MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY KWANZAA & HAPPY NEW YEAR
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Volume 85 | Number 8
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DEFENDER | DECEMBER 24 | 2015
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in memoriam
Deaths in 2015
Khyrstin (Kyssi) Andrews, the 6-year-old who touched Houstonians with her valiant fight against cancer, died June 7. Kyssi was made an honorary HPD police officer and an honorary state trooper. She visited Gov. Rick Perry’s office and sat in his chair. Followers got to know Kyssi through her Facebook page, constantly updated by her mother. It shared her highs and lows, giving her 294,000 followers an inside look at the battles families face dealing with cancer.
Ernie Banks, a Major League Baseball legend, died Jan. 23. He was 83. Known as “Mr. Cub,” Banks was a two-time MVP and Hall of Famer who played his 19-year career as member of the Chicago Cubs. Banks, a shortstop and first baseman, was known for his prowess on the baseball diamond and cheerful demeanor. A Dallas native, Banks began his career in the Negro Leagues. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013.
Andrae Crouch, a legendary gospel singer and songwriter, died at age 72 on Jan. 8. Crouch and his sister, Sandra, also a singer, were pastors at a church in suburban Los Angeles. Crouch won nine Grammy Awards, six Dove Awards and two Image Awards, and received an Oscar nomination for “The Color Purple” music. His songs included “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power,” “My Tribute (To God Be the Glory)” and “I’ll Be Thinking of You.”
Darryl Dawkins, the NBA dunk legend, died Aug. 27 at age 58 of a heart attack. Dawkins began his NBA career in 1975, when he was drafted directly from high school. He spent the majority of his career playing for the Philadelphia 76ers and the New Jersey Nets. He was nicknamed the Chocolate Thunder. In 1979, he shattered two backboards in separate games. His 57.2 field goal percentage is seventh best in NBA history.
Julian Bond, a founding member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and past board chairman of the NAACP, died Aug. 15 at age 75. During his time with SNCC, Bond protested against segregation of public facilities in Georgia. Later, as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives, he was a vocal critic of the Vietnam War. Bond was also a writer, poet, author and professor. He narrated the civil rights documentary “Eyes on the Prize.”
Edward Brooke, who in 1966 became the first AfricanAmerican popularly elected to the U.S. Senate, died Jan. 3. He was 95. Brooke, a liberal Republican who influenced major anti-poverty laws, served as Massachusetts senator 12 years, and was the state’s attorney general from 1963 to 1967. In the Senate, Brooke served on the powerful Appropriations Committee and became the ranking Republican on the Banking Committee. Brooke co-sponsored the Fair Housing Act of 1968.
Ornette Coleman, the visionary saxophonist and composer who pioneered free jazz in the late 1950s, died June 11. He was 85. Coleman received a 2007 Pulitzer Prize for music. Coleman was regarded as one of the greatest innovators in jazz history along with Louis Armstrong and Charlie Parker. Free jazz challenged the bebop establishment by abandoning the conventional song form and liberating musicians to freely improvise. Coleman was born in Fort Worth.
Darryl Hamilton, a former Major League Baseball player, was found shot to death in Pearland on June 21. He was 50. Authorities said Monica Jordan, Hamilton’s girlfriend and mother of his child, killed Hamilton and then herself. Hamilton was a standout center fielder who played for the New York Mets team that reached the 2000 World Series. He also played for the Brewers, Rangers, Giants and Rockies. He later joined the MLB Network as an analyst.
B.B. King, a blues legend whose musical career spanned nearly 70 years, died May at the age of 89. The 15-time Grammy winner continued to perform well into his 80s. King was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. His hits included “Three O’Clock Blues,” “You Don’t Know Me,” “Please Love Me” and “Don’t Answer The Door, Part I.” His most popular crossover hit was 1970’s “The Thrill Is Gone.”
Ben E. King, an R&B singer and record producer, died April 30 at age 76. King was lead singer for the Drifters and a solo star best known for his classic song “Stand By Me.” King’s other well-known songs included “Spanish Harlem,” “Save the Last Dance for Me,” “This Magic Moment” and “There Goes My Baby.” King was a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He continued writing, recording and performing to sold-out crowds.
Continued on Page 14
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DEFENDER 24 | 2015 | DEFENDER
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Top 10 local stories By MARILYN MARSHALL Defender
The year 2015 will be remembered as a year of change for Black Houstonians, from electing a new mayor to witnessing two educational leaders resign. Here are the top 10 local stories that you read about in the Defender.
Mayor-elect Sylvester Turner thanked supporters for his runoff victory.
w Turner elected mayor
Sylvester Turner, a state representative for 26 years, was elected mayor of Houston. Turner defeated businessman Bill King in a close runoff race, and will become Houston’s second Black mayor – Lee P. Brown was the first. Turner said every area of the city and every Houstonian
deserves to be represented, “whether you voted for me or not.” He has numerous pressing issues to address when he takes office, including the city budget, pension problem, infrastructure and public safety. Also in the runoff, another African-American, Amanda Edwards, was elected to the City Council At Large Position 4. Continued on Page 4
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DEFENDER | DECEMBER 24 | 2015
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Dr. John Rudley announ ced his resignation fro m TSU at commenceme nt.
16. ing HISD in 20 at he was leav th d ce un no an t Terry Grier Superintenden
Top 10 Local... Continued from page 3
w Grier leaving HISD
HISD Superintendent Terry Grier announced that he was resigning as leader of the largest school district in Texas, effective March 1, 2016. Grier, who became superintendent six years ago, thanked “Team HISD” for its support during his tenure. The district said that under Grier’s leadership, the dropout rate declined, scholarship offers increased and suspensions decreased. The HISD board hired a search firm to help find a replacement for Grier. He faced criticism from some members of the Black community in recent years concerning underperforming schools and school closings. Grier, 64, said he has not decided on his next move, but is not retiring.
w TSU’s Rudley resigns
Texas Southern University President Dr. John M. Rudley announced that he will step down as president at the conclusion of the 2015-2016 academic year. A transition team will be appointed in the coming weeks and TSU will hire a
national search firm to work with Rudley in identifying his replacement. “When I arrived eight years ago, I always felt that I would come in with Obama and go out with him,” Rudley said. “Today, I know that my instincts were correct. I thank you all for your support during my time as president of Texas Southern University.”
w Ron Reynolds convicted
A Montgomery County jury sentenced State Rep. Ron Reynolds of Missouri City to a year in jail and a fine of several thousand dollars after he was convicted of illegal solicitation of legal clients, also known as “ambulance chasing.” Reynolds said he is confident justice will prevail in his appeal of his conviction and hopes to be re-elected to the Texas House. He also said he experienced a “gross injustice” which exemplifies racial bias in the legal system. His case is on appeal to the 9th Circuit Court in Beaumont. He is being challenged in the March primary by Steve Brown, a former Fort Bend Democratic Party chairman. Continued on Page 18
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national
Top 10
national stories By RESHONDA TATE BILLINGSLEY Defender
The year 2015 was one marked with controversy and frustrations – with policing at the center of much of the news. Whether it was battles in the Supreme Court or major marches, 2015 was a year full of events to be remembered. Following is a recap of the top national stories you read about.
w Police scrutinized
The killing of African-Americans by white police officers continued to put the United States at a crossroads on matters of race relations and law enforcement. The videotaped shooting of Walter Scott in North Charleston, S.C., following a traffic stop was one example. In Chicago, Mayor Rahm Emanuel fired Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy after protestors and civil rights leaders said McCarthy botched the investigation into the year-old fatal shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald by Officer Jason Van Dyke. The city was rocked by protests over the incident, including a large demonstration the day after Thanksgiving.
w Obamacare upheld
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a major component of President Barack Obama‘s landmark health care overhaul, in a ruling that preserved health insurance for millions of Americans. The justices said in a 6-3 ruling that 8.7 million Americans are entitled to continue receiving nationwide tax subsidies to make health insurance affordable regardless of local regulations in their states. The outcome was the second major victory for Obama in politically-charged Supreme Court tests of his most significant domestic achievement. The 2010 law, called the Affordable Care Act, prevents insurers from denying coverage because of “pre-existing” health conditions. It requires almost everyone in the U.S. to be insured and provides financial help to consumers Continued on Page 6
Chicago demonstrators protest the police shooting death of Laquan McDonald.
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w Bland case garners national attention
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A review by the U.S. Justice Department found that the Ferguson Police Department engaged in a pattern of racially biased enforcement that permeated the city’s justice system. The police department routinely violated the constitutional rights of Black residents by stopping drivers without reasonable suspicion, making arrests without probable cause and using excessive force. According to the Justice Department, AfricanAmericans account for 67 percent of the population in Ferguson, but they accounted for 85 percent of the drivers stopped by police, 90 percent of the people issued tickets and 93 percent of the people arrested.
Continued on Page 19
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w Charleston churchgoers killed
Nine people were killed at historic Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C., including Pastor and State Sen. Clementa Pinckney. Dylann Roof was later arrested and allegedly opened fire after church members prayed for him at Bible study. He cited a hatred of Blacks as his motivation. Roof’s embrace of the Confederate flag created a debate over racist symbols, and the flag was taken down from the South Carolina State Capitol. President Obama delivered an impassioned eulogy
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The week after Sandra Bland was found dead in a Waller, Texas jail cell after what appeared to be a routine traffic stop, her name started trending on social media. Facebook users began sharing video of Bland’s arrest and photos of the 28-year-old woman. Twitter users brewed a conspiracy theory that Bland’s death, which authorities have said was suicide, had been staged by police. In the latest development, a judge set a January 2017 trial date in the civil lawsuit filed by the family of Bland against Waller County DPS Trooper Brian Encinia and jailers who came in contact with Bland.
w Ferguson police found biased
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entertainment
Top 10
entertainment stories By RESHONDA TATE BILLINGSLEY Defender
Turn on any television, log on to any website, pick up any newspaper or magazine and chances are, you saw one of our top ten entertainment stories dominating the news. The Defender looks back over those entertainment stories that had us talking for days. w ‘Empire’ still a hit
While Fox’s “Empire” ratings dwindled, the show continued to remain popular. In early 2015, the hip-hop drama’s third episode climbed to 10.9 million viewers, shocking the industry. The midseason drama premiered big. Got bigger. Then got bigger again. The show boasted a star-studded guest list as celebrities personally asked to make appearances. The popularity even spread overseas, something that is almost unheard of for a predominantly Black cast. The success of “Empire” in the states caused international networks to think about acquiring the series, as well as other successful American shows with predominantly Black casts that were initially overlooked.
w Viola Davis gets Emmy
Viola Davis won the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her lead role as Annalise Keating on “How to Get Away with Murder” at the 67th annual EmmyAwards. “The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity,” Davis said during her acceptance speech, calling out to Taraji P. Henson and Kerry Washington, who were tearing up in the audience. “You cannot win an Emmy for roles that simply are not there.”
w Common/Legend win Oscar
“Glory” songwriters Common and John Legend (aka Lonnie Lynn and John Stephens) brought the audience to tears at the 2015 Oscars ceremony, earning a standing ovation for their performance of their Best Song nominee just a few minutes before they won the prize. It was the only Academy Award for Ava DuVernay’s “Selma,” which Continued on Page 8
Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson reunited in the hit Fox series “Empire.”
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DEFENDER | DECEMBER 24 | 2015
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ith Murder.” Get Away W to ow “H her role in history with ade Emmy m is av D la Vio
Common and John Legend took home Oscars for their mo ving
song “Glory.”
Top 10 Entertainment... Continued from page 7 documented the 1965 voting rights marches from Selma to Montgomery led by Martin Luther King, Jr. (David Oyelowo).
w Cosby drama continues
Actor Bill Cosby’s rough time continued as companies, colleges, and former friends severed ties over his sexual assault allegations. The number of women claiming he’d assaulted them reached 40. Cosby filed a defamation lawsuit against seven of his accusers, saying that “he neither drugged nor sexually assaulted the defendants and that each defendant has maliciously and knowingly published multiple false statements and accusations from Fall 2014 through the current day in an effort to cause damage to Mr. Cosby’s reputation and to extract financial gains,” according to Cosby’s attorney, Monique Pressley.
w Bobbi Kristina dies
Bobbi Kristina Brown, 22, the only child from the marriage of music legend Whitney Houston and R&B singer Bobby Brown passed away surrounded by family at the Peachtree Christian Hospice in Duluth, Ga. The last events of Brown’s life eerily paralleled those of her famous, embattled mother who was found on Feb. 11, 2012, unconscious in a Beverly Hills Hilton bathtub. Almost three years after Houston’s death, on Jan. 31 of this year, Brown, too, was found unresponsive, submerged in a bathtub, in her Atlanta area home. Since then she had been in the hospital, reportedly in a medically induced coma, and was more recently moved to the hospice facility.
ing year. groundbreak d enjoyed a an el op C isty Ballet star M
w Misty Copeland dances
Renowned ballet dancer Misty Copeland made history as the first Black female principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre and throughout the year, her star continued to rise. With a documentary in theaters, a visit to the White House and countless media interviews, she served as a role model for children and adults alike. Copeland acknowledged that money can be an obstacle to pursue a career in dance and encouraged dancers to seek out programs that “promote diversity” and seek out people that are passionate about the art. Continued on Page 9
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Bill Cosby’s reputation continued to take a hit because of sexual assault allegations
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Bobbi Kristina Brow n died tragically lik e her mother, Whit Houston ney
“Straight Outta Compton” made an impressive showing at the box office.
Top 10 Entertainment... Continued from page 8
w ‘War Room’ displays clout
In a year of box office triumphs, a low-budget movie with an African-American cast and overt Christian teachings emerged as a breakout surprise. “War Room,” a movie beckoning audiences to prayer, topped ticket sales even though its release was limited to a relatively small number of theaters. Behind the film’s popularity was a deepening partnership between the filmmakers and a network of influential pastors, which delivered millions of viewers Ministers – from tiny churches in rural North Carolina as well as large faith organizations such as the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Family Life and the Southern Baptist Convention — began pushing the film on social media and in their Sunday sermons, many of which are broadcast.
w ‘Straight Outta Compton’ draws fans
The biopic “Straight Outta Compton” enjoyed massive success at the box office, earning $200 million worldwide and making its name as one the highest-grossing films by a black director. The film, directed by F. Gary Gray, follows the story of the N.W.A. rap group and its members Eazy E, Dr. Dre and Ice Cube. It also made history when it became the highest grossing R-rated August opener ever. The movie opened at $60 million and stayed at the No. 1 spot in the box office for three straight weeks. Its stars included O’Shea Jackson Jr., Ice Cube’s real-life son.
w Serena faces backlash
Serena Williams faced racist and sexist backlash just hours after Sports Illustrated named the tennis star is its 2015 “Sportsperson of the Year.” A slew of mean-spirited tweets poking fun at her body type and physical appearance hit social media, while some have even argued that Triple Crown winner American Pharoah should have been given the honor. While it’s not uncommon for differing views to be expressed after Sports Illustrated releases its annual “Sportsperson of the Year” cover, the virulent and, at times, vile backlash to Williams seemed unprecedented.
w Patti’s pies go viral
If only Wal-Mart knew Patti LaBelle’s sweet potato pies would be such a big hit. The pies by LaBelle had been exclusively available at the retail stores for weeks, but they began flying off the shelves after Los Angeles-based singer James Wright Chanel posted a video of himself tasting the pie and singing the singer’s biggest hits. Since the video was posted, Wal-Mart stores throughout the country have reported selling out of the pies. The viral video, where Chanel sings LaBelle hits “If Only You Knew,” “You Are My Friend” and “On My Own,” has been viewed more than 7 million times on Facebook and more than 1 million times on YouTube.
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DEFENDER | DECEMBER 24 | 2015
topev
Happening in Houston For event coverage email: events@defendermediagroup.com
Councilman Larry Green, Nicole Murphy, Councilman Jerry Davis (Houston Area Urban League Equal Opportunity Gala)
Councilman Larry Green, Vernita Harris, George and Thomasine Johnson (Greater Houston Black Chamber Pinnacle Awards)
Bishop James Dixon, Erica Babino, Bill Duke, Nicque Montgomery, Patricia Williams, Uchenna Agu, Kevin Murray (Bill Duke visits the Imani School)
Rev. William Lawson and the late Audrey Lawson (Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church celebrates Troop 242)
YEAR IN REVIEW……..2015 was a busy year for Houstonians. Here are 10 events that topped the list of Houston happenings……..The Houston Area Urban League (HAUL) held Its Equal Opportunity Day Gala at the Hilton Americas-Downtown. Organization leaders and supporters showed off their skills in a non-competitive and fun dance for a cause. KPRC’s Khambrel Marshall and Syan Rhodes emceed the event. Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell, Dr. Teddy McDavid, and former President George H.W. Bush received awards. Those in attendance included Judson Robinson III, Yolanda Smith, Barbara Lewis, Caritha Hawthorne, Cary Yates, Kristyn Page, Dr. Karen Hofmeister, Chris Young, Rev. Byron Stevenson, Councilmembers Larry Green and Jerry Davis, Nicole Murphy and Ray Shackleford……..BILL DUKE VISITS IMANI SCHOOL……..The Imani School welcomed actor, director and author Bill Duke and the Duke Media Foundation for a screening of excerpts from the documentaries “Dark Girls” and “Light Girls.” The workshop featured a discussion on colorism as well as poetry read by students. Duke ended the event with a book-signing and photo opportunities. Those in attendance included Imani Head of School Patricia Williams, Ben Williams, Nicque Montgomery, Erica Babino, Kevin Murray, Bishop James Dixon, Uchenna Agu, Skylar Williams, Jyra Pringle, Subi Farayibi, Ryann Jordan, Taylor Ferguson and moderator Cai Flowers.…….MISTY COPELAND MEET & GREET…….Houston City Councilmember Dwight Boykins recently welcomed Misty Copeland to district D and the public at the Kingdom Builders Center. Copeland is the first African-American principal dancer at the American Ballet in New York City. Melanie Lawson and Lauren Anderson emceed the event and the audience participated in a Q&A with Copeland. Those in attendance included Rev. William Lawson, the late Audrey Lawson, State Rep. Ron
James Douglas, Anthony Hall Jr. (NAACP H
Reynolds, Chris Allen, Darlette Johnson-Bailey, James Harris, Nola Edwards, Hazel Sims, Doug Herron, Wynell Herron, Aiesha Odutayo, Ashley Thompson, Asia Thompson, Gia Johnson, Pete Johnson, Zoie Johnson and other supporters and fans........ NAREB WELCOME RECEPTION………..The National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) kicked off its 68th annual convention at the President’s Welcome Reception, held at the Wortham Theater. The convention theme was “Empowering Realists to Make a Change.” Houston Black Real Estate Association (HBREA) local board chair Gerald Womack emceed the event. Guests included NAREB President Donnell Spivey, HBREA President John Guess III, Ira Thomas, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, C. Renee Wilson, Larry Butler, Eduardo Castaneda, Duane Webb, Michael More photos on defe Innis-Thompson, Rick Sharga, Courtney Johnson Rose, Rose See Events on KTRK C Dixon, Congressman Al Green, Pastor Kirbyjon H. Caldwell and with Melanie Lawson o Antoine Thompson……..DELTA CONVENTION PARADE…….. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., one of the largest African-American organizations in the country, convened in Houston for the week-long 52nd national convention. The convention kicked off with the welcoming parade in downtown Houston, Motown review, Greek step show, gospel concert and a number of other events. The event brought out more than 13,000 delegates, vendors and guests. Those in attendance at the parade included Jasmine Barner, Janaye Oliver, Brittany McDermott, Ashlyn Gray, Courtney Britt, Myrtle Mines, Rasheal Pittman, Gwendolyn, Carter, Kathryn Reed, Jackie Carroll, Monetta Gowans, Donna Hill Todd, Olivia Smith Daugherty, Emily Todd and Emily Smith……..21ST ANNUAL PINNACLE
Defender TO
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Genora Boykins, Misty Copeland and Sharon Owens (Misty Copeland’s Meet & Greet)
Houston Freedom Fund Gala)
Susan L. Taylor, Donnell Spivey (National Association of Real Estate Brokers annual convention)
Cary Yates, Judge Clarease Yates, Mayor-elect Sylvester Turner (Men of Style Gala)
AWARDS……….The Greater Houston Black Chamber celebrated 80 years of service as they recognized the accomplishments of Black businesses. Under the leadership of GHBC Chair Vernita Harris and President Elaine Barber, the second oldest Black chamber in the nation issued awards to: Thomas Jones, McConnell & Jones – Chairman’s Award; Gerald Smith, Smith Graham – Lifetime Achievement Award; City Councilman Larry Green – Mickey Leland Entrepreneurial Public Leadership Award; Marcus Brigance, Brigance Enterprises –Excellence Award; Sonceria Messiah-Jiles, Houston Defender Media Group –Endurance Award, and Mario Diaz, City of Houston Airport System – Advocate of the Year Award. The Upstart Award went to Lydia Evans.…….. WHEELER AVENUE endernetwork.com CELEBRATES TROOP 242………… Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church Troop 242 recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. The Boy Scout Ch.13’s ‘Crossroads’ troop was the first youth organization established by Rev. William and on Sunday Morning Audrey Lawson in the early days of the church. Since its creation in 1965, over 1,000 boys and young men have gone through the church’s scouting program. More than 170 of Troop 242’s participants have attained the rank of Eagle Scout, one of the largest number to come out of an African-American troop in the country. Those in attendance included Dr. Marcus Cosby, Melanie Lawson, Jerome Gray, Clarence Miller, Harold Mullins, Jonathan Howard, Ronald Thomas, Myles Woodfork, Grant Valentine, Marion Edwards, Christina Griffin and Samuel Massie…….. NAACP HOUSTON FREEDOM FUND GALA……..The NAACP Houston Branch hosted its annual Freedom Fund Awards Gala at the Hilton Americas downtown. With the theme, “Pursuing Liberty in the Face of Injustice,” the
OP EVENTS
he Houston area for over 80 years
Emily Todd, Emily Smith, Donna Hill Todd, Olivia Smith Daugherty (Delta Sigma Theta Sorority national convention parade)
Evelyn Hill, Mayor Annise Parker, Kathy Hubbard, Argentina James, Roger Harris (Ensemble Theatre Gala)
organization commemorated 50 years of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and honored individuals who have impacted the community. KMJQ radio personality Larry Jones emceed the ceremony. Guests included James Douglas, Yolanda Smith, Anthony Hall Jr., Rev. Reginald Lillie, Howard Jefferson, Claude Cummings Jr., Carol Mims Galloway, Marvin Nathan, Sarah Guidry, Alexander Green, Se7en the Poet, Chris Walker and Ernest Walker……..2015 MEN OF STYLE GALA……..Let The Fashions Begin Men of Style Gala was held at the J.W. Marriott in the Galleria to honor the 2015 award recipients. The organization is an avid supporter of bringing funding and awareness to finding a cure for sickle cell disease. FOX 26’s Jose Grinan and Rita Garcia were master and mistress of ceremony. This year’s honorees included Eric Baker, Rob Cravaritis, Claude Cummings Jr., Philip McCulloch, Keith Edwards McWilliams, Scott Minix, Kevin Murray, Tom O’Connor, Rob Paiva, Pastor Byron Stevenson, D’Artagnan Bebel and Dr. David Poplack. The guest list included Judge Clarease Yates, Cary Yates, Bridget Chapital, Shawntell McWilliams, Constance Charles, Judy Foston and Harriet Gertner…….. ENSEMBLE THEATRE BLACK TIE GALA………The Ensemble Theatre held its annual black tie gala at the Hilton Americas-Downtown. The Ensemble celebrated its 39th season as a performing arts institution. The gala kicked off with Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson’s 10-play cycle series of stage readings. Celebrity honorees included Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Irma P. Hall, Producer of the Year Attica Locke, Rising Star Katlynn Simone, and Founder’s Award recipient Mayor Annise Parker. The guest list included Argentina James, Scott Minnix, Jesse Tyson, Alaina Benford, Micheal Helm, Vernon Landers, Jackie Phillips, Paul-David Van Atta, Eileen Morris, Kathy Hubbard and Roger Harris.
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DEFENDER | DECEMBER 24 | 2015
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sports
Top 10
pro & college sports stories By MAX EDISON Defender
The 2015 sports year was an eventful one. The Astros and Rockets both made the playoffs. Area college teams excelled as well, and female athletes such as Serena Williams and Simone Biles also made headlines. Here are the top 10 stories. w UH wins championship
In just his first year at the helm, University of Houston Cougar head coach Tom Herman guided the Coogs to a 12-1 record and their first ever American Athletic Conference crown. Herman’s H-town takeover theme hit a resounding chord throughout the area. QB Greg Ward Jr. led an explosive offensive attack with a variety of big-time receivers. Defensively, Elandon Roberts and Trevon Stewart anchored a solid, opportunistic bunch. The Cougars will face perennial power Florida State in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on Dec. 31 in Atlanta.
w Biles dominates gymnastics
Spring native Simone Biles continued her domination in gymnastics when she became the first woman to win three straight all-around titles at the world championships in October. Biles’ third title did not come without a struggle. She edged Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas by 1.083 points. The 4-foot-9 dynamo will lead a talented USA contingency to the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
w Serena victorious again
What can you say about Serena Williams and her overall domination of women’s tennis that hasn’t already been said? She’s quite possibly the most dominant athlete of this generation in any sport. All she did in 2015, at the “ripe old age” of 34, was win three out of four Grand Slam events, losing in the fourth, the U.S. Open. Ranked No. 1 in the world, she was named WTA Player of the Year for the fourth straight year and seventh overall. Her 21 Grand Slam titles rank her third on the all-time list behind Margaret Court (24) and Steffi Graf (22).
w Rockets make finals
Led by the sensational play of MVP runner-up James “The Beard” Harden, the Rockets captured the Southwest Division crown and advanced to the Western Conference finals before losing to eventual champions Golden State. The team compiled a 56-26 record. Despite losing Dwight Howard to injury for the first
The University of Houston received a Peach Bowl invitation.
Continued on Page 13
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Serena Williams continued to dominate women’s tennis.
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Top 10 sports... Continued from page 12 half of the season and a revolving cast of complementary players sprinkled in and out of the roster, it was the remarkable play of Harden that literally willed the team to higher heights. Harden averaged 27 points per game and led the NBA in minutes played.
w Astros make playoffs
After years of futility and multiple 100-loss seasons, the Astros showed that good things come to the team that waits on its young talent to mature. The team made the playoffs for the first time since 2005 and their first ever as a member of the American League. They led the AL West for the majority of the season before coming in second to the Texas Rangers. They entered the playoffs as a wild card before losing to eventual World Series Champions Kansas City in five games. For the Astros it was a collective effort by a variety of talented young stars. Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel, Rookie of the Year Carlos Correa, All-Star Jose Altuve, budding stars George Springer and Colby Rasmus were some of the key players who helped make the 2015 campaign a tremendous success.
w Alcorn State wins SWAC back to back
A crowd of more than 40,000 saw the Alcorn State Braves win the SWAC football crown for the second consecutive season, defeating Grambling 49-21. The Braves became the first team to win back-to-back championships since Grambling won three in a row from 2000-2002. The Braves also became the first team from the SWAC Eastern Division to repeat as champions since the championship game’s creation in 1999. The Braves used a powerful rushing attack featuring three ASU backs rushing for over 100 yards. Defensively, the Braves were opportunistic with three interceptions.
w TSU goes to NCAA tournament
Coach Mike Davis and the Texas Southern University men’s basketball team won the SWAC regular season basketball crown (22-13), then won the tournament in the Toyota Center and received an invitation to the NCAA’s “Big Dance.” The
Tigers lost to Arizona in the first round 93-72. Major contributors for the Tigers were Madarious Gibbs, Chris Thomas, Deverell Biggs and Malcom Riley.
w PVAMU bowlers champs
The Prairie View A&M University bowling team captured its third SWAC championship earlier this spring. Head coach Glen White’s team is currently ranked 19th nationally. The Panthers are a young team led by junior Alexis Borman, sophomore Destiny Velez and freshman Alexes Burton. In addition to being an All-Conference bowler, Velez is the reigning Miss Puerto Rico and participated in the Miss America pageant in September.
w PVAMU football makes comeback After three years of mediocre performance on the gridiron, the PVAMU Panthers served notice on the SWAC that they were back. Under first-year head coach Willie Simmons the Panthers finished the season 8-2 overall, and 8-1 in conference play. The Panthers had impressive road wins over Southern and defending champion Alcorn. Their only loss was to West Division champ Grambling. With a new football complex coming on line in 2016, the future looks bright for the Panthers.
w TSU picks Haywood
TSU pulled the plug on the Darrell Asberry regime after four years of football failure. The Tigers tabbed former Miami of Ohio head coach Mike Haywood as their new top cat. Haywood, a Houston native who attended St. Thomas High School, has established himself in the industry as a coach with the ability to turn around football programs. Haywood took Miami from 1-11 his first season to 8-4 and MidAmerican Conference (MAC) champions his second season.
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Deaths in 2015.. Continued from page 2 Audrey Lawson, a Houston civic leader and founding first lady of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, died Dec. 12 at age 83. She was the wife of Wheeler Avenue founder Rev. William “Bill” Lawson and the mother of KTRK-Channel 13 anchor Melanie Lawson. The Lawsons founded Wheeler Avenue in 1962. Mrs. Lawson was a force behind many of the church’s programs and ministries. Her community involvement included serving as board president of the Ensemble Theatre.
Thaddeus Lott, a noted
Houston educator, died Oct. 22 at age 81. Lott earned national acclaim as principal of Wesley Elementary School in Acres Homes. When he became principal of Wesley in 1975, only 18 percent of third graders could read on grade level. By 1980, he had increased the number to 85 percent. Lott was later appointed project director of the Coalition of School Improvement, the first cooperative charter school management group in Texas.
Moses Malone, an NBA legend,
Hall of Famer and three-time MVP, died Sept. 13 at age 60. The cause of death was listed as cardiovascular disease. Malone, a former Houston Rocket (1976-1982), was known for his relentless work ethic. A 6-foot-10 center from Petersburg, Va., Malone was the first player to go from high school to the pros. Malone was one of four NBA to amass more than 25,000 points and 15,000 rebounds.
Augustus “Gus” Savage, a
former congressman from Chicago, died on Oct. 31, a day after celebrating his 90th birthday. Savage founded Citizen Newspapers, which became one of the largest Black-owned chains of weekly newspapers in the Midwest. He sold the chain in 1980 and was elected that year to represent Illinois’s 2nd Congressional District. During his six terms in Congress, Savage was vocal on issues impacting minorities throughout Chicago, a city that he loved.
Stuart Scott, an ESPN sports
anchor, died of cancer on Jan. 4. He was 49. Scott brought a hip- hop, urban slant to his network sportscasts and was a force in the evolution of ESPN’s popularity. Scott was known for his signature on-air phrases, such as “Boo-Yah!” for homeruns, “As cool as the other side of the pillow” and “He must be butter cuz he’s on a roll.” His career at ESPN spanned 22 years.
Calvin Peete, the most decorated African-American golfer in PGA Tour history before Tiger Woods began his career, died April 29 at age 71. Peete won 12 times on the PGA Tour, and captured four victories in 1982. He led the PGA Tour in driving accuracy for 10 consecutive years. Peete did not begin playing golf until his early 20s. He excelled at the sport despite a childhood injury that left him unable to fully extend his left arm.
Verna Reece, a longtime city and county employee in Houston, died Nov. 9 after a brief illness. She was 62. Reece was known for her political involvement behind the scenes. At the time of her death, she worked for Precinct 2 Commissioner Jack Morman. Reece also worked for former Houston Mayors Fred Hofheinz, Jim McConn, Kathy Whitmire, Lee P. Brown and Bill White. She was active in State Rep. Sylvester Turner’s campaign for mayor.
Cynthia Robinson, an original member of Sly and the Family Stone and the group’s trumpeter, died at age 71 on Nov. 23. She joined Sly Stone’s group the Stoners in 1966. After they disbanded, he asked her to join the Family Stone. Their hits included “Everyday People,” “Dance to the Music,” “Hot Fun in the Summertime” and “I Want to Take You Higher.” The group was inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame.
Charlie Sifford, a golf pioneer,
Percy Sledge, the R&B singer
Louis Stokes, the first Black member of Congress from Ohio, died Aug. 18 at age 90. Stokes was considered a political pioneer. He was the first African-American to serve on the powerful House Appropriations Committee and was founder of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust. He was first elected to Congress in 1969 and served 30 years in the House. He was the older brother of the late Cleveland Mayor Carl Stokes.
died Feb. 3 at age 92. Sifford, the first African-American to play on the PGA tour, was known as the Jackie Robinson of golf. He began his career as a caddie. He dominated the all-Black United Golfers Association, winning five straight national titles. He was unable to join the PGA because of its “Caucasianonly clause.” That clause was rescinded in 1961. Sifford was a member of the PGA Hall of Fame
known for the hit “When a Man Loves a Woman,” died April 14. He was 74. Sledge, whose career began in the 1960s, had other hits, including “Take Time to Know Her,” “Warm and Tender Love” and “It Tears Me Up.” But his first and biggest hit, “When a Man Loves a Woman,” towered over them all. It reached No. 1 on the charts and sold more than 1 million copies.
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h.s. zone
Top 10
High school sports stories By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender
High school football is king in Texas. The UIL reports that more than 164,000 student-athletes participate in the sport, more than any other state. Ask the legion of fans supporting the five Houston area schools that advanced to the state semifinals in quest of a 2015 state football championship. Area athletes also won big in other sports. Here are the top 10 stories. w Three area teams win championships
Three Houston-area schools won state championships in 2015. Katy tied South Lake Carroll and Celina for the most state titles with its eighth state football championship. Katy defeated Lake Travis 34 to 7 and running back Kyle Porter was the offensive MVP. North Shore also notched a state title in 2015. Quarterback Maciah Long scored two touchdowns and was named offensive MVP for North Shore. The Mustangs defeated Austin Westlake 21-14 in overtime. George Ranch defeated Mansfield Lake Ridge by a resounding 56-0 score to record the school’s first UIL state football championship. Darius Anderson was named offensive MVP after rushing for more than 200 yards in the state championship game. Ridge Point and East Bernard were defeated in the state semi-finals.
w Erica Ogwumike leads team
Just like her older sisters Nneka and Chiney, Erica Ogwumike graduated high school with a state basketball championship medal around her neck. Nneka and Chiney accomplished the feat at Cy-Fair High School before moving on to stellar collegiate careers at Stanford. Erica has followed another sister Olivia to Pepperdine. Prior to graduation, Erica led Cypress Woods to a 57-49 victory over Dallas Skyline in the girls’ Class 6A state title game before a state-wide television audience in the San Antonio Alamodome. Ogwumike was named championship game MVP for contributing 26 points, eight rebounds and five steals.
w Manvel wins state in track
After years of playoff frustrations in high school football, the Manvel High School boys’ track team felt the exhilaration of being on top in 2015. A second-place finish in the meet’s final event (mile relay) enabled the Mavericks to notch 16 points and overcome Port Arthur Memorial (55-44) for the boys’ Class 6A team title in track and field. Deontay Anderson won his team’s lone individual gold medal by upsetting defending state champion Corey Dauphine of PA Memorial in the boys’ 200-meter dash. Manvel also placed second in the 800-meter relay and third in the 400-meter relay.
Katy receiver J.C. Angulo was a key member of the Tigers.
Continued on Page 16
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Cornerback Kieston Roach was one of the playmakers for North Shore.
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Erica Ogwumike led Cypress Woods to a state basketball title.
Katy third baseman Kayla Garcia and the Tigers won state.
ate all won the st Myles Marsh time.s. s d’ oo w ng Ki n for the third 800-meter ru
Wheatley’s Takyera Roberson is one of Texas’ top sprinters.
Manvel High School boys won the Class 6A state team title.
Sterling was the 2015 Class 4A state runner-up.
Lamar’s Julia Heymach is one of the top prep distance runners in America.
Top 10 HS Sports... Continued from page 15
w Katy wins in softball
Freshman Kayla Garcia was named title game Most Valuable Player after leading Katy to the first state softball championship in school history last June. Katy defeated Lewisville 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning on a McKay Bloxham fielder’s choice that chased across the game-winning run. Garcia, a third baseman, was 3-for-3 at the plate with an infield single, an RBI triple and a run-scoring double. Defensively, she had three putouts, six assists and an unassisted double play that squashed a potential Lewisville scoring threat. Katy knocked off The Woodlands by the same score (3-2) in the state semifinals.
w Cypress Ranch gets title
The Cypress Ranch baseball team won its second state championship in four years by disposing of Dallas Jesuit (2-1) and Arlington Martin (3-0) in the 2015 Class 6A state baseball tournament held in Round Rock. In the title game, Cy Ranch (31-6) scored single runs in the first, third and fifth innings. Senior right-hander Brent Hebert allowed five hits over five innings to earn championship game Most Valuable Player honors. Not bad for a school that only opened in 2008.
w Sterling earns first state trip
The Houston Sterling High School boys’ basketball team has made numerous trips to the playoffs over the years. Yet the results of the 2014-15 season became memorable when the Raiders advanced to the state tournament for the first time in school history and got all the way to the title game. Coached by Andrea Young and led by top players that included Curtlon Wesley, Joshua Young, Corey Burks, Avery Ragland and Reginald Mitchell, Sterling compiled a 31-6 record and advanced to the Class 4A championship game against Bridgeport.
w Clear Lake boys edged out
Plano West was the top-ranked Class 6A boys’ basketball team for the entire season. Yet that didn’t matter to Clear Lake, which nearly toppled Plano West in the 6A state championship game. The 35-3 Falcons led 31-26 at halftime behind the stellar efforts of Christian West, Bradley George and Chris Stenerson. Yet Plano West came back to win 56-54 behind 22 points and four three-pointers from championship game MVP D.J. Hogg.
w Wheatley’s Roberson excels
Takyera Roberson was one of the top sprinters in Texas during the 2015 track season. The junior qualified for state by winning gold medals in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter dashes at the regional meet in Huntsville. At the state meet in Austin she won gold in the 400, bronze in the 100 and finished fourth in the 200.
w Lamar’s Heymach on top
Julia Heymach served notice in 2015 that she is one of the top distance runners in the nation. At the state track meet last May, the Lamar sophomore won both the Class 6A one-mile (4:40.97) and two-mile (10:14.62) runs by large margins. This fall as a junior Heymach won the 6A cross country state championship (18:19.62) on a rainsoaked course by a whopping 25 seconds over the runner-up.
w Kingwood’s Marshall completes triple
Kingwood High School standout Myles Marshall completed a rare trifecta in 2015. When he won the Class 6A gold medal in the 800-meter run (1:52.84), it marked the third consecutive year the senior had accomplished the feat and the first time that had been done in Texas. He also ran a leg on Kingwood’s gold-medal winning mile relay. Marshall is currently enrolled at Harvard.
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DECEMBER 24 | 2015 DEFENDER
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bie Tolan g victim Rob Police shootin the City of ttlement with reached a se Bellaire. Missouri City State Rep. Ron Reynolds was convict ed of “ambulance chasing.”
Attorney B en Hall ha d big
Top 10 Local... Continued from page 4
plans for K COH-Rad io after bu ying the st ation.
w Tolans settle case
Robbie Tolan and his family reached a settlement with the City of Bellaire just as jury selection was about to begin in a civil trial. Bellaire paid the family $110,000 for the 2008 shooting of Tolan by Officer Jeffrey Cotton. Noted attorney Benjamin Crump, who represented the Tolans, said the shooting should never have occurred. Tolan, an aspiring Major League Baseball player, was shot and seriously injured outside his parents’ Bellaire home. Cotton said he thought Tolan was armed and driving a stolen car. The shooting ended Tolan’s dream of an MLB career, and put racial profiling in the spotlight.
w Blacks condemn rhetoric
Houston Black leaders denounced the murder of white Deputy Darren Goforth and criticized statements that implied the Black Lives Matter movement may have influenced the killing. Goforth was killed at a suburban gas station. Shannon J. Miles, a 30-yearold Black man with a history of mental illness, was charged with his murder.
Prior to Miles’ capture, Sheriff Ron Hickman and District Attorney Devon Anderson held an emotional news conference. “We’ve heard Black lives matter, all lives matter,” Hickman said. “Well, cops’ lives matter, too. So why don’t we just drop the qualifier and say ‘lives matter.’ ” Anderson referred to “warfare” on officers.
w Eight people murdered
Two adults and six children were found dead inside a Northwest Harris County home. David Conley, 48, was arrested and charged with capital murder following the shocking deaths. The victims included Valerie Jackson and her 13-year-old son by Conley, Nathaniel. Also killed were Jackson’s husband, Dwayne, and their children Honesty, 11; Dwayne, Jr., 10; Caleb, 9; Trinity, 7; and Jonah, 6. Jackson’s relatives had called the Harris County’s Sheriff’s Office and asked for them to check on her. Deputies went to the house three times on the day the bodies were found, and at first found nothing amiss. On the last check around 9 p.m., they saw a body through a window. Continued on Page 18
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LEGAL NOTICE
DEFENDER | DECEMBER 24 | 2015
Top 10 Locals... Continued from page 4
KCOH Radio changes
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For detailed odds and game information, visit txlottery.org or call 1-800-375-6886. Must be 18 or older to purchase a ticket. The Texas Lottery supports Texas education and veterans. © 2015 Texas Lottery Commission. All rights reserved.
Texas Legislature meets
The 84th Legislative Session convened, and there were pluses and minuses. After meeting for 140 days, Texas lawmakers made progress in criminal justice, Und derstand ding the healthcare, education, transportation and tax reduction while suffering shortfalls in some of the same areas. HIV V Care Sy ystem African-American legislators were pleased that the state’s grand jury system FREE classes to help h you get the was changed to a random selection process, designed to bring integrity to the mos st from HIV services s in th he Houston area! a criminal justice system. Although the House proposed reinstating the $3 billion Learn how to get good g care, fin nd other serv vices you nee ed and how the 1 W52715_HNDF_EOG_AFAM_1224.indd taken from education in previous sessions, the session ended with an allocation of public and private he ealth care systems work tog gether. Find out o who to talk k to Jacobson printed 12-15-2015 10:31 AM when y you have TOMMY-MB15 a pro oblem, what to do when you Salazar have h / Eddie an after hours h emergen ncy at only $1.5 billion. On a positive note, Pre-K received $118 million insaved new at monies. from by Tommy
Students die in bus accident
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creative dir None W52715 Fonts Saturday, January 9, art 2016 Tuesday, T Januar ry 12,Neue 2016 director None TEXAS LOTTERY Helvetica LT Std (95 Black, 57 Condensed, rd st 3 Floor ~ Room 327 1 Floor ~ Ro oom 107 None copywriter JAN EOG AD Condensed, 77 Bold Condensed), Arial (Regular) mgr MEGAN TRUMETER 4.79” x 3.25” 9:30 am Registratio on & Lightaccount Breakfas st 5:30 pm Registratio on & Dinner proofreader None None Images 10 am-12 pm Six classe s to choose from 6:30 pm-8 pm p Six classe es to choose from None None 12:00 pm Networking Lunch 8:00 pm Networkin ng Dessert BW notes HOUSTON DEFENDER Inks LOCATI TION: FOR R MORE INFORM MATION CONTA ACT: Black NEWSPAPER DUE: 12/17 Montro ose Center Ryan White Planning Couuncil None PUB: 12/24 Please RSVP!
Two students were killed and two students were injured along with their bus driver when an HISD school bus plunged from the 610 Loop at Telephone Road. The students killed were Mariya Johnson, 17, and Janecia Chatman, 14, The bus was headed for Furr High School when the crash occurred around 7 a.m. According to HPD, the driver of a Buick LeSabre was traveling eastbound on the South Loop when she made an unsafe lane change and struck the bus, which went off the overpass and onto the roadway below. “We are deeply saddened by this tragedy,” said HISD Superintendent Terry Grier.
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Thank You Houston! T
o those who supported our campaign, thank you from the bottom of my heart for the amazing victory we had on Election Night. I can honestly say that if it weren’t for everything you did to push our campaign forward, we wouldn’t have made it. To those who supported others, thank you for caring about our city and for your dedication to making Houston a better place for everyone. Now it is time to do what we do best as Houstonians: bring our city together and move it forward.
We’re all in this together. P o l . a d v. S y l v e S t e r t u r n e r C a m P a i g n . d a v i d m i n C b e r g , t r e a S u r e r
T:3.25”
Houston attorney Ben Hall purchased historic KCOH-Radio, and said he wanted to preserve the station while revamping it “inside out.” Hall said his vision for KCOH “was never really just to save it, but to bring the station back to a place where it can survive by its own merit and then position it to grow beyond expectation.” Hall hired a new station manager, program director, sales manager and publicist, and added several national personalities as on-air talent. He unveiled KCOH TV, which simulcasts and televises all radio shows so that listeners can watch studio activities on TV, computers, mobile phones and portable devices.
These Texas Lottery Commission Scratch ticket games will be closing soon:
Please accept my wishes for a safe and joyous holiday season and I look forward to working together with you in the new year.
Mayor-Elect Sylvester Turner
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Pinckney’s ed Clementa ma comfort ba O t en id Pres ices. funeral serv
DECEMBER 24 | 2015 | DEFENDER
g family durin
Loretta Lync h American at became the first femal e Africantorney gene ral.
Top 10 National... Continued from page 6
Baltimore residents took to the stree ts to demand justice in the Freddie Gray case.
d at e crow e to th k o p s akhan iversary. is Farr n er Lou n March an t is in M a lion M il M e th
for Pinckney before a national television audience. He also led mourners in singing a verse of “Amazing Grace.”
w Baltimore riots
Protesters and police clashed in Baltimore amid growing tension over the death of Freddie Gray, who died after suffering a fatal spinal injury while in police custody. While most of the thousands protesting the death of Gray were peaceful, some demonstrators began to destroy property and confront law enforcement. Six officers were ultimately charged in the police-custody death of Gray. In the first trial, a mistrial was declared after the jury failed to reach a unanimous decision. Legal analysts said the trial was a major setback for the prosecution, and could affect efforts to convict the other five officers set to stand trial.
w Carson up, down
Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson emerged as a top contender, and at one point surged to the top of the race, overtaking businessman Donald Trump. Carson also posted strong numbers in a match-up against Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. Carson, a retired neurosurgeon, experienced ups and downs on the campaign trail. His grasp of foreign policy was questioned, his campaign was hit by infighting and there were concerns about the truthfulness of his biography. One recent poll showed Carson dropping to a tie for third place at 14 percent, compared to 22 percent two months earlier.
w Lynch becomes AG
Federal prosecutor Loretta Lynch won confirmation to serve as attorney general from a Senate that forced her to wait more than five months for the title
GOP candid at campaigned e Ben Carson, shown w ith his wife nationwide. Candy,
and remained divided to the end. The 56-43 vote installed Lynch, 55, as the first Black woman in the nation’s top law enforcement post. She replaced Eric Holder, a perennial lightning rod for conservatives who was once held in contempt of Congress. For Lynch, the issue that tore into her support with Republicans was immigration and her refusal to denounce President Obama‘s executive actions limiting deportations for millions of people living illegally in this country.
w Affirmative action reviewed
The Supreme Court heard arguments for the second time in three years in the case of a white Texas woman who was rejected for admission to the University of Texas. Abigail Fisher did not graduate in the top 10 percent of her high school class, which would have won her a spot at the state’s flagship college in Austin. Lawyers for Fisher said the university has no good reason to consider race at all because the “top 10” plan that the state put in place in 1997 works well to bring in Hispanic and African-American students.
w Million Man March celebrates 20th anniversary Multitudes of people from across the country converged on the National Mall in Washington D.C. to celebrate the two decades’ mark of a march designed to attract 1 million Black men. The theme of the 2015 march was “Justice or Else!” Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan spoke about justice at the gathering. “We’re here because there’s no justice in this land – not for us,” he said. “Those who continue to suffer the most, the indigenous people of America, those whose ancestors were brought here as burden bearers in chains, we are the ones still seeking civil rights and the human right of self-determination.”
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20 DEFENDER | DECEMBER 24 | 2015 |
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