Houston Defender: July 21, 2011

NATIONAL

MILLION FATHER MARCH ASK DADS TO TAKE KIDS TO SCHOOL P4

Houston’s Leading Black Information Source Volume 80 | Number 38

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CONGRESSWOMAN Sued by aide

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‘APPRENTICE’ Winner wears many hats Randal Pinkett

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Fighting for...

North Forest ISD  PAGE 6

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M.C. HAMMER mentors minority businesses

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PAT REINECKE named new Madison football coach

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John Lewis opposes war Georgia Congressman John Lewis is speaking out against U.S. support of the war on Libya. He hopes to encourage other members of the Congressional Black Caucus to take a similar stand.

As a frontline veteran of the Civil Rights Movement, Lewis knows all about conflict. “I hate war,” Lewis said. “I think war is evil.”  PAGE 4

Booker T. Caldwell remembered The late Booker T. Caldwell was a fixture in the Houston business community. Mr. Caldwell, who recently passed, operated a successful tailoring shop in Fifth Ward and Third Ward, and was known for his work ethic and talent.

His clients came from all walks of life, and included celebrities and entertainers.

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF JULY 21 | 2011

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David Fitzsimmons, The Arizona Star

The Cartoon of the week

In The Book Corner Fatal Invention:

News & Opinion The State of America’s Children

How Science, Politics and Big Business Re-Create Race in the 21st Century

by Dorothy Roberts, Esq. “Race is an invented political system, not a natural biological division.

The Human Genome Project has confirmed that the human species cannot be divided into genetically distinguishable races.

Marian Edelman

Question of the Week

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Should America give funding for the Libya war?

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newstalk

Schools suspected of cheating on exams

By ASWAD WALKER Defender

The Houston Independent School District has reportedly discovered evidence that teachers at Lockhart and Cornelius elementary schools helped students cheat on state exams.

In addition, teachers at Tinsley and Scott elementary schools are suspected of offering questionable assistance to students during testing.

Students from Lockhart and Cornelius are said to have informed administrators that teachers alerted them to wrong answers on state exams. As of yet, no names of teachers or students have been released from either campus.

Still, investigators surmise from an analysis of test booklets from Cornelius that erasures changing wrong responses to right ones were suspicious.

HISD investigators have found no incidents of blatant cheating at Scott or Tinsley. However, the probes, which center on the past two years, did raise questions about the actions of teachers

during testing at those schools.

The timing of the release of information from HISD’s own probe coincides with the completion of an investigation by the Texas Education Agency into potential cheating at HISD schools this year. Fourteen HISD schools, currently unnamed, have been targeted for investigation into possible wrongdoings.

Terry Grier, superintendent of HISD, has called for third-party investigations into all alleged testing irregularities and vowed to terminate teachers found guilty of cheating. Grier added that the district is considering placing monitors in all classrooms during testing.

“This is an issue of ethics, plain and simple,” said Grier. “Just because you can earn a bonus for students doing well is no reason to cheat. We’ve made it very clear that we will not tolerate cheating here, and if people get caught that they are going to get terminated and reported to TEA.” Based on a review of HISD’s own investigation, a TEA spokesperson said the agency found no unusual pattern of cheating in HISD. However, Texas

was at the center of a cheating scandal several years ago, and recent investigations in other major U.S. cities such as Atlanta and Washington, D.C., have renewed questions about high-stakes exams that can cost teachers their jobs.

Since 2007, HISD has distributed performance bonuses based on students’ scores on standardized tests. In some cases, these bonuses have been as high as $10,000.

Lorraine Thomas, a local education reform advocate, believes an overemphasis on state tests has created a climate that invites abuse by teachers.

“Reports of potential cheating by teachers don’t shock me when so much for the teacher’s career and for the student’s future is riding on test scores,” said Thomas. “Teaching to the test instead of teaching critical, abstract, and creative thinking skills are damaging the educational product in HISD. With allegations of teacher cheating, it seems also to be eroding institutional integrity.”

Robert Schaeffer of the anti-testing National Center for Fair & Open Testing concurred with Thomas.

“How many wake-up calls have they had?” asked Schaeffer of HISD. “When people’s careers, income and self-images depend on boosting test scores, some will find ways to boost scores by any means necessary.”

Officer seen punching handcuffed suspect

By ASWAD WALKER Defender

A Houston Police Department officer was caught on tape recently by Channel 13 ABC News’ SkyEye HD punching a handcuffed 16year old boy suspected of robbery.

Family members of the youth as well as other community members are incensed and speaking out against the actions of the officer who has been identified as Angela Horton, a four-year veteran on the force.

“That’s sad. That’s pitiful,” said Mary Pointer, aunt of the suspect, after watching footage of the incident. “I just don’t think he was supposed to be getting hit, and he had handcuffs on.”

The teen was one of three suspected armed robbers of the SK Food Store on Cavalcade.

Pointer admitted that the suspect “was wrong for that,” said he knew it.

Channel 13 was over the scene right after the foot chase between the suspects and officers ended. Though two of the three suspects got away and are still at large, the teen who was apprehended was videotaped being handcuffed and led away by one officer. Shortly thereafter Horton could be seen walking toward the suspect and throwing a punch at his face.

“He didn’t do nothing to her,” said the teen’s sister, Keziah Kibble. “So why would she hit him for nothing?”

Houston Police Chief Charles McClelland said that supervisors quickly launched an

internal affairs investigation and Horton was relieved of duty.

“That means that her duties are suspended,” said McClelland. “She will not be coming to work. She will be at home. She still will be receiving pay.”

The fact that Horton is still receiving a paycheck did not sit well with the suspect’s family.

“She’s still being paid,” said Pointer. “She might as well be working. I hope justice [is] done.”

According to McClelland officers make about 110,000 arrests a year and receive about 1,200 excessive force complaints annually, or a little more than 1 percent.

Though excessive force complaints are relatively rare, the video of the handcuffed teen

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localbriefs Jolanda Jones ethics case sent to district attorney The city’s Office of Inspector General has asked the Harris County District Attorney to review allegations that Councilwoman Jolanda Jones used city resources to support her private law practice. Last month, the OIG released a report concerning findings that Jones used employee time and city equipment for her firm. Jones in turn filed an ethics complaint against City Attorney David Feldman with the state bar alleging misconduct in his handling of the case. A review panel that includes Mayor Annise Parker has been meeting to decide if the City Council should vote on censure or impeachment of Jones.

Former congressional aide suing Sheila Jackson Lee A former aide to Houston Rep. Sheila Jackson filed a lawsuit alleging that Lee treated her in a humiliating manner and refused to accommodate her visual impairment. The lawsuit seeks “back and front pay” and punitive damages.

Mona Floyd, former legislative director and chief counsel, says that the way Lee treated her was “unlawful discrimination” and led her to resign her position.

Floyd suffers from monocular vision, which causes eye fatigue and reduces reading speed. She claims Lee told her, “I don’t care anything about your disability.” Lee’s o∞ce said it considers internal personnel matters confidential, and “fully embraces and fully practices equal employment opportunities for all.”

Residents want homeless to stop sleeping on sidewalks Residents of East Downtown have petitioned the city to bar people from sleeping or sitting on sidewalks. Residents say the homeless, mentally ill and addicts have besieged the area, and have been seen relieving themselves and having sex in public. Some City Council members said banning sidewalk sleeping would alleviate a symptom of homelessness without treating the problem. “… If you shift them from here, you’re shifting them to somewhere else,” said District D Councilwoman Wanda Adams. “We’re pushing, but what exactly are we doing to help?” District I Councilman James Rodriguez, who represents the neighborhood, said he supports the petition, but is not against the homeless.

Continued on Page 5

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF JULY 21 | 2011

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national

Congressman John Lewis

Lawmaker opposes Libya war funding

By ERIC TURE MUHAMMAD Special to the NNPA from The Final Call

ATLANTA – “There is nothing more powerful than protest, there is nothing more powerful than getting out there, making noise and making protest heard,” said Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) in response to the protestors who gathered recently in front of the his 5th congressional headquarters.

The news conference turned demonstration was organized by the World African Diaspora Union and included former congresswoman and presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney.

The protestors’ demand was simple – encourage Congressional Black Caucus members to take a united stand against U.S. support of NATO in its war on Libya and President Muammar Gadhafi.

Lewis acknowledged the demonstrators and insisted they come inside his office for a frank discussion of the issues and their demands.

“I appreciate your coming by.

People must speak up. We have an obligation as people to speak up and speak out. We have an obligation to get in the way. I detest war.

I hate war. I think war is evil. It’s bloody, it’s messy and it destroys the hopes, the dreams and aspirations of people,” said Lewis.

Lewis, a veteran of the Civil Rights Movement, mentioned President Barack Obama.

“The president understands my opposition to war,” Lewis said. “I have said it more than once in his presence. I have said it on the floor that I am not voting for another dime, another penny for the Defense Department. I don’t vote for appropriation bills anymore. I just vote no. I voted against the rule to even bring the vote up.”

Lewis pledged to continue efforts to influence fellow CBC members, and criticized the high cost of war.

“It’s billions of dollars that we can use to create jobs, fix our infrastructure, feed people, clothe people, educate all of

our children and show them how to protect their environment,” he said. “We could save Medicare and Medicaid. They want to cut WIC, all of these human needs programs but they don’t want to cut the Pentagon.”

For the seventh year, men around the country will be asked to lead their children back to school this fall during the Million Father March.

The nationwide movement encourages Black men to drop students off on their first day of school and guard school doors to symbolize their support and protectiveness of all children earning their education.

Studies show that parental participation, especially among fathers, is linked to higher attendance, graduation rates and test scores.

Led by the Black Star Proj-

ect, a Chicago-based social justice group dedicated to eliminating the achievement gap among Blacks and Latinos, an estimated 800,000 men in 600 cities across the country reportedly participated in the Million Father March last year.

Sharpton might be in line to host his own show on MSNBC Rev. Al Sharpton, one of the nation’s more colorful figures, could be a permanent fixture on MSNBC. Sharpton has been filling in for talk show host and political commentator Cenk Uygur, and his ratings showed an increase in viewership. The cable network is considering replacing Uygur with Sharpton at 6 p.m. to raise its profile. Sharpton has also guest hosted “The Ed Show” numerous times. MSNBC, along with other networks, drew fire for its absence of on-air diversity. NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous recently criticized the industry for the lack of African Americans anchoring in prime time.

African Americans are no longer the majority in D.C. Washington, D.C., has long been called Chocolate City because of its Black majority. That’s no longer the case, as the city’s Black population slipped below 50 percent sometime in February. Demographic experts theorize that with the economy flagging and government jobs drying up, many African Americans have struggled financially and left for the suburbs. Meanwhile, whites have moved back into the city. “You can’t help but look around and see the face of the community changing before your eyes,” author Tom Sherwood told the New York Times.

Study shows Black men get better healthcare in prison

Dads asked to take kids to school

By AFRO STAFF

U.S.briefs

In Chicago, tens of thousands of men have been involved in the effort and helped increase first day attendance by 3 percent.

Overall, coordinators expect 1 million men in 700 cities to participate this year, and to set the stage for year-long involvement in children’s educational, spiritual and emotional endeavors.

“A father who actively participates in the educational and social development life of a child is invaluable and irreplaceable,” the Black Star Project’s Web site states. “While there is no magic bullet to solving all of the problems that we face in education, getting fathers involved is a large step in the right direction.”

Research results set to be published in the Annals of Epidemiology show that Black men are half as likely to die in prison than if they are free. The study’s authors say that those who are incarcerated have a longer life span because of better access to healthcare, protection from deadly violence, and freedom from drugs and alcohol. The study examined 100,000 men between the ages of 20 and 79 jailed in North Carolina prisons. Sixty percent were African American. Inside prison, the death rate for Blacks and whites was the same. Outside of prison, Black males were far more likely to die than whites.

VOLUME 80 • NUMBER • 38 JULY 21 - 27, 2011

Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Editor Von Jiles Associate Editors Reshonda Billingsley Marilyn Marshall Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila

Columnist Yvette Chargois Sport Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison Contributing Writer Aswad Walker Webmaster Corneleon Block

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (713-663-6996.. The Defender audited By Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For subscription, send $60-1 year to: Defender, P.O. Box 8005, Houston TX 77288. Payment must accompany subscription request. All material covered by 2011 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).

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defendernetwork.com | WEEK OF JULY 21 | 2011 | DEFENDER

Officer seen... Continued from page 5 being punched has understandably struck a nerve with Houston residents, activists and city leaders.

“We know that police officers are human, and they get angry, but come on now,” said Deloyd Parker of SHAPE Community Center, who called the officer’s behavior excessive and out of line.

“We can’t continue to let this happen over and over again because, you know, people are tired of going down to City Council and complaining and nothing is done,” Parker said, alluding to incidents like the videotape that surfaced a few months ago of a group of

Notice of Public Hearing HPD officers beating a 15-year-old robbery suspect.

“You know the video speaks for itself,” said City Councilmember Jolanda Jones. “The young man was clearly compliant and walking, and she just came out of nowhere. I’m just thankful to KTRK for having the video, because videos are what they are.”

She said such behavior is unacceptable.

“I ask the union, police officers, to stand with me and Houstonians to weed this kind of behavior out. Because it gives a black eye to HPD and there are good, decent officers out there,” said Jones.

Houston Rapid Transit, a joint venture, is building light-rail lines in the Houston area.

To find out about upcoming opportunities for contractors large and small, please join us for this event. Opportunities are available in the area of vertical construction and include: electrical, concrete & asphalt, excavation, fencing, glass & steel fabrication, traffic control and other areas. Construction staff will be on hand to answer questions. Continental breakfast will be served.

Friday, July 29, 7:30 a.m. - noon • Small business networking opportunity throughout the event

Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, TX (METRO) Notice is hereby given that the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, TX (METRO) will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, July 26, 2011, at Noon to receive public comment about the proposed discontinuation of Route 500 to be effective Sunday, August 21, 2011. Other minor changes to the following routes will be presented for informational purposes, including minor re-alignments or extensions on Routes 46, 78, 170, and 313; additional trips or trip adjustments on Routes 217, 228, 244, 246, and 247; and running time adjustments on Routes 73 and 257. The public meeting will be held in the METRO Board Room on the 2nd floor at 1900 Main Street in Houston, TX (served by METRO Routes 3, 9, 11, 15, 24, 30, 35, 44, 52, 56, 60, 66, 70, 77, 78, 79, 88, 102, 108, 137, 249, and METRORail).

The meeting will also be streamed live on www.ridemetro.org.

Copies of proposed timetables and maps will be available Monday, July 18, 2011, for public review online at www.ridemetro.org, or at METRO’s Office, 1900 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002 from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM weekdays, and at our three METRO Outreach offices located in Las Palmas Shopping Center at 6215 Harrisburg (served

by Route 50), in Palm Center at 5330 Griggs, Suite A104 (served by Routes 5, 77), and at 2613 Fulton (served by Routes 15, 78).

How to Comment about the Service Change You may attend the public meeting or write to us at METRO, ATTN: August 2011 Service Change, 1900 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002. You may also fax your comments to (713) 652-7956 with a subject line referencing the August 2011

Houston Community College 3100 Main St. 2nd Floor RSVP: www.railmeansbusiness.com/rsvp or call 713-739-6075 or 713-652-8007 railmeansbusiness.com

Service Change or visit METRO’s website at www.ridemetro.org to make comments.

You may also telephone METRO’s Customer Service line at (713) 635-4000 with your comments.

Comments should be received by METRO no later than the date and time of the Public Meeting.

Help for People with Disabilities For individuals with disabilities, assistive services or copies of public documents in an alternate format can be provided. Please call (713) 750-4271 or (713) 635-6993 (for persons with a hearing impairment) a minimum of 5 working days prior to the public meeting.

Language Interpretation Any person who requires language interpretation or special communication accommodations is encouraged to contact METRO Community Outreach at (713) 739-4018 or via email at na01@ridemetro.org. Every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate your needs.

1. This Public Hearing conforms to requirements described in the Federal Transit Administration’s Circular 9030.1D, published May 1, 2010, page IV-13.

2. METRO does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to, or in treatment or employment in, its services, programs, and activities.

3. METRO is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of its transit services on the basis of race, color, or national origin, as protected by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF JULY 21 | 2011

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coverpage

Fighting for

Excerpts from TEA letter

Texas Education Agency Commissioner of Education Rob closing of the district in 2012. The four-page letter includ

North Forest ISD

By RESHONDA TATE BILLINGSLEY Defender For years, the North Forest Independent School District has struggled with academic decline, financial shortfalls and an embattled administration. Despite that, some political and community leaders say the district doesn’t deserve to close because the move would be detrimental to the North Forest community.

“When you close a district like that, you cripple the community’s ability to grow,” said Houston City Councilman Jarvis Johnson.

Johnson is among the lawmakers and residents rallying together to come up with a plan, while district officials work overtime to keep North Forest open.

reality.

“We know it’s going to be a challenge. We believe there should be an effective teacher in every classroom and an effective leader in every school. We are realizing the positive results from those beliefs and we are looking forward to sharing our academic achievement with every student, teacher, and community member joining Team HISD,” HISD Board President Paula Harris said in the statement.

A fair rating?

TEA is basing its order on its upcoming school ratings, set to be released Aug. 1. Acting Superintendent Edna Forte contended

 …The Texas Education Agency (TEA or agency) has d both the North Forest ISD and North Forest High School the third consecutive year and the high school for the six the performance history discussed below, will require me Not Accredited-Revoked and to close the district effectiv  This order will annex North Forest ISD to Houston ISD dures available to the district to appeal its ratings and to  While it saddens me to take this action, given the exp education of the students served by North Forest ISD, I a ted to an effective transition, and I will make agency staff may arise. It is my sincere desire that the agency, the dist productive manner to address the needs of the district’s

is improving.

“We acknowledge the troubled past of the district and the many challenges we face to get back on solid footing,” Coleman said in a statement. “We will not come out of this overnight. However, we will come out of this with the North Forest Independent School District intact and able to provide the quality education our students deserve.”

Councilmember Johnson says both sides need to shoulder the blame for some of the issues in the district.

“TEA has to take responsibility for rash decisions,” he said.

“They didn’t give the board the opportunity to get itself reestablished. And the board has fired too many superintendents and needs to get out of personality and get into what is right of academic success of children. They can’t keep pointing fingers at someone else.”

State Rep. Harold Dutton, whose district includes North Forest, said the TEA deserves blame for the district’s poor performance because its appointees monitored or ran the district regularly since March 2007.

The district first drew state intervention in the 1980s.

“Maybe we ought to close TEA,” said Dutton.

TEA’s difficult decision North Forest ISD is nestled inside a mostly residential, predominantly Black and economically depressed area just outside Loop 610. Problems have been mounting for years and enrollment has dropped 40 percent from 12,500 students a decade ago.

On July 12, 2011, the Texas Education Agency ordered North Forest to close, effective July 2012. The The battle is not over order comes after yet another academically unacceptNorth Forest ISD can still operate for the upcomable school rating – the third year in a row.

Congresswoman Sheila State Rep. Harold Dutton Houston City Councilman ing school year, and it is being given the option to The high school has been rated academically unJackson Lee Jarvis Johnson appeal the state’s decision. Forte says the district is in acceptable for the past six years. In addition, the district the process of fi ling that appeal now. It’s a move, comis set to earn a substandard financial accountability munity members support as hundreds gathered recently rating for the fourth consecutive year, the TEA said. at a meeting at Forest Brook Middle School.

Last year, only 31 percent of ninth graders passed Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee called the the TAKS test. Of the 8,000 public high schools in Texemergency meeting to discuss options with the comas, North Forest High School is the worst-performing munity. school.

“Many people don’t realize the TEA has been in “We think it’s time to close North Forest and give charge of this district for the past two years,” Lee said. somebody else a chance to educate these kids because “You can’t hold a new board accountable when the law this district has consistently failed the kids,” TEA says you have at least two years to become accountspokeswoman Debbie Ratcliffe said.

Texas Education Agency HISD School Board Chair HISD Supt. Terry Grier able.

Agency officials said the school district’s acCommissioner Robert Scott Paula Harris “It strikes me as the highest level of hypocrisy creditation status will be non accredited-revoked for and racism to close the North Forest Independent the 2011-2012 year.

School District, when the administrative leadership of “While it saddens me to take this action, given the Texas Education Agency was compliant with the Governor of the ratings are skewed because TEA had control of the district for the expectations of state law and my concern for the long-term the past two years. Since North Forest regained control, the district’s the State of Texas in agreeing to cut $4 billion in education funds for education of students served by North Forest ISD, I am compelled Texas schools and compliant in the taking of $3 billion of stimulus newly elected board has trimmed its workforce and cut $4.6 million to move forward with this process,” Commissioner of Education funds from Texas school children and using it selfishly for the state’s to balance its budget, she said.

Robert Scott wrote in a letter to North Forest. rainy day fund when it was not needed.”

“As we go into the 2011-2012 year, North Forest Independent The Houston Independent School District will annex North Lee says she also takes issue with the fact that TEA acted School District is financially solvent,” Forte said. “Accountability is Forest ISD and take over its 7,500 students. without informing community leaders. always a year deferred. Make an informed decision.”

“We will step up and deliver for these children,” HISD “For this notice to come out, without any consultation with the North Forest officials said that the district fell to academically Superintendent Dr. Terry Grier said. “All children deserve a quality federal representative that represents that school district and without unacceptable not because of student test scores, which have been on education, regardless of where they happen to live.” any public discussions with the surrounding community, whether the rise, but because of its high school completion rate. Albert ColeHISD says it did not advocate for this proposal, but it is ready there was agreement or disagreement with this action, is an absolute man, the president of the North Forest school board, said the district to welcome North Forest ISD’s students if the state’s order becomes

defendernetwork.com • Serving th

7 to North Forest

bert Scott wrote a letter to the North Forest ISD about the des 18 pages of background material. Following are excerpts:

determined that, when it releases ratings on August 1, 2011, will be rated Academically Unacceptable (AU), the district for xth consecutive year…These consecutive ratings, coming after e to assign North Forest ISD a 2011-2012 accreditation status of ve July 1, 2012.

D…effective July 1, 2012. The order will notify you of the proceappeal the order of annexation. pectations of state law and my concern for the long-term am compelled to move forward with this process. I am commitff available to support the two districts as questions or issues trict, and the community work together in a cooperative and students.

A community perspective on North Forest Area residents have their opinions on the North Forest ISD. Ivory Mayhorn, the president of the North Forest Neighborhood Association, says they have no intention of letting the district close without a fight.

“It’s like ripping the heart out of this community,” he said.

“For this area to continue to thrive and to make it better, we have to make sure our children are educated and there are jobs for people in the community,” added resident Jerry Davis.

But others, such as parent Lavetta Ford, say it’s time.

“With the district’s long track record of problems, I don’t see how anyone can make the case to keep the district open. They’ve been given chance after chance, and there’s never any improvement.”

For Councilmember Jarvis Johnson, who represents the area, the closure could spell a bigger issue since North Forest has a lot of land that could be developed.

“I want to be able to go to a developer and assure them that this is a viable community. The first thing people look at when they’re looking at somewhere to move, is schools. We have to find a way to create better development that will move new residents in, which will increase the tax base, which will make community more stable.

“It’s a trickle-down effect. When you bring in business, you bring in jobs. If people are working, they’re less likely to get pregnant, involved in criminal activity. It’s a full plan that the city needs to be working on.”

—ReShonda Tate Billingsley

abuse of power. The community deserves to be engaged in this discussion. Parents, teachers, students, community leaders, the ministerial community, and local elected officials should have been informed beyond this after-hours, Friday night notice.”

Lee is urging parents and community leaders to use “all legal action” to prevent the school district from being shut down and adds that she plans to appeal to Gov. Rick Perry to overturn the order. If that doesn’t work, she says she’ll take the fight to Washington.

“I will ask the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Education to immediately engage their civil rights sections on this matter. These children can learn, and they should have quality education in this district because they deserve it,” she said.

he Houston area for over 80 years

North Forest ISD Timeline For nearly three decades, the North Forest Independent School District has consistently come under fire for problems such as poor academic performance, financial shortfalls, frequent leadership changes, accreditation threats and allegations of mismanagement and impropriety.  August 2006 - TEA announces eight of the district’s 11 schools are academically unac-

ceptable.  March 2007 - School board fires superintendent James Simpson. TEA sends in a conservator to oversee the district’s finances.  March 2008 - Independent auditor declares NFISD almost bankrupt; district implements $16 million budget reduction plan.  June 2008 - A 17-page TEA investigative report documents inflated attendance figures, lack of internal controls, possible wrongful spending in special education programs and other problems.  October 2008 - TEA removes the seven school board members and appoints threeperson board of managers and a new superintendent, Dr. Adrain Johnson.  April 2009 – Local TV investigation reveals special education spending problems.

November 2010 - The TEA removes its board and returns control of the district to locally elected trustees.  March 2011 - The board votes to put Supt. Johnson on paid administrative leave.  July 12, 2011 - TEA orders closure of NFISD in July 2012, orders its annexation by the HISD.  July 17, 2011 – NFISD announces plans to appeal order Source: Defender News Files

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF JULY 21 | 2011

entertainment Randal Pinkett

‘Apprentice’ winner wears many hats

By KAM WILLIAMS Defender

R

andal Pinkett has established himself as an entrepreneur, speaker, author and scholar.

He is the founder, chairman and CEO of his fifth venture, BCT Partners, a multimillion-dollar consulting firm headquartered in Newark, NJ. He is also a partner in Chicago-based Blackwell-BCT Consulting Services, which specializes in management consulting and information technology solutions for the government and Fortune 500 corporations.

Pinkett has received numerous honors, including the National Urban League’s Business Excellence Award. He has been featured on such programs as “The Today Show,” “Live with Regis and Kelly,” “Nightline” and “Larry King Live.”

A Rhodes Scholar, Pinkett holds five degrees including: a B.S. in electrical engineering from Rutgers University, where he was captain of the men’s track and field team; a M.S. in computer science from the University of Oxford in England, and a M.S. in electrical engineering, MBA and Ph.D. from MIT. Most notably, he’s still the only African-American-winner of Donald

Trump’s reality-TV show, “The Apprentice.” He won the title in 2005.

Born in Philadelphia and reared in New Jersey, Pinkett is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and attends First Baptist Church in Somerset, NJ, where he resides.

He and his wife, Zahara, are the parents of their daughter, Amira.

Here, he talks about his latest book, “Black Faces in White Places: 10 GameChanging Strategies to Achieve Success and Find Greatness.”

KW: I really enjoyed “Black Faces in White Places.” Why did you write the book?

RP: The book is a reflection both of my own experiences and of those of many other African-Americans, particularly folks who have progressed in their careers.

Although I was born in Philadelphia, I was raised in East Windsor, NJ, a predominantly-white suburb where we were among a handful of Black families.

That trajectory has continued in my careers in college, grad school and as an entrepreneur in corporate America where I have found myself one of a few, if not the only, person of color. Anyone who has been in those types of environments knows that it gives rise to a unique set of challenges characteristic of the struggles that America faces as it relates to leveling the playing field for everyone.

KW: What was the best business decision you ever made, and what was the worst?”

RP: My best decision was to not go into business alone, but to find strength in numbers with three other classmates of mine at Rutgers University. I can say, unequivocally, were it not for that friendship and that brotherhood we wouldn’t be where Continued on Page 10

what’sup  Mathew Knowles denies taking

 Emmy Awards pit actors Idris Elba

 MC Hammer serving as mentor to

Mathew Knowles says recent allegations that he stole money from his superstar daughter Beyoncé are false. He insists that they have an amicable relationship, even though she let him go as her manager two months ago. Knowles alleges that individuals close to Beyoncé have tried to destroy his reputation. He says her label, Columbia Records, Live Nation and her husband Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, have made “negative comments about me.” Knowles told the Associated Press that, “We absolutely have not taken any money from Beyoncé, and all dollars will be accounted for.” He added that they get along fine. “The relationship with Beyoncé is extremely amicable. I want to make that clear. Where there’s concern is the people that she’s doing business with,” he said. “I’m challenging all of these folks on integrity, professional integrity.”

Laurence Fishburne and Idris Elba have both been nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie category by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, which recently announced its nominees for the Emmy Awards this fall. Elba was nominated for his role in the miniseries “Luther” and Fishburne for his lead role in “Thurgood.” Elba received a second nod in the Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his role as Lenny in “The Big C.” Actress Taraji P. Henson was nominated for best lead actress in a miniseries or movie for her role in “Taken From Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story.” Other nominees included Andre Braugher for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Owen in “Men of a Certain Age.”

Stanley Burrell, better known as MC Hammer, is taking part in a new, hands-on mentoring program for minority-led start-up businesses. As part of the New Media Entrepreneurship accelerator program in SiliconValley, Hammer will be advising seven MWBEs from across the country. His role includes paying regular visits to the entrepreneurs and keeping an eye on their progress. Hammer himself has become somewhat of a web mogul, and is involved in several Internet projects. In 2010, he started a company to manage, market, promote, and brand-build for martial arts fighters. He also launched an apparel line called Alchemist Clothing. Hammer already has advice for the business owners: “You don’t have to invent the wheel, but you might want to be the company that invents the rims,” he told The Wall Street Journal.

money from Beyoncé, says they get along

and Laurence Fishburne against each other

minority businesses; has sound advice

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Randall Pinkett... Continued from page 8 we were today. Curiously, my worst business decision was prematurely allowing others into the partnership who hadn’t proven themselves to be worthy, and then later having to figure out how to escort them out the door.

KW: How would you say winning on “The Apprentice” has impacted your life?

RP: It has created a platform for me as an author and as a speaker that would’ve been more difficult to accomplish otherwise. Business wise, it has enabled me to get access to decision-makers more easily, because they’re already familiar with me from the show.

KW: What did you think of Donald Trump’s aborted Presidential campaign, and his making such a big thing about Obama’s birth certificate?

RP: I spoke to Donald about a week or two before he bowed out of the race. I reached out to him to bring to his attention that the way in which he was couching his attacks on the President was alienating and offending not just African-Americans, but Americans in general.

It was my sense that there weren’t many people, if any, in his inner circle who were challenging him in that regard. So, I raised the issue to let him know that I was personally offended by some of the things he’d been saying, and that he needed to learn how to relate to all Americans if he seriously aspired to be President.

KW: Didn’t he recently invoke your name when he was being labeled a racist?

RP: Yes, he said, “How can I be a racist, when I hired Randal?” That was another reason why I called him. I said, “Donald, you’ve got to be kidding. There have been 11 Seasons of “The Apprentice” and I’m still the only person of color ever to emerge victorious.”

KW: What key quality do you believe all successful people share?

RP: Persistence! Without question. I believe that the race is won by he who endureth. If you desire to be successful, and you work at it long and hard enough, you will almost inevitably get there. Those who throw in the towel too quickly or too easily will never find success.

KW: How do you want to be remembered?

RP: As a man who was blessed and a blessing to others.

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                       

   

              

                      

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               

       

                       

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       

      

 

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                

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 

                               

               

                                              

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A AA

   a         a a   aaaa  ư   aaoA aoe ee aaaee   eea aaaeee aaeaea ooea       aoeee eeaoa  oee oa  ooea oa  ooea      oa ao aaeo  a   a       oa         a   ao   a a      a        e aeaae eoa

  

       

                                                                                  

 

 

 

 

                                               

                                                                            

                           

                      

                     

 

           

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 

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defendernetwork.com | WEEK OF JULY 21 | 2011 | DEFENDER

Remembering Booker T. Caldwell Services were recently held for Booker T. Caldwell, a well-known Houston entrepreneur and the father of Kirbyjon Caldwell, pastor of Windsor Village United Methodist Church.

He passed away on July 14 at the age of 88.

Mr. Caldwell was the owner of the Slack Rack and Caldwell Tailors for 45 years, and designed clothes for numerous celebrities and entertainers.

He was born in 1923 in Neches, Texas. As a teenager, he sold suits through a mail-order tailoring company for a commission.

After serving in the Army during World War II, he attended what was then Prairie View A&M College, where he met future wife, Jean Hines.

After graduation, he taught sewing, and eventually established a tailoring shop in Fifth Ward and later Third Ward. His celebrity clients included James Brown, Johnnie Taylor and Caldwell B.B. King.

Friends and family remember Caldwell as a well-dressed businessman of integrity.

Attorney Jerry Bonney grew up in Fifth Ward where his father owned a grocery and liquor store around the corner from Caldwell’s store. As a child, Bonney often ran into Mr. Caldwell’s store for a glass of water or helped him unload clothes as he stocked his shelves.

“Mr. Caldwell’s shop was across from the Deluxe Theater. My dad introduced me to Mr. Caldwell. Back then, Lyons Avenue was booming and Mr. Caldwell was right there with the rest of them. My father died when I was 10 years old. I didn’t have a father figure in my house after his death,” said Bonney. “I admired Mr. Caldwell because he had integrity. I have never heard him say anything negative about another person. I remember all the entertainers that use to come in and out of his store. That was my real first experience with entertainers.”

Today, Bonney attributes his self-employment of 35 years and his legal practice in entertainment and sports to Caldwell’s influence.

Caldwell’s niece Linda Brown, a local businesswoman, remembers his humor.

“My Uncle Booker was a chameleon because oftentimes ‘what you saw, was not what you would get’!

Growing up, I would see this tall, stately, always immaculately dressed man, even when he was casual on the

golf course, with a quiet demeanor, who could have you laughing when you least expected it! He had such a dry, unassuming wit about him and he could drop it on you at a moment’s notice,” stated Brown.

“I will remember his caring, nurturing nature not only with his family and others but also with his stray animals and especially his garden that he cared for and loved so

much. I will truly miss Uncle Booker but I will always carry his spirit in my heart and smile often about the precious moments we shared.”

Another family friend Darryal Williams said, “He was a sharp dresser, a family man, a great father figure, a shrewd businessman and a great pillar in the community. One of the things I remember was he took me to see B.B. King and I asked

him about our tickets. He said to me ‘we don’t need a ticket, my face is our ticket.’ And we got in,” said Williams.

“Another time I wanted to buy some alligator shoes and I didn’t have enough to pay for them. So he told me to take the shoes with me, sign the book and make payments on them.”

In 1999, Mr. Caldwell received

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the Heritage Award from the Houston Citizens Chamber of Commerce for his lifetime achievement in business. He served on the board of Corinthian Village and was a faithful member of Windsor Village.

In addition to his wife and son, he is survived by a daughter, Dorothea C. Pickens; sister, Gwendolyn Morrison; five grandchildren and a great granddaughter.

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Sale merchandise may not be available at all stores and is not available at RxPress Pharmacies and Pharmacy only locations. Sale prices may also be limited to your local newspaper distribution. Rain checks are not available at stores that do not carry the advertised item. Sale prices offered for the dates listed on the front page unless otherwise specified in the ad or on the coupon. Right reserved to limit all quantities on all items. Coupons must be presented at time of purchase. Regular prices quoted may vary by store. Items may not be exactly as pictured. Availability at Walgreens.com may differ. *Items advertised with Register Rewards or rebates are subject to conditions and limits established by the mfr. See coupon or rebate form for details.

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF JULY 21 | 2011

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Astros second half

No place to go but up First baseman Brett Wallace leads a talented, but inexperienced core of talent.

By MAX EDISON Defender

been tough.

“The guys that are filling in have done an admirable job, but at the same time, any time you take those captains off the field, sometimes that’s kind of tough.”

Injuries and inexperience in key areas have been a lethal combination.

“When we left spring training we thought our starting pitching and our defense was going to be pretty strong,” Mills continued. “Well, our defense

In Major League Baseball, the All-Star game generally symbolizes the halfway- point in the season.

During the All-Star break, franchise management teams normally take a good look at where their respective teams are in the standings and contemplate whether they’re a contender or pretender for the playoffs.

For the local squad, that meeting for team management should have lasted about five minutes. You see the one thing the Astros have won at the halfmark of the 2011 season, is the right to be called the worst team (30-62) in the entire MLB! At their current rate the team is on pace to lose 100 games and finish with one of their worst records in team history. They are in last place in the NL Central Division, an amazing 30 games under .500.

As the Astros begin the Astros skipper Brad Mills struggles to reverse the second half of the season, manteam’s fortunes. ager Brad Mills talks about the problems that affected his team hasn’t been really in the first half what during the first half of the season. we had hoped, but the last couple “I know it’s halfway through the weeks we made some adjustments, and season, but we’re still finding out a they’ve really done a real good job, lot of things about ourselves, what we our defense has. I think our bullpen is can and can’t do and so forth,” Mills really developing because they’re so explained. “We’ve gone through some young.” key injuries like a lot of clubs have, but Despite the record to date, first the key injuries to our catchers have

baseman Brett Wallace believes the young team is gaining valuable experience, which is a plus.

“If you look at our lineup and roster, there’s a lot of similar guys we had last year, and I think one of the biggest things is a lot of us have been getting experience early this year and there’s always going to be some bumps in the road,” Wallace said.

“I think we’ve all gained a lot of experience, and you start to see it now in close games, different things we’ve learned and how we’ve matured.”

With the second half of the season in its infancy, G.M. Ed Wade still believes the best is yet to come for his young Astros.

“We’re capable of playing good baseball, and it revolves around starting pitching, as it always does,” Wade said. “But it’s also limiting the mistakes on the field on both sides of the ball and putting innings together, and that means getting guys on and moving them over and getting a run on the board.”

Mills remains optimistic and feels the team’s strong work ethic will help them reverse their fortunes.

“No one has ever said anything about this ballclub not working or getting done what they need to do,” he said.

“We stay positive with it and keep working toward what we need to get done. These guys are men, and if they’re not, they’re guys that are developing into men. We keep focusing on the positive and do things to get that wheel moving.”

Reinecke succeeds Seals as Madison football coach HISD announced that former Madison assistant head coach Pat Reinecke has been tabbed as the successor for the recently retired Marlin head coach Ray Seals. Reinecke, a hometown product, had served under the legendary Seals as assistant head coach for 10 years. “I’m still so overwhelmed,” Reinecke said. “Everything I have been working towards throughout my career has finally come true.

I worked my butt off, and I feel like I like I picked a great coach to learn from.” Reinecke has the skill set necessary to take the Madison Marlins to the next level,” said HISD Athletic Director Marmion Dambrino. “He is truly dedicated to the program and student athletes at Madison High School.” A highly decorated assistant coach, Reinecke has been named HISD Assistant Coach of the Year four times, including this year, and in 2006 he was recognized as Man of the Year by the Houston Coaches Association.

Rockets complete coaching staff with new assistants Houston Rockets head coach Kevin McHale has hired two-time NCAA National Coach of the Year Kelvin Sampson as lead assistant coach, as well as John-Blair “J.B.” Bickerstaff, Chris Finch and Brett Gunning as assistant coaches to his staff. “Kelvin Sampson has an established track record as a very successful college and NBA coach and will be a valuable addition to my staff,” McHale said. “I have known J.B. Bickerstaff since our days together in Minnesota, and he has developed into one of the league’s best young coaches. I had an opportunity to work with Chris Finch for a few weeks leading up to the draft and I am very impressed with his success in the D-League and internationally. Brett Gunning has been here for the past three seasons in a player development role, but he has a very good feel for our players and the system we plan to implement.”

Texans host annual luncheon to kick off regular season The Texans will host the eighth annual Texans Team Luncheon presented by Amegy Bank of Texas, to kick off the regular season on Tuesday, Aug. 30 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Westin Galleria, located at 5060 West Alabama. The luncheon, benefiting the Houston Texans Foundation “Champions for Youth,” is the only event that brings all Texans players and coaches together to interact with fans.

A Texans celebrity will sit at every table during the luncheon. Unique, autographed merchandise will also be available at the silent auction table.

Members of the Texans, including head coach Gary Kubiak, will address the crowd and give a preview of what fans can expect in the 2011 season. General Manager Rick Smith, Houston Texans Ambassadors, Houston Texans cheerleaders and TORO will also appear at the luncheon.

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