Houston Defender: April 27, 2017

FEATURE

ORGANIZATION SEEKS TO EMPOWER, ENRICH HOMEOWNERS P10

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Volume 86 | Number 26

APRIL 27, 2017 |FREE

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NEWSTALK GARNET COLEMAN opposes bill to change TIRZ

P2 NATIONAL JEFF SESSIONS threatens criminal justice reform

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HOMELESS INNOVATION

HS ZONE DERRICK BROOKS finds victory, overcomes adversity

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Oprah Winfrey tells unknown story

Jermell Charlo wins boxing title

Media mogul Oprah Winfrey stars in and produces the TV adaption of “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.” Discover why she wants the world to know about the Black woman whose cells led to medical breakthroughs.

The Alief Hastings graduate is known for his skill as a boxer as opposed to a knockout artist.

Now, after winning the junior middleweight title, the athlete talks about how he won and what’s next.

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TOP EVENTS

Dawn Mathis, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Al Tribble at Congressional/Judicial reception.

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DEFENDER | APRIL 27 | 2017

VOTE FOR H.I.S.D. PROP 1 3 q Your vote for Prop 1 will

stop the transfer of billions of our tax dollars away from our schools.

IF WE FAIL 7 Without necessary funds our neighborhood schools get worse and risk being closed.

7 Our kids will be trapped in failing schools.

7 Property taxes will skyrocket.

“Voting Yes on Prop 1 will keep our community together without cutting education spending for our children.”

-HISD Board President Wanda Adams

Early Vote Now Through May 2 Election Day May 6 Pol. Adv. Pd for by Houston Taxpayers for Quality Education, Welcome Wilson, Sr., Treasurer.

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newstalk

Black community at risk of losing TIRZ

By JASEMINE KNOWLES Defender

The Houston Black community is at risk of losing TIRZ – the tax increment reinvestment zone – a mechanism that has been used to help redevelop neighborhoods over the years.

A bill spearheaded by State Sen. Paul Bettencourt and State Sen. Sylvia Garcia is determined to change the way TIRZ is set up by adding more restrictions on what areas can benefit from the program.

The bill, currently under consideration in the Legislature, is opposed by State Rep. Garnet Coleman, who said TIRZ has always been beneficial for the neighborhoods in its current condition. If the bill passes it would go into effect on Sept. 1.

Preventing high-dollar areas like Uptown from abusing the policy while ignoring poorer districts is one of Bettencourt’s concerns. He said there is little guidance for those petitioning to help understand what type of land would qualify.

The bill calls for the state attorney general to determine “undeveloped” areas to benefit from the mechanism and requires an electoral approval before a TIRZ board takes out a bond.

“TIRZs were created by the legislature to help redevelop property in the Houston wards for example, and not capture a bunch of property tax money and spend it all back on the Galleria or Uptown by unelected boards.

That’s not where the tax money is needed, period,” Bettencourt said.

Like Bettencourt, Garcia is concerned that TIRZ policy intended to ease economic inequality is instead reinforcing it.

“We are trying to make sure that the people’s tax revenue is spent through a transparent process and that those spending tax dollars are accountable to the people,” Garcia said.

“TIRZs were created to help

State Rep. Garnet Coleman.

turn around blighted communities. They need to be a tool to help communities that need a lift up, not neighborhoods uptown who are already thriving.”

Though Garcia and Bettencourt are concerned about tax money, Coleman said it is not an issue.

In addition, Coleman said TIRZs already serve underdeveloped areas and has helped the majority of his district’s neighborhoods, including revitalization of Almeda, Old Spanish Trail, Griggs, Midtown, and preserving the historic Bethel Missionary Baptist Church among other things.

Bettencourt and Garcia also recommend that TIRZ projects be terminated after 10 years.

Although the idea would prevent areas that are already well developed from cashing in on more revenue, Coleman said it would cut off areas such as OST/Almeda, Greenspoint, and Fourth and Fifth Wards, historically Black neighborhoods whose TIRZs were created in the late ‘90s.

“You simply cannot operate a TIRZ for 10 years because you can’t do bonds in 10 years…it takes time to see any progress on TIRZ projects,” Coleman said.

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APRIL 27 | 2017 | DEFENDER

national

U.S.briefs DISCRIMINATION ISSUES AT FOX NEWS are blooming after seven people alleged racial discrimination. The group says that execs not only said racist things to some of the staff, but actually pitted employees against each other both literally and figuratively. They claim Black employees were forced to arm wrestle their white peers. The letter from lawyers stated that the competitions were humiliating, offensive and “reminiscent of Jim Crow era battle royals.”……

REV. JESSE JACKSON IS ASKING FACEBOOK to drop its live function for 30 days while they figure out a way for disturbing and offensive videos to be flagged and removed from view instantly. Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin, Chicago activist Father Michael Pfleger and Jackson feel that the moratorium would give Facebook the time needed to develop and implement such a feature. A “time out” would help Facebook learn how to stop people from using it “as a platform to release their anger, their fears and their foolishness,” Jackson said…….A FLORIDA STATE SENATOR who used a racial slur and vulgar language in a conversation with two African-American colleagues has resigned, saying the incident is causing a distraction to the legislative process. Republican State Sen. Frank Artiles submitted a resignation letter, saying it was the right thing to do, and dropped an investigation into the incident…….TWO BALTIMORE WOMEN FACE CHARGES of malicious burning, trespassing and malicious destruction of property after they lit a Donald Trump campaign sign on fire. The fire spread to nearby vegetation and caused $800 in damages before the blaze was contained by the fire department.

D’Asia R. Perry and Joy M. Shuford, both 19, were originally charged with a hate crime for the fire, but the police department and the state’s attorney’s office agreed to drop the charges after reviewing the case. Seconddegree arson charges were also dropped.

VOLUME 86 • NUMBER 26 APRIL 27, 2017 Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Ad/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Digital Editor LaGloria Wheatfall Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila Proofer Maia Shelby

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

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

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Trump moves to dismantle criminal justice reform

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Defender News Services

n his inaugural address, President Donald Trump painted a dark picture of America, a nation where “crime and gangs and drugs” are causing “American carnage” in its cities.

A new report by the Brennan Center for Justice lists ways in which Trump’s vision of America, along with policies put forth by his administration, could lead to widespread rollbacks in criminal justice reform.

“Trump’s dark porPresident Donald Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions favor tough law and order policies. trait of America, however, comes at a time when the He has spoken out against consent decrees and national crime rate is near historic lows ― 42 persees “bad apples” as the reason for police misconcent below what it was in 1997,” the report reads. duct rather than systemic failures. To Sessions, the “As his first 100 days near an end, what has the government shouldn’t be “dictating to local police president done to address crime and criminal jushow to do their jobs” or dishing out “scarce federal tice? And what can the country expect in the weeks resources” to sue cities. and months ahead?”

Under Sessions, the Justice Department Here are highlights from the Brennan Center will “pull back” on investigations that he report: believes diminish the effectiveness of police 1) Fear mongering to justify a return to departments. The Brennan Center report also tough-on-crime policies notes that local police departments could Trump often presented himself as a “law and evolve into a way for the government to order” candidate in his campaign. The report says enforce its immigration policies in sanctuary that Trump’s logic in warning of a supposed rise in cities. crime is linked to his immigration stance.

3) Possible return to war on drugs and He has painted calls for police reform as “anti’90s crime policies law enforcement.” Trump accused the Black Lives Sessions might require federal prosecuMatter movement of stoking violence against police tors to seek the most extreme charge in every after five officers were killed in Dallas. Trump also case they try, which could lead to the revival of supports re-implementing “stop and frisk,” a policy mandatory minimum laws for relatively lowthat violates the constitutional rights of citizens by level, nonviolent offenses. allowing unwarranted police searches ― particu“Since taking office, Sessions has given larly of Blacks and Latinos. several speeches calling for a return to harsher “Trump and his new attorney general, Jeff federal charging policies, and issued memoranSessions, insist that they must ‘Make America Safe da directing U.S. attorneys to stand by for such Again,’ citing outside forces that have brought in major policy shifts,” the report says. drugs and violence – justifying a travel ban, a bor“Sessions could revoke key [Eric] Holderder wall with Mexico and mass deportations,” the era initiatives, directing federal prosecutors report reads. to pursue maximum penalties in drug cases Trump has already signed three executive even in states where marijuana is legal. The orders expanding the powers of federal law enforce- administration has shown interest in expanding ment agencies. treatment options for opioid addiction, which 2) DOJ has moved to stop policing the police disproportionately affects white, rural commuSessions is cynical of widespread police reform nities, while increased marijuana prosecutions and civil rights investigations into departments. would more affect communities of color.”

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DEFENDER | APRIL 27 | 2017

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Jackson Lee, colleagues address police reform Congressman John Conyers, a member of

PSWG and the ranking To help bridge the gap Democrat on the House between the Black comJudiciary Committee, munity and the police who who also introduced the serve them, Congresswoman Law Enforcement Trust Sheila Jackson Lee and the and Integrity Act in Policing Strategies Working 2015 said, “finding ways Group (PSWG) met with to improve relations public leaders to address between police and the such issues as police acpublic is an extremely countability, aggression high priority. toward law enforcement and “Despite the current public safety concerns. political climate, it is PSWG is a 12-member necessary that we conbipartisan congressional deltinue an open dialogue egation comprised of House on building trust beDemocrats and Republicans. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee tween law enforcement Houston is the third city the and the communities working group has visited. they serve,” he said, adding that the workThe meeting was held at the Mickey ing group has a long way to go if they want Leland Federal Building, where Mayor to find consensus on new police standards Sylvester Turner, Houston Police Chief Art or training.

Acevedo, Harris County Sheriff Ed GonzaSome hot topics uncovered during the lez, Harris County District Attorney Kim discussion included bail reform, neighborOgg, Metro Police Chief Vera Bumpers and hood policing, law enforcement practices, activist Quanell X took part in the closedand Mayor Turner’s Complete Communities door discussion.

Initiative.

By JASEMINE KNOWLES Defender

Jackson Lee, who also serves on the PSWG, said Houston is “far ahead” in addressing the divide between the police and the areas they serve. However, she feels the conversation is necessary to address other matters.

“We have a lot of people in jail because they cannot afford bail,” Jackson Lee said.

“They’re locked up on non-violent charges and are taking up space. This is a crowding issue that needs to be addressed,” she said, adding neighborhood policing was another major talking point.

“There’s a necessity to invest in community policing. We want to make sure officers are members of the same community they’re policing to build better relationships.”

While the PSWG tour of “gathering community information” is a work in progress, the key is to capture a wide-scale perspective on public matters and then find ways to address them, Jackson Lee said.

“The eventual plan is to craft legislation to address some of these issues we’re gathering that are surrounding criminal justice reform. These issues will ultimately be brought to the full House,” she said.

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APRIL 27 | 2017 | DEFENDER

entertainment

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Oprah brings Henrietta Lacks story to life

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the two went on a journey to discover what exactly had happened to Lacks’ cells. prah Winfrey has “The reason Deborah is takalways loved to tell ing the journey [with Rebecca] in stories, especially the first place is because she really those that bring to wants to know about her mother’s cells,” light previously unWinfrey said. known facts.

Lacks, a Baltimore resident, was 31 That’s what she hopes will happen when she first checked herself into Johns with the TV movie “The Immortal Life Hopkins Hospital for the excruciating pain of Henrietta Lacks.” Described as the she felt in her lower stomach. Doctors “mother of modern medicine,” Lacks discovered that a cancerous tumor had been was a Black woman who produced the growing on her cervix at a terrifying rate. first immortal human cell line, known Researchers at the time were conductas HeLa, that revolutionized medical ing studies to better understand the cancer research. She died of cervical cancer in and, though Lacks never gave doctors 1951 at age 31. explicit permission, they removed two “I am a student of the Africandime-sized pieces of tissue that were evenAmerican culture. I have never, in all tually used to successfully create the first of my readings, in all of my stories, Oprah Winfrey (right) and Rose Byrne star in “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.” immortal human cells ― those that could heard of HeLa or Henrietta Lacks,” (Photo courtesy HBO) repeatedly replicate themselves outside of Winfrey said. the body without ever dying.

It wasn’t until Winfrey read Rebecca cells and how they have been used for medical reIt was a fascinating discovery and over the years, HeLa Skloot’s New York Times best-selling biographical search. cells have led to countless medical breakthroughs. They book, “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,” that The family had been unaware of the scenario helped to create the first polio vaccine, traveled to space for she learned of Lacks’ story and how she changed the for decades because her name had been changed research on the impact zero gravity has on human cells, were world. to Helen Lane in print. This effectively concealed used to identify abnormalities in chromosomes, helped in “When I first read her story in 2010, I wanted Lacks’ identity and kept hidden from the family how studying the mapping of the human genome, and aided in to tell the story,” she said. And by “tell,” she meant her cells had been “taken, bought, sold and used in research of the human papillomavirus, commonly known as giving the story the full-blown Winfrey treatment and research without her knowledge or theirs,” according HPV, which causes the cervical cancer that killed Lacks. bringing it to life through film and her own magic to Skloot’s book.

To many, what happened to Lacks is perceived as a touch.

Skloot, a freelance science writer from Portland, disturbing and unethical case. However, Tony-award win“It is my nature to share everything,” she said.

Ore., first learned of Lacks’ story in high school and ning actress Renee Goldsberry, who portrays Lacks in “I wanted as many people to know about the story as was so moved by it that she pushed to make it more the film, believes Lacks showed immense courage possible, and so now you do.” widely known through her book, which took years of throughout her harrowing experience at Hopkins, The movie, currently airing on HBO (check local heavy research and the family’s cooperation to write. which Goldsberry said is a reminder of the bravery listings), stars Winfrey as Deborah, Lacks’ daughter, Skloot, who is portrayed in the film by actress Black women express every day. who was desperate to learn more about her mother’s Rose Byrne, tracked Deborah down, and together, Defender News Services

what’sup It’s been just over a year since PRINCE died, but his albums and songs have sold 7.7 million copies since his death, making his sales surpass that of any other artist. Over 5 million of those sales came from digital song downloads…….

THE EDISON ARTS FOUNDATION will host Tutus and Tuxes, a Fundraising Gala, at the Buffalo Soldier Museum on April 29. The event will honor Houston’s own director, choreographer, author, dancer, and actor DEBBIE ALLEN with the Legacy Award for her lifetime achievement in the arts.……..QUEEN LATIFAH and JILL SCOTT will star in a new Lifetime movie, which

examines the Flint water crisis. Inspired by a Time Magazine cover story called “The Toxic Tap,” “Flint” will depict the true story of three activists from the city who are fighting to expose and bring justice to the events surrounding their lead-tainted water supply……..After her Emmy Award-winning success on ABC’s “American Crime,” REGINA KING is now focused on highlighting the Atlanta child murders for FX’s upcoming series “No Place Safe.” The developing drama series, based on Kim Reid’s 2007 memoir of the same name, will find the actress reuniting with “American Crime” executive

producer JOHN RIDLEY, according to Deadline. Reid’s book explores details from her childhood during the summer of 1979 in Atlanta, where her mother was tasked as an investigator in solving a string of homicides that ended in 1981 with more than two dozen children and teens killed. The series is a part of King’s twoyear deal with ABC Studios for her production house, Royal Ties…….CUBA GOODING SR., the father of CUBA GOODING JR. and OMAR GOODING, was found dead in his car in Los Angeles on April 20. He was 72 years old.

The cause of death is pending.

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DEFENDER | APRIL 27 | 2017

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Black doctors earning less than white doctors NNPA Newswire

African-American physicians earn 15 percent less than White physicians – an average of $262,000 compared to $303,000 – according to Medscape’s 2017 Physicians Compensation Report.

Approximately 19,200 physicians across 26 areas of medicine were asked questions about annual compensation, race, gender, geography and job satisfaction by Medscape, a web resource for physicians and health professionals.

The report revealed that AfricanAmerican doctors are less likely to say they feel fairly compensated, with only half agreeing that they’re earning what they should.

“Fifty-percent of African-American physicians don’t feel fairly compensated,” the report’s editor Leslie Kane, a senior director of Medscape Business of Medicine, told CBS. Racial and gender discrimination may be a factor, Kane said, but there are other factors as well.

If a doctor treats more Medicaid patients, their reimbursement is usually lower, since employer-insured patients tend to pay better.

How many hours a doctor works and whether they’re in private practice or a clinic can also explain some inequities in pay.

“Tons of factors play into how much a physician makes,” Kane said.

The survey found that the gender pay gap is narrower among younger doctors.

Male doctors ages 55 to 69 make 27 percent more than women, but the divide shrinks to 18 percent in physicians under the age of 34.

Being a doctor pays well, but there are still major discrepancies when it comes to paychecks within the medical profession. For the first time, the annual report looked at race as well as gender and other factors, revealing some significant disparities in pay.

Physicians’ annual salaries averaged $294,000, with specialists earning about $100,000 more than primary care doctors. African-American doctors typically work in primary care rather than specialties, the survey noted.

The three highest-paying specialties were orthopedics (average annual compensation: $489,000), plastic surgery ($440,000) and cardiology ($410,000). They earned well over twice as much as the average pediatrician ($202,000) and family physician ($209,000), the two lowest-paying categories.

A deeper dive into the data shows male doctors take home bigger paychecks in both primary care and specialty areas such as orthopedics and surgery.

Part of the reason may be that women are more likely to choose lower-paying specialties, Kane said.

“Fifty-three percent of pediatricians are women, one of the lowest paid specialties. Thirty-nine percent of family physicians are women, also a lower-paying area,” Kane said.

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Nonprofit partners with TSU to offer music scholarships

Texas Southern University is among four schools to benefit from a new innovative scholarship program, the Music Doing Good College-Bound Fund.

Two years in the making, Music Doing Good has made it possible for struggling students to complete two and four-year music degrees at the university and community college level.

The program will send two students to each university — TSU, the University of Houston Moores School of Music and University of St. Thomas — to complete a four-year degree. Music Doing Good is granting $40,000 per student over the next four years.

Likewise, four students will have the opportunity to complete two-year associates degrees at Houston Community College in the Media Arts & Technology and Visual & Performing Arts Centers of Excellence. Music Doing Good will ensure that four music students receive $10,000 in scholarship funds to complete their degrees.

“With the rising cost of tuition, college is not an option for so many families now,” said Marie Bosarge, president and founder of Music Doing Good. “It is heartbreaking to think that many talented young people will not make it to the stage or the classroom for lack of funding.

“It has been my dream to establish this kind of program, and now it is a reality. This program will enable students with limited means, but exceptional musical talent to pursue their dreams as professional musicians,” she said.

“I would like to express our sincere thanks to Ms. Bosarge and her organization, Music Doing Good, on behalf of the students, faculty and staff of Texas Southern University,” said TSU President Austin A. Lane.

“Our university has a rich tradition of producing iconic musical artists such as Kirk Whalum, Yolanda Adams, Horace Alexander Young, and the late Joe Sample, to name a few. These scholarships will serve as a catalyst in allowing recipients to develop into the next generation of musical greats hailing from TSU.”

APRIL 27 | 2017 | DEFENDER

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DEFENDER | APRIL 27 | 2017

TEMENOS PLACE III OFFERING INNOVATIVE

HOMELESS APPROACH

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By ASWAD WALKER Defender

ouston will soon break to identify affordable housing projects new ground when it comes to manage that serve extremely-low to to providing care for the low-income persons as well as homeless homeless with the opening of individuals.

Temenos Place Apartments Working in partnership with BOL, III (1703 Gray, Houston, 77003), a housing TCDC opened the Knowles-Temenos Place program for the chronically inebriate that Apartments in November 2009. Underwritten throws all traditional rules aside, while

by Beyoncé, Solange and Tina Knowles, adding a novel wrinkle that organizers that project provides affordable permanent believe will prove wildly successful. housing for 43 single individuals.

“What makes Temenos III so unique Temenos Place Apartments II came is that it is the first model in Texas for online in December 2016, providing over 80 homeless chronic inebriates housing units for homeless with a focus on Housing “Having a safe and extremely low-income First and Harm Reduction persons. place to lay supported by the evidence Temenos III, scheduled based trans-theoretical model, to open this spring, won’t be your head that with a specialization in nearly as big in scope, but is coupled with potentially huge in impact.

African-American cultural competency,” said Rev. Dr. “It will provide 15 units supportive Simeon Queen, executive specifically for homeless services is a director of Temenos CDC individuals who are chronic (TCDC) & Bread of Life, Inc. intoxicated, targeting critical step (BOL), the entities responsible individuals who are super toward leaving utilizers of the substance for the complex and its predecessors. abuse, homeless and health the streets Mayor Sylvester Turner, care systems,” said Marc behind.” who made confronting the Eichenbaum, special assistant – Mayor Sylvester problem of homelessness a to the mayor for Homeless Turner major part of his platform, Initiatives. views Temenos III as a What’s shocking to godsend. some about Temenos III is its “I want to thank Pastor Rudy Rasmus unorthodox housing-first approach. and his organization for their work with “There are no requirements to be The Way Home program to help our most in a certain program or stop drinking,” vulnerable,” said Turner.

Eichenbaum said. “These are all barriers to “Temenos III is an innovative solution entry for those suffering most from substance for our homeless who are dealing with abuse. So we remove all those variables, and substance abuse issues. Having a safe in a stable environment we can reduce the place to lay your head that is coupled with number of times residents go to a hospital or supportive services is a critical step toward sobering center, or pass out in the middle of leaving the streets behind.” the neighborhood.”

Established in 2006 as a non-profit According to Queen and Eichenbaum,

by Rasmus, pastor of St. John’s United Temenos III is not just about restoring Methodist Church, TCDC was created individuals, but decreasing their impact

Sylvester Turner

Marc Eichenbaum

upon the communities around them and the systems they touch. Their optimism about the program’s potential success seems well-founded.

This housing-first approach was tried in other cities with amazing results.

In Seattle, one of its programs cut down trips to sobering centers by using the same approach and emphasizing the healing power of a positive, stable environment.

Their results: the 75 residents drank a third less, and taxpayers saved $1.8 million from fewer emergency-room visits, 911 calls and nights in jail over 12 months.

Kathryn Turner

“TCDC, Pastors Rudy and Juanita Rasmus, Pastor Yvette Tarrant, St. John’s UMC, the Center for Supportive Housing (CSH), the Coalition for The Homeless and myself are responsible for bringing Temenos III to Houston,” said Queen, “to help those who are homeless and battling with alcoholism to find a safe space to heal and grow.”

“We’ll offer programs but people won’t be required to participate. What we’ve found is when people can make their own choices voluntarily, people find more successes,” said Eichenbaum.

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CULTURAL MODEL TARGETS BLACKS

By ASWAD WALKER Defender

Rev. Simeon Queen is the executive director of Temonos CDC.

Still, several services will be available, including “life coaches, licensed professional counselors, case managers, licensed chemical dependency counselors, case workers and extended property management facilitated from 8 a.m.-1am with 24-hour total coverage,” Queen said.

“And our housing-first approach is cheaper,” Eichenbaum said.

Though a special assistant to Mayor Turner, Eichenbaum works with The Way Home partners, a comprehensive homeless housing system made up of over 100 different organizations that have housed over 8,000 individuals since 2012. Temenos III will be their first attempt at meeting the needs of chronic inebriants.

One of The Way Home partners is the Corporation for Supportive Housing

(CSH) that offers various services to help the homeless secure housing, including providing capital funds, specialty loans and other services to entities like TCDC. Loan officer Kathyrn Turner administrates CSH’s Permanent Supportive Housing Capital Grant Program (PSH) in Houston.

“The PSH is a philanthropic collective effort to get dollars available to supportive housing projects in Houston, with Temenos III being one that we funded,” Turner said. “We’ve secured grant funds but are continuing to work to make sure all capital financing needs are met.”

CSH donated $2 million toward Temenos III. An added bonus is that renowned artist Michael Savoie will provide Temenos III with his collection titled, “Expensive Waste.” Also, when the opening takes place, artist Michael Savoie will unveil a new piece on Temenos CDC success story, resident Ren Moore.

he Houston area for over 85 years

The groundbreaking Temenos III Place Apartments, which will soon offer an innovative, housing-first and culturally-tailored approach to confronting homelessness, is modeled after a program in Minnesota.

It’s that program’s success that has Temenos III stakeholders excited about the possibilities for success here in Houston.

The program, Anishinabe Wakiagun, is the brainchild of the Minnesota-based American Indian Community Development Corporation (AICDC). Fundamental to this program’s success is the culturally-specific approach the program takes to meeting the needs of its target market – American Indians.

“When thinking of the AICDC, I honestly appreciate their detail to the cultural competency of the people they serve,” said Pastor Simeon Queen, head of Houston’s Temenos CDC, which is managing Temenos III, a program tailored to a specialization in African-American cultural competency.

“AICDC’s program encompasses the wealth and history of the Native American culture in every facet of their services, so it is truly relevant to those in need.”

Anishinabe Wakiagun is a permanent supportive housing program designed to meet the culturally-specific needs of chronic inebriates of American Indian ancestry. Temenos III takes that same approach to meet the needs of all chronic inebriates, with a specialization on AfricanAmerican programming.

Michael A. Goze According to AICDC coordinators, their program has enjoyed similar success to other housing-first programs across the country, and even more than most due to the program’s acknowledgment of the power culturally-relevant care has on participants.

“Our current proposed model [of Temenos III] will be studied by doctoral students at Prairie View A&M University and Rice University when the apartments open,” Queen said. “Moreover, St. Joseph Hospital will act as a research partner and referral agency for residential behavioral issues.”

One of those success measures is monetary. According to the AICDC’s website (www.aicdc-mn.org), “It costs $4,970 to deliver public services to one family experiencing homelessness, while it costs only $472-750 to prevent the family from becoming homeless.”

More significant to Queen, however, was the sense of family and community he experienced when meeting with his Minnesota counterparts.

“After having a leadership meeting among both CDC’s leadership, seeing the heart of AICDC CEO Michael A. Goze and the great work in Minnesota that reflects our work in Houston, we all knew it was not just a partnership being created, but the essence of family,” said Queen, who has worked to make Temenos III a community effort.

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DEFENDER | APRIL 27 | 2017

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Real estate agents seek to empower homeowners

By ASWAD WALKER Defender

The Houston Black Real Estate Association (HBREA), the local chapter of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), seeks to not only increase home ownership, but increase owners’ ability to stay in their properties long-term.

“The true cost of homeownership is a combination of factors: loan amount, interest rate, insurance cost, property taxes, maintenance, utilities, etc.,” said William “Bill” Pitre, a real estate agent with over 30 years of experience. “To truly make homes affordable we need to monitor each factor.”

HBREA members seek to help current home owners reduce their property tax expenses by maintaining their eligible exemption filings. They also seek to educate and assist current and future homeowners about the benefits of minimizing home affordability factors and the long term benefits they can achieve.

According to Pitre, the goals that guide HBREA members when working with current or future home owners center on value and sustainability. They seek to assist area homeowners reduce their monthly mortgage payments by maintaining the appropriate property tax exemptions on their homes.

“Education around homestead exemptions is one of the biggest benefits we provide. It can offer an immediate reduction in the property tax bill with an immediate savings of 20 percent, or $1,500 - $2,000 saved annually. Too often, the time between when they acquire a property and the time they are eligible for these savings, the opportunity gets overlooked,” stated Pitre.

Pitre says the home ownership education HBREA

members provide their clients offers homeowners benefits that are both immediate and long-term. These include receiving a refund on property taxes, reducing tax assessed value of property taxes, and increasing their understanding of the benefits to keeping their homes affordable.

All year long HBREA members make a concerted effort to assist homeowners in filing completed exemption applications with all required documentation; a process that must be done within a four-month period of the year for which the homeowner is requesting an exemption.

According to Pitre, HBREA members seek to make themselves available and meet homeowners where they are, often setting up booths at banks, shopping centers or community events to assist homeowners file their property exemption tax forms on site.

“Recently, the mother of a homeowner was able to file an extension on her son’s property who had already missed a year of benefits,” shared PitreT:9.75” of a recent encounter in front of

a local grocery store.

A second goal of HBREA members is to ensure that future homeowners walk away with a better understanding of all factors affecting monthly payments, so they can achieve lower closing costs and escrow account reserves.

HBREA members also seek to educate homeowners on the need to monitor annually the assessed value of their property and file and/or maintain all appropriate exemptions.

“The appraisal district sends out a card letting homeowners know what exemptions are filed on their property; some for disability, veterans’ exemptions, surviving spouse. Receiving this information is one thing, but reading it and paying attention is another. I’m simply trying to get people to check to see what they are eligible for,” shared Pitre.

Pitre stresses that it is free to file for exemptions, recognizing that some potential participants are leery because some people have been scammed into paying $45 for the service. He urges individuals to contact communityoutreachhbrea@gmail.com or visit www.hbreahousingexpo.org for correct information about the process.

Pitre says that another enjoyable aspect of his job is educating loan officers and real estate agents about the importance and value of helping borrowers maintain the proper property tax value and the effect it has on qualifying for home loans and sustaining home ownership.

“When current and future home owners are equipped with information that can save them thousands of dollars annually, buyers qualify easier and with lower property taxes,” said Pitre, “This is a win for real estate agents because they end up increasing their referral database and expanding their circles of influence.”

Pitre added, “Better informed consumers are easier customers to assist.”

The Texas Lottery Commission Invites You to Attend:

“Doing Business Texas Style” Spot Bid Fair

In conjunction with: DFW Minority Supplier Development Council’s ACCESS 2017 T:6.5”

Location: Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas | 500 West Las Colinas Blvd. | Irving, TX

Monday, May 8, 2017 | 1:30 pm - 5:00 pm Tuesday, May 9, 2017 | 9:15 am - 11:30 am & 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm Small, minority-owned, and Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs) will have a unique opportunity to compete for bid awards and network with state agencies and institutions of higher education. Bids must be submitted to agency staff on-site.

Bid opportunities available for view and download at: https://data.texas.gov/Business-and-Economy/Bid-Book-Spreadsheet-2017/qwhy-c2kk/data For more information contact: HUB@austin.utexas.edu

© 2017 Texas Lottery Commission. All Rights Reserved.

The Spot Bid Fair is FREE of charge!

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APRIL 27 | 2017 | DEFENDER

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DEFENDER | APRIL 27 | 2017

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classifieds Invitation for Bids Balfour Beatty Infrastructure, Inc. is soliciting bids for subcontractors and vendors for construction of control no. 8170-12-001 on MH from Hempstead Rd W of 12th to E Washington that bids on May 3, 2017. Mail, fax, or email quotations to Balfour Beatty Infrastructure, Inc., 1701 Directors Blvd, Suite 1010, Austin, Texas 78744 fax: (512) 707-0798 email: bbiisw@bbiius.com. DBE/HUB contractors are encouraged to submit bids.

Plans and specifications are available to be reviewed at TxDOT Plans On-line: http://bit.do/dnPz3 E.O.E. For information contact Brian Ficzeri at (512) 707-0797.

Notice Draft Environmental Impact Statement Available for Public Review and Public Hearing North Houston Highway Improvement Project From US 59/I-69 at Spur 527 to I-45 at Beltway 8 North CSJ: 0912-00-146 Harris County, Texas

Fort Bend ISD Superintendent Dr. Charles Dupre joins (l. to r.) winning teachers Stephanie Clayton and Jessika Hearne and Board President Kristin Tassin.

Ft. Bend ISD names teachers of the year Defender News Services

Two educators were honored by Fort ISD at its annual Teacher of the Year Awards dinner and program held at Safari Texas Ranch.

Stephanie Clayton of Sugar Mill Elementary School is the 2017 District Elementary Teacher of the Year and Jessika Hearne of McAuliffe Middle School is the 2017 District Secondary Teacher of the Year.

A kindergarten teacher, Clayton has four years of teaching experience, all at Sugar Mill. She believes that every student can find success by learning from their mistakes.

Clayton ensures that her students feel safe enough to fall and courageous enough to stand back up again. Her passion is developing character in her young students and building relationships with each student who enters her classroom.

Hearne, a sixth-grade math teacher, has taught for five years, with two of those years at McAuliffe. Hearne said that being an educator is the most rewarding and honorable career. She believes that we all need to reward and praise progress, as it will lead to success.

Her biggest accomplishment is watching students who doubted themselves at the beginning of the year, leave with confidence at the end, knowing they will be successful, life-

long learners.

“These two teachers, along with the other Teacher of the Year honorees, are building relationships and influencing lives in a big way,” said Dr. Charles Dupre, superintendent of schools. “We are proud and appreciative of their efforts, and I am honored to recognize them for their leadership in the classroom.”

As FBISD’s 2017 Teachers of the Year, Clayton and Hearne each received an engraved crystal award and monetary gift, as well as a Chrome Book and Amazon gift card from the Fort Bend Education Foundation. They will also receive a special Teacher of the Year ring and complimentary photograph.

The two honorees will now advance to the regional Teacher of the Year 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 10 Teacher of the Year finalists and six District Rookies of the Year.

Among the finalists were: Elementary level – Lauren Crittenden (Colony Bend), Chad Davis (Jordan), Chastity Gonzalez (Mission Glen), Dana Keen (Seguin) and Kate Faulkner (Settlers Way); and Secondary level – Dr. Kiesha Guillory (Missouri City Middle School), Kelsey Halfen (Dulles High School) and Deshonda Davis (Willowridge High School).

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), as the lead agency, is proposing improvements to create additional roadway capacity to manage congestion, enhance safety, and improve mobility and operational efficiency on Interstate Highway 45 (I-45) from United States Highway 59 (US 59)/I-69 to Beltway 8 North, including improvements along US 59/I-69 between I-45 and Spur 527 in Harris County, Texas. This notice advises the public that a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) is available for public review and that TxDOT will be conducting a public hearing on the proposed project.

The public hearing will be held twice as follows: Tuesday, May 9, 2017 St. Pius X High School 811 West Donovan Street, Houston, Texas 77091 Thursday, May 11, 2017 Houston Community College Central Campus, San Jacinto Building 1300 Holman Street, Houston, Texas 77004 Schedule at all locations: 5:30 p.m. – Open House 6:30 p.m. – Public Hearing Displays will be available for viewing at 5:30 p.m. with the formal hearing starting at 6:30 p.m. The purpose of the hearing is to present the planned improvements and to receive public comments on the proposed project.

The proposed project (North Houston Highway Improvement Project) would include the addition of four managed express lanes (also known as MaX lanes) on I-45 from Beltway 8 North to Downtown Houston, including reconstruction of mainlanes and frontage roads, and the rerouting of I-45 in the Downtown area to be coincident with I-10 on the north side of Downtown and coincident with US 59/I-69 on the east side of Downtown. The existing elevated I-45 roadway along the west and south sides of Downtown would be removed.

Access to the west side of Downtown would be provided via “Downtown Connectors” that would allow access to and from various Downtown streets. Both I-10 and US 59/I-69 within the proposed project area would be realigned to eliminate the current roadway curvature, and four elevated I-10 express lanes would be added between I-45 and US 59/I-69.

The right-of-way (ROW) of the existing roadways in the project area varies in width from 205 to 420 feet. In portions of the project area, no new ROW is required. In some areas of the project, new ROW would be up to 225 feet wide. The proposed project is anticipated to displace approximately 168 single-family residences, 1,067 multi-family residences, 331 businesses, four places of worship, and two schools. Relocation assistance is available for displaced persons and other entities. Information concerning the TxDOT Relocation Assistance Program, services and benefits available to affected property owners, and information about the tentative schedule for ROW acquisition may be obtained from the TxDOT district office at the address listed below.

The project crosses four bayous and encroaches on the floodplains of these bayous. Based on a preliminary assessment, less than one acre of wetlands and approximately 28 acres of other waters of the U.S. are within the project ROW. It is anticipated that most waters of the U.S. would be bridged or culverted.

In accordance with Chapter 26 of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, the hearing is also being conducted to allow the public the opportunity to review the draft EIS and provide comments on the project’s potential impacts to approximately 0.14 acre of Linear Park and to approximately 0.21 acre of Freed Art and Nature Park. TxDOT is considering Section 4(f) de minimis impact determinations (under 23 CFR 774.3(b)) for the impacts to Linear Park and Freed Art and Nature Park and is coordinating with the City of Houston, which has jurisdiction over the parks. If the project is found to have a Section 4(f) de minimis impact, the proposed project would not adversely affect the activities, features, or attributes that qualify Linear Park and Freed Art and Nature Park for protection under Section 4(f). TxDOT will consider comments received during the public hearing before making a final Section 4(f) de minimis determination. Information describing the Section 4(f) resources and the impacts to the resources is included in the draft EIS document prepared for this project.

TxDOT is also considering Section 4(f) de minimis determinations for impacts to four historic resources: Cheek-Neal Coffee Company Building, San Jacinto Warehouse, Walter’s Downtown (former Bottling Works), and Houston Warehouse District. A Section 4(f) de minimis finding in the case of a historic resource means that this project would have an impact on a resource, but that TxDOT, in consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), has made a preliminary determination that the impacts are so minor that they would not adversely affect the character, activities, or attributes that qualify a resource for protection under Section 4(f).

The draft EIS, maps showing the project location and design, tentative construction schedules, and other project information are on file and available for inspection Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., excluding state holidays, at the TxDOT Houston District Office located at 7600 Washington Avenue, Houston, TX 77007 and on the project website, www.IH45NorthandMore.com. This information will also be available for inspection at the hearing. Verbal and written comments from the public regarding the project are requested and may be presented at the hearing, or submitted in person or by mail to the TxDOT Houston District Office, Director of Project Development, P.O. 1386, Houston, TX 77251-1386, or emailed to HOU-piowebmail@txdot.gov. Comments must be postmarked or emailed by Tuesday, June 27, 2017 to be part of the official hearing record.

The hearing will be conducted in English with simultaneous Spanish translation. Persons interested in attending the hearing who have special communication or accommodation needs, such as the need for an interpreter, are encouraged to contact the TxDOT Public Information Office at (713) 802-5076. Requests should be made at least five working days prior to the public hearing. Every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate these needs.

If you have any general questions regarding the proposed project or hearing, please contact Pat Henry at (713) 802-5241.

The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried-out by TxDOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated December 16, 2014, and executed by FHWA and TxDOT.

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APRIL 27 | 2017 | DEFENDER

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Bill will allow Texas lottery winners to remain anonymous pecially large sums of money can often become the focus of unwanted attention and can become immediate targets for burglary, theft or even unfair expectations from distant friends and family members for monetary assistance.

Opponents of HB 59 say

Texas Tribune

LEGAL NOTICE Game # 1869

surrounding large winnings, personally identifiable information about winners is spread across the state and sometimes the nation,” Guillen previously told The Texas Tribune. “Giving large lottery

winners the ability to remain anonymous to the public is an easy fix that can provide much-needed peace and quiet to the lives of some lucky Texans.”

He said winners of es-

1

South Carolina — allow lottery winners to remain anonymous. Other states, including Texas, have rules in place that allow prizes to be collected through a trustee — such as a lawyer — which sometimes affords anonymity to the beneficiaries of the trust.

These Texas Lottery Commission scratch ticket games will be closing soon:

Game Name / Odds

$

$1,000,000 High Roller - Overall Odds are 1 in 6.38 $10

Official Close of Game

End Validations Date

5/12/17

11/8/17

1798

Bonus Cashword - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.64

$3

6/2/17

11/29/17

1800

Weekly Bonus - Overall Odds are 1 in 4.62

$1

6/28/17

12/25/17

1817

Golden Ticket - Overall Odds are 1 in 4.14

$5

6/28/17

12/25/17

1820

Wild Cash Bonanza - Overall Odds are 1 in 4.24

$5

6/28/17

12/25/17

1863

Dallas Mavericks - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.76

$5

6/28/17

12/25/17

1864

Houston Rockets - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.76

$5

6/28/17

12/25/17

1865

San Antonio Spurs - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.76

$5

6/28/17

12/25/17

T:3.25”

Texans who win big in the state lottery came one step closer to being able to hide from unwanted attention after the House gave the idea tentative approval.

House Bill 59 by state Rep. Ryan Guillen, D-Rio Grande City, which would let lottery winners of $1 million or more remain anonymous — though not from child support or tax obligations — was approved by voice vote on second reading with no debate. The measure needs final approval from the House before it can be considered in the Senate.

Under the Texas Public Information Act, the Texas Lottery Commission must release to the public and the media the names of the prize winners, their city of residence and the amount of the prize won.

“Due to the media storm

allowing anonymity would hurt public perceptions of the integrity of the lottery, which could impact sales — and reduce the state’s take from the lottery.

Currently six states — Delaware, Kansas, Maryland, North Dakota, Ohio and T:4.79”

For detailed odds and game information, visit txlottery.org or call 800-375-6886. Must be 18 or older to purchase a ticket. The Texas Lottery supports Texas education and veterans. PLAY RESPONSIBLY. For help with a gambling problem, ncpgambling.org. © 2017 Texas Lottery Commission. All rights reserved.

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job info job # client headline/tag trim bleed live color setup vendor/pub media type die cut

from

W63838 TEXAS LOTTERY MAY EOG AD 4.79” x 3.25” None None BW HOUSTON DEFENDER NEWSPAPER None

2500 bee caves rd • suite 300 • austin, tx 78746 t 512.479.6200 f 512.479.6024

Prepared by LatinWorks Marketing, Inc. 2012. All rights reserved.

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DEFENDER | APRIL 27 | 2017

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sports

Houston native

Jermell Charlo wins with KO

H

By MAX EDISON Defender

oustonian and junior middleweight champion Jermell Charlo is already looking to the future - and unifying his next fight - taking no time to rest from his recent victory in his first World Boxing Council (WBC) title.

Appearing on the undercard of the welterweight title card featuring Shawn Porter vs. Andre Berto, Charlo (29-0, 14 KOs) delivered a punishing right hand to the chin of challenger Charles Hatley (26-21, 18 KOs) 32 seconds into round 6.

Hatley, out cold, fell face first under the ropes and bounced off of a ringside camera man. Referee Harvey Dock waved off the fight instantly without a count. The knockout was so impressive it immediately became the front runner for knockout of the year.

Charlo, 26, is a graduate of Alief Hastings High School. He is known for his skill as a boxer as opposed to a knockout artist, and described the series of punches that led to Hatley’s demise.

“I used that jab to set up the right hand,” he said.

“I knew Charles Hatley goes down and he gets back up – he’s a warrior and I knew I had to get in there and be a lion.”

Charlo controlled the fight from beginning to end. He knocked Hatley into the ropes toward the end of round 2 with a monster right hand and floored him one round later on a sweeping overhand shot.

It was Charlo’s first fight since winning the title last May and he showed little ring rust as a result of the 11-month layoff. Charlo’s trainer Derrick James affirmed his fighter’s performance in the ring.

“I thought he gave a phenomenal performance.

He did everything we worked on in camp,” James said. “He set him up with the jab and took him out with the right. That is what he needed to do.”

Jermell Charlo holds a portion of the junior middleweight title that was vacated by his twin brother Jermall, who moved up to the middleweight category. The next step would be a fight to unify the title.

“I’m the champ so I have to continue to fight my mandatory,” Charlo said. “They got a guy named Jarret Hurd that took my brother’s title. We could unify.”

Jermall Charlo, watching from ringside, was pleased with his brother’s success.

“I’m so proud of my brother,” he said. “He stayed focused this week and did the right things in the ring. He hit the gas when he needed to. He won every round. We are blessed.”

Jermell Charlo defeated Charles Hatley to retain his junior middleweight title.

Jermall an

on. me professi

ins in the sa

harlo are tw d Jermell C

Charlo w welterw on the WBC s u eight ti tle in 2 per 016.

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h.s.zone Cypress Woods runner

Derrick Brooks thrives on adversity

D

By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender

errick Brooks refuses to back down from adversity.

Over the past nine months he’s been uprooted from his home in Georgia following an unexpected family loss to begin anew in Houston.

A junior at Cypress Woods High School, Brooks has settled into a new routine with the help of his teammates on the Wildcats boys’ track and field squad.

Two weeks ago, back stiffness forced him to miss his signature race – the 400-meter dash – at the District 17-6A meet.

However, the Wildcats’ mile relay unit still managed to qualify for the area meet at Cy Falls High School and Brooks was determined to be a part of it. “I’ve been going to training every day before and after school,� he said. “Even during fifth period, I’d go every day and use the stimulus machine and do my stretching.�

Brooks even had therapy on the day of the area meet and assumed his position as the Wildcats’ anchor runner in the meet’s final event. Cy Woods was in fourth place when Brooks received the baton.

Brooks crossed the finish line following teammates Angel Laca, Alec Hernandez and Nathaniel Hardrick with the Wildcats in third place. A performance good enough to claim the bronze medal behind Cy-Fair and Cy Falls and advanced to the next round.

Cypress Woods qualified for the Region III-6A meet at Challenger-Columbia Stadium in League City. The top two mile relays will advance to the state high school track and field meet in Austin next month. “The competition level is about what I expected,� said Brooks, whose personal-best time in the 400-meter dash is 49.12

About Derrick Brooks Birth date – April 13, 2000 Birth sign – Aries Favorite subject – English Favorite author – Walter Dean Myers Favorite meal – Ribs, yams and cornbread Possible college major – Business administration or marketing Possible career – Sports marketing World problem he would solve – Crime

seconds. “My transition coming down here was a little difficult at first, but I got used to it. Things are going well right now.�

Brooks admits to being more of a homebody who likes to catch up on his rest when he’s not training or competing. He watches football and sometimes basketball on television and he’s become a fan of both the Texans and Rockets.

He also plays football and plans to be a member of the Cy Woods football team next fall. His natural position is cornerback.

Yet track is where his heart lies and his main focus is getting the Cy Woods mile relay team to the state meet. Brooks realizes that will be a challenge, but after surviving what he’s gone through recently, it’s simply another hurdle to overcome.

His mental toughness may stem from his approach to the 400-meter dash. While the 400 is the longest sprint, it takes strength and endurance to excel in it. “I think differently from most people that run it,� he said. “Most people say you can’t sprint around the whole track. They say don’t sprint the first 200 or the last 200. I tell myself to sprint the entire race and get it over with. “Try for my personal record every week and start the next week fresh, �Brooks said. “My teammates picked me up when I was hurt. I want to be there for them going forward.�

APRIL 27 | 2017 | DEFENDER

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sportsbriefs Johnta Hebert heads to CFL Former Prairie View A&M University football star Johnta’ Hebert signed a free agent contract with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League. The Baton Rouge native totaled more than 2,000 all-purpose yards for the Panthers in 2015 and earned All-SWAC and FCS All-America honors. In 2016, Hebert attended a rookie minicamp with the NFL’s Washington Redskins and training camp with the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders. “It wasn’t that I couldn’t perform,� he said. “[You] just need to be confident in yourself and your abilities and play the game the way you play the game.�

Queen Serena pregnant Tennis queen Serena Williams announced that she and fiancĂŠ, tech millionaire Alexis Ohanian, are expecting their first child this fall. Williams, 35, made the announcement in a yellow swimsuit on Snapchat with a caption that read “20 weeks.â€?

If those numbers are accurate she was pregnant when she won the Australian Open in January.

She also penned a letter to her unborn child. “My Dearest Baby, you gave me the strength I didn’t know I had. You taught me the true meaning of serenity and peace. I can’t wait to meet you. I can’t wait for you to join the players’ box next year.

But most importantly, I am so happy to share being number one in the world with you...once again today. On @alexisohanian bday. đ&#x;˜‰ from the world’s oldest number one to the world’s youngest number one. Your Mommy.â€?

George Ranch falls twice It was a tough week for the No. 1-ranked Class 6A high school baseball team in Texas. After holding down the top spot for six consecutive weeks, George Ranch lost back-to-back games in District 23-6A. The Longhorns opened the week with a 4-1 setback to Brazoswood. After falling behind 3-0 to Pearland, George Ranch tied it up 3-3 in the bottom of the fifth inning on a run-scoring double by Dylan Rock. However, four costly errors in the top of the sixth proved to be their undoing. Pearland scored five runs on only one hit, a Jacob Whitehead RBI single, to win the game 8-3. George Ranch is now 23-3 overall and 8-2 in district play and trails Pearland (17-11, 9-2) by a half-game. “This is not a good time to be going through a bad stretch,� said George Ranch coach Greg Kobza. “We’re going to have to regroup and get our heads back on straight.� Pearland has won seven straight since losing to George Ranch 11-4 on March 28.

Katy girls’ softball tops poll After beginning the season outside the Texas Girls Coaches Association Class 6A Top 25 high school softball state poll, Katy is No. 1 following a 12-3 victory over Tompkins. Spring is No. 3 after a 14-3 win over MacArthur. Spring head coach Julie Wyrick celebrated a milestone with her 500th career win. Other ranked Houston area schools include MacArthur (8), Alvin (9) and Kingwood (12). In Class 5A, Barbers Hill is No. 6 and Angleton is No. 10.

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16

DEFENDER | APRIL 27 | 2017

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

topevents

EMPOWERMENT FILM & SUMMIT……..Councilmember Amanda Edwards to vote for their favorite chefs/booths. Attendees included Bobbie Jones, Charlotte kicked off her Community Empowerment Signature Series with a “Be the Solution: Bryant, Nedra & Jon Jackson, Earnestine Terry, Sylvia Terry, Chefs Travis Dixon, Empowerment Film & Summit.” The event, held at Texas Southern University’s College Sherri Miles, Shanitra Woodard, Brittany Moore, Beatrice Akins, Buerkie Klokpah, of Education, is part of an ongoing initiative of community-based efforts designed to Myra Pettis, Antonio Thomas, and others ……..CONGRESSIONAL/JUDICIAL empower Houstonians with knowledge about key issues, and equip them to effect change.

RECEPTION……...Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee hosted a reception Attendees watched the film “The Strange Demise of Jim Crow,” detailing the peaceful welcoming members of the U.S. House Police Strategies Working Group. The group has desegregation of Houston. Afterward, Edwards and Pastor Ray been traveling to cities around the country as part of a fact-finding Bady facilitated a dialogue between panelists and participants. mission to address matters surrounding law enforcement. The Defender TOP EVENTS reception was held at the Greater Houston Partnership building and Attendees included Defender CEO Sonceria Messiah Jiles, More photos on defendernetwork.com Jerry Ford Jr., Judson Robinson III, Dr. Christine LeVeauxmembers of HPD, DEA and FBI were just a few of the entities on Haley, Daniel Vasquez, filmmaker Thomas Cole, Alma hand and hailed for their work in making Houston safer. Attendees Contreras, Justin Lee and many more……..2nd ANNUAL included the FBI’s Al Tribble and Michael Anderson, HPD Chief NOSH CULINARY SHOWCASE……..Black Restaurant Week organizers Warren Art Acevedo, Dawn Mathis, Judge Elaine Marshall, Judge Ramona Franklin, Glenn Luckett and Falayn Ferrell hosted the Nosh Culinary Showcase, featuring Houston-area Rushing, Carl Davis, Leonard Spearman Jr, Felicia Farrar, Pastor/Chaplain Leon Black caterers and chefs. Held at the Ensemble Theatre, the event offered multiple tasting Preston, Tarsha Jackson, Julian Rhyne, Martha Hernandez, Chris Spellman, Daniel stations, a wine bar, live music, cooking demonstrations and voting kiosks for participants Espinoza, Rucks Russell, Pernell Davis, Dr. Elwyn Lee and scores more.

Micaela Sosa, Councilmember Amanda Edwards, Jerry Ford Jr.

Falayn Ferrell, Warren Luckett

Maudie Reece, Pastor Ray Bady

John Wilson, Nynechia Afriyie

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Al Tribble, Michael Anderson, Judge Elaine Marshall

Judge Ramona Franklin, John Humphries, Tarsha Jackson

Keturah Brown, Felice Walker

Lamont Waits, Nicoya Waits

Pernell Davis, Pastor/Chaplain Leon Preston

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