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Volume 89 | Number 4 NOVEMBER 14, 2019 |FREE

DEVAL PATRICK mulling presidential run

P5 SPOTLIGHT

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KANYE WEST performs at Lakewood Church

P6 SPORTS WARREN MOON speaks out on Deshaun Watson

P13

Kim Gagne

Releases ‘How to Win’ The veteran news, talk, reality and court TV show producer earned two Daytime Emmy Awards for “The Steve Harvey Talk Show.” Now, she’s compiling all of her collective experience into a new book, How to Win, which chronicles her life in and out of the television business.

Kenny Stills

continuing to protest

TOP EVENTS

The wide receiver is courageously using his NFL platform with the Houston Texans to continue to take a knee during the anthem. Find out why he takes these protests seriously. Deloyd Parker and Nedzra Ward at the SHAPE 50th anniversary gala.

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Rally to stop Rodney Reed execution Defender News Services

The mother of Texas death row inmate Rodney Reed, who is scheduled to be executed next week, is confident he’ll be a free man if he gets a new trial. “If he gets a fair trial, he’ll be home with us,” Sandra Reed said. Rodney Reed was sentenced to death more than 20 years ago for the 1996 murder of 19-year-old Stacey Stites in Bastrop, Texas. Police said he assaulted, raped and strangled her. Reed said he’s innocent, but the prosecution claims there’s overwhelming evidence he’s guilty. Reed’s attorneys and his family are pushing for his execution to be stopped and for a judge to grant him a new trial. There are currently motions and appeals being made at every level Rodney Reed of the state and federal court system. and forensic experts later admitted to errors in their Hundreds of people recently gathered to protest testimony. A former prison inmate claims someone else Reed’s upcoming execution and urge Gov. Greg Abbott confessed to the murder that sent Reed to prison. Bryce to grant a reprieve and protests have been held at Texas Benjet, a senior staff attorney with the Innocence Project, Southern University. called the case a “miscarriage of justice.” “All we have to do is get justice out the street and The lead prosecutor for Reed’s case maintained he bring it back into the courtroom where it needs to be,” is guilty. Rodrick Reed, his brother, said. “And Rodney Reed will “A large amount of credible evidence, including be free and exonerated from this crime.” irrefutable DNA evidence, the testimony of witnesses, The Innocence Project -- which says Reed, who is and the pattern Rodney Reed followed in committing his Black, was convicted by an all-white jury -- says the other sexual assaults, show beyond a reasonable doubt murder weapon was never tested for DNA evidence that he raped and murdered Stacey Stites,” Lisa Tanner

said. Reed became a suspect in Stite’s killing after he was arrested for kidnapping, beating and attempting to rape and kill another woman, 19-year-old Linda Schlueter, near the same route Stites usually took to work at the time she disappeared, prosecutors said in their Supreme Court filing. The similarities led authorities to investigate. Schlueter was among six women who prosecutors said Reed attacked or sexually assaulted. Reed was charged and acquitted in one case, prosecutors said. He was not prosecuted on the other allegations. Corruption and racism within the justice system are to blame for Reed’s sentence, his family said. “I have to stay strong and put my son’s case out here and let the world know what was done to him,” Sandra Reed said. “That opened my eyes that this has happened to other people before and it will happen afterwards if we don’t address this issue.” Meanwhile, more than 2.8 million people have signed an online petition at freerodneyreed.com to stop Reed’s execution. Celebrities including Rihanna, Kim Kardashian West and Beyoncé have spoken out in support of Reed. Bishop Joe S. Vásquez, head of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Austin, and Democratic and Republican state lawmakers have made appeals to stop the execution.

PVAMU gets new $70 mil engineering building Defender News Service

Construction is expected to begin next year on a $70 million Engineering Classroom and Research Building at Prairie View A&M University. The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents approved the plans at its meeting on Oct. 31. Lab spaces will be designed for multidisciplinary research with dedicated areas to support 3D manufacturing, space exploration, data analytics and artificial

intelligence, robotics, structural analysis, and more. The three-story building, with an adjacent high-bay facility, will include offices and classrooms to accommodate for recent, rapid growth in PVAMU’s engineering program. “Investing in Prairie View’s potential is a top priority for the Texas A&M University System,” said John Sharp, chancellor for the System. “Over the past decade, we’ve invested more than $247 million at Prairie View, recruiting top professors and building ev-

erything from a new stadium, the Agriculture and Business Classroom Building, the Fabrication Center, new student housing, and a new Student Recreation Center.” The Board of Regents amended the Texas A&M University System Capital Plan for 2020 to 2024, with a tentative start date next year for the project. Funding will come from the state’s Permanent University Fund. Since 2016, enrollment at PVAMU has increased nine-percent, from 8,762 to 9,516, with 1,513 students a part of the engineering program.

localbriefs FORT BEND ISD WILL HOST A COMMUNITY SYMPOSIUM on Thursday, November 21. Residents will be able to learn about the discovery and history of the Sugar Land 95. The event will take place at the James Reese Career and Technical Center (12300 University Blvd., Sugar Land, TX 77479), from 6 to 8:30 p.m. During the symposium, the community will have the opportunity to learn more about the abandoned Bullhead Camp Cemetery discovered at the FBISD construction site, from the first remains to the exhumation and analysis, to the genealogical and genetic research currently underway.…..

THE NUMBER OF HATE CRIMES REPORTED IN TEXAS more than doubled in 2018 compared to the previous year, according to an annual report released recently by the FBI. In 2018, there were 500 offenses classified as hate crimes in Texas, while the previous three years the total number of offenses didn’t reach 250. The majority of hate crimes that occurred in Texas last year were assaults. Some experts say hate crimes might be underreported in the area since law enforcement agencies aren’t required to report hate crimes to federal authorities…..THE ONLY PERSON CHARGED IN FOUR-YEAR-OLD

MALEAH DAVIS’ death, Derion Vence, did not appear in court for his rescheduled arraignment. Only a prosecutor and Vence’s defense attorney showed up. They reset his court date for January 22, 2020, to go over discovery. Court records show that at the time they plan to compare facts and evidence collected in the case so far. The key piece of evidence is Maleah’s autopsy, which still hasn’t been released to the public. A grand jury previously indicted Vence, 27, on the felony charge of injury to a child causing serious bodily injury, saying in addition to striking her, Vence intentionally restricted her airways with an unknown object.

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NOVEMBER 14 | 2019 | DEFENDER

DEFENDER | NOVEMBER 14 | 2019

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Some African-Americans support President Donald Trump’s re-election bid.

Trump launches Black outreach effort for 2020

Associated Press

uring the 2016 campaign, candidate Donald Trump stood in front of largely white crowds and asked Black voters to consider, “What the hell do you have to lose?” Trump offered that same message recently as he launched a Black voters coalition in Atlanta. While Trump’s campaign had said his message would focus on his record and gains for Black Americans under his watch, Trump instead spent most of his time demonizing Democrats and appearing to try to pit minority voters against immigrants. “The Democrats have let you down,” Trump told the crowd of several hundred supporters, including several who wore red “BLACK LIVES MAGA” hats. “They’ve dismissed you. They’ve hurt you. They’ve sabotaged you for far too long.” Trump spoke at the launch of a new “Black Voices for Trump” outreach initiative dedicated to “recruiting and activating Black Americans in support of President Trump,” according to the campaign. Trump predicted he would win re-election in 2020 with “a groundswell of support from hardworking AfricanAmerican patriots.” Such predictions have been met with skepticism from critics, however, given Trump’s consistently dismal approval rating with Black voters. Trump retweeted a call from one Black supporter for submissions for a “#MAGACHALLENGE” competition featuring Trump-friendly rap songs. Trump said he would be announcing the winners and inviting them to the White House to meet with him and perform. “I think Black Americans are not the audience for these outreach efforts,” said Theodore Johnson, a senior fellow at the Brennan Center for Justice who is an expert in

race and politics. While Trump might be able to maintain the low level of Black support he received in 2016, or perhaps expand it by one or two points, Johnson sees little evidence the president can change many minds. “I think this is not going to move the needle at all,” he said. In 2016, 6% of Black voters supported Trump, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of people who participated in its polls and were confirmed to have voted. There is no indication his support is growing. Polling shows that African-Americans continue to be overwhelmingly negative in their assessments of the president’s performance, with his approval hovering around 1 in 10 over the course of his presidency, according to Gallup. Yet Trump’s campaign dismissed the numbers, insisting the campaign has seen favorable movement and arguing the president can increase his margins with Black voters by bringing new people into the fold. During his remarks, Trump pointed to passage of bipartisan criminal justice reform legislation, which he signed into law last year, along with his ongoing support for opportunity zones in urban areas and new investments in historically Black colleges. “I don’t know anyone who’s done that kind of work outside of the president on attacking those big issues or trying to stop drugs from coming into the neighborhood and, at the same time, giving people second chances,” said Ja’Ron Smith, deputy assistant to the president and one of the White House’s few minority high-ranking officials. He also pointed to a series of economic gains, including the fact that Black unemployment hit a record low last year. But Trump and his campaign also have a tendency to exaggerate the gains, giving Trump credit for trends that were years in the making and cherry-picking favorable statistics and ignoring more troubling ones, such as Black homeownership and net worth.

THE WOMAN WHO SPARKED PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP’S ATTACKS on the late Maryland Congressman Rep. Elijah Cummings is running for Cummings’ seat. Kimberly Klacik, 37, is a Republican who posted video of bad areas in Baltimore, which Trump retweeted to attack Cummings, who passed away last month. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, his widow, is seen as a likely successor to fill the congressional seat.” She is currently the chair of the Maryland Democratic Party and ran for Maryland governor in 2017. She and Cummings had been married since 2008……..A 10-YEAR-OLD BOY WAS HIT IN THE HEAD by a stray bullet during a drive-by shooting in Philadelphia, just hours after the city’s mayor announced new plans to combat gun violence. Semaj O’Branty was waiting on his mother outside a corner store when gunshots rang out. Police said someone opened fire from a passing car, apparently targeting a group of men standing nearby. One of the men tried to shield Semaj and fired shots back at the car, but Semaj was caught in the crossfire and a bullet struck the back of his head. The boy was transported to a local hospital, where he remained in critical but stable condition. The man who tried to shield Semaj was taken into custody. Police are still searching for the suspect or suspects who shot the boy…….A BLACK MAN IN CALIFORNIA WAS HANDCUFFED and detained by BART police for eating a sandwich on a train platform. The nowviral video shows officer D. McCormick approaching Steve Foster and pulling Foster’s bookbag, explaining that state law gave him the right to detain the man for eating on the train platform. The situation escalated and backup officers arrived. Bob Powers, BART’s general manager, later said he was “disappointed” in how the situation unfolded and apologized to Foster, riders, employees and the public.

VOLUME 89 • NUMBER 4 NOVEMBER 14, 2019 Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Ad/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler

Strategic Alliance Manager

Clyde Jiles Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila Photographers

Ray Carrington III Jimmie Aggison

Editors ReShonda Tate Billingsley Marilyn Marshall Contributing Writer Aswad Walker Sports Jodie B. Jiles Engagement Manager Margo Williams Hubbard

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (713-663-6996.. The Defender is audited by Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For digital subscriptions, visit www.DefenderNetwork.com/ subscribe. No paper subscriptions are available. All material covered by 2019 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).

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NOVEMBER 14 | 2019 | DEFENDER

Deval Patrick mulling 2020 presidential run

Thank you!

WORDS ARE NOT ENOUGH to express my gratitude

Associated Press

for the support of our community that propelled me to a first-place finish in the November election — nearly 20 points ahead of my nearest challenger. NOW WE MUST FINISH THE JOB by coming back

and voting one more time in the runoff election on Saturday, December 14. WE HAVE A SIMPLE CHOICE:

An experienced leader who has delivered results for more than 30 years or a Donald Trump imitator who will say, do, or spend anything to get elected. I PUT MY TRUST IN YOU.

With gratitude,

Pol. adv. Sylvester Turner Campaign

Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick is considering making a late run for the Democratic presidential nomination, according to two people with knowledge of his deliberations, underscoring some Democrats’ deep uncertainty about the party’s current crop of contenders. Patrick, a close friend and ally of former President Barack Obama, ruled out a presidential bid earlier this year but has since talked with Democratic operatives and donors about launching a campaign. He has not made a final decision on whether to run, but he is expected to do so quickly, given fastapproaching deadlines to get on the ballot in key states. Patrick is the second Democrat to weigh jumping into the race at this late juncture, less than three months before the kickoff Iowa caucuses. Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is also reconsidering a run, citing concerns about the current Democratic frontrunners’ ability to defeat President Donald Trump. Bloomberg is expected to make a final decision on his 2020 prospects within days. The people with knowledge of Patrick’s deliberations spoke on condition of anonymity because they Deval Patrick, the governor of were not authorized to disMassachusetts from 2007 to 2015, is cuss the matter publicly. considering running for president as a Though he ruled out a Democrat. run earlier this year, Patrick reopened conversations with close friends and aides over the summer, but did not take steps to form a campaign. In recent days, those conversations have intensified, with Patrick himself gauging interest in a run with donors and Democratic operatives. He would face big hurdles to launching a campaign at this late stage. Unlike Bloomberg, a wealthy billionaire who would self-fund, Patrick would have to quickly raise money to build out a campaign operation and boost his familiarity with voters. Some of his former political advisers are already working for other 2020 candidates. Patrick, who made history as Massachusetts’ first Black governor, could gain traction in neighboring New Hampshire, which holds the first primary contest. However, he’d face stiff competition from two other neighboring contenders, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, as well as former Vice President Joe Biden. Patrick flirted with the idea of launching a 2020 White House bid before deciding late last year against jumping into the race. At the time, he cited what he called the “cruelty” of the election process. “After a lot of conversation, reflection and prayer, I’ve decided that a 2020 campaign for president is not for me,” Patrick posted on his Facebook page last year. Patrick said he and his wife worried that the “cruelty of our elections process would ultimately splash back on people whom Diane and I love, but who hadn’t signed up for the journey.”

In the runoff election on Saturday, Dec. 14,

VOTE ONE MORE TIME! VOTE EARLY NOV. 27 & DEC. 2–10 WWW.SYLVESTERTURNER.COM

DEFENDER | NOVEMBER 14 | 2019 defendernetwork.com

Kanye West brings Sunday Service to Lakewood

his preaching tours. Both West and Osteen have been criticized by some Rapper and producer Kanye West Christians ― West for his will be paying a visit to televangelist Joel support of President Donald Osteen’s Houston megachurch Sunday, Nov. Trump and his suggestion 17th. that slavery was a choice, West, who released his first gospel and Osteen for appearing to album last month, will be having a 15-topromote the prosperity gos20-minute conversation with Osteen at pel, which suggests that God Lakewood Church’s 11 a.m. service. guarantees wealth and health Lakewood spokesperson Donald Iloff to those who are faithful in Jr. said that the conversation will revolve just the right way. Osteen around West’s journey to faith. preaches that his own wealth The rapper will reportedly make another ― which he attributes to appearance at the evangelical church’s 7 book sales ― is a blessing p.m. young adult service, this time with his from God. Sunday Service choir. While West’s foray into West was already in town to perform at the Christian music scene Travis Scott’s Astroworld Festival. has been a cause for celebraWest’s new album, “Jesus Is King,” is Kanye West was invited by Joel Osteen to bring his Sunday Service performance to Lakewood. tion in some Christian cirthe rapper’s first to exclusively focus on cles, others have questioned religious themes. The album debuted on Billthrough phone conversations about faith. why this support is emerging board’s Top 200 albums chart at No. 1. “Kanye and Joel are friends,” Iloff told a local now ― especially since the rapper has been outspoWest’s visit to Lakewood comes months after he newspaper. “He’s been wanting to come out for ken about his faith in the past. started holding pop-up religious events across the Black Christian writer Andre Henry suggested country, sometimes at churches and accompanied by some time and it just worked out for this weekend.” Osteen’s church draws about 45,000 members in a piece for Religion News Service that white pastors. His wife, the reality star Kim Kardashian, evangelicals’ newfound enthusiasm for West stems has described these “Sunday Services” as a “musical every weekend, filling out a 600,000-square-foot stadium that was formerly home to the Houston from the rapper’s embrace of conservative causes. ministry” where “they talk about Jesus and God.” “Only after Kanye put on the infamous MAGA Osteen was reportedly the one who invited West Rockets. Millions more watch Osteen’s sermons through weekly television broadcasts. The pastor hat did he become so precious to white conservato bring his Sunday Service performance to Lakeregularly packs stadiums around the country during tives,” Henry wrote. wood. The pair apparently struck up a friendship Defender News Service

Caregiving is a labor of love, but sometimes, it can get a little overwhelming. With more than 3.4 million family caregivers across Texas caring for older parents, spouses, and other loved ones, we understand that we all could use a few tips. That’s why AARP in Houston invites you to listen to “Prepare to Care,” a new podcast that provides practical information, tips and local resources to make caregiving a little easier for you and your loved ones.

Learn more and find these podcasts at aarp.org/houstonptc

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NOVEMBER 14 | 2019 | DEFENDER

entertainment

TV pro pens new book

Kim Gagne opens up in ‘How to Win’ By RESHONDA TATE BILLINGSLEY Defender

rowing up in Houston’s Fifth Ward, Kim Gagne knew she wanted a career in television. Not only did she achieve that, she became one of the most well-known behindthe-scenes TV professionals in the Bayou City. But Gagne’s work couldn’t be contained to Houston. Her talents would soon be called upon on the national level. The veteran news, talk, reality and court TV show producer earned two Daytime Emmy Awards for “The Steve Harvey Talk Show.” In addition, Gagne served as executive producer for Harvey’s State Farm Neighborhood Awards program for six years. Gagne specializes in producing pilots and test shows and has been the driving force behind some of Houston’s hottest shows, including “City Under Siege,” “Great Day Houston,” “Texas Justice” and “The Steve Harvey Project.” Now, she’s compiling all of her collective experience into a new book, “How to Win,” and discussed it and her career with the Defender. Defender: What is your book about? Kim Gagne: I like to think the book is about reinvention, falling down and getting up, survival in a

business that can be tough and gaining my confidence back after allowing and giving others permission to take it. The book also explores my early life growing up in a tumultuous household and finding out that the man I thought was my dad wasn’t and how that affected me. So, it’s really 80% journey and 20% television. Defender: Why did you decide to write it? Gagne: Let me be clear. The book was not my idea. Writing a book was never on my bucket list or my vision board. About a year after I left “The Steve Harvey Show,” my husband, Emilian White, suggested

I write a book. He said, “You have a story to tell and it will help someone to know that they aren’t the only ones who are dealing with haters, self-doubt and reinvention.” I was very angry because he put me with a publisher who was not taking no for an answer. Next thing I know, I am taking pictures for a book cover and the publisher is marketing the book that hadn’t even been written. At that point, I was an angry writer but now that it is done, I couldn’t be more thrilled. I really did tell all my business and it became a memoir instead of the inspirational self-help book I started. Defender: What do you want readers to take away? Gagne: I want the readers to take away that with hard work and a belief in God anything is possible. Your zip code doesn’t determine your worth. Defender: What has been the most interesting thing about your career in TV News? Gagne: Television is a who-you-know not what-you-know business [and a] very incestuous place. Everyone has maybe six degrees of separation. People hire who they know. Your hardest job getting in television news is the first one. After that you build relationships and you can go all over the world. The best part for me has been the friendships. I just met with some friends from Channel 11. It’s been 20 years that we’ve all known each other and we still get together and hang out.

what’sup Former First Lady MICHELLE OBAMA is revealing her new celeb-packed “voting squad” whose purpose is encouraging Americans to head to the polls in 2020. As part of her When We All Vote campaign, Mrs. Obama brought together a video of friends like TOM HANKS, “Hamilton’s” LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA, SHONDA RHIMES, soccer pro MEGAN RAPINOE, JANELLE MONÁE, TRACEE ELLIS ROSS, and NBA player CHRIS PAUL. The group “is calling on Americans to organize their own squads, volunteer groups aimed at getting friends, family, classmates and community registered and

ready to vote.”……..Some of the biggest names in Hollywood flocked to the E! People’s Choice Awards recently. One of the most surprising was KEVIN HART who was in a devastating car accident in September in Calabasas, Calif. Hart fractured his spine and has since been in rehab. It was his first major public appearance since his crash. “Thank God because I definitely don’t have to be here,” Hart said when he took the stage to accept the award for Comedy Act of the Year. “Being that I am, it makes me appreciate life even more – appreciate the things that really matter, family. I want to thank my wife and my

kids…I want to thank you all for being there for me during my difficult time,” he said..….. ALICIA KEYS is speaking out after her 4-yearold son told her he wanted to get his nails painted a rainbow color but feared that he’d be judged or bullied by his classmates at school. Keys believes men and women have masculine and feminine energies and should be allowed to express them. “There’s all of these judgments, and all these rules, and stereotypes, and vibes,” Keys said. “It’s really frustrating…Why can’t we just express the different energies that are inside us?’ We should be able to explore and express however we want to.”

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DEFENDER | NOVEMBER 14 | 2019

Why is the Texas Education Agency, the branch of state government of Texas responsible for public education, appointing a temporary board for HISD? In a letter to HISD leaders, TEA Commissioner Mike Morath announced plans to take over the state’s largest school district due to the school board’s “failure of governance” (open meetings violations) and the low academic performance of Wheatley High School, which has received seven, consecutive “F” ratings. However for the past decade, HISD has struggled with Improvement Required (IR)/F-rated performance schools primarily in the minority community impacting as many as 50,000 kids. Although the timeline of the board placement is uncertain (projected March 2020), the Commissioner added, “Given the inability of the board of trustees to govern the district, these sanctions are necessary to protect the best interests of the district’s current and future students.”

10 TakH

abou

things to know

What will the TEA do to appoint a temporary board for the school district? The current and newly elected HISD school board members will be replaced with a Board of Managers (BOM) along with a Superintendent appointed by TEA. Members of the community interested in serving on the Board of Managers should get their applications in early by Dec. 6, 2019 when the review process begins even though the application deadline is Jan 2, 2020. After the applicant pool goes through a background check, training and in person interview, the TEA will announce the newly appointed Board of Managers, who will have all the same powers and duties as the replaced elected school board members.

Who can apply for the TEA Board of Managers and how? The applicants must be eligible voters in the HISD boundaries who have not been convicted of a felony, a crime that involves finances/fraud/ theft, or a crime that involved a child. They must also be able to pass an FBI background check and complete conflict of interest disclosures twice annually.

For more information about the selection process: https://tea.texas.gov/texas-schools/school-boards/houston-isd-boardmanagers To submit your application: https://tea.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a5lwiEbaJxxN08Z

by VON JI

ith the announcement of the sta of Managers for the Houston of questions are being asked will impact HISD students, p members and the community in general. In an Board of Managers the Defender has compiled a list of 10 Sele Thin

Board of Managers Sel Application

Preliminary Applicant Screening

Community Backgrou Reference Check Screeningcheck Preliminary Applicant

Application & Information

Applicant Review

Application Sharing

Application & Information Sharing

How will TEA’s actions impact HISD students and parents? The Board of Managers will not handle the day-to-day running of the schools; that remains the job of the Superintendent, who will be appointed by TEA.

Community Reference Check

Applicant Review

Backg che

TEA Governance Return to Ele Up to 2 years

Up to 2 years

Time tbd*

Commissioner must:

What impact will the Board of Managers have on teachers (ie. salaries, health benefits, etc)? Day-to-day running of the schools remains the responsibility of the superintendent, who will be appointed by TEA.

Board of Managers Placement

Extend placement for 2 years OR Announce Transition Timeline

Announce Transition Timeline

B T

tr 1/3 M rep t

* Under 1842 interventions, statutory timeline requires BOM to continue until a

Source: Texas Education Agency

defendernetwork.com • Servin

ut the

akeover HISD

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When are the TEA community meetings scheduled so the community can learn more about the takeover of HISD?

The Texas Education Agency will host a series of community meetings to provide information regarding the board of managers’ process. Community members are invited to come and learn more:

Thursday, Nov. 14, Wheatley High School - Commons Area, 4801 Providence St. Houston, TX, 77020, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center E-101 & E10, 4400 W. 18th St. Houston, TX, 77092, 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, Chavez High School – Auditorium, 8501 Howard Dr., Houston, TX. 77017, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. TEA representatives have already attended more than 50 community meetings and have committed to attend more as needed.

How long will the appointed board be in place? Under House Bill 1842, which created the school district intervention, the Board of Managers (BOM) will serve until academic performance improves. Projections are the takeover could last from two (2) to five (5) years. Two years after the BOM placement, the TEA Commissioner can extend the BOM placement for another two (2) years or announce the BOM transition timeline, which allows an annual transition of a third of the BOM managers be replaced by elected trustees over the next three (3) years.

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ate-mandated appointment of a Board n Independent School District, a number d about what this all means and how it parents, teachers, administrators, board n effort to address some of the questions, ection Process ngs to Know aboutOverview the TEA Takeover.

lection Process Overview Interview Screening

Training

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In Person Interview Interview Screening

Training

ground eck

BOM Appointment

Training

BOM Appointment Appointment

In Person Interview

Appointment

ected Trustee Control

Board of Trustees begins ransition. of Board of Managers placed with trustees

1 year

Board of Trustees begins 2nd transition. 1/3 of Board of Managers replaced with trustees

BOT begins final transition. 1/3 of Board of Managers replaced with trustees

academic performance improves

ng the Houston area for over 89 years

What happens to newly elected HISD board members? Can they apply to be members of the TEA Board of Managers? The HISD elected board will continue to serve in their roles until the TEA Board of Managers placement. According to TEA, the application process is open and if newly elected HISD board members wish to apply they can do so. However, when the Board of Managers transitions out of authority, BOM members interested in serving on the elected HISD board must run for the office again. Note: HISD board member elections will continue throughout the TEA Takeover.

How does the drop in the HISD status to “accredited warned” impact the students and schools? The lowering of HISD’s accreditation means they are one step from probation or losing state accreditation all together. According to TEA, this status is a part of the legal process at TEA and does not impact federal funding, HISD diplomas or property taxes in any way.

What happened to the HISD lawsuit filed seeking to stop the takeover? According to sources, the lawsuit is headed to federal court and is making its way through the court system.

To find out more about the appointed board for HISD and to stay abreast of upcoming plans, you can also go to the TEA website: https://tea.texas.gov/texas-schools/school-boards/houston-isd-board-managers

10 DEFENDER | NOVEMBER 14 | 2019 defendernetwork.com

Captions here

Senators Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris both recognize the importance of attracting African-American women voters.

Harris, Warren compete for Black female voters Associated Press

Kamala Harris got a much needed boost recently when the California senator picked up the endorsement of Higher Heights, the country’s largest political organization aimed at electing Black women. But Elizabeth Warren would not be outdone. A day after Harris’ announcement, the Massachusetts senator won the backing of more than 100 Black female activists. She also picked up the coveted endorsement of Rep. Ayanna Pressley, a Black woman from her home state and the only member of the so-called squad of progressive lawmakers not to side with presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. The dueling endorsements signal an emerging battle between Warren and Harris for the support of Black women, who are the Democratic Party’s most loyal and consistent voters. Both White House hopefuls are struggling with Black voters, who have sided with Joe Biden by large margins. But as the election moves into a critical phase with just months before voting begins, the announcements this week highlight the contrasting styles of the surging progressive firebrand and the lone Black woman in the Democratic field. “We’re still on a long road, and Black women are still shopping,” said Higher Heights cofounder Glynda Carr. Harris is “exactly what our organization was built on, to be able to help support and invest in qualified Black women to run for offices at all levels. At the end of the day, even if she ends up not being your top choice, Black women should be celebrating this moment.” Both candidates are expected to keep up their outreach in the weeks ahead. Warren will deliver a speech about the legacy of Black female workers at historically Black Clark Atlanta University later this month. Around the same time, Harris also plans to participate in a South Carolina town hall with Higher Heights. They’ve both courted Black women almost since the beginning of their campaigns.

When Harris launched her presidential bid on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, many observers assumed her bona fides as a graduate of historically Black Howard University and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha — the nation’s oldest Black sorority — would give her an advantage among the throng of candidates. Many young Black women were especially excited about her candidacy. But that hasn’t yet translated into support as Harris falls in the polls. Harris acknowledged the campaign still has work to do to win Black women. “I am fully aware that we are asking people to believe in something that they’ve not seen before,” Harris said. “This is the challenge I’ve faced in every office I’ve run for.” Marcia Fudge, a Democratic congresswoman from Ohio and a Harris surrogate, said the senator is running a campaign of belief that is common for Black women. “We kind of get counted out an awful lot,” Fudge said. “Our culture just is not a very trusting culture. We have to convince Black women, in particular, that if we support her, we can win. Black women want to support another woman. She’s the only other choice. If they believe Kamala is not viable, (Warren) is the fallback position.” Warren began attracting attention from Black women this spring after announcing her plan to address racial disparities in maternal mortality at a town hall for female voters of color. At a campaign stop this week at North Carolina A&T University — another HBCU — she was the guest on political strategist Angela Rye’s podcast. Pressley also joined her for the event. As a white woman, Warren, however, faced skepticism from Black activists. “We have experiences on the day-to-day that remind us that white women are likely to throw us under the bus if it means protecting themselves,” said Angela Peoples, the director of the organizing group Black Womxn For. She was photographed during the 2017 Women’s March sucking a lollipop and holding a sign that read:

“Don’t Forget White Women Voted For Trump.” But Warren’s policy proposals were getting attention. Leslie Mac, another activist involved in organizing this week’s endorsement of Warren, said her group text chat with Black girlfriends began buzzing about Warren over the summer. “There was literally that question of ‘Have y’all been looking at Elizabeth Warren?’” Mac recalled. “’Is she for real? If we wanted to meet with her, would she come?’”

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HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE TO PROPOSERS The Houston Independent School District located in the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center at 4400 West 18 th Street Houston, Texas 77092 will accept proposals, until the stated date and time deadlines, in the Board Services Office, Level C1 • Project 18-01-06-A RFP /Fine Arts Materials and Services – with a deadline of 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 18, 2019. The PreProposal Conference for this project will be held in Conference Room 2E02 at the above stated address on Wednesday, November 20, 2019, 10:00 a.m. The solicitation for bids is available on the HISD web-site at www.houstonisd.org. To access, go to Departments, Purchasing Services, Bid Opportunities. The District reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, or, to accept the proposal that is most advantageous to the District.

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NOVEMBER 14 | 2019 | DEFENDER

Lynchings map reveals thousands of victims NNPA Newswire

In the century following the Civil War, as many as 5,000 people of color were murdered by mobs who believed in the cause of white supremacy. On average, mobs killed nine people per month during the 1890s. Over the next 20 years, seven people each month were victims of lynch mobs. The figures are all according to an interactive map project that tracks the history of lynching in America – state-bystate. The map is called “Monroe Work Today.” It is named after a Black sociologist who put together much of the information that details lynchings from 1835 to 1964, the period covered in the map’s data set. Information found on the map reveals that Black men were the most lynched group of people among the The “Monroe Work Today” interactive map tracks the history of lynching in America. documented victims, usually due to mob violence after criminal accusations. course, it starts with an act of injustice: by sentencing someone The map, which users can view based outside the law with no process or trial. Even worse, at the turn on region, also reveals the lynchings of Latinos, Asians, Italians of the century, the methods of lynching had become commonand Native Americans. Monroe Nathan Work lived from 1866 to 1945, and the inter- place, fueled by hatred and unspeakably cruel. It was Mr. Work’s active map documented every known lynching that was happening meticulous recordkeeping that preserves the names that are now an important part of our history.” in the United States. “Before this website, it was impossible to search the web and “You might already be familiar with what lynching is, and this website will examine it more,” the website’s authors write. “Of find an accurate scope of the history of American lynching. The

names have always been kept safe but distant, in old archives and scholarly books and dissertations. This site leaves the record open for all Americans, especially high school students who want to learn more than what their textbook has to say,” the site’s authors wrote. The website provides an education on the definition of lynching. It doesn’t always mean being hanged from a tree. “There were many ways that a mob could take the life of a victim they were after. Yes, many people died by hanging, but others were killed from a hail of gunshots, dragged to death behind a vehicle, and some were burned alive. Sometimes, the mob would do all of these things to a single person,” the authors wrote. A victim usually was accused of something. Thus, lynching wasn’t a random attack. Many times, it was utterly trivial and not a crime at all, like talking back to a white person or daring to file a lawsuit. Some lynchings that were rationalized as defending a women’s honor – a white woman –were actually covering up what were at the time, forbidden relationships. Whatever the charge, it was never allowed to take its course in court. An angry group broke into the jail, pulled the person out, and executed him or her outside the law. Sometimes victims were tortured for a crowd’s amusement. To view the map, visit http://www.monroeworktoday.org/explore/.

Colin Kaepernick plans to audition for NFL teams Colin Kaepernick plans to audition for NFL teams in a private workout arranged by the league to be held in Atlanta. The exiled former Pro Bowl quarterback posted on Twitter: “I’m just getting word from my representatives that the NFL league office reached out Colin Kaepernick to them about a workout in Atlanta on Saturday. I’ve been in shape and ready for this for 3 years,

s t y u a b odn e D soon M

can’t wait to see the head coaches and GMs on Saturday.” The NFL hasn’t confirmed Kaepernick’s workout details. A person familiar with the plans told The Associated Press the league’s decision to invite all 32 teams to watch Kaepernick “came out of the blue with no prior communication.” The person said Kaepernick’s team was given a 2-hour window to accept the invitation and was denied a request to schedule the tryout on a Tuesday or another Saturday.

Kaepernick’s representatives have asked the league to provide a rolling list of teams that plan to attend the workout to ensure it’s a “legitimate process,” according to the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because details haven’t been made public. Kaepernick hasn’t played since 2016 with the San Francisco 49ers. He helped start a wave of protests about social and racial injustice that season by kneeling during the national anthem at games. The NFL in February settled a collusion grievance Kaepernick and former teammate Eric Reid filed against the league. Reid now plays for the Carolina Panthers.

COMINGUP Malik Hornsby

A NEW DefenderNetwork Monthly Series featuring Houston Area Outstanding High School Athletes

DEFENDER | NOVEMBER 14 | 2019

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Kenny Stills

Courage Under Fire and then shown, that somebody cares. You know I didn’t forget where I come from. The things that are going on in the country ith his social conscious aren’t right and it is not okay. We’ve got to awakened by the do something about it. The protest is just the deaths of Trayvon first step in letting people know the action Martin, Eric Garner we go through throughout the week to try and Michael Brown and make others change. Jr., and being inspired by the protests of 49ers Defender: Who are some of the other quarterback Colin Kaepernick and USA people and events that inspired you in your soccer player Megan Rapinoe, Kenny Stills life? is courageously using his NFL platform as a Stills: I have been learning about my Houston Texans wide receiver. history more and more since I started the Kaepernick kneeled during the naprotest. So, obviously I was inspired by Kap, tional anthem during the 2016 pre-season in Megan Rapinoe and Eric Reid. Just seeing protest of racism, inequality and social inthem as athletes using their platform for justice. Stills, along with four other Miami good at a time when I was seeing a lot of Dolphins, joined the protest the following police violence, and people being killed on week and kneeled during the anthem. Twitter and InstaStills’ advisors urged him not to gram. I felt helpDeAndre Hopkins, DeShaun Watson and TJ protest until he secured his long-term conless and I didn’t tract. They were fearful that Stills would Ford talk Fair Pay to Play Act on know what I could be snubbed by the NFL once his rookie do. How could I do www.defendernetwork.com contract expired. Despite the warning, Stills something that was continued to protest and signed a four-year, impactful? I saw $32 million contract extension on March, 8, what they were 2017. doing and I wanted to get involved.” After two seasons with the Dolphins, Stills Defender: What are your thoughts on the was traded to the Houston Texans during the Fair Pay to Play Act that was recently signed in 2019 preseason. California? In the Texans Yes Stills’ recent season Stills: All I can say from my experience is opener, Stills took a knee during the anthem in that when I was a college athlete, we were making his first game. $900 a month on scholarship. My rent was $500 The move has not come without backlash. or $600, and my phone bill was $100. So, it left He’s had death threats and racial slurs spewn on me with $300 to live with for the month. Since social media. Yest Stills, an avid reader, continues school didn’t provide us with meals, I was asking to take his responsibilities to protest seriously. He people to buy me food because my parents didn’t has remained a consistent volunteer with miligive me any money. It was a struggle for us to tary veterans, and children’s hospitals, as well as see a #4 jersey being worn in the stadium and beand off the field. numerous other charities and community organizaerence-maker both on diff a ing sold for $65/$75 in the team store or library be to ks see ls Stil Kenny tions. or whatever and me having to ask my friends The Defender spoke with Kenny Stills about to buy me some lunch or hanging out outside of the normal positive influence in their communities. Somebody had some who he is on and off the field, what role he believes an athlete student dorms so I can go eat in their cafeteria. It just didn’t type of influence or helped you get to where you are. So, I should play in the community, his inspirations for protesting make any sense and it was frustrating and irritating. So, I hope think we should always pay it forward, try to get involved in and more. we can develop some type of system to where the guys aren’t a way, and bring others along. It’s not anyone’s responsibility Defender: Who is Kenny Stills? to do anything but I try to encourage guys to give back to their struggling like that and can at least get paid off their likeness.” Kenny Stills: Kenny Stills is a person that has been given communities and bring other people along with us. Defender: When it is all said and done, what do you a platform to influence people in a positive way. So, that’s want people to say about Kenny Stills? Defender: You have a reputation for kneeling during what I try to do - just improve myself and the man that I am, Stills: I would just say I would want people to remember the national anthem. Why did you start, and continue to and use every single day to uplift my family, my friends, my me as somebody that cared about other people, that loved kneel this season. teammates, and everyone that I am around. other people, and did his best to bring everyone from different Stills: It’s no reputation, it’s just what I’ve been doDefender: You have demonstrated you are a man of backgrounds together. I feel like the more that we can learn ing. Promote player protest. People have been looking at the conviction. What role do you think today’s athlete should about each other brings us out of our comfort zones, and helps national anthem from the beginning and it’s important to me play in the community? us realize that we’re more alike than we think. thart the families of victims of police brutality be known, Stills: I think athletes should do their best to try to be a by JODIE B. JILES Defender

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Warren Moon impressed by Watson’s growth By Terrance Harris Defender

arren Moon may live a couple thousand miles from Houston, but the former Oilers legend keeps an eye on Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. Maybe it’s the natural commonality of both of them being African-American quarterbacks in Houston, or the connection the Hall of Famer still feels for the city and its football franchise. But whatever it is, Moon has paid close attention to Watson and he likes the progress he has seen during the three years since the Texans took him No.12 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. “I think he has been exceptional, except for the fallback he had with the knee injury that kind of hampered a year of his career, he has been really, really good and hasn’t had a whole lot around him, especially line-wise, where he has taken quite a beating in his first years in the league,” Moon said of Watson in a recent conversation with The Defender Network. “But he continues to play fearlessly and he doesn’t show any hesitation. A lot of guys who get beat up like that early in their careers will be little frazzled in the pocket and have happy feet and things like that, but he hasn’t shown that. He stands in there and takes the hits.” Aside from his game-breaking playmaking ability, Watson has displayed a toughness that has impressed Moon. Against the OakMoons predicts championships in the Texans future with Watson at the helm. land Raiders last month, “He is a guy who is always going to keep them in Watson was kicked in the football games because of how dynamic he is.” eye but still had the wherewithal to complete a critical As Watson continues to evolve as a quarterback and touchdown pass during the same play. Watson boarded a flight to London a few days later with the eye still injured as the Texans places more pieces around him, Moon said championships won’t be far behind. and led the Texans to a big win over Jacksonville. “I think he has scratched the surface but there is Moon believes that with the way Watson is playing definitely a lot of room for him to get better,” Moon said and rising to the occasion in key situations, big things “He really only has one legitimate receiver in DeAndre could be ahead for the Texans this season. Hopkins and he gets double teamed a lot. (Will) Fuller is “To get kicked in the eye last week and still throw in and out of the lineup a bunch since he has been in the a touchdown pass …,” Moon said. “He seems to play league and Kenny Stills has just got there so he doesn’t his best football at the biggest times of a football game, which is something he did at Clemson and that is what he have that rapport with him yet. He doesn’t have a great tight end and then the running back position has been is continuing to do in Houston.

kind of hit and miss and there have been injuries there, as well. The kid (Carlos Hyde) they have there now is doing a good job and it’s taken a little while for him to get going. “But I think once you get all of those pieces together and (Watson) has a chance to really create some continuity with the same guys, that is when you are going to see him really take off because he will have that comfort and familiarity with everybody. That’s what a quarterback needs, he needs the same guys out there every week that he has that chemistry with. That’s when you really start to see him take off.” Follow Terrance Harris on Twitter @terranceharris.

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14 DEFENDER | NOVEMBER 14 | 2019

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As Fulshear grows, town becomes less diverse

Associated Press

erlean James is somber as she watches AfricanAmericans leave Fulshear. The 82-year-old remembers the days when Black residents worked in the city as sharecroppers, farmers, maids, cooks or, in her words, “whatever little work they could get.” They saved money, purchased a home and built their lives. But now, land passed down from generation to generation is being sold off because family members can’t financially maintain it. “When they leave property for the kids, it’s not that they didn’t want it,” James said. “They couldn’t afford it.” But as African-American residents leave, Fulshear continues to grow. In the last decade, its 925% growth rate – from 1,200 people to nearly 12,000 – made it Texas’ fastest-growing city between 2010 and 2018, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Fulshear’s growth, however, has diverged from the pattern of increasing diversity in Fort Bend County. The white share of Fulshear’s population grew from 38% in 2010 to 63% in 2017. Countywide, the white population declined from 37% in 2010 to 34% in 2017. In recent years, Fort Bend County has been touted as one of the most diverse places in the U.S. That racial and ethnic diversity is reflected among the county’s top elected officials. K.P. George, the county judge, was born in India, and District Attorney Brian Middleton is Black. In 2017, 29% of residents in Fort Bend were foreign born, and they contributed $11 billion to the gross domestic product of the county, George said. “We are at least 50 years ahead of the rest of the country,” George said about the county’s diversity. “We are living in harmony. We are contributing to the well-being of this country. Our community is an example.”

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Zerlean James has witnessed the mass exodus of Blacks from Fulshear.

It’s that diversity countywide that makes what’s happening in Fulshear stand out. The city’s population growth and decline in diversity can be mostly tied to one development, said demographer Justin Silhavy of Population and Survey Analysts. In 2008, Cross Creek Ranch, a master-planned community, was established in Fulshear, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) west of downtown Houston.

CONTINUED EXPANSION

Over the years, the community continued to expand, and by 2018, over 10,000 people resided within the neighborhood. The average home price in Cross Creek Ranch exceeds $400,000, according to HAR.com. Large swaths of land, affordable housing and good schools attract people to the city in northwest Fort Bend County, according to an April 2019 demographic study by Population and Survey Analysts.

“When you have one community that’s really the bulk of the population, whatever that community’s culture is or makeup, whether it’s ethnicity or home prices, that’s going to be what your city population is,” Silhavy said. Kyle Shelton, deputy director at Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, said newer developments far from Houston’s core and isolated from more diverse neighborhoods often attract white, wealthy residents, although it’s not “a hard and fast rule.” “What has typically happened if you look historically at the suburbanization of Houston, while it has diversified, oftentimes the kind of first wave of residents in many neighborhoods are more affluent and more white,” Shelton said. “That doesn’t mean there can’t be diversity for sure, and obviously over time neighborhoods change.” As the years passed, some say it became more difficult for African Americans to make a living in the city, so they moved to Katy, Houston or other cities where they could find jobs. Some also left because they couldn’t afford to keep up the property they purchased. Fulshear’s Black population has declined from 29% in 2010 to a little under 6% in 2017. The Hispanic share of the population also has dropped, from 22% to a little more than 15% during that period. However, the Asian population in Fulshear has increased from 3% in 2010 to nearly 12% in 2017. This is similar to Fort Bend County, where the Asian population has risen from 16% in 2010 to 19% in 2017. Growth will continue for the city, though, whether residents like it or not. More than 50,000 people are expected to reside in Fulshear and its extraterritorial jurisdiction by 2023, according to the 2019 demographic study. Read more of this story at www.DefenderNetwork.com.

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Happening in Houston For event coverage email: events@defendermediagroup.com

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CHANGE HAPPENS FALL LUNCHEON……..Change Happens (CH) welcomed attendees including Dr. Abdul (Robert) Muhammad (keynote recently held its 15th Annual Fall Luncheon at the Junior League of Houston to speaker), Rev. William Lawson, Kofi Taharka, County Commissioner Rodney celebrate their 30-year legacy of empowering people to help themselves. The Ellis, Licia Green, Pastor D.Z. Cofield and Tori Moore-Cofield, State Rep. wall-to-wall guests were treated to a powerful keynote address by the legendary Ron Reynolds, Dr. Shaka Nkenge, Bola Patrick, Sister Mama Sonya, P.K. Susan Taylor, former editor-in-chief of Essence Magazine, and a soul-stirring McCary, Anthony Collier, Tanja Simmons, Shondra Muhammad and performance by gospel artist Brian Courtney Wilson accompanied by the countless others……..MEN OF SUBSTANCE 20th ANNIVERSARY GALA Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy’s choir. ……..Let the Fashions Begin, Inc. hosted its 20th annual Attendees of the inspirational affair included U.S. Rep. Sheila of Substance Gala recently at the Westin Galleria Hotel. Defender TOP EVENTS Men Jackson Lee, State Rep. Garnett Coleman, emcee Debra Though fashion was celebrated, the real focus of the evening More photos on defendernetwork.com Duncan, CH CEO Helen Stagg, Gabrielle Gunn, Dr. Elwyn was on the 2019 Men of Substance honorees, including Rockets Lee, Christine Smith, Taler Jones, LaMarcus Newman, legend Mario Elie, for their professional excellence and civic Phylicia Coleman, Kim Topps, Dr. Reagan Flowers, Laolu Davies and many contributions. Additionally, the 2019 Men of Substance Living Legends Claude more……..SHAPE 50th ANNIVERSARY INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL Cummings Jr. and Riyad Abu-Tahu were honored. Proceeds from the gala will GALA ……..Celebrating five decades of service, SHAPE Community Center benefit Texas Children’s Hospital Sickle Cell Center. Attendees included Judge held its 50th Anniversary International Cultural Gala. Supporters from near Clarease Yates (founder/director), gala chairpersons Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein, and far gathered at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum to pay tribute to all Winell Herron and Karen Miles, Cary Yates, Paris Nicole, Marilyn Swindle, who have contributed to SHAPE’s success, and to invest in the center’s future. Toni Middleton-Lewis, Tiffany Williams, Joelu Edewu, Brenda Cooper and Deloyd Parker (executive director) and Nedzra Ward (board chairperson) many more.

Susan Taylor, State Rep. Ron Reynolds, Dr. Jonita Reynolds

Deloyd Parker, Nedzra Ward

Helen Stagg, Dr. Elwyn Lee

Dr. Shaka Nkenge, Linda Bola Patrick

Joelu Edewu, Tiffany Williams, Judge Clarease Yates, Cary Yates

Ruth Cummings, Claude Cummings Jr.

Brian Courtney Wilson, Kristyn Page, Larry Payne

Anthony Collier, Kofi Taharka

Martin Fein, Kelli Cohen Fein, Winell Herron, Doug Herron

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