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ASTROWORLD TRAGEDY

WHAT WENT WRONG, WHO’S TO BLAME AND HOW DO WE KEEP IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN?

ENTERTAINMENT

SPORTS

MATHEW KNOWLES

ERIC DOOLEY The Prairie View football coach is laser-focused as his Panthers continued to surge.

The businessman talks success, Beyoncé, getting vaxxed.

Volume 91, issue 2 November 11, 2021

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Megan Thee Stallion attends the Glamour Women of the Year Awards at the Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center on Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, in New York. Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

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Reporter’s message Astroworld tragedy: Whose fault is it? ence they need to get a leg up in the workforce that It wasn’t long before the whole nation heard often denies young folk for not having “enough exthe news about the violent “crowd surge” that perience” after college. killed at least eight attendees at Grammy-nomI hope this generation can still understand the inated rapper Travis Scott’s sold-out Astroworld value of obtaining a quality education, whether music festival. you’re famous or not. Scott’s signature, high-energy, chaotic performances encourage fans to partake in crowd surfTrump 2024? Laura Onyeneho ing, form mosh pits and stage dives. If you have been paying attention to the news, Unfortunately, a large crowd of people quickly it looks like former President Donald Trump is pushed forward during a performance leading up to his set. moving in a way that may hint that he could be running to Some argue that it is the responsibility of the festival orga- reclaim the Oval Office in 2024. nizers to plan and execute a strategy to keep people safe during If I were you, I wouldn’t second guess Trump or the way these types of performances. We can’t overlook the fact that he has been moving lately. He has held rallies in key states, the actions of the attendees at the venue were not mandated by particularly in Iowa in October for his first visit after losScott or the organizers but of their own free will. ing the presidential election last November. He spoke for an Even though the rapper took to social media to send his hour and a half spewing off a list of campaign-styled promprayers to the lives lost and his commitment to supporting ises saying, “We’re going to take America back.” the Houston PD during the investigation, these families arTrump continues to send out fundraising emails, and en’t letting Scott off the hook. He has now been served with stands his ground on the false claims that the 2020 election multiple lawsuits. Drake’s name has been thrown into the was “rigged” and criticized Biden and his administration for mix. Imagine that! the Afghanistan withdrawal of troops and the handling of Scott is a beloved icon in the Houston’s hip-hop commu- the COVID-19 pandemic. nity which would get anybody excited, but should he take He says he will “probably” wait until after next year’s midthe fall for the tragedy? Who do you think is really at fault? term election to announce whether he will run for president in 2024. Megan Thee Stallion creating If his announcement is set in stone, be prepared for anopportunities for HBCU grads other wild ride in politics. There are many things about Megan Thee Stallion that I like, but the one thing that makes me happy is that even IN THIS WEEK’S DEFENDER: though she has an amazing rap career, she went back to • Some residents of Third Ward are working with HPD to school to get her degree from Texas Southern University. fight crime. Many in this generation are not so accustomed to delayed • Kulture Restaurant reopens with limited culinary series gratification, especially when it comes to the glitz and glam spotlighting Black chefs. of the music industry. When you are rich and famous, why • An in-depth look at the Astroworld tragedy. do you have to go back to school right? Megan’s reality after graduation won’t be like many others ON THE WEB: who face the challenges of landing a job in their career field. So, • Defender multi-media journalist Payton Wilson gives a she decided to create a solution to provide opportunities for refirst-hand account of the Astroworld tragedy. cent graduates to land jobs. She plans to open an assisted living • Voting lawsuit keeps Texas and Biden administration facility for those in the healthcare field. The facility would be a at odds. space for HBCU female graduates to get the necessary experi• Texas’ uninsured could get healthcare coverage.

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DN News

Third Ward Citizens on Patrol installing five neighborhood crime prevention signs in the community. Twitter

HPD joins 3rd Ward residents to fight crime Defender News Service

People in the Third Ward are partnering with the Houston Police Department to combat crime. The partnership is considered a big deal by both HPD and the historic neighborhood where crime has spiked. Houston Police Department Detective Eric Carr joined the Citizen Patrol for the unveiling of five signs strategically placed

throughout the neighborhood. “I come from a community that really didn’t like the police when I was growing up,” said Detective Carr. The veteran officer is a New Orleans native who has worked to build relationships with Third Ward residents. “I know the perspective of this community,” he said. “I want to be more of a

solution than just a person talking about the problem.” Carr, who works under HPD’s Community Affairs Division, was assigned to the neighborhood in early 2020, just before Third Ward native George Floyd was murdered by a Minneapolis police officer. “This community has always embraced law enforcement, believe it or not,” said

Carr, who explained it’s the criminals who don’t support police. “So this sign is just a symbol to let everybody know that the partnership is real.” The five signs empower citizens to call police to say something if they see something. The hope is that the citizen patrol helps to prevent crimes like deadly drug-related shootings.

POLL

Voters say Texas is heading in the wrong direction Texas Tribune

Texas voters are feeling down about the state and national economies and pessimistic about the country’s general direction, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll. Fifty-five percent of respondents said the national economy is worse than it was a year ago. That figure includes 25% of Democrats, 51% of independents and 80% of Republicans. The data indicates that Texans are still reeling from the economic fallout of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, according to Joshua Blank, research director for the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin. “When it comes to evaluations of the state economy, Democrats and Republicans view it equally negatively relative to a year ago,”

HOW TEXAS FARES VS. LAST YEAR

TEXAS VOTERS ON THE DIRECTION OF THE STATE

Worse

Headed in the right direction

Better

On the wrong track.

38% 21% 34% About the same

Blank said. “It just reflects the reality on the ground here, that no political posturing can paper over, which is the fact that we’re still recovering from the economic consequenc-

40% 48%

es of the pandemic. And that has hit everybody regardless of your partisan affiliation.” About one in three Texas voters said their personal economic situation is worse now than it was a year ago. Just 20% indicated being better off, and 43% said they were doing “about the same.” Pluralities of Texas voters across racial

groups reported they were doing “about the same” economically compared to a year ago. That evaluation included 43% of white respondents, 51% of Black respondents, 43% of Hispanic respondents and 61% of Asian respondents. Considering the pandemic significantly impacted people of color, Blank said the high levels of “about the same” responses are “almost equivalent” to a negative rating. “The political context here is we’re not in a state of ‘the Texas miracle.’ This is not 2012, when we’re sitting here pounding our chests saying, ‘Hey, Texas is fine,’” Blank said, referring to Texas’ relative resilience after the Great Recession. “You can’t look at these data and say, ‘Yeah, we’ve come out of the pandemic stronger.’ Or that we’re even out of the pandemic as far as all of its consequences are concerned.”

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DN News PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

Paula Harris named Astros Foundation executive director Defender News Service

Voting rights activists gather during a protest against Texas legislators who are advancing new voting restrictions in Austin, Texas

Biden administration sues Texas over new election law Houston Public Media

The Biden administration is suing Texas over the state’s restrictive new election law, which passed during the second special legislative session as Senate Bill 1. The U.S. Department of Justice is challenging the law on relatively narrow grounds. The DOJ formally filed the suit — U.S. v. State of Texas and John Scott, in his official capacity as Texas Secretary of State — in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, San Antonio Division. The lawsuit targets two provisions of the Texas law. One provision places limits on assisting voters with disabilities or limited English proficiency, while the other places limits on identity verification for those who vote by mail. “The challenged provisions will disenfranchise eligible Texas citizens who seek to exercise their right to vote,” the filing read. “These vulnerable voters already confront barriers to the ballot box, and SB 1 will exacerbate the challenges they face in exercising their fundamental right to vote.” According to Emily Berman, an associate professor at the University of Houston Law Center, the Biden administration is not seeking to strike down the entire law. “I think that they are surgically attacking some of the most vulnerable provisions and provisions that have much less obvious political salience in one direction or another,” Berman said. Regarding the limits on how mail-in voters verify their identities, Berman said much of the legal argument hinges on provisions of the Voting Rights Act meant to prevent discrimination against minorities

through literacy tests. Left out of the lawsuit was any reference to SB 1’s provisions barring 24-hour voting, drive-thru voting, or the unrequested mailing of mail-in ballot applications by elections officials. Also left out was any reference to the increase in power given to partisan poll watchers. However, the Justice Department’s lawsuit does emphasize the lack of proof regarding claims of election fraud being a genuine problem in Texas. That includes statistics showing that out of 40 million votes cast in Texas in the past six years, the Texas Attorney General’s Office has only convicted 16 defendants for election-related offenses. After the lawsuit was filed, Gov. Greg Abbott responded to the news with a tweet, telling the Biden administration to “bring it.” “The Texas election integrity law is legal...In Texas it is easier to vote but harder to cheat,” the tweet read. Billy Monroe, an expert on elections and constitutional law at Prairie View A&M University, said the lawsuit could have significant implications for federal efforts to challenge Texas’ recently adopted congressional maps. And because the 2022 election season has already begun, courts are likely to move on the case quickly, Monroe said. “I think Texas will do well through at least the Fifth Circuit, because at least in recent years, the (U.S.) Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has been more open to conservative arguments regarding, I won’t say voter fraud but certainly election security,” Monroe said. “And it’s all going to come down to the Supreme Court.”

and continue to champion our The Houston Astros have longstanding commitment to this hired Paula Harris as the club’s community.” new Astros Foundation executive Harris is a founding member of director and senior vice president, the Young Women’s College Prepacommunity affairs. Harris brings ratory Academy, an all-girl’s engiover 33 years of experience in the neering school serving primarily Houston area, both in the profes- minority students in Houston with sional arena as an executive with the goal of preparing girls to attend Schlumberger Ltd and in the com- top engineering universities. She munity with civic interest has served on numerous and volunteerism. She is boards and in her over 33 a former HISD Board of years in the international Education trustee and oilfield services with president. Schlumberger, Harris, “I am honored to be educated as a petroleum joining the Houston engineer, and worked in Astros as the executive many roles. She worked director of the Astros Paula Harris her way up from field Foundation,” said Harengineer, working on ris. “Working throughout the offshore rigs, to leadership posiHouston community I have always tions such as director of commurespected the work of the Astros nity affairs from 2010-2015 and Foundation with their five pillars most recently, director of global of youth baseball and softball, stewardship. military, childhood cancer awareA native Houstonian, Harris ness, homelessness and domestic graduated with a B.S. in Petroleum violence awareness, and I can’t wait Engineering from Texas A&M to continue to foster our relation- University and a Master’s of Eduships in the community while cation in Technical Instruction and extending our reach to help more Learning from Abilene Christian. Houstonians.” The owner of her own publishOn the hiring of Harris, Astros ing company, Harris has authored, owner and chairman Jim Crane published and distributed four said, “Harris stood out to us books, including “When I Grow during our search for this position Up I want to be an Engineer.” because of her extensive work and The book was translated into four dedication to the Houston com- languages and over 150,000 copmunity over three decades. We are ies were distributed globally to proud to have her join our team schools, museums and non-profits.

VOLUME 91 - NUMBER 2 - NOVEMBER 11, 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

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Introducing

MD Anderson Cancer Center unites more than 30 organizations to promote wellness and reduce cancer risk in Acres Homes Be Well™ Acres Homes, an initiative developed with and for the community, aims to promote physical activity, nutrition and other healthy behaviors that can have a positive impact on health within the northwest Houston community. Led by MD Anderson, Be Well Acres Homes is a collaboration with Harris Health System, Memorial Hermann Community Benefit Corporation, UTHealth School of Public Health, and more than 30 community organizations, along with residents. The action plan for Be Well Acres Homes was developed in alignment with the Houston Complete Communities initiative, a City of Houston program focused on bridging the gap between equity and opportunity in 10 historically under-resourced neighborhoods. Together, we are creating a healthier tomorrow.

mdanderson.org/bewellacreshomes

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DN Entertainment

MATHEW KNOWLES talks success, Beyoncé, getting vaxxed By Allison Kugel

Music executive, artist manager, entrepreneur, activist, lecturer, author and cancer survivor Mathew Knowles brought the world multi-platinum-selling girl group Destiny’s Child, singer-songwriter Solange and megastar Beyoncé. He has also worked with music legends Chaka Khan, the O’Jays and Earth, Wind & Fire through his company Music World Entertainment, with sales of more than 450 million albums worldwide. An academic who earned his MBA in strategic planning and organizational culture and Ph.D in business administration, Knowles mentors and teaches emerging entrepreneurs and artists with such courses as the Music Industry in the Digital Age, through Point Blank Music School where he holds a professorship. Knowles also lectures at University of Houston, Prairie View A&M University and The Art Institute. Knowles is currently on a mission to help get more Americans in underserved communities vaccinated against COVID19 along with the National Minority Health Association’s Flex For Checks program. Here, he discusses the initiative, among other things. Allison Kugel: What is the National Minority Health Association and how did you get involved with their Flex for Checks initiative? Mathew Knowles: The National Minority Health Associ-

ation (NMHA) is working with Brown and Black communities on various health initiatives. For example, when we look at Black men and we look at the percentage of Black men in America, we lead in mortalities in every category, except for breast cancer and suicide. Black women lead in mortality rates for breast cancer. Why is that? Because of a lack of awareness in our communities. It’s about lack of early detection. The [NMHA’s] specific program, Flex For Checks, is about increasing awareness about getting vaccinated [against COVID-19]. You register, you get a shot, and once you’ve proven that you’ve gotten the vaccination, you then receive $50.

Kugel: How did you eventually make your way to Houston? And do you think the success that your daughters, Beyoncé and Solange, have had in the music industry, and the success you’ve had on the business side could have been possible had you stayed in Alabama? Knowles: It was more from my educational path, from

getting a proper education. I was in Nashville, Tennessee and I chose Houston because of all the industry. At the time, you had affirmative action and you had quotas that these major oil companies and all the other companies that were successful because of the oil initiative in Houston, had to fulfill. So at that time in Houston, it was very easy being Black and getting a really good job. That is why I went to Houston from Nashville. I grew up in Gadsden, Alabama, where we had a Goodyear plant and we had a public steel plant, real blue collar. Chances are I would have ended up working at one of those

types of facilities had I stayed in Gadsden. My parents had encouraged me and my vision was much broader than that, so I wanted to go and get the academic knowledge, and then I got 20 years of corporate experience. Kugel: What gave you the power of belief to make the leap from a stable corporate job to pursuing the music industry with Destiny’s Child and Beyoncé, and then Solange? Was it blind faith? Knowles: I call that the “Jedi Mind Trick.” Unfor-

tunately, that is the story that the media has painted and it’s not accurate. It’s not even close to being accurate. I worked at Xerox Corporation for 10 years. Eight of those years I worked at Xerox Medical Systems. We sold diagnostic imaging for breast cancer detection. Because of my success, being the number one sales rep. worldwide for three years in that division, I was able to then go with Phillips Medical Systems to sell CT and MRI scanners. After six years of having success, I had headhunters calling and I went to Johnson & Johnson as a neurosurgical specialist. Then because of managed care, I was told by a neurosurgeon that he couldn’t use my instruments because of the cost associated with them. It was a defining moment and I had to decide what career path I wanted. As a kid I did things like deejay for my parents, I was in a boy band and I had this passionate love of music. There was this young man in Houston who had asked me a couple of times to manage him. The first artist that I got a major record deal for was not Beyoncé. It was not Solange. It was a rapper named Lil’ O. MCA records was the number one urban record label at the time with Puffy, Mary J. Blige, and Jodeci, so you see how inaccurate that story is? Kugel: What is the best advice you have ever received? Knowles: When you live your pas-

sion, you never work a day in your life. Find that thing that motivates and inspires you. Find what adds fuel to your excitement. That is the thing we should be working toward. Not what our parents want us to be, or what society wants us to be, or what our husbands or wives want us to be. It should be that thing inside of us that we are passionate about. Normally, that gives us success, not overnight success, but over time. If you follow your passion, every day you wake up you will be excited.

MATHEW KNOWLES DISCUSSES RACISM AND HOW HE’S WORKING TO MOTIVATE AND EDUCATE OTHERS.

November 11, 2021 |

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DN InFocus

ASTROWORLD TRAGEDY By ReShonda Tate

See a photo gallery from the tragic event and a firsthand account from the Defender’s Multi-media journalist.

A night that was supposed to be fun-filled led to crowd surges that left eight dead. Hundreds more were injured, including a 9-year-old boy who remains in critical condition. More than 50,000 people were at Travis Scott’s Astroworld music festival when concertgoers surged toward the stage during the rapper’s headlining set. The dead ranged in age from 14 to 27. Houston officials have vowed to provide answers to how this tragic event unfolded. Police Chief Troy Finner said there were around 530 HPD officers present during the festival. During Astroworld 2018, there were 170 HPD officers present, and 240 present in 2019. Finner and Mayor Sylvester Turner have defended the police response, arguing that stopping the show abruptly could have caused a riot. However, Finner did add that organizer Live Nation’s role was part of the investigation, as was the role of his own officers and others. “This type of investigation is going to take weeks, possibly months,” Finner said. “Assumptions and opinions are not healthy. Our detectives will focus on facts and evidence to include the actions of all parties, including our agency.” The Astroworld Festival now joins the list as one of the deadliest concerts in the U.S. As Houstonians continue to process the tragedy, there is an array of questions: How could this happen? Could it have been prevented? Who’s responsible? And how do we keep if from happening again?

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DN InFocus FOCUS SOCIAL

Astroworld By ReShonda Tate

As lawsuits continue to pour in from the deadly crowd crush at the Astroworld concert, investigators, city and county oﬃcials, injured fans and family members of the dead, are all seeking answers as to how a fun-ﬁlled night turned into a tragedy. Here’s where we are. What happened?

From the beginning, it seemed like the crowd was out of control. Video shows many fans without tickets blazing through security, jumping over gates and frantically making their way into the NRG. More than 50,000 fans ultimately packed the outdoor open venue. Defender Multi-Media Reporter Payton Wilson was covering the event when things went south. “During Don Toliver’s performance, people started bum-rushing the stage. I was pushed, shoved, and thrown around like a rag doll. I had a tape recorder in my hand, and it was smacked out and crushed by the insane group of fans,” she said. The crush of the crowd sent fans into a panic. Wilson said it was simply too many people in a conﬁned space. “This tragedy was bound to happen. There was pent-up energy from people being locked in their homes for the past year and a half, too many people crushed together, an abundance of free-ﬂowing drugs…..so it was a recipe for disaster,” Wilson said. Crowd surge deaths happen because people are packed into a space so tightly that they are being squeezed and can’t get oxygen. It’s not usually because they’re being trampled. Who’s to blame?

Immediately after the tragedy, the blame game began. Who was at fault? The city? County? Promoters? Law enforcement? Or Travis Scott himself? The rapper is facing a barrage of criticism for continuing the show despite pleas of help from the crowd. Although he paused a few times, many are saying this response is not enough. However, crowd safety experts say that a “whole bunch of failures” led

to the devastating events and that the blame cannot solely be placed on Scott. Paul Wertheimer, who founded the Crowd Management Strategies consulting ﬁrm and is an advocate for safer concert environments, agrees that Scott alone is not to blame for the tragic incident at Astroworld and is worried that the rapper is being “scapegoated.” “I would say, Mr. Scott has a role in this tragedy, but he’s not the only one,” Wertheimer said. The crowd safety expert acknowledged that there has been a lot of focus on Scott’s history of rowdy shows and his previous arrests for inciting the crowd, but said that this is all the more reason for event planners to consider the risks and plan for such behavior accordingly.

Travis Scott

“All of this should have been addressed in the risk assessment before they even decided to do the event,” Wertheimer said. “They should have looked at the fact that they had a problematic artist and a crowd that can get chaotic. In addition, the young people trying to get out of a pandemic and live their lives right, so there is extra energy—they should’ve asked can we mitigate these issues, can we prevent them?” he asked. Wertheimer said he saw what he called the equivalent of the crowd management plan that was used at Astroworld and described it as “mostly boilerplate.” “It does not even address the crowds in front of the stage, does not address festival seating and the difficulties of crowd density, crowd crush, crowd

surge, crowd collapse, panic and does not even address the audience,” he said. “So you can’t blame all of that on Travis Scott.” Police Chief Troy Finner met with Scott before the show to express his concerns about safety. Finner has not publicly specified those concerns. A 22-page plan promoters submitted to local officials ahead of the festival said it estimated 70,000 attendees — more than the actual number of concertgoers — and planned for a daily staff of more than 80 emergency medics, doctors, registered nurses and supervisors. Authorities have said part of their investigation will include reviewing whether the concert promoter and others behind the festival adhered to those plans. Houston police and fire departments have said they reviewed and approved safety plans. But the union head of the Houston Fire Department said firefighters did not have a presence inside the festival and were not given radios to communicate directly with organizers. “We don’t use cellphones for emergencies. We use radios. We need direct contact because as situations unfold, seconds matter,” said Marty Lancton, president of the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association. Festival organizers had contracted with New York-based ParaDocs to handle all medical services at the festival. ParaDocs said in a statement they are cooperating with investigators. The victims

Three concertgoers remain in critical condition, according to Mayor Sylvester Turner. One of those is Ezra Blount, the 9-year-old grandson of Bernon Blount. Ezra attended the festival with his father but became separated during the crowd surge. Blount said the child is in a medically induced coma after sustaining injuries to his heart, lungs and brain. “I’m angry because it’s disrupted our family, and this could have been avoided if people in positions of power had done the right thing,” Blount said. Turner read the names of the eight people who died before pausing a recent city council meeting for a

What went wrong, who’s to blame and how do we keep it from happening again?

Two people who knew an unidentiﬁed victim of a fatal incident at the Houston Astroworld concert embrace at a memorial on Sunday, November 7, 2021. -AP/ Robert Bumsted

LET THE PEOPLE BE HEARD Crystal Washington

We, the public, do not have access to enough information yet to have a full picture and provide informed feedback. Even when we do have the information, most of us lack industry experience, so we’ll project what we think in 20/20 hindsight, versus best practices with knowledge of the possibilities. I know we’re all upset. Condoleezza Rice rejects Critical My prayer is that there will Race be Theory. are your thoughts? justiceWhat for the victims and their Repost@theshaderoom families, and changes that will minimize the chances of similar tragedies in the future.

COMMENTS Jelando Johnson

There’s plenty of blame to go pete.jones.127201

established safety rules with attendees, more security, etc.”

Paula Johnson-Ealy

I hear most of the people who barged through the entrance, didnt even have tickets. In my view, tickets sales did not match that crowd. I believe had they known 50,000 were coming, they would have prepared diﬀerently.

Katharyn Briscoe Gray

She never wasbut and never will bethe for us.attendAs we all know, not around to me, In 1991, a small all skin folk are kin folk. She is one of many house negroes ees have to be held accountable moter oversold a and sell outs.

A crowd stampede left 8 people dead, and hundreds injured. Travis Scott and concert promoters face several lawsuits. - Photos by Jimmie Aggison

Anytime I can make out what’s going on, I stop the show and help them get the help they need. I could just never imagine the severity of the situation.”

Travis Scott

This photo provided by Taylor Blount shows Ezra Blount, 9, posing outside the Astroworld music festival in Houston. Ezra was injured at the concert during a crowd surge. Courtesy of Taylor Blount via AP

moment of silence. Scott, who founded the Astroworld festival, said he would cover funeral costs for the victims. The dead ranged in age from 14 to 27 and came from Texas, Illinois and Washington state, according to Harris County authorities. They included high schoolers, an aspiring Border Patrol agent and a computer science student. Where we are

The festival grounds and stage where Scott performed have yet to be disassembled as authorities and attorneys representing the injured and their families

continued combing the area. The festival was held on a parking lot that is part of NRG Park, a complex consisting of stadiums, an arena and a convention center. The Houston Police Department is conducting a criminal investigation, while county oﬃcials are determining a path for “an independent, objective assessment” of what caused the concert disaster, according to Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo. “I do think it’s important that we show empathy, that we’re sensitive to the issue, but we also look at what changes ought to be made going forward and look at best practices around the country,” said Commissioner Rodney Ellis. Commissioner Adrian Garcia stressed his own experience overseeing large-crowd events in the past, during his time as a Houston police oﬃcer and

Harris County sheriﬀ, implying responsibility for the disaster on the part of private security for the event. “At some point, whoever is in charge of safety and security has to make it very clear to the promoter that that’s what they’re in charge of,” Garcia said. “They’re not there to sell tickets. They’re not there to have a record crowd. They’re not there to make it easy for proﬁt to take place. They’re there to make sure that the event happens safely.” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has announced the formation of a task force to develop concert safety recommendations, which he said would “ensure that the tragedy that occurred at the Astroworld Festival never happens again.” Houston Public Media contributed to this report.

READ ABOUT THE LEGAL ISSUES THAT LIE AHEAD FROM THE FESTIVAL.

time procharity for this. They communicated on event basketball game in resource.musik social media where they could CCNY; 8 people where killed. This is tragic because making white people feel bad is ILLEGALLY get in the festival, That Promoter grew up to be NOT what CRT is about lol they jumped over fences, broke Diddy. This Astroworld tragemetal detectors, rushed the dy was not a “first” and likely howardlee58 It’s not about feelings. It’s about teaching history stage…just acted like fools. And won’t be a last. correctly instead of a falsely and fragmented constructed all of this is on video. Orderly Being cooped up for a year narra-tive. What people feel about it is a different subject. procedures were put in place to and a half likely contributed to maintain law and order but they the huge overbooking. Security eric.talbot.3382 SMH did what they wanted to do was greater than for some othand it caused chaos and death. er large event held at the same beautifullydonedrapery They’re trying to from cancel TravisOur time there on Houston ... almost She is apparently benefiting White Privilege. kids need to knowthat’s and their kids need toAll knowhe’s why we are 500 oﬃcers. They almost cerScott but wrong. where we and are today as adoing people. Their white skin gives done still should not tainly did NOT anticipate this them more privilege, thus more opportunities, thus more be negated. access and history reveals this. Check out any schools GT number. (Attendance should Program. I am so disappointed to hear her say this. She have been capped.) (was) once a role model for my 11 year old daughter not Ramona Dalton after this. She actually made me cry. So heartbreaking for crowd. Theyofall chose to thoseThe of us facing the opposite what she is saying.

be in that crowd. I believe it is pepflyhigh the right thing to do in refundBoy have white folks done a number on us… she’s worried ing all attendees and paying for about white children feeling guilt. 🤦🤦🤦🤦🤦🤦🤦🤦🤦🤦 How about how thechildren funeral and billsTellof black have felt for medical hundreds of years. the TRUTH OF AMERICAS HISTORY those taken to the hospital. All this other pontificating irv1906 about responsibility is a play There is a way to teach it without offending by lawyers and greedy folk to reaves_reginald get a payday. No one is trying to make white kids feel guilty what about black kids and how they feel about their ancestors being JamiitEllison enslaved works both ways 🤦🤦

Why are we even having 50k getuptime people events during a panOh please it’s actual American History demic? Whoever thought that was a good idea is at fault. sociology_nut

Critical race theory is not about making white kids feel bad at all. That totally misses the point.

Patsy Crowder-Latin

“Hopefully, this tragedy will cause concert promoters and hosts to change the settings or formats of these events. Ex. smaller limited crowds, providing additional shows, review of

Crystal Pepsie Johnson

I know enough performers to know they have nothing to do with security & set up at a show. Even when they come into an audience, that has to be okayed by event security beforehand. They also can’t see very far into the crowdespecially at night. They are on a brightly lit stage with spotlights in their eyes looking into a sea of darkness- rarely can they see past the 4th/5th row. They also have speakers in front of them as well as headphones in their ears. My point is that I feel the “blame” lies on the promoters and facility. From what I understand “mosh pits” were commonplace at his shows & from his vantage point it likely looked like a regular mosh pit.

Nyna Hurt

The blame for inciting a riot at this concert is swift, however for inciting a riot at the nation’s capitol is…you know what, nevamind

Cynthia M Wilson

As someone who works these types of events. Everyone shares blame. Once they breached coming in. The show should have been delayed. Make everyone exit. Travis has out of control fans. It seems when the music starts they are in a zone.

Venetric Faye

This new generation makes it diﬃcult for people to go out an have a good time. Artists are not going to want to have concerts here anymore because of this and I don’t blame them. Concerts and festivals are always packed but crowds back then and crowds now are NOT the same!

Nicole Bird-Faulkner

Apparently, there tends to be a strong masculine energy that leans towards violence during his sets. If that is the case, and he has fostered that kind of culture, he may have some liability.

Jade Green

He told people to basically “mess stuﬀ up “ on Twitter and during his documentary he said he likes it when he causes havoc.

Juda Brown Hammons

I feel that the ﬁrst time they stormed the gates they should have closed it down. Certainly after the second time they should have stopped everything and closed it down. I don’t feel that it is Travis’ fault.

READ MORE COMMENTS

10 | November 11, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN InFocus

The philanthropy of Travis Scott By ReShonda Tate

Houstonians are joining the nation mourning the victims of the Astroworld stampede. And while the blame game runs rampant, many say the tragedy doesn’t negate the philanthropic work Travis Scott has done for the community. Through his Cactus Jack Foundation, Scott has made it his mission to provide educational and creative resources for young adults in his hometown of Houston, bringing everything from scholarships to food drives to charity softball games. Scott has even been honored with “Travis Scott Day,” proclaimed by Mayor Sylvester Turner to celebrate Scott’s music career and to honor his role as Houston’s ambassador for art, education and youth initiatives. “Investing in our youth is one of the most important things we can do for our city,” said Turner in announcing the day. “Education and mentorship equip young people with the skills they need for a successful career path. I am grateful that Travis is partnering with the City of Houston to support our nationally-recognized My Brother’s Keeper program, which provides support for boys and young men of color. I also applaud him and his Cactus Jack

Travis Scott and his grandmother, Miss Sealie Terrell, joined Houston ISD officials to unveil a new campus garden at Young Elementary.

Foundation for investing in the lives of young men and women by providing scholarships to cover their tuition at HBCUs. If we can turn around one person in one family, that positively impacts every neighborhood, which builds on the resilience and strength of our entire city.” Here’s a look at some of Scott’s philanthropic efforts. Waymon Webster scholarship progam The Cactus Jack Foundation’s first initiative was a scholarship program to cover tuition for college students who were experiencing financial

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challenges during the pandemic. It’s named after Scott’s grandfather who attended Prairie View A&M University. Scott, born Jacques Berman Webster II, selected students at Morehouse, Howard, Texas Southern, Grambling State and Prairie View A&M. “Waymon Webster was a dean of the Prairie View A&M graduate school. My grandfather wanted me to take it all the way through college. I feel there is a power in education so to be able to give someone the opportunity to fulfill that dream as my papa thought for me is amazing,” Scott said at the time of the launch. Cactus Jack Gardens – Scott works with the City of Houston on the community-based agriculture program for local elementary schools. Two days before this year’s festival, he unveiled a new campus garden at Young Elementary as part of a collaborative effort to bring gardens to several HISD campuses across the city. According to Scott, Cactus Jack Gardens will give students the opportunity to learn about agriculture, gardening, food and nutrition. During the ribbon cutting ceremony, Scott dedicated the garden to his grandmother, Miss Sealie Terrell, who joined him for the ceremony.

Within the garden sits Miss Sealie’s Corner, a gazebo dedicated to Scott’s grandmother. The HISD Nutrition Services’ Get Growing Houston program teamed up with the foundation to install gardens at Alcott, Bastian, Rucker and Wesley elementary schools, Attucks and M.C. Williams middle schools and Washington High School. Fashion Curriculum - Through a national partnership with The New School’s Parsons School of Design, the Cactus Jack Foundation brings its fashion curriculum to Houston through My Brother’s Keeper, an online certification program made available via scholarships. The Cactus Design Center is described as an innovative hub and transformational youth center connecting high school students to education resources, hands-on training and mentorship that will unlock new pathways to career, college and workforce opportunities in graphic and fashion design. Winter storm emergency relief – During the winter storm earlier this year, Scott held a drive to help the city bring food to 50,000 Houston residents affected by the storm.

2021_CTW-100057-Print_Houston_The Defender_ENG_4.812 x 13_11_11_21_F.pdf

November 11, 2021 |

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DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Feature Ft. Bend County Links: Providing life-changing community service

Dr. Brienne Loy CenterWell Little York

Say hello to primary care centered on seniors

Meet Dr. Brienne Loy • Dr. Brienne Loy is the Regional Medical Director • Board Certiﬁed and specially trained to treat seniors • 15 years of healthcare experience

By Aswad Walker

Members of the Fort Bend County Chapter of the Links, Inc. have put the world on notice that not even a global pandemic can stop them from providing life-changing community service via efforts geared at a variety of big issues. “We’re committed to delivering impactful, sustainable and transformational programs within our community,” said Debbie Hutchinson, the organization’s second vice president of programs. “We definitely [provide] service with our heart in the name of sisterly kinship, and we take pride in serving our communities with excellence and grace, as well as ensuring that our programs strengthen our friendship.” Some of those service programs enacted during the organization’s fiscal year 2012-22 include mobile mammography screenings, fundraising for the Alzheimer’s Association Walk, webinars educating participants on voting rights and deadlines for voter registration, donating nearly 400 books to Missouri City’s Glover Elementary in recognition of National Literacy Month and more. According to Hutchinson, the Links’ programs are not one-offs, but rather exhibit an ongoing commitment beyond any one activity. Regarding the mobile mammography screenings Hutchinson added, “A fundraiser for $5,000 was launched in October 2021 to continue providing breast care services including biopsies within Fort Bend.” The organization’s president, Dr. Nicole McZeal Walter, provided more insight into Links’ service efforts. “We have an umbrella project that relates to the Emerald Family Academy, where we support families in the Fort Bend area,” said Walters. “We have a wonderful partnership with the Fort Bend County Sheriff, Eric Fagan, including a school supply drive. And just recently, we did a collaboration with the Women’s Center of Fort Bend to collect toiletries and gently used clothing for their clients.” But that’s not all. “We’ve also wanted to get involved with the legislative process and we hosted a few state legislators to support voting rights and other legislative actions that have been impacting our community,” she added. When asked which of the organization’s projects elicited the most powerful reaction, both Hutchinson and Walter concurred that it has been their four years of work to bring awareness to the issue of human sex trafficking. “Fort Bend County is a thoroughfare for human sex traffickers coming into the city. Even though Houston is big, you hear a lot

11/9/21

Join us for the Grand Opening of CenterWell Little York You're invited to celebrate with us at the grand opening of CenterWell Little York. Be our guest and feel free to bring a friend, because this is one community event you won’t want to miss! C

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• Tour our new senior primary care center • Enjoy live music with DJs from Qué Buena 102.9 and Majic 102 • Food and giveaways • And more! DATE: Tuesday, November 16th, 2021 TIME: 10:30am - 2pm LOCATION: CenterWell Senior Primary Care 388 W. Little York Rd. Houston, TX 77076

of the things that come out in the news centering around Fort Bend County. So that was really one of the instrumental programs we had last year,” said Hutchinson, who added that after the program, scores of youth told her, ‘Wow, the person being trafficked could have been me.’” Walters remembers the specific testimony of one of the event’s panelists. “We had a young lady who was actually a survivor of human trafficking and she said that she was so delighted and really quite overwhelmed. She was choked up that she was able to share her story so that hopefully others would be impacted, that others had not asked her for her story. “And as a young woman who had been trafficked for about six or seven years, she fled and survived. So, she was really overcome with joy, ‘I want more organizations to give us a platform to talk about our stories and to put a picture and a face to what human trafficking is. Thank you for giving me a platform, a safe space to share my story.’” To learn more about the story of service by the Fort Bend County Links, and to learn of new initiatives, visit www.fortbendcountylinksinc.org.

Become a patient or schedule a tour today Call 713-497-1328 or visit SeniorFocusedHouston.com Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm We accept Aetna, Cigna, Humana, Imperial, Memorial Hermann, TexanPlus and Wellcare of Texas Medicare Advantage plans. Follow us @CenterWellPrimaryCare to learn about activities and events CenterWell has taken precautionary measures and complies with relevant public health guidance at its activities. However, there remains a risk of contracting COVID-19, and you should carefully evaluate these risks before participating in events and activities. Individuals with increased chances of serious complications from COVID-19 should carefully evaluate these risks before participating in any activities. To protect the health and safety of participants and our staﬀ, CenterWell activities are only recommended for fully vaccinated individuals. CenterWell does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex. ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-877-320-2188 (TTY: 711). 注意：如果您使用繁體中文，您可以免費獲得語言援助服務。請致電 1-877-320-2188 (TTY: 711). GCHKU9VEN

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12 | November 11, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Feature

BLACK CHEFS CREATE TABLE WITH KULTURE FINE DINING SERIES By Aswad Walker

Black chefs and Black people in general have been responsible for much of what people consider American cuisine, yet have often received little to no credit. But no more. Black chefs are not even seeking a place at larger society’s culinary table, they are making their own table, and a new series of fine dining events is creating the setting. Kulture: A Black Chef Table, the brainchild of curator chef Keisha Griggs and Marcus Davis, owner of the Breakfast Klub, Reggae Hut and Kulture, seeks to offer a unique dining experience spotlighting African/African American food purveyors (farmers, ranchers, fishermen, etc.) and chefs to show that our food cannot be pigeon-holed into one catchall category (soul food). “This series is important because our story is important, our voice is important, our culinary contributions both historically and present-day are important,” said Davis. “Lastly, access and opportunity are important.” Round one of the series, which recently kicked off at Kulture and featured Chef Michelle Wallace, executive chef of Gatlin’s BBQ, has an impressive line-up of future events. Next up will be Chef Shawn Osbey of OWN Network, Shawn Osbey Catering and the Awaaba Bed and Breakfast on Nov. 12-13. Chef Reggie Scott of Uncle Reggie’s International BBQ will be preparing meals for participants Nov.

Chef Keisha Griggs

Chef Michelle Wallace

Chef Shawn Osbey

19-20, while chefs James Haywood and Ross Coleman of Kitchen 713 will close out 2021 events Dec. 3-5. The first round of Black Chef Table, however, will culminate in February 2022 with food prepared by Griggs of Ate Kitchen and Bocage Catering. All events will take place at Kulture and will feature multicoursed meals. The food will be served with generous portions of history, culture and pride, allowing Black culinarians to rise to the same heights as other chefs. Davis believes the James Beard nominated Kulture provides the perfect setting. “When we opened Kulture, it was to fill a void in the market, to fill that representation void that highlights the diversity of Black chefs,” said Davis, who points out the racism that historically and continually overlooks the wide variety of Black food preparer genius mirrors the racism in the larger society.

Kulture, the venue for the Black Chef Table series. Photo by Misty Starks

“We want to give Black chefs the space to tell their story through their food.” Griggs envisions the event expanding society’s view of what Black chefs can do. “Black food and Black people aren’t a monolith,” said Griggs. “We have Caribbean chefs, we have African chefs, we have Asian Black chefs, we have Spanish Black chefs. And all of those inﬂuences impact the types of foods that they cook. And I want it to be able to be a part of a movement if you will, to promote that and where we source our food from.”

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November 11, 2021 |

| 13

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Feature REPORT

America’s current racial homeownership gap widens Houston Public Media

Several houses on Lavender Street have been abandoned after their owners died from cancer. Taken on Jan. 27, 2021. Houston Public Media

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the president and CEO of the Houston Area Urban League. Homeowners in historically Black and brown neighborhoods in Houston are being pushed out, Robinson said. It’s too expensive for people to stay in the homes they own, so they end up becoming renters or moving outside “The Loop.” Take Houston’s historic Fifth Ward: Housing developers were given lots of money to build affordable homes, Robinson said. Then the neighborhood started to grow, which raised housing prices. “Momentum has also been our enemy,” Robinson said. “Now those lots that are affordable are a lot less available, so you’re seeing closer to market rate being the new norm, which means you’re not really talking about affordable, for the most part, anymore.” It’s also happening in the Third Ward, where Robinson said new development is taking place in parts of the neighborhood that haven’t seen new homes built in the past 50 years, because the land is affordable and close to downtown.

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The gap between Black and white homeownership is higher today than when segregation was legal, according to a report from the National Association of Real Estate Brokers. The homeownership rate in the first quarter of 2021 was 73.8% for white households and 45.1% for Black households, according to the group’s State of Housing in Black America report — an almost 29-point difference percentage gap. In 1960, the rate was 65% of white households and 38% of Black households — a 27-point difference, according to the NAREB. Housing discrimination became illegal in 1968 under the Fair Housing Act, but the report says institutional racism at every level in real estate and federal housing agencies has continued. That includes Texas, where the state legislature hasn’t done enough to formally codify discrimination protections, according to Zoe Middleton, co-director at the housing policy nonprofit Texas Housers. Black homeowners also pay more for their homes, according to SHIBA report. Black home buyers disproportionately rely on highcost loans to own a home. In her conversation on Houston Matters, Middleton said Black borrowers are also offered riskier loans by subprime lenders. The gap in Black home ownership is part of a larger wealth gap across the country. A 2019 survey from the U.S. Federal Reserve found that white families had eight times the wealth of Black families and five times the wealth of Hispanic families. Gentrification, which has increased rapidly across the nation, is also a contributing factor, according to Judson W. Robinson III,

14 | November 11, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports Texas Southern midﬁelder and leading scorer Ashley Arnes was named to the 2021 All-SWAC Women’s Soccer Team along with goalkeeper Alexis Esino.

Prairie View midﬁelder Kalia Brown scored the game-winning goal that clinched the Panthers’ win in the SWAC Women’s Soccer Championship Game.

Following Dooley’s laser focus,

Panthers are surging

By Terrance Harris

Prairie View A&M football coach Eric Dooley is rarely at a loss for words. You can’t finish a question before he is already delivering a well-thought-out response. But during this week’s SWAC media call via Zoom, Dooley was informed his 7-1 overall and 6-0 West Division-leading Panthers had cracked the FCS Top 25 at No. 24 for the first time since 2010, the usually unflappable coach was caught off guard. “I really don’t have words to say because you told me something I didn’t know,” Dooley admitted. “I’m never lost for words but right now I am...you know the best thing I can say is, to God be the Glory.” Truth be told, the Panthers have been one of the hottest teams in the FCS for nearly two months now having won six straight games, which includes a 10-point win over Houston Baptist of the Southland Conference to start the six-game streak, while also scrapping their way through a highly competitive SWAC this season. PVAMU travels to perennial conference power Alcorn State (5-4, 4-2) for the chance to claim the West Division title outright, setting up a likely showdown with Jackson State for the SWAC Championship. But having already anticipated the questions he would be peppered with on the call, Dooley acknowledged the importance of the showdown while being careful not to look beyond the next game. The Panthers will jump out of conference play next week to face Texas A&M of the SEC before wrapping up the SWAC regular season against Mississippi Valley State on Nov. 27. For now though, Dooley and the Panthers are fixated on the Alcorn State Braves, who were once the East Division power but have moved over to the West following the conference expansion. “We know the implications of this right here. There is no secret to it,” Dooley said to The Defender. “This is a big game right here. You are talking about a West Division opponent that when they were on the East side represented that side for five years. So we understand the magnitude of it and what it’s going to take. You are going to have to play for 60 minutes. That’s going to be a true statement.” Once a struggling program, the Panthers have steadily been on the rise since Dooley arrived on campus in 2018. Now he has the

Sports Briefs Astros give Baker one-year deal

It took the Astros three days, but they announced last week that 72-yearold manager Dusty Baker will return next season on a one-year Dusty deal. Baker, Baker of course, is coming oﬀ leading the Astros to a Game 6 in the World Series. Prior to the postseason run, there were doubts the Astros would bring Baker back despite two successful seasons.

Rockets pick up Porter’s option

Eric Dooley has led the Panthers to six consecutive wins.

quarterback he needs in Louisville transfer Jawon Pass and a hard-hitting, senior-laden defense. “We are getting the fruit from our labor now,” said defensive tackle Jason Dumas, who was a member of Dooley’s first recruiting class at PVAMU. “We’ve put a lot of work in all of the time. Coach Dooley always keeps us on edge. Practice is always going to be intense.” For Dooley, it’s a gratifying feeling in some ways to see his vision for the Panthers coming into focus. But for a coach who is very much about taking it one game at a time, he won’t allow himself to look even one game ahead. “Hats off to the assistant coaches and hats off to the players and how they have prepared themselves to put themselves in a position such as this right here,” Dooley said. “It’s not over with. I still think it’s a long season. We’ve still got a lot of work ahead of us, but just the magnitude of the way those guys approach the season and the offseason workouts speaks volumes.”

Following their coach’s lead, the Panthers are not at all focused on their impressive run this season and what it could be setting them up for. It has been drilled into them to keep their focus narrow so they won’t repeat the mistakes of the past. “I’ve never looked at our record to be honest,” Dumas said. “I hear about it, like you’re winning and all of that, but being 5-6, 6-5 (in the past), I’ve got that mindset that we need to win, we need to win, there is no other choice but to win. I guess that made it easier. “I feel like it’s cool, but it’s just a record. It’s not what you want really. You want to win a championship. So I’m not really looking at it.” Dooley smiles, knowing his words have sunk into his players and they are trusting the process. “They understand it’s one game at a time,” he said. “You only can control what you can control and that’s the next game. It may seem like a cliché that everybody uses, but that’s what we live by and that’s what we are going to die by.”

The Rockets have exercised the fourth-year option on Kevin Porter’s rookie contract he originally Kevin Porter signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He is averaging 15.9 points, 6.1 assists and 3.7 rebounds since being traded to the Rockets last season.

Taylor back at QB for Texans

Veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor returned to quarterback for the Texans against Miami. And while it may Tyrod have been a Taylor lift in morale, it did nothing for the Texans’ win column. Taylor threw three interceptions in his ﬁrst action in six weeks and the Texans lost their eighth straight game.

November 11, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports DEFENSIVE TACKLE

KRISTOPHER RYAN-ROSS: THE BOSS By Jodie B. Jiles

Galena Park North Shore High School senior and fourstar defensive tackle Kristopher Ryan-Ross, a University of Texas commit, has made a name for himself with the Mustangs’ program over the years as a backup and now returning starter. North Shore coach Jon Kay explained what Ross has added to the defensive line. “He’s got so much experience and he plays explosive,” Kay said. “He is still playing himself back into shape because he has been banged up a little bit, but overall, he just has a lot of experience, is really explosive and great with his hands.” The Defender spoke with Ryan-Ross after North Shore’s regular season victory against Atascocita to discuss his style of play, the Atascocita win, his keys to success and more. STYLE OF PLAY

“Dominant, forceful, good in the run game. I could work better at my pass game but we will get there.”

ATASCOCITA “W”

“It was a good team win. All my brothers came together. We had backups step up like my boy Kent Battle. We all played our role in the game.”

QUICK HANDS

“I just get my hands on him before he gets his hands on me.”

KEY TO SUCCESS

“Listen to my coaches.”

PLAYOFF RUN

“We just need to keep listening to our coaches and what they are telling us to do. We [must] follow our game plans and come out to practice dominating and executing every day, treating every game like a playoﬀ game.”

ABOUT KRISTOPHER RYAN-ROSS

Height: 6-feet-3 Weight: 250 pounds Instagram: @kristopheross Player he studies: Nick Bosa Favorite food: Seafood Additional oﬀers: Auburn, Arizona State, Baylor, Colorado, University of Miami Shout-outs: “My Mom and my girlfriend.”

For Defender Big Plays of 2021-22 HS football regular season visit: www.defendernetwork.com

| 15

16 | November 11, 2021 |

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