FEATURE
GEORGE H.W. BUSH REMEMBERED FOR HIS LASTING LEGACY P6
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Volume 88 | Number 7 DECEMBER 6, 2018 |FREE
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NEWSTALK DWIGHT BOYKINS hosts 3rd Ward holiday kickoff
P2 NATIONAL KAMALA HARRIS sets time for presidential decision
P4 HS SPORTS L.J. JOHNSON runs with power at Cy-Fair
Dr. Ruth Simmons
Dr. Austin Lane
TSU, PVAMU PRESIDENTS discuss issues, future plans H PAGE 8
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TOP EVENTS
Mahershala Ali reflects on ‘Green Book’ The Oscar winner is back in a feel-good story about the reallife friendship that developed when a refined concert pianist and the racist Bronx bouncer he hired to drive him on a 1962 tour of the Deep South.
Rosalind Wyatt, Jacqueline Preston at the Defender Conversation with HBCU presidents.
Clarence McKinney takes over at TSU Texas Southern University has found a new man to guide its football future. Houston native and former University of Arizona associate head coach and running backs coach Clarence McKinney has been named head coach.
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Jobs available for 2020 Census count Defender News Services
The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting thousands of people across the country to assist with the 2020 Census count, including in the Houston area. The bureau is hiring for a variety of temporary jobs, including census takers, recruiting assistants, office staff and supervisory staff. Wages are paid weekly. Authorized expenses, such as mileage, are reimbursed for employees doing field work. To be eligible, you must be at least 18 years old, have a valid Social Security number and be a U.S. citizen. Employment is contingent upon successfully completing a background check and a review of criminal records, including fingerprinting. Applicants who are hired must commit to completing training and must be available to work flexible hours, which can include days, evenings and/or weekends. Most jobs require employees to have access to a vehicle and a valid driver’s license – unless public transportation is readily available – and have access to a computer with Internet and an email account (to complete training). If you are employed elsewhere, your current job must be compatible with Census Bureau employment and not create conflicts of interest. Current employment will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Also, you
cannot engage in any partisan political activity while on duty. If you are a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. armed forces and were separated under honorable conditions, you may be eligible for veterans’ preference. Candidates must complete an online job application, which takes about 30 minutes, involving three steps. 1. Create an applicant profile. 2. Complete an application providing your personal information. 3. Complete an assessment based upon your job choice preferences selected when completing the application. Current survey ongoing opportunities include: • Field supervisor – Houston, work from home. Closing date, Dec. 31. Salary range, $20.37 to $26.47 per hour. • Field leader – Houston, work from home. Closing date, Dec. 31. Salary range, $18.27 to $23.75 per hour. • Field representative – All areas of Texas. Closing date, Dec. 31. Salary range, $14.30 to $16.33 per hour. The results of the 2020 Census will help determine each state’s representation in Congress, as well as how certain funds are spent for schools, hospitals, roads and more. For more information visit 2020census.gov.
District D celebrates holidays Defender News Services
Houston City Councilmember Dwight Boykins is hoping the public will join District D for a holiday season kickoff. The fifth annual Holiday Tree Lighting and Kwanzaa Celebration on Almeda (Southmore to Calumet) will take place Saturday, Dec. 8 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Residents are invited to experience the official tree lighting, fireworks, Kwanzaa, educational fun, holiday decorations, various vendors, kids activities, a fashion show, surprise Councilmember Dwight Boykins giveaways, food, photos with Santa, and entertainment featuring New Cupid and Brian Jack and the Zydeco Gamblers, If you would like to be a vendor, register at www.districtdholidayhouston.com.
Moving Monument
On the eve of what would have been the late Houston Congressman Mickey Leland’s 74 th birthday (Nov. 27), County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, U.S. Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee and Al Green and Alison Leland dedicated a Harris County Precinct One Moving Monuments bus in his honor. The bus, which is used to serve Precinct One constituents, features an image of the late congressman and his quote, “I am much a citizen of this world as I am of my country.” Developed by Ellis, the Moving Monuments project is part of a Precinct One public art project that recognizes local, state, and national figures who were committed to advancing equality, social justice and fairness for all.
localbriefs DEC. 15 IS THE DEADLINE FOR ENROLLMENT IN OBAMACARE, also known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Houston Area Urban League officials and Enroll Gulf Coast have launched a public service campaign urging area residents to enroll before the deadline. A recent report from the Kaiser Family Foundation found there is a 9.2 percent drop in Obamacare enrollment this year, prompting officials in Houston to initiate a billboard campaign to promote awareness. The outdoor advertising campaign is in English and Spanish. Residents in need of assistance can call Enroll Gulf Coast at 832-393-5423 or visit
enrollgulfcoast.com. They can also directly sign up by visiting healthcare.gov or calling 1-800-318-2596…… ...THE HURRICANE HARVEY RELIEF FUND IS DISBURSING its final round of grants for aid and services to local flood victims, bringing the total of distributed charitable donations to $113.6 million to assist about 190,000 households through 124 “experienced and carefully selected” non-profit organizations. The fifth and final round of $3 million is going to 17 non-profits that will provide furniture, cash assistance and other basic needs and case management to qualified victims. The fund was established by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Harris County Judge Ed Emmett in 2017 to
provide immediate, medium and long-term disaster relief. It is administered by the Greater Houston Community Foundation. More information on fund disbursement can be found at www.ghcf.org........TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY’S WINTER COMMENCEMENT is Saturday, Dec. 15 in the Health and Physical Education Arena. Candidates will arrive at 7 a.m. and the ceremony is from 9 a.m. to noon. City Councilmember Dwight Boykins, a TSU alumnus, will address the graduates. “Coming home here to TSU is always exciting, but being asked to serve as this year’s winter commencement speaker is a distinct privilege that I shall always cherish,” Boykins said.
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Kamala Harris to decide on 2020 White House run Defender News Service
Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) said she’ll decide whether to launch a 2020 presidential bid as 2019 prepares to dawn. “It will ultimately be a family decision,” Harris told MSNBC “Morning Joe” host Mika Brzezinski at the Know Your Value conference in San Francisco. “And over the holiday, I will make that decision with my family.” Harris, 54, is biracial and made history in 2016 as the first Indian-American to serve in the Senate, as well as just its second Black woman. She acknowledged the challenges that a campaign against President Donald Trump will entail. Trump has made deriding his opponents in starkly personal terms a hallmark of his brand of politicking “Let’s be honest. It’s going to be ugly,” Harris said. Harris, who was California’s attorney general before winning her Senate seat in 2016, is one of the most highly anticipated 2020 contenders. As she mulls whether to make it official, there have been unmistakable signs that she plans on entering the race. As this year’s midterm elections approached, Harris campaigned for Democratic candidates in the key early primary states of Iowa and South Carolina. She also stumped for two other nationally prominent Black politicians in gubernatorial races – Stacey Abrams in Georgia and Andrew Gillum in Florida. In another tell-tale sign, the senator sent $25,000 to the Democratic parties in all four early nominating states: Iowa, South Carolina, Nevada, and New Hampshire.
The clearest sign of her White House ambitions may be that she just happens to have a book scheduled for release in January – about a year before, if tradition holds, the Iowa caucuses kick off the voting in the Democratic presidential race. Titled “The Truths We Hold: An American Journey,” the memoir draws on her personal story fighting for social justice to offer a “master class in problem-solving, in crisis management, and leadership in challenging times,” according to its publisher.
Democratic U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris is weighing her options.
SIX DECADES AFTER NINE BLACK STUDENTS integrated Little Rock Central High School, the city may be on the verge of electing its first African-American mayor. Frank Scott, a 35-year-old banking executive, could win by bridging some of the biggest rifts in Arkansas’ capital – race, income and geography. He’s a native of one of Little Rock’s poorer areas who has risen in professions – politics and finance – dominated by white men. If Scott is elected, he’d be the highest-profile Black official in a state that hasn’t elected an African-American to Congress or statewide office since Reconstruction. Little Rock has had two Black mayors, but they were elected city directors chosen for the job by fellow board members and not by voters. Scott will face Baker Kurrus, a 64-year-old white attorney, businessman and former school superintendent ……..BRENDA SNIPES, SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS in Broward County Fla., rescinded her resignation letter, which was to take effect on Jan. 4. The letter preceded Gov. Rick Scott’s suspension of Snipes for misfeasance, incompetence and neglect of duty. Snipes earns a salary of $178,865 annually and would be eligible for a pension of $71,000 a year after 15 years of service as the county’s elections supervisor. A suspension, however, would eliminate her pension. Snipes was attacked by Republicans, including President Donald Trump, for her handling of the midterm election……..A FORENSIC EXAM SHOWS A BLACK MAN WAS FATALLY SHOT three times on the back side of his body when an Alabama police officer mistook him for the shooter after gunfire erupted at a crowded shopping mall. The results of a report commissioned by the family are “devastating” to relatives of Emantic “E.J.” Bradford Jr., their lawyer, Ben Crump, said. Police reiterated that they won’t release officer video or other evidence about the Thanksgiving night killing until the state investigation is complete.
Former police chief guilty of framing Blacks VOLUME 88 • NUMBER 7 DECEMBER 6, 2018
Defender News Services
Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Ad/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler
A Miami judge sentenced the former police chief of Biscayne Park, Fla., for pinning unsolved crimes on innocent Black people. Raimundo Atesiano, 52, received three years in prison for conspiracy to deprive individuals of their civil rights. He faced a maximum 10-year sentence. Officers Guillermo Ravelo, Charlie Dayoub and Raul Fernandez all pleaded guilty and cooperated in the case against Atesiano for falsely arresting three Black men without any evidence or probable cause in an effort to clear reported burglaries in the area. Atesiano’s scheme centered on his department’s crime-solving rate. He touted his unit’s 100 percent clearance rate for burglaries. The targets selected by the former police chief were known to have criminal backgrounds and weren’t randomly chosen, Atesiano’s attorney claimed. In 2013, Atesiano instructed officers to arrest a 16-year-old “knowing that there was no evidence and no lawful basis to support such charges.” The following year, he hit another victim with burglary charges without any legal standing.
Strategic Alliance Manager
Clyde Jiles Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila Photographers
Ray Carrington III Jimmie Aggison
Editors ReShonda Billingsley Marilyn Marshall Contributing Writer Aswad Walker Sports Max Edison 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 subscription, send $60-1 year to: Defender, P.O. Box 8005, Houston TX 77288. Payment must accompany subscription request. All material covered by 2012 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).
Raimundo Atesiano
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entertainment Mahershala Ali reflects on
Oscarwinning actor Mahershala Ali stars in the new film “Green Book.”
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But the film has been criticized by some as an outdated, sentimentalized kind of movie, one that trades on racial tropes, perpetuates the “white savior” cliche and isn’t deserving of its ahershala Ali’s life changed in more ways than namesake (a travel-survival guide for African-Americans in the one the week of the 2017 Oscars. Four days beJim Crow South). fore he won best supporting actor for his perforAli grants “Green Book” is a portrait of race in America unmance in “Moonlight,” his wife, Amatus-Sami like one by Jenkins or Amma Asante or Ava DuVernay, Karim, gave birth to their first child. but he believes the film’s uplifting approach has value. “When I won, all I could think about was, I just want “It’s approached in a way that’s perhaps more to get home,” Ali says. palatable than some of those other projects. But I think It wasn’t just Ali’s soulful, tender performance as it’s a legitimate offering. Don Shirley is really complex a drug dealer in Barry Jenkins’ “Moonlight” that illumiconsidering it’s 1962. He’s the one in power in that car. nated Ali to audiences. It was his incredible poise through He doesn’t have to go on that trip. I think embodied in awards season, where he became the first Muslim actor to him is somebody that we haven’t seen. That alone makes win an Oscar. the story worthy of being told,” says Ali. At the Screen Actors Guild Awards, during the outcry “Anytime, whether it’s white writers or Black over Donald Trump’s ban on travel from several mostly writers, I can play a character with dimensionality, that’s Muslim countries, he eloquently spoke about “Moonlight” attractive to me.” and acceptance: “We see what happens when you perseIn the film, Ali plays a concert pianist and Viggo Mortensen plays his driver in the South. Still, along the way, Ali has heard the complaints cute people. They fold into themselves.” about “Green Book.” He disagrees. Oscar. It was clear enough: Here was no flash-in-the-pan. Here was “A couple of times I’ve seen ‘white savior’ comments and But this time, the road has been rockier. “Green Book,” a journeyman actor of uncommon grace and dignity. And Ali’s I don’t think that’s true. Or the reverse ‘Driving Miss Daisy’ brisk and modest, has won raves from some critics and many phone started ringing. thing, I don’t agree with,” he says. “If you were to call this film audiences as a feel-good story about the real-life friendship that “It changed the trajectory of my career,” Ali, 44, said in a a reverse ‘Driving Miss Daisy,’ then you would have to reverse recent interview over tea in midtown Manhattan. “It gives you per- developed when the refined concert pianist Don Shirley (Ali) hired a racist Bronx bouncer, Tony Lip (Viggo Mortensen), to the history of slavery and colonialism. It would have to be all mission in some way to not dream bigger but dream deeper. Like: drive him on a 1962 tour of the Deep South. Black presidents and all white slaves.” What type of work do you really want to do?” Associated Press
Ali still harbors larger aspirations, like playing boxer Jack Johnson, but this fall has provided some of the answer. Ali stars in Peter Farrelly’s road-trip drama “Green Book” and headlines the upcoming third season of HBO’s “True Detective.” And “Green Book,” now in theaters, has again catapulted Ali to the top of the contenders. Many believe he’s in line for another
what’sup “Say Her Name: The Life and Death of Sandra Bland,” is now airing on HBO and examines the tragic death of SANDRA BLAND. Previously unknown details are revealed about Bland, 28, who was arrested for a traffic violation in Waller County in 2015. After three days in custody, she was found hanging from a noose in her jail cell. Law officials pushed the narrative that her death was a suicide, which sparked allegations of a racially-motivated police murder and cover-up……..BOBBY BROWN is trying to put a halt to an upcoming WHITNEY HOUSTON documentary titled “Can I Be Me,” and has filed a lawsuit against the producers and
distributors. The documentary reportedly shows never-before-seen footage of Bobby and Whitney’s daughter BOBBI KRISTINA when she was a teen. Meanwhile, the New Edition singer is in the midst of family drama as his sister Leolah Brown Muhammad recently accused his wife, Alicia Etheredge, of making money off her niece’s name. Muhammad is releasing a tell-all book about Bobbi Kristina and Whitney that she’ll give a way for free. Neither Bobby nor his wife have responded yet, and there’s no word on when the tell-all book will arrive…….KENYA MOORE’s latest PR stunt might have gotten her banned for life from
“Real Housewives of Atlanta.” The former Bravo “housewife” allegedly crashed a taping of a party for CYNTHIA BAILEY. A pregnant Moore, who was dropped from the show this season, allegedly confronted NENE LEAKES, who didn’t respond to her. Producers reportedly didn’t appreciate Moore showing up and creating drama..…..VIOLA DAVIS will produce and star in the lead role of SHIRLEY CHISHOLM, in “The Fighting Shirley Chisholm.” Chisholm was the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress and the first Black woman to seek the nomination for United States President for a major political party.
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George Bush remembered for selfless service
almost anything I’ve done.’ “ Bush, who was born in Massachusetts in 1924, moved Former President George to Texas after graduating from H.W. Bush, who died Nov. 30 Yale. He began his political caat age 94 in Houston, is being reer when he became chairman remembered as a lifelong public of the Harris County Republican servant who loved his country Party. He later won a seat in and his family. Bush served as Congress. the nation’s 41st president from Politics ran in the Bush 1989 to 1993. family. George H.W. Bush was “America has lost a patriot the son of a U.S. senator from and humble servant in George Connecticut. His eldest son, Herbert Walker Bush,” said George W. Bush, was a twoFormer President Barack Obama term president after serving as and former First Lady Michelle governor of Texas. His son Jeb Obama was governor of Florida and “While our hearts are heavy Jeb’s son, George P. Bush, is today, they are also filled with Texas land commissioner. gratitude. Not merely for the “Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro, years he spent as our 41st presiand I are saddened to announce dent, but for the more than 70 that after 94 remarkable years, years he spent in devoted service our dear Dad has died,” forto the country he loved – from mer President George W. Bush a decorated Naval aviator who said in a family announcement. nearly gave his life in World War The late former President George H. W. Bush, who died on Nov. 30 at age 94, and Coretta Scott King took part in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday celebration at the King Center. “George H.W. Bush was a man of II, to commander-in-chief of our the highest character and the best now, two points of light that never dimmed, two armed forces, with plenty of posts dad a son or daughter could ask for. The entire Bush points of light that ignited countless others with their along the way…” family is deeply grateful for 41’s life and love, for example – the example of a man who, even after The Obamas also referred to his late wife of 73 years, former First Lady Barbara Bush, who died this commanding the world’s mightiest military, once said the compassion of those who have cared and prayed ‘I got more of a kick out of being one of the founders for Dad, and for the condolences of our friends and past April 17. fellow citizens.” of the YMCA in Midland, Texas back in 1952 than “George and Barbara Bush are together again Defender News Service
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TSU, PVAMU P
discuss issues
H “Student success and completion. That is paramount to us because that is something that has an impact on our [entire] student population. How do we get our students from orientation to graduation, then to the workforce? We spend an enormous amount of time trying to provide the support that our students are going to need to help them persist and eventually graduate.” - Dr. Austin Lane
Dr. Austin Lane, Dr. Rut
Defender News Service
istorically Black Colleges and Universities occupy an important place in the fabric of higher education in the United States and they have established a legacy like no other set of universities. In fact, the past few years have seen an increase in enrollment at many institutions as more and more students opt to attend HBCUs. Texas Southern University and Prairie View A&M University are among the top 10 largest HBCUs based on enrollment. The Defender recently continued its Conversation series by hosting a discussion with TSU President Dr. Austin Lane and PVAMU President Dr. Ruth Simmons. The two presidents discussed everything from enrollment to finances to what lies ahead for both universities, and how they can better work together. Defender: HBCUs are in a transformational state with big opportunities and challenges. What are some of those opportunities and challenges and how are you addressing them? Dr. Austin Lane: The top priorities we’re focused on at TSU are: • Student success and completion. That is paramount to us because that is something that has an impact on our [entire] student population. How do we get our students from orientation to graduation, then to the workforce? We spend an enormous amount of time trying to provide the support that our students are going to need to help them persist and eventually graduate. • Academic program quality and research. How do we prepare our students, ensure that our programs have quality, ensure that those programs are to be able to work in corporations and how do we ensure that we have folks who serve on our advisory boards inside our schools and colleges? • Culture. How do we stay true to our mission of educating students? When you think about how we were founded, when you think about the history we have in this city, how do we stay true to that history? • Partnerships and finances. It’s extremely important that our partnerships are in place. It’s important to make sure that we have strong partnerships that lead out into the workforce and from community colleges and high schools and into our institution. Everyone thinks finances is about challenges but we have had some great success because we’ve been smarter about how we have allocated our dollars and making sure that we are able to sustain some of the things we’re putting in place. Dr. Ruth Simmons: Ditto to what he said. I also take issue with the way our university is always focused on the challenges to a very unhealthy degree. I try to impart to everyone the fact that I have never been at a university, ever, that did not feel they had overwhelming challenges. When I first started at Princeton, they
TSU’s President Dr. Austin Lane and PVAMU’s President Dr. Ruth Simmons discuss the challenges and greatness of HBCUs (photo by Aswad Walker)
were absolutely panicked about the future of the university. That’s the number one university in the country, consistently ranked number one and they are worried every day about the challenges. So it’s good to worry because that makes us get on our toes to work harder and solve problems. But it’s important not to think of it as a pathology because that sense of the pathological spreads to others. In terms of the opportunities, what is a better opportunity than having a chance to influence the lives of these precious young people? In all my years of working in higher education, I’ve never been in a more incredible spot because when I see the young people on our campus, when I see their potential, I am hysterically happy. Defender: Describe your plans for growing enrollment and explain how the state performance measures (six-year graduation rate) are impacting the
university. Lane: The state still does not fund us based on success or completion. The game cussed performance-based funding. We’re are performing better. If I had 150 advisors the classes on the degree class so the stude gets level and we talk about the infrastruct then we’re talking apples to apples. But if we are going to that model, an getting better and better because of the sup graduation rate, if you look at 2012, four to
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PRESIDENTS
s, future plans
th Simmons speak out
www.DefenderNetwork.com Simmons and Lane discuss…
* HBCU closings * The possibility of an HBCU summit * Top state initiatives for 2019 * Keeping TSU independent and more
s e is still in enrollment. They have dise okay with that discussion. Our students rs, a number of faculty to be able to teach ents can finish, when that playing field ture we have and we’re trying to build,
nd you look at our success rates, they’re pport we’re providing our students. Our o six years, we’ve got some of the highest
six-year rates that we’ve had in the institution. Our students don’t always drop out. They stop out. They don’t have the funding to keep going. We have a conditional admission program for students who might not have otherwise been able to get into college. We have over a 94 percent success rate with those students. I don’t really get into the graduation rate structure. When they start bringing that up, I go right into economics and infrastructure because you really have to understand our institutions and the students we are educating. Simmons: I don’t even like the term remedial. What is that? You learn when you are ready to learn. You apprehend things when the moment is right for you. Just because you had a different or later start doesn’t mean you’re less of a learner.
the Houston area for over 85 years
One of the ways we have of crippling people in terms of their performance is by assigning these labels to them. So, I try as an educator to never assign those labels. Here’s the most important thing about this so-called system of education we have in this country, and it exists nowhere else in the world. The principle underlying our system is that you’re not required to be proficient by a certain date. And if you happen to be someone that comes along and you’re not motivated when you’re 18, you can go to college when you’re 25, 50. I like to think what we’re doing in helping our students is helping them on the continuum of learning. What we’re trying to do is make sure we develop enough partnerships with community colleges. Students can save money at a community college. The number one problem our students have is the affordability of education. I talk to students every week who don’t have $100 and furthermore, they know no one who can lend it to them. And people just don’t get that. To me those are the students you want to help. Wherever that student is, that’s where we meet them. Defender: What are some of the new projects you have on the drawing board? Lane: We have a $60-million state-of-the-art library and learning center. It will be complete in June or July. It’s on time, it’s on budget. It will become the centerpiece of our campus. It’s a great facility. We’re also in the process of revisiting our campus master plan and looking to see what we’ll look like in 10-15 years. Simmons: We have a very long list. We are rarely recognized as HBCUs for academic excellence. Our biggest project is on our academic programs. We are expanding faculty, we are doing a lot in faculty development, addressing salary issues, reducing the teaching load. A lot of people don’t realize, what makes a university great is the faculty. And so, in our university, we have to take on the challenge of building our faculty. The very first decision I made when I got to Prairie View was to allocate $2 million dollars to support our faculty in their scholarship. Since then, we’re about to get a grant to build that fund even further. I am working with Spelman and Morehouse in a joint project to facilitate faculty development at all of our campuses with the understanding that we’re going to build this across the HBCU community. Our curricular issues are many. We have to dig down and make sure we’re offering the programs that are worthy of our students. We are very concerned about the fact that HBCUs often don’t seem to appreciate history and culture. So, we are building an African-American studies initiative. Because every student that comes to Prairie View needs to understand who they are. A Conversation with HBCU Presidents was sponsored by Amegy Bank, Kelsey-Seybold Clinic and Luby’s Fuddrucker’s Restaurant.
“The number one problem our students have is the affordability of education. I talk to students every week who don’t have $100 and furthermore, they know no one who can lend it to them. And people just don’t get that.” - Dr. Ruth Simmons
10 DEFENDER | DECEMBER 6 | 2018 defendernetwork.com
Looking to Texas
Trump pushes criminal justice reform bill Texas Tribune
When the White House endorsed a bipartisan effort to reduce the federal prison population and improve the lives of inmates already behind bars, President Donald Trump made one thing clear: He wants “criminal justice reform, Texas style.” “You know, you think of Texas as a tough lawand-order state, and they’ve done it,” the president said during a recent rally in Mississippi. “We want safer communities,” he continued. “We want people to have better opportunities and a better life. Tough on crime but also smart on crime.” Trump was praising the First Step Act, a bill backed by a bipartisan prison reform organization’s national initiative called #cut50, which aims to reduce the nationwide prison population by 50 percent. The initiative partnered with the president’s son-inlaw and advisor, Jared Kushner, to draft legislation that takes steps like banning the shackling of women during childbirth, providing a pathway to compassionate release for the terminally ill and elderly, and placing prisoners within a 500-mile driving distance of their families. But while #cut50 is based in California, many of its ideas for the bill are rooted in Texas. The First Step Act offers incentives for inmates to participate in “life-changing” classes and programming that would better prepare them for life after release, an initiative Texas started over a decade ago. The bill also focuses on reducing recidivism by offering vocational training, academic classes and substance abuse treatment, which would earn prisoners “good time credits” that could take up to 54 days off their sentence per year. “This bill is a sign that you can be a conservative and can be smart on crime,” said Jessica Jackson Sloan, #cut50’s director and co-founder. “Looking at Texas and Georgia and other states, programming and rehabilitation
President Donald Trump participates in a roundtable discussion with state leaders, including Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, on prison reform.
leads to better public safety.” Texas became a leading force in prison reform in 2007, when state lawmakers and Republican Gov. Rick Perry found themselves at a crossroads. The state prison population hit 170,000, a reflection of the national rush to incarcerate non-violent drug offenders since the 1970s. Housing all those inmates was expensive. Having crunched the numbers to determine that the state needed to authorize an additional $2 billion for another 17,000 prison beds, a group of conservative thinkers proposed an alternative: What if the Legislature instead
reduced the need for the beds by creating drug courts, reducing incarceration rates for nonviolent offenders and offering rehabilitation and educational opportunities to inmates, all for the lower price of $241 million? Marc Levin, who serves as the vice president of criminal justice policy at the conservative Austin think tank Texas Public Policy Foundation, helped craft the reform, and credits the initiative for allowing the state to close eight prisons since 2007. The state's prison population has since dipped by 30,000, and the crime rate is the lowest since 1967, he said.
FBI database tracks fatal police encounters Defender News Services
The federal government is launching a national database that will track when law enforcement officers use deadly force, providing more transparency about police shootings that have inflamed tensions in cities around the country. For years, the public has debated whether law enforcement have become too trigger-happy – especially in dealing with AfricanAmericans and others minorities – but basic information about police shootings and use of force has been elusive. It has mainly been left to news organizations to fill the void by compiling their own databases to understand the problem, an effort that took on greater urgency in the wake of deadly police shootings of unarmed Black men that gave rise to the Black Lives Matter move-
ment. The FBI national database, announced recently and preparing to launch in January, will catalog incidents in which a death or serious bodily injury occurs, or when officers discharge a firearm at or in the direction of someone. It also will track gender, age, ethnicity and other demographic information. There will be limitations, however, because police departments are not required to report their information to the national database. “It strikes me as sort of crazy that in a modern country that prioritizes democratic freedoms the way that the United States does, we don’t have the basic information that we need to have to discuss a fairly important issue of officers taking civilians’ lives,” said Seth Stoughton, an associate law professor at the University of South Carolina who has researched
police use of force. There are an estimated 60 million encounters between officers
and civilians every year. About 1,000 people are killed in altercations with police each year.
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DECEMBER 6 | 2018 | DEFENDER
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Lilly Diabetes Solution Center opens Defender News Services
Beginning next week, The National Newspapers Publishers Association (NNPA), which represents Black newspapers, will run advertising in selected markets announcing the solutions center as an opportunity for African-Americans to receive affordable diabetes
The American Diabetes Association estimates that over 30 million Americans are affected by diabetes and it is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. In the African-American population, studies show that we are disproportionately affected by diabetes in comparison to the general population. The rates of diagnosed diabetes among African-Americans is 12.7 percent compared to 7.4 percent of whites. Not only does the African-American community face the dilemma of increase diabetes diagnoses, but also faces numerous health care challenges when trying to manage diabetes, such as cost for treatments, medications, limited supplies and access to primary care to maintain a quality of life. Eli Lilly and Company, a global leader in diabetes care, understands these gaps and burdens of costs in the African-American community. The company is working to help close it by reducing the cost of insulin and The Lilly Diabetes Solution Center will offer reduced prices for insulin. Helpline: 1-833-808-1234. making sure that everyone will have medication. equal access to their medicines. The collaboration will help decrease the comEli Lilly has launched the Lilly Diabetes Solution plications of diabetes by making sure that access to Center and Helpline in the African-American commuaffordable insulin is available. nity to ensure comprehensive treatment for diabetes.
The center is a solution-oriented program providing relief for those who are not insured, underinsured or have high out-of-pocket expenses. It will assist in gaining access to affordable insulin, resources and options. It provides cost-savings solutions and short-term and long-term options for immediate needs. “We don’t want anyone to have to pay full list price for their insulin, and many people who do will be able to pay significantly less by calling our helpline,” said Mike Mason, senior vice president, Connected Care and Insulins. “Our goal is to ensure that people paying high out-of-pocket costs for Lilly insulins are matched with the best solution available to reduce their financial burden and help ensure they receive the treatment they need.” Lilly has also donated insulin to three relief agencies that serve communities of color globally and particularly in the U.S. – Americares, Direct Relief and Dispensary of Hope. They have distributed insulin to 150 free clinics around the country. The helpline will direct people toward these clinics in their local communities and provide information on how they can obtain it. Call the Lilly Diabetes Solutions Center helpline at 833-808-1234 for more information and immediate assistance. Representatives are available from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday.
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DEFENDER | DECEMBER 6 | 2018
sports
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Clarence McKinney new TSU football coach
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By MAX EDISON Defender
n a move that took less than a week, Texas Southern University has found a new man to guide its football fortunes. Houston native and former University of Arizona associate head coach and running backs coach Clarence McKinney has been named head coach. He replaces Michael Haywood, who resigned after three seasons as coach. McKinney has the type of resume that makes him a tailor-made choice for TSU. He’s a former head coach at nearby Jack Yates High School. He served on the staff of head coach Kevin Sumlin at the University of Houston, Texas A&M and most recently Arizona. He has extensive success as a recruiter with an emphasis on the greater Houston area. An emotional McKinney addressed the media and Tiger faithful and explained why TSU is a perfect fit. “I grew up in Third Ward, in the ‘Bottom.’ I remember listening to the Ocean of Soul as a little boy on my porch every night. I was about 4 or 5,” he recalled. “I played in Ralph Cooper’s basketball tournament in its very first year right here on campus when I was in middle school. It’s all about timing, but for me to get this opportunity in my neighborhood is special. “Another reason this is special is because of my father,” McKinney said. “He’s 91 now. I don’t know how much time he has left, but for me to be close to him and spend more time with him and for him to see me work is invaluable. In addition, I’ve got a son attending Yates so I’m really happy about this.” McKinney always aspired to be a football coach. “My high school friends will tell you, I always wanted to be a coach,” he said. “My dream was to be the head coach at Jack Yates. After I achieved that and won a few games I was set. My dreams had been fulfilled.” McKinney had no idea his career was about to go to McKinney is former associate head coach and running backs coach at the another level. University of Arizona. “Unfortunately for Yates, opportunity to be a college coach.” Kevin Sumlin got the job at the Kevin Granger, TSU’s interim University of Houston and I was the first person he hired,” he said. vice president of Intercollegiate “I thank Coach Sumlin for believing in me and giving the
Native Houstonian Clarence McKinney takes charge of the Texas Southern University Tigers.
Athletics, said the university is “beyond excited” to bring in McKinney. “His coaching talent, his emphasis on developing the complete student-athlete, as well as his ability to recruit locally, regionally and nationally, gives TSU a distinct advantage as we move our program to the next level,” Granger said. TSU President Dr. Austin Lane echoed Granger’s sentiments. “Coach McKinney comes to TSU with incredible connections to the high school coaches in Houston and across the state,” Lane said. “He has a unique ability to recognize and recruit top talent into a program. I’d also like to congratulate Kevin Granger and the athletic department staff on a successful search that resulted in Coach McKinney joining our university.” Having spent time at Houston, Texas A&M and Arizona, McKinney realizes that the resources at TSU won’t be comparable, but he is undeterred and not making excuses. “We’re going to do what we can do to improve our resources, in the mean time we have to do the best we can with our current resources. We’re going to hit the ground running. As long as we got equipment, a football and a field to play, then we can improve the team.” Former TSU wide receiver and university Hall of Famer Darrell Colbert is excited about the potential that McKinney brings. “Having someone who truly loves TSU is really important,” Colbert said. “I’m ecstatic and I can’t wait to work with him and support him.”
McKinney is joined by TSU Interim VP Kevin Granger and President Dr. Austin Lane.
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DECEMBER 6 | 2018 | DEFENDER
sports
13
Holidays usher in college bowl games
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By MAX EDISON Defender
he holiday season is upon us and for shoppers and college football fans, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” Shoppers search for sales and college football fans scan TV guides to keep up with their favorite teams and the 39 different bowl games to be played in December and January. The College Football Playoff teams secure the headliner role when it comes to the bowl season. No. 1-rated Alabama will face off against No. 4-rated Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl (Dec. 29, Miami), while No. 2-ranked Clemson takes on No. 3-ranked Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl (Dec. 29, Arlington). The winner of the two semi-final games will play in the National Championship game on Jan. 7 at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. Here is a glimpse of the top games. Check local listings for times. The Orange Bowl – The match-up between Alabama and Oklahoma could be the most intriguing of all the contests. The Crimson Tide, an immoveable force and the defending national champions, will put it all on the line against the Sooners, who have an offense that scores at a video game pace. Stars who played high school football locally excel for ‘Bama in the person of junior quarterback Jalen Hurt (Channelview) and freshman wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (Episcopal). For the Sooners, mercurial junior quarterback Kyler Murray (Allen, Texas) is a walking highlight film and by kickoff could have a Heisman Trophy on his mantle. Defensively, the Sooners have struggled at times, but sophomore inside linebacker Kenneth Murray (Elkins) is the centerpiece that keeps them together. The Cotton Bowl – It’s a classic case of the Protestants against the Catholics. Clemson vs. Notre Dame is a clash of the undefeated titans. Clemson features a veteran team, loaded with NFL-bound talent. The Tigers’ defensive front four is considered the best in college football. Their only area of concern is the fact that they’re lead by a true freshman quarterback, Trevor Lawrence. The Fighting Irish feature their first undefeated team since the 2012 season. They will showcase stud running back Dexter Williams, who gained 941 yards playing in just eight games. Defensively, they’re solid from top to bottom. Junior cornerback Julian Love and junior safety Alohi Gilman are strong in the Irish secondary. Meanwhile, senior linebacker Drue Tranquill and senior lineman Jerry Tillery are hard on opposing offenses. On a side note, Texans’ defensive lineman D.J. Reader and quarterback Deshaun Watson, both Clemson alums, have assured us that Clemson will advance to the title game.
Alabama, ranked No. 1, features receiver Jaylen Waddle of Houston’s Episcopal High School in the Orange Bowl.
Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray of Allen, Texas, leads the No. 4-ranked Sooners against Alabama.
Other games of note
Here are other bowl games to watch. Six teams from Texas – including the University of Houston – and one SWAC team are in the line-up: Celebration Bowl – SWAC champion Alcorn State (9-3) vs. MEAC kingpin North Carolina A&T (9-2), Dec. 15, Atlanta New Mexico Bowl – Utah State (10-2) vs. North Texas (9-3), Dec. 15, Albuquerque Frisco Bowl – Ohio (8-4) vs. San Diego State (7-5), Dec. 19, Frisco, Texas Armed Forces Bowl – Houston (8-4) vs. Army (9-2), Dec. 22, Fort Worth Cheez-It Bowl – California (7-5) vs. TCU (66), Dec. 26, Phoenix Texas Bowl – Vanderbilt (6-6) vs. Baylor (66), Dec. 27, Houston Alamo Bowl – Washington State (10-2) vs. Iowa State (8-4), Dec. 28, San Antonio Sun Bowl – Pittsburgh (7-6) vs. Stanford (84), Dec.31, El Paso Gator Bowl – N.C. State (9-3) vs. Texas A&M (8-4), Dec. 31, Jacksonville Sugar Bowl – Georgia (11-2) vs. Texas (9-4), Jan. 1, New Orleans
Notre Dame (No. 3) and running back Dexter Williams will play Clemson (No. 2) in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium.
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DEFENDER | DECEMBER 6 | 2018
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HS sports
Cy-Fair RB
L.J. Johnson runs with power, execution
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By JODIE B. JILES Defender
ypress-Fairbanks running back L.J. Johnson went into beast mode in a tied-up fourth quarter game against Atascocita. Johnson took a simple handoff 60 yards for the last touchdown scored in a 41-38 fourth quarter victory. During the last quarter Johnson helped Cy-Fair win the timeof-possession game, inching first down after first down and setting up a chip-shot field goal by kicker Jake Ruiz. Johnson is currently uncommitted without any D-1 offers but that might change if he can keep Cy-Fair in contention as they face North Shore’s D-1 level defense in the next round. Cy-Fair head coach Ed Pustejovsky described what Johnson brings to the offense. “He does a great DefenderNetwork.com job of keeping his pad See high school game highlights level down, adjusting, seeing the hole and going,” Pustejovsky said. “He makes good cuts and he is always going north with it (the ball)”. The Defender spoke with Johnson after the Atascocita game about his style of play, love of the game and fourth-quarter TD run. Defender: How would you describe your style of play as a running back? Johnson: I’m a power runner. I run between the tackles and when I see a hole I just go. Defender: Why do you love the game of football? Johnson: I started playing when I was 7 and ever since then I just loved it. Every year I play I love the game – I live for it. Defender: Tell us about what you saw on the TD run in the 4th quarter? Johnson: At halftime we drew it up. We saw that they were blitzing the gaps and overflowing so I saw the cutback and went off. Defender: What will it take to repeat a championship this season? Johnson: Execute our plays. Make plays. Practice hard and just play as a team .
Johnson is a power runner who is “always going north” with the ball.
Running back L.J. Johnson was a playmaker against Atascocita.
Johnson talks to the Defender about his love of the game. (Photos by Jimmie Aggison)
Playoff sports briefs NORTH SHORE DOUBLES UP……..North Shore defeated Katy 49-38, beating them for the second time this season at NRG Stadium. The win put an end to any debate of who is No. 1 out of the two. The king of the 6A greater Houston area will be decided in the game Saturday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. against Cy-Fair……..WESTFIELD ADVANCES……..Westfield senior running back Rayshawn James added 198 all-purpose rushing and receiving yards in a 35-16 victory over (Mesquite) Horn at Sam Houston State University……… MARSHALL MAKES CASE FOR NO. 1……..Fort Bend Marshall dominated on both sides of the line of scrimmage against Port Neches-Groves in a 53-14 blowout. Marshall is currently ranked No. 4 in the Texas 5A rankings. If the Buffs continue to perform the way they did against PNG, Marshall could easily be considered the No. 1 5A team in Texas.
About Johnson
Classification: Sophomore Instagram: @34.goon Favorite subject: Math Favorite food: Pizza NFL player he likes to watch: Leonard Fournette, Jacksonville RB Shout-outs: My team World problem he would solve: Stop the violence
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DECEMBER 6 | 2018 | DEFENDER
HS sports North Shore defensive duo
Tony Bradford Jr., Jordan Revels stand out
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By JODIE B. JILES Defender
orth Shore High School’s defensive line is led by senior defensive end Tony Bradford Jr., a Texas Tech commit and likely winner of Houston Touchdown Club’s Defensive Player of the Year Award, along with senior defensive tackle Jordan Revels. The two define the term playmaker because they make plays. In the most recent 49-38 playoff victory over Katy, Bradford made a key sack on third and goal and shifted momentum, forcing Katy to kick a field goal late in the game. On an ensuing offensive drive Revels caught a play-action touchdown pass to put North Shore up double digits in the second half. North Shore head coach John Kay commended their leadership skills. “You know their athleticism speaks for itself, their performance speaks of itself,” Kay said. “But [they possess] day-in and day-out leadership. They are constantly giving the top example of what we’re looking for in our program and I think the guys are willing to follow their lead and consequently you have really productive defense.” Defensive coordinator Garrett Cross said of Revels, “He is definitely one of our best football players on our team. You saw him catch a touchdown pass tonight, and obviously he is always putting the pressure on and always making a big play for us.” Cross also complimented Bradford. Tony Bradford Jr. is a defensive end for North Shore, which meets Cy-Fair in the playoffs. “He gives us a real gutsy performance week in and week out. He has to go up against double teams every week and he does a great job taking them on.” The Defender spoke with Bradford and Revels after the Katy game. Defender: How would you describe your style of play? Bradford: Aggressive. I don’t like offensive lineman. My goal is always to dominate the line of scrimmage. Defender: What were the keys to the defense’s success in the rematch game against Katy? Bradford: Just not giving up. It was a close game and for the longest we just didn’t give up. We also made plays when we needed them. Defender: As a leader on defense, what is your message to Jordan Revels is a defensive tackle. (Photos by Jimmie Aggison and your team going forward in the playoffs? Jodie B. Jiles) Bradford: Just keep pumping, keep doing what you believe in, felt amazing to make a big-time play in this game. trust the process, trust the plays, do your job and everything will be Defender: What were the keys to success against Katy’s ofalright. fense? Defender: What inspired your For crowd and game photos Revels: They tried to run it down our decision to commit to Texas Tech? visit Instagram throats and we just came with it. Bradford: I went up there and @DefenderHighSchoolSports Defender: How would you describe it had everything I needed. I liked the your style of play? facility, the dorms, the players and Revels: Dominant coaches. So that is why I decided to be with them. Defender: What are your personal goals going up against Cy-Fair Defender: Talk to us about the touchdown catch you made in next? the second half. Revels: Keep the intensity going and just ball out. Revels: We had been practicing all week. I scored one last week and it
About Bradford
Twitter: @Tbradford97 Favorite subject: English Favorite food: Seafood World problem he would solve: Racism Dream job after football: Police officer Shout-outs: North Shore team, Eastside Community, Mom and Dad
About Revels
Twitter: @jordanrevels95 Favorite subject: Economics Favorite food: Wings NFL players he watches: Von Miller, Khalil Mack World Problem he would solve: Homelessness Dream job after football: Registered nurse
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DEFENDER | DECEMBER 6 | 2018
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Happening in Houston For event coverage email: events@defendermediagroup.com
topevents
DEFENDER CONVERSATION WITH HBCU PRESIDENTS… …..The Defender Conversation series continued with an engaging discussion featuring Prairie View A&M University President Dr. Ruth Simmons and Texas Southern University President Dr. Austin Lane. Defender CEO and Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles was the moderator. The event, sponsored by Amegy Bank, Kelsey-Seybold Clinic and Luby’s Fuddruckers Restaurants, focused on the opportunities and challenges facing HBCUs. Among the myriad of topics discussed was the need for the two institutions, long-time rivals in sports, to work together on academic and research projects. Each president had the opportunity to discuss the stellar, groundbreaking initiatives taking place on their campuses which underscored the call from attendees for HBCUs in general, and TSU and PVAMU specifically, to do a better job promoting its programs and outstanding faculty members. Other topics included the 2019 State Legislative agendas, the incredible yet under-told story of the impact of HBCUs, the pros and cons of being an independent institution versus being part of a university systems and much more. Attendees included Amegy Bank CEO Steve Stephens, Dr. Victor Simms (Kelsey-Seybold), Jacqueline Preston (KelseySeybold), Dana Rogers-Yates, (Luby’s Fuddruckers), Roy Perry, Carl Moses, Dr. Donetta Goodall and Oscar Taylor (PVAMU Foundation), Alan Bergeron, Willie Alexander, Georgia Provost, Cicely Parson, Peri Rideaux, C.B. Claiborne, Diane Maben, Stephanie Collier, Marian Tolan, Dr. Robert Ford, Jon Kamau Jackson, Niles Dillard, Clydette Messiah, Defender staffers ReShonda Tate Billingsley, Margo Hubbard Williams, Marilyn Marshall, Clyde Jiles, Jodie B. Jiles, Jimmie Aggison and David Wall and many more.
Dr. Austin Lane, Sonceria Messiah-Jiles, Dr. Ruth Simmons
Willie Alexander
Dr. Lane and Dr. Simmons are interviewed
Taylor Miller, Pat Combs
Carl Moses, Dr. Donetta Goodall, Oscar Taylor, Roy Perry
Dr. Lane, Julio Iturriaga, Dr. Victor Simms, Dr. Simmons
Attendees
Amegy Bank leadership and attendees
Cicely Parson, Peri Rideaux
Rosalind Wyatt, Jacqueline Preston
Tiffany Nixon, Joe Nixon
C.B. Claiborne, Alan Bergeron, Steve Stephens
Tiffany Thomas, Marilyn Marshall, Pamela Ulmer, Cassye Cook Provost
ReShonda Tate Billingsley
Nakia Cooper, Rebecca Briscoe
Luby’s Fuddrucker’s rep. Dana Rogers-Yates
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