Houston Defender: January 31, 2019

FEATURE

BLACK TRUCK DRIVER WINS $298 MILLION IN RECORD POWERBALL DRAWING P8

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Volume 88 | Number 14

NEWSTALK DR. JAMES DIXON speaks out on HISD superintendent search

P2 U.S. BRIEFS JUSSIE SMOLLETT recovering from racist/ homophopic attack

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SUPER BOWL Black issues Meek Mill

KhaDarel Hodge Super Bowl bound

The rapper has joined forces with some other heavyweights – including Jay Z, Van Jones and Philadelphia 76ers co-owner Michael Rubin to form the Reform Alliance. Their mission is to dramatically reduce the high number of people on parole by changing laws and policies.

The Prairie View A&M alum will join other former Texas players to play in America’s No. 1 sports spectacle, the Super Bowl, which takes place Sunday, Feb. 3 in the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta.

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P.J. NEAL makes NBA 2K plays for Heights

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reforming criminal justice

H.S. SPORTS

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TOP EVENTS

Vernita Harris, Carol Guess and Courtney Johnson Rose at the Greater Houston Black Chamber Annual Meeting.

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DEFENDER | JANUARY 31 | 2019

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newstalk

NAACP wants superintendent search halted

By ASWAD WALKER Defender

The NAACP Houston Branch seeks to galvanize and amplify support for interim HISD Superintendent Dr. Grenita Lathan while also grinding to a halt the current superintendent search process the organization describes as unjust and potentially racist.

The civil rights organization announced during a town hall meeting held at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church that it is calling on people concerned with the educational welfare of Black children to participate in a three-pronged go-forward plan highlighted by what they hope becomes a “Valentine’s Day Massacre” of the current search process.

Members said the process is eerily similar to Houstonians such as Travis McGee spoke at the NAACP town hall meeting on the HISD the unsuccessful steps taken by some board members superintendent search. (Photo by Aswad Walker) last October to replace Lathan with former ams to suspend the current superintendent search HISD superintendent Abe Saavedra. until the Texas Education Agency (TEA) investigaHISD Board With the next HISD board meeting taktion is complete. meeting ing place on Feb. 14 (Valentine’s Day), town According to one town hall meeting attendee, hall moderator and NAACP officer Dr. James there are five applicants from outside HISD and Feb. 14 5pm Dixon challenged attendees to make their three from within, with only one applicant being voices and presence felt.

Black – Lathan. Another attendee, however, refuted “That’s traditionally ‘Love Day;’ let’s make that ‘Love our this, saying Lathan had not yet applied. The Defender was not able children night,’ where we put away the candy and come out to the to verify either claim. school board meeting,” Dixon said.

HISD has employed Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates On Feb. 14, the board will discuss an emailed request made (HYA) to conduct the search. According to Dixon and Evansby Trustees Rhonda Skillern-Jones, Jolanda Jones and Wanda Ad- Shabazz, board leaders are currently making their personal recom-

Substance abuse specialist mourned

mendations to HYA, recommendations that almost certainly exclude Lathan.

“The principals are screaming [Lathan’s] praises,” said Dixon. “We believe that a fair and just process would lead to the logical conclusion that we already have a person in position who is worthy to become the next superintendent of HISD.” The NAACP is also urging individuals to voice their displeasure with what some are reporting as concerted efforts by new and all-Latino board leadership to only consider a Latino for the permanent position before the Feb. 14 board meeting.

“Go to the HISD website (www.houstonisd.org), click on the HISD Superintendent Search Input/Survey (top bar) and make your opinions known,” said Dr. Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, the meeting’s co-moderator.

Third, the NAACP will devise a strategic [educationfocused] plan to hold elected officials and HISD accountable, according to Executive Director Yolanda Smith.

Lathan is credited with reducing the number of HISD schools on IR (Improvement Required status) from nearly 60 to only four—Wheatley, Highland Heights, Patrick Henry and Kashmere High Schools.

“That’s something no other HISD superintendent was even expected to do,” shared Dixon.

“We’re about to make one of the most important decisions in the history of the city, especially for our neighborhoods, because if you don’t have good schools, you don’t have good neighborhoods,” said NAACP President James Douglas.

Services were recently held for Darryal A. Williams, a noted Houston substance abuse specialist who died Jan. 15 at age 65. He was CEO of Williams Resources.

Williams established the Cocaine Deliverance Ministry at Windsor Village United Methodist Church. He worked with the Council on Alcohol and Drugs Houston, coordinated the substance abuse program at Covenant Glen UMC and assisted with start-up programs at Lily Grove Baptist Church and Pentecostal Baptist Church.

He founded Men Making a Difference Support Group for men in recovery, facilitated groups for the NBA Rookie Transition Program and volunteered with the Steve Harvey Mentoring Program. He also worked at Prairie View A&M University and was an avid supporter of the PVAMU band.

Survivors include his wife, Jennifer, a sister and brother.

The late Darryal A. Williams

localbriefs THE HISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES MET with a lawyer behind closed doors following a disciplinary hearing to get clarification on a letter the Texas Education Agency sent trustees regarding a special accreditation investigation.

Board members received a letter from the TEA saying the agency was opening the investigation. TEA investigators were at HISD headquarters recently “[going] through computer files” for potential violations of open meeting laws. “The other complaint the agency is investigating centers on governance and whether trustees are overreaching their roles in deciding what the administration should be doing,” HISD Board President Diana

Davila said. Interviews, just one step in the process, have begun……..TWO FORT WORTH CITY LEADERS RESIGNED after an audit committee flagged expenses of $545 each for tickets to see Michelle Obama on her book tour in Dallas last month. The expense reimbursements from Forest Hill Mayor Lyndia Thomas and Mayor Pro Tem Beckie Duncan Hayes had been approved by the city manager, but a City Council-appointed committee saw the expenses and informed the council, said City Attorney Warren Spencer. The city charter prohibits elected officials from being paid for their work, but expenses for training and public relations are allowable. Thomas and Hayes were

asked to explain their reasoning at a meeting scheduled but the two resigned before the meeting could take place.

They believe their expenditures were appropriate, but resigned rather than face removal, in order to be in a better position to run again……..THE TEXAS LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS will award over 60 scholarships to qualified students throughout Texas. The scholarships will be awarded on Feb. 24 at the TLBC Gospel Scholarship Brunch at the 2019 African American Legislative summit at the Sheraton Austin Hotel. The application deadline is Feb. 11 at 5 p.m. For more information on how to apply visit http://txlbc.org/scholarships.

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JANUARY 31 | 2019 | DEFENDER

national

U.S.briefs THE CITY OF NEW YORK AGREED to pay $3.3 million to settle a lawsuit brought by the estate of Kalief Browder, the 22-yearold Bronx native whose detainment revealed major cracks in New York’s criminal justice system and fueled efforts to end solitary confinement of youths in city jails. Browder was just 16 years old when he was arrested in 2010 and accused of stealing a book bag.

He refused to plead guilty or accept a plea bargain in the robbery case, spending three years and more than 30 court appearances on Rikers Island awaiting trial. Nearly two of those years were spent in solitary confinement. He was released in 2013 when the charges against him were dropped.

Browder had just turned 22 when he hanged himself in 2015……..EMBATTLED PIZZA CHAIN PAPA JOHN’S is trying to help a historically Black women’s college on the brink of losing its accreditation.

In December 2018, Bennett College of Greensboro, N.C. lost its accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges due to its inability to remain financially stable. Papa John’s plans to donate $500,000 to Bennett to help the historic institution avoid losing its accreditation status……..THE ATTACK ON “EMPIRE” STAR JUSSIE SMOLLETT is a possible hate crime according to Chicago police. Smollett, who identifies as gay (like the character he plays), was attacked by two men "yelling out racial and homophobic slurs" and who "poured an unknown chemical substance on the victim," police said. One of Smollett's alleged attackers also put a rope around his neck. TMZ said the attackers where two white men wearing ski masks. Smollett received treatment at an area hospital and was released. "Given the severity of the allegations, we are taking this investigation very seriously and treating it as a possible hate crime," police said.

VOLUME 88 • NUMBER 14 JANUARY 31, 2019 Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Ad/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler

Strategic Alliance Manager

Clyde Jiles Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila Photographers

Ray Carrington III Jimmie Aggison

Editors ReShonda Billingsley Marilyn Marshall Contributing Writer Aswad Walker Sports Max Edison Jodie B. Jiles Engagement Manager Margo Williams Hubbard

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (713-663-6996.. The Defender is audited by Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For digital subscriptions, visit www.DefenderNetwork.com/ subscribe. No paper subscriptions are available. All material covered by 2019 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).

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African-Americans protested the 35-day shutdown, which ended on Jan 25. President Donald Trump signed a bill to reopen the government for three weeks.

Shutdown took toll on Black federal workers

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Associated Press

or Cheryl Monroe and generations of other African-Americans, federal government jobs have long been a path to the middle class and a way to provide a comfortable life for their families.

Then the record-long government shutdown hit, making it hard for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration chemist from Detroit to pay her mortgage.

"People say 'save for a rainy day' and you're always saving, but when there is no check, that's a hurricane not a rainy day," Monroe said.

The shutdown that recently ended left an especially painful toll for African-Americans who make up nearly 20 percent of the federal workforce and historically have been on the low end of the government pay scale.

The federal government played an important role in the building of the Black middle class in the United States, giving African-Americans job opportunities that weren't always available in the private sector. It started during World War II and the post-war years when the need for manpower was great as large numbers of whites were in military-related or war-production jobs.

The jobs offered African-Americans a chance to reach for a "slice of the American dream," said Frederick Gooding Jr., African-American studies professor at Texas Christian University and author of the recently published "American Dream Deferred: Black Federal Workers in Washington, D.C., 1941-1981."

"One of the pull factors was a good government job had stable pay, higher pay and benefits in contrast to domestic jobs and tough industrial jobs," Gooding said. "After the war ended, the federal government really started to take a

look at what it should do because many of those black workers were still there."

Gooding said the federal Office of Price Administration – which helped regulate the economy – made sure opportunities were provided for Blacks in federal government. Many also found jobs in the Postal Service, Defense Department and General Printing Office, but the work still primarily involved manual labor and "many failed to reach high pay," Gooding said.

"In my experience, there are far fewer African-Americans in the higher grades," said Monroe, who began her federal employment in 1987 with the IRS and is a chapter president with the National Treasury Employees union.

"White people have the more lucrative jobs in the government. They are able to save, able to put money away for six months or a year's worth of salary. It's harder for Black people. We're always starting at the bottom."

The challenges for Black workers at the federal level mirror the wage gap in the broader economy. The median Black income in 2017 was $40,258 for Black households, compared with $65,273 for their white counterparts, according to the Census Bureau.

Experts say the wage gap put Black federal workers at a particular disadvantage during the shutdown.

"African-Americans, despite the opportunities, have generally not had all of the opportunities that whites have had and tend to be more concentrated in the bottom half of the federal workforce and are the most vulnerable to be hurt in a shutdown situation," said Joseph McCartin, a labor history professor at Georgetown University.

Of the approximate 2.1 million federal executive branch employees in 2017, African-Americans made up 18.2 percent of the workforce, compared with 9 percent for Hispanics. Data listed 63 percent as white.

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DEFENDER | JANUARY 31 | 2019

You Spoke.

We Listened.

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PUBLIC MEETINGS

2019

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METRO is coming back to the public to share the draft long-range transportation plan designed with your input. Join us at a public meeting or learn more at METRONext.org.

Any person who requires language interpretation or special needs accommodations is encouraged to contact METRO Public Affairs at 713-739-4018, or via email at METROPublicAffairs@ridemetro.org.

Every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate your needs.

JOIN US FOR A PUBLIC MEETING SATURDAY, JANUARY 26 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Fifth Ward Multi-Service Center 4014 Market Street Houston, Texas 77020

Missouri City Community Center 1522 Missouri City Drive Missouri City, Texas 77489

HCC - Spring Branch Campus 1010 West Sam Houston Pkwy N. Houston, Texas 77043

Tracy Gee Community Center 3599 Westcenter Drive Houston, Texas 77042

Springhill Suites Conference Center 20350 Northwest Freeway Houston, Texas 77065

Double Tree Houston Hobby Airport 8181 Airport Blvd.

Houston, Texas 77061

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Missouri City MCTX Flex route

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MONDAY, JANUARY 28 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Fulbright Tower 1301 McKinney Houston, Texas 77010

Kingwood Community Center 4102 Rustic Woods Drive Kingwood, Texas 77339

Magnolia Multi-Service Center 7037 Capitol Houston, Texas 77011

Montrose Center 401 Branard Street Houston, Texas 77006

South Park Baptist Church 5830 Van Fleet Street Houston, Texas 77033

Junior League of Houston 1811 Briar Oaks Lane Houston, Texas 77027

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METRORail Red line

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MONDAY, JANUARY 28 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Klein ISD Multipurpose Center 7500 FM 2920 Klein, Texas 77379

Double Tree by Hilton Hotel IAH 15747 John F Kennedy Blvd Houston, Texas 77032

Katy ISD Boardroom 6301 South Stadium Lane Katy, Texas 77494

Southwest Multi-Service Center 6400 High Star Houston, Texas 77074

Volunteers of America Texas 4808 Yale Houston, Texas 77018

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JANUARY 31 | 2019 | DEFENDER

entertainment

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Entertainers address injustice at Super Bowl

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Associated Press

ome entertainers believe social injustice needs to be addressed during the Super Bowl on Feb. 3 and are ensuring the topic that ignited a political firestorm, engulfing the NFL, will be in the spotlight.

They passionately disagree on how. Some will perform in Super Bowl-related events while others will be noticeably absent.

Former NFL player Colin Kaepernick helped start a wave of protests by kneeling during the national anthem to raise awareness to police brutality, racial inequality and other social issues.

Jermaine Dupri said he was called a "sellout" for hosting a Super Bowlrelated event during a Maroon 5 will also perform and keyboardist PJ Morton (right) is feeling the heat. meeting with people PJ Morton, Maroon 5's who had lost family keyboardist, said he felt the members as a result heat of his band's decision of police brutality. to perform.

After the meetTravis Scott has ing, Dupri and the fallen under even more victims' family memwidespread scrutiny for bers came to a comhis upcoming Super Bowl promise. The music appearance. The rapper mogul plans to give agreed to participate in the mothers a platform to halftime show if the NFL speak onstage during made a joint donation to an his Super Bowl Live organization fighting for event in Atlanta. He social justice.

Travis Scott agreed to perform at halftime if the NFL made a joint donation to hopes to bridge the The NFL and Travis a social justice group. gap between speakScott gave $500,000 to the Jermaine Dupri was called a "sellout" for hosting a Super Bowlthe national anthem in ing out against social injustice and accommodate Van Jones' Dream Corps, related event. protest of racial discrimithe NFL during his five-night concert series starting which works on criminal nation against Blacks in the Saturday. justice reform and expands opportunities for diversity United States.

Some of the families were looking to boycott the in technology, environmental issues and education.

Some, including Rihanna and Pink, have reportSuper Bowl and initially Dupri's event in the city that Despite his charitable efforts, Scott fell in the social edly turned down offers to perform during this year's some consider the birthplace of civil rights. media crosshairs with the Rev. Al Sharpton and rappers halftime. Jay-Z alluded to his feelings in a recent song "I met with the families and parents who have Common and Meek Mill. that he declined to perform at the Super Bowl, and been killed and murdered by police officers here," the Dupri, though, called Scott's initiative with the Amy Schumer refused to appear in a TV ad during the 46-year-old longtime Atlanta resident said. "I plan on NFL a "forward movement." game. having them come to my Super Bowl Live event and "If he did something to bring attention to police Cardi B said she won't take the Super Bowl speak to the crowd and tell their story about police brutality or injustice, I think that's a step forward in the halftime stage until Kaepernick gets a job, but she will brutality in the city and let people understand that I'm fight that everybody seems to want to talk about," he perform at a downtown concert. supporting them as much as possible." said.

Maroon 5 will be joined by Atlanta-based rapper Dupri was initially criticized after he partnered Dupri said he's facing the same kind of criticism Big Boi and Travis Scott during the halftime perforwith the Super Bowl host committee to produce a from skeptics calling him a "sellout" for putting on his mance. Gladys Knight will sing the national anthem. series of free concerts at Centennial Olympic Park, Super Bowl Live event. He supports Kaepernick's efGerald Griggs, vice president of the Atlanta chapter located a couple of blocks from where the Super Bowl forts, but wants to provide a major platform for Atlanta of the NAACP, has said the NAACP asked performwill be held at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. music artists to perform in front of thousands. ers who signed up to reconsider their participation.

The Super Bowl is one of the world's biggest "If we were to completely turn our head to what's Through the petition, he wants acts like Maroon 5 sporting events. But some are looking to boycott the happening Super Bowl weekend and have nothing to to withdraw from the Super Bowl "until the league big game and the halftime show has been the topic of do with it, and stand with Kaepernick and completely changes their policy and support players' constitutional a heated debate since Kaepernick, who has not been boycott, what about our love and our craft that we care right to protest." signed by an NFL team, said he would not stand for so much about?"

Dupri said.

"It's a rough situation, In a recent interview with the Associated Press,

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High-profile supporters launch initiative ate and the whole world knows it."

Reform Alliance CEO Van Musician Meek Mill's Jones said, "I never felt more voice is a familiar sound in powerless than watching kids the hip-hop world, but now that I cared about get outrahe wants to use it for another geous sentences when I had purpose: to change the crimigone to Yale, and seeing kids nal justice system. Flanked doing drugs at Yale. At worst, by a group of high-profile they would get rehab. And I supporters, including Jay-Z would see kids in the 'hood doand Philadelphia 76ers coing fewer drugs getting 20 and owner Michael Rubin, Mill 30-year sentences." announced the launch of the Their mission is to dramatReform Alliance. ically reduce that number by "I've been on probation changing laws and policies. since the age of 18. I'm 31 "This problem is so much years old," Mill said. bigger than Meek. FundaIn 2017, Mill was senmentally, our criminal justice tenced to serve two to four system is just broken," Rubin years in state prison for a said. minor probation violation The alliance is backed by a after a decade-old gun and The founding partners of Reform Alliance are Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Robert Kraft, Michael Rubin, Meek Mill, Michael E. $50 million pledge from Jay-Z drug possession conviction. and others including New EngAfter public protests and legal Novogratz, Clara Wu Tsai, Daniel S. Loeb and CEO Van Jones land Patriots owner Bob Kraft and appeals, he was released after have a voice."

Rubin, who was instrumental in Mill's release. serving five months.

According to the Reform Alliance, 4.5 mil"People always say to me how lucky Meek "Every time I started to further my life… lion people – like Mill – are currently on parole is to have me as his friend. I look at it exactly every year or two there was always something or probation for unreasonable terms. the opposite. I couldn't be more fortunate to that brought me back to ground zero and that was "I'm from Marcy Projects, I'm from Brookhave Meek as one of my closest friends because probation. I always wondered what happened to lyn, and this has been a part of my life," Jay-Z he's taught me so much about the world I didn't the people in situations worse than mine," Mill said. "If someone commits a crime, they should said. "I'm here to speak for the people who don't go to jail. But these things are just disproportion- understand at all," Rubin said.

Defender News Services

Truck driver wins $298 million Powerball Defender News Services

A Brooklyn truck driver is kissing his 9 to 5 goodbye after winning the second largest Powerball Jackpot in the history of the New York Lottery.

David Johnson won the drawing for the $298.3 million jackpot and has already quit his job to get a head start on enjoying his retirement. Johnson, 56, chose a single lump sum payment of $180,227,550, and after taxes will still pocket a whopping $114,091,248.

Johnson recalled the day he purchased the ticket from Arnold’s Service Station, which is across the street from his job. He was actually out sick that day and said he had no idea he’d won the jackpot until a coworker urged him to check his ticket.

“A friend of mine, a next driver for the company, called me and said ‘Hey Dave! Somebody won David Johnson displays his Powerball Jackpot check. the Powerball by the gas station,'” Johnson, who drove for Iberia Foods, said. “I turned to myself I said, ‘Aw, that’s not me, man, that’s not my luck.'”

The call wasn’t enough to make him check his ticket right away. It wasn’t until his friend called once more urging him to do so that he finally returned to the convenience store on his way to work. Johnson said he didn’t realize he’d won until two days later.

“I went to the store and gave the ticket to the clerk to check,” he recalled. “He scanned it and said ‘Congratulations,’ I needed to see it for myself, so I scanned and saw it read BIG WINNER,” Johnson said. “I looked up at the board and I’m like, ‘Oh my God, Jesus, oh my God!’” Johnson has since hired an attorney to help him invest the funds and take care of his family.

With his newfound wealth, the Jamaican immigrant said he will buy a new house for his family and the red Porsche he’s always wanted “so everyone can see me when I drive on the street.”

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Harden All-Star starter the Elias Sports Bureau, he became the first player in NBA history with at least 60 points, 15 rebounds and 5 steals since steals became an official statistic in 1973-74.

Harden also became the fifth player in NBA history with multiple 60-point games.

Over the past 26 games, Harden is averaging 40.2 points. He has scored at least 30 points in each of the past 21 games, which is the fourth-longest streak in league history.

Wilt Chamberlain holds the top three spots.

Harden has been the high scorer for the Rockets and their opponent in each of the past 21 games, tying Jordan for the secondlongest streak in NBA history.

Defender News Services

The NBA announced that Houston Rockets guard James Harden was voted a starter for the 2019 NBA AllStar Game, which takes place in Charlotte on Sunday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. and will be televised by TNT. It is the third straight James Harden year that Harden has been voted a Harden would be starter. He also rethe first player to have placed Kobe Bryant in averaged at least 33.0 the starting lineup in points in a season 2014 and 2015. since Kobe Bryant’s Harden has been 35.4 ppg in 2005-06. named an All-Star Only three players in each of his seven have averaged at least seasons as a Rocket.

36.0 ppg in a single He has the third-most season.

All-Star selections in Recently in New franchise history, trail- York, Harden scored ing Hakeem Olajuwon a career-high 61 (12 times) and Yao points along with 15 Ming (eight times). rebounds and five Harden finished first steals. According to among Western Conference guards in voting by media, second by players, and third by fans.

BrightBytes This season, Is bidding on Project #19-12-12 MRMS PaaS Hosting Services for the Harden is averaging Houston Independent School District. We are looking for possible M/WBE subcontractors to provide the following services: documenta36.3 points, 8.3 assists, tion creating services, printing services, and/or district training 6.6 rebounds, and services. If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Chloe Peterson-Cochrane at chloe@brightbytes.net by February 8.

2.11 steals. Michael Jordan (1988-89) is the only player to have Avenida Houston F&B Concept Opportunity averaged at least 30.0 Houston First Corporation requests responses from experienced points, 8.0 assists, restauranteurs interested in leasing space fronting on Avenida de las Americas (approx. 3,810 sq. ft.) for the operation of a restaurant.

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sports

Biggest game of the year

SUPER BOWL A

By MAX EDISON Defender

merica’s No. 1 sports spectacle, the Super Bowl, takes place Sunday, Feb. 3 in the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta. Nothing captures the spirit of American culture quite like the championship game of the nation’s most popular sport.

The Super Bowl has consistently been the country’s mostwatched TV program each year. The game has become such a mammoth event that it might as well be a national holiday. The 53rd edition of the classic should be an epic match-up between the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams.

Super Bowl LIII (53) is actually a rematch of Super Bowl XXXVI (36) in 2002. Ironically, that was the year first-year starting quarterback Tom Brady led his team to a 20-17 upset victory over the then St. Louis Rams. Now Brady is the grizzled veteran and Rams third-year QB starter Jared Goff, who was 7 years old in 2002, is the young upstart.

Both teams feature players from the Houston area. For the Rams, players with local ties are defensive lineman Michael Brockers (Chavez HS), safety Marqui Christian (Spring HS), linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (Alief Taylor HS) and receiver KhaDarel Hodge (Prairie View A&M University).

For New England, linebacker Elandon Roberts was a University of Houston standout. Defensive back Eric Rowe (Klein HS) is on injured reserve.

KhaDarel Hodge, Rams

Elandon Roberts, Patriots

Live from Atlanta!

Follow Max Edison on Defender social media platforms as he takes you behind the scenes of the Super Bowl

Looking back

Nate Washington reflects on the game For a player, appearing in the Super Bowl is the pinnacle of a career. To play in two Super Bowls (2006 and 2009) and win both as a Pittsburgh Steeler is something that Nate Washington, a former Houston Texans wide receiver now retired, counts as a blessing.

“I was an undrafted rookie free agent in 2005 out of tiny Tiffin University [Division II],” Washington recalled. “We seldom had more than 300 fans at a home game. Now I’m preparing to play in the biggest game of my life at Ford Field in Detroit, site of Super Bowl XL. “I hadn’t played much during the regular season, but that changed when Quincy Morgan got hurt late in the season. I actually got my first career reception in the AFC Championship Game.

“The Super Bowl and all the hoopla surrounding it was in a word ‘overwhelming’ for a guy like me, a small school rookie,” Washington continued. “I made an effort to just follow the veterans like Casey Hampton and Jerome Bettis.

We were playing in Detroit which was Jerome’s hometown and he went out of his way to help me feel relaxed. I guess he could see the tension in my face.”

The Steelers went on to win Super Bowl XL over Seattle 21-10 and one year

into what would become a 12-year career, Washington was a world champion. The Steelers returned to the Super Bowl stage in 2009, appearing in XLIII. Washington was not daunted by the task at hand.

“In my second Super Bowl against Arizona I was a lot more relaxed,” he said. “I was a part of the receiver package that included Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes. I knew my role and I was not bothered by the week-long hype leading up to the game.”

Little did Washington realize he would make a pivotal play in the last Steeler drive that led to a come-from-behind win. After a 64-yard catch and run by Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald, the Steelers found themselves down for the first time in the game, 23-20. With 2:37 seconds to go and the ball on their 22-yard line, the Steelers knew it was do-or-die time.

QB Ben Roethlisberger found Washington open for a 14-yard reception that kept the drive alive. A few plays later, Holmes caught a six-yard TD pass to clinch the game 27-23.

Though Washington dislocated the AC joint in his shoulder, he left the field a two-time Super Bowl champion.

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JANUARY 31 | 2019 | DEFENDER

HS sports P.J. Neal

Heights point guard makes NBA 2K plays P.J. is very unselfish. Defensively, he is very physical and can rebound really well as a big guard. He is also very coachable.” eights High School 6-foot-3 senior point The Defender spoke with Neal about basketball and guard Patrick “P.J.” Neal was off the chain his recent success on the court. in his recent 14-point effort in a back-andDefender: When did you fall in love with basketball? forth win over Bellaire.

Neal: I fell in love with basketball in the seventh Against Westbury, Neal’s 18 points and six assists grade. That’s when I really started to think that I could play. were NBA 2K-like when he scored a buzzer beater shot Defender: How would you describe your style of before the fourth quarter. He then scored nine points in play? the fourth, including six straight Neal: I am up tempo and points with under two minutes I can throw it down. I like to to go and a pull-up three-pointer distribute to my teammates but I DefenderNetwork.com closing out the 50-41win. like to score when I can to put See high school basketball highlights Heights’ current 7-7 record pressure on the defense. shows that late-season success Defender: What were the couldn’t have come sooner with only three district keys to success against your last two opponents? games to go in the regular season. Neal appears to be Neal: My coaches are always on me in practice prepared to lead Heights into the playoffs if he can keep about making the right reads and that’s what I’ve had to the district play going. do to be successful. They preach that to me and I just go Heights head coach Sammy Johnson admires Neal’s out there and try to make the right plays. competitiveness.

Defender: When do you know to drive and score “He is highly competitive and has a big effect on versus kicking it out to teammates for the dish? our offense,” Johnson said. “For every 10 points he Neal: I work on it in training and practice, I read the scores he creates another 20 or so with his teammates.

D and my trainer helps me with that.

H

By JODIE B. JILES Defender

Neal demonstrated his skills on the court against Sam Houston

About Neal

Twitter: @ploaded_ College commitment: Uncommitted Favorite subject: Math Favorite food: Pizza Hobbies: Playing NBA 2K video game NBA players he watches: De'Aaron Fox, Kemba Walker World problem he would solve: Hunger Shout-outs: “My mom, Dre, Ant, Jeff, my trainers Brandon and Bo, my teammates and coach”

Neal helped deliver a win against Bellaire. (Photos by Jimmie Aggison)

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DEFENDER | JANUARY 31| 2019

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Happening in Houston For event coverage email: events@defendermediagroup.com

topevents

GREATER HOUSTON BLACK CHAMBER ANNUAL MEETING…….. all other classes sharing positive messages that the teachers are currently working to The Greater Houston Black Chamber held its 84th Annual Meeting at the Houston enforce while ensuring that youth see their Black fathers as heroes too. Imani School Community College West Campus, where the new GHBC board and executive officers founder Patricia Williams welcomed participating heroes Teeba Rose, Darrell were officially installed, a “State of the GHBC” address was given and the GHBC Pettway, Jermaine Davis, Nehemiah Johnson, Jodie Jiles, Lomar Smith, Kenny mobile app was officially launched. Additionally, the organization released its third Ozoude, Reggie Aitch, Brian Jackson, Stephan Leveque, Brian Jackson, Eric edition of “Buy Black,” a resource guide for those seeking to do business with Black Redhead, Ike Adotama, Kevin Cooper and more……..HOPE OF PURPOSE entrepreneurs and service providers. Attendees included EXPERIENCE……..Houston author and business expert Miara Defender TOP EVENTS the new GHBC Chair Carol Guess, Courtney Johnson Shaw hosted the Hope of Purpose Experience, an educational More photos on defendernetwork.com Rose, Teeba Rose, Tiffany Ryland, Warren Luckett, conference and networking event for entrepreneurs, corporate PHOTOS BY: Aswad Walker Rev. Dr. Patricia Williams, Veronica Douglas, Jermaine professionals, non-profit leaders and social influencers. The event offered participants empowering and informational sessions on various Patterson, Dewan Clayborn, Zach Patterson, Niles topics of business, health and relationships. The event’s special guest was Brandice Dillard, Adrienne Henry, Judge Clarease Yates, Janaeya Carmouche, Lawrence Daniel, CEO and founder of Harlem’s Fashion Row. Other speakers and panelists Battle, Vernita Harris, Keira Miller, Leeandria Williams and many others…….. included LaShanna Leonard, Dr. Teriya Richmond, Dr. Pruedence Brooks, Dr. SUPERHERO DADS AT THE IMANI SCHOOL……..The Imani School Dad’s Jacque Colbert, Maurice Shaw, Lereca Monik, Pastor Dexter Kyle, Dale Lemon, Club participated in its 2nd Annual Super HeroDads Read event, where fathers dressed David Anderson III, Ian Chestnut, Zii Davis and more. as super heroes read to pre-K through second-grade students. The men also visited

Vernita Harris, Carol Guess, Courtney Johnson Rose

Lomar Smith, Patricia Williams, Stephan Leveque

Charmaine Moore, Miara Shaw, Chaniece Vaughns

Keira Miller, Leeandria Williams

Reggie Aitch, Teeba Rose

Brandice Daniel

Niles Dillard, Adrienne Henry, Rey Alton

Ike Adotama, Sidney Griffin

David Anderson III, Dexter Kyle, Ian Chestnut

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