Houston Defender: March 01, 2018

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Vote Tuesday, March 6

Houston’s Leading Black Information Source

Volume 87 | Number 18 MARCH 1, 2018 |FREE

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NEWSTALK QUANELL X pushed out of New Black Panther Party

P2 ENTERTAINMENT ROBERT BATTLE leads as Alvin Ailey dancers come to Houston

P8 SPORTS PJ TUCKER on top of his game with the Rockets

P10 TOP EVENTS

ARE BLACKS LEFT OUT OF GUN VIOLENCE DEBATE? H PAGE 3

Blacks

on the ballot

The election is right around the corner and more than 80 African Americans are running for various local and statewide positions. The Defender introduces you to all the Blacks on the ballot for the March 6th primary.

Sherra Aguirre, Melanie Lawson and Attica Locke at Locke’s book signing.

P12

Cynthia Marshall New Mavs CEO

The Dallas Mavericks have hired the former AT&T executive as interim CEO. Owner Mark Cuban said his mind was made up on hiring Marshall when he was told, “the most devastating day at AT&T was when (Marshall) left.” Find out more about the new head.

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DEFENDER | MARCH 1 | 2018

newstalk

Six months later

Mayor gives Harvey recovery update Defender News Services

Six months after Hurricane Harvey’s flooding wreaked havoc in Houston, Mayor Sylvester Turner said recovery efforts have made a lot of progress but there is still much work to be done. That’s why the mayor has launched a new volunteer program called “Houston Still Needs You,” which pairs volunteers with relief agencies in need.

Turner highlighted several city achievements following the storm, which damaged 345,000 housing units in Houston and caused $2.5 billion in damage. So far, though, Turner said the only federal repair dollars they currently have are $424 million from FEMA for direct home repair programs.

“We don’t know of that 90 billion Sylvester Turner, flanked by City Councilman Jack Christie, delivers a recovery update. how much of that will be coming to Texas,” said Turner. “They did change the and residents, saying they’ve filled in some of the gaps as the formula so that more of those dollars would be coming to the state city awaits additional state and federal funding for recovery of Texas. My hope is that what we don’t get from that 90 billion, efforts. the governor will tap the Rainy Day Fund.

“While we acknowledge that we are making progress, we Turner said it likely won’t be until after summer when Hous- also want to be very clear the recovery is not happening fast ton gets its share of a $5 billion grant from the U.S. Department of enough for any of us,” Turner said.

Housing and Urban Development that can be used to repair damAs of Feb. 20, more than 3,420 households from Houston aged homes, businesses and infrastructure. remain in hotels and thousands more are living in homes in It’s unclear when or how much Houston and the rest of Texas dire need of repair, he said. will receive from $90 billion in federal disaster relief aid that ConTurner also touted the efforts of volunteers and nonprofit gress approved earlier this month to help those impacted not only groups who have helped in the recovery efforts, including with

by Harvey but by hurricanes Irma and Maria and the California the cleaning out and repairing of homes. wildfires.

“With the federal dollars coming slowly and people in need “Thousands of people still need help as they continue living right now, but for the nonprofits and the volunteers, immediate either in hotels or in damaged homes,” said Turner. needs would not be met,” Turner said.

He praised local efforts, including from nonprofit groups Join the project at www.houstotx.gov/volunteer.

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Party severs ties with Quanell X Defender News Services

The People’s New Black Panther Party in Houston is splitting from local community activist Quanell X amid ongoing allegations that he has not delivered services to families he was paid to represent.

Some members of the New Black Panther Party said they are helping individuals recover money from Quanell X and want to disassociate him from their organization. The group has launched an investigation into the activist’s advocacy practices, they said.

“This has been going on for over a decade in the community…and we will not stand for it any longer,” said Yahcanon Ben Yah, the party’s national chairman. “He has been in this situation before and what we want to do now is come out and let the people know that we do not condone his actions. He is not a part of us. He is not our Quanell X leader.”

Quanell X has been a fiery advocate for victims of police brutality, murder, wrongful termination and other issues. He assists individuals and families in securing media attention for their cases and negotiates with law enforcement.

Ben Yah said at least two people have gained refunds from Quanell X through pressure and legal action.

“We’re not going to stop until every victim has recovered their money,” Ben Yah said. “We don’t want to support brothers who are giving a bad name to this community or calling themselves activists and turning around hurting the community they should be supporting.”

Quanell X did not respond to a request for comment.

localbriefs THE CITY OF HOUSTON IS GRANTING AMNESTY on some outstanding cases. The Municipal Courts Department said certain delinquent cases will be discounted to help citizens save money while resolving outstanding cases. The amnesty period runs through Friday, March 16 at 11:59 p.m. Any defendant who voluntarily appears at any Municipal Court location during amnesty will be permitted to resolve all their eligible delinquent cases, including failure to appear cases, and will not be subject to arrest. Cases eligible for amnesty include all delinquent cases issued prior to Jan. 1 of this year. Only the defendant named in the citation or their attorney can participate in the amnesty program. Bonding

companies, friends, relatives, and spouses cannot make the amnesty request on behalf of someone else. Visit www. houstontx.gov/courts or call the Houston Helpline at 311…….

AS HISD CONTINUES TO PREPARE A BUDGET for the 2018-19 school year, the district anticipates a projected deficit reduction from $208 million to $115 million. This revised deficit includes several budget assumptions related to Hurricane Harvey relief and pending litigation. When HISD first began budgeting for the 2018-2019 school year, it was in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

Using a worst-case scenario, the district’s financial team projected a $208 million deficit based on four factors

– the Local Optional Homestead Exemption lawsuit, a recapture payment to the state, a potential property tax value decrease and an anticipated student enrollment decline.……TEXAS IS SUING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OVER President Barack Obama’s landmark health law — again. In a 20-state lawsuit recently filed in federal court, Attorney General Ken Paxton argued that after the passage of the GOP’s tax plan last year — which also repealed a provision of the sweeping legislation known as “Obamacare” that required people to have health insurance — the health law is no longer constitutional.

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MARCH 1 | 2018 | DEFENDER

national

U.S.briefs THE HBCU CONCORDIA COLLEGE in Selma, Ala. announced that it will cease operations at the end of the spring semester. “It was the toughest thing I’ve had to do in my 50 years of higher education,” Dr. James Lyons, the interim president of Concordia said, adding that the students “were quite shocked” by the news. Concordia, which opened in 1922, needed a minimum of $8 million to pay its debts and keep the doors open for at least one year – just enough money to buy time to find major investors. “It’s very difficult to operate an institution with the lowest possible tuition and fees when you are faced with escalating costs,” Lyons said……..PHILANDO CASTILE’S MOTHER BLASTED the head of the NRA for remaining silent on her son’s lawful right to own a gun. It has been almost two years since Philando was gunned down by police in Minnesota while sitting in a car and complying with their orders. The NRA has never come to his defense in the case. Valerie Castile is calling out NRA leader Wayne LePierre as a hypocrite, claiming that he’s driven by money and not a passion for the Second Amendment. “My son was one of the good guys, but him being Black, obviously they didn’t see him as a good guy. They’ve yet to say anything about my son,” she said….…OKLAHOMA INCARCERATES MORE WOMEN PER CAPITA than any other state in the country but a nonprofit is hoping to combat that high rate by offering the services of public defenders to mothers in the state.

Still She Rises is a public defenders’ office solely focused on representing mothers in the criminal justice system. As of Feb. 20, there are 27,209 incarcerated inmates across the state, 3,187 of which are women, according to Oklahoma Department of Corrections statistics.

VOLUME 87 • NUMBER 18 MARCH 1, 2018 Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Ad/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Strategic Alliance Manager

Clyde Jiles Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila

Editors ReShonda Billingsley Marilyn Marshall Contributing Writers Aswad Walker Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison 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 subscription, send $60-1 year to: Defender, P.O. Box 8005, Houston TX 77288. Payment must accompany subscription request. All material covered by 2012 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).

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Black Lives Matter supporters rallied for justice in a file photo.

Blacks feel left out of gun violence issue Defender News Services

In the time since a gunman killed 17 people at a high school in Parkland, Fla. on Feb. 14, there has been a national reckoning – from student-led marches to wall-towall media coverage to White House events – about gun violence and how to stop it.

For some Black activists who have long been mobilizing around gun violence, the current wave of public attention and outrage over the issue is welcome.

But it also invites the question of why there’s been comparatively little attention and outrage focused on the even more common reality of routine gun homicides which disproportionately affect communities of color, and specifically Black Americans.

Prominent Black organizers have also noted the largely positive public response to the student activists from Parkland – most of whom are not Black and who attended school in a largely white, relatively affluent Florida suburb – compared to the frequent vilification of young Black activists protesting gun violence, particularly police shootings.

“It’s complicated, but I would encourage us to lean into the complicated,” Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors said. “Why don’t Black people get to be victims? That’s the question we have to ask ourselves.

I’m so grateful these children are getting the support they need,” she added. “And where is our support?”

The different responses are telling: There’s justified, universal outrage at a shooting in a largely white, affluent area, but not so much at the frequent shooting deaths of Black Americans; the public is praising Parkland’s student activists, but not so much Black Lives Matter organizers.

“I’m excited these young people are getting attention, which they deserve, and they’re driving amazing social change,” Dante Barry, co-founder of anti-violence organization Million Hoodies, said.

“But I’m also disheartened and a little shocked to see folks like Oprah give $500,000 to [March for Our Lives], while she’s seen Black folks in the streets for years.”

“What happens is white people get to be everything – they get to be victims, they get to be heroes,” Cullors said.

“Black people unfortunately continue to be criminalized for our moments of courage, mourning or grieving.”

Lawmakers put aside differences to help HBCUs Defender News Services

It took U.S. Rep. Alma Adams a few meetings to convince Bradley Byrne to partner with her three years ago and create a congressional caucus to advocate for Black colleges and universities.

Adams, a progressive Democrat from North Carolina, and Byrne, a conservative Republican from Alabama, didn’t know much about each other. They also didn’t agree on much.

But they did agree that Black colleges need more support from Congress.

Today, Adams and Byrne co-chair the bipartisan HBCU Caucus, which has grown to include 72 mem-

bers from the House and Senate.

“He was probably a little skeptical too of me.

He had to go back and talk to his folks,” said Adams.

“Then he realized it’s something that probably could benefit not only his party, but him personally …

Strange bedfellows.”

Next month, the HBCU Caucus will team with the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) Caucus to host an “action day’’ to help students from Black colleges get jobs in those fields.

“Having a HBCU congressional caucus is a good thing,” said Adams. “…We are in a unique position as a caucus to help educate other members on both sides of the aisle.”

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DEFENDER | MARCH 1 | 2018

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Blacks can break into oil & gas industry portunities, it pays to be prepared.

1. Do your research and learn the business.

As industry insiders tout the Tyra Metoyer, the external mogrowing opportunities for Blacks bilization manager for the American and other minorities in the oil and Petroleum Institute (API), said that it’s natural gas sector, breaking into essential for business owners seekthe industry can still present chaling to break into the oil and natural lenges. gas industry to learn as much as they From access to capital and uncan about it before they start pursuing derstanding the industry jargon to contracts. knowing how and when to pursue Being knowledgeable about the business opportunities, the learning supply chain, payment cycles and curve can be steep. staying up-to-date about industryThe industry’s impact on related innovation can really sepathe U.S. labor force, however, is rate new business owners from their undeniable.

Tyra Metoyer is an American Petroleum competition.

The natural gas industry Institute manager.

She said that companies also need supported more than 4 million to think about how they can supply jobs across the U.S. in 2015, from ancillary services to the oil and natural gas industry like production to end uses such as manufacturing, according to financial services, transportation, catering and custodial the State of American Energy 2018 report. That number services. is expected to rise to 6 million jobs by 2040.

2. Know the importance of networking.

When it comes to hourly wages, Black workers also Metoyer said that job seekers and small business fare better in the oil and natural gas (ONG) industry. owners have to network at conferences, trade shows and Blacks in non-ONG industries make $20.18 in online. hourly wages compared to Blacks that work in the ONG “Keep talking to people and asking questions,” said industry that earn $24.87 in hourly wages. Whites in Metoyer.

“You’ve got to find your champions in the non-ONG industries make about $27.77 in hourly wages industry.

Sometimes your champion isn’t necessarily the compared to $32.58 in hourly wages inside the industry. one that opens the door; your champion might be the one Blacks with STEM degrees earn about $17 more in that explains something to you. That is the key to finding hourly wages in the oil and natural gas industry than they the right opportunity or connecting to the right person.” earn outside of the industry, according to a recent RAND Metoyer added, “The relationships are critically report. important so network, network, network.”

Whether you’re looking for a career or business opNNPA News Service

3. Avoid the pitfalls.

One of the worst things that can happen is for a business to land a big contract then fail to deliver the goods. To avoid that mistake, Metoyer recommended that minority and women business owners partner with other companies to go after the more complex contracts.

Metoyer also warned against business owners focusing only on “tier one” direct-to-client business relationships, especially, when they can gain more experience and credibility as a subcontractor.

As the external mobilization manager for API, Metoyer said that she knows that the work she does every single day makes a difference as she connects women, African- Americans, Hispanics, young professionals and other diverse communities to opportunities in the oil and natural gas industry whether that’s for a job or a business.

API plans to work with its member companies to develop an industry specific supplier diversity education program that will include an “oil and gas 101” that will help participants understand the supply chain better and learn additional steps of identifying goods and services that might fit within industry.

Partnering with community groups like the local Urban League affiliate or the local chambers of commerce, officials with API said that they also want to establish relationships with community stakeholders to provide training about the ins-and-outs of the oil and natural gas industry and to address some of the challenges that minority and women-owned businesses face.

“In addition to the work that we do every day, we spend millions of dollars on research, because we want to make energy cleaner and more efficient,” Metoyer said. “We’re also looking to be safer.”

Tickets still available and start at just $18!

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BLACKS ON THE BALLOT Who’s who in the March 6 primary U.S. CONGRESS commentary Defender News Services Voters go to the polls on Tuesday, March 6 to choose Democratic and Republican candidates for the November general election. As a service to our readers, the Defender is listing African-Americans on the ballot running for office on the state, county and local levels in Brazoria, Fort Bend and Harris counties. If we missed someone please accept our apology.

The importance of voting cannot be overemphasized because it impacts our lives from the laws created, to the taxes we pay, to the education of our children, to the justice we receive in courtrooms and more.

It is mandatory that you vote. Otherwise, you allow someone else to make the decision of who will represent you. If you want things to get better, start by VOTING. Keep in mind, it is only the first step and not the only thing you need to do. You need to let our elected officials know what you want and hold them accountable.

In doing this special, Blacks on the Ballot, we were asked if we were endorsing these candidates or being racist by just showing the Black candidates.

The answer to both questions is NO. The objective is to show our readers that Blacks are interested in serving the community and we should take a serious look at how they plan to do so. Are they giving us lip service, boosting their egos or do they offer tangible policies that will improve our lives?

Find out the answer for yourself and VOTE on Tuesday, March 6. Your future depends on it.

Edward Kimbrough (D) U.S. Senate

Geraldine Sam (R) U.S. Senate

J. Darnell Jones (D) U.S. Rep. District 2

Joshua A. Butler (D) U.S. Rep. District 7

Tawana Walter-Cadien (D) U.S. Rep. District 10

Adrienne Bell (D) U.S. Rep. District 14

Levy Q. Barnes Jr. (D) U.S. Rep. District 14

Richard Johnson (D) U.S. Rep. District 18

Sheila Jackson Lee (D) U.S. Rep. District 18

Steve Brown (D) U.S. Rep. District 22

Mark Gibson (D) U.S. Rep. District 22

Letitia Plummer (D) U.S. Rep. District 22

Cedric Davis Sr. (D) Governor

Grady Yarbrough (D) Governor

Michael Cooper (D) Lt. Governor

Joi Chevalier (D) Comptroller

Chris Spellmon (D) Railroad Commissioner

Maria T. (Terri) Jackson (D) Presiding Judge, Criminal Appeals

Ramona Franklin (D) Judge, Criminal Appeals, Place 7

Joseph Willie (D) Justice, 14th Appeals Court Place 3

STATEWIDE

STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

Lawrence Allen Jr. (D) St. Board of Education Dist. 4

Steven A. Chambers (D) St. Board of Education Dist. 4

STATE SENATOR

Damian Lacroix (D) District 15

BRAZORIA COUNTY

Fran Watson (D) District 17

For more info:

www.brazoriacountyclerk.net

Cheryl Coleman Driver (R) District Judge, 412th Judicial District

Dora L. Bonner (R) Judge, County Court-at-Law No. 1

F.J. Jones (D) Justice of the Peace Pct 4, Place 2

You can make the difference.

Every vote counts.

Vote: Tuesday, March 6

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DEFENDER | MARCH 1 | 2018

BLACKS ON T

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

STATE REPRESENTATIVE

Sarah DeMerchant (D) State Rep. District 26

Wilvin Carter (D) State Rep. District 27

Ron Reynolds (D) State Rep. District 27

Durward White (D) State Rep. District 28

Undrai F. Fizer (D) State Rep. District 126

Kevin Fulton (R) State Rep. District 126

Reginald C. Grant Jr. (R) State Rep. District 127

Alma A. Allen (D) State Rep. District 131

Randy Bates (D) State Rep. District 139

Jarvis D. Johnson (D) State Rep. District 139

Richard A. Bonton (D) State Rep. District 142

Harold V. Dutton Jr. (D) State Rep. District 142

Shawn Nicole Thierry (D) State Rep. District 146

FORT BEND COUNTY

Frank J. Fraley District Judge, 240th Judicial District

O’Neil Williams (D) District Judge, 268th Judicial District

Toni Wallace (D) Judge, County Court at Law, No. 4

Joel C. Clouser Sr. (D) Justice of the Peace Pct 2

Tanisha C. Green (D) Justice of the Peace Pct 2

Michael Antalan (D) Justice of the Peace Pct 3

Roy Owens (D) State Rep. District 146

Garnet F. Coleman (D) State Rep. District 147

Sherman Hatton Jr. (D) Judge, County Court at Law, No. 6

Deirdre Dickson-Gilbert (D) Justice of the Peace Pct 2

Gary Majors (D) Constable, Precinct 2

Daryl L. Smith (D) Constable, Precinct 2

For more info: www.fortbendcountytx.gov

You are the change you’re waiting on.

One vote can make the difference Cynthia Ginyard (D) County Chairman

Hazel Dorine Lundy (D) County Chairman

THE

BALLOT

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HARRIS COUNTY

Latosha Lewis Payne (D) District Judge, 55th Judicial District

Brennen Dunn (D) District Judge,185th District

Charles Johnson (R) District Judge, 263rd District

Charles Collins (D) Family Judge, 246th District

Angela Graves-Harrington (D) Family Judge, 246th District

Melanie Flowers (R) Family Judge, 257th District

Angelina Gooden (R) Family Judge, 280th District

Linda Marie Dunson (D) Family Judge, 309th District

Tracy D. Good (D) Family Judge, 313th District

Michelle Moore (D) Family Judge, 314th District

Ronnisha Bowman (D) Judge, Criminal Court No. 2

Danval Scarbrough (D) Judge, Criminal Court No. 7

Sedrick T. Walker II (D) Judge, Criminal Court No. 11

Kris Ougrah (D) Judge, Criminal Court No. 15

Kevin Howard (D) District Clerk

Roslyn “Rozzy” Shorter (D) District Clerk

Elvonte Patton (D) County School Trustee Position 3, At Large

Prince E. Bryant II (D) County School Trustee Position 6, Precinct 1

Danyahel (Danny) Norris (D) County School Trustee Position 6, Precinct 1

Mike Renfro (D) Judge, Criminal Court No. 13

Tonya Jones (D) Judge, Criminal Court No. 15

Nat West (D) County Clerk

Gayle Young Mitchell (D) County Clerk

Lucia Bates (D) Justice of the Peace Pct 3, Place 2

Cheryl Elliott Thornton (D) Justice of the Peace Pct 7, Place 2

For more info: www.harrisvotes.com Unopposed candidates include….

Audrie Lawton (D) Justice of the Peace Pct 7, Place 2

Sharon M. Burney (D) Justice of the Peace Pct 7, Place 2

Ray Shackelford (D) Justice of the Peace Pct 7, Place 2

· U.S. Representative: Al Green · State Representative: Senfronia Thompson · Judge: Dedra Davis, Germaine Tanner, Erica Hughes, Tanya Garrison, DaSean Jones, LaShawn Williams, Shannon Baldwin, Toria J. Finch, Mike Fields, Clyde Raymond Leuchtag · County Commissioner: Grady Prestage

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DEFENDER | MARCH 1 | 2018

entertainment

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Alvin Ailey dancers return to Houston Defender News Services

Series: A Tribute to Judith Jamison, presented by then First Lady Michelle Obama.

Acknowledging its lasting significance after five decades, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution recognizing the artistic and cultural contributions of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the 50th anniversary of the first performance of “Revelations.”

Ailey was born in 1931 in Rogers, Texas and grew up in Navasota.

He made his Broadway debut in 1954 and founded his dance company in 1958. He died in 1989.

Visit www.spahouston.org or call 713-227-4772 for ticket information.

Members of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater are shown with artistic director Robert Battle (center).

The Society for the Performing Arts announces the return of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater to Houston with three performances at Jones Hall for the Performing Arts from March 16-17. The weekend will showcase premieres, new productions, classic works from Alvin Ailey and the American masterpiece, “Revelations.”

Artistic director Robert Battle leads Ailey’s 32 dancers as they continue the company’s legacy of using the African-American cultural experience and the American modern dance tradition to uplift, unite and enlighten.

Ailey star Jamar Roberts’ “Members Don’t Get Weary” is his first world premiere for the company, which he joined in 2002.

Roberts says the work is “a response to the current social landscape in America,” and “takes an abstract look into the notion of one ‘having the blues.’”

Set to the powerful music of the legendary jazz saxophonist and composer John Coltrane 50 years after his death, the work aims to allow the audience to momentarily transcend their own personal blues.

The dancers will also perform in Ailey’s classic works “Night Creature,” a ballet set to music by Duke Ellington; “Cry,” the female solo made famous by Judith Jamison and dedicated to “all Black women everywhere – especially our mothers;” and “In/Side,” set to Nina Simone’s rendition of the Oscar-nominated song “Wild is the Wind,” which offers audiences an intimate look at a man’s most private struggles.

The weekend would be incomplete without Ailey’s “Revelations.” Since its creation in 1960, “Revelations” has been seen by more audiences around the world than any other modern work, inspiring generations through its storytelling and soul-stirring spirituals.

Springing from Ailey’s childhood memories of growing up in the South and attending church services in Texas, “Revelations” pays homage to African-American culture and heritage and explores the emotional spectrum of the human condition.

It has been performed as part of opening ceremonies of the 1968 Olympics, for six sitting presidents at various events, at the inaugurations of former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, and at the White House Dance

The acclaimed dance company will perform March 16-17 at Jones Hall. (Photos courtesy Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater)

what’sup Former First Lady MICHELLE OBAMA’S muchanticipated memoir, “Becoming,” has been scheduled for a Nov. 13 release. The book will offer “deep reflection and mesmerizing storytelling” about Obama’s incredible life as “one of the most iconic and compelling women of our era,” according to the book’s website. “I talk about my roots and how a girl from the South Side found her voice,” Obama tweeted. “I hope my journey inspires readers to find the courage to become whoever they aspire to be.”

The book will be released simultaneously in 24 languages worldwide, according to a statement from its book’s publisher, Penguin Random House. Her

husband, former President Barack Obama, is set to publish a new memoir in the spring of 2019…….

TISHA CAMPBELL-MARTIN will be seeking spousal support from Duane Martin in the couple’s divorce proceedings. The “Martin” star recently filed for divorce after more than 20 years of marriage.

Campbell-Martin is also reportedly seeking to split physical and legal custody of their two children Xen, 16, and Ezekiel, 8…….OMAROSA is likening her experience working at the White House to a plantation, even though she earned $179,000 a year.

The former staffer is a cast member on this season’s “Celebrity Big Brother” and she’s not holding

back talking about her time working for the Trump administration. Omarosa was the only AfricanAmerican woman on the senior staff…….“Black Panther,” starring CHADWICK BOSEMAN, MICHAEL B. JORDAN and LUPITA NYONG’O, continues to dominate. After a record-breaking first weekend in theaters, the Marvel movie had another great weekend for the second time in a row, pushing its numbers to a $700 million worldwide haul. With a $108 million take for the second weekend, “Black Panther” joins “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” “Jurassic World” and “The Avengers” as the only films to break $100 million in the second week.

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Dallas Mavericks hire Black female CEO Associated Press The Dallas Mavericks have hired former AT&T executive Cynthia Marshall as interim CEO a week after allegations of sexual misconduct against ex-team president Terdema Ussery in a report that also painted a picture of a hostile workplace for women in the franchise.

Owner Mark Cuban said his mind was made up on hiring Marshall when he was told, “the most devastating day at AT&T was when [Marshall] left.”

Marshall was senior vice president of human resources at AT&T when she took on the additional role of chief diversity Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and interim CEO Cynthia Marshall. officer in 2015. She had more than 30 years of tele“I’m honored to have been asked by Mark to join communications experience going back to 1981 him in addressing some very serious issues,” said with Pacific Bell.

Marshall, who retired from AT&T last May. “I’m Sports Illustrated reported Ussery made very saddened that issues of domestic violence and sexually suggestive remarks to several women. sexual harassment are so prominent in our society and He spent 18 years with the team before going allegations have surfaced once again in our organizato the sports apparel company Under Armour in tion .”

2015, a job he left after less than six months.

The Mavericks hired Evan Krutoy and Anne The SI report said team website reporter Milgram to lead an independent investigation. Krutoy Earl Sneed was twice involved in domestic served as a prosecutor at the Manhattan District Atassault cases while working for the Mavertorney’s office for over 20 years and served as Acting icks, including a guilty plea in a case that was Deputy Bureau Chief of the Sex Crimes Unit. Mildismissed when he met the conditions of the gram is a professor at New York University School of agreement. Sneed and former human resources Law, and a former New Jersey attorney general. director Buddy Pittman were fired in the wake of the The NBA has said it will closely monitor the report. investigation.

Two women say Ussery harassed them for years, incidents that ranged from inappropriate remarks to requests for sex to touching women’s calves and thighs during meetings.

Asked how much he knew about the team’s investigation into similar allegations against Ussery two years before he bought the team in 1998, Cuban didn’t say much.

“All of that will come out from the investigative report, so I’ll defer to that,” Cuban said.

The team plans to establish a hotline for counseling and support services for past and current employees, and Cuban has said he is mandating sensitivity training for all employees, himself included. The NBA announced plans for a similar hotline a few days after the SI report.

NCAA responds to report about players being paid T:4.79”

Defender News Services

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A federal investigation is looking into whether certain NCAA basketball players have been receiving monetary benefits from agents.

The NCAA does not allow its college athletes to be paid, and athletes are prohibited from accepting benefits from agents, especially if those benefits would sway their decision to go to one school or the other.

NCAA president Mark Emmert released a statement in response to a report from Yahoo Sports that detailed potential rules violations for 20 Division I basketball programs and more than 25 players.

The report included documents seized from former NBA agent Andy

Miller as part of a federal probe. The documents featured detailed accounts of cash advances and benefits allegedly paid to past and present basketball prospects and their families, “These allegations, if true, point to systematic failures that must be fixed and fixed now if we want college sports in America,” Emmert said. “Simply put, people who engage in this kind of behavior have no place in college sports. They are an affront to all those who play by the rules.”

Emmert said the NCAA would take action to ensure that such payments would not occur in the future and cited an NCAA Board of Governors independent commission formed to address misconduct.

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DEFENDER | MARCH 1 | 2018

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Rockets are locked, loaded, deep

By MAX EDISON Defender

Joe Johnson

With the NBA All-Star Game a distant memory, the Houston Rockets are preparing for the second half of the pro basketball season. The Rockets are in a virtual dead heat with the Golden State Warriors for the best record in the NBA. As the team heads down the home stretch toward the end of the regular season, one can’t help but be impressed with the wealth of talent the Rockets have assembled.

Immediate attention goes to the group of starters that features MVP candidate James Harden and perennial All-Star Chris Paul, but a quick scan of the bench shows a dazzling array of depth with impressive NBA resumes waiting on a nod from head coach Mike D’Antoni to enter the game.

“We’re just loaded from top to bottom, that’s how good this team is,” mid-season acquisition Gerald Green said.

“Coach is doing a great job facilitating minutes. When guys go down you have [other] guys who can step right in without missing a beat; that’s special. I think this team has a chance to win it all. If we keep on growing, keep working, stay humble and let [D’Antoni] guide us, the sky’s the limit.”

Seven-time NBA All-Star and veteran Joe Johnson, a pre-All-Star game break addition to the roster, agreed with Green.

“I’ve never been on a team as deep as this, with this much talent,” Johnson said. “We have a lot of guys who can fill up a stat sheet and obviously do intangible things as well. As long as we stay healthy and trust one another, the sky’s the limit for us.”

Johnson revealed how previous relationships affected his decision to join the Rockets.

“Having a relationship with Mike D’Antoni, knowing [Paul], knowing [Harden], that made the decision a lot easier. Coming into this situation, they’ve been great all year.

I just wanted to come in and help out as much as I could.”

It’s clear that the opportunity to win a championship is the driving force that permeates the locker room. Off-season free agent pick-up P.J. Tucker is pleased with how the team has progressed from top to bottom.

“This is what we talked about this summer when I talked to James coming in to free agency,”

P.J. Tucker

Tucker said. “We talked about sacrificing for each other in order to put something together and be special and that’s what we’re doing.”

With so much quality veteran experience and

only one ball, the word “sacrifice” is paramount in the team psyche.

“You see the makeup of our team,” Tucker said. “We only have a couple of guys with under 10 years of experience in the league. Everybody’s been around the block.

“A lot of times when it’s not your day, you cheer for everybody else. When you look at teams that have reached that championship pinnacle you see that everybody sacrifices for each other, fights for each other. Whether it’s my night tonight or your night tonight, it doesn’t matter as a team as long as we get a W.” D’Antoni reiterated the importance of sacrifice.

“It’s a challenge for me, but it’s more of a challenge for the players…,” he said. “They’ve got to look at the writing on the wall and go, ‘that’s it.’ It’s up to everyone to sacrifice. I’m going to do the best I can to talk to them, beg them, hug them, all that, but each player has to understand, this is about winning a championship or trying to get there,” D’Antoni said.

“Each player understands we have a good chance and each player understands that you never know what’s around the corner…You have to stay mentally ready and hopefully they’ll do that. With the locker room we have and the guys we have, I would be surprised if we don’t do that.”

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MARCH 1 | 2018 | DEFENDER

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sportsbriefs UH Cougars win indoors The University of Houston men claimed their fourth consecutive American Athletic Conference Indoor Track & Field Championship.

The four straight titles give the Houston men’s program its third such streak of indoor championships as the Cougars also had a four-year win streak in Conference USA from 1997 to 2000 and a five-year streak in Conference USA from 2007 to 2011. The Cougars success was propelled by five individual titles. Elijah Hall (60 and 200-meter dash), Kahmari Montgomery (400-meter dash), Amere Lattin (60-meter hurdles) and Nathaniel Mechler (heptathlon) along with a win in the 4x400-meter relay.

Qualifying athletes will have two weeks to prepare for the NCAA Indoor Championships to be held across March 9-10 in College Station.

SWAC heads to Delmar

The Yates Lady Lions are proud of their stellar season in District 24-4A.

Yates girls join elite status worry about the rankings.

“From the beginning I thought Yates and Wheatley were two of the better Class 4A teams around,” Augbon Not a basketball season goes by that doesn’t produce said. “All the talk has been about Wheatley and we’re at least one team that flies under the radar and is bereft of happy for them.” lofty praise, grand predictions or viral prognostications. The Yates knocked off Hargrave and Diboll in the first two Lady Lions of Jack Yates High School fill the bill. rounds of the playoffs before dispensing of Silsbee.

Yates shared the District 24-4A crown with stateAugbon said Shackleford’s effort against Silsbee was ranked Wheatley. The two teams split the season series with a complete turnaround from her performance in the prior Yates winning the first encounter by five points and Wheatround. ley surviving a two-point victory in the rematch.

“Abbigail played like a freshman in the last playoff While Wheatley has been firmly entrenched in the Top game [Diboll] but she made up for it tonight,” he said.

10 of the Texas As“She stepped up and sociation of Basketball played some big minutes.

Coaches (TABC) Class She gave us everything 4A state girls poll all we needed coming off the Find out who helped the Yates boys season, Yates has yet to bench.” overcome a slow playoff start make an appearance.

Cloud quickly picked The 21-6 Lady up two fouls at the outset Lions defeated of the game and another Silsbee 83-74 in the regional quarterfinals to join three in the second stanza before retiring to the bench. other schools (including Wheatley, Liberty Hill and China “Briana has been our leader this year,” Augbon said.

Spring) that qualified for the Region III-4A Tournament at “A lot of people tend to overlook her. She’s turned into a Sam Houston State University in Huntsville. complete basketball player. She does a little bit of everySenior Miya Crump led Yates with 26 points. Freshthing for us.” man Abbigail Shackleford had 17 of her 19 points in the Augbon also had some complimentary and challengfirst half and tallied six consecutive points in the first quaring words for Crump. ter that gave Yates a lead it never relinquished.

“She was outstanding on both ends of the floor and Briana Cloud overcame early foul problems to score she only came out of the game for about 30 seconds,” he seven of her 12 points down the stretch in the fourth quarter. said. “Miya always tells me ‘Coach, I’m a McDonald’s Chade’ Gladney (10 points) hit a key 3-pointer in the fourth All-American nominee.’ quarter that restored order as Silsbee tried to mount a “And I always tell her, ‘Well play like one.’ She did comeback. just that tonight.”

“We have nothing to do with the rankings and I tell my Yates and Wheatley met for a third time in the team that everyday,” said Yates head coach Patrick Augbon. regional championship game with the Lady Wildcats “I know how good we are. We just have to go out and prove advancing to the state tournament following a 56-51 it by beating the people that we play against and don’t victory.

By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender

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The 2018 Toyota SWAC Basketball Tournament will relocate to the newly renovated Delmar Fieldhouse in Houston. The women’s and men’s basketball semifinals will be held Friday, March 9 while each of the championship games will be played on Saturday, March 10.

ESPN programming will broadcast each of the championship games. HISD’s Delmar Fieldhouse officially reopened in February 2017. The $35.2 million facility marks the completion of a project that started under the district’s 2012 bond program. The 5,000-seat facility, located at 2020 Mangum Road, features a removable maple court, retractable lower level seating and six locker rooms. The court features a star representing the HISD logo and an image of Houston’s skyline.

Girls’ teams fall in 5A The unthinkable happened in the girls’ Region III-5A basketball tournament at Delmar Stadium. Defending regional champion Barbers Hill was outscored 9-0 in the final 54 seconds of regulation in a region semifinal and lost to Temple 78-74 in overtime. Barbers Hill McDonald’s All-American Charli Collier fouled out in the overtime session when she was assessed a technical following her fourth personal foul.

Crosby topped Cedar Park 53-47 in the other semifinal to advance to the regional final for the second time in three years. However, Temple refused to be denied and claimed the 2018 Region III-5A crown with a convincing 60-40 triumph in the title game. Jhakya Dilworth led the Wildcats with 22 points.

Wheatley state bound The Wheatley High School girls’ basketball team will make their first trip to the state high school basketball tournament following a 56-51 victory over District 24-4A rival Yates in the Region III-4A championship game at Sam Houston State University. Point guard Telisha Brown was selected tournament MVP. Wheatley defeated No. 1 state-ranked Liberty Hill 72-61 in the regional semifinals. The Cypress Creek girls will also be making the school’s first trip to the state tournament in the Class 6A division after knocking off Summer Creek 57-36 in the Region III-6A title game at the Merrell Center. The Lady Cougars took command early and continued to increase the lead with balanced scoring from senior Jalyn Johnson (13), freshman Rori Harmon (13), senior Kristine Ezimako (11) and freshman Kyndall Hunter (8).

Cy Creek is 34-4 on the season.

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DEFENDER | MARCH 1 | 2018

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

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FORD FREEDOM UNSUNG HEROES OF HARVEY……..Ford Motor from the audience. HMAAC director John Guess Jr. welcomed a packed house Company recognized the winners of the Ford Freedom Unsung “Heroes of Harvey” of attendees that included Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Gene and Awards. The event celebrated ordinary people making extraordinary contributions Aubrey Locke, Melanie Lawson, Clarisse Freeman, Misty Starks, Lindi in their community during Harvey relief efforts. Pamela Alexander, director of Yeni, Dr. Gloria Batiste-Roberts, Necole Irvin, Abi Shitta-Bey, Tereasa Doss, community development for the Ford Motor Company Fund, Congresswoman Dominic Clay, Dr. Paul Minifee, Pamela Minifee and many others.……..HCC Sheila Jackson Lee and Majic 102.1’s “Funky” Larry Jones were on hand to BLACK HISTORY SCHOLARSHIP GALA….. Rev. Jesse Jackson served facilitate the festivities and congratulate honorees like Jerome Love, Bishop Pastor as the keynote speaker for the 2018 Houston Community College Black History James Dixon, Ashaia Clark, Kay Matthews, Marsha Scholarship Gala. Jackson spoke on this year’s gala theme, McCray, Terence Narcisse, Patrick Britton, “The Politics Of.” Now in its 12th year, the HCC scholarship Defender TOP EVENTS More photos on defendernetwork.com Alexandra Bowman and others. Additional attendees gala raises funds for deserving HCC students. This year’s included Crystal and Craig Bonner, Jeff Shaw, Della recipients were Janel Blair, Julian Cleare, Tiffany Cook Butler, Teresita Atkins, Linda Brown, Pearl Wright and Brianna Lewis. Attendees included Congressman Al and many more……..ATTICA LOCKE BOOKSIGNING….. The Houston Green, County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, State Rep. Ron Reynolds, Dr. Jonita Museum of African American Culture (HMAAC) hosted native Houstonian Reynolds, District Attorney Kim Ogg, Howard Jefferson, Dr. Carolyn EvansAttica Locke, author of “Pleasantville,” “The Cutting Season” and “Bluebird,” Shabazz, Malik Shabazz, E. Ashley Smith, County Attorney Vince Ryan, David for a booksigning as part of its Literary Lecture Series. Locke, who is also a writer Regenbaum, Dr. Jamale Kempt, LaKendra Hill, Dr. Lorlie Ellis, Dr. Margaret for the TV hit “Empire,” read excerpts from her works and answered questions Ford Fisher, Raymond Fisher, Ken and Dolores Rodgers and scores more.

Teylor Bonner, Craig Bonner, Crystal Bonner

Sherra Aguirre, Melanie Lawson, Attica Locke

Christina Guice-Gantt, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Nedra Washington

“Funky” Larry Jones, Nikishia Price, Pamela Alexander

Aubrey Locke, Gene Locke

Congressman Al Green, Dr. Jonita Reynolds

Stevenia Love, Jerome Love

Tereasa Doss, Dominic Clay, Abi Shitta-Bey

Helen McMillan, Dr. Lorlie Ellis, Dr. Cheryl Sterling

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