May 25, 2023

Fighting Back Harris County files lawsuit to stop GOP voter suppression ENTERTAINMENT

NEWS

ENSEMBLE THEATRE

SHAWN THIERRY

New play, ‘Brother Toad,’ confronts the issues of gun violence and gun control.

Volume 92, issue 28 May 25, 2023

The State Rep. is being inundated with praise and some criticism over her vote for SB 14.

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2 | May 25, 2023 |

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DN To the POINT

In this Sunday, June 7, 2020, photo, the sun shines above a mural honoring George Floyd in Houston’s Third Ward. Floyd, who grew up in the Third Ward, died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on Memorial Day. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Associate Editor’s Message REMEMBER GEORGE FLOYD, HONOR DARNELLA FRAZIER

served on corporate boards. I have been at G-summits. I have sat in at the U.N. Here’s the secret: They are not that smart.”

On May 25, 2020, George Floyd, an unarmed Black man from Houston, was killed by now former police officer and conWHILE CELEBRATING victed murdered Derek Chauvin. The murder THE GRADUATES… took place during an arrest in Minneapolis, Tis the season, that May/June annual while four Minnesota officers ignored Floyd’s tradition of our children, nieces, nephews, calls for help, saying “I can’t breathe.” But cousins, spouses, homies, parents, uncles, had it not been for the 17-year-old Black girl aunties and others near and dear to our named Darnella Frazier, whose refusal to stop hearts, take that walk across the stage to Aswad Walker recording the murder allowed the world to receive those hard-earned diplomas and see the execution, the original police press degrees. We joyously and rightfully celerelease titled, “Man Dies After Medical Incident During brate their accomplishments and all the hard work they Police Interaction,” would be all anyone knew of the killing. poured into making their graduation days happen. But, while we’re showering the graduates with much-deserved THE REAL ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE praise, let’s take the time to also celebrate those souls who Yes, AI is taking over the world in ways that look like poured into them, and helped fuel their journey. Folk who a precursor to “The Terminator” or “The Matrix.” But the attended those graduations, and folk who couldn’t. Those most dangerous “artificial intelligence” is when we confer still in the land of the living and those who have transiupon individuals classified as white, a level of “smarts” tioned on into the realm of the ancestors. K-12 teachers, we erroneously believe is superior to our own. In ways athletic coaches, lunchroom ladies, supportive neighbors, subtle and not so subtle, this society preaches this misin- church family, friends, parents and parent figures and formation; so much so that many of us fall victim to the countless others helped make a way for these graduates. “imposter syndrome,” finding ourselves, due to our aca- So, while we’re throwing all the parties and giving all the demic or professional achievements in spaces we convince gifts to the graduates, don’t forget to share a little love with ourselves we don’t deserve to be in because we feel we don’t those who helped them along the way. measure up. Even our Forever First Lady Michelle Obama says she still battles this demon. But to remind herself and ON THE WEB others of the greatness and intelligence we possess, she • Stroke: the leading cause of death for Black adults. shared these words: “I have been at probably every power• Nigerian chef cooks for 100 hours ful table that you can think of. I have worked at nonprofits. non-stop, breaks record.

I have been at foundations. I have worked in corporations.

• Paris Kimble wins gold in 6A girls’ shotput.

May 25, 2023 |

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DN News FIGHTING BACK

Harris County files lawsuit to stop GOP voter suppression

By ReShonda Tate

Democratic officials are filing a lawsuit against the State of Texas over new legislation which targets Harris County elections.

“Republican legislators are again targeting Harris County, singling us out to score cheap political points,” said County Attorney Christian Menefee. “This sets a dangerous precedent, and we all know the legislators in Austin won’t stop here — this will lead to more attempts to remove local officials in the state’s most diverse counties. We’re suing the state of Texas to protect Harris County residents, to protect our public officials, and to stop the state from targeting us. The Texas Constitution is clear. The legislator can’t pass laws that target one specific city or one specific county.

And that constitutional ban makes a whole lot of sense.”

TARGETING HARRIS COUNTY At issue are two bills: SENATE BILL 1750 would eliminate the Harris County elections administrator position — a nonpartisan position appointed by local elected officials — and return all election duties to the county clerk and tax assessor-collector.

SENATE BILL 1933 — amended on the House floor to impact only Harris County — gives the Texas secretary of state oversight of local elections, the authority to investigate election “irregularities” after complaints are filed and the authority to order the removal of a county election official if “a recurring pattern of problems” isn’t resolved.

The set of bills aimed at the state’s most populous county were among about a dozen bills authored by state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, who has said Harris County election problems in the past year were the “genesis” of the proposals.

“The passage of SB 1750 is a victory for all Harris County voters. Accountability is important, and this bill returns the responsibility of running our elections back to duly elected officials, not a partisan appointee,” the Harris County GOP said in a statement.

“This is going to undue years of work that the County has taken to build up that office and set up that workforce. It’s going to confuse things for county employees and it’s going to throw our process into chaos just a few months before a major election,” said Menefee.

“If signed by the governor, all of these bills would become effective by Sept. 1 of this year, leaving roughly two months for the county to make the necessary adjustment before this year’s mayoral election,” added mayor

WHAT LEADERS ARE SAYING “The attacks on the city of Houston and Harris County are wrong, they’re undemocratic, and will certainly have a chilling effect on the ability as a community to do what is in the best interest of the people in our region and will limit our ability to make local decisions.”

Mayor Sylvester Turner Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee is joined by Judge Lina Hidalgo, Mayor Sylvester Turner and Commissioner Rodney Ellis to discuss their decisions. Harris County

Sylvester Turner. “The changes being forced on the county will have a direct impact on this year’s mayoral election. I’m term-limited, but I want to make sure voters don’t have any problems casting their ballots in the upcoming election.”

WHERE IT STARTED In July 2020, the Harris County Commissioners Court voted 3 to 2 along partisan lines to create a new office of the county administrator. The move drew bipartisan opposition in the county, where two Black Democratic women, Taneshia HudHudspeth speth and Ann Harris Bennett, had been elected to the offices of tax assessor-collector & voter registrar and county clerk, respectively.

In August 2022, the county hired forBennett mer Washington D.C. Executive Director of Elections Clifford Tatum, a Black man. Delayed openings, malfunctioning equipment, and a ballot paper shortage Tatum at multiple locations

during the 2022 general election in Harris County have drawn lawsuits from civil rights groups and the county’s local Republican Party, a still-pending criminal investigation, and multiple election contests.

Menefee said it shouldn’t be lost on voters that all three of the people being targeted are Black.

“We live in a big state with a lot of people...yet these bills target three Black elected officials in Harris County. This is exactly why the Republican Party hasnt been able to win the hearts and minds of Black people in this country. They shake your hand with one hand and they stab you in the back with the other. Enough is Enough.”

WHAT’S NEXT? If the bill becomes law and survives potential legal challenges, current administrator Clifford Tatum would have until Sept. 1, 2023 to hand off his duties to the county clerk and tax assessor-collector. As the bills head to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk, Menefee says they are poised and ready to move.

“We’re going to approach this on parallel tracks. We plan to file our lawsuit, uh, in short order once the governor signs these laws into effect. At the same time, we’re going to start the process of talking about what that transition looks like and make sure that we’re doing everything we can to ensure that our Harris County Clerk Tanisha Hudspeth is properly empowered to run that election. I want to be clear: this fight is not over. We cannot and will not allow the state to illegally target Harris County.”

“We won’t allow Austin extremists to undermine our Democracy.”

County Commissioner Rodney Ellis “SB1933 would give effective control of Harris County elections to a single state Republican official. She’d have full control and could fire our non-partisan Elections Administrator. The bill changed today to apply *only* to Harris County and now heads back to the Senate.”

County Judge Lina Hidalgo “Harris County is the largest Democratic county in the state. It’s no coincidence Republicans are trying to take over its elections.

Republicans are trying to empower the state to take over local elections in Harris County — the largest, most diverse county in the state.

It’s the same old story.

When Republicans can’t win, they just change the rules.”

State Rep. Jarvis Johnson

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DN News REP. SHAWN THIERRY

SB 14 vote brings praise, blowback

By Aswad Walker

State Rep. Shawn Thierry (District 146) has received a mountainous response to her vote for SB 14, moving to raise the age to 18 for children to be able to receive “p u b e r t y b l o c k ers,” cross-sex hormones and undergo “gender-switching” surgeries.

Thierr y’s letter explaining her vote posted on Twitter and a video of her address Thierry on the floor of the Texas House on the subject garnered 2.3 million views on social media. And though many of the online comments were supportive of Thierry’s position, many were not, including racist responses, and even threats.

Currently, a six-year-old, with their parent’s consent, can get the gender-transforming procedures that include the drug Lupron used on some sex offenders.

“Lupron, the ‘puberty-blocking’ drugs, are given [to youth who believe they were born in the wrong body] at around nine or 10-yrs-old and surgeries removing breasts have been given to girls as young as 14,” said Thierry, who added, “These girls have received double mastectomy’s even though they do not have cancer and can obviously never grow back their breasts.”

Such procedures have been known to not

only block puberty, but stunt growth and facilitate other health issues.

Thierry says she’s not against individuals who want to undergo these procedures, but believes they should at least be 18 before making a life-altering decision.

“In the state of Texas [at] 18 you can’t get a tattoo even with parental consent because it’s permanent. And so, we want to make sure that kids are really aware of what they’re doing. As well, in Texas, you cannot even go to a tanning salon under the age of 18 because of the increased risk of cancer and getting burned,” stated Thierry.

“By and large [responses to my vote have] been very, very supportive. But there are those who are equally as upset,” she said, adding many of the negative comments came from transgender activists.

“What’s interesting, very little is coming from my own community, my constituents, the people that I represent in House District 146. I met with my constituents, and they overwhelmingly said, ‘Yes, Ms. Thierry, raise the age to 18, set the age to 18.

We want to protect our kids.’”

Thierry, along with State Rep. Harold Dutton, were the only two Democrats to vote for SB 14.

“There were those of my Democratic colleagues who were afraid, unfortunately, to take a stance with me. Privately, they told me they agreed,” said Thierry who found solace in believing she voted in a way to

SB 14 addresses the age children can get gender-switching surgeries. Getty

protect children, and the passing of similar bills elsewhere.

“These bills have passed in about 16-to18 states. And I think recently, our neighboring state of Louisiana just voted and passed the same thing on the floor. And four Black democrats in Louisiana agreed

with me and voted the same way.”

At the time of this publication, SB 14 passed the Texas Senate and House and was headed back to the Senate. Barring any changes, the bill will go to the governor’s desk where it is expected to be signed into Texas law.

more about SB 14 and Thierry’s motivations DN Read to support it.

ONLINE

Mayor Turner announces new budget for 2024 Defender News Service

Mayor Sylvester Turner has announced details of the proposed FY ‘24 budget, describing it as a fiscally sound spending plan that provides a strong fund balance reserve and prepares Houston for the future, The proposed budget for all funds totals $6.2 billion

Mayor Turner speaks about the fiscal year 2023 budget.

and represents Mayor Turner’s eighth and final budget.

It includes an increase in spending of $120 million or 4.3% from the FY2023 current budget of $2.8 billion.

Highlights of the budget include: • Pay increases for all employee groups, totaling $51 million.

• 3% for municipal employees • 3% for police • 6% for fire firefighters • $47 million increase in transfers to the Dedicated Drainage Street and Renewal Fund (DDSRF), or Rebuild Houston, to support streets and drainage projects in the CIP • $160 million in ARPA funding to further address the reduction in revenues due to the public health emergency • $11.3 million transfer to the Maintenance Renewal and Replacement Fund to address deferred maintenance Public safety remains at the forefront of the mayor’s budget priorities, fully funding five (5) cadet classes for the police and four (4) for the fire department. HPD has recruited and hired 2,200 police officers, making Turner the mayor with the second-highest hiring rate of police officers. “I am proud to say that I will leave to the next mayor a budget that is better than it has been in a long

time, much stronger than when I came into office in Jan. 2016.

We are better today than we were yesterday, and we’ll be better tomorrow than we are today,” said Mayor Turner.

VOLUME 92, NUMBER 28 - MAY 25, 2023 Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles

Education Reporter Laura Onyeneho

Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles

Sports Terrance Harris Jodie B. Jiles

Digital Content Manager Get Current Studios Managing Editor ReShonda Tate Associate Editor Aswad Walker

Photographer Jimmie Aggison Social Media Manager Tia Alphonse Jordan Hockett

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 2023 copyright.

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

May 25, 2023 |

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DN News 5 things you need to know 1. BUCKLE UP OR GET TICKETED! Harris County law enforcement will be cracking down on people who aren’t buckled up over the next two weeks as part of this year’s Click It or Ticket campaign. Now through June 4, local and state law enforcement agencies will be rigorously enforcing seatbelt laws and other traffic-related offenses. If caught unbuckled, drivers can face fines and court fees up to $250 or more. The Texas Department of Transportation says the initiative has led to about 90% of people regularly buckling up, an increase from 76% before the initiative began in 2002.

Sheriff ’s officials say 164 people were killed in crashes in Harris County last year and 51% were not wearing a seatbelt. So far this year, at least 73 people have died in fatal crashes and that a majority were unbuckled.

2. TIM SCOTT WANTS TO BE YOUR PRESIDENT South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott has thrown his hat into the presidential race, offering an optimistic message he hopes can contrast the two figures who have used political combativeness to dominate the early GOP primary field: former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Scott, the Senate’s only Black Republican, said that the GOP needs a candidate who can energize more than just its base. Scott has frequently denounced Democrats for raising what he calls false social and political grievances.With his Christian faith an integral part of his political and personal story, Scott often quotes scripture at his campaign events, weaving his reliance on spiritual guidance into his stump speech and even bestowing the name “Faith in America” on his pre-launch listening tour. Scott said he plans to spread a message that “you and I can go as high as our character, our grit, and our talent will take us.”

3. NAACP SAYS STAY OUT OF FLORIDA The NAACP has issued a travel advisory for Florida, warning potential tourists that recent laws and policies championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida lawmakers are “openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals.”

The warning tells tourists that, before traveling to Florida, they should understand the state of Florida “devalues and marginalizes the contributions of, and the challenges faced by African Americans and other communities of color.”Florida is one of the most

popular states in the U.S. for tourists, and tourism is one of its biggest industries. More than 137.5 million tourists visited Florida last year, marking a return to pre-pandemic levels, according to Visit Florida, the state’s tourism promotion agency. Tourism supports 1.6 million full-time and part-time jobs, and visitors spent $98.8 billion in Florida in 2019, the last year figures are available 4. YES, IT’S TRUE…THE IRS IS TARGETING BLACK FOLKS The Internal Revenue Service has acknowledged to the US Senate that Black taxpayers are audited at significantly higher rates than non-Black taxpayers, a revelation that has left the agency “deeply concerned.”

The IRS was urged by lawmakers to look into the racial disparities after a January report by a Stanford research team initially revealed the findings. The research found that Black taxpayers are audited 2.9 to 4.7 times the rate of non-Black taxpayers – a difference that is highly influenced

by Earned Income Tax Credit recipients. IRS officials are looking into how changing methods for case selection would impact the disparities and that the EITC selection evaluation is a top priority.

Meanwhile, Democrats on the Ways and Means Committee have promised that they “will not rest in our quest to build a tax system that works fairly for all Americans and we will continue our rigorous oversight of the IRS to end these disparities.”

5. NFL LEGEND JIM BROWN DIES AT 87 Jim Brown, the superstar Cleveland Browns running back who quit football at the very height of his hall-offame career, has died at 87.

Perhaps the greatest running back ever, Brown quit football to pursue an acting career at 30.From 1957 to 1965, the perennial all-pro helped lead a Cleveland Browns ground game that won an NFL championship in 1964. Voted pro football’s greatest player of the 20th century, Brown earned induction into the Hall of Fame in 1971. It was back in 1965, when Cleveland Brown’s owner, Art Modell, issued an ultimatum to the superstar, telling him that if he continued filming the hit movie, “The Dirty Dozen,” which was delayed because of technical problems, he would be fined. Ever independent, Brown defied Modell and called a press conference to announce his retirement from football.

He later became an activist and openly supported efforts for Black self-determination.

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

FOR PROPOSED SERVICE CHANGES Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas (METRO) Notice is hereby given that the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas (METRO), will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. to receive public comment on the proposed August 2023 changes to METRO service. The public is invited to attend the hearing and provide comments in person.

The public may also join the hearing and provide comments virtually on Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85498229972 or by dialing: 346-248-7799 or 888-475-4499 (toll free), meeting ID: 854 9822 9972. Additionally, if you do not want to provide comments during the public hearing, visit RideMETRO.org/LiveStream to view a livestream of the event. A video recording of the meeting will also be archived on METRO’s website at RideMETRO.org for review.

The proposed service changes may include: the restoration of select service on the 212 Seton Lake Park & Ride, schedule changes to routes 4, 7, 47, 49, 54, 60, 80, 82, 153, 344, and Park & Ride corridors serving downtown.

METRO will continue to make temporary service adjustments in response to changing ridership and workforce availability.

Copies of proposed route maps and available timetables will be available beginning on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, for public review online and in the lobby of the METRO RideStore, located in the Lee P. Brown METRO Administration Building at 1900 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77002, weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The public hearing on June 7, 2023, at 12:00 p.m., will be held in the 2nd floor Board Room at 1900 Main Street, Houston, Texas (served by bus routes 6, 11, 32, 44, 51, 52, 54, 82, 85, 102, 137, 160, 161, 162, and METRORail).

HOW TO COMMENT ABOUT THE SERVICE CHANGES If you would like to make public comments in person or virtually, please register as a public speaker with the METRO Board Office at least 48 hours in advance of the hearing. Call 713-739-4834 or send an email to BoardOffice@RideMETRO.org and provide your name, address and telephone number. As explained above, you may attend the public hearing in person or virtually on June 7, 2023, to provide comments. If you pre-register, your comments will be heard first at the public hearing. Your name will be called at the appropriate time to make your comments.

You may also provide comments by: • Writing to us at METRO, ATTN: August 2023 Service Changes, 1900 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002 • Faxing comments with a subject line referencing "August 2023 Service Changes" to 713-652-7956 • Calling or texting METRO Customer Service at 713-635-4000 • Submitting comments on the METRO website at RideMETRO.org All comments should be submitted to METRO by 12:00 pm on Wednesday, June 7, 2023.

HELP FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES For individuals with disabilities, assistive services or copies of public documents in an alternate format can be provided. Individuals with impairments may call 713-750-4271 a minimum of five (5) working days prior to the public hearing.

LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE Upon request, METRO provides free language assistance to help patrons who have a limited ability to read, write, speak or understand English, in accordance with its language assistance plan. Please call 713-739-4018 or email METROPublicAffairs@RideMETRO.org to request language assistance or other accommodations at least 48 hours in advance of the hearing.

OTHER 1. This public hearing conforms to requirements described in the Federal Transit Administration's Circular 9030.1E, published January 16, 2014, page VI-7.

2. METRO does not discriminate based on disability in the admission or access to, or in treatment or employment in, its services, programs, and activities.

3. METRO is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, its transit services based on race, color, or national origin, as protected by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

RideMETRO.org • Call or text 713-635-4000

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DN OnSocial

What has everyone talking

By ReShonda Tate

CRACKING DOWN ON HOUSTON’S PROSTITUTION PROBLEM It’s long been known as the place to pick up a prostitute. Now, the Houston Police Department is trying to crack down on a stretch of Bissonnet Street in Southwest Houston. The area is now off limits between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. on a daily basis.

Barricades are being placed at Bissonnet’s intersections with Centre Parkway as well as Plainfield Street a few blocks to the east.

On IG

It’s going to be looked at how can we sustain it and move forward

Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman speaks during the inauguration of U.S. Presidentelect Joe Biden.

Getty Images

positively in targeting this issue in a very unique way, instead of making arrests. This is community policing where you can target an issue in an environmental way.

- HPD spokesperson Shay Awosiyan

STAY OUT OF FLORIDA

By now you’ve probably heard that the NAACP has issued a travel advisory that says Blacks should stay out of Florida. Well, Texas Senator Ted Cruz is speaking out, saying Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would be “ashamed” of that advisory (because, you know Cruz knew Dr. King like that***insert eye roll***). Bernice King,, daughter of civil rights icon responded with a photo of her father along with the caption, “What my father would be deeply concerned about is the harmful, discriminatory legislation in Florida.”

Translation….’keep my daddy’s name out your mouth.’

Then, there’s the Florida school which

On Tik Tok

banned Amanda Gorman’s “This Hill We Climb” collection of poems. A parent of two students challenged five books, including Gorman’s, arguing that the poem, which Gorman per performed at President Joe Biden’s inauguration, contains “indirect hate messages” and causes confusion and indoctrination.

The complaint also incor incorrectly said Oprah Win Winfrey wrote the poem.

Big sigh....no suprise though in this state - led by the man who wants to be your president, Ron DeSantis. But we can’t talk about them too bad because with all the shenanigans in Texas, we aren’t too far behind.

MEGAN THEE STALLION GETS WAXED

Three-time, GRAMMY award-winning artist, philanthropist, and entrepreneur Megan Thee Stallion has officially welcomed her two wax figures at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas and Madame Tussauds New York. The new figures are a colorful and interactive set featuring a magical, metallic 10-foot stallion. And the “Hottie” rapper is pleased.

“I feel like people always ask me when was the moment you knew you were famous? This is the moment!”

– Megan Thee Stallion

LET US KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE TREND ON SOCIAL MEDIA...

“I pray this tacky trend ends soon.”

– Candice Dillard

PROM 2023….

ON POINT OR DOING THE MOST?

“Black kids’ prom celebrations are no different from quinceañeras or debutante balls to me. Every culture has their teenage coming of age celebration. I just think the criticism of them is rooted in the belief that their parents can’t afford the extravagance or that they’re tacky.”

– Valaena Valaryon

We’re sure your timeline has shown the extravagant Prom Send-offs. With everything from deejays to full backdrops and party tents to baby goats (yes, goats)… people are talking about this year’s Prom send-offs.

“Let the kids enjoy their grand lives. The pandemic snatched so much, if they want to go all out, do you, boo.”

– Avery Lawson

Credit: Golden Creative Events

Credit: ExoticMo

“It’s funny how you see this extravagance in the hood and poorer communities. Celebrities with real money get a limo and take pics in their front yard. We can be so wasteful.”

– Harrison Lee

8 | May 25, 2023 |

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DN News TOP 5

News you can use CLASSIFIED The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD will be accepting proposals for the following:

LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE Specifications may be secured from The Harris Center website www.theharriscenter.org beginning Tuesday, May 30, 2023. The Harris Center utilizes Bonfire for their solicitations https://theharriscenter. bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities. Deadline for prospective vendors to submit questions to this RFP is Tuesday, June 6, 2023. Proposals must be submitted by 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 20, 2023. Historically Underutilized Businesses, including Minority-Owned Businesses and Women-Owned Businesses are encouraged to participate. The Harris Center reserves all rights to reject any and/or all proposals, to waive formalities and reasonable irregularities in submitted documents as it deems to be in its best interests and is not obligated to accept the lowest proposal.

Courtesy: HCSO 1. WOMEN, NEED A JOB? LAW ENFORCEMENT WANTS YOU

Ladies, if you’re looking to lock in a career in law enforcement, multiple local and federal agencies -- including Harris County Sheriff ’s Office, are hiring. A multi-agency women’s job festival is scheduled for June 8 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Steve Radack Community Center, located at 18650 Clay Road. HCSO says the agency has taken the 30x30 pledge, a national initiative to advance women in law enforcement.

Attendees can expect a wide variety of career paths such as detention officers, communications officers, and more. The job fair is open to all individuals from entry-level to seasoned professionals. Call 713-877-5250 for more info.

2. GOT ART? GET SHOWCASED

Bayou City Art Festival, produced by the Art Colony Association Inc., has opened applications for the annual Collegiate Art Collective, a unique exhibition featuring oneof-a-kind artwork from Houston area college art students. Visual art students can apply for the opportunity to represent their school, and to showcase and sell their art at Houston’s signature art festival scheduled for October 14-15, 2023. The Collegiate Art Collective visual artist application deadline for the 51st Annual Bayou City Art Festival Downtown is June 30, 2023. Visit www.bayoucityartfestival.com/rules-and-regulations.

3. NEED A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE? APPLY FOR THIS GRANT

Progressive Insurance and Hello Alice are now taking applications for $250,000 worth of grants to Black business owners.

The funding is part of Progressive’s Driving Business Forward grant program. It calls for 10 small business owners to be awarded $25,000 each to buy a commercial vehicle for their business. Progressive is one of the nation’s largest car insurers. Financial

technology firm Hello Alice will run the grant program. To qualify for one of the $25,000 grants, applicants must sign up for a free Hello Alice account and finish the application by 6 p.m. June 2. Grant recipients will be announced in August. Apply at https://helloalice.com/grants/progressive.

4. TSA PRECHECK OPENS UP TO TEENS

Teenagers aged 13 to 17 may now accompany TSA PreCheck-enrolled parents or guardians through TSA PreCheck screening when traveling on the same reservation and when the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on the teen’s boarding pass. Children 12 and under may still accompany an enrolled parent or guardian when traveling through the TSA PreCheck lanes anytime without restriction. TSA PreCheck passengers are low-risk travelers who do not need to remove shoes, belts, liquids, food, laptops and light jackets at the TSA checkpoint. The application fee for TSA PreCheck is $78 for five years. TSA said in April, 94% of TSA PreCheck passengers waited less than five minutes at the checkpoint.

5. YOUR TEEN CAN NOW UBER

Uber launched a new feature in the Houston area designed to help families on the go.

Parents and guardians can now invite their teens (ages 13-17) to create a specialized Uber account that will allow teens to request their own rides with parental supervision and key safety features built into the experience. All teen trips will have safety features automatically enabled, including PIN verification, live trip tracking, unexpected event alerts, and access to Uber’s Safety Line.

These features cannot be turned off by the teen, the driver, or the parent, so teens will always have access to them with the touch of a button. Teens will also be able to start ordering food delivery through a specialized Uber Eats teen account.

Notice Virtual Public Meeting with In-Person Open House Interstate (I)-610 South Farm-to-Market (FM) 521 (Almeda Road) to Telephone Road CSJs: 0271-16-158 & 0271-16-159 Harris County, Texas The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Houston District, is conducting a feasibility study of I-610 South from FM 521 (Almeda Road) to Telephone Road in Harris County, Texas. This notice advises the public that TxDOT will be conducting an on-line virtual public meeting with two in-person open houses for this study.

The virtual public meeting will be available starting on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. through Friday, June 30, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. The virtual public meeting will consist of a pre-recorded video presentation and will include both audio and visual components. To view the virtual public meeting presentation and view study information, go to the following web address https://www.txdot.gov/projects/hearings-meetings.html.

Please note that the presentation will not be available on the website until the time and date listed above. If you do not have internet access, you may call (713) 802-5137 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, to ask questions and access study materials during the study development process.

Formal comments may be provided by mail or email as explained below.

Additionally, TxDOT is providing two in-person open houses for individuals who would like to participate inperson, instead of online. In-person attendees will be able to view the same pre-recorded presentation as posted online, review hard copies of study materials, ask questions and submit written comments. The inperson open house options will be held on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Sunnyside Health Multi-Service Center, 4410 Reed Road, Houston, Texas, 77051 and Thursday, June 15, 2023, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Palm Business and Technology Center, 5330 Griggs Road, Houston, Texas, 77021.

TxDOT is studying I-610 South from FM 521 (Almeda Road) to Telephone Road, a distance of approximately six (6) miles. This public meeting is the first of several meetings that TxDOT will conduct to engage the surrounding community and receive feedback. Potential improvements, or alternatives, will be developed for I-610 South based on public and stakeholder input, along with analysis of current and future needs. The alternatives will then move forward into project development, which includes preliminary design and environmental review.

Potential impacts and displacements will be determined as the proposed project progresses and will be presented at future public meetings.

Any preliminary documentation or materials, maps and drawings showing the feasibility study location, and other information regarding the study are on file and available by appointment Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at the TxDOT Houston District Office, 7600 Washington Avenue, Houston, Texas 77007. You may call (713) 802-5137 to set up an appointment. Study materials are also available online at https://www.txdot.gov/projects/hearings-meetings.html.

The public meeting will be conducted in English and Spanish. If you need an interpreter or document translator because English or Spanish is not your primary language or you have difficulty communicating effectively in English or Spanish, one will be provided to you. If you have a disability and need assistance, special arrangements can be made to accommodate most needs. If you need interpretation or translation services or you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation to attend and participate in the public meeting, please contact Jason Holloman, TxDOT Environmental Project Manager, at (713) 802-5137 or at Jason.Holloman@txdot.gov no later than 4:00 p.m., Friday, June 9, 2023. Please be aware that advance notice is required as some services and accommodations may require time for the team to arrange.

Written comments from the public regarding the study are requested and may be submitted by mail to the TxDOT Houston District Office, Advanced Project Development Director, P.O. Box 1386, Houston, Texas 77251-1386. Written comments may also be submitted by email to HOU-PIOwebmail@txdot.gov. All comments must be received or postmarked by Friday, June 30, 2023. Responses to comments received will be available online at the web address listed above once completed.

If you have any general questions or concerns regarding the study or the public meeting, please contact Stephanie Guillot, P.E., Project Manager, at (832) 627-9795 or SGUILL-C@txdot.gov .

The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable federal environmental laws for this study are being, or have been, carried out by TxDOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated December 9, 2019, and executed by FHWA and TxDOT.

May 25, 2023 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Entertainment

| 9

PLAY: “BROTHER TOAD”

ENSEMBLE tackles gun violence

By Aswad Walker

With the recent shooting of Ralph Yarl, our Nation is once again faced with the issue of gun control, gun violence and the choices that we make as individuals.

Reminiscent of many news headlines over the last 20 years, the ENSEMBLE stage production ‘Brother Toad’ confronts the harsh reality of the harm that owning and using firearms against another human being can cause.

Are we (collectively) desensitized to guns? Are the increases in gun ownership happening due to the population’s desire to be safe, or are people becoming increasingly scared…or both? Do we, as individuals, realize the great responsibility alongside the tremendous burden of owning, carrying and potentially firing a weapon?

‘Brother Toad’ poses these questions for us to ponder, without bias, and forces us to answer first to ourselves.

Nathan Louis Jackson is known for writing plays that have strong social themes blended with politics, race relations, economics, and even hints of mental health issues and awareness. Jackson’s ‘Broke-ology,’ an affecting family drama about an African-American widower and his two adult sons in Kansas City, Kansas, was previously performed in 2013 at The Ensemble Theatre and

was well received. Like ‘Broke-ology,’ ‘Brother Toad’ features a depth of character and the intricacies of reallife issues coupled with decision-making in which Jackson does not offer answers, only uninfluenced choices.

“In his … play, ‘Brother Toad,’ … Nathan Louis Jackson addresses how we think about guns — ‘Americans love guns more than apple pie’ — and how we live with their pervasive presence,” said Deborah Hirsch, ThePitchKC.com.

‘Brother Toad’ is co-directed by The Ensemble Theatre’s BOLD Associate Artistic Director Rachel Hemphill Dickson and Artistic Director Eileen J. Morris.

“In any good story, there is a conflict. In this play the characters are faced with personal choices versus that of family and community,” said Dickson. “When it comes to gun control and gun violence, it’s not only about your personal stance-it’s you walking down the street and not knowing what choice someone else has made and how their choice will ultimately affect you. Gun violence is not a distant conversation, it’s an everyday FOR TICKETS reality that we all must call 713-520-0055 face.”

In conjunction with the play, on May 21, the Ensemble hosted a free EDI (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) discussion as part of its ‘Celebrating the Creative Journey series,’ on the ‘Impact of Gun Violence on Communities’. ‘Brother Toad’ is rated PG-13 and runs through Sunday, June 4, 2023.

10 | May 25, 2023 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports Prairie View freshman outfielder Michael Burroughs went 2-for-4 at the plate and had 2 RBI during the Panthers’ 6-1 win over Grambling State.

Sports Briefs Could Harden be reunited with Rockets?

Rumors are swirling that James Harden will decline his $35.6 million player option to remain with the Philadelphia 76ers and then hit the market as a free agent this summer. And if James Harden he does so, it’s highly expected that the one-time Rockets star will land back in Houston with his former team. Harden forced his way out of town three seasons ago and the Rockets have been at the bottom of the league since. But now they have a new coach in Ime Udoka and a much younger team that would surround Harden.

TSU’s Abraham De Leon makes strikeout history Texas Southern pitcher Abraham De Leon is now the Tigers’ all-time single-season strikeout leader with 106 Ks. The junior from Houston made history Abraham during the secDe Leon ond inning of last week’s 5-4 loss to Alcorn State with strikeouts in the frame.

Texans QB coach Jerrod Johnson taking part in accelerator program Texans quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson is taking part in the NFL Coach Accelerator program, which has been put Jerrod together to give Johnson minority coaches increased exposure to owners and team executives. Johnson, a Houston native and former Texas A&M quarterback, is one of 40 participants who will take part in the threeday event during the NFL Spring Meeting in Minneapolis.

Texas Southern freshman and Pearland native Alexis Wilson has earned a berth to the NCAA West preliminaries in the triple jump with a personal-best 12.63 jump at the SWAC Championships.

BRITTNEY GRINER Receives big WNBA welcome back

By Terrance Harris

Skylar Grey’s “Coming Home” started blaring through the sound system at Phoenix’s Footprint Arena when the imposing 6-foot-9 figure everyone had showed up to see emerged on the stage.

It was the much-anticipated WNBA return of Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner. The crowd gave her a raucous standing ovation and Griner returned the love to the crowd known as the X-factor by crossing her arms across her chest in an X. Indeed, Griner was back in her home arena for the first time in 585 days following a life-altering experience in which the Houston-native spent 10 months detained in Russia on drug charges.

You could see her fighting hard to hold back the tears while greeting her teammates and opponents on the court.

“It was emotional,” Griner said of her home debut. “Just hearing and seeing some of the clips. They set me up with that song.

“Part of the process of healing is letting it out. I got choked up a little bit and I tried to hide it.”

But it was hard to hold in all the emotions for a celebratory return that less than a year ago seemed doubtful as Griner sat imprisoned in Moscow as a political pawn between the US and Russia after she was caught at an airport with a vape cartridge containing a small amount of cannabis oil.

Griner was later sentenced to nine years in prison in Russia before the Biden administration struck a prisoner swap deal for her freedom last December.

So, this past weekend was a huge celebration and sigh of relief as Griner made her official WNBA return last Friday at the Los Angeles Sparks and then made her return to Footprint Arena against the Chicago Sky on Sunday.

Vice President Kamala Harris was on hand in Los Angeles. That was followed with a hero’s return in Phoenix with the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs among the well-wishers along Griner’s devoted wife, Cherelle, and her parents, Raymond and Sandra Griner.

“You have inspired so many people,” Harris said to Griner. “And for you to be back on the court, it’s so incredible. And for all the people that look like us and need to know nothing is going to knock you down — that’s good.”

Griner, known affectionately as BG, vowed days after her release in December that she would resume her playing career. And the 32-year-old former Nimitz and Baylor star made good on her promise, with 18 points, six rebounds and four blocks in her season debut, followed by 27 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks in her return home – both Mercury losses.

“We didn’t finish the job by getting a win, but I’m just continuing to be impressed with BG,” said Mercury coach Vanessa Nygaard.

“BG is somebody who can handle so many things, clearly, that many people could not handle.”

While Griner’s game seemed unchanged, what is different is her position on standing for the national anthem. Griner had joined many of the WNBA players in not standing for the playing of the national anthem as a protest against the injustice towards African Americans in this country.

Griner still supports those who decline to stand, but after what she went through in Russia and sometimes being confined to a cell where it was difficult for her 6-foot-9 frame to stand, Griner stood tall for the national anthem before both games last weekend.

“You have the right to protest, the right to be able to speak out, question, challenge and do all these things,” Griner said. “What I went through and everything, it just means a little bit more to me now. So, I want to be able to stand. I was literally in a cage and could not stand the way I wanted to.”

Griner is understandably more grateful for all that she has in front of her.

“I appreciate everything a little bit more, all of the small moments, like, ‘Oh, I’m so tired I don’t want to go to practice today,’ that has changed, honestly,” Griner said. “Tomorrow is not guaranteed, you don’t know what it’s going to look like. I feel a lot older somehow, too.”

Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner (42) celebrates her three-pointer against the Chicago Sky during the second half of a WNBA basketball game, Sunday, May 21, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

May 25, 2023 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

| 11

DN Sports MARSHALL HIGH SCHOOL

ARVEYON

DAVIS Dominates in 5A 110-meter hurdles

By Jimmie Aggison

The class of 2023 has had its share of ups and downs. COVID-19 canceled the spring 2021 events, forcing all students to finish the school year online in isolation. However, this class is now graduating and preparing for college.

Many athletes in this class had to put their dreams on hold freshman year. Arveyon Davis was one of those athletes.

“Not being able to run freshman year made me hungrier for my sophomore year,” said Davis.

Davis’s sophomore year turned out being his first year appearing on the UIL stage where he introduced himself to all competitors as a dynamic hurdler for Ft. Bend Marshall High School.

“I came back sophomore year and I knew it was time to work. I went straight into open

ABOUT ARVEYON DAVIS Class: 2023 Twitter: @arveyondavis IG: @arveyonn Events: 110-meter hurdles, 300-meter hurdles, 4x100-meter relay Height & weight: 5-feet-9, 154 pounds Runners he studies: Eric Edwards Jr. (Pro), Connor Schulman (Texas A&M) Status: Committed to Texas A&M Favorite artists: Future, Lil Baby, NBA YoungBoy Favorite subject: History Hobbies: Influencing Shout-outs: God, mom, grandparents, coaches

races, made it to state, ran 14.30, and got third in the 110-meter hurdles,” said Davis.

Davis continued to work hard during his junior year and continued getting faster.

Against top returning hurdlers, while at state, Davis took third in the 110-meter hurdles and fourth in the 300-meter hurdles.

Davis was a top returning underclassman his senior year with goals of bringing home a gold medal. During the UIL 5A state track meet, Davis accomplished this goal by running 13.55 in the 110-meter hurdles and taking first place.

From an athlete who began his track career in the seventh grade after seeing his sister’s success, and discussing with his mom his desire to run with Gulf Coast Elite, Davis has been fun to watch over the years. When reflecting on lessons learned from running track, Davis expresses his appreciation for the 400-meters.

“I learned the 400-meters will have you prepared for any race. That’s what it has seemed to be up to this point,” said Davis.

Next season, Davis will be attending Texas A&M where he will continue to perfect his craft.

“Texas A&M was the perfect school for me based on the comfort level I felt when I went on my visit. I didn’t feel out of place.

I felt at home. There were a lot of people around me that I knew and the school had a lot of success in the years prior,” said Davis.

“He’s at the point of his game where he knows he’s that guy. He works extremely hard, he’s serious about his craft and we love having him,” said Marshall’s Director of Track & Field, Coach Lloyd Banks. “He’s one of those people that can go up and down the sprint ladder. He’s awesome. He is the definition of what it is to be a part of the Ft. Bend Marshall track & field program.”

12 | May 25, 2023 |

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