Houston Defender: July 8, 2021

HOUSTON HIP HOP LEGENDS CELEBRATING 713 DAY IS A SALUTE TO THE PIONEERS AND A SHOWCASE OF FUTURE ARTISTS.

SPOTLIGHT

SPORTS

MISTY STARKS

RAEVYN ROGERS

The PR professional shares how she navigates entreprenuership, life.

Volume 90, issue 36 July 8, 2021

The former Kinkaid School track star is heading to the Olympics.

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DN To the POINT

LET THE PEOPLE BE HEARD

HOUSTON’S POPULAR TURKEY LEG HUT RESTAURANT HAS IMPLEMENTED A NEW DRESS CODE THAT PROMPTED BOTH PRAISE AND ANGRY BACKLASH. Social media was on fire with comments.

“I stand in agreement with the dress code. You shouldn’t have to tell ‘grown folks’ how to dress anyhow. I love TLH and will always support.” – Sherrone Elise “I’d pull up in a hazmat suit, idgaf.” -Tomwitdafoolery “So let me get this straight, people are fighting for the right to sag their jeans and to wear rags that were widely viewed as indecent to wear out in public in the past? Shame.” -Jgarmany317 “About time!... I was embarrassed to recommend the place to my colleagues because it was so scandalous the last time I visited.” - Frachelle Edolia “Who tf getting all the way cute to go to the turkey leg hut?” - Keira_J94 “How are you gonna be a BLACK establishment in the middle of a historically BLACK area of Houston with a hella AntiBlack, internalized racist af dress code policy for a joint that sells excessively smothered turkey legs?” - TaliaMirai.

Edward Cagney Matthews was arrested for harassing his neighbor after his viral video.

Message From the Managing Editor Attention, racists… you don’t want this

sexual assault.” The offending tweet has since been deleted from Rashad’s Twitter page, and Rashad reportedly plans to participate in trainings to “become a stronger ally.” That’s not enough for many people though, as a campaign is underway to get her fired from Howard.

smoke

In this week’s episode of ‘Don’t write a check your behind can’t cash’….allow me to take you to Mount Laurel, NJ, where a white man harassed and yelled racist slurs at his Black neighbor.

Edward Cagney Matthews was reportedly mad about issues with the community’s Homeowner’s Nikole Hannah-Jones is THAT chick Association board. So in true white privilege fashPulitizer prize-winning journalist Nikole Hanion, he took it out on the Black dude. As he hurled nah-Jones is my Shero. She recently announced that racial slurs, he turned to the camera and basically she will not be joining the faculty at the University ReShonda Tate said he didn’t give a f- about n*ggers and anyone of North Carolina at Chapel Hill—despite finally who had a problem, come see him at….and then being granted tenure at the school following a long, he proceeded to give his address. So in Black Twitter world, ask drawn-out drama that should never have been entertained by the and ye shall receive. Black folks showed up IN DROVES outside school’s board of trustees. But some GOP donor got mad about his home…it got so out of hand that someone even hit him over Hannah-Jones’ The 1619 Project and I guess wanted to show that the head with a Black Lives Matter flag. Matthews ended up getting gal her place and initially deny her tenure. After students and facarrested on charges of assault and bias intimidation, and in true, ulty protested, they reversed the decision and Hannah-Jones replied ‘I can’t handle the smoke’ fashion, has issued an apology. “There with, ‘Nah, I’m good.’ Instead, Hannah-Jones is heading to Howard is nothing I’m going to be able to say that’s going to justify me University. The journalist expressed joy and excitement in joining using the words that I used,” Matthews said in a news interview. the faculty, saying that one of her biggest regrets is that she “did not “Whatever I have to do to make it up to the community—and the attend Howard as an undergraduate.” She also said that she hopes world at this point, seeing how big it is —understand that I made that in her new position she will help Howard University bring somea mistake, allow me the ability to move forward, just like we all thing to media that she believes it sorely lacks—a wealth of Black deserve.” Boy, bye. journalists. I love that boss move. She showed that they don’t have to give us a seat at the table. We can go make our own table.

The Cosby saga

Black folks stay ready to revoke a Black card. Phylicia Rashad has been that “auntie” since her Claire Huxtable days. But Black folks were ready to throw that all away after she celebrated the overturning of Bill Cosby’s sexual assault conviction. Rashad, who said she was celebrating the miscarriage of justice Cosby received, offered her “most sincere apology” to the students and parents of Howard University–where she has served as dean of its College of Fine Arts since May. She added that her remarks were in no way directed toward survivors of sexual assault. Not only was Rashad taken to task about her tone-deaf comments by Howard alumni and other celebrities, Howard itself condemned Rashad’s tweet, saying in part that it “lacked sensitivity towards survivors of

In this week’s paper

• Houston’s hip-hop legends turn out and up for 713 Day. • This week’s spotlight is on PR maven, Misty Starks.

• An exclusive one-on-one with Raevyn Rogers as she prepares to head to the Tokyo Olympics.

On the web

• Ice Cube, Warner Bros. face-off over rights to ‘Friday’ movie franchise.

• Texas college athletes can now profit off their name, image and likeness.

• Comcast establishes 50 WiFi-connected lift zones in Houston area.

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DN News $7.9 bil in Houston transportation at risk Defender News Service

With over $503 million spent in developing the Interstate-45 project in Houston to date and almost two decades of talking to community stakeholders, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has decided to ask the public, “Do you want the $7.9 billion for the I-45 project?”

The public will have 30-days to post online comments beginning Friday, July 9 and ending Monday, August 9. The focus is on the 10-year Unified Transportation Plan (UTP) which includes the potential removal of funding assigned to the I-45 North Houston Highway Improvement Project (known as the NHHIP). The Texas Transportation Commission is expected to determine whether Houston will keep the project’s funding at their meeting scheduled for August 28.

The Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the NHHIP and the Project Facts/Highlights are available on the website: www.ih45northandmore. com or watch the video presentation at: http://ih45northandmore.com/ChangesForTheBetter.aspx.

Over the last 15 years, the project has received unanimous support until 2019 when Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo put forth a dissenting vote followed by a 2020 vote of 14 to 10 with both the City

TxDOT wants to hear from the public about the I-45 expansion.

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ways to submit comments

ONLINE: Visit www.TxDOT.gov and search the keyword “UTP public involvement” to access the online public comment form EMAIL: Comments can be sent to UTP-PublicComments@txdot.gov.

PHONE: (800) 687-8108 MAIL: Texas Department of Transportation, Attn: TPP-UTP, P.O. Box 149217, Austin, TX 78714-9217

of Houston and Harris County appointees on the Transportation Policy Council (TPC) voting in opposition of a resolution to support the advancement of the project.

Others joining the band wagon of opposition are U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, County Commissioner Rodney Ellis and several environmental groups.

The federal lawsuit filed by the Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee claims unnecessary displacement of low-income communities combined with a letter sent by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee to the Federal Highway Administration raising concerns under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 has caused TxDOT to revisit whether Houston really wants the $7.9 billion project or should the monies be directed toward other statewide transportation needs.

TxDOT has worked with community leaders on the I-45 project in developing plans to provide ample compensation to property owners and tenants whose properties would be needed, addressing drainage and flooding issues, creating new job opportunities, providing grants to the tune of $27 million to reestablish housing stock in the impacted communities while also expanding freeway lanes important for hurricane evacuation.

There are four ways to submit public comments: online, email, phone and mail.

Democrats’ Special Session options include another walkout Defender News Service

Outnumbered and virtually powerless to block conservative priorities they oppose, Democrats in the Texas Legislature say they are keeping their options open as they prepare for a special session that is expected to revive the GOP elections bill they killed last month.

The line coming from Democrats across the spectrum: “Everything is on the table.” That includes another walkout like the one that doomed Senate Bill 7 in the final hours of the regular legislative session when Democrats broke quorum. But this time, such a move could now imperil the pay of their staffers, since Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed the funding for the legislative branch while telling lawmakers they could restore it in the special session that starts in less than a week.

“From a caucus perspective, since we’re going into the unknown, we have to keep every option open, which includes denying quorum,” said Rep. Jessica González of Dallas, vice chair of the House Elections Committee. “I think a lot of folks want to see what would be in [the elections bill] before making a decision.”

She said House Democrats are “trying to get a sense of where the majority of our caucus

is,” but that consensus is “to be determined.”

Similarly, Rep. Nicole Collier of Fort Worth said during a recent Texas Tribune event that, “Right now, there has not been any type of resolution or concerted efforts.”

“Everything is on the table,” Collier said.

“We’re not going to remove any options at this point.”

There are still a number of unknowns before Democrats can settle on a strategy, including what the full agenda will be for the special session, how Abbott will structure it and what the elections bill will look like. Abbott announced June 22 that the special session will begin July 8 but offered no other details, only saying the agenda would be announced before the session starts.

Democrats will also have to consider Abbott’s veto of funding for the Legislature for the two-year budget cycle starting Sept. 1.

That gives lawmakers an incentive to participate in the special session — or potentially sacrifice their staffers’ pay. Abbott’s veto was in retribution for the Democrats’ walk out, but it affects more than 2,100 legislative staffers and individuals working at legislative agencies.

(Abbott has acknowledged the lawmakers’ salaries are protected by the state Constitution.)

Texas state Rep. Jessica Gonzalez speaks during a news conference in Austin, Texas, after House Democrats pulled off a dramatic, last-ditch walkout and blocked one of the most restrictive voting bills in the U.S. from passing before a midnight deadline. AP Photo/Acacia Coronado

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DN News

Nikole Hannah Jones, who won a Pulitzer Prize for The 1619 Project, has declined a late tenure offer at University of North Carolina, instead accepting a chaired professorship at Howard University.

Vanessa Wyche has officially been named Director of the Johnson Space Center in Houston.

The 31-year NASA veteran will be the first African American woman to lead a NASA center.

Marshall sculpture replaces racist statue Defender News Service

Rev. Al Sharpton, left, and attorney Benjamin Crump, right, escort Rebecca Payne to view her grandson’s casket during the funeral service for 17-year-old Hunter Brittain. AP/Thomas Metthe

Al Sharpton to eulogize Arkansas teen fatally shot by deputy Associated Press

The Rev. Al Sharpton and attorneys for George Floyd’s family mourned a white Arkansas teenager fatally shot by a sheriff ’s deputy, as they urged support across racial lines for efforts to reform police practices.

Sharpton eulogized 17-year-old Hunter Brittain, who was shot and killed by a white Lonoke County sheriff ’s deputy, Sgt. Michael Davis, during a traffic stop June 23 near Cabot, near Little Rock.

The killing in the predominantly white community has drawn the attention of national civil rights activists such as Sharpton, who said concerns about police tactics aren’t just limited to the Black community.

“The issue of policing is not about Black and white,” Sharpton told a packed auditorium at Beebe High School, where Brittain was a rising senior. “It’s about right and wrong.”

Many attending the memorial wore jeans and shirts that read “Justice for Hunter,” in a ceremony that included Floyd family attorneys Ben Crump and Devon Jacob. Both are representing Brittain’s family.

Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley fired Davis for not turning on his body camera until after he had shot Brittain.

Staley said the only footage police have is from the aftermath. Arkansas State Police are investigating Brittain’s death. Davis is white.

Authorities have released few details about the shooting. Brittain’s family has said the teenager Hunter Brittain was unarmed and was holding a jug of antifreeze when he was shot. Brittain’s family and friends have held protests nightly outside the Lonoke County sheriff ’s office and have complained about the lack of information released. Family members have said Brittain had been working on his truck’s transmission and had been test driving it when he was pulled over.

Staley said he welcomed those who want to peacefully protest, but that out-of-state activists could risk “inflaming an already difficult situation.”

“The people of this county are good, decent people and they, like me, want to see accountability and transparency in this situation,” Staley wrote on the office’s Facebook page.

The memorial included calls to pass federal legislation in Floyd’s name to overhaul police practices.

The House of Representatives has passed legislation that, if enacted, would remove images tied to slavery, segregation and sedition from the U.S. Capitol complex.

Among its provisions, the bill would take down the bust of former Chief Supreme Court Justice, Roger B. Taney, who in 1857 wrote the majority opinion in the landmark Dred Scott case, which held that Black Americans were not U.S. citizens and upheld the notion that Black people “had no rights which the white man was bound to respect.”

Replacing Taney’s likeness would be a bust of Thurgood Marshall, the legendary civil rights lawyer and the nation’s first Black Supreme Court Justice.

H.R. 3005, sometimes called the `Remove Hate’ bill, was re-introduced in May by House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) along with co-sponsors such as Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Majority Whip, James Clyburn. The measure passed the House on June 29, 2021 by a vote of 285-120.

“Even though we cannot change our history, we can work to affirm the ideals that our country was built on: justice and equality for all,” said Rep. Hoyer in a statement. “Symbols of slavery and segregation denigrate our Capitol and have no place here. Individuals who worked to enshrine or perpetuate the bondage of African Americans, or prevent them from achieving full and equal rights, are not worthy of being honored in our country.”

Rep. Joyce Beatty, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) was among the bill’s lead sponsors, as were Reps. Karen Bass (D-CA). G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), Bennie Thompson (D-MS) and other caucus members. Beatty wielded the gavel while serving as Speaker Pro Tempore during debate of the legislation on the House floor.

“Hate has no place in society, let alone the Halls of Congress, and I am proud that my House colleagues reaffirmed that fundamental principle,” said the Congresswoman.

Thurgood Marshall -AP

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DN Feature RE-COLLECTIVE BUILDS BIPOC LEADERS USING RESEARCH FOR SUBSTANTIVE SOCIAL CHANGE

By Aswad Walker

This year has seen countless anti-Black moves like multi- pipelines where people of color can be trained to lead in and gives us the strength to walk away from spaces. I’ve had state voter suppression bills and attacks on Critical Race movement building. We want to expand those opportunities to walk away from a job because my mental health wasn’t Theory (i.e. attacks on Black history and perspectives). As into organizations and other traditional spaces where they for sale. (Donisha Shepherd, steering committee liaison, a counter to this madness, enter the Race Equity Leadership have not been able to bring their whole selves. (Dr. Kenya board member) and Research Collective, or RE-Collective for short.

Minott, co-founder, board member) This Black women-led, local organization seeks So many of our communities of color and leaders to develop young leaders able to take organizaCHALLENGES of color have been tokenized in a way when they tions beyond mere symbolic, anti-racist acts Most of the research that has participate in efforts of change, dollars come and towards substantive, liberating change for been done in our communities into the community and they leave withBlacks and other people of color. has been done on us and not out any sustained effort and thought about Founded by Drs. Kenya Minott and Kim with us. Research in a sense is investing in resources that are there, includBaker, sisters originally from St. Louis, with not only a way to retell our stories ing the human resources. A major part of the public health research, social work, civic engageand to be the knowledge generator, RE-Collective is investment in the people that ment and electoral work experience, the RE-Col- Dr. Kenya Minott the expert in our lived experiences, consider themselves emerging leaders in this lective seeks to accomplish its goals by focusing but we also know that research is the Donisha Shepherd work. (Baker) on three areas (research, advocacy and leadership) currency for investment. So, what does via their leadership development initiative, the the data say? What’s the evidence?

THE UKOMBOZI Ukombozi Fellowship.

What are the facts? We wanted to make sure that FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM as we embark upon this training of emerging It’s a one-year program, beginning in late July with our OBJECTIVES leaders, they understood that the road to liber- first 18-member cohort that gives members the foundation The RE-Collective is an opportunity to ating our communities would be truth-telling, of that race equity lens, that anti-racism lens to then lead build a movement that is robust and not just in a way that we can gain further investment in in advocacy with research as a foundation. A space where on the stage of what it means to be an activist, the strategies and the solutions that we know will we’re learning together and growing together, and being able but what it means to have research and leadership Dr. Kim Baker get us to liberation. (Dr. Kim Baker, co-founder, to create this cycle so as participants graduate, they’ll circle opportunities that are centered and led by Black, board member) back and help train and mentor the next group. Participants indigenous and other people of color (BIPOC). Over the will meet at a Third Ward location Mondays, Wednesdays last eight years there has been a surge of Black-led orgaIn the professional world, being a Black woman and and Fridays. They will meet via Zoom on Tuesdays and nizations, Black-led women organizations in the name of having an opinion in predominantly white spaces, often Thursdays. (Shepherd) getting people more involved in civic participation and voter deems you as aggressive, as rude, and you don’t fit the culengagement. The RE-Collective adds to that movement ture because you don’t just sit down, shut up and let them Check out the full interview because there has been a huge void in how research has run the show. I was tired of that. The RE-Collective really at DefenderNetwork.com been conducted and how it is talked about when it comes helps us to recreate what professionalism looks like. It helps to our experiences. There are very few opportunities or few us to have full agency over how we want to show up in spaces

TSU launches Navy JROTC cadet flight academy Defender News Service

Texas Southern University (TSU) has launched the country’s first Navy JROTC Cadet Flight Academy. The inaugural class of Navy cadets is comprised of incoming high school seniors from around the country. The selection process for the Navy JROTC Summer Flight Academy is highly competitive, with all cadets meeting the components required of U.S. Navy Academy candidates.

“We are delighted to be one of the first universities in the nation to partner with the United States Navy to train future aviators. Our aviation program is one of the best in the nation and one of only eight located on an HBCU campus,” said Dr. Lesia L. Crumpton-Young, president of TSU. “The shortage of pilots and the need

for more diversity in the cockpit make TSU uniquely qualified to meet the needs of the U.S. Navy and increase aviation diversity.”

Similar to TSU’s Air Force JROTC Flight Academy, each Navy cadet taking part in the six-week program will be training to

earn their private pilot’s license. Summer 2021 cadets moved into TSU’s on-campus dorms and started Ground School July 5, which will be followed by Flight School on July 19 at Ellington Airport. During Flight School, they will fly twice a day with TSU flight instructors.

“This honor says a great deal about the support that our Aviation Advisory Board and TSU leadership has given the aviation program. Although our flight program is one of the newest in the country, our goal is to be best in class,” said Dr. Terence Fontaine, director of aviation.

Texas Southern University Aviation is currently hosting 11 cadets in an Air Force JROTC flight program. The cadets are progressing and have achieved major program milestones; 11 cadets have already

flown solo and completed night-flight and cross-country training. They have also completed the FAA Part 141 training and are scheduled to take the FAA private pilot’s checkride, the final test to receive their private pilot’s license, next week.

“I want to personally thank our aviation staff for going the extra mile to facilitate these very important programs to the university,” said Fontaine.

Both Air Force JROTC and Navy JROTC cadets will be on campus together, training for a short time. During their brief time together, they will fellowship and exchange the aviation knowledge they have learned.

TSU is one of two universities in the nation that has partnered with the U.S. Navy to provide opportunities to Navy JROTC cadets.

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DN News

A TALE OF TWO AMERICAS

President Joe Biden

Biden unveils plan to boost vaccinations Defender News Service

Pharmacy Technician Kenetra Gipson prepares vaccination equipment for a clinic. Getty Images

Doctors: ‘Unvaccinated residents threaten everyone’ Defender News Service

Out of the COVID-19 pandemic, two Americas are emerging: one protected by vaccines and the other still vulnerable to infection. Experts say progress made across the entire U.S. is being threatened by low-vaccinated regions.

“We’re already starting to see places with low vaccination rates starting to have relatively big spikes from the Delta variant. We’ve seen this in Arkansas, Missouri, Wyoming ... those are the places where we’re going to see more hospitalizations and deaths as well, unfortunately,” Dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, Dr. Ashish Jha, said.

“And any time you have large outbreaks, it does become a breeding ground for potentially more variants.”

Parts of the South, Southwest and Midwest are starting to see spikes in

cases, and many of those states -- like Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi -- are among those with the lowest rates of vaccination, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recent COVID-19 case rates are an average of three times higher in states that have vaccinated a smaller share of their residents than the United States overall, CDC data shows.

If there is another surge, Dr. Megan Ranney, associate professor of emergency medicine at Brown University, said young unvaccinated adults could be a big part of the problem.

“We’ve already seen that the highest number of infections over the past few months have been in those younger adults,” Ranney said. “These are the people that thought they were invincible.”

Only 47.4% of the U.S. population

is fully vaccinated against the virus, according to CDC data. In Houston, that number is similar with 47% of residents being vaccinated. In Fort Bend County, Judge KP George said 72% of residents have been vaccinated.

While some experts have held that vaccines provide good enough protection that vaccinated people can forgo face coverings, the transmission rates have made others more cautious.

“If you’re in a low-infection, high-vaccination area, you don’t need to be wearing a mask indoors if you’re fully vaccinated,” Jha said.

The best protection against the Delta variant, experts have said, is to inoculate 70 to 85% of the population against the virus. Ranney has said she hopes vaccines receiving full approval will take away some fear that is left in people who have not yet gotten vaccinated.

President Biden has unveiled a new plan to boost COVID vaccination rates after the self-imposed goal he had set for July Fourth — 70% of the adult population vaccinated — fell short by 3%, according to figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

With the virulent Delta variant driving a modest increase in cases, Biden unveiled a plan to get more vaccines in the arms of Americans who may still have doubts about the lifesaving shots.

“The bottom line is the virus is on the run ... and you the American people made it happen,” Biden said.

Biden said the spread of the Delta variant should be a wake-up call, especially as the country narrowly missed hitting his July 4 goal.

“Seems to me, this should cause everyone to think twice,” Biden said. “Fully vaccinated people have a high degree of protection, even against this Delta variant. If you’re not (vaccinated), you’re putting yourselves and your family and friends at risk.”

More than 200 Americans still die each day from COVID-19, and tens of millions have chosen not to get the life-saving vaccines.

The president said the summer could offer a key turning point as health care workers push to get over the hump ahead of the arrival of cool weather in the fall that could give the virus a renewed foothold in the U.S. Biden’s Five-point plan • Door-to-door canvassing in communities with low vaccination rates • Getting vaccines into primary care physicians’ offices • Pushing adolescents to get vaccinated as part of their back-to-school health checkups.

• Stepping up efforts to bring vaccine clinics to workplaces and to expand mobile clinics.

• Create a rapid response team to tamp down COVID19 outbreaks that are expected to spring up in areas with low vaccination rates, including extensive testing and medical resources.

July 8, 2021 |

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VACCINES SAVE LIVES Get your COVID-19 vaccine so we can end this pandemic — and get back to doing the things we love.

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

Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital

Houston Methodist West Hospital

Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital Houston Methodist Josie Roberts Administration Building

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital

Walk in or schedule your free Pfizer vaccine online at houstonmethodist.org/vaccine today.

Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital

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DN InFocus

Houston Hip Hop legends celebrate 713 DAY The new generation is carrying the torch and keeping it alive on the national stage. Houston hip-hop is in good hands.

This is a big reason why we celebrate 713 Day.”

Paul Wall (Left) and Lil’ Keke (right) pose at SoSouth Music.

PHOTO COURTESY: LIL’ KEKE’S INSTAGRAM

Paul Wall

July 13 isn’t just any ordinary day for Houstonians.

7/13 or 713 Day is the city’s official unofficial holiday that celebrates the culture, cuisine and curated entertainment in the Bayou City.

HOUSTON HIP-HOP AT A GLANCE Houston hip-hop found its voice around the 1980s when the Rap-A-Lot record label was founded. The label entered into the national spotlight with the success of its most prominent group The Geto Boys in the early 90’s. Soon after, the late iconic DJ Screw began dominating the scene with his famous chopped and screwed DJ techniques that are

used in many mainstream songs today.

Houston is considered the historic heart of Texas hip-hop music. The success stories of these artists have developed out of the neighborhoods of the Southside, Third Ward, South Park, Fifth Ward, along with many others.

These stories grew from experiences of poverty, violence, crime and drugs that negatively impacted these communities.

“Many of these neighborhoods were a source of neglect and resource extraction.

These were the sites for the ‘War on Drugs’ during that time,” says Maco Faniel, historian and author of Hip-Hop in Houston: The Origin and the Legacy. “This is the era of President

• Mainstream Recognition: Major-label debut, The People’s Champ, 2005 • Signature: Southern drawl and local slag term (Slab, Swings, Tippin’, Candy Paint)

Lil Keke

ARTISTS: Lil’ Keke, Paul Wall, and Slim Thug

• Career Debut- Early Protégé of the Iconic DJ Screw

DATE: July 13, 2021 7PM- 2AM

• Mainstream Recognition: Original member of the legendary Screwed Up Click (S.U.C)

NEW artists on the 713 Days line-up on defendernetwork.com

where we are from and we take pride in that,” says Steven Chavez III, founder of Still Tippin’ Houston. “It is also a time to celebrate how far we’ve come and to showcase how our culture permeates worldwide.”

• Career Debut: “Get Ya Mind Correct” album with Chamillionaire, 2002

CELEBRATION

LOCATION: RISE Rooftop 2600 Travis Street #Suite R Houston, TX 77006.

One of the most significant components to 713 Day is the tribute to Houston’s hip-hop music scene.

Still Tippin Houston, a multimedia and event curation company will host the official “713 Day” event featuring popular artists, legendary pioneers and the new generation of Houston hip-hop.

Houston has launched the careers of hiphop’s biggest superstars for years, but it has failed to get the recognition of other hip-hop meccas like New York City, Atlanta, Chicago and Los Angeles, leaving the city to be seen as underrated.

“713 also represents our area code. This is

Rapper, Actor, DJ

Reagan and the ‘War on Drugs.’ Federal dollars were given to local policing. These communities became heavily surveilled with police activity, drug arrests, and resources taken away from schools along with other issues that were impacting Black communities.”

Faniel says one could argue that The Geto Boys hit single “Mind Playing Tricks On Me” discussed how these broader social structures were working to harm Black people and the paranoia that comes with being Black in America.

Rappers told stories about their struggles to survive. Their saving grace was to pursue music. Some expressed how they had to sell

• New Music: Released 12th album SUBCULTURE, and Slab Talk mixtape with veteran rapper Lil’Keke

• Awards: Featured on Grammy-nominated song “Grillz” with Nelly, 2007

713 DAY

By Laura Onyeneho

Paul Wall

Rapper

• Community Service: Recipient of community service award from President Barack Obama, 2016

• Signature: Live freestyles, off-the-dome, no pad no pen style • Awards: Received city proclamation for 713 Day in 2015 and 2018

their music out of car trunks while promoting their music by sharing it with DJs in notable hip-hop clubs and strip joints.

Lil’ Keke is one of Houston’s most celebrated rappers who started his career freestyling in the back of “hoopties” (a junky, worthless, broken down car. Source: Urban Dictionary).

Lil’Keke’s ambition and the gift of the gab led him to be a part of one of the most iconic hiphop collectives of the early ’90s, The Screwed Up Click.

“I’m from the crack era. I don’t think there wasn’t anything more traumatic to the Black community than crack. The music during that time was gangster rap,” he says. “I sold drugs,

I worked in crack houses. To come from that and still survive is a blessing. A lot of the music and my pain and subject matter came from that era.”

Lili’ Keke says local artists have had to get it “out the mud” and take the independent path to grow their music careers without the help of distribution deals or major labels. Tobe Nwigwe, Slim Thug and Mike Jones are a few notable names to add to this list.

“Houston hip-hop to me hasn’t changed, it just evolved over time. At the end of the day, it all comes back to the roots,” he says. “We might be considered underrated but we are so self-made and self-absorbed that we don’t put

as much interest in what others think of us.”

Lil’ Keke describes Houston as the independent music city in the world. His love for his community and the culture led to the proclamation of 713 Day by both former Mayor Annise Parker in 2015 and Mayor Turner in 2018.

UPLIFTING THE NEXT GENERATION Chavez says that 713 Day allows them to showcase the hidden gems of the city because many artists eventually leave to cultivate their talents in other cities.

“The sound of Houston hip-hop culture is evolving,” Chavez says. “We have Megan Thee Stallion, Travis Scott. We’ve got Beyoncé. We don’t have the infrastructure like other major cities. We don’t have major record labels located here, and we’ve been doing it out the trunk for so long. But we still continue to make waves regardless.”

Houston rap legend Paul Wall has had a successful career since the debut of his first album “The Peoples Champ” in 2005. He released a new album “SUBCULTURE” last year to celebrate the 15th anniversary of his first album. He was influenced by Lil’Keke’s era of music and pays homage through the sounds of his era. He says that being able to create longevity in the cut-throat music industry instead of chasing attention and fame is important for young, upcoming Houston rappers to consider.

“The reason why I’m still going strong after all these years is because I am my authentic self. I understand the business, I understand who is in my circle, I know what other avenues outside of music to invest in and what my hardcore fan base wants,” he says. “I don’t make sexually explicit music.

It’s not my style. All I talk about is cars, sippin’ drinks or getting money.

“SUBCULTURE” is about the underground nostalgic vibe. It’s about paying tribute to our past while elevating the culture. It’s about creating your own movement and not following the popular trends. The new generation is carrying the torch and keeping it alive on the national stage. Houston hip-hop is in good hands. This is a big reason why we celebrate 713 Day.”

Laura Onyeneho is the Defender Network Education Reporter and a Report For America Corps member. Email her at laura@defendernetwork.com

10 | July 8, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Entertainment BILL COSBY URGES BLACK PRESS TO ‘PUSH FORWARD’ NNPA

coached witnesses while they were giving case to convict him of the same criminal to agree with the majority that due process testimony. offenses he had previously been induced toT:4.79"does not permit the government to engage The Black Press also reported that jurors believe were off the table. I am constrained in this type of coercive bait-and-switch.” in Cosby’s first trial initially voted to acquit the comedian but were ordered by Judge O’Neill to deliberate further. That first trial ended in a hung jury, despite Cosby’s team These Texas Lottery Commission scratch ticket games will be closing soon: declining to put on a defense.

Official Close End Validations Former prosecutor Bruce Castor excluGame # Game Name / Odds $ of Game Date sively told the Black Press that Cosby 2261 $200 Million Ca$h - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.39 $50 7/4/21 12/31/21 should never have been tried because of 2205 Instant Jackpot - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.89 $5 7/9/21 1/5/22 a deal he reached with the superstar a decade prior.

2225 Triple 333s - Overall Odds are 1 in 4.12 $2 7/21/21 1/17/22 Castor also called into question the cred2147 $100 Grand - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.89 $5 7/21/21 1/17/22 ibility of Andrea Constand, the lone alleged 2260 Lady Luck 7 - Overall Odds are 1 in 4.39 $5 7/21/21 1/17/22 victim in the case.

“What is happening to Bill Cosby is a 2244 Mega Loteria - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.54 $10 7/21/21 1/17/22 travesty, a miscarriage of justice,” Castor 2271 Cool Riches - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.76 $10 7/21/21 1/17/22 said.

2298 Million Dollar Loteria - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.27 $20 7/30/21 1/26/22 The state Supreme Court backed up Castor in overturning the conviction.

Texaslottery.com is the official source for all pertinent game information. Game closing procedures may be initiated for documented business reasons. These games may have prizes unclaimed, including top prizes. In addition, game closing procedures will be initiated “By publicly announcing that appellant when all top prizes have been claimed. During closing, games may be sold even after all top prizes have been claimed. Must be 18 or older to purchase a ticket. For help with a gambling problem, ncpgambling.org. © 2021 Texas Lottery Commission. PLAY RESPONSIBLY. William Cosby would not be charged with any crimes related to Andrea Constand — a decision apparently made, in part, to force Cosby to testify in Constand’s future anticipated civil suit — former Montgomery County Dis1 L07170_HNDF_EOG_AFAM_0708.indd trict Attorney Bruce Castor join from us for aC02C2B34MD6M-mbp16 Virtual Meet & Greet regarding bidSalazar opportunities associated with the at None / tommysalazar70 printed PM intended saved to, and fact 5:00Please

by Tommy at in6-24-2021 HCA Texas Orthopedic Hospital Project did, force Cosby to give approvals fonts & images PROJECT DESCRIPTION: up his Fiftjobh info Amendment None job # creative dir TX07170 Interior renovation work: (all work is alteration Level 2 work U.N.O. on G01 Series Plans) Fonts right against client self-incrimTEXAS LOTTERY Helvetica Neue LT Std (95 Black, 77 Bold Conden art director Level 02: 1792 SF of existing locker rooms and loungeNone renovation; 1492 SF of renovationCondensed), to convert Times existing JUL EOG AD (Regular) None copywriter ination,”headline/tag Justice Kevin operating rooms to storage trim 4.79" x 3.25" account mgr AMY ADKINS bleed None Images Dougherty wrote.

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LEGAL NOTICE

T:3.25"

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s ruling to vacate Bill Cosby’s conviction is not only about vindication for the comedian.

For Cosby, it is now about helping other Black men who were falsely accused.

He told the Black Press in an exclusive telephone conversation just hours after his release from a prison outside of Philadelphia, “This is an opportunity that the Black Press, the writers, the men and the women have now an opportunity with great intelligence, with great foresight, with great after sight, not just about Mr. Cosby, it is about what you saw, it is about what you know, and you must tell it, and you must be believed, and you have to put it in a way that has a level of intelligence.”

He said it’s important that the NAACP’s Crisis Magazine also reports the truth of his case because it could assist many falsely accused African Americans who don’t have the notoriety or the means to fight their cases.

The National Newspaper Publishers Association closely monitored both of Cosby’s trials in Pennsylvania, and not surprisingly, the reporting done by the Black Press of America proved far different from mainstream media’s accounts.

For instance, the Black Press regularly reported on the egregious behavior of trial court Judge Steven O’Neill, District Attorney Kevin Steele and several lawyers who openly Bill Cosby

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July 8, 2021 |

| 11

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Spotlight

MISTY STARKS PR Maven Navigating Entrepreneurship, life

By Aswad Walker

To say Misty Starks is a PR giant who’s killing the game is an understatement.

She runs two companies, one of which, 3B Resources Group, made Forbes’ inaugural “America’s Best PR Firms” in 2020.

Success for this New Orleans native and Howard University alumna didn’t come easy, but rather through a professional journey (FOX, BET, TSU), rich with hard work, incredible talent and an unyielding faith in her ability to “Do all things thru Christ” who strengthens her.

And if you talk to 100 Black Houstonians, it’s a good bet 90 of them know and love Starks, a former Defender editor, because she not only brings a winning work ethic, but a spirit that invites respect.

DEFENDER: Can you describe the significance of being named to Forbes’ Americas Best PR Firms list?

MISTY: In PR, just like any other industry, you have your giants. In my industry Edelman, that’s really the giant. And they’re on the list. They have offices around the world. They represent some of the biggest names in business entertainment, medicine. Just name an industry. So, to be on the same list with them is incredible. From what I read, Forbes took 5,000 nominations and whittled them down to 200. My company was one of the 200, and I’m only one of three from the Houston area that made the list. And being a Black woman, certainly that is impressive. It’s a tremendous honor. It’s just a blessing from God. But,

Misty Starks

you know, we do work hard over here. So, I mean, there’s that too.

DEFENDER: How did PR come about?

MISTY: PR came about really kind of accidentally. People kept asking me for advice; how do I get my product or service on TV. And I would just tell them, “Okay, do this, do that, do this, do that.”

Then people just kept asking me that for years. And I was like, “I don’t want to do PR. I want to do television.” Then, “Well, maybe I don’t want to do television.” I was just kind of not sure. And I’m a Christian.

So, I really prayed about it and felt like God was leading me in that direction. Ever since I said, “Yes, okay, I’m going to do this,” it just took off. I mean, literally just took off.

DEFENDER: Tell us about your professional journey before owning two businesses.

MISTY: I’m really ambitious. I really have a feel that I should be doing something of worth in the world. When I don’t feel like I’m doing that anymore, I know it’s time to move on to something else. So, I left FOX. Then I was a media buyer for a radio advertising company. I learned about that industry. Then I went to Texas Southern University where I was a writer and editor, because I love to write. That’s my other kind of gift, if you will. From there, I got into entertainment. I worked for the Judge Alex Court TV show as an associate producer here in Houston.

Then I went to New York while we were on hiatus, just to kind of see “Could I make it in New York?” That’s always the question when you’re in this industry. And I quickly found out, “Yes, I can make it here,” from a career standpoint.

DN

Misty Starks (L), with Deanea LeFlore and Phyllis Bailey. Aswad Walker

DEFENDER: What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?

MISTY: If you’re going to start a business, you really have to know yourself.

Whatever traits you have, entrepreneurship

will magnify them, good or bad. If you’re a procrastinator, it’s going to magnify that.

If you are great with money, it’s going to magnify that. So just know your strengths and weaknesses and what you need to work on before you take that leap, because it’s going to show up in your business. Also, if you start a business, start it with the idea of a team. You cannot do it alone. You shouldn’t do it alone. So even if it’s an intern, if it’s your mama, somebody helping you in some way is really going to help you go further, faster.

MISTY TALKS ABOUT FELLOW HOWARD ALUMNA VP KAMALA HARRIS, HER CHILDHOOD DREAMS OF BECOMING A JANET JACKSON BACKUP DANCER AND MORE AT DEFENDERNETWORK.COM.

12 | July 8, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

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July 8, 2021 |

| 13

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports EXCLUSIVE

HOUSTON’S OWN RAEVYN ROGERS HEADS TO OLYMPICS

By ReShonda Tate

Raevyn Rogers is on top of the world. She’s been waiting for this moment - the chance to live her childhood dream of running in the Olympics - since she was a little girl. And now, as she prepares for the Tokyo Olympics, the talented track star is being rooted on by family, friends and the Houston community at large.

Rogers, a graduate of The Kinkaid School in Houston, is Tokyo-bound after finishing second in the women’s 800 final at the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials. The five-time NCAA individual champion who attended the University of Oregan calmly executed her pre-race plan and the final 200 meters, finishing with a PR time of 1:57.66.

“To actually process being an Olympian … this is something I’ve worked extremely hard for,” Rogers said. “I still can’t believe it’s actually a thing now, I’m actually an Olympian.

“I leave in three weeks and I’m so excited.

I’ve trained really hard and I’m going to keep training hard. It’s been a great year and I’m ready to finish it on a high note,” Rogers said during a brief visit home before heading back out to train.

Raevyn’s family and friends are affectionately known as The Raevyn’s Nest.

“To the people in Houston who are believing in me, rooting for me, it’s important to me to keep that Houston pride alive in me. I’m gonna showcase Houston in the best way I can and bring back some hardware.”

The 2019 World Championships silver medalist, who says she has experienced anxiety in the past before big races, maintains her mental peace by staying in contact with her sports psychologist and mentors.

“As you grow your spiritual journey, because track

is so mental, I’ve been dealing with those battles. I was a little calmer when I came the second time (at the trials), as opposed to when I came the first time and was more anxious,” Rogers said. “To be calmer and execute the race plan when it mattered was huge. I was able to adapt and stay focused.”

Even though Rogers oftentimes makes running look easy, this year has been anything but. Between establishing a repoire with her new coach, Pete Julian, and dealing with a nagging injury, Rogers found herself facing falling short of her own expectations.

“Mentally, it was just a lot of what I would say is me wanting to be the best me I could be and the results just weren’t

showing that,” Rogers said. “And I think it’s always frustrating when you know and you have an inkling of what you’re capable of, and you and your coach are both equally excited. You’re practicing so hard, everything is just going great, and then you’re getting to those opportunities and it’s just not being executed.”

Rogers is also sending her support to fellow Texan Sha’Carri Richardson, who will miss the Tokyo Olympics after testing postive for marijuana.

“I definitely understand how she probably feels and I sympathize with her during this time,” Rogers said. “It’s unfortunate that track and field has these rules that will hopefully be updated in the future. The whole sport just needs kind of a little uplift in some areas, but with her she’s a person and she’s a great individual. She’s a sweet girl, and so I’m just supporting her throughout this whole way, because everyone makes mistakes. I know she’s going to get through this because she’s been herself and everyone loves her just the way she is.”

14 | July 8, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports Sugar Land Skeeters outfielder Bryan Starling De La Cruz leads the team this season with 35 runs scored.

Former Houston Rocket Chris Paul, who was hastily traded, has led the Phoenix Suns to the NBA Finals.

IT’S OFFICIAL

SWAC ADDS FLORIDA A&M, BETHUNE-COOKMAN

By Terrance Harris

While we have known since last year that Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman would be leaving the MEAC and joining the SWAC, it all became a little more real.

That’s because on July 1, the Rattlers and Wildcats became official SWAC members. Texas Southern athletic director Kevin Granger is among those who see the expansion in general and the addition of FAMU and Bethune-Cookman as great moves for the SWAC. “I’m excited, to be honest, and I think we are excited as a conference,” Granger said to The Defender. “Anytime you can bring schools of the rich tradition of a Florida A&M and a Bethune-Cookman, it only enhances your league and the product that you have.

“I anticipate us to have some great battles. If you think about it, it will excite our alumni, our fan base. It will get them more engaged and more excited about attending their games. I think it’s a winwin for the conference and Texas Southern University.”

The addition of the two Florida schools brings the SWAC membership count to 12 and bumps the East and West Divisions up to six schools each. Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman will be in the East Division while Alcorn State joins the West Division that consists of both Texas Southern and Prairie View.

“The additions of these two historic institutions of higher learning undoubtedly

makes all of our institutions stronger,” said are looking for and hoping that they will SWAC commissioner Charles McClelland. bring to the table to get our fan base even “A significant number of SWAC member more excited.” institutions have enjoyed longstanding The expansion of the storied SWAC history of competition comes at a particuagainst both universities larly upbeat time for the in several sports; most HBCU conference. The notably football. We feel EAST DIVISION hiring of NFL Hall of Alabama A&M the new rivalries that will Famer Deion Sanders as Alabama State be forged significantly football coach last year at Bethune-Cookman enhances our conference’s Jackson State has brought Florida A&M brand in all phases and we unprecedented attention Jackson State couldn’t be more excited to the SWAC and has also to welcome all of Wildcat Mississippi Valley State brought in more high-caliNation and Rattler Nation ber recruits than the league WEST DIVISION to the Southwestern Athhad been attracting in Alcorn State letic Conference.” recent decades.

While TSU’s upcoming University of ArkansasNo w, t h e a d d i t i o n Pine Bluff football schedule this fall of F l or i d a A & M and Grambling State doesn’t include either of the Bethune-Cookman adds Prairie View new members, Granger is even more excitement, Southern still excited about what the while expanding the Texas Southern expansion could mean for SWAC’s reach in the talestablishing new rivalries ent-rich Florida recruiting amongst the teams and their alumni and market. fan bases. Prairie View will travel to face “We are growing as a conference.

Bethune-Cookman on Oct. 16.

When you look at where the conference “That’s what we are hoping for, we are is at now with Deion Sanders and people hoping it will get to that,” Granger said like that coming into the conference, I when asked about the potential of creat- think we are on the up as a conference,” ing new rivalries with the new additions. Granger said. “So it wasn’t a surprise “We can expand on what we are doing. at all. I think now we form one of the Right now our rival is Prairie View, but strongest conferences. Adding Florida we are hoping to establish a lead into more A&M and Bethune-Cookman to what we of those exciting battles or those more already had as a conference is just making anticipated matchups. So that is what we our brand even stronger.”

SportsBriefs SIMONE BILES DISCUSSED BIOLOGICAL MOTHER Worldrenowned gymnast Simone Biles Simone Biles has been opening up about her childhood and time in foster care before she was adopted by her maternal grandparents. Biles, 24, was taken from her biological mother because she was unable to care for her four children while dealing with alcohol and drug problems. Biles, of course, has gone on to win international acclaim as the most recognized and decorated gymnast in the world. Biles is headed to Tokyo later this month to represent the U.S. in the Olympics.

COLLEGE ATHLETES CAN CASH IN The NCAA has opened the door for student-athletes to begin being compensated for use of the name, image and likeness (NIL) while also retaining their college eligibility.

The new policy went into effect on July 1, which is an unprecedented move that was forced when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last month that student-athletes have the right to benefit from their NIL. JALEN GREEN WANTS TO TEAM WITH KEVIN PORTER JR. Jalen Green, one of the top players in the upcoming NBA Draft , knows exactly what the Rockets Jalen Green should do with their No.2 pick during the draft later this month.

The G-League Ignite guard believes the Rockets should take him. He went on his Twitter account and said he and Kevin Porter Jr. would make a scary backcourt. Porter responded, “Don’t say too much, haha.”

July 8, 2021 |

| 15

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports TOMBALL MEMORIAL CENTERFIELDER

JERIC “J.C.” CURTIS PUTS ON THE JETS

By Jodie B. Jiles

Match the speed found on the gridirons of Florida with the tradition of developing baseball talent in the city of Houston, you could end up building the likes of a Carl Crawford or Mookie Betts down the road.

Tomball Memorial’s incoming senior centerfielder Jeric “J.C.” Curtis came to Texas with football on his mind. But after he got hurt another door opened for a baseball career that now has scouts watching out for him playing for the Hunter Pence Baseball Academy mid-summer.

JC’s 10.8 second 100m dash base running skills were on full display as he stole base after base, even serving up a juke move that put the catcher on skates before putting another run on the scoreboard.

The Defender spoke with Curtis after his game against the Mariucci 17U squad to discuss his style of play, journey to Texas and advice to other baseball players that hope to follow in his footsteps.

STYLE OF PLAY “I play fast with a quick twitch and I play hard.”

JOURNEY TO TEXAS “I was born in Detroit and moved to Miami when I was two because all my family stayed in Orlando. Then, when I was in 5th grade, we moved to Houston.”

BASEBALL START “I broke my ankle playing football twice, so I played baseball just to have something to do. I have been playing now for about five or six years.”

Jeric “JC” Curtis fakes out a catcher at the plate to add a run for his team in summer ball. -Jimmie Aggison

ADVICE TO YOUTH “With baseball you have to just keep your head up because it is a hard game. You are going to have times when you think you are doing bad, but you have to just keep going with things like that.”

ABOUT JC CURTIS IG: @jericurtis305

LITTLE LEAGUE TEAM: Cypress Mustangs

PLAYER HE WATCHES: Ronald Acuna Jr. (Atlanta Braves)

SHOUTOUTS: “My mom who is the hardest working woman in the world, my dad, my brothers and everybody out there in Florida.”

16 | July 8, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK