Houston Defender: August 4, 2022

Should high school athletes be paid?

LOCAL COACHES MAKE THE CASE.

ENTERTAINMENT

PROFILE

COMMON

JENNIFER SEBASIGARI

The rap star brought his skills to the Houston symphony Summer series.

Volume 91, issue 37 August 4, 2022

The popular chef is making waves with her unique culinary skills.

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DN To the POINT

Nichelle Nichols as Lt. Uhura. AP Photo

Message from the Associate Editor SAFE PASSAGE

hallway for over an hour? Where is that trainWe recently lost three giants: Nichelle Niching they deploy to de-escalate situations with ols, Bill Russell and Mary Alice. Alice starred whites who slap, spit on and cuss out cops, yet in countless movies, one of which was the receive no bruises when they encounter us? We original “Sparkle” where she played the mothhave to give our kids “The Talk” and teach them er of three daughters trying to make it in the the entire police stop ritual just so they have a music biz. She was also the House Mother chance to not get killed over a traffic violation. on “A Different World.” But more than that, Yes, Calloway ran. But do you blame him?

Aswad Walker she was greatly respected by her peers. Additionally, the “Lord of the Rings,” Bill Russell BLACK AUGUST made his transition. If you measure greatness by champiWhat do the start of the Haitian Revolution, the arrivonships alone, who was better? Russell was undefeated in al of the first acknowledged Africans to the Americas, the “winner-take-all” games (11-0, NBA; 9-0, NCAA; and 2-0, Watts Riot of ’65, Nat Turner’s Rebellion and the Ferguson Olympics). But more than that, it was his constant stance Uprising after the murder of Michael Brown have in comfor Black people that made him a giant among men. And mon? They all took place in August. But the annual comspeaking of giants, it’s impossible to calculate the impact memoration of Black August was founded by Black politiNichelle Nichols, Star Trek’s Lt. Nyota Upenda Uhura, had cal prisoners, spurred by the assassination of revolutionary on the culture. Beyond being fine as “all-da-be-dayyum,” George Jackson by San Quentin prison guards (Aug 21, her leadership role on the Star Ship Enterprise during a late 1971). In protest, the brothers chose to fast and focus their 60s opened the minds of countless Black boys and girls to readings on the plights of oppressed people globally. Soon, finally see themselves “going where no one has gone be- the practice spread beyond prison walls, and has come to fore.” Safe passage, all. commemorate the long list of Black History moments that fall in August, including the March on Washington (1963), BRANDON CALLOWAY birth of Marcus Garvey (1887), death of Emmett Till If you haven’t heard, Brandon Calloway, a young brother (1955) and more. Organizations and communities nationspooked by police lights after allegedly running a red light, wide hold various celebratory and empowering events and got out of his vehicle and ran to his girlfriend’s home. Cop, gatherings, from book or topic discussions to community guns drawn, chased and caught him, bogarting into said service projects and more. If this is the first you’ve heard of girlfriend’s house, then beat the living sh-crap out of Cal- Black August, don’t fret. Just use this August to celebrate loway. We already know policing is broken, or not broken, our people and our story. and just functioning the way it was created to function—as a tool to keep Blackfolk in our place. Either way, something ON THE WEB needs to change. Our white “cousins” say “Just comply and • Black father goes viral responding to worker who called cops won’t get violent.” And we respond: Philando Castile, him the n-word.

Tamir Rice, Sandra Bland, John Crawford, etc. Where was • See the video interviews on whether high school aththis deep well of cop “bravery” they display while beating letes should be paid. and shooting unarmed Blackfolk, when those children • Check out the Defender channels: Black Women, Under in Uvalde were dialing 911 and cops stood in the school 40 and Community Central.

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DN News

Rev. Ronald K. Mouton Sr.

More than 800 guns were collected Saturday during a gun buyback event held at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, 3826 Wheeler Ave. Office of Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis

Houston buyback nets 845 guns, prompts criticism Houston Public Media

More than 800 guns were collected on Saturday as part of a regionwide buyback event — an effort that Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner hailed as “incredibly successful.”

The event was less well-received by the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, which categorized the event as a potential deterrent to solving crime.

One of the top officials for the Harris County District Attorney’s Office said it was glad to have that many weapons out of the community and headed to an incinerator, but the office also questioned whether gun-related crimes would go unsolved as a result.

David Mitcham, the top assistant to DA Kim Ogg, said Monday his office takes issue with the no-questions-asked part of Saturday’s event at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in the Third Ward, where Houston-area residents were invited to anonymously turn in handguns and rifles in exchange for gift cards worth at least $50.

In the event any of the turned-in guns are determined to have been used to commit a crime, Mitcham said connecting that weapon to a person responsible would be akin to encountering a “brick wall or blind alley.”

The DA’s office also said it wasn’t consulted before the gun buyback event, according to Mitcham, who confirmed that Ogg expressed her concerns in a letter written to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, Pre-

What we refuse to be accused of is inaction,” he added. “If we got one gun off the street and prevented one shooting, we made a difference today.”

Rodney Ellis

cinct 2 Constable May Walker and Houston Police Chief Troy Finner.

Mitcham added that the distribution of gift cards could be problematic in the event a gun is tied to a crime. The person who turned in the firearm may be considered a witness to the crime, and accepting something of monetary value from law enforcement in return could cause problems for prosecutors down the line.

But Turner and Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis, who also were event organizers, questioned the reason for Ogg’s criticism as well as the timing. Both Turner and Ellis released statements arguing that Ogg — a fellow Democrat — could have communicated her concerns well in advance of the publicly promoted event.

“The program was informed by best practices from gun buyback events across the country, and as such, HPD does not share the concerns she presented in her letter dated the day before the event,” Turner said.

Ellis added that Ogg’s letter “was at best uninformed and cynical, and at worst a political stunt.”

The gun buyback program, part of the city’s federally funded One Safe Houston initiative, was lauded as a success that exceeded organizers’ expectations in terms of turnout. A spokesperson for Turner said 845 guns were collected, with nearly $100,000 in gift cards distributed in exchange.

The Houston Police Department is checking the guns to see if any of them were stolen or used in a crime, in which event they will be returned to their owner or processed as evidence, according to the mayor’s office. The weapons will otherwise be destroyed.

The effectiveness of such programs in reducing violent crime is the subject of much debate. A 2021 study released by the National Bureau of Economic Research found such programs, “have been ineffective at deterring gun crime, firearm-related homicides, or firearm-related suicides in the short- or long run.”

Uber driver charged in death of Houston pastor Defender News Service

An Uber driver has been arrested in the June death of Houston pastor Rev. Ronald K. Mouton Sr. of East Bethel Missionary Baptist Church.

Mouton was shot and killed during a possible road rage incident on the Gulf Freeway at Gould Road on June 24.

Deshawn Longmire, 23, has been charged with murder and is currently being held in Harris County Jail. Witnesses said they saw Longmire, who was driving for Uber in his black Honda Deshawn sedan with peeled Longmire window tint, arguing with Mouton, who was driving a white BMW, at a stoplight on the Gulf Freeway frontage road.

Neither driver exited the vehicle at the time of the argument, investigators said.

Witnesses say when both vehicles started moving, Longmire “stretched his arm out of the driver window with a pistol in his hand” and allegedly shot Mouton. Longmire then took off.

Surveillance video from Pusch and Nguyen Injury Lawyers showed Pastor Mouton crashing his vehicle at a curb. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mouton’s family said he was a pastor for 32 years in the community. He will be remembered as a man who touched many lives.

His longtime friend Bishop James Dixon said Mouton’s family is still grieving.

“For them, this is at least some relief but they’re still going through, they’re asking the public for prayer and privacy. But for all of us, we’re hopeful that justice is done.

The family wants justice to be done.”

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DN News

Fort Bend officials discuss measures to increase student safety in schools

Fort Bend discusses school safety Officials talk measures to improve student safety

By Laura Onyeneho

As students, teachers and school administrators plan for the return back to the classroom, Fort Bend County is outlining school safety plans ahead of the upcoming school year.

During a recent press conference, Fort Bend County Sheriff Eric Fagen, Representative Jacey Jetton and Representative Ron Reynolds gave an overview of school safety and emergency preparedness, improvement in first responders intelligence gathering, ways to deal with activeshooter threats and mental health

concerns in the wake of the deadly Robb Elementary mass shooting in Uvalde in May. “This is the model not for Fort Bend, but for America, in terms of working across the aisle. Because I have never seen a mass shooting bullet that identified Democrats or Republicans this is something that impacts us all,” said Reynolds. “This is an issue we must tackle head on, not just hopes and prayers. I’m a man of faith but faith without works is dead.”

Fagen said that school shooters look for soft targets and to prevent

that from happening there needs to be a “force multiplier” of various agencies partnering with the school district police to have eyes on the school’s majority during school hours.

“The teachers that are here and everyone else at the schools recognize that when they read the report that came from Uvalde from the House Committee, the policies and procedures without follow through mean nothing,” said Jetton.

Other updates happening on the state level: • $105 million for school safety

and mental health initiatives • The Texas Education Agency added a chief of school safety and security • Governor Greg Abbott directed a School Safety Center to guarantee all Texas schools follow proper procedures to maximize school safety • All school districts in the state have been provided the advanced law enforcement rapid response training program by Texas State University The responsibility for children safety not only falls on the hands of law enforcement and district officials, Jetton said it is also a community effort and it begins

with reporting incidences of bullying.

“The Secret Service, in their analysis of targeted school threats, outline that most of the attackers were bullied and bullied in open,” he said. “People knew that this was happening. Those same attackers also communicated their intentions to attack. It is important for us to pay attention and be vigilant in our communities to ensure that we are reporting those threats.”

Fagan and other law officials explained different procedures that will be enforced. Some include regular rotations of patrol divisions and daily testing of door locks and vestibules.

Harris County considers legal action over election audit Houston Public Media

Harris County is set to bring legal action against Texas, following the Secretary of State’s office’s selection of the county for an audit of its 2022 election results. County Attorney Christian Menefee requested permission to pursue the legal action, and Commissioners Court voted 3-2 along party lines to authorize the suit.

The election code required the Secretary of State select four counties for audit – two counties with populations of 300,000 or more, and two with populations less than 300,000.

“We printed each county’s name on a slip of paper, and divided the slips into two groups: (1) counties with more than 300,000 in population, and (2) counties with under 300,000 in population. Then, we placed those slips into an empty bucket

Harris County election workers handle ballots Tuesday, March 1, 2022.

HPM

and had a member of our staff randomly select two counties from each group,” said Sam Taylor, Assistant Secretary of State for Communications.

“This the same process we use to determine the ballot order for Constitutional Amendment propositions – they are usually drawn from a cowboy hat or boot,” Taylor added.

Texas has 254 counties. Harris County is one of only 18 counties with populations of over 300,000, and it is by far the largest.

The audit is part of the new Texas voting law, Senate Bill 1, passed during a special legislative session in 2021.

In a statement, SB 1 co-author state Sen. Bettencourt, R-Houston, called a possible lawsuit “frivolous.”

“The democrat majority on the Harris County Commissioner’s Court has authorized their most ‘frivolous’ election lawsuit yet on a partisan 3 to 2 vote,” Bettencourt said. “This time along with County Attorney Menefee, they are disputing the

‘randomness’ of an audit selection by the Texas Secretary of State as they were one of two large counties out of 18 selected per an Amendment to SB 1.”

Harris County is already subject to an election audit of its 2020 election results, along with three of the state’s other large counties – Dallas, Tarrant, and Collin Counties. That audit came following public pressure from former President Donald Trump.

Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee said that’s no coincidence.

“All of this stems from folks in a certain party using lies about the 2020 election and now subsequent elections for political benefit. Not only do we have these audits, which drain county resources, but we have conspiracy theorists who file lawsuits against Harris County that my office ends up having to defend,” Menefee said.

ai1658764022102_2022_CTW-30455_ROY_Print_Houston_The Defender_ENG_4.812x13_08-04-22_F.pdf

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DN Feature

Our doctors are ready to see you

Deloyd Parker, Dr. Munish Chawla, Dr. Kimberly Adams, Terry Garner, Dola Young, Dr. Bandana Chawla and Sherra Aguirre. Photo by Aswad Walker

Community Wellness Initiative promotes healthy food, people

By Aswad Walker

In Third Ward, several entities are banding together to provide body, mind and spirit nourishment for adults and youth alike. SHAPE Community Center, the Alabama Garden, Blodgett Urban Garden, Palm Center Garden and Peaceful Planet Foundation have partnered to provide solutions to several current and longstanding food and health challenges.

The Community Wellness Initiative (CWI) started as an outgrowth of local author/activist Sherra Aguirre’s book “Joyful, Delicious, Vegan: Life Without Heart Disease.”

“I wrote it because I’m very passionate about health and wellness,” said Aguirre.

“A lot of that’s due to my family history of heart disease, which is typical of a lot of African American families. So, I wanted to share the message that there are ways to actually prevent or even reverse it with a healthy, plant-strong diet.”

After issuing the call, several of Aguirre’s friends responded, including Dola Young, a retired attorney and SHAPE supporter recently certified as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach.

“The initiative is about getting a group of grassroots people who want their own health to be improved, and then sharing that information with their family and community,” said Young, about the initiative’s “each one, teach one” approach.

“Basically, it’s a group of community health ambassadors,” said Dr. Bandana Chawla, who with her husband Dr. Munish Chawla, are physicians board certified in lifestyle medicine, and founders of their

nonprofit, Peaceful Planet Foundation.

“These 19 people are learning all that they can about nutrition, exercise, stress management, gardening, just various things, so that they can then be the ambassadors of health in their own community, and teach this information to their friends and family and community members.”

“Chronic diseases, whether it’s diabetes or heart disease or obesity, they’re caused by our diet and lifestyle,” said Munish Chawla. “We need to fix that, otherwise we can throw all the pills, all the procedures [at them, but] we’re not addressing the root cause.”

The Chawlas said Aguirre’s initiative was consistent with their work that seeks to address patients from a holistic (mind, body and spirit) approach, with community being a foundational component.

And that’s where SHAPE came in. Aguirre and SHAPE’s director Deloyd Parker were college classmates, who, along with other UH students in the late 1960s helped found the community center.

“I’m excited that we’ve embraced a very comprehensive and holistic approach to good health,” said Parker. “SHAPE is honored to be hosting and participating in this partnership. Because that’s what it is, a comprehensive partnership that’s about healthy living and healthy life.” ~Sherra Aguirre contributed to this article

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DN Entertainment

Beyoncé’s ‘Renaissance’ album breaks records NNPA

Beyoncé’s new album, “Renaissance,” has taken the world by storm as expected, with a healthy helping of Chicago house music and classic 1970s disco.

The album immediately soared to the top of Apple Music in 100 countries. Sixteen of the top 21 songs on Apple Music are from “Renaissance,” and the debut enjoyed more than 43 million streams on Spotify — a new record.

Critics across the country took note.

“It is consciously steeped in dance-music history, cannily embracing decades of samples and sounds: the 1970s disco of Donna Summer and Chic, Jamaican dancehall, internet-speed hyper pop,” Michaelangelo Matos penned for the New York Times.

“She chose collaborators, references, and even specific keyboard sounds that pay homage to club-land memories while making her own 21st-century statement,” Matos wrote. The new tracks include songs like “Cozy,” “Cuff It,” “Energy,” and “Break My Soul.”

“For at least the past decade, Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter has been the world’s greatest living entertainer,” Rolling Stone wrote.

The greatest Beyoncé songs.

Weigh in.

“Beyoncé really made this album for the club,” journalist Vincent Desmond tweeted.

“No matter how much you love ‘Renaissance,’ you are going to love this at least five times more if you hear the album or any of its songs in the club. It goes so crazy.”

As noted by Pitchfork, Renaissance was announced as “Act I” of an upcoming saga, and the album’s liner notes confirmed that Beyoncé would follow it up with at least two more “acts.”

“She has said that all the music was made during a creative burst at the peak of COVID and that it was inspired by her children, her husband, and her team,” journalist Dylan Green wrote.

“But what could these multiple parts entail? One theory: The music is the driving force behind ‘Renaissance’ more than a specific narrative arc; if Act I is a culmination of various forms of Black music and their effects on pop across the 20th and early 21st centuries, it’s possible that Act II and Act III might look at the way it moves in the present

and forward into the future,” Green said.

“Beyoncé has accomplished a lot over her nearly 30-year career, but a full-blown

musical trilogy is new even for her. Like every piece of art that bears her name, the anticipation is half the fun.”

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DN Entertainment INTERVIEW: UNCOMMON FLOW

Common performs with Houston Symphony

By L.J. Garfield Special to the Defender

Houstonians had the rare opportunity to witness a hip-hop performance accompanied by a live orchestra — not a band, but an orchestra when “Common with the Houston Symphony” recently came to town. Houston Symphony’s summer series drew fans from all over the metro area.Yes, the classical instrumentation was present: woodwinds, brass, percussions and strings, along with the hip-hop icon Common.

Common collaborated with Steven Reineke, who conducted the live musical arrangements for the two sold-out shows at the Hobby Center. The diverse audience enjoyed the motif of melodies, rhythms and harmonies, all intertwined with the thought-provoking lyrics of a conscientious Black man.

“Common is using his musical platform to bring people with diverse racial backgrounds but similar social ideologies together for the common good of our nation, and the good of our global communities,’’ said Tonya Sykes, event

Common performs onstage during the 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards. Getty

attendee. “I was so surprised to see so many non-Black people here.”

“The performance was absolutely dope,” said professional musician, educator and artist Ikechi Ojore. “I’m not usually at a loss for words, but simply put, it was amazing.”

Additionally, Common and his team hosted intimate meet and greets each night after the shows interacting with

some of Houston’s power players to share and discuss the opportunities to team up with his non-profit Common Ground and his newest social project the Stardust Kids.

Common Ground was created in 2002

by Dr. Mahalia Hines and Common to provide leadership and mentoring support to at-risk high school populations in his hometown of Chicago. Programming includes Window of Opportunity (WOO) Academy, an entity that addresses freshmen year transitions by providing students with the tools to be successful learners.

Common Ground’s Dreamers and Believers Program exposes students to fine arts career paths and college readiness mentorship. During the meet and greet, there were unconfirmed whispers of Common Ground expanding to Houston.

The Stardust Kids is an incubator collective for emerging artists and artistic entrepreneurs that encourages, supports and develops the raw talent of youth in the program. One of the core goals of the collective is to teach members how to incorporate social justice issues (and any other important issues they chose) into

the expression of their art.

Common won an Oscar for the song “Glory” (with John Legend), a Grammy for “Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip Hop)” and an NAACP Award for his role in “Selma.”

His current album, “A Beautiful Revolution Part 2,” is a poetic call to community activism amid jazzy tones, fast-paced R&B tempos and Latin-flavored guitar chords.

Common brings attention to social, racial and economic injustices in the Black community with cuts like “Courageous,” “A Place in This World” and the title track “A Beautiful Revolution.”

If there was a common theme that tied all his songs performed with the Houston Symphony together, it was reflected in one of Common’s own lyrics: “Remember your light when the word seems shady.”

L.J. Garfield (aka Mama Wata Flow) is the host of “Word Bender,” a radio show / podcast that can be heard on All Real Radio (www.AllRealRadio.com) every Friday from 6 p.m.– 8 p.m. Garfield is also a health science instructor at the Pima Medical Institute, a spoken word artist and community activist.

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DN InFocus BACK TO SCHOOL

10 tips to help you prepare

By ReShonda Tate The back-to-school “to do” list can get stressful for parents and children as the start of the new term quickly approaches. Between shopping, readjusting mindsets, registering for school and squeezing some final moments of fun out of summer and more, parents can definitely get overwhelmed.

Here are 10 tips for parents to have a stress-free start to this school year.

1. Start establishing a new routine.

“Parents should work now to normalize as much as possible,” said family therapist Shawn Lockridge. “Parents may have been a little lenient during the summer on bedtime and screen time. It’s important that children who have been staying up late, especially on video games, are given time to get back into the structure of school years.”

2. Check vaccinations.

With COVID-19 still raging, and other preventable diseases coming back, Lockridge encourages all parents to check with their health care provider, health department or school system on getting updated vaccinations. And don’t wait. “A lot of parents don’t think about vaccinations until right when school starts then they’re scrambling to try and get into the crowded doctor’s office,” Lockridge said. Call your child’s doctor and schedule a visit for updated vaccinations or physicals ahead of the school year. Texas has a minimum state vaccine requirement for grades K-12. Students must show evidence of acceptable vaccinations before entry, attendance, or transfer to a child-care facility, public or private elementary or high school in Texas.

3. Make sure kids get some sleep.

Adequate sleep is essential to a successful school year. That involves shutting off electronic devices, keeping weekday and weekend routines consistent and potentially installing black-out curtains to keep the room dark. “Kids need about 10 hours of sleep a day, which is more sleep than people realize,” Lockridge said.

programs you can sign up for.

Talk with teachers and school officials. The last thing you want is your child to be set on being on the football team, only to discover tryouts were three weeks ago. Take notes of important dates throughout the year – first day of school, PTA meetings, registration deadlines.

reused? Do you still have items in good condition?

Take your time to sort through what you don’t and make a list of ones you do before you head to the store.

4. Get to know your kids’ teachers.

This one is self-explanatory but you’d be amazed at the number of parents who don’t bother. If you can’t make orientations, make it your business to get up to the school during your child’s first week. Or at least connect via email. Don’t wait until the last week of school to do this (which many teachers say is quite common).

7. Get wardrobes organized.

Enjoy school-shopping with your child and involve them by giving them choices. That way you’ll avoid early morning fights over what to wear, especially if your children don’t wear uniforms. Organize your child’s clothes for the entire week.

Pick every outfit out on Sunday afternoon and lay them out or hang them up for the week.

10. Plan menus.

Start your child’s day out right with a great meal.

Plan some easy, healthy, afterschool snacks to fill your kids just enough until dinnertime. School meals changes might occur. In the case that they do, start planning what lunches and snacks you will pack. Search for what will be served at the school’s cafeteria and what you can make at home. How much do meals cost at school? How much money do you need to spend on meal prep?

Parents should always have fruits and vegetables that the children eat prepared, washed and ready to go. Pre-made sandwiches for afterschool snacks or for in-between activities are a great way to stay out of fast-food drive-thrus.

5. Be aware of the financial commitment.

There’s nothing like getting your back-to-school shopping out of the way, only to discover your child needs $40 for a gym uniform, $30 for a lab fee, $10 for an ID, etc.

Make sure you’re aware of all the expenses you will incur so you’ll be better prepared to tackle them.

6. Be aware of extracurricular activities.

Find out what extracurricular

8. Get a head start.

Prepare yourself for early mornings and prepare what you can the night before. Being ready for a school morning is the best thing that you can do to get your family off to a great start. It makes a HUGE difference (and cuts back on stress and chaos during the mornings).

9. Check your inventory.

Do you have supplies that can be

BACK TO COLLEGE. What you need to know to make the best of your upcoming year.

Texas tax free weekend Aug. 5-7 During the state’s sales tax holiday weekend, shoppers don’t pay taxes on items purchased online and in person. *Total purchase must be under $100

Resources & schedules

By Laura Onyeneho

The key to having a productive and stress-free return to school starts with proper planning.

With the costs of products and services increasing, this is a perfect time to search for places to buy school necessities while getting the most bang for your buck.

Utilize community resources for assistance.

Here are a few in the Houston area.

SOCIETY OF CHAMPIONS Back to School Giveaway Date: Aug. 6 Time: 12 p.m.- 3 p.m.

Location: 18103 Cypress Trace Rd. BACK 2 SCHOOL FESTIVAL Hosted by the City of Houston Date: Aug. 13 Time: 8 a.m.-2 p.m., or until supplies last.

Location: George R. Brown Convention Center

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B&P CHARITIES AND NONPROFITS Back to School Backpack Give Away Date: Aug. 13 Time: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Location: 2915 S Sam Houston Pkwy. E. Suite 400

JUNIOR LEAGUE OF HOUSTON’S Back to School Bash Date: Aug. 21 Time: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

To purchase tickets, visit jih.org SCHOOL DISTRICT START DATES Aldine ISD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aug. 17 Alief ISD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aug. 8 Channelview ISD . . . . . . . . . Aug. 15 Crosby ISD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aug. 11 Cypress-Fairbanks ISD . . Aug. 22 Fort Bend ISD . . . . . . . . . . . . Aug. 10 Galena Park ISD . . . . . . . . . . Aug. 11 Houston ISD . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aug. 22 Humble ISD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aug. 9 Katy ISD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aug. 17 Klein ISD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aug. 10 New Caney ISD . . . . . . . . . . . Aug. 8 Pearland ISD . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aug. 17 Sheldon ISD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aug. 17 Spring Branch . . . . . . . . . . . . Aug. 16 Tomball ISD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aug. 16

10 | August 4, 2022 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Education TEACH FOR AMERICA HOUSTON

Tips on preparing kids for back to school

By Laura Onyeneho

OTHER TIPS:

Like many good things, summer fun in the • Use summer’s last “dog days” to stimsun eventually comes to an end. That means ulate kids’ minds by exposing them to parents will have to focus on preparing their learning opportunities. There are plenchildren for the back-to-school transition in ty of cost-effective or free museums, gardens, and other places to explore in the fall. and around Houston.

There is a degree of stress that comes with charting car • Check with your child’s school to see if p o ol s che du les, there are any materials your child can be homework wars, reading now to give them a jumpstart shopping and other on the curriculum. Take advantage of hectic activities parback-to-school drives to ensure your ents have to prepare child has all the supplies they need to for ahead of the be successful in the classroom. school year.

• If your child’s school requires that they Summer is a cruwear a uniform, make a note to purcial time for students chase those items early. to start the academic Brandon Neely, • Go into the school year with a mindyear strong, partic- Director of set that it will be a year of growth and ularly in historically School Impact success. Be optimistic about what is to disadvantaged com- for Teach For come. munities . Many of America Houston Read other tips these students begin parents should the school year with achievement levels lower consider when than where they were at the beginning of preparing for back-to-school. summer break.

Brandon Neely is director of School Impact for Teach For America (TFA) Houston. His role requires him to partner with schools and learning loss in general. A lot of teachers are teachers to support classroom transformation staying after school hosting group tutoring by leveraging the resources and talent of the sessions; they’re using any free time throughTFA network. out the day even on weekends to get students Neely spoke with the Defender about the back on track. public education landscape and offered advice Sometimes teachers will come on camon how to prepare kids for the upcoming pus and find out that certain teachers will school year. be absent, so they’ll have to cover classes.

Defender: The pandemic exacerbated problems Teachers are wearing many hats to give the in the public education system that were already students the best. Teach for America is startthere. What differences have you seen from last ing a leadership intensive program where school year until now? we’re training about 103 midlevel leaders at Brandon Neely: There’s been a lot more one of our school districts to help them better imbalance as far as teachers being expected to support teachers as a whole.

Defender: Parent and teacher rapport is importtake on additional roles in the classroom even T:4.79" ant.

How are educators preparing to strengthen the during the time of quarantine or addressing

communication between both parties?

Neely: Parent involvement in their child’s academic success and class curriculum has been a big topic in the last few months now, especially with the restrictions around critical race theory and LGTBQ rights. Out of 225 first-year and second-year teachers currently in our program, 66% identify as [Black,

Indigenous and people of color]. Of that, 35% identify as Black, 25% identify as LGBTQ+.

We figure out what the gaps of the curriculum and how to navigate them to still deliver the best education possible. We do a lot of community outreach bringing communities to our teachers and letting them know what is out there.

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August 4, 2022 |

| 11

DEFENDER NETWORK

HBCU

PRESIDENTS

Classic

Celebrate the leadership of these two fine institutions Thursday, August 25, 2022

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12 | August 4, 2022 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Profile

JENNIFER SEBASIGARI

Popular Chef shares her passion with unique dishes

By Laura Onyeneho

Jennifer Sebasigari isn’t your average professional chef. She is an entrepreneur and influencer whose food-centric Instagram page with colorful dishes -- from a mobile seafood broil to brisket mac and cheese to the Congolese delicacy poisson grille (grilled fish) wrapped in banana leaves -- has garnered her more than 350,000 followers.

Sebasigari was first introduced to cooking living at a refugee camp with her family in Cameroon the Rwandan genocide migrating from one city to another for safety. She would cook meals for her parents and siblings.

Eventually, she leveraged her raw talents after migrating with her family to the United States to attend Le Jennifer Sebasigari Cordon Blue College of Culinary Arts in Austin years later at the age of 25. Her skills Visit Defendernetwork.com have taken her to read what Sebasigari to Walt Disney thinks about Houston’s Park and Resorts culinary arts culture in Orlando, Fla., to working for a leading restauDefender: What were some challenging rant in Houston, Oxheart. experiences in your culinary arts career?

Her social media popularity opened Sebasigari: One of the challenges I’ve doors for local, national and interna- faced launching my Jenny On the Go tional television appearances, launching 365 company was really understanding her private chef and catering business what it means to be a culinary chef. It called Jenny On the Go 365 along takes a lot of time and dedication to with her cold-press juice company the craft. Understanding what it means Jennandthejuice. being a Black woman in a male- domiWith the long list of accomplish- nated industry and then on top of that ments, nothing gives her more joy than being African. Carving my niche and philanthropic work she does for strug- making a name for myself. I never went gling refugees in the community. into my career as a know-it-all. I’m very Sebasigari spoke with the Defender open to challenges and learning from about her culinary journey and heart- my peers. That’s how I’ve been able to healthy home cooking alternatives Black overcome folk should consider.

Defender: How have you leveraged Defender: You came to the U.S. as a social media as a tool to attract your refugee from Burundi at age 12. How audience to your brand? was your experience moving to a new Sebasigari: Whoever isn’t on social country? media really needs to get on it because Sebasigari: The United Nations and it is something all of us will need to other organizations were issuing 1,500 leverage our businesses. I leverage social visas for Congolese war victims to come media the way I leverage my friendships. to America. My family and I were one of You have to be social. You have to go out them. We stayed in a refugee camp. My and meet people. Consistency is key. I’m family went through a screening pro- an influencer, but I’m also a culinary chef cess and eventually relocated to Aus- and that’s how I want my social media to tin. Coming to America was a dream be. I read up on the latest updates and come true. The challenge was learning I’ve taken social media courses as well. to speak English and adjusting to the This is a tool and I choose to use it for American way of life. brand visibility.

Bay Seafood Boil Photo: Jennifer Sebasigari Instagram Tartetain with chorizo, cherry tomatoes, and olives Photo: Jennifer Sebasigari Instagram

August 4, 2022 |

| 13

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Obits REMEMBERING TWO LEGENDS OF THE COURT AND SCREEN Nichelle Nichols AP

Bill Russell AP

Bill Russell never had to find his voice as an activist. He didn’t know any other way but to speak his mind.

It’s what made the winningest athlete in team sports one of the greatest champions of activism. His belief in equality and the stances he took helped create a pathway that athletes today continue to walk in.

Len Elmore, who played 10 seasons in the NBA and is a senior lecturer at Columbia University where he’s taught on athlete activism and social justice in sports, called Russell’s social contributions “immortal.”

“He showed many of us in the game how to be,” Elmore said.

Before Russell, who died July 31 at age 88, developed the skills that would make him an 11-time NBA champion with the Boston Celtics, two-time Hall of Famer and an Olympic gold medalist, he had a front row view of the racial indignities endured by his parents as he grew up in segregated Monroe, La. In a time when Jim Crow laws in the South existed to silence the views of Black people, he was groomed to be an unapologetic thinker.

“I have never worked to be well-liked or well-loved, but only to be respected,” Russell wrote in his 1966 book “Go Up For Glory.”

“I believe I can contribute something far more important than mere basketball.”

Decades before Colin Kaepernick’s national anthem demonstrations to raise awareness about police brutality, or the

I believe I can contribute something far more important than mere basketball.”

-Bill Russell

collective sports world advocating for justice following the 2020 death of George Floyd and others, Russell used his platform to hasten civil rights.

It’s why when Russell later faced his own forms of discrimination decades later, he didn’t hesitate to challenge the status quo.

When former President Barack Obama presented Russell with the Presidential Medial of Freedom in 2011, he called it an example of how he “stood up for rights and dignity of all men.”

A star of Russell’s stature to show a willingness to put his convictions ahead of his athletic career put him in a small group during that time like Muhammad Ali, Lew Alcindor (now Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) and Jim Brown.

And it was Russell, Alcindor and Brown sitting beside Ali in Cleveland in 1967 when the boxer announced he was refusing induction into the U.S. military to fight in the Vietnam War. It echoed what Russell wrote in 1966 about how he wished to be remembered.

“In the end, I live with the hopes that when I die it will be inscribed for me: Bill Russell. He was a man.”

Nichelle Nichols, who broke barriers for Black women in Hollywood as communications officer Lt. Uhura on the original “Star Trek” television series, died July 30 at the age of 89.

Her role in the 1966-69 series earned Nichols a lifelong position of honor with the series’ rabid fans, known as Trekkers and Trekkies. It also earned her accolades for breaking stereotypes that had limited Black women to acting roles as servants and included an interracial onscreen kiss with co-star William Shatner that was unheard of at the time.

Like other original cast members, Nichols also appeared in six big-screen spinoffs starting in 1979 with “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” and frequented “Star Trek” fan conventions. She also served for many years as a NASA recruiter, helping bring minorities and women into the astronaut corps.The original “Star Trek” premiered on NBC on Sept. 8, 1966.

“I think many people took it into their hearts...that what was being said on TV at that time was a reason to celebrate,” Nichols said in 1992 when a “Star Trek” exhibit was on view at the Smithsonian Institution.

She often recalled how Martin Luther King Jr. was a fan of the show and praised her role. She met him at a civil rights gathering in 1967, at a time when she had decided not to return for the show’s second season.

“When I told him I was going to miss my co-stars and I was leaving the show, he became very serious and said, ‘You cannot do that,’” she told the Tulsa (Okla.) World in a 2008 interview. “‘You’ve changed the face of television forever, and therefore, you’ve changed the minds of people,’” she said the civil rights leader told her.

“That foresight Dr. King had was a lightning bolt in my life,” Nichols said.

During the show’s third season, Nichols’ character and Shatner’s Capt. James Kirk shared what was described as the first interracial kiss to be broadcast on a U.S. television series. In the episode, “Plato’s Stepchildren,” their characters, who always maintained a platonic relationship, were forced into the kiss by aliens who were controlling their actions.

The kiss “suggested that there was a future where these issues were not such a big deal,” Eric Deggans, a television

(Martin Luther King Jr) told me ‘You’ve changed the face of television forever.”

-Nichelle Nichols

critic for National Public Radio, told The Associated Press in 2018. “The characters themselves were not freaking out because a Black woman was kissing a white man...

In this utopian-like future, we solved this issue. We’re beyond it. That was a wonderful message to send.”

Worried about reaction from Southern television stations, showrunners wanted to film a second take of the scene where the kiss happened off-screen. But Nichols said in her book, “Beyond Uhura: Star Trek and Other Memories,” that she and Shatner deliberately flubbed lines to force the original take to be used.

Despite concerns, the episode aired without blowback. In fact, it got the most “fan mail that Paramount had ever gotten on ‘Star Trek’ for one episode,” Nichols said in a 2010 interview with the Archive of American Television.

14 | August 4, 2022 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports

SportsBriefs Bill Russell dies at 88

Basketball icon and outspoken civil rights activist Bill Russell died July 31. He was 88.

Russell, of course, is best known for his Bill Russell accomplishments on the basketball floor with the Boston Celtics where he led the team to an NBA-record 11 championships, which included eight straight during his 13-year career, and was named MVP of the league five times. Additionally, he wore two hats as head coach/player during his final two years.

Russell was also influential in speaking up for civil rights during the turbulent 1960s.

TSU’s Johnathan Thomas drafted

Texas Southern standout baseball player Johnathan Thomas was drafted 51st overall by the WashingJohnathan ton Nationals in Thomas the recent Major League Baseball Draft. The Fresno native made a name for himself this season as the nation’s top stolen bases leader with 62. In addition to stealing bases, Thomas also hit .345 while scoring 68 runs and recording 42 RBI last season.

Thomas spent the first three years of his collegiate career at the University of Houston before transferring to TSU for his senior season.

TSU men’s basketball players take part in NBPA Top 50

Texas Southern men’s basketball player Joirdon Karl Nicholas took part in the NBPA Top 50 Basketball Camp in Atlanta this past Joirdon Karl weekend along Nicholas with recent Tiger graduate Bryson Etienne. Modeled after the NBPA Top 100 camp, players from the SWAC and SIAC had a chance to learn from current and retired NBA players while also showcasing their talent in scrimmages and games throughout the weekend.

Houston Texans defensive back Jonathan Owens takes part in a drill during an NFL football training camp practice Friday, July 29, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

TEXANS SAFETY JONATHAN OWENS READY FOR NEXT STEP disappoint, earning starts in Week 15 and After a year of intense learning in Texans Week 16. Owens only allowed one pass to be coach Lovie Smith’s Tampa 2 Defense, safety caught during his first start against the JackJonathan Owens is feeling a little more natural sonville Jaguars in Week 15. in his responsibilities in the secondary.

Then in Week 16, he showed up big with his Instead of just learning and processing first career interception and a fumble recovery this training camp, he is more fluid in what is to help the Texans to an upset victory over the being asked of him in Year 2.

Los Angeles Chargers. Unfortunately, the fol“You’re more comfortable,” Owens said. lowing week he suffered a wrist injury against “You know the hurt plays on the defense, the San Francisco 49ers that ended so you can relay that message to the his season, but the Texans may younger guys. You know formahave seen enough to warrant tions. You know what people giving Owens some seriare going to give you in cerous starting considertain formations. It’s a lot ation this season. more familiarity with the He spent the offseadefense. It just gives you son working harder more confidence because than ever for this you’ve done it before.” opportunity and after B eing at this level the first few practices of comfort is critical for he seems ready to prove Owens, who is making the himself. transition from off-and-on “Just being confident, practice squad player – and Olympic gymnast Simone man, doing my job well,” is known as gymnastic star Biles walks with her said Owens, who was Simone Biles’ fiancé – to boyfriend Houston Texans undrafted out of Missouri being a true leader and vet- defensive back Jonathan Western when the Kansas Owens (36) after the eran in the Texans secondary Texans’ practice at NFL City Chiefs signed him this season. in 2018 and he joined football training camp, Owens, a fifth-year vet- Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in the Texans a year later. eran, got his first long look Houston. (Brett Coomer/ “Understanding the late last season and he didn’t Houston Chronicle via AP) defense and executing

By Terrance Harris

the game plan when given my opportunities.

I’m just looking to keep building every day and get better.”

The Texans come into the season with a void at safety after Justin Reid left for Kansas City in the offseason. That leaves an opportunity opposite Eric Murray. The team spent a second-round drafted pick on Jalen Pitre, who is expected to compete for a starting spot at safety.

But nothing is guaranteed, which creates an opportunity this training camp for Owens to make the most significant impact of his career.

“Getting out there and actually getting game time on defense,” Owens said of his goals for the season. “I think it has been five years since I got to play serious defensive time and just being out there and getting comfortable again and slow your mind down and play football free. That was my goal and I’m just looking to keep building.”

He also seems to have adapted to being a team leader as well. Owens can be seen on the field, talking to the young players and helping them settle into the defense.

So far, Owens seems to be impressed with Pitre.

“He’s talking, telling us what type of plays might come,” Owens said. “He’s a really smart guy. He’s a great safety to be out there with.

He’s definitely coming along quicker and developing.”

August 4, 2022 |

| 15

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports

FOR & AGAINST

Should HS athletes get paid?

By Jodie B. Jiles

In January 2023 the Texas Legislature anticipates bringing to the floor a bill allowing high school athletes to receive endorsement deals for use of their name, image and likeness.

In states like California and Louisiana,

which have already adopted such policies, we have typically seen kids make a few thousand here and there from local auto dealers and mom-and-pop products. Five-star California quarterback Nico Iamaleava reportedly has received one of the highest paying

endorsement deals worth up to $8 million.

Granted, not every player in the state of Texas will be given such large sums of money, but in a free market system that is America, they can at least put themselves in the position to get in the game early and often

with stellar play.

The Defender spoke with two of the most decorated coaches in Class 6A and Class 5A football to discuss their thoughts on such a bill passing and what outcomes they believe could result.

FOR

AGAINST

GALENA PARK NORTH SHORE HEAD FOOTBALL COACH

HIGHTOWER HEAD FOOTBALL COACH

JON KAY

“On one hand I see it working with the NCAA. The kids deserve it. It is their name, it is their image and likeness, and it is what they have earned with their talent. Then on the other hand you wonder if kids that age are equipped to handle the kind of pressure that comes with having money in their pocket.

“The reality of it is I don’t see it going anywhere soon especially with the passage of it in Louisiana in the Eastside of the Houston area where it is so easy for kids to head that way if they feel like it is the best opportunity for them and their families. So, as I coach, I think it is something we are going to have to embrace.

“I think the Texas High School Coaches Association is doing a good job trying to stay in front of it by bringing educational platforms in front of us that are going to help us come to grips with what the rules are…It is an opportunity and a coachable moment that we are going to have to learn on the fly and just be there for our kids to make sure they have what they need.

“I think our community understands the value of hard work. Our parents understand the value of earning their keep and I have nothing but confidence in all of our parents to understand that they are going to keep these kids level-headed, they are going to work with us and we are going to work with them. Together we are going to find a way to get these kids on the same level when it comes to competing.

“The beauty of high school athletics is that you can have differences in income, differences in resources and differences in all kinds of stuff, but you step in between those white lines everything is equal. It’s time to go to work.”

CORNELIUS ANTHONY

“I think nationwide they need to stop that in its tracks.

Honestly, I think whenever you add money in a situation like that it is going to destroy high school football as we know it.

“At the high school level it would just be a way for people to exploit kids and their families that desperately need money.

“It is bad enough as it is when kids and parents jump from school to school for athletic purposes to either play or try to create super teams. And now you are going to add money to the equation. It will destroy high school football.

“In my opinion they haven’t even figured it out on the collegiate level. And now you want to bring it on the high school level?

“So now you’re going to pay a kid hundreds of thousands of dollars or maybe even millions of dollars, and you don’t think that is going to affect a high school age kid as far as how they view their teammates and coaches who will probably make less money than them?

It will destroy high school football as we know it.”

FOR FULL ZOOM INTERVIEWS WITH COACHES KAY AND ANTHONY VISIT: WWW. DEFENDERNETWORK.COM

16 | August 4, 2022 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

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