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Volume 86 | Number 33

JUNE 8, 2017 |FREE

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NEWSTALK JAMES DIXON rallying community behind Al Green

P2 NATIONAL

DEMOCRATS have a Black problem

SIX LIES ABOUT BLACK FATHERHOOD

SPORTS JOHN GILLON pursuing NBA dream

P10

H PAGE 6

TOP EVENTS

Prince ‘Purple Rain’ reigns Frenchy’s moving original location After almost five decades of serving fried chicken to Houstonians, a local landmark will be closing the doors to its original location, allowing Wheeler Ave. Baptist Church to expand. H PAGE 2

African-Americans love a good music movie, especially with a great soundtrack. In honor of Black music month, the Defender wants to know what’s your favorite Black movie?

H PAGE 8

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Pastor E.A. Deckard, Mayor Sylvester Turner and Deric Muhammad attend the Smart’n Up Black Male Summit.

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Community rallies after U.S. Rep. Green threats By JASEMINE KNOWLES Defender

Houston community leaders are demanding justice and action in response to Congressman Al Green receiving death threats on his voicemail after calling for the impeachment of President Donald Trump. Two recent press conferences called for law enforcement on all levels to track down those responsible. Among those in attendance at those press conferences: Green, Rev. William Lawson, Bishop James Dixon, and local NAACP President James Douglas Supporters at a prior press conference included activist Deric Muhammad, Minister Robert Muhammad, State Rep. Ron Reynolds and NAACP Regional Director Carmen Watkins. Lawson, who was active during the Civil Rights Movement, said although he’s appalled, he’s not at all surprised to hear about the lynching threats against Green. “Unfortunately, this kind of hatred was allowed in the ‘60s, but the difference [between then and now] was the law enforcement community was more active in seeing the case of death threats and death actions to justice,” Lawson said. Green revealed that he’s still experiencing “ugly” voicemails, but contends they won’t stop him from continuing his work. “I made a mistake earlier in my life. There was a cross burned in my front yard and I did not speak up,” Green said. “That was a mistake. You cannot hide hate and pretend it doesn’t exist. You cannot pretend hate does not hurt and kill. I’ve made up my mind that I will not cower nor pretend. I will speak the truth.” While the First Amendment allows freedom of speech, Dixon said hateful speech is simply unacceptable. “This climate of hate surrounding the congressman is one where expressions of hate are more and more tolerated. We cannot be one America if any American can be hated upon without retaliation from all of us [leaders],” Dixon said. “We urge proper law enforcement authorities to take full action investigating this matter until it is resolved,” he said. “We believe this level of investigation is necessary in order to send a strong message that this country will not tolerate hate speech and death threats against anyone.” “Congressman Green is a valued public servant for

Congressman Al Green (3rd from l.) receives support from (l. to r.) Bishop James Dixon, NAACP President James Douglas, Interfaith Ministries President Martin Cominsky, Mary Ramos of LULAC, Rev. William Lawson and Pastor E. A. Deckard.

Deric Muhammad speaks out and is flanked by State Rep. Ron Reynolds and Minister Robert Muhammad, among other Green supporters. (Photos by Jasemine Knowles)

the least, last and the left out,” Dixon said. “He’s stood against hatred and violence…We’re also calling on all leaders regardless of religious backgrounds or political backgrounds to stand up against hate toward any American and certainly against an upstanding elected official.” Deric Muhammad criticized law enforcement officials for their slow response. “Let’s be honest, if Congressman Al Green was a white congressman and if the caller had a Middle Eastern accent,

the person who perpetrated that call would have been caught by now,” he said. Muhammad specifically called out the Houston Police Department. “One of the death threats was left at brother Green’s local office – why hasn’t HPD done anything? However, when Tom Brady’s jersey came up missing right here in the city of Houston, there was an all-points bulletin put out on that jersey,” Muhammad said. “Here we are 10 days away from you knowing that a U.S. congressperson has been threatened with lynching and you mean to tell me you can’t find who

made that threat?” “A threat on one of us is a threat on all of us,” Minister Robert Muhammad said. “Black people can’t take it anymore,” he added. “We need justice for Congressman Al Green.” Since the call to action, HPD Chief Art Acevedo responded on Twitter saying, “Houston Police are constantly working with our local, county, state and federal partners to keep our elected officials and community safe.”

Original Frenchy’s moving After almost 50 years of serving Houstonians, local landmark Frenchy’s Chicken is moving near the corner of Alabama and Scott. The announcement about the move from the original Scott Street location was made by (l. to r.) Rev. Marcus D. Cosby, pastor of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church (WABC), and Frenchy’s owners Anthony Gaynor and Percy Creuzot III. The original Frenchy’s property will be part of WABC’s expansion. “We will be able to expand our sanctuary while they expand their business,” Cosby said. “The newer Frenchy’s will be a bigger and more modern building,” added Creuzot.

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Democratic Party has a Black voter problem Defender News Services

While some may be quick to blame the outcome of the 2016 presidential election on Russian hacking, one big contributor to the Democratic loss was something many feared would happen – a dropoff in African-American turnout once former President Barack Obama was no longer heading the ticket. New census and voter file-based evidence, which is more accurate than the initial exit polls, shows in 2016, turnout among whites was up across the country. At the same Black voting enthusiasm is declining, which signals a big problem for the Democratic party. time, Black turnout was If there was one area where Democratic turndown from 66 percent in 2012 to 59 percent in out was undeniably weaker in 2016 than 2012, it 2016. was among African-Americans, according to Ruffini, The lower Black turnout might be explained who compared actual 2016 turnout to pre-election as a reversion after Blacks’ historic turnout modeled turnout expectations. for Obama in 2008 and 2012. It’s possible that “While most of the conversation around electoral Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton could never demographics has focused on the inspire Black turnout the way the growing Latino population, Africanfirst African-American president Americans are still the most electoralcould. ly influential nonwhite group because Even if this shift is more of a they make up a larger share of the votreturn to the old status quo, analyst ing population both in the U.S. overall Patrick Ruffini, who studied the and in swing states in particular. data, says Democrats will still have “And for Democrats, the influto grapple with these turnout levels ence of Black voters is further ampligoing forward. fied because, as a group, they vote for “Painting Trump as a bigot Democratic candidates by such large did not motivate more Africanmargins,” Ruffini said. Americans to vote,” Ruffini said. Clinton won about 66 percent of “Hope and shared identity seem Latino voters, compared to Trump’s to be much more effective turnout 28 percent; she won African-American motivators than fear.” voters 89 percent to 8 percent. Turnout Elections are decided by two among Latino voters is rising, and this chief factors: Who turns out and is good news for Democrats, espewhich candidate they vote for. cially as African-American turnout Turnout alone did not decide the has fallen. 2016 election — and that the key But the difference in the margins by which these factor in Trump’s success with groups like the two groups lean Democratic means Democrats need white working class was not that he got way more to work twice as hard to net the same number of votes of them to the polls than Mitt Romney did, but from the Latino community as they could from the simply that he won a much higher share of their African-American community. votes.

“Painting Trump as a bigot did not motivate more AfricanAmericans to vote.”

U.S.briefs AT LEAST 10 HARVARD STUDENTS saw their acceptances rescinded after Harvard discovered that they were sharing obscene memes on Facebook. Harvard apparently found out that the students were sharing “sexually explicit memes and messages that sometimes targeted minority groups” in a Facebook group chat and took action. A student who was part of the larger Facebook group for the prospective Harvard Class of 2021, said that a “ratedR” group split off, with the people running the chat demanding that anyone who wanted to join first had to post offensive memes in the main group to prove themselves. Officials who found out about the group emailed the students to inform them that their acceptances had been rescinded…..AN OFFICIAL AT A FLINT AGENCY that manages foreclosed homes has resigned after a recording surfaced in which he blames the city’s water crisis on “n****rs who don’t pay their bills.” Phil Stair resigned as sales manager of the Genesee County Land Bank. A local environmental activist recorded Stair explaining why he thought Flint, a city mired in debt, switched from buying Detroit’s pretreated Lake Huron water to using Flint River water, which sparked the crisis that has left the city without safe drinking water for several years. In the 2014 switch, the city’s water plant failed to properly treat the more toxic water under orders from state officials, causing lead from old pipes to leach into city water. But in his racist remarks, Stair traces the crisis to residents not paying their water bills…..BILL MAHER HAS APOLOGIZED for using a racial slur on his show, “Real Time with Bill Maher.” The host used the offensive word during a segment with Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) after he told Maher, “We’d love to have you work in the fields with us.” Maher replied, “Work in the fields? Senator, I’m a house n****r!” He blamed the comment on a lack of sleep.

VOLUME 86 • NUMBER 33 JUNE 8, 2017 Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Ad/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Digital Editor LaGloria Wheatfall Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila Proofer Maia Shelby

Editors ReShonda Billingsley Marilyn Marshall Contributing Writers Aswad Walker Jasemine Knowles Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison

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

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JUNE 8 | 2017 | DEFENDER

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DEFENDER | JUNE 8 | 2017

SIX LIES ABOUT BLACK FAT

By RESHONDA TATE BILLINGSLEY Defender

he myths of the Black father have been perpetuated for years. Various studies and reports have repeatedly told us that Black fathers are overwhelmingly absent from their children’s lives. However, while these numbers are nothing to ignore, they contribute to a damaging narrative about Black men and negate the achievements of the number of Black men who play an active role in their children’s lives. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently published new data on the role that African-American fathers play in parenting their children. The study actually defies stereotypes about Black fatherhood, finding that Black dads are more involved with their kids on a daily basis than dads from other racial groups. In honor of Father’s Day, here are six lies we should stop telling about Black fatherhood.

Black fathers aren’t involved in their children’s lives The Pew Research Center has found similar evidence that Black dads don’t differ from white dads in any significant way, and that there isn’t the expected disparity found in so many other reports. Although Black fathers are more likely to live in separate households, Pew estimates that 67 percent of Black dads who don’t live with their kids see them at least once a month, compared to 59 percent of white dads and just 32 percent of Hispanic dads.

Black men don’t value parenting There’s compelling evidence that the number of Black fathers living apart from their kids stems from structural systems of inequality and poverty, not the unfounded assumption that African-American men somehow place less value on parenting. An equal numbers of Black dads and white dads tend

to agree that it’s important to be a father who provides emotional support, discipline, and moral guidance. There’s one area of divergence in the way the two groups approach their parental responsibilities: Black dads are even more likely to think it’s important to financially provide for their children. “Even though Black dads may be less likely to marry their kids’ mothers, they typically remain involved in raising their children,” said Dr. Roberta L. Coles, a sociology professor at Marquette University, who has researched Black fathers for nearly a decade.

Having a father will end Black woes Growing up, most of us heard the familiar refrain – most of the Black community problems would be solved if fathers simply stuck around. While that fact can’t be negated, author, Mychal Denzel Smith argues that responsible fatherhood only goes so far in a world plagued by institutionalized oppression.

“For Black children, alter racist drug laws, pro officers who kill, mass sc their water. By focusing o fathers, we allow ourselv real, while also further sc societal ills,” Smith, auth Smith believes the d father but from the feelin “If Black children w focused not on bemoanin their lives with the nurtur difference would an absen homes where electricity, scarce, went to schools w provided everything they to caretakers of any gend and talk and do homewor their lives were incomple would they hold on to the

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, the presence of fathers would not osecutorial protection of police chool closures or the poisoning of on the supposed absence of Black ves to pretend this oppression is not capegoating Black men for America’s hor of The Invisible Man, says. damage isn’t done by the absence of a ng of abandonment. were raised in an environment that ng their lack of fathers but on filling ring love we all need to thrive, what nt father make? If they woke up in running water and food were never with teachers and counselors who y needed to learn, then went home der who weren’t too exhausted to sit rk with them, and no one ever said ete because they didn’t have a father, e pain of lack well into adulthood?

This isn’t an argument in favor of deadbeat fathers, but a call to detach ourselves from the myth that the only and best way to raise a child depends on the presence of a man we call a father.”

Single-parent households are exclusively a Black problem The increase in number of single-parent homes has repeatedly been painted as a problem exclusively rooted in the Black community. However, that fact couldn’t be further from the truth. The number of single-parent American households has tripled in number since 1960, and while an overwhelming majority of these households are likely to be led by Black or Hispanic women, the number of Black, single-father households is also on the rise.

Unwed mothers signal a morality problem in the Black community According to a 2016 study, 72 percent of Black children are born to unwed mothers, a sharp contrast to the 24 percent detailed in the 1965 Moynihan Report. Some have taken this number and cited it as a contributing factor to a large portion of Black America’s present-day plight. However, many have taken issue with how this statistic has been used with respect to the Black community’s moral standing. Ta-Nehisi Coates broke down the numbers in an effort to give a more accurate depiction. “While the number of unmarried Black women has substantially grown, the actual birthrate (measured by births per 1000) for Black women is at the lowest point that is ever documented,” he said. So while a larger number of Black women are choosing not to marry, many of those women are also choosing not to bring kids into the world. But there is something else. “At one point married Black women were having more kids than married white women, they are now having less,” Coates added. “This dispels the idea that, somehow, the Black community has fallen into a morass of cultural pathology is convenient nostalgia. There is nothing ‘immoral’ or ‘pathological’ about deciding not to marry.”

Fatherless men won’t make good fathers There’s no disputing the effect fatherlessness has on children’s lives. Children in father-absent homes are almost four times more likely to be poor, and being raised without a father raises the risk of teen pregnancy, marrying with less than a high school degree, and forming a marriage where both partners have less than a high school degree. However, men who didn’t grow up with their fathers are not incapable of being good fathers themselves — an

the Houston area for over 85 years

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Advice from Fathers There’s no better time than Father’s Day – June 18 – to reflect on some of the best advice our Fathers have given us. Whether it’s advice on relationships or religion, lessons from our Fathers remain with us forever and keep guiding us. Often, we end up passing those lessons on to our own children. Here, children share advices and quotes from their fathers. “No matter what you accomplish in life, remain humble and keep God first.” -Ray Shack “Sex does NOT mean love!” -Michelle Goodson-Winslow “Look at how he treats his mother and you’ll see how he’ll treat you.” -Michelle Cook “I tell my daughter all the time that she is a Princess and any man she encounters should treat and speak to as such.” -Curtis Guillory “Some of the choices and decisions you make today, will have some effect on your future. And a man is only as good as his word.” -Ernest L. Henderson “Remember that no matter what was going on in my life, God would always still be God.” -Stephanie LaVern Carter “He told me the easiest thing a man can buy is a car, so if he can’t buy a car he ain’t worth your time” -Jo Ann Page Wilkins “What you did to get him, you have to do to keep him.” -Laurie Molina “Your word is your bond.”

-Jeff Lewis

“Always keep a twenty-dollar bill tucked away so you’ll never be broke.” -Mari Worthy “Pray without ceasing.”

-Sharon Wooten

DEFENDER | JUNE 8 | 2017

entertainment

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What’s your favorite Black music movie? Defender News Services

Black music movies have become a part of our culture. From “The Five Heartbeats” to “Purple Rain,” these movies often get played again and again. In honor of Black Music Month, we’ve compiled a list of the best of Black music’s movies. “SPARKLE” (1976) – Many people know the 2012 remake with Whitney Houston, but it’s the 1976 version that most people hold dear. In that version, Sparkle (Irene Cara), Sister (Lonette McKee) and Dolores (Dwan Smith) are three ‘50s era Harlem sisters who want to sing, but face all kinds of obstacles in the music business. When it came out, “Sparkle” was a box office flop, but attracted more fans later thanks to VHS and DVD, as well as its amazing soundtrack, sung wholly by Aretha Franklin. “THE WIZ” (1978) – An all-Black remake of “The Wizard of Oz,” the movie was deemed controversial because an adult (Diana Ross) starred as Dorothy, a girl. With Michael Jackson as The Scarecrow, Richard Pryor as the Wiz, Nipsey Russell as the Tin Man and Lena Horne as Glinda the Good Witch, it was a recipe for success, but lost $10 million for Motown and Universal “The Five Heartbeats” is one of the most popular Black movies of all time. Pictures. Through TV replays and DVD sales, it became profitable and is among the most beloved Black movie musicals. “PURPLE RAIN” (1984) –The musical, based loosely on the life of superstar Prince, grossed $80 million and gave Prince a No. 1 soundtrack, an Oscar and his signature hit. Vanity, Prince’s girlfriend at the time, was initially supposed to star, but they broke up. He replaced her with Apollonia Kotero after “Flashdance” star Jennifer Beals turned him down to focus on her studies at Yale. “THE FIVE HEARTBEATS” (1991) – Director Robert Townsend probably had no idea that “Purple Rain” grossed $80 million dollars. “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” this movie, loosely based on the struggles of ‘60s male groups, would become one of the most popular mance as one of Ray’s paramours from the Raelettes. Black movies of all time. Starring Leon, Michael What’s your favorite? “DREAMGIRLS” (2006) – The film version of the acWright, Tico Wells, Harry Lennix and Diahann Carroll, the movie Let us know on claimed stage play that originated with Sheryl Lee Ralph, Jenniwas co-written by Keenan Ivory Wayans. fer Holliday and Loretta Devine is a favorite. It starred Beyoncé, Facebook.com/DefenderNetwork “WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?” (1993) – Jennifer Hudson (an “American Idol” finalist who became the The fictionalized version of Tina Turner’s memoir “I, Tina,” the movie’s breakout star and won an Oscar), Eddie Murphy and Jamovie starring Angela Bassett and Larry Fishburne was a critical “RAY” (2004) – It took director Tyler Hackford 15 years mie Foxx, and was the highest budgeted Black film in movie hisand commercial success. Fishburne turned down the movie five to get the true story of Ray Charles’ life and career made. That tory. It would go on to make $154 million. The film and the play, times, but changed his mind when Bassett was cast. The film was worked out well for Jamie Foxx, who starred in the film and widely believed to be based on the Supremes’ rise to stardom at a huge part of Black pop culture to the point that Ike Turner said won an Oscar for the role. “Ray” is the second highest grossing Motown was a critical and commercial success, except with the that the many scenes fabricated for dramatic purposes damaged Black musical, earning over $125 million. Reviews were mostly Motown figures it was purportedly based on. his reputation. positive and co-star Regina King was singled out for her perfor-

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One-on-one with TSU President Austin Lane

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CENTERFOLD: Next Week Dr. Lane discusses TSU’s 5 percent graduation rate, competitiveness and the five-year vision Video interviews on www.DefenderNetwork.com Mon., June 12 Thurs., June 15 Will TSU merge with a system? Community Building Plan Tues., June 13 Fri., June 16 Board of Regents challenges TSU 5% graduation rate and competitiveness Wed., June 14 Sat., June 17 Plans for budget cuts & finance Five-year vision for TSU

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Local basketball stars pursue NBA dream By MAX EDISON Defender

“I can someday play in the NBA” is the dream of every youngster who has ever shot at a backboard nailed to a garage or tree or shot in a public park on rusted backboards, nets optional. For a pair of former Houston high school standouts that dream is on the verge of becoming reality and they’re doing everything they can to make it happen. The 2017 NBA draft will be held on June 22. John Gillon and Ken Williams are pursuing the dream of countless young men by trying to impress one of 30 NBA teams in hopes they will get a shot. Both are friends who go back to kindergarten. They’ve come to this point via different routes, but they’ve arrived at this moment at the same time. Gillon (6-feet, 180 pounds) has seen multiple stops on his journey. A two time first team All-District selection while at Strake Jesuit, Gillon began his college career at the University of Arkansas, Little Rock (2012-13). He played in 27 games, including 12 as a starter at point guard, averaging 10.6 points, second best on the squad. His collegiate debut featured a 22-point performance coming off the bench against Tennessee Martin. “I played at Arkansas Little Rock, but after a year didn’t feel like it was the best fit for me. I wanted a little bit more competition and exposure,” Gillon recalled. “I ended up transferring to Colorado State. I think I had a solid career there. I was the conference Sixth Man of the Year (Mountain West) my first season (2014-15). My second year at State was solid. I averaged about 14 points and four assists as a starter.” Gillon earned his undergrad degree in economics from Colorado State. With degree in hand and a year of basketball eligibility remaining, he was a college basketball free agent. “I was getting offers from lots of big-time programs from all over the country, but when my Dad told me he had received a call from Coach Jim Boeheim [Syracuse] I was pumped. We took a visit and I committed on the spot.” Gillon averaged 10.5 points per game in a season at Syracuse, shooting 42 percent from 3 and leading the team in assists with 5 per game. He also hit a 3-point buzzer beater in front of a packed house, home crowd to defeat Duke. “The NBA is the goal now,” Gillon said. “It’s been my dream, now is the time

to make the most of the opportunity.” Ken Williams has seen a roller coaster college career but stayed the course. The son of former University of Houston sharpshooter Ken “Juice” Williams, the second generation “Juice” was a standout performer at Episcopal High. As a four-year letterman, he led Houston in scoring his sophomore and junior seasons. He was named Large Private School Player of the Year after his senior campaign and led Episcopal to the Southwest Preparatory Conference Division I title, beating two-time reigning champion and rival St. John’s in the finals. Williams (¬6-feet-3, 198 pounds) took his talent to the University of South Alabama (Mobile). He hit the ground running at USA, starting all 31 games as a freshman. He was fourth on the squad in scoring (9.1 ppg.). As a sophomore he started 27 of 33 games. He ranked eighth in the Sun Belt in scoring average (15.7 ppg.) and 3-point percentage (.370), second in 3-pointers (2.6 pg.) and ninth in free-throw percentage (.791). His efforts earned him second Team All-Sun Belt Conference honors. Williams’ career continued to blossom. As a junior he once again started all 31 games

John Gillon

Gillon played high school ball at Strake Jesuit and ended his college career at Syracuse.

Ken Williams

Williams played at Episcopal High and took his talent to the University of South Alabama.

and led the Jaguars in scoring (15.5 ppg.). Once again he was an All-Conference performer. He became 15th member of the school’s 1,000-point club. Unfortunately Williams suffered a broken foot at the end of his junior campaign. As a senior he averaged a team best 14 ppg. and 3 assists. He set the school career 3-point record (251) and set the school’s career record for games played with 126. “My final year at South Alabama was a bit of a disappointment (14-18, 7-11 conference),” Williams said. “Overall it was a four years. I had an opportunity to grow up physically and mentally. I obtained my degree (interdisciplinary studies). That was very important.” Like Gillon, Williams is excited about the chance to play in the NBA. “It’s been my childhood dream,” he said. “I grew up with basketball…I’m working out with Anthony Davis’s trainers in New Orleans trying to be prepared for whatever comes up, the draft, team workouts, summer league, whatever. I’m pulling for [Gillon], De’Aaron Fox and every guy with Houston ties to get a shot and make the most of it.”

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h.s.zone Coach Rupp has faith in Deer Park baseball By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender

Chris Rupp has faith in the Deer. Facing a deciding game three in the Region III-6A championship series against Fort Bend Travis without his top two pitchers available and facing the opponent’s top gun, the Deer Park head coach never wavered. The Deer Park Deer had just squared the series at one game apiece following a masterful performance by lefthander Clay Aguilar in a Blake Martin and Deer Park are on their way to the 2017 state baseball tournament. 3-0 victory. Aguilar had to depart the game with one out years ago (1987). in the seventh inning after “When we came back from last he exceeded the UIL’s new 110-pitch limit for a year, nobody expected this, but these single game. guys have overachieved,” Rupp said. Adrian Gonzales came in to record the final “Now we have to go up there and win two outs with the potential game-tying run at the this thing.” plate. Deer Park utilized Peyton Sherlin in a 3-2 Jacobi Martinez walked with the loss to Travis in game one of the series. bases loaded in the eighth inning against Travis was poised to start ace Ryan Rickett Travis to push across the game-winning in game three when Rupp was asked his pitching RBI. plans with a berth in the Class 6A state baseball Gonzales finished with four tournament at stake. strikeouts and no walks over 82 pitches. “No doubt we’re going to have to piece Clay Aguilar After yielding the game-tying run in the something together,” Rupp said. “But we’ve got seventh inning, Gonzales came back the guys that can do it. You saw Gonzales, the strong in the eighth. kid that came in at the end of game two. He’s got This was supposed to be a rebuildsome good stuff. ing year for Deer Park after being “Mark Barrow has been pretty good for nationally ranked and winning 35 conus lately,” Rupp said. “If we can get a couple of secutive games to open the 2016 season innings out of Barrow and get the ball to Adrian, only to lose the final two games of the I think we’re going to have as good a chance as season in the regional title series against anybody.” Langham Creek. Barrow started game three for Deer Park The Deer (33-8) will play in the and handed it off to Gonzales with one out in the 6A state semifinals on June 9 at Dell second inning. Gonzales limited Travis to one Diamond in Round Rock. If they win, run over the final 6 1/3 innings as Deer Park won Chris Rupp they’ll play in the state 2-1 in eight innings to secure the championship game the regional title and first berth in the next day. state tournament since 1990. In the game two find out what happened at the girl’s Former Astros pitcher Andy state softball tournament elimination win over Pettitte was a member of that Travis (3-0), Chase Keng, 1990 Deer Park team that lost to Josiah Ortiz and Blake Duncanville in the large-school Martin delivered RBI hits while Aguilar gave up three hits classification (Class 5A) state title game. Rupp will be returning to the state baseball tournament and struck out seven. Now Rupp will have faith in his team and full rest for for the first time since leading North Shore and first-round his pitching staff heading to the state tournament. Major League Baseball draftee Brian Bohanon there 30

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JUNE 8 | 2017 | DEFENDER

sportsbriefs TSU baseball represents Give the Texas Southern University Tigers an “A” for their recent effort in the NCAA baseball regional tournament in Baton Rouge. Taking on No. 2-seeded LSU in their first game of the double elimination tourney, TSU jumped out to an early 3-0 lead. It was a nip-and-tuck affair with TSU leading the game 7-5 as late as the fifth inning before eventually falling 15-7. In the second game the Tigers gave crosstown rival Rice all they could handle before falling 13-6. TSU led early 3-0 and were tied 6-all as late as the sixth inning. Hats off to Tiger head coach Michael Robertson and his team on an outstanding season as SWAC champs.

UH heads to nationals Armed with the second fastest time in the NCAA this season at 38.59, which they ran at the Mt. SAC Relays in April, the Cougar 4x100 relay team is headed to the NCAA National Championship meet. The team of Mario Burke, Cameron Burrell, Jacarias Martin and John Lewis III circled one lap on the track in 39.16 to finish second in the recent regional meet in Austin. No stranger to elite competition, the Cougars’ relay team returns to Eugene, Ore., where they finished as silver medalists in 2016 after setting a school record in 38.44. Martin and Burrell previously punched their ticket to nationals in individual events as well as hurdler Amere Lattin. The meet takes place June 7-10 in Eugene.

PNG eliminates Brenham Josh Hranicky tossed a four-hit shutout to lead Port Neches-Groves past Brenham 4-0 and complete a two-game sweep in the bestof-three Region III-5A championship series in Huntsville. PNG won the first game 5-3. Logan Lejeune’s triple followed by an RBI single from Austin Bost opened the game two scoring and would be all the offensive support Hranicky would need. Bost was credited with his second RBI of the game when he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the fifth inning. Jacob Vaughan later scored in the same inning on a wild pitch to make it 3-0. Vaughan added a sacrifice fly for PNG’s final run in the bottom of the sixth. “Brenham has an outstanding ball club,” said PNG head coach Scott Carter. “They have two or three D-I commits and Josh did a really good job against them. We’re real proud of that.” PNG is going to the state baseball tournament for the first time since 2004.

FB Travis makes history Fort Bend Travis was the Houston area’s highest state ranked Class 6A baseball team at the conclusion of the regular season and the Tigers proved to be no fluke in the playoffs. Travis had never advanced beyond the third round of the postseason previously, yet the 32-8 Tigers came within one victory of the school’s first trip to the state baseball tournament. After defeating Deer Park 3-2 in game one of the Region III-6A championship series in Sweeny, Travis lost the next two games in Crosby by scores of 3-0 and 2-1.

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DEFENDER | JUNE 8 | 2017

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Happening in Houston For event coverage email: events@defendermediagroup.com

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CHILDREN’S DEFENSE FUND AWARDS LUNCHEON……..The Black males 12 and up, participants came representing several age groups. Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) hosted its 2017 Beat the Odds Awards Powerful presentations, including one by Mayor Sylvester Turner, and mentor Luncheon. The event honored five Houston high school seniors who have pairings were just part of the day’s activities. Attendees included Pastor E.A. overcome tremendous adversity, demonstrated academic excellence and given Deckard, Reginald OG1 Gordon, Shelby Stewart, Jesse Muhammad, Queen back to their communities. CDF President Marian Wright Edelman was on Ty Ross, Yolanda Moore, Dr. Chris Spellmon, Mark Calvin Sr., Mark Calvin hand to personally congratulate the 2017 Beat the Odds college scholarship award Jr., and more.…….PURPLE OUT FOR LUPUS FUNDRAISER….. Amber recipients, Shahad Alfartosy, Angelica Carroll, Benedicte Bonner Mackey, a 28-year-old who has been battling lupus Musimisa, Emaline Robinson and Khoa Tong. Other since she was 7 years old, organized Purple Out for Lupus, a attendees included Rev. Itang Hope Young, Karen Haller, Defender TOP EVENTS gathering of family, friends and supporters to raise funds to help Fern Dawkins, Calvin Williams, Carolyn Scantlebury, find a cure for the disease. The event featured performances by More photos on defendernetwork.com Cynthia DeJean, JoAnn White, Terrie Wright and Erikah Nocturnal, Tobe Nwigwe, and Shan the Poet along more.……..SMART’N UP BLACK MALE SUMMIT with small bites from the Reggae Hut. The group expressed 2017…….. Activist Deric Muhammad hosted the Smart’n Up Black Male their gratitude to Marcus Davis for hosting the event at the Alley Kat. Others in attendance were Lawrence Battle, Lynden Rose, Marilyn Rose, Mary Prince, Summit 2017 at Green House International Church. The summit was specifically designed to address the unique needs of Black males by equipping them with the Jarred Morgan, Phillip J. Yates, Travis Bryant, Renee Richardson, Berekat necessary tools to survive and succeed in America. Though the event targeted Worku, Nikki Harrison and Craig Harrison.

Marian Wright Edelman, Khoa Tong, Angelica Carroll, Benedicte Musimisa

Pastor E.A. Deckard, Mayor Sylvester Turner, Deric Muhammad

Carol Bonner, Ayana Bonner

Lan Bentsen, Rev. Itang Hope Young

Jeremiah Harris, Alavic Dorsey, Jaren White

Lawrence Battle, DI Good Grief, Christian Pope

Trikeah Henry, Christine Egu, Gloria Tshibangu, Shaelisa Jackson

Mustafaa Carroll, Jonathan Penright, Jesse Muhammad

Jonathan Cook, Sasha McAfee

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