Houston Defender: December 22, 2016

M ER RY C HR I ST M AS, H APPY KWAN ZAA & H APPY NE W YE AR!

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Volume 86 | Number 8

DECEMBER 22, 2016 | FREE

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DEFENDER | DECEMBER 22 | 2016

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in memoriam

Deaths in 2016 GEORGE CURRY

RUBEN DAVIS

SKIPPER LEE FRAZIER

RON GLASS

ALVIN “AL” HENRY

HOLLY HOGROBROOKS

DENNIS GREEN

GWEN IFILL

REV. C.L. JACKSON

DWIGHT JONES

The civil rights and political journalist, who wrote a weekly commentary in Black newspapers across the country, died of heart failure on Aug. 20. He was 69. Curry was former editor-inchief of the National Newspaper Publishers Association News Service and Emerge Magazine.

When he died, he was raising money to fund Emerge News Online, a digital version of the publication. Curry also worked as a reporter for Sports Illustrated, the St. Louis Post Dispatch and the Chicago Tribune.

The local civil rights pioneer died on Jan. 22 at age 75 after a lengthy illness. As a TSU student, Hogrobrooks helped organize Houston’s first sit-in at Weingarten Supermarket lunch counter in 1960. She was a founding member of the Progressive Youth Association, which was started by students on campus in the ‘60s.

Hogrobrooks’ parents owned a popular diner on Dowling Street and allowed the students to organize their sit-ins at their home. Hogrobrooks later became a journalism professor at TSU.

Longtime Fort Bend County Constable Ruben Davis died Oct. 18 after a battle with cancer. He was 61. Davis had served as a constable since 1996 in a precinct that mainly covers Missouri City.

He began his law enforcement career with the Houston Police Department and retired as a sergeant with 21 years of service. He was a founding board member of the Afro-American Police Officers League and former president, Houston Chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives.

The former NFL coach died July 21 from complications of cardiac arrest. He was 67. Green was one of the first African-American head coaches in collegiate and professional football. He coached the Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals over 13 NFL seasons. Under his leadership, the Vikings made eight playoff appearances in 10 seasons from 1992 to 2001, reaching the NFC Championship Game in 1998 and 2000. Green also served as a head coach of Northwestern and Stanford universities.

The man who brought “a mountain of soul” to Houston died Oct. 14 at age 89. Frazier was a well-known radio personality, entrepreneur, emcee, promoter and manager. He was a fixture on Houston radio, most recently on KWWJ Gospel 1360, where he broadcast from his office at Skipper Lee & Sons Eternal Rest Funeral Home. He spent 22 years at KCOH Radio, and was a familiar face inside the glass on Almeda. As a businessman, Frazier was part owner of KCOH.

The prominent journalist died on Nov. 14 after a battle with cancer.

She was 61. Ifill was co-host of the “PBS News Hour” and host of PBS’ “Washington Week.”

She covered seven presidential campaigns and moderated the vice presidential debates in 2004 and 2008. She wrote the bestseller “The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama.”

She began her career with the Baltimore Evening Sun and went on to become a reporter with the Washington Post and New York Times.

The actor best known as a detective on the long-running police comedy “Barney Miller” died of respiratory failure on Nov. 25 at age 71. Glass appeared in dozens of other TV shows and in films. He portrayed a spiritual shepherd in the 2002 science-fiction series “Firefly.” He starred as Felix Unger opposite Desmond Wilson’s Oscar Madison in a 1980s remake titled “The New Odd Couple.” Glass was also the voice of Randy Carmichael in the popular Nickelodeon cartoon series “Rugrats.”

The pastor of Houston’s Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church died Dec. 19. Jackson served as pastor for more than 40 years.

Jackson was a member of the Baptist Ministers Association, the Independent Baptist Ministers Association, the Texas State Chaplains Association and the Harris County Council of Organizations.

He served on the board of the Disaster Team of American Red Cross, the Harris County Houston Sports Authority and was a council member of the Harris County Citizen Corporation.

The former president and CEO of Houston’s Neighborhood Centers and a dedicated Texas Southern University alumnus died on April 6 at age 82. Henry helped Neighborhood Centers grow from an $8 million annual budget when he arrived to $48 million when he left. He served as president of the TSU National Alumni Association and Maroon and Gray Athletic Booster Club and served on the TSU Foundation Board. Henry attended TSU’s law school and after graduation joined the Houston City Attorney’s Office.

The former Wheatley High School, University of Houston and NBA star died of cardiac arrest on July 25 at age 64. Jones competed for UH from 1971-73 and helped lead the Cougars to a 43-11 record with back-toback appearances in the NCAA Tournament. Jones, a 6-foot-10 forward/center, was taken in the first round of the 1973 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks. Over the next 10 seasons, he played for the Hawks, Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls and L.A. Lakers.

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DECEMBER 22 | 2016 | DEFENDER

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local

Top 10

local stories

By MARILYN MARSHALL Defender

Houston experienced a year of change in 2016, including the inauguration of a new mayor, major changes in political power and new educational leaders. Here are the top 10 local stories that you read about in the Defender.

Sylvester Turner takes office Mayor Sylvester Turner ushered in a new era of leadership during his January inauguration and said he envisioned Houston as a city of opportunity for all. His goals for the city included repairing potholes, managing costs and balancing the budget. He cited the need for more police officers and firefighters, quality neighborhood parks and stronger communities.

Turner, a state representative for 26 years, became Houston’s second African-American mayor.

He was sworn in with new Controller Chris Brown and 16 City Councilmembers, including African-Americans Amanda Edwards, Jerry Davis, Dwight Boykins and Larry Green. Former Councilmember Jarvis Johnson was elected to Turner’s state representative seat.

Mayor Sylvester Turner took office in 2016, becoming Houston’s second Black mayor.

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DEFENDER | DECEMBER 22 | 2016

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Top 10 Local Continued from page 3

Lee’s death impacts politics Harris County Precinct One Commissioner El Franco Lee died of a heart attack on Jan. 3 at age 66. Lee, who began his political career as a state representative, was elected as the county’s first African-American commissioner. He was remembered as a compassionate and effective leader who shunned the spotlight.

Attorney Gene Locke was appointed to serve out his term. Lee’s death changed Houston’s Black political landscape. State Sen. Rodney Ellis won the Democratic Party nomination to run for the county commissioner seat and succeed Lee. State Rep. Borris Miles won Ellis’ state senate seat and attorney Shawn Thierry won Miles’ state representative seat.

Carranza named HISD superintendent Richard Carranza, a lifelong educator who led one of California’s most diverse and high-achieving school districts, was named superintendent of HISD. He replaced Dr. Terry Grier, who had led the district since 2009. One of Carranza’s biggest concerns was the number of parents whose children were leaving HISD for charter schools. Carranza served as superintendent of the San Francisco Unified School District for four years, and led efforts to reduce student disciplinary suspensions. He is a former high school principal and teacher. HISD lauded Carranza for embracing values such as “graduating students who are globally aware, culturally competent and multilingual.”

Houstonians rally for peace In response to the July police killings of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge and Philando Castile in Milwaukee, combined with the murder of five police officers in Dallas, concerned citizens marched through the streets of Houston. They called for love to replace hate, forgiveness to replace vindictiveness and justice to replace injustice. The rally was conceived by Community of Faith Bishop James Dixon II along with other faith leaders, elected officials, law enforcement and community leaders.

“We are building greater trust and displaying greater resolve to be one city that is safe for all,” organizers said. Houstonians also protested the police shooting of a Black man, Alva Braziel.

Though Braziel was armed, his death triggered scrutiny of the HPD body camera program because the officer wearing a bodycam did not turn it on until after the shooting.

Dr. Austin Lane named TSU president Dr. Austin Lane became the 12th president of Texas Southern University in 2016. He replaced Dr. John Rudley, who had served as president since 2008. Lane’s priorities for TSU include strengthening student recruitment, enrollment and retention. Lane had served as executive vice chancellor of Lone Star College since 2015 and was president of Lone Star CollegeMontgomery for six years. He managed seven campuses in the system, with the smallest location educating 10,000 students.

Before joining Lone Star he was vice president for student affairs at Tyler Junior College.

New police, fire chief appointed

From top left: The death of Harris County Commissioner El Franco Lee changed the political landscape; New HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza took charge, succeeding Dr. Terry Grier; Houstonians rallied for justice and an end to violence in response to more police shootings; Dr. Austin Lane was named president of Texas Southern University, succeeding Dr. John Rudley.

Mayor Sylvester Turner announced the appointment of Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo as the new Houston police chief, and El Paso Fire Department Chief Sam Peña as the new Houston Fire Department chief. Acevedo, who is the first Latino to lead the Houston Police Department permanently, filled the void left by the retirement of former Chief Charles McClelland.

Acting Chief Martha Montalvo led the department in the interim. Acevedo, who emigrated to the U.S. from Cuba, began his career as a field patrol officer. Peña was the youngest fire chief in the 133-year history of the El Paso department.

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DECEMBER 22 | 2016 | DEFENDER

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national

Top 10

national stories

By RESHONDA TATE BILLINGSLEY Defender

On the national front, 2016 was definitely a big year for news.

From a highly controversial (and often contentious) presidential election to more police shootings of Black men, the year was filled with breaking news. The Defender takes a look at the top 10 national stories.

Police shootings continue Police shootings of unarmed Black men once again drew national outrage. Anger over the killings of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Philando Castile in Milwaukee, Terence Crutcher in Tulsa, and Keith Lamont Scott in Charlotte led to protests around the country. On the flip side, at least 64 law enforcement officers were shot and killed this year, well ahead of last year’s 12-month total of 42 fatalities. Some of the officers were ambushed at random while others were shot while responding to calls. The most shocking incident occurred in Dallas, where five officers were ambushed and killed by a Black man, Micah Xavier Johnson, following the deaths of Sterling and Castile.

Donald Trump, a billionaire businessman, defeated Hillary Clinton in a stunning upset to become the 45th U.S. president.

Trump elected president Billionaire businessman Donald Trump shattered expectations with an election night victory that revealed deep anti-establishment anger among American voters and set the world on a journey into the political unknown. The Republican nominee achieved one of the most improbable political victories in modern U.S. history, despite a series of controversies that would easily have destroyed other candidacies, extreme policies that drew criticism from both sides of the aisle, a record of racist and sexist behavior, and a lack of conventional political experience. Though Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton beat Trump by 2.8 million popular votes, he won where it mattered, with the Electoral College, 306 to 230.

Demonstrations were held across the country to protest the police shootings of Black men.

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DEFENDER | DECEMBER 22 | 2016

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Clockwise from top left: The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture opened in Washington, D.C.; An ongoing criminal investigation into the Flint, Mich. water crisis resulted in charges against state officials; Black college enrollment increased due in part to a rise in racial tension and the Black Lives Matter movement; Abolitionist and former slave Harriet Tubman was chosen to replace President Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill.

Top 10 National Continued from page 5

National Black museum opens The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture opened on Sept.

24 in Washington, D.C. after a long journey.

Thirteen years after Congress and President George W. Bush authorized its construction, the 400,000-square-foot building stands on a five-acre site on the National Mall, close to the Washington Monument. The museum’s creators did not want to build a space for a Black audience alone, but for all Americans. Interest in the museum was so strong that tickets (though free) are sold out through April, 2017.

HBCU enrollment soars With the rise of racial tension in America coupled with the Black Lives Matter movement, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) saw a surge in enrollment. Freshmen enrollment was up by 22 percent at Dillard University, 49 percent at Shaw University and 32 percent at Tuskegee University. Nearly 38 percent of HBCUs reported a 10 percent increase in enrollment between 2013 and 2014. The surge

comes after protests at predominantly white institutions (PWIs) around the country demanded more Black students, faculty, and staff; name changes for buildings named after racists; mandatory diversity training; and the creation of safe spaces for students.

Harriet Tubman on $20 bill The U.S. Treasury Department announced that it would replace Andrew Jackson with Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill. The proposal to replace the slaveholding Jackson with Tubman, the former slave and abolitionist, was called the most sweeping and historically symbolic makeover of American currency in a century. Tubman (1822-1913) and civil rights heroine Rosa Parks (1913-2005) were among the top finalists in a grass roots campaign to put a woman on the $20 bill. It could be a decade or more before the bill is actually in circulation.

Hate crimes rise The FBI reported that attacks against American Muslims surged, driving an overall increase in hate crime against all groups. Blacks were the most frequent victims of hate crimes based on race, while Jews were the most frequent victims

based on religion. The data, which is the most comprehensive look at hate crimes nationwide, noted an alarming rise in some types of crimes tied to the viciousness of this year’s presidential campaign and the aftermath of terrorist attacks at home and abroad. That trend continued to spike, with civil rights groups and news organizations reporting dozens of verbal or physical assaults on minorities and others that appear to have been fueled by divisions over the election.

Louisiana hit by flooding Prolonged rainfall in southern parts of Louisiana resulted in catastrophic flooding that submerged thousands of houses and businesses. Louisiana’s governor called the disaster a “historic, unprecedented flooding event” and declared a state of emergency. Many rivers and waterways reached record levels, and rainfall exceeded 20 inches in multiple parishes. Because of the large number of homeowners without flood insurance that were affected, the federal government provided disaster aid. The flood has been called the worst U.S. natural disaster since Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Thirteen deaths were reported as a result of the flooding.

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DECEMBER 22 | 2016 | DEFENDER

entertainment

Top 10

entertainment stories

By RESHONDA TATE BILLINGSLEY Defender

2016 was definitely the year of the entertainer. Some of the biggest stars made news in television, film and music. The Defender looks back at those entertainment stories that left a mark on us.

Death of Prince Prince, whose full name was Prince Rogers Nelson, died April 21 at age 57, after being found unresponsive in an elevator at Paisley Park, his home and recording studio in Chanhassen, Minn. Toxicology tests for Prince concluded that the entertainer died from an accidental overdose of the opioid fentanyl, a prescription pain killer he had been taking to treat an ailing hip. The world mourned the death of the legend and it was shocking to discover he didn’t have a will.

Continued on page 8 Prince died in 2016, and fans around the world mourned the death of the multi-talented entertainer.

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DEFENDER | DECEMBER 22 | 2016

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Clockwise from top: The controversial 2016 film “Birth of a Nation” garnered a lot of media attention but failed at the box office; Actress Regina King was among the Blacks who took home Emmy Awards for TV performances; Kanye West suffered a well-publicized breakdown in 2016 and was treated for emotional issues; Beyoncé held onto her superstar title with a best-selling album, sold-out tour and multiple award nominations.

Top 10 Entertainment Continued from page 7

Blacks shut out of Oscars When the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced its 2016 Oscar nominees, only white actors and actresses were among the chosen few in the top four categories – for the second year in a row – resulting in the resurgence of the social media hashtag #OscarsSoWhite and a bevy of concerns about diversity in Hollywood. The sole nomination for “Straight Outta Compton” went to a self-described “white Jewish gay guy from Connecticut” for Best Original Screenplay. Host Chris Rock noted the controversy in his monologue, and joked that the Oscars were the “White People’s Choice Awards.” Jada Pinkett Smith and Spike Lee called for a boycott of the ceremony.

The year of Bey Beyoncé continued to kick butt and take names in 2016. The sixth album by the Houston native was accompanied upon its release by a one-hour film aired on HBO. Mainly an R&B album, “Lemonade” was praised by critics as Beyoncé’s boldest and best-crafted work to date and debuted at number one on Billboard and became her sixth consecutive number-one album in the country. A spate of other

music awards followed, along with nine Grammy nominations. “Lemonade” provided raw material for a breathtaking, $256 million-grossing world tour. Beyoncé was also a runner-up for Time Magazine’s person of the year.

Kanye West breaks down Rapper Kanye West ended the year with a very public breakdown. West was reportedly dealing with a host of psychiatric and emotional issues that required outpatient treatment for some time.

Those close to him believe the anniversary of the November 2007 death of his mother Donda West could have pushed the singer to his breakdown.

The troubling news followed a difficult year for West, from his re-falling out and very public drama with Taylor Swift, to the rapper’s wife, Kim Kardashian West, taking time away from public life to recover after being robbed at gunpoint in Paris. West later made headlines by meeting with President-elect Donald Trump to discuss “multicultural issues.”

‘Birth of a Nation’ controversy Amid the #OscarsSoWhite uproar, “The Birth of a Nation” premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January and immediately was hailed for depicting an important untold chapter of American history

and introducing a talented African-American filmmaking voice in Nate Parker. But nine months later, Parker’s past overshadowed the film’s potential. Allegations resurfaced that Parker, 36, raped a female student in 1999 when he was a college wrestler at Penn State. He was acquitted of the charges. The allegations, and Parker’s subsequent “unapologetic tour” derailed the awards-season potential of the movie, once an early front-runner for Best Picture at the 2017 Oscars. The film opened with a dismal $7 million box office take.

Year of Black films, TV shows The African-American Film Critics Association deemed 2016 “the best year for the Black community on the film screen both in terms of casting and storylines.” From comedies to highquality dramas and documentaries, the amount of quality feature films, documentaries and TV shows released in 2016 about the Black experience easily make it the best year ever. Films like “Ride Along 2” and “Central Intelligence” proved to be box office hits, while “Queen Sugar,” “How to Get Away With Murder,” “Empire” and “Scandal” continued to bring in big ratings in television.

Films like “Moonlight,” “Fences” and “Hidden Figures” closed out the year in a positive light.

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DEFENDER | DECEMBER 22 | 2016

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HERE ARE 51 REASONS YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS

HOUSTON’S SUPER BOWL LI 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

We’ll keep you entertained with our top-ranked museum district, our renowned theater district and one of the nation’s best ballet companies.

We’re home to top-notch Tex-Mex, the best BBQ and over 10,000 other restaurants serving the food of more than 70 countries and American regions.

You may have heard we’re the most diverse region in the U.S. and speak over 145 languages.

We have the world’s largest medical center, including the premier hospitals in the country.

We have the award-winning Buffalo Bayou Park, the massive Memorial Park (3X the size of Central Park), the beautiful Discovery Green and more golf courses than you can shake a putter at, making us one of the 10 greenest cities in the U.S. Galveston beach is a short drive away.

So is the San Jacinto Monument, Battleship Texas, The Woodlands Waterway and the Kemah Boardwalk.

If you’re looking for a job, we’re a top city for young professionals, with the most Fortune 500 companies outside of NYC. And even better, our paychecks stretch further than anywhere else.

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41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51

As the nation’s fourth-largest city, we’re the Energy Capital of the World and have a nightlife full of energy.

We’re the birthplace of NASA, Dennis Quaid (and brother Randy), Jennifer Garner (Golden Globe winner), Jim Parsons (AKA Sheldon Cooper), ZZ Top (formed here in 1969) and, of course, Beyoncé.

Ever heard of the rodeo?

Ours is the world’s largest.

And our Port of Houston is a pretty BIG deal, too (it’s #2 in total tonnage).

We’re passionate about the Houston Zoo, the Houston Texans and everything about J.J. Watt.

Don’t forget our outstanding bar scene, the Anheuser-Busch brewery and nearly a dozen craft breweries with arguably the best beer in the country.

Our 655 square miles could contain NYC, Boston, Miami, San Francisco and Seattle, which gives us plenty of space for our 15 million visitors each year.

(It helps to have two major airports, including one of the nation’s largest.)

So clear your schedule, and get your gear from The Galleria.

Gather the whole entire family for 10 free days of Super Bowl LIVE. Get pumped for live music, some good ol’ Texas eats and football at its finest, because the Super Bowl is coming to Houston, y’all!

We’ve earned our bragging rights.

Super Bowl LI is produced by the NFL and the Houston Super Bowl Host Committee

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DEFENDER | DECEMBER 22 | 2016

topev

Happening in Houston

For event coverage email: events@defendermediagroup.com

Ron Jemison Jr., Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (Franklin Beauty School 100-Year Celebration)

Kase and Eileen Lawal (CAMAC 30th Anniversary Celebration)

Dr. Pamela Jolly, Sonny Messiah-Jiles, Lin Forum)

A.J. McQueen, Justin “IamJustified” Milburn (Writer’s Block Live Showcase)

Sheyi Ojofeitimi, Desrye Morgan, Anita Smith, Akua Noni Parker (Alvin Ailey After Party)

Willie Iles Jr., Roland Martin, Judge Joel (Yates High School Founders Anniversary

2016 was a busy year for Houstonians. Here are 10 events that you read about in the Defender……..FRANKLIN BEAUTY SCHOOL 100-YEAR CELEBRATION…… ..A Century with Franklin event was held to honor local community and beauty legends at 51Fifteen Restaurant and Lounge. The event hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Ron Jemison Jr. celebrated 100 years of Houston history and also raised funds for coats to benefit kids for the winter. Honorees included Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Deborah Duncan, Kim Roxie, Tina Knowles, Jackie Adams, Helen Eley, Kimberly Aitch, Angie Williams, Tamika Fletcher and Corey Ford. The night also included a special performance by Kathy Burrell and sounds

by DJ Primetime……..CAMAC 30th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION……..

Founded in 1986 by Nigerian-born Kase Lawal as an agricultural commodities trading company, CAMAC has evolved into a global energy services firm and celebrated its 30th anniversary at the Hilton Americas-Downtown. The night featured entertainment by Mary Griffin and Kool and the Gang. The guest list included Eileen Lawal, Dr. John Rudley, Dr. Docia Rudley, Councilman Jerry Davis, Rachel Andres Davis, Caroline Thorton, Fred Thorton, Christopher Ayinde, Elaine Ayinde, Tanyel Bennett, Judge Al Bennett, Judge Vanessa Gilmore, Dr. Kathy Flanagan and Lloyd Gite……..HOUSTON BLACK LEADERSHIP FORUM……..The Greater Houston Black Chamber in conjunction with the National Black MBA Association held the 2016 Houston Black Leadership Forum at Shell Auditorium on the Rice University campus. The forum theme was “Beyond Survival: Elevating the Standard for Black Houston.”

The guest speaker was Dr. Pamela Jolly, founder & CEO of Torch Enterprises.

The panelists included Community of Faith Pastor James Dixon, Marcus Davis of the Breakfast Klub and Defender CEO & Publisher Sonny Messiah Jiles. Also in attendance were Courtney Johnson Rose, Vernita Harris, Jodie Jiles, Theodore Williams III, Dean William Glick, Lina Bell, Larry Payne, Laurie Robinson, Cheryl Beausoleil, Frederick Barksdale and Triston Sutton ……..

CORNELL WILLIAM BROOKS AT UH……..The University of Houston Law Center hosted NAACP President and CEO Cornell William Brooks as part of the Yale L. Rosenberg lecture and reception. Brooks discussed racial profiling and a detailed study titled “Born Suspect: Tragedies of Racial Profiling.”

Guests were able to ask questions and talk one-on-one with the NAACP president as they enjoyed cocktails More photos on de and hors d’oeuvres. Those in attendance included NAACP Houston Branch President James Douglas, Executive Director Yolanda Smith, Jylise Smith, Leonard Baynes, Ellen Marrus, Laura Oren, Dr. Ewlyn Lee, Leonard James, Howard Jefferson, Carmen Watkins, Kim Baynes and university students and faculty……..KTSU MEET & GREET……..KTSU 90.9 FM hosted an open house and meet & greet reception for its new General Manager Ernest Walker in the station’s multi-purpose room. Walker, a music industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience in business, production, entertainment, and fundraising was named general manager in March. Breakfast was provided by the Breakfast Klub.

Those in attendance included Eva Pickens, Carl Davis, Natalie Walker, Chris Walker, Joanna Walker and Gregory Dennis……..WRITER’S BLOCK LIVE

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vents

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na Bell (Houston Black Leadership

James Douglas, Cornell William Brooks, Jylise Smith (Cornell William Brooks at University of Houston)

Ernest Walker, Eva Pickens, Gregory Dennis (KTSU Reception for GM Ernest Walker)

Clouser and Carolyn Scantlebury y Gala)

Argentina James, Anna Maria Horsford, Mayor Sylvester Turner (Ensemble Theatre 40th Anniversary Gala)

Pastor Rudy Rasmus, Yolanda Adams, Emilian White (“Yolanda Adams Morning Show” Meet & Greet)

SHOWCASE……..The Writer’s Block organization held a live talent showcase with the theme “Where the Pen is Stronger than the Gun” at Social Junkie Sports Bar and Grill. The talent line-up embodied the organization’s mission as it included a combination of artists and poets – founder A.J. McQueen, spoken word artist Prentice Powell, Norman Sanchez, Tro’Juan Henderson, Raw, Kodak, Coco Sullivan, Q Guyton, Hilary Pradia, IamJustified and Desmond.

Guests included Cameron Fulford, Kimberly Onyia, Shanee Quarles, Patience Agholor, Brandon Hamilton and Charles Wright……..ALVIN AILEY AFTER PARTY……..Gerald and Anita Smith and family hosted an after-performance reception at their home for members of the Alvin Ailey Dance Company. fendernetwork.com A special shout-out goes to dancer Marcus Jarrell Willis from Houston who wowed the audience as he danced to Donny Hathaway’s “A Song for You.” It was spell-binding. Guests at the reception included Society for the Performing Arts CEO June Christensen, board member Tymothi Tombar and wife Charlene, Joan Ravasy, Terry Zeno, Desrye Morgan, Ethel Porter, Troy Porter, Traci Porter, Sameer Abusalah and Jasmine Fail. Alvin Ailey company members included Associate Artistic Director Masazumi Chaya, Akua Noni Parker, Samatha Figgins, Ghrai DeVore, Sheyi Ojofeitimi and Danica Paulos……..

YATES HIGH SCHOOL FOUNDER’S ANNIVERSARY GALA……..The Jack Yates National Alumni Association celebrated its 90th Anniversary Founder’s Gala at the Power Center. During the reception, alumni conducted a roll call for the

TOP EVENTS

he Houston area for over 85 years

classes of each decade from the ‘30s to the ‘90s. The gala was part of a three-day celebration of their anniversary. In attendance at the gala were Shelby Stewart, Jacqueline Bostic McElroy, Jacqueline Bostic, Carolyn Scantlebury, Roland Martin, Willie Iles Jr., Judge Joel Clouser, Rev. Charles Dickson, Gloria Scott Randle, Maxine Williams and a host of others……..ENSEMBLE GALA……..

The Ensemble Theatre held its 40th Anniversary Black Tie Gala at the Hilton Americas-Houston. The event was organized to recognize artists, companies and individuals who support the Ensemble. The gala held a mayor’s reception and auction with Mayor Sylvester Turner. Guests were treated to live entertainment by the Yvonne Washington band. Honorees at the gala included Louis Gossett Jr., Angela Robinson, Harry Lennix, Anna Maria Horsford, C. J. Emmons, Mildred Bright and Willie Bright. Corporate partners receiving awards were Houston First Corporation and Metro. In attendance at the gala were Dr. Austin Lane, Deborah Duncan, Rev. Drs. Yolande and Joe Palmore, Tony Glover, Janiece Longoria, Paula McCann-Harris, John Rolfe, Argentina James, Alaina Benford and a host of others……..……..MORNING SHOW MEET & GREET………The Yolanda Adams Morning Show Meet & Greet was held at Amazing 102.5 FM. For the show’s return to the radio station, the YAMS team held a panel discussion about the new elements of the show. They also held a Q&A. Fans received a chance to meet the team and take pictures. In attendance were Yolanda Adams, Pastor Rudy Rasmus, Emilian White, Marcus D. Wiley, Latyce McKenna, Kim Aitch, Marcus Ecby, Shawn Christopher, Michele and Rochele Thompkins, Nettie Jones and many more.

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DEFENDER | DECEMBER 22 | 2016

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sports

Top 10

college & pro sports stories

By MAX EDISON Defender

Janet Jackson once sang, “Funny how time flies when you’re having fun.”

That’s one way to sum up 2016. As we close out the year, two Houstonarea athletes gained international acclaim, our two local HBCUs had some good sporting news and we can’t wait for Super Bowl 51. On a sad note, we lost one of the greatest sports stars in history. That being the case, let’s review the top 10 stories from the college and professional ranks.

Farewell to ‘The Greatest’ Sports icon Muhammad Ali, who the world first knew as Cassius Clay, died on June 3. He was Ali, the 1960 Olympic light heavyweight gold medalist; Ali, three-time undisputed heavyweight champion of the world; Ali, Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Century; Ali, Presidential Medal of Freedom and Presidential Citizens Medal recipient; Ali, international social activist for justice, peace, freedom and equality; Ali, floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee; Ali, shaking up the world; Ali, pretty; Ali, quite simply “The Greatest” of all time. RIP champ!

Continued on page 13

Muhammad Ali, who was admired in and out of the boxing ring, died at age 74.

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DECEMBER 22 | 2016 | DEFENDER

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Top 10 College & Pro Sports Continued from page 12

The Simones dominate

Two young women named Simone from the Houston area traveled to Rio for the 2016 Summer Olympics.

One Simone, last name Biles from Spring, dominated the gymnastics categories capturing gold in the vault, floor exercise, all around and team. Simone Biles also picked up a bronze in the balance beam. The second Simone, last name Manuel from Sugarland, made Olympic history in the pool. Simone Manuel brought home gold in the 100-meter freestyle and the 4x100 meter medley. She also earned silver in the 50-meter freestyle and the 4x100-meter freestyle.

Strong out, Herman in

It took three years for the brain trust at the University of Texas to decide the football rebuilding job instituted by head coach Charlie Strong was taking too long. Despite changing the culture of UT football to one with more character and integrity, those intangibles couldn’t offset a 16-21 record. As Strong exited stage right, in stepped University of Houston head coach Tom Herman, the man who made Cougar football relevant again. Herman, a former UT football grad assistant, always considered Texas his dream job. A 22-4 record at UH, including victories over Florida State, Oklahoma and Louisville, made that dream a reality.

UH replaced Herman with offensive coordinator Major Applewhite, a former UT quarterback.

PVAMU opens complex

If ever there was an athletic department anywhere in America that needed an athletic facility upgrade it was at Prairie View A&M University. Now the Panthers have a $70 million facility that would be the envy of any comparable sized university in the nation.

The stadium boasts a seating capacity of 15,000 and amenities that include: a covered concourse with concessions and merchandising space; premium seating and luxury seats, and a press level. The Athletic Field House immediately adjacent to the stadium, houses a strength and conditioning area, sports medicine suite, team meeting rooms, academic support space and locker rooms.

Rockets take new direction

The Houston Rockets made big changes during the offseason. After three years center Dwight Howard opted out of his contract and signed a free agent deal with Atlanta. The team hired Mike D’Antoni as their new head coach, replacing Kevin McHale.

They acquired Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon through free agency and moved James Harden to point guard. How effective will these changes be?

Who knows, but short-term results look promising.

TSU wins in SWAC The Texas Southern University Tigers captured the SWAC’s regular season basketball crown in 2016 with a 16-2 conference record. The Tigers were led by the stellar play of center Derrick Griffin. He was recognized as Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Newcomer of the Year, while his head coach Mike Davis earned SWAC Coach of the Year honors for the third time in four seasons.

Clockwise from top left: Tom Herman left UH to become head football coach at UT, replacing Charlie Strong; Simone Manuel became the first African-American woman to win an individual gold medal in swimming; The Rockets’ moved James Harden to point guard, one of several offseason changes; PVAMU unveiled a state-of-the-art athletic facility, including a stadium that can seat 15,000.

Cleveland takes NBA title

Like the cheesy plot from an after-school movie, hometown hero LeBron James led the Cavs back from a 3-1 deficit to beat the defending world champion Golden State Warriors on the road. As a result Cleveland captured their first sports world championship in 50 years.

KD exits OKC

After nine years as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder, free agent Kevin Durant bolted from the Sooner State and joined the Golden State Warriors.

Durant, a former league MVP (2014), four-time scoring champion and seven-time All-Star, has accomplished everything except winning an NBA title. He hopes to grab that elusive ring as a Warrior.

Final Four drama

In what amounted to a dress rehearsal for the Super Bowl, NRG Stadium was home to the NCAA Men’s Final Four. Oklahoma, Syracuse, North

Carolina and Villanova comprised the 2016 field.

The two-session Final Four attendance totaled 149,845, the second-highest attendance in Men’s Final Four history. The championship game attendance of 74,340 is also the second-highest in championship game history. The semifinals round marked an NRG Stadium attendance record with 75,505 fans. The finals produced a classic match-up between the N.C. Tarheels and ‘Nova. The Wildcats prevailed with a three-point buzzer beater as time expired, winning 77-74.

Super Bowl countdown begins

As soon as the confetti started to fall marking the conclusion of Super Bowl 50 in Santa Clara, Calif. back in February, Houston was officially on the clock. Super Bowl 51 takes place on Feb. 5, 2017 at NRG Stadium. The event itself figures to be a huge economic windfall for the greater Houston area. Expect the Super Bowl to bring more than a million tourists to town, generating close to a billion dollars for area businesses.

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Top 10 Local

Continued from page 4

Democrats win locally While Democrats lost on the national level in the November elections, local races benefitted from the high Democratic turnout. In a first for Harris County, a Black woman will become tax assessorcollector after Ann Harris Bennett beat out Republican incumbent Mike Sullivan in his bid for re-election. In addition, former Houston homicide investigator-turnedCity Councilman Ed Gonzalez edged out a victory in the race for Harris County sheriff in the race against incumbent Ron Hickman.

In another hard-fought race, Democratic challenger Kim Ogg ousted GOP incumbent Devon Anderson to take control of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.

Voter ID weakened A federal appeals court ruled that Texas’ voter identification law was discriminatory.

The state later reached an agreement with the Justice Department and minority rights groups that weakened the voter ID law for the November general election. Under the new terms, registered voters without an ID could sign an affidavit certifying they were a U.S. citizen and present proof of residence. The overturned law required voters to have photo IDs and other strict identification requirements. Republicans said the law was intended to curb voter

Unity Bank saw an increase in customers as the Black-on-Black banking movement grew.

fraud. Democrats countered that the law sought to reduce turnout of minorities, seniors, college students and the poor.

credit unions or savings & loan associations.

Black banking, buying encouraged

Sandra Bland’s family reached a $1.9 million settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit against Waller County, several county employees and former Texas Department of Public Safety trooper Brian Encinia, who arrested Bland during a traffic stop in July, 2015. Bland, 28, was found dead in her jail cell three days after she was pulled over.

Her death, which was ruled a suicide, prompted protests and made national headlines. With one major legal battle behind them, Bland’s survivors, along with jail reform advocates, promised to take their fight for change to the political and legislative arena.

As part of a new form of protest, supporting Black banks and businesses was promoted as a strategy for fighting injustice and police violence. Locally, Unity National Bank experienced an unprecedented rush of new customers. Days after the tragedies in Baton Rouge, Minneapolis and Dallas, more than 350 people opened accounts at Unity. Such a surge was monumental for a bank that previously had roughly 4,100 accounts. Unity’s president and CEO greeted customers in a packed lobby and pledged to reinvest in the community. The U.S. has 23 Black-owned banks,

MAYOR SYLVESTER TURNER:

MAKING A LIST AND CHECKING IT TWICE… Pol. adv. Sylvester Turner Campaign

Bland family reaches settlement

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DECEMBER 22 | 2016 | DEFENDER

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h.s. zone

Top 10

High school sports stories

By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender

Student-athletes in the greater Houston area excel in a variety of different sports. While football, basketball, baseball, softball and volleyball garner most of the headlines, in 2016, track and field gets to take a bow on center stage. Not one but two Houston area high school track and field powerhouses brought home state championship trophies.

Four other Houston schools got to the state title game in other sports and came up a tad short. Here are the top 10 stories.

Stafford takes track

Marshall boys repeat

Stafford High School won its first boys’ state track and field championship by amassing 50 points in the Class 4A state meet and outlasting a five-hour lightning delay and the best efforts of runner-up Atlanta (36) and third-place Dallas Hutchins (32). Spartans junior Cam Montgomery won three medals, including a gold medal in the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.70 seconds. Montgomery joined teammates Christopher Brantley, James Brown and David Allison to finish second in the 4X200 relay.

The Spartans came within an eyelash of a state team title in 2015.

Fort Bend Marshall repeated as boys’ Class 5A state track and field champs with two relays claiming a gold medal.

With 52 points Marshall held off both Lancaster and Waxahachie with 36 points. Members of the Buffalos 4X100 (40.13) and 4X200 (1:24.19) relay teams included Shamon Ehlemua, Cedarian Lynch, Jarmaiz Whitaker, John Isom and Jeremy Smith. Ehlemua also won a gold medal in the 200-meter dash. Marshall already has its sights on a three-peat in 2017.

Stafford’s 4X200 relay team featured Christopher Brantley, James Brown, David Allison and Cameron Montgomery.

Continued on page 16

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Top 10 HS Sports Continued from page 15

Klein runner wins big Imani Nave of Klein High School made history when she won a gold medal in the Class 6A girls’ 200-meter dash at the state meet in Austin.

Running out of lane eight, normally less than an ideal spot, Nave crossed the finish line in 23.66 seconds to become the first sprinter since the school opened in 1938 to place first at state. Nave credited a great start out of the blocks for propelling her to victory. Just before the state meet Nave signed a track scholarship to Stephen F. Austin University.

Atascocita upset at state Atascocita High School was the home of the No. 1-ranked boys Class 6A basketball team from preseason all the way to the state title game.

Unfortunately, nobody gave No. 4 DeSoto a script for the Eagles’ storybook ending. Atascocita won its first 38 games of the season only to be derailed 73-54 by DeSoto in game 39. DeSoto earned the state title and Atascocita settled for runner-up. Carsen Edwards led Atascocita with 20 points, including four 3-pointers. Atascocita defeated Houston Math, Science and Technology (formerly Sam Houston) 78-67 in the state semifinals. Fabian White is the lone returning starter for the Eagles.

Dekaney girls advance The Spring Dekaney girls advanced to the Class 6A state championship game in basketball only to face unbeaten juggernaut Duncanville. Dekaney finished the season 37-2 following a disheartening 76-42 loss to the Pantherettes. Since 2012 Dekaney has made two trips to the state title game and two trips to the regional finals. Jaelyn RichardHarris was a four-year starter for head coach Stacy Stroman.

Pearland falls short Fourteen Pearland High School seniors harbored grand visions of winning the school’s third state softball title before going their separate ways to college. All 14 had signed scholarships to play softball on the collegiate level. Yet after defeating Weslaco 4-0 in the state semifinals to advance to the Class 6A state championship game, disaster struck.

Keller defeated the Oilers 5-0 to win its school’s third state title and first since 2005. Top Pearland players included Alyssa Denham, Lindsey Stewart, Sydney Gutierrez, Madison Clements and Ashlynn Walls.

Elkins comes close Fort Bend Elkins advanced to the boys’ state basketball tournament for the first time in school history and was the No. 1 seed in the Class 5A bracket. After defeating Beaumont Ozen for the Region III-5A crown, Elkins knocked off Fort Worth Dunbar 101-73 to earn a berth against defending champion Lancaster in the 5A championship game. Lancaster ousted Edinburg Vela (79-58) in the other 5A semifinal. Trailing by 13 points, Elkins came within 55-54 with five minutes to play before succumbing 67-64. Standouts for the Knights included Ken Busby, Ansu Sesay, Eddie Everline, Chad Bowie, Tyrik Armstrong and Chandler Jacobs.

Clockwise from top left: Kesean Carter was a standout wide receiver for The Woodlands; Dekaney girls earned a berth in the state basketball tournament for the second time since 2012; Hightower’s mile relay unit consisted of Jyria Smith, Tyler Rose, Evette Blanks and Birexus Hawkins; Atascocita’s boys’ basketball team emerged as a 2016 Class 6A state runners-up.

Langham Creek in semifinals The Langham Creek Lobos flourished in the role of underdog while completing the most successful baseball season in school history. The 30-12 Lobos were fourth-round playoff casualties the past two years before a break-through performance in 2016 that landed Langham Creek in the Class 6A state baseball tournament. While eliminating stateranked Westside and Pearland, No. 1 nationally ranked Deer Park and defending state champion Cypress Ranch, Langham Creek captured six elimination-game victories. Eventual state champ Dallas Jesuit ended Langham Creek’s season (2-0) in the state semifinals.

Woodlands receiver excels Receiver Kesean Carter of The Woodlands High School is a standout player on one of the top high school football teams in Texas. The Highlanders won 14 consecutive games to open the 2016

season and qualified for the state semifinals in Class 6A Division I. Against defending state champion George Ranch, Carter recorded four touchdown passes in a single game. Highlanders quarterback Eric Schmid, son of head coach Mark Schmid, has a dynamic receiving corps that includes Carter, Christopher Stewart and Dylan Casey. When Carter returns for his senior season, he’ll be a blue-chip college recruit.

Hightower gets gold The Hightower High School girls’ mile relay unit of Birexus Hawkins, Jyria Smith, Tyler Rose and Evette Blanks was the best in Texas and one of the tops in the nation in 2016. In the grand finale at the UIL state high school track and field meet at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Hightower overcame bad weather and won the gold medal with a time of three minutes, 42.06 seconds.

Cypress Springs placed second and third place went to McKinney Boyd.

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Top 10 Entertainment Continued from page 8

Blacks score at Emmys The Emmys haven’t necessarily been known for their diversity throughout the years. Last year, 13 Black nominees held spots in the key categories, and only five Black women (in all of its history) had been nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series by the time Viola Davis historically won in 2015. This year, 27 nominees were recognized across all categories, making it the most Black nominees in Emmy history. Black Emmy winners for acting included Courtney B. Vance, Regina King and Sterling K. Brown.

Year of Black superhero Given all the criticism recent superhero movies have faced for featuring mostly white males, 2016 may seem like a decisive rebuttal. Getting Hollywood to believe that movies featuring superheroes of color could be successful on that level has taken time. But 2016 saw more than it’s share. Don Cheadle (War Machine), Anthony Mackie (The Falcon) and Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther) all debuted in “Captain America: Civil War.” Boseman’s Black Panther will get his own movie in 2018. Other Black or biracial superheroes we saw in TV and film this year included Will Smith playing Deadshot in “Suicide Squad,” Alexandra Shipp as Storm in “X-Men: Apocalypse” and Mike Colter as Luke Cage in Netflix’s TV series of the same name.

Leslie Jones harassed Right on the heels of her co-starring role in the “Ghostbusters” remake, online harassment and humiliation of “Saturday Night Live” star Leslie Jones became a national story. The Department of Homeland Security investigated the hacking of her personal website, and even Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton expressed her support for the actress. It appears that Jones’ perceived resilience in the face of initial attacks on her physical appearance, the support she received from her peers and the public, as well as the joy she displayed with her popular run of social media posts from the Rio Olympics, only emboldened her haters to go even further.

Mary J. Blige divorce The soon-to-be-ex-husband of the queen of hiphop soul made news when he requested almost $130,000 per month in spousal support. Kendu Isaacs, who married Blige in 2003 and was once her manager, claimed to have needed: $129,319 per month for expenses such as $7,000 rent, $8,000 for a private chef, $3,200 for a personal trainer, $1,000 for clothing, $21,677 for charities and $71,000 for mortgages on several properties. He also requested that Blige, 45, pay him $5,000 per month in child support for his three children from a previous relationship. The couple did have a prenup but Isaacs sought to have it voided on the grounds that he didn’t “understand what he was signing.”

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Top 10 National Continued from page 6

Obama commutes sentences In keeping with his belief that the United States is a nation of second chances, President Barack Obama issued 170 commutations to federal inmates during an eight-day period in November. Since taking office, Obama has commuted the sentences of 1,023 men and women incarcerated under “outdated and unduly harsh sentencing laws,” including 342 individuals who were serving life sentences. Obama has also granted commutations to more prisoners than the past 11 presidents combined.

The majority were offenders sentenced for nonviolent drug crimes.

Flint water crisis Six current and former state employees were charged in an ongoing criminal investigation into the Flint, Mich. water crisis. According to prosecutors, the allegations showed “a concerted effort to cover up warning signs of lead poisoning” in Flint, where Blacks make up 56 percent of the population. In 2014, the city changed its water source from treated Detroit water to the Flint River. Thousands of residents have been since exposed to drinking water with high levels of lead that could cause a range of serious health problems.

NAACP takes on charter schools The board of directors of the NAACP ratified a resolution passed at its national convention calling for a moratorium on charter expansion and strengthening charter oversight. The NAACP vote came after intense lobbying against the resolution from the industry and its allies. The organization faced a backlash as a result of the resolution. The Black Alliance for Education Options, a coalition of 160 education and community leaders, urged the NAACP to reconsider its stance.

President Obama has commuted the sentences of more than 1,000 men and women since taking office.

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in memoriam Deaths in 2016 Continued from page 2

DENISE MATTHEWS

GLORIA NAYLOR

ALMA NEWSOM

BILL NUNN

CARROLL OLIVER

The award-winning author whose stories chronicled the experiences of Black women in the 1980s and ‘90s died Sept. 28 at age 66 of a heart attack. Her 1982 debut novel “The Women of Brewster Place” followed seven Black women in a housing project. The novel won the 1983 National Book Award for First Fiction. It was adapted into a 1989 TV miniseries and starred Oprah Winfrey, Cicely Tyson and Robin Givens. Her other novels included “Mama Day” and “Bailey’s Café.”

The Houston TV news pioneer died Nov. 4 of natural causes.

She was 70. Newsom was one of the first local Black female news anchors and TV executives.

She became the first full-time community affairs director at KHOU-TV Channel 11 in 1973, and became a reporter and weekend anchor in 1975. She resumed her community affairs director role in 1978, serving as a talk show host and human resources advisor. She became KHOU’s assistant program manager in 1981 and program manager in 1982.

The actor known as Radio Raheem in Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing” died of leukemia on Sept. 24 at age 62. Nunn attended Morehouse College with Lee and said the Radio Raheem role was “huge.” Nunn also acted in Lee’s movies “School Daze,” “Mo’ Better Blues” and “He Got Game.” He appeared in other films such as “New Jack City,” “Sister Act,” the “SpiderMan” trilogy and “Kiss the Girls.” In 2014-15 he played a paramedic on the USA Network sitcom “Sirens.”

The owner of three McDonald’s in Houston was shot to death on Jan. 11 during an attempted robbery. He was 69. Oliver was gunned down at his restaurant in the 5300 block of East Freeway during his morning run to the bank. According to the Houston Police Department, an assailant was waiting for Oliver and appeared to know his routine. HPD and Crime Stoppers asked for the public’s help in identifying two suspects, and a $50,000 reward was offered.

ALICE RAINS

JOHN SAUNDERS

NATE THURMOND

TRAY WALKER

MAURICE WHITE

The mother of the late Congressman Mickey Leland died on April 2 at age 92. She served 35 years in HISD as a teacher, curriculum coordinator supervisor and principal. She was a Cub Scouts den mother, and a member of the PTA, NAACP and Democratic National Committee. She was married to George Thomas Leland II. After his death she was married to the late Dr. David Rains. Mickey Leland died in a 1989 plane crash while on a relief mission in Ethiopia.

The ESPN sportscaster died of unknown causes on Aug. 10 at age 61. His family said Saunders hadn’t been feeling well in the days leading up to his death.

Saunders joined ESPN in 1986 as a “SportsCenter” anchor. He hosted “The Sports Reporters,” “NFL Primetime,” “Baseball Night in America,” “NBA Shootaround” and other programs for the network. He came to ESPN from a Baltimore TV station.

Saunders was a native of Canada and played hockey at Western Michigan University.

The 6-foot-11 Hall of Fame center, one of the top NBA players of the ‘60s and ‘70s, died July 16 of leukemia at age 74. Thurmond played 11 of his 14 seasons with the Golden State Warriors and retired after the 1976-1977 season, one year after leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a trip to the NBA Finals before losing to Boston. His No. 42 was retired by the Warriors and the Cavaliers. Thurmond was voted one of the best 50 players in NBA history.

The Baltimore Ravens and former Texas Southern University cornerback died on March 18 from injuries sustained when he was hit by a car while riding a dirt bike in Liberty City, Fla. He was 23. Walker grew up in Miami. He was an All-SWAC defensive back as a senior and a TSU graduate. He was chosen in the fourth round by the Ravens in the 2015 NFL draft. Walker made the Ravens roster, playing in eight games, mostly as a special team standout.

The Earth, Wind & Fire founder died Feb. 3 at age 74. He suffered from Parkinson’s Disease.

Earth, Wind & Fire has sold more than 90 million albums and recorded such hits as “September,” “Let’s Groove,” “Shining Star” and “Reasons.” White was born in Memphis. He later attended the Chicago Conservatory of Music. He joined the Ramsey Lewis Trio in 1967 and formed Earth Wind & Fire in 1969. He wanted his music to convey “messages of universal love and harmony.”

The singer formerly known as Vanity died Feb. 15 from kidney failure. She was 57. Matthews was lead singer of the girl group Vanity 6 in the early 1980s. They recorded the hit single “Nasty Girl,” which was produced by Prince. Matthews recorded two solo albums for Motown and co-starred in the movies “The Last Dragon” and “Action Jackson.” She became a born-again Christian after a near-fatal drug overdose in 1994 and received a kidney transplant in 1997.

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