Houston Defender: October 21, 2021.

1937-2021

Colin Powell Decorated General praised in spite of mixed legacy with Blacks.

IN FOCUS

SPORTS

BLACKS & YOGA

DIDI RICHARDS

Why more and more Blacks are turning to yoga for health and wellness.

Volume 90, issue 51 October 21, 2021

The WNBA star has a message of perseverance that she wants to share.

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U.S. Reps Sheila Jackson Lee and Al Green during a recent rally protesting the redistricting map produced by state Republican legislators. Photo by Vicky Pink.

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VICTORY?

mire his convictions. Repudiating the GOP to vote for President Barack Obama had the Republicans branding Powell a traitor and sell-out. But in true Powell fashion, he didn’t care. He lived his convictions. And that’s a kind of courage worthy of respect, if nothing else. PS: check out Powell’s 13 rules of leadership when you get a chance.

If someone stole $100 from you, yet you were somehow able to “negotiate” with them to give you back $80, would you call that a victory?

Hell naw. But that’s exactly what’s happening right now with this U.S. Congressional District 18 fiasco. Texas Republicans put forth a racist, voter-suppression-style state redistricting Aswad Walker map, gutting the district and even kicking out COLIN POWELL’S 13 RULES OF LEADERSHIP the home of its representative, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee. But thanks to a “negotiated compromise,” most On second thought, let me save you the time looking them of the 18th will stay intact. Most. Not All. Now, I get why folk up. Here’s General Powell’s 13 rules: 1) It Ain’t as Bad as You are celebrating. The loss in Black congressional representa- Think! It Will Look Better in the Morning; 2) Get Mad Then tion would have been devastating, but because we raised our Get Over It; 3) Avoid Having Your Ego so Close to your Posivoices in protest, the full theft got squashed. But make no tion that When Your Position Falls, Your Ego Goes With It; 4) mistake; this isn’t forward progress. It’s barely maintaining It Can be Done; 5) Be Careful What You Choose. You May Get what little representation we have. For the kind of victo- It; 6) Don’t Let Adverse Facts Stand in the Way of a Good Deciries our census numbers and our proven votes deserve, the sion; 7) You Can’t Make Someone Else’s Choices. You Shouldn’t current White House administration has to stop trying to Let Someone Else Make Yours; 8) Check Small Things; 9) Share work with Republicans who don’t even acknowledge Biden Credit; 10) Remain calm. Be kind; 11) Have a Vision. Be Deis president, and “bogart” their agenda through. We deserve manding; 12) Don’t take counsel of your fears or naysayers; and more than hollow, symbolic, kinda-sorta victories.

13) Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.

GENERAL COLIN POWELL

With the passing of General Colin Powell, I’m reminded of a Black fact we often ignore. Politically conservative Blackfolk have always been in our midst. To be fair, Powell was conservative before the Republican Party went fullblown white nationalist. In fact, Powell stood as a one-man army rejecting Trump’s love affair with white supremacists, and proudly voted for America’s first recognized Black president (Obama) twice, then Hillary, followed by Biden. Powell couldn’t get with a party that celebrated white domestic terrorists storming the US Capitol. But because Powell, for much of his political career, held his nose at the racist stench that was already in the GOP, a lot of Blackfolk understandably never celebrated the brother. But wherever you fall on the Colin Powell celebration spectrum, we all have to ad-

IN THIS WEEK’S DEFENDER

 Check out what’s behind the increase in Blacks on the yoga mat, and benefits to the practice.  The world reacts to the passing of General Colin Powell.  WNBA star and Cypress Ranch HS alumna DiDi Richards has a message of perseverance that reaches far beyond the basketball court.

ON THE WEB

 Surprise, surprise. Texas sued over intentionally discriminatory redistricting maps.  Colin Powell’s age, cancer bout left him vulnerable to COVID.  Megan Thee Stallion buys a Popeye’s franchise and gets “Hottie Sauce.” Alright now.

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DN News Melina Abdullah has been named inaugural Activist-In-Residence for Prairie View A&M University. The co-founder of the Los Angeles Chapter of Black Lives Matter will teach students more about their power as change agents in society.

Mark C. Wilfalk has been named by Mayor Sylvester Turner as the new director of the Solid Waste Management Department. Wilfalk, who has nearly three decades of experience in solid waste resource and environmental management, joins the city from Tampa, Florida.

REDISTRICTING: Blacks gain, Hispanics lose Defender News Service

Texas Republicans approved redrawn U.S. House maps that favor incumbents and decrease political representation for growing minority communities, even as Latinos drive much of the growth in the nation’s largest red state.

Following negotiations between Texas House members and state senators, the Houston-area districts of U.S. Rep Sheila Jackson Lee, a Democrat who is serving her 14th term, and U.S. Rep Al Green, a neighboring Democrat, were restored, unpairing the two and drawing Jackson Lee’s home back into her district.

The new maps were approved following outcry from Democrats over what they claimed was a rushed redistricting process crammed into a 30-day session, and one which gave little time for public input. They also denounced the reduction of minority opportunity districts -- Texas will now have seven House districts where Latino residents hold a majority, down from eight -- despite the state’s changing demographics.

“What we are doing in passing this congressional map is a disservice to the people of Texas,” Democratic state Rep. Rafael Anchia said to the chamber just before the final vote.

GOP Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to sign off on the changes.

Civil rights groups, including the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, sued before Republican lawmakers were even done. The lawsuit alleges that Republican mapmakers diluted the political strength of minority voters by not drawing any new districts where Latino residents hold a majority, despite Latinos making up half of Texas’ 4

EARLY VOTING UNDERWAY through Oct. 29.

ELECTION DAY Nov. 2 VOTING CENTERS 7 a.m.-7 p.m 7 a.m.-10 p.m on Oct. 28.

Mail-in ballots must be postmarked no later than 7 p.m. Nov. 2 Early voters can vote at any early voting center in Harris County. www.Harrisvotes.com

Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX)(L) speaks during a press conference with Rep. Al Green (D-TX)(R) Win McNamee/Getty Images

DN

Read about the Eight (8) Constitutional amendments on the ballot and what they mean.

million new residents over the last decade.

Republicans have said they followed the law in defending the maps, which protect their slipping grip on Texas by pulling more GOP-leaning voters into suburban districts where Democrats have made inroads in recent years.

Texas has been routinely dragged into court for decades over voting maps, and in 2017, a federal court found that a Republican-drawn map was drawn to intentionally discriminate against minority voters.

But two years later, that same court said there was insufficient reason to take the

extraordinary step of putting Texas back under federal supervision before changing voting laws or maps.

The maps that overhaul how Texas’ nearly 30 million residents are sorted into political districts — and who is elected to represent them — bookends a highly charged year in the state over voting rights. Democratic lawmakers twice walked out on an elections bill that tightened the state’s already strict voting rules, which they called a brazen attempt to disenfranchise minorities and other Democratic-leaning voters.

The plan does not create any additional districts where Black or Hispanic voters make up more than 50% of the voting population, even as people of color accounted for more than 9 of 10 new residents in Texas over the past decade.

The Texas GOP control both chambers of the Legislature, giving them nearly complete control of the mapmaking process.

Community mourns fallen deputy killed in ambush Defender News Service

Deputy Constable Kareem Atkins

As the search continues for the suspect who shot and killed a Harris County Precinct 4 constable deput y, love d ones are remembering him for

the family man he was and his dream of becoming an officer.

Deputy Kareem Atkins, 30, was working an extra job at a North Houston nightclub when he and two other deputies responded to a disturbance outside that may have been a robbery. As Atkins and another deputy tried to detain someone, a second suspect with a rifle came around a car and opened fire. In all, three deputies were hit.

Atkins had been with Precinct 4 since January of 2019, and had just returned to work from paternity leave after he and his wife had a baby. He now leaves behind his wife and two children. Atkins’ funeral has been announced for Monday, Oct. 25 at Champions Forest Baptist Church at 15555 Stuebner Airline Road. The public will be allowed to attend from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a graveside service to follow at Klein Memorial Park Cemetery in Tomball.

Kareem with his wife, 2-year-old daughter and 6-month-old son.

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DN News

Colin Powell

A mixed legacy among some African Americans Associated Press

of Black Americans strongly supported or As an American leader, Colin Powell’s cresomewhat supported reducing police funddentials were impeccable: He was chairman of ing, while 30% opposed the idea. the Joint Chiefs and secretary of state. But his “If you tell a Black community leader that legacy as the first Black person in those roles the police are not going to be around, they is murkier, with some African Americans saymay say, ‘Whoa! Wait a minute!’ What they ing that his voice on their behalf could have want is fair and balanced justice treatment been louder. for all Americans.”

Powell, who died Oct. 18 of COVID-19 A child of Jamaican immigrants who grew complications, spent 35 years in the Army up in the Bronx borough of New York City, and rose to political prominence under Powell said he was raised in a community Republican presidents Ronald Reagan and where his neighbors were as invested in his George W. Bush. His stature fueled persistent safety and success as his own mother and speculation that he would one day run for father. Powell graduated in 1958 from City president as a member of the GOP. College of New York, which later created the Through it all, Powell never seemed entirely Colin Powell Center to develop student leadercomfortable talking about race, said Kevin ship and campus community engagement. The Powell, a New York-based writer and rights program was eventually renamed the Colin activist who is not related to Colin Powell.

Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership.

“I think that’s why a lot of Black folks In the wake of Floyd’s slaying and the never saw him as a leader. There was never Black Lives Matter protests, the school a sense that Colin Powell was one of us,” said launched a racial justice fellows program as Kevin Powell, who met him in the 1990s, a joint initiative between the Colin Powell when he was often discussed as a potential School and CCNY’s Black studies program. presidential candidate.

Many Black people look to high-achievColin Powell later ing African Americans to act on their behalf, became disenchanted said Frederick Gooding, associate professor with the GOP and of humanities at Texas Christian University. endorsed Democrats “Maybe they just General Colin Powell understood for president, starting President-elect disproportionately what was best in this country, with Barack Obama.

Bush smiles as expect a Colin PowPowell also called he introduces ell to do more or be and tried to bring his own life, then-President Donretired Gen. Colin more than he needs career and public statements in ald Trump a national Powell, left, as to be. It might be line with that ideal. Michelle and disgrace and said he his nominee to one of those deals I will always look to him as an no longer considered be secretary where he may not example of what America—and himself a Republican of state during have spoken for Americans—can and should be.” following the Jan. 6 a ceremony every Black person, storming of the Capitol. in Crawford, but at the same time Former President Barack Obama “By the time the Bush Texas, Saturday, it’s OK that he does years were over, in 2009, Dec. 16, 2000. not,” Gooding said. he was largely invisible Powell served Powell’s career in a lot of things that happened — Trayvon as chairman of and his long record Martin, Ferguson, George Floyd,” said Kevin the Joint Chiefs of public service He believed in the promise of America because Powell, who also is Black. “It was clear that the of Staff under show his excellence, party he was part of was moving right. I don’t President George Gooding added. he lived it. And he devoted much of his life recall him ever saying this party has become Bush, father of “When it comes to making that promise a reality for so many nothing more than race mongers.” the presidentto African Amerothers.”

President Joe Biden But Powell’s dignity and composure should elect. David J. icans, often times, not be interpreted as any indication that he Phillip when you’ve been failed to understand the struggle of his people, touched by the according to Sam Riddle, an Army veteran and of incarceration, which has consistently been suspected that many Black Americans agreed. struggle so to speak, when you have a position Detroit-based political activist. the highest in the world. He favored policies A June 2020 poll conducted by The of power and privilege, do you leverage it?”

“He personified a quiet inner strength that designed to keep young adults, especially Black Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Gooding said. “He may not have been that we knew he held on the battlefield for America Americans, out of the criminal justice system. Affairs Research around the height of that front-line cheerleader, but that doesn’t mean and for Black Americans,” said Riddle, who also Years before the 2020 murder of George summer’s police protests showed that 43% he wasn’t affected by the struggle.” hosts a Detroit talk radio show. “The bullhorns Floyd renewed calls from the Black Lives Matter we can use can be simply quiet competency, movement to “defund the police,” Powell said Learn how age and cancer bout left Powell vulnerable integrity and perseverance.” he was not in favor of reducing law enforceto COVID on DefenderNetwork.com Powell expressed concern over the U.S. rate ment budgets to address police brutality. He

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DN News

H OUSTO N , Cedric Richmond, Benjamin Chavis, NNPA president

DESPITE MISINFORMATION

Biden-Harris Black Agenda succeeding NNPA

The $4.2 billion received in 2021 by historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) represents the largest single-year federal government funding from any administration in U.S. history.

And it’s not even close.

“We see more and more misinformation. When you see reports that the Biden administration is cutting funding to HBCUs by $30 billion, it is patently false,” Cedric Richmond, the senior advisor to the President, told a group of publishers from the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA).

Richmond, who also serves as the White House Office of Public Engagement director, remarked that the deliberate misinformation published by news outlets and posted on social media is meant to undermine the President and Democrats.

Notably, the dubious accounts aim to suppress the Black vote further, Richmond declared.

“It’s being pushed around so young African Americans and people who went to HBCUs would get discouraged and say that there’s no difference from President Biden and President Trump, or that Trump did more for HBCUs,” Richmond asserted.

“Funding for HBCUs is usually less than $1 billion per year,” he noted. “Just this year alone, we’ve given HBCUs $4.2 billion, and because of that, some HBCUs are financially capable of forgiving student debt right now.

A lot of them are making investments in their campuses. We still want to double or triple funding over the next ten years to invest in their facilities. We’re going to do that, but there’s been no administration ever to invest in HBCUs more than us.”

The Louisiana-native spelled out sev-

eral of the many initiatives and programs that the Biden-Harris administration has implemented that benefit the Black community. He also noted the various strategies the administration has engaged in protecting voting rights and advancing homeownership in the Black community.

He said the President’s Build Back Better plan includes creating jobs and opportunities that have previously escaped the Black community. Richmond also noted the various executive orders that have aided the cause of leveling the playing field, including the order on advancing racial equity and support for underserved communities through the federal government.

And while Republican-led states have implemented voter oppression laws and lawmakers have failed to enact federal statutes to protect voting rights, the Democratic National Committee has pledged to invest $25 million in voter outreach and litigation.

“We don’t have all day to tout all of the things we’ve been able to accomplish over the first [10 months], but we have to show the Black community what we’ve done for them,” Richmond insisted.

Other accomplishments

 Signed an executive order tasking HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge to review and analyze all barriers to homeownership and systemic racism in housing in the federal government.  Changed federal rules that punished most Black homeowners who didn’t have a clean title to their property because of slavery and systemic racism.  Promoting Black maternal health  Ban private prisons  Get U.S. Attorneys to stop with the harshest sentencing recommendations.

T H E R E VO LU TIO N W I L L B E E L ECTRIFIE D P R EP RODUCTI ON MODEL S H OW N .

F-1 5 0 L I G H T N I N G AVA I LA B LE STA RTI N G S P RI N G 2 0 22 W W W. FORD.COM/ELECTRI C

BUILT FO R A M ERICA

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DN InFocus FOCUS SOCIAL

Blacks and Yoga A New Focus on Health, Wellness

By ASWAD WALKER

For some, yoga is viewed as a “white thing.” But for a fast-growing number of African Americans, yoga is not only becoming a way of life, it’s touted as originating from our ancestors.

The Defender spoke with some local yoga instructors about what makes the practice so powerful and potentially life-changing for Black people.

YOGA’S ATTRACTION

Marlon Hall, visual anthropologist (filmmaker) and founder of the Awakenings Movement, explores the topic of yoga in his latest film, where he interviewed well-known yoga instructor Dan Houston.

“Dan Houston takes yoga to prisons. Before I begin filming or doing photography around any subject, I do life with them,” said Hall, about his introduction to practicing yoga.

“In Dan’s class, I loved the way that they loved. I loved the way that they lived. We shot the film, we screened it. And after the film was done, I was like, ‘You know what, I’m going to transform my area of study (yoga) into an area of living because it was so beneficial to me.”

Before Jill Minard, who grew up exJill Minard tremely physically active, became a nationally revered yoga instructor, she was intrigued by the graceful, synchronous movements of an Asian couple she often saw practicing yoga in the park. Minard, however, doubted such a peaceful practice could provide her with much of a physical challenge.

Then, one winter day, with aching knees, Minard didn’t want to go running, so she Aisha Shahid rented a yoga video just to give it a try.

“I went into what was called the ‘downward dog,’ or pyramid position, and sweat just started to burst out of me,” said Minard. “It was really challenging just to create simple poses with your body. So, for me, the challenge was on.”

Minard moved from videos to a yoga studio and fell in love with the physical and spiritual energy she experienced practicMarlon Hall ing with a group.

Long before Aisha Shahid was conducting free yoga classes at Emancipation Park and Galveston Beach, she grew up a two-sport athlete (basketball and track), always willing to take on a challenge. When she saw an “interesting” yoga pose on social media Shahid made it a personal challenge to master it.

“At the time, I was a personal trainer, so my ego said I could surely do this pose,” she recalled. “And I could, but only for a little bit. That helped me to start researching ‘What is this yoga?’”

Shahid, a community activist and founder of the organization Neighborhood Pathways United, discovered yoga meant “to harness in and yoke within yourself.” She was hooked and recognized

Aisha Shahid at Emancipation Park

yoga was about more than muscles and flexibility, but mental and body awareness.

PERSONAL DISCOVERIES

For Hall, yoga was transformative, to say the least.

“I was able, through my yoga practice, to become an anthropologist of my own life. Oftentimes, when we feel like our own bodies and experiences seem foreign, we need rituals and practices or traditions that allow us to lift above our experience as human beings.

That gives us a 40,000-foot view and helps us gain more clarity, more perspective. My practice of yoga became a practice of personal anthropology.”

The result? Hall viewed practicing and teaching yoga as a vehicle for transforming lives—his and others.

YOGA’S BENEFITS

“The word ‘yoga’ in Sanskrit means ‘The choreography of mind, body and spirit as an offering to God.’ So, for me, the practice of yoga gives me a rhythm with which my mind can move with my heart and with which my heart moves with my soul. So, in those moments when I feel beat and rhythmless, it’s the practice of yoga that allows my mind, my body and my spirit to come together. Not just as an offering to good, it’s a good thing to practice yoga, but as an offering to God, like it’s a God thing to practice yoga,” shared Hall.

Shahid added self-care is a benefit; taking time to improve your mental, emotional and physical health. She also said yoga helps you release what ails you.

“If you have a blockage in your body, tightness in your shoulders, or you carry a lot of stress in your upper body, do a lot of work on a computer or with your hands, yoga really helps you release those blockages.”

Minard sees many yoga positives she breaks them down into three categories: physiological, biochemical and psychological.

“Regarding the psychological, when you practice yoga, basically

hostility, anxiety, depression, all of that goes away, and self-actualization and self-acceptance come around.”

Biochemically, Minard says yoga helps regulate blood pressure and diabetes, and stabilizes glucose, cholesterol and oxygen levels.

“The physiological benefits, that’s usually what attracts people to yoga. Yoga normalizes weight, and your endurance and nervous system equilibrium stabilize.”

WHY BLACK PEOPLE NEED YOGA

For Minard, yoga’s appeal to Blacks rests on its accessibility for practitioners of all ages.

“Black people should definitely be running to practice yoga because we’re all getting older. You can practice yoga as a young person, definitely. But when you get older, the joints tend to wear down, and yoga is a soft type discipline. It’s very challenging, but you’re moving softly without pounding the pavement or putting extra stress on the joints.”

She also says yoga helps regulate health issues that hit us hardest: high blood pressure, diabetes and stress.

Hall sees yoga as an empowerment tool for Blacks.

“For us as Black people who are body intelligent folk by nature, this practice becomes a way for us to transform the world by just coming into our body with the breath. We’ve been taught that we don’t have ownership of our lives or of our bodies because of the vestiges of slavery. So, the practice of yoga is this freedom with which we can return to day after day, and the four corners of our yoga mat become like this cultural architecture in which we can shape a new world.”

For Shahid, the answers to the question “Why should Blacks practice yoga” is simple.

“Because it’s ours; we started it. It goes back to ancient Kemet (Egypt) and it’s in the pyramids, it’s in the hieroglyphics. A lot of these poses that we’re doing, the ‘downward dog’ or the ‘backbend,’ all these things are already in us and instilled in us. And because it was taken from us and westernized and now it’s become more commercialized, we’ve been disconnected from it.”

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT YOGA’S BENEFITS AND CHECK OUT A SPOTLIGHT ON YOGA TEACHER ALICIA DUGAR STEPHENSON.

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DN Spotlight STUDENT GIG PLATFORM OFFERED Clutch founders help start-ups

By Laura Onyeneho

The Gen-Z and Millennials oftentimes get a bad rap and are called entitled and lazy. But more and more of these young people are proving that couldn’t be further from the truth. With the pressures of student-loan debt, wage inequity, toxic corporate work environment, being overworked and underpaid are just some things that many in this generation say they will not put up with anymore. The side gig economy has opened the doors for young professionals to explore their talents while providing other options for financial and career flexibility.

That was the inspiration behind Clutch (formerly known as Campus Concierge), a platform for college students with side businesses to offer and shop for affordable services.

The Defender spoke with Clutch co-founder Madison Long about the start-up and the impact it has had in the higher education space.

of external capital. We’ve raised a significant amount that will help us be able to take it to the next level. To create a better product and marketing that will allow us to get into a hundred schools versus the three we’re starting with.

Defender: How does the service work?

Long: It’s a mobile app that students can download

to start booking services. If you are interested in listing your service, we actually have an accompanying web application where they can go upload their schedule, put in pictures, their bio, etc. And then that feeds directly to the platform. Let’s say you have a side hustle and you do hair,

you can apply on our website to be a provider. Our team will assess, there will be a quick onboarding call and then you’ll have your services listed. It’s free to sign up. We only take fees once you start getting services booked. Students at schools in Houston can download the app and start booking people. We are adding new services each week and getting new side hustlers on the platform as quickly as possible.

Laura Onyeneho covers the city’s education system as it relates to Black children for the Defender Network as a Report For America Corps member. Email her at laura@defendernetwork.com

Defender: Where did the idea behind Clutch first begin?

Long: Where we are now is really connecting

students who have side hustles to students looking for affordable services or faculty or staff. The bigger mission is how can we economically empower students to have more control over their finances and provide them opportunities to grow these side hustles that they’re so wildly creative at.

We launched this year. The first school was Texas Southern and we are currently working with some folks at St. Thomas University as well as Rice University and hope to expand to Prairie View in the coming months. We are trying to start small and get it right and build those relationships thoughtfully before going everywhere.

Defender: What did it take for you to launch this business?

Long: My co-founder (Simone May) and I

have been working on this for at least two and a half years. When we started, we were both working full-time jobs. This (Clutch) was on the side.

Our first developers were interns at a university who were helping us for college credit. We did luckily have someone in our family network who was able to fund and bring those interns on as part-time workers, contractors, and eventually employees. I was living in the Bay Area (California) and moved to Houston because my co-founder (Simone) was here. We were accepted into the DivInc accelerator program.

They took us through a rigorous 12-week program of understanding our product market fit, customer discovery, and fundraising.

Since then, we’ve been raising our first round

Simone May

Madison Long

MORE ON WHAT STUDENTS SHOULD DO TO MAXIMIZE THEIR TALENTS WHILE GETTING A DEGREE.

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DN Business LOCAL COLLEGE STUDENTS

Turning hobbies into money-making side hustles

By Laura Onyeneho

These days a 9-5 job just isn’t cutting it in this ever-changing job market. Young people interested in pursuing higher education are often trained to prepare for snagging traditional entry-level jobs, but in recent years, the gig-economy has created avenues for them to maximize their talents while bolstering financial security with an extra revenue stream.

COVID-19 has proven to be very difficult for new entries into the job market. Research from the Economic Policy Institute suggests the economic effects of the pandemic on young workers between the ages of 16-24 may persist for years. Young workers are more likely to be working in fields most impacted by the pandemic, like retail, leisure and hospitality.

This has sparked a new wave of entrepreneurialism.

Mya Wilson is a 20-year-old junior at Rice University studying chemical engineering. She started her hair business Taming Manes in 2021 as a way to generate extra income and explore her talents as a hairstylist. Wilson is under a fullride scholarship, so twice a week she blocks off time for her craft, braiding hair at affordable prices.

“School is a lot of work and my major is very demanding, but it’s a field that is in demand. Plus, the income allows me to afford a certain lifestyle that I want,” said Wilson. “The pandemic gave me time to focus on learning about what services my customers need.

I know what it’s like for college students especially for Black people where prices are high. My target audience is college students, so my services range from $50-$150+ depending on the length and duration it takes me to do the hair in a span of two days.”

Twenty-three-year-old Janik Alexander, a business

JANIK ALEXANDER

MYA WILSON

School: Texas Southern University, Graduate student Major: Business Administration Owner: Unique Touch Photos

School: Rice University, Junior Major: Chemical Engineering Owner: Taming Manes

administration graduate student at Texas Southern University and owner of Unique Touch Photos, says her side business as a portrait photographer isn’t just about the extra income, it’s about expanding talents to teach others how to empower themselves economically.

When she lost her job working at Papadeaux’s during the lockdown, her side business kept her afloat while using some of her unemployment funds to pay her rent and re-invest back into her business. Alexander entered into her program not to find a job at graduation but to use the resources to expand her business.

business can be a great alternative.

Use technology to showcase your skills online, list your transferable skills like networking, communication, leadership and time management,” she said. “Do research on taxes. It is great to make money, but if you’re self-employed taxes is a major part of being a business owner that gets overlooked. Talk to your parents or tax professional for guidance.”

Both Wilson and Alexander provide services on Clutch, an app aimed at giving a platform to college students with side businesses to offer services and shop at affordable prices. Co-Founder, Madison Long says the culture is

“My passion as a photographer is bigger than me. A lot of people in the Black community don’t have the proper guidance and support to be able to leverage their skills,” said Alexander. “I want to open up a studio or after-school program to teach graphics, social media, lighting, editing and basic skills that will be marketable. There are other ways to be successful aside from working a traditional job.”

Joyce Beebe, Fellow in Public Finance for Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University, says side gigs can be used as internship experience. “Young people have lots internship opportunities due to COVID, and a side

shifting and big corporations are not adapting quick enough.

“People want more autonomy over what they do, how they make money and how they enjoy their lives. Are these corporations allowing remote work? Are they allowing flexible hours? PTO? Things that give trust back to the employee? Lastly, there aren’t pensions anymore. No one feels super committed to any one company if they’re not getting their needs met.”

Laura Onyeneho covers the city’s education system as it relates to Black children for the Defender Network as a Report For America Corps member. Email her at laura@ defendernetwork.com

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DN Sports Prairie View freshman receiver Tre’jon Spiller caught three passes for 114 yards and two touchdowns, including a 30-yard reception with 5:21 remaining in the 35-29 road win at Bethune-Cookman.

Rockets rookie guard Jalen Green, the No.2 overall pick in July’s NBA Draft, averaged 13.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists over 28.1 minutes per game during the preseason.

DiDi Richards shares life message beyond basketball

By Terrance Harris

A native of the Houston area and New York Liberty WNBA star DiDi Richards has a message of perseverance and daring to reach for what is yours that she wants to share.

The former Cypress Ranch and Baylor standout has lived her message after she was temporarily paralyzed just prior to her senior season a year ago. She was told she may never walk again and then diligently rehabbed to return to the basketball court 38 days later.

This past spring, she was drafted in the second round (No.17 overall) by the New York Liberty.

It’s bigger than basketball for Richards.

“I have a lot more to say than just I can put an orange ball in a hoop or that I can guard people,” Richards said in a recent telephone conversation with The Defender. “I think mostly, as of lately, it’s really been staying strong and not letting the world define your fate.

“I think me being paralyzed, that was the easiest thing to kind of go off of because if I had just let any doctor or any nurse tell me what they told me which is that I wasn’t going to be able to walk again or that they don’t know what is going to happen, I probably would have went into a hole

and gave up. But I think me being the person that I am, which is really head strong and just not letting anything or anyone tell me who or what is going to happen in my life. I think that was the biggest thing for me.”

Richards wants that message to be heard and absorbed by young girls who see themselves in her. While possessing model looks and a monster game, Richards and her willingness to be outspoken about issues such as athletes and mental health, depression and other social causes, has sometimes left her misunderstood.

“I think my biggest purpose is to show other girls -- Blacks and Latinos -- that it’s not different for us to be who we are,” Richards said. “It’s not crazy for us to act the way we are, which is girly while being tough and being as competitive as we are. My biggest thing is just to show that I am you. My message is you can be on TV, too or you can be doing this, as well.

“I’m just trying to give little Black girls something to reach for and dream for so that

basically they can see themselves one day.”

Richards, who is 6-foot-2, has aspirations to be a model and is pursuing opportunities this offseason to that end. But her biggest goal this offseason is to improve as a player.

While most WNBA players are preparing to take skills overseas for big paydays during the offseason, Richards has elected to stay in New York and work on her game ahead of next season.

“It was actually hard because I think the narrative and the story that seems to be told all of the time is you go to the (WNBA) and play six months then you go overseas and play seven months,” Richards said. “Whenever I decided to not go, it was different and everyone kind of looked at me like I was crazy, but it didn’t make sense to me, especially because, unfortunately, life is about making money. I make more money out here and I’m getting better out here. So it’s kind of like a double positive.”

During her rookie season, Richards came off the bench for the Liberty and averaged 2.3 points and 0.8 assists per game in 11 minutes per game over 31 games. She was named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team by The Associated Press and the league after leading all rookies in 3-point field goal percentage (45.5%), field goal percentage (42.1%), steals (17) and second in games played.

Sports Briefs Tyrod Taylor coming off IR This is the week Texans quarterback Tyrod Taylor is eligible to return off injured reserve just Tyrod in time to Taylor face the

undefeated Arizona Cardinals, who are coming into NRG Stadium.

But head coach David Culley is taking a wait-and-see approach with Taylor. The Texans have lost five straight games and are 0-4 in the games rookie quarterback Davis Mills has started.

TSU coach Jones appointed chair

Texas Southern men’s basketball coach Johnny Jones has been named chair of the SWAC men’s Johnny basketball Jones coaches. In

this twoyear appointment, Jones will serve as the liaison between the league office and the coaches on all things pertaining to men’s basketball.

Prairie View on a roll

With the 35-29 win over BethuneCookman, the Panthers are now 5-1 overall and sit on top of the SWAC West Division at 4-0. They head to Baton Rouge this weekend to take on Southern (3-3, 2-1) in a matchup of Top 10 teams in the conference.

October 21, 2021 |

| 11

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports ATASCOCITA SENIOR LEFT TACKLE

KAM DEWBERRY A MAN AMONGST BOYS

By Jodie B. Jiles

When you see a 6’3” 324 pounds juggernaut going kamikaze directly towards you, most would either get out of the way or get mowed over like an 18-wheeler. The same can be said about Atascocita 5-star, All-American senior left tackle Kam Dewberry.

Not only is Kam big but he can move, making him different after going through one of the toughest divisions in the state, if not nation, for consecutive seasons. Dewberry’s arm length and reach allow him to make his presence felt in the run and pass game every play. In the classroom, Dewberry is more than a model student that will most likely be an Academic All-American for the team he so chooses.

My one critique is that Dewberry consistently keeps his hands inside the shoulder pads of opponents. After some more coaching on how to make these holds look less obvious, the Hall of Fame gold jacket sky is the limit for Dewberry. Remember “No call. No foul.”

When Atascocita head coach Craig Stump was asked about his All-American as a football player and young man, Stump stated, “From 9th grade year to now he has gotten stronger, athletic and flexible. He is just a leader on the team.”

“He is more responsible and more mature with on and off the field stuff,” Coach Stump concludes.

The Defender spoke with Kam after Atascocita defeated C.E. King to discuss

his style of play, keys to success, advice to others and more.

Style of Play “I feel like I’m a heavy defender in the run game, especially when it comes to pulling, and I am strong when it come to the pass as far as holding it down. I just try to be as balanced as I can be.”

NFL Influencers “Trent Williams is the one I watch the most when it comes to run schemes and being able to be the best. He is the best offensive tackle in the league in my opinion. I really like Taylor Lewan at the Titans. Even though he is not at his best right now, he is a really good guy that I like to watch.”

Keys to Success “God and hard work. You’ve got to just be able to keep grinding and doing the best that I can do.”

Advice to Others “Trust the process and keep working hard. It is not going to be easy. You have to keep working hard every day just being able to listen to your coaches and follow your coaches and keep chasing your dream every single day.”

Photos by Jimmie Aggison

ABOUT KAM DEWBERRY Instagram: @kamdew_

Favorite Food: Mexican Food

Current Offers: Oklahoma, Ohio State, Alabama, Texas A&M, Texas, LSU.

Shoutouts: “My parent, and God because without God I would not be able to be in this position.”

Favorite Musician: Drake

WILLOWRIDGE RB

JAVIN CHATMAN TRUSTS THE PROCESS

By Jodie B. Jiles A few seasons back, Chatman watched the game from the sidelines under Willowridge’s previous coaching regime as an underclassman. And now he is the engine that keeps the offense moving.

Throughout Chatman’s high school football career, Chat grinded to be upgraded to the No. 2 running back on the roster and rewarded his coaches rushing for 423 yards and three touchdowns.

As a senior, Javin runs with reckless abandonment and has The Ridge primed for a playoff push with a 4-2 record.

The Defender spoke with Chat post game to discuss his style of play, overcoming adversity, the playoff push his senior year and more.

DN

WATCH FULL INTERVIEW.

12 | October 21, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Health

A DEFENDER AND KELSEY-SEYBOLD CLINIC ALLIANCE

October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

By ALECIA DAVIS-TOWNSEND, M.D., F.A.C.O.G

current and possible future health problems.

For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I’m reminding women that having regular, recommended mammograms is important for the early detection of breast cancers.

Mammograms can often detect cancerous tissue too small to be noticed through selfexams. Early identification gives physicians more treatment options with increased chances for positive patient outcomes.

• Starting in their 20s, women should be offered a clinical breast exam by a physician every two to three years, and annually starting at age 40.

SCHEDULING YOUR EXAMS • If a woman hasn’t had a wellwoman exam in the past 12 months, she should schedule one with her OB/GYN, gynecologist, or primary care physician.

This exam includes a pelvic exam and, if needed, a Pap test to help identify

FROM THE DOC “Regular breast exams are one of the most important tools we can use to help detect breast cancer early.”

Dr. Davis-Townsend is an OB/GYN specialist at Kelsey-Seybold. For an appointment, call 713-442-0000.

• After age 40, Kelsey-Seybold and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend offering annual mammograms for most women.

Kelsey-Seybold offers tomosynthesis (3D) mammography, which improves the ability to detect breast cancers in earlier stages.

Moving forward in the aging process, you and your physician will consider your medical history to create an appropriate screening schedule.

Please be advised: Women beyond child-bearing years should continue regular checkups, as the risk of breast and gynecological cancers increases with age.

DON’T FORGET ABOUT VACCINES Kelsey-Seybold and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourage those pregnant or planning to become pregnant to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and influenza.

These vaccines are safe and effective and can be given at the same appointment.

Moreover, Tdap vaccine should be given during the early part of the third trimester to help protect newborns.

Now Scheduling VIRTUAL and IN-PERSON Appointments!

Whether you’re new to the Kelsey-Seybold family or a longtime patient, you have a choice of where you can safely get care. Call our 24/7 Contact Center at 713-442-0000 to schedule a same-day or next-day virtual Video Visit or, for non-respiratory illnesses, an in-person appointment at a Kelsey-Seybold Clinic near you.

WE’RE HERE FOR YOU 24/7/365

Your health and safety are our top priority. We‘re screening patients upon arrival for COVID-19 symptoms, checking temperatures, and following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Please remember to wear a mask or cloth face protection while visiting our clinics.

After-Hours Nurse Hotline 713-442-0000

24/7 Contact Center 713-442-0000

Learn More About Virtual Visits kelsey-seybold.com/virtual

ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS and more than 50 HEALTH PLANS, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare. Also accepting two Medicare Advantage plans, KelseyCare Advantage and WellCare TexanPlus.