Houston Defender: January 26, 2012

H.S. ZONE

High school basketball rivalries and races heat up P11

Houston’s Leading Black Information Source Volume 81 | Number 13

WEEK OF JANUARY 26, 2012 | FREE

www.defendernetwork.com

Feb. 7 is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Living with HIV one woman’s story

NEWSTALK REP. SYLVESTER TURNER

part of political meeting

P2 OPINION WHAT’S UP

ETTA JAMES

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remembered as unique talent

P8 SPORTS

DERRICK MITCHELL pitching for PV in tourney

Pres. Obama

speaks to America During his State of the Union address, President Barack Obama called for economic equality, and shared his concerns and plan of action.

He discussed tax reform and job training. He talked about the American dream, and the need to keep it alive.

“The state of our union is getting stronger,” he said. “And we’ve come too far to turn back now.”

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Ne-Yo

excited about role

Singer/songwriter Ne-Yo has found success in the movies, and is now appearing in “Red Tails,” the war saga about the Tuskegee Airmen. “I wanted to do an acting role in a movie that had nothing to do with the music business or in which I would play a singer or a songwriter,” he said. Ne-Yo got his wish, and tells why he’s happy to be part of the film.

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P10 CHAG’S PLACE

Al Jarreau performs at Cabaret for a Cure.

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newstalk

Localbriefs TEXAS’ VOTER ID LAW remains in limbo, and state Attorney General Greg Abbott wants to do something about it. Abbott recently filed suit seeking swift enforcement of the controversial law, which is under review by the Justice Department.

Abbott asked a federal court to go ahead and approve the measure. Texas has been denied authority to enforce the law because the Voting Rights Act prohibits changes to state election laws from being implemented until they are granted “pre-clearance” by either the Justice Department or the federal courts…….. A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST GROUP continues to take a stand against “police misconduct.” Organizers held a Jan. 26 town hall meeting at Phoenix Youth Outreach Center which asked the question, “Are Northeast Houston police officers out of control?”

Earlier, Deric Muhammad and others held a press conference objecting to the deal given former Officer Stefan Riha by the district attorney’s office, after he pled guilty to a string of felony thefts.

“Riha faced 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine,” they said. “How did he end up with a measly two years of probation and a $500 fine?” The DA’s office defended its actions, saying Riha would never work in law enforcement again, lost his right to vote and could be jailed if he violated probation……..

MAYOR ANNISE PARKER joined more than 70 other mayors in signing a statement supporting same-sex marriage equality. They took the step during the winter meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors……..A CLEVELAND TEEN admitted his role in the much- publicized, alleged gang rape of an 11-year-old girl by 20 males. The juvenile told a Liberty County courtroom he took part in the assault because he was accused of being “gay.” He became the fourth juvenile defendant in the case to receive probation in exchange for testimony against the remaining defendants. Under the terms of his probation, he must perform 40 hours of community service, attend sex offender classes, abstain from alcohol and abide by a 9 p.m. curfew.

Black officials hold historic gathering

By ASWAD WALKER Defender

More than 55 African-American elected officials representing all levels of governance in Harris and Fort Bend Counties convened at Texas Southern University’s School of Public Affairs Building recently to find common ground and make plans for unified action going forward.

According to State Rep. Sylvester Turner, the gathering had a threepronged purpose: to gather AfricanAmerican elected officials under one roof, start a conversation in terms of mapping out a coordinated direction for 2012 and beyond, and institute the gathering as an ongoing instrument of change.

“All major objectives were achieved,” said Turner. “I think people walked away committed to work together for the people we represent.”

Turner described the event as a meeting of equally invested participants.

“There’s no leader; no hierarchy. We are all sitting at the round table; we’re all participants,” he said.

Though James Douglas, executive vice president at Texas Southern, said that participants agreed they

would not discuss the specifics of what took place during the meeting, he did echo Turner’s words on why they came together in the first place.

“One of the things we all recognize is that every Black elected official has an interest in the impact of policies and issues on the Black community,” Douglas said.

“Many of their districts overlap each other. Many of their interests overlap each other.

State Rep. Sylvester Turner

If they can get together to create some kind of unified effort they would be a lot more effective in achieving their goals.”

Turner believes the meeting was important for reasons beyond policy formation and strategizing.

“Oftentimes there’s a perception in our community and outside that we are at odds with one another; that so-and-so can’t work with so-and-so.

Anyone who could have looked in at the meeting on Saturday would have realized those perceptions are not true, or at least they are history,” Turner said.

“People came with a genuine desire to work with one another and put our constituents first, recognizing that we are all connected. I think we’re growing up,” said Turner.

“That’s the whole idea, to see what interests do we hold in commonality, and what can we do to be more effective,” added Douglas.

Turner said participants, whom he estimated represent over 85 percent of all African- American local officials, were cognizant of the unity theme throughout.

“We’re not an island unto ourselves.

One person can only do so much no Continued on Page 5

Redistricting issue takes another turn

By Aswad Walker Defender

After the U.S. Supreme Court threw out electoral maps drawn by federal judges in Texas that favored minorities – leaving the fate of Texas’ April primaries unclear – a federal court conference on the state’s redistricting plan was moved up to Jan. 27.

This action followed state Attorney General Greg Abbott’s insistence that the previous schedule didn’t allow time for the primary election to be held April 3.

In response to the justices’ recent demand that the three-judge court in San Antonio come up with new plans, U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia in San Antonio requested the presence of representatives of the Republican and Democratic parties at a status conference.

It is the hope of the federal redistricting judges that an agreement can be reached between the parties on political maps in time for an April primary.

If no agreement is reached by the first week of February, serious consideration will be given

to split presidential primaries. The State’s Republican Party prefers a split primary, while their Democratic counterparts favor a unified primary.

Controversy over the maps arose from redrawing political boundaries based on results of the 2010 census that found that Texas added more than 4 million new residents, mostly Latinos and AfricanAmericans, since 2000.

The minority groups complained they were denied sufficient voting power by Republican lawmakers who sought to maximize GOP electoral gains in violation of the landmark Voting Rights Act.

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF JANUARY 26 | 2012

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U.S.briefs

Obama calls

for economic equality

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Defender News Services

uring his third State of the Union address, President Barack Obama outlined steps America can take to fight economic inequality. His priorities include tax reform, job training, an end to skyrocketing college tuition and a crackdown on

bank fraud.

Obama used the nationally televised platform to talk about the promise of the American dream.

“The defining issue of our time is how to keep that promise alive,” he said. “No challenge is more urgent. No debate is more important.

We can either settle for a country where a shrinking number of people do really well, while a growing number of Americans barely get by.”

Obama also said it’s time for the rich to pay their fair share of taxes. He said tax reform should follow the Buffett rule: “If you make more than $1 million a year, you should not pay less than 30 percent in taxes.”

He added that Americans do not begrudge financial success. “We admire it,” he said.

“When Ameri-

cans talk about folks like me paying my fair share of taxes, it’s not because they envy the rich.”

Obama’s other priorities include: • A national commitment to train 2 million Americans with skills that will lead directly to a job.

• The need for states to make higher education a higher priority in their budgets by keeping tuition costs down.

• A crackdown on large-scale bank/ financial firm fraud and expansion of investigations into risky mortgages that led to the housing crisis.

• A plan that gives every responsible homeowner the chance to save about $3,000 a year on their mortgage, by refinancing at historically low interest rates.

Obama insisted that the state of the union is getting stronger. “And we’ve come too far to turn back now,” he said.

“As long as I’m President, I will work with anyone in this chamber to build on this momentum. But I intend to fight obstruction with action, and I will oppose any effort to return to the very same policies that brought on this economic crisis in the first place.”

President Barack Obama

Analysis:

Who gets food stamps?

By JULIANNE MALVEAUX NNPA Columnist

Newt Gingrich is playing racial politics and he is playing to win. First he says that Black children should get jobs as janitors. Then he says that he wants to tell the NAACP that we should demand jobs, not food

stamps. He so bristles at Fox commentator Juan Williams that he gets a standing O in South Carolina.

And he has repeatedly described President Barack Obama as a “food stamp” president. It’s race baiting, pure and simple, and few have called him on it.

The true food stamp story

goes something like this. In 2006 just 26.5 million Americans received food stamps. By 2011 the number had spiked to more than 45 million people. This has been the result of the Great Recession that has left at least 13 million people officially unemployed for an average of 40 weeks.

Those are the official numContinued on Page 5

THE CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS announced it will launch a multicity “voter protection” tour that will kick off the weekend of March 3. It coincides with the 47th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday,” when civil rights demonstrators were beaten after crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., in 1965. CBC Chairman Emanuel Cleaver did not confirm all of the cities on the tour, but one of the stops will be in Florida, a key battleground state during the 2012 presidential race……...WAL-MART NAMED ROSALIND BREWER president and CEO of Sam’s Club. She is the first woman and AfricanAmerican to hold a CEO position with the world’s biggest retailer.

Brewer, 49, was previously president of the retailer’s U.S. East business unit. Brewer Rosalind Brewer joined Wal-Mart in 2006 as regional vice president. She formerly held various positions with Kimberly-Clark.

She is a graduate of Spelman College……..

GOV. RICK PERRY said he will continue to champion conservative principles but it won’t be as a Republican presidential candidate. Perry suspended his campaign, saying he saw “no viable path forward.”

His support dwindled after weak debate performances and poor finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire. He endorsed Newt Gingrich for president........ FEDERAL JOB DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINTS rose to an all-time high in 2011. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the agency received nearly 100,000 charges of discrimination during the last fiscal year, the most in its 46-year history. Experts attribute the increase to a growing diversity of the nation’s work force.

VOLUME 81 • NUMBER • 13 WEEK OF JANUARY 25, 2012

Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Advertising Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Associate Editors Reshonda Billingsley Marilyn Marshall Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila

Columnist Yvette Chargois Sport Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison Contributing Writer Aswad Walker Webmaster Corneleon Block

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (713-663-6996.. The Defender 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 2011 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).

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Who Gets Food... Continued from page 4 bers, but they may be twice as high when we consider the people who have part time work and want full time work and those who have dropped out of the labor market because it costs too much to look for work.

President Obama is not a food stamps president; he is a president who inherited an economic crisis. Newt is being extremely disingenuous and extraordinarily racist in his food stamps rap.

While about 14 percent of all of us – one in seven – gets food stamps, in some states the number is as high as one in five.

In South Carolina, for example, poverty is greater than it is in the nation and 18.2 percent of South Carolinians get food stamps. The number in Maine is 18.6 percent, in Louisiana 19.2 percent, in Michigan 19.7 percent, in Oregon 20.1 percent, and in Mississippi 20.7 percent.

Given the racial dynamics in South Carolina, did Newt decide to show out in a state where there is more poverty than elsewhere, and where the racial resentments don’t need much fuel to turn to fire?

He got a standing O by pandering to racial stereotypes. And that pandering may well have propelled him into victory.

Newt has managed to paint food stamps as a Black program, partly by describing our president as a “food stamps” president, and partly by putting food stamps in context with the NAACP. But Mr.

“Gingrich, often touted for his intelligence, must be bright enough to know that most food stamp recipients are not African American.”

Gingrich, often touted for his intelligence, must be bright enough to know that most food stamp recipients are not African American.

Indeed, according to the Associated Press, 49 percent of food stamp recipients are white, 26 percent are African American, and 20 percent are Hispanic. Indeed, some of the folks who gave Newt a standing O are food stamp recipients, but they chose to bond with Newt’s racially coded messages instead of their own economic reality.

Poverty has a different face than it has ever had before. People who used to have big jobs and fancy cars are now struggling to make ends meet. People who always struggled are now strangling.

More than 2 million families have doubled up in the past year because they needed a family lifeline to save their lives and their worlds. More than 40 percent of African American children live in poverty.

Newt Gingrich would blame the poor for their situation, but the economy that President Obama inherited is an economy that has thrust people into despair. Food stamps are a lifeline for many.

How dare candidate Gringrich attack President Obama for providing relief to 45 million Americans!

Most food stamp recipients are people who used to work, and they would, frankly, rather be working than receiving assistance.

But they have downsized their lifestyles, their dreams, and their expectations. They are waiting for the job market to roar back.

Half of the 45 million are white, and some of them stood to applaud Gingrich. Do they really think that a man who disdains the poor will provide them with a lifeline?

Do they really believe that a man who is selling wolf tickets to the NAACP is really concerned with the well-being of the least and the left out?

The poverty that too many Americans experience is repugnant. The extent to which politicians trivialize such poverty is character revealing.

Who will put Americans back to work?

Who will alleviate poverty?

other elected officials at all levels – county, city council, school board. In 2012, Black elected officials are putting forth the effort to collaborate and cooperate with one another because it’s in our best interest,” Turner said.

New Look, New Size, New Content, New Attitude Designed for your convenience, the new Defender is packaged in an easy to handle tabloid size, with a colorful contemporary flair featuring more content as we celebrate 80 years of service to the African-American community.

The new Defender logo with the large star reflects that “You Are the STAR.” Each week you are invited to share your opinions and comments on our stories and the issues confronting our city on the defendernetwork.com.

Let your voice be heard and invite others to join you.

Look for the Defender at community locations, Krogers, Fiesta, Gerlands and soon CVS pharmacies.

And visit our website

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Success stories are written everyday in the many outstanding Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

From grades Pre-K3 through 12, we educate mind, heart and spirit.

Our students flourish in a network of Catholic schools that include national blue ribbon schools, college prep curriculum, and high graduation rates.

Write success in your child’s future.

Visit choosecatholicschools.org to learn more.

We also welcome you to visit us during

Catholic Schools Week Jan. 29th to Feb. 5th, 2012

Black Officials... Continued from page 2 matter how strong, but collectively we can do so much more for so many more people. The problems I may be facing are not dissimilar to the problems someone else may be facing,” Turner said.

“I need the help of

Discover the

“Throughout the course of the meeting there was nothing that was ‘anti’ any other group or person; you didn’t hear any negativity in the room. The whole emphasis was on what we can do to improve the lives of those we serve,” he added.

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One woman’s story

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By RESHONDA TATE BILLINGSLEY Defender

ennifer Rogers begins each day with a cocktail – a mixture of seven different kinds of pills designed to keep her healthy.

It’s something the 39-year-old will have to do the rest of her life. That’s because eight years ago, she was diagnosed with

HIV. “The clinic I went to offered an AIDS test and I said ‘sure, why not’,” Rogers said. “I didn’t have any fear of taking the test or what the results may be because I never thought there was a chance of the results being positive.

“I wasn’t an IV drug user, I didn’t have several sex partners, I had never had a blood transfusion. And when it came back positive, I thought it was a big mistake.”

It wasn’t. Rogers was devastated to learn that her ex-boyfriend of two years had passed the disease on to her.

“He knew that he had it,” she said. “I didn’t know until six months after we broke up. When I found out I was positive, I confronted him and he eventually admitted it. At first he denied it, but I pressed him because I hadn’t been with anyone else.”

Rogers was devastated, especially because her ex-boyfriend showed no remorse.

“In Texas there had not been a law passed yet that if someone knowingly infects you, you can press charges. So the only thing I could do was report him to the CDC and the health department,” she added.

Rogers’ story is an example of why awareness of the disease is so important.

That message is the cornerstone of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD), which this year will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 7.

Rogers is among a growing group of heterosexual women living with HIV. She sees that number rising because of an “invincible mentality” among men, particularly Black men.

“It amazes me, I would meet men and be totally honest when they are trying to take it to that level of sex,” she said. “I’m open and honest and tell them I have HIV and I only had one man get scared and run the opposite direction. Most men do not care and that’s really scary to me. Knowing my status still doesn’t change their mind and I’m like, what are you thinking?”

Januari Leo, public affairs field specialist with Legacy Community Health Services, says it comes as no surprise that men continued to want to sleep with Rogers.

“There’s a real lack of education about

how serious the disease is, how you can get the disease,” Leo said. “A lot of men think they can’t really get it from women.

It’s more difficult to get it from women, but you can still get it.”

Devastating statistics

While Blacks represent approximately 14 percent of the U.S. population, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the group accounts for 44 percent of the nation’s new HIV infections.

In 2009 (the last year national data was available), Black women accounted for 30 percent of the estimated new HIV infections among all Blacks. Most (85 percent) Black women with HIV were like Rogers, and acquired it through heterosexual sex.

The estimated rate of new HIV infections for Black women was more than 15 times as high as the rate for white women, and more than three times as high as that of Latina women.

Black men accounted for 70 percent of the estimated new HIV infections among all Blacks. The estimated rate of new HIV infection for Black men was more than six and a half times as high as that of white men, and two and a half times as high as that of Latino men or Black women.

Black men who have sex with men (MSM) represented an estimated 73 percent of new infections among all Black men, and 37 percent among all MSM. More new HIV infections occurred among young Black MSM (aged 13–29) than any other age and racial group of MSM. In addition, new HIV infections among young Black MSM increased by 48 percent from 2006–2009.

“There’s a lot of stigma around being gay and being able to talk about that, which is why you see a rise in your female population as well,” said Leo. “So you have these men who have sex with women at the same time and not telling them.”

coverp

Living w

Living with HIV

Since being diagnosed, Rogers has gotten married and three years ago, gave birth to a baby girl, who has tested negative for the disease. All of the medication she is on sometimes takes its toll (one of the meds led to kidney damage), but she’s happy to be alive and looking forward to the future.

“It’s been a battle up and down. I have a 21-year-old son, and in the beginning, it was really hard,” she said. “I didn’t want to live with it, I didn’t want my son to see his mother wither away and die. I didn’t know I could take medicine, eat right and live a long time. In the beginning I just wanted it to be over with.

“Now, my son has a baby on the way.

I’ve gotten married and I have a three-year-

old. I realized that was really a selfish thing and I have so much to live for so I just try to live my life as normally as possible. “ Rogers urges women to get tested, regardless of their relationship status.

“I speak a lot to women ar it seems as though the women being tested,” she said.

“It should be a mandatory should be a basic part of your y

defendernetwork.com • Serving th

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with HIV

round the country and are so uninterested in

y thing – an HIV test yearly exam or physi-

About National Black HIV/ AIDS Awareness Day NBHAAD – to be held on Feb. 7 – is a grassroots effort that is shaped around the needs of those communities that work hard each and every year to make it a success. Annually, nearly 20,000 Blacks in the United States test positive for HIV. NBHAAD was founded by five national organizations funded by the CDC in 1999 to provide capacity building assistance to Black communities and organizations: Concerned Black Men, Inc. of Philadelphia; Health Watch Information and Promotion Services, Inc.; Jackson State University-Mississippi Urban Research Center; National Black Alcoholism and Addictions Council; and National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS.

There are now a total of 12 organizations that work together annually to make NBHAAD a success: • 100 Black Men of America, Inc. • Advocates for Youth, Inc. • Alliances for Quality Education, Inc. • Balm in Gilead, Inc. • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention • Huston-Tillotson University • Institute of the Black World • My Brother’s Keeper, Inc. • Multi-Cultural Addictions Network, Inc. • National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS • Rae Lewis Thornton Foundation, Inc. For more information go to info@ nationalblackaidsday.org.

AIDS facts and figures reveal crisis

By RESHONDA TATE BILLINGSLEY Defender

Get tested for HIV. To find a testing site near you, call 1-800-CDCINFO, visit http://www. hivtest.org/, or, on your cell phone, text your zip code to Know IT (566948).

cal because I’ve met so many women that didn’t know their mates had AIDS until the men were on their death bed and the doctors inform the wives that their husband is dying of AIDS. If nothing else do it for your family.”

he Houston area for over 80 years

According to the most recent data available from the Texas Department of State Health Services, more than 65,000 Texas residents were living with HIV/AIDS at the end of 2010.

The ongoing state budget crisis has exacerbated the challenges that people living with HIV/AIDS face in accessing care by weakening the state’s health services infrastructure, including significant cuts to the Medicaid budget during the last legislative session.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that one in every five people with HIV nationwide is unaware of their infection.

On average, it takes a decade for untreated HIV to progress to AIDS. Roughly one-third of Texans get late diagnoses, meaning they learn they have HIV, then AIDS in the same year. Thirty-eight percent of new HIV cases became late diagnoses in 2003, compared with 32 percent in 2009.

“There are some studies that suggest that a lot of the transmission of HIV occurs from those people who are undiagnosed. They are more likely to be infectious if they’re not on medications and they’re less likely to protect partners because they assume they’re not infected,” said Jeff Hitt, the state health department’s manager for HIV/STD prevention.

As the impact of the epidemic among African Americans has grown, the CDC, state and local public health agencies, and African-American communities have stepped up efforts to address the crisis.

All stress the importance of HIV/AIDS education, prevention, early detection and treatment.

Other facts and figures include:

4,242 Texans diagnosed with HIV in 2010 • 42 percent were Black • 31 percent were Hispanic • 25 percent were Anglo

HIV/AIDS diagnoses and deaths

• From 2006–2009, the estimated number and rate of HIV diagnoses among Blacks remained stable in the 40 states with long-term confidential name-based HIV reporting.

• At some point of in their lifetimes, an estimated 1 in 16 Black men and 1 in 32 Black women will be diagnosed with HIV infection.

• In 2009, an estimated 16,741 Blacks were diagnosed with AIDS in the U.S., a number that has slowly decreased since 2006.

• By the end of 2008, an estimated 240,627 Blacks with an AIDS diagnosis had died in the US. In 2007, HIV was the ninth leading cause of death for all Blacks and the third leading cause of death for Black women and Black men aged 35–44. Source: CDC

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF JANUARY 26 | 2012

entertainment Ne-Yo excited about ‘Red Tails’ role

By Kam Williams Defender

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haffer Chimere Smith, aka Ne-Yo, was born in Camden, Ark., but raised in Las Vegas by his mom, a musician of Chinese and African-American descent.

He began making a name for himself as a singer/songwriter in 1999, going on to compose hits for Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Christina Milian, B2K, Mario and others, and also recording four solo albums.

In 2006, he added acting to his repertoire, making his screen debut in “Save the Last Dance.” He later appeared in “Stomp the Yard” and, more recently, in “Battle: Los Angeles.”

Here, he talks about co-starring

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opposite Cuba Gooding Jr. and Terrence Howard as Andrew “Smoky” Salem in “Red Tails”, a World War II saga recounting the daring exploits of the Tuskegee Airmen in the skies over Europe.

“Stomp the Yard” was a great film, but I played myself there.

When “Red Tails” came along, all I knew was that they were the first African-American fighter pilots in the U.S. Air Force. I had no idea how deep the story went or about all their amazing achievements.

KW: What interested you in Red Tails?

Ne-Yo: For starters, I wanted to do an acting role in a movie that had nothing to do with the music business or in which I would play a singer or a songwriter.

When I act, I don’t even want to be thought of as Ne-Yo. I want to be Shaffer Smith, which is my government name.

So, my initial attraction to “Red Tails” was the opportunity to play a character that was not me.

“Stomp the Yard” was a great film, but I played myself there. When “Red Tails” came along, all I knew was that they were the first African-American fighter pilots in the U.S. Air Force. I had no idea how deep the story

Ne-Yo

Continued on Page 9

what’sup THE LATE ETTA JAMES is being remembered as a passionate, magnetic singer whose music denied category. The legendary blues artist died Jan. 20 after battling dementia, leukemia and kidney problems.

Born Jamesetta Hawkins in 1938 in Los Angeles, James was a gospel prodigy who at age five sang in her church choir and on the radio. She joined a band at the young age of 12. Her career soared after she signed with Chicago’s Chess Records in the 1960s.

A Grammy-Award winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, James was known for such hits as “At Last,” “All I Could Do Was Cry” and “Trust in Me.” She is survived by her husband and two sons……..

VIOLA DAVIS received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress for her role in “The Help” and OCTAVIA SPENCER was nominated by Best Supporting Actress. The movie itself received a nomination for

Best Picture. The 84th annual Academy Awards will be presented on Feb. 26…….ARETHA FRANKLIN called off her engagement to Willie Wilkerson.

The Queen of Soul said things were moving too fast and hadn’t been thought through. She wouldn’t comment further because of “the very personal and sensitive nature of it.” Franklin was previously married to her manager Ted White and actor Glynn Turman……..TRACY MORGAN was the talk of the Sundance Film Festival after he collapsed and was rushed to a hospital in Park City, Utah. First reports said the comedian and “30 Rock” star appeared intoxicated while accepting a Creative Coalition Spotlight Award. Morgan’s rep later told Access Hollywood that Morgan’s problem arose from exhaustion and altitude, not alcohol. ……..

SEAL and his supermodel wife Heidi Klum announced they were separating after divorce rumors circulated. “While we have enjoyed seven very loving, loyal and happy years of marriage, after much soul searching we have decided to separate,” they said in a joint statement. They added that the protection of their four children was their top priority……...

BISHOP T.D. JAKES continues to find success in the film industry. “Woman Thou Art Loosed!: On the 7th Day,” will be the first film released under new a partnership with AMC Theatres and media/film company Codeblack Entertainment.

The movie is the second project in Jakes’ franchise, and stars BLAIR UNDERWOOD, SHARON LEAL and PAM GRIER. It will be released on April 13.

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Ne-Yo... Continued from page 8

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Ne-Yo portrays Tuskegee Airman Andrew Salem in “Red Tails”

went or about all their amazing achievements. There were a few Tuskegee Airmen on the set to make sure everything was as authentic as possible.

And just to sit back and listen to these cats talk about the discrimination they faced while fighting for their country really got to me. So, I was really happy to be a part of this film, and excited that their story is being told in the way it’s being told. It’s more than just entertainment.

It’s educational at the same time. [Producer] George Lucas and [director] Anthony Hemingway knew what they were doing.

KW: How do you expect Red Tails to contribute to the public’s rethinking about the historic role of the Tuskegee Airmen?

Ne-Yo: By focusing on their triumphs as much on the tragedy. I like how Anthony decided not to hit the audience over the head about the racism. We all know that racism was rampant in the U.S. in 1942. So, instead of simply highlighting the segregation and discrimination these aviators had to endure, he accentuated their positive experiences, like the fact that they wound up doing their job better than anyone had before them.

KW: What message do you think people will take away from the film?

Ne-Yo: For me, that any and everything is possible, if your heart is in it and your mind is in the right place. If you believe in yourself, it doesn’t matter what others might be telling you is impossible. It’s all up to you.

KW: When will your next album, “The Cracks in Mr. Perfect,” be released?

Ne-Yo: I’m thinking April or May. I’m still putting the finishing bells and whistles on it. I don’t want to call myself a perfectionist because perfection is imperfection.

But, at the same time, I can’t give it away to the world until it’s all the way right.

KW: What should fans expect from the album?

Ne-Yo: Everything that you’ve come to expect from me, plus a little bit more. This is slightly Ne-Yo unpolished. This is me with the tie loosened up a little bit and with the hat cocked to the side.

KW: Are you happy?

Ne-Yo: I’m actually a lot happier now than I’ve ever been. I have to credit that to my two beautiful children. My daughter’s one and my son’s three months old. They have definitely put life in perspective for me, by showing me just how unimportant a lot of

things are I’d thought were important. Now my priorities are in order.

KW: What is your guiltiest pleasure?

Ne-Yo: Cartoons.

I watch cartoons the way most adults watch reality-TV shows.

KW: What excites you?

Ne-Yo: The creative process, a great necktie knot, and music.

KW: What key quality do you believe all successful people share?

Ne-Yo: Above everything and anything, a good work ethic. The ability to keep going.

When everybody else is partying, you’re in the office.

Better than the tooth fairy.

Medicaid and CHIP families now get to choose a dental plan for their kids.

Enroll in MCNA Dental and get a $10 Walmart gift card that you can use for dental supplies. MCNA offers full Medicaid and CHIP benefits, plus value-added services.

February 10 is the deadline to choose, so enroll in MCNA Dental now. And get ready to smile.

Visit mcnatx.net for more information.

CALL 1-800-964-2777 (FOR MEDICAID) OR 1-877-543-7669 (FOR CHIP) TO ENROLL. Walmart is a registered trademark of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. MCNA is not related to Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. MCNA-0105_5.36x4_ToothFairy_HoustDefender_v2.indd 1

12/26/11 3:45 PM

Smart DeciSion HCCfacultyfacts.org

classified At HCC, our faculty knows the theory

Foreclosure Sale

yet applies the practice of real-world

64 Unit Apartment Complex Fort Stockton, Texas

Property:

Earnest money to bid:

Stockton Village Apartments 1101 W. Sherer Fort Stockton, TX 79735

$50,000

Time and date of sale: Friday, February 24, 2012 9:00 a.m. Local Time

Sale will be held at: Pecos County Courthouse (the east door) 103 West Callaghan Fort Stockton, TX 79735

experience in the very same classroom.

We are preparing students to be the next generation of thinkers and doers.

Letter of Credit:

&

A $150,000 Letter of Credit (LoC) is required at closing to insure repairs

English Professor Encore Theatre Founder

To submit a bid: Bids may be submitted in writing or made orally at the foreclosure sale.

Interested parties must obtain a bid kit before they can bid.

Harold Haynes

After receipt of bid kit address questions to:

Terms: All Cash/30-day closing Unstated Minimum

debie.f.bolin@hud.gov Ft. Worth HUD MFPD Center (817) 978-5822

Download the Bid Kit & see photos at:

http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_ or request by phone by contacting the Realty Specialist

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT Note: This advertisement is placed by HUD and does not constitute the legal notice of foreclosure sale.

hccs.edu

Defender Fall 2011 ad buy .indd 1

11/11/11 12:58 PM

10

DEFENDER | WEEK OF JANUARY 26 | 2012

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sports

MLB brings Urban Invitational to Houston

I

By MAX EDISON Defender

PV and Southern marching bands.

The Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park will be the primary site of the tournament on Friday, Feb. 17 and Sunday, Feb. 19, while the games on Saturday, Feb. 18 will be played at Minute Maid Park.

Two of those contests will air live on MLB Network and MLB.com.

“We are thrilled to be working with the Houston Astros in bringing these six outstanding programs to Houston for this year’s Urban Invitational,” said Jimmie Lee Solomon, MLB executive vice president of baseball development.

“Through this event, Major League Baseball strives to bring much needed exposure to these individual institutions and attention to collegiate baseball programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” Solomon said.

“Additionally, we are very pleased to give local high school students the opportunity to learn more about higher education directly from the more than 20 colleges and universities at the college fair. This will be a great experience

n a continuing effort to enhance the profile of baseball in the urban community, Major League Baseball is bringing its 5th annual Urban Invitational Tournament to Houston Feb. 17-19.

The round-robin collegiate tourney is designed to give Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and their baseball programs national exposure, and marks the first time games will be played in a Major League venue.

Houston is a logical site for the event since it is home to both a Major League franchise and the Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy.

HBCUs have a proud tradition of outstanding baseball players. From current Milwaukee Brewer second baseman Rickie Weeks (Southern) to perennial All-Star Andre Dawson (Florida A&M) and Hall of Famer Lou Brock (Southern), HBCUs have a history of providing talent to the Major Leagues.

HBCUs Texas Southern University, Prairie View A&M University, Alabama State University (Montgomery), Grambling State University (Grambling, La.) and Southern University (Baton Rouge) will all participate in the Urban Invitational as well as an NCAA Division-I school, University of CaliforniaIrvine.

TSU’s Ray Hernandez The Saturday games at Minute Maid Park will also feature a Battle of the Bands, featuring performances from the TSU,

PV pitcher Derrick Mitchell

for all involved, especially these young men playing in a beautiful ballpark such as Minute Maid Park.”

Daryl Wade, manager of the Astros youth academy, reiterates that the event features baseball, with education as a bonus.

“This event gives the [Astros] organization a chance to reach out to inner-city high school youth with a message that seeking education after high school is attainable for anyone,” Wade said.

“The high quality of baseball, music and schools at our college fair over the weekend, should give these students the idea that there are many routes that can be taken to reach that next step in their lives. Whether it’s through baseball, music, academics or all three, these kids have a chance, and we’re happy to support such a cause,” Wade said.

Southern University head coach Roger Cador’s Jaguars are no strangers to the tournament and Cador is happy to come to Houston.

“As one of the first teams to be a part of previous

PV catcher Evan Richard

MLB Urban Invitational tournaments, we are excited to once again collaborate with MLB to try to make this event bigger and better,” Cador said.

“Major League Baseball nailed it by coming to Houston, a city with a huge African-American presence, where they really have an opportunity to showcase their hardware and promote their message.”

The head coaches at TSU and PV are elated to be playing in the tournament in their backyards.

“Having the opportunity to participate in such a prestigious event on a national scale close to home is an opportunity our student-athletes, administration and supporters will cherish forever,” said PV head coach Waskyla Cullivan.

“We received an opportunity to play at the MLB Urban Youth Academy in Houston last spring and were impressed with what the facility has to offer.

Prairie View A&M is proud to partner with MLB in whatever way it can to spread the message of America’s pastime,” Cullivan said.

“We are anticipating a highly competitive weekend,” said TSU head baseball coach TSU Michael Robertson. “The tournapitcher ment will give us an opportunity Abel to showcase our program on a Flores national level. Thanks to [Baseball Commissioner] Bud Selig, Jimmie Lee Solomon, Darrell Miller, Daryl Wade and all those involved in bringing this event to Houston.”

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h.s.zone High school races, rivalries heat up Justin Chandler scored a game-high 19 points and pulled in six rebounds to lead Kingwood Park to a This is the 58-50 victory over Summer time of the high Creek and remain tied with school basketball Humble. season when district With Chandler in foul races take shape and trouble and having to sit out longtime rivalries the entire second quarter, heat up.

Kingwood Park led 28-23 at One of the intermission. fiercest rivalries in Summer Creek kept the girls division rewithin striking distance by sides in the Houston out-rebounding the Panthers Independent School 35-28 and closed within District (HISD) 31-30 on Greg Hogan’s between Westside The Bellaire girls’ basketball team is among the region’s elite programs. put-back basket with five High School and minutes, 15 seconds left in want to get you.”

Bellaire. The latest the third quarter.

Manvel head boys basketball chapter unfolded recently with Bellaire Yet the Bulldogs couldn’t overcoach Greg Devers learned firsthand claiming a 59-51 victory at Butler come 21 turnovers or leading scorer recently about Gulf Coast rivalries.

Fieldhouse.

Lawrence Thibeaux’s cold-shooting Following his team’s victory at La “I respect them, but I’m not going night.

Marque, an irate fan punched Devers in to lie about it – they hate us and we Thibeaux posted his first points the face as the team and the coaching hate them,” Westside coach Troy Gilon a three-pointer with 1:46 left in staff were waiting to board the team bus. lespie said. the fourth quarter and the game out of Manvel’s next game was at home The Westside Lady Wolves didn’t hand. against Dawson with sole possession of feel any better following the latest “Humble is still the team to beat,” first place in District 24-4A at stake and verdict. said Kingwood Park coach Dominic “Every time we play against West- a capacity crowd on hand.

Amorosa.

“We’ve still got to go to “We wanted to put that incident side I know it’s going to be a competiHumble.

Summer Creek’s rising fast. tion,” said Bellaire senior Raven Burns, behind us and just focus on winning the Willis is going to have a say in this. It’s district title,” Devers said. “We’re just who led the way with 30 points, four going to come down to the last week of looking forward to our next game.” rebounds and three steals. “Every team the season.”

Terry Allen had a game-high 31 that plays against us wants to beat us The Seven Lakes girls strengthpoints and 18 rebounds to lead Manvel because we’re Bellaire.” ened their hold on first place in District to an 86-81 win over Dawson.

Bellaire head coach Michael 19-5A with a 38-32 victory over Cinco Dawson trailed 80-77 late in the Kramer said when Westside defeated Ranch. fourth quarter, but was unable to get any Bellaire in the 2010 HISD Girls Nursing a comfortable 11-point Tournament, the victory made the Lady closer. lead in the fourth quarter, Seven Lakes “We couldn’t get stops,” said DawWolves’ season. “They were celebratsurvived a five-minute scoring drought son coach Mark Barre. “We got it down ing. So I told my girls to relax and with hard-nosed defense. concentrate on playing them in district. to two, then back up to four. We come “It’s instilled in our players to down, miss a shot, and it’s back up to We ended up beating them twice.” play athletically and use their speed Another Bellaire sweep over West- six. We just could not get stops.” to play gut-wrenching defense,” said Manvel improves to 22-4 on the side in District 20-5A this season will Seven Lakes coach Angela Spurlock. likely secure the Lady Cardinals’ fourth season and 8-0 in district play. Dawson “We take a lot of pride in that.

We slips to 20-3 and 7-1. The two schools consecutive district title. The two come to work every day with a hard meet again on Feb. 17 to end the regular schools play again on Feb. 10 at Butler hat, lunch pale kind of attitude and that season.

Fieldhouse (5:30 p.m.) and Kramer paid off.”

In the District 18-4A boys division, expects another battle.

Seven Lakes improved to 27-4 Humble, Kingwood Park and Summer “It is what it is,” he said. “It’s Belon the season and 8-0 in district play.

Creek were tied atop the district standlaire, it’s Westside – it’s a hate thing.

Cinco Ranch fell to 21-8 and 6-2. ing with one loss apiece.

Not with the coaches, but they just

By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender

WEEK OF JANUARY 26 | 2012 DEFENDER

11

sportsbriefs Coach Lydell Wilson heads to Seven Lakes Former Lamar Consolidated head football coach Lydell Wilson was recently named the new athletic coordinator and head football coach at Seven Lakes High School. Wilson led Lamar Consolidated to the 2007 Class 4A Division I state championship. In eight seasons at LC, Wilson’s teams won four consecutive district titles, made five straight postseason appearances and recorded two unbeaten regular seasons. Wilson is tentatively scheduled to begin his duties at Seven Lakes on Jan. 30.

Crosby chooses Riordan as AD and head coach Sulphur Springs offensive coordinator Jeff Riordan has been named athletic director and head football coach at Crosby High School. Riordan spent six years at Sulphur Springs, helping the Wildcats defeat Dayton 69-49 in the 2008 Class 4A Division II state championship game. That game remains the highest-scoring 11-man state final in University Interscholastic League (UIL) history. Riordan is expected to begin his first head-coaching job on Feb. 1.

Multi-talented Baratti selects Fighting Irish Klein Oak all-purpose performer Nicky Baratti will take his versatility to the University of Notre Dame this fall. Baratti, who played five positions in one game for the Panthers this past season, will be a defensive back at Notre Dame. As the Panthers’ quarterback in 2010, the 6-foot-2, 215-pounder combined for 30 touchdowns and nearly 3,000 yards of total offense. In addition to safety, Baratti had collegiate offers to play quarterback, tight end and wide receiver. The University of Tennessee talked to Baratti about playing outside linebacker, a position he’s never played.

Cougars hire Mathis as running backs coach University of Houston head coach Tony Levine recently hired former DeSoto head coach Claude Mathis as the Cougars new running backs coach.

Mathis spent four seasons as the head coach at DeSoto posting a 36-14 record, with four consecutive appearances in the state playoffs. Mathis guided the Eagles to the state quarterfinals in 2010. His club went 10-2 last season. “When you talk about coaches with high character, a passion for the game of football and connections throughout our state, there is no better fit for our program than Claude Mathis,” Levine said. Mathis will replace running backs coach Clarence McKinney (Yates) who followed Kevin Sumlin to Texas A&M.

Baylor still No. 1 team in women’s basketball Despite tough national competition, the women’s basketball team at Baylor is still the nation’s No. 1 college team. Led by the game’s most dominant player, Brittney Griner (Nimitz), the Lady Bears record is perfect at this point in the season. Coach Kim Mulkey’s troops are paced by Player of the Year candidate Griner (junior post, 22 ppg.), All-American candidate Odyssey Sims (sophomore guard, 16 ppg.) and Destiny Williams (junior forward, 10 ppg.).

They are strong defensively, having not allowed an opponent to shoot 50 percent from the field in 192 straight games. This season, they have held their opponents, including four ranked foes, to a .306 field goal percentage. The women’s Final Four will be played in Denver in early April. Expect the Lady Bears to be in the elite group.

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12

DEFENDER | WEEK OF JANUARY 26 | 2012

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For Event Coverage...visit

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chag’splace

GO WESTERN GALA.....About 300 ladies and gents Jones, Wondy Weston and all committee members for a all decked out in their western duds attended the Humble fabulous event. Continued success!.....CABARET FOR International Chapter of Top Ladies of Distinction 25th A CURE.....The 5th Annual Cabaret for a Cure benefitting Annual Western Gala, “Denim & Diamonds” at Column A. Legacy Community Health Services HIV/AIDS programs A valuable part of the organization’s was held recently. The organization mission is to enhance and enrich provides low-cost or no-cost healthcare Join Yvette Chargois the lives of our youth by awarding services to nearly 40,000 Houston area Events of the Week scholarships. This year’s scholarship men, women and children. Those attending More photos on defendernetwork.com recipients included Arielle Berotte, this event included Renita Cooksey, See Events on KTRK Ch.13’s Crossroads Jasper Ross, Courtnie Ellis and Dionne Berkhalter, Michale McClure, with Melanie Lawson Sunday Morning @ 11 a.m.

Chelsea Jones. They also honored Mark Brown, Wanda Johnson, Maya Rodney Baker, Percy Castille, Ford, Liz Thomas, Elaine and Dwight Dwight Fields, Thomas Edward Jefferson, Josuha Washington, Desrye Morgan, Kimberly and Jamie House, Juana and Jarrod Harris Jr., Melvin Hughes, Curtis Jacquet Sr., Willie Lewis, Kevin Maddox, Paul Matthews, Keith Warner Collins, Greg Knight and Micquell Wallace, to name a and Clarence Weston Jr. A special thanks to chapter few. “Great Day Houston” host Deborah Duncan emceed the event and entertainment was provided by Grammy-award president, Shwanda Warner, gala committee chair, Mary winning legend Al Jarreau, Hanq Neal, Michael Samuel Washington, co-chairs Brenda Ards, Joyce Jacquet, Sylvia

Dwight Fields, Clarence Weston, Keith Warner, Paul Matthews, Curtis Jacquet and Willie Lewis

Wondy Weston, Barbara Smith, Mary Washington, Joyce Jacquet and Dr. Brenda Ards

Elaine and Dwight Jefferson

Gala Co-Chairs Anita and Gerald Smith

Tracy Guillory, Don Mangum and Jackie Phillips

Dr. Mendy Jeter and Dr. Garvin Davis

and Mary Griffin, to name a few. Anita and Gerald Smith were among the co-chairs. Great event!.....DINING IN THE DARK.......Sight into Sound, formerly known as Taping For the Blind, Inc., turns sight into sound for those with visual, physical and learning disabilities. This unique organization utilizes recording technology and their radio station broadcasts 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to Harris and 29 surrounding counties via specially-tuned audio receivers that are provided free to clients. Have you ever tried dining in the dark? Well, it’s not easy. Each guest was asked to wear a blindfold and given an apron to eat their dinner. In doing so, you definitely have an appreciation for your sight. Some attendees included Sharon Owens, Merele Yarborough, Phyllis Williams, Angelique and Brian Bartholomew, Tracy Guillory, Don Mangum, Jackie Phillips, Dr. Mendy Jeter, Dr. Garvin Davis, Sheila Lavender, Diane Hasell, Carla Kneipp and Delores Garner. Keep up the good work!.....From Chag’s Place to your place, have a blessed week!

Mary Washington, Shwanda Warner, Audrie Lawton and Pamela Benson

Grammy-Award Winning Legend Al Jarreau

Sheila Lavender, Councilwoman Ellen Cohen and Sharon Owens

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