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Volume 83 | Number 18
MARCH 6, 2014 |FREE
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NATIONAL
Oscar winner
PRESIDENT OBAMA launches initiative for young men
Lupita Nyong’o
P4 SPORTS BO PORTER optimistic about Astros
finds stardom
P10 HS ZONE BRIANNA TURNER plays for state champs
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Hanq Neal will be missed Minister of music Hanq Neal, who recently died at age 57, was one of Houston’s most well-known gospel artists. Discover how he got his start as a singer. Learn about his accomplishments in the music industry. Find out how Houston plans to honor his memory. H Page 2
Black movement influenced others
CHAG’S PLACE
The Civil Rights Movement of the ‘50s and ‘60s didn’t just change Black America. It served as a catalyst for other movements occurring in the United States. See how the fight for freedom “knocked down walls of inequality.” Read about three groups that benefitted.
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Ann and Kenny Friedman, Alison Leland at birthday party
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Jackson Lee offers school closure solutions
C Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and HISD trustee Rhonda Skillern-Jones ask for school closure alternatives.
By LaGLORIA WHEATFALL Defender
ongresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee hopes alternatives can be found to prevent any HISD schools from closing their doors. She spoke during a press conference at Fleming Middle School, one of five schools being considered for closure or repurposing. “I am not in favor of closing schools,” she said. “I think there are solutions that we can find to keep them open.” She said possible solutions include precision budgeting and collaborative efforts with corporations. Jackson Lee was joined by HISD Trustee Rhonda Skillern-Jones. Fleming and another one of the proposed schools, Nat Q. Henderson Elementary, are in Skillern-Jones’ district. Skillern-Jones encouraged HISD to take measures
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See why Congresswoman Jackson Lee says schools should stay open
to analyze and revise school programs in order to increase enrollment. “Every child deserves a quality education and every child deserves a neighborhood school,” Skillern-Jones said. “Closing schools is taking the easy way out instead of finding what is wrong when enrollment initially starts to fall and addressing it before it falls too far”. After walking the halls of Fleming, Jackson Lee concluded that students want their school to remain open. “When I went into a Texas history class and asked how many wanted to save their school, every hand went up,” she said.
Gospel artist Hanq Neal dies Defender News Services
Well-known Houston gospel artist Hanq Neal died on Feb. 27 after suffering a heart attack. He was 57. His body will lie in state on Friday, March 7 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, 3826 Wheeler. A concert in his honor is Friday at 7 p.m. at World Harvest Outreach Church, 10800 Scott St. Funeral services will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Wortham Center. A viewing is at 9 a.m. Neal had served as minister of music at Wheeler Avenue since 2001. He previously served as minister of music at Windsor Village United Methodist Church. “His life has not only enriched our individual lives, but in so many
ways, has caused us to be a better people of faith,” said Wheeler Avenue Pastor Marcus D. Cosby. ”Thank God for the life and the love of our friend, Hanq Neal.” Neal received a Grammy nomination for his rendition of “If You Move Yourself,” which he sang with the Donald Vails Choraleers. ” He also released an album titled “Uniquely Hanq.” Neal was born in Ft. Wayne, Ind. He had a talent for music and in the 1970s joined the Pentecostal Ambassadors singing group. He later sang with a group called Joy. Neal moved to Houston in 1984. He performed at mayoral inaugurations, at the memorial service for Congressman Mickey Leland and for Queen Elizabeth II. Survivors include his mother, Kathyleen Neal; son, Christian “C.J.” Neal; four siblings and five grandchildren.
Hanq Neal
localbriefs ACRES HOMES RESIDENTS are taking a stand against crime. A coalition called Acres Homes Proud-Together We Stand has formed in response to thefts, drug activity and other crimes plaguing the community. The coalition is comprised of residents, business owners, educators, ministers and government officials……. STATE REP. GARNET COLEMAN applauded the ruling by a federal judge in San Antonio which struck down the Texas ban on same-sex marriage. “As a longtime advocate and ally of the LGBT community, I am thrilled by this decision,” Coleman said. “There is simply no rational basis for the government to prohibit two loving adults
from marrying one another.” Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said he would appeal the ruling……..HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS can perform free criminal background checks by visiting the District Clerk’s website, hcdistrictclerk.com. Residents can access records dating back to 1977. Records are for Harris County only. A name and year of birth are needed to run a background check on a person. Records for offenses committed by juveniles will not appear in the district clerk’s records. Some adult records also will not appear if a person has gone to court and a judge has agreed to expunge the records……..SEVEN TEXAS
ADVOCACY organizations are asking Gov. Rick Perry to declare a moratorium on the use of Tasers and pepper spray on Texas students. The request follows a recent Tasing incident by a school police officer that left a Central Texas student in a coma for more than 50 days with traumatic brain injury. “The risks associated with Taser and pepper spray use on children are well documented,” said Lauren Rose of Texans Care for Children, one of the groups signing a letter to Perry. “These tactics create school climates characterized by fear and intimidation rather than learning and positive relationships with adults,” she said.
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U.S.briefs
President Obama is joined by young males of color at the White House.
Obama initiative aids Black, Brown males
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AFRO Staff
resident Barack Obama recently introduced an initiative aimed at elevating the lives of Black and Hispanic boys and young men. It’s called My Brother’s Keeper. Obama made the announcement during one of the most emotional speeches of his presidency. “The plain fact is there are some Americans who are consistently doing worse in our society – groups that have had the odds stacked against them in unique ways that require unique solutions; groups who’ve seen fewer opportunities that have spanned generations,” he said. “And by almost every measure, the group that is facing some of the most severe challenges in the 21st century in this country are boys and young men of color.” According to statistics cited by the White House, by the
time they reach fourth grade, 86 percent of African-American boys and 82 percent Hispanic boys are reading below proficiency levels, compared to 54 percent of white fourth-graders. Add skyrocketing unemployment rates, disproportionately high dropout rates and entanglement in the criminal justice system and the picture grows increasingly bleak. Obama’s initiative will create a task force to assess which federal policies are aiding young men of color and which are failing them. The initiative also brings together businesses, foundations and charities, mayors and other officials who will invest $200 million over the next five years to implement communitybased solutions to increase literacy and improve economic opportunities for young men of color. “This is an issue of national importance,” Obama said. “It is as important as any issue that I work on. It’s an issue that goes to the very heart of why I ran for president.”
GOP healthcare plan would harm, not help AFRO Staff
A Republican-sponsored “fix” for Obamacare would do more harm than good, an analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has concluded. The GOP’s Save American Workers Act would change the definition of full-time employment from 30 hours per week to 40 hours per week to reduce the number of employers subject to penalties for not offering any or adequate health insurance for their employees. Under the Affordable Care Act, companies with 50 or more full-time employees are liable to fines of $2,000 to $3,000 per employee for failing to offer insurance to those workers clocking 30 hours or more a week. Rep. Todd Young (R-Ind.), the bill’s chief sponsor, said the 30-hour provision has placed an estimated 2.6 million hourly workers nationwide at-risk for having their working hours cut to 29 hours a week or less. “These are Americans who depend on those hours to
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support their families,” Young said. “It isn’t just their hours, but also their wages, that are disappearing. But the CBO report concluded that the GOP “solution” would actually cause more problems. It would raise the deficit, increase the number of uninsured Americans, funnel more people into government insurance programs and affect more persons. About 1 million fewer people would receive employment-based coverage under the GOP legislation, and between 500,000 and 1 million more people would have to obtain coverage through Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or government-run health insurance exchanges, the report predicted. The number of uninsured Americans would increase by about 50,000 under the proposed revision. It would also increase budget deficits by $25.4 billion over a five-year period and by $73.7 billion over the 10-year period from 2015-2024. Young introduced the bill last year and 208 other Republicans signed on as co-sponsors.
GUN VIOLENCE continues to take a toll on young Black men. According to a study by the Center for American Progress (CAP), “While 13 percent of Americans are Black, in 2010, 65 percent of gun murder victims between the ages of 15 and 24 were Black. Forty-two percent of the total gun deaths of individuals in this age group were of Black males.” Another report on gun violence by the Children’s Defense Fund mirrors those findings. According to the CDF, between 1963 and 2010, 59,265 Black children and teens were killed by guns – more than 17 times the recorded lynchings of Black people of all ages in the 86 years from 1882 to 1968. In addition, Black males ages 15-19 were nearly 30 times more likely to die in a gun homicide than white males……..JAMES MEREDITH, the man who integrated the University of Mississippi in 1962, said the recent desecration of a statue of him on campus should not deter Black students from attending Ole Miss. Meredith said it was “foolish” for those responsible to leave a noose and an old Georgia state flag with a prominent Confederate emblem on the statue. Three freshmen from Georgia were kicked out of their fraternity for the desecration and could face university punishment. “Teenagers have been committing pranks and doing foolish things forever, and Blacks will be out of their minds if they were planning on going to Ole Miss and let this distraction turn them away,” Meredith said… …..A BLACK PHYSICIST at the University of Maryland was named 2014 Scientist of the Year by the Harvard Foundation. Dr. Sylvester James Gates Jr. is the first African-American to hold an endowed chair in physics at a major U.S. research university. In 2013 Gates won the National Medal of Science for his contributions to science and research.
VOLUME 83 • NUMBER 18 MARCH 6, 2014 Publisher Print Editor Marilyn Marshall Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Art Director Advertising/Client Relations Tony Fernandez-Davila Selma Dodson Tyler People Editor Strategic Alliance Manager Yvette Chargois Clyde Jiles Sports Editors Multimedia Manager Max Edison Tiffany Williams Darrell K. Ardison Online Editor Contributing Writer ReShonda Billingsley Cierra Duncan 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 6 | 2014 | DEFENDER
Black Heritage Gallery closes By MARILYN MARSHALL Defender
After 37 years in business and nearly 28 years at its Almeda location, the Black Heritage Gallery has closed. Robbie Lee, owner of the Third Ward institution, said the property’s original owners sold it earlier this year “and the new owner has other tenants in mind.” Lee has received several offers for a new space but doesn’t plan to open another art gallery. She will, however, still sell art. “We will have an online presence and we will do a ‘pop-up gallery’ where we will rent a
space and present shows for a weekend,” she said. “We are also going to display art we have left at the Houston Area Urban League on Texas Avenue and a percentage of the sales will go to the Urban League.” Lee said in addition, Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church has offered its community center for gatherings and shows. The new venues will give Lee a chance to relax. “I’m going to take a well-deserved break,” she said. Lee opened the gallery to give AfricanAmerican artists a place to exhibit their work. “We also gave the community a place where
they could come and look with no pressure to buy anything,” she said. “We let them bring their children too.” Visitors to the gallery were able to find works by such noted artists as Elizabeth Catlett, Romare Bearden, Varnett Honeywood, Dr. John Biggers and many others. Lee thanks all the customers and artists who helped support it. “I want them to know how much I appreciate them allowing me to fulfill a dream,” she said. “I never imagined it would have manifested the way it has – the friendships we developed and the impact we made on the community.”
Robbie Lee
Primary election results Defender News Services
Texans went to the polls on March 4 to elect candidates in the Democratic and Republican primaries. Here is a rundown: In the race to replace Gov. Rick Perry, Democratic State Sen. Wendy Davis of Fort Worth will face Republican Attorney Gen. Greg Abbott. Davis is the first female gubernatorial nominee in Texas since former Gov. Ann Richards. In the race for lieutenant governor, incumbent David Dewhurst and challenger State Sen. Dan Patrick, both Republicans, will face each other in the May 27 runoff. State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte is the Democratic candidate. Republican attorney general candidates State Rep. Dan Branch and State Sen. Ken Paxton will face each other in a runoff. Sam Houston is the Democratic candidate. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Congressman Al Green were unopposed in the primary. State Rep. Alma Allen defeated Azuwuike Okorafor in the primary. State Reps. Garnet Coleman, Harold Dutton, Borris Miles, Ron Reynolds, Senfronia Thompson, Sylvester Turner were unopposed. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn returns as the Republican candidate in November. African-American Democratic candidate Kesha Roberts faces David Alameel in the May runoff.
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cente
In the beginning
The fight against discrimination and segregation in the United States – known as the Civil Rights Movement – became prominent in the mid-1950s. Countless men and women played a role in the struggle for freedom and equality. “The movement was not just Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the marches in the streets and sit-ins,” said Carroll Robinson, an associate law professor at Texas Southern University. In 1954, the Supreme Court ruled that “separate but equal” school accommodations were unconstitutional. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 ended segregation in public places and banned discrimination based on race, religion, and gender. Desegregation of public schools throughout the South would follow into the 1960s. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 banned the use of literacy tests, provided federal oversight of voter registration in areas where less than 50 percent of the minority population registered to vote and authorized the U.S. attorney general to investigate the use of poll taxes in elections. Throughout the 1960s, groups such as the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) emphasized voter registration in the South. By the late 1960s, militant organizations such as the Black Panthers were taking a different approach to gaining rights, and did not follow the same nonviolent principles that other groups advocated. Yet the Civil Rights Movement transformed America, giving African-Americans newfound privileges. “Today, there are African-Americans working in every industry,” Robinson said. “You see the manifestation of the movement, including through the election of Barack Obama.”
Chicano movement
African-Americans and Hispanics had long been working together in their fights for equality. In 1947, the NAACP collaborated with the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) to fight for equal education rights in the Mendez v. Westminster federal court case. The court ruled that segregating Hispanic schoolchildren from white children was unconstitutional. This was a precursor to the 1954 Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, where it was determined that “separate but equal” schools were unconstitutional. That same year, Hispanics achieved another legal victory in their fight for equality. In Hernandez v. Texas, the Supreme Court ruled that the Fourteenth Amendment guaranteed equal protection to all races, not just African-Americans. Similar to the Civil Rights Movement led by African-Americans, students played a major role in the Chicano Movement of the ‘60s and ‘70s. These groups included the United Mexican American Students and the Mexican American Youth Association. In 1968, members of both groups staged walkouts to protest high dropout rates among Chicanos, a ban on speaking Spanish in school and other related issues. “The Voting Rights Act of 1965 not only covered African-Americans but it also covered what one would call linguistic minorities,” Horne said.
Civil R Move
Marches were one aspect of the Civil Rights Movement.
By the next decade, the Supreme Court and the Department of Health, Education and Welfare ruled it was unlawful to keep children who did not speak English from getting an education. Major events in the Chicano movement include labor leader Cesar Chavez advocating for California farm workers in the ‘60s and ’70s, the first National Chicano Youth and Liberation Conference in Denver in 1969 and the founding of La Raza Unida political party in 1970.
Women’s movement
How it influenc
By CIE D
The Civil Rights Movement led by African-Americans occurring in the United States. The success of the moveme faced, such as Hispanics, women and gays. “The struggle for equality symbolized by the Civil Rig Horne, a history professor at the University of Houston. “T who faced inequality.” The Defender looks at how the movement impacted Af
The fight for equality transcended racial and gender barriers with women participating in the Civil Rights Movement. Many of the women who participated in the movement were founding members of the National Organization for Women (NOW). They included Betty Friedan, Muriel Fox and Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American women elected to Congress and the first African-American woman to seek the presidency of the United States. In 1966 NOW held its first national conference in Washington, D.C. There, the organization adopted its first Statement of Purpose that outlined the organizations goals and principles. “There is no civil rights movement to speak for women, as there has been for Negroes and other victims of discrimination,” the statement read. “The National Organization for Women must therefore begin to speak.” Some of NOW’s founding principles were based in the tenets of the Civil Rights Movement. The Statement of Purpose stated that,“the power of American law, and the protection guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution to the civil rights of all individuals, must be effectively applied and enforced to isolate and remove patterns of sex discrimination, to ensure equality of opportunity in employment and education, and equality of civil and political rights and responsibilities on behalf of women, as well as for Negroes and other deprived groups.” The women’s movement gained national attention in 1970 when 50,000 people marched down Fifth Avenue in New York City.
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Rights ement
ced other groups
ERRA DUNCAN Defender
s in the 1950s and ‘60s served as a catalyst for other movements ent put a spotlight on the inequalities and injustices other groups
ghts Movement knocked down walls of inequality,” said Gerald This opened the doors for not only Black Americans but anyone
frican-Americans and other groups.
The gay rights movement is grounded in the Fourteenth Amendment, ‘equal protection under the law,’ and that is also what the Civil Rights Movement was advocating for.”
he Houston area for over 80 years the Houston area for over 80 years
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Cesar Chavez was a leader of the Chicano rights movement.
Today NOW focuses on political and social reforms such as reproductive rights, lesbian rights, racism, violence against women, a constitutional equality amendment and economic justice. Its members span across all 50 states and the District of Columbia and continue “to take action” to bring equality to women.
Gay rights
Shirley Chisholm was at the forefront of women’s rights.
At the height of the Civil Rights Movement gays were fighting their own battles. During that time, being homosexual was regarded as a mental illness. Those who practiced homosexuality were said to be addicted to “immoral behavior” and, oftentimes, had to keep their sexual preferences a secret. The LGBT movement used various civil rights tactics. These classifications is also what the Civil Rights Movement led to the founding of the first lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender was advocating for,” Robinson said. “The LGBT Community has used a lot of the (LGBT) rights organizations. same civil tactics and many of the same In 1951, Harry Hay formed the legal precedence of the Civil Rights MoveMattachine Society, the first national gay ment to help move forward their individual rights organization. Hay is considered to rights to liberty and equal protection under be the founder of the gay rights movethe law. ment. In 1955, the first lesbian rights In 1977, Harvey Milk was elected organization, the Daughters of Bilitis, was to San Francisco Board of Supervisors, established. becoming one of the first openly gay public The March on Washington in 1963 officials in the United States. Before his was an inspiration to gay civil rights assassination the following year, Milk led pioneers. the passing of an ordinance that protected In 1965 the first gay civil rights pickhomosexuals from getting fired from their ets occurred outside of the White House job because of sexual preferences. and in Philadelphia outside of IndepenToday, the LGBT movement has seen dence Hall. The first National March on legal victories in workplace and marriage Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights equalities. Same-sex marriage is now occurred in 1979. allowed in 17 states and the U.S. federal “The gay rights movement is government now recognizes same-sex margrounded in the Fourteenth Amendment, riages in federal legal matters. ‘equal protection under the law,’ and that
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DEFENDER | MARCH 6 | 2014
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entertainment
‘12 Years a Slave’ makes movie history
10 things to know about Lupita Nyong’o
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Defender News Services
he drama “12 Years a Slave,” a harrowing tale of a freed Black man kidnapped into slavery, won the Academy Award for Best Picture, capping an evening which also saw its star Lupita Nyong’o take home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. The film, directed by Steve McQueen, made history as the first movie from a Black director to win the film industry’s highest honor in 86 years of the Oscars. The film also won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. McQueen, a native of London, made his directorial debut Lupita Nyong’o co-stars with Michael Fassbender and Chiwetel Ejiofor in “12 Years a Slave.” with the 2008 film “Hunger,” and followed it up with the film “12 Years a Slave” was the first film role for Nyong’o, who “Shame.” played the part of Patsey, a slave who suffered at the hands of His third film, “12 Years a Slave,” tells the true story of her master. In accepting her award, Nyong’o paid homage to her Solomon Northup, a free Black man who worked as a farmer character. and violinist in New York. Northup was lured south in 1841, “Thank you to the Academy for this incredible recognition,” kidnapped and enslaved in Louisiana. He was freed in 1853. she said. “It doesn’t escape me for one moment that so much In accepting his Oscar, McQueen paid tribute to today’s joy in my life is thanks to so much pain in someone else’s. And victims of slavery. so I want to salute the spirit of Patsey for her guidance. And for “Everyone deserves not just to survive, but to live,” McSolomon, thank you for telling her story and your own.” Queen said. “This is the most important legacy of Solomon NorNyong’o concluded by saying, “When I look down at this thup. I dedicate this award to all the people who have endured golden statue, may it remind me and every little child that no slavery. And the 21 million people who still suffer slavery today.” matter where you’re from, your dreams are valid.”
Born in Mexico in 1983. Her father, a Kenyan senator, was a visiting lecturer in political science. Grew up in Kenya. Speaks her native Luo, as well as Swahili and Spanish. Portrayed Juliet in “Romeo and Juliet” at age 14. Received her undergraduate degree from Hampshire College in Massachusetts. Worked on the production crew of “The Constant Gardener.” Appeared in such plays as “The Winter’s Tale” and “The Taming of the Shrew.” Graduated from the Yale University School of Drama. Appeared as a regular on the Kenyan TV series “Shuga” produced by MTV. Beat out more than a thousand girls who auditioned for the role of Patsey. Appears in the new movie “Non-Stop” starring Liam Neeson.
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what’sup TYLER PERRY’S latest film “The Single Moms Club” hits theaters on March 14. Perry wrote, directed, produced and stars in the film. His co-stars include NIA LONG, TERRY CREWS and COCOA BROWN. In the film, single mothers from different walks of life are brought together by an incident at their children’s school. The women create a support group that helps them find comedy in the obstacles of life. A series based on the movie debuts on OWN in the fall with a different cast……..The mother of NICKI MINAJ is pursuing a gospel music career. CAROL MARAJ is preparing to release a gospel album, and recently shared a snippet from her first single, “God’s Been Good.” Maraj is a songwriter, playwright and founder of a New York foundation that helps domestic abuse survivors…….. Actor BILLY DEE WILLIAMS
and reality star NeNe LEAKES are among the celebrities competing in the new season of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars,” which premieres on March 17. Williams, who turns 77 next month, first gained fame for his role in “Lady Sings the Blues.” He also portrayed Lando Calrissian in two “Star Wars” movies. He has made numerous other film and TV appearances during his career. Leakes has starred on such shows as “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” “Celebrity Apprentice” and “I Dream of NeNe: The Wedding.” She once worked as an exotic dancer……..Five-time Tony Award-winner AUDRA McDONALD will sing the blues as BILLIE HOLIDAY on Broadway. McDonald will star in “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill,” a musical that imagines one of Holiday’s last performances in 1959. The show opens in April……..ARSENIO HALL is thrilled
that his syndicated late-night talk show has been renewed for a second season. The show debuted last September and is watched by 6.7 million viewers weekly. “Producing and hosting my late-night talk show brings me great joy. I’m back where I belong,” Hall said……..The season three premiere of WE TV’s “Mary Mary” starring ERICA & TINA CAMPBELL delivered nearly 1 million total viewers, up an impressive 62 percent over the season two premiere. The show also increased its performance across key demographic audiences. The Campbell sisters found success in 2000 with their crossover hit “Shackles (Praise You).” Describing their music, Tina said, “It’s about spreading good news for the world but doing it in the Mary Mary way: banging beats and melodies, intertwined voices and messages of hope.”
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Retired Good Hope pastor Kimble dies
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How To Get Paid To Drive Your Own Car
Funeral services were recently held for Rev. Crawford W. Kimble, pastor emeritus of historic Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church. He died Feb. 21 at the age of 95. Good Hope was founded in Fourth Ward in 1872. Kimble served as pastor from 1964 to 1994. Under his leadership, the church moved to a new worship facility on North MacGregor Way in 1981. After retiring from Good Hope, Kimble remained active as a lecturer, instructor and writer, and authored six books and volumes of essays and sermons. His books included “Watch the Tree it Might Fall on You,” “The Adventures of Love: God’s Plan for a Victorious Life for His People” and “God at Work.” Kimble served as pastor of seniors at The Church Without Walls. He also lived and worked in a Fourth Ward facility named in his honor, the Crawford W. Kimble Senior Living Center. Kimble was born in Elgin, Texas in 1918. His father and grandfather were both ministers. Kimble served in the U.S. Army in World War II. He attended Prairie View A&M University, Lincoln University School of Journalism and the Union Baptist Theological Seminary. Before becoming a minister he worked as editor of the Houston Informer Newspaper.
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HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE TO PROPOSERS The Houston Independent School District located in the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center at 4400 West 18 th Street Houston, Texas 77092 will accept proposals, until the stated date and time deadlines, in the Board Services Office, Level C1
Project 14-02-10 – RFP/National Merit PSAT Preparation with a deadline of 10:00 AM; March 26, 2014. A pre-proposal conference will not be held.
Project 14-02-11 RFQ – Construction Manager at Risk for General Renovations for Windsor Village Elementary School – with a final submittal date of 2P.M. March 24, 2014. The pre-proposal conference for this project will be held in Ryan Auditorium located at 4001 Hardy Street; Houston, Texas 77009 on March 10, 2014 at 10A.M.
Proposals are available on the HISD web-site at www.houstonisd.org.
The District sells obsolete assets on-line at www.PublicSuprlus.com.
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Project 14-02-09 RFQ – Construction Manager at Risk for Energy Institute High School – with a final submittal date of 2P.M. March 25, 2014. The pre-proposal conference for this project will be held in Ryan Auditorium located at 4001 Hardy Street; Houston, Texas 77009 on March 10, 2014 at 2P.M.
The District reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, or, to accept the proposal that is most advantageous to the District.
Bringing the World’s Best to Houston
Robert Battle, Artistic Director
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Astros manager Bo Porter said the team has reason to be optimistic this season.
Astros pursue a few good men
A
By MAX EDISION Defender
fter establishing a new watermark for futility with three consecutive 100-loss seasons, the Astros have decided enough is enough. The mantra is clear from owner Jim Crane, GM Jeff Luhnow and skipper Bo Porter – expect a very competitive team in 2014. The mission that Porter has accepted is to find a few good men. With spring training in Kissimmee, Fla. underway, the second-year manager is evaluating his troops to see who will answer the call and become significant contributors on the big league level. The Astros were the youngest team in baseball last season. With some key offseason additions Porter believes there is a legitimate reason for optimism in 2014. “Look at not only the young talent that’s coming, but the young core group that played in the major leagues last year and the progress in which they were able to make,” Porter said. “Couple that with the additions we were able to make this offseason, having the No. 1 farm system in all of baseball and the bevy of talent that will be coming in waves over the next few years. It’s an exciting time to be a Houston Astro,” Porter said. The credit goes to Luhnow, who got Crane to loosen the purse strings, allowing the GM to spend some money on some quality players with solid big league experience. Key among those acquisitions was centerfielder Dexter Fowler and veteran relievers Chad Qualls, Matt Albers and Jesse Crain. Outfielder L.J. Hoes, a late season pickup last year, believes those additions, along with bringing in Scott Feldman, will be pivotal to the team’s ascent in 2014. “Adding those key veterans to our ball club [combined] with the young guys we had last year gaining experience is going to help us a lot,” Hoes said. All-Star catcher Jason Castro considers the veteran bullpen arms the key to developing a quality pitching staff. “Some of the major improvements are in the bullpen,” Castro said. “The experience that a lot of the young starters and relievers got at the end of the season will help them moving forward…we’ll see some definite growth out of those guys.” As a young member of the pitching staff in 2005, Qualls understands his role as he begins his second tour of duty with the Astros. “The GM went out there and got some guys – obviously me, Matt and Jesse – to try to help them out on the back end,” Qualls said. “I know they have a lot of talent and a lot of young guys. I was in that situation last year with Miami – a lot of talent, a lot of young guys and helped them out. I’m going to try and help [the Astros] out, get ready and get prepared to do my own thing as well.” ESPN recently cited the Astros farm system as the best in baseball. They have seven players ranked in the top 75 prospects. They also have the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft. How quickly any of those young players make it to the big show is anybody’s guess. That’s why this evaluation time in spring training is so important. Porter will check to see which players step up and accept the call. If he’s successful, it could be an exciting summer.
Jesse Crain
Dexter Fowler
Chad Qualls
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h.s.zone
MARCH 6| 2014 | DEFENDER
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sportsbriefs HISD’s Dambrino wins award HISD athletic director Marmion Dambrino has been named a 2014 Development Zone Leadership Fellow by the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) for using high school sports to develop “Better Athletes, Better People.” PCA’s tagline conveys the organization’s commitment to providing a positive, character-building youth and high school sports experience. Dambrino is one of eight members of the inaugural class of fellows. She is highlighted for her tireless work in creating a development zone culture throughout HISD athletics.
Yates, North Shore advance
Manvel High School girls are 2014 state basketball champions.
Manvel knocks off Duncanville at state the game, making our free throws and attacking the basket,” Hosey said. “Coach [Bryan] Harris told us to attack the people with foul problems.” Ariel Atkins was a one-person wrecking AUSTIN – The streak is over. Twocrew for Duncanville head coach Cathy Selftime defending Class 5A state champion Morgan. At one point Atkins scored 20 of her Duncanville came into the Erwin Center for team’s 28 points. Duncanville (35-1) led 36-31 the 2014 state title game riding a wave of at intermission, but the precedent had been set. momentum that bordered on invincibility. “Coach Harris told us during the first The top-ranked Pantherettes hadn’t timeout to keep our composure and calm lost since Dec. 3, 2011. An 80-57 win over down,” said Bessard, who converted all six of San Antonio Wagner in the state semifinals her free-throw attempts and finished with 10 marked 105 consecutive victories, includpoints and eight rebounds. “He said that it’s ing one over No. 2 Manvel (56-50) back in Jordan Hosey proudly displays the going to happen, it’s going to come to you. Can November. championship trophy. you feel it, can you smell it? That’s all it took Some thought the rematch was only for us to go get it.” going to be another mismatch. Duncanville registered its biggest lead of the second half For much of the first quarter the game appeared to be just (49-42) on a basket by DeAndra Wheeler with 3:57 left in the that – a decided mismatch. Duncanville jumped out to a 16-4 adfourth quarter. vantage and Manvel had yet to make a field goal. To make matHowever, moments later the unthinkable happened. Atkins ters worse, Manvel was besieged by 10 first-quarter turnovers. picked up her fifth foul with 3:52 remaining and the tide began Then the incredible happened. Duncanville failed to apply to turn. With Atkins on the bench, Duncanville was like a ship the knockout blow and Manvel showed signs of life. Trailing without a rudder. by 11 points (17-6) and only six free throws on the scoreboard, Manvel (38-2) tied the score three times, but didn’t take its Manvel senior guard Jonee Jones scored Manvel’s first basket first lead until Brianna Turner scored on a layup (52-51) at the with three minutes, 23 seconds left in the opening quarter. Jones 1:52 mark. followed that up with another basket (19-10). “We know our offense isn’t always there so we rely upon Junior Jordan Hosey made a free throw, senior Rangie our defense,” said Turner, who was named the game’s Most ValuBessard converted a layup and Hosey closed out the first-quarter able Player with 17 points and 17 rebounds. “Having heart the scoring with a baseline jumper to bring the Lady Mavericks whole game and playing good defense carried us to the victory.” within 19-15. Game on. Atkins scored a game-high 24 points. No other Duncanville “We knew they were a good team,” said Hosey, who player scored in double figures. finished with 14 points and four rebounds. “They threw their best “I didn’t give up on the kids and they kept fighting,” Harris punches at us. We took them and then we threw some back. They said. “Keyerra Fisher did a good job off the bench. All the guards started fouling us and we including Jonee Jones and went to the line and made Amieya Jackson got us back our free throws. That’s one in the game and our big three of our strong points. See what coach Bryan Harris has to say carried us home.” “It got us back into By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender
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The Yates Lions advanced to the boys’ state basketball tournament for the fifth time in the past six years after disposing of Navasota 103-86 in the Class 3A Region III final at Sam Houston State University. North Shore defeated Fort Bend Bush 60-58 in the Class 5A Region III title game to clinch the school’s second trip to the state tournament.
Aymond leaves North Shore David Aymond has stepped down as head football coach at North Shore High School to become Galena Park ISD’s boys’ athletic director. Aymond inherited a sub-par program in 1994 and over the next 20 years built it into one of the state’s finest. The Mustangs won a state championship in 2003 and qualified for the postseason for 20 consecutive seasons.
Girls’ tournament tidbits Manvel became the sixth Houston area Class 5A school to win a girls’ state basketball championship since Yates won the title in 1983. Alief Elsik (1998), Spring Westfield (2004) and Cypress Fairbanks (2008, 2010) are the others. Also, Manvel defeated Duncanville (58-53) without converting a three-point field goal in the game.
Howard introduces program Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard recently introduced his “Block Out Violence” campaign at Carnegie Vanguard High School during an assembly that featured the Rockets Power Dancers and Launch Crew. The program, which targets high schools and junior high schools, is a grassroots, student-driven competition that promotes non-violence, anti-bullying, respect and acceptance, with the goal of creating safe campuses, and ultimately, safe communities. As part of the program, students will develop and implement their own campaigns against violence and bullying. In addition to campus-wide activities, schools will be encouraged to launch vigorous social media campaigns on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram by using their assigned “Block Out Violence” #hashtag, which identifies their school. The program runs through Friday, March 21. The schools that develop the most creative campaigns, while also generating school-wide participation, will be named the “D12 Block Out Violence School” and will win a block party school rally with Howard.
Texans salute Black history We might not know who the Texans are going to select first in the upcoming NFL draft but they made a first-class move to help local youngsters celebrate Black History Month. The team took 100 students from the Houston Texans YMCA and Boys & Girls Club to the Ensemble Theatre.
about Duncanville’s streak.
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DEFENDER | MARCH 6 | 2014
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chag’splace
members for another successful year. Congratulations!..... HOUSTON AREA ALLIANCE OF BLACK SCHOOL MICKEY LELAND KIBBUTZIM…..For the past 33 EDUCATORS……The organization hosted its 27th annual years, Kenny Friedman has chaired the Mickey Leland Outstanding Teacher Awards and Recognition ceremony. Kibbutzim Internship Foundation Ninety-one teachers from area school (MLKIF), which he started with his dear districts including Houston, Alief, Join Yvette Chargois friend, the late Congressman Mickey Aldine, Humble, Spring and Stafford Leland. Over the past decades, hundreds were honored at this grand affair. Events of the Week of high school seniors have participated, Tiffany Williams from HISD’s Bonham More photos on defendernetwork.com spending a summer month in Israel. It is Elementary was selected as the 2014 See Events on KTRK Ch.13’s Crossroads with Melanie Lawson Sunday Morning @ 11 a.m. a life-changing event for these inner-city Elementary Teacher of the Year and youth, who come from diverse religious Melanie Burton-Chambers from and socioeconomic backgrounds. Dekaney High, Spring ISD, was selected They are well prepared prior to the trip and once in Israel, as the 2014 Secondary Teacher of the Year. Dr. Joseph the interns travel, live and volunteer on a kibbutz and live Drayton, retired district superintendent and past president of with Jewish, Druse and Arab-Israeli families committed to the National Alliance of Black School Educators, was named the 2014 Living Legend based on his service to children in the peace. The foundation received a generous donation for a Houston area and for supporting educators across the nation. limited period of time to allow the non-profit organization More than 700 guests attended the event. We salute the to focus on raising money for a permanent endowment, organization’s president Dr. Dawn Randle and all committee so this program can continue in perpetuity. The Friedman
Dr. Chris Pichon, Mary Brown, Paul Griffin and Dr. Dawn Randle
Ann and Kenny Friedman and Alison Leland
Patricia and Charles Wilson
Fort Bend ISD superintendent Charles Dupree
Judy and Wayne McConnell
children decided to give their dad a surprise birthday party and presented him with a gift of over $150,000 donated by approximately 300 of his friends for MLKIF. Now that’s a b-day present. Kudos to Beth and Mike Walters, Alison and George Belcher, Michele and Brent Friedman, Robin and Andrew Friedman, Ryan Friedman and Ann Friedman. Continued success!.....HOUSTON CHAPTER OF THE LINKS, INC…….Over 600 cowgirls and cowboys gathered at the Bayou City Event Center for the annual “Boots and Bling” party sponsored by the Houston Chapter of the Links. This party with a purpose supports local educational efforts and has helped many promising students receive more than $500,000 in scholarships and financial assistance over the years. Barbecue and all the trimming was served and Corey Stoot and the Funkafangez provided the entertainment. Many thanks to chapter president Carolyn Codwell, event co-chairs Barbara Seymore and Cassye Cook and their committees for a fun evening. Congrats!.....From Chag’s Place to your place, have a blessed week!
President Dr. Dawn Randle, Khambrel Marshall and Julia Andrews (HAABSE photos by Nigel McKinney)
Terri Evans, Dr. Joann Rogers and Harriett Turner
Cassye Cook, chapter president Carolyn Codwell and Barbara Seymore
Andrea Odom Campbell, Alvia Few and Yvette Dillon
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