Houston Defender: February 25, 2021

OPEN LETTER TO THE HOUSTON TEXANS As the football season and Black History month comes to an end, it’s time for the franchise to address the Black culture problem.

SPOTLIGHT

NEWS

MALCOLM X

A letter written by a former police officer sheds new light on the death of the slain iconic Black leader.

Volume 90, issue 17 February 25, 2021

facebook.com/defendernetwork twitter.com/defendernetwork

TAYLOR POLIDORE

An actress on the rise and budding entreprenuer, this young lady is making her mark.

instagram.com/defendernetwork defendernetwork.com

FREE

2 | February 25, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN On the web

FIT & FINE LaShonda Roberts Age: 36 Occupation: Fit and Fine Apparel Education: Longview HS/ University of North Texas - Undergraduate, Texas Southern University- Graduate Major: Kinesiology, Masters in Healthcare Administration Motto: Don’t complain about what you are not willing to change.

“Helping my community and others learn ways to improve their quality of life motivates me”.

From left, U.S. Representatives Sheila Jackson Lee, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Sylvia Garcia, fill boxes at the Houston Food Bank on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021. President Joe Biden declared a major disaster in Texas, directing federal agencies to help in the recovery. (Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Message from the Associate Editor PVAMU and TSU. Even with the horrifying news that the And well-done congresswomen Sheila U.S. has suffered over 500,000 (half a milJackson Lee, Sylvia Garcia and NY’s Alexanlion) COVID-19 deaths, the eyes of the U.S. dria Ocasio-Cortez for showing leadership by are upon us. For the past week and a half, example through a crisis. And thanks AOC, every major news outlet (including SNL’s for raising $3 million for Texas relief efforts.

Weekend Update) has put Texas on blast We see and appreciate you, even if Cruz and for one reason or another. his cronies don’t.

The main issue: the record-breaking Speaking of history, “Our Story” has been freeze that crippled an entire state, prominent via the latest and upcoming movies: and the greed-filled state Republi“Judas and the Black Messiah,” “The United can leadership that led to millions States vs. Billie Holiday,” “Respect” (the AreAswad Walker without power and water, emergtha Franklin film), “One Night in Miami,” “Just ing only to receive outrageous electric bills. Then, Mercy,” and others. Here’s hoping this string of powerful cinethere was the failure in leadership, decency, com- matic portrayals of our historic strivings opens eyes, hearts and mon sense and humanity displayed by Ted Cruz’s minds to our greatness, and inspires us all to take a deeper dive not-so-excellent adventure to Cancun while his into our rich legacy in this land and beyond. constituents were freezing to death. Worse, he blamed his own fecklessness on his daughters. IN THIS WEEK’S DEFENDER But, instead of complaining, we need a • Local teen Tyla-Simone Crayton, the Sienna Sauce CEO, lands new Texas Two-Step. Step one: holding a SharkTank investment of $100k! state reps accountable for their selfish • Defender HS Sports Editor Jodie B. Jiles offers words of advice policies that are costing lives. Step to the Houston Texans to get their culture in order. two: developing an urban and rural • Check out local and national news from the perspective of strategy to maximize votes so we can the Defender, “Houston’s Leading Black Information Source.” finally turn Texas Blue.

THE EYES OF U.S. ARE UPON US

@amourbelle15 @fitandfineapparel @fitandfineHTX @FitandFineApparel FB Group: @FitandFine Read more on Friday about LaShonda Roberts at defendernetwork.com Direct Message our Instagram page @DefenderNetwork

HISTORY MOVEMENT

National eyes also spotted some good news coming out of the Lone Star State. Namely, HBCUs Prairie View A&M University and Texas Southern University adding to their historic legacies of service by providing housing, food, water and other supports not only for their students, but community members. Well done

ON THE WEB

• Mayor Turner tells state lawmakers to reconsider ERCOT legislation he filed in 2011.

• Trae tha Truth hosts food and gas giveaway.

• Why some Texans are getting sky-high energy bills.

• Megan Thee Stallion and U.S. Rep Maxine Waters discuss female empowerment, WAP.

February 25, 2021 |

| 3

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN News

Floyd LeBlanc, former Vice President of Corporate Communications for CenterPoint, died Monday, February 15, 2021.

Texas Democrats lay blame for 2020 election results

Texas Tribune

Texas Democrats have come to the conclusion that they fell short of their expectations in the 2020 election largely because Republicans beat them in the battle to turn out voters, according to a newly released party report.

The Texas Democratic Party laid the blame in part on their inability to campaign in person, particularly by knocking on doors, during an unusual election cycle dominated by the coronavirus pandemic.

The party also said its voter turnout system was inefficient. It contacted reliably Democratic voters too often and failed to reach enough “turnout targets” — people who were inclined to support Democrats, but weren’t as certain to actually show up at the polls.

“Despite record turnout, our collective [get out the vote] turnout operation

failed to activate voters to the same extent Republicans were able to,” according to the “2020 Retrospective” report, which was authored by Hudson Cavanagh, the party’s director of data science, and was first obtained by The Washington Post and The Dallas Morning News.

Texas Democrats did manage to register and turn out voters in record numbers in 2020, but Republicans likewise beat expectations — enough to erase any gains made by Democrats and stave off what some hoped would be a “blue wave.”

Democrats had high hopes for Texas in 2020. Public polling had indicated that Democratic nominee Joe Biden had a chance to flip the state. And the party was hopeful that it could also flip control of the Texas House and unseat some Republican members in the U.S. House.

But Biden ended up losing by nearly 6 percentage points and Democrats didn’t

make any net gains in the Texas House or in the Texas congressional delegation.

Campaigns across the country were forced to scrap in-person campaigning early on in the election year as the threat of COVID-19 grew more serious. While some Democrats resumed door knocking as the election neared, such as Houston’s state Rep. Jon Rosenthal, many remained cautious in what resulted in a costly move.

Just months into the pandemic, however, Republicans again began to campaign in person and by fall had built a robust door-knocking operation. While Democrats had outpaced Republicans in registering voters, their willingness to campaign in person netted a late surge in new Republican voters.

The report described the party’s voter targeting efforts as “inefficient,” saying it didn’t have reliable contact information for some of its highest priority targets.

Cadence Bank donates $500k to TSU for future bankers Texas Southern University’s (TSU) Jesse H. Jones School of Business will soon receive $500,000 to develop new bankers.

A $250,000 three-year pledge from Cadence Bank will support the new Future Bankers Leadership Program (FBLP), funding scholarships to business students based on merit and financial need and designated the “Cadence Banking Scholars” program.

Another $250,000 contribution will be made to the to the FBLP program endowment.

The Jesse H. Jones School of Business’s new Future Bankers Leadership Program, which will launch fall 2021, will focus on educating and preparing students who are interested in a commercial banking career, providing them with the necessary financial and business skills to succeed in the banking industry. The FBLP initiative will help drive the development and growth of prospective banking leaders from underserved minority communities, positively contributing to the industry’s future.

“Cadence is proud to expand our support of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) within our footprint as we seek to recruit and expand diverse talent,” said Myra Caldwell, chief diversity officer at Cadence Bank. “Supporting the Future Bankers Leadership Program will not only help the Texas banking community, but will provide steps for young, diverse talent to accomplish personal and career goals.”

In addition, Cadence Bank will offer three TSU FBLP students summer banking internships. The internship will allow FBLP students to gain firsthand banking knowledge and experience, setting them up for professional growth and success.

Teen sauce boss scores deal with Kendra Scott on Shark Tank Defender News Service

A 17-year-old CEO from Missouri City won a $100,000 investment on ABC’s Shark Tank recently for her business, Sienna Sauce.

Tyla-Simone Crayton first created her own wing-style sauce when she was just eight years old. By the time she was 14, she had started selling it, naming it Sienna Sauce after the Missouri City community where she lives.

“I would wake up Sunday mornings, hand bottle the sauce, package it and then sell it to my local community,” said Tyla-Simone.

“Once I got enough money from that, we were

able to go to a professional manufacturer and get my sauce manufactured.” Sienna Sauce is available in three flavors: tangy, lemon pepper, and spicy. The sauces are available in over 70 stores across the country, including five H-E-B stores in the Houston area.

On a recent episode of Shark Tank, Tyla-Simone and her mom, Monique, who serves as president of Sienna Sauce, pitched their product on Shark Tank. They walked away with a $100,000 investment from guest shark Kendra Scott in exchange for a 20% stake in the company.

4 | February 25, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN News

Letter alleges NYPD, FBI involvement in Malcolm X assassination Defender News Service

colm X’s door security on Feb. 21, 1965,” Wood Three of Malcom X’s daughters joined nation- wrote. “At that time, I was not aware that Malcolm ally known civil rights attorney Ben Crump at a X was the target.” press conference recently where relatives of a forMalcolm X was killed in Manhattan’s Audumer New York police officer read a letter that al- bon Ballroom on Feb. 21, 1965, by gunmen who leged the New York Police Department and the opened fire during a speaking engagement. Three FBI covered up details of the assassination. men — Muhammad Aziz, Mujahid Abdul Halim The family and their lawyers and Khalil Islam — were convicted of said the letter provides new killing the civil rights leader and senevidence about the assassinatenced to life in prison. Aziz and Islam tion, which has long interested had long denied they were connected to scholars and activists. any plot to kill Malcolm X, and Halim The letter was written in 2011 had said the two were not involved.

by Raymond Wood, a NYPD ofSome experts say the investigation into the killing was botched and question ficer who was on duty the day Malcolm X was killed in 1965. He whether law enforcement knew about the Malcolm X wrote that he was coerced into assassination plot beforehand because the FBI and the New York Police Department enticing members of Malcolm had Malcolm X under surveillance at the time of his X’s security team to commit crimes so death, according to the New York Times. they could be arrested days before the Reginald Wood Jr. said Saturday that Raymond assassination.

Wood revealed his participation after he was diagRaymond Wood wrote that he “participated in actions that in hindsight nosed with stomach cancer in 2011 and wanted to were deplorable and detrimental to the make the letter public after his death, fearing posadvancement of my own Black people.” sible repercussions from authorities. He died Nov. The letter was read aloud Saturday by 24, 2020. family member Reginald Wood Jr. “He wanted the world to know that he is deeply “It was my assignment to draw the sorry,” Reginald Wood Jr. said. “I hope that this inMalcolm X’s daughters, Qubilah Shabazz, Gamilah two men into a felonious federal crime formation helps the Shabazz family to more clearly Lumumba Shabazz, Malaak Shabazz, Attallah Shabazz, so that they could be arrested by the FBI understand what happened to their father on that Ilyasah Shabazz. Image courtesy of malcolmxlegacy.com. and kept away from managing Mal- horrible day.”

City probe faults overall police treatment of Elijah McClain Defender News Service

The results of an investigation into the fatal arrest of Elijah McClain in suburban Denver criticizes how police handled the entire incident, faulting officers for their quick, aggressive treatment of the 23-yearold Black man and the department for having a weak accountability system that failed to press for the truth about what happened.

The investigation commissioned by the city of Aurora found “two contrasting stories” of what happened to McClain in August 2019 after someone reported him as suspicious. One, based on officers’ statements to investigators, where police describe a violent, relentless struggle. And another based on body camera footage in which McClain can be heard crying out in pain, apologizing, explaining himself, and pleading with the officers as they restrained him, applied “pain compliance” techniques, and sat or kneeled on him.

“Forgive me ... you all are phenomenal, you are beautiful,” McClain said at one

point, the report said.

Police also put McClain in a neckhold that stops the flood of blood to the brain, rendering him temporarily unconscious, and paramedics injected him with 500 milligrams of ketamine as a sedative. He suffered cardiac arrest and later was taken off life support.

The report also suggests that District Attorney Dave Young’s review of the case failed to assess the officer’s conduct and “did not reflect the rigor” of a police investigation “that one would expect” when assessing whether a crime was committed.

Young’s review of the case did not find sufficient evidence to press criminal charges in McClain’s death.

The district attorney didn’t consider Colorado’s statutory requirement that officers must have “reasonable suspicion” of a previous or impending crime in order to stop someone, relying only on the fact that McClain was in a “high crime area” and that he was wearing a ski mask and a coat on a summer night, the report found.

Two people hold posters showing images depicting Elijah McClain during a candlelight vigil for McClain outside the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles. AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File

“Neither the neighborhood nor the ski mask by themselves or together are sufficient to create reasonable suspicion without more,” the report states.

His family said McClain wore the mask because he had a blood condition that caused him to get cold easily.

His death drew renewed attention last year amid the national reckoning over police brutality and racial injustice and prompted several investigations, including a probe into possible criminal charges by the Colorado Attorney General’s Office that remains in progress.

February 25, 2021 |

| 5

DEFENDER NETWORK

Real

CHANGE IS ROOTED IN

Helping Texans in need has been the cornerstone of H-E-B’s Spirit of Giving.

We’re continuing to expand our investment in nonprofit organizations that are doing meaningful work in diversity, equity and inclusion.

Houston Area Urban League (HAUL) – The Houston Area Urban League is dedicated to providing opportunities and resources that enable African Americans and other minorities to secure economic self-reliance, parity, power, and civil rights.

UNCF – The UNCF awards more than 10,000 scholarships annually, enabling more African American students to attend and graduate from college. Through their partnerships with historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), they have helped to more than double the number of minorities attending college.

NAACP Empowerment Programs Inc. – The NAACP and the NAACP Empowerment Programs Inc. work to ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights without discrimination based on race, by focusing on training, education, and advocacy that ensures the health and wellbeing of all persons.

Join us in supporting equity, empowerment,

and education in your community when you donate in stores or online at heb.com/bethechange

©2021 HEB, 21-2954

6 | February 25, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Black History Historic Black lawman Bass Reeves

The Real Lone Ranger

By Aswad Walker

Though Blacks continuously demand, and rightfully so, for local and national police departments to hold accountable officers who shoot and abuse unarmed Blacks, few know of the long history of Blacks in law enforcement. In fact, Blacks have a much longer history in law enforcement than many realize. Case in point, one of the most revered lawmen in U.S. history, was a Black man named Bass Reeves, who the legend of “The Lone Ranger” was based upon.

Reeves was a Deputy U.S. Marshall who became famous for his ability to successfully hunt down outlaws while riding a white horse and giving away his trademark silver coins, all while being accompanied by his Native American lawman.

Reeves was born into slavery in 1838 in Crawford County, Arkansas. Working alongside his parents, Reeves was put to work as a child, serving as a water boy until he was old enough to be deployed as a field

hand. Around 1846, his family’s “owner” William Reeves, moved his family and entire operations (his enslaved Africans) to Grayson County, Texas, just 60 miles north of Dallas.

Later, his “master” brought Reeves with him to serve as a personal servant while fighting with the Confederate Army, during the Civil War. During the chaos of war, Reeves managed to escape to freedom, after beating his “master” within an inch of his life, or killing him. Various sources differ here. But what is agreed upon is that Reeves fled to the then Indian Territory of today’s Oklahoma and lived harmoniously among the Seminole and Creek Nations. After the Civil War, Reeves married and fathered ten children, while becoming the first Black to hold the position Deputy U.S. Marshall.

Reeves’ story came to the attention of many via HBO’s award-winning series “Watchmen.” Episode one of that show opened with a scene from the 1921 white

domestic terrorist attack on the Black citizens of the prosperous community of Greenwood, Oklahoma. The camera then takes viewers into a movie theater where one of the show’s main characters, is watching a silent movie about the legendary Reeves.

Sydney Trent wrote about Reeves in a Dec. 14, 2019 Washington Post article.

“Reeves, a tall, burly man with a boisterous manner who reportedly handled a .44 Winchester rifle so ably he could kill a man from a quarter-mile away, brought scores of outlaws to justice, many of them white,” wrote Trent. “In a turning of the tables nearly unheard of after Reconstruction, Reeves even hunted and arrested white men for lynchings and other racial hate crimes, according to Art T. Burton, 70, a retired university administrator and history professor who

Hyundai recognizes the value of community. Learn more at HyundaiDiversity.com.

Hyundai Celebrates Black Excellence The journey and societal contributions of African Americans is an epic tale worthy of retelling time and again. Their traditions and rich heritage combine for a legacy to remember. Hyundai is proud to join in on the celebration of Black History, this month and all year long. We salute contemporary Black artists like Ronnie Phillips, who firmly believes that children are the future, stating, “I like the idea of connecting images of present-day Black children to their past as a way of honoring the continuity in our culture.” Hyundai and Ronnie Phillips, building upon the past together while constructing a better future for all.

Hyundai is a registered trademark of Hyundai Motor Company. All rights reserved. ©2021 Hyundai Motor America.

Art by Ronnie Phillips. RonPhillipsArt.com.

February 25, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

The newly redesigned 2021 Hyundai SANTA FE. A bold reimagining with family fun in mind.

In sunshine, snow, and rain, the redesigned SANTA FE puts all other SUVs in its class to shame. Comfort and safety aside, this tech-forward SUV offers a bold design with a premium and sophisticated interior and exterior that showcases a stylish, rugged elegance. With available features like in-dash Blind-Spot View Monitor, Safe Exit Assist, Ultrasonic Rear Occupant Alert, HTRAC All Wheel Drive and a 10.25-inch full-touch infotainment screen, you can relax, knowing your family is covered and so is your style game, in or out of the city. It’s so much better, together.

Preproduction model with optional features shown. Hyundai is a registered trademark of Hyundai Motor Company. All rights reserved. ©2021 Hyundai Motor America.

| 7

8 | February 25, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN News FOCUS SOCIAL CORONAVIRUS

HARRIS COUNTY SCRAMBLES ON VACCINE DISSEMINATION

Defender News Service

Federal distributors are scrambling to catch up on vaccinations after having to postpone the delivery of more than 407,000 first doses of COVID-19 vaccines and 333,000 second doses to Texas due to the Arctic vortex that engulfed much of the country in snow, ice and freezing temperatures over Presidents Day weekend.

“Because of the weather, the people who are doing vaccines and testing couldn’t continue,” Dr. Catherine Troisi, with UT Public Health, said. “Which puts us back a week or so.”

Troisi said most second doses should still happen within the appropriate timeframe.

More troubling may be a rise in cases related to COVID being on the back burner for many dealing with the impact of the winter storm.

“It’s entirely possible we will see a, I hate to say surge, it may not be that bad,” Troisi said. “But an increase in cases over the next couple of weeks.”

One of the ways they’re hoping to catch up on the lull, is by opening a giant COVID-19 vaccination center that will serve an estimated 126,000 people over

1.3 mil

Texans have been fully vaccinated so far

GET VACCINATED Residents who meet the Texas Department of State Health Services criteria for receiving a vaccine can join the waitlist for an appointment using the COVID-19 Vaccination Portal.

• ReadyHarris.org • vacstrac.hctx.net • (832) 927-8787 The Rev. James Coleman, 70, is vaccinated for COVID-19 by nurse practitioner. AP Jacquelyn Martin

the next three weeks.

The federally funded site is now open at Houston’s NRG Park, near the home stadium of the NFL’s Houston Texans.

Staff will distribute first doses seven days a week for three weeks, then transition to second doses.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, the

county’s chief elected official, says authorities will prioritize people who live in areas hardest hit by the coronavirus. Hidalgo and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner say their staffs have identified ZIP codes where people have been most affected and lack the same access as other places to medical care.

The site opens as Texans recover from a devastating winter storm that killed at least 35 people and left millions without power and water. While Houston and other cities have lifted boil orders on drinking water, many people are still affected by broken pipes and systems shutoffs.

Says Hidalgo, “It’s been trauma after trauma, and people deserve some good news, some hope.”

COVID-19 deaths down, milestone hits 500K dead Defender News Service

After a year that has darkened doorways across the U.S., the pandemic has surpassed a milestone that once seemed unimaginable, a stark confirmation of the virus’s reach into all corners of the country and communities of every size and makeup.

“It’s very hard for me to imagine an American who doesn’t know someone who has died or has a family member who has died,” said Ali Mokdad, a professor of health metrics at the University of Washington in Seattle. “We haven’t really fully understood how bad it is, how devastating it is, for all of us.”

Experts warn that about 90,000 more deaths are likely in the next few months, despite a massive campaign to vaccinate people.

At other moments of epic loss, like the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Americans have pulled together to confront crisis and con-

sole survivors. But this time, the nation is deeply divided. Staggering numbers of families are dealing with death, serious illness and financial hardship. And many are left to cope in isolation, unable even to hold funerals.

In recent weeks, virus deaths have fallen from more than 4,000 reported on some days in January to an average of fewer than 1,900 per day.

Still, at half a million, the toll recorded

by Johns Hopkins University is already greater than the population of Miami or Kansas City, Missouri. It is roughly equal to the number of Americans killed in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War combined. It is akin to a 9/11 every day for nearly six months.

“The people we lost were extraordinary,” President Joe Biden said recently, urging Americans to remember the individual lives claimed by the virus, rather than be numbed by the enormity of the toll.

Romelia Navarro, 64, weeps while hugging her husband, Antonio, in his final moments in a COVID-19 unit. AP Jae C. Hong

February 25, 2021 |

| 9

DEFENDER NETWORK

WE STAND BEHIND THE VACCINE Here’s why our experts support the COVID-19 vaccine:

TESTED

TRUSTED

EFFECTIVE

There has been thorough testing and rigorous external review. Previous research and new technology allowed the vaccine to be developed faster, yet still follow the standard FDA process for emergency review before approval.

Most side effects are minimal, like other vaccines — including sore arms, muscle aches and fever. These flu-like symptoms indicate that the vaccine is doing its job — helping your body develop immunity to the virus. Other side effects are rare.

Current evidence indicates the vaccine is safe and up to 95% effective. COVID-19 can be fatal or debilitating. The risks of experiencing serious symptoms or being hospitalized from the disease are far greater than the risks associated with getting the vaccine.

Many different organizations across Greater Houston are providing vaccines as quickly as they can get them. We encourage you to get the first vaccine available to you when it is your turn according to the state’s prioritization plan. Visit houstonmethodist.org/vaccine for the latest information on COVID-19 vaccines. #ProtectedTogether

10 | February 25, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

| 11

DN ON SOCIAL THE WEB OnSocial

What happened?

ReShonda Tate Billingsley

When winter storms bring extreme cold, snow and ice as far south as Texas and Louisiana, power outages from downed lines are expected. What is not expected is a grid meltdown on the scale that occurred in Texas recently, which wiped out power across much of the state and left millions to fend for themselves in some of the coldest temperatures this part of the country has ever seen.

The apocalyptic week had Texans weighing in.

How people came together....

As millions of people struggled to face freezing temperatures while enduring boil water notices and hourslong rolling power outages, Houstonaians came together to help one another during the weather crisis.

Houston rapper Trae tha Truth was among the numerous people in the community who have been working to help those in need after last week’s winter storm.

Trae and his Relief Gang provided free gas and food to more than 250 families.

It’s worth asking the question: Who set up this system and who perpetuated it knowing that the right regulation was not in place? Those questions are going to have to be asked, and I hope that changes will come. The community deserves answers.”

-Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo

Hot on IG….

Texas’ bipolar weather had everyone talking…

Only in Texas can you leave your house in a mink coat in the morning and be chilling in a tank top and shorts by the pool by evening.”

-April Baldwin

The Houston weather is beautiful now, like it didn’t just try to kill us last week.”

-Jay Mouton

Hot on Twitter….

Texas froze, Cruz fled

Cruz is under further attack for traveling to Cancun while his constituents suffered through a deadly winter storm that left hundreds of thousands without power and running water. His explanation — that his daughters pushed for the getaway because they were out of school — was particularly panned.

The optics of the trip are hardly ideal. But the question is whether, three years before he faces voters again, the political fallout will last.

I need to understand what happened. How are we - in 2021 - not able to handle weather?”

-Jason Lawson

13°

Coldest recorded temperature of the week in Houston

4.3 million without power during the height of the storm in Texas

The cold’s deadly toll. The impact of the winter storm and power crisis around the Houston area has been great, including the tragic loss of life.

Etenesh Mersha and her 7-year-old daughter died after a car was running in an attached garage while the family was without power.

Mary Gee, 84, died in her Northshore Meadows apartment complex in northeast Houston after losing power and freezing to death.

Doyle Austin lost power at his house in Acres Homes on Valentine’s Day, according to the lawsuit filed in Harris County District Court. He died later that night.

I highly suggest taking your bill off direct debit until this is all worked out. I had a client have $2,000 deducted from her bank account for electricity usage when her power was out for a week!”

-Brooke Lansing

Hot on Facebook….

Electricity bills

After unusual icy weather left millions of Texans without power, some are facing another crisis: Skyhigh electricity bills.

DeAndre Upshaw shows a $5,000 bill from Griddy on his cell phone for his 900-square-foot apartment.

The bad part is he’s not up for reelection until 2024. Texans will have moved on to something else and forgotten all about this.”

-Lisa Woods

And he could have done some of that work with his kids, so they can learn to help those in need, instead of running out of town. Be an example.”

-Eva Boldridge

12 | February 25, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN News

A woman wrapped in a blanket crosses the street near downtown Dallas. AP Photo/LM Otero, File

People wait in line for food and water at a Houston distribution site organized by U.S. Rep. Al Green. Houston Public Media

Racial inequities emerge in Houston winter storm Houston Public Media

As hundreds of mostly Black and brown Houstonians lined up outside of Bethel’s Heavenly Hands food pantry in Southwest Houston just days after a winter storm left millions of Texans under a boil water order, U.S. Rep. Al Green, D-Houston, helped carry supplies into cars for those suffering through the aftermath of last week’s winter storm.

Cases of water, boxes of cereal, cans of soup, fruit, juice — the event, organized in conjunction with the Houston Food Pantry, was set up to serve as many as 1,000 families impacted by power outages, burst pipes and other issues that left people without food or water. The majority of the surrounding community is Black and Hispanic, with a median household income well below the U.S. average, according to Census data.

Green had already seen how communities like this one were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. Now, after the region was hit by yet another disaster, he was seeing a familiar scenario play out: neighborhoods without resources struggling to get by as the lives of others went largely back to normal.

“Minority communities are suffering,” Green said, between loading up cars.

“We have to be here to minimize that suffering, and mitigate it, and eliminate it, to be quite honest.”

A week after the storm that dropped temperatures to freezing levels and knocked out power and water for millions, families in some areas of Houston

Houstonians can get help Defender News Service

Texans in more than 100 counties can begin applying for federal assistance to help them recover from the winter storm that caused widespread power outages, water disruptions and building damages from burst pipes.

And the number of counties whose residents qualify for such aid could grow “as in damage and more work is done economic loss from to evaluate need,” the storm, White House (Includes job and wage losses, press secretary Jen infrastructure Psaki said. damage, auxiliary Before applybusiness losses, ing for assistance medical expenses from the Federal and closures) *Accuweather Emergency Management Agency, insured Texans should first: • Photograph ALL damage.

• File claims through existing policies.

(People cannot receive disaster and insurance assistance for the same damages. Doing so would be considered insurance fraud).

• Texans without insurance in counties under Biden’s major disaster declaration can go ahead and apply for federal aid.

• If insurance doesn’t cover damage, file through: FEMA www.disasterassistance.gov 1-800-621-3362 Make sure you have: • Social Security number • Insurance details • Description of any storm-related damage and losses • Financial details like total annual household income before taxes • Contact information

$45 and $50 BIL

Al Green distributes water. Houston Public Media

had already begun the process of filling out insurance claims and calling plumbers as warmer weather began to take hold over the weekend.

But while the situation may have improved for some Houstonians, others are in danger of being left behind.

In lower-income communities, older and more compromised homes struggled under the stress of a harsh winter storm.

Chrishelle Palay, who advocates for equitable disaster response through the HOME Coalition, said that some of the families in her community of Kashmere Gardens don’t have insurance.

Many of Palay’s neighbors needed house repairs even before the winter storm hit, she said. Some are still recovering from Hurricane Harvey, nearly

four years later.

“One of my neighbors, I looked at his house — it’s just amazing in my mind that he’s still able to stay there,” she said, “But he’s like, ‘I don’t have any other choice. Where else do I go’?”

Palay started her organization in the wake of Harvey to make disaster recovery more equitable. Research by the Episcopal Health Foundation and Kaiser Family Foundation has shown Black and low-income communities in the region were less likely to have recovered a year after the storm.

A Rice University Kinder Institute survey also revealed that more than half of Black and Latino immigrant respondents could not come up with $400 to meet an emergency expense.

February 25, 2021 |

| 13

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Spotlight

Taylor Polidore Hometown rising star

By Aswad Walker

Houston-born Taylor Polidore is an actress on the rise and budding entrepreneur. The Generation Y member has enjoyed several movie and TV roles, including a recurring role on “Black Lightning,” also produced her own content and founded a clothing line.

With new projects debuting almost weekly and other projects on the horizon, she took time to speak about her professional journey with the Defender.

Defender: When did you decide that you wanted

to be an actress?

Taylor Polidore: I decided that I wanted to be an

actress professionally as my career when I was 13, and I never really looked back from there. It was kinda like, “Okay, this is what I want to do.” I booked my first feature film, “Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins,” and when I went to set and saw everything and worked, I was like, “I don’t want to do anything else. I love it.” And I knew then and stuck to it.

cuter clothes.” I realized that the cute clothes, they weren’t functional. And some of the functional clothes weren’t cute… I was like, “Maybe I can curate collections of clothes and people will want to buy them.” The first collection dropped in December and it sold out in two weeks. I’m getting ready for the second drop, the second collection, next month, available at GoodBodyAthletica.com.

Defender: Any advice for aspiring actors or

entrepreneurs?

Taylor: Trust your gut. Trust your vision.

It’s right. You have everything within you to make it happen. Don’t give up on things that you really want, and enjoy the process of making it all happen. Enjoy when it messes up. Enjoy when it works out. Because it all will work out for you.

Defender: Was there ever a

moment when you asked maybe I need to be doing something else?

Taylor: Absolutely. But it wasn’t until I was a year out of college that one day I just woke up and I was like, “Should I have gotten a job, job? Like a regular job?

What am I doing?” I’d never even applied to a full-time, 9-to-5 job. Whenever those thoughts kind of creep into my head, maybe because money was tight, “How am I going to pay for this or do that,” something would always happen to show me, “No, you’re doing what you’re supposed to do.” At one point mom sent me an LSAT book and was like, “You would be a great lawyer.” And I was like, “I’m going to keep that book on my bookshelf to remind me that that’s not what I’m going to do.”

Defender: So, what was your experience like on the

Black Lightning set?

Taylor: It was amazing. I actually got that audition and it was just a one-line gig. So, I didn’t really care about it because I was like, “This is about to be my rent for the month. It’s not going to make or break my career. I’m just gonna do my thing and leave it alone.”

And I ended up booking the job… and they brought me back later that season. Then they brought me back another season… It really became a good vehicle or showcase of, you know, “I can play this type of role.”

ABOUT TAYLOR POLIDORE EDUCATION

Clark Atlanta University, BA Filmmaking Seven Lakes High School (Katy, TX)

LATEST/UPCOMING GIGS

“Black Kung Fu Chick” (TV series) “Snowfall” season 4 (TV series, FX) “It’s Pony” (Animated TV series, Nickelodeon) voicework “The Loud House” (Animated TV series, Nickelodeon) voicework “Curious George” reboot (Animated TV series, TBD)

SOCIAL MEDIA

Defender: So, how did the clothing line come

BlackKungFuChick.com Instagram: @taylorpolidore Twitter: @TaylorPolidore GoodBodyAthletica.com

Taylor: At the beginning of the pandemic, I did a

MANTRA

about?

workout challenge on Instagram. And part of the challenge was you had to upload clips of your workout.

And as I was uploading these clips, I was like, “I need

Check out the entire interview at DefenderNetwork.com

“I don’t necessarily have a mantra that I live by, but trust God and enjoy life as much as you can. That works with me.”

14 | February 25, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Business

Biden targets small, Black business with PPP loans Defender News Service

When COVID-19 hit in early 2020, the outcry was on a grand scale for minority businesses that were trying to stay in the black and keep their doors open. But when the help came in the form of the Payment Protection Program (PPP) the distribution of the financial rescue was not equitable.

President Joe Biden is now targeting federal pandemic assistance to the nation’s smallest businesses and taking steps to further equity in what is known as the Paycheck Protection Program.

The administration is establishing a two-week window, now through March 4, in which only businesses with fewer than 20 employees — the overwhelming majority of small businesses — can apply for the forgivable loans. Biden’s team is also carving out $1 billion to direct toward sole proprietors, such as home contractors and beauticians, the majority of which are owned by women and people of color. The program, which began April 3 and ended Aug. 8 and handed out 5.2 million loans worth $525 billion, helped many businesses stay on their

Operation HOPE founder, John Hope Bryant speaks onstage during the 2016 HOPE Global Forum.

feet when government measures to control the coronavirus forced many to shut down or operate at a diminished capacity.

Data from the Paycheck Protection Program released Dec. 1 and analyzed

by The Associated Press show that many minority owners desperate for a relief loan didn’t receive one until the PPP’s last few weeks while many more white business

owners were able to get loans earlier in the program.

John Hope Bryant, the founder of Operation Hope, says these are important steps particularly for sole proprietor Blackowned businesses.

“There are 30 million business in America. Just under 10% of those are Black businesses. Ninety-six percent of all Black businesses don’t have an employee — they are sole proprietors,” Bryant tells theGrio.

“There is no infrastructure. PPP doesn’t necessarily apply to them under the traditional rules.”

One of the bullet points of the Biden plan is crucial to a large portion of Black-owned businesses, and that is revising the loan calculation formula used to determine PPP loans. As the Biden-Harris administration points out, sole proprietors, independent contractors and self-employed individuals who are without employees are 70% owned by women and people of color.

Despite this fact, “many are structurally excluded from the PPP or were approved for as little as $1 because of how PPP loans are calculated,” according to the Biden administration.

COMMUNITY ENERGY CENTER

Prioritizing innovations, smart policies and pandemic recovery... that’s energy leadership!

To learn more about how energy helps your community, visit CommunityEnergyCenter.org

The Community Energy Center, a cooperative with the National Newspaper Publishers Association and National Association of Hispanic Publications Media, will provide information and perspectives on the integral role of the energy sector in daily life for American families in a wide range of communities.

February 25, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

| 15

16 | February 25, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Events

BLACK HEALTH, WOMEN’S HISTORY TOP THE LIST

By Aswad Walker

BLACK HEALTH MATTERS WINTER SUMMIT, FEB. 27, 7:30AM – 4:30PM

Get ready for a day filled with health, wellness, and Black history at the Black Health Matters Winter Health Summit! Topics covered during this event include Alopecia (hair loss), caregiving, COVID-19 vaccines, dementia, diabetes, fitness, heart disease, lupus, mental health, and many others. Guest speakers include singers Angie Stone and Regina Belle, National Urban League president Marc Morial, MSNBC medical contributor Vin Gupta former MTV host and current diabetes advocate Andre “Doctor Dre” Brown, and many more. Register for free at www.bhmWinterSummit. vfairs.com.

COMING 2 AMERICA WATCH PARTY, MAR. 5, 7PM

Join the Fixin’ Crowns Book Club LLC as attendees gather around our screens to watch the release of Coming 2 America, the much-anticipated sequel to the classic Coming to America. Attendees will watch the movie together virtually on Amazon Prime starring Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, Jermaine Fowler, Leslie Jones, Tracy Morgan, KiKi Layne, Shari Headley, Teyana Taylor, Wesley Snipes and James Earl Jones. The admission is free. All you need to do is join the Zoom meeting at https:// us02web.zoom.us/j/83225222370....

Here’s the Meeting ID: 832 2522 2370 and Passcode: 306757.

BLACK WOMEN IN HISTORY AND STRUGGLE, MAR. 4, 5:30PM

Scholarship on Black women’s histories is transforming our understanding of U.S. political, social, and economic development. New researchers are writing Black women back into narratives where they have been erased. When Black women such as Rosa Parks have been lifted up, our understanding of their real ideas and contributions has too often been shallow. Join this conversation to uncover the long history of Black women in U.S. history, and a deeper understanding of one of the most celebrated Black American women, Rosa Parks. The discussion features authors Daina Ramey Berry and Kali N. Gross (A Black Women’s History of the United States) and Jeanne Theoharis (The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks, Young Readers Edition). The talk is part of the Schomburg Cen-

ter’s Conversations in Black Freedom Studies series. This program will be streamed on Zoom. You must register with your email address in order to receive the link to participate. Please check your email shortly before the discussion to receive the link. Email Christina Santi at christinasanti@ nypl.org for more information.

BLACK WOMEN IN HISTORY AND STRUGGLE, MAR. 4, 5:30PM

Scholarship on Black women’s histories is transforming our understanding of U.S. political, social, and economic development. New researchers are writing Black women back into narratives where they have been erased. When Black women such as Rosa Parks have been lifted up, our understanding of their real ideas and contributions has too often been shallow. Join this conversation to uncover the long history of Black women in U.S. history, and a deeper understanding of one of the most celebrated Black American women, Rosa Parks. The discussion features authors Daina Ramey Berry and Kali N. Gross (A Black Women’s History of the United States) and Jeanne Theoharis (The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks, Young Readers Edition). The talk is part of the Schomburg Center’s Conversations in Black Freedom Studies series. This program will be streamed on Zoom.

You must register with your email address in order to receive the link to participate. Please check your email shortly before the discussion to receive the link. Email Christina Santi at christinasanti@nypl.org for more information.

HOUSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY PRESENTS TERY MCMILLAN, MAR. 6, 6PM – 7PM

Dr. Rhea Brown Lawson, executive director of Houston Public Library, invites you to come hear from New York Times bestselling author Terry McMillan as she discusses her latest novel “It’s Not All Downhill From Here” with Houston Chronicle columnist, Joy Sewing. Viewers of this livestreaming program can look forward to a limited book giveaway. Featuring an unforgettable ensemble of strong, dynamic women, “It’s Not All Downhill From Here” shows it’s never too late to become who you want to be, that family is worth fighting for, and that our best days are yet to come. For more details, visit https://houstonlibrary.libnet.info/event/4909054.

February 25, 2021 |

| 17

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Opinion

An Open Letter to the Houston Texans

By Jodie Brandon Jiles

As an avid fan of the NFL for the last 30 years I have enjoyed the game of football since I was a child, but in light of the last few seasons the issues within the Houston Texans franchise dealing with race has come to a head. I can no longer ignore the elephant in the room that raises the question: Is the Houston Texans team racist or does it discriminate?

The incidents speak for themselves. From the remarks of the late Houston Texans owner “can’t have the inmates running the prison” to the discrimination case against the Texans franchise regarding the alleged discriminatory practices of former GM Brian Gaine, there are blatant examples of racism within the organization. Another incident occurred in 2019 when I pursued a story about Texans wide receiver Kenny Stills regarding his courage to continue to take a knee in peaceful protest during the national anthem when the league wasn’t as accepting of the act. The stall tactics indicated a hesitation on the part of the Texans to allow the interview prompting a player in the locker room to say “don’t let them get to you, they are just like that.” Then there is the reported unchecked cultural bias and insensitive comments of former head coach and GM Bill O’Brien (who denied the comments) to All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, comparing him to convicted murderer Aaron Hernandez, and claiming he had “too much influence.” To top it off O’Brien allegedly criticized the future Hall of Famer for having the mothers of his children around too much only to

end in his dismissal from the franchise via an unprecedented trade. Now the Texans are on the verge of losing the 2020 leader in passing yards, Deshaun Watson, after failing to fulfill a public commitment the team made that he would be involved in the selection of the next general manager and coach. Watson, arguably one of the top tier quarterbacks, just signed one of the highest paying contracts in league history now wants to leave because the Texans reneged on their front office promise.

Houston, we’ve got problems. Something needs to be done to fix the culture that continues to have missteps. It is obvious the franchise needs help addressing the culture from within the Houston Texans organization.

In this age of social and racial sensitivity, as a black man I am uncomfortable supporting our local team based on all these incidents that are unacceptable in 2021. In a league of majority black players and no black owners it is time for a change that demands outside help to assist the Texans in changing their culture.

Some would argue all issues are resolved with the recent hiring of a black head coach, but I argue that is equivalent to putting a single band-aid over an open shotgun wound.

David Culley could very well be a great coach, but when you compare his pedigree to some of the African-Americans in the candidate pools it gives you pause.

There are a number of other reasons why the Texans need to address this problem.

With the bad reputation the Houston Texans have earned, they risk young black athletes being turned off by the franchise and not wanting to play for them.

You could say this is “Tough Love” because we are grateful to the Houston Texans for all they have done for this great city and the relationship we have enjoyed with the Texans especially the donation during COVID-19, but these issues cannot be disregarded. Life is about what you are willing to accept and this is unacceptable.

We offer the Texans an opportunity to share their side of the story. And to avoid being a critic complaining about the problem, the Houston Defender Network wants to help the Texans change the culture by offering a few recommendations to get the ball rolling toward change. I am not an expert, but here are a few recommendations.

1. Talk with the team and staff about what changes need to be made to make a more inclusive community. DO IT! 2. Talk to the black community and get their recommendations.

3. Secure a professional firm to help the Texans develop a strategy to change the culture based on recommendations received internally and externally.

4. Place more African-Americans in leadership and C-Suite positions (CEO, CFO, COO, CIO).

5. Invest in Black businesses: banking, professional services, florist, restaurants, etc.

In the words of Martin Luther King Jr. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” And while today’s failures can lead to tomorrow’s success it can also continue to fester and evolve into bigger uncontrollable issues. So let’s get to work and get it done.

Sincerely, Jodie B. Jiles cc NFL Owners, Commissioner Goodell and Executive Committee.

CALL-TO-ACTION #HouTexansChange

We love the TEXANS but some things need to change.

Share this editorial Share YOUR Opinion: Go to the Defendernetwork.com, click the Let the People Be Heard banner and upload your video of recommendations Go the the Facebook Pages of the Houston Texans and NFL - share your recommendations.

18 | February 25, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports Prairie View guard Jawaun Daniels hit a clutch 3-pointer with 1:32 remaining to rally the Panthers past Texas Southern on the way to a 77-75 win.

Texas Southern senior outfielder Tyson Thompson has been selected to the preseason AllSWAC Baseball First Team.

Sports Briefs Rockets part ways with Cousins In an anticipated move, the Rockets and center DeMarcus Cousins have parted ways. He appeared in DeMarcus 25 games, Cousins averaging 9.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists. Cousins is free to land with any team and it appears a return to the Lakers is coming.

SWAC ready to spring into football

By Terrance Harris

For most in college football, the spring is an opportunity for additional practices in preparation for the upcoming fall season.

For the SWAC, it’s time to compete for real.

In an unprecedented move made necessary by the spread of COVID-19, the SWAC will kickoff its 2020 fall season this spring, beginning this weekend. SWAC East Division favorites Southern and Alabama State will officially get the spring schedule going on Friday, while most of the remaining league teams will kickoff their season on Saturday.

This spring schedule should be memorable for many reasons, not just the timing.

We will have the much anticipated and much hyped SWAC coaching debut of Deion “Prime Time” Sanders at Jackson State. Alcorn State, the perennial SWAC powerhouse program, has opted out of playing this spring which opens up the possibilities for the likes of Southern, Prairie View, Alabama A&M and Alabama State.

The Defender has put together a SWAC primer to be your reference guide throughout the season. Also, for a closer look at Prairie View and Texas Southern this spring, check out DefenderNetwork.com on Friday.

HOW THIS SPRING WILL WORK

Most SWAC teams will play an abbreviated, sixgame league-only schedule this spring. The NCAA has granted all student-athletes who participated this academic year an extra year of eligibility.

There will be a SWAC Championship Game on May 1. The Celebration Bowl that pits the SWAC and MEAC champions for the Black National College Championship will not be played this spring.

Defending SWAC champion Alcorn State is

SWAC ON ESPN Feb. 27 2 p.m.

March 6 Noon March 6 TBA March 6 7 p.m.

March 20 TBA March 20 Noon March 27 TBA March 27 TBA March 28 3 p.m.

April 3 3 p.m.

April 10 3 p.m.

April 10 7 p.m.

April 17 6:30 p.m.

May 1 3 p.m. *Indicates tape delay games All Game Times are CST

PLAYERS TO WATCH Pos QB DL LB RB DB

Player Aqeel Glass Jason Dumas Keonte Hampton Devon Benn Jaylen Harris

Mississippi Valley State at Jackson State Jackson State at Grambling State Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Southern Texas Southern at Prairie View A&M Jackson State at Alabama State Alabama A&M at Prairie View A&M Grambling State at Alabama A&M Alabama State at Arkansas-Pine Bluff Prairie View A&M at Jackson State Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Mississippi Valley St Alabama A&M at Jackson State Southern at Prairie View A&M Alabama A&M vs Alabama State Cricket Wireless SWAC Championship

School Alabama A&M Prairie View Jackson State Southern Prairie View

the only league school to opt out. Teams that were schedule to play the Braves will be awarded a win by forfeit.

Visiting school bands will not be allowed to perform and neither school will be able to bring bands for the classic games or neutral site games this spring.

PRIME TIME AFFECT

Much of the excitement around this spring in the SWAC can be traced to Jackson State and the Jaguars hiring of NFL legend and Pro Football

ESPN3* ESPN3* ESPN3 ESPN3 ESPN3* ESPN3 ESPN3 ESPN3 ESPNU ESPN3 ESPNU ESPNU ESPNU ESPNU

GAMES TO WATCH Feb. 26 March 6 March 6 March 28 April 17

Southern at Alabama State Jackson State at Grambling State Texas Southern at Prairie View Prairie View at Jackson State Alabama A&M vs. Alabama State

Hall of Famer Deion Sanders as head coach.

In his true “Prime Time” aura, Sanders has created excitement not just around JSU’s program but around the SWAC, as well. For proof, just look at the league’s ESPN programming lineup for the spring. Sanders has created a lot of buzz by putting together the best 2021 recruiting class in the FCS and quite possibly the best class of any HBCU program in history.

Unfortunately, we won’t be able to see most of those players on the field until this upcoming fall schedule, per NCAA guidelines.

PV-Grambling State postponed This weekend’s annual State Fair Classic football game pitting Prairie View vs. Grambling State at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas has been postponed due to weather related issues from last week. The game has been moved to March 13 and will now be played at Globe Life Park in Arlington.

Deion has controversial debut While Deion Sanders was victorious in his coaching debut with Jackson State last weekend Deion courtesy Sanders of a 53-0 drubbing of NAIA Edward Waters, it wasn’t’ without controversy. Following the home win, Sanders told reporters that someone had broke into his locker and stole his wallet and watches. Last month, someone broke into Sanders’ vehicle on campus and stole a boombox radio. The items were returned in both instances.

February 25, 2021 |

| 19

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports YATES GUARDS

EYES ON THE PRIZE WITH ROSS AND MOORE

By Jodie B. Jiles

After having only one full practice together due to the winter storm advisory, Yates still managed to enter the playoffs on fire defeating Sealy by a score of 92-71 in the first round Bi-District playoffs.

While most eyes were on Yates 6’11” big man Chuks Isitua for obvious reasons, it is definitely noteworthy to cite the other starters that left their fingerprints all over the game complimenting Isitua’s game.

Yates seniors Joseph Ross and Latrell Moore have been locked in this season on both sides of the ball. In Yates’ notorious full court press defense, Ross and Moore helped creABOUT JOSEPH ate turnovers for ROSS Yates and in transiInstagram: tion they both were @treendy.jay effective in flipping Players He Studthose turnovers ies: Tracy McGrady into easy buckets. and Kyrie Irving Though Ross and World Problem You Moore can both Would Fix: World Hunger stroke it from three, Hobbies: Reading and fishing Ross is probably the Shoutouts: Kyrie, Rube better shooter of the and all them seniors. two, while Moore has a unique acrobatic ability to drive the lane like a freight train and finish at the rim with creativity.

When Yates head coach Greg Wise was asked about what Ross’ and Moore’s games add to the roster, Wise stated, “With Latrell’s athletic ability we really ask him to be more selfish than he is. He is the kind of player that wants to pass the ball, but there are some games where we need him to be more selfish and more aggressive on the offensive end because as you can see once, he gets full speed he is hard to stop with his athletic ability.”

“Ross brings that experience with this being his third year on varsity. He is one of our better shooters. So, obviously with Chuks, who clogs defenses in, we have someone who can shoot that keeps the other team from packing their defense in.”

The Defender spoke with Ross and Moore after their win over Sealy to discuss what it

ABOUT LATRELL MOORE

Players He Studies: Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson and Michael Jordan Favorite Artist: Meek Mill, Chance The Rapper, Drake and NBA Youngboy Hobbies: Hanging out with friends, playing Madden and NBA2k Shoutouts: All my teammates. Ya’ll boys played hard.

was like maintaining focus this week through the winter storm, keys to success moving forward, and more.

MAINTAINING FOCUS THIS WEEK

Ross: “Coach G. Wise keeps us straight. We had only practiced the day before the game, and normally before gamedays we don’t go hard. But we went hard that day to prepare for gameday.”

STYLE OF PLAY

Moore: “I’m a two-way, flashy scorer. I can shoot, jump and really do everything.”

Ross: “Unselfish and defensive-minded. If I get a shot I shoot it. If I have an open teammate I am going to get it to them.”

FULL SPEED DRIVING ATTACK

Moore: “It’s just a mindset. You have to have a mentality when you attack the basket to do what you got to do to get the thang through.”

CREATIVITY AT THE RIM

Moore: “I have been doing this since I was about four years old. Just sleep, eat and play basketball like every day.”

SPREADING THE FLOOR

Ross: “I just practice shooting on my off days when everyone isn’t working. I get on the shooting machine, shooting shots so I can hit them in the game.”

SEALY VICTORY

Ross: “We limited our turnovers and just went hard on defense. We are going to hit shots because that is what we do. We don’t miss much. So, as long as we hustle hard on defense, get a bunch of steals, we good.”

MOVING FORWARD

Moore: “We need to play for one another, push each other, motivate each other, and make every play count. Whether it is a loose ball, grabbing a rebound or just hustling and putting in hard work for the team.”

Yates Playmakers Shackelford and Belcher-Grimble

By Jodie B. Jiles

Despite a relatively slow start, Yates really turned things around late with a key upset over district champion Kashmere High School, who beat Yates earlier, concluding an 11-8 overall (10-2 district) record season with a six-game win streak entering the playoffs. Yates senior shooting

guard Abagail Shackelford and freshman point guard Shaniya Belcher-Grimble are a big reason why.

The D efender sp oke wit h Shackelford and Belcher-Grimble to discuss their games, turnaround season and more. Visit www.defendernetwork.com for full article.

20 | February 25, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK