Houston Style Magazine vol 28 No 10

Houston Style Magazine March. 02, 2017 - March. 08, 2017

Houston’s Premiere Weekly Publication

Volume 28 | Number 10

Complimentary

Jesse Jackson

Sessions Opens the Door Again to Privatized Prisons

The Changing Scope of Black Radio in Houston

By Jo-Carolyn Goode, Managing Editor

Follow Us #TeamStyleMag

Twitter @HoustonStyle

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HCC’s Black History Scholarship Gala

Facebook: Houston Style Magazine

San Antonio’s Hotel Contessa

Donald Trump

Gives First Presidential Address to Congress & America

Harry Belafonte A Voice of Social Injustice

No Ban No Wall Rally

N E W S | C O M M E N TA R I E S | S P O R T S | H E A LT H | E N T E R TA I N M E N T

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Volume 29 | Number 10 | March. 02, 2017 - March 08, 2017

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Publisher Francis Page, Jr.

Mayor Sylvester Turner

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Associate Publisher Lisa Valadez Managing Editor Jo-Carolyn Goode Creative Director Will Pharaoh

NATIONAL WRITERS

Jesse Jackson jjackson@rainbowpush.org Roland Martin www.rolandmartin.com Judge Greg Mathis www.askjudgemathis.com

PHOTOGRAPHERS Vicky Pink vhpink@gmail.com

Actor Mahershali Ali

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Roswitha Vogler photosbyrovo@gmail.com William Ealy Williamealy1906@gmail.com Semetra Samuel semetra@artistikrebelcreative.com Mike Munoz artrepreneur91@gmail.com

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©2015 Houston Style Magazine, a Minority Print Media, L.L.C. Company. All Right Reserved. Reproduction in whole or within part without permission is prohibited. Houston Style Magazine has a 2007 audit by Circulation Verification Council (CVC). Houston Style Magazine is a member of the Texas Publishers Association (TPA), Texas Community Newspaper Association (TCNA), National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), Independent Free Paper of America (IFPA), Association of Free Community Papers (AFCP) and Members of Greater Houston Partnership(GHP).

National Association of Hispanic Publications, Inc. (NAHP, Inc.), Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (HHCC), League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Latin Women’s Initiative (LWI), National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), Houston Association of Hispanic Media Professionals (HAHMP), National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), and Members of Greater Houston Partnership(GHP)

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COMMENTARY

Sessions Opens the Door Again to Privatized Prisons

By Jesse Jackson, National Writer

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ext week, March 7, will mark the 52nd anniversary of Bloody Sunday, the historic march and shocking police riot in Selma, Ala., that helped build public support for passage of the Voting Rights Act. Now, a half-century later, an avowed critic of that law -- former Alabama Sen. Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III, who was born in Selma -has been confirmed as attorney general of the United States. In one of his first acts in office -- reversing Obama’s order to phase out the federal government’s use of private prisons -- he has begun to weaken civil rights protections. The decision on private prisons reflects Trump’s desire to repeal all things Obama. It expresses the ideological bias of reactionaries like Sessions toward privatizing public functions. It also reveals the pervasive corruption already apparent in the Trump administration.

The two largest for-profit prison companies in the United States -- GEO Group and CoreCivic (formerly Corrections Corporation of America) -- and their associates have, according to Reason Magazine, contributed “more than $10 million to candidates since 1989 and have spent nearly $25 million on lobbying efforts.” When Trump stoked public fears of violent crime in our cities, called our prison system a “disaster,” and endorsed “privatizations and private prisons,” the industry ponied up hundreds of thousands of dollars to support his candidacy. Reviving private prisons, however, represents far more than mere anti-Obama venom, ideological preference or even political corruption.

Incarcerating people in for-profit prisons is morally indefensible. Locking people up and turning them over to companies whose primary concerns are profits and return to investors is a recipe for abuse. And the record of private prisons demonstrates repeatedly that abuse is pervasive.This is the cause of repeated upheaval and scandal. Private prisons suffer

more violence. Underpaid guards too often punish prisoners without accountability. Private prisons, Obama’s Justice Department found, aren’t as safe for prisoners or for guards as public prisons. They lack the services that might revive hope rather than crush it, such as educational programs and job training. Worse, the private companies generally demand that the government guarantee that their cells will be full, even if actual crime rates are falling or if harsh sentencing is rolled back.

Nearly two-thirds of private prison contracts mandate that state and local governments sustain an occupancy rate -- usually 90 percent -- or taxpayers pay for the empty beds.

At the federal level, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) budget is mandated by the Congress to maintain detention beds for at least 34,000 immigrants daily. Sessions’ order impacts some 14,000 federal prisoners, a number that has been trending down in recent years.

Most of the 2 million prisoners in America are sentenced and held at the state and local level. To them, Sessions is sending a strong signal. The federal government will be ramping up detentions, particularly of immigrants.” But what we’ve seen so far is a return to the failed policies of the past -- law and order rhetoric combined with calls for tougher police tactics, harsher sentences, and now a corrupt and indefensible embrace of privatized prisons. With Sessions in the DOJ, Trump’s divisive racial rhetoric is about to turn into policy.

You can write to the Rev. Jesse Jackson in care of this newspaper or by email at jjackson@ rainbowpush.org. Follow him on Twitter @RevJJackson.

Share this story online at www.stylemagazine.com.

The 4th Annual H-E-B Primo Picks Quest For Texas Best is on the hunt for the best that Texans have to offer!

Do you produce a food or beverage (non-alcoholic) in Texas that you think is the best in the state? Then enter your product to be a part of the 2017 Primo Picks: Quest For Texas Best!

Mark your calendar for this informational meeting where you can learn more about the Primo Picks: Quest For Texas Best and how to apply.

Date: Tuesday, March 21 Time: 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Location: H-E-B Windfern Training Center, 4301 Windfern Rd., Houston, TX, 77041 Register here: https://2017questhouston2.eventbrite.com Questions?

H-E-B contact: James Harris, Director - Diversity & Inclusion and Supplier Diversity harris.james@heb.com Location Contact: Sheila Jackson, 713-329-3930 or jackson.sheila@heb.com 44

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POLITICAL

This is Who We Are

By Lisa Valdez, Associate Publisher

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s journalists, we tend to want to remain neutral when reporting about politics and policy. Our job is to report the facts to you. But at times, injustice occurs and our concerns, fears, and anger cannot be contained.

Our will and our want to help our community compels us to speak up on a personal level. And while my words today may alienate some or cause others to judge me for being so personal, I simply cannot apologize for doing what I know is right.

This past Saturday, I was very honored to speak at the #NoBanNoWall rally on behalf of those that feel as they have no voice and for those that are currently in fear of the policies enacted by the current administration.

Thousands gathered at the front steps of the Texas capital to protest the current ICE Raids, Trump’s border wall and the refugee ban. U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro (D-San Antonio) and Congressman Beto O’Rourke (D-El Paso) headlined the rally organized by Muslim and immigrant rights groups. Some of the speakers included immigration attorneys and activists, DREAMERS, and refugees from Muslim communities.

To honor my family and to those that have suffered and continue to suffer under the policies of the current administration, I hope that my words spoken at the rally made a difference (if even a small one).

Houston Style’s Lisa Valadez

“This Is Who We Are” “Many if not all of us here today have recited the pledge of allegiance, giving our thanks to a piece of fabric stitched in identity that speaks to many of the slogans that have echoed throughout time: Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness. As a Latina, I have witnessed how those words have turned into something so out of reach for us. But still, we hope and we strive, not only for ourselves but for our families as well. BECAUSE THIS IS WHO WE ARE! Every success we have achieved and every contribution we’ve made in this America, OUR America, is being overshadowed being by the current policies in place that have made us out to be the enemy.

We are the enemy when we’re condemned to the belief of being rapists and murders. We are the enemy because much like any minority, the actions of a few become representative of a whole. We have become the target of ICE raids because it has been determined that because we are

Photo Credit Christian Benavides brown, we are committing a crime just by being here. Because we are brown, we are to be feared. But indeed, they should be scared, because we are tired - tired of being ignored, tired of being stereotyped, tired of being marginalized and tired of being treated like second-class citizens.

And today, you WILL hear us!

We are not illegal. The Declaration of Independence, the very document that is the foundation for this country determined that all men are created equal. And that includes us Latinos. We’re the fighters, we’re the persecuted, and we’re the survivors who have only wanted one thing - the opportunity for a better quality of life. THIS IS WHO WE ARE! I am the child of a migrant farm worker. My mother spent the majority of her childhood working the fields from sun up to sun down. Although she did not graduate high school, my mother elevated herself from working for minimum wage cleaning offices at night to the successful career woman she is today - a self-taught, resilient woman.

As a child, my father worked the cotton fields. And throughout his entire adult life, has worked outdoor construction, laying the foundation for the highways and roads we use day in and day out. At the age of 62 he was diagnosed with cancer. At 63, he beat cancer. And at 64, he once again put on those work boots and headed back to work, waking up at 4am to go to a job that no one else wants to work. Why? Because all he wants to do is earn his living, respectfully, and in peace. Because THIS IS WHO WE ARE

achiever, decorated high school soccer player, homecoming queen – all that and she couldn’t qualify for scholarships or financial aid because of her status. Today, because of DACA, she works full time and pays for her college education herself with no assistance. In spite of it all, in spite of EVERY obstacle and set back she’s had to face, her determination has never faltered. THIS IS WHO WE ARE. You often here from the opposition, those who hate, those who don’t care to understand, “why don’t you get your papers”? They know nothing of the struggle. They know nothing about someone like Aleni enduring a Twenty-year fight just to be a naturalized citizen.

When you see people who look like me in you in the fields, on the construction sites, in restaurants working to provide a better life despite a pitiful wage, we stand strong and proud. Because THIS IS WHO WE ARE. We are not rapists, we are not thieves. And we will NOT be used as talking points for political gain. We Are Providers. We Are Fighters.

We Are Survivors. And that, is who we are.

WE STAND STRONG. THIS IS WHO WE ARE. “

I am the mother of two beautiful biracial young men – one of them is gay. And although many out there spew their hate against their race, their nationality, their sexual orientation – they stand strong and I stand with them because THIS IS WHO WE ARE! I have watched as Aleni, a young woman I met 8 years ago while she was in high school endure the struggle of wanting a higher education, wanting to become successful, all while fearing her undocumented status. A high academic

Photo Credit Christian Benavides

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LOCAL & STATE BRIEFS

Maroon and Gray

TSU Gala – A Maroon & Gray Affair to Raise Money for Student Scholarships [Style Magazine Newswire]

Simone Biles & Sasha Farber / DWTS-ABC

‘Dancing with the Star’ Cast Includes Local Native Olympic Gold Medalist Simone Biles [KTRK]

Sylvester Turner

Texas Southern University (TSU) is launching a fresh tradition with the premiere of The Maroon & Gray Affair. This black-tie gala will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 29 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel Houston. Proceeds from the event will benefit the student scholarship fund. TSU First Lady Loren Lane saw an immediate need for scholarships among bright and talented students. It did not take long for her to transform her idea into action. Working in concert with the University she created The Maroon & Gray Affair — an event sure to become a time-honored TSU tradition. The Maroon & Gray Affair draws inspiration from the University’s hallmark colors to present an evening of elegance in support of student scholarships and programs.

A familiar face to Houstonians joins this year’s cast of Dancing with the Stars. Olympic Gold Medalist Simone Biles will join The A-Team star Mr. T, The Bachelor Nick Viall, Glee’s Heather Morris and Saturday Night Live alum Chris Kattan.

The full cast of season 24 of Dancing with the Stars was announced on Good Morning America Wednesday. Simone Biles will be dancing with Sasha Farber.

We know the history that Sylvester Turner, Rufus Cormier, and John W. Peavy Jr. have made in our area and beyond.

And soon the world will too as they are the latest Houston voices to be archived by The HistoryMakers. The project is one that records the oral stories of hundreds of people all over the US and stores them at the Library of Congrress.

According to the Chron.com, Turner speaks growing up in Acres Homes, Cormier talks Watergate and Peavy comments on working as a judge.

Watch the new season of Dancing With the Stars on Monday, March 20, at 8 p.m. ET | 7 p.m. CT on ABC.

Follow Mayor Turner on Twitter @SylvesterTurner and share this story online at www.stylemagazine.com.

Medical Cannabis

TYPHOON-TEXAS-Waterpark

Tacos

Texas Could Lose Millions Of Tax Dollars If It Stalls Medical Marijuana [Forbes]

The Texas Compassionate Use Act was signed into law on June 1, 2015, by Governor Greg Abbott. However, it appears the state might not implement the medical marijuana program it passed and could walk away from millions in potential tax revenues. One of the major obstacles to establishing the program in Texas is that the state law requires doctors to write a prescription for the medical marijuana.

Since marijuana is still federally illegal and a controlled substance, doctors can’t legally write a prescription for it.

Another problem with the program is the severely limited patient population. A bill has been introduced in both the Texas House and Senate to expand the patient population.

Follow Us #TeamStyleMag

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Turner, Cormier and Peavy Lend Voice History Makers Project [Chron.com]

Pflugerville Pens Deal with Typhoon Texas to Open Water Park [Austin American Statesman]

Taco Enthusiast Wants to Make Tacos the Official State Food of Texas [Fox News]

After weeks of negotiation, a deal has been struck between the Pflugerville City Council, the city’s economic development arm and Typhoon Texas to have the company operate the water park previously run by Hawaiian Falls. At a Jan. 3 special meeting, the City Council and Pflugerville Community Development Corporation unanimously approved terms for a two-year ground and operating lease agreement for the Pflugerville water park located along Texas 130. The agreement includes options for Typhoon to renew the lease in 10-year increments up to 2038, officials said. The finalization of terms comes after a Dec. 28 special meeting where an agreement could not be reached and negotiations continued until the January meeting.

The official state dish of Texas is listed as chili by the Texas State Library, but one man is looking to swap that classic dish for a South-of-the-Border staple. A Change.org petition, titled “Make Tacos the National Food of Texas,” seeks to replace the state’s current official dish with — you guessed it the taco. Mando Rayo, the petition’s author, cites the food’s prevalence in the Lonestar State as one of his main reasons, writing that tacos are “infused with Texas food culture.”

Chili, however, has been the state food of Texas since 1977, when the House of Representatives of the State of Texas proclaimed chili as its official dish “in recognition of the fact that the only real ‘bowl of red’ is that prepared by Texans.”

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HISPANIC / LATINO COMMUNITY

Ellen Ochoa

Sergio Hernandez

Black / Latino

The first-ever Latina in space will be inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame in May. The mexicana joined NASA as a research engineer at Ames Research Center in 1988. By 1990, she moved onto the Johnson Space Center, where she was selected as an astronaut and made her historic trip to space in 1993. But her barrier breaking doesn’t stop there. Ochoa is currently the director of the Johnson Space Center in Houston, the second woman and first Latina to lead its 13,000 employees. With a track record like that, it’s no wonder that Ochoa has garnered several accolades.

The Supreme Court will hear the case involving the shooting

Rutgers University’s Center for Urban Entrepreneurship & Economic Development will hold its Black and Latino Tech Initiative Launch (BLT). The free event offers black and Hispanic tech entrepreneurs valuable advice on preparing their businesses for an accelerator program as well as on-site networking opportunities with venture capitalists and accelerators. Companies at the BLT Launch will have their business models and other aspects of their business reviewed. The event will funnel selected businesses into accelerator programs.

First Latina in Space Ellen Ochoa to Be Inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame [Latina.com]

Supreme Court to Hear Case of Sergio Hernandez [Latino Loop]

death of 15-year old Sergio Hernandez by U.S. border patrol agent Jesus Mesa in 2010. Hernandez was on the Mexican side of the border when he was killed.

The Hernandez family sued Mesa for damages and the Supreme Court will decide if foreigners can sue for damages under the U.S. Constitution.

Rutgers University Launches Black and Latino Tech Initiative [Black Enterprise]

BUSINESS BRIEFS

JC Penny

JCPenney Set to Close 140 Stores [CNN Money] JCPenney plans to shutter as many as 140 stores in the coming months, the latest traditional retailer to announce closings. The department store chain did not disclose how many jobs would be cut, but it said it is also offering early retirement to 6,000 full-time employees. Because it will hire to fill those buyout positi0ons, the company said it expects a net increase in hiring, even counting the job cuts from closed stores. The closings should take place by the end of June. The locations will be revealed by mid-March.

JCPenney (JCP) will also close two distribution centers.

It had 105,000 employees manning 1,021 stores as of a year ago.

Subway

Phil Goff, Center for Policing Equity

DNA Tests Find Subway Chicken Only 50 Percent Meat, Canadian Media Report [NPR.org]

Google Pledges $11.5M to Organizations Fighting Racial Bias in Criminal Jutice [USA Today]

A Canadian investigative consumer program ordered DNA analysis of several fast-food chicken sandwiches and concluded that Subway chicken was only half meat with the other half soy. The sandwich chain strongly rebuts the allegations, with a spokesman calling them “absolutely false” and calling for a correction. The tests were conducted by a DNA researcher at Trent University’s Wildlife Forensic DNA Laboratory, for a CBC Marketplace episode dedicated to testing fast-food chicken dishes, and have not been independently confirmed. The show found that dishes from McDonald’s, Wendy’s, A&W and Tim Horton’s restaurants in Canada came in at 80 percent and 90 percent chicken DNA.

Google is handing out $11.5 million in grants to organizations combating racial disparities in the criminal justice system, double what it has given so far. And, in keeping with a company built on information, the latest wave of grants target organizations that crunch data to pinpoint problems and propose solutions. Like other major technology companies, Google is trying to address the racial imbalance in the demographics of its workforce. Hispanics make up 3% of Google employees and African Americans 2%. In 2015, Google gave $2.35 million to community organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area tackling systemic racism in America’s criminal justice, prison and educational systems.

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LOCAL Harry Belafonte: A Voice of Social Injustice

By Demez White, Feature Writer

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t’s become popular to be an activist in 2017. In a matter of seconds an injustice can become a hashtag and with one tweet you can become the voice of a generation. Now imagine being the voice of social injustice when it wasn’t popular?

Harry Belafonte was an early supporter of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950’s and 1960’s. He was the first man, black, white or green to sell a million records and even with that fame, he didn’t let that detour him from having a voice.

We see athletes and entertainers now worried about their brands and offending people when he was simply worried about the freedoms so many didn’t have. This is a man that has won three Grammy Awards, An Emmy and a Tony Award and still had time to be an Ambassador for Juvenile Justice issues. Never afraid to speak Harry Belafonte his mind he has spoken on the President Obama Administration, the Clinton Administration, and Jay Z. As I was doing my research there was something I came across that put his life and career in perspective for me. From February 5-9, 1968, Belafonte guest hosted The Tonight Show substituting for Johnny Carson. Among his interview guests were Martin Luther King, Jr, and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy.

Just in case that didn’t resonate let me add some background to what this means.

Johnny Carson was maybe the most powerful man in late night television if not all of television and he chose Belafonte to be his guest host. Dr. Martin Luther King was maybe the most powerful man in the Civil Rights Movement but also one of the most hated men in America. Robert Kennedy was the brother of the most popular President in the last 30 years and air apparent to a political dynasty. All of these men came together in

Harry Belafonte w/ Martin Luther King Jr. some form or fashion for Harry Belafonte. The music speaks for itself. The acting speaks for itself. The innovative nature of his talent speaks for itself. Honoring a legend in a time where becoming a legend is getting harder and harder. That requires words. Belafonte spoke with Houston audiences recently as part of the Brillant Lecture Series during Black History Month.

The focus of Belafonte’s presentation was something he Is very use to doing, being a voice on Civil Rights and social justice issues. Intertwine in that convo was jewels about extraordinary 90 year life that is still moving at full speed. It was a treat for all in attendance and a great way to celebrate his upcoming birthday.Happy 90th Birthday to a Legend that speaks for himself.

#BlackLivesMatter #HandsUpDontShoot #SayHerName #ICantBreathe

Houston Style Goes One-on-One with Comedic Legend Dick Gregory

By Destany Rainey, Feature Writer

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s part of his national tour, comedic legend and civil rights activist Dick Gregory visited Houston last week to entertain guests at the city’s Dolce Ultra Lounge and Bistro with his age-old comedy, and also to share some of his viewpoints on current events at the Shrine of the Black Madonna. During his visit, Gregory spoke with Houston Style Magazine about his career, and shed some light on today’s black community.

Gregory’s national comedy career dates back to 1961 when he replaced white comedian “Professor” Irwin Corey as a regular at the Playboy Club in Chicago, as a direct request from Hugh Hefner. From there, Gregory went on to become a household name, with several television appearances and headlining sold out comedy shows. Comedy Central ranks Dick Gregory as number 82 in the nation’s 100 greatest stand-ups of all time, but Gregory feels he actually is in the top 10. “There weren’t any black comedians out when I started doing comedy,” he said. “I trained Bill Cosby and Richard Pryor.” Gregory says he enjoys comedy, but he is not a comedian 24/7.

“That’s what the stage is for. When I’m on the stage, I’m there to make people laugh.”

Gregory’s celebrity status helped his with participation in the Civil Rights Movement, as he was a part of numerous sit-ins and marches protesting segregation alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. As a teen, Gregory led a march protesting segregated schools while attending Sumner High School in St. Louis.

The 87-year old comedian hasn’t missed a beat over the years, having just as much passion and insight on today’s events as he did during the Civil Rights Movement.

Gregory says the black community is still under major construction, given that it is just out of slavery.

“We haven’t been out of slavery 400 years,” Gregory said. “The Jews were freed from Egypt 9,000 years ago. If you compare the black community to the Jews when they were 400 years out of slavery, they acted just like we are acting now.” Gregory stressed that it takes a long time for a community of people to transition out of slavery, and as a result, the teachings of Malcom X and Martin Luther King may not have a direct impact on the community until about 1,000 years from today. Gregory says black Millennials and Generation Z are products of the institution of America because the country does not

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Dick Gregory

own up to the predominant issues that exist, such as racism, sexism, and class divide.

Gregory used Nick Cannon’s departure from America’s Got Talent to exemplify the younger generation’s way of dealing with social issues in America.

“There is a new mind coming through now, it’s not going to change. You’re not going to teach young folk what to do, they know what to do,” he said.Gregory has written numerous books that highlight the comedian’s growth throughout his life. His 1964 best-selling autobiography “Nigger” received backlash because of its title, but Gregory says the title is a reflection of what he was called back then. Houston Style asked Gregory if he had one wish that he knew would be granted, what would it be? His response was, “There is nothing out there that I would want for, that I can’t get. I don’t wish for anything. What you proclaim, you get.”

ENTERTAINMENT Mahershali Ali: How the Oakland Native Went From Ball Player to Rapper to Academy Award Winner

By Brandon Caldwell, Feature Writer

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ong before Oakland, California saw one of its biggest sons rise on the national stage at the Academy Awards last Sunday, he had spent the previous week tending to his wife.

Amatus Sami-Karim, the wife of Moonlight star Mahershala Ali had given birth to the couple’s first daughter, Bari Najima. Days later, he was thanking his wife who endured not only the arduous stretch of awards season, but an awards season that saw him win a SAG Award, a Critic’s Choice Award and the ultimate prize, the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in Moonlight.

But the Oakland born Ali wasn’t naturally driven towards acting. Instead, growing up in nearby Hayward, California, the 6’3” Ali found himself pushed towards basketball. As a guard for Saint Mary’s, he regularly found himself in the starting lineup but drifted away from the game. He also went by a different name, Mahershala Gilmore, his birth name. “I was a scared kid just trying to hold it all together,” he wrote on the school’s website in 2011.

Losing his father, Phillip, mid-way during his junior season tore at Ali. He struggled focusing on and off the court. The practical jokes and joy he found on the basketball court?

Stifled. Grieving and without much direction, Ali almost lost it completely. “I had mentally checked out,” he wrote. “I didn’t really care, and didn’t feel like caring.” Thanks to a professor, he returned to the basketball court for his senior season in 1995-96. Even though he averaged around seven points a game and shot nearly 40 percent from behind the three-point line, his passions had far outgrown basketball.

“I went to SMC on a basketball scholarship. But when I graduated, I no longer thought of myself as an athlete,” he said. “Honestly, I kind of resented basketball by the end of my time there.”

Driving more towards poetry and creative writing, he graduated from Saint Mary’s with a degree in Mass Communications. In 2000, four years after crossing the stage, Mahershala Glimore became Mahershala Ali after a conversion to Islam and joining the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

Acting had become his main passion but he never left poetry completely alone. In 2007, he found himself teaming with the Hieroglyphics, an Oakland based rap crew who had become world-renowned on the underground circuit.

His 2006 mixtape as Prince Ali titled Corner Ensemble was originally released on his own Eye5 Recordings label before getting re-released via Hiero Emporium a year later. He released one album, Curb Side Service in 2007 to modest acclaim but by then, he had fully began to dive deeper into acting.

Mahershala Ali Wins Best Actor Category For Role In Moonlight

Photo Courtesy Of Saint Mary’s College Athletics

Soon he would score credits in films such as The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Predators and the final two films of The Hunger Games saga. But many people have come to know of him with his turn as Remy Danton in Netflix’s House of Cards drama. Then last summer he was brilliant as Carnell “Cottonmouth” Stokes in the Netflix adaptation of Luke Cage.

We often attribute Percy “Master P” Miller as a superhero; a rags-to-riches story in which a man from New Orleans rose from the projects to not only being a rap star but star in his own movies and briefly play in the NBA. Mahershala Ali may be someone’s superhero, a man who had a hand in everything before his passions let the world see him for who he is.

Mahershala Ali As Remy Danton In House Of Cards (Netflix)

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FEATURE

The Changing Scope of Black Radio in Houston

By Jo-Carolyn Goode, Managing Editor

no safe zones with these two on the air as no topic is off limits. Their talk will cause listeners to see things differently, get hot under the collar, move to act, and leave nothing under the table. The format is designed for higher level thinking that is not typically heard on Black radio.

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Trent and Richard usic has always been a connecting element for African Americans. From the moment we knew there was sound, we have used it to make music as a way to both entertain and communicate. In the early years, music was made with the use of our mouths and body parts. We advanced to add the dimensions of instruments. Those various sounds combine to make beautiful music and our yearn for a larger platform to showcase our musical talents grew.

Finding a home for that outlet proved to be challenging.

The natural progression led straight to radio; however, radio was not particularly welcoming to African Americans.

The first noted radio station in the U.S. with black programming dates back to 1947 in Memphis, TN on station WDIA. It would be two more years before an African American owned and operated a station. Jesse B. Blayton, Sr. would do so on October 3, 1949, when he purchased WERD-AM in Atlanta, GA. He paid just $50,000 for the 1,000-watt station that he pioneered with programming he called “Negro appeal.”

Soon Black oriented stations started popping up throughout the US. Black radio finally made its debut in Texas in the 1950s. KCOH would be more than just Houston’s first Black oriented station but the first in the state as well. Robert C. Meeker acquired the station in August 1953. Meeker wanted the station to be more than an entertainment source but also an information source to entertain, educate and inform the public. He established that with the famous looking glass studio so on-air personalities could connect better with audiences. This connectivity took Black radio into the format of talk radio. KCOH was the voice of Black Houston for decades. Sadly the station fell on hard times and though it tried to stay afloat with different owners and programming to stay on air it could not. Leaving the door open for a new station to catch the ears of Black Houston.

KYND 1520 AM is filling that void in an up-to-date way.

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“When you look at the community dynamic of KCOH,” explained Trent T. Daniel, radio personality at KYND. “It was really centered mostly on local Houston, events, politics and things like. It became a wonderful amazing voice for the city of Houston and the community but when it became to really expanding past those borders that’s when KCOH kind of decided not to play in that territory.”

Dubbed as a station that inspires change, KYND is a station that is talk radio that is interactive and engaging with those of the young and old using technology as the bridge.

This new kind of station also does not want to be boxed in as just a station for the Black community. “We are really a multicultural diverse station that is programmed by Black talent. KCOH is more community and KYND looks at a broader base,” said Trent.

Trent and Richard are a perfect pairing as they are like the yin-yang of Black radio. Trent, not having the typical Black upbringing, was a military guy moving frequently. He admits that he didn’t have a real sense of the Black community until he attended college at Prairie View A&M University. It was while at PV that he fell in love with radio while producing a show for the university’s radio station. That sparked started his lengthy career in the industry. Richard came to have an interest in radio later in life when his paths crossed with Trent. Always loving different avenues to communicate, radio was a natural move for Richard as he was looking for more outlets and platforms to discuss things that interested people. Richard has extensive experience as an author, life coach, spiritual teacher and founder/CEO of the Rich Living Group and Spiritual Director of Prevailing Life Kingdom Center. Trent and Richard keep mornings lively with their opposing political views and outlook on life. As a conservative republican, Trent gives a different point of view that is not typical of most Republicans.

Richard challenges those views with a Democratic eye and Christianity slant. Political talk is not the main subject matter but the talk goes from local-to-national issues across all areas every minute.

The combo’s ultimate goal is for “people to take something home from the subject and implement in their personal life,” according to Richard.

“Being able to tell our story has allowed us to be authentic.”

Start your mornings with something edgy by tuning into Life Talk Mornings with Trent & Richard weekdays from 9-11am only on KYND 1520 AM. Get more information online at www.kyndradio.com.

KYND reaches beyond the Black community to include Hispanics, Whites, and Asians with programming that caters to their diverse demographic. General listeners are adults ranging in age from 29-64 who are married, self-employed, executives, and/or have household incomes over $75,000.

Just as diverse as their listeners are the radio personalities. Younger adults may be pulled in by DJ Supastar, King Motivator Karl Mays, Dr. LaTronica Fisher, and Tosha Evans on topics of the hip hop scene, health and being a better you. While others may gravitate to Dallas Jones, David Anderson, and Houston House Wives of Finance that deal with life issues of politics, personal growth, and finance. Don Sam is a staple of radio that is always there to provide that old school vibe. KYND is the perfect mix for a city that is a great melting pot.

Ushering in this new mindset are radio personalities Trent and his buddy Richard Harper. Standing behind the idea of KYND taking a total progressive approach to Black radio, Trent and Richard host a daily morning talk radio show called Life Talk Mornings with Trent and Richard. There are

Mar. 02 - Mar. 08, 2017 www.stylemagazine.com

Trent and Richard

SPORTS Houston NFL Regional Combine

By Brian Barefield, Sports Writer

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walked into the NRG practice facility for the NFL franchise Houston Texans and saw all the young men stretching and getting themselves prepared for their early morning job interviews. My mind wandered back to a poem I learned in my college days that had the sentence that summed up my first impression, “It isn’t the victory after all, but the fight that a brother makes.” And by the looks of the Houston NFL Regional Combine participants, these gifted young men were ready to showcase their talent to league scouts that were in attendance.Regional Combines were established in 2012 as a way to give college football players who played within the last NCAA season and had no eligibility left an opportunity to be seen by NFL scouts.

The majority of these athletes are not given an invite to the National Scouting Combine. So everything is on the line once they step onto the field to be put through a series of NFL drills to do an assessment on speed, agility, skills, etc. “I feel like a proud mother when one of these young men makes it to the next level,” NFL Senior Production Coordinator for the Regional Combines Tyisha Smith said in our interview. There are currently 95 players on active rosters that got their opportunity to play in the NFL from the Regional Combines that includes DL Benson Mayowa (Dallas), TE Alejandro Villanueva (PIT), and K. Brandon McManus (DEN).

“It’s exciting. We have been playing football our whole lives and to get a chance to play on the highest level in the world,” said Jamal Ellis, a very talented defensive back out of Fresno State. That was the mindset of most of the players from the defensive side of the ball whose skills were on display in the morning session. Football is also considered a thinking man’s game and at 6’3, 275lbs, DT Doug Webb proves it. Webb is from one of America’s finest institutions, Harvard University.

“Over the last 4 or 5 years, we have put a good amount of players in the NFL. It may have been a stigma in the past, but that’s starting to go away. Most people are starting to realize that the Ivy League is playing some real ball,” the DT said with pride. His work on individual drills was very impressive and he might be added to the list of Ivy League players living out their dreams on the field.Hoping to play on a higher level as well is Selwyn Carroll Jr. from Valdosta

FASHION

Combine State University. “Getting back up was never an option. I have been down too many times and got right back up. It is the story of my life.” Those were the words from 6’2 250lbs Carroll Jr. He took a tumble during the timed shuttle run and got right back up to complete the event with a smile on his face. Which summed up the first half of the Combine from the defensive side of the ball. These young men were not going to let anything keep them down.

The afternoon session proved to be just as fast paced and explosive as the morning session as the offensive skilled players were on display. Some of these young men were so fast that it made me tired from just watching. In a league where speed is often the measuring stick for success, these athletes came to give the scouts in attendance a quick glimpse of that. Incarnate Word WR Jordan Hicks proved that he belonged at the Combine by running a 4.4 40-yard dash time, which made some of the scouts make sure their clocks were accurate. And yes, they were right on time. His speed along with his outstanding ability to get in and out of breaks on pass routes may provide this young man an opportunity to play on Sundays.

“When I hit the field I get to have fun and put it all together,” said Daniel Wise from Colorado State University-Pueblo. Daniel and his father drove over a 1,000 miles one way to display his skill set. The 5’8 165lbs KR/PR gave the scouts something to evaluate by showing his ability

to start and stop with power and acceleration. There were many local players out on this day, but the one who stood out was 2016 Division II College Football Player of the Year QB Justin Dvorak from the Colorado School of Mines. The Drew Brees prototype and Tomball, Texas native led his team to the second round of the NCAA D II playoffs. “I am used to playing out of the spread offense and today I did a lot of work coming from under center. That was an adjustment in itself,” Dvorak said when asked about what was the difference in being at the Combine compared to regular college drills.

By the end of the day, you could see a bunch of exhausted young men who left everything they had on the field.

They came to the Regional Combine with one thing on their mind and that was to compete. “I focus on what I have to do to get myself mentally prepared to compete. I don’t think about anything else but working hard,” commented Nehemiah Winston, a 6’5 265lbs TE out of the University of California, Davis, who has a great chance to catch on with an NFL team with his size and catching ability. Walking away it brought back into my memory another poem that was taught to me during a time I was fighting some uphill battles. “A man when driven against the wall, still takes the blows of fate, with his head held high. Bleeding, bruised and pale. Is the man who will win, fate defied, for he isn’t afraid to fail (from the poem “Test Of A Man” Author-Unknown).

Are You Rodeo Ready?!

[Style Magazine Newswire]

Sunday, March 12th, Houston Shopping Tours is kicking off tourism season with an exclusive shopping party for all of you fabulous rodeo goers! The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo brings thousands of visitors to the city from all over the world to witness the largest rodeo event in the U.S. This means one thing... You’ve got to look good!

Houston Shopping Tours offers a unique shopping experience for locals and visitors alike. We do the driving, we bring the drinks, snacks and you get the discounts!

Those reasons alone are enough for you to snag yourself and your entire squad a ticket to the greatest shopping party on earth! Not to mention, there are so many more extras like swag, bag check service and your very own personal stylist on board!

Check out the website to see what people are saying about this amazing experience and then come and see it for yourself!www.houstonshoppingtours.com Get your tickets today! We only have 25 seats. See ya’ll there!

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ENTERTAINMENT Actor DeRon Horton Talks About Stardom and Leading Role in New Netflix Series: “Dear White People”

By Destany Rainey, Feature writer

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ouston native DeRon Horton is seeing a solid start to his acting career with a leading role in the upcoming Netflix series “Dear White People.” Raised in Saudi Arabia, the 24-year-old actor has had a unique life of building characteristics that continue to mold his career. Moving to Saudi Arabia at just 10 years old was a culture shock for Horton’s young, developing mind, but the actor says his experiences there taught him about life.

“I believe it was easier to adapt because I was younger,” Horton said. “I was still getting to know what life was really about. I was exposed to a plethora of ethnic backgrounds, which allowed me to develop a very open mind and heart.” Horton has always wanted to be an entertainer from childhood.

Actor Deron Horton

“I always had a passion for entertaining others from a young age. As a kid, I would replicate films in the house when I was alone. By the time I reached high school, I decided to take it seriously,” he said. Horton took that passion with him to Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), where he met several unique individuals that he says stimulated his career. “The university was teeming with endless amounts of different people from all over the world. I was fortunate enough to not only get to know many of these people, but also be challenged and inspired in my career by them,” Horton said. The young actor says he always had a strong support system T:5” through his parents and SCAD staff.“Paula

Wallace, the president and founder of SCAD was a huge support”, he said. “She attends a lot of student events and allows alumni and professionals to return and share their career experiences with students. Those connections supported my career immensely.” Horton also drew inspiration from Jamie Foxx, Will Smith, and Sidney Poitier.

In the Netflix series “Dear White People,” Horton plays Lionel Higgins, a self-proclaimed nerd. Higgins writes for the Winchester Independent, a college newspaper, and works with the black student group on campus to stop institutional racism at the university. “He’s also trying to figure out his place in life, from college to his sexuality to where he really fits in life, versus where society says he should,” Horton added.

Horton says he doesn’t share many similarities with his character, but he identifies with Lionel’s desire to make a mark in the world. “I fight for what I believe is right, but sometimes I have a hard time saying it in the moment.” Even though the series is a comedy, Horton says comedy has always been a challenge for him. “I actually have an Incredible love for drama,” he said. The series is set to air on April 28th.

“I think viewers will gain a sense of how common us all are as a people. It could help provide a better example of what is offensive and what isn’t,” Horton said.Horton’s acting resume includes some high-ranking roles. Prior to his current role, Horton starred in films such as Sundance Film Festival nominated “Burning Sands” and “Dirt.”

Despite having such predominant roles early on in his career, Horton says acting is not a natural talent, and that he constantly has to work at it. “Acting is always a challenge and I’m a big critic of myself. I always feel like I can keep evolving the way I present the character I’m portraying. When actors think they’ve found some “golden technique” is when they stop improving,” he said. Horton also learned a lot about how to conduct himself during filming.

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BEAUTY Dr. Michalyn Demaris Porter

Weave Dryer

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Houstonian Changing the Hair Industry with The Weave Dryer

By Kelsey Whittington, Feature Writer

nventions are the answers to what annoys us most in life.

While on vacation Dr. Michalyn Porter was having a hard time drying the hair underneath her weave. She noticed the problem was not germane to her alone. Getting weave to become dry was not the only troublesome problem, she also observed how not drying hair properly could lead to infections. It was then she knew that she had to do something about this problem that annoyed her.

Lucky for Dr. Porter, she had a reliable source to which to turn, her grandmother who had been a hairdresser for over 60 years. Her grandmother spoke to her in a dream showing her the overall design of what would become the first prototype of the Weave Dryer.

Her grandmother speaking to her in this way was something not usual as the two had a close relationship. As a child, one of Porter’s favorite places to be was at the side of her grandmother. Porter reflected, “My grandmother was the second most influential person in my life.” It was because of her bond with her grandmother that drew her to the beauty industry.

“I was always intrigued by the beauty and fashion industry as a child. Watching my grandmother’s beauty techniques and discussing ways in which she worked with her clients to style their hair always lead me to want to be creative with my own hair.” That creativity has paved the road for her to change the way weave is dried with the Weave Dryer.

The dream was first birth in 2012 but did not become a reality until recently. Her beginning stages of going from just an idea to an actual product started off with a drawing on a cocktail napkin.

She then proceeded to protect her invention by getting a patent. Researching for a quality manufacturer was her next move. “Finding a manufacturing company was probably the hardest part of the process, it was a nonstop search with finding a company who would help me build this product,” said Porter.

The Weave Dryer is the only one of its kind out in the market. The nozzle is made of heat resistant rubber that can fit on all blow dryers and is able to get into confined spaces to get the hair dry. Created to dry hair extensions, braids, twists, locks, and any eclectic hairstyle, the nozzle provides a way to quickly and conveniently dry these types of

hairstyles after maintenance. The nozzle features several thin, elongated hollow tubes that facilitate the passage of air into the hair. The nozzle gently dries hair faster than sitting under a hooded dryer. It’s absolutely the best and healthiest way to eliminate the possibility of having wet hair on your scalp when wearing extensions.

And just like any good thing, Porter is not keeping her good thing a secret. She is sharing the Weave Dryer with the world. She has been getting the word out about the Weave Dryer at various beauty shows and through word of mouth.

Feedback from customers and beauticians has been amazing. Celebrity hair stylist Kim Kimble even told Porter, “I have never seen something so unique.”

As of now, the Weave Dryer is only sold online at weavedryer.com for $49.99, but we can expect to see it in stores such as Sally’s Beauty Supply in the next couple of months. Other plans for Porter include expanding her product line that will break out into the pet industry.

Keep up with her for updates @WeaveDryer on all social media platforms.

Food & Beverage Management Services RFP

Houston First Corporation requests proposals from highly-qualified contractors to manage and provide in-house catering and concession services at its facilities. RFP documents are available online at www. houstonfirst.com/do-business. Questions should be submitted by email to bids@houstonfirst.com.

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EAT WITH STYLE

Bosscat Kitchen & Libations

Bosscat Kitchen & Libations is Open for Business

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260+ whiskeys, barrel-aged cocktails & comfort food on tap at 4310 Westheimer

osscat Kitchen & Libations – the hotly anticipated whiskey bar with American comfort food from Newport Beach, Calif. – opened this month. Owners John “JT” Reed, Leslie Nguyen and Vinnie Capizzi and their team, who now call Houston home after relocating last summer, have put the finishing touches on the 6,900-square-foot space at 4310 Westheimer Rd. The rustic, industrial-chic interior – with 14-foot ceilings, stained concrete floors and expertly finished reclaimed wood, steel, and brick – seats 220 guests, with 40 additional patio seats on 2,000 square feet of patio space.

“This has been a long time coming, and we have been very fortunate to meet so many great people in Houston who have opened their arms to us over the last several months,” Reed said. “We’re beyond excited to return the favor and open our doors to a city that has been so welcoming to us.”

Added Nguyen: “We feel we have an extended family here in Houston and can’t wait to welcome them in.” Bosscat’s signature glass-enclosed Whiskey Room houses one of the largest whiskey selections in Houston, with more than 260 offerings ranging from local whiskeys such as Yellow Rose, Balcones, Herman Marshall and TX, to rare, sought-after allocations from around the world. The Whiskey Room also is home to a limited number of whiskey lockers for VIP guests and a 12-seat table for private dining and private whiskey tastings.

Bar Director Matt Sharp oversees a seasonally rotating cocktail menu with signatures including The Bosscat (Basil Hayden’s bourbon, citrus bitters, rosemary), House Old Fashioned (made with Maker’s Mark) and Bosslady Vol. 2 (Wild Turkey bourbon, blackberry citrus-infused syrup, thyme). A rack of whiskey barrels – dubbed a “mini-rickhouse” – allow Bosscat to offer a rotating selection of barrel-aged cocktails, with a private barrel-aging program to be announced soon. A full array of spirits, wine, and 10 rotating draft beers are also available from behind Bosscat’s 360-degree center bar.

Chef Peter Petro’s innovative menu places an emphasis on local ingredients, with beef from 44 Farms, pork from Black Hill Meats and bread from Kraftsmen Baking. In addition to staples such as the Bosscat Burger (bacon, cheese, black garlic sauce) and Cajun Brick Chicken (brick-crisped spicy chicken breast with Carolina dirty rice), new menu items for the Houston location includes Pork Belly Poutine (Bosscat Fries with crisp pork belly, Ellsworth Creamery cheese curds and Andouille sausage gravy, optional duck fat fried egg) and the Bosscat Press (slow-roasted BBQ pulled pork, ham, cheese, house-made pickles, mustard on an American baguette).

Bosscat’s original location opened in Newport Beach in 2014. It was named one of “America’s Best Bourbon Bars” by the Bourbon Review in 2015 and 2016 and the “Best Whiskey Bar in Orange County” by OC Weekly, one of Orange County’s “Best Whiskey Bars” by the Orange County Register and one of the 15 “Best Bars” in Southern California by World’s Best Bars in 2016. Both locations were designed by Hootan & Associates Design Studio of Irvine, Calif.

Bosscat Kitchen & Libations, a whiskey bar with American comfort food, is located at 4310 Westheimer Rd. Suite 150 in Houston. Operating hours will be 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, with brunch service launching soon. For more information, visit www.bosscatkitchen.com or call Managing Partner Tai Nguyen at (281) 501-1187.

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Mar. 02 - Mar. 08, 2017 www.stylemagazine.com

TRAVEL San Antonio: Spring Break, Fiesta, & The Hotel Contessa By: Lisa Valadez, Associate Publisher

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pring Break fever has been in full effect for weeks now due to the warm weather we’ve been experiencing. While thoughts of tropical islands and pristine beaches may fill our daydreaming minds, let’s face it, sometimes the budget isn’t quite there to experience. But, you don’t have to entirely forgo your well-deserved vacation when the beautiful neighboring city of San Antonio is just a short drive away.

From its famed River Walk to Sea World and Fiesta Texas theme parks, to the historic Alamo and nearby Natural Bridge Caverns, the city of San Antonio has plenty for families to enjoy. In addition, there are plenty of family friendly hotels available that offer amenities and activities to keep the kiddos satisfied.

For those looking for a kid-free Spring Break getawaythere’s plenty the city of San Antonio has to offer. From touring the San Antonio Missions National Park to explore how life was in the missions during the 1700’s to the city’s fashionable King William Historic District for an afternoon stroll over a sprawling 25 blocks of cafes, shops, museums and galleries, San Antonio has plenty to offer.

Photo Courtesy of The Hotel Contessa

For lodging, the Hotel Contessa is perfect for a relaxing solo getaway or perhaps a romantic weekend for two. Compared to other hotels on the River Walk, this boutique hotel will definitely give you more than what you pay for. Its spacious suites and indulgent amenities such as the oversized marble bathrooms create the perfect setting for all the comfort you need. The rooms’ décor is sophisticated yet subtle. The exposed brick walls, Spanish infused art and the flora make for an inviting and relaxing getaway.

Dinner and cocktails on the patio at the hotel’s Las Ramblas restaurant is a perfect way to start a romantic evening. Seamlessly nestled in a more quiet sector of the River Walk, Las Ramblas is the perfect setting to sip on a signature cocktail or local craft beer while watching the boat tours float by on the river or lovers taking a leisurely stroll.

Photo Courtesy of The Hotel Contessa

Photo Courtesy of The Hotel Contessa

For noshing, the restaurant’s award winning Portobello fries and the brussel sprouts – yes, brussel sprouts are highly recommended. The extensive dining menu offers a variation for your taste buds; however, did we mention how great the brussel sprouts are? Try them; you will thank us for it!

If you are looking for a lively scene after dinner, head on over to the Pearl Brewery area where there are plenty of bars to choose from. Our recommendation is Jazz, TX, located in the cellar of the Bottling House. This new music venue combines live music and dancing in a cozy atmosphere.

However, if you are looking for a little more quiet time after dinner, grab a cocktail from the Cork Bar at Hotel Contessa and take a dip in the heated rooftop pool. Schedule yourself a spa treatment for the day after breakfast. Indulge.

Repeat. In case Spring Break is too soon to plan your travels, the Hotel Contessa is offering a great package for Fiesta weekend.

Fiesta San Antonio 2017 will take place from April 20-30.

Beginning in 1891 and remaining one of the oldest festivals in the country, more than 3.5 million participants and visitors will enjoy Fiesta San Antonio. The popular Fiesta

Photo Courtesy of The Hotel Contessa Carnival, The Texas Cavaliers River Parade and NIOSA (Night In Old San Antonio) are considered three of the must-attend daily events. A friendly reminder: collecting and trading Fiesta medals and pins are a great way to not feel like a tourist and become one with the locals.

For the VIP experience, stay in style with the Hotel Contessa’s Fiesta Like A VIP package. Bundled with luxury accommodations in the Contessa Suite, guests will receive the royal treatment with two traditional margaritas on arrival, commemorative Fiesta accessories, two tickets to NIOSA and breakfast for two.

Package rates start at $900 per person, per night. The deal is available for a limited time only (April 20 to April 30, 2017).

Visit www.thehotelcontssa.com for more deals and packages. Seriously, what are you waiting for? Book your next relaxing getaway at the Hotel Contessa now!

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NATIONAL President Trump’s First Address to Congress

By Stephen Collinson, CNN

President Trump Addressing Congress WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Donald Trump reached for poetry and conjure a vision of common national purpose Tuesday during his first address to Congress, shifting his tone from the dark, searing approach of his previous big speeches to the nation.Trump adopted a statesmanlike cadence, hitting notes of inspiration. For once, this most unorthodox of politicians struck a conventional presidential posture as he sought to stabilize his administration after a tumultuous five weeks in office.

Though his language was more lofty and unifying than normal, Trump gave little quarter on the substance of his policies on issues ranging from trade, defense, immigration and counterterrorism. The result was a populist, nationalistic prescription that he said would yield “a new chapter of American greatness.” “From now on, America will be empowered by our aspirations, not burdened by our fears, inspired by the future, not bound by failures of the past, and guided by a vision, not blinded by our doubts,” Trump said, from the Speaker’s rostrum in the House of Representatives. During a vitriolic campaign and a raucous start to his term, Trump has done little to reach beyond his base of deeply committed voters who revile the kind of political elites that the President was staring down as he spoke on Tuesday.But, beset by the lowest approval ratings of any new commander-in-chief of modern times, Trump made a palpable effort to court voters who didn’t support him with an offer to lay down the battles of the past. In fact, his address ticked almost all the boxes of a traditional State of the Union style appearance.

‘Embrace this renewal’ “I am asking all citizens to embrace this renewal of the American spirit. I am asking all members of Congress to join me in dreaming big, and bold, and daring things for our country,” Trump said. “I am asking everyone watching tonight to seize this moment. Believe in yourselves. Believe in your future. And believe, once more, in America.” It was an uplifting and unifying message that many Americans have rarely heard from Trump, who argued “the time for trivial fights is behind us.”

While Trump is not solely responsible for the coarsening of political life, his brash, Twitter-fueled approach has rocked the nation’s politics. The question now is whether the President was previewing a new, more sober political persona or whether he will return to his old habits. The change in his tone was evident from the first moments of his speech when he condemned the recent spate of threats against Jewish community centers, vandalism at Jewish cemeteries and the shooting of two Indian men in Kansas.

He said the violence was a reminder that “while we may be a nation divided on policies, we are a country that stands united in condemning hate and evil in all its very ugly forms.”

The comment followed heavy criticism of Trump for not addressing such violence. The new President entered the House chamber to thunderous applause and spoke of the “renewal of the American spirit.” A senior White House official said Trump wrote the speech himself with input from almost every member of his presidential team of advisers.In the emotional high point of the speech, Trump turned to the first lady’s box and acknowl-

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edged Carryn Owens, the widow of a US Navy Special operator, William “Ryan” Owens, who was killed in an anti-terror raid in Yemen in the first major military engagement of the new administration. “Ryan died as he lived: a warrior, and a hero -- battling against terrorism and securing our nation,” Trump said as the House floor erupted in a prolonged standing ovation. Owens, with tears streaming down her face, looked to the Heavens and joined in the applause. Less explosive style welcomed His less explosive presentation style was welcomed by many lawmakers. “Donald Trump did indeed become presidential tonight, and I think we’ll see that reflected in a higher approval rating,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, said on CNN after the speech.

“The Donald Trump I heard tonight was a lot more focused and disciplined and subdued, and it was a lot more uneventful in a good way,” moderate House Republican Charlie Dent told CNN’s Tom LoBianco. “There were not a lot of distractions tonight, this speech was much better than the inaugural speech.” North Dakota Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, who is up for re-election next year in a state that Trump carried, said the President delivered a “very good speech.” “It was delivered with a sense of ‘this is who I am, this is what I want to accomplish’ and I think the goals are great,” she said. “How we get there is the $10,000 question.” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said on CNN that Trump’s “speeches and the realities are very, very far apart.”“Until his reality catches up with his speeches, he’s got big trouble,” Schumer said. Though his rhetoric was soaring, Trump still struck hardline notes. He overruled national security adviser H.R. McMaster, according to a senior administration official, to warn of “radical Islamic terrorism.” Hitting themes familiar from his campaign, Trump vowed to restore “integrity and the rule of law to our borders.”

“We will soon begin the construction of a great, great wall along our southern border,” Trump said, drawing Republican cheers even as he didn’t mention his earlier promise that Mexico would pay for construction. “As we speak tonight, we are removing gang members, drug dealers, and criminals that threaten our communities and prey on our very innocent citizens. Bad ones are going out as I speak, and as I promised throughout the campaign” Sending shockwaves through Washington While such language could please conservatives, Trump sent shockwaves through Washington earlier Tuesday by telling reporters he wants to pass an immigration reform bill that could grant legal status to millions of undocumented immigrants living in the US. “The time is right for an immigration bill as long as there is compromise on both sides,” Trump said at the White House. But he did not provide further clarity on that position during his address.

So far there is little sign that the new President’s legislative agenda, which includes repealing and replacing Obamacare, a big tax overhaul, and a $1 trillion infrastructure program, is anywhere near coming to fruition. That explains why he devoted a considerable portion of the address to touting his achievements so far. He argued that his election alone had convinced big firms like Ford, Sprint, SoftBank and Intel to invest billions of job-creating dollars in the US. He noted that stocks have put on $3 trillion in value since his election and claimed to have saved hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars, including on the new F-35 jet fighter. Trump said he also kept his word by cutting government regulations, clearing the way for the Keystone and Dakota Access pipelines and pulling out of the Trans Pacific

NATIONAL President Trump’s First Address to Congress

By Stephen Collinson, CNN Partnership trade deal.

The President also laid down clear principles for the repeal and replacement of Obamacare, a key policy goal that is threatening to become overwhelmed by the complications of writing health policy. A new system, he said, must retain coverage for Americans with pre-existing conditions, should offer plans backed by tax credits and expanded health savings accounts and should preserve Medicaid expansion in the states.

Trump also vowed to bring down the high price of drugs “immediately.”

Congressional Responses

‘Obamacare is collapsing’ “Obamacare is collapsing -- and we must act decisively to protect all Americans,” he said, “Action is not a choice -- it is a necessity.”

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, who was instrumental in passing the law, shook her head as Trump condemned it. The President also signaled action on another key piece of his agenda -- tax reform, promising “massive” relief for the middle classes and cuts in corporate tax.

Yet Trump also pushed for his $1 trillion infrastructure plan and spoke of his effort to boost military spending. Given that he has also said he will protect entitlements, questions will be asked about how the administration can finance its ambitious plans.

Trump’s speech was closely watched around the world, given that his pronouncements on foreign policy have caused alarm and confusion.

There were, however, few details on national security policy to clear up misconceptions. Trump recommitted himself to a strong “America First” foreign policy, but also backed NATO -- as long as its members pay their dues -- while bemoaning trillions of dollars the US has spent in foreign wars abroad.

“My job is not to represent the world. My job is to represent the United States of America,” said Trump. “But we know that America is better off when there is less conflict, not more. We must learn from the mistakes of the past. We have seen the war and the destruction that have ravaged and raged throughout the world.” Despite some positive reviews for Trump in the room on Tuesday, the official Democratic response by former Kentucky Gov. Steven Beshear accused the President of deserting the working people who voted for him by picking a cabinet of millionaires and billionaires. “That’s not being our champion. That’s being Wall Street’s champion,” Beshear said.

“Real leaders don’t spread derision and division. Real leaders strengthen, they unify, they partner, and they offer real solutions instead of ultimatums and blame,” said Beshear, accusing Trump of waging war on refugees and immigrants and endangering US security by reaching out to Russia. CNN’s Ted Barrett contributed to this report

OBITUARY

Congressman Al Green

Congressman Elijah E. Cummings

“Although my desire was to attend tonight’s Joint Session of Congress, I cannot in good conscience do so given the action taken one day ago by the now Trump Justice Department to withdraw the its longstanding claim that the Texas Voter ID law intentionally discriminated against minorities. My action is more than a refusal to attend the joint session, it is my resistance and protestation to the normalization and legitimization of our President’s harmful behavior. “ -Congressman Al Green “Instead of building on the progress our nation has made in the last eight years, President Trump is going backwards and returning to the failed trickle-down economic policies of the past. President Trump has made it easier for Wall Street to prey on Americans’ hard-earned retirement savings; appointed people to key posts in his administration who want to slash Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid; and declared war on Americans’ right to health care.”

-Congressman Elijah E. Cummings “What we heard this evening from President Trump is nothing different than what we heard when he was a candidate,” said Congressman Green. “He’s great at creating slogans, but he’s going to have a hard time legislating and providing solutions without a plan to deliver.”

-Congressman Gene Green

Congressman Gene Green

Congressman Sheila Jackson Lee

“America will always be a nation of values such as the belief in democracy and fairness and the respect and dignity of all people.

In his speech, the President had the task to reinforce those values and help heal this country. Although there were words, those words were then trampled on by talk of building a wall. That’s not unifying, nor is it a way of protecting the sovereignty of this nation.”

-Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee

Remembering the Life of Kelvin Keith Belcher, MD Style Magazine Newswire

Romans 6:23 reads, “For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Kelvin Keith Belcher, MD has reached his eternal life with the Lord joining him on February 18, 2017.

Dr. Belcher departed this life on Saturday, February 18, 2017, at the age of 55 while residing in Atlanta, Georgia. He is survived by his daughter, Lauren Belcher; his parents, Leon and Mary Belcher; and his brother, Leon Belcher, II. Kelvin Belcher was born in Gadsden Alabama on September 20, 1961 and grew up in Houston, Texas where he had a successful youth tennis career at MacGregor Park and later played professional tennis. After graduating with honors from Lamar High School and Texas Southern University, he went on to graduate from medical school at University of Texas in Houston becoming a physician in 1991. He completed a residency at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in Radiology followed by a Fellowship in Interventional Radiology. He has practiced as an Interventional Radiologist in Washington D.C., Tampa, Florida, and in Atlanta, Georgia. Family, friends, and colleagues will miss him.

Kevin Keith Belcher, MD

Visitation will be held on (Saturday) March 4, 2017 from 10-10:55 a.m. Funeral Services will begin at 11:00 a.m. both services will be held at Riverside United Methodist Church at 4920 Cullen Blvd, Houston, Texas 77004. Rev. Lee Elder, Officiating Interment will follow in Houston Memorial Gardens.

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2017

HOTEL ZAZA HOUSTON,TEXAS

HCC’s 2017 Black History Scholarship Gala

2017

Photography by Vicky Pink Annually the Black History Committee sets out to raise funds to support the educational endeavors of African Americans students with the Black History Scholarship Gala. Under the theme, “Thinking Globally Acting Locally,” Houston Community College highlighted the efforts of a UN dynamo. The Honorable Teta V. Banks, educator who works to educate, inspire and mobilize Americans to support the efforts of the United Nations, was the gala’s keynote speaker. Celebrating the achievements of outstanding local leaders. Rev. Bryon C. Stevenson, Sonya Taylor Stevenson, and Kandi Eastman were awarded the Unstoppable Leadership Award. Tony Chase and Gene L. Locke were honored with the Joyce M. Reynolds Lifetime Achievement Award. Seven students were awarded scholarships. Khanbrel Marshall and Melanie Lawson served as emcees for the evening.

Solar City Has Come to Houston Photography by Vicky Pink SolarCity, America’s #1 solar power provider, has finally made its way to Houston. The popular solar service is available to homeowners in Greater Houston for the first time. SolarCity makes it possible for area homeowners to go solar for as little as $40 per month, with design, installation, financing, monitoring and a performance guarantee included. SolarCity will also provide and install a Nest Thermostat at no additional cost for qualifying customers.

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SOLARCITY’S HOUSTON WAREHOUSE HOUSTON, TEXAS

2017

DISCOVERY GREEN HOUSTON, TEXAS

4th Annual Houston Creole Heritage Festival Photography by Vicky Pink The 4th Annual Houston Creole Heritage Festival & Mardi Grad Parade continue on this year with partying as usual as they celebrate the cultural richness of Creole heritage. Good food, good music, and good times were all on the menu as locals and visitors of all ages joined in on the fun and festivities. Entertainment included performances by Corey Ledet, Hustlers Brass Band, Lil Jabb, Wayne Singleton, Jerome Batiste and the Zydeco Flames, Rusty Metoyer and the Zydeco Krush, and Jeremy and the Zydeco Ht Boyz.

2017

TSU’S THURGOOD MARSHALL SCHOOL OF LAW HOUSTON, TEXAS

TSU’s African American History Moment Photography by Vicky Pink

In celebration of Black History Month, the Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law called on great legal minds to share their wisdom for a special program African American History Moment. Houston Style Magazine was there to hang on to the words of Judge Kenneth M. Hoyt. The second African American federal judge in the state of Texas reminded the Houston community that even when staring adversity in the face, all goals are attainable. With over 35 years of service on the judicial bench, The Honorable Kenneth M. Hoyt shared a triedand-true stratagem for achieving success in today’s ever-changing climate.

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