Houston Defender: May 21, 2015

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Volume 84 | Number 25

MAY 21, 2015 |FREE

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ENTERTAINMENT ZOE KRAVITZ follows in parents’ footsteps

P8 OPINION GEORGE CURRY looks at U.S. poverty

P9

Dwayne Johnson

SAVES THE DAY H PAGE 6

HS ZONE TAKYERA ROBERSON wins gold at state meet

P19 TOP EVENTS

Jodie Jiles acknowledges guests at his surprise birthday party

P20

Obama, Houston join forces

James Harden scores for Rockets

President Barack Obama wants to ensure that his My Brother’s Keeper initiative thrives after he leaves office. Find out what’s new with the initiative. See what he’s doing to help young men and boys of color. Learn how Houston is lending support.

The Rockets advanced to face the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference playoffs, and James Harden is one of the reasons why.

Read about Houston’s winning ways.

Hear what players have to say about determination and collaboration.

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DEFENDER | MAY 21 | 2015

newstalk

HISD to reduce classroom overcrowding

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he HISD Board of Education voted to approve two of six proposals designed to adjust neighborhood attendance boundaries at certain elementary schools in an effort to reduce classroom overcrowding.

The two approved proposals include attendance boundary adjustments at 10 elementary schools: Anderson, Ashford, Askew, Bush, Daily, Emerson, Shadowbriar, Tinsley and Walnut Bend elementary schools, as well as Halpin Early Childhood Center.

Additionally, Ashford and Shadowbriar will both become comprehensive elementary schools offering pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. Currently, the two schools share an attendance zone. Ashford offers pre-kindergarten through second grade, and Shadowbriar offers third through fifth grades.

With the approved changes, Ashford will retain an attendance zone, but Shadowbriar will not. Instead, it will offer special programming designed to draw students.

The changes will go into effect for the 20152016 school year and will apply to new, incoming students. Students who are already enrolled – as well as incoming kindergartners – still will be al-

lowed to attend the school to which they are currently zoned.

The attendance boundary adjustments were proposed in response to state law, which requires kindergarten through fourth-grade classes to have no more than 22 students per classroom.

Classes that exceed that number must request a state waiver. This school year, HISD had to submit nearly 1,500 class-size waiver requests.

The school board voted against the four remaining proposals, which means schools included in those plans will not see attendance boundary adjustments.

Those schools include Bastian, Burbank, Crockett, Harvard, Hartsfield, Highland Heights, Kennedy, Kelso, Love, Lyons, Memorial, Northline, Sinclair, Smith, Stevens, Travis, and Young elementary schools.

For a full list of schools impacted by the proposals and to see new boundary maps, visit www. houstonisd.org/Page/126823.

June 1 protest deadline for property values Harris County property owners who believe there is an error in the market value set by the appraisal district have until Monday, June 1 to protest the value of their property.

A green protest form was included in the property value notice the Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD) sent to each property owner in April, however, a Notice of Protest Form may be downloaded from the district’s web site at www.hcad.org.

Protests may be filed online, brought to HCAD’s

office at 13013 Northwest Freeway, or mailed to P.O. Box 922004, Houston, TX 77292-2004, but must be postmarked

by June 1.

“Texas law requires that property be appraised at its January 1 market value,” Chief Appraiser Sands Stiefer said.

“The purpose of the appraisal is to allocate the tax burden fairly among all owners of taxable property. The actual amount of tax due is determined by the tax rate set in

the fall by the governing body of each jurisdiction such as county, city, school district or MUD. The appraisal district has no involvement in the rate setting process.”

Business personal property and some real property accounts will have later protest deadlines. If a later deadline applies to a particular account, the property owner will be mailed an official HCAD value notice on which the later protest deadline will be listed.

For more information call 713-957-7800.

localbriefs THE FORT BEND ISD Board of Trustees approved pay increases for teaching and non-teaching staff members. The new pay scale includes a starting teacher pay scale of $50,500, with uniform $500 steps through year 21. Under the plan recently approved, all current teachers will receive a minimum raise of $1,000 with percentage increases ranging from 1.6 to 3.4 percent……..HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS WEEK is May 24-30. The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management urges local residents to get ready today for the upcoming storm season. Hurricane season begins June 1 and runs through Nov. 30.. Hurricane

preparedness tips are available at www.readyharris. org........NAOMI WILLIAMS-DUNCANTELL, the wife of Black Heritage Society (BHS) founder Ovide Duncantell, died May 15 at the age of 80.

Services will be held Friday, May 29, at 11 a.m. at Groveland Missionary Baptist Church, 3717 Amoore. Mrs. Duncantell was a retired teacher and secretary and treasurer of BHS. She was also the owner of Naomi’s Soul Food Restaurant on Old Spanish Trail. Other survivors include her son, Deontay Duncantell, and brother Edgar Williams.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the MLK Parade Foundation……..THE TEXAS DEPART-

MENT OF TRANSPORTATION reminds drivers that law enforcement officers across the state will be out in full force through May 31 issuing tickets to drivers and passengers who are not wearing seat belts. The annual “Click It or Ticket” campaign also reminds vehicle occupants that non-compliance with statewide seat belt and child safety seat laws can result in fines up to $250. Texas law requires drivers and all passengers, including those in the back seat, to wear a seat belt or risk a ticket, fines and court costs up to $200 each. Fines issued to drivers for unrestrained children in their vehicle can be as high as $250 plus court costs.

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MAY 21 | 2015 | DEFENDER

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DEFENDER | MAY 21 | 2015

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national

U.S.briefs

Concealed carry permit holders cause concern NNPA News Service

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eorge Zimmerman, the former neighborhood watchman who shot and killed unarmed Trayvon Martin three years ago, was recently involved in another shooting in the Sunshine State.

The latest incident raises questions about concealed carry permits and the billion-dollar gun industry that advocates for legislation aimed at making it easier for Americans to carry firearms everywhere, all of the time.

Matthew Apperson of Winter Springs, Fla., who said that Zimmerman threatened him following a road rage incident last year, claimed that he was acting in self-defense when he fired a single shot through the passenger side window of the truck that Zimmerman was driving.

Police charged Apperson with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and firing a deadly missile into an occupied vehicle. An attorney for Zimmerman said he has a concealed weapons permit and often travels with a gun for protection.

Despite the self-defense claims propped up by supporters of concealed carry laws, the Violence Policy Center, a nonprofit group that seeks to address gun violence as a public health crisis, found that concealed carry permits holders are more likely to kill themselves or others during non-self defense events.

The center tracks fatalities associated with concealed carry gun permit holders at ConcealedCarryKillers.org and found that 743 people have been killed, including 17 law enforcement officers.

“In the vast majority of the 561 incidents documented (468, or 83 percent), the concealed carry permit holder either committed suicide (222), has already been convicted (184), perpetrated a murder-suicide (46), or was killed in the incident (16),” stated the website.

More than 70 people have been killed in Florida alone by concealed carry gun permit holders.

Kristen Rand, the legislative director of VPC, said that research shows that concealed carry permit holders are involved in murders or suicides far more often than they act in self-defense.

Rand added that, “The NRA is relentlessly lobbying state and federal lawmakers to allow more concealed handguns in public despite the clear evidence that doing so puts more people in danger.”

New Congressional caucus champions HBCUs NNPA News Service

A little help may be on the way for historically Black colleges and universities struggling against falling financial support and an increasingly skeptical public.

The Bipartisan Congressional HBCU Caucus was recently launched, with U.S. Representatives Alma Adams (D-N.C.) and Bradley Byrne (R-Ala.) at the helm. Its 45 members and counting are charged with safeguarding the interests of HBCUs, supporting students and graduates, creating a national dialogue and educating other members of Congress on the value of these institutions.

“This bipartisan HBCU Caucus is bringing together champions for HBCUs, so that we can make an even bigger impact to ensure their needs are heard in every aspect of policy making and across party lines,” said Adams, an alumna of North Carolina A&T State University. “[HBCUs] do what no other schools do for students like me, a poor Black girl from Newark, New Jersey who came to North Carolina and wasn’t fully prepared. Yet North Carolina took me in, got me prepared, and I was able to do what I’m doing right now.”

The caucus comes at a time when HBCUs are facing a barrage of challenges, including funding cuts.

THE CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS launched a CBC Tech 2020 initiative to increase African-American representation in the tech sector. Caucus members outlined diversity principles, discussed industry best practices and presented legislation focused on increasing STEM education. The effort reflects concerns about a lack of diversity at companies such as Google, Facebook and Twitter.

“Many of the technology companies have African-Americans as very loyal customers, and many of those don’t have any AfricanAmericans on their boards,” said CBC Chairman G.K. Butterfield. “Their senior leadership within many of these companies is not inclusive, and the workforce is appalling. And their reinvestment in African-American communities is less than desirable.” According to the CBC, Black employees comprise just 2 percent of the overall workforce at Google, Facebook and Twitter........GEORGIA CONGRESSMAN JOHN LEWIS, a veteran of the Civil Rights Movement, encouraged Hampton University graduates to “get in the way.” Lewis shared his advice while delivering the university’s commencement address. “You have to find a way to get in the way,” Lewis said. “Get in good trouble. Use it to bring about a nonviolent revolution.” He also urged the class of 2015 to help those who are left behind. “You have a mission, a mandate and a moral obligation to do what you can,” said Lewis, who is 75……..A WEST VIRGINIA STATE LEGISLATOR is one of four new members of the Republican National Committee’s Rising Stars program. Jill Upson is the first Black Republican woman elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates in the state’s history. RNC Chair Reince Priebus said the new members are inspiring voices in the party. “I look forward to seeing them continue to serve as leading advocates for Republican ideas in their states. They come from diverse backgrounds, and each has a compelling story to share,” Priebus said.

VOLUME 84 • NUMBER 25 MAY 21, 2015

Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Advertising/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Online Editor ReShonda Billingsley Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila

Print Editor Marilyn Marshall

Multimedia Coordinator LaGloria Wheatfall Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison

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

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MAY 21 | 2015 | DEFENDER

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DEFENDER | MAY 21 | 2015

entertainment

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Dwayne Johnson

stars in ‘San Andreas’

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ne of Hollywood’s biggest stars is back with a new movie. Dwayne Johnson stars in “San Andreas,” which hits theaters on May 29. Johnson portrays a helicopter pilot who makes a dangerous journey to rescue his estranged daughter in the aftermath of a massive California earthquake.

He said the film is exciting. “It is a thrilling, heartpounding ride that is entertaining, that is relentless,” he said. “There is action, love, romance, cowards and heroes.”

Johnson wanted to star in the film after reading the “captivating” script.

“I was moved,” he said. “It grabbed me by the throat and didn’t let go. I loved it. Probably within the first 15 pages of the script I knew I wanted to do it.

“This was like no other script I had ever read and like no other movie I had ever seen. I was moved by the action. I was moved by the science. I was moved by the reality of it.”

Johnson was also moved by its humanity, and its focus on “a man who has chosen to go find his daughter with his ex-wife who he still has incredible love and respect for.”

He added that “San Andreas” explores the struggles and challenges of divorce.

“The messiness of divorce and the sludge of it all goes to the wayside when our daughter is in trouble,” he said. “In an interesting way this calamity, this epic destruction, brings these two back together. It’s not that they rekindle their love. It’s just a beautiful amalgamation…”

Johnson had great things to say about Carla Gugino, who portrays his ex-wife.

“It just so happens that they get along very well,” he said. “There’s cool chemistry between them, and that chemistry that you

see on the screen plays into the chemistry I have with Carla just as a personal friend.

“She’s my home girl, she’s awesome. I’ve known her almost 10 years now and this is the third movie we’ve done together. The respect and admiration I have for her is boundless.”

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what’sup GEORGE CLINTON, the man behind P-Funk, Parliament and Funkadelic in the ‘70s and ‘80s, will appear at a booksigning in Houston on Saturday, May 30, at 4 p.m. at Barnes & Noble, 7626 Westheimer. Clinton will promote his book, “Brothas Be, Yo Like George, Ain’t That Funkin’ Kinda Hard On You?” The book is described as a candid, hilarious and outrageous look at America’s music industry through Clinton’s eyes.

For information call 713-783-6016……..BILL WITHERS and former Beatle RINGO STARR are among the inductees in the 2015 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony which debuts Saturday, May 30 at 7 p.m. on HBO. Withers’

hits include “Lean on Me,” “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Lovely Day and “Grandma’s Hands.” Induction guests include JOHN LEGEND and STEVIE WONDER……..SPIKE LEE spoke at a Chicago church to defend his planned movie about the city’s violence titled “Chiraq.” Lee was surrounded by African-American mothers carrying pictures of children killed in street violence. Lee said artists hold up a mirror to society and are not afraid to tell the truth.

“Chiraq” is slang that compares the city to the war zones of the Middle East. Chicago recorded 407 murders in 2014……..ALICIA KEYS, CHRIS ROCK and LENNY KRAVITZ

will guest star on Fox’s breakout hit “Empire” next season. The network also announced that NE-YO will join TIMBALAND on the show’s music production team……..JANET JACKSON announced that she will record a new album and embark on a world tour. She tweeted a link to a video in which she said, “I promised you’d hear it from my lips and now you will. This year: new music; new world tour; a new movement. I’ve been listening.

Let’s keep the conversation going.” Jackson has sold more than 140 million records and is among the best-selling artists in contemporary music.

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MAY 21 | 2015 | DEFENDER

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Blues legend B.B. King remembered

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MEMORIAL DAY

Blues great B.B. King is remembered as a musical legend whose career spanned nearly 70 years. King died May 14 in Las Vegas at the age of 89.

King had been in declining health during the past year and was in hospice care at his Las Vegas home. The 15-time Grammy winner continued to perform well into his 80s.

Blues singer and guitarist Buddy Guy said King was the greatest.

“The tone he got out of that guitar, the way he shook his left wrist, the way he squeezed the strings... man, he came out with that and it was all new to the whole guitar playin’ world. He could play so smooth, he didn’t have to put on a show.

The way BB did it is the way we all do it now. He was my best friend and father to us all,” Guy said.

King was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. His hits included “Three O’Clock Blues,” “You Don’t Know Me,” “Please Love Me” and “Don’t Answer The Door, Part I.” His most popular crossover hit was 1970’s “The Thrill Is Gone.”

He was born Riley B. King in 1925 near Indianola, Miss. In his youth, he played on street corners for dimes, and would sometimes play in as many as four towns a night. In 1947, he hitchhiked to Memphis, to pursue his music career.

His first big break came in 1948 when he performed on a Memphis radio show. In the mid1950s, while King was performing in Arkansas, a few fans became unruly. Two men got into a fight and knocked over a kerosene stove, setting fire to the hall. King raced back inside the burning building to retrieve his guitar, narrowly escaping death.

When he later found out that the fight had been over a woman named Lucille, he decided to give the name to his guitar.

King was divorced twice and reportedly had 15 children.

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DEFENDER | MAY 21 | 2015

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Zoe Kravitz follows in parents’ footsteps

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By KAM WILLIAMS Special to the Defender

orn in 1988, Zoe Isabella Kravitz is the daughter of five-time Grammywinner Lenny Kravitz and Emmynominated actress Lisa Bonet of “The Cosby Show” and “A Different World” fame.

The versatile entertainer has followed in the footsteps of both of her parents, performing with the bands Elevator Fight and Lolawolf and pursuing an acting career that has enjoyed a meteoric rise as of late.

This spring alone, Zoe has appeared in a half-dozen films released in theaters, including the blockbusters “Insurgent” and “Mad Max: Fury Road,” as well as “Good Kill,” “The Road Within,” “Dope” and “Treading Water.” Here, she talks about life and her latest movies.

KW: How do you explain your acting career taking off this year?

ZK: I don’t know. I’ve basically been working really hard for the past couple of years. And the nature of the film business is that movies come out when they come out, and these all just happen to be coming out at the same time.

KW: How did you enjoy making “Mad Max: Fury Road?”

ZK: It was good. It was really intense and very long process. It was a six-month shoot in

Africa. The stunts were kind of crazy, and they were all shot at real speed. The costumes were insane and the conditions were really harsh. So, it was a very intense film to make, but well worth it.

KW: What’s the secret of your mother, father and stepfather getting along so well?

ZK: I don’t know what the secret is. We’re a family. We all love each other and we’ve all worked through whatever issues there’ve ever been, and in a healthy way. So, we all get along.

Love conquers all, I guess.

KW: How do you prepare for each new role?

ZK: It kind of varies. I don’t have a method yet. It depends on the script and the character I think I need. I’ve worked with acting coaches, researched roles, and channeled different parts of myself. It’s on a case-by-case for me, right now.

KW: At just 26, you already have a solid background in various fields, including songwriting, modeling and designing. Which feels the most comfortable?

ZK: Music and acting are the most prominent. But I don’t like to compare them, since they’re both very, very important to me.

KW: What advice do you have for anyone who wants to follow in your footsteps?

ZK: Be confident, and just do it. It’s all about not questioning what everyone else is thinking, since they’re probably looking to others to know what is or isn’t cool.

T:9.75”

Zoe Kravitz

T:6.5”

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MAY 21 | 2015 | DEFENDER

opinion

Obama leads discussion on poverty

By GEORGE E. CURRY NNPA Columnist

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resident Obama recently participated in a long overdue panel discussion on poverty at Georgetown University.

As regular readers of this column know, I have been complaining for years about the fixation this administration has had on helping the middle class while giving only passing mentions to race and poverty.

I wrote in July 2013, “According to research conducted by Daniel Q. Gillion, an assistant professor of political science at the University of Pennsylvania, in Obama’s first two years in office, the nation’s first Black president made fewer speeches and offered fewer executive policies on race than any Democratic president since 1961.”

In addition, I stated, “Frederick C. Harris, director of the Institute for Research in African-American Studies at Columbia University, noted that Obama’s 2011 State of the Union address was the first by any president since 1948 to not mention poverty or the poor.”

So, I was not only delighted that Obama joined the Georgetown discussion on poverty, but elated that he candidly addressed the issues of poverty and race.

In his 1964 State of the Union address, President Lyndon B. Johnson declared “unconditional war on poverty,” introducing Head Start, Upward Bound, and the Job Corps program, providing food stamps and nutritional programs for the poor, and expanding Social

Security benefits Nearly two and a half decades later, President Ronald Reagan declared in his 1988 State of the Union remarks, “We fought a war on poverty, and poverty won.” Obama disagrees.

“I think it is a mistake for us to suggest that somehow every effort we make has failed and we are powerless to address poverty,” he said at Georgetown University. “That’s just not true. First of all, just in absolute terms, the poverty rate when you take into account tax and transfer programs, has been reduced about 40 percent since 1967.

“Now, that does not lessen our concern about communities where poverty remains chronic. It does suggest, though, that we have been able to lessen poverty when we decide we want to do something

about it.”

The problem is Congress’ unwillingness to conduct more than a budgetary skirmish on poverty. “…We have been stuck, I think for a long time, in a debate that creates a couple of straw men,” Obama explained. “The stereotype is that you’ve got folks on the left who just want to pour more money into social programs, and don’t care anything about culture or parenting or family structures, and that’s one stereotype. And then you’ve got cold-hearted, free market, capitalist types who are reading Ayn Rand and – think everybody are moochers. And I think the truth is more complicated.”

He also said, “People don’t like being poor. It’s time-consuming.

It’s stressful. It’s hard. And so over time, families frayed. Men who could not get jobs left. Mothers who are single are not able to read as much to their kids. So all that was happening 40 years ago to African Americans. And now what we’re seeing is that those same trends have accelerated and they’re spreading to the broader community.”

Obama thinks that this may be a unique time to finally unite around the issue of poverty.

“I think that we are at a moment — in part because of what’s happened in Baltimore and Ferguson and other places, but in part because a growing awareness of inequality in our society – where it may be possible not only to refocus attention on the issue of poverty, but also maybe to bridge some of the gaps that have existed and the ideological divides that have prevented us from making progress,” he said.

Celebrate Memorial Day, ‘adopt’ a soldier Memorial Day is May 25, a day to remember those who gave their lives so that we can enjoy freedom. It’s a time to honor those who bravely served our country and honor the dead servicemen and women of all wars.

The gravestones of Arlington National Cemetery are graced with U.S. flags as we acknowledge these soldiers for their contributions and ultimate sacrifice. They have gone to glory and we commemorate their lives.

This Memorial Day is set aside as a way of honoring and remembering them. But during the remaining 364 days of the year, we should be concerned about the soldiers who are living as well.

They are the ones who have suffered from loss of physical and/or mental capacity. They are the ones who walk our streets homeless, who are jobless and who are hopeless.

If you really appreciate the men and women

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of our military then your concern should turn toward those who are living and their struggle to get quality resources, services and the respect they truly deserve for the contributions they have made.

Too often, we salute and give lip service to our veterans while not taking time to understand the challenges they face on a daily basis. Try “adopting” a veteran. At least then you are giving back to those who have given so much to you.

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DEFENDER | MAY 21 | 2015

MY BRO KEE President Barack Obama spoke about the My Brother’s Keeper Initiative at the White House.

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National initiative enters new phase NNPA News Service

resident Barack Obama is rallying private-sector, philanthropic and community leaders to launch an independent non-profit to ensure that the My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) initiative lives past his second term in office.

That initiative and its mission to expand opportunities and improve life outcomes for young men and boys of color will live on as the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance.

During the launch ceremony of the alliance at Lehman College in West Bronx, N.Y., Obama said that the group aims to double the percentage of boys and young men of color who read at grade level by the third grade, increase their high school graduation rates by 20 percent and get 50,000 young men into college or post-high school training.

“I notice we don’t always get a lot of reporting on this issue when there’s not a crisis in some neighborhood. But we’re just going to keep on plugging away,” he said. “And this will remain a mission for me and for Michelle not just for the rest of my presidency, but for the rest of my life.”

The MBK Alliance will also develop a guide to help mobilize private sector leaders to address the myriad challenges facing young men of color and provide $7 million in grants to evidence-based programs and another $15-$25 million to support communities in building capacity for those programs and local infrastructure.

Companies, including American Express, Ariel Investments, BET Networks, PepsiCo and Sam’s Club, committed more than $80 million in cash donations to the MBK Alliance.

In a letter to supporters and community stakeholders, Broderick Johnson, the chair of the My Brother’s Keeper Task Force at the White House, said that he looked forward to the focus that the alliance would bring to tearing down barriers facing underserved and at-risk youth.

Johnson said that the task force is working with the Education

and Health and Human Services Departments to address the disproportionate impact of preschool suspensions on students of color and with the Labor Department to help young people gain work-related skills on a pathway to careers.

Johnson also noted that the Justice Department and the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing are working to promote community-oriented policing practices and to improve life outcomes for young people that encounter the criminal justice system.

A fact sheet released by the alliance said that just one disconnected young man costs society nearly $1 million over his lifetime.

“High school graduates pay more taxes, draw less from social welfare programs and are less likely to commit crimes than drop-outs,” stated the brief. “Research shows that closing the achievement gap between young men of color and their peers could increase the annual GDP by as much as $2.1 trillion.”

Cornell William Brooks, president and CEO of the NAACP, applauded Obama for launching the MBK alliance in an effort to ensure the sustainability of the MBK initiative.

“My Brother’s Keeper Alliance will serve as a helpful tool in placing more young men of color on a path to success,” Brooks said. “These young men will become our nation’s leading entrepreneurs, scholars, lawmakers and law enforcement officials.

“Just as the GI Bill fueled the growth and development of thousands of young people a generation ago, today’s young people deserve our investment today. “ Sammie Dow, the youth and college director of the NAACP, echoed the praise that Brooks offered and said that the success of our country is contingent upon our collective ability to educate all of our children and position them for success.

“Too often, young men of color are forced to overcome impossible odds in the face of low expectations,” said Dow. “Our hope is that the newly announced alliance will create an abundance of educational and professional opportunities for young men of color throughout the nation, and equip them with the training, resources and support they need to be high achievers.”

The alliance said that just one disconnected young man costs society nearly $1 million over his lifetime.

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erfold

OTHER’S EPER

he Houston area for over 80 years

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11

Houston launches action plan

By MARILYN MARSHALL Defender

Mayor Annise Parker recently revealed Houston’s action plan for the My Brother’s Keeper initiative.

MBK-Houston is a collaborative that includes representatives from multiple organizations across a variety of sectors, including education, health, nonprofits, government and business.

The City of Houston joined the national movement to expand opportunities for boys and young men of color in September, 2014. MBK-Houston is part of the Department of Health and Human Services, which works to “ensure the plan comes to full fruition and outcomes are measured along the journey.”

In a Q&A with the Defender, the department shed light on the program.

Q. Now that the action plan has been launched, what’s the next step for My Brother’s Keeper locally?

A. Our next steps are to develop the City’s implementation strategy that will define our crossfunctional model that will drive the following outcomes (six milestones) for boys and young men of color who will be: Ready to learn, ready to read at grade level, ready to graduate and enter college or career, ready to complete post-secondary education/ training, ready to enter the workforce and ready to reduce crime and violence Q. Why is the program needed?

A. This program is needed because the need in our communities is so great. Poverty, low graduation rates, and residency in high crime areas are

burdens that minority communities face across our great city. Presently, 23.2 percent of Hispanics and 25.8 percent of Black Americans live in poverty, which is two times greater than their white counterparts.

Dropout rates among boys and young men of color are high in our school district. Moreover, although Black males account for 6 percent of the total population, they were 43 percent of the murder victims in 2011. These staggering statistics frame a real crisis facing many boys and young men of color.

Q. How is the City identifying and reaching out to young men of color for the program?

A. The City of Houston has identified three targeted feeder patterns to begin our journey. They are: Scarborough High School feeder, Kashmere High School feeder and Wheatley High School feeder…

MBK-Houston is targeting schools and communities. The reach is going to be far and wide since we have accepted the challenge in all six milestones outlined in President Obama’s task force report.

In comparison, some cities, if not, most cities who accepted the challenge will seek to address one or three of the milestones.

Q. How much involvement does the Houston program have with the national program?

A. MBK-Houston is directly aligned with the presidential task force findings and will continue to refer to it as a compass. However, the needs of our community are, in many instances, unique and we have to tailor our implementation to address the specific needs of our boys and young men of color.

For more information call 832-393-5159 or email info@mbkhouston.org.

About My Brother’s Keeper • President Obama launched the My Brother’s Keeper initiative in February, 2014 to address persistent opportunity gaps faced by boys and young men of color and ensure that all young people can reach their full potential.

• Nearly 200 mayors, tribal leaders, and county executives across 43 states and the District of Columbia have accepted the MBK Community Challenge and are committed to support the MBK initiatives of their communities.

• Within six months of accepting the challenge, dozens of communities hosted action summits and implemented action plans. This past February, more than 200 leaders and practitioners gathered at the White House to focus on best practices.

• Foundations, businesses, and social enterprises have responded to Obama’s call to action by providing funding and support. More than $300 million in grants and in-kind resources have been committed to the initiative, and include investments in safe and effective schools, mentoring programs and juvenile justice reform.

• As part of the initiative’s launch, the president established the My Brother’s Keeper Task Force to review public and private sector programs, policies, and strategies and determine ways the federal government can better support these efforts, and how to better involve state and local officials, the private sector, and the philanthropic community.

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DEFENDER | MAY 21 | 2015

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REPORT CARD GRADE

HISD

Supt. Terry Grier Post YOUR grades online for the HISD Superintendent Begins Thurs. May 7th - Ends Mon. June 8th

LET YOUR VOICE

BE HEARD

Grade the HISD Supt. and share your comments and suggestions about his performance.

How would you grade Supt. Grier in these areas or subjects?

• Student Academics • Student/School Safety • Teacher Relations • Black Community Relations • Minority Contracts

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” Martin Luther King Jr.

POST YOUR GRADES

TODAY ONLY TWELVE QUESTIONS

http://bit.do/gradeHISDSupt

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MAY 21 | 2015 | DEFENDER

business

13

Marketing plan can help

grow your business

Marketing takes time, money and lots of preparation. One of the best ways to prepare yourself is to develop a solid marketing plan. It will ensure that you’re not only sticking to your schedule, but that you’re spending your marketing funds wisely and appropriately.

A marketing plan includes everything from understanding your target market and your competitive position in that market, to how you intend to reach that market and differentiate yourself from your competition in order to make a sale. Here are some tips from the SBA. • Your small business marketing budget should be a component of your marketing plan. Essentially, it will outline the costs of how you are going to achieve your marketing goals within a certain timeframe.

• If you don’t have the funds to hire a marketing firm or staff a position in-house, there are resources available to guide you through the process of writing a marketing plan and developing a market budget.

• Once you have developed your marketing budget, it doesn’t mean that it’s set in stone.

There may be times when you need to throw in another unplanned marketing tactic – such as hosting an event or creating a newspaper ad – to help you reach your market more effectively.

• Ultimately, it’s more important to determine whether sticking to your budget is helping you achieve your marketing goals and bringing you a return on investment than to adhere to a rigid and fixed budget.

• Consider what impact certain marketing

activities have had on your revenues during a fixed period, such as a business quarter, compared to another time period when you focused your efforts on other tactics.

• Consider the tactics that worked as well as those that didn’t work. You don’t have to cut the tactics that didn’t work, but you should assess whether you need to give them more time to work or whether the funds are best redirected elsewhere.

• Some tactics are hard to measure, such as the effectiveness of print collateral (brochures, sales sheets, etc.), but you need to consider the impact of not having these branding staples in your market tool kit before you reign in your graphic design and print funds.

• Marketing plans should be maintained on an annual basis, at a minimum. But if you launch a new product or service, take time to revisit your original plan or develop a separate campaign plan that you can add to your main plan as an addendum.

At the end of the day, the time spent developing your marketing plan, is time well spent because it defines how you connect with your customers. And that’s an investment worth making.

Digital marketing tips to expand your company Family Features

Whether you’re just starting a small business or looking to expand an existing operation, marketing your business can seem daunting. The key to marketing success is to establish your presence, drive leads to your business and expand your audience.

Even for businesses that serve a primarily local clientele, it’s important to remember that today’s customers are more connected than ever before. Technology enables them to rely on mobile devices, web searches and other online tools to research businesses and make purchasing decisions.

To ensure your business is effectively operating in today’s connected local economy, YP, a marketing solutions provider,

offers the following advice.

Mobile matters. Almost everyone today owns a smartphone. Yet you would be surprised by the number of businesses that have not optimized their websites for mobile devices. Not only do mobile responsive sites load faster and provide a better experience, they also help with your ranking in search engine results.

Keep your online presence current. Think of your online presence as a business card you hand out to prospective customers, and take the time to ensure your digital and mobile presence is current and cohesive across all online media.

Create valuable content. Can’t think of what to say?

Customers are often drawn to tip-based content related to your

industry or product, such as best practices or top five tips. If you aren’t the strongest writer, find someone on your team who is, or seek professional help outside of your organization. Rich content, especially photos and videos, can also help engage consumers.

Keep content fresh. As a rule of thumb, you should update images on a quarterly basis. For blogs, update the content weekly, and host the blog on your business’ primary website to keep your audience from clicking away from your site.

Drive traffic. Bidding on keywords is the foundation of a search engine marketing campaign, which allows you to promote your business within online searches. As you begin, opt for smaller, more targeted keywords such as your company name. Stay away from generic terms that describe your business, such as “bakery” or “cafe,” as this will bring competition from other businesses of the same general type. Instead, try the category plus geography keywords, such as “cafe St. Louis” or “bakery Denver,” to drive local traffic to your site.

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DEFENDER | MAY 21 | 2015

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Oh No You Didn’t!

Over 50? Here’s advice on being a consultant When we think of entrepreneurs, we often picture young, tech-savvy millennials. But the face of American entrepreneurship is actually quite different.

A recent survey conducted

by Monster.com found that baby boomers take more risks and start more businesses than twentysomethings.

Consulting or contracting is a particularly attractive form of business ownership to older people – you can work anywhere and start-up costs are low. It’s estimated that nearly 5 million baby boomers are working as independent professionals – and 83 percent of them held traditional jobs before starting their own businesses. Here are tips from the SBA. 1. Develop a business plan.

Most consultants and contractors start their businesses with very little financial investment, but that doesn’t mean you can ignore the planning process. A business plan can help you focus on your goals and the route you need to take to achieve those goals while doubling your chances for success.

2. Choose your business structure. Many consultants and independent contractors assume that they need to form a limited liability company (LLC) to operate successfully and with minimum risk. In fact, over 70 percent of small businesses operate as sole proprietorships, the simplest way to start a business.

3. Finance your business.

How much money you need depends on the cost of doing business for the first few months, before you start generating sustainable income. If your cash flow predictions indicate you may not be able to cover your expenses during this period, many contractors get around this problem by maintaining their existing fulltime job while running their consulting business on the side.

4. Know tax and legal obligations. During the start-up phase, it’s important to get these obligations right. This includes licenses and permits and tax payments.

5. Set your pricing. Consultants and contractors often undervalue their worth. It can be awkward to talk about money or we underestimate how long things take us, or we want the gig so bad that we underprice it. Research info on negotiating pricing.

6. Go after existing contacts.

Your current pool of business and personal relationships can be the source of your first clients as you start up. From there, network and tap into relationships with former colleagues and industry peers.

7. Use marketing. Elements to consider include establishing a website and refining your marketing message. Other tactics that can help include blogs and social media.

8. Don’t go it alone. There are a number of SBA-sponsored resources than can help. Visit sba.gov.

If you missed the April 23rd Financial Edition The ultimate guide for all your financial needs Check it out online now at: http://bit.do/Financial2015 Brought to you by:

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MAY 21 | 2015 | DEFENDER

Obesity linked to prostate cancer in Black men A study by researchers in Seattle and their colleagues has found that obesity is linked to a significantly increased risk of prostate cancer in Black men.

But among white men, the link between obesity and prostate cancer was less clear-cut.

The study was published in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) Oncology. Black men have the highest rates of prostate cancer cases and the highest rates of prostate cancer deaths in the U.S. For the study, the researchers looked at the data of 3,398 Black men and 22,673 white men who had taken part in a medical trial began in 2001. Men in the trial gave weight-related information that the Seattle

researchers used for the new study.

During a follow-up period of about five and a half years, 270 Black men and 1,453 white men in the study developed prostate cancer.

Overall, the study found a 58 percent increased risk for prostate cancer among Black men compared with white men. And obese black men were found to have an even greater increase in risk.

The researchers point out that the links between obesity and prostate cancer are complicated. More study is needed to find out whether weight loss in men who are obese would actually reduce their prostate cancer risk.

The Ryan White Planning Council Invites You to Meet Houston Public Leaders and Give Public Comment on…

Ryan White Part A, Part B & State Services Service Definitions for 2016 Also learn about the results of

2015 Health Insurance Enrollment Study

Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.

This televised Public Hearing will be held at the Houston City Hall Annex - City Council Chambers 900 Bagby Street, Public Level - Free Parking in Back

Watch LIVE on the following channels: Comcast 16, TV Max 16, Phonoscope 2, Suddenlink 14 and U-Verse 99

Cancer survivors’ celebration set Memorial Hermann will co-host its annual “A Survivor’s Celebration of Life” event honoring cancer survivors and their caregivers. It will be held on Friday, May 29 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Westin Houston Memorial City.

The event will feature a keynote address by motivational speaker and humorist Sally Baskey. There will be a wellnessoriented resource fair, light buffet lunch, a photo booth, music and dancing.

The event is free and open to all cancer survivors and their caregiver of choice. Attendance is limited. RSVP by May 26 to 713-222-CARE.

Ryan White Planning Council Office of Support 2223 West Loop South, Suite 240; Houston, TX 77027 713 572-3724 713 572-3740 713 572-2813 www.rwpcHouston.org

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DEFENDER | MAY 21 | 2015

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Four family members wear caps and gowns Turner graduated with honors from TSU and was recently inducted into the Jesse H. Jones Beta Gamma Sigma international honor society chapter.

Carletha will continue her studies with the hope of becoming a nurse practitioner. Jerrin, who will graduate in the top 10 percent of his class, will study engineering.

Earning degrees hasn’t been easy for Loletha and Carletha, who both work fulltime, while Jerrin works part time.

Loletha has relied on her Christian faith to help her balance family, work and school. She also receives support from her mother and several co-workers.

“It’s tough being a single mother,” she said. “However, I am living proof that whatever you want to accomplish can be done. I believe that it takes a village to raise children because one person can’t do it all.”

Loletha plans to have one big party in June to celebrate her family’s achievements.

“I want to celebrate my kids, not necessarily myself, because as a parent I feel that is what I should do,” she said.

Defender

Top Events What’s happening in Houston

MONDAY

One Houston family is experiencing the joy that graduation brings four times this spring.

Loletha Turner, a single mother of three, received her accounting MBA from Texas Southern University on May 16. Her oldest daughter, Carletha Smith received her associates degree from Lone Star College on May 9.

Turner’s son Jerrin Turner will graduate from Humble High School on May 23. Her youngest daughter, Lailah Thompson, will graduate from Humble Vista Academy’s kindergarten on June 4.

“It has been a roller coaster experience preparing for four straight weekends of graduation ceremonies,” Turner said. “I only realized about three weeks ago that we will all be wearing graduation caps and gowns.

“Everyone has been busy trying to finish these final days of classes, but I think that we are finally getting to a point where we feel like we can breathe and see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

Defender

Digital Edition

Defender

Top BLACK Headlines

Sign up today: http://bit.do/defenderdigitalsign-up Loletha Turner is joined by her children Jerrin, Carletha and Lailah.

FRIDAY

NEWS Update

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MAY 21 | 2015 | DEFENDER

17

TSU Tigers wins SWAC baseball tournament

Texas Southern University won its first Southwestern Athletic Conference baseball title since 2008 with a 10-0 win over Southern University at Wesley Barrow Stadium in New Orleans.

The Tigers (31-17)

have now won three titles in the program’s history and this was the first for TSU head coach Michael Robertson while at the helm of the program.

Frank Cruz IV pitched a complete nine-inning, four-hit shutout to help lead

the Tigers to victory. He also struck out a game-high four batters. Leading TSU offensively was senior Zach Howell. The left fielder went 3-for-4 with three runs and three RBI. Horace Leblanc was the only other batter to collect multiple

hits. He went 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI. Southern starter Santos Saldivar threw a no-hitter into the fourth inning. With two on and one out, Javier Valdez singled through the right side to load the bases.

Howell then took his first pitch to deep left center field for a standup 3-run double. Leblanc followed with a double of his own, scoring Howell. Saldivar then struck out the side to end the ending.

TSU got hot again in the sixth. Howell was hit and advanced on a bunt single down the left field line from Leblanc. Blake Hicks laid a bunt down and

Howell beat out the play at third to load the bases.

Reliever J’Markus George hit Joel Rosario to bring another run across. Errors in the field allowed three more to score as TSU took a commanding 9-0 lead.

Cruz and the Tigers

defense held Southern to just one hit for the remaining three innings. TSU will now advance to the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers will learn their matchup during the NCAA Division I Baseball selection show May 25 at noon on ESPNU.

classifieds Invitation for Bids Balfour Beatty Infrastructure, Inc. is soliciting bids for subcontractors and vendors for construction of the following control no. 0114-12-007 on US 290 at FM 2920 to Badtke Rd (Segment 12), bid date is June 4, 2015. Quotations may be mailed to Balfour Beatty Infrastructure, Inc., 1701 Directors Blvd, Suite 1010, Austin, Texas 78744 or faxed to (512) 707-0798 or emailed to bbiisw@bbiius.com. DBE/HUB contractors are encouraged to submit bids. Plans and specifications are available to be reviewed at TxDOT Plans On-line: www.txdot.gov/business/letting-bids/plans-online.html E.O.E. For information contact Brian Ficzeri at (512) 707-0797.

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DEFENDER | MAY 21 | 2015

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sports

Rockets face Golden State after defeating Clippers

I

By MAX EDISON Defender

t’s a plot straight out of central casting. Our hero, down to his last chance, somehow summons every fiber of energy in his being for one last breakthrough. He defeats the bad guy and rides off into the sunset.

It may sound improbable, but this is Clutch City and we’ve seen this happen before. This time, the underdog Houston Rockets beat the Los Angeles Clippers to advance in the Western Conference and face the Golden State Warriors.

To give you a brief recap, trailing the Clippers 3-1 in a best of seven second-round series, the Rockets took game 5 at Toyota Center, 124103. With the series standing at 3-2, the Rockets headed back to L.A. for game 6.

Down by 19 points in the third quarter, and staring elimination dead in the face, the Rockets decided they were not going to lose. Houston eventually outscored L.A. to shock the Clippers in their own house 119-107, forcing a game 7 in Toyota Center for all the marbles.

“We kept saying, ‘We’re not going to quit,’ said Dwight Howard, who had 20 points and 21 rebounds in game 6. “We kept believing. We never gave up on each other.”

With game 7 before a raucous, sellout crowd in the Toyota Center, the seemingly impossible became possible. Lead by James Harden’s 31 points and four other teammates in double figures, the Rockets dominated the tempo from start to finish and won game 7 by a score of 113-100.

Head coach Kevin McHale was quick to acknowledge that the win was a team collaboration.

“We had a lot of guys play well,” McHale said. “James was fantastic with 31points and some big free throws down the stretch. Trevor [Ariza’s] shots were timely and huge. Dwight had 16 and 15…we just had a lot of guys playing well and that’s what it takes.”

The win marks the ninth time in NBA history that a team has overcome a 3-1 series deficit to win a playoff series.

The Rockets hope to continue their winning ways as they face Golden State. Small forward Ariza laid out the game plan for the team’s success.

“We must continue to play, continue to fight, continue to believe in one another, continue to play for one another and understand what we’re trying to do here,” Ariza said. “It’s not about individuals at this point. It’s about our team advancing.”

The Rockets di

splayed team work during th ei

r games with

Dwight Howard said the team refused to quit against the Clippers. (Photos courtesy Houston Rockets).

Houston won the series 4-3, defeating the Clippers in games 2, 5, 6 and 7.

James Harden scored 31 points in game 7 and made “big” free throws.

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L.A.

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MAY 21 | 2015 DEFENDER

h.s.zone

19

sportsbriefs

Wheatley sprinter Roberson makes surprising discovery myself ‘No, no, not third place,’ ” Roberson said.

“I used that as motivation because I knew I had to

bounce back from that.

AUSTIN – One of the top high school sprinters “Not many people qualify for state in my in Texas made a surprising discovery about herself three events so I challenged myself, ‘How bad do at the annual University Interscholastic League you want this Takyera? Do you want to win?’ So I (UIL) state track and field meet. went out and got it.”

Takyera Roberson of Houston Wheatley High With a gold and bronze medal already seSchool qualified for state in the Class 4A 100-, cured, Roberson had her final event (200-meter 200- and 400-meter dashes by winning gold medals dash) quickly approaching. Roberson had been inin each event at the Region III-4A meet in Huntsformed by meet officials that a 30-minute window ville. would separate the 400- and the 200-meter dashes.

With a crowd of 22,954 watching at Mike A. “It seemed like as soon as I got settled, they Myers Stadium on the were calling me up for the campus of the Univernext race,” said Roberson, sity of Texas, Roberson who along with her sister See how other HISD athletes fared began her day with helped Wheatley win a at state meet a third-place finish girls state team title in (bronze medal) in the 2013. “One minute I was 100-meter dash (11.60 seconds). Daja Gorgoing down the stairs and five minutes later don of Uplift Hampton Prep (11.42) won I was going back up the stairs.” the gold and Taylor’s Virginia Kerley Roberson finished fourth (24.04) (11.60) took home silver. in the Class 4A girls’ 200-meter dash A look of consternation briefly behind Raegan Padgett of Hardinmasked Roberson’s face as she Jefferson (23.50). Kerley (23.54) was crossed the finish line that was runner-up and Gordon (23.85) placed quickly replaced by marked third. determination.

“I was looking forward to the Two events later, the 200 because at the regional meet I junior sprinter and younger ran a 23.60 and that was my [personal sister of former Wheatley record],” Roberson said. “I think I would All-American and Unihave done way better today if I’d had versity of Oklahoma more recovery time.” standout sprinter Daye Roberson reflected on winShon Roberson was ning a state championship as again in the starta freshman and missing her ing blocks for the sophomore year with an 4A girls’ 400-meter injury. Roberson was asked dash. what she considers her This time signature event after winshe overcame ning an individual gold two competitors (400), bronze (100) and down the final finishing fourth in the backstretch to easily 200-meter dash. win the gold medal in “I don’t like the 54.97 seconds. Uplift 400. But that’s my signature Hampton Prep teamrace,” she said. “It’s a tough mates Diana Granados race and it pushes me.

(56.04) and Jaelyn “When I’m pushed by the Pettit (56.66) settled competition, it feels like my body is for silver and bronze, going through a transformation. Kind respectively. of like what the ‘Hulk’ goes through.

“I was so emotionAs I get older, my body is reaching for al after the 100-meter another performance level.” dash and I said to

By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender

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PVAMU graduates 70 A total of 70 current and former Prairie View A&M University student-athletes recently participated in commencement exercises. Thirty-five current student-athletes and four student equipment managers crossed the stage. The PVAMU football team graduated 12 student-athletes followed by four each from soccer and the equipment staff. Men’s basketball, baseball, softball, men’s tennis and women’s track & field graduated three student-athletes, while two student-athletes represented the women’s basketball team. Both men’s track & field and women’s golf had one student-athlete graduate. Thirty-one former PVAMU student-athletes received either a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Of the former studentathletes, six represented football, five were from softball and women’s track & field, four each were from men’s track & field and volleyball and two each were from baseball, men’s basketball and women’s tennis.

Cougars sign NFL Deals University of Houston wide receiver Deontay Greenberry and defensive tackle Joey Mbu recently signed free agent deals after going undrafted in the NFL draft. Greenberry, a first team American Athletic Conference wideout, was the Cougars’ offensive MVP. Deontay ranks ninth on the UH career receiving yards chart with 2,612 yards and eighth with 20 career receiving touchdowns. He signed with the Dallas Cowboys.

Mbu, a Cougar team captain, was an American Athletic Conference first team member as well.

He finished his career at Houston with 92 tackles, including 10.5 for loss, four sacks, eight pass breakups and two interceptions. Mbu signed with the Atlanta Falcons.

Marshall wins 5A title After two consecutive runner-up finishes at the annual state track and field meet, the Fort Bend Marshall boys finally emerged as champions.

With eight entries in eight events, Marshall earned points in every one of them and finished 36 points ahead of second-place Lancaster with 90 points. Kendall Sheffield repeated as 110-meter hurdle champion. Sophomore Shamon Ehiemua and senior Gerald Mills finished 1-2 in the 5A boys’ 200-meter dash. The Buffalos also won the 800- and 1,600-meter relays. “Last year, we made a statement that we didn’t want to come in second again,” Sheffield said. “So throughout the whole process, that’s been in the back of our minds.” In the girls’ division, Fort Bend Bush was runner-up to Arlington Seguin.

Manvel claims 6A title It went down to the state meet’s final event.

Yet Manvel finished a photo-finish second to Kingwood in the Class 6A boys’ mile relay to earn 16 points and overtake Port Arthur Memorial (55-44) for the team title. Manvel took second in the 800 relay and third in the 400 relay. Deontay Anderson won his team’s lone gold medal by upsetting defending champion Corey Dauphine of Port Arthur Memorial in the boys’ 200-meter dash. In 6A jumping events, Kerwin Roach of North Shore defended his title in the boys triple jump with a leap of 50 feet, 6.25 inches. In the 6A boys’ long jump, national leader Brett Winnegan of Pearland Dawson (24 feet, 4.75 inches) was upset by Julius Lewis of Mansfield who jumped 25 feet.

Takyera Roberson

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JODIE JILES’ SURPRISE BIRTHDAY PARTY Was definitely a surprise considering it was 100 days before his actual birthday. Nonetheless, a who’s who of Houston turned out for the Roast and Toast at the Four Seasons hotel benefiting three charities: Bread of Life, Hester House and the Prayer Institute. Defender publisher and wife of Jodie Jiles Sonny Messiah Jiles hosted the party and jumped out of a cake to sing happy birthday along with the audience. The two MCs for the occasion were Kirbyjon Caldwell, senior pastor of Windsor Village United Methodist Church, and Mark Wallace, president and CEO of Texas Children’s Hospital. Everyone enjoyed a good laugh as six speakers took turns poking fun at Jodie. The speakers were: Former Ambassador to Spain Eduardo Aguirre, State Sen. Rodney Ellis, Federal Judge Vanessa Gilmore, St. John’s UMC Downtown pastor Rudy Rasmus, Transwestern Southwest President Kevin Roberts, and Second Baptist Senior Pastor Dr. Ed Young. The icing on the cake was Chris Walker, who sang some favorites from Luther Vandross and Frankie Beverly & Maze. Attendees included: Sylvia Brooks, Marcia and Luckett Johnson, Mike Feinberg, Leon Linbeck III, Algenita Scott Davis, Judge Zinetta Burney, Darryl Wilson, John and Pat Flatowicz, Emily and Holcombe Crosswell, Dr. Ron DePinho, Mae Thomas, Kenny Friedman and a host of others.

Honoree Jodie Jiles

Photos by RAY CARRINGTON III

Kevin Roberts

Mark Wallace

Chris Walker

Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell

Judge Vanessa Gilmore

Robert Duncan and Darryl Wilson

Sonny Jiles and Ron DePinho

Willie Belle Boone, Jodie Jiles, Mark Wallace, Jeff Moseley and Eduardo Aguirre.

Gerald Smith, Jarrett Cohen and Jodie Jiles.

Victor Guzman, Jodie and Chuck Jenness

Eduardo Aguirre

Gerald (left) and Eric (right) Wilson pose with Jodie.

Marilyn Rose, JoBeth Young, Dr. Young, Pastor Suzette Caldwell and Shannon Wallace.

Judge Zinetta Burney, Darryal and Jennifer Williams

Leo Linbeck III and Mike Feinberg

State Sen. Rodney Ellis

Pastor Rudy Rasmus

Dr. Ed Young

Al Scarbourgh, Marilyn Marshall, Jodie Jiles and Algenita Scott Davis

Lynden Rose, Jeff Moseley, Ben Hall, Webb Melder, Jodie Jiles, Rodney Ellis, and Dr. Ed Young

The Jiles family clan

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