Volume 25 Issue 3

February 9, 2020

DALLAS-FORT WORTH-SAN ANTONIO-AUSTIN African-American News&Issues

Vol. 25, Issue 3 TEXAS NATIVE

MAHOMES TAKES THE WIN

KOBE BRYANT

“Addressing Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community”

CALABASAS, CA – The Earth seemingly stopped rotating on the morning of Jan. 26 as we all learned that retired LA Lakers star, Kobe Bryant, was killed in a helicopter crash. And as updates started to pour in that his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna aka “GiGi,” perished alongside her dad, hearts broke for the Bryant family and the families of the seven other people who were also killed.

It was a day many of us will never forget.

Bryant, 41, and eight others were traveling on his private helicopter, a Sikorsky S-76, to a basketball tournament at Mamba Academy, a school in Thousand Oaks Bryant co-founded.

Authorities confirmed the weather that morning – thick with fog -- was not ideal for flying. The Los Angeles Police Department said the visibility was so poor, it decided to ground its fleet of helicopters.

Life Cut Short

Bryant’s pilot, Ara Zobayan, had more than 20 years of flight experience and expert knowledge of flying in inclement weather, but sometime after the last contact with air traffic controllers at 9:45 a.m., the aircraft slammed into a hillside at 1,085 feet, killing everyone on board.

Among the dead were John Altobelli, a University of Houston graduate and current head coach of the Orange Coast College Pirates, his wife, Keri, and youngest daughter, Alyssa.

Payton Chester, 13; her mother, Sarah, and Christina Glauser, the Mamba’s coach, also died.

Federal officials are not expected to determine the exact cause of the accident for months.

A TRUE LEGEND. Bryant was born in Philadelphia, Pa. He is the youngest of three children and the only son of former NBA player Joe Bryant and Pamela Cox Bryant.

The “Black Mamba,” as he is called, earned national recognition during a spectacular high school career at Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, Pa. Bryant received several awards for his outstanding performance during his senior year including, Naismith High School Player of the Year, Gatorade Men’s National Basketball Player of the Year, a McDonald’s All-American, first-team Parade All-American and a USA Today All-USA First

Kobe Bryant 1978-2020

COVER CONT’D ON PAGE 2

Photo courtesy of CNN Sports

MIAMI GARDENS, FL. — The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 31-20 in Super Bowl LIV, making Patrick Mahomes the third Black quarterback to win the Lombardi Trophy.

At 24-years-old, Mahomes has set more than a few records. In addition to being the first quarterback from a Texas college to win a Super Bowl, he is now the second-youngest quarterback to ever win a Super Bowl and the youngest player to ever win a Super Bowl and also an NFL AP MVP award.

Mahomes joins two other black quarterbacks, Seattle Seahawks’ Russell Wilson and former Washington Redskin Doug Williams, in the prestigious club.

Wilson won the championship in 2014, beating Peyton Manning’s Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII, and Williams led the Redskins to victory over the Broncos to win the trophy in 1988 in Super Bowl XXII. In securing the franchise’s second Super Bowl title and first in 50 years, the Chiefs rebounded from at least 10 points to win each of their three playoff games, something no NFL team ever had done.

Before advancing to Miami, Kansas City overcame a 24-0 deficit in the divisional round to the Houston Texans, and a 10-0 hole in the AFC championship game against the Tennessee Titans.

Down 20-10, Kansas City took over at its 17-yard line with 8:53 to go in the fourth. Mahomes drove the offense 83 yards down the field in 10 plays and hit tight end Travis Kelce for a one-yard touchdown with just more than six minutes left, only down 20-17.

After the Chiefs’ defense forced a three and out, Mahomes led his team downfield again on a 65-yard drive that ended with a pass to running back Damien Williams for a five-yard touchdown and with a 24-20 lead with 2:44 left in the game.

Williams scored a 38-yard touchdown run to seal the deal for Kansas City for a 31-20 lead with a little over a minute left to go, after the Chiefs’ defense defused the 49ers’ last drive of the game by sacking San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo on fourth down to get the ball back.

Mahomes finished 26 for 42 for 286 yards, 29 yards in nine carries, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

- HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH FROM AFRICAN-AMERICAN NEWS&ISSUES WRITERS AND STAFF -

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NATIONAL HEADLINE KOBE BRYANT CONT’D FROM COVER

Kobe Bryant 1978-2020

Bryant was selected 13th overall in the NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets but was traded to the Lakers where he spent his entire 20-year basketball career.

Bryant is a 5-time NBA Champion, 2-time NBA Finals MVP, NBA Most Valuable Player, 2-time scoring champion, 18-time NBA All-Star, 4-time NBA All-Star MVP, 15-time All-NBA team, 12-time All-Defensive team, and 2-time Best ESPY NBA Player Award.

Bryant also became the first basketball player to win an NBA title and an Academy Award.

THE ‘DOTING DAD’ IN HIS ‘SECOND ACT’ OF LIFE. No matter how you felt about Bryant’s on-the-court demeanor, it was indisputable that he was one heck of a father. The ‘doting dad” was the proud father of four girls; Gianna, Natalia, Bianca, and newborn Capri, whom he shared with his loving wife, Vanessa.

It was the special relationship he shared with his “chip off the old block” GiGi that had recently captured headlines before their untimely deaths.

GiGi was a basketball enthusiast and was being groomed by her dad, and had impressive moves for a girl her age. Basketball was embedded in her DNA and many speculated she was well on her way to play in the WNBA when she got older.

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Viral videos spread with GiGi blocking and scoring on her dad, in addition to a multitude of photos of the two of them at arenas enjoying basketball games together. “The Black Mamba” proudly named GiGi his “Mambacita.”

President Barack Obama tweeted, “Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act. To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents. Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day.”

Hollywood Reacts DEATH OF KOBE BRYANT “To be honest with you, we’re all feeling crazy sadness right now.

Because…Los Angeles, America and the whole wide world lost a hero.

We’re literally standing here heartbroken in the house that Kobe Bryant built.”

– Alicia Keys

Photo courtesy of AFRAMNEWS

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FEBRUARY 9, 2020

A FAMILY MAN. The beloved athlete was a loving husband and doting father of four girls. He regularly attended games courtside with his family. Bryant’s family included his wife of nineteen years Vanessa and their four daughters: Natalia (b. 2003), Gianna (b. 2006, Bianka (b. 2013) and Capri (b. 2019).

Bryant was soaring in his post-basketball life.

In addition to coaching his daughter’s team, he won an Oscar as a producer, launched a media company and wrote several books.

His first book was a basketball memoir called “The Mamba Mentality: How I Play,” which entered the USA TODAY Best-Selling Books list at No. 8 and ranked in the top 150 for eight weeks.

He also recently started a Young Adult book series, called “The Wizenard Series,” in collaboration with author Wesley King.

“I was fortunate to retire from the game and find something I love to do and that is the art of storytelling. There is nothing like having a blank page and outlining a story, a world, a character,” Bryant told Forbes. “What is it going to look like, how does that come together? There is nothing more fun to me than doing this.”

“Still doesn’t feel real.

Still can’t find the right words. We miss you man!”

– Rihanna

“This honestly doesn’t make sense...I just saw you man. This hurts my heart. God please place your hands on his family and help guide them [through] this unbearable time. We love you forever man...Legends never die!!!!”

– Kevin Hart

“Kobe, We love you brother. We’re praying for your family and appreciate the life you’ve lived and all the inspiration you gave.”

– Kanye West

“We lost a King. 824.”

– Lil Wayne

“It can’t be.”

– Drake

“DEVASTATED” – Chris Brown

“RIP Kobe, hero to many including my grandson, extraordinary athlete and always kind to me & my family.”

– Whoopi Goldberg

“Life is so fragile. This is the kind of loss that makes you deeply reflective. My prayers to Vanessa, her children and all of those who love Kobe and Gigi.”

– Jada Pinkett Smith

“Jesus this is heartbreaking,” – Jimmy Kimmel

DALLAS-FORT WORTH-SAN ANTONIO-AUSTIN

FEBRUARY 9, 2020

MIKE GETS IT.

MIKE GETS IT DONE.

THE ENDURING LEGACY OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION CONTINUES TO STAND IN THE WAY OF CREATING WEALTH IN BLACK COMMUNITIES.

CHILDREN WITH A GOOD EDUCATION ARE MORE LIKELY TO ACHIEVE THE AMERICAN DREAM.

KEEPING KIDS OUT OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS THE KEY TO A BRIGHT FUTURE.

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FEBRUARY 9, 2020

TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT ACCUSED

UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT SPEAKS

HOUSTON — A decision has been made. Despite overwhelming support from the community and alumni, the Texas Southern University Board of Regents has fired President Austin Lane. Lane is now speaking out, vowing to clear his name.

The ousted president held a press conference at the Ensemble Theatre Thursday, calling the board’s actions a “calculated witch hunt.”

“When you haven’t done anything wrong it is easy to be able to talk, it is easy being able to converse,” Lane said to a packed audience.

Lane was placed on administrative leave with pay on Jan. 10, but after a special session held Tuesday, which carried on for more than five hours, a 6-1 vote determined his fate. He would no longer serve at the helm at one of the nation’s largest Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). Chief Financial Officer Kenneth Huewitt was named interim president.

News of the controversy between Lane, his assistant Wendell Williams (also terminated) and the BOR had the community in shock, especially since there was not much information released to the public. While the BOR remained vague for Lane’s paid leave decision, African-American News&Issues obtained documents that gave more of an indication of what the allegations were. We published those findings on Jan. 19.

Those documents outlined a series of allegations which include Lane failing to inform the board about alleged fraud involving the law school, concealing unauthorized expenses, improper awarding of scholarships, and other offenses that could potentially harm the reputation of the university.

Lane said he carefully combed through eight pages of documents and countered every point they outlined.

“We are tired of them talking behind the scenes in a closed session. Bring out

whatever you have,” he challenged. “I am going to try to lead you in the direction of where you can find out where this game is being played.”

Lane said he committed no offenses and had no knowledge of any whistleblower.

“That information was never revealed to me so there was no way we could have knowingly violated any discipline and termination policies despite their claims that my staff and I interfered with their investigation. There is no proof to substantiate their claim against me,” Lane stressed.

The BOR released a statement which read, in part: “An investigation conducted by the University’s internal auditor, third-party investigators, and board counsel concluded that Dr. Lane failed to appropriately act on or inform the Board about allegations of fraud committed by the former law school official, including evidence of a student payment for admission to the school. These and other actions had the effect of concealing such fraud. The investigation also found attempts to conceal excessive entertainment expenses through a process inconsistent with Dr. Lane’s contract that would have prevented Board scrutiny of such expenses.

It also found that Dr. Lane and his assistant attempted to direct another former law school official to misrepresent a report to a national law school accreditation review board. The Board took additional steps to confirm its findings utilizing three separate law firms to assist with the process.”

Lane disputed the allegations of excessive entertainment expenses, which were paid through the TSU Foundation.

“The foundation has not accused me of that and they are a 501C3 entity separate from the university and have its board. The foundation board chair is in full disagreement with the Board of Regent’s claim against me and complied with all their request during the investigation. All administrators at TSU, including myself, know that you can’t be reimbursed for entertainment expenses with state dollars,” Lane explained.

He expressed regret that the negative publicity is harming the university.

“Texas Southern is on fire, so let’s separate what is happening with the board and what is happening with our graduates,” Lane said. “Texas Southern is doing very well and you have seen and witnessed that over the last three years since I have been here. This is the worst time to have something like this.”

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