Houston Defender: November 4, 2021

#We Need Black Teachers CAMPAIGN AIMS TO GET MORE AFRICAN AMERICAN TEACHERS IN THE CLASSROOM

NEWS

ROD PAIGE

The former HISD superintendent is reflecting on his experiences with the late Colin Powell.

Volume 91, Issue 1 November 4, 2021

ENTERTAINMENT

PAUL WALL The rapper was among many local artists featured at the Good Vibes Music Festival.

facebook.com/defendernetwork twitter.com/defendernetwork

instagram.com/defendernetwork defendernetwork.com

FREE

2 | November 4, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN To the POINT

FIT & FINE Joy Diggs Age: 38 Occupation: Dietitian and Personal Trainer| Digg Deep Fitness & Nutrition Education: University of North Carolina, Georgia State University Major: B.A. Exercise and Sport Science; M.S. Nutrition Motto: “Little by little, a little becomes a lot.” The idea that small actions add up over time. Just be consistent.”

Jay Z watches performers onstage during the 36th Annual Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on October 30, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame “I’m motivated to become all that God has created for me to be”

Reporter’s message “MOST DIVERSE” ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME?

comedic flares and all. I’ve watched this man since his Chappelle Show days, and to be honest, are you really surprised? He is known to shake tables and say things that the average person would be too scared to say out loud. The man has tough skin. This is a man who walked away from a $50 million contract deal with Comedy Central and left the U.S for South Africa to escape fame. I don’t think the threat of cancel culture will phase him. Just take the L.

Lately, when there is a major entertainment award ceremony I immediately get on Issa Rae’s “I’m rooting for everybody Black” mode. When I read that the six Black artists inducted to the 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (RRHOF) were the among the “most diLaura Onyeneho verse,” I wasn’t sure if I should have felt excited or disappointed. Six Black people? Dass it? Really? Critics say RRHOF always had a representation problem.

You would have thought after the Queen of Soul, Aretha HAPPY BLACK SOLIDARITY DAY Franklin became the first woman inducted into the RRHOF, Black Solidarity Day was created in 1969 as a day nationally that things would’ve changed, but nah, not so much. The observed by Black men and women. The day was strategically birth of Rock and Roll can largely be attributed to Black mu- placed in November on the Monday before elections take place. sicians and it’s interesting that this “most diverse” recogni- Black folk came together to discuss politics and share issues that tion is coming at a time when diversity and inclusion just mattered to the community. They were asked to stay home, take became such a trendy topic. Congratulations to Tina Turner, the day off from work, and not shop, in order to draw attention Jay-Z, Clarence Avant, Gil Scott-Heron, LL Cool J and Billy to the plight of Black people. The first Black Solidarity Day was Preston. Let’s keep this same energy for next year, okay? held on November 3, 1969 during the Black Power Movement and post- Civil Rights-era America. Fast forward to 2021, it’s safe CANCEL CULTURE CAN TAKE AN “L” to say that we are still dealing with the criminalization and marSpeaking of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, did you catch ginalization of Black people. This is the best time for all of us to Comedian Dave Chapelle during the induction ceremony be reminded on Black Solidarity Day to go and vote! In solidarity! when he began to introduce Jay-Z? He stood on stage, held a note card and said “I would like to apologize to…,” and IN THIS WEEK’S DEFENDER said “I’m just playing!” The crowd busted out into cheers. • Defender reporter Payton Wilson takes us to the Good Vibes If you were unaware of the latest cancel culture tea, ChapMusic Festival. pelle recently faced scrutiny over his Netflix comedy special • Get updates on the tragic story of the Houston mother “The Closer” after his comments about the trans commuwho left their kids living with their dead brother. nity sparked controversy. It led to a domino effect with the • Aldine partners with Prairie View to open academy for LGBTQ community organizing protests against the Netflix young men color. special, but the company defended Chappelle and chose to keep its relationship with him. Chappelle eventually re- ON THE WEB sponded in a five minute Instagram video basically saying • Five tips to prepare you for Medicare open enrollment. that he won’t bend to the demands of anyone (long story • Watch the video of a Metro Map operator saving lives short, of course). I had to take the time to watch the speduring a crash. cial in its entirety, and I understood the message minus the • TSU receives 770k grant for center for financial investment.

November 4, 2021 |

| 3

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN News

Visit DefenderNetwork.com for complete election results

HOUSE OF HORRORS

What we know so far about murder of 8-year-old Kendrick Lee

By ReShonda Tate

It’s a case that rocked the city – three siblings (ages 15, 9 and 7) left to live in an apartment with the decaying body of their 8-year-old brother for nearly a year.

Gloria Williams, 35, the children’s mother, and her boyfriend, Brian Coulter, 31, have both been charged, the latter with murder of 8-year-old Kendrick Lee. Here’s more about the timeline of the case.

2020

Alief ISD confirms that in 2019 and 2020, the school district filed truancy papers against Gloria Williams. District officials said the kids were last enrolled in May 2020. A September 2020 home visit went unanswered.

November 20-29, 2020

According to Harris County police, Coulter beat Lee to death during this time in their apartment in West Houston. Lee’s brothers said in testimony to deputies that Coulter kicked and punched the child repeatedly until he stopped moving and had black eyes. The boys said Coulter then covered his body with a blanket.

Brian Coulter

Gloria Williams

skeletal remains were found and his siblings were left abandoned.

The apartment the boys were living in was in a deplorable condition, officials said. The unit reportedly had no furniture, no bedding, soiled carpet and cockroach and fly infestations.

Shortly after the murder, Coulter was arrested at a Bucee’s in Luling, a Texas town of around 5,800 people located about 140 miles west of Houston along I-10. Coulter was in the Caldwell County Jail from Nov. 23 until Nov. 29 when he bonded out.Based on those dates and the Harris County Sheriff ’s Office timeline, the little boy was killed just a day or two before the arrest.

March 2021

Tuesday Oct. 26, 2021

Williams and Coulter moved out, leaving the brothers alone to fend for themselves with Kendrick’s decomposing body.

April 2021

A neighbor complains about the smell coming from the apartment where the children lived but says nothing was done.

Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021

The 15-year-old reportedly texted his mother that he could not take it anymore, then called authorities claiming that his brother had been dead a year in the apartment. Deputies responded to the scene at the apartment complex, where Lee’s

It’s horrific but unfortunately not terribly uncommon.

When you have unrelated males in the same home as children, the chance of one child being abused just skyrockets.”

Monday, Oct. 25, 2021

Deputies located Williams and Coulter, and after being interviewed by law enforcement, were released. No charges were filed.

All three surviving boys were taken to the hospital, where doctors said they were malnourished with injuries. Investigators believe Coulter beat the 9-yearold and caused an injury about three weeks ago. No medical attention was given at the time.

The boy will soon undergo surgery, officials said.

November 2020

Mourners left mementos at a vigil for Kendrick.

Williams was charged with injury to a child by omission and tampering with evidence, a human corpse and Coulter was charged with murder. Both were arrested at a public library where they were searching news articles about themselves.

Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021

Charges were read in court against Coulter, though he did not appear. He was being evaluated at a mental health unit. The judge set his bond at $1 million.

The judge also ordered him not to have contact with any minors, specifically the minor witnesses in the case, and no contact with the boys’ mother.

Kendrick Lee (in white) with his brothers in an undated photo.

Juvenile judge Mike Schneider

More about the children • Gloria Williams is the children’s mother.

Coulter is not their father. Investigators believe one father is deceased and the other is not in the picture and has no contact with his kid(s).

• Courtney Lee, the biological father of Kendrick Lee and two of the three surviving boys, Jordan, 15, Trevon, 10, told the Daily Mail that he had been estranged from his kids and only learned of Kendrick’s death on the news.

• Investigators said the boys have special needs, noting that early information indicates that at least two of the boys have autism.

• Williams reportedly told deputies she

witnessed her boyfriend punching her now-deceased son in Nov. 2020 and that she tried to stop him. The next day, she said she went back into the room where the beating took place and found the 8-year-old deceased under the blanket.

• According to the details revealed in court, Williams admitted she knew her son was dead, but did not notify law enforcement because Coulter told her not to. She was afraid her kids would be taken by CPS, and she was afraid she would go to jail.

• Williams has six children. The other two children live with relatives.

4 | November 4, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN News

INNOCENT?

Texas death row inmate Rodney Reed denied new trial Defender News Service

More than two decades after Rodney Reed was sentenced to death for the murder of 19-year-old Stacey Stites, doubts about his guilt and the role race might have played in his 1998 conviction continue to haunt the Central Texas town of Bastrop.

A judge appointed to reexamine the case has slammed the door on Reed’s best chance to avoid execution, releasing his findings that newly presented evidence is not enough to grant Reed a new trial.

The ruling by retired state District Judge J.D. Langley is a dramatic setback for efforts to win Reed’s freedom in a case that has spawned international attention and

outrage, often cited by Reed’s Reed, a Black man, was supporters as an example of found guilty of murdering a Black man railroaded by Stites, a white woman, and an American criminal justice sentenced to death by an allsystem. white jury. Fennell, a white The case now goes to the man, is a former Giddings Texas Court of Criminal Appolice officer. Reed said he peals, which has the final say was dating Stites’ and this is a in the matter. vendetta.

It is an explosive turn after Langley’s rejection of a new Rodney Reed nearly a quarter-century of trial comes nearly two years afcourt battles over the 1996 Bastrop Coun- ter Reed’s impending execution was halted ty killing. Reed, now 53, and his support- among deafening calls for further review ers have long proclaimed his innocence, of his conviction from a bipartisan group pointing blame at Stites’ fiance, Jimmy of Texas lawmakers, numerous A-list ceFennell. Stites’ family and state attorneys lebrities and millions of people who signed remain convinced of Reed’s guilt. online petitions. After years of appeals, the

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the state’s highest criminal court, ordered the trial court in 2019 to weigh whether Reed is innocent of Stites’ murder.

But the high court can still rule against Langley and grant Reed a new trial. It’s unclear when the court will make a decision.

“If a new jury heard the overwhelming evidence of Rodney Reed’s innocence, it would have reasonable doubts.

Convicted by an all-white jury, Mr. Reed has spent 23 years on death row for a crime he did not commit,” said Jane Pucher with the Innocence Project. “We hope the Court of Criminal Appeals recognizes that he should be given a new trial.”

Oklahoma panel recommends governor spare Julius Jones’ life Defender News Service

Oklahoma’s Pardon and Parole Board has recommended that Gov. Kevin Stitt spare the life of Julius Jones, a man who has been on death row while proclaiming his innocence for more than two decades in the 1999 killing of a suburban Oklahoma City businessman.

The board recommended in a 3-1 vote that Stitt grant Jones clemency and commute his sentence to life in prison with the possibility of parole after hearing from Jones, 41. Several members of the panel agreed they had doubts about the evidence that led to Jones’ conviction. The lone vote against Julius Jones clemency came from Richard Smothermon, a former prosecutor, who said he believed Jones was not being truthful in his testimony.

Jones’ fate now rests with Stitt, who must decide whether to let Jones be executed or commute his sentence. Stitt’s predecessor, fellow Republican Gov. Mary Fallin, rejected three separate recommendations for clemency for people on death row.

The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals has set a Nov. 18 execution date for Jones.

Jones was sentenced to die for the 1999 shooting death of Paul Howell during a carjacking in the Oklahoma City suburb of Edmond. He admitted that he began shoplifting clothes, jewelry and electronics, but denied that he ever committed any violent acts. He also denied committing a separate carjacking to which he pleaded guilty, saying he made the plea on the advice of his attorney.

“Yes, I made mistakes in my youth, but I did not kill Mr.

Jones alleges he was framed by the actual killer, a high school friend and former co-defendant who was a key prosecution witness. Jones also maintains his trial was contaminated by a racist juror, but the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals rejected that claim.

Jones’ attorney, Amanda Bass, said his criminal trial was corrupted by the use of junk forensic science, jailhouse informants and a plea deal for the co-defendant who testified against him.

“In these ways and more, the criminal justice system failed Mr. Howell,” Bass said. “It also failed Julius by condemning him to death for something he did not do.”

Members of the Julius Jones family gather in prayer before the start of Jones’ clemency hearing by the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board. -AP

Paul Howell,” Jones told the panel.

Jones also testified that he was at home with his parents and siblings on the evening when Howell was killed, but prosecutors said Jones himself previously told his trial lawyers that wasn’t true.

“Jones repeatedly and unequivocally told his attorneys that his parents were mistaken and that he was not at home the night of the murder,” said Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Crabb.

Jones’ case drew attention after it was profiled in “The Last Defense,” a three-episode documentary produced by actress Viola Davis that aired on ABC in 2018. Since then, reality television star Kim Kardashian West and athletes with Oklahoma ties, including NBA stars Russell Westbrook, Blake Griffin and Trae Young, have urged Stitt to commute Jones’ death sentence and spare his life.

VOLUME 91 - NUMBER 1 - NOVEMBER 4, 2021 Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles

Managing Editor ReShonda Tate

Chief Development Officer Emelda Douglas

Associate Editor Aswad Walker

Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles

Education Reporter Laura Onyeneho

Creative Director Michael Grant

Sports Terrance Harris Jodie B. Jiles

Engagement Manager Alexandria Williams

Photographers Jimmie Aggison

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

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

November 4, 2021 |

| 5

DEFENDER NETWORK

More speed. More wow.

More value.

Get incredible Internet at an incredible price — just $19.99 a month.

There’s never been a better time to switch to Xfinity. Get Xfinity Internet with up to 50 Mbps for just $19.99 a month for 12 months. Want even more speed? For the FIRST TIME EVER, you can now get 12x the speed for the SAME PRICE when you add Xfinity Mobile. That’s mind-blowing speed at a special low price. Plus, for a limited time, Xfinity Mobile customers can get $300 back. Get this deal before it’s gone!

FIRST TIME EVER Get

12x the speed

for the same price.

Special Offer Xfinity Internet 600 Mbps

$1999

a month for 12 months

with a 1-year contract

when you add Xfinity Mobile and enroll in automatic payments and paperless billing.

Equipment, taxes and other charges extra and subject to change. See details below.

1-800-xfinity

xfinity.com

Plus, for a limited time, get

$300 back with Xfinity Mobile

Ends 11/21/21. For new Xfinity Internet customers adding mobile by 12/31/21.

Visit a store today

Offer requires enrollment in both automatic payments and paperless billing. Without enrollment, the monthly service charge automatically increases by $10. The discount will appear on your bill within 30 days of enrolling in automatic payments and paperless billing. If either automatic payments or paperless billing are subsequently cancelled, the $10 monthly discount will be removed automatically. Offer ends 11/21/21. Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. New residential customers only. Limited to Connect Internet. Early termination fee applies if all Xfinity services (other than Xfinity Mobile) are cancelled during the contract term. Equipment, installation, taxes and fees and other applicable charges extra, and subject to change during and after the term contract. After term contract, regular charges apply. After 12 months, service charge for Connect Internet increases to $34.99/mo. for months 13-24 and service charge for Superfast Internet increases to $80/ mo. Service limited to a single outlet. May not be combined with other offers. Internet: Actual speeds vary and not guaranteed. For factors affecting speed visit www.xfinity.com/networkmanagement. 12x speed comparison based on monthly recurring charge for Xfinity Connect Internet 50 Mbps and Xfinity Superfast Internet was 600 Mbps with discount for adding new Xfinity Mobile line for a year. Must sign up for Xfinity Mobile and activate a new line within 90 days of Internet order and maintain the line to receive mobile discount for 24 months. Discount will appear on your Internet bill within 30 days of Xfinity Mobile activation. Must keep Xfinity Mobile and Superfast Internet service for 24 months to receive $30/mo. discount.

If either Xfinity Mobile or Superfast Internet are cancelled, or Superfast Internet is downgraded within 24 months, you will no longer receive the Xfinity Mobile discount. Xfinity Mobile: Requires residential post-pay Xfinity Internet. Line limitations may apply. For Xfinity Mobile Broadband Disclosures visit: www.xfinity.com/mobile/policies/broadband-disclosures. $300 Prepaid Card Offer: Ends 11/21/21. For new Xfinity Internet customers adding mobile by 12/31/21. Must maintain the new line with an account in good standing for 90 days following line activation. Visa Prepaid Cards are issued by MetaBank®, National Association, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa® U.S.A. Inc. This card can be used anywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. Prepaid card mailed to Xfinity account holder within 16-18 weeks of activation of all required services and expires in 180 days. Limited to one $300 card per account. Call for restrictions and complete details. © 2021 Comcast.

All rights reserved. NPA238324-0002

141677_NPA238324-0002 Nov Sale W 12x ad 9.75x13 HoustonDefender.indd 1

10/25/21 3:27 PM

6 | November 4, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

| 7

DN InFocus

#WeNeedBlackTeachers CAMPAIGN TACKLES NATIONWIDE SHORTAGE

By Laura Onyeneho

schools serving white students.” of a teacher preparation program to propIf you click on the hashtag #WeNeedPost-Brown vs. Board of Education erly train Black and brown teachers for BlackTeachers on social media, you will desegregation efforts effectively mandated the workforce. They have also created the see the collective responses of thousands the education of Black children by white Freedom School Literacy Academy, a paid of people describing the ways Black teach- educators. History continues to show the apprenticeship program that provides stuers have positively impacted students role in which systemic racism and dents with mentorship and hands-on nationwide, especially during the COVID gender discrimination play in experience to encourage teaching pandemic. preventing educators from as a career option.

The non-profit the Center for Black Edu- advancing on to pathways to “We need to invite students cator Development (CBED) is the creator leadership. into the profession early. Oftenof the national campaign, which strives to Horn added that there are times, people speak poorly of raise awareness about the shortage of Black reasons why retention of Black the teaching profession,” said teachers and inspire Black students to con- teachers is a concern, with low Mimi Woldeyohannes, director sider becoming future educators themselves. salaries among them. Some of Strategic Partnerships for Mimi It launched in September and has expanded schools with large minority CBED. “We need to be mindful Woldeyohannes nationally with hopes of making an impact populations, particularly those about what we tell our young in multiple cities, including Houston. in low-income communities, tend to have people. This is just our way of creating a “Our campaign is centered around stu- higher rates of teacher turnover. Closing generational model to help them connect dents. They are reflecting on their lived the achievement gap in a majority-mi- the dots to racial and educational justice.” experiences and their voices aren’t tapped nority school is a large investment of time.

The CBED recently hosted a Black Men into enough,” said Sharif El-Mekki, CEO In some cases when schools experience Educators Conference, an online event disand founder of the CBED. “We want budget cuts, poor working conditions cussing emotional work revolutionary Black to help these students become and lack of resources, educators men educators conduct daily along with a effective future educators and experience burnout. The lack virtual seminar on Nov. 22 hosted once a connect the dots to becoming of culturally responsive teach- month called Mbongi (meaning “learning leaders in educational justice.” ing and being able to create place” in Congolese dialect), for young peoAccording to the U.S. Cenan environment to validate ple to engage in the topics of what it means sus Bureau, 13% of the U.S and reflect the diversity and to be an educator. For more information visit population is Black yet the pubexperience of Black students is www.thecenterblacked.org. lic education system is comprised a problem as well. of only 7% of Black teachers. The Sharif El-Mekki Jamal Robinson, a member

BY THE NUMBERS CBED states that Black students of the Houston Area Alliance of The ERC data findings describing the feel more engaged in the classroom with a Black School Educators and a teacher in landscape of Black teachers and principals Black teacher because it’s safer being taught HISD, agrees that financial support will go in Texas reveal the following: by someone who can understand the reality a long way for Black educators. “Proper • Black teachers make up 11% of the of being Black in America. training, certification, and licensing costs teaching workforce and are most often “We have to ensure that every student has money, and a lot of educators can’t afford prepared through an alternative certiaccess to an outstanding teacher. We have to it,” he said. “Loan forgiveness, bonuses and fication program. look at the career trajectory of Black teach- mentorship are all effective solutions.”

• Black teachers are employed by camers, and their experience in the full arc of the Robinson is a second-grade teacher and puses that serve high average conprofession in leading into the principal role,” is often tired of playing the disciplinary role centrations of low-income (71%) and said Dr. Catherine Horn, director of the as a Black male educator.

Black (34%) students and are located University of Houston’s Education Research “I am one of two Black male educators in major metropolitan areas of Texas.

Center (ERC). “Our research shows that the at my school and because of this, we are • 6% of Black teachers become assistant diminishing pool of Black educators has a viewed more as disciplinarians. As if we principals after teaching for an average significant historical context.” have to be tough and strict in order to of 6.5 years.

According to the ERC’s QuantCrit Anal- establish order in the classroom, he said.

• 2% of Black teachers become principals ysis of Black Teacher to Principal Pipeline “I don’t want to feel limited to certain after serving as an assistant Principal study, for the first 200 years, Black edu- situations that white educators stereotypfor an average of 6.3 years. cation was suppressed by the prohibition ically believe that I should be capable of Laura Onyeneho covers the city’s educaof education of people enslaved in the handling.” tion system as it relates to Black children for U.S. Following emancipation, “resources Such concerns are the reason the CBED the Defender Network as a Report For Amerwere disproportionately distributed by is collaborating with professors at UH and ica Corps member. Email her at laura@ white-dominant government to favor Texas Tech University for the development defendernetwork.com

BLACK TEACHERS LESS LIKELY TO GET VACCINATED Defender News Service

With the federal government promising enough vaccines to protect the nation’s 28 million kids in the 5-11 age group, pediatricians’ offices and hospitals began inoculating children, with schools, pharmacies and other locations planning to follow suit in the days ahead. But while the students are getting vaccinated, more and more teachers are not. And now, survey data from the two national teachers’ unions reveal stark inequities within the vaccine rollout so far. Black educators, the data shows, are less likely to be vaccinated than their white peers.

The American Federation of Teachers found that 77 percent of its white members were either already vaccinated or will be soon, compared to 64 percent of Hispanic members and 46 percent of Black members.

“That is a disturbing part of the data we collected,” said NEA President Becky Pringle, who is Black.

Though the reasons educators of color are less likely to be vaccinated, she said, are probably in line with the general population.

Across the board, people of color are getting vaccinated at lower rates than white people. Recent federal data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that 67% of the total population in the United States have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. With the continued spread of the more transmissible Delta variant, unvaccinated people remain at increased risk for infection, illness, and death.

TEACHERS GETTING VACCINATED

20% 17% 9% White

Hispanic

Black

*The National Education Association

8 | November 4, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Education

ALDINE ISD TO OPEN ACADEMY FOR YOUNG MEN OF COLOR

By Laura Onyeneho

Aldine ISD announced its newest Choice School, a leadership academy focused on the development of young men of color from grades one through eight.

In partnership with Prairie View A&M University, the academy is set to open during the 2022-2023 school year as an extension of the district’s five-year strategic plan, A New Way Forward.

According to Aldine offiENROLLMENT Learn more cials, the academy was born about options out of its dedication to identifying significant gaps in its Choice Schools Festival focus on Black and Brown Saturday, Nov. 6 male students. Based on stuM.O. Campbell dent performance data, AlEducational dine ISD had to take a differCenter Arena ent approach to create better 1865 Aldine Bender outcomes for the young men Applications at a faster rate.

to need to take advantage of the different choices in high school…and ultimately graduate with access to those opportunities afterward.”

Partnership with Prairie View

location in the coming months and is undergoing a process to find the right fit.

Laura Onyeneho covers the city’s educaAcademy location tion system as it relates to Black children Adrian Bustillos, chief transformation for the Defender Network as a Report For officer at Aldine ISD, said the district plans America Corps member. Email her at lauto utilize its campus. It will announce theT:4.79"ra@defendernetwork.com

LEGAL NOTICE These Texas Lottery Commission scratch ticket games will be closing soon: Game #

Game Name / Odds

$

Official Close of Game

End Validations Date

2334

$50,000 Poker - Overall Odds are 1 in 4.72

$5

12/15/21

6/13/22

2320

Limited Edition - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.77

$10

12/15/21

6/13/22

2277

10X® The Cash - Overall Odds are 1 in 4.92

$1

12/29/21

6/27/22

2280

50X The Cash - Overall Odds are 1 in 4.07

$5

12/29/21

6/27/22

2282

200X The Cash - Overall Odds are 1 in 3.54

$20

12/29/21

6/27/22

Texaslottery.com is the official source for all pertinent game information. Game closing procedures may be initiated for documented business reasons. These games may have prizes unclaimed, including top prizes. In addition, game closing procedures will be initiated when all top prizes have been claimed. During closing, games may be sold even after all top prizes have been claimed. Must be 18 or older to purchase a ticket. For help with a gambling problem, ncpgambling.org. © 2021 Texas Lottery Commission. PLAY RESPONSIBLY.

T:3.25"

PVAMU President Dr. Ruth Simmons said such academies are important. are available at Her prior experience as a www.aldineisd.org Changing the paradigm president of a women’s colDr. LaTonya M. Goffney, lege helped her realize that superintendent of Aldine ISD, discussed there are things that one can do in a how the leadership academy will change single-gender environment to address the narrative in regard to poor academic issues that are much harder to do in a coperformance statistics that often plague ed environment. young children of color.

Goffney stated that there was no oth“When we look at our males, specifi- er university or partner that Aldine ISD cally African American and Hispanic… would rather be hand in hand with beand how they’re performing in literacy cause PVAMU has shown what is possible and reading in third grade it is alarm- when you have the right people and the ing,” she said. “We know that early in- right work to help marginalized groups. tervention is key. What a great time to Dr. Tyrone Tanner, dean of graduate intervene in the first grade and provide studies at PVAMU, said the university will them with the preparation they’re going provide mentors for the students, campus

experience and professional development for the educators.

November 4, 2021 |

| 9

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Feature DEFENDER EXCLUSIVE

DR. ROD PAIGE REMEMBERS GEN. COLIN POWELL

The late General Colin Powell pictured here in 2004 while serving as Secretary of State in the George W. Bush administration. -Photo by J. Scott Applewhite. AP

By ASWAD WALKER

very rarely could you bring up a subject that he couldn’t get in conversation with and be deeply involved. He was a very knowledgeable guy.

With the recent passing of Gen. Colin Powell, media outlets near and far provided snapshots of the former secretary of state’s life. The Bayou City, however, is home to one of Powell’s former colleagues in the George W. Bush administration, and more importantly, a friend.

Dr. Rod Paige, who went from HISD superintendent to U.S. secretary of education during the George W. Bush years, recently shared with the Defender personal remembrances of his late friend, Gen. Powell.

DEFENDER: When did you and Gen. Powell first meet?

ROD PAIGE: Both of us came to Washington in Janu-

ary 2001 to join the Bush cabinet. We had several meetings to get together and understand the dynamics of what was happening there and be instructed on how we should conduct ourselves. It was interesting meeting him. He and I, and there was one other African-American gentlemen in that group (Alphonso Jackson, secretary of housing and urban development). So, we just kind of came together as a group.

DEFENDER: How did the friendship develop?

PAIGE: The friendship kind of formed because I was fas-

cinated by meeting a general in the military and the experience he had. I was interested in learning more about him.

And the more I learned about him, the more I was excited about learning about him, because he was one of the most fascinating human beings I’ve ever met in my entire life. So,

DEFENDER: What was the experience like being two of the three Black men serving as members of a presidential administration?

PAIGE: Understand, I came from the education field

Dr. Rod Paige

I was very inquisitive about meeting him. I looked forward to meeting with him, talking to him, having good conversations with him and learning more about who he was and how he came to develop those attitudes.

DEFENDER: To the general public, Gen. Powell always seemed very serious, straight-laced, nononsense. What made him so fascinating?

PAIGE: He had factual information about a broad

range of subjects; almost any subject you’d bring up. He didn’t just have surface information about it, he usually had very deep information about it. And here’s the thing that made it very interesting. He also had a fascinating sense of humor. Very comfortable. His conversations were soft, but they were factual and straightforward. And

and I hadn’t been in politics. That was kind of a strange field for me. So, I was very inquisitive about how things were going and very careful about my conduct to make sure that I was conducting myself properly, and having knowledge about what the issues were that were taking place. It was kind of a strange situation for me and a very interesting time. I was especially interested in learning the other members of the cabinet and their characteristics and their history. I spent a lot of time reading about them before the meetings so I could understand who they were...[Gen. Powell] and I had kind of a solid friendship.

And I was fascinated by his intelligence and his comedy.

DEFENDER: Is there anything else you would like to share about your friendship with the general?

PAIGE: Although we didn’t have conference calls of-

ten, but occasionally, I miss that. When I got the news of his passing, that was a depth of feeling that I had not experienced before for a person whose relationship was like his. He was a person that I really appreciated and loved being connected with and kind of loved him as a gentleman, as well. He was a broad person.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE DYNAMICS OF THE PAIGE/POWELL FRIENDSHIP AND WHAT PEOPLE WOULD BE MOST SURPRISED TO LEARN ABOUT POWELL AT DEFENDERNETWORK.COM.

10 | November 4, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports Texans safety Justin Reid finished with a team-high 10 tackles (five solo) during the loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Texas Southern junior linebacker Tarik Cooper recorded seven tackles and one interception during the Tigers’ 59-17 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

Sports Briefs No Watson trade

PVAMU senior defensive lineman Jason Dumas is once again terrorizing quarterbacks and is on pace for a career year.

PVAMU DEFENSE RISES WITH JASON DUMAS

By Terrance Harris

It’s easy for Prairie View A&M senior defensive tackle Jason Dumas to find that extra motivation, especially when those moments come when he feels like taking a break.

He thinks about his father, Melvin Dumas, and the sacrifices he made for his family in Vacherie, La. “I can say, watching my father work, wake up every day at 3 a.m. and go to work to provide for the family…I’ve seen that and so it’s just like why would I take a day off ?” Dumas recalled recently.

“Every day I think about that, even when some days it gets rough. I still think about that.”

It has been the driving force behind transforming a player who was thought to be far too undersized as a 5-foot-10, 230-pound defensive tackle into one of the hardest defensive linemen to block in the SWAC. Dumas plays with a motor and passion that has made him a menace to many opposing quarterbacks and a disruptor of offensive backfields, in general.

As a sophomore in 2019, Dumas earned 2021 Preseason “All-SWAC” First-Team recognition as one of the Panthers’ most disruptive pass rushers with 53 total tackles, 12.0 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. The 2021 Preseason all-conference standout is on pace for an even more productive season with 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks seven games in.

In addition to being a standout on the football field, Dumas is a standout in the classroom where he is a Mechanical Engineering major on pace to graduate in the summer of 2022.

“You enjoy coaching a young man like Jason Dumas because not only does he do it on the field, but he does it in the classroom,” said PVAMU coach Eric Dooley. “This young man wants to make sure he is going to graduate. He is not just in a major, he is in engineering and doing a great job right now.

“Just the upbringing of this young man, when you meet his parents and the way his parents talk to him and everything he has in his character, you know you are going to get a guy who is never going to stop working.”

What’s making his accomplishments even more special this season is that his numbers are coming in the context of a winning season with the Panthers sitting atop the SWAC West Division at 6-1 overall and 5-0 in league play heading into Saturday’s showdown against Alabama State.

It’s a position Dumas has always dreamed about but has never been in.

“Ever since I’ve been here, it’s always been 5-6, 6-5. So, this is very much new to me when you are pretty much in the driver’s seat and everybody is coming after you,” said Dumas, who is a member of Dooley’s initial recruiting class at Prairie

View. “I’m use to always trying to chase teams, because when you’ve been 6-5, 5-6, you need that one to come through and that hasn’t happened for us.”

What’s changed has been the elevation of the Panthers’ defense this season. Dooley is known for his explosive offenses, but this year, the Panthers’ defense has become a major player in the team’s success. In addition to being ranked in the top three in the SWAC in scoring defense (23.0 points per game), rushing defense (122.9 yards per game) and passing defense (176.0 yards), the Panthers rank seventh in total defense (273.4 yards) nationally among FCS schools.

Much of the success can be attributed to the outstanding play of defensive players like safety Drake Cheatum and linebacker Tre’Shaud Smith along with defensive linemen Rashaud Powell, Troy James and Dumas.

The numbers and recognition are nice, but Dumas insists the Panthers are far from satisfied.

“If you just look at our record, you get complacent and you are not going to win a championship,” he said. “Champions don’t do that.

“It does feel great to have a winning record because you are not used to that.

It’s something to be proud about because you feel like you are changing the culture around here, being what you want to be, which is a winning program. It feels great.”

After weeks of trade speculation, the Nov. 2 NFL trade deadline came and went Deshaun without the Watson Texans dealing disgruntled and troubled quarterback Deshaun Watson. A deal seemed to be in the works with Miami, but that fell through because the owner wanted Watson’s legal troubles resolved before the trade could be executed. Now, the Texans will have to attempt to trade Watson, who has a no-trade clause in his contract, in the offseason.

Body of work

TSU freshman Andrew Body earned FCS National and SWAC Andrew Offensive Player Body of the Week honors after the dual-threat quarterback finished with 121 yards and one touchdown running the ball and 271 yards and four touchdowns passing during the Tigers’ 59-17 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

Wizards winning Westbrook-Wall trade

Any guess who is the early winner of last season’s Russell Westbrook for John Wall Russell trade? It’s the Westbrook Wizards. As of Monday, the Wizards were off to their second-best start in the last 30 years while the Rockets are off to an awful start. Wall is still on the team, but not playing, while Westbrook has left the Wizards after one season. In return, Washington received a young nucleus of Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and it’s working out well.

November 4, 2021 |

| 11

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports SPRING QB

BISHOP DAVENPORT PUTS UP NUMBERS

By Jodie B. Jiles

Spring High School senior quarterback Bishop Davenport, a Utah State verbal commit, may be one of the most talented pure passing quarterbacks in his class this year.

With a strong lineup of Lions’ wide receivers, Davenport is a magician in and out the pocket, spreading the rock around to teammates and moving his offense down the field. Davenport’s baseball arm and accurate throws make him a threat to defenses, particularly in the short and mid-range passing gaps.

In 2020, Davenport was named the Texas District 14-6A MVP as a junior after leading Spring to an undefeated season, where he threw 36 touchdowns and ran for seven

touchdowns while only giving up three interceptions. Davenport is a captain on his team and maintains a 3.0 GPA in the classroom.

This season, even though Spring saw its only loss to No. 7 Texas-ranked Westfield High School in the middle of the season, Spring has bounced back winning four straight games and averaging nearly 48 points a game. Davenport has Spring back scratching for a top 10 spot in the state, currently ranked at No. 12.

The Defender spoke with Davenport to discuss his style of play, major influences, the lessons learned during the Westfield game, keys to success and more.

STYLE OF PLAY

“I would describe my style as dual-threat. I can throw whenever I can and run whenever I can.”

UNIQUE QUALITY

“Just my effort and my ability to stay in the game even when we go down.”

UTAH STATE COMMITMENT

“The coaching, the offensive staff and how they run their staff just fits me.”

KEYS TO SUCCESS

“Working hard and just believing in God while staying focused.”

LESSONS FROM WESTFIELD GAME

“Just stay humble, fight through the whole game and just be hungry.”

PLAYOFF PUSH

“I’m just telling them to stay focused and stay humble.”

ABOUT BISHOP DAVENPORT

Height: 6-feet-1 40-time: 4.6 seconds Twitter: @bishoptheQB IG: @bcinco Players he studies: Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady, Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers Favorite artists: NBA YoungBoy, Lil Baby, Gunna, No Cap, Rollo Hobbies: Outdoorsmanship with his family World problem he would solve: Poverty Notable awards: 2020 District 14-6A MVP Shout-outs: “I want to shout out to my mom, dad, parents, family, God and everybody that helps me do what I do.”

Photo by Jimmie Aggison

12 | November 4, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Entertainment

SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT. Paul Wall performing as part of Texas Legends. Photos by Palo Mumbi

GOOD VIBES ONLY FESTIVAL SHOWCASES LOCAL TALENT

By Payton Wilson

Good Vibes Only, one of Houston’s only mainstream music festival, made its return this year, and it surely didn’t disappoint. The event’s lineup was filled with local artists, with the only exception being headliner, Burna Boy. GVO’s original lineup included artists such as Ari Lennox and DJ Drama, but both acts were later replaced with local artists DJ Oreo and OG Ron C. The festival kicked off with a performance from Jimmy Boltx, a rapper who calls himself a “Yockstar.” As soon as he touched the stage, he captivated the attention of everyone in the audience with his contagious energy. He displayed incredible breath control as he hopped around from side to side on stage, engaging each and every person in the audience without missing a beat. When asked about his performance and the energy he maintained, Jimmy said, “Energy is in me...it’s who I am. I bring that energy every time I perform. It’s all a part of me.”

Jimmy’s performance was followed with quick sets from several DJs to amp up the audience for Texas Legends, the duo consisting of Houston legends Paul Wall and Slim Thug. The duo took turns going hit for hit and the audience loved every second of it. When Paul Wall rapped the intro to his and Nelly’s hit song, “Grillz” the entire audience rapped along with him and was sure to make him feel the love Houston has for their legends.

Both Wall and Thug have over 20 years in

Monaleo

Slim Thug

the game, but Wall didn’t always envision himself becoming the legend he is today.

“Growing up I always wanted it, growing up in Hip-Hop there weren’t a lot of old rappers to look at...in rock and country you see artists that are 70, 80 years old, but there are no rappers who are that old yet. I always looked at other musicians like Willie Nelson, it would be my dream to be that age still putting music out, touring, and representing my city,” Wall told the Defender.

After the Texas Legends wrapped up their set, OG Ron C took the stage and blessed the crowd with his signature chopped and screwed sound. While the crowd didn’t recognize him immediately, as soon as he played “TSU” by Drake, people quickly caught on. His set was immediately followed by the event’s first headliner, Houston’s very own, Monaleo.

In an era where female-led rap is quickly taking over Hip-Hop, there’s been a multitude of talented female rappers to launch from Houston, but amongst Houston’s rap scene, it’s widely agreed that Monaleo is truly the one next up.

She performed about six or seven songs

Burna Boy

OG Ron

and engaged the audience with each one.

Toward the end of her performance, she debuted a new song that showcased a different side of the braggadocious, and bold Monaleo fans may be used to. She wrote a song about the many friends she’s lost within the past year and picked that night to debut the unreleased track and her previously unseen singing pipes. Before the song, she asked the audience if it was okay to switch up the vibe a bit and slow it down. She was clearly nervous, but she didn’t let her nerves get in the way. She sang her heart out and the audience felt her emotion and responded well.

Immediately after she finished her set, the Defender caught up with her for an exclusive. When asked about how she felt about her performance and how it felt to perform in front of her hometown, she said “I feel so good...my adrenaline is rushing so bad and I’m just so happy that the city embraces me.

I love my city and I can’t wait to do more for my city.”

She also spoke more about her debut song.

“Definitely singing at the end for my

friends that have passed away. I felt like I really got to honor them and I felt good about that,” she said.

Monaleo has a long, bright career ahead of her. Her bars are clean and her vocals are just as smooth, but her versatility is what will also carry her far.

The last performance of the night came from the Nigerian afrobeat superstar, Burna Boy. Before he came on stage, his DJ and hype crew came out and turned the venue upside down. They played afrobeat classics and kept the crowd moving and singing along to every song. When Burna Boy finally came out to perform, the audience was so amped up, that each song he performed only drove them crazier. Houston has a huge Nigerian population and it felt like they all showed up for Burna Boy that night. Even when his set ended, people were still dancing and smiling with one another.

Good Vibes Only was a perfect name for this festival. As the night went on, its positive energy only increased. From Paul Wall to Burna Boy, there wasn’t a single dull moment. By placing a highlight on both up-and-coming artists and veterans in the game, they succeed by appealing to many different audiences and demographics and bringing them together. If a “Good Vibe” was the goal, then the goal was surely achieved.

Payton Wilson is a 17-year-old multimedia journalist with experience beyond her years.

You can reach her at thepaywilson@gmail.com.