Houston Defender: January 31, 2013 by Defender Media Group |DefenderNetwork

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Volume 82 | Number 14

JANUARY 31, 2013 |FREE

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NATIONAL U.S. REP. ALCEE HASTINGS upset with president

FEATURE OPINION

ROSA PARKS honored with stamp

SPORTS DANUEL HOUSE makes transition at UH

e t a r b e l e C k c a Bl y r o t s i h

H Page 6

P10 CHAG’S PLACE

Gerald Womack and Commissioner El Franco Lee at real estate banquet.

P12

Anthony Anderson looks at life

Jesse Jackson talks business

Anthony Anderson is one of Hollywood’s busiest actors, and has found success in TV and film. See why he agrees that a mind is a terrible thing to waste. Read about his impressive list of classmates and their creative energy. Learn his opinion on happiness and misery.

Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. is known for speaking his mind, and he has something to say about America’s economic agenda. What does he think is the biggest economic issue facing African-Americans? Is racism still a factor in the United States? What are his thoughts on “1 percent” vs. “99 percent?”

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DEFENDER | JANUARY 31 | 2013

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Ministry addresses gun violence the same regard,” he said. Gilmore, who earned three degrees from Texas Southern The horrendous level of University before earning his gun violence in the Black comdoctorate in education from munity is cause for concern. the University of Houston, Dr. Robert Gilmore, president believes Black History Month of Real Urban Ministry, Inc., beis the perfect time for such a lieves that such violence reflects call to action. mental illness and addiction. He “This marks 150 years has issued a “Call to Action for since the Emancipation ProclaRecovery and Wellness” to help mation, and 50 years since the Dr. Robert Gilmore combat the problem. March on Washington. And In an effort to seek programmaticjust weeks ago, we witnessed the first Black solutions that involve churches, schools, president’s second inauguration,” he said. families and businesses, the group sched“We are walking in history, Black uled its next meeting at This Is It RestauHistory, American History, and we need rant on Friday, Feb. 1, at 7:30 a.m. at 3712 to understand that so we can see where we Blodgett. are going, and answer this call to action Gilmore said the effort is an extension by re-examining ourselves, our families, of President Obama’s call for community our future, and our organizational involvemembers to help end the violence. ments,” he said. “The numbers for young males caught Gilmore will soon announce on-going up in this violence in our community is meetings of the “Now Is The Time” Housdeeply disturbing and has been for almost ton Coalition, and a city and countywide 20 years,” said Gilmore, who wants to wellness and recovery plan to reach all 13 make the connection between gun violence counties in the Houston-Galveston area. and mental illness. “We didn’t have this level of violence “Gun violence is an abnormal behavior 150 years ago, or 50 years ago,” said Gilmand an evil action, and needs to be exore, a native Houstonian and Yates High plained as such to all that understand what School graduate. your using a gun can do to the other person “So what does that tell you? As a race, and to yourself. Mental Illness needs to be we must go back to where we left our pride, treated as what it is – an addiction to some- our dignity, our respect for our family, thing or the inability to control yourself in community and God.” By ASWAD WALKER Defender

Congressman Al Green joins immigration reform supporters at a local rally.

Coalition promotes immigration reform Defender News Services At a time when Congress and the White House are seeking answers to the issue of immigration, a coalition of Houston groups is calling for changes that include a pathway to citizenship. Houston for Commonsense Immigration Reform, a coalition of local civic, faith, labor, and social justice organizations, recently held a rally at City Hall to call on the Texas Congressional delegation to take the lead. Coalition members also outlined their proposals for reform: a path to citizenship for the 11 million immigrants currently in the United States, an organized legal system to handle the future flow of immigrants, and safe borders. “With the Latino electorate voting for President Obama in record numbers across the country, this is the time for our community to continue flexing their civic muscle to pass a commonsense immigration reform,” said Carlos Duarte, executive director of Mi Familia Vota Texas. Congressman Al Green echoed the need for reform.

“There is a right time for all things,” Green said. “This is the right time for immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship, which leads undocumented workers who play by the rules out of the darkness of human existence into the light of American life. This will move our great nation one step closer to a more perfect Union.” The coalition announced plans to lobby lawmakers, join in making one million calls to congress in March, and hold rallies across Texas leading up to a mass demonstration on April 10 at the U.S. Capitol. “As citizens, Texans and parents we are asking for practical solutions,” said Elsa Caballero Texas state director of the labor union SEIU Local 1. ”Creating a path to citizenship for immigrants who have worked, lived and contributed to our communities for years is the sensible and ethical thing to do. Not only do we have a moral responsibility, we stand to lower our poverty rate, raise wages across the board by leveling the playing field for responsible businesses and strengthening our communities.”

localbriefs THE RACE TO FILL THE SEAT of the late State Sen. Mario Gallegos continues. State Rep. Carol Alvarado and former Harris County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia will meet in a runoff for the Senate District 6 seat after garnering the most votes in the recent special election. Garcia received 45 percent of the vote and Alvarado received nearly 42 percent. Once an official count is complete, the date of the runoff between the two Democrats will be announced by Gov. Rick Perry……..REMAINING CHARGES HAVE BEEN DROPPED against day care operator Jessica Tata, who was sentenced to 80 years in prison in November for felony murder in

the death of 16-month-old Elias Castillo. The toddler was one of four children killed in a fire at Tata’s home day care in 2011. Prosecutors dropped the remaining charges because additional trials would have been redundant. “There’s really no reason to drag the families through all of that again,” said Assistant Harris County District Attorney Steve Baldassano……..THE HOUSTON NAACP is setting the record straight about an unpaid hotel bill. Houston’s Four Seasons Hotel filed suit against the NAACP, claiming the organization owes almost $100,000 in banquet charges incurred last summer during the national convention. Local branch

President Rev. Reginald Lillie said the suit was filed against the NAACP national office, which is handling the matter. “It is important to note that the Houston Branch did not incur any expenses at the Four Seasons Hotel Houston and is in no way involved in this matter,” Lillie said. He added that the Houston branch has no outstanding debt …….. THE MURAL OF PRESIDENT OBAMA has been defaced again. The 10-foot mural, located on Travis near Midtown, was recently splashed with black and red paint by vandals. It had been restored by artist Reginald Adams in October after a previous vandalism.

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JANUARY 31 | 2013 | DEFENDER

national

CBC member upset with Obama By George E. Curry NNPA Editor-in-Chief Congressman

Alcee Hastings U.S. Rep. Alcee L. Hastings says President Barack Obama consistently disrespects the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), the Black Press, and graduates of historically Black colleges, key groups that were critical to his re-election in November. Speaking at the mid-winter convention of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), Hastings, a former federal judge, said the CBC carefully vetted candidates they felt would be ideal for the second Obama administration, which has come under criticism for being dominated by white males. “The Black Caucus of Congress then sent 61 names to the White House,” Hastings recounted. “Time went by. Not one of that 61 was lars and don’t spend but a million dollars with selected – not one.” people who probably had as much to do with In a speech that had a rich blend of seriousmy becoming president as anybody,” the Florida ness, humor and expletives, Hastings said during Democrat said. the campaign, the CBC pressed the Obama camHastings, the first African-American elected paign about the paucity of advertising with Black to Congress from Florida since the Reconstrucnewspapers in particular. tion Era, expressed admiration for the Black He said a top campaign official said Obama Press, saying it covers the full scope of Black life initially planned to spend only $650,000 with better than white-owned media. Black newspapers, a figure that was raised under “I spent more money in this election than I pressure to $1 million – which meant that $999 have in any election,” said Hastings, who has million went to others. served in Congress since 1992. “And I believe “If I was president of the United States, there Bobby [Henry, publisher of the Westside Gazette is no way in hell that I would raise a billion dolin Fort Lauderdale] will tell you that I spent an

equivalent or more money than the Obama for America people did with his newspaper.” Hastings said he also outspent the Obama campaign in other media in Broward County, which makes up part of his congressional district. “I did that because I wanted Obama to win the presidency, but I particularly went to the ground in this election to prove to him and his minions that this was territory that had been watered, flowered, grown and harvested long before anybody knew his name.” Hastings continued, “…Because of your efforts –national Black publishers – because of many of your efforts, we voted 2 percent in this election more than we did in ’08. And I received 2 percent more in the congressional district that I serve than he did – and that’s the message I wanted to send to him.” He said a strong message also needs to be sent to advertisers that fail to support the Black Press. According to a 2012 report by Nielsen titled, “African-American Consumers: Still Vital, Still Growing,” Black consumers will have a projected buying power of $1.1 trillion by 2012. Yet, of the $120 billion spent on advertising in 2011, only 2 percent was spent with African-American media. Hasting criticized several Florida newspapers and local advertisers by name. “Many of the same people that advertise in these white-owned] publications don’t advertise Continued on Page 8

Black high school graduation rates lower VOLUME 82 • NUMBER 14 - JANUARY 31, 2013 Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Advertising/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Strategic Alliance Manager Clyde Jiles Multimedia Manager Tiffany Williams Online Editor ReShonda Billingsley

Print Editor Marilyn Marshall Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila People Editor Yvette Chargois Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison Contributing Writer Aswad Walker

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).

By ZENITHA PRINCE Special to the AFRO

High school graduation rates in the United States are at their highest since 1974, according to a recent U.S. Department of Education report, but Black students graduated at a rate below other ethnic groups. Of the 4 million public school students who entered 9th grade in the 2006-2007 school year, 78.2 percent, or 3.1 million, received high school diplomas in the 20092010 school year, an increase of more than two percentage points.

Among racial/ethnic groups, Asian/Pacific Islander students had the highest graduation rate at 93.5 percent. The rates for other groups were 83.0 percent for white students, 71.4 percent for Hispanic students, 69.1 percent for American Indian/Alaska Native students, and 66.1 percent for Black students. “The new report is good news after three decades of stagnation,” Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said. “And it’s promising that high school graduation rates are up for all ethnic groups in 2010 – especially for Hispanics, whose

graduation rate has jumped almost 10 points since 2006.” Duncan said despite improvements, some of the news is unacceptable. “Our high school dropout rate is still unsustainably high for a knowledge-based economy and still unacceptably high in our African-American, Latino, and Native-American communities,” Duncan said. Black, Latino and Native American students also have higher dropout rates than Asian and white students.

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DEFENDER | JANUARY 31 | 2013

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entertainment

Anthony Anderson

looks at life, education By KAM WILLIAMS Special to the Defender

Accomplished actor Anthony Anderson has appeared in over 20 films, and his stellar work on NBC’s “Law & Order” earned him three of his eight NAACP Image Award nominations. Prior to launching his acting career, Anthony grew up in Los Angeles and attended the High School for the Performing Arts, where he earned first place in the NAACP’s ACTSO Awards with his performance of a classic monologue from “The Great White Hope.” That performance, along with his dedication to his craft, earned him an arts scholarship to Howard University. He first gained national attention as one of Jim Carrey’s sons in “Me, Myself, & Irene.” Over the years, he Anthony Anderson and Tempestt Bledsoe portray a married couple in “Guys with Kids.” has displayed his range of talent in everything from “Transformers” to Martin in a Comedy TV Series for “Guys with Kids.” Scorsese’s Oscar-winning feature film, “The Departed.” AA: Thank you. Maybe one day I’ll win one. Anthony is currently starring In three TV series, KW: What interested you in hosting the UNCFs’ “Guys with Kids,” “Treme” and “Golf in America,” and Evening of Stars? lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Alvina, and their two AA: They reached out to me to host, and I couldn’t children. Here he talks about recently hosting the United turn them down. I’d grown up watching the show with Negro College Fund’s 34th Annual “An Evening of my parents every year back when it was hosted by Lou Stars,” among other things. Rawls. We didn’t have much money at all, but my folks KW: Congratulations on your eighth NAACP Imalways found a way to give a little. And now, here I am age Award nomination, this time for Outstanding Actor 30 years later with a $25,000 United Negro College

Fund scholarship in my name. That’s something that interested me as well. KW: What did attending Howard University mean to you? AA: It meant everything. This is the sort of creative energy you could find on campus when I was a student there: Paula Jai Parker, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Wendy Davis, Carl Anthony Payne, Sean P. Diddy Combs, Ananda Lewis, Laz Alonso, Lance Gross, the music of the group Shai, and the list goes on and on. We were all there at the same time. For all of us to then go off in our respective fields independently of one another and become successes can’t even be quantified. KW: How do you manage to juggle three series? AA: They all shoot in different locations but at different times, fortunately. So, I’ve been able to work everything out. KW: Are you happy? AA: Happiness is a state of mind. Most people automatically assume that we’re happy because we’re famous and some of us are rich. But material things don’t make you happy. And the more success you achieve only amplifies who you are as a person. If you’re miserable, you’re just going to be miserable and rich and famous. I know people like that. I have friends who are that way.

what’sup FRANK OCEAN wants to press charges against fellow singer CHRIS BROWN for an alleged assault in a West Hollywood parking lot. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the case after responding to a report of men fighting outside the Westlake Recording Studio. They were told by witnesses there had been a brief fight over a parking space. Brown is on probation for assaulting his girlfriend Rihanna in 2009. He reportedly got into a fight with singer Drake at a New York nightclub last summer……..TAYE DIGGS had a different kind of lawand-order encounter. The actor single-handedly apprehended a man who tried to break into his L.A. home. Diggs confronted the suspect, who took off running. Diggs eventually subdued him until police officers arrived……..LEROY “SUGARFOOT” BON-

NER, front man for the funk music band the Ohio Players, died Jan. 26 at the age of 69. The Dayton Daily News listed cancer as the cause of death. Bonner started his career with a group named the Ohio Untouchables, which later became the Ohio Players. They were known for their upbeat music, catchy lyrics and flamboyant outfits, and produced such classics as “Love Rollercoaster,” ‘’Fire,” and ‘’Skin Tight.” The band had seven Top 40 hits between 1973 and 1976. Bonner remained active in recent years with a spinoff band called Sugarfoot’s Ohio Players........Acclaimed musician and composer WYNTON MARSALIS will celebrate his hometown by hosting a one-hour special titled “New Orleans: Let The Good Times Roll” on Sunday, Feb. 3, at 11 a.m. on CBS. The special coincides with the Super Bowl…….. CISSY HOUSTON

is sharing memories of her late daughter in her new book, “Remembering Whitney.” She reveals that she had doubts about BOBBY BROWN from the beginning. “I do believe her life would have turned out differently,” Houston writes. “It would have been easier for her to get sober and stay sober. Instead she was with someone who, like her, wanted to party. To me, he never seemed to be a help to her in the way she needed.” The first anniversary of Whitney Houston’s death is Feb. 11……..KESHIA KNIGHT PULLIAM is trying her hand at reality TV. The former “Cosby” kid is joining the cast of “Splash,” a celebrity diving show. Each week the competition will get stiffer as the challenges increase in difficulty. The show premieres March 19 on ABC. Pulliam currently stars on the TBS sitcom “The House of Payne.”

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JANUARY 31 | 2013 | DEFENDER

Lifetime celebrates Black History Month

Lifetime will commemorate moving America forward. But the women…were equally as Black History Month with a trio significant in their own right. Very strong. Very forceful.” of world-premiere movies. The second movie, “Twist of Faith,” is an The first film, “Betty & interfaith love story about a single Christian mother Coretta,” tells the dual real-life (Toni Braxton) and an Orthodox Jewish widower stories of Coretta Scott King (David Julian Hirsh), whose mutual passion (portrayed by Angela Bassett) for music and singing draws them together. It and Dr. Betty Shabazz (played premieres Saturday, Feb. 9, at 7 p.m. by Mary J. Blige). Malik Yoba In “Twist of Faith,” Jacob (Hirsh), an Orportrays Dr. Martin Luther King thodox Jewish cantor and amateur songwriter Jr. and Lindsay Owen Pierre is who lives in Brooklyn, witnesses the senseless Malcolm X. murder of his wife and three children. AbandonIt airs Saturday, Feb. 2, at 7 ing his identity, he wanders aimlessly, and lands p.m., with encore presentations to in a small Alabama town. There, he is embraced be announced. by Nina (Braxton), a single mother and the lead “Betty & Coretta” focuses singer of a small gospel choir. on the extraordinary women beThe third movie, “Pastor Brown,” follows a young hind two men who would change woman (Salli Richardson-Whitfield) who returns history. When their husbands are home to take over as pastor of the family church tragically assassinated, they not after her father’s death. She is forced to face her Toni Braxton and Mykelti Williamson are two stars of “Twist of Faith.” only inherit a role in the Civil sordid past and mend fences with her sister (Nicole Rights Movement but become Ari Parker) and son. single mothers responsible for rearing and supporting their children. The two widIt premieres Saturday, Feb.16, at 7 p.m., and also stars Keith ows also form a lifelong friendship. David, Michael Beach, Ernie Hudson, Tisha Campbell-Martin, India. Bassett describes the women as “towers of thought and activism.” Arie and Dondre Whitfield. “We’ve seen, a number of times, the story of their husbands – and rightly so,” Salli Richardson-Whitfield stars in the Lifetime movie “Pastor Bassett said. “They were tremendous influences on our culture and our times and Brown.” T:9.75”

T:6.5”

PLAY RESPONSIBLY. For detailed game odds and information, visit txlottery.org or call 1-800-37LOTTO. Must be 18 or older to purchase a ticket. The Texas Lottery supports Texas education. © 2013 Texas Lottery Commission. All rights reserved.

DEFENDER | JANUARY 31 | 2013

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cover

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February is African-American History Mo for everyone for the next 28 days. The Defen lection of things to see and do. More a Feb. 3-9

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The Johnson-Phillip All Faiths Chapel of Prairie View A&M University presents the 55th annual Ministers’ Conference on Tuesday, Feb. 5 and Wednesday, Feb. 6, beginning at 7 a.m. at the Memorial Student Center Auditorium and Ballroom. Contact: 936-261-3592. The Black Justice Tuesday Coalition marks two years of protests against police brutality on Tuesday, Feb. 5, at noon at the Harris County Court House 1201 Franklin. Contact: nbufhouston@gmail.com The Houston Public Library presents a Jazz and Poetry Series, which inspires students with an “I CAN” message, on Tuesday, Feb. 5 at 4 p.m. at Shepard-Acres Homes Neighborhood Library, 8501 West Montgomery. The library also presents Baba Alafia and the Magical Storytime, which incorporates stories and games involving African instruments. It takes place Tuesday, Feb. 5, at noon at Robinson-Westchase Neighborhood Library, 3223 Wilcrest; Wednesday, Feb. 6 at 10:30 a.m. at Looscan Neighborhood Library, 2510 Willowick; and Saturday, Feb. 9 at 2 p.m. at Central Library, 500 McKinney. The KoumanKe’le’ African Dance & Drum Ensemble performs Thursday, Feb. 7, at 4 p.m. at the HeningtonAlief Regional Library, 7979 South Kirkwood. Contact: www.houstonlibrary.org. The Children’s Museum of Houston, located at 1500 Binz, celebrates Black History Month with special events for kids from Thursday, Feb. 7 to Wednesday, Feb. 13. Bubbha Thomas and the Jazz & Poetry Series visit the Brown Auditorium on Saturday, Feb. 9, at 3 p.m. Ongoing activities include African-American inspired music, games and storytelling. The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday from noon-6 p.m. Visit www.cmhouston.org or call -713-522-1138. The University of Houston sponsors a lecture on Inside the Buffalo by Capt. Paul Matthews, founder and board chair of the Buffalo Soldiers Museum. It takes place Friday, Feb. 8 at noon at the Rockwell Pavilion, M.D. Anderson Library, 2nd floor. A reception follows, and the movie, “Inside the Buffalo,” begins at 2:30 p.m. Contact: 713-743-2811or www.uh.edu/class/aas/news/index.php.

The University Museum hosts the exhibit Dance Thea of Firsts, from Feb. 8 to Apri at 3100 Cleburne Ave., and is 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday-S Contact: www.umusetsu.org o

Feb. 10-16

The Houston Public Libr with Attica Locke on Wedne Julia Ideson Building, 550 M author discusses and signs co Cutting Season.” Express Children’s Thea Doors, a musical odyssey by urday, Feb. 16 at 11 a.m. at th www.houstonlibrary.org. Students Participating In Knowledge, a lecture series p A&M, presents Minnijean Bro Little Rock, on Tuesday, Feb Auditorium. PV also presents the Pres Rev. William Lawson on Thu the Juvenile Justice Auditoriu

Feb. 17-23

The Prairie View Trail Rid Competition is Monday, Feb. Taylor Lawn. Contact: 936-26 The Thomas F. Freeman C at TSU presents the 12th Annu rial Lecture, “The Pursuit of E Arts,” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb Auditorium No. 114. The Buffalo Soldiers Nati annual Black-Tie Benefit Gal Friday, Feb. 22, at 6:30 p.m. in George R. Brown Convention renovation of the museum. Co

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onth, and the Houston area offers something nder is kicking off the celebration with a seactivities will follow in future editions.

at Texas Southern University ater of Harlem: 40 Years il 28. The museum is located s open Tuesday-Friday from Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. or 713-313-7145

ary sponsors an Evening esday, Feb. 13, at 6 p.m. at the McKinney. The award-winning opies of her latest novel, “The

atre presents Dream of y Thomas Meloncon, on Sathe Central Library. Contact:

Transcendent (S.P.I.T.) program at Prairie View own Trickey: Return to b. 12, at 6:30 p.m. at the MSC

sident’s Lecture Series with ursday, Feb. 14, at 1 p.m. in um. Contact: 936-261-3566.

ders’ Annual Chili Cook-off 18 at noon at PV’s Hobart61-3071. Center for Forensic Excellence ual Barbara Jordan MemoExcellence in the Forensic b. 21, at the Walter J. McCoy

ional Museum hosts its 13th la and Silent Auction on n the Grand Ballroom at the Center. Proceeds will benefit ontact: 713-298-2471 or mil-

dred@buffalosoldiermuseum.com. Houston Community College’s annual Black History Scholarship Gala features actor Terrence Howard as the keynote speaker. He has starred in such movies as “The Best Man,” “Crash,” “Red Tails,” “Iron Man,” “Ray” and “Hustle & Flow.” The gala is Saturday, Feb. 23, at 6 p.m., at the Hilton Americas-Houston. Contact: www.hccs.edu/blackhistory or 713-718- 5242. The Houston Public Library presents An Afternoon with Isabel Wilkerson on Saturday, Feb. 23, at 2 p.m. at the Julia Ideson Building Auditorium, 550 McKinney. Wilkerson is the author of “The Warmth of Other Suns.” As Chicago bureau chief of the New York Times, she was the first Black woman to win a Pulitzer Prize for journalism. Contact: www.houstonlibrary.org or 832-393-1662.

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Feb. 24-28

The Houston Public Library presents Ballet Talks with Lauren Anderson on Monday, Feb. 25, at 12:30 p.m. at Morris Frank Library, 10103 Fondren. She will discuss the challenges she faced on her journey to become the first African-American principal dancer with the Houston Ballet. Baba Alafia and the Magical Storytime is Wednesday, Feb. 27 at 12:30 p.m. at the Kendall Neighborhood Library, 609 N. Eldridge. PV’s Black history activities include three events on Thursday, Feb. 28. A book review and discussion of “An Ordinary Man: Black Power in Overalls,” is at 2 p.m. at John B. Coleman Library, Room. 108. Contact: 936-2611532. A Can You Run This Institution Shadow Program with the Panther Ambassadors is at 6 p.m. in the MSC Student Lounge. Contact: 936-261-3566. A presentation on the History of African Americans in Texas: 500 Years with Michael Hurd is at 2 p.m. in the Samuel Metters Auditorium. Contact: 936-261-9800. The Children’s Museum of Houston presents the ongoing exhibit Cum Yah Gullah, which explores the West African culture that survived the hardships of slavery along the coast of South Carolina and Georgia. The exhibit features storytelling, music and more, and runs through Sept. 8. Contact: www.cmhouston.org or 713-522-1138.

he Houston area for over 80 years

Forme r Housto n Ballet star Lauren Ander so speaks n Feb. 2 on 5.

DEFENDER | JANUARY 31 | 2013 defendernetwork.com

Rosa Parks honored with stamp Defender News Services

On what would have been the 100th birthday of the late Rosa Parks, the U.S. Postal Service is honoring the civil rights icon with a Forever stamp. It will be officially unveiled on Monday, Feb. 4, as part of National Day of Courage ceremonies in Dearborn, Mich. Parks’ stamp is part of the USPS Civil Rights Series, which also commemorates the Emancipation Proclamation and March on Washington. Parks has been called the mother of the Civil Rights Movement. In 1955, Parks, a seamstress and secretary of the

Montgomery, Ala., NAACP, refused to obey a bus driver’s order to give up her seat in the “colored” section to a white passenger, after the white section was filled. Her act of defiance sparked the Mongtomery Bus Boycott, which lasted 13 months. Its leaders included Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a new minister in town. The boycott eventually led to a 1956 Supreme Court ruling outlawing segregation on public buses. For her role in history, Parks received the NAACP’s Spingarn Medal, the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She died in 2005 at the age of 92.

CBC..Continued from page 3 with you and that’s insulting because we ultimately wind up using the products that they advertise and somehow or another, our news is ignored.” Hastings graduated from Fisk University in Nashville and Florida A&M University Law School, both historically Black colleges. His said Obama has also demonstrated insensitivity to HBCUs. Obama administration officials disagree with that assessment, pointing out that he announced a plan to increase spending on HBCUs by $850 million over the next 10 years. Hastings predicted that the nation will lose half of its 105 HBCUs over the next 15 years. “They, like you, will not survive unless you begin to form consortiums and unless you understand that you are Black-owned and not necessarily Black when it comes to this media business,” he said. “You’re going to have to form conglomer-

ates; you’re going to have to form bonds of trust like you elders had to give birth to this organization being here in place in the first place.” The congressman also said white-owned media is failing, in part, because of the rush to beat their competitors. “The important thing for each of you is to be different from some of them,” he said. “You don’t have to worry about being first; most of you don’t publish but once a week. You’re last, so you can get the story straight. And you can be accurate…” Hastings drew loud laughter when he discussed his deep aversion to social media. “That rush to judgment that the media does is particularly damaging, especially when you got people in their bedrooms at 3 o’clock in the morning, sitting looking at a screen and Googling and tweeting all night long. It ain’t that much communications in the world,” he said.

Faces of Black Houston

What will these ‘Faces’

reveal to you? E

ach of us has a story. Some of them reveal moments of struggle, of heartache, of triumph, of resiliency, of joy. The man on the bus sitting next to you could volunteer at the children’s hospital every weekend. The bank teller could double as a burlesque dancer by night. The woman speaking loudly on her cell phone could be speaking to one of her three hearing impaired children. Whatever the story, everyone has their own to tell. With the Faces of Black Houston project, we invite you to step inside the lives of those you’re with every day but never truly see. We have compiled a series of profiles that give everyday Houstonians the ability to be seen and heard.

Debuting in February 2013 On Defendernetwork.com

JANUARY 31 | 2013 | DEFENDER

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Jesse Jackson Sr. talks business By KAM WILLIAMS Special to the Defender

ev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr., founder and president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, is one of America’s foremost civil rights, religious and political figures. Over the past 40 years, he has played a pivotal role in virtually every movement for empowerment, peace, civil rights, gender equality, and economic and social justice. In 2000, President Bill Clinton awarded Jackson the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. He is known for bringing people together on common ground across lines of race, culture, class, gender and belief.

Born in 1941 in Greenville, S.C., Jackson graduated from the public schools in Greenville and enrolled in the University of Illinois on a football scholarship. He later transferred to North Carolina A&T State University and graduated in 1964. He began his theological studies at Chicago Theological Seminary but deferred his studies when he began working fulltime in the Civil Rights Movement with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Jackson married his college sweetheart Jacqueline in 1963. They have five children: Santita, former Congressman Jesse L. Jackson Jr., Jonathan, Yusef and Jacqueline Jr. Here he talks about business issues and the Rainbow PUSH Wall Street

Project’s 16th annual Wall Street Economic Summit, currently taking place in New York City. This year’s summit focuses on access to capital, career development and labor. KW: What plans do you have for this year’s economic summit? JJ: First, to gather people to discuss the new economic agenda. We just got through the political agenda with the inauguration of President Obama. Now, we have to deal with the economic agenda. No access to capital, needing more access to technology, etcetera. We want to call the banks to invest in America. In 2009 we had 600 Black dealerships, today we have 200. We have lost TV and radio stations. We must re-strategize. KW: Given that we

business

now have an AfricanAmerican president and Black billionaires, is this a post-racial society? JJ: We don’t have a lot of Black billionaires, actually. We are not in a post-racial society. We are a multi-racial society and substantially racist. We still need to access jobs and contracts – all those level playing fields are very much needed. KW: What would you say is the No. 1 economic issue African-Americans are facing today? JJ: Access to jobs. Next, the recovery of houses lost when the banks targeted our homes and businesses that move our future forward. KW: Do you see Wall Street as being at odds with Main Street, or can the 1 percent be a part of

the solution for the woes of the 99 percent? JJ: The 1 percent have received their needs through greed and lack of regulations – too few have too much and more have none. It’s too unequal and unbalanced and the middle class is sinking. Rev. Jesse Jackson says America must focus on its economic agenda.

Chamber gets new name, image Defender News Services

The Houston Citizens Chamber of Commerce has changed its name to the Greater Houston Black Chamber (GHBC) and launched its new website, www.ghbcc.com. “We’re excited about the new changes happening this year for the

chamber,” said Eric Lyons, GHBC president. “Our new name embodies our innovative thinking and new programs we plan to implement in the years to come.” The name change

LEGAL NOTICE

“In order to remain relevant, we have to constantly reinvent ourselves,” Lyons said. “The chamber’s board and members understand the importance of maintaining relevancy in a society that

These Texas Lottery Commission Scratch-Off games will be closing soon:

is constantly changing. “With this understanding, we have to make sure we’re consistently meeting

the needs of our constituents while maintaining our foundation within the community.”

classified MENTAL HEALTH MENTAL RETARDATION AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY

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Specifications may be secured from MHMRA, Harris County, Purchasing Department located at 7011 Southwest Freeway, Suite 100 in Houston, Texas 77074, telephone (713) 970-7300 and/or via MHMRA website www.mhmraharris.org or the Electronic State Business Dailey Site https://portal.cpa.state.tx.us/ beginning Monday, February 4, 2013. Deadline for prospective vendors to submit questions to this RFP is Monday, February 11, 2013. Proposals must be submitted to Purchasing Services, 7011 SW Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074 by 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 20, 2013 in a sealed envelope marked "PROPOSAL - DO NOT OPEN UNTIL – WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013, REPLACEMENT WATER SUPPLY LINE 7011 SOUTHWEST FREEWAY”. Any questions pertaining to this solicitation should be addressed in writing to Sharon Brauner, Buyer III, via fax at (713) 970-7682 or E-mail questions to Sharon.brauner@mhmraharris.org cc: Nina.cook@mhmraharris.org MHMRA reserves all rights to reject any and/or all proposals, to waive formalities and reasonable irregularities in submitted documents as it deems to be in its best interests, and is not obligated to accept the lowest proposal.

For detailed odds and game information, visit txlottery.org or call 1-800-37LOTTO. Must be 18 or older to purchase a ticket. The Texas Lottery supports Texas Education. © 2013 Texas Lottery Commission. All rights reserved.

T:3.25”

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Eric Lyons

comes after an intensive restructuring process. Many of the chamber’s new programs will encourage local African-American business owners to support each other through partnerships.T:4.79”

DEFENDER | JANUARY 31 | 2013

sports

Cougar Danuel House

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makes smooth transition our coaches to prepare me to be effective and not wear down at the end of games. The hard work has paid off.” House is an unselfish player who puts the team The University of Houston Cougar basketball first, a trait that he feels was honed in high school. squad of Coach James Dickey is preparing for the sec“High school taught me a lot [about team work],” ond half of C-USA competition. he said. “One man can’t hold five players. You got to The Cougars are a young, talented, athletic squad learn how to work with your teammates and be happy that has struggled with playing 40 full minutes of for their success. It’s a team game.” basketball, game in and game out. If the Cougars are Spending time with House, one can’t help but marto blossom and perform up to their potential, they will vel at his focus and maturity, which Brooks thinks is a have to lean on the continued quality play of freshman result of his close-knit family. sensation Danuel House. “He’s actually mature beyond his years House (6-feet-7, 195 pounds), an immensely and I think that comes from his upbringtalented swingman from Fort Bend Hightower, was ing and his family structure,” Brooks said. the cornerstone of the highly rated 2012 recruiting “They are a very close-knit, religious family. class. Rated the No. 3 small forward in the nation His father is a smart, savvy guy who really by ESPN as a senior, House has not disappointed. understands basketball and you can see He’s averaging 13.4 points per game and the strong influence his Dad has had five rebounds, and has already been named in his life. He tries to emulate his C-USA Freshman of the Week on three father. Danuel is very grounded different occasions. and focused.” Cougar associate head coach The Cougars are a Alvin Brooks talked about the team’s young, talented team talented freshman. with the potential to “House is making a nice transido big things in the tion to the college game,” Brooks second half of the said. “He is one of the top 25 C-USA season, and freshmen in the nation accordHouse has some observaing to ESPN. He’s learning two tions that could serve his team well. positions [shooting guard and “Maturity is the key for us coming small forward] and he struggled down the stretch,” he said. “We need a little early, but has adjusted to step up and be mature about our very well.” mistakes, especially when our “He’s a very skilled player coaches point them out and on both ends of the court,” Brooks correct them. continued. “He’s a good shooter that’s “We need to take betalso good from distance. He has the ter care of the basketball ability to get to the line and he makes on offense and tighten free throws. He also doesn’t mind up our team defense. playing defense. He’s a student of We sometimes fall the game and has a high basketinto lapses where we ball IQ. He accepts coaching think we can outscore well and wants to get better.” everybody and that’s House is flourishing simply not the case. now, but admitted he was not Championship teams truly prepared for the physical play defense for 40 nature of the college game. minutes. We can be “It’s been fun, but it’s been a very good team hard and I’ve had to work very and do some damhard,” House said. “My body age if we can correct Danuel House is a freshman wasn’t up to the physical level those problems. We sensation with the University of of play. I had to get in the weight have the talent,” Houston Cougars room and work with our athletic House said. trainer Bryan Lewis, then get with By MAX EDISON Defender

Danuel House

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JANUARY 31 | 2013 | DEFENDER

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h.s.zone

sportsbriefs St. John’s tops Kinkaid

Coach Stacey Marshall

Brecca Thomas

Raevyn Rogers

Kinkaid girls relish rival games

By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender

t was the type of scenario Stacey Marshall relishes. Now in her 12th year as head girls’ basketball coach at The Kinkaid School, Marshall recently took a young Falcons squad on the road into a packed gymnasium for an important league game against a longtime rival. It was Kinkaid versus St. John’s for sole possession of first place in the Southwest Preparatory Conference’s (SPC) South Division. St. John’s was unbeaten in league play (3-0) while Kinkaid came into the contest 3-1. “Obviously, whenever you’re playing a road game/rival game/ conference game they’re all pretty crucial,” Marshall said. “St. John’s is our biggest rival so you have two teams that are out there battling and fighting. “We really did a good job of feeling our way through runs, injuries and foul problems just to be resilient,” Marshall said. “That’s what you saw out there.” Kinkaid, 23-5 overall and 4-1 within the division, rallied from a six-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat St. John’s 44-40 behind 24 points from junior guard Brecca Thomas.

Trailing 35-29, Thomas scored her team’s next 14 points to give Kinkaid a 43-40 edge with 28 seconds remaining in regulation. “Brecca Thomas is a very special player,” Marshall said. “She is being recruited by lots of Division I colleges. She knew that we needed her and she did what great players do and hit some key shots for us.” Starting sophomore guard Frances Andrews left the game with a knee injury in the second quarter and didn’t return to the Kinkaid lineup. “When Frances got injured everybody realized that we’re down one person and we just have to keep the energy up and play for her,” Thomas said. “It was like the crowd is good so get excited and go out and win the game.” Kinkaid’s 5-foot-11 defensive stalwart Raevyn Rogers picked up her third personal foul in the second quarter and had to retire to the bench. However, Rogers came up big in the game’s final moments with two key rebounds, a steal and a free throw for the game’s final margin. “It was killing me to sit out so when I came back in the game, I had to relax, get off the ball and play safely,” Rogers said. “I had to read the ball mainly and use

my defensive skills. I couldn’t let my anger get the best of me or I would have fouled out. I had to get myself together. “On the rebounds, I remembered my coach telling me to box out and spring up,” Rogers said. “She told me to fly so I had to fly after the ball.” Marshall wasn’t surprised that Rogers made her impact felt as the game wound down. “Raevyn does great things for us and she is a hard-nosed player,” Marshall said. “We lose something defensively when she’s not out there. “To me the story of this game was how one of our leaders [Andrews] went down early and how the other kids played for her and really battled,” Marshall said. “As a coach, it is great to watch your team rally around an injured player.” Marshall has coached Kinkaid to two SPC state titles and hopes to win a few more. Kinkaid has two remaining league home games left before the SPC Tournament: Feb. 1 against the John Cooper School and Feb. 8 against Episcopal. “I’ve been blessed to have kids that have bought into the system,” Marshall said. “They believe in me, they believe in the system and they work real hard.”

Despite picking up two offensive fouls in the first five minutes of a crucial Southwest Preparatory Conference South Division contest against rival St. John’s, Justise Winslow settled down for another dominating performance. Winslow finished with 35 points, 17 rebounds and four assists in a 59-50 victory to forge the Mavericks into a second-place tie between the two schools in the SPC. “I had to stay within myself, play calm and let the game come to me,” Winslow said. “I had to play smart, even if that meant giving up a wide-open layup. My teammates did a good job of allowing me to play off the ball.” St. John’s reeled off a 14-0 spurt in the second quarter to turn a two-point deficit into a 28-16 halftime advantage. St. John’s improved to 21-8 on the season and 3-1 in league play. Kinkaid fell to 18-3 and 3-1.

Nimitz holds off nemesis Four-time defending District 18-5A champion Alief Elsik is within an eyelash of relinquishing its crown. Dashia Henry’s long shot at the buzzer was ruled a two-pointer and Aldine Nimitz escaped with a 46-45 victory to improve to 9-1 in district play. “The officials allowed us to play and we didn’t respond to the aggressiveness right away,” said Nimitz coach Tawana Rhoads. “I’m just happy that we were able to finish out the game.” Alachanon King led Nimitz with 14 points. Nimitz made 18of-33 shots from the field.

Tony Wyllie honored Texas Southern University alum and Washington Redskins Senior Vice President of Communications Tony Wyllie, has been acknowledged by the Fritz Pollard Alliance as one NFL’s top minority executives. He was honored at the Alliance’s Johnnie Cochran Salute to Excellence banquet which was held during Super Bowl week in New Orleans. Wyllie serves as senior advisor to the principal owner, Daniel Snyder, on all issues related to public perception of the franchise. He is responsible for shaping the team image through all public contacts and publicity generation. Wyllie oversees the coordination of all interviews for the club and serves as the team spokesman. Prior to joining the Redskins in 2010, Wyllie served as vice president of communications with Houston Texans from the team’s inception in 2000. The Fritz Pollard Alliance is an advocacy group that seeks to increase access and opportunity for minorities interested in coaching, front office and scouting positions in the NFL.

Harden is an All-Star The NBA recently confirmed what we in Houston have known for quite some time – James Harden is an All-Star. Harden was one of 14 players recently selected by NBA head coaches as a reserve for the 2013 NBA All-Star Game to be played Feb. 17 in the Toyota Center. This marks the first time Harden has been selected as an All-Star. Overall, Harden becomes the 15th player in Rockets history to be named to an All-Star squad. He is also the first Houston player selected to an All-Star Game since Yao Ming was voted in as a starter in 2011.

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DEFENDER | JANUARY 31 | 2013

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For Event Coverage...visit

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chag’splace

CELEBRATING A SILVER WITH A Tiller-Jackson, Dorothy Hardy and Rene Richardson. CENTENNIAL….. Houston-area Chapters of Delta Congratulations and continued success!.....PASSING Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. recently celebrated the OF THE GAVEL…..The Houston Black Real Estate centennial anniversary as a national organization and the Association recently celebrated 64 years of service at their 25th anniversary of the Houston area annual awards and installation banquet joint Founders Day Observance. The and chose the theme, “Reaching New Join Yvette Chargois chapters include Bay Area Houston Horizons, Ensuring Tomorrow’s Events of the Week Alumnae, Houston Metropolitan Future” as they continue the work More photos on defendernetwork.com Alumnae, North Harris County necessary for economic equality. On See Events on KTRK Ch.13’s Crossroads Alumnae, Suburban Houston-Fort this special night, outgoing president with Melanie Lawson Sunday Morning @ 11 a.m. Bend Alumnae, Delta Gamma Chapter Courtney Johnson Rose, managing at Texas Southern University and Zeta broker/co-owner of George E. Sigma Chapter at the University of Johnson Properties, turned over the Houston-Central Campus. The organization was founded task to incoming president Gerald Womack, broker on Jan. 13, 1913 by 22 collegiate women at Howard with Womack Development & Investment Realtors University in Washington, D.C. and has more than Inc. Several individuals received awards, including: 250,000 members in 900 chapters worldwide. Almost Felicia Guidry, Newcomer of the Year; Alyna Brown 1,000 women attended this celebration that featured their Lewis, Nina B. Kemp Award; Zelda Cain, Louis C. Ray 24th national president, Cynthia Butler-McIntyre as Salesperson of the Year; Viola Solomon, Lender of the the guest speaker. We salute chapter presidents Brenda Year and Kimberly Barnes-Henson, Judson W. Robinson Powell, Pamela Cashaw, LaToyia Brooks Harris, Silvia Sr. Realtist of the Year. Zinetta Burney presided over

Honorary Chairs Sarah Brown and Zona Jefferson

Int’l President Mary Wright, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Nat’l President Cynthia Butler McIntyre

HBREA President Gerald Womack and Honorary Co-Chair Commissioner El Franco Lee

the installation of the officers and board of directors and Melanie Lawson and Jose’ Grinan served as mistress and master of ceremonies. Continued success!..... UNSUNG HEROES…...The National Women of Achievement, Inc., Missouri City/Houston Metro Chapter, hosted their annual Profile of Prominence by honoring seven unsung heroes for their excellence in achievements. The honorees include Tilla Y. Baldwin, contract manager of Central Region of U.S. Physical Therapy; Olivia Mitchell Broussard, educator; Cheryl Griffin Cash, attorney; Amie Theresa Francis, president of Breathe Again; Shana Lewis, clinical director of Living Well Professional Counseling Services; Monique Shankle, attorney and consultant in the energy industry and Clara Veal, retired lieutenant colonel in the United States Army Reserve. Kudos to national president Beatrice Mayes, chapter president Consuela Broussard, South Central Regional director Shirley Bell, chairperson Jean Jordan and the entire membership for an outstanding event. Congrats!.....From Chag’s Place to your place, have a great week!

Chapter Presidents Pamela Cashaw, LaToyia Harris, Brenda Powell, Silvia Jackson and Dorothy Hardy

George and Thomasine Johnson, Gerald Womack, Courtney and Teeha Rose and Commissioner Lee

Achievers Consuela Broussard, Beatrice Mayes and Shirley Mayes

Honorees Clara Veal, Monique Shankle and Shana Lewis

Attorney Kirk Chargois and Cheryl Aimitige

Honorees Amie Francis, Cheryl Cash, Olivia Broussard and Tilla Baldwin

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