Houston Defender: March 05, 2015

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Volume 84 | Number 14

MARCH 5, 2015 |FREE

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NATIONAL MICHAEL JORDAN makes billionaire list

P6 ENTERTAINMENT JE’CARYOUS JOHNSON returns home with play

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Prime time for

SPORTS

TYLER PERRY

JERRY LOVELOCKE tries out at NFL Combine

for

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Emancipation Park’s facelift

TOP EVENTS

A historic Third Ward park is getting a major facelift. As Emancipation Park undergoes changes, Houstonians involved in the project want to ensure that its rich history connects with its bright future. Find out what steps have been taken to give community members a voice. Hear what other stakeholders have to say about the renovation. Learn how much the project will cost and see how much money has already been raised.

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Victoria Baynes Lopez, Soledad O’Brien and Dr. Leonard Baynes at Black in America Tour

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DEFENDER | MARCH 5 | 2015

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newstalk

GOP wants to restrict Medicaid Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and poor adults from the healthcare members of the Senate Republican they need.”

Caucus recently announced that they Republican State Sen. Charles have submitted a letter to the federal Schwertner of Georgetown, who government asking for more flexibility supports the proposal, said that to manage the state’s Medicaid system. the cost of Medicaid is crowding The Caucus request includes the out other critical state services and ability to create health savings aceating into available funding for counts, co-payments and set work reeducation, public safety and transquirements for “able-bodied” benefits portation. receivers.

Schwertner said the share of the Patrick said the cost of the system budget devoted to Medicaid in 1989 is growing too fast and will cost nearly was 12 percent, and has risen to 29 $25 billion in the proposed budget in percent of the state budget today state money to maintain current levels and continues to grow at a rate twoof service. and-a-half times faster than any “The cost trajectory in the current other section of the budget.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick program is quite simply unsustainThe number of Medicaid able,” he said. “In order to ensure a recipients in the state has doubled sustainable program, we must have the to 4 million since 2002, while the flexibility from the federal governnumber of doctors who will accept ment to manage our own Medicaid in Medicaid patients has shrunk. our state.”

“This rapidly increasing deHouston State Rep. Garnet Colemand for services combined with a man opposed the GOP plan. declining pool of health care providers is fostering the beginnings “A good way to judge the seriousness of a proposal is to look at its of a substantial crisis in the Texas content, and health savings accounts Medicaid system,” he said. for children are among the many riPatrick Bresette, executive diculous ideas suggested in this one,” director of the Children’s Defense Coleman said. “This is a nonstarter Fund-Texas, disagreed with the Reand everyone knows it. publican plan, and said the state’s “We should be following the top leaders appear to be more interexample of other Republican states ested in prioritizing tax breaks for State Rep. Garnet Coleman who are finding fiscally responsible wealthy corporations than investing solutions to closing the coverage gap in the future of children. rather than increasing it. Texas is turn“If the State Senate leadership ing down billions in federal funds, just sitting there truly wanted to improve health care for low-income for us to take advantage of. children and families they would not be seeking “We have the highest rate of uninsured in the naways to scale back our Medicaid program,” Bresette tion and Lt. Gov. Patrick wants to create further road- said. “Instead they would join the chorus of voices in blocks to care for the existing coverage population of Texas calling for expanding access to care and closchildren and expectant mothers and further exclude ing our coverage gap.”

Medicaid facts & figures According to the Texas Health & Human Services Commission, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provide medical coverage for more than 4 million lowincome Texans.

The programs cover half of all children in the state and help provide care for two-thirds of people in nursing homes.

On the national level, Medicaid: • Provides health coverage to more than 31 million children, including half of all low-income children in the U.S. • Provides health coverage to 11 million non-elderly low-income parents, other caretaker relatives, pregnant women and other non-disabled adults.

• Plays a key role in child and maternal health, financing 40 percent of all births in the United States. Medicaid coverage for pregnant women includes prenatal care through the pregnancy, labor, and delivery, and for 60 days postpartum as well as other pregnancy-related care.

• Provides health coverage to over 8.8 million non-elderly individuals with disabilities, including people who are working or who want to work.

• Provides health coverage to more than 4.6 million low-income seniors, nearly all of whom are also enrolled in Medicare.

• Provides coverage to 3.7 million people with disabilities who are enrolled in Medicare.

localbriefs THE FREEDMEN’S TOWN Preservation Coalition is pleased that the 80th Civil District Court recently ruled that the temporary restraining order (TRO) granted the coalition will remain in effect through May 4. The TRO stopped crews from removing bricks that line the streets of the historic neighborhood in Houston’s Fourth Ward.

“The people of Houston scored a victory for we all win when we preserve the achievements of past generations,” said coalition president Dorris Ellis.

“The efforts of the FTPC are to preserve and protect the gifts from our ancestors while we find the best available technology to provide infrastructure

and preservation of traditional cultural properties like those found in historic Freedmen’s Town for current and future generations.” Attorney Ben Hall represented the coalition pro bono……..LOCAL JOB SEEKERS are invited to attend two Spring Career & Employment Fairs sponsored by Houston Community College. The first fair takes place Wednesday, March 11 at 10 a.m. at the Stafford Campus Learning Hub, 10041 Cash Road in Stafford. A second job fair is Wednesday, March 25, at 10 a.m. at the West Loop Campus, 5601 West Loop South. For information call 713-718-7718 or visit www.hccs.edu.......THE CITY OF HOUSTON SEEKS INPUT on Plan Houston,

an effort to create the city’s first ever general plan.

The goal of the plan is to create a citywide vision and create collaboration across city departments and agencies, to guide Houston’s growth and development, enhance neighborhoods and better coordinate efforts to make positive change throughout the city. A new website http://planhouston.org/ will keep citizens informed of these efforts and will eventually host the planning coordination tool that will help the community see specific plans for their neighborhood.

On the site is the draft vision and goals for Plan Houston. The city is asking residents to comment and provide feedback.

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MARCH 5 | 2015 | DEFENDER

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DEFENDER | MARCH 5 | 2015

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national

Black billionaires among world’s richest

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orbes Magazine recently named its 2015 list of the world’s billionaires. Of the 1,826 people who made the list, 11 of them are Black, up from nine a year ago. The world’s richest man remains Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, who is worth $79.2 billion.

The richest Black people are: 1. Aliko Dangote, a Nigerian cement tycoon worth $15.7 billion. Dangote, 57, initially made his fortune trading in cement, sugar and flour but subsequently ventured into manufacturing the commodities.

Aliko Dangote 2. Mohammed AlAmoudi, a construction magnate worth $10.8 billion. The son of a Saudi father and Ethiopian mother, Al-Amoudi made his first fortune in Saudi Arabia. In Ethiopia he has invested in agriculture, cement production and gold mining.

He owns oil refineries in Morocco and Sweden and oil fields off West Africa.

3. Mike Adenuga, a Nigerian oil tycoon worth $4 billion. Adenuga made his first fortune trading lace and Coca-Cola after returning from his studies in the United States. He made key friendships with top Nigerian military personnel and earned lucrative state contracts along the way. He reinvested in oil production and mobile telecoms.

4. Isabel Dos Santos, an Angolan investor worth $3.3 billion. She is the world’s richest Black woman and the oldest daughter of Angola’s president Jose Eduardo dos Santos. She has accumulated an impressive portfolio of stakes in blue-chip Ango-

Oprah Winfrey

lan companies.

5. Oprah Winfrey, once the queen of daytime TV, is worth $2.9 billion, and is the world’s richest African-American. Her once struggling cable channel, OWN, is now cash flow positive and enjoying soaring ratings.

6. Patrice Motsepe, South Africa’s first Black billionaire, is worth $2.1 billion. Motsepe founded and chairs African Rainbow Minerals, which mines and processes iron, manganese, chrome, platinum, copper, nickel, coal and gold.

7. Folorunsho Alakija, Nigeria’s only female billionaire and the founder of Famfa Oil, is worth $1.9 billion. She is a former secretary who quit her job to study fashion design. She founded a Nigerian fashion label that catered to upscale clientele.

8. Mohammed Ibrahim, a Sudanese-born investor, is worth $1.1 billion. Ibrahim is the founder of Celtel, an African mobile phone company, which

Michael Jordan

he sold for $3.4 billion in 2005. He is the founder of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation which promotes good governance in Africa.

9. Michael Jordan, considered by many to be America’s greatest basketball player, is worth $1 billion. Jordan is majority shareholder of the Charlotte Bobcats and enjoys lucrative deals with Nike, Gatorade, Hanes and Upper Deck.

10. Femi Otedola, a Nigerian, is worth $1 billion. Otedola is the controlling shareholder of Forte Oil, one of West Africa’s largest downstream oil companies. The company owns gas stations and fuel storage depots and manufactures its own line of engine oils.

11. Abdulsamad Rabiu, also Nigerian, is worth $1 billion. Rabiu is the founder of BUA Group, a conglomerate with interests in sugar refining, cement production, real estate, steel, port concessions, manufacturing, oil gas and shipping.

Ferguson police found to be racially biased A review by the U.S. Justice Department has found that the Ferguson Police Department engaged in a pattern of racially biased enforcement that permeated the city’s justice system.

The police department routinely violated the constitutional rights of Black residents by stopping drivers without reasonable suspicion, making arrests without probable cause and using excessive force.

The department gained national attention after the death of Michael Brown, an unarmed young Black man, in August 2014. The shooting prompted protests across the country and a reexamination of law enforcement’s relationships with minority communities.

Darren Wilson, the Ferguson officer who

shot and killed Brown, was not indicted for his death.

According to the Justice Department, African-Americans account for 67 percent of the population in Ferguson, but they accounted for 85 percent of the drivers stopped by police, 90 percent of the people issued tickets and 93 percent of the people arrested.

When those cases reached the municipal court, authorities collected more fines for suspects’ failure to appear than any other charge, mostly from the city’s poorest and most vulnerable residents.

Attorney General Eric Holder said last year that the need for “wholesale change” in the Ferguson police department was “pretty clear.”

VOLUME 84 • NUMBER 13 MARCH 5, 2015

Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Advertising/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Online Editor ReShonda Billingsley Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila

Print Editor Marilyn Marshall

Multimedia Coordinator LaGloria Wheatfall Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison

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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MARCH 5 | 2015 | DEFENDER

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Black women endure menopause the longest

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By ELAINA JOHNSON Special to NNPA

arah Finney, 57, said she gets hot flashes throughout her body at least once an hour. She even wakes up in the night with so much perspiration that she looks like she just left working out at a gym, she said.

Finney, who lives in Alexandria, Va., is experiencing the results of menopause, a natural decline in reproductive hormones that affects millions of woman annually when they reach their 40s or 50s.

A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine, a medical journal of the American Medical Association, found that women could experience hot flashes for up to 14 years, and that African-American women like Finney typically experience the symptoms longer.

Finney has been going through it for 10 years.

The 17-year study of 1,449 women across the U.S. found that while on average, the women endured the symptoms for about seven and a half years, Black and Hispanic women experience hot flashes for significantly longer than white or Asian women.

The median was 10 years for AfricanAmericans, nearly nine years for Hispanics, six and a half years for white women, about five and a half years for Chinese and nearly five years for Japanese.

“This is the only study that has looked at a very diverse population,” said Dr. Ranit Mishori, associate professor of family medicine at the Georgetown University School of Medicine.

“No one knows for sure why African-American

women are at risk for a longer duration of hot flashes. There could be a relationship between hormone levels, genetic differences, body mass index, the number of children you have or the age you began having children.”

“This is not a fun thing for the doctor or the patient to realize,” Mishori said. “However, there are ways to manage the symptoms including hormone replacement therapy.”

Hormone replacement therapy is medication containing female hormones to replace the ones the woman’s body no longer makes after menopause.

This method can be a good choice for certain women, depending on their health risk, Mishori said. Women who consume estrogen pills are alleviated from hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause, she said.

The down side is that hormone therapy has been linked to increased risk of breast cancer, stroke and heart disease for some women.

Lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, may help some women, health officials said, and there are also non-hormonal medication and supplements that can help.

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DEFENDER | MARCH 5 | 2015

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entertainment

Tyler Perry attracts millions of viewers

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he TV hits keep coming for Tyler Perry.

OWN recently announced that it is ordering additional episodes of its four popular Perry scripted series, including 23 episodes of “The Haves and the Have Nots,” 22 episodes of “If Loving You is Wrong,” 22 episodes of “Love Thy Neighbor” and 20 episodes of “For Better or Worse.”

“Oprah Winfrey’s partnership with Tyler Perry has been a tremendous success, garnering millions of viewers for OWN and setting ratings records,” said Erik Logan, president of the network.

Perry’s series have bolstered OWN’s rise to a Top 25 cable network in primetime among women 25-54. Throughout its current season, “The Haves and the Have Nots” has averaged more than 3 million viewers and has consistently ranked as Tuesday night’s No. 1 telecast on television for AfricanAmerican households and total viewers.

Perry said growing up in New Orleans inspired him to create the hit show. “Everything that I write about, I write from my own experiences,” he said.

“My mother worked at a Jewish Community Center and she took care of all of these Jewish children that were very young and most of them were pretty rich. She would take care of them and go to work early in the morning, make sure they had hot food, and then she would go in the evenings to their house [while] we had cereal on the table. The two worlds were so different.”

Perry said success has shown him how the other half lives.

“Being able to live in one world and having lived in the other I have a pretty good idea of what happens between them both,” he said. “I kind of like the ‘have’ a little better.”

During the month of March, two of Perry’s shows will present season finales and two will present new episodes.

• The season finale of the comedy “Love Thy Neighbor” is Wednesday, March 18 at 8 p.m. Mama Hattie’s (Patrice Lovely) daughter Linda’s (Kendra C. Johnson) baby shower is interrupted by a very big surprise.

• The season finale of the drama The Haves and the Have Nots” is Tuesday, March 24 at 8 p.m. Veronica Harrington (Angela Robinson) goes off the wagon and loses her temper, leading up to a tragedy at the Harrington household.

• New episodes of the drama “If Loving You is Wrong” begin Tuesday, March 24 at 9 p.m. Once again, the series will take viewers into the lives of a group of husbands, wives and friends who live and love in the same middle-class neighborhood.

• The comedy “For Better or Worse” premieres Friday, March 27 at 8 p.m., and follows the ups and downs of dating and marriage.

The new season of “If Loving You is Wrong” begins March 24.

what’sup PATTI LABELLE and MICHAEL SAM are among the contestants on the new season of “Dancing With the Stars,” which begins Monday, March 16 at 7 p.m. on ABC. LaBelle, who is 70, has been in show business nearly 50 years. She spent 16 years as lead singer of Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles before going solo in 1977. Her hits include “Lady Marmalade,” “If Only You Knew,” “On My Own” and “New Attitude.” Sam, 25, grew up in Hitchcock, Texas and was an All-American football player at the University of Missouri.

He came out as gay ahead of the NFL draft, making him the first openly LGBT player to be

drafted in any major American sport. He was later cut by the St. Louis Rams and spent time on the Dallas Cowboys practice squad before being waived……..WILL SMITH’s romantic heist “Focus” won the box office race with $19.1 million and knocked “Fifty Shades of Gray” off the No. 1 spot. Despite its showing, “Focus” had a weaker debut than many of Smith’s films. “Men in Black 3” opened with $54 million and “I Am Legend” opened with $77 million....... DENZEL WASHINGTON and director ANTOINE FUQUA will reunite for “The Magnificent Seven,” a remake of the 1960 western…….. “Empire,” the Fox hit

starring TERRENCE HOWARD and TARAJI P. HENSON, rules social media. The hip hop drama has the highest average number of tweets per episode during its live airings of any drama this season. “Empire” is averaging 381,770 tweets per episode compared to 355,012 for “Scandal,” which was previously in first place……..TV One announced that its Black History Month schedule delivered the network’s best February performance of all time in prime time. The success was driven by the NAACP Image Awards and returning series such as “Unsung Hollywood” and “R&B Divas L.A.”

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MARCH 5 | 2015 | DEFENDER

Houston native presents star-studded play

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ward-winning writer, director and producer Je’Caryous Johnson is coming home, premiering his latest stage play “Things Your Man Won’t Do.” Performances are 8 p.m.

Friday, March 6, and 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, March 7 at the Hobby Center, 800 Bagby.

“Houston is home. I grew up here, I went to school here and I built my foundation here,” said Johnson, who now makes his home in Beverly Hills, where he heads up JeCaryous Johnson Entertainment.

Johnson’s latest production, “Things Your Man Won’t Do,” stars Tichina Arnold, Leon Robinson, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Brian White and Tony Grant.

“I was very fortunate to have worked with Je’Caryous on his biggest play, “Friends and Lovers,” as well as “Three Ways to Get a Husband,” said Leon Robinson, who is known for his roles in “The Five Heartbeats” and “Waiting to Exhale.”

“I know that ‘Things Your Man Won’t Do’ will be just as fun and entertaining as the previous plays we’ve done together.”

The play, a mixture of comedy and drama, is about relationships during a non-stop battle of the sexes. It focuses on Rachel Braxton, who after a tumultuous relationship, prayed for the perfect man and God sent her Demetrius McAlister.

Years later, through all the dates and after finally deciding to move in together, Demetrius still won’t commit, at least to marriage.

Rachel tries to figure out if she will continue

to be comfortable with her relationship as it stands or whether she will allow another man from her past to step into Demetrius’ shoes, doing all the things he won’t.

“Things that a man won’t do, or won’t commit to, someone else will,” said Wendy Raquel Robinson (“The Game,” and “The Steve Harvey Show”), who added that the play will have audiences laughing.

“I was one of those Black women before I got married,” said Arnold, the co-star of “Martin,” “Everybody Hates Chris” and “Survivor’s Remorse.”

“I was a single, divorced mother and I wasn’t fulfilled. We all go through problems with love and even problems with loving ourselves.

I’ve always wanted to convey this type of story,” Arnold said.

Johnson said audience members will enjoy the honest and masculine perspective found in “Things Your Man Won’t Do” as well.

“For him, taking the relationship to the next level means focusing singularly on her,” Johnson said regarding the couple in his play. “For her, the next level means marriage.

Men and women want the same things. They want to be loved, respected and cherished. But our timelines are different.”

Visit http://www.jecaryT:9.75” ous.com for more information.

Je’Caryous Johnson

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DEFENDER | MARCH 5 | 2015

cente

Major project connects past, future A

By MARILYN MARSHALL Defender

s the oldest public park in Texas, Emancipation Park has a special place in state and local history. The park will soon become one of Houston’s most spectacular cultural and recreational facilities due to a $34 million renovation project in the works. Construction is expected to be completed by mid-2016.

Located at 3018 Dowling in Third Ward, Emancipation Park has been a place for celebration and a symbol of freedom for more than 140 years. Houstonians involved with the renovation project say it will honor the park’s historical significance while benefitting Third Ward and beyond.

Ramon Manning, chair of the Emancipation Park Conservancy and a former Friends of Emancipation Park board member, said he is pleased with the community’s response to the project.

“It has been gratifying to hear the overall excitement growing as we observe the park’s renovation in real time,” Manning said. “This is a dream coming true.”

The park’s design effort is led by Phil Freelon, an internationally known Black architect who is also architect for the Smithsonian African-American Museum. The park’s master plan provides for: • Restoration of the community center and pool house • Construction of a new recreation center • Off-site parking • Multi-purpose spaces to accommodate gatherings of up to 3,000 people • Enhancement of outdoor experiences including picnic areas, a baseball field, tennis court, basketball court, play area and event, exhibition and performance space.

The park will be the site of educational and health programs, fitness and sports programs, seminars, town hall meetings, conferences, concerts, plays, exhibitions and festivals.

A Blue Ribbon Committee is in place for the project as well. The committee is comprised of a diverse group of corporate and community leaders, and its role is to assist in fund development efforts and raise the profile of the project locally, statewide and nationally.

Mayor Annise Parker is the committee’s honorary chair.

“This project recognizes the foresight of the founding fathers who created this park,” Parker said. “When completed, we expect Emancipation Park to be a place where people from across the nation will come to celebrate and learn about its history and the freedom it stands for.”

Committee member Jacqueline Bostic said the project is overdue.

“Most of Houston’s parks have been renovated in the last 10 years,” Bostic said.

“Millions of dollars have been spent to bring them up to today’s standards…It is time to renovate, add on and make sure Emancipation Park provides the recreational facilities needed and useable for 2015 forward.”

Bostic said the park’s historical value is immeasurable.

“It deserves to be improved, to be kept in excellent condition and to be available for all to use and enjoy.”

EMANCIPATI

rounding area,” she said. “However, there was general consensus that this community should have a quality park as a testament to its founders and preservation of African-American history in Texas.”

In her role as a consultant Brooks interviewed nearly 50 stakeMen of vision holders, including church leaders, organizational leaders, business Bostic noted the vision of the four Black leaders who originally purchased the park. owners, Friends of the Park, residents, former students and youth sports “They were released from slavery and trying to volunteers. She said five themes build new lives, which included building communities, emerged: institutions and businesses,” Bostic said. “They were 1. The city and community See new look of Emancipation Park men of vision and saw the need for the community to should invest in making Emancihave a place for gatherings for families and friends. http://bit.do/new-emancipation-park-images pation Park a quality park from a “There was also a desire for a place where the visual and resourceful perspec19th of June – Emancipation Day – could be celebrattive. ed yearly. Thus the name of the 10 acres bought for 2. Once built it must be cared for and sustained, and politics community recreation was Emancipation Park.” should not be allowed to interfere with the success of the renovation.

The park’s historical value is also important to Sylvia Brooks, a project consultant.

3.

Economic development and neighborhood revitalization should “We are witnessing and experiencing a historic undertaking,” she said. be a positive impact of the renovation.

Brooks said community participation in the project has been steady and consistent.

4.

Area organizations should be able to lend service and activities “Certainly there were those who were concerned about gentrification of the sur-

to enhance and enrich quality progr 5. Every economic level with to participate and support a comm rently the Emancipation Park Cap In addition, Brooks serves as interns with the Third Ward Comm cooperative represents more than 4 agencies are identifying services a the park.

“The cooperative’s leadership ideas and innovations that have em behalf of future programming for “The result of this excitemen will yield many programs, activit Emancipation Park guests from w world.”

In an effort to ensure sustaina formed and non-profit 501c3 statu

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erfold

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ION PARK GETS FACELIFT

ramming for the park. hin the community should be able munity-wide fundraising effort (curpital Campaign). a project coordinator for student munity Cloth Cooperative. The 400 organizations, and some of the and activities that can be located at

p is excited about some of the merged from monthly meetings on Emancipation Park,” Brooks said. nt, innovation and commitment ties and events as we welcome within our great city and around the

ability, the conservancy was us established.

History at

a glance

• Founded in 1872 by four comm former slav unity leade es – Rev. J rs who we ack Yates, Brock and re Rev. Elias D Richard All ibble, Rich en. They ra acres of pa ard ised $800 rk land to to purchase honor their • Served a 10 newfound s a safe ha fr ven under eedom. mobilizatio Jim Crow a n during th nd a site fo e Civil Righ • Has host r ts Moveme ed Junetee nt. nth celebra than 140 y tions June ears teenth for • Received more the State o f Texas and Designatio City of Hou n in 2009 ston Histori • Stands a c s a symbo l Houston’s cultural leg heritage a a cy nd Americ a’s

“A conservancy for a public park is typically a non-profit board of a diverse group of people who assume the responsibility of the management and sustainability of a park,” Manning explained.

“That includes enhanced programming, safety, maintenance, security and long-term funding of the park. Cooperative agreements are established with respect to the roles and responsibilities between the conservancy and the city Parks Department.

“Sustainability is the key word here,” Manning added. “We do not want the newly renovated park to deteriorate when the budget of a city is in jeopardy. Ongoing planning and fundraising is essential for such a park to thrive and survive.”

Manning said the park will benefit neighborhood residents, the city of Houston and people from all over the world.

“It is my belief that this park will help to attract people and businesses to our great city,” Manning said. “In essence it becomes an attraction for our tourism industry and a valuable resource for preserving the history of a people and sharing that history.”

he Houston area for over 80 years

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DEFENDER | MARCH 5 | 2015

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opinion Make me a woman

By MARIAN WRIGHT EDELMAN NNPA Columnist

Editor’s Note: March is Women’s History Month.

One of my “sheroes” is Sojourner Truth. A brilliant but illiterate woman, she was a great orator and powerful presence who possessed great courage and determination. I often wear a pendant with her image and words: “If women want any rights more than they’s got, why don’t they just take them, and not be talking about it.”

Sarye Huggins is a high school senior who knows her Black history and has also been inspired by Sojourner Truth. Read a few lines from her spoken word poem “Make Me a Woman.”

“Make me a woman in this world of poverty and deceit. They’ll know I’m a woman by the sounds of determination coming from my feet…”

Sarye lives in Brooklyn’s BedfordStuyvesant neighborhood, a community disproportionately plagued by poverty and violence. Sarye’s mother, a teacher, died from a brain tumor when Sarye was two.

Her father was frequently part of her early life, and she was raised by a beloved aunt.

As a smart, shy girl attending some of the poorest and roughest schools in New York City, Sarye didn’t always feel she fit in. Although she won awards in elementary Sojourner Truth school for being an outstanding student she also endured a lot of teasing and bullying from her peers and harbored much of the pain inside.

In middle school things got worse when her father stopped calling and visiting. For the first time her grades started slipping, causing her to lose her confidence, and she began trying desperately to change herself to gain acceptance

by her peers.

The odds were stacked against Sarye as they are against so many of our Black girls and boys today.

Black children are the poorest children in America; every other Black baby is poor and every two minutes a Black baby is born into poverty in our wealthy nation.

Black children are less likely to live in two-parent families, are more likely to be abused or neglected or enter foster care, and suffer worse health outcomes than white children.

Black students fall behind in school early and do not catch up. Black children and youths are at greatest risk of being funneled into the prison pipeline and are at highest risk of gun violence, the leading cause of death among Black children and teens ages 1-19. For many of the children in Sarye’s neighborhood, these odds have already proven too much.

Sarye was blessed by her aunt’s unfailing support and by caring teachers during her freshman year of high school who began nurturing her potential.

Her English teacher recommended she apply for the Smart Scholars Program, which would allow her to take classes at Long Island University beginning in 10th grade. Though still in high school, she’s maintained a 4.0 in her college classes while excelling in her high school courses.

Sarye is one of five extraordinary high school students the Children’s Defense Fund-New York will honor for beating the odds. A scholarship will help ease their way on the path to college.

Unsurprisingly, English has remained one of her strengths – and she’s embraced writing as a way of expressing some of the feelings she struggled to hide inside. This is from her poem “I’m Free From It.” “I didn’t have to hide behind the bars of shame, hurt, or declaration. I could build on the things that were given to me and renovate the parts that were taken. My dreams that were deferred had me shaken up, but only to produce a better me in the making . . .”

Houston needs a revitalized Emancipation Park We recently spent the last month celebrating African-American history. Fortunately, Houston is rich in Black history, and Emancipation Park is an important part of that history.

Its four founders – including the legendary Rev. Jack Yates – left us a rich legacy that celebrates freedom, faith, family, hard work and determination.

Houston deserves a pat on the back for the revitalization and renovation of the Third Ward park scheduled to be completed next year. Men, women and children of all ages and backgrounds will be able to enjoy a first-class, state-of-the-art facility for years to come.

They will be able to take a walk or go for a

swim or attend a seminar or enjoy a festival at a park where the architect is a Black man.

Our neighborhoods need more green space not just for our enjoyment but also for our health.

A recent study funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation found that children living in low-income or predominantly minority neighborhoods are less likely to have clean, safe, and attractive places to play. That puts them at a higher risk for obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.

Additionally, 70 percent of African-American neighborhoods and 81 percent of Hispanic neighborhoods lack adequate recreational facilities.

Emancipation Park will help ensure that more children in Third Ward and beyond have a great place to play.

There are many people to thank for Emancipation Park’s facelift, from concerned citizens to city officials. A special thank-you goes to the foundations and entities that have donated millions of dollars to the effort so far.

There are still millions to be raised, and donors that step up to the plate will help pay tribute to a treasured Houston landmark.

We encourage Houstonians to contribute to this worthy project and play a role in maintaining a long-standing institution in the Black community.

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MARCH 5 | 2015 | DEFENDER

Small business health care tax credit changes Small employers should be aware of changes to the small business health care tax credit, a provision in the Affordable Care Act that gives a tax credit to eligible small employers who provide health care to their employees.

There are changes to the tax credit that may affect your small business or tax-exempt organization: • Credit percentage increased from 35 percent to 50 percent of employerpaid premiums; for tax-exempt employers, the percentage increased from 25 percent to 35 percent.

• Small employers may claim the credit for only two consecutive taxable years beginning in tax year 2014 and beyond.

• For 2014, the credit is phased out beginning when average wages equal $25,400 and is fully phased out when average wages exceed $50,800. The average wage phase out is adjusted annually for inflation.

• Generally, small employers are required to purchase a qualified health plan from a Small Business Health Options Program Marketplace to be eligible to claim the credit. Transition relief from this requirement is available to certain small

$2 billion in road projects approved

employers.

Small employers may still be eligible to claim the tax credit for tax years 2010 through 2013.

Employers who were eligible to claim this credit for those prior years – but did not do so – may consider amending prior years’ returns if they’re eligible to do so in order to claim the credit.

For more information about the Affordable Care Act and filing your 2014 income tax return, visit IRS.gov/aca.

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“Between Prop.1’s $1.74 billion and other funding sources, we are able to allocate $2 billion to projects that will help address roadway congestion, safety and the growing demands on our infrastructure,” said Transportation Commission Chairman Ted Houghton.

“This is great news for commuters, industry and the overall economic health of Texas.”

Among the projects slated to begin work are more than 800 miles of rehabilitated highways, nearly 500 miles of new highway lanes, 64 bridge replacements and 18 lane-widening enhancements that will add 159 miles of passing lanes to rural highways.

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DEFENDER | MARCH 5 | 2015

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Demolition makes way for Washington campus

A groundbreaking ceremony was held for Sharptown High School’s campus.

Sharpstown breaks ground on new school Sharpstown High School students, staff and alumni were joined by elected officials and business representatives for a groundbreaking ceremony for the school’s new 21st century campus.

Houston City Council Member Michael Laster and State Reps. Borris Miles and Gene Wu gave remarks at the event, and the school was presented with a special proclamation from the State of Texas.

“I believe there’s been a rebirth in this community, and Sharpstown High School is firmly embedded as an important part of this rebirth,” said Principal Rob Gasparello. “We’re a better school now than we were five years ago, and we’re getting

better every day.”

Designed to have a collegiate feel, the new $55 million facility will feature a two-story, light-filled atrium, classrooms equipped with modern technology grouped into neighborhoods, flexible learning spaces, a large dinning commons, gymnasium, JROTC building and fine arts wing.

The new facility, which will accommodate 1,500 students, will be built adjacent to the existing structure. Students will remain in the current building during construction, which is expected to take about 20 months to complete.

SWAC tournament provides entertainment The 2015 Toyota SWAC Basketball Tournament comes to the Toyota Center March 10-14. Hoops fans will enjoy a high quality brand of college basketball in both the men’s and women’s categories.

As if quality play on the court wasn’t enough the conference has unveiled a star-studded array of activities designed to give every sports fan an added entertainment experience. Activities begin with a VIP welcome reception Rick Ross performs following the SWAC championship game. on Monday, March 9, and continue throughA cool-down concert with Charlie Wilson, out the week with a mixer, kick-off parties, Kem and Joe is Sunday, March 15. after-parties and happy hours.

All-session booklets, which include On Friday, March 13 following the admission to all of the tournament games 8:30 p.m. game, fans will be treated to a and select ancillary events, are available post- game concert by hip hop royalty Saltfor $125. Individual session passes and N-Pepa and 112. tickets to the championship night games On Saturday, March 14, Grammy are also available.

Award nominee Rick Ross performs imFor details visit www.swachoops.org mediately after the championship game. or www.houstontoyotacenter.com .

Demolition of properties that were acquired by HISD to become a part of the new Booker T. Washington High School is scheduled to begin this month.

It follows the completion of asbestos abatement at 51 properties in the Independence Heights neighborhood. As part of HISD’s current bond program, voters approved $51.7 million to build the new school, and the purchase of nearly 16 acres of land was part of the plan to nearly double the size of the campus.

The demolition phase is expected to take four to six weeks, and work will begin by disconnecting utilities and moving in heavy equipment.

“After the utilities are disconnected in the coming weeks, you will start to see more activity on the site,” said HISD Project Manager Amanda Goodie. “I know the neighbors are looking forward to the demo being completed – we are too, and we’re working hard to make that happen.”

Most buildings constructed prior to 1974 contain asbestos in the flooring, spray-on fireproofing and HVAC pipe insulation.

The abatement process includes conducting an asbestoscontaining material and lead-based paint survey; securing an abatement contractor and air monitoring consultant; monitoring air conditions throughout; conducting air quality sampling before and after and passing final inspection.

“It takes some time to remove older buildings due to asbestos and lead based paint that may be present, which can be extremely hazardous,” said Andreas Peeples, HISD construction general manager. “This was a large project and a complex one, but we’ve done it safely. Now it’s time to bring the buildings down.”

After the homes are cleared from the Independence Heights site, the construction company will begin the removal of streets and underground utilities.

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T:9.75”

MARCH 5 | 2015 | DEFENDER

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T:13”

Exhale! This is the redesigned 2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid. Unexpectedly beautiful and …Inhale! …technologically “green.”

The Toyota hybrids are only a part of our commitment to better living. Working with Historically Black Colleges and Universities, The Toyota Green Initiative finds and shares ideas to help us all breathe a little easier.

#toyotagreen Options shown. ©2014 Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

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DEFENDER | MARCH 5 | 2015

sports

Local stars shine at NFL Combine

I

By MAX EDISON Defender

n what amounts to the first in a series of physical interviews, the NFL recently held its annual Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. It is an invitation-only event where approximately 300 potential NFL players are poked, prodded, measured and put through an exhaustive battery of physical challenges.

The drills range from being timed in the 40-yard dash to how many times athletes can bench press 225 pounds. In addition to the physical tasks, players are given aptitude exams and have question-and-answer sessions with team executives.

Among the local delegation of former college standouts were Prairie View A&M University quarterback Jerry Lovelocke and Texas A&M University running back Trey Williams, both vying to fulfill a childhood dream of playing in the NFL. After starting four years at quarterback for the Pan-

Williams left A&M with the hopes of making it as a pro running back.

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Jerry Lovelocke

thers, Lovelocke is more than ready to take his talent to the next level. He threw for 39 TDs against 18 interceptions his final two seasons on the “Hill.” He also rushed for 19 touchdowns over the same period.

At 6-feet-4 and 248 pounds, Lovelocke immediately passes the eye test as the prototype of what NFL scouts are looking for in a signal caller. The Baltimore native was invited to the combine as a “throwing quarterback.”

His primary function was throwing passes to receivers, running backs, tight ends and defensive backs over the five days in attendance. For Lovelocke, the opportunity to compete against more highly touted QBs was an exciting experience.

“At the end of the day it’s all about competition,” Lovelocke said. “I’m just happy to have the opportunity against the best in the country. There was no intimidation. I feel like I did well.

“A lot of the [other QBs] weren’t familiar with me, but they are now,” Lovelocke said.

“Many NFL scouts had not seen me in perLovelocke, a former PVAMU quarterback, wants to play in the NFL. son, so it was good to work out for them.”

For Williams, who left College Station after three The post-combine reviews have been years, the combine was the latest opportunity to showcase positive for Lovelocke. his ability.

He ran the third fastest 40 time among running “Scouts liked my arm strength,” he said. “I was able backs (4.49) and was in the top five of most of the agilto make all the throws. I also was able to show that I was ity drills. knowledgeable of defensive schemes and how to attack “It was a great opportunity for me to show the them with an offense.” scouts what I can do,” he said.

The next step for Lovelocke will be his NFL Pro Williams, a state champion and a high school Day workout scheduled for March 25.

All-American at Dekaney High School, was anxious to compete against the nation’s top backs at the combine.

“I was not the least bit intimidated,” he said. “It’s all about competition and I never have a problem with Big-time boxing comes that. I’m confident in my ability and I know what I’m to Minute Maid capable of doing given the chance.”

Williams surprised some by opting not to return to A&M for his senior year.

“It was a tough decision to leave,” he said. “I love Texas A&M. We have a talented group of backs and I knew with that group they would have to figure out how to split carries between all of us. Playing in the NFL has always been my dream so I decided now was the time to go for it. You’ve got to trust your talent.”

Williams is 5-feet-8 and 195 pounds, and some observers feel his size is a negative. With the recent success of smaller backs such Justin Forsett and Jamaal Charles, however, Williams believes he has what it takes to play in the NFL. “I see my size as strength,” he said. “It’s tough for guys to really get a good shot on me. I use my agility and elusiveness to my advantage. Plus everything I’ve accomplished to this point has been at this size so there’s no need to doubt myself now. I’ve been blessed.”

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Trey Williams

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h.s.zone Ogwumike leads Cy-Woods to state

“She was very mature and the leader of our team. I

By DARRELL K. ARDISON wanted to take over her role and I think I’m doing Defender pretty well at that.”

In the Region III-6A semifinals, top-ranked Cyrica Ogwumike doesn’t have to look far for Woods face No. 2 North Shore in a showdown of the motivation. Her two oldest sisters, Nneka state’s top 6A teams. It was the third matchup beand Chiney, won state basketball titles at tween the two schools this season with North Shore Cy-Fair High School and went on to have winning the first game by three points and two stellar careers as All-Americans at Stanford Univerweeks later Cy-Woods avenged sity. its only loss of the season by nine Erica and another sister, points.

Olivia, led Cypress Woods In the rubber match, Cyto the regional championWoods led by as many as 14 points ship game last year before before North Shore sliced its succumbing to eventual state Birth date – Sept. 26, 1997 deficit to four in the fourth quarter champion Manvel. Olivia is Birth sign – Libra while Mulkey was sitting out with currently in California finishFavorite subject – U.S. history four fouls. Mulkey had a teaming up her freshman season as Possible college major – Busihigh 22 points while seniors Oga starter at Pepperdine Uniness/pre-med wumike and Perez scored 19 and versity.

Favorite athletes – Her sisters 13, respectively. Cy-Woods made Erica will join Olivia at Favorite meal – Chipotle its free throws down the stretch to Pepperdine in a few months Favorite color – Rainbow hold off North Shore 71-62. and the pair will embark on Favorite book – “Farewell to “The atmosphere was crazmaking a name for themselves Arms” (Her coach is her English ing and we love the hype for girls’ at the West Coast Conference teacher) basketball,” Ogwumike said. “We member school.

World problem to solve – were mentally and physically preFirst, there’s some unfinGovernment corruption pared for this game.” ished business back at CyCy-Woods head coach Virginia Woods High School.

Flores agrees with her star player.

Erica and her teammates “We knew they [North Shore] were are headed to San Antonio for the girls’ going to get runs. But I wanted my girls to state basketball tournament in quest of not let that dictate what we do,” Flores said. the first state championship in Cy-Woods “We had to maintain our poise. Senior leaderhistory. The 5-foot-10 senior guard enship has a lot to do with it. We’ve been here sured that with a spectacular 35-point, before.

16-rebound, six blocked shot “We’ve played some tough effort in the Lady Wildcats’ games this year. When we played 75-36 victory over Westside in [Round Rock] Cedar Ridge and the Region III-6A title game North Shore and the teams in our at the Campbell Center. district like Cy-Fair and Cy-Ranch, Cy-Woods (33-1) has senior leadership made a difference been the No. 1 ranked Class because they understand what the 6A team all season and goal is at the end of the game,” Ogwumike has been the best Flores said. “We have a goal and player (19 points, seven we want to reach that goal.” rebounds) on a talent-laden From day one of practice the team that includes 6-footCy-Woods players have never wa9 junior Nancy Mulkey, vered from their original goal.

Tatyana Perez, Jasmine Wil“It’s great knowing that we’re liams and 6-foot-2 freshman going to be running suicides in Catherine Reese. practice for the next three or “Coming into my senior Four days,” Ogwumike year I wanted to be said. “We’re all still together a leader like Olivia and we’re getting close to the was on our team last goal we set at the beginning of year,” said Erica, the Read how Westside girls made the year. Our goal was not to youngest of the four HISD proud go to state but to win state.”

Ogwumike sisters.

E

Facts about Erica Ogwumike

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MARCH 15 | 2015 DEFENDER

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sportsbriefs Cougar men win indoor title It all came down to the final leg of the final event.

The Houston Cougars men’s track team claimed victory in the 4x400m relay and clinched the American Athletic Conference Indoor Championship at the Armory in New York City. “This means a lot to this program,” said track legend Leroy Burrell, UH head coach and American Athletic Co-Coach of the Year.

“This is probably UConn’s second home and Tulsa is a really strong team,” Burrell said of the competition.

“And to lose two of our best athletes like we did in Cameron Burrell and Trumaine Jefferson, and have other guys step up really speaks to the quality and character of our program.”

Rockets honor legends The Houston Rockets recently unveiled their new Legends Lockers on the upper concourse of the Toyota Center to honor franchise greats. The lockers will feature photos, memorabilia and artifacts from throughout the tenures of each Rockets great and will be on display for fan viewing at all Rockets home games going forward. Owner Leslie Alexander and former players Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler, Rudy Tomjanovich, Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady, Elvin Hayes, Moses Malone, Ralph Sampson, Steve Francis and Calvin Murphy are all featured with lockers. “It’s a great honor to be included with some of the greatest players in franchise history, Murphy said. “I bleed Rocket red and it’s just great to see the organization acknowledge our contributions.”

Schools get double whammy Houston Sterling, Bellaire, Worthing, Westside, Wheatley and Madison are just a handful of schools in the greater Houston area that had both the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams qualify for the postseason. The North Shore boys qualified for the postseason and looked forward to the opportunity of defending the state championship they won for the first time in school history last year. The North Shore girls are perennial playoff qualifiers and have been ranked No. 2 in the state Class 6A poll for most of the season. So what is the “double whammy?”

When both boys’ and girls’ teams lose on the same night. That’s what happened to North Shore when the boys suffered a 68-65 overtime loss to Clear Creek in the second round of the playoffs. The same night the North Shore girls faced top-ranked Cypress Woods in the Region III-6A semifinals. It was the third meeting of the season between the two team and they had split the first two games. CyWoods advanced to the regional final with a 71-62 victory in the rubber match. Hightower High School experienced the same fate when both boys and girls teams lost on the same night.

Neighborhood rivals meet A&M Consolidated and Bryan Rudder are located within two miles of each other. Yet the two neighboring schools had to travel to the Campbell Center in Houston to determine which would be the Region III-5A girls’ representative at the state tournament in San Antonio March 5-7. Rudder prevailed 63-60 for its third victory in four meetings over A&M Consolidated.

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DEFENDER | MARCH 5 | 2015

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

topevents

BLACK IN AMERICA TOUR……..Soledad O’Brien’s Black in America Tour made Nelson Vangas, Veronica Salinas, Assistant WITS Director Long Chu, teacher its stop in town at the University of Houston main campus. The national multi-city tour Emanuelee “Outspoken” Bean, DJ Lilly B and DJ Supastar. Participants included was a part of the UH Center for Diversity and Inclusion’s spring speaker series, which Ashley Rodriguez, Dawn Stevenson, Alexandria Worsham, Breanna Jonncon, provides services, programs and support that engage, empower and educate the diverse Zamyria Davis, Calvin King, Alexyia Lewis, Diamond Hamilton, Nelcy Alberto, student population and campus partners. O’Brien moderated the event, and says it focuses Keysean Lewis, Kayla Solomon, Davidson Onuwka, Young Giant and Donald Val. on “Americans talking about the uncomfortable issue of race, about opening the floor to Congratulations to all the participants and winners……..AFRICAN AMERICAN new perspectives, problems and the powerful experiences of regular NATIONAL SPELLING BEE……………The African American people. This is a forum for the conversation America is ready to National Spelling Bee Championships was recently held at Defender TOP EVENTS have.” Panelists included Julianne Malveaux, an economist, author Houston Community College. Founder Robert Garner along with More photos on defendernetwork.com and political commentator; Antonio French, and alderman in St. community sponsors gave middle school students in Harris County See Events on KTRK Ch.13’s ‘Crossroads’ Louis, and Leonard M. Baynes, dean of the UH Law Center…….. and surrounding areas an opportunity to represent their school in the with Melanie Lawson Sunday Morning @ 5:30 and 11:30 a.m.

SPACE CITY POETRY SLAM……..Writers in the Schools spelling bee. FOX 26 news anchor Jose Grinan served as master of (WITS) programs presented the Space City Slam Poetry preliminary ceremonies. Special guest rapper Bun B also made an appearance to competition on the KIPP Liberation campus. The WITS program offers professional help motivate the children. Judges included Mena Freeman, Dr. Lisa Burrell, Michael writers the opportunity to teach students the craft of writing. Teen poets, rappers and Harris, Stephanie Curry and Donna Kilgore. Also attending were HCC Trustee Carroll creative writers participated in hopes of competing at the Brave New Voices Championship Robinson, HISD Trustee Rhonda Skillern-Jones, Mickey McGill, Reggie Garner, in Atlanta. Those in attendance included Keith Weber, Delicia Daniels, Craig Malison, Madd Hatta and a host of others.

Victoria Baynes Lopez, Soledad O’Brien and Dr. Leonard Baynes

DJ Lilly B and DJ Supastar

Vickee Syes and daughter

Melanie Lawson, Rev. William Lawson and Dr. Elwyn Lee

Long Chu and Emanuelee “Outspoken” Bean

Sheyla Waters, Jonte Garrett, Steven Fanning, Earnesia Clabron and Erica Jarvis

Winners Young Giant, Donald Val and Alexandria Worsham

Dr. Lisa Burrell, Mena Freman, Stephanie Curry and Donna Kilgore

Carroll Robinson and Robert Garner

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