Houston Defender: February 4, 2021

What matters to

BLACK

TEXANS Top Texas lawmakers address COVID-19 Health and Economic Issues, Social Justice, the Failure of Remote Learning, Black Business Contracts and more

SPORTS

ENTERTAINMENT

CICELY TYSON

Academy Award-winning actress, who died at age 96, opened up about daughter in new memoir.

Volume 90, issue 14 February 4, 2021

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DESHAUN WATSON Texans taking a risky approach to retain the disgruntled QB.

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DN On Point

FIT & FINE Mahoganey Bell Age: 29 Occupation: Online Fitness Coach & ECE Education Coordinator Education: University of St. Thomas Major: BA-Psychology Motto: Life’s hard, no one said it was going to be easy. You want it, go get it.

“I motivate me, the goals that I’ve set for myselfaloud and in secret”.

American poet Amanda Gorman reads a poem during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. -AP Photo/Patrick Semansky

Message From the Associate Editor past four years; even with QAnon crazies Even with an historic inauguration on growing in power and prejudice; even with Jan. 20 and a new, grown-folks presidential the passing of Black royalty (Cicely Tyson, administration, much of the white supremHank Aaron, UH’s Dr. James Conyers, etc.); acist drama that flavored 2020 (and all years still, we rise. since 1619, really) is alive and well.

Like brotherman Defense Secretary Lloyd Not only does each new day of this supAustin walking into the Pentagon pimp-slapposed new year reveal more about just how ping hundreds of Trumpite cronies out the many U.S. lawmakers, police, military vets, door, we see evidence of Blackfolk cleaning soccer moms and billionaire CEOs were house! part of the U.S. Capitol lynch mob, we now We see it with the forming of the Southknow Trump orchestrated darn near every eastern Texas African and African American Aswad Walker insurrectionist step, including DJ-ing the Studies Consortium—TSU, PVAMU, UH pre-insurrection rally. and Rice coming together to give our history its due. We So, it’s no surprise the spawn of Trump, Marjorie Taylor see it with the coming of “Kingdom of Wakanda,” a Disney Greene, who is an actual U.S. representative, is sharing a + series that stands to inspire us daily to build a Wakanda of workspace with those she has openly endorsed being mur- our own. We see it with Black History Month 2021’s focus dered. And if her belief that California wildfires were caused on the Black Family. by “Jewish space lasers” wasn’t bad enough, her GOP colWait. Did I just say it’s 2021? Yes; even amid the madness, leagues across the country are upping their voter suppression still we rise. game in preparation for the 2022 midterm elections. 2022?

Nah, playa. We haven’t made it out of 2020 yet, look like.

IN THIS WEEK’S DEFENDER Check out excerpts from Defender’s State of Black Texas.

STILL WE RISE More trauma; 9-year-old Black child cuffed and pepNeed more evidence? The Super Bowl is about to pop per-sprayed by police. off, with Tampa Bay rolling with three African American The Black Family takes center stage this Black History coordinators. For you non-sports folk, that’s a big deal. Yet, Month. zero Blacks were named to a head coaching spot until the Texans… I’m not even going there. Making matters worse, ON THE WEB Colin Kaepernick has become such an NFL afterthought that • Peep 2021’s most anticipated movies. not even an Amanda Gorman poem can cover up that stench. • Texas lawmaker wants to remove racist names from state Yet, still we rise. prisons. No word on removing racism from the prison Even with Republicans already playing stupid, as if we system. didn’t see them getting off to Black & Brown trauma for the • State requiring students to take STAAR in person.

IS IT 2021 YET?

IG: @allmightymeaux Business IG: @minibutmightyfit Website: www.minibutmightyfit.com Read more on Friday about Mahoganey at defendernetwork.com If you are Fit & Fine email: fitnfine@defendernetwork.com

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DN News

Shawna Thomas was named Executive Producer of CBS This Morning featuring Gayle King. The Houstonian is a graduate of HISD schools.

TSU receives $4.75 mil grant Defender News Service

Governor Greg Abbott delivers State of the State Defender News Service

Republican Gov. Greg Abbott said Texas is on a comeback from a pandemic that has killed more than 36,000 people here — third-most in the U.S. — and steered America’s biggest red state into a thicket of battles over voting, policing and immigration that are likely to deepen political divides in the months ahead.

In his final State of the State address before he is on the ballot for a third term in 2022, Abbott addressed several areas: • Outlawing the cutting of police budgets • Ordering the GOP majority in the Texas Capitol to prioritize “election integrity,” while making no mention that there was no evidence of widespread fraud during the 2020 elections.

• Demanding more gun protection on the books at a time when the NRA is newly looking to reincorporate in Texas.

• Increasing anti-abortion laws in a state that already has some of the most restrictive measures in the country.

• Our comeback is already materializing,” Abbott said. “Texans are returning to work. Students are returning to school. Families are re-establishing routines. With each passing day of more vaccinations and increased immunity, normalcy is returning to Texas.”

Democrats used their rebuttal to narrowly tear into Abbott’s handling of the pandemic and paint a bleaker picture than his upbeat assessments, saying an uneven response continues letting cases spread and leaves cities powerless to manage outbreaks.

Abbott, who has not ruled out a 2024 presidential run, delivered his State of the State for the on primetime television in Texas for the first time — rather than in front of lawmakers in the state Capitol, giving Abbott an even larger audience than usual to defend his pandemic response — which has come

under attack from members of his own party — at a moment when Texas, like most of the U.S., is finally seeing hospitalizations and cases fall after reaching record highs in recent weeks.

He praised frontline hospital workers for their resilience and declared expanding broadband access a priority in the aftermath of a pandemic that forced millions to work and go to school from home. There was no mention of direct relief for Texans put of work but a demand for legislation that would protect businesses from pandemic-related lawsuits.

Abbott also did not lay out or endorse any specific policing reforms after George Floyd’s death last year sparked a global reckoning over police brutality and racial prejudice. Abbott, who attended Floyd’s funeral in Houston, did not mention race while saying lawmakers “must provide law enforcement with tools and training they need to ensure the safety that their communities deserve.

UH Professor James Conyers dead at 59 Dr. James “Jim” Conyers, longtime director of the University of Houston African American Studies Program, died recently at age 59.

Described by UH colleagues as a prolific scholar, author and researcher extraordinaire, Conyers is credited with transforming UH’s African American STudies Program, and making it a force in Houston’s Black community.

“I am deeply saddened to announce that our beloved professor, scholar, author and philanthropist James ‘Jim’ Conyers, director of the UH African American studies program, has passed away,” said Dr. Daniel P. O’Connor, interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. “While

our community is mourning the loss, we have been blessed to know such an impactful activist and scholar.

His commitment to racial justice and helping those in need, which he put into action by personally endowing the William Alexander Lawson Social Justice Scholarship for African American studies majors, will endure on our campus and in our community for generations to come.”

Conyers’ awards included the University Teaching Excellence Award (University of Nebraska at Omaha)

and the Chiekh Anta Diop Award for Research and Publication in the discipline of African American Studies (Temple University).

A prolific author and editor of professional publications in his field, Conyers is probably more well-known for his humble nature, and commitment to empowering others.

A valued member of the UH community for nearly 20 years, Conyers’ family has elected to hold a private ceremony and request that in lieu of flowers, they are requesting donations to be made to the William A. Lawson Social Justice Endowment. Additionally, the University of Houston is scheduling a memorial service, the date of which has yet to be announced.

Texas Southern University (TSU) has been awarded funding totaling $4.75 million from Houston Endowment for several academic, arts and social justice initiatives. Grants were awarded to TSU’s Center for Justice Research (CJR), the University Museum, Earl Carl Institute (ECI) and establishment of the Robert D. Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice (CECJ).

This is the largest total gift from Houston Endowment to Texas Southern in the University’s history.

“Texas Southern is elated to receive major support from Houston Endowment to bolster critical research and justice centers as well as our beloved museum. Each entity provides their own excellent standard in environmental, justice and artistic realms to benefit the Houston community and beyond,” said Interim President Kenneth Huewitt. “TSU is proud to take the lead in pushing for climate change and social justice equity as well as being a champion of African-American art and culture.”

The Center for Justice Research (CJR) received $1.5 million to continue its work in sustaining diversity in the criminal justice system. CJR has become the go-to research entity for evidence-supported policy recommendations and program implementation to create solutions for improving the criminal justice system to aid disenfranchised, marginalized communities in Houston and across the nation.

The University Museum received $500,000 to expand its arts and cultural initiatives. The Museum – led by Dr. Alvia Wardlaw, TSU art professor and Museum Director – will expand its exploration of works created by renowned artist and educator, the late Dr. John Biggers.

The Earl Carl Institute (ECI) received $1.5 million to address racism and systemic injustices in Houston. ECI is an advocacy think tank at Texas Southern’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law that seeks to eliminate disparities that negatively impact African-American individuals and communities. ECI addresses systemic social issues through legal representation, research, education and advocacy.

Read more at www.DefenderNetwork.com

VOLUME 90 - NUMBER 14 - FEBRUARY 4, 2021 Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles

Managing Editor ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Ad/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler

Associate Editor Aswad Walker

Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles

Sports Terrance Harris Jodie B. Jiles

Creative Director Michael Grant

Photographers Ray Carrington III Jimmie Aggison

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Newspaper Inc. and audited by Alliance for Audited Media (AAM). Only digital subscriptions are available at: www.defendernetwork.com/subscribe No paper subscriptions available. All materials covered by 2020 copyright.

No materials herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the Publisher. 713-663-6996 | P.O. Box 8005, Houston, Tx 77288

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DN News

Roz Brewer has been named the CEO of Walgreens. The former Starbucks exec becomes the only Black female CEO of a Fortune 500 company.

OUTRAGE

9-year-old handcuffed, pepper-sprayed Defender News Service

A police officer in Rochester, New York, was suspended and two others were placed on administrative leave after body camera footage showed a 9-year-old girl handcuffed and pepper-sprayed during a call about a family disturbance.

Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren said that she demanded the suspensions while an internal police investigation is underway.

“Unfortunately, state law and union contract prevents me from taking more immediate and serious action,” Warren said, vowing to press for changes that would allow quicker disciplinary action.

New York Attorney General Letitia James said her office also is reviewing the incident, which she called “deeply disturbing and wholly unacceptable.”

“Such use of force and pepper spray should never be deployed against a child, period,” James said. “My office is looking into what transpired and how a child was ever subjected to such danger.”

She added: “It’s clear that drastic reform is needed at the Rochester Police Department to ensure that mental health professionals and child advocates are actually

Three officers are in trouble after handcuffing and pepper-spraying the 9-year-old.

responding to people in need and when minors are involved, and that this type of behavior never occurs again.”

Two police body cam videos show the child repeatedly crying out for her father as officers struggle to get her inside a police car following an argument on the street with a woman identified as her mother.

“You’re acting like a child,” one officer

tells the girl while trying to move her feet into the vehicle.

“I am a child,” the girl responds between sobs.

After several minutes of trying to force the child fully into the car, a male officer directs another officer to “just spray her at this point.”

A female officer appears to shake a can in front of the seated girl. A few seconds

later, the girl is heard asking someone to wipe her eyes before the car doors close to the audible relief of one of nine officers that responded to the scene.

The child was taken to a hospital and later released to family, authorities said.

Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren, addressing both videos at a press conference on Sunday, said it is “clear from the video we need to do more in support of our children and families.”

“I have a 10-year-old child, so she’s a child. She’s a baby. This video, as a mother, is not anything you want to see,” Warren said. “This is not something that any of us should want to justify, can justify, and it’s something we have to change.”

Officials described the child as suicidal and said she also wanted to harm her mother.

Despite these apparent mental health concerns, Warren said that the city’s Office of Crisis Intervention Services, which is trained to respond to mental health-related calls, was not alerted to the scene because the initial call to police involved “a number events happening at the same time that required a police response.”

GOP lawmakers seek tougher voting rules after record turnout Associated Press

Republican lawmakers in statehouses across the country are moving swiftly to attack some of the voting methods that fueled the highest turnout for a presidential election in 50 years.

Although most legislative sessions are just getting underway, the Brennan Center for Justice, a public policy institute, has already tallied more than 100 bills in 28 states meant to restrict voting access. More than a third of those proposals are aimed at limiting mail voting, while other bills seek to strengthen voter ID requirements and registration processes, as well as allow for more aggressive means to remove people from voter rolls.

“Unfortunately, we are seeing some politicians who want to manipulate the rules of the game so that some people can participate and some can’t,” said Myrna Pérez, director of the voting rights and elections program at the Brennan Center.

The proposals are advancing not only in Texas and other traditional red states but also in such places as Arizona, Georgia and Pennsylvania that supported Donald Trump four years ago, only to flip for Joe Biden in November.

Many Republicans have said the new bills are meant to shore up public confidence after Trump and his GOP allies, without evidence, criticized the election as fraudulent. Those claims were turned away by dozens of courts and were made even as a group of election officials — including representatives of the federal government’s cybersecurity agency — deemed the 2020 presidential election the “the most secure in American history.”

In Texas, the nation’s largest Republican-controlled state, the 2020 presidential election was considered a resounding success by almost any measure. Millions took advantage of early in-person voting to shatter the state’s turnout record. There were no reports of widespread system meltdowns, voter disenfranchisement or fraud.

But some GOP lawmakers there are seeking new criminal offenses to deter voter fraud, even though actual fraud is exceedingly rare. Other bills would prohibit independent groups from distributing application forms for mail-in ballots and clarify who can request an application. In September, the state sued Harris County, home to Democratic-leaning

People wait in line to vote at a polling place on Election Day in Las Vegas. AP Photo/John Locher, File

Houston, to stop officials from sending mail ballot applications to the more than two million registered voters there.

Texas Rep. Jacey Jetton, a Republican, said he hopes lawmakers will pass new regulations for verification of voters’ identity for mail-in voting to ensure “elections are accurate and that people feel it is conducted in such a way they are getting a fair, accurate election result.” Absentee voting already is limited in Texas, mostly allowed for voters who can’t make it to the polls on Election Day because they will be out of

town or have a medical condition.

Thomas Buser-Clancy, senior staff attorney for the ACLU of Texas, said the state already is known as a “voter suppression state,” noting that Texas does not allow online voter registration or broad mail voting.

“I think it is fair to call Texas a voter suppression state where election laws are largely aimed at making it harder, more difficult and scary for individuals to exercise their fundamental right to vote,” he said.

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DEFENDER NETWORK

Taking care of teammates

In a year unlike any other, our company and teammates were called upon to address unprecedented challenges and headwinds in the broader environment, working in support of each other, our clients and the communities where we work and live.

In appreciation of these outstanding efforts, we are recognizing eligible employees with Delivering Together compensation awards. A cash bonus of $750 or additional stock award is the latest step our company has taken to invest in our employees during the health crisis.

We’ve also significantly invested in industry-leading solutions and resources. To help many of our teammates balancing family and work, we provided an enhanced benefit of up to $100 per day for in-home childcare — funding nearly 3 million days of support. And in 2020, we accelerated the move of our U.S. minimum hourly rate of pay to $20, more than a year earlier than originally planned.

Here in Houston, my teammates and I are here to help. We’re proud of this community and remain committed to making it a better place for us all.

For the fourth time since 2017, Bank of America is recognizing teammates with a special award in cash or restricted stock.

This year, approximately 97% of teammates will receive a Delivering Together award.

These awards are in addition to any regular annual incentives that eligible employees may receive.

Hong Ogle Houston Market President

To learn more, please visit bankofamerica.com/community Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Credit Opportunity Lender. © 2021 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

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DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Health VACCINES

BY THE NUMBERS Study explores where Texans stand on getting the vaccine

Undecided

Black

White

Latino

Already received vaccine/plan to receive

15% 7% 10%

48% 59% 60%

22%

Definitely not getting the vaccine.

40%

Unsure/unlikely to accept a COVID-19 vaccine

Texans’ preference on vaccine.

*University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs

Racial disparity seen in US vaccination drive Associated Press

A racial gap has opened up in the nation’s COVID-19 vaccination drive, with Black Americans in many places lagging behind whites in receiving shots, an Associated Press analysis shows.

An early look at the 17 states and two cities that have released racial breakdowns through Jan. 25 found that Black people in all places are getting inoculated at levels below their share of the general population, in some cases significantly below.

That is true even though they constitute an oversize percentage of the nation’s health care workers, who were put at the front of the line for shots when the campaign began in mid-December.

For example, in North Carolina, Black people make up 22% of the population and 26% of the health care workforce but only 11% of the vaccine recipients so far. White people, a category in which the state includes both Hispanic and non-Hispanic whites, are 68% of the population and 82% of those vaccinated.

The gap is deeply troubling to some, given that the coronavirus has taken a disproportionate toll in severe sickness and death on Black people in the U.S., where the scourge has killed over 430,000 Americans. Black, Hispanic and Native American people are dying from COVID-19 at almost three times the rate of white people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“We’re going to see a widening and exacerbation of the racial health inequities that were here before the pandemic and worsened during the pandemic if our communities cannot access the vaccine,” said Dr. Uché Blackstock, a New York emergency physician and CEO of Advancing Health Equity, an advocacy group that addresses bias and inequality.

Experts say several factors could be driving the emerging disparity, including deep distrust of the medical establishment

Larry Hamilton, 70, standing, brings his father Leo Hamilton, 96, to CareSouth Medical and Dental to receive his COVID-19 vaccine. CareSouth Medical

among Black Americans because of a history of discriminatory treatment; inadequate access to the vaccine in Black neighborhoods; and a digital divide that can make it difficult to get crucial information. Vaccination sign-ups are being done to a large degree online.

“It’s frustrating and challenging,” said Dr. Michelle Fiscus,

who runs Tennessee’s vaccination program, which is doubling the doses sent to some hard-hit rural counties but is meeting with deep-rooted mistrust among some Black Tennesseans.

“We have to be working very hard to rebuild that trust and get these folks vaccinated,” Fiscus said. “They’re dying. They’re being hospitalized.”

President Joe Biden is trying to bring more equity to the vaccine rollout he inherited from the Trump administration.

The Biden administration is encouraging states to map and target vulnerable neighborhoods using such tools as the CDC’s social vulnerability index, which incorporates data on race, poverty, crowded housing and other factors.

“We are going to take extra steps to get to the people hardest to reach, and that work is happening right now,” said Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, the chair of Biden’s COVID-19 equity task force.

Most states have yet to release any racial data on who has been vaccinated. Even in the states that provided breakdowns, the data is often incomplete, with many records missing details on race. However, the missing information would not be enough to change the general picture in most cases.

The data came from Alaska, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia, plus two cities, Philadelphia and Chicago.

The AP analysis found that whites are getting vaccinated at closer to or higher than expected levels in most of the states examined.

At the outset, health care workers and nursing home residents generally were given priority for shots in the U.S. In the past couple of weeks, many states opened eligibility to a wider group of older people and more front-line workers, which could be further depressing the relative share of Black people getting vaccinated. The nation’s over-65 population is more heavily white than other age groups.

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DEFENDER NETWORK

WE STAND BEHIND THE VACCINE Here’s why our experts support the COVID-19 vaccine:

TESTED

TRUSTED

EFFECTIVE

There has been thorough testing and rigorous external review. Previous research and new technology allowed the vaccine to be developed faster, yet still follow the standard FDA process for emergency review before approval.

Most side effects are minimal, like other vaccines — including sore arms, muscle aches and fever. These flu-like symptoms indicate that the vaccine is doing its job — helping your body develop immunity to the virus. Other side effects are rare.

Current evidence indicates the vaccine is safe and up to 95% effective. COVID-19 can be fatal or debilitating. The risks of experiencing serious symptoms or being hospitalized from the disease are far greater than the risks associated with getting the vaccine.

Many different organizations across Greater Houston are providing vaccines as quickly as they can get them. We encourage you to get the first vaccine available to you when it is your turn according to the state’s prioritization plan. Visit houstonmethodist.org/vaccine for the latest information on COVID-19 vaccines. #ProtectedTogether

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DN Health

Girls’ nights IN are gonna take COVID-19 OUT.

(Chauncy Glover via AP)

People desperate for COVID-19 guidance seek local journalists Associated Press

how to get vaccinated have become most Calling a hospital to see if a bed was avail- common. Callers are trying to find out about able for a COVID-19 patient isn’t part of unemployment benefits, about whether or Houston television news anchor Chauncy not they should cancel a family wedding or Glover’s job description. Neither is guid- if it was illegal to hold a graveside service for ing a viewer online to find a place to be a relative who died. vaccinated.

There are also elderly readers who can’t He’s done both, and isn’t alone. Listeners navigate online vaccination sign-ups. and readers across the country are reaching Glover has spent considerable time trying out directly to journalists for help during to convince people in Houston’s Black comthe coronavirus pandemic, and many are munity that the vaccines are safe. He’s met responding. with hardened skepticism, including people “We are now doing more than we bar- who disparage “Trump’s vaccine.” He and gained for,” Glover said. “We have to be colleague Mayra Moreno host televised town smarter on these topics. We have to know hall meetings aimed particularly at Black more. For so many people, it may be life or and Latino residents. death.”

Alvarado similarly tries to break down It began for Glover last spring, when he cultural barriers, and sends out a regular came down with COVID-19 and told his text message of coronavirus news to listenstory to KTRK-TV viewers. By phone, email ers who don’t have Internet access. and text, he was peppered with questions “For me, it’s rewarding,” Glover said. “You after getting back to work: What did it feel work so hard to become that voice that peolike? Should I be worried if I have this symp- ple turn to and they trust what you’re saying. tom? What did you do during quarantine to To me, that’s the ultimate goal of a journalist keep from going crazy?

— to be trusted….I make sure I stay within One viewer described symptoms that my boundaries. I don’t think there’s anything made Glover suggest he go to the hospital, wrong with helping people navigate a weband the news anchor followed up with calls site. I’m not picking people up and taking to find space for him. them to doctors’ appointments or driving During the past month, inquiries aboutT:4.812" them to the hospital.”

We don’t get enough laughs these days.

But, wherever they are, our friends are as close as a click. Vaccines are coming. But until enough of us are vaccinated, we still need to slow the spread. We can watch our distance, and not let COVID-19 keep us apart.

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DEFENDER NETWORK

Real CHANGE IS ROOTED IN

H-E-B was founded on the unwavering belief that Each and Every Person Counts.

Through our Be the Change initiative, H-E-B pledges to do our part to advance equity and inclusion across our great state.

Be the Change builds upon our established Diversity and Inclusion framework driving us to be a better employer, retailer and community partner.

To amplify diverse voices, we’re proudly sharing their stories and highlighting their products and services.

Together, we can create real change.

Learn more at heb.com/bethechange

Š2021 HEB, 21-2763

10 | February 4, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

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DN ON SOCIAL THE WEB InFocus

STATE OF BLACK TEXAS:

Top Lawmakers speak on the big issues of 2021

By Aswad Walker

city through the 50s and 60s when we had segregated cities and he Defender Network recently hosted the final edition of the Martin Luther King movement, those tough 1960s… I a three-part virtual event series called the State of BLACK remember an America that we shouldn’t have had, of segregation.

TEXAS. Featured guests included Lieutenant Governor So, in terms of social justice today, I believe in my heart, we’ve Dan Patrick in segment one, and the two most prominent Black come so far from those days. But I also believe in my heart, we state elected officials, State Senator Royce West have a long way to go. And it never ends. And from Dallas and Houston’s own State Senator in terms of systemic racism… I don’t believe Borris Miles, in the second segment. that the majority of Black, white and Brown The entire three-part State of Black series Americans are racist. Do we have pockets of was made possible by Title Sponsor H-E-B, racism in this country from all sides? Yes. But Presenting Sponsor, Chevron, and VIP sponthe way we lead in Texas to address this issue is sors Amegy Bank and Cadence Bank. by example, with us working together… We will Several community partners added to the bring our senators together and we will address questions posed to the three lawmakers. Those those issues in legislation. I can’t tell you what community partners include NAACP Houston, it looks like today. But I can tell you this, no Greater Houston Black Chamber, the Houston one wants any one from law enforcement who Area, Urban League, the Pan-Hellenic Council shouldn’t be on the job because of anything that of Houston, the Houston Baptist Ministers Allithey have done, that would indicate something ance and our Dallas partners Friendship-West that could happen. Like we’ve seen elsewhere…

Baptist Church’s Pastor Dr. Frederick Douglass Lt. Governor Dan Patrick And I can tell you this, that in talking with HPD Haynes III and Sharon Beard, national presiand police all over the state, they don’t want any dent, Top Ladies of Distinction. bad officers on the force either.

Moreover, a new State of BLACK partner, Houston Public Media, provided questions and will showcase segments of the RE-DISTRICTING program on Thursday, Feb 11 at 7pm, and share it on their public Redistricting, we have a committee, a bi-partisan committee. radio station and network throughout the state.

Joan Hoffman is the chair. Senator Hinajosa from the valley is The Defender compiled the biggest insights from the State of the vice chair. It has 17 members, Republicans, Democrats from Black Texas event. all over the state. Their task is to draw a map that’s legal and fair.

There’s always someone who has a disagreement. Then you try LT. GOVERNOR DAN PATRICK ON THE BIG ISSUES: to draw 31 districts for every Senator, not everyone agrees. But BLACK BUSINESSES IN WAKE OF THE PANDEMIC we’ll get there. Normally we would do it, you know, sooner than The way we help Black businesses is we need to get people later, but we’re waiting for the data from the federal government back to work… But there’s a balancing act. We want to make sure (Census)… But, we’ll draw a legal and fair map and everyone that no one gets COVID and no one dies from it, and of course will have input… Look, I know Royce and Borris are coming on that’s impossible. Even those states that have tried to do that, that next. Both are leaders, in the Senate. They represent the Black have closed all businesses, that has not worked. So, in Texas, we community very well. And we have a personal relationship. We have done everything we can to keep as many businesses open. trust each other. We work together and we work through probFor businesses today, it’s not the state or your city or counties lems and I’m appreciative of how they work across the aisle with anymore asking you to shut down: it’s getting customers out. us. Most people say, “Well, you know, it’s partisanship.” Well, it So that’s why we have to test people. That’s why we have to get may be in Washington DC, but in the Texas Senate last year, we the vaccinations out. And we’ve got to get customers to these passed 1,818 bills. Only 18 out of the 1,818 passed with only places… So, we can’t help those Black businesses in our inner Republican votes. So, on 99.99% of all legislation, we passed, joint city until we get people going back to work. resolutions, Senate resolutions bills, local bills, statewide… So, we worked together well, we’re going to continue to do that for Black POLICE REFORM & SOCIAL JUSTICE Texas, white Texas, Brown Texas, and all Texas. Because at the I grew up in inner city Baltimore… So, I grew up in the inner end of the day, we are one Texas. And that’s the way it should be.

T

State Senators Royce West & Borris Miles EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF COVID VACCINES MILES: The state made an agreement to put out their own process of

how they were going to distribute the vaccines… principles that they gave that we didn’t ask for, but they put in writing… They want to mitigate health inequities, including obligation to explicitly address the higher burden of COVID-19 experienced by populations most effected heavily given their exposure to health inequities.

These are African-American communities that they’re talking about! This is the promises that they made… [However] I keep in contact with Steven Williams from the city’s Health Department. And many times, they’ve complained to me that, “Borris, we just don’t have it.” Well, I go back and check with the state and they tell me they sent X amount of doses to the city, and we haven’t received it.

They’re using it as a political ping-pong ball. But more importantly, on this issue than anything else, we have to hold the State Senator state accountable for the principles that Borris Miles they laid down on this distribution.

WEST: What we’ve done, we found out that Walgreens, CVS stores were

getting vaccines… And I made certain that those stores, stores in our communities, were getting dosage in order to make certain to get the vaccine out. And so, we’ve got to be vigilant… stay in contact with the health department, and hold them accountable for getting it out. And we’ve got to figure out how much CARES money has come down that Department of Health has discretion on utilizing in order to realize the issues that negatively or disproportionately impact our community, which they do. We need to help them imagine or re-imagine how to use that money in our community… We’ve got to figure out once [the CARES money] gets here, what departments it’s going to, and then hold those departments accountable for spending it also for the benefit of our communities. It’s not just giving lip service to it, but the spending where it impacts our communities also.

BLACK BUSINESSES ACCESS TO STATE CONTRACTS MILES: First of all, I want you to know that Royce and I are drafting a

piece of legislation to create an independent state hub office, to act as an

To WATCH the the entire State of BLACK TEXAS program go to: DefenderNetwork.com

ombudsman for minority contracting for hub contractors.

Secondly, the most important thing is education. We have to do a better job of educating our hub minority contractors on how to go after these state contracts. And then we have to educate them not only on how to go after them, but how the money flow is going to be dealing with the state. Because so many of our Black contractors have gotten contracts, but have gone out of business because they don’t realize how slow the state pays on these contracts.

WEST: It is so important that you support your local chamber and

you statewide chamber. Why is it? What I noticed is, Black people tend to be the ones that get these programs set up. And we’re the last ones to be able to benefit from these programs… We have more Black people in the state of Texas than any other state. We have more Black power now in the state is Texas than we’ve had in a long time. And so at the city level, and in Houston, in Dallas, in other areas, we should be making certain that we work and hold accountable those elected leaders, those city managers and others that have the MWBE programs and make certain that African Americans are getting their fair share State Senator Royce West of the dollars.

THE STATE’S EDUCATIONAL AGENDA MILES: Texas has got to keep our school districts harmless. They’re not

responsible for COVID. They’re doing the best job they can in our school districts to deal with the COVID. Okay. And we have been told that House Bill 3, won’t be reduced in any kind of way. That the same funding we had before COVID, we’re going to have during the COVID period. We need that funding so that we can make up for the digital divide, we can make up for kids falling behind through this COVID time. But more importantly, the commitment to say, “Okay, senators; okay, State Reps; okay, The state of Texas, we’re not going to go backwards on HB 3.”

WEST: In 2019, we probably had about right at 90% of Black students

graduate from high school. That’s pretty good. And we’ve had probably about less than 5% that are dropouts. That’s pretty good in the state of Texas. And the fact is, is that we’re ahead of a lot of other states as it relates to Americans, but there’s still that education gap… As it relates to African American students, I want to hear from educators. I need you to call Borris about what you think specifically about what we need to do as it relates to additional support in order to help close that gap… I don’t want to keep on kicking the can down the road.

REDISTRICTING MILES: We need our people, African-Americans, to be a part of these

hearings. And they need to voice their opinion. Royce and I are just two people that can, you know, but our masses, if our masses put their comments in and attendees ask questions to these virtual committee hearings, it would help us out a lot… Royce will tell you, he and I have already contracted a lawyer and signed in with a lawyer to represent us.

WEST: Borris has already told the people in Houston that he has the

hearing dates on his website as well as how to register. You know, there is no excuse to not participate other than being lazy. And if you hadn’t participated, don’t come up to me talking about redistricting… Now is the time to start registering and participating… Don’t have to worry about coming down to Austin, just Zoom in and testify.

12 | February 4, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

HOUSTON ENDOWMENT SALUTES LOCAL LEADERS ADVANCING RACIAL EQUITY AND JUSTICE The time is now to accelerate change. As part of our commitment to eradicating anti-Black racism, Houston Endowment is honored to invest in and amplify the work of the following organizations and initiatives.

ARTS, CULTURE, & HISTORY BLUE TRIANGLE COMMUNITY CENTER BUFFALO SOLDIERS NATIONAL MUSEUM COMMUNITY ARTISTS’ COLLECTIVE COMMUNITY MUSIC CENTER OF HOUSTON CONVICT LEASING AND LABOR PROJECT EMANCIPATION PARK CONSERVANCY ENSEMBLE THEATRE FREEDMEN'S TOWN PRESERVATION COALITION HOUSTON FREEDMEN'S TOWN CONSERVANCY HOUSTON MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE

POLICY AND ADVOCACY BLACK LGBTQIA+ MIGRANT PROJECT BLM HTX CENTER FOR CIVIC & PUBLIC POLICY IMPROVEMENT HARRIS COUNTY YOUTH COLLECTIVE Launch of a Youth-led Organizing Entity HOUSTON AREA URBAN LEAGUE HOUSTON ORGANIZING MOVEMENT FOR EQUITY (HOME) COALITION INSTITUTE OF ENGAGEMENT

INDEPENDENCE HEIGHTS REDEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

NAACP Houston

PROJECT ROW HOUSES

PURE JUSTICE

TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY University Museum

SANKOFA RESEARCH INSTITUTE

EDUCATION

TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY Center for Justice Research Dr. Robert D. Bullard Center for Environmental Justice

COLOR OF LIFE COMMUNITY RESOURCE & ACTIVITY CENTER

Earl Carl Institute for Legal & Social Policy, Inc.

HOUSTON GUIDED PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS Equity in Higher Education Initiative

STRONG COMMUNITIES ACHIEVING COMMUNITY TASKS SUCCESSFULLY CENTER FOR THE HEALING OF RACISM CHANGE HAPPENS COALITION OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS COMMUNITIES FOR BETTER HEALTH COMPLETE COMMUNITIES EAST HARRIS COUNTY EMPOWERMENT COUNCIL EMANCIPATION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL FIFTH WARD CRC HARVEST CDC HOUSTON COALITION AGAINST HATE JULIA C. HESTER HOUSE NEIGHBORHOOD RECOVERY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION NORTHEAST HOUSTON REDEVELOPMENT COUNCIL PRESERVING COMMUNITIES OF COLOR SHAPE COMMUNITY CENTER SOUTH UNION CDC

HYPE FREEDOM SCHOOL, INC.

SUNNYSIDE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION

MUFASA'S PRIDE RITES OF PASSAGE

TAMINA COMMUNITY CENTER

PRAIRIE VIEW A&M COLLEGE OF EDUCATION URBAN ENRICHMENT INSTITUTE

STRONG FAMILIES AND CHILDREN 8 MILLION STORIES COLLABORATIVE FOR CHILDREN Support for Centers of Excellence in Historically Black Neighborhoods MONARCH FAMILY SERVICES SHADES OF BLUE PROJECT

Houston Endowment advances equity of opportunity for the people of Greater Houston and enhances the vibrancy of our community so that our region and its people thrive.

HoustonEndowment.org

February 4, 2021 |

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DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Entertainment NEW MEMOIR

Cicely Tyson opened up about daughter Defender News Service

Cicely Tyson was a screen and TV legend, but the star kept her personal life private —including her relationship with her only daughter.

Tyson, who died on Jan. 28 at the age of 96, opened up about her relationship with her daughter in her memoir Just As I Am, choosing to keep her daughter’s real name private and refer to her as “Joan.”

The Sounder star also dedicated her memoir, which is out now, to Joan, writing that her daughter was “the one who has paid the greatest price for this gift to all,” and signed the dedication, “Love, Mom.” Tyson, who married her first husband Kenneth Franklin in December 1942, gave birth to Joan in February 1943 when she was 18 years old. She left Franklin two years later.

The Oscar-nominated actress worked several jobs to make ends meet and raise her daughter, with the help of her mother. Tyson’s dream was to give Joan, whom she affectionately called “my beloved princess,” an “education superior to my own.”

Tyson would often wake up before the sun rose to prepare her daughter for school until she decided to send Joan to a boarding school miles away from their home in New York City.

The long distance between them, Tyson wrote, was painful.

“I do not regret that I chose to earn a living in the manner in which I did, or that I arranged for Joan to attend school in a world miles north of mine,” Tyson wrote. “But I do mourn that my child, during the years she hungered to have me close, felt my absence so profoundly.”

Tyson also opened up about why she so rarely spoke about her daughter, explaining, “Joan felt, as a child, that she had to share me with the world. I give her now, in adulthood, what my heart has always longed to bestow — my undivided focus, along with the full measure of her privacy.”

Just As I Am is available wherever books are sold.

Children’s Museum, Mayor, local leaders inspire literacy Children’s Museum of Houston and sister location, Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center, have invited community leaders to inspire children, virtually, through the power of literacy during February Black History Month.

Community leaders from Houston: Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Houston Independent School District (HISD) Interim Superintendent Dr. Grenita Lathan, ABC 13 KTRK News Anchors Gina Gaston and Melanie Lawson, Houston Defender Publisher and CEO Sonceria “Sonny” Messiah Jiles, Children’s Museum Houston Board Member and author Paula Harris, and from Fort Bend: Fort Bend Independent School District (FBISD) Dr. Charles Dupre, Fort Bend County Sheriff Eric Fagan, Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center Council Member Sam Golden, Memorial Hermann Vice President - Chief Nursing Officer Seleria Fletcher, and Fluor Corporation Community Relations and Public Affairs Senior Manager Barbara Jones, will ignite imaginations through the power of reading and storytelling featuring children’s books written by Black authors.

Gina Gaston BLACK HISTORY MONTH STORY TIMES:

Virtual story times will take place at 11:15 a.m. and 4 p.m. on the Museum and Discovery Center’s Facebook pages respectively, until Feb. 5. The clips will be available on their YouTube pages.

THURSDAY, FEB. 4 Children’s Museum Houston Facebook Page “Hair Love” by Matthew Cherry

Sonny Jiles

Melanie Lawson

Dr. Grenita Lathan

Read by Sonceria “Sonny” Messiah Jiles, Houston Defender Publisher and CEO Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center Facebook Page “Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea” by Meena Harris

Read by Melanie Lawson, ABC 13 KTRK News Anchor

FRIDAY, FEB. 5 Children’s Museum Houston Facebook Page

TBA

“Please, Baby, Please” by Spike Lee and Tonya Lee

***Activities, events and times subject to change.

Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center Facebook Page “Not Quite Snow White” by Ashley Franklin

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner

14 | February 4, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

THANK YOU!

Attendees, Featured Guests, Sponsors & Partners

Dan Patrick

Texas Lt. Governor

Royce West

Texas Senator (Dallas)

Borris Miles

Texas Senator (Houston)

Sponsors

PARTNERS w NAACP of Houston w Houston Area Urban League w Greater Houston Black Chamber w Top Ladies of Distinction w Houston Baptists Ministerial Alliance w Houston Pan-Hellenic Council

State of

BLACK TEXAS IF YOU MISSED the program go to: Defendernetwork.com

Defender

February 4, 2021 |

| 15

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Black History

Dr. Judith Craven Mayor Sylvester Turner Living Legend Honoree

Carol Mims Galloway National Association for the Advancement of Colored People – Houston

Sue Johnson Family Service Center of Galveston County

Dr. LaShondra Jones South East Veterans’ Resource Effort – SERVE

Dr. Beverly Nolan Holocaust Museum of Houston

Commissioner Grady Prestage Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston

Dr. Vernus Swisher Center for Pursuit

Dr. Antonio DwayneTillis East End Chamber Foundation

City of Houston, Mayor Turner, Comcast celebrate History Makers recipients Defender News Services

In celebration of this year’s Black History Month, Comcast will honor eight community volunteers for the fourth year since the Mayor’s History Makers Awards presented by Comcast began. This year’s History Makers Award recipients will be celebrated through a series of vignettes that will be featured on Comcast’s social media platforms. Comcast will also donate $1,000 to the nonprofit organization of each honoree’s choice.

“This year’s honorees have dedicated their

lives to serving the public, and they have contributed to making our community stronger and more resilient. They deserve to be celebrated every day and especially during Black History Month,” Mayor Sylvester Turner said.

“I am grateful to Comcast for shining a positive light on these exceptional individuals. Time and again, Comcast demonstrates why they are a leader in corporate citizenship through commitment and action.”

“The Mayor’s History Makers Awards give us an opportunity to recognize those who have

played a vital role in positive change in their communities while celebrating the diversity of this great city,” said Ralph Martinez, senior vice president for Comcast’s Houston region.

“Although we are unable to meet in-person this year, we feel it is important to continue the tradition of recognizing these community volunteers.”

Honorees were judged on criteria that included their personal impact in the community, helping further the mission of a nonprofit organization and overcoming personal

obstacles. Judges for the awards include Judge Lina Hidalgo, Harris County; Shannon LaNier Anchor, CW39, Blogger, Daddy Duty 365; Khambrel Marshall, Meteorologist, KPRC-TV; Francis Paige, Jr. Publisher, Houston Style Magazine; Edward Pollard, Houston City Council Member, District J; and Dr. Ruth Simmons, President, Prairie View A&M University.

The award recipients will be featured on houston.comcast.com, Twitter (@ComcastHouston), and Facebook (@Comcast) through Feb. 28.

The Black Family focus for Black History Month Defender News Service

Each year to celebrate Black History Month, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) chooses a theme as a focal point of reflection and research during the 28-day observation.

This year the ASALH’s theme centers on the Black family, titled, “The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity.” The topic will remain embedded throughout ASALH’s programming all year, culminating in the yearly annual conference held in September.

Outside of Black History Month, the Black family remains a focal point in news headlines in the current social and political climate from the effects of racism to the

ongoing coronavirus.

“While the role of the Black family has been described by some as a microcosm of the entire race, its complexity as the ‘foundation’ of

African American life and history can be seen in numerous debates over how to represent its meaning and typicality from a historical perspective—as slave or free, as patriarchal or matriarchal/matrifocal, as single-headed or dual-headed household, as extended or nuclear, as fictive kin or blood lineage, as legal or common law, and as black or interracial, etc.,” the organization continued,” a statement from the organization reads.

The first theme,” Civilization: A World Achievement” was instituted in 1928 according to their website.

Next year ASLAH will focus on “Black Health and Wellness,” which undoubtedly was spurred

by COVID-19.

Originally named the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, the organization was launched in 1915 by founders Carter G. Woodson and minister Jesse E. Moorland. Woodson is hailed as the founder of Black History Month which launched as “Negro History Week” in 1926, to celebrate the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. 1976 marks the first year it was celebrated as a full month.

16 | February 4, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Feature

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo canceled Defender News Service

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has announced the cancellation of the RODEOHOUSTON® competitions, concerts and entertainment, carnival, and other attractions and activities, which were recently rescheduled for May 4 – 23, 2021, due to the ongoing health situation.

The Junior Livestock and Horse Show competitions will still be held in March, as private events, upholding the Rodeo’s mission of promoting agriculture and supporting Texas youth. The Junior Market Auctions and Champion Wine Auction will also still be held in May, also as private events. These events will follow all state and local health and safety guidelines.

“While we were optimistic that moving our Rodeo to May would provide a better opportunity to host our annual community event that Rodeo fans have come to love and expect, unfortunately, it has become evident that the current health situation has not improved to the degree necessary to host our event,” said Chris Boleman, president and CEO of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. “While this is an extremely

heartbreaking decision for our Rodeo volunteers and the larger Rodeo community, we believe this decision is in the best interest of the health and well-being of our community.”

Several factors contributed to the decision, from a community health and safety perspective, as well as a financial one. Above all, the health and safety of the community is the Rodeo’s top priority, and after much consultation with local and state officials and medical experts, Rodeo officials concluded that cancelling the 2021 event was the right decision, with community health at the forefront of the decision.

“Throughout these uncertain times, we have remained committed to upholding our mission and our support of Texas youth and education,” Boleman said. “We are proud to host Texas 4-H and FFA members, as well as the Horse Show exhibitors, who will all be participating this March. And, thanks to the support of our 35,000 dedicated volunteers, we were able to commit nearly $21.7 million in 2021 educational support.”

In addition, the Downtown Rodeo

CLASSIFIED LEGAL NOTICE

Application has been made with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a (G) Winery Permit by Infuse Wine Bar LLC dba Infuse Wine Bar LLC, to be located at 4801 Woodway Drive, Suite 300 East, Houston, Harris County, TX 77056. Officers of said corporation are Krystal Spencer-Owner.

Materials Testing Services RFQ

Houston First Corporation requests bids from experienced companies capable of providing Materials Testing Services. Please visit https://www.houstonfirst.com/do-business for complete details.

HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE TO PROPOSERS

The Houston Independent School District located in the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center at 4400 West 18th Street Houston, Texas 77092 will accept proposals, until the stated date and time deadlines, in the Board Services Office, Level C1.

• Project 21-09-05-B Supplemental Professional Services for Athletic UIL Events – with a

deadline of 2:00 p.m. on March 9, 2021. The Pre-Proposal Conference for this project will be via Microsoft Teams on February 10, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.

• Project 21-01-06 – RFP / Commercial Roofing Supplies and Related Items – with a

deadline of 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 2, 2021. The Pre-Proposal Conference for this project will be via Zoom on February 10, 2021 at 10 a.m. CST. Please email heather.march@houstonisd.org by Monday, February 8, 2021 by 3:00 p.m. to be invited.

• Project 21-09-02 – RFP / Welding Supplies, Welding Gases, Steel Products and

Related Items – with a deadline of 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 2, 2021. The Pre-Proposal Conference for this project will be via Zoom on February 10, 2021 at 10 a.m. CST. Please email heather.march@houstonisd.org by Monday, February 8, 2021 by 3:00 p.m. to be invited.

• Project 21-09-11 – RFP / Sheet Metal Supplies and Related Items – with a deadline of

10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 2, 2021. The Pre-Proposal Conference for this project will be via Zoom on February 10, 2021 at 10 a.m. CST. Please email heather.march@houstonisd.org by Monday, February 8, 2021 by 3:00 p.m. to be invited.

The solicitation for bids is available on the HISD web-site at www.houstonisd.org. To access, go to Directory, Purchasing Services, Solicitation of Bids. The District reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, or, to accept the proposal that is most advantageous to the District.

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas

NOTICE OF VIRTUAL PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE STATE PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF METRO’S FISCAL YEARS 2016 THROUGH 2019 The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas (METRO) is holding a virtual public hearing to receive public comments on its State Performance Audit for Fiscal Years 2016 through 2019. The audit will be presented during the public hearing held at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 18, 2021 by telephone and video conference call on the Zoom virtual meeting platform.

The public may join the virtual hearing on Zoom at https://us02web.zoom. us/j/85198217272 Meeting ID: 851 9821 7272 or by dialing the Toll Free Telephone: 346-248-7799 or 1-888-475-4499 (Toll Free). Participation on Zoom is only necessary if you want to provide comments during the public hearing. Otherwise, you may view a livestream of the virtual hearing online at https://www.RideMETRO.org/Pages/BoardStreamingVideo.aspx. A video recording of the hearing will also be archived on RideMETRO.org.

A copy of the State Performance Audit and METRO management responses will be available for review by the public beginning on February 3, 2021 on METRO’s website at RideMETRO.org and in the lobby of the METRO RideStore in the Lee P. Brown METRO Administration Building, located at 1900 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77002.

Based on the current guidance from public health officials recommending the limitation of in-person public meetings to slow the spread of the Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, the public hearing will only be conducted virtually.

PROCESS FOR PROVIDING PUBLIC COMMENTS It is recommended that anyone wanting to make public comments register as a public speaker with METRO’s Board Office at least 48 hours in advance of the hearing by calling 713-739-4834 or sending an email to boardoffice@RideMETRO.org, and providing their name, address and telephone number. If you pre-register, your comments will be heard first at the public hearing. Your name will be called at the appropriate time for you to make your comments.

Alternatively, you may provide public comments after the pre-registered speakers by selecting the “Raise Hand” feature on the Zoom platform online or by pressing *9 if joining by telephone. Those calling in will automatically be placed on mute.

After an unregistered speaker’s name or number is recognized, the operator will prompt the speaker to press *6 to be unmuted, and they will be able to provide their comments.

The public may also provide comments by calling METRO’s Customer Care Center at 713-635-4000 in advance of the public hearing.

LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE, ACCESSIBILITY AND SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS

Upon request, METRO provides free language assistance to help patrons who have a limited ability to read, write, speak or understand English in accordance with its language assistance plan. METRO’s public hearings are accessible to persons with disabilities. Request for language assistance and other accommodations should be directed to the Board Office at 713-739-4834 at least 48 hours in advance of the hearing.

RideMETRO.org • 713-635-4000.

All METRO vehicles are 100% accessible.

February 4, 2021 |

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DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Events

Tough year for convention business in Houston, better 2021 Houston Public Media

initiative, those were all in place; having The coronavirus had not yet officially had the thermo cameras in place to safely arrived in Houston when the first major screen attendees as they arrived,” he said. convention was canceled. Organizers of Houston First said it has rebooked more the annual CERAWeek oil and gas con- than 90% of the largest events canceled ference, which would have brought thou- last year for the future. Most of the big sands of international visitors to Houston, conventions, at least 14, will return in the called off the event over what they feared second half of the year. That includes inmight come. ternational events like the World In 2021, It was the beginning of a tough Petroleum Council, the Internayear for the city’s convention busitional Quilt Festival and the Offness. Since the start of the panshore Technology Conference. events demic, Houston, a big convention The National Rifle Association’s scheduled town, has lost out on hundreds of Annual Meetings & Exhibits in so far conferences and events.

September is also expected to In 2019, The Houston Livestock Show bring thousands of visitors here. and Rodeo was the last major “Most of our dates are already event that would be held for the sold, and if we continue to see events next six months – and it was cut the vaccine distributed and short. At a press conference in we follow these protocols and March, Mayor Sylvester Turner said it was do the events safely, by this summer we no easy decision but that it was necessary should see events in a more new normal,” for the safety of the region, which had its Villagomez said. first case of community spread.

Until then, some organizations are goAfter periods of business shutdowns, ing to the virtual space for their convenevents slowly came back in October. By tions, such as CERAWeek by IHS Markit then, Houston First Corporation, the in March. organization in charge of conventions Others are pushing their events back to and other events in Houston, had in- next year. The Houston Auto Show had stalled sweeping safety protocols at the rescheduled from this month to May, but city’s event venues, Chief Operating Of- because that’s when the Houston Liveficer Luther Villagomez said. That in- stock Show and Rodeo is scheduled to cluded an initiative for clean event ven- return to NRG Park, it was postponed to ues in Houston that was enacted during next January. the pandemic.

The return of brick-and-mortar “We’ve been working with our col- events is also good news for those deleagues throughout the city on the clean pending on conventions for work – like

100

523

100 events have already been scheduled for 2021 at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

Chris Brown, a decorator for tradeshows, responsible for setting up and taking down everything at the events.

The Bridal Extravaganza at the George R. Brown earlier this month was his first gig in almost a year.

“I was overwhelmed and excited,” he said about getting the job. “It was like Christmas Day.” Since the pandemic started, Brown said, he has made ends meet with the

help of unemployment benefits and small jobs here and there.

He said he’s ready for more conventions to take place – as long as they can be done in a safe way.

“If we can just get everybody to wear the mask and get the count down and think of others – not just yourself, you have to think of others in this situation – if we can get that together, we will be able to get back to a sense of normalcy,” Brown said.

UPCOMING VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON EVENTS

By Aswad Walker

all around. There will be a live band, a DJ spinning the hits, tasteful comedy, lots of dancing, fine dining, interactive games and much more. Contact the Hotel Zaza Memorial City at 888-880-3244 for more info.

STORY TIME: THE ABC’S OF BLACK HISTORY, FEB. 10, 4PM

The Buffalo Soldier National Museum is hosting a free, online event commemorating Black history.

“Story Time: The ABC’s of Black History,” presented by the Center for African American Military History, seeks to educate everyone, especially children, about African American history. Visit Eventbrite.com for more information.

MARDI GRAS BLOCK PARTY, FEB. 13, 11AM – 5PM

The Vegan State Fair is bringing New Orleans to Houston with the Mardi Gras Block Party in the Houston Heights (1901 Taylor St., 77007). Expect a day full of amazing food, live music, dance performances, vendors and all-around outdoor fun.

There will be countless photo-ops and amazing NOLA Mardi Gras colors and energy! Masks will be required upon entry and enforced if not eating or drinking. Though this is a free event, tickets are

DINE WITH A DEM FUNDRAISER, FEB. 17, 6:30PM – 8:30PM

required for adults. Visit veganstatefair.com for more information.

THIRD GREATER HOUSTON COUPLES’ BALL, FEB. 13, 7PM – 12AM

The evening of romance, dinner and dance Vegas-style will be held on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021 from 7pm until 12 midnight at Hotel Zaza Memorial City (9787 Katy Freeway, 77024). With February being the month of love, come celebrate love with friends and lovers alike.

Expect the night to be filled with excitement and love

Valentine’s Day is coming up and Harris County Democratic Party invites you to show some love for progressive values by participating in the Dine with a Dem Fundraiser. Participate in the auction to win a virtual mentoring evening with one of your favorite Democratic thought leaders including Rep. Gene Wu, County Judge Lina Hidalgo, County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth, County Attorney Christian Menefee, Former County Clerk Chris Hollins and many others.

The HCDP recognizes that though the election is over, funds are needed to keep its team employed, deepen HCDP relationships with underrepresented communities, and prepare for the 2022 election.

HCDP will also be auctioning off desserts prepared

by Judges Tanya Garrison and Scot Dollinger. Entry is $10 a ticket. To register, visit harrisdemocrats.org.

18 | February 4, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports Rockets first-year center Christian Wood is the first Rocket to record 300 points and 150 rebounds through his first 14 games of a season since Hakeem Olajuwon did so.

Prairie View setter Jakarta Hope was named one of four SWAC Volleyball Players of the Week after recording 49 assists, 32 digs and three service aces over three matches.

SportsBriefs STEAKING ROCKETS Coming into this week’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Rockets were riding a five-game winning streak which included a 126-112 win over New Orleans. It’s the longest such winning streak for the Rockets since they traded disgruntled star James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets last month.

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)

A RISKY APPROACH TO RETAIN WATSON

By Terrance Harris

The Texans’ brass gathered late last week to introduce David Culley as the new head coach.

But the press conference took a rather odd turn even before a question was asked when new general manager Nick Caserio took it upon himself to head off questions about the status of franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson. Of course, Watson’s agent has made it known that his client no longer wants to be a Texan despite being contractually tied to the team for the next four years after signing an extension in September.

Nothing can happen unless the Texans agree to a trade, but the team’s approach to dealing with their unhappy quarterback seems tone deaf.

“We have zero interest in trading the player,” said Caserio, who seemed to make a point by not using Watson’s name. “We have a great plan, a great vision for him and for this team, and his role on our team, and we look forward to the opportunity to spend more time with him here this spring.”

Culley, who has been thrust into this situation, didn’t make things sound any better when asked how aware he was of the issues concerning Watson before accepting the head coach position with the Texans.

“Whatever has been said about what was, what he wanted to do or he didn’t want to do, all I knew is this, having been in this business this long, he is a Houston Texan and I want him to be a Houston Texan,” Culley said. “And the reason I’m in this position today is because I knew he’s going to be a Houston Texan.”

Their words, of course, could be a leverage smoke screen as the team attempts to move Watson behind the scenes. But if by chance the team really intends to keep Watson, the lowkey, he is contractually obligated approach doesn’t seem right for the man who is expected to be the face of the franchise.

Watson is upset because team CEO Cal McNair went back on his word to include his quarterback in deciding who the next general manager and head coach would be.

Apparently, former chaplain turned VP of team development, Jack Easterby, had much more of a say.

There was no acknowledgement that fences need to be mended with their franchise quarterback. The approach seems to be Watson is under contract and he will be a Texans player whether he wants to be here or not.

“We’re focused on putting the best team together possible for the Houston Texans and there’s a multitude of things that are going to take place here today, tomorrow, this offseason,” Caserio responded when asked by The Defender if he is concerned how this contractually obligated approach with Watson will be perceive. “And again, we’ll control the things that we can control and focus on maximizing each day.”

Caserio seemed to answer the direct question without coming close to answering it.

This situation with Watson could get a lot worse before it’s resolved.

Follow Terrance Harris on Twitter @terranceharris

VINCE YOUNG BACK AT UT University of Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte confirmed to The Defender that he has hired former Longhorn Vince Young as a special assistant in the athletic department. Young, a product of Madison, led the Longhorns to the national championship in 2005.

NO TRAVELING BANDS The SWAC has announced that for the Spring 2021 football season that only home bands will be permitted to perform and that visiting teams’ bands will not be allowed to travel.

“Yeah, we’ll miss them,” Prairie View coach Eric Dooley said of his school’s marching band.

“That’s a part of HBCU football.

Even when we’re playing Texas Southern, I tell people all the time that it’s a family affair.

HBCU football isn’t just about the game. It’s about that as well as seeing the halftime show and to see people you haven’t seen in years. So to not have them will be strange and a little different for me as I’ve been accustomed to it for quite some time.

Hopefully, it will pass soon as we continue to work toward getting all the way back to normal.” The SWAC also ruled that in the cases of neutral site games, neither school will have a marching band present.

February 4, 2021 |

| 19

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports WESTBURY PG

Tre’shon Clay

FEARLESS

By Jodie B. Jiles

When watching NBA and NFL games, leagues where giants rule, it always amazes me when I witness the smallest guy on the court or field making the biggest impact on the outcome. But big impact coming in small packages is becoming more and more common.

With the Super Bowl fast approaching, several odds makers are predicting the outcome of the game may come down to how many yards 5’10” 185 lb. wide receiver Tyreek Hill, one of the smallest players on the field, racks up. And with the success of Russell Wilson, Drew Brees and Kyler Murray, NFL scouts have been forced to dismiss the myth of “undersized” quarterback prospects not being NFL-worthy.

We see this on the hardwood too, as experts today say basketball has become a small man’s game with the emergence of superior guard play from guys you wouldn’t imagine were in the league if you saw them on the street.

The 5’11” Westbury High School senior point guard, captain Tre’shon Clay, appears to carry this same gene of refusing to let his size determine his will to lead his team to victory.

Despite Westbury being undersized as a team this year, Clay’s leadership has kept them in second place in their district with a 9-4 overall (5-2 district) record. On offense, Clay moves like Allen Iverson or Russell Westbrook in how he attacks the basket with a fearless abandonment and sets the pace. And on defense, he is a constant communicator.

When Westbury head coach Robert Maxey was asked what makes his captain point guard so special, he stated, “He is just a phenomenal kid in the classroom, outside of the school, takes care of his business with his books, he works so hard, and he is dedicated to his craft.”

“He is one of the better players I have ever coached and that is beyond basketball. He is a great human being and that is what I believe makes him a great leader.”

The Defender caught up with Tre’shon after Westbury captured a doubleheader victory over Sam Houston and Westside, to discuss his style of play, leadership and keys to success for Westbury so far.

ABOUT TRE’SHON CLAY

Instagram: @foreva.ts Basketball Players He Studies: Allen Iverson, Russel Westbrook and Kevin Garnett

Favorite Artist: Lil Baby, Youngboy, Lil Durk and King Von Hobbies: Watching Netflix and working out.

Shoutouts: My dad C Major, Josh J, J money, T Von and J Dawg

STYLE OF PLAY “I am very athletic, I am a great facilitator, I can create my own shot and I play defense.”

LEADERSHIP “I point out my team’s weakness and I try to build my team’s confidence up even though they may have made a mistake. I try to stay positive.”

ATTACKING THE BASKET “I don’t fear anybody. Nobody can stop me when I am going at the rim. I have no fear and that is my mindset all the time.”

TEAM SUCCESS “Every day we come to practice to work hard.

We know we are undersized and we are the underdogs every time we play, so we have to play extra hard.”

MOVING FORWARD “We have to execute. We have to improvise what team’s game plan against us. They are going to try to slow us down, but we have to just keep playing our game and keep our same pace.”

WESTSIDE’S SHANNA PETTY, KHADY SAMB

DUO TO WATCH

By Jodie B. Jiles

Basketball bloodlines run deep at Westside this season with senior forward Shanna Petty, whose parents both played collegiate sports, and junior center Khady Samb, whose sister Fatou is now at the University of California on a full-ride scholarship.

Check out the Defender’s interview of the Wolves duo who discussed their playing styles, presence on the offense and defense and more on www.defendernetwork.com.

20 | February 4, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

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