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Houston’s Leading Black Information Source
Volume 87 | Number 48 SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 FREE
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CENTERFOLD LAURIE VIGNAUD works with city to build more affordable housing
BILL COSBY Sentenced to prison
P8 NATIONAL MICHELLE OBAMA leads voting campaign
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H.S. SPORTS DEVON ACHANE
the real deal at Ft. Bend Marshall
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Sylvester Turner
Tiger Woods
The mayor is working with mental health and education leaders with “Community Conversations: Harvey, Trauma and Helping Our Kids Cope,” a series of neighborhood meetings to discuss gaps in mental health services for children so local advocates can work together to create communitybased solutions. H PAGE 12
In a stunning comeback, the golf legend delivered the perfect ending to his amazing return from back surgeries with a performance out of the past at the Tour Championships.
tackles kid trauma
TOP EVENTS
comeback king
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Jodie Jiles, James Brown, Pastor Manson Johnson, Tym Tombar at the Texas Children’s Hospital Ambassadors event
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$38 billion banking lawsuit may bring economic growth Defender News Services
Challenger U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke and incumbent U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz faced off during a debate
O’Rourke, Cruz have different views on race Defender News Services
When the Twitter account of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) posted a clip of his opponent, U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Tex.) discussing the recent police killing of an unarmed Black man, the Republican was hoping to expose a controversial position held by his liberal rival. The clip featured O’Rourke in a church speaking to a predominately minority audience about the shooting death of Botham Shem Jean, a 26-year-old Black man killed earlier this month in his Dallas apartment by Amber Guyger, an off-duty police officer. In the clip, O’Rourke said, “How can it be in this day and age, in this very year, in this community, that a young man, African-American, in his own apartment, is shot and killed by a police officer? And when we all want justice and the facts and the information to make an informed decision, what is released to the public? That he had a small amount of marijuana in his kitchen. How can that be just in this country? How can we continue to lose the lives of unarmed Black men at the hands
of white police officers? This is not justice. That is not us. That can and that must change. Are you with me on this?” Throughout the Democrat’s comments, his words were met with applause and other affirmations making it clear that the people to whom he was speaking had some of the same questions about the death. Cruz tweeted the clip prefaced with the comment: “In Beto O’Rourke’s own words.” The view that O’Rourke’s words resonated deeply with some Black Texans is one reason why the congressman is trouncing Cruz with Black voters. According to a Quinnipiac University poll released earlier this month, only 3 percent of Black voters support Cruz and 5 percent of Black voters said they have a favorable view of the senator. O’Rourke has expressed a world view well-received by Black voters before. At an August town hall, he praised the patriotism of NFL players who take a knee during the national anthem to protest racism and police brutality in America in a video that went viral.
More Black women on the ballot
Last week, the Defender featured a host of Black women running for local positions in Harris, Fort Bend and Brazoria Counties. Since then, we’ve learned of even more Black women on the ballot in the Nov. 6 election. They include:
Robin Burgess Judge, Brazoria County Court At Law No. 4
Yolanda Ford Mayor, Missouri City
A Houston federal judge will decide if a $38 billion federal lawsuit against Capital One Bank will head to a jury trial. The suit could result in a substantial capital infusion in minority communities if the plaintiffs prevail. During recent court hearings, plaintiff counsel Benjamin L. Hall III said that Capital One made a $180 billion pledge to minority communities in 2011-2012 if bank regulators approved its purchase of ING in a multi-billion-dollar transaction. Capital One reportedly abandoned the pledge after it acquired ING and began closing down bank branches and moving its mortgage business from minority communities. The plaintiffs are arguing to U.S. Federal Judge Alfred Bennett that Capital One Bank has deliberately discriminated against minority communities in violation of federal banking and housing laws. National banks like Capital One are required to service the banking needs of minority communities in their service areas pursuant to the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977. The suit documents reveal that out of millions of minorities in the Houston area in 2016 Capital One Bank managed to approve only one loan for a Black customer and none to any non-white Hispanic. Plaintiffs have also filed court papers showing that Capital One is disproportionately closing its branch banks in predominately Black and Brown communities while still opening branches in several predominately white Texas communities. The bank does not appear to dispute the charge; but rather responds that customers seem to prefer online banking instead of branch banking. Plaintiffs in the suit are individual members of the local community like the Houston NAACP’s Dr. James Douglas and Yolanda Smith and Mary Ramos. LULAC has also joined the suit as a plaintiff. In addition, a former employee of Capital One, Laurie Vignaud, is a named plaintiff in the suit. Vignaud is a Black female who worked for the bank for nearly two decades and complained about the bank’s alleged discriminatory practices toward minority communities. The bank fired Vignaud and she has sued the bank for retaliating against her for fighting for minorities. The Defender has learned that Rev. Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow Push Coalition is slated to join the lawsuit as a plaintiff in the coming days. Jackson described the suit as one of the last acts needed in this country to obtain economic equality. He likened the suit to the Montgomery bus boycott in its importance to hold banks and bank regulators accountable for their discriminatory conduct. Hall commented that the addition of Rev. Jackson and the Rainbow Push Coalition to the suit is “monumental.” The bank has moved to dismiss the lawsuit. Judge Bennett is expected to issue an order on the bank’s motion in the near future.
Let us know if there are other Black women on the ballot we missed by emailing news@defendermediagroup.com
Sarah DeMerchant State Rep., District 26
Shawn Thierry State Rep., District 146
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Michelle Obama co-chairs When We All Vote effort Defender News Services
2012). Among the 476 women who ran for a seat in the U.S. House, about 75 percent were Democrats. Over 52 percent of Democratic House female candidates won their primary races. Their percentage was higher than for Democratic men or Republican women. The 2018 election cycle is expected to be a record one for female
When We All Vote, a non-partisan organization inspiring voter turnout in the run-up to Election Day in November, is working on a National Week of Action. Former First Lady Michelle Obama is serving as a cochair. “When we all vote we get new ideas and new energy. We get Former First Lady Michelle Obama is calling on Americans to register, vote and volunteer at www.whenweallvote.org. leaders that share our values,” said Mrs. candidates. Obama in a new commercial running on promiDuring When We All Vote’s Week of Action, nent digital platforms and on radio across the volunteers will host nearly 2,000 events across U.S. the U.S. The purpose of the events will be to The commercial will air over the 14 days register voters and recruit volunteers. Michelle before voter registration deadlines. On Sept. Obama will headline a Week of Action event in 20, When We All Vote launched a text message Miami on Sept. 28. campaign allowing people to text WeAllVote to Co-chairs Janelle Monae, Chris Paul, Tom 97779 for voter registration information. Hanks and Faith Hill will also lead flagship The 2018 cycle has been propelled by two events, along with Loni Love, Keegan-Michael elements: Dislike of President Donald Trump Key and Shonda Rhimes. and a record number of women running for ofThe goal is to spike voter turnout in a fice. According to NBC News, there were 53 crucial off-year election at a time when voting female Senate candidates (the previous record numbers have increased dramatically when comwas 40 in 2016) and 476 female House candipared to the previous off-year cycle. dates (with the previous record being 298 in
Black hurricane survivors being ignored es – groceries, electricity, gas – in a largely Black neighborhood in the town The response to Hurof Wilmington, where ricane Florence survivors residents in white neighliving in one of North borhoods have had their Carolina’s worst-hit towns power restored and live has largely ignored the near restaurants and other Black community there, loamenities cal residents said one week Shacory Blanks, who after the deadly storm left lives in a mostly Black devastating flooding and widespread power outages. Velinda Ward, a counselor with Boys and Girls Homes of North neighborhood in WilmAt least 31 of the more Carolina, hugs a girl as they ride out flooding from Florence. ington’s Northside, said she still didn’t have electricity than 40 people killed by Hurto even charge her phone, let alone cook a meal, if ricane Florence died in North Carolina, leaving Gov. she had access to fresh food. Roy Cooper to declare it was “like nothing we have “I think [emergency officials are] going crazy or ever seen.” delusional because the easiest thing to get right now The outcry from Black residents in the afteris drugs,” Banks said. “Everybody is smoking and math of a natural disaster is familiar, and this latest drinking, but there’s no food being put in their body instance was no different, according to a Guardian report. There was reportedly a severe lack of resourc- to balance them.”
A MAN WHO FLASHED HIS GUN at Florida A&M students who were trying to get onto an elevator with him has been arrested. Don Crandall, Jr., 49, was charged with improper exhibition of a firearm. If found guilty, he would face no more than a year in jail, according to the Florida State Attorney’s Office.” It was Sept. 8 when Crandall Jr. was arguing with four young men who attend FAMU. He said they weren’t allowed to be in the Stadium Centre apartment complex, even though they lived there. When they attempted to get on the elevator, he flashed a gun. Crandall reportedly did not live in the building. He worked at Pax, an area hotel, but was fired when the video went viral……..NEW FBI CRIME DATA SHOWS St. Louis is the most violent city in America. Detroit dropped from No. 1 to the second most violent because of a decrease in murders. Detroit Police Chief James Craig said, “It is a work in progress. I’m not waving the flag of success.” Violent crimes are murder, rape, assault and robbery. Rounding out the top five most violent cities are Baltimore, Memphis and Kansas City…….. EMPLOYEES AT A MARYLAND DRUGSTORE WAREHOUSE endured horrifying moments of gunfire and terror as a Black woman working a temp job fired on colleagues with a handgun, killing three people before fatally shooting herself. Authorities in Harford County are still trying to determine why Snochia Moseley opened fire at the Rite Aid warehouse as details have started to trickle in about the troubled young woman. The attack seemingly came out of nowhere and Moseley reportedly started randomly shooting. Witnesses say Moseley had been arguing with somebody else near a time clock after a town hall meeting and then just “went off.” Police said she may have been battling mental illness.
Defender News Services
VOLUME 87 • NUMBER 48 SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Ad/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Strategic Alliance Manager
Clyde Jiles Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila Videographer
Jodie B. Jiles
Editors ReShonda Billingsley Marilyn Marshall Contributing Writer Aswad Walker Sports Editor Max Edison Engagement Manager Margo Williams Hubbard
The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (713-663-6996.. The Defender is audited by Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For subscription, send $60-1 year to: Defender, P.O. Box 8005, Houston TX 77288. Payment must accompany subscription request. All material covered by 2012 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).
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Bring It! available on Xfinity Stream app
grown-ish available on Xfinity Stream app
Streaming is always in session. Xfinity takes you back to school with Black Film & TV with Xfinity On Demand. Just say, “HBCU” into your X1 Voice Remote to watch your favorite Black college films and TV shows, catch HBCU football games and Classics, and get a look into Greek life. And with customizable streaming TV, you can watch hit movies, top shows and live sports, at home or on-the-go. With Xfinity X1, access Netflix, YouTube, and Pandora right from your TV. Xfinity makes enjoying your entertainment simple, easy, awesome.
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entertainment
Sanaa Lathan living ‘Nappily Ever After’ Lathan said. “It came in my life at a time I was kind of rethinking beliefs and Sanaa Lathan is desires, and actually my adding to her romantic hair was a big part of that,” comedy catalog with a she said. new film that celebrates From the debate over the beauty of the big natural hair versus chemichop in Netflix’s latest cally treated, or wigs and offering, “Nappily Ever weaves, hair is a cultural After.” touchstone in the Black “I’m kind of a community – along with a sucker for rom-coms and multibillion-dollar busiI miss them,” Lathan ness. The new film “Nappily Ever After” starring Sanaa Lathan is currently said. “When I sign on “Hair, in terms of streaming on Netflix. to do a project, it has to women in general, is be something I would a huge part of what want to see, something that moves me and challenges me, and we’re told represents our beauty,” Lathan said. “Beauty this hit all those marks. And it just felt right because I hadn’t done obviously plays into self-esteem and self-worth. As Black anything like it in many years.” women in this culture...we’ve been told that our hair is Based on the novel by Trisha Thomas, “Nappily Ever After” not beautiful because it does not look like the European follows Violet Jones (Lathan), a successful marketing execustandard, which is long and straight.” tive on a journey of self-discovery that includes men but does Lathan said a few years ago she started feeling like not center around them. she was just over her hair. “It is a love story, but it’s a story about falling in love with “The whole thing about being a woman, being a yourself, which I think is the ultimate love story,” said Lathan. Black woman in this society and all the things we go “I’ve learned through living life that if you don’t love yourself, through with having hair,” she said. “Then there’s the you can’t really healthily love another person.” whole layer of being an actress on top of that, where The movie’s focus on Violet’s self-love makes it a bit of you’re having to go from project to project and deal with a contrast from the rom-coms seen from Lathan in the past. It different hairdressers and trying to protect your hair. It starts with her character in a relationship, awaiting a proposal, was just a whole thing that I was tired of.” but quickly spirals into something different. The narrative arc is Lathan’s new look went viral when she debuted it outlined by Violet’s hairstyles, which serve as physical markers on social media last year. for her internal growth, instead of her relationship status. “So light I could fly away,” she said in a video as Lathan, who had planned to use a prosthetic and not actu- she rubbed her newly shorn scalp. ally shave her head for the role, decided during filming to go The “Shots Fired” star said she was definitely all the way. nervous about changing her look, but felt she owed it “I was in a place where I was ready for the big chop,” to the character to go for it. Defender News Services
what’sup BEYONCÉ’S former drummer, KIMBERLY THOMPSON, filed a civil harassment restraining order against her alleging that the mother of three does “extreme witchcraft” and did “magic spells of sexual molestation” against her. Court documents read that Thompson accused the “7/11” singer of being responsible for the loss of many jobs, theft of her computer hard drives, extreme theft of intellectual properties and the murder of her pet kitten through her witchcraft. She also accused Beyoncé of controlling her money somehow. Why she believes Bey is doing this to her isn’t clear. Her request for a temporary
restraining order was denied on Sept. 19 in the Los Angeles Superior Court. There will be another hearing regarding the matter on Oct. 1……..It has been more than two decades since EDDIE MURPHY brought the story of Marcus Graham, a high-powered marketing executive, to life in “Boomerang.” After BET announced it was adapting the 1992 hit comedy for the small screen, now we know Boomerang star HALLE BERRY will partner with LENA WAITHE to executive-produce the series. It will center on the children of the film’s main characters – Marcus (Murphy), Angela (Berry) and Jacqueline (ROBIN
GIVENS) – and will premiere on BET in early 2019……..KEVIN HART has no plans to fire back at LESLIE JONES for her recent negative comments about him but he was shocked that she put him on blast with her accusations. Jones spoke out in response to Hart using her name in his ongoing feud with KATT WILLIAMS. After Hart accused Williams of never helping anyone underneath him, Jones accused Hart of never putting any female comedians on his tour. She also said that Hart once told her she would “never make it” as a comedian. Hart, who is friends with Jones, is said to have been hurt by the diss.
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Galveston film fest debuts Oct. 5-7 Defender News Services
Galveston is known for a lot of things – its sunny beaches, beautiful Victorian homes, vibrant downtown historic district and laid-back residents. Island native Sherrill Hilton is taking the city’s diversity to another level with the inaugural Galveston Island Film Festival and Conference (GIFF-CON), set for Oct. 5-7 at various venues. “We’re an international filmfestival, and people fromGalveston County and all over the world Sherrill Hilton Antonio Fargas have submitted their films so their voices can be heard,” she said. “We for future movie projects. To that end, attendees will want voices of every walk of life and have the opportunity to tour the island on trolleys, from everywhere to be heard.” golf carts and shuttles. For three days, Galveston will be bustling as “Galveston is unique for being a coastal island, filmmakers, Hollywood executives, producers and so the weather here is pleasing, and you have a lot stars soak in the sights and sounds of the island, and more versatility in venues,” said Hilton, 48, a direcattend screenings and panel discussions. tor, producer, dancer and choreographer. She returned The conference will cover just about every asto Galveston last year after working 15 years in the pect of the film industry landscape, from distribution Hollywood entertainment industry. deals, to production incentives, and partnering with “We want to spotlight diverse up-and-coming the Texas Film Commission. filmmakers,” Hilton said. “With our film festival, we A major goal of the conference is to assist filmwant to complement the island’s other major events, makers in choosing Galveston as a prime location
like Mardi Gras-Galveston, the Lone Star Rally, Dickens on the Strand and the Historic Homes Tour.” Tapping her Hollywood connections, Hilton has enlisted a panel of judges to select the winning films in six genres: drama, action, comedy, fantasy/sci-fi, inspirational and musical/dance. The festival’s celebrity ambassadors are actor/writer/producer Michael DeLorenzo of “New York Undercover” fame and actor Antonio Fargas, known for his roles in 1970s blaxploitation movies, as well as his portrayal of Huggy Bear in the 1970s series “Starsky and Hutch.” GIFF-CON also will highlight the importance of diversity in the film industry, Hilton said. “The festival will address issues of integration, diversity and new technology in the entertainment industry,” she said. “It will provide a platform for aspiring creators who are not yet in the mainstream, but use their unique voices to express their artistic points-of-view.” For tickets as well as information on volunteering, sponsorship and advertising opportunities, visit www.galvestonislandfilmfestivalandconference.com.
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DEFENDER | SEPTEMBER 27 | 2018
CITY OF HOU
AFFORDA By RESHONDA TATE BILLINGSLEY Defender News Service
A
Qualifications An eligible homebuyer’s income must be at or below 80% AMI (see above chart) · Applicants must obtain a Homebuyer Education Certificate through an approved HUD counseling agency · Applicants must occupy the home as their principal residence · Back-end debt ratio cannot exceed 45% · The buyer and/or co-borrower must not be delinquent on any student loans, federal income taxes, as well as state and local taxing authorities, utility payments, or City services
Ste
cres Homes is about to receive some new devel1. G opment thanks to Mayor take Sylvester Turner and City buy of Houston Housing and cert Community Development Department 2. C (HCDD) officials. Developers are workProg ing with the city to bring new singlecom family homes to the area. exce It’s the start of the city’s New Home 3. C Development Program Houston from thro HCDD. The goal is for the City to build Prog 20 homes per month for low-to-moderfloo ate-income families. 4. O HCDD Director Tom McCasland tion acknowledged that affordable housing stra wasn’t handled properly in the past. Now, 45 p he said, the city has more control over it. 5. G “It’s getting the structure right, that’s 6. E the first one,” he said. “And then making Not sure that the reimbursement is right, so thre that as we move forward, we can exercise stru the right kind of fiscal controls over the funding that we’re provided.” The homes under the program are funded by federal grants and local tax reinvestmen program is the result of extensive community engage pre- and post-Harvey, the existing affordable home cr commitment to Houstonians. “Mayor Turner has promised the community tho fordable single-family homes and the NDHP will be i making that a reality, said Laurie Vignaud, assistant d Family and Economic Development. “I have had the great opportunity to work closely McCasland since the program’s infancy to our recent in Acres Homes. We have qualified homeowners line into homes. Now the real work begins,” Houston was facing a serious gap in available aff units and an overwhelming need for housing. The imp widened the gap even more. “We want to be strategic in our approach,” Vigna program will initially roll out in Complete Communit Ward, Acres Homes, Gulfton, Near Northside and Fif residents can also benefit from the infrastructure, econ ment and planning efforts already underway. The nex
Lots will be in (but Second Ward, Nea regarding the New homes f
281-655-
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USTON BUILDING
ABLE HOMES
extending out to other areas throughout the city.” The City has an aggressive goal of 20 homes per month for low to Get pre-approved with a lender and moderate income families. Officials are e the first-time eight-hour homeconfident that they’ll reach their goals. yer education course through a HUD “We will achieve our goal through tified agency. strategic partnership and focused Contact the Homebuyer Assistance investment. We have already begun gram (HAP) to have household inidentifying available lots with the me certified as low-to-moderate (not Houston Land Bank and will strategieeding 80 percent AMI). cally look at purchasing homes across Contact Houston Land Bank to go the city. The department broke ground ough the New Home Development on the first eight homes earlier this gram process of selecting a lot, month with another 30 lined up to start or plan, designs, etc. construction by the end of the year. Once construction is near compleWe are also working aggressively to n, provide documentation demoncontinue identifying lots for future new ating back-end ratio does not exceed home development.” percent, ensuring their affordability. The efforts to expand the program Get loan approved. are already underway. Enjoy your new home. “We are looking to purchase lots te: The entire process could take throughout the city now,” Vignaud said. ee to four months considering con“We understand that land is a limited uction time. commodity and we have to move at a pace that reflects that. However, we also want to take the time to be strategic about community development.” nt funds. The Some critics say the city has not had a great track record in housement efforts, ing and wonder how the home development program will be differrisis and Turner’s ent? Vignaud said they are working to fill the gap and avoiding previousands of afous pitfalls. instrumental in “The affordability gap has played a big role in limiting the city’s director of Single ability to build homes as the cost of construction and land continues to rise and family incomes remain stagnant,” she said. y with Director “The New Home Development Program allows us to better fill groundbreaking that affordability gap with an increase in gap grants up to $30,000 and ed up ready to get another grant opportunity available through the Community Land Trust.” ffordable housing Housing officials will follow HUD’s income guidelines to qualify pact from Harvey potential homebuyers. The New Home Development Program is designed to benefit aud added. “The workforce professionals, custodians, first-responders, teachers and othty areas (Third ers with household income at or below 80 percent of the area median fth Ward) where income (AMI). For example, a family of four with income at or below nomic develop$59,900 annually have the potential to become homeowners. xt step will be Interested homebuyers should contact program manager Brandi
eps to ownership
t not limited to) the following: Acres Homes, Gulfton, ar Northside, and Third Ward. For more information w Home Development Program’s newly constructed for sale contact the Houston Land Bank at
-4600 or info@houstonlandbank.org.
e Houston area for over 85 years
Houston Housing and Community Development Director Tom McCasland and Mayor Sylvester Turner.
Laurie Vignard, Assistant Director Housing and Community Development.
Income info
The Housing and Community Development Department New Home Development Program will provide newly constructed, affordable single-family homes for qualified low- and moderate-income homebuyers. For homes funded by Community Development Block Grant, qualified homebuyers must have household incomes that do not exceed 80% of the area median income. 2018 MAXIMUM ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME LIMITS Household Size 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) * 1 $41,950 2 $47,950 3 $53,950 4 $59,900 5 $64,700 6 $69,500 7 $74,300 8 $79,100 * Income includes any payments from employment, child support, recurring gifts, etc. Household income limits are subject to change.
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DEFENDER | SEPTEMBER 27 | 2018 defendernetwork.com
Dallas Police Dept. fires officer Guyger Texas Tribune
Dallas police officer Amber Guyger has been fired after the fatal shooting of Botham Jean, an unarmed Black man in his apartment. On Sept. 6, Guyger returned to her apartment complex after a shift, entered the wrong unit – exactly one floor above her own – and shot and killed 26-year-old Jean, according to her arrest affidavit. Guyger said she mistook the apartment for her own and thought Jean was an intruder; Jean’s family lawyer has said the officer’s statement is “demonstrably false.” Guyger was arrested and charged with manslaughter in Jean’s death in the days after the shooting, but she had remained on the city’s Amber Guyger killed Botham Jean at their apartment complex. payroll on administrative leave. Her continued employment brought protests and harsh critiThe department said Guyger “engaged in adverse cism from members of the community – and Democonduct when she was arrested for manslaughter.” cratic U.S. Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke. Guyger can appeal the firing. The police department originally said the firing It’s unclear what exactly led to Guyger’s firing. decision would be on hold until after the criminal Dallas Police Chief Renee Hall said at a town hall that investigation, according to the Dallas Morning News. she couldn’t yet fire Guyger in the shooting because of The department later issued a statement saying that “local, state and federal laws,” but she did not elaboGuyger had been fired in a hearing after an internal rate on what those were, according to WFAA-TV. The affairs review. station reported that the
department’s general orders allow for the chief to bypass formal disciplinary procedures if she “deems it necessary to preserve the integrity of the depart-
ment.” One of Jean’s family attorneys wrote on Facebook that Hall told Jean’s parents and their attorneys Sunday that she intended to fire Guyger. Hall said the delay was because “a premature administrative suspension could have possibly implicated Guyger’s Fifth Amendment protections and compromised the criminal prosecution,” wrote attorney Lee Merritt. “The Jean family expressed satisfaction in this explanation and in Guyger’s termination,” he wrote. “We see it as an initial victory – well received on the day Botham Jean is laid to rest in his native country in St. Lucia.” Merritt said he still is committed to seeing a conviction and appropriate sentence on a charge of murder, not manslaughter. There is often a delay between criminal charges being filed against an officer in a police shooting and a firing. But not always. Former officer Roy Oliver was fired by the smaller, neighboring department of Balch Springs three days after he shot and killed 15-year-old Jordan Edwards last year. He has since been sentenced to 15 years on a murder conviction. And Dallas itself has fired officers within weeks of police shootings, though one officer who was fired was rehired after a grand jury declined to indict him. In this case, however, Guyger’s continued employment sparked protests in Dallas and became a flashpoint in the U.S. Senate race between Republican incumbent Ted Cruz and O’Rourke.
MARCUS USED TO STAY LATE AT SCHOOL TO WORK ON HIS HISTORY REPORT.
New Cadence Bank branch
NOW HE DOES HIS RESEARCH FROM HIS BEDROOM.
Cadence Bank celebrated the grand opening of its newest branch at Palm Center in Southeast Houston with the support of several city and community leaders. The bank also presented the Credit Coalition with a $1,000 donation toward their mission of supporting economic growth throughout the Houston area. Pictured (l to r) are: John Klipka, Cadence Bank Texas retail executive; Mark Washington, Cadence Bank Community Reinvestment Act manager; Marlon Mitchell, Houston Business Development, Inc; David Vasquez, Cadence’s Palm Center branch manager; Paul Murphy, Cadence Bancorporation chairman and CEO; John Guess, the Guess Group, Inc.; Carol Guess; Hank Holmes, Cadence Bank president; Jeffery Wallace, Greater Houston Black Chamber; Valerie Toalson, Cadence Bank T:4.79” CFO; and Sam Tortorici, Cadence Bank CEO.
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SEPTEMBER 27 | 2018 | DEFENDER
Bill Cosby, known to an older generation as the patriarch on “The Cosby Show,” was sentenced to three to 10 years in prison on Sept. 25 for sexual assault.
Cosby legacy reveals generational divide Associated Press
Keon McGuire has no real attachment to Bill Cosby or his landmark show. As a Black man, he’s aware of the sitcom’s place in pop culture, but he was barely in elementary school when “The Cosby Show” went off the air. Years later, he mostly tuned Cosby out after a widely panned speech to the NAACP in 2004, when the star ranted about Black mothers, clothing choices and language. “That for me was kind of an emotional – I won’t say reckoning – but it made me reposition how I felt about Bill Cosby as this figure within the larger representation of Black leadership,” said McGuire, a 32-yearold education professor at Arizona State University. McGuire’s mindset reflects a broader generational divide over Cosby, who received three to 10 years in prison recently for drugging and molesting a woman. The sentence marks the final chapter of the 81-year-old entertainer’s resounding fall from grace. Those who grew up viewing Cosby’s NBC show struggle to reconcile the conviction with the wise, warm television father they knew. But many millennials see him as long-irrelevant figure, and the #MeToo era has cast him as someone who was deservingly vanquished, like so many other misbehaving men in power.
“The generational gap plays a huge role in the contrasting, at times conflicting, views of Cosby’s cultural importance,” said Michael Eric Dyson, a sociologist at Georgetown University. “Those of us who are older have memories of Cosby as a cultural ambassador, a Black icon and an American hero.” Jon Francois, a 26-yearold radio deejay in Lyndonville, Vt., was too young to have grown up with “The Cosby Show.” He became a fan as a child when he found his parents watching reruns on cable. He didn’t see it as a rarity until he later compared the show to older sitcoms that depicted the Black experience as more lower-class. Cosby’s Cliff Huxtable was a doctor and his wife, Clair, a lawyer in New York City. When sexual assault allegations started to surface against Cosby in large numbers, Francois said, younger relatives were more objective about it. The claims by women were too much to ignore. But his mother and aunt had the hardest time believing the accusations. The entire ordeal leaves him with mixed emotions – mostly sadness and disappointment. “If all this sexual assault stuff didn’t happen, he could have retired and went off into the sunset and had this great legacy left behind as a groundbreaking comedian-actor who paved the way for so many AfricanAmericans,” Francois said.
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DEFENDER | SEPTEMBER 27 | 2018 defendernetwork.com
Meetings gauge post-Harvey trauma in kids Defender News Services
Mayor Sylvester Turner joined Houston mental health and education leaders to announce “Community Conversations: Harvey, Trauma and Helping Our Kids Cope,” a series of neighborhood meetings for parents, students, community members, educators and clinicians to discuss gaps in mental health services for children so local advocates can work together to create communitybased solutions. A collaboration among UNICEF USA, the Center for School Behavioral Health at Mental Health America of Greater Houston and the Mayor’s Office of Education, the meetings will be held in each City Council district in coming months. Trauma typically peaks 18 months after a natural disaster and can last for two to five years. Turner said that the city heard from teachers and school-based mental health professionals that trauma is impeding success in the classroom for many students and that more needs to be done to address it. “During the past year I’ve continuMayor Sylvester Turner ally emphasized the importance of helping the city become more resilient,” Turner said. “Helping children recover from the trauma and stress of Hurricane Harvey is an important element of this effort. “Since many of these children have experienced various types of trauma even before the storm, what we learn from these community conversations will help us build back from Harvey but also build forward to ensure we have healthy minds in our classrooms,” he said. Janet Pozmantier, director of the Center for School Behavioral Health, said research has shown that more than two-thirds of children report at least one traumatic event by age 16. “Because of Harvey, many local youth now have had multiple childhood traumatic events,” she said. “It’s crucial that we take the time now to connect with important stakeholders in the community to learn about specific gaps in mental health services to effectively advocate for and develop beneficial resources.” Pozmantier added that during the meetings, experts will discuss signs and symptoms of trauma. Their greatest interest is in hearing first-hand from the public about the social and emotional challenges that are affecting children and any difficulty they are having finding resources to address those challenges. Meetings will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. on the following dates: • Oct. 2 – District C: West-End Multi-Service Center, 170 Heights • Oct. 3 – District J: Southwest Multi-Service Center, 6400 High Star • Oct. 9 – District F: Alief Community Center, 11903 Bellaire
• Oct. 11 – District B: Kashmere MultiService Center, 4802 Lockwood • Oct. 17 – District G: HCC Alief Hayes Campus, 2811 Hayes • Oct. 18 - District H: HCC Northline Campus, 8001 Fulton • Oct. 23 – District A: Region 4 Education Center, 7145 W. Tidwell • Nov. 1 – District E: Kingwood Community Center, 4102 Rustic Woods • Nov. 6 – District K: Stimley-Blue Ridge Library, 7007 W. Fuqua To RSVP visit https://www.eventbrite. com/e/community-conversations-harveytrauma-and-helping-our-kids-cope-tickets-49864365660
classifieds ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
HOUSTON DOWNTOWN MANAGEMENT DISTRICT 1313 Main Renovations The Houston Downtown Management District (the “Downtown District”) will receive sealed bids for the 1313 Main Renovations, located in Downtown Houston, Texas. Bids will be received until 11:00 AM, local time on Thursday, October 25, 2018 by the Director of Construction, Downtown District, 2 Houston Center, 909 Fannin, Suite 1650, Houston, Texas 77010. Bids received after this time will not be accepted.
Beginning Thursday, October 4, 2018, Bid Documents will be available for pickup at 909 Fannin, Suite 1650, Houston, Texas 77010. Bid Documents may also be examined at the Minority Business Development Agency Business Center (2302 Fannin Street, Suite 165, Houston, TX 77002) or viewed online at isqft.com. A MANDATORY Pre-bid Conference will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, October 09, 2018, at the project location at 1313 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77002. All bidders (general contractors) are invited to attend. Bids will be ruled non-responsive if received from a bidder who did not attend the Pre-bid Conference. Late arrivals will not be admitted to the Pre-bid Conference.
NOTICE TO BIDDERS Bidders are invited to submit an offer for performance of a Unit Price Contract to STRATUS KINGWOOD PLACE, L.P., located at the above address, for the following construction Project, PROPOSED ROCK CREEK DRIVE AND NORTHPARK DRIVE ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS AND TRAFFIC SIGNAL, Project Number: 0340.10.002-B, located in the CITY OF HOUSTON, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TEXAS Bid Documents may be obtained from GURROLA REPROGRAPHICS, INC. located at 6161 WASHINGTON AVE, HOUSTON, TX 77007 from Monday to Friday between the hours of 9AM and 5PM. Bidders must reference project title and project number to order plans. Bidders will be responsible for any production costs. Bid Documents are made available only for the purpose of obtaining offers for this Project and does not grant a license for other purposes.
A NONMANDATORY pre-bid conference for bidders is scheduled to be held at 2:00PM local time, on OCTOBER 2 2018. All bidders (General Contractors, Subcontractors, and Suppliers) are invited to attend. The pre-bid conference will convene at 2500 SUMMER STREET, SUITE 2100, HOUSTON, TX 77007. Sealed bids signed by an officer of the company and dated will be received by SHAUN THERIOT-SMITH, PROJECT MANAGER, at 2500 SUMMER STREET, SUITE 2100, HOUSTON, TX 77007 until 2:00PM local time, on OCTOBER 9 2018. Bids shall be accompanied by a security deposit in the form of a Cashier’s Check or Bidders Bond in the amount of not less than five percent (5%) of the bid submitted. The successful bidder must furnish Payment and Performance Bonds on the forms provided in the amount of one-hundred percent (100%) each of the total Contract Price. The above described construction will be performed in accordance with plans and specifications and any addenda thereto which may be issued up to forty-eight (48) hours prior to opening of bids.
Hotel Asset Manager RFQ Houston First Corporation requests Statements of Qualification from firms with significant experience providing asset management services and oversight of large convention center hotels. Please visit https://www.houstonfirst.com/do-business for full details.
NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS Sealed bids, in duplicate, addressed to Greater Southeast Management District will be received at 5445 Almeda Rd, #503, Houston, TX 77004, until 2:00 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2018. Bids will be publicly opened and read at 2:05 PM on Tuesday, October 2, 2018 to provide District Landscape Maintenance and Repair. CD’s can be picked up free of charge at the District’s office at 5445 Almeda Rd, #503, Houston, TX 77004 or at M2L Associates Inc., 8955 Katy Freeway, Suite 300 Houston, Texas 77040. The right is reserved, as the interest of the District may require, to reject any and all bids, and to waive any informality in bids received. A non-mandatory pre-bid conference will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at the District’s office noted above. Additionally, prospective bidders may submit questions per the requirements of the bid documents. Only those bidders that sign for and pickup bid documents at one of the addresses noted above will receive addenda or the bid information.
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
LANDSCAPE DESIGN CONSULTANTS FOR SOUTHERN DOWNTOWN PARK IN
DOWNTOWN, HOUSTON FOR THE DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY / TIRZ NO.3 The Downtown Redevelopment Authority (the “Authority”) will receive Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) from design consultants for the preparation and issuance of sealed construction and bidding documents for a Southern Downtown Park in Downtown Houston, Texas. Statements of Qualifications will be received until 2:00 P.M., local time on Wednesday, October 17, 2018, by Ryan Leach, Executive Director, Downtown Redevelopment Authority, 2 Houston Center, 909 Fannin, Suite 1650, Houston, Texas 77010. Qualifications received after this time will not be accepted. Respective of this advertisement, telephone, mail, email queries or requests for information will not be addressed by the Authority.
Beginning Monday, September 24, 2018, this project’s Request for Qualifications (RFQ) may be reviewed and downloaded as an electronic file from the Authority’s website: http://www.downtowntirz.com. A mandatory Qualifications Pre-submittal Conference is scheduled for 2:00 PM, Tuesday, October 2, 2018, to be held at the Authority’s offices. Following this conference, queries or requests for information will be addressed by the Authority, pursuant to the instructions provided in the RFQ. Based on the Qualifications submitted, an evaluation and selection committee will identify up to three qualifying consultants for a second-stage interview to be held in late-October. The Authority will award the contract to the selected consultant based on the qualifications and interview performance.
defendernetwork.com
SEPTEMBER 27 | 2018 | DEFENDER
Tiger Woods comes back with a victory Associated Press
Tiger Woods, in his Sunday red shirt, raised both arms in victory on the 18th green. For so many years, the scene was familiar. This time, it was surreal. “I can’t believe I pulled this off,” Woods said during the trophy presentation at the Tour Championship, where he gave thousands of delirious fans at East Lake, and millions more around the world, what they wanted to see, and what they thought they might never see again. And at that moment, Woods was overcome with emotion and paused. After two back surgeries six weeks apart, he couldn’t lie down, sit or walk without pain. Golf was the least of his concerns, so much that he once said Golf great Tiger anything else he achieved would Woods celebrated be “gravy.” his first victory One year ago, while recoverin more than five years. ing from a fourth back surgery, he still had no idea if he could come back to the highest level of golf. “Just to be able to compete and play again this year, that’s a hell of a comeback,” he said. Woods delivered the perfect ending to his amazing return from back surgeries with a performance out of the past. He left the com-
petition feeling hopeless as he built a five-shot lead early and then hung on for a 1-over 71 and a two-shot victory over Billy Horschel. It was the 80th victory of his PGA Tour, two short of the career record held by Sam Snead that is now very much in play. And it was his first victory in more than five years, dating to the 2013 Bridgestone Invitational. And that brought a new version of Tigermania. After he hit his second shot to the par-5 18th safely in a bunker in front of the green, the crowd came through the ropes and followed behind in a chaotic celebration. It was like that when he walked from the left side of the 18th fairway at the 1997 Masters he won by 12. This was pure pandemonium. Fans chased after any inch of grass they could find to watch the ending. “I didn’t want to get run over,” Woods said with a laugh. Woods played only one PGA Tour event over two seasons because of his back. Off the golf course, he had to overcome the embarrassment of a DUI arrest in the early morning of Memorial Day in 2017 when he was found asleep at the wheel, later found to have a concoction of pain medication in his system. The next stop for Woods is to board a plane with the rest of his U.S. teammates for France and the Ryder Cup.
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DEFENDER | SEPTEMBER 27 | 2018
sports
defendernetwork.com
PVIL LEGACY
captured in football exhibit
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The 1954 Thanksgiving Day showdown between Wheatley and Yates High Schools was standing-room only and is featured in the PVIL exhibit.
By MAX EDISON Defender
or many sports fans north of 50 years old, the Prairie View Interscholastic League conjures a tidal wave of memories about the way we were. From 1920 to 1970 the PVIL was the governing body for academic, athletic and band competitions for Black high school students in Texas. During segregation, the PVIL produced an outstanding array of coaches, athletes, students and citizens. To help preserve the memories created by the PVIL, a unique art exhibit is coming to Houston to showcase this glorious period in Texas history. The project is the brainchild of Cypress area artist/graphic designer Randy Foltin. It celebrates the history of Black Texas high school football and underscores the organization’s theme, “Remembering the Past with Pride.” “During the tenure of PVIL, particularly in sports, Black high schools in Texas produced a phenomenal quality of athlete in all sports,” Foltin said. “Unfortunately, after desegregation with the exception of five schools in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and five schools in Houston, all those schools were disbanded and closed. Unceremoniously many have been subjected to the wrecking ball and with it, so many artifacts, records, awards and history.” Foltin explained how he became involved with PVIL. “A few years ago, I met Robert Brown who is the chair of the PVIL Coaches Association. They are an alumni group of former coaches, administrators, teachers, athletes, etc. After he shared with me the incredible history of PVIL, I knew I wanted to do something to help preserve that rich legacy. “The essence of what we came up with is a history of PVIL football through art work,” Foltin continued. “It is a fixed artistic representation that not only attracts viewers to it through graphics, but by including photographs of teams and hall of fame players. This will create a permanent cultural record.” Foltin’s visual creation not only features the gridiron aspect of the PVIL experience, but the pageantry of the entire experience. “PVIL football is certainly about football, but it also is about the total experience – the music which was contemporary for the period, the marching bands, drum majors, cheerleaders and majorettes. Just a phenomenal display of showmanship and entertainment. You’re hard-pressed to find any film from these events, so the artwork brings that into play as well.” A pictorial documentary of sorts, the exhibit is titled “Jazz ‘N Blues: The Music of PVIL Football,” and consists of some 25 visuals. “As the name implies we have artwork that focuses not only on football, but the music of the various periods,” Foltin said. “We feature jazz and blues from artists that were popular during the PVIL time frame – prominent local artists like Eddie Vinson, a Yates product [and] other artists like Arnett Cobb and Illinois Jacquet who were from Wheatley High School. “This project is the culmination of eight years of work, six years in planning, with two years of production,” Foltin said. “We want to tell a story and we want to draw people into the story. The display is more than just a collection of photographs, but a combination of state-of-the-art graphics, combined with photographs.
The 1967 Hallsville Galilee High School team featured Robert Newhouse (second from right), future University of Houston and Dallas Cowboys star running back.
Jerry LeVias of Beaumont Hebert High School was the first Black player recruited for the Southwest Conference.
What: Prairie View Interscholastic League exhibit When: Saturday, Oct. 6, 3-6:30 p.m. Where: Christians Tailgate Sports Bar, 1312 Congress
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defendernetwork.com
SEPTEMBER 27 | 2018 | DEFENDER
h.s. sports
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Teammates congratulate Achane after the game.
The Real Deal
Achane ran for 210 yards in an overtime thriller against Manvel.
DEVON ACHANE “Devon is a great guy,” Williams said. “He’s a great young man who is humble. He doesn’t want a lot of ort Bend Marshall High limelight. He doesn’t want to School has something do a bunch of interviews. He special in junior runjust wants to play football.” ning back and wide With dreams of colreceiver Devon lege and a career in the Achane. His performance on NFL, Achane works hard the gridiron this season has been mentally and physically. impressive as he racks up his “I try to find the stats. As a sophomore, Achane open holes and make the recorded 1,694 total yards and right reads off the right 23 touchdowns. This year Achane blocks,” he said. “I feel I may double that stat if he continues to really fit in as a Marshall Buff put up the numbers he compiled recently and give all the credit to my against Manvel. offensive linemen who did a Devon Achane is a multi-talented Achane ran for 210 yards and five really good job and helped playmaker for Fort Bend Marshall. touchdowns along with two kickoff return me out today. I am just touchdowns of 88 and 73 yards. The game proud of this team that played a great game today. went into overtime with Achane’s final touchdown and All credit to the o-line and coaches.” Achane has high hopes when it comes to his team and himself. DefenderNetwork.com “My expectations are that we comSee highlights of Fort Bend pete every day in practice trying to get Marshall vs. Manvel and past the first round of the playoffs Wheatley vs. Kashmere because that’s where we have been in the past two years,” he said. “So, this year we just come and two-point conversion sealing a 52-51 victory for the work harder every day to get to state…My Marshall Buffs against the Manvel Mavericks. personal expectations are to lead my team Achane admits he loves football. to get to state and be as useful as I can.” “It’s fun and I like the game. It keeps me acAchane and the Buffs hope to keep their perfect tive,” he said. record going as they face Houston Sterling Sept. 29 at 6 Marshall head coach James Williams thinks highly p.m. at Edward Mercer Stadium. of Achane.
By JODIE B. JILES Defender
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About Achane
Positions: Running back, receiver, wildcat quarterback Class: 2020 Current college offers: University of Houston, Southern Methodist University Favorite food: Lasagna Favorite subject: Algebra NFL player he likes to watch: Saquon Barkley, NY Giants Awards: District 23-5A co-offensive MVP (sophomore), Dave Campbell Texas Football District 11-5A preseason offensive MVP (junior)
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DEFENDER | SEPTEMBER 27 | 2018
defendernetwork.com
Happening in Houston For event coverage email: events@defendermediagroup.com
topevents
BLACK GIRLS CODE HOUSTON ROBOT EXPO……..The Houston Chapter of through financial contributions, events and advocacy in the philanthropic community. Black Girls Code recently hosted Robot Expo, a day-long workshop that provided girls At the event special remarks were given by Dr. Mark Kline, TCH’s physician-in7-17 with exposure to all things robots. Event organizer Caitlin LaFleur welcomed chief, and Michelle Riley-Brown, TCH’s executive VP. Other attendees included the young women and volunteer teachers alike to the Houston Community College Fanny Brown, Loran Gadson, Ben Hall, Diana Gross, Pastor Manson Johnson Southeast Campus where participants learned about robots and how they communicate, and many more……..REAL BEAUTY REAL WOMEN INNOVATION HUB engaged in hands-on activities, interacted with sophisticated robots, and learned realOPENING……..Real Beauty Real Women (RBRW) celebrated the official launch world/business applications and use for robotics. Attendees included Tiffany Harris, of the RBRW Innovation Hub located inside the Social Graces Social Club’s facilities Edna Navarro, Khloe Glass, Carrington and Sheridan Burke, (1201 Fannin). The mission of RBRW Foundation is to break the Rebecca Ware, Nyssa Korto, Wanjun Zhang, Dominique Defender TOP EVENTS cycle of violence, poverty, homelessness and abuse impacting women Rice, Maurice Maltbia, Reese Silas, Alexandria Leassear, and children by merging beauty, glamour and entertainment with More photos on defendernetwork.com Melissa Buie and many others……..AMBASSADORS FOR social responsibility and innovation. RBRW director Jacquelyn TEXAS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL……..Carolyn and Willie Aluotto welcomed special guests and honorees including Hollywood Alexander, Charlene and Tym Tombar and Defender CEO Sonny Messiah Jiles and actor Luis Guzman, Farah Zulaikha (a U.N. ambassador against sex trafficking), Ashlee Ray (TV & SiriusXM radio personality), anti-sex trafficking activist Kathy community leader Jodie Jiles hosted a cocktail reception to introduce the public to the Ambassadors for Texas Children’s Hospital (TCH). Ambassadors for TCH are socially Griffin-Grinan, Bishop James Dixon, RBRW VP Anika Jackson-Reddick, Dr. engaged individuals who share a dedication to the mission of the hospital. Ambassadors Shellie Hipsky, Savannah Blue, Kirsten Fenrick, Sarni Jaye, Phyllis Bailey, Billy Dorsey and more. serve as a voice for sick and injured children and help support the work of the hospital
Alexandria Leassear, Reese Silas, Crystal Conigland
Jodie Jiles, James Brown, Pastor Manson Johnson, Tym Tombar
Luis Guzman, Jacquelyn Aluotto
Dominique Rice, Maurice Maltbia, Carolyn Vasisko
Sonny Messiah Jiles, Michelle Riley-Brown
Sarni Jaye, Ashlee Ray
Khloe Glass, Carrington Burke, Sheridan Burke, Rebecca Ware
Jeff Webber, Kethia Webber, Willie Alexander
Kristen Fenrick, Anika Jackson-Reddick
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