EXCLUSIVE
One-on-one Dr. Grenita Lathan In an exit interview, the former HISD interim superintendent reflects on lessons learned, accomplishments and challenges.
SPOTLIGHT
NEWS
BILL COSBY
Disgraced comedian goes free after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturns his conviction.
Volume 90, issue 35 July 1, 2021
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JOSIE PICKENS
The writer/educator serves as a witness to Black female empowerment.
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DN To the POINT
FIT & FINE
Gwendolyn Berry (L), third place, protests the U.S. flag during the U.S. National Anthem as DeAnna Price (C), first place, and Brooke Andersen, second place, also stand on the podium after the Women’s Hammer Throw final on day nine of the 2020 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials. Getty Images
Kendra Williams Age: 37 Occupation: Keto Coach Education: Texas Southern University/ Clear Lake High School Major: Business Management
“I take time daily for myself, mentally”.
Motto: Happiness is a choice
Message from the Managing Editor and wrecking havoc. Now that’s not to scare Tokyo is about to be hit with some serious anyone because the CDC says we still need to melanin. For the first time in history, Black live life to the fullest IF you’re fully vaccinatwomen are set to own the narrative at this ed. No judgment but I can’t understand how year’s Olympics. We’re about to be up in the anybody isnt fully vaccinated. Eighty percent place, red hair, gold grill and all. Black womof the deaths now are with unvaccinated peoen are taking the Olympics by land, by air ple. The volume of stories from people saying and by sea. From swimming with Simone ‘I should have’ as they lay on their deathbed Manuel, to air with Simone Biles, to land or they watch a loved one die, is monumenwith Raevyn Rogers. But that’s not all, if you tal. I understand people may have personal haven’t seen the viral video of Raeven Sandreasons or health reasons, but if you can, you ReShonda Tate ers throwing the shotput, you’re missing a should. And since the Delta variant is out treat. (Head over to our social media page here trying to cause a universal takedown on and check it out). Black girl magic is in full effect and I am it own, vaccinated or not, still mask up, still wash your hands, here for every minute of it. Whether they’re breaking bar- still play it safe. riers or erasing cultural stigmas, these magical women are showing the world our Black is beautiful and has no limits. Texas tests troubles Students in Texas did horrible on the recent standardized So then why are Black women scaring Republicans? test, particularly virtual learners. Raise your hand if you’re Not everyone is moved by the Black girl joy. In fact, several surprised. I knew on Day Two of virtual learning that it in the GOP have made Black women the epicenter of their wasn’t for my kid -and don’t tell anybody but it wasn’t for cultural wars. U.S. Olympic hammer thrower Gwen Berry re- me either because I had to be principal (corralling him cently got fed up after Congressman Dan Crenshaw went on out of bed); the lunch lady (making his lunch); the teacher Fox News to deride Berry’s decision to turn her back when (teaching this crazy new math); and hall monitor (keeping the national anthem played as she stepped onto the podium him from napping), all while trying to hold down my own to receive a bronze medal in the U.S. track and field trials. virtual job. So yeah, virtual learning was a huge ‘no thank Berry took that opportunity to don a black t-shirt that read you’ for me and unfortunately for thousands of Texas stu“Activist Athlete.” Crenshaw and others called for her remov- dents as well. Now, the question is, “How do we fix it, how al from the team. Berry isn’t bothered, saying, “At this point, do we move forward, and make sure that our kids, especially y’all are obsessed with me.” She added, “My purpose and my minority children who are already being left behind, don’t mission is bigger than sports...I’m here to represent those who get left behind even more? Hopefully, educators are busy died due to systemic racism.” You go, girl! It’s not just sports this summer coming up with a plan to turn those numbers that has Republicans painting Black women as villains in their around. PS. Shout-out to teachers. Y’all the real MVPs. culture wars. We saw it with Nikole Hannah-Jones, journalist and Pulitzer winner behind the 1619 Project, which has In this week’s paper become the source of conservative ire since its publication. • Dr. Grenita Lathan has moved on, but she’s talking excluSo much so, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill sively with the Defender about her time at HISD. refused to give Hannah-Jones tenure because of conservative • Josie Pickens is a name you should know. Check out our backlash. Somebody better tell these folks that Black women Spotlight to find out why. shall not be moved. Their ire only fuels our fire. • Sports reporter Jodie Jiles is profiling a big baller - literally. Black Girl Magic
IG: @blackketogirl www.blackketogirl.com Read more on Friday about Kendra Williams at defendernetwork.com If you are Fit & Fine email: z clyde@defendernetwork.com
COVID’s cousin comes to dinner
Shifting gears, I know we are back to business as usual, kicking it with crowds, hanging with homies. Yes, we’ve gotten a handle on the coronavirus, but it’s cousin, Delta, is in town
On the web
• Check out the Black women heading to the Olympics. • Black women health checks you need to know. • Why comedian Mo’Nique is under fire - again.
July 1, 2021 |
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DN News
Brian Simmons named new band director for TSU’s Ocean of Soul. The Southern University grad takes the helm this month.
PEACE pilot program for HPD announced Defender News Service
Judge Lina Hidalgo speaks at a press conference about the new public safety measures.
Harris County invests millions to curb increase in violent crime Defender News Service
Harris County officials announced new public safety investments that would increase the number of judges in Harris County, expand jury operations at NRG and upgrade law enforcement body camera technology — all in an effort to curb the rise in violent HOMICIDES crime across the region. INCREASE These proposed investments, totaling about $17 million, would mainly target Over 2020 the county’s massive backlog of jury trials, which officials have said is the main reason for the increase in violence. Meanwhile, the county-wide case backlog continues to grow, as nearly 100,000 cases wait to be heard. About 20,000 of those have been pending for more than a year, said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo. “Justice delayed is justice denied,” Hidalgo said. “Denied
42%
PROPOSED CHANGES • Adding six associate judges to assist the county’s 22 district criminal courts • Funding for visiting judges to tackle the most violent cases that have been in the backlog the longest. • Expand jury operations • Invest in updated law enforcement technology to expedite the trial process. • Purchase upgraded body cameras, additional body armor • Pay overtime • Expand ShotSpotter, a program that utilizes sensors to detect and locate gunfire.
for victims of crime, and denied for those accused of crime.” The backlog began growing after Hurricane Harvey caused a months-long pause in jury trials, and has gotten worse over the past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which put another pause on the county’s court system.
HPD chief calls 1977 police killing ‘straight-up murder’ Associated Press
Houston’s police chief has publicly apologized to the family of a man killed by six officers more than four decades ago, calling it a “straight-up murder.” Joe Campos Torres was a Mexican-American Vietnam War veteran who was beaten to death by Houston police officers in 1977. Houston Police Chief Troy Finner gave a formal apology to Torres’ relatives and promised to work with the family to build a monument in Torres’ name. “I am the chief of police, but I am a son of Houston, and what people need to understand is if you cannot see and feel 44 years of pain and suffering of this family, you are not human,” Finner said. The apology to Torres’ family came amid calls for police reform following the 2020 killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Torres, 23, had been arrested on a disorderly conduct charge. The officers beat Torres for hours, then took him to the Buffalo Bayou where they beat him again and dumped his body in the water, the Houston Chronicle reported.
In an effort to keep the peace between HPD and Houston residents, Councilmember Edward Pollard (District J) is announcing the launch of PEACE—Police Enlightenment and Collective Education. This pilot program, done in partnership with the Houston Police Officers Union, seeks to reform and enhance the functionality of law enforcement divisions by focusing on the wellness of officers as individuals. Classes focusing on meditation, yoga, sound therapy and mindfulness teachings, are designed to help officers with stress management, emotional processing, physical release and team building. The classes will be held from July 7 – August 25. Edward “There are ongoing conversations Pollard about how to foster a better relationship between our law enforcement officers and the public, and I believe in order to be effective, we have to get creative,” Pollard said. “Police officers have an extremely stressful job, as they put their lives on the line every day. Mindfulness sessions, including yoga and meditation, are just a few ways officers can learn how to destress as well as focus on their own self-care.” Unregulated stress, unprocessed emotions and stored energy can increase the potential for mental mistakes, PTSD, home life effects, work environment tension and situational overreactions. PEACE, according to the District J Office, seeks to complement tactical training or advanced response programs by offering additional tools, offering a mentally fit approach to navigating demanding situations by utilizing mental clarity, patience, self-awareness, environmental alertness and mindfulness. The sessions will be facilitated by Jazmin Porter, a Houston-based International Yoga Alliance certified instructor. Porter has a degree in psychology from the University of North Texas. SAMPLE SESSION BREAKDOWN • Check in (25 mins.): Officers can share and express a single word (or optional open share) that describes their current mental/ emotional state. • Lesson/tool of the week (10 mins.): A mindful quote, principle, tool, question or concept will be introduced. • Yoga (40 mins.): Yoga offers an opportunity to find balance between body and mind.
Chief Troy Finner
Two of the six officers were later convicted of misdemeanor negligent homicide and fined $1 and sentenced to probation. Torres’ nephew, Richard Molina, said the family is in communication with the city to find a proper way to memorialize his uncle. “Our ultimate goal is humanizing our uncle at this point. We want to let the people know what kind of person he was and what he meant to my family,” Molina said.
• Meditation (10 mins.): Guided meditations focus on mental, physical and breath awareness, as well as intrapersonal connection. • Sound Therapy (30 mins.): Frequency reverberations relieve stress, promote disease prevention and soothe the nervous system. • Practical challenge/homework (5 mins.): Officers are given a personal practice (breathwork techniques, yoga movements, meditations, etc.) to integrate into the home and work lives.
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DN News
Jamarr Brown has been named co-executive director of the Texas Democratic Party. He is the party’s first-ever Black executive director.
Odus Evbagharu has been elected the youngest and first African American Chair of the Harris County Democratic Party.
Study: Flood relocation disproportionately affects non-white Houston neighborhoods
Houston Public Media
People in non-white and low-income Houston neighborhoods were more likely to be displaced after a flooding event than those in whiter, more affluent areas, according to a new joint study from researchers at Rice and Temple universties. According to the publication, Houston is one of the nation’s leaders in managed retreat, FEMA’s approach to buy flooded homes through its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. “Spurred by growing numbers of buyouts now underway, we wanted to see if the same federally funded policy leads to different types of relocation from different types of floodprone neighborhoods,” read a statement from researcher James Elliott, Rice University professor and chair of sociology. “We weren’t just interested in how far people move, we also wanted to know how far they end up from each other, two key indicators of community attachment that aid social resilience to future disasters.” Out of all the homes in the 22 distinct watersheds who experienced flooding, about 1,500 Houstonians voluntarily sold their homes from the years 2000 to 2017, according to the study, published in the journal Social Problems. While home buyouts are often a way for people whose homes were devastated by flooding to recoup costs and relocate safely, that relocation can still exacerbate environmental justice issues, the study said. “These findings give us a better…understanding of how people are affected by these types of relocation,” Elliott said. “Although current policy is grounded in good intentions and can potentially save money when it comes to disaster recovery, there’s substantial social cost passed on to historically marginalized communities.” Longtime neighbors can provide social support systems, researchers said. The authors found that those who were displaced and came from a predominantly white area resettled in an area with not only higher home prices but also a higher proportion of white residents — with neighbors that they recently lived near. Those in Harris County who are either Hispanic, Black, Asian, or Native American resettled three times farther from their home on average, displacing them from neighbors and family and affecting them in ways beyond the move. “This ‘social capital’ is an important part of the
Eight-year-old Cam’ron Maltie, left, and Adrian Murray, 4, look at the their flooded front lawn during Tropical Storm Beta -AP
non-economic value of home,” read a statement from Phylicia Lee Brown, a graduate fellow at Rice University. “Neighborly bonds built over time can help with daily needs such as errands and child care; they can also help with community resilience when residents have to prepare for and rebound from the next disaster.”
Houston has been hit with a total of 12 floods since 2001. But researchers noted that issues beyond flooding have contributed to health and environmental inequities across the region. Read more at DefenderNetwork.com.
Larry Don Johnson, longtime Houston journalist, dies Defender News Service
Funeral services for longtime Houston journalist, Larry Don Johnson, will be held Saturday, July 3 at Fallbrook Church. For the last 20 years, Larry has worked for KTSU. In 2011, he was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame. The native Houstonian and graduate of Phyllis Wheatley High School, attended the University of Houston as an art major. But his college pursuit was put on hold as he served his country during the Vietnam War. He returned, and after breaking the color barrier at corporate companies while working as an art director, he switched careers and began
working in radio at KCOH and KYOK. He added TV to his resume becoming the first African-American in the Houston market to sit in front of the camera as a studio news anchor at KHTV Channel 39 in the early 70’s. Larry was working as a weekend and overnight news anchor for the city’s largest news-talk radio station 740 KTRH before moving to the executive side of radio at KTSU. Larry has two children: Velika Hines and State Rep. Jarvis Johnson (former City Councilman Dist B), five grandchildren and is married to Stephanie Lewis Johnson.
VOLUME 90 - NUMBER 35 - JULY 1, 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
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Family of George Floyd search for healing after Chauvin sentencing Defender News Service
The family of George Floyd and their attorneys said that the sentencing of Derek Chauvin offers closure, accountability — and a step toward healing for both the family and the nation. They also demanded political action for lasting change. “For once, a police officer who wrongly took the life of a Black man was held to account. While this shouldn’t be exceptional, tragically it is. Day after day, year after year, police kill Black people without consequence. But today, with Chauvin’s sentence, we take a significant step forward – something that was unimaginable a very short time ago,” said the family’s statement, released by civil rights attorney Ben Crump. But in an interview with NPR, Floyd’s brother Philonise Floyd said he was disappointed. “I just think he should have receive the maximum amount. This is just accountability. I think this was a slap on the wrist. A lot of people are looking at this and they want to know what’s going on with America, but at the same time, he did get sentenced, so that was a good thing.” Chauvin, a former Minneapolis Police officer, was sentenced to 22 1/2 years in prison for the murder of George Floyd on Memorial Day last year. The family members say that they now wish to see Chauvin convicted on the federal charges pending against him and that the other three former officers charged will “face
George Floyd’s brother Rodney Floyd speaks at a press conference following the sentencing of Derek Chauvin. AP
We need this sentence to usher in a new era of accountability that transforms how Black people are treated by police. To achieve that we need the U.S. Senate to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act without further delay.”
consequences for their actions.” The family’s formal statement struck a note of progress. “It’s important to acknowledge how far we’ve come. Those who raised their voices
to demand justice for George Floyd need to know that their activism made a difference,” the family said. The family pointed not only to Chauvin’s conviction and sentencing but also
to reforms made around the country, including restrictions on chokeholds and improved training and protocols. But Floyd’s relatives said they don’t want the change to end there.
Experts: Impact of Chauvin case on policing yet to be seen Associated Press
Former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin’s conviction and lengthy prison sentence in George Floyd’s murder could lead to better police hiring and training, law enforcement experts say. It could spur more effort to build trust among officers and communities. And it might have made the public — and future jurors — more receptive to longstanding complaints about police interactions with minorities. Even so, the case was so unusual — from bystander video of Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck for 9 1/2 minutes to police department brass testifying against him — that it’s difficult to say it was a watershed moment for lasting change. “The conviction was critically important, in part, because of how blatant the violence was and because of the way in which the video couldn’t allow the lies that police of-
Demonstrators protest the murder of George Floyd. STRF/STAR MAX/IPx
ten tell in these situations to dominate the narrative,” said Sheila A. Bedi, a professor at Northwestern University’s Pritzker School
of Law and director of the school’s Community Justice & Civil Rights Clinic. But the outcome in Chauvin’s case — in-
cluding his 22 1/2-year sentence — doesn’t address deep-rooted issues of race and violence affecting police interactions with minorities that don’t result in charges or convictions against officers, said Bedi, who has been involved in numerous use-of-force lawsuits against the Chicago Police Department. “And until we get at that, I caution anyone to celebrate the conviction and sentence as a victory,” she said. Officers accused of brutality or other misconduct against Black people rarely go to trial, and among those who have, the list of acquittals and mistrials is longer than the list of sentencings after conviction. Chauvin’s high-profile case likely led more people to believe longstanding complaints about police interactions with Black people, even if his actions were blatantly wrong, experts said. And that could make jurors less likely to simply believe police versions of events in the future.
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DN News Bill Cosby goes free after conviction overturned Associated Press
Pennsylvania’s highest court overturned Bill Cosby’s sex assault conviction after finding an agreement with a previous prosecutor prevented him from being charged in the case. Cosby has served more than two years of a three- to 10-year sentence at a state prison near Philadelphia. He had vowed to serve all 10 years rather than acknowledge any remorse over the 2004 encounter with accuser Andrea Constand. He was charged in late 2015, when a prosecutor armed with newly unsealed evidence — Cosby’s damaging deposition from her lawsuit — arrested him days before the 12-year statute of limitations expired. The court said that District Attorney Kevin Steele, who made the decision to arrest Cosby, was obligated to stand by his predecessor’s promise not to charge Cosby when he later gave potentially incriminating testimony in Constand’s civil suit. There was no evidence that promise was ever put in writing. Justice David Wecht, writing for a split court, said Cosby had relied on the former prosecutor’s decision not to charge him when he later gave potentially incriminating testimony in the Constand’s civil suit. They said that overturning the conviction, and barring any further prosecution, “is the only remedy that comports with society’s reasonable expectations of its elected prosecutors and our criminal justice system.” The 83-year-old Cosby, who was once beloved as “America’s Dad,” was convicted of drugging and molesting the Temple University employee at his suburban estate. The trial judge had allowed just one other accuser to testify at Cosby’s first trial, when the jury deadlocked. However, he then allowed five other accusers to testify at the retrial about their experiences with Cosby in the 1980s. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court said that testimony tainted the trial, even though a lower appeals court had found it appropriate to show a signature pattern of drugging and molesting women. Cosby was the first celebrity tried and convicted in the #MeToo era, so the
Bill Cosby arrives for his sexual assault trial at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, Pa. -AP Photo/Matt Slocum
reversal could make prosecutors wary of calling other accusers in similar cases. The law on prior bad act testimony varies by state, though, and the ruling only holds sway in Pennsylvania. The justices voiced concern not just about sex assault cases, but what they saw as the judiciary’s increasing tendency to allow testimony that crosses the line into character attacks. The law allows the testimony only in limited cases, including to show a crime pattern so specific it serves to identify the perpetrator. In Cosby’s case, one of his appellate lawyers said prosecutors put on vague evidence about the uncharged conduct, including Cosby’s own recollections in his deposition about giving women alcohol or quaaludes before sexual encounters. “The presumption of innocence just didn’t exist for him,” Jennifer Bonjean, the lawyer, argued to the court in December. In May, Cosby was denied paroled after refusing to participate in sex offender programs during his nearly three years in state prison. He has long said he would resist the treatment programs and refuse to acknowledge wrongdoing even if it means serving the full 10-year sentence. Cosby spokesperson Andrew Wyatt called the parole board decision “appalling.” Prosecutors said Cosby repeatedly used his fame and “family man” persona to manipulate young women, holding himself out as a mentor before betraying them.
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DN InFocus Former Interim HISD Superintendent
Dr. Grenita Lathan A One-on-One Exit Interview
By Laura Onyeneho
communicable disease committee that provided us advice from medical officials, teachers, principals, community leaders, and parents. We also had an instructional continuity plan that addressed virtual learning and face-to-face instruction.
As the first woman and person of color to serve as Superintendent of Springfield Public Schools in Missouri, Dr. Grenita Lathan, former interim HISD Superintendent, is excited about the new opportunity and reflects on lessons she has learned and the accomplishments achieved while in Houston. During her three-and-a half-year tenure, she has led HISD through multiple crises including the threat of a state takeover for the school district, the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, the COVID-19 pandemic and the Texas winter storm. In a one-on-one exit interview with The Defender, Lathan reflects on her decision to leave and shares her views about different aspects of district.
Defender: The predominantly Black schools are considered to be some of the lowest-ranking in the city. What have you done to improve conditions at these schools? Dr. Lathan: Recruiting highly effective principals
Defender: What are the biggest accomplishments you’ve achieved as the interim superintendent of HISD? Dr. Lathan: Over the past six years work-
ing in the city of Houston and the Houston Independent District I’ve been very proud of the number of things we were able to accomplish as a team because I didn’t accomplish this work by myself. We had a team that was able to move 20 schools out “F” rated status. At that time, we called them improvement required campuses. Then we went on to create our Achieve 180 Program. It continues to provide additional resources to our most underserved schools. We were able to get a number of schools that had been low-performing for 5, 7, 8 years. Namely Kashmere High School was able to exit improvement required status. Two years ago, we were able to ensure that every elementary school campus
Dr. Grenita Lathan during a visit to an HISD classroom. Photo courtesy of HISD.
Dr. Grenita Lathan -Photo courtesy of HISD.
in our district had a certified fine arts teacher. I could not believe when I heard that we had all these campuses that students did not have access to a fine arts teacher. So that would be a dance teacher, a music teacher, and an art teacher. When we think of the whole child, that child has access to everything. That was a priority in our budget. I’m proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish with our WrapAround services program, where 210 campuses had a WrapAround specialist devoted to connecting families with community resources to be successful. We were so excited to announce that Yates High School in the historic Third Ward was authorized as an international baccalaureate campus in 2019. I’m excited that I was able to make a difference in the lives of the children that I was called to serve. Defender: As you reflect on your three years, are there goals you wanted to accomplished as interim superintendent that you wish you had time to complete? Dr. Lathan: One of those goals was to see Wheat-
ley High School exit “F” rated status. As you recall last year during the pandemic, it prevented our schools from taking the mandated assessment. The students weren’t able to sit for the test. Had they sat for the test, Wheatley would have exited “F” rated status. That was one goal I wasn’t able to see, but it’s still going to happen. Defender: With the threat of COVID-19, Hurricane Harvey, and the Texas Winter Storm, how have you been able to produce district-wide academic gains? Dr. Lathan: We came together as a team. Mem-
bers of team HISD rallied together. One of the biggest
challenges for me as the leader of the district at the time wasn’t so much the closing down of schools, it was more so about how we’re going to make sure that our children were being fed in the event our schools closed for one or two weeks. It closed for almost six months to a year for some students. Our focus was on how were we going to be prepared to make sure we meet our children’s needs. Our school nutrition team came together. They developed a plan. We collaborated with Houston Food Bank, and a number of our community partners to start our first food distribution on March 14, 2020 at Chavez High School. We provided mass food distribution throughout the entire city. Our partners at NRG were phenomenal. Our elected officials hosted giveaways with us. We also were able to do it with the City of Houston Health Department. Whatever I needed concerning the health and wellness of our students, they were ready to assist. When it came down to vaccinations, they trained our nurses so we could be able to hold vaccination clinics. When they say Houston strong, they truly mean it. Defender: The first day of school begins in the fall and the COVID-19 pandemic is lingering. What are some of the plans HISD has to keep our children and teachers safe for the upcoming school year? Dr. Lathan: I don’t think people realize that we
have 192,000 students in the district. We lost a number of students due to COVID-19, but 86,000 students came to school daily from October 19th until the end of the school year. Over 26,000 staff members were at work. We added additional staff, additional cleaning services, making sure we had PPE’s available, and establishing a reopening plan. We had a
who in turn were able to recruit teachers, adding the additional finances so they can have those support positions. Some of the schools needed counselors and social workers and WrapAround specialists. We extended the school day initially for teachers so they had an extended professional development time. The problem with a lot of our school space is that based on their enrollment, we knew the numbers were down, so some campuses didn’t receive as much funding. So, we infused certain positions like a reading specialist because reading was a major issue even in our high schools where students were not reading above grade level. We added nurses because some of our campuses didn’t have full-time nurses. It depends on the particular campus and how its constructed. Defender: What limitations did you have as an interim superintendent? Dr. Lathan: It was very hard to recruit central office
personnel and principals from outside of the district (because of the threat of a state takeover). If you go back and look, you’ll see some of the appointments I made at that time were internal because when a district is in transition, people don’t want to take a chance of leaving a stable situation to move to an unstable one. There were times where we needed to attract outside talent, but it was difficult. Defender: Supporters of yours have claimed that you are a victim of racism despite making academic strides in the last three years. What are your thoughts about this? Dr. Lathan: There are a lot of reasons and thoughts
as to why I wasn’t made permanent. That’s a question I can’t answer because I’m not the person who gets to vote. I did what I was called to do. I’m at peace with my work and what I’ve accomplished in Houston. I know now that God had another option for me and that there was another part of the country where I needed to serve children and I’m excited about that. I don’t have any regrets. I was the right person at the right time to lead our district and I’m ready to go to the next level and to do what I need to do in my new district. Laura Onyeneho is the Defender Network Education Reporter and a Report For America Corps member.Email her at laura@defendernetwork.com
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DN ON SOCIAL THE WEB Education TEXAS TEST SCORES DROP
HISD mandates 100% in-person school By Laura Onyeneho
In an effort to address the education concerns impacting HISD students caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, The Houston Independent School District confirmed that the upcoming school year will be taught 100% in person. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) released the spring 2021 State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) results which revealed that the grades for students who participated in remote-learning declined significantly compared to those who learned in-person. The TEA report says since the pandemic, the number of students failing to meet grade level went up from 2019 in mathematics and reading for grades 3-8, 4th and 7th grades writing, 5th and 8th grade science, 8th grade social studies and high school end-of-course (EOC) exams in Algebra I, English I, English II, Biology and U.S. History. Math saw the largest decline in proficiency across all
grade levels, according to the report. The STAAR assessments were not administered in 2020 during the height of the pandemic, so the year-to-year comparisons were available for 2019, the most
recent year for which the TEA has statewide results. When the new school year starts, parents of students who thrived in the virtual learning space will have a couple of
months to decide if they want to send their children back to school. After the Texas Legislature failed to pass a bill to approve funding for remote learning, many school districts canceled virtual learning plans for the upcoming school year. School districts can still provide remote learning for students, but it wouldn’t be funded by the state. HISD leaders say in order to produce better student outcomes, they will add 15 additional days to the 2021-2022 school calendar. Additionally, TEA will be providing support and guidance for local education agencies during the summer to “bolster their efforts to accelerate learning by making available rigorous instructional materials, additional teacher support, help wherever appropriate to expand learning time, and targeted tutoring.” Laura Onyeneho is the Defender Network Education Reporter and a Report For America Corps member. Email her at laura@defendernetwork.com
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12 | July 1, 2021 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Let the People Be Heard COMMENTARY
SHOULD BLACKS CELEBRATE THE 4TH OF JULY? By Aswad Walker
Or has it? Asked to deliver remarks about the 4th of In all quality-of-life indicators, Blacks July to residents of his hometown, Rochester, remain woefully at the bottom, be they health, NY, Frederick Douglass didn’t mince economic or education-related. Addiwords. On July 5, 1852, during that tionally, the national wealth enjoyed 76th anniversary of all things red, by Blacks has scarcely changed white and blue, Douglass made since 1865, the year Blacks were plain his answer to the question, emancipated. “Should Blacks celebrate AmeriIn that year, Blacks controlled ca’s independence,” saying: 0.5% of national wealth. In 1990, “What, to the American slave, that amount had only increased by is your Fourth of July? I answer: a 0.5%, to a “whopping” 1%. day that reveals to him, more than Moreover, of the 14 GOP U.S. all other days in the year, the gross House members who voted against Frederick injustice and cruelly to which he is Douglass making Juneteenth a federal holiday, the constant victim. To him, your circa 1852. all have either evidenced support celebration is a sham; your boasted Daguerreo- of white power organizations and liberty, an unholy license; your type photo events, supported state Confederate national greatness, swelling vanity; by Samuel Memorial Days or sided with other your sounds of rejoicing are empty J. Miller. such things that many interpret as and heartless; your denunciations of anti-Black. tyrants, brass fronted impudence; your shouts Shawn D. Rochester, author of The Black of liberty and equality, hollow mockery.” Tax: The Cost of Being Black in America, laid In other words, no. out some harrowing numbers. First, the value However, in the 169 years since Douglass of the labor stolen from enslaved Blacks has blindsided that New York crowd with hard been estimated to be from $24-$97 trillion. Black facts, much has changed in America. Second, the value of four million enslaved
Blacks, America’s most valuable commodity at the time, was $15.5 trillion in terms of wealth and $28 trillion in terms of GDP (Gross Domestic Product). Third, the net worth (economic value) of Blacks in the 21st century is roughly $1.5 trillion, or 15 times lower than when enslaved. Rochester’s point: racism and discrimination have cost Blacks $70 trillion and thus created today’s massive racial wealth gap, economically leaving Blacks in nearly the same economic shape experienced in 1865, just 13 years after Douglass’ famous speech. Thus, the Defender asked if Douglass’ position on the 4th of July question still applies. Here’s what the people said: Black people celebrating the 4th of July is a clear and precise sign of cognitive dissonance. Who would expect Native Americans to celebrate Christopher Columbus Day? We define our own Liberation and Independence. Kalongi Ejike Yes, I use it as another day to honor the ancestors and all that we have
sacrificed for this country, as well as imagine/conjure/manifest what we want this country to be. Plus, family. Always celebrate family. Monica Evans Antonio Nah, I’m good. Once I began the journey of truth-confirming, I stopped celebrating many things. Dorothy SunshyneGonzales Jones I don’t pledge allegiance or stand up for the national anthem. Therefore, I do not celebrate the Fourth of July other than the reason that it is my birth date. Thomas Flood I can see the Black community celebrating July 4th if they are celebrating the idealism of America, of freedom and equality, even though as we know that freedom and equality was only for certain kinds of people and for worldly reasons. Howard Lee Thomas III
What goes
UP ,
Stray bullets
CAN KILL.
must come
DOWN. If you hear celebratory gunfire: • Call 911 • Notify Crime Stoppers Anonymously at
713-222-TIPS
July 1, 2021 |
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DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Feature
Eviction crisis nears By ReShonda Tate
Houston, like other cities across the country, is on the verge of a post-pandemic eviction crisis. According to a recent study from the Kinder Institute, one in five households is behind on rent. For Black renter households, 29% owe past-due rent. And now, as an eviction moratorium issued by the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is set to expire on July 31, many are worried that an eviction crisis is looming. Latosha Young, 37, has received four eviction notices from her landlord since last summer, when she lost her waitressing job. None of these notices included information about a nationwide eviction moratorium or the $46 billion in rental assistance available for families financially affected by COVID-19. “During the pandemic, there was no work available,” Young said. “Now, I’m so behind that I’m having to work double shifts just to stay afloat.” Young wishes she had known that eviction help was available. Now she says it’s too late. “I could’ve really used that money. But now, I’m a year behind and the owner is fed up,” Young said. More than seven million renter households—predominantly households of color, people with disabilities and other marginalized groups—were behind on rent last month, and nearly half are at risk
$500 million. Houston and Harris County has spent more than $115 million. A rent relief program for those living in the city or the county has already helped hundreds, but it may not continue for long. The program only has about $25 million remaining and officials believe it could run out by the end of next month.
1 in 8
Houston renters received eviction notice during pandemic
U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee directs Judy Phillips, who was recently evicted, back into her home after helping prevent Phillips from being evicted in Sept. of 2020.
of eviction in the coming months, U.S. Census Bureau data shows. For many, the only protection is the CDC’s moratorium that has been in place since September, which can provide tenants more time to seek rental assistance. A ne w re p or t f rom t he Ki nd e r
Institute at Rice University has many officials believing “ticking time bomb” could go off in weeks if an eviction moratorium ends. Officials also said it’s important for money to flow straight from the government to renters. The state said it’s distributed nearly
“COVID’s toll on people’s finances is far from over, but because of the Houston-Harris County fund, almost 32,000 families are now safe from eviction, and nearly $120 million has gone into the region to uphold our economy,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “Nobody benefits from Houstonians losing their homes—not the families, not their landlords, and certainly not our communities.” The Treasury Department has issued new guidance encouraging states and local governments to streamline distribution of the nearly $47 billion in available emergency rental assistance funding. There is an effort in Harris County to make sure renters are connected with available funds. Call 832-402-7568 or visit www.HoustonHarrisHelp.org for more information.
Student loan debt limits Black homeownership HOMEOWNERS
Defender News Service
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia Fudge said student debt is a key reason for the disproportionately low homeownership rates among Black Americans. “Who has student debt? Poor people, Black people, brown people. We’re the people who carry most debt,” Fudge said. “The system’s already skewed toward us not being creditworthy.” A recent report by EducationData.org found that Black college graduates owed more in debt than white graduates, and are more likely to have financial difficulty as a result. “Black and African American college graduates owe an average of $25,000 more in student loan debt than white college graduates,” and “48% of Black students owe an average of 12.5% more than they borrowed” four years after graduating, according to the report.
44% 73.7% Blacks
white
*Redfin
HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge. AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced it will modify monthly student loan payment calculations to “remove barriers and provide more access to affordable single family FHA-insured mortgage financing for creditworthy individuals with student loan debt, which has a disproportionate
impact on people of color.” Fudge said that these changes will allow people to become qualified homebuyers even if they have student debt that would otherwise be a barrier. “The person, let’s say that makes about $50,000 a year. If they want to purchase a home, maybe $200,000 or in that ballpark, they have $75,000 worth of student debt, they don’t qualify,” Fudge said. “We’re going to make that same person qualify.” She added that after adjustments are made, that person would qualify “at a rate
that gives them an opportunity to go into a home with some equity, but also be so vested in that home that they can afford to stay in that home.” Fudge also said that the Fair Housing Act of 1968 is not being enforced as it should and that is contributing to the disproportionately low homeownership rates among Black Americans. The Act prohibits housing discrimination based on “race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability.” Despite the law, Black Americans still face several difficulties in the homeownership process. For example, the Indianapolis Star reported in May that a Black woman’s home went up $149,000 in value when a white friend represented her during an appraisal. In 2020, Business Insider reported that Black families pay an average of about $60,000 more than white families in costs related to homeownership.
14 | July 1, 2021 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Sports Former Rockets center Clint Capela has come up big for the Atlanta Hawks in their run to the Eastern Conference finals this postseason, limiting the effectiveness of Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid and Milwaukee’s Brook Lopez in the process.
Former Texans wide receiver Demaryius Thomas has announced that he is retiring from football.
Sports Briefs
CADE CUNNINGHAM
Position: Point Guard Height: 6-foot-9 Most recent experience: Freshman point guard at Oklahoma State The breakdown: Cunningham is not expected to be there when the Rockets pick, but there are rumblings that the Pistons could go another direction with the No.1 overall selection. If that is the case, Cunningham and his versatility, defensive ability, along with his beyond-his-year offensive skill set, make him the easy pick for the Rockets.
EVAN MOBLEY
Position: Center Height: 7-foot Most recent experience: Played as a freshman at USC The breakdown: Generally speaking, Mobley is regarded as the second-best player in the draft. Although he doesn’t seem to fit an immediate need with Christian Wood already in the post, it’s hard to overlook his talent. Mobley, who averaged 19.3 points and 10.2 rebounds last season, is a mobile defender and rim protector who can create offense and space the floor with his 3-point shooting ability.
JALEN GREEN
Position: Shooting Guard Height: 6-foot-5 Most recent experience: Played last season for the G-League Ignite team The breakdown: Green could be the breakout star of this draft. He is a capable scorer who can create his own shot. His explosiveness is exactly what the young Rockets are missing, which would make him an immediate asset on both ends of the floor.
JALEN SUGGS
Position: Point Guard Height: 6-foot-4 Most recent experience: Played his freshman year for Gonzaga The breakdown: While Suggs is primarily looked at as the fourth-best player in this draft, he seems to fit the Rockets greatest need, and that is a point guard of the future. The consensus AllAmerican is a natural floor general who can create for others as well as create for himself. Suggs led the Bulldogs to the national championship game with big shots and big plays throughout the NCAA Tournament.
Rockets have big decisions
EYEING OPTIONS this draft season
By Terrance Harris
The suspense of last week’s NBA Draft Lottery selection was so intense that Rockets’ general manager Rafael Stone decided he wasn’t even going to watch. It’s probably a good thing since it came down to a dramatic ending between the Detroit Pistons and the Rockets for the No.1 selection. Stone’s team came away with the second-overall pick in the upcoming July 29 NBA Draft. But now comes the hard part as Stone and his staff are tasked with deciding what to do with the major draft capital they hold. This seems to be an extremely talented draft class from 1 to 5, then there is a steep drop-off. What that means is either the Rockets can
draft an impact player to go with their young core of players or they can package the pick with another, or a problematic contract like that of veteran point guard John Wall for a proven NBA player to expedite the growth process. Decisions … Decisions. “We have to figure out if drafting is the right thing,” said Stone, who also holds the 23rd and 24th selections in the first round of this draft. “But it’s better than all but one alternative. We’re excited. We were excited coming into the draft because we felt like we are going to exit with really an improved team. And we are still really excited.” With dynamic point guard Cade Cunningham seeming to be a lock as the No.1 overall
pick by the Pistons, the Rockets can turn to one of three players with the No.2 pick. Jalen Suggs, Evan Mobley and Jalen Green could each have a substantial impact on the Rockets roster. But that is if Stone decides to keep the pick, which he clearly hasn’t at this point. “We have been working on the draft for what seems like an extraordinarily long period of time now,” Stone said. “But we still have (a month) to go so we will keep doing all of our work. We will research all of the players in the draft, not just one or two, and will try to figure out the best way to move forward.” But let’s say Stone decides to keep the pick, here is a closer look at the most likely candidates.
Will Deshaun Watson opt out? While it has seemed in recent months the Texans have contractual leverage over troubled and disgruntled quarterback Deshaun Deshaun Watson, Watson perhaps it’s the other way around. Watson has until July 2 to opt out of the 2021 season if the Texans do not trade him. There is also the chance that Watson is headed for the Commissioner’s exempt list while he deals with his legal troubles from the 22 massage therapists who all are accusing Watson of sexual misconduct. Bookman advances to Olympic trials final Former Prairie View track and field standout Deonca Bookman advanced to the Olympic trials final in the women’s 400 meters Deonca hurdles. Bookman The threetime SWAC champion posted a careerbest :55.66 to advance to the finals. Bookman, however, did not make the Olympic team. Paredes is headed to rehab assignment Astros righthander Enoli Paredes is headed for a rehab assignment with the Triple-A Sugar Land Skeeters. A right shoulder strain landed Enoli Paredes back Paredes on the injured list for the second time in a month on June 11.
July 1, 2021 |
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DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Sports BAYTOWN LEE GRAD
CHRISTIAN
OLIGE A BALLER
By Jodie B. Jiles
As a quarterback, you are typically the most important player on an offense. And when tasked, OBs need to be able to make the plays necessary to lead a team to victory. Baytown Lee 6’3” 230 lbs. senior graduate quarterback Christian Olige, a Midwestern State University commit, has the mobility to breeze by defenders and the strength to run you over if need be. His baseball wind up arm is efficient, particularly when making plays on the run. At the GHFCA Bayou Bowl All Star Game fans got their final glimpse of Olige on the high school level as he carried his squad to victory, earning him the honor of being named the Offensive MVP of the game. In Olige’s 10-game senior season he passed for 1,932 yards, with 31 passing touchdowns and 7 interceptions. On the ground Olige rushed for 671 yards. The Defender spoke with Olige after the Bayou Bowl to discuss his style of play, major influences and advice to the quarterbacks coming up behind him. STYLE OF PLAY “My style is balanced. I can throw the ball, but if they need me to run it, I will run it.” MIDWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY COMMITMENT “I committed because their throwing style there is efficient.” ADVICE TO OTHERS “If you depend on the guys in front of you and give them the confidence you got, it will always come out right.”
ABOUT CHRISTIAN OLIGE Twitter: @olige08 Players He Studies: Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers Secondary Position: Wide Receiver Shoutouts: Keke Davis and the whole East offensive line at Bayou Bowl because I couldn’t have done anything without them.
Photos by Jimmie Aggison
16 | July 1, 2021 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Spotlight
JOSIE PICKENS WRITER/EDUCATOR
A witness to Black female empowerment
By Aswad Walker
how Black women come into community throughout the Caribbean with different sou sous and different things where we work together and build together. Or whether we’re talking about all of the mini-movements, human rights movements that we have seen in the U.S. and how Black women have been at the forefront of those. Not always recognized—the Fannie Lou Hamers, Ella Bakers, Kathleen Collins, the Ida B. Wells Barnetts.
Though Josie Pickens describes herself as “just a girl from the south side of Houston,” she is so much more. This Madison High School graduate is a Professor of English for her college alma mater, Texas Southern University, and a prolific writer who is a regular columnist for Bitch Media, a feminist-centered, multimedia organization; iOne Media, part of the Cathy Hughes/ Radio One family; and almost everyone else. Literally. Pickens writes or has written for Ebony, Essence, The Root, News One, Cassius Life, MadameNoire, and more. And her subject matter is just as diverse. Somehow, Pickens is able to also devote energy to her radio show/podcast, “The Love No Limit Show,” non-stop speaking engagements and community organizing with BLMHTX Imagine Noir, a local, grassroots, Black women-led organization. The Defender somehow got this whirlwind of a women to press pause long enough to share a few words about her life and work.
DEFENDER: Any advice you have for young sisters seeking to discover their greatness? PICKENS: The first thing that I think
I would tell any young woman and that I tell my own 15-year-old daughter, and that I tell my students, is to remember that you have the power to shape your life. You get to choose who you want to be and how you want to exist in the world. You can push back against whatever societal norms or traditions you think are pigeon-holing you. We get to be free people in the world. We get to center and consider ourselves, and not always be in a role of giver and caretaker. Learn how to give and take care of yourself primarily. And that will give you an opportunity to better care for others.
DEFENDER: You write about a wide range of topics. PICKENS: All kinds of topics, which
sometimes confuses folks because they’re like, “Hey, you’re writing sex and pleasure on one hand, and then you’re writing about prison abolition on one hand.” And I’m like, “Why can’t we have all of those conversations?” All of those conversations to me center around love. Pleasure is how we show self-love and self-care. Being interested in what is happening in our communities and taking action is also how we practice care and love for our communities. So why not have all of these conversations. DEFENDER: Which of your roles best defines you? PICKENS: One title that I hold dear
is the title of witness/cultural critic. All the work I do culminates into those two roles, meaning that I am here to witness essentially what Blackfolks particularly experience in this world. Also, my role as a cultural critic is to see what is happening in the world to my folks and use my imagination, research and all of these
DN
Josie Pickens
different things that I’ve learned through the academic process, through the writing process, to address the many issues we face as a global Black community. It also feeds into my role as an activist; seeing what is happening in the world and in our global community, and also being able to offer ideas and insight in dreams and imagination into creating a brighter world for Blackfolks.
DEFENDER: What fuels your “witness” work for Black women? PICKENS: I think it is very important
for Black women, particularly to possibly push back against erasure. Black women create so much culture when we look historically throughout the diaspora. Whether we are talking about matriarchs in Africa. Whether we’re talking about the marketplace, which women usually control on the continent. Whether we’re talking about
Josie Pickens shares her love for TSU, activism, Hiram Clarke and more at Defendernetwork.com