houston TX 77288. Payment must accompany subscription request. All material covered by 2012 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).

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MARCH 16 | 2017 | DEFENDER

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Phylicia Rashad joins symphony concert The Houston Symphony announced that Tony Award-winner and Emmy Award-nominee Phylicia Rashad will join the cast of its new semi-staged, concert version of Beethoven’s “Fidelio,” the composer’s only opera, March 31 and April 2 at Jones Hall.

Houston native Rashad joins the orchestra and music director Andrés OrozcoEstrada as a narrator in a streamlined production of Beethoven’s masterpiece, Phylicia Rashad a politicallycharged drama that follows the MiKaiya Peters (l.) and Olive Onyekwelu (r.) were among 100 teens selected to participate heroic struggles of a devoted wife who disguises herself as in Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence at Walt Disney World. a man to rescue her husband, a The students were selected from thousands of applicants nationwide and along with a parent or guardian, received an all-expense-paid trip to Walt Disney World to participate political prisoner.

Although the music rein the event. The educational mentoring program featured immersive career-oriented mains central in this version of workshops, lessons on leadership skills and networking strategies, and insight from celebrity guests including Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton and “Empire” actor “Fidelio,” the spoken Germanlanguage dialogue in the original Bryshere Gray. Also pictured with Mickey and Minnie Mouse is Tracey D. Powell of Disney score is replaced with Rashad’s

Houston students join Disney Dreamers

DreamersFRO-17031-HoustonDefender-DecentCoffee-9p75x6p5.pdf Acad emy (center).

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narration of excerpts from iconic speeches, poetry and literature that engage with the timeless themes of the opera.

Houston-based Tara Faircloth, a seasoned director of opera productions across the United States, worked closely with Orozco-Estrada to develop a fresh take on “Fidelio.”

Commenting on the role Rashad will play in the production, Faircloth said, “I’ve created a character who sits outside of the action, but provides comments and thoughtful reflection on the events we see unfolding on the stage. ‘Fidelio’ has so many themes to explore, but perhaps the strongest is the power of hope in the face of tyrannical oppression.”

For tickets and information visit www.houstonsymphony.org or call 713-224-7575.

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DEFENDER | MARCH 16 | 2017

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entertainment

Jordan Peele

Talks about hit movie, ‘Get Out’

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Defender News Services

omedian Jordan Peele is best known as one half of the sketch comedy duo Key & Peele. But the actor has always wanted to branch out and make a horror film. He knew it could be successful. He just never imagined it would be this successful.

“Get Out” has quickly become the year’s most celebrated horror film, taking in $33 million on its opening weekend, and now has raked in over $100 million dollars.

Not bad for a film that cost $4.5 million to make.

“Get Out” looks at the experience of a young Black Daniel Kaluuya stars in “Get Out” man, played by the British actor Daniel Kaluuya, when he is introduced to his white girlfriend’s parents. It’s tense, the horror-movie genre and in the public conversation, in a way funny and terrifying. It’s the directorial debut for the actorthat I felt was taboo. turned-filmmaker.

Defender: You tackle these issues so boldly, it seems like For five seasons, the show “Key & Peele” used satire to examine social issues, especially Black culture, so it shouldn’t come you’d scare off a lot of studios.

JP: I had done about five years of coming up with the as a complete surprise that Peele – an ardent horror fan – was able outline before I even brought it up to anybody. I had a very tight to do the same within a different genre. and intricate idea. And in retrospect, I think obviously what I saw Defender: You manage to tap into America’s racial tenas the big risk, they saw as the right risk with the subject matter. sions with this film. Was that the result of current events, like But for the most part, the construction of the story was in Donald Trump and Black Lives Matter? place. I think what people are really responding to Jordan Peele: Actually, the genesis for the film was when Obama was elected and there was this sentiment that we can stop is the story itself, and the fact that it defies the uncomfortableness of the subject matter. talking about race now because we’ve just solved the problem.

Defender: Given the political climate, We are now living in a system where racism is involved with entertainment that helps foster political policy. We’ve left the era where people were trying to pretend discussion and empathy is more importhat race doesn’t exist.

As we got into the initial years of the Obama administration, tant than ever. Were you intentionally trying to tackle the power of a story to it became clearer than ever to me that race was a conversation change minds? people were increasingly uncomfortable having. There was this JP: One hundred percent. I had “post-racial” lie going on. So this movie, the purpose of it became to represent the Black experience, but also just [represent] race in a front-row seat, obviously, in “Key &

Peele,” realizing the power of sketch to help start and inform conversation. I’m a true believer in story. I think when you just tell people to think, people tend to get resistant and defensive, and feel like you’re accusing them of not thinking…when you allow people to submerge themselves into a story, they will react by thinking through what it’s about. That’s just so much more fun and effective, I think, than a lecture.

Defender: Why do you think movie-goers, especially African-Americans, love the movie?

JP: This movie is working and resonating with the Black audiences because it gives its audience credit. It doesn’t presume that people are going to watch this film and go out and attack people…I knew it would do more to allow us to face our fears and address our horror than it would be a divisive movie.

Jordan Peele

what’sup “Empire” co-star GABOUREY SIDIBE talks about dealing with depression, anxiety and bulimia before she underwent laparoscopic bariatric surgery in May 2016 in her new memoir, “This Is Just My Face: Try Not to Stare.” The actress struggled with her weight for more than a decade before she decided to go under the knife and writes she knew the surgery would mean making real changes to her life. The 33-year-old further said surgery was tied to the fact that she was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. While the surgery was motivated by health concerns, Sidibe is no stranger to body-image issues. She said she’s

learned to embrace her body, no matter what size she may be……“American Idol” alum LA’PORSHA RENAE ignited a firestorm on social media after Renae said being gay was a “choice” and that she chose to be heterosexual after being homosexual for two years…….

Sister Sledge member JONI SLEDGE, who with her sisters recorded the enduring dance anthem “We Are Family,” died on March 10 at age 60. Sledge was found dead in her home by a friend in Phoenix. A cause of death has not been determined…….Ex-NFL quarterback KORDELL STEWART won a $3 million judgement against YouTube sensation

ANDREW CALDWELL, who repeatedly claimed that the two had a gay relationship.

Last November, Stewart was awarded a default judgement after Caldwell failed to go to court. Now, Stewart has been awarded $1.5 million in general damages and $1.5 million in punitive damages, though it’s less than he had hoped for, since he had sued for $4.5 million for loss of earnings and emotional distress as well as damage to his image. He said Caldwell’s claims that they had a relationship while Stewart was married to PORSHA WILLIAMS of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” were made to damage his marriage.

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T:9.75”

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MARCH 16 | 2017 | DEFENDER

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DEFENDER | MARCH 16 | 2017

BLACK RESTAURAN

April 17-3

By JASEMINE KNOWLES Defender

B

lack Restaurant Week is gearing up for its second year and this time, local culinary professionals are serving up more than food.

Unlike last year, Black Restaurant Week (BRW) has added an additional week to its lineup where events will take place April 17-30.

“Last year we had such a huge success with Black Restaurant Week that we have decided to spread the events into two weeks to give the community an opportunity to come out and enjoy the festivities,” said Warren Luckett, chair of BRW. Percy ‘PC’ Creuzot and Jackie Levi are the third generation properietors of Frenchy’s Chicken.

A tasty way to celebrate participant in last year’s events, said BRW helped Black-owned businesses, BRW is a create awareness of their business. culinary showcase that extends an invitation to “Black Restaurant Week last year was perHoustonians to enjoy a meal from participating fect in shedding light on the many Black-owned restaurants for two weeks at a discounted rate, either fine dining for $35-$45 or casual dining for restaurants in the city that may or may not have received as much recognition,” said Taylor. $15-$25.

“We thought the turnout for last year’s event BRW’s participating restaurants feature a was great and we look forward to participating variety of menus, including African, Caribbean, Cajun and vegetarian. BRW also focuses on all of again this year.”

BRW was also successful in generating the moving parts in the food industry, including chefs, suppliers, caterers, bartenders and farmers. $6,000 in donations for Change Happens, a nonprofit, community-based organization that offers Initially, BRW was launched last year with a a variety of programs that reflect its mission to committee including Luckett, Derek Robinson, empower people to help themselves.

Falayn Ferrell, Mark Martin, Khaliah Johnson This year, BRW is supporting the community and countless others. This year the Defender is by partnering with Blue Triangle to assist in renoone of many sponsors helping to support and vating its community commercial kitchen. Blue bring the event to life.

Triangle is a multicultural association dedicated “Celebrating Black culinary professionals to providing a safe environment for youth and is important for the Black community because it speaks to the role in which food plays in our soci- adults.

In addition to its community enhancement ety,” said Ferrell, BRW’s operations manager. endeavors, Luckett said BRW will bring something “Food has always been a great way to connew to the table: a festival to celebrate food truck nect and bring together our people. It’s also a owners. great way to get more African-Americans to re“To make this year’s event more engaging, cycle their ‘Black dollars’ by patronizing Blackwe’ve added ‘Soundbites’ which is our food truck owned businesses.” music festival, where there’ll be live performances, Last year, BRW generated over $50,000 in revenue for the Houston community through culi- music from multiple DJs, and good eats from local Black-owned food trucks,” said Luckett. nary events and restaurant participation.

“We’re also partnering up with UberEATS so Ray’s BBQ Shack’s co-owner Herb Taylor, a

Personal Chef D.C. Williams

that participants who cannot attend have the option to have food delivered during the event.”

Additionally, BRW is creating a more interactive environment at their culinary events by having attendees vote for their favorite bites or drinks, where winners will receive an award.

“The voting platform will engage the audience to vote for their favorite foods during the

food “ ing, can g

of th

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NT WEEK RETURNS

30, 2017

BRW Events AROMA

Aroma is a restaurant consulting and educational series where entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners will have the opportunity to learn how to open a restaurant franchise.

When: April 18 Where: Live Oak Bar & Grill, 2533 Southmore Blvd.

Time: 6-8 p.m.

NOSH

m CJs Shrimp Cocktail fro ing company ter ca a e, iec Masterp t year’s las in d ate that particip BRW. ne

Photos: Emile Brow

In honor of Black caterers and chefs who do not have a brick and mortar restaurant, Nosh is a culinary showcase of their best bites. Participants who taste the foods will have a chance to vote on their favorite caterer for best taste, presentation and display.

When: April 20, Where: The Ensemble Theatre, 3535 Main St. Time: 6:30-9 p.m.

SOUNDBITES

In an effort to bring something new and exciting to the table, Soundbites is a food truck music festival, where live music and performances along with cuisine will be available.

When: April 22 Where: Peggy Park, 4101 Almeda Road Time: 2-8 p.m.

POWER OF THE PALETTE

Party-goers will have the opportunity to mix and mingle while taste-testing cocktails inspired by the African Diaspora during the bartending competition.

d competitions,” said Luckett.

“We want this year’s [BRW] to be as engagfun, and express how we as a community gather together and make a difference.”

The Defender is one of the proud sponsors his event.

For more information visit houbrw.com.

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t Warren Lucket Falayn Ferrell

he Houston area for over 85 years

When: April 24 Where: Kitchen 713, 4601 Washington Ave. #130 Time: 4-8 p.m.

For tickets visit: houbrw.com

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DEFENDER | MARCH 16 | 2017

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Black male students require care, concern Earlier this year, a video of English teacher Barry White Jr.’s unique handshakes with each of his students went viral.

In the video, White, who is Black, greeted each of his students at the predominately Black elementary school with elaborate high-fives that he said were based around each student’s personality and helped him connect with each child.

Connecting with students isn’t just about producing good feelings.

Research has shown that teachers’ relationships with students affect educational outcomes. Yet relationships between K-12 teachers, who are predominately white and female, and their Black male students are in need of improvement.

Researchers from the College of Education and the Institute for Urban Policy Research and Analysis at the University of Texas at Austin were part of a team that observed relationships

“Caring is a complex human phenomenon, and it requires more of teachers than good intentions.”

between Black male teachers and students in the Manhood Development Program in Oakland. The study was published in Teachers College Record.

“We have all heard the expression, ‘Students don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care,’ ” said assistant professor Sepehr Vakil, one of the study’s co-authors. “Yet caring is a complex human phenomenon, and it requires more of teachers than good intentions.”

The researchers observed teachers and students in a district with persistent racial disparities in discipline and academic success.

TSU spring enrollment rises Defender News Service

Enrollment is on the rise at Texas

Southern University, with nearly 8,600 students signing up for classes this semester.

That’s a 5.75 percent increase from last spring’s enrollment.

TSU officials attribute the 47 percent rise to new students transferring from community colleges, About 500 transfer students enrolled for the first time this spring compared to 340 students last spring.

TSU allowed students to enroll online for the first time ever this semester, and more than 80 percent of students did so. TSU signed agreements with Houston Community College and Lone Star College last year in an effort to ease the transfer process. These agreements planned transfer credits and data sharing between the institutions.

Austin Lane, TSU’s new president, said in the fall that better relationships with local junior colleges

would play a pivotal role in growing enrollment,

which has declined since 2012.

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The teachers’ goal was to improve Black male students’ school success and teach them about their cultural and community histories.

The study’s findings offer practical actions educators can take to better prepare teachers

to successfully teach marginalized youths of color. Recommendations include: • Increase pathways for a more diverse teacher population to enter the field.

• Create teacher education programs that

develop cultural competency for pre-service and in-service teachers • Design professional development programs that help teachers understand the politicized and racialized dimensions of caring in deeper studentteacher relationships.

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MARCH 16 | 2017 | DEFENDER

opinion Don’t hurt kids with GOP health care act

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By MARIAN WRIGHT EDELMAN

Adam Zyglis, The Buffalo News

he Children’s Defense Fund has made giving every child a healthy start a core part of our mission for all of our 44 years. We are extremely concerned that the American Health Care Act under consideration by Congress right now would undo more than 50 years of progress made expanding comprehensive child-appropriate health coverage to tens of millions of children.

Today, thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA or Obamacare), Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), 95 percent of children in America have health coverage – a historic high.

But now the American Health Care Act is snatching away what is a basic human right and threatens all this at a time when our children need us to continue to move forward, not backwards. As the bill moves closer to a vote by the full House of Representatives, we are urging Congress to “vote NO.” The American Health Care Act: • Changes Medicaid’s financing structure to pay for massive tax cuts for wealthy individuals and corporations.

This would end Medicaid’s guarantee of affordable, comprehensive health coverage for poor and low-income children and children with disabilities and other special health care needs.

The new Medicaid per capita cap would limit access to health coverage for children but not reduce their health needs or costs of care.

Over time, it would shift costs from the federal government to states, counties, local communities, providers and beneficiaries. State and local governments would have to cut eligibility, services or both to continue to provide comparable care to the 37 million children currently enrolled in Medicaid.

Children are nearly half of Medicaid recipients and any changes to Medicaid would have a disproportionate impact on the quality comprehensive child specific health and mental health services and treatment children currently receive and need.

• Repeals the foundation of the Affordable Care Act, resulting in the loss of health coverage for millions of children, low-income parents and other adults.

The Republican American Health Care Act will end the ACA’s Medicaid expansion over time, despite the fact that 31 states and the District of Columbia have extended Medicaid coverage to 26 million low-income parents and other adults. The ACA’s targeted subsidies would be replaced with less affordable tax credits and parents will end up having to pay more for less comprehensive coverage – or go uninsured altogether.

Research clearly shows children are better off when their parents have health insurance coverage. When parents get treatment for their own health and mental health problems, it strengthens children’s developmental outcomes.

• Jeopardizes the ability of other child

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serving systems such as Education and Child Welfare that depend on Medicaid to offer critical help and support to children in care.

Children with disabilities who have Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) that call for special services to be delivered in the schools or children with abuse histories or disabilities that require treatment in foster homes or residential treatment will be at special risk.

• Severely limits access to mental health and substance abuse treatment needed to stem the tide of opioid and other addictions for children, youths and adults, destroying families and likely sending more children into foster care and

homelessness.

Changes proposed to both the ACA and Medicaid would limit coverage of these treatments.

CDF calls on Congress to protect children’s current health coverage as it considers the American Health Care Act and vote NO unless significant changes are made to ensure the “do no harm” standard, a core tenet of medical treatment, is followed.

The American Health Care Act would reverse progress and make many millions of children worse off by depriving them of the comprehensive and affordable child-appropriate coverage they are guaranteed today, jeopardizing their futures and also the nation’s future economic and national security.

Children who cannot see or hear the teacher, have undiagnosed attention deficit disorders, or are suffering from depression and other mental health disorders are less likely to learn in school. Congress and the Administration should continue to make it easier – not harder – for children to get the critical supports they need to survive, thrive and contribute to our nation.

Marian Wright Edelman is president of the Children’s Defense Fund.

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DEFENDER | MARCH 16 | 2017

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Promising new treatment for Black breast cancer patients Approximately one in every eight women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer during her lifetime.

And while African-American women in particular have some of the highest cancer recurrence rates of any ethnic group, a new study has found that Black women who undergo treatment for breast cancer may fare better when their medical care is performed in a certain order.

The study utilized information from 10,504 breast cancer patients treated between 2005 and 2015 at the Northside Hospital in Atlanta. Of those patients, 225 experienced a recurrence, including 166 European-Americans and 49 African-Americans. Data showed that African-American patients were 70 percent more likely to have a recurrence of their cancer.

Nikita Wright, study author, noted in a press release: “We found that, in general, African-American breast cancer patients exhibit increased likelihood for tumor recurrence, particularly to regional and distant sites, after receiving any combination of adjuvant therapy (treatment following surgery) compared to European-American breast cancer patients.

This higher incidence of tumor recurrence can contribute to a poorer prognosis.”

However, researchers found a great reason to be hopeful. When doctors switched the order of the women’s medical treatments, research-

and distant tumor recurrence than EuropeanAmericans, but higher local recurrence, which is easier to manage clinically and is associated with a relatively better prognosis.”

Interestingly enough, the original occurrence rate of breast cancer for African-Americans and European-Americans is very similar.

However, breast cancer in African-American patients tends to be much more aggressive. As a result, it’s been a challenge for physicians to find effective treatments for African-American breast cancer patients.

But the study’s results suggest that something as simple as switching the order in which these patients are treated can make a huge difference. Researchers don’t yet know why cancers found in African-Americans are more difficult to treat; however, this study shows promising results that could change the way doctors fight cancer in the future. ers found an abrupt about-face in treatment outcomes. By undergoing chemotherapy prior to surgery, rather than afterward, these AfricanAmerican patients had a much lower rate of cancer recurrence in their lymph nodes and other organs.

Wright added, “We found that AfricanAmerican breast cancer patients responded better to neoadjuvant chemotherapy than European-American patients. Among patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, AfricanAmericans exhibited trends of lower regional

Authors to offer divorce advice at workshop fashion show featuring Chico’s fashions.

Spring can be an Fleming and especially hard time Yancey will read for the newly diexcerpts and vorced or for people sign copies of trying to get over a their book and broken relationship. workbook, which Paula Drew Flemtakes readers on ing and Alexis Thal a 40-day healing Yancey know this journey from the feeling all too well. roller coaster of Both are diemotions involved vorced and remain in a break up single. Yet they are or divorce. The not ones to lament authors share their the past. The two personal stories are accomplished, Alexis Thal Yancey and Paula Drew Fleming about their divorcaward-winning es and recovery through four, 10-day chapbroadcast journalists who are on a mission ters. The workshop will offer participants to help women and men navigate the wilderseveral exercises to tap into their feelings ness of divorce to find peace again in their about their relationships and see where their lives. opportunities are on their journey of rebirth.

Fleming and Yancey are the authors of A key part of renewal is getting a new Divorce. Wilderness. Peace. A 40-Day Healperspective on life, including reassessing ing Journey, a novel and workbook designed how one appears to others. Chico’s models to provide a series of strategies to help will show off some new looks in a fashion people move forward after divorce. show for workshop participants and store The two will offer a free workshop and wardrobe consultants will provide consultabook signing 3 to 5 p.m., Sunday, March tions.

19, 2017, at Chico’s Pearland Town Center, For more information, visit www.di11200 Broadway, Suite 720, Pearland, TX vorcewildernesspeace.com.

77584. The event also features a free spring Defender News Service

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MARCH 16 | 2017 | DEFENDER

13

ON THE MOVE HISD names new chief of staff

The Houston Independent School District has selected Cynthia Wilson as the district’s new chief of staff. Dr. Wilson currently serves as chief of staff of the Dallas Independent School District, with more than 20 years of experience in public schools. Prior to joining DISD, she served as a superintendent of the Orangeburg Consolidated School District in South Carolina. She also is a former HISD staff member, having served in various roles, including a regional and area superintendent, school principal, asCynthia Wilson sistant principal, and teacher.

As a key member of the superintendent’s cabinet, she will be responsible for facilitating coordination and communication among the direct reports of the superintendent to ensure the superintendent is informed about current issues and areas of need. She also will provide oversight to the district’s board services department.

Dr. Wilson earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Texas at Austin and a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Houston. She later earned a doctoral degree in educational leadership from South Carolina State University.

Artist selected for new community center commission

Marsha Dorsey-Outlaw is the selected artist for the civic art that will be in the new Judson Robinson Sr. Community Center, located in the Pleasantville neighborhood. Both an artist and educator, Dorsey-Outlaw is known for her colorful and intricate mural installations.

She will create a mosaic mural for Marsha Dorsey-Outlaw the facility’s interior lobby space and will host community workshops to create painted tiles that will be prominent features of the mural.

“This original artwork by Marsha Dorsey-Outlaw is a welcome addition to the City’s Art Collection,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “When our artists can bring their incredible talents to our neighborhoods to create new artworks that residents can enjoy on a daily basis, we all win. That Marsha is working closely with the Pleasantville community makes it all the more special.”

Dorsey-Outlaw was selected through an open request for qualifications, issued in Oc-

tober 2016, seeking an artist to create a piece reflective of the community for the new community center.

Texas Alliance of Black School Educators names new president

Kimberly McLeod, Harris County Department of Education assistant superintendent for Education and Enrichment, has been sworn in as president of the Texas Alliance of Black School Educators. McLeod’s ambitions to lead the organization are enriched by her leadership experience. She currently oversees six divisions in her daily professional capacity at HCDE. McLeod said that creating momentum and sustainability within an organization of 1,000plus volunteers will be challenging yet rewarding.

“Our volunteers remain passionate in their drive to support TABSE as the organization continues to empower educators,” she said. “As their leader, their enthusiasm is my inspiration.”

As McLeod settles into office, Kimberly McLeod her goals are to extend focus on governance and policy, to help local affiliates strengthen their programs for a more local impact and to focus on leadership preparation and development throughout the state. Her term ends February 2020.

classifieds The HARRIS CENTER for Mental Health and IDD

M/WBE Supplier Opportunity

FACILITY SPECIALTY SERVICE PROVIDERS:

Maxim Healthcare Services is bidding on Project Number 16-10-20 Nursing Services for the Houston Independent School District. We are looking for possible M/WBE suppliers to provide the following: RN’s, LVN’s, MA’s. If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact: Amy Koelewyn, Business Development Manager-832-944-4120.

(formerly known as MENTAL HEALTH MENTAL RETARDATION AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY) will be accepting proposals for the following:

Electrical, Painting, Plumbing, Flooring, Door Hardware/ Locksmith, Paving/Striping, Doors, Fence Installation/Repair, Restoration/Waterproofing, Glazing, Roofing, HVAC and General Contractor Specifications may be secured from The HARRIS CENTER, Purchasing Services located at 9401 SW Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074; telephone (713) 970-7281, The HARRIS CENTER website www.mhmraharris.org or the Electronic State Business Daily Site https://portal.cpa.state.tx.us/ beginning Tuesday, March 21, 2017. A Non-Mandatory Pre-Proposal Conference will be held on Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at 9401 SW Freeway, Houston, TX 77074. Deadline for prospective vendors to submit questions to this RFP is Tuesday, April 4, 2017. Proposals must be submitted to Purchasing Services, 9401 SW Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074 by 10:00 a.m., Monday, April 24, 2017 in a sealed envelope marked "PROPOSAL - DO NOT OPEN UNTIL – MONDAY, APRIL 24, 2017, FACILITIES SPECIALTY SERVICE PROVIDERS". Any questions pertaining to this solicitation should be addressed in writing to Frances Otto, Buyer II or Sharon Brauner, C.P.M., Buyer III, via fax at (713) 970-7682 or E-mail questions to frances.otto@mhmraharris.org cc: sharon.brauner@mhmraharris.org. 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.

Centerplate, a leading hospitality firm serving convention and performing arts centers throughout North America, will soon bid on the food service management contract at the George R. Brown Convention Center and Performing and Special Event Venues in Houston. The company invites interest from actively certified minority businesses (M/WBE/HUB and Veteran Owned) subcontractors and/or suppliers within the Greater Houston Metropolitan area to supply goods and services in fulfillment of our bid.

Centerplate seeks purveyors of various goods and services including but not limited to food and beverages: chicken, beef, ham, seafood, fresh fruit and vegetables, milk, cheese, ice cream and other dairy products, breads, rolls, desserts and specialty bakeries inclusive of gluten-free, spices, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, linen rental, laundry and dry cleaning services, kitchen equipment services, smallwares, office supplies, paper goods and printing services, kitchen maintenance services, pest control services, temporary labor and staffing services, waste management.

If interested, please respond to the contact below no later than March 17, 2017.

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

Please email and/or call: kay.towner@centerplate.com | 856.979.1795

HOUSTON DOWNTOWN MANAGEMENT DISTRICT

VEHICULAR WAYFINDING POWER

The Houston Downtown Management District (the “Downtown District”) will receive sealed bids for the Vehicular Wayfinding Power project, located in Downtown Houston. Bids will be received until 11:00 AM, local time on Thursday, April 20, 2017 by the Director of Planning & Design, Downtown District, 2 Houston Center, 909 Fannin, Suite 1650, Houston, Texas 77010. Bids received after this time will not be accepted.

Beginning Thursday, March 16, 2017, Bid Documents will be available at www.civcastusa.com. Any Addenda will be distributed through www.civcastusa.com. Bid Documents may also be examined at the Minority Business Development Agency Business Center (2302 Fannin Street, Suite 165, Houston, TX 77002) or viewed online at isqft.com.

A MANDATORY Pre-bid Conference will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, March 30, 2017, in the Downtown District’s Conference Room, 2 Houston Center, 909 Fannin, Suite 1650, Houston, Texas 77010. All bidders (general contractors) are invited to attend. Bids will be ruled non-responsive if received from a bidder who did not attend the Pre-bid Conference. Late arrivals will not be admitted to the Pre-bid Conference.

Bidders shall comply with City Ordinance 95-336 (March 29, 1995) and Exec. Order No.1‑2 (June 14, 1995), and City of Houston Affirmative Action and Contract Compliance Division Minority/Women Business Enterprise (M/WBE) Procedures (June 1995). The successful Bidder will be required to make good faith efforts to achieve an M/WDBE participation goal of 20 percent.

The HARRIS CENTER for Mental Health and IDD

(formerly known as MENTAL HEALTH MENTAL RETARDATION AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY) will be accepting Request for Qualification for the following: ENGINEERING SERVICES MEP/STRUCTURAL/CIVIL/ ENVIRONMENTAL Specifications may be secured from The HARRIS CENTER, Purchasing Department located at 9401 SW Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074; telephone (713) 970-7116 and/or via The HARRIS CENTER website www.mhmraharris.org or the Electronic State Business Daily Site https://portal.cpa.state.tx.us/, beginning Wednesday, March 22, 2017.

A Non-Mandatory Conference is scheduled for, Monday, April 3, 2017 @ 10:30 a.m., 9401 Southwest Freeway. Deadline for prospective vendors to submit questions to this RFQ is Wednesday, April 5, 2017.

Qualification documents must be submitted to Purchasing Services, 9401 SW Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074 by 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 18, 2017 in a sealed envelope marked "RFQ FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES” -DO NOT OPEN UNTIL - TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 2017 AT 10:00 AM. Any questions pertaining to this solicitation should be addressed in writing to James Blunt, Buyer II via fax at (713) 970-7682 or E-mail questions to james.blunt@mhmraharris.org cc: sharon.brauner@mhmraharris.org. 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.

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DEFENDER | MARCH 16 | 2017 defendernetwork.com

sports

TSU men, women win SWAC championships

T

By MAX EDISON Defender

here’s a saying that lightning doesn’t strike twice in the same place, but a contingent at Texas Southern University would beg to differ. TSU’s men and women captured the SWAC regular season and basketball tournament titles this season.

For women’s head coach Johnetta Hayes-Perry and the Lady Tigers it’s been a history-making season. The Lady Tigers finished the SWAC regular season tied for the top spot with Grambling. As fate would have it, the two teams faced each other in the finals of the SWAC postseason tournament.

In a closely contested game, the Lady Tigers were victorious over Grambling 70-66 and captured their first conference tournament championship in school history. In addition, the Lady Tigers punched their ticket to the Big Dance, the NCAA Tournament, again a first in school history.

After the game Hayes-Perry summed up the history-making win.

“It’s a big deal, but it hasn’t really hit me yet,” Hayes-Perry said. “The team has been celebrating and enjoying themselves. They’ve done something special. It is a wonderful opportunity for our university for people to see Texas Southern University and our young ladies. I’m excited to be a part of this first-time opportunity.”

“We have seniors on this team who have worked hard to pave the way, who are now champions,” she continued. “This is a victory for all the players who have played previously and never got this opportunity.

“Players like Keiana Vines, who was conference Defensive Player of the Year, now playing in Greece, have all sent messages to congratulate this team. It’s a proud moment for those players who helped pave the way for this team’s success.”

The TSU Lady Tigers made university history by winning their first SWAC title.

TSU sophomore guard Joyce Kennerson led all 53-50 in the SWAC tourney championship game. players with 29 points and was named tournament The Tigers have now won the conference regular MVP. Freshman backcourt mate Chynna Ewing season title three out of the last five years and was also named to the all-tournament team. have captured the tournament crown three out of For TSU men’s head coach Mike Davis it was the last four years. business as usual. The Tigers defeated Alcorn If that wasn’t an indication of the Tigers’ State for the third time this season by a score of dominance in conference play consider this – a

Texas Southern University’s men’s basketball team won another SWAC championship.

TSU player has been Conference Player of the Year six out of the last seven years and for the fifth consecutive season this year. They are: Travele Jones (2010-2011), Omar Strong (2012-2013), Aaric Murray (2013-2014), Madarious Gibbs (2014-2015), Derrick Griffin (2015-2016) and Zach Lofton (2016-2017).

Because of academic infractions at Alcorn that left them ineligible for the NCAA tourney, the Tigers came into the tournament title game knowing they would be advancing regardless of the outcome. Nevertheless the Tigers still showed their competitive nature.

“It’s very difficult to get up for a game knowing you have already qualified for the NCAA tournament,” Davis said. “It was an ugly game, for both teams, but we stepped up to the challenge. We’re excited to be going to the NCAA tournament.”

The Tigers were paced in the game by the stellar play of 7-foot center Marvin Jones, who was named tournament MVP. Jones, along with teammates Kevin Scott and Demontrae Jefferson, were named to the all-tournament team.

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h.s.zone Cypress Falls saves the day for H-Town

By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender

S

AN ANTONIO – An already overcast, gloomy day in the Alamo City was getting downright ominous for Houston area fans of high school basketball.

A championship weekend in the Alamodome that had such a promising start with three Houston area schools advancing to their respective divisional state championship games had suddenly gone awry.

First, Fort Bend Marshall let a 10-point halftime advantage slip away and fell to the defensive wizardry of Mansfield Cypress Falls players celebrate their 2017 state basketball championship.

Timberview in the Class 5A title game. onship game Most Valuable Player following his team’s 63-57 Then Brazosport’s magical season came to a screeching victory over San Antonio Wagner. “We knew that if we could halt behind the relentless full-court pressure of Silsbee in the get stops and run they wouldn’t be able to keep up with us.

4A championship tilt.

“At halftime we talked about picking up our energy The first five minutes of the Class 6A nightcap belonged and the defensive rotations,” said Hawkins, who finished to San Antonio Wagner and 6-foot-9 Baylor University-bound with 18 points and four steals. “On offense we wanted to post Tristan Clark. With 10 firststop being so stagnant.” quarter points, Clark nearly outCy Falls (35-3) led scored Cypress Falls by himself by as many as 11 points Find out what happened in 5A, 4A as the Thunderbirds led 19-11 to (51-40) on a Hawkins layup title games start the second stanza. with less than three minutes That’s when Cy Falls head to play in the fourth quarter. coach Richard Flores made a deYet Wagner refused fensive adjustment that swung the momentum squarely in favor to go away and came within 56-53 in the final minute of of the Eagles. Flores inserted 6-7 senior post Maitlond Wanza in play. his lineup to battle Clark with assistance from the backside.

Wesley scored eight of his team-high 20 points in the “We made some adjustments and we continued to make fourth quarter, including 6-of-8 free throws in the final adjustments throughout the course of the game,” Flores said. minute, to seal the victory.

“We started out a little sluggish but we started valuing the ball.”

“We wanted to fit into coach Flores’ game-plan and Clark led Wagner (36-3) with 18 points. Kevin McCullar gut out a victory,” Wesley said. “[Wagner] threw some added 12 and Jalen Jackson finished with 11. haymakers at us when the game started and we had to Junior Nigel Hawkins scored seven consecutive Cy Falls adjust. points on a driving layup, a mid-range jumper and converting “My team has counted on me all season to make free 3-of-4 free throws to bring the Eagles within 21-18. throws and at the end of the game I had to have the mental Andrew Nguyen made two free throws and junior point toughness to knock them down.” guard Trajan Wesley nailed 3-of-4 free-throw attempts to close Cy Falls won the school’s first state basketball title and out the second quarter and forge a 23-23 stalemate at halftime. snapped a string of six consecutive championship game losses Kendall Scott scored the first field goal of the third quarter (combined boys and girls) by Houston area schools over the past on an offensive rebound that gave Cy Falls a 25-23 edge it two seasons. would never relinquish.

“I’m just glad we could represent Houston and bring a “Our defense and our energy is what turned the game title back,” Flores said. “As a group our will to win has been around,” said Hawkins, who was named the Class 6A champi- tremendous throughout the season.”

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sportsbriefs Young attempts comeback Former Madison High School standout and University of Texas All-American Vince Young has decided pro football isn’t out of his system just yet. Young recently signed a one-year deal to play in the Canadian Football League (CFL) with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Young, now 33, last played in an NFL game in 2011 with the Philadelphia Eagles. He was in minicamp with the Cleveland Browns in 2013. “The Roughriders coach, Chris Jones, gave me a call and wanted to give me an opportunity,” V.Y. said. “I thought it was a great chance for me to finish my career how I want to finish it.” Young was the third overall pick by the Tennessee Titans in the 2006 NFL draft.

Legendary coach dies Former Southern University basketball coach Ben Jobe died March 10 at age 84. Jobe coached eight teams over a span of 31 seasons, winning at a 61 percent rate and accumulating 524 victories. His longest tenure of 12 seasons was at Southern. His crowning achievement was in the 1993 NCAA Tournament. Jobe coached Southern, a 13th seed, to a 93-78 upset win over fourth seed Georgia Tech, who won the ACC Tournament title that year. “Had I not met Coach at Southern University, I would not be here,” former Southern standout and current Alabama head coach Avery Johnson said. “He taught me a lot about how to be a man, father, husband. He promised my mom that I would get my degree.”

Flores’ family ties Cypress Falls High School head boys basketball coach Richard Flores wasn’t content just to make the school’s first appearance in the state basketball tournament. After playoff wins over the defending regional champion (Sam Houston), last year’s state runner-up (Atascocita), two former state champions (Travis and Bush) and an overtime game (Lamar), Flores wanted to seize the moment and make it memorable. Cy Falls swept to the Class 6A state championship on the wings of a 25-game winning streak. Flores started five juniors in the title game against San Antonio Wagner and emerged with a 63-57 victory. Flores is a former assistant under Jim Draudt. His wife, Virginia Flores, coached the Cypress Woods girls to the state title in 2015. His older brother Robert is currently a sportscaster on the MLB Network following a 10-year run on ESPN’s “SportsCenter.”

Sigler still learning Silsbee head coach Joe Sigler has been in the coaching profession for more than 40 years and he’s still learning. Sigler summarizes his team’s style of play as up-tempo with a goal of imposing its will on an opponent. “We want to force our opponents into making quick decisions that aren’t necessarily the best decisions,” Sigler said. “Following a 46-45 near loss to Argyle in the 2017 Class 4A state semifinals, Sigler had this to say: “I learned a lot from former Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson. Now I want to learn from Argyle coach Russell Perkins. He did a good job of slowing us down and I want to pick his brain.”

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16

DEFENDER | MARCH 16 | 2017

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

topevents

WELCOME RECEPTION FOR NEW UH CLASS DEAN……..The the Black community. Along with NAACP officials Dr. James Douglas, Yolanda University of Houston’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) Smith, Dallas Jones and Claude Cummings Jr., Harris County Democratic hosted a welcome reception for new CLASS dean, Dr. Antonio Tillis, at the Greater Party Chair Lillie Schechter attended the meeting, along with Defender Publisher Houston Partnership Building. Leaders from Houston’s business, education, political Sonceria Messiah Jiles, Wash Allen, Judy Foston Stanford, Roy Malonson, Lisa and philanthropic communities were on hand to welcome Tillis, who joins UH Valadez, Karen Carter Richards, Jeff Boney, Ernest Walker, Debra Guidry, from the College of Charleston having served as dean for the School of Languages, Morris Parsons and others……..PRAYERS FOR OUR ANCESTORS……...

Cultures, and World Affairs. Attendees included Dr. Elwyn Lee, Judson Robinson The Zaid Group recently hosted Prayers for Our Ancestors, an event spotlighting III, Toni Jackson, John Guess III, Percy Creuzot, Cheryl local artists, entrepreneurs and progressive thinkers. Held at the Creuzot, Dr. Malachi Crawford, Dr. James Conyers, Cultural and Events Center, the event featured a fashion Defender TOP EVENTS Shrine Dr. DoVeanna Fulton, Mary Ramos, Wayne Luckett, show, live art, music, spoken word poetry, vending and a tour More photos on defendernetwork.com Nona King, Deanea LeFlore of the Mayor’s Office and of the African Holocaust Museum. Several local artists were many more……..NAACP HOUSTON BLACK MEDIA on hand including Jaja Gray, Amir Strong, Hilda Rueda, LUNCHEON…….. The NAACP Houston Branch hosted local Black Media and Biko Walker. Event organizers Ali Zaid and Ohemaa Zaid welcomed other members for a luncheon and dialogue to discuss ways to strengthen the relationship attendees, including Kanika McKinney, Anna Jackson, Alonzo Burton, Ron between the two entities. The conversation centered on the historic partnership Cleveland, Hannah Ephraim, Brionna Rollins, Brianna Gant, Whitney East, between the NAACP and Black media, and ways to improve upon it for the good of Johnathan Alford, Nicholas Burrell, Eric Muhammad and many more.

Dr. Elwyn Lee, Dr. Antonio Tillis, Judson Robinson III

Dr. James Douglas, Lisa Valadez, Claude Cummings Jr.

Ali Zaid, Ohemaa Zaid

Ashley DeWalt, Dr. Kristin DeWalt

Lillie Schechter, Judy Foston Stanford, Debra Guidry

Bomani Gray, Amir Strong, Biko Walker

Cheryl Creuzot, Percy Creuzot

Yolanda Smith, Wash Allen

Hilda Rueda, Kanesha Roy

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