Mayor Turner’s power threatened? Effort to put more power into City Councilmembers underway
SPOTLIGHT
SPORTS
CANDACE STROTHER
The Houstonian talks about her organization QueenLyfe Inc., which seeks to empower women and girls. Volume 90, issue 23 April 8, 2021
facebook.com/defendernetwork twitter.com/defendernetwork
KELVIN SAMPSON
The UH coach’s Final Four squad was a preview of a program built for long-term success.
instagram.com/defendernetwork defendernetwork.com
FREE
2 | April 8, 2021 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN To the POINT
LET THE PEOPLE BE HEARD
Readers weigh in on SB7 Meplusijc SMH!!! They love trying to move us out of the way. I’m sorry, we’ve arrived in a big way. Us Blaccks. We will keep praying and fighting. J_Jay_double u What makes this really profane is the fact that these new laws affect their party tremendously...especially when it comes to mail-in ballots. At this point, they would rather see the entire institution burn down (i.e. Jan. 6th) than to allow any progress or steps towards equality to happen. the_real_mrs.cookieclay Nothing but Voter Suppression!! Get him out in a hurry
realtorporshae Wow....they would like to never see another black person vote
l_brie49 Such sore losers! *From IG
The Verzuz Battle between Earth, Wind & Fire and the Isley Brothers netted over a million viewers.
Message from the Associate Editor Verzuz Battle For the Ages… or Aged All About the Benjamins Last weekend, Blackworld experienced the Thanks to the bold leadership of Kenneth Verzuz Battle of the Ages. The Isley Brothers Chenault, former chief executive of American and Earth, Wind & Fire (i.e., EWF, the ElExpress, and Kenneth Frazier, the chief executive ements), two legendary supergroups, went of Merck, nearly 75 Black business leaders called blow-for-blow, hit-for-hit, jam-for-jam. DJ on coproations to fight the wave of restritive D-Nice was just that, d*mn nice on the ones GOP-led voting bills, headed by the voter supand twos. Black Twitter, Instagram, Facebook pression law of Georgia. As a result, Major League Aswad Walker and MySpace lost their minds with posts like Baseball, Delta, Coca-Cola and more than 200 “Our parents met because of EWF. We were additional corporate leaders signed a joint letborn because of the Isley Bros.” But the real battle was not ter condemning Georgia’s voter suppression law that serves between these two titans of R&B, but rather between the as a template for 253 similar racist laws being considered Isley Brothers / EWF team versus the mouth, ego and mus- in 47 states. But don’t get it twisted. Hats off to these Black tache of Steve Harvey, who some argue, made the whole mega CEOs who spoke out against the system. We know it’s affair about himself. Harvey aside, I absolutely love the El- tough when their counterparts are only focused on the botements. But “For the Love of You,” “Make Me Say It Again tom line. But we’ll roll with their momentary support of our Girl,” and “Voyage to Atlantis”? Not even Philip Bailey’s rights, even as Republicans who have forever sacrificed their highest notes or Steve Harvey’s Easter ensemble could de- own mothers to make these CEOs richer, are now throwing feat those brothers from Cincinnati by way of T-Neck New a hissy-fit for being called out as anti-democracy racists. Jersey. Advantage: Isley Brothers. In this week’s defender Freak of the Weak What’s up with this attack on Mayor Turner’s powers? All Trump sycophant and Qanon endorser Matt Gaetz, U.S. Houston’s mayors before Turner had the same authorities this congressman from Florida, is being investigated for child sex current group, headed by Sue Lovell, is seeking to strip from him. trafficking, i.e. having sex with an under-aged female (that’s All Hail the Queen! Candace Strother, CEO of QueenLyfe, “whitespeak” for statutory rape) and transporting that mi- Inc., a women’s and girls’ empowerment organization, is this nor from state-to-state to do his illegal business. Yet the Qa- week’s spotlight subject. non crowd, who accuse everyone who didn’t storm the CapAnd, of course, we’re keeping you abreast of all things itol Building on January 6 of sex trafficking children, have Chauvin Trial, COVID-19, voter suppression and more. been dead silent on Gaetz’s “issues.” Gaetz is also accused of regularly paying for sex and indulging in drugs. He’s even On the web said to have shown his Congressional colleagues naked pics • Police chiefs testifying against police? Wow. This Chauvin of the “women” he’s “known.” What does this prove? These trial is off the chain. Republicans don’t give a care about anything they claim to • Mayor Turner declares Texas’ Senate Bill 7 & House Bill 6 the largest steps backwards regarding voting rights since love (i.e. family values, law & order, democracy, supporting Jim Crow. the troops, etc.). The only thing they really worship is pre• Troy Finner is now officially Houston’s new police chief. serving white supremacy by any means necessary.
April 8, 2021 |
| 3
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN News Democratic Rep. Alcee Hastings of Florida has died after a years long battle with cancer. He was 84 years old.
Rasheedah Carr has been appointed vice president of Engineering for Comcast’s Houston Region. She will be responsible for implementing engineering initiatives that deliver superior network reliability and fast-paced growth production.
Houston Council members want more control Defender News Service
In the nation’s 4th largest metropolis, the power to place a measure on City Council’s agenda for debate and possible adoption - lies exclusively with the mayor. It is “extraordinary” authority that could soon slip away if one group gets its way. A non-partisan group of Houstonians took over 40,000 signatures to City Hall, with supporters including the Harris County Republican Party, Indivisible Houston, the Houston Professional Firefighters Association, and the Democratic Socialists of America’s Houston chapter. They’re hoping to strip Mayor Sylvester Turner of some of his power on City Council. Former Mayor Pro-Tem Sue Lovell is among those supporting the initiative, which would allow three members of Council in agreement to place an issue on Houston’s agenda. “I think all around, it’s better government, more effective Council members and as I said, it’s just too much power for any person to have in a city this big and diverse,” said Lovell. Mayor Sylvester Turner has publicly criticized such a proposal. Only two out of 16 current council members attended an April 5 press conference in support of the measure — District A Council member Amy Peck and At-Large Council member Michael Kubosh.
A group wants to change Mayor Sylvester Turner’s sole ability to control the City Council agenda.
The coalition is hoping to get a measure in front of voters that would give city council members the authority to put items on the council agenda. Currently, only the Houston mayor can do that. Unlike many Texas cities, Houston’s local government structure is based on a strong mayor system that centralizes virtually all power with one
person. Charles Blain with the local organization Urban Reform said if the measure passes, council members could be more responsive to their constituents. “This petition is the manifestation of the frustration of every Houston resident out there who has spoken with their city council member and was told
that while they support fixing the problem there’s just nothing they could do because they didn’t have control over the weekly agenda,” Blain said. Councilman Greg Travis contends the move will lead to chaos, grandstanding and wasted time. “I think what you are going to find out if you open up this Pandora’s box is that you are going to have a lot of irrational or unreasonable, illogical and unjustifiable items on the agenda,” said Travis who prefers strengthening Council’s current system of considering issues in committees. A similar recommendation was made in 2015, after a committee reviewed Houston’s city charter and voted unanimously to give council members more influence over the agenda. Mayor Annise Parker at the time said it couldn’t be done. That measure ultimately failed. The petition will now go to the city, which will verify whether it has the required 20,000 signatures to make it on the ballot. “One of the most sacred things of government is its ability to respect the will of the people, the vote of the people, and the right to petition its government,” Kubosh said. “And that’s what has happened today. This coalition has come forward to petition the city government, and I stand in support of any group that wants to petition its government.”
Local leaders denounce TX “voter suppression” bills Defender News Service
A controversial bill in the Texas legislature is nothing but voter suppression and harassment, some Houston-area leaders said. Mayor Sylvester Turner joined local officials, community and business leaders to denounce Senate Bill 7 and House Bill 6, which would: Limit who can receive absentee ballots Eliminate drive-thru voting Ban sending ballots to registered at P.O. boxes. Limit the number of voting machines available at polling locations Limit voting hours Governor Greg Abbott said it’s necessary to deter voter fraud. But Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner argued it
will make it harder for both parties to vote. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo agreed, saying the bill is a direct response to the massive success Harris County had with the 2020 election process. “We can’t allow what happened in Georgia to happen here in Texas, Hidalgo said. “This is nothing but voter harassment. “The right to vote is sacred,” Turner said. The mayor stated that women and people of color have had to fight for their right to vote through the years. He said the state has concerns over voter fraud but little to no evidence has been found. He said SB7 and House Bill 6, which would • Limit who can receive absentee ballots
• Eliminate drive-thru voting • Ban sending ballots to registered voters at P.O. • Limit the number of voting machines available at polling locations • Limit voting hours Hidalgo is asking businesses and local leaders to stand up and make their voices heard. “We’ve seen this movie before. This is voter suppression,” Hidalgo said. “Both parties benefited from the voting increase in Harris County. We will have taken the largest step back since Jim Crow.” Former Harris County Clerk, Chris Hollins, said 1.7 million people, from both sides, came out to make their voic-
es heard in Harris County. “We tripled the number of early voting centers to help people vote in a convenient way,” Hollins said. He said the bills will make it illegal to have large voting centers or neighborhood voting centers. The state of Georgia passed a similar bill last month that lead to backlash from several major corporations and sparked a nationwide debate. Major League Baseball also pulled the All-Star game out of Atlanta. Abbott responded by refusing to throw out the first pitch at the Texas Rangers opener. He said he will sign the Texas bill if it’s passed by the legislature.
4 | April 8, 2021 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN News
Poll: Majority in US back easier voter registration Defender News Service
Democrats’ proposals to overhaul voting in the U.S. won solid — although not overwhelming — support from Americans in a new survey measuring the popularity of major pieces of the sweeping legislation in Congress. The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll found about half of Americans support expanding access to early and mail voting, while about three in 10 opposed the ideas and the rest had no opinion. Generally, the partisan divide was stark, as many Republicans opposed measures that make is easier to register and vote and most Democrats embraced them. About three-quarters of Democrats supported no-excuse voting by mail, for example, but about six in 10 Republicans were opposed. There was one striking exception: Nearly three-quarters of all Americans — including majorities of both parties — said they support laws requiring voters to present photo identification, even as the Democratic proposal would ease those laws. The sizable number of Americans who expressed no opinion on many of the measures suggests both parties have some room to try to sway public opinion as they ramp up efforts to pressure the Senate to act on the bill. “When you ask questions that are focused specifically on voting, you can’t help but step into what is a supercharged debate that is still resonating coming off the 2020 election,” said U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes, one of the lead sponsors of the Democrats’ bill. “There continues to be a lot of misinformation around what it means to have accurate and fair elections and voting in this country.”
Some other key findings:
60%
Americans want automatic voter registration
Believe voter suppression is a problem
62% 30% Democrats
Republicans
Believe voter fraud is a problem
63% 19% Republicans
Democrats
Activists at a rally to defund the police.
More U.S. cities successfully sending mental health responders instead of police Defender News Service
Multiple cities across the country are building programs that involve mental health professionals, social workers or community members responding to certain 911 emergency calls instead of police officers. Eugene, Oregon, Olympia, Washington, and Denver, Colorado have the only existing non-police responder programs in the United States, however, more strategies and plans are being developed in various locations. USA Today cited growing movements against police brutality and nationwide calls to defund the police as motivating factors. A June 2020 survey found nearly eight in 10 voters support routing 911 calls related to mental health and substance use to trained, non-police responders but the programs are not all brand new. In Eugene, the civilian response program has existed for over three decades. According to USA Today, the White Bird Clinic, a health care center in the city, launched the Crisis Assistance Helping Out on the Streets program in 1989. Called CAHOOTS, the program sends a team that consists of a medic, usually, a nurse, EMT or paramedic and a crisis worker. This team takes calls relating to mental illness, homelessness, and addiction. “The work they’ve been doing is both pioneering and successful,” said Betsy Pearl, associate director for criminal justice reform at the Center for American Progress, according to the news outlet. “The major objection or concern you see is from folks who say this isn’t safe. But from what we’ve seen play out, that isn’t true. In Eugene, there’s never been a serious incident.”
Prefer photo ID
72% 13% For
Opposed
91% 56% Republicans
Voters wait in line to cast their ballots after the line was cut off at 7 p.m.
Democrats
VOLUME 90 - NUMBER 23 - APRIL 8, 2021 Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles
Managing Editor ReShonda Tate Billingsley
Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles
Associate Editor Aswad Walker
Creative Director Michael Grant
Sports Terrance Harris Jodie B. Jiles
Photographers Ray Carrington III Jimmie Aggison
The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Newspaper Inc. and audited by Alliance for Audited Media (AAM). Only digital subscriptions are available at: www.defendernetwork.com/subscribe No paper subscriptions available. All materials covered by 2020 copyright. No materials herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the Publisher. 713-663-6996 | P.O. Box 8005, Houston, Tx 77288
April 8, 2021 |
| 5
DEFENDER NETWORK
SCHEDULE YOUR COVID-19 VACCINE TODAY
Houston Methodist offers online scheduling for free COVID-19 vaccines Houston Methodist has safely administered more than a half-million vaccines. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine means that we are getting closer to returning our lives to normal — back to school, back to work and back to spending time doing the things we love with the people we care about. Here’s why our experts stand behind the COVID-19 vaccine:
EFFECTIVE Current evidence indicates it is up to 95% effective.
TESTED There has been rigorous testing and external review.
TRUSTED Most side effects are minimal, including sore arms, muscle aches, fever.
houstonmethodist.org/vaccine COVID-19 vaccinations are provided free of charge to Texans 16 years of age and older. SCAN HERE
6 | April 8, 2021 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
| 7
DN ON SOCIAL THE WEB OnSocial
COVID-19 is alive and well Although Texas is back in business, health officials want to be clear that COVID is still in full force as well. The City of Houston reported 256 cases of #COVID19 for April 5, 2021, bringing #Houston’s total to 185,165 at press time. There are seven newly reported deaths, bringing the city’s total to 2,256.
“I’m fully vaccinated. And I’m still careful. I care about others so I’m still masking up.” -Alicia Logan
Lil Nas X’s music video sparks outrage Ron Isley’s gray beard and mink coat broke the Internet.
VERZUZ
Easter Sunday 2021 was epic for Black Twitter as The Isley Brothers Verzuz Earth Wind & Fire. Ronald Isley, Ernie Isley, Verdine White, Philip Bailey and Ralph Johnson all took the time to provide us with elite quality entertainment— and in return, social media showed their undying love. Between Steve Harvey’s giddy with excitement stories, both groups kept social media aflame, especially all those lusting after 79-year-old Ron Isley who proved Black don’t crack….it just gets better with age. “He looks fantastic. He has aged quite well.” -Mable Haskins
“Ronald Isley can sing to me anytime! I love his voice!” -Beverly Stockton Williams
“He can make tons off, just modeling alone!!!!!” -Camille J. Butler
“Ron Isley will be 80 years old on May 21,
2021 and he looks fabulous, aging gracefully and can still sing.” -Elaine Morgan
Troy Finner sworn in as new Houston Police Chief Houston Police Chief Troy Finner was sworn in at City Hall this week, just a few hours after his predecessor Art Acevedo was sworn in as Miami’s new chief of police. In his first speech as chief, Finner said he wants to get right to work, and called on the community to cooperate with police to help keep Houston safe.
“Just when we were about to get this under control y’all keep border open allowing thousands to come with Covid and other diseases living like animals on dirt floors with horrible conditions ! You should be ashamed of yourselves ! Animal kennels are in better conditions than these poor children! It’s SINFUL.” -Chaille Strake
“Hats off to the medical community for keeping the death rate down to 1.22%.” -Marcus Gupta
HOT IN HOUSTON
Lil Nas X’s new video for “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” was immediately met with backlash from critics who claimed its biblical inspiration was blasphemous.
I never walked away from a challenge, never in my life. (It’s a) great challenge and we’re going to do it together.”
Troy Finner
-Troy Finner
IS DESHAUN WATSON’S CAREER IN TROUBLE?
Lil Nas X “I like Lil Nas X but this is a hard pass for me. I don’t play with the devil.” - Elaine Carey “This backlash is crazy. We condemn gays to hell then get mad when they write a song about going to hell. Make it make sense.” - Thomas Long
DMX remains On Life Support Fans and supporters held a prayer vigil to lend support to rapper DMX, who was placed on life support after suffering from a heart attack.
With Nike suspending Deshaun Watson’s contract and the first woman to accuse him of sexual assault speaking out, some are questioning if the Houston Texans quarterback’s career is in trouble. Houston massage therapist Ashley Solis spoke publicly for the first time recently after accusing Deshaun Watson of assault during a March 2020 massage session. A tearful Solis, speaking at a press conference with her attorney, Tony Buzbee said she has also gone to police with her allegations. “I know a lot of you were probably wondering who I was or if I even existed. I was afraid. I’m not afraid anymore, and I do exist. I am here to take back power, and take back control.” According to the suit, Watson allegedly told Solis to focus on his groin area, before allegedly exposing himself to her and purposefully brushing himself up against the woman’s hand. Solis said she abruptly ended the massage session after the assault, and asked the NFL star to leave. Before leaving, Watson threatened her career, according to court documents. Regardless of the outcome, social media is on fire with people weighing in on what this means for Deshaun Watson’s career.
“There’s no innocent until proven guilty to the public when the media puts someone on blast. And this comment is not to discredit any of the women.” -Jessica Cegelski
“22 women in the past year went to give Deshaun a massage and were all sexually assaulted and it took Tony Buzbee to get them to come forward???? Okay.” -Lauren Grant
“This is exactly what the Texans owner wanted...” -Jeff Jack
8 | April 8, 2021 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN News
Derek Chauvin Trial leaves Blacks emotionally drained Associated Press
For some it’s too much to watch. Others just can’t turn away. The televised trial of Derek Chauvin, the former white police officer charged in the death of George Floyd, has provoked strong emotions among many Black men and women — all tinged with an underlying dread that it could yield yet another devastating disappointment. For many, it has brought back memories of the disturbing video of Floyd’s last moments as he gasped for breath with Chauvin’s knee on his neck. The video galvanized protests in cities across the U.S. and the world, as the words “Black Lives Matter” took hold. “I had to mute the TV,” said Lisa Harris, 51, of Redford Township, just west of Detroit. “Hearing Mr. Floyd continue to say he can’t breathe and call for his mother — it was a lot. It’s been a lot to watch.” Steven Thompson remembers closely watching the 2013 trial of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of 17-yearold Trayvon Martin in Florida and feeling blindsided. Zimmerman, who identifies as Hispanic, was acquitted on all counts in the unarmed Black teen’s death, including second-degree murder. “I didn’t expect that outcome,” Thompson, 35, said. “But I’m a lot less ignorant now.” Thompson is choosing not to watch the trial of Chauvin, the former Minneapolis officer charged with murder and manslaughter, even though he feels there is a strong case against him. “I definitely have a fear of being let down. And instead of investing my time and energy into it now, knowing how these things go, I’d rather be pleasantly surprised,” the Los Angeles resident said. Marlene Gillings-Gayle said she had planned not to watch the trial to preserve
es has been on full display, filling in details from new perspectives to create a fuller picture of the scene that people around the world watched over cellphone video last May. For Kyra Walker, it was enough to tune out and shut down Twitter one day. “I realized I just didn’t have it in me to watch all this,” she said. Floyd’s death was traumatizing enough for Walker, but seeing conversations about the trial on Twitter this week brought back a flood of emotions she has grappled with over the course of the last year. “I had a moment where I just felt broken and I started thinking about Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor and how in such a short time frame, it was like one Black death after the Actor Steven Thompson is choosing not to watch the televised trial of Derek other, without a break,” she said. It has made Chauvin, which has provoked strong emotions among many Black men and her feel paranoid at times for her 11-year-old women, all tinged with an underlying dread that it could yield yet another Black son anytime he leaves home. devastating disappointment. AP The trial is only furthering the uneasiness many felt when the video of Chauvin her peace of mind. But she’s found herself 9 minutes, 29 seconds, as he lay face-down. pressing his knee to Floyd’s neck started to watching almost all of it. She’s had to force Floyd had been accused of passing a coun- circulate online. herself to go outside and take walks, or risk terfeit $20 bill at a neighborhood market. “It took me a while to watch it because I watching the trial all day and feeling upset. The first week of the trial has included know what these videos are about. I know The retired high school teacher who lives emotional testimonies from several people the ending already,” Thompson said. in New York City describes herself as a po- who witnessed Floyd’s death: The young Leigh Smith, a logistics operations manlitical person who likes to stay aware of cur- woman, a teenager at the time, who filmed ager who lives in the Detroit suburb of rent events and vocalize her opinions. Floyd’s last moments and told the court- Grosse Pointe Park, said he has tuned in “I’m trying not to be pissed, because we’ve room she stays “up nights apologizing to each day of the trial. He calls some of the been here and done that too many times,” George Floyd;” the 61-year-old man who testimony “freaking depressing.” she said, referring to other police officers sobbed on the stand, compelling the judge “You catch a murder on camera and you’re acquitted in the deaths of unarmed Black to order a 10-minute recess; the firefighter going to explain away to me that this man people. She’s watching the trial with appre- who begged officers to let her check Floyd’s died of a heart attack?” Smith said of Floyd. hension, as she ponders what Floyd’s killing pulse as he gasped for air, saying, “I was des- “All this does is reaffirm the hatred and enand the way the trial has unfolded so far says perate to help.” trenchment of white supremacy and white T:4.812" about America and its values. The grief and trauma of these witnessdomination over communities of color.” Chauvin, 45, who was eventually fired from the police force, is accused of killing a handcuffed Floyd last May by pinning his knee on the 46-year-old Black man’s neck for These Texas Lottery Commission scratch ticket games will be closing soon:
WILLARD JOHN VITAL, LMSW
Human Rights Giant, Community Servant. Family Man
Game #
Game Name / Odds
$
Official Close of Game
End Validations Date
2257
Lucky No. 13 - Overall Odds are 1 in 4.33
$2
4/9/21
10/6/21
2060
Weekly Grand - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.95
$2
4/11/21
10/8/21
2259
7-11-21® - Overall Odds are 1 in 4.87
$1
4/14/21
10/11/21
2245
Million Dollar Loteria - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.27
$20
4/14/21
10/11/21
2254
$500,000 Extreme Cash - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.75
$10
4/22/21
10/19/21
2252
$5,000 Extreme Cash - Overall Odds are 1 in 4.98
$1
4/25/21
10/22/21
2219
Mega 7s - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.05
$20
4/29/21
10/26/21
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 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. © 2021 Texas Lottery Commission. PLAY RESPONSIBLY.
T:3.25"
The African Diaspora smiled with the birth of Willard John Vital on July 23, 1938 in Welsh, LA. Willard’s career aspirations of studying to become a social worker became a reality when he was recruited to attend Jarvis Christian College and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Integrated Social Sciences. Willard furthered his education in his field and successfully obtained the Master in Social Work from the University of Houston in 1976 and later became a licensed Social Worker. His political aspirations motivated him to run for Texas State Representative in the early 80s. After many esteemed career highlights and endeavors, he ultimately retired from the City of Houston (1990-2003) and furthered his volunteerism through the community. Willard maintained active involvement with the National Black Social Workers Association, The Black Heritage Society, The Knights of Peter Claver and volunteered his time to feed the homeless and help others for over 5 decades. Willard John Vital entered into eternal rest on March 24, 2021. Final Arrangements Entrusted to Mabrie Memorial Mortuary. Please visit his profile at mabriemortuary.com for all service information and complete obituary.
LEGAL NOTICE
April 8, 2021 |
| 9
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Business FEMA’s funeral reimbursements What it could mean for Black communities
Defender News Service
Burying a loved one is incredibly difficult under any circumstance. Doing so because of COVID-19, can add to an already stressful situation. Now, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is hoping to provide some relief. FEMA will provide APRIL 12 funeral-related finanFEMA begins cial assistance to those accepting who have lost people to applications. COVID-19 under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations and American Rescue Plan Acts of 2021. The program will reimburse up to $9,000 per funeral and $35,500 per applicant. The application process opens on April 12. It’s been a year since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared its pandemic status. Data shos that COVID-19 has disproportionately harmed Black communities. Blacks represent only 13% of the national population but are almost twice as likely to die from COVID-19 and almost three times as likely to be hospitalized by it, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In cities with large Black populations and enduring legacies of segregation, the full force of the pandemic is widely felt.
Erika and Dwayne Bermudez comfort one another during a short viewing of their mother, Eudiana Smith, who died of coronavirus. -Seth Wenig
Considering the exponential toll the pandemic has taken on Black communities, families and businesses, FEMA’s assistance could provide critical relief. For Blackowned grief service companies, the last year
has been grueling as many have dealt with record numbers of COVID-related deaths and worked beyond typical business hours to provide services. “Both me and my husband were laid off
during the pandemic. Then my father died from COVID. We had to borrow and sell off stuff just to bury him. This reimbursement from FEMA for funerals couldn’t come at a better time,” said Houston resident Tasha Crow.
American businesses tackle the racial wealth gap Defender News Service
Some of the biggest companies in America say they will put their considerable might behind a mission of closing the massive wealth gap between Black people and white people in this country. According to analysis by Brookings Institute, the median wealth held by Black households in the U.S. is not even 15% of the wealth held by white families—which was $188,200 compared to the typical Black family’s net worth of $24,000 in 2019. Goldman Sachs, Starbucks and management consulting giant McKinsey & Company announced a new collaboration with the heads of four other entities—including advocacy nonprofit the ACLU, investment company Lord Abbett and the Wharton School of Business at UPenn—to address
that massive disparity. Calling themselves NinetyToZero in reference to the goal of bringing the nearly 90% racial wealth gap between Black and white Americans down to zero, the group of companies and organizations say they will be leading the charge to amp up support for Black talent as well as investments in Black-owned businesses. It can’t come at a more urgent time, given the devastating impact the pandemic has had on Black businesses, as well the issue of unemployment that continues to hound Black Americans at a higher rate more than any other racial group. “More than 20 years of building our investment in Black communities have taught us that the way to narrow the wealth gap is to widen the door of opportunity,”
said David M. Solomon, chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs about the NinetyToZero initiative. Anti-poverty organization the Robin Hood Foundation will serve as an incubator for the program in its inaugural year, while Wharton will provide research services to help guide the specific actions under NinetyToZero aimed at building racial equity. Those actions include the initial group of companies creating internal goals to measure their progress in hiring Black employees, improve those employees’ access to asset building tools, tie inclusivity efforts to accountability for executives and working with Black-owned banks and other financial institutions. “Closing the racial wealth gap is more
than a zero-sum game. When Black families have economic security and agency, everyone benefits,” said Robin Hood Foundation CEO Wes Moore. “Starbucks believes in using our scale for good and we will address the systemic barriers which keep Americans from reaching their full potential,” said Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson. “Every business has a responsibility—and can influence others— to advance racial equity, create opportunities for others and strengthen the communities it serves.” The group of leaders is inviting other companies to join the challenge of closing the racial wealth gap, a goal that could raise America’s GDP by $1.5 trillion over the next 10 years if accomplished, according to NinetyToZero.
10 | April 8, 2021 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Sports Texas Southern’s Naomi Reyes was named SWAC Softball Pitcher of the Week after throwing a no-hitter that included nine strikeouts against Alcorn State.
Rockets center Christian Wood had 15 points and 12 rebounds in a loss to New Orleans, giving him back-to-back doubledoubles for the first time since late January.
Sports Briefs Rockets part ways with McLemore
Houston guard Quentin Grimes (24) gets a hug from head coach Kelvin Sampson at the end of a men’s Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game against Baylor, Saturday, April 3, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. AP Photo/Darron Cummings
COUGARS HERE TO STAY
Memorable run indicates future dominance By Terrance Harris
Without question, the University of Houston men’s basketball team recaptured the love of the city this season. How could the Cougars not? Kelvin Sampson’s squad was dominant all season long and then put together a memorable run through the NCAA Tournament, advancing all the way to the Final Four for the first time since 1984 when a couple of future NBA Hall of Famers named Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler were holding court for UH. The No.2 seed Cougars’ run, of course, ended in the national semifinal round with a tough 78-59 loss to No.1 seed and eventual National Champions, Baylor. But the positive is the future remains promising because Sampson has built more than a team. He has put together a program that is positioned to be dominant for years to come. Sure, the Cougars lose glue seniors like DeJon Jarreau, Justin Gorham and Fabian White, but with a team that will be built around explosive guards Quentin Grimes and Marcus Sasser there is an expectation the 2021-22 season will yield more of the same results. The days of Sampson having to promote his program to the campus are gone. The Fertitta Center will again be rocking. “The perception of our program has changed,” said Sampson, who completed his seventh season at UH. “And our program has changed. I can’t wait to play in front of sellouts next year. This is going to be exciting.” Sasser, who had an impressive game in the loss to Baylor, says this year’s seniors have put them on the winning path. “They led us and they taught us a lot for the upcoming years for the young guys,” he said. “We had a great run and just fell
short this year.” In addition to Sasser and Grimes, the Cougars will have a chance to expand the roles of youngsters like Jamal Shead, Tramon Mark, J’Wan Roberts and Kiyron Powell. They all received valuable experience in what Sampson considers a breakthrough season in which the Cougars excelled past their Elite Eight expectation to get to the all-important Final Four round of the NCAA Tournament. That momentum can carry them through this offseason and into next season. “We’re getting the next step,” said Sampson, whose team finished 28-4 this season. “Once we got to the Elite Eight, that’s where you want your program to be. You want it to improve, to get better. I know how difficult it is to get to a Final Four.” But Sampson knows his team can’t take for granted that now a Final Four is promised next season. It will take a lot of hard work and a certain amount of luck. The team will also have to replace the leadership and defense of Jarreau. The Cougars do have some promising incoming freshmen like Shadow Creek’s Ramon Walker and center Ja’Vier Francis who may help immediately. “You just say, well, just make sure you can get back to the Final Four,” Sampson said. “May never go to a Final Four. Those are hard to get to. Look at all the teams that have never been to one. You don’t ever think those things are -- that they owe you. Well, we got to one; we can get to another one. Maybe, maybe not. “That’s why you focus on the things you can control and keep recruiting good kids, work on improving your roster, establishing chemistry, keep creating the right kind of culture with the right kind of kids. And who knows? You may.”
The Rockets waived forward Ben McLemore, who was a key player for them Ben last season, McLemore along with center Justin Patton. In his 103 appearances, McLemore made 27 starts and Justin averaged 9.3 Patton points and 2.2 rebounds during his two seasons with the team. Alvin Brooks taking over at Lamar Alvin Brooks, the former head coach at University of Houston and current UH assistant Alvin Brooks coach, has been named the new head coach at Lamar. Brooks is a well-known and respected name in Houston and around the country. Look for big things at Lamar. MLB pulls All-Star Game out of GA Major League Baseball is pulling its All-Star Game from Atlanta this summer due to Georgia changing its voting rights laws, which will make it harder for some minority groups to vote. The decision by MLB could cost Atlanta as much as $100 million in lost revenue.
April 8, 2021 |
| 11
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Sports STRATFORD SENIOR
Saleyna Daniel Multi-talented By Jodie B. Jiles
Stratford senior pitcher/shortstop Saleyna Daniel, a Mississippi State commit, has been a star in the making on the softball field throughout her early career. In 2020, Daniel was named District MVP and in 2019 was named District Offensive Player of the Year. Daniel is currently in the top 25 for her positional ranking according to Extra Inning Softball. With the bat, Daniel has a swing that can make a difference in a game. She can hit the ball for contact through the gaps and has the power to rack up home runs too. Additionally, Daniel’s physical length and reach grant her unique defensive abilities to make plays on the mound and in the infield. The Defender spoke with Daniel after her game against Cy Fair to discuss her playing style, career coming up, keys to success and more.
ABOUT SALEYNA DANIEL IG: @saleynea.daniel Players She Studies: Mia Sky (Mississippi State) Favorite Artist: Trippy Red Favorite Food: MOD Pizza Shoutouts: My mom
LEADERSHIP “I am not a very vocal leader but I am an action leader. I lead by example.”
STYLE OF PLAY “I really try to be competitive with a really calm demeanor and not really an aggressive demeanor.”
MISSISSIPPI STATE COMMITMENT “I love the coaches and I just felt the vibe right when I got to the campus. I also love the softball team.”
LOVE OF THE GAME “I got started when I was four, but I think I started really falling in love with the game when I was 12.”
KEYS TO SUCCESS “Work hard every day but don’t overwork or underwork. Just be yourself.” Daniel makes a play with her bat against Cy Fair. -Jimmie Agisson
12 | April 8, 2021 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Spotlight Candace Strother is all about that
QUEENLYFE
By Aswad Walker
in women to talk about their career paths: surgeons, orthodontists, mental health therapists; a wide range of great women committed to pouring into these young ladies.
In ancient Ethiopia (Kush) the title “Candace” (pronounced kan-DAH-say) referred to a powerful line of queens who ruled the African city of Meroe. One of those ruling Black women were even mentioned in the Bible’s Book of Acts. Candace (pronounced KAN-dass) Strother is all about that queen life, devoting much of her personal and professional time to providing powerful acts of her own to awaken girls and women alike to the powerful queen that resides in each of them. Strother founded the organization QueenLyfe Inc. to build an empowered community of women and girls through promoting health and wellness, financial responsibility and mentorship. However, it was born out of her own personal journey to move out of depression and towards her purpose by living the mantra “Love Yourself First Everyday;” or LYFE. Because of her heart for service and her professional prowess to boot, Strother was recognized as a 2019 Houston Business Journal “40 Under 40” member. The pandemic has placed QueenLyfe activities on a brief hiatus, but nothing has slowed down Strother from sharing her royal presence with the world. The Defender caught up with the QueenLyfe CEO to learn more about the organization and its founder.
DEFENDER: What was behind the founding of QueenLyfe and what was it seeking to accomplish? CANDACE: I was in the banking industry for going on 10 years but felt like that was not my calling. I was rejected by jobs that I applied for that I felt like I was sometimes overqualified for. But I could never get that alignment with a position. Fast forward, I did some inner work and realized that the rejection I was facing put me in a space of depression. I realized the core of what I needed was self-love. And it felt like that message was so powerful. It came to me as I meditated, as I visualized, as I devoted more of my time to journaling to figure out my purpose and passion. “Love Yourself First Everyday” kept coming to mine, kept resonating with my spirit. That was like the beginning of my healing journey, realizing that I needed to do more self-love. And I thought the message was so powerful, I QUEENLYFE ONLINE Website: QueenLyfe.org Instagram: queenlyfe1 YouTube: Queen Lyfe Facebook: @queenlyfe1
DEFENDER: You’re from Denver. What brought you to Houston? CANDACE: My mom is from Port Arthur.
So, our roots are Port Arthur, Houston. We would come there every summer. I would record songs from the radio because we weren’t playing the songs y’all were playing back then in Denver. That’s when 97 FM and Majic 102 were popping back in the day. So that’s my memories. I always had love for Houston. DEFENDER: How did it feel to be acknowledged by the Houston Business Journal’s 40 Under 40? CANDACE: Amazing. You know, some
days you’re wondering “Is this work in vain,” because you work so hard. So much goes on behind the scenes, between board members and people promising this and that, and it doesn’t come to fruition. People don’t see the tears in building a business. They see the glam on social media. But to be acknowledged was everything. And it doesn’t always equate to money, but the acknowledgement and the impact, that’s so fulfilling. DEFENDER: What advice would you give young women or young girls seeking to discover their purpose? CANDACE: Make yourself a priority. Focus
GO TO DEFENDERNETWORK.COM TO READ ABOUT CANDACE STROTHER STEERING QUEENLYFE AMID THE PANDEMIC, HER LOVE OF HIP HOP AND MORE LYFE ADVICE.
decided to incorporate it into an organization. I didn’t necessarily know where that was going to lead, but I knew that was the type of energy, the type of friendships that I needed to continue my healing journey.
with 9th graders. At Dulles Middle School it was 6th – 8th graders. At the Boys and Girls Club we worked with all ages. And we brought
on your emotional wellness. Sit with yourself sometime and really think about “What do I like to do? What are the things that excite me, that give me passion? What are some areas that I need to heal? Do I fully accept myself or am I doing things to gain acceptance from family, friends, love interest?” Just really get clear on their being as an individual away from society’s expectations or away from programming, but like who are you? And never be afraid to speak up.
DEFENDER: What about your youth-focused activities? CANDACE: A song by Jazmine Sullivan,
“Mona Lisa,” talked about, “You’re the masterpiece, every part of me is beautiful. And I finally see the masterpiece.” I thought, “If I saw the masterpiece in me earlier in this journey, where would I be?” So, I decided to create Project Mona Lisa which was about creating and discovering the masterpiece within. Young ladies did a self-portrait, creating themselves in the image of a queen. At YEP Prep we worked
QueenLyfe participants at a health-related activity