July 7, 2022

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SPOTLIGHTS Celebrities go back to school in “College Hill.”

NEWS

RODNEY ELLIS The Harris County Commissioner warns voters of a scam where GOP operatives are going door-todoor in Sunnyside.

Volume 91, issue 34 July 7, 2022

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The rapper/producer talks about his relationship with Pimp C and living a healthy lifestyle.

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DN ToThePoint Controversial Grambling head volleyball coach Chelsey Lucas was fired after only three months on the job.

Message from the Managing Editor TO THE POINT President Trump’s term in 2016.

Who didn’t see this coming? Grambling “Hillary wasn’t good enough” and “she’s State University has fired the head volleynot fighting hard enough” are “what got us ball coach who was brought in to turn a Donald Trump. And that got us Neil Gorstruggling program around but spent her such, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney entire tenure dealing with fallout after cutBarrett. Case closed.” “He saved democting the entire volleyball team and revokracy once by beating a tyrant. He’s doing ing every player’s scholarship shortly after it again, but he doesn’t do it by beating his she was hired in February. chest,” Richmond said.

When Chelsey Lucas cut the entire I’m not knocking calling out Biden and team in April, several sportscasters and his administration wherever necessary….

ReShonda Tate sports lovers on social media lamented but don’t let it keep you home from the that the move was a bad look for HBCUs. polls come November, or Roe v. Wade will Some, however, noted that new coaches have the authority just be the cherry on the top of the dismantling of America. to keep or release players as they see fit. Apparently, the same is true for university administrators. They can release BIDEN SAYS HE’S WORKING ON #FREEINGBRITTNEY head coaches at their discretion.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris GSU’s discretion to fire Lucas as the result of an internal recently spoke with the wife of Brittney Griner to offer investigation within the volleyball program. When this support as the WNBA star remains detained in Russia. first happened, administrators had her back – despite the Biden spoke with Cherelle Griner two days after Brittney backlash from people upset because due to the timing of Griner wrote a letter to the president expressing her alarm the cuts, the ousted players didn’t have time to apply for about her ongoing detention. Biden is sending a letter to scholarships elsewhere and many had to drop out of school. Brittney Griner in response, the White House said, and he Lucas has issued a statement, blasting the move….and read Cherelle a draft of the letter over the phone. saying she hasn’t been allowed to give her side of the story, “The President offered his support to Cherelle and Britnor was she told specifically why she was fired. We can’t tney’s family, and he committed to ensuring they are prowait to hear it because, Chile….from our seat, it simply vided with all possible assistance while his administration looks like karma paid coach a visit. pursues every avenue to bring Brittney home,” the White House said in a readout of the call.

Y’ALL BETTER LISTEN TO CEDRIC Biden has directed his national security team to remain The former director of the White House’s Office of Pub- in regular contact with Griner’s family to keep them lic Engagement and top ally of President Biden, Cedric updated on efforts to secure the release of Brittney Griner Richmond, says Democrats who are attacking and criti- and other Americans being wrongfully detained abroad. cizing Biden for Roe v. Wade and rising gas prices better The Defender is committed to following this story and take heed. That’s “the same foolishness” that got former keeping the light shining bright on Brittney. But here’s a President Donald Trump elected. thought….pay the WNBA players decent wages like you While no administration or elected official should be pay NBA players and they won’t have to go overseas to beyond critique, Richmond is vocal about Dems making play. But that’s an editorial for another day….I think I’ll sure they don’t have misplaced anger. While the Biden go write it….(Visit the Black Women’s Channel on our administration could be more forceful in calling to over- website to read it) turn the filibuster to codify abortion protections and various things on their agenda, they face barriers, namely Sens. ON THE WEB Joe Manchin and Krysten Sinema. For instance, the Build • Have you canceled R. Kelly? Readers weigh in.

Back Better Act has been torn up and revised countless • Stacey Abrams on violent crime, defunding the police. times because of Sen. Manchin’s “concerns.” Still, Rich- • Sports reporter Terrance Harris gives us the latest on mond believes that the same line of anger led to former Deshaun Watson.

KARMA COMES TO GRAMBLING

July 7, 2022 |

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DEFENDER NETWORK

DN News

Roger Harris has been named VP to lead supplier diversity at HillDay Public Relations.

Clifford Tatum has been named the new elections administrator for Harris County.

Officials warn against GOP door-to-door voter intimidation

By ReShonda Tate

A GOP-affiliated group founded in the wake of baseless election fraud accusations following the 2020 presidential election is reportedly going door-to-door in Harris County, and asking residents to sign affidavits that verify the identities of voters living in their homes.

Reportedly, the probe was instigated when one resident of the Sunnyside neighborhood filed a complaint saying two men came to her door, showed her an “official-looking” affidavit and demanded her signature “under penalty of perjury.”

“Voters in Sunnyside, and throughout the region, have rights and they don’t have to tolerate lies and subversion at their doorsteps,” Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis said. “No voter has any obligation to engage with representatives of this group, give them any information or sign any document.”

Ellis says his office was notified on June 29 by a Sunnyside constituent that door-to-door canvassers were engaging in what appeared to be voter suppression efforts. They presented an affidavit requesting information about individuals registered to vote at the address that required sworn signatures under penalty of perjury.

Residents say doorbell camera footage captured two men at a home in Sunnyside wearing badges that identified them as

A voter, right, shows her identification to a Harris County election clerk before voting, in Houston. AP

members of Texas Election organization called Texas Questions?

Network, a conservative orgaElection Network, and they Contact nization formed last year. The are wearing badges that clearly Harris County organization was founded by state the name of the organizaElections Dept.

Melissa Conway, the Repubtion with the nonprofit regis713-755-6965 lican National Committee’s tration number on the back,” Texas state director for elecAlan Vera, a board member of tion integrity. the Texas Election Network and chair of “The people canvassing residents are the county GOP’s ballot security commitgrass-roots volunteers for the nonprofit tee, said in a statement. “These volunteers

are not employees of any political party. The nonprofit’s mission is to empower citizens to ensure and protect fair and transparent elections.”

Harris County is warning residents that they are not required to sign the forms being used by the solicitors.

“In the event that the Harris County Elections Office ever needs to contact you directly,” its release read, “our staff will have county ID badges to prove their identity, and/or paperwork with the logo or official seal of the office included.”

James Slattery, senior staff attorney with the Texas Civil Rights Project, decried the practice, saying, “This is one of the precise situations I have been most worried about this election — people in shadowy volunteer groups who suggest in one way or another that they are acting under official authority questioning the eligibility of voters directly by knocking on their doors.”

“Our country is at a critical juncture where our democracy and fundamental rights are under attack like never before,” Commissioner Ellis said. “The testimony coming out of the January 6 Select House Committee makes that clear. Big Lie specialists and subversive groups on the ground are picking up where the insurrectionists left off—undermining faith in our democracy and pitting one American against another.”

Flooding, pollution more likely in minority areas Houston Public Media

A new study found that Houston’s minority communities will likely face more flooding and industrial pollution over the next three decades compared to other parts of the area.

Areas such as East and South Houston, the Second Ward and Magnolia Park are particularly vulnerable. These communities are subject to a one-two punch of flooding and pollution, caused by the mixing of land-based contamination and floodwaters.

“One of the things that a lot of Houstonians and Americans don’t realize is that while we have a lot of air pollution that’s contributed to climate change in the past as well as the present, we have billions of pounds of industrial pollution that’s been buried in-site,” Rice University professor and chair of sociology, Jim Elliott, said about his work on the study, which was developed by researchers from Rice, New

York University and Brown University.

He said the study was an effort to understand how past industrial pollution still in the land is subject to new industrial pollution ramifications.

The study involved using historical directories to locate likely sites of “ghost pollution,” which is pollution still in the land that was never regulated or investigated. They combined the ghost pollution statistics with future flood risk data.

The study found that in Harris County, at least 35,000 people face direct exposure because they live in flood-prone areas. Due to “historical forces” such as Jim Crow laws and discriminatory redlining, these areas are home to lower-income individuals living in multi-unit housing, according to the study.

Elliott said Houston-area leaders should initiate more mitigation tactics, such as cleaning up the communities where

A car is submerged in floodwater in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in Houston. AP

flooding is likely to take place.

“This is not a Houston issue, it’s an issue that’s prevalent across the country. That’s what the research is showing,” Elliott said.

“So Houston can really be a leader in developing new mitigation strategies and identifying how we might go forward with community engagement.”

4 | July 7, 2022 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN News NBUF’S 43RD NATIONAL CONVENTION

Houston to host The Sankofa Flex

By Aswad Walker

The National Black United Front, a grassroots, Pan-African organization working and organizing towards the advancement of all people of African descent, will hold its 43rd National Convention in Houston July 9-10.

NBUF’s national chairman and longtime Houston resident/activist, Kofi Taharka, spoke with the Defender about the convention’s focus and goals.

bring forward to today past values that are needed,” or put simply, “go back and fetch it.”

So, we’re flexing on our history, our culture, our spirituality, all of who we are as persons of African ancestry.

DEFENDER: What do you expect to be

the highlights of the convention?

TAHARKA: We will consider the convention a success when the brothers and sisters who are part of NBUF NBUF Convention and the sisters and DEFENDER: What’s Conference Registration: brothers who attend, the focus of NBUF’s 43rd NBUFConvention2022. leave there with appliEventbrite.com.

National Convention? cable tools in order to KOFI TAHARKA: Our address various issues, Instagram: theme this year is “The NBUF_Houston concerns, concepts, Sankofa Flex: Building Facebook: challenges or opportuBlocks for the Black NBUF Houston nities that exist within Nation.” Sankofa is a our community. We Email: west African concept NBUFHouston@gmail.com also want people to be sometimes symbolized fired up. This will be in the Adinkra sym- Phone: our first national conbols. Our brother, Haile 832-422-7806 vention that will be in Gerima many years ago person for the most made the movie Sankofa to help popular- part of two years. This is important that ize this concept, which means “go back to we will be able to be in the same space with your past, retrieve what you have lost and each other, feeling each other’s energy.

DEFENDER: What about workshops?

TAHARKA: We’ll have several. One of the

workshops is called Food Security. We have been fortunate over the past 10 years to

have a three raised bed garden at NBUF (2428 Southmore Blvd, 77004); the Sundiata Acoli-Shaka Sankofa Self-Determination Community Garden. And with the many challenges that we face, everybody should have a way to feed themselves. Self-defense.

Look at the times we’re living in. There are basic tenants to self-defense, whether it be personal, home or community. We have a panel of local specialists who will be sharing information like that.

Also, institution building.

But, as opposed to somebody giving a lecture on institutions, convention attendees will tour SHAPE. And of course, they’ll be at NBUF, then at the Shrine. So, we’ll be seeing real world examples.

READ MORE ABOUT NBUF’S 43RD NATIONAL CONVENTION PLANS

VIDEO: Akron police shown killing Black man said the officers are cooperating with the investigation.

A handgun, a loaded magazine and an apparent wedding ring were found on the seat of the car.

State Attorney General Dave Yost vowed a “complete,

Associated Press

A Black man was unarmed when Akron police chased him on foot and killed him in a hail of gunfire, but officers believed he had shot at them earlier from a vehicle and feared he was preparing to fire again.

Akron police released video of the shooting of Jayland Walker, 25, who was killed June 27 in a pursuit that had started with an attempted traffic stop. The mayor called the shooting “heartbreaking” while asking for patience from the community. It’s not clear how many shots were fired by the eight officers involved, but Walker sustained more than 60 wounds. An attorney for Walker’s family said officers kept firing even after he was on the ground.

Officers attempted to stop Walker’s car around 12:30 a.m. for unspecified traffic and equipment violations, but less than a minute into a pursuit, the sound of a shot was heard from the car, and a camera captured what appeared to be a muzzle flash coming from the vehicle, Akron Police Chief Steve Mylett said. That changed the nature of the case from “a routine

Javon Williams, 13, is comforted by Rev. Jaland Finney, left, as he speaks during a march and rally for Jayland Walker, Sunday, July 3, 2022, in Akron, Ohio. Also pictured at center right is Lanette Williams, reacting after Javon’s speech. Williams had just viewed the video released by police detailing the shooting death of Walker.

traffic stop to now a public safety issue,” he said.

Police body cam show several shouting officers with guns drawn approach the slowing car on foot, as it rolls up over a curb and onto a sidewalk. A person wearing a ski mask exits and runs toward a parking lot. Police chase him for about 10 seconds before officers fire from multiple directions, in a burst of

shots that lasts six or seven seconds.

At least one officer had tried first to use a stun gun, but that was unsuccessful, police said.

In a statement, the local police union said the officers thought there was an immediate threat of serious harm, and that it believes their actions and the number of shots will be found justified in line with their training and protocols. The union

fair and expert investigation.”

The officers involved in the shooting are on paid administrative leave, which is standard practice in such cases.

Seven of them are white, and one is Black, according to the department.

VOLUME 91 - NUMBER 34 - JULY 7, 2022 Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles

Managing Editor ReShonda Tate

Chief Development Officer Emelda Douglas

Associate Editor Aswad Walker

Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles

Education Reporter Laura Onyeneho

Creative Director Michael Grant

Sports Terrance Harris Jodie B. Jiles

Administrative Asst.

Stacey Palmer

Photographers 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

July 7, 2022 |

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DEFENDER NETWORK

DN News TOPICS: MATERNAL HEALTH, ABORTION & MORE

VP Harris talks at Essence Fest

By ReShonda Tate

The city of New Orleans recently experienced a $200 million dollar economic boost as the EssenceFest returned after a two-year hiatus. While attendees enjoyed concerts, parties, empowerment workshops, powerful panels and plenty of shopping, many agree the highlight was a visit from Vice President Kamala Harris.

In a standing-room only room, actress Keke Palmer moderated a conversation with Harris, who told attendees to use their voices as the country faces the fallout from the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

The last time Harris spoke at Essence was in 2019, before she made history as the first woman of color to become Vice President of the United States. Breaking barriers throughout her life, prepared her for this role.

“Don’t hear ‘nobody like you has done this before’, I like to say, I eat ‘no’ for breakfast,” Harris told the crowd.

Harris took this opportunity to address some of the issues plaguing the African

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks with actress Keke Palmer, left, at the Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans, Saturday, July 2, 2022.

American community, including the recent Supreme Court decision, to overturn Roe v.

Wade.

“The Supreme Court, with the Dobbs decision, for the first time in the history of our nation took a constitutional right that had been recognized and took it from the women of America. Took a constitutional right,” Harris explained.

Your Choice.

Harris says those most impacted will be women without means, who may have to travel to get the reproductive care they need.

Another major concern for her? What else the supreme court may reconsider.

“What that means then in terms of what else is vulnerable that we otherwise thought was settled, including issues like contraception, including issues like same-sex marriage,

including the intimate decisions that people should be able to make that I call heart and home without government interference,” Harris said.

Palmer asked how everyday citizens can step up to get involved in whatever issue they’re passionate about. Harris said, don’t be afraid to use your voice.

“There is power in knowing that the vast majority of us have so much more in common than what separates us,” she said.

Black maternal health and related support is something Harris said has long been an issue she fights for.

“We have to recognize we’re a nation that was founded on certain principles that are — that are grounded in the concept of freedom and liberty,” Harris said. “We also know that we’ve had a history in this country of government — trying to claim ownership over human bodies.”

DN ONLINE

See the sights and sounds of EssenceFest 2022.

Their Future.

LEARN THE BENEFITS AND RISKS OF COVID-19 IMMUNIZATION FOR CHILDREN.

MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION.

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| 7

DN InFocus THE STORIED HISTORY OF

Independence Heights There’s a Houston area that holds national historical significance, even though many locals know little about it. That community?

Independence Heights.

By Aswad Walker

Nestled between N. Shepherd Dr. to the left and I-45 to the right, with Tidwell Rd. to the north and the northern 610 loop to the south, lies one of the most historic communities not only in Texas, but the nation: Independence Heights.

Helping to shed light on the area is Tanya Debose, a fifth-generation descendant of its founders and executive director of the Independence Heights Redevelopment Council (IHRC), founded in 2005 to improve the quality of life for residents of Independence Heights, particularly through historic preservation and revitalization activities.

True Light Missionary Baptist Church congregation in Independence Heights.

Independence Heights school class. Houston Area Digital Archives.

New Hope Baptist Church. Houston Area Digital Archives.

NORTHSIDE Ms. Sally Willies, Mr. Horton and Mrs. Susie Booker.

45

INDEPENDENCE HEIGHTS

Defender: What’s the story behind Inde-

pendence Heights’ founding?

Tanya Debose: Around 1905, the A.A.

Wright Land Company (WLC) began buying up land and repatterned it as a neighborhood. Prior to that Independence Heights was really a lot of pasture land with cows and open prairie. The WLC began platting land out there. The thing unique about the WLC is they actually sold land to both whites and African Americans and they sold land to African Americans at a fair price.

The wards were filling up. A lot of people were coming to Houston because of the jobs. So, Independence Heights presented this opportunity via the WLC around 1908, where you could literally own land and build the house you wanted.

About 1915, 600 residents populated the city. They built churches, had their own corner stores, and just about everything they needed right there in that town. At the same time, the city of Houston started getting amenities like indoor plumbing and paved streets and the people of Independence Heights wanted those same opportunities.

When they tried to work with the city to achieve modern amenities, the city of Houston did not oblige. So, the early pioneers of Independence Heights said, “Well, what did they do to chart their own path, have their own water department, their own city, pave

Booker-Kinder School

SOME OTHER HISTORIC BLACK TOWNS • Grambling, La. • Mount Bayou, Miss.

• Hopson City, Ala. • Eatonville, Fla. • Princeville, N.C. (aka Freedom Hill) • Allensworth, Calif. *Incorporated cities

their own streets?” What they did was file for a city charter. So, that’s how they were able to start this African American city.

It was not their idea of starting the city where it was filled with Blacks. It just happened that way because Jim Crow and

segregation were running rampant at the time. And what I know about my ancestors is they really wanted sovereignty. They wanted to be able to chart their own path, be in their own space where they were free from racial terror and all the other things that were happening at the time. Independence Heights afforded them that opportunity to do that.

Defender: What year was it chartered as

a city?

Debose: 1915 is the year it was chartered as

a city. Around November 1914 they started petitioning Harris County to apply and be able to get this charter started. In December they filed. Then on January 16, 1915 they actually held an election and they woke up on January 17 the independent city of

George O. Burgess, first mayor of Independence Heights. Houston Area Digital Archives.

Independence Heights. They voted in their first Black mayor, who was George Burgess.

They had a commission-style government.

They had already been building their own little town, so they just continued to work, but they had a little bit more power.

What people don’t realize...especially back in those days, and even now, is land ownership meant so much more than owning land.

It meant that you could vote and you could hold office. What people don’t realize is that if you didn’t own anything, you didn’t have a right to vote. So, those were the things that were important, beyond just starting their own city. They wanted to be able to chart their own path.

Defender: Why don’t more people know

the story of Independence Heights?

610 Rev. Arthur McCullough’s home circa 1911.

Debose: I was 40 when I really realized

the importance and significance of Independence Heights, and I’d grown up there all my life, going to church. My family, my mother grew up there. She was born in Independence Heights. My great grandfather Josh Powell came there in 1924.

He came from the river bottoms of Ward, Texas. His grandfather had been enslaved in that area. He was from Kentucky, and so when he came to Harris County, the first place he lived was in River Oaks in a carriage house because he was a chauffeur. He saved his money, he and his wife, and they were able to purchase land in the city of Independence Heights.

[Others who populated the area included] Exalton Delco Jr. He was the first Black zoologist that went to UT. His wife, Wilhelmina Delco, was one of the first Black state

representatives in Texas, they all lived there. Their homes are still there in the community. We’re in the process of preserving them. Also, we had our own tailors, we had our own cab company. But you never saw it in history books.

There were no documentaries made about it. It was not something mainstream America held as important.

Defender: When did Inde-

pendence Heights become part of Houston?

READ ABOUT MORE INDEPENDENCE HEIGHTS HISTORY AND WHAT THE FUTURE HAS IN STORE FOR THE COMMUNITY.

Debose: Independence Heights was

annexed and became a part of the city of Houston after the 1927, 1928 stock

market crash. The people of Independence Heights could not pay their notes to the Wright Land Company. The company then filed a lawsuit against the city of Independence Heights. At the same time, the city of Independence Heights had taken out a $100K loan or bond from the city of Houston. And they couldn’t pay because the people couldn’t pay any of their taxes and things. So, the city of Houston took this really vulnerable moment to open up what’s called a

receivership.

Also, Houston was pressured to keep up with other major Texas cities that were

expanding. Independence Heights became very easy prey because it pushed the city of Houston northward, and it couldn’t go west, south or east because of existing Houston neighborhoods. So, on Dec. 31, 1929, the people of Independence Heights went to bed as their own independent city. But on Jan. 1, 1930, they woke up part of the city of Houston. So, there went the first Black city in the state of Texas.

Defender: What about the claims from

other all-Black Texas communities?

Debose: You have places like Kendleton,

Prairie View, White Chapel. These are all early Black settlements that could have been towns, had they incorporated. The difference with Independence Heights and those places is that we incorporated.

ai165669156353_2022_CTW-30455_ROY_Print_Houston_The Defender_ENG_4.812x13_07-07-22_F.pdf

8 | July 7, 2022 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Entertainment Choose a physician who really listens

Better health begins with caring doctors

C

M

Rapper David Banner (Left) speaks with Defender Reporter (Right) about his new single honoring Houston rap icon Pimp C of UGK at Bar 5015. Photo Jimmie Aggison Y

CM

David Banner talks tribute to Pimp C MY

CY

CMY

K

By Laura Onyeneho

Rapper, actor and producer David Banner might represent his home state of Mississippi to the fullest, but Houston is the city where Banner has developed fond personal and professional memories.

It is the inspiration behind his single “Swangin”, a tribute to the late Houston rap icon Pimp C of UGK. “Pimp C was a very good friend of mine,” Banner told the Defender. “He was one of the dudes who counseled me. UGK was one of the few groups who were from a small town like I was from, and who were able to garner sustainable success.”

In 2018, Banner shared a video clip of Pimp C on Facebook with a caption that described their friendship. “Pimp C’s Voice changed my life,” he said. “We actually became friends while he was in jail. I frequently wrote him. He wanted to learn how to use the MPC drum machine so I took pictures of it and tried to teach him how it works. I also wanted him to see the world through my experiences so I sent pictures of all the amazing places I was going to on tour.

“He was a mentor and a friend. Pimp was the one who showed me how to navigate myself through the hate. He said ‘Banner, you are smart, it will take time for your

people to catch up with you.’ He loved the South with all he was.”

Recently, Banner hosted an exclusive listening session hosted by Gas Gods and In the Green Podcast sharing the space with notable Houston rappers including Slim Thug, Lil’ Keke, Propain, Killa Kyleon and Lil’ Flip.

“One thing people don’t talk about enough as it pertains to Black Houston is the independent music game, Banner said.

“Texas as a whole…shows the world that they can get it without anybody else. You can go gold or platinum just in the state of Texas and Houston is the heart of that.”

While Banner continues to make moves in hip hop, he has become a pillar of strength as an activist and advocate for health and wellness in the Black community. He has been transparent about struggles with sleep apnea, high blood pressure and his weight loss journey.

“I’m able to hear God clearly when I’m healthy. I just got off my blood pressure pills.

I was 17 points from diabetes,” he said. “I want to be our children’s superhero both on the screen and off the screen and the way you look has a lot to do with that.”

Keep up with Banner regarding all things music and business on his website at Davidbanner.com.

Dr. Jasit Singh, CenterWell Conroe • Board certified in Family Medicine • Has 15 years of experience • He speaks English, Punjabi and Urdu

Call now to schedule a tour

832-365-4615

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Follow us @CenterWellPrimaryCare to learn about activities and events CenterWellTM does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex. ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-877-320-2188 (TTY: 711). 注意：如果您使用繁體中 文，您可以免費獲得語言援助服務。請致電 1-877-320-2188 (TTY: 711).

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DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Entertainment Cast of ‘College Hill: Celebrity Edition.’

Big Freedia, India Love, Lamar Odom, NeNe Leakes, Slim Thug AKA Big Slim, DreamDoll and Ray J (Stacey Dash is not pictured)

TSU TAKES SPOTLIGHT ON

‘College Hill: Celebrity Edition’

By Aswad Walker

As the series moves forward cast memTexas Southern University has found bers will work toward completing a specialty itself in the center of the pop culture world certificate program allowing them to walk with the premier of the BET+ reality series across the graduation stage.

“College Hill: Celebrity Edition.”

“Having the cast and crew of ‘College Hill: Viewers got their first glimpse of the Celebrity Edition’ on our campus was a speeight-episode series following the 2022 BET cial experience for Texas Southern UniverAwards. The show follows eight celebrities as sity and a unique opportunity to introduce they are fully immersed in an HBCU experi- TSU to new audiences,” said TSU vice presience set against the backdrop of the campus dent for communications and advancement of TSU. TSU was chosen in a national search Melinda Spaulding. “The multiple positive for the opportunity to highlight the campus, interactions with students and the highlightacademic programs, and students. ing of our president and faculty will show One of the emerging stars of the show the world what we already know about Texas is TSU professor, Dr. Michon Benson, who Southern.” teaches one of the courses cast members Spaulding also shared that BET’s relationNeNe Leakes, Ray J, Lamar Odom, Big Free- ship with the Third Ward-located HBCU is dia, Stacey Dash, India Love, DreamDoll and going beyond the reality series.

Slim Thug AKA Big Slim take during their “BET also partnered with [TSU] for “College Hill: Celebrity Edition” experience. scholarships and gifted our students with “I agreed to participate in the show an amazing Culture Fest culminating because I wanted the world to perceive TSU experience. We hope our participation will as an ‘education destination’,” said Benson. enhance the interest in not only the Texas “The university features so many great fac- Southern University, but all HBCUs,” said T:4.79" ulty and top-tier programming.”

Spaulding.

For Benson, an award-winning professor, she viewed her participation as an opportunity to share TSU’s story with the world.

“I’m not in control of the [show’s] editing process, but I tried my best to create meaningful curriculum, and I invested

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as much energy into teaching the on-air class as I do for my other courses. If the show can encourage prospective students to enroll in college, particularly in TSU, I’ll feel good about my role in the project,” shared Benson.

ON SOCIAL AND RACIAL JUSTICE ISSUES. Atlantic City, NJ | July 14-20 naacp.org/convention

10 | July 7, 2022 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports

Sports Briefs Deshaun Watson may suit up in 2022

The saga with former Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, the NFL and the multiple massage therapists who have accused him of sexual misconduct Deshaun and sexual assault, Watson seems to be moving toward a conclusion but there were some interesting developments last week. The hearing with the NFL’s independent disciplinary officer, to determine punishment for the now Cleveland Browns quarterback, concluded and is now in the decision-making process. The NFL is believed to be seeking an indefinite suspension, which would require Watson to sit out at least a full season, but many experts believe the league and Watson’s team will eventually settle for a six to eight-game suspension for the upcoming season. Watson already sat out the entire 2021 season but it was not considered a suspension.

Brittney Griner stands trial in Russia

Houston native and WNBA star Brittney Griner had her first official day in court in Russia on July 1 on drug charges.

The Russian prosecutor accused Griner of moving “a significant amount” of cannabis oil at an airport near Brittney Moscow in February Griner during her attempted return home. During the hearing, Griner was placed in a cage with a bottle of water and a bag of cookies, according to media reports from Russian media. Griner’s trial is to resume July 7. She is facing up to 10 years in prison if convicted, which many predict is a forgone conclusion.

Daryl Morey, 76ers pursue Eric Gordon

Former Rockets general manager Daryl Morey seems intent on making his new employer, the Philadelphia 76ers, the Rockets of the East. In addition to trading for James Harden last season, Morey has also added P.J. Tucker and Danuel House Jr. to the Sixers roster.

And if Morey has his way, veteran point guard Eric Gordon Eric Gordon will be headed to Philadelphia soon, if a trade can be made with the Rockets.

Rockets general manager Rafael Stone is said to be seeking a future No. 1 pick for Gordon, which could be tough since the 76ers aren’t allowed to trade a first-round pick until 2029 under league trade guidelines.

Quartney Davis (82), Derek Stingley Jr (24) and Jalen Pitre (42) stretch during a Houston Texans NFL football rookie minicamp practice Friday, May 13, 2022, in Houston. AP Photo/David J. Phillip

Jalen Pitre a ‘sponge’ since joining hometown Texans

By Terrance Harris

After starring at Stafford High School and then Baylor, Jalen Pitre had no idea where his football career would take him as the NFL Draft loomed this past spring.

As luck would have it, he wouldn’t have to travel far. The Texans grabbed one of the most versatile defensive players in the draft in the second round (37th overall) to bolster their beleaguered secondary.

“It’s really close but I feel like football is football anywhere,” Pitre said of being with the Texans. “I’m very thankful to be home but I’m just happy to be on a team again and just be able to play football.”

With training camp less than a month away, Pitre has already impressed the Texans coaching staff with his work ethic, tenacity and capacity to pick up head coach Lovie Smith’s Tampa 2 defensive scheme. Pitre, who is lining up primarily at safety after playing a hybrid safety/linebacker position at Baylor the last two seasons, performed well during OTAs and minicamp and as result saw some reps with the Texans’ firstteam defense.

“Jalen, he’s a sponge, he’s picking up quickly,” Smith said. “Very bright, athletic, all those things, but he needs reps. Offseason work helps those guys so much, and

Pitre, for one, he’s been outstanding.

Knack for the football. Has done a lot of good things.”

Lovie Smith

that local flavor is good also.”

Perhaps the 6-foot Pitre benefited most from his time under defensive guru Dave Aranda during their time together at Baylor.

Pitre, who played linebacker during his first two seasons with the Bears, quickly became Aranda’s prized pupil when he arrived as Baylor’s head coach.

Aranda elevated Pitre to his “star” position as a hybrid safety/linebacker where he was given the freedom to roam all levels of the defense. The result was not only did Pitre evolve into a star player – twotime All-Big 12, Big 12 Player of the Year and consensus first-team All-American – but he grew into the Bears’ unquestioned leader.

“I learned a lot from Coach Aranda,” said Pitre, who finished his senior year with 76 tackles, 18 tackles for loss (three sacks), two interceptions, seven pass breakups and

three fumble recoveries. “The biggest thing that I learned was just to be patient with things and just to wait on my turn. Coach Aranda is a very patient individual. That’s something I’ve been trying to work on.”

Pitre has shifted from one talented defensive-minded coach to one of the most respected defensive coaches in all of the NFL. Pitre and Smith have already seemed to develop a special connection.

Smith has been pleased with Pitre’s progress, which is essential as he and first-round pick Derek Stingley Jr. will almost certainly be looked at to fill immediate holes in the secondary after the departures of Lonnie Johnson Jr. and Justin Reid this offseason.

“Pitre, for one, he’s been outstanding,” Smith said. “Knack for the football. Has done a lot of good things.”

Pitre has taken to heart Smith’s mantra that he and the other rookies must do things the Texans way.

“It’s all about being a professional and doing things the right way, making sure you are being respectful to all of those around you and of your space,” Pitre said. “I think when you do that you end up being successful in wherever you are and whatever you are doing. That’s kind of the main things that Coach is preaching right now.”

July 7, 2022 |

| 11

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports KATY TOMPKINS POLE VAULTER

MATTHEW KUMAR MAN ON A MISSION

By Jodie B. Jiles

Katy Tompkins senior pole vaulter Matthew Kumar, a Rice University commit, didn’t go to state in 2021. So he became a man on a mission this season, which was capped off with a gold medal 16-03.00 performance at this year’s event.

Tompkins pole vault coach Matthew Rhodes reflected on Kumar’s journey since last season.

“He has kept that as motivation all year long,” Rhodes said.

“Every meet since he has [tried to surpass his personal record] levels. So, he kept getting PR after PR after PR and then he hits the school record. And the next week he gets the district record.”

The Defender spoke with Kumar at the UIL state track meet to discuss his style, early start, commitment to Rice and more.

ABOUT MATTHEW KUMAR IG: @mattew.kumar Pole vaulter he studies: Timur Morgunov Favorite artist: Kendrick Lamar Hobby: Fishing Shout-outs: “All the coaches, my parents and anyone who has helped me.”

Kumar strikes a pose by his UIL gold medal scoreboard.

EARLY START

“I picked it up in middle school. It looked fun and it is fun.

So, I just started and have been doing it ever since.”

STYLE OF POLE VAULTING

“It is a big mental event and I try to keep my calm and go back to whatever I have been practicing.”

GOLD MEDAL PERFORMANCE

“Stay calm, jump my jump, and don’t worry about the big dogs I

am competing against.”

ADVICE TO OTHERS

“I would tell them just give it a try because usually when they give it a try they end up liking it.

And once they like it, they are more willing to grind for it.”

RICE COMMITMENT

“They have a really good coach, David Butler. He is just about all you can ask for in a pole vault coach. So, I am very excited to be working with him for the next four years.”

FORT BEND

BUSH TRACK GIRLS SOMETHING SERIOUS

By Jodie B. Jiles

After running a 47.37 time in the 2021 UIL State 4x100 meter relay, the Fort Bend Bush girls relay team consisting of Raylen Russell, Rachel Joseph, Christina Pleasant and Amariya Hardeman captured a gold medal in the 2022 event with a 45.33 time.

For the first three legs of the race all of the relay teams were pretty even, until freshman Hardeman created the necessary separation to bring a gold medal back to the city.

When asked what makes the team special, freshman Hardeman said, “We

just have trust in each other and have faith that God is in everything.”

The Defender spoke with the Bush relay team after their podium pictures to discuss their keys to victory, advice to others and more.

UIL 4X100-METER GOLD MEDAL Russell: “The keys to the race were

consistency and having patience.”

LAST LEG OF THE RACE Hardeman: “I just thought finish

straight through, keep my form and just finish.”

POST-RACE FEELING Pleasant: “It is a really good feeling.

It is deeper than an accomplishment because you are going beyond what you have expected from yourself. We are very humble and we don’t like to call things out before we know what the outcome could be…And to come out here and show it, put it all on the track and leave it there is a really great feeling.”

ADVICE TO OTHERS Joseph: “Stay very consistent

because consistency is key. Make sure you trust your team because if you don’t trust your team you will have bad handoffs. And put your pride to the side.”

L-R Amariya Hardeman, Rachel Joseph, Christina Pleasant, Raylen Russell

12 | July 7, 2022 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Feature CHANCE OF LOSING POWER

11%

White neighborhoods

48%

Black neighborhoods

*Texans Helping Texans recover fund

The nearly deserted streets of downtown Houston as a winter storm unleashed record cold temperatures in southeast Texas in Feb. 2021.

Texans Helping Texans seeks to recover funds from 2021 storm

By Aswad Walker

The business sector is intersecting with activists in an effort to help individuals who suffered financial losses due to Winter Storm Uri (February 2021) and its aftermath secure compensation.

Texans Helping Texans Recovery Fund, led by Erik Simpson, founder and CEO of CirclesX, a technology company, is calling on individuals who suffered loss of power, home damage, lost business revenue, food and water and experienced their insurance companies refusal to pay customer claims to join their lawsuit against the state’s 4,000 energy companies.

“Texans Helping Texans Recovery Fund is taking all that experience and decades of big data and energy and evaluating markets, and using that data to recover money [lost during Uri], because during that storm $55 billion was made by energy companies in two weeks, while Texans lost $200 billion,” said Simpson.

“Normally, I’m as capitalistic as they come. However, when a company provides a service, it needs to be so that everyone is equally treated. In this situation, that was not what went down.”

According to Simpson, CirclesX has partnered with a number of groups and individuals like activist, radio host and pastor of Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church, Dr. D.Z. Cofield, to get the word out about the lawsuit that allows impacted Texans to sign up at no cost.

“There were two groups: one group got cut off, the other group had to pay those

jacked up prices that went up by 90 times.

Both would have claims, which then covers for most intents and purposes, the entire population of Texas. This is basically a technology company combining legal sources to create a mechanism for social justice to recover the money that was taken improperly,” said Simpson.

The amount of damages sought depends on the number of persons who join the lawsuit, with Simpson saying “any valid claim is eligible [to join] where a person was the electric bill payer of record.”

For Cofield, the fight is about economic and racial justice, especially when he realized the energy system wasn’t shut down accidentally, but rather, on purpose.

“What CirclesX discovered was, it wasn’t incompetence. It was intentional and people withheld power and kept it out of the system instead of pushing it into the system,” said Cofield. “You don’t accidentally make $55 billion in profit in two weeks.”

For context, Cofield pointed out Americans spent $53 billion in all of 2021 on legalized gambling — including the Super Bowl, March Madness, World Series and NBA Finals.

“That’s $53 billion spent over the entire year on gambling. These energy companies made $55 billion in two weeks. Then, to add insult to injury, there is now a proposal in front of the public utility commission by the same energy companies who have profited, are trying to pass along the cost to winterize the system to those of us who are customers.

It’s just the height of hypocrisy.”

READ THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW AND FIND OUT WHO QUALIFIES FOR THE LAWSUIT

According to Cofield, the mapped data provided by CirclesX revealed that Texas’ more affluent, predominantly white neighborhoods had an 11% chance of losing power during Uri compared to a 48% chance for those “living in the hood,” a reality Simpson categorized as “massive discrimination.”

Simpson contends the lawsuit isn’t just

about money.

“This has to do with integrity. It has to do with your vision of the future. This has to do with equality. This has to do with justice. If we sit here and we do nothing, it’s going to happen again.”

To join the lawsuit, visit www.thtrf.com and file your claim for free.

CLASSIFIED FUNDING OPPORTUNITY FOR AGENCIES SERVING UNSHELTERED HOMELESS Pursuant to the Special Notice of Funding Opportunity to Address Unsheltered and Rural Homelessness (“Special NOFO”) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the Continuum of Care (CoC), the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County, as Lead Agency of The Way Home CoC — the collaborative effort to prevent and end homelessness in Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties — is seeking a Request for Applications (RFA) for new homeless outreach, permanent housing, and supportive services projects.

Due to the competitive nature of these funds, only non-profit agencies with experience in administering HUD funding will be eligible to apply. Preference will be given to applications for permanent housing to serve individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness. All project applications will be scored and ranked.

All interested applicants must participate in a virtual grant conference 12-2 p.m. Thursday, July 7, 2022. Registration information and applications available at www.homelesshouston.org. APPLICATIONS ARE DUE by Thursday, Oct. 13. Please contact NOFO@homelesshouston.org for any questions or additional information.

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS NORTHPARK DRIVE OVERPASS PROJECT (T-1013) The Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority will be advertising for bids of the Northpark Drive Overpass Project, located in Northeast Houston. Sealed Bids will be received until 4:00PM, local time on August 3, 2022 by Kelly Cashman, Paralegal, 600 Travis, Ste. 4200, Houston, TX 77002. Bids received after this time will not be accepted.

The proposed project will include reconstruction of the existing four-lane facility to a six-lane facility with upgrades such as 10’ pedestrian side paths, a closed drainage system, amenity ponds and landscaping improvements near the intersection with US 59/I-69 and a new grade separation (bridge overpass) over State Loop 494 and the Union Pacific Railroad with at-grade access roads. The project limits span from just west of US 59/I-69 to just east of Russell Palmer Road and is approximately 1.3 miles in length.

Beginning 2:00PM, Friday, June 17, 2022, Bid Documents will be available via CivCast at www.CivCastUSA.com: search Northpark Drive Overpass Project. Bidders must register on this website in order to view and/or download specifications, plans, and other related documents for this project. There is no charge to view or download documents.

Addenda will also be distributed CivCast.

A MANDATORY Pre-bid Conference will be held at 2:00PM on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, at HNTB Corporation, 1301 Fannin Street (Suite 2000), Houston, TX 77002. All bidders (general contractors) are invited to attend. Bids will be ruled non-responsive if received from a bidder who did not attend the Pre-bid Conference. Late arrivals will not be admitted to the Pre-bid Conference.

Bidders shall comply with City Ordinance 95-336 (March 29, 1995) and Exec. Order No.1 2 (June 14, 1995), and City of Houston Affirmative Action and Contract Compliance Division Minority/Women Business Enterprise (M/WBE) Procedures (June 1995). The successful Bidder will be required to make good faith efforts to achieve an M/WDBE participation goal of 20 percent.