Houston Style Magazine vol 27 No 21

Houston Style Magazine May 19 - May 25, 2016

Houston’s Premiere Weekly Publication

Volume 27 | Number 21

Complimentary

THINGS TO DO IN HOUSTON FOR SUMMER 2016 Jesse Jackson

America Must Renew Its Infrastructure Or Face Decline

Dee-1

From Math Teacher to Hip-Hop Artist, Health Advocate

Debra Lee

Story by Jo-Carolyn Goode | Photo by Greg Noire

Appointed to Twitter Board

Follow Us #TeamStyleMag

Twitter @HoustonStyle

Larry Green’s Birthday Celebration

Instagram @StyleMagazine

Facebook: Houston Style Magazine

SCORE and SBA 2016 Small Business Awards

Dr. Austin Lane New TSU President

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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May 19 - May 25, 2016

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06 New TSU President 08 Cadillac 19 Trombone Shorty

Volume 27 | Number 21 | MAY 19 - MAY 25, 2016 EDITORIAL

FEATURE WRITERS Rebecca Briscoe Francis Page, Jr. National Entertainment Publisher and Editor Susie Stillwell - Entertainment fpagejr@stylemagazine.com Brandon Caldwell Feature Writer/Entertainment Lisa Valadez Mical Roy – Feature Associate Publisher Yolanda Pope – Culinary lisa@stylemagazine.com Dr. Lovell Jones – Health Editor Jo-Carolyn Goode Kim Davis – Sports Managing Editor Erick Cork - Feature editorial@stylemagazine.com Aiaina Mayes – Blogger Demez White – Feature Burt Levine – Political DESIGN/WEB Eric Ford – Editorial Intern De’Neisha Bell – Feature Trevor G. Piper Keandra Scott – Entertainment Creative Director/Graphics trevor@tpipermedia.com Cecilia Smith - Entertainment

Raegan Boutte - Arts Kermit Williams Dr. Abimbola Farinde - Health Web Master webmaster@stylemagazine.com Jessica Crawford - Feature Franceli Chapman - Entertainment Jeffery T. Crump, Jr. Dr. Kimberly McLeod - Education Chief Designer webmaster@stylemagazine.com Erica Ponder - Feature Parish Blair - Feature Writer Lan– Arts Willie Grace Web/Graphics

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

MALCOLM X

NATIONAL WRITERS JESSE JACKSON jjackson@rainbowpush.org ROLAND MARTIN www.rolandmartin.com JUDGE GREG MATHIS www.askjudgemathis.com PHOTOGRAPHERS Vicky Pink vhpink@gmail.com 281.857.7635 Roswitha Vogler photosbyrovo@gmail.com 832.876.9541 William Ealy Williamealy1906@gmail.com

CIRCULATION Martin Troupe Distribution Manager 832.884.6716 Willie D. Scott, Jr. Distribution Team 832.343.2992 Jay Weber Distribution Team 312.330.3866 Burt Levine Distribution Team 832.496.0003 Vernon Nelson Distribution Team 832.665.0979

Semetra Samuel semetra@artistikrebelcreative.com Mike Munoz artrepreneur91@gmail.com

VIDEOGRAPHY Reginald Dominique – Video/Social Media reggiedominique@me.com 225.802.1593 Dale Lemar - Editing ADVERTISING/SALES Lisa Valadez advertising@stylemagazine.com 713-748-6300

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dba Houston Style Magazine and StyleMagazine.com Phone: (713) 748-6300 • Fax: (713) 748-6320 Mail: P.O. Box 14035, Houston, TX 77221-4035

©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

Jesse Jackson

National Writer

A

merica is literally falling apart.

In Flint, children were poisoned in the lead contamination of the water. In Washington, the subway system is plagued by fires and delays.

Arlington Memorial Bridge -- which connects the North to the South, the Capitol to Arlington National Cemetery -- may have to be closed soon. Kennedy’s eternal flame may burn forever, but the bridge is on its last legs.

The American Society of Civil Engineers released a report last week once more warning the country of a massive investment deficit -- an estimated $1.4 trillion shortfall over the next ten years -- coming on top of years of underfunding and neglect.

POLITICAL

By Burt

America Must Renew Its Infrastructure Or Face Decline

This isn’t a matter of money. The Obama administration has announced it plans to spend over $1 trillion to build a new generation of nuclear weapons and the planes, missiles and submarines that deliver them. These are weapons that can never be used. We have spent over $2 trillion on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq to date, with the final costs estimated at $4 to $6 trillion. The war in Afghanistan -- an impoverished country where we have no strategic interest -- is already the longest in our history and continuing.

We have the money. U.S. corporations stash trillions abroad to avoid paying taxes. If they paid what they owe -- now estimated to be $700 billion -- it would provide a down payment on rebuilding America. The federal tax on gasoline -- dedicated to paying for infrastructure -- has not been raised since 1993, even though gas prices have plummeted.

Interest rates on U.S. bonds are now so low that the Treasury could issue Rebuild America bonds, put people to work to rebuild the country -- and the growth and increased productivity that results would generate revenues to

H

ouston City Council Member Michael Kubosh is known as one of the warmest men to serve across Houston with a presence, smile, personality and embrace bigger than everyone else.

The second term at large council member’s name is often heard from distraught and disabled people running up to him or his supporters thanking him for his having helped them and their families.

Kubosh, famous for earning more votes last fall than any individual in Houston City Council history particularly in precincts near where he worships in African American churches, bragged on Mayor Sylvester Turner to a Heights area restaurant crowd Tuesday.

Kubosh said when it comes to crises like cataclysmic floods and city finances Mayor Turner “gets it right.”

Mayor Turner met with Kubosh after Turner took the city’s reigns in January and one thing was clear. Kubosh said, “He proved to me and to others that he listens.

And he learned from his nearly

Republican Congress -- for anything to happen.

This is how great nations decline. Investments that are essential to any modern civilized nation -- from schools and bridges to electric grids and clean water systems -- are neglected.

Money is squandered on foreign adventures or lost to the tax evasions of corporations and the rich. Private speculators profit from privatizing public services. We build the most modern and powerful military in the world but are ever more crippled by decaying services that we depend on every day.

Politics as usual won’t change this. It will change only if people rise up and hold their politicians accountable.

How many bridges must collapse or children must be poisoned or businesses must be shuttered before that happens?

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.

Kubosh Credits City Mayor Turner for “Getting It Right”

Levine, Political Writer

4

repay the bonds. Even establishment economists like Lawrence Summers argue that the program would literally pay for itself. And it would respond to the pleas of the bastion of economic conservatism -- the International Monetary Fund -- that is pleading with the U.S. and other advanced countries to expand public investment to forestall a return to recession. The ASCE estimates that the U.S. will suffer a stunning $4 trillion in lost GDP by 2025 from the costs of decaying tunnels, railways, waterways and other basic infrastructure. It will cost us more to decay than it would to rebuild.

But Washington is frozen. The Republican Congress rejects President Obama’s modest plans for infrastructure investment, even though they are supported by a massive coalition that includes the conservative Chamber of Commerce as well as the AFL-CIO, the union coalition. All three presidential candidates call for expanding investment in infrastructure (although only Bernie Sanders comes close to meeting the shortfall that the ASCE warns about).

But it will require a wave election -- a sweeping rebuke to the obstructionist

Michael Kubosh (c) with Burt Levine & wife

30 years in the Texas Legislature, where he was chosen by Republican statewide leaders to serve in high posts as Speaker Pro-Tem and chair of consequential budget committees.

And that working with people is how priorities are best pursued.”

Kubosh is a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather with 20 grandchildren who loves his family as much as he does Houston.

The city loves him as well as it was shown this past November 3 when he ran against three opponents and was the only candidate running at

May 19 - May 25, 2016

large (city wide) to win without a run-off (60.23 percent). In Harris County precincts, he won 108,322 votes and thousands more in Fort Bend and Montgomery Counties and other areas of the City of Houston.

Kubosh’s election night parties have long included close friends such as former council member and now Houston ISD Trustee Jolanda Jones and former Tax Assessor Collector and now State Senator Paul Bettencourt as well as those from the Black Panthers and the Kingwood Tea Party.

“From Fifth Ward in the north to Third Ward in the south, form Acres Homes and Sunnyside to Alief and Aldine, Meyerland and Montrose, to some new communities as you see in southeast Houston, Clear Lake and Space Center Houston, to the energy corridor in far west Houston; I am proud that this City has everything a great city should have but here we do it bigger and better in a can do cadence that can’t be copied,” he said to cheers from his amazingly eclectic audience.

“Sadly, our City Government

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has not always reflected well the wishes of all of our diverse city. I’ve spent many hours over the years fighting at City Hall against and with city leaders testifying on issues,” said Kubosh. He noted the many battles he has faced with the fight against a feeding ordinance that denies churches and charities from the free sharing of food to those less fortunate, the fight against some recent bond proposals the city felt put the city’s economic future at risk, the fight against the misguided red light camera program and recently his work to identify and start removing hundreds of abandon or stolen cars from the depths of our bayous. “I’ve always spoke up for people to government whose wheels turn behind the scenes and to a leadership that seems at times not to care for the people,” Kubosh continued.

Keep in the know on elections and everything political with Burt Levine. Share this story online at www.stylemagazine.com.

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Purch./Svc: Must buy on AT&T Next w/elig. svc, be active & in good standing for 45 days. AT&T Next: Reqs elig. installment agmt & svc. Tax due at sale. Down payment may be reqd. If svc cancelled, balance due. Trade-in: Good, working & on line ported, w/ min. $10 buyback value & meet Buyback reqmts. Trade-in Credit: Instant or AT&T Promo Card (in 3 wks). Valid for 5 mo. Use for AT&T products, wireless bill & svc only. At dealers get dealer credit (w/add’l terms). Final Bill: W/i 60 days go to att.com/helpyouswitch & upload/mail final bill w/Early Termination Fee (ETF) or device balance (incl. lease purch. cost) on number ported. Final Credit: Equals device balance (up to $650) or ETF (up to $350) minus trade-in (min. $10). Excludes taxes, svc & other charges. W/in 4 wks after meet elig. reqmts, are mailed AT&T Promotion Visa Prepaid Card. Cannot use for cash. Valid through date on card (min. 150 days). Add’l terms & restrs apply & are provided w/card. Details: att.com/switch. AT&T Unlimited Plan: Select locations. Eligibility: Must remain active & in good standing on residential DIRECTV or U-verse television svc (TV) & AT&T Unlimited Plan. Puerto Rico customers must agree to sharing of acct info btwn DIRECTV & AT&T. Customers must meet all eligibility reqmts w/in 60 days of wireless activation. Lost Eligibility: You are removed automatically from unlimited plan & moved to another plan if do not meet all eligibility reqmts. Existing AT&T postpaid customers who have not added any new devices to the unlimited plan are moved to their old plan, if avail. Customers who cannot be moved back are moved to plan w/ 10GB of shareable data & overage charge of $15/GB. Once moved, you can move to any currently avail. plan at any time. Data Restrictions: After 22GB of data usage on a line in a bill cycle, for the rest of the cycle AT&T may slow data speeds on that line during periods of network congestion. Tethering & Mobile Hotspot use prohibited. Limits: Select wireless devices only (sold separately). 10 per plan. Purch. & line limits based on credit apply.

Discounts: May not be elig. for all discounts, offers, & credits. See att.com/unlimitedplan for plan details. Gen. Wireless SVC: Subj. to Wireless Customer Agmt (att.com/wca). Svcs not for resale. Deposit may be reqd. Credit approval, activ./upgrade (up to $45), other fees, usage & other restr’s per line apply. Other Monthly Charges/Line: May include taxes, fed. & state universal svc charges, Reg. Cost Recovery Charge (up to $1.25), gross receipts surcharge, Admin. Fee, & other gov’t assessments which are not gov’t req’d charges. Pricing & terms subject to change & may be modified or terminated at any time without notice. Coverage & svc not avail. everywhere. You get an off-net (roaming) usage allowance for each svc. If you exceed the allowance, your svc(s) may be restricted or terminated. Other restr’s apply & may result in svc termination. Gen. TV SVC: DIRECTV & U-verse avail. separately. Term agmt, add’l fees & restr’s apply. Directv: Visit directv.com/legal or call 1-800-DIRECTV for details. U-verse: Geo. & svc restr’s apply. Visit att.com/Uverse to check svc availability. Screen images simulated. ©2016 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the Globe logo, U-verse, DIRECTV, and all other AT&T marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

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Houston Style Magazine 5C (10.8125”) x 13”

BOOK REVIEW

Trombone Shorty

Just wait til you’re older!”

Oh, how you hate hearing that! Wait til you’re grown. You need to get bigger. You can’t do that now, you’re too little. But why not? Why can’t you start dreaming of someday right now, while you’re still a kid? As you’ll see in the new book “Trombone Shorty” by Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, illustrated by Bryan Collier, dreams can come true at any age.

In the New Orleans neighborhood called Tremé, “you could hear the music floating in the air” day and night. The house where Troy Andrews grew up was filled with music, too, and Troy loved the trombone. He hoped to be a musician some day.

Each year, when Mardi Gras rolled through Tremé, Troy and his neighbors would dance along with the bands in the parades. Man, that was fun!

There were balloons, beads, and music, which “made everyone forget about their troubles for a little while.”

That also made Troy want to become a musician even more, so he and his friends created instruments from odds and ends they found around Tremé; Troy was happy to find a beat-up trombone, and he fixed it up good. That’s the best part of being a musician: you can make music from almost anything.

So he was ready. At the next parade, he grabbed his trombone, jumped right in, and started marching with the band. Because he was a little guy and the trombone is a big instrument, Troy’s brother gave Troy the nickname of “Trombone Shorty,” which is what everybody called him from then on.

“I took that trombone everywhere,” Troy says,

“and never stopped playing.”

He even took it to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and he played along with the musicians. He was so loud and so good that Bo Diddley called Trombone Shorty onstage and asked him to jam.

Trombone Shorty knew then that he could have his own band, so he did. Every day after school, his band practiced their music until they were able to perform “all around New Orleans” – and they still perform today!

Lately, you’ve played air guitar to a Prince song, and were a drummer on your kitchen table.

If your kids caught your love of music, they might likewise dream the dreams found inside the awardwinning “Trombone Shorty.”

With the same laissez les bon temps vibe you get from merely standing on a New Orleans sidewalk, author Troy Andrews tells of coming up poor and finding riches in his city’s songs. It’s a story that’ll make your children want to dance with music they can almost hear from the pages of this book; those silent songs are underscored by illustrations from Bryan Collier, himself an award-winner.

Be sure to check out the author’s notes. Show your kids the pictures.

While you could surely read this tale aloud to a 2-year-old, I think kids ages 4-to-7 will like it better.

If they love music, especially, “Trombone Shorty” will be a book they won’t be able to wait for.

Share this story online at www.stylemagazine. com.

SPORTS

NBA: In search of the next Stephen Curry

“

By Terri

Schichenmeyer, Literary Writer

by Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, illustrated by Bryan Collier

c.2015, Abrams Books for Young Readers $17.95 / $21.95 Canada 40 pages

By Motez Bishara, CNN

L

et’s make one thing clear: Stephen Curry is a once in a lifetime player.

The league’s first unanimous MVP has a grace-under-pressure elegance that’s been likened to a ballet dancer in flight, while his combination of slippery moves and absurd shots has even got video game makers struggling to keep up.

Curry, it happens, is also a stylish, smooth-talking media darling Stephen Curry blessed with a super photogenic family. In short, he’s got the whole package.

No other athlete in America commands that kind of broad-based appeal, according to the Celebrity DBI, a popularity index which ranks Curry in its top five alongside Taylor Swift, Oprah Winfrey, Jimmy Fallon and Kate Middleton. Included in his marketing deals (of which there are at least eight) is an equity stake with Under Armour.

Fellow point guards Russell Westbrook, Kyrie Irving and Damian Lillard -- all bona fide stars who will one day challenge for MVP honors (Westbrook finished fourth this season) -- can’t truly match Steph’s global marketability.

There are, however, a few upstarts aged 22 and younger who may have a Curry-esque star quality about them. (Remember, Curry himself didn’t blossom until his fourth season.)

These five diamond-in-the-roughs can one day aspire to be the NBA’s next big thing:

6

Dennis Schröder, Atlanta Hawks, age 22 Watching Schröder handle the ball is like trying keeping pace with a red-uniformed blur. With his broad shoulders, disproportionately long arms, and natural court awareness, the German youngster resembles Kings’ point guard Rajon Rondo -- with a reliable jump shot.

And just like the mercurial Rondo, “Dennis the Menace” is making waves. Schröder, a three-year understudy to franchise point-guard Jeff Teague, played key minutes in the Hawks second-round series against Cleveland -- including the entire fourth quarter of the deciding game. It’s no wonder he declared his intention to be a starter as of next season -- whether in Atlanta or elsewhere.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, age 21

The “Greek Freak” is no fluke: Antetokounmpo is flat-out one of the most explosive players in the game. But for all his size and speed, the 6-foot 11-inch small forward is underutilized offensively.

That said, Antetokounmpo’s scoring average has jumped in each of his three seasons, to just under 17 points per game, and is set to rocket onto the scoring leaders list soon.

Justise Winslow, Miami Heat, age 20

May 19 - May 25, 2016

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After winning a championship in his one season at Duke, Winslow had a solid NBA rookie campaign. Taken under the wing of Dwyane Wade in Miami, 6-foot 7-inch Winslow posted modest numbers under limited minutes (6.4 points, 5.2 rebounds), but showed enough promise to one day supplant Wade as Miami’s go-to weapon.

Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic, age 20

Gordon--- who was robbed of the 2016 Slam Dunk title, in a thrilling battle with Zach LaVine -- is a slim choice over teammate Victor Oladipo, another budding star.

Gordon is still more raw talent than finesse at this early stage of his career -- his highlight reel is composed almost entirely of spectacular dunks -- but is fast blooming into a solid shot blocker and a passer with good court vision. An outside game, however, still appears to be a long way off.

Ben Simmons, likely first pick in NBA draft, age 19

It’s hard to call the most touted player in college basketball a potential sleeper in the NBA, but Simmons was a little underwhelming in his only season at LSU. Although he averaged 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game, the 6-foot 10-inch Melbourne-native had trigger-shy tendencies and made just one three-pointer all season. LSU even missed out on March Madness, erasing Simmons from the national spotlight when it mattered most.

Who have we left out? Tell us who your “Next Stephen Curry” is on CNN Sport’s Facebook page

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ICAL

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LOCAL BRIEFS Honorable Sylvester Turner to Swear in Jarvis Johnson as State Rep. for Texas District 139 Style News Wire

Johnson & Turner

D

ays after the Honorable Sylvester Turner endorsed Jarvis Johnson’s bid to succeed him in 2017 as State Representative of District 139, Turner will swear in Johnson who won the Special Election, with 85% of vote, to finish out the Honorable Sylvester Turner’s term as state representative of District 139. Johnson will serve through December. To serve in 2017, he will have to win Democratic Primary Runoff Election on May 24.

Dr. Austin Lane Named Sole Finalist for 12th President of Texas Southern Style News Wire

D

r. Austin A. Lane has been named the sole finalist to become the 12th president of Texas Southern

ENTERTAINMENT

By Raegan Boutte, Art Writer

T

he Ensemble Theatre debuted Plenty of Time, a timecapturing, romantic comedy, for Houston audiences. Plenty of Time is an incredibly written play about love and life written by New York native John Shevin Foster and directed by Eileen J. Morris.

Plenty of Time takes place in the summer of 1968 and is about a spoiled rich southern debutante and a Black Panther who sparked a lustful interest in each other. The couple agreed to rendezvous once a year at Martha’s Vineyard despite the fact they both come from very different backgrounds.

Over the course of the next four decades, they establish more than intimacy but develop a deeper connection. During the time they spend with each other, they candidly discuss their own accomplishments,

8

University (TSU) by its Board of Regents.

Lane plans to assume leadership of Texas Southern on or about June 7, 2016, after a Board vote. He Lane replaces Dr. John M. Rudley, who has served as president since 2008. Derrick Mitchell, chair of Texas Southern’s Board of Regents, said that Lane “embodies the skills necessary to position the University as a destination institution for those seeking an innovative learning process through a stellar curriculum.”

State Rep Reynolds’ Law License Suspended As He Appeals Convictions Houston Public Media

C

onvicted of five misdemeanor counts of illegally soliciting clients to his personal injury law practice, state R e p .

R o n Reynolds is now without a license to practice law as Reynolds the Texas Supreme Court’s Board of Disciplinary Appeals has suspended it.

Reynolds is appealing his convictions and the Texas Supreme Court says it would render a final judgment when the appeals process is done. The embattled

Democratic lawmaker has spent years fighting accusations of wrongdoing in his work as an attorney in the Houston area.

Senator Ellis Leads Debate on School Finances and Treating Students with Dignity Style News Wire

Multi-Agency Investigation Shuts Down Synthetic Drug Operation In Houston Houston Public Media

Ellis

F

ederal officials in Houston have dismantled a major ring that produced and sold a synthetic drug that authorities say is one of the most dangerous threats to public health in the United States. Both federal and local law enforcement agencies –like the Drug Enforcement Agency, DEA, and the Houston Police Department– participated in the investigation.

Kenneth Magidson, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, says the drug was sold primarily in the Houston area. It was marketed like synthetic marijuana with names like Kush and sold in establishments such as gas stations and convenience stores.

S

en. Rodney Ellis discussed the Texas Supreme Court’s school finance decision and the state’s response to the U.S. Department of Education’s guidance to prevent discrimination against transgender students. Sen. Ellis responded, “At a time when the Supreme Court admits that Texas’ school finance system is barely scraping by constitutionally, we can’t afford to walk away from $10 billion in federal funding that helps to feed and educate our state’s neediest kids. Let’s instead turn our focus to investing in our neighborhood schools and treating all of our students with the dignity they deserve.”

The Ensemble’s “Plenty of Time” Turns Up the Heat in Houston & Sizzles Just in Time for the Houston Summer

failures, fears, and beliefs as they adapt themselves to the current political and social changes affecting all African Americans at the time.

Both main actors of the play give touching performances and their chemistry was apparent from the very first playfully, steamy scene. Rachel Hemphill Dickson’s believable performance of “Christina,” a quirky, bubbly, spoiled teenager to a gracefully-aged, respectable senior, is impressionable. She pulls together a riveting performance and it was delightful to see her believably personify every time period reflected throughout the play. Steven J. Scott’s performance as the cool, suave ladies man Corey, who woos his costar as an even much cooler member of the Black Panther Party, was just as impressive. His portrayal of Corey’s character evoked a combination

Plenty of Time Cast

May 19 - May 25, 2016

Plenty of Time Cast

of strength and vulnerability paired with great comedic timing. Watching him play a young Black man with so much strength, yet tenderness and endearing love for his costar was refreshing to watch.

One unique touch to the play was a video slideshow of pivotal historical and cultural moments throughout the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s to current times.

I actually enjoyed the use of these visual snapshots that showcased each decade; also it added a nice touch in weaving the scenes changes together.

I was very impressed with Plenty of Time it’s a great play filled with

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flirtatious underwear scenes paired with great conversations about love, class, and politics. So I implore you to take in this underrated little gem of a play with your significant other, or make it a night to remember with friends! The main set of the show is, in fact, a bed.

Need I imply more? Leave the kids or the modest at home for this steamy, but beautifully written production. I highly recommend this play for a must see this summer.

Plenty of Time is now running at the Ensemble Theatre from May 12 – June 5.

LOCAL

By Burt

Levine, Political Writer

Deaths in Harris County Jail Demand Attention

NAACP

F

ollowing reports of multiple deaths recently at the Harris County Jail, the cry that is being sent to the jail should not be a death sentence.

This was the point of the rally on Tuesday morning led by Texas Senator Rodney Ellis, Houston NAACP President James Douglas, former Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Morris Overstreet and others at Houston’s historic NAACP Headquarters.

Ellis, mounting a campaign to be picked up next month by Pct. 1 Democratic Pct. Chairs for the seat of Harris County Commissioner El Franco Lee left vacant by his passing last January, used the year anniversary of Sheriff Ron Hickman’s appointment as sheriff to call for reforms in the largest jail in the southern United States.

Currently, the Harris County Jail houses 6,000-8,000 inmates.

Wallis Nader, representing the Texas Civil Rights Project, stood at the podium and said Justice Department attorneys have been monitoring conditions in the jail since 2008. Despite reforms in staffing and procedures that have improved medical care in key areas, there are still problems that have not been addressed as treatment for those with mental health issues. Secondly, the use of force against inmates by guards and other prisoners that has led to inmates that don’t get bail being killed while in the jail.

Ralph Gonzales, media relations manager for the sheriff’s office, said the four recent deaths equate to “0.003 percent of the inmate population” in a jail with an annual population of 120,000.”Those incidents are statistically anomalous, not indicative of a trend,” he said.

Ellis said “Lives matter.

Inmate lives matter and all lives matter.

Statistically anomalous is not an answer when talking about someone’s son, brother, husband, father or friends.”

“Any homicide is a serious matter, particularly when the person is being held by the government in a cell without actually having been convicted of a crime,” Ellis said.

“These people aren’t statistics; they are lives that matter.”

In the latest of the four inmate deaths, Patrick Brown, 46, had been in the jail for approximately 28 hours on a misdemeanor charge of allegedly stealing a guitar when he was assaulted and later died on April 5.

Continue reading this story online at www. stylemagazine.com.

Houston Community College is among the top in the nation for preparing students for jobs and universities, and it is recognized as: #1 in awarding Associate Degrees to all minorities #1 for international student enrollment among U.S. community colleges #2 in awarding Associate Degrees to African American students #2 in awarding Associate Degrees to Hispanic students #4 in awarding Associate Degrees in all disciplines #5 in awarding Associate Degrees to Asian American students

Congratulations to our 2016 graduates for achieving your dreams. We are proud to call you alumni of Houston’s Community College.

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FEATURE

By Jo-Carolyn Goode, Managing Editor

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ummers in the city are one thing and one thing only…hot. Not just hot with heat that makes men sweat and women glisten but summers in Houston are hot with action. Whether you’re looking for ways to be the scorching temperatures with a cool retreat or laugh the night away under the stars, Houston has offerings for your fancy. Get your calendar and take notes, its time to plan your summer of fun.

Houston Summer Activities

The Houston Parks and Recreation Department is a great resource to find free or affordable activities throughout the city. There are free exercise classes, pools, tennis courts, golf courses, opportunities to volunteer and the list goes on. Visit www.houstontx.gov/parks

Summer of Fun in the City Things To Do in Houston for Summer 2016 Contact: Jody T. Morse Ph: (832) 978-2280 Email: Write@WritespaceHouston.org Website: www.WritespaceHouston.org RecipeHouse Healthy Cooking Summer Camp Contact: Justin Kouri Ph: (713) 520-0443 Email: SummerCamp@Recipe4Success.org Website: www.Recipe4Success.org Digital Media Academy Contact: Guest Services Ph: (866) 656-3342 Email: info@DigitalMediaAcademy.org Website: www.DigitalMediaAcademy.org

June 1 – August 19 Summer Food Service Program Youth, ages 1 to 18, get a free lunch at over 400 sites across the city.

Ph: (713) 676-6832 or 2 – 1 – 1

NRG Arena 15 - Selena Gomez Toyota Center 30 – New Edition Houston Arena Theatre July 2016 13 - Janet Jackson: Unbreakable World Tour Toyota Center 23 - Pitbull Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion 27 – Jill Scott Revention Music Center 29 – Meghan Trainor Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion 29 – Steven Tyler Revention Music Center August 2016 7 – K. Michelle House of Blues 14 – Gwen Stefani and Eve Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion 20-Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

June 4 – August 12 Dip Into City Pools Tues – Sun 1pm – 8pm 37 outdoor pool locations and 21 water spray grounds Ph: (832) 395-7129 Camps for Kids

When picking a camp for your child consider their areas of interest. Ask your child questions about what they want to learn more about.

Think about the time commitment and structure of the camp. You want your child to have fun and be relaxed and less like their in the confinements of school.

Summer Enrichment Program Website: www.houstonparks.org

Badu

Concerts to Attend Being home to entertainers like BeEnsemble Theatre’s Young Performers Pro- yonce, Bun B, and numerous others, Houston gram has always been a bevy of great music entertainContact: Teresa White ment and destination for today’s hottest artists.

Ph: (713) 807 – 4309 The summer line up of music is crazy and we Email: TWhite@EnsembleHouston.com couldn’t possibly fit all the concerts in here. But Website: www.ensemblehouston.com we had to give you a taste of what’s coming our way.

Houston Ballet Summer Intensive Program Contact: Stanton Welch May 2016 Ph: (713) 227-2787 Email: HBacademy@HoustonBallet.org 28 & 29 – Erykah Badu Website: www.HoustonBallet.org Houston Arena Theatre Museum of Fine Arts, Houston - “The GlassJune 2016 sell Junior School” Contact: Pam Perez 2 – R. Kelly Ph: (713) 639-7700 Toyota Center Email: JuniorSchool@MFAH.org 4 – Free Press Summer Fest Website: www.MFAH.org Eleanor Tinsley Park 12 – Anthony Hamilton and Fantasia Barrino Writespace Young Writers Program 10

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Films to See

Nothing beats a relaxed Friday night in the cinema with a big tub of popcorn and a most anticipated flick on the big screen. Be transported into a different time, a different place and let your mind go where it may under the led of the silver screen.

May 2016

June 2016

The Angry Birds Movie

Finally, an explanation as to why those birds are so angry!

Starring: Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph Directed By: Clay Kaytis, Fergal Reilly

4 – Fajita Fest Humble Civic Center 4 – Caribbean American Heritage Music Festival Jones Plaza 11 – Carnival Houston Discovery Green Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising 11 – H-Town Beer Fest This time out, Mac and Kelly (Seth Rogen and Jones Plaza Rose Byrne) must contend with a sorority who’s 17 – Comicpalooza moved into the house next to theirs.

George R. Brown Convention Center Starring: Seth Rogen, Rose Byrne, Zac 17 – Woodlands Craft Beer & Music Festival Efron, Chloë Grace Moretz Tom Green Park Directed By: Nicholas Stoller 17 – ExxonMobile Summer Nights Miller Outdoor Theatre X-Men: Apocalypse (Ongoing Fridays and Saturdays)

The First Class of X-Men are back to 18-19 – freshDark Fest face the world’s first mutant, Apocalypse.

Directed By: Justin Lin Last Concert Café Starring: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbend19 – Roots Reggae Houston Music Festival er, Jennifer Lawrence, Oscar Isaac Ice Age: Collision Course Jones Plaza Directed By: Bryan Singer

Rumors of the Ice Age melting have been 24 – Texas Music Festival Orchestra greatly exaggerated, considering this is the fifth Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion June 2016 movie in the franchise.

25 – Houston LGBT Pride Celebration Starring: Ray Romano, Denis Leary, John Le- Downtown Houston Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: guizamo, Queen Latifah Out of the Shadows Directed By: Mike Thurmeier, Galen T. Chu

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles weren’t warmly received by critics when they August 2016 were rebooted in 2014, but they’re back again anyway.

Suicide Squad Starring: William Fichtner, Will Arnett, Tyler Dr. Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) rePerry, Megan Fox cruits a team of comic book supervillains to be Directed By: Dave Green her dirty dozen.

Now You See Me 2

After the surprise hit of 2013’s Now You See Me, the Four Horsemen team of magicians are back. This time they’re enlisted to perform a heist by the same man they put away in the first movie.

Starring: Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Lizzy Caplan Directed By: Jon M. Chu Independence Day: Resurgence

20 years ago, Independence Day was the must-see movie of the summer thanks to a teaser trailer at Christmas showing aliens destroying the White House. This summer, they’re back.

Starring: Jeff Goldblum, Liam Hemsworth, Bill Pullman, Vivica A. Fox Directed By: Roland Emmerich July 2016 Ghostbusters

You probably haven’t heard enough about his one, right? The all new, all female Ghostbusters reboot comes from the director of Spy and Bridesmaids.

Starring: Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones Directed By: Paul Feig Star Trek Beyond

The third voyage of the rebooted Enterprise crew finds them fleeing their destroyed starship and finding an all new adventure on the planet where they land. Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Anton Yelchin, John Cho

Starring: Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Jared Leto, Jai Courtney Directed By: David Ayer

Kidnap

Halle Berry shifts into Taken mode as a desperate mother who sets out to rescue her kidnapped son.

Starring: Halle Berry, Dana Gourrier, Lew Temple, Christopher Berry Directed By: Luis Prieto Southside With You

This romantic comedy recounts an afternoon in the lives of arguably the most famous couple in the world: Barack and Michelle Obama.

Starring: Parker Sawyers, Tika Sumpter, Taylar Fondren, Preston Tate Jr. Directed By: Richard Tanne

July 2016 4 – Freedom Over Texas Eleanor Tinsley Park August 2016 27 – Summer Jam 2016 Music Festival Alexander Deussen Park

Events/Festivals in the City

It is always something going on in the city. These are just some of events that warrant Shops to Visit attention. Get it in Houston!

May 2016 21 - Big Texas Beer Fest NRG Park 22 – Houston Barbecue Festival NRG Park 27-29 – Space City Comic Con NRG Park 28 – Experience Daybreak Culture Fest Discovery Green

The Galleria is not the only place in town to shop till you drop. Check out these outlets.

Houston Premium Outlets 29300 Hempstead Rd, Cypress, TX 77433 Tanger Outlets Houston, TX 5885 Gulf Fwy, Texas City, TX 77591-7052 Katy Mills 5000 Katy Mills Cir, Katy, TX 77494-4402 Conroe Outlet Center 11 League Line Rd., Conroe, TX 77303

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Summer Time Treats to Combat Houston’s Heat

By Yolanda Pope, Culinary Writer

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he temperatures are warming up fast as we approach a long hot summer in H-Town. Most of native Houstonians are accustomed to the blazing sun, humidity, and the struggle to remain cool and comfortable while we brave summer’s consistent above 90 degree weather. Everyone has their preference when it comes to cold beverages or snacks, and we are so blessed to have so many choices of all of the aforementioned.

One of my favorite treats is Starburst Sorbet Bars, they come in a box of four and one can find them in almost every frozen food section of the grocery store.

I stumbled on the sorbet bars last summer when I went to my local Walgreens to buy some Gatorade. I ate one of the bars in the parking lot and finished my second one before I arrived home. They are light and refreshing; the texture is very smooth and has a sweet and tart finish. My only regret is that I didn’t buy two boxes that evening.

If sorbet is not your taste, perhaps ice cream is more of the treat that helps the beads of sweat evaporate off the skin. Marble Slab and Creamery has more than a couple of dozen locations throughout Houston and the surrounding areas. In fact there are 52 locations, on our zip code range that offer a variety of ice cream and toppings to satisfy almost every palate. My favorite is the creamy vanilla in a waffle cone with pecans on top. Their menu includes: ice cream pizzas, pies, cakes, each one can be specified to order. Additionally, they offer quarts of their homemade treats for sale.

Moreover, if dairy doesn’t help cool you off, how about shaved ice? When I was growing up we called them snow cones. Friohana, located on Sabine Street in Houston, is one of the top rated places according to some of their customers’ reviews and comments. One reviewer wrote “They have so many varieties of flavors such as pina colada, cougars blood (tigers blood), mango, strawberry etc. and they pile it on pretty high.”

Yeti Ice, located in the Fourth Ward area, is another highly rated establishment offering a selection of shaved ice flavors. One reviewer wrote: “One of the best snow cones I have ever had! The flavor selection wasn’t as broad as most places, but considering their flavors are all natural and handmade, that was totally okay.”

Finally, no matter what your preference is for cooling off, living in the fourth largest city in America gives us so many choices when it comes to dining out, shopping and cooling off. If you didn’t read about your favorite place, please let me know by sending an email to YolandaPope@Stylemagazine.com

Thanks for reading and please feel free to share this story, and any article located on www.stylemagazine.com; follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ HoustonStyle.

Want to read more?

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STATE

Winners

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-E-B announced statewide winners of the 15th annual H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards during an awards ceremony at San Antonio’s La Cantera Hill Country Resort. At the ceremony, H-E-B Chairman and CEO Charles Butt personally handed out $430,000 in cash awards and grants, and congratulated eight educators, two school districts, one early childhood agency and a public school board for being among the best in Texas. The program has given away more than $8 million in cash and grants since 2002.

Neil deGrasse Tyson delivered the keynote address to a ballroom packed with hundreds of educators, elected officials, community leaders and H-E-B employees. Tyson is a renowned astrophysicist, researcher, author and host for television and radio shows exploring the frontiers of science.

The following winners were selected from a pool of 58 finalists by judges who include former winners, school administrators, and university and community leaders.

The 2016 H-E-B Excellence in Education Award Winners Are:

H-E-B Names Winners in 2016 Excellence in Education Awards Rising Star The Rising Star Category recognizes teachers with less than 10 years of experience. Winners received a $5,000 check for themselves and a $5,000 grant for their school.

Rising Star Elementary: Hilda Nanez, Green Valley Elementary, Galena Park ISD, Houston Rising Star Secondary: Alexandra Edwards, Killeen High School, Killeen ISD, Killeen

Leadership The Leadership Category honors teachers with 10 to 20 years in the classroom. Winners received a $10,000 check for themselves and a $10,000 grant for their school.

Leadership Elementary: Tammy Verstrate, LaVace Stewart Elementary, Clear Creek ISD, Kemah Leadership Secondary: Martha Saucedo, Brady High School, Brady ISD, Brady Lifetime Achievement The Lifetime Achievement Category salutes teachers with more than 20 years of experience.

Winners received $25,000 in cash for themselves and a $25,000 grant for their school.

Lifetime Achievement Elementary: Laurie Holmes, Popham Elementary, Del Valle ISD, Del Valle Lifetime Achievement Secondary: Mark Misage, Westlake High School, Eanes ISD, Austin

School Principal Winning principals received $10,000 in cash for themselves and a $25,000 grant for each of their schools.

Principal Elementary: Sandy Conklin, Samuel Beck Elementary, Northwest ISD, Trophy Club Principal Secondary: Delia McLerran, Young Women’s Leadership Academy, San Antonio ISD, San Antonio

Early Childhood The winning early childhood facility received a $25,000 cash prize.

Sunshine Cottage, San Antonio, TX: Belinda Pustka, Director

School Board The winning public school board received a $25,000 cash prize.

Somerset ISD, Somerset, TX: Dr. Omar Pachecano, Board President

Small School District The winning small school district received a $50,000 cash prize.

Valley View ISD, Pharr, TX: Rolando Ramirez, Superintendent

Large School District The winning large school district received a $100,000 cash prize.

Leander ISD, Leander TX: Dr. Bret Champion, Superintendent

For a full list of the 2016 H-E-B Excellence in Education finalists, please visit heb.com/ education.

WANT TO READ MORE? Check us out at www.StyleMagazine.com UNIVERSAL PICTURES PRESENTS IN ASSOCIATION WITH PERFECT WORLD PICTURES A POINT GREY/GOOD UNIVERSE PRODUCTION A NICHOLAS STOLLER FILM SETH ROGEN ZAC EFRON ROSE BYRNE

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC “NEIGHBORS 2 : SORORITY RISING” CHLOË GRACE MORETZ DAVE FRANCO IKE BARINHOLTZ

BY MICHAEL ANDREWS PHOTOGRAPHY BRANDON TROST EXECUTIVE PRODUCED PRODUCERS NATHAN KAHANE JOE DRAKE TED GIDLOW ANDREW JAY COHEN BRENDAN O’BRIEN

BY SETH ROGEN p.g.a. EVAN GOLDBERG p.g.a. JAMES WEAVER p.g.a.

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BY ANDREW JAY COHEN & BRENDAN O’BRIEN & NICHOLAS STOLLER & EVAN GOLDBERG & SETH ROGEN CREATED BY ANDREW JAY COHEN & BRENDAN O’BRIEN DIRECTED A UNIVERSAL RELEASE

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CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS FOR AND SHOWTIMES STARTS FRIDAY, MAY 20 THEATERS

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TRAVEL

The Quiet Romance of Nebraska

By Susie Stillwell

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ike most, I thought Nebraska was corn fed, midAmerican farmland. That was until I took a tour of the state and several other small communities surrounding the State Capitol, Nebraska City to discover the beauty within the state. My journey through the Midwestern state took me to the cities of Omaha, Nebraska City, Brownville, Nebraska and a few other places in between. With trees that seem to touch the sky and scenic views that go on for miles, I grew a greater appreciation of nature and fell in love with Nebraska.

Nebraska is a state rich in history that was carved out of the Louisiana Purchase by the KansasNebraska Act of 1854. Originally an organized area of grassland, Nebraska became an official state in 1867.

Many were vital in the shaping of the state. One who

was very instrumental in developing Nebraska into the place that it is was J. Sterling Morton (The Morton name sound familiar as his son was the founder of the founder of the Morton Salt Company.) Morton was a strong advocate of planting trees and thus is the founder of Arbor Day. The Arbor Day Farm is the perfect place to learn more about Morton and the history behind the national holiday, which I found to be most interesting.

The former Governor of the Territory of Nebraska and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture in President Grover Cleveland’s second administration moved to Nebraska with his bride Caroline in the mid-1800s before the state was organized. In those early years in the state, he focused on his love of trees. He traveled the countryside collecting seeds and planting trees in a race to plant the most trees in Nebraska. It was because of his fascination with trees that the Arbor Day holiday was developed. In 1884, the Board of Agriculture made Arbor Day an annual occurrence proclaimed by the then Governor of the state. The Nebraska Legislature later made Arbor Day a legal holiday in Nebraska coinciding with Morton’s birthday on April 22.

I learned of the history of Arbor Day and Morton while touring Arbor Lodge State Historical Park, which is the former Morton mansion. It was a very heartfelt, touching emotional experience touring the former Morton home. Visitors gain an understanding of Morton’s life, desires and intentions while he was alive through actual letters written by Morton and his wife that are read by tour guides.

Located on the property with the park was the Arbor Day Farm Tree Adventure. It was fun, relaxing, exhilarating, entertaining and educational. There at

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the Woodland Pavilion are exhibits and interactive kiosks intended to invite guests to rediscover nature at it finest and view the most beautiful scenery. Outside the Pavilion were trails, paths, and art exhibits that are the basis for exploration, educational programs and play. There are wonderful life-size climbable tree houses that provide a bird’s eye view of the palatial estate once you reach the top. I invite you to take the Vineyard Tour, Preservation Orchid Tour, Twilight Tour and/or engage in some of the other attractions that are all exclusively designed to allow visitors to learn to respect and love nature and appreciate the beauty of the Arbor Day Farm.

From there I furthered tour Nebraska City to see a city so great they named a state after it.

Described as a boutique experience, Nebraska City boasts museums, shops, events (like a crocodile wrestling contest), orchards, and other attractions to explore. Most impressive for me was the Lewis & Clark Missouri River Visitors Center that overlooks the Missouri River, nicknamed the Big Mo. The interactive center has a museum and hiking trails for visitors to explore. In the hour and a half tour of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, I learned more than I have in all the history classes I took in grade and high school. What an experience! Also impressive was the Civil War Veterans Museum at G.A.R. Memorial Hall. It is the only Civil War Museum in Nebraska.

Before leaving Nebraska City, I was privy to a tour of the Kregel Windmill Factory Museum. With all the ruckus about solar energy, I was eager to see the museum since man has used wind power for as long as there has been wind. This museum opened a new understanding of wind and solar driven power for me.

My next stop was Brownville, Nebraska.

Founded in 1854, Brownville is situated in the loess

Hills that border the West bank of the Missouri River. This small town is home to about 142 people, depending on whom you ask. Some said 139 while others said 140 but according to the Census Bureau, as of 2015, the population of Brownville is 141. This town full of secrets packs a lot of charm. Brownsville is a Preserve America Community. President George Bush first initiated this concept in 2003 by a Presidential Executive Order with the intent to encourage Federal agencies to assist small communities in preserving their heritage. Brownsville has done that within the

May 19 - May 25, 2016

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walls of their nine museums and historic homes, eight shops, seven galleries, and three bookstores, including the Antiquarium Bookstore and Bill Farmer Gallery, which is the largest used bookstore in the city. Another great attraction of Brownsville is the Flatwater Folk Art Museum above the 1884 Gothic Howe Church and three-period houses that are regularly open to the public.

I finally made my way to the Nebraska’s Capitol of Lincoln. This city holds the winning ticket in local beer breweries from block-to-block, streetto-street. Just as good as the beer is the food. The fabulous cuisines range anywhere from casual Classic to traditional French, on to traditional authentic Italian to Spanish and American Ethnic accented foods.

Food at the Parthenon Taverna Greek Grill was all beautifully displayed, served and complemented with local wines. When visiting Lincoln don’t just come in and grab a quick bite. Stay for the fine dining, libations, and make a night of it. Actually enjoy the dinner experience with appetizers and deserts and leisure in the ambience.

A visit to Lincoln is not complete unless you visit the International Quilt Study Center and Museum at the Quilt House on the campus of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s East Campus. Showing 1000 quilts at any given time, the museum has the largest publicly held collection of quilts in the world dating from the early 1700s to present and representing more than 45 countries. The learning center and museum for students, quilters, artists, and scholars, allows visits to view more than 3500 quilts along with related textiles, documents, and state of the art research, storage space, and display galleries.

And lastly but not least, I hit up The Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum in Ashland, Nebraska. Poised comfortably in the middle of the state of Nebraska, about 35 miles from Lincoln, Nebraska, the museum, that is a Smithsonian Affiliate, focuses on the historic U.S. Air Force military aircraft as well as nuclear missiles and space vehicles. As with most museums, the Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum’s mission is to conserve, display and educate.

There is so much more I could tell you about Nebraska. But simply telling you won’t do the state justice. You have to go see it for yourself and you will be romanced by the state like I was.

Nebraska. A beautiful place, picturesque, fanciful, with wide-open spaces of imaginations, dreams and fine living. Nebraska. Nice.

HEALTH

From Math Teacher to Hip-Hop Artist, Health Advocate

By American Heart Association News

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efore he became hip-hop artist Dee-1, David Augustine was on the school chess team. He played basketball and his favorite subject was math.

“I wasn’t a performer by any means,” he said. “I really didn’t even like being the center of attention.”

He turned to music during what he calls “the roughest time of my life.” He had just started college at Louisiana State University when a close friend was murdered. Having grown up in New Orleans’ Ninth Ward, his family struggled to recover after Hurricane Katrina. He didn’t make the university basketball team, and he had his first heartbreak.

Dee-1 struggled to process one blow after another. So he channeled his emotions into music, and by the time he graduated with a business degree in 2009, creating hip-hop music was a passion.

He took a job as a math teacher at a Baton Rouge middle school, but performed at small clubs on the side. That’s where he met Dr. Rani Whitfield, a local family doctor who shared his love of music.

Dee-1 and Whitfield, who goes by “Tha Hip Hop Doc,” began creating songs that focused on health, including obesity, heart disease, drinking and driving and conflict resolution.

They even teamed up with the American Stroke Association on The F.A.S.T. Song for World

Dee-1

Stroke Day 2015.

“I just felt these were issues that we shouldn’t keep quiet about, because they affect us,” said Dee-1, who is now 26.

Growing up, he saw the toll of unhealthy habits. His aunt died from complications of a stroke and several family friends had heart attacks.

He spent years trying to convince family members to stop smoking.

“I want to entertain as well as educate people with my music,” he said. “If I can make a song that will get someone to dance and get more exercise, or educate them about the warnings signs of heart disease, then I want to do that.”

Dee-1 has experienced his own health woes. In high school, he had surgery for achalasia,

a disorder of the esophagus that prevented food from moving into his stomach. The experience made him appreciate feeling healthy, he said.

After two years of teaching, Dee-1 decided to focus on his music full-time. He has since released 11 mixtapes and performed at major music festivals, including SXSW, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and the Essence Festival. His debut album will release this year.

While the health-focused tracks account for a small portion of Dee-1’s entire collection, it’s one he holds close to his heart.

“I want to help people actualize their potential in their lives,” he said. “Potential doesn’t get you anywhere, it’s about actualizing it.”

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MCGOVERN CENTENNIAL GARDENS HOUSTON, TEXAS

Larry Green’s Birthday Reception Photography by Vicky Pink

t was a celebration of the arts for Larry Green’s birthday reception at the McGovern Idoubled Centennial Gardens. The Houston City Councilman’s birthday celebration, which as a campaign fundraiser, featured performances by Nick Muckleroy, Alexis

Anderson, Urban Souls Dance Company, and Statements Dance Company.

Some in attendance were Mayor Sylvester Turner, Ashley Turner, Cindy Clifford, Commissioner Gene Locke, Darryl King, Brian Smith, Argentina James, Paul Cnnings, Ed Hamb, Ramon Martinez, Norman Nelson, Darryl Carter, Jeanette Rash, James Simmons, Hui Fong Chang, Felix Chevalier, Harry Johnson, Don Aaron, Dallas Jones, Don Middleton, June Deadrick, Jeri Brooks, Andre Kohn Jr, Donald Perkins, Noah Quiles, Zoe Cadore, Thessalonian LeBlanc, Rafael Fobbs, Bruce Allen, and Keir Murray.

WESTIN HILTON MEMORIAL HOUSTON, TEXAS

SCORE and SBA 2016 Small Business Awards Photography by Vicky Pink

mall businesses were in the spotlight at the 2016 SCORE and SBA Small Business S Awards Ceremony and Luncheon. The annual event celebrates the outstanding achievements of America’s small businesses. Honorees were chosen because of the role

they play in the community. The 2016 winners were Denise S. Navarro, Raj Shafaii, Helen Callier, Marlon Mitchell, Robert J. Warren, Shahzad M. Chagani, and T. Bryan Murphy. Dr. Cesar Maldonado, Chancellor of Houston Community College, was the keynote speaker.

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BUSINESS BRIEFS Cadillac ELR Production Ceased Quietly Last February GM Authority

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adillac President Johan de Nysschen had previously stated the 2016 Cadillac ELR would not Cadillac ELR see a second-generation, and now we know the car has officially ended production. In fact, it ended last February, according to Hybrid Cars. Most recently, Cadillac introduced a fairly substantial refresh to the 2016 ELR, with styling, power and other updates to the plug-in, plus a $10,000 lower MSRP. It seems even the refresh couldn’t extend the vehicle’s lifecycle. So far this year, only 357 Cadillac ELRs were reported as sold.

“Click It or Ticket” Launches in Houston Style News Wire

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t ’s s i m p l e , i t ’s the law and it’s a reminder from the Texas Department of Transportation that seat belts save lives. “With Memorial Day weekend and the summer vacation season approaching, we’re urging people to buckle their seat belts every time they get in their vehicle,” said TxDOT Executive Director James Bass. In addition to this campaign, police departments across the nation will step up enforcement efforts from May 23 – June 5 to make sure everyone is buckled up.

Houstonians Get Financially Fit with the Help of Capital One Bank Style News Wire

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apital One Bank and Wi n d s o r Vi l l a g e United Methodist Church recently celebrated the latest graduating class of the “Debt Boot Camp: How to Get Out, Stay Out and Become Financially Fit!” program. The Debt Boot Camp is a free, first-of-its-kind program designed to walk participants through the process of becoming debt free and financially sound. Capital One Bank also offers participants the opportunity to open a no-fee savings account. Benefits offered by Capital One Bank’s partners in the program include Covenant Community Capital’s Individual Development Account, which features matching funds up to $4,000 for participants and an Estate Planning Package from Earl Carl Institute for those who qualify.

Debra Lee Appointed to Twitter Board Black Enterprise

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Lee

witter announced that Debra L. Lee, chairman and chief executive officer of BET Networks, would serve as a member of the board of directors effective immediately. The announcement comes months

after Twitter’s co-founder, Jack Dorsey returned to the company after seven years to serve as the interim CEO. Back in November, Dorsey began to talk about diversifying the company’s board and has made it known he plans to make diversity a business priority.

Charter Acquires Time Warner in Billion Merger CNN Money

These grants have been awarded to organizations dedicated to borrower education initiatives that ease the top barrier to entry for many small businesses, which is access to capital. These grants are part of Sam’s Club’s Small Business Economic Mobility initiative started in 2015.

Whole Foods Attempts to Go Cheap Bloomberg

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he Charter cable company officially owns Time Warner Cable a n d a n o t h e r o p e r a t o r, Bright House, thanks to a $65 billion mega merger.

This means the muchmaligned Time Warner Cable (TWC) name -- a piece of cable television history -- is going away. The newly enlarged Charter is now one of the biggest television providers in the country, standing alongside Comcast, AT&T and Verizon. Charter calls its cable TV and broadband services “Spectrum.”

Wal-Mart Profit Beats Expectations Reuters

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al-Mart Stores Inc reported a higherthan-expected quarterly profit as sales in the U.S. market rose, sending the retailer’s shares up nearly 10 percent. Excluding special items, earnings per share came to 98 cents in the first quarter ended on April 29, exceeding the analysts’ average estimate of 88 cents, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. Wal-Mart said sales at U.S. stores open at least a year rose 1.0 percent, excluding fuel price fluctuations. That is stronger than market expectations for a rise of 0.5 percent, according to Consensus Metrix.

New Rule Expands Overtime Pay to Millions of Workers CNN Money

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tarting later this year, millions more workers will become eligible for overtime pay. Under a new rule announced by the White House Tuesday, anybody making a salary of less than $47,476 ($913 a week) will automatically qualify for overtime pay when they work more than 40 hours a week.

The change will go into effect on Dec. 1, 2016. It is intended to expand access to overtime pay for otherwise low-salaried workers who log long hours but have been treated as exempt from overtime because they perform some managerial duties.

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hole Foods Market Inc. is testing a new concept designed to help the retailer compete in an era when the organic food it first brought to the masses is now widely available at convenience stores and supermarkets. The new stores called 365 by Whole Foods Market will specialize in cheaper private-label groceries and will be smaller in size. Company officials are trying to ignite growth after same-store sales fell 3 percent in the three months through April 10, the third straight quarterly decline and the worst performance since 2009.

Nokia Planning a Comeback to the Phone Business Wired

N

okia announced that it would license its brand to a new Finnish company founded by former Nokia execs. The company, Global HMD, plans to use the Nokia brand to sell Android-based phones and tablets. Nokia won’t be making the phones; the HMD deal marks a major return for the Nokia name. Nokia exited the phone business altogether after its $7 billion deal with Microsoft. Later, Microsoft retired the Nokia brand and wrote the whole sale off as a massive loss.

Sam’s Club Offers $8.8 Million in New Grants to Entrepreneurs Black Enterprise

S

am’s Club and Sam’s Club Giving continue to address the unmet needs of small business owners—especially women, minorities and veterans—with $8.8 million in new grants.

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