NEW TEXAS LAW PROTECTS RENT-TO-OWN CUSTOMERS AGAINST CRIMINAL PROSECUTION P4
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Volume 88 | Number 36
JULY 4, 2019 |FREE
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NATIONAL MARSHAE JONES charged after fight that kills her unborn child
P3 ENTERTAINMENT MARY J. BLIGE headlines Essence Fest
P5 MAYOR SYLVESTER TURNER & COUNTY JUDGE LINA HIDALGO H.S. ZONE SHANE BELL scores at Elkins
P11 TOP EVENTS
Tara Richardson and Aisha Ussery at the Ensemble’s “Josephine” show
P12
Discussing the
State of Black Houston H PAGE 6
Dwight Boykins
Jermall Charlo
The Houston mayoral candidate is speaking out after igniting a controversy over comments he made while addressing a group of teenagers. Boykins told the girls they “should keep their legs closed” during what he said was meant to be an inspirational speech.
H-Town’s heritage was displayed on the national stage when unbeaten Houstonian and WBC middleweight champion Jermall “the Hitman” Charlo (29-0, 21 KOs) defeated top contender Brandon “the Cannon” Adams (21-3, 13 KOs) in a 12-round unanimous decision.
responds to backlash
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Dwight Boykins under fire for comments thing, that young man wouldn’t want you in the future,’ and that really shows that he is invalidating young girls and not putting a good message across Houston City Councilmember to the youth of America,” Khloe added. and mayoral candidate Dwight Boykins “I was actually sitting like right across from has sparked a debate over comments her so I could see her expression perfectly and I he made while addressing a group of could see her looking at everyone else and sort of teenagers. mouthing, ‘I want to leave,’” 17-year-old Hajra Boykins was speaking to young Alvi said. people who were attending a five-day Boykins later apologized and said he was just Youth Advocacy Summit organized by trying to follow the organizers’ request to speak to OCA Asian Pacific American Advocates students about the important role they play in our and Mi Familia Vota, when things fell future. apart. “As I have previously done on countless oc“He was telling us we should keep casions throughout my district and around the city our legs closed, that we shouldn’t taint Councilmember Dwight Boykins when speaking to our youth, I sought to encourage ourselves,” a 16-year-old, identified only them to remain focused on their future hopes and dreams while as Khloe said. “In a way, saying that we should stay pure because drawing attention to the pitfalls that plague many young people,” otherwise, in the future, other men won’t want us.” Boykins said. “It was never my intention to cause anyone discomBoykins reportedly dragged the teens into his commentary, fort but to speak frankly about the pitfalls which I have seen derail using some of them as examples. “He made a young man stand up and he was holding another the future of many of our youth, including teen pregnancy…an issue I have firsthand experience with in my own family. girl side by side and he was like, ‘If me and her were to do someDefender News Service
“I regret that a few seconds of my discussion with these young people have apparently overshadowed my entire conversation which was meant to ensure that our youth have the best opportunity to succeed in life.” The OCA Asian Pacific American Advocates and Mi Familia Vota released a joint statement, supporting the teens and praising them for voicing their concerns. “After an initial investigation, we took immediate action of notifying the appropriate authorities. Our organizations have pledged full and open cooperation with the authorities. In addition, we have notified and had discussions with parents and guardians of the students and will continue to communicate with them as circumstances dictate,” the statement read in part. “We do not and will not tolerate inappropriate behavior at our events regardless of whom the perpetrator might be. The safety and well-being of our young advocates are our paramount concern.” The ensuing backlash upset several families and prompted the hashtag #BoycottBoykins. “We feel like it’s too little too late, because when we were there,” Khloe said. “His ‘apologies’ almost seemed like damage control and mansplaining. He didn’t so much as apologize as tell us how important his future was to him.”
Blue Triangle gets $4.9 mil grant
H.E. Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad Al-Thani recently visited the Blue Triangle Community Center in Houston, which is receiving a $4.99 million grant from the Qatar Harvey Fund. The grant will fund significant repair to the building so the center can return to full operations. On a tour of the facility, Ambassador Al-Thani and Blue Triangle Executive Director Charlotte Bryant discussed a 1953 mural by the late well-known artist John Biggers titled “Contribution of Negro Women to American Life and Education.”
Special thanks to photographer Earlie Hudnall for the historic photos of Dr. Thomas A. Freeman.
localbriefs THE HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY WON'T CHARGE PEOPLE WITH A certain amount of marijuana, thanks to a new law about farming hemp. House Bill 1325 allowing farmers to grow hemp as a crop was signed into law by Texas Governor Greg Abbott last month and became immediately effective. The new definition of hemp changes the definition of marijuana, creating a THC limit to tell the difference between legal hemp and illegal marijuana. So if the THC concentration is less than 0.3 percent, a substance is hemp. If the THC concentration is greater than 0.3 percent, it's marijuana. In order to follow the law now, the Harris County District Attorney's Office announced it will
not accept criminal charges for misdemeanor possession of marijuana of amounts of four ounces and under, without a lab test result proving that the evidence seized has a THC concentration of more...A MAN WHO SERVED 12 YEARS ON DEATH ROW FOR A MURDER he didn’t commit won’t get any compensation from the state of Texas. Alfred Dewayne Brown was convicted and sentenced to death in 2005 for the death of officer Charles Clark during a robbery of a check-cashing store. In 2014, Brown’s conviction was reversed based on phone records supporting Brown’s alibi that he was at the apartment of his girlfriend when the crime was committed. Brown was released from prison, but was not officially exonerated of the crime.
Officials had said Brown is entitled to almost $2 million under state law. The State Comptroller’s Office offers little insight to the reason for its denial of compensation…….. STATE SEN. BORRIS L. MILES IS HOSTING TOWN HALLS on the 86th Legislative Session. Miles will discuss legislation that passed and bills that will directly impact area neighborhoods. The town halls will take place July 10 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Judge Joel Clouser’s Courtroom, 303 Texas Parkway in Missouri City; July 17 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the East Houston Civic Club, 7418 E. Houston, and July 24 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Hiram Clarke Multi-Service Center, 3810 W. Fuqua. Call 713-665-8322 for more information.
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national
U.S.briefs A BLACK MAN SAYS HE WAS RACIALLY PROFILED BY WHITE POLICE OFFICERS after he went for a walk hooked up to an IV drip. Police arrested Shaquille Dukes, 24, of misdemeanor disorderly conduct after a security guard said Dukes was trying to steal medical equipment. Dukes was being treated for pneumonia when he asked doctors if he could go for a walk. He went outside with his boyfriend and his brother, still wearing his hospital gown and pushing a steroid and antibiotic IV drip. Dukes said a security guard asked if they were trying to "leave the hospital and sell the IV equipment on eBay." The situation escalated and police were called. All three men were charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct. The police department says they are investigation the matter.…..CALIFORNIA’S CROWN ACT, WHICH SEEKS TO BANISH POLICIES that punish Blacks for their hairstyles, could soon be voted on in the State Assembly. If passed, the bill would provide protections to those at school or work by barring the enforcement of grooming policies that unfairly impact African-Americans and other people of color. Anti-discrimination protections would be extended to include natural hair textures and “protective hairstyles.” The bill says protective hairstyles “includes, but is not limited to, such hairstyles as braids, locks, and twists.”……. FLORIDA GOV. RON DESANTIS SIGNED LEGISLATION THAT WILL require people with felony convictions to pay all of their outstanding fines and fees before they can vote again. The amendment, which voters approved in November, repealed Florida’s lifetime voting ban for people with felony convictions. The measure allows those convicted of a felony, except for murder or sexual offenses, to vote once they “complete all terms of their sentence including parole or probation.” Critics said the new law is akin to a poll tax.
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Birtherism claims used against Kamala Harris Defender News Services
A new version of President Donald Trump’s “birtherism” attack on former President Barack Obama is suddenly surging on social media, this time against U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.). The apparently bot-aided onslaught is claiming the senator doesn’t represent U.S. Blacks because her father was born in Jamaica. Harris, an American of Jamaican and Indian descent, was born in Oakland. Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris is under attack by some conservatives because of Donald Trump Jr. her Indian-Jamaican heritage. retweeted the original Jim Crow.” attack but later deleted it. The president’s former camAlexander is actually a far-right political operative paign spokeswoman Katrina Pierson tried to discredit and conspiracy theorist Ali Akbar, identified as a Trump Harris another way, indicating she is not African enough supporter. to run as a minority presidential candidate. Akbar, posing as Alexander, boasted that his tweets Harris tweeted that “while Obama is actually “went viral.” In fact, his message was nearly instantaAfrican-American – Harris is not,” even though people neously picked up word for word and disseminated by of African descent have lived in Jamaica for centuries. several Twitter accounts that have been identified as bots The attack appeared to be launched by a self(software application that runs automated tasks over the described “Black activist” identifying himself as “Ali Internet). Alexander” on an unverified Twitter account. He claimed Harris aide Lily Adams ripped Donald Trump Jr.’s in a video and tweet that Harris cannot represent the retweet of Alexander’s attack. “This is the same type of Black experience in America because she has “no ancesracist attack his father used to attack Barack Obama,” tors who suffered American slavery, the Civil War, nor she said. “It didn’t work then and it won’t work now.”
Woman indicted in fetal death, shooter free VOLUME 88 • NUMBER 36 JULY 4, 2019 Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Ad/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler
Strategic Alliance Manager
Clyde Jiles Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila Photographers
Ray Carrington III Jimmie Aggison
Editors ReShonda Tate Billingsley Marilyn Marshall Contributing Writer Aswad Walker Sports Jodie B. Jiles Engagement Manager Margo Williams Hubbard
The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (713-663-6996.. The Defender is audited by Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For digital subscriptions, visit www.DefenderNetwork.com/ subscribe. No paper subscriptions are available. All material covered by 2019 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).
Associated Press
An Alabama district attorney’s office hasn’t decided whether to prosecute a woman indicted for manslaughter after she lost her fetus when she was shot during a fight. Marshae Jones was five months pregnant when 23-year-old Ebony Jemison shot her in the stomach during a December altercation over the fetus’s father, authorities said. Jemison was initially charged with Marshae Jones manslaughter, but a Jefferson County grand jury declined to indict her after police said an investigation determined Jones started the fight, and Jemison
ultimately fired in self-defense. Jones, 28, was indicted by that same grand jury. The indictment stated Jones did “intentionally cause the death” of “Unborn Baby Jones by initiating a fight knowing she was five months pregnant.” However, the office of District Attorney Lynneice O. Washington said there has been no decision on whether to pursue the case against Jones. Chief Assistant D.A. Valerie Hicks Powe released a statement expressing “sympathy for all the families involved, including Mrs. Jones, who lost her unborn child.” Both prosecutors are African-American women. Washington was the first Black female district attorney elected in Alabama.
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Texas law protects rent-to-own customers Texas Tribune
Texans who sign rent-toown contracts to lease furniture, electronics and other household items will receive new protection against being arrested or criminally prosecuted if they renege on the terms, thanks to a new law signed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. The heavily negotiated change, which takes effect in September, still allows rent-toown companies to press criminal charges against ill-intentioned customers who abscond with their goods. But proponents of the reform say it’s a critical step forward that will prevent Texans from being imprisoned over their failure to make payments – a system they have likened to a debtor’s prison. The bill’s passage closes “a loophole in Texas law that has for too long allowed the unconstitutional prosecution of people for simply being unable to make payments,” said Jason Milam, president of the McLennan County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. Criminal prosecutors, consumer advocates and rent-to-own companies, like Plano-based Rent-A-
Center, all provided input on the bill signed June 14, according to the office of State Sen. Borris Miles, a Houston Democrat who sponsored the measure during the legislative session that ended last month. Miles has said rent-to-own companies – which often cater to low-income people – have used the criminal justice system to collect on debts that should be handled using civil remedies. A 2017 investigation by The Texas Tribune and NerdWallet found that rent-to-own companies have
filed charges against thousands of customers across the country, at times leading to arrests, criminal convictions or even jail time. Texas’ “theft of service” statute has made it particularly easy to prosecute these rent-to-own cases. One provision – added decades ago at the behest of the rental industry lobby – includes a presumption that customers intended to steal items they rented if they don’t return the goods or respond to a certified letter after missing a payment. The company does not need to prove that the letter was received, only that it was sent. “Folks were getting charged with felonies when they weren't really aware” that was a risk, Milam said. “You have a $500 couch, $600 couch or something on that order, and you end up with police knocking on your
door.” Under the new law, the theft-of-service statute will continue to apply to traditional rental businesses that lease heavy machinery, automobiles and other tools. Rent-to-own companies can also still press prosecutors to file theft charges against their customers when it's clear the person intended to steal the property – for example by reselling the goods or fraudulently entering into the contract in the first place.
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entertainment
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Essence Festival marks 25 years of culture Associated Press
The Essence Festival, which draws thousands to New Orleans during the fourth of July weekend, is celebrating 25 years of bringing African-American women of all ages together for thought-provoking conversation and performances from top musical acts. Launched to mark the 25th anniversary of Black-owned Essence magazine, the festival has become a yearly celebration to highlight excellence in business, fashion, entertainment, and of course, music. The festival is July 5-7 and has two parts: daytime activities and panel discussions mainly held at the convention center and nighttime music and concerts at the Superdome. The Associated Press spoke to some performers and thought leaders who’ve made frequent appearances.
MARY J. BLIGE
Rev. Al Sharpton
The Grammy Award-winning songstress is no stranger to the festival, having closed the show many times in the past. She’s scheduled to take the main stage Saturday at the Superdome. This year, though, is extra special, she said. The festival marks 25 years and so does her album, “My Life.” It’s a milestone that “feels great.” “It’s one of the most important albums of my career. It’s when I started a relationship with my fans,” she said. “I could tour on that album for the rest of my life and not make another song.” Blige said she never doubted the festival would reach the quarter-century mark. “It’s been nothing but huge since Day 1,” she said. “People from all over the world and all walks of life flock to this big, Black event. Everyone’s coming to see what’s going on, to come to New Orleans, to eat.”
REV. AL SHARPTON
Sharpton has attended and participated in every festival since its inception in 1994. And, as a result, he said he stays on his toes. Sharpton generally appears during the daytime activities at the convention center. Festivalgoers can attend any number of panel discussions or presentations on issues such as politics, economic wealth, health care and entrepreneurship. He said the
festival has become the “central meeting place for Black people, Black women specifically.” “It’s a celebration of who we are and the diversity of us in terms of our talents and our gifts. It’s the perfect mix of entertainment and information,” he said. Sharpton recalled when the magazine’s co-founder, Edward Lewis, started the project: “When I was on that first leadership panel at the Frankie Beverly first festival I thought, this was just a one-time thing.” But since then, the festival has grown from a few exhibitions to a destination for Fortune 500 companies, top lecturers, business minds and CEOs, Sharpton said.
MAZE, FEATURING FRANKIE BEVERLY
This year the festival is paying tribute to one of its longtime stars: Maze, featuring Frankie Beverly.
Mary J. Blige
For 15 years, Beverly and Maze closed the Essence Festival, often turning the Superdome floor into a sea of dancing fans. He said he’s always amazed to see how fans react. “They don’t have to do that, but it shows they’re still into us and to still be in that position to do that, I’m moved and pleased by it. To be back this year is like getting with your
family again,” he said. Beverly’s run at the festival ended in 2010 when a new producer decided to end the long tradition of Maze as the closer. In 2015, Beverly returned for an appearance that coincided with the festival’s recognition of the 10-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.
what’sup The last episode of STEVE HARVEY’S talk show “Steve” recently aired and BISHOP T.D. JAKES was a guest on the show, and what he said seemed to touch the 62-year-old so much, he shared it on Instagram. Harvey said Jakes’ message had to do with not letting uncertainty scare you because it’s needed for growth. “You’re not supposed to know [what’s going to happen],” Jakes told Harvey. “Life is a mystery. If you take away the mystery and everything was certain you wouldn’t need faith. So God often puts us in positions where we don’t know to destabilize us from thinking and relying too much on what we
know,” he said…….CARDI B won’t be seeing any money off of the phrase “Okurr!” Her request to trademark the catchphrase was denied by the U.S Patent and Trademark Officials. Apparently, it was determined “Okurr” is a “widely-used commonplace expression” that was popular before Cardi began using it. It was ruled that “Okurr” “is a slogan or term that does not function as a trademark or service mark to indicate the source of applicant’s goods and/or services.” The “I Like It” rapper had plans to put the phrase on cups and other paper goods as well as T-shirts. Other companies have already begun plastering the term
on different types of merchandise, which didn’t help Cardi’s request either. There have also been other requests submitted to trademark “Okurr” before Cardi submitted hers in March……… MARY J. BLIGE seems to be winning in every way. Days after she honored herself at the BET Awards, Lionsgate announced that the Grammyaward-winning singer turned Oscar-nominated actress has signed a first look deal with Lionsgate. Blige will develop and produce series through her company Blue Butterfly Productions. The deal will also allow Blige to create content for the studios various platforms.
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‘State of B
County Judge Hidalgo for Harvey recovery. “Of the billions of dollars that have been awarded by the federal government, not one infraouston Mayor Sylvester Turner and structure dollar has arrived in the city or the county, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and those are the dollars that are needed to build our addressed issues facing the Africaninfrastructure, build out the bayous, build the detenAmerican community at the latest tion basins,” he said. Defender Conversations & Coffee Regional flooding is one of Hidalgo’s prioriseries titled “State of Black Houston.” ties as well. As a candidate, she pledged to fight for Turner and Hidalgo showed slide presentations change on design standards, floodplain management and fielded questions about what the city and county and drainage issues. She recently announced the are doing to benefit Black constituents in front of a launch of the website www.harristhrives.org, which packed audience at the Power Center. CenterPoint provides interactive information about flood control Energy sponsored the State of Black Houston event. projects that are part of a $2.5 billion bond program Turner, who was elected Houston’s second voters approved in 2018. Black mayor in 2015, is running for re-election in She also mentioned the Hunting Bayou project, November. He was a Democratic member of the which involves widening a section of the bayou to Texas House of Representatives for 27 years and reduce the risk of flooding. speaker pro tem for three terms. He is a native Hous“When we talk about flood control, we have tonian from Acres Homes. worked on dozens of miles of channel widening Hidalgo is the first woman and first Latina and deepening, particularly in communities that elected county judge and is presiding officer on the have long been neglected,” she said. “We just powerful Commiscelebrated a month sioners Court. The or so ago Hunting Go to DefenderNetwork.com 28-year-old DemoBayou, which leads to for video comments on Sunnyside, voting crat upset RepubliKashmere Gardens, access, Black business contracts, Black males, etc. can incumbent Ed with detention basins Emmett in 2018. that hold hundreds of She previously worked as a Spanish-English medical Olympic-size swimming pools worth of water. We interpreter and volunteer with the Texas Civil Rights are prioritizing that project.” Project. She was born in Columbia and moved to the ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT U.S. in 2005. Hidalgo discussed what the county is doing to During a question-and-answer session, Turner promote economic development. and Hidalgo discussed various topics. “We created the first ever Office of Economic FLOODING Opportunity to look at tax incentives, small business Turner said the Houston area’s flooding probincentives, workforce training, identifying the ineqlem is a priority. uities and how we’re going to tackle them,” she said. “In 2015, 2016 and 2017 we faced three 500“For starters, the county gives away and bids year floods: Memorial Day, Tax Day and Hurricane out hundreds of millions of dollars worth of projects Harvey. Storms are coming with greater frequency every year and there never was an MWBE program and they’re coming with greater intensity. The reality at the county. We’ve been pushing and it’s really is it’s not just a hurricane [that causes flooding]. If been an honor to work with Commissioner Rodney there’s a system coming into our area, like many Ellis and my colleagues on Commissioners Court. of you I’m looking out the window because just a We currently are doing the study that is required to few months ago we received 10 inches of rain in be able to have a minority and women-owned busisix hours. When you have that much rain in a short ness program and understanding the disparities.” period of time, you’re going to face flooding. Turner stressed the creation and expansion of “This is the Bayou City and we need to widen MWBEs on the city level. our channels. We need more detention basins. Last “In the last four years the numbers have inyear City Council passed an ordinance where we creased,” he said. “These are the businesses that are have to build 2 feet higher above the floodplain hiring people in many of these neighborhoods that because it doesn’t make sense to build in an area are underserved and under-resourced. In 2018 the that’s prone to flooding. Once we have put in all the city gave more resources for money to Black-owned mitigation strategies, the infrastructure, if there are businesses than in the city’s history. The other thing areas that we know will still flood, that’s where the is workforce development. We have a lot of talent homebuyers program comes into play.” in our communities across the board and that talent Turner also discussed delayed federal funding needs to be developed. We are working to provide By MARILYN MARSHALL Defender
H
Mayor Sylvester Turner and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo answer questions. (Photos by Asw
them with skill sets. We established a program called HBI, Home Builders Institute, a 12-week carpentry program, and it’s a free program. “We also want to make sure that contractors are working with minority and women-owned businesses in a very real way,” he said. “We are making sure for example that the employees of subcontractors either get paid the prevailing wage or $15 an hour.”
HOUSING
Hidalgo said buyouts continue to be offered to communities that flood and can’t be helped by an infrastructure project. “Where are those folks supposed to live if there’s not affordable housing?” she asked. “We have an affordable housing crisis in the county and it’s at the heart of so much
of what we’re doing…It’s a b didn’t have a housing plan. W the need is so we can understa our strategy is and coming up tion. It’s a very important prio Turner agreed that afford needed. “And quite frankly, i housing,” he said. “In order to they want to see the rooftops. He said that prior to Hur residents were living in home or rebuilt, “especially our sen needs residents. We need to b and add to the stock, and t with Complete Communit Turner emphasized th
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Black Houston’
o, Mayor Turner give insight
Turner and Hidalgo are joined by Defender Publisher Sonny Messiah-Jiles and Managing Editor ReShonda Tate Billingsley, who served as moderator.
wad Walker)
big challenge. The county We’re currently analyzing what and it [and determining] what p with a plan and seeking acority.” dable housing is sorely it needs to be mixed-income o get the quality grocery stores .” rrricane Harvey, many es that needed to be repaired niors, low-income and special build more affordable housing that’s what we’re doing ties.” he word “affordable.”
“You can have the housing stock but if people can’t afford it then you’re still going to have a problem,” he said. “We don’t need to just build multi-family housing; we need to build single-family homes as well. If people can’t afford to buy a home or rent a home then where do they go? They go to our streets and that just adds to the problem.”
2020 CENSUS
Turner thanked the U.S. Supreme Court for recently ruling that the Trump Administration could not include a question about citizenship on the 2020 Census form. “It is important that we have a very rigorous, robust Census counting program,” he said. “We’re going to be working with the county because that’s very
he Houston area for over 88 years
important. If you live in the city you live in the county. And this is one of those strategies where we need to be working very, very closely together… “If people don’t respond to the Census, the people who are hurt are the people of color. Don’t just throw [the form] away or say, ‘This is what they’re using to find out where I am. This is just the government trying to get into my business. I don’t want them knowing where I am.’ They already know where you are so you might as well go ahead and fill out the form.” Hidalgo noted the formation of the Complete Count Committee to help ensure that everyone is counted. “We have one of the highest, hard-to-count communities in the country and so we’re competing with other areas around the country for hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funds and for political representation, political boundaries,” she said. “It’s incredibly important to get an accurate count. What we did at the county is we went and looked at other areas that we compete with essentially. How much have they invested per capita to make sure there’s an accurate count? Then we brought that number to Harris County. So, the county is investing almost $4 million. It’s a historic investment and fighting against any attempt by the Trump Administration to not have our residents counted. We need everybody’s support as the Census comes to fruition.” Continued on page 8
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DEFENDER | JULY 4| 2019
Licia Green Ellis, Sima Ladjevardian
Linda K. Brown and LaDonna Parker
Lawrence Battle, Morgan Payne
Members of the audience
Margo Williams Hubbard, David Hubbard
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Adrienne Lee, Sam Smoots, Andrea Lee
Continued from page 7 dation is taking place over an extended period of time. “For the longest time “Streets are an important there has been no compart of the drainage system,” prehensive plan on which he said. “In order to keep roads need help, and not water from coming into your just roads, but transportahomes we use the streets and tion,” Hidalgo. “We’re we take the water from the leading the county into streets to the bayous. When analyzing what the needs you pay drainage fees that’s are and how can we have for streets and drainage, and consistency. Roads are Attention Attendees: in the post-Harvey era a large not the end of the story In an effort to address the overwhelming part of that is now dedicated of course. We are the last volume of questions submitted at the State to drainage. modern community withof Black Houston, the Defender has gotten “I want everyone to out a public transportation a commitment from both the County Judge understand there are a lot of system…We’ve tried widand the Mayor to answer the questions. needs in the city of Houston ening the highways and The Defender will present the responses on but we are in a revenue cap. we still have back-ups and Facebook and consider producing a special I think I’m a pretty good just as much traffic. We’re edition. mayor but I’m not Jesus. The working very hard with other part is mass transit. This Metro and our partners to November you’re going to be figure out how we’re goasked to vote on Metro taxes. We have to get a lot of ing to get out of that one.” people out of their cars and trucks and get them on Turner said Houston streets receive a lot of wear light rail, rapid transit and two-way HOV lanes… and tear. “Lastly, we’re having to redesign our city, “Every single day Monday through Friday the because in the past the focus was building roadway daytime population of Houston increases by more capacity. We built 610, we built the Beltway, we than 27 percent. It is the equivalent of another Atlanta built Grand Parkway, and the urban sprawl just coming into the city during the day,” he said. grew. So did flooding and so did traffic. Now we “There are a lot of people riding on our roads. have to redesign our city so that people can walk to Are the streets bad in the city of Houston? Yes, they their destination, take a bike or take light rail. are bad and they have been bad over an extended
ROADS
period of time. When I came into office [one of the priorities] was potholes. We moved very quickly [once they were reported] to address them by the next business day. We have done that over the last four years 96 percent of the time. We expanded the definition of potholes to 5 feet by 5 feet. If it’s bigger than that it’s not a pothole. Some streets need to be totally reconstructed and repaved. But I’m not going to be able to fix them in just four years because the degra-
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Hidalgo addressed bail reform, a major issue in Harris County. “The bail system is at the heart of all the dominoes that have led us to be the death penalty capital of America and the incarceration capital with our jail, and so we’re really trying to get at the heart of it,” she said. “What we’ve concluded is reforming our bail
system. That is a lawsuit we have faced for years. Our bail system was so discriminatory to be deemed unconstitutional by a Republican-appointed judge and then upheld by the Court of Appeals. Previous Commissioners Court was fighting that lawsuit for years at the cost of millions of dollars to taxpayers. As soon as we got in we said we’re not fighting this anymore and let’s settle this. That’s how we implemented the rule currently with our judges in place [including] the 17 African-American women that you all voted into office. That’s the reason we’ve been able to do this… “On [the subject of] juvenile justice, you walk in there and it’s all Black and Brown kids in those detention centers, and we know that it’s not that Black and Brown kids are more misbehaved than white kids… “They were going to open another juvenile detention center and we stopped that. We can’t do that to our children. We have to set them up for success.” Turner commended the county for its bail reform efforts. He said one of the issues impacting the city is the juvenile curfew. “It has been in place since 1995 and when it was first put in place, they handed out 14,000 citations. Last year, I think it was 137. Every three years we have to decide if we’re going to continue it or not and we’re looking it. “If a kid is out there between midnight and 6 a.m. they can be stopped and can also receive a $500 fine. We’re looking at making modifications and I will tell you I am inclined to either significantly reduce that fine or get rid of it. Instead of making it a criminal sort of deal, refer it to a teen court where the prosecutors are teens themselves and use it as more of a teachable moment,” he said. “We don’t want our kids on the streets at 3, 4 or 5 o’clock in the morning, but you don’t want them criminalized at the same time. The criminal justice system has been a pipeline. We’re having to address that because you literally can change the trajectory of somebody’s life and so it has to be a just system that works for everyone.”
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JULY 4 | 2019 | DEFENDER
Karen Carter Richards elected NNPA chair Defender News Services
Karen Carter Richards, publisher of the Houston Forward Times, has been elected to serve as the chair of the National Newspapers Publishers Association (NNPA), the trade organization that represents African-Americanowned newspapers and media companies throughout the Karen Carter Richards country. the Cincinnati Westin Richards, who in Hotel. 2018 won the NNPA’s The organization Publisher of the Year also selected a new firstAward, succeeds Doroand second-vice chair, thy Leavell, publisher secretary, treasurer and of the Chicago and Gary at-large board members. Crusader Newspapers. The NNPA, which “We did it!” Richis celebrating its 79th ards exclaimed during year and 192 years the recent NNPA Legacy of the Black Press in Awards presentation at
America, held its annual convention with Cincinnati Herald and Dayton Defender Publisher Jan Michele Kearney and Walter L. White, vice President of Sesh Communications hosting the weeklong event. Richards said she understands that being chair comes with responsibilities and work. After a fierce campaign, Richards said she will work to move the storied association forward, help to continue to provide Black America with critical news and information and bridge any divides that might exist between members. “I will win your trust,” Richards said.
“This is a new vision and I’m excited about serving. We are the Black Press, the original Black Press and I’m so happy to serve and be the new chair of the NNPA.” The Houston native said the importance of the Black Press should never be lost on anyone. “We are the voice, the true voice of our people. We have recorded our history for 192 years like no other media could ever do,” she said. “We have recorded many stories…our celebrations, our injustices and those hidden, treasured stories that came from our communities that we have always found value in. Let’s do this.”
Messiah-Jiles elected to NNPA board
Independence Day is complicated for many African Americans.
HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY! M AYO R S Y LV E S T E R T U R N E R
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@SylvesterTurner
NNPA Newswire
During a fellowship luncheon and fireside chat at the recent National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) convention in Cincinnati, Lester Booker Jr., the project manager for communications operations at General Motors, explained to publishers and others why it’s important for the automaker and other Fortune 500 companies to invest in historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). “There are so many great men and women who are being developed and minds that are being cared for, cultivated inside of the schools and they don’t necessarily have the recruitment bandwidth and their career centers don’t have the relationships established to actually open up access to larger Fortune 500 companies,” Booker said during a conversation with NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., at the Cincinnati Westin Hotel. Chavis and Booker touted the fourth year of the popular Discover the Unexpected Journalism Fellowship program (DTU) that was developed by Chevrolet in 2016 as an HBCU fellowship program. “Its purpose was to create and share optimistic stories while reinforcing the brand’s continued commitment to the African-American community,” Booker said. Chevrolet awards each of the six DTU fellows a $10,000 scholarship and a $5,000 stipend. The students form two teams of three people, and each team has access to an all-new 2019 Chevrolet Blazer during their reporting assignments. Since 2016, Chevrolet has awarded in excess of $400,000 in scholarships and stipends in the annual program. The fellows will work this summer with NNPA member newspapers. The program includes a boot camp which Lester said immerses the fellows in “all things Chevrolet.” To learn more about the DTU program, visit www.nnpa. org/chevydtu
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T H E S TAT E M E N T in the Declaration of Independence that “all men are created equal” did not apply to our ancestors. The institution of slavery has since been abolished, but the struggle continues. I A M O P T I M I S T I C . I believe in the ideals of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I believe the struggle is worth it, and that America is worth it. I am grateful to be here in Houston, with you, working for a better future for all our residents. And in that spirit, I extend these wishes:
Companies urged to work with HBCUs
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P O L . A D V. S Y LV E S T E R T U R N E R C A M PA I G N
Defender CEO and Publisher Sonceria “Sonny” Messiah-Jiles was elected at-large board member of NNPA. Messiah-Jiles has a long history of involvement with the organization. She was elected chair of NNPA in 2003 and before that was named Publisher of the Year. Messiah-Jiles said she looks forward to working closely wiTh NNPA leadership on pressing issues. “As our industry evolves we have to follow suit,” Messiah-Jiles said. “We live in a digital world where the Black Press must continue to adapt to reach its audience while upholding a 192-year tradition of covering our communities as only we can.”
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will be accepting Request for Proposals for the following: Agency Wide Clinical Laboratory Services Specifications may be secured from The HARRIS CENTER, Purchasing Department located at 9401 SW Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074; telephone (713) 970-7279 and/or via The HARRIS CENTER website www.theharriscenter.org or the Electronic State Business Daily Site https://portal.cpa.state.tx.us/, beginning Monday, July 8, 2019. Deadline for prospective vendors to submit questions to this RFP is Friday, July 12, 2019. Solicitation documents must be submitted to Purchasing Services, 9401 SW Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074 by 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 23, 2019 in a sealed envelope marked "RFP FOR AGENCY WIDE CLINICAL LABORATORY SERVICES” DO NOT OPEN UNTIL - TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2019 AT 10:00 A.M. Any questions pertaining to this solicitation should be addressed in writing to Sharon Brauner, Purchasing Manager or E-mail questions to sharon.brauner@theharriscenter.org cc: frances.otto@theharriscenter.org or via fax at (713) 970-7682. The HARRIS CENTER reserves all rights to reject any and/or all proposals, to waive formalities and reasonable irregularities in submitted documents as it deems to be in its best interests, and is not obligated to accept the lowest proposal.
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DEFENDER | JULY 4 | 2019
pro sports
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Unbeaten
Jermall Charlo still champ
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By JODIE B. JILES Defender
-Town’s heritage was displayed on the national stage when unbeaten Houstonian and WBC middleweight champion Jermall “the Hitman” Charlo (29-0, 21 KOs) defeated top contender Brandon “the Cannon” Adams (21-3, 13 KOs) in a 12-round unanimous decision. The showdown was held at NRG Arena and televised on Showtime. It was Charlo’s first professional bout at home in seven years. From the start the culture of Houston was showcased as Charlo entered the ring to the music of local rap legend Z-Ro performing “Mo City Don.” Former Houston Texan Pro Bowl receiver Andre Johnson followed, holding the middleweight belt in the air as Charlo entered the ring. Charlo wanted a knockout during the fight DefenderNetwork.com but suffered a hand injury on a left hook and uppercut in the second round that took some of Great Fight Photos that knockout power out of his punches. Charlo by Jimmie Aggison fought through it. From that point, Charlo and his trainer Ronnie Shields successfully made the right adjustments in their approach when Charlo used his jab and a series of stick-and-move combinations to rack up points with judges throughout the rest of the bout. After the fight, Charlo explained how he was able to endure and continue to fight through his unexpected injury in the early rounds. “You know what separates a warrior and a soldier is that a warrior can fight through adversity and fight through the pain and a soldier can’t. I’m a warrior.” Jermall (right) and Jermell Charlo shared the spotlight at the post-fight press During the press conference, Dallas’ conference. The twins were born in Lafayette, La., and grew up in Houston. (Photos by Jimmie Aggison) IBF welterweight champion and close friend Errol Spence Jr. joined the media and asked Adams discussed what he learned about himself Charlo what he has to do to get box office from the defeat. draws such as Saul “Canelo” Alverez and Gennady “Triple-G” Golovkin “Tonight, I learned it wasn’t my night,” Adams in the ring. said. “I am going take this fight and go look at the tape “Canelo [has] to fight me sooner or later,” Charlo said. “He cannot to learn from it and see what I did wrong, what I can do retire without fighting me because I am one of the best out there – 29-0.” better and how to become a better fighter.”
Charlo defeated Brandon Adams, winner of the 2018 “The Contender” reality TV elimination tournament.
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WBC middleweight champ Jermall Charlo, 29, held on to his title before a partisan crowd at NRG Arena.
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h.s. sports
JULY 4 | 2019 | DEFENDER
Shooting guard
Shane Bell resembles scoring machine
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By JODIE B. JILES Defender
hane Bell, a junior shooting guard letterman for Fort Bend Elkins and Basketball University 16 U starter in the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union), was a scoring machine at the North Coast Blue Chips Juneteenth Shootout in Texas City. Bell’s most notable game was in the semifinal win against Coast 2 Coast, where he finished only two quarters with 28 points. The physical, 6-foot-1 guard was a standout in the paint, speeding by and overpowering his opponents inside. The Defender spoke with Bell after the Juneteenth tournament to discuss his style of play, his scoring and skills he has worked on this summer. Defender: How would you describe your style of play as a shooting guard? Bell: I’m a slasher but I make open shots, free throws and I think I can score at will. Defender: How were you able to score 28 points in only two quarters of basketball? Bell: I saw the way the refs were calling the game. They were calling [fouls] both ways so I had to be aggressive to push through and do what I can do to try to help my team to win. Defender: What is the difference in your approach in an AAU season versus school ball? Bell: In high school I try to do more as a team member while in AAU I play more myself which helps me sharpen my tools to get ready to make a state run next year. Defender: What skills have you been working on in particular this offseason? Bell: My ball handling but at the same time I try to sharpen my tools every day because I’m only 15 going on 16 so I’m just trying to get better. Defender: After Elkins made a deep run in the playoffs last year, how do you plan to carry the baton going into your junior season knowing you will see more playing time? Bell: I plan on working hard every day because with coach Albert Thomas that is all we do – get in the gym, focus on defense and try to get better every day.
About Bell
Instagram: Sauceshifty2378 NBA player he studies: Kawhi Leonard Favorite musical artist: NBA YoungBoy Favorite food: Hamburgers Shout-outs: His mom, Elkins High School basketball, Basketball University
Bell muscles his way to a tough basket in the paint. (Photos by Jimmie Aggison)
Shane Bell, an AAU player and Fort Bend Elkins junior, dribbles to the hoop.
www.DefenderNetwork.com Andre Johnson gives advice to his high school self
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DEFENDER | JULY 4 | 2019
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Happening in Houston For event coverage email: events@defendermediagroup.com
topevents
ANNUAL BARRIER BREAKER AWARD LUNCHEON……..Career and Recovery workshops, hands-on career/skills activities and career coaching opportunities. Organizers Resources, Inc. (CRR) recently held its 23rd Annual Barrier Breaker Award Luncheon at declared the event an overwhelming success as they registered individuals for their fivethe Hyatt Regency Houston Downtown honoring the retirement of Dr. Vernus Swisher week program. Attendees included Michelle Paul, Melissa Nunez, Sharon Guillory, for his 23 years of devoted service as the CEO of CRR. Also honored were CRR’s Jasmine Cantu, Evelyn Melgar, Mihya Horton, Martin Latimore, Maisha Walker, Star Clients, those whose lives have been successfully impacted by the services of the Eryka Thomas, Harry Ogbogu, Odalis Ortiz, Geraldine Samano, Festus Amoye agency. JPMorgan Chase was recognized as CRR’s Outstanding Corporate Leader and and many others……..THE ENSEMBLE’S “JOSEPHINE TONIGHT” OPENING Underwriter. Attendees included Alma Swisher, Councilmember Dwight Boykins and NIGHT……..The Ensemble Theatre elevated the life of showbiz legend Josephine Baker Genora Boykins (event co-chairs), Kelly Young (CRR CEO), in its season finale biographic musical “Josephine Tonight,” starring Georgia Provost, Dr. Robert Ford, State Rep. Ron Reynolds, Defender TOP EVENTS veteran actress and Houston native DeQuina Moore, a graduate of the Anita Bates, Jessica Nutall, Melanie Lawson, Spencer Tillman, More photos on defendernetwork.com Ensemble’s Young Performers Program and an HSPVA alumna. Moore, Dr. Davita Daniels and Petty Officers Alain Lander, Antonio who has appeared on Broadway, the big screen and countless TV series, Parran and Marcus Buchanon……..CAREER MY WAY THE was guided by award-winning director/choreographer Patdro Harris and XPERIENCE……..Capital IDEA Houston in conjunction with Bridgeyear recently hosted musical director Chika Ma’atunde, who returned to Houston for the production. Attendees at Career My Way the Xperience, a two-day event designed to allow young adults between the opening night and media reception included Eileen Morris, Janette Cosley, Allan Gruet, 18-24 to earn money in a summer program that assists them with preparing for a more John Sparks, Shirley Jo Finney, Judi McGee, Rosalind Moore, Robert Ross, Michael permanent future career. Held at St. James Episcopal Church, the event featured speakers, Black, Aisha Ussery, Tara Richardson and many others.
Dr. Vernus Swisher, Alma Swisher
Dee Cleare, Shavonda Johnson, Charlene Johnson, Yolanda Guillory
Mihya Horton, Michelle Paul, Maisha Walker
Danyelle Honore, Patdro Harris
Melissa Nunez, Harry Ogbogu
Eileen Morris, Allan Gruet, Janette Cosley, John Sparks
Petty Officers Alain Landers, Antonio Parran, Marcus Buchanon
Jasmine Cantu, Evelyn Melgar, Esmeralda Lara, Rosa Martinez
Tara Richardson, Aisha Ussery
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