Houston Defender: May 12, 2022

Slim Thug The rapper talks business, buying the block and new music.

IN FOCUS

NEWS

SHEILA JACKSON LEE

DARIUS ELAM

The Congresswoman helps secure $1 mil for Booker T. Washington High School.

The former TSU track star has spent 38 years in prison, but could he be innocent?

Volume 91, issue 27 May 12, 2022

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DN To the POINT

White House deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks during a press briefing at the White House, Wednesday, May 26, 2021, in Washington. AP Photo/Evan Vucci

Message from the Reporter Kevin Samuels Death sparks divide in Black community

Jeff Zucker’s resignation over his relationship with his co-worker Allison Gollust. Well, you Kevin Samuels’ death sent shock waves throughcan always count on social media to share its out social media when his mother Beverly Samuopinion on such matters. Questions about els-Burch confirmed to NBC news that he died of their relationship weren’t new. Some left and cardiac arrest earlier this month. right leaning news outlets have been outspoken The self-proclaimed “relationship guru” was about this news. The associate editor of LGBTQ often criticized as a misogynist for attacking Nation, who had spent two years covering JeanLaura Onyeneho Black women and upholding “oppressive genPierre insisted that “she is the best person for der standards” against them. He popularized the the job,” but was sure that there wouldn’t be any term “High Value Man” to describe men who are successful, “Cuomo-level” conflict of interest violations.” The world of wealthy and of quality. The type of men he said “ordinary” politics is unpredictable, but like always we will see how things Black women want to date but couldn’t measure up. Before will pan out and hopefully Jean-Pierre and Malveaux will his passing, he went viral for a post saying unmarried women make their critics eat their words. over the age of 35 were “leftovers.”

His death sparked a huge debate and honestly some of Kendrick Lamar dropping the undercover Kevin Samuels stans came out of the wood heat we didn’t see coming works and it was very telling. Some argued that Samuels’ After 4 years, rapper Kendrick Lamar finally drops his first messages were saving Black families and marriages, while single “The Heart Part 5.” And in good old Kendrick fashothers argued that he built a career feeding off of Black ion, you couldn’t listen or watch his artistry without thinking people’s insecurities for profit and his legacy is a disgrace deep about Black culture. It dropped less than a week before to the community. the release. of his long-awaited LP “Mr. Morale & the Big I personally haven’t cared too much for the opinions of Steppers.” someone who wasn’t an actual expert, but he did what his The song came with a five-minute music video with Kenbrand was supposed to do and I can’t knock him if our people drick morphing into into some of the most prominent Black actually ate it up. It’s strategy. Regardless of what you might men of our time such as O.J Simpson, Kanye West, Will Smith, feel about his views, as polarizing as it might be, he hit a seri- Nipsey Hussle, Jussie Smollett and Kobe Bryant. He opened ous nerve within the Black community. He might no longer be up the video saying “As I get a little older, I realized life is perhere physically, but social media will never forget and there are spective.” The lyrics delved into topics such as mental health, actually men and women who subscribe to his points of view. gang violence, religion. So far, the video racked up more than 5 million views in 24 hours since its release.

Karine Jean-Pierre and her relationship He continues to raise the bar (no pun intended) and yes criticized for conflict of interest fight me if you want to… give some of today’s bubble gum Black Excellence has been the theme at the White House as rapper’s a run for their money. Kendrick shows intense care the Karine Jean-Pierre the first the Black women and openly for his people and humanity and he doesn’t have to seek valigay person earns the title of new White House Press Secretary. dation or attention at every turn to prove his point. If he has to While Black America celebrates another win, Jean-Pierre’s disappear for another 5 years to drop fire like this, I’ll take it. personal relationship is being put to question. She had been in a long-term relationship and shares a daughter with prom- ON THE WEB: inent CNN correspondent Suzanne Malveaux. This devel- • Jolanda Jones wins special election for Garnet Coleman’s seat opment raises questions on whether the network can offer • Check out an updated report on why Houstonians can’t impartial coverage. It wasn’t long ago when CNN fired Chris afford housing Cuomo over his involvement in his brother Andrew Cuo- • Harris County launches $4M anti-crime initiative that tarmo’s sexual harassment scandal and former CNN President gets at-risk youth

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DEFENDER NETWORK

DN News Rep. Lee secures $1m for Booker T. Washington

By ReShonda Tate

Booker T. Washington High School will get an infusion of cash, thanks to Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who secured $1.6 mil for the east Houston school.

The money comes from the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Fund and will support a substantial climate change project that would engage students, faculty, and the community.

“Booker T. Washington faculty and staff are commended for their innovative thinking that brought this project to my attention. The work proposed is something that I want to encourage because our communities need a global perspective when addressing local needs. I firmly believe that the solutions for climate change, food deserts, and other societal challenges will be found when academia and communities join efforts to find answers that benefit everyone,” Jackson Lee said.

The Booker T Washington community project funding request was funded in fiscal year 2022 to construct and maintain a sustainable growing environment. The project will provide a living laboratory food education center, a production facility, and raised garden beds, which will act as a carbon sink to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in soil and plants. It will produce crops year-round for the surrounding community and function as a for-profit center where the community can purchase customized plant nutrient formulations. A wind farm will also be installed to supply

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee presents a check to Booker T. Washington and principal Dr. Carlos Phillips II.

electrical energy to the entire project and the football field. There will also be two container houses to display historical and engineering artifacts and a container house for use as a Plant Factory with Artificial Lighting (PFAL).

There are many areas that ‘The Vision’

Community Statue Project impacts the Texas 18th District. Jackson Lee says these impacts align with the Houston and Houston Climate Action Plan, which includes the reduction of environmental impact in the reduction of greenhouse gases emission through:

• Reduced usage of electricity for lighting, heating, and cooling (depend more on renewable energy sources suchas wind, solar, geothermal, biofuel, etc. instead of the grid) • Changes in the way we produce food by using more hydroponic and aeroponic methods as well as recycling nutrients and water • Reduction of food mileage by growing food locally • Economic development by creating job opportunities and sustainable communities by making Houston neighborhoods greener and cooler to combat extreme heat • Reducing carbon footprint by capturing and storing it in trees and soil • Providing a safe, educational, and community recreational space ensuring that all surrounding neighborhoods have access to the quality park and nature • Growing and providing access to nutritious, quality, healthy and pesticide-free food, thereby fortifying a greater Houston lifeline and supply chain.

“These impacts will also allow students at Booker T. Washington High School to learn and to contribute to the solutions for climate change and food deserts through research, experimentation, prototyping, and testing as we strive to become a yearlong supplier of fresh produce. This is a great day for this storied institution and the community it serves,” Jackson Lee said.

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation sets $50M goal

By Aswad Walker

Texas Southern’s University Museum recently played host to members of the Congressional Black Caucus who were on hand to support the announcement of a CBC Foundation endowment to support its programs that help prepare Black college students and CBC interns to become the next generation of political and business leaders.

“We want to secure our future by creating abundant opportunities for Black college students who are pursuing careers in public policy and social justice, and we want them to make the most of their potential,” said Nicole Austin-Hillery, the CBCF’s president and CEO. “Establishing that endowment, we have a goal. And that goal is $50 million dollars.”

“That’s the real ‘wow’ factor, when we think about how that can change the trajectory of this country and the trajectory of the lives of so many young people that we can provide opportunities for. We think this will enable us to annually fund more students who are pursuing programs of study in social justice and public policy and civil leadership. And we think, again, that it will make an impact on this country,” said

U.S. Congresswoman Terri Sewell. Photos by Aswad Walker

Austin-Hillery, who urged attendees to think about the impact those funds can have.

“We want to have raised by our 50th anniversary three years from now, $50 million,”

Nicole Austin-Hillery.

said Alabama Congresswoman Terri Sewell, chair of the CBCF board of directors. “That’s something we know is doable. And it has to be doable when you think about the impact

this CBCF has already had on young, Black talent.”

Vi sit w w w.cbcf inc.org for more information.

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DEFENDER NETWORK

DN News

Former cops charged in killing Black man Defender News Service

Two former police officers in Lawton, Okla. have been charged with first-degree manslaughter in the shooting death of a Black man in December while responding to a 911 call of an alleged protective order violation.

Robert Hinkle, 30, and Nathan Ronan, 29, were charged in the death of Quadry Sanders, 29. The charges follow a months-long probe by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI), which included graphic video of the deadly incident.

Hinkle and Ronan were fired from the Lawton police department in January.

“The Comanche County District Attorney’s Office has made the determination that the shooting of Quadry Sanders was not justified,” D.A. Kyle Cabelka said in a statement.

Ronan and Hinkle were released on a $25,000 bond. They face a minimum of four years in state prison. A hearing is scheduled for Aug. 1.

DEADLY CALL

On Dec. 5, 2021, the officers responded to a 911 call on an alleged protective order violation, where the caller reported Sanders was waving a gun in the house and wouldn’t let a resident leave, according to authorities.

During what authorities called a “confrontation” in front of the home, police fatally shot Sanders. The officers were fired after the OSBI determined they were “not in conformance with the Lawton Police Department’s well-established training protocols, policies, practices, customs or procedures,” Lawton City Manager Michael Cleghorn wrote in a statement.

Ronan Nathan

Quadry Sanders. KSWO

Civil rights attorney S. Lee Merritt, who represented the family of George Floyd and is the lead lawyer for Ahmaud Arbery’s estate, is also representing Sanders’ family. Merritt wants the charges upgraded to murder. He told local reporters the video of Sanders’ fatal shooting is on par with footage of Floyd’s and Arbery’s deaths.

“It really shocks the conscience when you have a chance to see Mr. Sanders literally doing whatever he could to try to save his own life, and these officers are operating with such callousness,” Merritt said.

Gary James, an Oklahoma City-based

attorney representing Hinkle and Ronan, said officers had repeatedly been called to the house because of Sanders, and evidence will show on the night of the fatal shooting they believed he was reaching for a weapon in his pants.

“Nobody is looking into the facts of this case,” James said. “These are good police officers.”

VIDEO FOOTAGE RELEASED BY CITY

The city of Lawton has released more than 23 minutes of the police body camera footage, which shows officers confronting Sanders

Robert Hinkle

under a carport, yelling, “hands, hands” and “down, down, down, down.”

Sanders walked out of the front door of the home and was confronted underneath a carport by Hinkle and Ronan. According to footage from his body camera, Hinkle yelled “hands, hands” and “down, down, down, down.”

Sanders appeared from around a refrigerator, his hands were visible and he appeared to be holding a ball cap, which he moved from his right hand to his left. Sanders then moved partially behind the refrigerator.

Hinkle shot four times at Sanders, who appeared to have his right hand raised above his head before falling to the ground.

Sanders sat up with his hands above his head. Hinkle then fired seven more times.

Ronan also fired four times at Sanders, bringing the total of shots fired at Sanders to 15.

As the officers ordered Sanders to roll over on his stomach, he flailed, moaned and said: “I’m down. I’m shot. I can’t breathe.”

Sanders died in an ambulance while being taken to the hospital.

Cabelka said no weapon was found on Sanders nor in the area where he was shot, though one was later found in the house.

FAMILY CALLS FOR PROBE

Houston man killed by police Defender News Service

Family and friends of Jalen Randle continue to demand answers after the 26-year-old was shot and killed by an officer on April 27. Noted civil rights attorney Ben Crump now represents the family and is calling for a thorough investigation and body cam footage to be released.

“Unfortunately, we have been here before with many families,” Crump said. “The loss is so raw and made worse with lack of answers from the police. Witnesses affirm that Jalen was running away from police with no visible weapon when he was shot.

We believe that he posed no threat to officers that would warrant being shot from behind.

“We demand the HPD release all available information, especially body

camera footage, immediately so that this family can glean what happened to Jalen in his final moments,” Crump said.

Jalen Randle “This young man, Jalen, did not deserve to die. Period,” added community activist Quanell X. Members of the narcotics team were searching for Randle for his three felony warrants, according to the Houston Police Department. Police said when they tried to pull Randle over, the driver sped off. When officers stopped the car and Randle got out of the passenger seat, an HPD officer shot and killed him. HPD said Randle was carrying a bag that had a gun inside.

“If he had got out and pointed the gun, different discussion. If he had got out with a gun in his hand, different discussion. Those dynamics do not exist,” said Quanell X. “We want them tried like anybody else and investigated by the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. We are also asking for the FBI to step in.”

His father, Warren Randle, said Jalen was the father of a 5-year-old girl.

“Everybody makes mistakes in life.

You can’t be judged by your mistakes, but you should be given the chance to rectify them,” Warren Randle said.

HPD said they are not releasing any further information about the shooting at this time because it’s an ongoing investigation. However, they said the body camera footage will be released within 30 days.

VOLUME 91 - NUMBER 27 - MAY 12, 2022 Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles

Managing Editor ReShonda Tate

Chief Development Officer Emelda Douglas

Associate Editor Aswad Walker

Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles

Education Reporter Laura Onyeneho

Creative Director Michael Grant

Sports Terrance Harris Jodie B. Jiles

Administrative Asst.

Stacey Palmer

Photographers Jimmie Aggison

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

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

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DN News

HUD grant doubles eviction legal help Associated Press

The Department of Housing and Urban Development is doubling the size of its eviction protection program, designed to fund legal assistance for tenants seeking to stay in their homes.

The $20 million HUD grant will not provide any sort of direct rental relief; instead, it will fund legal services and representations for families facing eviction.

The funds will be distributed through the Eviction Protection Grant Program to 11 nonprofit organizations and government entities, with grants ranging from $1 million to $2.4 million. Recipients of the fresh wave of funding include Pine Tree Legal Assistance of Portland, Maine, and the city of San Antonio, Texas.

HUD launched the Eviction Protection Grant Program last November, with an original $20 million awarded to 10 legal service providers.

HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge described the new funding as a doubling down on a proven method of easing the financial damage wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We need to keep doing all that we can to help people maintain quality housing,”

Rep. Al Green (D-TX) (L) talks with Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge before she testifies to the committee in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill. Getty Images

Fudge said in a statement. “We know that access to legal services and eviction diversion programs work. It helps people avoid evictions and protects tenants’ rights.”

The funding can also be used to help

Your Choice.

landlords access emergency rental assistance and will generally help reduce caseloads in eviction courts around the country, Fudge said.

And the grant program is expected to

particularly help people of color — they are disproportionately represented among those evicted — as well as tenants with limited English proficiency and people with disabilities, the department said.

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DN Education HISD partners to improve STEM equity

By Laura Onyeneho

Left to right: Dr. Bernard Harris NMSI CEO, HISD Assistant Superintendent is Ms. Yolanda Rodriguez, Worthing HS Principal Everett Hare, Sam Whiting of Boeing, Kerri Osborne of National Cares, and the TSU Representative is Mr. Darnell Joseph.

PARTNERSHIP TARGETS

A new exploration program aimed at closing the achievement gap and providing opportunities in STEM for Black students is coming to Houston ISD. The National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI), in partnership with the National CARES Mentoring Movement, and Boeing, will tackle systemic challenges faced by students of color by supporting academic learning recovery and student wellness.

The program will begin this summer and the partnering school will be Worthing Early College High School. It will also provide academic and social-emotional support for ninth-grade math students along with career mentoring designed to improve student performance.

“Our relationship with HISD goes back over a decade and we thought that they would be a perfect fit to do something a little innovative,” said Michelle Stie, vice president of teaching and learning at NMSI. “We really need to think about how we support our students especially coming out of the pandemic.”

1. Train teachers and provide proper tools and resources to build and maintain subject matter expertise.

2. Address students’ academic and social-emotional needs through recruiting, training and engaging Black mentors.

3. Encourage career exploration through Boeing staff and expose students to STEM field and workforce development experiences.

According to Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University, during the 2020-2021 school year, several districts reported a significant increase in the percentage of students failing at least one course. The shift to virtual learning, being cut off from peer groups and major milestones, to grieving the loss of loved ones disrupted the mental health and academic performance of these students.

“We will be providing teacher training and part of the training is how we engage

students with challenging content and getting them ready for advanced STEM,” said Stie. “National CARES will be working with students in that kind of social emotional capacity to make sure students feel confident, getting those soft skills and wellness support they need to be successful.”

Stai said NMSI will track academic growth and review some assessments that can help target whether students are mak-

ing progress through their school curriculum. They will also conduct focus groups and surveys concentrating on students’ self-perception in STEM. The duration of this program will be one full academic year. NMSI will then reassess, evaluate the progress and make tweaks to the program before making the decision to scale to other schools in the district.

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DN InFocus FOCUS SOCIAL

INMATE SPEAKS OUT Darius Elam imprisonment: Case demands national attention

By Aswad Walker

Darius Elam, a Chicago native who came to Houston on a Texas Southern track scholarship, has been in prison for 38 years convicted of aggravated robbery. That was the charge authorities sought to try him on, though they deemed him the prime suspect in a murder case. However, he was first arrested for abuse of a credit card that belong to the murdered man, Richard Bowen.

But as horrible as all that sounds, the worst part could be that Elam is innocent on all counts, yet still incarcerated. This is according to Elam; persons who testified against him, who have now recanted their stories; witnesses who told authorities Elam was with them when the murder/robbery was committed; the actual credit card abuser and store clerks who informed police that Elam had no part in using stolen credit cards; and the gross lack of evidence linking Elam to any of the charges.

The decades imprisoned have not stopped Elam from proclaiming his innocence and fighting for his release and exoneration.

The Defender visited Elam at the TDCJ’s Memorial Unit in Rosharon, Texas to hear directly from him.

sheet of paper] is not part of it. That’s four people who didn’t see this [yellow sheet of notebook paper].

ARREST & CHARGES Defender: Can you share what led to your initial arrest?

Darius Elam: Because I worked at Flor-

INMATE TESTIMONIES Defender: What about the inmate testimonies against you?

Elam: They had a thing called “boogie

sheim’s I was at the Galleria to pick up my check, and at work. Clarence Richardson, a dude I recognized from campus, was shopping and doing what he was doing with the credit cards. He asked me could I give him a lift home? I said, “Okay, when I get off work.” Mr. Van Cleve, my manager, said I could get off early. So, I left at about maybe 8:20 p.m. I accompanied Richardson to a couple of stores. A store clerk was alerted to a bad credit card. Richardson told me, “Hey, get away from here.” So, I took a few steps back. [The police later] reported that I ran all through the mall. That’s not true. But anyway, I took a few steps back, trying to process everything. The police got him, they got me, they arrested us.

It was initially charged as credit card abuse. All the witnesses to the credit card abuse, all of the store clerks said, “It wasn’t this guy (speaking about me), the taller guy, it was the shorter guy (Richardson) using credit cards.” But we both were charged with credit card abuse. Then some 90 days later, just me and me alone. Then they charged me with capital murder, murder and robbery. Then they dropped the capital murder and murder, and decided to try me for aggravated robbery.

Defender: Did you ever know or meet Richard Bowen, the person who was murdered?

Elam: Never met him. Didn’t know

READ MORE ON ELAM’S CASE, HIS TSU DAYS AND MORE AT DEFENDERNETWORK.COM.

anything about him. But when I started researching, trying to figure out who did this, I found some stuff against him that was in the offense report. That’s public records. The guy sold drugs for some guy named Larry.

The police confirmed that Bowen was selling drugs for this guy. Two days after the offense/murder, an anonymous caller told police, “We know who did this to the victim,” and mentioned [Larry’s] name.

YELLOW NOTEBOOK PAPER Defender: Can you speak on the two deciding factors in your conviction, a yellow sheet of notebook paper and a jailed informant’s testimony that he later recanted?

Elam: Absolutely. When I was arrested, I

had two college books, a letter opener and a yellow legal pad, all in my briefcase. If I wouldn’t have had that, I wouldn’t be here.

They wouldn’t have anything to put me at the scene of the crime. But I had that, unfortunately. Ultimately, they went inside my property in the county jail property room, where all my property was. And they took the front sheet of the legal pad and claimed they found this at the scene of the crime.

This whole sheet of yellow, blue-line writing paper, they claimed they found it in plain view on the front floor, passenger side of the car. An Officer Cooper documented his find 90 days after the offense (Aug 9, 1983; State Exhibit #30). He also claimed it was blood spatter on this paper. There are several things wrong with this. And this is

my proof, my evidence. Cooper wasn’t an original processor of the evidence. He wasn’t even part of the crew who would process the evidence. Two guys, an officer named Paul Motar and Gail Schultz, they were the first responders, went to the scene of the crime, found the victim in his car. He had been shot. They did a very meticulous, itemized listing of everything they found. But particularly in the front floor, passenger side, where Officer Cooper claimed he found this [yellow notebook paper] 90 days after the offense, they [Motar and Schultz], made an itemized list of everything they found.

There’s no evidence of a yellow sheet of paper with blood spatter. Then a guy came behind them named Fingerhut. He took 24 pictures of the crime scene. Eighteen pictures were items inside the car, and six were on the outside. And there’s no notebook paper with blood spatter. Then they took the car to the HPD vehicle examination stall, and they had CSI, Ms. Danita Smith. She came in and scrubbed the car thoroughly for forensic evidence. She ended up finding the victim’s class ring and wedding ring that were slightly up under the car flooring on the front, passenger side. The same area where Cooper said he found my sheet of paper. Smith wrote down everything she found. That [yellow

down” in the ‘80s where inmates would look for any opportunity they could to get out of their case or get a lesser deal on their case.

This leads to the jailhouse snitch. Two guys claimed I bragged to them in just 10 short minutes after meeting total strangers in the city jail, about a murder. Bearing in mind, I wasn’t even charged with murder. I was there for credit card abuse. One of them recanted, admitted that they paid him and they dropped his case. He also called Ms. Tammie Lang Campbell, head of the Honey Brown Foundation (the group that is advocating for justice on Elam’s behalf), and confessed that he lied. He also contacted HPD’s Sergeant Rodriguez, and told him he lied.

It’s a blessing that he had a change of heart, but the damage was done, and his lie and the other guy’s lie led me here.

DNA EXCLUSION Defender: Did you request a DNA test?

Elam: The Houston Conviction Integri-

ty Unit (HCUI), a guy named Mr. Baldwin Chan, he was over it at the time, looked into my case. Mr. Chan had his own suspicion about this sheet of paper. Chan said, “If you would agree to the DNA, then I’m going to do all in my power to exonerate you, if the DNA comes back excluding you.” So, we did the DNA testing. It came back excluding me. They got the victim’s son and did familial DNA testing. The expert testified that the victim also is to be excluded. So, it leaves a third party who may be the likely assailant. This is what the Court of Criminal Appeal has to decide; to what extent is the DNA exculpatory or not?

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DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Feature

Black women health issues addressed

By ReShonda Tate

According to the Centers for Disease Control, African American women are three times more likely to die from complications due to pregnancy. They are more apt to be disproportionately burdened by chronic conditions, such as anemia, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and obesity. In fact, experts believe that racial differences in socioeconomic (education and employment) and housing outcomes results in systematic unequal treatment of Black women.

In an effort to combat those disturbing statistics, the Defender, “Houston’s Leading Black Information Source,” will host the 2nd State of Black Women Health Forum at HISD’s Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy, 1906 Cleburne St., in Houston. The event scheduled on Wednesday, May 18 is two-fold with student assemblies in the morning and an adult program beginning with a reception at 5:30 p.m. and a program at 6:30 p.m.

Health questions from the audience will be answered by Black medical professionals who commonly address the health care needs unique to Black women. Admission is

free with registration.

“This forum brings Black girls and Black women together with women medical professionals to help provide a roadmap for their lifelong health journey,” said Sonny Messiah-Jiles, CEO of the Defender Network. “We are grateful for our sponsors who recognize the importance of empowering Black women with health information to

improve the quality of their lives.”

Sponsors for the 2nd State of Black Women Health Forum are H-E-B., Texas Children’s Hospital, J.P. Morgan Chase, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, HillDay Public Relations and The Steve Fund, an organization dedicated to the mental health and emotional well-being of young people of color.

“At H-E-B, our mission is to do our part to take care of Texans, and we’re proud to support wellness initiatives that work to educate and improve the health of women and communities of color,” said Winell Herron, H-E-B Group Vice President of Public Affairs, Diversity and Environmental Affairs. “H-E-B believes food plays an important role in a person’s wellbeing, and we’re committed to providing families throughout Texas quality, nutritional food to help them live happier and healthier lives.

“Black women, especially younger women, are more likely to have more aggressive breast cancers, get them at an earlier age and die more often from the disease, making breast cancer screening, early detection and clinical trial enrollment especially import-

ant for our community,” said Lorna McNeill, Ph.D., chair of Health Disparities Research at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. McNeill will speak on clinical trials and health disparities at the event.

“Texas Children’s Hospital is incredibly proud to be a sponsor of this year’s State of Black Women Health Forum,” said Michelle Riley Brown, executive vice president of Texas Children’s Hospital. “All Black women and girls should have access not only to quality medical care that specifically addresses their needs, but also to vital information essential for their long-term physical and emotional health. Thank you so much to all the participating speakers and panelists and to Sonny Messiah-Jiles for spearheading this critical conversation.”

Black women organizations from across the city will encourage members to participate in the forum with the goal of winning the special attendance prizes: First prize $1,000, Second prize $500 or Third prize $250. The event includes swag bags for the first one hundred attendees, chair massages, door prizes and lots of fun and information.

To register for the event, visit bit. ly/2022SOBWHealthForum.

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DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Feature Third Ward Community Cloth gears up for 30th anniversary, future service

María

“For me, they’ve been fantastic.

They are always ready to answer my questions and any concerns I may have.”

María, CenterWell patient

By Aswad Walker

The Third Ward Community Cloth Cooperative (Cloth), an “organization of organizations” focused on resources for children and families in the area, is not only celebrating 30 years of service, but preparing for the next 30 years.

Starting with 16 organizations in 1992, the Cloth has grown to over 325 community-based organizations, churches, schools and businesses serving one of Houston’s oldest neighborhoods. The Cloth is a direct outgrowth of two initiatives: SHAPE Community Center’s Project Harambee implemented in 1990 and the Houston Area Urban League’s Coffee and Conversation organized in 1992.

“There were several Third Ward organizations providing overlapping services and vying for grant funding from the same sources, thus creating the possibility of none of the organizations getting funded,” said Theola Petteway, a member of the Cloth’s leadership team. “To address this, Sylvia Brooks, the force behind the Cloth’s founding, gathered those founding organizations in an effort to work together to more efficiently serve our constituents.”

“The mission of the Cloth is to identify, mobilize as well as coordinate resources that would effect children, youth and entire families, their bodies, souls and minds in the Third Ward area,” said Marilyn White, pastor of Trinity East United Methodist Church, a Cloth member organization.

“The Cloth serves organizations that serve families and children in the Third Ward area,” said Gayle Munirah Waden, a member of the Cloth’s leadership team. “We support those groups through capacity-building workshops and monthly meetings where people can come together and network and talk about any specific programming or grant opportunities that become available.”

“Our motto is ‘There is strength in unity’ and that we can do more together when each of our organizations bring what we have to the table,” said White.

During a recent luncheon, the Cloth kicked off its fundraising efforts for its anniversary celebration and plans for program expansion.

“Our 30th anniversary celebration will be on Oct. 28,” said White. “One of the exciting things we plan to do is secure our first permanent

Senior primary care centered on

Sylvia Brooks, Pastor Marilyn White, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Theola Petteway. Photo by Aswad Walker.

location at One Emancipation Center, right across the street from Emancipation Park.”

White said because the Cloth has been comprised of volunteers, having a permanent space was difficult. However, the move into their own office space will open up new possibilities.

“We’re also excited about our plans to add permanent staff so that we can do more, like increase capacity-building for our organizations, provide training and do more to help our member organizations. We not only have large organizations but also small organizations that maybe can’t afford their own office space.

So, there will be a shared suite where they will share office space and have a place to conduct their business,” said White.

Waden said the Cloth has plans to expand its existing internship program and partnership with the University of Houston’s Graduate School of Social Work.

To make these things happen, the Cloth has a six-month fundraising goal of $200,000 to fund the endeavors.

“We’re looking for people who support the vision and mission of the Cloth to donate and help make this possible so that collectively we can bless our community,” said White.

Attendees at the Cloth’s recent luncheon included Houston Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (honoree), George Baugh (honoree), Diane Iglehart (honoree), Michelle Barnes (Community Artists Collective), Deloyd Parker (SHAPE), Georgia Provost, Sheila Savannah, Bishop Frank Rush, Maia Shelby, Ken and Dolores Rodgers, Jolanda Jones, Helen Stagg (Change Happens), Rev. Leslie Smith (founder, Change Happens CDC) and Nikki Dupard (YWCA Houston).

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A doctor’s office focused on the needs of seniors:

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CLASSIFIED LEGAL NOTICE The Houston Independent School District is soliciting Requests for Proposal (RFP) via the district’s electronic bidding portal. Proposers may login to view specifications and submit their responses at the following link https://houstonisd.ionwave.net/Login.aspx until 11:00 a.m. (CST) Friday, May 13, 2022, for the following solicitation(s): • RFP 22-04-07 TEM & PLM Sample Analysis Pre-proposal conferences via Microsoft Teams will be held in conjunction with these RFP’s. Information regarding dates, times, and a link to join the meeting is located within the electronic bidding portal under the “Event Details” tab specific to the solicitation.

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12 | May 12, 2022 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Entertainment

SLIM THUG

Rapper talks business, buying the block, new music

By Laura Onyeneho

Defender: Who influenced you the most in your life and what made them so important to you?

Slim Thug: I would also say Jay-Z

Many people know him as one of the leading voices of Houston rap, as well a one of the Northside’s finest, the “Boss of all Bosses,” “King of the Nawf ” and “Boss Hogg Outlaw.”

However you want to identify him, Slim Thug continues to entertain Houston. Since the late 1990s he has made waves as an artist on the city’s iconic Swishahouse label, entering mainstream and enjoying success as an independent artist.

Not only is he making major moves in the industry with his new 11-track album “BIGslim,” he is investing back in the community through his company Boss Life Construction, restoring abandoned homes and raising the property value in Acres Homes to provide low-cost housing for low-income families.

His philanthropic efforts have extended into other partnerships with Checker’s on South Post Oak and his promotion as a drive-thru manager participating in local events like National French Fry Day providing free meals to his community.

Slim Thug (born Stayve Jerome Thomas) is an advocate of ownership, independence and investment. The rapper’s goal is to inspire young people to focus on long-term investments and “buy back the block” rather than luxuries such as clothes, jewelry and cars.

He spoke with the Defender about his work to support Black Houstonians, his business ventures and the next phase of his career as an entertainer.

inspired me to be a rapper at a young age.

J. Prince for sure, and UGK. I took different things from people. I took the boss life mentality from J. Prince. I took the hustle mentality from Jay-Z, I took the realness from Tupac, like when he did music, it wasn’t necessarily a club song, it was something that the people could relate to.

Defender: If you can look back at your younger self, what would you tell him now?

Slim Thug: I’ve made some good deci-

sions and of course I’m sure I’ve messed up in some, but I ain’t mad at my journey. I’m very blessed. I would tell my younger self to stay consistent. That’s what I try to do.

Even until this day, I put out music, I got an album I dropped already this year “BIGslim.” I switch it up and keep growing with the art. Don’t try to keep up with the kids.

Just keep up with what you are doing and keep being better.

Defender: Is it time for the Kappa Beach Party to come back?

Slim Thug: It’s definitely time for the

Kappa Beach Party to come back. The culture is still here. The youngsters love it.

The youngsters are still riding the candy cars. I just want us to get it started, keep it safe because that was an amazing time. We need that back.

WATCH SLIM THUG INTERVIEW.

Defender: Who is Slim Thug, the man behind the music and fame?

Slim Thug: [I] was born on the north

side of Houston, the Homestead area and then I was in my early teens [when] I moved to Acres Homes. [After] gaining some success [in the music industry], I continued to give back to the neighborhood...Northside mainly. We built about 10 low-income homes a few years back. Right now, a few of my partners, we are doing townhouses in Acres Homes, Cory Crawford and Burns [Original] BBQ. We did a few events through Boss Life, like the Boss Life Ball where we honor a lot of entrepreneurs in the city and celebrate them. We gave a house away to a Hurricane Harvey [survivor]. We’ve done a lot. We always like to give back.

Different Mind Designs

Defender: What was it like being a part of the historic rodeo performance with Bun-B? Slim Thug: That was amazing. I’m 41

years old now and that’s probably one of the biggest if not the biggest stage I’ve been on.

To still be able to do what I love at this age… it’s a blessing. I enjoyed and appreciated it.

There was a lot of love in the building, a lot of interaction, and there wasn’t a lot of Top 40 artists on that stage. This is just us from the city. This is something I’ll never forget.

Defender: You’ve worked with Pharrell, Beyoncé, Three Six Mafia, Scarface, Gwen Stefani, Drake, T.I and the list goes on. Who do you wish you would have worked with or want to work with?

Slim Thug: Tupac. He inspired me as a

kid. Locally, Fat Pat. I don’t think Big Mo and I did a record…the local legends. I’ve been blessed to do a lot of records with artists, so that’s the two or three that I would probably come off top to say.

May 12, 2022 |

| 13

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Opinion Harris County commissioners land on the right side of history Comments made at the Tuesday, May 10 Commissioners’ Court meeting

By Sonny Messiah Jiles

Thank you to the members of the Harris County Commissioners Court for the opportunity to applaud the court for conducting disparity studies with Harris County, Metro, the Port of Houston and the latest study of Harris Health with zero contracts going to Black contractors.

These studies make me recall a historical Black woman publisher I admire named IDA B. WELLS who fought against segregation and the lynching of Black folks. She once said, “the way to right a wrong is to turn the light of truth upon them...”

Today, I’m working against the segregation of businesses owned

by Blacks, Browns and other people of color. The reality is: “if you can’t measure it, you can’t change it...” These disparity studies have

Sonny Jiles

uncovered the lies of those claiming inclusiveness when frankly the numbers do not lie.

We are at a crossroads: 50% of county residents are people of color yet in all the disparity studies, the number of contracts awarded to them is substantially low. It makes good sense from a political,

economic, and moral perspective to change the contract process.

Your decisions are far reaching and go well beyond a contractor, impacting employees, voters and families.

There is more work to be done.

The disparity study is the tip of the iceberg. Now we have to figure out the roadmap to success. I pray you will continue to pursue the journey in search of truth. There are others who are blind and cannot see their real numbers. Help them see the light.

Thank you again, Harris County Commissioners Court for being bold enough to seek the truth. I pray God will give you the strength and fortitude to be courageous enough to implement change for the betterment of our community.

Thank you.

A new dream team of federal judges

By Ben Jealous

Something amazing just happened in the U.S. Capitol.

On one day, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a confirmation hearing for five extraordinary women of color who have been nominated to federal judgeships by President Joe Biden.

This judicial Dream Team will make our courts more representative of the American people. As judges, they will make our system more just. And they are building on an already exceptional record by the Biden White House and the Senate’s Democratic leadership to nominate and confirm what is by far the most diverse set of federal judges ever.

What a difference an election makes. Twothirds of Trump’s judges were White men.

In contrast, two-thirds of Biden’s judicial nominees, and more than three-quarters of his nominees to the important circuit courts of appeal—the level just below the Supreme Court—have been people of color. And that’s in addition to Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, who will soon be sworn in as the first Black woman ever to serve as a U.S. Supreme Court justice.

The Far Right did everything they could to try to smear Judge Jackson and derail her confirmation. Her qualifications and character were unquestionable, so they resorted to utterly

shameful distortions about her record.

They failed to block Judge Jackson’s confirmation, but that hasn’t stopped Ben Jealous them from running the same unprincipled playbook against civil rights lawyer Nancy Abudu, who has been nominated to serve on the 11th Circuit Court.

The same groups that attacked Judge Jackson tried to smear Abudu. But I am convinced they will fail for the same reasons.

Here, very briefly, are the latest members of the judicial Dream Team made possible by voters who elected President Joe Biden and took control of the Senate away from obstructionist-in-chief Mitch McConnell: Nancy Abudu is a civil rights advocate who spent years defending voting rights, freedom of speech, religious liberty, equality under law, and other core constitutional principles. She helped defend a six-year-old Black student turned away from school on the first day of

first grade because of his hairstyle. She will be the first Black woman to serve on the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Judge Michelle Childs is a federal district judge nominated by President Barack Obama in 2010; President Biden has nominated her to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals; he strongly considered her for the Supreme Court this year. In her years on the bench, Judge Childs has earned bipartisan respect for fairness while protecting voting rights and equal treatment in the courtroom.

Natasha Merle has been nominated as a federal judge in the Eastern District of New York. In her public-interest legal career she has served as a public defender in death penalty cases and as a civil rights attorney at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, where she is deputy director of litigation, working to make real the promises of justice and equality.

Nusrat Jahan Choudhury has also been nominated as a federal judge in the Eastern District of New York. Her legal work at the American Civil Liberties Union has addressed racial disparities in law enforcement and unfair treatment of low-income people in the legal system. She will be the first Muslim woman to serve as a lifetime federal judge.

Ana Isabel de Alba has been nominated as a federal judge in the Eastern District of

California, where she will be the first Latina judge. As a lawyer, she fought against barriers to justice facing mistreated farmworkers like her mother and advocated for immigrants’ rights. Since 2018 she has been a California Superior Court Judge in Fresno County.

If you ever notice yourself feeling too cynical to vote, or so fed up with slow progress or broken promises that you’re tempted to stay away from the ballot box, think about these women and remember this: President Donald Trump and Senate Republicans filled our federal courts with young and often unqualified judges committed to the same ideology as the Supreme Court justices who are stomping on voting rights, civil rights, workers’ rights, and more.

We need more judges who will be a voice for justice. Having five such women appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee on the same day was a remarkable sign of the progress that can be made when we elect leaders who are committed to making progress and serving justice.

Ben Jealous serves as president of People For the American Way and Professor of the Practice at the University of Pennsylvania. A New York Times best-selling author, his next book “Never Forget Our People Were Always Free” will be published by Harper Collins in December 2022.

14 | May 12, 2022 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports The Prairie View women’s 4x100 meter relay team of Morganne Mukes, Asjah Harris, Darnisha Lykes and Kaizha Roberts finished first overall at the SWAC Championships with a time of 45.43 seconds.

Sports Briefs Panthers sweep SWAC track & field championships

The Prairie View men’s and women’s track and field teams swept the recent 2022 SWAC outdoor Chris Clay championships. The Panthers finished the meet with 143 total points while secondplace Texas Southern had 126. The Lady Panthers finished Angela the meet with Williams 159.5 total points.

PVAMU’s Nathan Crawford-Wallis was named Most Outstanding Men’s Field Performer after finishing first in the triple jump (15.62m), second in the long jump (7.44 m), and third in the high jump (2.06m) and Panthers coaches Chris Clay and Angela Williams were named men’s and women’s SWAC Coach of the Year, respectively.

TSU track athletes bring home gold

Shot putter Hezekiah Freeman and triple jumper Chadrick Williams earned Hezekiah gold medals while Freeman the TSU men’s track & field team finished second overall at the 2022 SWAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Prairie View. Freeman Chadrick finished first with a Williams throw of 16.23m and Williams had a solid outing in the triple jump as he logged a mark of 50-0.5 to place second.

PVAMU’s Drake Cheatum transfers to Kansas State

Former PVAMU safety Drake Cheatum has used the transfer portal Drake to step up to Kansas Cheatum State and the Big 12 for this upcoming fall. Cheatum had been a standout in the Panthers’ secondary the past couple of seasons.

Texas Southern senior infielder Tyrese Clayborne went 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs and two RBI during a recent 13-3 run-rule win over Alcorn State at MacGregor Park.

FORMER TSU WOMEN’S COACH AND BASKETBALL LEGEND

CYNTHIA COOPER-DYKE

ACCUSED OF ABUSIVE BEHAVIOR

By Terrance Harris

When Cynthia Cooper-Dyke, a basketball Hall of Famer and former MVP of the defunct Houston Comets, suddenly retired from coaching at Texas Southern last month it seemed like a fitting ending to a storied basketball career.

But according to a bombshell report by the sports news website The Athletic, Cooper-Dyke’s departure may have been more forced than voluntary as disturbing details were coming out about her alleged abusive treatment of student-athletes during her two stints at TSU along with stops at UNC-Wilmington and her alma mater USC. Officials at TSU were about to begin a Title IX investigation into the allegations when Cooper-Dyke suddenly retired this spring, according to The Athletic.

The report is filled with graphic and disturbing details of abusive sexual comments made to student-athletes entrusted in her care and disrespectful and degrading treatment Cooper-Dyke allegedly displayed toward some of her players at all three stops.

Some of the things she is accused of saying to players may have once been acceptable but as society has evolved and the effects of mental abuse can have on individuals are better understood, such behavior is no longer acceptable.

Cooper-Dyke, who was twice employed at TSU during two separate stints and also spent five years at Prairie View A&M, is accused of saying about one of her players who was known to have been diagnosed with mental issues that “she would be all right, she just needs some d--k, that’s all.” She also referred to that same player as a “sorry a-s virgin,” according to The Athletic, which conducted an open records search from her tenures at TSU. The Athletic over several months talked with 25 people, including former players and staff at all of the places where Cooper-Dyke coached who were able to give similar accounts of her behavior. She openly made fun of her players’ sex lives, engaged in demeaning name-calling and doled out harsh punishments for those who did not meet her standards.

According to The Athletic story, Cooper-Dyke once came up behind a player while she was doing squats in the weight room and said, “Ooh, your hips are big, you got a fat a-s and I can tell you like to ride some d--k.”

In another instance, Cooper-Dyke was said to have shamed a player about her weight to the point that the player became despondent and would not eat in front of Cooper-Dyke.

Investigators for the Title IX report were told that during her first stint at TSU from 2012-13 that Cooper-Dyke got down in front of one of her male assistants during practice and mimicked giving him fellatio, and on another occasion told a player that her slow running during a drill was because she was “getting d--ked down” all the time.

Cooper-Dyke also allegedly referred to some of her players as “b--ch,” “pu--y,” “Black-a-s child,” and “dumba-s.”

There were similar accounts of incidents at UNC Wilmington and USC. School administrators also seemed to enable her behavior at times, even siding with her decisions to revoke scholarships of players she claimed had behavior issues.

Following an investigation by TSU, the school implemented a

Cynthia Cooper-Dyke while coaching USC during a 2014 game. AP Photo/Ted S. Warren

limited contact order between Cooper-Dyke and the team back in January, disallowing one-on-one meetings and contact through phones and emails. Weeks later that order was escalated to contact outside of games and practices.

TSU athletic director Kevin Granger declined to talk to The Defender about the allegations against Cooper-Dyke because it’s considered a personnel matter, instead referring to the brief comment the University released concerning the matter. An introductory press conference for new TSU women’s basketball coach Vernette Skeete set for last Thursday was abruptly canceled with no explanation.

“Given the confidential nature of Title IX and personnel matters, the University is unable to comment,” the statement reads. “Please be assured that the University takes any issues that impact the safety and health of our students, faculty, and staff seriously to ensure a learning environment free from discrimination, harassment, and violence.”

Cooper-Dyke did not respond to text messages or phone calls from The Defender.

The allegations bring into question whether Cooper-Dyke was able to use her legendary status and position of power to intimidate and treat players and assistant coaches with disrespect.

Cooper-Dyke was able to continue to land jobs despite complaints on her record and SWAC commissioner Dr. Charles McClelland twice hired her for head coaching positions at PVAMU and TSU when he was athletic director at each school.

“Every time something comes across my Instagram, someone celebrating her, I want to scream,” Thaddesia Southall, who played for Cooper-Dyke at USC in 2013-14, said to The Athletic. “She does not stand for what the WNBA represents. She does not stand for what they are trying to promote. This is a woman who demeaned us, who talked to us like we were not human. She made me hate basketball, and no one did anything to stop her.”

May 12, 2022 |

| 15

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports BATTLE FOR TEXAS

Focusing on esports inclusion

By Jodie B. Jiles

San Antonio — The marathon of getting African American teens on the main stages of the highest levels of console video, mobile and computer games continues as the Defender journeyed to the Battle for Texas Overwatch League festivities where the Houston Outlaws swept the Dallas Fuel in the best of five games.

After a few rough seasons in the 2020s, many experts had Dallas defeating Houston. However, the Outlaws appeared to have shaped up into a contender after upsetting their interstate rival during the season opener. Outlaws head coach Jake Lyon discussed keeping the streak alive after the upset.

“It is one match at a time, it’s one fight at a time and it’s one day at a time,” he said. “We are really striving to build a winning culture at the Outlaws and I feel part of it comes from the roster creation process. We choose these players because we wanted people that are really dedicated to the game, who wanted to win, wanted to put the work in and build that successful team together.”

The Defender worked the room and spoke with Houston Outlaws moderators, reporters and administrators about ways to include Black and Brown people on the Overwatch League rosters.

Malik Forte, Overwatch League announcer

“The fighting game community is actually pretty diverse especially in my hometown of Atlanta. There are games like Tekken, Street Fighter that are being propelled. Today it is just about everybody filling that professional acumen being involved in these events. It really starts on the ground floor at the community centers and colleges at a very young age because I was young when I started and have made a career out of it.”

About Houston Outlaws • Houston-based professional Overwatch esports team owned by Florida’s Beasley Media Group.

• Overwatch League was established by its game creator Blizzard Activision; features permanent, city-based teams backed by separate ownership groups.

• League plays in traditional regular season and playoff format paying players a minimum annual salary, benefits and a portion of winnings and/or revenue-sharing based on team performance. In 2018 winning team went home with $3.5 million.

• Outlaws formed when OpTic Gaming received $20 million fee from Texas Rangers owner Neil Leibman to acquire Houston franchise. Name revealed as Outlaws in 2017.

• Outlaws made playoffs in 2018 but eliminated after losing to London Spitfire and New York Excelsior.

Made playoffs in 2019 but eliminated by Spitfire and Vancouver Titans. Finished 2019 season with 9-19 record.

• In spring 2019 Outlaws announced new partnerships with GameStop and H-E-B. • In June 2019 Immortal Gaming Club (IGC) acquired Outlaws parent company, marking first sale of any Overwatch league franchise. In November 2019 IGC sold Outlaws to Beasley Media Group.

Outlaws unable to advance past semifinal stage and finished 2020 season with 6-15 record.

Team plays home games at Revention Music Center in Houston’s Downtown Theater District.

Key to success for franchise is being tapped into Houston, Austin and San Antonio markets.

Will English IV, esports reporter, content creator

“Two things. One is infrastructure. Going into the schools.

Call Dell, call Apple and tell them you want to bring PCs to the school and they will throw money at the problem to get PCs at the schools. [In many] poor areas in cities like Chicago they will give you free home broadband internet under certain circumstances. So, take care of those two programs and play the game. Number two is support. Many of us play 2K and Madden because it is a street thing. ‘I beat you in Madden or I beat you in 2k.’ But we need to understand the world of esports is much bigger. [Overwatch] has college support, just take advantage.”

Atlanta-based Esports Personality Malik Forte (right) does postgame interview with Outlaws Player of The Match Danteh.

Outlaws fans.

Lori Burgess, chief operating officer, Beasley Esports (Houston Outlaws owners)

“Probably the best way for the Houston Outlaws to help with that is to work with you in creating content that you can help distribute to those individuals because we don’t have those communities as our audiences...One of the things we could be doing is helping you understand what we are doing, what the opportunity is and what it can mean for those students. And remember the opportunities are not only to be on the stage, but also the people that help people get on the stage. It’s people that will create games that will be played on that stage, it’s marketers and PR people and all the people that support the entire business unit...The pipeline has to start when the kids are young. If I want to become an Olympic skier or snowboarder or a basketball player I need to start playing when I am 4, 5 or 6 years old and train consistently over time. So, I can’t decide at the age of 17 I want to be a professional swimmer or professional gamer because it’s too late...”

16 | May 12, 2022 |

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