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NNPA PRESIDENT BENJAMIN CHAVIS PROJECTS FUTURE OF BLACK PRESS P8 defendernetwork.com
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Volume 84 | Number 5
JANUARY 8, 2015 |FREE
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ENTERTAINMENT
Terrence Howard & Taraji P. Henson
RUSSELL SIMMONS discusses Black lives
P4 PRO SPORTS COREY BREWER acquired by Rockets
P10 HS ZONE TREN’DAVIAN DICKSON scores for Navasota
‘EMPIRE’ DEBUTS
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Deric Muhammad
Local legislators
Activist Deric Muhamad and other concerned Houstonians continue to call for justice in last year’s off-duty police killing of Jordan Baker, an unarmed Black man. See why protesters won’t back down. Discover how citizens can make their voices heard.
The 84th Legislative Session begins Jan. 13 in Austin, and Houstonarea lawmakers are gearing up for what lies ahead. See what issues will get the most attention. Find out what to expect from conservative Republicans. Learn about legislators’ key concerns.
seeks justice
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TOP EVENTS
list challenges
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Carolyn Scantlebury at her retirement party with Deborah Moore
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DEFENDER | JANUARY 8 | 2015
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unity members ed other comm in jo ad m am mad Deric Muh sy Jesse Muham Photos courte
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Janet Baker, Jordan Baker’s
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Protesters seek justice in Baker case
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By LAGLORIA WHEATFALL Defender
ouston community members continue to rally for justice in the police killing of 26-year-old Jordan Baker. The demonstrations are a result of a grand jury’s recent decision not to indict HPD officer Juventino Castro for killing Baker last January. Castro was working security at a Northside strip mall when he said he stopped Baker to question him. The two got into a scuffle and Castro said he fired once when he thought Baker was pulling something from his waistband. It turned out that Baker was unarmed. The most recent protest led by community leaders and activists in support of the Baker family was held in front of City Hall. Supporters marched and held signs that read “H-Town-4Mike Brown” while chanting, “Justice for Jordan Baker.” Deric Muhammad and leaders from the Black United Front organized the protest. “The slogan that ‘Black Lives Matter’ is reverberating throughout the country and throughout the world right now,” Muhammad said. “I believe what Black people want first is the respect, the dignity and the proper attention and resources paid to our issues that are paid to issues on the other side of town.” Muhammad said that justice is the ultimate outcome that the Black community would like to see. “Yes, we want there to be systemic change in the culture of police departments, we want change in the grand jury system, which is one of the most antiquate systems in the country, and we want other things like body cameras and grand jury diversity. “But I want to make it very clear, all of these things we want are fine, but there is no substitute for justice,” he said. Protestors also had an opportunity to address Mayor
What should the Black community do?
Jordan Baker, an unarmed Black man, was shot and killed by an off-duty police officer in 2014.
Annise Parker and City Councilmembers. “I challenged the mayor and the entire City Council to go and meet with their paid staff and I challenged them to find for me any city or county that had a bigger police brutality and police murder problem than Houston and Harris County,” Muhammad said. “I don’t think that they will be able to find one.” Muhammad said because of the high number of area police shootings community members must take a stand. “Houston, Texas is worse than Ferguson, Missouri and New York City,” he said. “Over the past 10 years there have been nearly 300 police shootings and there have been zero indictments. “Barack Obama once said something that stuck with me. He said as long as you stand for justice, you’ll find yourself on the right side of history,” Muhammad said.
Local activist Deric Muhammad offered insight in his own words on what Black community members can do to let their voices be heard. 1. We should focus on putting aside all of our differences and creating a united front as a people, like has never been seen before in this country. I believe that 90 percent of our problems across the board can be solved if we would only unify. We can’t move if we don’t come together as a people. 2. The Black community should lift its voice against police brutality, against the lack of accountability for police officers, and we should lift our voice to bring systemic change to those elements of the criminal justice system that fill the jails with Black men and women and at the same time empty schools. 3. We should teach our young boys and girls how they should conduct themselves so that they may survive encounters with law enforcement. 4. We should be focused like never before on spending our Black dollars with Black businesses and entrepreneurs and Black establishments so that we can create an economy in our community. 5. We need to become more self-aware. We need to invest money not in name brands but in books that teach us our history, the knowledge of ourselves, and that teach us who we are in terms of our identity. The more we are aware of our true identity, the less we try to identify with other things that are beneath us. We need to try to reclaim the knowledge that was taken from us during slavery.
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JANUARY 8 | 2015 | DEFENDER
national
U.S.briefs FORMER U.S. SEN. EDWARD BROOKE is remembered as a political pioneer who influenced major anti-poverty laws. Brooke, who in 1966 became the first African-American popularly elected to the U.S. Senate, died Jan. 3. He was 95. Brooke, a liberal Republican, served as Massachusetts senator 12 years, and was the state’s attorney general from 1963 to 1967. In the Senate, Brooke served on the powerful Appropriations Committee and became the ranking Republican on the Banking Committee. Brooke co-sponsored the Fair Housing Act of 1968, which prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion or ethnicity. Survivors include his wife Anne, three children, one stepdaughter and four grandchildren…….. THE MOTHER OF TAMIR RICE recently spoke out for the first time after her son was shot and killed by a Cleveland police officer last November. Samaria Rice said she simply wants justice for her son, who was carrying a toy gun when Officer Timothy Loehmann shot him on a playground. Rice made the remarks after the city of Cleveland announced it handed over the investigation to the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s office, which will forward its findings to the county prosecutor’s office for possible criminal charges. “It doesn’t matter if it’s the sheriff or the prosecutor. What our family is worried about is that they’re going to be held accountable for our son’s murder,” Rice said……..A CHINA-HBCU EXCHANGE PROGRAM has been launched in an effort to develop the next generation of global leaders. The Thurgood Marshall College Fund joined Perfect World online game company, the China Education Association for International Exchange and domestic groups focused on building ties between the United States and China to embark on the new student exchange program. It will offer students and mid-career professionals the opportunity to travel across China, strengthening business and personal networks and sharing cross-cultural experiences with their peers.
VOLUME 84 • NUMBER 5 JANUARY 8, 2015
Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Advertising/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Online Editor ReShonda Billingsley Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila
Print Editor Marilyn Marshall
Multimedia Coordinator LaGloria Wheatfall Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison
The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (713-663-6996.. The Defender is audited by Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For subscription, send $60-1 year to: Defender, P.O. Box 8005, Houston TX 77288. Payment must accompany subscription request. All material covered by 2012 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).
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Obamacare most beneficial when Medicaid expanded NNPA News Service
As families prepare to choose health insurance coverage during the open enrollment period, a recent report by the Urban Institute shows that Blacks have the most to gain from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA, also known as Obamacare) if the states they live in expand Medicaid under the law. The Urban Institute, a nonprofit research group focused on social and economic policy, estimated that Blacks will experience, “the largest decreases in uninsurance rates under full Medicaid expansion: a drop from 11.3 percent to 7.2 percent” and the uninsurance rate gap between Blacks and whites will fall from 6.5 percent under current Medicaid expansion to 2.6 percent with full expansion. However, the gap between Black and white uninsurance rates will remain closer to 7 percent, at least for the near future, because most Blacks live in states that have refused to expand Medicaid under the ACA. Texas is among those states. The original law, passed in 2010, mandated Medicaid expansion nationwide, but a 2012 Supreme Court decision reversed that provision, leaving it to the states to decide whether they want to take additional Medicaid funding. As of December 2014, 27 states and the District of Columbia had expanded Medicaid or planned to expand by January 2015.
The Urban Institute projected that Blacks would comprise 12.8 percent of all coverage gains under current Medicaid expansion policies and 2.9 million Blacks would get health insurance. The uninsurance rate for Blacks would fall from 19.6 percent to 11.3 percent. When states refused to expand Medicaid, the move trapped Blacks in a “coverage gap,” because many of them don’t meet the income-based requirements to qualify for Medicaid under their own state rules or to receive subsidies through the ACA marketplace. About 1.4 million Blacks fall into this category, accounting for more than 23 percent of the uninsured non-elderly adult Blacks. For example, in Florida, Georgia, Texas and North Carolina, the uninsured rates for Blacks would plummet roughly 30 percent compared to current rates, if those states expanded Medicaid coverage under the ACA.
Civil rights groups count on accurate census NNPA News Service
The 2020 census is still more than five years away, but as the U.S. Census Bureau prepares for the crucial count of American households, civil rights groups are weighing in and offering recommendations to improve the accuracy of the process. Wade Henderson, president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a coalition of more than 200 civil rights groups, said that the 2020 census may seem distant, but the census bureau is in the process of making critical decisions about the design, methodology, and content that will have a dramatic
impact on the accuracy of the count in minority communities. “The census is the most powerful tool that diverse communities have to secure equal access to the benefits of American life,” Henderson said. “If your community needs a bus stop, hospital bed, polling place, or school, or wants to be adequately represented at all levels of government, it will be at a severe disadvantage if it wasn’t accurately counted by the census.” Terri Ann Lowenthal, author of a Leadership Conference census report, said that race and ethnicity data are essential, irreplaceable tools for administering anti-discrimination laws across all institutional sectors.
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DEFENDER |JANUARY 8 | 2014 defendernetwork.com
entertainment
Russell Simmons
Hip hop pioneer discusses Black lives
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By KAM WILLIAMS Special to the Defender
ussell Simmons has been active in the Black Lives Matter movement, and not merely as a participant on the picket lines. Whether extracting a promise from New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to appoint special prosecutors in cases of police brutality, or defending Bill de Blasio after NYPD President Pat Lynch suggested the New York City mayor has “blood on his hands,” Simmons has been an outspoken advocate lobbying for an overhaul of how the criminal justice system handles the prosecution of officers accused of police brutality. Here, he discusses his activism. KW: How do you feel about the cowardly ambush assassination of NYPD officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos in their patrol car? RS: It breaks my heart that those two innocent police officers were killed. I am really very, very brokenhearted about it. But the best way to protect both the policemen and the community going forward is by creating a system that’s just, where everyone feels safe. Of course everyone feels terrible about what happened to the policemen, but it’s terrible what happened to Eric Garner, too. KW: Why do you spend so much time on the streets marching now and previously in the park with the Occupy Movement, when you have money? RS: Why not? Why can’t I occupy? Why can’t the rich help the poor? Why can’t I pay attention to systematic problems that disenfranchise my people? KW: What would you say is your most important goal?
RS: There’s one overriding issue, namely, that we live in a police state so long as the police get to police themselves. And that is why cops go unindicted. KW: Does it all boil down to whether or not Black lives matter?
RS: I don’t like to racialize it, but it is a question of whether Black lives matter. They do matter less. We know that from the news when one little white girl going missing in Brooklyn is considered more newsworthy than the 50 Black kids who got shot in Chicago the same weekend. So, yes Black lives matter less…I will not rest until that one flaw in the system is changed. KW: What happened in that meeting you and Jay-Z had with Governor Cuomo a couple of weeks ago? Afterward, you held a press conference saying that the governor had pledged to employ special prosecutors in the future, but he seemed to simply say that the system needs to be reformed. RS: Maybe I misunderstood him about an executive order, but he did promise to change the law. He said something to the effect of, “I promise you, I’m going to get a bill passed establishing a separate office and a separate prosecutor for the state that looks into police abuse.” KW: What needs to be done to reduce the tension between the rank-and-file police officers and the community? RS: It’s the job of the head of the police union to create a dialogue and a comfort level with the community. Mayor de Blasio’s doing his best to understand the dynamic and to work out a fair plan, but it’s like Lynch doesn’t want to give an inch. It’s in his power to determine whether a cop is indicted. If a local D.A. indicts a cop, he may as well kiss his a-- goodbye. That conflict of interest can’t exist anymore. If Lynch doesn’t change, then blood could be on his hands, because he has the power to support the appointment of special prosecutors, so that any inappropriate behavior and excessive force can be investigated in a reasonable way.
what’sup KEVIN HART is busy promoting his upcoming comedy film “The Wedding Ringer,” which hits theaters on Jan. 16. Hart portrays the owner of a company that provides attendants for bridegrooms. During one press junket, Hart responded to the Sony hacking scandal, in which leaked e-mails revealed a Sony executive called Hart a “whore” over money issues. Hart said the remarks didn’t bother him. “I don’t worry myself with the business. I’m an entertainer, I am a comedian. I get paid to make people laugh,” Hart said……..KEKE PALMER said an emotional farewell during her final performance in “Cinderella.” Palmer was the first
Black actress to portray Cinderella on Broadway’s Rodgers & Hammerstein’s musical, which ran for 136 shows. “I can honestly say I wasn’t sure if I could do it,” Palmer said. “Being 21, coming from only film and TV, I wasn’t sure I was disciplined enough for Broadway. I didn’t think I was old enough and I wasn’t sure if I was talented enough.” NeNe LEAKES portrayed Palmer’s evil stepmother, and said she was grateful for the “amazing” opportunity……..The foundation established by radio personality TOM JOYNER continues to make a difference for the nation’s HBCUs. The Tom Joyner Foundation is partnering with the
National Alumnae Association of Spelman College to help raise funds to support scholars attending the Atlanta institution, recognized as a global leader in educating women of African descent……..JILL SCOTT will be honored by Essence Magazine during its Women in Music Grammy Awards Week celebration on Feb. 5. “Jill Scott is the quintessential Essence woman,” said Vanessa DeLuca, Essence editor-in-chief. “Like many of the female artists who inspired her she has touched the collective soul of women across generations.” The Grammy Awards will be held on Feb. 8 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
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Howard, Henson star on TV drama ‘Empire’
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Terrence Howard is Lucious Lyon and Taraji P. Henson is Cookie Lyon in Fox’s new series “Empire.”
errence Howard and Taraji P. Henson are two of the stars of “Empire,” a new hip hop family drama airing Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on Fox. The show marks a reunion for Howard and Henson, who starred in the 2005 film “Hustle & Flow.” In “Empire,” Howard portrays Lucious Lyon, a former street thug who runs a successful music and entertainment company. He learns that he has a disease that is going to render him crippled and incapacitated in three years, and he must groom one of his three sons to take over his empire. His plans are thrown into chaos when his ex-wife, Cookie – portrayed Bryshere Gray (left) and Jussie Smollet play two brothers on “Empire.” by Henson –emerges seven years early from prison. Brash and fearless, she sees felt that I could have done this with my eyes closed on herself as the sacrificial lamb that built the empire with cable, but I knew that this would push me to the limit, Lucious and then took the fall for running the drugs that creatively. There was a bidding war going on and I chose financed his early career. Fox because I knew that they would probably let me go Actor Malik Yoba plays Lucious’ longtime friend as far as I could go…” and board chairman. Gabourey Sidibe plays his assistant The series features music by Timbaland, the Gramand Grace Gealey plays his girlfriend. His sons are pormy Award-winning rapper, producer and songwriter. trayed by Jussie Smollett, Bryshere Gray and Trai Byers. “I knew that we needed someone that was going to “Empire” is co-created and co-produced by director be able to have a strong voice, and my kids, who are 18, Lee Daniels of “The Butler” fame. Daniels said there was told me to call Timbaland,” Daniels said. “And I did, and a reason why he brought his first TV series to a broadcast I pitched him the idea, and he came up with some music network rather than cable. within the following 48 hours. It blew my mind and I “It was even more challenging,” Daniels said. “I learned about hip-hop through him.”
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DEFENDER | JANUARY 8 | 2015
84TH LEGISLATURE
TOP CHALLENGE T
to ensure dep “Unfor the nation in Ellis sa reliability of evidence in c Allen s “I belie penalties so is difficult to job. “[There Dutton the perspecti current gran nation.”
By MARILYN MARSHALL Defender
he new Texas legislative session convenes in Austin on Tuesday, Jan. 13 and runs through June 1. Legislation passed will have a profound impact on the state’s residents. The Defender asked Houston-area African-American legislators to list the top challenges the new session will address, and include the issues they will personally focus on in Austin. Here are the responses from State Sen. Rodney Ellis, and State Reps. Alma Allen, Garnet Coleman, Harold Dutton, Borris Miles, Ron Reynolds, Senfronia Thompson and Sylvester Turner.
Education
Six out of the eight legislators listed education as a priority of the new session. “The top challenge of the 2015 session will be to address Texas’ education system, particularly as it relates to the failure of our system to adequately address the education of Black males,” Dutton said. Allen, Reynolds, Thompson and Turner cited the state’s public school financing system, which was ruled unconstitutional by a state district judge last August. “Most important to me and many of my colleagues is ensuring that Texas is properly funding its public education system,” Turner said. “In the last session, we restored roughly $3.4 billion of the $5.4 billion in public education cuts made in 2011.” Allen said the system has been inadequately funded, “while the state continues to increase the accountability standards and the student population continues to grow. The legislature will have to make some difficult funding choices, either in the regular session, or in a subsequent special session.” Reynolds predicted that, “We will see the conservative legislature continue to make additional cuts and increase additional unnecessary accountability standards. There will also be a huge push for vouchers in the Texas Senate and among the very conservative members in the House. I am strongly opposed to vouchers,” Reynolds said. Thompson is also troubled by vouchers and other threats to education. “My main concern with this is converting our education system back to the ‘50s or ‘60s, especially since we have underfunded our state education system for a century.” Thompson said school finance will be a major challenge “because we honestly do not know how much it will take to properly fund our public schools and the current system is just inequitable.” Coleman added that Texas is falling behind in public and higher education. “Our students are being forced to go into debt to get a college degree,” Coleman said. “Republicans de-regulated tuition in 2003, and tuition has doubled since then. It’s like the state realized that it no longer had to pay for higher education and put students on the hook instead, and that’s just wrong. It’s a terrible disservice to young Texans and all but assures that they start behind the eight-ball when trying to get a job, buy a house, and start a family.”
Healthcare
Coleman, Ellis, Reynolds and Thompson support the expansion of Medicaid. “Texas has a historic opportunity to finally do something about its dismal health insurance numbers by expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act,” Ellis said. “Unfortunately, our state’s leadership simply chooses to say ‘no.’ As a result, about a million poor adults in Texas are left with no real health coverage option…Accepting the $100 billion in federal funding to address the gap of affordable healthcare options is just common sense.” Coleman agreed. “It makes financial sense for Texas to expand coverage to low-income and working people. I’m optimistic that the Legislature can reach some sort of deal that allows us to do so.” Reynold echoed his thoughts. “Last session Medicaid expansion was killed by Governor
Other iss
Perry and the conservatives in the legislature, but this issue is one that must be addressed this session to maximize federal funds and improve health care opportunities for our more vulnerable Texans,” Reynolds said. Thompson said, “By providing proper medical care to people we are able to provide preventative care. In the long run the cost of health care will be lower. We need to work on opening more health clinics within our neighborhoods to address the ongoing healthcare needs of our communities and provide much needed preventative measures like cancer screenings.”
Criminal justice
Ellis said Texas has made significant steps toward improving its criminal justice system in recent years, but still has a long way to go. “At the bare minimum, Texans deserve an accurate and reliable justice system – one with proper checks and balances and transparency to make sure all relevant facts come to light, evidence based on real science and best practices, and adequate procedural safeguards
Thomp systems mus “The d Thompson s pendent on t for the future to handle the Turner the state care and future av must also be Miles a “The m lican House. direction des Turner such issues a the sales tax Turner cealed handg “This c priority for s will be a crit ties.” Colema “Texas don’t typical is another. “Texas provide for t best public 5 Ellis sa including ba “Out of exemptions, working? It’ real reforms
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Legislators tell their priorities
ES
ependable verdicts,” Ellis said. rtunately, if we measure reliability and accuracy by verified mistakes, Texas leads n the shameful category of proven wrongful convictions.” aid solutions include requiring the recording of interrogations to improve the f confessions and establishing better scientific standards for what is accepted as courtrooms. said the criminal justice system has been harsh on low-level offenders. eve the conversation is shifting toward reforming sentencing, reducing criminal that the punishment truly fits the crime, and addressing a system that, by design, o get out of, through fees and licensing exclusions that make it difficult to find a e is a] need for a greater focus on rehabilitation,” Allen said. n said Texas’ criminal justice system is in need of overhaul, “particularly from tive of the relationship between people of color and law enforcement. Texas’ nd jury system is particularly troublesome given the recent events in our state and
State Rep. Alma Allen will focus on the “school-to-prison pipeline,” disproportionate discipline of minority students and transportation for the disabled.
State Rep. Garnet Coleman said his main focus will continue to be healthcare and working to help more Texans obtain health insurance.
State Rep. Harold Dutton said his priorities will be education, criminal justice and economic progress in areas such as affordable housing.
State Sen. Rodney Ellis wants an alternative pathway for students to obtain a baccalaureate degree and for Texas to meet specific workforce needs.
State Rep. Borris Miles will focus on education funding, healthcare, economic development and police brutality/civilian review boards.
State Rep. Ron Reynolds will focus on body cameras for police officers and the creation of single-member districts for Fort Bend ISD.
sues
pson said as the state continues to grow and expand, its roads and transportation st be able to support that growth. demand is high and we need to think long-range with our transportation needs,” said. “There needs to be a funding mechanism for transportation that is not dethe rainy day fund. The legislature will have to find a way to appropriately plan re transportation needs of the state because the current gas tax is just not enough e increasing needs of this state.” r said while he strongly supports businesses in the state, “We must ensure that efully balances its needs, to include its infrastructure and obligations with current vailable revenue. In other words, the state must be wise in its spending but it e wise to ensure it has enough revenue to ‘pay all the bills’ now and in the future. and Turner said the conservative make-up of the Legislature remains an obstacle. major challenge is being a double minority member in a super majority Repube. Republicans this session will be able to steer the legislative agenda in their spite our efforts to turn the tide,” Miles said. said the more conservative members of both Houses have expressed support for a reduction in the state budget, further cuts to business taxes and an increase in x to make up for the loss of revenue due to legislation to lower property taxes. and Reynolds said there is also conservative support for openly carrying condguns in public as well as on college campuses. controversial issue which has failed in the past couple of sessions will be a top several conservative members in the 84th session,” Reynolds said. “I think this tical public safety issue for our law enforcement, our citizens and our communi-
an said the economy is another challenge during the session. s leads the country in the number of minimum wage workers, and these jobs ally offer much in the way of benefits. Creating jobs is one thing, creating careers
s needs to do better at creating good jobs that allow people to start families and them. And if the state is going to have this many minimum wage jobs, then the 50 hours a week doesn’t have to live in poverty,” Coleman said. aid there is “an astounding lack of knowledge” when it comes to tax loopholes, asic information such as how many exist and their cost to the state. f fairness to taxpayers, the Texas Tax Code should undergo a review of all its , discounts, and special treatments to answer one simple question – are they ’s time for Texas to step forward, shine a bright light on the Tax Code, and make s to ensure taxpayer funds are protected and wisely invested,” Ellis said.
he Houston area for over 80 years
State Rep. Senfronia Thompson said her priorities will be criminal justice reform, predatory payday loan practices and human trafficking.
State Rep. Sylvester Turner will work to ensure proper education funding and wants surplus revenue used for underfunded state services.
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DEFENDER | JANUARY 8 | 2015
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Chavis envisions Black Press as mainstream U. S. Census report. “The total minority population would more than double, from 116.2 million to 241.3 million over the period.” Chavis sees this increase as a prospective boon for NNPA’s more than 200 Black-owned newspapers as it anticipates its 75th anniversary in 2015, but only if certain strategies are put in place. First, he said, the Black Press must focus on a stronger economic foundation by generating more revenue. African-Americans spend $1.2 trillion dollars a year, he said, noting that Black newspapers must partner with the Black church, Black banks, Black colleges and Black organizations to network and support the Black press. This strategy would require increased unity, Chavis said. “This is beyond connecting the dots. The dots have to converge...There’s too much disunity in our community. And I’m not just talking about organizational disunity. “I’m talking about disunity even among the so-called personalities...In my long career in civil rights I’ve seen what happens when leadership goes in divergent paths...To me, it’s a disservice to our community to allow personality conflicts to get in the way.” Secondly, white-owned businesses must be made to understand the value of supporting Black newspapers as businesses and as a sustainable institution, the same as the broadcast media, NNPA President Benjamin Chavis said changing demographics can benefit the Black Press. Chavis said. ABTCO-025 Jan Defender Ad 4.79x6.5 MECH.pdf 1 12/18/14 2:42 PM
By HAZEL TRICE EDNEY Special to the Defender
Civil rights leader Benjamin Chavis, now president of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), says he envisions Black newspapers as becoming the “new mainstream” rather than an alternative press as it is often called. “The Black Press, I believe has an opportunity where it can make even more traction than it has in the past,” Chavis said in a recent interview with the Trice Edney News Wire. “In other words, I don’t see the Black press as a side press from the mainstream press. I want the Black press to become the new mainstream because the demographics are changing.” Chavis was among the speakers at a gala celebration for the 50th anniversary of the Washington Informer Newspaper, published by NNPA member Denise Rolark Barnes. Blackowned newspapers are often called specialty, alternative or minority press by government agencies and corporate America. But, according to an analysis of U. S. Census Bureau population stats, people of color, including African-Americans, will gradually increase to become a clear majority of America’s population over the next four decades. “All in all, minorities, now 37 percent of the U.S. population, are projected to comprise 57 percent of the population in 2060,” according to a
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County updating voter rolls Harris County will update its voter registration rolls as required by state and federal law. According to the Texas Election Code, if voters have been on the suspense list and have not voted for two federal elections or updated their address, they are removed from the voter rolls. This action is taken every even-numbered year. This year, approximately 84,688 individuals will be removed. “This year we have registered a record number of voters,” said Tax Assessor-Collector and Voter Registrar Mr. Sullivan. “The law requires us to remove individuals who have been on the suspense list for at least two years.” A voter is added to the suspense list when: • A voter’s registration certificate is returned due to an undeliverable address, • A notice from another source, such as a jury summons returned from a potential juror, indicates they no longer live in Harris County • A voter fails to respond to an address confirmation notice Voters may check their voter registration status and update their name or address at www. hctax.net.
Hospital first to use new device A team at Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital recently performed the first procedure in Houston using the TactiCath Quartz Contact Force Ablation Catheter, a device that could transform the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF), a heart condition that affects more than 2.7 million people in the United States. Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) impacting Americans today. Dr. Sohail Jalal, medical director of electrophysiology services at Memorial Hermann Heart & Vascular InstituteSouthwest and his team performed the first procedure on a 53-year-old female patient. “We are hopeful that this new technology will revolutionize the treatment of our patients suffering with atrial fibrillation,” said Jalal. “With atrial fibrillation being such a common type of arrhythmia, this tool will take the guesswork out of the process and provide physicians with more a precise picture during treatment.” For more information call 713-4565000 or visit www.memorialhermann.org.
“I got an insider’s look and the knowledge I needed to be even more successful.” We are now accepting applications for the Spring 2O15 Workshop at Macy’s! We invite all minority and women-owned businesses to apply for The Workshop at Macy’s! You’ll gain insight from seasoned Macy’s pros and Macy’s partners, and get the tools you need to succeed and sustain growth in the retail industry. Apply today at macysinc.com/workshop PIcTured: Kim roxie, LAMIK Beauty. Past participant of The Workshop at Macy’s.
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DEFENDER | JANUARY 8 | 2015
sports
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Rockets acquire new players to improve team By MAX EDISON Defender
R
ockets general manager Daryl Morey is always looking for an opportunity to improve the team. Morey has outdone himself yet again with a flurry of moves designed to improve the team’s fortunes, get them past the first round of the playoffs and ultimately put them on track to win a championship. First off, Morey orchestrated a three-team deal with Minnesota and Philadelphia that sent Rockets guard Troy Daniels to the Timberwolves along with the Sacramento Kings 2015 second-round pick, Houston’s 2016 second-round pick and cash considerations. Houston will send its secondround pick and the rights to Serhiy Lishchuk to Philadelphia. Minnesota will send Corey Brewer to Houston and Ronny Turiaf to Philadelphia. Philadelphia will convey Alexey Shved to Houston. Josh Smith, formerly with the Detroit Pistons, Confused? The bottom line is has joined the Rockets and childhood friend the Rockets finally acquired Brewer, a Dwight Howard. versatile 6-foot-9 player who Morey had coveted for years. Through 24 games (16 starts) with the Timberwolves he has averaged 10.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.3 steals. Brewer, a former Florida Gator, was a two-time college national champion. He will be an outstanding compliment to Trevor Ariza at the small forward position. Shved (6-feet-6, 187 pounds, Russia) is an interesting acquisition. In his third year in the NBA, he averaged 9.9 points, 2.7 assists and 1.3 rebounds per game in 17 appearances with the Philadelphia 76ers this season. He gives the team much needed size in the backcourt. Before fans could absorb the magnitude of that trade, Morey struck again signing former Detroit Pistons power forward Josh Smith. Smith was recently released by the Pistons. He had two years and $26 million remaining on his Detroit contract. The Rockets signed Smith to a one-year deal for $2 million. Smith had become expendable because he hadn’t lived up to his contract. He and Dwight
Corey Brewer, who played with the Minnesota Timberwolves, was also acquired by the Rockets.
Howard are childhood friends and were AAU teammates in Atlanta. He’s an immensely talented player who has averaged 15.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.0 blocks throughout his 11 year career. The hope is that playing with Howard and James Harden, coupled with the winning environment of the Rockets, will jumpstart his game. Going from one of the NBA’s worst teams in Detroit to one of the league’s best in Houston is a good thing for Smith. “It’s great to play with a dominant big player like [Howard] who the majority of the time can demand a double team,” Smith said. “Playing with arguably the best 2-guard in the league, it’s a special moment in my career for me.” Now that the players are in place it will be the job of coach Kevin McHale and staff to merge their talent into a cohesive unit – a difficult task due to an aggressive schedule and limited practice time. For Brewer the transition should be easy. He’s a tall, wiry, athletic type who will complement Howard and Harden and will essentially be a carbon copy of Ariza. However, there is still a transition period. “I’m just trying to learn my teammates because you come in and you are always playing with new guys,” Brewer said. “I knew my role when I got here. I knew what they wanted, what they expected, so it has all been really clear.” It might take a while longer for Smith to share a similar level of comfort. He will have to learn to share similar spots on the floor that Howard flourishes in as well. In addition, the staff will have to be mindful of how to integrate Smith’s minutes with those of Donatas Montiejunas, whose game has flourished this season. Also expect Terrence Jones to return from a leg injury in the near future. The Rockets are loaded with talent and some pundits believe that Morey could attempt to pull off another deal at the trade deadline in February. One thing is certain. Morey is doing everything in his power to provide the type of talent that can propel the Rockets to a serious championship contender sooner and not later.
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h.s.zone Championship weekend provides memorable images By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender
game-winning 13-yard TD pass from Eppler. The Navasota defense held up against three Ralston rushing attempts and an incomplete pass to seal the 42-35 victory over 15-1 Argyle. With four TD receptions, Dickson was selected the game’s offensive MVP. Eppler threw for 493 yards and four TDs to finish a close second. Dickson finished the season with a state and national single-season record 39 receiving touchdowns. Six of those came in two games at Houston’s Barnett Stadium. “We knew that Tren’Davian was going to be special when he was in the seventh grade,” said Navasota head coach Lee Fedora. “The best thing about him is that if he didn’t catch a pass and we still won, he’d be just as happy.” Fedora gets both Dickson and Eppler back in 2015. Both are juniors. Although Dickson is also an accomplished basketball player, he has already committed to Baylor University for football. Navasota joined Katy and Cypress Ranch as Houston area schools vying for a state title in 2014. The latter two didn’t fare as well. Cedar Hill defeated Katy 23-20. A crowd of 46,289 witnessed the proceedings. With 52,308 fans in attendance Cypress Ranch stood toe-to-toe with two-time defending state champion Allen for most of three quarters before succumbing 47-16. Cypress Ranch head coach Gene Johnson said his team benefitted from the experience. “This was a growing experience for us,” he said. “We needed to see for ourselves what it takes to be a champion. Obviously, we would have liked the outcome to have been different…We’ll come back next season with the intent of closing the gap between us.”
ARLINGTON – It was a performance for the ages. For the 20,853 who witnessed it in person at AT&T Stadium along with thousands more that watched it live on state-wide cable television, Navasota High School wide receiver Tren’Davian Dickson continued what he’d done on a weekly basis throughout the 2014 high school football season. He put on a history-making show. In what was perhaps the jewel of state championship weekend games, unbeaten Navasota took on undefeated Argyle in a matchup that would take two additional overtime periods before being decided. Despite two touchdown passes from quarterback Shelton Eppler to Dickson earlier in the contest, Navasota found itself trailing Argyle 28-21 with one minute, 39 remaining in regulation. Argyle threw a critical interception that opened the door for the Rattlers. With a first-and-10 at the Argyle 22, Eppler found Dickson free down the sideline. The referees signaled Dickson down at the Argyle one-yard line and television replays showed the play could have been ruled a fumble and a touchback as the ball rolled through the back of the end zone. Good fortune for Navasota turned into misfortune for Argyle. On the next play Eppler scored his second rushing touchdown of the game on a quarterback sneak and Michel Martinez kicked the game-tying extra point to send the game into overtime tied at 28. The best was yet to come. Dickson caught a three-yard TD pass from Eppler to tie the game at 35. Then Navasota (16-0) got the ball first to start the second overtime period and moments later, Dickson was Tren’Davian Dickson on the receiving end of a
JANUARY 8 | 2015 DEFENDER
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sportsbriefs Stuart Scott dead at 49 Iconic ESPN sports anchor Stuart Scott recently lost his battle with cancer. He died Jan. 4 at the age of 49. In an industry where some African-American anchors are simply clones of their white counterparts, Scott was a heaping dose of flavor. He brought a hip hop, urban slant to his sportscasts on the network and was a tremendous force in the evolution of ESPN’s popularity. Scott was known for his signature on-air catch phrases, such as “Boo-Yah!” for homeruns, “As cool as the other side of the pillow,” “He must be butter cuz he’s on a roll” and “He must be the bus driver cuz he was takin’ him to school.” Scott received the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the 2014 ESPYs in July. His career at ESPN spanned 22 years. He is survived by his two daughters Taelor and Sydni.
Sheffield chooses Alabama Fort Bend Marshall standout defensive back Kendall Sheffield has verbally committed to play college football at the University of Alabama. Sheffield made the announcement during the fourth quarter of the Under Armour All-American Bowl. The defending state champion in both the 110- and 300-meter hurdles is also planning on competing in track and field at Alabama. A first-team all-state selection, Sheffield had scholarship offers from across the country after recording 39 tackles, two interceptions, seven pass break-ups, three blocked field goals, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and scoring one touchdown during the 2014 season for the Buffaloes.
Westside one of the best Westside has emerged with a 10-1 record in dual meet competition to stake a claim as one of the top boys wrestling programs in Texas. Impressive wins include a team title at Rockwall’s Rumble at the Rock tournament, the first Houston-area school in 14 years to win the title. Westside also owns a pair of victories over perennial power Cinco Ranch. A 36-34 loss to Morton Ranch in the semifinals of the Houston Dual Championships at Cypress Woods High School is the lone blemish on the Wolves’ ledger. “We won eight of 14 weight classes and still lost,” said Westside head coach Michael Froehlich. “We had a couple of injury forfeits that cost us points. It was unbelievable.” Top competitors include Myles Hampton, Daniel Kilzer, Juan Romo, Elijah Dixon, Mustafa Farrag, Franklin Fitzgerald, Frankie Llano, DeMarco Garcia and Taariq Bracy-Dudley.
TSU basketball is ballin’
Hats off to Tiger head basketball coach Mike Davis and his team. In case you missed the news over the holidays, the Tigers defeated No. 25 ranked Michigan State (71-64) and Kansas State (58-56). They suffered a one-point loss to Auburn 60-61. All of these games were played on the road. The Tigers then opened conference play with a road win over Alcorn State, 72-55. The team is paced by Chris Thomas (14.8 ppg), Madarius Gibbs (11.1 ppg) and Deverall Biggs (10 ppg). They return to town for a road game against Prairie View A&M University and home games against Grambling and Jackson State.
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DEFENDER | JANUARY 8 | 2014
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Happening in Houston For event coverage email: events@defendermediagroup.com
topevents
WHEELER AVENUE GROUNDBREAKING….….Wheeler Avenue Baptist Chase, chair of the Houston Local Organizing Committee. Special guests and sports Church held a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the start of building their new enthusiasts included incoming Division I Men’s Basketball Committee Chair Joseph sanctuary and parking surface. The new sanctuary will span 60,000 square feet and Castiglione, NCAA representatives David Worlock, Jeff Jarnecke, Doug Hall will accommodate up to 3,000 worshipers. The sanctuary and parking expansion and Grace Hurt, YMCA Executive Director Marie Arcos, Dan D’Armond and will be located at the corner of Wheeler Avenue and Scott Street. Notable supporters Jason Few. Rice University mascot Sammy the Owl and the University of Houston helped celebrate the new construction such as Pastor Dr. Marcus D. Cosby, Pastor mascot Shasta were also excited to see the new logo. Performances by UH and Rice Emeritus Rev. William A. Lawson, Congresswoman Sheila cheerleaders and band added to the excitement……CAROLYN Jackson Lee, State Sen. Rodney Ellis, Mayor Annise Parker, SCANTLEBURY’S RETIREMENT PARTY……….. A Defender TOP EVENTS Councilmember Dwight Boykins, City Controller Ronald retirement celebration was thrown for former NAACP PresidentMore photos on defendernetwork.com Green and a host of community members. Melanie Lawson Houston Branch and City of Houston employee Carolyn See Events on KTRK Ch.13’s ‘Crossroads’ officiated the ceremony and the Wheeler Avenue choir, led by Scantlebury. Best wishes came from Health Department with Melanie Lawson Sunday Morning @ 5:30 and 11:30 a.m. Minister of Music Leon C. Lewis, also blessed the crowd with employees Stephen Williams, Dr. Faith Foreman, Deborah its performance……..FINAL FOUR LOGO LAUNCH……. Moore and Dr. Janice Sparks. Sannita Parker read the poem “Phenomenal Woman” and Libby Pham sang “A Woman’s Worth.” Closing remarks The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) along with the Harris County Houston Sports Authority revealed the 2016 Men’s Final Four logo at a local YMCA. were presented by audience members as well as Alice Moore-Baines. A poem by The Final Four will be played in 2016 at NRG Stadium. Vice President of the Men’s Sister Momma Sonia also helped to commemorate the retirement celebration. Congratulations! Basketball Championship Dan Gavitt hosted the event. Also present was Tony
Dr. Marcus D. Cosby with wife Audrey and children; Rev. William A. Lawson and wife Audrey
Tony Chase
Councilmember Dwight Boykins and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee
Doug Hall, Jeff Jarnecke, Dan Gavitt, Joseph Castiglione, Grace Hurt and David Worlock
Dr. Faith Foreman, honoree Carolyn Scantlebury and Deborah Moore
Dr. Janice Sparks and Alice Moore-Baines
Kandyace Mayberry and Wendy Stewart
Dan D’armond and Jason Few
Melissa Gomez
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