Houston Defender: June 2, 2022

THE POLITICAL

OVER GUN REFORM ENTERTAINMENT

PROFILE

SHAUNIE O’NEAL

The Basketball Wives star officially tied the knot with her Houston area fiancé in a tropical ceremony.

Volume 91, issue 29 June 2, 2022

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ERIC B. WILLIAMS, II The law school grad talks about his career, setbacks and comeups.

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DEFENDER NETWORK

DN To The Point

Reporter’s Message PUT SOME RESPECT ON YOUR a combined $1.7 trillion in debt.

NEWS MEDIA According to a recent survey from intelMany of you can probably admit that forligent.com, one-quarter of American votmer President Donald Trump has certainly ers are willing to withhold their vote for influenced your thoughts around how you him if he runs for re-election in 2024. That feel about journalists and the news indusmeans he could lose 21% of Democratic try in general. The popular catchphrase voters if he doesn’t act now. Can Biden “fake news” has been used to stir up social come through before it’s too late? conflict and threats among hard working Laura Onyeneho media professionals who do the job of verMONKEYPOX AND BLACK FOLKS ifying actual information and debunking The World Health Organization false narratives that undermine people’s faith in the demo- recorded at least 92 monkeypox cases across 12 countries cratic process. Not to say that there aren’t blogs and social in the U.S, Europe and Australia. Unfortunately, promimedia platforms that do more harm than good spewing nent news media outlets have used images of Black people false information to the masses, but the public should give almost exclusively alongside the stories about monkeypox. their flowers to the media professionals who do get it right. Africa’s foreign press association (FPAA) shared a Tweet During the NRA convention, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz that stated “no race or skin complexion should be the face abruptly walked away from a British reporter who ques- of the disease,” and it is “glaring in the lack of dignity tioned him about gun violence in the U.S. just two days afforded to Black and brown-skinned victims of disease after the Uvalde elementary school massacre. Instead of outbreaks.” answering the question directly, he wrapped things up in While the nation continues to criticize mainstream a hurry, couldn’t answer the question and sugar-coated the media for fake news, it doesn’t help that international response to be a part of the reporter’s “political agenda.” media outlets are condemning them for the same thing.

The public needs to be reminded that the media that you Western media outlets have often portrayed Africans in consume daily has a responsibility to hold these folks who this manner. Monkeypox was caused by a virus originating you elected accountable for their inconsistencies and lack from West Africa, so it could have made sense to depict of tact in situations that impact you. Show some respect this on Black skin, however, with the increased number and give us some grace. of cases in the West, media outlets should do better to expand the types of images used. The whiter side, for lack SHOULD BIDEN CANCEL STUDENT DEBT? of a better word.

President Biden’s feet are still being held to the fire for his 2020 presidential campaign promises to alleviate the ON THE WEB student loan debt crisis by forgiving $10,000 per borrower • The Battle of the Canvas competition announces first as one of his plans. More than a year has passed and he ever winner. hasn’t taken action to make a full sweep cancellation. Well • Activist Tammie Lang Campbell to receive Justice mid-term elections are around the corner and he isn’t Medal Award. exactly on the good side of low income and middle-class • Jada Pinkett Smith talks hair-loss ‘shame,’ outcome of Americans who make up the 45 million people who owe Oscar slap.

June 2, 2022 |

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DEFENDER NETWORK

DN News MAYOR TURNER, HPD PLAN IS WORKING

Houston homicides decline

By Aswad Walker

Houston’s homicide rate is showing a decline. As of that announcement, there was an unofficial number of 187 homicides in Houston thus far in 2022 compared to 192 homicides at this time last year.

During a recent press conference Turner shared that the nearly 3% decline in the city’s homicide rate is an indication of the efficacy of the One Safe Houston initiative, a comprehensive public safety plan aimed at holistically addressing, and in some cases rebuilding, the public safety ecosystem in Houston.

“There’s been a lot of conversation and reports in reference to record-breaking crime in our city, especially as it relates to homicides,” said Turner, who noted that in January reports showed Houston homicides up at least 65% over Jan. 2021 numbers.

Turner mentioned that the city then instituted his One Safe Houston initiative on Feb 2, 2022 using $52 million of American Rescue Plan funding to address crime in Houston.

“We took a very holistic approach in doing it.

It was an all-hands-on deck approach,” Turner shared, highlighting HPD’s increased “boots on the ground” and overtime initiative amounting to 125 more officers per day on Houston streets and other city departments and partners.

Turner also gave a shout out to the Biden-Harris administration for the federal dollars Houston received to help with crime reduction efforts.

“Last year, at this time, there were 192 murders in our city. As of this morning that number is 187. And so, we are 3% below where we were last year. And those numbers have been

Houston’s Mayor Sylvester Turner (at podium) during the May 31, 2022 press conference. Screen grab photo.

trending in the right direction. And not just on homicides, but almost all other categories of violent crime have been trending in the right direction.

Turner, however isn’t satisfied.

“I am not here at all to say that is a mission accomplished. Not saying that at all.

What I am here to say, and what I want to assure Houstonians is that with the initiative, the One Safe Houston plan that we put in place, if you’re looking at the numbers, it is working. It is effective. It is having an impact.”

Turner gave some specifics about additional efforts needed to keep the city trending in the right direction when it comes to crimes.

“I commend HPD for the work it is doing,” said Turner. “We have put more officers on the streets through overtime and cadet classes.

There is still too much gun violence in our city and too many guns in the hands of dangerous and violent individuals, but our work and that of the Houston Police Department is making a difference.”

“Thank you to our citizens for your

continued support. We need you to help us solve violent crimes and that increased interaction with our citizens is working,” said Executive Chief Assistant Matt Slinkard.

One Safe Houston is a $50 million investment funded by the American Rescue Plan and focuses on four key areas: • Violence Reduction and Crime Prevention • Crisis Intervention, Response and Recovery • Youth Outreach Opportunities • Key Community Partnerships

Councilwoman Thomas leads PVAMU COVID-19 program

By Aswad Walker

Prairie View A&M University alumna, program coordinator and assistant professor of community development in PVAMU’s School of Architecture, Tiffany Thomas, is also a Houston city councilmember. Not only that, she is the UNCF’s John and Drucie Chase Young Builders Award winner, which annually honors a leader in education for efforts inside and outside the classroom.

But the good news doesn’t stop there.

Thomas’ educational leadership efforts also earned her a $292,039, two-year grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The grant is part of a $2.25 billion national initiative to address COVID-19 health disparities among underserved and high-risk populations, including racial and ethnic minority populations and rural communities.

“The grant is funded by the DHHS through CDC to engage with the Waller County community due to low COVID-19 vaccine rates,” said Thomas.

Thomas said the project will include more creative ways to assess community driven priorities for the overall Waller County.

“This information will be valuable when assessing how Waller County can respond to the diverse needs in a diverse and growing county—bilingual, rural, agriculture and neighborhoods with limited technology,” added Thomas whose community service also includes being Houston’s District F representative on City Council.

“Our work will focus on engaging with the Waller County community and learning how they would prefer to receive information and communication in and out of a pandemic. We will also host in-person and virtual sessions to learn more about their priorities,” Thomas

said. “It’s something I’m really excited to be marks a move toward greater health equity. involved with.”

“This grant isn’t your typical research Another point of pride for Thomas and project,” said Thomas. “We will activate her alma mater is that PVAMU is engaged research methods to supthe only Texas HBCU that’s part port, outline and communicate of the initiative. the priorities of the greater “The hope is that when Waller County community with Waller County is presented the hope that if there is future with an additional funding funding, Waller County will be opportunity, they (Commisable to quickly apply and receive sioners) will have the data and support based on our initial work. people-driven information to With COVID-19 fatigue and most make the best decision. This is Tiffany Thomas of the nation transitioning back to significant for PVAMU because pre-pandemic times, we have an as an 1890-founded institution, our mission opportunity to have a broader conversation is explicit in extending resources and infor- in general about how residents would like to mation to the surrounding areas—essentially receive information related to a pandemic, serving as an institution of public good.” vaccinations, disaster recovery and even social The funding, “which represents CDC’s larg- services.” est investment to date to support communities Thomas hopes to have preliminary results to affected by COVID-19-related health disparities,” Waller County by May 2023.

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DEFENDER NETWORK

DN News President’s police reform executive order pending NNPA

President Joe Biden working in the Oval Office. AP photo.

Texas shooting new test for Biden’s long gun battle Associated Press

the cascade of deaths — from Buffalo to Uvalde to everyJoe Biden, then the chairman of the Senate Judiciary day shootings that don’t generate nationwide headlines — Committee, surveyed the collection of black, military-style only increases the urgency of the administration’s efforts. rifles on display in the middle of the room as he denounced “Every story that we hear about individuals lost to gun the sale of guns whose “only real function is to kill human violence provides more energy, more of a drive to continue beings at a ferocious pace.” the work,” she said. “If we can save even one life by pushing That was nearly three decades ago, and Congress was a little harder on a creative policy idea, it’s worth it.” on the verge of passing an assault weapons ban. But the But executive action — such as Biden’s order targeting law eventually expired, and guns that were once illegal are ghost guns, which are privately made firearms without now readily available, most recently used in the slaughter serial numbers — might be the best the White House can at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. do if Republicans in the Senate remain opposed to new The tragedy, which came less than two restrictions and Democrats are unwilling weeks after another mass shooting at a to circumvent filibusters. More challenges grocery store in Buffalo, New York, has could come in the courts, and even the refocused Biden’s presidency on one of the ghost gun rules may become tied up in greatest political challenges of his career — litigation.

Where’s the the long fight for gun control.

“We’ve got to be clear,” said John FeinOver the years, Biden has been inti- backbone, blatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. mately involved in the movement’s most “This is the Senate’s job. It’s time for the Senwhere’s the notable successes, such as the 1994 assault ate to actually step up and do something.” weapons ban, and its most troubling dis- courage to The first new try fell far short on last appointments, including the failure to pass stand up to a week. A measure to take up a domestic new legislation after the 2012 massacre at terrorism bill, which could have opened Sandy Hook Elementary School in New- very powerful debate touching on guns, drew just 47 of town, Conn. Now his White House, which lobby?” the 60 votes needed to break a filibuster. was already trying to chip away at gun vioFirst, Congress passed the Brady Hand- JOE BIDEN lence through executive orders, is organizgun Violence Prevention Act in 1993, requiring calls with activists and experts to plot a ing a background check when someone buys path forward. a gun from a federally licensed dealer. Next, “He understands the history of the issue.

Congress approved the assault weapons ban He understands how the politics have as part of the Violent Crime Control and shifted,” said Christian Heyne, vice president of policy at Law Enforcement Act in 1994. The law outlawed specific Brady, the gun control advocacy organization. “He feels a guns, such as the AR-15, and restricted the type of milisense of missed opportunities from the past, and he under- tary-style enhancements that firearms could have. stands that this is his last chance to have an impact on gun However, the ban contained a sunset provision and it violence in America.” was not renewed in 2004. Although the vast majority of Even for a politician known for his passion, Biden’s shootings are committed with handguns, military-style reaction to the latest shooting in Texas has been searing. semiautomatic rifles are staples of the country’s deadliest Stef Feldman, a deputy assistant to the president, said massacres.

On May 25, 2021, the first anniversary of the killing of George Floyd by then Minneapolis Officer Derek Chauvin, President Joe Biden invited his family to the White House. At the time, Biden expressed optimism that the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act would become law.

That didn’t happen.

On the second anniversary of Floyd’s death, Biden issued an executive order on police reform, which administration officials say will establish new rules for the use of force by federal law enforcement officers.

“It’s an effort to be responsive,” administration officials said. The order likely would mimic California’s police reform law, which requires that any new police officer in the Golden State be at least 21 years old.

The law also allows for the discipline of officers who fail to intervene when another law enforcement member uses excessive force.

The California statute also places firm limits on when officers are allowed to use deadly force, noting that such actions are only permitted when necessary to defend human life.

Previously in California, an officer could use deadly force as long as they personally deemed it “reasonable.”

Following the murder conviction of Chauvin, three other cops were found guilty in federal court of violating Floyd’s civil rights. Then officer Thomas Lane recently agreed to a plea deal to avoid state prosecution and serve two years in federal prison. The other two officers involved, J. Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao, face a state trial this summer.

Prosecutors said the trio stood by while Chauvin pressed his knee into the unarmed 46-year-old Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes.

“I am pleased Thomas Lane has accepted responsibility for his role in Floyd’s death,” Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said.

“His acknowledgment that he did something wrong is an important step toward healing the wounds of the Floyd family, our community, and the nation,” Ellison continued.

“While accountability is not justice, this is a significant moment in this case and a necessary resolution on our continued journey to justice.”

VOLUME 91 - NUMBER 29 - JUNE 2, 2022 Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles

Managing Editor ReShonda Tate

Chief Development Officer Emelda Douglas

Associate Editor Aswad Walker

Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles

Education Reporter Laura Onyeneho

Creative Director Michael Grant

Sports Terrance Harris Jodie B. Jiles

Administrative Asst.

Stacey Palmer

Photographers Jimmie Aggison

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

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June 2, 2022 |

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DEFENDER NETWORK

DN News Choose a physician who really listens

Better health begins with caring doctors Capri Isidoro looks at her one-month-old baby Charlotte during a lactation consultation.

Baby formula shortage highlights racial disparities Associated Press

As parents across the United States struggle to find formula to feed their children, the pain is particularly acute among Black and Hispanic women. Black women have historically faced obstacles to breastfeeding, including a lack of lactation support in the hospital, more pressure to formula feed and cultural roadblocks.

It’s one of many inequalities for Black mothers: They are far more likely to die from pregnancy complications, and less likely to have their concerns about pain taken seriously by doctors.

Low-income families buy the majority of formula in the U.S., and face a particular struggle: Experts fear small neighborhood grocery stores that serve these vulnerable populations are not replenishing as much as larger retail stores, leaving some of these families without the resources or means to hunt for formula.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 20% of Black women and 23% of Hispanic women exclusively breastfeed through six months, compared to 29% of white women. The overall rate stands at 26%. Hospitals that encourage breastfeeding and overall lactation support are less prevalent in Black neighborhoods, according to the CDC. The Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses also says Hispanic and Black women classified as low wage workers have less access to lactation support in their workplaces.

The racial disparities reach far back in America’s history. The demands of slave labor prevented mothers from nursing their children, and slave owners separated mothers from their own babies to have them serve as wet nurses, breastfeeding other women’s children.

In the 1950s, racially targeted commercials falsely advertised formula as a superior source

of nutrition for infants. And studies continue to show that the babies of Black mothers are more likely to be introduced to formula in the hospital than the babies of white mothers.

Physicians say introducing formula means the baby will require fewer feedings from the mother, decreasing the milk supply as the breast is not stimulated enough to produce.

Andrea Freeman, author of the book “Skimmed: Breastfeeding, Race and Injustice,” said these mothers still aren’t getting the support they need when it comes to having the choice of whether to breastfeed or use formula. They also may have jobs that do not accommodate the time and space needed for breastfeeding or pumping milk, Freeman said.

“Nobody’s taking responsibility for the fact that they’ve steered families of color toward formula for so many years and made people rely on it and taken away choice. And then when it falls apart, there’s not really any recognition or accountability,” Freeman said.

Breastfeeding practices are often influenced by previous generations, with some studies suggesting better outcomes for mothers who were breastfed when they were babies.

Kate Bauer, an associate professor of nutritional sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, said she began hearing back in February about Black and Latino families in Detroit and Grand Rapids feeling stuck after finding smaller grocery stores running out of formula.

Some were told to go to the local office of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, better known as WIC, the federal program that supports low-income expectant and new mothers. Between 50% and 65% of the formula in the U.S. is bought through the program.

“Going to the WIC office is like a full day’s errand for some moms,” Bauer said.

She fears mothers are getting desperate enough to try foods that are not recommended for babies under 6 months.

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DN News

Black Americans urged to get boosted, vaxxed Defender News Service

After more than two years of living with COVID-19, the United States reached a bleak milestone with over one million Americans dying from the virus.

According to White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre since President Joe Biden took office, the administration has helped to reduce the number of COVID-related deaths by 90%. Those stats are supported by 220 million Americans being fully vaccinated and over 100 million people being boosted.

However, federal data from the CDC also shows that 60% of adults and 75 percent of children have contracted COVID-19.

Those numbers are the tip of the iceberg as Dr. Anthony Fauci, the chief medical advisor to the president, told theGrio that he is concerned about rising cases among Black Americans and other minority and vulnerable populations.

Dr. Fauci said that when it comes to contracting the highly contagious COVID-19 omicron variant, it is not a matter of if but when people get infected with the virus.

Fauci also said that scores of Americans from underserved communities have slowed on getting their booster shots – putting them yet

A man in Tampa, Florida gets the Moderna COVID-19 vaccination in February 2021 as part of Bible-Based Fellowship Church partnering with the Pasco County Health Department and Army National Guard to assist residents there 65 and older protect themselves from the virus.

again at risk of disproportionate exposure, or worse, death.

The head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) said that when it came time for Americans to receive their first vaccine shot, the rate of Black and Brown Americans getting immunized for the first time was of equal

Your Choice.

proportion to white Americans. For example, among elderly Black Americans 75 and older, 80-90% were vaccinated, said Fauci.

However, the rate of African Americans getting boosted has dipped when the third round of shots was made available.

“We’re not seeing as much of an uptake of boosters among African-American and

Hispanic [Americans],” Fauci told theGrio.

Less than 50% of Black Americans have received their booster, according to America’s top doctor on infectious diseases who added, “We’ve got to make sure they realize that the immunity wanes.”

American seniors who contract the omicron variant are at most risk of death, according to a recent report from The New York Times. Experts say the rising death toll among the elderly population is due in part to a delay in getting booster shots.

When it comes to minority populations, many are frontline workers and first responders. As Fauci noted, “generally many of them don’t have the option of being sheltered from interaction and being able to talk, for example, through a Zoom and do their job behind the computer that they’re at risk to begin with.”

There are other historic and pervasive factors that compound the negative impact on Black and Brown Americans who contract COVID due to “social determinants of health,” said Dr. Fauci. Blacks and Hispanics have higher levels of underlying conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma and obesity.

Their Future.

LEARN THE BENEFITS AND RISKS OF COVID-19 IMMUNIZATION FOR CHILDREN.

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June 2, 2022 |

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DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Entertainment Shaunie O’Neal ties the knot with Houston pastor, Keion Henderson Defender News Service

Shaunie O’Neal, the “Basketball Wives” star and ex-wife of Shaquille O’Neal tied the knot with her fiancé, Houston pastor, Keion Henderson on May 28.

Nearly 200 guests were in attendance at the Anguilla wedding, which was held at the Aurora Anguilla Resort and Golf Club. The romantic outdoor ceremony took place on the golf course’s 10th hole, with the bride entering as singer Yolanda Adams performed. The bride’s three sons walked her down the aisle to meet her now-husband.

“I just lost my dad in February,” O’Neal tells PEOPLE. “So, I really struggled with how I was going to get down the aisle. Losing my dad in the midst of planning this wedding was a lot, so my sons handed me off.”

Shaunie’s three sons, Myles, 25, Shareef, 22, and Shaqir, 19, walked her down the aisle. Shaunie’s two daughters, Amirah, 20, and Me’arah, 16, were also in attendance.

Having her children there to support her was “everything” to the happy mom, who describes her family as “package deal” when

it comes to relationships.

Bishop TD Jakes officiated the nuptials, which were planned by The Happy Couple with The Britto Agency/Global Brand Strategist and captured by photographer Manolo Doreste and videographer Michael Tamzil.

The location was an easy choice for the newlyweds, who “immediately fell in love with it” on a past trip.

“I think after that first visit, we knew this was the place we wanted to get married,” O’Neal, 47, tells PEOPLE. For Henderson, 41, Anguilla’s rich histor y and welcoming residents made them “proud to connect to”

the island and “start their journey” there.

Guests spent the evening dancing to music from the Isley Brothers and Jukebox in a custom tent at the resort’s clubhouse and D Richards Restaurant, before Spinderella took over DJ duties in the late-night hours for the afterparty.

Thoughtful details were incorporated throughout the ceremony and reception, including an Eleven/11 (a meaningful symbol to the newlyweds) to ast wit h McBride Sisters Brut Prosecco.

While extravagant, and certainly larger than they

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had initially anticipated — Shaunie tells PEOPLE that their original number of guests was only 50 — the evening was special and intimate. “We wanted our guests to have a weekend of enjoyment,” O’Neal says. “We just like to have fun and love on each other and we wanted to do that with our friends and family.”

The couple got engaged in November 2021 after nearly two years of dating.

Shaunie was previously married to Shaq, 50, from 2002 to 2011. “[Henderson has] been amazing to just step into our lives and fill a void that’s been there for a minute … ’cause I haven’t had somebody,” Shaunie told the magazine of the pastor’s relationship with her kids. “They love him, which makes me love him even more.”

Shaq, for his part, recently made headlines for blaming himself for his failed union.

“I was bad,” the NBA legend said on “The Pivot Podcast” in April, adding, “She was awesome. She really was. It was all me.”

He wished the new couple all the best.

8 | June 2, 2022 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

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DN InFocus FOCUS SOCIAL

NRA PROTESTERS SPEAK ON GUN REFORM

Eulalia Gillum at May 27, 2022 NRA protest. Photo

by Aswad Walker.

By Aswad Walker Tensions were not nearly as high as expected as protesters confronted NRA Convention attendees and members of the various law enforcement agencies on hand to protect them.

However, passions were still on level 10 regarding people’s stances on the need for gun reform.

The Defender Network was on the scene—the George R. Brown Convention Center and Discovery Green—to hear what attendees had to say.

REASON FOR ATTENDING Joshua Martin, UH SGA president and one of the featured speakers at the May 27, 2022 NRA protest.

Photo by Aswad Walker.

THE POLITICAL

OVER GUN REFORM

By ReShonda Tate

How many more of our children have to die before leadership will recognize gun violence cannot be dispelled by thoughts and prayers?”

-State Rep. Jarvis Johnson

It’s become an all-too familiar scene - a mass shooting in America. Followed by the doomed cries of #DoSomething that fizzles out after a few days, leading many to wonder can gun reform really happen?

The outraged demands for action continue to be derailed in Congress. Disappointed gun-control advocates and frustrated citizens, point their fingers at the influence of the National Rifle Association or any number of gun-toting, second-amendment touting congressional Republicans. Those are both legitimate factors, but the stalemate over gun-control legislation ultimately rests on a much deeper problem: the political divide in American politics.

Here we go again

After the recent Uvalde school shooting that left 19 children and two adults dead, Texas Democrats are once again demanding that state leaders enact gun control measures to help prevent similar tragedies in the future. It’s a hard sell to a Republican-dominated legislature.

“The heinous shootings in Uvalde and Buffalo have laid bare the crisis we’re facing here in America—again,” said Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers. “We can’t allow these preventable mass murders to keep happening, and we can’t allow this to be the new normal. The overwhelming majority of Americans want action on commonsense gun safety, and they want it now. That’s why we’re calling on senators to come together and pass proven and popular measures that will save lives and get guns out of the hands of would-be school shooters.”

Texas Senate Democrats recently sent a letter to the governor demanding a special session to pass gun control legislation.

The question moving forward is whether Democrats, outnumbered in the Texas Legislature for two decades, will be able to put enough pressure on lawmakers to move on a previously intractable issue in gun-friendly Texas and that Republicans, who support looser gun laws, will fight tooth and nail. Democratic State Rep. Jarvis Johnson says despite being outnumber, they will fight on.

“I am calling on Governor Abbott to reconvene the legislature for a special session to pass real gun reforms; like requiring universal background checks, repealing open carry, raising the age to purchase long guns back to 21 years old, among other measures,” said Johnson (D-139).

“Enough is enough. How many more of our children have to die before leadership will recognize gun violence cannot be dispelled by thoughts and prayers?”

Democrat proposals

Texas Democrats have so far laid out a broad range of proposals in response to the shooting. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke confronted state leaders during a news conference, telling his Republican opponent, Gov. Greg Abbott, he was “doing nothing” and saying the mass shooting was “totally predictable.” The party’s candidate for lieutenant governor, Mike Collier, has blamed Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick for loosening gun laws in the state instead of tightening them after previous mass shootings.

O’Rourke is inching back toward the call to ban assault rifles that he became known for after the El Paso mass shooting in 2019 during his presidential run. At the time, he called for a mandatory assault rifle buy-back program. He backed away from that after pushback, but has returned to his belief that it’s “insane that we allow an 18-year-old to go in and buy an AR-15.”

The letter from Texas Senate Democrats laid out five specific gun control proposals it urged the Legislature to pass immediately in a special session: • Raising the minimum age to purchase a gun from 18 to 21 • Requiring universal background checks for all firearm sales • Implementing “red flag” laws to allow the temporary removal of firearms from those who pose imminent danger • Require a waiting period for the purchase of a gun • Regulating civilian ownership of high-capacity magazines.

During his travels throughout the state, Collier said he’s met many Republican officials who support the gun control measures he is discussing but they are afraid to discuss it publicly.

“You talk to ordinary Texans — Democrats, independents and Republicans — and they want gun safety,” he said.

Republican opposition

On the Republican side, there’s a completely different approach to gun reform. Leadership flat out rejects gun control measures, opting to focus on arming more teachers, increasing mental health resources and increasing

Advocates of gun reform legislation hold a candle light vigil for victims. Photo by Win McNamee

police staffing at schools. At their recent conference in Texas, members of the National Rifle Association were unwilling to support any new gun restrictions.

Abbott dismissed any suggestion of rolling back gun laws he signed to loosen gun restrictions and he dismissed the efficacy of background checks.

“Let’s be clear about one thing, none of the laws I signed this past session had any intersection with this crime at all,” Abbott said. “No law that I signed allowed him to get a gun.”

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has also been adamant that policies to restrict guns were off the table. “That doesn’t work. It’s not effective. It doesn’t prevent crime,” he said.

In a poll from April, 51% of Republicans and 37% of independents said state officials were doing enough to prevent such events.

David Thomason, a political scientist at St. Edward’s University, said Democrats would have to be careful about their approach if they want to win over the Texas public. The party would need buy-in from independent voters and Republicans, some of whom support limited gun control measures. Sixty percent of independent voters said they disagreed that state leaders had done enough to prevent mass shootings in last year’s UT-Tyler poll.

But pushing forward on measures seen as too extreme, like the mandatory gun buybacks O’Rourke has pushed in the past, could turn off rural, suburban and independent voters who could be persuaded to support other measures.

“The Democrats need to rethink how they approach guns and the relationship between guns and violence,” Thomason said. “It’s not a single issue — a single regulation will not change how someone commits violent actions. There are many pieces to it.”

The Texas Tribune contributed to this report.

I think it’s extremely insensitive and tone deaf to the families, the children in the entire community that were just traumatized just a few days ago for the NRA to hold this convention in Houston, Texas… To add insult to injury, we have elected officials who are compensated by us, the taxpayers, who are actively participating in the NRA Convention. - Eulalia Gillum, concerned parent First of all, silence and not voting, staying home, being apathetic, sides with the oppressor. Those inactions side with the killer. My brother was murdered; died by guns. My aunt was murdered; died by guns. A bunch of my cousins were murdered; died by guns. I’m sick of people everywhere, dying by guns. It doesn’t make sense to me that anybody can go buy a gun.

I mean, it’s just super simple. - Jolanda Jones, Texas State Representative Well, I’m not a spokesperson for the NRA, but I would imagine that the feeling that runs through the NRA is that the core reason for those mass murders has very little to do with the weapon that is used. The core reason for those murders is that we’re a different society than we used to be. And in fact, we’re much more dangerous society, and we need to learn how to get a handle, and to identify those who are the most dangerous in our society rather than trying to penalize the general public, who are responsible citizens or gun owners. - Bill Pepper, NRA member for 20 years I know I need to be doing more than merely giving thoughts and prayers, so, yes, others need to do more, as well. It’s a combination of things. It’s not just one thing that we’re going to do. And we would hope that the church would come to that realization, as well. “Yes, we’re gonna pray. But we’re gonna get out and let our voices be heard in different ways.” - Taria Page, faith community member We need lawmakers who are going to get these gun laws changed. And I’m not trying to take away anybody’s 2nd Amendment rights or their guns. But you don’t need an assault rifle to protect your home and yourself. - Adryan Billups, faith community member The fact that I have to stand up here as a 16-yr-old student and fight for my safety in school is appalling, but I’m not going to back down… Thoughts and prayers don’t stop bullets. Gun laws do. - Taran Hozack, rising high school senior & event speaker

10 | June 2, 2022 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Feature TIPS FOR PARENTS, STUDENTS

Coping with Uvalde shooting The mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas and other high-profile school shootings across the country all have had an impact on schools, parents and children, even if they weren’t directly affected by the horrific events.

By Laura Onyeneho

The mere thought of one day taking your loved one to school with hopes of them returning home safely, is no longer the case for the families of 19 children and two adults.

Schools are supposed to be institutions that provide a safe space for students to learn; now families struggle to understand why such tragedies continue to happen and how they can be prevented.

From a young age, American children practice active-shooter drills. No matter how prepared a school might think it is, an event like this can happen when you least expect it.

Parents and schools are forced to find ways to have a difficult conversation about violence. What should be done to reassure children about their safety while prioritizing their mental and emotional health?

The Defender Network spoke with Dr. Ezemenari Obasi, professor of psychological, health and learning sciences and associate dean of research at the University of Houston to share some tips on how to manage trauma after the mass shooting.

“Sometimes we live through things vicariously and when you think of the media coverage, mass shooting, political talking points and being exposed to the graphic images, it can be traumatic in itself,” Obasi said. “So much has happened in such a short amount of time, there’s no more space to stuff more grief and loss down.”

Obasi offered five steps parents and guardians take during these challenging times.

1. Talk with family and friends

It’s really therapeutic to get stressful

things off of your chest. Often times we bury things and we push ourselves and eventually burn out. Give yourself some grace to not be okay, to be tired and be patient with your own recovery. Engaging with others helps you normalize the experience. You are not alone in the struggle.

2. Limit media coverage

I think of the whole George Floyd experience. How many times are we going to watch his death being replayed on screen?

It’s getting to the point where we can become numb. It’s best just to shut it down instead of retraumatizing yourself and your child(ren).

3. Prioritizing self-care

Your body needs the energy to deal with stressors. Good sleep, having a healthy diet and physical activity are necessities. These are the basic blocks to help cope with trauma. Engage in journaling, mediation and prayer.

can surprise us if we are willing to listen nonjudgmentally.

With my son, we talk about keeping your cell phone on you, knowing how to hide and not approach the situation, making sure we have a meet-up location, so when an event happens, we already know how to anticipate how to move through it.

5. Avoid negative coping strategies

When the stress levels get too high, it’s easy to rely on things like drugs and alcohol that get that immediate escape, or oversleeping or isolating ourselves from others. That takes you away from normal routine.

Children are impressionable, and if the doors of communication are not properly opened, they will look at other means to seek information that parents might not approve of.

“It’s complicated when children get older and they begin to see the nuances of how

things play out by race and social class,” Obasi said.” “It’s critical to know your child.

Know what they are capable of without underestimating their capacity.”

During traumatic events, balancing personal comfort with what’s in the best interests of the child has its challenges, but Obasi recommends parents to not over-generalize the likelihood a mass shooting. For example, during the height of the COVID19 pandemic, parents felt the best way to protect children from getting sick was to keep them at home. Unfortunately, there are unintended consequences like lack of social interaction and developmental skills.

“Have conversations with the schools [and ask] what is your protocol?” he said.

“I don’t think isolated incidences should be strong enough to keep your kid from going to school long term, but you might want to take some time off in the short term instead because how can you focus on school when lives are lost?”

4. Have a family plan

We underestimate the resiliency of children. They have the capacity to experience things and talk about it in ways that

READ MORE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM EXPERTS.

June 2, 2022 |

| 11

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Education RESOURCES TO CATCH UP

Combating summer learning loss while having a fun time this summer.

Summer learning loss has been a concern “First, [parents can] establish a family readand topic of discussion for public school ing habit. Each night, read together: picture systems for decades. COVID-19 further books {even for older children], newspapers, prolonged the issue with school closures, the magazines, poetry, comic books [now called pivot to virtual learning and the disruption graphic novels], chapter books. Compare of normalcy for millions of K-12 students. popular books, such as ‘Jumanji,’ to the movie Public schools have worked tirelessly version. Discuss what you are reading,” said a throughout the pandemic lockdown estab- LingoKids spokesperson. lishing proper methods of safe return to “Adults can read aloud while the children in-person learning on school grounds. Chil- are loading the dishwasher. Make chores more dren were already behind academically pre- fun by adding reading! Your neighborhood COVID during summer months, but during librarian can help you get started and provide the pandemic, playing catch-up has proven summer activities as well.” troubling for educators.

LingoKids shares sevSchools are facing high eral activities and ideas, rates of serious staff shortincluding: BLACK K-12 ages, mental health chalSTUDENTS lenges of teachers and Develop hobbies 6 months students and lost instrucResearch shows that behind in Math tional time to name a few music, for example, can build 5 months behind issues. This has had a severe memory muscle. One simple in Reading impact on children in low-inway to learn an instrument come communities. is by buying inexpensive *McKinsey & Company “I think our focus needs recorders for everyone in the to be placed on the social family. Look for keyboards and emotional wellness and support of our for sale — used ones often can be found. educators and students in order to help them There are instructional videos online for achieve academic success,” said Jackie Ander- almost everything, including recorders and son, president of the Houston Federation of keyboards.

Teachers (HTF).

“We [HTF] received a grant through the Get outdoors American Federation of Teachers to help Plan for hikes, walks and trips to the teachers with improving their mental health playground. Start a leaf or flower collecwhile teaching in the classroom. If you are tion, learning their names. Keep a journal not working at your best state of mind, it will of your findings. Almost everyone has a ultimately impact your performance.” phone or camera. Keep a virtual journal Despite the statistics and concerns about of your adventures. the academic achievement gap of Black youth, there are resources parents and students can Cook together utilize to keep students academically engagedT:4.812" Make it a family activity to prepare a meal

By Laura Onyeneho

two to three times a week. Assign tasks for every member of the family. Discuss measurements and deepen math skills while assembling the ingredients.

Become armchair travelers If you can’t afford a summer vacation, choose a fascinating area to study each month: Pompeii, the Badlands, Mayan ruins, Rome and its history.

RESOURCES: Boys and Girls Club of Greater Houston Houston area writing camps United Way M.A.T.H program Lingokid Hype Freedom School

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12 | June 2, 2022 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Profile

Eric B. Williams II, a third-year student at South Texas College of Law. Photo Credit to South Texas College of Law Houston

Eric B. Williams II Law school grad talks career, setbacks, comebacks

By Laura Onyeneho

Eric B. Williams II’s career and academic journey has been seen as exemplary and inspirational.

The graduate of South Texas College of Law in Houston has a long list of accolades as the only honoree from the institution to be named National Jurist Magazine 2022 Law Student of the Year, first Black male editor in chief of the South Texas Law Review, Presidential Fellow and the law school’s first Black valedictorian to name a few.

And he was able to achieve this as a first-generation college graduate pivoting into his second career after more than 11 years in business and corporate sales.

Behind his success is a story full of trial and error, hardship and setbacks that shaped the trajectory of his career and personal life.

Williams spoke with the Defender about his transition into the legal field as a working professional, and how

Find out how he navigated his transition back to school his setbacks prepared him for a major comeback.

Defender: You are in your second career. How did you start?

Williams: Law school began around

2018. I’m a second-career law graduate.

I was born and raised in Houston. Graduated from the University of Houston in 2008. When I graduated it was during the middle of the recession. It was hard to find a job, but I was a business marketing major and a people person so I felt sales would be the best kind of career for me to start.

I got into the sales world right after school around 2009. About eight or nine years removed from that, I built a really good sales career. With several Fortune

500 sales companies, had major success, bought a house and got married. I was living the American Dream for a while.

Defender: For a while? Were there challenges?

Williams: At the time I had the itch to

want to do something more. So, around 2017 to 2018, I wanted to become an entrepreneur and be my own boss. I invested in a franchise with someone who was a family friend I’ve known for several years. I quit my corporate job and invested 100% of my energy to the business to create something long lasting. The first year or so things were good. Unfortunately, there were some financial issues with the partners and eventually the business went out and we pretty much lost everything.

I poured my entire savings into the business. It was all I had. About three months later, my now ex-wife filed for divorce. I was trying to navigate everything. I didn’t have any lawyers in my

family. I had friends who were lawyers, but their specialties couldn’t help me at the time. I didn’t know who to talk to. I felt vulnerable, uneducated and powerless.

Defender: What was your next plan?

Williams: I remember lying in bed

and I had an epiphany. I never wanted to feel like this again. I never want to feel unprotected. I needed to go to law school, because knowledge is power. I studied for the LSAT while I worked a job to bring some money in. I was out of school for 10 years so I didn’t understand the exam process. I actually did well…surprisingly.

I chose South Texas because of the small class size. The faculty and administration really care about their people and it’s a very diverse school. I wanted to go somewhere where I could be nurtured as a second-career student who had been out of school for so long. Fast forward three years later, here we are.

June 2, 2022 |

| 13

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN

Entertainment

BLACK MUSIC MONTH FEATURE

Local artists you need to know

By Aswad Walker

The Defender issued a call for the names of local artists who deserve some shine; folk with insane talent, but who most people in the city, state and country simply don’t know about. Yet! We called and our community, responded. Big time.

Thus, we decided to do this spotlight once a month, featuring artists of all kinds.

We hope you enjoy… and if you know of any artists whose work is worthy of attention and celebration, forward that info (artists’ names, social media links, videos, etc.) to aswad@ defendernetwork.com

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, TX (METRO), will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, at 12 noon to receive public comment on its proposed August 2022 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/86980778422 or by dialing: 346-248-7799 or 1-888-475-4499 (toll free), meeting ID: 869 8077 8422. Additionally, if you do not want to provide comments during the public hearing, visit RideMETRO.org/Pages/BoardStreamingVideo.aspx to view a livestream of the public hearing. 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 implementation of a new route — 314 Hiram Clarke - curb2curb, schedule changes to routes 5, 7, 47, 50, 153, Park & Ride corridors serving downtown, and the METRORail Red Line. 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, June 1, 2022 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, TX, 77002 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays.

The public hearing on Wednesday, June 8, 2022 at noon will be held in the 2nd floor Board Room at 1900 Main Street, Houston, TX (served by METRO 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, by calling 713-739-4834 or sending an email to BoardOffice@RideMETRO.org, and providing your name, address and telephone number. As explained above, you may attend the public hearing in person or virtually on Wednesday, June 8, 2022 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 for you to make your comments.

You may also provide comments by:

MICHELE THIBEAUX

If this world made sense, Michele Thibeaux would be a global household name.

Folk in H-town know of her skills as she’s worked with some of the city’s brightest talents including Russell Guess, H.I.S.D., Alycia Miles, Bel Ami and the late Zin, just to name a few. Listening to Michele puts me in the mind of Sassy Sarah Vaugh, Ella Fitzgerald, Amel Larrieux and Nina Simone… all at the same time! And if you don’t know those iconic artists, look’em up. And that won’t be hard, because listening to Michele Thibeaux will have you looking up to the heavens from wence she comes, and praising Jah for her gifts.

Instagram: #michelethibeaux Twitter: MicheleThibeaux Facebook: Michele Thibeaux

RUSSELL GUESS

No one word can fully capture the brilliance of Russell Guess. He’s at times a visionary, producer, creative, artist, musician and truth-teller. At other times, he’s any combination of those, or all of them at one time.

And it’s that eclectic, dynamic, multi-faceted energy that comes across in the pieces of art he has a hand in creating. Believe me, them Houston streets know.

To start listing the crazy talented artists that Guess has worked with would take up a few gigabytes of memory. But check out just a sampling at defendernetwork.com, beginning with a beat he laid down for Houston’s Poet Laureate Outspoken Bean and directed

by Lauren Zoe, using Willie Nelson’s classic “On the Road Again” as its foundation.

Soundcloud: GuessuR Instagram: Guessur Facebook: Russell V Guess Twitter: Guess Spotify: Russell V Guess

SEE THEIR WORK AND OTHER ARTISTS TO WATCH.

• Writing to us at METRO, ATTN: August 2022 Service Change, 1900 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002; • Faxing comments with a subject line referencing "August 2022 Service Change" to 713-652-7956; • Calling METRO's Customer Service at 713-635-4000; • Submitting comments on METRO's website – RideMETRO.org All comments should be submitted to METRO by 12 noon on Wednesday, June 8, 2022.

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. Request for language assistance and other accommodations should be directed to the Board Office at 713-739-4018, or via email at METROPublicAffairs@RideMETRO.org 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 on the basis of 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 on the basis of 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

14 | June 2, 2022 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports Texas Southern long jumper Kenneth Pree had season-best jumps of 24-9 and 24-7.25 during the NCAA West Preliminary Round but they weren’t enough to advance to the next round.

SportsBriefs TSU, PVAMU PLAYERS MAKE ALL-SWAC BASEBALL TEAM

The SWAC 2022 All-Conference Baseball team reflected the strong seasons both Texas Southern and Prairie View had this year.

Third baseman Jeremy Almaguer and outfielder Tyrese Clayborne made the first team for Tyrese Clayborne the Tigers and outfielder Brayden Johnson represented the Panthers.

TSU’s Jeremy Gaines made the second team. A couple of surprising TSU omissions from the team were Johnathon Thomas, who has had a record-setting year stealing bases and leads the nation with 62 stolen bases, and DH Gabe Vasquez who ranks second in the nation in triples (8th) and No. 22 in RBI (67).

KAEPERNICK GETS A TRYOUT

Former Super Bowl quarterback Colin Kaepernick was recently given Colin a tryout with the Kaepernick Las Vegas Raiders, marking the first time since 2017 that he has had a known workout with an NFL team.

Kaepernick had been a highly successful quarterback with the San Francisco 49ers until 2016 after he began protesting against the inequality of Black people by taking a knee during the playing of the national anthem. Kaepernick, 34, has not been able to get a job playing in the NFL since. And there is no indication at this point that the Raiders will move forward with adding him to their active roster.

PVAMU WOMEN’S SOCCER COACH STEPS DOWN

PVAMU’s head women’s soccer coach Sonia Curvelo has announced she has resigned her position. Curvelo guided the Lady Panthers to Sonia SWAC Championships Curvelo in 2019 and 2021 and also an NCAA Regional appearance. In the 2019 season, the Lady Panthers won their first SWAC Soccer Tournament title and it was also the first time they entered the NCAA College Cup as league champions.

Prairie View track and field standout Nathan Crawford-Wallis qualified for the NCAA Championships after leaping 16.08 meters (52’9) to claim 8th place in the triple jump at the West Preliminaries.

NO PLACE LIKE HOME FOR TEXANS LINEBACKER

OGBONNIA OKORONKWO

By Terrance Harris

Texans linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo has certainly had some challenges during the early years of his NFL career.

But his fortunes have seemed to shift in recent months.

The Alief Taylor product was a part of the Los Angeles Rams’ Super Bowl championship team and a month ago he signed a one-year free-agent deal that has brought him back home. In many ways Okoronkwo, who is best known as “Ogbo,” has a hard time wrapping his mind around how well it has all come together.

“It feels amazing,” he said recently during the Texans’ voluntary OTA practices. “It’s a dream come true to be able to come from what we did last year in Los Angeles and to be able to come home. It’s a dream come true.”

Adding to Ogbo’s excitement is the chance to prove himself in head coach Lovie Smith’s Tampa 2 defense where he will rush the passer off the edge as a down lineman. If Ogbo can stay healthy and put up numbers similar to the ones that made him Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year at Oklahoma in 2017, he could be looking at a longer-term commitment here or elsewhere in the league.

For now, however, Ogbo is most focused on the opportunity at hand and relishing the moment.

“It means the world to me. It was a journey,” he said. “So, it’s a real beautiful thing to be here right now just to be able to come home and play for my home team.”

A native of Nigeria, the 6-foot-2, 253pound Ogbo has struggled with injuries since being drafted in the fifth round by the Rams.

But after being moved to the active roster last October, Ogbo used his speed and physicality to produce a career season with 15 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, six quarterback hits and two forced fumbles while playing in 13 games in helping the Rams to their Super Bowl title season.

He has been a valuable addition this offseason because of his play and veteran presence in the Texans’ youthful locker room and as a player who knows what it takes to win a championship.

“We added him to our mix because he has excellent speed, he plays hard every down, and we’re always looking for defensive linemen that can rush the passer,” Smith said. “Everything I’ve seen from him, he’s exactly who we wanted and thought he would be. Local flavor ain’t all bad.”

Ogbo seems to be blending in and bonding

Los Angeles Rams linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (45) during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

well with his new teammates. The unit is on a mission to take another step in rebuilding the Texans’ defensive front.

The work began during the offseason program and has continued during OTAs. “Day one,” Ogbo said. “Day one we know we are going to be the most physical, the most relentless defensive line in the NFL.” But Ogbo understands a big part of being

the defensive front the Texans want to be is building that bond across the board. So far that process seems to be going smoothly.

“We’ve all got to do it together, so we’ve got to be connected on and off the field,” he said.

“That’s what we plan to do this offseason, just build those relationships so that you can see exactly how much we love each other on the field.”

June 2, 2022 |

| 15

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports LISA’S ROLLING VIDEO GAMES

Game truck closes digital gap

By Jodie B. Jiles

Shahid Beasley, owner of Lisa’s Rolling Video Games, is playing it forward in the video gaming industry by providing kids and adults alike with a mobile gaming party experience in Houston.

The inspiration for the game truck was Beasley’s mother, who was the self-proclaimed neighborhood gamer mom of Philadelphia throughout Shahid’s childhood. She kept kids off the streets and out of trouble by inviting them over to her house to play video games.

The Defender spoke with Beasley and co-owner Lisa Sanchez to discuss how the industry works, his vision for the future, and various ways the community can work with children to excel in the digital age.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS Beasley: “We started our gaming truck six months before COVID, and as you can imagine that was extremely tough where we put everything in to save the business. It got really scary at some points but we made it through. And not only did we make it through we made it out on top. We are doing really good right now because we just stuck to our core beliefs as far as giving back to our community and making sure we make our mom proud.

MOTHER’S NAME ON TRUCK Beasley: “Unfortunately my mother passed away four years ago from cancer, and I was in so much pain because she was so much a part of my life. So, I wanted to do something to honor her name. I came across this business idea and it just fit like a glove.”

HOW WORKS Beasley: “We have six TVs with six different systems. We can hold up to 24 players at once for private parties, events, concerts and just about anything. We have 30-40 video games on each console and are over 150 video games now. And essentially, we set it up to cater to your needs. If you have a small group we can set six kids up to play on Fortnite three-on-three. Or you can have the party with 90 people and just rotate them

Shahid Beasley and Co-Owner Lisa Sanchez

out every 10 minutes to make sure every kid gets a chance. So, our business is set up to be so versatile that we can essentially cater to anything.”

‘WHERE MEMORIES ARE MADE’ MOTTO Beasley: “We really take that to heart and you can see it throughout our social media.

You will see pictures of dads playing with their sons, moms playing with their daughters, and vice versa. We want people to have those memories and want to bring that experience so seven years from now they can talk about playing Smash Bros. and beating your dad with your friends. And you might not ever have that experience again.”

FUTURE FOCUS Beasley: “One of my main focuses is to bring kids back to weddings. I think this is perfect for a wedding reception and it will

allow the parents to sit, have fun, have their drinks and dance at the wedding while the kids are playing video games...taking out that awkward situation where kids aren’t invited to weddings.”

INDUSTRY FORECAST FOR ESPORTS Beasley: “I forecast it as bottled water. It is one of the few situations where you can take someone who previously has not been an athlete in the past and put them in a competition that will give them that experience.

Anyone who has played sports before knows exactly what I am talking about. And you can’t recreate that in a normal situation. So a lot of non-athletes don’t know what that feels like and esports closes that gap. And that is where it is like bottled water to where you are able to almost give anyone the competition experience and have them feel like an athlete without having to be physically active.”

HOW TO CLOSE THE DIGITAL GAP IN ESPORTS? Beasley: “We have to make sure we grasp where we are going with technology. Our community is amazing with art and we just need to transfer that art culture with technology, coding and things like that. Then it will take off. All we have to do is just transfer everything we do in art and music, we just make sure we code it and create it digitally now instead of on pencil and paper. Then it will take off itself. Our creativity in our communities holds no bounds, and just converting that over to a digital frame is the key to everything.”

FOR MORE INFO

Lisa’s Rolling Video Games Phone: 281-923-5923 IG: @lisasrvg Facebook: @LISASRVGHTOWN Website: https://www.lisasrvg.com

16 | June 2, 2022 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

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Unlimited Xfinity Mobile with 5G

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Limited-time offer. Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. For new Xfinity Internet and Xfinity Mobile residential customers only. xFi Gateway and Unlimited data included for 24 mos. Additional devices extra. After 24 mos. regular rates apply to all services and devices. All devices must be returned when service ends. Actual speeds vary and not guaranteed. For factors affecting speed, visit www.xfinity.com/networkmanagement. Xfinity Mobile requires residential post-pay Xfinity Internet. Line limitations may apply. In times of congestion, your data may be temporarily slower than other traffic. After 20 GB monthly data use, speed, reduced to a maximum of 1.5 Mbps download/750 Kbps upload. For Xfinity Mobile Broadband Disclosures, visit www.xfinity.com/mobile/policies/broadband-disclosures. Streaming subscriptions not included. Separate subscriptions required to access Peacock, Apple TV+, Disney+, and Hulu. Fees apply. © 2022 Comcast. All rights reserved. NPA241596

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5/19/22 5:49 PM