Houston Defender: September 8, 2022

Quanell X goes on defensive The civil rights activist addresses claims of taking money without providing services

NEWS

FEATURE

HAROLD DUTTON

THE OBAMAS

The state rep. shines a light on the voting rights of the formerly incarcerated in Texas.

Volume 91, issue 42 September 8, 2022

The former first couple unveiled their official White House portraits.

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DN To the POINT

A teacher hugs a student arriving at Uvalde Elementary for the first day of school, Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022, in Uvalde. Students in Uvalde are returning to campuses for the first time since the shootings at Robb Elementary where two teachers and 19 students were killed. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Reporter’s Message Back to school for Uvalde students

Mixed reviews on Nigerian music awards

Uvalde students returned to the classAfrobeats fans were tuned into the 15th rooms this week, more than three months annual Headies Awards [Nigerian music after 19 students and two teachers were shot award show) that was held at the Cobb Enerand killed at Robb Elementary School. Famgy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, GA. It ilies struggle to overcome their mistrust of was the first time the award was held on U.S local school leaders and law enforcement. In soil and was hosted by Nigerian-American July, the Uvalde school board unanimously actress Osas Ighodaro and Hollywood actor Laura Onyeneho voted to delay the start of school from Aug Anthony Anderson.

16 to Sept 6 to improve security measures Several Nigerian superstars were honored on campus and to give district staffers trauma-informed at the ceremony with 38 award categories ranging from training, including upgrades on door locks and increased Song of the Year to Best West African artist of the year. presence of police officers. But there is still concern Wizkid, Davido, Rema, Tiwa Savage, Terms, and about whether officers who did not step up to protect Chris Brown were recognized during the event. I felt the school during the shooting will now be responsible this was a good step in the right direction to bridge for campus safety. Some parents have opted for virtual the gap between the diaspora and Africa. The Afrobelearning, while others turned to private schools. I might ats genre has made significant strides internationally. not be a parent yet, but I empathize with how they must The cross-over appeal is evident in the famous U.S.feel. Who knows what major event it would take for the based collaborations with Beyoncé, Drake, French Texas legislature to consider changes to the state’s gun Montana, Da Baby, P Diddy, Meek Mills, and others. laws? If the tragedy doesn’t impact their families, why On the other hand, there are some native Africans would they care? who question why an indigenous music award show would be hosted in the states and co-hosted by someBiden-Harris strengthens Africa relationship one who doesn’t necessarily have a connection to the President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris Nigerian entertainment industry. Some critiques onare reviving U.S relations with Africa starting with Har- line were concerned about the need to find validation ris’ meeting with Nigeria’s Vice President Yemi Osinbajo from America and whether America would consider in Washington this month. The strategy outlined sev- hosting one of its famous award ceremony in another eral priorities, including fair and transparent elections country. The quickest answer to that would probably in 2023 and security challenges, the climate crisis, and be a “NO.” Regardless, this is the first awards ceremoCOVID-19 recovery. This comes ahead of the African ny based here. The only thing in life that is consistent leader’s summit to be hosted by President Biden in De- is change. This was a good trial run, and with time cember. Do you all remember former President Don- and good CONSTRUCTIVE feedback, the awards ald Trump’s remarks on African nations being “s-hole” will certainly measure up to the expectations of the countries? Well, the current administration is trying most demanding critics… I hope. to make up and play catch up with China and Russia’s influence on the continent. There is so much to dissect ON THE WEB here. Nigeria is under religious and political turmoil far • Check out our DN+ channels featuring stories for beyond the cute photo-ops and promises. We all know Black women, Community Central, and Under 40. the negative impact the western world has had on Af- • UH addresses the underrepresentation of women of rica. Is the U.S truly intentional about its “new vision” color as tenured professors. for this relationship? Has the U.S cleaned up its internal • How reading and math scores fell sharply during the problems before running to fix another continent? pandemic.

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Wells Fargo gives $7.5M to grow local Black, Latinx homeownership Defender News Service

Mayor Sylvester Turner and local elected officials joined LISC Houston and the Harris County Homeownership Collaborative (HCHC), to announce the launch of a new initiative to expand homeownership opportunities for Black, Hispanic and other underserved individuals and families.

Funded with a $7.5 million grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation, the initiative kicked off recently with a panel discussion featuring prominent leaders from the collaborative discussing solutions to racial homeownership gaps across Houston and Harris County.

The donation to Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Houston comes from Wells Fargo’s Wealth Opportunity Restored Through Homeownership (WORTH) initiative, a $60 million national effort to address systemic barriers to homeownership for people of color. Houston is the first of eight markets across the U.S. to launch its WORTH grant, which aims to help create 5,000 new homeowners of color in Harris County by the end of 2025.

“I commend Wells Fargo for their commitment to empowering communities of color through this generous grant. Homeownership is one of the first steps toward building generational wealth, but it has been historically and systemically limited for Black and Brown families,” said Turner.

“Unfortunately, many Latino and Black families, like the ones in my district, face disproportionate challenges and barriers on their path to homeownership,” said Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia. “I welcome all

(left to right) Otis Rolley, Wells Fargo head of Social Impact; Laura Jaramillo, LISC executive director; Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia and Mayor Sylvester Turner. Photo courtesy of Wells Fargo.

efforts aimed at increasing homeownership in communities that face these challenges.”

“As a company, we’re committed to creating opportunities for more people of color to buy their own homes,” said Otis Rolley, Wells Fargo’s head of Social Impact and president of the Wells Fargo Foundation.

“We know that without very deliberate interventions from the public and private sector, the racial homeownership gap will continue to grow. Today’s donation in Houston is about identifying specific housing challenges in the city and accelerating actions that will build homeownership,

which in turn, grows generational wealth.”

Serving as the lead convener for HCHC, LISC Houston brings together housing advocacy, counseling, financing and development organizations committed to advancing sustainable homeownership.

Members of the Collaborative include Avenue, Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation, Houston Habitat for Humanity, Tejano Center for Community Concerns, the City of Houston Housing & Community Development Department and the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation.

According to the 2022 State of Housing report by the Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University, homeownership rates have fallen for Black households in Harris County from 41% in 2010 to 36% in 2020. Homeownership rates for white households have also dropped but remain significantly higher with 71% in 2010 and 68% in 2020. Homeownership rates for Hispanic households have remained steady around 51% in 2020.

Over the next four years, the collaborative plans to expand housing inventory and support homebuyers via: • Innovations that reduce construction costs and create housing stock, such as manufactured or modular homes.

• Comprehensive outreach and education campaigns.

• Increasing access to flexible, affordable mortgage products.

• C ontinuing p olic y ef for ts to address systemic barriers impacting homeownership HCHC’s launch is a critical part of LISC’s national efforts to narrow gaps in health, wealth, and opportunity, particularly through Project 10X, a $1 billion commitment to reducing racial disparities.

“HCHC is an investment in the well-being of our families and the long-term health of our economy,” said Laura Jaramillo, executive director of LISC Houston. “We are grateful for the leadership of the mayor and community leaders on these key issues, and the support of Wells Fargo to push this program forward.”

Changes make vote-by-mail process made easier in Harris County

By ReShonda Tate

The Harris County Elections Office is making some new adjustments as we near the November election.

“We’re moving fast and furious in preparation for the November election,” Director of Communications and Voter Outreach at Harris County Elections Leah Shah said.

Officials have made the website more user-friendly, by enlarging text and making people aware of new identification requirements that may make applying to vote-bymail harder.

“You’re now required to fill out a Texas ID number or the last four digits of your Social Security Number. That was not previously a requirement,” Shah said.

During the March Primary, nearly 7,000 mail-in ballots were rejected. The numbers were better in May, but in November, more people are likely to vote.

The new Harris County Elections Administrator, Clifford Tatum says they are ready for voters.

CRITERIA TO VOTE-BY-MAIL • 65 years or older on Election Day • Sick or disabled • Will be out of Harris County during the Early Voting period and on Election Day • Expected to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day • Confined in jail, but otherwise eligible www.HarrisVotes.com

“We’ve made a lot of internal strides on how to assist voters in making sure they provide the correct information to allow their ballot not to be rejected,” Tatum said.

“And then if they, for whatever reasons, fail to include that information, we’ve identified internal procedures to immediately respond back to the voter, highlighting what

needs to be corrected in order for that ballot to be resolved and counted.”

If a voter waits too late, however, then there’s a likelihood that they won’t have time to cure an issue so officials are urging people to register sooner rather than later.

The deadline to get your application in is Oct. 28.

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Ohio man’s police shooting death ‘reckless’ Associated Press

Individuals calling for the right to vote for formerly incarcerated individuals. AP Photo by Rob Carr.

Can the formerly incarcerated vote in Texas? Here’s the answer

By Aswad Walker

and certain things people don’t let you do it. The fact that With several Republican-led states threatening to jail for- you have completely paid off your debt to society, that’s of merly incarcerated individuals for voting, even though they no consequence to some people despite what the laws say. do have the right to vote—depending on the state—several individuals who have completed their sentences and fully DEFENDER: Are there any differences for the formerly paid their debt to society are unclear as to whether or not incarcerated who served time for a felony compared they can legally vote. to those who served time for a misdemeanor?

For expert insights, so our readers can know definitively DUTTON: The law says, if you are convicted of a felony, at that whether the formerly incarcerated in Texas can or can’t point you lose your right to vote. House Bill 1001 re-establishes vote, the Defender reached out to State the opportunity for you to re-register to Rep. Harold Dutton, who 25 years ago, vote. So, I need to make clear that [for the VOTER authored legislation to tackle this issue. individual convicted of a felony who has REGISTRATION EVENT completed their sentence] you are now Date: Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022 DEFENDER: Can the formerly incarallowed to register to vote. If you don’t cerated vote in Texas? And if so, register, then you won’t be voting. If you Time: 10a.m. – 5p.m. what must they do to be able to were convicted of a misdemeanor, you Place: Finnigan Park vote? don’t ever lose your right to vote.

(4900 Providence St., DUTTON: In 1997, when George Bush Houston, TX 77020) was governor of Texas. I passed House DEFENDER: Why is the Sept.

Contact: State Rep. Bill 1001 which restored the rights of 10 voter registration event Harold Dutton’s Office @ ex-felons to vote in Texas such that important?

713-692-9192 or Deborah when they complete their sentence, DUTTON: We’re trying to register LaDay @ 281-638-6862 whether you complete it on probation, everybody, but we certainly have a parole or confinement, or any combiprimary focus on those who are fornation thereof, you are now allowed to register to vote the mally incarcerated, who have completed their sentence. next day. It’s my understanding that TDCJ, when they send By and large, what we found is that a number of those you your discharge papers, which means you’re fully dis- people who fall in that category, they were not the only charged from your sentence, they’re also including a voter ones not registered. Their family members weren’t regregistration application. istered. Because the family members had turned off on the system also. So, we’ll be registering the ex-felons and DEFENDER: Why do so many mistakenly believe the many of their family members. We’re gonna be getting a formerly incarcerated in Texas can’t vote? number of people who are going to be sworn in as voter DUTTON: Because in some states ex-felons can’t vote. Also, registrars so they can go out and beat the bushes and find I tell people that in Texas, for ex-felons, if the jury gives these ex-felons to make sure they’re aware, number one, them 10 years, society gives them a life sentence. Because that they have the right to register the vote, and two, that if you’re an ex-felon, there are certain things you can’t do we sign them up.

GET INFO ON FORMERLY INCARCERATED VOTING ELIGIBIILITY BY STATE

Columbus police came under criticism for the killing of a man who was lying on his bed when an officer attempting to serve warrants fatally shot him, as a lawyer representing the slain man’s family demanded immediate changes to policing in the city and promised a lawsuit.

Not enough has happened in Ohio’s capital city to alter policing practices despite several instances of white officers in the city shooting Black people, added attorney Rex Elliott, representing the family of Donovan Lewis.

“How many more lives are going to be lost to this type of reckless activity?

How many more young Black lives will be lost?” Elliott said at a press event attended by multiple members of Donovan Lewis’ family.

Lewis The U.S. Justice Department agreed in 2021 to review Columbus police department practices after a series of fatal police shootings of Black people — including the April 2021 killing of 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant — and the city’s response to 2020 racial injustice protests.

In addition, a three-year police contract approved last year provided $200,000 buyouts for up to 100 officers with at least 25 years of experience, with a goal of clearing the decks of employees who might not be on board with the department’s new direction.

The city also approved a first-ever civilian review board. Elliott acknowledged these actions, but said it’s not enough. “Whatever they’re doing, it’s not working,” Elliott said.

Elliott questioned the speed of the shooting, which appears in bodycam footage to happen within a second or less of Officer Ricky Anderson opening the door to a bedroom where Lewis slept. Elliott made the point in criticizing suggestions by the police chief that Lewis had something in his hand when he was shot. No weapon was found.

Lewis, 20, died at a hospital following the shooting.

Columbus police say officers had gone to the apartment around 2 a.m. to arrest Lewis on multiple warrants including domestic violence, assault and felony improper handling of a firearm. Lewis was Black and the officers were white.

VOLUME 91 - NUMBER 42 - SEPTEMBER 8, 2022 Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles

Associate Editor Aswad Walker

Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles

Education Reporter Laura Onyeneho

Creative Director Michael Grant

Sports Terrance Harris Jodie B. Jiles

Social Media Manager Tia Alphonse Managing Editor ReShonda Tate

Photographers Jimmie Aggison

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Newspaper Inc. and audited by Alliance for Audited Media (AAM). Only digital subscriptions are available at: www.defendernetwork.com/subscribe No paper subscriptions available. All materials covered by 2020 copyright.

No materials herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the Publisher. 713-663-6996 | P.O. Box 8005, Houston, Tx 77288

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DN News Briefs GOV. GREG ABBOTT: RAPE VICTIMS CAN TAKE PLAN B

Gov. Greg Abbott says that rape victims can take emergency contraception, like Plan B, to prevent a pregnancy. With abortion now banned in Texas, even in instances of incest or rape, the governor recommended the use of emergency contraception to ensure a victim of rape does not become pregnant. But for the lowest-income people in Texas, emergency contraception isn’t widely accessible, advocates said - a consequence of the significant number of people of childbearing age who are uninsured and the state’s lack of programs that provide access to treatment like Plan B. Emergency contraception primarily works by stopping fertilization. The treatment can prevent someone from becoming pregnant if taken up to five days after sex, with varying effectiveness. After signing Senate Bill 8 into law last September, which banned abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy and didn’t provide exceptions for rape or incest, Abbott said the state’s goal was to eliminate rape.

HOUSTON DONATES WATER TO JACKSON, MS AMID ITS WATER CRISIS

After Jackson, Mississippi experienced severe flooding and its water system failed, the city of Houston recently hosted a water bottled donation drive for Jackson.

Establishments violating the new ordinance could face $2,000 fines.

CHICAGO MAYOR BLASTS TX GOV. GREG ABBOTT ON MIGRANT BUSSING

Volunteers set up pallets of water to ship to Jackson, Mississippi amid its water crisis. Credit: HPM

Residents have been without clean water preventing them from drinking, cooking, and taking care of hygiene needs. Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba is a graduate of Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law. Many organizations like churches, businesses, relief groups, and nonprofits, donated water which exceeded the expectations of sending one 18-wheeler truck to Jackson. Due to the numerous donations, the City of Houston will be sending more than one 18-wheeler truck to Jackson. Mayor Turner said Houstonians have really stepped to help those in need in Jackson, MS.

HOUSTON’S NEW NOISE ORDINANCE FOR BARS AND CLUBS NOW IN EFFECT

Some Houston bars, nightclubs and restaurants are now required to get a new kind of permit, which city officials hope will limit excessive noise. The ordinance comes after complaints by residents in some neighborhoods, like Midtown and Montrose, who say loud music and amplified noise from bars and clubs is disruptive. It requires a Commercial Establishment Sound Permit for all bars within 300 feet of a residence that want to play music louder than 75 decibels Sunday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-11 p.m.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is joining the chorus of Democratic leaders who have denounced Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for bussing migrants from the Texas-Mexico border to so-called sanctuary cities across the U.S. after a new group recently arrived in her jurisdiction.

“With these continued political stunts, Governor Abbott has confirmed what unfortunately many of us had already known: that he is a man without any morals, humanity or shame,” Lightfoot said. Lightfoot added that her city planned to welcome incoming migrants and they have organized and collaborated and will ensure migrants have food, clothing and shelter.”

The bussing program aims to defy the Biden administration’s plan to roll back Title 42, often called the “remain in Mexico” policy, which President Joe Biden announced on April 1. The following week, Abbott announced his plans to start bussing migrants arriving at Texas’ southern border to Washington, D.C. His administration has since sent several dozen migrants on buses from the border to Washington and New York.

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Let your child discover their full potential at ymcahouston.org/after-school.

YMCA Mission: To put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

Everyone is welcome.

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COVID-19 boosters targeting Omicron variant now available in Houston Defender News Service

A new COVID-19 booster would better protect people from the current Omicron variant that continues to spread throughout Houston and the United States.

Last week the Center for Disease Control and Prevention endorsed reformulated versions of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, which they said should better protect people from the most recent variants.

During Houston Matters with Craig Cohen, Dr. Catherine Troisi, an infectious disease epidemiologist with UT Health School of Public Health, said the current boosters replaced the old ones, and those are no longer available.

“The new boosters are formulated to protect against the BA.4 and BA.5 variants of omicron that are circulating right now,” Troisi said. “These updated boosters will give more protection.”

Troisi said that there should be no concern for the speed in which the new

HARRIS COUNTY COVID CASES TO DATE

1.2M Total Cases

11,245 Deaths

1,200,000 Texas *CDC

booster shot came out because the same technology used for the previous boosters and the flu shot were used to make the new booster.

“There are recommendations about how long you should wait since your last booster or since you had COVID,” she said. “The recommendations are at least two months since your last booster, and three months

Vials of the newly reformulated COVID-19 vaccine booster are being readied

by Pfizer for distribution now that the Food and Drug Administration has authorized the shots for people 12 and older.

since you’ve had COVID because you already have antibodies from those events. So you want to spread out your next booster so you’ll have immunity that lasts longer.”

Troisi said that right now Hous-

ton is looking better when it comes to COVID-19 cases, compared to how it was in the past. But it’s harder track exact case numbers because many people test at home and do not report results.

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QUANELL X GOES ON DEFENSIVE

Addresses claims he owes $386K for advocacy not rendered

By Aswad Walker

Recently, Defender Education Reporter Laura Onyeneho and I (the Defender’s associate editor), appeared as guests on KTSU’s public affairs program “Impact Houston Live.” Part of that program included an exclusive interview with local activist Minister Quanell X who was the subject of a recent newspaper article that focused on a $386K civil case against him for advocacy services paid for, yet not rendered.

The “Impact Houston Live” co-hosts Reverend Chris Johnson, Marcus Session and Donna Franklin invited me to join them in asking Quanell X questions regarding the allegations while providing him an opportunity to share his side of the story.

Here is the majority of the interview transcript.

Quanell X

father came to me and said the police had beat him and just tortured him, and that criminal acts were committed against him. And I held three press conferences, a town hall meeting and a protest. And only later to learn through video, we were told a completely unfactual story. And then the Houston Police Officers Union filed a million-dollar lawsuit against me that I had to spend my daughter’s college education fund to defend myself.

Q: Are there any truths to the accusations that you advocated for people and did not deliver on some of those services and promises?

Quanell X: There are cases where, when

they are brought to me, we are told one thing, and when we begin to investigate and vet those stories thoroughly then we discover that there’s a lot more to the story than what we were told. In a case like that, you cannot give the person what they wish for if they’re not being completely upfront and truthful with you in the beginning. My duty is to give wise counsel and give wise advice and to give sincere activism where it is justified. But in a case where you realize the truth is not exactly as it was presented to you, you have to move accordingly.

I have a moral obligation, not just because you hired my consultant firm to consult and advocate for you. If you are telling me a lie or not giving me all of the facts, I have a duty to only speak that which I know to be true and not to say something that I know from investigative work that is not true. So, there are some cases where people have not been thoroughly pleased, but all I can do is the best I possibly can do for it, but stand on the truth at all times.

Q: What would you say to those who are hearing that you have entered into these contractual agreements and didn’t fully fulfill in good faith your duties to perform?

Quanell X: The only case that there’s a

judgment against me on was a default judgment. The case that the Chronicle is referring to in the story for the hundreds of thousands of dollars, is actually a case that I did not go to court on that date because I was in California attending my father’s funeral. And they refused to reset

Vivian Lewis (R) , mother of October Battle, accused of having terrorist ties, listens as Brother Minister Quanell X, national spokesman for the New Black Panther Party for Self Defense, speaks with the media October 10, 2002 outside the Mark O. Hatfield Federal Court House in Portland., Oregon. (Photo by John Gress/Getty Images)

If you are telling me a lie or not giving me all of the facts, I have a duty to only speak that which I know to be true and not to say something that I know from investigative work is not true.

Chad Holley (second from right) stands beside his mother, Joyce Holley (right) as Quanell X (left) describes the events surrounding the alleged beating of Chad Holley after an encounter with eight Houston police officers in 2010. (AP/Michael Paulsen / Houston Chronicle)

the case when I was at the funeral. That is the case that they’re referencing in that particular story of the $386,000 case. It is not multiple cases. Multiple cases were filed, but what the story does not save or reveal, I won those cases. [And regarding the default judgment], the facts of the case were never even heard nor discussed.

Q: What are the advocacy services you provide, and is there a fee?

Quanell X: Seventy-five percent of all of

the cases that I work are for free. Seventy-five percent. But we, in the New Black Panther Nation, we are not allowed, it is against our constitutional bylaws to take state funding, government funding, city funding. We’re not allowed to take any funding from any funding source that’s not Black. And we have to mobilize and organize our own source of funding to survive as a Black organization.

We do have a consultant advocacy group that may deal with cases if your child got in trouble at school, your school suspended your child from a campus fight, and we come and advocate to find a peaceful resolution that makes sense, or

we will get the charge overturned. It could very well be that there’s a discrimination case on your workforce, in the workplace.

We investigate it, and they’re trying to terminate you. But we meet with the heads of that company, and we successfully bring forth a peaceful, successful resolution.

It could very well be that you have a missing family member and we need to get into the streets, into the highways and the gutters, and the most troubled areas of the city and speak with some of the most dangerous individuals that walk the streets. Then we have to assign specialty brothers who are licensed investigators to get out in the streets and do that work because it is so dangerous.

Those brothers have families to feed, so they are paid to do that work. But remember, 75% of those cases that we take, we are not paid for. But what nobody wants to talk about, dear brothers and sisters, is the time people have brought cases to me and they lied to me and yet major lawsuits were filed on me.

Just in 2006, I don’t know if y’all remember the Donald Driver case where Donald Driver, NFL Hall of Fame football player’s

Q: If there are no new cases of alleged misconduct, why do you think the Chronicle article was published now?

Quanell X: A month and a half ago, I was

asked to go to a meeting by a very close, personal, very well-connected political friend of mine. He said there’s a group of individuals who wanted to meet with me to discuss a serious matter. I went to that meeting at his home, and in that meeting was some very well-connected, influential political people in the city. Some of them were Black and some were not Black.

They were asking me, was I interested in running for a certain, very high-powered political office in city.

I said to them, “I’ve never ran for political office. I’m not a politician. That has never been my desire.” They said, “We can raise the money to help you lead a successful campaign if you would accept our request that you run for this political office.” I told them that I would think about it and I would pray on it, but I’m not a politician. The very next day when I left that meeting, I started getting phone calls from different individuals saying, “I heard you’re going to announce soon that you’re going to run for this office.” I said, “I have not accepted that request nor invitation.

I’m praying on it.” And that started moving around different circles.

I believe that it’s absolutely why that piece came out, because of the fear that I would perhaps run for a seat that maybe God would bless me to win.

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DN Education Union tackles Texas teacher shortage crisis in classrooms

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers (Left) and Zeph Capo, president of the Texas American Federation of Teachers. Laura Onyeneho

By Laura Onyeneho

The teacher shortage crisis is one of the most crucial conversations in the nation involving the public education system. Many education advocates are looking past the obstacles and focusing on tangible solutions to the needs of students, teachers, administration and families.

Leaders from the American Federation of Teachers hosted a round table discussion with education experts and superintendents to discuss short- and long-term solutions. They shared a few recommendations at a live press conference from the Hilton University of Houston hotel.

Education researchers, advocates and journalists have called attention to the growing teacher shortages in the nation’s K-12 schools, particularly in Texas.

According to the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), 43,000 Texas educators left the field in 2021.

Low salaries, poor work-life balance, lack of autonomy in class, professional development, school safety and budget cuts were some of the topics addressed during the meeting.

“One of the huge areas that have been a focus is that the pipeline to education has been drying up. Too many kids have no interest in going into education anymore,” said Zeph Capo, president of the Texas American Federation of Teachers (TATF).

“We are not retaining the ones we got into the classroom for more than a year in many cases. So how do we not just focus on the revolving door, but provide the support necessary to retain individuals once they invest and receive certification?”

Randi Weingarten, president of the AFT,

presented a 50-page report titled “Here Today, Gone Tomorrow? What America Must Do to Attract and Retain the Educators and School Staff Our Students Need.”

“We came up with a lot of different ideas, but they fall under several different categories to address the perfect storm,” Weingarten said during the press conference. “How do we keep teachers? How do we recruit teachers? How do we pay teachers a competitive rate so they can live in the communities where they teach?

Lowering class sizes? How do we make schools the communities that people and families come to?”

Kimberly McLeod, associate vice president of Economic and Academic Development at Texas A&M University-Commerce, announced its partnership with Texas AFT on the Pride Pathway Program, providing accessibility and opportunity for individuals to complete their bachelor’s or master’s and earn a teacher certificate in a flexible time frame.

“It doesn’t matter when they started college.

If they stopped and want to get back, we will accept up to 90 hours,” McLeod said. “It doesn’t matter how old those hours are on a competency-based platform where they can learn online in seven-week semesters at $750 a semester.”

That was just one way Capo agrees will “increase the pipeline opportunity without lowering the standards” of the profession.

HISD was present during the meeting to discuss its accomplishments, including the 11% raise it gave educators for 2022 and its “grow your own program” initiative called CTED (Career and Technical Education) in collaboration with the Houston Federation of Teachers and UH.

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September 8, 2022 |

| 11

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Education UNDERREPRESENTED

UH focuses on women of color as tenured professors

By Laura Onyeneho

When Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones left the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill after the highly publicized fallout over her tenure at her alma mater, it sent a ripple effect that resonated with many Black women in higher education, including members of the University of Houston’s Underrepresented Women of Color Coalition.

It has been one year since Hannah-Jones ultimately declined the tenure offer at UNC and accepted Howard University’s invitation to become its inaugural Knight Chair in Race and Reporting. Despite her exemplary journalism credentials, Hannah-Jones was at first offered a contract without tenure. Dr. Rhoda Freelon, associate professor at UH College of Education, said the controversy was a “harsh reminder about the challenges women of color face in higher education.”

Freelon thanked the UH Underrepresented Women of Color Coalition for being a dependable resource and support during her pre-tenure journey. The coalition, launched in 2017, was founded by Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost Paula Myrick Short. It consists of nearly 70 UH professors (tenure and promotion) who address critical issues facing the faculty members and provide resources to those who are on track to becoming tenured.

“I’ve been at UH for three years, and the amount of support I’ve received from the coalition has been tremendous. To have the mentorship of people who look like me who have gone through the ropes to guide me is huge,” she said. “Not only do they provide the social and emotional support, but they also provide professional support for the projects we want to achieve.”

According to a report from the American Association of University Women, women of color comprise a small percentage of American faculty, with 5.2% Black women and 6.6% Latinx. Tenure is meant to protect academic freedoms regardless of how controversial the research topic may Dr, Donna Stokes, UH Associate Professor of Physics Photo: UH Division of Marketing, Communication and Media Relations

THE CHRONICLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION FALL 2019

251,921

Number of tenured associate and full professors

5,221

Number of Black women

University of Houston Fall 2022 UH Minority women

47

Tenured

22

On tenure track

be, and it’s a secured lifetime position that comes with increased pay, influence and opportunities within higher education. In Hannah-Jones’ case, the pressure against her tenure was due to the controversy of tying UNC journalism school to the New York Times Magazine’s 1619 project focusing on America’s history of slavery.

The barriers to tenure can include structural and institutional obstacles that Black women face throughout the process, the microaggressions from faculty and students, the invalidation of their contributions to the profession and the devaluation of their research.

“Women of color face unique challenges in higher education,” said Donna Stokes, professor of physics at UH and one of the coalition’s founding members. “Across most academic disciplines, we experience things such as microaggressions that can be both distracting from our work and disheartening at times. And in STEM fields, we often aren’t valued for what we can bring to the table...or even provided the opportunity to sit at the table.”

12 | September 8, 2022 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Feature

FREE COVID VACCINATIONS

Former US president Barack Obama and wife Michelle Obama take part in the unveiling of the their official White House portraits in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC on September 7, 2022. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP)

White House unveils Obama portraits Defender News Service

Former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, returned to the White House recently, unveiling official portraits with a modern vibe in an event that set humor and nostalgia over his presidency against the current harsh political talk about the survival of democracy.

While her husband cracked a few jokes about his gray hair, big ears and clothes in his portrait, Mrs. Obama, a descendant of slaves, said the occasion for her was more about the promise of America for people like herself.

“Barack and Michelle, welcome home,” declared President Joe Biden as the gathering cheered.

Biden, who was Obama’s vice president, praised his former boss’ leadership on health care, the economy and immigration and said nothing could have prepared him any better for being president than serving with Obama for those eight years.

“It was always about doing what was right,” he said.

The portrait of Obama, America’s 44th and first Black president, doesn’t look like any of his predecessors, nor does Michelle Obama’s look like any of the women who filled the role before her.

Obama stands expressionless against a white background, wearing a black suit and gray tie in the portrait by Robert McCurdy that looks more like a large photograph than an oil-on-canvas portrait. The former first lady, her lips pursed, is seated on a sofa in the Red Room in a strapless, light blue dress. She chose artist Sharon Sprung for her portrait.

Obama thanked McCurdy for his work,

joking that the artist, who is known for his paintings of public figures from Nelson Mandela to the Dalai Lama, had ignored his pleas for fewer gray hairs and smaller ears. “He also talked me out of wearing a tan suit, by the way,” Obama quipped, referring to a widely panned appearance as president in an unflattering suit.

Obama went on to say his wife was the “best thing about living in the White House,” and he thanked Sprung for “capturing everything I love about Michelle, her grace, her intelligence -- and the fact that she’s fine.”

Michelle Obama, when it was her turn, laughingly opened by saying she had to thank her husband for “such spicy remarks.” To which he retorted, by way of explanation, “I’m not running again.”

Then the former first lady turned serious, drawing a connection between unveiling the portraits and America’s promise for people with backgrounds like her own, a daughter of working-class parents from the South Side of Chicago.

“For me this day is not just about what has happened,” she said. “It’s also about what could happen, because a girl like me, she was never supposed to be up there next to Jacqueline Kennedy and Dolley Madison. She wasn’t supposed to live in this house, and she wasn’t supposed to serve as first lady.”

Tradition holds that the sitting president invites his immediate predecessor back to the White House to unveil his portrait, but Donald Trump broke with that custom and did not host Obama. So, Biden scheduled a ceremony for his former boss.

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September 8, 2022 |

| 13

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Feature

DOES ‘ART APARTHEID’ FUNDING EXIST IN HOUSTON?

By Aswad Walker

Is there art apartheid in Houston? Well, if “apartheid” is a reality where inequality based on race reigns, then a look at Houston’s art scene suggests it has resided in the Bayou City for a good minute.

“Though I prefer to use the term ‘Economic apartheid in the arts’ because the arts exist within a larger environment, ‘art apartheid’ does exist in arts funding,” said Michelle Barnes, executive director and co-founder of the Community Artists Collective.

Case in point: the comparison of contributions brought in by two of Houston’s largest art institutions.

In June, the Alley Theatre received $25 million in matching grant funds from an anonymous donor. The gift was the largest in the 75-year history of the Alley. But even their gifts over the decades that have come nowhere near the record-setting donation have consistently dwarfed the donations received by Black-owned artistic venues.

According to ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer, the Ensemble Theatre, for example,

Michelle Barnes

received $1,176,809 in contributions in FY2020, the year marred by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the 2020 numbers weren’t far off from 2019 ($1,300,946) or 2018 ($1,093,099), numbers that are no-

where near the Alley’s matching grant, which does not account for other donations and contributions received by the Alley.

Since 2013, the Ensemble’s largest contributions came in 2017 when they took in

$1.3 million. The Alley Theatre’s largest contributions during that same period came in 2014, when they brought in $22.7 million.

“Frustrations, criticisms and periodic outcries from the sector of the arts community that includes small and mid-sized organizations, as well as individual artists urging policymakers to address the decades-old funding disparities, are the result,” added Barnes about how the arts community, especially the Black arts community, has responded to a huge gulf between funding realities.

Writer, director, producer, actress and educator Norma Thomas agrees with Barnes.

“Historically, ‘art apartheid’ has existed here,” said Thomas, founder and co-owner of NT Studios and Conservatory. “I cannot speak fully to how it presented itself, but I have been a part of some conversations with those who have sought funding a lot longer and to greater extent than I have.”

Thomas added that she does see efforts to bridge the art funding divide, mentioning the work of Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Office of Cultural Affairs.

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14 | September 8, 2022 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports Prairie View A&M freshman volleyball player Kylee Owens was named SWAC Newcomer of the Week after coming up with 37 kills over three matching in her playing debut.

University of Houston receiver Nathaniel Dell had 5 catches for 50 yards and 2 touchdowns during the Cougars’ 37-35 triple overtime win over UTSA.

Sports Briefs

Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (24) takes a selfie with fans following the team’s NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022, in Houston.

(AP Photo/ David J. Phillip)

Texans surprise Uvalde football team

Texans coach Lovie Smith, linebackers Kamu Grugier-Hill and Christian Kirksey and team doctor Roland Ramirez traveled to Uvalde last Friday Lovie Smith to surprise the high school’s varsity football team ahead of its season opener. Uvalde is where the shooting massacre at Robb Elementary school took place. The team, which received new uniforms courtesy of the Texans and Nike, in return will travel to Houston for the Texans season opener against the Colts on Sunday as guests of the team. The Texans will wear “Uvalde Strong” decals on their helmets.

Astros adding distance to AL lead

The Astros are looking like they will finish the season strong and atop of the American League.

After Sunday’s 9-1 rout of the Angels, Dusty Baker’s team Dusty Baker had a six-game lead over the Yankees for the AL’s top spot and they were leading their division by 10 wins. The Astros, who need to go 14-14 in their final 28 games to win 100 games, are in the midst of playing 18-straight games against teams with losing records.

Prairie View’s rushing attack dominates Labor Day Classic

In a bit of a throwback game, Prairie View A&M won the Labor Day Classic over Texas Southern with three rushers Jaden each going over Stewart 100 yards running the ball. Running back Jaden Stewart led the way with 119 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries, followed by Ahmad Antoine’s 115 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries and quarterback Trazon Connley had 109 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries during Bubba McDowell’s head coaching debut.

The Panthers did not complete a pass during the game with Chris Herron and Connley combining to go 0 for 6 passing the football.

TEXANS PROGNOSIS: IMPROVEMENT Maybe not in wins, losses

By Terrance Harris

During this time of year, NFL fans all over are excited about how their respective teams will do as the season gets set to kick off.

It’s not much different here in Houston where the Texans are fresh off back-toback four-win seasons. Fans are excited about the possibilities of this season despite the many question marks, starting with so-so second-year quarterback Davis Mills.

It hasn’t helped that the Texans are coming off an undefeated preseason, which is really the equivalent of trying to cash Monopoly money at a real bank.

But first-year Texans coach Lovie Smith and second-year general manager Nick Caserio know better. They are doing their best to manage expectations while delivering just enough optimism to keep their players and fans locked in.

“I understand most head coaches are going to say the same thing right now. I like ours,” said Smith, whose team opens the 2022 NFL season against AFC South rival Indianapolis at NRG Stadium on Sunday. “Every step along the way, we’ve evaluated in detail. We’ve liked a lot of the things we’ve seen. I know we need to get to the game and play it, but I like where we are right now.”

Where the Texans are right now is in the midst of a massive rebuild that takes them another step away from the disastrous Deshaun Watson breakup and a giant leap away from the frustrating Bill O’Brien era.

With the exception of a few players here and there, the Texans’ entire roster looks completely different from two seasons ago.

What does that mean for this season?

Probably not quite what you hope.

With the addition of talented rookies like corner Derek Stingley Jr., safety Jalen Pitre, left guard Kenyon Green and running back Dameon Pierce along with some strategically placed veteran additions, the Texans will be more competitive than last season when they were a blowout loss waiting to happen.

Unfortunately, more competitive games won’t result in a huge turnaround from their 4-13 finish last season. Five or six wins this season seems most realistic.

“It’s going to be about working hard,” said Caserio. “It’s going to be about doing the right things day after day, week after week, month after month, game after game. Where does that lead? I have no idea. Nobody really knows. Are we a better football team than we were last year?

I mean, I don’t know. We’ll find out here come…Sunday.”

On paper, it feels like the team has im-

proved its overall talent from a season ago.

Smith’s Tampa 2 defense has a much more talented secondary and more athletic ability up front to get after opposing quarterbacks.

Veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks will make his fair amount plays and Nico Collins seems primed for a stellar sophomore season. Cornerstone left tackle Laremy Tunsil is back healthy, which should solidify an offensive line that was constantly overwhelmed last season.

Pierce has looked like he will inject a needed spark into the pedestrian ground attack, leaving Mills as the biggest concern on the Texans’ offense. Mills likely has this season to prove he can be a true franchise quarterback or the team will be forced to move on, taking either Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud or Alabama’s Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Bryce Young with one of its two first-round picks in 2023.

But for now, the Texans are putting all of their trust in Mills.

“It does come down to the quarterback an awful lot,” Smith said. “Everything you can do as a young quarterback, he’s done and he’s ready to take that next step. We’re going to give him all the tools that we think are necessary for him do to well and that’s not just offensively. That’s how we play defense and special teams.”

September 8, 2022 |

| 15

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports WESTFIELD QB

PRESTON HATTER THE DUAL THREAT

By Jodie B. Jiles

Westfield senior quarterback transfer Preston “P.J.” Hatter hasn’t missed a step coming into a new Mustang offense from Klein Oak. With sub-4.4 40-yard dash speed, Hatter has dual-threat capabilities to use his legs when needed. However, don’t get it twisted. Hatter has an arm that can make all the passes.

In Hatter’s first game he threw an efficient six touchdowns with limited snaps, and in the most recent 51-29 victory over state-ranked Hightower, Hatter added five more touchdowns, bringing his total to 11 TDs in his first two starts.

“We have been doing this since little league,” said Preston’s father, Preston Hatter Sr., when asked about his son’s spectacular performances thus far. “It is just another day at the office, pretty much. This year we are throwing the ball more, and that is what I wanted to see him doing.”

The Defender spoke with the younger Hatter after the Hightower game to discuss his style of play, keys to success, leadership and more.

Style of Play

“I am a very elusive player. I can throw really deep and can read defenses. I can do everything they say I can’t do.”

ABOUT PRESTON “P.J.” HATTER Twitter: @PrestonHatter2 Height: 6-2 Weight: 195 lbs.

Players He Studies: Lamar Jackson and Josh Hill Hobbies: Getting a massage and getting my body in shape Favorite Musicians: NBA Youngboy and Kodak Black Shoutouts: “J.P. Tillman at Footwork Kings and long live Dylan and long live Cam because they were really close to me.”

Hatter currently has 11 TDs in his first two games at Wetsfield. Photos by Jimmie Agisson

Smooth Transition

“Just trusting Coach (Stephen) Hill to lead me right and trusting the process.”

Chemistry with New WRs

“Me and DeDe (Palomo) go way back.

From little league, we have been playing with each other since we were five years old, and the connection has always been there as you can see.

And we are going to continue to show people that it is there.”

Leadership

“I try to show people that you can be disciplined. I show different ways of doing stuff and I am just a natural-born leader. And everyone just wants to follow me. So, I just do what I can do.”

Keys to Success Moving Forward

“Just stay disciplined. We just need to get over that hump, keep our heads straight, keep working and we are going to be right there in the end.”

T:9.75"

16 | September 8, 2022 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

T:13"

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