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PRESIDENT OBAMA WINS WITH AFFORDABLE CARE ACT RULING P3

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Volume 81 | Number 36 WEEK OF JULY 5, 2012 | FREE

Welcome NAACP National Convention July 7-12

DANNY GLOVER supports Houston janitors

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Mobilizing Black voters H Page 6

NATIONAL ERIC HOLDER will not be prosecuted

P3 SPORTS

JEREMY LAMB drafted by the Rockets

P11 CHAG’S PLACE

Judson Robinson III and Cora Robinson at Houston Area Urban League gala

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Tami LaTrell makes music Houston native Tami LaTrell majored in journalism in college. So how did she end up making her mark in the music industry? Learn about her unconventional road to success and how she is using her “God-given” talents. See what stars have been beneficiaries of her musical gifts.

Diamond Dixon goes to Olympics Houstonian Diamond Dixon is an accomplished collegiate athlete. Soon, the world will have the chance to see Dixon in action when she participates in the Summer Olympics, which begin July 27 in London. Find out which event she will compete in. Read the dramatic story of how she qualified.

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF JULY 5 | 2012

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How health ruling will impact Texans

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Defender News Services

ow that the U.S. Supreme Court has left most of President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul standing, many questions remain. They include the impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) on Texans. In an effort to shed some light on the subject, three University of Houston Law Center health law experts analyzed the ruling and its impact: Professor Patricia Gray, director of research in the Health Law & Policy Institute; Assistant Professor Jessica Lind Mantel, co-director of the Institute, and Professor Seth J. Chandler. Q. Specifically, what did the court rule? A. The Affordable Care Act emerged largely unscathed with the court finding that the individual mandate is constitutional. The court also upheld the ACA’s expansion of the Medicaid program, but did so only because the court prohibited the federal government from taking all Medicaid funding away from states that decline to participate in the expansion… The court’s ruling on the Medicaid expansion is of particular interest in Texas because state officials have voiced concerns about the cost of this expansion, even though the ACA provides that the federal government will cover 90 to 100 percent of the cost. The ruling offers states the ability to decide whether to “opt in” or “opt out” of the Medicaid expansion free from fear that the federal government will take away all their Medicaid funding if they opt out. States that choose to accept the federal funds covering the cost of the expansion of their Medicaid program will need to comply with conditions set forth in the ACA, but states may elect not to participate in the expansion without forfeiting their current levels of Medicaid funding from the federal government. Seven justices agreed that the Constitution prohibits Congress from depriving a state of all of

its current Medicaid funding if the state refuses to expand its Medicaid program. Q. What does this decision mean for Texans who don’t have health insurance? A. The landscape will be very different for individuals lacking health insurance come 2014, particularly for those who desire health insurance but can’t afford it. Beginning in 2014, people without health insurance will have the option of purchasing insurance through health insurance exchanges, basically Internet-based markets for insurance. Plans participating in these exchanges must provide comprehensive coverage and cannot exclude preexisting conditions. They also must offer their plans to all seekers, that is, they cannot reject an individual simply because they are high-risk. Plans participating in the exchanges generally cannot charge high-risk individuals a higher premium than healthier individuals, but may adjust premiums only for age, location, and smoking status. People with household incomes between 100 percent and 400 percent of the federal poverty limit also will be eligible for subsidies that help them pay for their health insurance premiums and cost-sharing. The ACA provides that each state should establish a health insurance exchange, with federal funds available to assist states in doing so. However, Texas elected not to accept the federal funds, and has taken no steps toward establishing a state-

sponsored health insurance exchange. Should Texas fail to do so by November of this year, the federal government will step in and establish a federally-run health insurance exchange for Texas residents. Many of the uninsured in Texas could be covered under an expansion of the Medicaid program should Texas elect to do so. Although the federal government will pay for most of the costs associated with this Medicaid expansion, Texas has rejected available federal funds to expand unemployment insurance and to create a health insurance exchange. If Texas fails to adopt an expansion of Medicaid coverage, it may create a Catch-22 for people with incomes less than 100 percent of federal poverty level, because they may be ineligible for the subsidies available for people who seek insurance through the exchange. Thus the poorest of the uninsured will be even less able to secure insurance in the private market. Individuals who elect to forego health insurance will pay a tax that will ultimately rise to as much as 2.5 percent of their income, enforced by withholding the penalty from any income tax refund due the individual. The ACA provides for several limited exemptions to this tax penalty, and people whose income is too low for them to file an income tax return will not be subject to an enforcement action. Q. Are employers required to offer health insurance coverage to their employees? A. Beginning in 2014, employers with more than 50 employees who work full time (more than 30 hours a week), must offer health insurance coverage that meets certain minimum benefit requirements as well as other health insurance reform requirements. If an employer chooses not to comply, the Act requires a penalty of between $2,000 and $3,000 per employee, depending on various details. Employers with fewer than 50 employees are not required to offer coverage, but are eligible for certain financial assistance in the form of tax credits if they

do offer coverage.

localbriefs STATE REPUBLICANS OPPOSE THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT. The Texas Republican Party released its official 2012 platform and the law is one of its targets. The platform states: “We urge that the Voter Rights Act of 1965 codified and updated in 1973 be repealed and not reauthorized.” The party also opposes affirmative action and says: “Inasmuch as the Civil Rights Movement argued against using race as a factor in American life, affirmative action reintroduces race as a divisive force in American life. The Republican Party of Texas believes in equal opportunity for all citizens without regard to race or gender. To that end, we oppose affirmative action.” The party is also

against any form of reparations…….. HOUSTON IS AMONG FIVE TEXAS CITIES on Forbes Magazine’s annual ranking of the top 25 Best Places for Business and Careers, based on job trends, business costs, quality of life, income growth and the educational level of the labor force. Provo, Utah, is No.1 on the list. Dallas is eighth, Austin is ninth, San Antonio 13th, Fort Worth 15th and Houston finished at No. 20……...A FORMER AREA HOME HEALTH CARE COMPANY OWNER was sentenced to 108 months in prison for his participation in a $5.2 million Medicare fraud scheme. The Department of Justice, the FBI and the Department of Health and Human Services

announced the sentencing of Princewill Njoku, formerly of Family Healthcare Group. Njoku was ordered to pay $5.1 million in restitution. According to the evidence, Njoku and his co-conspirators falsified documents to support fraudulent payments from Medicare……..A FREE SBA WORKSHOP is being offered by the University of Houston Fort Bend County Small Business Development Center. It takes place Wednesday, July 11, from 9:30 a.m.noon at the UH Fort Bend County SBDC, 117 Lane Drive, Suite 31, in Rosenberg. The workshop will provide information on business financing and the SBA’s loan programs. Register at www.fortbend. sbdcnetwork.net.

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WEEK OF July 5 | 2012 | DEFENDER

national

U.S.briefs GEORGE ZIMMERMAN’S recent bond hearing ended with the judge saying he would need more time to decide whether to grant Zimmerman bail again. Zimmerman has pleaded not guilty in the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in February. A judge revoked Zimmerman’s bond and ordered him returned to jail after ruling that Zimmerman and his wife lied about their finances. Zimmerman’s father, Robert, took the stand during the bail hearing. He told the Florida courtroom that the voice on the 911 call howling for help belonged to his son. The parents of Trayvon Martin insist that the voice calling for help was that of their son……..RODNEY KING WAS REMEMBERED as a forgiving man who bore the scars of his infamous police beating with dignity. Funeral services for King, 47, were held in Los Angeles nearly two weeks after he was found dead at the bottom of the swimming pool in his home. The Rev. Al Sharpton, who delivered the eulogy, said King rose above his mistakes. “People should not be judged by the mistakes that they make, but by how they rise above them. Rodney had risen above his mistakes, he never mocked anyone, not the police, not the justice system, not anyone,” Sharpton said. King’s family members held a private service followed by a public memorial and burial……..THE WIN BY CONGRESSMAN CHARLES RANGEL has been challenged by his main opponent, New York State Sen. Adriano Espaillat, as the margin of victory narrowed. Rangel’s recent primary victory was his toughest challenge in 42 years. Espaillat’s campaign filed a lawsuit contending too many ballots were unaccounted for in the election. The New York City Board of Elections later released a new, unofficial vote count showing 802 votes separating Rangel and Espaillat. The state Supreme Court decided to hold a hearing on the election results.

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President Barack Obama is shown in the Oval Office after learning of the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

Affordable Care Act

Obama wins in historic Supreme Court decision

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By ZENITHA PRINCE Special to the AFRO

he U.S. Supreme Court delivered a major victory for President Barack Obama after the justices ruled 5-4 to uphold a major provision of his landmark health care law. The individual health insurance mandate – arguably the most contentious element of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act – was ruled constitutional because

it falls under Congress’ ability to “lay and collect taxes,” the justices ruled. According to the law, by 2014 all Americans will have to obtain insurance or pay a penalty as part of the tax filing process. “In this case…it is reasonable to construe what Congress has done as increasing taxes on those who have a certain amount of income, but choose to go without health insurance. Such legislation is within Congress’s power to tax,” stated Chief Justice John

Roberts, writing for the majority. Liberal Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan joined Roberts in the “Aye” vote. The dissenting justices, Antonin Scalia, Anthony Kennedy, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, argued that the law could not be upheld as a tax because Congress “framed” it as a penalty and not a tax. Continued on Page 5

Justice Dept. will not prosecute Holder Defender News Services

VOLUME 81 • NUMBER 36 WEEK OF JULY 5, 2012

Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Advertising/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Print Editor Marilyn Marshall Online Editor ReShonda Billingsley

Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila People Editor Yvette Chargois Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison Contributing Writer Aswad Walker

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (713-663-6996.. The Defender is audited by Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For subscription, send $60-1 year to: Defender, P.O. Box 8005, Houston TX 77288. Payment must accompany subscription request. All material covered by 2012 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).

In response to the U.S. House of Representatives’vote finding Attorney General Eric Holder in criminal and civil contempt of Congress, the Justice Department said it would not prosecute Holder because the botched gun-running sting Fast and Furious was not illegal and he did not commit a crime. Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole sent a letter to House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) notifying him of the decision. The House vote marked the first time a sitting cabinet member has been held in contempt of Congress. Congressional Black Caucus members and other

Democrats walked out of the vote in protest. Holder, the nation’s first Black attorney general, said the vote was regrettable and politically motivated. “When concerns about Operation Fast and Furious first came to light, I took action – and ordered an independent investigation into what happened,” Holder explained.” We learned that the flawed tactics used in this operation began in the previous administration – but I made sure that they ended under this one. I also made sure that agents and prosecutors around the country knew that such tactics must never be used again. “I put in place new policies, new

safeguards, and new leadership to make certain of this – and took extraordinary steps to facilitate robust congressional oversight. Let me be very clear – that was my response to Operation Fast and Furious. Any suggestion to the contrary simply ignores the facts,” Holder said. Congress’ remaining option against Holder, civil contempt, could take years and would require federal district and appeals judges – if not the Supreme Court – to serve as a referee between the legislative and executive branches of government. A compromise is expected to be reached between the two branches before the dispute reaches that point.

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF JULY 5 | 2012

entertainment

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Tami LaTrell Houstonian makes mark in music By RESHONDA TATE BILLINGSLEY Defender

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ouston native Tami LaTrell always knew she wanted to be a singer. Even while she was at Texas Southern University majoring in journalism and business, she steadily worked in studios around Houston, establishing relationships and building a name

for herself. With the help of Grammy award-winning and fellow EMI Publishing producer Errol McCalla (who produced Beyonce’s “Dangerously In Love” and many others), Tami inked her first co-publishing deal with EMI Music Publishing. Since then, Tami has taken on several songwriting assignments through EMI. Her writing credits include songs for Grammy award-winning, multi-platinum pop icon, Whitney Houston (“Just Whitney”), Keyshia Cole (“Just Like You”), “Hair Show the Movie” soundtrack, international rapper J-Xavier, Rap A Lot’s Devin the Dude, a feature on Chamillionaire’s “Sound of Revenge” and“Ammunition,” J-Dawg (“Still Behind Tint”), SWV (“I Missed Us’) and a developing roster of independent artists. These days, you can catch Tami using her writing skills everywhere. She is in the studios penning records for well-known artists, performing at venues and events, and conducting songwriting workshops at colleges and universities.She

uses her journalism degree as an online editor for Radio One Houston. The Defender caught up with Tami to talk about her career. Defender: Did you always know this was something you wanted to do? LaTrell: Music was always something I knew I loved. My mother and father both sang and played instruments. Then, while in grade school, I joined the band and chorus and I knew this would only enhance my gifts and the love for music. It wasn’t until I got into middle school where I started forming groups with friends and trying

to pursue it as a profession. I think EnVogue, TLC and Total were out during that time so they gave me the motivation to get something popping. My friends and I would skip class sometimes just to dress up and sing songs in the school bathroom mirror like we were on stage. Don’t judge me! Defender: How did you get your first break? LaTrell: My first break ironically wasn’t when I was singing. It actually came from my gift of songwriting. While working as a solo artist at 17, I penned a song for my album that would later be sold to the late Whitney Houston and released as her first single called “Whatchulookinat” off of her “Just Whitney” album. The album later went platinum! That also led to a great relationship with Errol McCalla who produced for Destiny’s Child, Missy Elliot and Tamia to name a few. At the time he was looking for a songwriter to write to his music in Houston and after hearing my stuff, he thought I had what it took to help get songs placed. It was bootcamp for me for like two to three years, writing every single day while I was in college at Texas Southern University (class of 2006). From that, I got signed to a co-publishing deal as a writer with one of the largest music publishers in the world, EMI Music Publishing. Defender: What are some of the highlights of your career? LaTrell: Definitely landing the first single on the late Whitney Houston’s project and achieving my first platinum album. I also wrote a song on Keyshia Cole’s album called “Fallin Out” which also achieved platinum success on Continued on Page 5

What’sup KANYE WEST, JAY-Z, BEYONCÉ and CHRIS BROWN were among the big winners at the BET Awards held in Los Angeles. Jay-Z and West – aka The Throne – won awards for Best Group and Video of the Year. Beyoncé was named Best Female R&B Artist and co-winner of the award for Video Director of the Year. Brown won Best Male R&B Artist and took home the AOL Fandemonium Award for the third year in a row. Other winners included YOLANDA ADAMS, Best Gospel Artist; NICKI MINAJ, Best Hip-Hop Artist, and KEVIN HART, Best Actor. MAZE FEATURING FRANKIE BEVERLY won the Lifetime Achievement Award. A tribute to WHITNEY HOUSTON by her mother

CISSY HOUSTON brought tears to audience members’ eyes. Tributes were also made to the late NICK ASHFORD, DONNA SUMMER and other deceased stars. REV. AL SHARPTON, winner of the Humanitarian Award, urged the crowd to vote in November……..Actresses OCTAVIA SPENCER and KERRY WASHINGTON are among the Blacks in Hollywood who have been invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Other Blacks recently invited are producer WILL PACKER of “Think Like a Man” and filmmaker KASI LEMMONS of “Eve’s Bayou.” The organization, which includes more than 6,000 artists and professionals, casts

votes for Oscar winners among other things. The organization is also in need of diversity. Academy members are 94 percent white and 77 percent male. Blacks only comprise about 2 percent of the Academy……...Legendary Houston musician JOE SAMPLE and acclaimed singer RANDY CRAWFORD are together again for a new live recording. It hits stores July 31, and also features Sample’s son, bassist NICKLAS SAMPLE. Crawford and Sample have been making music together in one form or another for nearly 36 years. Their first hit together was 1979’s “Street Life,” on which Randy sang with Sample and the Crusaders.

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LaTrell...Continued from page 4 ....

“Just Like You.”It was also a highlight to meet record label executive Sylvia Rhone and mega producer Terry Lewis, as well as working with Chamillionaire was a big deal for me as well. I featured on his “Sound of Revenge” album on a song called “Peepin Me” and that project also went platinum as well. He is someone I have always respected in the business, plus he’s from my hometown so it’s all the more better. In 2010, I launched my own record label Starfactory Entertainment independently and just last year I debuted No. 1 on the Billboard Bubbling Under charts with my first single “Coastin.” I also just landed the second single on the legendary R&B group SWV’s new album called “All About You.” Defender: What is your ultimate goal for your career? LaTrell: I just want to have a great career, write hit songs and I want to give back to my community. I speak on panels for the music program MEISA at Houston Community College and I go back to TSU to speak with the journalism students every chance I get. Whatever I’m blessed with thereafter, I would be grateful but it’s all about the music and the message to me. I know that my gifts are God-given so I don’t take them for granted. With that I would hope that all of my accomplishments would inspire the youth – especially young girls – to keep God first, invest and work on perfecting your craft, and no matter the circumstances, never give up on your dreams. It’s too much negativity out here so it’s another goal of mine as an artist and songwriter to be a light and spread more positivity in media and entertainment.

Danny Glover supports Houston janitors contractors are offering a raise of 50 cents, phased in over five years. “We have to decide what kind Actor and activist Danny of country we are going to be. As Glover traveled to Houston citizens, it is our duty and responsirecently to lend his support to bility to stand up for a living wage, local janitors. During a visit to to make this change and take this the Third Ward Multi-Service country back,” Glover told those in Center, Glover called on area attendance. leaders to establish a task force “Yes, we may be talking about to protect the workers’ First just 3,400 janitors, but we know it Amendment rights. is much bigger than Houston. At the The janitors, who are paid same time that corporations are re$8.35 an hour, have asked for a Danny Glover embraces janitor Alice McAfee. porting record profits, janitors are not raise to $10 hourly, to be phased making a living wage.” in over four years. Local building owners and cleaning Defender News Services

Obama... Continued from page 3 “In effect, they contend that even if the Constitution permits Congress to do exactly what we interpret this statute to do, the law must be struck down because Congress used the wrong labels,” Roberts wrote, opposing their stance. The fact that the individual mandate survived based on its interpretation as a tax is ironic since Obama and his congressional allies were adamant about avoiding that label during the bill’s passage. Still, the president said he was happy about the decision, and not because the win may buoy his chances of reelection.

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“I know there will be a lot of discussion today about the politics of all this, about who won and who lost. That’s how these things tend to be viewed here in Washington. But that discussion completely misses the point,” Obama said in a statement delivered from the White House’s East Room. “Whatever the politics, today’s decision was a victory for people all over this country whose lives will be more secure because of this law and the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold it.” Opponents of the Affordable Care Act said that while the Supreme Court

may have ruled on the constitutionality of “Obamacare,” it did not rule on its soundness as public policy, a distinction that Roberts made clear in his opinion. And, those detractors say, they will not give up their efforts to overturn the measure. “Obamacare was bad policy yesterday [and] it’s bad policy today,” said Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney in a televised press conference. Reiterating his promise to repeal the law, he pledged, “What the court did not do on its last day in session, I will do on my first day if elected president of the United States.”

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF JULY 5 | 2012 | defendernetwork.com

Welcome NAACP National Convention July 7-12

Mobilizing Black voters By RESHONDA TATE BILLINGSLEY Defender

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A national assault on voter access

and redistricting could also affect voter turnout. “The most immediate impact will be the reduction in the number of Black registered voters because they fail to provide the required identification materials or are hampered in getting to the registration offices,” Jones said. “The numbers will vary based on the efforts to get people registered and the intensity of the states to suppress the minority vote. A five percent drop could be critical in tight contests. Several concentrations of Blacks, like in the Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin areas, were split, limiting Blacks in electing a person of their choice. The lack of meaningful choices will also dampen turnout.”

he NAACP has always had a concentrated effort to get people of color registered to vote, but due to recent suppression measures, • In 2011 alone, more than 30 state legislatures introduced NAACP officials say that’s only voter suppression legislation, with laws passing in 14 of half the battle. Now, it’s just as those states and laws pending in eight. important to make sure voters are at the polls on Elec• New voter suppression laws will make it significantly tion Day. harder for an estimated 5 million eligible voters to cast their The nation’s oldest and largest civil rights orgaballots in 2012. nization will address voting – as well as other pressing • Five of the 12 likely battleground states have already cut issues – when members gather in Houston for the 103rd back on voting rights and two more are currently considerAnnual National Convention from Saturday, July 7 to ing new restrictions. Thursday, July 12 at the George R. Brown Convention • The new state laws are attacking access on four fronts: NAACP efforts Center. Requiring voters to present unnecessary government-issued The NAACP has already implemented efThis year’s convention theme is “NAACP: Your photo identification in order to vote; cutting early voting opforts to mobilize Black voters – from supporting Power, Your Decision – Vote” and will focus on the importunities in half and ending Sunday voting; ending samethe Voter Empowerment Act, which focuses on portance of voter participation and the impact of voting day voter registration/voting; stripping ex-criminal offenders guaranteeing early voting, allowing same-day on all aspects of our lives, including economic policy, of their right to vote. registration, outlawing “voter caging,” counting health care, education and more. • New voter ID laws are nothing but reincarnated poll taxes provisional ballots, and penalizing voter intimida“In this election year it is especially important for and literacy tests, designed to disproportionately suppress tion – to activating its Election Day Command us to come together and discuss the challenges facing the voting numbers of people of color. Center on Nov. 4. communities of color and the nation as a whole,” said • Nearly 25 percent of African Americans currently do not The Command Center will act as “war room” NAACP Chairman Roslyn M. Brock. have a valid photo ID necessary to vote, according to one of sorts, where the NAACP, in partnership with “…The NAACP will continue to educate, mobirecent study. state and local organizations, legal advisors, comlize and agitate to create an informed populace, so that munity and faith leaders, and its 1,700 branches every American feels they have the privilege and the Source: NAACP across the country, will be working to ensure power to go to the ballot box and exercise their right to the integrity of the voting process. vote,” Brock said. Many NAACP units will also NAACP President and CEO Ben Jealous echoed provide rides to the polls for those who Brock’s sentiments. 2008; people voted who never do not have transportation. This is My “America recently witnessed the most significant assault voted before and I think that Vote, the only non-partisan 50-state on voter access in more than a century,” Jealous said. “We are really helped the Democratic electoral program in the country, going to answer that assault by working through Election Day Party.” will conduct a Get Out The Vote to register more voters, educate them on the new rules to ensure Now, Mitchell said, (GOTV) campaign near Election Day. they have full access at the ballot box and turn out to vote.” turnout is likely to be lower The campaign will use door-to-door for both parties. Getting voters to the polls canvassing, registration booths at public “Republicans are not It’s that potential turnout that has some political scienevents and work with churches throughexcited about Romney at all. tists concerned. Dr. Nathan Mitchell, an assistant professor of out the state to help attract and turn out new Democrats are lukewarm toward political science at Prairie View A&M University, said if voters voters. President Obama,” he said. “Then you aren’t mobilized, we could see a repeat of the 2010 midterm Mitchell added that history shows those historical have the fact that it’s hard for people to look elections, when Black voter turnout was down compared to appeals work best. “Typically the best way is to knock on past a singular issue like gay marriage or abortion… 2008. doors and say, ‘you need to go vote today,’”he said. “That’s why it’s important for interest groups to really Mitchel said there “was a lot of excitement” about PresiJealous said they’re confident that getting voters to push what matters,” Mitchell said. dent Obama in 2008, but voter interest declined two years later. the polls could once again spell success. After all, the vot“A lot of these issues like gay marriage and abortion are to “In Texas we saw almost a 20 percent drop in turnout, divide people up instead of focusing on what’s really important. ers who elected President Barack Obama in 2008 and the which is kind of typical of midterm elections anyway, but it NAACP’s members outnumber the people in the tea Party What’s really important is the economy. I think voters need to allowed the Tea Party to take over,” Mitchell said. movement. They’re just not speaking up, Jealous said. look critically at Obama and Romney and see who’s going to be “That’s why it’s important for the NACCP and others try“That majority of people haven’t gone anywhere but to best for the economy and staying at home is not the answer.” ing to mobilize people. If you look at historical data since 2000, their couch. We could win again if we could get them off the Dr. Franklin Jones, professor and chair of political science in Texas presidential elections there has been 50-60 percent couch,” Jealous said. at Texas Southern University,said threats such as voter ID laws turnout for election-year races. We saw a historical turnout in

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During the midterm elections in 2010, members of the NAACP chapter at Texas Southern University spread the word about the importance of voting.

Houston convention

The NAACP convention arrives as new laws restricting access to the ballot box and racial profiling programs like stop-and-frisk dominate the headlines. The organization will adopt a policy agenda to advance civil rights for all people. “From voting rights attacks to institutionalized racial profiling programs to the gross disparities in the American classroom, we are in the midst of a coordinated attack on civil rights in this country,” said Jealous. “Our 103rd Annual Convention in Houston is an opportunity to set an agenda for how we fight back against these attacks and expand rights over the next 100 years.” “This year’s convention will allow us to prepare for what we feel will be an all-out assault against the Black and Latino voting bloc in November,” said NAACP Texas State Conference President Gary Bledsoe. “Our convention begins amid a rising tide of racial hatred in our nation and our meeting is essential as we convene to map out a strategy to combat it. We will join with other people of good will to save the Constitution and restore the hope that this nation has brought us – the sincere belief that people of diverse races and faiths can

e Houston area for over 80 years

join together as one nation.”

Coordination needed

Franklin Jones said there is a lot at stake in November, and African Americans should be cognizant of the threats that could have lasting effects. “The paralyzing victories of the conservatives in 2010 were partly the result of poor turnout in the Black, Brown, and progressive communities. If that is repeated they will lose further control of state and county offices where much of their lives are impacted,” Jones said. “There needs to be a coordinated, community-wide effort to connect the campaigns and races of as many progressive candidates as possible. The organizational thrust should be the community instead of individual candidates. It is important to show the connections between races from the local level to the

presidency.” Jones said the recent Supreme Court health ruling is already causing the right wing to rally. “The conservative movement is already mobilized to defeat President Obama. I do not believe there is much room for growth in their enthusiasm for replacing him,” Jones said. “Blacks need to be shown how these attacks on Obama are more than personal attacks. They are directed at policies that are beneficial to the Black community. And attempts to minimize the political influence of Black elected officials.” In 2011, at least 34 states introduced voter suppression legislation, with laws passing in 14 of those states, and laws pending in eight. Those measures have already kept many off the election rolls. “Voter suppression measures launched in several states potentially disenfranchise over 5 million eligible voters,” said Hilary O. Shelton, director of the NAACP Washington Bureau and the senior vice president for Advocacy and Policy. Shelton said while it’s important to still fight those suppression battles, it’s just as important to focus on getting those who are registered to the polls.

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF JULY 5 | 2012

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opinion

Guest Editorial NCAA uses big stick to beat colleges By John M. Rudley President, Texas Southern University

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he NCAA is run by a collection of committees made up of members who are from different universities that supposedly operate under the same constitutional notion that the association is of the people, by the people and for the people. Since the association represents a majority view, then the promulgated rules represent the majority opinion. Thus, even the penalty structures and consequences for coaches, students and institutions that violate rules, are agreed upon by a committee of our peers, of the people, by the people and for the people. It may not be so surprising that much like other parts of the real world, the voices of the larger schools, the BCS schools, the wealthier schools, seem to carry more weight than those of us designated as Historically Black Colleges/ limited resource institutions or as we know them. My experience with the NCAA staff is that whatever complaint one registers, the response in essence has been traditionally, “Since you are a university President, you have personally committed the infraction, and your staff is responsible and accountable only for carrying out the practices that you have agreed to as a member institution.” The majority rules and those who may object are not generally heard. On the surface the NCAA’s goal is noble: to have student athletes graduate at a six-year graduation success rate (GSR) that is above 50%. It is in the implementation that it becomes problematic. If an institution does not reach this goal, according to current NCAA guidelines, it must suffer with penalties (a big stick) that further erode the athletic program, especially for cash-strapped historically Black colleges. This erosion occurs by (1) reducing the number of scholarships that can be offered in a sport, (2) reducing practice time, (3) public notice of academic failure and/or (4) selecting from a list of additional “drop down menus of penalties” including post-season bans and reprimands of coaches. This standard of NCAA-member schools graduating student athletes at a six-year graduation success rate (GSR) that is above 50%, though well-intentioned, does not take into account the unique history and experiences of Texas Southern University. For the past 30 years, until 2009, Texas Southern was an open admission university whose mission was to accept students, primarily of color, who may be unprepared for college accord-

Dr. John Rudley is the 11th President of Texas Southern University. He formerly served as Interim Chancellor/President at University of Houston System.

ing to admission standards at Ohio State, Stanford, Northwestern, the University of Texas or Texas A&M University, but nevertheless deserved a shot at a college education. American educators—from the Ph.D.s who study the inner workings of local, national and global education systems, to the local level classroom teachers who work with students on a daily basis—will all assert that most of the predominately Black elementary, middle, secondary or high schools in this country still turn out student bodies where most graduates will require two or three remedial courses in the basic skills of reading, writing and arithmetic if they choose to go on to college. Texas Southern, in 2008, changed its open admission policy, effective fall of 2009, requiring students to have earned a C average in high school. With that decision Texas Southern University started the slow process of forcing unprepared students with a C- and below, to attend community college first before seeking entrance to Texas Southern.

Because of Texas Southern’s 30-plus year legacy of honoring our institution’s mission to educate the under-prepared, the six-year graduation rate for Texas Southern has been 11% for many years because it simply could not provide the missing component that ensures that students would stay in school. I believe that in my first year at Texas Southern perhaps its entire freshman class of approximately 1,200 students required remedial courses, a reality which was five times the average number of students needing such help at other Texas universities (240). I apologize for the long introduction to the topic of the NCAA’s Academic Performance Rate (APR), but the context is important to understand the difficulty many historically Black colleges face in immediately implementing the NCAA’s new APR standard. That history led me to head up a special NCAA subcommittee of the Committee on Academic Performance, (CAP) to make recommendations to develop some relief from the immediately planned changes. I’m proud to say that Texas Southern’s athletes are today graduating at a 44% six-year graduation rate—four times the rate of the regular student body at 11%. Hey folks, this historically Black college is responding to the wishes of the NCAA to work hard to make sure our athletes are students first. That is what the APR is really all about, a way to force major cash rich institutions to not just use up Black athletes and throw them away after their athletic eligibility is over, but to make sure that they also graduate from those institutions. Did you know that some of the nation’s big-time athletic programs that possess athletic budgets larger than some American cities have the following graduation rates of non-athletes in comparison to athletes: Ohio State 78% for non-athletes and 82% for athletes; Stanford 95% for non-athletes and 94% for athletes; Northwestern 94% and 96%; and the University of Texas-Austin 84% and 74%. Indeed, some of our historically Black colleges are meeting the 50% APR test as can be seen in the same comparison of non-athlete and athlete six-year graduation rates. For example, Florida A&M’s non-athlete graduation rate is 40% and its athletes graduate at a 50% rate; Southern University, 27% for non-athletes and 55% for athletes; Grambling University, 27% and 64%; Alabama State 24% and 63%; Mississippi Valley, 27% and 42%; Jackson State, 40% and 54%; Prairie View, 32% and 63%; North Carolina A&T, 38% and 55%; Alcorn, 38% and 68%; Howard, 69% and 68%; University of Maryland Eastern Shores, 32% and 90%; Kentucky State, 25% and 39%; Hampton, 54% and 67%; Savannah State, 35% and 48%; and Texas Southern 11% and 44%. Continued on Page 9

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The APR is a snapshot for a particular year and each year the HBCUs’ numbers change, which is why even though TSU is below 50% now, we will be above 50% for 2012 and 2013. As a matter of fact, Texas Southern will receive an award this month from the NCAA for having made the greatest improvement in APR, yet we still must pay the price for past transgressions from the 2009 football program. For the record, Texas Southern has made the corrections in our management of the athletic program by developing an entirely new athletic compliance office and hiring four people who are led by a former NCAA official over compliance. Our athletic director is on top of the university’s effort but was saddled by errors not of his making. Since the APR is a snapshot of a particular academic year, many programs go in and out of the CAP committee all the time for having a below 50% rate (currently a 925 APR). Within the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), in football, the following universities have suffered penalties: Alabama A&M, 2004-05; Jackson State, 2009-10, 2008-09, 2007-08; Prairie View, 20045; Southern University, 200910,2006-7, 2005-6; and Texas Southern, 2009-10, 2008-09. In case you do not get my point, let me say it this way, the majority rules at the NCAA in the formulation of rules for participation and penalties and after all, Texas Southern and other Historically Black Colleges are to be more like Mikey, like the majority traditionally white institutions in America, like Villanova, Northern Kentucky, Ohio State, Texas, Stanford and Yale and well, like everyone else. Forget about segregation. Forget about our mission, which is so very different from Stanford’s or UT’s. And that is not going to happen. Texas Southern is going to continue fulfilling its mission, by living up to the principles upon which it was founded which is that every child deserves an equal opportunity to an education. Transforming students, many of whom have been written off by society, into college-educated, gainfully employed, tax-paying citizens has been a long-standing legacy of Texas Southern and other HBCUs. I recently met a member of Texas Southern’s class of 1952. The 84 years young, former chemistry student went on to teach chemistry at Rust College, Mississippi Valley and Hines Community College, all of which are located in her home state of Mississippi. This alumna was proud of her legacy, and also proud of the fact that another esteemed graduate of Texas Southern, Barbara Jordan, was once her lawyer before ascending to the U.S. House of Representatives. This graduate’s story underscores the fact that Black colleges have a history and mission that is indeed vastly different from their white counterparts. HBCUs are not going to forsake this mission, nor should they, as it is one even more critically important today than even in decades past. This means, these institutions will continue to work with young people who may not have the academic benchmarks to attend traditionally white institutions. This also means the APR must be re-examined so that the spirit of the initiative coincides with its lived application.

The APR , the big stick being used to beat universities into better graduation rates for student athletes, is a “pulled out of thin air” calculation by a professor at a small, non-big time athletic program that was designed to estimate or approximate a six-year graduation rate. The apparent justification for the APR system of holding universities’ feet to the fire is to graduate the poor, in most cases, Black athletes who were complaining that they played for big time programs, but could not fashion a grammatically correct sentence. That’s fine; the big, mega buck programs whose athletic budgets are larger than some HBCU’s total campus operating budgets and who attract mostly African American athletes from the same substandard high schools across the country, just like the HBCU’s, should do a better job of graduating athletes of color. Check this out, the SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) is one of the two largest Black College conferences in America, the other being the MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) which includes Florida A&M, Howard and North Carolina A& T. In the SWAC conference, in basketball alone, eight of its 10 Black colleges, are below the mystic 925 APR calculation. Thus, these programs have either lost scholarships, playing time, been publically criticized, or all of the above. Not good!! As a result of the APR bashing the public thinks that Black colleges are not doing a good job in graduating its student athletes. Alabama State, Grambling State, Jackson State, Mississippi Valley, Prairie View A&M, Southern University-Baton Rouge, Arkansas Pine Bluff and Texas Southern are all suffering from this additional criticism which furthers the perception that Black colleges are inferior even among African Americans who have been allowed the privilege of attending traditionally white institutions. It is interesting and perhaps tragic that the NCAA would adopt an APR formula calculation that assigns two points to each athlete, one for being academically eligible when he arrives on campus and one if he stays in school after the first semester. For example, there are 18 members of a basketball team and the APR is the total number at a given time divided by the total possible points for the team. Two players leave after the first semester, with one leaving who was still academically eligible because he passed a minimum of 6 credit hours and another left because he did not go to class and just dropped out. The calculated APR is then 916 which is below the 925 that the NCAA committee is using to call HBCU’s on the carpet for not being like Vanderbilt, Northwestern, Stanford, The Ohio State and other big time programs. The APR calculation allows students who leave the Kentucky basketball program for the NBA to receive an exception from the calculation which is a rule that the big universities pushed and received. If an HBCU athlete goes home and drops out because his father needs him home to take care of his single parent girlfriend who has had a second child, this counts against HBCUs. I assume that with this disparate treatment between the have and have nots, I did it to myself as a president of a member institution. As you can see, it only takes a few athletes to drop out or under-perform in the classroom for Black colleges

to get into trouble. This harsh reality further limits the opportunity for another Black child to attend an HBCU on an athletic scholarship. As for the overall effect on the quality of the HBCU athletic programs, a loss in practice time is levied as well as an announcement that our teams cannot compete in even our conference championship. If you did not think that it was difficult to recruit quality students to Black colleges before the NCAA’s big stick, just think of visiting a prospective athlete who has gone on line to see that your team is an APR patient. Taking students who could be written off by society and transforming them into contributors to society who have jobs as a result of college attendance and who pay taxes, is and has been a long-standing mission of Texas Southern. My meeting with the NCAA committee to explain Texas Southern’s poor APR included reporting the fact that I was not around in 2007, but with my arrival in February 2008 I was responsible for 2009 and 2010 during which we completely revamped the compliance function and added new staff. As a result of these measures, Texas Southern University has received an award from a different NCAA committee, for the institution that has had the greatest improvement in APR for 2010. This preamble is necessary if one is to understand or even think it’s worthwhile to see the world of the NCAA and its rules governing the conduct of a historically Black college. When the Academic Performance Rate was enacted six years ago, all colleges were told it was a pilot program and as such, from my conversations with Black college officials, many Black college Presidents, athletic directors and compliance officers were caught napping when suddenly, the pilot became gospel. These “limited resource institutions” (as they are labeled by the NCAA) did not have the staff support that could keep them abreast of the new APR rules, and consequently HBCUs simply did not understand the impact on their programs. Originally the NCAA ruled that the APR should move to 930 by 2014 for all schools. After some discussion, the Executive Committee allowed us to review the impact on the HBCUs, or the limited resource institutions (LRI) as we are labeled, and make recommendations for any alterations to the policy. The 50% graduation rate is already being met by a number of our schools in many of our sports, and it is our goal in all of our sports. I met with a number of HBCU presidents and determined that our athletics programs would be best served by extending the time we have for implementation of the new 930 rule another two years with full implementation pushed to 2016. The issue has never been a belief that student athletes at HBCUs should not or could not achieve the 50% graduation rate. It has always been that at extremely resource strapped institutions it is difficult to have all the support systems in place that are necessary to help student athletes achieve those goals. Finally, TSU has “done it to itself” as well by being contributory negligent, that is, driving down the NCAA highway and seeing an accident ahead and not avoiding it but plowing directly into it and blaming someone else. Texas Southern will suffer through the 2009 to 2011 mistakes in hiring the wrong coaches and not beefing up its compliance staff early in 2008 upon my arrival, and I take full responsibility for this mistake. I have learned a harsh lesson in dealing with the NCAA and coaches and compliance officers and faculty representatives, and the stick hurts when you are a historically Black college.

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sports

Diamond Dixon

“I don’t even remember the curve, but then I realized I was in last. I was like ‘Oh no, it’s not going to happen.’

headed to Summer Olympics

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By MAX EDISON Defender

or Houstonian Diamond Dixon the entire scenario was like a dream except it was all too real. The sophomore from the University of Kansas and Houston’s Westside High School was in the finals of the 400 meters, her specialty, at the Summer Olympic Trials for Track & Field in Eugene, Ore. At stake in the race – an opportunity to represent her country in the summer games in London later this summer. It was a lofty goal for the slender speedster and it would all go down in a span of less than 60 seconds, as she captured the final spot for the 4 x 400 relay team. “I was in lane 8, so I couldn’t see anybody, but I knew I had to move,” Dixon recalled. “As soon as the gun goes off, I’m just thinking get out. After that my mind just kind of goes blank. The stagger was broken on me at about the 200-meter mark. At that point a little panic set in. “I don’t even remember the curve, but then I realized I was in last. I was like ‘Oh no, it’s not going to happen.’

Houstonian Diamond Dixon captured the final spot for the 4 x 400 relay at the Summer Olympics Trials.

I got a burst of energy from somewhere during that last 100 meters. I just pumped my arms and moved my legs as fast as I could and fought for whatever place I could get.” In the true tradition of a cliffhanger, Dixon had no idea what place she finished in at the race’s conclusion. Those were some anxious moments. “I didn’t even realize what place I finished in when the race was over,” Dixon continued. “I bent over and looked at the board and I was in a panic because it seemed like it was taking forever to display the results. Then I saw my coach come running over with a big smile on his face. That’s when I knew something good had happened.” That “something good” was somewhat of an understatement. She finished in fifth place with a time of 50.88 seconds, a personal best and Kansas school record. Dixon was the only college runner in

the 400-meters finals and she had qualified for the coveted spot on the squad. Qualifying for the Olympics was the culmination of the goals young Dixon set for this season. “When I first started this season one of my goals was to make the Olympic team, but I wanted to take things a day at a time,” she said. “I had a goal to win the NCAA indoor and outdoor championships.” The two-time All-American captured the crown at the NCAA indoor championship, but finished a disappointing third in the outdoor championship. “Making the Olympic team and running my personal best was kind of like redemption for my performance in the outdoor championship,” she said. A two-time high school state champion in the 400 while at Westside, Dixon ran youth track locally with the renowned Wings Track Club. The club’s head coach William Wilmington recalled a determined Diamond Dixon. “Diamond ran with us for two years during her high school career,” Wilmington said. “She was a very talented runner surrounded by some very talented teammates that pushed and motivated each other. We tried to give her quality coaching, emotional support and encouragement that supplemented what she got at Westside. I’m pleased at her success, but not at all surprised.” For Dixon, it’s back to Lawrence, Kan. to train. She has a tune-up meet in Mexico City before the Olympics. The Summer Games begin in London on July 27 and for Dixon it will be the first of what should be many more track and field milestones. “It’s starting to sink in now,” Dixon said. “After all the meetings and trying on my gear its really sinking in, but I’m sure it will really sink in when I get on the plane to take off. Of course I’m excited about the opening ceremony, marching with the entire U.S. team in our colors. I get excited talking about it. We have to go win the gold now.” Two-time All-American Dixon hopes to bring home Olympic gold.

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sportsbriefs TSU football acknowledged

Members of the Houston Rockets 2012 draft class are (left to right) Royce White, Terrence Jones and Jeremy Lamb.

Rockets draft analysis

Great hype, big fizzle

By MAX EDISON Defender

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he annual NBA Draft has come and gone and once again fans of the Houston Rockets are left shaking their heads in disbelief. It’s a scene reminiscent of the old Peanuts comic strip, the one where Charlie Brown attempts to kick the football. Each time Lucy promises she won’t snatch the ball back and Charlie trusts she will keep her word. But when he approaches the ball at full speed, Lucy snatches it back and Charlie Brown falls flat on his face. Rockets GM Daryl Morey had led anxious Rocket fans to believe that this year’s draft would be different. They were told that the Rockets were going to put together a package of draft picks and players that would be so formidable the Orlando Magic would not think twice about trading All-Star Dwight Howard to the Rockets. Then the Rockets would have a full year to convince Howard to sign a long-term deal and remain with the team. As farfetched as that sounded, Morey went on a trading spree that would make “Let’s Make a Deal” host Wayne Brady blush. When the dealing was done, the Rockets had three first-round selections, 12, 16 and 18. The Rockets also had

a backup plan, just in case the Magic didn’t fall for the Rockets okey doke. That plan included parlaying the three existing picks into a deal that would put them in the top five. That way they could select an impact player that they could build around or further entice Orlando. At the end of the day the Rockets were unsuccessful in both efforts and once again the fans left disappointed. They selected UConn guard Jeremy Lamb (6feet-5, 185 pounds) with pick 12, Iowa State small forward Royce White (6-feet8, 255 pounds) with pick 16 and Kentucky power forward Terrence Jones (6-feet-9, 230 pounds) with pick 18. All are good players, but none are considered impact players earmarked for greatness. These picks go along with a roster of mediocre talent that has seen the team miss the playoffs the previous three years; in other words not much to get excited about. Morey made every effort to remain upbeat about his selections. “We’re really excited about the players we’ve added,” the GM said. “Jeremy Lamb is a guy we’ve really had our eye on. He can score the ball, has a high basketball IQ, a great shooter, really somebody we think can come in and help the Rockets. “Royce White is really one of the more unique play-

ers to play in college the last few years,” Morey said. “He’s athletic, strong and can handle the ball and pass… “Terrence Jones is a potential two-way player with his ability to defend, run the floor and face up at the big spot. We’re in the mode where we got to add good players and good players with upside

and we feel we’ve done that.” The Rockets now await the upcoming NBA free agency period where they hope to continue their wheeling and dealing, but with better results. When training camp opens this fall it will be interesting to see how many members of the 2012 draft class will still be wearing Rockets red.

classified Notice to Creditors On May 1, 2012, Letters Testamentary were issued to the representative of the Estate of Nathan Fairbanks Sherrill, Deceased, under Cause No 412,409 in Probate Court No. 1, Harris County, Texas. The address to which claims may be presented is Post Office Box 116, Bellaire, Texas, 77402. Claims should be addressed in care of the representative's attorney, Clifton Goodwin. All persons having claims against this estate being administered are required to present them within the time and in the manner prescribed by law.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS Sealed bids, in duplicate, addressed to Fourth Ward Redevelopment Authority will be received at 410 Pierce Street, Suite 355 Houston, TX 77002, until 2:00 pm, June 14, 2012. Bids will be publicly opened and read at 2:10 PM on Thursday, June 14 th 2012 for furnishing all labor, materials, equipment, and incidentals, as required, for the construction of a School Bus Drop-off Lane, Sidewalk, and Related Improvements on Genesee Street in Houston, Texas. CONTRACT DOCUMENTS may be examined at the following locations: (1) Amtek Plan Rm, 4001 Sherwood Ln, Houston, TX.; (2) ABC/Virtual Builders Exchange, 3910 Kirby, #131, Houston, TX; and (3) AGC, 3825 Dacoma, Houston, TX; The right is reserved, as the interest of the Owner may require, to reject any and all bids, and to waive any informality in bids received. Plans, specifications and bidding documents may be obtained at the offices of ESPA CORP, 7120 Grand Blvd, Suite #100, Houston, Texas 77054 (713-680 -0080) for a nonrefundable fee of $60.00 per set. Make checks payable to Fourth Ward Redevelopment Authority. A pre-bid conference will be held at Fourth Ward Redevelopment Authority offices, 410 Pierce Street, Suite 355, Houston, TX, on Tuesday, June 12 th, 2012 at 2:00 pm. It is requested, but not mandatory, that each bidder be represented at the pre-bid conference.

The Texas Southern football program recently received some good news from the Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA). The Tigers are the recipients of the Academic Progress Rate (APR) Most Improved Award for the Southwestern Athletic Conference. The APR Most Improved Award recognizes one institution at each of the 14 FCS conferences that has the highest APR score improvement from the previous year. In addition, the association recognizes one institution from each conference that has the highest overall APR score. In all, 29 awards were given this year, due to a tie in the Ivy League for the highest APR score in 2010-11. TSU made a 120 point improvement during the 2010-11period. “The 120 point improvement in the football yearly APR is a significant step in the program meeting the academic objectives,” said TSU Director of Athletics Dr. Charles McClelland. “We are confident that next year’s APR number will complete the process of solidifying the academic success of the TSU football student athletes and it will also remove the program from any APR penalties handed down from the NCAA.”

Tony Parker suing club San Antonio Spurs All-Star guard Tony Parker has filed a $20 million lawsuit against the New York City club W.i.P (Work in Progress). He alleges that the club’s security was negligent for allowing a recent fight to happen between the entourages of hip hop star Drake and R&B star Chris Brown. “The defendants were reckless, careless, and negligent in permitting Drake’s entourage and Brown’s entourage to be in the club at the same time despite known tension between the two,” states the lawsuit. It also notes that there is “bad blood between Drake and Chris Brown” because they “have both dated the same woman,” Rihanna. The suit states that in addition to “general melee” and “bottle throwing,” there were “possible gun shots.” Yet the club continued to sell alcohol to patrons who were “visibly intoxicated,” he claims. Parker, who was a patron in the club when the melee occurred, suffered a corneal laceration to the left eye and other injuries from shards of flying glass. As a result Parker, a member of the French national basketball team, could possibly miss the upcoming Summer Olympics.

Griner receives an honor Houston native Brittany Griner has received another award. She was named the 2012 Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year and recipient of the Honda Cup given by the Collegiate Women Sports Association. “On the 40th anniversary of Title IX, it’s a great day in the history of the Collegiate Women Sports Awards to look back on 36 years of our own history and honor such a game-changing athlete as Baylor University’s Brittney Griner,” said Jean Lenti Ponsetto, CWSA chairwoman of the board and athletic director at DePaul University. “This is a great day for the intercollegiate athletics community as we showcase the nation’s best of the best in women’s collegiate athletics live on ESPNU.” Griner led Baylor to an undefeated season and a national championship.

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For Event Coverage...visit

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Kristyn Page and Ralph Hughes

Judson W. Robinson, III and Cora Robinson

Kim Roxie and Scwyana Smith

Titlayo Odion and Erica King

Marc Newsome and Kijana Wiseman

Authors Drs. Jean and Robert Galloway

chag’splace

Kerrick Henny and Dr. Benjamin L. Hall, III

Will Norwood and LaToshia Tanner

Sheri Smith and Kimberly Adams

EMPOWERING HEARTS, MINDS & LIVES….. line. She recently celebrated the launch tour of The Houston Area Urban League celebrated its 44th LAMIK beauty cosmetic at Macy’s in Pearland, Annual Equal Opportunity Day Gala and chose TX. This notable accomplishment came through the theme “Empowering Hearts Minds & Lives.” The Workshop at Macy’s, an exclusive retail Like the theme, that’s what the vendor development program Urban League does every day, as designed to give select high Join Yvette Chargois well as the honorees. This year’s potential minority and/or women honorees included Macy’s, AT&T, business owners the tools to Events of the Week The Lewis Group LLP, Capital better succeed and sustain growth. More photos on defendernetwork.com One Bank and Dr. Benjamin Founded in 2004, LAMIK is an See Events on KTRK Ch.13’s Crossroads with Melanie Lawson Sunday Morning @ 11 a.m. L. Hall, III. Over 750 folks acronym that stands for Love attended this grand event and to And Makeup In Kindness. Kim, top the evening off, American as well as other make-up artist, Idol, Ruben Studdard provided the entertainment. were all busy teaching and applying make-up Kudos to Judson W. Robinson, III, president techniques to a large crowd that attended this and CEO, Gilbert Garcia, honorary chairman, launch. The products are available at her flagship staff and volunteers for making this one fantastic location on Greenbriar as well as Macy’s stores evening. Keep up the good work!.....LAMIK in Texas, Georgia and Louisiana. We salute Kim BEAUTY LAUNCH…….Make-up designer, and wish her continued success!.....CHAG’S Kim Roxie, became one of the youngest African BOOKSHELF…..A book signing for authors American women to launch a successful makeup Drs. Jean and Robert Galloway was held at The

African American Library at the Gregory School. The book is titled “Unity of Women: Naturally African” and combines African art, photos and sculpture with common-sense, often humorous, but always thought-provoking African proverbs. The woman is the center for the home, community and society as well as the foundation of all humanity. Jean and Robert wrote the book to empower readers, especially those of the feminine gender and help them recognize their common roots, future potential and understand the true meaning of “Sankofa” – “You cannot go forward unless you first look back to where you have come from.” Those attending the booksigning included Patricia Prather, Betty Harvey, Sybil and Sydney Benard, Marc Newsome, Wynnette and Donald Bond, Sheri Smith, Kimberly Adams, Tracye Carter, Diamond Carter and Kijana Wiseman, who designed the book and added the African proverbs. Congratulations!.....From Chag’s Place to your place, have a blessed week!

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