Working parents share concerns
Addressing the frustrations of navigating back-to-school during a pandemic.
NEWS
KAMALA HARRIS
The VP candidate promises to forgive student loans for some HBCU grads and others. Volume 89, issue 47 September 17, 2020
SPORTS
BRIA & CIMONE WOODARD Find out which HBCU the highly recruited volleyball twins chose to attend over Texas A&M.
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DN On Point
FIT & FINE Monique Ammons Age: 34 Occupation: Fitness Instructor Education: Texas Southern University Major: Criminal Justice Motto: “Life is exactly what you make of it!”
I LOVE… To inspire women worldwide.
Message from the Managing Editor can, we're advocating early voting (Harris CounOf course you've probably heard the adage, ty has 7 drive-thru locations that will be open 24 'When the country gets a cold, Black America hours). And of course, you can go on Election gets the flu.' Well, I'd venture out and say we Day (Nov. 3), just don't let any long lines dismay get COVID, pneumonia, bronchitis and every you. Don't get us wrong, if you need to cast your other ailment known to man. We know that the vote by mail, by all means, DO IT. Just do it now, current pandemic has presented challenges for so we can fight the trickery that will try to keep most business owners, but the effect its having your vote from counting. ReShonda Tate on Black-owned businesses is heartbreaking. Billingsley New research shows the number of working IN THIS WEEK'S PAPER Black business owners went from 1.1 million in We had to expand this week's paper to 16 pages February to 640,000 in April and that 4 in 10 Black small because we had so much news to bring to you. The Defendbusiness owners who received Paycheck Protection Pro- er's Associate Editor, Aswad Walker, continues our threegram loans have had to lay off staff or cut worker pay as that part series on Education & COVID, this week, talking to money has run out. Only a third of Black business owners working parents about the challenges of navigating virtual say they have returned to pre-COVID revenue. learning. We also bring you a plethora of news you can use, The situation has prompted help from celebrities like including a high school sports story that warms our heart. Magic Johnson, who secured $325 million to support mi- It's about two highly recruited local volleyball players who nority-owned businesses; Grammy-winner Alicia Keys, changed their commitment from Texas A&M to an HBCU. who created a $1 billion fund to support Black-owned Read the story and find out why they made the switch. businesses; and Shaquille O'Neal, who is partnering with One of our Defender interns, Kissuth E. Reamo, makes American Express in a $10 million grant program for her writing debut with a feature story about a young entreBlack-owned small businesses. preneur from Third Ward who has opened the first Black These efforts won’t close the economic gap, but it’s a drive-in theater in Houston! start. And we'd like to see more. It's up to us to help our We're also excited to bring you more original photos from communities. Defender photographer Jimmie Aggison. Jimmie is out and about across the city, capturing people through pictures and FIGHTING VOTER SUPPRESSION we look forward to continuing to share those with you. We are less than six weeks from the election and if you have any doubts that voter suppression isn't real, look no ON THE WEB further than the shenanigans going on in Texas. The GOP • Read more about those grants for Black businesses is fighting HARD to keep people from receiving mail-in bal- • More about Mayor Sylvester Turner's new office to target lots. And they just got some help from the Texas Supreme human trafficking Court who ordered County Clerk Chris Hollins to stop • And all the latest info on the Coronavirus vaccines. sending out unsolicited mail-in ballots. That's 2.4 million ballots that won't be received if the GOP has their way. I COVER PHOTO: Misha McClure and her son. guarantee you, this is only the beginning of voter suppresPhoto Credit: Jimmie Aggison sion efforts, especially with mail-in ballots. That's why if you FIGHTING FOR BLACK BUSINESSES
@moshantell32 @Monique Ammons Read more on Friday about Monique at defendernetwork.com If you are Fit & Fine email: fitnfine@defendernetwork.com
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DN News Quanell X call for HCC Chancellor’s resignation Defender News Service
Antoinette Dorsey-James, center, cries while describing her late sister Pamela Turner. -AP/ Godofredo A Vásquez
Officer indicted in fatal 2019 shooting of Black woman Defender News Service
A Texas police officer has been charged with assault for fatally shooting a woman after a struggle over the officer’s stun gun last year and is now out on bond. A Harris County grand jury indicted Baytown Officer Juan Delacruz for shooting Pamela Turner in the parking lot of an apartment complex where they both lived in May 2019. Delacruz was charged with aggravated assault by a public servant, a felony that could lead to a sentence of five years to life in prison if he’s convicted. Prosecutors said he’ll be given the chance to turn himself in. Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg called Turner’s death a tragedy. “It is important to acknowledge that her family and the community are in pain,” said Ogg, who is up for reelection in November. Greg Cagle, Delacruz’s attorney, said he believed the case against his client was being motivated by politics.
Justice delayed is justice denied. As a society, we must do better.” - Ben Crump, family attorney on it taking 16 months for an indictment. “There’s no facts that would justify a criminal charge against the officer,” he said. Delacruz shot Turner after a struggle with the 44-year-old Black woman that a bystander captured on video. The footage showed Delacruz standing over Turner and reaching down to try to grab her arms. Turner then yells, “I’m pregnant.” Moments later, something flashes as she reaches her arm out toward
the officer. Suddenly, Delacruz pulls away and fires five gunshots. Police said the Hispanic Pamela Turner of f i c e r s h ot Turner during an attempted arrest after she shocked him with his Taser. Court records showed three outstanding misdemeanor warrants against Turner at the time. Delacruz was defending himself when he shot Turner, Cagle said. “When someone takes a police officer’s taser and then uses it against them, the officer is left with no options other than deadly force. That’s how the officers are trained,” he said. Ben Crump, a lawyer for Turner’s family, said last year that she was not pregnant but had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. He said Delacruz knew his neighbor suffered from mental illness and shot her from a “safe distance” away.
Community activist Quanell X is calling on Houston Community College Chancellor Cesar Maldonado to resign over a $100 million racial discrimination suit against the college system. “Ever since he has become chancellor of HCC, this man’s tenure here has been one of taking a knife to African-American progress (and) prominent African-American employees,” said Quanell X, at a recent press conference in front of HCC’s main admin- Quanell X istration building. The lawsuit, filed by former HCC employee Zelia Brown, alleges racial discrimination against Black employees and the mismanagement of grant money in the community college system. Quanell X pointed to a physical copy of the lawsuit, which alleges Maldonado used a list of tactics to undermine and get rid of Black employees — a process Maldonado coded as a “transformation” that included padding their personnel files with false complaints to be used as reasons to fire them, placing doubt on Black employees’ claims, and forcing Black employees to take leaves of absence without cause in order to use those as grounds for termination. In addition, Brown’s attorneys said in the suit that HCC Human Resources Director Janet May assisted Maldonado by handling displacements and that the intention was to give Hispanics preferential treatment.
PVAMU’s Dr. Ruth Simmons gifts 5th Ward nonprofit with $100,000 donation Judge Jeremy L. Brown, Harris County Justice of the Peace Court (Precinct 7-1) was on hand at The Julia C. Hester House (JCHH) as they were presented with a generous donation in the amount of $100,000 from Dr. Ruth Simmons, the President of Prairie View A&M University. The event took place at their community center located in Houston’s Fifth Ward neighborhood. Simmons’ gift will help the organization continue to serve residents with a variety of programs from child development and education to community swim classes and Senior Services and meal distributions. Many of the programs are available at no charge as Julia C Hester House primarily serves an under-resourced population. Photo by Quy Tran
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DN News
Kamala Harris listens to the Florida Memorial University marching band. AP Photo/Lynne Sladky
Kamala Harris promises free tuition, student loan forgiveness for HBCU students as well as if they go into the Democratic candidate for private sector and do other vice president Kamala Harris things. So for those students is pledging to invest $70 bil- who come out and have jobs lion in historically Black col- that pay less than $125,000, leges and universities, if she student-loan debt will also be and Joe Biden make it to the forgiven,” Harris said. White House. Additionally, Harris added Speaking recently at Flor- that two-year college programs ida Memorial should be free for University, Harris a l l l ow - i nc ome passionately disAmericans, especussed the student cially those attendloan debt problem ing HBCUs. of HBCUs are having facing millions of “We w ant t o financial issues young Americans support our young *Source: Dept. and pledged to forpeople for whatever of Education give the loans of they pursue by way people who work in jobs that of education after high school. pay them less than $125,000 as For some that will be a college well as students whose families’ and university, for some it will income is below that threshold. be a two-year program, or an “In relation to the history apprenticeship, or something of HBCUs, [students] decide of that nature, and we want to take on a profession of ser- to make sure that we support vice, which often does not pay them in that quest,” she said. Defender News Service Signs are held up showing Breonna Taylor during a rally in her honor on the steps of the Kentucky State Capitol. AP/Timothy D. Easley
City to pay $12 m to Breonna Taylor’s mom, reform police Associated Press
The city of Louisville will pay $12 million to the mother of Breonna Taylor and reform police practices as part of a lawsuit settlement months after Taylor’s slaying by police thrust the Black woman’s name to the forefront of a national reckoning on race. It’s reportedly the largest sum paid by the city for a police misconduct case. Taylor’s death sparked months of protests in Louisville and calls nationwide for the officers to be criminally charged. The state’s attorney general, Daniel Cameron, is investigating police actions in the March 13 fatal shooting. The lawsuit, filed in April by Taylor’s mother, Tamika Palmer, alleged the police used flawed information when they obtained a “no-knock” warrant to enter the 26-year-old woman’s apartment in March. Taylor and her boyfriend were roused from bed by police, and her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, has said he fired once at the officers thinking it was an intruder.
Investigators say police were returning fire when they shot Taylor several times. No drugs were found at her home. Palmer has said she is trying to be patient about the results of Cameron’s criminal investigation and the long wait, which is now six months since her daughter’s death. Palmer’s lawsuit accused three Louisville police officers of blindly firing into Taylor’s apartment the night of the March raid, striking Taylor several times. One of the officers, Jonathan Mattingly, went into the home after the door was broken down and was struck in the leg by the gunshot from Walker.The settlement includes reforms on how warrants are handled by police. The city has already taken some reform measures, including passing a law named for Taylor that bans the use of the no-knock warrants. Police typically use them in drug cases over concern that evidence could be destroyed if they announce their arrival.
TRUMP STEPS UP HARRIS ATTACKS Defender News Service
Donald Trump barely mentioned Tim Kaine when he was the Democratic vice presidential nominee in 2016. But four years later, the president has plenty to say about Kamala Harris. It’s unusual for an incumbent president to attack their opponent’s running mate. Yet, Trump told voters in North Carolina it would be “an insult to our country” if Harris became the first female president. And Trump and his allies repeatedly mispronounce Harris’ first name, a pattern her supporters say amounts to a
deliberate effort to portray the daughter of immigrants as someone who does not belong at the top ranks of politics. Trump is focusing on Harris as he has sometimes struggled to land on a consistent, coherent attack against Biden, who has built a reputation as a bipartisan deal maker rather than a progressive ideologue. And the racism and sexism underlying Trump’s critique of the first Black woman on a major party ticket are part of an aggressive strategy to appeal to white suburban voters.
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VOLUME 89 - NUMBER 47 - SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles
Creative Director Michael Grant
Ad/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler
People Editor Aswad Walker
Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles
Sports Terrance Harris Jodie B. Jiles
Engagement Manager Margo Williams Hubbard Managing Editor ReShonda Tate Billingsley
Photographers Ray Carrington III 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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WHEN
ICONIC MEETS INNOVATIVE THE
RESULT IS ELECTRIC!
*Preproduction computer generated image shown. Available late 2020.
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DN News
Court stops Harris County clerk from sending unsolicited mail-in ballots Texas Tribune
Harris County’s on again, off again efforts to send mail-in ballot applications to all registered voters is off again. The Texas Supreme Court has ordered Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins to stop sending the applications. The court intervened at the request of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who filed suit against Hollins late last month. “I strongly commend the Texas Supreme Court for stopping the Harris County Clerk from sending millions of mail-in ballot applications, which would create voter confusion and jeopardize the integrity and security of our elections,” Paxton said. “The Harris County Clerk knowingly chose to violate Texas election law and undermine election security. I thank the court for preventing the clerk from proceeding with his unlawful plans while this case continues.” Tuesday’s ruling overrules a state district judge who said that Harris County can move forward with its plan to send the applications to 2.4 million voters. “The legislature has made clear that in order to vote by mail a voter first ‘must make an application for an early voting ballot.’ But, as to how
24-hour polling locations available one day of early voting Defender News Services
A worker prepares absentee ballots for mailing. AP/Gerry Broome
the voter is to obtain the application, the Election Code is silent,” Standill said in his ruling. Now, Hollins must wait for a decision on Paxton’s lawsuit before he can legally send out the ballot applications. Texas has fought to keep in place its strict eligibility rules for mail-in ballots, which limit such ballots to voters who are 65 and older, voters who will be out of the county during the election period, voters confined in jail but otherwise eligible, or voters who cite a physical condition or illness that makes a trip to the polls a risky endeavor.
For this election season, Harris County is making sure that everyone has time to vote. On Thursday, Oct. 29, seven polling locations in the county will be open for over 24 hours. There has long been an argument for making Election Day a national holiday to ensure everyone has a chance to vote, but creating 24-hour polling locations is a good placeholder. Getting out to vote isn’t always a simple in-and-out, as any voter who has had to wait in line for over an hour knows. And for those that work all day, have children to care for, or any other situation that makes going to the polls in the middle of the day difficult, 24-hour polling locations could make a huge difference in turnout. Plus with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, more opportunities to vote could curb a rush on Election Day.
24-HOUR LOCATIONS • NRG Arena • Kashmere Gardens Multi-Service Center • McGovern Texas Medical Center Commons • East Harris County Activity Center • Tracy Gee Community Center • Juergen’s Hall Community Center • Victory Gardens Open 7 a.m. Oct. 29 until 7 p.m. Oct. 30.
IMPORTANT DATES
• Last day to register to vote – Oct 5 • Early voting - Oct. 13. • Election Nov. 3
KIM OGG
HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE Make It Right will be online this fall, and you can still get legal assistance with clearing your eligible criminal record Services go live -
September 26-30, 2020 Learn more at MakeItRightHouston.com
- Resolve your old warrants - Get free legal assistance with expunctions and non-disclosure of eligible criminal records - Rejoin the workforce with our 2nd Chance Job Fair
Read more and sign up for email reminders at MakeItRightHouston.com
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DN Entertainment
Khair Sharif, founder and owner of Space City Shows, came up with the idea while on quarantine. -Jimmie Aggison
THIRD WARD NATIVE OPENS CITY’S FIRST BLACK DRIVE-IN THEATER By Kissuth E. Reamo
K
hairi Sharif is no stranger to hard work and determination. It’s what he’s used throughout his life to achieve his goals. That’s why the Third Ward native didn’t settle on his success as an entrepreneur with HTX Epoxy Floors, and branched out into unchartered territories and created the drive-in theater, Space City Shows. The first Black-owned drive-in theatre in Houston, Space City Shows features a 20-by40-foot silver screen and offers a wide range of movies, from old to new, that will be shown every weekend. Moviegoers also get to enjoy the skyline view of the city, as well as various food choices from food trucks and a live DJ before and after each film showing. Sharif got the idea while being “bored” on quarantine. Since May, the 26-year-old has been learning about movie licenses, liabilities and screen projectors in order to turn his dream into a reality. Here, he talks with the Defender about the theater, and where he believes “being a man of character, faith, hard work, determination and a doer” will take him next. Defender: What was the driving force behind birthing Space City Shows? Khairi Sharif: I enjoy watching movies. I en-
joy the experience of visiting a theater with friends and family, the concessions and en-
joying a great show. I missed that, so, while sitting at home due to COVID, I started thinking. One minute I was talking about it and then it started to come together. Houston is very diverse. I realize I didn’t have the following or reputation to draw people by my name alone. So I started with my base, my home first, what I knew, my people.
SPACE CITY SHOWS 2300 Runnels Street (Houston’s East Downtown) Tickets: $30 per car; must be purchased online in advance SpaceCityShows.com
Defender: As a Black entrepreneur, is it your desire to provide a venue that caters to the Black community or will films of other ethnicities and cultures be featured? Sharif: Houston is very diverse. I realize
I didn’t have the following or reputation to draw people by my name alone. So I started with my base, my home first, what I knew, my people. We’ve featured some iconic Black films that remind everyone of family and classics that bring back the nostalgia of our history. We have a diverse line up of films that will reflect the uniqueness and diversity that Houston displays. Defender: What training in your education or background provided the fuel to birth the business? What advice would you give to other aspiring entrepreneurs? Sharif: No formal training, but business
talks with my father. Be your own boss. Work for yourself. Discussions on financial literacy. Always keeping your eyes open for opportunities. The city had a problem, but I came up with a solution. Find a unique outlet, then read and tap into others’ ex-
perience and knowledge. Find out what others have done and how they did it. Get their information, take what’s useful and shelf the rest. You don’t know that you can swim until you’re in the water. You don’t know how much faith you have until that’s all you have. Faith leaves no doubt. Defender: What would be your dream job? Sharif: College football coach. Before
COVID, I was hanging around UH because my college roommate is on the coaching staff there. I’ve always had a love for football and once you’re around it, the comradery, team atmosphere, and learning from one another, it’s something you want to maintain. What I can say right now is real estate development is in my heart and mind. So, stay tuned...
Defender: Complete this sentence. Khairi Sharif will be remembered for… Sharif: I am a standup guy, a man of my
word that sets the best example possible. A man of faith – without God nothing is possible, my greatness comes from a higher power. I don’t speak about all the ideas in my head until I’m ready to bring them to life. Some people didn’t think I would play Division I ball, earn a scholarship, or have an award-winning college career. Some people questioned my dream for Space City Shows, but now they see that it’s real.
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DN InFocus FOCUS SOCIAL
Working parents back-to-school concerns projector in my class while I use my personal computer to do my Google Meets with my own orking parents with K-12-aged chil- students,” shared Smith. “For my daughter Lyndren lead a challenging existence in nden, who’s in fifth grade, she’s an independent the most normal of times. But normal learner so I don’t have to check in on her as much. times, these are not. And with schools opening However, I do have her school email saved on my up, and over 850 campuses nationwide already computer to log in as her and make sure assignreporting COVID cases, parents are being asked ments are getting completed.” to navigate choppy waters that include employFor parents, especially those at home with their ment obligations, monitoring their students’ edu- virtual learners, Smith suggests building a good cational progress, toddler childcare, keeping their relationship with the child’s teacher, being patient children and themselves COVID-free, and more. but proactive, and using breaks as opportunities “The biggest challenge is the expectation for children to move away from the computer to chime in and assist my students while screen.” I have work to manage from home as Adding to the usual stresses, parents well,” said Pamela Gray, an HR direchave to contend with are issues like tor and mother of two sons. “My high mask-wearing reminders, travel to and school son is fine, but it’s unrealistic from school, campus social distancing to expect younger students to get realconsistency, and for homebound stutime assistance from parents throughout dents, providing all-day food/snacks, Pamela Gray technology access, the impact of a lack the day.” Gray, whose job allows her to work from of socialization, childcare for toddlers and home, says having one designated area for emotional challenges. the schoolwork, along with a set schedGray suggests the village approach. ule, helps establish boundaries. “Many times, children just need to “We treat our days like real school. hear from another person in the village Get up, get dressed, eat and then sit at after mom has said the same thing 100 your desk/work area and login for class. times. For me, I need support from my Some days are better than others.” Misha McClure family to allow me some downtime after Misha McClure, Comcast’s manager working and being with two online stufor external communications, is balancing dents all day.” her schedule with her son, Chase’s schedMcClure sees increased student freeule so she can help him throughout the dom as a positive. day with the virtual on-boarding process “Allow your student to truly engage for new sixth graders. virtually. It gives them more freedom She’s also concerned, as are just about to learn to navigate the system and gives all parents, about COVID concerns. Jasmine Smith you peace of mind during the school “I don’t think I can fully feel confident day.” for him to return to [in-person] school For the Walls, communicating assignuntil a vaccine is available to minimize the effects ments and organizing for the week on Sunday of COVID.” evenings is essential for maintaining their sanity. David and Yolonda Wall, who both work full“We have a meeting every Sunday about who’s time, have a 5-year-old who is starting school this doing what, and that helps. We also have a big year, and a 3-year-old in childcare. assignment board in the kitchen, which is needed “Our 5-year-old, Ian, started school online on with two different pick-up times with two kids.” August 11, but he’s been taking classes at school As a teacher, Smith uniquely feels the pull of since August 24,” said David, who has experi- work and home life. enced challenges with both virtual and in-person “I understand the school leaders’ positions on learning. why they want to resume face-to-face learning “We loved the online learning for safety rea- since funding is a huge part of that equation. sons, but we had to supervise our son all day. It However, as a parent, I think families have to do was like I was back in school.” what’s in the best interest of their children.” Wall said staying home daily was “not a great Smith, who wishes all Houston-area school option at all” for him and his wife, and that in-class districts were on the same page, added, “I don’t learning took some of the pressure off them. foresee many students being successful sitting in “But now, the issue is, is our son safe.” front of a computer screen for 6-8 hours a day.” Then there’s Jasmine Smith, a parent who is Wall thinks COVID testing in schools would also a Manvel High School 11th grade history help alleviate some parental stress and create a teacher. She teaches her students virtually, but healthier reality for all involved. from her campus classroom, while simultaneously “My parents are in their upper 60s, and not able monitoring the work of her kindergarten son and to really help out like they want to because the fifth-grader daughter, who accompany her to her kids are in school and daycare, with no testing. classroom daily. Teachers are protected, but I’m not sure about “I keep my son, Lathan’s meet video up on my how protected the kids are.” By Aswad Walker
W
RESOURCES FOR PARENTS
• Comcast Internet
Essentials: Reduced cost internet access for low-income families (internetessentials.com) • PPE: For individuals with low or fixed incomes, low cost or free PPE (masks, gloves, hand sanitizer) can be found at readyharris. org, the City of Houston’s Project C.U.R.E. (given out at the city’s mobile testing sites, and various other efforts by organizations and individuals like Houston native and rapper Slim Thug who launched a personal protective equipment line (Slim HTX) of affordable PPE options (slimhtx.org). • HISD HISD’s cite for its virtual offerings, including HISD TV offering instructional videos and more (houstonisd. org; 713-556-INFO) • HISD Community Resource Guide providing contact info on all manner of organizations and services (houstonisd.org) • HISD PowerUp Program: Offering one laptop per HISD student, which can be access via school • Ft. Bend Resources: fortbendisd.com • Alief ISD Resources: aliefisd.net • Aldine ISD Resources: aldineisd.org • Cy-Fair Resources: cfisd.net
Working mom Pamela Gray helps her youngest son Matthew with schoolwork, while her son Marshall, a high school senior, works in the background. -Jimmie Aggison.
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DN InFocus SOCIAL
LET THE PEOPLE BE HEARD By Aswad Walker
The Defender put the call out for working parents to share their thoughts on school amid COVID. Here are a few of the responses we received. It’s hard to tell my daughter who is asking for help and you have to say “wait” or “not right now” while she sees you helping other kids with their issues. –Maria Carlos My workday is extended because of the constant interruptions from my 5th grader. I even hear the teacher say, “go ask your parents!” Lady, I’m working too! It gets better every day, but I’m dawg tired by week’s end. – PW Gray It’s a constant struggle; damned if you do, damned if you don’t. Kids are struggling due to lack of socialization and it’s showing. Teachers have a big learning curve to tackle given half are not tech-savvy. Our teachers & children were thrust into this haphazard attempt at learning and it’s creating more issues than solutions. Don’t even get me started on the kids who went to class and are terrified of getting sick, have contracted the virus, and who are cared for by vulnerable family members. Something needs to give. – C.K. Hill
STRESS RELIEF TIPS Dr. Rheeda Walker, a Uni- relax a bit on achieving perversity of Houston psychology fection in schoolwork. She professor and author of “The also suggests giving your chilUnapologetic Guide to Black dren, co-parent and teachers Mental Health,” offered sug- the benefit of the doubt. gestions that can help “Assume everyone both parents and is doing the best their children they can, and the deal with the risoutcome will be ing stresses that far from perfect come with our and that’s ok. current COVID When parents take Dr. Rheeda a moment to ‘adjust,’ school reality. “Starting with the Walker especially at the height understanding that we are in of feeling overwhelmed, a very precarious and stressful doing so allows them to not time goes a long way. This is say something or behave in a important so that we lower way that can make a bad sitexpectations for 1) ourselves uation worse.” as parents who have endless When at your boiling responsibilities and 2) for point, Walker recommends children whose lives have “adjusting” by walking into been disrupted.” another room to breathe or Walker says with lowered pray and keeping your favorexpectations, parents can ite songs cued up “to listen
Misha McClure works with her son on virtual learning. Photo by Jimmie Aggison It’s a huge challenge with my youngest. I’m working from home fulltime… and I have to stop in the middle of the day to work with her to complete her assignments and teacher interaction. I don’t finish work until maybe six though I’m scheduled to four. Additionally, I’d like to see the teacher include a lesson plan because watching a video and drawing a picture is inadequate. This is also true with my oldest. If I had a lesson plan to walk her through concepts especially math, it would be helpful. I work in STEM so I understand math but have a hard time explaining it in 13-year-old. Also, the amount of screen time is off the charts. – Roni Green
The overall situation has its challenges. But the positives are that we are able to see where our girls’ strengths and weaknesses are while watching them learn and interact. We are able to take note of both academic and social frustration levels and talk as parents on a daily basis about how to deal with the situations on the next day. Our talks have blossomed from the traditional “how was your day” and “what did you work on in class” to “what can we do to solve the issue together tomorrow?” The silver lining has been actually seeing our girls’ growth one day at a time. And I believe it’s making us better at parenting. – Kamau Mason
TIPS FOR PARENTS SET BOUNDARIES: Being your best as a working parent doesn’t mean saying “yes” to everyone’s request. Saying “no” to things that aren’t vital allows you to say “yes” to things that uplift your spirit. STAY CONNECTED: Reducing stress doesn’t mean giving less to your kids. Focused time doing enjoyable activities can actually relieve stress. E NLIST HELP: Family, friends and neighbors are often more willing to lend a hand than you think. Call on your village for support. (from verywellmind.com)
M ODEL APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR: If you avoid anxiety-provoking situations, invest in self-care, practice positive thinking, your children will also. R EWARD COURAGEOUS BEHAVIOR: If your child faces his/her fears or takes risks to learn new things, reward them with praise or a tangible treat. NCOURAGE YOUR CHILD TO E EXPRESS THEIR ANXIETY(S): Validating your child’s emotions encourages them to grow emotionally and problem solve. (from psychologytoday.com)
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DN InFocus SOCIAL Churches converted to “Sanctuaries of Learning” By Aswad Walker
Despite a COVID bump in the road, nearly 20 area churches are moving forward with their HISD collaboration to provide students and parents with muchneeded educational support. The initiative, dubbed Sanctuaries of Learning, has 16 United Methodist churches and a few from other denominations partnering with elementary schools in their respective neighborhoods to provide a safe space for students to participate in virtual learning while their parents go to work. “Our Black and Brown students are going to be the ones hurt when there’s a glitch in the educational system, so we have to do everything in our power to make sure they get the education they deserve,” said Ed Jones, pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church, which is serving nearby Blackshear Elementary students. “With COVID, there’s the potential that our children can fall 1-2 years behind. We can’t allow that to happen. Our future is at stake.”
According to Linda Davis, pastor of Boynton United Methodist Church, Sanctuaries of Learning are literally sanctuaries of safety. “Many of these kids come to our vacation bible school, and their parents visit our food pantry and clothing distribution center,” said Davis. “If we’re helping parents in those ways, then why not assist them in education as well.” Davis said her church and others provide program space, volunteers, internet access and more. “Many of the kids in this community, even if they get a laptop from the school, don’t have internet or anyone who knows how to log them on. ‘Sanctuaries’ provides a positive learning environment. The kids have been diligent about wearing masks and doing classwork, and HISD staff on-hand have been great.” Recently, a participant at Trinity UMC tested positive for COVID. But according to Jones, Trinity’s safety protocols allowed for parents to continue dropping off their children for school, with no break in services.
Pastor Ed Jones, III, Trinity United Methodist Church. Photo by Aswad Walker
“All parents were notified and had the option to operate remotely with HISD ready to provide internet hotspots. But they chose to continue sending their
children to Trinity,” shared Jones, who is looking for ways to recruit more community partners to expand the supports provided to students.
Children should be included on your 2020 Census form—and not just children related to you, but any kids living at your address most of the time. When babies and children are included, the programs that support them get the funding they need. Count your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, foster kids, and the children of any friends or relatives staying with you, even if it’s only temporary. Babies count, too! Even if they’re still in the hospital, as long as they were born by April 1, 2020, make sure the person completing the Census for your address includes them on the form. For more information about the 2020 Census, visit 2020Census.gov or call 844-330-2020. | #2020Census #CountAllKids
12 | September 17, 2020 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Feature
CLASSIFIED REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
HOUSTON DOWNTOWN MANAGEMENT DISTRICT 2021 LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE The Houston Downtown Management District (the “Downtown District”) will receive sealed bids for landscape maintenance services performed in Downtown Houston, Texas. Bids will be received until 10:00 AM, local time on Friday, October 30, 2020, by the Operations Administrator of the Downtown District. Bids received after this time will not be accepted. Bids are to be delivered to 1313 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002. Beginning September 17, 2020 documents will be available at downtowndistrict.org. An ONLINE MANDATORY Pre-proposal Conference will be held at 10:00 AM on September 30, 2020. All bidders are invited to attend. Due to COVID-19 and the District’s safety protocol, all potential bidders who intend to participate in the pre-proposal conference and submit bids are required to register their intention by 10:00 AM on September 29, 2020 by email to Scott Finke, Operations Administrator at scott@downtowndistrict.org. Potential bidders are to provide Company Name, Address, and Phone plus two (maximum) Representative Names, Titles, Email Addresses and Cell Phone Numbers. All bidders who register in advance of the pre-proposal conference will receive a calendar invitation providing access to the online meeting venue. Bids will be ruled non-responsive if received from a company who did not have a representative attend the pre-proposal conference. Bidders shall comply with City Ordinance 95-336 (March 29, 1995) and Exec. Order No.1‑2 (June 14, 1995), and City of Houston Affirmative Action and Contract Compliance Division Minority/Women Business Enterprise (M/WBE) Procedures (June 1995). The successful Bidder will be required to make good faith efforts to achieve an M/W/DBE participation goal of 20 percent.
Mayor Turner speaks about the city initiative. -City of Houston
City initiative combats human trafficking, domestic violence Defender News Service
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has announced a new initiative that will target human trafficking and domestic violence in Houston. Turner said he is expanding the mayor’s Office of Human Trafficking to include domestic violence. He said the office’s new name will be Mayor’s Office of Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence, which will be led by Minal Davis. The mayor’s decision to add domestic violence to the office is due to both being forms of gender-based violence. Law enforcement officials have seen an uptick in domestic violence, sexual assault and abuse of women and girls nationwide since the COVID-19 pandemic, Turner said. The city of Houston became the first major city in the nation to pass a hotel ordinance that will require hotels to train employees on human trafficking and indicators of sex and labor trafficking, Turner said. The new office is launching a partnership with Magpies & Peacocks called the MAKR Collective to empower human trafficking and domestic violence victims economically. MAKR Collective is an independent entrepreneurship program that works in collaboration with M&P to help survivors gain valuable, life-long skills for employment opportunities in the fashion industry. Starting in October, the MAKR Collective will be set up to transition
six clients per month into the virtual 3-6-month pilot program. This unique opportunity seeks to use remote visual learning techniques to teach participants how to sew, cut patterns, learn basic alterations and develop skills to make their first for-sale product. Upon completion, participants will be paid for their work, possess a portfolio of skills, and can offer paid services to others. Participants also can become a product designer. No prior experience is required, and information sessions and applications will be available in Spanish. The program also includes a range of financial supports like a stipend during the upskills period and a cash match savings program that can yield $500 in savings in 6 months. “Economic empowerment opportunities like this one are the key to breaking the cycle of domestic violence,” Turner said. “Almost all survivors experience financial abuse, lack access to financial resources or the skills needed to be independent, keeping them tied to an abuser.” “COVID exacerbated the problem, but Houston continues to rise to the challenge. We continue to ask, ‘what more can we do to ensure all Houstonians are safe?’” said Councilmember Abbie Kamin. “Today’s announcement and the expansion of an official city office to include domestic violence in its charge is a very big deal. It ensures that the work to protect survivors and their families will continue for years to come.”
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DN Feature
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas
NOTICE OF VIRTUAL PUBLIC HEARING FOR PROPOSED METRO FISCAL YEAR 2021 OPERATING & CAPITAL BUDGETS The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas (METRO) is holding a virtual public hearing to receive public comments on its proposed Fiscal Year 2021 Operating and Capital Budgets (October 1, 2020 – September 30, 2021). The public hearing will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 by telephone and video conference call on the Zoom virtual meeting platform. The public may join the virtual hearing on Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88606113800 or by dialing: 346-248-7799, Meeting ID: 886 0611 3800. Participation on Zoom is only necessary if you want to provide comments during the public hearing. Otherwise, you may view a livestream of the virtual hearing online at https://www.ridemetro.org/Pages/BoardStreamingVideo.aspx. A video recording of the hearing will also be archived on www.ridemetro.org. A copy of METRO’s proposed Fiscal Year 2021 Operating and Capital Budgets is currently available for review by the public on METRO’s website at www.ridemetro.org and in the lobby of the METRO RideStore in the Lee P. Brown METRO Administration Building, located at 1900 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77002.
Naomi Osaka, of Japan, adjusts her mask after defeating Jennifer Brady, of the United States, during a semifinal match of the US Open tennis championships. -AP/Seth Wenig
Naomi Osaka wears masks at U.S. Open to spark dialogue
Defender News Service
During this year’s U.S. Open, which she ultimately won, professional tennis player Naomi Osaka wore seven different face masks for each round of the annual tournament. Each mask, which she started wearing when the tournament began on Aug. 31, named a Black person whose death has been repeatedly cited in nationwide protests about racial injustice. After winning the recent U.S. Open’s singles tournament, Osaka said the masks were her way of using her platform to protest this injustice and advocate that Black lives matter. Asked by a reporter after the tournament what message she wanted to send, Osaka responded: “Well, what was the message that you got was more the question. I feel like the point is to make people start talking.” The seven masks Osaka wore in recent
weeks included the names of Breonna Taylor, Elijah McClain, Ahmaud Arbery, Trayvon Martin, George Floyd, Philando Castle and Tamir Rice, all names that have come up repeatedly as victims of racial injustice. Raising awareness—even on social media—will hopefully lead to more people talking about them, Osaka said. Earlier in the U.S. Open, Osaka was given messages from Trayvon Martin’s mother and Ahmaud Arbery’s father, thanking her for raising awareness. Osaka isn’t the only champion competitor to use their platform to try and keep Black names in the public consciousness. British Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton, who is considered one of the best drivers of all time, also signaled his support for Breonna Taylor. He wore a T-shirt calling for the arrest of the police officers who killed Taylor after winning the Tuscan Grand Prix at Mugello, Italy.
Based on the current guidance from public health officials recommending the limitation of in-person public meetings to slow the spread of the Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, the public hearing will only be conducted virtually.
PROCESS FOR PROVIDING PUBLIC COMMENTS It is recommended that anyone wanting to make public comments register as a public speaker with METRO’s Board Office at least 48 hours in advance of the hearing by calling 713-739-4834 or sending an email to boardoffice@ridemetro.org, and providing their name, address and telephone number. If you pre-register, your comments will be heard first at the public hearing. Your name will be called at the appropriate time for you to make your comments. Alternatively, you may provide public comments after the pre-registered speakers by selecting the “Raise Hand” feature on the Zoom platform online or by pressing *9 if joining by telephone. Those calling in will automatically be placed on mute. After an unregistered speaker’s name or number is recognized, their microphone will be unmuted and they will be able to provide their comments. The public may also provide comments by email to Budget.Book@ridemetro.org or by calling METRO’s Customer Care Center at 713-635-4000 in advance of the public hearing.
LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE, ACCESSIBILITY AND SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS Upon request, METRO provides free language assistance to help patrons who have a limited ability to read, write, speak or understand English in accordance with its language assistance plan. METRO’s public hearings are accessible to persons with disabilities. Request for language assistance and other accommodations should be directed to the Board Office at 713-739-4834 at least 48 hours in advance of the hearing.
RideMETRO.org • 713.635.4000
14 | September 17, 2020 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Sports
Powerhouse twins choose HBCU
Volleyball stars decommit from Texas A&M to attend Howard By ReShonda Tate Billingsley
Photo: LabLArts Photography
Since they were in the eighth grade, recruiters have sought Missouri City volleyball standouts Bria and Cimone Woodard. The six-foot-three twins, who attend Episcopal High School and play competitively for Houston Skyline Juniors Volleyball Club, had verbally committed to Texas A&M University, but after deep reflection, decided Howard University would be a better choice. “We just started researching, and sitting and watching. We talked to the A&M coach, and they were just really supportive of our desire to go to an HBCU,” Bria said. “At Howard, we get the best of both worlds – excellent academics and athletics.” “We’ve attended schools where we were looked at as just an athlete. We thought about what it would be like at Howard, an environment where everybody looked like me and just felt like we wouldn’t have to prove that we deserved to At Howard, be there like everyone else,” we get the added Cimone. best of both The twins acknowledged worlds – that playing at Howard would excellent not be the same as playing at academics a “Power Five” institution like Texas A&M, and they wrestled and with their decision, particuathletics.” larly because they believe in Bria Woodard honoring their commitments. But they say thankfully, both the coaches at Howard and Texas A&M allowed them room to come to their own decision. “Neither school put any pressure on us,” Cimone said. “The Howard coaches were super excited that we were interested in Howard, but they weren’t putting any pressure on us to choose either way. So that made it easy to take a step back and evaluate what we really wanted.” The powerhouse players are still deciding on majors, though Cimone is leaning toward Biology. They both are just grateful for the chance to be athletes and students. “I’m just glad that I can just have this new experience,” Bria said. “I’ve never really truly had it. It’s going to be so empowering being with people who look just like me, who are just as driven as me and are all looking toward having big futures. It’s literally the Mecca. I’m excited.” With the recent social uprisings across the country, there has been a steady trend of high school student-athletes making verbal commitments to compete at HBCUs. Because of that, Bria and Cimone’s parents, Krystene and John Woodard, could have easily pushed their daughters to go to an HBCU, but chose not to. “We’ve been talking about HBCUs our entire life because that’s just who we are,” said Krystene, who attended Xavier University of Louisiana, along with her husband, John. “We’ve always told all three of our children they could go whereever they wanted and so we wanted to remain true to that and allow the girls room to make this lifelong decision on their own.” The twins have had interest and offers from a significant number of Division 1 schools, so the decision to attend Howard made their parents ecstatic, especially because it means they’ll become fifth-generation HBCU graduates. “They didn’t understand the magnitude of their decision. So many in their village are happy because we know what an HBCU will do to prepare young, gifted and talented Black teens and young adults for a successful future. So the reaction is different. The jubilation is different,” Krystene added.
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DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Sports Kevin Warren, Commissioner of the Big Ten Conference, announced they’re changing course and will resume their season the weekend of Oct. 24.
An NFL record: 10 African American quarterbacks opened as starters during opening week, including the Texans Deshaun Watson and Cam Newton in New England.
ROCKETS STILL BELIEVE SMALL BALL IS VIABLE By Terrance Harris
The Rockets will have a new coach for the 2020-21 NBA season. But now comes the more difficult lifting as another postseason ended too prematurely. The early names to replace Mike D’Antoni, who removed himself from consideration to remain as coach less than 24 hours after the Los Angeles Lakers bumped the Rockets from the playoffs, include Sam Cassell and Tyronn Lue. The even bigger question, however, is will the Rockets continue to play the small ball brand of basketball that D’Antoni and general manager Daryl Morey transitioned to midway through the disjointed season? With P.J. Tucker as the tallest player on the floor at 6-foot-5, the Rockets transitioned into a fast-paced 3-point shooting squad that gave opponents all kinds of trouble in single-game regular-season meetings. But we saw a much different outcome once the playoffs came and teams were able to game-plan and create match-up issues to counter the avalanche of shooting the Rockets can bring. That made for a far tougher first round against Oklahoma City and it meant the Rockets’ demise against a versatile and more talented Lakers squad led by LeBron James. But can the Rockets continue with the small
Houston Rockets’ James Harden (13) argues a call during the second half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/ Mark J. Terrill)
ball brand of basketball under a new coach? The Rockets sure seem to think so. “Even in the bubble I think before these last few games we were No.1 in defense,” said Rockets star guard James Harden. “It was just the small things like rebounding. We are small so we can’t rely on a bigger guy to rebound the basketball for us. We have to take on the challenge that as the shot goes up we find a guy and box out. We just weren’t disciplined enough. “If we are going to play small ball like that then we have to make sure that our defensive rebounding is on point and things like that.” D’Antoni, whose contract expired after the season, also seemed committed to continuing with small ball had he been offered a new contract. He was quick to point to the Lakers reverting to a smaller lineup to counter the Rockets with success and also the threetime NBA champion Golden State Warriors. “I definitely think
you can, I think Golden State has proven that,” said D’Antoni, whose team jumped out to a 1-0 series lead against the Lakers before losing four straight. “It’s all relative.” But the Rockets as they are now, don’t have the versatility and the depth of the Lakers and those Warrior teams. The Lakers have Anthony Davis and James, who both can post up inside and shoot on the perimeter and they each have a third and fourth scorer. After Russell Westbrook and Harden, the Rockets received little consistent scoring from players like Eric Gordon, Robert Covington, Danuel House, Jeff Green and Tucker. The Rockets were also out-rebounded and susceptible defensively. But Westbrook also still believes the Rockets can ride small ball to a championship. “When you have the right guys and the right group of guys who can do it, it is definitely sustainable,” Westbrook said. “It’s just here we had a lot of different obstacles, like myself. I was trying to get healthy and missing a few guys here and there. It definitely changed our rhythm a little bit but it’s definitely something you can build off of.”
SportsBriefs Chiefs fans boo unity The Texans and Kansas City Chiefs players attempted to show a sense of unity against racism by linking arms in the middle of the field before their game’s kickoff. But fans in Arrowhead Stadium began to boo to the dismay of many, including the players on the field. “The moment of unity I personally thought was good,” said Texans defensive end J.J. Watt. “I mean. the booing during that moment was un- J.J. Watt fortunate. I don’t fully understand that.” Rockets coaching candidates Former Cleveland Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue and former Rockets great Sam Cassell are two names being menSam tioned as replaceCassell ments for Mike D’Antoni. Both have ties to Houston. Cassell, of course, was part of the Rockets championship teams. Lue, who won a title with the Cavs in 2016, has lived in Houston in the past and still has family in the community, including his mother. Both are current assistant coaches on the Clippers staff. Westbrook gets heated During Saturday’s Game 5 match-up between the Rockets and Lakers, Russell Westbrook had to be restrained after Russell getting into a Westbrook verbal altercation with a fan in the bubble. As it turns out the fan he was jawing with was Lakers’ guard Rajon Rondo’s brother, William Rondo, who was ejected from the arena.
16 | September 17, 2020 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
State of
BLACK HOUSTON
State of BLACK SPONSORED BY Sylvester Turner
Houston Mayor Thursday, Oct.1 @ 2 pm CST
Title Sponsor The coronavirus is running rampant in the Black community as the death toll continues to rise and the economic pain surpasses all
State of
BLACK HARRIS COUNTY
understanding…Social injustice and the killing of African Americans at the hands of police officers permeate throughout the national headlines…
THE BLACK COMMUNITY WANTS ANSWERS….. The Question is: “What have you done for the Black Community and what are you planning to do?”
JOIN US!
Register: bit.ly/defenderstateofblack
PARTNERS
Other Sponsors
NAACP of Houston Houston Area Urban League Greater Houston Black Chamber Top Ladies of Distinction Houston Metropolitan Ministerial Alliance Houston Pan-Hellenic Council
Lina Hidalgo
County Judge Thursday, Oct 8 @2 pm CST
State of
BLACK TEXAS
Greg Abbott
Governor PENDING @2 pm CST
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