Houston Defender: February 28, 2019

LOCAL

TEXAS BLACK LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS ADVOCATES FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM P2

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Volume 88 | Number 18 FEBRUARY 28 |2019 |FREE

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NEWSTALK RODNEY ELLIS welcomes Judge Genesis Draper

P2 FEATURE ANYA WASHINGTON among Black girls who remain missing

P8 H.S. SPORTS LJ CRYER playing prime-time at Morton Ranch

State Sen. Borris Miles

State Sen. Royce West

Conversations Legislative update H PAGE 6

P11 TOP EVENTS

Kennedy Edwards, Corey Glover and Lisha Wincher at the Houston Community College Black Scholarship gala.

P12

Madea

Kevin Granger

Tyler Perry has seen his share of Mabel “Madea” Simmons haters. But it’s those that love her, packing theaters to see her in film and on stage, that have kept her a staple in the entertainment industry for nearly 20 years. But now, Madea is taking her last bow.

Perry explains why

The interim vice president of intercollegiate athletics at TSU now officially has the title.

Granger receives a three-year contract and succeeds Dr. Charles McClelland, who left TSU to become the commissioner of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

Named TSU VP

calls it quits

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DEFENDER | FEBRUARY 28 | 2019

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newstalk

Texas Black caucus advocates for reform

By CHASE KARACOSTAS Defender

AUSTIN – The Texas Black Legislative Caucus (TBLC) is increasing its focus on criminal justice reform this legislative session with a number of bills that address everything from preventing African-Americans from entering the state’s prison system to helping former inmates once they are released.

During a press conference at the TBLC Summit, six members of the caucus discussed their plans to increase educational outcomes for AfricanAmericans and clean up criminal justice policies that disproportionately affect them.

“If you want to reform criminal justice, one State Rep. Ron Reynolds of the things you’ll do is reform public education,” State Rep. Harold Dutton said State Rep. Harold Dutton, D-Houston, chairadequately prepared for grade school. man of the caucus this session. “You can’t just wait Dutton said there is a lot of talk about reducuntil somebody gets out of jail to try to help them. It’s ing drop-out rates among 10th-12th graders, but the far more to our benefit to cure a boy than it is to fix a students get behind in school as early as first grade and man.” never catch up. Part of the problem is how teachers are The caucus’ plans follow those of Congress, which forced to keep up with lesson plans even if students are in December passed the First Step Act, a criminal jusbehind. tice reform bill designed to help reduce recidivism and “Well, why would you do that?” Dutton said. the rates of incarcerated people of color.

“How can you be on chapter three when they’re on Unlike the First Step Act, the caucus’ plans have a chapter none. It doesn’t make any sense.” greater emphasis on ensuring African Americans never Dutton also discussed how caucus members want make it into the criminal justice system. Their first to find the source of why African- American boys are step – House Bill 189 – would implement free full-day disproportionately being suspended. Despite making pre-kindergarten for certain children, including those up only 27 percent of the public school population in who are educationally disadvantaged, to ensure they are Texas, they make up 47 percent of those punished with

school suspension.

At the same time, Dutton said he wants data regarding educational outcomes for AfricanAmericans divided by gender for greater insight into which group is struggling the most.

Helping African-American children improve in school will go a long way toward ensuring they never end up in jail or prison, closing off the “school to prison pipeline,” Dutton said.

The caucus will also push hard for the decriminalization of marijuana. Possession of any amount of the drug less than 2 ounces is a Class B misdemeanor, which can result in the loss of a person’s driver’s license, making it harder to maintain a steady job and stay away from crime, Dutton said.

Additionally, House Bill 215 by State Rep. Ron Reynolds, D-Missouri City, would require the appointment of a special prosecutor to look into cases of law enforcement officer-involved injuries or deaths, such as shootings. Despite making up just 12 percent of the U.S. population, African-Americans comprised 23 percent of officer-involved shootings last year, according to the Washington Post.

Reynolds also said the caucus would be on “the front lines” to fight against any legislation that may hurt Black Texans.

“Power concedes nothing without demand – never has and never will,” Reynolds said. “The Texas Legislative Black Caucus is speaking truth to power. We're unapologetically Black, and we are advocating for the interests of African-Americans throughout the state.”

Genesis Draper to fill county judicial vacancy Defender News Services

Based on the motion from Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Commissioners Court appointed Genesis E. Draper – an assistant public defender in the Harris County Public Defender’s Office – to fill the judicial vacancy at Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 12.

The seat was left vacant following the unexpected death of Judge Cassandra Hollemon on Feb. 11. Hollemon was elected to the bench in November as part of a historical sweep that elected 17 Black women to the county judiciary.

“We can never replace Judge Hollemon, but we can honor her legacy and the will of the voters by appointing Genesis E. Draper to the bench,” said Ellis. “Ms. Draper

has an exemplary legal career and record of public service that reflects a clear commitment to ensuring everyone receives fair treatment and equal justice in Harris County regardless of who they are or how much money they have.”

“This appointment is a tremendous honor,” Draper said.

“I’m committed to building on Judge Hollemon’s legacy and will continue her work, alongside other members of the Harris County judiciary, to advance the reforms that are needed to transform our justice system into one that delivers equal justice and fair treatment to all people.”

Draper is a graduate of Spelman College and received her law degree from the University of Texas Law School, where she was a member of the Thurgood Marshall Legal

New Judge Genesis E. Draper (center) is shown with (l. to r.) Commissioner Steve Radack, County Judge Lina Hidalgo, husband Brandon Leonard and Commissioners Rodney Ellis, Adrian Garcia and R. Jack Cagle.

Society, Criminal Law Society, Board of Advocates and the mock trial team.

She began her legal career as a public defender in Tennessee and later served as

a federal public defender in the Southern District Court of Texas before joining the Harris County Public Defender’s Office in 2017.

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FEBRUARY 28 | 2019 | DEFENDER

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DEFENDER | FEBRUARY 28 | 2019

national

Donald Trump spreads voter fraud fabrications Associated Press

President Donald Trump is spreading tall tales about election fraud.

Asked about ballot malfeasance involving a Republican in North Carolina, the president insisted he condemns voter fraud "of any kind, whether it's Democrat or Republican" and pointed to a "million fraudulent votes" cast in California.

But no such case exists.

In fact, he has frequently asserted massive fraud in California since losing the state in 2016 to Democrat Hillary Clinton by more than 4 million votes, but has not cited any evidence. He's made similar assertions about voting fraud in Florida and Texas, also off the mark.

TRUMP: "I condemn any election fraud. And when I look at what's happened in California with the votes, when I look at what happened President Trump has made inaccurate allegations about voting fraud.

– as you know, there was just a case where they found a million fraudulent change in the days after the election as local officials votes…When I look at what's happened in Texas. When process mailed and provisional ballots. In Florida, both I look at that catastrophe that took place in Florida where Scott and governor's candidate Rick DeSantis saw the Republican candidates kept getting less and less and their leads fall as less and less. the Democratic And fortunately, strongholds of Rick Scott and Palm Beach and Ron ended up Broward counties Read about Trump’s misrepresentation on North Korea, winning their continued to count migrant children, the Obama administration and more. election, but it votes. was disgraceful Scott was still what happened governor when he there…I condemn any voter fraud of any kind, whether alleged possible fraud in his Senate race. The governor's it's Democrat or Republican….And that includes North state agencies charged with investigating impropriety Carolina." – Remarks with China's Vice Premier Liu He. said no credible allegations existed. The two GOP THE FACTS: Actually, there have been no reported candidates ultimately prevailed in their races after a cases of 1 million fraudulent votes cast in California, recount. nor has Trump provided any support for his claim of Trump also refers to a report from the Texas secwidespread fraud. He's also misrepresenting cases in retary of state's office last month suggesting as many as Texas and Florida.

95,000 non-U.S. citizens may be on the state's voter rolls Trump pointed to other cases when asked about and as many as 58,000 may have cast a ballot at least evidence of fraud involving a Republican in North Caronce since 1996, which Trump has described as the "tip olina. The state's elections board ordered a new House of the iceberg." election after GOP candidate Mark Harris conceded Since the report came out, however, state elections his lead was tainted by evidence of ballot-tampering by officials have acknowledged serious problems with political operatives working for him. citizens being wrongly included in the original data. The But Trump is making unfounded charges of fraud list has subsequently been cut by at least 20,000 names in Florida's Senate and governor races, which he has – voters who turned out to be citizens. While it's previously asserted were nearly "stolen" by Democrats. possible some foreigners voted, there are no signs of a He describes a dwindling vote margin as suswidespread number as Trump has suggested that would picious, but it is not uncommon for vote tallies to change an electoral outcome.

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U.S.briefs A BLACK WOMAN IS SUING PRESIDENT TRUMP, alleging racial and gender discrimination. Alva Johnson said thencandidate Trump forcibly kissed her in 2016, as well as discriminated against her as one of the few females and one of only a handful of African-American people on the campaign payroll. Trump did not immediately respond to Johnson’s allegations……..THE LACK OF COVERAGE OF A HIGH-RANKING U.S. COAST GUARD officer recently arrested for terrorism is drawing criticism. Federal authorities took Christopher Paul Hasson, a white supremacist, into custody for stockpiling weapons and creating a target list that included elected officials and journalists. Investigators discovered a stockpile that they allege was part of a plot to commit acts of mass terrorism. The story received widespread media coverage for about a day or two. But stories about Hasson – especially an investigation into how a Coast Guard officer was allowed to operate under the radar – have largely disappeared from national headlines.……VIRGINIA LT. GOV. JUSTIN FAIRFAX HAS DENIED SEXUAL ASSAULT allegations from two women, but a recent poll suggests that most Americans believe he’s guilty. Overall, 36 percent of those surveyed said Fairfax “definitely or probably did it,” the Economist/YouGov poll found. Just 11 percent believe he’s innocent. More white people than African-Americans believe he’s guilty – 38 percent compared to 30 percent.

More Republicans, 45 percent, think he’s guilty, compared to Democrats, 41 percent, who also believe he committed the sexual assaults. Vanessa Tyson was the first to come forward with her claim that Fairfax forced her to perform oral sex during the summer of 2004. Shortly after Tyson released details of her accusation, Meredith Watson said Fairfax raped her when they were in college together at Duke University nearly two decades ago. Both women could soon get a public hearing as a Republican lawmaker plans to invite them to a General Assembly panel.

VOLUME 88 • NUMBER 18 FEBRUARY 28, 2019 Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Ad/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler

Strategic Alliance Manager

Clyde Jiles Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila Photographers

Ray Carrington III Jimmie Aggison

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

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

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FEBRUARY 28 | 2019 | DEFENDER

entertainment

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Blacks take home Oscars, score several firsts Defender News Services

Diversity was on display at the 2019 Academy Awards, as African-Americans scored major wins for their work in front of the camera and behind the scenes. Winners included: • Regina King won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in “If Beale Street Could Talk.”

• Mahershala Ali became a two-time Oscar winner and took home the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in “Green Book.”

The controversial film won the Oscar for Best Picture.

• Spike Lee, a filmmaker for more than 30 years, won his first Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for “BlacKkKlansman.”

• Ruth Carter became the first Black

woman to win an Oscar for Costume Design for her work on “Black Panther.”

• Hannah Beachler became the first African-American to win the award for Best Production Design for “Black Panther.”

• In addition to Carter and Beachler’s wins, “Black Panther” won an Oscar for Best Musical Score.

• Peter Ramsey became the first Black director to win an Oscar for Best Animated Feature for “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.”

There were also a number of Black presenters, including Angela Bassett, Samuel L. Jackson, Chadwick Boseman, Maya Rudolph, Danai Gurira, Brian Tyree Henry, Keegan-Michael Key, Queen Latifah, KiKi Layne, Trevor Noah, Tyler Perry, Tessa Thompson, Pharrell Williams, Serena Williams and even Congressman John Lewis.

Spike Lee

Mahershala Ali and Regina King

Ruth Carter

The end of Madea

Tyler Perry talks about his beloved character

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Defender News Services

yler Perry has seen his share of Mabel “Madea” Simmons haters.

But it’s those that love her, packing theaters to see her in film and on stage, that have kept her a staple in the entertainment industry for

nearly 20 years.

The tough-talking, gun-toting Madea has been exceptionally good to Perry, who has played her in nine plays and 10 films that have grossed well over $500 million worldwide. With her help, he was able to launch his own production studio in Atlanta, where he is constantly outputting new material across all mediums.

Madea has been instrumental in transforming Perry into a mogul, one of the most reliably profitable “A Madea Family Funeral” arrives in theaters on March 1. filmmakers around.

So it’s difficult to fathom why Tyler Perry: Yes, it was at the Regal Theater Perry would want to say goodbye in Chicago. There was an actress with a hit song to his creation, but he announced on the radio, and she didn’t show up. I was playing last year that this would be her Madea, who was only supposed to be on stage for final play and her final movie, “A two minutes, but I ended up incorporating the Madea Family Funeral,” hitting lines from the other character and being on stage theaters March 1.

Tyler Perry wants to let go of his Madea for the whole time. I felt bad because we had been Defender: Most people know character. advertising the appearance of this actress so I tried that Madea is based in part on to apologize after the show. But the audience starting your mother and aunts, but is it true chanting: “We don’t care! We don’t care! We want Madea!” To that she also stemmed from an actress who didn’t show up to look at it from there to here, I really fell into it. This was meant perform a role in your play, “I Can Do Bad All By Myself?”

to be.

Defender: Why are you ending the character of Madea?

Tyler Perry: I just don’t want to be her age, playing her. I’m turning 50 and I just want to do different things.

Defender: You currently write, direct, and produce three shows on the OWN Network and since 1998 have written/directed at least one play and at least one movie a year. On top of that, you signed a deal with Viacom in 2017 to produce 90 episodes of original content for BET. How do you do it all?

Perry: All parts of my brain are working all the time. I don’t even understand how to not do it. I don’t know how to go halfway.

I’m all in. I’m often writing 22 episodes of a show in two weeks or filming 70 pages of a script in one day. I know this is foreign to a lot of people. It just works for me.

Defender: How can the industry encourage new voices and diversity?

Perry: While people were fighting for a seat at the table here and Oscars So White was happening, I never got into it, even though everyone asked me to comment. Because I was in Atlanta building my studio, I was building my own table.

It’s so important to me that we understand that is how things change. People who are not getting their due need to be in the positions of power, from women to people of color. That’s what I was doing in Atlanta, building that sense of power for myself so that I can hire more people of color, hire more women and open the door to diversity.

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DEFENDER | FEBRUARY 21 | 2019

Defender conv State Sens. Borris

TexStars program has given over 100 scholarships to African-American men. Sen. West, your Dr. Emmett J. Conrad Leadership Program has provided he 86th Texas Legislature runs college students from District 23 with paid employthrough May 27 in Austin, and lawment in their respective fields of study. What other makers are tackling everything from efforts are underway for Black males? the state budget to public education Miles: We’ve identified that if you raise the bar to health care and more. At the center for African-American boys, rising waters will raise of it all are Texas’ only two African-American state all boats. But we have to focus on them because senators, Borris Miles (D-Houston) and Royce West they historically and repeatedly test at the bottom (D-Dallas). on every standardized test. They’re always the The Defender continues its Conversations highest rate of state suspensions. I’m proud to say series with Miles and West, who spoke out about next month will kick off my $6 million program pressing issues impacting African-Americans to a at Wheatley, Kashmere, Worthing and Jack Yates, standing room only crowd. where 40 boys at each school will enter into a Posse Defender: Texas ranks 37th in public educaProgram, where they’ll move on the 9-12th grade tion and 27th in teacher pay in America. In 2011, in each class. Their parents will sign contracts. legislators cut public education by $5 billion. How The school will sign and we’ll move all 120 boys do you plan on fighting for those dollars that were through the system and onto college. cut and ensure our public schools are fully funded West: We believe that success should be up to and teachers are compensated? What role does the person in the mirror. We need to take away all property taxes play in that rebuilding? the excuses – “My mama don’t love me, my daddy Borris Miles: Don’t talk to me about property wasn’t there, I can’t get anyone to love me.” We’re taxes until you can properly finance our public trying to take away all of the excuses in terms of school system. We have to repair that 2011 budget. failure to succeed. I’m developing a public boarding We’ve been putting back a little at a time, but it’s school with a not enough.

STEM focus So right www.Defendernetwork.com and bringing in now, we are outside indusThe conversation continues as Sens. Miles and West working on try to feed into discuss HISD, public health, voter suppression, school formulas for the program to safety, mental health and more. school fimake sure the nance. That kids not only is the most important thing right now, not just for an have the theory in the classroom, but also be in a urban community like ours, but for rural Texas as boarding school at least five days a week, that has well. We had a school in Rio Grande Valley that had mentors that will expose them to areas of STEM. so much extra money under the Robin Hood proDefender: Criminal justice seems to be a gram, they built a waterpark on their campus, while cornerstone issue for you both. Sen. West, you we’re here in HISD struggling to pay teachers and focus on at-risk youth and Sen. Miles, you focus having enough resources. The formula is broken. on second chances. What are some of the advanceRoyce West: You have to be able to work with ments being made in these areas and what are both parties to make a difference. Until we do some- some of the things you and your colleagues have in thing about funding our public schools, property the works? taxes is a non-issue. And when we finally do that, Miles: I exist because I was given a second we have to make sure its sustainable. It makes no chance. I filed a stack of bills on second chances. sense to have the state put in 30-35 percent of the One is the Comprehensive Second Chance bill to cut money to fund our public system and the rest of it is time and seal the records for nonviolent offenders. being shouldered by local districts.

Some of the things we did growing up in school, if We never anticipated that HISD or Dallas ISD the kids today do it, they’re in the criminal justice would have to give back millions of dollars through system. We need to seal their records so they can recapture to fund other districts in Texas. We have to become productive citizens. do something about the structure. Over the past year, West: There is a bill that was passed last year a commission has been looking at public school called the Community Safety Education Act (SB financing and we came up with a list of recom30). It was in response to a lot of the shootings mendations, which will ultimately be placed in a bill where Black males were shot by police in traffic for our consideration. After that, the Texas Educastops. We recognize that you have to come up with a tion Agency can look at how it will impact various balanced solution. It took effect September 1, 2018. districts.

It establishes the behavioral expectations of citizens Defender: Both of you have initiatives and police officers and the rights of citizens when designed to help Black males. Sen. Miles, your they are stopped by police officers. We put it in the

By RESHONDA TATE BILLINGSLEY Defender

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Dallas State Sen. Royce West and Houston State Sen. Borris Miles were interviewed by Defender Managing

About ‘Con

“Conversations with Texas Legislators” was ma

Driver’s License manual munity College. The Defender’s Conversations & and police academies. We portunity to engage up-close with state leaders also put it in the school Superintendent Richard Carranza, Mayor Sylves system where between dent Austin Lane and Prairie View A&M Univers grades 9-12 students will be tested and it has to show include “Blacks & Browns: Our Common Ground on their transcripts. We’ll never know the full impact of it. But we put it in don’t. An assortment of bills have with the hope that we can is in order for us to get in the gam reduce the number of fatalities. We’ve also done a lot of work with body cameras and dash cameras. We now have a third eye in terms about relationships. You have to b associations. It shouldn’t be that w of what did happen, what could’ve happened. good ol’ boy system here in 2019 Defender: What actions are being taken to increase the have to be in the room when the d state contract dollars historically underutilized businesses are don’t, then don’t come running to receiving? can’t get no contracts.” I will ask Miles: Some agencies understand, but a whole lot of them

defendernetwork.com • Serving th

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versation with Miles, Royce West

West and Miles were welcomed

by HCC Board Chair Dr. Carolyn EvansShabazz and Defender CEO Sonny MessiahJiles.

d Miles greete attendees at ld the event, he at Houston Community College.

g Editor ReShonda Tate Billingsley. (Photos by Aswad Walker)

Evans-Shabazz wa s joined by a group of University of Hous ton students

nversations’

ade possible by a partnership with Houston Com& Coffee series gives the Black community an ops. Previous Defender guests include former HISD ster Turner, and Texas Southern University Presisity President Ruth Simmons. Upcoming events d on Sat., April 6.”

e been filed, but the bottom line me and play with the state, it’s all be a member of all those different way, but it is. They play by the 9. And we have to understand you deals are getting cut. And if you o my office talking about “Man, I are you qualified? Do you have

the capacity? Then, I’ll walk you personally into a state agency.

West: Participation has gone up – with Anglo women. I don’t begrudge them at all.

When agencies come before the Finance Committee, they say “Look, the numbers are up,” but when we delve in, we see AfricanAmerican and Hispanic businesses are at the bottom. So, this year the House and Senate are working together and have identified about 23 agencies that we’re bringing in separately. We’re asking them to figure out which specific activities they can engage in to change the trajectory of African-American and Hispanic business participation.

he Houston area for over 88 years

issues. uss legislative

s disc d West and Mile Attendees hear

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DEFENDER | FEBRUARY 28 | 2019 defendernetwork.com

Tim’Monique Davis

Rae’Vanna Anderson

Lashaya Stine

Hazana Anderson

Anya Washington

Missing Black girls stump authorities, parents NNPA News Service

July 18, 2018.

• Kelli Allen, missing from Atlanta, GA since Dec. 20, 2018.

• Kelly Allen, Missing from Berkley, Miss., since March 13, 2007.

• Kaaliyah Alston, missing from Hillsborough, N.C., since Aug. 21, 2018.

• Hazana Anderson, missing from College Station, Texas, since Oct. 28, 2018.

• Karyn Anderson, missing from Walkersville, Md., since March 24, 2018.

• Rae’vanna Anderson, missing from Duluth, Ga., since Nov. 3, 2018.

For families with a missing or sexually exploited child, NCMEC provides crisis intervention and local counseling referrals to appropriate professionals.

The organization’s “Team HOPE” program connects families with peers who have had similar experiences and can offer coping skills and compassion.

When a missing child is recovered, NCMEC helps the family with the reunification process, including mental health services and travel assistance.

Psychologist and Navy veteran Sheri Davis said it’s vital that the missing are given attention by the media and especially law enforcement.

Davis said she relates well with them on a couple of fronts. She once went missing and she’s also the victim of domestic violence, a trigger for some who’ve been made vulnerable to abductions, run away and become the eventual victim of sex trafficking.

“One thing I think for sure about the missing teens is that human trafficking is a hotbed in my city [and around the country],” said Davis, who lives in Madison, Ala. “I think it’s very easy for the courts

Lashaya Stine, 16, was walking down the street alone in Aurora, Colo.

It doesn’t appear that the young African-American female had any sort of trip planned, as she left her wallet and phone charger, and she didn’t take any clothes.

According to a television station in Denver, police released surveillance video of Stine taken on the morning of July 15 around 2:30 a.m. She is seen walking by herself in the area of East Montview and Peoria Street.

The video was sent out to the public a little over two weeks after her disappearance in hopes of generating more leads.

The estimated 75,000 missing Black women and girls continue to stump law enforcement while frustrating and devastating families. It forces the question: Does anyone care?

Since NNPA reported on the alarming lack of interest in the cases of missing Black females, readers – including law enforcement – have responded by using social media to bring to light the host of AfricanAmericans and others of color who’ve gone missing.

The social media account for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children retweeted the NNPA Newswire story and then accumulated a long thread of missing girls – some as young as a few months old.

They began each tweet with: “Have you seen this child?”

Among the missing are: • Tim’Monique Davis, missing from Moorhead, Minn. since Jan. 20.

• Anya Washington, missing from Houston, TX since Jan. 29.

• R’Mahnee Williams-Turner, missing from Palmdale, Calif., since T:4.79” Jan. 26.

• Whitney Elliseau, missing from These Texas Lottery Commission Lakewood, Calif., scratch ticket games will be closing soon: since Feb. 5.

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• Harmony Txlottery.org is the official source for all pertinent game information. Game closing procedures may be initiated for documented business reasons. These games may have prizes unclaimed, including top prizes. In addition, game closing procedures will be initiated Adams, missing from when all top prizes have been claimed. During closing, games may be sold even after all top prizes have been claimed. Must be 18 or older to purchase a ticket. For help with a gambling problem, ncpgambling.org. © 2019 Texas Lottery Commission. PLAY RESPONSIBLY. Columbus, Ohio since

and police to turn their heads the other way and not deal with the problem at hand.

“I had to escape from my abuser in the middle of the night…naked and running down the road and praying that a good bystander helps me while I’m covered in blood. The families of these young ladies need to be in the face of [law enforcement officials] and let them see the pain they are in every day that those girls aren’t home or safe.”

(Photos courtesy of National Center for Missing & Exploited Children)

classifieds Parking Operations and Management Services RFP Houston First Corporation requests proposals from experienced, highly -qualified contractors to manage and operate its convention and theater district parking facilities.

Please visit https://www.houstonfirst.com/do-business for complete details.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Sealed proposals, in duplicate, addressed to Greater Southeast Management District will be received at 5445 Almeda Rd, #503, Houston, TX 77004, until 3:00 pm on Friday, March 8, 2019.

Proposals will be publicly opened and read at 3:05 PM on Friday, March 8, 2019 for Professional Services for Retail Recruitment Services for Commercial Retail, Office, and Industrial Development and Business Development. The right is reserved, as the interest of the District may require, to reject any and all bids, and to waive any informality in bids received. A non-mandatory pre-submittal conference will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, March 4, 2019 at the District’s office noted above. Additionally, prospective individuals and firms may submit questions per the requirements of the request for proposal documents. Only those individuals, firms, that sign for and pickup proposal documents at one of the addresses noted above will receive addenda or the bid information.

LEGAL NOTICE

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

COMMERCIAL DEMOLITION CONTRACTOR FOR BLOCK 333 IN DOWNTOWN HOUSTON FOR THE DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY / TIRZ NO.3

T:3.25”

The Downtown Redevelopment Authority (the “Authority”) will receive Proposals from commercial demolition contractors for removal and clean-up of the existing Goodyear Auto Service Center and adjacent concrete/asphalt parking lots on three quarters of Block 333 in Downtown Houston, Texas. Demolition site is bounded by Fannin, Leeland, San Jacinto, and Bell Streets. Proposals will be received until 11:00 A.M., local time on Thursday, March 21, 2019, by Ryan Leach, Executive Director, Downtown Redevelopment Authority, 2 Houston Center, 909 Fannin, Suite 1650, Houston, Texas 77010. Proposals received after this time will not be accepted. Respective of this advertisement, telephone, mail, email queries or requests for information will not be addressed by the Authority.

Beginning Monday, February 25, 2019, this project’s Request for Proposal (RFP) may be reviewed and downloaded as an electronic file from the Authority’s website: http://www.downtowntirz.com. A mandatory Pre-submittal Conference is scheduled for 2:00 PM, Tuesday, March 5, 2019, to be held at the Authority’s offices. Following this conference, queries or requests for information will be addressed by the Authority, pursuant to the instructions provided in the RFP.

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FEBRUARY 28 | 2019 | DEFENDER

Bennett College loses, regains accreditation Defender News Services

It has been a whirlwind week for Bennett College in Greensboro, N.C. Despite raising $9.5 million, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges denied an appeal by the school to hold onto its accreditation after raising nearly twice as much money as it set out to.

Bennett then sued the commission, and a federal judge in Atlanta granted the college a reprieve: a temporary restraining order that lets Bennett keep its accreditation – vital to both students and the college – while the lawsuit remains active.

"Our fight continues...," President Phyllis Worthy Dawkins said. "The negative decision to remove Bennett from membership will not interrupt the daily operations of the college…

Founded in 1873, Bennett College and is an HBCU for women.

We urge everyone to keep the faith and know that Bennett College is inson, the college's Board of Trustees chairwoman, standing strong." thanked supporters for donating nearly $10 million Dawkins also said the college has taken preto the college in just two months, more than 500 liminary steps to seek accreditation from the TransBennett students and employees somberly packed the national Association of Christian Colleges and college's chapel to hear Dawkins talk about the comSchools (TRACS). Representatives from TRACS are mission's most recent decision. scheduled to visit Bennett on March 14. It's possible, Throughout campus and on social media, the Dawkins said, that Bennett could end up being acreaction from Bennett students and supporters was credited by both agencies. largely shock and disbelief. Some tears were shed.

Though Dawkins and State Sen. Gladys Rob-

Congress mulls cap on Medicare drug costs Associated Press With health care a top issue for American voters, Congress may actually be moving toward doing something this year to address the high cost of prescription drugs.

President Donald Trump, Democrats trying to retire him in 2020 and congressional incumbents of both parties all say they want action. Democrats and Republicans are far apart on whether to empower Medicare to negotiate prices, but there's enough overlap to allow for agreement in other areas.

High on the list is capping out-of-pocket costs for participants in Medicare's popular Part D prescription drug program, which has left some beneficiaries with bills rivaling a mortgage payment.

Limits on high medical and drug bills are already part of most employer-based and private insurance. They're called "out-of-pocket maximums" and are required under the Obama-era health law for in-network services. But Medicare has remained an outlier even as prices have soared for potent new brand-name drugs, as well as older mainstays such as insulin.

About 3.6 million Medicare beneficiaries with Part D coverage – or 9 percent – had "catastrophic" costs in 2015, according to the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation. Of those, about 1 million had to pay their share in full because they didn't qualify for financial assistance provided to lowincome beneficiaries.

9

Some students talked of transferring. At the all-campus meeting, Dawkins urged them to stay. Bennett remains accredited, Dawkins told them, and their financial aid, student loans and degrees won't be affected.

"We told them we need you to stay with us," Dawkins said. "And many indicated that as I was walking out today that they would stand with Bennett."

In December, the commission revoked Bennett's accreditation because it said the college didn't have sufficient financial resources, a violation of one of its standards. Bennett had been on probation for the two previous years – the most allowed under the commission's rules – for financial concerns and other issues.

Bennett had posted six straight years of annual operating losses, a trend that stopped in 2016-17, the year that Dawkins became president. The losses stemmed largely from a 40 percent decline in enrollment from 2010 to 2016 and led the college to lay off employees and cut some academic programs.

The college has about 410 undergraduates enrolled for the spring semester, down from about 470 in the fall. Bennett says it has received more than 4,000 applications for admission next fall – about twice as many as normal thanks largely to the intense news and social media spotlight on the school.

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DEFENDER | FEBRUARY 28 | 2019

sports

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Kevin Granger named VP of TSU athletics

T

By MAX EDISON Defender

exas Southern University’s Board of Regents recently opted to remove the “interim” label from Kevin Granger’s title and name him permanent vice president of intercollegiate athletics. Granger had been serving as interim VP for most of the academic year. He receives a three-year contract and succeeds Dr. Charles McClelland, who left TSU to become the commissioner of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).

It has been a long ride for Granger, who first hit the TSU campus in 1992 from tiny Scooba, Miss. He was a state champion in high school and focused on bringing his game to the big city.

“I was so focused on playing basketball when I first got here that nothing else entered my mind,” Granger recalled. “Coach [Robert] Moreland recruited me to come to Texas Southern and I was determined to be successful.”

Granger was extremely successful during his playing career at TSU. He was named SWAC Freshman of the Year, 1994 SWAC Tournament MVP and was a two-time First Team All-SWAC and two-time Black TSU President Dr. Austin A. Lane (left) congratulates Kevin Granger following his appointment as College All-American selection. permanent vice president of intercollegiate athletics.

His teams won two SWAC championships and two NCAA “I’m appreciative that [President Dr. Austin Lane] lieved of his duties.”

Tournament appearances in Despite a setback had enough confidence in my ability that he would 1994 and 1995. Granger led the recommend me as the permanent AD,” Granger said. as a coaching candination in scoring in 1996. His date, Granger’s career “When you’re on an interim basis it’s like every day No. 10 jersey has been retired was resurrected when is an interview. You want to handle any situation that

by TSU. He was inducted into comes up the right way because you know you’re beMcClelland became the SWAC Hall of Fame class ing evaluated.” athletic director and of 2015.

If Granger’s first major hire as the interim AD is offered him a new After a three-year profesany indication of what his tenure will look like he’s off opportunity. sional career, Granger at the to great start. He was able to convince highly accom“When Dr. Mcrequest of Moreland, returned plished Arizona assistant coach Clarence McKinney, a Clelland took over as to his alma mater as an assistant Houston native, to come home and take over as head AD, he invited me to coach. join his staff as direc- football coach when Michael Haywood was termi“I used to come back to nated. tor of operations,” campus and play during the As a fixture on the TSU landscape since 1992, Granger said. “About summer and Coach Moreland Granger has witnessed firsthand the highs and lows of a year later I was approached and told me when athletic achievement. As a result, the first item on his promoted to assistant my playing career was over, he “to do” list was to reconnect. athletic director.” wanted me to come back and “The first thing on my agenda when I took over as Granger credits coach with him. I took him up the interim was to reconnect, meaning bringing all the McClelland with on his offer.” grooming him for the former athletes back to Texas Southern and have them Granger served as an asbe a part of the university,” Granger said.

Granger, a basketball star while a student at TSU, was inducted job he now holds. into the SWAC Hall of Fame class of 2015. sistant coach under Moreland “We want to create an environment where our “Dr. McClelland on two separate occasions. He former athletes know they are welcome back on saw the next career prowas even offered the job as head coach, but a change campus. We did this last fall for the first time ever for gression for me. He started to give me more and more in university presidents and athletic directors set him former football players. We also did the same thing responsibilities…He wanted me to be prepared when on a different course. for women’s and men’s basketball and the response an opportunity came up.”

“I was offered the job by then AD Alois Blackwas good. It was the first time they had formally been After carrying the interim tag since August, well,” Granger recalled. “Unfortunately, he was reinvited to come back home.”

Granger was relieved to have it removed.

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FEBRUARY 28 | 2019 | DEFENDER

11

HS sports

Point guard L.J. Cryer dribbles past an opponent.

(Photos by Jimmie Aggison)

Morton Ranch center Eddie Lampkin makes a dunk.

L.J. Cryer & Eddie Lampkin

Morton Ranch prime-time players Defender: What have been the keys to success in the playoffs so far?

Cryer: Playing hard, rebounding, playing for each orton Ranch High School speedy point other and playing unselfishly. guard L.J. Cryer is not the one to play Defender: In those game-clinching free throw situwith if you are defending him at the top ations you faced against Bellaire at the end of the game, of the key. And if that isn’t enough, be how were you able to block out the noise and execute prepared to keep your head on a swivel your free throws? while defending Cryer because Eddie Lampkin, a 6-foot-9, Cryer: Just staying positive. I was missing shots early 295-pound big man, is lurking to either establish position on, but if you stay positive things will go well. And they for an easy bucket in the post or set a pick. did.

Morton Ranch basketball Defender: How would you coach Kris Turner shared his describe your style of play as a For game and crowd photos visit IG: thoughts on Cryer. big man? @DefenderHighSchoolSports “L.J. is faster with the Lampkin: Competitive, ball than most people without dominant. I can score, defend and [the ball],” Turner said. “He talk. I am one of the best defenleads this team with his no-quit spirit that is infectious sive talkers in the country. when he brings it to everyone else.”

Defender: How have you been able to dominate the The Defender spoke with Cryer and Lampkin after painted area this year? the team defeated Bellaire 78-70 in the second round of the Lampkin: I play on and off the ball instructing my UIL playoffs. point guard to get the ball down in the paint.

Defender: How would you describe your style of play Defender: With the road to state ahead of you, how as a point guard? do you foresee you guys winning?

Cryer: I am a playmaker who can score and always Lampkin: We all have to play as a team, not as indifind the open man. I’m a leader. viduals, and just dominate like we have been doing.

M

By JODIE B. JILES Defender

About Lampkin

Classification: Junior Scholarship offers: Baylor, Georgetown, LSU, Oklahoma, TCU, Texas A&M Twitter: @ EddieLampkin25

defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 88 years

About Cryer

Classification: Junior Scholarship offers: LSU, Purdue, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, University of Texas Instagram: @ljcryer NBA players he studies: Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard

12

DEFENDER | FEBRUARY 28 | 2019

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

topevents

TARGET HUNGER 30th ANNIVERSARY GALA……..Target Hunger celebrated Black cowboys and cowgirls have made in this area for decades. In attendance were C.J. three decades of social impact in Fifth Ward, northeast Houston and beyond during its 30th Messiah, Shannan Nobles, Toni Middleton Lewis, Yvonne Green, Janice Weaver, Anniversary Gala. Held at the Junior League of Houston, the event shined a spotlight on Vernon Lewis, Wendy Lewis Armstrong, Tophas Anderson, Vanessa Sanders, Beverly Distinguished Partners ExxonMobil and United Way of Greater Houston and Mary Pappas Sanders, Sheldon Holder, Chanelle Clark, Councilmember Amanda Edwards and scores Award recipient Ramona Toliver. The fundraising event helps Target Hunger continue to more……..2019 HCC BLACK HISTORY SCHOLARSHIP GALA……..Now in its 13th distribute nearly 5 million pounds of food each year to food insecure seniors, children and year, the Houston Community College Black History Scholarship Gala raises funds for HCC families who face the risk of going hungry every day. Attendees students. Three of this year’s eight recipients, Hannah Adeyemi, Edmond included CEO Sandra Wicoff, Councilmember Amanda Brown and Kaid Roemer, were on hand at the Czech Center Museum Defender TOP EVENTS More photos on defendernetwork.com Edwards, Alison Leland, Gregory Campbell, Tiffany Stafford, Houston for the festivities. The Distinguished Service Award was presented PHOTOS BY: Aswad Walker Trisha Bradley, Karen White, Erika Jones, Demethra Orion, to Dr. Lonnie Howard. Also spotlighted was local musical legend Joe Kenya & Ronnie Shields, Ivana Leon and many more…….. 10th Carmouche, who provided the evening’s live music. HCC leadership ANNUAL CITY CONTROLLER’S BLACK HISTORY MONTH PROGRAM……..

Chancellor Dr. Cesar Maldonado, Board Chair Dr. Carolyn Evans-Shabazz and HCC City Controller Chris Brown hosted the City’s 10th Annual Black History Month Program Trustee Dr. Pretta VanDible Stallworth welcomed the packed house, including attendees featuring as panelists legendary area Black cowboys and cowgirls, including Mollie Taylor Georgia Provost, Melanie Flowers, Mable Caleb, Donnell Cooper, Monique Morgan, Stevenson Jr., Myrtis Dightman and Nathan “Mama Sugar” Sanders. The program, Kennedy Edwards, Kathleen Edwards, Lisha Wincher, Alex and Diana Burgos, Charles organized by Jackie Pope and moderated by Courtney Smith celebrated the contributions Noble, Lisa Eason, Shanda Mays, Shantay Gray, Malik Shabazz and countless others.

Sandy Wicoff, Councilmember Amanda Edwards, Kelly Lang

Alison Leland, Gregory Campbell

Mollie Taylor Stevenson Jr., Chris Brown, Nathan “Mama Sugar” Sanders

Dr. Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, Malik Shabazz

Janice Weaver, Rick Flanagan

Kennedy Edwards, Corey Glover, Lisha Wincher

Trisha Bradley, Karen White, Erika Jones

Shannan Nobles, Toni Middleton-Lewis, Jackie Pope

Monique Morgan, Joe Carmouche

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