Black college students, alumni and dropouts listen up. If you are overburdened by student loan debt you need to take advantage of this opportunity.
The Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation launched a new relief fund and will be awarding more than 500 recipients with relief payments ranging from $750 to $4500 out of a total fund of $500,000.
The BLM foundation’s Student Solidarity Fund has a public application process which has specific requirements you can find on blacklivesmatter.com.
The fund is an extension of a previous 2021 initiative to help millions of Americans struggling to make ends meet during COVID-19 pandemic.
Recipients will receive their funds in January if selected. The money isn’t restricted to only student loan payments, but the foundation said the funds are meant to lower recipient’s overall student debt.
There are two phases of this fund. The first is for Black alumni who have college debt and the second is for Black students currently attending HBCUs.
WNBA star Brittney Griner has finally returned home and is looking in good shape. Roger Carstens, the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, and one of the people who helped secure her release, noticed her positive energy on the plane ride home. Griner “went to each member on that crew, looked them in the eyes, shook their hands, and asked about them, got their names, making a personal connection with them,” Carsten described. The two-time Olympic gold medalist didn’t want to be alone, and after spending 10 months in captivity and listening to people speak Russian, she was very much ecstatic to finally be able to authentically connect with others. Griner will undergo a full medical and mental evaluation.
OnyenehoOne can only image the harsh conditions and treatment a Black woman of her status and stature was going through. I’m glad to see she is taking what looked to be the worst part of her life and having a positive mindset as she transitions into her new normal.
British Actress Naomi Ackie is playing Whitney Houston in the new biopic “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” coming out on December 23. Now for those who are wondering “another Whitney Houston film?” This one is actually authorized by her estate and produced by Clive Davis and Primary Wave Music, a private music publishing and talent management company. The trailer has been buzzing for quite some time giving us a glimpse into Houston’s first time on stage, her connection with longtime manager Clive Davis, and her iconic performance of the ‘Star Spangled Banner” at the Super Bowl. Some critics, however, questioned why a British actress would be chosen to portray the legend instead of a Black American actress. Ackie, who is known for her role as Jannah in the 2019 film “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” impressed director Stella Meghie with her “ability to capture the stage presence of a global icon while bringing humanity to her interior life.” These played out complains over Black folk across the ocean accepting roles of Black American icons needs to stop. These complaints won’t stop these talented actors from hustling in an already competitive and challenging industry. Either watch the movie or don’t. Simple.
• Get the latest on the riveting case of Darius Elam.
• Mother breaks silence on network profiteering off son’s murder.
• Seniors are facing a housing crisis due to lingering storm damage.
e Supreme Court of Texas could soon issue a final decision in Texas Education Agency v. Houston Independent School District. Officials will consider changes to the system that places sanctions on districts with low-performing schools. TEA argues the changes in the law make their position stronger, and that the agency should be allowed to install a board of governors in place of the democratically elected school board.
“ e bottom line is that if a school system fails, the state needs to move in and change out the leadership,” said Republican State Senator Paul Bettencourt, who authored the bill that made that possible in 2021. “Because we can’t afford to lose a generation of kids in a bad education system because they’ve got bad leadership from trustees in specific areas of the state.”
e state supreme court initially heard oral arguments in October. A decision is expected between December and June, according to a spokesperson for the court. Lawyers representing the Texas Education Agency and Houston Independent School District presented arguments to the state’s highest court last week, continuing a years-long case that could change who controls the largest school district in Texas.
TEA commissioner Mike Morath attempted to replace the locally elected school board with a group of state-appointed managers in 2019, citing low academic performance at one school — in a district with, at the time, 280 campuses — and illegal, unethical behavior by the HISD school board as key ingredients for the takeover. TEA also tried to stop the school board from hiring a new superintendent.
“HISD students are still in need of interventions,” state assistant solicitor general Kyle Highful, representing TEA, argued.
HISD sued to stop the takeover, arguing
the agency’s approach skirted due process and fell outside its legal powers under state law. e district also claimed the outcome of TEA’s investigation into the district was predetermined.
“Across Texas, school board members are — as this court knows — the fundamental way that people interact with democracy,” David Jay Campbell of O’Hanlon, Demerath & Castillo told justices on behalf of HISD.
“ at is why the legislature has said that these elected officials, these members of the community should govern and oversee school districts.”
e takeover has been on hold as the case moves through court, and HISD now has a new superintendent — and a mostly new board of trustees.
TEA has also pointed to a chaotic 2018 HISD board meeting where, in a surprise
move, trustees voted to replace the superintendent. Quoting the words of several trustees, the agency argued the board was dysfunctional and failed to serve students.
“ e current board is a different board than the one that began in the lawsuit,” said HISD board president Judith Cruz, who won election to the board the day before TEA commissioner Mike Morath announced the takeover plans.
“ e board will continue to do the work we were elected to do. We are focused on student outcomes and whatever the result of the case is, that is what the focus should always be,” Cruz said.
For years before the attempted takeover, students at HISD’s Wheatley High School did not perform at levels deemed acceptable by TEA. In the time the takeover has been stalled, Wheatley received a passing grade. At the district level, HISD received a B from TEA for the 2021-22 school year. In court, TEA has pointed to another HISD school, Kashmere High School, which did not receive a passing grade last year.
Asked by Justice Jane Bland if Wheatley High School’s improved performance has any bearing on the case, assistant solicitor general Highful argued it “doesn’t have any legal relevance.” He added that the district’s solid overall rating is also irrelevant.
“The commissioner’s view is that, ‘Yes, HISD is a large school district, and what that means is you have some very wealthy, very high-performing schools up here that are doing great, but you also have schools like Wheatley and Kashmere that struggle year a er year,’” Highful said. “And if you’re a student at one of these low-performing schools, it doesn’t help you to know that elsewhere in the district there’s a school that’s doing great. And the commissioner believes that every student should have access to a quality education.”
Nestled in the heart of Houston’s Fourth Ward is an elementary school that is an integral part of Houston’s history.
e Gregory School was built for the education of newly-freed slaves and continues to symbolize that Black history is American history. e school was constructed exclusively for young Black children in the city at a time where Black education was viewed as a significant threat to the status quo and the ideal vision of a white supremacist racial hierarchy.
e Gregory Institute was founded in 1870 in Freedmen’s Town, then became part of the Houston public school system six years later. A er various changes over the years, some requiring rebuilding and repair, the African American Library at the Gregory School serves as one of the few
African American libraries in the country with a research center and a mission to promote and preserve African American culture and history in the Houston area.
It’s that vision that brought community members and leaders, including Mayor Sylvester Turner, together recently for the unveiling of the historical marker at the site.
“We’re here to unveil the state of Texas historical marker, which in many ways solidifies the significance of the Gregory School building in Houston’s history and affirms that Black history is also American history,” Turner said, adding that the Bayou City is now the most diverse city in the United States.
e Gregory School received the marker from the Texas Historical Commission.
What some consider a boring, inconsequential issue - the drawing of HCC districts map, current and former HCC trustees agree the new plan could destroy the confguration of Houston’s historic Tird Ward for years, possibly decades to come.
Dr. Reagan Flowers, the current HCC District 4 trustee, recently hosted a town hall meeting at Trinity East United Methodist Church to inform Tird Ward residents why the approval of new HCC redistricting maps is so crucial. Flowers had former HCC trustee Carroll Robinson, politico Dwight Boykins, activist Ken Rodgers and others in attendance to help make her case.
There are multiple HCC redistricting maps being considered, but only two versions are attracting the most attention. One “version” keeps large parts of Tird Ward out of HCC District 4, a change that originally happened in 2010, the last time HCC went through redistricting.
Te second group of maps places those “lost” portions of Tird Ward back into District 4. Flowers and Robinson support this version.
Following every US Census, HCC reconfgures its districts to refect demographic shifs. Because District 4 has grown and District 3 has lost residents, one proposed map seeks to take more area and residents from the predominantly Tird Ward-based District 4. However, many believe a proposed map that breaks up Tird Ward is being pushed to dilute the community’s voting and advocacy power.
Flowers, who has resided in Tird Ward for 25 years, is in favor of a proposed map that restores parts of Tird Ward to her district that were removed previously.
“To teach at Jack Yates and not have [Yates] in the district; it’s like, how is that possible? To be at SHAPE Community Center where I’m doing afer-school programming and it not be in the district; how is that possible? Emancipation Park, Riverside too. Tat’s a problem. We have to protect our historical landmarks, our history,” said Flowers.
For Robinson, it’s about the precedent the next approved map will set for the future.
“Tis is not just a conversation about HCC redistricting, you have got to gird yourself for a couple of things that are coming down the pike,” said Robinson, who believes the proposed HCC map that takes even more Tird Ward area and residents out of District IV will lay the framework for several other maps to come, and cement the dismantling of Tird Ward.
“Tere’s likely to be a city referendum on the 2023 ballot to go to all single-member council districts. Whether you
agree or disagree, my rule is you hope for the best, you prepare for the worst. So, if we go to all single-member council districts, what does your district look like? And this conversation about what (HCC) District IV should look like has the potential to be a legal map that establishes a cornerstone should the city go to all single-member council districts, of what (District D) could possibly look like, or the HISD map,” added Robinson.
When Robinson began his time as HCC trustee he inherited a district that had been stripped of whole chucks of Tird Ward.
“When I got elected to the HCC (board) they had already gone through the 2010 Census and redistricting, and a lot of folks just assumed that everything beyond Eagle St., i.e. the TSU Garage, Jack Yates, the Cuney Homes and everything coming towards the bottom of Tird Ward was in the district. And it had been in the district in the past. But during that redistricting process, they changed what District IV looked like and sent it all the way out to Alief. Alief is a great community, great school district, large minority population. But they dis-confgured Tird Ward. Tis is the only entity where Tird Ward is not consolidated,” Robinson stated.
Robinson says, the result is a lot of residents (employers) don’t even know their HCC board representatives (employees).
“When you’re an employer, when you’re an owner and
Version
you don’t know your employee, that’s an of-putting situation. So, I’m for (the HCC redistricting map presented by Dr. Flowers), because it’s in the interests of this community for longterm consequences,” said Robinson, who believes the proposed map that separates Tird Ward even more will create disjointed community representation that will not allow the neighborhood to speak with a unifed voice—especially with a new mayor coming in 2023.
Public Media
Texas Southern University will use a new $350,000 grant to develop the first-ever HBCU Criminal Justice Research Hub. The hub will study how to reduce incarceration and violent crime in hopes to be a resource for city leaders.
“As an academic institution, our job is to make sure that we provide them with more solutions, because that’s what we’re supposed to do,” said Dr. Howard Henderson, Professor of Justice Administration and Founding Director of the Criminal Justice Research Center at TSU. “We’re supposed to share our knowledge and share our understanding of the problem but also bring together this national collection of thought leaders – who have a career and a background of knowledge and information experience to further solve these problems because crime can be solved and we refuse to accept otherwise.”
The hub will conduct a crime needs
assessment of the City of Houston, create an action plan based on the assessment to provide solutions for the hub’s focus – mass incarceration and violent crime – and then share the results with other HBCUs across the country.
Howard said the idea of creating the hub stemmed from having years of conversations about community engagement and incorporating community experiences into solutions. He said in order to find solutions to problems you have to include those who are most affected.
“You can’t have a conversation about how to improve policing, without having a conversation with people who are arrested, you can’t have a conversation with solutions to community problems without talking to the community,” he said.
The Center for Research Center at TSU has been active for five years. According to Henderson, the center’s research has been used at the federal, state, and local level to have conversations around criminal justice issues.
Howard said since being active, the center has always involved the community in their research.
“We’ve been able to incorporate, not
only Third Ward, but Fifth Ward and other wards in the city, into our projects,” he said. We don’t do anything relative to research in our center that does not involve some aspect of community engagement.”
Howard said the hub will not only benefit criminal justice majors at the university, but all students – especially students from communities that are affected.
“I think that when you look at the news every night, and you see issues of crime and justice, when many of us come from these communities and these neighborhoods – we’re being directly impacted by these issues of mass incarceration and violent crime – I think that there’s a natural desire to solve the problem,” he said.
“I think this provides an opportunity for our students to be engaged in a national conversation that’s focused on solving problems.”
The research hub is a two-year collaboration between HBCU researchers, community activists and partners, individuals who have lived experiences through the criminal justice system and those who work in the criminal justice system. Funded through the Walmart Foundation through Walmart.org’s Center for Racial Equity, the grant will be used to develop the hub within TSU’s existing Center for Justice Research.
The hub is currently in its planning window and is expected to open next year.
By ReShonda Tate
Tucker Wilson
Deputy Assistant Director, Communications
Houston Health Department
Former Houston journalist Tucker Wilson has joined the Houston Health Department as its new Deputy Assistant Director of Communications and Public Afairs.
Wilson received a Master’s in Community Development from Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU), and completed her undergraduate studies at San Jose State University in California, earning a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism. She has more than 20 years of broadcast news experience in Houston’s radio and TV market, including experience in communications, new media and public relations.
Her professional experience includes serving as the Assistant Director of the Information Impact Center at PVAMU’s College of Agriculture and Human Sciences. She served as the primary spokesperson for the college and oversaw all internal and external communications, media relations activities and strategies on a local, regional and national level. Prior to her time at PVAMU, Tucker served as News Director for the Pacifca Foundation’s KPFT radio for more than 12 years. She presented local and national news, and had worked as a General Assignment Reporter at the former News 24 Houston and at several other TV and radio stations in south and central Texas.
Vice President, Texas Operations at McKissack & McKissack
McKissack& McKissack, one of the nation’s leading Black- and woman-owned architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) companies, has announced that Heidi Obie joined the company as vice president of operations for Texas. Te Houston-based executive has more than 23 years of experience leading program management construction management (PMCM) and building projects in multiple markets. She will focus on operations and P&L (profit and loss statements), and partner with McKissack’s Dallas-based Business Development VP Shandra Colón to grow the frm’s capacity and PMCM business in Texas and the Southwest.
Obie comes to McKissack from a long-standing career with large global consulting frms where she served in multiple roles that have given her impressive AEC industry experience. Most recently, she was a PMCM VP and business leader in the buildings, water and transportation markets in South Texas. Since 2015, she also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Houston (UH) College of Technology’s Construction Management Department and was vice chair of the Strategic Planning Committee on the UH Construction Management Industry Advisory Board.
The Houston Downtown Management District (the “Downtown District”) will receive Proposals from urban planning and design consultants for the preparation and issuance of streetscape design guidelines for outdoor café dining and corridor activation within the 100-700 blocks of Main Street’s right-of-way, from Commerce Street to Rusk Street, in Downtown Houston. Hardcopy proposals will be received until 11:00 A.M., local time on Thursday, February 2, 2023, by Lonnie Hoogeboom, Director of Planning & Design, Houston Downtown Management District, 1221 McKinney Street, Suite 4250, Houston, Texas 77010. Proposals submitted after this time will not be accepted. Respective of this advertisement, telephone, mail, email queries or requests for information will not be addressed by the Downtown District.
Beginning Friday, December 16, 2022, this project’s Request for Proposal (RFP) may be downloaded from Downtown District’s website: http://www.downtowndistrict.org/procurement-rfp-opportunities/. A Proposal pre-submittal conference is scheduled for 11:00 A.M., Friday, January 6, 2023, to be held at the Downtown District, 1221 McKinney Street, Suite 4250, Houston, Texas 77010. Following this conference, further queries or requests for information will be addressed by the Downtown District, pursuant to the instructions provided in the RFP. Based on the Proposals submitted, an evaluation panel will identify and invite Proposers to an interview to be held on or before February 20, 2023. The Downtown District’s Board of Directors will award the contract to the highest-ranked Proposer based on the Proposal content and interview performance.
Proposers shall comply with City of Houston Code of Ordinances, Chapter 15, Articles II, V, VI, and XI and the Mayor’s Executive Orders No.1-7 Pay or Play (POP) Program for Houston Public Works for the public procurement procedures of the City of Houston Offce of Business Opportunity (OBO) established in March 2008 and the entity responsible for the administration of the Minority/ Women-Owned (M/WBE), Persons with Disabilities Enterprises (PDBE), and Hire Houston First programs. The successful Proposer will be required to make good faith efforts to achieve an M/WBE and PDBE participation goal of twenty-fve percent (25%).
For years, Angela Landon has had unbearable cramps during her menstrual cycle. She fgured it was normal, but when she started gaining weight in her midsection –despite her extensive workout regimenshe knew it was time for a doctor’s visit.
“I looked like I was eight months pregnant,” she said. “It was embarrassing when people would ask me when my baby was due.”
An MRI revealed that Landon had multiple uterine fbroids — noncancerous growths in the uterus — the size of cantaloupes.
“I didn’t know much about fbroids, but any type of growth is cause for concern, so I was scared,” she said.
Despite being a common condition, particularly for Black women, uterine fbroids are rarely discussed. According to the Black Women’s Health Initiative, by age 35, about half of Black women have had them, and by age 50, 80% of Black women have them, compared to 70% of white women.
Most cases require no treatment, but they can cause weight gain, heavy periods, frequent urination or pelvic pain, and they may require surgery.
No one knows for sure what causes fibroids. Researchers think that more than one factor could play a role. Tese factors could be hormonal (afected by estrogen and progesterone levels) or genetic (runs in families).
“It’s mostly genetic,” said Anitra Beasley, associate professor at Baylor College of Medicine. “So, there’s nothing that you can do with respect to diet, exercise, things like that. You can’t change whether you have fbroids by lifestyle or medication, the same way you can’t change your risk for heart disease or diabetes. Tey’re either there or they’re not.”
Most doctors do imaging tests to confrm that a woman has fbroids. Tese are tests that create a “picture” of the inside of your body without surgery. Some doctors may fnd that you have fbroids when conducting a routine pelvic exam to check your uterus, ovaries and vagina. Te fbroid might be compared to fruits, nuts or a ball, such as a grape or an orange, an acorn or a walnut, or a golf ball or a volleyball.
While all women are at risk for developing uterine fbroids, Black women are disproportionately afected, with one study showing that Black women are three times more likely to develop them than white women and that Black women are more likely to need surgical treatment. Fibroids can cause disabling problems for Black women. Tey are more
likely to have severe pelvic pain and anemia (a low red blood cell count) due to heavy bleeding. And it’s an even bigger problem for Black women with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD.) HoustonFibroids. com reported that a recent study in Academic Radiology found that 61.2% of Black women with SCD had fbroids while SCD-free Black women have a lower 52.1% rate. Moreover, a recent study in Environmental Health Perspectives suggests larger fbroids may be related to early formula feeding for babies. Te study showed that Black women who were fed with soy-based formula as babies saw a 32% increase in fbroid diameter, and a 127% increase in the total fbroid problem.
more than half of them dealt with fbroids. I couldn’t help but wonder why we were all walking around here enduring all of this in silence. I wish that we were open about this. It probably could’ve saved me a lot of worry and grief,” she said.
Because most Black women have fbroids at some point during their lives, the symptoms they experience might seem “normal” for them. Many girls are raised to believe painful, heavy periods are just a part of life.
“Disparities in diagnosis and care of uterine fbroids result in Black women waiting longer than white women before seeking treatment: normally four years of more. By any measure, these statistics and outcomes are dire and indicative of a pressing public health crisis,” said Tammy Boyd, JD, MPH, chief policy ofcer and counsel for the Black Women’s Health Initiative.
Tere’s no way to prevent uterine fbroids, so health experts say the best thing for women to do is to get regular checkups and know about the symptoms should they arise. Only 35 to 40% of women with fbroids will have symptoms. Aside from surgery to remove fbroids, doctors may prescribe oral contraceptives or ibuprofen to ease symptoms.
Black women are at least twice as likely as white women to remove their uterus through a hysterectomy. When symptoms are severe, fbroids are the leading reason for hysterectomy in the United States. Black women have higher rates of hospitalization for fbroids compared with white women.
Tey are two to three times more likely to have a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus by surgery) for fbroids and seven times more likely to have a myomectomy (surgical removal of one or more fbroids).
• Fibroids account for about 39% of all annual hysterectomies.
• About 60% of Black women develop fbroids by age 35. Increases to more than 80% by age 50.
• About 25% of all Black women have fbroids between ages 18 and 30. Only about 6% of white women have fbroids in this age group.
• Black women are 2 to 3 times more likely to experience recurrent fbroids and associated health issues.
• Only about 1 in 1,000 fbroids (0.1%) are cancerous.
*Source: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, U.S. Department ofHealth & Human Services’ Ofce on Women’s Health.
Factors that can increase a woman’s risk of developing fbroids.
• Age. Fibroids become more common as women age, especially during the 30s and 40s through menopause. Afer menopause, fbroids usually shrink.
• Family history. Having a family member with fbroids increases your risk. If a woman’s mother had fbroids, her risk of having them is about three times higher than average.
• Ethnic origin. African-American women are more likely to develop fbroids than white women.
• Obesity. Women who are overweight are at higher risk for fbroids. For very heavy women, the risk is two to three times greater than average.
According to the American Psychological Association, obesity is more common among Black people in the U.S. than other groups, which could also explain the higher prevalence of fbroids in Black females since researchers believe there may be a link between nutrition, body weight, and fbroids.
According to www.HealthyWomen.org, “Eighty percent, or four out of fve Black women are considered overweight or obese according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Ofce of Minority Health. Black women also have the highest rates of obesity or being overweight compared to other groups in the United States, with 56.9% classifed as obese.”
When Landon fnally decided to get vocal, she learned that the majority of the women in her life dealt with fbroids, too.
“I was stunned to learn that every one of my mother’s sisters had issues with fbroids. Ten when I talked to the women in my church and sorority,
Doctors say a decision to have a hysterectomy is one that should not be taken lightly. For schoolteacher Dionne Blacknell, it was one that has changed her life.
“Afer bleeding three months straight because of my fbroids, an ablasion surgical procedure that only worked for about a month, I decided to have a complete hysterectomy. It’s the best decision I ever made,” said Dionne Blacknell.
Beasley said she urges her patients to seek a hysterectomy as a last resort, unless you’re past the childbearing years.
“Nothing bad happens if the fbroids are non-cancerous,” said Beasley. “It’s not like a fbroid is going to change into something that’s cancerous. But if you are having symptoms from your fbroids, those symptoms could get worse and may make it harder to treat. I tell my patients if your fbroids aren’t bothering you, they’re not bothering me. I think that it’s really important that people realize that fbroids aren’t something that is in itself, just dangerous by themselves. But if you are having symptoms then it’s really important to advocate for yourself so that you know you can get the treatment that’s most appropriate for you early on.”
• Eating habits. Eating a lot of red meat (e.g., beef) and ham is linked with a higher risk of fbroids. Eating plenty of green vegetables seems to protect women from developing fbroids.
Some of the ways doctors treat fbroids.
• Radiofrequency ablation uses heat to destroy fbroid tissue without harming surrounding normal uterine tissue. The fbroids remain inside the uterus but shrink in size. Most women go home the same day and can return to normal activities within a few days.
• Anti-hormonal drugs may provide symptom relief without bone-thinning side efects.
• Hysterectomy is the total removal of the uterus.
Too many Black women do not have an accurate idea of what normal really is. Women sufer needlessly before seeking treatment for their fbroids.”Tammy
Boyd JD, MPH, chief policy ofcer and counsel for the Black Women’s Health Initiative.
ese names are just a few artists who are cemented in the culture as icons who’ve changed American dance. And while there are many famous Black dancers who have made their mark in the arts, we can’t forget to give flowers to those gems in our communities who may not be icons yet, but who make a difference in our communities daily via the performing arts.
Traci Greene is the creative director and producer of Houston’s Urban Nutcracker and the founder of Culture Arts Initiative, Inc., a non-profit arts organization designed to enrich the lives of young people through performing arts and dance.
She has an extensive resume with over 30 years of experience in dance and performing arts. Her professional credits include being a cast member of the Los Angeles production of “ e Chocolate Nutcracker,” dancer in of the musical workshop of “ e Color Purple on Broadway,” and actor, dancer and female dance captain of the international touring company of “West Side Story.”
Greene worked as a full-time dance teacher in the NYC Public Schools and Houston ISD, and she continues to coach and teach future dancers through her business, Traci Green Dance Consulting.
e Defender spoke with the dance veteran to learn about her journey in dance and her work as a dance educator in Houston.
Defender: When did your passion for dance begin?
Greene: I’m from Chicago. I started training there really young. I believe 6-yearsold. It was primarily classical ballet. en I went to a magnet performing arts school. Michelle Obama graduated from there. e school was strong in academics but had a very good fine arts program. at’s when I branched into different styles. I realized from then on that dancing was my passion. My mom being an educator was like “No, you have to do something more than that. I’m not paying for that.” I did get some dance scholarships. I went to Southern University in Baton Rouge and that was my biggest introduction to the south. I was a captain and choreographer there. I graduated with a speech pathology degree and gave it to my mom and said “I want to go dance.” at’s when my professional career began. I traveled to Los Angeles, joined a company, and it went up from there.
Defender: What was it like being a Black woman in dance during those times?
Greene: It was nothing I really regretted. I would say there were a limited number of roles. You had to work and be twice as good to be a successful Black dancer in the industry. If you were lucky, you’d get a musical theatre show, then you can tour. But then you would go to these auditions and every Black person is talented. e competition was deep. I eventually le Los Angeles for New York and spent eight years there. I trained in the American Musical Dramatic Academy and decided that I wanted to go into musical theatre. I got my first touring gig with West Side Story and it was international, and I did it for three years. at cemented my role as a professional dancer.
Defender: Why is being an educator important to you? What drew you into that role?
Greene: I have no idea. I would be remiss if I didn’t say that every single dance teacher, choreographer, mentor… everyone has always said that I’m a good teacher. It’s so natural to me and I don’t have to work hard at it. I’m observant, very detailed-oriented. I mean, my mom was an educator too. I watched her and how she raised me. Doors opened for me where people would ask me to coach or choreograph routines. So, I decided to walk through the door. I le New York because bottled water was $7, it was snowing in April, and I had enough. I wrote letters to different schools and was amazed to find out Houston
had so many magnet performing arts schools here. Eventually, in 2006, the principal at Burrus Elementary wrote me back and wanted me in for an interview. I got the job. A er that I taught at Poe Elementary. People would ask me if I owned a dance studio because I was so good with the students. At the time I said no because I was just a dance teacher, but I said “You know what? Let’s give this a shot.” Fast-forward, now I’m here with the Houston Urban Nutcracker.
Defender: What advice would you give young people who are interested in a career in dance?
Greene: Keep going. It’s not going to be easy. You’re not always going to be the best one in the room all the time. Sometimes you will get the job, sometimes you won’t. I thought that I would be like Debbie Allen at some point in my career. God had other plans for me, but that didn’t stop me. What I do now is equally important. I don’t know what the next door of opportunity might be. I would also recommend young people to explore evert single discipline of dance. Don’t put yourself in a box. Keep a close circle of friends and performing arts people in the community who are always thinking of getting better with the cra . Don’t take jobs that make you feel like you are compromising your integrity.
Defender: What are your thoughts of Houston’s dance scene?
Greene: my biggest surprise was how talented the dance community is. I think the reason why we don’t have an adult dance community that thrives is probably because
Houston is more of a residential place to settle down and have a family. e talent here is so good, but the opportunities are so limited that they leave us to go where they can make money and find opportunities. ere were so many professional dancers in New York and Los Angeles that were from Houston. e level of talent and skill is very diverse here. One thing to note is that once you start getting into that 18-and-older age group, there aren’t as many opportunities, especially for Black dancers here. I made the right decision to move down here. I felt like there is a place for me here. I have lived here for 15 years. ere is a sense of community even though the city is so huge and spread out. Everyone in the industry here has a common goal, especially when it comes to the younger people.
By YETUNDE SOKUNBI, M.D., F.A.A.F.P.
The holidays are a fun, festive time for gatherings with family and friends. However, this time of year can also take a toll on your physical and mental health, leaving you vulnerable to feelings of isolation, stress, and sadness – a seasonal psychological condition known as the “holiday blues,” which afects many of us this time of year.
Common causes for this seasonal depression include negotiating through crowds and trafc; shorter daylight hours: fnancial burdens of gift giving; unrealized expectations; nostalgia for childhood; and a heightened sense of loss about deceased loved ones.
To help avoid a seasonal swoon: 1. Pace yourself. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed during the holidays. Ongoing fatigue can leave you more
FROM THE DOC
“The holiday season can take a toll on your physical and mental health.”
Dr. Sokunbi is a boardcertifed Family Medicine physician.
susceptible to colds, infuenza, and COVID variants. Carve-out some quiet time and recharge your inner batteries. Adequate rest helps restore your decision making while supporting your immune system.
2. Reduce holiday spending. Don’t get carried away with gift buying. Set a spending cap and stick to it. January’s credit-card debts can haunt like ghosts from A Christmas Carol.
3. Know your limit; drink responsibly. If drinking alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation. Liquor is a proven depressant and a DWI citation will trouble you long after the holidays have ended.
4. Try not to over-romanticize past holidays, which may seem
preferable to present ones. Don’t be too disappointed if these holidays don’t seem the same, or a special person is no longer here. Remember that transitions are a natural part of our experience. Embrace the present with family and friends. You can make new holiday memories and still recall the past with fondness.
5. Schedule a physical exam with a primary care physician. Make sure there aren’t undiagnosed health conditions waiting to put the brakes on today’s holidays and the many days ahead.
I wish each of you a happy, healthy holiday season.
Dr. Sokunbi welcomes new patients at Kelsey-Seybold’sPearlandClinic.
By ReShonda Tate
Houstonian Tembi Locke was never looking for love during a visit to Florence, Italy, but that’s exactly what she found when she met professional Italian chef, Saro. The couple, who connected over cooking and eating his native Sicilian food, married and enjoyed life with their daughter - until a rare form of cancer took his life.
Tembi returned to Saro’s hometown of Sicily with their daughter so that she could become closer with Saro’s family, who’d initially disliked Tembi because she was a Black American. But, in the warmth of her motherin-law’s kitchen, Tembi discovered both the nourishment of fresh food and the solace of a close-knit community.
In 2019, she wrote a book about her experience called From Scratch. The memoir explores starting over, forgiveness, multicultural identify, and culinary discovery. It’s the basis for an inspirational new limited series on Netflix Tembi created with her sister, Attica Locke, who is the author of several novels and was a writer for the TV series Empire. The top-rated series stars Zoe Saldaña as Amy (Temi) and Eugenio Mastrandrea as Lino (Saro).
Attica says it was an amazing experience working with her sister.
“This project wouldn’t have been possible if we didn’t have each other. We had a shorthand and shared memory, both as the person who lived this experience and the person who witnessed so much of it firsthand. And we have similar tastes and a shared understanding of the tone we wanted for the show—a series that could make you laugh and cry in the same scene. We were also able to emotionally support each other when filming some of the more emotionally difficult scenes,” she said.
Added Tembi, “This show is so deeply rooted in our collaboration with and respect for each other. My sister knows craft and story in ways that I am constantly in awe of, so I learned a great deal working alongside her. It was an honor to see her in her excellence.”
Tembi says the work of adapting her novel began even before the book was officially in print.
“Hello Sunshine optioned it as a manuscript in early 2019. Almost immediately, I knew the story would have to change for the screen while also fundamentally staying the same, emotionally and thematically. Looking back now, years after the writers’ room, the first day on set, and now after its release, I know that all this love was too big for me to hold onto alone. It had to be shared,” she said.
And Attica, who is an author herself, says she was careful in translating the book to screen.
“I wanted to make a series that was honoring my brother-in-law, his family, and his relationship and marriage to my sister for which I had the privilege of having a frontrow seat. And I wanted to capture the particular, bittersweet tone of the way they lived their lives—aware of life’s risks, not untouched by tragedy, but still so fully alive every day, still creating beauty and celebrating love in the face of the unimaginable,” she said.
From Scratch is now streaming on Netflix.
Te “Smart’n Up” Black Male Summit, the event that occurs twice a year, recently hosted its second 2022 event at St. John’s Downtown United Methodist Church.
Local activist Deric Muhammad founded the event which is a community-based motivational and educational summit designed to address the unique needs of Black men and boys.
“Tis is an opportunity to expose young Black males to empowering information, positive role models, potential mentors and critical resources to help them survive and succeed in an adverse society,” said Muhammad.
Muhammad said this particular gathering was slightly diferent than the others he has hosted for the past 12 years.
“Tis summit was special considering the dark cloud that’s been over the city since the killing of rapper Takeoff. Our young people are still grieving over the loss of one of their icons. How we process death as boys sometimes determines our ability to process life as men. We wanted to close 2022 out with a strong message to our youngsters—your life is valuable, and so is your fellow brother’s,” said Muhammad.
But even with the slight diference this go-round, the summit stayed true to what it always does.
“We do not sugar coat our subject matter at the Black Male Summit. Our message is strong. Our workshops include presentations about entrepreneurship, building confdence, stopping the violence, among other critical topics.”
Some of the summit presenters included entrepreneur Chad Muhammad, Jamail Johnson (Pastor, Te Word Church), Brandon Denton (My Brothers Keeper), Reginald “OG1” Gordon and Mayor Sylvester Turner.
“The significance of the Black Male Summit and our participation is that these young men can be what they can see,” said Turner. “Tey need to see us older guys in front of them, giving them sound, good advice, telling them how important and how valuable they are, and showing them that respect at an early age. You can’t wait until somebody gets in trouble and then go talk to them. I mean, you can, but that’s a little bit late. So, we need to get in front of
them early, share our stories, and let them know quite frankly, when we were their age we were just like them. We’re no diferent. But it is important for us to come out and to share some of our time and our selves with these younger brothers.”
Coach Lewis Brown, owner of Mo Better Boxing, brought youth and adult boxers and coaches to the event.
“I found out about the event through a friend who emailed me the link because he knew we had a lot of luck inspiring youth in the gym, and I wanted to make sure we got them here so they could hear some positivity in the community,” said Brown.
One of the deliverers of that positive message was Pastor Johnson.
“I have been part of this summit for
years,” said Johnson. “I believe in the mission that brother Deric Muhammad has as he has a desire to go and grab our young Black men before they are grabbed by society.”
Muhammad says the target age group of the event is 12 years and older. However, anyone (including women) is welcome to attend.
Desperately looking for a spark, Texans offensive coordinator
Pep Hamilton turned to a two-quarterback platoon system against Dallas. And using backup Jeff Driskel to relieve starter Davis Mills at times nearly worked. The Cowboys needed a late drive to engineer a comeback 27-23 victory over the struggling Texans. The Texans are now 1-11-1 on the season. “We looked for a spark,” Texans coach Lovie Smith said. “I thought Davis did some good things passing the football, made some good throws. Made some good decisions. I liked things he did. And the combination with Jeff Driskel. Early in the week we decided to go with this plan to use Jeff. I thought he did some good things, too.”
Paul dies
Paul Silas, a three-time NBA champion, longtime NBA head coach and the father of Rockets’ coach Stephen Silas, died Dec. 11 at age 79. His daughter Paula Silas-Guy told the New York Times that her father died of cardiac arrest.
The University of Houston Cougar’s men’s basketball team’s spot at the top of the polls was a short one after they were knocked off at home Saturday by No. 8 Alabama. The Crimson Tide came into the sold-out Fertitta Center and defeated the Cougars 71-65. It’s the second time this season that Alabama has defeated the No. 1 team in the nation, having also knocked off North Carolina 103-101 in four overtimes on Nov. 27.
Early last week, Russia seemed to deliver disappointing news when it said negotiations to secure Brittney Griner’s freedom from prison had broken off. The WNBA star and Houston native wouldn’t make it home for Christmas after all.
That’s what we thought. But early on the morning of Dec. 8 everything changed.
We saw images of Griner boarding an airplane out of an Abu Dhabi airport with a flight plan that was delivering her to the United States. Indeed BG, the decorated two-time Olympic gold medalist, was on her way home.
It turns out that while we were being told that talks were off, President Joe Biden, the White House and government officials were still at the table negotiating Griner’s release. A controversial deal was reached, exchanging Griner for the U.S. release of jailed Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
To many, the exchange didn’t seem anywhere near equitable. Griner was arrested back in February after Russian authorities found less than a gram of cannabis vape oil in her luggage at an airport near Moscow on her attempted return trip home. Bout,
meanwhile, is a dangerous arms dealer who had spent 14 years of a 25-year sentence in a U.S. prison for arms trafficking, money laundering and conspiracy to kill Americans.
But the real win here is the return of a decorated and celebrated American who shouldn’t have been serving a nine-year prison sentence for something so minor. She was brought home in exchange for a Russian who had served more than half of his sentence already and would have surely been returned to his country upon his release.
Griner’s ordeal had been unthinkable. She was in Moscow playing basketball during the WNBA offseason for a $1 million payday as she had done so many times before. The problem this time, seemed to be timing.
Griner’s basketball season in Moscow wrapped up just as Russia’s war in Ukraine was escalating, making the frosty relations between Russian President Vladimir Putin and the U.S. even colder. Griner was viewed by her country as wrongfully detained and essentially a prisoner of war, given the strong support the U.S. is giving Ukraine to defend itself during the war.
For weeks, nobody knew Griner’s whereabouts and once they were known, we saw
glimpses of the inhumane treatment she was subjected to as her 6-foot-8 frame sat caged like an animal during her criminal proceedings. Griner was banished to an oppressive penal colony following her initial sentence and failed appeal.
Now Griner is free and her life is full of possibilities again. Will the basketball standout don a uniform and again star for the Phoenix Mercury? Or will she and her wife, Cherelle, now take up the cause of fighting for wrongfully detained Americans full-time?
We don’t know.
As of press time, Griner hadn’t said a word in public since the airplane she was on landed in San Antonio and she began undergoing physical and mental evaluations on the nearby military base. But we do know of some of her actions, like making certain to warmly connect with all the flight crew and her first actions on American soil, putting on some basketball sneakers and hitting a nearby basketball court for the first time in 10 months.
Her first shot? A dunk. Sounds like an appropriate first act and exclamation point to all Griner has endured these last months.
North Shore safety Evan Jackson is a gamer in the secondary and special teams, helping the Mustangs secure a title-defending state championship berth against Duncanville the week before Christmas at AT&T Stadium.
In the 49-34 state semifinal victory over Austin Westlake, Jackson was putting his man on an island on defense and created points in the second half with a punt return touchdown.
In the secondary, Jackson is physical at the line of scrimmage and keeps within arm’s reach of receivers with some incredible recovery speed. On special teams, wish defenders good luck tackling him one-on-one in open space. Jackson’s speed, agility and acrobatic tackle-breaking are reminiscent of Texas A&M All-SEC return specialist Devon Achane. e Defender spoke with Jackson a er the victory over Westlake to discuss his style of play, return game, mindset going to state, and more.
“I’m a very fast player. I think quickly and am a good coverage guy in man-to-man. I roll down on people and get my hands on (opponents) and get physical.”
“I was actually thinking of my running back Rashaad Johnson. He keeps his feet moving. So, I was like, keep moving them and keep running. So, I slipped out and made a play.”
CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE AT AT&T STADIUM (ARLINGTON, TX)
Friday, December 16: Dallas Oak Cliff vs. Port Neches Groves, 7 p.m.
Saturday, December
17: Duncanville vs. North Shore, 7 p.m.
“The way we just stick together with each other and the brotherhood we created here. Once things go bad we don’t hang our head; we are going to keep it high and keep having each other’s back.”
“We got one more. We got another job. This is a business trip and we got to go handle business.”
Twitter: @Official_3j
Current Offers: Grambling, Lamar, Marshall, Stephen F. Austin, etc.
Players He Studies: Jalen Ramsey
Favorite Artist: Rod Wave
Hobbies: Playing video games NBA2K and Madden
Shoutouts: “My family, community supporting us in the stands, and my teammates for pushing me through.”
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