Houston Defender: August 03, 2017

FEATURE

KPFT RADIO STATION HIT WITH CHARGES OF RACISM, DISCRIMINATION P2

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FEATURE BEYONCE’

buying the Rockets?

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MICHELLE OBAMA

TALKS ABOUT

FEATURE SHEILA JACKSON LEE promotes criminal justice reform

RACISM

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HS ZONE JAMES WILLIAMS coaches Marshall football

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Human trafficking under attack

Kevin Sumlin

Houston has become home to one of the largest hubs of human trafficking in the nation, which has prompted city officials to make fighting the issue a top priority.

Find out some of the initiatives underway.

Texas A&M University head football coach Kevin Sumlin is getting ready for the new football season and the powersthat-be expect him to achieve a championship season at College Station.

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TOP EVENTS

prepares Aggies

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Tina Knowles-Lawson and Yvonne Cormier join Cheryl Creuzot at her booksigning.

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KPFT Radio hit with claims of racism positions, a claim Crosier vehemently denies.

“There’s no racism or nefarious plan behind the firings at the station,” Crosier said. “I know or more than 45 years, KPFT 90.1 FM people are upset and being stirred up. I know has been a staple in providing community what it looks like, and I wish it didn't look the news – particularly issues that impact the way it does, but [Kamau's firing] is really about Black community. But now, some former finances.” employees and their supporters say the “I beg to differ,” Kamau said. “They don’t love they’ve shown the station hasn’t been reciprowant to believe it’s racism because ‘good white cated. And they say racism and discrimination are to liberals’ never think they’re racist and have a blame. problem when people call them on it.”

The issue began in late July when the station, Kamau, who said he was "flabbergasted" by owned by the Pacifica Foundation, decided to fire the his firing, feels he wasn't given a fair chance to interim general manager, Dr. Obidike Kamau, sparksolve the money problems he inherited. ing outrage. The station had five African-Americans “They are addicted to the fund drive model on paid staff, and decided to let three of the five go. and that’s a dying model. They didn’t give me a “It’s very disappointing,” said Kamau. “We chance to turn around previous financial woes,” were on the verge of wonderful things.”

Kamau said.

KPFT-Radio’s former interim general manager Dr. Obidike Kamau (center) is joined by KPFT interim executive director of Pacifica, The local station is in debt – about $240,000 supporters.

Bill Crosier, said Kamau's firing came primarily – and the Pacifica Foundation is more than $7 Black United Front chair Kofi Taharka, who led one of because – in three months on the job – he hadn't demillion dollars in the hole. The past three local fund the protests, said discrimination is to blame. veloped a financial plan for getting the station out of debt. The drives haven't come close to succeeding. The most recent one, “The previous general manager, a white man, was given other employees who were fired – the station's news director, in June, met just 45 percent of its goal.

15 years to turn the station around – and didn’t,” Taharka said. membership coordinator and interim development director Crosier said neither he, nor Kamau’s replacement, “They gave Obidike three months.”

– weren't given reasons for their terminations. longtime deejay Larry Winters, collect a salary because of the DeWayne Lark, the past chairman of KPFT's board, “We had to lay off some additional people because financial issues. believes that Crosier and the left-leaning Pacifica Foundation we wouldn't have been able to make payroll otherwise,” Kamau has retained an attorney and plans to file a comhave colluded to keep minorities and women out of leadership plaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Crosier said.

By RESHONDA TATE BILLINGSLEY Defender

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Frenchy’s closes four locations Defender News Services

Frenchy's Chicken, a popular Houston staple, announced the closing of four locations. The company released a statement saying the move was part of the revamping of its franchises.

“Frenchy's Chicken has been committed to serving the greater Houston community since we opened in 1969,” the statement read. “Some

locations are owned and operated by franchisees.

As part of our ongoing service commitment to our customers and the integrity of our brand, we recently chose to terminate our agreement with a non-compliant franchisee.”

The four locations are: 11051 Fuqua, 9344 Jones Road, 8110 Kirby Drive and 1737 FM 2234 in Missouri City. All four closed on July 31.

This past May, Frenchy’s announced its

original location on Scott Street would be moved to a new location at Scott Street and Alabama in spring 2018. Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, which has been located next door to Frenchy’s since it first opened, plans to take over the property to construct its new sanctuary.

RAPED by three Black men in masks has been indicted on felony charges after confessing it was all a lie. In March, Breana Harmon, 19, told police that three men raped her then threatened to harm her again if she told anyone. However, medical examinations did not find evidence supporting the teen’s claims. Two weeks later, she confessed that the rape story was made up and her injuries were self-inflicted. Allegedly, she made up the assaults so her mother wouldn’t know she cut herself. She’s been indicted on felony charges earlier this week, each of which carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years

as well as a maximum fine of $10,000…….A LOCAL DENTIST HAS BEEN INDICTED for causing brain damage to a 4-year-old child.

In January 2016, Courissa Clark brought her daughter, Nevaeh Hall, to Diamond Dental in Houston to get a tooth pulled. However, the girl was given too many sedatives and other drugs. As a result, her oxygen levels dropped, and she had a seizure. Rather than call 911, Dr. Bethaniel Jefferson placed the girl in a recovery room for hours. Because of that, Clark claimed, her daughter is now no longer able to walk, talk or see.

localbriefs THE TRAVIS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S office has told State Rep. Dawnna Dukes it would drop corruption charges against her if she agrees to resign from office and agree to a drug and alcohol assessment. As a part of the deal, Dukes, an Austin Democrat, must also pay $3,500 in fines and restitution.

Dukes has denied charges that she had her legislative staff run personal errands and that she was compensated for days she did not work at the Texas Capitol. If she does not accept the deal, prosecutors are prepared to go to trial……..A TEEN WHO CLAIMED SHE WAS GANG-

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national

U.S.briefs PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP endorsed the use of force by police. While addressing officers during a speech in New York, Trump suggested that cops refrain from being “too nice” when making arrests. He added that there were too many laws and restrictions against cops and he wants to change that.

Trump’s controversial remarks, which seemed to promote police brutality, were met with applause from the officers but were criticized by some law enforcement agencies. The president also blamed mayors and other local political leaders for holding police officials back from doing their jobs, claiming that many cities throughout the country have “pathetic mayors” who aren’t in touch with what’s going on in the places that they govern…….FLINT RESIDENTS WHO WERE EXPOSED to contaminated water can take legal action against the state of Michigan and local officials. In a unanimous 3-0 decision, the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals decided to overrule a judge who dismissed the cases of two residents that sued over the tainted water. Activists said the court’s decision is a major step toward justice for Flint residents who are still plagued by the contaminated water……..THE DEATH OF THE FIRST BLACK JUDGE to serve on New York’s highest court has been ruled a suicide. The body of Sheila Abdus-Salaam was found in the Hudson River on April 12. Finding no signs of criminality, the police closed the investigation on May 3. Investigators initially thought her death was “suspicious.”

However, they began to lean toward suicide after viewing surveillance video that showed Abdus-Salaam, 65, walking around for hours in Riverbank State Park, about a half-mile north of where her body was found. Abdus-Salaam’s husband, the Rev. Gregory Jacobs, had rejected any notion of suicide, saying anyone who knew his wife well would dismiss that claim, though the judge was believed to suffer from depression.

VOLUME 86 • NUMBER 42 AUGUST 3, 2017 Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Ad/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Digital Editor LaGloria Wheatfall Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila Proofer Maia Shelby

Editors ReShonda Billingsley Marilyn Marshall Contributing Writers Aswad Walker Jasemine Knowles Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison

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).

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The former first lady experienced ups and downs during her husband’s presidency.

Michelle Obama recalls enduring racist attacks

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Defender News Services

ichelle Obama is talking more about her experience as America’s first Black first lady. Obama spoke about smashing the glass ceiling at a recent speech for the Women’s Foundation of Colorado

in Denver.

WFCO President and CEO Lauren Casteel, who interviewed Obama, asked which of the falling glass shards cut the deepest.

“The shards that cut me the deepest were the ones that intended to cut,” Obama said. “Knowing that after eight years of working really hard for this country, there are still people who won’t see me for what I am because of my skin color.”

Obama referenced racist attacks she endured, including being called an ape and disparaging references made about her body.

Obama said that she doesn’t pretend such vicious attacks don’t hurt her, because it lets Michelle Obama those doing the hurting off the hook.

The former first lady faced an onslaught of racist insults while her husband, former President Barack Obama, was in office. Even after the 2016 presidential election, two West Virginia officials lost their jobs for referring to Obama as an “ape in heels” in a Facebook post celebrating Donald Trump’s victory.

“Women, we endure those cuts in so many ways that we don’t even notice we’re cut,” she said. “We are living with small tiny cuts, and we are bleeding every single day. And we’re still getting up.”

But Obama said women should own their scars. Referring to failure, she said those wounds hurt deeply but they heal with time.” If women own their scars, they can encourage younger girls who are getting their first cuts.”

Although Obama largely stayed away from politics, she took a few thinly veiled shots at the current president — receiving cheers from the crowd. She reiterated that she would not be seeking public office. But she said she and Barack Obama intend to stay in public service.

She warned people against the notion that the nation is falling apart. Instead she said it’s a country that will learn from its mistakes and successes.

“The people in this country are universally good and kind and honest and decent,” she said. “Don’t be afraid of the country you live in. The folks here are good.”

Instead of waiting on national policies, she said women need to take charge every day in their own lives and their community. And for the men in attendance, she said it’s important for them to be in girls’ lives, valuing their thoughts and voices.

She criticized a one-size-fits-all educational system that values speed of learning, pushing out women who learn differently than men in STEM fields.

Michelle and Barack Obama have been on speaking tours after a post-presidency vacation. Mrs. Obama has focused on topics that she advocated for as first lady, including education for women and health and nutrition for school children.

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ONE DAY SALE

Beyoncé reportedly interested in buying Houston Rockets Defender News Service

Beyoncé wants to move into the world of sports SHOP 9AM-10PM by buying an ownership share of the Houston Rockets, reports the Bleacher Report.

FRI & SAT, AUG 4 & 5 Hours may vary by store. See macys.com Recently, team owner Les Alexander announced & click on stores for local information. his intention to sell the ownership of the NBA franchise.

“It’s been my great joy and honor to own the Houston Rockets for the past 24 years,” he said. “I’ll ONLINE WITH $25 PURCHASE Valid 8/4-8/5/17. Exclusions apply; see macys.com/freereturns always have a special place in my heart for the fans, partners, city officials and employees who care so deeply for this team. I’ve made this decision after much deliberation with my family and friends, and do so knowing the franchise is in great shape with the players, coaches and management team in place. CEO Tad Brown will oversee the sales process with the league office, supported by my management team.”

Alexander, a former bond trader, said last month he was selling the team amid Beyoncé a surge in franchise JUST FOR MACY’S CARDHOLDERS! values across sports. The club’s popularity in China USE YOUR CARD & GET AN EXTRA may push the sale price past the record $2 billion Steve Ballmer paid for the Los Angeles Clippers three years ago.

YOUR PURCHASE OF $50 OR MORE Alexander paid $85 million for the Rockets in Limit one per customer. Valid 8/4 till 2pm or 8/5 SELECT SALE CLOTHING JEWELRY & till 2pm. In store only. Exclusions apply.

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ACCESSORIES. EXTRA 15% OFF SELECT SALE WATCHES, SHOES, COATS, SUITS, DRESSES, However, with the franchise currently valued at LINGERIE, SWIM FOR HER; SUIT SEPARATES & around $1.65 billion, Beyoncé wouldn’t be able to SPORT COATS FOR HIM & HOME ITEMS. VALID 8/4-8/5/17. IN STORE ONLY. afford the buyout on her own, with her assets valued EXCLUSIONS APPLY. between $350 million and $450 million.

EXCLUDES ALL: Deals of the Day, Doorbusters, Everyday Values (EDV), Last Act, Macy’s Backstage, macys.com, specials, Super Buys, athletic clothing/shoes/accessories, baby gear, And then there is JAY-Z‘s agency, Roc Nation reg.-price china/crystal/silver, cosmetics/fragrances, designer handbags, designer jewelry/watches, designer sportswear, electrics/electronics, furniture/mattresses, gift cards, jewelry trunk shows, select licensed depts., previous purchases, restaurants, rugs, services, smart watches/jewelry, special orders, special purchases, select tech accessories, toys, 3Doodler, Sports. JJAY-Z had to sell his share in the Brooklyn American Rug Craftsmen, Apple Products, Ashley Graham, Avec Les Filles clothing, Barbour, Brahmin, Breville, Brooks Brothers Red Fleece, COACH, Demeyere, Destination Maternity, Nets because he also represented players. Though Dyson, Eileen Fisher SYSTEM, Fitbit, Frye, Hanky Panky, Jack Spade, Karastan, kate spade new york, Kenneth Cole shoes, KitchenAid Pro Line, Le Creuset, Levi’s, littleBits, Locker Room by Lids, Judith Leiber, Marc Jacobs, select Michael Kors/Michael Michael Kors, Michele watches, Miyabi, Movado Bold, Natori, Nike swim, Original Penguin, Panache, Rimowa, since Beyonce is not the one representing players as Rudsak, Sam Edelman, Shun, Spanx, Staub, Stuart Weitzman, Tempur-Pedic mattresses, The North Face, Theory, Tory Burch, Tumi, UGG®, Vans, Vitamix, Wacoal, Wolford & Wüsthof. an agent, she could still conceivably buy a share in Cannot be combined with any savings pass/coupon, extra discount or credit offer except opening a new Macy’s account. Dollar savings are allocated as discounts off each eligible item, as shown on receipt. When you return an item, you forfeit the savings allocated to that item. This coupon has no cash value and may not be redeemed for cash or applied as payment the ownership, adding her star power to her home or credit to your account. Extra savings % applied to reduced prices. Purchase must be $50 or more, exclusive of tax and delivery fees. team.

It’s common for celebrities to make small investments in sports teams. Beyonce’s husband, JayZ, for instance, was born in Brooklyn and once held a less than one percent stake in basketball’s Nets. He sold his share of the team after starting Roc Nation, which represents athletes.

There are plenty of other examples: Pop star Justin Timberlake, a native of Memphis, Tennessee, owns a piece of basketball’s Grizzlies; tennis players Venus and Serena Williams, as well as Jennifer Lopez, are investors in football’s Miami Dolphins; and actor Will Ferrell has a stake in Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Football Club.

Whoever winds up getting the Rockets might sell what are called limited partnerships, which help the principal investor to recoup some of their investment without giving up control of thedefendernetwork.com franchise.

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entertainment

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‘Detroit’ shines light on police brutality Defender News Services

“Detroit” takes place in 1967, but it is all too poignant in 2017.

The film, directed by Kathryn Bigelow, follows the 12th Street riot – specifically the Algiers Motel incident – when members of the Detroit Police Department killed three Black teenagers.

John Boyega of “Star Wars” fame plays Melvin Dismukes, a security guard working across the street from the motel. Anthony Mackie is Greene, a military veteran and one of the people trapped in the motel.

As chronicled in the movie, the three teens who were killed were part of a group of seven Black men, including the Dramatics’ singer Larry Reed (played by Algee Smith in the film), and two white women held by police after 17-year-old Carl Cooper (Jason Mitchell) allegedly fired a starter pistol into the air.

Police shot and killed Cooper immediately upon entering the premises and later killed 18-yearold Fred Temple (Jacob Latimore) John Boyega is one of the stars of “Detroit,” which hits theaters on Aug. 4. and 17-year-old Aubrey Pollard (Nathan Davis Jr.). The officers Question: What makes “Detroit” so important were never convicted. for audiences today?

Police shootings of Black men still usually don’t Smith: With this film, we’re putting up a mirror end in guilty verdicts, so the rawness of the film to society and showing that nothing has changed. doesn’t feel like a thing of the past. Many say the This is just giving the facts, this is what actually film is a hard pill to swallow, but it was even harder happened. We’re looking at the justice system and for Smith, Mitchell and Latimore to film. We talked saying, “We have to make a change about this.” Beto the trio about why the film strikes such a chord cause that’s where the problem is – within the justice today and what they hope audiences take away from system. the theater.

Question: What drew you three to this project?

Latimore: In the beginning, everybody was just excited to work with Kathryn because she tells incredible stories and we just wanted to be a part of anything she’s a part of. And then, in the audition process, everybody went hard.

We didn’t get the entire script, but we got on set and we were just excited to work and expose this truth.

Question: What was that audition process like without a script?

Smith: My first audition was with the casting director, but my second one was when I saw (Latimore). A bunch of us there already knew each other, so it was exciting at first. Then, Kathryn brings us all in this room and she’s like, “OK guys, we’re just going to play around with some stuff here…I just want you guys to make up a song and sing it for me and then there’s going to be a cop who busts in the room and throws you up against a wall and you have to react.” We were all like, “What the hell?” But that process really solidified our characters.

Question: Did you pull on experiences from your own lives as young Black men to put yourself into your characters?

Mitchell: Absolutely. If something goes wrong and somebody breaks into my house, I want to be able to call the police. But as a Black man today, I do not feel comfortable with the police. It’s crazy, you sometimes feel like they’re the biggest gang in America more than feeling like they’re there to protect and serve.

Latimore: It’s just like, how many more movies do we have to make like this before something changes? How many more conversations do we have to have? We don’t have the answers but we have to keep pushing.

what’sup QUINCY JONES won millions of dollars from MICHAEL JACKSON’S estate after suing for unpaid royalties. Jones had originally asked for $30 million, but a jury decided to award him $9.4 million instead.

The amount was for royalties that Jones said he was owed for producing three of Jackson’s hit albums, especially since the sales for those albums spiked following the death of the King of Pop. Jackson’s estate is slamming the decision……..The popular “Breakfast Club” radio show has come under fire after comedian LIL DUVAL joked about murdering transgender women. DJ ENVY asked Lil Duval what

he would do if he found out that a woman he was dating had been born a man. He said he would murder that woman. If one did that to me and didn’t tell me, I’d probably be so mad I’d kill them,” he said. The comment immediately drew backlash on social media… …..“Girls Trip” had an amazing breakout weekend at the box office and it looks like that momentum is still going on. Producer WILL PACKER and director MALCOLM D. LEE have seen a return on their $20 million investment with a 10-day total of $65.5 million. The film, which stars REGINA HALL, QUEEN LATIFAH, JADA PINKETT SMITH and TIFFANY

HADDISH, has received good reviews and positive feedback as women, especially women of color, celebrate the movie as a chance to see themselves having fun in the kind of pure comedic romp usually reserved for male-led movies……..50 CENT is upset about how Starz is dealing with him and his show, “Power,” which is one of the network’s highest-rated shows. 50 Cent, who stars in and produces the show, threatened to walk away because he wanted the recent episode to be a two-parter. Starz refused and because of the compressed episode, he said that the show lost some of its plot and characterization elements.

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DEFENDER | AUGUST 3 | 2017

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Lawmakers seek

criminal justice reform

By RESHONDA TATE BILLINGSLEY Defender

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riminal justice reform has become a primary goal of several area lawmakers, who vow to fight diligently for reform, despite the current administration trying to rollback advances.

Two of those lawmakers – Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and County Commissioner Rodney Ellis – were recently joined by Houston Police Department Assistant Chief Troy Finner, Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church minister, Rev. Marcus D. Cosby, and other law enforcement, religious and community advocates to discuss the problem, and their commitment to fighting it.

“We had an outstanding criminal justice bill on the table. It was ready to be signed by President Obama but was stopped by the 2016 election,” said Jackson Lee, during a panel discussion before the local premiere of the movie, “Detroit,” which deals with police brutality in 1960’s Detroit.

Jackson Lee said she and others are still working to push the Law Enforcement and Trust and Integrity bill through.

“I don’t want this to be stopped by politics.

It has to be motivated by what is right. And what is right is that we need sentencing reduction, prison reform so that those that are in prison can come out and have a second chance at life,” she said.

Both Jackson Lee and Ellis also want a light shined on reforming the country’s bail system.

“If you come into contact with the criminal justice system and can’t afford a lawyer, the court will provide one for you,” Ellis said.

“But here in Harris County we’re bigger than 26 states, so public defenders can only handle 10 percent of their cases. When the court has to give you a lawyer, who do you think they will appoint?” Ellis asked.

“Oftentimes it might be someone who wrote a campaign check. It’s an inherent conflict. How is a lawyer going to fight for you, if the judge picked him? That’s what happens in Harris County every day.”

Bail reform has been a passionate fight for Ellis, who filed a lawsuit against the county this past year.

“A lot of people are in jail in this county because their lawyer ought to be in jail, because they’re not fighting for them,” Ellis said. “If we get arrested for a misdemeanor, if two of us have money, we post bail, we get out. If two of us don’t, we stay in. Remember, we’re innocent until proven guilty, but once you’re in there, you lose your car, you lose your job.”

Ellis pointed to two cases to hammer home his point.

“Sandra Bland didn’t have $500 cash when she was arrested,” Ellis said. “Waller County didn’t take credit cards or checks. You have to have money in cash right now or you stay in,” he said.

County Commissioner Rodney Ellis and Judge Ramona Franklin were also present at the discussion.

(Left) HPD Assistant Chief Troy Finner and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee discuss criminal justice reform.

Attendees and participants gathered for the discussion before the showing of “Detroit.”

“Meanwhile, Robert Durst, who faced a felony charge of chopping someone’s head off, gets a lawyer, gets bail, [then] he gets on a private plane and now he’s gone. How is he less of a risk than Sandra Bland, someone moving to Waller County to take a job? That system is not right.”

Jackson Lee said putting criminal justice reform back on the agenda will take input from

everyone.

“Where are the advocates for issues dealing with sentencing reduction, prison reform?” she asked. “How are we going to get it passed if there is no public outcry for ensuring the people released from prison have anger management training, job training? All of that is in that bill and all of us have to work to see it through,” Jackson Lee said.

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DEFENDER | AUGUST 3 | 2017

Cit

FIGHTING

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

By Jasemine Knowles Defender

IN HOUSTON

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15,000 of them unknown, hum of color make Human t and it is a prob can border an fraud or coerc commercial se and children a Houston portrayal of ki Katherine, sai “I was gr in a great relat weaknesses an a father, I'll be It was su Katherine afte boyfriend with “Once h zone, he was “To go out the was a monste at any price.

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Initiative ‘protects our daughters’ Houston Attorney Sadiyah Evangelista has helped launch a #ProtectOurDaughters committee campaign with the non-profit Queendom Come, Inc. (QCI). She said a lack of awareness and education “stymies efforts” to curb sex trafficking.

“We are seeing our daughters becoming victims to this modern-day slavery,” Evangelista said. “Preteen or adolescent girls are more susceptible to the calculated advances, deception, and manipulation tactics used by traffickers/pimps.

“No youth is exempt from falling prey to these tactics,” she said. “Traffickers target locations our youth frequent such as social media sites, schools, malls, parks, bus stops, shelters and group homes.

“It has been painful,” she added. “Based on the feedback of our recent town hall meeting, within our community we do not grasp the seriousness of human trafficking. Much of it is due to lack of

awareness.”

With a mission to spread knowledge, the #ProtectOurDaughters committee’s goal is to increase consciousness of sex-trafficking in the Black community and beyond, starting with local schools, houses of worship, and community and government organizations.

“We’ve also launched an economic committee,” Evangelista said. “We’re looking to raise the necessary anti-sex trafficking resources to bring awareness, educate, defend, and restore. It is estimated that the sex trafficking industry makes $32 billion dollars a year world-wide. This is a sophisticated and lucrative criminal enterprise.

“It is going to require organization and finances to fight this evil we have in our own backyard.”

For more information visit myqueendomcome. org/protectourdaughters/

defendernetwork.com • Serving t

ty fights modern slavery

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ouston has become home to one of the largest hubs of human trafficking in the nation, which has prompted city officials to make fighting the issue a top priority.

A recent University of Texas study found that there are over 300,000 victims in Texas, with nearly m from Houston. While the exact racial breakdown is man rights advocates say Black women and other women e up the bulk of trafficking victims. trafficking is known as a “modern-day form of slavery” blem locally because of the close proximity to the Mexind access to major thoroughfares. Perpetrators use force, cion to control victims for the purpose of engaging in ex acts or labor services against their will. Men, women are bought and sold in the U.S. every day. n's human trafficking problem is not always the Hollywood idnapped women and international auctions. One victim, id that in the beginning, she knew and trusted her offender. roomed for a year,” Katherine recalled. “I thought I was tionship for a whole year. With me, he identified my nd he used that. He was like 'Okay well, she doesn't have e that father for her.' ” upposed to be a fresh start, but life quickly changed for er she moved to Houston with the intention of helping her h his music career. he got me away from my environment and my comfort very blunt about what was going to happen,” she said. ere every single night and have your body violated...he er. He was willing to just put me out there with strangers

e taken precautions not to get caught. That's part of the first place, like 'You know you can't go home, right? Bemine. And you know what'll happen if you go home and hat'll happen to your children, right?’ " uman trafficking victims come from broken homes, or in mmigrants, come to the U.S. in search of a better life. re several initiatives in place designed to make an impact fficking. go, Mayor Sylvester Turner initiated a strategic plan that ty’s anti-human trafficking response using five objectives

and 91 tactics. Those objectives were to: • Institutionalize response and implement training • Raise awareness and change public perception • Coordinate victim services • Implement joint Houston Area Council on Human Trafficking (HAC-HT) initiatives • Establish Houston as the national model for anti-trafficking Minal Davis, the special advisor to the mayor on human trafficking, said 59 out of the 91 tactics have been completed so far. She said the plan is moving forward and engages several City of Houston departments.

“Our Health Department has required training for all 1,200 employees, and the reason that that’s important is because our health department has restaurant inspectors on staff that go out and inspect all 13,000 food establishments annually, and restaurants are a common site for trafficking,” Davis said.

In addition to training, the city’s efforts included raising awareness and changing public perception through a media campaign, “Watch for Traffick,” which contains socially conscious advertisements. These ads can be featured on billboards, in print and on social media.

Davis said their media campaign generated over 74 million media impressions and increased calls to the national trafficking tip hotline by 80 percent.

Davis also reported a 13 percent decrease in “open” illicit massage establishments and a 38 percent increase in “closed” illicit massage establishments. This means fewer illicit parlors are advertising sex for sale.

Though the city has made considerable progress, Davis expects it to be harder to fight human trafficking with the recent passage of SB 4, also known as the anti-sanctuary cities legislation, which requires local law enforcement to carry out the work of federal immigration agencies.

Davis said trafficking victims may be less inclined to seek help if they fear deportation.

“The city launched a Municipal Court diversion program to establish trust with potential victims by supporting their civil and legal needs,” she said. “We’re on the right track but we still have a long way to go.”

For more information or to get involved visit humantraffickinghouston.org.

the Houston area for over 85 years

Monique Ansari and Sadiyah A. Evangelista conduct a meeting for women and girls.

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Some of the city’s efforts are working. Find out more at

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Know the signs Defender News Services

According to the U.S. State Department, human trafficking victims may sometimes be kept behind locked doors, but they are often in plain sight at certain business establishments.

Possible red flags that signal a potential trafficking situation and should be reported include: • Victims living with employers • Poor living conditions • Multiple people in a cramped space • Victims’ can’t speak alone • Answers that appear to be scripted and rehearsed • Signs of physical abuse • Victims who are submissive or fearful • Victims who are unpaid or paid very little • Victims who are under 18 and in prostitution If you believe you have identified someone in a trafficking situation, call 911. Other contacts include: • Children at Risk childrenatrisk.org/content/ • Crimestoppers www.crime-stoppers.org/ • United Against Human Trafficking – www.houstonrr.org/ • FBI fbi.gov • Central Texas Coalition Against Human Trafficking ctcaht.org

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DEFENDER | AUGUST 3 | 2017

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Blacks encouraged to create, update wills

I

Defender News Service

t’s a thought no one ever likes to entertain, but many of us have seen the drama that can unfold when a relative passes and no plan is left in place.

Family members channel their grief into disagreement and drama and make major arguments over minor details like whether to go with the lilies or carnations for funeral flowers.

Mater Mea, a website for Black women at the intersection of motherhood and career, reached out to estate-planning lawyer Lori Anne Douglass, who dropped some gems about the importance of creating a will and updating it according to the changes in your life.

Douglass, a partner at New York City-based Moses & Singer LLP, said not having a will can have consequences for your family down the road and it’s not fair to assume your family will just figure it out.

“People don’t understand that when you die, all your stuff stays here,” she said. “And if you don’t make a plan for it, it’ll get to the next generation, but there’ll be a significant haircut.”

She also believes that failure to estate-plan is one of the reasons why generational wealth has often alluded the African-American community: “Having done this for 25 years and watched all the money that was lost in families because they didn’t have any planning, I am convinced that if the African-American community got on the good foot and every Black person who is alive over 60 did their estate planning, we’d be the richest minority group in the United States in one generation. We used to be the assets. Now we have assets,” she said.

Douglass said that when it comes to estate-planning, it’s best to get the assistance of an attorney, particularly when issues such as property and guardianship of children come into play because things can get very complicated.

She added that estate planning doesn’t just apply to what happens in the event of your death, but also what happens in the event that you become disabled and can’t communicate your wants and needs.

“Most people are going to be disabled for some period of time before they die now that people are living so long,” Douglass said. “If the person becomes disabled and can’t make their own medical or financial decisions, the only way that somebody can legally make [decisions] for them is to go to court and do a guardian-

ship or conservatorship proceeding.

It’s expensive and time-consuming, and it’s just really unnecessary.

“A person [should] complete, for medical directives, a healthcare proxy that appoints somebody to make your medical decisions if you can’t make them; a living will that address whether you want to be removed from artificial life support if that life support is only going to prolong your natural death; and a general power of attorney that allows somebody to make your financial decisions if you can’t make them. All of those documents can be found online for free,” she said.

Douglass said that it’s much cheaper to administer an estate when there’s a will in place than when there isn’t one.

“More than 50 percent of African-Americans die without a will,” she said. “Everybody should have a last will and testament if you don’t have a more complex estate plan, because it’s always cheaper to administer an estate when you have a will than when you don’t have anything.”

When it comes to your little children, you can’t assume that they will automatically be placed in the care of a favorite auntie or set of grandparents.

“If you have minor children, a will is the only legal document where you can nominate guardians for your children,” Douglass said.

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Black women continue fight for equal pay Defender News Services

If the average Black woman saved all her pay from 2016 and combined it with every penny she had earned through July 2017, the total would equal just what the average white man earned in 2016 alone.

While Black Women’s Equal Pay Day (July 31) has passed, the fight for pay equality continues. According to the Economic Policy Institute—a nonpartisan think tank focused on including low- and middleincome workers in economicpolicy discussions—Black women’s salaries are in the unique intersection of race and gender. Even after controlling for education, location and experience, Black women are paid 67 cents for every dollar a non-Hispanic white man is paid.

While there are numerous studies that demonstrate the racial pay gap, as well as the inequities between what women earn compared with their male counterparts, the differences are diminishing in almost every category except one: Black women.

In 1979, even though there was a large gender pay gap, Black women earned roughly the same amount as white women. During the intervening 37 years, progress slowed substantially for Black women. In 2016, white women earned 76 percent of what white men earned, while Black women’s average earnings were 9 points lower.

The numbers even account for the fact that

Black women work harder.

They also dispel the notion that the pay gap exists because single Black moms don’t work as many hours and therefore bring down the average salary figures: The study found that married black women with children worked the most hours of any demographic, while still seeing no decrease in the pay gap. According to the report: In 2015, married Black women with children worked over 200 hours more per year than married white or Hispanic women with children, and 339 hours more than Black single mothers. Married Black working moms also worked 132 hours more per year than childless non-elderly Black working women.

There are people who say this wage gap is because of the kinds of careers Black women choose.

Teachers, retail workers and other typical “woman” jobs often pay less, so this should explain the income disparity, right? Even with the same occupation and education as their white, male co-workers, Black women are routinely paid less, according to the study.

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DEFENDER | AUGUST 3 | 2017

sports

Sumlin on hot seat as Aggies prepare for 2017

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Coach Kevin Sumlin

By MAX EDISON Defender

t’s going to be an interesting year if you’re a Texas A&M University football fan. Word out of College Station is that after five years in charge, head coach Kevin Sumlin is on the hot seat. His boss, athletic director Scott Woodward, has said so publicly.

“Coach knows he has to win and he has to win this year,” Woodward said Safety Armani Watts earlier this spring.

In five seasons Sumlin’s Aggies have gone 44-21, but their record in the SEC, arguably the nation’s toughest conference, is 21-19. They have finished 8-5 the last three years and at A&M that’s not good enough.

“Nobody puts more pressure on me than I put on myself and nobody wants to win more than I want to,” Sumlin said. “Whatever's said, whatever the conversation, whatever's written, it's not going to affect how I do my job. It's not going to affect my day-to-day operation.

“We all want the same thing, and I came here to do a job and win a championship, and we haven't done that yet,” Sumlin continued. “That being said, we've won more games than anyone at Texas A&M in the last 20 years. Are we better at Texas A&M than when I got here? You bet. Is it where we want to be? No.” The Aggies return 41 lettermen, 16 on offense, 22 on Receiver Christian Kirk defense and three on special teams. If they are to have success in 2017, they must first find a starting quarterback.

Last year’s starter, Trevor Knight, is now in training camp with the Arizona Cardinals. Senior Jake Hubenak, redshirt freshman Nick Starkel and freshman Kellen Mond are all in competition. Whoever wins had better come out smoking, because the Aggies open on the road at UCLA on Sept. 3 and two weeks later begin SEC competition.

Whoever ultimately wins the quarterback derby will have much needed help in the backfield. Trayveon Williams returns after rushing for 1,057 yards on 156 carries as a freshman. Expect Keith Ford, Kendall Bussey and Rakeem Boyd to tote the ball for the Aggies.

A new quarterback will have to work with a new group of wideouts, with three of last year’s Aggie receivers currently in NFL training camps.

Fortunately for the Aggies, Christian Kirk returns for his junior season.

Kirk is one of the nation’s top playmakers and a preseason first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection at three positions – wide receiver, all-

purpose and return specialist. He was the only player in the SEC with more than 80 catches in 2016 (83 for 928 yards), and he led the nation with three punt returns for touchdowns.

Kirk was the first player in A&M history to make 80 or more catches in consecutive seasons. He is the nation's active leader in punt return average and punt return touchdowns with a 23.1 average and five scores on 27 career punt returns.

Over the years the Aggies have been known for outstanding offensive line play. With Colton Prater, a Rimington Trophy watch member, and former Manvel High star Koda Martin anchoring them, that trend should continue.

Defensively the Aggies have some huge shoes to fill. Gone is No. 1 overall NFL draft pick Myles Garrett and his battery mate Daeshon Hall (third round) as well as safety Justin Evans (second round).

Expect JUCO transfer Michael Clemons to make an immediate impact at defensive end, along with Qualen Cunningham, Jarrett Johnson, Tyree Johnson and Landis Durham.

The interior of the D-line could be the strength of the defense. Kingsley Keke, Zaycoven Henderson, Daylon Mack, Justin Madubuike and T.D. Moton will provide a big physical presence in the middle.

The linebacker crew is solid led by Otaro Alaka, Tyrel Dodson, Dwaine Thomas and Justin Dunning. Expect talented true freshman Anthony Hines to work his way into the rotation as well.

The play of the front seven will dictate how well the secondary performs. At safety Donovan Wilson and Armani Watts are as formidable a duo as there is in the conference. Priest Willis, Charles Oliver, DeShawn Capers-Smith and Roney Elam will all be in the mix at the corners.

The Aggies are a talented team. Nobody has recruited better over the last five years than Sumlin. He needs that talent to step up quickly. The players can show their love by playing up to their press clippings. If that happens Sumlin’s job will be secure.

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AUGUST 3 | 2017 | DEFENDER

h.s.zone

sportsbriefs

Fort Bend Marshall Buffalos expect success

By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender

T

The Buffalos football team has high hopes for the new season.

he stars are aligned for the Fort Bend Marshall Buffalos to experience phenomenal success during the 2017 high school football season.

Eighteen starters return from a squad that finished 11-3 and advanced to the Class 5A state quarterfinals.

Head coach James Williams begins his 20th overall season in coaching and eighth as head coach and athletic coordinator at Marshall High School after garnering All-Greater Houston Coach of the Year honors following the 2016 rushing for 1,425 yards and 12 TDs. The Marcampaign. shall offensive line is anchored by 6-foot-3, The entire Mar305-pound tackle Barton Clement, a Texas shall athletic program is A&M commit. Clement is a four-year starter coming off a banner year who hasn’t given up a sack in two years. where the football team Korey King (WR) and Antonio Brooks made it to the fourth round, (DB/RB) are other talented players to watch the boys’ basketball made Coach James Williams for in 2017. its first trip to the state tournaWinning the District 23-5A championship will ment and the girls’ track team be no easy task with the likes of Manvel, Fort Bend won a regional crown.

Elkins, Texas City, Galveston Ball and Willowridge lurkThe boys’ track team won back-toing on the horizon. back state titles in 2014-2015.

Both the District 23-5A champ and runner-up will Marshall advanced to the state quarterfinals in footlikely contend for a state crown in 2017. ball with a 13-1 mark in 2012.

Marshall teams pride themselves on character, disciThere’s a winning vibe at the school and a senior pline and hard work. During the spring, Williams and his class dedicated to continuing that trend. staff had the team focus on “We’re coming off a fundamentals and discipline. very successful season,” Manvel is also coming said senior defensive back Find out what schools are ranked in the off a trip to the state quarterfiGeovante Howard. “We want Class 6A preseason volleyball poll nals in 2016 with 12 returning to come back this year and starters from a 13-1 squad. A win state.”

24-23 loss to Temple last DeHoward headlines a cember has the Mavericks motivated to greater heights in 2017. stout Marshall defense that returns eight starters, includTop players for head coach Kirk Martin include his son ing standout junior defensive end Dylan Sanchez. Howard and quarterback Kason Martin, running back Deneric Prince, recorded five interceptions and 66 tackles a year ago. linebacker Brian Johnson and safety Trent Gordon.

Sanchez had four quarterback sacks and seven tackles for Elkins head coach Dennis Brantley guided the Knights losses. to the playoffs with a late surge in the final weeks of the Senior quarterback Jabari James, a Texas Tech 2016 regular season that included a double overtime win pledge, accounted for 39 touchdowns in 2016. Wide over Marshall. receiver Henry Thomas had 14 touchdown receptions and Offensive lineman Luke Matthews is one of the top will be heading to the University of Houston following the college prospects in the nation and he’s committed to completion of his high school career.

Texas A&M. Jerry Davis is back to lead the ground attack after

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Bagwell enters Hall Astros All-Star first baseman Jeff Bagwell was recently inducted into the 2017 Baseball Hall of Fame, along with Tim Raines and Ivan Rodriguez. Bagwell was a dominant player for an extended period of his career. In addition to being an elite hitter, he was known as a solid defender and baserunner. During his illustrious 15-year career, all spent with the Astros, Bagwell compiled a .297 batting average with 449 home runs and 1,529 RBI while posting a .408 on-base percentage and a .540 slugging percentage. He is the Houston franchise leader in career home runs, RBI, batting average and walks, and ranks second in club history in games, runs, hits, doubles, total bases, on-base percentage and slugging percentage.

Wyllie to be honored Tony Wyllie, a Texas Southern University alum and Washington Redskins senior vice president of communications, will be inducted into the 2017 National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame. The honor is bestowed on individuals who have made significant contributions in their respective fields. The event highlights the viability of HBCUs and the accomplishments of their alumni. Wyllie received a degree in journalism from TSU. He earned an MBA from the Jones School of Business at Rice University.

He has earned the Pete Rozelle Award a record five times for the NFL’s best public relations department and won the award with three different franchises. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held in Atlanta on Sept. 29.

Instant replay explored The University Interscholastic League is discussing the possibility of utilizing instant replay in high school football games. UIL Director of Athletics Susan Elza made the announcement and added that the technology is in place for the procedure to become reality.

“We’ve been discussing the matter in our office and we’re doing the research,” she said. “We’re going to continue to talk about that topic and consider maybe adding it to a Class 6A game at some point in the future.” The exact details of how instant replay would work in Texas are unknown for now. The UIL isn’t the only governing body thinking of implementing instant replay in high school football. Alabama became the first state in the U.S. to use instant replay during two high school spring football games in 2016.

Realignment in store The 2017-2018 school year is a realignment year in Texas high school athletics. Major changes are in store this coming February when Class 5A football is split into divisions before the playoffs like in Class 1A through Class 4A. Schools with enrollments of 1,900-plus students will be in Division I while smaller schools with enrollments of 1,147-plus will be placed in Division II. The procedure currently utilized for the postseason will become a full-time practice in 2018, thus changing the face of district alignments across the state. For example, the all-HISD district of 24-5A could be split up with Madison, Austin and Wisdom (formerly Lee) joining Division I while Furr would be aligned with other 5A Division II schools in the Houston area.

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DEFENDER | AUGUST 3 | 2017

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Manuel wins gold at world championship on the relays and my prelim and semifinal swims, so I had a lot of confidence in really coming back that second 50."

Manuel said she hoped her performance will inspire others.

“It means a lot,” she said. “This medal is not just for me. It’s for a whole bunch of people who came before and have been an inspiration to me. And it’s for all the people

Defender News Services

Olympic gold medalist Simone Manuel of Sugar Land continued her winning ways by bringing home five gold medals and one bronze from the FINA World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

Manuel, a member of the Stanford University swim team, made sports history by becoming the first African-American woman to win an individual Olympic gold medal in swimming with her record-setting performance at the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro.

In Budapest, the 20-year-old swimmer rallied to beat Sweden's world-record holder Sarah Sjostrom in the 100-meter freestyle and set a new American record.

after me who believe they can do it and I just want to be an inspiration to others that you can do it.”

Manuel became an accomplished swimmer after joining Houston's First Colony Swim Team at age 11. Following her graduation from Fort Bend Austin High School in 2014, she established herself as a star of the Stanford program by setting school and NCAA records.

classified Simone Manuel

"It's kind of been ingrained in me," said Manuel, who beat Sjostrom on the final stroke.

"I want to win, and I've been training to do that

L.A. to host 2028 Summer Olympics Defender News Services

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that Los Angeles will host the 2028 Summer Games. Los Angeles and Paris were both under consideration for the 2024 Olympics, with Paris winning out.

As part of the host agreement, the IOC is giving the Los Angeles organizing committee a $1.8 billion advance “in view of the longer planning period [compared to Paris 2024] and to increase participation and access to youth sports programs in the city of Los Angeles in the years leading up to the Games.”

The last time the United States hosted a Summer Olympics was in Atlanta in 1996. Los Angeles previously hosted the 1932 and 1984 Games.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said the deal with the IOC was too good to pass up.

"This is a historic day for Los Angeles, for the United States and for the Olympic and Paralympic Movements around the world," Garcetti said.

"Today, we take a major step toward bringing the Games back to our city for the first time in a generation and begin a new chapter in Los Angeles’ timeless Olympic story."

The dual award to Paris and Los Angeles is considered a chance to stabilize the Olympics, which have been plagued by staggering costs and declining interest in hosting by cities. Boston, Rome, Budapest and Hamburg, Germany all withdrew their candidacies for the 2024 Games.

this whole time."

Sjostrom jumped out to a quick lead in the race but Manuel steadily closed the gap.

"I just wanted to

stick to my race plan, and that's kind of having a comfortable fast first 50," Manuel said.

"My back half has been pretty good this meet

Standard Legal Notification Interested in helping to build a new 320-mgd plant for Houston’s Northeast Water Purification Plant’s (NEWPP) expansion? The City of Houston is building a new water treatment plant near Lake Houston.

Phase I, the west plant, will consist of two 80-mgd trains. Early site development contract packages have been divided into smaller sizes to encourage participation by the Minority, Women and Small Business Enterprise contractor community. Remaining contract packages for plant construction are as follows: 8 - Site Civil/Yard Piping 9 - Site Electrical 10 - I&C System Integration 11 - Admin & Maintenance Building 12 - North Plant 13 - Central Plant 14 - Backwash Equalization Basins 15 - Dewatering Building 16 - High Service Pump Station and Switchgear Building 17 - Substation Building 18 - Ground Storage Tanks 19 - Intake Pump Stations (IPS) and Bridge 20 - Electrical for IPS Enroll with the Design-Builder, Houston Waterworks Team, HWT, (a joint venture of CH2M and CDM Smith), on their website (www.newppexpansion. com). HWT is looking to gather preliminary information from each contractor interested in participating in the construction of this new project utilizing the project’s procurement website. Instructions for enrollment are included in the Reference Documents section and the Enrollment Form button is in the Project Links and Contacts section. Contractors and suppliers are both invited to enroll so that a qualification form can be sent to potential Tier 1 contractors/suppliers.

All interested contractors and suppliers are invited to enroll on HWT’s website (www. newppexpansion.com) and begin the procurement process. Join us on this adventure for the next eight years as we design and build this expansion of the water plant for Houston and four of the local Regional Water Authorities.

Interested contractors in the packages listed above need to complete the enrollment and qualification process before the Request for Proposals (RFPs) will be released in the fall 2017 to shortlisted qualified Tier 1 contractors/suppliers.

This is NOT a hard bid, instead it is a Competitive Sealed Proposal.

This is a progressive design-build project so all contract packages will be issued at 30% design and contractors selected based on “best value” with consideration of both their technical qualifications and cost. Consequently then, as the design progresses to 100% HWT will revise the scope, schedule and cost estimate, in conjunction with the selected contractors. Contracts will be finalized with selected contractors for each separate package.

Llongwill Digital USA is bidding on Project Number (16-10-46 ENRICHMENT SERVICES FOR STUDENTS) for Houston Independent School District. We are looking for possible M/WBE suppliers to provide the following: M/WBE participation and subcontract partnership to assist in acquiring equipment and supplies.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact our office by phone at: (281)-888-5079 or via email kpalmer@llongwilldigitalusa.com.

Houston Independent School District Will receive Competitive Sealed Proposals from contractors for Heights HS. Project Number: 17-06-02 on Tuesday, September 5, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at 4400 West 18th Street, Office of Board Services #1C, Houston, TX 77092. A Pre-Proposal Conference will be held at Heights HS 413 East 13 Street, ROTC Rm., Houston, Texas 77008 – Tuesday, August 8, 2017 @ 9:00 am. For additional information regarding this project, access the HISD website: http:// www.houstonisd.org/Page/68148 or contact Mr. Raymond Hooks, rhooks@houstonisd.org. Drawings and Specifications for the RFCSP may be reviewed at the following Houston locations: Associated General Contractors / www.agchouston.org HISD Facilities Services Office, 3200 Center, Houston, TX 77007, (713) 556-9250 McGraw Hill Construction/Dodge / www.construction.com Virtual Builders Exchange, 7035 West Tidwell, Suite #J112, Houston, TX. 77092

The HARRIS CENTER for Mental Health and IDD (formerly known as MENTAL HEALTH MENTAL RETARDATION AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY) will be accepting Request for Proposals for the following:

Psychiatric Assessment and Medication Management via Telemedicine Specifications may be secured from The HARRIS CENTER, Purchasing Department located at 9401 SW Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074; telephone (713) 970-7116 and/or via The HARRIS CENTER website www.mhmraharris.org or the Electronic State Business Daily Site https://portal.cpa.state.tx.us/, beginning Tuesday, August 15, 2017.

A Non-Mandatory Conference is scheduled for, Monday, August 21, 2017 @ 1:00 p.m., 9401 Southwest Freeway. Deadline for prospective vendors to submit questions to this RFP is Wednesday, August 23, 2017.

Proposal documents must be submitted to Purchasing Services, 9401 SW Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074 by 10:00 a.m., Friday, September 8, 2017 in a sealed envelope marked "RFP FOR PSYCHIATRIC ASSESSMENT AND MEDICATION MANAGEMENT VIA TELEMEDICINE” -DO NOT OPEN UNTIL - FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 AT 10:00 AM. Any questions pertaining to this solicitation should be addressed in writing to James Blunt, Buyer II or E-mail questions to james.blunt@theharriscenter.org cc: sharon.brauner@theharriscenter.org., or via fax at (713) 970-7682.

The HARRIS CENTER reserves all rights to reject any and/or all proposals, to waive formalities and reasonable irregularities in submitted documents as it deems to be in its best interests, and is not obligated to accept the lowest proposal.

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Happening in Houston For event coverage email: events@defendermediagroup.com

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GREATER HOUSTON BLACK CHAMBER MO. CITY…….. years to write the book which is a collection of true stories of how her clients The Greater Houston Black Chamber (GHBC) and Ft. Bend County overcame a variety of challenges using her easy-to-understand practices. Joy Commissioner Grady Prestage recently hosted the kickoff meeting of the Sewing served as moderator and took questions from the packed house. On GHBC’s Missouri City Branch at the Ft. Bend County Sienna Annex Building. hand were Percy King Creuzot, Loren Lane, Dr. Docia Rudley, Gloria Results of the Texas Southern University commissioned study “Missouri City Williams, Dr. Suliat Nurudeen, Dr. Kemi Nurudeen, Richard Lawson, Business Needs Assessment” were shared by GHBC Chairwoman Courtney Sue Jacobson and many more……..TOP LADIES OF DISTINCTION Johnson Rose who presided over the meeting. Several business owners were OPEN HOUSE……..The Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. (TLOD) Houston honored for their role in making the GHBC the “go-to Chapter hosted the opening of the organization’s national voice of Black business.” In attendance were Anthony headquarters, located at 2607 Prospect St. Chapter members Defender TOP EVENTS from across the country were on hand to be part of the Snipes, Maya Thornton, Ellis Hubbard, Phyllis Bailey, More photos on defendernetwork.com Misty Starks, Dr. Sheri Smith, Cynthia Ginyard, occasion, which featured an address by Houston City Norris Dillard, Sharday Campbell, Tammie Lang Councilmember Amanda Edwards, a video presentation Campbell and many others........CHERYL CREUZOT on the TLOD and food and fellowship. In attendance were TLOD National President Lady Drema Lee Woldman, Lady Jackie Pope, BOOK SIGNING.......The president of Wealth Development Strategies LLC, Cheryl Creuzot, held a book signing for her work, “Real Lives. Real Money.”

Lady Mary Wright, Lady Vanessa Broussard, Lady Katherine Wilson, at the residence of Rufus and Yvonne Cormier. Tina Knowles-Lawson, who Lady Kim Topps, Lady Shwanda Warner, Lady Joyce Bethany, Lady Mary Washington, Jackie Mayfield, Kenji Williams and others. wrote the book’s forward, was on hand to share how she urged Creuzot for

Devon Bankett, Courtney Johnson Rose, Pastor Rudy White, John Wheeler

Tina Knowles-Lawson, Yvonne Cormier, Cheryl Creuzot

Mary Wright, Drema Lee Woldman, Jackie Pope

Norris Dillard, Commissioner Grady Prestage, Anthony Snipes

Joy Sewing, Ashley Hoskins

Francis Hill, Lenoria Walker, Mary Washington

Sharday Campbell, Tammie Lang Campbell

Loren Lane, Dr. Docia Rudley

Shwanda Warner, Carolyn Clemons, Earnestine Randle-Forest

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