Houston Style Magazine vol 31 No. 4

January 23 – January 29, 2020

Houston’s Premiere Weekly Publication

Volume 30 | Number 4

Complimentary

Jesse Jackson

Dr. King Called On Us to Express the Better Angels of Our Souls

Lawrence Brownlee Giving Voice to the Diversity of Opera

T-Boz On TLC’s Legacy, Touring with Chilli and Beating the Odds Words By Allison Kugel and Photography By Marc Sacro Follow Us #TeamStyleMag

Twitter @HoustonStyle

Instagram @HoustonStyleNews

Bill to Create A Black National Trail In Houston

Yvonne Orji

Facebook: @HoustonStyleMagazine

Verizon’snity Sizable Comcast-Xfi New CSTEM Tech atDonation Easter Seals

Letting Laughter Lead Her Way

Fight to Vote Screening

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 Support Black Owned Businesses

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January 23 – January 29, 2020

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11 Publisher Francis Page, Jr. Associate Publisher Lisa Valadez Managing Editor Jo-Carolyn Goode editorial@stylemagazine.com

Top 5 Signs You Need a Personal Renewal

Social Media Editor/Videographer Reginald Dominique reggiedominique@me.com

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Sports Editor Brian Barefield

NATIONAL WRITERS

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

PHOTOGRAPHERS VICKY PINK vhpink@gmail.com William Ealy Williamealy1906@gmail.com

Preventing Cervical Cancer

Semetra Samuel semetra@artistikrebelcreative.com

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Mike Munoz artrepreneur91@gmail.com Robert Franklin editorial@stylemagazine.com

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dba Houston Style Magazine & 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).

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Athletes Shine at Houston Sports Awards

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January 23 – January 29, 2020

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COMMENTARY

Dr. King Called On Us to Express the Better Angels of Our Souls

By Jesse Jackson, National Political Writer

of the Civil Rights Movement, the struggle for economic justice. He met with organizers from across races and regions -- from members of the Latino community, to Native Americans, women and men, young and old. His mission was to build a national movement of poor people who would march on Washington, calling on the nation to revive the War on Poverty, a war that was being lost in the jungles of Vietnam, as billions were squandered in that misbegotten war that might have been used to make America better.

Later that day, King’s staff surprised him with a cake and a celebration, bringing a smile to his face. But King was tireless in his mission. He seemed to sense that he had little time and there was so much yet to be done.

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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

chools across the country celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Day today.

At every level, students learn about King, the movement he helped lead and the teachings and legacy he left behind.

There are dramatic readings of his words. Many schools show his historic “I Have a Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial, a speech given before hundreds of thousands. Even in Key West, Florida, students at the local Montessori school hang handmade posters with quotes from King written in crayon. “Ev-

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eryone can be great,” reads one. “Civil rights should be equal,” reads another.

“We should remember that everything Hitler did was legal,” reads a third.

I had the privilege of being with Dr. King on his last birthday. He had breakfast at home with his family. Then he came to work at the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) headquarters. He was organizing the Poor People’s Campaign, which he hoped would be the climax of the third chapter

It’s a decent haul for a nascent campaign and the money will allow the governor to air an ad touting his candidacy on CNN in New Hampshire during Tuesday night’s CNN

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Dr. King believed that everyone could be great because everyone could serve.

He was utterly committed to challenging injustice and to nonviolence as the only sane way to bring change. He believed that everyone had a decency within them, that by challenging injustice and

Today, Dr. King’s example is more important than ever. Inequality has reached new extremes. We have a president that purposefully rouses racial and ethnic fears and divisions. Politics has become bitter, partisan, and increasingly marked by extreme and often hateful rhetoric.

We are spending more and more on the Pentagon -- already the largest military budget by far in the world -- and cutting back on programs for the vulnerable, everything from food stamps, to Medicaid, to public housing and aid for poor schools and students. We end up with guided missiles and misguided young people -- a tragic waste.

Today, a new Poor People’s Campaign is building, organizing lines of race, region, and religion.

It has been marching on state legislatures and now is increasing pressure on Washington. It is not about right or left, but about right and wrong. Dr. King called on us to express the better angels of our souls. Now, as we celebrate his life, we would do well to put his lessons into practice.

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.

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Deval Patrick Raises $2.2 Million in Six Weeks As He Mounts Uphill Presidential Campaign

By CNN/StyleMagazine.com Newswire

Deval Patrick

eval Patrick raised $2.2 million in the final six weeks of the fourth quarter, his campaign tells CNN, as the former Massachusetts governor mounts a longshot presidential campaign.

Dr. King’s commitment provides a wonderful example for all of us, but particularly for the young. He did not order an army; he inspired people to act and to volunteer. He amassed no fortune.

He did not hold high office. Yet, by the wisdom of his teaching, the justice of his cause, the intensity of his commitment, he helped transform America, leading it out of the shame of segregation and toward a more perfect union.

at the same time, appealing to the humanity of the oppressors, change was possible. And the civil rights movement that he helped lead proved that to be true.

debate, for which Patrick did not qualify.

That haul comes as a super PAC is slated to spend at least $2 million on ads supporting Patrick in New Hampshire, a state central to his strategy. Patrick enters the new year with $1 million in the bank, according to his campaign, and is set to headline a host of top dollar fundraiser to add to that, including an event hosted by Marty Nesbitt, an American businessman and Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign treasurer.

January 23 – January 29, 2020

The primary is an uphill battle for Patrick -- something not lost on the former governor who has yet to make a debate stage and is largely not registering in early state polls despite repeated visits to New Hampshire and South Carolina.

We face “the usual hurdle, which is trying to persuade people that nobody else gets to make this decision for them,” Patrick said in an interview with CNN. “This race is wide open and the other candidates who have spent months and months and years and years, millions of dollars, making themselves famous but not locking down the race.”

Patrick scrapped plans to run for president in early 2019 because his wife, Diane, was diagnosed with cancer. The former governor decided in November to jump into the already-crowded race after his wife, who will hit the trail for her husband in the coming weeks, was found to be cancer free.

His decision to run in November, though, means Patrick faces a shortened timeline, and his campaign looks more like operations that were prevalent in early 2019 -- roughly 70 staffers and offices in New Hampshire and South Carolina -- not the behemoth operations he is now trying to overtake.

It’s seemingly because of those challenges that Patrick is welcoming Reason to Believe PAC, a super PAC made up of supporters

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who are committed to spent at least $2 million on ads in New Hampshire.

The first ad introduces Patrick to New Hampshire voters, focusing on his upbringing in Chicago, his role in fighting for civil rights and his time as governor of neighboring Massachusetts.

Despite supporting overturning the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision that allowed the proliferation of super PACs, Patrick told CNN that he welcomes the help.

“As long as it is positive and transparent, I welcome that help,” Patrick said. “We are going to play by the rules, and this is within the rules.”

Patrick’s ties to President Barack Obama -- the two were friends before either were top Democrats -- were touted when he launched his campaign and Patrick has enjoyed the support of former Obama administration officials.

But Obama hasn’t offered any public word of affirmation for Patrick. The former governor told CNN that the two haven’t spoken since he launched his campaign.

Patrick, looking at the last two months, said he wouldn’t do anything differently and wouldn’t have gotten in if he didn’t think he could beat his “friends” who are running.

Read the full story online at stylemagazine.com.

ENTERTAINMENT Yvonne Orji: Laughter Leads the Way

By Cecilia Austin, Feature Writer

Nigerian-born powerhouse left a path once headed for medicine to chase her true calling: comedy.

Making her rounds on the New York comedy circuit, Orji’s faith held strong as she kept her eyes on the prize - eventually landing the role as fan-favorite Molly on Issa Rae’s critically acclaimed HBO hit Insecure, before she even had an agent. Since then she’s continued to hold her own, making appearances in Jane the Virgin, Night School and more.

After opening for Chris Rock’s “Total Black Out” tour - where he tweeted she “ripped the stage” - the actress and comedian is now gearing up to headline her own; with the Lagos to Laurel tour officially kicking off January 16th at Houston’s famed White Oak Music Hall.

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hat’s meant for you, will always be yours.” It’s a creed that Yvonne Orji has embodied, carefully crafting a career on her own terms. After earning a master’s degree from George Washington University, the

Taking a moment from her hectic schedule, Orji recently took time to speak with Houston Style Magazine. “I hear Houston is like Little Nigeria” she added with a warm laugh before diving into the tour, upcoming book and more.

Gracious and personable, it’s easy to see why “Molly” is everyone’s favorite.

Taking the stage for ‘Lagos to Laurel’ I hear Houston has a large Nigerian

presence, so that’s why I was very excited to kick it off here. It’s not my home country, but it’s my home country adjacent.

When I opened up for Chris, it was an experience like no other and three years later, I’m doing my own tour. Fans will see another side of me - I’m an author, an actress and of course a comedian.

The distinction between ‘Saying Yes’ and knowing what to say yes to It’s not just about agreeing to anything, it’s saying yes to all the things that make sense to you. Just because you move forward, doesn’t always mean you’re making progress. Sometimes you actually took two steps back. So I’ve learned to say yes to things that make sense to me. Trying things that are authentic to me and what I want to try out.

Bamboozled by Jesus: How God Tricked Me Into the Life of My Dreams You hear the title and it sounds crazy right? (laughs) But I’m currently writing my first novel about how God “tricked” me into the life of my dreams. I’m just sharing my story on how I got to where I am. I planned on being a miserable doctor - not that I feel like it’s a terrible job or that I wouldn’t have done well it’s just not what I wanted to do, I felt

like I needed other options or choices.

You think you’re the first person in your family to do something, but your story is not as different as you think. Have you heard of Moses? (laughs). So it’s about how other people have overcome things, that’s what the book is.

Behind the cameras I think most people know that I”m a goofball, but I don’t think people know how much I also love alone time. I can go like three days without talking to someone and be good. I give so much of myself that sometimes I need to retreat.

I love me - being at home, not doing anything.

Getting candid on tour I love my fans! I love when they get surprised and how I’m able to interact with them. It’s an experience. It’s more than a girl with a stand, talking - I want you to feel like we’re friends. Like an intimate conversation with your homegirl.

Comedy allows us to laugh at ourselves.

It’s why we need comedy in our lives.

Don’t miss out! For tickets to Lagos to Laurel please visit here or check her out at https://www.yvonneorji.com

If I could do one thing, I’d tell the world she counts.

Communities are as rich and diverse as their needs. That’s why completing the 2020 Census matters. It’s a safe and confidential step toward having an impact on how public funds flow through our communities. That could mean more resources in your area for special needs.

It’s within your control.

Learn more at:

2020CENSUS.GOV Paid for by U.S. Census Bureau.

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January 23 – January 29, 2020

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BRIEFS

Macy’s Donates $5,000 to Creative Vida

StyleMagazine.com Newswire

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acy’s Houston Galleria welcomes 20 first-generation college students in-store for an exclusive shopping experience as part of Creative Vida’s 1STGEN program, a program which awards first-generation college students with a scholarship consisting of a guided personality assessment, access to a professional development boot camp, new business attire and other professional essentials.

Macy’s has donated $5,000 to Creative Vida allowing each student to receive a $250 Macy’s gift card to select a suit and business professional attire to wear during professional events, career fairs and interviews. Macy’s Personal Stylists fashion experts will host a dress etiquette workshop for the students and assist students when selecting their professional wardrobe from Macy’s.

Texas Slips Slightly in National Rankings for Racial Integration and Progress

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Houston.Culturemap.Com

ach year as Martin Luther King Jr. Day approaches, WalletHub does its annual check-in on racial progress across America. After measuring the gaps between black and white citizens across 21 key indicators of equality and integration in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, the personal finance site has determined that Texas is slipping — slightly. Last year, the Lone Star State was ranked second overall.

This year, it’s fallen to fourth in racial integration, behind New Mexico, Hawaii, and Wyoming. But the news isn’t all bad — Texas ranks second overall in racial progress, in a promising spot behind Wyoming. To reach these standings, WalletHub totaled the states’ scores in employment and wealth, education, social and civic engagement, and health. Texas also shows up in the top five for lowest gap in percentage of adults with at least a high school diploma.

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Bill to Create An African American National Historic Trail In Houston, Galveston Awaits Presidential Approval

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HoustonPublicMedia.org

bill to study if an Emancipation trail in Southeast Texas should receive a national designation is now headed to President Trump’s desk for his signature. The 51-mile trail would show the migration route used by newly freed slaves and other people of African descent in the 19th century. It’s based on the research of Naomi Mitchell Carrier, the founder of the Texas Center for African American Living History in Houston. The route would include Independence Heights, Freedmen’s Town and Emancipation Park in Houston. It would also include the site of Galveston’s Osterman building, where a Union Army General told the people of Galveston that all slaves were free. The Texas Republican and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, sponsored the legislation calling for the study of the trail.

Hispanic Parents Voice Concerns About Language Barrier in BISD

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BeaumontEnterprise.com

he Beaumont Independent School District held a meeting at El Cristo Rey Catholic Church Monday to address Hispanic parents’ concerns about a lack of bilingual employees throughout the district and at school meetings. Despite the growing Hispanic population in BISD, many parents in attendance felt their concerns are being ignored. Perez said she believes the lack of bilingual employees is part why many meetings are poorly attended. According to Texas Education Agency, in the 2018-19 school year, 25% of BISD students were Hispanic. That was a 9% increase from 2010. Currently, 79.5% of Fletcher Elementary’s student population is Hispanic — the highest percentage among all BISD schools. To address the lack of bilingual workers in the district, BISD this school year began offering increased pay for those who fill positions that seek bilingual applicants.

January 23 – January 29, 2020

Texas Republicans Are Manufacturing a Crisis in Houston’s Public School System

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Amanda Edwards

Houston’s Amanda Edwards Could Be Texas’ First Black Wtroman U.S. Senator

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TheGrio.com

f the state of Texas had its way, the state would be in the process of taking over the Houston Independent School District. But a judge temporarily blocked the takeover on Jan. 8, with the issue now set to be decided at a trial in June. The ruling temporarily spares Houston’s public school system from joining a list of over 100 school districts in the nation that have experienced similar state takeovers during the past 30 years. The list includes New York City, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Detroit, New Orleans, Baltimore, Oakland and Newark. Houston is the largest school district in Texas and the seventh largest in the U.S. While the state of Texas claims the planned takeover is about school improvement, my research on state takeovers of school districts suggests that the Houston takeover, like others, is influenced by racism and political power.

manda Edwards is on a mission to become the next Democratic U.S. Senator from Texas, replacing Republican incumbent Sen. John Cornyn.

But she’s also vying to become the state’s first Black woman to hold the post.

Edwards, 37, has a unique approach to leadership. For her, it’s not about sitting on a high horse, she says it’s about hands-on, results-oriented service leadership and empowering people to get the results they deserve. The Democratic primary takes place on March 3rd and Edwards is facing a field of 11 other candidates, which could head toward a runoff. Much of her support could come from Houston voters, but she’s also competing with rivals like former Rep. Chris Bell, state Sen. Royce West, and union activist Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez. The Harvard alum’s drive and passion for helping Houstonians even impressed Beyonce’s mom Tina Knowles-Lawson.

Doris Miller.

Williams and Gauff

Navy to Name Aircraft Carrier For Black Pearl Harbor Hero Doris Miller

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BlackAmericaWeb.com

he U.S. Navy r expected to honor a World War II hero when a ne3w aircraft carrier is named for Mess Attendant 2nd Class Doris Miller. The announcement is expected to be made at Pearl Harbor Monday, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Friday. Miller was the first African American to receive the Navy Cross for valor. Miller was recognized for manning a machine gun on the USS West Virginia and returning fire against Japanese planes during the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. USS Miller, a destroyer escort, was previously named in his honor. Two of Miller’s nieces are expected to be at Pearl Harbor for the announcement on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Miller, then 22, was collecting laundry when the attack alarm sounded. His normal battle station in an antiaircraft battery magazine was destroyed by a torpedo.

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Teen Phenom Coco Gauff Beats Venus Williams At Wimbledon veryone had the same question when the Australian Open draw was revealed: What were the odds that Coco Gauff and Venus Williams would face each other again in the first round at a Grand Slam tournament? Gauff, 15, played Williams, 39, to begin her first appearance in the main draw at Melbourne Park, just like they matched up to start things off at Wimbledon about six months ago.

And, just like at the All England Club, the youngest woman in the field got the better of the oldest woman in the field, with Gauff beating Williams 7-6 (5), 6-3 on Monday. It was the most anticipated contest of Day 1 at the first major tennis tournament of the decade, and it did not disappoint. The first set, in particular, was intriguing, with Gauff repeatedly pulling ahead, only to have Williams.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Inspiring Millions Giving Voice to the Diversity of Opera

By Jo-Carolyn Goode, Managing Editor

attorney, a far cry from an opera singer.

Singing actually made him nervous.

Being in such a musical family, Brownlee could not run and hide from a career in the music industry. Laughing Brownlee said, “My mom told me I would sing in my sleep sometimes. I preferred playing instruments. Singing is who I am, clearly. I grew up in church singing and surrounded by a very musical family.

Music came easily to me.”

Visiting places like Houston helps him to take care of himself since he can get some of things he misses right here in the city. The big one that restores him is family. He visits Houston often since he has family here. One of his favorite spots to hit up while in Houston is the Homer Ford Tennis Center to play a game against his friend Kevin and Uncle Len Cannon and eat some Tex-Mex at Ninfa’s.

Today, he appreciates his mother and his father for gently encouraging him to continue singing. They saw something special in him. They just didn’t know he would be as successful as he has been.

When not on stage Brownlee relaxes by playing sports like tennis, ping pong, bowling, and basketball. He dabbles in photography and salsa dancing. He is not above just kicking it all day in his pj’s and watching Netflix and HULU to relax.

“I am fortunate to have greatly exceeded all of my expectations. I have met kings and queens, presidents, countless celebrities and performed for hundreds of thousands of people,” said Brownlee.

His career has allowed him to crisscross the world traveling to and fro. Even though he loves his exciting life, it puts a strain on him as he is constantly away from his family. Brownlee admitted that the busyness of his career also challenges him physically and mentally.

Lawrence Brownlee

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shared between a noblewoman, king, and warrior set in the 14th century in Spain.

Brownlee and the Houston Grand Opera celebrated Houston’s multiplicity in a one night only show. Opera classics, spirituals, gospel, and standards were the varied types of music attendees heard.

Just as diverse as the musical selection was the cast with Brownlee showing that opera doesn’t see race or color.

Brownlee really gets to show his vocal talents as well as language skills. La favorite is performed in English and French. Brownlee can also speak Italian, German, and a hit of Spanish.

party is always better when surrounded by friends. American born tenor Lawrence Brownlee returned to Houston to share his talent along with a few of his friends. International stars J’Nai Bridges, Nicole Heaston, Reginald Smith Jr., Russell Thomas, Nicholas Newton and Kevin Miller (piano) joined Brownlee on the Wortham Theater stage for Giving Voice: Lawrence Brownlee and Friends Sing Opera, Gospel, and Standards showcased the power of voice and song.

“Houston is a very diverse community and I want to reach out to churches and civic groups to invite them to the theater.

Some of them perhaps have never experienced opera in its truest form. This is a great introduction coupled with different styles that may be more familiar to them. It is important for there to be a representation of all types of people in opera, and the makeup of the audience should reflect that. I am grateful to Houston Grand Opera for embracing my idea and fully supporting it,” said Brownlee who commented that diversity has been a longtime passion of his.

However, that show was not the only reason Brownlee made a return to Houston. The Ohio native performed in the twisted love triangle La favorite as Fernand. The opera explores the love

Thinking about opera and names like Jessye Norman, Kathleen Battle, Pavarotti, Domingo, Wunderlich, Paul Robeson, and George Shirley that roll off the tongue soon Brownlee’s name will be just like that. They are all people and voices that inspired Brownlee. As he progresses in his career, capturing more and more fans along the way, his name will be included in that list. And someone will say they were inspired to be an opera singer because of him.

Fernand is a challenging role for Brownlee but it is one that he likes. “I enjoy exploring the struggle Fernand faces in this opera; the classic struggle between love and duty.” He continued, “I play comic roles often, so it is nice to play a more dramatically challenged character. I look forward to the swings of going from exuberance to fearfulness and being intoxicated by love. There is a lot of meat in this character.”

In performing in this opera Brownlee hoped he drew the audience into who Fernand was. He says then he will be successful in creating a thoughtful character that can bring the music to life. Using this as his muse, Brownlee is carefully in the roles he chooses to make sure they are just right for his voice. He feels it is his responsibility to deliver as much panache and meaning as possible to each role for the best performance.

Both the International Opera Awards and Bachtrack named Brownlee as “2017 Male Singer of the Year”. If you have ever been fortunate to be able to hear Brownlee sing then you would know that he so deserving of this distinction.

Known throughout the world for his smooth, robust sound, it is so surprising that Brownlee didn’t like to sing as a child. His eyes were set on being an

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January 23 – January 29, 2020

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FEATURE

T-Boz on TLC’s Legacy, Touring with Chilli and Beating the Odds

By Allison Kugel, Special to Style

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LC’s Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins’ life is one filled with overcoming insurmountable odds and finding blessings in unexpected places. Watkins was diagnosed with sickle cell disease at the age of seven and spend much of her childhood in and out of hospitals due to episodes with the potentially fatal condition. She was told she wouldn’t make it past early adulthood. Her family’s move from Des Moines, Iowa to Atlanta, Georgia when Watkins was nine, and a chance meeting former singer and music executive Perri “Pebbles” Reid and her then-husband L.A. Reid would launch T-Boz, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas into the stratosphere as the biggest selling girl group in music history, taking home four Grammy awards and selling sixty five millions albums, worldwide throughout their career.

For all it’s success, TLC has endured a roller coaster of ups and downs over the last thirty years, the biggest blow being the loss of group member Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes in a 2002 car cash, and taking away one third of the lightning in a bottle that made them superstars. Resolute in their will to go on, T-Boz and Chilli have continued to record music and tour, most recently co-headlining a tour with Nelly and Flo Rida which continues through this summer.

These days T-Boz is reveling in the most recent chapter of her life as mom to daughter Chase and son Chance, author of the 2017 memoir, A Sick Life, and co-creator of her newly launched line of CBD-infused healthy and beauty products, aptly called TLCBD. I recently caught up with T-Boz, and our lengthy conversation ran the gamut with nothing left off the table.

Allison Kugel: Is there a prominent memory or flashback from your life, whether it’s a really great memory that you love to re-visit, or even something that wasn’t so great, that helped shape you?

Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins: I always think about the first time I saw each of my kids. No matter what’s going on in my life, that will give me a good feeling and a smile. Anytime I’m having a terrible time, I try to think about what the best thing in my life is, and that is my two kids. I think about the first time I ever saw them, and that’s a feeling you can’t really describe.

Allison Kugel: At what age did you feel yourself make the transition from a girl into a woman? Was there a particular event, or did it just kind of hit you one day?

Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins: You know when I think I felt like a woman? It’s probably when we did the video for the song, Creep. Everybody thought we were so mature looking in that video,

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American gold? Just being American is tough these days, especially when you’re black. That song would have really hit home in a lot of places, kind of the way Waterfalls did, if the right visuals had been put to it.

Allison Kugel: You think the music video for Waterfalls was a key element for people getting the song?

T-Boz

and I didn’t think of myself like that until grown men started trying to talk to us. Before that there was always this stigma about us [looking] so young.

Allison Kugel: Is that when you felt like a woman, or when you felt like people saw you that way?

Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins: I think that’s when people saw me as a woman, but then that started making me feel like I was a woman, you know what I mean?

And when you start seeing yourself as that, you start acting a little differently, like, “Oh, I got some grown and sexy going on now (laughs).” I used to be so skinny and I would wear two pair of pants to look curvier. I was tired of guys saying, “She’s cute.” I was like, when are they going to say, “She’s fine,” and when am I going to get some grown woman hips?

Allison Kugel: Do you talk to Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes when you’re alone?

And has there ever been an unmistakable sign that she’s around you?

Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins: No, I don’t want to talk to anybody who’s passed away, because that’s spooky (laugh).

Allison Kugel: That stuff doesn’t spook me out. I think it’s kind of cool to think we can communicate back and forth with those who have passed.

Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins: I don’t talk to anyone that passed away in my family.

But I think about them, or I talk about them. That’s my way. I’m one of those people where I don’t even like to go to grave sights because that’s not a good memory for me, and I don’t feel like they know I’m there. But I also feel like they know the love I have for them, and I always have psychics come up to me and tell me that Lisa is with me.

January 23 – January 29, 2020

Allison Kugel: Do they say something specific enough where you know they’re for real? Because you guys are famous, do they give you something to let you know it’s the real deal?

Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins: Yeah, absolutely, I know it’s the real deal. They tell me that she watches over my kids, but the stuff they’ve told me, there is no way they would know it! Only me and Lisa would know that stuff. At first it creeped me out a little bit, because I was like, “Wait a minute. Does that mean she’s watching me all the time?” Then I got used to it, and it’s not a bad thing because she’s watching over us.

Allison Kugel: I’m sure she’s not watching you in the shower and that kind of thing, but who knows (laugh).

Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins: I hope not, but it’s not like we haven’t seen each other naked before. We were like family, so we did everything together.

Allison Kugel: Were you happy with the way TLC’s final album (the group’s fifth and final album, titled “TLC” was released in 2017) turned out? Do you feel it was a good swan song?

Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins: No, I don’t.

I feel like it wasn’t worked good enough.

I don’t even like the song Haters; I’m going to be honest. I think that was a terrible choice as our second single. I believe there were better songs we should’ve gone with, that were deeper. We have a song called American Gold. It was right before Trump came into office and there was all this uproar with black men who were dying and being abused and killed by the cops, including my cousin who was murdered by cops and shot 18 times with an AR15, and he was mentally ill.

The reason that song is so important is because we hit on all of that, and you know how you bleed and die for your

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Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins: Some people didn’t get Waterfalls at first, until the visuals came [with the music video] and brought that song to life. If visuals were put to American Gold, it could have been a big song. It could have been deep for certain people, especially for people who fought for our country. At the end, the album was too rushed, and I felt forced to not finish some of the songs that I could have finished.

Allison Kugel: Let’s get into your CBD line, which you’ve named TLCBD. Over the years you’ve had a rough time recording music and touring, while dealing with flare ups and hospitalizations from your sickle cell anemia. On this current TLC tour (co-headlining with Flo Rida and Nelly), you’ve said that using CBD kept you healthier.

Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins: Oh Absolutely! Before I started taking CBD, you can go back through our history and they would tell you, “T-Boz is sick, T-Boz has ruined another tour.” It’s not a cure, but since being on it, I don’t get sick as often. I’m way stronger and when I do get sick it’s not as bad or for as long. On this last tour, I broke my rib and I was able to still perform with a broken rib. A long time ago that would have sent me into a sickle cell crisis.

Because I was on CBD, I was able to go to the hospital for one day, get fluids for the pain and some lidocaine patches and take some CBD cream, bomb and tincture, and I made it through. I didn’t ruin the tour. This is the third tour I’ve been on that I haven’t gotten sick or had to cancel.

Allison Kugel: Knock on wood, that’s awesome. How did you figure out that CBD could ease your symptoms?

Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins: The medicines that the doctors give you keep you in a weakened state. If you’re weak, it’s easier to get sick because the sickle cell attacks the weakest part of your body. If you stay weak, you’re going to stay sick, so I was sick every three months and going into hospitals. Someone suggested CBD and I tried it. At first, I didn’t feel any different. Then I started noticing that I was feeling stronger. I wasn’t getting as sick as often, and I don’t even have a good working spleen. Your spleen is what helps you fight off colds and diseases. I lost my spleen, but I grew two accessory spleens which is totally crazy. I didn’t know you can grow an organ back.

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January 23 – January 29, 2020

9

EAT WITH STYLE A Classic, Slow-Cooked Meal

By Culinary.net/Family Features

hether you’re looking for a family meal or a dish to feed a different W type of crowd, taking advantage of

kitchen tools like your slow cooker can help take the effort out of preparation.

Flavored using cranberries and oranges, this Cranberry-Orange Pork Loin is a classic dish that’s perfect for entertaining any type of group.

Find more recipes at Culinary.net.

Cranberry-Orange Pork Loin 1 tablespoon oil 1 pork loin (4 pounds), tied at 1-inch intervals 14 ounces cranberry sauce 1 cup dried cranberries 3/4 cup orange juice 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon 3 strips orange zest salt, to taste pepper, to taste In skillet over medium heat, heat oil.

Sear pork loin on all sides.

In slow cooker, stir cranberry sauce, dried cranberries, orange juice, cinnamon and orange zest until combined.

Set pork loin in middle of sauce mixture and drizzle sauce over meat.

Cover and cook on low 4 hours, or

until meat reaches 140-145 F. Transfer pork to cutting board. Remove twine.

Strain cranberries from slow cooker; set aside. Pour strained liquid into skillet. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Simmer 7-8 minutes.

Spoon cranberries and sauce over pork loin.

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Cranberry-Orange Pork Loin

Socioeconomic Factors Increasing Cervical Cancer Rates for Some in the U.S. Despite Downward Nationwide Trends AmeriHealth Caritas Shares Advice to Help Women Prevent Cervical Cancer

G

et the HPV vaccine. Girls should get the vaccine beginning at age 11 or 12. Some women up to 45 who did not get the shots at a younger age may still benefit from getting them now.

Talk to your health care provider about options and with your health plan to be certain the vaccine will be covered.

1. Be sure children get the HPV vaccine. A new CDC report that looked at 2017-2018 data indicates there has been no recent increase in HPV vaccination rates for adolescent girls despite clinical recommendations to get them. “Calling it the cancer prevention vaccine removes some of the stigma surrounding giving children shots to prevent an STD,” said Dr. Wise.

2. Encourage women to get a physical visit every year. Make an appointment with your doctor, keep it, and bring questions to ask.

3. Ask the provider if any special instructions are needed before getting a cervical screening test. A variety of factors may cause an inaccurate result.

4. Ask if it is time for a Pap test and/or HPV test and have the tests done after consulting with a provider. These tests can help find cervical cells that are infected with HPV or have other abnormal-

10

ities before they turn into cervical cancer.

5. If either test shows any abnormalities, consult with a physician to discuss a plan moving forward.

January 23 – January 29, 2020

Sources Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - cdc.gov American Cancer Society – cancer.org

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Washington Post – washingtonpost. com HealthFinder.gov

LIFESTYLE

Top 5 Signs You Need a Personal Renewal

By Dr. Kimberly McLeod, Feature Writer

W

elp. The scale is not a liar.

When did your clothes stop fitting? Where did that extra weight come from? Why won’t it just go away? Stress eating, binge eating, pot luck eating, snack eating, fancy eating, just eating up any and everything. You’re not even hungry. You’re just eating to be eating. You need a new start.

walk, brisk walk it really doesn’t matter.

Just move your body. All of that negative energy your body is storing needs to be released. Release it – physically. Take a walk.

While walking think about whatever is causing you pain and walk harder.

Keep pressing all of that negative energy out, until you can think about it and you aren’t sick in the stomach.

Exercise has been flipping the remote control. You know better, but you just don’t have the will to do better.

You know exactly what you need to do.

You know the perfect time in your busy schedule to get it done. You just don’t do it because you need a break. You don’t just need a break you need a revival.

You take off work for your “mental health day” and it just doesn’t do it for you anymore. You don’t get recharged, you actually get more tired and more reluctant to go back and get into the swing of things. You took a day off, but what you really want is an escape.

Anxiety steals your smiles. You try to enjoy the simple things in life and even that is short lived. Your body feels lost, even while you are following the

exact same daily routine. You’re moving through life, but joy, peace and growth are not moving with you.

Effort towards almost anything seems unlikely to happen. Not today at least; and tomorrow isn’t looking so good either.

If you’ve felt any or all of these in your right now life, its time for a right now renewal. You are in the great be-

Dr. Kimberly McLeod yond and you need to move to the right now. Nothing you are experiencing is uncommon to humanity. Nothing. I love it when people say “Don’t worry, this too shall pass.” Indeed it will. Your friends that tell you that, are absolutely right; but while it is passing you need to survive the storm. Survive the storm with your personal renewal. Three tips to get you started.

Walk it off. Take a long walk, short

When your negative energy escapes.

Let it go. Let it all go. Replace that with the first step you are going to take to move life forward. Don’t plan all the steps, just the first one. Then take it. The next steps will follow.

Dr. Kimberly McLeod is a 25-year education professional, motivational speaker and an expert consultant in the field of cultural responsiveness.

To read and engage with her more, visit www.CreativeEnergy.co. Connect with Dr. McLeod on Twitter @mcleodkr, FB/drkmcleod, Linkedin/KimberlyMcLeod or email DrKMcLeod@ gmail.com. Share this story online at www.stylemagazine.com.

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January 23 – January 29, 2020

11

BOOK

“Delivered by Midwives: African American Midwifery in the Twentieth-Century South” by Jenny M. Luke c.2018, University Press of Mississippi $30.00 / higher in Canada 193 pages

By Terri Schlichenmeyer, Book Reviewer

T

he mailman’s come and gone for today.

He never brings you much anymore anyhow, just a few bills and a card sometimes; now and then, you might get a box of something you purchased and that’s always fun. You know, though, that the mailman doesn’t always bring you what you ordered. As in “Delivered by

12

Midwives” by Jenny M. Luke, someone else brings a different kind of package.

At the turn of the last century, if you were an African American woman and you were pregnant, you might have struggled with more than just labor: white doctors simply didn’t have to treat Black patients if they didn’t want to. Because of this, “many African American women in the Jim Crow South had no expectation of medical care for pregnancy and childbirth.”

And so, as did their foremothers when they were slaves, laboring women relied on “granny midwives” to “catch” their babies. Doing so was a natural conclusion, says Luke, since both men and women in early Black communities were “authorized to be healers,” which was “a power that the white medical establishment could not undermine.”

What the white establishment could do, however, was to point out the high rate of maternal and infant death in Black communities. Because of this, laws were made in the 1920s to regulate midwives of all races. Classes on hygiene and cleanliness were taught to help improve the health of the most poverty-stricken mothers and their families, and joining a “midwife club” was mandatory.

As World War II began, however, so did the perception that not calling a doctor for a baby’s birth indicated “an

January 23 – January 29, 2020

indifferent negligence toward” the child.

Black mothers still reached out to midwives but it was increasingly becoming “a marker of status” and more “’scientific’” to have a hospital birth. By 1970, and though racism persisted and “hospital care and medical expertise were… not expectations of African Americans...” nine out of ten Black women delivered their babies in hospitals.

The tide is turning back again, says author Jenny M. Luke, but there are issues – specifically, educational requirements for professional midwives have become steeper, which can lead to questions of affordability. Still, in “Delivered by Midwives,” she shows a continued need for midwives, especially in poorer communities – though getting to that point here can sometimes feel a lot like labor.

Luke moves her history at a good pace before repetition forces everything to slow down, then it speeds up again, so things move quickly inside this book – and then they don’t. We’re treated to painful, wincing tales of past midwives and what their patients endured, and those things might make you scream before you hurry-up-and-wait for relevant-but-scholarly information that slows the process down. It ends in a somewhat-frazzling, acronym-laden whoosh.

That doesn’t make this a bad book – it makes this informative and interest-

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ing, good for students and prospective midwives, but not a curl-up-by-the-fire something to read. Still, if it’s the kind of medical, African American, or feminist history you’re looking for, “Delivered by Midwife” is the total package.

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SPORTS

The Stars At Night Are Big And Bright Houston Athletes Shine at the Third Annual Houston Sports Awards

By Brian Barefield, Sports Editor

Also, in attendance was Houston Texans linebacker, Whitney Mercilus who won the Sportsmanship award. Mercilus was extremely proud to win the award on behalf of his work with his foundation, “Mercilus Withme” who serves children with disabilities.

Award Winners:

O

n a cold and breezy night, some of Houston’s elite came out to heat up the red carpet as the third annual Houston Sports Awards were held in downtown Houston. Many great athletes such as Oilers legend Warren Moon, Olympic Gold medalist Simone Biles, University of Texas legend Vince Young and many others were in attendance. Also attending the event were Houston’s rap royalty Bun-B, Slim Thug, and Paul Wall.

HSA dubbed this year’s ceremony as the “Golden Era” in honor of Track and Field icon Carl Lewis, Gymnast Mary Lou Retton and former Rockets head coach Rudy Tomjanovich who led the

team to back-to-back NBA titles. All three were inducted into the Houston Sports Hall of Fame.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones made the trip up 45 South to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to the late Texans owner, Bob McNair. Cal McNair accepted the award for the family.

“I’ve cried two times in Houston,” said Jones. “Bob caused them both. I cried the night his beloved Houston Texans strapped it on the Dallas Cowboys butt in 2002 and. of course. at his memorial.”

Houston Astros owner Jim Crane won the Executive of the Year award and was in a very upbeat mood despite some of

the recent adversity that has plagued his Astros team. A couple a weeks ago Major League Baseball handed down suspensions, fines, and loss of draft picks from a 2017 sign-stealing scandal that eventually cost general manager Jeff Lunhow and manager A.J. Hinch their jobs. Crane spoke with the media on Tuesday to address some of the recent interviews given by a couple of players at the Fan Fest event held at Minute Maid Park this past Saturday.

“A couple of guys that have been interviewed, they’ve been holding back a little,” said Crane. “We need to get them a little more time to get together in spring training.”

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Athlete of the Year Alex Bregman – Houston Astros College Athlete of the Year Jalen Hurts – University of Alabama Coach of the Year Kelvin Sampson University of Houston High School Athlete of the Year Matthew Boling Strake Jesuit College Prep Moment of the Year Jose Altuve’s walk-off homerun Game 6 of the American League Championship “I’m very, very lucky to have the best teammates in the world,” Altuve said in his acceptance speech. “That means a lot to me.”

January 23 – January 29, 2020

13

2020

CSTEM AND VERIZON C-STEM HEADQUARTER OFFICE

CSTEM AND VERIZON CHECK PRESENTATION

C

PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMIR PINK

2020

-STEM Teacher and Student Support Services and Verizon made a big announcement about their community program partnership program, C-STEM Keys. The program is part of the feeder pattern initiative that has been designed to create a more sustainable culture of high-quality STEM learning on PreK-12th grade campuses serving minority, low-income and female students. Verizon has joined forces with C-STEM to help build programming focused on digital literacy, technology workforce development and STEM education to prepare more people for meaningful careers in our digitized workforce. Verizon further supported the partnership with a $100,000.00 donation to C-STEM. The money will provide scholarships to two feeder patterns (six schools) to participate in the C-STEM Challenge Program. Some in attendance were Dr. Reagan Flowers, Lucy Bremond, Carl Davis, Everett A. Hare, Sr., Lalou Davies, Aswad Walker, Ken Rodgers, Dolores Rodgers, Cliff Lee, and Krista Bourne.

3RD HOUSTON SPORTS AWARD HILTON AMERICAS-HOUSTON

3RD HOUSTON SPORTS AWARD

A

PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRANCIS PAGE, JR.

thletes walked the red carpet at the 3rd Annual Houston Sports Awards presented by Insperity and created by the Harris County – Houston Sports Authority. The affair celebrated individuals of the Houston Sports Community including Hall of Famers Carl Lewis, Mary Lou Retton and Rudy Tomjanovich; Insperity Inspiration Award honoree Peter Berry; Sportsmanship Award winner Texans linebacker Whitney Mercilus; Executive of the Year Astros owner Jim Crane; Coach of the Year Kelvin Sampson; Athlete of the Year Alex Bregman; College Athlete of the Year Jalen Hurts; High School Athlete of the Year Matthew Boling; and Moment of the Year Jose Altuve’s walk-off home run in Game 6 to clinch the American League Championship. Others in attendance Mayor Sylvester Turner, Judge Lina Hidalgo, Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Harris County DA Kim Ogg, Congressman Al Green, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Cindy Clifford, JJ Watt, Ronald Green, Mary Benton, Pastor Byron C. Stevenson, and Lorenza Butler.

14

January 23 – January 29, 2020

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2020

FIGHT TO VOTE SCREENING FIRST UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF HOUSTON

FIGHT TO VOTE SCREENING

B

PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMIR PINK

2020

rave New Films, in partnership with local organizations including ACLU Texas, Swing Left Texas, Texas Civil Rights Project, Mi Familia Vota, CAIR Houston, Project Row Houses, NCJW, Texas Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry, and more hosted a screening of the newly released documentary Suppressed: The Fight to Vote.

The film by Robert Greenwald weaves together personal stories from voters across the state of Georgia to paint an undeniable picture of voter suppression in the 2018 midterm election. The film comes out as the Texas Democratic Party filed a federal lawsuit challenging voter registration requirements that ban applications with electronic signatures making it clear that voting rights issues are relevant not just in Georgia (where the film takes place) but in Texas too. Brave New Films is working to hold 2,020 screenings of the film by the 2020 election. After the film, Stacey Abrams’ former Field Director, Delilah Agho-Otoghile, gave a brief statement about her experience working with the Abrams campaign and the importance of addressing voter suppression throughout the country in the lead up to the 2020 election.

GHFC’S 32ND MLK JR. BREAKFAST HILTON AMERICAS-HOUSTON

GHFC’S 32ND MLK JR. BREAKFAST

G

PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRANCIS PAGE, JR.

reater Houston Frontiers Club continued their legacy of remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by hosting the 32nd Annual MLK Memorial Scholarship Breakfast. With the theme “Challenging the Present to Live the Dream,” keynote speaker Dr. George Fraser gave insights about his institution FraserNet and his experience working as a servant to many. Dr. Joseph Gathe, MD was named Drum Major. Proceeds from the event will benefit scholarships to area high school seniors. Some in attendance were GHFC President Donnell Cooper, MLK Event Chair Lorenza Butler, Jr., MLK Eve

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January 23 – January 29, 2020

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