Pride Month holds immense significance for the Black LGBTQ community in Houston. Texas isn’t the most LGBTQ-friendly state, and lawmakers are pushing dozens of anti-LGBTQ bills and flaring up debates over restricting gender-affirming care for trans kids, passing measures that limit school lessons about the LGBTQ experience, and the college sports trans studentscan play.
Instead of focusing on the negatives, I think it is best to see this month as a platform to celebrate their unique identities, amplify their voices, and advocate for their rights. This annual observation not only honors the historic achievements and milestones of the LGBTQ rights movement, but it shines the light on the challenges and triumphs faced by Black LGBTQ individuals. Let’s use this opportunity to understand and work towards a more equitable society for everyone.
It has been over 40 years since Jimmy Carter declared the month of June as African American Music Appreciation Month, celebrating the legacy and impact of Black music in American culture. There are so many different styles to Black music played on their airwaves, clubs, and lounge spots in the city. From hip-hop, country to Afrobeats, these styles are hard to ignore as times change and the genres
transform from one generation to the next. Look at Tobe Nwigwe, Don Toliver, Fat Tony and Kam Franklin for example. Their unique styles and creative expressions are pushing boundaries, challenging norms and are contributing to the rich musical legacy of the city.
TLC premieres new documentary
Speaking of Black Music Month, do you know how much of a blessing it is to witness some of the OG Black musicians living in their purpose up until their deaths? Tina Turner, Harry Belafonte, Rapper Trugoy the Dove of De La Soul, Freddy White of Earth Wind and Fire…Shall I go on? We’ve got to give them their flowers while they are still alive. That’s why I’m glad 90s girl group TLC’s singer Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins along with Rozanda “Chilli’ Thomas showcased the premiere of their Lifetime documentary “TLC Forever” chronicling the historic group’s rise to fame and legacy. T-Boz shares about her long-time battle with sickle cell disease and how she underwent surgery to remove a benign brain tumor in 2006. The fact that she is alive and well to tell her story, educate us about her health, and perform at the age of 53, says A LOT!
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Struggling Houston families may soon get some relief - thanks to Harris County Commissioners, who recently approved a $20.5 million pilot program that could address the region’s economic inequality.
County Judge Lina Hidalgo said Houston is the second-fastest growing region in the nation, and has over 3.3 million jobs, a number that is contiously growing.
“But the reality is, not every resident is experiencing extraordinary economic growth,” she said. “One in six people in Harris County live at or below the poverty line.”
Uplif Harris, the frst of its kind for a Texas county, was spearheaded by Commissioner Rodney Ellis’ Ofce and will be funded by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. It’s part of the county’s broader strategy to reduce poverty and deliver economic prosperity for everyone in Harris County.
Under the program, up to 1,500 families living below 200% of the federal poverty line
– approximately $40,000 for a family of four – will receive $500 per month to support their household needs, including rent, groceries, transportation, housing and utilities, and care.
Families randomly selected for the pilot program will either live in targeted high-poverty ZIP Codes or participate in Harris County Public Health’s ACCESS (Accessing Coordinated Care and Empowering Self Sufciency) Harris County, a program to improve the lives of residents who are experiencing hardship and facing health challenges, fnancial and housing needs, and social inequity.
Harris County is one of the most economically segregated regions in the country with widening income and wealth disparities that disproportionately impact people of color, women, working families and youth.
The pandemic, soaring costs of living, and stagnant wages have deepened the economic divide, putting more strain on families struggling to make ends meet and threatening the region’s overall social well-being and
economic stability.
“Similar programs in other cities and counties have been shown to increase employment and the incentive to work while reducing poverty,” Commissioner Ellis said. “But the benefts go even further. Families report improvements to their physical and mental health and are able to spend more time with their children. Tey also have a greater sense of self-determination when they are trusted with the resources they need to build a better life.”
However, the program could face legal challenges due to HB 2127, otherwise known as the Death Star Bill, a new law that preempts counties’ ability to pass regulations.
“Tere is a lack of clarity around the bill from the legislature and what it actually does,” Commissioner Ellis said. “We’re not going to let that stop us from fghting for the people of Harris County and moving forward with policies that serve them.”
Te pilot program is planned to begin in September and will run for 18 months.
A nationwide bus tour calling for Supreme Court justice reforms made a recent stop in Houston. Elected officials and advocacy groups say they’re concerned about the country’s direction.
The “Just Majority” Campaign which began in Boston in April, is a 20-stop nationwide bus tour. Te campaign is calling for changes to the supreme court afer they said there have been growing concerns around recent ethics scandals surrounding Supreme Court Justice Clarence Tomas for failing to disclose luxury gifs he received from a conservative billionaire, and partisan rulings afer Roe v. Wade was overturned. Te campaign consists of over 30 organizations fghting for gun violence prevention, reproductive rights, court reforms, and racial justice.
“I grew up with such awe because I am a child of the Brown versus Topeka Board of Education decision,” said Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee. “I look to the hills for the Supreme Court to give me hope.”
Jackson-Lee was joined by civil rights advocates Martin Luther King III, Rashad Robinson, President of Color of Change, Wanda Mosley, National Field Director of Black Voters Matter, and Shellie Haynes-McMahon, Co-Director of Planned Parenthood Texas Votes.
She said local residents need to be able to have confdence in the Supreme Court.
“I know that our city depends upon a fair and balanced United States Supreme Court, and criminal justice matters and reproductive rights matters in education matters,” she said. “As we face discrimination in our
public schools, by states that don’t pay attention to diversity and the ability to teach our history – we rely upon the United States Supreme Court in the 14th Amendment, the 15th Amendment.”
Demands the campaign is pushing are expansion of the Supreme Court and adding
about three to four seats to the court, impose term limits and a stronger code of ethics.
“Te Dobb’s decision was the frst time I believe that the court took an exclusive decision and moved backward,” said Martin Luther King III. “So the remedy has to be expansion.”
King said his parents fought for equality and justice in this country and that’s showing in the Supreme Court.
“If he and my mother were here, I know they would be greatly disappointed. In fact, I think my dad is just spinning in his grave and my mom,” he said. “We are truly a better nation than the behavior we exhibit, but we can never accomplish what we need to accomplish unless we come together through organizations and voters. Know that it only takes a few good women and men to bring about change.”
Shellie Hayes-McMahon with Planned Parenthood Texas said her organization advocates for reproductive healthcare, but reproductive rights have been stripped for many.
“We recognize that this assault on our rights extends far beyond this issue,” she said. “Presidential administrations and conservative Senate majorities have manipulated our judicial system.”
Houston was the frst stop in Texas.
NNPA
In a tragic incident that has ignited outrage and calls for justice, Ajike “AJ” Owens, a 35-year-old Black mother of four, was fatally shot by a white neighbor at a housing complex in Ocala, Florida. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump has denounced the killing as an “unjust” act, highlighting the absence of an arrest or charges against the shooter.
According to Crump’s Twitter post, the deadly incident occurred on Friday, June 2, when Owens attempted to retrieve an iPad taken from one of her children.Te details surrounding her death have sparked protests and raised concerns about racial tensions in the community.
During a press conference, Marion County Sherif Billy Woods provided a more cautious assessment, indicating that the shooting culminated in an ongoing feud between the neighbors.
Woods revealed that law enforcement visited the address approximately six to eight times over the past two and a half years.While he refrained from confrming whether Owens was trying to recover the stolen iPad at the time of the shooting, Woods mentioned that the shooter had thrown a pair of skates toward Owens’ children before the fatal confrontation.
Expressing frustration, Woods stated, “If somebody threw something at my child, I’d be pissed of. What parent wouldn’t be? Who wouldn’t be upset, regardless of whether they intentionally threw it at them?”
He also emphasized that he wished the shooter had contacted law enforcement instead of resorting to personal actions.Woods further expressed regret that Owens did not reach out to the authorities.Te sherif did not disclose the shooter’s identity, age, or race, but he did mention
Defender
Harris County has paid out at least $4.5 million in settlements in the past 10 years from lawsuits regarding detainee treatment and conditions inside Harris County Jail.
Since 2012, at least 43 lawsuits have been fled by detainees and their family members, according to reporting from the Houston Landing’s Alex Stuckey. Ten of the 43 lawsuits were connected to in-custody deaths, per Stuckey.
Tough settlement agreement sums weren’t included in public court documents, the Landing found that the county paid $4.5 million in three diferent settlements since 2012. Two of the three payouts came out of lawsuits and a third the county paid out without legal action from the victim or his family, according to the Landing’s Stuckey.
News of the settlement fgure comes as Harris County Jail faces ongoing scrutiny from state ofcials, victims’ families and advocates.
Te death of 32-year-old Robert Terry last month was the jail’s sixth death of 2023. Harris County said Terry died “afer sufering an apparent medical emergency,” though his family says he was physically healthy when he was booked into the jail three days before his death.
Te Texas Commission on Jail Standards issued the jail a failing grade in March, following an inspection that found that the jail was failing to follow medical providers’ treatment orders for detainees and failing to treat medical issues in a timely manner. A recent investigation into the death of 28-year-old Matthew Shelton following a medical emergency last year revealed that Shelton lay dead in his cell for 28 minutes afer being found by a guard.
that she was cooperating with the investigation.
He urged the community to exercise patience as the inquiry progressed, revealing that authorities haven’t concluded interviews with all those who witnessed the incident.
“We’re not cold-hearted bastards. We’re not going to interview children the night they possibly witnessed their mother being killed. We’re going to wait,” Woods asserted.
He emphasized that his ofce was committed to bringing justice to the family and friends afected, seeking the support of professionals and expert counselors in handling the emotional impact on the children involved.
According to accounts from neighbors who spoke with the Ocala Star-Banner newspaper in Florida, the incident occurred as several children were playing on the grass in front of a duplex building at the housing complex.
Witnesses reported that a female resident emerged from one of the units, threw something at the children, grabbed an iPad, and swiftly
retreated inside.One of the children informed Owens of the incident, which prompted her to approach the woman’s door.
Te confrontation escalated with intense aggression from both parties, involving banging on doors and walls and threats.Tragically, the unidentified woman shot Owens through the door.Woods afrmed that once the investigation concludes, authorities would present their fndings to the Marion County State Attorney’s Ofce, which will then determine if charges are warranted.
The incident adds to a series of recent similar shootings.
In April, a woman was fatally shot in New York afer a man objected to a car entering his driveway. In another incident in Texas, two cheerleaders were shot, with one sustaining critical injury, when they mistakenly approached the wrong car afer an event. Also, Ralph Yarl, a 16-year-old Black teen, was shot and wounded in Kansas City afer knocking on the wrong door afer his parents sent him to pick up his siblings.
VOLUME 92, NUMBER 29 - JUNE 8, 2023
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Two teen suspects accused of the recent violent robberies along the Columbia Tap Bike Trail are now in custody. The Houston Police Department investigated multiple reported incidents in May of suspects targeting Houstonians on the bike trail, which is located in the 3100 block of Anita Street. The suspects were identified by officers as Deon Kristen, 17, and Willie Carol, 17. HPD declined to go into detail on the arrests, saying the investigation is still active at this time. While robbery incidents are going down, jugging cases have increased. The department plans to establish a task force in an effort to combat those crimes.
Anti-hunger advocates say new requirements in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, in the debt ceiling bill passed by Congress, could limit access to food for some people in need. The Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 expands the work requirement for SNAP recipients from age 18 to 49 to age 18 to 54. That would require
able-bodied adults who don’t have dependents to work or participate in approved job training for at least 80 hours a month, in order to receive more than three months of benefits over three years. Republicans say it will help people get jobs, and reduce the need for benefits. But anti-hunger advocates at No Kid Hungry say many recipients are already working and this creates job reporting requirements that will result in a lot of red tape that could make it difficult to qualify.
Activist, theologian and academic Cornel West has announced that he is running for president in 2024 as a third-party candidate. The 70-year-old leader said he is running for the nomination as a member of The People’s Party, a left-wing political party that dates back to the 1890s. West, a longtime political activist who has been critical of Republicans and Democrats over the years, mentioned
West
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump – the likely Democratic and Republican 2024 presidential nominees – in his pitch to voters and positioned himself as an alternative candidate. The campaign ad includes comments West made about Trump and Biden in previous interviews, in which he called Trump a “gangster” and “neo-fascist” and Biden a “milquetoast neo-liberal.” Cornel West, known for evoking messages of “love” when talking about politics, positioned his presidential campaign as one rooted in caring for others.
The Texas Department of Transportation is finding ways to warn drivers to stay safe on the roads. As they report distracted driving has increased 10% for the state of Texas, they have launched the ‘Text. Talk. Crash.” awareness campaign urging Texans to pay attention to the roads. The campaign is an extension of a social media and word of mouth effort #EndtheStreakTX, that encourages drivers to make safer choices behind the wheel and end the streak of daily deaths. TxDOT says distracted driving crashes are
100% preventable and are offering tips to help drivers steer clear of potentially deadly situations.
The National Battle of the Bands is back in Houston this year! It kicks off Saturday, Aug. 26, at NRG Stadium at 6 p.m. The event celebrates the rich culture of HBCU marching bands while generating scholarship money for participating HBCU bands and supporting the community. More than 2,200 members from the top marching bands in the country will kick off their fall marching band season while showcasing their unique style, talent, and sound.
In just a few days afer the Texas Education Agency announced former Dallas ISD superintendent Mike Miles as the new Houston ISD superintendent, he spared no time making his rounds with the Houston media sharing his perspectives about his plans during this transition.
Te former U.S Army veteran, diplomat and former CEO of the charter school network Tird Future Schools, engaged the press with open-mindedness about leadership and the future of HISD.
Student achievement is the name of the game for Miles who quickly imposed major changes to HISD, launching the “New Education System” initiative to reconstitute 29 struggling campus, including Kashmere, North Forest and Wheatley high schools forcing employees to reapply for their jobs.
He says the pay-for-performance approach plans to ensure improved instruction in Houston ISD schools with the most need. Te better student outcomes, the more teachers can earn. He also plans to cut at least 200 jobs at HISD’s central administrative ofce to help pay for higher teacher salaries at schools with the most need.
However, critics still raise concerns about his reform strategies, ability to engage the feedback of diverse stakeholders and his combative leadership reputation that precedes him from his past tenure at Dallas ISD, according to a recent interview with Edward Turner, a seasoned Dallas education advocate.
Te Defender spoke one-on-one in a brief interview with the interim HISD superintendent on what his priorities are to improve student outcomes in predominately Black schools.
Defender: Whatarethekeypriorities toimprovelow-performingschoolsin the district?
Mike Miles: Tere are several things we need to do. Tere are three buckets for exit strategy. One is we can’t have any schools with multiple years of D or F scores. Te second is that we have to solve the special education challenges that this district has been facing for a number of years. And third, there has to be stronger and more efective governance. But I got a larger priority too, and that is we have to prepare all of our students for the year 2035 workplace and world. Right now, we have a district that
is a tale of two cities. We’ve got one group of kids who are doing well. We have a lot of good schools that are efectively teaching their kids and preparing their students.
Ten we have a vast majority of schools that are not doing as well. Te profciency rate is too low and the achievement gap is too high. We’re going to have to make sure every single one of our kids get the resources and the type of instruction and efective teaching
to make sure all of our students get a quality education.
Defender: Amajorconcern forcommunity members is the fact that their elected board members are replaced.Willthecommunitybeable to holdyou and the board ofmanagers accountable if expectations are not met?
Miles: First of all, I’m going to hold myself accountable. But the board of managers will hold me accountable, too. We are going to have clear metrics and outcomes for almost everything we do. We have 11 priority work areas where there are clear outcomes that we’re expecting. At the end of the day, if my team and I can’t get it done, then we need to be gone.
Defender: The community is frustratedwiththelackoftransparency priortothisannouncement.Howdo youintendtogaintheirtrustandfoster community involvement in your decision-making process?
Miles: I understand that prior to [the day of his announcement as HISD superintendent], there hasn’t been a lot of information about what’s going to happen. And when there’s an absence of information, I get that there’s anxiety and fear wrapped around that. I understand that, and the onus is on me to make sure that we take people from their worst fears to their best hopes. And part of that comes from listening. That means part of it comes from trying to persuade people and making sense of the things that have to be done. Part of it is building a case that we need to get things done this year, that our kids don’t have time to wait. Tis is not like a normal superintendency where you can come in for four months and listen, go on a listening tour, and then take six more months to put together a strategic plan. Tat would take a whole year. Our kids don’t have that kind of time.
Defender: Whataresomestrategies to improve student outcomes that have worked in yourprevious role as Dallas ISD Superintendent that you believe would work here in your role here?
Miles: Let me just say that Houston is not Dallas, and Dallas is not Houston. Houston has its own context and has its own needs at the same time. Tey’re both large urban districts and many of the challenges are similar. Te number one challenge right now, or at least key action, is for us to improve the quality of instruction for every single classroom. Tat means we have to hire efective teachers that we train and support, and we have to have principals who are efectively coaching and growing the quality of instruction in every classroom.
“At the end of the day, if my team and I can’t get it done, then we need to be gone,”
HISD SUPERINTENDENT MIKE MILES
It’s no secret that in the Black community, when it came to mental health, silence ruled as many families adopted a ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ mentality. Black folks didn’t talk about their “touched” uncle locked in the back room, or they urged their loved ones to “suck it up because if we made it through slavery, we could make it through anything.”
But that line of thinking has led to generations of African Americans going undiagnosed and untreated when it came to mental illnesses. According to Mental Health America, mental issues are worse among African Americans, who have a 20% higher rate of serious mental health issues than other races.
While mental health issues aren’t confined to the Black community (Blacks have issues at about the same or less frequency as whites), the historical Black experience in America has and continues to be characterized by trauma and violence more often than for their white counterparts and impacts emotional and mental health of both youth and adults. Historical dehumanization,
RESOURCES
• Black Emotional and Mental Health (BEAM): BEAM is a training, movement building and grant making organization dedicated to the healing, wellness, and liberation of Black communities. BEAM envisions a world where there are no barriers to Black Healing.
oppression, and violence against Black people has evolved into present day racism - structural, institutional, and individual, which, when coupled with day-to-day stressors, chemical imbalances, and more, leads to a rising number of African Americans facing mental issues.
While a myriad of mental issues plagues those in the Black community, we looked at the top three: depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder.
“He had it all. What did he have to be depressed about?”
“He always looked so happy. Didn’t you see any signs?”
“Just take your troubles to Jesus, and everything will be alright.”
Those are just a few of the comments Evon Murray says she received after her husband of 22 years took his own life. Her husband had just received a promotion at work, they
• The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation: Changing the perception of mental illness in the African-American community by encouraging people to get the help they need; focuses on stigma/ self-stigma reduction and building trust between Black people and the mental health field. borislhensonfoundation.org
had a loving family, and six figures in the bank. But no one – including Evon – knew the depression that raged through her husband’s mind.
“I think people forget that this is a chemical imbalance,” Murray said. “My husband buried himself in his work, he was an overachiever and he always wore his strong armor for our family. But it wasn’t until after he passed, that I realized the toll life had taken on him.”
Depression is a huge mental health issue that affects African Americans. For Black women, they mask it by putting on their Superwoman cape and forging ahead. For Black men, they often bury themselves in work and won’t seek help due to stigma and pride.
Despite rates being less than the overall U.S. population, according to Mental Health America, major depressive episodes increased from 9% to 10.3% in Black youth ages 12-17, 6.1% to 9.4% in young adults 18-25, and 5.7% to 6.3% in the 26-49 age range between 2015 and 2018 (the last year data was available).
Family therapist Dr. A. Baldwin says depression robs people of the enjoyment found in daily life and can even lead to suicide.
“Depression is more than life’s ups and downs,” said Baldwin. “Life is full of joy and pain, happiness and sorrow. It is normal to feel sad when a loved one dies, or when you are sick, going through a divorce, or having financial problems. But for some people the sadness does not go away, or keeps coming back. If your ‘blues’ last more than a few weeks or cause you to struggle with daily life, you may be suffering from depression.”
Depression is a “whole-body” illness that affects your mood, thoughts, body and behavior. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months or years.
“A common myth about depression is that it is ‘normal’ for certain people to feel depressed—older people, teenagers, new mothers, menopausal women, or those with a chronic illness,” Baldwin said. “The truth is that depression is not a normal part of life for anyone, regardless of age or life situation. Unfortunately, depression has often
been misdiagnosed in the Black community. And contrary to belief, people with depression can’t just ‘snap out of it’.”
ANXIETY
According to Census Bureau data, rates of depression and anxiety have increased among Blacks, following the murder of George Floyd in police custody. Research shows that anxiety may present differently in African Americans, who are more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than whites.
Anxiety is a complex mental health issue, with many triggers. African Americans face several additional risk factors for anxiety, including racial trauma. Those risk factors include:
• exposure to racism and racist abuse
• the effects of racism, such as fewer opportunities and less safe communities
• higher rates of trauma, including sexual assault, and police violence
Anxiety can manifest in many ways, and in several related diagnoses. They include obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder, phobias, and generalized
anxiety disorder. Over time, anxiety can affect a person’s health. Some researchers argue Blacks experience weathering. This is a longterm erosion of mental and physical health due to chronic trauma, stress, and racism.
have contributed to Black Americans not receiving help for bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses. Some of the reasons are:
• Continued misunderstanding and stigma about mental illness.
• Therapy for Black Girls: online space encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls; referral tool to find a therapist in your area.
• The Loveland Foundation: financial assistance to Black women & girls seeking therapy
• Therapy for Black Men: primarily a therapist directory for Black men seeking therapy; includes some resources and stories.
An estimated 2.3 million Americans have bipolar disorder, also called manic-depressive illness. A person with bipolar disorder can go from feeling very, very high (called mania) to feeling very, very low (depression). With proper treatment, people can control these mood swings and lead fulfilling lives. While the rate of bipolar disorder is the same among African Americans as it is among other Americans, African Americans are less likely to receive a diagnosis and, therefore, treatment for this illness.
• A mistrust of health professionals, based in part on historically higher-than-average institutionalization of Black Americans with mental illness; and on previous mistreatments, like such tragic events as the Tuskegee syphilis study.
• Cultural barriers between many doctors and their patients.
No one knows for certain what causes bipolar disorder. But its causes may include:
• BRAIN CHEMISTRY – There are chemical changes or imbalances in the brain during both extremes of behavior (mania and depression).
HOW
• Reliance on family and religious community, rather than mental health professionals, during times of emotional distress.
• A tendency to talk about physical problems, rather than discuss mental symptoms, or to mask symptoms with substance abuse or other medical conditions.
• Socioeconomic factors which can limit access to medical and mental health care.
• GENETICS – Close relatives of people with bipolar disorder are 10 to 20 times more likely to experience depression or bipolar disorder than other people.
• DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE –More than half of the people diagnosed with bipolar disorder have histories of substance abuse. In some cases, substance abuse precedes the development of the problem; in others, alcohol or other drugs may be used as a form of self-medication.
• STRESSFUL OR DISTURBING EVENTS – Both can cause mood swings.
Most Blacks with bipolar disorder are going undiagnosed and untreated. Several factors
• Safe Black Space: Safe Black Space is the umbrella under which various services are offered to address people of African ancestry’s individual and community reactions to cultural and racial trauma. Safeblackspace.org
About 25% of Black Americans do not have health insurance.
• Suicide Hotline Phone/text 988
988lifeline.org
• Depression And Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
800-826-3632
www.dbsalliance.org
*Sources: Centers for Disease Control; SAMHSA’s 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health; Source Psychiatry.org.
• National Institute of Mental Health
1-866-615-6464. www.nimh.nih.gov
• National Medical Association (for a list of Black doctors)
1-888-662-7497
www.nmanet.org
“Many Black people believe that with the right attitude or prayer, they can get rid of mental health issues. Mental health conditions are serious health problems that a person cannot think or pray away.”
– DR. A. BALDWIN
Growing up, local entrepreneur Derrick Carson felt like asthma was terrorizing his family.
“When I was a kid, middle school aged, I was scared to death of asthma because on several occasions, my little brother had attacks and looked like he was about to die,” said Carson. “I remember, me, my parents and older brother would all run around in a panic to get my younger brother hooked up to that breathing machine, that nebulizer, and get him calmed down. That happened like three or four times.”
But for stay-at-home dad Jimmie Roberts, asthma was simply an inconvenience.
“During my childhood, it felt like I lived every moment carrying around that dang inhaler, and feeling extremely uncool with it, usually in my shirt pocket,” he recalled. “But as I grew older, it was like I grew out of it, like the asthma disappeared. Don’t know if that’s possible, but I’ve been inhaler-free since high school freshman year.”
Between those two experiences exists many asthma myths and facts. But first, what exactly is asthma?
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute define asthma as a chronic
(long-term) condition that affects the airways in the lungs, making them inflamed and narrowed at times, and thus making it harder to breathe out.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says about one in 13 people in the U.S. has asthma, which affects people of all ages and often starts during childhood.
And as Carson’s and Roberts’ experiences show, there are different levels of asthma’s impact. In fact, there are various types of asthma, including allergic and nonallergic. But that alone doesn’t form the basis of identifying how severe it is. Hence, asthma is further classified into four stages – intermittent, mild persistent, moderate persistent and severe persistent (often called uncontrolled).
Not surprisingly, asthma, like seemingly every other medical condition in the U.S., negatively impacts Blacks more than others.
• Black children are more than twice as likely to have asthma, 15.7% compared to white children at 7.1%.
• People of color are 3.7 times more likely to live in a county with failing grades across three metrics for air pollution, a huge asthma trigger.
• Black people are 75% more likely to live
near oil and gas refineries; another huge asthma trigger
The Houston Health Department’s report, “Houston’s Asthma Burden: A Summary,” says the following are major contributors to asthma in the Bayou City:
• Petrochemical complexes: Houston is home to the largest petrochemical complex in the nation. Populations living nearby may be at higher risk of suffering adverse health effects from those complex’s pollution.
• Outdoor air pollution: Houston’s air quality consistently ranks as one of the worst air quality regions in the nation, posing further risk to Houstonians with asthma.
• Housing: Roughly 36.0% of Houston homes were built before 1980 and 5.9% before 1950. Older housing is at a higher risk of containing indoor environmental triggers, such as mold, mildew and cockroaches.
• Outdoor allergens: Houston has multiple outdoor allergens (i.e. tree, grass and ragweed pollen, and mold spores).
• Climate: Houston’s climate is getting hotter and wetter, thus making breathing harder and increasing the risk of breathing problems, especially when humidity is high.
• Hurricanes: Families in flooded areas
can be exposed to multiple asthma triggers including wet housing, poor indoor air quality and particulate matter suspension from debris piles after remediation.
Additionally, the 24th annual “State of the Air” report published by The American Lung Association this year reveals that between 2019-2021, people of color were more likely to inhale dirty air than white people.
“One bad day of air pollution can be one bad day too many” Katherine Pruitt, the national senior director of policy at the American Lung Association, told Word In Black.
• Prioritize good sleep and relaxation.
• Try to keep your weight in a healthy range.
• Forget junk food. Focus instead on fresh fruits and vegetables and lean meats.
• Aim for at least a little exercise every day.
• Don’t skip doctor’s appointments.
• Take medications as prescribed and refill prescriptions before they run out.
• Stay current with your vaccinations, especially influenza and pneumonia. Keep windows and doors closed on days when pollen counts are high and air quality is poor.
[Source: Allergy & Asthma Network, https:// allergyasthmanetwork.org/what-is-asthma/ lifestyle-changes-to-manage-asthma/]
In the recycling industry space, there are neither many Blacks nor many women. So, Black women leading recycling companies are a rarity, indeed. Yet, Houston-born and Tird Ward-raised Brandi Harleaux heads a company, South Post Oak Recycling Center, that has not only been in business for 29 years, but is doing so well that Harleaux was recently honored at the White House for being named the Small Business Administration’s Texas Business Owner of the Year.
Te Defender spoke with Harleaux about her path to entrepreneurship.
DEFENDER: Tell us about your business.
BRANDI HARLEAUX: We are a metal recycling center headquartered here in Houston, Texas, and serving the Gulf Coast region. We’ve been in business for 29 years, May 2, believe it or not. I am a second-generation owner, and I am very proud to represent a company and a team that is on a daily basis making a direct impact on the environment. We like to say, “We move metals responsibly.” So, our focus is on recycling metals and electronics. And that includes anything from aluminum, brass, copper, stainless steel, iron. And we are getting that primarily from households, like you and myself, that would have aluminum cans or plumbing from our homes.
We also work with contractors; your HVAC technicians, your electricians, your plumbers, our contractors and our trades that have recyclable metal as a byproduct of their jobs on a daily basis. But the bulk of our growth has happened more on the B-to-B and business-to-government side. We have contracts with utility companies, oil and gas companies, energy construction, whereby they have materials lef over, that are obsolete. They have parts, they have downhole drilling valves, and we recycle, and we actually pay people for the value of that. So, that’s a little bit about what we do. I like to say we are a direct link in the sustainability chain. And as my dad would say, “We were green before green was cool.”
DEFENDER: Is this where you saw yourself when you were eight-yearoldBrandi?Andifnot,whatwereyou envisioning?
HARLEAUX: Absolutely not. I think the conundrum with multi-generational businesses, and you don’t see a lot of them in our culture, is that I think our parents want us to do something diferent. Tey want us
to do something more or presumably better. Tey want you to get further. And so, I was not encouraged to come into this industry. My parents were frst-generation entrepreneurs. I was always told growing up, “Hey, Brandi, reach for the stars.” Tat was kind of my parents’ motto, born and raised in Tird Ward, and just achieving. And with their focus being on, we need to do better, I guess by the time they had me—I’m the oldest of three girls, so I jokingly say I’m my dad’s son, his very feminine son—but it was, “Hey, go to college, get a degree, fnd something that you love, that you’re passionate about, and go do that.” So, I did what a lot of people do. And not all, but mine was, “Brandi, let’s
go to college.” I chose to focus on industrial organizational psychology, which was a blessing based on a counselor that I had at Lamar High School who exposed me to diferent felds of psychology. And I learned early on that the intersection of business and psychology was what I was interested in. And that’s what industrial organizational psychology was. So, I went along that path, got a master’s in it, moved from Houston to California.
DEFENDER: What’s your elevator speech to Black people about why recycling is important?
HARLEAUX: Recycling is important
because if we really look to the future and we care about the land and the space that our kids are living in and that our kids’ kids are living in, it’s important that we start thinking about the materials that we use today. And how we think about the materials that we use today, and where we put them or where we take them, is a direct correlation to not only our kids’ future, but it directly impacts our infrastructure and everything that we touch today. So, the more we recycle, the more that goes back into everyday items such as the roads and bridges that we’re on; the plumbing or the piping that’s in our house, the cars that we use. So, it is both a short-term beneft implication and a long-term implication.
A seasoned higher education administrator and effective champion of faculty and student success will become the new provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Texas Southern University. Dr. Carl Goodman will arrive at TSU on July 1, 2023, as the chief academic officer responsible for advancing the academic enterprise of the university. He comes from Bowie State University (BSU), where, for the past three years, he served as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. As chief academic officer, Dr. Goodman was responsible for leading academic growth and research innovation. He has nearly 30 years experience, including executive positions at Florida A&M University.
Clinical assistant professor and undergraduate program director at #PVAMU’s College of Nursing, Antonea’ Jackson has been selected to participate in the National League for Nursing’s 2023 Leadership Institute. The NLN is the nation’s premier organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. Jackson, a two-time PVAMU graduate (BSN ’04, MSN ’09), is the sole participant from an HBCU in this year’s cohort.
Walmart has appointed Denise Malloy its new Chief Belonging Officer, a role previously named Chief Diversity Officer. In her new role, one of Malloy’s
responsibilities is establishing the strategy to ensure Walmart is a place where everyone feels they are welcome and that they belong. The TSU Alumna previously worked with Johnson Controls, where she spent 17 years in similar leadership roles overseeing diversity and inclusion.
Houstonian Travis Sattiewhite is the new news director at KVUE Austin. He previously worked at NBC Connecticut, where he was assistant news director. Sattiewhite had been part of CNN’s editorial team covering the 2016 presidential election, and most recently worked as a producer on the documentary Just Yesterday: Sandy Hook Ten Years Later. Sattiewhite received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas Southern University in 2002. In December of 2022, he completed his M.B.A. from Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business.
Houston Museum of African American Culture CEO John Guess, Jr. was awarded an Honorary Degree of Humane Letters from the Johns Hopkins University (JHU). Guess, who was cited as a Businessman, Social Advocate and Arts Patron, was joined by six other honorees. As a student at Hopkins John founded the Black Student Union, was the first Black president of student government.
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is a free 17 week training course for individuals living with or affected by HIV. The purpose of the program is to train people to effectively participate on local HIV planning bodies. Topics covered include the history of HIV in the Houston area, local HIV trends, services for people living with HIV and much, much more!
A brief application and personal interview are required
APPLY ONLINE: www.surveymonkey.com/r/P - LEAP2023
Project LEAP is held in a hybrid format (in person and on Zoom)
If you have questions or would like to receive a paper application, please contact Diane Beck at 832 927-7926 or diane.beck@harriscountytx.gov
RYAN WHITE PLANNING COUNCIL OFFICE OF SUPPORT
Phone 832 927 -7926 Fax 713 572-3724 http://rwpcHouston.org
The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County is conducting a call for projects regarding the 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities grant program.
This program provides federal funding for the purpose of assisting private nonprofit groups in meeting the transportation needs of older adults and people with disabilities when the transportation service provided is unavailable, insufficient, or inappropriate to meeting these needs.
The 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities grant program aims to improve mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities by removing barriers to transportation services and expanding transportation mobility options. This program supports transportation services planned, designed, and carried out to meet the special transportation needs of seniors and individuals with disabilities in all areas. Eligible projects include both "traditional" capital investment and "nontraditional" investment beyond the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) complementary paratransit services.
All proposals must be sent to GrantApplications@RideMETRO.org, no later than July 24, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. (CST).
Late submittals will not be accepted.
METRO will host a virtual pre-application workshop on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. The workshop registration information, application package, worksheets and related documents are available on the 5310 Grant Program Resource Page: https://metro.resourcespace.com/pages/search.php?s earch=%21collection329406
For more information about these programs or questions regarding the application and budget process, please email your questions to GrantApplications@RideMETRO.org or call Albert Lyne, METRO Deputy Chief Strategy Officer at 713-739-4697
Questions submitted by July 7, 2023, will be posted on the 5310 Grant Program ResourceSpace page by July 14, 2023.
Mayor Sylvester Turner is encouraging Houstonians to participate in the annual Make Music Day (MMD) again this year. This day-long celebration takes place on Tuesday, June 21, the longest day of the year—the summer solstice.
Over 100 cities nationwide took part in almost 4,000 free events for last year’s celebration, further demonstrating the power of music to unite and uplift people, spread joy, and build community. The celebration reflects each city and features national programs, free performances, neighborhood serenades, patio and park music lessons, jam sessions, and music everywhere.
“The City of Houston is delighted to once again be part of the international roster for Make Music Day,” said Mayor Turner. “Last year, we kicked off the celebration in partnership with the Consulate General of France in Houston on the steps of City Hall. I am once again inviting all Houstonians, of all musical abilities, to join us and bring music to our neighborhoods, offices, and communities on this celebratory day of music.”
Make Music Day began in France in 1982 as the Fête de la Musique and has spread to over 1,000 cities across 120 countries. Houston is partnering again with the French Consulate, and several countries represented by Houston’s Consular Corps to participate in the global event. The Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA) has shown a commitment to support Houston’s music industry. MOCA is also grateful to partner this year with Houston-based literacy program Reading with a Rapper (RWAR), and again with Houston’s Professional Musicians’ Association (HPMA) which is providing funding for its members for the global event.
forward to our talented artist BuddieRoe performing at Houston’s City Hall on June 21st.”
City Hall Ceremony -- A series of performances including RWAR artist BuddieRoe are scheduled on the steps of City Hall after a few words from the Mayor and the French Consular General to kick-off Make Music Day in Houston.
Cultural Districts -- Houston’s seven designated Cultural Arts Districts will participate in activating community facilities and spaces with live music and collaborations among musicians.
“Reading With A Rapper is thrilled to participate in Make Music Day, as music plays a vital role in our program,” said Jarren Small, CEO of Reading With A Rapper. “We encourage everyone in the City to use this day to create and share music with anyone willing to listen. We are also looking
MakeMusicDay.org/ Houston
Arts District Houston will host Nameless Sound , a 17-person improvising orchestra featuring an original score for improvisation, specifically suited to the SITE Gallery (2101 Winter Street, under the rice silos at Sawyer Yards). Attendees are invited to walk through the silos to hear different instruments throughout the space from 6-8 pm.
Longhorn Dylan Campell extends record hitting streak
University of Texas right fielder and Strake Jesuit product Dylan Campbell extended his program and Big 12 record hitting streak to 38 games during the Longhorns NCAA Regional championship win.
In recognition of Juneteenth, Rockets general manager Rafael Stone, new head coach Ime Udoka, along with players
Jabari Smith and Kevin Porter Jr. took part in a company-wide day of service at the historic Freedman’s Town in Fourth Ward. As part of the project, they helped clean up Sauliner House, Wiley Park and Freedman’s Town Association.
PV and TSU among top athletic programs in SWAC Prairie View and Texas Southern finished third and fifth, respectively, in the 20222023 SWAC Commissioner’s Cup. The Panthers finished with 132.5 points while the Tigers tallied 119.5 points. Alabama State was this year’s Commissioner’s Cup winner after winning six SWAC championships this past athletic year.
Tigers hire new men’s assistant coach
The Texas Southern men’s basketball program has hired former NAIA championship head coach and ex-Ole Miss assistant coach Stacy Hollowell as a new assistant coach. Hollowell won the national title during his eight-year stint at Loyola New Orleans. He spent last season as an assistant coach on the Ole Miss staff.
PVAMU sprinter Asjah Harris competes in NCAA West Regionals
Prairie View junior sprinter Asjah Harris recorded a time of 11.78 in the 100 meters dashing during the NCAA West Regionals but she finished 44th overall.
By Terrance Harris
As stellar of a rookie season as Texans safety Jalen Pitre had in 2022, this year is about building and preparing for what’s coming.
The former Stafford and Baylor standout knows he still has a ways to go to be the complete player the Texans need in the secondary.
“Just overall knowledge of the game,” Pitre said. “You’re never complete in your knowledge about the game. It’s always evolving, and you always learn new things. Just leadership. I want to be a guy that the team could use in hard times. I’m just trying to step up in that role.”
Pitre is coming off a rookie campaign that has many predicting he could be the Texans’ next breakout star. As a starter in all 17 of the Texans’ games last season, Pitre, who the Tex ans drafted in the second round (37th overall) last year, led all rookies in the NFL with 147 tackles and his five interceptions were second among rookies.
But that was all accomplished in Lovie Smith’s Tampa 2 defense. The Texans now have a new coaching staff and head coach DeMeco Ryans, along with defensive coor dinator Matt Burke have brought in a new defensive scheme.
That has meant starting over for Pitre and the returning players. And OTA prac tices have given the players a foundation for the new scheme. The building and learning will continue with the upcoming Texans’ minicamp.
Pitre seems to enjoy learning under Ryans and feeling his energy.
“He’s a great head coach, a guy that’s really intentional with what he’s doing,” Pitre said.
Jalen Pitre is coming off an impressive rookie season in which he led all rookies with 147 tackles, while also recording five interceptions, one sack and eight passes defended. (AP/Eric Christian Smith)
“You can see it in his meetings. You can really feel it at practice. He’s making sure that every rep that I’m doing, whether it’s a walkthrough, a practice, even in the film room, that I’m seeing the things that I need to see and finishing the right way.
“He’s always talking to me about my body position and my leverage. I’m thankful to have a coach that cares so much about the game and really loves the game of football.”
In return, Pitre’s new coaches have also been impressed with what they are seeing from the second-year player.
“Great -- literally, I’m saying he’s great,”
also improving the things that I do not as well,” said Pitre, who was named to the Pro Football Writers of American All-Rookie Team after last season. “I’m trying to be more vocal and just be that fun guy on the team, be a guy that you could look at for the energy. I’m just trying to be a guy that is positive out there on the field.”
But Pitre is mindful of the areas he needs to improve. While he led rookies in tackles last season, he also led the NFL in missed tackles with 36.
“The biggest thing I would say is my patience,” he said. “I feel like I developed good patience throughout the year. It’s also one of those things that you coulding to build on that and trying to just slow my eyes down, and that will allow me to play faster and make those plays that need
Coaching is more than a job, coaching is a gift; a lifelong commitment, to a group of students whom you share life with as they progress through their ups and downs. For 37 years Coach Dennis Brantley went on this coaching journey with hundreds of students, but now it is time to say goodbye. Brantley will be retiring at the end of the school year from his position as head football coach and campus athletic coordinator at Ft. Bend Elkins High School.
Brantley graduated from Worthing High School in 1980 where he was both a football and track star. He not only set the school record for the 110-meter hurdles but he also set the state record with a time of 13.34 which still holds to this day.
Brantley went on to be unbeaten his entire junior year in the 110-meter hurdles and only lost one race in the 300-meter hurdles that year at state where he took second. In his senior year, Brantley was unbeaten in both the 110-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles.
“I always played football and ran track. I even played bas ketball for a while. People don’t know that I set the state record for the 110meter hurdles in my junior year then broke it again my senior year,” said Brantley.
Six years later, Brantley found himself coaching at McAuliffe Middle School in Fort Bend ISD where he served as an eighth grade assistant coach for football, basketball and track.
“Ever since elementary school, I always knew I wanted to be a coach,” said Brantley. “My high school coach Oliver Brown, made a big impression on me and I just wanted to do the same thing for other kids. He instilled confidence in me. He told me that I could do anything that I wanted to if I was willing to put in the work. He believed in me so much, I didn’t want to let him down.”
Brantley became one of the first coaches at Thurgood Marshall High School when it opened in 2002. Starting with only a freshman and sophomore class, Brantley played a vital role in serving as both head football and head track coach. In 2005, the Buffaloes won district in football and did the same in track the next year.
In 2008, Brantley became the Elkins High School offensive coordinator and then head football coach in 2011. Under Brantley, at one period of time, Elkins was one of the top schools in the nation with former
were active on an NFL roster at one time. The talent was there, we just instilled discipline, accountability and some respect,” said Brantley.
Brantley believes coaching is only half about winning. The other half is about teaching young men to be better in life. Brantley reflects on those whom he can’t forget because they heard the message and ran with it.
“I’ll never forget Tyrone Smith. He went to Baylor University and then played for the San Francisco 49ers,” said Brantley. “Now, he is a minister, volunteer coach and motivational speaker. Another is Shannon Rideout who is now presently the assistant athletic director at Fort Bend ISD. I coached him from junior high all the way through high school. He is also a man of God that helps the kids. That’s what I’m proud of. They heard the message and took it further. They are good human beings, good family men, giving back to other young men in our society.”
Although this may be the end of Brantley coaching at the capacity he once did, it’s hard to stay away from the gift.
“I’m hoping to coach again, but I don’t know at what capacity. I’m just going to try to sit back and relax a little bit and see what direction the Lord takes me. I just love coaching.”
During my time there, we had seven kids that were active on an NFL roster at one time”
DENNIS BRANTLEY
By Aswad Walker
Juneteenth commemorates June19, 1865, when two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, soldiers landed in Galveston with news the war was over and all slaves were free. It’s a time to celebrate liberty and freedom from a dark period in American history. Juneteeth became a federal holiday two years ago and all month we’ll be looking at events where you can celebrate in the Bayou City.
JUNETEENTH FREEDOM RIDE
This ride will begin at Emancipation Park and travel to the Sunnyside & South Park and back taking in all the historic sites each community has to offer.
June 10 • 11a.m. – 8p.m.
Emancipation Park
3018 Emancipation Ave. Houston, TX 77004 FREE
CELEBRATE FREEDOM
This event brings together seven historic Black communities in Houston to celebrate the richness of our Culture, pay homage to the pioneers of Juneteenth, and experience Jubilee in a way that is uniquely our own. Calling everyone from Independence Heights, Fourth Ward, Third Ward, Fifth Ward, Sunnyside, Acres Homes, and South Park.
June 14 - 17
Multiple locations & times
2nd Annual Juneteenth
HBCU Alliance Weekend
Sponsored by PVAMU and TSU alumni associations
6/14, Juneteenth Symposium, Rice University, 8:30a.m. – 12:30pm
6/15, Golf Tourney, Memorial Hermann Golf Course, 8a.m.
6/16, Career Fair, Post HTX, 10a.m.
6/17, Black is Beautiful Market, Post HTX, 10a.m. – 5p.m.
June 14 • 1p.m. – 3p.m.
African American History Research Center (former the Gregory School)
1307 Victor St. Houston, TX 77019 FREE
Get a historical account of the emancipation of enslaved African Americans through the narratives of former slaves from Texas and negro spirituals. This 30-minute work is a fully staged live performance with Q&A. Be prepared to experience language from the early 1900’s through first-person accounts of the emancipated in their journey toward freedom. Performed by Dr. Jolie Rocke, Jessica Jaye, and Hindalo Bongay. 4pm-6pm
Harris County Cultural Arts Center
13334 Wallisville Road
Houston, TX, 77049 FREE
& UNVEILING
Celebrate the unveiling of a vibrant mural by renowned artist Reginald C. Adams.
June 16 • 5p.m. – 9p.m. Project Row Houses
2521 Holman St. Houston, TX 77004 FREE
JUNETEENTH KICKBACK by Project Row Houses
An afternoon filled with fun, games, food, and family.
June 17 • 7a.m. – 11a.m.
Emancipation Park
3018 Emancipation Ave. Houston, TX 77004 FREE
