Homecoming
SCHOOL SPIRIT EQUALS BIG BUSINESS FOR HBCUs
FEATURE
SPORTS
HOUSTON PASTORS
CORYN FIELDS
This future Alabama State University student is leading Madison volleyball.
Local faith leaders discuss the pros and cons of data centers in Black communities. Volume 95, issue 52 October 15, 2026
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DN To the POINT Let’s debunk misconceptions around Black fathers and outline tangible policy differences between political parties to encourage informed voting. Credit: LaShawn Dobbs/ Unsplash.
Message from the Associate Editor to the Democrats, Black farmWith college football cookers were able to get a $5 billion ing, the NFL moving into the set-aside to help confront the second quarter of its season, myriad of issues they’ve faced and the NBA throwing up the for decades due to racist U.S. first jump ball of the 2026-27 Dept. of Agriculture policies. season, it’s also another season Then Republicans organized we need to be aware of—Black white farmers to sue to block Father misinformation season. that relief. Right now, we have Sportscasters (and their neta whole crop of Gen Z students works) seem almost bound by begging online for money to Aswad Walker law to mention “50-‘leven milhelp them finish their degrees lion” times when an athlete grew up with a single because those educational funds that the Dems mom. Big shout-out to the single moms. But fought for were cut by the Republicans, pricing when this narrative is preached like gospel, as if tens of thousands out of a viable future. Young good Black fathers don’t exist, the world believes grads hoped to start businesses and buy homes it, including us. What’s crazy is, research con- when Dems canceled student loan debt. But ducted by the U.S. government has shown that Trump and crew came in and ended that, so the Black fathers are the most active and engaged rich could get richer. There are Blackfolk galore in their children’s lives than any other fathers. who don’t have housing access under Trump’s But because this misinformation is preached rule, while Kamala Harris had $25K waiting religiously (especially when watching sports), for anyone in need of down payment closing we accept it as fact—even when we see Black cost assistance. Harris also planned to invest in fathers all around us taking care of business, the construction of an additional three million loving, protecting, teaching, and providing housing units. Conversely, the Republicans are for their children. So, the next time you hear allowing private equity and corporations to buy a sportscaster bring up the “He/she was raised up all the single-family housing so they can then by a single mother” line as if that fact is critical turn around and rent them to us at unaffordto that athlete’s ability to make game-changing able prices. Under Biden/Harris, the Child Tax plays, remember: They’re not going to stop with Credit was enacted, giving every family below a the misinformation. We’ve got to be louder with certain income level a monthly check per child the truth. to feed them. And Harris said, if elected, she’d give people with newborns $6,000 in the first Tangible differences year of life, and continue the Child Tax Credit Some people swear the Democrats and because it cut the poverty for Black children in Republicans are different wings on the same half. The GOP, however, killed that. bird, or different sides of the same coin. But, there are real, tangible, “impact you personally Vote in your wallet” type differences. Folks, how There are real-world differences between the many people in Texas are without healthcare parties. So, when you go vote (early voting starts coverage because this Republican-led state Oct. 19), vote for the candidate that is going to didn’t expand Medicaid? About five million. help your community the most or hurt your How many dropped their coverage at the begin- community the least. Your vote hires the person ning of 2026? Roughly 1.5 million. Under the who decides which neighborhoods get the best Biden/Harris administration, Black people in resources, and which ones get garbage. Lowndes County, Alabama, had reached a settlement they had been fighting for since long ON THE WEB before that administration, to make sure their • Is the N-word still considered a term of backyards weren’t going to be swimming in endearment? sewage from the entire community every time • 7 ways Black Houstonians are getting it rains. The Democrats approved the deal and played. funding to fix the problem, but the Republicans • Bellaire senior, Cameron Johnson makes came in and killed it, calling it “woke.” Thanks most of unexpected opportunity. Stand for Black fathers
October 15, 2026 |
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DN Education
HISD takeover ‘Diminished, degraded, destroyed’ schools CITIZEN COMMISSION REPORT
By Tannistha Sinha
More than three years after the Texas Education Agency took control of Houston ISD, a commission comprising elected officials and academics says the takeover has weakened the district’s finances, driven educators out of classrooms, strained relationships with families, and stripped local communities of a voice in their schools. In an 81-page report, the Commission on the HISD Takeover stated that the state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles and his sweeping New Education System reforms “diminished, degraded, and destroyed” the school district. Drawing on a year of public hearings and testimony from teachers (both current and former district employees and parents, the commission pointed to issues HISD is facing, exacerbated by an erosion of local oversight. It also called for legislative changes that would make state takeovers more difficult to initiate and give communities greater authority over when they end. The report focused on five findings, mainly, that the state takeover “diminished” the curriculum, “dismantled” relationships, “demeaned” educators, “destroyed” democratic governance, and “degraded” HISD finances. “Schools have been closed, experienced teachers and administrators have been pushed out and unfairly fired, and the enrollment continues to drop,” said State Rep. Lauren Ashley Simmons, who is also a co-chair of the commission, during a press conference on Oct. 8. “This takeover was never meant to cater to our kids.” Alongside HISD, the TEA has expanded its intervention plans to four other school districts in the state: Beaumont, Connally, Fort Worth, and Lake Worth ISDs. Moreover, based on the 2026 accountability ratings, Austin ISD is on the verge of a takeover. Commission findings: The state takeover “diminished” the curriculum: Per the report, HISD focused on test preparation over learning time, failed to make
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The HISD commission gathered testimony from teachers, parents, and district staff during a year of public hearings. Credit: Tannistha Sinha/ Defender.
appropriate accommodations for special education students, and limited students’ access to libraries and books. A dismantling of relationships: The report claimed that HISD “severed bonds” among students, educators, and families. “This, in turn, eroded the relationships that sustain healthy school communities, which provoked profound grief and loss over schools that became unrecognizable,” the report reads. Demeaning educators: Referring to “intensive surveillance in classrooms,” the report claimed that teachers were subjected to degradation by HISD management and to an environment characterized by “fear and disrespect”. Destruction of democratic governance: The authors of the report observed that by installing a state-appointed superintendent and board of managers, the takeover removed local representation and, in turn, “meaningful opportunities for community engagement and constrained families’ influence over decisions affecting their children’s schools.” Degradation of HISD finances: Per the commission, the takeover led to “weakened financial controls”, including wasteful spending and unmonitored conflicts of interest.
Commission recommendations: Classroom reforms: Replace Miles’ reforms with research-backed, non-AI-dependent curricula, more books, library access and certified librarians in every school. Miles, who is not currently a certified superintendent, was asked to seek certification. In June, HISD sought a certification waiver for him a year after it was required, allowing him to lead the school district without the required qualification. Stricter state takeover requirements: Require a pattern of underperformance across multiple schools, rather than five consecutive failing ratings at one school, to trigger state intervention. Currently, Mike Morath, the TEA Commissioner, has the sole authority to determine whether a takeover should end. Instead, the power should rest in the hands of local leaders, the HISD commission recommends, through a referendum. Limits on state authority: Preserve local leaders’ governing powers, restrict state-appointed officials’ authority over school closures, property sales and academic programs. It adds that lawmakers should define the mandates for the commissioner’s powers
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regarding community engagement, and that state-appointed superintendents’ salaries should be paid by the state, not from local funding sources. Daniel Dawer, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Texas at Austin, said the commission held three listening sessions last year, during which it aggregated testimony from HISD teachers and parents. He added that the number of teacher and principal removals, coupled with changes in access for families to their schools, removed the relationships that sustain healthy school communities. “This erosion of the glue holding together community schools provoked profound feelings of grief and loss over schools that may have stayed open, but in many cases became unrecognizable,” Dawer said. Commission claims: The observations on HISD comprise the most specific claims. Miles asked the board in December 2024 to approve doubling the 2024-25 deficit from $125 million to $250 million, and it eventually reached $520 million, the report says. The number of administrators earning more than $200,000 rose from 22 to 45. The report says Miles spent over $97 million by March 2024 on furniture and equipment for NES schools, including adult-sized spin bikes that stayed in their boxes. It also cites roughly $870 million in purchase agreements that lacked board approval until the board approved them retroactively, and nearly $12 million in donations accepted the same way. Outside legal spending rose from $1.3 million in 2023 to $2.9 million in 2024 and and $2.6 million in 2025, after the superintendent gained authority to hire attorneys without board sign-off. The report also revisits the failed $4.4 billion bond proposal of 2024, which voters rejected 60%-40%. It says the district spent more than $1.48 million on public relations around that campaign, and notes that the Texas attorney general’s office raised electioneering concerns.
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DN ON SOCIAL THE WEB VOTE 2026
What’s on the ballot? A guide to midterm elections
By Tannistha Sinha
The midterms are just around the corner. Harris County voters will cast their ballots for dozens of races during the early voting period beginning Oct. 19 to Oct. 30, and on Election Day on Nov. 3. The races range from the closely watched U.S. Senate race to local court races. Since Texas underwent redistricting in 2025, which changed its legislative maps, and Harris County holds its court elections on a county-wide basis, the ballot is expected to be long. But here is a rundown, organized the way it appears on a typical ballot, along with the candidates, so that you are prepared to vote. Offices that include congressional districts or commissioners depend on the address. Harrisvotes.com is a resource to confirm personal ballots.
FEDERAL RACES U.S. Senate Ken Paxton (R) vs. James Talarico (D), plus several other party candidates. U.S. Senator John Cornyn lost the Republican nomination to Paxton in a May runoff after President Donald Trump endorsed Paxton late in the race. Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett lost the primary race to Talarico. U.S. House, District 18 (central and north Houston): Congressman Christian Menefee (D), the incumbent who won a January special election and then a primary runoff against fellow Rep. Al Green, faces Ronald Whitfield (R).
STATEWIDE EXECUTIVE OFFICES Governor: Greg Abbott (R, incumbent, seeking a fourth term) vs. Gina Hinojosa (D), plus Libertarian Pat Dixon and four independent candidates Lieutenant Governor: Dan Patrick (R, incumbent) vs. Vikki Goodwin (D) Attorney General: Mayes Middleton (R) vs. Nathan Johnson (D) and Tom Oxford from the Libertarian Party, an open seat since Paxton
ran for Senate Comptroller of Public Accounts: Don Huffines (R) vs. Sarah Eckhardt (D) Land Commissioner: Dawn Buckingham (R, incumbent) vs. Benjamin Flores (D) Agriculture Commissioner: Nate Sheets (R), who upset longtime incumbent Sid Miller in the primary, vs. Clayton Tucker (D) Railroad Commissioner: Bo French (R) vs. Jon Rosenthal (D) State Board of Education, District 4 (special election for an unexpired term): Tammie Nielsen (R, incumbent by appointment) vs. Coretta Mallet-Fontenot (D)
STATE LEGISLATURE Texas House, District 147: Jolanda Jones (D, incumbent) vs. Theodis Daniel (R)
TEXAS SUPREME COURT AND COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS Supreme Court, Place 1 (Chief Justice): Jimmy Blacklock (R, incumbent) vs. Maggie Ellis (D) Supreme Court, Place 2 (special, unexpired term): James Sullivan (R, incumbent) vs. Chari Kelly (D)
VOLUME 95, NUMBER 52 - OCTOBER 15, 2026 The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender News- paper 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 2025 copyright. No materials herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the Publisher. 713-663-6996 | P.O. Box 8005, Houston, TX 77288
Harris County voters will decide races at nearly every level of government in the 2026 midterms. Credit: Getty Images. Supreme Court, Place 7: Kyle Hawkins (R, incumbent) vs. Kristen Hawkins (D) Supreme Court, Place 8: Brett Busby (R, incumbent) vs. Gisela Triana (D) Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 3: Thomas Smith (R) vs. Okey Anyiam (D)
Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 4: Kevin Patrick Yeary (R, incumbent) vs. Audra Riley (D) Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 9: John Messinger (R) vs. Holly Taylor (D)
Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles
Content Manager Terrance Harris
Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles
Associate Editor Aswad Walker
Managing Editor ReShonda Tate
Culture/Lifestyle Reporter Laura Onyeneho
Continued on page 5
Special Assignments Reporter Tannistha Sinha Sports Terrance Harris Jimmie Aggison Video Editor Bryan Erdy
October 15, 2026 |
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| 5
DN ON SOCIAL THE WEB VOTE 2026 Continued from page 4
COURTS OF APPEALS SERVING HARRIS COUNTY 15th Court of Appeals (a new statewide civil court created in 2023, based in Austin): Chief Justice: Scott Brister (R, incumbent) vs. Jerry Zimmerer (D)
14TH COURT OF APPEALS
against Steve Radack (R), who
(HOUSTON-BASED):
previously served as Precinct 3
Chief Justice: Kevin Jewell (R) vs.
commissioner for more than 30
Sarah Beth Landau (D) Place 7: Ken Wise (R, incumbent) vs. William Demond (D)
Place 3: April Farris (R, incumbent) vs. Marc Meyer (D) First Court of Appeals (Houstonbased): Place 3: Veronica Rivas-Molloy (D, incumbent) vs. Todd Frankfort (R) Place 4 (special, unexpired term): David Gunn (R, incumbent) vs. Julie Countiss (D) Place 5: Amparo Guerra (D,
County Judge: Letitia Plummer (D), a former Houston city Democratic runoff over Annise (R), a former county treasurer and Houston mayoral candidate. Incumbent Lina Hidalgo is not seeking a third term.
This seat opened when Christian County Clerk: Teneshia Hudspeth (D, incumbent) vs. Mike Wolfe (R) District Clerk: Darrell Jordan Jr. (D) vs. Chris Daniel (R). Incumbent Marilyn Burgess is not seeking re-election. County Treasurer: Carla Wyatt (D,
Precinct 2: Adrian Garcia (D), former Harris County Sheriff and
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Houston City Council Member,
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
running for a third term against
Position 7, At-Large: Silky Joshi-
Richard Vega (R), a pastor and
Malik (D, incumbent) vs. Denise
Army veteran.
Dick (R)
running for a second term
Oct. 19-30
ELECTION DAY Tues., Nov. 3
Ballot information www.HarrisVotes.com
Menefee left to run for Congress.
incumbent) vs. Marc Cowart (R)
County Commissioners
Precinct 4: Lesley Briones (D),
incumbent) vs. Jessica Caird (R)
election): Abbie Kamin (D), a vs. Jacqueline Lucci Smith (R).
HARRIS COUNTY
Parker, vs. Orlando Sanchez
vs. Tom Baker (D)
County Attorney (special Houston city council member,
council member who won a close
Place 2: Scott Field (R, incumbent)
years.
EARLY VOTING
FORT BEND COUNTY County Judge: Daniel Wong (R), the appointed interim county judge, vs. Dexter McCoy (D), the current Precinct 4 commissioner. County Commissioners Precinct 2: Grady Prestage (D), longtime incumbent, vs. Tony Aranda (R), a Marine Corps veteran. Precinct 4: April Jones (D), a business owner, vs. Ken Mathews (R), a business owner and elected Municipal Utility
Position 5, At-Large: Erica Davis (D) vs. Satraj Bal (R)
Districts (MUDs) board of directors vice president.
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DN InFocus
Homecoming
Brings generations back together By Laura Onyeneho
When Dr. Antrece Baggett marched with Texas Southern University’s Ocean of Soul band in the 1980s, homecoming came down to one weekend. “It was still a lot of fun, but we really got into it Friday and Saturday,” said Baggett, who graduated from TSU in 1992. “We did a few things on campus throughout, but the really big celebration was always that weekend.” Alumni returned to the campus that shaped them, and the School of Pharmacy and the law school held their own festivities. Money was tight. Baggett stepped away from school to marry and later returned as a divorced single parent to finish her degree. She skipped the galas, but she dressed her young daughter in TSU colors, took her to the game, and made the most of what she had. So when she returned to campus last year, the size of the celebration stopped her. “It took my breath away,” Baggett said. “It
was like the entire block was dedicated to homecoming.” As Prairie View A&M University and TSU prepare for homecoming this month, alumni say the celebration looks far different from a generation ago. Vendors line the yard, and students film nearly every moment. Whether that shift is progress or loss depends on whom you ask. PVAMU will mark its 150th anniversary during homecoming week, Oct. 11-17, ending with a game against Alcorn State at Panther Stadium. TSU’s 99th homecoming runs Oct. 18-24 and closes with a matchup against Southern University at Reliant Stadium. In Baggett’s student days, the campus bookstore and cafeteria were the main places to shop and eat during homecoming. Cameras meant that phones were hardly part of the scene. Last year, tents and vendors selling food, desserts, and TSU gear filled the grounds near the library and the College of Education.
Antrece Baggett. Courtesy: Antrece Baggett.
Lorie M. Proctor
“It’s almost like a carnival,” Baggett said. “We did not have that during the ‘80s and early ‘90s.” Many of the people celebrating were neither students nor alumni but neighbors from Third Ward, Fifth Ward, and beyond. “It looked like the city,” she said. “It looked like Black Houston was embracing Texas Southern.”
As a student, Baggett could not afford the galas. Now she plans to spend more and recently rejoined the alumni association for the third time. “We’re just glad to see that the fruits of our labor are continuing to grow through the students that we see today,” Baggett said. “We’re hoping that they love homecoming as much as we do.” Lorie M. Proctor sees homecoming through two lenses. A 2004 PVAMU graduate who reigned as Miss Prairie View, she now serves as director of the Annual Fund in the university’s Office of Development. As a freshman, Proctor wondered about the alumni in gold jackets, members of the Golden Class marking 50 years since graduation. This year’s honorees, the Class of 1976, will wear the jackets during the parade. “It became something to look forward to,” Proctor said. “Fifty years after I graduated from Prairie View, I, too, get to wear this gold jacket.” She also recalls the dust of the tailgate and
strangers feeding students as if they were family. Today, her work includes the Homecoming Giving Challenge, in which PVAMU’s nine colleges and schools compete for alumni donations. Proctor said the university sees the growing off-campus scene as an opportunity, not competition, as long as events are safe. “Prairie View doesn’t just belong to us,” she said. “It belongs to the community at large.” To draw alumni back to campus, PVAMU is leaning on its sesquicentennial, departmental events, and a football team that won the 2025 SWAC title and reached its first Celebration Bowl. Social media has also changed how the weekend is shared. “Everybody’s an ambassador, everybody’s a content creator,” Proctor said. “It’s exposed what we thought was only ours to the world.” Some of her best memories, like crowding onto Blackshear Stadium’s lone set of bleachers, were never photographed. “We made the fun,” Proctor said. “We didn’t necessarily wait for the popular rap artist to come on campus to make homecoming what it was.”
READ MORE HOMECOMING STORIES • Homecoming Is Coming Home • Homecoming Fits: When the Yard Becomes the Runway • 10 Things That Just Make Sense at an HBCU
Texas Southern University and Prairie View A&M University illustrate how HBCU homecomings create marketplaces. Credit: Texas Southern University.
School spirit equals big business By Tannistha Sinha
During Texas Southern University’s homecoming, spending extends beyond game tickets, and vendor booths. Alumni rent tents and pay decorators, creating work for Houston businesses before the celebration begins. When attendees buy university merchandise, vendor spots, game and tailgate tickets, and food during the week-long celebrations, it, in turn, pumps dollars into the local economy, according to TSU administrators. The homecoming itself becomes a concentrated marketplace, where school loyalty connects students, alumni, entrepreneurs, and corporate sponsors. Shannette Prince, TSU’s executive director of Alumni Engagement and Annual Fund, a member of TSU’s homecoming task force, said vendor participation, sponsorship opportunities, and alumni tent purchases have driven revenue increases during her two years at the university. “Those three are kind of like our revenue drivers,” Prince said. “We have companies that provide and decorate the tents. A lot of the
tailgaters, alumni tailgaters, they have caterers that provide the food.” Running the celebration carries substantial costs. Charlie W. Coleman III, TSU’s associate vice president of Development and Alumni Engagement, put the annual baseline above $500,000. Expenses include entertainment, staging, lighting, sound, security, and cleanups. “A primary focus that we have is sponsorship,” Coleman said. “So we try to remain quite budget neutral unless those investments are being made in directly impacting our students.” For sellers, participation starts with an upfront investment. TSU also seeks corporate and foundation support at the five- or six-figure level to help cover expenses. TSU’s official 2026 Vendor Village application lists $300 for a general merchandise space and $750 for a food truck or food tent on Oct. 24. Merchandise booths receive a 10-by-10-foot space. But submitting an application does not guarantee approval. Prince estimated roughly 30 to 35 vendors and anticipated more than 100 tailgaters.
The TSU Yard Fest offers a separate opportunity for student entrepreneurs, with a $25 participation option, she said. “So we want to make it affordable for them,” said Prince, explaining that the Yard Fest event is shorter and geared toward students, while Saturday [Oct. 25] brings a larger audience of students and alumni. Prince urged vendors to consider shoppers carrying purchases by hand or bags, and to offer great customer service. “Talk to folks about TSU, welcome them into your booth, talk about TSU and homecoming, and you know how happy you are that they decided to stop by and purchase from you,” she advised new vendors. The business opportunity extends into the Third Ward, where Prince said visitors patronize nearby restaurants and nightlife venues. “When people are coming into town, they typically will party at the local establishments, or they’re going to the local restaurants in that area because it’s close to campus,” Prince added. “They can park on campus and then walk to them, or catch an Uber and not be too
Shannette Prince Credit: Texas Southern University.
Charlie W. Coleman III Credit: Texas Southern University.
far away. Proximity to the university matters.” But neither administrator provided a homecoming-specific estimate of spending in the neighborhood. Coleman said TSU surveys vendors afterward about revenue and promotional exposure, then keeps businesses in consideration for later university needs. “We continue to connect and engage with those local businesses and small businesses throughout the year,” he said. Prairie View A&M’s Oct. 11-17 homecoming offers another window into the
marketplace, with opportunities for vendors. TSU’s broader economic impact provides context, with limits. The university’s economic impact report, published in June 2026 using fiscal 2023-24 data, estimates $1.6 billion in added income across Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, and Harris counties. Approximately $1.3 billion comes from alumni impact, while out-of-region visitor spending contributes $18.7 million. But they are annual estimates, not homecoming totals, and added income is not the same as gross sales. For visitors, a weekend budget resists a single price tag. Travel, accommodations, transportation, and event choices vary, Prince said. Behind those choices are months of preparation. Prince said about 25 people across finance, student affairs, fundraising, alumni engagement, policing, and risk management began planning in January. “So it’s a collaborative effort across the university,” she explained.
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DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Feature
Arts education crisis Impacts Black youth healthy development
By Laura Onyeneho
When schools cut art class, kids do not just lose an elective. They lose a lifeline. That is the message from many advocates who say the disappearance of arts programs from under-resourced public schools is quietly costing Black children more than a creative outlet; it is costing them a way to process stress, build confidence, and simply be kids. Federal budget debates are increasingly scrutinizing the National Endowment for the Arts and Title IV-A K-12 funding, exacerbating disparities. The 2025 State of the Arts Report from Dr. Cashuna the Texas Cultural Huddleston Trust reveals Texas ranks 43rd in public arts funding, contributing only $0.46 per citizen, far below the national median of $2.02. This leaves Texas local arts organizations and school districts with a severe lack of baseline state support. High-poverty urban schools, primarily serving Black and Hispanic students, are the first to experience cuts when resources are limited. Dr. Cashuna Huddleston, a licensed psychologist and owner of New Way Psychological Services in Houston, said the research matches what she sees firsthand. “We have to recognize that we’re taking away much more than an elective for a lot of these kids,” Huddleston said. “Particularly those navigating economic stress, family stress, or community violence at home.” “You may see an increase in behavioral issues or emotional issues,” she said. “Kids can turn to things that are not so healthy
for them, or get highly addicted to video games, depending on their neighborhood, if we don’t provide these outlets.” Huddleston argues that the focus on standardized testing in Texas schools has marginalized the arts, which impart essential skills that parallel those evaluated on state exams. “The absence of arts education significantly impacts children’s confidence, autonomy, and social skills during crucial developmental phases,” she said. “We want our young people to be healthy, well-rounded individuals.” Houston-based artist Briana Leandre sees the same gap from a different angle. Leandre, an engineer by training who leaned into painting after the birth of her son, said her own path might have looked different with earlier access to structured art classes. “I think a lot of people in general undervalue creative disciplines,” Leandre said. “I think it provides an emotional outlet and escape for young children. It’s a way that children can express themselves without using actual words.” “It’s a safe space that children are losing, where they have a sense of control that they may not have anywhere else in their lives,” added Leandre. Leandre said she has watched her own two children process the world differently through creative work, one through drawing and painting, the other through building. She pointed to community efforts as a partial bridge while institutions catch up. The Black Houston Creatives Network, a Houston-based professional network that works to expand access, visibility, and economic opportunity for Black creatives, runs an annual Dream in Color art supply drive that collected more than 15,000 donated art supplies in Houston last year.
Houston, Get Ready to Vote. Elections Matter.
Arts education is facing a severe crisis driven by widespread budget cuts, shifting academic priorities, and proposed federal funding eliminations. Credit: Gemini.
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DN Feature
Houston Black churches Weigh AI data center costs, accountability
“Quite frankly, I hate to say it, our Black pastors can’t slow down that train,” stated Clark. “Data centers are needed. The best we can do is regulate them as much as possible.”
By Aswad Walker
The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI) has entered the growing debate over artificial intelligence data centers with a position that is neither an outright embrace nor rejection of the technology. The coalition, which says it represents 150,000 African American and Latino faith communities, supports data-center development when projects include legally enforceable Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs). Such agreements can address environmental impacts, resource consumption, local employment, and community investment. “The church must play a constructive role of balancing the need for our members to work and pay their bills and, at the same time, promote technology that is going to enhance the quality of life for all of us,” said Rev. Anthony Evans, NBCI president. “This is why we strongly support CBAs.” But where do Houston-area Black pastors and churchgoers stand? Economic development — At what cost? For Dr. Timothy Sloan, senior pastor of The Luke Church, the answer is conditional. “I’m not opposed to data centers being located in Black communities,” Sloan said. “But I am opposed to Black communities having to bear the burden of economic development without sharing in its benefits.” Sloan said commu- Dr. Timothy nities should receive Sloan environmental protections and equitable investment when their land is used. “Technology and AI are part of our future,” he said, “but its growth shouldn’t happen at our expense.” That concern reflects a broader debate over data centers and their potential effects on nearby communities, including pollution, water use, electricity costs, and whether promised economic benefits reach local residents.
As data centers spread across Texas, Black Houston voices debate whether technological progress can deliver jobs without sacrificing affordability, health and community power. Credit: Gemini AI
Utility costs raise concerns For Dr. Keith Somerville, former pastor of Houston’s Riverside UMC and now pastor of The Village UMC in DeSoto, the immediate concern is electricity costs. “My concern with the building of data centers in African American communities is the inevitable rise in the cost of living,” Somerville said, specifically citing increased electric Dr. Keith bills. He said families Somerville already struggling with rising living costs could be particularly affected by higher energy expenses. Darnell Fennell, a University of Houston alumnus and pastor of First Christian Church Texas City, is all about equity. “My stance is for an equitable distribution of data centers,” said Fennell.
That concern mirrors findings from a 2026 University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs survey, which found that 62.9% of Houston-area respondents opposed having a data Pastor Darnell center within one mile Fennell of their homes. Energy demand was among the leading concerns. Can churches influence development? James Clark, a Houston native now living in Maryland, is skeptical about the church’s ability to slow data-center expansion. Living near one of the world’s largest concentrations of data centers, Clark cited higher electric bills, water-pressure problems, short-term construction jobs, displacement, and noise.
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Is the church talking about it? At least one Houston-area educator suggested data centers have not become a significant topic inside some congregations. “The sad part is that, for the past two weeks, I have visited churches, and they have talked about nothing political,” said Billie Jean. That silence could become more consequential as Texas attracts additional data-center investment. Houston-area residents have pushed back against proposed projects, while Missouri City has adopted zoning requirements involving special permits, public hearings, and disclosures concerning projected energy and water use. Statewide concerns include grid reliability, water consumption, and household utility costs. A seat at the table Houston’s Black church voices do not offer one unified position. Their perspectives include conditional support, demands for equitable development, concerns about utility costs, and skepticism about the church’s influence. The common thread is accountability. For Sloan, Black communities should not simply host infrastructure powering an increasingly digital economy. They should have a voice in how development occurs and a meaningful share of its benefits. That’s also the premise behind NBCI’s support for CBAs: If data centers are coming, communities should have enforceable protections and a role in determining what they receive in return. As AI expands, the question for Houston’s Black churches may be less about whether they support data centers and more about what conditions should accompany them. The fundamental questions remain: Who pays? Who benefits? And who gets a seat at the table?
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10 | October 15, 2026 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Sports THE SHOT TAKER
AVA COVERDALE Finds community, winning soccer at TSU
By Terrance Harris
While competing for the UC Davis women’s soccer program last year, Ava Coverdale realized something was missing. Sure, she was living her passion as a collegiate soccer player. But the California native, who had been exposed to little else besides her community and the sport she thrived in, came to the realization that she needed more. Not long after, a conversation between her former UC Davis coach and Texas Southern coach Danesha Adams led to Coverdale’s connection with the Tigers. Coverdale arrived on campus last January, and it has been an immediate impact both ways. “I really transferred because I wanted community,” Coverdale said recently. “I wanted to go to an HBCU to see what that was like for me, because I grew up in a very predominantly white area, so I didn’t really get the community I needed or wanted all my life.” “Here has been a lot more comforting and supportive from people who have been through the things that I’ve been through and have the experiences that I’ve experienced, as well. It’s been very supportive, and it feels like home.”
Being a leader has been one of the biggest adjustments for Ava Coverdale (9), but she is learning to embrace her role. Credit: Jimmie Aggisoin/Defender.
The junior from Tracy, California, has certainly made TSU her home. In her first two SWAC games, Coverdale has scored a team-leading six goals, which included an impressive and historic four-goal output in the conference opener against the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff (UAPB). PROFILE She followed up that perName: Ava Coverdale formance with a two-goal effort in a 2-1 win over rival Height: 5-foot-10 Prairie View this past weekClass: Junior end to lift the Tigers to a 2-0 Position: Forward record in conference play. Before Texas Southern: Played two years “I think it was a very good for the University of California-Davis. way to say ‘I’m here’ to the Highlights: SWAC,” Cover• Scored four goals in the Tigers’ dale said of SWAC-opening 8-0 win over UAPB. • Scored two goals in the next game during the 2-1 win over rival Prairie View. • Earned SWAC Offensive Player of the Week recognition in successive weeks to begin conference play. • Named SWAC Newcomer of the Week after the UAPB game.
the four goals she scored in TSU’s 8-0 win against UAPB. “It’s a new conference for me, so I’m really happy with the way I entered the SWAC and the way the team entered the SWAC. An 8-0 win. You can’t be upset with that.” It’s been in stark contrast to where she was last season, after coach Tracy Joyner, who recruited her to UC Davis, left for Oregon. Suddenly, Coverdale was under a new coach, a new system, and wondering how she fit in. The 5-foot-10 forward played in 16 games, including 10 starts, for UC Davis last season, but there was a disconnect. It also didn’t help that the team wasn’t winning, either. “I like to be on a winning team,” said Coverdale, who was named SWAC Offensive Player and Newcomer of the Week after her four-goal performance. “I’m not going to lie, I like to be on a winning team. “It was really hard to deal with having a new coach and losing all the time. So, I’m really hoping, and I know that it’s going to be way better here.” So far, after a rough non-conference run in which the Tigers won just one game, and Coverdale managed just two goals in eight games, the team seemed to find its groove in conference play, where it’s tied with Jackson State for first place in the standings. Adams gives a lot of credit for the early Credit: success to Coverdale because she has Jimmie blended in and accepted the challenge of Aggisoin/ leading a team with 14 new players. Defender. “She is probably the best player on our
team,” Adams said. “She knows that without saying it.” Coverdale is, without question, an offensive-minded player who puts up shots and shots on goal with great efficiency. Currently, she is tied for first place in the SWAC in goals (8), ranks second in the SWAC in shots (32) and points (17), and third in shots on goal (16). Adams, however, sees so much more that can be unlocked in her game as Coverdale strives for a professional soccer opportunity after college. Adams points out that while Coverdale’s four-goal effort against UAPB was outstanding, she left two goals and assists on the field. “That’s what we are working on with her. You can go affect the game in a snap of the finger, whether that is linking up, whether that’s getting shots, or taking players on,” Adams said. “But you have to consistently put yourself in position to be able to do that. Just getting her to do that more and just be more aggressive in the moments that she needs to be.” Coverdale has thoroughly appreciated and embraced the ways Adams pushes her to become an even better version of herself. “She’s probably been one of my best coaches that I’ve had in my college career,” Coverdale said. “She has built me up, developed me, just in these few months that I’ve been here, which has been great to see. It shows how great she is as a coach because a lot of coaches can’t do what she does.”
October 15, 2026 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
| 11
DN Sports MADISON H.S. SENIOR
Coryn Fields Building more than a volleyball career By Jimmie Aggison
Coryn Fields has become the player Madison High School can count on most this season. The Energy Institute High School student, who plays volleyball for Madison because her magnet school does not offer athletics, leads the team in kills per set (3.5), kills (106), blocks (25), and hitting percentage (3.333), according to the MaxPreps website. But Fields’ impact extends beyond the court. As a senior captain, she is leading Madison while preparing for the next chapter at Alabama State University, where she plans to play volleyball and study engineering. “My ability to lead Madison in stats starts with how Coach (Tiffany) Lockhart has built a team that believes in playing for each other,” said Fields. “My setters, Sara De Guia and Morgan Woodard, do a very good job at feeding me the ball at multiple positions on the court. For me, discipline in training directly translates to being able to perform on the court. Maintaining that standard helps me stay efficient in all areas of my game, especially my hitting percentage.” “She has a strong approach, accurate contact, and is consistent with tracking the ball and court awareness,” said Madison head volleyball coach Tiffany Lockhart. “As a blocker, she has good timing, reads the hitter, good footwork, and strong hand positioning.” Fields’ production is the result of years spent developing her game outside her high school. “Starting sports early taught me to put academics first and manage my time intentionally,” said Fields. “While it has been a challenge, balancing rigorous coursework with year-round volleyball, plus my extracurricular commitments, pushes me to stay organized and disciplined.” Fields attends Energy Institute High School, but because her school doesn’t offer sports, she is permitted to play volleyball for her zoned school, Madison. Fields’ love for volleyball began early, with her opportunity to play club volleyball starting in seventh grade. “Playing club volleyball pushed me to grow in every part of my game,” said Fields. “Competing at the national level exposed
me to the best athletes in the country, which helped me develop a deeper understanding of the sport and a higher skill standard.” Being surrounded by that caliber of talent challenged Fields to elevate her consistency, discipline, and competitiveness, giving her the confidence to prove to herself that she belonged at that level of play. “Coryn has gone from learning and adjusting to becoming a complete player and leader,” said Lockhart. While Fields has continued to develop as a volleyball player, she has also made academic achievement a central part of her high school career. Fields serves as Madison’s team captain and earned All-Academic and First-Team honors in her sophomore and junior seasons, an achievement she hopes to repeat in her senior season. “Being a captain in my senior season gives me the opportunity to leave a meaningful impact on our program while helping younger players grow their volleyball IQ,” said Fields. “My natural leadership style is leading by example, building team cohesion, and communicating consistently. This year, my goal is to guide our team to a district championship and push past the first round of the playoffs.” That combination of academic ambition and athletic success shaped Fields’ college search, as she targeted schools with strong engineering programs before ultimately committing to Alabama State. Fields wants to study Biomedical or Civil Engineering, making a strong engineering program an important factor in her college decision. Attending a STEM-focused high school has strengthened her interest in engineering, and she wants a college that will provide a solid foundation for her career after volleyball. “Coach Penny Lucas-White, Coach Madison (Beasley), and Coach Candace (Martin) have built a program that is both highly competitive and genuinely
Madison senior captain Coryn Fields leads her team in six statistical categories as the Marlins prepare for a strong playoff run. Credit: Jimmie Aggison/Defender.
welcoming,” said Fields. “What ultimately made me feel it was the right fit is how strongly they support being a student first. With me majoring in a very demanding degree, their emphasis on academic balance and personal growth really stood out.” Alabama State checked two important boxes for Fields, but her campus visit gave her an even clearer picture of what her future there could look like. “During my visit, I was able to meet with the Director of the College of Engineering directly,” said Fields. “I had already researched the program beforehand, but being able to ask detailed questions and get a clearer understanding of the classes, expectations, and overall structure of the major made a huge difference. Hearing how much the program has grown, expanding enough to upsize its facilities twice, showed me that ASU is investing in engineering and creating opportunities for students.” The Alabama State University engineering program aligned with Fields’ career interests, while the volleyball program offered the competitive environment she wanted. With both sides of her
future taking shape. “I’m looking forward to connecting with my new teammates, building real chemistry, and contributing to a program that values hard work and family,” said Fields. “Academically, I’m excited to pursue a challenging engineering degree that will prepare me for my career after volleyball. The way Alabama State brings together strong academics, competitive volleyball, and a community that feels genuinely supportive makes me confident it’s where I’m meant to be.” Lockhart believes Fields’ preparation has put her in a strong position for the next level. “Alabama State is getting an academic scholar, strong work ethic, solid technical skills, mental toughness, and a solid foundation player,” said Lockhart. Fields has already demonstrated that she can excel as a volleyball player and a student. Now she is preparing to take those same qualities, including leadership, discipline, and ambition, to Alabama State, where volleyball and engineering will become part of the same future.
12 | October 15, 2026 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN ON SOCIAL THE WEB VOTE 2026 KNOW BEFORE YOU GO By ReShonda Tate
Voting shouldn’t be complicated. But between figuring out where to go, what identification to bring and what happens if something goes wrong, casting a ballot can raise plenty of questions. The Defender put together this guide to help Houston-area voters head to the polls prepared. KEY DATES Oct. 19: Early voting begins Oct. 23: Deadline to apply for a mail ballot Oct. 30: Early voting ends Nov. 3: Election Day; polls open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. The registration deadline was Oct. 5. Voters can check their registration through the Texas Secretary of State’s My Voter Portal or Harris County elections website. When and where can I vote? Early voting runs Oct. 19-30. Vote centers are generally open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Mon.-Sat., noon-7 p.m. Sun., Oct. 25. Registered Harris County voters may use any designated Vote Center in the county during early voting. Check HarrisVotes.com for polling locations. On Election Day, polls are open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. If you’re in line at 7 p.m., stay there. You can still vote.
Harris County uses countywide vote centers, so registered voters can vote at any Harris County vote center during early voting or on Election Day. Check locations and hours before leaving because they can change. Know what’s on your ballot Your ballot may differ from your neighbor’s based on where you live. Review your voter-specific sample ballot before voting. You may bring a printed sample ballot or handwritten notes into the booth, but take them with you when you leave. What ID do I need? Texas accepts seven forms of photo ID: • Texas driver’s license • Election Identification Certification • Personal ID card or handgun license • U.S. military photo ID • U.S. citizenship certificate with a photo • U.S. passport book or card Approved IDs regarding age: • For voters ages 18-69, an approved ID may generally be expired up to four years. • For voters 70 and older, an approved ID may be expired longer. • Note: The address on your ID does not have to match your voter registration.
Credit: ChatGPT.
If you don’t have an approved photo ID and cannot reasonably obtain one, complete a Reasonable Impediment Declaration and present an approved supporting document. These include: • Voter registration certificate • Utility bill • Bank statement • Paycheck • Qualifying government document
Voting by mail? Mail-ballot applications must be received by Oct. 23, not merely postmarked. When returning your ballot, carefully complete the identification section on the carrier envelope. Texas requires identifying information that corresponds with your voter registration record.
DOWNLOAD THE HARRIS VOTES APP MAKE A PLAN TO VOTE. CHECK IF YOU’RE READY AND ELIGIBLE. GET MOVING AND VOTE! Download the Harris Votes App or visit us online to prepare for the upcoming elections. It’s important to plan, check that you have everything you need, and know where to go. • Check your registration • Find out which forms of ID you need to bring
IT’S YOUR CHOICE TO MAKE THIS NOVEMBER.
• Review the sample ballot • Find the closest voting locations in Harris County
EARLY VOTING OCT 19-30 ELECTION DAY NOV 3 LEARN MORE AT
HARRISVOTES.COM BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE HARRIS COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE.