Houston Defender: June 24, 2021.

XCELEBRATING BLACK MUSIC MONTHX

Brian Courtney Wilson Houston’s own continues to climb the charts

NEWS

RON REYNOLDS The Texas lawmaker shares insight from his meeting with Vice-President Kamala Harris.

Volume 90, issue 34 June 24, 2021

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ENTERTAINMENT

MS. PAT

The no-holds barred comedian finds humor in heartache.

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DN On POINT

FIT & FINE Kendra Williams Age: 28 Occupation: Sr. Cyber Engineer Education: Texas Southern University Major: B.S. Mathematics Motto: “Start somewhere”

“I take time daily for myself, mentally”.

MD Crawford carries a Black Lives Matter flag before a march in La Marque, Texas to protest the shooting of Joshua Feast, 22, by a La Marque police officer. Stuart Villanueva /The Galveston County Daily News via AP, File

Message From the Associate Editor ruling only highlights the global reputation BLM representatives recently held a press conof the “Ugly American;” folk who expect to ference to tell their story from their perspective. be treated like royalty while treating everyone The reason? BLM has been called everything but a else like dirt. child of God simply for attempting to hold America accountable for historic and current mistreatHISTORY A DAILY THING ment. Apparently, someone in BLM said, “Enough With the Tulsa Race Massacre, Juneteenth and with this BS. Let’s control our own narrative.” That attacks on Critical Race Theory (i.e. attempts to sounds like good advice for Blackfolk, in general. whitewash all Black history) dominating the The reason every movie or TV show about white news recently, the topic of history has been high schoolers show nearly all of them drinking front-and-center. But history is so much more Aswad Walker and drugging is because that’s how it is (at least than past events. A friend, Mamie Zwadie according to drug use stats, and every Black person King-Chalmers, recently celebrated her 80th I know who went to such schools). However, the parents and grand- birthday. I was her pastor when I lived in Detroit. She’s the sister in parents of those same high, lit, stoned white kids are the very politi- the iconic Civil Rights photo, being blasted by a firehose while procians creating laws that paint Black youth as the source of America’s testing white supremacy. The fact that I can call her a friend reminds drug problems. Media, scholars and lawmakers spew the “Absent me that history is not relegated to the past, but rather it’s what we Black Father” myth so often, we don’t even realize according to a live, breathe and make happen daily. Darnella Frazier, the teenage 2013 CDC report, Black fathers are just as involved in the lives of sister who recorded George Floyd’s murder, probably didn’t realize their children, and often more so, than white or Latino dads. And in the moment she was making history, but her actions birthed a the attack on Critical Race Theory is just another attempt by others global movement. Just imagine the kind of history we could make to control the narrative about us. It’s time out for that nonsense. if we were intentional about it. #BeTheChange Let’s make a mid-year resolution to tell our own story and control our own narrative.

IN THIS WEEK’S DEFENDER • Reporter Laura Onyeneho , who is a Report for America Corp SUPREME COURT: THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE UGLY Member, examines the intersection between BLM and the The U.S. Supreme Court, with its conservative super-majority, LGBTQ+ community one year after the Summer of George Floyd. surprised folk recently with its ruling that clears the way for • Managing Editor ReShonda Tate discovers the not-so-hidden college athletes to get paid for the use of their names and images treasure, Ms. Pat, an “overnight” comedic sensation who’s been in video games, etc. The High Court also rejected efforts to kill in the game for 20 years.

Obamacare, potentially saving thousands of lives. That’s the good. • Sports Editor Jodie B. Jiles shares champion advice quotes from The bad? This same court backed a Catholic group that shunned Houston’s own Jermall Charlo and other champion boxers in town certain potential foster parents on the basis of their LGBTQ+ for Charlo’s latest fight. status. Why is this bad? Because its discriminatory. But also, is the Catholic Church the best judge of who should or shouldn’t ON THE WEB be involved with children? And finally, the ugly. SCOTUS ruled • COVID, maternal mortality and Black Women. that Nestle Co. couldn’t be sued for using and supporting overseas • Singer Macy Gray calls U.S. flag dated and divisive.” #WheresTheLie child labor because the labor was taking place in Africa. That • Texas reality TV couple sued for scamming Black followers.

CONTROLLING OUR NARRATIVE

IG: @blackketogirl, Website: www.blackketogirl.com Read more on Friday about Kendra Williams at defendernetwork.com If you are Fit & Fine email: fitnfine@defendernetwork.com

June 24, 2021 |

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DN News

Marvin Scott III Rally

Freedman’s Town

Mayor names Freedmen’s Town heritage district Defender News Service

said Planning and Development Department Director Mayor Sylvester Turner and Houston City Council have Margaret Wallace Brown.Organizations that are approved named Freedmen’s Town as Houston’s first heritage dis- for a heritage district will be permitted to protect, restore trict due to its rich history and the initiative and support or install significant elements within the district such shown by the Houston Freedmen’s Town Conservancy. as brick paved streets, curbs, driveways, sidewalks and Often referred to as the “Harlem of the South,” Freedman’s walkways, signage and markers, public art, vegetation, Town was established in 1865 by newly emancipated Afri- and trees in the city’s public right-of-way. The designation can Americans who purchased land and created a vibrant does not provide city funding and does not apply to pricommunity in Houston’s Fourth Ward. vate property. Enhancements to public “I can think of no better community rights-of-way within the Freedmen’s FREEDMEN’S TOWN to designate as Houston’s first heritage Town Heritage District are subject to Houston’s First district than Freedmen’s Town, and no City approval and review by the City’s Heritage District better day than Juneteenth to share the Planning and Development Departgood news,” said Mayor Turner. “We ment Historic Preservation Officer. The thank the Houston Freedmen’s Town Conservancy will be solely responsible Conservancy for spearheading the efforts that have led for funding such improvements. to the development of heritage districts, which will benThe Conservancy’s mission is to preserve the historic efit communities across the city.”Heritage districts are legacy of Freedmen’s Town, inspiring all through educaintended to foster civic and cultural pride by protecting tion and awareness of its unique story. character-defining elements within neighborhoods, high“This heritage district designation will infuse desperlighting the significant achievements and contributions ately needed energy and assist the Houston Freedmen’s of the community and promoting neighborhood stability. Town Conservancy to raise capital to protect, preserve, “We are so excited to introduce this new designation educate, and engage Houston and the world in ‘Telling that will open doors for community-led preservation the Story of Freedom’ in Freedmen’s Town” said Eileen and beautification efforts in the public right-of-way,” Lawal, Freedmen’s Town Conservancy Board President.

Family, friends remember Vernell Jessie

By Marilyn Marshall

Essie Vernell Jessie, a familiar voice to Houston radio listeners for years, is being remembered as a multi-talented media professional and a loving mother and friend. Known professionally as Vernell Jessie, she died June 18 at age 72.

A celebration of life and memorial service will be held Saturday, July 3 at 1 p.m. at University Park Baptist Church, 7887 Beechnut. Jessie was a member of the church, formerly known as College Park, for more than 21 years.

“She loved her church members dearly and they loved her,” said her youngest daughter, Jesikya Jessie.

She added that her mother was a woman of deep faith, and her favorite quotes included, “Stay on your knees and on your toes,” and “God I’m coming; Jesus I’m not afraid.”

Defender Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles first met Jessie when she worked in radio and later hired her as advertising and circulation manager for the Defender.

“Vernell was so kind and caring,” Messiah Jiles said.

“She cared about her family, Vernell Jessie her friends and her community. She had a ‘made-for-radio’ voice and I enjoyed working with her from day one. She was dedicated and loyal and she will be missed.”

Read more at DefenderNetwork.com

Texas grand jury issues no indictments in Black inmate death Associated Press

A grand jury in Texas has declined to indict eight jailers over the in-custody death of a Black man who died after struggling with detention officers.

But the Collin County grand jury also called for the creation of a work group to study the March death of Marvin Scott III to prevent something similar from happening again.

“We sincerely hope that the loss of Marvin Scott III will not be in vain,” the statement said. “We are therefore recommending that a work group be convened as soon as practicable to study the events of March 14th for lessons learned in an effort Marvin Scott to avoid any similar future tragedy.”

The grand jury found no probable cause to charge the eight jailers with a crime in connection with Scott’s death, which was ruled a homicide in April. A medical examiner found that Scott died of “fatal acute stress response” while struggling with officers who were trying to detain him.

The medical examiner said Scott was previously diagnosed with schizophrenia and his family has said Scott was likely in a mental health crisis at the time.

Scott was arrested March 14 at an outlet mall in Allen on a charge of possessing less than two ounces of marijuana, authorities have said. Allen officers took Scott to a hospital because he was reportedly acting erratically.

He was released and police took him to the county jail, where deputies say he began acting erratic.

Lee Merritt, an attorney representing Scott’s family, said on Twitter that there was sufficient evidence for an indictment and that the family is hopeful a federal grand jury will review the case.

“The failure of prosecutors to secure indictments in this matter reflects a trend in Texas of undervaluing the lives of African Americans suffering mental health crisis,” he wrote.

After Scott’s death, seven jailers were fired and one resigned. Zach Horn, an attorney representing several of the jailers, said in a statement that he will begin the reinstatement process for the detention officers who wish to return to their jobs.

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DN News

Former CA Assemblywoman Shirley Weber calls on lawmakers to create a task force to study and develop reparation proposals for African Americans. AP

Several U.S. mayors commit to develop reparations pilot projects Defender News Service

Getty Images

Texas ranks worst in the nation for children’s health coverage Defender News Service

MS, NM, NV, OK, SC, WV) all in the South or West, A reports shows that Texas continues to perform worse landed in the bottom 20 of child well-being rankings than any other state in children’s health insurance cover- and also appeared among the worst-performing states in age. The 2021 KIDS COUNT® Data Book analyzed how most or all of the pandemic indicators reviewed by this families have fared between the Great Recession and the Data Book. Those data reflect a connection between the COVID-19 crisis. states that were struggling This year’s Data Book, before the pandemic and a 50-state report of rethe ones that have strugMAJOR FINDINGS: cent household data degled during it.

• ECONOMIC WELL-BEING: More than 1.4 veloped by the Annie E. “Forty-sixth in the namillion Texas children were in poverty in Casey Foundation, shows tion is nothing to brag 2019, Black and Hispanic children accountnearly a decade of progabout — Texas kids deed for 26% of children in poverty. ress could be erased by serve better than bottom • EDUCATION: Only 10% of Texas students the COVID-19 pandemic of the barrel,” said Maridid not graduate on time in 2018-2019 unless policymakers act (compared to 14% nationally). sa Bono, CEO of Every • AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE: Texas is boldly to sustain the beginTexan, Texas’ member of 50th in the nation; nearly one million chilnings of a recovery from the KIDS COUNT netdren were without health insurance in 2019 the coronavirus crisis. work. “Policymakers have (13%).

As in past years, the biga responsibility to make • FAMILY AND COMMUNITY CONTEXT: gest gap between Texas and common-sense policy Texas ranked 40th in the nation, with more other states, and between choices that support our than 860,000 children living in high poverty Texas families of different children and families, esareas. Hispanic and Black children were the races and ethnicities, is in pecially during crises. By most likely to live in these areas (18% and health insurance cover15%) due to systemic racism in housing extending unemployment such as residential segregation, redlining age. Twice as many Texas insurance and accepting and loan discrimination. households with children federal funds for Medicaid Read more at www.Defendernetwork.com. reported lacking health Expansion, Texas would insurance as the rest of the help families recover from nation (23% vs. 11%) per the pandemic and ensure pandemic survey data collected in March 2021. Hispanic all Texas children can thrive.” households with children were the most likely to report The Data Book shows simply returning to a pre-panlacking health insurance (38% vs. 23% of all Texas house- demic level of support for children and families would holds with children). shortchange millions of kids and fail to address persistent Texas and 12 other states (AL, AR, AZ, GA, KY, LA, racial and ethnic disparities.

Eleven U.S. mayors — from Los Angeles to tiny Tullahassee, Oklahoma — have pledged to pay reparations for slavery to a small group of Black residents in their cities, saying their aim is to set an example for the federal government on how a nationwide program could work.

The mayors had no details on how much it would cost, who would pay for it or how people would be chosen. All of those details would be worked out with the help of local commissions comprised of representatives from Black-led organizations set up to advise the mayor of each city. But the mayors say they are committed to paying reparations instead of just talking about them.

“Black Americans don’t need another study that sits on a shelf,” said St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones, the city’s first Black female mayor and a member of the group.

“We need decisive action to address the racial wealth gap holding communities back across our country.”

Slavery officially ended in the United States in 1865 with the adoption of the 13th amendment to U.S. Constitution. But its effects have lingered far beyond that, contributing to disparities in wealth and health between white and Black populations.

Since 1989, lawmakers in Congress introduced a bill that would form a commission to study and develop reparations proposals in the United States. But it has never passed. Last year, California became the first state to set up its own reparations commission.

That group held its first meeting earlier this month.

VOLUME 90 - NUMBER 34 - JUNE 24, 2021 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

June 24, 2021 |

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Making a lasting impact in Houston At Bank of America, we have long been committed to advancing racial equality and economic opportunity in the communities where we work and live. Recognizing the urgency of the moment, we’ve expanded our longstanding efforts to drive progress by committing an additional $1.25 billion over five years to create opportunity for people and communities of color.

By partnering with organizations here in Houston, we’re continuing to align our resources to help drive sustainable progress locally. Our investments and partnerships will help address critical issues and long-term gaps including: • connecting workers to new skills and enhanced job readiness • expanding affordable housing options for more people • ramping up lending and support to local small businesses • increasing access to healthcare and addressing food insecurity

Working together We’re collaborating with a variety of organizations to help our community move forward.

They include: Chinese Community Center Houston Area Urban League Community Family Centers

We know there’s so much more work to be done. My teammates and I remain committed to the job ahead. Together with our local partners, we can make a real difference. What would you like the power to do?®

Mexican Institute of Greater Houston

Hong Ogle President, Bank of America Houston

Go to bankofamerica.com/community to learn more about the work we are doing with our incredible partners.

Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender

© 2021 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

6 | June 24, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN News MOBILIZING TO FIND

MISSING BLACK CHILDREN a

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a

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JOHN CROSS, MO

HECTOR LOPEZ-RUIZ, CA

GARNELL MOORE, MD

EVELYN SHELTON, SC

BRANDON GRAVES, SC

ASHA DEGREE, NC

ATHENA CURRY, GA

TERRANCE WILLIAMS, FL

JHESSYE SHOCKLEY, AZ

LARRY STACKHOUSE, NY

ALETHA WILLIAMS, UT

FELIPE SANTOS, FL

JASON WILSON, TN

ASHLEY PORTER, NC

BRANDON JOHNSON, CA

BIANCA LEBRON, CT

MARIZELA PEREZ, WA

UNIQUE HARRIS, DC

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Providing an Equal Opportunity for All Missing Persons

.

By NNPA

When the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) posted a photo of 14-year-old Isaac Gastelum on Twitter, the response was telling.

“This has been almost a month since he went missing,” an individual with the Twitter handle @SdMerlins responded.

“Do you guys need help with disseminating info?”

The answer is a resounding “Yes!” Isaac, an African American with brown eyes and black hair, hails from Oliver Springs, Tennessee.

NCMEC’s alert noted that the five-foot-tall and 150-pound Isaac “may still be in the local area, or he may travel to California or Michigan.”

He has been missing since May 12, 2021.

About one month after Isaac went missing, 15-year-old Aliyah Hardridge of Ottawa, Kansas, disappeared.

NCMEC describes Aliyah as 5-feet-7 inches tall and 195 pounds.

Aliyah has brown eyes and black hair and was last seen on June 13.

The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) continues its series on the plight of missing African American girls and boys who have disappeared. Throughout the series, which began in 2019, a common theme emerged: Black children who go missing receive far less media coverage and police priority than White children.

Reportedly, there are 425,000 missing children in America, and 40 percent – or 156,000 – are Black.

Other than by their families, neighbors, and friends, most of these young people can be forgotten — even by law

ALIYAH HARDRIDGE, KS

iSAAC GASTELUM, TN

enforcement officials charged with solving the ever-growing body of cold cases.

When it comes to missing African Americans, the media is often silent. A Google and Yahoo! Search yielded no news articles about Isaac or Aliyah.

The apathy is palpable, particularly on social media.

“Hope [Aliyah] is not a runaway,” posted Twitter user @JR3154. “Maybe at a friends’ house and mad at her parents.”

In the same thread, user No Amber Alert in the hood … I guess.” Revealing similar apathy and perhaps some sarcasm, the user continued: “We don’t snitch … so we go missing?”

The work of NCMEC and organizations like the Black and Missing Foundation and the African American Juvenile Justice Project serve to keep a spotlight on the missing.

“Black, African American, and Afro Latinas are less likely seen as victims,” Sherri Jefferson of the African American Juvenile Justice Project told NNPA Newswire earlier this year.

Awareness is a significant component to getting a missing person home safely, said B.J. Spamer, the executive director

www.bamfi.org of the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NAMUS).

The organization counts as a nationwide information clearinghouse that offers free, secure, and easy-to-use technology to help expedite case associations and resolutions.

NAMUS also provides free forensic services, investigative support, victim services, and training and outreach.

In an earlier interview with NNPA Newswire, Spamer explained that the media highlights certain cases.

However, many others fail to get the same attention.

“The media plays a huge role in making sure that we raise awareness for all missing persons and also be able to raise awareness of the tools that families have available to them that they may not know are available,” Spamer remarked.

“We have had families sit down at the keyboard to search the database and find their loved one, essentially resolving their own case.

She continued: “It’s an empowering thing to have families to be able to participate in the search using certain tools that we make publicly available. There are so many resources available today that didn’t exist 20 or 30 years ago when their loved one may have gone missing.

“We would love to see those families come forward today and provide whatever information they still have on their loved one because we are routinely seeing identifications on cases that are 20, 30, or 40 years old. And so as long as there’s a searching family member, it is never too late to file a report, get that case in NAMUS and potentially find a match and bring resolution to that family.”

Anyone with information about Isaac Gastelum or Aliyah Hardridge should call 911 or 1-800-843-5678.

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DEFENDER NETWORK

DN News Voting rights bill blocked.

What now?

Defender News Service

Senate Republicans have blocked debate of a sweeping overhaul of how elections are run in the U.S. The bill was pushed by congressional Democrats who argued it was needed to counter a spate of new GOP laws this year tightening voting rules in the states.

Why it was blocked

Republicans have long opposed Democratic efforts to overhaul elections in the U.S. and say the reforms being proposed are more about ensuring Democratic victories than fairness in voting. They note that Democrats introduced their overhaul two years ago, before the 2020 election, and say the massive bill amounts to a federal takeover of elections, which are run by state and local election offices. Congressional Republicans argue increased voter turnout in the 2020 election is proof that reforms are not needed. But, at the same time, their counterparts in state legislatures have pointed to unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud as justification for tightening rules and increasing election oversight at the state and local level.

What the bill does

The bill, known as the For The People Act, would create minimum standards for voting in the U.S. and establish Election Day as a federal holiday. It requires all states to offer automatic voter registration and at least 15 days of early voting. Some states already do this, but others do not.

And Democrats argue that federal standards would reduce confusion among the public. They also say the standards would blunt the impact of new state laws creating barriers for voters. But the bill doesn’t just address election issues. There are scores of other provisions packed into the 888-page bill, including a broad expansion of public funding for campaigns, a revamp of redistricting and ethics reforms. Written when Democrats were out of power, it was more a statement of priorities than legislation to be ultimately enacted. It’s been refined a few times and more changes are expected.

What now?

Democratic leaders say the fight isn’t over, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer saying, “this vote was the starting gun, not the finish line.” But with a 50-50 split in the Senate, they have few options due to the filibuster rule that requires 60 votes to advance most legislation. Now the fight turns to whether Democrats can agree that voting legislation is so important it’s worth changing or setting aside the filibuster.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks about voting rights to people concerned after the Senate blocked passage of the ‘For the People Act.’ AP/Jacquelyn Martin

Texas Democrats vow to continue the fight

By ReShonda Tate

State Sen. Ron Reynolds is giving insight after 16 members of the Texas Legislature met with Vice President Kamala Harris about voting rights.

Harris welcomed Texas lawmakers to the White House to celebrate a brash victory in a late night walkout that derailed one of the GOP’s most aggressive efforts to rewrite state-level election rules since Donald Trump’s defeat.

“We talked about how we go forward and protect our fundamental right to vote,” said Reynolds. “We talked about ideas, strategy, and how to follow up from this meeting in Ron Reynolds terms of action items.

We talked about the justice department, the attorney general, redistricting. Her staff was in there, her policy people. This was a real working meeting with a game plan toward voting rights and making sure that we get the help we need when it comes to any potential litigation and voting rights in the district.”

The meeting took place prior to the Senate vote to block passage of the “For The People Act,” which Reynolds said they had hoped raising awareness would help the bill to pass.

“As someone who is the first African-American elected state representative in Fort Bend County since reconstruction, I would not be elected if it wasn’t for the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which effectively ended Jim Crow laws that prohibited people of color from voting and holding public office with voter suppression laws, poll taxes, literacy tests,” Reynolds said. “So for me, this has been very personal with respect

to my Republican colleagues perpetuating the big lie from Donald Trump about voter fraud and voter integrity. This is nothing but the Jim Crow 2.0 voter suppression.”

Harris is the Biden administration’s point person on voting rights. During the Oval Office meeting, she held Texas up as an example of GOP ardor for voter suppression and the visiting legislators as paragons of resistance.

Democrats abandoned the Texas House chamber in the waning hours of the session last month, breaking quorum and killing SB7.

“What we did has sparked a movement, and momentum around the entire country, not just in Texas, but all over the United States about the need to stand up and speak truth to power to take bold action and be audacious and make good trouble like John Lewis did,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds says they’re fired up for the Special Session, adding that Texans can rest assured that this meeting was not all talk, and action will follow, especially now that the voting bill was blocked.

“Everybody on the Hill was talking about what we did in Texas and how that has given them a shot in the arm. So it is really a movement,” Reynolds added. “It’s changing the narrative. It’s a paradigm shift, knowing that we’re on the right side of history and we believe that we’re going to get this done. And if not, it won’t be because we didn’t fight. It won’t be because we didn’t make the effort.”

Texas Governor Greg Abbott sets special session for July 8

T h e R y a n W h i t e P l a n n i n g C o u n c i l i n v i t e s y ou t o a n i m p o r t a n t v i r t u a l p r e s e n t a t i on a b ou t …

Recommended Ryan White Part A, Part B & State Services Priority Rankings and Funding Allocations for 2022 A l s o l e a r n a b o u t … Houston’s Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative

Monday, June 28, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.

This televised Public Hearing can be viewed online at w w w . h o u s t o n t x . g o v / h t v or within the Houston city limits on the following TV provider channels:  Comcast (Ch. 16)  Phonoscope (Ch. 73 & 99)  Suddenlink (Ch. 14)  U-Verse (Ch. 99) You can also view it on YouTube -- go to our website for the link: r w p c H o u s t o n . o r g Information packets for the presentations are also available to view/download on our website

Ryan White Planning Council Office of Support

2223 West Loop South, Suite 240; Houston, TX 77027 Phone: 832 927-7926  Fax: 713 572-3740  Web: rwpcHouston.org

8 | June 24, 2021 |

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| 9

DN InFocus FOCUS SOCIAL ONE YEAR LATER

Black Lives Matter,

LGBTQ+

Houston advocates reflect on their common ground

By Laura Onyeneho

June is a symbolic month for Black people and LGBTQ+ members nationwide as Pride Month and the first anniversary of the George Floyd protests align. Outside of the rainbow gear, bold fashion designs, and corporate parade sponsorships, there is a renewed awakening of how communities nationwide are addressing racism and police brutality.

Verniss McFarland III

Brandon Mack

We are going after those positions of power but at the same time, we are pushing over those seats at the table and rebuilding new ones.

Sometimes that’s exactly what we have to do.”

-Brandon Mack

Too often, the protests against anti-Black racism and discrimination are viewed as separate from the challenges of transphobic and homophobic violence. According to a report from the Human Rights Campaign, in 2020 there was a recorded 44 deaths of transgender and gender non-conforming people, the majority of which were Black and Latinx transgender women. In 2021, at least 28 victims were fatally shot or killed by other violent means.

In the last five years, more transgender people have been killed in Texas than in any other state, and the numbers could be higher because of misgendering. Data collections most times are incomplete because deaths may go unreported. According to the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, or GLAAD, trans women of color in the U.S. have a life expectancy of only 35 years.

One question still remains: Do Black lives matter fully if the dignity and safety of sexual and gender minorities are threatened?

“When Black Lives Matter started, it was always inclusive of LGBTQ+ Black people, that is the reason we why we have the phrase all Black lives matter,” said Brandon Mack, lead organizer of Black Lives Matter Houston. “You can never think that our lives are separate from our race. When the world sees me, they see me as a Black gay man.”

For the last 15 years, Mack has advocated in support of his multiple identities. Mack says being a Black gay man in America is tough, but he is in a unique position to fight issues that impact the Black and LGBTQ+ experience. He says the biggest problem related to the Houston Police Department is accountability and lack of authentic engagement with both communities.

With Pride Month celebrations relaunching from its cancelation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mack says Pride Month will reveal a big difference between being an ally and an accomplice.

“Allyship is showy. An ally demonstrates support, goes to the protests, and goes to the pride parade and take selfies in the community,” he explains. “The accomplice is the one making sure HR policies are in line to allow LGBTQ+ people to breathe… They are the ones who are going to make sure that the environment fosters inclusion.”

Fellow Black LGBTQ+ advocates like The Mahogany Project (TMP) Founder, Verniss McFarland III, says her purpose is to create a safe space for Black trans people and to protect them from becoming another statistic. TMP was launched in 2017 after the death of Chyna, Gibson, a Black woman of trans experience who was shot and killed in New Orleans that same year.

McFarland is a gender-nonconforming trans-identifying person. She explains that if she tells an officer that her pronouns are “she, her, hers,” a police officer might see her as a

Black Census Respondents

by Sexual Orientation Lesbian 3%

Gay 3% No Answer 6% Bisexual 7% Other Sexual Orientation 4%

Heterosexual 76%

“threatening male or acting in a way that made them fear for their lives.” She says oftentimes when you see the death of Black trans women, they are misgendered in the media because of how police label them in police reports.

“If we’re looking for long-term change, it’s about basic civil liberties,” said McFarland. “We shouldn’t have to fight for proper medical care, or adequate housing, or just to go to the bathroom. We have to be in unison with the police to ensure our existence is upheld. Texas is the trans murder capital of the United States, the life expectancy drops when you hit Texas state lines.”

Mack and McFarland agree that the fight for justice doesn’t stop at Pride Month. Police relations and policies both federal and statewide need an overhaul and the solution starts with community efforts.

“Elected employees need to stop putting Black and LGBTQ+ communities in danger. We had Black legislatures who are willing to sacrifice transgender children, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act hasn’t passed federally, our ability to talk about the Black history in schools is threatened, and they (The elected officials) are elected to work for us,” said Mack. “We are going after those positions of power but at the same time, we are pushing over those seats at the table and rebuilding new ones. Sometimes that’s exactly what we have to do.”

Laura Onyeneho is a new member of the Houston Defender staff and is also a Report for America Corps Member.

Members of the Blacks Lives Matter movement march during a recent Pride parade. -AP/Mark Blinch

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DN Health

As US COVID-19 death toll nears 600,000, racial gaps persist Defender News Service

More than 600,000 Americans have now perished in the Coronavirus outbreak, and in those numbers emerges a disturbing trend that shines a light on the outbreak’s strikingly uneven and ever-shifting toll on the nation’s racial and ethnic groups.

The 600,000 mark is equivalent to the number of Americans who died of cancer in 2019. And as bad as that is, the true toll is believed to be significantly higher.

On the way to the latest round-number milestone, the virus has proved adept at exploiting inequalities in the U.S., according to an Associated Press data analysis.

In the first wave of fatalities, in April 2020, Black people were slammed, dying at rates higher than those of other ethnic or racial groups as the virus rampaged through the urban Northeast and heavily African American cities like Detroit and New Orleans.

Last summer, during a second surge, Hispanics were hit the hardest, suffering an substantial share of deaths, driven by infections in Texas and Florida. By winter, during the third and most lethal stage, the virus had gripped the entire nation, and racial gaps in weekly death rates had narrowed so much that whites were the worst off, followed closely by Hispanics.

Now, even as the outbreak ebbs and more people get vaccinated, a racial gap appears to be emerging again, with Black Americans dying at higher rates than other groups.

Overall, Black and Hispanic Americans have less access to medical care and are in poorer health, with higher rates of conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. They are also more likely to have jobs deemed essential, less able to work from home and more likely to live in crowded, multigenerational households, where working family members are apt to expose others to the virus.

Public health experts see these disparities as a loud message that the nation needs to address deep-rooted inequities.

“If we want to respect the dear price that 600,000 people have paid, don’t return to normal. Return to something that is better than what was,” said Dr. Clyde Yancy, vice dean for diversity and inclusion at Northwestern University’s medical school in Chicago.

He added: “It will be an epic failure if we simply go back to whatever we call normal.”

Gaps in vaccination rates in the U.S. also persist, with Blacks and Hispanics

Pallbearers, who were among only 10 allowed mourners, walk the casket for internment at the funeral of a COVID-19 victim. AP

Native Americans, Latinos and Blacks

2-3 x

more likely than whites to die of COVID-19.

lagging behind, said Samantha Artiga of the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonpartisan health-policy research organization.

Experts say several factors could be at work, including deep distrust of the medical establishment among Black Americans because of a history of discriminatory treatment, and fears of deportation among Latinos, as well as a language barrier in many cases.

The U.S. was averaging about 870,000 injections per day in early June, down sharply from a high of about 3.3 million a day on average in mid-April, according to the CDC. Initial vaccine eligibility policies, set by states, favored older Americans, a group more likely to be white. Now, everyone over

Race Blacks Hispanics Whites Asian Americans

12 is eligible, but obstacles remain, such as concerns about missing work because of side effects from the shot.

“Eligibility certainly does not equal access,” Artiga said. “Losing a day or two of wages can have real consequences for your family. People are facing tough decisions like that.”

The AP’s analysis of the outbreak’s racial and ethnic patterns was based on National Center for Health Statistics data on COVID-19 deaths and 2019 Census Bureau population estimates.

“For people of color like myself, we’ve had deep personal experiences during the pandemic” of caring for loved ones and sometimes losing them, said Yolanda Ogbolu, a nurse researcher at the University

COVID-19 deaths 15% 19% 61% 4%

Total U.S. population 12% 18% 60% 6%

of Maryland, Baltimore.

Ogbolu, who is Black, made herself an advocate for two relatives during their COVID-19 hospital stays: her 50-year-old police officer brother — she persuaded his doctors to treat him with the drug remdesivir — and her 59-year-old repairman uncle. She called the hospital daily during his 100-day stay.

Both survived. But Ogbolu wonders whether they would have lived if they hadn’t had a nurse in the family.

“What happens when people don’t have that person to push for them? What happens when you don’t even speak the language?” Ogbolu said. “What happens when they don’t know how to navigate the health system or what questions to ask?”

June 24, 2021 |

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DEFENDER NETWORK

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Vaccines have proven to be safe, effective and the only way out of this pandemic. More than 138 million Americans have been vaccinated, and infections are dropping throughout the region and the country. And while we still have a long way to go before achieving herd immunity, we can get there together. It’s time for everyone to do their part and get the COVID-19 vaccine.

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12 | June 24, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Spotlight

Brian Courtney Wilson’s latest project is a duet with Ledisi titled “Be Real Black For Me.”

CELEBRATING BLACK MUSIC MONTH

BRIAN COURTNEY WILSON

By ReShonda Tate

Fans call him a modern Gospel messenger. He is informed and sophisticated in thought, continually inspiring humanity while keeping an eye on eternity. That’s the complexity of Brian Courtney Wilson, who continues to climb the charts with his latest endeavors, “Still” and “Be Real Black For Me,” a duet with singer, Ledisi.

A Chicago-area native and Missouri City resident, the Grammy-nominated Wilson is a NAACP Image Award, Billboard Award, multiple Stellar Award, GMA Dove Award, ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Award winner.

Since his debut release (2009’s “Just Love”), Wilson has delivered some of the most beloved songs of the past decade and has established himself as one of our time’s premier male inspirational voices. His signature and impassioned vocals are an homage to the myriad of his musical influences, which include Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Marvin L. Winans, and Fred Hammond, to name a few. A graduate of the University of Illinois, and a former corporate pharmaceutical representative, Wilson is a critical

thinker who works tirelessly to spread the gospel through his music.

He talked with the Defender about his latest projects, staying busy and what’s in store for him.

Defender: You had the Donnie Hathaway/Roberta Flack remake with Ledisi, “Be Real Black For Me” just come out. Prior to that, you had the project, “Still.” How were you able to continue to make music in the midst of a pandemic?

Brian Courtney Wilson: God has been

faithful. So we have to be focused and resolute about what God has called us to do and how you should respond in these moments in ways to build a better future. And it also links to my faith in that regard as reasons why we can be focused.

Defender: With all of the music you’ve made, some would say it would not come as a surprise that it begins to feel like work. But that’s not the case for you, right?

Wilson: It feels like a calling. And that’s beyond actually creating the music and seeing how it resonates with people.

For me, it’s really about it’s really about encouraging and keeping people’s heads lifted and continuing to make the type of music type of music where I get the response where people were like, “Man, I was really trying to press my way through and your music got me through.” So yes, it doesn’t feel like a job, but it is work. It’s just work that I love.

Defender: How can people support you?

Wilson: Downloads are better than

streams, so definitely download the music.

And then share if you see some value in it.

Let people know about it. And if you have events, we want to be a part of those, too.

Defender: Have you been singing all your life?

Wilson: I came up in the church and I

never really saw gospel music as a career because I didn’t know anything about that

as an industry. It was just something we did as a community. I encountered my calling once I got to Houston and I met people who helped me record my first record. And that just kind of showed like, ‘Man, you got something that can help from a ministry standpoint.’

Defender: What’s next for you?

Wilson: We want to continue to keep

making music that prayerfully helps people along the way to keep taking the next step forward toward a future that they want to see, toward a future that God intended for them, in ways that help them to know that they are loved. We’ve been doing this thing on Thursday nights called Breathe Again, and the Lord won’t let me let it go. We started it during the quarantine, just conversations with people that can help serve as a reminder that the breath that we have is a gift from the Lord. And even with things that we may be losing around us, you can still hold on to that breath and know that God is still voting on you to manifest something beautiful on this earth.

Hear Brian on: His relationship with GOD, How to celebrate Black Music Month and more.

June 24, 2021 |

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DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Entertainment

Ms. Pat

Comedian finds humor from heartache

By ReShonda Tate

By the time Patricia Williams was 12-years-old, she was in a relationship with a married man. She would go on to have two kids by the age of 15, and drop out of school in the eighth grade. With such a hard background and a lifetime of struggling, Patricia could’ve been destined for disaster.

Instead, the Atlanta native turned her heartache into humor and now, with a new BET+ show about her life set to premiere, a thriving podcast, a comedy special in the works and a sold-out standup tour, the 46-year-old comedian is proving your past doesn’t determine your future.

Ms. Pat began doing comedy in 2002 and in 2015, she appeared on the ninth season of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing.” She has appeared on multiple shows including Comedy Central’s “This Is Not Happening” as well as multiple podcasts, including the “Joe Rogan Experience.”

The comedian will be at the Houston Improv on June 24. Here she shares with the Defender what makes her funny and what fans can expect from her show.

Defender: How did you get started in the comedy business?

Ms. Pat: I was a convicted felon and it was the

only business that didn’t check my criminal background. Growing up, I never thought of myself as being funny. I was just honest. I grew up the poor kid. I was the musty kid. So, you either cry or you laugh when you grow up like that. I found a way to laugh at it. Then one day I had a visit to the welfare office and Bill Clinton, who was the president at the time, made me get a job. My mama taught me in order to stay on welfare you had to give sob stories, so I did. I messed around and got a Black caseworker. She told me I was missing my calling and she just kept pushing me until I went to do an Open Mic. And I was like, “Wait a minute, you can get paid to tell your business? Count me in.”

Defender: How do you manage to build hilarity out of heartache?

Ms. Pat: Well, I’ve always tried to laugh at what

was painful. When you can laugh at what you’ve been through in life, then that’s when you know you got control of it. I can’t dwell on the past. At first I didn’t realize where I was going with this because I just used that to make me survive. Yes, I had a crappy mama. I got pregnant by a married man at 13, who used to pick me up from elementary school when I

was 12. I just found a way to laugh at it. I used it for me. And then once comedy came along, I realized it was so many “mes” in the world.

Defender: What can people expect from your show at the Improv?

Ms. Pat: Honesty. I talk about family and

life. No matter what race you are. I talk about my childhood, being married. I’m an open book on stage. I tell people, make sure you bring your panty liner.

Defender: The Ms. Pat Show, which has a 10-episode first season order, is set to debut on BET+ and dramatizes your real-life hard luck story going from convicted felon to Midwest mom, as detailed in your NAACP Award nominated memoir, Rabbit. Tell us more about the show.

Ms. Pat: It was partially based on my book.

But it’s mostly about my daily life - me moving from Atlanta to Indiana, into a very conservative neighborhood – and me adapting to a community I didn’t grow up in, which is a white community.

It’s based on the everyday challenges that I have in my community, those things that I went through.... like there’s an episode where me and my husband go to counseling, and you’ll see my daughter come out in an episode – I have a gay daughter. So, I just took my life and jammed it into 10 episodes. It’s a very funny show. The really good thing about BET+ is they let me be me. They didn’t try to tell me this or that. They didn’t try to hush me up. And I’ll tell you this: I’m NOT Claire Huxtable!

Defender: You have a huge white following. Do you feel like Black folks are just now discovering you?

Ms. Pat: I have a huge white audience because

I’ve done so many big podcasts and big white radio.

But Black folks are just now getting hip to me. I appeared on the Breakfast Club radio show recently and Black folks were like, ‘Where have you been.’

I’ve been doing comedy for 20 years. I’ve been right here, waiting on you mother*uckers to stop watching those old Def Jam comedians.

Performances are scheduled for 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 24 at Improv Comedy Club Houston, 7620 Katy Freeway, Suite 455. Call 713-333-8800 or visit improvhouston.com.

14 | June 24, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports Former Rocket P.J. Tucker was a huge defensive presence for the Milwaukee Bucks against Brooklyn star Kevin Durant during their Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series win.

Astros DH/OF Yordan Alvarez recorded his first career walk-off hit during the team’s 2-1 win over the Chicago White Sox.

Sports Briefs TATE MAKES NBA ALL-ROOKIE TEAM The Rockets weren’t left completely out of the NBA postseason honors.

Forward Jae’Sean Tate Jae’Sean Tate has been announced as a FirstTeam All-Rookie member.

Tate averaged 11.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists while starting 58 of the 70 games he appeared in last season.

A Philadelphia Phillies player runs on the field under a message on the video board honoring Juneteenth on African American Heritage Day before a baseball game between the San Francisco Giants and the Phillies in San Francisco, Saturday, June 19, 2021. AP Photo/Jeff Chiu

SPORTS LEAGUES CELEBRATE JUNETEENTH

By Terrance Harris

Both the U.S. Congress and Senate overwhelmingly approved a bill to make Juneteenth a federal holiday, and on June 17 President Biden added his signature to the bill making it law.

It didn’t take long for the major sports leagues across the country to begin responding to the new national holiday that commemorates the official ending of slavery on June 19, 1865 in this country when federal troops arrived in Galveston to enforce the end of slavery more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been law.

It was interesting to see the ways the various sports leagues chose to celebrate Juneteenth, which is now the 11th national holiday in American history.

The NBA – in conjunction with the WNBA -- which has been out front of the other sports leagues in terms of how it has dealt with social justice issues in recent years, observed the holiday by giving all U.S. employees paid time off on June 18 along with some other initiatives employees could take part in.

WNBA players wore warmup shirts honoring the league’s commitment to social justice and teams played the Black National Anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing” in arenas in celebration of the liberation and perseverance of Black people.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a letter to league employees that Juneteenth provides a moment to “pause, further educate ourselves and reflect on both the history and the current state of race in our country.”

As prolific as Silver’s words were, the NFL was slightly ahead of the NBA on this one when commissioner Roger Goodell announced a year ago the league employees could be given Juneteenth off well ahead of the passage of the landmark bill.

Major League Baseball, which is comprised of just 7.8% African American players, had a little more disjointed recognition that included some teams wearing throwback uniforms and some teams did a nod to the Negro Leagues. Major League Soccer, meanwhile, wore Juneteenth-inspired jerseys on June 18th ahead of the weekend’s national celebration.

All leagues encouraged their players, employees and fans to take in some sort of celebration to commemorate the day. Over the weekend, NFL teams, including the Texans, observed the day with various social media campaigns.

Native Houstonian and former Texans safety Mike Thomas went on a historical tour of Galveston and took thousands of viewers with him as his tour was featured on the NFL Network. Thomas visited several landmarks and included historical experts who offered deeper detail into the landmarks like the Reedy Chapel AME Church and their historical significance.

“I’m looking forward to having a conversation with a couple of historians who can teach me about Juneteenth,” Thomas said during the video. “Being from Texas, I’ve learned about it in school. But to be here on the ground, it’s going to be amazing.”

HARDEN, NETS BOUNCED EARLY James Harden was supposed to be the missing piece that would land the Brooklyn Nets the James Harden coveted NBA title when they mortgaged their future by making the megatrade with the Rockets in January. But the Nets and Harden were bounced in the Eastern Conference semifinals by the Milwaukee Bucks.

TSU VOLLEYBALL ADDS FOUR RECRUITS Texas Southern volleyball coach Gabrielle Floyd announced four new additions to Gabrielle Floyd the Tigers’ 2021 roster.

New to the team will be Cypress Creek’s Katherine (Kat) Betancourt, Chenise Cook, Caitlyn Roland and Tyra Williams.

June 24, 2021 |

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DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports

VOICE OF CHAMPIONS

By Jodie B. Jiles

The showtime lights shined their brightest on the city on Juneteenth for championship boxing between Houston’s own undefeated middleweight champion Jermall Charlo taking on #4 contender Juan Macias Montiel.

After being proclaimed the man of the day by Houston mayor Sylvester “Sly” Turner and rapper Tobe Nwigwe, and being introduced by Lil Keke’s “Got To Be A G Till The Day That I Die,” Charlo handled his business winning the fight by decision. The judges scored the bout 118-109, 119-109, and 120-108. All in favor of Charlo.

The Defender spoke with Charlo as well as champions Regis Prograis and Austin Trout to reflect on do’s, don’ts and what it takes to become a world champion in today’s era of boxing.

DN

See great photos of Charlo vs. Montiel fight on DefenderNetwork.com

Stay at it, because the more time you put in, the more rewards you will get. God will bless you sooner or later. God has blessed me and my twin brother since we were eight years old and we just put in the time.”

Charlo lands a punch and prepares to deliver another during his win over Montiel. -Jimmie Agisson

Jermall Charlo

-Alex Menendez

ABOUT JERMALL CHARLO

ABOUT REGIS PROGRAIS

Age: 31 Record: (32-0, 22 KOs) Hometown: Houston, TX Twitter: @FutureOfBoxing Awards: WBA Middleweight Champion since 2019. Previously held IBF light middleweight title from 2015-2017 Who He Wants to Fight Next: Gennady Golovkin and Canelo Alvarez.

Quote: “Don’t give up. Pick something about yourself and just take it to the next level. No matter what it is or what you are good at.”

Age: 32 Record: (26-1, 22 KOs) Hometown: New Orleans, LA (trains in Houston) Twitter: @RPrograis Awards: 2019 WBA Light Welterweight Champion in 2018.

Who He Wants to Fight Next: Josh Taylor Rematch.

Quote: You have to dedicate yourself.

I always say ‘Ten toes in.’ You have to be all the way in this 100%. You have to be committed and dedicated.”

ABOUT AUSTIN TROUT Age: 35 Record: (35-5-1, 18 KOs) Hometown: El Paso, TX Twitter: @NoDoubtTrout Awards: WBA Light Middleweight Champion from 2011 to 2013 Who He Wants to Fight Next: Adrian Broner.

Quote: “Perfect your craft and save your money. Those are the two biggest things I can tell you, because when you perfect your craft it brings you longevity. And when you save your money it doesn’t matter if you retire early or not, you will be good for the rest of your life.”

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DEFENDER NETWORK

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On the patio, online or streaming on-the-go, Xfinity celebrates the season with the music that unites us all.

Just say, “Black Experience,” into your Xfinity Voice Remote to enjoy a Black Music Month collection filled with your favorite groups, collabos, duets, TV shows, and more. Plus, with Xfinity Internet, your entertainment starts at FREE with a Flex 4K streaming box that puts all your apps in one place. Xfinity, the ultimate in Black storytelling and a way better way to watch.

Visit fi

to learn more.

Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. Access for Xfinity Internet customers via the Xfinity Stream app or Flex. Flex is not available in all areas or to current Xfinity Video 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. Separate subscriptions required for certain streaming services. Viewing uses your Internet service and will count against any Xfinity data plan. Streaming content limited to the U.S. ©2021 Comcast. All Rights Reserved.

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Amplify your summer.