05.22.2025_Defender-e-FULL

Summer activities for kids NEWS

PROFILE

HAROLD DUTTON JR.

The State Rep. fights for families, schools and juvenile justice.

Volume 94, issue 31 May 22, 2025

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JAMES DOUGLAS

The Houston educator shares gems to empower others.

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2 | May 22, 2025 |

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DN To the POINT Managing Editor’s Message FEMA’s Not Ready— and Neither Are We

We’re less than a month away from hurricane season, and the vibes are not great. A newly released internal assessment obtained

by CNN revealed that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is “not ready” to respond to a major disaster. Let me repeat that: the national agency that is supposed to save us in an emergency says it’s not ready. This review was put together under FEMA’s new acting Administrator David Richardson and highlights some serious issues, like paused training, poor coordination with states and low staff morale.

But here’s the thing: Houston isn’t ready either. A study from Rice University’s Kinder Institute found that only 8% of Houstonians feel fully prepared for a hurricane or severe weather event. Just 32% have created an emergency plan, and only 16% have practiced emergency drills with their families.

This is deeply troubling, especially considering Houston has experienced 52 federally declared disasters in the past 40 years—more than a third of those in just the last decade.

Let’s do better, y’all. Take the time now to put together a plan, gather supplies and talk to

your loved ones about what to do if (or when) the next big storm hits. We cannot afford to wait until it’s too late.

What’s Going On at FAMU?

Have you heard about the drama at Florida A&M University? The Board of Trustees recently voted Kindred Stories Finds 8-4 to name Marva Johna Forever Home son the university’s 13th ReShonda Tate Let’s shift to something president. But here’s the joyful. Kindred Stories, the kicker: Johnson has no beloved Black-owned bookstore that has higher education leadership experience. been a haven for literature, culture and con- None. She’s a telecommunications executive nection, has found a new, more permanent and has been linked to conservative politihome inside the historic Eldorado Ballroom. cal figures, including Governors Rick Scott This is a big deal, not just for the bookstore, and Ron DeSantis. but for the community.

The backlash from students, alumni and I’ve watched Kindred blossom from a faculty has been swift and justified. Folks small storefront into a cultural anchor. And are worried, and rightfully so. Johnson told now, with this move, it feels like a beautiful students and alumni, “I was not sent here full-circle moment—placing Black literature to dismantle FAMU,” but let’s not forget: and community-building inside one of the actions speak louder than words. Chooscity’s most historically significant spaces. ing someone with no academic experience, Whether you’re looking for your next great despite several highly qualified finalists, read, a Blackity Black greeting card, some- feels like a calculated move. It’s a dangerthing for the kiddos or just a quiet moment ous precedent. Look for this to happen at in a space that sees you, Kindred is the place more HBCUs across the country. We must to be. Go show up. Support this local gem. protect the legacy and leadership of our And let’s keep building spaces that reflect HBCUs, or risk watching them be chipped us, for us. away by politics.

Kindred Stories has moved to the historic Eldorado Ballroom.

Courtesy: Kindred Stories

May 22, 2025 |

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DN News CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGNING

18th District race heats up

Candidates outlined their visions for housing, education and justice reform. The forum showcased diverse voices, vying for a pivotal seat in Congress.

Credit: Tannistha Sinha/Houston Defender

By Tannistha Sinha

At the Acres Homes Multi-Service Center, residents of the 18th Congressional District met the candidates vying to succeed the late Congressman Sylvester Turner, who died in March.

Fiery speeches and policy descriptions were intercepted by personal testimonies as contenders race to represent the Black Democrat stronghold, represented by pillars of Houston politics: Barbara Jordan, Mickey Leland, Craig Washington and Sheila Jackson Lee. The candidates on the forum came from various backgrounds, from former City Council members and attorneys to activists and chefs. Among the 19 candidates who filed for candidacy, six spoke at the panel: formerly incarcerated chef and restaurant owner Robert Slater, Organizing Director of the Harris County Democratic Party Corisha Rogers, former at-large City Council Member and attorney Amanda Edwards, Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee, former senior advisor to Representative Sheila Jackson Lee Isaiah Martin and former Texas State Representative and City Council Member Jarvis Johnson (expressed strong interest in filing).

After months of demanding a special election to fill the district’s vacancy, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott left the seat unfilled until the next uniform election in November. The district, which represents nearly 800,000 Texans, is still vacant.

All candidates agreed on their admiration for Jackson Lee’s advocacy for the people of the 18th Congressional District.

“I’m not new to this community and so that’s what makes it personal to me because I know that people are counting on us not just to hold political offices and not just to get titles, but to actually do the work that is needed in this community,” Edward said, recalling her father’s battle with cancer and the need for health care reforms. “I know what it feels like to see disinvestment in this community.”

Meanwhile, Slater drew support for his candor about his incarceration and justice reform advocacy.

“I evolved from that, not only becoming the first Black and certified executive chef for many corporations and breaking racial barriers, owning multiple restaurants, including the only Italian restaurant owned by a Black man in the state of Texas, an advocacy group and a foundation,” Slater stated.

The big issues: housing, education, crime and campaign dollars

Regarding policies, candidates largely agreed on the immediate needs of the constituents: affordable housing, education, support for small businesses, and campaign finances, but they differed on their execution plans at the White House.

Menefee touted his record of suing polluters and protecting neighborhoods, while Edwards proposed channeling federal dollars toward affordable housing plans.

“For middle-class families who are working hard, trying to raise a family and looking to own a home, we have to expand down payment assistance in this country,” Menefee said, stressing the need to channel funds into underserved communities.

Slater pushed for oversight of federal funds, criticized the misuse of Hurricane Harvey funds and promised to end the

A range of lived experiences

Edwards leaned into her policymaking credentials, citing her term as an at-large City Councilmember and public finance lawyer.

With no special election, the 18th Congressional District constituents remain unrepresented until November’s uniform election. Credit: Tannistha Sinha/Houston Defender

school voucher program, which recently became law across the state.

Martin, on the other hand, proposed a $25,000 “side hustle fund” to help small businesses thrive.

“That’s how we can elevate our community to reset the next era. This is about winning the future,” he added.

Edwards also proposed community development financial institutions to help local business owners.

“It’s a lack of intentionality and a lack of vision and leadership as it relates to sharing the opportunities [with Black-owned businesses],” she said. “We’ve gotta use this platform as an opportunity to start moving dollars into spaces and places that need them.”

Several candidates condemned billionaire influence on campaigns and called for a limit on spending. Slater said, “The truth is, if I could brag about raising $200,000 in a day and still asking you for money when the funds ain’t coming back to you, I think it’s very audacious.”

Johnson has not filed as a candidacy yet, but defended the delayed decision.

“You don’t run for office,” Johnson said.

“You allow your work to work for you. I’m still working in the community.”

Born and raised in Houston’s Third Ward, Corisha Rogers leaned into her nontraditional political background and asserted that her inexperience was her biggest strength.

She also stressed the need to increase voter turnout, access to preventive health care options and pathways to home ownership.

“We need change and we need a fighter in the district who’s gonna go into DC and also make sure that they’re keeping their community focused at home,” Rogers said.

“I also wanna bring more quarterly town halls because we need those community connections.”

4 | May 22, 2025 |

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DN News TEXAS STATE LEADERS SERIES

Harold Dutton Jr.

Files legislation for Black families, schools, juvenile justice

By Tannistha Sinha

State Rep. Harold Dutton Jr., representing District 142 (D-Houston), does not mince words when it comes to Texas politics.

After more than four decades in office, the veteran Democrat says his job is to represent the underserved, although only a fraction of his 113 bills will become law.

“The system is designed to kill bills, not to have bills passed,” he told the Defender, expressing his concerns about introducing bills in a Republican-led House and Senate.

“I’m just gonna keep on fighting for the people. At some point, Texas is going to have to wake up and face the music because we can’t keep going down the road.”

Protecting Black families A former attorney and the chair of the Committee on Juvenile Justice & Family Issues, Dutton is targeting systemic injustices in Texas’s child welfare system. His HB 2235 revised the definitions of abuse and neglect, and HB 2350 expanded who can file or intervene in parent-child relationship cases by allowing more relatives and certain non-relatives with substantial past contact to seek custody under specific conditions.

“For example, when Child Protective Services looked at the abuse and neglect of a child, they typically had all different kinds of definitions for that,” Dutton explained.

“When it came to Black families, it was terrible.”

Education Dutton remains opposed to Senate Bill 2, or the “voucher bill”, which will allow families to use taxpayer dollars to fund their children’s private education. His perception of the bill is an “unwillingness” from his colleagues across the aisle to “fix what’s wrong” with public schools, like reading proficiency among third graders.

Dutton explained that despite the bill’s passing, most Texas children will continue to attend public schools.

“They’re passing vouchers because they’re trying to help poor kids. But if you wanna help poor kids, why won’t you expand Medicaid?” Dutton asked. “Many of them tell you they’re pro-life. They’re not pro-life. They’re pro-birth because they don’t give two hoots about a child once they’re born.”

Justice system During the 89th legislative session, Dutton has continued his decades-long push for criminal justice reform.

Among his proposals are raising the age of criminal responsibility from 17 to 18 (HB 2234), abolishing the death penalty (HB 2237) and creating legal services for indigent inmates (HB 2647) who have less than a $5 balance in their trust fund account.

establish the Historic Texas Freedmen’s Cemetery Designation Program to recognize and protect cemeteries containing the graves of formerly enslaved Black individuals.

“How we treat our ancestors has a lot to do with how we treat our future,” he said.

Dutton tied the need for Black cultural preservation to a broader call for historical honesty and to recognize Black history as American history.

“We should make every effort to make sure that people know about the contributions from Black people in this society,” he said.

Environmental justice Dutton’s HB 2935 envisions a state park near the Julia C. Hester House to make green spaces accessible to the people of surrounding neighborhoods.

Although Houston’s Fifth Ward residents are grappling with the new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) residential soil test that found non-threatening levels of cancer-causing contaminants, including Hester House, Dutton argues it is a mechanism to drive prices down for developers in the area.

“We seem to be talking about a cancer cluster insofar as the Black people who live there, but when I look around, I see them continuing to build houses that are occupied by non-black people in the same area,” he said. “So, how could it be a cancer cluster for us and it’s not a cancer cluster for them?”

Black legacy A lesser-known but meaningful bill for Houston’s Black community is HB 5363, which would

Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles

Content Manager Terrance Harris

Education Reporter Tannistha Sinha

VOLUME 94, NUMBER 31 - MAY 22, 2025

Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles

Associate Editor Aswad Walker

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender News- paper 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 2025 copyright.

No materials herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the Publisher.

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Managing Editor ReShonda Tate

Culture/Lifestyle Reporter Laura Onyeneho

Sports Terrance Harris Jimmie Aggison Video Editor Bryan Erdy

May 22, 2025 |

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DN News Don’t get left at the gate

REAL ID 101

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GET AHEAD OR GRADUATE EARLY

By Amaka Watson

If you plan to fly anywhere in the U.S. now, something could throw a wrench in your plans.

The federal government finally enforced its REAL ID law. That means your old driver’s license might no longer get you past TSA or into federal buildings.

REAL ID isn’t a new idea. It started after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, when the government decided states needed tighter ID standards. Congress passed the law in 2005, but enforcement kept getting delayed. Now, the Department of Homeland Security says the time is up.

To keep it simple, your ID is not REAL ID compliant if it doesn’t have a star on the upper right-hand side. Depending on your state, that little star—gold or black means your ID meets federal standards.

Reports show that 21% of Black adults lack a valid driver’s license, compared to 8% of white adults.

In Texas, you’ll need to visit a Department of Public Safety office to get a REAL ID, unless you can renew online. You’ll also need to show: • Proof of your full legal name • Date of birth • Social Security number • Two documents showing your address • Proof of lawful status in the U.S. What happens if you don’t have it?

You can still fly after May 7 but only if you have another accepted form of ID. According to the Transportation Security Administration, examples of acceptable forms of REAL ID: • State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID) • U.S. passport • U.S. passport card • DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST) • U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents • Permanent resident card • Border crossing card • An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs) • HSPD-12 PIV card • Foreign government-issued passport • Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card • Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) • U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766) • U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential • Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

REAL ID went into effect May 7, 2025.

Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images

If you show up without the correct ID, the TSA might perform a special identity check. You won’t be allowed to board if they can’t confirm your identity.

Getting a REAL ID sounds simple, unless you don’t have all the required paperwork.

And that’s where many people, especially Black seniors, low-income residents and immigrants, are running into problems.

Some elders, particularly those born in the Jim Crow South, weren’t issued birth certificates and were denied access to certain hospitals. Others may have legal names that don’t match what’s on old documents.

Add limited access to technology, transportation,or the internet and you have a real barrier.

News reports shared the story of Janette Gantt Palmer, who was born in a South Carolina home during the Jim Crow era and couldn’t get a REAL ID because she couldn’t prove that she was born in the United States. The retired postal worker lived in Miami for 55 years and previously had several driver’s licenses. She needed a passport or a birth certificate to prove her identity, and she’s never had any.

What you can do Check your ID. If there’s no star, it’s time to schedule an appointment to replace your card.

Apply early. If you don’t have a passport, now’s the time to gather your documents and head to a DPS office.

Help others. Step in if you have older family members or neighbors who might not know about the change or can’t navigate the process alone.

Know your rights. You can still travel with a passport or other federal ID and TSA must give you a chance to verify your identity if you forget your ID. For more information, visit the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Enroll Now! Don't let summer pass without getting in extra classes • Financial Aid may be available • Many classes to choose from • Registration now open

Scan here uhd.edu/summer

6 | May 22, 2025 |

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DEFENDER NETWORK

DN InFocus Rice University is hosting coding camps for young people.

Credit: idtech.com

Galveston’s Pleasure Pier is a popular destination.

Credit: City of Galveston

Summer activities for kids

By ReShonda Tate

Summer in Houston is bursting with exciting opportunities for kids and families to grow, learn and play. Whether your child loves art, sports, science, or simply wants to splash in the water, there’s something for everyone. We’ve rounded up some of the best summer activities, camps and local spots to help you make the most of Summer 2025.

SUMMER CAMPS Houston Parks Summer Enrichment

Affordable, city-run day camps with sports, swimming and games.

Visit houstontx.gov/parks/ summerenrichment.html YMCA Summer Camps

Day and specialty camps across Houston focusing on sports, arts and character building.

Visit https://ymcahouston.org/programs/ childcare-and-camps/summer-camp Houston Museum of Natural Science Camps

STEM camps covering dinosaurs, space and science fun.

Visit hmns.org/education/summer-camp The Ensemble Theatre Young Performers Program

A six-week youth theater camp ending with a live performance.

Visit ensemblehouston.com/ young-performers-program

iD Tech Camps, Rice University

Hands-on robotics, coding and game

development for tech-loving kids.

Visit idtech.com Houston Arboretum & Nature Center Summer Camp

Children ages 4–12 can enjoy week-long nature camps packed with hands-on activities, guided hikes and wildlife encounters. Extended care options are available for busy families.

Visit houstonarboretum.og Camp Zoofari at Houston Zoo

For kids ages 6–12, this interactive animal-themed camp offers behindthe-scenes experiences and fun learning about wildlife conservation.

Visit Houstonzoo.com Houston Gymnastics Academy

Starting at age 3, kids can attend weeklong gymnastics camps that include skills training, games and themed activities.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY DESTINATIONS Galveston Beach & Pleasure Pier

Spend the day enjoying the sand or exploring amusement rides and

boardwalk fun. Add fishing, golf, shopping, or live shows to the mix for a full family experience.

Visit galveston.com Moody Gardens, Galveston

Explore the Aquarium Pyramid, the Discovery Museum, or catch a film at the MG 3D Theater. Don’t miss a cruise on the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat!

Visit moodygardens.com Kemah Boardwalk

This coastal gem offers rides, dining, and a 35-acre carnival atmosphere,

perfect for a day of thrills.

Visit kemahboardwalk.com

Crocodile Encounter, Angleton

See Nile crocodiles up close and learn what it’s like to care for the largest croc collection in the U.S. Visit crocodileencounter.com Space Center Houston

Kids can experience astronaut training, rocket building and space science

activities. Book the exclusive Level Nine Tour for a behind-the-scenes NASA look.

Visit spacecenter.org ENTERTAINMENT & ARTS Miller Outdoor Theatre

Pack a picnic for free outdoor shows, including the Children’s Hilltop Festival with plays like The Emperor’s New Clothes.

Visit milleroutdoortheatre.com UpStage Theatre

Family-friendly and affordable community theater, with shows for all ages.

Visit upstagetheatre.org The Ensemble

See world-class musical theater and enroll kids in youth workshops.

Visit EnsembleTheater.com Houston Symphony at the Pavilion

Free outdoor concerts include Jaws-In Concert (June 7), StarSpangled Salute (July 3) and Hocus Pocus Pops(October 12).

Visit woodlandscenter.org EDUCATIONAL FUN

Rienzi Summer Storytime Tours

Interactive art and literature activities every Wednesday for kids ages 3+, plus a garden picnic.

Visit mfah.org/visit/rienzi

Read with Pawsitive Pups at Levy Park

Kids practice reading to therapy dogs on the 2nd Sunday of each month.

Visit levyparkhouston.org Discovery Center Nature

Story TimeWednesdays at 4 p.m. with live animals, crafts and nature walks.

Visit naturediscoverycenter.org Houston Public Library Summer Reading Program

Visit neighborhood branches for storytimes, crafts and free reading challenges.

Visit houstonlibrary.org

MUSEUMS & CULTURAL SPOTS

Children’s Museum of Houston

Interactive bilingual exhibits and free family nights every Thursday.

Visit cmhouston.org Houston Museum of Natural Science

Visit the butterfly center, planetarium, or permanent exhibits (free on Thursdays!).

Visit hmns.org Houston Museum of African American Culture (HMAAC)

Exhibits, film series and lectures celebrating Black history and art.

Visit hmaac.org Project Row Houses

Explore local art and history in Houston’s historic Third Ward.

Visit projectrowhouses.org Buffalo Soldiers National Museum

Preserving the stories of African American soldiers from the Revolutionary War to today.

Visit buffalosoldiermuseum.com Houston Arboretum & Nature Center

155 acres of walking trails, meadows and wetlands to explore.

Visit houstonarboretum.org

SPLASH INTO WATER FUN

Wet ‘n’ Wild Splashtown

The area’s biggest waterpark, with thrill slides and a lazy river. Save money by visiting Mon–Fri. Visit wetnwildsplashtown.com Typhoon Texas, Katy

A state-of-the-art waterpark packed with slides, family zones and wave pools.

Visit typhoontexas.com Schlitterbahn Galveston

Climate-controlled rivers and slides make this a year-round hit. Free parking and life jackets included.

Visit schlitterbahn.com/galveston RECREATION & OUTDOOR PLAY Houston Parks & Recreation

With 370 parks, splash pads, and sports facilities, you’ll never run out of places to play.

Visit houstontx.gov/parks Memorial Park

One of the largest urban parks in the U.S., offering golf, tennis, cycling and picnic areas.

Visit memorialparkconservancy.org Discovery Green

Enjoy concerts, films, splash pads, and Thursday-night music events all summer.

Visit discoverygreen.com

8 | May 22, 2025 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Feature

HOODIES 4 HEALING Continues mission to feed the homeless

By Aswad Walker

espite the City of Houston’s efforts to stop groups from feeding the homeless, even writing citations to dissuade them, the group Hoodies 4 Healing has been feeding the homeless nonstop since 2019.

So, what’s its story?

Inspired by near tragedy

Six years ago, teenager Dyanna DeNae needed brain surgery, a frightening prospect for a full-grown adult. Her mother, Rosemary Tucker, created the “I Am Healed” collection of hoodies and other clothing items to raise funds for her daughter’s surgery and to instill in her daughter a positive mindset as she faced the surgery’s unknown outcomes.

“I just pretty much went to Jesus and said, ‘Look, Jesus, this is what we are going to do.

You’re going to heal my daughter to stay with me, and I’m going to serve your children every Sunday until you come,” said Tucker, whose initial fundraising effort went by the name of “Cypress Mom Selling Hoodies.

Dyanna survived the surgery and is now a thriving Gen Zer. And staying true to her promise to serve others if God healed her child, Tucker founded Hoodies 4 Healing with a mission to feed Houston’s homeless.

Feeding the hungry

H4H still designs and sells hoodies, but now does so much more.

“We serve the homeless in Houston, Texas, every Sunday morning in downtown Houston,” said Tucker. “Since 2020, we have personally served over 100,000 hot meals to homeless Houstonians.

“We’ve never missed a Sunday since November 8, 2020, down there every Sunday, preparing hot meals for 300 to 400 homeless Houstonians. So, my motivation comes from God healing my daughter, and I kept my promise.”

According to the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston and Harris County (CHH), more than 23,000 people in Harris County, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties accessed some type of homeless service in 2023. When you include prevention and other services (like clothing or food assistance), the number jumps to more than 52,000 people.

The CHH estimates that the Houston region can expect to see 3,280 people on any given day.

So, it’s good that Tucker and her band of faithful volunteers are “no ways tired.”

“I said, Jesus, I’m going to do more than put my tithes and offering in the bucket. I’m going to treat your children the way that I’m

Residentially challenged Houstonians gather weekly to receive much-needed fresh food and meals from Hoodies 4 Healing. Credit: Hoodies 4 Healing.

Credit: Hoodies 4 Healing.

asking you to treat my children. I’m going to be a blessing to your children the way that I ask you to be a blessing to my children… I’m gonna serve your children the same food that I serve my children,” shared Tucker, whose nonprofit participated in this year’s Black Men’s Wellness Day. Support

Tucker is proud that H4H’s work is a collaborative effort.

“Oh my God. We get so much help. We get so much support. Costco gives us tons and tons and tons of food. We’re partners with Pastor James Dixon and the Community of Faith. State Rep. Ron Reynolds got us on autopay. He does so much for us,” stated Tucker.

Tucker and daughter Dyanna DeNae. Credit: Hoodies 4 Healing.

Count Dixon as a true believer in Tucker and H4H. “Rosemary’s work ethic to feed the homeless is fueled by Christlike compassion,” said Dixon. “She models contagious commitment that inspires partners and supporters to contribute time and resources to the cause. I and The Community Of Faith Church are honored to be a collaborative partner with Hoodies 4 Healing. It’s God’s work and it’s love in action.”

Rosemary Turner founded Hoodies 4 Healing to honor her promise to God for healing her daughter.

Credit: Aswad Walker.

Tucker said her group also receives support from the City of Houston and has been in the exact location since 2020.

Still, Tucker is open to receiving more support.

“We care about the community, we care about the people. We’re always looking for a way to help them. We’re always looking for a way to collaborate with other organizations to be a bigger blessing to God’s children,” she added.

For more info, visit hoodies4healing.org.

May 22, 2025 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

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DN Profile

Dr. James Douglas WISDOM WARRIORS

Shares wisdom gems to empower future leaders

By Aswad Walker

The 81-years-young Dr. James Douglas has literally seen it all.

Long before enjoying his current role as Distinguished Professor of Law at Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law, he was the dean. Douglas also served as president of TSU, his alma mater, where he was a student body president.

Douglas also enjoyed educational and professional experiences at Stanford University and Florida A&M University, respectively. Along with being a practicing attorney and law school professor, the longtime math and science whiz has also given a lifetime of service to the community in various roles, the most prominent of which was his tenure as president of the NAACP Houston Branch.

Douglas agreed to be part of the Defender series “Houston-area elders share wisdom gems to empower.”

Choosing a profession

Douglas shared that as a teenager, he came upon an awareness that altered the course of his life. He realized that if a person sleeps on average eight hours a day, that leaves 16 waking hours.

“I watch my parents come and go to work, and I said, ‘You know, between the time they leave home and the time they get back, it’s about 10 hours. That means almost two-thirds of that day is spent doing something related to work,” said Douglas. “So, the most important thing you can do in life, the most important decision you have to make, is your profession.”

Douglas took “the road less traveled” to identify his career path.

“The big portion of that decision is figuring out how you want to spend your day,” said Douglas. “The mistake most people make is they pick a profession and then they try to fit themselves in that profession rather than sitting down, spending some time trying to figure out, ‘Do I want to spend my

The mistake most people make is they pick a profession and then they try to fit themselves in that profession rather than sitting down, spending some time trying to figure out, ‘Do I want to spend my day inside, outside, using my hands, using my brain; am I an introvert or extrovert? Do I want to spend my time with people?

Do I want to spend my time alone?’ Once you figure that Dr. James Douglas.

Courtesy TSU.

out, then I tell people to find a profession that allows you to do what you want to do every day.”

Dr. James Douglas (far left) stands with NAACP National President Derrick Johnson (at podium) and Texas NAACP President Dr. Gary Bledsoe during a 2017 press conference. Credit: Aswad Walker.

day inside, outside, using my hands, using my brain; am I an introvert or extrovert?

Do I want to spend my time with people?

Do I want to spend my time alone?’ Once you figure that out, then I tell people to find a profession that allows you to do what you want to do every day.”

Taking that approach led Douglas to choose a career path everyone advised him not to take. But it certainly worked out for the best.

“I was not concerned about what anybody else wanted me to do. And at 81 years old, that’s why I still come to work every day.

That’s why I still enjoy what I do because I am doing what I said I wanted to do every day of my life,” he added.

Staying true to yourself

Staying true to one’s self is certainly a recurring theme throughout Douglas’s life.

Doing so led him to make unorthodox decisions that ended up being the right moves.

Take, for example, his decision as a 9th grader during his school’s career day. Douglas went to the room occupied by Henry Doyle, a Black lawyer who was the first graduate of TSU’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law. However, because Douglass was such an excellent math and science student, coupled with the nation’s magnified emphasis on those subjects during the global Space Race,

his counselor attempted to dissuade Douglas from going into law.

“My counselor said, ‘You don’t want to be a lawyer. A Black lawyer cannot make a living in Houston. You’re too good a math and science student,” recalled Douglas.

Ironically, though on a pre-law track in college, Douglas changed majors from the traditional pre-law major of political science, to, of all things, math.

The department head of the political science program thought Douglass was crazy for abandoning political science if he was serious about going to law school. Amazingly, however, Douglas’s decision proved to be the right one.

“Fast forward to the late 80s, early 90s, I was on the board of law school admissions services, the people that give the law school admissions test. One day, in a board meeting, a guy said, ‘We tell students all the time, you can major in anything and go to law school.

And while that’s true, we’ve never tried to find out whether one major prepares you better for law school than another,’” recalled Douglas. “So, we decided to commission a study to find out which major prepared students best for law school. And surprising to everybody, math prepared students better for law school than any other major. So, unbeknownst to me, I made a wise decision to change my [undergraduate] major to mathematics.”

DR. JAMES DOUGLAS Read Douglas’s advice for juggling your professional & private life and for becoming a leader at DefenderNetwork.com

10 | May 22, 2025 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports

Jimmy Butler III Continues to play at the top of his game

By Jodie B. Jiles

After coming into the National Basketball Association with humble beginnings as the 30th pick in the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls, Jimmy Butler III, nicknamed “Jimmy Buckets” has become one of the most clutch players in the league.

Butler, a star product of Tomball, Texas, is one of the most versatile two-way players in the NBA. On offense, Butler creates his own offense and can facilitate so that other teammates can score. Known for playing phenomenal defense, Butler will sacrifice his body to do whatever it takes to get the ball back.

Butler and his seventh-seeded Golden State Warriors teammates recently defeated the No. 2-seeded Rockets in seven games during the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs. But the Warriors weren’t as fortunate in the second round, where they fell to Minnesota.

The Journey

As a basketball player at Tomball High School, Butler was not recruited out of high school, so he had to get it out of the mud to gain the recognition of NBA scouts. After attending Tyler Junior College for a year, Butler transferred to Marquette University.

At Marquette, Jimmy received All-Big East Honorable Mention two years in a row during his junior and senior seasons.

In the NBA, Butler played limited minutes early on before he earned his starting position with the Bulls in his second year on the roster. By the third season with the Bulls, Jimmy was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. From there, Butler progressively became more of a go-to guy for the Bulls year after year. In 2017, Butler was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, then the Philadelphia 76ers in 2018, and the Miami Heat in 2019.

During the 2019-2020 season in South Beach, Butler led the league in steals during the regular season and then guided an

underrated Miami Heat team to the NBA Finals before losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games. Butler carried the Heat to two more Eastern Conference Finals appearances before being traded to the Golden State Warriors during the 2024-25 trade deadline.

2024-25 Warriors Trade and the Playoffs

When the Warriors acquired Butler at the trade deadline this season, the team was a non-contending middle-of-the-road .500 winning percentage team. Since Butler joined the Warriors, he has had the Warriors on fire with a 13-4 record, which helped the Warriors earn a spot in the NBA Playoff Play-In tournament.

When Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was asked what Butler has added on and off the court, Kerr replied, “Jimmy’s an alpha. He’s one of the best players in the league. He’s a brute force out there attacking the rim, and he combines that force with incredible footwork and fundamental play. That’s what makes him great. He never gets sped up. The game always just slows down when he gets it, and we get a good shot over and over again.

He’s also a great defender and he’s fearless.

He loves the competition.”

Warrior’s teammate

forward Moses Moody replied to the same question about Jimmy, stating, “On the court, he’s added wins, so that’s always good. Off the court, he’s got a big presence, you know, he’s himself all the time. I respect that. He’s obviously a good guy to have in the locker room.

Just the conversation that he brings.”

Butler was unstoppable in the first Warriors Playoff Play-In game, leading all scorers with a dominant 38 points that pushed his team into playoff contention against the Houston Rockets in the first round.

After Butler scored 25 points in the Warriors’ Game 1 win over the Rockets, Butler’s production has been up and down as a result of a spinal injury suffered in Game 2.

But the competitor in Butler would only let him sit out a single game before returning to action for Game 4. And despite having a low-scoring night, Jimmy’s impact on defense helped the team shut down the Rockets’ leading scorer, helping the Warriors take a 3-1 lead in the series.

All-Defensive teammate Draymond Green chimed in on Butler’s competitiveness when he said, “He’s changed our season. He’s the reason we’re here right now with a 3-2 lead going home with an opportunity to close out. Just the toughness that he’s brought, the smarts, the competitive fire, and then obviously he’s just a great basketball player, so, uh, he’s brought a lot to this team and, you know, we are going to make sure we capitalize with him.”

Two-time NBA MVP and Four-time NBA Champion Stephen Curry added, “He’s a

guy that understands, especially this time of year, what it takes to win. You’ve seen what he did coming back for us last game off of an injury and giving us everything he had, and we expect that to continue, hopefully closing out this series in game six and then beyond.”

With decisive Rockets victories in Game 5 and Game 6, the Rockets-Warriors the series was tied 3-3 with a winner-takes-all Game 7.

The Warriors, of course, went on to take all.

In Game 5, Butler only scored 8 points, and an NBA analyst criticized the Warriors’ inability to get the ball in Butler’s hands enough as a reason for the defeat. In Game 6, Butler nearly finished the game with a triple-double (27 points, nine rebounds and eight assists).

In Game 7, Butler came through with 20 points, eight rebounds and seven assists to lift the Warriors past the Rockets and into the second round.

The Defender spoke with Jimmy Butler throughout the Rockets-Warriors first-round series, discussing Butler’s competitiveness, his return from injury in Game 2, his competitive matchup against Dillon Brooks and more.

Competitive Spirit

“I just do whatever it takes to win. I pride myself on that. It doesn’t matter how many points, how many shots, how many assists.

Um, the main goal in this game is to always win. So when you do see me out there competing, it doesn’t matter how we get there. Uh, we didn’t get there tonight, but, uh, I always play to win.”

Level of Movement Since Game 2 Injury

“It’s getting there.”

Rebounding from Game 5 Loss in Playoffs

“We’re fine. Our confidence isn’t going to waver any. We are going to start off better and play a better overall game because we know how good we are as a unit and know how good our players are as individuals.”

Competing with Dillon Brooks

“I mean, I like it. I like it when people start chirping. It has been this way this entire series and I don’t think that is going to change. So, we are going to go out there and compete.”

NOTABLE JIMMY BUTLER ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2016 U.S. Olympic team gold medalist Six-time NBA All-Star Five-time All-NBA Team Five-time NBA All-Defensive Team NBA Steals Leader in 2021 2023 Eastern Conference Finals MVP

Jimmy Butler III #10 of the Golden State Warriors became the go-to man for the Warriors in the playoffs, but it wasn’t enough to prevent them from suffering a second-round loss against Memphis. Credit: Getty Images

Verbal Exchanges with Dillon Brooks

“We are not having fun ... ‘I do not like Dillon Brooks.’ I am a fierce competitor, he is a fierce competitor and there is nothing fun about that….I don’t think anybody is trying to be friends with anybody on either team.”

May 22, 2025 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

| 11

DN Sports

Carnegie Vanguard High School senior Laila Payne has left her mark as she is now the most decorated track athlete in school history with three total medals and five school records. Credit: Jimmie Aggison/Defender

LAILA PAYNE

Sacrifices to become Carnegie’s most decorated athlete

By Jimmie Aggison

Laila Payne has become Carnegie Vanguard High School’s most decorated track athlete after a third-place finish in the 100meter hurdles during the 2025 UIL 5A State Track & Field Championships.

“It’s honestly so surreal to see all the things that I’ve accomplished in these four years,” said Payne. “I just can’t help but feel so grateful for all the support that I’ve been able to get both as a student and as an athlete at Carnegie.”

Payne earned three UIL State medals during her four-year high school career. She captured her first medal as a sophomore, winning gold in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 41.96. The following year, she secured a silver medal in the same event after running 42.17. As a senior, Payne shifted her focus to the 100-meter hurdles, 100-meter and 200meter sprints and chose not to compete in the 300-meter hurdles.

“We made the decision for Laila to run sprints her senior year to showcase some of her speed and versatility while allowing her to meet some of her personal goals,” said Carnegie track coach Kylaa Griffin.

Payne, who holds a 3.8 unweighted, 4.7 weighted GPA, will run next season at Princeton University while studying public and international affairs in the SPIA school. She desires to become a corporate lawyer one day.

“Going into college track, I’ll be mainly

running the 400-hurdles, the 400-meters and the 200-meters, so I wanted to try running the short sprints one more time before I leave for college,” said Payne.

At the 2025 UIL 5A State Track & Field Championship, Payne ran 13.63 in the 100meter hurdles and claimed the bronze medal, despite falling on the final hurdle—an incident that cost her just three-tenths of a second and a potential first-place finish.

The fall affected her leg mobility, resulting in a seventh-place finish in the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.84 and a fifth-place finish in the 200-meter dash with a time of 23.89.

“I had bruising on my knees which caused my knee to puff up and begin hurting in the 200-meters,” said Payne.

Payne’s three medals, along with her five school records, 100-meter hurdles (13.63), 300-meter hurdles (41.96), 100-meter dash (11.58), 200-meter (23.89) and 400-meter (55.65), are a testament to not only her athletic ability but also her dedication and time management.

“I was always told to be an accomplished athlete and student, especially with all the things that I love to do was going to be very challenging,” said Payne. “However, I had a great support system at Carnegie. I was in an environment that truly pushed me to become a better version of myself, set goals and change the way I saw the world. That

was essential to my development both as a Payne is a well-rounded student with student, athlete and as a person.” leadership roles across various extracurricCarnegie is known for its academics. It is ular activities beyond track. She serves as not known for its sports. co-captain of the Carnegie dance team and “I can’t count to you how many 9:00 PM or president of the Black Student Union. She 10:00 PM practices I had to do, or the mul- was the director of the Students for Refugees tiple all-nighters I Club during her freshhad to take to be man and sophomore able to balance my years and is also an About Laila Payne: school and social Class: 2025 active member of the life,” said Payne.

IG: @lailapayne_ French Honor Society, “Attending a school Events: 100 & 300-meter National Honor Society where athletics hurdles, 100-meter and Foster Care System aren’t the priority is dash, 200-meters and Awareness Club. difficult. There are 400-meters Payne’s high school no exceptions or Height & weight: 5-feet-3, journey moved quickly, breaks for student 115 pounds pushing her to master athletes.”

Favorite artist: Adele time management As a student Status: Committed to while still making time athlete at a school Princeton University to enjoy the experience. strictly focused Favorite subject: Government “I had to think back on academics, Shout outs: My parents, my to doing the things that Payne had to make school track coaches and I truly enjoyed,” said sacrifices.

Coach Marlon Payne. “Managing time “I sacrificed my becomes less stressful weekends so I could when you’re having train,” said Payne. “I sacrificed my sleeping fun, so choosing things I enjoyed and were schedule so I could turn in my school work passionate about really helped me feel like on time. I sacrificed my social life to balance all of the effort was for something that was my school work and practice every evening, of benefit to me. Often, my days would run every day of the week. On top of that, I also from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM; however, because had my other extracurricular activities I com- I truly enjoyed what I was doing, it didn’t feel mitted to; there was a lot of stress.” like such a task for me.”

12 | May 22, 2025 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

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