Houston Defender: April 21, 2022

Get your MONEY right Take charge of your personal finances with these strategies

ENTERTAINMENT

RAVEN SMITH This booklover hopes her new upscale Black bookstore in Katy will reignite a love of reading.

Volume 91, issue 24 April 21, 2022

NEWS

GARNET COLEMAN

Redistricting is complicating the race to replace the Texas State Representative.

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DN On Point

A gunman opens fire outside the Galleria on April 17. IG

Message from the Managing Editor be manageable, we have to acknowledge that Have you seen the video of the shootout at we haven’t done everything to make this one the OK Corral, also known as the Galleria? The better for everyone – that’s on a personal and viral video, which has racked up more than government institution level. three million views, shows six seconds of a I just don’t understand these mask-haters.... man firing a handgun — equipped with what the same mask-haters who want to tell me what appears to be an extended magazine — outside to do with my body. Make it make sense. Never the Galleria. The short, blurry clip shows peomind. It doesn’t. ple running, yelling and scrambling to get away from the gunfire. Police think the video may Florida….just sigh….

ReShonda Tate be connected to a shooting over the weekend Florida stays in the news. Now, the Florida in which a man was shot in the leg and critically wounded. A Department of Education has rejected more than 50 math suspect has been arrested in that case. textbooks from the curriculum for the next school year due I know shootings can happen anywhere, but criminals no to – wait for it, critical race theory (CRT). longer care about geographical boundaries. The high-end mall The department said that 54 out of 132 textbook submishas seen its share of crime recently. And though the venue is sions would be rejected. Critical race theory aims to look at packed with security cameras, inside the mall and out in the how racism has molded every part of American society such parking lots and garages…criminals don’t seem to care. And as public policy and institutions such as the justice system. that’s a sad testament. You can see the video online on our For math? Really, Florida??? Man, Conservatives are gonna social media pages. And speaking of online….I think that’s ride that CRT til the wheels fall off. where I’ll be doing most of my shopping from now on.

Houston, we have a problem

COVID is still here, y’all

I know it doesn’t seem like it, but the coronavirus is still here. Yes, it’s not killing as many people. Yes, we have to learn to live our lives regardless, but, It’s. Still. Here. Though you wouldn’t know it by some of these recent actions.

A Florida judge – a Trump appointee, surprise, surprise – recently struck down the federal mask mandate. Airline pilots made announcements, passengers cheered and promptly took off their masks, as if wearing them had been some overly oppressive measure. All this as the country is dealing with a more transmissible COVID variant, and nearing a million COVID deaths with no money for testing and treatment for the uninsured.

U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle who, by the way, the American Bar Association deemed unqualified for her role due to her lack of experience, said, “Wearing a mask means nothing.” My sister-in-law, cousins, friends, neighbors, who all died from COVID would beg to differ.

American, we’re on our own, now. We seem destined to repeat the same mistakes in the third year of the pandemic – costing us more money and disabling many more people that didn’t have to be. To move into a world where COVID can

Lizzo is unbothered by her booty

Did you see the controversial photo of Lizzo boarding her private plane? Why is it generating buzz? Because Lizzo was doing what Lizzo does – letting it all hang out. The singer was recently photographed boarding a private plane with her bare cheeks showing. After a tweet went viral questioning why the singer should be “allowed” to sport revealing clothing on an airport, a tired debate was sparked once again over what women with body types like Lizzo’s should be able to wear.

Instead of joining in on the discussion, Lizzo simply used the controversy as a smooth way of promoting her newly-launched clothing line, Yitty. The discussion on social media centered around whether it would have been an issue if it was Rihanna or Megan with their goodies hanging out. While the world continues to debate, Lizzo does another thing she does best – remain unbothered.

ON THE WEB

• Local artists you need to know, April 2022 edition.

• TV’s ‘black-ish’ ends 8-season run with a legacy.

• Sports reporter Terrance Harris is pulling double duty with stories on the TSU, Texans partnership and how a PV softball player is living her dream.

April 21, 2022 |

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DN News

Houston Police Chief Troy Finner asked the Houston population to report information related to the suspect who shot 9-year-old Ashanti Grant in a road rage incident in Feb. AP

Houston battles increase in road rage shootings

By ReShonda Tate

Over the past year, the country has seen an explosion of shootings and killings attributed to rage on the road.

From the fatal shootings of David Castro after leaving an Astros game to Ashanti Grant, who was caught in the crossfire of a drive-by shooting, the eruptions of sudden violence are not unique to any part of America, but they have been perhaps most pronounced on the roads of Texas, where guns and tempers prove a deadly combination.

“In the past, people curse one another, throw up the finger and keep moving,” Mayor Sylvester Turner said. “Now instead of throwing up the finger, they’re pulling out the gun and shooting.”

At least a dozen Houston-area kids have been hurt or injured in road rage cases over the last six months. And while there is no hard data, not a week goes by when reports of a road rage shooting isn’t filling the news.

Criminologists cautioned that any theory of motivation behind road rage shootings is hampered by a lack of data.

Most police departments do not keep statistics on road rage episodes, in part because it is not itself a crime category.

There is no federal database either.

The Gun Violence Archive, a nonprofit that compiles data from government sources and media reports, found that more than 500 people had been injured or killed in reported road rage shootings last year, up from fewer than

300 in 2019.

“The story that it’s telling is a definite and really worrying increase in incidents of road rage involving a gun,” said Sarah Burd-Sharps, the senior director of research at Everytown for Gun Safety. “Only in this country is someone shot and injured or killed every 17 hours in a road rage incident.”

Texas accounted for a quarter of the fatal shootings last year that were documented in the study, with 33 people killed in road rage shootings in the state, up from 18 in 2019.

“It is unique to this moment,” Turner said. “I’m a native Houstonian. I’m in my seventh year as mayor. We have just not had it to the point where it has been a noticeable event, except in the last year.”

Turner said that a string of deadly cases had prompted the city to take steps to reconfigure its traffic cameras to preserve recordings, to eventually help catch roadway shooters.

In Texas, drivers have been allowed to carry firearms without a license in their cars since 2007, a law known as the Texas Motorist Protection Act. A new measure, enacted last year, allows most Texans to carry a handgun in public without a license.

DN ONLINE

Nine-year-old road rage victim Ashanti Grant is released from the hospital and headed to rehab.

HISD offers $10K incentive to new teachers

By Laura Onyeneho

In an effort to recruit and retain qualified new educators, the Houston Independent School District is offering a stipend of up to $10,000 to hire high-performing teachers at underperforming schools.

Chronic underperformance in HISD campuses has been one of many issues the district is working to combat which has resulted in the creation of the RISE program (Redesign, Innovate, Support and Empower) for the 2022-2023 academic year.

According to HISD, to improve its D and F-rated campuses, the RISE Program will focus on restructuring 24 struggling schools (13 elementary schools, nine middle schools and two high schools) by adding new teachers to supplement the existing staff and bring fresh ideas to retain students, all while raising the academic performance of graduating students.

In March, HISD Superintendent Millard House II told HISD the Defender that part of his RECRUITMENT five-year plan included overhauls in teacher recruitment, April 27 @ 6 p.m. assessment and pay.

Hattie Mae White “A statistic that jumps out Educational at me is that 45,000 educators Building in the state of Texas leave the profession and a statistical survey result provided to us is that one-third of the educators in HISD have thought about the possibility of leaving the profession at one point or another,” House said. “So, ensuring that we cultivate world class talent is incredibly important.”

Qualified candidates need a minimum of one year of experience, and must have a track record of improving student achievement and demonstrating a commitment to improving student outcomes. Applicants must bring their latest performance evaluation, student achievement data and resumes.

Schools in the RISE program will participate for a minimum of three years. Students will be offered afterschool enrichment programs including transportation and an evening meal.

To apply visit applitrack.com.

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DN News

Peter Lyoya holds up a picture of his son Patrick Lyoya, 26, in his home in Lansing, Mich. AP

Autopsy shows Patrick Lyoya shot in head by cop Associated Press

Garnet Coleman has served in the Texas House of Representatives since 1990.

Redistricting complicates race to replace Garnet Coleman Houston Public Media

tion’s Office — there are only two ZIP codes voting to The process to decide who will replace Garnet Cole- replace Coleman May 7 that won’t get to vote during the man in the Texas House of Representatives was already primary runoff and general election. complicated. When the lawmaker announced his reVoters living in ZIP codes 77005 and 77098 — which tirement, it set up a special election to determine who include the Upper Kirby and University Place area by will finish out his current term that the Medical Center, as well as River runs through 2022. But it’s also an Oaks and parts of Montrose — will be election year, meaning there’s an ongoeligible to vote for Coleman’s replaceELECTIONS ing primary to decide who will run as ment May 7. However, those same a Democrat in November’s election to voters won’t get to vote in the primary MAY 7 fill the seat in 2023. runoff or general election for the seat’s Special elections Now, another wrinkle: Each election next term May 24. involves a different version of Texas Political parties are now working to MAY 24 House District 147 in the wake of last inform voters in House District 147 — Texas runoff year’s redistricting — and that means both the old and new district maps — election some voters who participate in one to ensure they’re aware of what elecelection won’t be involved in the other. tion will be on their ballots in May. Coleman, a Houston Democrat who Odus Evbagharu, the Harris County has been a member of the Texas House of Representa- Democratic Party chair, said the party is working to tives since 1990, announced his retirement in February. keep people informed.

His term doesn’t run out until January, so voters in the Still, Evbagharu said Harris County voters are getting existing district must decide on May 7 who fills that seat tired — the county has had multiple elections back-tofor the remainder of his term. back, the most in one year since 1996.

But the district was also redrawn after the 2020 cen“You’re trying to encourage the voter as well, but also sus. That means the May 24 primary runoff election and not wear them out before we get to November,” he said. the Nov. 8 general election will exclude some voters and “It’s a lot of politics being scarfed down their throat.” include some others thanks to the newly drawn district Coleman has said that he decided to retire early in map. order to give whoever wins the special election “a leg up Most people will be eligible to vote in both elections, in seniority” in Austin. The later someone is elected, the according to the Harris County Elections Administra- further down the list they end up.

An independent autopsy confirms that Patrick Lyoya, a Black man, was shot in the back of the head by a Michigan police officer while facedown on the ground, lawyers for his family said.

The finding by a former Detroit-area medical examiner matches what was seen last week on video released by the Grand Rapids police chief. The official autopsy report hasn’t been released to the public.

Lyoya was killed at the end of a traffic stop in western Michigan on April 4. He and the white officer physically struggled on the ground before the 26-year-old refugee from Congo was shot. Lyoya wasn’t armed, though the officer was heard on video demanding that he take his hand off a police Taser.

“This independent autopsy report confirms what we all witnessed in the horrifying video footage: Unarmed Patrick Lyoya was conscious until the bullet entered his head, instantly ending what could have been a long and fruitful life,” attorney Ben Crump said.

Lyoya’s death has outraged his family as well as many people who have watched video of the confrontation with an officer. The officer, whose name hasn’t been released, is heard saying during a traffic stop that the license plate didn’t match the car. Lyoya declined to get back into the vehicle as ordered, and a short foot chase ensued.

VOLUME 91 - NUMBER 24 - APRIL 21, 2022 Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles

Managing Editor ReShonda Tate

Chief Development Officer Emelda Douglas

Associate Editor Aswad Walker

Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles

Education Reporter Laura Onyeneho

Creative Director Michael Grant

Sports Terrance Harris Jodie B. Jiles

Administrative Asst.

Stacey Palmer

Photographers Jimmie Aggison

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

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

April 21, 2022 |

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DN Entertainment

Brown Sugar Cafe Raven Smith launches upscale Black-owned bookstore in Katy

By Laura Onyeneho

Meet Raven R. Smith. She is the CEO of the upscale urban bookstore in Katy called Brown Sugar Café and Books. The Chicago native has lived in the Houston and Katy area for the last 10 years and has truly found her community with the launch of the establishment.

Brown Sugar Café and Books launched in April with the goal to bring more diverse cultural awareness to Katy while increasing youth literacy programs, an experience she enjoyed as a child.

Living in Katy, she felt a disconnect with her community and wanted to create a safe space where local authors, artisans and creatives can celebrate Black excellence while enjoying a diverse collection of books during a time when literature from Black authors is being pulled from school library shelves statewide.

Smith spoke with the Defender about her passion for books and business and how reading changed the course of her life as a child.

Defender: Talk about your work in corporate America and how that prepared you for entrepreneurship?

Smith: Working in corporate America

Raven R. Smith, CEO of Brown Sugar Café and Books

prepared me to be in leadership roles. I paid attention to how my bosses worked and I knew that one day I would be one. I learned about the leadership structure and the things they were in charge of. Those where the things I took away from my experience.

places I never heard of or visited and imagined myself in those places every day. Chicago was cold in the winter but the book took my mind away. I was experiencing life through other people. It made me look forward to life, because there are people who’ve never left their neighborhoods, or the country. I desired to go to Paris, and an HBCU because I read about Howard University in a book. Reading expanded my horizon. When I turned 14, I volunteered for a youth community center and that changed the game for me.

Defender: You said books literally saved your life? How did they impact your life?

Smith: Being one of 13 children in

a household that sometimes didn’t have enough food, heat, electricity or blankets, sometimes I didn’t feel seen or noticed. My mom had an addiction problem. My father was addicted to gambling. Just being in a place where there were so many people, you can be overlooked. Everyone was doing their own thing. When I took interest in reading in fourth grade, I would come home to the chaos and noise, and I would start to read.

The first book I ever read was Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.” I would listen to her describe the back roads of Mississippi and St. Louis and California,

Defender: Why is youth literacy an important component to the birth of Brown Sugar?

Smith: The two go hand in hand. We Raven R. Smith, CEO of Brown Sugar Café and Books (center) at the grand opening in Katy.

DN ONLINE

Read about her thoughts on the push for politicians to ban Black books in schools.

have many different programs where people in our community can connect from dance, mediation, art, music. We want to meet young people where they are. We are committed to impacting the lives of our future leaders especially in their educational endeavors, mental health and social emotional well-being.

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DN InFocus FOCUS SOCIAL

GET YOUR MONEY RIGHT Take charge of your personal finance

By Aswad Walker

April is National Financial Literacy Month, a powerful opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining smart money management habits.

Financial literacy is key to understanding how to save, earn, borrow, invest and protect your money. It’s also essential to developing short- and long-term financial habits and skills that lead to greater financial well-being.

This knowledge is critically important for the Black community, as the lack of financial literacy is one of the reasons why the average white family’s wealth is eight times higher than the wealth of an average Black family, according to the Federal Reserve.

Systematic inequality, high default rates on student loans, employment discrimination and redlining (housing discrimination) are some of the other factors that have limited access to wealth-building vehicles for generations, allowing the racial wealth gap to not only persist, but to grow.

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation report, the 2019 national Black poverty rate (22%) was more than double the white poverty rate (9%) in the U.S. According to National Credit Union Administration, becoming financially capable could be as simple as: 1) Creating a financial plan that includes a budget to determine which expenses are flexible or fixed, as well as ensure you have enough emergency savings to prepare for unexpected expenses.

2) Pulling your credit report once a year to make sure the information is accurate, complete and up-todate. Reviewing your credit report will also help to guard against identity theft.

Licensed financial professional Toni Sanders believes financial literacy is critical for changing the game for Black people’s current and future realities.

“Growing up as a little girl, I was never taught about money, and we never talked about money at the dinner table,” said Sanders. “I wanted to be one of those people who changed the narrative, who changed how we as a people view and handle money.”

Sanders, who owned multiple businesses for over 27 years, realized that even someone as business savvy as she had a lot to learn when she was first introduced to financial literacy lessons that led her to her career change.

“I want to change the legacy of my family, but in order to do that I had to learn. I have a daughter, and I couldn’t teach her something that I didn’t know. And that’s what’s happening in our community,” said Sanders.

Financial education professional Angela CeZar said this lack of financial knowledge is all too common in Black households as only 38% of personal financial independence needs questions (P-FIN) were answered correctly by Blacks polled.

“Even Blacks with college degrees, 47% weren’t able to correctly answer P-FIN questions,” said CeZar. “That means many Black doctors, lawyers, accountants and more don’t know basic finance.”

Similar results are found when looking at income.

Only 52% of Blacks earning $100k-plus annually an-

THE 2019 P-FIN INDEX Affrican-American Insights

Financial literacy is significantly higher among African-American men compared to women.

42% 35% Males

Females

Percentage of P-Fin questions answered correctly among African-Americans

African-Americans with greater fiancial literacy are less likely to be debt contrained.

31% Low

64% High

swered those P-FIN questions correctly.

“I want my community to be educated and empowered to make better money decisions, to be financially fit, to be financially free and financially independent.

We cannot do that without the education,” said CeZar. MORE FINANCIAL STATS • While 66% of Blacks report that they are doing at least okay financially, the comparable figure among whites is 78%.

• Median household income among Blacks was $35,400 in 2016; median household income of whites was $61,200.

• Black household net worth was $17,600 in 2016 and 19% had zero or negative net worth; the analogous figures for white households were $171,000 and 9%, respectively.

• Blacks are far more likely to be “unbanked” — that is, having no traditional bank or checking account — compared to other races. Whereas the white population has an unbanked rate of 3.3%, according to a Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City study, the rate for Blacks is 18.2%.

• 62% of working-age Black households do not have any assets in a retirement account, versus 37% of white households with no retirement accounts, per the National Institute on Retirement Security. What’s more, people of color nearing retirement age have an average savings of $30,000, versus $120,000 for white households.

• The wealth gap tends to grow as people get older.

Looking at Americans born from 1943 to 1951, the Urban Institute found that white households’ average wealth was $395,000 in their late 30s, spiking to $1.3 million in their late 60s, compared to $127,000 and $204,000, respectively, for Black households.

• The proportion of Black families with zero or negative net worth was 37% in 2016, compared to 15.5% for white families.

• Closing the racial gap would make the American economy grow immensely. McKinsey & Company estimates that closing the racial wealth gap by 2028 could

GET HELP UNDERSTANDING YOUR FINANCES THRIVE/Alief Financial Opportunity Center Chinese Community Center 9800 Town Park Dr., Houston 77036 Bank On Houston City of Houston www.BankOnHouston.org Financial Education Workshop Houston Area Urban League (HAUL) https://www.haul.org/ programs/housing/ YourLife Finance Classes Women’s Resource of Greater Houston 730 N. Post Oak Blvd., Ste 203, Houston 77204 Texas Veterans Worklife Transition Program Worklife Institute 11900 St. James Place, Ste 880, Houston, 77056

YOUTH FINANCIAL EDUCATION CURRICULA Money Smart for Young People Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation www.fdic.gov Building Wealth: A Beginner’s Guide to Securing Your Financial Future Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas www.dallasfed.org Junior Achievement USA JA Worldwide Jausa.ja.org National Endowment for Financial Education www.nefe.org Jumpstart: Financial Smarts for Students Texas Jumpstart Coalition www.jumpstart.org

SENIOR FINANCIAL LITERACY CURRICULA Money Smart for Older Adults Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation www.fdic.gov Eldercare.gov Administration on Aging Eldercare.acl.gov

FOR A LISTING OF MORE FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES VISIT DEFENDERNETWORK.COM

8 | April 21, 2022 |

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DN Education

Jacque Daughtry with Keynote Speakers Mark Samuel, principal at Shadowbriar ElementarySchool and Dr. Shawn Nickerson, principal at Bruce ElementarySchool.

LOCAL LITERACY ADVOCACY NON-PROFIT RAISES FUNDS FOR HOUSTON STUDENTS

By Laura Onyeneho

Texas has a bigger problem than dictating the kind of books children read in school libraries. It is literacy.

Literacy Now, a local non-profit organization dedicated to transforming communities by empowering children and families through literacy, leadership, and life skills, noticed a problem. Sixty percent of Houston children enter kindergarten lacking requisite reading skills each year and 63% of Houston third graders don’t read at grade level.

The organization decided to host its 8th annual Literacy Now Guild Luncheon titled, Bee Inspired in April at the Junior League of Houston raising a record-breaking $135,000 to help struggling young readers throughout the Houston area.

COVID-19 exacerbated the issue of the staggering learning loss, poor state test

scores, and the daunting task for local school officials to find quality tutors or time within the school period to provide the extra help necessary for struggling students.

The mission of the Literacy Now Guild Luncheon is to assist with program activities and events, help raise program funds and empower students to read at grade level by the end of third grade.

“It was truly heartwarming to see such an amazing group of people supporting our organization and the children we serve,” said Jacque Daughtry, executive director of Literacy Now at the ceremony.

“We are extremely grateful to our guests, our Guild ladies, event donors, sponsors, and advertisers, for making this event a success.”

When talking about third-grade level

Literacy Now Program Director, Jacklyn Wilson with Literacy Now Executive Director, Jacque Daughtry

when discussing literacy, it is usually the grade level when children transition from learning to read to reading to learn. The skills learned in third-grade lay the foundation for critical thinking and understand complex ideas and concepts.

In March, Literacy Now coordinated hundreds of education and community leaders, and athletes to read to 14,000 students at Houston ISD and Aldine ISD for its Houston Reads Day” address literacy

issues and partner with districts for group reading intervention in schools.

Last year, the organization launched an aggressive expansion campaign to serve more struggling readers. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Literacy Now exceeded last year’s goals by increasing the number of students served in its Reading Intervention program by 20 percent, serving 608 struggling K-2nd grade readers in HISD.

CLASSIFIED THE HARRIS CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND IDD REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SEALED PROPOSAL

6168 SOUTH LOOP EAST APARTMENTS The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD is requesting Competitive Sealed Proposals pursuant to Chapter 2269 of the Texas Government Code and 2 CFR Part 200 from qualified construction firms for construction of an apartment complex for consumers served by The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD. Federal labor standards provisions including but not limited to HUD Section 3, Davis Bacon and Related Acts, and City of Houston’s MWBE and Pay or Play will be enforced. The site will be 6168 S. Loop East, Houston, 77087, Project Number: PUR-FY22-0208.

Specifications may be secured from The HARRIS CENTER, Purchasing Services located at 9401 SW Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074; telephone (713) 970-7116, The HARRIS CENTER website www.theharriscenter.org or the Electronic State Business Daily Site https://portal.cpa.state.tx.us/ beginning at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, April 22, 2022. A mandatory in-person Pre-Proposal Conference will be held on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, at 2:00 P.M. Deadline for prospective vendors to submit questions to this CSP is 5:00 P.M. on Tuesday, May 10, 2022. CSP responses must be submitted to Purchasing Services, 9401 SW Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074 by 11:00 A.M. on Monday, May 23, 2022, in a sealed envelope marked “CSP - DO NOT OPEN UNTIL – 11:00 A.M. on MONDAY, MAY 23, 2022 “6168 South Loop East Apartments”. A public opening of the proposals will occur immediately following the proposal submission deadline at 9401 SW Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074. Any questions pertaining to this solicitation should be addressed in writing to James Blunt, C.P.M James.Blunt@theharriscenter.org, Sharon Brauner, C.P.M., Purchasing Manager and Nina Cook, MBA, CTPM, Director of Purchasing.

E-mail questions to James.Blunt@theharriscenter.org, Sharon.brauner@theharriscenter.org cc: Nina.cook@theharriscenter.org or fax to (713) 970-7682. Minority-Owned Businesses and Women-Owned Businesses are encouraged to participate. The HARRIS CENTER reserves all right to postpone, accept or reject any and/or all proposals as it to waive formalities and reasonable irregularities in submitted documents as it deems to be in its best interests and waive formalities and reasonable irregularities. is not obligated to accept the lowest proposal.

This solicitation (CSP) is subject to addenda, including but not limited to, an extension of the submission deadline, communicated through www.theharriscenter.org.

April 21, 2022 |

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DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports

Texans, TSU launch unique partnership This partnership with the Texans will assist in transforming the lives of our TSU students.

This investment affords our scholar-athletes additional resources to ensure their success on and off the field.”

Dr. Lesia L. Crumpton-Young President of TSU

By Terrance Harris

The Houston Texans and Texas Southern University athletic department have launched a ground-breaking partnership that will benefit the student-athletes in the classroom and on the playing field.

Texans new head coach Lovie Smith was on campus to help usher in the new two-year partnership that will include scholarships and facility upgrades, along with mentoring and internship opportunities for TSU’s student-athletes.

“We are happy to honor Coach Lovie Smith for his historic elevation to head coach, and for his contributions to the entire Houston community,” TSU Board of Regents Chairman Albert Myres said. “Coach Smith embodies leadership qualities that we work to demonstrate daily.

We appreciate all that he does and all that he is to our community.”

Two years ago, former Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson along with then teammates Laremy Tunsil, receiver Kenny Stills, linebacker Whitney Mercilus and Duke Ejiofor presented a similar partnership with TSU that include mentoring the student-athletes as well as providing financial resources to the school.

The new partnership between the Texans and TSU will focus on three core initiatives that include upgrading athletic facilities, funding scholarships for female student-athletes and student, faculty and staff engagement.

Here is what the Texans commitment to TSU will entail

over the next two years.

• Donate the team’s artificial playing surface from NRG Stadium.

• Support football field house improvements that will assist with recruiting top-tier student-athletes to TSU. • Award scholarships to five female student-athletes each year.

• Create opportunities and programming that will provide access to professional development, internships and mentoring for TSU students, faculty, staff and athletics leadership.

“The Houston Texans are proud to partner with TSU to support the university’s student-athletes, coaches and staff,” Houston Texans Chair and CEO Cal McNair said.

“It is our hope that this partnership will enrich the next generation’s love of the game of football while providing unique opportunities to our community’s future leaders.”

TSU views the partnership as a forward-moving opportunity for its students, as well as the institution.

“This partnership with the Texans will assist in transforming the lives of our TSU students. This investment affords our scholar-athletes additional resources to ensure their success on and off the field,” said Dr. Lesia L. Crumpton-Young, president of TSU. “Given the facilities enhancements, the professional development, internships and scholarships, our young scholars will exhibit exemplary performance!”

10 | April 21, 2022 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports Houston Gamblers linebacker Reggie Northup scored the first touchdown of the game against Michigan on a 95-yard scoop and score during the USFL debut weekend.

Astros leftfielder Michael Brantley hit his first home run of the season – a two-run long ball – while going 2-for-4 at the plate in a recent 7-2 loss to the Seattle Mariners.

Biviana Figueroa living D1 softball dream at PVAMU

By Terrance Harris

To let Prairie View softball coach Vernon Bland tell it, junior college transfer catcher Biviana Figueroa just fell into his lap.

One day last summer Bland was checking his email and there she was. Figueroa was looking for a place to land after a season of junior college ball at Temple College. She took the initiative of feeling out Division I programs by cold emailing coaches of schools she was interested in.

Something about Figueroa’s email resonated with Bland so he did his due d i l i ge n c e an d the feedback he received from a trusted contact was resounding.

“He told me, `if you get Biviana, you’ve got a future All American on Biviana Figueroa your hands,’” Bland said.

So far, his contact is looking to be on the money. Figueroa, a lefthanded batter, came out of this past weekend’s series against Arkansas-Pine Bluff as the nation’s second-leading hitter, batting .494. She had previously been third in batting among all NCAA Division I softball players.

Figueroa is certainly feeling like she made the right decision after initially meeting with Bland and assistant coach Joseph Lane via Zoom and then taking an official campus visit. Her success on the softball field is only reinforcing that she made the right college selection.

“It’s been going good,” Figueroa said of her PVAMU experience. “Luckily, I’m blessed enough to be (second) in the country in NCAA.” It started out a little slow, but Bland said thanks to some extra work with Lane and Figueroa becoming more comfortable at the plate, it has transformed her into the player she is now.

“I think she wanted to impress the new teammates,” Bland said of Figueroa’s early struggles. “But here lately she just hasn’t been missing. I told her to just look for one pitch and don’t miss.”

Figueroa’s early success has at least been partially motivated by a desire to prove to

Sports Briefs Gamblers win opener

The re-imagined USFL season kicked off last weekend and Kevin Sumlin and the Houston Gamblers defeated the Michigan Panthers 17-12 in – Birmingham. Yes, all USFL games this season will be played in Birmingham but if you want to catch the Gamblers on Kevin Sumlin television the upcoming game against the Birmingham Stallions on April 23 will be shown on FS1 at 6 p.m.

TSU coaching moves

Biviana Figueroa has hit her stride with the Lady Panthers at the plate this season as the nation’s second-leading batter.

In addition to being outstanding at the plate, Biviana Figueroa has become a team leader behind the plate as the Lady Panthers’ catcher.

some she is indeed a Division I softball player.

Prior to graduating from Natalia (Texas) High School, Figueroa had accepted a scholarship to play softball at Nicholls State, but after tearing his labrum the scholarship offer was rescinded and she was left scrambling for a playing opportunity.

Fortunately, Temple College had a spot for her.

“That was really tough, it was really hard for me,” said Figueroa, who was recently named SWAC Hitter of the Week after going 5-for-8 at the plate with three runs scored and six RBI in a three-game series with Southern.

“But I knew I still wanted to play. I could have stopped but I knew I wanted to play so I kept

going.”

All she needed was a year of junior college ball to let her know she was ready for her Division I shot.

“It’s been a journey because coming back it feels different, you have to hit different, catch and throw different,” said Figueroa, who also scored 21 runs, hit 3 home runs and has 29 RBI so far this season. “It’s been a journey but I’m glad it’s finally starting to come together.”

And that feeling extends to all facets of Figueroa’s world these days. The Business Marketing major is pulling a 4.0 in the classroom and is enjoying success on the field and at home with her new three best friends and teammates, Maddison Parker, Taliya Talley and Audrey Garcia.

As far as Figueroa is concerned it will only get better if the 11-25 overall and 11-7 (SWAC) Lady Panthers were to win the league.

“I love it here,” she said. “I’ve met my three best friends here so I’m lucky to have people I love here.”

Bland is glad to see how well Figueroa has adjusted and recently he shared with his contact how well things are going for the player he so highly recommended.

“I sent him a screenshot of her hitting third in the nation (prior to this past weekend),” a smiling Bland said. “He sent back, `I told you.’”

Texas Southern has hired Vernette Skeete as its 13th women’s head basketball coach.

Skeete replaces Hall of Famer Cynthia Cooper-Dyke, who retired last month. Skeete was previously the associate head coach at Texas A&M. The athletic department also announced Vernette it has extended Skeete the contract of men’s basketball coach Johnny Jones through 2026. Both moves await Board of Regents approval.

XFL names 8 coaches

Not to be outdone by the USFL’s debut, the re-starting XFL named its eight head coaches who will be on the sidelines when the league returns in February 2023.

Four of the eight coaches are AfRod Woodson rican American: Terrell Buckley, Reggie Barlow, Rod Woodson and Hines Ward. But the league has yet to announce which teams they will coach and which cities will have a team. But if the Houston franchise returns, there is a good bet that Wade Phillips will get the appointment here.

April 21, 2022 |

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DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports WESTSIDE SPRINTER

JORDAN EDMONDSON GOES FOR IT

By Jodie B. Jiles

ABOUT JORDAN EDMONDSON

IG: @rac3r.jordan Runner he studies: Darius Rainey Schoo-ls considering: University of Texas, Texas A&M and Georgia Tech Shout-outs: “My girlfriend and mom are my two biggest supporters.”

Westside High School junior 400-meter and 800-meter dash runner Jordan Edmondson bolts off of the starting line in a way most would see in a 100-meter dash event. And while many runners pace themselves in fear of burning out on the last leg, Edmondson keeps pace and normally maintains his first-place position.

In the HISD district races, Edmondson advanced in the 400, and just missed the 800 cut with a fourth place finish behind Bellaire. He’s expected to make a splash going into his senior year next season.

The Defender spoke with Jordan at the district meet about his style of running, lessons learned, keys to success and more.

STYLE OF RUNNING

“I look at it as a full-on sprint.”

LESSONS LEARNED

“I just learned to know your competition. Know what the other guys are up to and don’t underestimate anyone. Try to stay focused.”

KEY TO SUCCESS

“I just think confidence is the key.

You can’t compare yourself to other people because it doesn’t do you any good. So, I believe just having that self-love for yourself and confidence is the real winner.”

ADVICE TO OTHERS

“Run the hell out of your races…

Run at practice like you run at races because that will help you out a lot.

Stay confident and stay patient, keep your chin up even when times are rough just stay focused.”

Edmondson makes final turn before closing out a 400m win at the HISD District Meet

WESTBURY HURDLER

Essence Brown makes moves

By Jodie B. Jiles

Westbury High School senior hurdler Essence Brown went from last place in 2021 to first place in 2022 for the women’s 300-meter hurdle event at the HISD District Meet. Despite not making the cut for the state meet, Brown ran a personal record of 53.30 in the event and is recognized for her personal achievements this season.

The Defender spoke with Brown about her running style, keys to success and advice to others.

STYLE OF RUNNING

“As long as you get out good, you work and pick up your knees and finish strong.

You will be good.”

KEY TO SUCCESS

“Today my granny motivated me because she is going through something right now and she motivated me to finish.”

ADVICE TO OTHERS

“Don’t wait until it is too late to be serious about your craft.”

ABOUT ESSENCE BROWN IG: @essencce Runner she studies: Masai Russell (Kentucky) Secondary Sport: Volleyball Shout-out: Coach Jackson

12 | April 21, 2022 |

DEFENDER NETWORK