Seven for Simone Hometown gymnast breaks another record
POLLYTICKS
Voter suppression is on the agenda in the Texas Legislature. See what you can do to help change things.
Volume 90, Issue 32 June 10, 2021
BUSINESS
WILLIAMS FAMILY
The owners of Alfreda’s Soul Food are ecstatic to be among 25 restaurants nationwide to receive a historic $40,000 grant from American Express.
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DN To the POINT
LET THE PEOPLE BE HEARD
The Tulsa Race Massacre was 100 years ago. But many believe it’s not too late to pay reparations even though time has not and will not heal these wounds. But a recent $100,000 payment to the final three survivors has many questioning whether it’s good enough.
From Instagram Bibi Wow. $100k for their families and lives destroyed by hatred. Spliff.starr I won’t exactly say its too late, a better question is, why is the focus only on Tulsa? Like police brutality, ppl be acting like its the only or isolated thing, when in reality, its institutional and stretched from coast to coast. Davidwright610 That is like the ultimate slap in the face! We as a people deserve better. Mikeclarke50 Nowhere near enough compensation. Three hundred thousand dollars for millions in property loss and lifestyles destroyed. You assholes never thought these survivors would still be alive. adhdhrlady I appreciate anyone giving a gift, but it’s peanuts compared to what they truly deserve. No disrespect to the person who did give it though. season_photos007 Too little for 100 years of waiting africanwaistline Like it’s too late now sekhamethyst Smh. That’s so disrespectful. Anything to disregard and ignore reparations for Black Americans
San Francisco 49ers’ Colin Kaepernick (7) and Eric Reid (35) kneel during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. -Mike McCarn/AP
Message from the Associate Editor
NFL RACE-NORMING
BLACK MUSIC MONTH
NFL defensive back Eric Reid and others June is Black Music Month, meaning are rightfully clowning the NFL this week it’s time to celebrate our contributions to over its use of “race-norming” to determine each genre that we’ve created and/or influplayers’ eligibility for payouts for their brain enced. In other words, all of ’em. We not injury claims. In short, the NFL has been only created R&B, soul, blues and hip-hop, operating on the assumption that Black but we’re the original rock & rollers. Claspeople are inherently less intelligent than sical music? There’s nothing more classical whites, thus brain injuries obtained during than jazz. And don’t even get me started on NFL action were deemed less severe for Black the African origins of some of those “Euroclaimants. How? Their controversial practice pean” classical music masters. Even country of using a scoring system assumes Black playmusic has deep, deep, Black, Black roots. So, Aswad Walker ers start with lower cognitive skills. This is whether you roll with Duke Ellington, Tobe news because the NFL came out and said it would stop using Nwigwe or Ella Fitzgerald; Lightnin’ Hopkins, Megan “race-norming.” But does the NFL ever stop dogging out Thee Stallion or Bob Marley; Charlie Pride, Solange or Blackfolk? I mean, Super Bowl QB Colin Kaepernick still Yolanda Adams; Public Enemy, Mint Condition or The doesn’t have a job, and the NFL’s tradition of over-looking Time; or Beyonce, Parliament/Funkadelic or Prince, let’s the multitude of over-qualified Black head coach candidates celebrate our musical genius. And what better way than keeps marching on. by supporting our incredible local artists who have yet to blow up. DEMS’ COME-TO-JESUS MOMENT
U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, a Democrat in name only, has come out against voting rights legislation. Manchin and another “centrist Democrat” (read Republican), Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), are standing between the Democrats and their ability to successfully defeat Republican-led efforts to steal Black votes and silence Black voices. Manchin’s voting record shows he’s more committed to “Dark Money,” hidden political contributions aimed at killing democracy for the economic benefit of the white & wealthy, than he is to democracy or his own WV constituents, 79% of whom support voting rights legislation. The Blackfolk I know are tired of hearing about Biden and crew working towards bipartisan solutions, negotiating with Republicans who still don’t recognize Biden as president or Black people as human. Bottom line, the Dems need to grow some and fight as if our democracy is at stake, because it is.
IN THIS WEEK’S DEFENDER
• Pollyticks gives you the Black perspective on the latest in local and state political happenings. • Journalism legend George McElroy has a scholarship named in his honor. • Plus Sports Editor Terrance Harris shines a light on Texans QB Tyrod Taylor. ON THE WEB
• Northside represent! Their community garden seeks to combat area food insecurity. • Pres. Obama puts the GOP on blast for embracing and spreading 2020 falsehoods like the “Big Lie;” the claim that 45 won the election the world knows he lost. • Want to lose weight? The FDA has approved a new drug to help.
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DEFENDER NETWORK
DN News Harris County Democratic Party Precinct Chair resigns after racist email Defender News Service
A precinct chair with the Harris County Democratic Party has resigned after sending an email criticizing local party members of Nigerian descent and questioning their loyalty to the United States. The email, written by precinct Chair John Robert Behrman, was in response to the party’s upcoming election, in which precinct chairs will vote to replace outgoing HCDP chair Lillie Schechter on June 27. Candidates include Odus Evbagharu, Charles Onwuche and Ted Weisgal. “I find it disturbing but not that surprising that Lillie Schechter is delivering two Nigerian immigrants as her successors as Chair of the Harris County Democratic Party to be elected at the June 27 meeting,” Behrman wrote in the email to party members. More than 100 precinct chairs have endorsed Odus Evbagharu, chief of staff to state Rep. Jon Rosenthal, to replace outgoing party leader Schechter. But Behrman recommended two different candidates instead. “I have no doubts about their loyalty to this party and our country,” he wrote in the email. “I doubt either of Lillie’s Nigerians will be inspirational or even competent leaders,” he continued. “Charles Chukwuebuka Onwuche, Lillie’s other would be Nigerian successor, may be a GOP plant.” In a statement on social media, the Harris County Democratic Party confirmed the email resulted in Behrman’s
The Law Harrington Senior Living Center is located at 2222 Cleburne St.
LGBTQ senior living center in Third Ward is a first in Texas Houston Public Media
Odus Evbagharu
Charles Onwunche
resignation. “We would like to thank those involved in exposing the racist remarks made by someone within our organization which ultimately led to his resignation,” the HCDP said in a Facebook post. “It is because of your vigilance and commitment to our values that we are making great progress in our fight for inclusion and social justice.” Harris County Young Democrats president James Burnett released a statementsupporting Evbagharu and Harris County
Democratic Party executive director Delilah Agho-Otoghile. “The notion that because of a person’s Nigerian descent they are not fully competent nor qualified to hold high office within the Harris County Democratic Party, the notion that certain elected officials (mostly African-American) need to be tolerated, and the notion that the people of Nigerian descent are possible GOP plants into [the] Democratic Party whose loyalty needs to be vetted, is outright racist,” Burnett wrote.
Foundation names scholarship after journalism pioneer Defender News Service
The Headliners Foundation of Texas recently announce a fundraising initiative to create a new scholarship named for George A. McElroy, an award-winning Texas journalist who broke barriers during his 58-year career as a Black man in a predominantly white industry. Born in Houston in 1922, McElroy, known to many as “Mr. Mac,” began his career at the age of 16 writing a youth column for the Houston Informer. After serving during World War II, he went on to become a journalist, newspaper editor, mentor, and journalism educator. Along the way, McElroy became the first Black journalist in many settings, including the first Black reporter at a Texas daily newspaper when the Houston Post hired him in 1954. He served as a major voice of the Black community during the Texas Southern University student demonstrations in the early 1960s, when the major news media refused to cover civil rights demonstrations. From 1977 until
his retirement in 1989, he led Texas Southern’s journalism program. McElroy died in 2006 at age 84, and his family is excited to see this new scholarship come to fruition. “My sisters and I agree that this is the perfect way to honor our father,” said George’s daughter, Kathleen O. McElroy, Director of the School of Journalism and George McElroy Media at UT Austin’s Moody College of Communication, who serves on the Foundation’s Board of Governors. “It’s a wonderful tribute to a man who dedicated his life to this profession, and it’s another first,” she said, pointing out that this is the first Headliners Foundation scholarship named for a person of color.
Senior LGBTQ Houstonains now have a safe place to call home, thanks to the Law Harrington Living Senior Center (LHSLC). Located in Historic Third Ward, the L aw Ha r r i n g t o n Senior Living Center features 112 oneand two-bedroom independent living apartments. Open to all low-income individuals and couples who are 62 years or older, LHSLC offers Former Mayor affordable housing, Annise Parker health and wellness services, recreational programs, a dog park, and other residential amenities. The Montrose Center (TMC) has been a longstanding pillar in Houston’s LGBTQ+ community and their efforts have now expanded with the new Senior Center. The largest LGBTQ-affirming, affordable senior living center in the nation and first in Texas. The $26.5 million facility was lease-up ready in early January with residents moving in shortly thereafter. The grand opening will be held onsite June 24, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. during Pride with Mayor Sylvester Turner, former Mayor Annise Parker and Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee. “It’s exciting to bring a new chapter of change and diversity to Third Ward, an area deep-rooted in Houston’s history,” said Annise Parker. “This project is everything I had hoped for when we first planned it and one of which I am very proud.” “Gentrification and a lack of affordable housing has disenfranchised seniors from both Montrose and Third Ward for many years,” said Dr. Ann Robison, Executive Director of the Montrose Center. “The new Center will bring seniors that have been forced out of these communities closer to friends and family with critical support services.”
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DN News
House voting bills differ Defender News Service
The Democratic Party’s hopes of passing a massive overhaul of elections may have suffered a fatal blow when West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin became the first member of the party to say he wouldn’t support it, ensuring the bill, known as HR1, would not pass the Senate. Instead, Manchin prefers an update to the Voting Rights Act known as HR4, or the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, named after the late congressman and civil rights leader. Democrats will struggle to get either bill through Congress, as they look for a way to combat what they view as a Republican-assault on voting rights in state legislature. The Democrats’ voting push isn’t happening in a vacuum. Republican-controlled states are passing new voting restrictions at a remarkable clip — the Brennan Center for Justice, a group that supports both HR1 and HR4 bills, tallied up 14 states that have passed 22 laws putting new restrictions on when and how Americans vote. The GOP push has been fueled by former President Donald Trump’s lies that he lost the election due to fraud. HR1 could neutralize some of these laws because it creates national standards for voting access. For example, new laws in Arizona and Florida that potentially remove people from the states’ mail voting lists could be moot, because all voters would now have a right to cast ballots by mail. But the John Lewis Act would have no impact. The Justice Department would only be required to approve new laws, not ones that passed before the bill was approved. What’s more, the bill’s “preclearance” provision would only affect about a dozen states and some additional counties or cities that meet its standard. Manchin has talked about expanding preclearance nationwide, but
WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF EITHER BILL PASSING? DEFENDERNETWORK.COM
A person holds up signs during a voting rights rally at Liberty Plaza near the Georgia State Capitol. AP/Brynn Anderson
HR1 (FOR THE PEOPLE ACT)
• Written in 2017 • First bill on the House floor after Democrats retook the chamber in the 2018 elections. • Would transform every aspect of elections and campaigns across the country, including how they’re financed. • Changes the way people vote by automatically registering every eligible citizen, guaranteeing mail and early in-person voting options in every state and effectively neutering voter identification laws. • Establishes bipartisan commissions to draw the lines for legislative districts and require redistricting not favor either major party. • Provide $6 in public money to campaigns for every $1 in small-dollar donations they raise. • Require groups currently shielded from disclosing their donors to identify their funders.
HR4 (THE JOHN LEWIS ACT)
• Written in 2013 • Narrow bill designed to fix a 2013 Supreme Court ruling that made it harder for the federal government to block racially discriminatory voting laws and redistricting proposals • Makes it easier to send election observers and for courts to block election law changes for violating the constitutional protections guaranteeing voting rights for all U.S. citizens.
#ANOTHERBLACKSHOT
No mass protests after Hawaii police kill Black man
NEWSBRIEFS HOUSTON NAMED #30 LEAST AFFORDABLE HOUSING MARKET According to June’s RealtyHop Housing Affordability Index, a measurement of homeownership in the 100 most populated U.S. cities, Houston ranks as the #30 least affordable housing market. A typical family would need to set aside a whopping 38.84% of their annual income in order to own a Houston home. Yikes! MAYOR PARTNERS WITH BARBARA BUSH FOUNDATION TO PROMOTE ADULT LITERACY Houston is faced with a systemic issue that threatens the city’s economy and challenges the prosperity of individuals and families - adult illiteracy. It’s a disturbing statistic the Mayor’s Office for Adult Literacy (MOAL) and the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation (Foundation) are hoping to change. The two have partnered to unveil Houston’s Adult Literacy Blueprint, a call for action and comprehensive plan for coordinated city-wide change to address alarming adult literacy rates. The plan will ensure that more adults across our city receive a second chance in life through the development of strong foundational and digital literacy skills, as well as essential workforce skills needed to thrive in our global economy and society. MN DEPUTIES WHO KILLED BLACK MAN HAD BODY CAMS, TOLD NOT TO USE THEM The two sheriff’s deputies who shot and killed a Black man while assigned to a U.S. Marshals Service fugitive task force had been told they could not use their body-worn cameras, despite a change in Justice Department policy to allow cameras months before the shooting. Minnesota deputies were trying to apprehend Winston Boogie Smith Jr. on a warrant for a charge of being a felon in possession of Winston a firearm. Marshals said Smith Boogie was in a parked car at the time Smith Jr. and then “produced a handgun” before two sheriff’s deputies on the task force opened fire. Authorities told the family that the bodycam policy “remains in the implementation phase,” nearly eight months after it was announced, and has “not yet been implemented” on the task force.
Defender News Service
Lindsay Myeni and her South African husband moved to Hawaii, where she grew up, believing it would be safer to raise their two Black children here than in another U.S. state. Three months after they moved from Denver, Honolulu police shot and killed her husband, 29-year-old Lindani Myeni, who was Black. To some, Myeni’s death and the muted reaction from residents, is a reminder that Hawaii isn’t the racially harmonious paradise it’s held up to be. Of Hawaii’s 1.5 million residents, just 3.6% are Black, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Yet in Honolulu alone, Black people made up more than 7% of the people police used force against, according to Honolulu police data for 2019. While there have been some local gatherings and small protests decrying Myeni’s death, it hasn’t inspired the passionate outrage seen elsewhere in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd and other killings by police. Myeni’s death “would have generated mass protests in any other American city,” said Kenneth Lawson, a Black professor at University of Hawaii’s law school. “When you’re told you live in a paradise and you point out that it’s not paradise for people of
VOLUME 90 - NUMBER 32 - JUNE 10, 2021
Lindani Myeni with his wife and children. AP
color, that makes people uncomfortable,” he said. Police say Myeni entered a home that wasn’t his, sat down and took off his shoes, prompting a frightened occupant to call 911. Outside the house, he ignored commands to get on the ground and physically attacked officers, leaving one with a concussion.
Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles
Managing Editor ReShonda Tate
Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles
Associate Editor Aswad Walker
Creative Director Michael Grant
Sports Terrance Harris Jodie B. Jiles
Photographers Ray Carrington III Jimmie Aggison
The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Newspaper Inc. and audited by Alliance for Audited Media (AAM). Only digital subscriptions are available at: www.defendernetwork. com/subscribe No paper subscriptions available. All materials covered by 2020 copyright. No materials herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the Publisher. 713-663-6996 | P.O. Box 8005, Houston, Tx 77288
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DEFENDER NETWORK
DN News Does your teen, young adult need a job? Defender News Service
Houston area youth and young adults between the ages of 16 – 24 have opportunities for summer employment waiting for them with two job programs. The Bayou City’s Hire Houston Youth program, launched by Mayor Sylvester Turner in April 2016, is back at it again, encouraging young people ages 16-24 to participate. “Now that the restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic are loosening, it is a great time to find a business in your field of study and gain experience with hands-on knowledge,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “The Hire Houston Youth program is Houston’s promise to the educational and employment empowerment of our youth. We are building stronger bridges to assist in the transition from school to work.” Though the program has been taking applicants for a while now, and all positions with the City of Houston have been filled, the Mayor’s Office stated there are still nearly 1,000 jobs available with nonprofits and private sector firms offering both summer and year-round employment opportunities. Thus, the push now is to get those interested in finding employment to attend the upcoming Hire Houston Youth Career and Resource Fair, a virtual event that
Brandon Denton (Office of Education), Darryl Samuels (D. Samuels and Associates), Mayor Sylvester Turner, Councilwoman Karla Cisneros (Dist. H), Dr. Laura Murillo (Houston Hispanic Chamber), Luis Moreno (Office of People with Disabilities), Jane Cheeks (City of Houston HR), Juliet Stipeche (former Office of Education), Dave Moss (McDonald’s Franchisee) and Mark Guthrie (Gulf Coast Workforce Board).
will be held on June 17 at 10am. Additionally, Fort Bend County Judge KP George was recently joined by Fort Bend officials to announce the launch of a similar program, the Fort Bend County Summer Youth Employment Program. This program will give youth and young adults, ages 16-21, a chance to work in a paid temporary position within County departments. Currently, there are 250 positions available within 37 County Departments that are geared to be filled. “This is a way that we can empower, uplift and teach our young people good work habits,
responsibility, and organizational skills so they can be successful in college and with their careers,” Judge George said. “We are giving them an opportunity to earn while they learn and gain experience that will be valuable to their future.” Workers will be paid up to $15.00 per hour and can work up to 40 hours per week. Recently, the Fort Bend County Commissioners Court approved $1 million in funding provided by the COVID-19 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to fund the Summer Youth Employment Program. Though the deadline is June 9, go-getters
HIRE HOUSTON YOUTH www.hirehoustonyouth.org Email: hirehoustonyouth@ houstontx.gov
FORT BEND COUNTY SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM www.fortbendcounty.jobs
are encouraged to contact the program anyway to seek an application extension.
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DN Spotlight
THE QUEUE WITH QUE
Quentin Jiles Breaks Politics all the Way Down By Clyde Jiles
which pays politicians. So, we literally pay people to tell us what to do, when you think about the laws that they put on the books. I don’t know about y’all, but I need a say in what I’m supposed to do. I take that, and then break it down and then give it back out to people in a manner in which they can understand, that they can be entertained. Even with heavy, heavy subjects. When you talk about the George Floyd murder, watching the Derek Chauvin trial, not making light of the situation, but bringing a little bit of levity to it and just a different perspective, really helping people understand what’s going on.
Quentin Jiles’ (no relation to reporter) non-stop energy is matched only by the frenetic pace of his words. But make no mistake, Jiles isn’t talking loud and saying nothing. His words come with insight, vision, hope, faith and plenty of funny as he takes the weekly political happenings and breaks them down for his Generation Z peers to both hear and feel. If you don’t know, Jiles is a social media sensation, with thousands regularly tuning into his Instagram posts and YouTube show “The Queue with Que” to get Jiles’ take on the latest out of DC, Houston and every point in between and beyond. The Defender got Jiles, a ball of everactive cosmic energy, to somehow sit still long enough to speak on what led to his current career path and much more.
DEFENDER: How did you transition from online opinion posts to making that your career via ‘The Queue with Que’?
DEFENDER: Who is Quentin Jiles?
QUENTIN: I hope this doesn’t sound cliché because a lot of people do it, but I have to stand on my foundation, who is Quentin Jiles at his core. He is a person who is submitted to Christ period, point and the blank. Jesus is my savior and I am super thankful. The relationship that I have with God is beautiful and wonderful, even when He corrects me and chastises me. Built on that foundation, who I am is a person who cares about other people.
DEFENDER: How did your background shape your present career?
QUENTIN: I have an undergrad and a master’s in social work, because I always wanted to help people, but I honestly didn’t know what that was supposed to look like. What I really enjoyed about social work was it was really a holistic approach to the person. I was really drawn to that because it wasn’t a one-size
fits all. It really was looking at a person and meeting them where they are, and helping them. When I look back on my life, even as a child, that has always been my role in my friend groups. And
it’s kind of transitioned into my career. Something that I find interesting and fun and important, which is politics. Because we interact in and are involved in it in various capacities. We pay taxes
QUENTIN: My mom and I, we’ll talk politics all day. But I started to want to talk to other people outside of just my mom. Eventually, as the years went on, former president Donald Trump got in office and that invoked a highly emotional response for me from day one, and I began to talk about what was going on online. That is literally where it came from. I got a YouTube, Twitter and Instagram [account], and I just started talking, and just started sharing with what was going on and my opinion. At the time I was still working a full-time job. I decided after a year in, “Lord, I can’t do this job no more.” I had been talking politics for a year online and literally three weeks after I left my job, I got my first TV booking, which was crazy because at the time I had less than 3,000 Instagram followers. I got my first booking on “Great Day, Washington.” First time ever being on a television set talking politics. And they messed around and gave me the A-Block, the most important block. So, I knew I had to leave it all on the floor, and I left it on the floor!
READ MORE OF THE INTERVIEW WITH QUENTIN JILES ON DEFENDERNETWORK.COM
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DEFENDER NETWORK
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DN ON SOCIAL THE WEB PollyTicks It Ain’t Over till it’s Over ... Texas is headed into a special session because the 2020 Census numbers have not come in yet and you need the numbers to conduct redistricting, which is done every 10 years. The U.S. Census says it will deliver the data to all states by Sept. 30, 2021. Other issues are expected to be added to the agenda like the voter suppression bill. Republicans will want to steam-roll the voter suppression bill through but you can expect Democrats to use any and every tool or maneuver to protect folks from restricting voting rights. Republicans throw the terms voter security and voter integrity around, thinking if they say it enough somebody might believe it. WRONG. If it walks like a duck, it’s a duck. I love the question the Texas Tribune asked, “Texas GOP voting restrictions: Colorblind or ‘Jim Crow in a tuxedo.’” Well, the facts are the bill the Republicans have on the table regarding voting will clamp down on early voting rules and hours, restrict how voters can receive applications to vote by mail and regulate the distribution of polling places in diverse, urban counties. ALERT: Black and Brown constituents, who live in these Republican districts, need to call conservative elected officials and tell them this is unacceptable. You got to let folks know you are pissed off. Here are the Republicans that represent you in the Senate and House according to the Harris County GOP website. Please call them and let them know there have been no fraud cases and to respect the voters. DON’T Turn the clock back….. We want to increase participation not decrease it. Have your social groups, church members and whoever you can think of call these folks and let them know what you think. CALL TODAY.
TEXAS LT. GOVERNOR DAN PATRICK (512) 463-0001 HARRIS COUNTY REPUBLICAN STATE SENATORS Brandon Creighton: 2257 N. Loop 337, Ste 140-366 Conroe, Tx 77304 (512) 463-0104/ (281) 292-4128 Paul Bettencourt: 1E Greenway Plaza, Ste 225 Houston, Tx 77046 (512) 463-0107 / (713) 464-0282 Larry Taylor: P.O. Box 1208, Friendswood, Tx 77549 (512) 463-0111 / (281) 332-0003 Joan Huffman: 3733-1 Westheimer #40 Houston, Tx 77027 (512) 463-0117 / (979) 480-0994 Lois Kolkhorst: P.O. Box 2546, Brenham, Tx 77834 (512) 463-0118 / (281) 394-5610 HARRIS COUNTY REPUBLICAN STATE REPS Sam Harless: 15814 Champion Forest PMB 312 Spring, Tx 77379 (512) 463-0496 / 281-251-0194
LOSERS & WINNERS
Texas gets two new congressional seats based on the population shifts reported by the 2020 Census. The main question is how will this impact the U.S. House of Representatives with its slim democratic majority especially since the states that gained seats were mostly Republican-leaning: Texas, Florida, Montana and North Carolina. The mid-term elections are just around the corner. Winners: Texas, Colorado, Florida, Montana, North Carolina and Oregon Losers: California, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginal each lost one seat.
DOMINO EFFECT
With the 2020 Census information coming in late due to COVID-19, folks are expressing concern about how it will impact the elections in 2022, especially the March Primary. The power of redistricting is it becomes the lay of the land for 10 years dictating the future political landscape of the State. Here is the scenario: If the Texas Special Session on Redistricting takes place in the fall, can lawmakers get the lines drawn for the new districts done quickly… especially anticipating judicial challenges in Texas and knowing the Republican dominated Texas Legislators’ tendency to show their artistic talents. Will it cause the filing deadlines to shift then causing the Texas Primary to extend a little further into 2022? That’s the question. But please know…Those who are in power will do everything to maintain their power.
REPUBLICANS VOWED TO BLOCK GEORGE FLOYD BILL
Before the legislative session got underway, rumor came out that Republicans vowed they would not pass anything with George Floyd’s name on it. Well, it appears they succeeded and also passed a bill which financially penalizes large cities if they cut police budgets.
DN
Dan Huberty: 1 E. Greenway Plaza, Ste 225 Houston, Tx 77046 (512) 463-0520 / (281) 360-9410 Briscoe Cain: P.O. Box 7, Deer Park, Tx 77536 (512) 463-0733 Dennis Paul: 626 ½ Barringer Ln, Suite A Webster, Tx 77598 (512) 463-0734 | (281) 488-8900 Tom Oliverson: 12345 Jones Rd. #221, Houston, Tx 77070 (512) 463-0661 / (281) 955-5152 Mike Schofield: 1550 Foxlake Drive Ste 120, Houston, Tx 77084 (512) 463-0528/(281) 492 -0684 Jim Murphy: One E Greenway Plaza, Ste 225 Houston, Tx 77046 (512) 463-0514 / (713) 465-8800 Lacey Hull: P.O. box 19231, Houston, Tx 77224 (512) 463-0727 Valoree Swanson: 6046 FM 2920 #619 Spring, Tx 77379 (512) 463-0572 / (281) 257-4222 Source: Harris County GOP
Read the Op-Ed on the Texas Legislature by Texas State Senator Royce West on defendernetwork.com
I’m hopeful that despite all the noise, all the lies, we’re going to remember who we are, who we’re called to be. Out of this political darkness, I see a great awakening. If you vote, things will get better, it will be a start.” Republicans Want You to VOTE HERE by Daryl Cagle, CagleCartoons.com
President Barack Obama
A STAR TO WATCH
Jasmine Crockett D-Dallas was the only Black freshman in the Texas Legislature this year. Her passionate delivery is second only to her tenacity to file more House bills than any other first-timer. Normally freshman are wall flowers Jasmine Crockett keeping a low profile but sister girl pushed police reform, voting option expansion and revamping drug laws. Keep an eye on this sister. We need more like her.
WHO’S RUNNING FOR HOUSTON MAYOR? The exploratory committees are being formed and folks are making calls to feel out the political landscape. Here are a few of the names creating a buzz. The next race for Houston Mayor will be in November 2023.
Former City Councilwoman Amada Edwards
Business Consultant Gilbert Garcia
Houston City Councilman Edward Pollard
FYI
WHAT IS DARK MONEY?
Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce CEO Dr. Laura Murillo
State Senator John Whitmire
Dark Money refers to political spending meant to influence the decision of a voter, where the donor is not disclosed and the source of the money is unknown. Some say, the mention of disclosing dark money in the John Lewis Voting bill before Congress may be the hold-up.
10 | June 10, 2021 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Business
Alfreda’s Soul Food, Williams family awarded historic small-business grant By ReShonda Tate
For more than 50 years, Alfreda’s Soul Food, has sat as a beacon in the Third Ward community. A gathering place for family and friends, they were one of the go-to restaurants for people looking for soul food. Then the pandemic hit. Then an explosion at a restaurant next door caused massive physical damage to their building. Then, the Texas winter storm hit. And Alfreda owners Troy and Marguerite Williams’ didn’t know if it would survive. Now, the long-standing soul food restaurant is getting some much-needed help as the recipient of a $40,000 grant. The funds for the restaurant at 5101 Almeda is part of “Backing Historic Small Restaurants,” a $1 million grant program intended to preserve historic restaurants and support recovery of small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Alfredas is one of 25 recipients of the program, which will provide technical assistance, products and services and is funded by American Express and administered by National Trust for Historic Preservation. Alfreda’s, recognized for its neighborhood presence and minority ownership, was the only restaurant in Texas to receive the funding. The Williams plan to use the money to upgrade facilities, increase outdoor seating and upgrade online ordering. The husband
and wife team believe their overall story touched the selection committee. “I think they looked at our history and the fact that we’ve had so many things working against us. I think they were impressed with the resilience of Alfreda’s. “There were 2,500 restaurants that were nominated and 600 applied. I think as they read the story about Alfreda’s, and it having been a part of the African-American community, the broader community for over 50 years, what we’ve faced through the pandemic, being closed for four months because of the blast next door at 5015, there’s that resilience that you see in Alfreda’s. Things came up that are really not anything that any of us could control, but there’s hope because Alfreda’s is still here. So, our story may have resonated with them,” Marguerite said. It’s a story that also resonates with members of the community. Over the decades, people have been married at the restaurant, deceased residents have requested
Troy and Marguerite Williams
the restaurant serve the food for the repast, and customers come in daily with fond memories through the years. That’s why Troy says it was imperative they stay afloat. “In the Black church, they’ll say things like, ‘if it didn’t kill you, it makes you stronger.’ In the gym, they say, ‘no pain, no gain.’ And so I don’t know why exactly they se-
lected us, but definitely God had a lot to do with it. We knew that we had to keep going. We knew that we couldn’t let Alfredas go down under our watch. Not just because it’s a part of our livelihood, it’s part of Houston.” If it’s the community restaurant, it is a part of Houston, it’s a staple in Houston,” Troy said.
TX Black Expo gets $5 mil for meals in Fort Bend Defender News Service
founder of the Texas Black Expo and We The Texas Black Expo announces that All Eat program. Texas is currently facing one of the Fort Bend County has awarded an addilargest spikes in food insecurity in the tional $5 million to its We All Eat prostate’s history, leading to a growth in degram, which provides meals to those in mand for food assistance thanks to the need from local restaurants. This latest COVID-19 pandemic. Addiaward puts a total funding tionally, local restaurants and amount of the program at food suppliers and producers $10.4 million. To date, nearly are also feeling the negative 500,000 free meals have been eff ects of the pandemic. Acdistributed to families in Fort cording to the Texas RestauBend County via the prorant Association, an estimatgram, a rate that is expected ed 30% of restaurants will be to nearly double by the end of forced to close as a result of the year. COVID. Without a solution, “We are very excited that Jerome Love this could have a devastatthe leaders in Fort Bend ing impact on the Fort Bend County see the great value of County community. the We All Eat program to both residents Selected restaurants identified to parand restaurants in Fort Bend County. Alticipate in the program are strategically though the country is in the beginning located throughout Fort Bend County to stages of reopening, restaurants are still in dire need of support, and families provide meals for those in need. Texas are still facing food insecurity. We hope Black Expo reimburses the restaurants to continue supporting both residents for the cost of the meals they serve to and businesses for as long as we can We All Eat program participants. Texas until both are stable,” said Jerome Love, Black Expo is reimbursed for these funds
from Fort Bend County. In order to participate, each restaurant must be located within Fort Bend and be in good standing with the County. Participating restaurants list a daily menu online with 2 – 3 selections from which We All Eat participants may choose. Approved residential applicants
receive a personal participation number (PPN), which they use to order meals online. Generally, one meal per family member per day may be ordered using the individual’s PPN. Fort Bend County residents are still able to apply to participate in the We All Eat program at www.wealleattexas.com.
CLASSIFIED The HARRIS CENTER For Mental Health and IDD (formally known as Mental Health Mental Retardation Authority of Harris County) will be accepting Request for Proposal for the following:
6160 SOUTH LOOP EAST LAUNDRY AND LINEN SERVICES Specifications may be secured from The HARRIS CENTER, Purchasing Department located at 9401 SW Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074; telephone (713) 970-7116 and/or via The HARRIS CENTER website www.theharriscenter.org or the Electronic State Business Daily Site https://portal.cpa.state.tx.us/, beginning Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Deadline for prospective vendors to submit questions to this RFP is Tuesday, June 22, 2021. Solicitation documents must be submitted to Purchasing Services, 9401 SW Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074 by 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, July 7, 2021 in a sealed envelope marked “RFP FOR 6160 SOUTH LOOP EAST LAUNDRY AND LINEN SERVICES” - DO NOT OPEN UNTIL - WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, 2021 AT 11:00 A.M. Any questions pertaining to this solicitation should be addressed in writing to James Blunt, Buyer II or E-mail questions to james.blunt@theharriscenter.org cc: sharon.brauner@theharriscenter.org., or via fax at (713) 970-7682. Historically Underutilized Businesses, including Minority-Owned Businesses and Women-Owned Businesses, are encouraged to participate. The HARRIS CENTER reserves all rights to reject any and/or all proposals, to waive formalities and reasonable irregularities in submitted documents as it deems to be in its best interests, and is not obligated to accept the lowest proposal.
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DN Health
DEFENDER SPECIAL EDITION
COVID-19 cases down in Harris County
Defender News Service
The Office of Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo says the positivity rate for the area is down dramatically on Tuesday. In Harris County, the positivity rate is around 5 percent. The Texas Medical Center reports there were 55 new COVID hospitalizations in the past week – the lowest number in a year. Right now, Harris County’s threat level is at yellow, government services are at 75% and Judge Hidalgo is still urging caution. “We are still saying if you can work from home please do for sake of folks who are not vaccinated,” she said following the Commissioners Court’s in-person meeting in months. The county also approved a new vaccine awareness campaign, with “door knocking,” mailers and more. For several months, Harris County and the City of Houston have campaigned heavily for residents to get vaccinated. It was reported Sunday more than 1.7 million area residents have been fully vaccinated and over 2.2 million have been partially vaccinated. A couple weeks ago, Hidalgo announced the coronavirus threat level in Harris County had dropped for the first time since the
POSITIVITY RATE DROPS TO 5 PERCENT IN HARRIS COUNTY
1 in 3
Texans now fully vaccinated
45%
Harris County residents age 12 and older have been fully vaccinated
A nurse fills a syringe with a dose of the Johnson & Johnson’s one-dose COVID-19 vaccine. AP/Mary Altaffer
56%
Harris County residents received at least one dose
CASH FOR VACCINES
*Texas Department of State Health Services.
pandemic-threat meter was introduced. It’s now at yellow. That’s the second-lowest threat level in the county’s monitoring system and means a moderate, but controlled level of COVID-19.
government-operated properties, including park facilities, libraries and buildings. Texas has virtually shed all of its coronavirus restrictions. While Freedom Over Texas and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo have been postponed another year, Mayor Sylvester Turner said he is optimistic the city will start organizing large scale events again in the upcoming fall. Meanwhile, the U.S. health officials have said it’s safe those fully vaccinated to gather without wearing masks or social distancing.
A new county initiative will award a $5,000 scholarship each week to one student who receives their vaccine from a Harris County Public Health site. The scholarship can help current or future students pay for tuition, room and board, and books at any community college, public college or university in the state of Texas. Raffle candidates must be residents of Harris County, under the age of 18 at the time of their initial dose and must have received at least their first dose from a HCPH vaccination site at any point before the raffle drawing. Citizenship status is not checked or required, officials said. Drawings will take place weekly for at least 10 weeks. Learn more at https://publichealth. harriscountytx.gov/vaccinescholarship
It’s based on a variety of indicators that continue to improve as more people get vaccinated. Harris County and the City of Houston officials have cautiously reopened
SAVE A LIFE
LOCK UP YOUR Guns
12 | June 10, 2021 |
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DN Sports
Simone Biles
Claiming another U.S. Gynmastics Title Associated Press
Simone Biles toned it down. A little anyway. And soared even higher. The 24-year-old gymnastics superstar recently claimed her record seventh U.S. title, delivering another stunning — and stunningly easy — performance that served little doubt the pressure surrounding her bid to become the first woman to win back-toback Olympic championships in more than 50 years is only pushing her to even greater heights. Shaking off a somewhat sloppy start, at least by her impeccable standards, Biles put on a four-rotation showcase that highlighted why a GOAT emblem — a nod to her status as the Greatest Of All Time — has become a fixture on her competition leotard. Her two-day total of 119.650 was nearly five points better than runnerup Sunisa Lee and good friend and teammate Jordan Chiles. Biles’ allaround score on Sunday of 60.100 was her highest since 2018 and served notice she is only getting
Simone Biles waves after winning the all-around gold medal in the Senior Women’s competition of the U.S. Gymnastics Championships at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. Photo by Jamie Squire/ Getty Images
better with the Tokyo Games less than seven weeks away. It helped that she managed to stay inbounds (mostly) during her floor routine after stepping out three times on Friday. Blame in on the rush she gets when the lights are on and a crowd is in the palm of her hands. She was far more precise in finals save for one tumbling pass where one of her feet stepped over the white border. Oh, well, something to work on for the Olympic trials later this month in St. Louis. “It’s so crazy because in training I never go out of bounds and I never have this much power,” Biles said. “But with the adrenaline, that’s where it comes.” While Biles’ victory was never in doubt — it rarely has been during her nearly eight-year reign atop the sport — she remains in no mood to coast. And to think she didn’t even bother with her latest innovation, a Yurchenko double-pike vault she drilled twice at the U.S. Classic last month that caught the attention of everyone from LeBron James to Michelle Obama. Instead, she opted for two with slightly lower difficulty that she completed so casually it was hard to tell if she was in front of an arena that screamed for her at every turn or just fooling around at practice back home in Houston. Not that it mattered. She still posted the top score on vault anyway. Just like she did on beam. Just like she did on floor. Just like she’s done everywhere she’s saluted the judges since the 2013 U.S. Championships. The Yurchenko double-pike will return at trials and likely in Tokyo, where if she completes it during competition yet another element in the sport’s Code of Points will be named for her. Just add it to the list of what they call “#SimoneThings.” Biles has been a lock for Tokyo from the moment she returned to training in late 2017. Chiles and Lee may also be nearing that territory. The top two allaround finishers at trials will earn an automatic spot on the Olympic team, though U.S. national team coordinator Tom Forster allowed Biles, Chiles and Lee have separated themselves from the pack. “You can look at the scores and if the scores are anything, it looks like that,” Forster said. Yes it does.
The US Gymnastics team is making history for the amount of Black gymnasts.
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Offer requires enrollment in both automatic payments and paperless billing. Must enroll within 30 days of placing the order. Without enrollment, the monthly service charge automatically increases by $10. The automatic payment and paperless billing discount is for a period of 12 months and will appear on the bill within 30 days of enrolling. If either automatic payments or paperless billing are subsequently canceled during the 12-month term, or if services are reduced to Limited Basic only, the $10 monthly discount will be removed automatically. Ends 6/30/21. Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. New residential customers only. Limited to Performance Starter+ Internet service. Early termination fee applies if all Xfinity services (except Xfinity Mobile) are canceled during the agreement term. Equipment, installation, taxes and fees, and other applicable charges extra, and subject to change during and after agreement term. After agreement term, regular rates apply. Comcast’s service charge for Performance Starter+ Internet is $50/mo. (subj. to change). Service limited to a single outlet. May not be combined with other offers. Internet: Actual speeds vary and are not guaranteed. For factors affecting speed visit www.xfinity. com/networkmanagement. Flex: Not available to current Xfinity TV customers. Requires post-paid subscription to Xfinity Internet, excluding Internet Essentials. Pricing subject to change. Taxes, fees and other applicable charges extra, and subject to change. Limited to 3 devices. 1 device included, additional devices $5/mo. per device. All devices must be returned when service ends. Viewing will count against any Comcast data plan. Subscriptions required to access Peacock, Disney+, Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, SHOWTIME®, and HBO Max™. © 2021 Comcast. All rights reserved. Peacock Premium has a $4.99/month value. © 2021 Peacock TV LLC. PEACOCK and related marks are trademarks of Peacock TV LLC. Individual programs and marks are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved. Account required to access PEACOCK. Mobile: Xfinity Mobile requires residential post-pay Xfinity Internet. Line limitations may apply. Actual savings vary and are not guaranteed. Call for restrictions and complete details. NPA236220-0001
140512_NPA236220-0001 PowerOfThree AT&T 9.75x13 HoustonDefender.indd 1
5/21/21 5:14 PM
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DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Sports Cameron Kinley, Naval Academy 2021 graduate, signs with the Tampa Bay Bucaneers, but has been denied permission to play in the NFL by the Navy because he must serve in the military.
Outfielder and Sugar Land native Nick Anderson has signed a free agent deal to join the Minnesota Twins organization after spending time with the Houston Apollos.
TYROD TAYLOR READY TO BE THE MAN FOR TEXANS By Terrance Harris
It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that Tyrod Taylor views his 10-year NFL career with some ambivalence. The positive has been that he has achieved longevity as an NFL quarterback. The challenging and unsaid part is that Taylor has done so as an African American quarterback, which has resulted fewer opportunities and a short leash when he has gotten a shot. Taylor, of course, signed with the Texans this offseason perhaps at first to backup Deshaun Watson, but he is now expected to enter the season as the starter with Watson’s promising career and status with the team in limbo. “To explain it, it’s been a blessing,” Taylor said when asked to describe his career as a quarterback. “Like I said, I think that I’ve used everything that has happened to me throughout my college career, professional career, and I think that those experiences have prepared me for the opportunity that I have now, which allows me to go out each and every day at peace mentally, but to compete and have a smile on my face. Tyrod Taylor “You learn from those experiences, you move forward, you stay in a positive attitude. I think that’s what’s kept me with the right mindset to be able to persevere through the things that have happened to me throughout my career. It hasn’t been all great, it hasn’t been bad. I don’t know how you would describe it.” The best description would likely be overachiever considering that Taylor entered the NFL as a sixth-round draft pick out of Virginia Tech in 2011. Today he is just one of four remaining quarterbacks from that class still on a roster, joining Cam Newton, Andy Dalton and Blaine Gabbert. Along the way, Taylor has played for five different teams and has been a starter for 47 of his career 72 games. His best years were with Buffalo where he was a full-time starter for a few seasons and earned a Pro Bowl bid. An exciting quarterback, who can extend plays with his legs, Taylor has completed 61 percent of his passes for 9,770 yards and 54 touchdowns versus 18 interceptions. Only 1.4% of his passes have been intercepted which puts him in the company of much more celebrated quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes. “I know that when it comes to the NFL, I’ve been a winner in this league,” said Taylor, who was recently made available to the media for the first time since he signed as a free agent with the Texans in March. “Yes, I’ve had trials and tribulations, but it’s part of the game. Like I said, I’m now just thankful for the opportunity to be able to lead the guys that we have in the locker room.” Recognizing the value of Taylor, the Texans signed the veteran to a one-year deal worth $12.5 million. He comes in having worked with head coach David Culley in Baltimore and passing game coordinator Pep Hamilton at his most recent stop with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Sports Briefs Could TSU and Prairie View leave SWAC? It appears the Southland Conference is eyeing Texas Southern and Prairie View along with SWAC cohorts Grambling State and Southern for membership, according to CollegeAD. The Southland Conference has recently lost four Texas schools to the WAC and are now considering the four SWAC schools. But sources say TSU and Prairie View are unlikely to leave the SWAC. Rodriguez named TSU softball coach After carrying the interim head coach tag for the season, Texas Southern made it official by naming Raven Rodriguez as Raven Rodriguez the Tigers’ permanent softball coach. Rodriguez, who is TSU’s fourth softball coach, led the Tigers to their 11th straight SWAC West title this season. Rodriguez, a Houston native, was named SWAC CoCoach of the Year. Harden sidelined Former Houston Rockets star James Harden suffered a hamstring injury 43 seconds into Game 1 of the Brooklyn Nets’ secJames Harden ond-round series against Milwaukee. Harden wouldn’t’ return for that game and was ruled out of Game 2, and his availability is in question for the remainder of the playoff series.
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DN Sports JERSEY VILLAGE H.S. PITCHER
Armando Rocha Does It All By Jodie B. Jiles
Jersey Village senior right handed pitcher/middle infielder Armando Rocha, a University of Houston commit, has been a gamer for the Falcons during the playoffs this season. Rocha’s dual threat abilities on the mound and in the batter’s box helped lead an unexpected (23-19-1 record) Jersey Village squad to the Regional Championship where they were just one series away from a trip to the state championship. Scouts tout Rocha for his under control, 90 mph pitches, game breaking base running speed and a swing that creates offense down the line. The kid is clutch. When Jersey Village coach Blake Wyatt was asked about his star player, Coach Wyatt stated, “Armando has been number one for us on the mound and he is a dual-threat guy that can hit, field and pitch. He can do everything.” The Defender spoke with Rocha before the Regional Championship to discuss his style of play, playoff run, U of H commitment and more. STYLE OF PLAY
“Free, easy, loose and I’m a leader.”
CLUTCH PITCHING
“On the mound I just block everything out, focusing in on my catcher and what pitch I have to make.”
LEADERSHIP
ABOUT ARMANDO ROCHA
Instagram: @manndooo_ Players He Studies: Fernando Tatis Jr. World Problem He Would Solve: World Hunger Shoutouts: “My parents and all the coaches that helped me.”
PLAYOFF RUN
“I just try to pick everybody up. If you strike out, don’t worry about it because we have a whole game left. There is a lot that can happen, so don’t get down and you have the whole team behind you.”
U OF H COMMITMENT
“I feel like they can appreciate how I play as a pitcher and on the field. I also loved the coaches, field and facilities.”
“We have just trusted each other and came through for one another on the plate by making plays behind our pitchers and making the right plays at the right time.”
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AVAILABLE NOW: Houston Methodist Virtual Urgent Care
Our providers are available 24/7 following your COVID-19 diagnosis. Whether you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or want to avoid spreading or catching germs, you can connect with a board-certified provider via video visit wherever you are — no appointment needed. The provider will be able to advise you about your diagnosis and can guide you on appropriate treatments to help you in your journey to recovery. Virtual Urgent Care is available through the MyMethodist app. Download it today. If you are unable to cover the $20 cost of your visit, please contact 281.524.4687 for financial assistance.
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