Houston Defender: December 8, 2022

Medical Apartheid?

Exploring the state of Black Healthcare in Houston

NEWS

MARY YOUNG

The Texas Southern University police chief is heading to court after filing a lawsuit against the university.

Volume 92, issue 5 December 8, 2022

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FEATURE

RON REYNOLDS The State Rep. reveals legislative priorities for the upcoming session.

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DN To the POINT

Deion Sanders speaks after being introduced as the new head NCAA college football coach at Colorado during a news conference Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Reporter’s Message Coach Prime leaves Jackson State University

Many were excited to see this actress who we all (yes, me too) watched grow up on screen College football coach and Pro Football since her breakthrough role in “Akeelah and Hall of Fame member Deion Sanders caused the Bee” to now launching her own television a frenzy on Black Twitter regarding his recent network Key TV, accomplishing all her goals, decision about his new coaching job. and now reaching a new milestone as a soonSanders decided to leave the HBCU Jackson to-be mother. Others, weren’t so happy because State University (JSU) to take a position with of their theories on the breakdown of the instithe University of Colorado Buffaloes. Many are Laura Onyeneho tution of marriage in the Black community and concerned about why “Coach Prime” would the praising of single motherhood. leave the Black college team he built into a powerhouse in In 2020, she announced on social media that she had just three seasons for a… lack of better word… doormat PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, a hormonal disorder program at a predominantly white institution. that can cause irregular and painful periods, acne, fluctuIt’s worth recognizing for three seasons, he accom- ating weight, and excessive hair growth. Palmer said that plished a lot at JSU. Sanders was tasked with resurrecting for her entire life PCOS was attacking her from the inside the program in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. So out. Another common challenge women with PCOS face is far, Sanders went 27-5 at Jackson State, including 12-0 this difficulty getting pregnant. I can only imagine how happy season leading up to the Celebration Bowl on Dec. 17. He she must feel being able to make this announcement with sold out stadiums not only in Jackson, MS but everywhere all that she’s been through. Palmer has been very low-key his team played, and upgraded the school’s facilities. He with her relationship with Fitness Instructor Darius Jackgave JSU the relevance and the spotlight they sorely lacked son and unless she told us the ins and outs of their family but greatly deserved. planning, womb gatekeepers need to relax!

We can’t forget that Sanders did say that he would eventually leave for a bigger stage. But out of all “Power Takeoff’s alleged killer arrested Five” conference schools in need of a proven leader, why HPD has arrested a man suspected of killing Migos rapan underperforming school like Colorado? No disrespect per Takeoff. Patrick Xavier Clark (33), who was arrested Buffaloes. What message does this send to young Black and charged with murder in the fatal shooting, was origitalent who are looking to play at HBCUs? One person on nally said to be a bystander to gunfire outside of a bowling Twitter said “Not mad at Deion, but being a big name at alley in Houston on Nov. 1. He is being held on on a $2 an HBCU and him recognizing the systemic struggles that million bond which was set during his first court appearHBCUs face and then he leaves, does NOTHING to help ance, according to authorities. If he is able to post bond, solve the problem. True HEROES at HBCUs find ways he’ll be under 24-hour house arrest. Prosecutors believe around salary concerns because their mission is BIGGER Clark is a flight risk because he bought flight tickets to than money.” Honestly, Sanders was nobody’s savior. He Mexico just two days before his arrest and applied for an did what he had to do and left. There are underlying issues expedited passport. Investigators were able to identify Clark HBCUs still have to face, and it will take more than one through various cellphone and surveillance footage along notable Black figure to solve. with shooting reconstruction and ballistic evidence. This is just a small step closer to justice and though this won’t Akeelyah is having a Bay-BEEEEEE bring Takeoff back, I do hope that justice will bring some In case you missed Saturday Night Live on Dec. 3, peace to his family and friends. actress Keke Palmer announced she was pregnant during her monologue. “There’s some rumors going around,” she ON THE WEB said. “People have been in my comments saying, ‘Keke’s • Domestic violence homicides in Harris County dramathaving a baby, Keke’s pregnant.’ And I want to set the record ically rose in 2022. straight—I am!” Then she opened her oversized coat to • Texas Board of Education fails on Black Studies. reveal her pregnant belly. Her news left mixed reviews. • Meet Traci Green of the Houston’s Urban Nutcracker.

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DN News

LULAC sues City of Houston Challenges lack of Hispanics on Council

Texas Tribune

Citing the underrepresentation of Latinos on Houston’s City Council, one of the nation’s oldest Latino civil rights organizations is suing in hopes of undoing the system the nation’s fourth-largest city uses to elect its governing body.

In a federal lawsuit, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and four individual Latino residents allege the city undercuts the voting strength of Latino voters by continuing to elect five of its 16 council members through at-large elections, in which all city voters are able to vote. Eleven council members are elected from individual districts.

The suit asks a federal judge to block use of the partial at-large system in future elections, arguing the system violates the federal Voting Rights Act’s protections against discrimination.

The largest city in Texas, Houston has an election system that stands alone among the state’s major cities, which have all abandoned at-large voting. Other large U.S. cities,

including New York City and Los Angeles, long ago abandoned at-large districts.

Just two Latino candidates have ever been elected in Houston’s at-large districts in the city’s history, according to the complaint.

“The Latino voters of Houston have waited for fair redistricting plans,” the complaint reads. “They have waited for years for the City of Houston to end its long relationship with ‘at-large’ districts that dilute the electoral strength of Hispanics. The time has come to replace this old election system that functions solely to dilute the power of Houston’s Latino voters.”

The fight to rid the state of at-large districts goes back decades, when civil rights attorneys and Texans of color successfully challenged election systems across the state under the Voting Rights Act in hopes of giving voters of color more say in who represents them. They diversified city councils and school boards that were once entirely white by forcing them to move from at-large voting systems to a single-member approach, in which the

Dr. Sergio Lira, LULAC Redistricting Committee Chair, discusses a federal lawsuit against the city of Houston outside of City Hall on Dec. 5, 2022.

city or school district is split up and voters elect representatives for their respective geographic areas.

The federal lawsuit follows the City Council’s October vote to approve new boundaries

for its 11 single-member districts to incorporate population growth captured in the 2020 census. In a city of 2.3 million, Latinos make up about 44% of the population and easily account for the largest demographic group.

Hearing set as TSU police chief fights to clear name Defender News Service

Texas Southern University’s police chief will head to court on Dec. 13 in a hearing that could determine whether she keeps her job. The longtime law enforcement officer is fighting to clear her name after the school’s Board of Regents received an anonymous complaint accusing her of fraud.

Chief Mary Young said the complaint came after she admonished some of her officers to be professional and avoid “appearing to be mere chauffeurs, errand-runners, and personal assistants for the president.” of mandatory Texas law “They’re not there against Petitioner,” the to take her to the lawsuit reads. beauty shop or groMary Young’s attorcery store,” the police ney Ben Hall contends chief told a local TV TSU broke state law by station. not providing Young Shortly after admonwith a signed complaint. ishing officers, Young He also said they never gave said an anonymous fraud her an opportunity to respond complaint was filed against her to the anonymous complaint. The Mary Young alleging she had approved overtime university issued a statement saying, hours that officers didn’t work.

“Texas Southern University is committed to “The fact that TSU President [Lesia maintaining fair employment practices and Crumpton-Young] expressly told Peti- actively ensuring a safe and productive envitioner that she was being considered for ronment for all employees for the benefit of disciplinary action (removal) after the anon- our number one customer…TSU students. ymous, unsigned complaint is clear evidence For the sake of the entire TSU community Respondent has and is acting in violation and valued stakeholders, the university will

continue to handle this personnel matter and allegations of fraud within the appropriate private and legal forums and out of the media.”

State District Judge Brittanye Morris granted Young a temporary restraining order, requiring TSU to stop threatening or attempting to remove her from her position or issue other disciplinary action related to the complaint until the hearing.

Young said she’s confident the truth will come out in court.

“I hate that it had to get to the point that I had to file a lawsuit to make sure the truth gets told, but I am not a criminal,” she said.

“My character and integrity is everything, and that’s what I’m going to continue to promote.”

Young, who has been TSU police chief

since mid-2017, contends that Crumpton-Young met with her sometime after she admonished her officers over their professionalism, and she informed Young that the regents wanted to fire her.

The chief later learned that a purported audit was underway to investigate certain allegations brought forward in the anonymous complaint, she alleges in the lawsuit.

After repeatedly asking for a copy, her attorney says he received a “heavily redacted” unsigned version.

The anonymous complaint alleges that in January, Young told her staff that she was raising pay for certain officers who would become “lead officers.” The complaint said she approved field training pay and overtime for those people. A supervisor signed off on the timesheet, believing Young had authority. Young said she knows that she doesn’t have the authority to grant pay raises, and she doesn’t believe the board received the full story.

Though Young believes the investigation is retaliatory, the chief ’s case could hinge on whether TSU followed state processes for complaints and investigations. The Texas Government Code says only signed complaints may be accepted to initiate investigations of complaints against licensed peace officers, and they must be provided to a peace officer in a reasonable timeframe, Young’s attorney said in the lawsuit.

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DN News $5MIL AWARDED FOR HOMELESS HOUSTON FAMILIES

By ReShonda Tate

Atatiana Jefferson cutline. Credit: Facebook

No Blacks on jury of ex-cop who killed Atatiana Jefferson Defender News Service

Atatiana Jefferson in October 2019 in involved in a shooting because they A jury of eight men and six women her home. Jefferson’s neighbor, James are doing their jobs and trying to has been selected for the trial of for- Smith, called a non-emergency num- come home to their families.” mer Fort Worth officer Aaron Dean, ber to check on Jefferson’s home after One potential juror served 32 years who is charged with murder in he saw an open door. as an officer in Tarrant County and the 2019 shooting death of Dean and his partner said, “You will have an uphill battle Atatiana Jefferson. responded and went convincing me that in 10 seconds you No Black jurors were around the back of the can get into his mind and see what he selected for the case, home. Dean shot Jef- saw and heard.” which in 2019 sparked ferson within seconds Cory Session, a Fort Worth comprotests from the Black after she peered out the munity leader, said that he was concommunity over the window to see who was cerned about the makeup of the jury. killing of Jefferson, a in her backyard and was “It’s just mind-boggling that this Black woman. A majority holding a gun. Police have would happen at this date and time Aaron Dean of the selected are white; sevsaid Dean never announced given the circumstances,” Session eral jurors are people of color, though himself as an officer. said. “If he’s found not guilty of the none are Black.

During jur y charges, race will be Opening statements began Dec. selection this week, brought up and it 5. The 200 potential jurors were ran- prosecutors allowed could be a bad day for domly numbered. After dozens of prospective jurors the city of Fort Worth potential jurors were excused either to ask questions and race relations. But It’s just mindbecause they had conflicts at home or and talk about how the people who are boggling that work or because they told the court they felt about law the custodians of the they were biased or the judge deemed enforcement. judicial process are this would them to be biased based on their Several jurors the ones who should happen at answers, the potential jury pool was stood up and said answer for how this this date and “shuffled,” meaning they were given they could not jury pool ended up time given the new random numbers. be impartial and this way.”

Sources with knowledge of the jury were biased toward Valerie Baston, circumstances.” selection process said the jury was Dean because he is a former Tarrant CORY SESSION, ultimately picked from the first 46 a police officer.

C ount y pros e c uFT. WORTH potential jurors. Among that group, “I am sick and tor, said she was not COMMUNITY there was a Black female who was tired about the way shocked at all by the LEADER excused from jury service because police officers are composition of the her spouse was having surgery. treated and how jury.

The judge gave both sides the they do their jobs,” “It is a typical Taropportunity to challenge the jury one juror said. “You could present rant County jury,” Baston said. “I members that were picked, and nei- your case but I am not going to be was a prosecutor in Tarrant County ther side had any objections. unbiased. I couldn’t convict any for many years… and the jury pools Aaron Dean is accused of shooting law enforcement of murder while would be predominantly white.”

The Coalition for the Homeless has been awarded a $5 million grant to curb homelessness for families here in Houston. Launched in 2018 by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund grants money to organizations that support the immediate needs of young families.

Mike Nichols, the president and CEO of the Coalition, said the money will go a long way toward supporting struggling families in Houston.

“It will give us a chance to be very creative, and problem- and solution-oriented in finding ways to house formerly homeless families,” Nichols said.

Nichols said they’ll be giving most of the $5 million to local direct service providers that keep families

housed over a long period of time.

The Coalition has housed more than 25,000 people since 2012, according to the Coalition’s website — an effort that’s led to national recognition.

In January, the organization counted 3,223 unhoused people in Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties during its annual point-in-time count.

The Coalition found a 19% decrease in overall homelessness in the region since 2020, and a 64% decrease since 2011, according to the Coalition’s 2021 PIT Count & Survey.

The organization is one of 40 grant recipients this year, with $123.45 million given to fight homelessness across the U.S. In total, the fund has given $521.6 million over the years.

Dozens of homeless people live beneath an overpass for Interstate 59 in Houston.

VOLUME 92, ISSUE 5 - DECEMBER 8, 2022 Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles

Education Reporter Laura Onyeneho

Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles

Sports Terrance Harris Jodie B. Jiles

Creative Director Michael Grant

Photographers Jimmie Aggison

Managing Editor ReShonda Tate

Social Media Manager Tia Alphonse

Associate Editor Aswad Walker

Intern Alaina Bookman

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Newspaper Inc. and audited by Alliance for Audited Media (AAM). Only digital subscriptions are available at: www.defendernetwork.com/subscribe No paper subscriptions available. All materials covered by 2022 copyright.

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DN InFocus FOCUS SOCIAL

MEDICAL APARTHEID? STATE OF HOUSTON HEALTHCARE

I think it is appalling when I found out that in Houston, every other woman that dies from breast cancer is Black, with the Medical Center down the street.”

FELICIA PICHON, breast cancer survivor and founder of Sisters Thrive

By Aswad Walker

For state health systems’ treatment of Blacks and Latinos, Texas ranked in the 22nd percentile (the bottom fourth), while ranking in the top 40%, or 63rd percentile, for treatment delivered to whites.

Cancer “survivor/thriver” Felicia Pichon, founder of Sisters Thrive, a nonprofit that supports Black women in various stages of their breast cancer journey, agrees with McNeill’s assessment of healthcare access in the Houston area.

“I think it is appalling when I found out that in Houston, every other woman that dies from breast cancer is Black, with the Medical Center down the street,” said Pichon.

CURRENT GRADE “During Breast Cancer AwareWhen asked to grade that access ness Month I attended every event for the Houston area’s people of I could, saying, ‘Let me get out here color, Dr. Lorna McNeill, chair of and see what they got going on in the the Department of Health Disparities community.’ And I would see (hosResearch in MD Anderson’s divipitals) at every event with the same Dr. Lorna McNeill sion of cancer prevention, pulled no slideshow, just a different represenpunches. tative each time. And it’s like, ‘Y’all “Probably a D,” said McNeill. “On one level, much doing all this but where are y’all at the rest of the year? of access to healthcare obviously is governed by Where? Because I can’t get in contact. What are you whether you have insurance, and the state of Texas doing to make a difference?’” has the highest uninsured rate in the country and the When accessing the current highest number of individuals without insurance. So, state of healthcare access, Dr. without Medicaid access and expansion of the Afford- Munish Chawla, retired radiolable Care Act, Texas leads the nation in uninsured ogist and current co-head of rates. So that would probably be an F.” the nonprofit Peaceful Planet, According to the Commonwealth Fund, a health names vastly different qualities policy foundation in New York, the Lone Star State of care as a reason for the divide. is in the bottom quarter of states regard“Receiving care for COVID, for ing both access to and quality of example, at LBJ hospital is vastly care for Blacks and Latinos. different from receiving care at These populations, when Methodist Hospital in the Medicompared to their white cal Center, in terms of equipment, counterparts, are also nursing, testing and treatment more likely to suffer option resources,” said Chawla. worse healthcare Chawla added poorer underlyoutcomes. ing health, “higher rates of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, etc., play a role in worse outcomes in communities of color.”

McNeill added that because healthy people equate to a healthier economy, fixing this access issue demands that solutions don’t get ignored or rejected based on partisan politics.

In the U.S., there are two trains of thought regarding access to healthcare. One camp believes it is a right given to all people at birth regardless of any particular status. The other views healthcare access as a privilege to be earned via U.S. citizenship, insurability, residency, etc.

These two opposing views have created a reality where there exists a huge gap in access, especially for members of the Black and Latino communities. But how does this access or lack thereof play out for Black and Latino members in the Greater Houston area?

CHALLENGES

So, what are the challenges that lead to this disparate care? There are several.

It’s said everything’s bigger in Texas. Unfortunately, that includes the rate of uninsured where roughly one in five Texans lack insurance. About 20% of Blacks

Texas Medical Center. Photo courtesy of Texas Children’s Hospital.

and 38% of Latinos are uninsured. For whites, that number stands at 15%.

“This [the Texas Medical Center] is the largest medical center in the world… [but access] is still dominated by whether or not you have insurance, unfortunately,” said McNeill.

Another challenge is the cost of healthcare, an issue directly related to insurance. The location of care is also a barrier to equity.

“Transportation is a roadblock for many as there are no hospitals in the Third Ward, and relatively few clinics, though that’s changing a bit with the recent opening of Legacy Health and CenterWell [senior care only],” said Chawla.

McNeill counts partisan politics as a huge challenge to equal healthcare access.

Only 12 states chose not to expand Medicaid eligibility to nonelderly people with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level.

Texas is one of them. All these states have Republican governors and/or GOP-dominated state legislatures.

According to a July 2022 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation report, 11 of the 13 states with the highest uninsurance rates nationwide have not expanded Medicaid. Moreover, if the 12 non-expansion states were to fully implement Medicaid expansion in 2023, 3.7 million more people would be insured. Blacks would be one of the demographics to benefit most from such a move.

“These decisions to not expand, from my perspective, are more political, not focused on the health of the citizenry,” said McNeill. “Because to the extent that we’re concerned about people dying earlier than they need to be, people not having access to healthcare, this was the solution nationally to solve that problem. All of us are open to hearing what the other recommendations and suggestions are. If it’s not the Affordable Care Act, then what is it?”

Another challenge is one members of the Black community must own—our distrust of the healthcare system.

“Go to the doctor, get a checkup,” said Dr. Alauna Curry, a Houston-area psychologist, when asked about what health practice Blacks need to engage in more. “We’re hesitant to do that, and understandably so, because we have been abused by so many elements of the system that we often don’t know who to trust.

“We don’t trust the people. We don’t trust that we’ll get the answers we need. And sometimes we will have bad experiences but that cannot let you neglect your health. And that’s often what we use as excuses to not take advantage of the advances in medical science, like the COVID vaccine, a huge advance in medical science.”

SOLUTIONS

Solutions from those interviewed to bridge the healthcare gap include using the insurance we have, expanding insurance access beyond employment, producing more healthcare workers of color, increasing hospitals and clinics in Black and Brown communities and what McNeill sees as the first step, pushing Texas to accept ACA funding.

READ MORE ABOUT THE CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS TO UNEQUAL HEALTHCARE ACCESS AT DEFENDERNETWORK.COM

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For Medicare Patients

Entertainment

Megan Thee My doctor.

Stallion Senior primary care for your mind, body and more

Makes historic appearance on Forbes cover

Houston Public Media

In the fall of 2018, Megan Pete consistently sat in the front row of Melanie Wilson-Lawson’s healthcare administration class at Texas Southern University, listening intently to the professor, asking questions and completing her assignments. Wilson-Lawson said she didn’t realize until well into the semester that her standout student had an alter ego away from the Houston campus and was on the verge of becoming a world-famous superstar in the entertainment business.

Four years later, that engaged, unassuming student is better known as rapper Megan Thee Stallion, who this week became the first Black woman to grace the cover of Forbes magazine’s 30 Under 30 edition recognizing North America’s top entrepreneurs who have yet to reach age 30.

“She came to class professional. She came to class engaged. She was a student,” Wilson-Lawson said. “You would have never known she had a whole hottie world going on outside that classroom.”

The drive and dedication that Megan Thee Stallion displayed as a student at Texas Southern University – where she earned a degree after becoming a hip-hop star – explains why she has become so successful, according to Wilson-Lawson and Jabari Young, the Forbes reporter who wrote the cover story. And so does the vision possessed by Megan Thee Stallion, who predicted her stardom in conversations with her favorite college professor, according to Wilson-Lawson.

As Young reported in his cover story, the 27-year-old Megan Thee Stallion earned an estimated $13 million this year in concert ticket sales, merchandise, endorsements and royalties. She recently signed endorsement deals with brands such as Cash App, Nike, Popeyes and Revlon.

While hosting and performing on Saturday Night Live in October, Megan Thee Stallion told Young, “I can’t slow down right now... I’m trying to really build something.”

“Everything she showed in that classroom showed up while I was researching her, and it’s showing up now,” Young said.

“She wants to do the work.”

Megan Thee Stallion made Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list three years ago as a 24-yearold. While she was not technically in the

My center.

My health.

“I feel like CenterWell provides me with the personal care that I need. I find it easy to make an appointment when I need it.”

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2023 list unveiled this week, she was selected to be featured on the cover as part of the 30 Under 30 project, according to Young. He said such an honor is reserved for successful businesspeople who display authenticity, unwavering commitment and an entrepreneurial spirit.

Megan Thee Stallion, who graduated from Pearland High School, achieved stardom while coping with the 2019 deaths of her mother and grandmother. She ceremonially received a key to the City of Houston on May 2 of this year – the birthday of her mother and grandmother.

In February, on Megan Thee Stallion’s birthday, she launched the Pete and Thomas Foundation – named after her late parents, Joseph Pete Jr. and Holly Thomas – to help women, children and seniors in underserved parts of Houston, with a focus on education, health, housing and wellness. And in September, in conjunction with the release of an album called “Traumazine,” Megan Thee Stallion launched a website that includes a therapist locator as well as a collection of links and phone numbers for mental health organizations and hotlines. The site focuses on resources for the Black and LGBTQIA+ communities.

Wilson-Lawson, who has kept in touch with Megan Thee Stallion, said she has remained true to her values and is much the same person today as she was in 2018.

She continues to hone her craft as an entertainer as well, with Young saying the rapper keeps a running file on her iPhone that contains potential song lyrics.

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DN Feature

State Rep. Ron Reynolds Reveals Texas Legislative Black Caucus priorities

By Aswad Walker

Missouri City State Rep. Ron Reynolds, who was recently elected chair of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus (TxLBC), has his priorities in order.

The TxLBC was formed in 1973 and consisted of eight members. It is currently composed of 17 members of the Texas House of Representatives and two from the Texas Senate. The TxLBC is committed to addressing issues African Americans face across the state of Texas. The 2020 US Census data shows that Texas has the largest number of African Americans in the country.

“I am honored to be elected by my colleagues to serve as the next chair of the TxLBC. I look forward to leading our caucus in fighting for the important policies to empower and improve the lives of African Americans,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds is currently serving his sixth term in the Texas House representing District 27 which encompasses areas of Fort Bend County. He serves as the ranking member of the Environmental Regulation Committee, the powerful Energy Resources Committee and the vice-chair of the Texas Caucus on Climate, Environment and the Energy Industry.

The Defender spoke with Reynolds and asked him the question, “What are your top priorities for the TxLBC?” Here’s what he said.

PRIORITY 1: HEALTHCARE Reynolds: There are many priorities, but we need to focus on the most pressing issues, [and one is] healthcare. First of all, Texas has the largest number of African Americans in the country per the 2020 census. We lead the nation in the highest number of uninsured.

Most of those are Black and Brown people.

Texas leads in Black women maternal mortality. We lead the nation.

We’re one of 12 states that don’t have Medicaid expansion. Many of the health outcomes that we experience are from people who lack access to care that would help determine whether or not they get preventative medi-

cal treatment, before things exacerbate. So, one of the top issues is going to be advocating for passage of Medicaid expansion this session. That is a priority and that is really essential for the quality of life.

PRIORITY 2: ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT Reynolds: We are prioritizing economics; making sure that the state does a better job of fulfilling their MWBE (Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise) Hub goals. The state of Texas has a HUB program; historically underutilized businesses. Yet and still most of those contracts are awarded to Anglo women who fit that definition, Hispanics and other minorities. African Americans typically fall at the bottom.

The state spends billions and billions of dollars every year with your tax dollars, our tax dollars.

We need to make sure that there’s equity in those disbursements for African American businesses.”

REP. RON REYNOLDS

The state of Texas spends more money than many countries. And we need to make sure that we continue to advocate for a level playing field for contract opportunities with the state. The state spends billions and billions of dollars every year with your tax dollars, our tax dollars. We need to make sure that there’s equity in those disbursements for African American businesses that are competent, capable and qualified. So, the second [priority] is going to be economic empowerment.

That includes holding our state agencies accountable to contracting with and fulfilling their MWBE goals, their hub goals.

Because when Black businesses succeed, our communities thrive. Small businesses, as you may know, are the economic engines that drive our economy. So, when our small businesses suffer, our communities suffer.

We need to make sure that we strengthen opportunities for Black businesses in this state, again, having the most African Americans. But we typically are at the bottom when it comes to contracting opportunities.

So that is gonna be a big, big priority for us.

PRIORITY 3: CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM REYNOLDS: Another priority that we have is criminal justice reform. We did see a little progress last session on a few of the George Floyd bills, [but] not all of them. Not most of them. Just a few. So, there are many disparities that continue to exist within our criminal justice system, where Blacks are targeted and victimized at alarming rates, for longer sentences for the same offenses, being indicted, being prosecuted more, more instances of police brutality, more instances of racial profiling. And those have to stop.

This is 2022. It is unfortunate that we still don’t live in a post-racial America. So, many disparities continue to exist as of today within our criminal justice system. So, criminal justice reform will be one of our top five priorities. We still need to make sure that we can hold police accountable. That is something that we have not been able to do. We need to do that.

REYNOLDS TALKS ABOUT ADDITIONAL TXLBC GOALS

10 | December 8, 2022 |

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DN Sports Texans running back Dameon Pierce surpassed 1,000 rushing yards, making him the third rookie in team history to reach the mark.

Rockets second-year guard Jalen Green scored 30 points to help lift Houston to a surprising win over the Phoenix Suns.

Sports Briefs JALEN GREEN, ADIDAS PARTNER TO UPGRADE BREWSTER PARK COURT Rockets guard Jalen Green and Adidas unveiled an upgraded basketball court at Brewster Park in partnership with Houston Mayor Jalen Sylvester Turner and Green the Houston Parks and Recreation Department.

After the unveiling, Green and the Rockets hosted a basketball clinic for children from the Urban Enrichment Institute. Each participant received a gift pack courtesy of Green and the Rockets and the group has been invited to attend an upcoming Rockets home game. The court, which is located in Houston’s historic Fifth Ward, features artwork reflecting Houston’s culture and components symbolic to Green.

DESHAUN WATSON WELCOMED BY MANY Former Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson made his heavily anticipated return to Houston and NRG Stadium.

While the quarterback Deshaun certainly heard his Watson share of jeers and boos, he also received quite a warm welcome from most in attendance for the Texans-Browns matchup. Watson, of course, was coming off an 11-game suspension for being involved in a lawsuit brought by more than two dozen massage therapists.

3 TSU PLAYERS EARN ALL-SWAC HONORS Three members of the Texas Southern football team earned 2022 All-SWAC Honors. Senior offensive Isaiah lineman Drake CenHamilton ters and sophomore cornerback Isaiah Hamilton earned first-team honors while return specialist Chaunzavia Lewis was named to the second team.

COMMENTARY

DEION SANDERS

What does his departure mean for SWAC?

By Terrance Harris

The day we all knew was coming actually came this past weekend.

Celebrated Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion “Prime Time” Sanders left Jackson State to take over at Power 5 conference school University of Colorado. It was a move that was expected to happen at some point.

Coach Prime was never in Jackson, Miss. to stay.

So what does Jackson State, SWAC and HBCU football do now? For the past three seasons, Sanders and his giant personality showed us not just what long-struggling Jackson State football could be but what HBCU football could be in general.

There hasn’t been a bigger more well-known football personality strolling the HBCU sidelines since the late-great Eddie Robinson did so at Grambling State. There is an argument to be made that nobody, not even Robinson, has done it bigger.

Coach Prime brought his million-watt persona to Black College Football and with it came the national cameras and media attention that has never been seen in the history of HBCU football.

“Good Morning America” came through. So did “60 Minutes.” And who can forget about ESPN’s “College GameDay” traveling show making a rare HBCU stop this football season? Snoop and other celebrities also made their way to Jackson State for practices and games.

They weren’t there for Jackson State. They were there for Deion “Prime Time” Sanders.

But now that he is gone, does that mean the revenue-building attention and energy has left HBCU football as well?

The harsh reality is, yes.

Even the sprinkle of high-profile

recruits are starting to leave with former 5-star cornerback Travis Hunter announcing he has entered the transfer portal with intentions of following Coach Prime to Boulder, Colo.

But all isn’t lost. In the short time Sanders was there shining a light on Black College Football, he was also dropping important nuggets of knowledge about survival and how HBCU schools and conferences need to start thinking and moving to remain relevant.

Sanders challenged alumni, boosters and universities to invest in their athletic programs and facilities. He cautioned them against pimping out their football programs to Power 5 schools and “Classic” promoters for less money than they are worth.

Sanders owes JSU $300,000 in buyout money for leaving with two seasons remaining on his contract.

“Then, you look towards down the line to scheduling some of those games,” Sanders said.

“Right now, those games are a financial beatdown. That’s what I call them. That’s what some HBCUs choose to do. I’m going to go to these various schools, get my butt kicked, but I’m walking out of there with $750,000 or a million dollars. That’s not worth it to me. To me, that’s

Change makes people get uncomfortable.

Change is inevitable in every age and stage of life.”

DEION SANDERS

the ultimate sellout to children.

“I know I’m not going to win, I’m going to lose three or four players to injury and you’re going to humiliate my team and I’m going to have to build them back up the next week to play again. That doesn’t make any sense to me.”

And this season, the Jackson State Tigers didn’t have one Power 5 school or FBS game, also known as money games, on their schedule. That is unheard of for HBCU football programs because that’s not a way of padding their coffers but a way of survival for those athletic departments.

It’s a safe bet that Texas Southern coach Clarence McKinley and Prairie View A&M coach Bubba McDowell would love to walk into their respective boss’s offices and tell them to remove all Power 5 and FBS opponents from their schedules going forward. They would get laughed at.

As a result of not having to play those games, Jackson State (12-0) is enjoying its first undefeated season and Sanders is now reveling in the night-and-day resources and perks that come with coaching a Power 5 program.

For the left-behind Tigers and SWAC, the future seems uncertain. Jackson State and athletic director Ashley Robinson must now replace Sanders and that will be hard to do given his reach and pull.

SWAC commissioner Charles McClelland talked a week ago about the unprecedented ESPN television exposure the conference has enjoyed this season. That expectation was for it to continue and possibly grow in the years to come.

That was likely more a preemptive strike than it was the commissioner having his head in the sand.“We are excelling as a league,” McClelland said. “We are not where we want to be. We are going to continue to grow and get stronger, but the type of recognition we are getting on ESPN, it gives us the opportunity to grow.”

How that plays with “Prime Time” now gone remains to be seen.

But while people are taking the opportunity to take shots at Sanders for leaving a $300,000 per year job for one that pays $5 million, there is a strong argument that he has improved things for years to come at Jackson State, the SWAC and HBCU football in general.

Jackson State has a new football stadium coming, and the facilities have been improved greatly. The SWAC and HBCU football now know their worth and what is possible as long as they continue to invest in their product.

December 8, 2022 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

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DN Sports FURR DUO TO WATCH

DEMETRIC KINDLE & JACOBEE GILES

By Jodie B. Jiles

If you haven’t heard,the Furr basketball team has been clicking on cylinders … having defeated Strake Jesuit and Jack Yates in double-digit.

Furr senior point guard Demetric Kindle and combo guard Jacobee Giles have lead the team in scoring, and their suffocating full-court pressure defense has improved with 4-star football receiver Cam’ron Heard added to the mix.

Giles is a pure energy guy who that keeps the engine burning pedal-to-the-medal on defense and offense. The kid is non-stop and keeps his teammates level headed whether they are up or down in a game.

Kindle is the offensive star of the team who can play every position. His “Iso” game was on full display with 16 points in a win against Strake Jesuit. He is an athletic

STYLE OF PLAY

GILES: “I love defense and that keeps me going.”

KINDLE: “I like to get to my spots and get to the rim.”

LEADERSHIP

GILES: “I really lead the team by trying to bring energy on defense and just trying to talk to get my boys hype.”

KINDLE: “I just let him (Giles) lead and I just play.”

SUFFOCATING DEFENSE

KINDLE: “We’ve got to play full-court man. That is all that we do in practice;

ABOUT JACOBEE GILES

slasher who finishes strong, and can get to the basket with either his quick first step or deadly crossover move.

When Furr head coach Rodney Lewis was asked what made each of these seniors special, Coach Lewis stated, “Giles is a kid that has been working extremely hard. He has a 3.5 GPA….After he gets done with high school hopefully one of these colleges will pick him up academically as well as athletically.”

“Demetric Kindle is a kid that I have had on varsity since the ninth grade. So, he is well-seasoned and fully understands what it takes to win. What makes him unique from everybody else is that he is able to play the four, the three, the two and the one.”

The Defender spoke with Giles and Kindle to discuss their games, leadership, keys to success, and more.

run full-court man. So, we are definitely in shape and can go all day.”

KEYS TO STRAKE “W” KINDLE: “It was just locking down Jace Posey on defense. Just don’t let him do nothing.”

WHAT MAKES TEAM SPECIAL

GILES: “Really, it is the energy, the guys, and the coaches who always make sure we’re straight.”

Twitter: @jacobeegiles Players He Studies: Colin Sexton Favorite Artists: Any Rap from Louisiana Shoutouts: “All my coaches and my mom.”

ABOUT DEMETRIC KINDLE

Twitter: @brabra4x1 Players He Studies: Darius Garland Favorite Artists: Detroit rappers like EST Gee Shoutouts: “All my coaches; Coach Lewis and Coach Mint”

Demetric Kindle (Left) Jacobee Giles (Right)

MOVING FORWARD GILES: “Staying humble, keep grinding, and keep going all out.”

C.E. KING DEFENSIVE END

DYLAN SPENCER IS LARGE AND IN CHARGE

By Jodie B. Jiles

Dylan Spencer

At 6’4” and an athletic 240 lbs., C.E. King senior defensive end Dylan Spencer has the body of a first-round NFL Draft pick before he has even stepped foot on the University of Texas at Austin campus.

In the Regional semifinal victory against Hightower, Spencer showed off his speed chasing down running backs that have sub-4.4 speeds, agility to leap over everyone to

bat down passes, and power to simply knock opponents off their feet at the snap. What more can you ask for?

For full interview with Dylan Spencer visit www.defendernetwork.com

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