Houston Defender: May 08, 2014

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Volume 83 | Number 27

MAY 8, 2014 |FREE

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NEWSTALK ROBBIE TOLAN gets lawsuit reinstated

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Beyoncé

ENTERTAINMENT

Michelle Obama

GUGU MBATHA-RAW portrays biracial aristocrat

Yolanda Adams

Gayle King

Mother’s Day

Famous moms share lessons learned H Page 8

P7 SPORTS RICK SMITH analyzes Texans, draft

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Deric Muhammad speaks to males

Robin Roberts comes to town

Activist Deric Muhammad addressed the plight of young men during the annual Black Male Summit. Hear the words of wisdom participants received. Discover the dangers of criminal lifestyles and embellished stories. See the disturbing stats about Black males.

“Good Morning America” co-host Robin Roberts will be the keynote speaker at a local civil rights luncheon sponsored by Major League Baseball. Read about other celebrities attending. See what else MLB has planned. Discover the role the Astros will play.

H Page 2

CHAG’S PLACE

Dr. Joanie Hare, Kathy Taylor at Ivy Educational & Charitable Foundation luncheon

H Page 11

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DEFENDER | MAY 8 | 2014

newstalk

Black males ‘smart’n up’

By CIERRA DUNCAN Defender

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Robbie Tolan lawsuit is reinstated Defender News Services

I

f young Black males are to get ahead, they must pursue educational and career goals while working harder than others. That was one of the messages delivered at the annual Black Male Summit, held this year at Rice University.

Once again, the theme was “Smart’n Up.” The event was held in partnership with Rice’s Office of Multicultural Community Relations, and participants included public school and college students.

Community activist Deric Muhammad, who Reginald Gordon speaks to students gathered at the Black Male Summit. organized the summit, encouraged those in atfriends,” Gordon said. “When the pressure tendance to pursue education and not quick ways is on, they are not going to do a sentence for to make money. “The knowledge that’s in the you.” book will help you make the money,” he said.

Pastor E. A. Deckard of Greenhouse In“If you are a Black male in America you ternational Church taught a workshop titled have to work harder than anyone else,” Mu“Saving Our Sons” that focused on teaching the hammad said. “We want to show [young men] skills needed to be a productive son. how to use the power of their minds to not only “As long you are connected with family, make sure they don’t get locked up but to make the enemy cannot defeat you,” he said. “The sure they survive and succeed.” enemy wants you to be by yourself so he can Reginald Gordon with OG1 Operation Out- separate you from your strength.” reach encouraged young men to pursue their According to Bureau of Justice Statistics, educational and career goals. He said criminal one in three Black males will go to prison in lifestyles are not beneficial and young people their lifetime if current incarceration trends should not be deceived by the embellished stocontinue. Black males are also three times ries seen on television. more likely to be searched by the police and “In the life of crime you do not have any only 45 percent will graduate from high school.

The U.S. Supreme Court reinstated a lawsuit filed by Robbie Tolan, the young Black man who in 2008 was shot and seriously injured by a police officer outside the Bellaire home he shared with his parents.

Police said they thought Tolan was armed and had stolen a vehicle.

“We’re pleased the Su- Robbie Tolan preme Court agreed that the case should go forward,” said Martin Siegel, the Tolans’ attorney. “A jury should decide whether Robbie’s civil rights were violated.”

Tolan was a minor league baseball player who hoped to follow in the footsteps of his father, former Major League player Robert Tolan.

Jeffrey Cotton, the white officer who shot Tolan, was indicted on a charge of aggravated assault and found not guilty at a 2010 trial.

The Tolans filed a civil lawsuit against Cotton and city officials. The suit alleged unconstitutional excessive force as well as racial profiling, false arrests and racial harassment. In 2012, a federal judge dismissed the lawsuit.

localbriefs FOUR TEENS who were shot at an after-prom party in the Greenspoint area are expected to survive their wounds. The party was held at a horse barn in the 1400 block of Gears near Greens Parkway.

According to witnesses a suspect opened fire into the crowd after he and a group of friends were asked to leave. Between 200 and 300 teenagers from different high schools attended the party. Uninvited guests arrived about learning about it on social media. Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call Crime Stoppers of Houston at 713222-TIPS……..PROPERTY TAX WORKSHOPS are being sponsored by Tax Assessor-Collector

Mike Sullivan and Harris County commissioners.

The workshops are open to the public and will discuss how to protest property taxes, learn what exemptions are available and how to obtain a payment agreement for delinquent tax bills. “The last day to file a property tax protest is June 2,” Sullivan said. “I encourage taxpayers to take full advantage of these workshops. The schedule is: Commissioner Steve Radack, Precinct 3, May 13, 6:30 p.m., Bayland Community Center, 6400 Bissonnet; Commissioner El Franco Lee, Precinct 1, May 20, 10 a.m., Finnegan Park Community Center, 4900 Providence;

and Commissioner Jack Morman, Precinct 2, May 22, 6:30 p.m., Bay Area Community Center, 5002 E. Nasa Parkway in Seabrook. For information call 713-368-2000 or email tax_ office@hctx.net........HOUSTON IS STILL NO. 5 on Forbes’ latest national listing of the best cities for jobs. The Houston area recorded 2.83 million jobs and growth of 3 percent in 2013.

Austin moved from No. 10 on the list last year to No. 3 this year. The Dallas metropolitan area dropped from No. 6 last year to No. 9 this year.

The Fort Worth area came in at No. 11 and San Antonio came in at No. 12.

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MAy 8 | 2014 | DEFENDER

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DEFENDER | MAY 8 | 2014

national Schools still separate, unequal after Brown

A

NNPA News Service

s the 60th anniversary of the United States Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education approaches, a new report by the Economic Policy Institute found that schools are more segregated now than they were in 1980.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s May 17, 1954 landmark decision effectively banned racial segregation in schools in Southern states where racially separate schools were far from equal.

Central High School in Tuscaloosa, Ala., was once considered a model of “Black students were not only desegregation. Today its student body is 99 percent Black. segregated but wholly denied meaningmore time to remediation, less to new instruction.” ful educational opportunity,” the report The report offered a number of recommendations stated. including, “adjusting attendance zones, establishing Although the Brown ruling was one of the counmagnet schools, or implementing controlled choice try’s most important civil rights milestones, it did not programs.” fully accomplish its primary goal of ending school But in order to fully integrate schools, the report segregation. said, neighborhoods that feed those schools must also “The typical Black student now attends a school be integrated and that remains an uphill battle even where only 29 percent of his or her fellow students with rental voucher programs. are white, down from 36 percent in 1980,” stated the Richard Rothstein, a research associate at the report. institute, said that education policy is housing policy The report also described how family background and vice-versa, and that substantially raising achievecan impact educational achievement. ment of low-income Black children requires residential “When a few children in a classroom come from integration. homes with less literacy, and without the benefit of “Schools remain segregated because neighborhigh-quality early childhood care, a skilled teacher can give those children special attention,” stated the report. hoods where they are located are segregated,” Rothstein said. “We will never substantially improve Black “But when most children in that classroom have student achievement without economic equality and these disadvantages, the average instructional level integration.” must decline. The most skilled teachers must devote

U.S. assists Nigeria in search for girls NNPA News Service

The Nigerian government accepted the United States’ offer to provide a team of experts to assist in recovering the nearly 300 teenage girls kidnapped from school by an extremist group.

The U.S. experts include law enforcement officers and hostage negotiators. Military resources will not be included, but President Obama vowed to “do everything we can.”

The students, ranging in age from 16-18, were abducted from a secondary school in a pre-dawn raid on April 15. A man claiming to be Abubakar Shekau, leader of the terrorist group Boko Haram, took credit

for the kidnapping in a chilling video. The group opposes providing students with a Western education, and said the girls would be sold as slaves for as little as $12.

“I abducted your girls,” he said. “I will sell them off and marry them off.”

World pressure on Nigeria mounted as distraught parents charged that officials reacted slowly to free the girls. Demands for action increased on social media, and protests have been held across the U.S. and beyond.

“Obviously, what’s happening is awful, and, as a father of two girls, I can’t imagine what their parents are going through,” Obama said.

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U.S.briefs U.S. EDUCATION SECRETARY Arne Duncan said the Obama administration is developing ratings of teacher preparation programs to make their graduates more accountable. Teacher training programs have few, if any, external evaluation systems to check for quality. “We have about 1,400 schools of education and hundreds and hundreds of alternative certification paths, and nobody in this country can tell anybody which one is more effective than the other,” Duncan said.

The Department of Education plans to build upon existing strategies, and guide every state to develop its own evaluation systems……..

BEN JEALOUS, former president and CEO of the NAACP, has joined the Center for American Progress as a senior fellow. Jealous will focus on tracking political trends impacting civil and human rights and will contribute to developing policy solutions that ensure equity and opportunity for all Americans. Jealous said he pleased to join the center. “I look forward to focusing on the future – how America can maintain its position as the world leader in innovation and job creation, while expanding the culture of democratic and economic inclusion that has made the advances of the past 50 years possible,” he said.……..THE PRESIDENT OF THE NAACP’S Los Angeles chapter resigned amid backlash over a plan to give L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling an award for civil rights.

Leon Jenkins was set to give Sterling a lifetime achievement award but canceled those plans after revelations of an audio recording that captured Sterling making racist comments about Blacks, including his desire for his biracial girlfriend to publicly disassociate with Black people. “Please be advised that the legacy, history and reputation of the NAACP [are] more important to me than the presidency,” Jenkins said a statement.

Sterling ultimately received a lifetime suspension and maximum $2.5 million fine from the NBA, which also seeks to remove him as team owner.

VOLUME 83 • NUMBER 27 MAY 8, 2014 Print Editor Publisher Marilyn Marshall Sonceria Messiah-Jiles People Editor Advertising/Client Relations Yvette Chargois Selma Dodson Tyler Sports Editors Multimedia Manager Max Edison Tiffany Williams Darrell K. Ardison Online Editor Local Editor ReShonda Billingsley LaGloria Wheatfall Art Director Contributing Writer Tony Fernandez-Davila Cierra Duncan 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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MAY 8 | 2014 | DEFENDER

Unemployment among Blacks at 5-year low

remember, mother’s day is may 11

one

daysale

NNPA News Service The Black unemployment rate fell to 11.6 percent in April, the lowest mark since President Obama took office in January 2009, according to the Labor Department’s latest jobs report.

The last time the Black unemployment rate dipped below 12 percent was in November 2008 when the rate was 11.5 percent.

The economy added 288,000 jobs and the national unemployment rate was 6.3 percent in April, down from 6.7 percent in March.

On the surface, the 0.4 percent decline in the unemployment rate may cause some to celebrate, but Valerie Wilson of the Economic Policy Institute said much of the improvement was the result of people exiting the labor market.

The labor force participation rate, a measure of people who are either employed or currently looking for work, declined from 63.2 percent in March to 62.8 percent in April.

Wilson said that the Black labor force has been “remarkably resilient” as Blacks continue to search for jobs in the face of a challenging job market.

She added that by letting unemployment insurance benefits expire for millions of struggling Americans at the end of 2013, Washington lawmakers have taken money out the hands of would-be consumers.

Wilson said that the expiration of unemployment insurance benefits contributed to the anemic gross domestic product growth over the first quarter of this year.

“That points to how important it is that people continue to have access to those benefits, because they are important, not only for the stability of their own individual household, but also for the continued growth of our economy,” said Wilson.

Congressional inaction on extending the unemployment benefits during this period of economic recovery is without precedent.

In a post on the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities website, chief economist Chad Stone wrote that “long-term unemployment remains a particular concern” and highlighted the need for Congress to take action. ”Over a third of the 9.8 million people who are unemployed have been looking for work for 27 weeks or longer,” he said.

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DEFENDER | MAY 8 | 2014

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opinion

Sotomayor: A voice of reason among reckless rhetoric

I

By MARC H. MORIAL NNPA Columnist

David Fitzsimmons, The Arizona Star

In a disturbingly lopsided 6-2 vote, the United States Supreme Court once again became a willing accomplice in the recent onslaught of attacks on 50 years of civil rights progress.

Recently, on the heels of last year’s decision by the court to dismantle the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Court ruled that Michigan voters had the right to ban race, i.e. affirmative action, as a factor in college admissions.

The court’s decision undermines a landmark 2003 ruling that affirmed the use of race-sensitive admissions policies at the University of Michigan Law School because of a compelling interest in fostering diversity in higher education.

In 2006, opponents of that ruling successfully campaigned and passed Proposal 2, a state constitutional amendment that gave voters the right to supersede elected university trustees and the right to ban the consideration of race as one of many factors in admissions.

It is important to note that only race was singled out for the ban. Other factors, such as alumni status, athletics and geography remain in place. A federal appeals court subsequently ruled Prop 2 unconstitutional as it violated the Equal Protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

The case made its way to the Supreme Court, and the

egregious decision in Schuette v. Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, the 2006 amendment was allowed to stand.

The two dissenting votes were cast by Justices Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Sonia Sotomayor, the court’s most reliable civil rights defenders.

Justice Sotomayor’s written dissent is an exceptionally scholarly, eloquent and impassioned argument in defense of affirmative action. She methodically eviscerated the majority’s legal justification for its decision, citing several previous cases where the court overturned attempts to change rules midstream in ways that were detrimental to minority voters.

She also reminded the court of its obligation to right historical wrongs and to expand educational opportunities for those who have traditionally been locked out.

Her dissent was based primarily on the court’s allowance of a change of rules that nullify the authority of elected University governing boards and now permit a majority of voters to end affirmative action in higher education – a clear violation of the Equal Protection Clause.

Mindful of Michigan’s shameful history of segregation in higher education and of a significant decline in minority enrollment and graduations since Prop 2 took effect, Sotomayor concluded: “The effect of [the Court’s ruling] is that a white graduate of a public Michigan university who wishes to pass his historical privilege on to his children may freely lobby the board of that university in favor of an expanded legacy admissions policy, whereas a Black Michigander who was denied the opportunity to attend that very university cannot lobby the board in favor of a policy that might give his children a chance that he never had and that they might never have absent that policy.”

We may have lost this battle for affirmative action, but as long as there are voices as clear and strong as Sonia Sotomayor’s on the Supreme Court, we are confident that in the end, equal opportunity, equal protection and equal justice will prevail.

High court gives Tolan case new life Congratulations are in order for Robbie Tolan and his family. The Supreme Court recently did the right thing and reinstated a federal civil rights lawsuit filed against Bellaire city officials and the police officer who shot Robbie in 2008.

Despite all the Tolans have endured – Robbie’s serious injury, the officer being found not guilty in a trial, and the dismissal of their lawsuit – they never gave up. They have been persistent and consistent in their fight for justice, and we admire their

determination.

What happened to Robbie was a terrible injustice. He was a promising minor league baseball player whose career was cut short by Officer Jeffrey Cotton’s bullet. Robbie and his cousin were returning to the Tolan family’s Bellaire home when Cotton and another officer mistakenly thought Robbie was armed and driving a stolen car. Cotton had entered a wrong license plate number.

Robbie was shot as he protested the treatment

of his mother by one of the officers. Cotton said he thought Robbie was reaching for a gun. Six years later, Robbie continues to suffer from the aftereffects of the shooting.

How timely is the Supreme Court decision considering Mother’s Day is a few days away and it was his mother Robbie was trying to protect.

We offer encouragement to the family as they take the next step, and we hope that this time, they will win their lawsuit.

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MAY 8 | 2014 | DEFENDER

entertainment

7

Gugu Mbatha-Raw portrays biracial aristocrat in ‘Belle’ picted on film before that weren’t being brutalized or playing slaves.

It was refreshing to know that there had been a biracial girl in the aristocracy.

KW: What message do you think people will take away from “Belle?”

GMR: I really hope people will be inspired by the history of it, and the fact that it’s a true story.

The message, for me, at its core, really, is “Be who you are!” Don’t worry about society’s conditioning and the labels that are put on you by external forces. Hold onto your true self. The journey that Dido goes on is about learning to be comfortable in her own skin. I think that’s an inspiring message that we always need to be reminded of in today’s imageobsessed world.

KW: How do you define yourself as a performer, given that you’ve done stage, TV, film,

By KAM WILLIAMS Defender

B

orn in Oxford, England in 1983, Gugu Mbatha-Raw trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. Her first professional role was as Celia in an open air production of Shakespeare’s “As You Like It.” She subsequently landed roles at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre where she performed the title roles in “Antony and Cleopatra” and “Romeo and Juliet,” the latter opposite Andrew “Spider-Man” Garfield.

Her television credits include “MI-5,” “Dr. Who,” “Spooks,” “Marple: Ordeal by Innocence,” “Bonekickers” and “Fallout.” She also starred as Samantha Bloom in Mbatha-Raw and Sarah Gadon star in “Belle,” a film inspired by the true story of the illegitimate mixed race daughter the NBC-TV series, “Undercovers,” Gugu of a slave and a British admiral. and was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Best Actress in a TV and even radio? tain who was raised in England by her father’s rich relatives.

Series.

GMR: Well, I try not to limit myself. The actors that inKW: What interested you in the film and how did you On the big screen, she found her first major feature film spire me are the comedians and the people able to shape-shift feel about the idea of playing Dido Belle? work in “Larry Crowne,” directed by Tom Hanks and cointo different roles and into different media. That ensures your GMR: There were so many wonderful things that drew starring Julia Roberts. She recently finished filming “Jupiter longevity as an artist and prevents you from getting bored me to this project. First and foremost, the historical elements, Ascending” with Channing Tatum and Mila Kunis. with yourself and, hopefully, prevents people from getting the fact that this character really existed and that the script Here, she talks about playing the title character in bored with you. So, for me, it’s about variety and working was inspired by a real painting. That was fascinating to me “Belle,” a biopic about Dido Elizabeth Belle (1761-1804), the because, as a biracial girl growing up in England, I’d never with inspiring, creative people. I try not to define myself. orphaned offspring of an African slave and a British ship cap- really seen any historical characters who looked like me deOther people are going to do that for you anyway.

what’sup RIHANNA has reportedly left the Def Jam label for Roc Nation, the label founded by JAY Z. Though Rihanna won’t confirm the move, she is listed on Roc Nation’s website roster. The six-time Grammy Award-winner has sold more than 37 million albums and 146 million digital tracks worldwide. She has 80 million Facebook “likes” and more than 26 million Twitter followers. Other Roc Nation artists include J. COLE, SHAKIRA, TIMBALAND and WILLOW SMITH……..KERRY WASHINGTON kept another big secret. The 37-year-old “Scandal” star and her husband, NNAMDI ASOMUGHA, quietly welcomed a new baby daughter, ISABELLE, on April 21. Washington, who likes to keep her personal life private, kept quiet about her pregnancy for months.

She married Asomugha, a former NFL cornerback,

during a secret ceremony last June……..OPRAH WINFREY is interested in buying the Los Angeles Clippers if the team becomes available. Winfrey would join entertainment mogul DAVID GEFFEN and software magnate LARRY ELLISON in a bid to buy the Clippers. Geffen said Winfrey has no interest in running the team........“Saturday Night Live” writer LESLIE JONES is under fire for her recent routine on “Weekend Update,” the comedy show’s parody of top news events. Jones appeared as SNL’s “in-house image expert,” and made controversial remarks about slavery. “Look at me, I’m single right now, but back in the slave days, I would have never been single,” Jones said. “I’m six feet tall and I’m strong…Strong!

I mean, look at me, I’m a Mandingo...I don’t want to be a slave, I’m just saying that back in the slave days,

my love life would have been way better. ‘Massah’ would have hooked me up with the best brotha on the plantation…I would be the No. 1 slave draft pick.”

Jones was bombarded with tweets from viewers who were upset by the routine. She later defended her appearance and blasted “self-righteous” critics. “Very sad I have to defend myself to Black people. Now I’m betting if CHRIS ROCK or DAVE CHAPPELLE did that joke or JAY Z or KANYE put in a rap they would be called brilliant,” she said……..REV. RUN, one of the founding members of Run-D.M.C., will star in the new Cooking Channel series “Rev. Run’s Sunday Suppers,” premiering on June 8. Run and his wife will prepare such dishes as barbecue and lasagna to entice their children to visit for traditional Sunday meals. The show will air for six episodes.

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DEFENDER | MAY 8 | 2014

centerfold Yolanda

daughter, TayAdams lor

“The first thin g I do is I mak e sure I have th e right amoun t of help aroun d because it is very importan t. What tends to happen is wh en we grew u p it seems as th ough our mom s were supermo ms. They did everything. Well in this day an d age you can’t do everything … without havin g some type o f help. I have g reat help arou nd me I can’t do this by myself and I’ve neve that’s where w r trie e make mista kes and we get d to. I think You can’t be h so exasperate ome, you can d. ’t do this, you but you can se can’t do that, t the rules for everything th when you’re n at has to happ ot there.” en

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dau a daugh“[Having es you giv ter] just f and all o purpose s that my the thing asem was self-este all ’s with, it sociated nt. e r ly diffe complete hy I was w t h at I realized ore than of doing y a w m t s d e the b ple…” born an child and ing her by exam all of the y g m in o t h t n y w o an ho ss her but s ant to pa things I w eaching or telling pr is not by

Gayle King

daughter, Kir by; son, Will “When Kirby an d Will were young I said, ‘I’ m going to work until they ’re in their teens and then I’m going to take some time off because everybody says teenagers are really d ifficult and I should be hom e and fully engaged.’ Then they started hitting age 12, 13 , 14 and I thought they’re okay…I remem ber a friend said were going to to me, ‘I thoug stop working.’ ht you said you W ell, I didn’t wan that they were t to stop worki fine. So whateve ng and I knew r decision you comfortable w make, I think yo ith it.” u have to be

Mother

Famous share lesso

Defender New

May 11 is Mother’s Day, a time to celebrate the women who love, guide, nurture, protect and encourage their children. Here, eight famous women share the lessons they’ve learned about motherhood – First Lady Mi-

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JillJeSttcott

son, y village to “I keep m ot some really eg gether. I’v ho friends w incredible me and look r look out fo on. His father ys out for m a part of our ly e it is defin to kes time ta lives. He .” n o h his s spend wit

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Mauicghhteers, Sasha &aMbuabl ble. d

ve in our olutely li “We abs tterproof glass in n ha guns o There’s s men with ality of d n a s w windo st the re That’s ju f. o thing o r e h t is] some y lc a m I r it. So [no e to work for. So to v a ck that we h p my kids on tra ee as if have to k at we would do as th ther it’s v e e h do thing W . e r n’t he a trip w we were r taking o p m a c tting cation or ke. It’s le le… a t y ll a m r b would no utside of the bub o is t e ii g a them to Haw hy going can run on w ’s t a h T y be tant. The so impor nd be away and a h t and I the beac importan o s ’s t a h normal. T t, for them.” ha t r fight fo

r’s Day

sonsmoms learned

ws Services

chelle Obama, gospel artists Yolanda Adams and Karen Clark Sheard, TV journalist Gayle King, talk show host Wendy Williams, and ene tertainers Beyoncé, Jill Scott and Jada Pinkett Smith.

he Houston area for over 80 years

Karen Clark Sheard

son, John II; daughter, Kie rra “[My husband and I] sta yed on our knees praying. No paren t wants to see their children fall aw ay knowing what you’ve instilled in them. Of course we had to respect the fact they were growing up. Th at’s why we were very skeptical of the type of people we kept aroun d them. We didn’t want them to beco me acclimated to another type of environment. It took a lot of pra yer…A lot of times the enemy is out the re to attack families.”

ith m S t t e k ada Pin ter, Willow

J n, Jaden; daugh

robso other is p m a d n a inary wife “Being a the most extraord f o lfilling ably one e most fu ame h t d n a s ce At the s experien f my life. cult to balo s e c n ie exper ry diffi that s been ve a h it e he things ms t im o t d to eedo g able ance bein , and having the fr taught o d een I want to . We’ve b crifice e v a h to nt ly sa that I wa complete -messagto e v a h u he re that yo ink that t e and gravih t I . g in rs hav everyth as mothe to take care of e w t a h t o.” ve ing that we d at you ha e the alignment y h t it c is a p to a tate hav t the c order to f others a yourself in er to take care o ow and the p

Wendy Williams

son, Kevin “As parents, we ca n do better at home by having a little bit more patience and a little bit more of an open mind when ou r kids come to us with certain things. Gently start a conversatio n. I respect that things will eventual ly change as far as him not wanting to share with us, but right now, we can talk to Kevin about anythi ng.”

9

10 DEFENDER | MAY 8 | 2014

$1 billion initiative launched Defender News Services

An initiative has been launched to deliver resources, guidance and services to help more small businesses achieve financial success. Wells Fargo Works for Small Business provides wide-ranging support for entrepreneurs throughout the U.S. to help them build knowledge, access capital and expand their community of support.

With the new initiative, Wells Fargo is announcing a goal to extend $100 billion in new lending to small businesses by 2018.

“Working with small business owners is one of the most important things we do,” said Lisa Stevens, Wells Fargo’s head of small business. “We know America needs small businesses to grow, add jobs and prosper for our economy to fully thrive.”

Key elements of the initiative include: • An enhanced online resource that offers financial guidance on topics such as building credit and sustaining growth. The site includes feature stories, resources and videos with national small business strategy experts and business owners sharing their experiences.

• An online video series featuring the

true stories of five small businesses working to achieve their goals and a contest for small business owners. Eligible entrepreneurs can compete in a contest where five finalists each win $25,000 along with mentorship and tailored solutions for their business, and a $5,000 charitable donation to a charity in their community. The contest runs through June 30.

Wells Fargo is also working with national business and community organizations to help provide financial education and resources focused on small businesses.

For more information visit WellsFargoWorks.com.

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SBA webinars offer advice National Small Business Week is May 12-16. To celebrate the observance, the SBA is offering a series of free educational webinars.

Experts from the SBA and AARP will join forces to help aspiring entrepreneurs age 50 and up get their businesses up and running during a free, one-hour webinar on Tuesday, May 13 at 1 p.m.

The webinar will cover estimating start-up costs, types of funding sources, non-traditional sources of funding, preparing for working with lending institutions and financially sustaining a business. Other webinars include: • Strategic ways to increase your return on travel (May 12) • Growing your business with direct mail (May 12) • Small business, big benefits (May 13) • Achieving customer loyalty in a small business world (May 14) For information visit sba.gov.

T:9.75”

T:6.5”

For detailed game odds and information, call 1-800-37-LOTTO or visit txlottery.org. Must be 18 or older to purchase a ticket. The Texas Lottery supports Texas education. © 2014 Texas Lottery Commission. All rights reserved.

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MAY 8 | 2014 | DEFENDER

11

MLB promotes civil rights in Houston Defender News Services

Houston will be the host city for Major League Baseball’s Civil Rights Game events, which pay tribute to those who fought on and off the field for equal rights for all Americans.

The MLB Beacon Awards Luncheon will be held Friday, May 30 at noon at the Hilton of the Americas. Robin Roberts, co-anchor of ABC’s “Good Morning America,” will be the keynote speaker, and Maya Angelou, Berry Gordy and Jim Brown will be honored.

Special guests include singer/songwriter Aloe Blacc and Grammy Award-winning violinist and UN Goodwill Ambassador Miri Ben-Ari. The 2014 Civil Rights Game will be played May 30 at 7 p.m. between the Astros and the Baltimore Orioles at Minute Maid Park, and airs nationally on MLB Network.

“It will be an honor for us to host the three distinguished MLB Beacon Award winners, all of whom have had a tremendous influence on our nation,” said Astros President Reid Ryan.

“We are so very proud to host the Civil Rights Game, which is one of MLB’s most significant events each year.”

Guest speaker Roberts brings more than 20 years of broadcast experience to GMA. Prior to joining the program in 2005, she was a con-

Robin Roberts

Berry Gordy

Maya Angelou

Jim Brown

defendernetwork.com Coming soon…grade Houston’s pro sports teams on civil rights

tributor to ESPN. In recognition of her public battles against breast cancer and more recently a rare bone marrow disease, she has been acknowledged with honors from organizations around the country.

Angelou, who will receive the MLB Beacon of Life, is a poet, historian, author, actress, playwright, civil rights activist, producer and director. She is hailed as one of the great voices of contemporary Black literature. She authored 12 best-selling books and earned nominations for the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award.

Gordy is receiving the MLB Beacon of Change. The Motown founder nurtured the careers of such stars as Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, the Temptations and the Jackson 5. The “Motown Sound” cut out across a racially divided, politically and socially charged country to transform popular music.

Brown will receive the MLB Beacon of Hope. He is known for his Hall of Fame football exploits and gained more fame as an accomplished actor. As an activist, he started the Negro Industrial Economic Union in the early 1960s. In 1988, he founded the Amer-I-Can Life Management Skills program.

For ticket information visit Astros.com/ civilrightsgame.

12

DEFENDER | MAY 8 | 2014

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sports

What will Texans do in NFL draft?

By MAX EDISON Defender

O

ne of the few benefits of finishing with the worst record (2-14) in the NFL in 2013 is the opportunity to have the first pick in the 2014 NFL draft.

For the third time in franchise history, the Houston Texans have that dubious distinction.

They must decide which player to select with the top pick, and more importantly, who will be the subsequent players selected to form the nucleus of the team’s core.

A 2-14 record generTexans GM Rick Smith said the draft offers the Texans a chance to improve. ally signals new faces in familiar places. The Gary Kubiak era has ended and we usher in the Bill O’Brien regime, along with a totally revamped coaching staff and a new attitude.

The key holdover is general manager Rick Smith. Over his seven-year tenure with the Texans, Smith has seen the best and the worst of the franchise. From scratch he’s built a team that was a consistent playoff contender and now with the help of O’Brien, he must restock the talent base to once again make them playoff-worthy.

The first step in the rebuilding process is the draft.

With so much focus on the first overall pick, Smith is careful to look at the bigger picture, the draft in its entirety.

“Here is the thing that I see.

It’s an opportunity for us to get better,” Smith explained. “…Everybody is really centered and focused on the first pick of the draft and understandably so, but what we New coach Bill O’Brien takes over the team, which was 2-14 last season. understand is that it’s not just that first pick. It’s the opportunity to take the first player in each round.

“It’s also the opportunity to reset your board for three days because of the format of the draft, Radio host under fire for racial comments and so you have a chance to pick the best player on the board three different times. If there is an

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opportunity to move, it’s a chance to acquire more picks and increase your value. It’s a unique situation.

“It was very painful to get here, but now that we have lived it for a while and prepared this way, it’s a very, very advantageous place to be because it gives us a chance to really impact our football team,” Smith said.

Clearly, a 2-14 team has multiple needs at various positions. Smith gave insight into his thought process going into the draft.

“I think when you look at our football team, there are some areas that I think we can improve on,” he said. “First of all, there are two positions that I never think you can have too many of – corners and tackles. I think you are always looking to improve the depth on both sides of the ball up front.

“We want to be a bigger, faster, stronger football team and that’s what we’re looking at. Obviously the quarterback position is a position that we have done a lot of study on. I think with this draft, there are several guys.

“I always like impact players – guys who make plays either with the football in their hands offensively, or who make plays on the ball defensively. We’ll certainly look to add impact players that way as well.”

Smith also gave his perspective on drafting for a team’s need vs. taking the best player available.

“I’ve said many times, you eliminate need, you eliminate the current complexion of your roster when you value and you rank players because that changes immediately,” said. “We’ve done this over the years where we’ve ranked and valued the board independent of need because I think it gets to the discipline that we talked about earlier.

“I think you are less inclined to stay disciplined if you’re biased about what you need. So you all of the sudden run the risk of over-valuing a certain player because you need a position and I think that opens you up for mistakes.”

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

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h.s.zone Channelview conquers baseball’s ‘Goliath’ out of him.”

Vaughan is a 26-year head coaching veteran in his sixth year at Channelview following stints at t appeared to be a modern-day version of “Da- Crosby and Alief Hastings and as an assistant coach vid versus Goliath.” at Baytown Sterling. He was reminded of his team’s The first-round high school baseball play- supposedly slim chances against Dobie in a preoff matchup between Dobie and Channelview game newspaper article. had all the earmarks of the classic biblical “What fired us up was this thing that said Dobie confrontation. The big, bad Longhorns machine was was going to crush Channelview,” Vaughan said. “So going into battle with the seemingly overmatched I had copies of that pasted everywhere and it served Falcons. as motivation for us.”

Dobie came into the one-game playoff as the Montelongo had another source of motivation. top-seed and champion “We came off a of District 22-5A with very bad season last two victories over stateyear where nobody was ranked Pearland and hitting and I didn’t want Why Coach Vaughan opted for a another over area-ranked to go out like that my one-game playoff Alvin. Channelview was senior year,” he said. the fourth-place team out “I knew that I could hit of District 21-5A and just glad to be in the playoffs better than that and I worked out constantly in the after failing to qualify for the postseason a year ago. off-season to improve my game. I stepped up my With the baseball field at Pearland Dawson game and started stroking the ball.

High School serving as the neutral site, Channelview “My team deserves my best and I wanted to give senior third baseman Andy Montelongo proved to it to them,” Montelongo said. “In that last at-bat, I be the “X-factor.” Channelview trailed 2-0 in the was just looking for a pitch to drive and try to make third inning, and Montelongo’s RBI triple cut something happen.” his team’s deficit in half. The game was tied at Montelongo began playing baseball when he 3-3 through regulation (seven innings) and went into was four years old. He’s an Aquarius who was born extra innings. on Feb. 10, 1996. His favorite subject in school is Montelongo came up with the potential gamemath and he would like to pursue a career in archiwinning run at third base in the bottom of tecture. If he could solve any world problem he the ninth inning and lined a single up would put an end to hunger. the middle to score the game-winning run in Channelview’s improbable 4-3 Andy upset victory. The Falcons advance Montelongo to play Brazoswood in the area round of the Class 5A playoffs.

“Andy has done that all year Coach Clanton long for us and he’s stepped up big Vaughan and batted in that [number] three hole all season,” said Channelview head coach Clanton Vaughan. “We wouldn’t be in this position if it hadn’t been for him.

He hit a big home run against North Shore to open up the district [schedule] and just start out our path to this point.

I expect this kind of performance

I

By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender

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MAY 8 | 2014 | DEFENDER

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sportsbriefs Barbers Hill loses coach Unbeaten Barbers Hill (27-0) is the top-ranked Class 4A girls’ softball team in Texas. The Eagles are ranked fifth nationally by MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Softball Rankings. Head coach Perri Smith was placed on paid administrative leave recently for violating the district communication policy regarding students. Details have not been made public.

Varsity assistant coach Jennifer Manning and junior varsity coach Sharlene Barnett guided the team in its second-round playoff series against Magnolia West.

The Eagles swept the best-of-three playoff series by scores of 9-0 and 4-1.

Porter, Ryan scout prospect Houston Astros manager Bo Porter, special adviser and Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan along with bench coach Dave Trembley went to Jasper to scout Shepherd High School pitcher Tyler Kolek. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Kolek possesses a 100-mph pitch and could be the top overall pick in the 2014 Major League Baseball draft (June). Tyler will either continue his career at Texas Christian University next year or sign professionally for a multimillion-dollar bonus this summer. Kolek and Shepherd’s season came to an end as Silsbee registered a 4-1 victory in the first-round playoff game. Shepherd committed five errors in the contest.

The Woodlands eyes repeat It hasn’t been done since 2003 when Fort Bend Elkins repeated as Class 5A high school baseball champions. Yet The Woodlands began its quest to defend its 2013 state title by sweeping Klein High School 8-6, 9-6 in a best-of-three first-round playoff series. Chris Andritsos is a dual threat for the Highlanders. The junior pitcher/slugger is hitting .435 and is 9-0 with a 1.12 ERA on the mound.

Cougar men triumph Congratulations go out to coach Leroy Burrell and the University of Houston Men’s track team. The Cougar men were crowned the 2014 American Athletic Conference Outdoor Champions recently at the meet held in Tampa. Houston becomes the first team to win a conference championship this season.

The Cougar men’s team pulled out the win with 156.50 points. Cougar sprinters were simply dominant. The Cougar men also went 1-2-3 in the 200m with senior Errol Nolan leading the way. He took the conference crown with a time of 20.85, 21st in the region. Leshon Collins followed in second with a time of 21.11 while Cameron Burrell finished in third (21.16). Burrell and Collins also went 1-2 in the 100m. Burrell had a time of 10.57 running into a -2.6 headwind. Collins followed with a time of 10.76.

Russo airs racism part 2 In the wake of the racist utterings from Clipper owner Donald Sterling you would think the sports industry could chill for a moment. However, Chris “Mad Dog” Russo, a fixture in New York sports talk, recently to put his foot in his mouth. Russo hosts a show on Sirius radio and was recently asked why he doesn’t have Black sports journalists as hosts. Russo said there are no Black radio hosts “worthy” of doing the job. He later backtracked and said that no Black radio host worthy of doing the job has applied.

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years

14

DEFENDER | MAY 8 | 2014

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Texas Obamacare enrollment updated Defender News Services

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that nearly 734,000 Texans purchased health insurance through the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare.

Despite some state leaders’ opposition to the ACA, 439,000 Texans selected a private plan in March and April, compared to 295,000 prior to March 1.

“The ACA has brought much needed relief to Texas, which has the highest uninsured rate in

it, many for the very first time.”

Approximately 6 million Texans were uninsured in 2012. With 25 percent of the state uninsured, Texas has the worst rate in the nation. About half of the state’s 1 million uninsured children and teens are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP. More than 1 million Texas adults are in the coverage gap. Their jobs do not provide insurance, but their income is not high enough to qualify for assistance in the ACA marketplace. The Texas legislature can provide

State Rep. Garnet Coleman

the country,” said Houston State Rep. Garnet Coleman.

“Behind these numbers [of those enrolled] are actual

hardworking Americans who just want the security that health insurance brings and are now getting

HISD selects chief high school officer Defender News Services

classified COMPETITIVE SEALED BID (CSB) Project #14-04-08

The Houston Independent School District (HISD) will receive lump sum bids, including all forms, schedules and statements, from Contractors until 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 28, 2014, at the Board Services Office, 4400 West 18th Street, 1C, Houston, Texas 77092 for the Port Houston Elementary SPARK Park. The work will consist of adding an outdoor classroom and associated connecting paver clad walkways, adding a concrete seat wall and new entry columns with the school’s mascot on top.

Pre-Bid Conference attendance is MANDATORY. The Pre-Bid Conference will be held on Wednesday, May 14, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. at Port Houston Elementary, 1800 McCarty Street, Houston, Texas 77029-3797. Bid documents will be available on Monday, May 19, 2014, at http://www.houstonisd.org/page/68148 For additional information contact Raymond Hooks, rhooks@houstonisd.org.

band, Dr. Julian Hardman, have two daughters.

HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE TO PROPOSERS

Shonda Huery Hardman

Glasses. Medicine. Dentist visits.

Peace of mind.

The Houston Independent School District located in the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center at 4400 West 18 th Street Houston, Texas 77092 will accept proposals, until the stated date and time deadlines, in the Board Services Office, Level C1 

RFP – Project 14-03-08 Workers Compensation Third Party Administration with a deadline of 3:00 PM CST, Friday, May 23, 2014. The pre-proposal conference for this project will be conducted at HMWESC, 4400 West 18th Street, Conference Room 3C10 - 3rd Floor, Houston Texas on Friday, May 9 from 2:00pm until 3:00pm.



Project 14-04-06 RFP – Garbage Can Liners with a deadline of 2:00 PM., May 21, 2014. The pre-proposal conference for this project will be in Room 3C10 at the above stated address on May 14, 2014 at 10 AM.



Project 14-04-09 – RFP/Athletic, P.E., Cheer, Dance, Drill, Color Guard Uniforms, Equipment & Related Items, with a deadline of 10:00 AM; May 21, 2014. A pre-proposal conference will not be held.

$50 or less covers all your children for one year.

Who can get it?

Family Size (Adults + Kids) Yearly Family Income Before Taxes

1

2

Up to 24,053

$

3

Up to 32,408

$

4

Up to 40,788

5

Up to 49,143

$

when – Texas will continue to suffer the economic and moral costs of needlessly denying access to care to its own residents,” Coleman said.

$

Up to 57,499

$

6

7

Up to 65,879

$

$

Up to 74,234

8

Up to 82,590

$

Proposals are available on the HISD web-site at www.houstonisd.org.

Apply online or call anytime.

CHIPmedicaid.org 2-1-1

The District reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, or, to accept the proposal that is most advantageous to the District.

The District sells obsolete assets on-line at www.PublicSurplus.com.

PUBLIC NOTICE

T:4.79” HHSC-0434_HOUDEF_4n79x3n25_v1.indd 1

LEGAL NOTICE

Notice of Proposed Goal for the Participation Of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in the Department of Transportation Assisted Contracts

4/14/14 1:06 PM

These Texas Lottery Commission Scratch-Off games will be closing soon:

Game #

Game Name / Odds

$

Official Close of Game

End Validations Date

1450

Lucky Gems Bingo - Overall Odds are 1 in 4.37

$2

5/29/14

11/25/14

1572

Crazy Cash - Overall Odds are 1 in 4.32

$1

7/2/14

12/29/14

1574

Break the Bank Limited Edition - Overall Odds are 1 in 4.26

$2

7/2/14

12/29/14

1537

Bonus Cashword - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.44

$3

7/2/14

12/29/14

1528

Dallas Cowboys - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.48

$5

7/2/14

12/29/14

1529

Houston Texans - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.62

$5

7/2/14

12/29/14

1568

Cash Machine - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.30

$5

7/2/14

12/29/14

1570

Merry Money - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.83

$5

7/2/14

12/29/14

For detailed odds and game information, visit txlottery.org or call 1-800-37-LOTTO. Must be 18 or older to purchase a ticket. The Texas Lottery supports Texas education. © 2014 Texas Lottery Commission. All rights reserved.

Harris County Community Services Department Office of Transit Services As required by Section 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 26, the Harris County Community Services Department, Office of Transit Services (HCCSD) has determined a proposed overall goal of two (2)% for the participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE’s) in its contracts for financial assistance provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT):

T:3.25”

HISD has named Shonda Huery Hardman the new chief high school officer. Huery Hardman, who recently served as assistant superintendent of HISD’s Futures Academy, will oversee 47 campuses with a combined enrollment of about 51,000 students.

“Dr. Huery Hardman’s experience in the classroom, as a principal, a mentor and supervisor of principals, will help HISD continue the transformative work that is already underway in our high schools,” said Superintendent Terry Grier.

Huery Hardman is a graduate of the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. She began her career in the Washington, D.C., area as an English teacher. She later served in various positions in HISD, and was an academic superintendent in Boston and chief of schools in Chicago.

She received a master’s in educational administration from Trinity Washington University, a master’s in education policy

from Harvard University and a doctorate from Harvard.

She and her hus-

insurance to Texans in the coverage gap by accepting federal health care funds.

“Until the state expands Medicaid – and we will, it’s just a matter of

The proposed goals and their rationale are available for review between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday at 8410 Lantern Point Drive, Houston, Texas 77054 and online at www.harriscountytransit.com. This information will be available for inspection for 30 days from publication date.

HCCSD and the DOT (through the Federal Transit Administration) will accept written comments on the goals 45 days from publication date.

Written comments can be directed to the agencies below: HCCSD Attn: Mr. Dwight Wolf (DBELO) 8410 Lantern Point Drive, Houston, Texas 77054 The Federal Transit Administration 819 Taylor Street, Room 8A36 Fort Worth, Texas 76102

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MAY 8 | 2014 | DEFENDER

For Event Coverage...visit

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Honorees Martha Johnson, Edwina McGee and Elsa Rita Phillips

Wendy Parker and Dr. Yvette Poindexter

chag’splace

Honorees Mary Earline Williams, Isadora Wills and Daisy Young

Linda Durham, Gwendolyn Carter and Gloria Marie Thompson

President Marianne Walker and general co-chair Demetra Jones

15

Laura Bass, Janice Taylor, Mary Catherine Hamilton and Pauline Newman

Michelle Mayfield, Sharon Gilliam and Burnest Carter

Honorees Darryl King, Karen Jackson and Keith Davis Sr.

Congratulations!..... HOUSTON AREA HEALTHCARE KNIGHTS OF PETER CLAVER…..The Knights of Peter ASSOCIATES…..The mission of the Houston Area Claver, Fourth Degree, Ladies of Grace, Inez Y. Bowman Chapter 2, hosted its annual Living Legends awards luncheon. Healthcare Associates is to provide free and/or affordable healthcare services through examinations, preventive medicine The chapter honored phenomenal women who have worked and educational activities in the Settegast tirelessly in their parishes for 20 or area of Houston. They are currently in more years. The honorees included Join Yvette Chargois the renovation phase of their new clinic Laura A. Bass, Geneva Charles, Events of the Week located at 9520 Homestead. Settegast June Cushingberry, Willie Beatrice More photos on defendernetwork.com was settled by African-Americans seeking Harris, Anna Marie Jenkins, Martha See Events on KTRK Ch.13’s Crossroads land in the northeast side of Houston. The Janette Johnson, Edwina McGee, with Melanie Lawson Sunday Morning @ 11 a.m. area presently has a population of 16,861 Elsa Rita Phillips, Berlin Davis and 91 percent are African-Americans.

Pickney and Thelma Price. These 10 A reception titled “Toasting Affordable women have served a combined total Healthcare” was recently held at La Maison in Midtown and of 731 years of service. The program participants included guests were treated to a delicious array of hors d’ oeuvres and Janice Taylor, Pauline Newman, Most Rev. George Sheltz, wines presented by sommelier Warren Luckett, C.O.O. of D.D., Most Rev. Joseph Fiorenza, D.D., Deacon Leonard Lockett, Charolette Davis, Nan Arceneaux, Deacon John Branwar Distributing Company. In the mix were Burnest Lane, Consuella Broussard and Laura Bass. Musical Carter, Michelle Mayfield, Gwendolyn Carter, Gloria selections were performed by Niki Robertson and Mary Thompson, Wendy Parker Dr. Yvette Poindexter, Linda Catherine Hamilton served as mistress of ceremonies.

Durham, Sharon Gilliam and Michael Phillips, to name

Honorees Karen Franklin, Dr. Joanie Hare and Kathy Taylor

a few. Continued success!.....IVY EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE FOUNDATION OF HOUSTON…..”Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Fashion” was the theme for the 33rd annual scholarship luncheon and fashion show presented by the Ivy Educational and Charitable Foundation of Houston, Inc. (IEACF) Since 1981, IEACF has awarded over $400,000 in scholarships and has also given thousands of dollars in grants and gifts in support of various worthwhile charitable organizations, churches, schools, agencies and individuals. Honorees receiving awards included Keith J. Davis Sr., Impact Award; Karen Franklin, Vanguard Award; Dr. Joanie Y. Hare, Pacesetter Award; Karen Eubanks Jackson, Empowerment Award; Darryl King, Trailblazer Award; Francis Page Jr., Momentum Award and Kathy Taylor, Inspiration Award. We salute IEACF chapter president LaDonna Harris, co-chairs L. Renee Lowe and Demetra Jones, Alpha Kappa Omega chapter president Marianne Walker and all committee members for a successful event. Congrats!.....From Chag’s Place to your place, have a blessed week!

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DEFENDER | MAY 8 | 2014

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T:12.75"

STAY CONNECTED. THE NEW 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU

Important family talks happen everywhere. With your Bluetooth-connected iPhone速 and available Siri Eyes Free 1 with voice command, you can hear what everyone has to say while keeping your eyes on the road. #THENEW CONNECTED

1 Requires available Chevrolet MyLink and compatible iPhone running iOS 6 or later.

Apple, the Apple logo, Siri and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.