May 23, 2024

THE MANY FACES OF

Mental Illness IN BLACKS NEWS

EDUCATION

LETITIA PLUMMER

FRAUD IN FORT BEND?

The Houston councilmember shares her criteria for the next HPD chief.

Volume 93, issue 30 May 23, 2024

The school district has reversed a ranking decision at two predominantly Black schools, but was fraud involved?

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DN To the POINT

Screenshot of Diddy/Cassie viral video.

Associate Editor’s Message County MEO could have been guilty of Why did it take eight years for the Diddy all or none of those aforementioned inhutape (assaulting Cassie) to come to light? mane offenses. They may have simply been Why didn’t the hotel where the assault took guilty of so utterly disregarding the life and place report the incident immediately? If humanity of McFadden and his family that the reason is the hotel was paid off, who they just left his remains sitting around in was paid off, and why aren’t they being held their cellar for roughly two decades. Either accountable? How was Puff Daddy able to way, it speaks to this nation’s ongoing concreate an enabling entourage unwilling to tempt for and/or infatuation with Black stand in the gap for Cassie and any othbodies, dead or alive. ers Mr. Combs may have abused over the Aswad Walker years? Why did it take allegations of Sean Aryan Avenger Strikes Again John sexually abusing brothers before Texas is so racist even its white-on-white many people even took any of the allegations against him crime screams anti-Blackness. Daniel Perry was tried by seriously? Why is it society’s first impulse to disregard a jury of his peers and found guilty of murdering U.S. Air Black women’s claims of abuse, and the second impulse is Force veteran Garrett Foster in cold blood. Foster was to attack them via social media posts, etc.? Why has it been attending a Black Lives Matter protest. Perry went to the accepted into our psyches that true success and equality protest intent on inflicting violence upon participants. He for us is emulating and imitating the negative psychoses manifested his intent, killing Foster, a white man who had and actions of those who have brutalized us for centuries? the audacity to stand up for Black lives. Perry was later And most importantly, when is Puffy’s new music dropping? (way later) arrested, tried and convicted of murder in 2020, ‘Cause you know we’ll be buying it “irregardless.” and sentenced to 25 years in prison. Enter aryan avenger Greg Abbott who delivered Perry from accountability via a Dead or Alive Governor’s pardon. Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher called The history of white people using Black bodies (dead Abbott’s pardon “outrageous” and “an affront to our fellow or alive) for experimentation is as long as it is tragic. Their Texans and our system of justice.” “The power to pardon is history of using Black bodies (dead or alive) for public one that should be used to promote justice, not undermine display and “entertainment” purposes (at circuses, zoos, it,” she added. State Senator Borris Miles called it “a slap in museums and modern professional sports arenas) is just the face to the judicial process” and added that Foster was as lengthy. Keeping the skulls of dead (murdered or worked dead in part because of the open carry law Abbott signed. to death) Blackfolk to further the BS “science” of phrenology “Mr. Foster was open carrying a rifle,” said Miles. “He was (the pseudoscience that claims skull shape and size reveals following the law. He was protecting his disabled wife. For intellectual capacities) is just one example of many. Where that, he was gunned down in the street, and that very rifle am I going with all this? To Florida, of course. The Lake was used as the focal point of the defense… This pardon County (Ocala, Fla.) Medical Examiner’s Office (MEO) sends a dangerous precedent.” recently called the family of murder victim Cedric Wayne McFadden alerting them that they had his remains. This is On the Web a common practice. What’s not so common is the fact that • What is Project 2025, and why does Blackworld need to McFadden was murdered 19 years ago, and the MEO gave be worried? the McFadden’s some, but not all, of Cedric’s badly decom- • Are no-meat diets the answer to Black health problems? posed remains. They kept his skull and spine. Now, the Lake • OpEd: Are we done with Diddy?

Diddy Questions

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DN News

Houstonians’ concerns SURVEY

By Raquel Rogers

other pressing issues for Houstonians. About For the second consecutive year, crime and 21% of respondents expressed worries about safety has emerged as the foremost concern the region’s economy, though this marked among Houstonians, as revealed in the 2024 a slight decrease from the previous year.

Kinder Houston Area Survey conducted by Meanwhile, approximately 27% reported an Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban improvement in their personal financial sitResearch. uations, but a similar percentage indicated a The recently released survey drew responses deterioration. from 5,376 individuals, with 27% citing pubHousing affordability emerged as a siglic safety as a significant issue in the Houston nificant concern, with more than one in five area. This echoes a long-standing trend, with respondents identifying it as the biggest probhistorical data showing crime as a predom- lem facing the Houston area. Additionally, the inant concern between survey indicated financial 1992 and 1997, when over vulnerability among resihalf of respondents idenTOP dents, with 46% admitting tified it as the region’s top CONCERNS they wouldn’t be able to problem. cover a $400 unexpected D espite a genera l Crime expense—a slight increase decline in violent crime from last year. across Houston, the surSafety Climate change also vey’s findings indicate a weighed heavily on the persistent unease among Economy minds of Houstonians, with residents regarding safety. nearly 60% expressing conDaniel Potter, the Kinder Housing cern about its impact on Institute’s senior director of the region. A vast majorresearch, noted that while Financial ity—around 70%—believed crime rates may decrease, vulnerability that elected officials, federal public apprehensions agencies, and large busiregarding safety remain Climate Change nesses should be doing more steadfast. to address this issue.

Concerns about the Potter emphasized that accuracy of crime statistics from the Houston the survey results underscore Houston’s Police Department have surfaced, particularly awareness of its challenges and the collective in light of the revelation that nearly 280,000 responsibility to address them. He stressed the criminal investigations were suspended over need for concerted efforts from all sectors to the past eight years due to staffing shortages. tackle the pressing issues facing the city and Aside from crime, the survey highlighted its residents.

A police officer removes crime scene tape from the area near the scene of a car accident, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in downtown Houston. Credit: AP

Storm damage? Apply for FEMA assistance Defender News Service

FEMA has established in-person assistance locations in Harris County to aid Houstonians seeking support and information regarding potential opportunities from the agency.

Disaster Survivor Assistance crews are available at two community centers: Fonde Community Center and Spring Branch Family Development Center.

For those unable to visit in person, assistance can be sought online at DisasterAssistance.gov or via phone at 800-6213362, with service available from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Residents in Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, and Walker counties may be eligible for assistance.

FEMA offers two primary benefits: the Serious Needs Assistance program, providing $750 for emergency supplies, and the Displacement Assistance program,

Maria Castillo cleans up water and debris from a broken window at her apartment in the aftermath of a severe storm on Friday, May 17, 2024 in Houston.

Credit: AP

offering financial aid for housing-related needs.

In addition to FEMA assistance, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is extending loans to individuals and businesses in Texas affected by recent weather

events, including the recent derecho.

Businesses can access loans of up to $2 million, while individuals may qualify for up to $500,000 for damaged or destroyed real estate and $100,000 for damaged or destroyed personal property.

FEMA CENTER 7am - 7pm FONDE COMMUNITY CENTER 110 Sabine Street SPRING BRANCH FAMILY DEVELOPMENT CENTER 8575 Pitner Road DISASTERASSISTANCE.GOV 800-621-3362

Isabella Casillas Guzman, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, emphasized the agency’s commitment to supporting Texas’s small businesses and residents impacted by severe weather, pledging swift and efficient delivery of federal disaster loans to aid in recovery and rebuilding efforts.

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DN News Police killed 380 people in 2024 so far

By Aswad Walker

On May 3, 23-year-old Senior Airman Roger Fortson was shot and killed by an Okaloosa County (Florida) Sheriff seconds after opening his front door. No instructions given.

No warning. No waiting. Just one second and six shots fired as Roger’s girlfriend listened through a facetime call. Roger’s young life, dedicated to service to our country, was taken where he should have felt the safest.

The NAACP said in a statement: “Police murder someone every day in America. So far, police have already killed at least 380 people this year. How many more people have to die before we see reform? How much more of our tax dollars will be spent paying for excessive force cases? How much longer can cities across the country cut crucial social programs to pump money into already bloated police budgets? Enough is enough.”

The Fortson killing may be just one tragedy, but many Blacks believe it’s one tragedy too many – and there are too many other Fortsons.

Authorities in Florida have released body camera footage capturing Fortson’s tragic shooting death. The fact that he served his country via the U.S. Air Force didn’t inspire police to serve him.

The video shows the deputy being directed to Fortson’s unit (#1401) by a witness who reported hearing shouting and slapping noises from that apartment two weeks prior. However, the witness admitted she was unsure of

Mika Fortson, mother of Roger Fortson, a U.S. Navy airman, holds a photo of her son during a news conference with Attorney Ben Crump, Thursday, May 9, 2024, in Ft. Walton Beach, Fla. Fortson was shot and killed by police in his apartment on May 3, 2024. AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

the specific unit the previous disturbance came from.

Upon reaching Fortson’s door, the deputy did not initially announce himself as police.

When Fortson eventually opened the door holding a gun pointed at the floor, the deputy rapidly fired six shots into his chest without warning.

As Fortson lay dying, he told the deputy, “It’s over there, I don’t have it” referring to the gun’s location. The footage shows Fortson never raised the weapon towards the officer.

Fortson’s family reiterated their belief that authorities went to the wrong door.

“We remain adamant that the police had the wrong apartment as Roger was on the phone with his girlfriend for a substantial amount of time leading up to the shooting, and no one else was in the apartment,” Fortson’s family said in a statement following the release of the footage.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing Fortson’s family, condemned the shooting as an “execution” that violated

Fortson’s civil rights.

“There’s no question that the officer acted with impulse and a lack of proper training when he shot and killed Roger within seconds of the door opening,” said Crump.

The NAACP is turning up the volume on their call for law enforcement accountability.

“Police reform is about people. It’s about the countless lives unjustly taken at the hands of law enforcement, as well as the communities who live in constant fear of falling victim to police violence. Roger Fortson should be alive today. Frank Tyson should be alive today.

Michael Brown should be alive today. George Floyd should be alive today. Breonna Taylor should be alive today. Freddie Gray should be alive today. Sandra Bland should be alive today. Tamir Rice should be alive today. So many more whose names never make headlines should be alive today,” the iconic civil rights organization said in a statement.

“We continue to wait for action on meaningful police reform legislation from elected officials. They continue to fail us. It is truly disheartening that there is a lack of courage and bravery from elected officials to bring about true reform. But a failed result does not change our resolve,” the statement continued.

Specifically, the NAACP is calling on Congress to pass legislation to end qualified immunity and develop a national database to remove officers engaged in a pattern of misconduct from Black communities.

Councilmember shares her criteria for the HPD chief

By Gregory Stevenson

If it were up to Houston City Council member Letitia Plummer, Houston’s next police chief would have all the attributes people say they want in their leaders—impartiality, relatability, responsibility, and accountability.

The at-large council member recently stated that her “dream” HPD chief is “someone that is data-driven, someone that understands the importance of community relationships, and making sure that they can take responsibility, lead and have a lot of transparency.”

Earlier this month, Mayor John Whitmire announced the retirement of Troy Finner as HPD’s head. Executive Assistant Chief Larry Satterwhite is acting HPD chief.

Plummer wants HPD’s next chief to rely on proof as found in verifiable data when making decisions that will impact the city’s level of safety and citizen’s trust in HPD. She also wants a police chief with good community relationships.

Plummer According to some community residents, community relations was one of Finner’s strong points.

“I’ve been to multiple community meetings with Chief Finner in attendance, and he seemed genuine,” said Maddie Harris, a resident of South Park. “But it was during just random community events where city

bigwigs weren’t scheduled to be on anybody’s program, yet Finner was there choppin’ it up, as my son would say, with the people.”

Plummer’s call for more transparency from the chief ’s office seems to be a subtle callback to the controversy that many believe was Finner’s undoing – the personal code / case suspension controversy. Or she may have been referring to the recently concluded HPD investigation into that controversy that’s findings have yet to be publicly released.

Finner did, however, release a statement saying it was an honor to serve for 34 years on the force, and that “the last few months were perhaps the most challenging, but most rewarding.”

“It was painful because some victims of violent crime did not receive the quality and care of service they deserved,” he said.

The announcement of Finner’s retirement came amid an investigation into thousands of cases suspended by an internal code that allowed them to be shelved due to a lack of personnel. During a recent media briefing, Whitmire said Finner chose to retire and that though he accepted it, it wasn’t easy for the mayor to do.

Plummer acknowledged the obvious when speaking about the impact of the HPD code controversy.

“I knew this had brought a dark cloud over HPD and

just the ways in which, unfortunately, the cases were not handled,” she said. “... The leader takes responsibility of something that doesn’t happen under their leadership. And so it wasn’t too surprising that it came to fruition...What I want to ensure is that repeat offenders are handled properly and that the victims have some level of closure at this time. And I’m very grateful that we’re at a position to where this will never happen again.”

VOLUME 93, NUMBER 30 - MAY 23, 2024 Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles

Education Reporter Laura Onyeneho

Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles

Sports Terrance Harris Jimmie Aggison

Digital Content Manager Terrance Harris Managing Editor ReShonda Tate Associate Editor Aswad Walker

Social Media Jordan Hockett Ad Executive Jodie B. Jiles

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Newspaper Inc. and audited by Alliance for Audited Media (AAM). Only digital subscriptions are available at: www.defendernetwork.com/subscribe No paper subscriptions available. All materials covered by 2024 copyright.

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

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DN Education

Fraud in Fort Bend ISD?

By ReShonda Tate

Thousands of Fort Bend Independent School District families will soon gather to honor their 2024 graduates. It will be a celebratory experience, even while allegations of residency fraud hang in the air.

That fraud is believed to be why the district abruptly decided to change valedictorians at two predominantly Black high schools, upending a hotly debated class ranking policy that students have lived under for four years. The 2019 policy said all high school students must be ranked at the high school where they are geographically zoned, even if they attend another school.

After community uproar, and exclusive reporting from The Defender that some students had never set foot on the campus of which they’d been named valedictorians and salutatorians, district officials changed the rankings at Marshall and Willowridge high schools. The district says they have not changed the ranking policy, only the ranking of individuals based on findings after conducting a review.

“When we change a policy with respect to graduation requirements or GPA/Rank, the change must wait until a new cohort of students enters high school to ensure students are aware of the requirements from the very beginning of their high school careers,” FBISD said in a statement.

While the district wouldn’t elaborate o n e x a c t l y w h at prompted the review, saying only that they’d done a “thorough assesment,” critics of the ranking policy say Brown it involves the discovery of residential fraud in the district.

“Based on the fact that I wrote in saying that I had tips about students falsifying their residence, they started investigating,” said community activist and Marshall PTO

president Stephanie Brown. “People tipped me off about the falsification of residency of students who were not actually living in the Marshall zone. Without those tips, I would not have been successful in my advocacy and these honors would not have been returned to our students. It would have been a case of me venting with no action or results.”

The policy had come under fire because parents say they discovered families renting homes in their school zones, so their child could be zoned to historically lower-performing schools, while actually attending schools like Dulles, which has more AP programs. There are families being accused of never moving into those homes and in some cases, falsifying residential documents altogether.

Brown says she’s grateful that a review was done at Marshall and Willowridge, but she is hoping for a full investigation.

“I don’t know how much of an investigation the district did….I would imagine if they did a full investigation - and I don’t know how much time that would take - but I imagine that they would find others,” she said.

THE ISSUE The 2019 policy came after what was seen as unfair advantages to some students who enrolled in schools to which they were not zoned. This was usually done to enter Academies (magnet programs). District leaders started to notice that some students from schools with competitive rankings would transfer to another school where they could be ranked higher. Parents started taking advantage of the policy, which ultimately hurt students who did attend the schools,

FBISD Superintendent Marc Smith listens to community feedback at the May 20 Board Meeting.

and found their rankings lowered.

“It (moving to areas to attend certain schools) has been going on for years,” Brown said. “But this was to the point where this is just not acceptable. I can see people transferring into schools to take valedictorian position, but to do it in a way that you never have to step foot on a campus is just totally insane.”

Several students spoke at the May 20 board meeting about the matter.

“The way people have been able to achieve the ranks shows how horrible of a decision this was, and although claimed to be put into place to create more equitable outcomes, that clearly has not been the case,” said a Thurgood Marshall student whose parent didn’t want her name used.

“Instead of focusing on banned books, how about we focus on the things that actually make a lasting impact on lives? Because this is a mess. Each year until the class of 2028, it will just get worse.” She added for board members, “You owe the class of 2024 an apology.”

THE FIGHT CONTINUES The board of trustees has already eliminated the policy, starting with the class of 2028, when class rank will be based on the campus where the student received instruction. Brown wants the policy changed now.

“The temptation and attempts to cheat the system will be perfected and perhaps not caught the next time around. We don’t know how much of this is going on. So my next step is to try to make sure that they change the policy as soon as possible so it won’t affect the kids moving forward,” she said. “I’m looking forward to working with the new board members and the ones that are remaining to make sure that this policy gets changed as soon as possible so it won’t affect our future students. I have faith that is going to change, but I don’t know how much pushback that they’re getting from the people that have been benefiting for this kind of action. We have to keep the attention on this matter so they know we’re not going to go to sleep on this.”

May 23, 2024 |

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DN Education

| 7

Beyoncé inspires course at PVAMU

By Laura Onyeneho

Beyoncé always finds a way to teach her audience about Black history in her music catalog, and now students at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) will have the chance to earn credits for learning about the Houston icon’s musical impact.PVAMU is incorporating Beyoncé’s landmark album “Renaissance” into its African American Studies curriculum.

Dr. Jeanelle Hope, the school’s director and associate professor of African American Studies, who has an extensive knowledge in Black art and cultural production, Black feminism, and Black queer theory, will lead the charge using components of The Human Rights Campaign’s Renaissance: A Queer Syllabus into her “Race, Class and Gender in America” course this year.

The Human Rights Campaign introduced a collection of academic articles, essays, movies, and pieces on Black queer and feminist studies inspired by Queen Beyoncé’s recent album.

The syllabus will be coordinated by Chauna Lawson, Leslie Hall, and Justin Calhoun, the curators of the Human Rights Campaign’s HBCU program. It will function as a teaching tool that respects, examines, and celebrates Black queer culture. Six lessons make up the syllabus, which begins with “intersectionality and inclusivity” and ends with “social justice and activism.”

This course promises to dissect the album’s impact on contemporary culture, explore its themes within the HBCU experience, and solidify Beyoncé’s place as a powerful voice shaping academic discourse beyond the traditional music sphere. The HarrisCntyFY24_HstnDfndr_ENG_5.20-24_9.75x6.333_f.pdf move highlights the growing influence of pop culture icons like Beyoncé in sparking critical conversations on race, gender, and

Renaissance is Beyoncé’s seventh studio album.

Credit: Getty

social change within the walls of academia.

“This isn’t a new concept. I’ve taught a course on Black women in society, and I reworked the entire syllabus to be (discuss Beyoncé’s previous album) the ‘Lemonade’ class,” Hope said. “We’ve been doing this in response to [her] albums because they have these rich and deep themes that students and faculty can draw from, particularly as they relate to Black studies and women and gender studies.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Beyoncé wrote and produced “Renaissance” to bring happiness and solace to those 1 5/15/24 10:00 and AM commemorate the club era when marwho had been alone ginalized individuals looked to dance music for emancipation.

The album honors the Black queer pioneers of dance music genres.

For the past two years, Hope has taught the “Race, Class, and Gender in America” course in response to the racial and political discourse during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some key themes discussed in the class will be self-identity, intersectionality, LGBTQ resistance, and survival. It’s not just about listening to the album word for word, understanding the historical touchstones mentioned throughout the album.

“What she’s doing is reclaiming music genres with Black genealogies and origins. Reclaiming house music…disco, and we can trace the origins that hasn’t necessarily always been represented in mainstream Black music,” Hope said. “We see it overtly with ‘Cowboy Carter’ and speaking to her Southern roots.”

The course is open to expanding opportunities for students to tour local Black cultural and art exhibitions, participate in album listening sessions in the classroom, and a video essay as part of their cultural analysis project to enrich their academic experience inside and outside the classroom.

Hope’s biggest takeaway is to help students find their voice and challenge them to listen beyond the lyrics. She wants them to become better thinkers and to be confident in discussing tough topics.

“Beyoncé has a very methodical process in bringing her analysis to the booth. The whole concept of seeing the inter-looping and the mixing is very layered,” she said. “And so I want them to have very layered thoughtful responses.”

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DN InFocus

It

to 80% of dementia cases. It slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually, strips the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. Other forms of dementia take the form of Parkinson’s disease, Frontotemporal dementia, Huntington’s disease or Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

By Aswad Walker

has been discussed endlessly Black people’s aversion to seeking the help of mental health professionals. And maybe it needs to be discussed even more, because far too many of the roughly 37 million people in the U.S. who identify as Black, suffer from mental health issues, including anxiety and depression.

Former Houston Rockets great Vernon Maxwell knew during his NBA playing days something wasn’t right with his mental health, and privately he was having those issues addressed.

But neither he nor the larger society was open to sharing or receiving personal testimonies regarding mental health Vernon challenges.

“They already thought that, so they were going to really think I was crazy,” said Maxwell, who played for the Rockets from 1990-95 and was a key member of their two NBA championship teams. “I thought if I go to them and I tell them, `Man, I’m talking to somebody about my problems on my mental side;’ I was just too nervous to tell my teammates or tell anybody that. I was too scared to go do it. And like I said, I lost a lot.”

Maxwell is now trying to break that cycle.

Last fall, his non-profit, the Vernon Maxwell Initiative, held its inaugural Mental Health Symposium as part of Maxwell’s goal to take on athletes and mental health awareness as a cause.

Also last fall, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo made the very public and very courageous move of announcing that she was taking a temporary leave of absence from her high-profile position to receive treatment for clinical depression.

And though many saw Hidalgo’s admission as an opportunity to attack her politically, Hidalgo many more celebrated her openness and willingness to model the behavior many in the healthcare world encourage – to seek help when needed.

In fact, there are some who believe that true social justice, an issue many Blacks both acknowledge and work toward, will remain incomplete until mental health disparities among Blacks are addressed.

Mental health is an essential part of overall physical health and satisfaction. Thus, the increased incidence of psychological difficulties in the Black community means that all areas of Black life suffer when the quality of our mental health is less than it should be.

These increased incidences of psychological difficulties in the Black community are said to be related to the lack of access to appropriate and culturally responsive

EATING DISORDERS Eating disorders are about more than an individual’s relationship with food. They’re complex mental disorders that often require intervention from medical and psychological experts. These conditions cause unhealthy eating habits to develop, such as an obsession with food, body weight or body shape. In severe cases, eating disorders can have serious health consequences and may even result in death, if left untreated.

Common symptoms include the severe restriction of food, food binges or purging behaviors, such as vomiting or over-exercising. The most common types of eating disorders include: Anorexia Nervosa: This is an eating disorder that causes those suffering with it to obsess about their weight and the food they consume, often leading to low body weight.

Bulimia Nervosa: This eating disorder is characterized by vomiting after eating meals in an attempt to control one’s weight.

Binge Eating Disorder: Those with binge eating disorder frequently overeat to the point of discomfort, often as a way to deal with intense or uncomfortable feelings.

THE MANY FACES OF

Mental Illness IN BLACKS

Credit: Adobe Stock

mental health care, prejudice and racism inherent in the daily environment of Black individuals, and historical trauma enacted on the Black community by the medical field. And this is an area that must be addressed.

But before that can happen, the specific mental health challenges faced by Blacks need to be known.

ANXIETY DISORDERS The most common category of mental health disorders in America—anxiety disorders—impacts approximately 40 million adults 18 and older. Anxiety disorders cause people to experience distressing and frequent fear and apprehension. While many may experience these feelings during a job interview or public speaking event (as that can be a normal response to stress), those with anxiety disorders feel them commonly and in typically non-stressful events. And bouts of anxiety can last up to six months or more at a time. “Anxiety” is actually a blanket term that includes a host of specific disorders, including the following: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): One of the most common mental disorders,

GAD is characterized by excessive worry about issues and situations that individuals experience every day. Any worrying that is out of proportion to the reality of the situation may fall under this disorder.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): A condition featuring recurring, uncontrollable thoughts or behaviors that an individual may feel an urge to repeat over and over.

Panic Disorder: Someone who experiences frequent, sudden panic attacks may be diagnosed with panic disorder. Having a panic attack does not mean an individual has panic disorder; instead, a pattern of panic attacks more often leads to this diagnosis.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): A mental health condition that is the result of a triggering, traumatic event. Those who experience violent combat or witness a terrifying event may develop PTSD. Social Anxiety Disorder: Fear and anxiety over being around others or feeling watched or judged may be diagnosed as social anxiety disorder. This condition makes it difficult for those impacted to build and maintain healthy relationships.

MOOD DISORDERS An estimated one in 10 adults suffers from some type of mood disorder. While it’s normal to experience mood swings from time to time, people with mood disorders live with more persistent and severe symptoms that can disrupt their daily lives.

Depending on the specific disorder, people may experience an ongoing sad, anxious or “empty” mood; feelings of hopelessness; low self-esteem; excessive guilt; decreased energy and more. Therapy, antidepressants and self-care can help treat mood disorders. The most common mood disorders are: Major Depressive Disorder: This condition, sometimes referred to as clinical depression, is characterized by two or more weeks of consistent low mood and loss of interest in daily life. Some people live with major depressive disorder their entire adult lives.

Bipolar Disorder: This mental illness is characterized by unusual, extreme shifts in an individual’s mood, activity levels, energy and concentration. This condition was formally called manic depression.Substance-Induced Mood Disorder: Any mood

disorder that occurs because of abusing substances of medications is considered a substance-induced mood disorder. This may include depression, anxiety or psychosis.

PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS Those suffering from psychotic disorders may be unable to understand what’s real and what’s not. This group of mental disorders changes an individual’s sense of reality. Scientists believe that certain viruses, problems with how specific brain circuits work, extreme stress or trauma and some forms of drug abuse may play a role in the development of psychotic disorders. The most common psychotic disorders include the following: Schizophrenia: This serious mental disorder causes people to experience an abnormal reality. They may have delusions, hallucinations or disordered thinking or behavior.Schizoaffective Disorder: A sort of combination between a psychotic disorder

and a mood disorder, schizoaffective disorder causes people to experience both psychosis symptoms, including hallucinations, and mood symptoms, such as depression or anxiety.Delusional Disorder: This disorder is characterized by a “fixed false belief based on an inaccurate interpretation of an external reality despite evidence to the contrary,” according to the National Institutes of Health. Those with delusional disorder do not know that they are not experiencing reality.

DEMENTIA Although mistakenly thought to be a single disorder, dementia is a term that covers a wide range of specific mental conditions.

Those suffering from dementia-related disorders may experience a decline in their cognitive abilities—often severe enough to impair daily life and independent function.

While this category includes a host of conditions, Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60

FIND METHODS TO ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES.

MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH FOR BLACKS According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Here is how mental and behavioral health affect Blacks: • In 2020, suicide was the third leading cause of death, respectively, for Blacks or African Americans, ages 15 to 24.

• The death rate from suicide for Black or African American men was four times greater than for African American women, in 2018.

• The overall suicide rate for black or African Americans was 60% lower than that of the non-Hispanic white population, in 2018.

• Black females, grades 9-12, were 60% more likely to attempt suicide in 2019, as compared to non-Hispanic white females of the same age.

• Poverty level affects mental health status. Black or African Americans living below the poverty level, as compared to those over twice the poverty level, are twice as likely to report serious psychological distress.

• A report from the U.S. Surgeon General found that from 1980 - 1995, the suicide rate among African Americans ages 10 to 14 increased 233%, as compared to 120% of non-Hispanic whites.

Source: minorityhealth.hhs.gov

HOUSTON-AREA MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES C.U.R.E. (Coalition of Urban Resource Experts) The Coalition of Urban Resource Experts (CURE) was established in 2005, it is a grassroots organization of African-American mental health professionals, forming in the immediate aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. CURE seeks to meet the physical, psychological, emotional, educational and spiritual needs of urban people with a focus particularly on people of African ancestry.

713-522-3015, 713-504-1601 Cure4.org Houston Association of Black Psychologists The Houston Chapter of the Association of Black Psychologists (HABPSI) was founded in 1976 by a committed group of pioneers. They united to actively address the serious problems facing Black Psychologists and the larger Black community.

EMAIL: Contact@Houstonabpsi.org The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD Services: Assessments, Mental Health, Psychiatric Services ***Services available even w/o legal status, services available in Spanish, outpatient treatment, documents/ID required to receive services, transportation provided, available 24 hours a day Address: 9401 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77074 www.theharriscenter.org NAMI Greater Houston Services: Mental Health Education, Support Groups for Individuals and Families ***Services available even w/o legal status, services available in Spanish, outpatient treatment Address: 9401 Southwest Freeway, Suite 1234, Houston TX, 77074 713-970-4419 713-970-4483 (S.E.A Center) namigreaterhouston.org UT Harris County Psychiatric Center Services: Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital, Electroconvulsive Therapy ***Services available even w/o legal status, services available in Spanish, inpatient/ outpatient treatment, available 24 hours a day Address: 2800 South MacGregor Way, Houston, TX 77021 713-741-5000 hcpc.uth.edu Depelchin Children’s Center Services: Therapy, Emergency Clinic, Parenting Classes, Foster Care, PostAdoption Address: 4950 Memorial Dr., Houston, TX 77007 713-730-5400 Depelchin.org Mental Health America of Greater Houston Listing of Mental Health Resources https://mhahouston.org/mental-healthresources/

10 | May 23, 2024 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Obits HOUSTON COMMUNITY HONORS

Rev. William Lawson

By Laura Onyeneho

Houston is mourning the loss of a giant.

Reverend William A. Lawson, founding pastor of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church and a towering figure in the city’s Black community, passed away peacefully at 95.

Lawson’s legacy extends far beyond the pulpit. He arrived in Houston in the mid50s, a young man with a fire for social justice. He became the director of the Baptist Student Union at Texas Southern University, a pivotal role that placed him at the heart of the Civil Rights Movement. Lawson didn’t just preach about equality; he lived it. He marched alongside giants like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. But Lawson’s impact wasn’t limited to national struggles. He recognized the need for a strong, supportive community within Houston itself. In 1962, he alongside his wife Audrey, founded Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church with a little over a dozen members.

The church grew into a sprawling complex, offering spiritual guidance, social services, educational programs, and a safe haven for countless residents of the Third Ward.

Tributes poured in online, each echoing his profound impact on countless lives.

Houstonians shared stories of how his guidance and support helped them navigate life’s challenges. Here is what the community members had to say.

From the entire Ronnie Evans family, we offer prayers for the entire Lawson family, our Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church family, the Houston 3rd Ward community, the City of Houston and beyond. Pastor Emeritus William A. Lawson, WABC’s Founding Pastor made such a positive & eye-opening impact on so many.

REV. LAWSON SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS CIVIL RIGHTS A vital voice in the Civil Rights Movement, Lawson marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and helped desegregate Houston’s schools and public spaces. He also hosted King at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in the 1960s and helped Black students who protested segregation at Texas Southern University.

SCOUTING Lawson organized and sponsored the area’s largest scouting program, which has produced over 100 Eagles in its 35-year history. In 1991, he received the Silver Beaver Award for his support of Scouting.

EDUCATION

VISIT DEFENDERNETWORK.COM FOR COMPLETE COVERAGE OF THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF REV. LAWSON

My deepest condolences to the Lawson family. I was a member of troop 242. Eric Lawson was one of my lifelong friends. I’ve known the Lawson family my entire life and was fortunate to have been counseled by Rev. Lawson. Although, we knew this time was coming, we are never ready. Rev. Lawson was a monumental figure in life, yet, he always made everyone around him feel important. He will be truly missed.

May he Rest Well in eternal Peace.

He was a great man who made a difference. Houston would not be the city it is without him. I learned of Rev. Lawson in my teenage years and have admired him to this day. He spoke loudly without ever raising his voice. He’s missed already.

Jelando Johnson

What an honor to even be in the same building with a great civil rights leader…most of which we only get to read about in books. He was so cool and fly still praising God until the day he died, we should all aspire to be so great. I’m sure he is enjoying the great harvest God has prepared for his service to us here on earth. I pray friends and family only cry tears of joy for a life maximized by this powerful man.

I still cannot find the words to express how much I appreciate Pastor and Mrs Lawson. When I moved to Houston 20 years ago, they were so welcoming, supportive, and loving to me, a complete stranger. I feel incredibly fortunate and blessed to have been in their presence. My heartfelt condolences to the Lawson Family and all who love them

My deepest condolences to the entire Lawson Family. I’ve known Rev Lawson practically my whole life, from Childhood to adulthood. His community has grown and expanded, and he’s touched oh so many lives. I am grateful for his grace and his family’s friendship. Thank you, Reverend Lawson, for presiding over my wedding and officiating my marriage. I’ll never forget that day and all the others when you and your family and church took care of me in so many ways, especially recently. May you rest in peace. And may we do our best to emulate your devotion to our community forever.

Rio Watkins

Geaux She

Joi Collette Huckaby Rideout

Stelena Hooper Evans

Fred C. Guess

Lawson established the WALIPP Preparatory Academy, the first charter school for boys in grades 6–8 in the Houston Independent School District. The Houston community also created the William A. Lawson Institute for Peace and Prosperity (WALIPP) in 1996 to honor Lawson, which has established two singlegender charter schools.

FAITH Reverend Lawson was instrumental in the establishment of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in 1962.

Under his leadership, the church grew from a small congregation to one of the largest and most influential churches in Houston, with a focus on community engagement, social justice, and spiritual growth.

COMMUNITY He established a service agency, the Wheeler Avenue Central City Comprehensive Community Center to serve community needs of citizens in the inner. Rev. Lawson also was instrumental in creating a program to register and mobilize voters in the predominantly African American precincts of the city.

HEALTHCARE One of the last initiatives he worked on was building a Geriatric Hospital for the elderly.

May 23, 2024 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

| 11

DN Spotlight

Stacey Allen

Spotlights Texas Freedom Colony Barrett Station in film

By Aswad Walker

Some people have the luxury and ability to dance their way through life without a care in the world. Stacey Allen has made a career of caring for the world through dance, as founder of Nia’s Daughters Movement Collective. But to let her tell it, her real vocation is Black storytelling.

Dance has forever been Allen’s primary medium, mixed with presentations before and after her troop performed their works that told the tale of Black resilience, excellence, and self-determination. However, recently, Allen, a multidisciplinary artist, has expanded her ministry’s reach to include filmmaking.

Case in point, “Aesthetic Inheritances,” her debut documentary, made in collaboration with Danielle Mason and Keda Sharber, highlights one of Texas’s freedom colonies with which Allen has a very personal connection – Barrett Station.

“A few years ago, I created a dance theater production called ‘The Fairytale Project,’” said Allen. “It centered on the lives of Jim and Winnie Shankle, founders of Shankleville, TX, their love story, and how they were able to reunite despite the evils of slavery and create a fully functioning town on their own. My husband and children are descendants of Jim and Winnie Schenkel.”

Allen said through that experience she was bit with the bug to learn more about Freedom Colonies, of which Texas has over 500, because they exhibit the concept of Black sustainability and self-reliance she believes Blacks today have to reconnect with, including the land and agricultural practices to create a viable future.

Allen says “The Fairytale Project” grew from a dance production to an exhibition, which then turned into extended community conversations, which gave birth to the idea of a film; one that truly reflects her divinely-inspired passion.

“I think God just put this work on my heart, honestly, to evangelize about all these Black places showing that our people were fully functioning. I’m really, really interested in everyday Black people. There’s so many stories within ourselves.”

The film deals with the idea of land preservation, exploring the work Ray Barrett does in Barrett Station to maintain his family legacy as a Texas Freedom Colony. In the film Allen also interviews noted multidisciplinary artist and “cultural custodian” Victor Lee Givens.

Allen’s movie takes its name from the bell hooks essay “Aesthetic Inheritances Worked By Hand” which celebrates hooks’ grandmother and other Black women deemed ordinary by society, but who possessed the ability to create extraordinary art in the form of quilts. Allen views Barrett

Station and other Texas Freedom Colonies as works of art produced amid horrendous conditions of racial violence of the past, and offering lessons for an empowered future.

The film was made via the Project Freeway Fellowship from DiversityWorks Allen received; a fellowship that challenged recipients to go behind Houston’s 610 and Beltway loops and create works of art in these outer areas. And it’s those outer, rural areas where most of the state’s Freedom Colonies exist, including Barrett Station.

The film, which has done a handful of public screenings, became an official selection at the Denton Black Film Festival and was nominated for the Texas Best Documentary.

The plan is to screen the movie at more festivals, though it can be seen virtually at www.dentonbff.com. Allen and crew also screen the movie for interested organizations, schools, and congregations.

“We would love to come out and really just hold space with people. We like to screen the film in an environment where we can have dialogue and conversation after,” she added.

For more information, visit www.staceyallencde.com.

LEARN ABOUT ALLEN’S OTHER PROJECTS

12 | May 23, 2024 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Feature

Shrinkflation: Eats our grocery budgets She mentioned some key tips to consider for the next time you shop at the grocery store.

Check the Unit Price Shelf Tags: Many stores are starting to display unit prices alongside the regular price tag. Use this tool to compare brands and sizes efficiently.

Embrace Generic Products: Store brand alternatives often offer the same quality as name brands at a fraction of the cost. Give them a try – you might be surprised!

Buy whole foods: How closely does the food resemble its original form. For example.

A sack of potatoes can be prepared in multiple different ways, so you can have servings for days.

By Laura Onyeneho

Have you noticed your favorite box of cereal feels a little lighter lately, or that bag of chips seems suspiciously airier? You’re not alone. A sneaky tactic known as “shrinkflation” is quietly eroding consumers’ purchasing power at grocery stores across the country. While inflation has dominated headlines for the past few years, shrinkflation operates under the radar, reducing the size or quantity of a product while keeping the price the same (or even raising it!).

This seemingly minor change can have a significant impact on wallets. “Just bought my usual cereal,” one user said on Facebook.

“Box feels lighter, checked the label – sure enough, less cereal for the same price!

Frustrating!”

Manufacturers facing rising production costs often resort to shrinkflation as a way to maintain profit margins without resorting to outright price hikes. The hope is that consumers won’t notice or simply accept the “new normal.” However, with inflation already putting a strain on household budgets, shrinkflation adds another layer of financial burden.

THE NUMBERS BEHIND THE SHRINK

A recent report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics paints a concerning picture. Household paper products have seen a staggering 10.3% price increase due to shrinkflation between January 2019 and October 2023.

That’s right – you’re paying more for less toilet paper, paper towels, and napkins. But

OTHER IDEAS INCLUDE:

Food inflation is still a major drag on voter approval of the Biden economy ahead of November. Credit: Adobe Stock Images

household essentials aren’t the only victims.

Snacks, cleaning products, coffee, and even everyone’s favorite summertime treat – ice cream – have all fallen prey to shrinkflation, with price increases ranging from 7.2% to 9.8%.

The fight against shrinkflation isn’t just about individual consumers. President Joe Biden, in his 2024 State of the Union address, took aim at “corporations that engage in deceptive pricing,” specifically calling out shrinkflation. He has proposed legislation that would give the Federal Trade Commission the authority to regulate shrinkflation

and take action against companies that engage in the practice.

Hallease, a Texan filmmaker shared her thoughts about the issue.

“When you start to think about those of us who are actually really struggling to put food on the table and feed families this becomes serious kind of fast,” she said. “How do we look out for each other during this time of shrinkflation and greedflation?”

Become a Label Detective: Don’t be fooled by flashy packaging! Check the product size and unit price (usually listed as “price per ounce” or “price per gram”).

This allows for informed comparisons and helps identify the best value for your money.

Use Coupons: Don’t underestimate the power of coupons! Combine them with store loyalty programs and digital promotions to maximize your savings.

Bulk Up Your Savings: Consider buying certain staples like rice, beans, or pasta in bulk from warehouse stores if you have the storage space. Just be sure you’ll use everything before it expires.

WHAT’S THE GOVERNMENT GOING TO DO?

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Government agencies, school districts, prime contractors, probate lawyers, and more... use our new self-serve system for placing classified ads https://www.column.us/notices/

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Invitation for Bids Balfour Beatty is soliciting bids for subcontractors and vendors for construction of control no 0015-13428, ETC on IH 35 from Holly Street to US 290W/SH 71, and control no 0028-02-097, ETC on US 90 at Greens Bayou bid date for both is June 5, 2024. Email, mail, or fax quotations to Balfour Beatty, 1114 Lost Creek Blvd, Suite 500, Austin, TX 78746, fax: (512) 707-0798 email: bbiisw@bbus.com . DBE/ HUB contractors are encouraged to submit bids. Plans and specifications are available to be reviewed at TxDOT Plans On-line: https://www.txdot.gov/business/plans-online-bid-lettings.html E.O.E. For information contact Brian Ficzeri at (512) 707-0797.

NOTICE TO BIDDERS The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas (METRO) is planning to issue the procurement documents listed in this advertisement.

IFB No. 4024000148: Maintenance of Way Construction Project. Solicitation will be available on or about 05/21/2024. Prospective bidders/proposers can view and download these solicitations by visiting METRO's website at ridemetro.org/Open Procurements. If you are unable to download the documents or are having difficulty, please contact 713-615-6125 or email Contracts/Property Services at propertyservices@ridemetro.org

IFB No. 4024000144: Downtown/HOV Lane Red Traffic Paint Removal. Solicitation will be available on or about 05/13/2024. Prospective proposers can view and download these solicitations by visiting METRO's website at ridemetro.org/Open Procurements If you are unable to download the documents or are having difficulty, please contact 713-615-6125 or email Contracts/Property Services at propertyservices@ridemetro.org.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL HOLIDAY DÉCOR PROGRAM FOR HOUSTON DOWNTOWN MANAGEMENT DISTRICT The Houston Downtown Management District (the “Downtown District”) will receive responses to a Request for Proposal (RFP), for a creative contractor to design and install a holiday décor program.

Proposals will be received until 5:00 p.m., local time on Friday, June 7, 2024, at rfp@DowntownHouston. org with Holiday Décor in the subject line. Proposals submitted after the submission deadline will not be accepted. Respective of this advertisement, telephone or mail queries or requests for information will not be addressed by the Downtown District.

Beginning Thursday, May 16, 2024, this Request for Proposal (RFP) may be reviewed and downloaded as an electronic file from the Organization’s website: https://downtownhouston.org/do-business/ procurement-rfp. Based on the Proposals submitted, an evaluation and selection committee will identify the highest-ranked winning proposal. Staff will negotiate and recommend to the Downtown District Board for authorization to contract with the selected contractor based on the evaluation criteria.

Proposers shall comply with City of Houston Code of Ordinances, Chapter 15, Articles II, V, VI, and XI and the Mayor’s Executive Orders No.1-7 Pay or Play (POP) Program for Houston Public Works for the public procurement procedures of the City of Houston Office of Business Opportunity (OBO) established in March 2008 and the entity responsible for the administration of the Minority/ Women-Owned (M/WBE), Persons with Disabilities Enterprises (PDBE), and Hire Houston First programs.

May 23, 2024 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

| 13

DN Feature A healthy phone relationship!

By Laura Onyeneho

Cell phones have become an undeniable extension of ourselves. A 2023 study revealed Americans spend a staggering 5.4 hours a day glued to their devices. While smartphones offer many benefits, there are concerns about the potential downsides of excessive use.

The question on everyone’s mind: how much is too much, and how can we cultivate a healthy relationship with our phones?

Simone Jackson is a Houston-based young professional who is constantly in a rush daily, using her phone for business, connecting with friends and family, and keeping up with what’s happening in the world. But recently, she became more anxious whenever the phone dinged or rang.

“I had no peace of mind. I felt like I always had to be on,” she said. “It wasn’t healthy. It was exhausting even at night, and I had to create boundaries and set aside time to keep my phone on mute.”

For students like Jocelyn Edusei, her phone is a way to escape all of the stresses of her everyday life. From going to school full-time, working, and “overall adulting,” mindless scrolling was her coping mechanism.

“It’s almost like an addiction,” she said. “It feels good for the moment until it doesn’t, and then you realize that I can’t reclaim the time I wasted when I could have done more productive things.”

The convenience of having the world at our fingertips

Research suggests smartphones impact the brain in a variety of ways. Credit: Adobe Stock Images

comes at a cost. Medical experts say that excessive screen time before bed disrupts melatonin production, a hormone that regulates sleep. This can lead to insomnia, daytime fatigue, and a weakened immune system.

Beyond sleep, the constant use of our phones impacts our brains. The constant barrage of notifications and stimuli can impair our ability to focus and retain information. People are becoming accustomed to rapid, short bursts of information, hindering our ability to engage in deep thinking and critical analysis.

The impact isn’t limited to adults. A 2023 study published in JAMA Pediatrics showed a 52% increase in screen time for children over three years. The long-term effects on their developing brains remain unknown, but it’s a question demanding attention from healthcare professionals, educators, and parents alike.

So, how do we break free from the digital clutches? Experts recommend a multi-pronged approach: Awareness is Key: The first step is acknowledging your phone habits. Most smartphones offer built-in tools to track daily usage. Understanding your baseline allows you to set realistic goals.

Limit Notifications: The constant pinging and buzzing are designed to grab your attention. By silencing unnecessary notifications, you regain control over when you check your phone.

App Audit: Identify the apps that consume most of your time. Consider removing those that don’t add value or replacing them with healthier alternatives.

Power Down, Power Up: Schedule phone-free zones throughout the day. This could be during meals, social gatherings, or even designated “deep work” blocks. Engage in activities that don’t involve a screen, allowing your mind to recharge and reconnect with the real world.

Your phone is a tool. You control how you use it. By setting boundaries and incorporating phone-free time, you can cultivate a healthy relationship with your device and reclaim control over your time and attention.

14 | May 23, 2024 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports Rockets rookie guard Amen Thompson was named to the KIA NBA All-Rookie second team, making him the fourth straight Rocket to make the rookie team.

Sports Briefs ASTROS PITCHER RONEL BLANCO GETS 10-GAME SUSPENSION Astros star pitcher Ronel Blanco was ejected at the start of the fourth inning of a 2-1 win over Oakland Ronel after the umpire detected a Blanco sticky substance inside his glove. Blanco was hit with a 10-game suspension by MLB last week. And that is the last thing a rotation that ranks near the bottom and has a 4.78 ERA needs. Blanco has been a breakout star for the Astros this season.

TEXANS C.J. STROUD HELPS CITY CLEAN UP IN AFTERMATH OF STORM Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud showed that he is willing to get out and roll up his sleeves to help the people of Houston. He was C.J. out helping to clean up Stroud neighborhoods following the storm that left homes in shambles, fallen trees and debris everywhere and many in despair.

Stroud also took time out to toss the football around with a 14-year-old kid in one of the neighborhoods and it was captured on video.

TEXAS SOUTHERN TIGERS WIN SWAC WEST TITLE The Texas Southern baseball team may have been the biggest surprise of the SWAC this season. The Tigers, who were picked to finish fourth in the SWAC West Division during Michael Robertson the preseason, claimed the division title and the West’s top seed in this week’s SWAC Championships in Atlanta. Coach Michael Robertson’s team overcame the loss of several record-breaking players from the 2023 team.

PAULINE BANKS, TSU PART WAYS Pauline Banks, one of the most respected and accomplished women’s track and field coaches in the SWAC, is no longer with Texas Southern following 14 seasons. “I would like to thank Coach Banks for the dedication Pauline she has showed towards Banks Texas Southern University, the athletics program and her student-athletes,” said Texas Southern athletic director Kevin Granger. TSU will begin a nationwide search for its next women’s track & field head coach immediately.

Prairie View junior outfielder Jayden Williams went 4-for-4 at the plate, scored five runs and knocked in an RBI during a 2013 win over Alcorn State.

MIKE HOLMES Moves into TSU Sports Hall of Fame

By Terrance Harris

Mike Holmes left a mark on the Texas Southern football program that may not ever be forgotten.

The two-way safety/wide receiver set standards that are surprisingly still in tack more than 50 years since Holmes played for the Tigers. He remains TSU’s career interceptions leader with 20 picks from 1969-1973. And he is the last TSU player to be taken in the first round of the NFL Draft when the San Francisco 49ers took him with the 18th overall pick in 1974.

Holmes, now 73, played safety and wide receiver in the NFL, CFL and USFL in a professional career that spanned from 19741983. In his life after playing, Holmes is well known as a former director for Major League Baseball’s RBI program here in Houston.

The former Galveston Ball standout and two-time All-SWAC honoree will be one of 24 inductees going into the Texas Southern University Sports Hall of Fame in October.

The Defender recently caught up with Holmes while he was playing a game of dominoes at a YMCA in the area and here is what he had to say in between slapping bones, keeping score and a whole lot of smack talking.

Defender: What does this mean for you going into the TSU Hall of Fame?

Holmes: It means that all the work I’ve

done within Texas Southern, NFL and high school, everybody has been well appreciated. The word respect means a lot to me. It’s a great day for me because I’m in position now because this is something that has never happened within my family. I’m in six Hall of Fames at this point. The biggest thing is people respect you for what you’ve done on the field and off the field.

Defender: What does TSU mean to you and what did your time there mean?

Holmes: TSU is place that gave me an

opportunity to achieve in life. It gave me an education, it gave me an opportunity to play sports and at the same time, it has been well appreciated by me. And anything I can do for TSU, provided it makes sense, I’m here to help out.

Defender: What do you remember

about your playing days at TSU? Holmes: My years at TSU, we had a lot

of success, a lot of great times. I can’t say too much because my wife may have a bug on me (laughter). Those were four beautiful years I spent at TSU. I had an opportunity to meet people from different areas, different cities, and different states. I got a chance to travel while playing and I had never had the opportunity. Friendship means something and I was able to build those kind of friendships and those friendships still last today. I can get on the phone and call some my teammates now and we talk about old times that we had over at Texas Southern University.

Defender: Do you have a favorite memory from your time at TSU? Holmes: I would say no because the

four years I was there I accomplished a lot of stuff at TSU. My first year, I was able to play on the football team. I was probably the last freshman to start on the football team because back then freshmen weren’t allowed to play varsity ball. That year, I was freshman of the year and the next year I was there, I played wide receiver. Every year, it was always moving up to where I was able to achieve a lot of things.

Defender: How surprised are you that your 20 career interceptions still stand?

Holmes: My question is why? This is way

back in 1973. So what have they been doing

SEE THE HALL OF FAME LIST

from 73 up until now. I’m still the career interceptions leader at TSU. Haven’t nobody come close to it yet.

Defender: What was it like being a two-way player back then?

Holmes: I was one on of the players who

never left the field. We talk all this stuff about Deion Sanders. We did that a long time ago. I had an issue. I didn’t want to leave the field. So me and the coach had a good understanding.

If you want to win, you’d better keep me on the field.

Defender: How did your time at TSU prepare you for what was to come?

Holmes: Every year we had different indi-

viduals that you play with. At the end of the day you have to set yourself a goal. And my goal was to make it to the NFL. How do you make it to the NFL? You’ve got to have some stats. I made sure when I was on the field at the end of the day when they said MVP, my name came up. Throughout my career, I accomplished a lot and didn’t know it until you look back and it’s down on paper.

Defender: What was your reaction when you learned you are going into the TSU Sports Hall of Fame?

Holmes: There wasn’t no emotion. It was

just understanding what people are trying to do and why they are trying to do it. At the same, if you go along with the guidelines, win, lose or draw, my name had to come up. I’m already in five Hall of Fames. It’s no emotion because we know as I knew, if you are going to do things right, my name has to come up because I’ve been there before.

May 23, 2024 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

| 15

DN Sports

KENNEDY HILL Plays last dance at Heights High

By Jimmie Aggison

ABOUT KENNEDY HILL Class: 2024 IG: @kennedyy_kj Twitter: @ KennedyHill2024 Position: Shortstop, Outfielder Height & weight: 5-feet-8, 170 pounds Players she studies: Outfielders currently at the University of Incarnate Word Status: Committed to the University of Incarnate Word Favorite artist: J. Monty Favorite subject: English Shout-outs: My parents, God

For the first time in program history, the Houston Heights High School varsity softball team advanced to the fourth round of the playoffs after defeating Memorial High School. The 2024 Heights softball team consisted of five seniors, who each led the team in their respective skill. None was more feared by opposing teams than senior shortstop, Kennedy Hill.

“When I’m up to bat, all I look for are strikes,” said Hill. “I knew in the playoffs I wasn’t going to get many good pitches to hit, and many pitchers were going to try and get me to chase balls outside the strike zone. But when I see a pitch I like, I go for it. I can’t miss out on that pitch because I know I won’t get them very often.”

Hill led the team with 10 home runs, 44 RBIs, 33 runs scored, a batting average of .303, and a slugging percentage of .758.

“I wanted to build more power and strength, so I began doing more explosive workouts, less reps and more weight. The goal was to swing faster with more explosion in my swing,” said Hill.

Hill’s batting combined with teammate Haylie Jaimes’s pitching and centerfielder Laila Robins’ dependable pop fly glove, made for a formidable Heights team with lots of heart.

“It was very fun playing with them. We have great chemistry on and off the field, so playing with them was an amazing experience,” said Hill. “I knew they had my back and I had

theirs. We’ve known each other for a while and that makes it easier for us to trust each other on the field.”

Hill began playing softball when she was eight years old for the Hawks in the West University Softball Association. Throughout her years she’s played with several teams including TSF Elite, Bombers, Blaze United, Impact Gold and Dymond Legacy. However, it wasn’t until her freshman year that she realized she was simply built differently than most.

“I knew I had something special my freshman year. I was nervous coming to high school and I didn’t know what to expect but, that’s when I knew I was kind of different from everybody else. I was already there and I knew that I was going to be able to add something special to the team,” said Hill.

Before softball, Hill tried volleyball but found her gift on the softball diamond.

“My dad took me to see a few volleyball clubs because I was showing interest, but the girls on that level were just so far advanced, I just couldn’t get with it at the moment. I played my freshman year in high school, but I found my skills best being used on the softball diamond,” said Hill.

Hill credits her experience of playing on the national level for preparing her to make a huge impact on the high school level.

“The national level is way more complex,” said Hill. “The game moves so much faster and that forces you to stay on your toes, but it helps get you ready for college ball. With it being more competitive, you also get more colleges looking at you too.”

Next season Hill will be playing at the University of Incarnate Word while studying cyber security.

“When I went to visit the coaches were very nice and respectful. They discussed the importance of having good mental health and I feel that’s something very important when it comes to sports. It’s also a Christian University and that’s something that’s really important to me, so I felt right at home there,” said Hill.

When looking back to inspire the next group of athletes, Hill recalls the advice given to her by her dad, Joe Hill.

“Strive to be the best you can be.

Don’t let anybody tear you down because there’s always going to be haters who will not like you for any reason. Sometimes they don’t even have to have one. Just know who you are and don’t let anybody change that,” said Hill.

16 | May 23, 2024 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

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To update my kitchen like the ones on the cooking shows.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT HOME IMPROVEMENT LOANS UP TO $25,000 AT A LOW 2.003% APR1!

At Stellar Bank, we’re all about making your dreams a reality. Whether you’re planning to remodel your kitchen, upgrade your HVAC system, or enhance your home’s exterior, our Community Development Home Improvement Loan can make your home makeover more affordable.

Visit Stellar.Bank/home to apply or stop by one of our Banking Centers to talk to a banker.

NMLS# 451312 All loans subject to credit approval. Certain restrictions apply.

The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) shown is for a home improvement loan of at least $10,000 with a 15-year term at 2.003% APR, the monthly payment is $64.35. This example is only an estimate and assumes all payment are made on time. Your actual APR may be higher than the rate shown. Rates are accurate as of 03/01/2024 and are subject to change without notice. All loans subject to credit approval. See bank for details. Certain restrictions apply. Rate discount of 0.25% available with automatic payment from a Stellar Bank checking or savings account. Deposit products offered

by Stellar Bank.

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This product is available only to low-to-moderate income borrowers or to borrowers whose home is located in a low-to-moderate income geography (i.e., tract-location) in the following counties: Chambers, Fort Bend, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, Waller, Jefferson, Hardin, Orange, Dallas, Wharton, Newton, Jasper and Tyler.