Beyonce’s internet had much to say about the fact that Queen Bey’s Album of the Year Grammy went to Harry Styles. Still, Beyonce’ became the ofcial CEO of the Grammys, as she took the title of the all-time Grammy-ist Grammy-winning artist in Grammyland. But the real story here is the fact that Houston is ground zero for the best, most impactful music on the planet… yet, no one wants to recognize. Detroit is still celebrated for Motown, and they haven’t had a hit since the ‘70s. New York birthed hip-hop 50 years ago. But hip-hop lef the nest long ago. Hello West Coast, Dirty South, etc. Jazz points to New Orleans, St. Louis and Kansas City as its trifecta of home bases. Country music lauds Nashville as its holy land. But did you see Scarface blow up the spot Grammy night? Or Robert Glasper solidify his role as the pharaoh of modern jazz? Or Lizzo slay with the song of the year? And FYI, H-town birthed enough country music legends to make Nashville blush. And then, of course, there’s “Te One Who Must Always to Be Named,” who graciously allowed Styles to borrow her Album of the Year hardware. Still, Houston gets no love from musicheads. But the Grammy’s reminded the world, even if the world wasn’t paying attention, how H-Town gets down. Because Houston - not NY, LA, Detroit, Nashville, Miami or anywhere else - rules the music world.
Te College Board, overseers of the nation’s AP program, is acting like it’s enslaved to white nationalists. How on earth does that body employ a collaborative of some of the greatest minds on the planet to scour eons of scholarly works and create the long overdue AP African American Studies curriculum, and then punk out (lay down) to the lynch mob of conservatives who couldn’t
spell “AP” if you spotted them the “A”? Te College Board, which prides itself on its high intellectual standards (they run the SATs too) gave into the curriculum change demands from man-boy Ron DeSantis and his mindless GOP/ Qanon minions; legions of people who have a combined IQ less than the number of Blacks who stormed the US Capitol on Jan 6. So, when they had the chance to “get down” and defend scholarship, research, thousands of years of combined brainpower and honor Black history as world history, the College Board chose to lay down. A reminder that no one’s going to save us but us.
Te irony of the College Board’s decision to give up on “Our Story” and lay down to folk with inferior minds and morals, is the College Board acted in a way that was the exact opposite way the Blackfolk they deleted from the AP African American Studies curriculum rolled. Te other irony: a course created to push back against the historic white-washing of our story got white-washed. And it’s not just historical fgures and movements that have been removed. Award-winning and phenomenal author/thinker Ta-Nehisi Coates’ groundbreaking article “Te Case for Reparations” and Michelle Alexander’s “Te New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness” were axed. But what remains in us and in our ancestral DNA is the resistance we have exhibited every single day of our existence in this land. Always fghting back. Always standing up. Always getting down. Whether it’s in their curriculum or not.
• Celebrating songs that are Black History.
• Overcoming fnancial infdelity.
• What lengths people are going to for Beyonce’ tickets.
By ReShonda Tate
In the past year, over 30 inmates have died while in custody at the Harris County Jail. Now, family members of some of those who died have joined with civil and human rights activists to condemn law enforcement leadership and ofcials and demand change.
“We are calling on Commissioners Court to investigate the allegations of abuse, murder and wrongdoing in the Harris County jail. We cannot trust them to investigate themselves. We want an outside agency that’s paid by the Commissioner’s Court of Harris County to investigate all these deaths, killing and beatings in the Harris County Jail,” said community activist Quanell X.
The Harris County District Attorney’s Ofce recently announced the indictment
of a former Harris County Jail detention ofcer who was charged in connection with the death of an inmate from 2021, which is the frst time charges have been fled for an in-custody death at the jail. A Harris County medical examiner ruled that the inmate died of blunt-force trauma to his head, prosecutors said. “You just had a deputy arrested for beating the hell out of one of these inmates,” Quanell X said. “But that’s not the frst one in the last several months. It’s happening over and over again in this jail. And it’s only because the Department of Justice has not stepped in and taken over this jail. Just because a man is charged with a crime, doesn’t mean he’s guilty of that crime. And just because a man has been charged with a crime, does not mean that he no longer has human and civil
rights or constitutional protection. Te Harris County Jail has become the house of death in Houston, Texas. Tis is the biggest funeral home, the biggest morgue in Harris County.”
Te mother of Kevin Leon Smith Jr., Tracy Leewoodson-Smith, said she was never told about her son’s death in the jail. She found out via social media that her son was found dead in his cell, reportedly from an asthma attack.
“Y’all don’t have the decency to call and tell a parent and family nothing that’s going on with they loved ones in here?” Leewoodson-Smith said. “He’s just a number. I lost my brother-in-law three weeks prior to that, the
third victim that got killed.”
Local activist Dr. Candice Matthews said she and other local community leaders have a meeting with Sherif Ed Gonzalez on Tursday in reference to what is happening at the Harris County Jail. Tey will discuss Adequate stafng in Harris County Jail; Adequate notifcation, according to state and federal law, of when loved ones are to be notifed and how to be notifed when an inmate dies; and their request for an outside agency to be contracted by Harris County Commissioner’s Court to investigate the allegations of abuse, wrongdoing and murder in the Harris County Jail.
Houston saw a nearly 10% decrease in murders and other violent crimes from 2021 to 2022 – a sharper year-over-year decline than the United States as a whole – according to a nationwide report from a professional organization for police executives.
Te Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA), which serves the U.S. and Canada, reported a 0.8% decrease in violent crime nationally based on data provided by 70 law enforcement agencies in the largest American cities. Te Houston Police Department (HPD) was one of seven U.S. agencies to report decreases in all four types of violent crime included in the survey – homicides, rapes, robberies and aggravated assaults.
Houston’s homicide total last year also was a nearly 50% increase compared to 2019, the last year before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data released last month by HPD.
Te 2022 crime data released by HPD in January largely matched up with the national report, which included statistics only for 2021 and 2022, and showed the city mostly dropped to pre-pandemic levels in the overall numbers of violent and non-violent crimes. Te higher numbers of murders, kidnappings, aggravated assaults and auto-related thefs were the exceptions.
BY THE NUMBERS
Violent Crimes
26,223 2022
28,825 2021
9% Decrease
9% Decrease
10% Decrease
24% Decrease
7% Increase in Non-violent property crimes
11% Increase in auto-related thefs
The overall data shows HPD’s crime-fghting eforts are working, but there’s still more work to be done.”
Houston Police Department statement
New documents provide a scathing account of what authorities called the “blatantly unprofessional” conduct of fve ofcers involved in the fatal police beating of Tyre Nichols during a trafc stop last month — including new revelations about how one ofcer took and shared pictures of the bloodied victim.
Te newly released documents are part of a request by the Memphis Police Department that the fve ofcers who have been charged with murder be decertifed and prohibited from working in law enforcement again.
Te document fndings include the following details about the fred ofcers:
• Demetrius Haley stood over Nichols as he lay propped against a police car and took photographs with his phone, which Haley sent to other ofcers and a female acquaintance.
• Haley, who was driving an unmarked car and wore a black sweatshirt hoodie over his head, forced Nichols from his car using loud profanity, then sprayed him directly in the eyes with a chemical irritant spray. He never told Nichols why he was under arrest.
• Haley did not have his body camera on when he stopped Nichols but was on a phone call with someone who overheard the encounter.
• When caught, Haley kicked Nichols in the torso as three other ofcers were handcufng him. Other ofcers kicked
Nichols in the face, punched him or struck him with a baton.
• Te ofcers were caught on bodycam making multiple unprofessional comments, laughing, bragging about the beating.
• Desmond Mills Jr. lied to Nichols’ mother about what happened.
• Emmitt Martin III claimed Nichols tried to snatch his gun afer another ofcer forced him out of the vehicle. Video evidence disputes that.
• Nichols was calm and polite, never used profanity or made threats while Martin cussed and threatened to knock him out.
• Martin failed to disclose in a required form that he punched Nichols in the face and kicked him multiple times, and instead added in his later statement to investigators that he gave “body blows. Video showed Martin kicking Nichols repeatedly and punching him in the face fve times while two ofcers held Nichols’ arms.
• Martin’s oral and written statements were deceitful.
• In a letter defending himself, Justin Smith said Nichols was “violent and would not comply.”
• Tadarrius Bean’s indiference to Nichols’ distress in the afermath was reported by a civilian who took video.
By ReShonda Tate
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee
(D-Texas)plans to reintroduce the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, adding a “Tyre Nichols Duty to Intervene” provision.
During Tyre’s funeral last week, his mother, RowVaughn Wells delivered an impassioned plea to Congress: pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.
“We need to get that bill passed,” Wells said. “Because if we don’t, the next child that dies – that blood is going to be on their hands.”
Jackson Lee’s provision outlines ofcers’ responsibility to act when they witness misconduct.
“I think we have a lot of support for Tyre Nichols’ name being part of the bill. Tere needs to be a duty to intervene, a duty to care, because that’s what is needed while you’re watching someone, in essence, be brutalized. Tere were EMT persons who now have been caught up in this tragedy because of inaction. I’m sure that hurt Tyre’s mother. I wanted to assure her that was an important element of policing in America and that appropriately Tyre’s name should be attached to that,” Jackson Lee said.
Tough the issue of police reform has received bipartisan support, the divided Congress appears unlikely to pass the bill, especially now that the chamber is controlled by Republicans, some of whom expressed skepticism that the bill would prove efective in preventing police violence.
Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Richard A. Johnson, III, Ed.D. and Brandon Simmons and reappointed James Benham to the Texas Southern University Board of Regents for terms set to expire on February 1, 2029.
Richard A. Johnson, III, Ed.D. of Houston is the director of the Booker T. Washington Initiative at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. During the 85th and 86th Texas Legislatures, he served as a chief of staf and a senior policy analyst for a member of the Texas House of Representatives. Johnson was an educator for more than 20 years and has extensive experience in teaching and research. He is a member of the Wiley College and Texas Southern University Alumni associations and a life member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Additionally, he is former president of 100 Black Men of Metropolitan Houston and the Louisiana Prison Chapel Foundation, and former Chair of the NAACP Higher Education Committee. Johnson received a Bachelor of Arts in History and Government from Wiley College and a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology and a Doctor of Education in Education Administration from Texas Southern University.
Brandon Simmons of Houston is founder and chairman
of Let Our Vision Evolve, a nonproft organization educating college students and young professionals about private sector opportunities. He is also an investor and advisor to GameOn Technology, which provides chatOS services globally to corporate customers and professional sports players, teams, and leagues. Previously, Simmons was a general partner of venture capital frm Prime Movers Lab. Additionally, he served as CEO and in other leadership roles for Tachyus Corporation. Simmons began his career as a law clerk for Chief Judge J.L. Edmondson of the U.S. Court of Appeals of the Eleventh Circuit and as an attorney at Hogan Lovells. Simmons received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley and a Juris Doctor from Stanford Law School.
James Benham of College Station is chief executive officer of JBKnowledge, a 280-employee global insurance sofware company founded in 2001. James was appointed by Governor Abbott to the Texas Southern University Board of Regents in October of 2020 and has served as board secretary and chair of the Development and Legislative Afairs committee. Additionally, he served fve years as an adjunct professor of construction science at Texas A&M University and two terms on the College Station
City Council. Benham received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and a Master of Science in Management Information Systems from Texas A&M University.
Tese appointments are subject to Senate confrmation.
VOLUME 92, NUMBER 13 - FEBRUARY 9, 2023
Publisher | CEO
Sonceria Messiah-Jiles
Strategic Alllance
Clyde Jiles
Digital Content Manager
Michael Grant
Managing Editor
ReShonda Tate
Associate Editor
Aswad Walker
Education Reporter
Laura Onyeneho
Sports Terrance Harris
Jodie B. Jiles
Photographer
Jimmie Aggison
Social Media Manager
Tia Alphonse Intern
Alania Bookman
Congressman Al Green recently presented a symbolic check in the amount of $1,000,000 to Legacy Community Health for the upgrade of their electronic medical records sofware. Te upgrade of technology equipment is essential for Legacy to better address the healthcare needs of constituents in the Ninth Congressional District of Texas because it will allow patients to have improved access to their personal health information, including appointment scheduling. Te CEO of Legacy, Dr. Bobby Hilliard Jr. said, “Tese monies will allow Legacy to have a more modern system, which in turn will allow Legacy providers to be more efcient when seeing patients, and also give patients tools and more transparency in managing their own care. Congressman Al Green is addressing this issue head-on and we couldn’t be more appreciative of how he is helping to change the lives of the people he represents.”
Bun B reveals new acts as part of Southern Takeover at RodeoHouston
Bun B has revealed some of the artists who will be taking the stage with him as part of RodeoHouston’s Southern Takeover. Louisiana rappers Mannie Fresh and Juvenile, along with Tennessee rappers, 8Ball, MJG and others will take the stage March 3. Tis will be Bun B’s second consecutive RodeoHouston appearance. Last year’s H-Town Takeover was one of the season’s most-attended performances and featured Slim Tug, Paul Wall, Tat Girl Lay Lay and Chamillionaire. RodeoHouston runs Feb. 28-March 19 at NRG Stadium.
State lawmakers are working at the Texas Capitol in their 88th legislative session to pass a state budget and other laws over the next fve months. Teir actions can afect Texans’ everyday lives — from public school funding, property taxes and health care to accessing power during extreme weather events.
We’re highlighting some of the biggest issues this week.
Gov. Abbott wants to stop considering diversity in hiring
City commissions 12 new artworks for Bush IAH
Te Mayor’s Ofce of Cultural Afairs (MOCA) is pleased to announce an investment of over $4 million in the selection of 12 new site-specifc art commissions for the new Mickey Leland International Terminal (MLIT) and the new International Central Processer (ICP) at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). Te commissioned works are sponsored by Houston Airports (HAS) on behalf of the City of Houston through MOCA’s Civic Art Program. All of the artworks selected refect the welcoming nature of Houston as a city with a distinct culture, celebrating and evoking the rich and diverse local fabric that makes Houston inspiring for residents and visitors alike. Te artists developing commissions for MLIT and ICP at IAH include: Reginald Adams, Miguel Arzabe, Carolina Caycedo, Marta Chilindron, Emilie Duval, Leslie Gaworecki, Marlo Saucedo, Houston Poet Laureate Emanuelee “Outspoken” Bean, Graciela Hasper, Lovie Olivia, Gerardo Rosales, Regina Silveira, Nick Vaughn &
Tree former Memphis police ofcers with ties to the Omega Psi Phi fraternity had their membership revoked, weeks afer they were indicted on second-degree murder charges in the death of Tyre Nichols. In a statement issued on their website, Omega Psi Phi once again condemned the actions of the ofcers involved in Nichols’ death and believed with the “utmost confdence” justice would be served. Ricky L. Lewis, 42nd Grand Basileus of the organization, wrote: “We strongly condemn the conduct of the former Memphis police ofcers involved in the incident, including the three former members of our organization. Te brutality shown in the video not only violated our moral sensibilities but also transgressed our Fraternal and established Code of Conduct. We have the utmost confdence in the judicial process and fervently pray that the Nichols family will obtain justice.”
Gov. Greg Abbott’s office is warning state agency and public university leaders that the use of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives — policies that support groups who have been historically underrepresented or discriminated against — is illegal in hiring.
Diversity, equity and inclusion is a moniker used for policies developed to provide guidance in workplaces, government ofces and college campuses intended to increase representation and foster an environment that emphasizes fair treatment to groups that have historically faced discrimination. DEI policies can include resources for underrepresented groups, which can include people with disabilities, LGBTQ people and veterans. In hiring, it can include setting diversity goals or setting thresholds to ensure that a certain number of diverse candidates are interviewed. At universities, DEI ofces are ofen focused on helping students of color or nontraditional students stay in school and graduate.
Lt. Governor calls for new election in Harris County
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is calling for an election do-over in Harris County afer voters faced difculties casting their ballots in November when some voting centers did not have enough ballot paper for the number of voters who came in. Patrick joins other top lawmakers like Gov. Greg Abbott, who have said the issues may have afected the outcome of the hotly contested local elections, in which County Judge Lina Hidalgo, a rising Democratic star, eked out a win against Alexandra del Moral Mealer, a well-funded GOP opponent, by only about 18,000 votes — less than 2% of the votes. A spokesperson for the secretary of state’s ofce said only a court order could force a redo of an election.
Texas Southern University (TSU) is requesting nearly a billion dollars from state lawmakers during the 2023 legislative session.
Bi-annually, Texas public colleges and universities submit a Legislative Appropriations Request to the governor’s office and Legislative Budget Board before the session begins to outline their funding requests.
According to the Legislative Budget Board, Texas lawmakers are faced with an overflowing $33 billion budget surplus and will be weighing in on how best to use the money. Typically, schools ask for “exceptional items” or special initiatives beyond what is stated in the baseline funding.
In this case, TSU requests the funds to expand its academic, research and health and safety initiatives.
WHAT’S THE ASK?
For this year’s session, TSU is asking the Legislature for $414.6 million for its academic centers of excellence, $163.6 million for the Research Amplification Fund, $153.5 million for the College of Transdisciplinary Studies, $77.7 million for its academic and student resource initiative, $26.6 million for its Mental Health Institute and $146.2 million for the Campus Health and Safety Program.
WHAT’S THE BREAKDOWN?
Academic Centers of Excellence
e funds will address the shortage of workers in critical industries and occupations such as aviation, pharmaceutical and biomedical via consortiums, collaboratives and academies.
Research Amplification Fund
TSU is one of 11 HBCUs with the coveted R2 status. Currently, no HBCUs in the nation hold the R1 status. TSU wants to maintain its current status while working toward R1 by elevating its ground-breaking research to provide data-driven solutions for society’s major challenges.
With the launch of the state’s first College of Transdisciplinary Studies, the program will help working professionals interested in reskilling and upskilling finish an uncompleted degree quicker and flexibly. ey offer eight undergraduate and four master’s programs and garnered 3,000 inquiries in the first 12 weeks of the program announcement.
Academic and Student Resource Initiative
To improve student resources and retain its top faculty and staff the funding will accommodate the growth in student population and resources for tenure-track faculty to deliver state-ofthe-art instruction.
LEGISLATIVE REQUEST BREAKDOWN
$982,507,000
$414.632 mil
Academic Centers of Excellence
$163.6 mil Research Amplification Fund
$153.569 mil
College of Transdisciplinary Studies
$77.713 mil
Academic and Student Resource Initiative
$26.616 mil
Mental Health Institute
$146.286 mil
Campus Health and Safety Program
Mental Health Institute
e formation of TSU’s Mental Health Institute will address the shortage of workers in critical mental health industries and occupations. The institute will provide evidence-based services and programs to combat the statewide rise in mental illness and other issues that impact African-American students.
Safety Program
In 2022, TSU and more than 50 HBCUs received bomb threats across the country. e comprehensive health and safety program will increase campuswide community policing, facility enhancements and highly visible safety resources for defense against threats and acts of violence.
Texas Southern University is one of the nation’s largest HBCUs with significant success in preparing underrepresented students for professional careers. It continues to serve as a gateway to developing a Black middle class in Houston.
“We serve as the premier producer of diverse talent for the Texas economy in our
workforce. We remain focused on ensuring student success and, most importantly, fulfilling our mission of transforming the lives of Texans who’ve been traditionally underserved through strategic and intentional efforts,” said Texas Southern University President Dr. Lesia L. Crumpton-Young.
“ is is the time for a bold investment to significantly expand these programs so
that we can serve more students and we can meet the workforce needs in this state.”
Dr. Crumpton-Young shared a few examples of the school’s track record of success:
- e Aviation and Technology Program has grown by 135%, and boasts a first-time pass rate for students taking the FAA certification exam of 95%.
- e College of Liberal Arts and Behavioral Science increased enrollment and produced mental and behavioral health professionals by 72%.
-TSU produces 30% of all lawyers of color in the state.
-More than 27% of all minority pharmacists in the United States graduated from Texas Southern University.
An additional investment in TSU will produce significant returns for the state and contribute to the state being the economic engine of North America,. For example, if you look at every dollar TSU has received in research funding from the state of Texas, our institution has produced a return of $33.76 for every $1 the state has invested in us… This is truly a once in a generation (opportunity) for this committee and for Texas.”
Dr. LesiaL. Crumpton-Young Texas Southern University President
TSU makes a bold legislative request nearly $1billion
Black people have historically been underrepresented in clinical trial participation in the United States, and research and medical professionals are looking for solutions to the problem.
The Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation (CISPCRP), hosted its Journey to Better Health-Aware
For All event at Houston Community College to address challenges through a panel discussion and exhibits that provided information and resources on clinical trials and research.
Clinical trials for the most part involve the voluntary participation of individuals to evaluate medical products such as vaccines, medication or devices for safety and effectiveness.
The crucial part of the process is to ensure that people from diverse backgrounds participate to advance health equity and reduce health disparities. The event featured local clinical trial participants, healthcare professionals and exhibiting organizations that offered free onsite health screenings.
“The goal of this event is to create awareness and educate people about clinical trials and how the community can be involved,” said Bridget Chapital, founder and director of Hypothesis Haven. “Underrepresented groups like the Black community simply don’t trust these trials due to historical references like the Tuskegee Experiment, and the withholding of treatments, but things are much different now.”
Dr. Dominique Guinn is a professor at Texas Southern University. In November 2016, she was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow. She said she participated in clinical trials because it was about survival.
“I was diagnosed with Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+ ALL), a more aggressive form of the disease,” she said. “I began treatment at MD Anderson Cancer Center and was introduced to clinical trials
that were approved to treat Ph+ ALL. No one forced me to do it. I had a choice. I was informed of my rights, the risks and benefits of the study. There are safeguards to protect our people during research.”
Black patients account for only 5% of clinical trial participants in the United States, while white patients make up the vast majority.
Cassandra Harris, health education manager at MD Anderson, said one of the biggest challenges to participating in
Whites make up 67% of the U.S. population, but are 83% of research participants.
Black/African Americans make up 13.4% of the U.S. population, but only 5% of research participants.
Hispanic/Latinos make up 18.1% of the U.S. population, but less than 1% of research participants.
clinical trials is getting to the location. Typical trials require patients to frequently travel to central sites for assessments and monitoring, which can eliminate people with limited disposable income, family obligations and few transportations options.
“We need to broaden where clinical research is conducted for easy access,” Harris said. “People of color don’t want to listen to a talking head giving them research. We have to build trust with the community and meet them where they are.”
Be intentional with trial designs and include underrepresented people who might benefit from the studies.
• Challenge assumptions that underrepresented groups don’t want to participate.
• Improve recruitment strategies so people from underrepresented populations can see themselves.
Houston’s first African American public radio is celebrating Black History Month in a variety of ways, including a multi-media presentation honoring “Black History Houston: Legends and Trailblazers.” All month, the station will celebrate legends who have impacted the city of Houston and up-and-coming individuals paving the way and creating their legacy.
“Houston has historically been home to a number of talented musicians, and continues to produce talent that needs to be spotlighted and celebrated. KTSU is honored to recognize that talent, while bringing the community an enjoyable evening of celebrating Black History Month with Black musicians, visual artists and vendors,” said KTSU Station Manager Ernest Walker.
KTSU currently draws in more than 500,000 listeners weekly and includes listening options like Te Choice, which plays jazz, R&B, gospel, blues and oldies throughout the day, or Te Vibe, which plays hip-hop, R&B and neo-soul Monday through Saturday starting in the evenings. Sunday is still largely reserved for gospel. Te Vibe streams at all hours on its mobile app and the VibeHouston. com website, allowing users to access their content from anywhere in the world. And in 2019, the station launched KTSU2 “Te Voice,” a 24-hour student-run digital station that allows students to gain hands-on
experience from university staf, faculty and radio professionals in the age of streaming and digital media.
KTSU and Te Vibe will also be an ongoing sponsor of the “Black History Houston” event series every Saturday in February in downtown Houston. Tis weekly event takes
Black History Month at Lone Star Flight Museum
Saturdays thru February 18
Lone Star Flight Museum ofers hangar talks and programming where visitors can learn about the lives and legacies of African American aviators, their contributions in the face of discrimination, and the Tuskegee Airmen. Included with general admission; $18; $15 for ages 12 to 17; $12 for ages 4 to 11; free for ages 3 and under.
Black History Month
Story Time Series at Children’s Museum Houston
Weekends thru Sunday, February 26
Guest speakers from ABC13 join CMH in the Museum District for a weekend story time series where they’ll take kids through children’s books written by several African American authors. Included with general admission; $15 for ages 1 and up. 1:15pm to 1:30pm.
Genealogy Workshop: The Search for Lost Relatives afer Emancipation at Holocaust Museum Houston
Saturday, February 11 | FREE
Celebrate Black History Month at the Holocaust Museum with a three-hour
workshop that explores the practice of formerly enslaved persons writing letters to the Freedmen’s Bureau and placing ads in newspapers hoping to reconnect with family afer emancipation. Free with registration. 9:30am to 12:30pm.
Black Cowboy Legacy Rodeo at George Ranch Historical Park
Saturday, February 11
The 4th annual Black Cowboy Legacy Rodeo spotlights four generations of Black cowboys who worked alongside four generations of the George family, leaving behind a rich legacy of Black cowboy heritage that is unique to this part of Texas. Expect live entertainment, kids’ activities, food vendors, and rodeo competitions. $20 and up; $10 and up for ages 4 to 12. 4pm to 10pm.
Black History Month Celebration at Avenida Houston
Saturdays, February 11-25 | FREE
All month long, Avenida Houston in Downtown is hosting a Saturday afternoon concert series that celebrates Black History Month, alongside an outdoor market of local Black-owned businesses and free family activities. Catch concerts on the live stage with performances from the worlds of Creole Soul, R&B, neo soul, gospel and Zydeco. 2pm to 6pm.
place at Avenida Houston from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. across from George R Brown - Downtown Houston.
Black History month concert celebrations
Feb 11, featuring Marium Echo, Shonnie
Murrell, Spud Howard, and DJ Michele McKnight from Te Vibe Houston Feb. 18, featuring Polo Te Vibe, Nakita Clegg-Foxx, Zacardi Cortez, Patrice Dominique, and DJ Madd Hatta from The Vibe Houston Feb. 25, featuring Cupid, Clynese, Madicin, and DJ Rob G from Te Vibe Houston
Se llevará a cabo una audiencia pública formal sobre la delimitación de distritos en el siguiente lugar y horario: • Miércoles 15 de febrero de 2023 a las 2:00 p.m. en Houston Community College System Administration Building, auditorio del segundo piso, 3100 Main, Houston, Texas 77002
La audiencia pública tiene el objetivo de obtener el aporte del público para el proceso del nuevo trazado de las líneas limítrofes de los distritos con miembro único para los Distritos con Síndico del Houston Community College System a consecuencia del Censo de 2020. Agradecemos y solicitamos los comentarios del público. En la audiencia estarán disponibles el mapa actual de distritos con miembro único de HCC, el mapa propuesto A1 (sobre el cual la Junta está buscando comentarios del público) y la información del censo realizado en 2020. Esta información también está disponible ahora en el sitio web del HCC (https://www.hccs.edu/about-hcc/board-of-trustees/hcc-redistricting-information/).
La audiencia pública será transmitida en vivo. Visite la página de delimitación de distritos del HCC en www.hccs.edu para ver los enlaces a la transmisión en vivo. Habrá servicios de traducción de idiomas y lengua de señas en la audiencia. Si requiere servicios de traducción a un idioma distinto al español, inscríbase en hcc.redistricting@hccs.edu. Si desea conocer información adicional, llame a Servicios de la Junta del HCC al 713.718.8398, escriba un correo electrónico a: hcc.redistricting@hccs.edu o visite el sitio web del HCC (https://www.hccs.edu/about-hcc/board-of-trustees/hcc-redistricting-information/community-events/)
A formal public hearing on redistricting will be held at the following location and time:
• Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at the Houston Community College System Administration Building, Second Floor Auditorium, 3100 Main, Houston, Texas 77002
The purpose of the public hearing is to gain public input into the process of redrawing the single-member district boundary lines for the Houston Community College System Trustee Districts as a result of the 2020 Census. Public comment is welcomed and solicited. HCC’s current single member district map, proposed map 1A (on which the Board is soliciting public comment), and 2020 census data will be available at the hearing, and are available now on HCC’s website (https://www.hccs.edu/about-hcc/board-of-trustees/hcc-redistricting-information/).
The public hearing will be live streamed. Please visit HCC’s Redistricting Page at www.hccs.edu for the link to the live stream. Sign language and language translation services will be available at hearing. If you require translation services in a language other than Spanish, please register at hcc.redistricting@hccs.edu. For additional information, please call HCC Board Services at 713.718.8398; email: hcc.redistricting@hccs.edu or visit HCC’s website (https://www.hccs.edu/about-hcc/board-of-trustees/hcc-redistricting-information/community-events/).
The Texans have interviewed Minnesota Vikings coach and former Texas A&M quarterback Jerrod Johnson for a senior-level offensive coaching position, according to KPRC. It would be a chance for the Humble product to return home to coach for the first time.
There are major expectations for the Prairie View and Texas Southern softball teams this season. In the recently released All-SWAC Preseason Poll, the Lady Panthers are predicted to win the West Division with Texas Southern following as a close second.
TSU’s Jazmine Gendorf has been picked as the Preseason Pitcher of the Year. The Lady Tigers’ designated player Tamera McKnight also made the first team. Making the Preseason All-SWAC Softball First Team for Prairie View are catcher Biviana Figueroa, third baseman Jaylyn Davis and outfielder Audrey Garcia. Pitcher Cailin Masset made the second team.
While many hoped the University of Houston men’s basketball team would reclaim the nation’s No.1 spot in the latest AP Poll, the Cougars moved up one place to No.2 in the country after avenging an early season loss with an 81-65 win over Temple on the road. Purdue suffered a loss on the road to Indiana, but still remains the No.1 team. The Cougars did receive 22 first-place votes in the latest poll.
Jalen Hurts vividly remembers the frosty reception he received from the Philadelphia fans after he was drafted 53rd overall by the Eagles in 2020.
It was then the Channelview product leaned on his faith and Bible verse John 13:7.
“You may not know now, but later you will understand,” Hurts said. “Hopefully, people understand.”
Indeed, the Eagles fans have to, as not even three years since the boos could be heard and the disrespect felt, Hurts has delivered them to the pinnacle of sports; Super Bowl LVII where a historic matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs awaits.
The Eagles’ and Chiefs’ clash on the sports world’s biggest stage will feature two Black quarterbacks – Patrick Mahomes and Hurts – going head-to-head for the first time in Super Bowl history. It may be a game between two dynamic young quarterbacks to many, but to the Black community this is more affirmation of our dominance at a position it took decades for Black men to get a real opportunity to play.
Even today, 35 years since Doug Williams made the breakthrough as the first Black
quarterback to play in and win a Super Bowl, Black quarterbacks are still usually met with doubt and disdain, as Hurts was during the 2020 NFL Draft. Only one Black quarterback has ever been taken with the No.1 overall pick.
What’s interesting is Hurts wasn’t the first Black quarterback drafted by the Eagles and met with outrage from Philadelphia fans. That distinction belongs to Donovan McNabb, who not only led them to Super Bowl XXXIX, but had a stellar career there.
“My first year here, they probably didn’t even want to draft me here,” the 24-year-old Hurts recalled just minutes after leading the NFL’s best team this season to the win over San Francisco in the NFC Championship game. “It was probably one of those things, but it always handles itself.”
Indeed it has for both quarterbacks.
In just his third NFL season, Hurts is taking the Eagles to the Super Bowl. He and Mahomes have more in common than being two Black quarterbacks from Texas who both once starred for Big 12 programs. Both were initially met with skepticism from their respective fan bases and have now seemingly overachieved, and as a result, are beloved.
Mahomes, 27, has arguably emerged as one of the most talented quarterbacks the league has ever seen, able to create magic throwing the football. Mahomes has now led the Chiefs to three Super Bowl appearances
in the last four seasons during a stretch where they have dominated the AFC. The East Texas product and former Texas Tech standout bravely led the Chiefs back to the Super Bowl on a bum ankle with a gutsy performance in the AFC Championship win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Now both quarterbacks have a chance at history when they meet in Arizona.
Hurts, who starred at both Alabama and Oklahoma, can become just the fourth Black quarterback to win a Super Bowl. Mahomes has a shot at becoming the first Black quarterback to repeat as a Super Bowl champion after winning it all in Super Bowl LIV and taking home MVP honors for his efforts.
Either way, the two will play on the shoulders of the Black quarterbacks who’ve played on the game’s biggest stage before them. There was Williams’s barrier-breaking MVP performance followed 26 years later by Steve McNair, then McNabb, Colin Kaepernick, Russell Wilson and Cam Newton.
But to his credit, instead of putting this game into perspective, Hurts is most concerned at this point with leading the Eagles to victory to cap what has been a near flawless season.
“It’s not a time of reflection. It’s really hard for me to do that,” Hurts said to the media. “I try to do what you guys say, enjoy the moment. But my joy comes from winning. I know the job isn’t done.”
John 13:7 What I’m doing now you don’t understand now, but afterwards you will knowPatrick Mahomes Jalen Hurts University of Houston freshman forward Jarace Walker scored a team-high 23 points in helping the Cougars avenge an early-season loss to Temple. University of Houston senior pole vaulter and Stratford product Christyan Sampy set a new school record with a 5.53 meters leap during the New Mexico Collegiate Classic. Jazmine Gendorf Jerrod Johnson Kelvin Sampson
By Jimmie Aggison
If you are a basketball fan but have yet to hear the name “E’lasia Yarbrough,” get ready to hear her name more o en once the playoffs start. Yarbrough leads her team, the Wheatley Wildcats, in points, assists and steals.
Wheatley sits first in 4A Region III District 21 with high hopes of going deep into the playoffs this year.
Wheatley girls basketball coach Ervin Taylor shared what Yarbrough means to this year’s team.
“(She’s) a college-ready girl and they follow her lead,” said Taylor. “We are really blessed to have her in this program.”
When asked about her game, Yarbrough said, “I think my style of play is very calm but also very hardworking. I’m gonna get on your nerves like a mosquito.”
With Yarbrough’s court vision and relentless hustle to the ball, one wouldn’t believe that she has only played basketball for a little over five years.
“I started playing basketball when I was in the eighth grade. I played for Watkins Middle School and I never intended to play. But once I started playing, I couldn’t stop.”
She went on to explain, “All my friends played basketball, so I just wanted to play for fun.”
Whether she’s pointing out the holes in the defense or calling plays from the top of the key, Yarbrough has proven to be the leader Wheatley needs to command control on the floor.
“I’m gonna push you real hard. Every time we look at the clock, it’s zero zero until the buzzer goes off. Keep pushing until the game is over,” she said.
Yarbrough hopes to attend an HBCU where she can continue cra ing her basketball skills while majoring in either finance or architecture.
Class: 2023
IG: @layystill
Twitter: @elasia22
Height: 5’10”
Hobbies: Painting and drawing
Players she studies: Joemoriah Ben (Sterling), Zia Cooke (South Carolina), Tia Cooper (Los Angeles Sparks)
Favorite Artist: Old school R&B
Shoutouts: Coach Taylor, Wheatley, Mom, God.
Brandi Brown never forgets her fondest memories growing up in South Park in Houston. Tough her community has been considered underserved, never once did she feel that she lacked anything.
She carried that experience with her into college as a student of Southern Methodist University, a predominantly white school, which gave her a major culture shock.
To help her adjust to her college experience, she was introduced to the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom School program in Dallas, a summer and afer-school enrichment program for K-12 scholars and families, which sparked her interest in launching the same concept in Houston.
Brown has been the executive director of Hype Freedom School Inc., a non-proft serving Sunnyside/South Park and surrounding Houston areas with culturally afrming youth development and educational resources, since 1999.
Te Defender spoke to Brown about her journey.
DEFENDER: As a native ofHouston, howhas growing up here shapedyou personallyandprofessionally?
BRANDI BROWN: I lived in an underserved [area]. As a child I felt like I lived within a community that had all the resources I needed. I had great neighbors that really build a community that centered children in everything they did. My life motto is much is given, much is required. My community has given a lot to me. I had a lot of support, so I’m in a position to give as much as I can.
DEFENDER: What interestedyou in the education sector?
BROWN: When I was in high school, there was a college fair. Southern Methodist University came and they had us sign up for what they call “Mustang Mondays.” So, they chartered a bus from Houston to Dallas and we stayed the night at the dorms and took a tour of the campus. Tat was my introduction to SMU. Tat’s where the shif in what I wanted to do changed.
I went to a predominately white institution and went through a culture shock. By the second year of school I came home and attended the Labor Day Classic with Prairie View and Texas Southern University and felt that was where I needed to be. I wanted to transfer. My mother was a single mother who went to Prairie View but didn’t graduate. She called a couple of the SMU advisors. Tey
met with me and asked if I would stay the rest of the semester before I made my decision. So I did.
One of the advisors introduced me to another student who was going through similar experiences as me and then that student introduced me to the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom School Program. I stayed in Dallas for the summer and worked with the program, and it felt just like home. I worked in Oak Clif a facilitator. I was trained on the curriculum and met other college students across the nation who were also getting trained. During my second year. I was invited to return as a site coordinator and that was where my interest in starting a Freedom School in Texas began. Tat was in 1998.
DEFENDER: What are Freedom Schools?Whywasitimportantfor you to launch one in Houston?
BROWN: Freedom School is a part of the Children’s Defense Fund which is a national advocacy program for children. Te school is a cultural enrichment program that takes place primarily in the summer. Te Freedom School was actually birthed out of the Civil Rights Movement. College students from the North came to the South and helped mobilize people to pass the literacy test so they could be eligible to vote.
Te Freedom School Program is a rebirth of the ‘90s by the Children’s Defense Fund president at the time, Marian Wright Edelman and several of her colleagues. So, the focus is to show how important literacy is and to equip children with those necessary skills and resources. We want to ensure that our young people have the proper history and gain an appreciation of reading and writing. Tey should be able to see themselves in the characters and literature that they read.
DEFENDER: Whatwas it like building such a school from scratch?
BROWN: I wanted to start one but I didn’t know how to start a business to support the Freedom School program. Te frst plan was
to fnd an already established nonproft and they would hire me and I would be able to implement this program within that organization that I was trained on during my time in Dallas.
Afer I graduated from SMU I met with a lot of nonprofts in Houston but none of them accepted the idea. I had a mentor that ran a Freedom School in the Kansas City area sit` down with me to talk about what the process looks like. She encouraged me to write down the names of people who I thought could be involved in the work I was going to do.
I eventually had to put myself out there and told everyone I could think of that would listen to the vision. Eventually we were able to get some pro bono support to start the nonproft organization to house our Freedom School program.
DEFENDER: What is one of the highlightsofbeinganexecutive director of the school?
BROWN: One of our components to the program is that not only do we provide high quality literacy enrichment, but we provide mental health and youth leadership development services. It has become a staple of our program. We provide it to anyone who has ever been a part of our program, and within their family network.
DEFENDER: What gaps does the Freedom School fll?
BROWN: Children lose anywhere between two to three months of what they learned from the school year. We want to bridge the gap from one school year to the next. Te learning loss is widening and it has expanded well past the COVID-19 pandemic. We are providing a safe space for children to learn while their families are working every day.
The reading levels have improved over time with our scholars. In the summer of 2022, they demonstrated an average increase of one year and fve months in instructional reading levels, since participating in the program. We aren’t here to babysit them during the summer, we are empowering them to be ready to excel into the next school year.
DEFENDER: What does Black resistance mean toyou?
BROWN: It means to never give up. Identify the resources, the people, the things that you need to be able to address the issues at hand and don’t do it alone. Celebrate your accomplishments and fght for the betterment of our community.