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Houston’s Leading Black Information Source
Volume 87 | Number 26 APRIL 26, 2018 |FREE
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NEWSTALK BEN CARSON addresses Hurricane Harvey recovery
P2 FEATURE ROLAND MARTIN to speak at Texas Southern
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Black colleges in
JEOPARDY?
YATES SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATIONS
YEARS STRONG H PAGE 8
P9 FEATURE MICHAEL VICK not running from his past
P9 TOP EVENTS
Jennifer Jones, Judson Robinson III at the Judson Robinson Sr. Community Center grand opening.
Joseph Palmore
Kevin Jennings
The popular poet is quickly making a name for himself on the national spoken word circuit. In honor of National Poetry Month, the Defender is spotlighting some of Houston’s most talented Spoken Word artists.
It took nearly 40 years to do it but for the first time since 1979, the Prairie View A&M University men’s golf team won the SWAC championship. And their coach, Kevin Jennings, couldn’t be more proud.
poetically speaking
leads PV golf
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DEFENDER | APRIL 26 | 2018
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Process unveiled for replacing Hilary Green Defender News Services
HUD Secretary Ben Carson speaks during a visit to Houston.
HUD Sec. Carson addresses local Harvey recovery funds Defender News Services
The secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Ben Carson, visited Houston recently to discuss $5 billion in community development block grants for the city and other communities affected by Hurricane Harvey. He joined Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Sen. Ted Cruz and U.S. Rep. John Culberson outside Southside Place City Hall near West University. “These grants will rebuild homes, restore jobs and repair critical infrastructure, like roads, bridges, sewers and water systems,” Carson said. All four praised first responders and vol-
unteers who helped with the rescue and recovery from Harvey. Carson said he wanted to acknowledge the first responders of Southside Place, who he said did “an amazing job.” Several dozen protesters holding signs occasionally interrupted their speeches with chants of “too little too late” and “vote him out.” One of them was Zoe Middleton with Texas Housers, a low-income housing advocacy group. She questioned why Carson chose a community that was hardly affected by Harvey. “If he wants to prioritize those people in recovery, he needs to see how they live and see the conditions they were left behind by the storm,” Middleton said.
Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis will recommend to Commissioners Court on May 1 a temporary replacement for the Justice of the Peace Precinct 7, Position 1 vacated by Judge Hilary Green. The appointee will serve until mid-November. “During our selection process, we want to choose the most qualified candidate who can maintain that court’s dockets until November,” Ellis said. Given the timing of Green’s recent resignation, primary voters were not able to select the Republican or Democratic Party nominee during the March Primary. Instead, chairs representing precincts within the position’s jurisdiction will each hold a precinct chair convention in accordance with state law to select a nominee from their parties for the Nov. 6 ballot. The winner will take the bench permanently after the votes are canvassed and certified. “Ultimately, the voters will decide who will replace Judge Green in November,” Ellis said. “Until that time, we are committed to selecting an interim justice of the peace who will efficiently and effectively fulfill the responsibilities of this position with integrity and a dedication to public service.”
localbriefs CONGRESSWOMAN SHIELA JACKSON LEE is weighing in about the Harris County’s Sheriff’s Office decision to fire Cameron Brewer, the deputy who killed Danny Ray Thomas, an unarmed Black man, last month. Thomas was wandering with his pants around his ankles. “I commend Sheriff Ed Gonzalez for holding accountable the deputy who took Danny Ray Thomas from his family, and from his community. While this moment of accountability gives me hope, the sad reality is that too many African-American families know the pain of losing a young son or daughter at the hands of law enforcement,” Jackson Lee said……..FORT BEND
ISD ANNOUNCED THE NAMES of the Teachers of the Year. Leigha Bishop of Lakeview Elementary is the 2018 District Elementary Teacher of the Year and Shaughn Thomas of Lake Olympia Middle School is the 2018 District Secondary Teacher of the Year. The two honorees will advance to the regional competition, with a chance of advancing to the Texas Teacher of the Year Program. Along with each Campus Teacher of the Year, FBISD also honored its 11 Teacher of the Year finalists and six District Rookies of the Year……..FAMILY HOUSTON RECEIVED $100,000 from the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund to provide mental health counseling
to children impacted by Harvey. Family Houston’s licensed counselors will help children cope with loss, stress, anxiety, and grief. These services are provided on-campus to students and students’ families at Chavez High School; Lamar High School; Milby High School; Sam Houston Math, Science, and Technology Center; Scarborough High School; Texans Can Academy-Houston Southwest, Waltrip High School and Wisdom High School. The campuses were selected because their student bodies draw from areas of Houston that were heavily hit by the storm. The services will be provided for free and are fully funded by the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund.
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APRIL 26 | 2018 | DEFENDER
national
U.S.briefs THE LATE BOXER JACK JOHNSON could be granted a posthumous pardon by President Donald Trump. The president tweeted that he is considering a full pardon for Johnson, the first African-American world heavyweight boxing champion. Johnson was convicted in 1913 under the Mann Act for taking his white girlfriend across state lines for “immoral” purposes. The Mann Act purported to prevent human trafficking for the purpose of prostitution, but critics have argued it was applied inconsistently to criminalize AfricanAmericans and those with dissenting political views. Johnson was convicted by an all-white jury in less than two hours and was imprisoned for a year. The sentence and imprisonment destroyed the boxing career of the “Galveston Giant,” who died in 1946…….EDUCATION SECRETARY BETSY DeVOS said her department is overwhelmed by the heavy volume of civil rights complaints. DeVos approved a measure that permits civil rights investigators in her department to disregard cases. According to DeVos, the under-staffed department receives a flood of complaints about the same subject matter. However, Congress allocated an additional $8.5 million in funding to the department’s Office for Civil Rights to manage the caseload after the directive took effect. DeVos reportedly has long had an eye focused on cutbacks to the civil rights office……. FLORIDA AUTHORITIES WENT TO A FUNERAL HOME and used a dead man’s finger to try to unlock his cellphone as part of their investigation. Thirty-year-old Linus Phillip was killed by a Largo police officer last month after authorities say he tried to drive away before an officer could search him. At the funeral home, two detectives held the man’s hands up to the phone’s fingerprint sensor but could not unlock it. Phillip’s fiancée Victoria Armstrong said she felt violated and disrespected. Legal experts mostly agree that what the detectives did was legal, but they question whether it was appropriate.
VOLUME 87 • NUMBER 26 APRIL 26, 2018 Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Ad/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Strategic Alliance Manager
Clyde Jiles Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila Videographer
Jodie B. Jiles
Editors ReShonda Billingsley Marilyn Marshall Contributing Writers Aswad Walker Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison Engagement Manager Margo Williams Hubbard
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).
3
Waffle House shooting victims people of color Defender News Service
The Nashville, Tenn. area continues to mourn after a mass shooting at a Waffle House left four people dead, all of them young people of color. Police say 29-year-old Travis Reinking opened fire in the restaurant parking lot shortly after 3 a.m. April 22 before storming the restaurant, which had about 20 people inside. Four people – three of them Black and one Hispanic – were killed and four others injured before a customer wrestled the weapon away and ReinkTaurean Sanderlin Joe Perez ing ran out. Reinking, who is white, was finally captured a day later after a massive manhunt. It’s not clear why Reinking attacked patrons and employees, though he may have “mental issues” said Metropolitan Nashville Police Chief Steve Anderson. Reinking also injured Shanita Waggoner and Sharita Henderson. Another Black customer, James Shaw Jr., was hailed as a hero for rushing Reinking, wrestling his assault rifle away and tossing it over the counter. At that point, Reinking fled. Here’s what we know about the Akilah DaSilva DeEbony Groves victims who died: Taurean Sanderlin, 29 – Sand“He had a smile that could light up a room and a erlin was a cook at the Waffle House. laugh that would warm your heart,” DaSilva’s family He was taking a break outside, where he was shot to said in a statement. “He embodied compassion and death when the gunman opened fire. He had worked had a zeal for life. A loving son and selfless friend, he for Waffle House for five years. was a beacon of hope, love, and strength in his fam“The senselessness that continues to happen will ily.” not be overlooked and we will not allow the enemy to DaSilva’s girlfriend, 21-year-old Shanita Wagtake victory,” Taurean’s cousin Tiffany Sanderlin wrote goner, was injured during the shooting. on Facebook. “We celebrate the Life he [led] and take DeEbony Groves, 21 – Groves, a senior at Belrefuge in the person he was.” mont University, was shot to death inside the restauJoe Perez, 20 – Perez, a customer, was killed outrant. She was a star athlete and an industrious student, side the restaurant. He was originally from the Austin, according to her high school basketball coach Kim Texas, area, according to his Facebook profile. Kendrick. “Please say a prayer for my family for today is “She was a brilliant young lady, very, very intellithe hardest day of my life,” his mother, Trisha Perez, gent and a very hard worker,” Kendrick said. “She was wrote in a Facebook post. “My husband and sons are a very likable young lady. She was one of three seniors broken right now with this loss. Our lives are shaton her team, and she was a great role model for the tered.” other players because of her hard work and dedication Akilah DaSilva, 23 – DaSilva was shot while to her studies and to her school.” eating inside the Waffle House. He died after being Groves studied social work at Belmont University, transported to a hospital. DaSilva, who went by the the largest Christian university in Tennessee, and was nickname “Natrix,” was originally from Brooklyn, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, according to N.Y., according to his Facebook profile. He was a rap the university’s student newspaper. artist and music video producer.
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DEFENDER | APRIL 26 | 2018
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Rev. Danny Davis, pastor of the 136-year-old Jordan Grove Missionary Baptist Church, recently celebrated his 25th year as the leader of the Third Ward institution. Davis, who accepted the pastoral responsibilities of the church on June 13, 1993, was the University of Houston’s first Black quarterback and led the university to its first Cotton Bowl victory in 1978. Originally from Dallas, Davis comes from a long line of family ministers.
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Spoken word artists give insight into craft Defender News Services
Each year, the month of April is set aside as National Poetry Month, a time to celebrate poets and their craft. The Defender is highlighting some of the most talented spoken word artists in the city. Here, they share how they got started, their inspiration and more. JOE P. PALMORE Defender: How did you get started? Joe: I’ve been in theater all my life. My dad was an actor and a professor of theater and communication. My mom was a preacher. So, I’ve always been around “words” and performance. I would write poems as gifts or for assignments in high school. It wasn’t until I moved back to Houston after being in Atlanta at CAU, that I became serious about poetry. I saw a friend perform and it changed my life. I became passionate about wanting to do poetry…The first time I performed, I wrote a piece for my parents’ church that went along with their sermon. My second time on stage with poetry was at Mr. A’s. Then I connected with Se7en and the Poetry Lounge, and I’ve been growing ever since. Defender: How do you develop your material? Joe: From life experiences I’ve gone through or have seen firsthand others go through. Then I go through vigorous rehearsal, developing how I want to present the piece. I try to develop poems as organically as possible. Defender: What are you trying to accomplish with your work? Joe: For my words to be heard by the masses. I want to help people find what their purpose is on this earth. I want to be a vessel of truth through performance. Also, to teach others the things I’ve been taught, to build a community of talented artists in this city and beyond.
For booking info, contact: PGPublicity@aol.com
For booking info, contact: info@iamjoep.com
MYA BILLINGSLEY Defender: How did you get started? Mya: I am ’ve been around “words” all my life. My mother is an author and poet and when I was little, I would find myself taking her award-winning poems and going, ‘I can write this better.’ I began performing at school and would get standing ovations and people always asking me to perform, but it was just something I enjoyed doing. Then, in 2017, I attended the Tom Joyner Family Reunion in Orlando and they had a spoken word contest. I decided to perform – in front of thousands of people – and I won first place. Defender: How do you develop your material? Mya: I am a creative person and though I’m only 18, I draw from life’s experiences (mine and others) to express myself through art. Defender: What are you trying to accomplish with your work? Mya: As an activist, I want to make people think. I want my words to linger and simmer inside, hopefully provoking change. I perform not just to entertain, but to educate and enlighten.
AJ MCQUEEN Defender: How did you get started? AJ: I started writing at a very young age. At first it was only therapeutic, but it quickly grew to being something that allowed me to inspire and motivate others. Defender: How do you develop your material? AJ: I developed my material by allowing myself to be honest and passionate with everything that I write. My music and poetry are very transparent. Defender: What are you trying to accomplish with your work? AJ: My goal is to continue to travel the country and inspire others that like me, regardless of your background you can do it. I started my company Writer’s Block Inc. in For booking info, contact: 2013, which www.ajmcqueen.com is a non-profit 501c3 performing arts and literacy company that encourages under-privileged youth and young adults to discover their potential and change the world with it.
Defender Showcase debuts Saturday, April 28, 2018 on www.DefenderNetwork.com.
what’sup R. KELLY’S team is abandoning him according to reports, after more shocking sex cult claims were revealed in the BBC documentary “R Kelly: Sex, Girls and Videotapes.” R. Kelly’s closest confidantes – his lawyer Linda Mensch and his longtime executive assistant Diana Copeland – are jumping ship fast reports the Daily Beast. R. Kelly’s spokesperson Trevian Kutti also no longer works for the singer. Reportedly, many others on Kelly’s team are also gearing up to go in the coming weeks. Mensch was the attorney fighting against the 2017 sex cult claims that were lodged against Kelly in 2017. And Copeland has served
as his assistant for the last 10 years. The newest allegation is just the latest in a long string of sexual misconduct complaints that have resurfaced against the disgraced singer in recent months following the documentary, which outlines a number of shocking claims from women who said Kelly slept with them while underage and forced them to be a part of his sex cult…….. Actor MICHAEL B. JORDAN, who played a young drug dealer in HBO’s 2002-2008 series “The Wire,” returns to the network on May 19 in an adaption of the novel “Fahrenheit 451.” The story is set in a society where books are banned
and burned. Jordan portrays a firefighter who fights for humanity and knowledge. Jordan received rave reviews for his role as villain Erik Killmonger in “Black Panther” and some critics and fans insist that Jordan stole the show……..The Wakandan king himself, “Black Panther” star CHADWICK BOSEMAN, is heading back to his alma mater Howard University to deliver the keynote at its 150th commencement ceremony on May 12. He will also receive an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, the school’s highest accolade. Boseman graduated from Howard in 2000 with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts.
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DEFENDER | APRIL 26 | 2018
40
YATES SCHOOL OF
YEARS STRONG
C
By VON JILES Defender
instructors bring expertise that allows students to learn usable and marketable skills to gain employment in the media arena according to Irving. Our
radled in the heart of Third Ward MARKETABLE SKILLS between Texas Southern University “Our commercial photography instructor Ray and the University of Houston, the Carrington has infused mobile media technology into Yates High School magnet program his classes allowing students to obtain high quality School of Communications (YSOC) HDR photographs from their phones,” Irving said. is celebrating 40 years of educating “Our radio-broadcasting instructor Andrea Brown students in an ever-changing field. has introduced students to audio- editing with Adobe Just like any 40-year-old, the school has experiAudition and how to acquire field interviews using their enced its share of ups and downs, but soon it will enter cell phones and portable Sony reporter recorders. a new era as it moves into a new building with new “The narrative film and sports media instructor equipment and a new vision. Tyrone Dargins has exposed his students to a plethora Established in 1978, YSOC today focuses on of technologies including 3D animation with Blender, narrative film, sports journalism, print technology, special effects with Adobe After Effects, graphic design commercial photography, radio broadcasting and the with Adobe Photoshop, and real, new music production and scientific, film-making light entrepreneurship. meters and color meters,” Irving To donate go to: It is the only communicacontinued. bit.ly/donateysoc tions magnet program in HISD. “Printing technology Like other commercial media instructor Ronnie Morgan has a it has had to keep up with an long history of developing printing tech-skilled stuindustry constantly evolving from newspaper to digital dents. They learn the print-making process for T-shirts, journalism, radio production to podcast, photography banners, caps and other materials used for branding and to digital images and the list goes on. marketing. Every item of clothing in the school store Despite the industry odds, YSOC continues to is designed and produced by students in the printing educate the next generation of communicators with the program.” help of a unique group of instructors. Carrington has been with YSOC the longest and The teachers at YSOC defy the old adage about his work with students has resulted in them enjoying teachers: “Those who can, do. Those who can’t, national and international travel while showcasing their teach.” The team of instructors, including Ray Carphotography in the “Eye on Third Ward” exhibit which rington III, Ronnie Morgan, Andrea Brown, Tyrone has received acclaim throughout the world. Carrington Dargins and Ted Irving, have won numerous accoagrees that what distinguishes YSOC from some other lades among their peers with Gold Communicators schools is that instructors bring hands on-experience to Awards of Distinction and national honors, including the classroom. an Emmy for Irving. “I think it goes to the level of the professionals we More importantly than their credentials, the have had at Yates, folks like Ed Shannon, Vivian Isom,
Yates School of Communication new building includes modernized equipment, h
Mary Waites, Robin Edminston and many others,” Carrington said. “It’s not just a degreed person but a professional with hands-on experience who oftentimes is still working in the field. When I really realized I was in a position of trust, that these kids came to me looking for something other than a yearbook, I decided to make their experience more meaningful,” he said.
EXPRESSING THEMSELVES
ing Ge and HI Ir Alpha Fratern their co Y as the C
“We let the students find something of beauty in our community – a mother holding a baby or a person taking pride and cutting Businesses and organiz their grass. Don’t see it as a place that no one wants to see. We have have an opportunity to to get away from interpreting things their brand and suppor through other people’s eyes,” Carschool through sponso rington said. “I want to teach the kids to • Platinum Level Sponsorsh see the beauty and if you don’t like • Gold Level Sponsorship what you see then you have the ability to change it. I don’t inter• Silver Level Sponsorship pret their photography. I let them express themselves.” Irving stressed that the teachers could not accomplish their goals without a base of support. to Dav “The key individuals in rebuilding and stabilizing Jack “T Yates High School have been principal Dr. Kenneth Davis and produc the strong administrative and instructional team he has built,” program Irving said. compo “That success is also due in part to the many alumni includT
YSOC Sponsorsh
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F COMMUNICATIONS
Ted Irving is di rector of the YSOC
Andrea Brown in radio broadcas structs a student in ting.
New Yates High School video http://www.houstonisd.org/Page/72209
hardware and software.
erry Monroe, the Yates Fabulous 50’s Alumni Association ISD Board Trustee Jolanda Jones.” rving added that Greek organizations such as Alpha Kappa Sorority, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and Phi Beta Sigma nity have made a tremendous impact upon the student body by onstant and committed presence. YSOC has also received support from TSU organizations such Collegiate 100 and the TSU Young Mentors, also well as community organizations such as Change Happens, En-ACT-Us at UH, the United Way and the non-profit ISeeMyself. “ Principal Davis, who said he wants to continue “Yates’ legacy of success,” zations is excited about the new building which o promote will open during the upcoming school rt the year. “Having a space that’s clean, pretty, orships: bright and airy – they want that type of hip – $300 learning environment,” Davis said of his students. “The goal now is to improve all p – $200 aspects of the school in conjunction with p – $100 the physical building so that when kids come back, they stay back.”
hip
NEW VISION
Irving attributes YSOC’s new vision vis and other supporters. The principal and alumni came up with the new area of music ction and entrepreneurship,” Irving said. “There is no other m like this in the district. It’s not just about beats. It includes osing music and audio engineering with heavy applied science. The entrepreneur side of the program is teaching kids about
he Houston area for over 85 years
cts students ton III instru ng ri ar C ay R phy. in photogra
how to create a business plan, paying taxes, copyright and the ins and outs of the music business,” he said. Looking back, YSOC grads have made great achievements in media. They include Kim Gagne, Emmy Award-winning producer of “Steve Harvey Show;” Roland Martin, TV One commentator; D’Angela Proctor, senior VP of programming at TV One; and Lita Richardson, supervising producer for “Dr. Phil” and “The Doctors.” One doesn’t have to look back to see that the communications school is making Tyrone Dargin great strides. One of the jewels in the YSOC s shares his ex pertise in spor ts journalism. arsenal is the acquisition of Comcast Channel 18, which is now LIONTV 18. The addition of the new state-of-the-art TV studio, radio broadcast studio and music production studio make it appear that Yates has it all, but YSOC still needs the help of the community to continue building a legacy of service. “There is still a need for supplies and support materials,” Irving said. “A new building is fantastic but there is so much more that is needed, including software, hardware, new technology and more. “We invite the community to embrace YSOC by making a donation as we begin this new chapter in our history,” Irving said. “The legacy of the school rests on the shoulders of many and our future will depend on those who are willing to make a commitment to YSOC.” Yates. Dr. Kenneth
Davis is the
principal at
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DEFENDER | APRIL 26 | 2018
Beyoncé gives $25,000 Scholars Award to TSU Defender News Services
Texas Southern University is among the recipients of a $25,000 scholarship, compliments of Houston native Beyoncé. The singer, through her BeyGOOD initiative, announced a partnership with Google.org, the charitable arm of tech giant Google, to award four new scholarships as part of her Homecoming Scholars Award Program. Beyoncé made history at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival by becoming the first African-American woman to headline the festival. At that time, she announced four schools would receive the award. The Google partnership allows her to add four more, including TSU. “Texas Southern University is proud to receive support from Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Google to bolster HBCU students through this initiative,” said TSU President Austin A. Lane. TSU was added to the program, along with Fisk University (the alma mater of her father, Mathew Knowles), Grambling State University and Morehouse College. A total of eight schools will now receive the awards. One winner will be selected from each school.
Martin to deliver commencement address at TSU Defender News Services
Roland Martin, an award-winning journalist and TV One host, will be the keynote speaker at Spring Commencement exercises at Texas Southern University on Saturday, May 12. TSU will hold ceremonies at 8 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and Martin will speak at both events. Martin, a former Defender managing editor, is executive producer and host of “Roland Martin Unfiltered,” a daily podcast, and the creator of the website AllThat.TV. He is a senior analyst for the “Tom Joyner Morning Show” and a CNN contributor. He received a Peabody Award, three NAACP Image Awards and was named Journalist of the Year by the National Association of Black Journalists. He is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Louisiana Baptist University with a Master’s degree in Christian Communications. “Texas Southern is honored to have Roland Martin, a Houston native and graduate of nearby Jack Yates High School, share his dynamic and unique insight with our graduates,” said TSU President Austin A. Lane.
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APRIL 26 | 2018 | DEFENDER
Former QB Michael Vick doesn’t dodge past Special to the Afro
Michael Vick (right) spoke with radio personality Willie Moore Jr. at a Maryland church conference. Vick, who spent time in prison for dog-fighting, said, “I went away from God’s plan and a sense of arrogance set in.”
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Michael Vick became an NFL legend by eluding defenders who were trying to stop him. With his playing days now over Vick doesn’t run away from his past as he candidly shared his life story around the country while making an appearance at First Baptist Church of Glenarden’s Mighty Men of Valor national conference. Vick, now an NFL analyst for Fox Sports, was the featured speaker during a 45-minute session of the conference designed to promote leadership among AfricanAmerican men. Dressed in V7, his new clothing line, Vick captivated the audience without preaching but by communicating a message that spoke to generations. “I get the chance to wake up every day and work on being better,” Vick told the crowd. Soft spoken and thoughtful, Vick brought a message of leadership and responsibility to young
men who can still relate to his charisma. He echoed the sentiments of those who watched his demise in Atlanta by freely admitting that he didn’t work hard enough to take full advantage of his skill set as quarterback of the Falcons. Vick acknowledged that he wasn’t focused on being great as a professional athlete and that immature pre-occupations with marijuana, video games and dog-fighting kept him from reaching goals that would have added to his legend on the field. “In Atlanta I was the last one to practice and the first one to leave,” Vick said. “After practice, I kept a joint in the car and was in a rush to get home to play Madden with the fellas all the time.” Now a devoted family man with a wife and four kids, Vick uses analogies from his playing days to serve as examples of how men should be leaders in their homes.
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DEFENDER | APRIL 26 | 2018
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sports
PVAMU men’s golf team wins SWAC championship
Coach Kevin Jennings
By MAX EDISON Defender
It took nearly 40 years to do it but for the first time since 1979, the Prairie View A&M University men’s golf team won the SWAC championship. Playing at the Oak Wing Golf Club in Alexandria, La., the Panthers annihilated the competition in the 54-hole event. The Panthers led after every round of the three-day championship, shooting a team score of 891 and pulling away to win by an amazing 31 strokes ahead of six-time defending champion Alabama State (922). Texas Southern finished third (927), Alcorn State fourth (952) and Arkansas-Pine Bluff fifth (1032). “I’m getting chill bumps in hearing that,” said second-year head golf coach Kevin Jennings, the SWAC Coach of the Year, of the 14th The Prairie View A&M University golf team is the best in SWAC. men’s conference championship in program history. week for him and the Panthers. “It’s still a little surreal. I feel like we’re “For me, and I think for the team, I knew catching manna from heaven and some blessone of our guys was struggling on Monday,” said ings that I didn’t expect so quickly. I thought we Crea, who won district championships at Cypress had a good opportunity. For weeks, according to Fairbanks High. “For me, it was about getting as Golfstat, we were the highest-ranked team in the low as I can to help the team out as best as I can. conference, but that’s on paper. We all know you Whether that’s five-under or whatever I could do still have to play the matches. These guys went to get lower was my whole plan to help and lead out and did what we needed them to do, which our team the best way I could.” was execute,” Jennings said. The men’s golf title is the first SWAC title The Panther men first gave an indication that the Panthers have won this academic year. that this could be a special year in September Athletic director Ashley Robinson was elated with a second-place finish in the prestigious Nawith the team’s suctional Black College cess. Hall of Fame Tour“Since being nament in Atlanta, hired, Coach Jennings finishing second in Follow the Rockets in has worked tireLaurence Crea the nearly 20-team the NBA playoffs lessly to improve field of HBCU our golf programs,” programs, and built Robinson said. “He from there to the recent championship. has quickly elevated the quality and depth of PVAMU had the top three spots on the student-athletes on the roster, and we have a leaderboard, led by Laurence Crea. The Cypress, competitive team in all areas. Texas native earned both low medalist (MVP) “That internal competition made us better and Freshman of the Year honors after shooting against our opponents and allowed us to have a three-over par 220 (67-76-77) for the tournament. championship season in only his second year as John Jones was one shot behind at 221 (73head coach,” Robinson said. “Coach Jennings 73-75), with Zane Brooks just behind Jones (222; earned 2018 SWAC Coach of the Year honors, 72-75-75). David Baker Jr. shot 229 (74-73-82) and we had four players earn First-Team Allto finish tied for fifth as all four PVAMU players SWAC honors, which showed the talent on the earned first-team All-SWAC honors. Jordan team coming together at the right time.” Stagg’s 244 (84-79-81) completed the scoring for Prairie View A&M men’s golf will learn PVAMU. its NCAA Tournament destination on WednesCrea’s five-under 67 on the first day of the day, May 2 on the Men’s Golf Tournament Secompetition was the only under par round of the Zane Brooks lection Show at 4:30 p.m. on the Golf Channel. tournament and proved to be tone-setter for the
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APRIL 26 | 2018 | DEFENDER
h.s.zone
sportsbriefs Charlo wins again
Langham Creek hurdler Young ascends By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender
is still there. I thought it was the best choice for me and my family.” Young said he’ll miss training with Edwards though, his teammate and longtime ally. “It was a perfect fit for me. Training wise, he was pushing me like a real race every day in practice,” Young said. “I’m very grateful and blessed to have had him as a friend since we were little kids.”
The understudy has developed into marquee material. Last year Eric Edwards of Langham Creek High School was the No. 1-ranked high school 110-meter hurdler in the U.S. and No. 3 in the world. His senior year has been ravaged by one injury after another. Yet don’t feel sorry for Edwards. After graduation, he’ll be heading for the University of Oregon. In the meantime, teammate Ahmad Young has become Birth date – May 19, 2000 one of the state’s finest in both the 110-meter and 300-meter Birth sign – Taurus hurdles. Favorite subject– Science A second-place finish in the 110-meter hurdles at the Possible college major – Kinesiology 2018 Victor Lopez Classic at Rice University appears to have Possible career – Athletic trainer ignited Young’s ascension to center stage. World problem he would solve – “That performance at the Rice meet seemed to put things Cure cancer in perspective for him,” said Langham Creek coach Cody Glenn. “Since then he has placed first in nearly every meet and put himself in position to be a state champion. “It was an eye opener for him. He knows he has to bust it every single time he steps on the track,” Glenn said. “His work ethic is what separates him from other hurdlers. That turned it on for him and he’s been performing super well since then.” At the recent UIL Area Class 6A meet at Barnett Stadium featuring athletes from Districts 17 and 18, Young was a twotime gold medalist. In the boys’ 110-meter hurdles Young’s time of 14.29 seconds was clearly the class of the field. Lamar’s Sheilden Orelien (14.82) won the silver medal and Cogan Derousselle (14.96) of Cy Creek settled for the bronze. Young finished seventh at the 2017 UIL state meet in the 110-meter hurdles. The 300-meter hurdles was a much closer race with Young (39.49) holding off Caleb Rogers of Cypress Ridge (39.52) and Jake Segers of Cypress Ranch (40.72). “Honestly, I think the 300-meter hurdles was my better race today,” Young said. “I didn’t start out too well but I finished strong like I’ve been practicing so it paid off. “I felt like I did decent in the 110-[meter hurdles] but it really wasn’t to my liking,” Young said. Memories of his performance at the 2017 UIL state meet weren’t to his liking either. “State has been on my mind ever since I left Austin so I really want to get back there and compete and hopefully come back with a ‘W,’” he said. While Edwards will be heading to the Pacific Northwest (Oregon) to run track following graduation, Young will run collegiateFind out the surprise winner of the girls’ ly at Louisiana 300-meter hurdles at the UIL area meet. Tech. “I’m originally from Louisiana so it’s like coming home to me,” Young said. “It’s not too far from my mother and most of my family
About Ahmad Young
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Undefeated Houstonian Jermall Charlo (27-0, 21 KO) served notice to the rest of the middleweight division by knocking out Hugo Centeno (29-2) in the second round. The win gives Charlo the vacant interim world title. In addition, Charlo is now one of the challengers in line for a mandatory fight against Gennady “GGG” Golovkin, the WBC champ. After an uneventful first round, Charlo went to work in round two. He put together a series of left-right combinations that caught Centeno by surprise and the rest was history. This puts Charlo squarely in line for a possible match against GGG. Many had been waiting for a rematch between GGG and Canelo Alvarez, but interest in that match has diminished with Alvarez serving a drug suspension.
Gray heads to Portsmouth After stellar regular and postseason performances, University of Houston senior guard Rob Gray has been invited to compete at the prestigious Portsmouth Invitational in Portsmouth, Va. Gray was one of 64 seniors invited to participate in the four-day, 12-game tournament in front of NBA scouts. This marks the 66th straight season in which the Portsmouth Invitational has been played. Gray averaged a team-best 19.3 points per game to lead the Cougars and the American Athletic Conference in scoring for the second straight season. He joined Houston legend Otis Birdsong as the only Cougars to enjoy multiple conference scoring titles during their careers.
Teams win soccer titles The Alief Elsik boys and Spring Branch Memorial girls both won Class 6A state soccer championships on April 21 in Georgetown. No. 1 nationally-ranked Elsik held off San Antonio Reagan 1-0 behind Jose Umana’s goal off a 12th-minute penalty kick. Rams goalkeeper Eliaz Zamora was selected MVP with four second-half saves when the team was a man down due to a rare red card infraction. Elsik finished the season 220-2 and secured the first Alief ISD boys’ team state title. Two goals from MVP Grace Collins helped Memorial triumph over Lewisville Marcus 3-0 in the girls’ 6A title game. Less than two minutes into the contest Grace Yochum gave Memorial (280-1) a lead it never relinquished. Memorial is also a first-time state soccer champion.
classifieds Engineering & Design Consultant Services RFQ
Houston First Corporation requests Statements of Qualification from experienced civil and structural engineering firms to provide professional services and develop design documents for improvements at the George R. Brown Convention Center necessitated by TxDOT’s I-69 project. Please visit https://www.houstonfirst.com/do-business for full details.
The HARRIS CENTER for Mental Health and IDD (formerly known as MENTAL HEALTH MENTAL RETARDATION AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY) will be accepting Request for Proposals for the following:
Life Safety Systems/Inspection Services 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 Tuesday, May 1, 2018. A Non-Mandatory Conference is scheduled for, Tuesday, May 8, 2018 @ 10:00 AM, at 9401 Southwest Freeway. Deadline for prospective vendors to submit questions to this RFP is Thursday, May 10, 2018. Proposal documents must be submitted to Purchasing Services, 9401 SW Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074 by 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 22, 2018 in a sealed envelope marked "RFP FOR LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS/INSPECTION SERVCIES -DO NOT OPEN UNTIL - TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2018 AT 10:00 AM. Any questions pertaining to this solicitation should be addressed in writing to James Blunt, Buyer II or E-mail questions to james.blunt@theharriscenter.org cc: sharon.brauner@theharriscenter.org., or via fax at (713) 9707682. 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 | APRIL 26 | 2018
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Happening in Houston For event coverage email: events@defendermediagroup.com
topevents
JUDSON ROBINSON SR. COMMUNITY CENTER GRAND of a portrait of Bonner, the first Black woman judge in the city of Houston. Judge OPENING…….The historic community of Pleasantville saw dignitaries, April Walker officiated the event. Gary Bledsoe, Yvonne Bonner Holley, Mayor activists, educators, youth and friends gather for the grand opening of the Sylvester Turner, James Douglas, Toni Jackson and others offered remarks Judson Robinson Sr. Community Center. Councilmember Jerry Davis praising Bonner. Other attendees included Judge Zinetta Burney, artist Ted Ellis, served as emcee for the affair that honored not only Robinson Sr., but several Robin Burgess, Algenita Scott Davis, Robert A. Jones, Demethra Orion, Judge individuals critical to the history of one of the greatest voting communities in the Veronica Morgan-Price, Prudence Smith and others……..NOSH 2018…….. history of the state of Texas. On hand for the festivities were Black Restaurant Week LLC hosted the 3rd Annual Nosh Judson Robinson III, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Culinary Showcase, featuring Houston-area Black caterers, chefs Defender TOP EVENTS and bartenders. Held at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, State Rep. Harold Dutton, HISD Board President Rhonda More photos on defendernetwork.com Skillern Jones, Bridgette Murray, Steve Wright (director, the event offered multiple tasting stations, a wine bar, live Parks & Recreation Department), Talmadge Sharp, Marsha music, cooking demonstrations and a Peoples’ Choice Awards Dorsey-Outlaw, Gina Jackson, Deborah Adams, Wilhelmina Norton, Linda competition for participants to vote for their favorite chefs/booths. Attendees Savoy, Justin Loston, Clinton Johns and scores more……..LAW SCHOOL included event founder Warren Luckett, Sonia Boyd, Zina Garrison, Chauncey CELEBRATES JUDGE ALICE BONNER’S CAREER……..The Thurgood Glover, Danielle Richardson, Monique Sapp, Chef Dee Dee, Christina Marshall School of Law hosted an Evening of Excellence, celebrating the 50-plus Cornelius, Centrell Reed, Chef Shay Atkins, Daria Russell, William Hines, year career of Judge Alice Bonner. Part of the festivities included the unveiling Alexis Smith, Deja Owens and many more.
Jennifer Jones, Judson Robinson III
Talmadge Sharp, Steven Washington
Christa Bynam, Marsha Dorsey-Outlaw, Virgie Tyler
Judge Alice Bonner, Mayor Sylvester Turner
Sonia Boyd, Chauncey Glover, Zina Garrison
Johannah Thompkins, Yvonne Bonner-Holley, Demethra Orion
Valerie Felder, Andre Williams
Marvin Agumagu, Tamoria Jones
Alexis Smith, Chef Dee Dee, Deja Owens
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